650 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

CHAPTER II.

BIG ISLAND TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIC.

BIG ISLAND TOWNSHIP was doubtless organized in the early part of the first session that was held by the Commissioners after the organization of Marion County, which convened June 7, 1824; but a diligent search of the records has failed to reveal any formal entry of such organization. But that its organization was effected then there can be no question, for on the third day of that session the following entry in which Big Island Township is recognized as an established township appears:

THURSDAY, June 10, 1824.

Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment. Present, same as yesterday. Ordered, that there be made four districts in Marion County, for the purpose of collecting the county tax, agreeable to the following boundaries: First District composed of Scott, Washington, Claridon and Canaan Townships. Second District, composed of Green Camp, Pleasant, Richland and Morven Townships. Third District, Big Island

Salt Rock, Center and Grand Prairie Townships. Fourth District, composed of Bucyrus, Sandusky, Grand and Whetstone Townships.

There is no entry on record defining clearly the original limits of this township, but it at present comprises the whole of surveyed Township 5, Range 14, which consists of thirty-three full sections and three fractional sections of Congress lands. At one time the south tier of sections were set off to Green Camp Township, as will be observed from the following portion of an entry from the Commissioners' record:

MARION COUNTY, June 6, 1825.

Ordered, That the south tier of sections now belonging to Big Island Township * * * be, and the same is hereby set off to Green Camp Township. * * *

It also appears that this township for a time had secured and held within its limits a portion of Marion Township-then called Center, as will be observed from the following:

"WEDNESDAY, June 6, 1827.

Ordered, That from and after the 1st day of July next, that part of Big Island Township belonging to Center Township shall be considered to be set back to said Center Township.

When the boundaries of Green Camp Township were finally fixed and determined as they now stand, the south tier of sections taken from Big Island in 1825, was restored as appears from the following portion of an entry of that date:

MARCH 5 (first Monday), 1838.

Commissioners met pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided. Present, Charles Merriman, John Shunk and George Beckley. Whereupon, on petition of John Britt and others, it is ordered that the half-mile strip taken off the west end of Township 6, Range 15, in this county, and attached to the township of Green Camp, in said county, also the whole of Township 6, Range 14, in this county be, and the same is hereby detached from said township of Green Camp, and attached to the township of Pleasant, in this county. And it is further ordered that the strip of one mile heretofore taken off of the south end of Township 5, Range 14, in this county, and attached to the township of Green Camp aforesaid, be and the same is hereby detached from said township of Green Camp and attached to the township of Big Island in said county. * * *

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The lands of this township for the most part are greatly diversified by hill and dale, the soil is rich, and no more productive farm land smiles under the rays of the sunshine and answers to the refreshing draughts of spring and summer showers with more luxuriant grasses and golden grain than can be found here. An abundant supply of spring water is accessible in all parts of the township, and a number of small streams and creeks afford a good system of drainage. The Scioto River passes along the greater portion of its southern border, and the Little Scioto runs through the southeastern corner of the township for a distance of more than two miles. The low lands have generally been properly drained, and now but few waste places can be found in its entire territory.

FIRST SETTLERS.

But few of the townships of this county contained any settlers prior to 1819. Those portions of Waldo and Prospect Townships lying south of the Greenville treaty line had received a few settlers at an earlier date, and in some instances the townships adjoining them had received a few " squatters," while the central and northern townships remained uninhabited by the whites until a later date when the lands north of the treaty line had been thrown upon the market by the General Government Yet, even then there were a few of the early settlers of these townships. who, at first, neither bought nor entered lands, but located on them without even the shadow of a title, thus securing for themselves the name of "squatters." Big Island Township was not wholly free from this class of settlers, but in fact was at first particularly favored with them. Among the " squatter sovereigns" of this township were Jacob Croy and Joshua Cope, Sr., who came in the latter part of the winter of 1819, built cabins, and in the spring moved into them without chimney, floor, door or window, Mr. Cope moving in April 5, and Mr. Croy two weeks afterward. Mr. Cope's was a mile and a quarter north of Big Island, on the old Radnor road, on the farm now owned by Orange Messenger. Mr. Cope was elected the first Justice of the Peace, and Lydia Cope was the first white female born in Big Island Township.

About the same. time came the Widow Nevi Ile and her two bachelor sons, John and William, the last three of whom located on Neville Run and lived together for several years, employing much of their time in hunting and paying but little attention to agricultural pursuits. They were not skillful hunters, however, and as the country grew older and the game began to disappear, they were compelled to seek a more favorable location for their accustomed pursuit. Accordingly in the summer of 1835, they left :Marion County, going northwest through the Black Swamp, cutting their road as they went, and, late in the autumn of that year arrived at the St. Joe settlement in Indiana, where they again located and where they . were last heard of.

Soon after the lands north of the Greenville treaty line came into the market in 1819, there were a number of families who located in this township, and among them were those of Jacob Dickerson, William Britton, Alexander Britton, Samuel Jones, Dr. Alson Norton and Hezekiah Gorton. During the next two years there came several others, of whom the following are a portion: Leonard Metz, Newton Messenger, Col. Everett Messenger, Portius Wheeler, David Thompson, Elder David Dudley and Caleb Johnson. Quite a settlement was thus early formed near where the town of Big Island now stands. and although there was no laid out or platted town there

652 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

at the time, yet itwas thought by the inhabitants of that vicinity that there was the most suitable site for the government seat of the county soon to be organized, and they strove to make it such; but they were too far from the geographical center. The Commissioners appointed for the purpose of selecting a suitable site for the 'county seat in the year 1822, after viewing several localities, among which were Claridon, Big Island and Marion, selected the last-named place, which, in the judgment of a great number of the settlers of the county at least, was then the most unsuitable and unpromising situation of all in contemplation. The people of Claridon and Big Island were sorely vexed and disappointed; and although the town of Big Island was not platted until in 1826, the settlers there and in the surrounding community contended for the county seat, even for many years after it was established at Marion, and the hope of success was not wholly abandoned until at the time the court house was erected in Marion in 1832. Then they quietly yielded to the inevitable, and the place remains a mere hamlet to this day.

Col. Samuel Everett, one of the earliest citizens of this township, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1786, where he learned the saddler's trade as he grew up. He enlisted in the war of 1812 under command of Gen. Hull, and was one of Hull's men at the infamous surrender of Detroit. He came to this county in 1825, entered a farm in the northeast corner of Big Island Township, on Section 1, where he lived until his death, February 2, 1842. He raised a family of four daughters and two sons. On the southeast quarter of Section 1 is situated

THE NOTED INDIAN FORT.

This fort is on the highest point of land in the township. It really consists of two forts, the principal one being surrounded by a deep ditch. The smaller one contains about three-fourths of an acre, and is connected with the larger one by a narrow passage. They are said by good engineers to be well laid out. Part of the fort is still in good preservation the ditch, embankment, etc. showing unmistakably the design of the constructors, notwithstanding there are many large oaks, three and four feet in diameter, standing in the bottom of the ditch.

The story of Samuel Britton and his siege by the wolves is given in the first chapter.

One of the ancient relics of this township is an Indian graveyard, on the farm of James Harraman.

BIG ISLAND VILLAGE IN EARLY DAYS.

The principal hotel in Big Island in 1837 was the brick building then kept by Mr. Morgan, afterward by D. Thurlow, John R. Knapp, Sr., Peter Frederick, Hiram Halsted, etc. Willey Fowler also kept a hotel, and after his death he was succeeded by Daniel Thurlow, and he by his widow. Later, William Wiley erected a fine frame building on the site of the edifice known as the "Old Mansion."

The first dry goods store of any importance was opened by Messrs. Norton, Royce & Topliff. John Hudson at a very early period kept a grocery in the frame building opposite the brick tavern; it was long ago torn away. Later Ira Halsted ran a grocery store in one corner of the brick building. and Jacob Young a dry goods store in the Norton building.

The early blacksmiths were David Ross, Levi Hammond, John (trice and James Lefever. Israel Jones and Dexter Pangborn were the wagon

BIG ISLAND TOWNSHIP. - 653

makers. Maj. Pangborn, a patriot of the Revolution, was the oldest citizen and was highly respected. Royal Miller and Alfred Walker were shoemakers. Old Mr. Awkinbaugh also made shoes---at least, says Mr. Knapp, "he made Jakee wear shoes in hay-making time to prevent `his biting himself mit a snake."' Jonathan and George O. Ross were coopers. The chief carpenters were Milton Pixley and Samson and Paul Jones. The physicians, Drs. Alson, and John C. Norton and Russell C. Bowdish. Tailors, Joshua S. Batch and James Green.

Some of the most prominent and widely known citizens of Marion County were natives of Big Island Township. Among the number may be mentioned Col. Everett Messenger and Judge Isaac E. James, both of whom were members of the State Legislature; John R. Knapp, for many years a leading editor of the county, now of Washington, D. C., and H. T. Van Fleet, a prominent member of the Marion County bar.

In militia muster days, the village of Big Island was a favorite point of rendezvous on Saturday afternoon, when drinking and fighting constituted the chief attractions. On one Christmas Day in Big Island might be seen at one moment thirteen fights going on! Day twenty-six men, all "paired" and stripped, and fighting at one time! It was what was called a free fight, and "outsiders" therefore did not attempt to check its progress or interfere in any way. To have " commanded the peace" that day would have been considered a breach of decoram unpardonable, and, indeed, not a safe undertaking.

CHURCHES.

Free-Will Baptist Church of Big Island.- This church was organized, according to the old church records, by the Rev. David Dudley at his house, July 6, 1822. The first members were Rev. David Dudley, Betsey Dudley, Robert. and Nancy Hopkins, John Page, Margarette Page, P. Wheeler and wife, Mrs. E. James, Benjamin F. Wheeler, Asa Davis, John Bates and wife, John C. Bates, Mehala Thomson, George Southwick and wife and D. Thompson and wife. The society grew in numbers and subsequently erected a small church building on the northeast quarter of Section 12, which they used for several years, but which has since been destroyed. They afterward helped build the old Union Church, R. Hopkins donating the site, one and one half miles east of Scott Town, on the northeast quarter of Section 5, in 1842, and it has ever since been their regular place of meeting. It has been used by the Methodists and Presbyterians also. In 1868, they helped build the Pleasant Hill Union Church, on the northeast quarter of Section 10, and in 1873 they built at Big Island Village their present church, four miles from the Union Church edifice, which was dedicated July 6, 1873. The church holds regular services at both places.

The Rev. David Dudley acted as the pastor of this church for about eighteen years after its organization. He was followed by Revs. E. Hutchings, --Bradford, David Marks, Aaron Hatch, John B. Wallace, G. W. Baker, Isaac Dotson, Oscar E. Baker, Gideon Moon, Kendall Higgins, John Collier, S. D. Bates, R. J. Poston, W. Whitacre, J. F. Tufts and Rev. J. A. Sutton, the present pastor. This church has been a "tower of strength unto the Lord " for upward of sixty years and numbered among its members many of the most worthy pioneer settlers of Big Island Township.

Bryan Church of the Evangelical Association was incorporated May 15, 1879, by the election of Trustees.

The German Methodist Episcopal Church is situated on Section 17.

654 - HISTORY OF MARION ,COUNTY.

RAILROADS.

Big Island Township is now traversed by two railroads, running the entire length o it east and west. On the Indianapolis Division of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad-the Oldest railroad in the county, being built about thirty years ago--are Bryan and Gurley stations, and on the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad, just completed, are Hord s and Espyville. The Columbus & Toledo Railroad nearly touches the northeast corner of the township.

AGRICULTURAL STATUS IN 1883.

The following is an annual report, made in the summer of 1883: Wheat, acres sown, 2,423: bushels produced, 30,452, number of acres sown for harvest of 1883, 1,537. Oats, acres sown, 513; acres sown for crop of 1883, 270; bushels produced, 10,113. Corn, acres planted, 3,451; acres planted for crop of 1883, 3,556; bushels produced, 135,250. Meadow, acres, 1,604; tons of hay, 2,026. Clover, acres 204; tons of hay, 234; bushels of seed, 166. Potatoes acres planted, 77 1/2 acres for crop of 1883, 65; bushels produced, 6,945. Butter, 39,505 pounds. Bees, 144 hives: pounds of honey, 1,445. Eggs, 16,065 dozen. Apples, acres occupied, 179; bushels produced, 2,630. Lands, number of acres cultivated, 5,553, number of acres pasture, 6,200; number of acres woodland, 3,074; total number of acres owned, 15,652. Wool, 36,483 pounds. Milch cows, 171. Stallions, 1. Dogs, 75. Sheep killed by dogs, 72; value, $168. Sheep injured by dogs, 50; value, $30. Hogs died, 207; value, $1,234. Sheep died, 64; value, $175. Cattle died, 20; value, $430. Horses died, 18; value, $1,410.

672 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

CHAPTER III.

BOWLING GREEN TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIC.

B0WLING GREEN TOWNSHIP, at the organization of Marion County, was included in the territory first given to Grand, as will be seen from the following order of the Commissioners, made on the first day of their first session:

"June 7, A. D. 1824.-Commissioners of Marion County met for the first time after the organization of said county. Present, Matthew Merrit, Amos Wilson, Enoch B. Merriman. Auditor, Hezekiah Gorton.

"Ordered, That surveyed Townships 3, 4 and 5, in Range 13, and so much of the Virginia Military Tract as lies south of said townships in Marion County, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Grand Township."

This included the territory that is now Grand, Montgomery and Bowling Green Townships, in Marion County, and also one township which has since been cut off and added to Wyandot County. It will he observed that it embraced the entire western tier of townships of Marion County as they were then numbared, and as they are now arranged.

The first division of this territory made in this county, was effected in 1831, by the erection of Montgomery Township, which was then made to include the present Montgomery Township and Bowling Green Township, as will appear from the following entry in the Commissioners' record, made at that date:

"Monday, December 5, 1831.- Ordered by the Board, That Township No. 5 south, Range No. 13, and all the Virginia Military Land lying due south of Township No. 5, Range 13, within said county, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Montgomery."

Seven years later, Bowling Green Township was formed, and was made to include all of the Virginia Military Lands mentioned in the above entry, or all of that portion of Montgomery Township then lying south of the Scioto River, as will be seen from the following entry:

"March 5 (first Monday), 1838.-Commissioners met, pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided. Present, Charles Merriman, John Shunk and George Beckley. And whereupon, on petition of Thomas Parr and others, it is ordered that a new township, to be called and named Bowling Green Township, be and the same is hereby erected and set off as follows, to wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of the county of Marion; thence north to the north bank of the Scioto River; thence down said river, with its meanderings, until it intersects the range line dividing Ranges 13 and 14 in said county; thence south on the line of Green Camp Township, to the line dividing Marion and Union Counties; thence westwardly on said line dividing said counties of Marion and Union, to the place of beginning."

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Since the erection of this township, its boundaries have not been changed or disturbed, except in one single -instance, which is briefly told in the following entry:

MONDAY, June 22, 1840.

At an extra session of the Commissioners, held this day, present Nathan Peters and David Miller.

Ordered that Survey 9983 be attached to Bowling Green Township.

NATHAN PETERS,

DAVID MILLER.

TOPOGRAPHICAL.

Bowling Green Township is composed wholly of Virginia Military Land, which, for richness of soil, compares very favorably with other portions of Marion County. The surface in the middle and eastern part of the township is generally level, and the soil consists of a rich, black loam, while in the extreme western portion, the surface is generally undulating, and the soil contains much clay and gravel. Upon much of the level portion of the township, at an early day, during a greater portion of the year, stood considerable water, which not unfrequently became stagnated at certain seasons of the year, and produced a miasma that caused much sickness among the early settlers. But, in later years, since the driftwood has been removed from the numerous creeks and runs, with which the township is traversed, and which flow into the Scioto River, that washes its entire northern borders, and since ditching and tiling have added to the drainage, the most unpromising of the waste places have been cleared of the waters, also much of the timber, and have been made to smile in the sunlight of Heaven, and are now subject to the tillage of the farmers, or afford them excellent pasture land, while the atmosphere is becoming free from malaria, and the air is more pure and healthful. The principal streams are Rush Creek, McDonald Creek, Dudley Run and Wild Cat Run. Of these, Rush Creek is the largest. It takes its rise in Logan County and runs through a portion of Union County, and in a northward direction through the eastern portion of this township, and empties into the Scioto. Into this creek, McDonald Creek, Dudley Run and a number of rivulets constantly flow, thus affording ample natural water-courses.

Bowling Green is a timbered township, and when first secured by the whites-and for many years subsequently-some of the finest hard wood, consisting of maple, hickory and cherry, as well as some of the finest walnut and ash timbers, could readily be found in its extended forests, and even to this day such timbers are by no means entirely exhausted.

THE GREAT "WINDFALL " OF 1824.

This tornado took its rise in Logan County, near the village of West Liberty, and in its course passed over Bellefontaine, destroying a number of the buildings in the northern portion of that town, and carrying bits of shingles and pieces of clothing as far as the plains of Big Island Township. It swept on, with increasing force and velocity, through Washington Township, Union County, and entered this township about four miles south of La Rue. The tornado had been gradually widening its track until, at the time it entered this county, its path extended over three-fourths of a mile of territory. Its course in this township was in the direction of Dudley Run and Rush Creek, down to the Scioto, which it crossed, and spent its fury in the adjacent woods of Big Island Township. The tornado swept everything in its path; trees of the greatest magnitude were upturned by the roots, trees of smaller size and the undergrowth were broken, hurled

674 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

and scattered in every direction, and in a year or two it presented the appearance of one vast deadening.

It was the custom of the Indians to burn the woods over in the autumn, for convenience in hunting, and the fires of four successive annual burnings consumed the fallen timber, brush, weeds and grass, and rendered the lands along the "Windfall" almost free from logs and brush, and made it available for cultivation. Such was its condition in the spring of 1829, when a few squatters came in from Big Island, as mentioned below.

SETTLEMENT.

The settlement of this township was not commenced at a very early ,date. Jesse Bell was, perhaps, the first permanent white settler. He located on the east bank of Rush Creek in February, 1831. There had been a few squatters and persons of roving and restless dispositions, who had built cabins here and occupied them for a short time previous to this, but they were indeed few. Among them was Moses Dudley, who is said to have been the very first white settler of the township He, with Hiram Shutes (father of William G.), and Gardner Hatch, his brother-in-law, arrived from Big Island in the spring of 1829, attracted by the cleared ground made by the tornado, and raised a crop of corn, on ninety acres of land--lately the I. F. Guthery farm. This corn they raised without either fencing or plowing, and from a measured half-acrd in the fall they husked forty-four bushels. This fact being noised abroad, a number of squatters rushed in during the succeeding winter. Dudley sold his surplus-over 900 bushels--to Bennett & Hardy, of Marion, for 6 1/4 cents a bushel, and they sold the same to Maj. La Rue for 14 cents a bushel, delivered. Shutes sold 700 bushels to La Rue, who exchanged 200 bushels of it for a horse. Hatch's share was destroyed, be saving Only enough to get a chest.

Other pioneers were Benjamin Sager, William Graham, David Harraman John Burnet, Edward Williams, Aaron Bell, Thomas Welling, John Welling, Elisha Daniels, Thomas Andrews, Jotham Johnson, William Price, Joseph Guthery, John D. Guthery, I. F. Guthery, David and John Hookenberry and Thomas Parr. The last named pioneer, Thomas Parr, was instrumental in having the township organized, giving it the name " Bowling Green," in reference to a township of that name in Licking County, this State, from which he had emigrated to this place. He also laid out a town in the center of the township, naming it " Holmesville." This place at one time had a tavern, a dry goods store, two or three groceries, a post office, a blacksmith shop, a wagon shop, etc.; but when La Rue was established, the incipient little town of Holmesville had to go down.

Mr. Parr also erected a horse mill, which was a great convenience to the pioneers, as they had previously to go twenty and thirty miles to get grinding done.

The first school was taugbt by P. Lampheare, in a rude log cabin, with slab benches, greased paper windows and mud-and-stick chimney, where the fire was built upon the ground for a hearth. Soon after organization, this township was divided into three school districts, and furnished with the same style of schoolhouses. They have long since been superseded by eight fine frame buildings.

The first election in this township was held at Thomas Parr's residence in the spring of 1838. Parr was elected Township Treasurer, and Silas H. Cleveland, Clerk. The first Justice of the Peace elected after the organization of the township was Joseph Guthery, father of John D. and Isaae F.

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Guthery, who was commissioned May 14 1839. William Graham, who resided in the township, was commissioned Justice of the Peace April 13, 1838, having been elected before Bowling Green was set off from Montgomery.

MODERN TIMES.

The character of the soil, the relative position of the township and the class of citizens being such as they are, it. is but to be expected that the community would bring order out of chaos, wealth out of crude material and general prosperity out of pioneer privations. From the small beginnings of 1829-31, described on preceding pages, the agricultural development of this territory has grown to such proportions as can only be expressed in figures, and even then but feebly. The following are the agricultural products, etc., of the township, for 1883.

Wheat, acres sown, 1,803; bushels, 17,992; acres sown for harvest of 1883, 1,274 Oats, acres sown, 194; acres sown for crop of 1883, 195; bushels, 6,553. Corn, acres planted, 2,579; acres planted for crop of 1883, 3,429; bushels produced, 149,530. Meadow, acres, 1,076; tons of hay, 1,541. Clover, acres, 193; tons of hay, 260; bushels of seed, 36. Potatoes, acres planted, 56 1/2; bushels produced, 6,330. Butter, 40,125 pounds. Sorghum, acres sown, 12 1/4; gallons sirup, 934. Bees, 247 hives; pounds of honey, 5,070. Eggs, 48,050 dozen. Grapes, pounds gathered in the year 1882, 1,700. Apples, acres occupied, 227; bushels produced, 2,825. Peaches, bushels produced, 124. Lands, acres cultivated, 7,309; acres of pasture, 2,776; acres woodland, 4,849; acres lying waste, 145; total number of acres owned, 14,555. Wool, 32,824 pounds. Milch cows, 284. Stallions, 2. Dogs, 107. Sheep killed by dogs, 105; value, $278; injured by dogs, 646; value, $243. Hogs died, 1,095; value, $6,563. Sheep died, 505; value, $1,138. Cattle died, 16; value, $407. Horses died, 24; value, $2,195. Lossee by Hood: Live stock, value, $445; grain, etc., value, $3,725; fences, etc., value, $668.

Bowling Green Presbyterian Church. ---This church was organized in the latter part of May, 1843, by Peter Marsh and John Gilmer, who were elected Elders. The following were the first members: Peter Marsh and wife, John Gilmer and wife, Thomas Pierce and wife, and Mrs. Thomas Parr. The meeting was hold at Parrtown Schoolhouse, adjoining Winnemac. Rev. Miller was the Moderator. Rev. Cephas Cook was the first minister, who died the following October. The first communion was held at the Parrtown Schoolhouse, where meetings were held until 1853. Then a frame church, 32x38 feet, with a seating capacity of 200, was erected in Winnemac, at a cost of $500. The Building Committee were Peter Marsh, John Gilmer and M. A. Mustain. This church was built by subscription, except that $50 was appropriated for the purpose by the Board of Church Erection. The lumber for the seats was drawn from near Bucyrus, thirty miles distant. At this time. the name of the congregation was changed to "Winnemac Church." In 1862, the building was moved over into La Rue and for its further history see Montgomery Township.

The Sabbath school in connection with this church was organized about May, 1845, with Peter Marsh as Superintendent. and John Bonner, Assistant Superintendent. It was organized as a "Union" Sunday school, and so continued until the removal of the church to La Rue, when it disbanded.

United Brethren Church.-This church has numbered nearly a hundred members. Among the first were Joseph and Hannah Guthery, Isaac F. and

676 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

Rachel Guthery, Joseph A. Williams and wife, John Dodd and wife, James Reed and wife, Philip Stokely and wife, William Wilson and wife, Solomon Jones and wife, and others. The ministers have been Revs. T. J. Hendricks, Mr. Snell, Thomas Downing and Daniel Downing. In 1862, when the people were sensitive over the issues connected with the war, the minister took strong ground with one party, resulting in breaking up the congregation.

The house of worship which these people occupied was built in 1855, by contributions from citizens of all denominations, on land donated for the purpose by J. D. and I. F. Guthery. It was 24x32 feet and cost, including furniture and seats, about $800. After the United Brethren discontinued the use of the church in 1862, it was used by the Methodists and Baptists until about 1874 or 1875, since which time it, has not been used as a house of worship.

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 691

CHAPTER IV.

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP.

INDESCRIBABLE thoughts and feelings are awakened in the mind and heart of one, when contemplating the mighty work done by the fearless, hardy and brave army of pioneers, whose untiring efforts have subdued the mighty forests of this county and caused her waste places to smile in the sunlight of Heaven and yield an abundance of grain and fruit, and who have cleared her myriads of hills and valleys, which are annually covered with rich harvests or crowned with green pastures. To the early settlers of Claridon Township who endured the privations incident to establishing homes in a new and unbroken country, and who bravely battled to remove her majestic forests and to make it possible to cultivate her fertile plains are due their full portion of credit and the everlasting gratitude of their posterity.

692 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

ORGANIC HISTORY.

Claridon was taken from the territory of Canaan Township and was one of the first townships organized in Marion County. Although there is no entry on the records of the county defining clearly its exact limits; as first created, yet there is no doubt but that it has always included the constitutional requirement of territory-a full surveyed township of six miles square; and although Scott Township has made repeated efforts to obtain its northern tier of sections, they have always proved unavailing, and today this township remains as one of the only two townships containing the full constitutional area in Marion County. Just how fierce the struggle was on the part of the people of Claridon Township, to retain their full territory, or just how vigorous and determined the efforts were on the part of the citizens of Scott to obtain the northern tier of sections, we are, at this late date, unable to chronicle; but a simple record of the proceedings will show that repeated efforts were made, and that they were invariably resisted. The residents on the territory in controversy were divided in their opinions as to the propriety of detaching these six sections from Claridon and attaching them to Scott Township, as will appear from the following entry taken from the record:

Auditor and Commissioners' Office, Marion, Marion County, Ohio. March 7, 1848. This day came Lawrence Van Buskirk and others, being a majority of the householders residing within the boundary of the portion of Claridon Township hereinafter named, and made application, by petition, for an alteration of the boundaries of the townships of Claridon and Scott, as follows, to wit: To attach to the said 'township of Scott one tier of sections from off the north side of said township of Clarldon, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that legal notice had been given, and that all things appertaining to said application have been done in due form of law, it is ordered that the said one tier of sections from off the north side of said Claridon Township be and the same is hereby attached to the township of Scott.

HUGH V. SMITH Com.

JOHN UNCAPHER,

For some reason that does not appear from the record, which possibly was some defect in the proceedings that invalidated them, that, doubtless, was taken advantage of by those opposing the movement-the order was annulled. The following year a petition of similar import, asking that the very same territory be attached to Scott Township, was presented to the Commissioners, and the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and this tier of sections was again set off to Scott, as appears in the following entry:

AUDITOR AND COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, MARION COUNTY OHIO,

March 5, 1849.

This day the Commissioners met pursuant to the statute Present, John Uncapher, Hiram Knowles and Lewis Topliff, Commissioners, and Lawrence Van Buskirk, County Auditor.

This day came Adam Hipsher, James Tight and others, and presented their petition to the County Commissioners in the words and figures following, to wit: " To the Honorable the Commissioners of the County of Marion and State of Ohio: Gentlemen-We your petitioners would humbly represent that Claridon Township is six miles wide from north to south, and that Scott Township is but four miles wide from north to south, and that we believe it would conduce to the public benefit if one tier of sections were set off of the north side of Claridon Township and attached to said Scott Township. We, your petitioners, therefore prey your honors to attach one tier of sections from off the north side of said Claridon Township to said Scott Township, thereby making the said townships equal, or nearly so, and we, your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc., etc. January 30, 1849." And said Commissioners being satisfied that said petition is signed by a majority of the householders residing within the boundaries of the proposed change or alteration, and it having been proven to them that notice of such intended application had been given by advertisement set up in three public; places within the bounds of such proposed change or alteration, for the period of thirty days and more previous to this date, and it appearing necessary to said Board of Com-

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 693

missioners, that so much of the territory of Claridon Township, in said county of Marion, as is included in Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, in Township 5, south of base line, in Range 16 east, be and the same is hereby attached to and made part of Scott Township. Whereupon came Garry Clark, one of the householders residing upon said territory, and gave notice of his intention to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.

This was accordingly done, and in due time a hearing was had, the Commissioners' proceedings were duly reversed, and the territory restored to Claridon Township. But Claridon was called upon to make another struggle for the retention of this same territory. Scott Township had irretrievably lost two tier of sections from off its northern boundary, that then, as now lay in Crawford County, thus leaving it only twenty-four sections, or two-thirds of a regularly surveyed township, and its people seemed desperately determined to acquire more territory. So in March, 1851, another effort was made to secure the same territory, as appears from the following entry:

AUDITOR AND COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE„ Marion County, March 4, 1851.

This day the Commissioners of Marion County met pursuant to statute. Present, Thomas Parr and Hiram Knowles, Commissioners, and E. Peters, Auditor of Marion County, Ohio.

This day came S. C. Parcel, James Bell and others, and presented their petition to the County Commissioners in the words and figures following: "To the Commissioners of Marion County: We, the undersigned residents of Claridon Township, pray your honorable body that you will take one tier of sections from off the north side of Claridon Township and attach it to Scott Township, which will make them of equal dimensions; Claridon Township is six miles square, and Scott Township is four by six only. Your humble petitioners. January 31, 1851."

And the said Commissioners being satisfied that the said petition is signed by a majority of the householders residing within the boundaries of the proposed territory of land petitioned to be struck off from Claridon Township, and it having been proven to the satisfaction of the said Commissioners, by the affidavit of James Parcell, George Boyles, Jr., and James Osborn. that lawful notice has been given by advertising in three different public places, on said territory proposed to be struck off and attached to said township, of the intention of said petitioners, for the period of thirty days and more previous to the presentation of this petition, and it appearing necessary, just and right to said Board of Commissioners, that the alteration as prayed for in said petition should be made. It is therefore ordered by said Board of Commissioners, that so much of the territory in Claridon Township, in said county of Marion, as is included in Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Township 5, south of base line, in Range 16 east, be and the same is hereby attached to and made a part of Scott Township. Whereupon came Garry Clark, James M. Brigs, two of the householders residing upon said territory, and gave notice of their intention to appeal the same to the Court of Common Pleas.

The appeal made, and after a careful view of the proceedings in the Common Pleas Court, that tribunal annulled the proceedings of the County Commissioners and restored the territory to Claridon Township, and no effort has since been made to disturb the boundaries of the two townships as was fixed and determined.

Of course these entries do not show what. part the citizens of both townships outside of those on the territory in controversy did for its possession, but that the struggle was fierce and prolonged and that the citizens of both townships were much interested in the result, and that their influence and possibly some of their time and money were given to maintain their respective rights, there can be no doubt. Scott Township apparently lain no stronger claim to it other than that it would equalize the territory of the two townships, and Claridon did not seem disposed to yield quietly and submit passively to the loss of one-sixth of her valuable territory on such a flimsy pretext. Had Scott Township succeeded in securing and retaining this tier of sections, the village of Caledonia, which is now the pride of the township, would have been lost to Claridon, for it is located in Section 1 of this township.

694 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

The surface of the land throughout this territory is generally level, and the southern and eastern portion of the township consists of timbered lands, while the northwestern part includes a portion of the Sandusky Plains. The soil is excellent and unexcelled where thoroughly drained for farm land or for grazing grounds to the hundreds of sheep and cattle kept here by stock-raisers. Much water stood upon the plains and other portions of the lands of this township at an early day, but a system of liberal drainage has relieved the surface of the greater portion of it and made the entire township tillable land that responds readily and generously to the eforts of the skillful husbandman. The Whetstone flows through the eastern portion of the township, and not a few smaller streams and rivulets join it in its onward course.

TWO PRECINCTS.

In December, 1868, this township was divided by the County Commissioners into two election precincts by a " parallel line running directly through said township east and west, said division line being marked by a. township road leading through the center of said township east and west, just south of the residence of the late Jonathan Miles; the portion of the township lying north of said road to form the North or Caledonia Precinct, and that portion lying south of said road the South or Claridon Precinct, of Claridon Township."

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The early settlers of this township for the most part were from England. Few of them are still living while many others have passed away, leaving their descendants to enjoy the fruits of their early labor. Among the former is Joseph Hornby and wife, who came to this township in 1820 and located near where Claridon now is; also William Thew and his wife, who. came direct from England with other families, and all located near each other in the southeastern portion of the township, where they struggled together as a common community to establish permanent and comfortable homes. Success crowned their efforts, and prosperity attended and blessed their industry. Soon much of the gigantic forests were cleared away, and many broad acres of cultivated land appeared. Mr. Thew, who died in August last, outlived that entire number, his wife having died twelve or fifteen years ago, and the others, each one by one, have taken his chamber in the silent halls of death. (See Chapter II.)

The other early English settlers who located here were Vincent Douce and family, John Hinds and family, Matthew Fields and family, William Dickson, Mr. Warwick, Robert Boulton, George Bayles, John Hooten, George Welbourn, Mr. Sergeant, .John and Michael Welbourn, William Parker, Henry Hatfield, Comfort Olds and family, Hugh Osborne, William. Welbourn and others. Joshua B. Bearse, Amos Earl and James Lambert. were also early settlers in and about the vicinity of Claridon. These all came between the years 1820 and 1823 and formed what would now be considered a sparse settlement, but which was then looked upon as quite a little Colony. And so in truth it was an English settlement of no small pretension, which at once gained the ascendancy that has ever since been maintained throughout the township, and to-day the descendants of those English settlers are in the majority there. They were a thrifty, industrious, economical, Christian people, whose work and principles have left thoir imprint on the present generation, and nowhere in the county can be

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 695

found a better class of citizens than in the southern portion of Claridon Township.

As early as 1821, they laid out a town near the Whetstone and strove to make it a suitable place for the county seat. The site selected was on the place then owned by Joshua S. Bearse, and was surveyed and platted by Col. James Kilbourne, which plat was duly recorded August 25, 1821. The location was a beautiful one, and at that time the center of the territory then constituting Marion County. The town was laid out in what was. then considered magnificent style, covering an area of 102 acres, containing even at first nearly a 100 regularly laid out building lots, besides abundant. territory for extra additions. In the center of the town, a large square was donated for a site for county buildings and a park, or if not required for that, to be used for buildings for literary purposes. It contained avenues. and streets of no narrow dimensions, the former being six rods in width, while the latter assumed a breadth of four poles. This town was given the beautiful and historical name of

CLARIDON.

It was the first village or town platted within the limits of Marion County, Marion not having been laid out until in the following year. Is it strange that the good people of Claridon, having the largest settlement, perhaps, within the territory at that time, and being located near the center of the same, with a town of ample area already laid out in splendid style, with sufficient ground donated for county buildings, should expect and hope for the location of the county seat here at the organization of the county, which must needs soon take place? It certainly was no unreasonable expectation, and the hamlet soon began to grow and flourish. Dwellings began to be erected, shops built, and that over essential structure-the log tavern--with its quaint appearance, arose and towered above them all.

George Shippy was the genial and accommodating landlord, who then served the public and dispensed the substantial and wholesome food that was then obtainable to his guests, and, upon the whole, they no doubt fared equally as well as do the traveling public to-day in the more modern hotels. True then, meals then consisted of one plain course, but, doubtless. with its variety, no plum pudding, no strawberry short-cake, no highlyseasoned dishes graced the board of the early inn-keepers, yet what to them was far more palatable, the "pone," the venison, the "pumkin pie," were over at hand, and were served in no sparing quantities. Among the early business men of the place were Mr. Broman, a cabinet-maker and furniture dealer; Mr. Norton, a tanner and vender of leather, both of whom did quite a business in his respective line. Ansel Matoon, from Worthington, was. the village blacksmith, of whom it doubtlessly could have been truthfully said:

"You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,

With measured beat and slow,

Like a sexton ringing the village bell,

When the evening sun is low."

Other business and other trades were also here represented in a limited degree, and soon the village began to attract immigrants, and the prospects for the capital town of the new county grew quite flattering.

But there came a frost, a killing frost, and nipped the rising ambition of the little village in the bud, and left it to wither and decay. and even to this day only a comparatively few houses stand as a monument to mark the spot and tell the sad tale of blighted hopes and cherished desires of the

696 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

early English settlers, at least so far as the securing of the county seat is concerned. For in the spring of 1823 a committee was appointed by authority of the State and sent out to select a suitable site for the county seat. After viewing the different localities and considering well the claims of each, the present site of Marion was decided upon as the most proper point. Marion had just recently been laid out, and at that time presented a less promising appearance than Claridon, but the wisdom of the selection has since been proven, as the division of the territory since made has placed it nearer the center of the county, besides other natural advantages. It is said that the settlement in Big Island Township maintained that the site where the village of Big Island now stands was the most suitable place, and made strenuous efforts to secure the location of the countv seat at that place. Even for many years after its location at Marion, and yet after the town of Big Island was laid out in the year 1828, the people at that point long contended for its removal thither.

Claridon felt the blow at once, and the effect of the failure to secure the county seat was soon visible, for owing to this fact and the unusual sickness and death prevailing there during; the autumns of 1822 and 1823, many removals were made and emigration in that direction ceased for a time. But it was only temporary.

FURTHER SETTLEMENT.

The countrv about Claridon, especially along the valley of the Olentangy, or the Whetstone, as it is more recently called, was too fertile and productive and possessed too many wild and enchanting beauties to be long neglected by those who were seeking desirable locations for homes, and while the village of Claridon never recovered from the shock mentioned, and while, for a number of years, it received but few aceessions, the country in that vicinity was being settled by a steady flow of immigrants. Among them were Thomas Boyce and wife, who came in 1828; William Mitchell and family came the following year and located about one mile and a half south of the village. John Underwood and family settled two and a half miler east in 1829. Also Peter Gable and Henry Holverstott, who came in 1830; Joseph Smith,. James Lawrence and Charles Owens, who located in 1832; Jefferson Smith, Obadiah Miller, and Matthew Fields, who, with their families, took up their abode here in 1834.

Numerous others came at a later date. and among them were Jacob Howser and family and Dr. J. W. Devore and family, the former from Harrison County, Ohio, and the latter from the neighboring county of Knox. They both located near the village of Claridon and both have been unusually prosperous, and they now number their possessions in lands by the hundreds of acres, and the live stock owned by them is of a superior quality. They are both honorable and influential gentlemen, and have done much to forward the material interest of Claridon Township. Each has his residence near the village of Claridon, and each is living in a comfortable manner and in handsome style. Dr. Devore was called upon to represent this county in the halls of legislation at Columbus in the years 1870 to 1872, and did so with much credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, leaving a record well worthy of high ambition, and one of which his friends may well be proud.

The northern portion of the township received a few settlers at an early date, but the settlements there did not at first increase as rapidly as the one around the village of Claridon. Capt. George Beckley in his

PICTURE OF ROBERT KERR

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 697

reminiscences of the early settlement of the Whetstone Valley, in Marion County, Ohio, written by him and published in 1875, says that when he came to this part of the township with his father and his father's family in 1821, Daniel Wyatt and Thomas Van Horn lived near where Caledonia now stands. In fact, Caledonia is located on a part of the land then owned by them. He also speaks of Jeremiah Colden and Isaiah Mattix as having been employed by his father to erect his cabin, and, doubtless, they, too, were located near the same place.

Nathan Clark, his wife and a four-year-old son, natives of Connecticut, came to this part of the township in the spring of 1820. Mr. Clark also entered a part of the lands on which Caledonia now stands, and located on the bank of the Whetstone, a short distance south of the site of the town, where the family resided until in 1828, when they removed to the farm now occupied by the son, C. N. Clark. In June, 1842, C. N. Clark, Esq., married Miss Sarah Garberson, a daughter of William Garberson. one of the early settlers of this section of the county, and upon the farm just mentioned both families continued to reside until a short time before his death, when the old genleman moved to Caledonia, in which village he peacefully passed the evening of his life.

William Garberson, one of the old pioneers, who recently passed away, emigrated from Westmoreland, Penn., in 1823 with his wife and one child, and located here near the present site of Caledonia, and here started a tannery, which proved to be a great convenience in supplying the early settlers with leather, and also quite a source of revenue to Mr. Garberson.

George Ulsh, also a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Perry County, came, bringing with him his wife and four children, to :Marion in the winter of 1828, and these remained with hid uncle, Maj. Ulsh, until the following spring, when he moved out on the farm on which he still resides. The farm was a portion of what was the " Turnpike Lands," which belonged to the " Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike Company," and which then had just recently been established. Although this was in the year 1829, Mr. Ulsh was the first settler along that road or turnpike within the limits of Claridon Township. Mr. Ulsh's first cabin, intended, for temporary purposes only, was constructed of large poles; in dimensions it was about 12x16 feet, with stick chimneys, mud jambs, paper windows, etc,; but in this the family lived four years, at the end of which time they erected a larger, more substantial, more convenient and more comfortable dwelling, which Mr. Ulsh-had erected near by, and in which the family kept tavern for a period of more than seven years; and received, for those days, considerable patronage, as there was considerable travel at that time on the Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike running by Mr. Ulsh's place. Mr. Ulsh has since built a neat, substantial brick residence, which he and the remainder of his family now occupy. Benjamin Bell came to this township at an early day and located on Bee Run, and was one of the first settlers; also George Hollman, who then lived on a part of the place since purchased and owned by Mr. Ulsh. Christopher Croft came in about the year 1834, and located where his son, Samuel Croft, now resides.

Dr. Booth was one of the early doctors of this vicinity, and lived where Montgomery Lindsay now resides. Here the Doctor, in common with the practice of that day, freely administered extract. of white oak and Peruvian bark, and jalap and calomel. Joseph and Philip Strawbridge lived near Dr. Booth's home.

Philip Slick came in the year 1831 and located on the mud pike, at the

698 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

crossing of the railroads, and within a year or two established and kept a public house for the accommodation of the traveling public, and for many years it was known as Slick's tavern, and to this day the place is called "Slick's Station."

William S. Aye was the first while child born within the limits of this township, be having been born January 19, 1821. His father, Jacob Aye, in the year 1820, entered the farm now owned by Mrs. Douce, and during that year he, with his wife, moved onto this place. They lived there but two or three years and then sold the farm to Vincent Douce, and at once entered another place, a little southeast of where Caledonia now stands. From thence, in a few years, they moved to the farm now owned and occupied by William S. Aye, just across the line in Canaan Township, Morrow County. From here, the family moved to Delaware County, where Mr. Aye engaged in running a mill for a short time, but soon returned again to the farm in Morrow County, where Mr. Jacob Aye died in the year 1871.

SQUIRRELS.

The early settlers of this township experienced much trouble, for the first few years, in protecting their crops from the ravages of the squirrels, which were so numerous that in a few days they would destroy and take a small crop of corn, such as our pioneer fathers then planted. Mr. Rice, an, early pioneer, relates that in the spring of 1822, he planted four or five acres of corn, on a patch of ground he had succeeded in getting cleared, and it grew nicely and had nearly ripened, when the squirrels made a raid on it in droves, and in three days they had destroyed the entire crop, stalks, ears and all. Often, in those early days companies were organized and certain days set for all to assemble and take a grand squirrel hunt, and as a greater incentive and inducement, a prize was generally offered to him who would kill the greatest number of squirrels during such hunts. Mr. Rice, Mr. Olds, Mr. Aye were all excellent " shots " and very often their expeditions. against the squirrels resulted in their securing about au equal number of these little animals. Nor was this the only game that then abounded. The original forests teemed with deer, pheasants and wild ,turkey, while the waters were covered with innumerable flocks of ducks and wild geese.

INDIANS.

A number of the Wyandot Indians still lingered here at the commencement of the early settlement of the township. Among them were the noted Tom Lyons, "Standing Stone," "Between the Logs," and others.

The early settlers usually held their elections at some private residence. Two cabins in this township have been mentioned as having been used for this purpose. One was that of Mr. Gaylord, who lived a short distance north of Claridon, and the other was that of Niger Royce, who then lived in the northern part of the township, on the mud pike, near where the railroads now cross it.

SCHOOLS.

The early settlers of Claridon Township, soon after location here, established schools and church societies, which far a time were held in the various cabins of these pioneers. Of the former, the first was taught by Rebecca Aye in her own house, during the summer of 1822. The wages, of course, were very meager, and for the most parl were paid in produce. The foregoing picture is one extreme; the other extreme is that of the present

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 699

day, when a comfortable schoolhouse is provided in every neighborhood. Some of these rural academies are built and furnished at considerable expense. The Claridon brick schoolhouse in District No. 6, was built in 1875, at a cost of nearly $1,000. It is two stories high and has two departments. S. G. Smith is the Principal.

CHURCHES.

Claridon Methodist Episcopal Church.-The first religious sooiety in Marion County was of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and was formed at the log cabin of Jacob Aye, near the village of Claridon, in the autumn or winter of 1820. This was prior to the erection of the county, and even before Claridon, the prospective county seat, was laid out. The society as it was first organized, was composed of seven members, viz., Vinal Steward and wife, Jacob Aye, Jr., Rebecca Aye and Henry Aye. Vinal Steward was a local minister and Class Leader. This society formed a part of Columbus Circuit of the Scioto District, Ohio Conference. Meetings were held at the house of Jacob Aye, Jr., until the spring of 1823, and at the house of William Parker, Sr., until 1832 or 1833, when they erected a hewedlog house thirty feet square one mile northeast of Claridon and gave it the name of "English Chapel." In 1855, the Claridon old church house was erected; it is 36x48 feet in size. The church has enjoyed a gradual prosperity since it was founded in the primitive forest, until it has attained a membership of sixty-eight. James Owen and James L. Douce are Stewards, and M. C. Aye, H. C. Garvin, William Haley and W. P. Wittred, Class Loaders. The following pastors have served this church, viz.: Revs. --- Murray, Harvey Camp, Uriah Heath, Alexander Blaupied; J. G. Bruice, H. E. Pilcher, W. C. Pierce, Peter Sharp, William Boggs, J. M. Longfellow, T. J. Monnett, Stephen Fant, B. Herbert, W. S. Paul, R. D. Ahlfield, D. D. S. Reagb, F. Howison, Jchn Graham, S. Fant, B. F. Bell, M. D. Chilson, N. J. Close, G. E. Scott, T. J. Gard and W. B. Taggart.

In the spring of 1846 Or 1847, a series of revival meetings were conducted by Rev. William Nap, resulting in about seventy conversions. Many of the accessions to the church became ardent and substantial members.

Likins Chapel, Methodist Episcopal.-The society of this church was organized in 1857, at Showers' Schoolhouse, by Rev. T. H. Wilson. Twelve members constituted the society, as follows: Robert T. Clark and wife, James Zuok and wife, John Little and wife, Shelby Jump and wife, Ami Cluff, Mrs. Starch, Mrs. Ann Brown and Mrs. Mary Harvey. Robert T. Clark was one of the first officials. The meetings continued to be held in the Shower Schoolhouse till 1871, when the present commodious building was erected. It is 34x40 feet in size, and cost $1,400. The society has a present membership of forty, and with Robert T. Clark and Thomas Cluff as Stewards and R. T. Patton and Ami Cluff, Class Leaders. In the spring of 1869, a series of revivals were conducted by Rev. A. D. Matthews, resulting in the conversion of over forty souls. Rev. G. E. Scott, in 1878, carried on revival meetings, and about forty more were converted and united with the church. Rev. S. Fant also enjoyed successful meetings during his pastorate. The following is a list of the pastors who have served this congregation, viz.: M. D. Chilson, 1871 and 1872; Stephen Fant, from 1872 to 1875; N. J. Close, from 1875 to 1877; G. E. Scott, from 1877 to 1879; T. J. Gard, from 1880 to 1881; and W. Ben Taggart, the present pastor.

700 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

Claridon Free-Will Baptist Church.-The first meeting of this denomination was held December 5, 1870, by Rev. S. D. Bates, in the Morrow Schoolhouse. At the same place, July 2, 1871, Rev. Bates organized a church here, with nineteen members, comprising P. W. Holverstott and wife, L. J. Holverstott and wife, C. Clendennen and wife, E. Rush and wife, C. L. Haines and wife, Mrs. J. Howser, Mrs. S. A. Curtis, Maria Howser, John Martin and wife and two daughters, and L. Clendennen. The official members were, Deacons, P. W. Holverstott and C. Clendennen; Clerk L. J. Holverstott. A church building was erected on the mud pike near Clendennen's residence, and dedicated in the fall of that year, 30x45 feet, and costing $1,500; but, from some unknown cause, this building was burned during the summer of 1876, at midnight; no insurance. The people rallied and erected another building, about a mile south of the old one, dedicating it February 4, 1877. It is about two miles east of Claridon, where the mud pike crosses the Marion & Mount Gilead road.

The membership has numbered as high as fifty or more at one time; at present it is thirty-four. They maintain a good Sunday school and a Woman's Mission Society. Rev. S. D. Bates has been pastor from the commencement to the present time. Deacons, C. Clendennen and P. W. Holverstott; Clerk, J. H. Howser.

The Evangelical Church, on Section 36, was built about 1874 or 1875. It was erected on the site of one that was destroyed by fire.

Bright's Chapel, Church of the United Brethren in Christ.-This church was organized at the log meeting-house on the banks of the Whetstone, December 13, 1851, by Rev. William Mathers. Nine members con stituted the society. Among them were John Fields and wife, Matthew Fields, Sr., Matthew Fields, Jr., and William Mills. In 1860-61, the church at Claridon was erected, where they have since worshiped. The society has a membership of fifteen, and has in connection with its regular services a Sabbath school. The following pastors have served, viz., William Mathers, G. G. Nickey, James Long, J. Jacoby, T. T. Rose, J. F. Siler, and J. F. Condor, the present minister. The present Trustees are Andrew Hinds, William Garvin and E. D. Fields.

CEMETERIES.

The " Underwood Burying-Ground" was laid out about 1835 as a private cemetery. There are now about a hundred graves contained within this inclosure, among them those of Adam Hines, a soldier of 1812, and Jesse Underwood, a soldier in the last war.

The " Gable Cemetery " is situated on the A. Gable farm, and is also a private burying ground. Here lie the remains of Joseph Wyant, a soldier of the last war.

The "Thew Graveyard," situated on the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 9, was laid out at a very early day and was used by the people as a public burying-ground. It contains about a half acre and contains the remains of many of the oldest pioneers of Claridon Township.

The "Lawrence Burying-Ground" is on the late James Lawrence's farm and was used as a family burying place.

PRESENT STATUS.

The following report of the Assessor for 1883 gives some idea of the comparative agricultural standing of Claridon Township: Wheat, acres sown, 2, 585; bushels produced, 35,974; number of acres sown for harvest

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 701

of 1883, 2,088. Rye, acres sown, 6; bushels produced, 140. Oats, acres sown, 1,004; acres sown for crop of 1883, 877; bushels produced, 24,991. Barley, acres sown, 20; bushels produced, 513. Corn, acres planted. 4,003; acres planted for crop of 1883, 4,125; bushels produced, 162,395. Meadow, acres, 1,620; tons of hay, 1,867. Clover, acres, 744; tons of hay, 868; bushels of seed, 1,052. Potatoes, acres planted, 722; acres for crop of 1883, 691;; bushels produced, 7,152. Butter, 52, 762 pounds. Sorghum, acres planted. 9; gallons sirup, 484. Maple sugar, 395 pounds; gallons sirup, 40. Bees, 450 hives; pounds of honey, 1,595. Eggs, 74,977 dozen. Grapes, 11, 380 pounds. Apples, acres occupied, 257 1 ; bushels produced, 4,103. Lands, acres occupied, 15,112; acres of pasture, 6,682; acres of woodland, 1,845; total number of acres owned, 20,714. Wool, 53,251 pounds. Milch cows 555. Stallions, 6. Dogs, 100. Sheep killed by dogs, 60; value, $156; injured by dogs 11; value, $33. Hogs died, 61; value, 8263. Sheep died, 153; value, 8553. Cattle died, 28; value, $457. Horses died, 18;. value, $2,505.

TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS SINCE 1850.

Trustees-1851--Charles Owen, Charles Clendennen and John Parker. 1852-William Van Buskirk, Henry Hartmann and C. Clendennen.

1853-Hannibal Irey, William P. Thew and Charles Clendennen. 1854-C. Clendennen, William Garberson and John Underwood. 1855-56-C. Clendennen, Jesse W. Mills and John Underwood.

1857-L. C. Haines, Peter Gabler and James McKinstry.

1858-59-C. Clendennon, W. J. Smith and James McKinstry. 1860-C. Clendennen, R. B. Elder and William J. Smith.

1861-C. Clendennen, R. B. Elder and Samuel Adams.

1862-William Van Buskirk, R. B. Elder and W. J. Smith.

1863-W. H. Mouser, E. D. Fields and George Beckley

1864-L. C. Haines, William P. Thew and W. H. Mouser.

1865-66-William P. Thew, P. W. Holverstott and J. R. Garberson.

1867-William P. Thew, Jacob Howser and W. J. Smith.

1868-Jacob Howser, Charles Owen and William Brocklesby.

1869-John A. Foos, Samuel Devore and George Beckley.

1870-William Conaway, W. J. Smith and William Brocklesby, Jr.

1871-Samuel Devore, T. W. Roberts and William Brocklesby, Jr.

1872-T. W. Roberts, John A. Foos and Charles Owen.

1873-W. J. Smith, E. D. Fields and J. F . Apt.

1874-Samuel Devore, T. W. Roberts and- William Brocklesby, Jr.

1875-T. W . Roberts, Samuel Devore and John A. Foos.

1876-William Devore, T. W. Roberts and William Brocklesby, Jr.

1877-William Brocklesby, T. W. Roberts and James Smith.

1878--John A. Foos, George Fetter and James Smith.

1879-James Smith, George Fetter and J. G. Giddis.

1880-J. G. Giddis, Ami Cluff and M. C. Aye.

1881-J. G. Giddis, Ami Cluff and M. F. Epley.

1882-Ami Cluff, George Fetier and J. W. Bush.

1883-Ami C1uff, J. W. Bush and F. M. Epley.

Clerks-Jesse W. Mills, 1851 to 1853; C. N. Clark, 1854-55; P. B. Owen, 1856; C. N. Clark, 1857; E. F. Underwood, 1858; C. N. Clark, 1859 to 1862; Samuel Adams, 1863 try 1865; P. B. Owen, 1866; J. R. Gar berson, 1867-68; James L. Bell, 1869; C. N. Clark, 1870; J. L. Bell, 1871-72; J. H. Howser, 1873; William Garvin, 1874 to 1877; W. M. Nellaus, 1878; F. W. Brooks, 1879-1881; S. G. Smith, 1882-83.

702 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

Treasurers--John R. Garberson, 1851 to 1851; J. W. Devore, 1855-56; N. C. Mitchell, 1857-58; L. C. Haines, 1859 to 1861; William P. Thew, 1862; J. W. Devore, 1863-64; H. Irey, 1865 to 1868; H. Hunter, 1869 to 1872; A. M. Williams, 1873; J. W. Devore, 1874-75; A. ill. Williams, 1876-77; H. A. Hipsher, 1878 to 1881; George W. Williams, 1882.

CALEDONIA.

The first cabin erected on the present site of Caledonia stood on the west bank of the Whetstone, a short distance east of where the depot now stands. This however, was before Caledonia was thought of as a town. In 1830 John Parcel purchased of Daniel Wyatt, the original proprietor from the Government, the land upon which Caledonia was originally laid out, and upon which a portion of it is now built, at a cost of $145 for forty acres. He at once cleared a few acres of the northern portion of the land, and a year or two later he opened a kind of a country store at a spot a short distance south of the little run that passes through the southern part of the town as it now stands, and by and by a little hamlet in the woods appeared at that point, and Mr. Parcel was not the only merchant, for William T. Farrington had also established a little store there.

In 1833 William T. Farrington bought twenty-two acres of land from John Parcel, a part of it being a portion of the forty acres just mentioned and a part of it from the north half of the west half of the northeast quarter, all of it, however, lying on the west side of the Whetstone. This twenty acres extended down near the south line of the original plat of Cal. edonia. In fact, it is a part of the southern portion of the original plat.

These stores supplied the settlers around here with many of the necessaries of life, and soon a demand was created for greater supplies, and in the early part of the following year, Mr. Farrington and others began to contemplate the propriety of laming out a town. Accordingly, in December, 1834, William T. Farrington, Richard Wilson and Charles H. Weed purchased of John Parcel about five acres additional, paying therefor $100, which purchase is located and described as follows: "Being a part of the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 1, Township 5, Range 16, in Marion County, Ohio, commencing at a stake standing in the center of the two roads running north and south and east and west, near the store now owned and occupied by Hunter & Hipsher; thence west thirty-five rods; thence south twenty-four rods; thence east twenty-three rods; thence north ten rods; thence east twelve rods; thence north fourteen rods to the place of beginning." At the same date, Richard Wilson and Greenville Cherry bought about one and a third acres of land from the same owner, John Parcel, at a cost of $300, the boundaries of which strip is given as follows: " Commencing twenty-four rods south of a stake in the center of the street near the store of Mr. Farrington; thence south eighteen rods; thence west twelve rods; thence north eighteen rods; thence east twelve rods, to the place of beginning."

Upon these two lots of land and a small portion of the twenty-two acres formerly purchased of John Parcel by William T. Farrington, the town of Caledonia was laid out by these two men as proprietors, it having been surveyed and platted by Samuel Holmes, April 11, 1834, who was then Surveyor of Marion County; but it was not acknowledged by them until December 30, 1834.

The town in its original survey, contained thirty-three full lots of uniform size, they being 4x9 poles, and ten lots of various sizes, some along the

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 703

river containing a half acre, while others comprised only one-eighth of an acre. A square of 10x12 poles was left vacant and the three principal streets, Marion, Alain and Water, were made sixty-six foot in width. Lots were at once sold and houses erected thereon, and soon many of the different branches of trade were represented; also the professions to a limited extent. Dr. Disbrough was perhaps the first practicing physician of the place, and he was succeeded by Dr. Lee.

Since the town was originally laid out, there have been thirteen new additions made, and the number of town lots altogether now is 129, which in all extend over quite an area.

On the second day of September, 1873, a petition was circulated by J. Blanchard, signed by T. A. Cross and forty-eight other citizens of Caledonia, alleging that the town then contained a population of 500, and praying that it should be incorporated and given all the rights, privileges and immunities of an incorporated village. The prayer of the petition was granted by the Commissioners, and on November 12, 1873, that dignity was duly bestowed upon Caledonia, and the following territory was incorporated within the boundaries of said village: "Beginning at the southeast corner of the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 1, Township Five (5), south of Range Sixteen (16) east; thence on the half section line north to the northwest corner of :ands owned by William Hinds, the same being the southwest corner of Ephraim Glatharts' lot; thence east to the old channel of Whetstone Creek; thence in the center of said channel, north to the section line; thence on said line west to the southwest corner of the graveyard; thence on the west line of said graveyard north to the northwest corner thereof; thence along the center of the old road north, 15 degrees east, to the north line of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section, township and range aforesaid; thence west 108 rods to the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of said Section No. 1, aforesaid; thence on the west line of said tract and on the west line of the east half of the southwest quarter of the section, township and range aforesaid, 234 rods to the southwest corner thereof; thence on the section line east 81 rods to the place of beginning."

January 12, 1877, the corporation boundaries were again extended and a small piece of territory between Water street and Whetstone Creek was annexed to the village, which is included in the following boundaries: "Beginning on the west bank of the Whetstone Creek at the northwest corner of lands owned by the heirs of William Hinds, thence eastwardly down said creek on the north line of said William Hinds' lands and lands of J. H. Coulter, excluding his flouring mill, following his east and south lines west to his southeast corner; thence west on the center of the State road to the east line of the present incorporated limits of said village on Water street; thence on said line north to the northwest corner of lands of the heirs of John Hinds aforesaid; thence on the north line of said lands east to the place of beginning, including all the lands within said bounds except the mill as specified."

MILLS.

The first mill, which was a water-power mill, was built, together with the race, about 1834, by Mr. Parcel. It was only one story high and had two run of buhrs. It ran for some years, the only mill in this section of the country, except a tread-mill in Tully Township. It has long since been destroyed.

Merchants' Mills.-This was built about. 1859, by Mr. Harmon; it was

704 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

two stories high and had one pair of wheat buhrs and one of chopping. After running the mill until 186 7 or 1868, Mr. Harmon sold it to G. G. Freeman, who put in new works. A year or two afterward, he sold it to Frederick Fisher, by an assignee, who made some repairs and then sold to J. H. Coulter, Roberts, Rinker, McNutt and Coulter. J. H. Coulter now owns the Merchants' Mill.

Eureka Mills.-These were built in 1875, by W. J. Miller. It is a two and a half story structure with three run of buhrs, costing $9,000. In the fall of 1876 it was purchased by Noah Lee and Silas J. Hipsher, who added another pair of buhrs and nearly all the present machinery. The en. gine is 50-horse power. Three men are employed to run it, and they manufacture both merchants' and custom flour. Capacity of the mills, forty barrels of flour per day.

Ault &; Apt's Saw and Planing Mill.-In 1874, G. W. Ault purshased a portable saw mill of Lee & Hipsher, and in 1875 he added a planing mill. At the same time, J. F. Apt and R. Thew became partners, under the style of Apt & Thew. In May, 1876, they established their present business. During the year 1882, they added the "Universal Wood-worker," and now the buildings cover an area of 120x35 feet. Recently Mr. Thew passed out of the firm, and the name has since been Ault & Apt. The mill gives employment to twelve men, manufacturing building material of all kinds, and making a specialty of hardwood lumber. They deal also in all kinds of building material, both hardwood and pine, purchasing at wholesale sash, doors, blinds, etc. They enjoy a successful run of trade.

WAREHOUSE AND ELEVATORS.

In 1855, a warehouse, two stories high, was built by Garry Clark at a cost of $1,500, situated on the south side of the railroad. It was run until 1872, when it was moved further west and another story added by Carpenter, Webb & Co., who converted it into an elevator, ran it three years, and sold it to Charles Webb; the latter leased it to Harrison & Irey until 1877, when Underwood, Dilts & Co. leased and ran it until 1880. Then James. Carpenter purchased it and conducted the business there until March,. 1882, when it was destroyed by tire.

MERCHANTS.

The first merchant in Caledonia was W. S. F Farrington, who laid out the town. He died while in business. R. & N. House came next and built a store, one and a half stories high, where the furniture store now is. They were succeeded by Lawrence Van Buskirk, for whom the post office was named; he was Postmaster from December 15, 1832, to April 23, 1842. Van Buskirk was succeeded by Greenville P. Cherry in the same building, who, about 1848, removed his stock to Galion, and three or four years afterward bought a store of Dr. J. M. Briggs, ran it a short time, failed and moved to Indiana, where he now resides.

Previous to 1848, probably in 1846, Parcel & Hipsher started a store at Farrington's old stand; a year afterward Parcel was succeeded in the firm by Dr. Briggs, and the firm of Briggs & Hipsher continued two or three years, when Mr. Hipsher retired. Dr. Briggs in a few months sold out to Greenville P. Cherry.

About 1856, Capt. George Beckley established a store on a part of the ground where Rinker & Bush's furniture store now is, but closed in two, years. He was succeeded by S. V. Harkness and he by Search & Dumble,

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 705

who were burned out in 1858. Shurr & Bailey succeeded Cherry; a year afterward, Shurr retired, Bailey continuing two years alone, when he sold to Trusdell & Osborne, who moved their stock to Mount Gilead.

About 1855, Neal & McKinstry opened a store in Caledonia. Near the same time or shortly afterward, Henry Speaker erected a store building where Marggraf & Hind's store now is, and failed about 1857. Neal sold his interest to his partner, McKinstry, and the latter sold to Ruehrmund & McBride, who ran the store one year. Then Mr. Ruehrmund was alone until 1863, when he was succeeded by Bell & Hunter. H. A. Hipsher was a silent partner in the firm of Bell & Hunter from 1863 to 1871, when the firm changed to Bell. Hunter & Co.; in 1875 it became Hunter & Hipsher, when Mr. Bell moved to Marion.

In 1859, Messrs. Underwood & Hunter started in the Speaker building; in 1862, Hunter retired; the nest year, Annis Whitaker was admitted as a partner, and the firm of Underwood & -Whitaker continued until the death of the latter in February, 1866. Moses Carr bought Whitaker's interest, April 17, following, but the next year he retired. In January, 1868, Mr. Underwood formed a partnership with his father., under the style of E. F. Underwood & Co. May 1, 1877, A. M. Dilts was admitted into the company., forming the firm of Underwood, Dilts & Co., but since February, 1882, the firm name has been Underwood & Dilts. These gentlemen are now the principal merchants of Caledonia. In 1872, Neal & Kennedy started a store on Marion street, and two years afterward Mr. Kennedy retired, and in 1876 Mr. Neal failed.

In 1865, R. L. Highly established a tin and stove store on Water street, and in 1878 removed to Marion street, where he was burned out, July 23, that year.

In 1869, Kiefer Bros. started a hardware store on Marion street. They were succeeded by Milford Lewis; he by Apt & Highly in 1872; they by Campbell & Rice; subsequently Apt & Thew, and finally Mr. Thew became sole owner.

July 1, 1883, the merchants of Caledonia were Underwood & Dilts, Hunter & Hipsher, T. J. Anderson, Marggraf & Hinds; hardware merchants. R. Thew, T. W. Roberts & Son and R. L. Highly; druggists, J. M. Coe and Kelly & Brook; grocers, John Hanly, O. L. De Shong, and J. P. Walterhus; furniture dealers, Rinker & Bush; dealers in boots and shoes, C. Pommert and R. Vannatter; proprietors of planing mill, Ault & Apt; livery stable keeper, R. C. Layton.

CALEDONIA DEPOSIT BANK.

This monetary institution was established July 24, 1883, with William Rowse as President, and J. T. Monnett, Vice President. The other stockholders are Josephus Monnett, E. B. Monnett and M. W. Monnett. C. H. Rowse is cashier. The bank has a capital of $25,000, while the stockholders represent $400,000.

CALEDONIA "ARGUS.''

The first venture in journalism at this place was made in June, 1875, by Will H. Warner and J. Blanchard, who continued to issue the paper, which was the Caledonia Argus, for a short time, when the firm changed. It finally passed into the possession o: the present editor and proprietor, George Henness, who conducts it in a creditable manner.

The town of Caledonia has grown considerably within the last ten years.

706 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

During that time the Underwood brick block has been erected. It is 36x80 feet, two stories high, and cost $7,500. The Deposit Bank is in the northeast corner room on the first floor, and stores occupy the other rooms. while in the upper story are two halls, one for the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F., and one is occupied by the printing office. In 1880, the Temple Block was built by Kelly & Brooke and J. Blanchard. The third story, 50x70 feet in size, is owned by the Freemasons and Knights of Pythias. In 1868, H. Hunter erected a two-story brick on Water street. In 1867, Anderson & Dunhill erected a two-story brick building near the railroad. It is now owned by Charles Webb, of Monroe, N. Y.

CONFLAGRATION.

July 23, 1883, at 2:30 in the morning, there broke out the most destructive fire that ever occurred in Caledonia. It originated in T. J. Anderson's warehouse, from some unknown cause, and ceased not its insatiate fury until it had destroyed seventeen buildings, with much of their contents. Fire engines were telegraphed for from Marion and Galion, which arrived in time to do good service. The area burned over is best described by naming the principal losers as follows: T. J. Anderson $5,000; J. W. Hinds, $2,500; R. L. Highly, $4,500; R. Thew, $10,500; Odd Fellows building, $2,000; Dr. Weeks, $'2,000; J. Hanley, $5,500; Jacob Weber, $3, 200; J. M. Coe, O. L. DeShong, J. G. Wortman, Maris Hart and railway company, smaller amounts.

CALEDONIA UNION SCHOOLS.

Organized in April, 1873. The first Board of Directors comprised A. M. Dilts, Chairman; J. F. Apt, Treasurer; and Noah Lee, Clerk. The following summer, a two-story brick schoolhouse was erected at an expense of $13,000. The main building is 30x60 feet, with a wing 30x35 feet, and is situated on a plat of one and one-half acres, between North High and North Main streets. It contains six rooms besides the - Superintendent's office. Until 1881, there were four departments of the school: since that date there have been five. From the time of organization to the present, there has been expended for teaching $16,000, besides $3,000 for other expenses. For the building of the schoolhouse, bonds to the amount of $8,000 were issued, to run ten years, interest payable semi-annually at 8 per cent, and the last bond was paid in October, 1883. The following are the Principals who have had charge of the schools: James A. K. Weber, 1874-75; G. W. Snyder, 1'875 to 1877; Z. E. Rutan, 1877 to 1879; U. K. Gutbery, 1879 to 1881; C. G. Harriman, 188182; Lewis Ranck, 1882 to 1884. The present School Board is composed of H. Hunter, Chairman; Noah Lee, Clerk; J. F. Apt, Treasurer.

CHURCHES.

The village of Caledonia is the center of a large religious community, and has several well established church organizations.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest religious denomination at this place, was organized at the house of William Garberson about the year 1830, by William Garberson, G. P. Cherry, Isaac Cherry, Nathan Clark, and others. The following were some of the first members': William Parberson and wife, G. P. Cherry and wife, Isaac Cherry and wife, Garry Clark and wife, Nathan Clark and wife, John Lee and wife, Jacob Geyer and wife, Benjamin Bell and wife, Michael Welbourne and wife,

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 707

Father Stater, George Welbourne and wife, and others. William Garberson, Nathan Clark, Isaac Cherry and G. P. Cherry were officers.

The first church was erected on the northeast corner of the public square in 1833. It was 35x40 feet in size and cost $800. This building was used until 1862, when it was disposed of and the proceeds went to a new house, which was built on the southwest corner of Church and brain streets. It is 40x50 feet in size, two stories high, and cost $2,500. The following is a partial list of the early pastors with the years they served: Harvey Camp and Philip Nation, 1834-35; Harvey Camp and J. W. White, 1835-36. This appointment was a part of Marion charge for several years, then organized to Waldo and Westfield charge, and in 1872 was organized as the Caledonia charge, with its present limits. The pastors who have served since that time were B. F. Bell, 1872-73; S. R. Squiers, 1874-75; G. L. Hanawalt, 1876 to 1878; C. Baldwin, 1879-80: G. E. Scott, 1881 to 1883. Under the present organization, the following-named Presiding Elders served, viz., Henry Whiteman, 1872; John Whitworth, 1873 to 1876; Samuel Mower, 187 7 to 1880; and A. Pollock, 1881 to 1883.

The church of Caledonia has a roll of 240 members. The present officers are W. Brocklesby, William P. Thew, J. G. Giddis and Joseph Fields, Stewards, with W. Brocklesby, Recording Steward.

The Thew Log Church.--In 1824, a round log church was built at Thew's graveyard and used for religious worship a few years. Revs. Gaff and Gilruth were pastors.

The First Universalist Church of Caledonia was organized in the Presbyterian Church building by Revs. Crosley and Root, February 17, 1867, with twelve members, viz., George Beckley, T. A. Cross, Mercy Parcel, J. W. Thatcher, S. M. Thatcher, James Miller, Mary Miller, Perry Kellogg, Daniel Lee, John Bentley, F. C. Beckley and Eliza Beckley. George Beckley and James Miller were elected Deacons; J. W. Thatcher, Secretary; T. A. Cross, Treasurer. Meetings were held at the Presbyterian Church until 1871, when the society erected a house of worship of their own on Water street, at an expense of $3,284.33. Universalist preachers, as Revs. George R. Brown, Frank Monroe, E. R. Wood and others, visited Caledonia in a very early day. The pastors since organization have been Revs. M. Crosby, one year; W. B. Woodberry, throe years; E. Morris, one year; N. S. Sage, two years; E. R. Wood, one year; Frank Evans, three years; N. H. Saxon, two years; A. C. Lander, six months; B. F. Rice, six months; and J. D. Laner, two years. The present membership is thirty-five. Deacons: G. W. Ault and N. Lee; Secretary, S. H. Rice; Treasurer, Mrs. Jane Pittman; Trustees, R. J. Monroe, G. W. Ault and Martin Koch.

Presbyterian Church.-This religious denomination was formed May 13, 1867, and elected A. W. Hayes, R. C. Layton and Augustus Marggraff Trustees; James McKinstry and Ebenezer Burt were the first Elders. The church has a present membership of eleven; David Christy and J. F. Morrow are the Elders.

The Catholic Church comprised about fifteen families soon after the war, but there are only seven families of that faith here now. They have a house of worship on Water street, erected in 1866-67, at a cost of about $800. Rev. John Mackey was the first priest.

The "Reformed Zion's Congregation, of Caledonia, to stand in connection with the Reformed Church in the United States," was organized a few years ago.

708 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Calanthe Lodge, No. 116, Knights of Pythias. --Dispensation was received January 28, 1879, and the lodge was organized by F. W. Brooke, A. J. Anderson and C. P. Bargar, with the following members: A. J. Anderson, P. C.; C. P. Bargar, C. C.; F. W. Brooke, V. C.; J. M. Coe, P.; J. M. McLaughlin, M. of B.; John Kail, M. of F.; T. J. Anderson, K. of R. and S.; H. G. Cooper, M. at A.; P. Moister, I. G.: S. White, O. G.; C. E. Warwick, Albert Hines, J. M. Ball, W. Fell, E. A. Bonfield, T. Layton, Samuel White and J. B. Iler. The present M. at A. is L. Chamberlain; I. G. is F. W. Brooke; and O. G., W. C. Coulter. From the time of organization to December, 1881, the lodge met in the hall at the northwest corner of the public square, and since December 15, 1881, in their hall in Temple Block. The present membership is forty-four, and the officers are F. W. Brooke, D. D. G. C.; J. M. Coo, P. C.; E. S. Giddis, C. C.; J. C. Hauser, V. C.; W. S. Green, P.; George Henness, M. of F.; A. M. Dilts, M. of E.; J. K. Rogers, K. of R and S. The lodge has $1,200 in the treasury; meets Monday evenings.

Alpha Lodge, No. 1, Prudential Order of America.-This society was organized Setpember 8, 1881, by J. Blanchard and others, with over thirty members. First Eminent Ruler, W. S. Clark; Eminent Ruler, 1882, Mrs. M. E. Dilts; 1883. J. K. Rogers. The present membership is twenty-eight, who meet every Thursday evening in Temple Block.

Oliver Lodge, No. 447 F: & A. M.-A dispensation was granted by the Grand Master, July 26 1870. On the 8th day of the following August, the lodge was organized by F. C. Ruchrmund, a Past Master of Marion Lodge, with ten members, as follows: Peter Beerbower, W. M.; Oliver W. Weeks, S. W.; William C. Neal, J. W.; John Rice, Treasurer; Ernst Cauzler, Secretary; William T. Wayland, S. D.; Solomon Pittman, J. D.; John Weiss and Jacob Rice, Stewards; and V. O. Harrison, Tiler. By laws were adopted and meetings were held in a rented hall in the second story of a two-story frame building standing on the northeast corner of the public square. On the 19th day of the following October, a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge in session at Springfield, Ohio. On the 4th day of November, of the same year, the lodge was constituted by Julius Strelitz, of Marion, Ohio, by a special proxy of the Grand Master of Ohio. An election of officers occurred the same evening, resulting in the election of Oliver W. Weeks, W. M.; John Weiss, S. W.; William T. Wayland, J. W.; John Rice, Treasurer; William C. Neal, Secretary; Solomon Pittman, S. D.; Jacob Rice, J. D.; William Boughton and Joshua Crawford, Stewards; and George W. Ault, Tiler. These were duly installed into office by Julius Strelitz, of Marion. The lodge meets on the first and third Monday evenings of each month, in their new hall on the south side of the public square, built in 1881. Present officers George W. Ault, W. M.; William Boughton, S. W.; J. A. Francis, J. W.; William W. Hinds, Treasurer: Noah Lee, Secretary; T. B. Rogers, S. D.; J. D. Hinds, J. D.; John Gracy and S. B. Rice, Stewards; John W Witcroft, Tiler.

Caledonia Division, No. 4, Sons of Temperance.-This lodge was organized by E. J. Bradley, of Cleveland, and dispensation received November 20, 1878. The first members under the dispensation were G. T. Harding, Daniel Lee, Ella Chambers, Streeter G. Smith, C. E. Criswell; Smith Woodcock, C. A. Beckley, W. A. Baldwin, W. W. Thew, Sarah Cunningham T. B. Rogers, John Street, Mary Dilts, William Conaway, Warren Harding, C. P. Woodcock and Emma C. Boughton. The following persons

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP. - 709

were chosen as officers, viz. : W. P., Daniel Lee; W. A., Ella Chambers; R. S., S. G. Smith; A. R. S., C. E. Criswell; T. S., Smith Woodcock; Treasurer, C. A. Beckley; Con., W. W. Thew; A. C., Mary Dilts; J. S., T. B. Rogers; O. S., John Street; Chaplain, M. S. Bowser; D. G. W. P., G. T. Harding. The present officers are W. P., J. D. Hinds; W. A., Tilla Marggraf; R. S., T. B. Rogers; A. R. S., Anna Anderson; F. S., C. E. Boughton; Treasurer, Mary Dilts; --- C. S. Tedron; C., George Hinds; A. C., Ada Dorwin; J. S., W Wilbur Tedron; O. S. C., Marggraf; P. W. P., D. B. Hart; D. G. W. P., D. B. Hart. This society convened for two years in the Webb Block, and since that time in the Temple Block. Wednesday evening is the time of regular meetings. The society has a membership of seventy, and is prosperous financially.

The orders of Knights of Honor, Legion of Honor and Grand Army of the Republic have each organizations here, but no account was ever received of them.

CALEDONIA GRAVEYARD.

This graveyard was laid out and dedicated to its solemn purpose about the year 1824-25. It is situated on the west bank of the Whetstone and within the corporate limits of the town. This was the first burying ground in the township, and many of the pioneer settlers of the Whetstone Valley now repose in its silent graves. It contains the remains of two or three patriots of the Revolutionary war, and one or more soldiers of the war of 1812. Time h as obliterated the inscriptions on many of the marble slabs erected at the first graves, and some of which are crumbling and falling to the earth, leaving nothing but a little mound to mark the resting place of the honored pioneer. The following inscriptions were obtained from some of the most ancient tombstones, and no doubt many of them were intimately identified with the early history of Claridon and adjoining townships.

James Larrabee was born March 13, 1767, and died June 26, 1835. Mary Larrabee (his wife), born April 18, 1774, and died August 31, 1838. Phebe Vat Buskirk, wife of William Van Buskirk, died May 31, 1839, aged thirty-six years and seven months. In memory of Mary, wife of George Plotner, who died October 12, 1834, aged thirty-one years. In memory of John C. Smith, who departed this life August 23, 1833, aged twenty-three years, nine months and sixteen days. In memory of Margaret Parcel, who died December 1, 1835. aged fifty-three. In memory of John Parcel, who died October 20, 1836, aged fifty-three years three months and seventeen days. In memory of William S. Farrington, who died at Caledonia, September 14, 1838, aged thirty years and five days. Eliza, wife of Nelson Farrington, died November 19, 1836, aged twenty years, eleven months and eight days. In memory of Samuel A. Porter, who died June 12, 1832, aged twenty-seven years. In memory of Massy, wife of John Irey, who died May 27, 1836, aged twenty-nine years. In memory of John Irey, who died December 20, 1837, aged eighty years, ten months and twenty-two days.

This old graveyard was used by the public till April, 1875, when the Caledonia Cemetery Association was formed.

CALEDONIA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.

This cemetery association was composed of the citizens of Caledonia and the surrounding country. A committee, consisting of J. L. Bell, Martin Koch and G. C. Rinker, was appointed and authorized to purchase grounds appropriate for a cemetery. Seven acres of land, situated on the

710 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

east bank of the Whetstone, opposite the village, was secured at a cost of $1,300. The land was laid out in uniform lots and platted by Capt. George Beckley, and now affords an admirable burying place.

VILLAGE OFFICERS.

Mayors -F. C. Beckley was elected Mayor in April, 1874, and served until May 5, 1875, when he resigned and A. M. Dilts was appointed to serve until a special election June 16 following, when T. A. Cross was elected. E. F. Underwood served in 1876-1877; J. B. Harrison, from 1878 to December 3, 1879, when D. O. Smith was chosen at a special election. In April, 1880, he was re-elected. From April, 1882, to the present time, J. Blanchard has held the office.

Recorders -Smith Woodcock served from 1874 till April 19, 1876;. C. P. Bargar from that time till May 1, 1881, since which date F. W.. Brooke has filled the office.

POSTMASTERS.

Lawrence Van Buskirk, December 15 1832; Henry Bretz, April 23, 1842; Greenville P. Cherry, August 24, 1844; Russell C. Bowdish, March 20, 1850; James M. Briggs, August 17, 1851; Henry Speaker, July 16, 1853; James Bell. December 29, 1855; F. C. Ruehrmund. May 24, 1861; Elihu P. Underwood, March 23, .1863, to the present time.

August 31, 1835, the name of the Post office was changed from Van Buskirk to Caledonia.

GRAND TOWNSHIP - 757

GRAND TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER V.

GRAND TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIC HISTORY.

GRAND TOWNSHIP was organized June 7,1824, the first day of the Commissioners' first session after the organization of the county, and it was then the largest township in the county, as it comprised three full surveyed townships and sufficient Virginia Military Lands to form the fourth, all of which will appear from the following entry:

JUNE 7, A. D. 1824.

Commissioners of Marion County met for the first time after the organization of said county. Present: Matthew Merit, Amos Wilson and Enoch B. Merriman; Auditor, Hezekiah Gorton.

Ordered, That surveyed Townships 3, 4 and 5, in Range 13, and so much of the Virginia Military Tract as lies south of said townships in Marion County, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Grand Township.

Thus it will be seen that Grand Township, when organized, included what is now Grand, Montgomery and Bowling Green Townships, in Marion County, and one township which has since been cut off and added to Wyandot County as Marseilles Township. In December, 1831, the territory now included in Montgomery and Bowling Green Townships were taken from the southern portion of Grand Township and formed into Montgomery, as will appear from the following entry of that, date:

MONDAY December 5, 1831.

Ordered by the Board, That Township No. 5 south, Range No. 13, and all the Virginia Military Laud lying clue south of Township 5, Range 13, within said county, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Montgomery.

At a subsequent date, Bowling Green Township was formed out of that portion of the Virginia Military Land which is included in the above entry; and at a still later date, when the county of Wyandot was erected and the boundaries of this and Crawford Counties were changed, surveyed Township 3, Range 13, and two tiers of sections off of surveyed Township 4, Range 13, were taken off of the northern portion of Grand and are now in Wyandot County. The Commissioners of this county, after the passage of the act of the General Assembly erecting the county of Wyandot, reorganized the remaining portion of Grand, in common with all the other fractional townships in the northern tier of townships of this county, as appears from the following entry:

AUDITOR AND COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, MARION COUNTY, OHIO,

March 23 1845.

Ordered, That the several fractional townships of Washington, Tully, Scott, Grand Prairie, Salt Rock and Grand in Marion County, by reason of the act of the: General Assembly of the State of Ohio, entitled "An act to erect the new county of Wyandot, and alter the bounds of the county of Crawford," passed February 3, 1845, be and they are respectively organized into separate townships, and that said townships so organized respectively retain their original names and numbers on the records and duplicates of Marion County, for all purposes whatever.

RICHARD HAUSE,

JOHN UNCAPHER, Commissioners

HUGH V. SMITH,

758 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

Grand Township is now the smallest division in the county, containing only eighteen sections of Congress Land; but it comprise., some of the fairest portions of our territory, and tboso also which are adapted to agriculture and stock-raising as well. The lands are fertile and productive, yielding wheat, corn, oats, clover seed, and other cereals in abundance. The natural drainage afforded by the Tymochtee and numerous other creeks and rivulets renders the land everywhere tillable. Constantly flowing and never-failing springs, together with a number of artesian wells, furnish most excellent water privileges for both man and beast, and even in the midst of seasons of drought, no living thing need want for pure, fresh water to quench the thirst.

Several almost inexhaustible quarries of excellent building stone are found within the township, and innumerable gravel banks of much value also lie beneath the surface in this territory. Excellent timber of different variety is found in all parts of the township, and especially along the streams is its growth wonderfully abundant. Public roads were early established here, and to-day they traverse the township in every direction, thus affording ample facilities for public travel and for marketing grain and other produce.

Following is the agricultural productions of the township for 1883: Wheat, acres sown, 1,179; bushels produced, 14,967; number of acres sown for harvest of 1883, 816. Buckwheat, acres sown, ;l; bushels produced. 108. Oats acres sown, 359; acres sown for crop of 1883, 512; bushels produced, 9,604. Corn, acres planted, 1,429; acres planted for crop of 1883, 1,527; bushels produced, 51,205. Meadow, acres, 755; tons of hay, 9-14. Clover, acres, 319; tons of hay, 492; bushels of seed, 4-18. Potatoes, acres planted, 351, acres for crop of 1883, 35 1/4; bushels produced, 2,685. Tobacco, 2 acres; pounds, 1,125. Butter, 14,380 pounds. Maple sugar. 326 Pounds, gallons sirup, 282. Bees, 85 hives; pounds of honey, 1,035. Eggs, 13,37 dozen. Grapes, 4,550 pounds. Apples, acres occupied, 93 3/4; bushels produced, 2,350. Peaches, bushels produced, 57. Pears, bushels produced, 16 1/2 Lands, number of acres cultivated, 4,616; number of acres pasture, 2,813; number of acres woodland, 1,884, total number of acres owned, 9,520. Wool, 32,644 pounds. Milch cows, 200. Stallions, 1. Dogs, 41. Sheep killed by dons, 10; value, $16. Hogs died, 50: value, $394. Sheep died, 214; value, $728. Cattle, 2; value, $30. Horses, 10; value, $1,050.

NAME.

This township received its name-Grand-from the fact that at the time of its organization it was the largest division of the county, and therefore designated the "grand" division, or, more properly, Grand Township.

SETTLEMENT.

At the time of its organization, there were within its boundaries quite a number of settlers. At the first election, held June 26, 1824, twelve votes were cast for William Cochran, who was elected Justice of the Peace. At a subsequent election, held October 12, 1824, thirteen votes were cast for Jeremiah Morrow for Governor and six for Allen Trimble, showing an increase of seven in the vote in the space of four months.

Among the first permanent white settlers within the present limits of this township were James Stiverson and family, who settled on the north part of Section 20 in 1821-22. Joseph and Myrick Higgins and their fami-

GRAND TOWNSHIP. - 759

lies, and Jacob Seaburn followed some time between the above date and 1828; Henry Deal and Elisha Davis (with wife Nancy), in 1828. Champness Terry and family, from Virginia, came in 1830; Walter Davis and his family, in 1832; Noah Gillespie, in 1835; James and Joseph Lindsay, in 1834-35; David Bower and family, in 1835; Jonathan Neal and family, 1834; Edward, Thomas and Joseph Rubens, Charles Merriman, Hugh Long, Gilbert Olney and son Benjamin, George Barnes, John Lindsay, Thomas Lapbam, George Gray and others.

Among the first schoolhouses in this township was one about a quarter of a mile west of the east line of the township, on what would be the road dividing Sections 36 and 25. It was built about the year 1827 or 1828. Mrs. Seaburn says there was a log schoolhouse on the northeast quarter of Section 25 when she settled here in 1828, and thinks that probably it had been built one to three years. Mrs. Nehemiah Davis, formerly Mary Ann Smith, says she attended school at this house in 1826. The first teacher she remembers was Miss Nancy Brown. Another was Michael Vincent, a good teacher, but cross, and followed the old-fashioned theory that if you spared the rod you spoiled the child. Thomas Lapham was another teacher in an early day. This schoolhouse was built of hewed logs, which were afterward taken down and removed to Scott Town. There are now three schoolhouses in Grand Township, namely, on Sections 22, 25 and 28.

CHURCHES.

Before the Union Church was erected, the Methodist and Christian societies held meetings in what is now known as the Seaborn Schoolhouse, on the northwest quarter of Section 25. The church, on this section, was built in 1869, at an expense of $2,200, besides $50 for the ground. Three. fourths of the expense was incurred by the Methodists and one-fourth by the Christians. Of the Methodists, Nathaniel Osborn paid about $300; Benjamin Roney, $400; Abram Smith, $300; Milton Roads, $300, and others. Of the Christians, Jacob Seaburn paid $550, and others paid small amounts. The church is 36x46 feet in dimensions. will seat 250 to 300 people, and was built under the supervision of Rev. Avery Wright, and Rev. Harvey Wilson preached the dedication sermon.

Zion Methodist Episcopal Church.-The present membership of this church numbers fifty, who hold regular meetings at the above place once in two weeks. Sunday school every Sunday, with about fifty pupils. The ministers have been Revs. Avery- Wright, Dwight Cook, Randolph Cook, David Rhinehart, Staley, Hager, Cameron, Senters, Downing, Lucas, and P. T. Webster, the present pastor.

Paw Paw Free-Will Baptist Church was organized March 16, 1850, by Revs. John Wallace and A. Hatch. James Otis, John King and Myrack Higgins were among the first members and were elected Trustees; John King, Clerk. Meetings were held for a time in the house of Myrack Higgins, but he soon gave a site for a house of worship on Section 33 in Grand Township, and a church edifice was built the following year and dedicated.

Rev. John Wallace was the first pastor. After his labors closed, Revs. G. W. Baker and G. H. Moon and others preached at intervals. The membership remained small. At last. public services were discontinued for several years and the house became dilapidated.

About the year .1872, the Free- Will Baptists and Methodist Episcopals jointly repaired and used the house. About that time the second Montgomery Free- Will Baptist Church, which was organized February 28, 1852, by

760 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

Revs. A. Hatch and K. F. Higgins, consisting of John King and wife: Joshua Davis and wife, William Lauderback and Hiram Owens, and which enjoyed the pastoral labors of the two ministers who organized it, and afterward of Revs. G. W. Baker, D. D. Halsted, James Aldrich, and perhaps others, disbanded, most of the members uniting with the church at LaRue, but some of them uniting with the Paw Paw Church. Since then the congregation has held its usual number, though still small, and preaching has been sustained portions of the time except for the last year, when both societies have been without preaching, and the house been unoccupied, except on funeral occasions.

The Christians have a meeting once a month in the above described church, Rev. Henry Holverstott being the minister.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Clerk's books containing the records of Grand Township were destroyed by fire about the year 1880, and hence some of the data of history are irrecoverable.

The present Township Trustees are George Everett, Wilson Peters and James Day; Treasurer, Thomas Anderson; Clerk, J. C. Rubin.

GRAND PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. - 767

CHAPTER VI.

GRAND PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.

A LITTLE more than a half-century ago, Grand Prairie Township lay in the indolence and silence of a summer noon-day, in which she had been basking for ages. A few Indian wigwams and a few rude cabins of restless white men dotted the margins of her forests. The purchase of these lands of the Indians by the United States in the year 1819, and the subsequent discovery of the extreme fertility of the soil soon changed the whole scene. A constant tide of immigration flowed hither, and soon the lands were occupied by a hardy and industrious class of pioneers.

768 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

ORGANIZATION AND PHY81CAL FEATURES.

This township was organized at the first session of the County Commissioners, in June, 1824. It, perhaps, was among the first then organized, although there is no entry of the formal organization of the township to be found in the records at that or any other date. Yet it has ever since been known by that name on all the records and duplicates of the county. It originally consisted of the full surveyed Township No. 4, Range No. 15, and it thus remained until in 1845, when the county- of Wyandot was erected and the boundaries of Marion and Crawford Counties were changed. At that time, two tiers of sections were taken from this township and given to Wyandot County. Since then, however, the territory of his township has not been disturbed, and to-day it consists of twenty-four full sections of Congress lands. It lies almost wholly within the limits of the Sandusky Plains, and probably derives its name from the originally beautiful prairies within its borders.

The surface is generally level, but in some parts it is slightly rolling, with rich bottom lands in many parts of the township. The soil is deep and exceedingly productive in the prairie lands, and of more than average depth and fertility in that portion consisting of woodland. The lands are afforded much natural drainage by the Little Scioto, which flows through it from north to south, and also Rocky Fork and one or two smaller streams.

SETTLEMENT.

The first permanent white settler was a Mr. Ridenour, who came here from Ross County and located on the north side of the Little Scioto River, where he built a cabin and made some meager improvements, and afterward sold the premises to James Swinnerton, who, with his family, came from Delaware County to this township in the early part of 1819. Within a few years after Mr. Swinnerton came to this township, Joseph Drake, Sr., and Joseph Drake, Jr., also settled here, and in 1824, Capt. John Vanmeter came. He was a native of Berkeley County, Va., whence he came to this township. Mr. Vanmeter served as Captain in the war of 1812. His residence here was near Bentsfield His son, William Vanmeter, who is now living, still resides in this township.

Benjamin Salmon, a native of the State of Delaware, came during the same year, and Asa Pike located here about the year 1828. In the following year, Henry May and family came here from Franklin County, Ohio, and located where John A. May now resides. Mr. May at once opened a public house. This inn, whose place and public character were designated by the picture of a black horse, became quite a popular stopping place, and so continued until about 1854. Henry May died in 1838.

John Cook and Mr. Cadwell were also among the settlers of about this date; also, Jacob Bentsfield and family, locating here in 1828, on the bank of Rocky Fork, a little south of the center of the township. He had secured the property of Mr. Hume, who had entered eighty acres of land here, built a cabin and made some other improvements. Others in this locality were John Bunn, John Cook and Capt. John Vanmeter previously noticed, and David Salmon, who lived on the east bank of "Salmon Run," in a large log house, which is still standing. The only living representative of the Burtsfield family, who came here at an early day, is John Burtsfield, and he gives it as his recollection that Abner Bent, who lived just north of the Scioto bridge, was here at the time of their coming. Powell,

GRAND PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. - 760

Raney, Stillwell and John Lance, with their families, came soon afterward.

Mrs. Catherine Bretz is also one of the early settlers of this township, and is still living. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 25, 1804, and was a daughter of John and Barbara Bibler. who were also among the early pioneers of this township. Mrs. Bretz is the widow of Samuel Bretz, to whom she was married in 1823. Five years later, they care to this township, arriving here in the spring of 1828, fully intending to go on to Seneca County and there locate, but they were persuaded by friends to remain in Marion County. Mrs. Bretz relates that they lived with David Hite and family from the time they came in the spring until late in the fall. In the meantime, Mr. Bretz had purchased the farm upon which Mrs. Bretz still resides, and in the autumn erected a cabin, which approaching winter compelled them to enter before it was completed. The cabin, when they first moved into it, contained no windows; no floor was yet laid, except on that portion upon which a couple of bedsteads stood; the door was a mere holo through the wall, and there was no .fireplace. Mrs. Bretz did her cooking out of doors, by a large stump. They had to carry or haul the water they used a distance of a mile or more. They lived in this manner for about two months, until other improvements were made.

Mrs. Bretz thus relates an incident which occurred the evening after they had moved into their cabin:

On the day after Mr. Bretz and his family had moved into their new home, one of their neighbors became ill, and Mr. Bretz was sent for to go as a messenger for Dr. Holloway, at Marion. When Mr. Bretz returned to the house of the sick neighbor, he found the man in too had a condition to leave, although the patient had been administered to by the physician. Hence, he reluctantly consented to remain over night with the sick man, thus unavoidably leaving his wife and three small children alone for the night in the rickety and unfinished cabin, wholly at the mercy of the storms and the attacks of wild beasts. The neighbors were few, and Mr. Bretz did not return. The twilight of the evening deepened into utter darkness, and Mrs. Bretz had no opportunity of securing company, or even of calling aid in case of danger. It was autumn, and the fallen leaves, dead grass, brush and dry sticks were undergoing their annual burning. The night was a dismal one. The fierce blazing of the fire in the early part of the evening had aroused all the wild animals in the vicinity. Later, when the glare of the light was dying out, the howling of the wolves and the screaming of the panthers made the night hideous. To render Mrs. Bretz's situation more desolate and dangerous, the watch-dog had been frightened away. She, however, barricaded the door, and availed herself of all the means of defense at hand to prevent the intrusion of any unwelcome visitors, in the shape of either man or beast. These precautions were not ill-timed, for the entrance to the cabin had not more than been securely closed when a number of hungry wolves congregated, and with howling, snarling and snapping of teeth indicated plainly where they were seeking their prey. Growing more bold, they sought every aperture to effect an entrance, and their glaring eyes might have been seen through the crevices between the logs, as they howled with rage at their inability to enter. Mrs. Bretz and her little family sustained no bodily harm during that long, dreary night; but she rightly attributes it to her abundant caution, in thus early barricading and securing the door.

Other settlers came to this township previous to 1832, all of whom can

770 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

not be mentioned; but among them were Lewis Jury, Eleazer Parker, John Page, Chancy Clark, William Powell, who came in 1823 and located on Rocky Fork; also Landy Shoots, David Bibler and family, who came in 1831. Michael Campbell, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1811, and who was then a young man, came with Mr. Bibler and family. Young Campbell remained with Mr. Bibler for a year or more, when he secured a position in a distillery in Crawford County. Soon tiring of that kind of business, he left it, and afterward worked at several places until, in 1837, he married Miss Mary Bibler and moved upon the farm where he now lives.

The first schoolhouse in this township was erected about 1832, near Mrs. Hord's place. It was a log structure, of the most simple, primitive pattern. The first teacher who taught there was probably Isaac James.

INDIANS.

For many years after the early settlers came here, the Indians were quite numerous. Not far to the north lay the Wyandot reservation, twelve miles square, which territory had been ceded to that brave and warlike tribe by the terms of the treaty effected, in 1817, between the Wyandots and the Government, as represented by Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur. But their movements and their privileges were not confined alone to their reservation, and it was no unusual thing to see them in the deeper wilds of Crawford County, or the more remote parts of Wyandot, or in regular squads or caravans passing southward, through the sparse settlements of Marion and Delaware Counties, their ponies loaded with various articles of merchandise. The white settlements adjacent often suffered losses from their thieving, but no accounts of great losses have been given.

The manners of these people would be regarded now, as they were then, as odd and uncouth A squad passing in front of cabins of white settlers would often halt, and while the male portion of the company would wait, the squaws would enter the house without rapping or any ceremony or leave of any kind, and if any one were present they would ask for anything they could see that struck their fancy, and if they did not get it the refusal generally made them angry. If no one were present on those occasions, the intruders often helped themselves to what they wanted. They never, at a private house or in the villages, lost an opportunity to display their wares and whatever they had for sale, and generally asked a good price for them. In their habits of cooking and preparing their meals, they were far from being cleanly. If white people visited their camps, or were present at their wigwams in the villages when a meal was being prepared, they invariably insisted upon the pale face partaking of their hospitality; but it is needless to say that their kind invitations were usually declined, which fact often gave offense.

Mrs. Bretz relates an incident that occurred soon after they came to this township, that is worthy of note here. It was while they were yet living with Mr. Hites and family. Both Mr. Hires and Mr. Bretz were absent for the day, and only their wives and children were at home. A party of about thirty Indians rode up in front of the cabin, and a number of them dismounted and went in. Mr. Bretz had brought a barrel of liquor with him from Fairfield County, and Mrs. Bretz was not long in discovering that' the Indians were after some of the " fire-water;" but as it was a violation of the law to sell to the Indians, she determined not to sell them any on any condition. The Indians were very urgent in their entreaties, offering Mrs.

GRAND PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. - 771

Bretz a fine shawl and other valuable articles for a quart of whisky; but Mrs. Bretz was unyielding. They were very persistent in their efforts, but she steadily refused to either sell or give them whisky, and they finally became very much enraged, and tried to obtain it by threats. They pointed their guns at the children, and placed their fingers on their foreheads in a very significant manner, thus intimating that they would shoot the children through the head if their wishes were not granted; yet Mrs. Bretz did not yield to their solicitations and threats, even under these frightful circumstances, but succeeded in getting one of the children off to a neighbor for help and protection. The neighbor presently came, and as soon as he was in view, the Indians, with many angry mutterings, ceased their efforts and withdrew.

As the Wyandots did not relinquish their territory and remove West until in 1842, many of the present generation remember distinctly the remnant of this once haughty and warlike tribe and a number of their chiefs. Mr. Michael Campbell gives the names of the following of his own personal acquaintances: Bear-skin, Sarrahus, GreyEyes, Peacock and Snakehead.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious society formed in the township was organized at John Vanmeter's, by Rev. Benjamin Cane and Thomas S. Nelson, and was Old School Baptist. It was organized May 26, 1827, and at first had only a membership of five, to wit: John Staley, Susan Staley, Sophia Vanmeter, Chauncey Clark (Deacon) and Reuben Drake (Clerk). This society, however, has since grown strong and prosperous-due, mainly, to a revival initiated and conducted by Rev. S. D. Bates- -now numbering forty-two. In 1867, they built a house of worship in the northern part of the township, where the society holds regular services. It was dedicated by Rev. George Tusing, of Cincinnati. Present pastor, Adam S. Shoemaker.

The Free-Will Baptist Church of this township was organized on the 22d of February, 1867, by Rev. S. D. Bates, of Marion. In January, 1867, Rev. Bates held a series of revival meetings, resulting in sixty conversions, forty-five of whom subsequently became members of the Free-Will Baptist Church at the same place at the date above mentioned, and the remaining fifteen joined the Old School Baptist Church, of the same place, which had been organized many years before. Rev. Bates continued in charge of the church society which he had organized here for a period of seven years. During that time, several revival meetings occurred, and the membership was increased to the number of seventy-five at the close of his pastorate. He was succeeded by Rev. R. J. Poston, who remained pastor for two years, and was followed by Rev. J. F. Tufts for two years, who was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Seitz, who was pastor of the church for four years.

After eight years, Rev. S. D. Bates again resumed the pastoral relation, which he now holds. During the period of his absence, the church maintained about its own in membership. A very neat frame chapel, costing $2,000, was erected by the church, at Brush Ridge, in 1867, where the, society meets to worship regularly every alternate Sabbath, and where a Sunday school is maintained now during the summer months.

AGRICULTURAL.

Following are the agricultural productions, etc., of the township for 1883, as returned to the Auditor's office: Wheat, acres sown, 1,376; bushels produced, 14, 770; number of acres sown for harvest of 1883, 1, 319.Oats, acres

772 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

sown, 287; acres sown for crop of 1883, 479; bushels produced, 9,380. Corn, acres planted, 1,888; acres planted for crop of 1883, 1,850; bushels produced, 76,110. Meadow, acres, 735; tons of hay, 868. Clover, acres, 118; tons of hay, 149; bushels of seed, 139. Potatoes, acres planted, 23; acres for crop of 1883, 24; bushels produced, 2,225. Butter, 18 755 pounds. Sorghum, acres planted, 1 1/4, gallons sirup, 194. Maple, gallons of sirup, 65. Bees, 94 hives; pounds of honey, 700. Eggs, 14,150 dozen. Apples, acres occupied, 74; bushels produced, 1,999. Peaches, bushels produced, 1882, 92. Pears, bushels produced 1882, 13. Lands owned, number of acres cultivated, 3,525; number of acres pasture, 2,451; number of acres woodland, 1 431; number of acres lying waste, 10; total number of acres owned, 9,729. Wool, 10,090. Milch cows, 138. Stallions, 4. Dogs, 1. Sheep killed by dogs, 31; value, $99. Hogs died, 18; value, $170. Sheep died, 47; value, $191. Cattle died, 2; value, $70. Horses, 4; value, $400.