HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY. - 465

CHAPTER XVII.

HARMONY TOWNSHIP- FIRST SETTLEMENT-EARLY SOCIAL CUSTOMS-PIONEER CHURCHES

AND THEIR SUCCESSORS-SCHOOLS, ETC.

THE history of the settlement of a new country is an interesting study-to note the causes that determine the actions of the pioneer, and mark the guidings of that "divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them as we may;" and, when the current of emigration sets in like the flowing of an ocean tide, the waves of population advancing and receding, gaining force with every advance, graining and each time conquering a wider area-to mark how the wilderness is lost in the landscape dotted over with fruitful farms and pleasant homes.

The tide of emigration to which the county of Delaware owes its early settlement, flowed in from the South and Southeast, along the old Granville road by the Alum Creek trail, and up the Olentangy River, settling up, principally, the southern portion of the county. The first families that found a home in this territory hesitated to plunge into the forests remote from the older settlements, which were then at Worthington, Zanesville and Chillicothe. Later, when the county was formed, and a business and social center formed at the county seat, the tide of emigration flowed further north, but still measured its advance by the proximity of its settlements to the newly formed center of communication. This was a consideration of vital importance to the pioneers in those days of blazed roads and unbridged streams. For years the county seat was the vital center from which proceeded the social and official currents that were the life-blood of the communities settled about it. Here was frequently located the only post office, grist-mill and store, while the sessions of the court, the payment of taxes, and the no less important business of the Board of Commissioners, demanded the frequent presence and attention of the pioneers. Under the operation of such influences a large part of the northern and eastern part of the county was for years but little more than the common hunting ground of Indians and adventurous whites. This large area of territory was formed into a small township called Sunbury, and from it, at various times since, smaller divisions have been formed, until now only the thriving village of that name in Berkshire, serves to perpetuate its Dame. Harmony was set off from this comprehensive township June 5, 1820 -, and, as first erected, included the northern half of Bennington, the northeast section of Peru, the eastern half of Lincoln, the whole of the present township of Harmony, and a strip of country of' this width extending to the northern boundary of Crawford Con n ty. It retained this wide area of territory for a short time only. The erection of other counties curtailed its jurisdiction to the limits of the treaty line, and, in 1828, was restricted to its present limits by the erection of' Lincoln Township. As now situated, it is bounded on the north, following the treaty line, by Franklin and Gilead, on the east by Franklin and Chester, south by Bennington, and west by Lincoln. The general character of the surface of Harmony Township is that of low, wet ground. The northern part was surveyed, in 1803, by Jesse Spencer, and the southeast section by William Harris, in 1811. The original field-notes that have been preserved show that the country was wet, the northeast quarter showing only narrow tracts of solid land winding among the swamps. These swamps the early settlers designated by names suggestive of their different characteristics. In the northern middle part of the township was an

466 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

extensive swamp called the Long Swamp; to the south and east a short distance were the Prairie and Feather Bed Swamps. About the middle of the township was located the Wildcat Swamp, and a little to the cast of that is what is known as the Rosy Swamp. This quarter of the township has undergone a remarkable change in the course of clearing. The swamps have largely dried up under the influence of the sun and drainage, and the site of some of them is now some of the finest farming land in the township. Across the corner of this quarter of the township flows the Middle Branch of Owl Creek, and flowing up from the south, along the eastern border of the township, the southern branch of the same stream is found. This run, Gen. Taylor, the owner of the section, desired to have named after him, and it did gain the local name of Taylor Run, but it was soon lost sight of, and is now generally known as the South Branch of Owl Creek. Owing to the lay of the land, however, these streams afford but slight drainage, and do not form a conspicuous feature in the topography of the township. In the western portion of Harmony the Big Walnut takes its rise, formerly heading in a swamp which took the name of Big Belly, from a local name applied to the river. This stream flows south along the western part of the township, without reaching any considerable size in this region, and with but few branches. To the west of this stream, the surface is higher, and is fine, rolling clay land. East of the river, the general characteristics of the township prevail, and good drinking water is difficult to find. The general business of farming occupies the attention of the residents, which exacts a good deal of labor to render profitable, on account of the amount of draining necessary. When once thoroughly drained, however, the soil in most places, is a rich, black muck, that yields abundant returns. Stock-raising is engaged in to some extent, by the farmers, and some small fruits are grown for market.

The early settlement of the township is not very clearly known. The Commissioner's records of Delaware County show that Harmony was erected in 1820, but with such comprehensive boundaries as to suggest that it was formed as a matter of county convenience rather than on petition of any inhabitants that may have resided therein. So far as can be ascertained, no settlements were made within the present boundaries, until about 1826. The land was known, and would doubtless have been early settled if the status of the land had been better known. The southeast quarter had been bought by Gen. James Taylor, of Newport, Ky. The southwest quarter was school land, and the rest was Congress and military lands. Many settlers who would have settled on this land, were diverted to other parts, because they did not care to hunt up the character of the land when there was plenty at hand just as good, .where no difficulty of that nature existed. To set the matter at rest, however, early in 1824, William Davis, a resident of Knox County, wrote to Chillicothe for information, and in that year entered the first Congressional land within the present limits of the township. His land was located near the bend in the South Branch of Owl Creek, and is still occupied by his son. The first actual settler, however, was Alexander Walker, who had come some years before as one of the earliest settlers to the site of Chesterville. He came originally, from Washington County Penn., and stayed in Chester some fifteen years. He located his land where Hugh Green now lives, building his cabin on the banks of Owl Creek, but, following the bent of his mind, he left the township in a few years in search of a newer country. If not the second family, that of Charles McCracken was very closely following that of Walker. McCracken came to Chester from Lancaster County, Penn., but, finding the land of Harmony not so generally taken, entered a farm of a hundred acres in the eastern edge of the township, near where runs the Cardington and Chesterville road. Coming close upon this family was William Kramer, from Franklin County, Ohio, who settled on a small tract just west of McCracken, on the branch of Owl

HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY. - 467

Creek. The way thus opened was soon followed by those who had become restless in the older settlements and desired a newer country, and, notwithstanding the forbidding character of the soil, the northeast quarter settled up quite rapidly. The settlement was thus principally made up from the older settlements near at hand, and to consider. able extent by those, who, after partially clearing up their farms, moved again to newer territory. Among those who came into this section 'within a few years of the first settlers, was James McCrary, originally from Licking County. He came to Chester, and from there moved to Harmony, settling on the land just north of Kramer, and on the opposite side of the stream. Zabad Pierce entered a farm in the same vicinity, and George Burns, who came from Columbiana County, located on the land now owned by Jacob Fogle.

On January 7,1826, Samuel Hayden came into the township and settled on the Cardington and Chesterville road, just north of the stream, his farm lying right on the boundary line between Chester and Harmony Townships. He moved, with his parents, from Greene County, Penn., when about five years old, and settled in Licking County, in November, 1808. The two hundred miles which intervened was traveled on horseback within the space of eight days, losing one day by a storm that compelled them to put up. William Hayden, his father, came by way of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, in order to bring their goods. The mother, with a fortitude rarely equaled, performed the long journey overland, riding on horseback, carrying her infant daughter, and leading a horse on which Samuel and his younger brother rode. The boys were hardly old enough to keep their position - on horseback, but the mother's eye watched every motion with jealous care, bringing her little family safely through the wilderness to her frontier home. They moved into Newton Township and lived there some thirteen years. The father was a great hunter, and, it is said, made, with a companion, one of the most successful bear hunts known in the new country. His companion was not much of a shot, but owned a good dog, and was fond of the sport. Hayden, who was an expert shot, made the party complete, and usually showed good results for their efforts. At this time, the ground was covered with thick underbrush, and their usual plan was to separate, and, after a wide circuit, to meet at some point fixed upon, or be governed by a rifle-shot or the bark of the dog. On this occasion, after a short separation, Hayden heard the report of his companion's gun, and, hastening to the spot, found his friend greatly excited over five bears on one tree. "What have you killed ? " asked Hayden. "Nothing " replied the other, "but look there! " On looking up Hayden saw five bears on a white-oak tree, that, not enjoying the situation, had begun to show their teeth. The first shot had cut off one of the toes of a cub, and the excited hunter was about to put another shot into the cub, when Hayden called his attention to the fact that if the older ones saw a cub fall, they would come down and make it very lively for the hunters. He directed him to load, and shoot at the older ones, and at the same time, suiting the action to the word, brought down one of them with a well-aimed shot. Fearful that Hayden would get all the game, his companion, in his haste to load, rammed the bullet down first, and could not extract it. The result was that Hayden, taking them in order, killed the five in as many shots, three of them weighing 300 pounds each. The other two were cubs, which they carried home on their backs.

Samuel Hayden's cabin in Harmony was built on the hill, where the later residence was built. His wife was quite timid about the trees failing on the house, and was given due notice when one was about to fall near the cabin. Game was plenty, and, by removing the chinking between the logs, he frequently supplied his table with wild turkey or venison. In the year following his settlement here, it is said that Mr. Hayden walked barefooted to Mount Vernon and back, a distance of thirty-four miles, in one day, carrying a pail of butter, which he exchanged, at five cents per pound,

468 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

for powder and lead. This was the ordinary price for this article, and eggs sold for two cents a dozen, with no demand at that.

Soon after Hayden, Jeremiah Smith moved on to land in the northeastern part of the township, which he had entered as early as 1825. Mr. Smith came from Luzerne County, Penn., in 1824, and settled at Berkshire, but did not purchase any property until the following year, when, after looking the whole township over, be chose that in the northeast part of the township, sticking down two willow stakes to mark the land he had chosen. These were unintentionally left sticking in the mud, and the years have changed them into thrifty trees, which still stand a monument to the departed pioneer. The land was then pretty much under water, but there was quite a large cleared spot which bore a luxuriant growth of grass, and near by was an excellent spring. It did not take him long to discover that the land could be drained and made into excellent farming land, while the spring would prove a perpetual treasure. The grass-land, though too insecure for cattle or horses to walk on, would furnish an amount of feed that was a valuable consideration at that time. He at once entered 250 acres of this land at the office in Chillicothe, his deed bearing date August 5, 1825, and paid $297.02 in cash for it. He made no improvements on this property, however, until the latter part of 1827, when be put up a cabin, and in March of the following year moved his family into it. The prospect here was not inviting, and would have discouraged any one not trained to the hard experiences of the pioneer. The whole country here was but little more than a succession of swamps, many of them so soft as to mire the dogs of the coon hunters. On Mr. Smith's farm was a large beaver dam of semi-circular shape, enclosing about thirty acres of swamp, which was known as the Feather-Bed Swamp, on account of its softness. It seemed to have no solid bottom, a pole having been thrust into it to the depth of twenty feet without touching firm soil. Under the influence of clearing and draining, this has become firm and is now tilled regularly with the best results. The dam, though abandoned by the beavers, some time before the appearance of the settlers, was a very extensive affair, and so broad on top as to afford a building site for the first frame house built in the township, erected in 1837 by Mr. Smith. In digging the foundation, trunks of trees of the largest growth were found buried to the depth of ten or fifteen feet. In 1827, a settlement was made in the southeast corner of the Taylor quarter, by Enoch George; when a lad, he came to Chester with his father, an Old-School Baptist Welsh preacher, in 1811. He lived with his father until he married and set up for himself, when he went to Kentucky to see Gen. Taylor in regard to the purchasing of land in his quarter. The General was away from home, but soon after George met him in Columbus, and secured some 100 acres in the very southeastern corner of the quarter. Here he built his cabin and remained until the spring of 1829, when he sold to E. Saulsbury. About this time, Jonathan Frost made a settlement on the west side of the township, just above the east-and-west section line. Mr. Frost was a native of Putnam County, N. Y., and emigrated to Bennington in his seventeenth year. Here he remained six or seven years, marrying a daughter of Mr. Foss, who afterward entered land in Harmony Township. The latter was a native of Maine, and emigrated to Erie County, Penn., whence he came to Bennington during the winter on an oxsled.

The southwest quarter of the township, was part of the land set aside for school purposes, and did not come into the market until late. Before this time, most of the available Government lands had been taken up, and the price of land had risen considerably, so that when this quarter was put upon the market at $1.25 per acre, it was considered remarkably cheap, and eagerly sought for by those not permanently situated. The land thus offered for sale was principally taken up by emigrants from Muskingum, Perry and Knox Counties. Previous

HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY. - 469

to this time, however, some half a dozen families had "squatted " upon this section, probably with a view of buying it when thrown upon the market. These families, who were principally from Maine, settled about 1819, and among them were the families of Timothy Foss, Symmons and Heald. The latter had a large family, one of which, Moses, was fatally bitten by a rattlesnake, the first instance of the kind known in this section of the State. He was some two miles from his home, and running home for remedies he heated his blood, and gave the poison opportunity to be thoroughly taken up in the circulation of the blood, which rendered all remedies ineffectual. Among the earlier families that came to this part of the township, was that of John Ralston a native of Lycoming County, Penn., from whence he emigrated at an early age to Muskingurn County, Ohio. From there he came in 1833, and entered seventy-nine acres at the office in Delaware. Among others, who came into this part of the township at this time, were Japheth West, from Clay Township, Knox County, Thomas Madden, Ashley Nutt, William Bennett and Christopher Stovenaur. In 1837, Enoch George, who had gone back to Chester after selling his farm in the southeast corner of the township, to Mr. Saulsbury, returned and bought eighty acres near Burns" Corners. Here he stayed but a short time, when he sold out, and, leaving his family there, he went to Iowa to work for a home. Familiar all his life with a timbered country, the rough fashion of the prairie winds discouraged his idea of emigration, and he bought 100 acres where he now lives, able at the age of eighty-one to build fence and do all but the hardest work about the farm. In the fall of 1840, Thomas Meredith, a native of Chester Township, came into Harmony and bought a hundred acres of land in the Taylor section, at $5 per acre. The cheapness of land all about this quarter, had left this part of the township for the most. part unsettled, and Mr. Meredith found it, at that comparatively late date fraught with all the obstacles that the earliest settlers met. The price was considered exorbitant, and, though he owed but $80 and had a horse and ax besides himself and wife to pay the balance. His friends predicted that he would never accomplish it, Mr. Meredith was blessed with an unusual amount of trading shrewdness, and one of his first transactions was to trade the horse for a heavy yoke of oxen. This furnished him a valuable addition to his farming outfit, but, an opportunity soon offering, he traded this yoke of cattle for two yokes of lighter ones. One of these he sold for a horse and $40. The money was sacredly set aside toward extinguishing the debt, and the team turned to double account in the clearing. The horse was subsequently sold for $40, which furnished the balance needed to discharge the debt. This incident, though considered a trivial matter in this day, was an evidence of superior management in that day. Property was accumulated by hard work, and "wind-falls " or " God sends " were things unknown to the early pioneers. When he came into the township, Mr. Meredith brought with him eight hogs which ran wild for a year or two in the woods. These were secured and killed, and he flattered himself that they would furnish him with a nice store of some of the commoner comforts to be bought at the store in Chesterville. They dressed some seventeen hundred pounds, and were sold for $1.50 per hundred, one half to be taken in store pay. But in his plans, he had counted without his host. He had a doctor-bill and a few small debts, and, after paying them, he found himself in possession of a single dollar. With this he started for the store, but on his way met a creditor whom he had forgotten entirely. With him he left his last dollar, and had to get trusted for a few necessaries for his family.

The history of the early settlement of Harmony Township is robbed of much of that romantic interest which attaches to those years of peril, when the homes of the pioneers were turned into log fortresses, and life on the frontier was full of " moving accidents by flood and field. " The swamps of Harmony had been quite an attractive spot to the savages in an early day. Wild fruits grew here in

470 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

fruitful abundance, and. wild flowers, fit to grace the parlor of wealth, bloomed in every corner of the wood. A swamp which occupied a part of Mr. Meredith's farm, gained the name of "Rosy " from the profusion of flowers that brightened its "damp recesses. This was also a favorite haunt for certain kinds of game that the Indians delighted to hunt. In the swamps near the center of the township, wildcats of great size were found, and, though but few remained for the whites to capture it has gained the name of Wildcat Swamp, from the traditions of the Indians. The last of the savages were seen in this township about the year 1827. Their trails were found threading the woods in every direction, but the settlers soon monopolized whatever attraction the place had for the Indian, and he ceased to come to this part. There were a few camps on Taylor Run or the South Branch of Owl Creek, for a few years later, but the improvements of the whites began to encroach upon them, and they deserted the township entirely. Wolves ranged the woods in large numbers at an early date, and were the last of the wild inhabitants to leave. They frequently attacked yearling cattle, and occasionally made it dangerous for the settlers to go out at night unarmed. It is related of Mr. Frost and his wife, that coming from a dis tant neighbor's to their home, they were overtaken by night, and soon began to hear the howling of Wolves. They hurried their steps, but it was not long before they found a small pack of these cowardly brutes closing in around them. Mr. Frost had armed himself with a good-sized stick, and managed to keep them off until a place of safety was reached. These animals were not usually so bold, and one was seldom seen during the daytime. They were closely hunted by the pioneers, as the county paid from $1 to $2 apiece for their scalps, and they were soon exterminated or driven from the country. At this time, there was a post office, store, and mills at Chesterville, and this was the point of attraction to the settlement in Harmony. Cardington was scarcely known, and a blazed road from the northeast corner of Harmony Township, out to the treaty line, and thence along that line, was the only road to the two or three cabins that have since grown to the thriving village of that name.

The absence of any considerable streams, and the nearness of Chesterville, where mills, tanneries and store, supplied, the meager demands of the settlers, operated against the establishment of similar enterprises in this township. There were two saw-mills that were built rather early, one about 1835, on the angling, about three-quarters of a. mile north of Jeremiah Smith's farm ; and another by Chilcoat, on Owl Creek. These afforded the first opportunity for the improvement of their dwellings, which was improved by Mr. Smith, building the first frame house in the township. In 1846, William Bennett built a brick house in the southeastern part of the township, and in 1850, John Ralston erected another, Jesse Vernon burning the brick on the place. Although no distillery was ever established in this township, the use of whisky was as general in the community here as in most of the communities of the time. Settlers took their corn or rye to the still, and got from one to three barrels to put in their houses almost as regularly as farmers of to-day put down cider. Log-rollings, raisings and huskings were impossible with-out whisky. Jeremiah Smith was an early temperance man, and, on the occasion of his barn raising, he determined to put his principles into practice. His neighbors were early on the ground, to set the work moving, but, on looking around for the preliminary drink, they found it absent. A stand was made right there and no amount of persuasion or argument could do anything toward answering their demand. A boy was accordingly sent to a neighbor's for the requisite whisky, and the building went up without trouble. But the most of those old-time drinkers have been cured of the habit by the poisonous adulterations which have been resorted to, to swell the gains of the venders of this stuff.

The stock of the new settlements consisted chief. ly of the hogs, ox teams and cows, which each

HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY. - 471

farmer needed as a part of his capital. The fare of the pioneer was meager enough in variety, and mint have been poor indeed without milk. These animals were easily reared, and were usually safe from the attacks of such animals as inhabited the woods here. The greatest danger was of their miring in the swamps, or of their wandering so far away as to be lost. Horses and cattle wore bells, and each owner soon learned to recognize the sound of his bells on his own stock, and even the tone of the one on the different animals. The widow of Jeremiah Smith relates that on one occasion she went after the cows, but, after going a long distance and failing to hear any sound of their bell, she undertook to retrace her steps. She soon became confused, however, among the numerous trails that led in all directions through the woods, and realized that she had lost her way. She stopped and listened for the sound of the bell of some of the neighborhood stock, and soon recognized the bell which was attached to their horse. She made for the direction from where the sound proceeded, and found several horses of the neighborhood quietly feeding together. She at once started them up, and, after trotting off together a short distance, they separated, each one instinctively making for their several homes. By following at the top of her speed, her dumb guides brought her safely within sight of her home.

The history of the early organization of the township is very incomplete. No hint is to be found in the records of the commissioners, and none of the residents of the township have nay recollection of the mart. Messrs. Collins and Buck were prominent men in the section covered by the new township, and probably had much to do in determining its limits. The western portion, known later as Lincoln, was settled some years earlier than the eastern portion. In fact, at that time, Harmony of to-day was a wild swamp, inhabited only by wildcats and other animals, The name Harmony called out some pleasantries on the part of the surrounding communities, but there was probably nothing in the character of the settlement, either in the lack of that virtue or the presence of it, to suggest the name, but it was likely a thoughtless suggestion of some one, and adopted because others had nothing to offer. The first election was held at Buck's cabin, and Noah White and Lewis Hardenbrook were elected Justices of the Peace. The election in the spring of 1827 was held at the same cabin, when James McLain was elected Justice of the Peace. During the following year Lincoln was erected principally out of the territory of Harmony. At the next election in this township, Jeremiah Smith was elected Justice of the Peace, and served the community for a number of years. He lived here on his farm forty years, dying in the seventy third year of his age.

The missionaries of that day were early in this community, bringing in the influences of the church to help mold society into a form of greater usefulness. The first denominational influence in the township was probably that of the Old-School Baptists. Their first place of worship was built near the middle of the township, and has been known as the "Wildcat Church. " This society was organized 'about 1850, and at once set about erecting a building. It is still standing, a plain building. easily mistaken for a schoolhouse, erected originally for some $500 or $600. One of the earliest Pastors was Rev. George Fuller, who lived two miles west of Fredericktown. He was poor, but a very earnest man, and for years walked every week to meet his people. His salary was $100 per year, and, unfortunately, that was often largely in arrears. There are at present about fifty members over whom Rev. Mr. Arnold presides as Pastor.

The Ebenezer Church is one of the older organizations in the township. This is located in the southeast part of the township, and was organized by Rev. Mr. Kaufman, as Old-School Baptist minister. Among the early members were Peter Powell, Tunis Ashbrook, Joseph Ullery, Charles McCacken and wife, James James and wife, and

472 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

Benjamin McCrary and wife. The church building was erected early, at a cost of $500 or $600. The members have either died or moved away, and services are only occasionally held there. Pisgah Church is of the New-School Baptist denomination. This is an old and large organization, and had its origin in the division of the old Chester Church, which occurred about 1836. Their first Pastor was Elder Thomas, who served the church for a number of years. During his administration, the church erected a place of worship about a mile east of their present building, which they used until 1876, when the present edifice was built, at a cost of about $1,000. The membership numbers about 125 persons; the present Pastor is Elder Pritchard. Harmony Chapel was built by the Methodist Episcopal denomination in 1850. In 1831, Jeremiah Smith laid out a small cemetery, donating a quarter of an acre to this purpose, and in August of that year buried his first wife there. Later, he added another quarter of an acre, and, desirous of having a church established in the community, offered a building-site to any church that would build a place of worship on it. The proposition was taken into consideration by both the Baptists and Methodists, but the latter, ,coming first to a conclusion, were given the site, and Harmony Chapel was built. The first class was formed about two years previous, under the influence of such preachers as Russell Bigelow and Edward Smith. Among the members of this first class were Nicodemus Chilcoat, a Mr. Bates and Samuel Chipps, with their wives. Rev. Mr. Dubois was the first stated preacher, who was succeeded according to the polity of the church. There are now about thirty-four members, with Rev. Allen Moffet as Pastor.

The "Pleasant Hill " Church was built about this time, by the United Brethren denomination, but, not long afterward, they rather died out, and sold their building to the Old-School Baptists. A dissension, however, arose among the purchasers, which caused a split in the church, and the original owners sold it to private parties, and it is now used as a dwelling. These churches are, perhaps, better known by the popular names which circumstances have rendered pertinent and permanent. It is said that an eccentric individual by the name of Daniel Kimball, who used to boast that he owed something to the Indian race for his origin, took great interest in church matters, and, while rather favoring the Old-School Baptists, never allied himself with any denomination. It is due to him, perhaps, that Harmony Chapel is known more widely as the "Blackbird Church," than by its proper title. He never seemed to have a liking for the Methodists, and, passing the spot where the building was being erected, he noticed that a large number of blackbirds were sitting on the ridge-pole of the structure. He reported at once that the Methodists were building a church for the blackbirds. In the matter of Pleasant Hill Church, he seems to have been interested in the purchase of that building, and when the rupture occurred, disappointed and disgusted with the whole business, he gave it the name of Buncombe Church so persistently that it became the popular name in the community. The early ministers preached for some time in the cabins of the settlers, before the community was strong enough to erect places of worship. Jeremiah Smith seems to have afforded a place for preachers of all denominations, though not a believer in what is accepted by the orthodox church. At his cabin, at different times, services were held by Rev. William Doland and Rev. Henry Mott, of the Disciple Church, Rev. William Ashley, of the "New Lights," and others, who came on missionary tours. In the southwestern part of the town, Rev. Elijah Beard and Rev. William Linscott, of the New Light persuasion, and Rev. Christian Kaufman, of the Baptist denomination, were early preachers. Prominent among the early citizens of the township for many years was Edward Smith. He belonged to the Methodist Church, and had served on circuits in the Southern States, from where he was obliged to retire on account of his Antislavery sentiments.

HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY. - 473

He was a strong Abolitionist, and advocated that e church which occasioned the origin of the Wesleyan Church. He was a very energetic man, devoted to his duty, and a hard student of the Bible, reading it through, it is said, twelve times while on horseback. He was obliged, finally, to give up the ministry and turn his attention. to teaching, to support and educate his family. He taught a school in Mansfield, that gained a high reputation, and while there, in 1835, -published his philosophical grammar, which was simply an embodiment of his plan of teaching this branch of study. In 1841, he was turned out of the Conference, ostensibly for having said publicly, that the church had not improved in piety since the time of Wesley, but really for his Antislavery position in the church. He continued his attacks upon the evil with unabated vigor, and published, in 1851, a small paper called The Wesleyan Expositor, which be devoted to bringing about a separation of the Anti - slavery element from the Methodist Episcopal Church. He maintained his residence in the township until he died. He frequently assisted runaway slaves that were diverted from their usual track by close pursuit, and had arrangements in his house by which he could evade pursuers. During the agitation in regard to the organization of the county, he was a leader of the liberty party, and was one of those that were prominent in the coalition of the Liberty men and Whip, to defeat the Democratic party in that movement.

A Sunday school was started in 1839, in a cabin just south of Smith's, which was maintained during the pleasant weather, but no permanent effort in this direction has been attempted until late years. The inauguration of week-day schools was somewhat late; as the community was small, and many were in limited financial circumstances. The first I school, however, was held in a log cabin on Charles McCracken's lot, but who was the teacher, or how many scholars wen, to school, we have been unable to learn. Another log schoolhouse of the most primitive sort was built near the Smith farm. The fire-place was built in the side of the building, and the patrons would haul lop, which the teacher and scholars worked up into eight-foot lengths for the fire-place. The following statistics, gleaned from the Auditor's office, give the present status of the schools in this township, and makes an exhibit that compares favorably with those of other townships: The balance on hand, September 1, 1878, was $662.07 ; amount of State tax received is $310.50 ; local tax for schools and schoolhouse purposes is $1,048.06 ; total amount paid teachers during the year was $1,127.78 ; the number of schoolhouses is six; the value of school property is $3,000; teachers employed, gentlemen, seven, and ladies, five, making a total of twelve; the average wages paid for a month of four weeks, is to gentlemen, $40, and to ladies, $19 ; number of scholars enrolled are, boys, 105 ; girls, 97 ; average daily attendance, boys, 84 ; girls, 72 ; the balance on hand September 1, 1879, was $358.19.