(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 175 MARTINSVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The Christian church at Martinsville was organized, February 17, 1886, by Rev. J. T. Crawford, with the following charter members: Lewis Achor, John Crawford, Joseph F. Hunter, Lydia C. Hunter, Odessa Hunter, Iona Hunter, Maggie Hunter, Isaac Flora, John Carman, Margaret Carman, John F. Wells, Anna Wells, Emma J. Peake, Florence West, Letitia Batts, John W. Green, Kate B. Dimmit, Jane Bilderbank, Alexander Bilderbank, Lydia Achor, George H. Smith, Ruth Crawford, Dora Harris, J. W. Vance, Sarah A. Vance, Adaline Thornhill, Cora Crawford, Maria A. Smith, Sallie R. Moon, L. A. Davis, E. J. Hogan, Lucretia Hunter, M. J. Flora, Q. R. Sever, Martha Stratton, Alice Davis, Emlly Peale, John: McColister, Nancy Gibson, Mary Brown, Mary Hendee, Elizabeth Turner, William Peale, Barney A. Thornhill, Emma McCann, Eva Trenary, Emma Trenary, Joel:0 Hoggett, William Flora, Wesley Reese, Callie Reese, Clara West, Josiah West, Olie Flora, Cary Hamilton, Elinie Hamilton, Tobias Hamilton, Elizabeth Hamilton, Rebecca Hamilton, J. T. Crawford, Elvira Crawford, Ella J. Crawford and Emma Hamilton, a total of sixty-five charter members. George H. Smith was the first elder and Joseph Hunter one of the first deacons. Among the pastors who have served the church may be mentioned J. T. Crawford, Washington Ruble, W. L. Neal, Q. A. Randall, W. D. Moore, H. C. Garn, C. C. Smith, E. J. Meacham, Hubert Snyder, Kelly O'Neal, Ira Allemong and C. C. Wilson, who has been the pastor since 1913. Reverend Wilson also serves the church at Macedonia, two and a half miles west of Martinsville. The church now has a membership of one hundred and fifteen. Mrs. W. H. Cline has been the clerk of the congregation for the past fifteen years and has kindly furnished all of the data for this volume. The auxiliaries include the Bible school, Ladies' Aid Society and the Christian Women's Board of Missions. The present building was erected in 1886, at a cost of nineteen hundred dollars. Many improvements have been made in the building since that time. MACEDONIA CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The beginning of the Macedonia Christian church, located in Washington township, about two and a half miles west of Martinsville, is more or less obscure, due to the fact that the early records of the church are gone. It appears that it was organized, as the result of a split of the Baptists of that community about 1835. In that year Elliott Haynes, a Christian minister from Kentucky, came to Washington township and succeeded in creating a schism in the Baptist church of the township. His followers organized a church, which became known as the Macedonia church. The only charter member whose name has been preserved is Micajah. Moore. The present frame building was erected in 1867, at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. The present site is about two miles southeast of the place where the first log church stood. Later, a log church was built on the present site. Elisha John was the first elder ; George Henry Smith became an elder in 1872. Among the pastors have been Charles Araline, David Thompson, William Thompson, Asbury Gardner, Josephus Blair, J. F. Rowe, Peter W. Shick, W. D. Moore (1882-83), Q. A. Randall (1892-1902), E. T. Hayes (1902-05), Charles Smith (1906-08), Hubert Snyder (1908-11), Earl Barr (April-June, 1914) and C. C. Wilson, the present incumbent. The membership is one hundred and thirty. WILMINGTON WALNUT STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST. The Wilmington Walnut Street Church of Christ was organized March 15, 1908, with the following charter members: W. C. Applegate, John. Doyle, David H. Sherman, J. L. Rannells, J. D. White, Joseph R. Booher, W. G. Talmage, Mary J. McKenzie, J. F. Bennett, Alice M. S. Davis, Lillie M. Applegate, Nora Sherman, Alice L. Sherman, Ida Ben- 176 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. nett, Arzona McKay, Ella N. Doyle, Laura B. White, Ivy R. Booher, Margaret C. Blair, Mrs. A. J. Wilson, Charles A. Hatfield, Ula A. Bentley, J. M. Wisecup, Rhoda E. Wisecup, Sara E. Wisecup, Jessie F. Wisecup, Mrs. Sarah Doyle, Mrs. Mary Wilson, Mrs. Cora Wilson West, Mrs. Effie Bennett Thatcher, Roy P. Bennett, Mrs. Elma Bennett, Earl T. Bennett, Robert W. White, Mrs. Ella White, Mrs. Martha E. Doan, Amanda Wilson, Eliza Wilson, Herbert Porter, Bertha Vorter, Mamie B. Pigeon, A. J. Wilson, Nellie Moore. Mrs. Ella Thompson, Arlando Thompson, C. A. Rannells, Clora K. Rannells, Sara W. Rannells, Edith K. Rannells, J. M. McKay, Thomas D. Moore, C. H. Hart, N. H. Moore, Martha Moore, T. Errett Rannells, Sattie Hartman, William B. Rannells, Levi Bennett, L. A. VanDevort, Alice C. VanDevort, Gusta VanDevort, John W. Jacks, Minnie A. Jacks. Sarah Bennett, Mary E. Rannells, Leah L. Rannells, L. Etta Rannells, Lula B. Rannells, Lester Thatcher, Salathial Harris, Mrs. Salathial Harris, Rush Harris and Mrs. Rush Harris; elders, J. F. Bennett, F. D. Blair, J. M. McKay, J. M. Wisecup; deacons, L. A. VanDervort, J. L. Rannells, J. D. White, Orlando Thompson, W. C. Applegate, C. A. Rannells,• John Doy1Q; trustees, A. J. Wilson, N. H. Moore, C. A. Rannells, J. D. White, L. A. VanDervort. The Walnut Street Church of Christ was dedicated on October 3, 1909, by Walter Scott Priest, of Columbus, Ohio. The church and lot represent an outlay of thirty-four thousand dollars. The church has had three pastors: W. S. Houchins, September, 1909-October, 1911; E. B. Buffington, October, 1911-October, 1914; R. J. Bennett, October, 1914, to the present time. The church maintains a Bible school, Christian Endeavor and Christian Women's Board of Missions. The present membership is one hundred and thirty-two. NEW VIENNA CHURCH OF CHRIST. The New Vienna Church of Christ was organized in 1861 with thirty-six charter members, among whom were the following : Mr. and Mrs. Zephaniah Spear, Mr. and Mrs. Washington Spear, Mr. and Mrs. Clark Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rulon, Sr , Mr. and Mrs. David Clark and Mr. and Mrs. McClain Johnston. The beginning of the church in New Vienna was due to the efforts of Rev. W. D. Moore, who was the pastor of the churches at Mt. Olivet, Bethel and New Antioch at the time He began preaching at New Vienna in the fall of 1859 and two years later had the satisfaction of organizing a church at the place. In the fall of 1860 Rev. Moore and others succeeded in raising between a thousand and fifteen hundred dollars for the erection of a building in New Vienna, the intention being to start the building in the spring of the following year. But, with the coming of spring the Civil War opened and all efforts to start the building of the church had to be laid aside. It was not until 1866 that efforts were renewed to erect the building and in the same year it was completed and dedicated. The first overseers of the church were Zephaniah Spear and Clark Dixon. The following pastors have served the congregation: T. D. Garvin, W. D. Moore, J. W. Ruble, J. I. West, E. P. Couch, Q. A. Randall, E. D. Murch, E. K. Van Winkle, 0. A. Blackwell, Wynn Stout, R. G. Shepherd, E. B Buffington, C. D. Poston and N. Conger, the present pastor. The membership is now one hundred and thirty-five. A flourishing Sunday school of one hundred and thirty members is maintained. A Ladies' Aid Society is the only other auxiliary of the church at the present time. WILMINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. By Mrs. Edward J. West. The first person associated with Presbyterianism in what is now Clinton county was James Douglas, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1769, and settled in what is now Wilson township a short time prior to 1816. About the same time, and shortly afterwards, a sufficient number of Presbyterians settled in that immediate vicinity CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 177 to warrant the establishment of a small mission. The members of the embryo church met at the home of Douglas and held regular services there for some years. William and James Dickey, ministers stationed at Bloomingsburg, preached to the little congregation from time to time; other early ministers to the faithful little band of worshippers were Samuel Carothers, of Greenfield, James Gilliland and Dyer Burgess. The first account of a Presbyterian meeting in Wilmington dates back to 1823, when a small group of members of the church, including William and Parmelia Walter, Isaac Collett, Samuel Miller, William Bloom, John Lawhead, Thomas Hibben, Charles P. Gallaher and Caleb Smith, met for purposes of worship at their several homes. For some time they continued to meet in private homes. Later they secured the Baptist church in Wilmington for regular services and continued to meet there until they erected their first building. At a meeting of the presbytery at West Union on September 30, 1823, a petition was received from sundry persons in and around Wilmington, praying to be under the care of this presbytery as a congregation, to be known as Sharon. They were granted the 'authority to proceed to an independent organization, under the name of Sharon, and David Montfort organized the congregation and served as pastor for the first year. At the presbytery held at Hillsboro, January 5-7, 1830, Rev. Montfort requested aid for the Sharon church at Wilmington, to enable them to erect a house of worship. The request for aid was granted by the presbytery and the members were directed to ask contributions for this purpose from their several congregations. Rev. Montfort was dismissed at the Hillsboro presbytery, which was held October 5-6, 1830, to the presbytery at Crawfordsville, Indiana. He was succeeded by William B. Worrell, a native of Pennsylvania and a graduate of Princeton University. On July 19, 1830, the congregation purchased, for one hundred dollars, the lot on which the present church stands. The deed for the lot was made by "William Walters and his wife Parmelia to Isaac Collett, Samuel Miller, William Bloom, John Lawhead, Thomas Hibben, Charles P. Gallaher and Caleb Smith, trustees of the Sharon congregation, and to their successors in office, for the sole and only purpose of a site for a meeting house or place of public worship for the said congregation of Sharon of the Presbyterian church and for no other use, intent or purpose whatsoever." Soon after the purchase of the lot, the first building was erected. It was a low, oblong, one-story brick structure, with small windows of many panes of glass. The entrance to the building was on Locust street. The pulpit was a high wooden affair and the whole of the interior was severely plain and strictly in keeping with the simple and unostentatious people who built it. At a meeting of the presbytery at Georgetown, on April 7-9, 1835, a request on the part of the Sharon congregation for a change of name to that of Wilmington Presbyterian church was presented and granted. Joseph T. Irvin was invited to become the pastor of the church at a meeting of the presbytery at Salem, September 29 to October 1, 1835, and accepted the call for one-half of his time. He was installed as pastor of the church on December 16, 1835, and continued to serve the congregation until the presbytery at Ripley, September 11-14, 1838. when his connection with the congregation was dissolved on account of the state of his health. The church, with great reluctance, allowed Rev. Irvin to resign, and for several years the congregation was without the services of a regular pastor. The next record of a minister was the installation of C. A. Hoyt on June 16, 1843, his connection with the church continuing until October, 1845. Again there was a period when the church had no regular pastor. In 1847 Samuel Miller asked permission to serve as a supply in the Wilmington church and, his request being granted, he remained with the congregation until he removed to Washington Court House in 1850. He was succeeded (12) 178 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. by S. P. Dunham, who acted as stated supply until 1850. R. W. Wilson was engaged as pastor on June 3, 1856, and served the congregation until he was succeeded by Alexander Leadbetter in 1859. Reverend Leadbetter came from the presbytery of Connecticut and remained at Wilmington until 1865. He was followed by Elijah Kuhns, who, in turn was succeeded by Samuel J. Miller, a former pastor. The latter remained only a short time, resigning to enter the evangelistic field. Following the departure of Reverend Miller, the pulpit was vacant from 1870 to July, 1876, when Samuel W. Elliott became the pastor. During his three years' pastorate the church was remodeled. The entrance was changed from Locust to Mulberry street; a low platform was raised at the east end, surmounted by a neat pulpit ; the small panes of plain glass were replaced by large panes of ground glass; the walls were frescoed a soft gray; the benches were stained walnut—and thus the church remained until it was torn down to make way for the present edifice. It was at this time that a carpet of rich red was purchased with the proceeds of a lecture given by Mrs. Alden, better known as "Pansy." The church was without a pastor from 1879 to 1881, when the Rev. Julius Strauss accepted a call, his pastoral relations continuing until November 16, 1886. During his ministrations the church took on new life. New members were added, aid and missionary societies were organized and every department of church work was quickened. It Is well to state that the church was never without a pastor save for the lack of funds. After having several supplies, the Rev. J. 0. Pierce, of Greenfield, was called in 1889, and from the very beginning of his ministry he urged the necessity of a new building. He preached it in the pulpit on the Sabbath day and talked it in the homes of his parishioners through the week until the congregation caught his enthusiasm. The result was, that on January 8, 1890, at a meeting of the officers of the church it was "Resolved, that we make an effort to secure the money for the erection of a new church on the lot where the old church stands; furthermore, that we adopt the following plans for soliciting the membership and the public for subscriptions: "It being proposed to build a Presbyterian church at Wilmington, Ohio, on the lot where the old church now stands, at a cost of six thousand two hundred and forty dollars, on a subscription of shares ten dollars and forty cents, each aggregating that amount, now, we whose names are attached do, in consideration of the premises hereby, subscribe and agree to pay the number of shares attached to our respective names for the purpose aforesaid, no subscription to be binding or payable until the said sum of six thousand two hundred and forty dollars is so subscribed. When the full amount is subscribed as aforesaid, then we agree to pay to the trustees of said church, or the person or persons appointed by them, the sum represented by the number of shares set opposite our respective names, either In full when called on for the same or in weekly or monthly installments of twenty cents weekly until all is paid." The session at this time consisted of D. A. Lamb, John W. Moore and Jacob B. Tener. The trustees were George W. Brown, J. Alfred Crary and D. F. Small. The subscription list was several yards long, due to the valiant efforts of Messrs Pierce and Crary, who rode hundreds of miles to secure signers. The arrangement for obtaining the necessary funds was so successful that on Thursday, October 2, 1890, the cornerstone was laid with an impressive service. It was a notable day in Wilmington, not only among Presbyterians, but other denominations as well. It was a sad day and a glad day, for many tears were shed—some for the loss of the old landmark, dear to their hearts as the result of so many years of precious association together in the old building. Yet there was another' side to their emotions on this eventful day; tears of joy were also theirs because they saw on this day the realization of their labors and sacrifices. The exercises on this day were in charge of the pastor, Rev. Pierce, assisted by Dr. Alexander Campbell, of the Christian church, N. E. Bennett, of the Baptist church, Rev. H. D. Ketchum, of the Methodist church, and Jonathan Wright, of the Friends: CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 179 Reverend Crothers, of Greenfield, preached the sermon. In the course of his remarks he stated that thirty years before he had considered a call to the church, but, after careful consideration, felt that his duty lay in another direction. Among the many things placed in the corner stone were copies of the Clinton Republican, Wilmington Journal, Clinton County Democrat, Buckeye Volunteer, Ohio Messenger and New York Observer. Other articles consisted of some old coins, including a Roman coin dated A. D. 68, bearing the head of Caesar, and a United States coin, bearing the date of 1823, the same date as the organization of the church. A photograph of the old church was also given a place. By great energy and perseverance, the church was ready for dedication on June 28, 1891. The following, taken from one of the county papers, is a better account of the dedication than any that could be given at the present day. It will awaken pleasant memories in the minds of those who were then present and be of interest to those who have since become connected with the church. "Sunday, June 28, 1891, was made memorable to the Presbyterians of Wilmington and interesting to the large number of friends who met with them on that day in the beautiful new church on the corner of Mulberry and Locust streets. This building represents, as it stands in its elegance and sacredness, prayer and generous giving, which only those who have been especially interested in its erection can tell. The plain old brick house which was torn down to make room for the new one was erected in 1830, the church having been organized in 1823. The ground for the new building was broken on August 18, 1890. Much of the brick of the old structure was placed in the walls of the new, and for nearW another hundred years will, we hope, hold their places in the sacred structure. "The pastor, Rev. J. O. Pierce, to whom much of the credit of the enterprise must be given, conceived the plan of raising the money on the share plan, each one contributing the sum of $10.40, and in this unique way over $6,600 was raised. The building as it stands now, not counting the windows, which were all gifts, or the furnishings, has cost a little over $7,000. "The windows, which without exception are very handsome, are of stained glass, and are from the Wells Company, of Chicago. The large south window is the gift of D. A. Lamb and at once attracts attention by its exquisite design and coloring. The center figure shows an anchor and crown in heavy beveled glass. The jeweled glass with which It is studded gives the window a very rich effect. "The window in the west wall, corresponding in size to the one just described, is the gift of Mrs. Henry P. Stoddard, and is in honor of her beloved song Charles N. Prentice, whose untimely death saddened the hearts of all less than five years ago. The design is that of the Good Shepherd, a strong and tender figure of the Christ occupying the center, holding in his arms a young lamb. The picture seems particularly appropriate to the subject—the only son of his mother, taken, as was this boy, from this weary world to the ineffable security and happiness of a Saviour's arms Charley Prentice, boy as he was, made a distinct impression in Wilmington, and the many who loved him, as they look at this window will 'think of him and wing the thought.' The upper part of the window shows a descending dove, and is inscribed to Lucy B. Parkman, an aunt of Mrs. Stoddard, whose life was consecrated to good works, and whose hand was ever outstretched to give and to help. This aunt and Mrs. Stoddard's mother were cousins of Francis Parkman, the famous American historian. "The window smith of the chancel shows a beautiful design of an open Bible and sword of the law, the lower section being a design of the rose of Sharon. The lower section is the wift of Mrs. Oliver C. Crary. "The corresponding window to the north is the gift of Mrs. Alfred J. Crary, in memory of her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs C. E. Leonard, of Griswold, Connecticut. In the upper section appears the monogram `I. H. S.' .(Jesus, Saviour of Men) and in the 180 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. lower part, the initial "L." In both these windows the coloring design and execution are lovely. "The windows in the choir arch are gifts of Mrs. Samuel Johns to the memory of her twin sisters, Mary Caroline and Jane Campbell Denver, both of whom exhibited rare poetical gifts. Their beautiful young lives and early deaths are fittingly remembered by this act of sisterly love, none the less tender that a lifetime separates them. "The large bay window in the church parlor is inscribed to the memory of Miss Emily L. Grand Girard, and is presented by her many nephews and nieces. Miss Grand Girard was for many years at the head of the Highland Institution at Hillsboro, Ohio, and one hundred and sixty graduates of the school, not to speak of many others who attended, rise up to call her name blessed. She was a French woman by birth, coming to this country when she was eight years old. "The window in the vestibule opening into the lecture room was presented by Mrs. George W. Brown to the sweet memory of her young f3ister, Elsie, who died a few years ago. "The north windows in the lecture room were purchased by the birthday fund of the Sunday school, while those on the east side were the gift of the Ladies' Aid Society. The transom windows in the main vestibule are the gift of the Busy Bees, a society of little people, who do not belie their name, and who have been directed in their industry by Mrs. Stoddard. Over the west door there appears in yellow ground glass a hive of bees, a pleasantly suggestive emblem of the little ones. These young girls raised over one hundred dollars to be applied to the building. "The members of the Ladies' Aid Society, by their good works, raised sufficient funds to purchase the carpet, a beautiful one, with Brussels effect, costing about three hundred dollars. They also raised the money for the oak pews, costing four hundred dollars, the choir chairs, vestibule furnishings, reflector, gas brackets, and the brass rod and plush curtain for the chancel. "The lantern in the main vestibule is the gift of Rev. Ezra Withy, of Connecticut, a Methodist minister and a cousin of Mrs Olive Crary. The beautiful and elegant silver communion service is the gift of Samuel Cromwell, of New York city. It is in memory' of his father, grandfather„ grandmother and aunt. It is inscribed, `In Memoriam. Cromwell.' It consists of two cups, two plates and a pitcher. The pulpit Bible was presented in memory of James Brown, of Hillsboro, father of George W. Brown, by his grandchildren. The pulpit, of elegantly carved oak, with arched supports, was given in memory of Rev.. Emil Grand Girard by his wife and children. This good man, a brother of Miss E. L. Grand Girard, was a minister of the Presbyterian church throughout his whole life, dying but a few years ago, full of honor and peace. His large family are, without exception, we believe, earnest workers in the church of their good father. The two handsome pulpit chairs and divans, upholstered in dark green plush, were also gifts of the Busy Bees "The communion table, the baptismal font, the altar chair, and the pulpit hymnal were presented by thirty-four friends of Mrs. Alfred J. Crary as memorials to those who slept in quiet graves in New England and Wilmington. Twenty-eight of these friends were in New England and the rest in Wilmington. The idea is a beautiful one and to the strangers in fact, but friends in fancy in the far East, the thanks of the people of Wilmington are wafted. The communion table is of carved oak and inscribed with the' words of the Saviour, 'In Remembrance of Me.' In the pulpit Bible are recorded the names of the donors and of those in whose memories the gifts are made, together with their places of burial. "So on Sunday morning, everything being in readiness, the doors of the sacred edifice were thrown open to the public. Before the time for the service to begin the church was crowded, chairs being so judiciously placed in the unseated parts of the building that over six hundred persons were accommodated. The sermon, a strong and eloquent one, CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 181 was preached by Rev. John McKee, of Center College, Danville, Kentucky. He took his text from Titus ii, 10-12. The scripture lesson was read by Rev. S W. Elliott and prayer was offered by the pastor, Rev. Pierce. The music was in charge of a large choir under the direction of Walter G. Fisher. Mrs. W. S. Creighton sang 'Abide with Me.' At the close of the service, Rev. Pierce made a statement of the financial condition of the church as reported to him by the building committee and asked the people to open their hearts to lift the debt which still remained. So generous was the response that within a very short time over nine hundred dollars was subscribed, which, allowing a liberal discount for non-collectable subscriptions, will place the building, as it now stands, entirely out of debt Not counted in this nine hundred dollars was a draft from Mr. and Mrs. George Stimson, of California, for three hundred dollars, which was due the morning after the day the first sermon was preached in the church.' As these generous people had already given one hundred dollars, it makes their subscription the largest single subscription received. "In the afternoon a congratulatory service was held, in which all the ministers of Wilmington took part. Rev Elliott presided and addresses were made by Revs. Gough, Ketchum, Mills, Wright, McKee and Pierce. The service was marked by a beautiful spirit of friendliness and encouragement. Later, a meeting of the Christian Endeavor was held. This society, which has rather languished during the past few months, will at once be respiritualized. In the evening Doctor McKee preached again, taking his text from I Corinthians i, 21-24, and at the close of his sermon solemnly dedicated in prayer the beatiful sacred edifice to the eternal use and glory of God. The church was crowded at the evening service, as it was in the morning. "When the entire floor is thrown together, parlor, lecture room and large vestibules, all of which are in sight and hearing of the chancel, the seating capacity of the new church is the largest in the town, although to see the auditorium, seated with its handsome circular pews, one would not imagine this to be the case. To the general public, for generous support and encouragement during the year just past, the officials and congregation of the Presbyterian church desire to extend their heartfelt thanks." Rev. Pierce continued as pastor of the church until 1893 and was followed by Walter G. Mitchell, a retired minister, then residing in Wilmington, who acted as supply until William J. Mills was called in 1896. After remaining here a year, Rev. Mills was succeeded by Mr. Mitchell, who again acted until J. L. McWilliams was called and installed in 1898. He remained until 1903, when he severed his connection and removed to western Pennsylvania. In the autumn of 1903 W. C. Kendall, of Bloomingsburg, accepted a call, but he was succeeded a few months later, December, 1903, by William A. Ferguson, of Manchester, Ohio. Rev. Ferguson was with the church four years and was followed by Rev. N. E. Bennett, a retired Baptist minister, and other supplies, until July 4, 1909, when W. F. McCauley was installed. He served until 1911, when the present pastor, A. J. Marbet, was installed. As already stated, there was a Presbyterian mission started in Wilson township, which, in time, became a small church called Union. Among its members were the Telfairs, Richies, Spencers, Bevans and Frittoes. For many years this church was served by the pastor of the Wilmington church, though a separate congregation. On June 4, 1890, this church became a part of the Wilmington church and three of the six trustees who were elected were former members of the Union church, to wit: M. W. Richie, M. M. Spencer and George M. Telfair. Since the union of these two churches the Wilmington church has the distinction of being the only Presbyterian church in the county. CUBA UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. The Universalist church at Cuba was organized on Sunday evening, November 29, 1868, by Rev. William I. Bacon. The charter members were T. J. Richardson, William R. 182 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. Moon, Martin H. Moon, William Bates, Emily H. Moon, Sallie Moon, Margaret Mann, Sarah Mann and Jane Mitchell. On the night following the organization a business meeting was held and on this same evening Mrs. Mary Clevenger was admitted to membership. Services were held in the Cuba school house until a church building was erected in the fall of 1870. The first church was dedicated on August 14, 1870, by Rev. S. P. Carlton; the present building was dedicated on September 26, 1909, by Rev. F. W. Evans, the corner stone of the building having been laid on July 30, 1908. In 1897 a parsonage was erected at a cost of four thousand dollars. The list of pastors as taken from the church records is not complete. Some of the minutes are not dated and in some instances it was impossible to tell when a minister began and when he closed his service. The list follows: W. S. Bacon, Saxton, William Tucker, Mrs. M. V. Andrews, October, 1889-93; John Richardson, 1893-97; 0. G. Cole-grove, 1897-98; R. N. John, 1898-03 ; John Richardson, 1903-04; George Lewis, 1905-08; F. W. Evans, 1908-10; R. S. Kellerman, 1910-12; Sara L. Stoner, May, 1913-14; Henrietta Moore, 1914 (resigned in fall of same year) ; since Rev. Moore resigned the church has been without the services of a regular pastor. The last report gives the church a membership of seventy-two, distributed among fifteen families. Mrs. Jennie Uible is the superintendent of the Sunday school, which has a membership of thirty. WILMINGTON EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Episcopal church (so-called in the United States) is that branch of the Christian church which, according to tradition, was started by St. Paul in Britain about the year 60 A. D. Through varying fortunes it has continued from that day to this. Its chief officers are bishops, priests and deacons—called apostles, presbyters and deacons in the early church. It is peculiarly the church of the English-speaking peoples, numbering twenty-nine millions of members among those who speak the English language—a third more than any other branch of Protestantism. When the United States was a colonial possession of England, the English church was naturally the first church in the colonies, being organized at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. It was not until after the Revolutionary War that the English church in the United States changed its name to Episcopal, the change being made on account of the dislike in those days of all things savoring of the English. At the present time the Episcopal church in the United States consists of over a million members and is steadily growing from year to year. The Wilmington Episcopal church is the only one of this denomination in Clinton county. It was organized in the fall of 1901 by Archdeacon George H. Edwards, of Cincinnati, under the direction of Bishop Boyd Vincent. The first meeting was held in the hall of the Grand Army of the Republic on Sunday, September 29, 1901, Bishop Vincent making his first visitation on December 1 of that year. The charter members were Allen E. Browning, Mrs. Mabel Cowen Browning. Emma Hill, Mrs. Grace B. Ballard, Mrs. Lucie E. Hinman, Mrs. Hannah C. Owens, Lida Cherrington and Bertha Collett. Under Archdeacon Edwards as minister, the church continued for ten years (except for the winter of 1905-06, at which time Dr. T. W. C. Cheeseman, of Circleville, Ohio, was the minister), meeting regularly each month in the G. A. R. hall. Bishop Vincent continued his visitations about once every two years for special services, at which children received confirmation in the church. On July 8, 1907, the Brown property, at the corner of Walnut and Locust streets, was purchased with the purpose of ultimately using it for a house of worship. During the ministry of Doctor Edwards the following members were added to the church : Mrs. Maude James Frisbee, Robert L. Owens, Mrs. Minnie W. Wegman, Mrs. Jessie F. Orebaugh, Fred M. Wegman, Edith Hildebrant, Isaac Turner Cartwright and George U. Lewis. During this time the church lost by death Allen E. Browning, George N. Lewis, Isaac T. Cartwright, Mrs. Lucy E. Hinman and Mrs. Maude J. Frisbee. CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 183 On January 1, 1911, Archdeacon Edwards resigned and Bishop Vincent appointed Rev. Thomas W. Cooke, of Dayton, archdeacon, who sent his assistant, Edward Phares the first of each month to conduct the services of the church in Wilmington, and various lay readers the third Sunday in each month. In February of that year it was determine to turn the house standing upon the Brown property into a small church building, and on July 3 the first service was held in the remodeled building, Archdeacon Cooke officiating. On July 13 of the same year Mrs. Hinman died, leaving her property, valued at three thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, toward the building of a new church. On July 7, 1912, Mr. Phares became a resident minister, and services held every Sunday morning. About this time the church was declared out of debt through the gift of five hundred dollars from the Women's Auxiliary of the diocese. On August 4 of that year the Sunday school was started. The following members were added to the church during the ministry of Reverend Mr. Phares: Mr. and Mrs. Fred O. Tyre11, Mr. and Mrs. L. Phillip Kleitz and Leroy Brewington. In January, 1914, Rev. J. H. Dodshon, of Zanesville, having been appointed archdeacon in place of Mr. Cooke, succeeded Mr. Phares in the ministry of the Wilmington church. On October 1 he secured the services of Rev. Eugene C. Prosser, of Washington Court House, to act as the resident minister, the services to be held every Sunday evening. Bishop Reese. of Columbus, the recently consecrated assistant bishop, made his first visitation to the little church on November 8, confirming three persons. On July 5, 1915, the first marriage was solemnized there by Bishop Reese, the marriage of Rev. E. C. Prosser to Miss Edith Hildebrand. The growth of the Episcopal church is a slow but steady one. The members are at present looking forward to the building of a new church in the near future. BLANCHESTER MENNONITE CHURCH. In the latter part of the nineties the Mennonites began holdings services in Blanchester in a large tent. Rev. John Hall was the leader of the band of worshippers and by 1898 had built up a congregation which felt able to erect a building. This frame building is still standing on Wright street and has been closed for some time. The church flourished for a number of years and then gradually grew weaker until there were not enough members to justify the employment of a pastor. The church is now classed with the large number of Clinton county churches which have closed their doors. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH. The Seventh-Day Adventist denomination was the outgrowth of what is known as the Millerite movement, which began in the United States at Lou Hampton, Washington county, New York. This movement had as its basis the proclamation that the second coming of Christ to this earth was to take place in a few years, and those adhering to this faith were known as Millerites. They proclaimed the coming of Christ to take place on the 22nd day of October, 1844. The followers of this movement consisted of devout believers from every Protestant denomination of that time and they were joined by many ministers of different denominations in the United States, who united in the proclamation of Christ's return to this earth and its destruction on the aforesaid date. After this date was passed and Christ did not return, many of the ministers of that time and many adherents of the former movement were turned out of the Millerite organization. They banded themselves into a permanent organization and denomination, which took the name of Seventh-Day Adventists. Among the most prominent members to further the organization of this denomination and make it a lasting body were Joseph Bates, J. N. Loughborough, James White and Ellen G. White. This body has for its purpose the preaching of the messages of the three angels in Revelations 14. This organization has gone forth with its work until at present they have a large following in seven different countries of the world. Churches 184 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. and conferences have been organized in every state in the Union. and the present strength of this church is one hundred thousand members. The organization consists of a general conference, two division conferences, and many local conferences where they are strong enough to organize. Many sanitariums, colleges and schools in different parts of the world are maintained by the followers of this faith. Many printing houses in different lands are devoted entirely to their publications. The work of this denomination consists in preaching and publishing their sermons. These publications are sold and last year the sale of these publications amounted to over two million dollars. This is the only denomination in the World that sends out its books by the carload, their demand being so great that this is necessary. The first Seventh-Day Adventist church to be organized in Clinton county was located at New Antioch. This was organized in July, 1877, with thirty-two charter members, as follow : Richard Vandervort, Catherine Vandervort, Naman Naftsger, Mary Naftsger, William Bloom, Miranda J. Bloom, John A. Haughey, Ann B. Haughey, Charlotte Haynie, John W. Durham, Mary E. Naftsger, Mary Sprigg, James Hogan, Mary Bernard, Sarah Bloom, Martha Pond, Jennie Bloom, Butler Naftsger, Melissa Bloom, Emily Bloom, Emily Naftsger and Anna Naftsger. The first church building was erected and dedicated in January, 1883. The second church society of this faith was organized at Bloomington, Ohio, in May, 1887, with a membership of thirty-six. The charter members were Jessie and Hattie Pope, E. B. Haughey, Emma Haughey, Stephen Haughey, Nancy Young, Jonah Wical, Pamelia Wical, Caleb and Mary Cline, Jane and Arvil Bariette, Rebecca Bowmaster, Marcissa Compton, Eva, Frank, Daisy and Mollie Huffaker, A. G. Haughey, J. B. and Ella Wical, Louisa Johnson and Warren Huffaker. The third church to be established in Clinton county was organized at Wilmington in August, 1887, with the following charter members: J. M. Rannells, Susan B. Rannells, Mrs. M. M. Palmer, Mrs. Lydia Babb, Alberta Starbuck, Georgia Palmer, Bell Palmer and Hattie Palmer. The first permanent organization was the outgrowth of a six-weeks' meeting held in a tent in Wilmington. This meeting was well attended and much enthusiasm shbwn for a permanent organization. This was brought about through the combined efforts of Revs. H. M. Cotrell and L. B. Haughey. There are at present thirty-five members in this congregation. An active Sabbath school and a missionary society are also maintained by the church. Many of the different members of the societies at New Antioch and Bloomington have gone to distant parts as missionaries, others have passed over the great divide until the congregation of these two places were thinned to such an extent that it was decided to abandon them and concentrate their efforts on the Wilmington church. The place of meeting in Wilmington is a rented hall over the First National Bank. Regular meetings are held and, although small, the church is on a strong financial basis. ST. COLUMBKILLE CATHOLIC CHURCH. WILMINGTON. The families of James Trimble, John Burk and Edward Powers were the first Catholics to settle in what is now Clinton county. They were natives of Ireland and left their native land on account of the persecution to which they were subjected in the community in which they lived. On coming to this county, in 1807, they located near the present village of Cuba and in their humble log cabins they held the first Catholic services in the county. These families were worthy citizens any many of their names may be found in the lists of the citizens who assembled at the .monthly musters until the close of the War of 1812. It is not known how long these families remained in the county, neither is it known where they located on leaving it, but it is certain that they all left at an early date. James Trimble was a man of education, a school teacher, in fact, while the heads of the other families were farmers. CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 185 As far as known, the next Catholics to settle in the county were Thomas and Arthur McCann, also natives of Ireland, who located in Wilmington in the summer of 1811. They opened a pottery on South street and continued to follow this line of activity for many years. During the War of 1812 they took a prominent part in upholding the cause of the United States against the mother country. It appears that the McCann brothers left the town of Wilmington about 1818, but where they went or what eventually became of them is not known. Just who were the next Catholics to settle in the county is a matter of conjecture, but there is no authentic record of any coming to the county from 1818 until the arrival of Patrick Denver, Patrick Dolan, William Rankin and Hubert Clement and his brother-in-law, John P. Bigville. The latter two were natives of Belgium, in the province of Superior. The three former came to the county direct from Ireland. These men came to the county in the early thirties and many of their descendants are still living in or near Wilmington. The Denvers and Rombachs eventually became among the most prominent and influential men of the county and some of the members of both families became national figures. Although there had been Catholics in Clinton county from the time it was organized, it was not until August, 1852, that mass was said for the first time in the county. At that time Rev. Thomas Blake celebrated the first mass in the home of Jerry Coakley on Sugartree street. Father Blake was brought Overland from Corwin, Ohio, by Michael Devanney, Patrick Creedon and Timothy Coakley. At that time he was stationed at Xenia, having come to this country from Ireland in 1850. There were ten persons present at this first mass in Wilmington : Michael Devanney, wife and daughter, Timothy Coakley, Patrick Creedon, Jeremiah Coakley and wife, Catherine Knaughton and two young men whose names have not been preserved. When mass was said in the same house a month later, there were eleven persons present and for the succeeding two years mass was said regularly- once a month at the homes of Devanney and Coakley. In 1854 the Catholics had increased in numbers until Father Blake found it necessary to provide larger quarters. Clinton hall was first secured and, some time later, the little congregation located in Preston hall. Father Blake remained in charge, with occasional visits by Rev. Cornelius Daly and Rev. Philip Foley, until October, 1862, when he was succeeded by Rev. John B. O'Donohue. Father O'Donohue was also a native of Ireland and, after receiving a good education in his native land, came to Cincinnati in 1848, where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1853. When he took charge of the mission at Wilmington, in the fall of 1862, he also had charge of the churches at Milford, Loveland, Morrow, Lebanon and Washington Court House. Father O'Donohue was an indefatigable worker and during his long service in this section of Ohio he built or acquired churches at Greenfield, Loveland, Milford, Morrow. Wilmington and Washington Court House, besides the pastoral residence at Millsboro. The first step toward the acquisition of property in Wilmington was taken by Father O'Donohue in the spring of 1863, when he made a tentative contract for the old nursery lot in the southwest part of the town. However, the congregation was not satisfied with the site and the present lot was finally secured, at a cost of thirteen hundred dollars. On June 6, 1866, ground was broken for the first Catholic church in Wilmington, and eighteen days later the corner stone was laid by the Right Rev. Sylvester H. Rosecrans, bishop of Columbus. Four years were to elapse before the building was ready for dedication, although services had been regularly held in it for some time previously. The dedicatory services, on October 5, 1870, were in charge of the Most Rev. John B. Purcell, archbishop of Cincinnati, at which time the church received the name of St. Columbkille. The church building is a brick structure, thirty-five by sixty feet, with a striking 186 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. spire, surmounted by a large gilt cross. On the tower, at the base of the spire, are four similar symbols of Catholicism, the whole giving to the front a handsome appearance, The church has undergone many improvements since it was first erected and, being no longer of sufficient capacity to meet the demands of the congregation, at this writing, there is being planned and about to be erected a better and handsomer St. Columbkille's on the same site as the first structure. Father O'Donohue was the faithful leader of the congregation from 1862 to November, 1882, when he was succeeded by Rev. Michael O'Donohue, who remained with the church as its beloved pastor until 1907. He was followed by Rev. A. Higgins. The present membership now numbers a hundred and ten families. The church has had a resident priest since 1882, Father M. O'Donohue being the first to devote all of his time to the church. ST. MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, NEW VIENNA. The first Catholic services at New Vienna were held in 1854 by Rev. John B. O'Donohue in a private home. Irregular services were held from that time in the homes of members of the church for several years. In 1875 a small brick church was erected by Rev. Michael O'Donohue and dedicated on September 29 of that year. But owing to the small number of Catholics, regular services have not been maintained. MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, BLANCHESTER. The Most Holy Name of Jesus church at Blanchester was erected in 1873 by Rev. Michael O'Donohue. The building cost about fifteen hundred dollars. The congregation has always been small and it has not been possible to maintain regular services at all times. At the present time the church is a mission of St. Martin's church in Brown county and attended by Father Connell from that church once a month. CHAPTER XI CLINTON COUNTY NEWSPAPERS. It has been just one hundred years since Clinton county had its first newspaper and during this century at least fifty-two papers have appeared on the journalistic horizon of the county. No less than thirty-four of these have been published in Wilmington; Blanchester and New Vienna have furnished six each; Sabina five and Clarksville one. This list would probably be increased if it were possible to get the exact facts, but the names of only fifty-two papers have been found. In the appended list may be found a schedule of these papers arranged by towns and, as near as possible, in the order of their appearance. WILMINGTON. True American, 1814 or 1815; Galaxy, 1821 to 1823; Spectator, 1823 to 1824; Western Argus, 1824 to 1829; Clintonian, 1829 to 1830; Clintonian and Farmers Repository, 1830 to 1831; Clintonian and Farmers and Mechanic Journal, 1831; Constitutional Republican, 1831; Democrat and Railroad Advocate, 1832 to 1833; Democrat and Herald, 1832 tio 1841; Farmers' Herald, 1832 (three months) ; Western Whig, 1838 to 1839; Clinton Republican, 1839 to 1913; Franklin College Monthly, 1864 to 1868; Journal of Education, 1868; Journal, 1848 to 1913; Democrat Star, 1844; People's Press, 1847; Banner, 1848 to 1849; Reveille; Enpyrean, 1850. to 1851; Herald of Freedom, 1851 to 1855; Independent, 1855; Democratic Advocate, 1852; Independent Citizen, 1855 (December 14, one issue) ; Watchman, 1856 to 1863; Clinton Democrat, 1864; Aid to Progress, 1868 to 1873; Tanner and Typo, 1868; Weekly Gazette, 1870 to 1871; Clinton County Democrat, May 14, 1880, to present time; Journal-Republican, January, 1913, to present time; Clinton Review, 1914 to 1915; Daily Herald, 1915. BLANCHESTER. Herald, 1870 to 1871; Marion Independent, 1871 to 1872; Star, 1875 to __ ; Republican; Star-Republican to present ; News, July 22, 1915, to present. SABINA. Telegram, November 6, 1874 to 1877; News, 1877 to 1893; Record, 1890 to 1893; News-Record, July, 1893, to present; Tribune, April 11, 1894, to present. NEW VIENNA. Christian Worker, 1870 to —; Oliver Leaf. 1870 to —; Bible Lesson Leaf, 1870 to —; Messenger of Peace, 1870. to —; Register, 1878 or 1879; Record, 1870; Reporter. The Herald has been for a time published at Clarksville. Newspaper men have frequently tried to sum up, in a pithy paragraph, the function of the newspaper and thousands of articles have been written on its influence on modern life. Perhaps no more apt summary of the place of the newspaper in our civilization of today has ever been written than that of Joseph H. Finn, a newspaper man of Chicago. and delivered by him as part of an address before the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World in the spring of 1915. His apostrophe follows: "I AM THE NEWSPAPER." "Born of the deep, daily need of a nation—I am the Voice of Now—the incarnate spirit of the Times—Monarch of Things that Are. "My 'cold type' burns with the fireblood of human action. I am fed by arteries of 188 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. wire that girdle the earth. I drink from the cup of every living joy and sorrow. I know not day nor night nor season. I know not death, yet I am born again with every morn—with every moon—with every twilight. I leap into fresh being with every new world's event. "Those who created me cease to be. The brains and heart's blood that nourish me go the way of human dissolution. Yet I live on—and on. "I am majestic in my strength—sublime in my power—terrible in my potentialities—yet as democratic as the ragged boy who sells me for a penny. "I am the consort of kings—the partner of capital—the brother of toil. The inspiration of the hopeless—the right arm of the needy—the champion of the oppressed—the conscience of the criminal. I am the epitome of the world's Comedy and Tragedy. "My responsibility is infinite. I speak, and the world stops to listen. I say the word, and battle flames the horizon. I counsel peace, and the war lords obey. I am greater than any individual—more powerful than any group. I am the dynamic force of Public Opinion. Rightly directed, I am the creator of confidence; a builder of happiness in living. I am the teacher of patriotism. "I am the hands of the clock of time—the clarion voice of civilization. I am the newspaper." TRUE AMERICAN. Clinton was barely four years old when the first paper was started, sometime during the winter of 1814-15. This paper bore the patriotic title of True American and was established by Rice Gaddis and Israel Abrams in the village of Wilmington. No copies of the paper have been preserved and its history is therefore necessarily obscure. How long it was issued is unknown, but it was only a few years. Abrams severed his connection with it in 1816. According to the account given in the former history of Clinton county, a stray copy of the paper, dated August 15, 1816, was No. 66 and this would place the initial issue on May 20, 1815, providing the paper was issued regularly every week. Tradition says that after the paper was discontinued, Gaddis took the press to his home on Todd's fork, where he did job work for awhile. THE GALAXY. The second paper to make its appearance in Wilmington was given the name of Galaxy by its founder, George Denny. The first issue of this paper was on October 29, 1821, and seems to have been anti-slavery in sentiment. It led a more or less checkered career for about two years, passing away sometime during 1823. It was a weekly, with a subscription price of two dollars per year. THE WILMINGTON SPECTATOR. In December, 1823, and probably immediately after the Galaxy suspended publicstion, Jeremiah Reynolds commenced the Wilmington Spectator but it died of inanition in the eleventh month of its existence. This paper was probably a supporter of Henry Clay for President. Why the paper was discontinued will always remain more or less of a conjecture, but it is a fair presumption that lack of patronage fully accounts for its brief career. THE WESTERN ARGUS. The first issue of the Western Argus made its appearance on November 11, 1824, under the management and editorial supervision of B. Hinkson and J. McManis. This firm retained its connection with the paper until November 17, 1825, when they sold it to John B. Seamans. The new editor evidently thought he could better the paper by changing its name, since sometime during 1828 it appears as the Wilmington Argus. The paper struggled along until June 26, 1829, when it made its last appearance. CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 189 THE CLINTONIAN. After the discontinuance of the Argus in the latter part of June, 1829, there was no paper in the county until sometime in November of the same year. At that time W. H. P. Denny started the Clintonian and on April 4, 1830, rechristened it the Clintonian and Farmers' Repository. The new name evidently did not bring the editor the desired results, for in the following year he burdened it with the new title of the Clintonian and Farmers' and Mechanics Journal. This new name was more than the sheet could stand. In a short time the editor was advertising it for sale, "as he wished to go into other business," and sometime in 1831 the paper breathed its last. Whether he sold it or gave it away, or quietly let it rest, the historian has been unable to ascertain. It is more than probable that the press and equipment were used by the next courageous editor who started a paper in Wilmington. A QUARTET OF SHEETS. The Constitutional Republican was established in May, 1831, by John Crihfield, and continued six months. Samuel Pike and Thomas B. Palmer began, in July, 1832, the publication of the Democrat and Railroad Advocate, but it lasted only about a year. About this time, July, 1832, The Democrat and Herald also made its initial appearance. There seems to be no positive evidence as to who founded this paper, but the earliest known copy in existence, bearing the date of April 19, 1833, shows that it was printed by Pike & Camron. On May 10, of the same year, Pike & McKibbin were the publishers, but by June 7, 1834, Camron had become the editor and publisher. It remained in Camron's charge until January 2, 1835, when it came under the control of J. & T. McKibbin. The last issue of this paper was dated January 8, 1841. The first number of a paper called the Farmers' Herald was issued by Truesdell & McKibben in December, 1832, but it seems that only three numbers were ever taken from the press. THE WESTERN WHIG. The first issue of the Western Whig appeared in October, 1838. but who its founders were is a disputed question. Some claim that it was started by John O. Truesdell and Stephen P. Drake, and that Robert Barclay Harlan later took an interest and became the editor of the paper, which was continued under that name for only a year. Others claim that it was started by Harlan himself. However, it is certainly known that R. R. Lindsey soon became proprietor and from the time of his ownership there is no doubt as to its successive owners. Lindsey took charge of the paper between September 18 and December 13, 1839, and changed its name to the Clinton Republican. It was a stanch Whig sheet and supported "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" with all the enthusiasm at its command. In 1846 Lindsey sold the paper to David Fisher, and from that time down to the present—a period of nearly seventy years—some member of the Fisher family has been connected with the paper or its successors. The father of David Fisher, Adams Fisher, came from Pennsylvania to what is now Clermont county, Ohio, in 1799. The elder Fisher had taken a prominent part in the Revolutionary War and had seen hard service in many of the bloodiest battles of the struggle for independence. His son David bad all the energy and ability which characterized his worthy father and it was not many years after the family located in Ohio that young David became known as an eloquent speaker in political campaigns in the Whig cause. He was elected to the General Assembly from Clermont county in 1842 and after serving for a couple of terms removed to Clinton county and purchased the Clinton Republican as above mentioned. He was a success as a newspaper man from the start and in the fall of the same year he located in Wilmington he was chosen to represent this congressional district in the congress of the United States as a Whig. 190 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. Upon taking his seat in Congress, David Fisher called on his son, William Byrne, to take charge of the paper in his absence. The son had just fairly gotten started as a lawyer. at Batavia, Ohio, but, at the request of his father, he forsook his practice and came to Wilmington to assume the management of the paper. William B. Fisher had intended to remain in the newspaper business only until his father was again able to take up the work, but he took a strong liking to the business and in 1850 bought the paper from his father. David Fisher then moved to Cincinnati, where he died a third of a century later at the advanced age of ninety-three years. William B Fisher was connected with the paper as proprietor and editor for twenty years. From 1850 to 1852 he had Franklin Corwin as a partner ; in the latter year Dr. A. P. Russell, recently deceased, purchased Corwin's half interest, and remained a partner of Mr. Fisher until 1860. In that year he sold his interest to Fisher and went to Columbus to assume the duties of the office of secretary of state, to which he had been elected. Mr. Fisher then conducted the business alone until 1866, when he sold a half interest to Capt. D. L. Way, now residing at Jacksonville, Florida. In 1870 the health of Mr. Fisher failed and on November 10, of that year, he disposed of his interest to Frank Browning, the firm becoming Browning & Way. On November 18, 1875, the Browning Brothers became the proprietors of the paper, the new firm being also interested in the publishing business at Batavia, Ohio. Frank Browning died suddenly in August, 1878, and his brother, C. N. Browning, at that time a clerk in the employ of the United States government at Washington, D. C., at once returned to Wilmington to assume charge of the paper. The Clinton Republican continued in the hands of the Browning family, with C. N. Browning as editor, until January 1, 1909. The members of the Browning family connected with the Clinton Republican for thirty-five years were Carrie, sister of the Browning brothers, Emma M. and Allen E., daughter and son of the late Frank Browning, and Grace Browning Ballard and Kent Browning, daughter and son of C. N. Browning. C. N. Browning is living in Wilmington and is hale and hearty despite his eighty-four years. He was the editor of the Clinton Republican for thirty-five years, a longer period in the editorial chair than any other man in the county. In 1909 Dr. 0. J. Thatcher bought the Republican and continued as sole owner and editor until the fall of 1910, when he organized a stock company, incorporated as the Clinton Republican Company. Doctor Thatcher became president and treasurer of the new company and continued as editor. On September 1, 1911, Doctor Thatcher sold his interest in the company to Thurman Miller and others, Mr. Miller becoming managing editor. This arrangement continued until January 1, 1913, when the Wilmington Journal and Clinton Republican were consolidated under the name of the Wilmington Journal-Republican. At this point it is necessary to tell of the founding of the paper which was to be the forerunner of the Wilmington Journal, About 1864 the Garvin Brothers began the issuance of a paper called the Franklin College Monthly, a paper devoted to the interests of Christianity and education. The history of this paper is very obscure and it has been impossible to trace its career with any degree of certainty. How long it lasted or what became of it is one of the unsolved mysteries. However, it is known that in February, 1868, the Garvin Brothers appeared on the scene of action with another monthly sheet bearing the illuminating title of Journal of Information. This paper was the direct progenitor of the Wilmington Journal, which appeared for the first time under this title in the latter part of 1868 with the Garvin Brothers as editors and proprietors. On May 5, 1869, Garvin & Lowery appeared as its owners, and on May 11, 1870, the firm name of A. H. McVey & Company appeared at its head. W. H. P. Denny assumed charge of the paper on October 20, 1871, and continued as proprietor and editor until April 12, 1877, when John Tudor became proprietor and James M. Vernon, editor. Early in 1880 Vernon bought a half interest and before the end of the same year became the sole pro- CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 191 prietor. In 1884 William B. Fisher's sons, William G. and Charles R., bought the paper. At the time the former was with the Cincinnati Commercial and the latter was finishing the last of a six years' term as deputy clerk of the courts of Clinton county. Under the firm name of W. G. & C. R. Fisher, the brothers assumed charge of the Journal in April, 1884, and continued it under this title until January 1, 1913. On this date the Wilmington Journal and the Clinton Republican were consolidated under the name of the Wilmington Journal-Republican, a company being organized to take over the two properties. Charles R. Fisher became manager of the company and his brother, William G., became one of the directors, the brothers being the former publishers of the Journal. Thurman Miller, the former editor of the Clinton Republican,, became the editor of the consolidated paper and also secretary-treasurer of the new company. The new paper is published in the office of the former Journal at the corner of Main and Mulberry streets. The Journal-Republican has a circulation of over four thousand, a circulation which exceeds that of all the other papers of the county put together. An unusual feature of this large circulation lies in the fact that it is composed of subscribers who have paid in advance. The paper is Republican in politics, but handles all political questions in a calm and dignified manner which insures political opponents courteous treatment. The paper, which is issued each week on Wednesday, contains from ten to sixteen pages to the issue. The paper is ranked among the best weekly newspapers in the state; its columns are well edited, free from all slang, devoid of sensationalism and dignified in all that it has to say. It makes no pretense to take the place of the city daily, preferring rather to devote its columns to local news. SHOAT-LIVED VENTURES. In 1844, J. & T. McKibbin established in Wilmington a campaign sheet, known as the Democratic Star, advocating the election of James K. Polk. It was discontinued at the end of the year. R. R. Lindsey, formerly of the Clinton Republican, began in May, 1847, to issue the People's Press; it was independent in religion and politics, but soon died. The Wilmington Banner was started in August, 1848, by John W. Kees, with W. Fuller and J. W. Kees as editors. Information concerning it is extremely meager, but it seems that, on March 1, 1849, W. Fuller and W. Tillinghast were the editors. It ran for only about a year and supported the candidacy of Lewis Cass for President in 1848. Previous to this, perhaps several years before, Tillinghast had published a paper called the Reveille (or Revillee), but little is known of it. On January 2, 1850, he began the publication of a radically Democratic, but anti-slavery, paper, the Empyrean. It was discontinued on September 13, 1851. The Herald of Freedom made its appearance on October 31, 1851, from the press of J. W. Chaffin. J. Gibson and J. B. Dunn became its editors on August 5, 1853. On February 24. 1854, Gibson sold out his interest to Dunn, who ran it alone until January 26, 1855, when it stopped publication only to appear on February 9, as the TVilmington Independent with J. W. Chaffin as publisher. Its existence stopped on November 16, 1855. John Torry, for a short time in 1852, published the Democratic Advocate. Considerable flurry was caused by the appearance of the Independent Citizen on December 14, 1855, with J. D. Thurston as publisher. It is thought that the first number was all that was ever issued. The publication of the Wilmington Watchman was begun January 26, 1856, by Bay-ham & Brodness. This paper saw a rather checkered career in its brief life. On February 20, 1857, it was in the hands of Isaac S. Wright; June 5, 1857, it belonged to. Tillinghast; October 16, 1857, to R. E. & A. W. Doan ; March 12, 1858, to J. D. Hines and A. W. Doan ; May 7, 1858, to H. S. Doan and I. S. Whinery ; August 27, 1858, to H. S. Doan ; 192 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. April 23, 1859, it was in the hands of W. H. Foos; January 5, 1860, of C. B. Lindsey; October 14, 1860, of H. S. Doan; January 2, 1862, of W. P. Reid, and on May 1, 1862, it passed to James D. Thurston, who published it until the last issue appeared, September 24, 1863. Twenty-four numbers of the Clinton Democrat were issued, the last under the date of April 1, 1864, by B. F. Raleigh. A Republican paper, Aid to Progress, was started in 1868, by A. D. Rhonemus, and continued for about three years. Another Republican paper was started about the same time, the Tanner and Typo, and issued for a short time by Melville Hayes. On October 6, 1870, A. E. Routh issued the first number of the Wilmington Weekly Gazette. This paper, on May 25, 1871, passed to William C. and James T. Gould. It was discontinued about a year later because of lack of support. CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRAT. The Clinton County Democrat first appeared in Wilmington on May 14, 1880, with Thomas M. Procter as publisher and editor. Mr. Procter continued the paper until September 6, 1881, when his wife, Mrs. Mary V. Procter, became its editor and publisher. James K. Newcomer became the owner and editor on January 1, 1883, and J. S. Hummel, the present editor and publisher, bought the paper of Mr. Newcomer on January 1, 1884. Thirty-one years of continuous operation under one management bespeaks the success which has been made in the publication of this Democratic organ in Clinton county, where the preponderance of the Republican vote has always before made the life of a Democratic paper very uncertain. This paper has always upheld the principles of Democracy and has been a stanch believer in and supporter of the Democratic party, aggressively sustaining the party's cause at all times and under all circumstances. In all matters of local concern the Democrat has taken the same active interest and it has ever been a leader in the promotion of progress and good government in Clinton county. The constancy and vigor with which the Democrat has served its party and its community have been rewarded by a liberal support and a substantial growth. The Democrat is a weekly paper and is issued every Thursday. A job printing department is also conducted in connection with the paper. CLINTON REVIEW. The Clinton Review, a pretentious magazine, the first issue of which contained one hundred and ten pages, appeared in December, 1914. According to the title page, it was to be published monthly by the Clinton Printing Company, with Robert R. Doan as editor. The magazine contained a certain amount of local features, a review of the world's events and a carefully selected fiction department. Unfortunately, the magazine was not able to finance itself and but six issues came off the press. It was then discontinued and the plant later became the home of the first daily newspaper in Clinton county. THE WILMINGTON DAILY HERALD. The Wilmington Daily Herald, the first daily paper in Clinton county, issued its first number on Thursday, July 29, 1915. The newspaper plant is owned by the Clinton Publishing Company, capitalized at ten thousand dollars. Robert. R. Doan is the managing editor. The paper has correspondents and agents in all the towns of the county. Two issues appear daily—a morning edition, for delivery on the nine rural routes radiating from Wilmington, and an evening edition, which is delivered by carriers in Wilmington and other towns in the county. The paper is Republican in politics. The Herald has excellent service and is thereby able to keep its readers in touch with the world's events from day to day. The paper is a seven-column double folio in size. The plant is well equipped for the publication of such a paper and, in addition, can CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 193 do all kinds of job printing on short notice. A linotype machine was installed when the paper was started and since that time many other improvements have been added. It is delivered by carriers at ten cents a week; three dollars per year is charged for mailed copies. BLANCHESTER STAR-REPUBLICAN. The Blanchester Star-Republican is a remote descendant of the Blanchester Herald, a paper which made its first appearance on March 24, 1870, under the management of S. R. Nickerson. For a year and a half Nickerson struggled with the sheet and then disposed of it to James S. Turk, who, thinking to better its fortunes, shortly after changed its name to the Marion Independent. The change of name did not seem to have the desired result, since the wavering sheet passed into oblivion about the first of October, 1872. When the next newspaper appeared in Blanchester is not known, but it must have been many years afterwards. The fire of October 18, 1895, destroyed all evidence which might help to establish the newspaper history of the town up to that time. The data above given is recorded in the county history published in 1882. The present editor (S. C. Eldridge) of the Star-Republican says, in speaking of his paper, "S. H. Pye was my predecessor and published the paper for the four years prior to May 1, 1913, since which time I have been publisher, owner and proprietor." The hyphenated name of the paper would seem to indicate that there were once two papers here, the Star and Republican, respectively, but of their origin, history or the time of their consolidation, there is no information. The present paper is Republican in politics, is issued weekly and has a circulation of seventeen hundred. It is a six-column double folio, twenty-two by thirty inches in size. The equipment of the, paper includes a two-revolution press, two jobbers, electric stapler and perforater—a new five-thousand-dollar equipment. BLANCHESTER NEWS. The Blanchester News issued its first number on July 22, 1915, with C. M. Dionne, publisher, and Dr. I. O. Bennett as editor. It was a five-column folio, independent in politics, and was to appear weekly. The editor was a former minister of the Blanchester Christian church, and, later, a chiropractor. On July 31, 1915, the Blanchester News was sold by its owner, C. M. Dionne, to the Clinton Publishing Company of Wilmington for five hundred dollars and thus ended the career of a paper which had been established the previous week. SABINA NEWS-RECORD. The Sabina News-Record dates from the consolidation of the Sabina News and the Sabina Record in July, 1893. The Sabina News was the successor of the Sabina Telegram, started November 6, 1874, by S. R. Nickerson. On April 8, 1876, Nickerson sold the Telegram to E. L. Mann and on March 29, 1877, its successor was established by Ely & Sanders: the Sabina Record was started in January, 1890, by James F. Gaskins. The News was later edited by W. H. Sanders, and still later by Z. R. Sanders and John Manlove. In May, 1885, the News passed into the hands of Griffith & Gaskins. Gaskins withdrew from the firm to start the Record and, as above stated, consolidated the two papers three years later. Mr. Gaskins became identified with the News on April 15, 1885, and has therefore been in the newspaper business in Sabina for thirty years. The News-Record is independent in politics. It is a six-column double folio in size and is issued every Thursday morning. The circulation is one thousand and fifty. The equipment includes a pony cylinder, ten by fifteen-inch Gordon jobber, junior linotype, folding machine, gasoline engine and full assortment of modern type and material. The paper has been in a brick building of its own since January, 1898. (13) 194 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. SABINA TRIBUNE The Sabina Tribune issued its first number on April 11, 1894. It was established by M. D., J. H., Howard and George C. Barns—four brothers—with J. H. Barns as editor. The latter died in October, 1896, and two of the other brothers later sold out . to Howard, who has been sole editor and proprietor since 1904. The paper is independent in politics. It is a six-column double folio, with a weekly circulation of six hundred and fifty. It is issued on Tuesday of each week. The plant is equipped with a Campbell cylinder press and all the necessary type and material for doing all kinds of first-class Job printing. CLARKSVILLE HERALD. The Clarksville Herald has been published in the town of that name for several years under various names and by diverse owners. It is a single sheet, weekly, and is devoted solely to local news and advertising. It has been impossible to get a history of this paper and the copy which was sent the historian had neither volume nor number indicated, so that it was impossible to tell the age of the present sheet. It is published by the Herald Printing Company. NEW VIENNA REPORTER. The first newspaper was established in New Vienna about 1870 by James D. McClintock and was known as the Weekly Register. This paper was sold in 1878 to J. M. Hussey and Daniel Hill and the name changed to the New Vienna Record. J. M. Hussey later became the sole owner and publisher. He afterward sold to a man by the name of Williams, who, after publishing the paper here for some time, removed the plant to some point in Illinois. The New Vienna Reporter was established about 1880 by H. M. McIntire, who moved his plant here from Albany, Ohio. The plant has since been owned successively by J. J. Pittser, Edward Priest, D. W. Callahan, I. A. Shanton and Eugene C. Lewis, the present owner. The paper is now a seven-column, twelve-page paper, which circulates in both Clinton and Highland counties. It has one of the most up-to-date plants in southern Ohio and one of the two linotype machines in this section of the country. Eugene C. Lewis is owner and publisher and Austin W. Boden has been editor and in charge of the advertising since May 1, 1915. The paper has in connection a first-class job office. Austin B. Greene is the foreman of the composing room and in charge of job office. CHAPTER XII. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. Diseases were more prevalent in early times than they are at the present day owing to the swamps and lowlands which had not been drained; and also because the conditions, as far as living is concerned, were not as sanitary. Such diseases as were caused by malarial poison—fevers, ague, etc., were very common. The early physicians did not prosper as in the present day. Their duties were laborious and they were exposed to all kinds of hardships and privations in making their calls. The home remedies were more often used than those of the local physician and every household had its stock of roots and herbs, which were supposed to cure every ache and pain. The honor which is due the first physician to locate in Clinton county can justly be awarded to Loammi Rigdon. Doctor Ridgon, a native of the state of Pennsylvania, where his elementary and medical education had been received, located and began the practice of medicine in the fall of 1812. He came to Wilmington and stayed at the hotel of Warren Sabin. The ensuing summer, taking as his guide that passage from the Bible which says, "It is not good for man to live alone," he was united in marriage with Miss Dunlevy, of Lebanon, and erected his log cabin on South street. He was a noble specimen of man, being moral, upright, industrious, and courteous to all. He was a worthy and earnest member of the Baptist church, and possessed the good will and friendship of all who knew him. He was engaged for many years in a most laborious practice in the county, and received a very poor compensation for his services rendered. Doctor Rigdon, in the science of medicine and the art of surgery, equalled, if not surpassed, any of that profession who have since been local practitioners in the county. After following his'profession in Wilmington for thirteen years, without realizing a fair compensation for his labor, Doctor Rigdon moved to the town of Hamilton, and there began the practice of medicine, and, from a large and voluntary patronage, he amassed quite a fortune. He followed his chosen profession for a number of years in this locality and died at a ripe age, happy in the conviction that he had done all in his power to relieve suffering humanity. Two years after Doctor Rigdon came here (1814) another, and, probably, the second physician in the county, located in Wilmington and began the practice of medicine. James McGee, on his arrival in the village, made his home and had his office in Sabin's hotel. The following year he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Judge George McManis, Sr. To this union was born one child. Doctor McGee built his residence or cabin on South street, adjoining the residence of Doctor Rigdon. He was a well-educated and thoroughly competent physician, but he had no love nor admiration for his profession and did not engage in general practice. Shortly after his marriage he was appointed to fill the office of postmaster in the village, and also to the county recorder's office. He performed the duties of these offices for only a short time, ill health causing him to retire from all active duties. In a few years after his marriage, and while yet in early manhood, he was called to his final rest. He was a modest and unassuming man, with a kind word for everyone. He had no enemies and lived at peace with his neighbors. Dr. Uriah Farquhar, son of Benjamin Farquhar, who was one of the earliest settlers on Todd's fork, then in Warren county, was educated for the medical profession and 196 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. placed in the office of Doctor Lathrop, of Waynesville, with whom he remained until the close of the War of 1812-15, when he had completed his studies. A short time after this, probably about 1816, he located in Wilmington and took up the practice of medicine. In improving the rich and fertile soil of Clinton county and in draining the swamps, the atmosphere was filled with malaria poison, and diseases in this locality in the fall and summer seasons were very prevalent, in consequence of which the early physician had much to do. Doctor Farquhar devoted himself with unabated energy to relieving the people from their malarial complaints. He was possessed of a strong, nervous and sanguine temperament, was very credulous and easily imposed upon. He labored for twenty years or more in Clinton county and then removed to Logansport, Indiana, where he remained, still pursuing his chosen profession, until he had completed his four score years. The fullness of time had then arrived when he had to part with his much-beloved work and his many friends and admirers and go to that final resting place beyond. He was ever ready to give his services to all who needed it regardless of the financial conditions. He was for many years a member of the Christian church. With a kind heart and a generous nature, it was hard to amass wealth, and equally hard to retain it; hence, when he left Wilmington he had only the bare necessities of life and was not overburdened with property. The next to settle in Wilmington and take up the practice of medicine was Doctor Grier, who came to this county in 1817. Although Doctor Grier may have been a man of great ability, yet his chief friend and companion was John Barleycorn and his love for stimulants proved his downfall in this county. After struggling for two or three years against the tide of opposition, he left for another locality. Dr. Turner Welch, a native of the state of North Carolina, came to Wilmington and commenced the practice of medicine in Wilmington in 1818. He occupied as an office a room in a building that stood on the northeast corner of Main and Mulberry streets. Following the example of three of his predecessors, he was united in marriage soon after his removal to this locality, Hester, the daughter of John Fallis, becoming his wife. He was induced by his father and father-in-law to remove from Wilmington to a farm near Oakland. In 1825, Doctor Rigdon moved to Hamilton, and Doctor Welch at once occupied the opening caused by the removal. Here he continued to practice until 1836, when he removed to Wea Plains, Indiana. After remaining in Indiana for several years, he became dissatisfied and returned to Ohio; but, still discontented, he removed again to the Hoosier state. During his residence in Wilmington, in 1826-27, he attended lectures in the Medical College of Ohio, from which he graduated in medicine and surgery. In the war with England, 1812-15, Doctor Welch served as assistant surgeon, and here he received most of his training. After the close of the war he returned to North Carolina and remained with his preceptor until the time when he emigrated to Ohio. Toward the close of his life he drew a pension from the government for services rendered, which acknowledgment gave him more pleasure than all the money and property he possessed. After attaining the advanced age of eighty-four years, more than sixty of which had been spent in active practice, he laid down his scalpel and medicine case and joined his friends who had previously crossed the great divide. In his profession he sustained a good reputation and was courteous and kind to his fellow practitioners. This closes the list of physicians who settled in this county from 1810-20. In 1825, Dr. S. Judkins located in Wilmington and engaged in the professional duties in this county; but, not meeting with the greatest success, he removed to Highland county. He settled in Leesburg, from which town he had emigrated to Wilmington. Here he regained his former patronage and met with great success. Dr. Amos Tiffin Davis came to this county in the year 1829 and began the practice of medicine in Clarksville. With the exception of eight or ten years, when he practiced in Cincinnati and other points, he spent his entire medical career in this county. Doctor CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 197 Davis was the son of Isaac and Mary (Tiffin) Davis, his mother being a sister of Edward Tiffin, the first governor of Ohio. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ireland. His father settled in Ross county, Ohio, in the year 1800, following the farming profession. Doctor Davis was born, January 9, 1803, and reared amid agricultural pursuits. He assisted his father on the farm until attaining the age of twenty-one years, when he went to Chillicothe and placed himself under the tuition of Doctor Pinkerton, with whom he remained two years. He then entered the medical department of the Transylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky. He remained there several months and then entered upon the practice of his profession. April 20, 1826, he was united in marriage with Priscilla, the daughter of James Birdsall, an early pioneer of Clinton county. where the daughter was born. To this union one child was born, Mary D., the wife of Rev. G. R. McMillan. In early life, Doctor Davis united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an earnest and faithful member until his death, and after removing to Wilmington, in 1829, soon after his location in Clarksville, he connected himself with that congregation here. He twice served the people of the county in the General Assembly, to which he was elected in 1836 and 1839. In politics he was identified with the Republican party after its organization, having been formerly an old-line Whig. Dr. Aquila Jones, one of the pioneer physicians of this county, was born at Bean Station, Granger county, eastern Tennessee, April 10, 1807. His parents were William and Deborah (McVeigh) Jones, who settled in what is now Union township, Clinton county. in the spring of 1810. In 1823 Doctor Jones entered the office of Dr. Loammi Rigdon and commenced the study of medicine. On the removal of Doctor Rigdon, two years later, from Wilmington, Doctor Jones further prosecuted his studies under the instruction of Dr. Turner Welch, whom he assisted in practice in 1827, 1828, 1829. During the year 1829 this county was visited with an epidemic of malaria or typhoid fever, which prevailed all over this section of the country. Doctor Jones was actively engaged in the duties of his profession in the eastern part of the county, where, for a time, he opened an office at Parris's hotel, from which point he made his way over logs and through mud and mire to the log cabins where many of the pioneers were prostrate with fever. There was then no poetic fervor or amusement in the daily pursuit of such a profession, and we might question whether some of our modern physicians would enter into this task with much zeal. How4 arduous were the duties of the physicians of that day. They were few in number, and all located at the county seat. Patients were in all parts of the county and the only means of reaching them was on horseback, requiring journeys of from ten to fifteen miles, and in the sickly season of the year their daily rides were often from forty to fifty miles; but, endowed with stout hearts and strong, hardy, constitutions, they adapted themselves to the times and surrounding circumstances, and overcame the difficulties, however great. At intervals in 1829-30, Doctor Jones attended lectures in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, graduating in the early spring of the last mentioned year. He then located at Washington Court House, Fayette county, and remained one year. The following year he removed to Bainbridge, Ross county, Ohio, and was there engaged in the pursuit of his profession until the winter of 1834-35, where he permanently located at Wilmington. While practicing at Washington Court House, Doctor Jones was united in marriage to Carolina A. Dawson, a native of Virginia. In 1822 he was the assistant of a Mr. Treusdall, who was the principal of the schools at Wilmington, and three years later became, by appointment, the auditor of the county, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of John McManis. In 1839, in connection with R. R. Lindsay, his brother-in-law, be published the Clinton County Republican. In 1836, Doctor Jones commenced keeping a meteorological journal, in which a daily account of the weather was recorded. 198 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. Dr. William W. Woodruff, a native of Warren county and a son of Israel Woodruff, who kept a tavern which stood on the north side of Main street, near South street, read medicine in 1827-28 in the office of Doctors Welch and Jones. On finishing the prescribed course of reading, he commenced practicing in Wilmington, in which he continued until 1834. While yet in the zenith of his prosperity and usefulness, with every evidence of success in his chosen profession, he fell a victim to consumption. Dr. Joseph K. Sparks, a native of South Carolina, settled in Wilmington in the winter of 1830-31 as a practitioner. He was a graduate of Transylvania University, of Lexington, Kentucky, and came to this county from Cincinnati, where he had been actively engaged in the practice of medicine. He later left Wilmington and moved onto a farm in the vicinity, where he died from old age and dropsy. He was a member of the Baptist church and a devout Christian, sincere in his work and honest with his fellowmen. Dr. Rockefeller Dakin, a native of this county, was a graduate of Transylvania University. After Dakin had graduated, he located in the state of New Jersey, but later returned to his native county and commenced the practice of medicine in Wilmington in 1835. Doctor Dakin also became interested in the culture of the silk worm. In 1839, he made a tour through Texas and the Southern states and there contracted malaria fever, of which he died while en route home. Dr. William Fielding moved to Clinton county in the year 1836. He located in the village of Wilmington and began the practice of medicine. He resided here three years, when, apparently becoming displeased with the locality as a point for practice, he returned to his former home in Shelby county. He was later elected to the state Legislature from that county. In after years he did not give much attention to his profession, but was actively engaged in the political field. Dr. Hugh White Baugh was the son of George and Nancy (White) Baugh. His father was a native of South Carolina and his mother was a Virginian. He read medicine with Dr. W. Baugh, of New Market, and Dr. C. C. Samms, of Hillsboro. Later he graduated from the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, in the class of 1842. He first located in the town of New Burlington after receiving his degree, but later removed to Hartford City, Indiana. He returned to Clinton county and settled at Clarksville in 1850. Dr. Henry Smith, a native of the state of Ohio, was born January 9, 1829. He was the son of Joseph and Hannah (Hair) Smith. He began reading medicine in 1841 at Perrintown, Clermont county, with Dr. Columbus Spence. Three years later he attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and, in 1845, located at Cuba, where he remained until 1856. In that year he removed to Blanchester and engaged in his chosen profession. He served the people of that section until his death. Dr. Thomas McArthur, a native of Fayette county, located in Wilmington about the year 1845. He continued in active practice at this point until 1862, when he was appointed assistant surgeon of one of the Ohio regiments, and served until the close of the war. Dr. A. Brooke was born in Ohio, attended lectures and graduated from the Medical College at Baltimore. He settled at Oakland in 1845 and remained a practitioner for about ten years. Dr. J. M. Rannells was born near Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1820. In 1828 he came to Clinton county with his parents, Harvey and Elizabeth (Fleaming) Rannells, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm near New Antioch. and read medicine with Dr. John Vandervort, of that village. In 1846 he graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. He came at once to the village of New Antioch and remained nearly a third of a century. He was out of the county probably four years, two of which were spent in CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 199 Illinois and two in the city of Dayton. In 1865, Doctor Rannells adopted homeopathy. He located in Wilmington in 1881. Dr. I. C. Williams, although a native of Virginia, was reared in this county. He read medicine with Doctor Jones, subsequently attending lectures and graduating at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati. He located in Bloomington about the year 1846 and continued in practice in the county for some twenty years. He then removed to the state of Illinois, where he died. Dr. W. W. Sheppard was born in Wilmington on March 20, 1821. His parents were Levi and Sarah Sheppard, by birth Virginians. Doctor Sheppard read medicine with Doctor Jones, beginning in 1845. He attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College in 1846-47, and received from the censors of that college a certificate in the fall of 1847. The following year he located at Sligo, where he afterward practiced, with the exception of eighteen months passed in Mercer county, Illinois. Dr. Daniel B. Mory, the son of George W. Mory, a farmer of Schenectady county, New York, was born September 9, 1822. At the age of seventeen he came to Wilmington, and, through his own efforts, furthered his own education. He read medicine in the office of Doctor Davis and, in the fall of 1845, entered the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated. He located in Centerville in the spring of 1847 and there first began the practice of medicine. In August, 1878, having ministered to the sick of that locality for thirty-one years, he removed to Wilmington, where he lived until his death. Dr. Thomas S. Garland, of Clarksville, read medicine with Doctor Davis in the village of Wilmington. He later attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, from which institution he received a diploma. About 1842 he "hung out his shingle" in Clarksville, where he remained for a short time. He then moved to Wilmington, but returned to Clarksville in 1848 and practiced in that place until his death. Dr. William G. Owens was a native of the state of Virginia. His parents were Tolivar and Priscilla Owens, likewise Virginians by birth. Doctor Owens located in Wilmington in 1848. On June 22, 1852, while in attendance upon some of his patients who were prostrated with the cholera, he was taken with disease and fell a victim the following day. Dr. G. F. Birdsall was a student of Doctors Watkins, of Greene county, and Brooke, of Clinton county, and also a graduate of one of the medical colleges of Cincinnati. He commenced the practice of medicine in Clinton county in the year 1847 or 1848. He died in the village of Oakland some thirty years ago. Dr. S. S. Boyd read medicine with Dr. B. Nubble, of Amelia, Clermont county, and there practiced before coming to Clinton county. He settled in the practice of his profession in the county of Clinton in the year 1852, locating at Wilmington, where he was actively engaged in the practice until his death. He belonged to the school' of eclectics. Dr. Marion Wilkerson was born in Warren county. His parents were John and Elizabeth Wilkerson, natives of Kentucky, who, at an early period, emigrated to this state. Doctor Wilkerson read medicine in Lebanon with Drs. J. and E. Stevens and D. S. Dakin. He attended lectures and in 1852-53 graduated at the Ohio Medical College. In the War of the Rebellion he served as assistant surgeon of the Eighty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Dr. R. T. Trimble was born in Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio, where he received his early education in the common schools. He also read medicine in that village with Dr. W. W. Sheppard. He then attended a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and later took another course at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated at an early age. He practiced one year with his preceptor in Hillsboro, Ohio, when he removed to New Vienna, and was engaged in that place until his death. Dr. M. J. Hormell was a native of Warren county, Ohio, and read medicine In the