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350 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. point connected with the Holy Scriptures. The question is this: Is there any external evidence that the Pentateuch was ever committed to writing previous to the Babylonish captivity ? If you have in the course of your extensive reading met with any proof upon this point, you will confer a peculiar favor upon me by directing my attention to the place where it may be found." The letter from which this is an extract called forth from the distinguished theologian a long, learned and able reply, which reached Mr. Hamer at Washington City. President Polk, in a letter dated October 3, 1845, tendered Mr. Hamer the office of Commissioner of Indian Affairs, which he declined. The next year he manifested a willingness to return to public life, and early in the summer of 1846, he was nominated as the Democratic candidate for Congress in the district composed of Brown, Clermont and Highland Counties. When Congress authorized the President to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers to carry on the war which was declared already to exist with Mexico, Mr. Hamer rode over his district, addressed meetings, and, by his fervid eloquence, aroused the war spirit of his countrymen. He volunteered as a private soldier. At the organization of the First Ohio Regiment, at Camp Washington, he was elected Major. He was almost immediately appointed a Brigadier General of volunteers, and notified of his appointment by the following letter: WASHINGTON CITY, June 29, 1846. My Dear Sir: I have this day nominated you to the Senate of the United States as a Brigadier General, to command the Brigade of Volunteers called into the service from Ohio. I have only time to say that I have never performed any public duty with more pleasure than in conferring upon you this important command. That you will discharge your duty gallantly, and satisfactorily to the brave men you are called to command, as well as to the country, I have the greatest confidence. I am, Very Truly, Your Friend, JAMES K. POLK. GEN. THOS. L. HAMER, of Ohio. This letter of the President was directed to Gen. Hamer at Cincinnati; thence it was forwarded to New Orleans; and thence to Point Isabel. The appointment was accepted in a letter to the President from Matamoros, dated July 24. Gen. Hamer's commission reached him at Camp Belknap, Texas, on the 1st day of August. Gen. Taylor was at this time preparing for an attack on Monterey, which occupied a strong position by nature, was well fortified by art and occupied by the Mexican General Ampudia, with 10,000 regular troops. " Whilst at Comargo," says Rufus P. Spalding, in his eulogy on Gen. Hamer, " the Generalin-Chief resolved to proCeed to the assault of Monterey with none but regular troops and Southern volunteers. The course pursued by Gen. Hamer on this occasion, would, in the days of yore, have secured to him a hecatomb. He declared in a council of war, that if a conquest of territory was to be made in the Mexican Empire, the citizen-soldiers from the Free States, and especially those from the Free States of the West, would claim the privilege, not only of taking part in the Contest of arms, but also in the civil contest that would ensue as to the government and laws of the subjugated territory. His timely remonstrance produced the desired effect; the order of march was changed, and Gen. Hamer's Brigade, led on by their brave Chieftain, performed prodigies of valor and won immortal renown at the storming of Monterey." The capture of Monterey is justly regarded as one of the most brilliant achievements in the history of modern warfare. Gen. Hamer commanded the First Brigade of the Third or Volunteer Division. The Brigade consisted of the First Ohio and First Kentucky Regiments. Gen. William O. Butler commanded the division. In storming the city, a part of Gen. Hamer's Brigade was left to support the mortars and howitzers, while Gen. Butler entered HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY - 351 the edge of the city with the First Ohio. One of the forts of the city was called El Diablo. Gen. Butler advanced toward this fort under a severe fire, and was preparing to storm it when he received a severe wound and was compelled to retire. His command then was surrendered to Gen. Hamer, who moved the regiment to a new position and within sustaining distance of the American batteries, which already occupied another of the forts. While these efforts were being made to carry the advance works, several demonstrations were made by the Mexican cavalry, one of which was repulsed by the First Ohio, aided by a part of the Mississippi Regiment. " For six long hours the contest in the lower part of the city continued, and the streets were slippery with the blood of the assailants. It was truly a scene of havoc and slaughter." One stronghold after another was captured, the Mexicans contesting desperately every foot of ground until nothing remained in their possession but the citadel. On the 23d of September, Gen. Ampudia capitulated. On the second Tuesday of October, 1846, Gen. Hamer was, without opposition, elected a Representative in Congress. But how unstable is the enjoyment of earthly renown! A letter from a private soldier from Georgetown, Ohio, serving in Gen. Hamer's Brigade, dated at Camp, near Monterey, Thursday, December 3, 1846,. says: " Gen. Hamer died last night between 9 and 10 o'clock. I have not heard the name of his disease. He had been unwell since he landed in Mexico, and dangerously ill for about a week. Every attention was paid to him by his physicians, who used every effort to stop the progress of his disease, but all in vain. By this dispensation of Providence, not only our company and regiment,. but the whole brigade, have met with an irreparable loss, and the Nation is left to mourn one whose services in her councils were worth far more than all the country in dispute for which he so gallantly sacrificed his life. On the march from Comargo to this place, he was scarcely able to sit on his horse. But he said: ' While I am able to ride, I will go at the head of my brigade.' He went at our head and led us into Monterey. He went at the head of the Ohio Regiment, which carried the first stars and stripes that ever waved in the streets of that city. The whole camp to-day is shrouded in gloom. All seem to feel the greatness of their loss. By his firmness and courage, he had won the respect of the officers, both in the regular and volunteer corps. To me it seems I have almost lost a father. To him I could always go with confidence,. for advice and assistance." Maj. Gen. Taylor, in announcing the death of Gen. Hamer, said: " In counsel, I found him clear and judicious, and in the administration of his command, though kind, yet always impartial and just. He was an active participant in the operations before Monterey, and since had commanded the volunteer division. His loss to the army at this time cannot be supplied." The body of the dead soldier was interred with honors to which his rank entitled him in a cemetery about a mile from the quarters he had occupied in his last sickness. His remains were afterward removed to his adopted State and buried in the cemetery at Georgetown in the presence of thousands of sorrowing spectators. Fitting eulogies were pronounced upon him in the Congress of which he was a member-elect by his successor, J. D. Morris. and others; before the two Houses of the General Assembly of Ohio by Rufus P. Spalding, and at his burial by Hon. David T. Disney. Thus passed away in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness one of the most talented men of his time. Perhaps no man in the whole history of Ohio had more warm admirers. His prospects for the highest office in the nation were considered bright. 352 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Thomas L. Hamer was of medium stature; his hair was very red, and, to a stranger, his personal appearance was not at first prepossessing; he had great vivacity and cheerfulness and boundless kindness of heart. He was generous and hospitable, and treated the humblest with unaffected friendliness. He was neat in his attire and careful as to his personal appearance. While a member of Congress, his face was shaved every day. He was a delightful companion, and• held his friends to him as with hooks of steel. Many of his political opponents were his warm personal friends. His portrait was placed in the capitol at Columbus by Gov. R. B. Hayes. ELDER MATT HEW GARDNER. This pioneer preacher and remarkable man was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., near the Massachusetts State line, December 5, 1790. His father, a small farmer and carpenter, was of Quaker descent, When Matthew was ten years old, his father moved to the Northwest Territory, and settled in what is now Brown County, Ohio, in the autumn of 1800. There were no schools in the region in which he first lived in Ohio, and Matthew's education was limited and obtained by his own industry. The first money he obtained was 25 cents for a raccoon skin; this he expended for a copy of Webster's Spelling-Book. He was then about fourteen years old, and had so far forgotten what he had learned in New York that he could scarcely read. His spare hours at night he now applied to study, and, by diligence, he soon learned to read and write. When seventeen years old, he made a flat-boat voyage from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and was absent from home about six months. In his twentieth year, he went to school twenty-seven days, which comprised all his school education, except that received in New York when he was six or seven years old. In these twenty-seven days, he acquired all the knowledge of arithmetic absolutely necessary for ordinary business purposes, and was able to solve almost any practical problem in arithmetic. In 1810, he joined the Christian Church, and was baptized in the West Fork of Eagle Creek by Elder Archibald Campbell, and, about the same time, began to exercise his gifts in public speaking and exhortation. In 1812, he received his letter as a preacher of the Christian Church, and traveled and preached in various parts of Kentucky and Ohio as an associate of Barton W. Stone, William Kinkade and others. He, however, supported himself by work as a carpenter and on a farm which he purchased. He continued his studies, and, having proCured a copy of Lindley Murray's Grammar, he studied it diligently, frequently continuing his studies until midnight, after working hard all day. As he became able, he procured other books. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry by the Kentucky Christian Conference March 2, 1818. Soon after his ordination, he organized Union Church, two miles from Higginsport, and, in 1819 or 1820, he organized a Christian Church at Bethel, Ohio; later in 1820, he formed a regular circuit in Brown and Clermont Counties, with two appointments for each day, several miles apart. This circuit required a two weeks' journey. As a pioneer preacher, he was remarkably successful. He was six feet one inch high, and weighed over two hundred pounds. He had a strong, clear voice, and as he led the singing in an outdoor meeting he was told that his voice was sometimes heard and recognized at, a distance of a mile and a half. In his personal appearance, he bore a striking resemblance to Joshua R. Giddings. His manner in preaching was dignified and attractive, and his congregations were large. He continued to preach in groves and churches and to organize new societies for sixty-three years. The churches he first organized were poor and unable to pay a preach- HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY - 353 er. He believed he could support himself and his family by laboring one- half of his time, and resolved to devote the other half to the work of a Gospel minister. Near the close of his life, he computed that he had organized twenty-two churches, and that 6,100 persons had embraced religion under his ministry. He says: " When my ministry began, there were no Christian. Churches to support ministers. I therefore received little compensation for many years. When the churches grow, my conscience compelled me to decline putting a price on my preaching the Gospel. I could find no `thus saith the Lord' for it. I do not reprove those who do, however. I therefore left this to the churches to say how much they would give. This was commonly a mere trifle, about $50 or $60 a year for monthly preaching. The Bethlehem Church possessing a good deal of wealth, proposed to give me $100 a year, and, in 1866, they gave me $200 a year for semi-monthly preaching on Saturday and Sabbath, and attending their communion and protracted meetings, etc. This was by far the largest salary, if it may be so called, I ever received, and this was paid for only one or two years out of forty-five." Beginning life in poverty, Elder Gardner was compelled to practice rigid economy and frugality, which became habitual with him and was continued after he became a man of wealth. He had but four pairs of shoes in twenty years, although he wore shoes all the time, summer and winter. He wore one overcoat twenty years. His clothing of all kinds, including shoes, did not cost him to exceed $10 or $12 a year. He carried one small two-bladed pocketknife thirty-five years, and an umbrella twenty-five years. It was by this rigid economy that he was enabled, he said, without salary from the churches and dependent on his own resources in a new Country, to spend one-half his time in traveling and preaching, to support his family, to give many hundreds of dollars to aid in building Christian chapels and to sustain the the cause of religion in Southern Ohio, to give $1,100 for the endowment of Union Christian College, and to divide $60,000 among his eleven children, while he had nearly that amount left in his old age. Elder Gardner was of a combative disposition, and, while he had many devoted friends, he had many bitter enemies. He was engaged in several public debates with ministers of other denominations, and was a party to some vexatious law-suits and ecclesiastical trials, an account of which he narrates in his autobiography. He was a strong opponent of secret societies. In October, 1867, Elder Gardner closed his pastoral labors with the Bethlehem ChurCh, after a pastorate of forty-five years. He had been re-elected by a unanimous vote each year, except one, and then the brother who objected soon gave up his objection and became the pastor's friend. The church was large and had lived in peace. Nearly fifteen hundred members had been received into the church during the pastorate of Elder Gardner. Four other churches had been organized from its members, and still it was the largest church in the conference. The Elder thus describes his farewell with this people: " Elder Pangburn preached an excellent sermon. Then I felt constrained to speak. if only a few words. I referred to my visits among them nearly fifty years before. Then the country was wild; now it is cultivated. Then the, roads were by the mountain paths and the meandering valley brooks. Then they lived in log cabins, where now they have fine residences. I threaded my way over the hills and through the hollows, boldly fording the mountain streams and searching out their rudest homes. Then the people had little culture, where now they are educated. Then they were without hope and without God in the world. I took them by the hand and led them to God. I 354 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. was inexperienced, but earnest. I preached in their rudest cabins. I led thorn in prayer at their fireside altars. I baptized in their woodland streams. I kneeled at the dying pillows of their parents, and preached the funerals of their children. God blessed my labors, and changed the lion to the lamb; the raven to the dove, and made the desert to blossom as the rose. My eyes could see but few present who were living in the country at the beginning of my ministry there. Then I was young and strong, but now I am old and feeble—too old to serve them, and they to whom I then preached are gone. I tried to say that this was the last day of my pastorate, but I could not. I tried to say farewell, but there was so much weeping that utterance was choked and tears blinded my eyes. Some kind brother started a farewell hymn, and, while singing, they gave me the parting hand." He died October 10, 18'73, in the eighty-third year of his age, and was buried at Union Christian Church, in Brown County, the first church he organized. The autobiography of Matthew Gardner, edited by N. Summerbell, D. D., was published by the Christian Publishing Association, at Dayton, Ohio, in 18'74. Dr. Summerbell says of Elder Gardner: " His opponents will concede that he was great in the things they dislike, and successful in the things they disapprove, and his friends will indorse the rest. Without excusing his defects or magnifying his virtues, his friends contend that his life gives its own lessons, and that he was a great thinker, a great worker, a great economist, a great friend, a great antagonist, a great preacher, a great debater, a great farmer and a great financier." DR. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. The subject of this sketch was the only resident of Brown County who reached the high position of United States Senator. He was a native of Greenbrier County, Va., and was born in the year 1779. When he was quite young, his parents moved to East Tennessee, where they remained five or six years, and then, in company with several families, removed to Crab Orchard, Ky., the removal being effected by traveling on horseback the distance of 170 miles. The Campbell family located at Morrison's Station for a few months, and then settled about one mile from the station. Here they built a cabin, cleared a few acres of land and planted it in corn. The father, Alexander Campbell, Sr., a few months after his settlement, was called back to East Tennessee on important business; while on his way, he was taken sick, and died on the ninth day after leaving home. His wife was now left a widow in a land almost a wilderness, with a family of eight small children. Young Alexander had not up to this time attended school, there being none in the new country in which his young days had been passed. As soon as a school was established, he was sent to it. His mother purchased a small farm of ten acres in Woodford County, Ky., and removed with her children to it. Here the children attended school in winter, and as soon as the spring approached, resumed work upon the little farm. A school having been established at Pisgah Meeting-House, two miles distant, at which Latin and Greek were taught, Alexander urgently solicited his mother to permit him to attend it. Her embarrassed circumstances were such that he not only agreed to work in the morning and evening, but also to refund to his brothers and sisters the cost of his tuition. Having studied at the school, he went to Lexington, and studied medicine with Drs. Ridgely and Brown. Having pursued the study of medicine two years, in 1801, he commenced the practice of his profession in Cynthiana, Ky. Here he married Nancy, daughter of Col. Alexander Dunlap. While at Cynthiana, he was elected a member of the Kentucky Legislature. In 1804, he removed north of the Ohio and settled in what is now Brown, then Adams, County. In HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY - 355 1807, he was elected a Representative in the Legislature from Adams County; in 1808, he was re-elected, and was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives; in 1809, he was re-elected and was again chosen Speaker. While serving as Speaker, he was, on December 12, 1809, elected a United States Senator to succeed Hon. Edward Tiffin, resigned. His principal competitor for this high office was Richard S. Thomas, a lawyer then residing at Lebanon. Campbell received thirty-eight votes and Thomas twenty-nine. Dr. Campbell served in the United States Senate four years. He voted against the declaration of war with Great Britain in 1812, and also against the renewal of the charter of the United States Bank. On the expiration of his term, he returned to his home and resumed the practice of medicine and also engaged in mercantile pursuits. As a physician, he took a high rank, and more than once was appointed by the Legislature a member of the medical, society which was authorized to grant licenses for the practiCe of medicine. After the organization of Brown County, he was elected to the Legislature, serving in the Senate in 1822 and in 1823, and in the House in 1832. In 1820, he was elected a Presidential elector on the James Monroe ticket, and, in 1836, on the William Henry Harrison ticket. In 1826, he was one of four candidates for Governor of Ohio; the people in Brown County gave him a large majority over the combined vote of his three competitors, but Allen Trimble was elected. He was a man of uncompromising anti-slavery principles. He died at Ripley in 1857. JAMES LOUDON. The subject of this sketch was born in Henry County, Ky., October 21. 1796, and was the oldest of three children whose parents were John and Dorcas (Masterson) Loudon. His father, a native of Washington County, Penn., followed agricultural pursuits through life, and was a participant, under Gen. Wayne, in the battle of Fallen Timbers. He died in Henry County, Ky., where he had settled in 1794. His paternal grandfather was actively engaged in association with the patriots during the Revolutionary. struggle. His maternal grandfather, John Masterson, was one of the body guards of Gen. Washington, and was intimately identified with colonial measures and efforts. His mother was a native of Washington County, and one of a family whose male members were prominent throughout the Revolutionary period. In 1806, Gen. Loudon removed with his mother to this county, settling at a point about six miles east of Georgetown, on the farm of Neil Washburn, whence, at the expiration of four years, he and family removed to Arnheim, where a farm was rented and a residence maintained for a period of about two years. His mother was then again married, to Joshua Jordan, one of the earliest pioneer settlers of the country, whereupon the family removed to River Hill, on the Ohio River, a short distance below Ripley. Here he made his home during the ensuing fourteen years, employed in laboring on the farm, and during the summer months of five or six of those years in ̊larking in dry goods stores, which with river occupations consumed his time during the winters. His first boating was on the Ohio River, in the old keel-boat line. In the fall of 1813, he made a trip to the salt works on the Kanawha River; the next fall he made a trip from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, and attempted to go to the head of navigation on the Alleghany River, but, after getting up about sixty miles, found there was not water enough to allow the boat to pass over the shoals; so the boat had to wait for a rise in the river, and the men went back to Pittsburgh. Here he found his old boat loaded with iron and ready to descend the river. He took a situation on the boat as a hand; arriving at Cincinnati, the freight for that port was discharged and preparations made to descend to Louisville. The Captain desired very much to have him continue on 356 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. the boat, and offered him a clerkship; so he continued to the port aforesaid, and, after " keeping boat " a few weeks, was discharged. Thus ended his keel- boating, and at the date of his death, he firmly believed himself the last of that strong, hardy, daring race of men who carried on the commerce of the Ohio Valley in keel-boats, propelled against the current by long poles, with heavy iron sockets on the lower end and a round, smooth knob, turned from the root of the laurel, to fit the shoulder on the top end. In the fall of 1818, and also in 1819, he made trips to New Orleans in flat-boats. On both these occasions, he had to work his way home on foot through the wilderness and two savage nations of Indians. He made many other trips to that Southern center in the same class of boats, and was always lucky enough to find a steamboat to return in. In 1820, he associated himself with William Butt and Daniel Ammen, in the printing of a newspaper, at Levanna, two miles below Ripley, on the Ohio River, and, in July of that year; the Benefactor made its appearance. This was the pioneer newspaper of Brown County. His connection with the paper continued one year; he then sold his interest to one of his partners, and the paper was removed to Georgetown, where its publication was continued for many years. Although his early education had been quite limited, in both degree and kind, his reading and study and one year's drilling with the composing stick at the type case, together with his keen power of observation, counterbalanced to a considerable degree the lack of primary training. In 1822, he taught a country school with more satisfaction to his employers than to himself In the fall of this year, his friends elected him to the office of Coroner of the county. In 1824, he was re-elected to the same office. In 1826, he was elected Sheriff of Brown County, and re-elected to the same position in 1828 thus serving his county as Coroner and Sheriff eight years. He was married, July 11,1826, to Elizabeth Chapman, a native of this county, and a daughter of Henry Chapman, one of the early pioneers of the country, who came from Kentucky in 1800. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and an active participant in the war of 1812. In 1831, Gen. Loudon was employed in a dry goods store in Georgetown. In the spring of 1832, he left Georgetown, and settled on his farm, about four miles south of the village, and engaged in general agriculture, taking a hand in any branch incident to the business. In 1834, many- of his friends urged him to be a candidate for the Lower House of the Ohio Legislature; he finally consented to stand a poll and was elected. In 1835, he was re-elected to the same place. This year trouble arose between the authorities of the State of , Ohio and those of the Territory of Michigan, in regard to the northern boundary of Ohio (known in Michigan history as the Toledo war). A long and threatening correspondence was kept up between Gov. Lucas and the Department of State at Washington. Gov. Lucas called an extra session of the Legislature of Ohio, which met in June of that year. At this session, Gen. Loudon took a very active part in support of the claim of Ohio and indorsed the course of her Governor. In 1836, Gen. Loudon was again elected to the Lower House of the General Assembly. At this session he took an active part, and probably did more than any one else in electing his friend William Allen to the United States Senate. March 2,1837, having been previously elected to the Legislature, he was formally commissioned Major General by Gov. Vance, and was given command of the Eighth Division of the Ohio Militia. In 1842, he was elected to fill a vacancy in the Ohio Senate, occasioned by the resignation of Senator Foos, of Clinton County. In 1843, he was re-elected to the same position, and served two terms, during 1843-44-45-46. In 1849, he was elected a delegate HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY - 359 from Brown County to the Constitutional Convention; was made Chairman' of the Committee of Finance and Taxation, and successfully carried through the twelfth article, and it became a part of the constitution. He addressed the people in every township in his district, and urged them to vote for the adoption of the constitution. When his labors terminated with that deliberative body, he returned to his farm, intending never again to mingle in the arena of politics; nor would he, had it not been for the terrible rebellion that came upon the country. On the arrival of the news that Fort Sumter was fired upon, and that the wicked war had begun, he declared his ardent love for the " Old Star Spangled Banner," and, like his political godfather, " Old Hickory," swore " By the eternal, the constitntion must be preserved." From that time he was outspoken in his denunciations of the rebel spirit, South or North, doing all in his power to encourage the patriotic sentiment of the country. In 1863, the Republicans and Union men of his district held a convention to select a candidate for State Senate, and in his absence gave him a unanimous vote for that position. On being notified of the action of the convention, he accepted the nomination and took early steps for a vigorous canvass. Although he had to encounter a Democratic majority of some 1,500 votes, he was elected. He took his seat in January after the election, and for two years gave his best efforts to the cause of his Country. After the close of his official career, he lived in peaceful retirement at his Georgetown home until his death. For more than fifty years, he was a working member of the Masonic fraternity. He was a believer in the Christian religion, but not a member of any religious sect. He was a positive man, whose word was respected alike by friend and foe, even in the most bitter political contests. His life was a useful one. He lived more than eighty years, and died November 14, 1876. NATHANIEL BEASLEY. Gen. Beasley was born in Spottsylvania County, Va., May 19, 1774. When he was about fourteen years old, his father with a large family of children emigrated to Limestone, Ky., or that vicinity. The Beasley brothers became noted as sagacious pioneers, hunters and scouts, and were the associates and assistants of Gen. Nathaniel Massie in the early survey and settlement cf the Virginia Military District. Previous to Wayne's victory, Nathaniel and Benjamin were employed by Simon Kenton to serve as spies or scouts along the Ohio for the protection of the Kentucky settlements. These scouts, of whom there were several, ranged up and down the Ohio in pairs from Limestone to the mouth of the Big Sandy, alternately performing tours of service of from two to four weeks' duration. They were especially charged to give information to Kenton, who lived at Washington, near Limestone, of Indians who had crossed the Ohio or were about to cross over into Kentucky. Among those who served in the capacity of scouts were Samuel Davis, Samuel McDowell, Duncan McArthur, afterward Governor of Ohib, Benjamin and Nathaniel Beasley. Some of the adventures of these scouts with the Indians were recorded in Mc- Donald's sketches, and Otw ay Curry wrote an account of others, which he obtained from Samuel Davis and published in the year 1838 in the Hesperian, printed at Cincinnati. The account given by McDonald and quoted at length in Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio, of an adventure two of the scouts had with the Indians near the mouth of the Scioto, is in one particular erroneous, as Curry learned from the lips of Davis himself. It was Benjamin Beasley and not Duncan McArthur who accompanied Davis on that occasion. 860 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. John, Benjamin and Nathaniel Beasley were assistant surveyors under Massie in the Virginia Military Dtstrict, and their privations and dangers are elsewhere described in this volume. Nathaniel became an extensive dealer in the lands of what is now Brown County. He settled upon a farm near Decatur, which was his home until his death. He served as a Major in the war of 1812, and in the militia he rose to the rank of Major General. In 1814, he was elected a Representative in the Legislature, and a Senator in 1818; he was again a Senator in 1820 and 1821. On February 25, 1824, he was appointed a member of the State Board of Canal Commissioners by joint resolution of the General Assembly. In the capacity of Canal Commissioner, he accompanied Gov. De Witt Clinton, of New York, and Gov. Morrow, of Ohio, at the ceremony of breaking ground in 1825 for the construction of the two State canals, at Licking Summit and Middletown. .Gen. Beasley was married to Sarah Sutton, who died August 19, 1841, aged sixty-one years. He died March 27, 1835, aged sixty years, ten months and eight days, and was buried at Decatur. ABRAHAM SHEPHERD. Mr. Shepherd was born August 13, 1776, at or near Shepherdtown, Va., a town laid out by his grandfather. He received what was then regarded as a good education. When he was nineteen years old, his father left Eastern Virginia, crossed the mountains and settled in West Virginia. In early manhood Abraham engaged in the business of surveying. About 1798, he was for a time in the vicinity of Mayslick, Ky., and not long after crossed the Ohio and made his home in what is now Brown County. He married Margaret Moore in 1799. On the north side of the Ohio he first lived near where the Red Oak Presbyterian Church stands, and afterward built a brick house about two miles from the site of Russellville, and operated the mills afterward known as Pilson's. In the war of 1812, he raised a company and served as Captain. In 181'7, he moved to Ripley, and operated the mills on Red Oak, about one mile from the town. In 1825, he added steam power to these mills. In connection with others, he built the mill one mile farther up Red Oak. In 1803, he was elected a Representative in the Legislature, and served as a member of the Lower House, in all, six years. In 1815, he was first elected to the State Senate, and served in that body six years. He was Speaker of the House in 1806 and Speaker of the Senate in 1816, 1817 and 1826. His name is signed as President of the Senate to the act organizing Brown County. In 1818, he resigned his position as Senator, and became the first Clerk of the Common Pleas and Supreme Courts of Brown County, a position he occupied until 1824. In 1816, he was a Presidential Elector on the James Monroe ticket. After the rganization of the Whig party, he became a Whig and was a great friend and admirer of Henry Clay and his American system, and was consequently in the minority in Brown County. In religion, he was a Presbyterian, and long held the offiCe of Ruling Elder in that church. In 1834, he moved to Putnam County, Ill , where he died in 1846, in the seventy-first year of his age. HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.361 CHAPTER XII. LIST OF OFFICERS. AUDITORS. THE duties of this office were discharged by the Commissioner's Clerk until 1821. William Middleton, the first Auditor, served from 1821 to 1827; William Butts, 1827 to 1829; Benjamin Evans, 1829 to 1831; Samuel Glaze, 1831 to 1838; Hezekiah Lindsey, 1838 to 1841, but left before his term expired, and Peter L. Wilson was appointed to fill the vacancy, six months; James J. Smith, 1841 to 1845; Stephen T. Brunson, 1845 to 1849; John McColgin, 1849 to 1853; Lewis J. Egbert, 1853 to 1855; P. Ellis, 1855 to 1857; John W. Purdom, 1857 to 1861; J. W. Heterick, 1861 to 1863; William W. Elsberry, 1863 to 1865; James A. Stevenson, 1865 to 1867; Alonzo G. Quinlan, 1867 to 1871; William W. Elsberry, 1871 to 1875; Enoch E. Roney, 1875 to 1880; William J. Jacobs, 1880 TREASURERS. William Humphreys, part of 1818; George King, 1818 to 1820; William Humphreys, 1820 to 1822; Amos Ellis, 1822 to 1829; William Middleton, 1829 to 1836; Thomas Middleton, 1836 to 1846; John D. White, 1846 to 1854; Reason J. Bennett, 1854 to 1856; Benjamin W. Whiteman, 1856 to 1858; John McColgins, 1858 to 1862; John P. Louis̊, 1862 to 1866; William Norris, 1866 to 1870; Alfred J. Parker, 1870 to March, 1874; Peter L. Wilson, March, 1874, to September, 1874; George W. Drake, 1874 to 1878; Enos B. Fee, 1878, CLERKS OF COURT. Abraham Shepherd, 1818 to 1824; William Shepherd, 1824 to 1830; James Finley, November term, 1830, to 1833; George W. King, 1833 to August term, 1841; 'A. C. Stewart, pro tem., August term, 1841; John H. Blair, pro tern., October term, 1841, and until 1849; Gideon Dunham, 1849 to 1855; Hervey McKibben, 1855 to 1858; E. H. Higgins, 1858 to November term, 1864; R. C. Mitchell, 1864 to 1867; R. H. Higgins, 1867 to 1876; John Lafabre, 1876 to 1882; C. C. Blair, 1882 --. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. Thomas Morris, March, 1818, to July, 1818; George W. King, 1818 to 1826; Alexander Gilliland. 1826 to 1835; A. Liggitt, 1835 to 1836; Thomas H. Linch, 1836 to 1838; David G. Devore, 1838 to 1840; Andrew Ellison, 1840 to 1843; C. F. Campbell, 1843 to 1845; William Boyle, 1845 to 1849; C. W. Blair, 1849 to 1852; C. A. White, 1852 to 1855; John G. Marshall, 1855 to 1856; William B. Sly, 1856 to 1858; William F. Wylie, 1858 to 1860; Thomas T. Taylor, 1860 to 1863; E. C. Devore, 1863 to 186'7; J. W. Bailey, 1867 to 1870; W. J. Thompson, 1870 to 1875; C. A. Linn, 1875 to 1877; W. W. McKnight, 1877 to 1879; John R. Moore, 1879 to 1883. SHERIFFS. William Butt, 1818 to 1823; Robert Allen, 1823 to 1827; James Loudon, 1827 to 1831; Jeremiah Purdum, 1831 to 1835; John H. Blair, 1835 to 1839; 362 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. John J. Higgins, 1839 to 1843; William Shields, 1843 to 1847; Thomas Mid- dleton, 1847 to 1849; William P. Allen, 1849 to 1853; Henry Young, 1853 to 1855; John S. Foster, 1855 to 1857; Charles Oursler, 1857 to 1861; Alfred Jacobs, 1861 to 1865; William C. 'Howard, 1865, part of a year; George R. Shields, October, 1865, to 1866; William C. Howard, 1866 to 1867; George R. Shields, 1867 to 1871; John Dillen, 1871 to 1875; John T. Brady, 1875 to 1877; John Carrigan, Sr , 1877 to 1881; J. P. Helbling, 1881 --. RECORDERS. Amos Ellis, 1819 to 1822; David Ammen, 1831 to 1834; Charles White, 1834 to 1837; David Crawford, 1837 to 1843; Thomas M. Barker, 1843, gave up the office July, 1847; David Ferrier, July, 1847, died May 28, 1850; James T. Morgan, May 28, 1850, to 1853; John P. Biehn, 1853 to 1856; John H. Dugan, 1856, died August, 1857; Robert H. Higgins, August to October, 1857; James T. Morgan, 1857 to 1863; Amos T. Ellis, 1863 to 1866; John F. Black, 1866 to 1869; John W. Evans, 1869 to 1875; Grandison Pinckard, 1875 to 1881; George Ellis, October, 1881 --. COUNTY SURVEYORS. James Pilson, 1818 to 1824; William Wall, 1824 to 1828; Jephtha Beasley, 1828 to 1836; John D. White, 1836 to 1844; Abraham Sallee, 1844 to 1847; William Tatman, 1848 to 1854; Abraham Sallee, 1854; William Hays, 1854 to 1857; O. P. Ralston, 1857 to 1864; J. R. C. Brown, 1864 to 1867; James M. Stivers, 1867 to 1872; Jacob H. Bower, 1872 to 1878; IL L. P. Vance, 1878 to 1881; G. L. McKibben, 1881 --. COMMISSIONERS. James Wells, 1818 to 1820; John Lindsey and William White, part of 1818; Walter Wall, 1818 to 1824; John Evans, 1818 to 1826; William W. Clark, 1820 to 1822; Robert Breckenridge, 1822 to 1824; William Humphreys, 1824 to 1830; John Lindsey, 1824 to 1825; William Leggitt, 1825 to 1830; Robert Allen, 1826 to 1829; Henry Chapman, 1829 to 1835; Joseph Stableton, 1830 to 1833; James McCall, 1830 lto 1833; John Lindsey, 1833 to 1837; William Parker, 1833 to 1834; J. D. McCarty, 1834 to 1835; Jephtha Beasley, 1835 to 1836; Noah Ellis, 1835 to 1841; Samuel Kerr, 1837 to 1843; Samuel Ross, 1836 to .1839; Richard W. Ditto, 1839 to 1845; Michael Pindell, 1841 to 1844; Joseph Dugan, 1843 to 1846; William Norris, 1844 to 1848; William P. Allen, 1845 to 1846; Robert W. McClain, 1846 to 1853; James F. Thompson, 1846 to February 29, 1848, resigned, and Peter L. Wilson appointed to fill vacancy; Charles W. Reed, 1848 to 1852; John Wright, 1850 to 1856; Shary Moore, 1852 to 1855; Joseph Briant, 1853 to 1855; Thomas Hunter, 1855 to April, 1857, removed from county, and Samuel M. Blair, who was appointed to fill vacancy, served until 1861; William F. Pickrell, 1855 to February, 1856, resigned, Shary Moore, appointed; David Keithler, 1856 to 1857; William B. Logan, 1857 to 1864; John Brady, 1856 to 1863; James Campbell, 1861 to 1864; James F. Davis, 1863 to 1866; Huston Bare, 1864 to 1868; Samuel McNown, 1866 to 1869; C. A. Linn, 1867 to 1870; James Campbell, 1868 to 1871; William Fulton, 1869 to 1875; William Vance, 1870 to 1873; Peter L. Wilson, 1871 to 1874; John Wright, 1874 to 1879; James L. Burger, 1874 to 1877; W. B. West, 1875 to 1881; Daniel McConn, 1877 to 1880; Jefferson Fite, 1879 to 1882; Farmer Thornton, six months, 1879; N. W. Neal, 1880; John A. Jennings, 1881; Ross Wise, 1882. HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY - 363 JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. The President Judges under the old constitution who presided in the courts of the circuits which embraced Adams and Clermont Counties, before the organization of Brown, were Francis Dunlavy, of Warren; John Thompson, of Fayette; and Joseph H. Crane, of Butler. On the organization of Brown County, it was first placed in the Seventh Circuit, along with Butler, Warren and Hamilton. Joshua Collett, of Warren, was President Judge from 1818 to 1820; John Thompson, of Fayette, 1820 to 1824; Joshua Collett, of Warren, 1824 to 1826; George P. Torrence, of Hamilton, 1826 to 1833; and John M. Goodenow, of Hamilton, 1833 to 1834.., In 1834, the circuit consisted of Brown, Clermont and Hamilton, and John W. PriCe was Judge from 1834 to 1841; Owen T. Fishback, of Clermont, 1841 to 1848; George Collins, of Adams, 1848 to 1851; Shepherd F. Norris, appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Collins, 1851 to 1852. Under the present constitution, the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the First Subdivision of the Seventh Judicial District, embracing the counties of Brown, Adams and Clermont, have been: Shepherd F. Norris, of Clermont, 1852 to 1861; Thomas M. Lewis, of Clermont, February to October, 1861; Thomas Q. Ashburn, of Clermont, 1861 to 1876; David Tarbell, of Brown, 1872 to 1882; Allen T. Cowen, of Clermont, 1878 to 1883; D. W. C. Loudon, elected in 1881. ASSOCIATE JUDGES. Joseph N. Campbell, 1818 to 1823; James Moore, 1818 to 1825; William Anderson, 1818 to 1832; William White, 1823 to 1824; James Finley, 1824 to 1831; Robert Breckenridge, 1825 to 1836; David Johnson, 1831 to 1845; Hugh B. Payne, 1832 to 1838; Benjamin Evans, 1836 to 1840; Henry Martin, 1838 to 1852; Micah Wood, 1840 to 1847; John Kay, 1845 to 1851; Isaac Carey, 1847 to 1852; Benjamin Sells, 1851 to 1852. PROBATE JUDGES. John J. Higgins, 1852 to 1855; John W. King, 1855 to 1857 (resigned); James H. King, 1857 to 1858; D. W. C. Loudon, 1858 (resigned); J. H. Marshall, 1858 to 1859, James P. Fyffe, 1859 to 1861 (resigned); Charles F. Campbell, 1861 to 1862; William P. Allen, 1862 to 1864; Charles F. Campbell, 1864 (died); George W. King, 1864; David Tarbell, 1864 to 1870; S. H. Stevenson, 1870 to 1876; J. P. Biehn, 1876 to 1882; George P. Tyler, 1882. MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Before the organization of Brown County, Adams and Clermont Counties were represented in the Legislature by the following-named persons, several of whom resided within the present limits of Brown County. The Senators from Adams were Joseph Darlington, 1803; Thomas Kirker, 1804 to 1814; Abraham Shepherd, frora 1815 to 1817; Nathaniel Beasley, 1818. The Representatives from Adams were Thomas Kirker, Joseph Lucas, William Russel, 1803: Abraham Shepherd, Thomas Waller, Phillip Lewis, Jr., 1804 ; Abraham Shepherd, Phillip Lewis, Jr., 1805 ; Abraham Shepheid, Phillip Lewis, Jr., James Scott, 1806; Phillip Lewis, Jr., Alexander Campbell, Andrew Ellison, 1807; Alexander Campbell, Andrew Ellison, 1808; Alexander Campbell, Abraham Shepherd, William Russell, 1809; Abraham Shepherd, John W. Campbell, 1810; John Ellison, Jr., William Russell, 1811-12; John Ellison, Jr.. John W. Campbell, 1813; Nathaniel Beasley, John Ellison, Jr., 1814; John W. Campbell, Josiah Lockhart, 1815; Thomas Kirker, John 364 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Ellison, 1816; William Middleton, Robert Morrison, 1817; Robert Morrison, G. R. Fitzgerald, 1818. The Senators from Clermont were William Buchanan, 1803; James Sargent, 1804, 1805 and 1806; David C. Bryan, 1807, 1808 and 1809; William Fee, 1810; Levi Rogers, 1811 and 1812; Thomas Morris, 1813 and 1814; John Boggess, 1815 and 1816; John Pollock, 1817, 1818 and 1819. The Representatives from Clermont were R. Walter Waring, Amos Ellis, 1803; Robert Higgins, 1804; Jonathan Taylor, 1805; Thomas Morris, 1806; John Pollock, 1807; Thomas Morris, William Fee, 1808; John Pollock, Amos Ellis, 1809; John Pollock, Thomas Morris, 1810, 1811; John Pollock, George C. Light, 1812; John Pollock, John Boggess, 1813, 1814; John Pollock, 1815; Henry Chapman, Gideon Minor, 1816; Henry Chapman, John Denman, 1817; Henry Chapman, J. Shaw, 1818. The following is the list of the Senators and Representatives of Brown County since its organization: 1820—Senator, Nathaniel Beasley; Representative, George Edwards. 1821—Senator, Nathaniel Beasley; Representative, George Edwards. 1822-Senator, Alexander Campbell; Representative, George Edwards. 1823—Senator, Alexander Campbell; Representative, George Edwards. 1824—Senator, Thomas Kirker, district, Brown and Adams; Representatives, George Edwards and John Cochran. 1825—Senator, Abraham Shepherd. district, Brown and Adams; Representative, Thomas L. Hamer. 1826—Senator, Abraham Shepherd, district, Brown and Adams; Representative, John Cochran. 1827—Senator, John Fisher, district, Brown and Adams; Representatives, John Cochran and George Edwards. 1828-Senator, John Fisher, district, Brown and Adams; Representatives, John Cochran and Thomas L. Hamer. 1829—Senator. John Cochran, district, Brown and Adams; Representative, Thomas L. Hamer. 1830-Senator, John Cochran, district, Brown and Adams; Representatives, George Edwards and Nathan Ellis. 1831—Senator, Joseph Riggs, district, Brown and Adams; Representative, James Pilson. 1832—Senator, Joseph Riggs, district, Brown and Adams; Representatives, George Edwards and Alexander Campbell. 1833—Senator, James Filson, district, Brown and Adams; Representative, James Loudon. 1834—Senator, James Pilson, district, Brown and Adams; Representatives, James Loudon and Nathan Ellis. 1835—Senator, John Patterson, district, Brown and Adams; Representative, Joseph Stableton. 1836—Senator, John Patterson, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto: Representatives, John Glover, James Loudon, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto. 1837—Senator, Charles White, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto; Representatives, William Kendall, Nelson Barrere, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto. 1838—Senator, Charles White, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto; Representatives, Joseph Leedom and John H. Blair, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto. 1839—Senator, John Glover, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto; Representatives, Joseph Leedom and John H. Blair, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto. 1840—Senator, John Glover, district, Brown, Adams and Scioto; Repre- HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY - 365 sentatives, R. B. Harlan, R. W. Clarke and Gideon W. Dunham, district, Brown, Clermont and Clinton. 1841-Senator, Griffith Foos, Jr., district, Brown, Clermont and Clinton; Representatives, Stephen Evans, Reader W. Clark and Gideon Dunham, district, Brown, Clermont and Clinton. 1842—Senator, James Loudon, district, Brown, Clermont and Clinton; Representatives, David Fisher, Thomas Ross, Moses Rees and John D. White, district, Brown, Clermont and Clinton. 1843—Senators, William H. Baldwin and James Loudon, district, Clermont and Clinton; Representatives, William Roudebush, James geant and John D. White, district, Brown, Clermont and Clinton. 1844 Senators, James Loudon and William H. Baldwin, district, Clermont and Clinton; Representative, John J. Higgins. 1845—Senator, Douty Utter, district, Brown and Clermont; tive, John J. Higgins. 1846—Senator, Douty Utter, tive, Andrew Ellison. 1847—Senator, Benjamin sentative, James H. Smith. 1848—Senator, Benjamin sentative, James H. Smith. 1849-Senator, William sentative, Enos B. Fee. 1850—Senator, William sentative, Enos B. Fee. Under the constitution of 1851, Brown and Clermont constituted District No. 4. 1852 -Senator, Sanders W. Johnston; Representative, John McClanahan. 1854 - Senator, Michael H. Davis; Representative, William P. Allen. 1856 - Senator, Chambers Baird; Representatives, John T. Games, James Richardson 1858 - Senator, William P. Kincaid; Representatives, J. S. West, J. T. Richardson 1860 - Senator, Chilton A. White; Representative, Newton A. Devore. 1862 - Senator, John Johnston; Representative, E. B. Fee. 1864—Senator, James Loudon; Representative, Andrew Evans. 1866—Senator, S. F. Dowdney; Representative, Elijah M. Fitch 1868—Senator, S. F. Dowdney; Representative, Elijah M. Fitch 1870—Senator, Learner B. Leeds; Representatives, John G. Marshall, John C. Waldrpn. 1872—Senator, Learner B. Leeds; Representative, John C. Waldron 1874—Senator, H. V. Kerr; Representative, Eli B. Parker 1876—Senator, H. V. Ken; Representative, E. Flaugher. 1878—Senator, George P. Tyler; Representative, Eli B. Parker 1880—Senator, George P. Tyler; Representative, Robert Cochran. MEMBERS OE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. Convention of 1850—James Loudon and John H. Blair. Convention of 1873—Chilton A. White. REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. From the organization of the State Government in 1803 until 1813, Ohio had but one Representative in the Lower House of Congress—Jeremiah Morrow, of Warren County. 366 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. From 1813 to 1823, the State consisted of six Congressional districts. The SeCond District consisted of Clermont, Adams, Highland, Clinton, Fayette and Green Counties, of which John Alexander, of Green, was the Representative from 1813 to 1817, and John W. Campbell, of Adams, from 1817 to 1823. From 1823 to 1833, the Fifth District consisted of Brown, Adams, Clinton and Highland, the Representatives of which were John W. Campbell, of Adams, from 1823 to 1827, and William Russell, of Adams, from 1827 to 1833. From 1833 to 1843, the Fifth District consisted of Brown, Clermont and Adams, the Representatives of which were Thomas L. Hamer, of Brown, from 1833 to 1839, and William Doane, of Clermont, from 1839 to 1843. From 1843 to 1.853, the Seventh District consisted of Brown, Clermont and Highland, the Representatives of which were Joseph J. McDowell, of Highland, from 1843 to 1847; Jonathan D. Morris, of Clermont, from 1847 to 1851; and Nelson Barrere, of Adams, from 1851 to 1853. In the autumn of 1846, Thomas L. Hamer was elected from this district, but he died before taking his seat. From 1853 to 1863, the Sixth District consisted of Brown, Clermont, Adams and Highland, the Representatives of which were Andrew Ellison, of Brown, from 1853 to 1855; Jonas R. Emrie, of Highland, from 1855 to 1857; Joseph R. Cockerill, of Adams, from 1857 to 1859; William Howard, of Clermont, from 1859 to 1861; Chilton A. White, of Brown, from 1861 to 1863. From 1863 to 1873, the Sixth District consisted of Brown, Clermont, Highland, Clinton and Fayette, the Representatives of which were Chilton A. White, of Brown, from 1863 to 1865; Reader W. Clarke, of Clermont, from 1865 to 1869; and John A. Smith, of Highland, from 1869 to 1873. From 1873 to 1879, the Seventh District was composed of Brown, Highland, Adams, Pike and Ross, the Representatives of which were Lawrence T. Neal, of Ross, from 1873 to 1877; and Henry L. Dickey, of Highland, from 1877 to 1879. From 1879 to 1881, the Eleventh District consisted of Brown, Clermont Adams, Highland and Clinton, the Representative of which was Henry L. Dickey, of Highland. On February 26, 1880, the Legislature restored the apportionment of 1872. The Representative of the Seventh District from 1881 to 1883 is John P. Leedom, of Adams. PART IV. TOWNSHIP HISTORY CHAPTER I. PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. Pleasant Township was one of the original five into which Clermont County was divided at the first term of the Justices' Court of General Quarter Sessions, February 25. 1801. The other four were Williamsburg, Ohio, Washington and O'Bannon. The records do not reveal its original boundaries or extent, but it is certain that it included much more territory than it contains at present. Washington Township seems to have intervened between it and the river, extending to the old Adams County line, and Lewis Township formed from the eastern end of Washington in 1807, included a part of what is now Pleasant. By the successive formation of neighboring townships, Pleasant has been reduced to its present limits. Its location is in the south central part of the County. Lewis and Clark Townships bound it on the west, Scott and Franklin on the north, and Jefferson and Union on the east; the Ohio forms its southern boundary. Its outlines are irregular. The meandering waters of White Oak Creek encompass it on the west, and the greater part of its eastern line is marked by the channel of Straight Creek. which is straight only in name. In size, it is third in the county. Perry exceeds it considerably, and Lewis slight. ly. Its area is 23,153 acres. Topographically, it exhibits all the varieties of surface, from almost perfectly flat and level farms to the deepest and most precipitous gorges found in this region. From the narrow valley that lines the Ohio, the hills rise to an altitude of several hundred feet, but break away within a few miles into rolling land, which, toward the northern part of the township, becomes level. The little runs that drain the township into White Oak and Straight Creeks have Cut their way through the limestone strata to a great depth, farming ravines so steep that they are scarcely approachable in places. The soil is usually argillaceous. Along the hills, the limestone, which enters into its composition, yields it the strength which makes it most excellent tobacco land. On the ridges in the southern part of the township, it possesses great fertility, but becomes more shallow and less productive toward the north. Ash, walnut, maple, sugar, limn and other varieties of timber grew luxuriantly in the southern portion, but toward the north, save in the bottom lands of the streams, the prevailing types were poplar, beech, hiCkory and oak. Tobacco is extensively raised, and may be considered the leading crop, though corn and wheat are also produced in considerable quantity. Much land in the northern part is used for hay and grass. EARLY SETTLERS. Foremost among the pioneer settlers of Pleasant Township were the Ellises. By general assent, they are regarded as the first white men to make a permanent settlement in the township. Five brothers—Samuel, James, Hezekiah, Jeremiah and Nathan Ellis— in 1796, floated down the Ohio in a keelboat from Virginia, in quest of Western homes. Nathan landed at the site of Aberdeen, and subsequently became its founder, and a prominent citizen. Jeremiah and Hezekiah both settled on Eagle Creek, while James and Samuel continued on down the river in the boat until they reached a point one and a half 372 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. miles above the mouth of White Oak Creek. Here they stopped and agreed to locate. They retained possession of the boat, using it for a residence until they had erected log cabins. The cabin of James was built farther down, within half a mile of the White Oak Creek bridge. James here kept one of the earliest distilleries in the county. He raised a family of children, but none of them or their posterity now live in that vicinity. Samuel soon purchased the land he settled on, and rose to opulence and prominence. He was tall in stature, possessed a vigorous constitution and indomitable energy. He died in his ninety-third year. At his request, he was interred on the spot where he first pitched his tent on landing in the Northwest Territory in 1796, but so close was it to the shore of the river that subsequently it became necessary to remove the remains to another portion of the farm. His children were James, Noah, Abram, Samuel, Matilda, Mary, Christina, India Ann, Nancy and Rebecca. William Lyon was among the noted pioneers of Pleasant Township. He . was born in Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, his ancestors having settled in Ireland under Cromwell, In early life, William left his well to-do parents and crossed the ocean. So deeply was he attaChed to them, however, that he three times visited them across the briny deep. He worked at a furnace in Philadelphia awhile, then wandered westward, and became a chain-carrier for Duncan McArthur in the surveys of Southwestern Ohio. During this time, he made his home in Mason County, Ky. From his earnings as surveyor he purchased several tracts of land. and spent a portion of his time on them. He was married to Anna Brown, in Kentucky, several years prior to 1800, and immediately emigrated to his land in the southern part of this township. He had made a little clearing and planted it in corn the spring previous, but, while away, Samuel Ellis' cattle broke in and totally destroyed the crop. While preparing the ground and planting the corn, he slept in a hollow log, returning to Kentucky once a week for provisions. Mrs. Lyon possessed the characteristics of a true pioneer woman. She was reared amidst the dangers of Indian warfare in Kentucky, and the training she received developed the qualities of self-reliance and energy in a high degree. For a number of years after he came to this township, Lyon would boat his farm products to Cincinnati. He was once detained longer than he had expected to be, when the harvest season was at hand. The wheat ripened and must be reaped, but laborers would not work without money wages, and of this rare article Mrs. Lyon did not then possess a dollar. Engaging hands, however, when the cutting could be delayed no longer, and her husband had not yet appeared, she promised that they should be paid, and, ripping open all her beds, she packed the feathers and conveyed them on horseback to Cincinnati, where she sold them and returned in time with the money. Mr. Lyon was a genuine Irishman. He inherited the relish of his countrymen for the flowing bowl, and in early life indulged freely, but afterward became a total abstainer. He was whole-souled and generous-hearted, ands in consequence of bailing his neighbors and paying their debts, as he seemed destined almost invariably to do, his finances were often seriously embarrassed. He possessed the art of coining wealth from his business enterprises, but it melted away under his liberality and the obligations he assumed for his acquaintances. His old age was passed, however, in comfortable circumstances, and he died in 1837. His wife survived him many years. His family consisted of only two children—Mary and Robert. Mary left no posterity, but the descendants of Robert still till the soil of their pioneer ancestor. Capt. Daniel Feagins was noted not only for being among the earliest settlers in the county, but as well for his prowess as a hunter and Indian scout. He was a native of Virginia, and served through the whole of the Revolutionary war as Captain. About 1786, he emigrated from Loudoun County, Va., to PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 373 Kentucky, descending the Ohio in a boat with several other families, and intending to proceed as far as Salt River. On their way down, they landed at Limestone, now Maysville, Ky., and Capt. Feagins there met Simon Kenton, with whom he was acquainted in early life. Kenton protested against their going farther down the river, declaring that it was almost certain the boat would be attacked by the Indians at a certain point farther down. At his solicitation, Feagins landed, and moved his family and effects out to Kenton's Station, near where Washington now is; the balance of the boat continued down the river, and, as Kenton had predicted. they were attacked by the savages, and all aboard massacred. Feagins remained at Kenton's Station several years, and located a large quantity of land in what is now Bracken County, Ky., but, by some mishap, he afterward lost nearly all of it. In about 1796, he moved to within sight of what is now Georgetown, locating just south of the corporation, on the farm adjoining the fair grounds. He had a family of nineteen children. Several of them settled around him, among them Daniel, Fielding and Susan. The last was the sixth child of this large and noted family, and was born May 25, 1780. She was married, April 20, 1803, to Edward Thompson, and lived near Georgetown. Her death occurred in 1855. Capt. Feagins, after opening his farm here, with his sons and their families moved to Paint Creek, in Fayette County, Ohio. So accustomed had he become to the perils and freedom of the extreme frontiersman's life that he was only content when living remote from other human habitations, surrounded only by the wildnesses and solitude of the Virginia forests. He died of "cold plague," in July; 1815, while on a visit to his old home near Georgetown. His wife, Violet, survived him many years, and lived to be a centenarian. Daniel and Fielding, their eldest children, both settled near Georgetown. While in Kentucky, they were trained in Indian warfare by Simon Kenton, and both participated in many of the expeditions against the savages; they served as spies on the river to watch the hostile movements of the red men in times of apprehended danger from attack. While Fielding was once hunting deer with his brother-in-law, Absalom Craig, near Augusta, Ky., they were fired upon by a party of Indians, and Craig was killed just as he was stooping to drink from a spring of water. Fielding, abandoning his horse and venison, with difficulty made his escape. His hatred against the Indians was ever afterward bitter and intense. The body of Craig was recovered, and found to be horribly mutilated. While Fielding Feagins was living near Georgetown, two roving Indians made their appearance at his cabin and asked for food. Fielding recognized on one of them the shot-pouch that Absalom Craig bad worn when be was killed. Instantly, the deep slumbering animosity against them was aroused to a high pitch, and, following them when they departed from the cabin, he raised his unerring rifle and shot one, instantly killing him. The other Indian escaped. This occurred on the west bank of White Oak, about a mile west from Georgetown. between the upper mill and the county infirmary. Fielding buried his victim on the banks of the stream, and threw nis rifle into the water. He kept the matter a secret until after the flood of 18-32, when the skeleton of the savage was washed out. While on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Thompson, he narrated the circumstance. The residence of Daniel Feagins. Jr., stood about where the Georgetown Presbyterian Church now is. Capt. Feagins had obtained a patent for a large amount of land in the Lawson Survey. February 23. 1807. and the following deeds are found bearing subsequent dates, from himself and Violet. his wife: March 21. 1507. 100 acres to William White; September 24. 1807 to James Roneyo Jr.. and John Roney; October 13. P)11.7. to Joseph Van Meter's executors, 541 acres in the southeast corner of the Lawson Survey. " for and in consideration 374 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. of the sum of five pepper corns to them the said Daniel Feagins and Violet, his wife, in hand paid; " May 30, 1808, to Allen Woods, 200 acres in the Law. son Survey, adjoining lands previously sold to John Roney; October 17, 1808, also to Allen Woods, fifty acres in addition to his first purchase. Robert Law. son's Survey, No. 2,523, was entered on Military Warrant No. 1,921. In 1798, Walter Wall settled on the Heath Survey of 1,000 acres in the south central part of the township. He was from Western Pennsylvania, where he had been engaged in farming, but, for a few years prior to his emigration here. he had been occupied largely in trading and boating between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, it then being an incident of a farmer's life to seek a market for his products. He also operated a heavy distillery in Pennsylvania, and supplied Cincinnati with a fair share of its early popular beverage. He descended the Ohio in a flat-boat, bringing with him his family, a few farm implements. a team and several cows, and landed at the mouth of Straight Creek. Thence he followed an Indian trail northward to his purchase. He had bought the entire Heath Survey, the southern half for himself, and the northern half for the heirs of his deceased brother. They came years after and settled on it. Mr. Wall was accompanied here by two Yankees, names unknown, who were only sight-seeing in the then great West, and by John Davis, his brother-in-law, who settled just east of Wall's place, and who was drowned a few years later in Kentucky. The flat-boat that conveyed them down the Ohio was taken apart by Mr. Wall, hauled to his land and converted into a camp, which served them for shelter for a week or two, until his log cabin was completed. His two New England acquaintances remained with him till he was safely domiciled in his new home, and then returned East. Mr. Wall and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Applegate, reared a large family of children here, all of whom, except tha eldest four, were born in this town ship. Hester was married to George Vanemon, and removed to near Dayton. Ohio; Abigail remained at home; Sarah died in girlhood; James remained a resident of the farm until his death; Aseneth, the wife of James Young, went to Illinois: Daniel became a citizen of Clermont County; Mary was the wife of Henry Pierce, of this township; John resided in the northwest part of the county; Elizabeth, wife of John Pierce, resided in Clermont County; William still occupies, the old place; and Ann was the wife of Griffith Leming, of Clark Township. Mr. Wall died about 1857, at the age of eighty-three years; his wife survived him several years. In the rude, pioneer times, he was Justice of the Peace for many years. The elections of Pleasant Township were held for awhile at Mr. Wallls house. but were discontinued thereat the request of Mrs. Wall. Certain citizens, it seems. were accustomed to take a good supply of whisky on the day of election to the house, and sell it to the voters there assembled. As election day was regarded as a holiday, the consequence was that a large number of the citizens became so intoxicated that they were unable to get away at nightfall. and remained in a semi-conscious or totally unconscious state upon the premises. The compassionate housewife was loath to leave them to the mercy of the elements without. and provided them with sleeping room in the cabin. but the discomfort arising from this became unbearable, and the elections were held elsewhere. Jacob Berry and Thomas Berry, two brothers. were living on the Ohio, near the mouth of White Oak. prior to 1708. They were of Irish descent. and born in Pennsylvania. powerful in physique. but without any considerable means. Jacob Berry, in 1798. married Elizabeth Shick. the daughter of Lewis Shick. a German. who had settled just across the line of Pleasant in Scott Township. and he and his brother Thomas took a lease on Walter Wall's PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 375 land, where they remained about fifteen years. At the expiration of the lease, Jacob purchased a farm near the northwest corner of the township, and spent the remainder of his life there. He had a family of eleven children, the only survivor of whom is Samuel, the second child. He lives on the old place, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Thomas Berry bought a farm, after he quit the Wall place, just north of Georgetown, but died there soon after. A Mr. Crab had settled on the Jacob Berry place temporarily very early, built a cabin and made some little improvements, but he remained but a short time, and went nobody knows whither. In the history of Clark Township, by 0. P. Ralston, mention is found of Christian Smith, a native of Holland, and a man educated for the Catholic priesthood but subsequently leaving the church, who is said to have came 'to the site of Georgetown in 1797 or 1798, with Feagins, Ayres, Roney and others, and located on land in the Robert Lawson Survey, No. 2,523. He had settled at Washington, Ky., in 1790. Mr. Ralston states that Daniel Feagins built a "still-house" on the branch, a short distance below Smith's house, a few years after their arrival, and that Smith, in consequence, traded his farm to William Still for 100 acres of land in what is now Clark Township, and removed to the latter in 1804. Smith was an accomplished scholar, and, after his removal to Clark, held numerous offices of trust. He was often importuned to teach school, but would never consent to do so, although he would generously impart such information as he could to those in search of knowl edge. He died in Clark Township in 1832, aged eighty-four years. He is said to have owned the first sheep ever brought to this part of the country. In 1801, Robert Curry settled on the James Curry Survey of 1,000 acres just south of Georgetown. Maj. James Curry was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and this survey was made on his warrant for military services, but, not caring to tempt the wilds of the far West himself, he disposed of the tract to his nephew, Robert, who, in 1799, left his home in Rockingham County, Va., with his wife, Phoebe, and several small children, and with his young brother, John, for the seat of their purchase. They remained two years in Bourbon County, Ky., where John was accidentally killed, and, in 1801, arrived at their future home. Mr. Curry built his cabin in the southern portion of the survey, across the road but not far from the present residence of Mrs. Parker. Until this time, there had been no white occupant on this survey. He spent four years in clearing and improving the place, but had accomplished comparatively little when he was cut off by a sudden attack of fever, leaving his wife with a family of helpless children to struggle on in the wilderness as best she could. Mrs. Curry survived until July, 1822. They had six children—Abigail married William Florer and moved to Kentucky; Mary became the wife of William Moore, of this township; Lucinda married Elijah Evans, and died on the home farm in 1860; William moved to Clermont County; Rebecca married Andrew Moore, and Phoebe, Samuel Colvin, both of Pleasant Township. Henry Ralston, a relative of Mrs. Curry, came about the time the Currys did, settling just east of them, where John T. Brady now lives. He was originally from Rockingham County, Va., but, like most of the settlers, had lived awhile in Kentucky before coming here. He arrived here so late in the spring that the neighbors, who had finished their spring work, " turned in " and helped him clear a piece for corn. He had a family of six children—John, Robert, Jesse, James, Mrs. Abbie Derough and Mrs. Phoebe Jolly. His brother, James Ralston, settled in the western part of the township, on the V. M. Loudon place. Issachar Davis was originally from Pennsylvania, directly from Kentucky. 376 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. In 1802, he settled in the western part of the township, where his grandson, A. W. Davis, now lives. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, and, besides farming, he worked at carpentering, millwrighting and the undertaking business. He lived here over thirty years and died. Seven sons grew to maturity and married-John, Isaac, William, Issachar, Thomas, Solomon and Samuel. One or two daughters died young. Jonathan Moore was living on the J. McMichael place, north of Davis, in 1801. He was for a long, time Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Joseph Foor, John T. Parker and Stephen Calvin were also early settlers in this vicinity. Mr. Moore was one of the first settlers to possess a team, and took great pride in having a good one. He raised a family in the township, then sold his farm and moved West. Three brothers, George, John and Daniel Evans, became residents of the township about the close of the last century, They hailed from Jessamine County, Ky., and came separately. George landed on the site of Ripley;" where he remained a year and cleared off a portion of the land that now forms the town. He then made a purchase on the Tibbs Survey, two and a half miles southeast from Georgetown, and removed there with his wife, Jane, and two children, John and Anne He at once made a clearing for his crops, but, when the survey of his purchase was made, learned, to his dismay, that the clearing was not on his land. A second purchase was made, which included the improved ground. Mr. Evans remained here during life. He was twice married, and raised a large family of children. Daniel settled in this neighborhood, but John bought 250 acres off the O'Bannon tract, four miles southwest from Georgetown, where he died in 1828 or 1829, leaving a family of nineteen, whose descendants still own land here. James Woods was born in Ireland, and emigrated with his family to Washington County, Penn. He afterward removed to Kentucky, and, very soon after, 1800, to Pleasant Township, settling on what is now the William Pan gburn farm, about four miles below Georgetown. He possessed deep religious convictions, and was an earnest, God-fearing man. His children were Allen, Nathaniel, Samuel and Anna. Samuel lived in Lewis Township; Allen, on the site of Georgetown; Nathaniel, on the home farm, below Georgetown. Nathaniel, when not engaged in farming, boated a great deal on the river, trading produce, pork, flour, etc., at different points on the Ohio and Mississippi, often extending his trip as far south as New Orleans, and then walking back overland to his home. He was married, in Pennsylvania, to Jane Stewart, and raised his family on the farm, where he died about 1837. His wife survived him many years. Abel Rees was from Kentucky. He settled, at a very early date, just east of Georgetown, on the farm now owned by H. L. Penn. Though he had little or no education, he was a man of mark in his community. In connection with his farm duties, he labored at the forge and anvil, and wrought out many axes for his neighbors. He was a hearty Methodist—one of the few who devoted themselves heart and soul to its welfare. Preaching was often held at his cabin, and his generous hospitality would never permit those who had gathered there from long distances for the purpose of hearing the word of God preached to return home without first dining at his table. James Parker was an early settler on the Potterfield Survey, near the river. He came to the place a young married man, and remained the rest of his life. His nationality was purely Irish. Hugh Maklem and his son John, a youth of about eighteen years, settled on a place of 150 acres in the southern part of the Tibbs Survey, now owned by L. Heizer, in 1802 or 1803. Hugh was a native born Scotchman, who left his PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 379 home a widower and crossed the ocean with his only child, John. They tarried in Virginia a short time, then came westward to Kentucky, and, after sojourning there for a year or two, crossed the river and settled here. He was a mill-wright by trade, but tilled the soil here. For a few years, he and John kept bachelor's hall, but John probably tired of this mode of living, for, in 1809, he took unto himself a wipe, Martha Parker, and raised a large family. He spent his life in this township, and died Jnly 4, 1875, aged ninety years. John Roney was one of the pioneers, though the exact date of his arrival is not known. He was a native born Irishman, and emigrated to AmeriCa about 1790. Remaining on James River, Virginia, a few years, he found his way to Limestone, now Maysville, Ky., and lived there and at Washington, Ky., for some time, then settled just east of Georgetown. He afterward bought the place he settled on from Mr. Fagins. He was a millwright, but gave his entire attention, after his removal to this township, to developing his farm. His children were James, John, Frank, Rosa and Andrew. James settled on White Oak, in Lewis Township, and became a miller; John remained on the home place, where his son, John, still lives; Frank and Rosa settled six miles north of Georgetown; and Andrew died a young man, from the effects of a rattlesnake bite. Israel Jennings brought his wife, Charity, and family of twelve children to Brown County from Bardstown, Nelson Co., Ky., in 1802 or 1803. His father's family was farming on Long Island during the Revolutionary war, and, when the British took possession, was given the alternative of swearing allegiance to the King or losing the property. Preferring the latter, the family moved to Chatham, N. H., and, subsequently, Israel came West. He lived a year in Union Township, then purchased 200 acres off the north part of the Rhea Survey, about two miles east of Georgetown, and moved to it. No clearing had been made on the place, but the deserted cabin of some previous squatter was found, and Mr. Jennings made it his habitation for eighteen months, when he built himself a substantial log cabin. He had been a house carpenter, but devoted himself here exclusively to farm pursuits, and died at the home place at a good old age. William Jennings, the youngest child, still lives on the site of the old cabin, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His neighbors, who came shortly before or very soon after him, were Stephen Colvin, who lived north on the S. Huey place; Jacob Slack, on Camp Sun; John Sharp; John Dye and James, his son, on the Rhea Survey: Thomas Scott, on Straight Creek; and John Day, on the Rhea Survey. The latter came in 1804, and died in 1857 Other early pioneers, who settled on what is now the Ripley pike, were James and Francis Thompson, two brothers. They were from Pennsylvania; were Presbyterians; good, steady citizens; raised families and removed to Indiana. James taught severe: terms of school in this township. James Hamilton came very early in the century; married a daughter of James Woods, but, after awhile, moved farther west. Gideon Dunham settled about two miles south of Georgetown. He made the first improvements on the William Frost place; was from Pennsylvania, and removed from this township to Perry Township, becoming a pioneer there. Francis Daugherty settled on what is now the W. B. Frost farm. He emigrated from Pennsylvania, and, after remaining in Pleasant Township a number of years, continued westward to Illi nois. He was a stone mason, and built most of the rude stone chimneys for the pioneers in his viCinity. He had two sons—Mayberry and James. Andrew Kirkpatrick was a pioneer squatter. He made a clearing a short distance east of Olive Chapel, but Changed his habitation frequently. -When last heard from, he was in Indiana. James Calvin occupied the Joseph Shepard place. 380 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. He belonged to a family of " great fighters " in pioneer times, and, when the country in this vicinity became settled, he removed West, James Kilpatrick was one of the earliest shoemakers. He was a tall, spare individual, and, when not at work at his bench, engaged in agriculture. He afterward removed his family to Illinois. Levi White, a native of Pennsylvania, emigrated to Kentucky, and there, near Dover, married Elizabeth, daughter of Amos Wood, and, not a great while later, removed to this township, buying and settling on a little farm where Jesse Printy now lives, on " Free-Soil " Ridge. Both he and his eldest son, Amos, were under arms in the war of 1812, in Capt. Shumalt's company Soon after, he sold his place and removed to Indiana, but, not liking that country, he returned to this county and spent the remainder of his life here. He died about 1819, and his widow survived him about forty years. They had eleven children, only two of whom are now living. It would be impossible to mention all the early settlers of the township within the limits of this work, even if their names and history could be learned. Each succeeding year, after the emigration once began, brought more and more citizens into the township, until it was fully occupied. Many of those who came first, becoming habituated to the free and independent life of pioneer backwoodsmen, felt the restraint of the increasing settlement around them, and again sought more Western homes, probably continuing to ride on the advance wave of civilization until overtaken by death. As has doubtless been noticed, the earliest settlers, almost without exception, lived awhile in Kentucky, and a greater part of them had emigrated thither frow Virginia and Pennsylvania. Among the settlers who came somewhat later than most of the above, may be mentioned Moses Hicks, John T. Parker, Jacob, Aaron and Valentine Burgett, James Colvin, Robert Sample, Samuel Ross, Edward Hall, Robert Wright, Robert King, Fielding Martin, James McKinney, John Liggett, John Mefford, Joshua Jordon, Thomas Rodgers, Abram Sells, Archibald Tweed, John Forsyth, Robert Forsythe, the McKees, the Dugans, Amos Mitchell and Edward Thompson. MILLS. The earliest pioneers were obliged at first to convey their corn to mills across the river; but, as time advanced, little horse mills, then water mills. were started in different localities in the county. The two streams that confine Pleasant Township on the east and west each had a number of mills on their banks, but the greater number of them were built on the other sides of the streams, and do not belong properly to this township. On Straight Creek/ William Huggins built a mill in Pleasant Township in an early day, in the northern part of the Merriweather Survey. It contained two run of buhrs, and was resorted to very generally for a long time. Besides a large overshot wheel, which communicated the water-power, a tread-wheel was attached and made available during low water, so that the mill was in operation during the greater part of the year. Besides milling, Mr. Huggins gave his attention to farming, blacksmithing and wagon-making. He disposed of the mill to William Barnes. It afterward passed through a number of hands, and was finally abandoned, owing to the diminution of the water supply and the introduction of steam mills. Another early mill on this stream was built on the now Charles Abbott farm, by John Thompson. After his death, it was purChased by John Abbott, who operated it for awhile. then, in 1832 or 1833, rebuilt it, and afterward sold it to his son. Lewis Abbott. It still grinds a little corn occasionally. Mr. Abbott also built a saw-mill here about 1820, and for many years after converted logs into building lumber. PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 381 On White Oak, Henry Pierce built a mill and put it in operation in May, 1842. A fulling and saw mill had previously occupied this site, built by his father. Three run of buhrs were attaChed to the mill —two for wheat and one for corn. Mr. Pierce not only did custom work, but bought large quantities of wheat, made flour of it, and shipped the flour down the Ohio. He died in 1881. During the last few years, little grinding has been done, and the mill has been practically abandoned. The Thompson Mills, on White Oak, just west of Georgetown, were at one time the most important in the county. They are three in number, within a quarter of a mile of each, two in this township, the upper one in Lewis. About 1843, Edward Thompson built the upper and lower mills, and purchased the middle mill, which was built at an early time by John Davidson. It was owned successively by a number of millers before reaching Mr. Thompson's possession, among the proprietors being Samuel Horne and James Sid- well. Mr. Thompson gave each of his three boys a mill, the upper to James, the middle one to John and the lower one to William. The lower one, known as the Tunnel Mill, cost in its erection $2,500. Its water supply is received through a long tunnel, excavated at an immense expense through a hill. It is now owned by Frederick Shuster, and is rim by both water and steam power, and does an important business. These three mills bought a vast amount of grain at one time, extending their purchases even into Highland County. The flour made from it was shipped down the river. CEMETERIES. Public cemeteries were unknown for awhile after the first settlers arrived, and, as the members of a family died, they were usually interred in a secluded spot selected on the plaCe. Family burial-grounds thus became Common, and are found on almost all of the first-settled farms in the township. One may be seen on the Pangburn farm, another on the Berry place. The Ellises, Dugans, Lyons, Heizers, and many others, each buried their dead in this way. On Wall's farm, adjoining the old Straight Creek Presbyterian Church, is a large cemetery, where rest the remains of many of the old pioneers. Another is adjacent to Hilman's Church. ROADS. Within Pleasant Township may be found some of the best roads in the county, and here also are some which in point of roughness, it would seem difficult to surpass. These latter, however, are not public thoroughfares, but roads opened mainly for the convenience of farmers in getting to the better roads. In the southern part of the township, several descend to the rocky bed of some little run, down a precipitous and rock-jutting hill, and follow its meanderings over exceedingly stony beds to the river. Four well-graveled pikes lead from Georgetown in the four directions of the compass, affording excellent means of ingress and egress to any part of the county. In very early times, a State road from West Union to Cincinnati passed through the northern part of the township, entering from the east, on the Charles Abbott place, and crossing the township a little north of Georgetown. It was traveled very extensively, being the main road from Cincinnati eastward. Along its route were scattered public inns at no great distance apart. One of these was in Pleasant Township, on the old J. Roney place, in the extreme northeast part of the township. It was kept by Amos Moore, and was a noted rendezvous for settlers in early times. General musterings and various other kinds of gatherings assembled here. Indians frequently passed over the road from 1807 to 1810. Soon after Georgetown was laid out, the road was vacated for the most part, and the road passing east and west through Georgetown substituted for it by the County Commissioners. 382 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. SCHOOLS. Where the first school in Pleasant Township was held, who taught and who attended it, can never be known. The oldest residents in the township are the youngest members of the second generation of settlers, and their memories are all the light we have in ascertaining something of the early schools, and their remembrance does not and cannot extend back to the period when schools were probably introduced, in their most rudimentary form, it is true, in the pioneer settlement. A Mr. Holmes and Mr. Bartlett, the latter a New Englander, were among the first pedagogues who swayed the ferule and held in subjection the untamed youngsters of this township. Robert McCurdy taught in a schoolhouse about 1818, that stood in the woods near Hi'man's Church. He lived in that vicinity, and afterward moved West. School was held in the same house for a few years, and then in a schoolhouse where now stands the church. Alexander Innis was another pioneer teacher, teaching in various localities as opportunity offered. He was from Pennsylvania; married a Miss Kilpatrick here, and moved West. One of his schools was on the Pangburn farm about 1820; another, on the William Wall place, taught probably in 1819. The first schools were held in deserted cabins, stables, or any kind of building that could be obtained; but in a few years, most neighborhoods built houses for school purposes, the rude character of whiCh has been made familiar to all. A blacksmith shop, owned by William Boles, on the Wall tract of land, was utilized for educational purposes very early. Another early schoolhouse stood on John Roney's farm, just below Georgetown. At present, there are nine subdistricts in this township.- CHURCHES. The earliest preaching in Pleasant Township of which any knowledge is had consisted of a series of Shaker religious meetings at John Sharp's house, in the northeastern part of the township, on Camp Ran. H. Steigler now owns the farm where they were held. William Jennings remembers distinctly that he could hear the wild shouting and dancing in the meetings from his father's cabin, a half-mile or more distant. Mr. Sharp and his entire family, except one son, Benjamin. joined the community, and removed with it to Warren County. One of the boys, Nathan, rose to an important office of trust in the sect, and disappeared with a large amount of money in his possession. The meetings were very successful, for quite a number of families became members of the community. They were mostly, however, from the upper waters of Straight Creek, beyond the limits of this township. From the best authority available, it is believed that the Presbyterian Church was next to organize a society within the bounds of Pleasant Township as now constituted. Soon after the earliest settlements in the county were made, a Presbyterian congregation was organized in Union Township, on Straight Creek, near the place where the Georgetown & Ripley pike crosses that stream. In a few years, however, it was discovered that most of its members lived way to the west of the church in Pleasant Township, and, for their convenience, the place of worship was changed to a more central location. A spot was selected adjacent Wall's Cemetery, near the center of the Heath Survey, about three miles south of Georgetown. Here a log church was built, about 30x30 in size. The exact date of its erection is not known, as the church records Cannot be found, and old members differ somewhat regarding it, but it is thought to have been about 1810. As the membership increased, the building became too contracted in its limits for the comfort of the congregation, and an extension was built to it. Among its prominent early members were George, John and Daniel Evans, John Wiley, James and Francis Thomp- PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 383 son, Jonathan Moore, John and James Parker, Walter Wall and John Maklem. When the old double log church became dilapidated, one was built farther to the west, near the road, and near the present " Free-Soil " Church, occupied by a Methodist society. During all this time, the church retained its origi' nal name, Straight Creek, though removed several miles from that stream. Rev. James Gilliland was an early minister. Other names cannot be obtained. The Presbyterians who settled in Georgetown, as that town began to grow, joined the Straight Creek Church, and finally became a preponderating element in it. About 1829, the name was changed to Georgetown Presbyterian Church, and the place of holding services removed there, though preaching was jointly held at the old church for a number of years. The subsequent history of the church is given under the mention made of the Georgetown churches. The Free Presbyterian Church of Straight Creek was organized at the residence of Samuel Martin, October 25, 1848. Its 'organization was due to a division in Georgetown Church on the question of slavery, which, about that time, produced a disruption of the Presbyterian Church very extensively. Application for dismissal from the Georgetown Church was made by Samuel Martin, William J. Evans and others, for the purpose of organizing a "Free" Presbyterian Church. The application was not granted, and the applicants for dismissal withdrew informally. The records of the Georgetown Church for December 9, 1848, contain a resolution, striking the following names from the roll of membership for withdrawing and organizing a Free Church: Samuel Martin, Elizabeth Martin, John G. Martin, William J. Evans, Louisa Evans, Sarah Evans, Thomas Salisbury, Martha Salisbury, Rachel A. Salisbury and Mary Ferris, Others who united with these to organize the new church were Absalom King, Mary King, Victor M. King, Alexander Salisbury, Margaret Salisbury, Isaiah Salisbury, Elizabeth Salisbury, John Salisbury and John Parker. In 1850, Rev. D. M. Moore was the regularly installed minister. Rev. A. B. Frazier succeeded, serving from 1852 to 1854. Following him the pastors have been Thompson, 1855-56; James W. West, 1857-65; Joseph Swindt, 1866-67; and W. J. Rogers, 1868. Immediately after the organization, measures were taken to build a church. Six leading members subscribed $50 each, and $200 more was raised by general subscription, and a modest frame structure, about 36x48, still standing, was speedily reared. The congregation, small at first, attained a numerical strength of seventy-five. A flourishing Sabbath school was maintained. In 1869, the church consolidated with the Georgetown Church, though for some time afterward services were regularly conducted at the "Free-Soil " Church. The Elders of the church were Absalom King, D. E. Parker, Samuel Martin, William Evans, William Matthews, James Cumberland and Newton Parker. In the records of the session, the following appears: "July 15, 1863 —In consequence of the Morgan raid, it was impossible to have a meeting of the session at the time appointed." About three miles southeast from Georgetown, in the northeastern part of J. Tibbs' Survey, stands Hilman's Church. This has been one of the oldest Methodist preaching-places in the county. The first structure on the spot that was used exclusively for religious services was a hewed-log meeting-house, of goodly dimensions for those days, erected as early as 1812. Joseph Hilman donated the land on which it stands, and the church has over since been known by his name. He was a very zealous Methodist, though his education was meager in the extreme. His faculty for accumulating property was well developed, and his good deeds to the church took the shape of substantial offerings, rather than speech-making. The work of constructing the building was performed by 384 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. him, Abel Rees, Israel Jennings, Isaac Waters and several others. Besides these mentioned, Arter Bonwell, John Dye and perhaps a few more were the first members. Rev. Chinneth, William Finley, John Finley and Rev. Dobbins conducted services here among the earliest. In after years, the old church was torn down and its materials used in building a schoolhouse on an adjacent • to. Meetings were continued here regularly for a number of years, then for a few years they were partially discontinued; but about thirty years ago, under the ministry of Rev. Zachariah Wharton, the old-time fervor was restored, and has been kept glowing ever since. Services have been conducted in the schoolhouse once in two weeks by the Georgetown ministers. In December, 1881, Rev. Jonathan Verity opened a protracted meeting, which resulted in greatly swelling the membership of the class. About the 1st of April last, this people determined to erect a house of worship. A subscription paper was circulated, and as a result a neat frame edifice, 32x44, costing in all about $1,500, was dedicated June 8, 1882. The membership is now forty-nine; the Class-Leaders, John Jennings and William Brady. A successful Sabbath school has been held during summer months for a number of years. What is known as Straight Creek Methodist Church, several miles south of Georgetown, was organized by Rev. Henry Miller, during his two years' pastorate at Georgetown, from 1876 to 1878. Rev. Edward McHugh succeeded him for two years, and the two years' period of labor of Rev. Jonathan Verity has just closed. Services are held in the old Presbyterian Church. Warren C. Rees was the first Class-Leader, succeeded by Joseph Foor. The present membership is forty-two. A flourishing Sabbath school is maintained. The society is a branch of the Georgetown Church, and has services each alternate Sunday. Olive Chapel, a neat, modest meeting-house, on the Ripley pike, about three miles south of Georgetown, is the home of a Christian or New-Light congregation, which was organized at Woods' Schoolhouse March 12, 1871, by Elder C. W. Garoutte, assisted by Elders T. W. Graybill and Walker Mefford, with a membership of nine, viz., Josiah Perry, Isaac Purdum, Hannah Purdum, Robert Cochran, Sallie Cochran, Nancy Wallace, Nelson Tucker, Lewis Jones and John Heiser. The Church was built the same year. Elder J. W. Mefford was the first pastor. Those succeeding him have been J. P. Daugherty, Rufus McDaniel, G. C. Hill, Jacob Hawk, William Pangburn, William Bagley and J. Bowman The membership increased rapidly, and soon reached several hundred. During the last several years, however, the effectiveness of the church has been seriously impaired by church dissensions. A Sunday school is conducted during the summer. A small society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church worships in a schoolhouse several miles east of Georgetown, on Straight Creek. Revs. Dillon, Alfred March and Robert Davis have been recent ministers. VILLAGES. Unfortunately, the records of Pleasant Township have been lost or destroyed, and its official history, consequently, cannot be noticed. Georgetown is the only village within its limits, though one or two attempts to establish towns :in other portions of its territory have been made. The site originally selected for the county seat of Brown County lay partly within this township and partly in Jefferson. The Pleasant Township portion was just south of where Straight Creek enters the township, on the Charles Abbott place. Bridgewater was the name given to the embryo city, comprising 100 acres of land, forested, but platted and staked, A term of court was held here in the soli- PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 385 tude, in a hewed-log house; a deserted cabin, which had stood on the Fielding Martin place, a half-mile to the westward, had been hastily torn down and removed to the seat of justice one Saturday, roofed on Sunday, and, the following morning, was in readiness for the tribunal that issued its mandates of law from the midst of most dismal surroundings. But one term of court is said to have been held here, as narrated elsewhere in this volume, and the virgin forests, preserved intact, bore no evidence that this locality had once been the seat of justice of a populous and wealthy county. Another attempt at town making was made by Amos Mitchel shortly before Georgetown was laid out. The spot he hoped would attain great municipal power and renown he dubbed Monroe, in honor of the then President. It was located on his farm, two miles below Georgetown, on the Ripley pike, now occupied by Mrs. Frost. A plat of forty-six lots was laid out, surrounded and intersected with all the necessary streets and alleys, but it came to naught. It is not known that a single house was erected there, save the cabin of its proprietor. GEORGETOWN. December 10, 1819, Allen Woods appeared before Henry Chapman, a Justice of the Peace in and for Brown County, and acknowledged a plat of Georgetown, containing twenty-two lots and two outlots, including nine acres and forty-two poles, located on a part of Robert Lawson's Survey, No. 2,523, and described as follows on the record: " The land contained in the above plat begins at a post near a white oak; thence west sixty-five poles to a walnut post; thence north twenty-two poles and eight-tenths to a walnut post; thence east sixty-five poles to a walnut stake, near a branch; thence south twenty-two poles and eight-tenths to the place of beginning." Lots 2 to 10, 20 to 24, and 26 to 38, inclusive, were four poles wide and eight poles deep; Lot 11, same depth, and one and nine-tenths rods front; Lots 12 to 19, five rods front and six rods deep; Lot 25, two and eight-tenths poles front and eight poles deep. Main street, running north and south, was three poles wide and twenty-two and eight-tenths long; Apple street, same length, two poles wide; North street, one and eight-tenths poles wide, twelve long; Main alley, one pole wide and eight long. Lots 29 and 30 contained respectively 200 and 281 square poles. May 15, 1820, Henry Newkirk and James Woods made large additions, increasing the whole number of lots to 138, extending Main street and laying out Main Cross street three poles wide. The public square, containing 144 square poles, is in Newkirk's Addition, which was much the larger of the two. An outlot of four acres south of Main Cross street, at its eastern terminus, was occupied at the time by a tanyard. Lots 31 and 138, at the west side of the Newkirk Addition, were donated " for the use of a public school and a meetinghouse for public worship." James Woods' Second Addition was laid out September 27, 1821, " beginning at a stake in the line dividing the lands of Abel Rees and myself," etc. Henry Newkirk's Second Addition was platted on the following day—September 28, 1821-on the south side of his former addition, extending the existing streets and alleys. He says, in his deed of the property, " All the streets and alleys herein described is set apart as public ground, with an exception of the privilege to citizens of the town to make walk pavements on the borders of the streets, not to exceed seven feet, to and of which I hereby relinquish all my right, title and interest for the purposes before and herein expressed." Abel Rees made an addition September 27, 1821; Andrew Donaldson, 386 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. July 30, 1822: Thomas Jennings, May 19, 1842; John G. Marshall, February 28, 1867; C. A. White, April 19, 1867; and John Wills, date not given, made the latest addition, at some time within the past three or four years. The following are copies of papers which accompanied the report of the Commissioners appointed to locate the seat of justice of Brown County. The report will be found elsewhere in this volume, together with a full account of the county seat contest: No. 1.—I do oblige myself to make sufficient title to the within bounded fifty acres of land, provided the seat of justice be fixed at Georgetown, for the county of Brown, for the sum of $5 per acre, to be paid me out of the proceeds of the sale of the lots, as witness my hand this 12th day of May, 1821. Attest: J. EGBERT, HENRY NEWKIRX JAMES BAKER. No. 2.—I do oblige myself to give a donation to the county of Brown, the lot No. 50, or 51, for the purpose of a jail, whichever the Director, when appointed, may see best, provided the Commissioners may select Georgetown for the permanent seat of justice. Attest: WILLIAM B. JOHNSON, HENRY NEWKIRK. J. EGBERT. No. 3.—I do hereby oblige myself to make a good title to the within bounded lot of land, being ten acres and one-half of the donation, provided the seat of justice is placed at Georgetown, reserving one-half acre to surround my house that is on said land. As witness my hand this 12th day of May, 1821. Attest: J. EGBERT, JAMES WOOD. ALLEN WOOD. No. -.—I do obligate myself to make a sufficient title to the within bounded forty acres of land, should the seat of justice for Brown County be placed at Georgetown, and this forty acres be received, in preference to the thirteen acres proposed, for the sum of $7 per acre, to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of the lots, the choice of the two lots to be left to the Commissioners. Attest: J. EGBERT, ABLE REESE. JAMES BAKER. No. 4.—I do hereby oblige myself to make a sufficient title for the within bounded thirteen and a half acres of land, for the sum of $7 per acre, provided the seat of justice for Brown County be placed at Georgetown, to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of lots. As witness my hand this 12th day of May, 1821. Attest: J. EGBERT, ABLE REESE. JAMES BROWN. No. 5.—I do obligate myself to furnish the county of Brown with a suitable house to hold the Court in until one can be built for that purpose, provided the Commissioners do select Georgetown for the seat of justice for said county. WILLIAM B. JOHNSTON. The condition of this obligation is such that we, the undersigned, being the persons to whom the donations for the public buildings for the County of Brown, provided the seat of justice for said county be established at Georgetown, were made payable, do obligate ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and every of them, to the county of Brown, should the present Commissioners establish the seat of justice at Georgetown, to build a stone jail, thirty-six feet by twenty-two feet, containing two good fire-places ; two stories high, each story to be eight feet in the clear, the first story _three feet thick, the second two and one-half ; the foundation sunk two feet under ground, with eighteen-inch thick floor of stone, all to be laid in lime and sand, and each floor to be laid with timber ten by twelve inches thick, set on edge close together and covered with plank two inches thick, spiked down, and to be celled with the same with four rows of spikes in each wall, and ceiled overhead in the same manner. There is to he a stone partition through the middle, from top to bottom, two feet thick, celled with two- inch plank and spiked in the same manner as aforesaid, and a partition to cut off five feet for an entry off of one end, leaving a room at the same end for a dungeon, seven by fifteen feet in the clear. Said partition is to be of stone, two feet thick, ceiled as the other walls. and a pair of stairs to raise from the entry, giving Convenience by two doors to the rooms above; the outer door to come in at the entry and two other doors to give convenience to the two rooms below; the upper doors to be made double, of oak, and well united; the lower doors to be of oak plank, double, well ironed with sheet iron and riveted, with sufficient lock to each door, and four windows of twelve lights in front, and three of six each, well grated with iron. The whole to be under a good joint shingle roof, all of which is to be done in a sufficient workmanlike manner. And we further obligate ourselves to furnish 200,000 brick for the court house, delivered in said town in the kiln. In testimony whereof PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 389 we have hereunto set our hands this 9th day of May, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one. Attest: J. EGBERT, HENRY NEWKIRK, WILLIAM B. JOHNSTON. JOHN CAMPBELL, JOHN WALKER, JAMES BAKER, JAMES MCKINNY. In the issue of the Benefactor (published at Levanna, or, as the name is often spelled, Levana) for June 7, 1821, the following notice appeared: Take Notice, that on Thursday, the 7th day of June next, there will be a public sale of lots in Georgetown, the seat of justice for the county of Brown, Ohio. Those wishing to purchase can probably I hen suit themselves better than at any other future sale, as the lots intended to be offered are situated near the public square. Terms will be made known at the commencement of the sale by the proprietor. May 21, 1821. HENRY NEWKIRK. It seems, from the paragraph which here follows, that Mr.Newkirk's death occurred within a short time after the publication of this notice. The notice appeared the last time on the day of sale, having been published three weeks. The paper in which it appeared was subsequently removed to Georgetown, and its name lengthened to the Benefactor and Georgetown Advocate, and, at the latter place, was edited by Thomas L. Hamer, who subsequently won fame in the National Congress and on the fields of Mexico, his career being cut short by the hand of death before the Mexican war had ended. He is mentioned at length elsewhere in this volume. By an act of the Legislature of Ohio, passed January 1, 1822, Thomas Morris and William Middleton were appointed Trustees for the town of Georgetown, " with authority to receive conveyances from James Woods, Abel Rees, and the administrators of Henry Newkirk, for their several tracts of land adjoining Georgetown, which lands are given by said Woods, Rees and Newkirk for the use and benefit of the county of Brown, in the State of Ohio; and by the act aforesaid, the said Thomas Morris and William Middleton were empowered to sell and dispose of all lots by them laid off on said land, for the best price that could be had for the same, either at public or private sale, and to convey any lot or lob; laid off on said land to any purchaser, and that the deed thus made should vest in the purchaser all the title of the said James Woods and Abel Rees, and the title vested in the said Henry Newkirk at the time of his death." The Trustees appointed accepted the trust reposed in them, and gave bond for the faithful performance of their duty, receiving deeds of warranty from Woods, Rees, and the administrators of Newkirk, on the 21st day of August, 1823. Theysubsequently made many deeds to purchasers, in each of which the facts concerning their appointment, etc., were fully set forth. Gen. Robert Lawson, who owned the 2,000-acre survey on which Georgetown stands, and two of 1,000 acres each in what is now Lewis Township, was a veteran of the Revolution; although he never settled here, he was in the vicinity often, and was wont to linger around the numerous still-houses and dram shops which abounded, and is said to have been in a state of intoxication a great portion of the time. When in that condition, he was often induced to make bargains for the sale of portions of his land, which he probably would never have done if he had been sober. He had no family, and it is not now known what became of him. At one time, in the vicinity of Georgetown, there were twenty-four distilleries. This statement is made on the authority of Peter L. Wilson. Esq., who says that one of them, which was located near his present home in Pleasant Township, east of Georgetown, was kept by John Hall, and was a well-known rendezvous for military men during the war of 1812. They met at the place and held many a carousal, and perhaps some of 390 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. them fought harder and with greater zeal in settling some private difficulty at the distillery than they ever did in the cause of their country. Besides this distillery, Hall was also proprietor of a small store, and had a small " horse- mill" for grinding corn. Albert Woods, a native of Ireland, came to America when small, and located in the State of Pennsylvania. Upon arriving at maturity, he was married in that State, and removed to Georgetown, Ky., where he resided several years. Soon after Ohio was admitted into the Union, he came to it and loCated on the site of Georgetown; this was probably in 1803 or 1804. His son, Allen Woods, Jr., now a retired physician of Clermont County, was born here in October, 1805, and a daughter, now the wife of Peter L. Wilson, Esq., was born on the old place in 1808. In the latter year, Mr. Woods purchased 200 acres of land of Daniel Feagins, in Robert Lawson's Survey, No. 2,523, and it was upon a portion of this purchase that he laid out the original town in 1819, probably naming it from his former residence, Georgetown, Ky. His home at Georgetown, Ohio, was at the lower end of the village. He has been numbered among the dead for many years. His son, James Woods, who laid cut an addition to the town in 1820, settled hare with his father, and there were several other children, When Peter L. Wilson came to Georgetown, in the winter of 1821-22, there was not a finished building in the place. Two or three brick houses were up, but their gable ends were open, and a frame house stood where the city bakery now is, having in it timber enough for two ordinary structures. There were then but five or six houses in the town in the aggregate. A. frame building stood opposite the northeast corner of the court house square, where McKibber. now is, but it was never finished. The boys were accustomed to playing ball against its walls. It was intended for a two-story edifice, but was finally demolished. Very few people had their homes in Georgetown at that day. Others were coming and going, but the attractions of the place were not yet sufficient to induce new-comers to locate. James Woods lived in a small log cabin on Outlot 21, in the northwest part of town. Allen Woods lived at that time in a log house which stood near the northwest corner of Main and Main Cross streets, a little in the rear of the brick building which he put up on the corner, and which constitutes a part of the old American Hotel. Mr. Wilson subsequently removed the log building. William Butt was living here at the same time, in a small, unfinished frame house where the Methodist Episcopal Church now stands. He published the first newspaper in the place, and held several responsible offices—Sheriff, Auditor, etc. The following items are taken from numbers of the early Georgetown papers which have been placed at our disposal: The Benefactor and Georgetown Advocate, edited by T. L. Hamer, and printed and published by James J. Smith, in its issue of February 23, 1824, besides giving some account of the county seat controversy, contained numerous advertisements. Victor Larimer advertised a quantity of " Kanhaway " salt for sale, offering to take cash, hides, wheat or pork for pay, the wheat to be delivered at Lemon's mill, and the pork at his house. " The pork must weigh at least 150 pounds to the hog." A notice to the creditors of the estate of Joseph Reynolds. deceased, late of Jackson Township, ordered them to bring in their accounts for settlement. Philip D. Brumbaugh announced that he had commenced the " tailoring business in Georgetown, at the house lately occupied by John Campbell as a tavern, corner of Main and Cherry streets, where all orders in the line of his profession will be duly attended to." John A. Smith, under date of February 5, 1824, advertised that he had "commenced the hating business in Georgetown, in the brick building north of Allen PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 391 Woods' tavern, on Main street." Several petitions for divorce were published in this number, and the proprietors of the paper were in want of an apprentice to the printing business. In the issue of the same paper for March 3, 1824, William Butt or David Johnson offered for sale Lots 95 and 96 in Georgetown, and S. H. Stitt " respectfully informs the public that he now keeps and intends keeping private entertainment in Georgetown, where his stables are good and well-furnished, and everything else necessary for the accommodation of man and horse in as good order as the nature of the Country will admit. The terms as reasonable as can be expected." June 14, 1824, the paper contained several new advertisements, among others that of a new pressing machine, " applicable to the pressing of apples, tobacco, oil, cotton, cheese, cloth, hay, the packing of flour, etc." Franklin Shaler was the patentee, and T. L. Hamer was agent in Georgetown. The cheese presses could be obtained of James Firriers, near Georgetown. The following " regimental order " was promulgated: " The commissioned officers. of the Second Regiment, Fourth Brigade and Eighth Division of Ohio Militia. whose commissions are not recorded as the law directs, are hereby ordered to forward the dates to the Adjutant for that purpose, on or before the 20th of June inst. Commandants of companies will forthwith give notice to the commandant of the regiment of al] vacancies there may be in their respective commands, that orders for elections to fill the same may be issued. By order of the Colonel. James Loudon, Adjutant." August 9, 1824, under the heading, " Union Inn," Jonathan Vandike "Respectfully informs his friends and the public generally that he has opened a house of public entertainment in Georgetown, in the large frame house formerly occupied by D. Johnson & Co., and lately by F. White & Co., as a store. His house is large and convenient, his beds are new and good, and his table shall be furnished with the best the country affords and the nature of the times will admit. His stabling is entirely new, large and convenient, and shall be constantly supplied with good hay, corn and oats, and shall be attended by an experienced ostler, and he is determined to spare no pains to give general satisfaction to all those who may favor him with their custom. His charges shall be proportioned to the present pressure of the times." The marriage notice was pnblished of Charles White, of Georgetown, and Miss Amanda Morris, of Bethel, Clermont County, the ceremony occurring August 1, 1824. August 19, 1824, T L Hamer advertised that he wanted a good distiller, single man preferred, to commence business in October following, The publishers of the paper, in September, offered to take wheat on subscription, and were at the same time paying 2i and 3 cents per pound for clean cotton and linen rags. October 1, 1824, William Butt, Postmaster at Georgetown, advertised the following list of letters lying unclaimed in the office: John Archer, Charles Black, John Burton, John Bartley, James Baker, Benjamin Bowman, James H Bowler, Lewis Coon, William Chrozan, John Derrongh, Edwin Dyer, Alexander Goodwin, Elisha Gilbreath, Rees Hughes, John Hirons, David Henderson, Amos Hook, Thomas Jolly, Thomas Johnston, James Knight, William King, Margaret King, John L any, Henry Lyman, M. C. Mount, Charles S. Mount, John McBeth or Christopher Day, Josiah Pricket, Samuel Ross, Lazarus Ross, Abel Sturdevant, Robert Stewart, Aaron Wilson, James H. Wall, Joseph Waddle, Thomas Williams, Jam es Wall. In the Castigator for July 31, 1832, published at Georgetown, the following parties advertise their business in that place: Dr. George B. Bailey, new stock of drugs and medicines; office in the "brick building on the corner, south 392 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. of the court house, and adjoining Mr. White's tavern." James Ferrier, Colonel Second Regiment, Fourth Brigade, Eighth Division, Ohio Militia, ordered commissioned and staff officers of the regiment to meet on the public square at Georgetown, August 30, armed and equipped, for the purpose of officer drill. Thomas Paskins, blacksmith, shop " fronting the northeast part of the public square, opposite to Col. James Ferrier." D. Johnson & Co., new goods. Clark, Higgins & Co.,. new goods, first quality Muskingum salt, by the barrel. John Walker, saddler and harness-maker, returned to Georgetown and opened a shop on south side of public square, " one door west of Charles White's tavern, and adjoining Dr. Bailey's apothecary shop." The next issue of this paper contained orders from the commanding officers of the First Rifle Battalion, Fourth Brigade, Sixth Division, and the Third Regiment, Fourth Brigade, Eighth Division, Ohio Militia, to the commissioned and staff officers, to meet on the public square at Georgetown, August 30, for officer drill. A meeting was also appointed of the citizens favorable to an amendment of the militia law. William K. Burt had opened a tin shop southwest of the court house, in the building previously occupied by Jonathan German as a wagon shop. In the Democratic Standard of Georgetown for October 31, 1839, appeared the following: " Notice is hereby given that a Brigade Court of Inquiry, for the assessment of fines on delinquent commissioned and staff officers of the Second Brigade, Eighth Division, Ohio Militia, will convene at Georgetown on Friday, the 29th day of November next, at 10 o'clock A. M. of said day. By order of the commandant of the brigade. C. F. Campbell, Inspector, Second Brigade, Eighth Division, Ohio Militia" The advertisers at that time in Georgetown were: T. Myers and B. C. Baker, dry goods; Jacob Fowler, cabinet-maker, formerly of Cincinnati; J. M. Blair, cabinet-maker; S. Horn, general dealer--" inks and ink powders for sale;" Martin Marshall and Hanson L. Penn, law firm; D. Johnson & Co., general; J. & C. Kay, hatters; T. M. Kay, chair shop, " a short distance north of the public square;" A. C. Stewart, " Conemaugh salt; " David Crawford, groceries; Dr. George B. Bailey, office east of court house; Dr. S. W. Penn, office in second door of D. J. & A. C. Stewart's store; Hamer & Devore, law firm; Benjamin. Sells, gunsmith; John Ralston wanted wheat on account; S. C. Snider, tailor, " shop on Main street, near the Georgetown Inn; " James Jacobs, wool- carding. In the issue of July 6, 1841, David Ferrier announced that he had commenced the hatting business in Georgetown--shop on west side of Main street, three doors south of David Crawford's grocery store. J. Dorsey, " jeweler, and watch and clock maker," also had an advertisement. May 28, 1842, J. B. Davis, proprietor of the West Union & Cincinnati Mail Stage, had an advertisement in the paper. The stage route . lay from Cincinnati through Madison, Milford, Perin's Mills, Batavia, Bantam, Bethel, Hamersville, Georgetown, Russellville and Decatur, to West Union, in Adams County. The stage office at Georgetown was at William Downey's. On Saturday evening, February 14, 1852, a meeting was held in the Methodist Church at Georgetown, and a society organized called the " Friends of Hungary," for the purpose of raising funds for Louis Kossuth, who was then in the United States, to take back for the relief of his country. The association met again on the 17th, adopted a constitution and chose the following officers: D. G. Devore, President; John McColgin, Vice President; Gideon Dunham, Treasurer; John Martin, Secretary; John J. Higgins, R. A. Bower, W. P. Allen, Directors. At this meeting the sum of $75 was raised. Kossuth had addressed a large audience at Cincinnati a few evenings before. The PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 393 association continued but a short time, and but little aid was rendered in the county, except at Georgetown, where subscriptions were raised amounting to over $100. Col. Robert Higgins. a Revolutionary veteran, and the first settler where Higginsport now is, removed from the latter place to Georgetown a few years before his death, which occurred here in 1825. His oldest son, John J. Higgins, who was born at Higginsport, settled at Georgetown in 1822, and read and practiced law. He was subsequently engaged in mercantile business; served two terms as Sheriff of Brown County (elected first time in 1838); was elected to the Legislature in 1841; became the first Judge of Probate for the county in 1851, and died at Georgetown in 1857. His son, Capt. Robert H. Higgins, became an honored, prominent and respected citizen of the place, and has had a brilliant career. Joseph Stableton lived within the present limits of the corporation, in the northeast part, years before the town was laid out. He moved from Winchester, Va., to Mason County, Ky., when a child, with his father. He was there married to Mary Purdum, formerly of Greene County, Penn., and, in 1809, came to what has since become known as Georgetown. He was a stone mason by trade, but directed his attention largely to farming. He was Justice of the Peace for Pleasant Township for about eighteen years, and his house was the scene of many an early trial. In the agitation concerning the location of the county seat, Mr. Stableton worked strenuously for Georgetown. In 1835-36, he served as State Representative, and, for many years, Infirmary Director. He raised a large family, and died in 1854, in the seventieth year of his age. INCORPORATION AND MAYORS. Georgetown was incorporated by act of the State Legislature February 8, 1832. The following is a nearly complete list of its Mayors to the present time: S. Glaze, 1832; John J. Higgins, 1833-35; Michael N. Ammen, 183536; George K. Snyder, 1836-37; Jesse R. Grant, 1837-39; J. T. Smiley, 1839-40; W. T. Galbreath, 1843-44; John T. Smiley, 1846-48; John Donaldson, 1848-50; Thomas G. Penn, 1850, died in office; unexpired term filled by John G. Marshall, who was also elected in 1851; John Martin, 1852, resigned and succeeded by J. W. King; 1854-55, Chilton A. White; 1855-56, D. A. Pomeroy; 1856-59, John Allen; 1859-60, George Kerans; 1860-61, W. J. Omsler; 1861-62, William Hays; 1862-63, D. V. Pearson; 1863-65, William H. Sly; 1865-67, William N. Pickerill; 1867-68, George W. Reeves; 1868-70, William P. Allen; 1870-72, James Wilson; 1872-78, George Kerans; 1878, J. T. Stephenson, died-Charles Fee appointed .successor; 188082, Charles B. Fee; 1882-81, E. B. Parker. GRANT'S BOYHOOD. Jesse R. Grant, on the 23d of August, 1823, purchased Lot No. 18 in the Georgetown plat, for $50, of Alexander McGaffick. It had first been sold by Allen Woods to Matthew Kelly, who sold it to McGaffick. The deed to Mr. Grant was acknowledged before Thomas L. Hamer, Justice of the Peace. Mr. Grant was at that time a citizen of Brown County, having removed to Georgetown the same year, from Clermont County. October 16,1824, he purchased Lot No. 147, for $40, of Thomas Morris and William Middleton, who had been appointed by the Legislature as Trustees for the sale of lots in the village. On the same date, he purchased Lot No. 119, for $16, of the same parties, and subsequently became a considerable landholder in the vicinity. He sold Lot 18 to Zachariah Riley February 20, 1824. The house he lived in for many years stood on Lot 264, at the northwest 394 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. corner of Main Cross and Water streets. His tannery was across Main Cross street, on Outlot 14, where Single's grist-mill now stands. Ulysses S. was but a year old when his father came to Georgetown, and his boyhood and youth were spent here until he received his appointment to West Point in 1839. He assisted his father at the tannery, but was particularly fond of horses, and was usually employed in teaming. His father was a contractor, and Ulysses hauled the stone for many of the old substantially erected buildings, among them the jail on Pleasant street, and the old market house. A prominent attorney of Georgetown recollects that, at a circus exhibiting east of the square, where Judge Biehn's residence now stands, the trick mule was produced, and the boys invited to ride it. Several young men attempted the feat, but were one after another ingloriously landed on the ground. Finally, Ulysses ventured forth, and, mounting the beast, stayed there, notwithstanding the frisky animal's attempts to unseat him. He often showed his skill in horsemanship by riding a horse at full speed, standing perfectly erect, sometimes on one foot, to the envy and astonishment of his companions. His school days were passed in the little brick schoolhouse on South Water street. He is remembered as a lively, companionable boy, frank, generous and open-hearted, a leader and favorite among the Georgetown boys, who, at that time, were not very numerous, and " hung together " well. He was studious and faithful in the performance of whatever he undertook. He was regarded as an ordinary, practical boy, of good common sense, without any special marks of genius. Jesse R. Grant was a local politician of considerable note, but so blunt and uncompromising in his nature that he provoked hostility on the part of those whose aims were not the same as Grant's. The appointment to the cadetship was secured through Gen. Hamer, then representing this district in Congress. The young cadet, when visiting his old home during vacations, and long afterward, always sought his old acquaintances. His social feelings forbade him slighting any whom he had known in early life, and many an old resident, who had perhaps almost forgotten him, was traced up and greeted with a hearty hand-shake and pleasant word, MORGAN'S RAID. Wednesday, July 15, 1863, was a day which will not soon be forgotten by the citizens of Georgetown. It was the occasion of the visit of Morgan's raiders, 200 or 300 strong, under the command of Col. Dick Morgan, brother of John Morgan, the famous rebel guerrilla chieftain. The detachment arrived over the Georgetown & New Hope road, about half past 9 o'clock in the morning of the day given, and remained three hours, picketing their horses around the court house square. Several loyal citizens of the town were shot at, among them Lieut. William Hannah, who was at home on a furlough from Vicksburg; no one was hit, although some received close calls from the leaden messengers. The raiders stole a number of horses in and around Georgetown, robbed the post office and took goods from various parties to the estimated value of $3,105, as follows: C. Theis, groceries, $500; H. Stigler, groceries and three watches, $200; P. Stigler, groceries, $60; H. Brunner, boots, shoes, watch and breast-pin, $50; H, McKibben, dry goods, $30; C. Newkirk, dry goods, $1,500; Evans & Woodward, dry goods, $3,050; Adam Shane, clothing, $150; C. Zaumseil, jewelry, $200; Rieves & Taylor, drugs, $50; Louis Weaver, saddlery, $60; C. Hurst, grocer, $5. About 12:30 P. M., the rebels left for Russelville, which they also raided, and proceeded thence to Decatur. The main body had passed through the northern portion of the county via Mt. Oreb and Sardinia. THE PRESS. The history of the press of Georgetown has been carefully prepared by Dr. T. W. Gordon, and to him are we indebted for the following, published in PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 395 the Brown County Atlas: The first printing establishment brought to this county was purchased by Louden, Butt & Co., of Morgan, Lodge & Co., in Cincinnati, and a newspaper was published on it in Levanna in June, 1820, called the Benefactor. It continued one year at that place, when a dissolution took place between the owners, and Mr. Louden sold his interest to William Middleton, of Ripley. At that time, a man who was a silent partner is said to have entered the office, and to have taken possession of and carried away a large portion of the material, including the main screw of the press and the platten. These he hid amongst the " dog-fennel " and " Jamestown weeds," then growing abundantly in and about Levanna. No paper was issued from June, 1821, until November of the same year, when the owners tried to collect the materials thus scattered by a writ of replevin, but failed in their efforts. They, however, gathered up what they could find of the material left, and, adding new material to it, the Benefactor again made its appearance, conducted by Butt & Middleton; but, with the partial change of owners, it made a complete change of location, and, leaving the banks of the Ohio, it found a home at Georgetown. Its publication was continued here by Butt & Middleton until May 16, 1822, when Middleton sold his interest to Hon. Thomas Morris, of Bethel. The Benefactor made its appearance under the management of Butt & Morris until January, 1824, when Hon. Thomas L. Hamer became the editor, and James J. Smith the publisher. The publication was continned by these gentlemen until 1825, when it was discontinued. For a time prior to its final suspension, it was called the Benefactor and Georgetown Advocate. The size of the paper was 17x22 inches, four pages of four columns each, filled almost exclusively with foreign and political news and local advertisements. In 1824, it advocated the election of Gen. Jackson to the Presidency. The subscription price was $2 per annum, if paid in advance. In August, 1826, the Castigator, a paper which had been published in Ripley for two years, was removed to Georgetown. Its publisher was David Ammen It at first rather favored the election of John Q. Adams to the Presidency, but, after another paper was started in the county, which came out in July for Mr. Adams, the Castigator ceased to support or even favor his election, and, at a later period, became an active partisan in favor of the election of Gen. Jackson, and, on his retirement, it hoisted the name of Martin Van Buren, and fought manfully for his election. In May, 1836, Mr. Ammen sold the paper to Benjamin Morris, of Clermont County, who, on July 10 following, resold it to Mr. Ammen, losing nearly one half the price of the establishment in the speculation. Mr. Ammen admitted his son, Michael Ammen, into partnership with him, and they published the paper until March 27, 1837, when it was purchased by a purse raised for the purpose. Its politics were changed to Whig, and John Duffy and Thomas H. Lynch continued its publication until June 21, 1837, when its name was changed to the Political Examiner. After the issue of a few numbers, Duffy & Pollock managed the paper, and continued its publication until after the returns of the election in 1838, when it was discontinued. At this time, Preston Sellers owned a share in the press, and he resumed its publication and continued it until August, 1839, when Mr. Lynch sold the material to C. Edwards, of Ripley, and it was removed by him to that village and used in the publication of the Ripley Telegraph. Mr. Sellers then procured new material, and the Examiner was revived by him. He continued at its head, but, in August, 1843, sold out to Isaac N. Walters. who removed the press and fixtures to Clark County. Sellers then purchased, at Xenia, the printing material from which the Free Press had been there published, and, removing it to Georgetown, once more had the Examiner in process of publication. In 396 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. March, 1845, it was removed to Ripley, and there published until August following, when the material was transferred by the Sheriff to Messrs. Shaw, and the Ripley Bee brought into existence. The Western Philanthropist was a short-lived newspaper, that dated its existence from December 1. 1825. It was published by Daniel F. Barney, of Georgetown, and continued for a few weeks only. The first number of the Western AEgis was issued June 13, 1827, by A. & J. Butt. Some time in 1828, the office and material were consumed by fire, but new material was purchased and the paper started again. In December of the same year, however, the owners removed it to Waverly, Pike Co., Ohio. The Democrat and People's Advocate was published at Georgetown by Isaac N. Morris, the first number making its appearance November 12, 1833. Six months later, the proprietor sold the material to C. F. Campbell, who moved it to Ripley, and there published the Ohio Whig. The next Georgetown paper was the Democratic Standard. Its first issue was made July 4, 1837, by Amos Derrough, who continued the publication until January 9, 1838, when he sold the establishment to L. B. Leeds and Francis M. Allen. They published it until October 12 of the same year, when Mr. Allen retired, and left Mr. Leeds in sole charge. He, in January, 1839, re-conveyed it to Mr. Derrough, who published it-for one year, or until January, 1840. The Standard was revived August 1, 1840, by D. F. Palmer, who published it until February, 1845. Will Tomlinson then became proprietor, and published it until 1847. In that year, J. H. Smith and C. W. Blair were issuing the paper, and in 1848 J. H. Smith and T. Q. Blair. The year following, D. W. C. Johnson came into possession, and changedcits name to the Georgetown Standard. In a short time, Mr. Johnson resold it to Will Tomlinson, who published it until 1850, when the Standard and the Democrat and Journal were consolidated. • The Ohio Freeman was established at Georgetown by John Duffy March 8, 1839. It was neutral in politics, and, after the publication of the thirteenth number, it was discontinued. The Western Wreath sprang into existence September 6, 1845, with C. W. Blair, G. B. White and Jr. G. Marshall, editors, and Will Tomlinson, publisher. After ten or twelve numbers were published, the paper was purchased by Tomlinson, who was at that time proprietor of the Standard. The publication of the Western Literary Journal was commenced at Georgetown September 8, 1849, by W. P. Stewart and G. W. Bing, Jr., with D. W. C. Johnson as editor. After five or six numbers were issued, P. McGroarty became editor, and William Stewart, entire owner. After the publication of twenty-one numbers, MT. Stewart became editor and proprietor, and continued its publication. In March, 1850, he change its name to the Democrat and Journal. Soon after, D. W. Johnson purchased this paper, and, forming a partnership with Will Tomlinson, of the Standard, the two papers were consolidated, and the Democratic Union thereby formed. Its first issue was dated January 1. 1851. This firm published the paper one year, when Tomlinson sold his interest to W. P. Stewart, and the paper was continued in the name of Johnson & Stewart until May, 1852, when Stewart became the owner, and continued its publication until the close of the volume, when D. W. C. Loudon and Abraham Sallee became the owners of the Union office. The first number of the paper issued by them was in January, 1853; they continued until September of the same year, when Sallee retired, and Loudon continued to publish the paper until May, 1854. One-half of the establishment was then purchased by S. H. Cook. In October following, Loudon sold his interest to W. H. Sallyards, who also rented Cook's share. The Union soon ceased to ex- PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 399 ist. It was succeeded by the Independent American, the first number of which was issued from the Union material. November 9, 1854. After the first number, Dr. Thomas W. Gordon became editor, and continued in this capacity until the nineteenth number, when he retired, and William Sallyards took charge of it, and conducted it until June 28, 1855, when J. H. Brown purchased Mr. Cook's share in the office and became editor. Mr. Sallyards sold his interest to Brown in November, 1855. The paper was continued under the name of True Jeffersonian, and was conducted by J. H. Brown and W. W. Young. W. P. Stewart sought to revive the Union, but, after the issue of a single number, sold his prospects to John Reed and A. P. Harrison. Reed & Harrison published the first number of the Brown County Democrat at Georgetown, May 3, 1855, with C. A. White and G. W. Hamer, editors. August 16, White retired, and, November 22, Reed disposed of his interest to Harrison and withdrew. August 26, 1858, the Democratic Standard was revived by Sallyards & Taylor, edited by J. P. Fyffe and T. T. Taylor. It made its appearance March 31, 1859, under the name of T. T. Taylor. In May following, Taylor disposed of his interest to A. R. Vancleaf, and it was then published by Sallyards & Vancleaf until September 8, 1859, when Vancleaf retired. I week later, Taylor sold the paper to John G. Doren, who also purchased the Brown County Democrat, and consolidated them under the name of the Southern Ohio Argus. April 6, 1864, Doren sold the Argus to L. B. Leeds, who, in the fall of the same year, changed the name to the Brown County News. In 1868, he associated with him in its publication his son, Thomas J. Leeds, who retired in May, 1874, and since then L. B. Leeds has published the paper. Its politics are Democratic. The publication of the Union, a Republican organ, was begun late in the year 1860, and continued for several years. W. H. H. Sallyards and William A. Evans were the publishers, and the former, editor. The Georgetown Sentinel was started as an independent Democratic organ during the summer of 1874, by T. J. Leeds, publisher. Col. John G. Marshall was editor from its first issue until his death, when, for a time, the editorial department was -managed by the publisher, and under him the paper supported R. B. Hayes for the Presidency. In April, 1877, Charles N. McGroarty purchased the Sentinel, and has since been its editor and proprietor. Since it has come into his possession, it has been unwaveringly Democratic. The Georgetown Gazette issued its first number September 11, 1880. W. H. P. Denny was its founder, and is still its editor and publisher. It is the only Republican paper at Georgetown. SCHOOLS. Of the early schools of Georgetown, a great deal cannot be said; but, soon after the village was started, the usual subscription school was organized, and those parents who could afford it sent their children to obtain the meager rudiments of knowledge attainable. It is related that one of the earliest village pedagogues, who was of an experimental turn of mind, constructed a flue under the floor of his school cabin for heating purposes. The value of the invention could scarcely be said to be thoroughly tested, for it burned the schoolhouse very shortly after it was set in operation. This school building stood near where the Union Schools now are. John D. White, the father of Chilton A. White, was for many years the village schoolmaster. He came to Georgetown about 1825, from Mason County, Ky. His first schools he held in a little log cabin on his own lot, and, after the little brick schoolhouse was