422 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
MORGAN.
THIS is a township lying in the south-west corner of the county. It is bounded on the north by Reily, on the east by Ross, on the south by Hamilton County, on a west by Indiana. Originally it formed a part of Ross Township, and was created on the 4th of March, 1811.
When the first settlements were made along the Dry Fork, Howard's Creek, and Paddy's Run bottoms, ague and fever prevailed to a fearful extent. The surface in Morgan Township is partly undulating, but a great deal is rough. Along the route of Dry Fork and Paddy's Run the bottoms extend on either side from one quarter to one mile in width. The former of these streams is noted for the fertile land which borders it—the bottoms being admirably adapted to the growing of corn and barley. When the timber was first cleared off, and within a year or two after the soil was thoroughly worked over, immense crops were raised. In the south-western corner of the township the soil is unproductive, compared with the Dich Dry Fork and Paddy's Run bottoms. The country around Scipio is favorable to agricultural pursuits. This section forms the basin from which Dry Fork takes its source. All the territory in the northeast corner of the township is elevated. The valley of Paddy's Run is a famous body of land for farmers. New London is situated in the midst of a fertile and very prosperous farming section.
Dry Fork, of Whitewater, is the longest as well as the largest creek in Morgan Township. It takes its rise in the region of Scipio, Okeana, and St. Charles, and has for its tributaries on the east Buck Run and Kiatta Creek. The main fork rises in Indiana. Dry Fork takes its name from the fact that near its mouth there is less water than ten miles above. During a dry season there are no signs of water in Hamilton County, while in the county of Butler, above Okeana, there is a sufficient supply for all necessary purposes. Howard's Creek cuts the south-west corner of the township, and empties into Dry Fork about one mile and a half south of the county line. It took its name from a family who lived on its banks many years ago. Paddy's Run took its name because an Irishman was drowned in it. The stream is about half the size of Dry Fork, and empties into the Big Miami, a mile and a half below New Baltimore, in Hamilton County. There are numerous other streams, all of which, however, form the affluents of either Howard's Creek, Dry Fork, or Paddy's Run.
The original timber was made up of sycamore, walnut, blue and white ash, sugar tree, and poplar, along the streams; on the uplands, beech, hickiiry, some scattering walnut, ash to a considerable extent, large quanti ties of red and white oak, but principally of the latter, gum, hackberry, and a good supply of dogwood. There was also a dense growth of spice bushes, and about the beginning of the present century a luxuriant crop of pea-vines. These vines covered the face of the country along the rich bottoms, and for a number of years after the first settlements furnished all the food necessary for the cattle and sheep. A few years, however, of constant pasturage destroyed their vitality.
When the township received its first quota of settlers there were no roads of any kind to lead to distant settlements. Blaze roads soon came to be regarded as very necessary. These were often supplemented by bridle- paths, which led through the underbrush.
" After the county road was laid out and opened from Cincinnati to the Miami," says Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, to whom we are indebted for many of the following facts, "a new era of transportation dawned upon the country. For many years the settlers took the produce of their fields, poultry-yards, and dairies to Cincinnati on pack-horses. At an early day Paddy's Run butter commanded a quick sale and a premium in Lower Market, then the business center of the Queen City. Hospitality and sociability were cardinal virtues among the pioneers. Their raisings, log-rollings, corn-huskings and harvestings, their chopping frolics, quiltings, and wool-pickings are the memorials of their readiness to help each other."
One of the first r as township was called the State road ; it led from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, to Oxford, Ohio. It struck or entered the township where the Shaker road now does. This road was also called the " post road," from the fact that it was over this route that the early mails were carried. The same road is now in use, but is not considered as of much importance. Another early road, and a very prominent one too, followed down the creek from Scipio, and on to Venice in Ross Township. The Howard's Creek road was not so prominent. It followed the stream and united with the Lawrenceburg and Oxford road near the north family of Shakers. There was a road also which struck off at St. Charles and passed by the way of Layhigh to the Miami at Dick's ford. This was called the trace road. The old Scipio road is now the Colerain and Brookville turnpike, but of course the original trace is not always followed. From Scipio it formerly took down the creek and struck Okeana about where that village now stands. Here it crossed Dry Fork and took the direction of Venice. Most of the roads formed a junction at Dick's or Shaw's ford on the Big Miami, about one-half mile above where the bridge now stands, but which at that
MORGAN - 423
time was an unthought of affair. For some of the farmers to reach market who lived in the south-we§t corner of the township, a crossing was made at New Baltimore in Crosby Township, of the adjacent county.
It would be difficult at this late day to tell which of these highways was the most prominent, but during the Fall and Winter seasons the trace road was unmistakably used much more by hog-drivers than any other thorough-fare in the township. There is now a free turnpike leading from Harrison, in Hamilton County, to the Scipio and Millville pike, which for most of the way follows the section line one mile west of the Indiana line. This road caused much litigation, and was the cause of sending a forger to the penitentiary for ten years. There is another well used from New London to Millville. A good pike—a toll road—runs from Scipio to Millville. Many of the roads are very good.
For forty years or more there has been an omnibus run daily between New Loudon and Cincinnati. The Western Stage Company carried on staging thirty-five years ago. John R. Bevis was an early proprietor ; from him it passed into the hands of his brother, Jesse C., who quite recently sold out to Charles Shields, who, in turn, sold to Clements Butterfield. In former days, before the time of pikes, an old-fashioned leather-spring stage was run between Cincinnati and Connersville. The trip was made in three days. Frederic George was among the first and most permanent drivers.
The first land entered in Morgan Township was by Edward Bebb. It was a half-section in Section 27. The first blacksmith, as well as the first miller, in the neighborhood of Paddy's Run was James Nicholas. In 1831 he moved to Allen County, Ohio, and was one of the first settlers in that large and prosperous community of Welsh people. John Vaughn built the first barn and brick house in the settlement in 1816 ; they are yet standing. During 1803 there settled on Dry Fork and
Paddy's Run the families of Jacob Phillis, John and Samuel Harden, Bryson Blackburn, George Drybread, John Howard, and Thomas Milholland. Blackburn was a blacksmith. His customers found their own iron and steel, which he hammered into axes, hoes, butcher-knives, and so on, with a brawny arm and a skillful hand. "A clock-case, now owned by Mrs. Mary Vaughn, made for her father, Edward Bebb, by Stephen Hayden, in 1804, shows the ingenuity and taste of this pioneer cabinet-maker. It is made of cherry slabs, dressed as best he could, overcoming the want of a saw-mill with a whip-saw. For over seventy years it has been been the cozy home of a brass clock which Mrs. Bebb brought from Wales seventy-nine years ago. This venerable clock was
a great curiosity to the Indians, who frequently visited Mr. Bebb's cabin. Captain William D. Jones brought the first stock of goods into the township on a pack-horse, and opened a place of business near where the turnpike crosses Paddy's Run. His business was conducted chiefly on the bartering basis, as specie was very scarce. The first physicians were Doctors Sloan, of Fairfield ; Millikin, of Hamilton ; and Crookshank, of Harrison. They practiced as early as 1806, and were eminent in their profession and useful in the community. In 1808 Maxwell Parkinson officiated as justice of the peace, probably appointed by the Governor."
SCIPIO.
The village of Scipio was laid out by Joseph Alyea about fifty-five years ago. The original plat is entirely in the State of Indiana. When James Bartlow first came to this section there were remnants of Indian wigwams in the little bottom where the Odd Fellows' Hall now stands.
William D. Jones was time first storekeeper in the village. His place of business was in a little log-house on the Morgan Township 'side. After him came Joseph Alyea, the founder of the town, in a log-house one and a half stories high, opposite the store where Frederic Oliver now keeps. This house was about eighteen by twenty feet, and is now gone. George Hubbell was another storekeeper in a house, part of which was frame, opposite Alyea's. William White came soon after Hubbell, who, also, was his sou-in-law. Clark & Pearson, Thompson & Hodson, were firms prominently engaged here in commercial pursuits. Then came Aaron McGhaney, Samuel and James Fye, Cornelius Bartlow, Charles Fossett, Miller & Jaquish, Smith & De Armond, William R. Mercer, Fossett & Snyder, Sortman & Hodson, and others. There is now but one store in the village, which has already been mentioned.
The original taverns of this part of the township were rude affairs. Scipio was always a great stopping point for travelers, many of whom came from near Connersville, and the interior counties. William D. Jones, a Welshman, kept the first tavern in the village in a two- story log-house, exactly where the public scales are now. His sign was a cross and compass. Reuben Conaway, in 1836, had a very large public-house which stood on the hill where Mr. John Beard now lives. The house was a two-story log building ; he also sold whisky, cigars, and tobacco ; and it is worthy of remark that his accounts were kept behind the counter in full view of his customers, by the use of chalk and a blackboard. Paul Clover had a "regular tavern" in a frame house on the Indiana side, about 1842. James Johnson came next in the same house ; and then Griffin Abraham, who was the last. All these men did a good business. James Beard had a small place of entertainment in 1836, and for three years thereafter, near the scales.
Michael McCarty was the first blacksmith in this region. His- shop was on the Indiana side, near the foot of the hill. He was here again some ten or twelve years after he first left. Joshua Nye had the second shop, opposite Jeremiah Conn's present residence. Then came
424 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
James Thompson, in a stone shop opposite Oliver's store. The present shop was built by Elias Gaston, and is now occupied by I. P. Linning.
A carding-mill was owned by William D. Jones, which stood on the Ohio side, and which was run by horsepower. As early as 1830 George Hubbell had a grist-mill on Dry Fork, a quarter of a mile below town. He soon added a flaxseed oil-mill, which was run for 'five or six years. The oil-mill was a frame, while the grist-mill, of course, was a log building. The oldest mill in this part of the township was built in 1810 by Jeremiah French, three-quarters of a mile below Scipio. It had an overshot wheel eighteen feet in diameter, and stood on the east side of the creek. At first the mill stood on posts, which in time rotted ; and in order to build a saw-mill, stone were used for a foundation. John Hydee succeeded French, who also was followed by Jesse Smith and Hollibut, both of whom were Yankees. Smith was a mill-wright by trade. The old French mill ceased running more than forty years ago. Below French's mill a few rods, Levi Sparks built a stone still- house. He had his corn ground at the mill above. Mr. Thomas Shroyer kindly furnishes the following :
“On Howard's Creek, near the Hamilton County line, there was a distillery run by Joseph Boggett, and about twenty rods north was another by James Charlton, Sen. One mile further up the creek was one by John Hommer, Sen. About one mile north of this one, near where the Macedonia Church now stands, John Misner had a still-house. From there we go to the headwaters of Dry Fork, near the State line, just south of Scipio ; here was one by Smith & Hollibut, and a little further down, one carried on by Reuben George, Sen. Near where the new bridge on the Biddinger Turnpike crosses the creek was another by James Jenkins, and near the residence of Jacob Keen was one more by 1 euti n George, Jr. Just west, one mile of this one, . on the old Hanly farm, was another, owned by John Phillips. Below Okeana were two more, belonging to Charles Shields and Alexander De Armond. Two miles further down was another, owned by Jacob Brandenburg. Mr. Brandenburg was scalded to death at his distillery more than forty-five years ago. The old site is now on the farm owned by Jonathan Hall. One-half mile below was another, on the property of Hugh Smith. John Iseminger was the originator of this. The whisky was made in large copper stills, six bushels per day being the capacity of each house. Twelve gallons of the real old-fashioned whisky was a good day's work. The price was twelve and eighteen cents per gallon. Besides the above list of still-houses, there was a still on the Van- trees farm, where a superior article of peach brandy was made. Neighbors took their peaches here for miles around, and had them made up on the shares. This brand is reported to have been of a superior quality."
It is well to state that peaches grew here spontaneously early in the present century. There were large quantities of apples raised also, which were turned into apple brandy. Wild plums, wild gooseberries, wild currants, haws, and wild crab-apples were scattered over the country in great abundance.
Jabez Hamilton, William Ludlow, and Harvey Hann were early distillers in the immediate vicinity of Scipio. The old Reuben George distillery, opposite where James Gwaltney now lives, closed with James Davis. Below the Jenkins still-house was a fulling-mill by Mr. Thomas, who made many a wedding garment for the young men of this township in early times. This mill was converted into a dwelling-house.
Scipio had for its first school-house a log building. The school was taught by John Cavender, who was an excellent penman, in 1822. This house was in the upper side of they town. Rev. Moses Hornaday, one of the early Baptist preachers in the Miami and White- water Valleys, was a school-teacher here after Cavender. James Osborn, an Irishman, was also one of the first teachers. Some of his scholars were Joseph P. Jones, Anna Jones, Newton Butler, and John Beard. The old school-house was used for about fifteen years, then being converted into a wagon-maker's shop. The Davis district, as it is commonly called, was among the first to have a system of popular education.
Scipio can hardly boast of a resident physician during her eventful history. Dr. James was for many years a physician living on the Indiana side. He was an excellent man. Dr. Thomas, a resident of New London, was one of the first practitioners in this vicinity. Dr. Berry, who now resides near Brookville, is one of the oldest men in his section. He practiced medicine here many years ago.
Dr. Goff, an Englishman, was at one time a resident of the village. Dr. Cleaver, of Drewersburg, was a citizen of the village at one time ; also Drs. James, Chitwood, Van McHenry, and Boyd. Dr. Carnahan was here in 1838. There are no resident physicians at present. Adjacent towns supply this need.
The Scipio Odd Fellows' Lodge was chartered in September, 1875, with the following members : F. Oliver, A. B. Hodson, Paul Applegate, Marion Smith, Marion Davis, John Wynn, W. R. Jenkins, W. R. Hodson, and John Mecum. This lodge is an outgrowth of neighboring lodges. About $500 of the money which built the hall was given by similar institutions. A. B. Hodson advanced the funds and acted as contractor, the members paying him for the use of the hall, which is over one of the old stores. There are now about forty members ; officers are as follows : Paul Applegate, N. G. ; F. Oliver, V, G. ; A. B. Hodson, Treas., W. R. Jenkins, Sec.
William Jones was the first postmaster in Scipio, or more properly Philanthropy. Scipio is wholly on the Indiana side, while Philanthropy is on the Ohio side.
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Jones had the post-office in his old tavern. About-1840 it was removed to the store kept by Reuben George and John A. Applegate. The next move was across the street, in Thomas Watson's tailor-shop. From there it went to Boyd's store, and in turn to the store under the Odd Fellows' hall, about 1850. Since the last move there have been various changes, most of the time remaining on the Indiana side. Thereris no other post- office in the United States by the name of Philanthropy. A list of the postmasters is found under the head of Reify: The town lies on the dividing line.
The Scipio church was built in 1860, by four different denominations, the Methodist Episcopals, Presbyterians, Baptists, and United Brethren. Of these churches the Methodist is the oldest. Their first place of worship was in Indiana, principally in the houses of the early settlers. The Rev. Mr. Bigelow was among the first of their preachers. Some of the members were Edward Blacker, Isaac Woods, James Bartlow, Matthew Sparks, James McKaw, and Benjamin Woods. The Baptist church is second in age. For their first preachers they had Moses Hornaday, who lived near Hairison, in Hamilton county; Wm. Tyner,'Mr. Gard, and Joseph Flint. Among the members were Lot Abraham, James Beard, and John Smith, Sen. Their first place of worship was in Reily Township, at the old Indian Creek Baptist church. The Presbyterians and United Brethren have little in the shape of history. Their original members have removed to other localities or died.
The following are inscriptions from the Scipio cemetery, which lies near the church, embracing about three acres of land:
John Fye, born February 3, 1781 ; died November 10, 1825. Catharine, his wife, died November 18, 18 J, aged 88. These two persons are among the pioneer this locality. Dr. A. B. James, died May 23, 1871 ; ged 68. Dr. James was for many years a prominent ph, cian in this neighborhood. James L. Davis, died August A. 1856 ; aged 59. Sarah Jane Davis, died March 24, 1869 ; aged 71. Patrick Blacker, died April 26, 1879; aged 77. Margaret Blacker, died April 27, 1875 ; aged 72. Robert Blacker, died March 1, 1810 ; aged 63. Nancy Blacker, died March 18, 1850 ; aged 88. These two persons were from Ireland, and were the original founders of the Blacker family in this section.
The original road from Hamilton to Brookville passed through Scipio. James Beard was the first supervisor on this highway. He " blazed" the road from Auburn to Scipio. Mr. Beard is now dead. He lies in the Bevis Cemetery, in Colerain Township. His widow is now the wife of Samuel P. Withrow, of Seven-Mile, both in the full enjoyment of ripe old age.
OKEANA.
Before this village was regularly laid out it went by the name of the Tariff Post-office. Sonic of the early settlers, disliking the name, had it changed, by petition, to Okeana. Okeana was the name of the daughter of the Indian chief, Kiatta. The Rev. Benjamin Lloyd, a native of Wales, and a son of Rev. Rees Lloyd, platted the village on land which he owned at that time, and gave the place its name. The town, as it now is, stands mostly in School Section No. 16, which was bought by Charles Shields, but who in turn sold a portion of the section to Mr. Lloyd.
Among the first residents of the village were the sons of Benjamin Lloyd, Samuel, William, and Alexander, the latter of whom was a storekeeper on the corner where J. E. Boze now resides. Charles Shields was a storekeeper here in 1845, in the house now occupied by James Applegate. Jenkins & Evans were here at commercial men in the Boze residence before Lloyd. William Wright was another business man in Okeana, in a one-story house which stood in the forks of the road. The building was removed, and afterwards was occupied for a dwelling, but is now deserted. Henry Brandenburg, one of the noted storekeepers of the place, bought the store goods and real estate of Samuel Lloyd, and in 1873 or 1874, erected the present fine building where the Phellis Brothers keep. William Mercer was a storekeeper here at one time ; he was followed by Samuel Gwaltney. Thomas and Charles Jones were here also for some time, in the old Shields property. William De Armond had a little store in the yard of the Shields estate. Then came Jeremiah Day in the same house. In 1850, or thereabouts, Alexander De Armond and Joseph Smith were here engaged in selling dry goods and groceries. The present storekeepers are J. W. Phellis and Perry Clawson.
One of the first places of entertainment in sight of the village was kept by William Jenkins, in a log-house where Charles Shields now lives. The tavern stand was made up of log barns and stables with clapboard roofs. Jenkins also had a still-house. Mr. Joseph Clawson, of the village, says there was a time when sixteen still houses were in active operation in Morgan Township. Four of them were on Dry Fork between Okeana and Scipio. Most of them had disappeared before 1845. One of the most remarkable of these mills was built by David Griffith, on Dry Fork; it was used principally for sawing, and was what is known as a tub-mill--at that day a very uncommon affair.
The blacksmiths in Okeana have been James Bowman, who was here in 1845 ; William Pierce, Mr. Roland, Alex. Frost, Mr. Stoughton, Thomas Hughes, a Welshman and a fine mechanic; John Looker, Mr. Doty, who now resides near Venice ; Stephen Mullen, who is here at present ; and Louis Wilhelm, but now in other parts. There were helpers frequently, who came to remain but a few months during the Summer season.
Dr. Benjamin Morris was, perhaps, the first resident physician within the boundaries of the village. Dr. Morris was here about 1847. He died in this township six or eight years ago, and is buried at New London. Eli
426 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Parkhurst was another physician. He myved to Cumminsville, Hamilton County, Ohio, four or five years since, and died in 1881. Dr. H. L. Armstrong was here later. He married Miss Ella Fitzpatrick, of New Baltimore, in 1880, and is now living in Indiana. Dr. Martin, from Kentucky, was also a resident physician, and a good man ; he is now in the West. Dr. Newton, formerly of Mt. Carmel, Indiana, is the present physician.
Many of the first township elections werg held at Wm. Jenkins's tavern. In time the voting-place was changed, and the ballots cast at the residence of James De Armond. Several years before the late war the township house was built by a special tax. Since its erection it has been used by the shows which travel over the country ; for village singing-schools and concerts ; and, during the Winter of 1881 and 1882, for a school-house for the small children of the district.
The earliest record of Methodism in this field was found in the possession of A. Jackson Youmans, a member of the Venice Church. The record was begun and kept for many years by Peter Youmans, who was a prominent lay member of the Church when Methodism was being planted in the Whitewater and Miami Valleys. The Youmans record dates back to 1817, when the territory now included was embraced in the Whitewater circuit. The Ohio Conference then contained all of Ohio, portions of Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, and Indiana. All the country at that time lying north of the Ohio River, and between the Great Miami and Whitewater Rivers, was embraced in one circuit.
In 1817 Moses Crume was appointed presiding elder, and Benjamin Lawrence preacher in charge. In 1818 that part of the circuit which was between the Ohio River on the south, and the Miami River on the east, and the State line on the west was detached and embraced in the Miami circuit.
The probabilities are that the Okeana Church was organized at the residence of old Peter Youmans, who resided at that time on Paddy's Run, above New London, near the Brookville road. One authority says, preaching was held at ' Mr. Carrnack's before Youmans's was made a regular place of worship. The Church, at that time, 1817, went by the name of the Ephraim Carmack Society. In 1829 the place of worship was changed to the house of Peter Youmans, one mile north-west of New London. In 1849 the place of worship was removed to Hickory Chapel. In 1851 a subscription was taken to build a church in Okeana. The house was built and dedicated in 1853. M. Kauffman was the pastor in charge. On the day of dedication, the Rev. Thomas A. Goodwin, of Brookville, Indiana, delivered the discourse. The Hickory Chapel Society was then removed to Okeana, and since has been known as the Okeana Society. In 1857 a powerful revival was conducted under the Rev. M. Bitler and the Rev. D. Griffis. A great many were \admitted into the Church. This Church, says the record, has always been unfortunate in its situation, surrounded often by a critical public, and sometimes molested from within.
Among its early members were Ephraim Carmack and wife, Peter Youmans, wife, and several of his family ; Joseph Blair, who for many years was class-leader ; Henry Miller, wife, and family; Mrs. Brightwell, who married John Vaughn, both of whom are now dead, and others. The present condition of this Church is prosperous, with some forty members. The Rev. E. A. Easton is in charge. Preaching once every two weeks.
About the year 1840 Gershom Rude, who was preaching at the Christian Church at Harrison, as well as working at the blacksmith trade, made occasional visits to the neighborhood of Macedonia, and preached to the people of that section in the old school-house district No. 4. In 1850 a new house was built, John Harper giving the ground and fifty dollars in cash, the members and friends assisting in various other ways. John McLain 'walked two miles every night, after doing a day's work, and split the lath. Among the pastors who have had charge of the Church are the following, in their order : Elders Rude, Balaridge, Campbell, Patterson (the latter for twenty years), James and Jonathan Henry. Elder Knowles Shaw, the distinguished singing evangelist, visited the place several times. Elizabeth Phillips and her sister, Catherine McLain, were the first persons baptized at the place. Among the old veterans of the Church, only Mr. and MA. Allen McLain are left. Both are in their seventy-ninth, year, and have been married fifty-tye years. Macedonia, in its greatest prosperity, numbed over two hundred, members. Elder J. M. Land, of Harrison, is the pre 'ent minister in charge. A Sunday-school is kept up most the time, sustained regardless of denominations. Near the church is one of the old school-houses of the township. The Biddinger free turnpike crosses here also. Following are inscriptions from the cemetery :
Elizabeth, wife of Hugh Smith, died October 5,. 1858 ; aged 70. John Phillips, died October 31, 1859; aged 51. Elizabeth, wife of John Phillips, born August 27, 1806; died August 22, 1873. Rhoda Goble, born January 13,.1789; died December 20, 1873. In memory of Jane Laugh, who died September 15, 1865; aged 81. Samuel Laugh, born July 23, 1785 ; died February 20, 1853. John Harper, died July 26, 1858; aged 71. Hannah, wife of John Harper, was born August 10, 1796; died August 22, 1846. Permelia, wife of John Harper, died December 7, 1862; aged 62. William McLain, Jr., born November 15, 1801; died February 16, 1869. Absalom McKean, died June 17, 1874; aged 61.
There are many unmarked graves here, perhaps as many as seventy-five. The gable-end of the church, which is a frame, bears this : "And the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."
While the Methodist preachers were actively at work in this township in 1818, a meeting-house was built exactly in the south-east corner of Section 32, known as the
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Mt. Tabor Church. Previous to 1818 services were held in a school-house where the Marsh district now is. The land on which the church stood was given by Mr. Barnes, who, with Joseph Boggett and his wife, old Mr. McKee and wife, Jonathan Vantrees and wife, Elizabeth Cogle, Isaac Frost, and others, were among the early members. A grave-yard was connected with the church, containing about one-fourth of an acre. Some of the persons buried here are Andrew Elliott, James and Robert McKane, Jonathan Vantrees and wife, and a number of others, who were founders of the Church.
The Lutheran Fairview Church stands in the southwest corner of Section 32. Solomon Biddinger gave the land—one acre—for church and burying purposes. Like the Mt. Tabor Church, the first services were held at the Marsh school-house. As members this Church had Frederic and Solomon Biddinger, with their wives ; Martin Shupp, wife, and daughter ; Enoch McHenry, and others. This Church was organized in 1832, and the house, a frame, was built in 1844. John Shroyer, who for nearly fifty years made his own coffins and acted as undertaker for the citizens of this and adjoining counties, perhaps burying as many as one thousand persons, was the contractor and builder. The subscription list amounted to $500. The Rev. B. W. Chidlaw delivered the dedication sermon, assisted in part by the Rev. John Surface and neighboring pastors. There are now no regular services held here ; sometimes the United Brethren and Methodist ministers use the house. Mr. Solomon Biddinger still keeps the church in repairs, and says be intends to do so until his death.
One of the oldest churches in the township stood on the county line in the middle of Section 34. In 1817 it was an old church, and was fast going into decay. It was built of round logs. Connected with it was a burying-ground. Among those buried here are Nancy Ward, Polly, wife of Jeremiah Dunn, one of the pioneers of this county ; Nancy Story, Polly McKance, sister of Jeremiah Dunn, and two children of Elizabeth Whitehead. These latter burials were made in 1827. At that time there were some fifty interments ; the last were made in 1827. It is said that the renowned Indian fighter, Adam Poe, who fought with Big Foot, lies here. If true, this grave-yard is what is claimed for it, the oldest in the south side of the county. There is nothing left to mark the church site or the burying-ground. The highway from New Haven to Okeana passes over a portion of the old yard. The remainder is under a state of cultivation.
CEMETERIES.
" The oldest in the township," says Mr. Chidlaw, " was located on the west side of Camp Run, near its mouth ; all traces of this first burial place are obliterated. John Halstead and Ephraim Carmack opened grave-yards on their farms, which the neighborhood used for many years. In 1821 John Vaughn and Morgan Gwilym donated the lot for meeting-house and grave-yard, and until 1867, when the new cemetery was opened, this was the place where the dead found a sepulcher, and where nearly all the old settlers have been buried." Below are inscriptions from the old New London burying-ground:
Dr. William Thomas, a native of Wales, died October 29, 1831 ; aged 36—leaving a wife and infant daughter. William Gwilym, a native of South Wales, died November 8, 1848; aged 82. Ann, wife of William Gwilym, a native of North Wales, died November 17, 1838, in the 74th year of her age. The grave of I-Iannah Gwilym, the wife of the Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, A. M., born August 14, 1816; died June 16, 1841. Two large white marble tombstones, without dates of any kind, bear the following simple but significant notices: " Edward and Margaret Bebb ;" the other, "Evan R. Bebb." In memory of Humphrey Evans, of North Wales, G. B., who departed this life September 1, 1821, in the 45th year of his age. Susan, relict of Humphrey Evans, died July 5, 1849; aged 65. Elizabeth Humphreys, of North Wales; born March 12, 1783; died August 26, 1821: John Vaughn, died September 4, 1848, in the 84th year of his age. Ruth Crosby, wife of John Vaughn, died August 5, 1825; aged 60. Hezekiah Shaw, born July 1, 1783; died July 22, 1860. Abel Appleton departed this life July 19, 1834; aged 62. Elizabeth Appleton, died June 13, 1862 ; aged 89. A large sandstone slab reads: " Here lies the remains of Evan Jones, a native of North Wales, G. B., who died November 28, 1840; aged 30." Arthur Mullen, died April 20, 1851 ; aged 73. To the memory of Jane. Mullen, who departed this life July 18, A. DI 1855 ; aged 78. William Bebb, died October, 1852, in thed year of his age. Ann, wife of William Bebb, died' Mara 30, 1849 ; aged 69.
This yard is now but seldom used. Among others buried`here are the Wilkinses, Browns, Evanse and others. William Evans died July, 1821. He waste native of North ales. Maurice Jones and wife died in 1834.
The present fine New London Cemetery was bought in 1867 of Richard Manuel, at a cost of $128.25 per acre, containing very nearly ten acres. It is nicely fenced, and has a very strong stone vault, which was erected two or three years ago by some gentlemen from Venice, costing about one thousand dollars.
Among the inscriptions are: Peter Youmans, who died March 5, 1837; aged 60. The part Mr. Youmans played in this vicinity will be found in the Church history of Okeana. Sarah Youmans, died March 23, 1873 ; aged 94. Derran Youmans, died July 5, 1835 ; aged 20. Andrew Youmans, ,died March 15, 1873 ; aged 53. Robert Patterson, born March 8, 1792 ; died May 14, 1876. Jane, wife of James D. Salisbury, died August 8, 1873 ; aged 75. John Henderson Scott, died July 13, 1872 ; aged 52. Henry Otto, died December 31, 1878 ; aged 68. Joseph Foster, born March 1, 1841; died June 10, 1871. Charles Ent, died June 20, 1847; aged 80. Mary, wife of Major Charles Ent, died April 15, 1859; aged 90. The Rev. A. F. Jones, died August 12, 1864; aged 31. John B. Davies, died April 2, 1877; in the 53d year of his age. G. W. Shaw, M. D., died August 25, 1863; aged 46. Sarah, wife of John Evans, died April 8, 1870 ; aged 64. John Davies, died August 17, 1866 ; aged 59. Also, Jane, his wife, who died August 18, 1866 ; aged 58; both natives of South Wales. Hannah, wife of Samuel Robinson, died October 12, 1869; aged 76.
428 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
This cemetery is one of the finest in the county, outside of Hamilton, Oxford, and Middletown.
On the hill, north-west of Okeana one mile, is the old George burying-ground, on the south side of the original Scipio road, on Section 17. This yard was originated as a private ground. Quite recently an addition of three acres has been made to it. The inscriptions will tell the rest.
Christopher Armstrong, died August 5, 1835; aged 38. John McLain, Sen., born in 1768; died Julie 18, 1842. In memory of Rachel Davis, who died February 13, 1839; aged 39. In memory of Meshach Davis, born September 4, 1764; died October 11, 1845. In memory of Elizabeth, consort of Madison Congle, who departed this life August 20, 1839 ; aged 23. Joshua George, died February 25, 1836; aged 35. A cedar tree ten inches in diameter has grown over this grave. In memory of Isabelle, wife of Evan Jenkins, who died November 14, 1832; aged 37. Jemima, wife of Thomas Jolliffe, born November 17, 1790; departed this life. March 31, 1847. Archey Handley, departed this life August 11842 ; aged 53. In memory of Rebecca, wife of Archey Handley, who departed this life November 14, 1839; aged 50. Catherine, wife of Joshua George, died October 29, 1862; aged 61. Samuel Patterson, died December 5, 1853; aged 84. John Brown, died August 6, 1865 ; aged 50.
The Hickory Chapel Church, which enters so largely into the religious history of the township, was a place of worship in 1820. The Rev. Rees Lloyd,, who was pastor of the Congregational Church, now of New London, wanting the house built on a particular site, bought the land, erected a peeled hickory log-house, and began his work. It was from these significant logs that the Church took its name. The inscriptions in the grave-yard are :
To the memory of the Rev. Rees Lloyd, who departed this life May 21, 1838, in the 80th year of his age. Sacred to the memory of Rachel, wife of Rees Lloyd, who departed this life April 25, 1847, in the 91st year of her age. Fanny Griffis, daughter of Rees and Rachel Lloyd, departed this life July 8, 1837, in the 54th year of her age. Sacred to the memory of David, son of Rees and Rachel Lloyd, who departed this life November 1, 1849, in the 61st year of his age. In memory of George Drybread, who died November 5, A. D. 1832, aged 79. Susanna, wife of George Drybread, departed this life October 7, 1839; aged 79. In memory of Robert Mahaffey, who departed this life August 26, 1833 ; aged 67. Nancy; wife of Robert Mahaffey, died March 21, 1852; aged 77. Jane, wife of James Mahaffey, born January 1, 1800, died September 1, 1855.
There are as many as twenty-five graves here unmarked. Briers, locust trees, and bushes have overgrown the yard.
Among the other. burial places in the township is the Marsh on the California free turnpike ; about fifty interments were made here, mostly relations. On the farm of Warner Wynn is a private burying-ground, which has buried in it Nellie Watkins, a woman who figured as witch in this region in early times. This witch was but three and a half feet in height. Martin Simmons, an old settler, lies here also. In the same yard is Ches ter Agnew, a little boy. All these interments were made over sixty years ago. The Davis grave-yard, mid- way between Okeana and Scipio, has been thrown into the field by taking up the remains.
MORGANTOWN.
According to one local historian, this was a village situated on Dry Fork, in Section 34, on a strip of waste land now owned by the Shakers, at the north-east corner of the John Shroyer farm, one-half mile from the county line. Morgantown began with either Hugh Smith's gristmill or else the John Iseminger still-house. There were at this settlement, at various times, a flax-seed oil mill, by Smith & Robinson, a saw-mill, and a brewery ; also a blacksmith's shop and an extensive cooper's shop. These establishments were in active operation from 1810 to 1830. In its most prosperous days the village was about the present size of Okeana. At this time there are no traces of the place left except an old log-house. In 1810 George Iseminger had a store here ; also Smith & Robinson. Iseminger was at one time a miller and sawyer in the village. His brother-in-law, Rephart, was the brewer. William Easterbrooks, one of the eccentric characters of the township, lives in sight of the old village.
NEW LONDON
New London, or " Bagdad," as the boys at Bebb's High School used to call the place, was laid out about September; 1859. Although a village had long existed there, the old plat was mislaid. The village is entirely within Section 25, near the center. From 1806 to 1812 the following families came into the settlement, begun several years earlier by persons already given : William Evans and family, from North Wales, settled on the hill west of Dry Fork. William Jenkins and family, from Virginia, settled on Dry Fork. Two brothers, King and Alexander De Armond, natives of Pennsylvania, settled, the one on Paddy's Run, the other on Dry Fork. Many of their descendants are now living in this township. The Rev. Michael Bottenburg, from Maryland, a minister of the United Brethren Church, and John Merring, his son-in-law, came at the same time. Robert Mahaffey, from Pennsylvania, with a large family, settled on the hill between Paddy's Run and Dry Fork. The Rev. Hezekiah Shaw, a s.in-in-law of John Halstead, resided in the neighborhood and devoted his time to the service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, traveling extensive circuits. William D. Jones settled near Shields, and opened the first mercantile house in the township. Peter Youmans and family, from New Jersey, settled on the farm where he lived for many years. Ephraim Carmack, from Maryland, brought with him a team of eight horses and a genuine Conestoga wagon. He settled where Robert Reese now lives. He was a natural born teamster. He was also a great hunter, and but seldom returned from his excursions without bringing many trophies of his
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skill in the chase. Finally he removed to Mercer County, Ohio, and was among the pioneers in that section. In 1817 the Rev. Rees Lloyd aid family came from Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, and bought land on the hill west of the town.
In 1818 the following families, chiefly from Montgomeryshire, North Wales, made this valley their home : John C. Jones and Jane, his wife ; Evan and Jane Morris, John and Jane Breese, Richard Jones and wife, William Davis and wife, the parents of the distinguished physicians, now of Cincinnati ; George and Catharine Williams, Evan and Mary Humphreys, Griffith Breese and wife, and Humphrey Evans and wife. Connected with these families were a number of adult unmarried persons,—among them Francis Jones, who married Elizabeth Francis; John Evans, who married Sarah Nicholas ; Deacon David Jones, who married Mrs. Mary Humphreys ; John Swanton, who married Miss Mary Jones ; David Davies, who married Miss,Rachel Gwilym. The families of Evan Owens, Evan Davies, and Tubal Jones, from Cardiganshire, South Wales, were added to the families of this valley at this time.
From 1820 to 1830 many families from Wales found their way to Paddy's Run, adding to the general wealth of the community. Among them were Deacon Hugh Williams, from Anglesea, North Wales, who mt rried Mrs. Eliza Gwilym Francis ; Joseph Griffiths and lane, his wife, with a large family of sons and daughters, from Carno, North Wales, who in 1837 removed to 411en County, Ohio ; Henry Davis, from Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, who married Miss Mary Evans ; Thomas Waters, who married Miss Jane Evans ; David Roberts, who married Miss Annie Nicholas; Rowland Jones and wife, and John Jones, who married Miss Jane Gwilym. In 1832 these families became the pioneer settlers of the large and prosperous Welsh community now found in Allen County, Ohio.
The first minister who preached in the settlement was the Rev. John W. Browne, of Cincinnati, a Congregationalist from England. He preached at the house of Edward Bebb, on Dry Fork ; at Andrew Scott's, at the mouth of Paddy's Run ; at John Vaughn's, on Paddy's Run, and David Lee's, on Lee's Creek. All the settlers through the country attended these meetings.
In July, 1803, at the house of David Lee, a committee, consisting of Mr. Browne, Asa Kitchel, Andrew Scott, Joab Comstock, and David Cunningham, was appointed to draft a constitution and articles of faith for the proposed religious society, and present it before the peoples On September 3, 1803, at the house of John Templeton, on Dry Fork, near New Haven, the report of the committee was adopted. The society was called the Whitewater Congregational Church. The first members were Benjamin McCarty, Asa Kitchel, Joab Comstock, Andrew Scott, Margaret Bebb, Ezekiel Hughes, William and Ann Gwilym, David and Mary Francis.
In 1804, at the house of "John Bennefield, in Crosby Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, Mr. Browne was ordained to preach the Gospel and administer the ordinances of the Church. The record shows that the Church appointed a committee of its own members to set apart this brother to the sacred office of the ministry. The flock thus folded met from Sabbath to Sabbath in the cabins of the members, and often under the shade of the forest trees. Mr. Browne lost his life in the Little Miami River, while on his way to fill an appointment in Clermont County, in 1812.
From 1810 to 1817 the records of the Church are lost. In 1817 the Rev. Rees Lloyd, of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, who came from Wales in 1795, was invited to accept the pastorate of the Church and preach in Welsh and English. In 1820 the Rev. Thomas Thomas, of Welsh parentage, but a native of England, emigrated to this'country with his family, and was invited to act as co-pastor with Mr. Lloyd. He was a good scholar, and his efforts in this section greatly advanced the cause of religion. Mr. Lloyd gave up the pastorate of the Church; Mr. Thomas continued, and also established a school, which gained much celebrity. In 1823 Matthias 011is and Roger Sargent were chosen deacons. Mr. Thomas preached in his school-room, in dwelling-houses and in the wagon-shop of David Jones ; and, when the weather was favorable, in the open air, beneath a grove of sugar trees, where Mrs. Eliza Williams now lives.
In 1823 the old meeting-house was com enced thirty by forty-three feet, John Vaughn, a brother-in-law to Governor Bebb, burning the brick for the house just east of the village. Mr. Vaughn also burned most of the brick for the houses in New Loudon, and many in the country at a distance. The Church was inclosed in 1824, and in 1825 the furniture was added. The first service within its walls was the funeral of Mrs. Ruth Vaughn.
In 1827 Mr. Thomas gave up the call and accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church of Venice. He labored here until his death in 1831. In the mean time Mr. Lloyd had retired from active work in the ministry. July, 1828, Rev. Thomas G. Roberts, of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, entered the pastorate and took charge of the Church, preaching in both languages. Failing health caused him to return to his home in 1831. The Rev. Evan Roberts came to the neighborhood, preached several months, when he returned to Steuben, New York, and died there in 1834.
In 1836 the Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, who had preached in the neighborhood for over a year, a resident of Radnor, Ohio, but at that time a student of Miami University, was called to the pastorate. He was ordained in May, 1836. Mr. Chidlaw continued in his work for seven years, advancing the cause of the Church- and establishing a fine system of Sunday-schools throughout the
430 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
country. He entered the American Sunday-school Union and continues in it to this day.
In 1843 the Rev. Ellis Howell, from England, entered the work and continued for several years. He was the pastor of the Vresbyterian Church at Riley, Ohio, in 1876. Mr. Howell was followed by the Rev. Joseph H. Jones, from South Wales. In 1876 he was spending his old age at his home, in Randolph County, Indiana. Since that time the pastors have been James M. Pryse, now of Minnesota; D. W. Wilson, now of Tennessee ; J. M. Thomas, now of Pomeroy, Ohio ; H. R. Price, who died in 1876; J. C. Thompson and George Caudee, both in Northern Ohio; and John L. Davies, a graduate of Marietta College and a student of Lane Seminary, who was ordained by the Southern Ohio Conference, in Gallia County, and who entered upon his work in 1876, but who left in 1881. At present the Church has no regular pastor.
The deacons of the Church have been Joab Comstock, Asa Kitchel, Matthias Ollis, Roger Sargent, David Francis, David Jones, John Merr,ing, Hugh Williams, David Davies, William Jones, John Gibbon, Thomas F. Jones, Abner Francis, and Robert Reese. The membership numbers about one hundred and fifty. Liberal bequests have been made to the American Bible Society and the American Missionary Society by Deacons Hugh Williams and William Jones. Miss Ann Evans, Deacon David Francis, and Mrs. Elizabeth Gwilym have bequeathed a generous sum for the support of their Church. The fund is safely invested and the interest available for the purpose designed.
The first Sunday-school was organized in 1819, in a private house, and superintended by Benjamin Lloyd. In 1821 a supply of books, published by the American Sunday-school Union, was secured. The school has continued ever since, and now numbers about one hundred and fifty scholars. For many years a school was held in the old church, conducted in the Welsh language, which the old people greatly enjoyed. There are weekly prayer-meetings. From the beginning a monthly meeting for the transaction of business has been held.
Church clerks have been, in 1804, James Scott; from 1820-27, the Rev. Thomas Thomas ; from 1828-40, Evan Davies ; in 1840, Thomas F. Jones, who was followed in 1871 by Griffith Morris. The Church is under a healthy administration.
The St. Aloysius Catholic Church of New London was built in 1878. It is a handsome brick building, capable of seating three hundred people. Its history begins in 1873 or 1874, and extends, with variations, to the present time. The membership numbers about twenty families. The church is thirty by sixty feet, and cost $4,000, all of which is paid. The money by which it was built was contributed mostly at Hamilton, the members here hauling the stone, brick, and lumber.
The first school in the township, says Prof. James A. Clark, was in a log school-house, built in 1807, on the land now owned by Thomas Shields, and taught by Miss Polly Willey. Her salary was seventy-five cents a week, by boarding around. She taught her twenty scholars reading and spelling. Mr. Jenkins succeeded her in 1808, and was noted for his method of teaching morals and manners. Before dismissing his scholars at noon he collected them around a large table in the center of the room, and, after asking a blessing, acted as "autocrat of the dinner table," requiring silent attention from all. In 1809 another school was opened in a rented log cabin on Dry Fork, in the western part of the township. Here Adam Mow taught a subscription school, at $1.50 per scholar for a term of three months. In 1810 the people in the vicinity of Paddy's Run met together and built a log-house, with a cat-and-clay chimney, wooden latch, slab benches, board roof, and two small windows, but provided with no, blackboards, maps, or globes. Here children were taught to read in the New Testament, Bunyau's Pilgrim's Progress, and American- Preceptor, and to write and cipher in Bennett's and Pike's Arithmetics, graduating at the "rule of three." This school was ke going until 1819, when David Lloyd, a graduate f m Philadelphia, was employed to teach. He introduced grammar and geography, and classified his scholars in these
branches and in arithmetic. Before this each pupil recited by himself. Before 1819 the general government had made some provision to help the schools by appropriating Section 16 in every township for this purpose. The land was finally sold, and the money divided, pro rata, among the schools.
In 1821 the Rev. Thomas Thomas, father of the late T. E. Thomas, D. D., established a high school, in which he taught, for a number of years, advanced students in grammar, geography, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. In 1821 the Union Library Association of Morgan and Crosby Townships was formed. In 1826, when the schools were organized under the new State law, the people were eager to avail themselves of its advantages. A new school-house was built, and William Bebb, who became Governor of Ohio in 1846, was the first teacher employed under the State law.
As early as 1825 there were township examiners to decide upon the qualifications of teachers. The Hon. James Shields was the first examiner. Excepting Prof. McGuffey, he was perhaps the best educated man in the county, taking a leading part in all educational enterprises. He was educated at Glasgow, Scotland. He examined Governor Bebb, Evan Davies, and other noted teachers. From 1828 to 1832 Governor libb was township examiner. Evan Davies taught here for six or seven years, commencing in 1830. He was for forty years one of the most prominent educators in Butler County, being county examiner from 1840 to 1869. After Mr. Bebb, the Rev. Benjamin Lloyd and the Rev. B. W. Chidlaw were township examiners. From 1837
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to 1840 Mr. Chidlaw taught high school here with great success.
These eminent teachers gave a good education to those who have since furnished pupils and teachers for their schools. Among the most noted in the Rev. Thomas Thomas's school were Charles Sheldon, author of Sheldon's book-keeping, and the late T. E. Thomas, D. D., of Lane Seminary. Mr. Evan Davies built up and popularized the common schools, and prepared pupils for the high school. He taught more on the modern plan, preparing some eminently successful teachers. We mention T. F. Jones, Griffith Morris, Evan Morris, and M. R. Shields. These gentlemen conducted the schools here and in the neighboring villages with great success for many years. Mr. M. R. Shields afterwards filled the office of Surveyor in this county for a number of years. Mr. Evan Morris graduated in civil engineering in the College of Cincinnati, under Prof. Mitchel, the distinguished mathematician and astronomer. Some distinguished editors attended Mi. Chidlaw's school, the best known of whom is Murat Halsted, of the Cincinnati Commercial, whose father, Colonel Griffin Halstead, still lives here.
In 1852 or 1853 a new library' association was formed and about one thousand volumes of, standard literature purchased for it, free to all people to read.
In 1858 the academy, or high school, was organized on a more permanent basis. Twelve of the most prominent citizens were appointed as directors. They employed David W. McClung as principal, at a salary of three dollars per day The public school was also at this time divided into two departments. The Misses Atherton were teachers for several years. Of the noted teachers in the high school we might mention the Rev. David Wilson and the Rev. Mark Williams. A large number of the principals of the high school who have been here are now filling high professional positions as preachers, lawyers, and doctors elsewhere.
In 1865 James A. Clark was employed as principal of the high school.
On December 10, 1869, the New London special school was organized, and Messrs. Joab Scheel, Evan Evans, and Thomas Appleton were appointed the first board of directors. They employed as principal Samuel McClelland, a former pupil of the high school, and a graduate of the Miami University. In 1871 a large and beautiful lot of about three acres was purchased, and a commodious brick school-house erected, containing four departments and costing about $13,000.
Miss Florence Shafer was the only lady teacher ever employed in the high school. In 1872 Professor Clark was again employed as principal, and remained so until his death in 1880. He was a man of fine ability.
The Masonic Lodge, No. 264, of New London was chartered October 25, 1855, with the following members : M. R. Shields, John G. Vaughn, Edward Jones, Edward Morgan, Wm. S. Brandenburg, George Atherton, Josiah Gwaltney, John L. Evans, James Brundage, Henry Siifton, R. W. Griffiths. At that time William B. Dodds was M. W. G. M. of Ohio, and John D. Caldwell, R. W. G. Sec'y. The hall was built in 1856, being an addition over Dr. Shaw's store-room, costing $865. At present there are thirty active members.
Edward Jones and George Atherton built the New London saw-mill in 1854. Richard M. Evans was the second proprietor ; then A. H. Guthrie and George Grooms. The present owner is John L. Jones.
In 1838 Charles Lyle erected a brewery in the village, which continued to run until 1842. A portion of the machinery was bought of the Shakers, who about 1835 brewed at the Center village.
There was a tan-yard one-fourth of a mile below the village at one time, owned by the Shields Brothers. Another occupied a site on Buck Run, on the north-east corner of Section 15, owned by Abram Conwell.
Probably the first tavern-keeper in New London was John G. Randall, in 1830 ; his place of business was where Mil. James T. De Armond now resides. Hamilton BlacVnirn followed from 1830 to 1835 in the same house. Then came Charles Lyle, who left in 1842. From 1842 to 1860 Job Wooley had a tavern in the hour where for post-office now is. Part of the house was of logs. Since 1848 Henry Robinson has been the village tavern-keeper, in the lower end of the town, in a bra house.
ALERT.
Alert is a post-office connected with an old-fashioned country-store, on Howard's Creek, in Section 28, near the west line, equally distant from the north and south side. Sometime between 1817 and 1820 a school-house stood opposite John Iseminger's store, in which David Lloyd, an old bachelor, acted as one of the teachers. The post-office was established in 1850, but not at this point. The only postmaster has been John Iseminger, who came here in March, 1842, residing here ever since, during which time he has been selling goods, with the exception of two years, in 1853 and 1854, when King De Armond filled the position. Mr. Iseminger began as an auctioneer in 1836, and has followed the business ever since. From 1856 to 1880 he has cried four hundred and fifty-one sales. Previous to this date no records were kept. Mr. Iseminger was born at Iseminger's mill, February 26, 1808. He attended Governor Bebb's school when he taught at Hickory Chapel ; he lived all his life on Howard's Creek, and is one of the well-known men in the country. When the mails first began to arrive at Alert they were weekly; then, semi-weekly; then, tri-weekly ; and now, daily.
Section No. 27 is a tract of land entered by Edward Bebb, father of the Governor, split into halves by Dry Fork. The red brick house in which Charles Sater now lives was built in 1830 or 1831 by William Bebb. The
432 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
old homestead, rather south-west of Mr. Sater's, is occupied by Augustus De Armond.
The Bebb school, which is referred to frequently, stood south of the brick one hundred yards, in the field now under a state of cultivation. Among the scholars who attended here, many of whom boarded with their teacher, was Judge Carter, now of Cincinnati, who says the " red brick house was a palace in its day," and that the "foundation-stone were brought from Dayton on the canal to Hamilton, and from there hauled to their destination ;" also, that " the governor was noted for keeping poor fires, which sometimes made it difficult to keep warm." A part of the old school-building is now occupied by William Easterbrooks. Other scholars were William Dennison, who became governor of Ohio in 1861; Hon. G. M. Shaw, of Indiana ; Hon. Daniel Shaw, a member of the first Legislature of Louisiana after the late war ; and Hon. Peter Melindy, of Iowa. This school was patronized by many of the wealthy citizens of Cincinnati and the Southern States.
In 1813 a company of volunteers was raised in Morgan Township, under the command of Captain W. D. Jones. The house of John Vaughn was the place of rendezvous. They marched with other troops to the relief of General Hull, then threatened by the British. On their way through the forest they suffered for food. Near Fort Wayne, Indiana, they captured three bushels of parched corn, in bark boxes, secreted by the Indians, and on this they subsisted until they reached the fort. Hull having surrendered, they returned. One of their number, Samuel Harding, died of disease contracted in the service. In 1861 thirty-eight volunteers enlisted in the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and during the war a large number entered the army.
In 1834 the Asiatic cholera visited the township, especially the eastern side, in a malignant type. About sixty died within three weeks. There was scarcely a family which was not visited. In 1852 flux prevailed as a disease, and twenty died within two weeks. On the 16th of November, 1854, six lives were lost by the fall; ing of the church-steeple—Nathaniel and Robert Jones instantly killed ; on the 17th, John C. Jones died from injuries; in a month, Joseph Phellis, the contractor, died ; and after lingering several weeks, Thomas Jones and Elias Williamson died. In 1856 Robert Griffiths and his family were drowned in the Ohio River, near Madison, while on their way to Missouri. Their bodies were recovered and buried in the old grave-yard. In all there were seven who lost their lives.
The men who laid the foundations of society in this valley were intelligent, and the firm friends of knowledge. In 1821 a bill was passed in the Ohio Legislature incorporating the Union Library Association of Morgan and Crosby Townships. Sixty-five shares were taken, costing three dollars each. The books purchased were Plutarch's Lives, Rollin's Ancient History,
Josephus, Mungo Park's Travels, Lewis and Clark's Expedition, Campbell on Miracles, Paley's Evidences of Christianity, Butler's Analogy, and others. The library was kept at Smith's mill on Dry Fork, and the shareholders assiduously improved their opportunities to read.
The year 1811 was memorable for the appearance of a wonderful comet. During the Summer a fearful pestilence visited the township, and all who were smitten by the disease died. People called it the " cold plague." After the pestilence came a terrible hail storm, the ground in some places being covered with pieces of ice of irregular shape, six inches in circumference. In 1812 an earthquake convulsed the country and filled the people with terror. Dishes were shaken from their places, and the limbs of the trees swayed back and forth in a very remarkable manner.
The first death in the township is said to have been a daughter of Benjamin James, a squatter on Dry Fork. A coffin was made by splitting a black walnut log and dressing it with a broad-ax and drawing-knife. The slabs were fastened with wooden pins, and the body laid in the first grave dug in the township in the neighborhood at what is now known as Race Lane. Mrs. Blackburn, mother of William Blackburn, was the first who died on Paddy's Run. Her remains were buried on the hill , west of where Mrs. Margaret Sefton now resides. John Merring, a distinguished Sunday-school worker, was kicked to death by a horse at the Fairview Church, many years ago. The Indian chief Kiatta is buried on the stream which bears his name, a few rods above where it empties into Dry Fork. Nothing marks the grave.
In June, 1880, a terrible hurricane passed over the township, entering it two miles east of Scipio, and going in a south-easterly direction. Entire forests were destroyed, barns and houses were unroofed, fences swept away, and an immense amount of damage done in various other ways.
The first three hewed log-houses erected in Morgan Township are yet standing in a good state of preservation. One is located on the California Pike near Biddinger's saw-mill, and is owned by Samuel De Armond. It was built by 'Reuben George. The other is in Okeana on North McLain Street, occupied by Nancy De Armond. It was built by Alexander and King De Armond. Another is on the old Atherton farm, north-west of New London, owned by J. P. Jones. It was built by Patterson Blackburn of blue ash logs that would face from fifteen to twenty inches. It has been weather boarded, and is now used for a barn.
The postmasters of this township from the beginning have been :
Okeana.—Samuel D. Lloyd, May 27, 1858 ; Henry Brandenburg, May 3, 1866 ; Perry Clawson, January 13, 1876. Before being known as Okeana it was called Tariff, and under this cognomen had the following post-
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masters : William Jenkins, January 14, 1828 ; Joseph P. Jones, May 17, 1833 ; Evan Jenkins, March 17, 1834; John Iseminger, June 3, 1835 ; John Cregmile, April 14, 1836 ; John D. Evans, December 15, 1837; William Jenkins, March 24, 1838 ; Charles Shields, September 28, 1842 ; Alexander H. De Armond, May 14, 1847 ; Alexander R. Lloyd, November 19, 1849 ; William Wright, February 16, 1855 ; Samuel D. Lloyd, May 21, 1857.
Alert. -John Iseminger, July 16, 1850.
Paddy's Run.-William Vaughn, June 10, 1831 ; Henry H. Robinson, January 20, 1848 ; John L. Evans, March 15, 1852 ; Henry H. Robinson, August 8, 1853 ; John L. Evans, July 25, 1861; Alexander H. Guthrie, December 4, 1871; W. C. Vaughn, October 16, 1879 ; Ann T. Price, November 3, 1870.
The following were the justices of the peace: William Jenkins, King De Armond, Brant Ignene, William D. Jones, Hugh Smith, Ephraim Carmack, William Bebb, James Jenkins, Stephen Talkington, John C. Jones, Edmund Simmons, Daniel W. Shaw, Griffin Halstead, James D. Davis, Andrew McCain, G. W. Shaw, James L. Davis, John Thompson, Archie H. Foster, R. J. Bell, James W. Shields, Samuel Patterson, King De Armond, Joseph A. Smith, Samuel De Armond, William Mercer, Joseph Davis, Absalom McKean, Samuel Shields, James Brundage, Benjamin Lyle, Orrin S. Walling, Amos Jones, Stephen M. Everson.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
Elder Knowles Shaw-a name familiar in many western households-was born near New London, in Morgan Township, on the 13th of October, 1834. His mother's maiden name was Huldah Griffin, and by both of his parents he was of Scotch extraction. His early life was spent in Rush County, Indiana, where he first began to play the violin, furnishing the music for many a dance. While the ball was going on he was converted, ceasing to play in the middle of the piece he was performing. Very soon thereafter he entered the ministry of the Christian Church. On the 11th of January, 1855, he married Miss Martha Finley. Most of his time after entering the ministry was spent in the West and South, and on account of his wonderful vocal powers he was called the " singing evangelist."
As a singer he was considered, in some respects, equal to Sankey and Bliss. Reporters of the press all spoke of his singing as something wonderful. Soon after beginning to preach, he began to compose and to write music. His first song was " The Shining Ones," still popular. He published at different times five singing-books : " Shining Pearls," " Golden Gate," " Sparkling Jewels," " The Gospel Trumpet," and the " Morning Star." " Bringing in the Sheaves" was one of the last songs from his hand.
His last meeting was held in Dallas, Texas, in May, 1878. He was killed by a railroad accident, going from
Dallas to McKinney, on the 7th of June, 1878. During his ministry he baptized over eleven thousand persons.
Henry Sefton, the father of a large posterity, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 19, 1812. On the 22d of March, 1838, he married Margaret Jones, daughter of Morris and Ann (Bebb) Jones. His wife was born in Ross Township, Butler County, Ohio, January 11, 1814. This union produced eleven children, seven of whom are living, two dying in their youth, and one at the age of twenty-seven years, killed in a well. Milton, the oldest of the family, was born on the 12th of April, 1839. He is married and lives in Preble County, Ohio. Elizabeth, who is single, was born on the 13th of May, 1840. Martha Ann was born February 21, 1842. She is the wife of John R. Bevis, of Reily Township, one- half mile west of Ogleton. Everett was born on the 14th of January, 1844, and was killed in 1871. Louisa was born, February 22,4846. Euphemia was born July 21, 1847, and died young. Cornelia was born August 17, 1849. She is the wife of William Baughman, of Harrison Township, Hamilton County, Ohio. Emma S. was born April 13, 1851 ; she is unmarried. Helen was born March 19, 1854, dying early in life. Gilbert was born February 15, 1856.
After his marriage Mr. Sefton farmed in Hamilton County for a few years on his father's place, and about 1845 moved to Morgan Township, on Paddy's Run, where he purchased one quarter section of land, on which he resided until his death, August 15, 1856. Mr. Sefton was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and in all the enterprises of a public nature took an active and consistent part. His son, Milton, was drafted for the war, but secured a substitute. Everett enlisted in the Fall of 1861 in the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Company H. He served three years, was discharged, and then taken prisoner. Mrs. Sefton, with the family, a portion of which is yet at home, carries on the farm successfully. They are among the solid people of the county, having accumulated a handsome competency.
John P. Jones was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, April 20, 1810. On the 9th of June, 1834, he married Mary (Jones), widow of John Swancott, of this township, wk.o was born in Montgomery, North Wales, October 16, 1794. This marriage produced two children-Elliott, born May 24, 1835, and who died May 5, 1867, and Michael, who was born August 13, 1838. He is married and lives in New London. Mr. Jones came to America in the Fall of 1832, settling in Morgan Township, on Paddy's Run. When first taking up his residence here he was a poor man He at once went to work by the month on a farm until his marriage. He then purchased one hundred and twenty- one acres of land, part on time. Since his arrival from the mother-country he has, by careful management, accumulated a large property, ranking at present as one of the wealthiest citizens of the township. Of the minor
434 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
offices of the township he has held several. He is also a faithful member of the Congregational Church. In politics he was a Whig till about 1856, from which time he has ranked as a Republican. His first vote was cast for General Harrison. Michael, the second son, married Miss Parthenia Wilkins, June 2, 1881, who was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, September 22, 1848. He was a member of the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Company B, being stationed in the Kanawha Valley, West Virginia. He was also a member of the " one hundred day" company ; took part in Morgan's raid ; and has been a school-teacher for three years each, in Morgan and Ross Townships.
A well-known man in Morgan Township is William Augustus De Armond, who was born August 17, 1846, and married Ada Brown, daughter of H. W. Brown, of Okeana, November 28, 1878, who was born February 3, 1860. Mr. De Armond is one of the present township trustees, which office he has held for three terms. He has been assessor for two years ; he is also a member of Harrison Encampment Odd Fellows' Lodge. Mr. De Armond resides at the old Bebb homestead, Section 27.
John Shroyer was an undertaker for forty years in this section of country, during which time he buried over one thousand persons. The first hearse in this township was a common one-horse farm-wagon. After several years it was replaced by a one-horse spring-wagon. In 1855 another took its place, with window glass eight by ten inches on each side. It did service until January 13, 1864, when Mr. Shroyer died, aged sixty-six. He was buried at his request in a coffin made by himself, as really he was his own workman. His prices ranged from two dollars to eight dollars per coffin and attendance. There have been eight children, the eldest dying in infancy. The others are, Nelson, Delilah, John, who died May 26, 1868, aged twenty-five ; Catherine, Thomas, Lydia, and George, who died in his youth.
Thomas Shroyer is well known in both Hamilton and Butler Counties. He is of a literary disposition ; has filled the office of Sunday-school superintendent, organist in the United Brethren Church of New Haven, and has for a number of years been a leading correspondent for newspapers.
Hugh Williams was born in Anglesea, Wales, March, 1806, and married Eliza Gwilym, widow of Abner Francis, Sen., in 1833. Mrs. Williams was born February 5, 1809, in Morgan Township. This union produced eight children, three of whom are living : Mark, born October 28, 1834, married, and serving as a ,missionary in China ; Jane, born June 17, 1844, the wife of D. Gaston Boyd, of Newtown, Ohio ; Hannah, born May 2, 1848, the widow of Professor -James A. Clark, now of New London. Mr. Williams came to America in 1829, stopping in Pennsylvania for one year, then coming to Paddy's Run and beginning business as a blacksmith, which trade he followed until 1845. In 1847 he purchased a farm of one hundred acres, on which he lived until his death in March, 1870. He was one of the prominent men of Morgan Township ; was identified with all public improvements ; and was a prominent member of the New London Congregational Church, of which he was deacon, for more than forty years. Mark Williams married Isabella Riggs, daughter of the Rev. S. R. Riggs, the distinguished missionary. He graduated at Oxford in 1858, went to Lane Seminary in the Fall of the same year, where he remained for three years, joining the ministry in 1861. After his theological course he preached for a short time in Illinois and Wisconsin, and in 1866 was sent to China by the American Board of Missions, where he has since resided.
Abner Francis, Jr., was born February 18, 1829, in Ross Township, and is the son of Abner Francis, Sen., and Mrs. Williams, who was a widow at that time. Mr. Francis married Martha A. Vaughn, which marriage has given birth to eight children. William was born February 7, 1858; David, July 8, 1859; John, February 15, 1862; Mark, March 19, 1863; Eliza, December 30, 1865 ; Mary, November 12, 1868 ; Edward, March 27, 1872 ; Annie, October 6, 1875. Mr. Francis has been active in all the industrial and educational pursuits of his township and county. He is one of the directors of the Cincinnati and Brookville turnpike, along with James A. Bevis and Amzi McGill; is a member and deacon of the Paddy's Run Church, and for a number of years has been chorister of the Sunday-school.
The Gwilyms, of whom Morgan is the progenitor on this side of the Atlantic, came to America in 1768, and married Elizabeth Evats, in Butler County. His brotlier William came to America in 1795, and stopped on the Red Stone River, in Pennsylvania, for a few months, where he aided in making the first iron west of the Alleghanies. In 1798 he came down the Ohio and took up his residence as a squatter on Blue Rock, in Colerain Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, and in 1802 settled on Paddy's Run, in Morgan Township. He died in 1845, and his wife in 1862. The marriage produced five children, all of whom were daughters.
The Vaughns came to America in 1801, and in 1802 removed from Pennsylvania to Morgan Township. Mr. Vaughn married for his second wife Ruth {Crosby) Comstock, of Yankee extraction, in 1807. She was born in Connecticut, 1766, and died August 5, 1825, leaving no family. He married the third time, to Mary Wardell, June 14, 1828, widow of William Brightwell. Mrs. (Wardell) Vaughn was born March 17, 1765, and died June 24, 1853, without issue. By his second wife he had no children. Mr. Vaughn died September 4, 1848. His son, William, was born August 16, 1803, in Morgan Township. He married Mary Bebb, November 4, 1825, who was born January 12, 1806, in this township. This marriage resulted in five children, one dying in infancy;
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four of whom grew to maturity. John Green Vaughn was born January 21, 1827, and is married and lives in Marion County, Illinois; Martha Ann, born November 12, 1832, is now the wife of Abner Francis, of Ross Township ; William Crosby, born February 25, 1835, is unmarried, and lives with his mother, in New London ; Mary Bebb, born October 28, 1846, is the wife of Rees H. Evans, of this township. William Vaughn received from his father about ninety acres of land, on which he commenced life for himself, rising constantly in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. He was chosen captain of the State militia, and served as the first postmaster of Paddy's Run, which office he held until about 1847. At the time of his death, November 22, 1851, he owned two hundred and twenty acres of land.
Another of the leading citizens of Morgan Township is Andrew J., son of John C. Jones, who was born in Ross Township, November 27, 1826, and married, for his first wife, Jane Morris, January, 1851, daughter of Evan Morris. Mrs. Jones died July 3, 1853, leaving one son, Gilbert M., who was born June 5, 1853, and is unmarried, living in the Township of Ross. For his second wife Mr. Jones married Patience Moorehouse, February 5, 1861, daughter of Eliphalet Moorehouse ; the latter born February 6, 1835. Mr. Jones is a member of the Congregational Church, and has been a trustee of the township. He was in Colonel Moore's one hundred day regiment. He began life with one hundred and thirty acres which his father gave him, and from time to time has added to them until at present he owns four hundred acres of tillable ground.
Among the most prominent of the old pioneers was William Atherton, born May 21, 1808, in Boston, Mass., and married in 1830, to Elizabeth Willey, who was born in Hamilton County, Colerain Township, June 24, 1810. This marriage brought forth nine children, as follows: George, born October 30, 1831, married, and lives in Terre Haute, Indiana ; Henry, born October 21, 1833, and died February 28, 1839 ; Amos, born December 27, 1835, married, and lives in Missouri; Olive, born September 21, 1837, the wife of B. F. Clark, of Venice ; Naomi, born March 1, 1840, unmarried, at home ; Mary, born June 21, 1842, now dead; Belinda, born January 5, 1845, died March 12, 1876; William, born May 26, 1847, met his death by an accident November 9, 1861; Jane, born February 22, 1850, wife of Austin Scott, the son of William H. Scott, of Crosby Township, both men of many excellent parts. These last named live near Harrison, Ohio. Mr. Atherton was brought when a child ten years of age to Hamilton County, and in 1836 purchased two hundred acres of land in this township, on which he took up his residence. He met his death from cholera, June 21, 1858. His widow still resides on the old farm. William Atherton was a hard-working farmer; and in all his undertakings was a man of probity and ultimate success.
Amos Atherton, born in 1793, married Mary Francis, born in 1797, daughter of David Francis. The result of this marriage was a family of ten children, four of whom were twins : David F., born 1817, a resident of Morgan; Phoebe, born 1819, widow of Andrew McCoy Wakefield, of New Haven, Hamilton County, Ohio ; Elijah; born 1821dead; Abner, born 1823, married and lives in Iowa ; Francis, born in 1823-dead ; Mary, born 1827-dead ; Elizabeth, born 1830, wife of David Pottenger, of New Haven, Ohio ; Amos W., born in 1832-dead ; Mary, born in 1835-dead ; Rachel, wife of Joseph McHenry, of New Haven, Ohio. Amos Atherton came to Hamilton County, Ohio, about 1808, where he acquired a large body of land near the Shaker village, living there at the time of his death. He was a man of deep religious convictions, and distinguished for his liberality in Church matters.
David F. Atherton married for his first wife Jane Gwilym, daughter of Morgan Gwilym, of this township. Mrs. Atherton was born in 1819, and died February 5, 1867. This marriage resulted in two children, both of whom are dead. For his second wife Mr. Atherton married Jane, daughter of Hugh Price, born in Franklin County, Ohio, 1840. The fruits of this union were two children, one of whom still lives. Mr. Atherton came to Morgan Township in 1844, and settled on the Mor gan-Gwilym estate, in sight of New London, where he still resides, respected by every body.
Griffith Morris, son of Evan Morris, was born in Morgan Township, September 7, 1820, and married Mary Jane Wapon, widow of Benjamin Humphreys, April 17, 1856. Mrs. Morris was born December 22, 1830, in Delaware County, Ohio. There have been four children : Minter C., born February 19, 1857, who married a daughter of the Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, now resides near home as a farmer ; Walter, born January 7, 1860 ; Minor, born August 23, 1863 ; Armer, born August 9, 1868.
Evan Morris, Sen., was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, where he married Jane Morris, by whom he had eight children, two dying in infancy : Evan, born March 15, 1816 ; Griffith, born in Morgan Township ; John, born in Morgan Township-dead; Mary and Ann, dead ; Mary Ann, born in this township but living in Ross; Jane, born in Morgan Township, now dead; Hannah, born in Morgan but living in Ross. Mr. Morris came to America in 1818, and from Pittsburg to Cincinnati made his way on a flat-boat. He purchased eighty acres of land on Paddy's Run, where he resided until his death, but in the mean time adding to the first purchase very considerably.
Abel Appleton, a pioneer of this valley, came from New Jersey to Morgan Township, with his wife and family, about 1807. His wife's maiden name was Betsey Reeves. She died about 1860, and her husband about 1832. This union produced five children, now all dead:
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Jane, wife of George King; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Otto; ,Pearson ; Catharine, wife of Enoch Larison, and John. Pearson Appleton was born in New Jersey about 1803 ; he married Margaret Mahaffey, of this county. They had eight children: Nancy, wife of David Morris, of Hamilton County ; John, now a resident of Okeana ; Elizabeth Ann, wife of John Morgan-dead ; Isabelle, wife of John Arkenbyer, now of Kansas ; Sarah, wife of Josiah Deen, of Marion County, Indiana ; Mary, widow of Michael Milholland, of Hamilton County, Ohio; Abel, married and lives in Iowa ; Phoebe, wife of Amos Cann, lives in Kansas.
John L. Appleton was born November 12, 1824, and married Esther Ann McHenry December 16, 1846. His wife was born in Delhi Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, June 11, 1826. This marriage resulted in ten children : Pearson, born November 6, 1847, died July 6, 1848 ; Lindsay, born July 10, 1849, married and residing in this township; Rhoda, born September 12, 1852, wife of Amos Van Loo, of Preble County, Ohio; Pearson E., born July 31, 1855, married and a citizen of Morgan ; Margaret A., born August 7, 1857, and wife of James Freiling, of this township ; William W., born April 1, 1859 ; Wallace W., born May 2, 1862 ; Charlotte R., born May 22, 1866 ; Canowels, born September 14, 1868, and Enoch McHenry, born July 23, 1871. Mr. Appleton is one of the representative men of Butler County. His family moves in the best circles of society.
George Milholland was born in Franklin County, Indiana, December 16, 1811, and married Mary Ann, daughter of John Merring, March 24, 1842. Their children are John, born March 6, 1843, who lives in Iowa, and is a practicing physician; Charlotte, born September 24, 1845, the wife of Tobias Speiah, resides in Nebraska; Thomas, born January 30, 1848, is married, and in Nebraska; William, born July 10, 1850, is a practicing physician in Shelby County, Ohio; Anna, born September 8, 1852, lives in Mt. Carmel, Indiana, and is the wife of Edwin M. Arnold ; David M., born March 5, 1858, is unmarried, and is a student of medicine in Shelby County, Ohio ; George E., born June 23, 1861. John enlisted in the army in the Fall of 1861, in Company H, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served until 1864. At the expiration of this time he contracted sickness, from which he suffered for some time after his discharge. Mr. Milholland came to Morgan Township in 1832. He began work by the month, and rented until 1842, when he and his-wife purchased one hundred acres of .the Merring homestead. Mr. Milholland was a member of the Congregational Church, and in many other matters took a lively interest. He died in March, 1878, leaving a wife and seven children.
John Merring was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and married in Morgan Township, in 1819. His wife was Mary E. Bottenburg, of the same county and State. This marriage resulted in eight children, two dying in infancy, the remaining six reaching maturity. George was born in 1820, and died in the late war ; Mary Ann was born July 22, 1821, and is now the widow of George Milholland ; Anna, born August 11, 1824, the wife of Evan Evans ; Catharine is the wife of Cornelius B. Surface, of Warren County, Ohio ; David M. is married, and resides in Warren County, Ohio; Eliza M., married, is now of Terre Haute, Indiana. George Merring, the father of John, and John M. Bottenburg, had each purchased one-quarter section of land in Morgan township at an early day. Mr. Merring, Sen., never coming to this county, deeded his quarter section to his son. John Merring died from injuries received by the kick of a horse, October 26, 1849. He was a captain of the State militia, and a prominent deacon and member of the Paddy's Run Congregational Church. His wife died October 29, 1878.
Ephraim Hall, was born in Pennsylvania about 1785. He married for his first wife, in Pennsylvania, Hannah Wynn, who died in 1819, leaving two children. Benjamin was born about 1815, is married, and lives in Mercer County, Ohio ; Jonathan, born February 18, 1818, is married, and lives in Morgan Township. For his second wife, Ephraim Hall married Dorcas Callahan. She bore him three children: Jeremiah, whose whereabouts is unknown; Matthew, who is dead ; Nancy, who is supposed to be alive, but whose residence is uncertain. Mr Hall was a resident of this township before 1812, taking up his residence on Paddy's Run. He died about 1853. Jonathan Hall married Catherine Brandenburg, who was born November 10, 1823, daughter of Jacob Brandenburg. He is the father of eight children, as follows : Hannah, wife of Nelson Shroyer, now of Kansas ; Jacob, a resident of Kansas ; Mary, wife of David Burnett, of Morgan ; William, married and at home; another, wife of Leander Selyer, now of Kansas ; Charles and Albert, both single and at home ; and Hiram, who also is the eldest. Mr. Hall is a self-made man: He began work as a farm-hand, and has continued to prosper, until now he owns one hundred and sixty-three acres of land. He is surrounded by many of the comforts of life.
James Harrison Williamson, M. D., father, of Dr. Henry Allen Williamson, was born in Scott County, Kentucky, about 1824. Caroline Payne, his wife, was born in Frankfort County, Kentucky, about 1821. This marriage resulted in three children, one dying in infancy : Henry Allen, born October 10, 1845, married, and a resident of New London ; Preston Emmett, born March 4, 1848, married, and a dentist at Frankfort, Kentucky. Dr. Williamson, Sen., was one of the pioneer settlers of Scott County, Kentucky, and ranked as one of the foremost citizens. He gave both of his children a liberal education, and, though not a man of large means, at one time lost all his property. His son, Henry Allen, was born in Boone County, Kentucky, married Mary Belle Sleet, of the same place, October 10, 1867. His wife
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was born May. 28, 1851. The results are four children, two of whom live : Lula Belle, born June 29, 1876 ; Weedie A., born January 18, 1876. Dr. Williamson, Jr., studied medicine for one year under Dr. John Needham, of Newcastle, Indiana, and in 1867 began his studies at one of the medical colleges of Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1870. He has since practiced in Paris, Kentucky, for one year, and now follows his profession in the country of Paddy's Run. All the Williamsons are Baptists, religiously. The father of James H. was a Virginian by biith. He came down the Ohio at an early day on a flat-boat, fighting his way through the Indian nations. William Payne, the grandfather of Dr. H. A. Williamson on his mother's side, was also a Virginian, a 'captain in the war of 1812, and a great hunter, keeping a pack of hounds to the day of his death. Dr. Williamson, Sen., died September 4, 1848.
John Evans, born in North Wales, July 17, 1795, came to this county in 1818, and settled on Paddy's Run. His wife, Sarah, was born in this county in 1806, and married him June 28, 1821. By trade Mr. Evans is a tanner. He is the father of fourteen children1 Mrs. Mary Jones, born December 9, 1827 ; Evan, born November 4, 1823; William, born July 7, 1823; Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, born March 26, 1827 ; James, born February 26, 1829 ; Mrs Ann Jones, born November 26, 1830 ; Mrs. Martha Griffith, born August 17, 1832 ; John, born July 17, 1834; Robert, born March 8, 1836; David, born July 21, 1838 ; Mrs. Sarah Davis, born November 3, 1840 ; Richard, born December 1, 1842 ; Edward, born August 24, 1845 ; George, born January 19, 1850. John Evans's father's given name was Evan, his mother's name, Elizabeth ; his wife's father's and mother's names were James and Mary Nicholas. They came to this county in 1812. John Evans, Jr., was a soldier of the Rebellion. John Evans, Sen., is a man of ripe experience; he has accumulated a large and handsome property about him, and in all the active walks of life has acted his part well.
Joseph Clawson was born in Butler County, Ohio* March 7, 1803, and married for his first wife Cynthia Parkhurst, February 26, 1824, who was born June 14, 1806, and died December 28, 1834. For his second wife he married Belinda Parkhurst (born in Trumbull County, Ohio, November 21, 1809), April 14, 1836. Andrew and Mary Clawson, his father and mother, came to this county in 1802 ; his wife's father and mother, David and Mary Parkhurst, came to Butler County in 1814. Joseph Clawson is the father of Belinda, born December 30, 1824 ; G. W., born July 23, 1832 ; Cynthia, born December 25, 1836 ; Maria Sulser, born November 21, 1841, a resident of Kansas ; Amos P., born June 14, 1844; Ellen Smith, born October 10, 1846; Malon M., born March 17, 1849; Andrew P., born January 5, 1853. G. W. and A. P. were soldiers in the late war. He is a man of good habits, and has accumulated, by careful industry and economy, a large share of this world's goods.
A well known gentleinan in Morgan, Reuben Woodruffi was born in Lemon Township, Butler County, Ohio, September 11, 1804, and was married December 2, 1824, in Ross Township, to Elizabeth Fenton, born August 11, 1808. This marriage resulted in John, born September 6, 1826-dead ; George, born November 3, 1828, now of Edwards County, Illinois; Stacy, born July 11, 1831, now of St. Charles, this county ; James C., born September 3, 1834; Daniel R., born October 28, 1837, of Paddy's Run ; Samuel W., born December 26, 1839; Ensign, born August 13, 1845-physician. Daniel and Sarah Woodruff came to Butler County January 5, 1800. Stacy and Mary Fenton came also to the same county in 1808. Samuel Williamson, the sixth son, was a soldier in the late war, in the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have lived together for over fifty-seven years, and have raised a family of respectable sons. Daniel, his father, witnessed the battle of Bunker Hill, at the age of ten years. His son has now a musket and bayonet used in that memorable fight.
Alexander Walker De Armond was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 5, 1822. For his first wife he married Eliza, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Ross, October 21, 1845 ; for his second wife, Elizabeth Lloyd, daughter of David and Nancy Owens, January 9, 1867. The fruits of these unions have been William Augustus, born August 17, 1846 ; Byron Ellwood, born January 22, 1851-- dead; Cassius M., born August 23, 1860 ; Angie Hammond, born May 13, 1844, living in Boone County, Indiana; Imogene Thompson, born December 27, 1846, St. Charles ; Eva Sparks, born February 23, 1850, wife of Samuel Sparks, of Groesbeck; Hamilton County, Ohio. Thomas and Rebecca De Armond came to this county in 1813. William Jenkins, one of their relatives, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. A. W. De Armond was a soldier in the war of 1861. He has also accumulated a considerable property, mostly in land, to the amount of three hundred and twenty-five acres, all of which he has earned through his own efforts.
One of the most prominent men in Butler County, who held the office of justice of the peace for twenty-four years,. was township treasurer for nine years, and trustee for two years, is Samuel De Armond, born in Hamilton County, Ohio, November 15, 1805, and married to Sarah, daughter of Peter and Sarah Youmans, November 2, 1826. Mrs. De Armond was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, the 2d day of November, 1806. King and Hannah De Armond, his father and mother, came to this county in 1807 ; his wife's father and mother came to Butler County in 1815. Samuel De Armond is the father of seven children: Hannah Robinson, born February 6, 1830-dead; Elizabeth Ann, born February 27, 1832, now of St. Mary's, Illinois ; Caroline Brown, born April 24, 1834; Margaret Siselove, born May 22, 1839 ; John
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C., born May 25, 1841; Mary E. Hall, born November 19, 1843, now of Sumner County, Kansas; Samuel H., born May 1, 1846. Mr. De Armond is a man of iron nerve. During his term as magistrate he never had a decision overruled. He is known throughout the country as "'Squire Sam," a title which he won by being a civil officer for so long a erne. This household has been happy, and is now completing its fifty-fourth year of married life.
James De Armond, a farmer, living in Okeana, was born in Franklin County, Indiana, October 20, 1807, settling in Butler County, 1815. On the 30th of August, 1827, he married Maria, daughter of Peter and Sarah Youmans, who was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, January 24, 1810. This marriage resulted in a large and estimable family as follows: John Randolph, born August 5, 1828-dead ; Sarah Smith, born July 22, 1830, of Decatur County, Indiana ; Peter, born July 30, 1832 ; Rebecca George, born November 19, 1834- dead ; Elizabeth Jones, born August 1, 1837; Anna Mercer, born September 20, 1839 ; Mary Ellen Denison, born January 26, 1842 ; Emeline Day, born March 28, 1844; Theodore, born September 28, 1846; James, born December 27, 1847 ; Isabella Phellis, born May 8, 1850 ; Eliza M. Day, born July 5, 1852.
Alexander and Elizabeth, the father and mother of James De Armond, came to this county in 1807. They had their horses stolen by the Indians. By careful management they accumulated a large share of the goods of the world, as also have their children.
John Finn was born in Ireland, about 1823, and was the son of William and Catharine Finn. He settled in this county in 1852, and was in 1855 married to Ellen Dee, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Dee, and born in Ireland, November 24, 1831. They have had five children : Catharine, Margaret, William, Mary, and John. Margaret and Mary are dead. Mr. Finn has always been a farmer.
John Lloyd Evans was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, June 22, 1827, and is the son of William Harris Evans and Lavina D. Evans. They came from Culpepper County to this State in 1832, settling at Paddy's Run August 1st. He was married April 21, 1870, at Brookville, Indiana, to Josephine Price, born Noyember 21, 1839, daughter of Henry and Sarah Price, who lived in Franklin County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have had two children, Le Roy, who was born September 7, 1872, and Lloyd Price, who was born January 2, 1874. Mr. Evans is engaged in general merchandise at New, London, and was the postmaster at Paddy's Run in 1852 and 1853, and from 1860 to 1872. His mother's father, John Deane, was in the Revolutionary war. He was at Princeton and Brandywine, going from Fauquier County, Virginia, and serving three years. Mr. Evans's father, William Harris Evans, was in the Seventy-third Welsh Fusileers from 1808 to 1815, and was at the storming of Badajos and the battle of Waterloo. He was born in 1790 and died June, 1843, at New London.
Joseph Cann was born in Loudon County, Virginia, in 1804. His parents were Wilson and Jane Cann, and he came with them to this county in 1831. He has been, twice married ; the first time to Harriet Joyce, by whom he had four children. Elizabeth Mary was born April 15, 1838 ; Andrew B., May 7, 1840 ; Sarepta, June 24, 1842 ; and William James, May 12, 1845. His second wife was Catherine Bittinger, and by her he had four children. Joseph Norvell was born May 26, 1874; Sarah Jane, December 21, 1876 ; Harmon Will, September 14, 1878 ; and Phebe Elizabeth, October 17, 1880. His first wife died in 1866, and he married again in 1872. The farm that he now lives on he settled in 1835, and he has cleared it all himself.
E. J. George was born in this county July 7, 1827, being the son of Joshua and Catherine George, who came to this county in 1810. He was married August 7, 1851, to Margaret E. De Armond, daughter of Thomas and Phebe De Armond, who was born March 1, 1832. They have had eight children. Oscar Weller was born January 5, 1855 ; Mary J., June 9, 1857 ; Alfred Cory, November 7, 1859 ; Clement V. Benton, December 22, 1861; Alice 0., May 18, 1864; Franklin J., September 29, 1866 ; Charles W., February 6, 1871; and Eva A., February 4, 1875. A grandfather of Mr. George, David Thompson, served under General Wayne.
William Mercer was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1798, and was married in this county in 1826, to Margaret Bell, daughter of David and Margaret Bell, who was born August 8, 1804. She bore him nine children. David was born July 31, 1827; Letitia Lovis, December 24, 1828 ; William, December 26, 1830 ; John R., December 8, 1832 ; James L., November 8, 1834; Robert L., January 29, 1838; Willson L., October 11, 1840; Margaret A., October 3, 1844; Florence A., July 3, 1848. Mr. Mercer's father, Thomas, served in the Revolutionary war. His mother's name was Letitia. David Mercer and Wilson Mercer were in the last war, and the latter was killed on Pumpkin Vine Creek in 1864. David served in the Mexican war. Mr. Mercer has been a justice of the peace and township trustee.