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TATE TOWNSHIP - 325 shreds, the fire would put an end to its existence. Not so, however ; the influence over the young women remained undispelled, and the witches continued to revel in the Hildebrand house. Soon the spirits assumed a material rm, and appeared, as the young women averred, in the person of their neighbor, Nancy Evans ; and from this time on it was not long until they believed that Nancy Evans herself was the witch, and that all their troubles had been caused by that unfortunate woman. She was shunned, and all intercourse with the family avoided ; but the trouble remained. At last the justice of the peace was importuned to take the matter in hand, and if the woman, Nancy Evans, were really a witch expel her from the presence of the afflicted family. The statutes of the Territory had made no provision for a case of this nature, the legislators evidently thinking that witchcraft wonld not flourish on Ohio soil ; so the case had to be disposed of in another way. A tradition prevailed that if a witch were weighed against the Holy Writ, sn great would be the overpowering influence of the Bible that the witch wonld be compelled to tip the beam. Accordingly, a rude pair of scales was constructed to decide this momentons matter, and all the interested parties having been called, as well as the neighbors, who were to witness the propriety of the proceedings, Nancy Evans was placed on one end of the scales and the Bible on the other, when she was thns adjured : " Nancy Evans, thou art weighed against the Bible, to try thee against all witcheraftry and diabolical practices." This being done in the name of the law, and with a profound respect r the Word of God, seems to have had a solemn and conclusive effect. Nancy Evans was heavier, very much heavier, than the book, and was thenceforth relieved from all suspicion of being more than a simple old woman, who willingly submitted to this novel process in order to bring peace of mind to her neighbors, whom she sincerely pitied. In the course of a few years the Evans family removed to Brown County, where the old lady died respected by all who knew her. The Hildebrand family also removed, and since their departure witches have no more flourished at Bethel than at any other place, and the village became noted for the general intelligence of its inhabitants and the neighborly relations which existed among them, and continne to this day. In 1804, Thomas Morris, who afterwards became a United States senator, moved to Bethel from Williamsburgh, and lived first near the Dr. Ellsberry place. In 1813 he built a large brick house on the southeast corner of Plane and Charity Streets, which was known as the Morris homestead until 1836, when the senator moved to Cincinnati, but in a few years returned to Tate, living on a farm a little west of Bantam until his death, Dec. 7, 1844. His village home became the property of Holly Raper, in 1836 ; and about 1845, of Jesse It. Grant (the fitter of Gen. U. S. Grant), who remodeled it and occupied it as a residence ten or twelve years. While living there the general, at that time just from the academy at West Point, and later from the Mexican campaign, visited his father, and spent a number of months in this quiet village. On one of these occasions his daughter, Nellie, was born at Bethel, The greater part of the old house has been destroyed by fire, and but little remains to show its rmer comfortable proportions. Closely associated with the events which brought Gen. Grant into prominence was Thomas L. Hamer. In 1818 he came to Bethel a poor, friendless boy, and found a home in the family of Thomas Morris, with whom he studied law, and three years later was admitted to the bar. He then commenced the practice of his profession at Georgetown, and attained such eminence that he was elected to Congress in 1832, triumphing even over his old preceptor. While in Congress he secured a cadetship r the son of his old neighbor, Jesse It. Grant (who lived at Georgetown at that time), and the boy, Ulysses, was thus enabled to obtain a military education, which was turned to good account in saving the life of the nation. Of almost equal importance with the foregoing events was the influence which another rmer citizen of Bethel exerted upon the country, and especially upon the political affairs of Ohio. In 1825, Samuel Medary came from Maryland, where he had shortly before removed from Berks Co., Pa., with his wife and child, in an almost destitute condition, his cash capital consisting of but twenty-five cents. With the assistance of the Simpson, Griffith, and Morris families, he opened a school, which he taught with so much success that he followed this avocation three years, engaging also the latter year in journalrsm, which opened him a career which is elsewhere detailed in this book. The names of other important personages in the history of Bethel appear in the account of the pioneers which precedes these pages. In 1837 there were living in Bethel as property-owners J. D. Bark, William Bredwell, Collins Bredwell, Jacob Boulware, J. M. Burke, William N. Beall, John S. Carter, Houton Clarke heirs, John Conrey, R. W. Clarke, Christian Drumm, Isaac Edwards, John Ellsberry, Michael Ellsbery, G. W. Elrod, J W. Fisher, Henry Garrison, Richard Graham, John Halfhill, Margaret Hill, Benjamin Israel, Samuel Justice, David Light, Thomas J. Morris, John K. Morris, Jacob Metzgar, James Musgrove, J. R. Musgrove, Elisha Meeker, Sarah Noble. David Osborne, Simeon Ogden, Joseph A. Perrine, John Quinlan, James Ross, Garrard Riley, Isaac H. Smith, Aaron Sargent, Salt & Sinks, Hope Strickland, John R. Tice, McKendree Thompson, John Thompson, Caleb Thompson, William Thompson, George J. Trautwine heirs, John Willis, Jacob Willis, Moses Warden, and Frederick Zugg. In 1840 the population was 366, and at present there are about double that number of persons living within the corporate limits of Bethel. The village contains a number of substantial residences, Methodist Episcopal; Wesleyan Methodist, Christian, and Baptist. churches, a very fine Union school, and the several interests noted in the following pages. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. Bethel was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, passed March 20, 1851, which provided " That so much of the township of Tate, in the County of Clermont, as is included within the following boundaries, to wit. beginning at the southwest corner of the town of Bethel, opposite in-lot No. 1 ; thence north with the west line of said town to the northwest corner, opposite lot No. 28 ; thence east with the north line of said town to the northeast corner, opposite lot No. 278; thence south on East Street to the northwest corner of out-lot No. 5 ; thence with the north line of said 326 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. range of lots to the northeast corner of out-lot No. 44 ; thence west with the south line of said range of lots to the southwest corner of lot No. 4, at East Street ; thence with East Street south to the southeast corner of the point at lot No. 251 ; thence west with the south line of the town to the place of beginning, be and the same is hereby declared to be a town corporate, with the name of the town of Bethel, and by that name shall be a body corporate and politic, with perpetual succession ; and as such shall have all the privileges, and be subject to all the limitations, provisions, and restrictions of an act r the regulation of incorporated villages, passed Feb. 16, 1839, and the amendatory acts thereto, except where the same may be altered by this act." Under the above act an election of village officers was held at the school-house May 26, 1851, when Jesse R. Grant was chosen mayor ; Thomas Elrod, Samuel Y. Thornton, John Quinlan, John Ellsberry, and Joseph A, Perrine trustees ; and Thomas J. Morris, recorder. The following year, Jesse R. Grant (the father of Gen. U. S. Grant) was again elected mayor, receiving thirty-one of the thirty-seven votes cast ; and it is said that his administration siwas signally successful. As the office combined magisterial duties, one of his first acts after having been inducted into office was to try several men charged with fighting. The event awakened much interest in the village, and a large crowd of men and boys gathered in the finishing-room of Grant's tannery to see the outcome of the trial. Several of the smaller boys had taken a position on a pile of leather to get a better view of the proceedings, and one of them became so much absorbed that he lost his balance and landed precipitately in a tub of oil near by. This act created almost as much of a diversion among the spectators as the fight or the trial of the malcontents. Andrew Sentney was appointed the first marshal, and J. N. Sims the first treasurer, June 10, 1851, the council created the office of street commissioner, and defined his duties. William S. Sims was appointed to this office until the regular election. Sept. 6, 1851, an ordinance was passed regulating shows, circuses, etc., in the village. June 21, 1853, an ordinance was passed prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in the village of Bethel, with a penalty for each offense of from $5 to $20. July 5, 1853, an ordinance was enacted to prohibit the shooting of firearms in the village of Bethel, under penalty of fines from $1 to $30, or confinement in the county jail for a period not exceeding thirty Lays, or both, at the discretion of the court. Aug. 5, 1853, the village, represented by J. R. Tice, S. S. Scoville, R. M. Sinks, W. L. Griffith, and S. W. Eder, purchased the old Baptist church from John D. Beck, David Osborne, and Andrew Sentney, trustees, for $150, for use as a village hall. Subsequently sin were appropriated to repair the hall. Aug. 27, 1855, H. Munger introduced a resolution " That a meeting of the citizens be called the first Tuesday night in September, for the purpose of establishing a beginning-corner in said town of Bethel.'' This matter gave rise to much discussion, and was the means of producing a special act of the General Assembly, March 19, 1857, which authorized the village to establish a corner or point from which to make future surveys ; and on the 11th of May following the corporation empowered the marshal to warrant the attendance of the following persons in deciding matters of controversy arising from making a new survey : Benjamin Morris, Davis Crane, R. M. Sinks, J. K. Morris, and John Ellsberry. The resurvey was made at a cost of more than $100, but the villagers, with few exceptions, adhered to the old landmarks. Nov. 28, 1857, an ordinance was passed to prohibit the traffic in liquors, and Feb. 3, 1858, on account of the presence of mad dogs, all canines were to be restrained or muzzled. June 5, 1861, the running at large of geese and ducks was prohibited, under a penalty of ten cents per head for every goose or duck over six weeks of age committing such an offense. May 29, 1872. an ordinance was passed creating a board of health, to be composed of seven members, to be elected or appointed annually. The first board was, composed of the mayor, G. T. Layfield, S. W. Eder, A. F. McCall, A. R. Scott, John Ellsberry, Alexander Armor, and W. L. Swing. March 14, 1873, the office of street commissioner was again created, and such an officer ordered to be elected at the following annual election. At the successive meetings the principal streets were ordered to be improved, and since 1873 much work has been done in this direction, the streets at present presenting a favorable appearance. Feb. 9, 1878, the office of solicitor for the village ofsi Bethel was created, the appointment to be made by the Common Council. April 1, 1878, the ordinance creating the office of street commissioner was repealed, but May 11, 1878, the office with modified powers was re-established, and yet exists. March 17, 1879 an ordinance was passed to punish intoxicated persons and disturbers of the public peace, and empowering the court to inflict fines or confinement in the watch-house for periods varying from one to rty-eight hours. March 19, 1879, the office of cemetery trustee was created, and at the annual election, the ensuing April, the following were elected : John Ellsberry, N. B. Morris, and James Frazee. July 14, 1879, an ordinance was passed prohibiting any person from driving on the streets or alleys of the village faster than a gait of seven miles per hour. The levies for tax purposes on the valnation of the village property were as follows: r a cemetery fund one-fourth of a mill; for a salary fund one and three-fourths of a mill ; and for a general fund one and a half mills ; making the taxation light and having the finances of the village in good condition. The village officers in 1879 were : Mayor, G. B. Ulrey ; Clerk, C. H. Calkins ; Trustees, H. U. Reed, Ham Allen, Robert M. Town, J. A. Perrine, J. C. Riley, H. J. Beck ; Treasurer, H. G. Somermier ; Street Commissioner, James Carter ; Marshal, J. H. Sims. TATE TOWNSHIP - 327 Since the incorporation of the village the following have been the principal officers: MAYORS. 1851-52, Jesse R. Grant; 1853-54, A. Carr; 4855, B. J. Tice; 1856, S. W. Eder; 1857, David Osborne; 1858, A. N. Hines; 1859, J. R. Stills ; 1860-61, A. Carr ; 1862, C. Green ; 1863, John M. Goodwin ; 1864, Nelson Gibson ; 1865, A. N. Hines ; 1866, W. E. Thompson,* 1867-68, G. T. Layfield ; 1869, S. F. Townsley ; 1870-75, G. T. Layfield; 1876, G. W. Elrod; 1877, W. H. Ulrey; 1878, James Dye, 1879, George B. Ulrey. RECORDERS, 1851-53, T. J. Morris; 1854, Joseph Thornton; 1855, E. C. Stiles; 1856-57, J. C, Morris; 1858, R. M. Sinks; 1859-60, J. C. Morris; 1861-62, G. T. Salt; 1863, H. J. Beck ; 1864-67, Horace J. Beck ; 1868, Phil South ; 1869-70, H. J. Beck ; 1871-73, Winthrop Frazier; 1874, S. R. Williams; 1875-78, J. N. Altman ; 1879, C. H. Calkins. TREASURERS. 1851-57, J. W. Sims; 1858-60, W. W. Fee; 1861-62, N. A. Hitch ; 1863, W. R. South; 1864, B. F. South ; 1865-66, R. M. Sinks; 1867, C. Davis; 1868, IL M. Sinks; 1869, E. A. South; 1870-79, H. G. Somermier. THE HOTELS AND STORES. In November, 1802, Houton Clarke was licensed as the first tavern-keeper in Bethel. His place of entertainment was a small log house which stood on the site of Joseph Clare's store, and was used a number of years by Clarke, when he built the brick house, now the residence of Gen. R. M. Sinks, and kept a hotel there until his death. In 1817, John R. Tice, who had come from New Jersey the year before, built a part of the present " Allen House," where he and his son James kept hotel until 1844. Others followed, and for a. time the house was used as a residence, but since 1877 it has again been kept as a hotel by Ham Allen, On Main Street Benjamin Morris kept a public- house a few years from 1821 on, which was noted r its cleanliness. It is said that Mr. Morris became disgusted with the business and quit it because his guests would persist in spitting on the floor and otherwise offended his ideas of propriety. In the eastern part of the village, after 1840, W. H. Noble kept a good tavern several years, and about 1847 William Bredwell opened a public-house in the Y. B. Willis residence, which was continued five or six-years. The present:" Perrine House" has been continuously kept since 1833 by Col. Joseph A. Perrine, who is undoubtedly the oldest landlord in the county, and the house itself is perhaps more widely known than any other in Southern Ohio. In the good old times of four- and six-horse stages the Perrino corner presented a scene of animation which it will take many years to efface from the memory of the old citizens of Bethel, and to which they fondly recur as the halcyon days of their village life. It is not positively known who first engaged in merchandising, although it is generally believed that Bethuel F. Morris sold the first goods. His stay here was not long continued, and George J. ,Trautwine may properly be called the first permanent merchant. In 1813 he opened a store on Main Street, in a building which has been re- * W. E. Thompson and Charles Green each received 63 votes for mayor. Thompson selected by lot. moved. Subsequently he erected the present " Perrino House," in which he was engaged in trade until his death in 1832. The next to open a store was Daniel Hankins, some time about 1821, on the corner at present occupied by M. J. Swing. There also were as merchants John Salt, Israel Foster (largely in trade r six or seven years), John Peterson, Samuel Justice, Edward Sinks, Edward Salt, Smith G. Clarke, Charles H. Hunt, and Randolph M. Sinks, either as principals or associated as partners. With little interruption, the latter has been a merchant at Bethel from 1836 till 1874. In the present Joseph Clare stand T. J. Morris was r many years in trade ; and among other merchants in Bethel may be named Sargent & Griffith, J. S. Johnson & Son, .John K. Morris, George T. Salt, and W. T. Warden. Besides the general stores of M. J. Swing and Joseph Clare, H. U. Reid, G. W. Elrod, and W. L. Swing are grocers ; Clare & Sims and E. A. South dealers in shoes ; R. M. Griffith and A. F. McCall, druggists; W. B. Lloyd, harness-maker , J. C. Riley and David Osborne, dealers in cabinet-ware , and B. C. Livingston and John Armor dealers in tin-ware. THE POST-OFFICE, PRESS, AND THE PROFESSIONS. The Bethel post-office was established before 1816, with Moses Warden as postmaster. His salary was $6.31 per year, but as his duties were comparatively easy, it was deemed a proper remuneration. In 1825. Houton Clarke was appointed. From 1829 to 1849, T. J Morris was the postmaster, and was followed by W. L Griffith, who was succeeded in 1851 by T. J. Morris, who was the postmaster r a period of four years, when A R. Fay was appointed. The latter was the first to introduce letterboxes. He was succeeded in 1859 by Alexander Carr ; and since 1865 the present postmaster, E. A. South. has administered the affairs of the office, which receives three mails per day. Since July, 1875, it has been a postal money-order office. In 1828, Sam Medary, assisted by Thomas Morris. established the Ohio Sint at Bethel, and after being published here about a year it was removed to Batavia, where the paper is yet published as the Clermont County San. It is said that Medary performed his editorial work after school hours as long as he was engaged as a teacher. and that after the paper was printed he mounted his horse and delivered it in person to the patrons living around Bethel. The office of publication was in the second story of the Clare building, which was erected in 1828 by Thomas Morris for this purpose. As an attorney, Thomas Morris commenced his career at Bethel in 1804, and continued nearly forty years. He had a number of students, among the number being Thomas L. Hamer and Sam Medary. Several of his sons and other members of the Morris family were educated for the law, and may have followed it a short time at Bethel. R. W. Clarke also first engaged in his profession here, but r a number of years the place was destitute of legal acumen. The present attorneys are the firm of South & Townsley and Orville Burke. In medicine the first practitioner was Dr. Loof borough, who was in the village five or six years, from 1805 on. In 328 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. 1812, Dr. Levi Rogers moved here from Williamsburgh, and continued until his death, in 1815. His home was on the lot where is now the residence of Dr. D. A. McLain, who has been here since 1841. Drs. Ralph Sharp, Wm. Wayland, and Andrew O. Hopkins were each here r periods of from three to ten years, from 1815 on. In 1823, Dr. Wm. Thompson located at Bethel, and remained until his death, May 9,1840. Since that period, Dr. Wm. Ellsbery has been in practice, his son, Dr. W. S. Ells- berry, being associated with him since 1873. Dr. Wm. E. Thompson has been a practitioner at Bethel since 1860, Dr. Julius D. Abbott since 1874, and Dr. Qnincy A. Brown since 1877. At sundry times since 1825 have also been as physicians at Bethel, Drs. B. Thompson, W. B. Chipley, Andrew F. McCall, S. Y. Thornton, L. T. Pease, S. H. Chase, H. Munger, S. S. Scoville, Dr. Hubbell, Dr. Ronain, and a few others whose names cannot be recalled. About 1840, Dr. D. M. Frazee, a dental surgeon, began the practice of his profession at Bethel, and with little interruption continued until his death, in 1871. SECRET ORDERS. The township has the honor of having within her bounds one of the oldest secret societies in the county. On the 15th of December, 1820, a dispensation was granted to organize a lodge of Masons at Bethel, and on the 12th of December, 1821. a charter was daly granted to BETHEL LODGE, No. 61, F. AND A, M. The members named in the charter were George J. Trautwine, the Master ; Jonathan D. Morris, the Senior Warden , John A. Smith, the Junior Warden ; John G. Rogers, Benjamin J. Tingley, Houton Clarke, Isaac South, Gideon Minor, and John Molyneaux. The first initiates of the lodge were John Quinlan and Jonathan Vandike, who were admitted to membership April 11. 1821. Among other members received prior to 1835 were Abram Conrey, James Dunkiuson, Walter Knowles, Alfred Weed, Lemael John, Luther Case, William Clarke, W. L. Thompson, John Hess, E. A. Woods, Seneca Palmer, Moses Larkin, John R. Tice, William Ross, Joseph McKee, Paine Davis, Timothy Sprague, James Ross, John K. Morris, Silas M. Wheeler, William Dowdney, Richard Pemberton, Joshua Lambert, John Chapman, Myers Seaton, Martin Gates, Peter H. Cookus, A. V. Hopkins, Richard H. Swain, William N. Beall, Reuben S. Sear], George B. Noble, Smith G. Clarke, Joseph A. Perrine, Randolph M. Sinks, John Irwin, Jesse P. Myers, Robert Fee, Daniel Munn, Hiram Fagin, R. W. Clarke, G. W. Salt, and James Thomas. The aggregate membership of the lodge has been very large. but death and removals have reduced it until at present there are but 42 belonging. The officers for 1880 were George N. Winder, M.; Joseph A. Perrino, S. W. ; John Sims, J. W ; John Tribble, S. D. ; Henry Winder, J. D.; George Thornton, Treas, ; R. M. Town, Sec.; James Frazee, Tyler; George Elrod and Ham Allen, Stewards. For many years John Quinlan was the honored treasurer of the lodge. Another of the early members, Joseph A. Perrine, has taken all the degrees of American Masonry, and has ever taken an active interest in the affairs of the Order, to which he has belonged fifty years. Since 1821 the following have been the lodge's Masters and Secretaries : Masters.-1822-23, George J. Trautwine ; 1824, Jonathan Vandike ; 1825, John Quinlan ; 1826-27, George J. Trautwine ; 1828, N. R. Beall ; 1829-33, John Quinlan ; 1834, J. K. Morris ; 1835, Joseph A. Perrine ; 1836-38, R. M. Sinks ; 1839, J. A. Perrine ; 1840-46, R. M. Sinks ; 1847, A. Glasgow ; 1848-52, J. A. Perrine ; 1853-56, R. M. Sinks ; 1857, J. J. Norris; 1858, John Quinlan ; 1859-60, George W. Winder ; 1861, John Quinlan ; 1862 -63, George W. Winder ; 1864, R. M. Sinks ; 1865-66, George W. Winder ; 1867-68, W. P. Thornton ; 1869, J. A. Perrine ; 1870-74, George W. Winder ; 1875, John E. Tribble ; 1876, H. S. Reynolds ; 1877-78, George W. Winder. Secretaries.-1822-23, Jonathan Vandike ; 1824-25, J. K, Morris ; 1826, N. R. Beall ; 1827, Paine Davis ; 1828, A. V. Hopkins ; 1829-31, George J. Trautwine; 1832-34, R. M. Sinks ; 1835-40, J. K. Morris ; 1841, James Wasson ; 1842, J. W. Kennedy ; 1843, James Wasson ; 1844-47, D. A. McLain ; 1848-49, R. M. Griffith ; 1850-51, James R. Musgrove; 1852, Jesse R. Grant ; 1853, J. A. Perrine ; 1854-55, M. F. Burke ; 1856-59, J. C. Morris ; 1860-61, G. B. Johnson ; 1862 -63, J. M. Leeds ; 1864, N. Johnson ; 1865, Peter Dean ; 1866-71, R. M. Griffith ; 1872, George W. Elrod ; 1873, S. R. Williams ; 1874, W. C. Frazee; 1875, George W. Winder ; 1876-78, S. R. Canter. The first meetings of the lodge were held in an upper room of the old Senator Morris residence, and afterwards in John Quinlan's house. In 1828 an arrangement was made with the school directors of district No. 1, whereby the Masons were allowed to add an additional story to the school house, which was then being built, for a lodge-room ; and when the old house was taken down and enlarged in 1853 the same arrangement was continued, and the room at that time provided yet forms the hall for the use of the Masons in Bethel. BETHEL LODGE. No. 220, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Masonic Hall, March 30,1853, with the following charter members: H. V. Kerr, N. G. ; William C. Slade, V. G. ; James J. Swing, Rec. Sec. ; D. M. Frazee, Per. Sec. ; and Josiah Beebe, Treas. Among the early initiates of the lodge were B. F. Penn, Theodore Hill, T. M. Leeds, Samuel W. Eder, Isaac Quinlan, Ham Allen, Jesse Peterson, A. C. Moore, C. W. Swing, E. S. Cowell, Francis Locknit, and G. W. Crane. The lodge entered upon a career of prosperity which has continued to this day, and although it has contributed many members to rm neighboring lodges, yet it has 69 belonging. The meetings continued to be held in Masonic Hall until the present Odd-Fellow's building was erected. It was occupied by the order first March 22,1867. For the purpose of erecting this building and to enable it to legally hold other Property, the lodge became an incorporate body April 28,1865, with the following trustees : W. W. Burke, John Studer, A. R. Griffith, and G. S. Salt, clerk. Mr. Burke TATE TOWNSHIP - 329 is yet a member of the board, and has for his associates W. A. Frambes, Charles Swing, and James Dye. The other officers r the first term in 1880 were W. W. Caldwell, N. G.; George Clare, V. G, ; Daniel Finney, See. ; D. E. Carter, Per. Sec. ; and H. G. Somermier, Treas. From the institution of the lodge until the present time the following have been the Noble Grands : 1853, H. V. Kerr, W. C. Slade ; 1854, J. J. Swing, I. S. Quinlan ; 1855, W. C. Slade, G. W. Crane ; 1856, C. W. Swing, S. W. Eder ; 1857, A. D. Homan, J. M. Goodwin ; 1858, W. W. Burke, S. S. Scoville ; 1859, F. Locknit, J. R. Still ; 1860, C. A. Elrod, A. Thompson ; 1861, I. S. Quinlan, T. P. Holland ; 1862, N. Johnson, J. P. Beck ; 1863, H. J. McGohan, H. Allen ; 1864, J. Studer, A. R, Griffith ; 1865, D. E. Carter, William Ellsberry ; 1866, G. T. Salt, A. J. MoGohan ; 1867, Joseph Clare, J. F. Israel ; 1868, B. C. Newell, W. A. Frambes ; 1869, no record; 1870, Levi Doughty, Joseph Parker ; 1871, George H. Rader, ; 1872, S. R. Williams, F. M. Frazier ; 1873, Charles Green, John McNeal ; 1874, L, S. Frazier, W. H. Ulrey ; 1875, W. H. Brown, L. A. South ; 1876, Ed. Elrod, W. C. Thorp; 1877, M. W. Fagaley, J. D. Phillips; 1878, J. C. Riley, J. D. Willis ; 1879, A. Simpkins, James McMurchy. EDUCATIONAL. The records pertaining to the early schools of the township have not been preserved. Under the act of 1825 there were organized six whole and two fractional districts, District No. 1 being composed of Bethel and the northeastern part of Tate, and having- 71 householders ; the Bantam district had 59 householders, and the district in the southern part of the township 41 householders. Not including Bethel, there were, in 1879, twelve sub-districts, and the members of the board of education were H. F. Gray, president, C. W. Page, W. W. Burke, J. L. Kochenaur, George G. Coom, Edward Elrod, W. A. Altman, S. B. Smith, T. E. Beck, S. Parrish, M. M. Edwards, and Joseph Clare. Sixteen weeks of school are maintained per year at an expense of a little more than $3000. The total number of pupils enrolled was (for 1879) 519. The value of the school buildings was not reported. The first school in the township was at Bethel, and among the early teachers were Benjamin Morris and Onns- kirk Boulware. Later other members of the Morris family and Samuel Medary taught excellent schools. BETHEL UNION SCHOOL. The minutes of the meeting which led to the organization of the special district of the inccrporated village of Bethel have not been preserved ; but on the 23d of April, 1859, the first board of education was chosen and was composed of W. L. Griffrth, Joseph Thornton, S. S. Scoville, N, A. Hitch, W. W. Fee, and Thomas Elrod. The latter was chosen president, Joseph Thornton secretary, and W. W. Fee treasurer. On the 13th of June, 1859, the board of education adopted rules and regulations r the government of the school, and laid down a comprehensive course of study which required ten years to complete. Dr. S. S. Scoville, Dr, D. Frazer, and J. C. Morris were appointed a board of examiners, and, with the appointment of J. C. Morris as principal, and Miss E. Headley and Miss H. L. Cook as assistant teachers, for the year beginning the third Monday in September, 1859, the school was fairly organized, and opened under favorable auspices. The enumeration of youth at this period showed 133 white male and 106 white female children, living in the district, and 6 children of color. The presence of the latter caused much discussion as to their right to attend school. It was finally resolved, Feb. 1, 1860, " That, in the opinion of this board of education, children of less than one-half white blood are not entitled to attend the public school, and that the superintendent be instructed to notify the parents or guardians of the following children, that they are excluded, viz,: William Brown, Moses Brown, Andrew Brown, Emily Brown, and - Blackwood." Having passed safely over this reef the school was not materially distracted by any reign element r many years, and its general conduct has been harmonious and prosperous. It has enjoyed the labors of the following principals: J. C. Morris, Z. Riley, Z. W. Fagin, W. 0. Hopkins, 0. P. Cook, F. C. Harvey, Thomas D. Scott, W. H. Ulrey, and W. R. Page. The latter became connected with the school in 1878, and, assisted by L. S. Thompson, Kate Altman, and Lizzie Richards, is yet in charge. The board of education in 1860 was composed of Albert A. Crane, president ; Jerome Behymer, secretary ; H. U. Reed, treasurer ; and Daniel E. Carter, M. J. Swing, and A. C. McKibben, associate members. The Union School was opened in the house erected by district No. 1 in 1853, and which is most generally known as Masonic Hall, from the fact that the Masons added the third story and have since occupied it r their meetings. Its construction cost the district $1600, and Alexander Carr did the brick-work. With the growth of the village and the success of the Union School came a demand for a building of more spacious accommodations. The proposition to erect a larger house was submitted as early as March 16, 1867, but of a total vote of 95 only 19 favored the project. For eight years the question was agitated, and on the 17th of May, 1875, it was brought to a final issue, 69 voting to build a new house and 66 opposing such a measure. J. M. Goodwin and W. E. Thompson, two of the most active promoters of the enterprise, were authorized to prepare plans for the new building, and soon work went on apace on the edifice. It is a two-story brick, 51 by 69 feet, with the front and rear walls slightly recessed the width of the main hall, and the centre of the house is surmounted by a light belfry. Internally are six rooms and a fine hall, 28 by 51 feet. The building presents a very creditable appearance, and cost about $7000. It was first occupied r school purposes in the fall of 1877. Since it has been taught in the new house the Union School has taken a merited place among the many excellent schools cf the county. In 1879 it was attended by 106 boys and 103 girls, graded as primary scholars, and instructed at a cost of nearly $1200. The following have been the principal officers of the board of education since 1859: Presidents.-1860, W. L. Griffith; 1861-62, Thomas Elrod ; 1863-64, B. F. South ; 1865, D. M. Frazer ; 1866- 330 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. 68, Charles Green ; 1869-71, H. C. Goodwin ; 1872-75, J. M. Goodwin ; 1876-78, H. C. Goodwin. Secretaries.-1860, Joseph Thornton ; 1861-64, Charles Green ; 1865-75, W. E. Thompson ; 1876, W. L. Swing ; 1877, W. H. Ulrey ; 1878, Jerome Behymer. Treasurers.-1860-61, W. W, Fee ; 1862, A. C. Salt ; 1863, D. M.- Frazer; 1865, E. A. South ; 1866, H. C. Goodwin ; 1869-73, H. G. Somerimer ; 1874-76, A. R. Salt ; 1877, H. G. Somerimer ; 1878, H. U. Reed. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. Tate was settled by a class of people whose religious convictions were strongly developed, and who early made provision to observe the rms of public worship. The first meetings were held in the rude cabins of the pioneers, or, if the weather permitted, in the leafy temples which the Giver of all bounties provided. Yet at an early day the Methodists built one of the first meeting-houses in the county in the Collins neighborhood, and the lot on which it stands has been consecrated ground ever since. But the first organized religious body in Tate was THE REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH OF BETHEL, whose beginning dated from 1799, if not earlier. The original members numbered but 6, and were Jeremiah Beck, Sr., Jeremiah Beck, Jr., Obed Denham, Mary Denham, Charity Beck, and Kelly Burke. The church does not seem to have been supplied with a pastor prior to 1805, at which time the Rev. Moses Hutchings assumed this relation, and with the settlement of the country came a large number of members who were heartily in sympathy with the avowed tenets of the church, and especially with the position it took upon the slavery question. No fellowship was allowed with any one who had an interest in slavery or who regarded the institution as just, and consequently, while the church prospered because it had taken this decided position in favor of the right, It also drew upon rtself the reproach of many bitter enemies. In general, however, its career has been one of prosperity. Among the members belonging prior to 1828, in addition to the above, were the following : Anna Lewis, Sears Crane, Sarah Crane, Levi Beck, John Frazee, Luther Crane, Debby Hutchings, Daniel Osborne, Mary Brown, Peter Smith, Rebecca Hewitt, Moses C. Edwards, Obed E, Denham, Sarah Denham, Isaac A. Morris, James Burke, Mary Halse, Rachel Stultz, Sarah Gibbs, John K. Morris, Laura Trautwine, Ruth Goble, H. Frazee, Moses Edwards, John Denham, Benjamin Osborne, Susan Osborne, Chris. Hartman, Mary Hartman, Elizabeth Robbins, Rebecca Bricker, Samuel Beck, Timothy Edwards, Nancy Boulware, Thomas West, Hannah Elrod. On the 27th of July, 1806, Jeremiah Beck was ordained to the office of deacon, the first of which we have any account, and on the 6th of August, 1808, the church, to accommodate its members living in Williamsburgh, held a meeting there, celebrating the communion the following day. May 27, 1809, " Sears Crane was licensed to preach whenever the Lord in his providence shall call him." At various times the church also ordained the following to the offrce of the ministry : Rev. J. K. Morris, May 5,1840 ; Rev. Aaron K. Sargent, Aug. 30, 1845 ; Rev. Richard King, April 21,1855. In 1814 the church first took action in regard to building a house of worship, and appointed John Denham to draw up a subscription-list to secure the necessary funds, but it was not until April 27,1816, that a final resolution was made to build a meeting-house on lot 176, which had been set aside r this purpose by the proprietor of the village, Obed Denham. The following year the first trustees were elected, namely, Kelly Burke, Timothy Edwards, Levi Beck, and Jeremiah Beck, clerk. On the 25th of September, 1819, the ordination of Jonathan Tingley to the office of deacon is noted, and, a few years later appears a minute relating to the church on Clover Creek, which was granted liberty to worship in the new meeting-house, providing the society at that place would unite in completing it. The house was not completed until several years later, and was used r the meetings of the church until 1853, when the village purchased it for a town hall, and later it was removed to the old tan-yard, where it is yet used as an adjunct of that business. The present house was built, after much exertion, the same year, but was not consecrated until August, 1854. It is a neat brick edifice, and well affords a spiritual home r the society. The present trustees are H. U. Reed, David Osborne, and Charles Davis. The pastors of the church have been the following reverend gentlemen : Moses Hutchings, Moses Edwards, Aaron Sargent, James Sargent, Aaron K. Sargent, George Sapp, M. Jones, G. W. Taylor, J. K. Morris, E. S. Riley, Richard King, Wm. Spoldon, W. H. Dolby, E. R. Hera, and since May 4,1879, G. W. Churchill. A membership of 157 is reported, with W. W. Smith, David Osborne, Loran Pool, and Charles Davis as deacons. Timothy E. Beck is the church clerk. A flourishing Sunday-school, having more than 100 members, is maintained by the church. THE POPLAR FORK BAPTIST CHURCH was organized May 6,1842, with the following members : J. S. Boggess, Nancy Boggess, Levi Beck, Abigail Beck, Jordan Harris, Margaret Harris, Joseph Dorrell, Margaret Dorrell, J. W. Riley, A. J, Riley, F. C. Riley, Eli Riley, George Stultz, Susannah Canter, Abram Coffman, George Halse, and Mary Halse. The following year a small but neat frame meeting-house was built on the Felicity pike, near Higginsville, by a building committee composed of Jordan Harris, J. S. Boggess, Levi Beck, George Halse, and J. C. Gravitt. The official organization has not been closely kept up, and William Halse is at present the only member of the board of trustees. For a time the church flourished, but a number of causes tended to reduce the membership to but a few persons. The deacons in the order of the service have been John S. Boggess, Jordan Harris, James Canter, M. Tribble, Thomas Canter, Daniel Altman. and William Heise ; and the church has had the ministry of the following reverend gentlemen : Josiah Denham, George Sapp, A. K. Sargent, J. K, Morris, Thomas Elrod, William H. Dolby, J. D. Hatfield, W. D. Spoldon, Joseph Hawkins, and W. L. Jermane. COL. WILLIAM THOMAS. Col. William Thomas was born Aug. 16, 1801, in Redstone Fort, Washington Co., Pa. His father, James Thomas, was born near Annapolis, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in 1779, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Lyons Clark, and of Holland Dutch descent, was born in 1776, in Monmouth County, N. J., and was a little girl when Washington fought the battle of Trenton. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Willram Thomas, born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland ; while his great-grandfather was John Thomas, who came to America from Wales about the year 1680, was a very large planter, and served for years as high sheriff in the Maryland Colony. James Thomas, in the year 1805, accompanied by Joseph Smith, moved with therr famihes to Ohio and landed at Columbia. He located in Hamilton County, where Madisonville now stands, and where he purchased fifty acres of land. Toere he lived ten years, and there his wife died. In 1815 he removed to Clermont County in the Witham settlement, where he had bought a farm in 1807. Col. Thomas was the eldest of his parents' eighteen children,—nine boys and nine girls. James Thomas had six children by his first wife, of whom five are yet living, and twelve by his second wife, Levine Walworth. William was raised on a farm, attended the district school in a log cabin two or three months of winters, and was eight years old before he ever wore a hat. His father died in 1859, in his eightieth year. Col. Thomas was married in November, 1825, to Eliza Doan, sister of Dr. William Doan, of Withamsvilla, a Congressman from this district from 1839 to 1843. To them were born the following children : Rebecca, married to William Iden ; William D. ; Harriet, married to Samuel Atchley ; Eliza ; and De Witt Clinton. The second time he was married to Lucinda Doan, a sister of his first wife (deceased). His third marriage was to Mrs. Electra S. Brag- don, widow of Dr. George B. Bragdon, and danghter of Rev. John Collins, the famous and eloquent pioneer preacher who led and established the noted Jersey settlement in Clermont by locating himself, in 1803, on the East Fork at the historic "Horse-Shoe Bottom," afterwards the well-known residence of his distinguished son, Gen. Richard Collins. Col. Thomas lived at Withamsville until 1833, when he was elected sheriff of the county and moved to Batavia. He was re-elected to this offrce in 1835 with no opposition, so great was his efficiency and popularity. Upon the expiration of his two terms as sheriff he began merchandising in the building or on the site in Batavia where Sutton's store now is, and in this trade continued for several years. During this trme, Hon. James Ferguson having retired from the publication of the Clermont Sun, the Democratic organ, Col. Thomas controlled and operated the paper for two or three weeks, employing for a time a Mr. Gobright, from WashiUgton City, as its editor. After the disastrous defeat of 1837 to the Democratic party in the county the paper was kept alive mainly by the colonel's efforts, and the party, largely by his labors, was in a few years enabled to gain the ascendancy again. In 1839 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1841, serving in all four years, and making, as he had when sheriff, a faithful and popular officer. He then moved to Elk Lick Mills, where for several years he was in business keeping store and running the miHs. In 1866 be moved to the fine farm near Bantam, in Tate township, where he has ever since resided. While living at Withamsville he was a trustee of Union township. He held the office of lieutenant in the Ohio militia before he was eighteen years of age, was afterwards captain, and from 1825 to 1833 colonel of his regiment, which used to driH and muster at Squire Chapman Archer's place. When he was sheriff he used to take his prisoners sentenced to the penitentiary by horseback to Columbus, and it required a week to make the round trip. The colonel is now in his eightieth year, but is very hale and hearty, and comes of an old Revolutionary stock long lived and famous in the early annals of the country. His grandfather, William Thomas, of Bladensburg, District of Columbia, was captain of a troop of horse Minute-Men in the Revolution, and served under " Light-Horse Harry Lee." In after-years the celebrated Thomas family divided on the slavery question, and some members of it, large planters and slaveholders, sold or emancipated their slaves, mostly the latter. The colonel's father's uncle, James Thomas, settled in Butler Co., Ohio, but afterwards in Greene Co., Ky., in which State also located Evan Thomas. William, a cousin of the colonel, settled at Waverly, Mo., was an old bachelor, owned fifteen thousand acres of land, and vast personal property of which the Rebellion stripped him. Col. Thomas' only son, William Doan Thomas, lives in Nebraska, where he is one of the wealthiest men in that young State. But few men in this county have been better or more favorably known than Col. Thomas, who for a third of a century was a controlling man in its affairs, political, military, and financial, and in his advanced age, surrounded with a pleasant home, he can with honor and satisfaction look over his long life spent in usefulness to the public and his fellow-men. TATE TOWNSHIP - 331 THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT BETHEL had among its pioneer members Moses Warden (the class- leader and local preacher), Samuel Nelson, Abner and Luther Crane, Michael Ellsberry, John S, Carter, Mrs. Benjamin Morris, and others whose names are not now remembered, The preaching which this class had at that time (about 1808) was held at the house of Michael Ellsberry every four weeks ; but in 1814 the class had increased to snch an extent that larger accommodations, were demanded, and the same year a brick meeting-house was built by Michael Ellsberry, which was used r church and school purposes until 1830, when a larger church edifice was erected OP the same street, about opposite the present school bnilding. This was so poorly constructed that a new house was necessary bere the society had outgrown the old one, and in 1860 the present edifice was erected, much of the material of the old house entering into its construction. The work was superintended by William Fee and William Ellsberry, and tbis house, though plain, affords a comrtable place of worship. Adjoining is a comfortable parsonage, which was secured in 1848, when Jesse B,. Grant, an active member of the church, was on the board of trustees. The present trustees of the property are William Ellsberry, John Durham, Daniel Carter, H. C. Goodwin, W. A. Ellsberry, Joseph Raper, and H. G. Somermier. The church at Bethel has enjoyed the ministerial services furnished by the Miami, White Oak, West White Oak, Moscow, and Bethel Circuits. belonging at present to the latter division. The charge embraces appointments at Clover, Bethel, Lakin, Point Isabel, and Mount Olive Churches, and is at present served by Rev, J. H. Middleton. The resident local preachers are the Revs. John Durham, George W. Swing, and Thomas Grange. The entire membership of the Circuit at the last annual Conference was reported at 450, which was divided into the following classes: Clover (2), Lycurgus Holmes and William Colthar, leaders ; Bethel (3), E. A. South, Daniel Carter, and H. G. Somermier, leaders ; Clermont, George M. Pemberton, leader ; Lakin (2), E. R. Salt and Philip Milner, leaders ; Point Isabel (3), Daniel Fee, Abijah Armacost, and George Thompson, leaders ; Mount Olive (2), Wesley McKenzie and William Black, leaders. The recording steward of the Bethel Circuit in 1880 was E. R. Salt. At Bethel is a good Methodist Sunday-school, which is superintended by William Richards. The ministers of Bethel Circuit and the territory which it now embraces have been the following, the names of the presiding elders being omitted : Miami Circuit.-1799-1800, Henry Smith ; 1801, E. Bowman, Benjamin Young ; 1802, E. .Bowman; 1803, John Sale, Joseph Oglesby ; 1804, John Meek, Abraham Amos ; 1805, Benjamin Lakin, Joshua Reggin ; 1806, Benjamin Lakin, John Collins ; 1807, Samuel Parker, Hector Sanford. White Oak Circuit.-1852, David Young ; 1809, John Johnson ; 1810, Isaac Pavey ; 1811, Benjamin Lakin, Eli Trentt ; 1812, W. Griffith, Reuben Rowe ; 1813, Robert W, Finley, D. Sharp ; 1815, John Strange, S. Chenoweth ; 1816, John Strange, Isaac Pavey ; 1817, W. Griffith, James Simmons ; 1818, B. Westlake, S. T, Wells ; 1819, F. Landrum ; 1820, William Page, L. Swormstedt ; 1821, A. W. Elliott, Z. Connell ; 1822, William Page, Benjamin Lawrence ; 1823, D. D. Davidson, Samuel West ; 1824, G. W. Maley, J. Everhart ; 1825, G. R. Jones, W. J. Thompson ; 1826, G. R. Jones, Levi White; 1827, A. W. Elliott, Levi White ; 1828, A. W. Elliott, A. F. Baxter, James Smith ; 1829, B. Westlake, A. F. Baxter, J. W. Finley ; 1830, B. Westlake, James Baxter, J. W. Finley ; 1831, William D. Barrett, Joseph Leedrum, B. Frazee; 1832, William Simmons, John M. Goshorn; 1833, G. W. Maley, H. E. Pitcher ; 1834, G, W. Maley, James Parcels ; 1835, J. W, Clarke, William Rowe ; 1836, John Collins, W. T. Hand ; 1837, Ebenezer B. Chase, Alfred Hance ; 1838, Ebenezer B. Chase, John Stewart ; 1839, William J. Ellsworth, Edward Estill ; 1840, Wesley Rowe, Edward Estill ; 1841, William Parrish, J. G. Dimmitt ; 1842, Isaac Ebbert, J. G. Dimmitt ; 1843, G. R. Jones, James G. Blair ; 1844-45, William S. Morrow, Joseph Gassner ; 1846-51, no minutes. West White Oak Circuit.-1852, A. Murphy, H. Baker ; 1853, L. P. Miller, Michael Bitler ; 1854, L. P. Miller, William E. Hines ; 1855, C. R. Lowell, Joseph Blackburn. Moscow Circuit.-1856, J. Fitch, J. Shea, T. S. Dunn ; 1857, J. Fitch, P. Glasscock ; 1858, J. Armstrong, P. Glasscock ; 1859, J. Armstrong, D. Callahan ; 1860, J. C. Maddy, J. P. Shultz ; 1861, J. C. Maddy, J. L. Gregg ; 1862-63, William Q. Shannon, T. Head ; 1864, W. W. Ramsey, J. Armstrong ; 1865, S. W. Edmiston, J. Armstrong ; 1866, S. W. Edmiston, H. M. Curry ; 1867, E. P. James, H. M. Curry. Bethel Circuit.-1868-69, T. E. Fidler ; 1870-72, R. E. Smith ; 1873, W. E. Hines ; 1874, D. D. Cheney ; 1875, W. F. Mappin ; 1876-78, A. D. Maddox ; 1879, J. H. Middleton. THE CLERMONT CHAPEL OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, forming a part of the Bethel Circuit, is one and a half miles southwest from Bethel, and was built bere 1858 to afford a place of meeting r a class of Methodists living in that locality. Among the pioneer members were George West, leader ; George Swing, Samuel Bennett, Richard Pemberton, William Frazier, and others, who worshiped in the West school-house until the chapel was built. The chapel is no longer regarded as a regular appointment, the members attending church at Bethel. LAKIN CHAPEL OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This house of worship was built in 1849-50, on a lot which was donated r this purpose by James Hill, west of Wigginsville, by a building committee composed of Edward Salt, George W. Salt, James Hill, Daniel O'Hara, and Daniel Altman. The church was dedicated by Father John Meek, and the class which then occupied it changed its place of meeting from the old log schoolhouse in this locality. Besides the building committee mentioned, the early members were James and Daniel McLain, and Joseph Saunders. The present trustees are John N. and John L. Fisher, John H. Boggess, John OlHara, John W. Thompson, Daniel Altman, arid James Hill. The chapel belongs to Bethel Circuit, as does, also, 332 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. THE MOUNT OLIVE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, in the southern part of Tate. Previous to 1840 the Methodists in that neighborhood held their meetings in the Goodwin school-house in Franklin township ; but that year, through the efforts of Wesley Winters and George Swope, funds were raised to erect a meeting-house on the farm of Wesley Winters, on the Felicity Pike. In the organization of the society which followed, Wesley Winters, George Swope, James F. Sargent, Simeon Goodwin, Warren Richards, John Horton, and Robert Winters were chosen trustees. The house was dedicated in 1841, by Benjamin Lakin. It cost originally $1200, and has since been repaired, being at present in fair condition. Wesley Winters. has been a trustee of the church continuously since the year 1840. In the Bantam neighborhood Methodism has flourished since 1803, when it was introduced there by the Rev. John Collins, and at his house the first meetings were held. Among the early members of the class were persons belonging to the Collins, Higbee, McCullom, Justice, Drummond, Clark, and other families, living along. the East Fork. About 1807 a log meeting-house was erected by the society, which was called THE BETHEL METHODIST CHURCH, which was on a lot of ground given by John Collins. A dozen years later a larger house was demanded by the growing membership, and in 1819, James Blackman erected the frame of the present church, which has been brought to its present condition by several repairs. For many years the members of this church belonged to Laurel, but in 1876 a new circuit was formed with the name of Bantam (which embraces the "Bethel" Church, Concord, in Williamsburgh, and Mount Pisgah, it Ohio township, and which had Rev. J. F. McColm as preacher in charge. He was succeeded by the present minister, the Rev. George W. Fee. In the Collins neighborhood are two classes, haying Frank Dunlap and Robert Blair as leaders ; at Concord one, Benjamin Wilson, leader ; and at Mount Pisgah four, John Terwilliger, James Dillon, John Wilson, and Arthur Wyatt, leaders. The aggregate membership is about 300. John W. Lindsey is the recording steward, and Nathaniel Daly a local preacher. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT BETHEL. Prior to 1820, Mathew Gardner, George Fisher, David Hathaway, and George Vandament held occasional meetings at private houses, at which were preached the simple doctrines of the Christian Church, and which, in successive years, were proclaimed by Samuel Rogers, Peter Slick, J. T. Powell, and Alonzo Knowles. Following these early meetings was the organization of the chrrch at Bethel, Nov. 3, 1821, by Elder Mathew Gardner, the members agreeing to take the "Scriptures far our rile in faith and practice." The covenanting members were Nathan Oliver, Rebecca Oliver, Shadrach Tribble, Alanson Tribble, Amelia Tribble, Nancy Tribble, Samuel Thompson, Anna Thompson, Joseph McChesney, Sarah McChesney, Mary Townsley, Lydia Varley, Jacob Chatterton, Lucinda Chatterton, Charity Beck, Elizabeth Vanosdol, John Conover, Jemima Conover, Davis Crane, Sarah Crane, Isaac South, Elisha B. Thompson, Mary Thompson, George Ulrey, Lydia Ulrey, and a few others. Among the early trustees were Davis Crane, Luther Crane, Joseph McChesney, Isaac South, George Ulrey, E. B. Thompson, David Thompson, Jacob Chatterton, and it was some years before the first meeting-house was built which is now occupied by Mr. Tice, the society having provided itself with a new house of worship, which it yet uses. From 1826 till 1836 an aggregate of 160 persons belonged to the church, which, the latter year, dissolved its connection with the Southern Ohio Conference, and became connected with those Christians who accepted the teachings of Walter Scott and Alexander Campbell ; and the church has since adhered to that branch of Christians, having no creed but the Bible. E. B. Thompson was one of the first elders of the church, and served most acceptably and faithfully until his removal, His associate was John Pierce, who, in March, 1852, was ordained to his office, and Ezekiel Lockwood, Samuel M. Cook, and E. E. Turner to the deaconship, Elder J. T. Powell officiating. He was for many years the preacher of the church, being most devout and faithful, and had as co-laborers Elder Otho Pearre, Elder David Thompson, Jr., Wm. Pinkerton, J. B. Lucas, Wm. Patterson, George Campbell, and H. R. Pritchard. In the fall of 1851, Elder J. H. Lockwood began his pastoral labors with this church, preaching in connection with some of the above named, and this was his first engagement as a preacher. He remained with the church until 1854, when he moved to Madison, Ind., and Otho Pearre was employed to preach one-fourth of his time. Subsequently, Elders J. M. White, Josephus Blair, J. D. Mathews, T. J. Murdock, and others were the preachers until 1862, when Elder J. H. Lockwood again became the pastor, and has since served as such, his labors occupying one-half of his time. The new chapel was built in 1867, and at the dedication Elder William Pinkerton and Dr. James Hopple assisted the pastor. Its cost was 84100, and the building committee were W. T. Cook, Samuel Ulrey, Samuel M. Cook, William Ulrey, and J. H. Lockwood. The house is of brick, 34 by 58 feet, and has accommodations for 350 persons. The present trustees are Samuel Ulrey, A. J. McGohan, and William Swing. Other official members of the church are J. H. Lockwood, Pastor ; Samuel M, Cook and M. G. Thompson, Elders ; Redmond Hanley, Samuel Ulrey, W. A. Lockwood, and Amos B. Cook, Deacons ; A. R. Scott, Clerk ; Amos B. Cook, Treasurer ; and W. A. Lockwood, Sunday-school Superintendent. Both the church and Sunday-school have been fairly prosperous, the former having had 550 members, with 180 belonging at present ; to the. latter from 50 to 100 belong. David Thompson, Jr., Aaron Chatterton, Sterling E. Pearre, and J. H. Lockwood originated from the church as ministers, and the society at Bethel has always exerted a marked influence in the councils of the church, promoting and directing its various enterprises. TATE TOWNSHIP - 333 THE ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The constituent members of this body were Jonas and Samuel Trissler, John Shinkle, Joseph Jones, their wives, and John Trissler,—nine in all,—who worshiped in the school-house at Poe Town until the meeting-house was bnilt, about 1853, on a lot of land donated by James Davis. The church has greatly prospered, and has at present 182 members, under the pastoral direction of the Rev. James Lowell, who also preaches for the Boat Run Church and the newly organized Christian Church in Pierce township. The first minister and the organizer of the church was Peter Devore. Other ministers serving the church were Charles Manchester, George Mefford, S. S. Morris, A, J. Abbott, and Rufus McDaniels. The sole clerk of the church has been Samuel Trissler. The first deacons were John Shinkle and Joseph Jones, and these, with Wesley Boner, yet serve. For many years Hiram Trissler has been superintendent of a Sunday-school maintained in the summer season. THE SUGAR-TREE RUN WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH. This was the first church of that denomination organized in the county. It was formed by the Rev. S. H. Chase, in the Presbyterian Church at Nicholsville, in April, 1845, of six persons. At the next meeting 13 more joined, and ere long a large class was constituted, of which Isaac H. Brown was the leader. Among the early members were Catherine Brown, James Bunton, Sarah Bunton, Robert Doughty, William Doane, Jedediah Doane, G. P. Riley, Sarah Riley, Benjamin Rice, Jane Rice, Oliver Crane, Eliza Crane, Heny Tracy, Richard Brandriff, Rhoda Brandriff, Martha Tracy, Alfred Jackson, Levi Hopkins, Daniel Fee, Matilda Fee, Elizabeth Rogers, William Clingier, Diana Clingier, Mathew Moses, Charlotte Moses, May Hance, John Frazer, Rebecca Frazer, Peter Hastings, John F. Rogers, Delilah Rogers, Richard Mace, Nancy Mace, Frank Taylor, Abigail Lane, William Frazer, Sr., Sarah Frazer, 0. W. Vanosdol, Francis Vanosdol, Jeptha Jones, Charlotte Jones, and William Riley. In the spring of 1848 a board of trustees was chosen, which was composed of Daniel Fee, 0. Crane, G. P. Riley, Benjamin Rice, and I. H. Brown, who erected a meetinghouse the same season, on a lot of ground donated r this purpose by I. II. Brown, two miles southwest from Bethel. The house was dedicated free of debt by the Rev. P. A. Ogden, and afforded a comrtable place of worship as long as the society had an existence. It is yet standing, but has been transferred to the trustees of the township for nse on funeral occasions. The removal of some of the most active. members of the church, and the rmation of other churches at more central points, impaired the strength of the society to such an extent that it was not deemed advisable to continue its organization, and it was allowed to go down about ten years ago. Among the ministers who served the church were the Revs. S. H. Chase, L. Pettijohn, M. Harker, Thomas McNeilan, John W. Chalfant, Daniel Worth, Walter Yancy, John O'Neil, G. P. Riley, Joshua Boucher, Z. Fagan, John L. Fall, J. W. Hyatt, and a few others r short periods, who also served other Wesleyan Churches. THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH OF BETHEL was organized in the winter of 1853. In February of that year the Revs. D. Worth and W. C. Yancy, Wesleyan ministers, and Rev. T. D. Jay, a local preacher, co-operated with the Methodist Church of Bethel in holding revival meetings, which were attended with unusual interest, and which produced many conversions. After a short time the use of the house by the Wesleyans was rbidden, and their meetings were then held in the school house, which was also closed against them in the course of a few months. The old Baptist church, and later, the town hall, were then used, rent being required at the rate of 25 cents per sermon. At a still late: day the society held its meetings in Temperance Hall. But the church prospered to such an extent that, on the 29th of May, 1853, it was voted that a church edifice be erected. Accordingly, Isaac H. Brown, Benjamin Rice, and H. Munger were appointed a building committee to put up a brick house, 40 by 50 feet, on a lot of ground on Main Street, purchased of Walter Burke. Nelson Gibson, William Wilkerson, Thomas Corbet, H. Munger, and James Bunton were also elected the first trustees, and after a year's work the church was dedicated May 21, 1854, by Rev. Noah Hough. At this trme there were 58 members, and on the day of dedication srx more joined, These constituted two classes, led by Nelson Gibson and T, J. Morris. The aggregate membership of the church has been more than 200, and at present numbers 75. The offrcial board at this time (January, 1880) is composed of John Frazer, 0. W. Vanosdol, Isaac lH, Brown, G. W. Clare, Levi Pemberton, Trustees, and Frank Smith, Thomas Callon, and Q. A. Brown, Stewards. The church was rmerly connected with Felicity and Laurel in rming a circuit. and had about the same pastors as the Sugar-Tree Run Church. The present minister is the Rev. J. L. Fall. A successful Sunday-school has long been maintained by the church, and r the seven years has been superintended by Joseph Clare. An average attendance of 75 members is reported. THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY AT BETHEL was organized about 1840, and embraced among its original members William Griffith, Lafayette Crane, Philip Elrod, James Denham, Benjamin Denham, Joseph Thornton, George Brown, Samuel Eder, etc. An old store-room on Plane Street was purchased and fitted up r a house of worship while the society had an existence, about a dozen years, when it was removed and converted into a shop. Among the ministers who preached here are remembered the Revs. Pingrey, Emmett, Gurley, and others from Cincinnati. THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BANTAM originated from the old Presbyterian Church in Monroe, in consequence of a division into Old and New Schools, the members of the New School transferring their interests to Bantam in 1861, where the meetings were first held in the old school-house. On the 28th of August, 1864, the society became an incorporated body, with Samuel Simpson, William Porter, Sr., and John C. Reddish as a board of 334 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. trustees. The present church edifice at Bantam was begun the same year and completed the next, and is an inviting and substantial place of worship. It was dedicated Aug. 27, 1865. At that time Rev. J. L. French was the pastor, and was followed by the Rev. H. A. Ketchum, who was connected with the church in 1872, when the members of the session were George W. Hays, William Porter, Alexander Porter, Job Malsberry, and Samuel Simpson, Elders ; and L. W. Hitch and A. J. Justice, Deacons. In 1874 Rev. W. C. West became the pastor, and the church was reorganized, the following being elected as official members : Alexander Porter, F. E. H. Kemper, William Porter, Job Malsberry, Elders ; David White and Charles Malsberry, Deacons ; M. M, Edwards, George Swanson, Sr., George Swanson, Jr., and L. R. White, Trustees ; and Miss Hattie Simpson, Treasurer. In the main these officers yet serve, and since January, 1875, the Rev. William Carson has been the pastor of the church. The aggregate number of members has been 103, and at present 75 belong. A good Sabbath-school is maintained the year throughout, which has F E. H. Kemper r superintendent. A further account of the early history of the church may be found in the pages devoted to the histoy of the township of Monroe. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. S. B. SMITH. Samuel Brown Smith was born Feb. 10, 1811, on the banks of Bullskin Creek, near Feesburg, Brown Co., Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Mary Richardson, born Oct. 16, 1789, and reared in Brown County, on Bullskin Creek. She is still living in her ninety-first year, and often tells of the privations of the pioneer days, and the Indian outrages that preceded the victory of Wayne in 1794. In her sixteenth year she was married to William Smith, a native of Irelando who emigrated to America at an early day, and settled near Feesburg. After their marriage they located on Cherry Fork of Brush Creek, in Adams Co., Ohio, where she yet lives. They had four girls, Sarah, Lucrnda, Mary Ann, Nancy, and one son, Samuel Brown, the subject of this sketch. William Smith served throughout the war of 1812, and died in 1817, leaving his wife with five small children to care r and but limited means at her command,— only a prece of land lying in the woods. In 1819 sht married Nathan Plummer, who owned no property but was a good worker and a krnd stepfather, and with hrm the children lived until they married and settled down rn life. The country being sparsely settled, the schools were few and inferior, but Samuel B. obtained a good educatron, and subsequently taught district school, singing- school, and writing-school, being an excellent penman, and hrghly proficient. In 1839 he went to Indiana and taught at Walnut Grove, Montgomery Co., of that State, and in the spring of 1840 entered one hundred and twenty acres of land in Owen County of the same State. In 1842 he returned to Ohio, and traded r the old Sarah Gray farm of one hundred acres, one-half mile southwest of Poe Town, in Tate township, of this county. Oct. 19, 1843, he was married to Keziah Jane Wilson, who was born Nov. 16, 1815, near Jacksonville, Adams Co., Ohio, on Ohio Brush Creek, and was the daughter of Ralph and Martha Wilson. Her father was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and her parents came from Kentucky to Adams County. On Oct. 26, 1843, the week following their marriage, Samuel B. Smith and his wife moved to the farm he had purchased in Clermont. They had no money and but little property, but they struggled on and paid r the place r which he had given his notes. Thus Mr. Smith worked on with tact and judgment until he had eight hundred and fifty acres in his different farms. His five eldest children married, and he divided his lands, giving each of them a good place of from one hundred to one hundred and thirty-five acres, which with the other outfit he gave them made his donation to each at least five thousand dollars. He still retains the homestead farm of two hundred and thirty- eight acres for himself, wife, and youngest child. Thus from a poor boy he became a wealthy farmer, not by speculation but by careful management and investing his earnings from time to time in lands. In 1858 he was elected justice of the peace of Tate township, and re-elected six times, making seven successive terms as magistrate, continuing in office twenty-one years. In the many cases appealed from his docket to the Common Pleas Court his decision was never reversed. In 1872 he was elected county commissioner over Robert Jeremiah, the Republican candidate, and in 1875 was re-elected over the Republican nominee, Mr. Weaver. Mr. Smith's six years' administration as a county commissioner was characterized by inflexible honesty, the severest economy, and that cautious management displayed in his own private business. His long experience as magistrate enabled him to save the taxpayers large sums of money in cutting down justices' and FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 335 mayors' transcripts where more fees had been taxed than allowed by law. The county with its many valued and tried public servants never had one more honest and true to the public interests than Samuel B. Smith. Affable in his manners, of sound judgment and unimpeachable integrity, his public career is a monument mere enduring than marble or brass. Within five days of the expiration of his second term he was thrown from his vehicle near Felicity, and had both of his legs broken. In the course of a year he recovered suffrciently to get about, but is a cripple for life. A Democrat in politics, a leading farmer by avocation, and a man justly esteemed by the community, he has made a character and record worthy of recognition, and left the impress of an honorable and successful life, one highly useful to the day and generation in which he has been a most conspicuous actor. FRANKLIN. THIS township occupies the southeast corner of the county, its southern bounds being washed by the Ohio River; on the west is the township of Monroe and on the north is Tate, In shape Franklin is almost rectangular, with one of the ends resting on the Ohio. The length of the township is about eight miles. The central part forms an elevated plateau, whose general level is only slightly broken along the water-courses. Bordering the fertile bottoms along the river are high hills, some of them too steep for cultivation, and the surface here and in the eastern part is very irregular and presents a rough aspect. In the latter part is the Bullskin Creek, and its main affluent Painter's Fork,—turbulent and troublesome streams,—along which is a narrow valley. Flowing southwest through the northwestern and southwestern parts of the township are Big Indian and Bear Creeks, at present having but a small volume of water, but rmerly much larger streams, and along which are some fine lands. The soil varies from a stiff clay to a darkish loam, and possesses different degrees of fertility, but is generally productive and especially favorable for the cultivation of the various fruits and tobacco. The township is well improved and contains many well-tilled farms, on which are substantial and often elegant residences, with fine orchards and attractive improvements. PIONEER SETTLERS. There is a tradition that a man by the name of Logston was the first white settler in the township. He kept a ferry at the mouth of the Bullskin as early as 1795, and. it is supposed that he was the first settler between Marietta and Columbia. When the permanent settlers came in he passed away, leaving no further history. Probably Edward Salt was the next to occupy this place. He was a native of Berkshire, England, and marrying against the wishes of his parents, left them, and with his Irish brrde came to America, settling in Berkeley Co., Va. Here his three daughters and two sons were born. In 1790 he moved to Crab Orchard, Ky., and six years later to the mouth of the Bullskin, where he had charge of a ferry and where he died in 1812. His eldest daughter, Innocent, married John Frazer, of Tate township ; Nelly married John Wharton, of Washington township, and one of her sons, Henry, became a distinguished Methodist minister. John Salt was but a lad when the family settled in Franklin, and at the age of fourteen he foolishly contended with another boy to see which could drink the greatest quantity of cold water. He drank two quarts and was thrown into spasms, which continued one after the other, without a moment's rest, to the number of more than three hundred. When he was relieved it was found that his memory had been so much impaired that his education was entirely gone, and he had to go back to his letters and relearn as a child. His health was also affected by the recurrence of these spasms, and as his physical strength was feeble he determined to secure a good education. In this he was successful, and he became a school-teacher in Kentucky. While engaged in teaching he became acquainted with Miss Mary Donovan, and soon after a mutual attachment sprang up between them, which resulted in an engagement to marry. But his spasms still afflicting him he was unwilling to involve others in his misrtunes, and postponing the affair for a time, he heard of a man in North Carolina who could cure such cases. So eager was he to he restored to health that he prepared to pay him a visit, undertaking the long journey even upon such slight and doubtful evidence. He selected a companion and proceeded on the way, on horseback, having, after several days, one of his spells. Yet he had suffrcient warning to dismount before it came on, and although it left him weak and feeble, he was able to continue his journey. When he arrived at the place he found the man they sought in jail r debt. They went to the jail, made known their business, and in a few hours were ready to return with their prescription and medicine (two small vials of tasteless and colorless liquids), which the doctor said would cure him after he had two more spells. He followed the directions, aid after having two more spasms was thereafter totally cured of this sickness. He married Miss Donovan, and, after periods of residence in Washington and Kentucky, purchased a large tract of land in Tate. where he moved in 1826 and where he resided until his death, Oct. 13, 1859. He became an extensive trader on the river, loading his flat-boats at Point Pleasant, and made in all fifty-two trips to New Orleans, returning on foot thirteen times, coming 336 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. through the perilous Indian country with the proceeds of his voyages. He was active in other business enterprises and amassed considerable wealth. John Salt was an excellent citizen and a prominent member of the Methodist Church. He was the father of L. D. Salt, of Williams- burgh, and his brothers, Gustavus, Daniel, Wilser, and Francis Marion. The other son of Edward Salt was named Edward, arrd also became a resident of Tate township, where he died some time before 1870. He was the father of sons named George W. and Abraham, the latter living in Cincinnati. At the mouth of the Bullskin other pioneers came at an early day, and made temporary settlements until more favorable locations could be secured. The first notable permanent settlement was made in 1798, by James Sargent. He was born in Montgomery Co., Md., Jan. 25, 1748, and in 1773 married Philena Pigman. In 1796 they immigrated to Kentucky, and having purchased a large tract of land in the southwestern part of Franklin and the southeastern part of Washington, on the Bear Creek, he made his home there two years later. His homestead was the farm now owned by Dr. Allen Woods. Before leaving Maryland he freed all his slaves, and determined to live where he could escape the influence of that pernicious system. For this act he was selected to form the first constitution of the State of Ohio, his associate member from Clermont being Philip Gatch. He was an active business man and held important public trusts. He died Dec. 13, 1826, leaving a family of two sons and four daughters. Of these Silas hved on an adjoining farm, and had sons John, James A. Griffith, Joshua, and Wesley ; and daughters who married Joshua Pigman, Samuel Prather, and Wesley Dole. The second son, James, reared no family. The eldest daughter, Mary, married John G. Prather, and after the death of her husband, more than sixty years ago, became the second wife of Wm. Fee, the founder of Felicity, and who was the first representative from the county ; Sally married Samuel Walraven ; Nelly, John Joumey, of Kentucky ; and on the 5th of November, 1805, Anna, the youngest daughter, married her cousin, Edward Sargent, the Rev. George Brown performing the ceremony. The following year she began housekeeping in a building which yet forms a part of the homestead residence, and where she has resided ever since, being now ninety-four years of age, living with her daughter, Mrs. Jesse McLain. John Sargent, a brother ofsi James, came the same year, and lived first on the Bullskin, but about 1800 he settled on Indian Creek, on the present Johnson farm, where he died in 1836 at the age of eighty-three years. He had five sons and three daughters, namely, Thomas, who became a Methodist minister, and died in the pulpit of Wesley Chapel, in Cincinnati, in 1833 ; John and Joseph, removed ; Edward, who married the before-named Anna Sargent, and who died in 1841 ; and James F., who died in Columbus while attending the Legislature ; Nellie married Joseph Frambes, of Felicity ; Rebecca, Joseph Parrish, of the same place ; and Betsey, Benj. Thresher. Elijah Sargent, a third brother of James and John, also came to Franklin before 1800 ; but of his subsequent history but little is recollected. John G. and Erasmus Prather, natives of Maryland, came to Franklin about the same time as the Sargents, and John G, settled on the river-bottom at Chilo, on the Waterfield farm, where he died before 1830. His family consisted of sons named James, who died at Chile, about 1854; Samuel, who died on the homestead near the same time ; Ignatius P., who died near Felicity in 1828 ; John O., a merchant, who died at Newport, Ky.; and Silas, Welter, Griffith, and Wesley, who lived at Chile. The daughters were married to Samuel Slye, Wyatt Owens, Zadok Tucker, Capt. James Walls, and Capt. Graften Molen. Not a single member of this family survives. Erasmus Prather made his settlement north from Chilo, on the farm yet occupied by his son Garrett. Other sons were Joseph and Erasmus. The five daughters married Elijah Lanham, John Slye, Wm. Wedding, John Pangburn, and Joseph Schofield. Samuel Walraven settled north of his father-in-law, .Tames Sargent, in 1799, on a farm bordering on Bear Creek. He died in 1848, aged seventy-nine years. Of his family, Samuel died at New Richmond, and Joshua removed to Missouri. His daughters married,—Philena, Elijah T. Penn ; Ann, Reuben Thornly ; Jemima, Emanuel Grubb ; Mary Ellen, James A. Sargent ; Rebecca, John Wilmarth ; Eliza, Alex. Argo ; and Susan, Joseph Frambes. About the same time Joshua Pigman settled in the same neighborhood. He had two sons—Joshua and Levi—and a daughter,-Sarah,—who married Rev. Walter Griffith, a Methodist minister, who lived a long time at Neville, but who died while on a visit to Urbana fifty years ago. Joshua Pigman, Jr., was r many years a merchant at Sargent's Mills and at Neville. His brother Levi was a trader on the river, and died on his return home, about fifty years ago. Soon after the defeat of the Indians by " Mad Anthony," Daniel Judd and his family came from their temporary home in Kentucky, where they had lived since 1792, when they came from Maryland, to the mouth of' the Bullskin, where Daniel died many years ago. His son, William, afterwards occupied the farm which his father had somewhat improved, and lived there until his death, in 1824, at which time he had fifteen children living. Of these, Stephen Judd, now living in Batavia township, is the only survivor. He was born in Franklin, June 21, 1809, and had for his first wife a daughter of the Rev, Joshua Sargent, by whom he had four children, three surviving. For his second wife he married a daughter of Daniel Apple. He is one of the remost farmers of the county,.and was not only one of the original Abolitionists, but was an active member ofsi the " Underground Railroad" in ante-bellum days. John Judd, who lived many years near Felicity, had in his family sons named William, James, and Alexander. All removed to the West. Joseph Utter, from Pennsylvania, settled in Franklin about 1798, moving here directly from Kentucky. He was born in 1766, and died in 1839. His homestead was the place now occupied by James Moore. Of' his family, Dow•y was the oldest, and a sketch of his life appears elsewhere. Joseph and William removed to Indiana ; Reuben died as a physician at Felicity ; and James, John, and Washington all lived arrd died in the township. The FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 337 daughters married John Muir, B. Barrett, E. Barrett, Henry Hicks, and Rudolph Cook. Hugh McKibben was also a native of Pennsylvania, and his settlement on the farm now owned by Randolph Tucker was prior to 1800. It was on his place that " Hopewell," the first church in the township, was built. Of his fourteen children, the Widow Frambes, of Felicity, aged eighty- two years, and Samuel Parker McKibben, the youngest, are yet living in the township. All the rest have removed or deceased. Some of the other daughters were married to Michael and Noah Richards and Mathew Mullen, Also among the pioneers of this part of the county, Joseph McKibben, a brother of Hugh, lived on the present Moscow pike, a mile from Felicity, where he died. He had several children, none of whom retained their settlement in the township. Here, too, among the early settlers were the Tannens, and one of these—Joseph--was a Methodist minister ; and later Ralph and John Wedding were added to the substantial citizens of western Franklin, and their daughters married into the Prather, Boner, Patterson, Watson, Wheeler, and other well-known families. " Zadok Watson settled in July, 1801, on what is now part of the Garret Prather farm, and raised a very large family of children, and one of his sons, John, an eccentric old bachelor, died in 1865, possessed of large landed estates and thousands of dollars in gold and silver. This money he had miserly saved, and had buried under the outbuildings of his brotherls place in coffee-pots and crocks, and the writer of this, who helped his administrator exhume it, found among the quaint old coin the first silver sixpence he had earned when a little boy before the war of 1812."* John Day, a native of Maryland, in 1803 settled on the farm now occupred by his son, Joseph B., in the northern part of Franklin, where he died in 1817. Mathew, his eldest son, settled not far from the mouth of the Bullskin, where he died, in 1819. Several of the other members of the family removed to Indiana, to which State also immigrated David Day, an early settler near Felicity. Joseph Day, another brother, settled on the James Wells place about 1803, and deceased soon after this period. The father of James Wells—Joseph—settled in 1805, coming from New Jersey. The same year Jacob Joslin settled the farm now occupied by Henry Shinkle, and died there in the course of four or five years. One of his sons, Enoch, died on this place, and the others removed. Jeremiah Joslin, a nephew of the above, with his mother and two sisters, settled on an adjoining farm. Of his sons, Jeremiah is yet living near the village of Felicity. Among others who came to this part of the township, about 1805, were Reuben Bourne, Matthew Perkins, and Abram and Benjamin Sills, all of whom sooner or later removed ; the latter to the headwaters of the Bullskin, in Brown County. Carl Shinkle and his wife, Julia Ann, immigrated from Pennsylvania in 1796, and settled in Brown County, near Feesburgh, where he lived until his death. In 1797 one of his sons—Peter—settled in Franklin on the farm now owned by Henry Bolander, where he died more than rty years ago. His son, Peter, is yet living in Franklin, at an * R. J. Bancroft. advanced age, and Martin died in this locality a few years ago. Other sons of Carl-Shinkle settled in Brown County at that early period, and later found homes in Clermont. Jacob Shinkle, the pioneer living near the Benton church, was of another family. His son, Joseph, yet occupies the homestead, and Solomon lives near Rural ; Daniel died a short time ago ; John and Stephen removed to Illinois, and Thomas to another part of the West. Stephen Bolander came from his native State, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and settled in Brown County, near Franklin, where he reared sons named Henry, John, Jacob, Christian, Stephen, Joseph, William, Daniel, Peter, and six daughters, who married Peter Shinkle, William Judd, and John Jacob Shinkle, of Franklin, and F, Fuller, George Woods, and William Kellum, of Brown County. Henry Bolander married Catharine Shinkle, and settled near the Brown County line, in Franklin, where he lived until 1839, when he moved to Illinois. Jacob Bolander settled on the farm now owned by his son, Henry, where he died in 1860. Of his other sons, Daniel removed to Illinois in 1839 ; Joel resides in the northern part of the township ; Elias lives in Brown County ; and David H. is yet living on the homestead. The Miller brothers, Martin, John, Abram, Jacob, and David, came from Pennsylvania about 1800, and settled along the Bullskin in Franklin. John lived and died near Milo, and his three sons, George, John, and Henry, died in the southeastern part of Franklin. Abram Miller lived on the upper part of Bullskin until his death, but his sons, Abram, Jacob, and Joseph, removed to Illinois, Jacob Miller, Sr., lived east from Fehcity, on the Elijah Metzger place. He had sons named David and Philip. One of his daughters married John Lesslie, and was almost a hundred years old when she died. David Miller lived on the present John Miller farm. His sons were Lewis, who died in the township, and Andrew, who died at Neville. Of his daughters, Sophia married William Richie ; Polly, Abram Moyer ; Susan, Thomas Brnnson ; and Catharine, James Parker. The descendants of the Millers became vey numerous, and were useful citizens, Philip Moyer came from Centre Co., Pa., in 1800, and settled one and a half miles southeast from Felicity, on the farm now occupied by David McGraw. He died in 1856, at the age of seventy-nine years. Of his children fourteen attained mature years, namely, Samuel, died in the township ; John P., yet living at Felicrty ; Joseph, Levi, Michael, George, and Isaac removed to the West ; the daughters married James Cook, James Houser, Samuel Gibson, William Motier, William Metzger, and David Brunson. Another family of Moyers lived on the Bullskin, farther up towards the Tate line, among the members being Abraham, Jacob, John, and George, and a daughter, who married Charles Baum. In 1807, John Hoover immigrated from Maryland to the southeastern part of Franklin, and resided there until his death, in 1835, aged about eighty years. Five of his six children came with him to Clermont,—David, who settled near his father, living there until his death, in 1843, leaving twelve children ; Emanuel, who settled southwest of the old home, where he died, in 1874, having had eleven 338 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. children ; Joel, who married Anna Houser, and has occupied the homestead, being the oldest man in the township,--he was born July 19, 1794, and had ten children ; John R., resided near the homestead until 1850, when he moved to Illinois, having ten children ; Elizabeth, the youngest, married Christopher Houser, and yet lives near the family home, at the age of eighty years,—her husband died in 1859, and they had ten children. The Houser family also came from Maryland, but made its first settlement in Kentucky ; yet, after 1808, they intermarried with the Hoovers and came to Franklin to live among them. Christopher located on the State road, south of Felicity, where he died in 1859, aged seventy six years. His brother David came a few years later and settled near Cedron, but about 1872 removed to Illinois. Isaac Houser came still later, and settled on the Charles Love farm, where he died more than twenty years ago. A mile south of Hoover's, Jacob Huffer was a pioneer, maintaining his residence until 1835, when he removed to Indiana, accompanied by his family. About the same time John Rohrer took up his abode here, but also removed to Indiana. John McGraw located on the Brush place in 1805, and in 1814 went with Capt. Thomas Jones to the defense of the northern frontier, but at Dayton received orders to return home. He kept the first tavern in Felicity, and died at Cedron in 1855. Of his family, John yet resides at Felicity, and Nelson in Missouri. David and Joseph died in the township. The daughters married into the Hoover family and Joshua Smart. In this neighborhood, among the pioneers, were Charles and Michael Baum, but the rmer moved to Illinois and Michael to Washington township, where he died nearly a hundred years old. Another aged pioneer was William Bradley, who died in 1868, aged ninety years. He was a native of London, England, and came to Franklin as early as 1802, and was well known as one of the early teachers. His son, Wellington, died a young man, and Nelson and William removed to Indiana. Harvey Bradley, another son, is a distinguished physician at Felicity. John Conrey, who had served in the Revolution and was wounded in the leg, moved from Virginia to Kentucky in 1790, and ten years later to the northwestern part of Franklin township, on the farm now owned by John Trees. He removed to Illinois about 1830, but one of his sons, Stephen, lived in Washington, where he had twenty-two children. In the Mount Olive neighborhood Thomas Jones settled some time after 1800. He was a captain in the war of 1812. His death occurred in 1865, but his widow still resides here, at the extreme age of eighty-seven years. She was a daughter of Jacob Constant, also one of Franklin's earliest pioneers. Jeremiah Smith, a native of Massachusetts, came to Franklin in 1800, and, after serving in 1812, settled at Felicity, where he was the first chairmaker. John Van Briggle, a native of Virginia, came to Franklin some time after 1812, and was one of the early settlers at Felicity, where he was a furniture-maker and merchant. He had sons named Samuel, John W., Darlington, Thomas, Lafayette, and Edgar. Lewis Lanham, a native of Maryland, came in 1812, settling southwest from Felicity, where he died many years ago. He had sons named Clement, Robert, Elias, Elijah, and Benjamin, some of whom yet live in the township. Of the daughters two were married to John Boner and William Miller. Before 1800, Peter Goslin immigrated from Virginia to Kentucky, settling in Bracken County ; but, about 1810, he found a home in Franklin township, where he died about 1828. Of his large family several of his sons came with him, while others followed boating on the river. Among the former was Benjamin, who remained on the homestead until his death, about twelve years ago. Of his family he left sons named Peter H., Joseph, Nathaniel, and John. Some time about 1818, Nathaniel Goslin, another son of Peter, came from Kentucky, and purchasing a part of the Obannon survey, lived there until his death, forty years ago. He followed boating a number of years, and walked back from New Orleans nine times, and was at that city the time of Jackson's victory. He also served three months in Harrison's campaign against the Indians. He had four sons, Peter, James J., Asher, and Samuel ; and daughters who married Mahlon Broadwell and William Shinkle. William Richey, a native of Ireland, settled early on the farm now owned by his son Lewis. He died, in 1851, in the State of Iowa. Another son; William, lives on an adjoining farm, in Eastern Franklin, and David and John in Brown County. George and Perry died in Franklin. The Carver family came from Vermont in 1815, and located in the 'northwestern part of Franklin, but in 1850 removed to Wisconsin, to which State one of the sons of Ralph Carver, also named Ralph, went while it yet was a Territory, and was elected to the Legislature. Another son, Oliver, died of the yellow fever at New Orleans in 1821, and his son, Capt. L. W. Carver, is yet a resident of Felicity, The Goodwins, James and Simeon, were also from New England, their settlement in Franklin dating from 1818, and descendants of both families yet remain in the county, The Cousins, Lakin, Hicks, and Cockeral families settled early in the southern part of Franklin, and some of their descendants yet reside there, one of these, Daniel Cousins, living at Rural, being upwards of eighty- four years old. After the declaration of the peace which followed the war of 1812, so many settlers came to Franklin that it is impossible to particularize any further. The names of many pioneers appear in the history of Washington township, from which Franklin was formed, and in the appended list of PROPERTY-HOLDERS IN 1826. In the following list appear the names of those who held real and personal property in the township in 1826, with the number of the entry and the names of the original proprietors. An asterisk prefixed indicates that no tax was paid on personal property, and that the owner was at that time, in all probability, a non-resident of Franklin. Apple, Henry. Ayres, James. Adams, Jacob. Anderson, Richard C., No. 1653; , Reuben Taylor orig. pro. Arnold, George. Adams, Timothy. Barber, James. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 339 Brannon. David, No. 1653; Reuben Taylor. orig. prop. Barber, Sally, No. 1102 ; Benj. Mosley, original proprietor. Barber, Robert. Barrett, 1saiah B. Branson, Thomas R., No. 1654; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Boude, Thomas. Baam. Samuel. Baum, Michael. Brush, Jared. Bolander, Jacob, No. 1657; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Bolander, Henry, No. 1658 ; Francis Taylor, orig, prop. Bradley, William, No. 1658; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Bagby, Sterling. Brash, Joseph. Bowes, Stephen. Bartley, Martha. Bolts, George, No. 1651; John Armstrong, orig. prop. Barrett, Ezekiel. Broadwell, Josiah, No. 3616; John Obannon, orig. prop. Botts, Wm. P., No. 2964 ; John Obannon, orig. prop. Bagby, Nathaniel. Brown, John. Berry, William. *Brush, Mary, No. 1651 ; John Armstrong, orig. prop. *Baum, Charles, No. 1655; James Innis, original proprietor. *Baum, Michael, No. 1656 ; Jas. Innis, original proprietor. *Bonser, Nathaniel, No. 1656; James Innis, orig. prop. *Bagby, Betsey, No. 3616 ; John Obannon, orig. prop. *Boacle and Owens, No. 1669 ; Edward Stephens, orig. prop. *Beasley, Benjamin, No. 9446 ; Benj. Beasley, orig. prop. Conrey, John, No. 735; Robert Kirk, original proprietor. Conrey, Stephen, No. 735 ; Robert Kirk, original proprietor. Constant, John, Nu. 1653; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Clark, George, No. 1653; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Camerer, Henry, Jr. Chandler, Irenas. Chalfant, Robert. Chandler, Hill, No. 1653 ; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Cooper, Andrew. Coffman, Mary. Case, Alexander. Chapman, Henry. Chapman, Jacob, No. 1653; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Cook, Radolph, No. 2379; John Obannon, orig. prop. Cousins, Rudolph. Collins, Henry. Coasins, Richard, No. 1730 ; Richard Allison, original proprietor. Camerer, Joseph. Cook, James, No. 2379; John Obannon, orig. prop. *Constant, Jacob, No.1653 ; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. *Carver, Elizabeth, No. 1653 ; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. *Cousins, Wm., No. 4841; John Neville, orig. prop. *Chapman, Zachariah, No. 3646 ; John Obannon, orig. prop. *Conley, John, No. 1658 ; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Day, Thomas. Dill, Benjamin, No. 1080; J. Miller, original proprietor. Demaris, Edward. Dewitt, Peter, No. 1656; James Innis, original proprietor. Duncan, Joshua. Dickinson, Thomas. Dillman, George, No. 366; James Knox, original proprietor. Dorrougb, John, No. 1725; James Innis, original proprietor. Day, Joseph B. Day, Abigail, No. 1652; Reuben Taylor, original proprietor. Day, Mathew. *Dickey, Thomas, No. 1725 ; James 1nnis, orig. prop. Evans, Henry H. *Early, David, No. 1652; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Fee, William, No. 1724; Morgan Bryan, original proprietor. Fee, Thomas. Fee, Jesse. Fagin, David. Fee, James, Jr. Fee, Thomas. Fee, James, No. 1285; Nicholas Carter, original proprietor. Fassett, John. Fassett, William. Fee, Arthur, No. 1652; Reuben Taylor, original proprietor. Gray, Henry, No. 761; John Burton, original proprietor. Goodwin, Simeon. Greer, Alexander. Gibson, Samuel. Greggor, George. Goodwin, John. Goslin, Benjamin. Galihar, John. Goslin, Nathaniel, No. 4347; John Neville, orig. prop. *Griffith, Sarah, No. 892 ; Robert Craddock, orig. prop. *Goslin, Peter (heirs), No. 4847; John Neville, orig. prop. *Gray, Peter (heirs), No. 1652; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. *Gilbreath, James, No. 3616; John Obannon, orig. prop. *Gray, Michael, No. 1653 ; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Harman, John. Hastings, Peter, No. 1652; Reuben Taylor, original prop. Hoover, Joel, No.. 1655 ; James Innis, original proprietor. Hoover, David, No. 1655; James Innis, original proprietor. Huffer, Jacob, No. 1656; James Innis, original proprietor. Hoover, John. Houser, Christopher. Haffer, Samuel, No.1656; James Innis, original proprietor. Hedrick, John, No. 1869; Ed. Stephens, orig. prop. Halfhill, Mat. Hastings, John. Harman, Michael. Hicks, Joshua, No. 4817; John Neville, orig. prop. Hicks, Elijah. Hastings, Samuel. Herron, Jacob. Hopkins, Levi. *Hill, Alexander, No. 3086 ; Rich. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Hanson, Jacob, No. 2379; John Obannon, orig. prop. *Harmon, Catherine, No. 1853; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. *Hoover, Emanuel, No. 1655; Jas. Innis, original proprietor, *Hoover, Christopher, No. 1655; James Innis, orig. prop. Jones, Thomas, No. 1726; James Innis, original proprietor. Joslin, Demaris, No. 1102; Benj. Morley, original proprietor. Joslin, Jeremiah, No. 1658 ; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Joslin, Sarah, No. 1064; Beverly Roy, original proprietor. Jones, William, No. 1726; James Innis, original proprietor. Judd, John, No. 2379; John Obannon, orig. prop. Judd, William, No. 2379; John Obannon, orig. prop. Judd, Catherine, No. 1647; John Obannon, orig. prop. Jordan, Elisha. Johnson, James. Jennings, Israel. *Johnson, Joseph, No. 1726; James Innis, orig. prop. *Johnson, James, No. 1726; James Innis, orig. prop. Knowles, Alonzo. Knowles, Gideon B. Kinney, George, No. 1066; William Taliaferro, orig. prop. Lakin, Benjamin, No. 1653 ; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Lanham, Elijah. Lanham, Rachel, No.1653; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Larkin, Moses. Lester, John. Leach, Walter. Lakin, William. Long, Richard. Leach, William. Lakin, Joseph, No. 1730; Richard Allison, original prop. Legget, John. Lanham, Robert. Lanham, Lewis, No. 508; Alex. Parker, original proprietor. Lanham, Clement. *Long, Nancy, No. 1656; James Innis, original proprietor. *Layman, John, No. 1646; Davis Obannon, original prop. Manning, John, No. 3512; Richard C. Anderson, orig. prop Minor, Gideon, No. 1102; Benj. Morley, original proprietor. Manning, Elisha. Manning, Elisha, No. 1653 ; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. McKibben, Joseph, No. 1080; Jovin Miller, original prop, McKibben, Andrew L. Miller, Ann, No. 1730; Richard Allison, original proprietor. Mullen, Thomas, No, 1102; Benj. Morley, original proprietor. McDuffie, Gabriel. McKibben, Hagh, No. 1080 ; Jovin Miller, original prop. Mullen, Mathew. McKinney, Jeremiah. Miller, Lewis, No. 1654; Francis Taylor, original proprietor. Moyer, Abraham, No. 1854 ; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Moyer, Jacob, No. 1669; Ed. Stephens, original prop. Moyer, John, No. 1669; Ed. Stephens, original prop. Moyer, Philip, No. 1654; Francis Taylor, original proprietor. Metzgar, Leonard, No. 1656; James Innis, original prop. Mitchell, John. Metzgar, David. Miller, John, No. 1066; William Taliaferro, original prop. Moyer, George. Moyer, Philip. Michel, John. Metzger, Samuel, No. 1654; Francis Taylor, original prop. Miller, John, No. 1670 ; Ed. Stephens, original prop. Moyer, George, No. 1669; Ed. Stephens, original prop. Moyer, John S. Miller, David, No. 1652; Reaben Taylor, original proprietor. Mullen, John. Miller, Andrew, No. 1654; Francis Taylor, original prop. McConnell, John. Miller, Abraham, No. 1658; Francis Taylor, original prop. McGowen, John G. McLefresh, Elijah. McLefresh, Jesse. Murphy, Elizabeth. McNeal, Sampson S. Miller, George. Mair, John, No. 4847; John Neville, original prop. Moore, Henderson. McGraw, John, No.1653; Reuben Taylor, original proprietor. McGriff, Richard. *McKibben, William (heirs). *Miller, Henry, No. 508; Alex. Parker, original proprietor. *Metzgar, Conrad, No. 1668 ; James Innis, original prop. *Newcomer, Jonathan, No. 1655; James Innis, original prop. Owens & Boud. *Owens, Wyatt, No. 1080; Jovin Miller, original prop. *O'Neal, Henry, No. 366; James Knox, original prop. 340 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. *Obannon, John (heirs),No. 2378; John Obannon, orig. prop. Parrish, Joseph. Plummer, Benjamin. Plammer, Tabitha, No. 1658 ; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Plummer, Jeremiah, No. 366; James Knox, original prop. Perkins, Mathew, No. 1652; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Pearre, Otho, No. 1655; James Innis, original proprietor. Pearre, Charles W., No. 1668; James Innis, original prop, Perkins, Isaac. Prather, James. Poole, Ignatias. Prather, Marion. Pyle, John, No. 1060 ; William Taliaferro, original prop. Prather, Samuel. Prather, John O. Prather, Joseph. Prather, Erasmas, No. 1651; John Armstrong, original proprietor. Prather, Ignatius, No. 1285; Nicholas Carter, orig. prop. Plummer, William C. -Parrish, Benjamin, No. 761; John Burton, original pro. *Payne, John, No. 1726; James Innis, original prop. *Prather, John G., No. 1067; Henry Boyer, orig. prop. Richards, Michael. Riley, Levi. Richards, John, No. 1653; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Reed, Thomas. Robinson, Thomas R. Ritchey, Wrn., No. 1654 ; Francis Taylor, original proprietor. Riley, William. Riley, John. Rohrer, John, No. 1656; James James, original proprietor. Robinson, Robert T. Richards, John, Sr. * Robertson, Robert. Smith, Phoebe. Sargent, John, No, 735; Robert Kirk, original proprietor. Sargent, Erasmus, No, 735 ; Robert Kirk, original proprietor. Salt, Edward, No. 12,408; P. P. Mays, original proprietor. Smith, David, No. 1652 ; Reuben Taylor, original proprietor. Smith, Sarah. Stephenson, Lemuel, No. 1102; Benjamin Morley, original proprietor. Styres, Ralph. Spee, George. Sallee, James H., No. 1654; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Shinkle, John J., No. 1659; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Sargent, Edward, No. 834; Alex. Parker, orig. prop. Sargent, James, No. 905; John Brickley, original proprietor. Sargent, Snowden, No. 905; John Hackley, orig. prop. Sargent, Samuel W. Sargent, Nelson. Sargent, Elijah. Sargent, Joshua, No. 892 ; Robert Craddock, orig. prop. Sanders, William. Smith, Jeremiah. Shannon, John. Slye, William, No. 1730 ; Richard Allison, original proprietor. *Summey, Adam, No. 1657; Francis Taylor, original proprietor. ̊Shinkle, Peter, No. 1654; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. Summers, Adam. Tucker, Richard, No. 1653; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. Trisler, Abraham. Trisler, Leonard. Trisler, Jacob, No. 1656; James Innis, original proprietor. Tatman, Jesse. Tatman, John. Tucker, Zadok. Taylor, Joseph. *Taylor, John P., No. 4847; John Needle, orig. prop. *Thrasher, Rebecca, No. 1653; Reuben Taylor, orig. prop. *Tucker, Richard. *Trisler, Joseph, No. 1656; Jas, Innis, original proprietor. Utter, Joseph, Jr., No. 4847; John Neville, orig. prop. Utter, Joseph, Sr., No. 834 ; Alex. Parker, original proprietor. Vickroy, Geo., No. 735; Robert Kirk, original proprietor. Vickroy, Eli. Van Osdol, James. Van Briggle, John, No. 1656; James Innis, orig. prop. Van Degriff, James, No. 1669; Edward Stephens, original proprietor. Winters, John, No, 3066; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. Weaver, Mason. Wharton, Henry. Wharton, John, No. 735; Robert Kirk, original proprietor. Wiley, Elisha, No. 735 ; Robert Kirk, original proprietor. Wheeler, Jason. Watson, Jonathan. Wedding, Ralph, Warbington, John. Wheeler, Jason. Wood, Elisha A. Webber, Jacob. Wheeler, Silas N. Wright, Thomas. Wells, Jcseph, No. 1725; James Innis, original proprietor. Watson, William. Watson, Zedekiah, No. 508; Alex. Parker, original proprietor. Watson, John, No. 508; Alex. Parker, original proprietor. Watson, Ezekiel, Walraven, Samuel, No. 905; John Hackley, original proprietor. Worley, William. Wharton, Isaiah, Wood, William, No. 1102; Benjamin Mosley, orig. prop. Whitman, Dorcas, No. 1658 ; Francis Taylor, orig. prop. At this time (1826) the owners of village lots in Chilo were : Broadwell, J.  Boalware, James. Bagby, Betsey. Denham, John. Evans, Griffith. Hall, Abel. Kain, John. Kuddlebaugh, Jacob E. Melvin, John. McGraw, Francis. Pearre, Charles W. Pool, Ignatius A. Prather, John. Prather, Samuel. Quinn, A. Ricker, Ebenezer S. Sullivan, William. Sargent, William. Scudder, Charles. Shaw, Elijah. Tucker, Zadok. Utter, Joseph. Whitney, Lemael. Winters, William. Webber, Jacob. Those holding real estate in Felicity the same year were as follows: Baum, Charles. Dart, Job. Dill, Henry. Fee, William. Fee, Jesse. Fee, Thomas, Jr. Fee, Thomas. Fee, Arthur. Greer, Alexander. Hastings, Peter. Irwin, Hugh. Jordan, Jeremiah. Kennedy, Dennis. Larkins, Moses. McKinney, Jeremiah. Mullen, Mathew. Macher, Henry. Patterson, Honor. Parrish, Joseph. Sargent, William. Spee, George. Sargent, Nelson. Shearer, William. Smith, Jeremiah. Van Briggle, John. Wheeler, Silas M. Wood, Elisha A. All the village lots were valued at $8315, and the taxes r all purposes were only $51.97. The number of acres in the township was reported as 24,340, on which were levied taxes to the amount of $602.40. The number of horses were 396, valued at $15,840, and 595 cattle, worth $4760. The capital invested in merchandise was $1910, and the merchants were John Brown, Robert Chalfant, and Elizabeth Murphy. CIVIL ORGANIZATION. The township was organized for civil purposes from the township of Washington, May 23, 1818, and the following were elected as the first offrcers: Trustees, Joseph McKibbin, John Sargent, and William Fee ; Township Clerk, Lemuel Stephenson ; Treasurer, Joseph Wells ; Constables of Franklin, Thomas Jones, James Fee, and Van N. Swerengen ; Overseers of the Poor, Joseph Utter and William Shearer ; Fence-Viewers, John Aldrich and Charles Baum ; Lister, Thomas Jones ; Appraiser, V. N. Swerengen ; Road Supervisors, John Sargent, Lemuel Whitney, Joseph Utter, Thomas Yates, Gideon Minor, Lewis Miller, Arthur Fee, and Thomas Jones. The first justices of the peace were elected Aug. 22, 1818, and were Nathaniel Bonsor, Wm. Fee, and Adam Miller. Since 1818 the following have been the principal officers of the township : TRUSTEES. 1819-20.—Joseph McKibben, Joseph Utter, Wm. Fee. 1821.—Wyatt Owens, Joseph Utter, Wm. Fee. 1822,—Wyatt Owens, Hugh McKibben, Jacob Constant. 1823.—Philip Moyers, Peter Hastings, Jacob Constant. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 341   1824.—Joseph McKibben, Joseph Utter, Wyatt Owens. 1825.—Joseph McKibben, Joseph Utter, Simeon Goodwin. 1826.—Joseph McKibben, Wyatt Owens, Simeon Goodwin. 1827.—Gideon Minor, Wm. P. Pott, Simeon Goodwin. 1828.—Gideon Minor, Robert Chalfant, Wyatt Owens. 1829-30.—Gideon Minor, David Hoover, Otho Pearre. 1831.—Gideon Minor. David Hoover, Joseph Utter. 1832-34.—Henry H. Evans, David Hoover, Thomas Mullen. 1835-36.—Thomas Jones, David Hoover, Thomas Mullen. 1837.—Joseph Woodmansee, Jacob Bolander, Bethuel Reynolds. 1838.—John A. McKibben, David Hoover, Thomas Mullen. 1839.—Lindley Broadwell, David Hoover, Nathaniel Bagby. 1840.—George Crossley, Simeon Goodwin, Thomas Mallen. 1841.—David Hoover, Simeon Goodwin, George Crossley. 1842.—David Hoover, Robert Smith, George Crossley. 1843.—Michael Gray, Robert Smith, George Crossley. 1844.—George McLefresh, Robert Smith, George Crossley. 1845.—George McLefresh, Joel Hoovor, Henry Chapman. 1846.—George McLefresh, Michael Richards, Henry Chapman. 1847,—Simeon Goodwin, Michael Richards, Henry Chapman. 1848.-11. S. Dimmitt, George McLefresh, Henry Chapman. 1840.—M. S. Dimmitt, George McLefresh, Jacob Bolander. 1850-54.—Joseph Watson, George McLefresh, Jacob Bolander. 1852.—Joeph Watson, W. McLain, L. W. Carver. 1853.—Joseph Watson, M. S. Dimrnitt, Jesse W. Hollister. 1854.—Henry Bolander, J. P. Molen, Jesse W. Hollister. 1855-56.—Alex. Armstrong, J. P. Molen, Samuel Van Briggle. 1857. -Samuel Van Briggle, Joseph Watson, David Reed. 1858.—John H. Chapman, J. P. Molen, Marcus Fee. 1859.—John H. Chapman, Alex. Armstrong, Marcas Fee. 1860.—William McMurchy, Joseph Jones, A. Broadwell. 1861.—E. J. Prather, Joseph Jones, Samuel Van Briggle. 1862.—E. J. Prather, J. W. Van Briggle, John H. chapman. 1863.—E. J. Prather, J. W. Van Briggle, William Love. 1864-65.--E. J. Prather, J. W. Van Briggle, Enoch Reed. 1866.—W. W. Fronk, It. Lanham, O. P. Miller. 1867.–H. W. Fronk, E. J. Prather, J. W. Van Briggle. 1868.—Louis Richey, Samuel N. Morgan, Stanley Sherwood. 1869.—Louis Richey, W. W. Fronk, Stanley Sherwood. 1870.—John H. Chapman, E. J. Prather, Stanley Sherwood. 1871.–L. W. Ware, E. J. Prather, Samuel Bolander. 1872.—L. W. Ware, David Armacost, Samael McKinney. 1873.—L. W. Ware, David Armacost, A. T. Kirkpatrick. 1874.—Peter Goslin, Volney Kenyon, Charles Love. 1875.—W. W. Prather, Volney Kenyon, G. J. McKibben. 1876.—Louis Richey, W. S. Fisbback, G. J. McKibben. 1877.—E. D. Prather, W. H. Wells, J. K. Gray. 1878.—E. D. l'rather, IV. H. Wells, W. J. Helvering. 1879.-O. F. Fishback, W. H. Wells, W. J. Heleering. TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 1819-24, Lemael Stephenson; 1825-30, Henry Hicks; 1831, Oliver Minor ; 1832-38, Otho Pearre; 1839, James T. Sargent; 184042, F. J. Phillips; 1843, David Barber; 1844-45, E. F. W. Ellis; 1846, Joseph Stiers; 1847, J. C. Stevens; 1848-50, W. T. Prather ; 1851-52, D. E, Fee; 1853, A. L. Knowles; 1854-56, W. T. Prather; 1857-61, D. E. Fee; 4862, J. D. Hill; 1863-64, J. H. Laycock; 1865, D. E. Fee; 1866-67, A. M. Dimmitt; 1868-70, Chant. Bryant; 1871-72, A. H. Sweringen ; 1873-76, John Walker; 1877-78, A. J. Barr; 1879, B. F. Trees. TREASURERS. 1849-41, Joseph Wells; 1842-44, John S. Fallin; 1845-46, Andrew L. Powell; 1847-50, George Crossley; 1851-53, A. L. Powell ; 1854-56, John B. Goodwin; 1857-63, A. L. Powell; 1864-68, Frank W. Knowles ; 1869-71, J. W. Kennedy; 1872-75, M. T. Fee; 1877-78, S. F. Kennedy ; 1879, S. F. Water field. ASSESSORS. 1843, Gideon Minor; 1843-44, Ralph Stiers; 1845, Noah Bagby; 1846-53, David Barber ; 1854-55, J. M. Ginnings; 1856, David Barber; 1857, Jeremiah Arnold; 1858, David Barber; 1859, George Kleckner; 1860-61, Henry Bolander: 1862, J. J. Mair; 1863-65, James L. McKibben ; 1866-77, Richard Lanham; 1878, David Bolander; 4879, W, F. Wedding. The township has made generous provision r the improvement of its highways, and under the acts enabling them to build free turnpikes, as is elsewhere related, more than twenty miles of improved roads have been constructed, and Franklin is, in this respect, in advance of any of her sister townships. The people also expressed their willingness to build a railroad through the township, on the 18th of December, 1872, voting, by 370 to 184, to levy a tax of $5000 per mile r that purpose. Although without a railroad, transit by steamboat is afforded from Smith's Landing and Chilo, where many packets touch daily. On the 30th of August, 1873, the township purchased the Wesleyan church at Felicity r a public hall, issuing its bonds r the payment of the same to the amount of $2000. Provision has been made for the support of the cemeteries located in different parts of the township, but no new cemetery has been laid out by township authority. The principal places of interment are at Chilo, the Odd- Fellows' Cemetery, at Felicity, dedicated May 15, 1875, Hopewell, and Smyrna, although many other small graveyards abound. EARLY MILLS AND GENERAL INDUSTRIES. James Sargent had a hand-mill in operation before 1800 at his place below the present residence of E. Richards. He brought the mill-irons from Maryland, and was enabled to do a good deal of grinding r his neighbors. In a few years his mill was changed to use water-power, and after a short space of time a large mill was erected near by, which was employed on merchant milling. In subsequent years it was owned by various members of the Sargent family and others, and as many as 1000 barrels per year were shipped from the landing at Chilo, the flour being carried there over a road which led by the house of Dr. Woods, right over the hills, and long since vacated. The fame of the old mill still remains, allhough the mill was allowed to go to decay many years ago. Near Sargent's mills George Richards had saw- and grist-mills. Other small mills were put up and operated for short periods on Bear and Indian Creeks. On the Bullskin, David Miller got in operation a saw-mill, about 1816, and later put up the saw-mill which Wyatt Owens afterwards owned, and where he also pnt up the grist-mill which is now operated by Lewis Richey. On the Samuel Ross place William Plummer had a small tub grist-mill before 1812, which went down half a century ago. Here, afterwards, Thomas Plummer long operated a saw-mill. In the northern part of the township Simeon Goodwin had wills operated by steam, which had an excellent reputation and were largely patronized. Among others who had small distilleries in the township were Richard Cousins and Philip Moyers. Other mills and manufacturing interests are noted in connection with the villages in which they were located. The most general and important industry ofsi the township of Franklin is the culture of tobacco. The soil produces a fine leaf, which cures with a rich color and fine flavor, giving it an enviable reputation in the markets of Cincinnati and the East, and making it the most profitable product of the husbandman. The yield has been steadily increased until it approximates 2,000,000 pounds annually, 342 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. and Franklin, for its area, ranks as the first tobacco-growing district in the United States. The pioneer in this enterprise was Jacob Waterfield's son, At the age of ten he came with his stepfather, James Johnston, and settled north of Chilo, but removed to Higginsport, where he died. Among his children was James Waterfield, who returned to Chilo after he had attained his age, and there, in 1842, cultivated the first tobacco r the market. He grew about 3000 pounds, which he delivered in bulk at Augusta, Ky., where it made a favorable comparison with the tobacco of that State. Mr. Waterfield continued a leading tobacco grower until April, 1879, and part of the time was also an extensive shipper from his warehouse at Chilo. In this warehouse G. W. Rice and others are now engaged as dealers, the amounts prepared for market ranging from 100,000 to 400,000 pounds per year ; and at Chilo J. G. Prather has a tobacco warehouse, whose dimensions are 38 by 62 feet, his shipments from this point and Neville amounting to 300,000 pounds per year. The first tobacco warehouse was erected at Rural, in 1849, by the Broadwell family, near the river, and was used until 1864, when the present brick warehouse took its place. From 125 to 400 hogsheads of tobacco per year are shipped from that point. At Smith's Landing is also an extensive warehouse, and at Felicity the Waterfield Brothers handle from 200,000 pounds to a half a million pounds per year. Among other dealers in Franklin are William Prather, William Dixon, L. W. Ware, B. F. }loiter, and Amos Shinkle. William Waterfield, a brother of James, was associated with him in the tobacco business at Chilo until 1872, when he moved to Cincinnati, where, in company with John S. Fallin, I. C, Westfall, and L. H. Brooks, he opened the popular " Globe Warehouse," of which Waterfield & Brooks are the present proprietors. The reputation of this firm extends over the entire Ohio Valley, and Clermont County justly takes pride in this enterprise of her former citizens. The principal tobacco growers in Franklin the past few years were the Broadwells, A. Hewton, A, Smith, E. N. Vermillion, Joseph Reed, the McClannahans,, the Woodmansees, D. C. Heyl, M. L, Robinson, William Jones, Henry Frederick, Emerson Evans, Wesley Prather, William Kohler, George Gregg, William Waterfield, S. W. & Henry Kinney, W. N, Kinney, John Kinney, G. W. Day, James Moore, Elijah Merritt, Joseph Watson, Samuel Swope, the Goslins, Delos Trees, E. J. Prather, Daniel Shinkle, M. D. Ross, B. H. Gregg, William Conn, J. P. Constant, Samuel Miller, Wesley and John Prather, Enoch Reed, Alexander Smith, William Shinkle, and Zadok Watson. HAMLETS AND VILLAGES. In the northern part of Franklin, near the State township hne, is the MOUNT OLIVE post. office, which was established in 1848 with Samuel Ely as postmaster. About the same time he opened a store which he yet continues, and has also been postmaster ever since, except r a short period from 1855 on, when Hiram Can was the postmaster. Beyond these two interests, nothing of note has existed at Mount Olive. The hamlet of CEDRON was laid out Jan. 16, 1851, by Zachariah M. Lansdown, on the waters of the Bullskin, several miles above its mouth, and near the Brown County line. The plat consisted of 11 lots, and Jared Brush was the surveyor. A store was opened here the same year by Mr. Lansdown, which was afterwards kept by James Hyatt, Finley Winters, Wm. C. Moyer, John Richards, Park & Hoover, Hoover & Bavis, Fishback & Staton, and at present by Waterfield & Tucker. The Cedron post-office was established in 1851, with Z. M. Lansdown as postmaster. In 1857, John Park received the appointment, and two years later J. W. Allen. In 1867 the postmaster was J. R. Richards ; in 1869, W. G. Bradford ; in 1871, Daniel E. Bavis ; in 1877, G. S. Staton ; and two years later the office was discontinued. At Cedron are about a dozen houses, Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and the ordinary mechanic shops. A short distance below the hamlet Nathaniel Bonser put up saw- and grist-mills on the Bullskin, which were successively owned by Charles Pearre, John McGraw, and Joshua Smart, but they have gone down more than ten years ago. Still lower on the same stream, Stephen Judd and others had a saw-mill, which has also long since passed away. The hamlet of RURAL, at the mouth of the Bullskin, on the Ohio River, was laid out on the 24th and 25th of November, 1845, by Lindley Broadwell and Abraham Durrell, the surveyor being William S. McLean. The lots were numbered from 1 to 60, and were of variable size. The streets running parallel with the river were named Front, Broadway, and Third ; and the intersecting streets received the names of Water, Pine, and Western Row. For a short time the place had a promising growth and was the centre of a great deal of business, but other points have taken the lead, and the hamlet at present shows a decayed appearance. It contains about-twenty houses, a store, tobacco warehouse, and a few mechanic shops. Lindley Broadwell came to Ohio from Indian Hill, Md., about the beginning of the present century, but did not take up his residence in Franklin until 1833. That year he purchased 700 acres of land at the mouth of the Bullskin, on part of which he subsequently laid out Rural, When he took up his abode here there was only one hewed log house, and the ferry was kept by a man named Hastings. Subsequently the Broadwell family operated the ferry, but since 1861 it has not been kept up. Where Rural now is a man by the name of Logston had one of the first ferries in the county, some time about 1794, and here, r short periods, many of the early settlers sojourned. Steamboats used to land, but only an occasional landing is now made. In 1833, L. Broadwell and William Nelson put up and operated a steam saw-mill at Rural, which had a number of owners, but which was allowed to go down after about twenty-five years' operation. Four or five years later the same parties opened a store in a building which stood near the river. In after-years, among the persons here in trade were John Chalfant, Edwards Brothers, Kennedy & Mains, Bartlow & Wells, T. B. Loyd, George Clark, Mannen & Broadwell, and at present A. J. Broadwell. The Rural post-office was established in 1846, with George McLefresh as postmaster. The next year Leman Stockwell secured the appointment ; but from 1849 for two FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 343 years George McLefresh was again the postmaster. In 1851, Alexander Smith was appointed, and in 1856, T. B. Loyd was appointed postmaster of the office, which now received the name of SMITH'S LANDING. In 1867, J. M. Fletcher became the postmaster ; 1869, H. M. Hicks ; 1871, Alexander Smith ; 1874, A. T. Kirkpatrick ; and 1875, William Jernegan. SMITH'S LANDING was established by Capt. Alexander Smith, on the Ohio, about a mile above Rural, soon after he settled here, some time about 1844. He erected a store and warehouse on the banks of the river, which were swept away by the flood of 1847, and in 1861 the place of business was transferred to the second bank, where several large buildings are occupied. Here J. T. Mannen & Co. are at present engaged in business, and also keep the post-office, which is supplied with a daily mail by steam-packet. Besides Capt., Smith and the present firm, the merchants at this point have been J. T. Sullivan & Co. and A. T. Kirkpatrick. Ever since 1861 a ferry has been run from Smith's Landing to the Kentucky shore by Capt. Smith and his family, who have been very enterprising in promoting the business interests of this part of the county. Above this place a short distance, on the fertile lowlands of the Ohio, were the main possessions of THE FOURIERITE ASSOCIATION OF CLERMONT COUNTY. In 1844, Judge Wade Loofborough purchased of George W. Jones 1140 acres of land in this locality for the sum of $20,000, on which were to be carried out the singular notions of the association, and which at that time had so maUy advocates in the East, where many similar associations were formed. More than a dozen families agreed to form the association, to sink their personal identity and individual interests for the general good of the community. Composing the first Phalanx were Wade Loofborough, President ; George Sampson, Secretary ; Joseph Kirkup, Treasurer , and nine additional councilmen, having among the members Henry Jernegan, Uriah Hemphill, Daniel Prescott, E. G. Cubberly, George Rogers, John Patton, John Holbrook, Martin Poor, Samuel Shuard, Case, and — Hill, who owned one or more shares in the association, paying $25 per share in yearly installments. Agriculture was to be the principal occupation of the association, although the various trades—blacksmithing, shoemaking, carpentry brushmaking, and some of the lighter trades— were encouraged, and shops provided r those who were so engaged. Each member was assigned somc congenial occupation by the council, and was expected to labor cheerfully to increase the common wealth. The land which the association had purchased constituted three tracts, fronting on the Ohio The lower was below Rural, the upper was where Utopra now is, and the third tract occupied an intermediate position. the better parts now forming the farm of L. M. Robinson Upon this was erected a large story and a half frame house, containing a room for each family.of the phalanx, whrch lived under a common roof and ate at a common table, the idea being to reduce the expense of living to the least possible figure, in order to proportionately increase the association's fund. This house stood on the bank of the river, and, in connection with a knowledge of the pur pose of the occupants, was a conspicuous object to he people on board the boats of that stream. The membership of the association increasing, larger accommodations were demanded, and about 1844 a two- story brick building, with 30 rooms, was erected some little distance from the river, on a higher piece of ground, which the Phalanx occupied as long as it had an existence. In addition to the main building of brick there were frame dining-rooms and a kitchen, and the general arrangement of the buildings was very complete. But, meantime, while these improvements were so faithfully carried on by the projectors of the enterprise, the debt of the association was increasing, with no immediate prospect of being liquidated, and disaffection arose among the members, who began to see that communism had not bettered their lot in life. They gave no response to the demand for the payment of the yearly installments, and tardily performed their daily duties. The council saw that the only hope r saving any of the property of the association lay in its speedy dissolution, and closing up the affairs of the unfortunate enterprise. Accordingly, in 1846, the property was sold or a pro rata division made among the members, most of whom removed. In this disposition the tract containing the buildings became the property of a Spiritualistic community, at the head of which was John 0. Wattles, with a following of nearly 100 persons. Their association was based on principles of business and religion, aiming, so far as the former was concerned, to engage in light manufacturing and make and dispose of their products in common, while the expense of production :I n d the cost of living, it was thought, would be materially reduced by a system of communism. In order to better carry out their plans the large brick building which the Phalanx had erected was taken down and rebuilt on the river-bank, near the site of the wooden building, but with unfortunate results, as we shall soon see. The house was built three stories high with a basement, around which was an area to admit light and air. The walls were rather light and pierced with many windows, and the whole structure was insecurely built, the work being hastened in order to admit of its occupation in the fall of 1847. By the middle of December the house was so far completed that a number of persons, who had been living in temporary buildings until this time, began to move in. At the same time occurred the disastrous flood of 1847. The rain and snow had been falling for several days, and on the 12th of December the banks of the river were full to overflowing, while the area of the building was steadily filling with water. Notwithstanding these dangerous appearances the moving continued (as the temporary buildings were uncomfortable), even after boats were necessay to reach the new house ; but late in the afternoon of December 13th this work was suspended, and so far as is known 34 persons were at that time sheltered under the roof of the new building. Among these were a number of young people, not members of the community, who had been attracted by the moving, and it was proposed to while away the evening with a dance. While this was in progress, about eight o'clock, the walls of the building fell, crushing many to death, and others in the confusion were drowned. Seven- 344 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. teen lives were lost, many being strangers in the neighborhood, having but recently joined the community. A Mr. Cornell and his family of five were all killed ; and Lottie and John Hemphill were of those killed who did not belong to the community. This disaster, occurring at night in a terrible storm, struck terror to the hearts of the people; and the history of the community from its inception to its calamitous close is the most tragic event that has ever occurred in the county. The blow was fatal to the community; one of its leaders had perished and the others had no heart to resume the interrupted wnrk. The enterprise was allowed to decline, the members were scattered to varions points, and now, after the lapse of these many years, but few remain to tell the sad story of crushed hopes and untimely death. Of the original Phalanx composing the Fourierite Association, Henry Jernegan and E. G. Cubberly yet reside at Utopia, and from them the writer has gleaned the above facts. UTOPIA owes its origin to the dissolution of the Fourierite Association. In the division of the property Henry Jernegan received several hundred acres of land along the Brown County line, extending from the river to the hills, which are here a little distance from the watersis edge. The location is fine, and as Mr. Jernegan was led to believe that a manufacturing village could be supported by the trade of Cincinnati, distant only about thirty-five miles and of easy communication by river, he laid out (Aug. 3, 1847) 84 qnarter-acre lots on the cast side of First Street, which were sold at the nominal price of $15. To induce settlement Thomas Vator, Martin Poor, and Daniel Prescott were appointed trustees of the affairs of the new village, which should be founded on Utopian principles (hence its name) to bring hither a class of good mechanics and citizens, and to dispose of the manufactured wares in cases where the mechanic wished this service done. In every other respect the citizen was to be a free agent, except that there was an implied agreement among the property-holders that they would, so far as lay in their power, exchange the products of their labor, each of his kind, for what they would want of the other, giving their due-bills therefor. This plan, it was thought, while insuring a mutual dependence would also prove a bond of union, and be, in the end, more satisfactory than the Fourierite system. Many of the old members of the Phalanx moved to Utopia and carried on the various avocations. Josiah Warren was the printer, and had a good job-office; E. G. Cuboerly was the shoemaker ; John Hardy and C. W. Carlton were the store-keepers ; Daniel Prescott was the miller (owning the mill which Henry Jernegan had moved to the Fourierite farm, and which in the division became the property of Prescott) ; and all the ordinary trades were carried on. For a time Utopia was a happy, beautiful place ; the people had few wants, and these were supplied at home. But this condition did not continue beyond a few years, The people became restless, and longed r larger and more independent spheres of action. Some of the better class of citizens removed, and their places were taken by others not in harmony with the purposes of the proprietor and the trustees, and the project was abandoned an almost complete failure. Its effect upon Utopia seems to have been permanent. The place did not grow beyond the size of a small village, which it yet remains ; and it has never been distinguished as a business point. David Jernegan has a small store, and the most important industry is the vineyard of Henry Ehrenfels (comprising 25 acres) and the fruit distillery connected therewith. At Utopia is a good landing, but little shipping is done, and boats seldom land. CHILO. This is the oldest village in the township, and was for many years known as Mechanicsburgh. It has a fine location on the Ohio near the southwestern corner of the township, and has always been an important shipping-point. In consequence of the hilly nature of the contiguous country the village has never attained great size, and, although a large mercantile business is transacted, the chief significance of Chilo arises from its being the shipping-port of Felicity and the northeastern country. Chilo was laid out May 1, 1816, by Robert Bagby, and the plat was duly recorded in the office of the county recorder. It contained 208 lots, and its general shape was a rectangle, the sides being parallel with the Ohio, with streets three poles in width, named Water, Washington, Warren, Montgomery, Knox, and Mercer. Crossing these at right angles are Stark, Sullivan, Market, Gates, Hamilton, and Greene, nearly all named after Revolutionary heroes. On the edge of the river was reserved a public landing four rods wide, and in another part of the village a public square for a market-house and a public parade. To the original plat an addition was made, June 19, 1817, by John G. Prather of 24 lots, with an additional street, named Wayne. The same year, September 30th, Samuel Prather made a further addition of 36 lots, numbered from 328 to 363, with a new street, called Pleasant. And the third and last recorded addition was made by James Galbreath, James Forsythe, and Thomas W. Hale, Oct. 14, 1817. It consisted of 110 lots located on the west side of the original plat, with appropriate streets, Robert Bagby, the founder of Chilo, was one of the first to live there. He came to Franklin soon after 1800, but lived for a time at the mouth of Bullskin, where he kept a sort of a public-house, which was continued after his la moval by John Miller. In Chilo he also kept a public house, but died in 1800, soon after the town was laid out His sons, Sterling and Nathaniel, moved to Felicity at an early day, and Bannister and William both died at Chrle of the cholera in 1832. His daughters, Melissa and Phoebe, married Otho Pearre and Henry Miller, both of Franklin Alexander Case, a carpenter, was another of the early citizens of Chilo, living there until his death, in 1837 He had five sons, named Nelson, Lloyd, John, George, and Joseph ; and daughters who married Jesse, Elijah, and Zadok McLefresh, and Capt. Samuel Hildreath. Other early citizens of Chile were Josiah Broadwell, hatter , Thomas Hampton, tavern-keeper ; Theo. Briggs, miller , Jacob Cradlebaugh, potter ; William Lynn, brick-mason Abijah Floro, river trader; Samuel Whitney; pilot ; John Forsythe, weaver ; I. A. Pool, strop-maker ; Jedediah Hunt- FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 345 ington, laborer ; and James Wall and C. W. Pearre, merchants. In 1837 those that owned houses and shops in Chilo were John Bailey, Betsey Bagby, Andrew Campbell, James Dennison, Aaron C. Day, James Evans, Abel Hall, Asahel Hays, Thomas Owens, Samuel Prather, I. A. Pool, James Prather, John Ross, Joseph Smith, John Thompson, Zadok Tucker, Daniel Whiteman, and Lafayette Watkins. The population at present is about 500, and its chief interests are noted below, MERCANTILE, HOTEL, AND MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. Among the first in trade were Alexander and William Crawford, but the precise time cannot be determined ; probably soon after the village was laid out. But near Chilo, at Sargeant's Mills, Joshua Pigman had a store as early as 1806. Following the Crawfords was a Dr. Ewing, James Otho and Charles W. Pearre, and Zadok Tucker. In 1843, William Prather had a good store on Front Street, which in those days was the principal street, and whose width had not been encroached upon by the waves, being at that time more than four rods wide. Then came as merchants Charles Cooper, G. B. Noland, Charles Foote, Jedediah Hunt, II. J. Bancroft, P. B. Heizer, A. Hamilton, Wesley & William Prather, Sherman Brothers, S. F. Waterfield, Waterfield & Tucker, Josephus Donley, C. L. Meade, and Keen & Rice. The two last named are the present merchants, occupying large and well-filled stores, much of their trade coming from Kentucky. The lumber business on an extensive scale is carried on by J. G. Prather, and R. Brown is a coal-dealer. Robert Bagby had the first public-house at Chilo. Then came Jedediah Hunt and Thomas Hampton, the former in the building now occupied by William Brown. Philip Lewis had a public-house in the present hotel-stand, where for some years was L. H. Smith, but which is now kept by F. P. Noland. But little manufacturing has been done at Chilo. Besides the minor mechanics mentioned above, Samuel English made bellows, and later, N. Myers was engaged in the manufacture of tobacco hogsheads, employing half a dozen hands. A quarter of a century ago, Riley & Bros. had steam saw- and grist-mills, which were operated a dozen years, when the machinery was removed and the buildings converted into a barn by Capt. Jack. The Howe family has carried on blacksmithing since 1843. RIVER INTERESTS. At Chilo, Capt. James Walls had a dock for building steamboats, and here, about 1833, he built " The Spartan," a shapely boat of medium capacity. She made a trial-trip from Cincinnati after she was supplied with her machinery, running about as fast as a man could walk, which so elated the captain that he said her speed was too great to ply bementween Chilo and Cincinnati. She was taken to the Mississippi, and nothing more of her history is recollected. The first boat that made Chilo a terminus was the " Post Boy," and among other boats on this line were the " Mary Ament," " Free-Stone," " Mountain Belle," Mountain Boy," " John Morgan," " Mollie Norton," " Jennie Brown," " Tallapaugh," and the present " City of Portsmouth." Until 1836 the landing was at the lower end of Chilo, but since that period the present place has served. Some of the old citizens of Chilo recollect when it was almost impossible to see more than one steamer from a point of observation at the village, but recently 14 steamers were in sight on the river. A good ferry has generally been maintained from Chilo to Bradford, in Kentucky, and r some years past it has been in charge of Thomas W. Clark. THE POST-OFFICE AND PHYSICIANS. The first record of a regularly appointed postmaster appears in 1825, when Ignatius A. Poole was appointed postmaster. The successive appointees were as follows : 1835, Andrew Campbell ; 1837, John O. Prather ; 1845, Jesse Healy ; 1846, Sterling Bagby ; 1847, Jedediah Hunt, .Jr. ; 1853, David A. Bannister ; 1855, C. D. Foote ; 1857, Jedediah Hunt; 1862, John Howe, who yet continues, and has, since 1876, also been the agent of the Adams' Express Company. Among the physicians at Chilo appear the names of Drs. Eaton, Kincaid, Shepard, Dart, Richards, and the present Drs, Davis and Allen Woods. The latter here engaged in active practice in 1851, and achieved a reputation which has given him rank among the best physicians of the county. FELICITY. In population and business importance this is the second village in the county. It has a fine location on an elevated plateau rming a portion of the high table-lands of this part of Clermont, near the centre of the township, being about four miles from the Ohio, at Rural, and five from Chilo. To these places and three other points lead good free turnpikes, making the village the centre of a densely populated country, filled with thriving and intelligent farmers. Originally the village site was heavily wooded and the surface was somewhat wet, but as the timber was removed the ground became dry, and the general salubrity of the place will compare with other points in the county. The village is on the Byan and Carter surveys, which were surveyed Dec. 25, 1787, by John Obannon and his assistants for Capt. Morgan Bryan and Maj. Nicholas Carter, both soldiers of the Continental Line. The two surveys embrace 600 acres of choice land, whose fertility is rarely surpassed. On the 17th of October, 1805, Thomas Fee purchased the survey of 200 acres, belonging to Capt. Bryan, for $500, and Sept. 15, 1806, William Fee secured the 400 acres constituting the Carter survey for $360, a part of which he subsequently conveyed to Peter Hastings. In 1818, William Fee also became owner of the 200 acres which, until this time, had belonged to Thomas Fee, and for many years he was the largest land-owner in this part of the township. On part of this extensive tract was laid out, April 19, 1817, the village of Felicity, by William Fee and Peter Hastings, rming a plat of 72 lots and embracing 22f acres. The streets were laid out to run with the points of the compass, and received the names of Walnut, Main, Light, Union, Market, and West. On the edge of Light Street was a well which was reserved by one of the proprietors. May 28, 1819, William Fee platted an addition 346 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. of lots, numbered from 73 to 104, with new streets, named Minor and Coffee. The second addition was made by William Fee and Peter Hastings, Jan. 21, 1836, and consisted of 34 acres, forming 'lots numbered from 105 to 216, and streets called Mulberry, Sycamore, and Neville; and May 5, 1846, another addition of lots was recorded in behalf of William Fee. These additions were made on all sides of the original plat, and the village at present has a very irregular shape, owing to its extended growth along some of the principal highways on lots which were not regularly laid out. The proprietors of the village were also the first actual settlers, and from this circumstance, and after the manner of that day, the place was called by many Feestown. Felicity also owes its derivation to the name of Wm. Fee. His cabin stood on what is now known as the Hayden corner, and was a building 15 by 20 feet, of logs, with a ground floor and a large rock set up for a chimney. Later, a two-story log house, with a long front porch, took the place of this humble cabin, and was occupied by Mr. Fee until he could erect a fine brick residence, He had three sons,—Thomas, Arthur, and Jesse,—who also lived many years at Felicity, one of them until his death, a short time ago. Jesse Fee was married to Maria Knowles in 1822, and was the father of O. P. S., Dart E., Mart T., and Luther K. Fee, who became widely known in the county and the southern part of Ohio. Arthur Fee married Sally Miller, and their children were Marcns, Arthur M., Thomas, Price T., William I., and two daughters, who also identified themselves with the interests of Clermont and Felicity. The other proprietor—Peter Hastings--was an Irishman and a local Methodist minister, who was wonderfully gifted in exhortation and prayer. In his passage to America he suffered shipwreck and other calamity, making his life full of vicissitudes, He was the ancestor of Peter H. Hastings, an attorney of note in Cincinnati. His house on Main Street was not far from Mr. Fee's. In 1818 there was a public sale of village lots at Felicity, in flont of the residence of Wm. Fee, when the first choice was sold to John McGraw for $60. He selected the southwest corner of Main and Market, and the following year erected on it a large house r hotel purposes. At this time Mathew Day and Joseph Parrish also purchased lots, and soon erected buildings thereon. The increase of population was steady, but not remarkable; but the inhabitants were generally an excellent class of citizens. In 1837 there were hving at Felicity John Artus, merchant ; Thomas Boude, merchant ; Sterling and N Ahan iel Bagby ; John C, Cramer, tailor ; Robert Chalfant, merchant; George Crossley, wagon-maker ; John Dimmitt, hatter ; Joseph Frambes, Wm. Thomas, and Arthur Fee, Samuel Goodwin, Wm. Hitch, Peter Hastings, Reason Hooten, Michael Hughes, blacksmith ; J. H. Hastings ; David House, shoemaker ; Jeremiah Joslin ; J. C. Kennedy, physician ; Alonzo Knowles, merchant ; James Meeker, shoemaker; J. H. Merritt, saddler ; James Mullen, merchant ; Moses McWealthy ; Joseph Parrish, saddler ; C. W. Pearre, cabinetmaker;. Bethuel Reynolds, tailor ; Jeremiah Smith, chair-maker ; James T. Sargent, carpenter ; James and M. Sargent, carders; Erasmus Sargent, merchant ; John Shannon, blacksmith ; and John Van Briggle, chairmaker and merchant. After 1850 a number of colored people took up their residence at Felicity, and at present constitute a fourth of the population. The village has about 1200 inhabitants and the interests noted in the following pages. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. Felicity was incorporated by an act of the Legislatnre passed March 14, 1836, which provided " That so much of the township of Franklin as is included in the plat of Felicity, or which should hereafter be recorded as a plat or addition to Felicity, should be constituted a town corporate by the name of Felicity." It was also provided that the elective officers consist of a mayor, recorder, and five trustees, five of whom should constitute a quorum to do business, and the first election was to be held May 2, 1836. These were to constitute the " Town Council of Felicity," and were empowered to hold property and to sue and be sued ; to regulate and improve the streets ; to levy taxes (not to exceed one-half per centum); to appoint a marshal, collector, and treasurer ; " and to make all necessary appropriations and improvements which may conduce to the health and comrt of said town." The mayor was to be the conservator of the peace within the corporation, and the marshal the principal ministerial offrcer, with fees the same as those received by constables, and the use of the county jail was granted to confine offenders or transgressors of village laws. Feb. 4, 1842, an amendment to the act of incorporation was passed, granting the right to vote r all town officers and giving the franchise to such as were entitled to vote for Governor. May 16, 1853, the town council was reorganized under the general act regulating the incorporation of villages, passed May 3, 1852, and was thereafter to be known as the "village trustees of the village of Felicity." All ordinances passed prior to the reorganization were repealed and new ordinances were enacted r the welfare of the village. The records of the council under the original charter have not been preserved, but from other sources it is shown that in 1841 David Fagin was mayor and Alonzo Knowles recorder ; in 1845, Moses Larkin mayor and E. F. W. Ellis recorder ; 1850, A. Knowles mayor and George McLefresh recorder ; 1850-52, P. H. Hastings mayor, .O. P. S. Fee recorder, Josiah McFarland, J. H. Simmonds, Jared Brnsh, J. H. Higgins, and W. R. Sargent councilmen. Among the more important ordinances passed under the new regime were, May 23, 1853, and later periods, to define the duties of the marshal and to protect him in the discharge of the same ; " to restrain the running at large of .animals;" " to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors;" " to regulate shows and exhibitions ;" " to prevent the desecration of the first day of the week and to restrain improper conduct ;" " to prevent nuisances and to promote the public health ;" and, later, " to prevent the spread of smallpox or varioloid ;" " to provide r the appointment of police and night watchmen ;" " to regulate ale-, beer-, and porter-houses and shops ;" " to prevent noise, indecent FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 347 conduct, and disorderly assemblages, and to preserve the good order of the village of Felicity ;" "to enforce the collection of fines ;" and " to create a board of health and define the duties of the members." In the main the ordinances have proved salutary measures and condnced to the welfare of the village, benefiting it on account of its having corporate privileges. About WO are annually expended by the village authorities in improving the streets and regulating the affairs of Felicity, and the taxation always having been light, the financial condition of the village is sound. The village officers since the reorganization have been the following: 1853.—Mayor, A. L. Knowles; Recorder, 0. P. S. Fee ; Council, Alexander Armstrong, J. W. Van Briggle, M. L. Day, David Barber, and J. W. Richards ; Treasurer, D. E. Fee ; Marshal, Joseph Hayden. 1854.—Mayor, S. F. Dowdney ; Recorder, A. L. Knowles; Council, L. W. Carver, M. L. Day, M. Richards, Joseph Watson, and Robert Bryant. 1855.—Mayor, L. W. Carver; Recorder, D. M. Sargent ; Council, J. W. South, 0. J. Norris, John Pattison, M. Richards, and J. H. Higgins ; Treasurer, D. E. Fee ; Marshal, D. S. Waits. 1856.—Mayor, A. W. Hines; Recorder, D. M. Sargent ; Council, S. F. Dowdney, W. H. Richards, Marcas Fee, 0. J. Norris, and J. H. Higgins. 1857.—Mayor, Marcus Fee; Recorder, O. J. Norris ; Council, J. P. Molen, J. H. Higgins, L. W. Carver, A. E. Armacost, s. F. Dowdney ; Treasurer, O. P. S. Fee ; Marshal, Joseph Frambes. 1858.—Mayor, J. J. Norris ; Recorder, O. J, Norris; Council, R. Lanham, G. W. Hurley, J. W. Van Briggle, J. H. Higgins, H. Bradley ; Treasurer, 0. P. S. Fee; Marshal, John Hurdle. 1859,—Mayor, W. J. Reese ; Recorder, F. W. Knowles; Council, M. S. Dimmitt, W. H. Wood, H. Bradley, A. E. Armacost, A. L. Powell; Treasurer, O. P. S. Fee; Marshal, S. 0. Goodwin. 1860.—Mayor, W. J. Reese ; Recorder, F. W. Knowles; Council, M. S. Dimmitt, M. 0. Frost, S. Van Briggle, John Walker, and M. L. Day ; Treasurer, 0. P. S. Fee ; Marshal, J. M. Miller. 1861.—Mayor, W. J. Reese; Recorder, M. N. Sargent; Council, J. L. Day, John Pattison, L. W. Carver, Alexander Armstrong, J. P. Molen ; Treasurer, 0. P. S. Fee ; Marshal, S. 0, Goodwin. 1862.—Mayor, George Kleckner ; Recorder, M. N. Sargent; Council, L. W. Carver, M. S. Dimmitt, James McClune, David Barber, and W. J. Reese; Treasurer, A. E. Armacost; Marshal, John Robb. 1863.—Mayor, George Kleckner; Recorder, S. Sherwood; Council, S. Van Briggle, J. S. Fallin, Nelson Tucker, E. Lanham, Joseph Watson ; Treasurer, A. E. Armacost; Marshal, G. L. Lewis. 1864.—Mayor, L. R. Day ; Recorder, Henry Miller ; Council, John Higgins, William Moffitt, R. H. Grimes, A. Green, and Alexander Armstrong ; Treasurer, A. L. Powell ; Marshal, S. O. Goodwin. 1865.—Mayor, L. W. Carver ; Recorder, W. J. Reese; Council, D. S. Waits, S. C. Grimes, William Moffit, J. H. Higgins, J. H. Cruse ; Treasurer, J. L. Day ; Marshal, T. A. Hurdle. 1866.—Mayor, T. A. Fruzier; Recorder, John W. Reese; Council, Marcus Fee, William Saint, L. W. Carver, W. T. Prather, H. Babbitt ; Treasurer, J. L. Day; Marshal, Joseph Hayden. 1867.—Mayor, J. H. Simmons ; Recorder, S. F. Kennedy ; Council, Marcus Fee, II. Babbitt, L. W. Carver, William Waterfield, G. A. Frazier ; Treasurer, J. L. Day ; Marshal, Qaincy Sellman ; Street Commissioner, A. L. Powell. 1868.—Mayor, J. H. Simmons ; Recorder, S. F. Kennedy ; Councit, H. Soper, N. Broadwell, G. W. Fenwick, W. W. Waterfield, James Metzger; Treasarer, L. W. Ware; Marshal, Joseph Hayden. 1869.—Mayor, J. I,. Day ; Recorder, A. H. Swearengin; Council, J. S. Fallin, J. H. Simmons, N. Broadwell, William Water- field, G. A. Frazier ; Treasurer, L. W. Ware ; Marshal, Joseph Hayden ; Street Commissioner, A. B. McKee. 1870.—Mayor, J. L. Day; Recorder, W. P. South ; Council, L. W. Carver, E. F. Donley, H. Bradley (for two years), M. S. Dimmitt, S. W. Hoover, B. F. Holier (for one year); Treasurer, W. W. Qainn ; Marshal, Joseph Hayden; Street Commissioner, J. H. Cruse. 1871.—Mayor, J, L. Day ; Recorder, W. T. Prather ; Councit, M. S. Dimmitt, A. H. McKee, E. F. Donley, L. W. Carver, S. W. Hoover, H. Bradly : Treasurer, L. W. Ware; Marshal, Joseph Hayden ; Street Commissioner, John Crase. 1872.--Mayor, George P. Clark ; Recorder, W. T. Pruther; Council, W. W. Waterfield, Curry Cattell, Samuel Dixon, A. B. McKee, J. H. Higgins, L. W. Carver; Treasarer, S. F. Kennedy ; Marshal, Joseph Frambes; Street Commissioner, Willis Levi. 1873.—Mayor, L. W. Carver ; Recorder, W. B. Crouch ; Council, M. S. Dimmitt, Curry Cattell, W. W. Waterfield, J. H. Higgins, E. M. Sargent, J. L. Watson ; Treasurer, S. F. Kennedy ; Marshal, Joseph Frambes; Street Commissioner, Willis Levi. 1874.—Mayor, L. W. Carver; Recorder, W. B. Crouch ; Council, J. H. Higgins, E. M. Sargent, J. L, Watson, R. W. Buchanan, W. J. Reese, M. S. Dimmitt; Treasurer, it. F. Day; Marshal, Notley Lanham ; Street Commissioner, Wiltis Levi. 1875.—Mayor, L. W. Carver ; Recorder, B. F. Holier; Councit, L. P. Holier, W. J. Reese, A. B. McKee, R. W. Buchanan, J. H. Higgins, E. F. Henley ; Marshal, James Mullen ; Treasurer, R. T. Day; Street Commissioner, Willis Levi; Solicitor, J. S. Parrott. 1876.—Mayor, W. B. Crouch ; Recorder, A. J. Barr ; Council, E. R. Wells, J. B. Goodwin, L. W. Carver, W. J. Reese, A. B. McKee, J. H. Higgins; Treasurer, R. F. Day; Marshal, Joseph Hayden ; Street Commissioner, Notley Lanham ; Solicitor, G. A. Frazier. 1877.—Mayor, W. B. Crouch ; Recorder, A. J. Barr ; Council, James Metzger, William Abbott, Jr., O. P. Walker, E. R. Wells, J. B. Goodwin, M. S. Dimmitt; Treasurer, B. F. Day ; Marshal, Joseph Hayden ; Street Commissioner, Notley Lanham ; Solicitor, G. A. Frazier. 1878.—Mayor, L. W. Carver ; Recorder, A. J. Barr ; Council, B. F. Trees, B. F. Holter, A. Floro, James Metzger, 0. P. Walker, M. S. Dimmitt; Treasurer, R. F. Day ; Marshal, Joseph Hayden; Street Commissioner, Notley Lanham; Solicitor, G. A. Frazier. 1879.—Mayor, L. W. Carver ; Recorder, A. .T. Barr ; Council, B. F. Holier, J. L. Day, S. A. Madison, O. F. Sillcott, R. W. Buchanan, B. F. Trees; Treasarer, R. F. Day ; Marshal, Joseph Hayden; Solicitor, John Walker; Street Commissioner, George Louderback ; Board of Health, J. W. Kennedy, M. S. Dimmitt, J. H. Higgins, W. P. South, A. E. Armacost, and John Walker. THE BUSINESS INTERESTS of Felicity have given that village an enviable reputation abroad. Here have been some of the best and most extensive stores in the county, and here certain branches of manufacture have attained a pre-eminent position. It is believed that the first goods were sold by William Fee, in his building which stood on the Hayden corner, probably only in a small way. Then came Alonzo Knowles, and later Parrish & Cleaveland, Parrish & Frambes, and those already named in the regoing pages. About 1825, Robert Chalfant came to this place, from Point Pleasant, and r more than twenty years carried on a business whose magnitude was almost equal to John Kugler's, at Milford. He had various associates, among them the gallant Ellis. His son, Frank, was also in trade, and upon their retirement the business was continued by W. H. Richards. 348 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. Chalfant amassed a fortune at Felicity, but subsequently engaging in business at Cincinnati with Israel Foster (also from Clermont County) they lost nearly all their accumulations. His contemporary merchants were Thomas and Gideon Minor, John B. Goodwin, E. & W. R. Sargent, John S. Fallin, Andrew Powell, Knowles & Powell, Van Briggle, Ware & Co., and Dimmitt & Fee. Later came David Houser, Brush & Dillman, A. Fee & Sons, D. E. Fee, Marcus Fee, A. L. Powell, Clark & Longworth, J. G. Richards & Co., House & Edwards, and the widely-known firm of O. P, S. Fee & Co. At present an extensive trade is transacted by the Waterfield Brothers (W. W. & S. F.) in the old Chalfant building ; W. P. & T. L. South, and Fridman, all having general stores ; J. L. Day & Son, and W. B. Crouch, grocers ; A. E. Armacost, G. W. Hayden, and Thomas Hayden, boots and shoes ; and H. F. Struve, jeweler. The first to engage in the hardware trade were A. & William F. Schriver, who sold to L. W. Carver in 1857, and the trade has since been continued by him. Among the early druggists were Lee Tatman (about 1845), James Frizzell, W. A. Frizell, G. & J. P. Nolen, Norris & Fee, William Waterfield, and J. W. Kennedy (for the past fifteen years), J. H. Simmons & Co., in 1856, and since 1858 Simmons & Knowles, both having large and well-stocked stores, In 1879 the pork packers of the village were Waterfield & Brother, B. F. Holter, and H. Fridman. The first public-house was kept by John McGraw, in 1819, in a double log house which stood on the lot now occupied by the store of the South Bros It was kept by him about four years, when he was succeeded by William Shearer. Then came Waite Knowles. Alonzo Knowles had an early tavern on the lot now occupied by Joseph Day, on Main Street. In the upper rooms of this building the Masons held their first meetings. It was discontinued about 1840. Then came Jeremiah McKinney, John Miller, Moses Larkin, and Nathaniel Bagby. The latter kept in the present " Ellsworth House," which was built r a residence by John Dimmitt, and which was converted into a hotel by Bagby. After him came Samuel Goodwin, who also kept a public-house on the corner below this stand. Among other keepers of public-houses were John P, Moyer, J. H. Simmons, G, A. Frazier, Sr., Michael Richards, and Mrs. Frances Dixon. At present there are four public-houses. Formerly many hatters carried on their trade at Felicity. Among the first were Peter Hastings and Alexander Green. John Dimmitt r many years gave employment to a number of persons in this industy, George Kleckner, John Dobbin, and Michael Barr were also hatters, the latter making all kinds of hats, including silks, and was the last thus engaged. Gideon B. Knowles had the first tannery in the village, and Wyatt Owens had one on the Bull skin, which was afterwards operated by John Miller. Isaiah Quinn, Wesley McKenzie, and Fergus Baker were also tanners at Felicity. Joseph M. Ginnings and Lemuel Young were among the first shoemakers. Michael Richards and Nelson Sargent have followed this trade many years in the village. Joseph Parrish had a large saddlery establishment, which produced wares r the Southern market, and J, II. Merritt and Hugh McCoskey made saddle-trees, while the manufacture of wooden stirrups was carried on by William Moffitt, and is yet continued by William Hollister. Among the wheelwrights and blacksmiths were George Crossley, A. F. Pollard, Joseph Frambes, James Souers, Abraham Laypole, W. H. Morgan, H, N, Abbott & Sons, L. H. Smith, Rice & Madison, some continuing to the present. Jeremiah and John Smith made splint-chairs as early as 1830, and John Van Briggle, Ithuel Stevens, and others were also pioneers in this industry. S. Van Briggle carried on chair-making on a more extensive scale from 1850 for ten years, employing a dozen hands. Pattison & Higgins were also chair-makers. J, F. McKinney, Nathaniel Bagby, S. Bagby, South & Bryan, and J. H. Simmons were among the early furniture-makers. R. W. Buchanan engaged in this work in 1866, and yet continues, having a shop in which the wares are made throughout, from the rough lumber. In the fall of 1873, Gray & White began manufacturing furniture by steam, and soon after the " Felicity Furniture Company" was formed. Its interests are at present in charge of C. Gray, who employs a number of hands in a well-appointed shop. " The Excelsior Furniture and Chair Company" has had a number of persons interested, John Pattison being the principal member of the different firms ; steam-power is employed. The manufacture of furniture was r many years the principal industry of Felicity, In the early history of the village Thomas and Nelson Sargent had a carding-machine and fulling-mill, operated by tread-power, and also made linseed oil. In 1832, Jesse Hess started a similar establishment farther down Main Street, and was succeeded by Stephen Judd and John Melvin. Joseph Frambes had a horse-mill in the northern part of the village, and about 1845 he and Wesley McLain got in operation a steam saw- and grist-mill on the western part of Main Street. The present mills were built in 1844-45, by Joseph Frambes and John Pattison. They have been rebuilt, and now rank among the best in the county. The present owners are W. J. Quarry and O. F. Silcott. South of the village Houser & Fagin had steam saw-mills about 1850, which have long since been discontinued. Other manufacturing interests were for a time maintained in the village, but as they have been allowed to decline no mention of them is here made. THE PROFESSIONS AND OTHER INTERESTS. Alonzo Knowles read law with Thomas Morris, and about 1828 engaged in the practice of his profession at Felicity, although not giving it his exclusive attention, and continued until his death, in 1852. E. F. W. Ellis was a student of Knowles, but removed to Rockford, Ill,, and in the Rebellion fell, as the colonel of an Illinois regiment, at Pittsburg Landing. William McHugh, an attorney, died in 1849. P. II. Hastings, a contemporary, in later years removed to Cincinnati. George McLefresh was for many years an attorney at Felicity, but removed to the South, and at present resides at Chilo. Jonathan Palmer, after several years of successful practice, removed to Illinois, and S. F. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 349 Dowdney to Batavia, Alonzo L. Knowles, a member of the Franklin bar, died in 1857. Prior to this date, the attorneys were George S. Lee and David 'Thomas. Reuben Utter, after following the profession at Felicity, removed to Neville; and John S. Parrott, after 1874, to Batavia ; and possibly other attorneys may have been in the village. In 1845, L. W. Carver was admitted to the bar, and with the exception of a few years has resided at Felicity, although not always following his profession. G. A. Frazier was admitted in 1864, and since 1868 has had an office at Felicity. John Walker read law under Mr. Frazier's instruction, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar. Since that time he has maintained an office at Felicity. He was born in 1831, in the State of Kentucky, and after teaching and engaging in mechanical pursuits took up the law as a profession, and in 1819 was elected a justice of the peace. In the medical profession, among the earliest to locate at Felicity was Dr. J. C. Kennedy, now of Batavia. Dr. Thomas Boude also removed to Batavia. Dr. Allen Woods, of Chilo, was here many years. From 1842 till 1862 Dr. J. N. Kennedy was in practice. Then came the Doctors Utter,-R, and W. B.,-the rmer dying in 1857. Dr. Harvey Bradley graduated from the Ohio Medical Col- ledge in 1855, and has been in practice ever since, being now the senior physician at Felicity ; and other physicians here in practice are Doctors M. Gibson, W. E. Tucker, William Lucas, A. B. McKee, B. F. Mitchell, and • T. G. Dennis, dentist. ,A number of physicians were located at Felicity r short periods, but their names cannot be here produced. About 1873, J. L. Watson opened a private bank at Felicity, and a year later associated E. M. Sargent with him in carrying on the business, which was discontinued in March, 1879. The office was in a building on the northwest corner of Market and Walnut Streets. The Felicity post-office was established in 1823, with Moses Larkin as postmaster. In 1825, Elisha A. Woods was appointed ; in 1829, Robert Chalfant ; 1833, Thomas H. Minor ; 1835, Robert Chalfant ; 1841, Alonzo Knowles ; 1851, Amos Larkin ; 1853, 0. P. S. Fee ; 1863, Marcus Fee; 1871, W. P. South ; 1875, L. S. Molen. The office distributes a large amount of mail daily, being the terminus of several routes, and since July 1, 1869, has been a postal money-order office. The Felicity Building and Loan Association was incorporated Feb. 21, 1872, with a capital stock of $100,000, in shares of $200 each. The corporators were M, S. Dim- mitt, J. W. Kennedy, E, M. Sargent, H. B. Crouch, L. W. Carver, 1'. W. Knowles, H. McCaskey, M, T. Fee, and W. W. Quinn. In April following the association elected its first offrcers, J. W. Kennedy being selected as president ; M. S. Dimmitt, secretary (both of whom have served ever since) ; and E. M. Sargent was elected treasurer, serving nntil 1879, when he was succeeded by L. W. Carver. The capital of the association remains unchanged, and its affairs have been creditably managed. The Felicity Library and Reading-Room Association was organized June 2, 1879, when a board of directors was chosen, as follows : J. W. Kennedy, J. II. Simmons, G. A. Frazier, W. W. Waterfield, W. B. Crouch, L. W. Carver, A. B. McKee, W. J. Helmer, and W. H. Ulrey, from among whom were also chosen the first officers. The payment of $1 constitutes a person a member, and entitles him to the privileges of the hbrary, which contains at present more than one hundred standard books. The library has a home in Fee's Block, and is in charge of Capt. L. W. Carver. The association is in a flourishing condition, and if its aims are carried out will do much to advance the literary interests of the village, which are already in a fine condition. SECRET ORDERS. The Masonic fraternity were the first to institute a lodge in the township of Franklin, which has been maintained with varying interest, but general prosperity, until the present time. UNION LODGE, No. 102, was chartered Oct. 17,1839, with George Crossley, Master ; Moses Larkin, S. W.; and John F. McKinney, J. W. No records of the lodge for the first three years have been preserved, but in 1842 the members were Reuben Young, W. R. Sinks, E. F. W. Ellis, M. S. Dimmitt, W. B. Utter, John Dobbins, Azariah Quinn, Shadrach Dimmitt, Hugh S. McKibben, J. C. Kennedy, J. F. McKinney, David Fagin, John Willis, Ormon Tatman, Hugh McCaskey, John S. Fallin, George Crossley, Wm. T. North, James F. Chalfant, J. F. Phillips, J. W. Kennedy, A. Knowles, E. McFarhurd, A. L. Powell, Nathan Keyt, W. W. Perkins, W. P. English, B. F. Thrasher, M. Selby, Joseph Tatman, W. H. Prather, J. M. Bartlett, and W, F. Richards, In 1879 there were 55 members. Since 1848 the lodge has occupied the present hall, on the southern part of Union Street, in Felicity, and in which are also held the meetings of the chapter and council. The Masters and Secretaries of the lodge have been the following : Masters.-1841, David Fagin ; 1842, M. S. Dimmitt ; 1843-44, George Crossley; 1845, W. B. Utter ; 1846, John S. Fallin ; 1847, David Fagin ; 1848, E. F. W. Ellis; 1849, George Crossley ; 1850, A. L. Powell ; 1851, W. W. Perkins ; 1852, A. II. Cassatt ; 1853, Joseph P. Molen ; 1854, L. W. Carver ; 1855, J. P. Molen ; 185657, S. F. Dowdney ; 1858, J. P. Molen ; 1859-61, II. Bradley ; 1862, R. Lanham ; 1863-64, A. L. Powell ; 1865, H. Bradley ; 1866, R. Lanham ; 1867, L. W. Carver; 1868, It. Lanham ; 1869, L. S. Molen ; 1870, L. W. Carver ; 1871, H. Bradley ; 1872, A. B. McKee ; 1873, H. McCaskey ; 1874, W. W. Quinn ; 1875-76, II. Bradley ; 1877, L. S. Molen ; 1878, W. H. Straight ; 1879, L. S. Molen. Secretaries.-1841, A. Knowles; 1842-44, E. F. W. Ellis ; 1845-47, F. J. Phillips ; 1848-49, M. S. Dimmitt ; 1850, George Kleckner ; 1851, G. W. Richards ; 1852-53, M. S. Dimmitt ; 1854, S, F. Dowdney ; 1855, M. S. Dim- mitt ; 1856, D. M. Sargent ; 1857, A. Goslin ; 1858, L. W. Carver ; 1859-66, M. S. Dimmitt; 1867, James Metz- gar ; 1868-79, M. S. Dimmitt. ORION CHAPTER, No. 41, ROYAL ARCH MASONS, was instituted Sept. 29, 1849, on the petition of Daniel H. Mnrphy, P. L, Wilson, Joseph A. Perrine, E. F. W. Ellis,