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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY - 587 CHAPTER XXVIII. TRENTON TOWNSHIP - ORIGIN OF THE NAME-TOPOGRAPHICAL - SETTLEMENT - BIRTHS, DEATHS, ETC. - SCHOOLS-MILLS AND QUARRIES- CHURCHES. "How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recollection presents them to view." - Woodworth. MANY of our elderly readers will readily remember the time when a large portion of the east half of the county was known as Sunbury Township. It was the third township created after the organization of the county, and dates back to June 16, 1808, and was originally bounded as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 2, Township 5 and Range 17, of the United States Military Survey, thence south with said line to the south line of the county, thence east with said county line to the east line of said county, thence north with said county line to the Indian boundary line, thence west by said boundary line to the east boundary of Marlborough Township, thence south with said line to the southeast corner of said township, thence west to the place of beginning ; containing the present townships of Harlem, Trenton, Porter, and Half of Berkshire and Genoa, in Delaware County, while the following townships, now in Morrow County, were also included in the original Sunbury Township, viz., Peru, Bennington, Lincoln and Harmony. Township after township was erected from this large scope of territory. Harlem was set off from Sunbury September 11, 1810, and Kingston June 8, 1813. In June, 1816, Genoa was setoff from Harlem; and one-half of the new township was from the original Sunbury. Thus it was whittled off, until it was reduced, as we leave been informed, to what is now Trenton Township, and 588 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. so remained until somewhere between 1830 and 1835, when the name was changed to Trenton, and Sunbury was blotted out of existence like -- "the very stars, Yon bright and burning blazonry of God, Glitter awhile in their eternal depths, And, like the Pleiad, loveliest of their train, Shoot from the glorious spheres, and pass away, To darkle in the trackless void." The prevailing tradition concerning this change of name is, that somewhere about the time designated above, Messrs. Van Dorn, Leak and Condit, all early settlers and prominent men of the township, were sitting on a log one day talking over general business matters. Finally, the conversation turned upon the question of the village of Sunbury being in Berkshire Township, while their own township bore the name of Sunbury. It was suggested that the name of the latter be changed in order to avoid confusion, a suggestion that was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Leak proposed the name of Chester-his native town; Mr. Condit wanted it called Orange, but there was an Orange Township in the county already. So Mr. Van Dorn suggested Trenton, for the capital of his native State-New Jersey. The name was agreed to among themselves, and sent into the County Commissioners, by whom it was adopted. Thus Sunbury Township became a thing of the past, while its place was filled on the map of Delaware County by Trenton. The surface of Trenton Township while it is not wholly level, can scarcely be called hilly or broken. Along the water-courses, it is a little rough and uneven, while back from the streams it is somewhat rolling, until striking the table-land, when it becomes rather level. Van's Valley, as it is called, is somewhat low, as well as the west central part, while the western and northern portions rise to quite an elevation, and incline to an almost rolling surface. The township is admirably drained by the water-courses, so that but little artificial drainage is found necessary. The principal stream is the Big Walnut Creek, which enters near the northwest corner, and, running in almost a southern direction, passes out on the west line. The next stream in importance to Big Walnut is Rattlesnake Run, so called from the great numbers of that reptile that were found in the cliffs and rocks bordering it. The North Fork enters the township near the center of the east line, and forms a junction with the South Fork in the south central part of the township, runs in a westerly course, and empties into the Big Walnut near the center of the west line of the township. There are a few other small streams, such as Culver's Run in the northern part, which runs west and flows into Big Walnut Creek. It was named in honor of a family who settled near it in the early times. Perfect's Creek, named for one of the first settlers of the township, is a little south of Culver's Run, and also runs west and empties into the Big Walnut. Dry Run is a small stream which has its source in the township and empties into Perfect's Creek. Mink Run is similar, except that it flows into Rattlesnake, a little above its junction with the Big Walnut. Trenton Township is well timbered, and maple, walnut, oak, ash, beech, elm and other species are common in this region. At present, the township is bounded on the north by Porter Township, on the east by Licking County, on the south by Harlem Township, and on the west by Berkshire. It lies on the east line of the county, and is a full township, being five miles square, and containing 16,000 acres of land. In the early settlement of this county, it is not strange that the mighty tide of emigration flowing toward the West should not pass the fertile valleys of the Miami and Scioto. Here everything to be expected in a new country-not even excepting the ague and "milk sick "was found in profusion. Land good and cheap, magnificent forests and a delightful climate. During the early part of the present century, this tide of emigration reached Delaware County, and toward the close of the first decade, white people began to occupy the division to which this chapter is devoted. They came chiefly from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, with a family or two from Kentucky. From the latter State came the first settlers of the township, of whom we have any account. These were William Perfect and Mordecai Thomas and their families, and their arrival is recorded in the spring of 1807. One Pearson Spinning owned 1,000 acres of military land, and from him Thomas and Perfect each bought 100 acres, upon which they settled, and at once commenced to improve. Many of their descendants are still living in the Perfect ford the County as, published in 1875, we extract considerable of the history of this town; ship. Perfect and Thomas made their settlements near the mouth of Perfect's Creek, which took its name from Mr. Perfect. The latter gentleman died in 1812, and was the first death to occur in the township. Bartholomew Anderson came also HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 589 from Kentucky, and settled in 1810 east of Perfeet's. These are supposed to have been the first settlements made within the limits of the present township of Trenton. Says Mr. Perfect in the sketch already alluded to : " Trenton is justly proud of its pioneers. New Jersey furnished skilled tavern-keepers ; the northern part of the township was settled by industrious people from the little blue State. A colony from Ithaca, N. Y., settled in the south part, and another from Pennsylvania in the west part. One of the early settlers kept two ` asheries,' and supplied Delaware with salt and window glass for twelve years." We might conclude that these useful articles were manufactured from the asheries, but that Mr. Perfect adds the information that they " were wagoned " (the salt and window glass, not the asheries) " from Zanesville." The first settlement made north of Culver's Creek was by John Culver and Michael Ely. They are noticed among the arrivals of 1809. Not long after them came John Williamson, and bought land from Ely. He was a bachelor when he came to the settlement, but, sometime during the year 1810, he married Ely's daughter, Rosanna. Their son, Madison Williamson, is reported as the first birth in the township. John Ginn, William Rid-way and a man named Pressing, came to the township in 1811. They were from the State of Delaware, but not much was learned of them. Ginn died in 1819, and the others some time afterward. They settled near each other, and came originally from the same neighborhood. James and Owen Hough came from Luzerne County, Penn., and are reckoned among the early settlers. The former settled on what is called the Johnson road, and died in 1834. His son, Bartlett Hough, now lives on the old homestead. The other, Owen Hough, left his native place in 1815, when but sixteen years old, with his father's family, and when they reached Pittsburgh, Owen stopped and engaged to work at the garrison there. He remained there about a year and then started and came through to Zanesville, reaching it on Christmas Day. He worked in Zanesville two years, and, in 1818, came to this township and settled on a farm where he now lives. Another of the pioneers of this township was Gilbert Van Dorn, from the State of New Jersey, in 1817. When he settled in Trenton there were but two families living on the road between the Licking County line and Sunbury, a little village in Berkshire Township. He bought 1,000 acres of land in a beautiful valley which took his name or a part of it, and is still known as "Van's Valley." The place where he originally settled is now occupied by Mrs. John Armstrong. The next year after he settled here, he opened a tavern, the first place of public entertainment, it is said, in the township, and flung, out a sign upon which was painted a gilt sun, and beneath it the mystical legend, " Center Inn." At first, this pioneer tavern was a rude log structure, but as the amount of travel became greater, and Mr. Van Dorn's reputation as a host increased, another cabin was added to the first, and then another and another, until four log cabins, all connected, were required to accommodate his extensive patronage. For eleven years he kept this "cabin hotel," and then put up the present brick (now occupied by Mrs. Armstrong), which he also kept as a hotel for a number of years. The sign of the "gilt sun " was known far and wide, and appeared as welcome to the wayworn traveler as the "shadow of a great rock in a weary land." The same old sign that hung in front of the log cabin inn, pointing the traveler to a place of rest, did the same service at the brick tavern for years. This was long a place of resort where the neighbors met to talk of the common business affairs, of the time. The brick tavern was built in 1829, and the brick of which it was composed was burned just across the road from where the house stands. The stone used for the foundations was taken from the quarry now owned by Mr. Williams. It was the first brick house built in the township. Van Dorn also kept a kind of grocery store, where the settlers procured some of the necessaries; but it did not not amount to much in the way of a store. He kept it at his tavern stand from the time when he opened the tavern until 1854. Mr. Van Dorn had eight children, and was a leading man in the community in which he lived. John Leak also came from New Jersey, he bought land from Van Dorn and settled just east of the inn. There was a strong rivalry between him and Van Dorn as to who should open the first tavern, but Van Dorn succeeded in getting the start of him. Silas Ogden carne in 1820 and, like Van Dorn and Leak, was from New Jersey. He settled on what was known as the State road, and kept the first tan-yard in the township. In 1823, a man named Oliver Gratax came to the township. Of him, Mr. Perfect said "He 590 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. wore leather breeches, full of stitches, a fawnskin vest and a coonskin cap." He was a bachelor when he came, but recognizing the divine order of things, that " it is not good for man to be alone," even in the wilderness, he soon took unto himself a wife in the person of a Miss Rosecrans. Ira Pierson came from New Jersey in 1838, and settled near where Condit Post Office is located. He came by team and was twenty-nine days on the road ; he died at the age of eighty-five years. Jonathan, Alvin P. and Smith Condit came also from New Jersey in 1832-33. The former settled on Walnut Creek, where his son, E. J. Condit, now lives, and his descendants are scattered over the eastern part of the township, and are among the prominent men of the community. Alvin settled near by, and cleared up a farm ; Smith died in one month after coming to the settlement. Lyman Hendricks came from Rutland, Vt., and located first in Berkshire in 1812, but some time after came to this township. William Hendricks, a brother, was a soldier in the war of 1812. A man named Roberts was the first permanent settler on Rattlesnake Run, where he lived for many years. After the close of the war of 1812, emigration rapidly increased, and this division of the county soon settled. Farms were opened, forests felled and the lands cleared up. To the sturdy husbandmen is due the transforming of the great forests of Trenton into the fine flourishing fields and farms now to be seen in this section. "Let not ambition mock their useful toil Their homely joys and destiny obscure," for it is to the hardy "sons of toil " we are indebted for the general prosperity of the country. In other words, they are "the power behind the throne, that is greater than the throne itself," and to stop' the wheels of the "agricultural machine" would soon affect every other branch of business enterprise. Beyond the settlement of the township, and a sketch of its pioneers, with a glance at its stock-raising and agricultural resources, there is little history of particular interest connected wich Trenton. No villages or towns dot its landscapes ; no manufactures other than a mill or two and a few quarries; no stores are kept ; even the old taverns of the pioneer days have passed away, and, as we have said, there is but little history beyond that of its settlement. It is a fine agricultural region, and considerable attention is likewise devoted to stock-raising, many of the farmers making it a specialty. The Cleveland, Columbus & Mount Vernon Railroad passes through the township, and has aided materially in developing its hidden resources. Through this channel, its excellent timber finds a market, as well as the stone from its numerous quarries, which are becoming quite an extensive business since the building of this railroad. In a word, the citizens of Trenton are a moral and upright law-abiding people, attend strictly to their own business and leave other people to do the same. In writing its history, we acknowledge our indebtedness to Mr. Harry Vaile, of Delaware, for the principal facts, and to a communication of Mr. Perfect's, which is said to be substantially correct. The first death recorded in Trenton Township was William Perfect, Esq., one of the first settlers. He died in 1812, about five years after his settlement. Since then many pioneers of Trenton have followed him to the land of shadows. "The saint who enjoyed the communion of heaven, The sinner who dared to remain unforgiven, The wise and the foolish, the guilty and just, Have quietly mingled their bones in the dust. "So the multitude goes, like the flowers or the weed That withers away to let others succeed: So the multitude comes, even those we behold, To repeat every tale that has often been told." But few of the early settlers of the township are still living. Most of them lie sleeping in the little graveyards. The first birth which occurred was that of Madison Williamson, who was born about the commencement of the war of 1812. He was a son of John Williamson, an emigrant of 1809, who, in 1810, was married to a Miss Ely, and was the first marriage, probably, to take place in the community. But the present population of Trenton is proof of how well the pioneer followed the divine command to "go and multiply; and fill the earth." Van Dorn, as we have already stated, kept the first tavern upon the site where Mrs. Armstrong now lives. Silas Ogden, upon his settlement in the neighborhood, opened a tan-yard, the first of these useful establishments kept in the township. Perfect and Thomas, soon after their settlement, planted out orchards, which were the first efforts made at fruit-growing. The first post office was established by A. C. Leak, and was kept in a f cabin about half a mile east of Van Dorn's tavern stand. But the name it bore, and the date of its establishment, we could not learn. George Aker- HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 591 son kept a store in an early day, a little north of Condit Post Office. This post office is located at Condit Station, on the Cleveland, Columbus & Mount Vernon Railroad, and is the only station on this road in the township. Martha J. Culver is the Postmistress at Condit. Her father, B. Culver, also keeps a store. store. He succeeded Wayman Perfect as a merchant at that place. These are the only stores really deserving the names ever kept in the township. Van Dorn kept a kind of grocery, on a small scale, at his tavern, but made no pretensions toward a regular store. Trenton Township is well supplied with good building stone, and a number of quarries have been opened, which, since the building of the Cleveland, Columbus &. Mount Vernon Railroad through the township; are growing into an extensive and profitable business. The first quarry, or the first stone quarried in the township, was in an early day by Mr. Allison. A large quarry was opened, some years ago, on the farm of Joseph and John Landon, on the Big Walnut Creek. Another large quarry was opened by Williams and Knox. A great many others have been opened in different parts of the township, but principally for the use of those who opened them. But with the railroad facilities enjoyed, the stone business must necessarily prove very profitable to this section of the county. The people of Trenton have always been the friends of education. In an early day we find the pedagogue among them, and, in the primitive schoolhouse of the pioneer time, with the youth gathered around him, he taught them the simple rudiments of "reading, writing and arithmetic." One of the first schoolhouses, perhaps the first in the township, was built near the Big Walnut on the Mount Vernon road, and about eighteen rods north of the bridge. It was of the usual pioneer pattern, a description of which will be found elsewhere in these pages. The first winter school taught in this humble temple of learning was by a man named Goop, and the first summer school was taught by Clarissa Sturdevant. These schools were before the day of free schools, and were taught by subscription, each family sending their children, and paying according to the amount of time sent. Illustrative of the marvelous march of education, we find in Trenton Township to-day seven school districts, all containing substantial and comfortable schoolhouses of an estimated value of $3,200. Other statistics of the schools are as follows: Balance on hand in 1878, $1,694.39; State tax, $414 ;local tag for schoolhouse purposes, $822.53; amount paid teachers during the year, $1,308.60 ; wages per month-male teachers, $32 ; female teachers, $22 ; for fuel and other contingent purposes, $120.45 ; balance on hand September 1, 1879, $1,519.61. Teachers employed-males, 4 ; females, 7. Pupils enrolled-males, 159 ; females, 109. Average monthly Enrollment-males, 112 ; females, 91. Average daily attendance males, 110 ; females, 85. Pupils enrolled between sixteen and twenty-one-males, 39, and females, 25. Mr. Perfect, in his sketch of Trenton in the County Atlas, to which we have several times referred, says: "The first saw-mill in Trenton was built by Middleton Perfect and Hazard Adams in 1835. - There are no grist-mills in the township." Mr. Vaile, in his notes on Trenton, to which we have referred also, mentions several mills. Among them is one built by John Van Sickle, which is noticed as the "first grist-mill in the township," and was " built in 1835. It is described as having a " brush dam " when first built, but this was after ward replaced with one made of planks. It was situated on Big Walnut, half a mile northeast of Sunbury. Van Sickle sold out to E. M. Condit, who operated it from 1855 until 1862, when he sold it to Jacob Boyd. The latter gentleman sold it to his brother, Henry Boyd, who had purchased the old Brailey mill. This mill was built in 1845, on the creek, half a mile below the Van Sickle mill. Some time after Boyd bought it, he bought the Van Sickle mill from his brother, as noted above, transferred most of the machinery from it to the Brailey mill, and so put an end to the Van Sickle mill. Another of the early mills was Stockwell's saw-mill. but of it little was learned. J. Condit had a saw-mill on Prefect's Creek, which did good service for a number of years. Alvin P. Condit also had a mill on the North Branch of Rattlesnake Run. Williams' saw-mill is situated on Big Walnut at the mouth of Rattlesnake Run, just on the township line. It was built by Crane at an early day, and is still in operation. Politically, Trenton has always been Democratic, except in 1840, when the slogan of "log cabins" and "hard cider," carried the day for Gen. Harrison, and it may have been the strong Democratic sentiment of Trenton that caused the political somersault of Vice President Tyler after the death of Harrison. Anyway, from that day to this, it has kept the faith, and, when necessity 592 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. required, it has rolled up Democratic majorities. In the late struggle between the North and the South, the township stood valiantly by the Union, and sent out many of her bravest and best to maintain its supremacy. Their deeds are faithfully recorded in another chapter of this history. The early pioneers, as a general thing, were pious people. Although they would not have hesitated long about engaging in a rough and tumble fight, and did not hesitate to take a dram (we often hear old people say, however, that there were not so much infernal fire in the whisky then as now), yet they enjoyed themselves, religiously, quite as well as the most fastidious church-Boers of the present day. The religious services were simple (and came from the heart), the church buildings were simple, the methods of conveyance to and from church were simple, and the manners, dress and intercourse of the people who attended church were simple in the extreme. But some of the old pioneers still assert that the natural organs of the voice, with which they praised God, were to be preferred to the organ now pumped by a cheap boy, and skillfully manipulated by a popular but not pious young lady or gentleman, robed in all the fashionable toggery of the day, instead of the good old linsey-woolsey or jeans. Let us not quarrel with them about the matter; they have sacrificed their preferences to our modern methods, and many, if not most, of them are praising Him on harps such as "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard." The first church society organized in Trenton, we believe, was that of the Presbyterians about 1835-36. Among the original members were Simeon Condit, Silas Ogden, A. P. Condit, Robert Lewis, Squire W Wheaten, Elizabeth Condit, Elizabeth Leak, Magdalene Van Dorn, Maria Condit, Mercy Wheaton , Mary Condit, Jane Ogden and Andrew Herrons and wife. The facts leading to the organization of this church were something as follows: After holding a meeting in June, 1835, with reference to the formation of a society, Messrs. A. P. and J. S. Condit were sent to Alexandria to confer with the minister of that place, but receiving no encouragement from him, they next visited the Presbyterian Church in Genoa Township. From Mr. Ransom, the Pastor of that church, they received but little more encouragement than at Alexandria. He prevailed on them, however, to unite with the Genoa Church. In the September following these visits, a gloom was cast over the community by the death of J. S. Condit. Mr. Ransom being called upon to preach his funeral sermon, took occasion to refer to the visit of Mr. Condit and the object of his mission to him sometime before. He said upon further reflection, he had come to the conclusion that he had done wrong in discouraging their project, and believed the time had come for them to organize a church in their neighborhood. Accordingly, a meeting was called at the Ogden Schoolhouse to consider the propriety of at once organizing a society. At that meeting, A. P. Condit was appointed to present the matter to the presbytery, which body decided in favor of the movement, and Rev. Mr. Ransom was directed to establish a church. He was the first Pastor and preached to them for one year, for which he received the sum of $18.50, all that could be raised by the members. The second preacher was Rev. Mr. Allen for one year; the third, Rev. Ezra G. Johnson ; the fourth, Rev. Ahab Jenks. "But," adds our informant, " he being a farmer, and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, only a part of his time could be given to the church." At a meeting held February 21, 1837, the practicability of building a church edifice was discussed, and finally a resolution was passed to proceed at once with the undertaking. Soon after, their first building was put up, which served them as temple of worship until 1855. The following is a transcript of the proceedings of a meeting held February 5, of this year: " At a meeting of the members of the First Presbyterian Church, of Trenton township, Delaware County, a motion was adopted that a committee be appointed to circulate a subscription paper for the purpose of building a new meeting-house, and if a sufficient amount for the purpose is secured, they are authorized to act as a building committee, and to select a site and build the house." A. P. Condit, John E. Ketcham and E. M. Condit were appointed the committee, and the further duty imposed upon them of selling the old church building. This they accomplished April 1, 1875, selling it for the sum of $100, to the United Brethren Church, for a house of worship. Mr. Miles and Mr. Skinner gave their obligations for the payment of the amount, and also agreed to either move the house or secure the lot upon which it stood for the benefit of their society. The new building of the Presbyterians cost $1,000 and was dedicated by Revs. Warren Jenkins and John W. Thompson. This served the congregation until a few years ago, when a new church was erected at a cost of $3,000, and was dedicated May 25, 1879, by Rev. Nathan S. Smith, of Del- HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 593 aware, assisted by Rev. Carson, of Westerville. This church is in a flourishing condition, and has exercised a wide-spread influence in the entire community. The Methodist. Episcopal Church dates back almost to the organization of the Presbyterian Church. Sometime between 1835 and 1840, a society of this denomination was formed in a schoolhouse, embracing in its original membership many of the early settlers of the township. The first minister who preached to the congregation in the little schoolhouse was Rev. Curtis Godhard. Another of the pioneer preachers of this society was Rev. Mr. McDowell. The present church was built in 1855, and was dedicated by Rev. Samuel Lynch. The ministers who have officiated since that time are as follows, viz., Revs. John Mitchell, William Morrow and Alexander Blamfield. The church cost originally about $700. The present Pastor is Rev. D. R. Moore. A Sunday school is maintained most of the time. This church has been productive of much good in the neighborhood, and many souls, through its influence, have been brought home to Christ. The Old School Presbyterians organized a society and built a church in this township, but did not exist any great length of time. In 1850, they built their church, but, after awhile, became lukewarm and sold out to the Methodists. This society moved over into Porter Township, and established what is known there as the Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church. It is more fully noticed, however, in the history of that township. The United Brethren, we believe, have an organized society in the township, and a church building, but of it we failed to learn any particulars, and must pass'it with this limited notice. HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY - 593 CHAPTER XXIX.* HARLEM TOWNSHIP - TOPOGRAPHICAL - MILITARY LANDS-SETTLEMENT-A DESPERATE CHAR ACTER-CHURCHES-A MURDER-PIONEER IMPROVEMENTS - SCHOOLS - VILLAGES. "Happy is that nation whose annals are not tiresome." - Montesquieu. THIS township was organized in September, 1810, from territory that at that time belonged to Sunbury Township. The name of " Harlem" is the name of an opulent city in the Netherlands, in Europe, of great antiquity, and from its vicinity there was in the latter part of the seventeenth century, a great flow of emigration to America. These immigrants established the first colony on the island of Manhattan, and gradually took possession of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, in the Empire State. This name is applied to a locality in the suburbs of the city of New York called the " Harlem Heights." Since the white population took possession of this township, Harlem furnishes but little material for the historian. The major part of the history of all nations, both in the Old and the New Worlds, seems to be made up of recitals of wars and commotions, earthquakes and inundations, floods and fires. These calamities Harlem Township has escaped. Indeed, most happy is that nation, or that coun- * Contributed by Hon. J. R. Hubbell. try, whose annals are brief. A prosperous and contented people pass peacefully along the sequestered vale of life, but little observed. The first families, who commenced in the wilderness nearly three-quarters of a century ago, and about whom more in detail will be written further along in this chapter, were noted for their industry, intelligence and morality, and they brought with them from their old homes habits of sobriety, and were a Godfearing people, deeply impressed with the convictions that to be good citizens, they must respect law and order. Their lives were so regular and orderly, they furnish but little to condemn, but much to approve. Of the four principal tributaries to the main trunk of the Scioto River, running north and south, through Delaware County, not one touches this township. The Big Walnut Creek runs west of the west line a distance of from one-half to one mile, through Genoa Township. Nevertheless, for most purposes, this township is well watered. Large runs and brooks, supplied by springs and spring runs, flow from the east line of the township, in a southwesterly direction, to Big Walnut 594 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. Creek. The first of these, to be noted in geographical order, is the Spruce Run, with its north and south branches. The north branch heads not far from the northwest corner of the township, and runs west, bearing slightly to the south, a distance of about four miles, to its confluence with the south branch, in Genoa Township, about one-half mile from the township line. The south branch heads farther south, near the east line of the township, and runs meanderingly through the township, until it intersects the north branch, at the point already named. These streams are well supplied with springs that flow the year round, from never failing fountains. A few rods distant from the north line and about one mile and a half from the northwest corner of the township, is located a sulphur spring, on a farm that was formerly owned by Mr. Nathan Dustin, and is known, or has been known, as the "Dustin farm." It is now owned by Mr. John Edwards. The character and quality of the water of this spring have been tested by competent chemists, and it is said to be strongly impregnated with sulphur and magnesia, and other minerals, and is very similar in quality to the water of the White Sulphur Springs on the Scioto River, and the sulphur springs at Delaware. The water from this spring flows to the north branch of the Spruce Run. The name "Spruce," is applied to this stream for the reason that its banks are skirted with spruce timber, and are quite noted for their picturesque scenery. Farther south is Spring Run, which flows in a westerly direction, and empties into the the Big Walnut Creek. By far the largest and most important stream in this township is Duncan Run. It has various tributaries and two important branches, both of which rise near the east line of the township, but in Licking County. It traverses a distance, with its meanders, of about seven miles, and passes out of the township about one-half mile from the southwest corner, and empties into the Big Walnut Creek. This stream is well fed with springs and spring runs. The name it bears is taken from the original proprietor of Section 3 in this township., through which it runs. Rattlesnake Run, which heads in Licking County, runs in a northwesterly direction, through the extreme northeastern part of Harlem. The land in this township is almost uniformly level. Near the mouth of the Duncan Run and the mouth of the. Spruce, there is some rolling land ; but of the eighteen townships of Delaware County this in the character of the soil is the most uniform. The soil is a deep black loam, and very productive, and the general yield of all the productions, cereal and vegetable, in this township, is much above the average, compared with other townships in the county. There is no waste land in the township, and scarcely an acre in it that is not tillable. The timber in its native forest was very luxuriant and heavy, and a uniform sameness over the township. Upon the high and rolling land there is some white oak, ash, sugar maple, hickory and beech, but the level and most part is, or was, covered with the burr oak, white elm and black ash. While the land in this township is tillable and produces wheat, corn, oats, rye and barley, the corn crop seems to be the most profitable, and the soil best-adapted to its production. The land is well adapted to grazing and stock-growing. All the grasses grown in this latitude do well, especially clover, timothy and red-top. The farms are owned in large tracts and the owners have large flocks and herds of sheep and cattle, but hogs, as well as sheep and cattle, are bred and fattened for the foreign market, with profit to the farmer. The largest landholder in the township is C. B. Paul, Esq., who owns about twelve hundred acres in a body. Mr. John Edmonds owns about nine hundred acres, and John Cook, Esq., owns about six hundred acres. These large landholders are extensively engaged in stock-raisin-. Almost the entire population of the township is engaged in the occupation of farming. There is no manufacturing to speak of. There are no mines, no canals, navigable streams or railroads, nor towns of much size. Along and near the lower part of Duncan Run there are extensive stone quarries. The stone these quarries produce is the Waverly stone of the very first quality, and these quarries are inexhaustible, but they are so remote from the large towns and cities, and there being no railroad transportation at present they are not valuable to their owners. By reference to the map of Ohio, the reader will perceive that this township is situated very near the geographical center of the State. It is also situated near the center of population of the State. This township contains even sixteen thousand acres of land, and is known and designated upon the map of the United States military lands as Township No. 3, and Range 16. It is bounded as follows: On the north by Trenton Township, on the east by Licking County, on the south by Franklin County, and on the west by Genoa Township. These lands being situated in the United States military HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 595 district, the reader is supposed to understand their origin. They were set apart by act of Congress to satisfy warrants issued by the Government for military service. One incident may be of local interest with reference to the second section in this township, being the northwest quarter. Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame, . and the most skillful and popular general in that eventful period of our history, next to Washington, was a native of New England, where he resided until the close of the war. He then, with his family, emigrated and settled in the State of Georgia on the Savannah, where he died in the year 1786. The heirs of this renowned general and soldier became the owners of one thousand acres of land in this section. The parties in interest were so remote, the land was neglected and sold for taxes, but about thirty years ago the surviving heirs conveyed their interest to different parties, among others to the Hon. T. W. Powell, of Delaware. Mr. Powell's title was contested by other parties in the Common Pleas and Supreme Courts, but, after a protracted litigation, Mr. Powell's title was comfirmed by the decree of the court, and it is on this part of this section the sulphur spring, already described, is located. It may be gratifying to the vanity of some of the landed proprietors of Harlem to know they derive their titles from so distinguished a personage. With reference to the early settlers in this township, there seems to be more certainty than almost any township in the county. So far as there is any history to be obtained, either from public or private records, as well as from tradition, it concurs with reference to the name of the first pioneer. also to the date of the first permanent settler in Harlem. A man by the name of Duncan purchased in the year 1803, from the patentee, Section 3, but failing to make payment of the purchase money in the year 1807, the Sheriff of Franklin County sold, at public auction, the entire 4,000 acres, at the door of the court house, in Franklinton, to Benjamin Cook, Esq., for 42 cents per acre. An amusing incident, illustrating the shrewdness and caution of this early pioneer, is quite appropriate in this connection. Among the New England families, who emigrated to Ohio in 1805-06, was Mr. Cook. In 1805 he, with family, moved to Granville, from the State of Connecticut, and while living there, he ascertained that this tract of land way to be sold to the highest bidder by the Sheriff. He immediately prepared himself with the necessary amount of funds, as he supposed, to make the purchase. The terms of sale were cash in hand. He was compelled to keep this money upon his person, to be ready to make the purchase, in case he became the lucky bidder; and then again, he was to go among strangers and he was liable to be robbed. He dressed himself, for his own protection, in old clothes covered with patches and rags, permitted his beard to grow long, and put on a dirtier shirt than usual; in short, he presented a picture of wretchedness and proverty. Beneath his rags and patches he concealed his treasure. No one suspected that he had any money or was any other than a beggar, and when he commenced to bid, the rival bidders ceased their competition. They supposed his bidding was a farce, and that he could not pay fur the land if it were struck off to him. In this shrewd transaction, he illustrated the true Yankee character, to the amusement of those he had outwitted. He paid the Sheriff the purchase money and obtained his deed, and immediately, by way of Berkshire, moved on to his new purchase. Of this tract he retained 500 acres, and the residue he conveyed to Col. Moses Byxbe. He was the first settler in this township, and when he moved upon his claim, there was not even a cabin upon it, and his family, until one could be built, were compelled to occupy an Indian shanty. This was in the year 1807, and Mr. Cook, for all time, will be honored and his memory revered as the founder of another white colony in the wilderness of America. This pioneer was born in the State of "steady habits," and, as we have already stated, he died in the year 1839. The family was of good stock, and his ancestors emigrated from England to America soon after the Pilgrims on the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock. Mr. Cook was the first Justice of the Peace of the township, and held other official positions with honor and credit. Calvin Tracy Cook was the first white child born in this township. He was born in the year 1808, and died in the year 1831. The oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Cook was Benajah S. Cook, born in Connecticut in the year 1794, and was brought by his father to Harlem, where he married, and settled on a large farm near his father's old homestead. As a hunter, he was pronounced the modern Nimrod. Desire Cook died in Connecticut Celina Cook died near Columbus. Miss Cassandra Cook married Mr. Converse, and died in the year 1873. The Hon. George W. Converse, now (1880) a Representative 596 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. in Congress from the capital district in Ohio, is their son. Previous to his election to Congress, he served several terms in the State Legislature, and served one term as Speaker of the House of Representatives. James Barton Cook died in 1827. Lucy Cook is still living. John Cook, the only surviving male member of this family, now owns and lives on the old homestead farm of the family. He owns a large and well-improved farm, is an unobtrusive gentleman of good judgment, and for his many amiable qualities is highly respected by his neighbors. In order of time, the next settler in this township was Stephen Thompson, who settled as a squatter, in the year 1808, on land now owned by Mr. Adams. He was a native of Ireland, and brought by his parents to this country when quite young, before the American Revolution. The family settled in the State of Pennsylvania. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was a drum-major. About forty years ago, he was found dead, under circumstances painfully distressing to his family and friends. He retained the habits of a soldier, but was regarded by his neighbors as a peaceable and harmless man. He was unfortunate in his family, and had a son who gave him in his lifetime great trouble, and at his death was charged with being guilty of his murder. The name of the son was Jonathan, and the grand jury of the county immediately upon his father's death (so suspicious were the circumstances) found an indictment against him, charging him with murder in the first degree. Upon this indictment he was put upon trial. His counsel made a vigorous defense. In addition to the plea of "not guilty," the defense of insanity was made. The witnesses were divided in their opinions, and the jury gave the prisoner the benefit of the doubt, which the law in its mercy gives every criminal, and he was acquitted. Soon after his acquittal, he was again arrested, together with a notorious character by the name of Sam Black, on a charge of committing an assault upon Col. Budd, with intent to kill. Upon this charge he was indicted by the grand jury, tried, found guilty, and sent to the penitentiary for three years. He served out the term of his sentence, and was discharged. In 1846, he was again arrested, on the complaint of his brother, Stephen Thompson, upon a charge of committing an assault and battery on him, with intent to kill. Upon this charge he was again indicted by the grand jury, and put upon trial. He pleaded to this indictment "not guilty," and his counsel made the further defense of insanity. He had now acquired such a notorious reputation as a desperate and dangerous character that he had become a terror in the entire community where he lived. He was never married, and had his home, when out of prison, with an imbecile sister living in Harlem. The family connections and neighbors feared him as they would a wild tiger uncaged. His counsel made the best defense that could be made for him. The weight of evidence, undoubtedly, was that he was insane, and on his first trial the jury disagreed. Upon the second trial, the same defense was made, but such were the fears and prejudices of the jurors and witnesses that he was again found guilty, and sentenced to three years' imprisonment in the penitentiary. After serving out the full term of his sentence, and receiving his discharge, he was almost immediately arrested upon a charge of outraging his imbecile sister, with whom he lived. He was ably defended by Judge Powell and other counsel, but the defense made for him upon the charge of committing this unnatural and twofold crime proved unavailing, and he was again found guilty, and again, and for the third time, sent to the penitentiary, where, in a few years, the troubled spirit of this most unfortunate man was permitted to return to that God who sent it into this world upon its sad and dreary pilgrimage. The author of this chapter, then a very young lawyer, was assigned by the court to defend him when charged with the assault upon his brother. Profoundly impressed with the weight of his responsibility, he frequently conversed with him in his cell, and became satisfied that Jonathan Thompson was an insane man, and should be sent to the asylum instead of the penitentiary. His voice in its intonations was as innocent as a child's, and seemingly he was as meek as Moses - "as mild a mannered man as ever cut a throat or scuttled a ship." The brother, Stephen, Jr., is still living, and is a quiet and peaceable citizen. About this time, a number of families immigrated to Delaware County from the same part of the State of Pennsylvania-the Wyoming Valley. The Rev. Daniel Bennett, with his family, settled in Harlem, in the year 1809, on a farm near the center of the township. He was a local preacher, and lived au exemplary Christian life, and died about twenty-five years ago, upon the farm he had helped to clear up more than forty years before. His wife was a Miss Adams, the HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. -597 sister of Squire Elijah Adams and Mr. John Adams. His oldest daughter married B. Roberts, a farmer, who settled in Harlem, at the "Center," forty years ago. He and his amiable wife are now both deceased. Their oldest daughter was the wife of C. B. Paul, Esq., now the President of the First National Bank of Delaware, the largest landholder in the county, except. one, and the largest landholder in Harlem Township. Mr. Paul has filled several township and county offices with both credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. Before the rebellion, he filled the office of County Commissioner, and the first year of the war, he was elected by a very large majority to the office of County Treasurer, which office he held by re-election for a term of four years. Mrs. Paul, of the third generation of Father Bennett's family in Harlem Township, died many years ago. Her husband has shown a tender regard for her memory by refusing further matrimonial alliance. Another daughter of Mr. Bennett married Jacob R. Fetters, a farmer in Harlem. He had two sons, Daniel, Jr., and the Rev. Russell B. Bennett, a Chaplain in the Union army in the late war. The family connection by marriage and otherwise was very extensive, and this wide circle of kindred and friends was greatly blessed by the Christian example and precept of this aged patriarch. Elijah Adams and his brother John came to Harlem in the year 1809. John purchased of Stephen Thompson his cabin, situated on the west of the farm on which Mr. Bennett settled, where he resided until his death, which occurred more than thirty years ago. His wife was Miss Desire Cook, the daughter of Benajah Cook, Esq.; she died a few years ago at a great age. They raised a large family. Mr. Adams was a very industrious and worthy man, highly respected by neighbors and friends. His oldest son, Abraham Adams, Esq., was a lawyer by profession, resided in Columbus but soon after he was admitted to the bar, he died of pulmonary disease, leaving a young wife, who still remains his widow. Another son, Elijah B. Adams, was a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, just previous to the war, and on the breaking-out of the rebellion, he entered the army as a private, but soon rose, by his brave and gallant conduct, to the rank and title of Captain. Early in the rebellion he was severely wounded and crippled for life by a fierce encounter with a rebel officer. All his fingers on his right hand were cut off by a saber, which compelled him to leave active service and enter the invalid corps, where he remained until after the war. He was a brave soldier and a good officer. In 1872, he was nominated by the Republican party for the office of County Recorder, and elected by over 400 majority, and re-elected in 1875. As in the military so in the civil service, he made a good officer. After he retired from the office in the spring of 1879, he removed to Columbus, where he is engaged in business. A brother of Capt. Adams, John Adams, was a Justice of the Peace in his native township, but he has recently removed with his family to Colorado. Silas Adams, a son of his, is still living in Harlem on the old Thompson farm, and is a prosperous farmer. The elder Adams remained but a few months in Harlem, and moved into Radnor Township, where he improved a large farm, and resided on it for more than forty years. Like his brother and brother-in-law, Mr. Bennett, Squire Adams was an exemplary Christian and a good citizen. His wife was a Miss Cary and sister of Mrs. Waters, wife of N. B. Waters, who was one of the first settlers of Harlem. William Fancher, with his wife and a large family of sons and daughters, emigrated from Luzerne County, Penn., to Harlem in the year 1810, and purchased a tract of about 1,000 acres of land in the south part of the township. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, but the particulars of his service are not known. He died over forty years ago. His wife survived her husband many years. Mr. Fancher and his sons cleared up a large farm. They were all industrious people., A number of the sons of Mr. Fancher served in the war of 1812. They were all patriotic and brave, and served their country faithfully, and all were permitted to return at the close safe and sound. This family were so conspicuous and performed so important a part in the early settlement, that we regret that our limited facts compel us to be so brief. In the same year, and it is believed at the same time, from the same part of the State of Pennsylvania, Mr. N. B. Waters, with his family, moved into the township, lived here for several years and then removed to Fairfield County, where he lived for about eighteen years. He then returned to Delaware County, and settled in the upper part of Radnor Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred in the year 1858. His wife was a Miss Cary, and was the sister of the wife of Squire Elijah Adams. His son, Benjamin C. Waters, was born in Fairfield County, but when quite a 598 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. young man he removed to Harlem, married the daughter of his father's old friend, Col. William Budd, about the year 1846. By trade he was a blacksmith, and for several years he followed the business in the village of Harlem, but he was an intelligent young man and was soon elected a Justice of the Peace. In 1860, he was elected Sheriff of the county, and in 1862 re-elected, and served in this office a period of four years. In the latter part of the war, he was Assistant Provost Marshal for the county, and for several years United States mail agent on the route from Cincinnati to Cleveland. In 1869. Mr. Waters was elected Probate Judge of Delaware County, and re-elected in 1872. Though not bred to the profession of the law, he had much legal learning, and his native good sense and judgment enabled him to discharge satisfactorily the responsible judicial duties of his office. Judge Waters, in all his official positions, had the reputation of being incorruptible and honest. He is now in poor health and living in retirement. Among the early and most numerous of the pioneer families, is that of John Budd, who emigrated from the Wyoming Valley in the year 1810, and settled upon a large tract of several hundred acres, situated in the west part of the township, on Duncan Run. This family by marriage was connected with all the early families of this township. When Mr. Budd came to Ohio, he was considerably advanced in years, and all his sons were were young men grown. Their names were Benjamin, Eli,John and William. We may not give their names in chronological order of their births. Benjamin Budd settled east of his father, cleared up a farm, but in a few years afterward he sold his farm and moved to Indiana with his family and dicd there. His brother, Eli, settled on a farm further east, cleared it up, and about the same time sold out, and emigrated to Indiana where he died. The elder Mr. Budd died on the old homestead, he helped to improve in the early days of the county, and his son William, by purchase and inheritance, became the owner of the old homestead property. His son John, or Dr. John Budd, the cognomen by which he was known, purchased from his father for $250, 100 acres of land, situated north of the village of Buddtown, as it is called, where he settled and lived until his death, which occurred in 1872. Soon after his father settled in Harlem he married Miss Mary Adams, the sister of Elijah and John Adams. The fruit of this union was several children, some of whom are now living in the vicinity of Harlem. He was by profession a physician of the botanical school, and had never enjoyed the advantages of a collegiate education, but had practical common sense and never undertook to do in his profession a thing beyond his skill. He was amiable and kind hearted, and a good citizen, and at his death was eighty-seven years of age. His wife died some years before him. William, who will be remembered by those who knew him as Col. Budd, was something of a character. He had dash and enterprise, owned and run a mill, kept store, carried on farming on a large scale, dealt in stock, and had a taste for military and political life, He was Colonel of a regiment in the peace establishment, and had a great taste for litigation. He sometimes engaged in legal practice in the Justice Courts. His wife was Miss Adams, a sister of Elijah Adams and Mrs. Bennett. They raised a large family of sons and daughters, and both died many years ago. He left a large estate. Upon his death, his oldest son, James Budd, became the owner of the "Old Budd Homestead," as it was called, consisting of several hundred acres, to which he made additions by purchase until he became the largest landholder in the township, and one of the largest in the county. James Budd was very much a "chip of the old block." Like his father, generous and kindhearted. For many years he was extensively engaged in the stock trade, and at the close of the war met with heavy pecuniary losses, sold his farm and moved West. The oldest daughter married Maj. Jesse C. Tull about forty-five years ago. He was a native of the State of New York, and, when a young man, came to Ohio and was employed as a school teacher in Harlem. After his marriage to Miss Budd, he was an active business man in Harlem, dividing his time in agricultural and mercantile pursuits. He is now. and for many years past has been, engaged in the hotel business in Columbus. Another daughter, as has already been seen, is the wife of Judge B. C. Waters. There are still living in Harlem a number of the descendants of this family. Benjamin M. Fairchild immigrated to Harlem either in 1808 or 1809, the exact date is not known. He came from Bennington, V t. For many years after he came to Harlem, he was employed by Benajah Cook, to work on the farm and at other kinds of work. He was a millwright and mechanic by occupation, but possessed a versatility of genius that enabled him to take up and lay down at will, almost any trade he chose. When HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 599 he came to Harlem he was unmarried, and lived for several years in the life of single blessedness in Harlem, but being a Christian in his religious faith, he yielded to the Divine sentiment, "It is not good for man to be alone," and, about the commencement of the war of 1812, he married a wife, and sent for his brother, Shuman, who was married and had a family, and was living in Vermont, to join him with his family in Harlem. He had already, by his industry and savings, laid up money enough to purchase a farm from Mr. Cook, of about 150 acres. Mr. Fairchild was a very industrious and worthy citizen. He built several grist and saw mills, and opened up several stone quarries. He gave gratuitously the stone for the Central College. These quarries he bought from Col. hoses Byxbe, and were located on Duncan Run. He died in 1878, at an advanced age. His brother moved into the township in 1812, to Harlem, and lived on a firm south of his brother's farm and adjoining. He was liberal and charitable to the poor. He died without heirs, and left his estate to his wife and his brother's family, except $1,500, which he donated to the church. One of the earliest and best examples of a pioneer and backwoodsman is Mr. George Fix, who settled in Harlem Township over sixty years ago, on a farm of 100 acres, located near the southeast corner of the township. He raised a large family of sons and daughters, all of whom live unmarried with the old people on the old homestead, and in their habits and manner of life are, for all practical purposes, hermits. The old gentleman, at the age of eighty-five, is stout and active. By nature a stalwart, with a large and muscular frame in his younger days, he was capable of great physical endurance. He is an honest, inoffensive man. His sons and daughters, in the character of their persons and habits, resemble their father in his eccentricities. Conrad Wickizer, a native of Berks County, Penn., settled in the southeast part of the township about the year 1812. He improved a farm and raised a large family ; many of them and their descendants are still living in Harlem, and the eastern part of the county. George Wickizer was well educated, and held several township offices. He was an honest and upright man. Mr. Wickizer died of cholera, which it was supposed he took from exposure. During the cholera season in Columbus near thirty years ago, his son, who was living in Columbus, was attacked by this malignant disease and died; the father conveyed the remains to Harlem for burial, and was soon afterward attacked by the disease, and in a few hours died. There are quite a number of the family connection still living in Harlem. One of the early families in this township was the Mann family-Thomas Mann, Eleazer Mann, Abijah Mann and Gorden Mann. They intermarried with the early families and have left a large and numerous posterity, now much scattered. Some are still living in Delaware and some in Franklin County, and many have moved West. Daniel Hunt, Esq., a native of Washington County, Penn., immigrated to Harlem, and settled upon a farm of 200 acres, about one mile east of Harlem Center. He cleared up his farm, and was an industrious man and very prosperous in his worldly affairs, but bail debts he was compelled to pay, and other misfortunes, very much embarrassed him financially, and, now over seventy years of age, the fruits of hard labor in his younger days have been taken from him to pay the debts of other people. He came to Harlem about the year 1835. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years, is a member of the Disciples' Church, or the Campbellite Church, and is an honest man. John Hanover and his family immigrated from Ohio County, W. Va., to Ohio, about fifty years ago, and settled on a farm in the southeast part of the township, where he cleared up his firm and raised a large family. He died about twenty years ago upon the homestead he helped to clear up and improve, It is now owned and occupied by his son, Mr. Lyman Hanover, who is an Elder in the Baptist Church. Between fifty and sixty years ago, Elam Blain, Esq., immigrated from Pennsylvania and settled on a new firm on Spruce Run. He was an intelligent but unassuming man, and reared a large family of children. For fifteen years, he was a Justice of the Peace of Harlem Township, and held other official positions. On a farm adjoining the farm of Squire Blain, on Spruce Run, a man by the name of John Miller settled, about sixty years ago. He was a hard-working man, honest, and was one of the pioneers who cleared up the township of Harlem, and encountered the trials and hardships of life in a new country. He died on the farm on which he had lived, only a few days before this history was written (March, 1880). He was, at his death, over eighty years of age, and left a large family of children and grandchildren. About the same time that Mr. Hunt settled, his brother-in-law Jonathan Bateson, a native of Washington County, Penn., settled on a farm of 600 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. 200 acres, on the north of Squire Hunt's 's farm. He cleared up a large farm, and was a very industrious man. He was for several years a Justice of the Peace, and was always highly respected. He and Squire Hunt married two sisters; their maiden name was McClelland. Nathan Paul settled upon a farm of about 400 acres, about one-half mile east of Harlem Centre, in the year 1839. He was an enterprising and intelligent man, and, in a worldly point of view, was a thrifty man. His wife was a Miss Bell, who is still living. He died in the year 1850, at the age of forty-one years, leaving a large estate, and two sons and a daughter. Among the prominent and leading farmers of this township, thirty years ago, were George Gardinghout, Thomas„ Gorsuch Joseph Gorsuch, David Gorsuch, John Gorsuch, and others. But the scope and purpose of this work is to write the history of the township and sketch the early pioneers, and incidents connected with their descendants. Late in the autumn of the year 1871, the quiet and peaceable community of Harlem was startled by the announcement that one of the most active business men of the township had been cruelly and wickedly murdered. Mr. Charles F. Garner, for many years a resident of Harlem, a successful farmer and stock-dealer, by occupation had been for several years engaged in the business of purchasing, for the butchers and the Columbus meat market, fat cattle and hogs. On the 28th of November, he drove to Columbus a lot of fat cattle. After making sale and receiving his pay, amounting to several hundred dollars, he started, late in the evening, for his home in Harlem, with his money in his possession. On his departure from the city, and without his knowledge, a young man named Barclay, who had previously made his home with Mr. Garner, and had been in his employ, concealed himself in the rear part of his wagon. On reaching the covered bridge crossing Alum Creek, about four miles from Columbus, on the road from the city to his home in Harlem Barclay struck him over the head with a club and broke in his skull. The blow, though not producing instant, death, so stunned him that he became unconscious. Barclay, supposing he was dead, after robbing him of his money, left him in his buggy in the bridge, and made his escape. Garner soon rallied from his unconsciousness sufficiently to drive his team to a neighboring farmhouse, where he stopped and remained until his death, which occurred on the 3d of December, following. The evidence of Barclay's guilt was only circumstantial. He was arrested, near Summerford, Madison County, and was immediately indicted by the grand jury of Franklin County, for murder in the first degree, tried, found guilty and hanged. Whether the murder was committed for "hire and salary, and not revenge," or both, is known only to that tribunal before which all are to be tried, and that will commit no mistakes. Before his execution, the wretch made a full confession of his guilt, and then suffered the righteous punishment prescribed by that ancient law, " that whosoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." The first church or meeting-house built in this township was by the Methodists, in the year 1812, on the firm of Benajah Cook, Esq. It was a plain log house, small in size, and the first minister who officiated in it was the Rev. Daniel Bennett. For many years, there was regular preaching on "week days," once a month, and at first it belonged to the Columbus circuit, but afterward was attached to the Worthington circuit. The congregation worshiped in this log house until 1838, when a new church was built upon the present site, about one mile north of Harlem. It is a large and commodious brick structure. The dedication sermon was preached by the Rev. Uriah Heath, of Worthington. At Centerville, the Methodists have a church, an offshoot of the Harlem Church, which was built about the year 1845. At first the congregation worshiped in a schoolhouse just east of the village, and the Campbellites also worshiped in the schoolhouse on alternate Sundays, and, on account. of the difficulties that would sometimes occur between the respective congregations, it was called, in derision, "Confusion Schoolhouse." The present structure was built about 1855, at a cost of $1,600. The bell cost $372. This church was also dedicated by the Rev. Uriah Heath. The present minister is the Rev. Ralph Watson. The Disciples, or Campbellites, organized a church in this township, in the year 1840, at the residence Jonathan Bateson. The first organization consisted of nine members, as follows, viz.: James Oglesbee and wife, Jonathan Bateson and wife, James Beauseman and wife, C. D. Clark and Daniel Hunt and wife. The present church edifice is located about one. mile east of Centerville, and cost $1,500. In the year 1861, the Old School Predestinarian Baptists organized a church and built the church edifice in 1868, the money to build the same having been donated by Mrs. HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 601 Huldah Fairchild. The first Pastor was the Rev. John H. Biggs. The present Pastor is Elder Lyman B. Hanover. The first mill built in this township was run by hand, and the second mill was run by horsepower, and built in 1815 or 1816. Soon after these mills were built, John Budd, Sr., built the first grist-mill that was run by waterpower, and at the same time built a saw-mill. Benjamin M. Fairchild built a grist and saw mill. These mills are located on Duncan Run. Benajah Cook at an early day, built a saw-mill on Duncan Run. Col. D. Keeler on Spencer Run erected a saw-mill at an early day. For many years after this township was first settled, the nearest mills for grinding wheat were at Chillicothe. There is now a good steam grist-mill at Centerville. The first post office in Harlem was at Buddtown or Harlem. It was established in 1816, and the first Postmaster was Col. William Budd. The first death in the township was that of a Mr. Harris, but the circumstances of his death are not recorded, and there is now no one living who knows the particulars. He was probably a stranger in the township. The Indian trails of seventy years ago have been superseded by broad public highways, traversing the township in every direction. There are roads running east and west, and north and south on the section lines, and crossing at right angles at the center of the township. The first schoolhouse built in the township was built near the close of the war of 1812, and the first teacher was David Gregory, of Berkshire. The house was a log cabin, with holes cut through the logs, and greased paper pasted on the logs over the windows to let the light into the interior. This house was located on the site of Harlem Chapel. The first school teacher, Mr. Gregory, subsequently became a prominent citizen of Delaware County was a Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner, Representative in the State Legislature, Director of the State Prison at Columbus, and was a man of much more than ordinary ability. Soon after the commencement of the war of the rebellion, he emigrated to the State of California, where he died several years ago. This rude schoolhouse in the wilderness where the children of the pioneer received a scanty education, has multiplied to about eight times its numbers. The public schools are supported on an average half a year at the public expense, and taught by competent teachers. This township contains but two towns or villages. Centerville is situated at the cent center of the township, and was laid out in 1848. The proprietors of this village were Edward Hartrain and Ben Roberts. Harlem Village was laid out in 1849, and the proprietors were Amos Washburn and James Budd. Centerville contains two stores, two blacksmiths, the M. E. Church, an apothecary's office, one wagon-maker's shop, and some other mechanics, and in all, about one hundred and fifty inhabitants. Harlem Village is not so large. It has one store and several mechanics, and not to exceed fifty inhabitants. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) |