HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 275 sylvania. He was a man of superior ability, and served several terms in the State legislature. Jacob Hoover, from Pendleton county, Virginia, came to Ohio in 1805. He entered the southeast quarter of section five, and settled where his son, Christian Hoover, now lives. The old log cabin, into which the family moved 'so long ago, is still standing, but not in its original location. He died there in 1825, aged forty-seven. Mrs. Hoover lived until the age of eighty-four, having died only a few years since. Their children were: Sarah (now Mrs. Aucker); Elias (deceased); Elizabeth; Martha (deceased); Christian; Ann M.; Mary, wife of Lewis Rhodes; Peter (dead); and Nancy, wife of Philip Glick. Alexander Frasier, a Scotchman, located on the same section, soon after Hoover; finally went to Madison township, where he died. In 1806, Joash Miller and family came from Berkeley county, Virginia, into Walnut, and made their location where Jacob Hines now lives. A son, Joseph, married Phebe Hedges, and settled on the place now occupied by Elkanah Humble. Peter Miller married a daughter of Lewis Scothorn, and occupied a part of the old homestead. Jacob Hines and Ellcanah Humble married daughters of Joash Miller. Benjamin Bowman and family carne from Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1802, and settled on the Pickaway plains, where he remained several years, and then came to Walnut and entered a quarter section, where his son John now lives. He died September 29, 1816, and was buried on the farm. He had eight children, two of whom -John and Mrs. Joseph Bowman—are among the oldest residents of the township. John married Ruth, daughter of William Brown, and has raised a family of eight children, as follows : Harriet (Mrs. Grand-staff) resides in Indiana; Emily is the wife of Harvey A. Blue; Benjamin, residing in Illinois, and William, deceased, were both, formerly, auditors of Pickaway county; Eliza (Mrs. Newman), Mary Jane (wife of William M. Peters), and Richard M. j., reside in Walnut. William Brown and family, his son Samuel and family, and several sons-in-law and their families, came from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1806. Mr. Brown, sr., entered considerable land in Walnut township, and divided it among his sons. After residing in the township many years he removed to Hancock county, and died there, at the age of more than ninety years. All of his children, after living in the township. for longer or shorter periods, moved to Hancock county, with the exception of William, who permanently settled in 'Walnut, and Mrs. B. Brown, who went to the coal regions. Two children of William Brown, jr., now live in Walnut, viz.: William, on the homestead, and Mrs. John Bowman. Obed died April 2, 1866, but his widow (Delilah Snyder) is still living. Lewis Scothorn settled on Turkey run, in section fourteen, in 1806. He came from Rockingham county, Virginia, bringing his family and goods on pack-horses. He was a very successful hunter, and many a deer fell a victim to his unerring rifle. He dressed their skins and made them into moccasins, which he found a ready market for among the settlers. He died in Fairfield, in 1816. His widow subsequently went to Hancock county, where she died at an advanced age. His son, Lewis, a resident of the township, was born January 31;1812, and married Susannah Westenhaver, who died in May, 1850. Another son, Joseph, married Hannah Crum, and, subsequently, purchased and settled where Ashton Whitehead lives. He finally removed near Ashville, and made a permanent location on land now owned by Ezra Hedges. Jacob Beery was the earliest settler in the northeast part of the township. He arrived from Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and settled where his son, David Beery, now lives, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1845. His widow died in March, 1866, having reached the advanced age of nearly eighty-eight years. Their three children—Sarah, Lydia and David —came in with them, and they all subsequently married into the family of Jacob Scleich. The wife of David (Harriet Scleich) died January 18, 1863. They had ten children, nine of whom are living. J. C. Peters came from Berkeley county, Virginia, near Winchester, in 1808. He settled in Walnut, and resided here until 1825, when he moved to Madison township, on section thirty-three. William L. Peters still lives on the southeast quarter of the same section. Mr. Peters was married twice, and had, by his first wife, fourteen children, and by his second, two. William Peters married Susannah Hoffhine, and to them have been born six children: John N., Harriet A., George S., Francis J., Edward A. and James P. Mr. Peters had one child (now dead) by a previous marriage. George Brinker, then eighteen years of age, came to Ohio in 1810. After working out by the month for some time, he married Mary Shope, and settled on the southeast quarter of section number three, which, with other lands, his step-father had taken up and failed to pay for. He was twice married, and was the father of twelve children. His mother married, for her second husband, Jacob Shaffer, and they were early settlers in Madison township. They moved from thence to Upper Sandusky; where he died, and she came to Walnut, and died at the house of her son, George, whom she survived. Two sons of George Brinker—Barnabas and George, jr.—reside in Walnut. John Peninger and family, Jesse Morral and Mary Harrold, came from Pendleton county, Virginia, in 1810, and about the same time William Morral and his family. Peninger settled on Dry run, near Emanuel church. Jesse Morral and Miss Harrold were united. in marriage soon after their arrival, and their marriage is the second recorded in the records of Pickaway county. He first located in section twenty one, but afterwards moved to the southeast quarter of section sixteen. He subsequently lived in Harrison and Madison townships, but finally came back to Walnut, and died on the Hoover place, in 1824. His wife died in 1831. They raised two children, Robert J. and Fidelia, several having died in infancy. Robert married Martha Hott, and settled where he now 276 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. resides, on section seventeen. Fidelia became the wife of William Smith, and lives in Illinois. Henry Hott, father of Mrs. Morral, with his family, and several brothers, came from Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1812. He located on the northwest quarter of section eighteen, on land now owned by Ezra Hedges, and resided there until his death. Two of his brothers settled in Harrison township. George Groce, a native of Maryland, and his wife, Catharine, emigrated to Ohio, directly after the close of the war of 1812. He first located at Circleville, and built the third house in the town. A few years after, he settled in Walnut, where his son, Allen Groce, now lives. He died in October, 1857, aged nearly seventy-six; his wife's death occurred many years previous. John, Allen and Amos, his sons, now reside in Walnut, and a daughter, Mrs. Samuel Crites, lives in Fairfield county. Charles Duryea emigrated from Cumberland, Maryland, to this township, with his family, about the year 1812. He never owned any land, and frequently changed his location. Thomas, his son, married Nancy Williamson, daughter of John Williamson, and first located a short distance northeast of Nebraska. Benjamin Trone, in 1813, when thirteen years old, came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,.to Walnut, and the same year his father and family came from New Jersey, and settled on the southwest quarter of section eleven. A number of years after he sold his farm to his son, Asa, and after a residence of some twelve years in Royalton, removed to Circleville. Benjamin settled on eighty acres of his father's farm. He died in 1860. He was twice married, and was the father of seven children, of whom Harvey and Asa now reside in the township. His widow, aged seventy-three, lives with her son, Asa. Paul Cromley settled where his son, Jonas, now lives, in section ten, in 1813. He came, with his family, from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. His surviving children are : Jonas, the eldest of the family, now aged seventy-six; William, sr., and Mary, widow of Peter Hoover. Stephen died in 1871, aged sixty-five; Elizabeth died unmarried; Catharine married Peter Westenhaver. The youngest son was Thomas. Paul Cromley purchased his land on which he first located of James and John Cromley, who were also early settlers here. Hugh Creighton, a native of Ireland, moved to this State from Pennsylvania, in 1804. He resided two or three years at Zanesville, and then settled in Bloomfield, this county. In 1816, he came to Walnut, and bought of Jeremiah Smith one hundred acres in the southeast part of section nine, now owned by Mrs. Peter Hoover. He subsequently located on Walnut creek, in the northwest part of the township, and, with his son, Samuel, built the mills now owned by Mr. Spindler. He final moved to Fairfield county, near Lithopolis, where he died, in 1858, in his eighty-fifth year. His wife was eighty-seven at her death, surviving her husband eight years. They had four sons, and a daughter, now widow of Cyrus Hedges, and residing in Walnut. Two of the sons survive—Samuel, in Lithopolis, and Joseph, a Methodist minister, at present presiding elder of the Chillicothe district. William, the oldest, was among the early pioneers of Iowa. Henry was murdered by his wife, in January, 1877. She was convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to the State penitentiary for three years. Tunis Peters came from Hampshire county, Virginia, in the fall of 1817, and spent the following winter in a cabin which stood on the farm now owned by George Keiger. In the spring of 1818 he bought and settled on eighty acres in section thirty-five, now owned by Amos Groce. In his later years he removed to Logan, Hocking county, where he died in 1826. His son, Absalom A. Peters, aged seventy-six years, resides in Walnut, within half a mile of the site of the cabin in which he spent his first winter in Ohio, sixty-two years ago. Michael Blue emigrated to Ohio from Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1812. He resided a number of years in Fairfield county, and then came to Walnut. He died at the residence of his son John, at the age of nearly eighty years. His wife survived him five or six years, and died at the age of eighty-two. Their children were : Tunis, deceased; Francina, now widow of John Williams, living in Illinois; Jonathan, in Harrison township, Pickaway county, unmarried; Harvey A., who married Emily Bowman, and is a resident of this township; Louisa and Michael, who died young; Abigail (deceased), who was the wife of Henry Whitemer, of East Ringgold; Catharine, deceased; Absalom, living in Illinois; Deborah, who became the wife of John Smith ; John, resident of Fairfield county; and William, dead. Samuel Peters and family came from Baltimore, Mary- land, during the war of 1812, and settled in Fairfield county, where he died in 1829, and his wife Mary in 1861, in her eighty-eighth year. They had thirteen children, viz.: Henry, Robinson J., Nathan, Wesley, Rachel, Stevenson, Leah, Mary, Andrew, Gideon, Elizabeth, Louis S., and Ebenezer. Rachel is now the widow of William Brumfield ; Leah is the wife of Broad Cole; Mary is the widow of Daniel Walters; Elizabeth is the wife of Newton Williamson. All the children are living except Gideon, who died February 26, 1844, and nine of them are each over seventy years of age. Jacob Westenhaver came to Ohio from near Martinsburg, Virginia, in 1806. He spent the first winter with his father-in-law, Joash Miller, in this township, when he went to Chillicothe, and remained for a short time. He then located in Jefferson, Pickaway township, this county, and subsequently settled in Circleville, where he erected one of the first buildings in the town. He finally came to Walnut and settled in section three, and died there in 1847, his wife surviving him. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom—Mrs. Ashbroon, Mrs. Culp, and Emanuel—reside in Walnut. Zachariah Pritchett, his wife, and two children, came to Ohio from Sussex county, Delaware, in 1824, performing the journey with a horse and cart. They remained near Kingston, Ross county, until fall, when they went to Harrison township and located on Walnut creek. Subsequently they came to this township and purchased eighty acres in section twenty-one, where John Reber now resides. They removed to their present location in HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 277 the fall of 1836, where the father died in March, 1877. Isaac Weaver settled in Walnut, on the farm now owned by Emanuel Snyder, in the winter of 1827. His parents came from Rockingham county, Virginia, when he was ten years of age, and settled in Richland county, Ohio. He resided there until he was twenty-five years of age, when he married Sarah Fetters and removed to this township. He lived in Walnut until the fall of 1869, when he sold to Mr. Snyder and moved to Circleville, where he now resides, at the age of seventy-eight. He is the father of nine children—David, Louisa, Philip, William, John, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Susannah, and Samuel. David is engaged in merchandising at Nebraska, in this township; Louisa (afterwards Mrs. Matthew Kelley), is deceased; Philip is a farmer, and resides in this township; William is one of the firm of Lynch & Weaver, grocers, in Circleville; John lives in Arkansas; Elizabeth resides in Walnut, and is the wife of Norman Peters; Mary Jane is the wife of Thomas Stofer, of Circleville; Susannah, wife of Thomas John son, and Samuel, live in Illinois. David Kershner came from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1821. He kept bachelor's hall for seven years, in Bloom township, Fairfield county. He bought thirty acres of land there, which he cleared up. He married Rebecca Alsbach, and three years after sold out and bought the place on which he now lives. Daniel Snyder settled where his son William now lives, in 1834, emigrating from Pennsylvania. He died soon after his settlement. His widow, aged nearly eighty-seven, resides with her son, Emanuel Snyder. John May came from Maryland, in the spring of 1836. His mother, Catharine May, and five children, came out nine years before. Mr. May bought the farm now occupied by Jacob Martin, and lived there until the fall of 1860, when he moved to Ringgold, where he has since resided. He is now aged eighty-four. Charles May, who came to Ohio with the mother, in 1827, made a settlement in Walnut. He has been twice married; now lives in Illinois. EARLY SCHOOLS. The first school-house in Walnut, according to Mr. Hedges' recollection, stood a short distance north of the old graveyard, in section sixteen, where Joseph Leesman, Asa England, Joshua Baker and Philip Gatewood kept at an early date. A little log school-house was built just east of where Monroe Scothorn now lives, shortly afterwards, in which Hugh Hannagan, Hugh Creighton and others were early teachers. These buildings were constructed of logs, of course, with stick chimney, puncheon floor and door and clapboard roof. One whole end was required for the fireplace: The light was admitted by means of a "window" in each side of the house, made by cutting out the half of two logs nearly the entire length of the house, and sticks placed in the opening, over which oiled or greased paper was pasted. Along each window was a rough board, which rested on wooden pins, stuck into the logs; and constituted a desk at which the scholars sat when engaged in writing. The seats were merely split slabs, supported by wooden pins. In this manner the school-houses were built for a number of years after the first settlement of the country. A schoolhouse was erected on the section line between numbers twenty-two and twenty-three, in 1810, in which the first teacher was a man by the name of Adison. John Bowman and wife (formerly Ruth Brown), still living in the neighborhood, attended this school. A school was kept by John Wilson, as early as 1823, in a little cabin on the farm now owned by William Reed. Lewis Scothorn and Barnabas Brinker were scholars of this school. A hewed-log school-house was soon after erected on the hill, a short distance southwest of this cabin, and Edward Kennedy taught the first school therein. CHURCHES. THE METHODISTS. Members of the Methodist Episcopal faith established public worship in the township at an early date, the earliest meetings being held at the dwellings, successively, of Noah Jones, Moses Oman and George Brinker, and, in the eastern part of the township, at Jacob Longabaugh's and widow Cole's. The Hedges' chapel class was organized at the house of George Brinker, in 1841, and consisted of the following members: Thomas Young and wife, Shadrach Cole and five children, James Hoyman, George Brinker and wife, John Knight, wife, and sister, Betsey, Lewis Fridley, wife and daughters, Hannah and Catharine, Cyrus Hedges, his wife, Jane and daughters, Ann D. (now Mrs. Smith), and Cynthia, Eli Hines and wife, Sarah Payton and daughters, and Gideon Cummings. The Revs. James Gilworth and Thomas Hurd were then on the circuit, and Shadrach Cole was local preacher. The first class leader was Thomas Young, whose efficiency and devotion to his work is fondly mentioned by his few remaining associates. The chapel was built in 1843, its erection being largely attributable to the energy and liberality of Cyrus Hedges, who donated the ground, in addition to his subscription of fifty dollars. The house was dedicated by Rev. Joseph Trimble. The Sabbath-school of this church was formed in the spring of 1844, with John Spindler as superintendent. The Union Methodist Episcopal church was formed some time between the years 1825 and '30, the following named persons being the constituent members, to wit.: William Tallman and wife, Andrew Trone and wife, Jacob Longabaugh and wife, Wesley Peters and wife, James Clark and wire, and Martin Barnhart and wife. The meetings continued to be held at Mrs. Cole's, as previously mentioned, until the erection of a church in the year 1835, for which William Tallman gave the land. Mr. Lewis S. Peters, who has officiated for many years as local preacher, united with the class when the meetings were held at widow Cole's. The first church building was a small brick structure, which, as the class increased in membership, became inadequate to the needs of the society, and, about fifteen years after its erection, it was torn down, and on the same site the present brick house was built. The church, in its most prosperous days, numbered nearly one hundred members, but it now consists of only seven or eight 278- HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. Mount Zion's church, formerly called the Cinser church, was organized at the house of Solomon Cinser, in 1830. Cinser and wife, John Bridagum and wife, Jacob Rife and wife, Valentine Reber and wife, were the original members. Meetings were held at the house of Mr. Cinser until 1840, when the frame church, on the south line of the township, was erected. This, is said, by an old member, to be the first church edifice erected by the denomination west of the Allegheny mountains. Emanuel church was formed about the year 1832, with the following named members: John Tobias and wife, Peter Tobias and wife, John Hittle and wife, and Peter Moyer and wife. Meetings were held at the dwellings of the members until the church in the southeast corner of section twenty-eight, was built. This was in 184—. The present pastors are Revs. C. M. Reinehold and A. Evans. THE UNITED BRETHREN. A class was organized at the house of James Ward, in 1833. The meetings were held there for some time, and then in a log school-house, on the bank of the creek, near the present covered bridge. A log school-house was afterwards built where the brick now stands, in district number four, when the class met there for worship. This was in 1845. A revival, under the preaching of Rev. Isaac Kretzenger, the circuit preacher, soon followed, resulting in the addition of quite a number to the church; and the need of a suitable house of worship was felt. A mound, supposed to be of artificial construction, in the south part of section seventeen, was selected as the site. Some five or six feet of the top of the mound was leveled down, and a frame building erected thereon. The church, at the suggestion of Robert J. Morrall, one of the members' who selected the location, was christened "Mount Hermon church." In 1875, the old building was removed (and is now occupied by Jacob Smith as a dwelling) to give place to the present frame structure. The church now has a membership of about sixty, Daniel Bonebrake being the pastor. A class formerly existed in the Pontius neighborhood, but it disbanded in 1845, and the members, then only five or six in number, united with the Mount Hermon class. The Sabbath-school of this church was organized as a union school, in the hewed-log school-house, now used as a dwelling house by Daniel Litton, in 1843 or '44, with Henry Pontius superintendent. The Bethlehem church was organized at the house of John Hager, in 1835, with the following members: John Hager, wife, and son Peter, Silas Warn and wife, Samuel Weakley and wife, Thomas Duryea and wife, and Nathan Beaver. Meetings were held at the residence of John Hager until the erection of the church, in 1840. A class was formed at the dwelling of John May, on the farm now occupied by Jacob Martin, in 1838 or 1839, by Rev. William McCabe. They held their 'services there for some time, until the class became large, when it was divided, and one part met for worship at the house of John Morris, and the other in the Albright church on the town line, which some of the members assisted in erecting. The two classes subsequently reunited and continued their meetings in the Albright church until 1874, when the Bethany church building in Washington was erected. The East Ringgold class was organized in 1860 by Rev. Thomas Forsyth, and was composed of the following members: John May and wife, Elizabeth Spade, Adaline and Catharine Peters, and John Bridagum. The frame church, erected by members of the German Reformed church, at the Ritter burying-ground, was purchased and moved to its present location in East Ringgold. Since the Rev. Mr. McCabe, the following ministers have preached on this circuit : Jacob Alsbaugh, Joshua Montgomery, Pleasant Brock, Joseph Yarnell, William Fisher, Wilson Cones, William Cones, William Kern, Joseph Buckwalter, E. Vanderman, William Miller, Thomas Forsyth, Joseph Huffine, Eastep, Lemuel Montgomery, Joseph Brundage, William Burnsworth, Samuel Whitmore, George Humplman, Joseph Brown, Baker Gillespie, Nathaniel Smith, and Peter Waggoner, who is still on the circuit. There are thirty-two names on the class-book, but the actual membership is much less, having been reduced by removals and deaths. John May is leader.. WARNER CHURCH, of the German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran denominations, was built in 1839. The land, consisting of over five acres, was donated by Henry Warner, one of the members, in consequence of which the church was named for him. The deed of conveyance was to George. Pontious, Henry Spade, Henry Warner, and Martin Falk, trustees of the church, and their successors. The preacher, at the time of the erection of the church, was Rev. Henry King, and the deacons were John Glentzer, Henry Heffner, Philip Leist, and Solomon Stout. Soon after the erection of the building, certain forms of worship were sought to be introduced by some of the German Reformed members, which, being considered as innovations upon their principles and practices by the other portion, met with opposition, resulting, finally, in a split. The former withdrew, and erected a frame building at the Ritter burying-ground, half a mile northeast of Ringgold. This branch of the society subsequently disbanded, and the building was sold to the United Brethren, who removed into Ringgold. The Warner church contains a membership of about one hundred and forty, the Lutherans composing much the larger portion. In 1842 a German Reformed clergyman, by the name of Strickland, came into the township from Pennsylvania, and preached at some of the dwellings of the inhabitants and at the school-house, which stood a short distance north of the site of Hedges' chapel. He organized a society, and afterward returned East. He was followed by a minister by the name of Phillips, during whose labors the North Union church was built, in 1844. The church was erected by the inhabitants generally, without respect to any particular denomination, and ministers of different faiths officiated in its pulpit. In the spring of 185r; a United Brethren class was formed, and used the HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 279 church for a number of years, when the organization was broken up. The building has not been used for religious meetings for ten or twelve years. FIRST SABBATH-SCHOOL. Hugh Creighton was the pioneer in Sabbath-school work in Walnut. As early as 1822 or 1823 he kept a day-school in the log school-house which stood just east of the present site of Monroe Scothorn's residence, and on the Sabbath he would collect the children together for religious instruction, although no regular organization was formed. After the removal of the school-house, as previously mentioned, a school was organized by Mr. Creighton, but it continued in existence only a short time. FIRST BURYING-GROUND. The first place selected by the pioneers of Walnut for the burial of their dead, was the "sixteenth burying-ground," situated on the bank of the creek, in the north part of section sixteen. The first burial--and probably the first death—in the township, was that of a child of Cornelius Williamson. The grave is unmarked, and the exact date of the event is not known, although it was prior to 1800. The oldest inscription is that on the tombstone of Mary, daughter of William and Nancy, Ward, who died September 20, 1802, at the age of twenty-one years. POST-OFFICE. A post-office was established at Nebraska, in 1853, with Andrew Hedges as postmaster, the name of the office being " Hedges' Store." When Hedges sold his store to Thomas Gregg, in the spring of 1856, William Nicholson became postmaster, and continued to act until the summer of 1857, when Caleb Brobst assumed the duties of the office. I). F. Weaver, the present incumbent, was appointed in the summer of 1859, and the name changed to Nebraska. Mr. Weaver has held the position of postmaster over twenty consecutive years. The office at East Ringgold was established in 1855. The first postmaster was W. C. Finkel, afterwards probate judge, who kept the office in the house which is now the dwelling of Louis Heckman. On his removal to Circleville, in 1862, he resigned his commission, and was succeeded by W. S. Heim, who officiated for about a year, when Dr. E. C. Witt was appointed, and served until 1871. S. H. Tobias was the next incumbent, holding the position a few years, and was followed, for a shorter term, by. J. J. Kershner. William M. Peters, the present postmaster, was commissioned in the summer of 1878. O. E. Niles was the first mail-carrier through Walnut, or rather the Lindsey boys, who carried it for Niles. They carried the mail on horseback, the route extending from Circleville to Lithopolis, through East Ringgold, Nebraska, and Teegardins, in Madison. THE FIRST STORE in Walnut was started in 1834 by Edward Kennedy, in a small hewed-log building, near where the barn of Elkanah Humble now stands. A store was established at Nebraska by Andrew Hedges, in 1853; he sold out to Thomas Gregg, in the spring of 1856, and Gregg to Caleb Brobst, in July, 1857. In June, 1859, W. J. & D. F. Weaver bought out Brobst and continued together until August, 1864, when D. F. Weaver purchased the interest o his brother, .and has continued in trade until the present time. In February, 1879, he took in his son, A. E. Weaver, as a partner, and the firm name is, now, D. F. Weaver & Son. The new store building was erected in the spring of 1874. The store at Ringgold we mentioned in connection with that village. MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES. The first mill in the township was a saw-mill built by Richard Ward in 1811 or 1812, on the Little Walnut, in section seventeen. In 1815 Ward sold it to Jabez Hedges, who run it four or five years, when he sold the property to George Hoover, who let it run down, and, finally, abandoned it. The next saw-mill was put up by James Bell on Turkey run, in section fourteen, as early as 1816 or 1817. William Williamson had a saw-mill on Little Walnut, in section sixteen, as early as 1825, which he operated until his death. Subsequent to the above, many other saw-mills had been built, which are not now in existence. The first grist-mill was built by John Hager, sr. He and his wife came from Hagerstown Maryland, in 1803, making the journey on foot, and carrying all their worldly goods in a pocket handkerchief. Hager subsequently entered section fourteen, and, notwithstanding the little he had to begin with, finally accumulated considerable property. A few years after his arrival he built a small log grist-mill on Little Walnut, a short distance east of the frame grist-mill of Samuel Campbell, the remains of which can yet be seen. The mill now owned by Mr. Campbell, Hager built about 1814, although, in 185-, it was rebuilt by his son, John, to whom the father gave the property. Thomas Duryea bought it in 1844, and, since then, it has passed through many hands, Samuel Campbell, as before mentioned, now owning it. James Bell had a grist-mill on Turkey run, in the southeast quarter of section fourteen as early as 1818. He run it a number of years, and his sons, .after his death. Isaac Stout subsequently operated it for a great many years. The building is still standing. David (flick had formerly a mill in operation on Little Walnut, near the east line of the township. The mills of John M. Spindler were established by Hugh Creighton & Son. The dam was put in and the saw-mill erected, as previously stated, in 1838. In 1846 a grist-mill of two run of stone was added. Some two years after the erection of the grist-mill Creighton & Son sold the property to Joseph Deitz, who operated the mills two years, and, failing to pay for the property, it was purchased by the present owner. Mr. Spindler has used the grist-mill chiefly as a hominy mill, in the manufacture of which article he has built up a considerable trade. There are, at the present time, four saw-mills in the township, all of them steam mills, with the exception of 280 - - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. that of J. M. Spindler, on the big Walnut. The latter was erected by Hugh Creighton & Son, in 1838. The saw-mill at East Ringgold was originally built by Aaron Stuckey. In 1871, Absalom A. Peters bought it, tore it down,, and rebuilt it. About a year ago he sold it to his son-in-law, A. L. Peters, who now owns it. The mills of Lewis Scothorn and Emanuel Westenhaver were both built in 1877. The leading industry for many years in Walnut was the manufacture of whiskey. Almost every farmer had a small copper still, and the "liquid poison" was almost as abundant as water. There have been more manufactories of this kind built in the township than in all the rest of the county. The writer is informed by R. J. Morral that from a certain point of view upon his farm, the sites of thirty-four former distilleries can be seen. Of course, the effect of the business upon the moral and material interests of the community was extremely detrimental, and it was not until the Ohio canal was built, when an outlet was had for the surplus production of the corn and rye of the farmers, that it began to be abandoned. A machine and general repair shop was started by Henry Smith, near the location of the present residence of E. P. Griner, in 1842. He removed to his present -location, in section twenty-nine, in 1877, and continues the business which 'he has carried on for so many years. The carriage and repair shop of Enos Longabaugh, near Bethlehem church, was established in 1873. The business is conducted by Samuel M. Miller. PHYSICIANS. The first doctor resident within the township was Dr. Josiah Luckey, who came in soon after the close of the war of 1812. He was then unmarried, but subsequently he married Esther, daughter of James Williams, and fixed his residence at Nebraska. He remained a few years and then removed from the township. In 1820, Dr. William Turner, from Maryland, settled on Big Walnut, and practiced his profession in this and adjoining townships until his death, which occurred a few years after his settlement. Dr. P. Pence located at East Ringgold, in 1845, and practiced medicine until 1850. Dr. E. C. Witt was also a practitioner there, but at what time, we are unable to state. Dr. John T. Jones, recently deceased, was a practitioner of medicine in this township for a period of nearly thirty years. He began the study of medicine with Dr. A. W. Thompson, now of Circleville, in 1840, and subsequently graduated at Ohio medical college, Cincinnati. He first began to practice at Londonderry, Ross county; afterward practiced in Kentucky, and then coming (in 1850) to this county, settled at East Ringgold. He afterward removed to Nebraska, in this township, where he resided up to the day of his death, July 3, 1879. Dr. William T. Kennedy, a native of this county, settled at East Ringgold in January, 1875. He was educated for his profession at Starling medical college, Ohio, where he graduated in the spring of 1873. Dr. Kennedy first began to practice in Circleville, and continued there for about sixteen months, when he removed to Ringgold, where he has since resided, and been engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. G. E. Bragdon, of St. Lawrence county, New York, located in Walnut in March, 1878. He acquired his medical education at the University medical college, New York city, graduating in February, 1878, and had practiced in Canton, New York, for some time previous. NEBRASKA GRANGE, NO. 64, OF THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. This society was organized June 16, 1873, with a membership of twenty-three. The first officers elected were as follows: John Courtright, master; A. C. Nothstine, overseer; Joshua Hedges, steward; John G. Haas, assistant steward; James Ward, lecturer; Lewis S. Peters, chaplain; Ezra Hedges, treasurer; John M. Spindler, secretary; James H. Moody, gate-keeper; Mrs. M. S. Courtright, stewardess; Mrs. E. A. Nothstine, ceres; Mrs. H. D. Haas, pomona; Mrs. Sarah Westenhaver, flora. In the spring of 1874 the sociely built them a hall in the second story of the store of D. F. Weaver & Son, at Nebraska. The hall is a commodious one, and neatly furnished, the whole costing one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. The membership is now seventy, the present officers being as follows: John Courtright, master; Joshua Hedges, overseer; W. A. Griner, steward; Jonathan Hay, assistant steward; John G. Haas, lecturer ; L. S. Peters, chaplain; A. C. Nothstine, treasurer; R. M. J. Bowman, secretary; Leander Ward, gate-keeper; Mrs. Harriet Haas, ceres; Mrs. Rebecca Hay, pomona; Mrs. M. L. Courtright, flora; Miss Bell Beckwith, stewardess. EAST RINGGOLD. For the following facts we are indebted to S. P. Tobias and Philip Heim. The only village in the township of Walnut is East Ringgold, situated in the southeast part, on the Royalton pike. The first settler there was a Mrs. Fink, who was living on the place now occupied by Levi Graumlich, in 1837, but how long before that is not known. Sebastian Miller, a German by birth, came from Pennsylvania, in 1841, and located where J. P. Leist now lives ; he was a mechanic, and engaged in the business of wagon-making. His house was a one-story and a half frame, which served the double purpose of dwelling and shop, keeping the shop in the upper room. Aaron Stuckey settled there in 1841, and in addition to other improvements, erected a steam saw-mill. In 1842, Mrs. Sanders settled on the place now occupied by Rosanna Spade, and the same year Adam Spade located where Lewis Heckman now lives. About the same time, William Boyer, sr., took up his residence on the farm now occupied by L. F. Beck. Lewis Heckman, who is still a resident of the place, moved in, from Springfield, Ohio, in 1846, and located where Abraham Phillips now resides. The first store at East Ringgold was opened in the fall HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 281 of 1849, by Daniel Bock, in the building now occupied by Jacob Leist. Bock purchased the estate of Sebastian Miller. A. C. Stout afterwards kept a store in the same building. In 1851, William C. Finkel, a wagon-maker by trade, started a store in the building now occupied by Mr. Heckman. Subsequently, Philip Heim became a partner of Mr. Finkel. The partnership continued one year, when Mr. Heim bought Finkel's interest. Two years afterward he sold to his father and brother, P. &. D. Heim, who carried on the business one year, when they were succeeded by Samuel Gessley, who continued about the same length of time. John Hook began, in the spring of 1864, in a small building, now constituting a part of the dwelling of J. J. Kerschner. In 1866 he moved into the building he now occupies, which had formerly been used as a wagon and undertaker's shop by John Bridagum. John Woodell and Solomon Tobias, established a store in the building which is now the office of Dr. Kennedy, in 1871. About a year afterward Woodell bought out his partner, and erected the building now occupied by Isaac Tobias, in which he continued until his death, about a year afterward. The building was purchased by Mr. Tobias, who opened with a new stock in the fall 1874, and has continued with success until the present. The first school at Ringgold was kept by John Cooley, in 1838, in a log cabin, which stood on the Ritter farm.* The town west of Silver street, was platted, in 1860,. by Mr. Burget, and the remainder by John Nevy, subsequently. The place was originally called Grand View, and the name ought to have been retained, the location being one of the most picturesque in the county. It is not now possible to give the particulars of the first election in the township, as the early records are not in existence. Walnut was originally six miles square, but in the year that portion of the township lying northwest of Walnut creek was set off to Harrison, and that part of Harrison lying southeast of the creek was detached, and annexed to Walnut, making that stream the boundary line between the two townships. This was done as a matter of convenience to the people in that portion of either township lying beyond the creek, which, having no bridges, it was difficult to cross. The township now embraces four entire tiers of sections on the east side of the original surveyed township number nine, in range twenty-one (Matthew's surveys), and all of the other two tiers of sections, in the same township, except the two northwesterly sections, and a small part of sections five and eight adjoining. It also embraces all of the fractional township number two, in range twenty-two, lying south of Walnnt creek, and next the river. This part of the township was, in an early day, inhabited by a very poor class of people, who came in and occupied the cabins of the large land owners, and were a source of considerable expense to the township before the county provided a place for its paupers. * Mr. A. A. Peters says a school was kept, at a much earlier date, in a cabin where the saw-mill now stands. The present township Officers are as follows: R. M. J. Bowman, clerk; Joshua Hedges, John Courtright and Harvey Trone, trustees; William Cromley, treasurer; Henry Whitemer and Monroe Scothorn, justices of the peace. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, THE COURTRIGHT FAMILY. John Courtright was a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated with his family to Ohio, in 1803 or 1804. They journeyed over the mountains and through the forests in a three horse wagon, bringing with them such articles of household necessity as they were able to convey. On their arrival he bought land near Royalton, Fairfield county, and began the labor of making a .home in the wilderness. Progress was necessarily slow at first, but year by year the clearing was enlarged, and as prosperity followed, he added to his possessions, until he was the owner of some two thousand one hundred acres of land, the result of his own exertions, seconded by those of his sons, as they arrived at an age to assist in the smaller and larger duties of the farm. His children were : Abraham, who died in 1851, leaving a family ; John, who married, raised a family in Walnut township, and died in - October, 1878 ; Jacob, who married, and remained on a part of his father's estate, in Bloom township, Fairfield county, where he died in 1864; Jesse D. Courtright, who was born May 5, 181 1, and in August, 1831, was married to Sally Stout, by whom he had nine children. The children of Jesse D. are : Mary Jane, who married Thomas Cole, and lives in Amanda township, Fairfield county ; Sarah, who married Emanuel Westenhaver, and lives in Walnut township ; Elizabeth, who married Ezra F. Beery, and lives in Bloom township, Fairfield county ; John, who was born January 28, 1838, married Minerva L. Brobst, at Marcy, Fairfield county, August i6, 1866, by whom he has three children—Alva 13., Sally F., and John D. ; George S. Courtright, who married Miss M. Cornelia Stevens, and is a physician at Lithopolis; Samuel W., who married Jennie R. Martin, and practiced law in Circleville ; in 1875, was elected judge of common pleas, which office he holds at the present time ; Alva P., who married Annie Vattier, of Cincinnati, where he practiced Medicine several years, after which he removed to Circleville, where he ranks among the highest of the physicians in Pickaway county ; Edson B. Olds Courtright, who died in April, 1867; Amanda C., who died in infancy. Jesse D. Courtright moved into Walnut township in 1833, two years after his marriage, and here his children were born. He was a man of strong convictions, and firm in his adherence to the principles of the party to which he belonged—the Democratic party. His abilities were so well appreciated by the public, that in '1853 he was elected to the State legislature, where he served two years. He was many times elected to fill township offices, serving as justice of the peace during a period of twenty-five years, and holding the office of township trustee nearly the same length of time. He was also land appraiser of his township. In his religion he was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church for thirty-two years, as was also his wife. He was for many years a member of the Masonic fraternity, receiving all the degrees up to and including that of Knight Templar, and was, in every respect, faithful and true to his obligations as a Mason. Four of his sons followed in his footsteps, and became worthy members of the order. John D. is a member of Lithopolis lodge, No. 569, in which he has served as master for fourteen years. He Is also a member of Circleville Chapter, No.. 20; Tyrian Council, No. 6o; and Lancaster Commandary, No. 2. He was also instrumental in the organization of Nebraska Grange, No. 64, organized June 16, 1863, and has continued its master from that time until the present. He has served as township trustee some eight years. Portraits of John Courtwright and his wife, with a representation of their home in Walnut township, appear in this connection. 36 282 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. THE DUNNUCK FAMILY. Joshua Dunnuck was a native of Maryland, from which State he emigrated to Ohio some time previous to the war of 1812, in which he served for a short time as a member of Captain Nye's light-horse company; he also, in common with every other able-bodied man, served in the State militia during the enforcement of the militia law of the State. After being a resident of the State a number of years he was married to Miss Diana Tallman, by whom he had four children who lived to maturity, besides several who died in infancy. Of their children, Phebe married Absalom Ashbrook, and raised a family of children, of whom all but one lived to raise families. John married Henrietta Scott, in Fayette county, and made a home in Indiana. Elizabeth married William Peters, and lives near Pleasantville. Benjamin married Minerva Ash-brook, and died in Walnut township, where his family now live. Joshua Dunnuck's wife died, and he married a second time, his wife being Mrs. Phebe Bell, of Walnut township ; their children were Diana, who was married, in Indiana, to Abel Lloyd. George T. died when nineteen years of age. Thomas J. married Ruth Bowman, a daughter of John and Ruth Bowman, of Walnut township. With his wife Mr. Dunnuck received some property, as well as some from his father; his wife also received property from the estate of her brother, William Bowman. Mrs. Dunnuck was a woman of feeble health, but of a singularly gentle and loving disposition, and made a willing helpmeet to her husband, and a careful, judicious mother to their children, of whom they had five. Two of these died in infancy. Their home was a happy one, but, just as they were about completing his present comfortable dwelling= house, which was designed by Mrs. Dunnuck, and before it was occupied, she died from consumption. She was born October 12, 1834, and died September 12, 1876, aged nearly forty-two years. Her death left a vacancy in the once happy home that no other can fill. Their children were: Milton C., who is married, and lives in a house on the same premises as his father; Alma B., who now attends to the household duties in her mother's place; and Grace B., who also lives at home. Mr. Dunnuck has the assurance of a comfortable home during the remainder of his life, on the farm he has occupied since his marriage, which, at his death, will become the property of their children. He was a member of the National guard, and was called into duty in the one hundred days' service, but procured a substitute, as his presence was at that time needed at home. Joshua Dunnuck, his father, had still another daughter—Sarah Ruth— who married and lost her first husband, John Louderman. She remarried, and now lives in Illinois. Mrs. Joshua Dunnuck died in Fayette county, where they were then living, about 1833 or 1834. In 1838 Mr. Dunnuck moved, with his family, to Indiana, and, in April of 1839, died there. Portraits of Thomas J. Dunnuck, and Mrs. Ruth Dunnuck, his wife, appear in connection with this sketch. JACKSON. Jackson lies east of Muhlenburg and Monroe, and extends to the Scioto river. Scioto township adjoins it on the north, and Wayne and Deer Creek on the south. Its surface is generally quite level; having the Scioto for its eastern boundary, and Darby creek running diagonally, from northwest to southeast, through its center, it contains a large proportion of first and second bottom land, and is among the most productive townships in the county. INDIANS. For several years after the first settlement of the town ship, small bands of Indians lingered about the region. Among the' last who came, to Jackson was a friendly Indian, who went by the name of Captain Johnny. With a number of other Indians, he had a camp on Darby creek, and the place is still pointed out as Captain Johnny's camp. He and another Indian, named Cherokee Torn, fell out, and finally fought a duel, with knives for their weapons. After the quarrel which led to the duel, Tom went of for a long time, when, thinking that Johnny had forgotten the difficulty, he returned to the camp on Darby creek. The next morning, Captain Johnny went to Tom's wigwam, and arousing him from his sleep informed him that he must fight. Tom yielded a reluctant assent, for Johnny was a powerful man, much the superior of Tom. The contest was short and bloody, terminating in Tom's death. Johnny went over to Mr. Renick's, borrowed a shovel, and buried bim on the place now occupied by G. A. Florence. They undoubtedly had a burying-ground there, for when the cellar of the present house was dug, the remains of several Indians were found. THE JOLIFF SURVEY. While the army of Lord Dunmore lay at Camp Charlotte, waiting the conclusion of the treaty with the Indians, John Joliff, a private soldier, discovered the fine tract of HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 283 land in this township, of which he made the survey. The tract embraces four or five thousand acres, and lies west of Circleville. This survey was made in 1774, and is believed to have been the first survey made in the State. William Renick informs the writer that the survey was made without compass or chain, and so well was it done that the efforts 0f the numerous land speculators ("land sharks," they were called) to invalidate it, proved unsuccessful. The regularity of the survey was, after considerable litigation, confirmed by the courts. SETTLEMENT. Jonathan Renick was the first settler. He came from Hardy county, Virginia, in the year 1798, having previously purchased the Dade tract. He erected a cabin on Darby creek, and kept bachelor's hall for a few years, when his father, John Renick, and family arrived. He afterwards settled, and permanently resided, where Gustavus Florence now lives. He was born July 22, 1775 married Lucinda Suddeth, March 22, 1812, and died September 3, 1843, his wife having. died three years previous. They had but two children—Sarah, who married Ezra Florence (now deceased), and resides in Circleville, and Mary, who died in 1853. John Renick, the father of Jonathan, settled where John Fleming now lives, and resided there until his death, January 13, 1814, aged nearly sixty-five. Mary, his wife, died September 15, 1834, in her eighty-second year. Their children were: Thomas, Jonathan, Margaret, Rachel, Seymour, Abel, James, Asahel, Anna, Catharine and Mary. Thomas married Tabitha Radcliff, and moved to Jackson, from Kentucky, after the rest of the family came. His location was the place now occupied by his son, Job, wherc he continued until his death. His wife survived him some ten years. He was associate judge of Pickaway county for several terms, and was a member of the State legislature when it met at Zanesville. Mr. Renick was a man of intelligence, sound judgment and upright character. He was the father of fourteen children, four of whom are now living, as follows: Benjamin F., in Darby township; Felix and Job, in Jackson; and Matilda, wife of James Bennett, in Deer Creek. Margaret became the wife of Henry Van Metre, and afterwards moved to Champaign county. Rachel married Joseph Van Metre, and lived on the farm now occupied by Felix Renick. Abel married Miss Harness, and first settled in Jackson township, but subsequently removed to Marion county. James was never married. Asahel married Harriet Scott, and occupied the homestead. Anna became the wife of Reese McNeal, and settled on high bank prairie, below Chillicothe. Catharine married Ralph Osborne, of Columbus, afterwards auditor of the State, and Mary married John Cunning, of Columbus. James Renick was a general in the war of 1812, and was under Hull at the time of the surrender of Detroit. He was a brave officer, and, it is said, when Hull refused to fight, and hoisted the white flag, he indignantly broke his sword in disapprobation of what he regarded Hull's treachery. General Renick was a member of the State legislature while the seat of government was yet at Chillicothe. William Marquis came from Virginia soon after Jonathan Renick arrived, and located on Darby creek, just above McLane's mills. He built there, shortly afterward, a log grist-mill, and also a saw-mill. He then returned for his family, and his brother-in-law, Alexander Argo; and family, moved out with them. Marquis subsequently sold his property on Darby, including the mills, to Anthony Hall, and located on the farm now owned and occupied by Alexander Caldwell. His house stood on the opposite side of the road from Mr. Caldwell's ̊residence and a little north of it. He established a copper still there for the manufacture of whiskey. Subsequently he moved to the place now occupied by Jonathan W. Huston, and resided there until his death. The frame dwelling of Mr. Huston was built by Marquis at a very early date, and is, possibly, one of the oldest frame houses in the township. Marquis built here, also, another distillery, and continued to grind out the " liquid poison." He died April 1, 1829, and his wife July 6, 1827. They are buried on the farm on which they last lived, a short distance north of Mr. Huston's house. Argo, in 1820, bought one hundred acres of land of Marquis, on which he lived until 1835, when he sold to J. W. Huston, and moved to Illinois. Anthony Hall was the next arrival after Marquis. He came with his family from Jefferson county, Virginia, and, as before stated; bought the property of Marquis. He operated the mills until his death, in 1825. Mrs. Hall died in 1823. They had eleven children, as follows : Joseph, Nancy, William, Rachel, Anthony, Lucy, Elizabeth, John, Mary, James, and Martha, all of whom settled and resided in the township for longer or shorter periods. Rachel married first, Thomas Glaze, and afterwards, George Davis, and lived on the farm now occupied by Mr. McMasters. Lucy married Philip Thompson, and subsequently settled on Deer creek, near Chillicothe. Mary was the wife of William Bowsher, and resided first on the farm now occupied by Henry C. Blacker, in Circleville township,. afterwards removing to Sandusky. Martha became the Wife of James Thompson, resided, for five years, at the mills of which he was the owner, and then moved to Williamsport, in Deer Creek township. The next settler was Alexander Caldwell, sr. He was a native of Ireland, and emigrated, with his mother, to the United States when fourteen years of age. He came to Pickaway county prior to 1800, and located on congress land, where H. C. Blacker now lives, in Circleville township. Being unable to secure the land when it came into market, in 180 1, and it being entered by another, he came to Jackson, and settled on the farm now owned by Mike Henry, where he afterwards lived. He was married three times, his first wife being Jane Boyd, and the mother of his children, of whom he had fourteen—six only living to adult age. They are: Catharine (now widow of William Bell), living in Walnut; Henry (deceased); Johnson and Alexander, in Jackson; William B. (deceased); and John H., who lives in Darby township. 284 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. Henry Slyh, sr., a native of Pennsylvania, emigrated to Ohio, from Jefferson county, Virginia, in the fall of 1802. His family consisted of his wife and six children. The journey was made with a five-horse team and wagon. He first located on Darby creek, on land belonging to Anthony Hall, and resided there eleven years, when he bought one hundred and fifty acres where his son Henry now lives; he died here, November 30, 1849, aged nearly eighty-two; his wife, Elizabeth, died in 1838, at the age of sixty-six. Their children were Mary, John, Frederick, Catharine, Henry and Elizabeth. Only the last two are now living. Henry, who occupies the homestead in Jackson, was born in Virginia, July 9, 1801; Elizabeth, now Mrs. James Hurst, resides in Missouri. George Glaze, from Hampshire county, Virginia, came into the territory now constituting Pickaway county, at a very early date. He purchased five hundred acres of military land, lying mostly between the Scioto river and Darby creek, and near their junction. In the fall of 1807 he came out, on horseback, With two daughters-Eva and Mary—who remained here while the father returned for the remainder of the family, with the exception of Richard, John and Adam, who had come ont some time before and commenced the improvement of the land their father had purchased, and George, who was an apprentice in Winchester, Virginia. When Glaze came into the country he brought five hundred, dollars, which was a large sum for a pioneer immigrant to possess. He finally became a large owner of land. He died, in 1825, at the age of seventy-seven. The only surviving member of the family is Mary, widow of John Henry Knight, residing with her son-in-law, Barnabas Brinker, in Walnut. She was born December 13, 1789. When in her twenty-fourth year she married Mr. Knight, and lived for ten years on Dry run, in section thirty-four. They then removed to Green Springs, Seneca county, and remained three years, when they returned to Walnut, and located where Mr. Brinker now lives. He died here in 1834. She is the mother of seven children, all now dead but a son, who lives near Tiffin, and Mrs. Brinker, in Walnut. James R. Hulse came to Pickaway county in 1811, from Orange county, New York. After his arrival here he married Rebecca Van Metre, and located first on property now owned by Henry B. Swearingen, taking a lease of the then owner, Henry Bedinger, of Virginia. He afterwards purchased six hundred acres of the Cable survey, and subsequently added six hundred acres more of the same. Mr. Hulse, at the time of his death, in 1862, was among the largest land owners of the county. His wife died in 1839. Subsequently, he married Mrs. Bales. He had, by his. first wife, nine children, four of whom died young. Three are now living, viz.: Hepzibah, Aristeus, and James R., all residing in Jackson. By his second marriage there were two children—Jonas, who resides in Circleville, and Effie Jane, who died in January, 1877. Mrs. Hulse, second, survived her husband about a year and a half. Melkire Staley and family moved into Jackson at an early date, and located on the river; remained a number of years, and then removed to the north part of the State. Peter, a brother of Melkire, came a few years later, and settled east of Mr. Bells. He finally moved to Allen county. Robert Martin came into the settlement in 1808 or '9; remained several years, when he removed to Marion county. John Baer came in with Martin, and made his location in the southeast part of the township, where he resided until his death. John Fisher and family, and his son, Absalom, and his family, came from Pendleton county, Virginia, in 1815. John Fisher settled on the farm now owned by William Bell, his cabin being situated on the hill just below Mr. Bell's house. Absalom located a short distance southeast of his father. He erected his cabin in 1816, and it is still standing, and occupied. The father died in Jackson in 1847, and the mother in 1844. Both are buried on the hill, where they lived. Absalom Fisher removed to Illinois, in 18.56, where he and his wife both died in 1861. The only one of their twelve children now living in Pickaway county is John G. Fisher, who resides in Scioto township. A family of the name of Suddeth, and another of the name of Barnes, were early settlers in Jackson. Suddeth lived on land now owned by the heirs of Jacob Van Metre. One of the daughters became the wife of Jonathan Renick, and another the wife of William Miller, of Harrison. James Hemphill and Samuel Hunter joined the settlement at a comparatively early date. Also Joseph and Ebenezer Petty, who lived below the Darby bridge, on what is called the Franklin place. Joseph afterwards moved to Missouri, and Ebenezer to Urbana, Ohio. Andrew Whiteside and family emigrated from Ireland, in 1818. They soon after settled near Chillicothe, where they continued to reside until 1828, when they removed to Jackson, and settled where a daughter, Mrs. Lutitia Walker, now lives. The father died here in 1839, and the mother in 1863, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Three of the children are still living. Jonathan W. Huston emigrated to Ohio, from Pennsylvania, with his parents, James and Ann Huston, in 1818. The family settled in Colerain township, Ross county. In 1828, Jonathan W. came to Pickaway county, and in the spring of 1834, located in Jackson, 'where he has since lived. In 1833, he married Sarah Reber, of Fairfield county, who died in 1852. In 1854, he married Luvanne Pitkin, with whom he is now living. Robert Campbell came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1808. He first located below Chillicothe, and four years afterwards, came to Pickaway county, locating in Wayne township, where he resided until his death, in 1848. He was twice married, and his second wife survived him, dying in Missouri. Joseph, his son, took the old home.- stead, and occupied it ten years, when he moved td West-fall, in Wayne township. In the spring of 1864, he came to Jackson, where he has since lived. An elder brother, Samuel, resides in Circleville, and Robert, a younger brother, in Deer Creek. A sister, Isabella, wife of William Campbell, resides in Wayne. Horace Keyes came from Virginia, in 1833, and after- HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 285 wards located on Darby creek, where he resided some twenty-three years. In 1860, he purchased and settled where he now lives. FIRST SCHOOL. About the year 1807, the first school-house was erected just below John Renick's, near what was called "Strawberry prairie." Peter Mickel taught the first term of school. An early school was kept by James Warren, on the south side of the creek. David Culbertson, a local Methodist preacher, of Washington township, was among the pioneer school teachers of Jackson. He kept school in a log cabin, near Mr. Caldwell's. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The first Presbyterian preacher in Jackson was Rev. Mr. Hoge, of Columbus. The meetings were first held at John Renick's, William Florence's, and at William Seymour's, who lived above Darbyville. The church was erected in 1841 or '42, the ground for which was donated by Judge Jonathan Renick. The deed of conveyance was given in trust for the benefit of the Central Presbyterian church, of Circleville, of which the society in Jackson was a branch. The church formed an independent organization in December, 1877, with the following members: Mrs. Mary Scott, Mrs. Kate McMasters, Mrs. Helen Van Metre, Miss Nannie Stone, William Bell and wife (all by letter), and Mrs. Renick, on profession of faith. William Bell was chosen elder. The society was organized by Rev. Dr. Moore, of the Second Presbyterian church, of Columbus. The following members have joined since: Mrs. Mary Jennings, Mrs. Samuel Sines, Miss Mary and Miss Sarah Williams. Rev. Mr. 'Thompson, of Commercial Point, is the officiating minister. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The earliest meetings of the Methodists were held at the cabin of John Rush, on Darby creek. The first circuit preacher was Joseph Hayes, of Deer creek. Meetings were also held at an early date at the house of William Littleton; on Lick run, and subsequently in the brick school-house, which stood on the corner of Mr. Slyh's farm, near the present frame school-house. In 1864, the society erected the frame church, near Mr. Neff's, which cost about six hundred dollars. The church now numbers about a dozen members, with Jacob Slyh leader of the class. EARLY BURIAL PLACES. The first burials were probably made in the Hall burying-ground, on the bank of the creek, a short distance above the McLane mills. The oldest inscription now decipherable is that of Sally Hall, who died in October, 1807, in her first year. The next is that of another child, of the name of Hall, who died October, 1817, aged one year. Anthony Hall, the pioneer, was ,buried here in 1825, and his wife, Rachel, in 1823, and Joseph, their son, in 1826. William, son of James and Katharine Anderson; John Cochran, and Thomas McCollister, were all buried in this burying-ground,.in 1826. On the farm of John Fleming, a short distance southeast of his resi dence, is another old burying-ground, the oldest inscription in which is that on the tombstone of John Renick, the pioneer, who was buried there in 1814. There may have been earlier interments there than this, as many graves contain no marks whatever, while the inscriptions on the headstones of some others are so nearly effaced as to be illegible. The most sickly season in the early history of the township was the year 1826. That year a malignant disease, called by the inhabitants "the cold plague," prevailed, and was oftener fatal than otherwise. The first death was that of John Cochran, January 6, 1826. A week after, William Anderson, an intimate friend of Cochran, died, and then quickly followed the deaths of George Owens and his brother, James, George Davis, Abraham Ward, Mr. Bailey, Joseph and James Hall, Thomas McCollister, Mrs. Slagle and daughter, Maria. Three members of the Chaney family died within a week of each other. FIRST MILL. Soon after his arrival, William Marquis built a small log grist-mill on Darby creek, about a quarter of a mile above the site of the present grist-mill of Mr. McLane. This was one of the first mills in the country. The structure has long since been demolished, but a part of the wheel and some of the foundation blocks can yet be seen. Marquis had also a saw-mill, which he erected about the same time. The mills were subsequently, as before stated, bought by Anthony Hall, and they are generally referred to as Hall's mills. Asahel Renick had a saw-mill .on Darby creek at an early day. It caused an overflow of his land to such an extent that he finally tore it down. The grist-mill of Washington McLane was erected by James Thompson in 1833, and the saw-mill a short time before. Thompson carried on the business for about six years, when he sold to John E. Van Metre. About 1852 or 1853 Van Metre sold the property to Joseph Deeds, who improved the grist-mill considerably, building an addition of twenty feet, increasing the height one story, and putting in new machinery. He, however, made an assignment soon after, and, in the spring of 1856, the property was purchased by Mr. McLane. FIRST MAIL ROUTE AND POST OFFICE. A mail route was established in 1805 from Franklinton to Chillicothe, through this township. A weekly mail left Franklinton each Friday, stopped over night at Marquis' mill, on Darby creek; next day reached Chillicothe and returned to Thompson's, on Deer creek ; thence home on Sunday. At the establishment of the route there was no post-office between Franklinton and Chillicothe, but, during the first winter following, there was one established at Westfall, and, a short time afterward, one at Marquis' mill, about this time changed to Hall's mill. Colonel Andrew McElvain, for many years a prominent citizen of Franklin county, then a boy thirteen years old, was the first carrier of the mail. There were but four cabins on his route between the two terminal points, and, one winter or spring, he was compelled to 286 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. swim Darby and Deer creeks twice, carrying the small mail-bag on his shoulders.   The early elections in Jackson township were held in the log house of Anthony Hall, near the mills. The first justice of the peace was William Florence. Esquire Williams and Jonathan Heath filled the same office at an early date. The early township records are not now in existence, and we are, therefore, unable to give the names of the first officers elected. The present township officers are F. M. Slyh, clerk ; Horace Keyes, Joseph Hall and M. V. B. Lindsey, trustees ; E. F. Coffland, treasurer; S. H. Ridgway, assessor; J. R. Florence and B. N. Walker, justices of the peace. The present township house, located near McLane's mills, was built in 1873.   The first physician that practiced in the township was Doctor Daniel Turney, of Jefferson', after him, Dr. Webb and Dr. Luckey, of Circleville. The only resident physician in the township was Dr. John H. Grant, who came from Kentucky, and resided on a part of the farm now owned by Mr. H. B. Swearingen. He practiced a number of years.   THE FIRST ROAD.   The old State road, running from Chillicothe to Franklinton, was the first road opened in the township. It was -originally called "Laugham's trace," three brothers of that name having laid it out.   The only store ever kept in Jackson was the grocery store of Thornton Van Metre, which he opened at the cross roads, just north of McLane's mills, about the year 1840.   FLORENCE GRANGE, NO. 874,   was organized in April, 1874, with the following officers: Felix Renick, master; Robert Galbraith, overseer; H. B. Swearingen, lecturer; J. P. Taylor, steward; J. R. Florence, assistant steward; W. T. Bell, treasurer; J. P. Wright, chaplain; G. A. Florence, secretary ; A. J. 'Williams, gate-keeper; Mrs. Felix Renick, ceres; Mrs. H. B. Swearingen, pomona; Mrs. J. R. Florence, flora; Miss Mary E. Williams, lady assistant steward. The meetings are held in the Presbyterian church.   BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.   THE SWEARINGEN FAMILY.   In connection with the view of the house of Henry B. Swearingen, published in this work, we give the following brief sketch of the Swearingen family.   The original representative of the family in America was Garrett Van Swerengen (as, the name was then spelled), who was a native of Brabant, a province of Holland. He emigrated with his family, consisting of his wife, Barbara (De Barette), and two children --Zachariah and Elizabeth --to the American colonies, about the year 1654. He settled near Annapolis, Maryland, and in 1669 he and his family were naturalized citizens of the province of Maryland. Zachariah had four sons: Thomas, Van, John and Samuel.   The children of Thomas were two sons, namely: Thomas and Van, who, according to an old "History of the Valley of Virginia," settled   in the neighborhood of Shepherdstown, that State, on or near the Cohongoruton, in the year 1734, and were among the first settlers on that water-course and its vicinity. Van Swearingen was county lieutenant of militia of the county of Berkeley, Virginia. He bore the title of colonel, and was a man of local note. He was the father of five children, of whom Josiah; the next in lineal descent, was the oldest, born March 28, 1744. He was a captain under General Lewis in Lord Dunmore's war. He married, on the fifth day of January, 1777, Phebe Strode, who was horn on the eighth day of December, 1747. He died August 9, 1795, and she July 6, 1786. They had three sons—Thomas, James and Samuel—and a daughter, Eleanor, who became the wife of Governor Thomas Worthington.   James Strode Swearingen, who was the second son of Josiah and Phebe Swearingen, was horn in Berkeley county, Virginia, now Jefferson county, West Virginia, on the third clay of February, 5782. At the age of thirteen lie became a clerk in a store at Battletown (now Berryville), Virginia, near Winchester, where he remained about two years. He then went into the county clerk's office, as a clerk, at Winchester, Frederick county, and remained about four years, when, on account of ill health, he was compelled to seek other employment. His experience in the county office was an excellent school for him, and he there formed those methodical habits so characteristic of him during his life.   In 1799 he came to Chillicothe, having exchanged his land in Virginia with Governor Worthington for land in the vicinity of Chillicothe. In 1800 he was appointed an ensign in the army, and two years afterwards he set out from Chillicothe for Detroit, on horseback, accompanied by a guide. The country was almost a complete wilderness, there being, at that time, no settlement between Chillicothe and Lake Erie except the old town of Franklintown, and he made this part of the journey without a morsel of food to eat. He was, at this time, a first or second lieutenant, and on his arrival at Detroit, he was placed in command of a company, and sent to Chicago, where he assisted in building old Fort Dearborn. He was afterwards stationed at different points: Fort Pickering, Mississippi; Fort Mifflin, below Philadelphia; Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and other places, but most of the time he was on the frontier.   November 4, 1811, while. stationed at Pittsburg, he was united in marriage to Nancy, daughter of Henry and Rachel (Strode) Bedinger. She was born January 7, 1737. Her remote ancestor, Adam Bedinger, was a native of Alsace, Germany. He and his family were protestants, and to escape persecution after the conquest, which resulted in the cession of Alsace to France, he emigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia in 1734. Soon thereafter he joined a party of German emigrants, who settled upon those beautiful, rich lands on the Conowago, York county, Pennsylvania. His son Henry married Magdalena Schlegel (Slagle; as anglicised), and removed to Shepherdstown, Virginia, in the spring of 1762. His son Henry, the father of Mrs. Nancy Swearingen, was born October 16, 1753. He was a captain in the Revolutionary war; was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, and confined on Long Island for four years. In 1796 lie located the tract of land in Jackson township, Pickaway county, known as the Bedinger survey, the most of which is now owned by Henry B. Swearingen. Henry Bedinger was a man of good native ability, great energy and force of character, and Was prominent in the, community in which he lived.   In 1814,- being then quartermaster-general and a staff officer, James S. Swearingen made his headquarters at Chillicothe, where he remained on duty until the close of the war, when he made a settlement and resided there the remainder of his life. He received, soon after his marriage; from his father-in-law, the. Bedinger tract in Jackson township, Pickaway county, Ohio, but he never settled upon it. He died in Chillicothe, February 3, 1864, and his wife January it, 1859. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom died young. The others were Henry B., Eleanor, Sarah B., and Virginia, who died unmarried, at the age of twenty-one. Eleanor was married first to Dr. John H. Grant, of Covington, Kentycky, and after his death to Major Edward Clarkson; of the same place. She died January 20, 1879, in Jackson township. Sarah B. became the wife of N. W. '['hatcher, of Chillicothe, now deceased. Mrs. Thatcher occupies the old home in Chillicothe. Henry B. Swearingen was born in Chillicothe, November 16, 1814. He came to Pickaway county in 1837, and settled where lie now lives, in Jackson township, in December, 1851. He was married, January 2, 1850, to Elizabeth Nesbitt, of Xenia, who was born June 3, 1827. To them have been 'born eight children Eleanor V., born March 26, 1854; James S., horn August 19, 1857; Nancy N., born December 22, 1858; Robert N., horn February 22, 1861 (died October 27, 1865); John G., born February 24, 1863; Henry B., born May 26, 1865; Thomas 'I'.,   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 287   was born January 15, 1868; and Mary S., was horn March 9, 1871.   The Bedinger survey—the most of which is now owned by Henry B. Swearingen—has never been bought nor sold. It was located by Captain Bednger in 1796, in consideration of his services in the Revolution. He subsequently gave it to his son-in-law, James S. Swearingen, from whom it was inherited by the latter's son, Henry 13., and daughter Eleanor, now deceased. Henry B. Swearengen now occupies the homestead.   One of the most attractive illustrations in this work is that of the residence of Mr. Swearingen and its surroundings. The house, embowered in forest-trees, stands on a beautiful swell of ground, and looking eastward, commands a fine view of picturesque scenery for many miles.   DARBY.   Darby township is situated in the northwest corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Franklin county, on the east by Scioto ,township, on the southeast by Muhlenberg, on the south by Monroe, and on the west by Madison county. Its surface is remarkably level, except along the water-courses, where it is somewhat rolling. The soil is fertile, consisting largely of corn land, and that cereal is largely produced. For the last two or three years, however, wheat has been more extensively grown than formerly, the crop being found to do well on land on which corn has been heretofore almost exclusively grown.   The principal original varieties of timber were the oak, in several varieties, the white oak on the higher soil, and burr, jack and post oak (sometimes called pin oak), on the black land. There was also considerable red and white elm, hickory, and hard maple. There was formerly a considerable portion of land in this township called "barrens," which, in its natural state, was more adapted to grazing than to illage.   Much of the land lying back from Darby creek is flat, and before it was drained was too wet for cultivation. The southwest part of the township, during most of the year, was covered with water, and contained a thick undergrowth of timber, which gave it the name, together with the portion of Monroe- township adjoining, of "the brush country." But when the land was once reclaimed and cultivated, it was found to be the most fertile and productive of the township. On the farm of F. C. Bostwick is a field, now in corn, which has produced a crop of that cereal every year since 1805, and the growing crop, which is hardly second to any field of corn in the county, is sufficient evidence that the soil has lost but little of its fertility.   But, notwithtanding the fertility of its soil, and the striking contrast which its present condition presents to its appearance when the pioneers first invaded its forests, the township is yet far from being in a high condition of improvement. The cause is chiefly found in the fact that most of its lands are held in large tracts, and are occupied and cultivated largely by tenants, whose rude log houses, or cabins, with their " stick" chimney, look more out of place, because they stand in the midst of such fertile fields. When, as will eventually be the case, the land shall be divided up into farms of moderate size, say, of two hundred acres each, and occupied by their owners with neat and attractive dwellings, the appearance of the township will be vastly different from that which it now presents. The plan of smaller farms, better cultivation and improvements, has already been adopted to some extent, and it is easy to predict that a few years more will bring about a great improvement in this respect. What we have said of Darby, may, in a greater or less degree, be said of all the townships west of the river.   Darby creek, which, in size, is worthy the name of river, now forms the eastern boundary of the township, that portion lying east of the creek having been recently set off, on petition, to Scioto township. Its principal tributary is Greenbrier run, which rises in the northwest part of the township, flows southeast, and forms a junction with Darby, just below the township line. Opossum run rises in Madison county, enters Darby township near the northwest corner, and flows south, along the west line, emptying, at Palestine, into Deer creek, which makes a detour into this part of the township. Buskirk's run, a tributary of Deer creek, and lying mostly in Monroe, heads in this township, a short distance east of Palestine.   INDIANS.   Indians of the Wyandot tribe, from the region of Upper Sandusky, remained in the township for several years after the first white settlers came. They had a camp on Darby creek, on the farm now owned by David Davis. The place is still known as "Indian thicket," the ground being at that time thickly covered with black-haw. They buried many of their dead there, and a number of skeletons, with guns and other implements, have been plowed up. Their intercourse with the whites was of a friendly nature. Three Indians, whose names were Wysock, Canoe and Woyathe, remained in the vicinity for some time after the others had left. They brought in the skins and meat of wild animals, which they exchanged with the settlers for shoes, stockings, and other articles of wearing apparel.   288 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO:   WILD ANIMALS.   Game was quite abundant in the township, in its first settlement. Deer were very plenty, and some of the early settlers killed large numbers of them. Venison, and the meat of the wild turkey, were common articles of food with the pioneers. Wolves, wild-cats, opossums, and other smaller game were also numerous. Wild hogs were frequently met with and were more dreaded, perhaps, than any other of the wild beasts. The genuine wild boar, exasperated by the hunters, was the most terrible creature of the forest, and the hunt was exciting and dangerous. His attack was too sudden and headlong to be turned aside or avoided, and the snap of his tusks as he sharpened them, in his fury, was something terrible. Jacob Burget, and Cornelius and William Poulson, while out hunting wild hogs, on one occasion, surrounded an ,old boar, with immense tusks. The hunters were on horseback, and the hog, in his fury, made an attack on the horse of Cornelius Poulson, cutting his ham-strings. The horse was ruined, and had to be shot, but the men, after a desperate fight, succeeded in killing the beast. His tusks are said to have measured over a foot in length. The wild hogs were not valued for their flesh, but were regarded simply as dangerous pests, and were hunted, mainly to rid the country of them. Jacob Burget, above mentioned, was a great hunter. It is said he wore an Indian suit of deer-skin, and that it was impossible to distinguish him from an Indian, a few rods away. He killed a great many deer, wolves, wild hogs, and, also, several bears, and made hunting a sort of business.   SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS.   The first settlements were made on Darby creek and Opossum run, and commenced soon after the year 1800. Among the earliest were several brothers by the name of Poulson—Andrew, Cornelius, John, Elijah, and William. They came from Virginia on pack-horses, in 1800, and located near Chillicothe, on what is known as "big bottom." Two years afterward they came to Darby and settled on Darby creek, within a .short distance of each other. They were all unmarried when they arrived, and, at length, found their wives here. Andrew finally removed to Upper Sandusky. He was a Methodist preacher, and labored' as a missionary among the Indians in that region for some time. William Poulson was twice married—first to Betsey England, and, second, to Nancy Tanner, who survives him and occupies the old homestead. Five of the eleven children of William Poulson, now living, reside in Darby, viz.: Sarah, Andrew, Thomas R., David, Elias, and Phebe. Andrew Poulson is the oldest native resident of the township; he was born in 1816. He has been justice of the peace for twenty-seven years, and eight terms in succession. In 1859 he was elected sheriff of the county, serving two years.   One of the first settlers on Opossum run was Peter Long, who came from Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1804 or 1805. He bought, and settled on, the farm now owned by Isaac Mantles, where he resided until his death, June 1, 1852, aged eighty-one years. He died in the woods, and was devoured by wild beasts. Only a fragment of his clothes was afterward discovered. His grandsons--Peter, Jacob, John--and granddaughter—Mary (Mrs. Oglesbee)—reside in Madison county.   Courtney Tanner moved in from Kentucky, about the year 1804 or 1805, and settled where Stephen Self now lives, on the farm of Abraham Alkire. His wife, Mary Ann (Alkire), died soon after their settlement, and he subsequently returned to Kentucky, and married Hannah Francis, who survived him. His children were seven in number (two being by his first wife), as follows: Harvey, Betsey (Mrs. Wood), Rebecca (Mrs. William Heath), John, Harriet (Mrs. Robert Manley), Eliza (Mrs. Wesley McCollister), and Edward. John Tanner married Margaret Alkire, and after a residence in Pickaway county about eighteen months, settled in Madison county, where Mrs. Tanner still lives. He died here, March 4, 1868. Mrs. 'Tanner is now in her sixty-seventh year, and has three children---Courtney, Abraham and Margaret (Mrs. William Taylor).   Isaac Alkire, born in Kentucky in 1789, came to Ohio with his father, William Alkire, in 1804. William Alkire bought a considerable tract of land in Madison county, and settled there, Isaac and John, his sons, settled in Darby. Isaac, in 1811, married Mary Graham, and located where his daughter, Mrs. Bostwick, now lives. He died May 16, 1877, and his wife, November 14, 1876, aged nearly seventy. They had four sons and four daughters, all now living. Forbes and Jackson live in Indiana; William, George and Mrs. Lewis. Green, in Madison county; Mrs. Aristeus Hulse, in Jackson township; Mrs. F. C. Bostwick, in Darby, and Mrs. V. H. Moore, in Circleville. John Alkire married Susan Mantles, and settled on the farm now owned by Abraham Alkire, where Courtney Tanner formerly lived. He 'afterwards located on Opossum run, in Madison county, and continued to reside there until his death.   Isaac McHenry settled in the northwest corner of the township, on Opossum run, about the year 1807, coming from the State of Kentucky. He was a Baptist preacher, and preached throughout the neighborhood. He eventually lost his land, his claim proving invalid, and he removed to Allen county, Ohio.   Obediah P. Thomas, about the same time, settled on the Wilson farm, now occupied by Scott Robinson, and resided there until his death.   A few years subsequently John Mantles, sr., from Virginia, settled where his grandson, Duncan Mantles, now lives. He was a man of great size, weighing, at his death, November 5, 1831, four hundred and eighty pounds. He was born in the year 1765. His wife died October 11, 1846. Their youngest son, David, married Matilda Noland, and resided on the old homestead until his death. His children—Duncan, Isaac, and John—reside in Darby, and Miranda. (wife of W. T. Fitzgerald) in Madison county. Isaac Woods, a son-in-law of John Mantles, was a member of a company, from this neighborhood, which was sent out against the Indians, in the war of 1812. While returning home, at the expiration of his term or service, and in sight of his house, he shot   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 289   himself, accidentally, in the act of getting over a fence.   In 1812 John Gilliland came from Jackson county, Ohio, and settled on Opossum run, and his brother Andrew about the same time. ,john finally removed to Illinois, but Andrew resided in the township until his death, in 1832. His son Samuel now occupies the old place.   Thomas Noland joined the settlement on this stream in the year 1815, moving in from Maryland.   Richard Heath was an early settler on the place now owned by John Mantles. He resided there for six or seven years, taking a lease of John Mantles, sr. He married a sister of Thomas Tipton, and, afterward, settled on Darby creek. He eventually moved to Missouri, where he died.   John Bowman, was an early settler on the Morgan farm, east of Darby creek.   James Morse settled, at an early date, where Joseph Crossley now lives; and Jonas Deyo on the place now occupied by George Reed. Morse was a mechanic; he had a blacksmith shop, but was principally engaged in the manufacture of lows. He cape from New England.   Benjamin Davis emigrated to from Maryland in 1802 or 1803. He first located near Williamsport, Deer Creek township, on the George Wood farm. He afterwards moved to Monroe township, and later, to Darby. He finally removed to Indiana, where he died in March, 1873. His wife died in Monroe township, Pickaway county. He had a family of ten children, of whom one son and two daughters are living—John Davis, in Darby, and Mrs. Cutler and Mrs. Canahan, in Indiana.   Charles Bell came from Virginia, in 1824, an settled on Darby creek, now Muhlenberg township, where he lived until his death, in 1846. His son, John W. Bell, married, in 1836, Susan Ann Henderson, whose father, Charles Henderson, was an early settler in the vicinity of Chillicothe. Mr. Bell located in this township, in 1836, near where his widow now lives. He died May 3, 1862. Mrs. Bell has nine children. A daughter is the wife of J. W. Sheets, the present township clerk. Elisha Cory, an old settler, opened up the farm opposite the residence of Thomas D. Ridgway, and lived there until his death.   Sampson B. Smith, of Maryland, with his wife, Margaret Hill, came to Darby in 1824, and settled on the farm now owned by Cyrus Comstock, where he continued to reside until his death, in October, 1876 His wife died the March previous. Six of the nine children born to them are now living, and in this township, to wit: Mrs. W. J. Shockley, William, George W., Mrs. Lewis Ballah, Mrs. Richard Dick, and Samuel.   In 1826, Joseph Dalby, with his wife and four children, arrived from Frederick county, near Winchester, Virginia, and settled where his daughter, Mrs. David Hurst now lives, and died there September, 1876. He was twice married, and was the father of twelve children, who lived to adult age, and were married. Ten are now living, three of whom reside in this township, as follows : Mary Jane (widow of Thomas Jackson); Hannah (wife of Theodore Gantz); and Mrs. Hurst, above mentioned. A son, Scribner V. Dalby, lives in Harrisburg, Franklin county; and Israel, near London, Madison. county. The other children, except Dr. I. N. Dalby, who lives in Cleveland, reside in the west.   Seth Morton came to Ohio from New England in 1832, and located first in Circleville, where he engaged in the manufacture of cigars. A year or two afterwards he moved to Monroe township, settling at "Five Points," where he resided three years, when he moved to the place now occupied by his widow, on the Circleville pike, in the same township. He died there in April, 1870. He was married twice, and had eleven, children. His son Sidney, who married Mary J. Neff, resides in this township.   Samuel Ridgway and family came from Bourbon county, Kentucky, in the year 1812, and settled near Chillicothe, where he died, February, 1837. Thomas D., his son, now living in Darby, aged seventy years, married Eliza Mattson in October, 7833, who died in the fall of 1842. In 7845 he removed to this township, and two years afterward married Rebecca Smith, who died March 4, 1878. Mr. Ridgway has served as trustee of this township for seventeen years.   Robert McDowell came to Ohio from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1837. He worked at blacksmithing for about eighteen months at Harrisburg, Franklin county, and afterwards established a tannery at Palestine, which, in connection with Stacey Waldo, he carried on for several years. He then purchased fifty-three acres of the farm he now owns and on which he has sifice resided. He married, March 7, 7844, Catharine H. Neff. They have two children living and one deceased.   John W. Kennedy came from Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in June, 1839. He had learned the carpenter's trade in Pennsylvania, and worked, on his trip to Ohio, at different points—first at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, then at Wooster, Ohio, and other places. He finally reached Palestine, in this township, in company with Frederick L. Smith, where they both decided to remain. In November, 1840, Mr. Kennedy married Mrs. Mary E. Taylor, since which time he has resided in his present location. He has three sons, namely, Henry S., living in Madison county; William J., a physician, residing at East Ringgold; and Samuel W., at home.   Frederick L. Smith married, December 25, 1839, Sarah Smith, and resided in Palestine several years, when he moved to Madison county. Subsequently he removed to Harrison Mills, Fayette county, where he died.   Benjamin F. Renick has been a resident of Darby since 1847. On the fifteenth of November, of that year, he married Sarah Williams, by whom lie had two children; his wife died March 74, 7854, and December 8, 1856, he was united in marriage to Mary Taylor. The result of this union is eight children, four girls and four boys, all of whom are living. A sketch of Mr. Renick's ancestry is given in Jackson township.   CHURCH HISTORY.   The first religious meetings in Darby were held by Thomas Reynolds, a Methodist exhorter, who came from   37   290 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.   Virginia about the same time that the Poulson brothers came. He lived to be eighty years old, and was a zealous and earnest christian. Robert Finley, a traveling Methodist preacher, was the first regular clergyman in this section. He had a son, James, who was a missionary among the Indians at Upper Sandusky. Andrew Poulson says he remembers well the first camp-meeting in the township, held by the Methodists, on Darby creek, in which James Finley and three or four of his Indian converts took an active part. One of these Indians was the well-known Between-the-Logs, who preached, on this occasion, in his native language, his sermon being interpreted by a negro who traveled with him for that purpose. Jacob Young, a Methodist, and Isaac McHenry, a Baptist, were among the pioneer preachers of Darby.   The first church in the township was the log house now used as a dwelling by a tenant of widow Bell. It was erected by the Methodists in 1844, and was called the Free Will church, any denomination that chose to do so, being allowed to worship in it. The Methodist society was formed long prior to the erection of a meeting-house, and held their meetings in a barn which then stood on the farm now owned by Mrs. Bell, and, also, at the house of father Reynolds, and that of John Bowman. The Reynolds, Bowmans, Poulsons, Tiptons, Rains, and some others, constituted the society. The organization subsequently disbanded, but, finally, re-organized, and worshiped in the school-house near the old Free Will church, for five years. The Renick church, so called because of the interest and activity shown in its erection by Mr. Benjamin F. Renick, was built in 187o, costing about two thousand, three hundred dollars. The present pastor of the church is the Rev. Mr. Callahan, of Darbyville. John W. Sheets is leader of the class.   A United Brethren class was organized at Palestine, about the year 1844, by Rev. Henry Jones and Rev. Jesse Bright. The constituent members were: Nimrod Huffman and wife, Jeremiah Deyo and wife, Daniel Alkire and wife. The meetings were first held at the dwellings of the members, and, subsequently, at a school-house on Deer creek. A frame meeting-house was erected at Palestine about the year 1850, which, at this writing, is still standing, though it has not been used for several years. The church flourished for a number of years, and until the war of the Rebellion, when questions of a political nature caused dissension and division amongst members, and the society was finally broken up.   A new church, to be erected on the site of the old one, is now talked of, for which three or four hundred dollars are already subscribed. It will be under the control of no one denomination, but will be open, alike, to all churches of orthodox belief.   EARLY SCHOOLS.   The first school in Darby was kept in a rude log cabin, built for a school-house, which stood on cedar-cliff hill, on. Darby creek. The first teacher, or one of the earliest, was John Poulson. This was probably about the year 1815. The next school-house was erected in the north part of the township, near Harrisburg. The first school house in the Alkire neighborhood stood just above the orchard, on the farm of Abraham Alkire, in which the first term of school was taught by Michael Hornbeck. Soon after the settlement on Opossum run was commenced, a school-house was built just across the line, in Madison county, on the farm now owned by Samuel Boyd, and here the children, in this neighborhood, first attended school. The stone—a big "hard head"—which constituted the back of the fire-place, still remains in position. One of the earliest teachers in this house was Simon Cochran. He was a Methodist preacher, and, at the time of his death, was the oldest minister of that denomination. The first school in Palestine was kept by Miss Emmerett Moore, in a building now occupied by John Skinner.   MILLS.   The first grist-mill on Darby creek, in this township, was the Harrisburg mill, erected by Joseph Chenoweth, as long ago as 1835. It is now owned by John W. Rush and Owen T. Curry. Chenoweth built there a short time before, the first saw-mill in the township, which was finally burned down, and the present mill subsequently erected. A carding machine was established at the same place by Elijah Chenoweth and Alfred Bird. There have been two other grist-mills in the township, on Darby creek—the Kepler mill built by James Kepler, and located about five miles below Harrisburg, near "yellow bank," and, a mile further down, the Garrison mill, erected by John G. Garrison. This was purchased by John W. McKinley.   FIRST ROAD.   The old "Federal road," opened by the general government, and which ran across the southwest corner of the township, was the first road in Darby. The original road of the Circleville and London pike, was surveyed and opened under the superintendence of Judge Thomas Renick, of Jackson township.   EARLY MAGISTRATES.   The earliest justice of the peace now remembered by the oldest inhabitants, was Humphrey Becket, who was elected about the year 1820. He lived on Greenbrier run, on what is now the line between Darby and Muhlenberg. He served a number of years, and was followed successively by John Henderson, William King, John Poulson, John Troutner and Andrew Poulson. The latter served for twenty-four consecutive years, and was elected for one term subsequently. The early elections were held, for several years, at the house of Edward Henderson, where George Smith now lives. The following are the present township officers: John W. Sheets, clerk; Joseph Davis, Joseph McKinley and J. P. Dick, trustees; Courtney Tanner, treasurer; Edson Deyo, assessor; J. F. Morgan and G. W. Smith, justices of the peace.   PHYSICIANS.   Dr. Olds was the first resident physician in Darby. He settled at Palestine about 1830, and practiced until his. death. Dr. Harriman came next, from Jefferson, and practiced several years, when he returned to Jefferson, and was followed by Dr. William Wilson. He came   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 291   from New Holland, and remained two years, when he removed to Darbyville. Dr. Roswell Shepherd came from Vermont about the year 1838, and practiced a number of years and until his death. Dr. George W. House, and Dr. Cromley practiced medicine here a few years, coming from Columbus. The last physician in the township was Dr. W. T. Williman, who came from Logan, Hocking county, in the fall of 1862. He remained until the spring of 1878, when he removed to Mt. Sterling, where he is now in practice. All of the physicians above mentioned resided at Palestine.   PALESTINE.   For the following facts we are indebted to John Ray and John W. Kennedy.   The little hamlet of Palestine, situated on Deer creek, on the western border of the township, and now consisting of one small store, two or three mechanic shops, and about a dozen dwelling houses, was once a stirring little place. It was laid out about the year 1829, by Josiah Rush and George Alkire. The old tavern, built by Mitchell and Pritchard, and now occupied by Thomas Brown, was one of the first buildings erected in the place. Rush & Alkire opened the first store, on the northwest corner of the crossing of the two pikes, in a little building now standing in the rear of the present store. John V. Davis' was the first store kept in the frame building, now vacant, on the southeast corner. Samuel Diffenderfer brought in a stock of goods from Circleville, but subsequently moved back there. Thomas Fellows started in trade, and continued for a time, then moved away. Joseph Tenney, of New Hampshire, a clerk of Fellows, subsequently opened a store where the present store of S. S. Fetherolf now stands, in a building now occupied as a dwelling by Charles Ketchum. Tenney sold goods there many years, and acquired a fortune. He finally sold out to Jerrold Sweatland and returned to New Hampshire. Sweatland carried on the business with success for several years. George Neff & Son followed Sweatland. They moved out the old store and erected the building now occupied by S. S. Fetherolf. These were the principal early traders in Palestine. The only post-office in the township was established here in Joseph Tenney's store, with Tenney as postmaster. The present postmaster is S. S. Fetherolf.   BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.   JOSEPH DAVIS,   one of the substantial and successful farmers of Darby township, was born August 22, 1838. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Crabb) Davis, were among the pioneers of Pickaway county, and now reside in the south part of this township, where they settled many years ago. They were born in Deer Creek township; the father, August 18, 1807, and the mother, December 23, 1819. They have had a family of ten children—Vincent, Martha, William, Joseph, Isaac, David, Thomas, Mary, Fletcher, and Amanda. Vincent, Martha (afterwards wife of William Davis), and Isaac, are deceased ; William and Fletcher are residents of Monroe township; David lives in Darby; and Thomas, in Bates county, Missouri; Mary is the wife of Frederick Owen, and resides in Monroe township; and Amanda, wife of William McDowell, resides in Denver, Colorado.   Joseph, the subject of this notice, was married February 15, 1865, to Virginia A., daughter of Joel and Catharine A. Burnley, who was born November 16, 1843. He located where he now resides, on a farm of two hundred and eighty-six acres, which he has since carried on with good judgment and success, giving special attention to the raising of stock. Mr. Davis has held the office of township trustee for six years, and was the Republican candidate for county commissioner, in 1877, but the county being overwhelmingly Democratic, failed of an election.   Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, viz.: Lora B., born August I0, 1868; Filicia Scott, born August 2,c 1875. A view of the residence of the family (called "Happy Home"), in connection with their portraits, is published herewith.   DEER CREEK.   The broad acres, rich with their store of waving wheat or rustling corn, the large number of substantial, and, often, luxuriant homes, and the general air of thrift to be seen in almost every portion of the township, have nothing to remind the chance visitant of the dangers and hardships which the first settlers here, the brave pioneers, peacefully sleeping, many of them, upon the domain which they cultivated, were called upon to endure.   The surface of this township is a level plain, except. along its principal stream, where it is broken, or rolling. The soil, principally clay, is better adapted to the growing of corn than other grains, though wheat is largely grown, and is a profitable crop.   The only stream of importance is that from which the township derives its name. This enters at the northwest corner, flowing a short distance northeast; its course then changes to a general southeast direction, to near the center of the township, where it assumes a nearly due south course, flowing across the south line of the township, at a point nearly central, east and west. This stream affords several mill sites. Other small streams, tributary to Deer creek, are found in the township, among which may be mentioned Hay run, on the east, and Yellow Bud creek, on the west. These streams are, however, unimportant.   Deer Creek township is situated on the extreme southern boundary of Pickaway county. Its territory is a part of the Virginia military lands, and its boundaries are as follows: On the north, the township of Jackson and Monroe ; south, Deerfield township, Ross county; east, Wayne township, and west, Perry township.   SETTLEMENT.   The following is prepared from personal interviews. The writer has endeavored to give, in the course of this history, the name of each pioneer, or early settler. Many will be found in that portion devoted to organization and churches, and when reliable data could be had, he has given to each, brief biographical notices. Following are the names, in part, of pioneers who have no living representatives in the township ; the date of their coming was near the dawning of the present century: Samuel Wilson (who was generally known as the "old powder--maker"), Samuel Hanson, Michael Wolfe, Andrew Taylor, Homer Starbill (who was, it is thought, the first blacksmith in the township), John English, Bartholomew Baker and two sons—Joseph and Martin—(who were preachers, rough in their oratory, yet effective withal), and William Scott. There are, without doubt, others whose names are worthy of mention, but are not remembered.   The numerous representatives of the Rector family, now residents of Deer Creek township, sprang from a Virginia ancestry. Edward Rector was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, in 1786. When eight years of age his father died, leaving a widow and five children, of whom Edward was the eldest. In the fall of 1798 the family moved to the Northwest Territory. The mother and the four youngest children made the trip from Wheeling to Portsmouth in a flat-boat. Edward, then but twelve years of age, followed a blazed trail (Clark and Lewis') to Chillicothe, riding one horse and leading another. At Chillicothe, the family occupied one of the three cabins at that time constituting this village. In the spring of 1799, the family moved on to a farm near the mouth of Deer creek. Edward Rector married, in December, 1809, Miss Peggy Brown, and, in the following spring, located on the farm now owned by William Bennett. Here he remained until 1823, when he moved on to the Yellow Bud farm, still occupied by his heirs. By his first wife, who died in 1839, eight children were born. His second wife was Miss Sophronia H. Blodgett, by whom seven children were born, two only of whom are now living. Edward Rector died August 11, 1876. His widow still survives him, residing, at this time, with a daughter (Mrs. Bolin) in Circleville. Henry Rector married Elizabeth Hotsenpiler, and settled on the farm now owned by Cyrus Courtright, on .Yellow Bud creek. On this place he died, April 15, 1854. In 186 t his widow was killed by a runaway horse. The children of this couple numbered six. Of these, but one—Amosnow resides in Deer Creek township. John R. Rector married Miranda Wiggins, and located on the farm now owned by George Bennett, on Yellow Bud creek. Ten children we born by the first wife, who died, and he married Miss Sue McCoy. John R. Rector died January 14, 1878. These were truly pioneers; the advance guard of the brave band who have made the "wilderness to blossom as the rose." Their coming "was in the twilight of the first century of our republic."   Michael Alkire was born in 1771, near Moorfield, Virginia. In 1793 he married Dorothy Phebus, and the following year removed, by flat-boat, down the Kanawha, to Herodsburg, Kentucky, where he remained until 1798 ; he then came to Ohio. The first two years he lived at, or near, what is now called the Frybeck property, on the plains, and not far from the "Logan elm." In 1800, he purchased, of Colonel Evans, and others, the farm in Deer Creek township, now occupied by his heirs. Here he became a farmer, and engaged extensively in stock raising, and dealing. He died on February 1 r, 1843. Mrs. Alkire survived him some years, dying May r r, 1854, aged eighty-two years. The children, three of   (292)   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 293   whom were born prior to removal to Ohio, are : John M., Nimrod, Sarah, Nancy, who was born in 1803, was among the first births in the township; married Captain E. Halstead, and is now deceased; William M. who married Mary Alkire, and lives in Deer Creek township; Catharine, Ruanna, James M., and Alexander, who are deceased ; and Benjamin F., who has been twice married, and is a widower, and now lives on the home farm, of which he owns over four hundred acres.   Simon, Michael, and Isaac Hornbeck, came from Bath county, Kentucky, to Ohio, not far from the year 1800. They were natives of Virginia. Many descendants of these brothers now live in this township.   David Yates came from Culpepper county, Virginia, to Ohio, locating in Paint Creek, .in Ross county, about the year 1800. Here he married Christina Edmiston. About 1806, he removed to Deer Creek township, and located permanently on the farm now owned by his son, John. Mr. Yates was connected with the manufacturing interests of the township from its infancy. He died March 31, 1840. Mrs. Yates survived him several years, dying early in August, 1855. The children were : Thomas Lovell, who married Susanna Saunders, and was recently living in California; John, who married Betsey Blue ; Reason, who married Hannah Edmiston ; Nancy, who married Joseph Saunders; Elizabeth, who married David Butler; David, who married" Nancy Edmiston, (these are deceased); Mary A., who married Arthur Whiteside, is widowed, and now resides at New Hol- land; Emily, who married William Rector, and is deceased; Joseph, who married Louisa Wiggens, and Joshua O., who married Catharine Whiteside. The two last reside near Manson, Iowa.   Moses Colvin, of Kentucky, settled on the farm now occupied by Jacob J. Myers, in about 1800, and upon this he passed the remaining years of his life.   George and Samuel Phebus, two brothers, from near Dorchester, Maryland, settled in Deer Creek township in 1801. They lived continuously in Deer Creek until their death. A large family of children were left, none of whom now reside in the township.   George Ater, who was a soldier in the Revolution, and disabled while in the service, resided near Fredericktown, Virginia; here his wife died, and, in the spring of 1799, he came to Ohio, settling in Deer Creek township, on the farm now owned by R. Rector. The members of Mr. Ater's family, who came at this time, were: Abraham, who married Charity Eveland, in Virginia; Isaac, who married Elizabeth Smith ; Catharine, who married Oswell Thompson; Jacob, who married Nancy Sollars; Polly, who married James Smith ; George, who married Elizabeth Watts; Samuel, who married Margaret Hines ; Thomas, who married Eliza Brown, and William, who married Margaret Colson. Numerous descendants of this family are now residents of Deer Creek township.   John Baker, whose place of nativity was near Providence, Rhode Island, came to Ohio in 1799, settling on the bank of the Scioto river, on Evan's prairie. In about 180i, he located permanently in Deerfield, Ross county, Ohio, where he died in 1841. His wife survived him some fifteen years. In this family were seven children, two of whom, Joseph and William, settled in Deer Creek township. The former remained here some fifteen years, and removed to Pike county, Illinois. William married Sarah Jackson, and, after a residence of fifteen years upon the farm now occuped by his son, John, removed to Deerfield, where he died, about the year 1865. Mrs. Baker died a year previous. They left but two children: John, who married Mary Parker, and lives on the old farm, and Peter, who married Harriet Harrington, and now lives in Kansas.   Edward Davison, from Bourbon county, Kentucky, settled in Deer Creek township, in 1803. Here the mother died, soon after. Mr. Davison died in August, 1827, aged seventy-seven years. He was a soldier of the Revolution, an Indian-fighter on the "dark and bloody ground" of Kentucky, and an intrepid hunter in the backwoods of Ohio. He was opposed to slavery, and came to Ohio that he might not witness its evil effects. There were seven children in the family, four of whom are now living: Robert, now living in Darke county; John, who lives in Washington county, Iowa; Lydia (Mrs. Cumberford), and William, who married Rachel Ater, and lives on the old homestead.   James Smith came from near Alexandria, Virginia, to Ross county, in 1799. In 1804 he removed to Deer Creek township, living in different locations until 1811, when he purchased a farm, now owned by a son, Alexander (who was born in the home he yet occupies). Here Mr. Smith engaged in farming, which he prosecuted successfully the remainder of his life. He died October 16, 1831. Mrs. Smith survived him many years. The date of her decease was April 26, 1872. Their children numbered seven. Of these, Pency, Elizabeth, Maria, Phebe and Margaret, are deceased. Alexander remains on the old homestead, consisting of two hundred ar d sixty acres. James married Rebecca Marsh, and lives in Ross county.   John, George, Charles and Thomas Wood, brothers, originally from near Harpers Ferry, Virginia, came to Ohio in about 1805. John and George settled in Chillicothe, where they engaged in merchandising, and amassed comfortable fortunes; they are now deceased. Charles and Thomas settled in Franklin county, where they passed the residue of their lives. Thomas married Elizabeth Ramsey, by whom five children were born ; three are yet living—Mary, who lives in Illinois; George, who married Hannah E. Ingham, and resides in Deer Creek township (the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land), and Lewis, who is now in the mines of Colorado. During the war of 1812, Thomas Wood acted as a spy, carried the mails and did various duties connected with the army requiring great bravery. He was quite celebrated as a hunter in the early days.   Gladstone Colston married Polly Voss. He was a native of Maryland, and died there. His widow, with three children, came to Deer Creek, early in. its settlement, where she died many years since. Of the children, Henry, the eldest, settled in Ross county; Nancy married, and is now deceased; and Margaret, who   294 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.   married William Ater, still resides in Deer Creek. Josiah Reeves, from near Culpepper Court House, Virginia, emigrated to Deer Creek township in 1808, where he reared a numerous family, none of whom now reside in the township.   Ebenezer Davis, who lived on the west branch of. the Potomac river, in Virginia, emigrated to Ohio in 1813, arriving in Deer Creek township in November of that year. During the first years of his settlement he lived on the farm now owned by George Wood. In 1817 he removed to Williamsport village, and opened a hotel, the second one in the township. Mr. Davis became quite prominent in public affairs. In 1848 he removed to Indiana, where he died two years later. Mrs. Davis died in 1846. The family consisted of ten children, but three of whom are now living—Sarah (Mrs. Douglas), who now lives near Danville, Illinois; Ebenezer S., who married Sedalia McFarland, and lives in Williamsport, where he has been postmaster since 1835; and Margaret, who married John L. Barns, and lives in Washington, Fayette county, Ohio.   Jacob Terwilliger came from Ulster county, New York, to Deer Creek in 1815, and located on land now owned by Cyrus Courtright, where he died, June 10, 1828, leaving a wife and one child. The latter became the wife of John W. Wiggins. Mrs. Terwilliger subsequently became the wife of Jeremiah Brown, esq., and is now deceased.   Philip Terwilliger reached Deer Creek the year following his brother's arrival. His selection of land was also on Yellow Bud Creek, where he accumulated a fine property, owning, at the tithe of his death, one thousand acres of land. He died March 23, 1858, and his wife, Mary, died in 1868. One child was born prior to coming to Ohio—Eliza, now the wife of Isaac Halstead, of Indiana. The following children were born in Olio: Abram, Sarah, Jacob, David, Catharine, John, and Lewis, all of whom are living except Sarah, who died in Michigan.   James Rose, also from Ulster county, arrived in Deer Creek in June, 1818, where he spent his remaining years, dying September 6, 1861. Mr. Rose was thrice married. The children, all born of the first marriage, were six in number—Levi, James, Sarah, Jonathan, Peter, who was quite a public man, serving as State representative, etc., and Abraham—three of whom are now living.   Henry Grove was born in Virginia, married there, and soon after the close of the war of 1812 settled in Ross county, near the southern line of Deer Creek township. He died in Franklin county. There were six children in the family—John, who married Hannah Lackey, and died on the farm still occupied by his widow; Henry, Polly, William, Abraham, and Sarah, all deceased.   John Lackey, who was a captain in the war of the Revolution, came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1813, and located in Ross county, where both himself and wife died. The children were: Reason, Thomas, Ira (deceased), Hannah (Mrs. Grove), Richard, Sanford, Anna (Mrs. J. Henley), Maria (Mrs. John Ritchey), and Susan (Mrs. Kennell).   George Bennett, a native of Winchester, Virginia, married Margaret Perrill, of the same place. Three children were born there—John (deceased), Elizabeth (Mrs. Philip Foresman), and James, who married Matilda Renick, October 14, 1848. His children are George, Mary, and John, and live in Deer Creek. In 1820 George Bennett removed, with his family, to Ohio, making his first halt in Chillicothe, where he remained until 1825, when he located permanently on the farm now owned by his son, William, where he engaged in the stock business, in which he continued actively during the remainder of his life. He died May 31, 1858, and his wife soon followed, dying December 31st, of the same year. The children born in Ohio are: William, who occupies the old farm, Rebecca (deceased), and Helen (Mrs. F. W. Renick). James and William have farms of nearly twelve hundred acres each.   FIRST EVENTS.   The writer has met with very indifferent success in his search for data from which to prepare items for this topic. Among the first deaths in Deer Creek township, was the wife of Edward Davison, which' event occurred soon after the family settled in the township, in 1803. The body was interred in the Christian burying-ground at Williamsport. In the fall of 1813 John Redin suffered death by his own hand. His body was rescued from the flames of his cabin, which he had fired previous to taking his life, and his remains were interred in the Christian cemetery. The -beautiful cemetery on the west side of Deer creek, near Williamsport, was first occupied in 1875. George Gordy's remains were the first buried there.   A post-office was established at Williamsport in the year 1816. John Williams was commissioned postmaster, but he soon resigned, and was succeeded by Ebenezer Davis, who, in turn, gave way to Ebenezer S. Davis, esq., the present incumbent. The pioneer store was opened by a man named Foresman, in 1815, in a small building on Water street, yet standing, and now owned by A. D. Radcliff. This store closed in perhaps one year, and the village was without a store until 1822, when Joseph G. Dodridge began the mercantile business. The present merchants are: Wesley Davis, M. S. Leiby, John Henson and Ebenezer S. Davis, general merchandise; Dr. G. W. Hurst, drugs; Thomas Henson, groceries ; John R. Wilkinson, tinware. The first orchard in the township was planted by P. H. Baker, as early as 1810, on lands now in about the center of Williamsport village. George Reid also planted an orchard about the same time. Many of these trees are now standing upon the lands of E. S. Davis, esq., within the limits of the village. The pioneer hotel was kept by John Wilson. It was located in Williamsport. Ebenezer Davis afterwards kept a house of entertainment for a series of years. John Harmount is the host of the only hotel now in the township. This is situated in Williamsport village.   ORGANIZATION.   It is impossible, at this time, to ascertain the exact date when Deer Creek was erected a township. It was, however, prior to the formation of Pickaway county, and   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 295   while this territory was attached to Ross county. The earliest record of an election now extant is as follows: "At an election held at the house of Jesse Fizgerald, in Deer Creek township, on the first Monday in April, 1816, John Timmons, John Teverbaugh, and Jacob Funk, were chosen judges, and Thomas Williams and Jonah Rust, clerks of said election." Following is a list of the officers elected: Thomas Williams, John Teverbaugh, and John Timmons, trustees; David Yates, clerk; James Burbridge, treasurer; Simon and Jesse Hornbeck, overseers of the poor; John Mottester and David Crabill, fence-viewers; John Rust, lister; William G. Cantrill and Andrew Mot-ter, constables; Benjamin Freeman, Charles Hays, William B. Baley, Jesse Fitzgerald, Christopher Cardiff, and Moses Colom, supervisors. Among the first justices of the peace were David Yates, Isaac Cade, and Alexander Rowen. On March 3, 1817, the following persons were chosen grand jurors : Isaac Hornbeck, James Burbridge, Benson Goldsberry, William B. Bailey, James Davis, Joseph Hays, Thomas Crabill, Edward, Rector, Jeremiah Brown, William Baker, George Alkire, and Alexander Rowen; and the following, who are designated as travis jurors: William Burbridge, Simon Hornbeck, Andrew Motter, Peter Brown, John Littleton, Peter Mouser, John Mills, John Maddux, Jesse Hays, and Moses Colvin. Of all these names, none are living at this time in the township, many are dead, and some, perhaps, living in other localities, while but few have descendants in the township.   The township officers for 1879 are: William Bennett, William C. Ater, and George Betts, trustees: Dr. George W. Hurst, clerk; Dr. T. F. White, treasurer; A. McGath, assessor; Thomas Sweetman and James K. Walston, constables; and Jacob Baughman and Henry McGath, justices of the peace.   WILLIAMSPORT.   This place, which was at one time much greater than the little hamlet of to-day, was platted on February 27, 1818, and the same recorded, on the ninth of March subsequent, by Johnson Hunter, recorder of Pickaway county. The early records cannot now be found, but it is thought the date of its incorporation was in the year 1842. For some years the annual elections were held and the routine business transacted, as required by law. Finally, so much indifference was shown that the elections ceased, by default, and the act of incorporation became virtually extinot. This condition of affairs remained the same until the year 1858, when an election was held for village officers. During the Rebellion no elections were held. July 2, 1866, a third reorganization occurred, when the following officers were elected: James Marshall, mayor; J. D. Andrews, recorder; D. L. Knowles, treasurer; Dr. George W. Hurst, Dr. J. W. Hunsicker, Captain William B. Davis, A. D. Baughman, and A. D. Radcliff, trustees. Following are the names of those who have served as mayor since that period: Jacob Baughman, J. D. Andrews, Dr. G. W. Hurst, and A. D. Radcliff. J. D. Andrews is the present incumbent; T. Henson, treasurer; G. R. Baughman, clerk; Dr. T. C. Tipton, Dr. G. W. Hurst, A. L. Harmount, John Briner, A. J. Walton, and J. R. Wilkinson, members of council.   THE WILLIAMSPORT CORNET BAND   was organized February 5, 1876, with the following members: Captain William B. Davis, leader; W. E. L. Manly, A. L. Harmount, E. Blacker, C. C. Phebus, S. Pickle, J. B. Rose, J. Goody, I. B. Barnes, C. 0. Eycke, C. T. Harmount, C. L. Lee, and R. W. Messmore. This band has a fine set of instruments, costing three hundred and twenty-five dollars. The following changes have occurred in the membership since organization: L. Rector, vice C. T. Harmount; D. P. Walston, vice C. L. Lee; and F. Hellagen, vice J. B. Rose.   MINERAL SPRING.   There is a chalybeate spring at Williamsport, the medicinal properties of which are said to be similar to the Delaware spring. Its waters are largely used by the residents within an area of several miles surrounding Williamsport.   CHURCHES.   Soon after a settlement was begun at Williamsport, the cause of Christ obtained a foothold that has continued to grow stronger until the present day. Contemporaneous with the dawning of the present century; occurred the wonderful religious excitement, characterized by various bodily contortions, but generally known as the "f jerks." These were, we believe, first seen in the west, at a camp-meeting held at Cain Ridge, Kentucky.   In 1803, or, at least, as early as that, we are informed by Ebenezer S. Davis, from whom we obtained the data for this sketch, Rev. Barton W. Stone came to the infant settlement, and immediately began preaching the word of God in the wilderness. Rev. Mr. Stone was one of the leading spirits in the famous camp-meeting above referred to. The pioneer meetings were held at the house of George Alkire, and the subsequent year, 1804, a church was formed (denominated the New Light and Later Christian church), consisting in part of the following persons: Isaac Cade and wife; John Teverbaugh and wife; George Alkire and wife; Isaac W. Hornback and wife; and Simon Hornback and wife ; and from this small beginning has grown a church now having a membership of two hundred and twenty-five persons.   As early as 1810 a hewed log meeting-house was constructed, at, or near, the residence of Dr. T. C. Tipton. In 1816, this building was disposed of, and a small frame church built, located .upon ground now occupied by this society as a cemetery. This, a few years later, became too small to accommodate the rapidly increasing congregation, and a larger one was constructed near it. This building was occupied until 1869, when the present commodious brick church edifice was completed. This building is in size forty by fifty-six feet, and cost complete, four thousand dollars. In is located upon land donated for the purpose, by Ebenezer S. Davis, esq. The trustees for building the church were: C. Hornback, John J. Alkire, C. W. Crabill, B. Radcliffe, and L. Wilson. The present church management is: Ebenezer S. Davis and C. Hornback, deacons ; E. S. Davis, treasurer; and T. W. Crabill, clerk ; Dr. George W. Hurst is superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which has an attend-   296 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.   ance of one hundred scholars. The following ministers have presided over this church : Revs. Messrs. Stone, Joseph Badger, George Zimmerman, William Kincade, James Hays, Matthew Gardner, James Marom, George Alkire, James Burbridge, Isaac N. Walter, S. Bradford, Joseph Thomas, Daniel Long, John L. Green, Isaac Cade, Benjamin Seevers, John L. Perkins, Enoch Harvey, Thomas Hand, N. Dawson, C. A. Morse, T. A. Brandon, Peter McCullough, William Overterf, B. H. Chrisman, Joel Osgood, A. C. Hanger, and E. W. Humphries.   METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.   The following sketch of this church is prepared by Dr. T. C. Tipton : According to the best information at hand the first class of this society was formed in 1826. Samuel Parrott, having purchased the farm now owned by S. G. Hunsicker, one-half mile east of Williamsport village, soon collected a few people of the Methodist faith together, and at his house held meetings, and soon afterward formed a class, consisting, of Samuel Parrot and wife, Mary; Samuel Manley and wife, Ann; George Frame and E. Hunsicker. In 1831, Rev. Adam Poe, preacher in charge of what was then called "Deer Creek circuit," held meetings at the house of Mr. Parrott, who was now appointed class-leader, and John Tiffin, Joseph Hays and Jesse Hays, local preachers, were added to the class, with others whose names are now forgotten. An effort was now made to build a meeting-house. The frame was erected, but never finished, owing to the death of Mr. Parrott. Preaching was now held at the house of Peter Hunsicker and James McFarland alternately. In 1839 another effort was made to build a church, Wesley Roe taking the subscriptions. Joseph Hurst, Lewis Manley and William Summers were appointed trustees, and in due time a framed church edifice, some thirty-five by fifty feet in size, was completed. Its cost was perhaps three thousand dollars, and it was formally dedicated to the service of God, by Rev. Francis Wilson, in 1841. Additional ground was purchased in 1864, and upon this the present substantial brick church edifice was erected, the same season. Its cost was four thousand dollars. Rev. Joseph M. Trimble preached the dedicatory sermon in the winter of 1865-66. In this work Dr. G. W. Hurst was the contractor for the building, and Joseph Hurst, James Marshall, John Cox, Elijah Parrott and Dr. G. W. Hurst, trustees. In 187r a neat parsonage was constructed, at a cost of three thousand dollars. Scioto circuit (from which Williamsport was detached) was formed in 1799; Deer Creek circuit was formed from a part of Scioto circuit in 1808; New Holland circuit was formed from Deer Creek circuit in 1854, and Williamsport was separated from New Holland circuit in. i866. The following pastors have been in charge of the circuit since its formation: 1866, Rev. David Smith ; 1867, Dr. W. F. Hughey, who served three years, during which period an extensive revival occurred, and two hundred and eighty-two names were added to the membership; 1870, Rev. B. F. Thomas, now of Groveport, Ohio; 1872, Rev. F. S. Davis, now in the Cincinnati conference; 1874, Rev. David Mann, now at Lewis Center, Ohio; 1875, Dr. T. G. Ross, now in Kansas; 1876, Rev. H. L. Whitehead, now of Stanton, Ohio. In 1878 the present pastor, Rev. George W. Lott, was assigned to this circuit. During the winter of 1878-79 an extensive revival occurred, Mrs. L. 0. Robinson, an evangelist, from Greencastle, Indiana, assisting the pastor. Two hundred names were added to the church membership, as the result of this meeting. The present trustees are Dr. T. C. Tipton, S. W. Dunlap, James Bennett, George Betts, H. L. Rector and Samuel G. Hunsicker. George C. Hays is the present efficient superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sabbath-school. The number of scholars enrolled is one hundred and seventy-six. Since the organization of the Methodist church in this section, in 1799, the following pastors have served in the work here: 1808, Benjamin Lakin, John Crain; 1809, John Collins, Wood Lloyd; 1810, Francis Travis; 1811, Ralph Lotspeich, J. Harris; 1812, R. Cloud, Charles Waddle; 1813, Samuel Parks, Alexander Cummins; 1814, H. B. Bascom; 1815, Isaac Quinn, Ledosa Baker; 1816, Walter Griffith, Isaac Pavly; 1817, Samuel Glaze; 1818, Shaderick Ruark, R. W. Finley; 1819, William Swayze; 1820, John Brown; 1821, William Stephens, A. Kinnear; 1822, Andrew McClain, I. C. Hunter; 1823, William Simmons; 1824, Zach Connell, J. F. Wells; 1825, James Collard, Nathan Walker; 1826, Jacob Delay, G. W. Young; 1827, John Stewart, John Ferrell ; 1828, A. Sellers; 1829, Francis Wilson, J. T. Donahow; 1832, John H. Power, J. Gurley; 1833, David Lewis, Joseph A. Reader; 1834, C. C. Lybrand; 1835, Edward Estel; 1836, James Armstrong, Henry Wharton; 1837, W. L. Morrow, F. H. Jennings; 1838, Wesley Roe; 1839, Robert Chaney, Wesley Roe, J. F. Conroy; 1840, Elijah H. Field, W. M. D. Ryon; 1841, B. A. Cassett; 1842, David Reed, Philip Nation; 1843, Zack Wharton, J. D. Webb; 1844, Alexander Mehany; 1845, B. L. Jefferson; 1846, J. W. Lock; 1847, J. G. Dimmitt; 1848, William Sutton; 1849, Alexander Nelson, J. Laws; 1850, D. H. Sargent; 1851, Samuel Middleton; 1852, David Smith, H. F. Green, W. A. Prettyman; 1853, J. F. Williams, L. F. Drake; 1855, T. H. Phillip; 1857, H. T. Magill; 1858, W. C. Holleday; 1859, William Morris; 1860, J. Q. Lakin; 1861, J. W. Clark, T. G. Ross; 1862, Nath Westerman; 1863, I. B. Brodesick; 1864, E. H. Dixon. The remainder, to the present, are given in the sketch of Williamsport church.   MOUNT PLEASANT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,   from data furnished by Newton Rector. The first class of this society was formed by Jacob Terwilliger, in the year 1826, under the administration of Rev. Jacob Delay. It was composed of the following persons: Thomas and Abigail Eemery, Jacob and Elizabeth Terwilliger, Henry and Elizabeth Rector, James, Jonathan and Lucy Rose, Philip, Sarah Ann and Mary Wiggins, John and Sarah Tiffin, Mariah Van Wagoner and Amy Kidney. Thomas Emery was the first class leader. There was preaching each alternate week, at the house of Henry Rector, who lived on land now owned by Newton Rector, and c!ass meetings were held on the Sabbath at the house of Jacob Terwilliger, who lived on the farm owned by Cyrus Court-   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 297   right. In 1838 a small frame meeting-house was built. This occupied the spot where now stands the commodious brick church edifice of the society. This first building was, in size, twenty-eight by thirty-two feet. It was built by subscription, and cost something over six hundred dollars. The trustees, or building committee, were James Rose, Jeremiah Brown, Henry Rector, Philip Wiggins, John Rector, Peter Rose, Jonathan Rose, John W. Wiggins and John W. Dallas. The building was completed, and in June, 1839, it was dedicated by Rev. A. M. Lorain. During the the winter of 1848-9, a great revival occurred, under the preaching of Rev. Alexander Nelson and James Laws, and many were added to the church membership. The present church edifice was completed in 1859, and dedicated by Rev. T. H. Phillips. The cost of the structure was five thousand dollars. Following are the names of the building committee : John R. Rector, Levi Allen and John Wiggins. This society has been supplied by the ministers of the circuit, whose names are given in the sketch of Williamsport church. A Sabbath school was formed in the early days of this church, which has proved a valuable auxiliary to the christian work.   Pleasant Grove chapel was dedicated in August, 1849. There was at this time a Protestant Methodist organization. After a time the society ceased to be, and at present there is no regular service held here.   SCHOOLS.   The first school of Deer Creek township, of which we have any definite knowledge, commenced in a little log house standing on or near the site of E. S. Davis' present residence in the village of Williamsport, in the summer of 1818. The teacher's name was White, and his scholars were quite numerous, being some twenty-five in number. Among these were Charles Wilson and a sister, and Margaret Davis and her brother, Ebenezer S., to whom the writer would express his thanks for valuable aid in the collection of general data for the history of this township.   Williamsport village school district was foraged April 27, 1874, at an election held two days previous. Dr. T. C. Tipton, A. D. Radcliff, W. B. Davis, S. G. Hunsicker, Dr. George W. Hurst, and A. D. Rector were elected directors. The present school building was constructed during the ensuing summer, being completed in October. The cost of this structure, including real estate and furniture, was four thousand dollars. The school comprises two departments, primary and grammar. The total enrollment of pupils in the district is one hundred and thirty - three. Following are the names of the teachers in each department since its formation: Grammar, Anna M. Leiby, F. S. Rarey, P. R. Eycke, D. W. Kelley, W. J. Reynolds, and G. W. Lott; primary, Mento Harmount, Flora S. Rarey, Mrs. P. R. Eycke, Anna Norris, Emma G. Stoker, and Anna M. Leiby. The officers of this district for 1879 are: A. D. Radcliff, president; W. B. Davis, clerk; M. Welton, treasurer; Dr. George W. Hurst, Dr. T. F. White, and A. J. Walston, directors.   SOCIETIES.   Williamsport village has been noted for its incessant war upon the liquor traffic, and, of course, the Sons of Temperance and Good Templars have, at different periods, had extensive and effective organizations in the township. They have now ceased their labors. The oldest of the societies now in existence is Alpha Grange, No. 59, Patrons of Husbandry, whose charter bears date June 3, 1873. The following are the charter members: E. J. Strong, N. R. Strong, Lewis Terwilliger, E. L. Hall, A. Hibbons, M. Rector, M. F. Rector, N. Rector, L. J. Rector, S. R. Rector, M. L. Rector, W. Bolin, G. B. Rector, Belle F. Rector, A. D. Rector, Martha Rector, D. Terwilliger, E. Terwilliger, S. M. Yates, W. S. Rector, M. Rector, Benjamin Little, Mary Little, J. R. Hulse, J. R. Rector, J. A. Rector, W. A. Flowers, J. Pugh, H. C. Palacher, and Cyrus Courtright. On May 22, 187s, it was consolidated with Deer Creek Grange, No. 449, which was organized January 27, 3874, with the following charter members: C. 0. Eycke, Philip Eycke, J. J. Myers, Mary A. Myers, Wesley Work, Catharine Work, J. W. Rector, William Girton, Susan Girton, R. W. Eycke, S. W. Dunlap, B. W. Harris, T. W. Crabill, John Silver, Mary M. Crabill, J. B. Watson, Thomas Furguson, Mary E. Dunlap, B. F. Hornbeck, Mary Harris, Cyrus Hornbeck, William I. Wood, Lizzie Allen, Joseph Borts, David J. Cox, D. C. Phebus, S. H. Phebus. I. C. Hornbeck, sr., W. H. Hays, Wesley Hays. First officers: J. J. Myers, master; B. W. Harris, overseer; C. Hornbeck, lecturer; P. Eycke, steward; B. F. Hornbeck, assistant steward; 1'. W. Crabill, chaplain; S. W. Dunlap, treasurer; C. 0. Eycke, secretary; William I. Wood, gate-keeper; Catharine Work, ceres; Mary A. Myers, pomona; Mary E. Dunlay, flora; M. Crabill, assistant stewardess. Meetings are held on the fourth Saturday in each month, and Thursday night before the second Saturday in each month. The total membership is now sixty-eight. Officers for 1879: J. J. Myers, master; J. W. Ater, overseer; Lizzie Allen, lecturer; William E. Rdse, steward; S. R. Rector, assistant steward; E. L. Hall, chaplain; Z. Ater, treasurer; D. Mater, secretary; R. B. Yates, gate-keeper: Mary Rose, ceres; Annie Ater, pomona; Ella Wolfe, flora; Mary A. Myers, assistant stewardess.   HEBER LODGE, NO. 501, F. AND A. M. MASONS.   The charter of this lodge is dated October 21, 1875, and bears upon its face the following names : William B. Davis, Henry Clarke, John A. Alkire, Palmer Lowe, Benjamin Linville, John J. Myers, James D. Finnell and Clinton L. Lee. Its first officers were W. B. Davis, W. M.; H. Clarke, S. W.; J. J. Alkire, J. W.; J. D. Finnel, secretary; J. J. Myers; treasurer; P. Lowe, S. D. ; B. Linville, J. D.; C. L. Lee, tyler. The lodge organized and met in a small room over Dr. George W. Hurst's drug store. In May, 1876, the lodge had completed and first occupied its present spacious hall. This is in the second story of the Masonic building, at Williamsport, erected at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The present membership is thirty-five. Stated communications on Tuesday   38   298 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO   evenings, on or before the full moon. Officers for 1879: Dr. T. F. White, W. M.; R. Wolfe, S. W.; J. W. Ater, J. W. ; C. C. Phebus, secretary; J: J. Myers, treasurer; R. E. Harmount, S. D.; M. Compton, S. H. Phebus and W. B. Davis, stewards; W. R. Davis, tyler.   PHYSICIANS.   Perhaps no village in Pickaway county, with a population equal to that of Williamsport, has been blessed, or cursed, as the case may be, with as great a number of doctors. Early in its history, Dr. M. Brown located here. He accquired an extensive practice here and in the surrounding country, and his ability was above the average of practitioners of that day. After a term of years, he removed to Circleville, and is now president of the First National bank, of that city. Following him were Drs. Perkins, Thrall, Rush, Herriman, Cassett, Timmons, Ecord, Martin, Lewis, Black and Smith, of the "old school," and Drs. Zimmerman, Gould, Halstead, Radcliff; Judy, and Hunsicker, of the eclectic school. Many of these were practitioners of more than ordinary ability, some of whom died here, while others removed to fields of, perhaps, greater usefulness.   There are, at present, three practicing physicians in the township, viz. : T. C. Tipton, M. D., who graduated at the Starling medical college, Columbus, Ohio, in the class of 1852 and '53. He married Miss Miranda Loomis, of Central College, Ohio, and located in Williamsport, in January, 1855. Dr. Tipton was in the army during the years 1862-5, as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Thirteenth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. He returned home, at the close of the war, and has since enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. George W. Hurst, M. D., graduated at the Eclectic college of medicine, at Cincinnati, in 1856, and located here soon after. He married Catharine Terwilliger, and, aside from his practice, conducts a drug store and an apiary. T. F. White, M. D., is also a graduate of Starling medical college, at Columbus, Ohio, receiving his diploma at the session of 1863-4. He entered the army as assistant surgeon of the Sixty-eighth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, in the fall of 1863, and served till the close of the war. His wife was Miss Anna Nichols. He located in Williamsport in 1867.   Of dentists who have practiced in Williamsport, there are: Dr. Scott, now of Lancaster; Dr. Peasely, now of Fayette county, Ohio, and Dr. James R. McCollister, who has long since retired from practice, but who still resides here.   INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.   Great inconvenience was experienced by the pioneer settlers everywhere for the want of means by which to convert their grain into a condition suitable for bread-making. Foremost in the appliances for that purpose, we find the "stump mortar," a description of which is given elsewhere. Following this, was the hand-mill. This was a slow and tedious means of preparing one's "daily bread;" still it was an improvement on its predecessor. Next came the grist-mill, rude and imperfect, 'tis true, as compared to the mills of to-day; yet its ad vent was a long stride in advance of anything preceding it. The pioneer grist-mill in Deer Creek township was built by Pennell H. Baker, in 1812. Its location was on the north side of the present "pike," and its cumbrous machinery was propelled by the waters of Deer creek. About the same time a saw-mill was constructed near the grist-mill. These mills were destroyed by fire some ten years later. The saw-mill was rebuilt by John Reynolds, and the grist-mill by John McFarland, but both eventually went to decay. David Yates built a grist-mill, the second in the township, in 1814. This occupied the site of the mill now owned by A. T. Foster. The present mill was built by Daniel and Benjamin Haynes, but a few years since.   The present grist-mill, at Williamsport, was erected for a distillery, in about 1836, by a man named Laramore. It was in operation some three years as a distillery, and then converted into a grist-mill. It is now owned by George Wood and Moses Welton.   David Yates put in operation the first distillery in the township. The date was early, perhaps 1815; the location, on Deer creek, near the site of Foster's grist-mill. The manufacture of whiskey was at this time a very lucrative vocation, and it was continued many years, while the owner waxed rich from the avails. David Hanson built a distillery on the opposite side of the stream from Yates', on the farm now owned by James Bennett. This was in the early years of the settlement.   BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.   THOMAS CORWIN TIPTON, M. D.,   of Williamsport, Deer Creek township, Pickaway county, Ohio, is a son of Thomas S. and Elizabeth Tipton, and was born at Pleasant Ridge farm, near Harrisburgh, Pleasant township, Franklin county, Ohio, on September 10, 1827. He attended the neighborhood schools until his education had reached a point beyond which they could not afford him instruction, and then, in 1844, went to Delaware and attended the Ohio Wesleyan university; he was obliged to pay his own way, and did so by teaching in various district schools. Thus, creditably but with difficulty, he worked his way for five years, and, being eager to learn, and applying himself closely to study as only those can who so dearly buy what many, who have superior advantages, scorn, he acquired a good, thorough, general education. But he had an ambition beyond this, and a desire to lead a professional life. Disadvantages were again in his way, but he overcame them. He was unable at once to begin, as he would have desired, a course in some medical college, but, while gaining a subsistence by teaching, he devoted his spare time to reading and study in his brother's office, at Darbyville. He continued in this way for several years, and, at length, was able to go to Columbus, where he had enlarged opportunities.   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 299   He studied there under Dr. R. L. Howard, and entered the Starling medical college. He graduated from this excellent institution February 22, 1852, receiving, in addition to his diploma, the unanimous vote of approval of the faculty. After his graduation Dr. Tipton returned to Darbyville and went into practice as a partner of his brother. Some time after that he removed to Williamsport, his present. residence, and established himself in a lucrative practice, which has been uninterrupted except by his absence during the war, and three years thereafter. In 1862 the doctor went into the army as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Thirteenth regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry, and remained in that capacity in the service until the close of the war, most of the time being, by the order of Secretary Stanton, detached from his regiment, discharging hospital duty and serving upon the board of examiners of applicants for enlistment or discharge. Upon the close of the war the subject of our sketch resolved to try his fortune professionally in Groveport, Franklin county; he remained there only about three years, and then removed to his old residence, Williamsport.   Dr. Tipton, as man and physician, is held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens of the village and neighborhood, and most deservedly, for the same conscientiousness and application to duty, for which he is noted in his practice of medicine, characterizes him in all his social and business affairs. He is generally regarded as one of the most thoroughly cutlivated practitioners in Pickaway county; is held in high repute by his professional brethren and by the people of Deer Creek, and the western part of the county, as is evidenced by his very successful practice among them. He is a man of large general information, and a careful, conservative thinker. He is not, and has never been, a politician or place-seeker, but takes a considerable interest in, and is a close observer of, political m0vements. His vote is cast for the success or the principles represented and supported by the Republican party.   His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and he has been, for a long term of years, one of the stewards of the church at Williamsport.   The doctor is a practical temperance man in his views and a total abstinence man in his habit. He has never tasted liquor and seldom prescribes it.   Dr. Tipton was married to Miranda, daughter of Horace and Jannett Loomis, of Blendon township, Franklin county, Ohio, March 7, 1855. The have two children living,. and have been bereaved by the death of one- their first-born, Lizzie-who was born December 16, 1855, and died September 22, 1866. The children remaining are: Alice, born November 18, 1857, and Thomas H., born October 24, 1869.   THE YATES FAMILY.   David Yates was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, September 23, 1774. Soon after 1800, he emigrated to Ross county, Ohio, and settled near South Salem, where he was married, about 1803, to Christine Eberson. Two children were born to them while they lived in Ross county-Lovell, born January 23, 1804 ; and John, born December 26, 1805. In 1807 they moved to Deer Creek township, Pickaway county, where were born Reason, December so, 1807 ; Nancy, February 17, 1810 ; Elizabeth, February 12, 1812 ; David, April so, 1815 ; Mary Ann; October 9, 1817 ; Emeline, March 31, 1820 ; Mahlon, May 3, 1822 ; Amos; July 15, 1823 ; Joseph, April 25, 1825 ; and Joshua Osburn, October 12, 1827.   Soon after arriving in Deer Creek township, Mr Yates built a saw and grist-mill, and a still-house, on Deer creek, near the site of the present grist-mill, This was the first water mill in the township, and was built by the labor of his own hands, he being a millwright. He even hewed the logs of which the building was constructed. After building his mill property, he cleared land, and planted one of the first, if not the first orchard, in the neighborhood.   During the war of 1812 he became a soldier, and received a commission as an officer, in which capacity he served.   Both himself and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist church, and people who had not an enemy in the community in which they lived, winning the respect and confidence of all. He died March 3o, 1840, and his wife died some years later, about 1856. He was the first justice of the peace in Deer Creek township.   John Yates, the second son of David Yates, was born December 26, 18o5. He was married in 1828, to Elizabeth Blue, in Deer Creek township, by whom he had eleven children: David R., Emily, Marcus L., DeWitt C., William, John, Francis Marian, Socrates, Miranda, Roland B., and Townsend, all of whom lived to become heads of families. Mr. Yates commenced life with nothing but his own hands with which to carve his way in the world, but by hard work and the exercise of a shrewd business capacity, he accumulated a large property, owning, at one time, some thirteen hundred acres of land. He was a large dealer in stock, sometimes making money and sometimes losing, in his ventures. He was a whole-souled, generous-hearted man, and became a favorite in his neighborhood. He was elected justice of the peace in 1835, and held the office many years. He also served as county commissioner. Before his death, he gave each of his children one hundred acres of -land, and reserved a farm, on which his widow still lives.   David R. Yates was married October 25, 1859, to Nancy Brown, of Deer Creek township, who was horn March 4, 1836, and died May 4, 1877. Their children are Mary E., Benjamin Floyd, Ballard, and Tabitha N. Mr. Yates bought of his father two hundred and twenty-seven acres of land, receiving a credit on it of two thousand, three hundred dollars, as his portion of the undivided estate. He has since added to his property, until, at the present time, he is possessed of four hundred and sixty-six acres in Deer Creek township, and eighty-five and one-half in Madison county. He has served his township three times as assessor, and has declined to run for other offices in the gift of the people. He was nominated, August 2, 1879, on the Democratic ticket, as State representative from Pickaway county.   A representation of his house appears in this connection.