378 - HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. CHAPTER X. * MCARTHUR TOWNSHIP - SETTLEMENT - VILLAGE - CHURCHES - GENEVA COLLEGE. "There is a welcome in this western land Like the old welcomes, which were said to give The friendly heart where' er they gave the Land ; Within this soil the social virtues live, Like its own forest trees, unprun'd and free." - Thomas, STANDING on some jutting headland, let us view the panorama as it slowly passes by, unfolding the etchings the versatile artist, Time, has penciled thereon. Here, coming up out of the mists past, is the Indian in full chase after the bounding deer. He passes, and before his form dies away in the distance we see the first settlers moving forward with the slow-paced oxen, bearing their household treasures into the wildwood. A cabin of rude logs rises; the pioneer's ac rings through I the woods; the cumbersome plow turns the furrow; the pioneer mill rises. and a new life has taken possession of the wilderness; the hunting-grounds of the red man are no more before us; they have moved westward toward the setting sun. Another scene unfolds before us, and the rude schoolhouse and chapel are seen, wherein gather the children of the pioneer for instruction, even amid the solitude of the border; and we hear the song of thanksgiving and the voice of melody rise upon the air, and blend with the song of birds and the rustle of leaves, as the summer zephyrs move the foliage of the trees. The stage coach, with its load of humanity, rumbles up to the door of the log tavern, the notes of the driver's horn, making merry echoes through the dint old woods, and startling the quail and partridge from their coverts * This chapter contributed by Dr. J. A. Se Cheverell. by the wayside. Houses of more pretentious appearance begin to dot the landscape, now fast assuming the aspect of a civilized and prosperous community. Villages are rising into view, and church spires-sure indices of civilization and refinement-point heavenward, as if to lift the thoughts of the dwellers of the land to better things: Another picture comes before us as the parallel bands of iron converging into one in the dint distance expand into the railway track, along which thunders the lightning express, freighted with the precious cargo of human lives. The telegraph brings the news from the far away seaboard, and :he days of slow-unmoving trade are numbered and laid to rest. And now comes the closing scene in this great series. Now the sons of these pioneers are going forth, en masse, to defend the flag of the country, which has given them a government, under whose fostering care all these later scenes have been male accomplished facts. We look upon the serried ranks as they move forward, shoulder to shoulder, against the deadly blast of war. The cannon and musketry of traitors in arms thin their ranks, but forward they bear the colors of the Union reflected in their blood. Homeward they turn when victory is secure and the right has triumphed, theft columns gaping from the havoc of shot and shell and the disease of camp; the starvation of the prison pen: their colors ragged and torn, but proud and defiant as ever. One grand ovation to the lining, a sad, wailing requiem for the dead, and the remnant of these brave veterans settle back into the busy routine of the private citizen; the war-cloud Gas passed away, HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. - 379 and gentle Peace covers all with her wings. * * * "Sometimes gleams upon our sight, Through present wrong, the eternal right; And step by step, since time began, We see the steady gain of man.'' McArthur Township is situated in the north-central portion of Logan County, and is bounded on the north by Richland, south be Lake and Harrison, east by Rush Creek and Lake, and west be Washington, The only stream of water within the limits of the township worthy of mention is Cherokee Man's Run, the main branch of which rises near the southeast corner of the township, and flows a westward course through the southern portion to the line of the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad, where it turns northward, reaching the northern boundary of the township on the Dunn lands. This stream affords waterpower for numerous mills. The soil is a clay in the eastern portion, and a gravel loam in the south and west. The productions do not differ from those of the county generally, being mainly wheat, corn and grass. The surface in this eastern part is rolling, and in places broken, especially along the streams. In the west the appearance is that of a level table land, while through nearly the center of this elevated plain, extending in a southwest direction, is a narrow strip of low land, denominated prairie. Here the soil is alluvial, and when properly drained, is extremely fertile. The pioneers found a land heavily timbered, with all the varieties natural to this section of country. Small tracts of original timber arc still found in different parts of the township. The farm lands in general present an appearance well kept and neat, indicating the thrifty husbandmen, while the substantial dwellings, barns, outbuildings and extensive tracts of orcharding still further attest their care and industry. Prior to the collection of the Indians upon the Lewistown and other reservations, small parties of them were scattered about the township, and numerous small "clearing" of an acre or two each, left by them, and thickly dotted over with stumps, were mute witnesses to their want of industry. In relation to the legal constitution of Mc Arthur Township, first election, etc., the present records show nothing, and the earlier ones having been destroyed, leaves the writer entirely "at sea" in relation to these important items. Among the first sales of land in the township was that conveyed by Duncan McArthur. to John and Samuel Harrod, by "title bond,'' bearing date, November 9, 1820. This instrument conveys 450 acres of land, situated on Cherokee Man's Run, for the sum of $932. In the year 1823 a patent was issued by James Monroe, President of the United States, to Joseph Carter, of Richmond, Va., for 1,000 acres of land, adjoining the Solomon's Town block, and embracing "Hull's Encampment,'' or the "Twin Springs." A portion of this land is now owned by David Wallace. The pioneer settlers in the township were Thomas Scott and family, who located here in the spring of 1820; John and Samuel Harrod, who came with their families in the fall of the same year, and John Watt, who began settlement in the spring of 1821. Of these families we have no data,. Peter and Samuel Hover settled near Harrods' in 1823. Robert Edminston settled just east of the present site of Huntsville about the same time. Peter Stamats, a Pennsylvanian, settled in McArthur in 1814. Of his numerous family but one child now resides in the county. Samuel Lease came to McArthur Township in the latter part of December, 1823, and remained during the winter. In 1825 he purchased land here, and became a resident. He still resides on this property. Mr. Lease says when he came, in 1825, there were a number of families of squatters living in different portions of the township. None of them, however, 380 - HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. became actual settlers. George Hover and family, consisting of a wife and eight children, settled in the township in 1824; he was a native of New Jersey, but had removed to Ohio as early as 1810. The land he settled on in McArthur consisted of 200 acres where is now Huntscille. But three children now reside in the township-Samuel, Mrs. Mary . Wishart and Mrs. Martha Reed. Hugh Bickham bean the improvement of a farm not far from Huntsville about the same time. Isaac Cooper and wife located in the township in February, 1826. Mrs. Cooper, to whom the writer is indebted for many items of value in the preparation of this history, says: " Everything was woods, wild plums, wild grapes and everything. Deer in plenty, and snakes-my sakes! such big ones; as long as a door is high." Mr. Cooper lived near Harrods' until about 1830, when he purchased a tract of land in the vicinity of the present Huntsville cemetery, and near the sulphur spring he erected a tannery, the first in the township. This business he prosecuted until 1835, when he purchased an extensive tract of land near Lewistown, and here, in the house now occupied by J. O. Cherry, he died. In 1827 Adcock Carter came to Ohio and located upon the 1000-acre tract before mentioned as belonging to Joseph Carter, Vincent Murphy came at the same time, and located on the same tract. Both had small, families. Samuel Stewart located in the township in 1830, upon the farm he still occupies, and five rears later he erected a small grist mill on this farm. Rev. James Wallace, of the United Presbyterian Church, made a permanent settlement in the township in 1832. Assuming charge of the church of this denomination, he continued its Pastor for many years. He died in 1877. A son, David, resides on the home farm, who, with a daughter, Mrs. W. W. Templeton, constitute all the survivors of the family now in the township. David Wallace, wife and one child arrived in the township from York County, Penn., in May, 1833. He made settlement on 300 acres of land, embracing "Hull's Encampment." All was a dense forest except a small "opening'' near the spring, where the block-house stood during the war of 1812. Of this spring there is a tradition that two soldiers were sleeping near it when then were surprised by the Indians, killed, scalped, and their hearts cut out and suspended from the bushes near. Antrim's history says: "Captain Arthur Thomas * * * was ordered to Fort Findlay with his company, to guard the public stores at that place, and on their return they encamped at the Big Spring, near an old Indian town called Solomon's Town, shout seven miles north of Bellefontaine. Their horses having strayed away in the night, he and his son went in pursuit of them. When they had got some distance from the encampment then were discovered by the Indians, who attacked them with an overpowering force, and they were killed and scalped." Joseph Wallace. with family, consisting of a wife and three children, reached Mc Arthur in April, 1833; he located upon a large tract of land just west of Huntsville, and there passed the remainder of his days. A portion of this property is now occupied by Wallace Templeton. John Shelby, who subsequently became prominent in the affairs of Logan County, and of the State, made his first settlement in the county during the summer of 1809, in what is now Union Township. Upon the removal of the Indians from the Lewistown reservation, he bought some 480 acres of land in the southwest corner of McArthur Township. This he improved, aril here he died. His widow now lives near Huntsville. Henry Hover bought land near. Daniel Workman lived on the farm now owned by Anderson Neer. John Caseboalt occupied the present Miller farm, and in the vicinity HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. - 381 lived the families of Black, Grabill and Williams. John Coulter came to the county, from \mark, Ohio, in 1825, locating in Bellefont-aine, where he remained until 1835; he then purchased a farm and tannery of Isaac Cooper, near Huntsville, and upon this property he passed his life, Wing December 26, 1859. Mr. Cooper was a Justice of the Peace in this township twenty years. A son of this gentleman is now Recorder of Logan County, and to him the writer desires to male acknowledgements for numerous favors. Kemp G. Carter came from Washington, D. C., to McArthur in 1835, and, the next year, located in Cherokee; here he still resides; he has witnessed the rise and fall of this now decaying hamlet. Abraham Elder, Sr., wife and eight children, came from Perry County, Ohio, to Mc Arthur in 1835, locating upon a large tract of land just south of Huntsville. He became a prominent man in the township, and was Associate Judge of the county for several years. But two children now reside in the township-Dr. Elder and Mrs. John Coulter. Among other settlers who are entitled to mention, but of whom the writer has no data, are James Steen, William W Watson, John Russell, William Bodkin, Adam Yearn, Jonathan Woodard, William Harland, Dr. Samuel A. Morton, Alexander Thompson, James Storey, Solomon Richards, William Langhead, Thomas Patterson, J. and S: Hays, and possibly others, whose names are not now remembered. The anti-slavers movement was warmly espoused by many of the citizens of this township and here, for many years, was a station on that somewhat celebrated line of travel, the " Underground Railroad.'' Its particular location is not important to this work. It is sufficient to know that here the fleeing bondman was always sure of food, clothing if necessary, and a safe transit to the next station. It is related that two, now prominent, citizens of a neighboring township, one day found an aged colored man at work in a field, and, thinking to have a little fun at his ex-pense, told him they come to convey him back to the south. He did not stop to argue the matter, but started on a run for the house, where he procured a gun, this he rested on the fence, the muzzle towards the jokers and commanded a halt. Failing to discover a great amount of Fun in this portion of the performance, they " stood not on the order of their going, but went at once,'' folio believing, drat in this instance at least, " discretion was the hotter part of valor.'' In pioneer industries the first was a grist-mill erected in about 1828 by Adam Yearn. This was a frame building, furnished with one run of stone, and stood on Cherokee Creek, about one-hall mile southeast of Huntsville. This mill, greatly improved, is now owned by Jacob Instine. Jonathan Woodard built a second grist-mill further down the same stream, and soon after put in operation a sawmill; the saw-mill is now dismantled and going to decay. The grist-mill is now owned by Samuel Stewart, who in 1835 erected a grist-mill still farther down Cherokee, which is still in successful operation. The Township of McArthur has been better supplied with distilleries perhaps than any other kind of manufactories. The first of these was built by Hugh Bickham, early in the settlement; it was a hewed log structure and stood just south of Huntsville. The second was built by Edward Harper in 1845; this was quite a respectable building; it stood near the Instine grist-mill, but did not pay, and after some five years was closed. The third and last distillery was built by William Harland and Henry Instine; this was the largest of the three. In later years it was operated by Kemp G. Carter. As before stated, Isaac Cooper put in operation the first tannery in the township; Thomas Wishart established 382 - HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. the second. This stood on the site now occupied by the Carroll warehouse in Huntsville. Other "first things" will be found in connection with the villages. About one mile east of the present thriving village of Huntsville, on the Bellefontaine pike, is situated a little decaying hamlet of, perhaps, one dozen dwellings, the remains of the once promising village of Cherokee, The site of this town was formerly owned by Robert Edminston, Dr. Samuel A. Morton and Alexander Thompson, who, on March 19, 1832, by the aid of James W. Marmon, County Surveyor, laid out the town. The name was doubtless derived from the principal stream of water in the vicinity. Inducements were made to facilitate the sale of lots, and from the first the growth of the town was rapid. The Springfield S Sandusky Stage Line made this a point for "relay," and in a short time Cherokee became a bust-ling, busy village. Two large hotels, the first by a man named Baker and the second by Samuel Harrod: stores by Joseph Robb. who was also the first Postmaster, Richard S. Canby, James Langhead, Linas Cutting, and others. Three blacksmiths, two wagon- makers, and other needed artisans came, churches and a school-buildings were erected, and the tide of prosperity set bravely in. During these palmy days, Mr. Carter states, he has often seen as many as ten four-horse coaches stop in succession for meals and relay, each with ten or twelve passengers. Whisky was as common as tea and coffee; in fact, there was more of it drank thus both the others, but it was nut different at Cherokee from any other locality. Scarcely anybody was strictly temperate, though there were few habitual drunkards. The lands upon which is now the village of Huntsville were owned by George Hover and Thomas Wishart. Improve rnents began here immediately after the survey of the Mad River and Lake Erie (now C. S. & C.) Railroad was made. The plat was made by Alexander Harbison, county surveyor in 1846, and from the running of the first train on the railroad the village was an assured success; stores, hotels, etc., were opened, and in proportion its Huntsville increased in prosperity, Cherokee declined. The churches and principal buildings were removed to its more favored rival. The railroad having superceded the stage coach, the hotels at Cherokee were without guest:, even the "old soakers" who hung around the bar morns waiting for some one to ask them to drink, departed for more prosperous localities, and finally business of all kinds ceased and the work of decay began. The first house on the site of Huntsville was built by Thomas Wishart in 1844. Messrs. Buell and Dodson put up the first brick building in the village in 1848. It was first occupied for a store, the first, by the way, in the village. Thomas Wishart's house was the first brick d dwelling, now occupied by Mrs. Mary Cooper. John Bimel's house was the second brick dwelling erected. During the year 1847 Samuel Harrod built a hotel near the depot. This was burned during the summer of 1850, but the work of rebuilding was begun at once, and the following year witnessed the opening of what is now the "Grand Central," owned at present by H. P. Ingall. J. Bimel has recently enlarged add refitted the former residence of H. Shafer, and in this now entertains the traveling public. H. Shafer, a former merchant at Cherokee erected the large wooden building, now occupied in part by the postoffice, and in this he prosecuted his former avocation for some years. The postoffice, as before stated, was first established at Cherokee in about 1830. Joseph Robb was the first Postmaster. The office was removed to Huntsville in about 1850. J. H. Harrod is the present Postmaster, and HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. - 383 to him the writer returns thanks for numerous favors. The village of Huntsville was incorporated in December, 1865, and in April following the first election of officers was held. Sidney B. Foster was elected Mayor; William W. Beatty.; William T. Herron, J. H. Harrod, A. Bartholomew and Josiah Carr, Council; David Carr, Recorder, and Joseph Carr, Treasure, The village now contains one dry goods, one general, one grocery and caution, two drug, one agricultural implement, one furniture, and two millinery store; two blacksmith and wagon, three shoe, one harness, and three carpenter shop'; one steam saw-mill, two hotels, three churches and cure school building. The population in 1880 was 430, a gain of 30 per cent in ten years. Northwood, a little hamlet situated upon the north line cat the township, is principally noted for its school. The lands embraced in the plat were owned by Joseph Wilmuth. It was surveyed and platted by the County Surveyor, James W. Marmon, on May 12, 1832. The first store here was opened by Milton L. Anderson in 1838 or 1839. The goods were hauled from Dayton. A very thin grade of calico sold at that time for 44 cents per yard. In later years other stores were established hare, but the village never attained much prominence aside from its College. The history of the religious denominations in McArthur Township is fraught with interest. Missionaries early penetrated the wilderness, and wherever they found a settler's cabin, proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation. Sleeping under the trees, the blue vaulted heavens for their canopy and the stars for their watchers, these self-sacrificing men rode their circuits for weeks at a time, swimming rivers, floundering through marshes, following the trail of the red man, guided by the stars or by that instinct of wood craft, gained by long familiarity with nature in her wildest aspect, trusting to find the cabin of some pioneer where they might break their, many times, long-enforced fast. Do the ministers of to-day, as they ride to and from their elegant churches, surrounded on every hand by ease and luxury, a munificent salary assured, ever think of those noble men, the advance guard of Christianity into the wild woods of America? The Presbyterian Church of Mc Arthur, formerly known as the Cherokee Church, was organized in the year 1822. It is the pioneer church of the Calvinistic Order, formed in Logan County. Meetings were held at the: house of Thomas Scott during the early summer of 1822, and in September following the Revs. Dobbins and Roberson organized a church with the following members : Thomas Scott and wife, Peter Hover and wife, George Hover and wife, Samuel Hover and wife Robert Edminston and wife, John Watt and wife, and James Stover and wife. Perhaps one year subsequent to the formation of this society, a hewed log meetinghouse was built at Cherokee. Some years later the society built a large brick church edifice. also at Cherokee. Upon the decline of that village this building was removed to Huntsville; the present cost is $3,000; the present membership of this society is ninety. The first church officers were : Peter Hove, Thomas Scott, and Robert Edminston, Elders; the present are : B. S. Collins, John Hunter, James McCormick and Samuel Hove, Rev. A. J. Clark, the present Pastor, resides at Belle Centre, and in connection with the history of the Presbyterian Church at that place, will be found many items of interest to the church under consideration. A Sabbath School has been in operation in connection with this church almost from the first, which has been productive of great good; John Hunter is its present Superintendent. The average attendance aggregates some sixty children, 384 - HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. The second organization in the township was that of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Some time during the summer of 1823 a series of meetings were held at the house of Solomon Richards, who then occupied a little log cabin some half mile southwest of Cherokee, and in this rude sanctuary the bonds of Christian fellowship were strengthened by the formation of a small class. The families of Richards, Pendergrass and Lease constituted the greater part, and possibly, all of the pioneer organization. Meetings were continued at Richards', Leases and other settlers' cabins, in the vicinity for a few nears, when the society having attained sufficient strength, a small frame meeting-house was built at Cherokee:. This the society occupied until the rise of Huntscille, when it was sold, and a more commodious structure erected in that village. This was built in 1866. The membership of this society is now numerous and its future encouraging. Rev. S. H. Alderman is the present Pastor. When the old Cherokee meeting-house was first occupied, the children were collected and a Sabbath School formed. This has continued in active operation until this time and has now a goodly membership. The following history of the Huntscille (formerly Cherokee) United Presbyterian Church is compiled from matter written by Rev. James Wallace and J. H. Buchanan. This congregation was organized in October, 1831, by Rev. 5. Wilson, who was appointed to the performance of this duty by the Associate Presbytery of Miami, and was composed of the following persons: A. Elder and wife; Templeton and wife; W. Langhead and wife; David Dow, Peter Dow, James Hays, Isabella Hays, Samuel Hays, John McElree and James Patterson. The Elders chosen were: A. Templeton, A. Elder and William Langhead, Rev. James Wallace was the first Pastor, who says of this period: "The state of the country and the character of the inhabitants, was widely different from the present. A body of Indians was located in, and about Lewistown, a few miles west of the church. Most of the land was a wilderness. The fern inhabitants, chiefly pioneers, accustomed to hunting and fishing and rough lining, cared little for improvement of any kind, especially religious.'' Rev. Wallace continued as Pastor of the church until 1861, when, by reason of failing health, he was released from the pastoral charge. The first meeting-house of this society was erected soon after the church was or organized. This was a brick building, and was subsequently concerted into a woolen factors. They at present meet for worship in a frame church edifice in Huntsville. Rev. M, Wallace says that an especial effort was made at all owes against Sabbath desecration, the demon intemperance, and that terrible sin slavery, now happily no more. These were not popular topics but his motto seemed to be "Hew to the line, let the chips fall where they may.'' At the date Rev. Wallace severed his pastoral charge, the membership numbered ninety-five. Rev. J. H. Buchanan assumed charge of the church on the first Sabbath in October, 1870. The Pastor in the interval was Rev. W. C. Dunn, a licentiate of the U. P. Presbytery, of Michigan, who was installed April 11, 1865. The Elders in September, 1876, were James R. Katon, Robert S. Reed, James H. Renick, Samuel Stewart, W. W. Templeton and David Wallace, Of the history of this church since 1876, the writer has no data., although he made diligent effort to secure it, Rev. Buchanan says: "In reviewing the history thus brought to a close, it might be proper to sac that the congregation has not been characterized by sudden outbursts of excitement and religious fervor, but which often die away as suddenly as they come, leaning little or no permanent fruit behind them. HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. - 385 Its growth, though more slow, has been of an enduring; kind, being founded upon the laborious, faithful; and abundant expositions of God's word." The Miami congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church at Northwood was formed in the year 1833, by Rev. J, B. Johnston, and consisted of the following named persons: Abraham Patterson and wife, Thomas Fulton and wife, James Fulton and wife, Henry Ful- ton and wife, Robert Scott and wife, John Young and wife, and one or two others whose names are forgotten. The society met in the schoolhouse for a few months until they had constructed a small Iog church on the east Dank of the Miami River, near where is now the cemetery. This log structure, did duty until 1840, when it was discarded and a brick building erected near by. This was occupied for many years. The society now meets in a commodious wood church edifice in the village immediately south of the township line. The succession of Pastors is as follows: Rev. J. B. Johnston, J. C. K. Milligan, J. L. McCartney, who was the last Pastor of the original Miami congregation, and George Kennedy. The present membership (July 1880) is 172. The Sabbath School, which followed the church organization, now numbers 159 scholars. The following sketch of the United Presbyterian Church at Northwood is complied from the history written by Rev. John Williamson, to which the writer was given access through the courtesy of Rev. J. W. Kerr: "The United Presbyterian Congregation, of Northwood, was organized June 14, 1859, by the following commission: Rev. James Wallace and Benjamin Waddle, with Elders William Langhead and Peter Dow. The congregation u lacks but one year of being as old as the denomination to which it belongs. The following were the original members: Ebenezer and Martha Bain, Alexander and Margaret Furguson, Thomas and Agnes Scott, John M. and Elizabeth J. Johnston, Mary Patterson, William and Jane G. Cook, Hannah J, Reed, Thomas and Jane Cook, Charles and Martha Ann Cook, and David Blair. Messrs. Thomas Scott, Ebenezer Bain and Thomas Cook were elected Elders, and William Cook and John M. Johnson, Deacons. With no house of worship of their own, this little handful began the work. The Reformed Presbyterian Church gave them the use of their house" a part of the time. They also met in the Chapel of Geneva Ball until the fall of 1866, when their own house of worship was completed. Rev. W. H. Jeffers was installed Pastor in 1863, and remained until 1865. Rev. J. W. Taylor was the next Pastor, and continued until 1871, when failing health forced him to cease his labors. At this time the membership numbered 112. Rev. Alexander Smith was installed Pastor in January, 1872. On April 1, 1875, the membership had increased to 162. Rev. Smith resigned, and in June, 1879, J, Rev. J. W. Kerr, the present Pastor, was installed. The following persons have held the office of Ruling Elder, in addition to those first chosen: Samuel Johnston, C. I. Brooks. Joseph T. Wright William Stewart, W. N. Vance, .J. McCune, Gilbert Newman and Alexander Milligan. Those who hate held the office of Deacon are, Charles W. Cook, Noah J. Smith, S. G. Rodgers, W. N. Vance, Gilbert Newman, D. S. I Brooks, J. L. Creighton and John McKirahan. This completes the church organizations in McArthur Township at this time. In about the year 1841 a camp meeting was held on Cherokee Man's Run, south of the present site of Huntsville. Rev. Thomas H. Wilson was the leading preacher, though many others were present. A cast number of people convened, the settlers for many miles around turning out. A most extraordinary revival took place and hundreds became Christians 386 - HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY. The writer has been unable to learn anything in relation to the first school in the township. At an early day a term of school was taught by Henry Shelby, in a little log cabin in the extreme southwest portion of the township. Doubtless the first school vests held in the Harrod settlement. The Huntsville Special School District was organized at about the same time the village was incorporated. The matter is now being actively canvassed in relation to the enlargement of the territory and should this be successful it is highly probable that a school building will be erected that will accommodate the wants of the district. The report of the Board of Education for the school year ending August 31, 1879, is as follows, for the township: Whole number of pupils enrolled, 411; whole amount paid teachers. $1,794.05; whole number of school houses, 9; value, with grounds, etc., $6,000. Huntsville Special District: Whole number of pupils enrolled, 150; whole amount paid teachers, $620; whole number of school rooms, 2; value, with grounds, etc., $1,000. The greatest interest is centered at Northwood, the former Location of a classical and scientific school under the auspices of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, known as Geneva College. Rev. J. B. Johnston. Pastor of this church, was the originator of the project to form a school of this character here, and in 1847 he took the initial step in that direction by the formation of a small class which convened at his study. The subsequent year, funds were raised and a small brick building erected. This, soon proving inadequate for the wants of the rapidly increasing attendance, was added to, and the present hall was the result. In after yours a female department was added to the school, and to secure the separation of the sexes, a large brick building was built by Rev. Johnston for the exclusive use of the ladies. Two large boarding halls were also constructed. In 1852, J. R. W. Sloane, A. M., was inaugurated President of the institution, an able faculty chosen, and a full course of study adopted. Prof. Sloane continued in charge four years, resigning in 1856. The college now became academic in form, and continued thus until 18W, ; when the building was purchased by the Reformed Presbyterian Synod. In 1867, S. J. Crowe, A. B., was chosen President, and contimed in that capacity until 1870, when he resigned. Rev. W. Milroy was his successor, who was in turn succeeded, in 1872, by Rev. H. H. George, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The course of study adopted embraced science and the arts, and compared favorably with the best colleges in the land. During the last session of the Synod it was decided to remove the college to Beaver Falls, Penn., which is now being accomplished. A project is now being successfully canvassed to establish at Northwood a normal school with a classical, scientific and commercial course of study. This will also be under control of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. During the war of the Rebellion the patriotic citizens of McArthur Township did their whole duty. Her soldiers suffered and died in the noisome trench and in the infected hospital; they starved in Andersonville until they became almost driveling lunatics under the brutality of a Wirz; they chafed in Lilly, Belle Isle, and Salisbury; they foil in the skirmish, on the picket-line, and in the charge, amid the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry. They made the sacrifice, but their works shall follow them to the end of recorded time; and living or dead, maimed or scathless, all honor to the soldiers of the Union. " By fairy hands their knell is rung, By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay And Freedom shall awhile repair, To dwell, a weeping hermit, there." PAGE 387 - PICTURE OF CHARLOTTE EASTON PAGE 388 - BLANK (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)