MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 175 built through. Plain City and this gave an impetus, to the growth of the latter, town; which soon became the leading trade and business center of that ''section." Since that time Amity, has remained a. quiet country village, doing a small but steady rural trade; the postoffice was a convenience to the community, but with the coming of the rural routes this has been adandoned. Amity now contains a population of about thirty-five a decline of aftwothirds in the last thirty-years:, There was only one, store in the village, which is owned by Clyde Frazell. Clarence Reece is the village blacksmith. PLAIN CITY. Plain City is the largest village in Darby townshlp, and was laid out by Isaac Bigelow in 1818, according, to the, following record "July 1818--The plan of Westminster, situated, on the south side of Big. Darby creek, in Darby township, Madison county, on the. road leading from; Worthington to Urbana. The above road,. which is Main street from letter B, runs east, and 45 sixty feet. wide; the alleys are, thirty links wide, and run. from :Main street north. The lots on the north side of Main street each measure, north, twelve poles, and east, four poles and eleven links. The lots on the south side of Main street, measure each,. south, ten, poles and. west, five, poles and one link. June 11, 1818. DAVID CHAPMAN, Surveyor." There were no other official acts until 1823, in which year the records. disclose that the previous survey was resurveyed, additional territory was incorporated and the original name was changed from Westminster to Pleasant Valley. It is also revealed that from 1823 to 1851, the original proprietor made six additions to the besides additions subsequently Made as follow Barlow & Sherwood & First and Second, Amonn's First and Second, Marshal's, Hager & Lombard, Black & Mooney's, and E. L Bigelow's additions. The name of the village was again changed from Pleasant Valley to Plain City.  For a time Plain City was superseded as a trading point by Amity, in Canaan township. The former town, however, possessed advantages due to location, it being situated on the Post road; an important west-bound thoroughfare; over which Much of the emigrant travel passed. 'This, in connection with natural advantages rendered it much more important and desirable as a business location. From 1818 to 1850; the growth of Plain City and her business developments were characteristic of doubt and uncertainty as to her future prospects among those of her rivals. But in the latter year the location of the trunk-line railroad through her borders removed all uncertainty and the impetus thus given to her growth, business and manufacturing 'developments were truly flattering. The first hotel was kept by Clark Provine; in a log building Located on the same lot as the old National Hotel. This primitive inn was surrounded by under- brush; hazel and plum 'thickets; but as the weary traveler neared the spot, he read with delight the invitation over the. door, "Traveler's Inn." The first dry goods and grocery store was that of the proprietor of the town, Isaac. The first blacksmith was James Goldsberry. The first church was a small brick building belonging to the Methodist denomination: The first school house was a log hut on lot No. 14, and Susan Fudger taught the first school. PRESENT, INDUSTRIES AND ADVANTAGES. Plain City, located on the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad, has a popular tion of about 1,500. It is well iaid out, having broad; well-paved streets; cement side walks and many beautiful residences and splendid business blocks. It is well lighted 176 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. by electricity and has cluster lights through the main part of the town. The city has most excellent water and all the advantages of a place many times its size. It has a splendid school building, several fine churches and other public buildings and has a class of people that for hospitality and sociability cannot be excelled anywhere in the land. Located in a splendid farming country, amid .prosperous and progressive farmers, Plain City is a good shipping point and tens of thousands of dollars worth of live stock and produce is shipped from that place every year. It has some manufacturing institutions and a flour-mill and grain elevator. Plain City has two banks, an opera house, a newspaper, picture shows and beautiful Chautauqua grounds where a chautauqua is held every year.' Another great yearly event is the corn show which is held in October and is attended by large numbers of visitors from over the country. The Plain City Matinee Club comprises many noted horsemen and nearly all the prominent business men in the town are interested in it. J. W. Price a well-known resident of Madison county is one of the leading members of this club and a prominent breeder of road horses. B: E. Thomas, F. B. McCullough, C. M: Jones and many others are members of this club, which has a fine half-mile track. The Ormerod-Jones Company, prescription druggists, has a fine store. The First State Bank is another solid institution there and is thoroughly modern. It has a large and steadily increasing patronage. Among the leading merchants are Horn & Milliken, who have a large. general dry-goods store. J. A. Tedrick is a general dealer in hardware, stoves, agricultural implements, buggies, wagons, harness and general supplies. Joseph Nunamaker is another leading hardware dealer and has a fine store, where he carries a full line of hardware, farming machinery, buggies, etc. He makes a specialty of heating and plumbing. Charles Rice, baker, also has an ice cream parlor. H. L. Smith, proprietor of the Variety Store, carries a full line of dry goods, ready-to-wear garments, a full stock of dishes and glassware and a general line of notions of all kinds. Another large firm is the Howland Brothers, hardware and furniture store, well and favorably known all over that part of the county. The Purity Ice Cream Manufacturing Company does a wholesale and retail business and also handles candies, tobacco and fruits. George. Elias conducts a dry-goods and notion store and also carries a line of ready-to-wear goods, shoes, etc. Currier & Cron, grocers, carry a full line 'of staple and fancy groceries, vegetables, fruits, meats, etc. The Farmers' National Bank, one of the strong, reliable institutions of Plain City, has a handsome bank building with modern fixtures and equipment. Harry Bault, practical horseshoer and general blacksmith, has been in business there for a number of years and has built up an enviable reputation as a high-class workman. E. G. Scott, the jeweler, makes a specialty of watch repairing, and carries a line of watches and jewelry. I. B. Huffman conducts a general garage and handles a full line of accessories and general supplies for automobiles. The Paris Cleaners and Dyers have a well-equipped establishment. J. Quin Converse, jeweler and book dealer, is one of the old established business men there. He carries a full line of watches and also a large line of silverware, magazines, books, stationery, etc. Mr. Converse is president of the Converse family reunion. As there are many Converse families located all over the county, these reunions are pretty large affairs, and very enjoyable. L. C. Alder conducts a harness and general repair shop and also has a line of boots and shoes, etc., and handles bicycles and supplies. Andrews & Wilcox conduct a general livery and feed barn. They also have an automobile service. A. C. Hiatt, general grocer, has been in business there, for years. C. D. Ferguson, funeral director . and embalmer, carries a full line of "automobile accessories and conducts a MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 177 well-equipped garage. F. B. McCullough conducts a large clothing and gents' furnishing store and carries a full line of boots, shoes, etc. Mr. McCullough is interested in fine horses and is the owner of several trotters. The Hotel Smith is a leading hotel at Plain City and is popular with the traveling public. Howland Bros. have a large; modern hardware and furniture store. Moon & Sheehan have a large grain elevator and handle hay, coal, grain and cement. Martin & Strickland, dealers in hay, grain and coal, also handle salt, lime, cement, plaster, brick, sewer pipe, building blocks, etc. The B. E., Thomas Company, wholesale and retail dealers in grain, wool, coal, live stock, clover seed, etc., operate a large elevator and their trade extends all over the county. B. El Thomas is one of the promoters and leaders in the corn show that is held there every year, 'being its vice-president. J. W. Bowers, a former Madison county commissioner, is the district agent for the Home Insurance Company of New York. Crayton's store is a grocery and variety store doing a general business; In addition Mr. Crayton handles automobiles and accessories. W. D. Booth conducts the Cottage restaurant. The Beach-Chandler Company, lumber dealers, also handle cement, roofing, shingles and asphalt. F. M. Walters is one of the leading druggists. J. E. Strayer, lawyer, is a "live wire" and takes great interest in the progress of his home town. Walter F. Mooney, another of Plain City's solid citizens. handles country produce. Henry Wenzel is the photographer. H. O. Hutchinson is the proprietor of a self-serve restaurant. Jones & Douglass conduct a pool room and billiardi parlor and handle soft drinks, cigars and tobacco: George Mellic, barber, is located near the square in the rear of the Farmers National Bank. Charles H. Ackley has a plumbing shop and does electrical work. There is also an old gentleman associated with Mr. Ackley who is called by the name of "Daddy" Stevens, who sharpens and adjusts lawn mowers. Fravel & Grewell are engaged in insurance and real-estate business and in the loaning of money. Mrs. Jennie Weaver conducts a millinery store in the Black block. James W. Strapp, merchant tailor, also does dry cleaning and repairing. L. B. Robinson is the general agent for Ohio for Webster's New International Dictionary. C. G. McCann is one of the leading grocers. L. R. Waits is proprietor of the "Bank" barber shop. Dr. M. J. Jenkins has been in the town for thirty-three years and is identified with many of the city's activities. Doctor Jenkins served two terms in the Ohio Legislature, as representative from Madison county. Robinson & Baker, clothing, shoes 'and gents' furnishings, :carry a full stock. Hudson & Jackson, two enterprising young women, who are conducting a millinery store, also carry a line of notions for women's wear and a complete line of wall paper. The Strickland-Corbin Company, grocers, have a complete line. Mr. Strickland is one of the active business men of the city and is identified with a number of organizations. I. B. Frederick does horseshoing and general blacksmithing. The town clock which was was placed on the Barth & Keiser building, located on the corner of Main and Chillicothe streets, was donated to the town by Samuel Taylor. It was installed at a cost of eight hundred dollars and is a great addition to the town. Saturday, November 15, 1902, after the completion and installation of the clock, an ox roast was given and a general celebration was carried out to commemorate the gift. Kile or Kileville postoffice, the only other town, or more properly, village, in Darby township, is located in the extreme northeast corner of the county, on the Toledo & Ohio Central railroad. It was platted on October 2, 1895, by James Kile. and is only a small "stop" on the above road. The business interests at present consist of a general store owned by 'Ralph Smith and an elevator operated by Fred Kile. C. S. Williams is the blacksmith and postmaster. (12) 178 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO FAFAYETTE. Lafayette, the only town in Deer Creek township, is situated. in the center of the township, on the Columbus, London & Springfield Electric railway. The branch line of this road, which runs through London, leaves the main line at this place. At the time of the organization of Deer Creek township, there was no town or village within its limit's, and there were but few roads of which the principal one was the old stage route, from Columbus to Springfield, a horrible mud road, in which 'stage coaches and wagons often mired hub deep, and had to be pried out with rails; which often delayed them on their journey, besides, severely trying the good nature of the passengers. This mud road and stage route passed through the center of the township and through the Gwynne farm. In 1816, Thomas Gwynne commenced ying off lots for a town on the east side of Deer creek. one and one-half miles northwest of where Lafayette is now situated. This town was named Lawrenceville, but was always better known as "Limerick." In the first two or three years of the town's existence the following families had settled there: Isaac Jones, who came from Tennessee; James Criswell, who was the first blacksmith, a very peculiar and eccentric character, who was succeeded by John Wiseman; Zacariah Jones, a brother of Isaac Jones, and also from Tennessee; Gilman Lincoln ; Angus Ross; who, about 1816, erected a frame house and kept the first and only tavern the town ever had ; Jesse Abbey and Henry Clay were also early settlers. In one room of Isaac Jones house, Gwynne placed a small stock of groceries and such other articles as the simple needs of the people of that day demanded. But the progress of the country was ever onward; and improvements were rapid. In 1836-37 the national road or turnpike was completed through Deer Creek township, in consequence of which the stage route and all travel from Columbus to Springfield and the west was transferred from the old mud road .to the national pike. In consequence of this new and substantial road, there was a great increase in travel, and this missed Limerick, which was thus' thrown off the main thoroughfare. The town at once began to die, and Lawrenceville, or Limerick, has long since become extinct ; the land embracing the town lots was purchased by Eli Gwynne and turned into a pasture field, and` not a vestige remains to indicate that there was ever a town located there. Such are' the constant changes of time. In consequence of the construction of the national road, there was a great increase in travel, and on October 1, 1834, William Minter, who owned a large tract of land on which the town of Lafayette is now situated, commenced to lay off lots for the town, which was named Lafayette, in honor of General Lafayette. The first house was a small frame house erected by Joseph Bell, and others were soon built. The great amount of travel made a demand, for public entertainment, and Calvin Anderson opened up and conducted the first tavern. Soon a second, tavern was in operation, kept by John McMullen ; then a third, built by Stanley Watson and kept by a Mr: Coleman; and, finally, a fourth, kept by Joseph Bell. These all did a good business, as stageload after stage-load of passengers drove up. The first store was kept by William Warner. who later resided in London. The second merchant was Alfred Russell, and the third. Stanley Watson. These were succeeded by Abraham Simpson and others. The first blacksmith was Jacob Snider, whose son was the first child born in the town, and in honor of which was named Lafayette by Mrs. William Minter. Dr. Samuel McClintick was the first physician, and Doctor Anklin the' second. These Were succeeded by Doctors Fields, Rogers, Beach, Hornback and others. The first postmaster was John Minter. In 1881 the township erected a large brick township house, two stories high—a hall, above and the town house below. This building is pleasantly located on. the corner of the Main square, and speaks well for the public enterprise of the citizens of Deer Creek township. The interurban line has a stop there, and this has aided the town materially. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 179 The population of the town at present numbers seventy-five. There are three good general merchandise stores operated by W. O. Huff, Bethard Brothers and Minter & Lannigan. George Dildine is the village blacksmith. LILLY CHAPEL. In 1850 a Methodist church was erected on land owned by Wesley Lilly, in Fairfield township, and in consequence of this gift of a site to the church it was given the name of "Lilly Chapel." This church prospered and drew the early settlers from that part of the county, although the idea of -making a settlement there was not then considered. In. 1871 and 1872 the Short Line railroad, from Springfield to Columbus, appeared in prospect, and in the latter year Thomas Durfiinger opened a store at Lilly Chapel in anticipation of the railroad; He also hoped for a station to be established if the road should actually 'go through that place. In 1873 the railroad was completed, and, sure enough, a station was established and called Lilly Chapel. The town was platted on August 28, 1871, by Henry Gilroy and Henry Lilly and the town was named Gilroy. But as the station and locality had previously been designated as Lilly Chapel, in consequence of the church erected there and bearing that name and as, in 1873, Henry Lilly originated a petition for a postoffice under the name of Lilly Chapel, which was granted by the postoffice department on the establishing of a postal route over the railroad, the town has ever been known and recognized by the name of Lilly Chapel. The first postmaster, Thomas Horn, was succeeded by C. L. Bales, and he by George Leiter. Thomas Horn built, the first :house after the laying out of the town and engaged in the mercantile trade. He also was the first local agent of the railroad company. David Wright was the first blacksmith, he having opened a shop in a house erected by Henry. Lilly. The first physician, Doctor.. Taggart, who located there in 1880; remained only a few months. In the spring. of 1881, Doctor Schofield located there and was the neighborhood physician for many years. Lilly Chapel began to grow and prosper, and, as its location was in an excellent farming district, it soon took on a very businesslike air. In 1885 it contained a population of two hundred inhabitants. There were three general stores, one grocery, two blacksmith shops, employing four workmen, with a wagon and buggy shop combined. There were two steam sawmills; one of which had two engines and did a large business furnishing the material for the manufacture Of wagons and buggies. The largest business of that day was carried on by two grain elevators, one of which was built by Pringle Brothers in the fall of 1877 and the other by the "Farmers' Association," the latter of which was managed by J. C. Byers & Company, and both of which did an extensive business. In 1876, prior to the erection of these elevators, four farmers, Henry Lilly, John Horn, Thomas Horn and Thomas Gorby, erected a corn-sheller and elevator for a neighborhood convenience, for shelling and shipping corn. This proved so successful and beneficial in its operations that it resulted in the building 'of the above mentioned elevators. These elevators received grain from a large scope of country and were a great convenience and source of profit to that section of the county. In 1878 a large tile factory run by steam power was erected, and immediately began doing a large business, at that time probably being one of the best in Madison'county. Lilly Chapel is the railroad center for that section of the county and since it is located in the midst of a rich and productive country, it is an excellent shipping point for all kinds of farm products. The population- of the town at present numbers' three hundred and seventy people. It has an up-to-date bank, the Farmers Bank, a lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, two churches, German Lutheran and Methodist Episcopal, and a second-grade' high school. Bonds to the amount of forty thousand dollars were voted in the spring of 1915 for the erection of a new high school building, to be completed for the school year of 1916-17 and to be one 'of the most modern and 180 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. up-to-date school buildings in the county. M. C. Fitzgerald is the present postmaster and E. J. Belton, the railroad agent. The business interests of the town are represented by two general stores, owned, respectively, by. Brough Ritchey and F. O. Morris; M. C. Fitzgerald, hardware stare; W. H. Horn, confectionery ; Farrar & Wood, elevator, which does an extensive business ; Samuel Horn, garage, and J. W. Story, blacksmith. THE VILLAGE OF BIG PLAIN. Big Plain is the second town in Fairfield township in point of size, but it is first in point of age. It is situated in the central part of the township. and was laid out in the spring of 1849, by Thomas Chappel, Robert Thomas and William. D. Pringle. This was about the time of the great excitement over the discovery of the rich gold mines in California, and in consequence it was given the name of California. The town was laid out in the midst of a very rich country, possessed of an excellent soil and the name seemed very appropriate and suggestive. Near this town were the large prairies known as the "Big Plains," and upon the establishment' of the postoffice in this town, as there was an office elsewhere in the state called California, the department gave the town the name of Big Plain, the name soon being adopted for the town, in order to prevent confusion, and California was dropped. Doctor Holmes erected the first house in the town. He was the first postmaster and also the first physician to locate in the town. Prior, however, to the laying out of the town, Doctor Davis, a practicing physician, had located about three miles northeast of California, and he was, perhaps, the first resident physician in the township; although it is said that he never had a very extensive practice. Peter Trout built the second house in the village. The first store was opened by James Parks and the first blacksmith shop by William Riley. Big Plain grew rapidly for a time, and there was quite an extensive business carried on there. It is located in the heart of a thriving community and is surrounded by beautiful farms and a wealthy class of people. It is a town of two hundred population and does quite an extensive local business, regardless of the fact that there has been a great exodus of people from the smaller to the larger towns. There is a Methodist Episcopal church in the town; a Knights of Pythias lodge and the township house is located there. The business interests are taken care of by Charles Funk, Fremont Buffington, F. D. Edwards and Harley Carter. KIOUSVILLE. Kiousville, in Fairfield township, is located at the south line of the township bordering on Pleasant township. This small village was originally known as Warnersville, receiving this. name ,from the fact that the tract of land was owned by Mr. Warner. About 1867 David Lane, a huckster by occupation, opened a small store there, which in 1872, he sold to R. Watrous, who continued in business at that. point until 1881. In January, 1881, Watrous sold out to J. S. Bowers. He carried on the business one year and then sold to William Watrous & Brother. In the fall of 1874 a postoffice was established there and it was also called Warnersville, with R. Watrous as postmaster. This office existed until 1879, when it was discontinued, as it was not self-supporting. But in the spring of 1881 it was re-established under the name of Kiousville, with J. S. Bowers as postmaster. In January, 1882, William Watrous became postmaster. This postoffice later was abandoned and the territory thus served is now covered by a rural route, but the name of the town remains Kiousville. Jesse. Bowers built the first house in the village and was also the first blacksmith. He was later succeeded by Henry Bowers. This little village grew very slowly, and at present consists of a few houses, with a general store, managed by F. P. Daniels, and a blacksmith shop, owned by E. B. Mitchell. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 181 GILLIVAN Gillivan is the only other town in Jefferson township beside the city of Jefferson (a history of the latter being presented elsewhere in this volume), although Glade Run is marked on the county map, but the latter is only a siding on the Pennsylvania railroad. This town was never platted and at present is nothing more than a crossroads village. The business interests of the town are taken care of by J. Beers, general merchandise ; McCoy Brothers, hardware, and Gladstone Holloway, blacksmith. There are only six dwellings in the village, but as the town lies in the northern part of Jefferson township, with the nearest town five miles distant, the trade of the hamlet is rather good. RESACA. There are two small villages within the limits of Monroe township, Resaca and Plumwood. The former of these is located in the northeastern corner of the township and the latter in the south central part, about a mile from the Deer Creek township line. Resaca was never platted and at ,present contains a population of some thirty persons. The business interests consist of two general stores, owned, respectively, by Roy Byerly and Pern Findley. Dr. J. M. Morse is the practicing physician of the village. Howard Lumbard runs a blacksmith shop and William Fenner, a poolroom. This little village is at the corner of four townships, namely, Canaan, Darby, Pike and Monroe, and the business interests of the town have a good country trade. PLUMWOOD Plumwood was platted on December 23, 1895, by Charles F: Sanford. It first bore the name of Sanford in honor of the owner, but this was later changed to Plumwood. The business carried on by this town exceeds any in the northwestern part of the county. It has an estimated population of two hundred people. There are three general stores, owned, respectively, by S. A. Hillman, Dan Peterman and C. W. Peters, and all do a very nice business. Elsworth Grewell 'is the village blacksmith. Plumwood is a great center for threshing outfits, 'and the following have their headquarters there: James Stockwell, three steam outfits; Ed Stockwell, one, and Fred Glass, two steam outfits and a gasoline tractor. There are also three hay balers working out of Plumwood. Carl Reed operates a gasoline baler and James Dooley and Frank. Reed each has a horse-power outfit. THE HAMLET OF CHRISMAN. Oak Run township has only one village within its limits. This hamlet is known as Chrisman. It was never platted and at present consists of only a few houses. A Methodist Episcopal church is located at that point and is attended by the people of the surrounding country. There are no business interests at present. WALNUT RUN. Paint township contains but two small towns within its limits. In 1849 the land where Walnut Run now stands was owned by Ephraim Freshour, and in that year he laid off some lots for a town and donated one lot for school purposes. Although the platting was done at a much earlier date, it was recorded on June 17, 1837. The town was first called Newport, and the postoffice always bore the name of Walnut Run. James Coberly erected the first house, in which he lived until his death. The second was built by Elias Forbes as a dwelling for. himself. The first blacksmith was James Jewell, who was succeeded by. Henry Roland. About 1851-52, John Coberly built a steam saw-mill in the town, with the old-style of upright saw, which, after several years' operation, was supplanted by a circular saw. Elias. Forbes was the first wagon- 182 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. maker. The first store was opened by Napoleon Moore, who erected a building and put in a general stock of goods in 1854. The postoffice was established 1856-57, with James Gossard as postmaster. The village at present. contains about one hundred inhabitants. Florence, the other, town in Paint, township, is situated on the Pennsylvania railroad and is the only station on, that road west of Loudon in Madison county. It was never platted and at present. consists of only . a few. houses, an elevator, a general store and the Pennsylvania railroad : station and, freight depot. ROSEDALE. There is but one town, or, more properly, village, in Pike township. Darius, Burnham surveyed and laid off the first lots for the town. He had the town duly platted, which was recorded at the recorder's office in London on May 18, 1836, under the name of Liverpool the business interests„ of the town began at an earlier period, 1881-32, when one Captain Andrews, of Chillicothe; located on the Worthington road, just west of John Weaver's place, where he purchased about one thousand three hundred acres of land. Weaver quite wealthy, and soon after locating there he erected a building. Purchased a stock of goods, and opened up .a store,' which was. the first ever conducted in the township: His place he named "Rosedale Farm," taking the name, presumably, from the postoffice, he hiving obtained the establishment of an office at his place about 1832, under the name of Rosedale postoffice, he being the first postmaster of the newly-created office— Upon the death of Captain Andrews, he was succeeded by A. Simpkins, who was succeeded by Fox & Snodgrass, with Mr. Fox as postmaster. There were two small log houses on the ground when the town was laid out, after which Mr. Burnham erected the first frame house, a part of which was used for a dwelling and the other part finished. up for a :storeroom. John and David Snyder put in the first stock of goods in this newly-erected. building and continued business a few years, after which they moved away. The next store opened there was by Foster Griffin, who commenced trade by putting in a, small stock of goods and running a moderate trade; his leading business, to which he gave most of his attention, was dealing in cheese. Finally, Henry Burnham entered into a partnership with Griffin, but this connection existed only a short time, Burnham withdrawing, and L. D. Mann entered into partnership with Griffin, but in a short time Mann withdrew, after which Griffin continued in business alone for several years.. About 1837-38 Griffin became postmaster, the office being moved from the country, where it was first established, to .Liverpool, but it retained its original name of Rosedale, and remained permanently located' in the town until it was abandoned and covered by a rural route. The name of the town has since remained Rosedale. The first blacksmith to locate in the town was a Mr. Creamer. The first physician was Doctor Curl; the next, Dr. Jeremiah Converse; then another, Doctor Converse. Later, Dr.. William Adams began the practice of medicine there, and he was followed by Dr. J. C. Kalb and Doctor Carter. The first shoemaker was Edsel Carr. The first saddle and harness shop was a. branch of the plant of McGruder & Reed, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Rosedale is situated in the northwestern part of the county, about the center of Pike township. Although it has been handicapped by the lack of a railroad, still it is a very thriving little-business center for the country people of that vicinity. At present the business interests of the town consist of the general store of E. M. McCullough & Sons and the blacksmith shop of John and Joseph. Roseberry. It has a population of sixty people. The icentralized township high school for Pike township is also: located there, a first-grade high school, with seven teachers. The present school building was MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 183 erected in 1905 at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, and is modern and up-to-date in every respect. Seven wagons are used to carry the children to and from the school, and the present enrollment is ,one hundred and seventy. MT. STERLING. Pleasant township contains but one town and two villages within its limits. Mt. .Sterling is situated in the southeastern ,part of the. township and also of Madison county. John J. Smith came to this county from near. Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and purchased quite. a large tract of land in Pleasant township, embracing the ground upon. which Mt. Sterling now stands. After over twenty years, of pioneer work; there was no town or village in the township, and Smith, about. 1828, surveyed and laid off some lots for a town. The same was platted, and duly recorded at London. on June 26, 1829, under the name of Mt. Sterling, after Smith's, favorite town, Mt.. Sterling, in his. native state. The first house erected .was a small frame.house built by Jacob. Alkire, and just opposite to it, on Columbus street, Alkire erected, the second house. The first tavern was built and conducted by Andrew J. Mure, who was succeeded by Benjamin Leach, and he by Robert Abernathy. Soon after, a second hotel was built and conducted by John Peterson, located where Levi Southward's livery barn late stood. Mr. Mure also opened the first store. Wilson & Graham were the first to keep a general stock of merchandise. William D. Wood .and Wesley ,Howard were two. early merchants. The first carpenter was James Baker, who was quite an early settler and became. some. what prominent in the early progress of the place. ,Stephen S. Beale, the first shoemaker of the town, was a native of Virginia and settled there, about 1834; he followed the shoemaking trade for fifteen years, after which he: entered upon farming and became wealthy, owning as much as one thousand acres of land. William Atkins and Otho Williams were the first blacksmiths. The first physician was Dr. J. Gregory ; the, next, Doctor Leeds, after whom came Dr. D. E. McMillan, who located there in 1837. The postoffice was established about 1840, with Rowland Wilson as the first postmaster. The town was incorporated on March 12, 1845, and the first election held on August 15, 1845, the following being elected to the first offices in the town : Lewis Timmons, mayor; Smiley .Hughes, clerk; N, R. Stanford, marshal; John Merrill, Dr. .Samuel McClintick, C. W. Cozens, R. W. Evans and Dr. William McClintick, councilmen. The present officers are: J. N. Waldo, mayor ; George. W. Tanner, clerk ; O. J. Ray, treasurer; Dr. Elder, Laban Fulton, Glenn Johnson, J. N. Waldo and, Homers C. Wilson, councilmen. THE TOWN'S BUSINESS INTERESTS Mt. Sterling has a population of about one thousand two hundred. The country for many miles around is fertile and produces Immense crops, and the farmers are prosperous and up to date. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad from Columbus to Cincinnati runs through the town and makes it a good shipping point, A great :amount of live stock and grain is shipped from the place every year and the two great grain elevators do a big business. Mt. Sterling has a fine high school, and also .a splendid grade school, with a large enrollment. The churches are well attended. The town is lighted by electricity. and has waterworks, an opera house, a fine public library, halls and other public buildings. One of the oldest corn festivals or corn shows held in the state is given there annually in January. Another event of great interest is the chautauqua, which is held. annually. Mt. Sterling has a baseball team that it is proud of the team being composed of a splendid set of ball, players. Mt. Sterling has a live set of merchants and business and professional men, who take a great interest in the progress and welfare of their town. The firm of Clock & Boyd' handles a full line of dry goods, carpets; curtains, boots, shoes, clothing, hats, 184 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO caps and household. goods. T. R. Dille has a large hardware store and carries a general line of everything in the hardware line. Gilbert .S. Carpenter, gents' furnishing goods, has a fine store and carries a full line of goods. A. J. Tannehill, druggist,, has a modern store and does a flourishing business. H. Clay Johnson & Company, dealers in all kinds of footwear, carry a full line. W. 0. Mendenhall, grocer, enjoys .a big trade. George A. Boice sells dry goods, notions and groceries. G. a O'Day handles cameras and supplies, fishing tackle, baseball goods, bicycles and sundries; and a general line of sporting goods. F. H. Hott is the proprietor of the bakery. W. E. Waldo deals in buggies, harness and harness supplies. Miss Olive E. Silverthorne conducts a millinery establishment. The Citizens National Bank, with a capital of about a quarter of a million, has considerably over a half million, dollars in resources: H. J. Taylor is the cashier Bowman & Reynolds, furniture dealers, also conduct an undertaking establishment. The Hotel Richard serves the needs of the traveling public. Ed. Neff, the proprietor of a garage, also has a machine shop. Jones & Jones, grain merchants, have a large 'elevator and also sell flour,' lime, coal, cement, fencing, etc. Dr. G. M. McDonald, .a well-known dentist, is the manager of the Rockley Airedale kennels, breeders and importers of these high-class terriers. J. C. Parkinson, meat market, does his own butchering. The Mt. Sterling Lumber Company does an extensive business. The Carter Fence Company ships goods all over thee country. The First National Bank is among the. "Roll of Honor" banks. Mrs. D. N. Erskine carries a full line of millinery. W. L. Hastings, watchmaker and jeweler, also handles men's shoes. W. E. Erskine conducts a general garage and is the agent for cars. Schryver & Neff conduct an insurance, bonding, real-estate and loan business. J. O'Brien, merchant tailor, also has a cleaning and pressing establishment. The Gerlach harness store handles all kinds of horse goods. Ed R. Johnson conducts a plumbing shop and does general work in that line. E. T. Snyder, who conducts a furniture store, is also an embalmer and undertaker. The Park restaurant is conducted by Mrs. Mattie Runyan, who conducts a confectionery and ice cream parlor in connection. The Sterling Grain Company are dealers in grain, coal, cement, hay, straw, feed, salt, posts, wire fence, sewer pipe, drain tile, implements, high-grade fertilizers, buggies, wagons, etc. Blessing's Smoke House is a barber shop, cigar store and poolroom 'combined. G. W. Thomas is the proprietor of the B. and O. livery barn. The Security Building and Loan Company is steadily increasing its business. Wilby Cowan, proprietor of a dry-cleaning and pressing establishment, has a shoe-shining parlor and laundry agency. S. E. McDilda does all kinds of upholstering. The Mt. Sterling Monument Company has a fine display room. W. C. Dyer, a dealer in agricultural implements of all kinds, is a specialist on such subjects as fertilizer requirements, balanced rations for stock, soil requirements and other farm questions. Antioch and McKendree are two small villages in Pleasant township. These hamlets have no business or professional interests, and only a few houses to mark their location. SEDALIA. As Range township became thickly settled and- the people advanced in 'the various improvements, from which spring, as an outgrowth, all towns and villages, so there have sprung into existence three villages. Sedalia is the largest of these villages, with Range. or Danville, and Chenoweth "following in order. "Midway," long since known as Sedalia, was the first to come into existence as a town. At quite an early date a road was opened through from east to west, passing through Range township and subsequently becoming a general thoroughfare, over which droves of cattle passed from the west to the eastern markets. Travel and traffic kept increasing, and 'hotels and stores for their accommodation were soon in demand to meet MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 185 these increasing wants. On this great thoroughfare from east to west, in Range township, was a central point, which was half way between Chicago and Philadelphia. It is also a middle point between several of the towns of closer proximity. Hence, from these circumstances of its position, geographically considered, it was given the name of "Midway." The land upon which the town ,is located was owned by William Morris, Frank Thompson and Lockhart Biggs. The exact date of the laying off of .the first lots cannot be definitely stated, but the records at London reveal that it was surveyed and laid off in lots, and that the town was platted and laid off by Holt, Morris and Blue, under record of June 13, 1833. Also, January 18, 1838, was recorded Ward's addition ; again, on October 30, 1868,, an addition by J. Q. Minshall; on January 6; 1869, an addition by Cyrus Timmons; on May 8, 1876, an extension by the council, and on February 15, 1879, an addition by Levi 'Counts. It appears that there were two small cabins built there before the town was laid out—one on the corner where later ithe hotel stood, built by William Oliver. After the laying out of the town, the first house was built by Isaac Newman, and was occupied by John Blue as a hotel. He was succeeded by Joseph Wilmuth, and he by W. T. Garrard. This 'house then ceased to be used longer for hotel purposes, but two others were erected, probably at nearly the same date, one by Richard Smith, who was succeeded by James Williamson, and he by Mr. Jackson; then Thomas Green, Elihu Watkins, and last by David Small, after which the property went into ownership as a private residence. The other hotel was erected by L. D. Rowe, and was kept, by John McElhaney, who was succeeded by the following persons, in the order, respectively, as their names appear : Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, James Blizzard, A. J. Thacker, Isaac Byers, A. Miller, Caroline Morris, Charles Bailey, A. Miller, Carty Ellers, W. C. Wheaton, John Timmons, Benson' Hedley, E. C. Duff and Isaac N. Fisher. Thus this enterprise has been carried on by different parties, and in an early day, when this great thoroughfare was doing its greatest business with stock dealers, and its varied travel and traffic, the hotel trade was a very profitable business. There was the meeting place of the Eastern stock buyers and the Western stock sellers, and there they left hundreds of dollars with the landlords of the hotels for their accommodations. But when the railroadspassed through the county, and stock ceased to be driven in the old slow and tedious way, and was transported by steam from the West to the East, then this road, with its numerous hotels, lost its prestige and the attention of the people was turned to other channels of business. SPLENDID NATURAL ADVANTAGES. The first postmaster in Midway was James Williamson. The first store was opened by William Holt, who kept a general stock of merchandise, tinware, etc. The first blacksmith was a Mr. Boss. Doctor Clark was the first practicing physician of the town, and he was followed by Doctors Lemon, Garrard, Darling, Atkinson, Fields, Seaton and others. When the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad was built the town took on a new life and has since continued to hold its place among the towns of Madison county. The name of the town was later changed to Sedalia and it has since continued to be known by that name. It is located in a splendid farming community and has many advantages. It has a large grain elevator and warehouse, owned by Vent & Riddle. Sedalia is well supplied with good schools and churches, has a high school, a group of the Madison county Young Men's Christian Association and a good, live class of merchants and business men. The department store owned by C. C. Hewitt carries pretty much everything that is needed in that community. The Sedalia Auto Company handles automobiles and accessories, and does painting and general blacksmithing. M. C. Price & Son, dealers in 186 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO groceries, also: carry a full line of candies and Cigars. The Farmers Bank of Sedalia has a good surplus and is a solid institution. George Dorn is the cashier. J. R. Jones is proprietor of a cement-block factory located in the old Dick Williams shop. Alfred Moore conducts an ice-cream parlor and confectionery store. H. L. Steele is proprietor of a general store end operates a barber shop. The Sedalia House is conducted by Sherman West, who also has a livery and feed barn in connection. Sedalia has a population of three hundred fifty people, and the present (1915) mayor is J. N. Ford. DANVILLE. The, land where Danville now stands was formerly owned by Daniel and Joseph Counts, the latter owning the northeast corner between. the cross-roads, and the former owning the northwest corner, and all south of the federal road. About 1827-28, a stock dealer, Daniel Brown, who had been buying stock and driving to the Eastern markets, proposed to open a store at the cross-roads. Daniel Counts gave him a piece of land to erect a house upon, and assisted in putting up the building, a hewed-log house, When the building was completed, Brown put in a small stock of goods and continued in trade there about three years. He was succeeded by Joseph Counts, a brother of Peter Counts, who continued in trade two or three years, at the end of which time he removed to 'Ross county. Finally, Daniel Counts gave several lots to individuals for the purpose of erecting houses, and the result was the beginning of a town. From the fact that both the proprietors of the town, Brown and Counts, were named Daniel, the,new town received the cognomen of Danville. About 1836-37 a building was erected by the McClimans Brothers for a hotel, which was kept by Andrew Willoughby, who was succeeded by John Justis. Danville enjoyed a similar trade and prosperity to that of Midway from the stock dealers, and the trade and traffic of those early days. The first blacksmith in the town was James Counts, a brother of Peter Counts. The first shoemaker was William Mitchell, a one-legged man, a Frenchman by birth, who served during the War of 1812 with Perry on the lakes, was taken prisoner and subsequently was released and settled in Danville. The town was duly laid out and the plat recorded at London on October 18, 1848, by Daniel Counts. This town has had no natural advantage to further its growth and has not been accommodated with a railroad, hence its growth has not been rapid. The present business interests of the town 'consist of a general store, owned by J. M. Pampsey, and a blacksmith shop, operated by David Weaver. Chenoweth is the third town in Range township. It was never platted, and con. sists of only a cluster of houses. The business, interests of the town. are a grocery store, owned by Truitt & Truitt, and a blacksmith shop owned by Frank Fast.  SOUTH SOLON. South Solon, the only town within the limits of Stokes township, is located on the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton' railroad and is in the west central part of the township. It was laid. out and platted on December 23, 1831, by J. K. Hudson and Andrew. Douglas. The latter built the first house and was the first blacksmith in the village. John Noland Opened the first store, and was the pioneer in the mercantile trade. Doctor Simmerman, a, root and, herb doctor, and possessed of some Indian blood in his veins, was the first practicing physician, and was quite skillful in 'treating diseases• under his system. The town grew slowly for many years, as it had no railroad or :other stimulus to promote its growth .or to create business. The entire township was without a railroad for many years after its organization; and all grain stock and farm products were hauled to some distant market or for shipment. As a result of this, when the farmers were at these foreign markets they made their purchases of dry goods and groceries for home consumption; hence there was little inducement for men of means MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 187 or business ability to locate or invest at South Solon. Thing's were at a standstill until 1878, in which year the Springfield Southern railroad; since known as the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad,. was built and passed through the village, connecting it with Springfield and the coal fields of southeastern Ohio. This opened a way for shipping the products of the country, and made, as it were, a home market for all classes of goods. John Hudson erected a warehouse and grain elevator, after which the farmers hauled their grain there and shipped their stock from the home market. This created quite a business. Men were in demand, and this created a demand for houses. Merchants found an opening for the profitable investment of their capital. From this time the town has experienced a steady growth. The railroad, which at first Was a narrow-gauge line, was, in 1880, transformed to a standard-gauge road and is doing quite a live and thriving business. South Solon at present has a population of about five hundred. One of the finest centralized school buildings in the state, recently completed there at a cost of over twenty thousand dollars, has eight departments and along With domestic science and manual training it has first-year work in high school. South Solon is a pretty place, having wide streets cement sidewalks, some beautiful residences and a number of good churches: The Titus Elevator Company located there handles an immense amount 'of grain every year. R. C: Brant, who has a general merchandise store, has been there for Many years. The Fanners & Traders. Banking Company does a large business and is one of the best equipped banks in the county. L. C. Titus is an auctioneer and a general dealer in 'grain, wool arid all sorts of farm implements, real estate, etc. The South Solon Hardware Company, of which H. C. Whitaker and F. W. Knowles are the proprietors, handles general hardware supplies. Smith Jenks & Son are butchers and conduct a meat. market. The Park Hotel provides for the needs of the weary traveler. John W. Black conducts an ice cream parlor, lunch counter and confectionery store. Charles Lower, who conducts a barber shop, has been in business for twenty years. Stroup; mayor acid justice of the peace, is the editor of the south Solon News. Mayor Stroup is an old newspaper man.W. P. Bainter has a general repair shop. Clemens restaurant is one of the popular eating places. There are also a number of other business enterprises, Including two good: livery barns and one or two garages. EARLY HISTORY OF SOUTH SOLON. The following history of South Solon, written by Thomas Scott Cooper, was clipped from a recent issue of the London Enterprise:  "In about 1833 there lived within a mile or so of the crossing of the federal and Washington roads John K. Hutson, Jacob Smith, Samuel Harrod, and Harold, Griffith Thomas, Andrew Douglas, John Kelso, Noble Ladd and a Mr. Burley.. The site of the .original village plot was :a thicket of hazel brush, oak saplings, haw and plum; in fact, most of the territory now occupied by the village of South Solon was then a howling wilderness. "It was certainly a momentous occasion when, those old settlers decided that it would be a good thing to start a town at the cross-roads. We may imagine some of the arguments put forward in favor of the project ___ some were in the need, of a general store, a hotel, a blacksmith, a shoemaker and a doctor, and there were other :advantages they expected to enjoy. After many conferences over the matter it was finally settled, and a, surveyor was, employed to make the. survey. We may be allowed to imagine a beautiful day in the' spring, or early summer, rather, of the year 1833. All nature seemed to be in, repose, yet was never more alive. While the sun's rays glinted through the, tree tops dispersing the dewdrops that hung: pendant from the tips of the leaves, the an was redolent with the perfume of the Many Wild flowers that grew in 188 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. profusion alongside the road or in the wood bordering the same—the daisy, the buttercup and the ivy, and then the wild plum and the haw, clothed, in white, were seen intermingled with the hazel and briar thickets. Down in the low lands the dogwood bloomed. The hum of the wild bee, as it flitted from dower to flower, the cooing of the turtle dove, the chatter of the linnet and blue jay, the chirping of the young squirrel as. it frisked about from limb to limb in the .joy of, living, and the lowing of distant kine were some of the sounds that broke the drowsy stillness. ALL NATURE SEEMED TO SMILE. "The wild rose was beginning to open her petals to the sun, filling the air with the sweet aroma ; the blue violet nodded 'neath the thorn trees' shade, and far off was heard the bay of the faithful watch clog, and the woodman's ax and blue wreaths of smoke akending designated where. some settler was busy clearing his land. "All the elements of nature seemed to smile upon the undertaking at hand, as marking an epoch in the history of the world. And while we are meditating upon the glories of nature and the goodness of God in placing our lives in so goodly a land, two men came down the road from the west and halted at the crossing of the federal and Washington roads. They looked to be men of about thirty-five years of age. We recognize them as John K. Hutson and Andrew Douglas. They were soon after joined by Samuel Harrod and Thomas Ellis. While they were engaged in animated conversation, gesticulating and pointing first one way and then another, three or four men, coming from the north, carrying a chain and compass, joined them. The one with the compass, I believe, was Patrick McLene, of London, and county surveyor, "Without following them any further through the labors of that day we will refer the -reader to the original plat, as surveyed and laid off that day—commencing at a point north of the federal road at lot No. 1, east to Washington road—eight lots with an eight-foot alley between each block of four lots. East of Washington road were laid out six lots with eight-foot alley between each block of three lots. On the south side of federal road, corresponding with above, were laid out fourteen lots, each lot being made fifty by one hundred and seventy-five feet. The main street was to be sixty feet wide. The plat does not show any provision for a rear alley nor space for sidewalks,. so I presume the sidewalks encroach on the road. "The original town plat of Solon consisted of twenty-eight lots. The land upon which these lots were laid out belonged to John K. Hutson on the south side of the federal road, and on the north side to Samuel. Harrod.. My father lived near where the Pancake chapel now stands, but by 1850 I had become pretty well acquainted with the lay of the town: On lot No.-1, as described in the plot, stood a one-story log house; lots .2 and 3 were vacant; on. No. 4 stood a one-story log house; on lot 5 was a two-story hewed log house.; on No. 6 a one-story frame; lots Nos. 7 and 8 were owned by John Nolan and William Snyder ; on. lot 7 was a frame storeroom. On No. 8 two log cabins; on 9, where the Brant store is, was a two-story frame, part of it being used as a storeroom, .but don't remember now .who occupied it; the last house on that side was a small frame on lot 11. "On the south side of the .federal road, on lot 15, opposite lot 1, stood a one-story log owned and occupied by Hugh Orr ; the next house standing on lot 19 was a double house, part log and part frame, built by one of the old pioneers by the name of Ray ; on lot 20 a one-story frame; on lot. 21 a one-story frame and a blacksmith shop; on lot 22 stood the old hotel, in which many a high .jinks was played; they were supposed to issue out the .best of liquors, and I presume it was of a better grade than is dealt in today, if there is any better to it ; on lot 23 was a one-story log; 24, a real nice hewed log house; 25 and 26 were vacant lots; on 27 a one-story hewed log ; on 28 two log cabins occupied by William Linville, an old sailor. North of lots 7 and .8 was quite a MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 189 large frame building, at first used as a distillery and later as a grist-mill, owned and operated by Jacob Smith. I indistinctly remember the old log school house, which stood near where the Methodist Episcopal church now stands. RAILROAD GIVES TOWN IMPETUS. "When I first came into the immediate vicinity of Solon, in 1854, I do not believe it contained a population exceeding fifty persons, old and young, and its growth was very slow until after the railroad was put through in 1878. Since that time its progress has been quite noticeable in more ways than one. Many of the serious drawbacks to its physical and moral progress have been eliminated, and today we have as orderly and quiet a little town as there is in central. Ohio. We have four church organizations, a township high school second to none in the state, a fine new school building with all the modern conveniences up to date,. and a very efficient corps of teachers. "From what I know by observations of the early days of South Solon, from about 1850, I believe I am safe in saying. that the period from 1850 to about 1865 should be reckoned as the time of its lowest moral standard. After the close of the Civil War the citizens began gradually to get the upper hand in the fight for law and. order, until today it is not healthy for .the class that used to infest the place to be around. With the sentiment of our citizens in favor of law and. order, and our efficient officers to enforce the same, we feel safe in guaranteeing the future prosperity and respectability of our village. "After the town was laid out, the question arose as to what it should be named. The people. could not agree on a name, and it was decided to consult. Judge Harrold, he being a -man of wide. experience and eminent learning, and John K. Hutson was delegated to consult him. Mr. Harrold suggested the name. of Solon, in honor of the great Grecian lawgiver of that name. The suggestion was accepted, and for the reason that there was already a Solon in the northern part of the state it was called South Solon. "The first storekeeper was John Nolan; first blacksmith, Andrew Douglas; first physician, John Zimmerman, a quadroon Pottawatomie Indian. He was a Christian preacher, moved from here to Summerford and organized the first Christian church. I remember seeing him only a few times. "This town has grown since I first 'knew it from a population Hof about fifty to near five hundred today. Property values are increasing, and the demand for new building lots is becoming urgent. I could go on and write of many scenes and incidents that know of and witnessed during my acquaintance with the community, some pathetic and others reprehensible, but deem it inexpedient, as perhaps it would not interest the general, public. If in these feeble efforts I have been so happy as to entertain The Enterprise readers ever so little, I am content." MEYERS AND RUPERT There are only two villages in Union township, outside of the town of London. These are Meyers and Rupert. The former is on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis railroad, about four miles west of London. There is nothing at present of the town except a railroad switch. 'Rupert is east of London, between the former town and Lilly .Chapel. There are a few houses and the business interests of the town are taken care of by E. E. Summers, who has a general store and blacksmith shop. CHAPTER XIX. TOWN OF LONDON. The following an article taken from the Woman's Edition of the London Times of April 30, 1914, and it is regarded as write certain that no 'better. article than this could be written as a preface to the history of that town: LONDON: ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, By Sallie Dooris. The history of London is yet to be written. Old times are becoming mere traditions. With the passing years things as they "used. to be" are Vanishing in the Mists of forgetfulness. London needs a historian who will wrest from the shadows of the past the life, manners and customs of the early settlers, giving to them concrete form, showing the true worth and work of the old pioneers; who lived in the beginning of. Madison county and London history: To live, to work, to be happy, to suffer, to die and be forgotten, is bitterness indeed. To the Christian there is bliss unspeakable in the hope of immortality. There is a lesser, More earthly joy not alien to the heavenly, in the longing for remembrance: in one's home county after this fitful life is over. For this, records are kept; biographies written, histories compiled. Who will be London's historian? THE ACCOMMODATING MR. M'LENE. The story is told that Patrick McLene, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, was commissioned to lay out the village. of London. This he did in 1810; Inheriting traits from across the sea where it. rains if you look up at the sky or in other words, rain falls twenty-nine out of the thirty days, he was determined that the inhabitants of the hamlet, named after the great .English metropolis, should have, weather permitting, sunshine in every, room of every house some part of the day, which accounts for our, streets not running according to the point of the compass, due north and southeast and west. Mr. McLene accomplished his purpose so well, that strangers; first coming the town, are at a Joss, to determine in what direction to look for the rising and setting of the sun. But all the same, the sun performs its glorious mission of dispelling microbes and malaria, and to him, a hundred years later, we take off our hats. In 1810 Ohio was included in the Far West, a vague region, sparsely inhabited and full of possibilities for the seeker of adventure and the man of slim purse. Land was cheap and plenty of the best could be bought for thirty-seven and one-half cents an acre; inferior as ow as twelve and as half cents: People came from the east and south in covered wagons that looked like schooners with a Coarse dirty white sunbonnet drawn over them. These wagons carried the entire worldly possessions and household goods, besides the parents and children: A pair of horses, sometimes an ox team, drew them. By 1812 London boasted six or eight familles. Life was on the most primitive lines. Madison county is a high table land between the Miami and Scioto rivers. London, according to the railroad survey, is three hundred and eighty-nine feet higher than Columbus. When the early settlers came most of the land was under water. Ponds were numerous, wild fowl abounded, ague and malaria as a matter of course. The MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 191 spirit of enterprise was strong. The forests were cleaned, ponds and swamps drained, the land reclaimed. TRUNDLE BED AND GREASE-LAMP TIME Log cabins of one room were the first houses. The family cooked, ate, Slept in that one room and thanked God for a roof to cover them. A four-post bed with a corded bottom Supported a tick filled with straw ; on top perhaps was a feather bed: At night a child was tucked in at the foot ; and if father and mother were long of limb the poor youngster got many a prod. The trundle bed kept beneath the larger one, was drawn out in the twilight and the larger children were sent to bed with the chickens:   Nature was prodigal of her lights in these early times and babies were plentiful. Each cabin was a "plant" in Miniature. Nearly every house kept a weaver's loom; spinning wheels being part of the furniture. Sheep were kept to afford wool for the winter clothing. Flax was a usual crop and every, stage of its preparation gone through with on the farm to fit it for .being woven into ,linen for the, household's wear. In the long winter evenings the light from the wide mouthed fireplace illuminated the room. For more particular tasks, a grease lamp was hung, on the wall, containing any kind of rendered fat that was most convenient, sometimes lard or drippings, the wick a bit of old linen or a strip of flannel. was work in those days. Verily they rose up early and sat up late and ate the bread of carefulness. Every occupation that is now performed by machinery was done by hand in those days. Shoes were worn in the winter by parents, if well-to-do; also in summer. The older children were generally shod, at least in cold weather, but it was a common sight to see little boys barefoot all the year.   For pleasures, there were corn huskings—just the kind that laborers get two dollars a day for now and considered hard work; apple cuttings, quiltings, barn raisings, pastimes of a laborious sort. The first church in London was a Methodist meeting house. It was of logs and stood on ,the southwest corner of Oak and Fifth streets. occupied at present by a double frame dwelling house: Diagonally across the road was the Methodist graveyard, long since abandoned, at present converted into sites of modern residences.   OLDEST HOUSE IN LONDON.   What is considered to be the oldest house in London was formerly built by the Presbyterian body as a place. of worship. It stands on the southwest corner of, Oak and Fifth streets, a tribute to the good workmanship and, stanch oak timbers of long ago. The Presbyterian . burying ground was far out., of the town, but the ,last Jesting place of. these early forefathers and mothers, like that of the Methodist brethren, was disturbed by modern advancement and the on ground has been taken for. secular use.   As time progressed, the grease-lamp on the kitchen wall was not sufficient to light the house. From one room, the demands. of the family required more space, additions were made. sleeping apartments were .built on, and then the candle, dip was evolved. They were made, of strands of candle wick, dipped and re-dipped a kettle of boiling water and tallow. It was a slow and laborious process, this dipping and cooling and re-dipping until the requisite size was attained. Dozens and dozens would be made at a time, sufficient for half a year at least.   When ready for use they resembled a long icicle and, were placed, in candlestics, the thick end in the socket. By this light, the family sewing and quilting was done and other avocations during the long winter evenings. Where did the tallow come from that made the dips.? Once or twice a year, a beef was slaughtered to provide meat for the family or community. The suet was tried out          great cakes of tallow were produced for the candle dipping and other domestic uses. Then some genius invented candle Molds. the candle-dip disappeared, giving way to "molded candles." A.   192 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.   mold, with compartments to make anywhere from three to twelve candles at a time, was a grand improvement and lightened labor. Many an attic in our London homes can count among the banished relics, candle molds that ought to adorn a museum. Snuffers were a necessity and :the early instruction of children.. included how to snuff candles properly, for if not careful it was an easy matter to snuff the candle out, and then where would one be !   Mrs. Lucy Beach remembers when a child, attending evening service at the Methodist church in Lafayette and seeing Brother Joseph Bradley, of sainted memory, going up one side of the meeting. house and down the other, while the hymn was being sung, snuffing the candles and joining in with fervor "Alas and Did My Savior Bleed," the congregation taking it as a matter of course.   "UNCLE SAMMY" DAVIDSON.   Mr. Samuel Davidson, better known as "Uncle Sammy," was born in 1812. He could tell of the time when men's clothes were. fastened with hooks and eyes, not like the diminutive things worn now-a-days by women, but great strong ones an inch or so long. Uncle Sammy kept a diary from his early manhood days to shortly within a few months of his death in 1901. It is to be regretted that the passing of events as. noted by him is not accessible, as much of interest could.be culled from its pages for the benefit of the present generation and those to come.   "Going visiting" was an important item. Formal invitations setting the day and hour, as we do now, were unknown. "Come and ,see me" expressed volumes. It meant the latch string was out and the "big and little pot" would be put on. When the ploughing and spring planting were done, or the harvest, over and a lull came in the, work, then the springless wagon would 'be brought forth, the axles greased, a litter of straw or sweet smelling, hay would be plentifully sprinkled in the bottom, the old gray mare harnessed in and the entire family would sally forth to swoop down on some relative or acquaintance, four or five miles away. On their arrival there would be a hearty welcome, the men herding off to themselves, the children to the barn or yard, and the, women sitting down to a good gossip. Before noon there was a squawking and squealing of chickens that would be later served up with the crow scarcely out of their throats. And oh! such a dinner. Everything on the table at once. It was a drop-leaf table, too---none of your extension sort. A snowy homespun linen cloth of the mistress' spinning and weaving. Napkins were unknown. There would be chicken and mashed potatoes and tomatoes and soda biscuit and jelly and pickle and three or four kinds of pie, with a bottom crust as thick as a board and shortened with lard. Then there were butters of all sorts, at least six or seven kinds.: Last of all the preserves; usually quince, the color and consistency of leather and eaten with rich cream. There was no dyspepsia those days but dinners such as described were surely the forerunner of later woes.   When the dishes were washed and placed on the dresser shelves, the women had the house to themselves and the real entertainment, from a feminine point of view, began. Then it was the old chests would be opened and patch-work quilts, many-hued and gorgeous, displayed. Proud was she who could show the "Flying Star," done in blue and white. The "Sunflower" quilt, the "Tulip" quilt in red and yellow calico. The "Nine Patch," "The Irish Chain" and many, many others. The quilting was beautifully fine and represented millions of stitches put in by hand. When the visitors' eyes were sufficiently dazzled by the display, the hostess' dresses were next on view. If the husband was a "good provider" and allowed his helpmeet the "hen and butter money," there would be, at least a dozen gowns, wrong side out, hanging on nails driven into the whitewashed wall. Calico dresses, stuff dresses, at least one "all wool, delaine," a "cashmere" dress and among .the "400" an "oil-boiled" black silk, sacred to weddings and usually the burying robe, when life's tasks were ended.   MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 193   THE COAL OIL LAMP.   Following the molded candles, the acme of illumination was reached when civilization introduced that wonder of wonders, the "coal oil lamp!" Evil smelling though it was, it seemed to have descended. with some of the radiance of heaven. It was kept on a center. table along with the Holy Bible and album in a sacred apartment called "the room," kept shut for six days and on the seventh opened up for sister and her "beau." Passing time forbids dwelling on that halcyon period.   As the town grew its boundaries as platted by Mr: McLene; widened and nearby pasture and farm lands were swallowed up in its environs. Mr. William Crawford Minter, father of Mrs. George Van Wagner came to London in 1829 when a boy of thirteen years. He remembers when Elm street was a swampy tract, through which a corduroy road led to the wilds of the country. The splendid elm tree which gives the present street its name, was nearly as large then as it is now. That was eighty-five years ago. It is interesting to note that the late Mr. William Chandler had the honor of naming this street.   Mr. Jonathan Arnett, who passed away in 1904, remembered the time When the country girls and boys came to town. They walked barefooted until they reached this tree, when they sat down under its shade and put on their shoes and stockings and made their grand entry. This fine old tree has been a landmark for generations, measured around the trunk, about three feet from the ground, its girth is fifteen feet. It has been hacked and sawed and chopped and badly treated. Its branches have been hipped off to make room for telegraph and telephone lines. Its life has been threatened' again and again. But amid all the trials and destructions and desecrations it has passed through at the hand of 'man, the birds build in its branches and sing their Matins and vesper praise. The winds whisper sweet messages of comfort through its leaves. Nature is kind to her child, for neither storm nor tempest or thunderbolt of lightning has ever marred its beauty. Only man is the sinner: Out Elm street way is another grand old elm measuring over fifteen feet in circumference. Unlike the first-named tree, it has had a happy existence, growing in the rear of the premises occupied by J. P. Skinner, few know of its whereabouts. Early in the past century this part of London was a pond, and when wash day came the women from all 'around brought their baskets and kettles of strong soft soap and did their washings there, drying their laundry on the grass and the nearby bushes. Ah, me ! life was young then.   Speaking of elm trees, the finest of all is growing In the grounds of Mrs. Emmelyn Richmond, at her beautiful home, rightly named, "Elmwood." This splendid specimen towers aloft skyward, shapely and symmetrical. Three feet from the ground its circumference is thirty-one feet. Under its protecting shade children have played for generations, among the number being General Darius Warner, of St. John's,. New Brunswick, who when a lad, was a frequent visitor of his grandfather Warner; who lived close by   A POPULAR PICNIC GROUND.   To settle the question how elm trees are propagated, the writer sent a letter of inquiry to the Ohio agricultural experiment station at Wooster, Ohio, receiving the following reply   "Wooster, Ohio, April 9, 1914. "Elm trees do not grow from cuttings. The only way the age of a tree may be determined is by cutting it and counting the rings.   "Some of our elm trees are as old as 200 years, but the average elm does not live that long, especially in our Cities. The original forest elms also grow to 300 years of age, but the average life is 200 or 250 years.   "Very truly yours, EDMUND SECREST, Forester."   (13)   194 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.   It were vandalism indeed to mutilate or cut down such splendid trees. They link us to the past. If tree surgery can prolong their length of days„ let it be applied, no matter what the trouble or cost.   Just opposite Mrs. Richmond's residence, in the early days, was a tract of woodland, where children loved to pick the first sprung flowers was a popular Picnics ground; Fourth of July, celebrations were held there, and much good oratory and patriotism were poured forth on such occasions. 'It, too; has been absorbed and comfortable homes and pretty villas occupy the spot. There are those living ho remember the time when some of our prettiest streets were only a foot path in the trampled grass Then plank Walks appeared to every to brick pavements Those, too, have disappeared, and concrete is the vogue we cannot but wonder what next?   The look restrospective is tinged with loving tenderness: The old log house, the wide mouthed fireplace, the homespun garments have, gone with tallow dip forever. We would not wish them back. Today the secrets of earth, air and water are being exploited. London today is in a state of transition:   We are living in an experimental, age “Progress" is the watchword. London of the past compared with London of the present is as different as the red Springless wagon creaking along the Mud road is to the electric cars whirling rapidly through the country.   Possibly the solution may be attributed more to the use of natural gas and electricity than to any other forces. Science is in the lead and through change and experiment will be evolved the London of the future. The Greater London is reaching out long arras to embrace Summerford and Lafayette. Will theycare for the moving? Perhaps our sister Lafayette may yet call the splendid temple Of justice "ours:" Old times recall the story of Mrs. Mary Minter, mother of Mr. Crawford Minter; London's oldest inhabitant, when there was a rivalry between. London and Lafayette as to which should be county seat. And get the new court house, Mr's. Minter declared: "I'd be willing to carry every brick that built it in my apron!" That as the true stuff hi the makeup of Madison county foremothers! Gran'ma Minter did not succeed, but the spirit of her words still lives. The old "red brick" Mansion in Lafayette, occupied by Mt. Ferguson' Taylor and Mrs Taylor, gave hospitality to the eighth President of the United States. Martin Van Buren,' traveling at that tithe through the country by stage coach. The beautiful residences on Lafayette road are extending eastward to the quaint little village of the same name. After awhile they will meet and   A VISION OF THE FUTURE   In this year of grace, 1914, the lawmakers of the state decreed that a site near London be purchased for a home where, surrounded by the elevating influences of pure air, pure water, God's sky and Mother Nature, men not altogether bad, might take heart of grace and lead a new life. Here is London's, opportunity. Will London's best men and women rise equal to it.   London's-Federation of Women's Clubs have their work before. them: Will they do it?   As the man and woman, a hundred years ago, worked together, side by side, each doing his own allotted task, not the other's, so plight the man and woman work today.   There is a wandering stream running through the town, called Glade run its progress is impeded by old tin cans, brickbats. and other unsightly debris: In the vision of the future. the stream will be made a thing of beauty, equaling the classic streams of cam and Isis, which flow through the university towns. of Cambridge and Oxford,.England. Like these streams; Glade run (the name must not be changed, for it links the past) will be spanned with beautiful bridges where it intersects roadways and streets,   MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 195   the bed will be dredged to give depth to the stream. Gardens and grounds will gently slope on either side, covered with verdure. Reeds and rushes and flags with aquatic plants will abound. Fish will glide over the sandy bed, pebbled with stones rivaling those of a monarch's crown in color. Is this a dream? It can be made a reality.   THE CHILDREN.   And the vision of a London beautiful concerns the children. And the streets of the city shall be till of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof." Ah, the children The men: and women, of the future. Those who make the laws and those .who keep them! In this town there is to be not a scrap of paper to be seen lying about; the school yard, the alley ;ways, the streets are .scrupulously kept... When the iboys and girls who had such a good time when they were little, grow up, the, lessons in neatness learned when they, were young have taken such stronghold on them, their children have imbibed the same spirit, of orderliness, so that not, a candy sack or stick or stone is to be found where it ought not to be.   There would be no toy guns or slingshots in the City of Dreams. Birds would rest securely in their trees and close to the house. Their songs would be the first sound and last at daybreak and evening. Instead of few there would be many red birds and blue birds and thrushes and robins: Bunny would not fly to cover with heart in his mouth ; and the squirrels," so tamed: with kindness; would eat out of the children's hands.   A building of stately proportions rises before the mental vision. Over its portals inscribed the words, "London and Madison County Museum." Every article of domestic use associated with the old log cabin is found within its walls. Spinning-wheels; both large and small ; looms and their, products, patch- work quilts, old dresses, rescued from the garret's oblivion and dust, and all the implements used in early farming from ploughshare to pruning hook.   In a "loan collection" the chairs that Patrick. McLene sat in and the surveying instruments he used in laying out the town. would .be exhibited.    As old Rome preserves the traditions of the wolf and the geese and has them enshrined at the entrance of the capital, so too, might. London enshrine these early mementoes.   "These labored and we have entered into their labors."    A MEMORIAL HALL   Is it too much to ask that ,once in a .while we give a thought to those who toiled, sweated and bore the brunt of flaying the forests, draining the swamps, their bodies racked with fever and ague?   As stated in the beginning of this article, Madison county is a high tableland. London is 1,054 feet above sea ,level. Compared to it, Cincinnati is a hole in the ground. From its eminence one can look down, as it were, on Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus and many other cities and towns in Ohio (of large size). When the first settlers came, theirs was the task of draining the swampy land, where London started.   They braved the dangers of fever and malaria and rattlesnakes. They sowed that we might nap. Then the soldiers and sailors who gave their lives and shed their blood to guard the country from foes by land and sea. What of them? Are they to be forgotten? When I think of Noah Thomas, handicapped from early manhood with his empty sleeve and John Simpson, limping on a cane, and the scarred and seamed faces of the remnants of the army of the Blue that gather in diminishing numbers year after year to remember their comrades on Memorial Day, and place a flag at every grave, the thought comes: Will the people of London and Madison county be so base, so heartless to let theee noble men be forgotten? In the vision of the future a splendid building   196 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.   will be erected called "Memorial Hall," on whose walls be inscribed the names of these, the founders and defenders of their country. A .building sacred to the memory of "The Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers!   In the visionary city, aircraft has become the most perfect and safest mode of transit. One hundred years hence the present-day motor car corresponds to the springless wagon of one hundred years ago. The horse has disappeared ; stuffed specimens being exhibited in museums to show what was once called "man's best friend."   Telephone and telegraph wires have been superseded by an improved system undreamed of at the present time. Science has solved the problem of the equalization of temperature. No longer will the torrid heat of midsummer exhaust the inhabitants, for the excessive cold of winter has been condensed in tanks to be distributed in every community ; turn on a tap and the air 'becomes cool.   In winter the homes of the rich and poor alike will be made comfortable from the surplus heat of summer that has been stored according to the best approved methods.   Best of all, to the milk consumers, the "separator" has disappeared!   The vision ended.   FIRST COUNTY SEAT OF JUSTICE.   During the session of the Legislature of 1810-11, three commissioners were appointed by that body to select a seat of justice for Madison county, and on the 19th of August, 1811, the report of these commissioners was presented to the court of common pleas, then in session, which was as follows:   "To the Honorable Judges of the court of common pleas, next to be holden for the county of Madison:   "We, Peter Light, Allen Trimble and Lewis Newsom; having been appointed by the last Legislature of Ohio commissioners for fixing the seat of justice in said county of Madison, having notified the inhabitants and attended agreeable thereto, we took the oath prescribed by law, and proceeded to view and examine said county, and have mutually selected and agreed on a tract or piece of land of 200 acres owned by John Murfin, including the cabin where he now lives, on the northeast side of Oak run, on the road which passes E. Langham's, and is on the plat of the county two miles and eighty-six poles from the upper center A, and one mile two hundred and ninety-three poles from the lower B, which piece of land, or such part thereof as the county may think proper, is, in our judgment (from the law under which we act), the most eligible place for the seat of Madison county. The proposition of a donation of Murfin's is enclosed to be used as the court may think proper.   "Given under our hand this 9th day of April, 1811.   "PETER LIGHT,  "ALLEN TRIMBLE, "LEWIS NEWSOM."   The donation spoken of, dated April 6, 1811, reads as follows:   "I, John Murfin, do offer my tract of land on Oak run, adjoining Elias. Langham's land, containing. 200 acres, which I will cause to be laid out into a town at my own expense under the direction of the county's director, the streets arid alleys to be made commodious for public good ; a convenient public square shall be laid out, which, together with one-half the in- and out-lots shall be for the use of the county, and to all of which there shall be made a general warrantee deed. The above is humbly submitted for the consideration of the gentlemen commissioners. JOHN MURFIN."   The court at the same session appointed Patrick McLene, director and ordered him to prepare evidence of title of Mr. Murfin and make his report. This was subsequently accomplished, and the title proving satisfactory, it was ordered by the court "that the   MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 197   director proceed to purchase one hundred or one hundred and twenty-five acres, as nigh a square as possible, of Mr. Murfin's land, on Oak run, at a sum not exceeding four dollars per acre, and the donation of the lot on which his cabin may be situated, and pay for the same out of the proceeds of sale, and on delivery of deed for purchased land, he proceed to lay out or off a town into lots, streets and alleys, the main street to cross each other at right angles one hundred feet wide, and the other streets not exceeding seventy-five feet wide, and the alleys sixteen or eighteen feet wide ; the lots to be in front not more than sixty-five feet and not more than one hundred and thirty-two feet back to an alley, and that he lay out not more than one hundred and twenty even lots, the residue of the ground to be laid off in out-lots of two acres each, and that he reserve one lot for court house or public square at the intersection of main streets, two lots for churches and academy, one for jail and one for out-lot for a burial place ; that he call streets and alleys by appropriate names, and that he get the plat so laid off recorded; after acknowledgment, that he sell the lots at public sale, after the purchase and laying off as aforesaid, on the third Monday and Tuesday of September next, or at a convenient time after in the same month ; that he give certificate of sale to purchaser and receive contracts for payment—one-third in three months, one-third in nine and residue in eighteen months; and the condition of sale be that, if purchaser fail to pay first installment, to sell the lot so sold to another person at the direction of the director; and that he lay off a town in neat form. as convenient to the water as possible, adjourn the sale at discretion and sell after public sale, taking into consideration the average price, and that the lots on intersection of main streets be sold for not less than $50 each; and further ordered that said town or city, when so laid off, be called and known by the name of London, and that the director keep a book in which he will record regularly the conditions of sale, the lots sold and, to whom, the moneys received, and make a separate and distinct entry for every purchase and exhibit the same to the court at the next term and make report of lots sold by number, etc."   THE TOWN OF MADISON.   Prior to the above action relative to the county seat, as has appeared in the general history of the county, the court of common pleas of Franklin county, in 1810, appointed Phillip Lewis, director, to lay out a seat of justice for Madison county. A town was laid out and platted, which was designated by the name of Madison, which plat was acknowledged before Thomas Gwynne, a justice of the peace of Deer Creek township, November 13, 1810, and placed on record in the county recorder's office. Research has failed to reveal anything of record designating the site of the town of Madison, further than that in the index book referring to the plats of towns appears ,"Madison (Deer Creek T. S.)." It is a tradition that London was built upon the. site of Madison. Below is set out all matters pertaining to the town of Madison that search has revealed in the records of the court house. December 4, 1810, John Pollock and George Jackson were allowed the sum of fourteen dollars each for their services for fixing on the place for the county seat of Madison county; by order of the board of county commissioners.   December 14, 1810, Robert Shannon, William Reed and Alexander Morrison, associate judges of Franklin county, were allowed six dollars and two dollars, respectively, for attending at the town of Franklinton, by the request of Philip Lewis, Esq., director of the town of Madison, for giving him directions and fixing on the day of sale of the lots in said town, by order of the board of county commissioners. Also under the same date, "ordered. that there be allowed to Elias N. Delashmutt, sheriff of Franklin county; $2.50 for summoning court at the request of P. Lewis, Esq., director of the town of Madison."   "January 3, 1811, ordered that there be allowed to Philip Lewis the sum of $20 for part of his services in laying off the town of Madison, in the county of Madison."   198 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO   January 8, 1811, the board .of commissioners ordered one hundred and fifty dollars to be appropriated for the purpose of erecting a jail in the town of Madison, and that the same be advertised, the sale to be on the 14th of January, next. On the latter date the commissioners met, and after being informed that there was a new committee appointed by the Legislature to explore the county and affix the seat of justice, permanently, agreed to postpone the sale of the jail.   "June 10,1811; ordered that there be allowed to John Arbuckle, Esq., the sum of $4 for acting as a crier Air two days in the sale of lots in the town of Madison, by the order of the. director."   Returning to the town of London; it is found that one hundred and three: and three-quarters acres of the Murfin tract was, on the 14th of September, 1811, in consideration of four hundred and fifteen dollars, -deeded, to the director of the town. However, the town had previously been laid out and platted on this ground, as the plat was acknowledged by :Patrick McLene and certified to before Samuel Baskerville, one of the assodate judges of Madison county; September 13, 1811. The plat comprised one hundred and twenty-eight in-lots and twenty out-lots, the former being tour by eight poles in size. The lots were bounded on the north by Fifth street on the south by Front street, on the west by Water street and on the east by Back street. The original number of streets was ten ; Main and Main Cross, (now High) streets were six poles wide, and all others, four and one-half poles. Two lots were reserved for county buildings, two for churches and academies, one out-lot for burying grounds and one for John Murfin.   The cabin of Murtha as early as 1809 stood on the south side of West High street. He was a Virginian. His wife's name, as written in the deed for the land, was Janey, but very likely, if properly written, would be Jane. He removed from London at an early date to the state of Indiana; thence to Illinois, where he died. Three houses were built in London in 1811, one by David Watson and. a second by Rev. Father Sutton, but it is not known who built the third.   INCORPORATION AND GROWTH OF LONDON.   London was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, bearing date a February 10, 1831, to take effect and to be in force from and after April first of that year. For many years the officers elected by the people consisted of a president, recorder and five trustees.   For quite period after, the, town was laid out, its growth was decidedly slow and after it had attained the growth of thirty years it seemed to remain almost entirely in statu quo. It is said that an Irishman who visited London about that time, after sauntering leisurely through its few streets, and hearing not the sound of a hammer, or the buzz of a single notable industry, is said, in the very depth of disgust, to have exclaimed;: "Be dad, this .is the town I ever saw that was entirely finished!” Neither was the village very attractive at an early period. A .venerable doctor of southwestern Ohio; on his first visit to London; gave offense to some of the residents, by recommending that they .get their: gardens lathed and plastered, to keep out the frogs. This visit was made in a wet season and it is no doubt true that the frogs were holding full sway.   After remaining in a state of torpidity for a number of years and apparently gaining a broad foundation for the building. which was to come later, London began to arouse itself, and grow until the spirit of enterprise, eventually, made it what it is today, one .of the most substantial, bustling, wealthy and enterprising communities in this section of the country. Its broad streets; substantial business buildings and beautiful residences give to it an air of solidity possessed by few towns of its size in the states has the financial side of the town alone grown at the expense of the broader sides of life. The literary and social,. moral and ethical, have all been looked after and rank well with the growth of the town.   MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 199   DOINGS OF COUNCIL IN DAYS GONE BY By. A. T. Cordray.   The council is the local law-making body. There can be, no council, until there is an incorporated village. By an act of the. Ohio Legislature, passed February 16, 4:810, to go into, effect, March 1, 1811, three commissioners, Peter Light, Allen: Trimble and Lewis Newsome, were appointed to select a, location for the county seat of this [Madison] county. These commissioners were to make a report of their proceedings to the court of common pleas of Franklin county. The commissioners made careful examination of different localities in the county and finally, April 9th, 1811 deckled to buy one hundred acres of land of John Murfin. The commissioners made their report and appointed Patrick. McLene, director, to lay off a town, on ithe Murfin land and: to call it London. The plot was recorded in September; 1811. Lots Nos. 9 and; 10 were reserved for a court house and jail and two other lots, were reserved for churches. One lot where John Murfin's cabin stood, where the Peirce Lumber Company's yards now are and one for a cemetery, were also reserved. The land purchased, was one hundred and three and three-fourths acres, and the price, four hundred and, fifteen, dollars: There were one hundred and twenty-eight in-lots and twenty out-lots.. The lots were sold by Patrick McLene, director. Before. a court house. was built here, court was, held at the home of Thomas Gwynne.   London was incorporated on February 10th, 1831. In, accordance with the provisions of an act of the Legislature for the incorporation of the. town of London, the first election in said town to choose officers was held, at the court house on the 9th of April, 1831. David Reeves, John B. Croney and James M. Thompson were chosen judges : and Peter Smith and Daniel. R. Ferguson were chosen clerks of said election. The officers to be elected were a president and five other members of council, a recorder, now termed clerk, and a marshal. Patrick McLene .was elected first, president of the council, and P. Smith, recorder. The other members of the council elected were S. Watson, A. Winchester, William Jones, S. N. Kerr and A. Tolland. David Reeves was elected marshal.   The following is a copy of the order for the first meeting of council: "London, April 22, 1831.   "Ordered that the trustees or common council of the corporation, of the town. of London meet the 23d inst., at 3, o'clock, p. m., at the office of P. McLene in said town of London:   P: MOLENE, President." :   COUNCIL'S FIRST ORDINANCES.   At this first meeting, S. N. Kerr, was appointed, supervisor J. B. Crony, treasurer ; W. Jones and A. Toland, a committee to graft a bill regulating swine; P. Smith and A. Winchester, a committee to "draft a bill for taxing dogs" This was all the business transacted at the first meeting. At the next meeting, the committees appointed to draft bills regulating swine and taxing dogs reported, progress and obtained further time to report. At this meeting the council passed its first ordinance, one to require, That every able bodied elector is required and shall be liable to perform and do yearly and every year two days labor on the streets, alleys and highways who shall have resided, ten days within the corporation of said town of London next preceding such requisition of said corporation." There are six closely written pages of this ordinance and from the exquisite care used to frame the law, so that no one of the class could possibly escape performing the two days' labor, by any means whatever, one Must reach the conclusion that the observation attributed to the Indian that '"White, man is mighty uncertain;" was at least as true in those days as it is no At