WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 329 CHAPTER XXXVIII. MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. PREAMBLE - OIL AND OIL WELLS-SURVEY-ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWNSHIP-TRANSACTIONS TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS-PIONEERS-FIRST RESIDENT LAND BUYERS-MEN OF 1839-EARLY POSTAL FACILITIES-THE MORGAN SCHOOL-FIRST ORCHARD -ROYALTON-TOWNSHIP CHURCHES-COMMON SCHOOLS-LOG-MILL-OTHER MILLS; FREEPORT, OR PRAIRIE DEPOT BRADNER-RISINGSUN-VILLAGE GOVERNMENTS-PIONEERS-SURVEYS-MILLS-SCIIOOLSCRURCHES-CEMETERIES-SOCIETIES, ETC. THE villages and oil fields of this division of Wood county would lead the traveler to believe that it is an urban, rather than a predial, territory. The busy towns of Freeport, Bradner and Risingsun, the wooden towers or derricks, the engine-houses, tanks and sawmills aid the delusion so thoroughly, that nothing less than a tour of the township can dispel it. Well cultivated farms, substantial buildings, and stock farms are numerous. A half mile south of Bradner is the Edmonds Brothers' skunk farm. Established in 1893, the owners had gathered about 1,400 animals by the close of 1895. Over a thousand feet below its surface an ocean of petroleum exists, while limestone, for burning and building purposes, is abundant. In the chapter on the oil and gas fields, reference is made to the explorations for oil here in 1865 or 1866, and to the Bradner well of 1885. In 1886, John Fuher and Charles Villwock, on the latter's land, some three and one-half miles north of Freeport, drilled two wells, one proving a fair gas well, and the other a similar oil well. The gas was piped to Freeport, and used. Later the town of Freeport drilled for gas, but got oil instead. These were early efforts of the Freeport people in the gas and oil line, that were rewarded. The Lesher, Angus and Horton wells, Nos. I and 2, drilled in September, 1890, were among the first great wells of the Freeport field-No. 2 making 300 barrels in twelve hours, and yet producing. A. Lesher, now of the hotel at Freeport, had associated with him Mr. White, and these wells were drilled on the W. King farm, not far from the depot. The Hamilton & Holiday well, north of town, drilled in the spring of 1891, made a tank a day, for over a year, and is yet producing. Dr. Palmer's well, a half mile north of Freeport, was also a tank-a-day well, which, like the Hamilton, yielded largely for a year. The Sage well was another large producer, while hundreds of other wells in Montgomery make it one of the great fields in Ohio to-day. The survey of the exterior lines was made in 1819, and of the sectional lines in 1821. Eleven years later the pioneers appeared in the forest. In 1840, there were 609 inhabitants; in 1850922; and in 1860-1,575. During the ensuing decade there was only an increase of sixty-one souls reported, but, by 1880, the population was increased to 2,283. The number of inhabitants in 1890 was 2,856. The establishment of this township dates back to December 1, 1834, when the territory now known as Montgomery was set off from Perry, and named, on the suggestion of John A. Kelly, in 330 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. honor of that gallant soldier of the Revolution, who fell in the assault on Quebec, December 31, 1775. The first election, which followed, in 1835, resulted in the choice of Michael Mogle, Guy Morgan and Abraham Logan for trustees, Michael Brackley, clerk; John Shuman, treasurer; John Bailey, Jonas Carter and Justus Stearns, fence-viewers; Guy Morgan and Asa Adams, supervisors; and Harlow Hill and Charles Smith, overseers of the poor. John A. Kelly and Guy Morgan were elected justice of the peace June 6, 1835; Michael Mogle, Abraham Logan and Jonas Carter being judges, with Michael Brackley and John G. Willard, clerks of election; Guy Morgan and John A. Kelly, received thirteen votes each, one elector refusing to cast a ballot for one of the candidates. The list of voters contains fourteen names- Griswold Morgan, John Shuman, Jr., Charles Smith, Anthony Brackley, Abraham Logan, Michael Mogle, Jonas Carter, Guy Morgan (who did not vote for himself), Michael Brackley, John G. Willard, John Shuman, Sr., George Adams, John A. Kelly and Justus Stearns. Mr. Kelly cast his vote for Morgan, but not for himself. Transactions.-At the first meeting of trustees, they divided the township into two road districts, and in the following year they divided it into two school districts. At the first settlement of trustees in the year 1837, Guy Morgan, supervisor, made returns of the labor performed on the roads. Almiron Rollins, supervisor of District No. 2, presented his list on which there appears a deficit of eight days' labor, for which he gave his note for six dollars, payable to the trustees. The first payment for official services was a trifling sum to Constable George W. Adams, for serving notice on William Hambleton to leave the township. The Malthusian idea then prevailed, and as William appeared to be on the eve of becoming a charge on the people, he was driven out according to law. The traveling fees of the constable were certified at fifteen cents, and the fees for serving notice, twenty cents. In 1853 the trustees adopted the temperance ordinance, making the fine for selling intoxicants $10 for each offense. At the same time they permitted the sale of liquor for medicinal purposes; but prescribed a fine of $25 against the dealer who should knowingly sell it for any other purpose, or against him who would dispose of impure liquor. In April, 1889, the following levies were authorized: Nine-tenths of a mill for soldiers' monument; one-half mill for roads; one-tenth mill for the poor; two-tenths for bridges; and eight- tenths for general expense, on a total value of $877,430. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS Trustees.-The trustees' journal, from 1835 to recent times, is gone, like the records of many of the townships. From documents in Auditor Gaghan's office, and other authentic sources, the following names were obtained: 1835-Michael Mogle, Abraham Logan, Guy Morgan and John A. Kelley, vice Logan. 1836-John G. Willard, Theodore G. Frisbie, Guy Morgan. 1837-Michael Walters, Jacob Kinnaman, Guy Morgan. 1838-1844 (inclusive, no record or document.) 1845-Buckley Spink, Asa Adams, Michael Walters. 1846-48 (inclusive, no record or document.) 1849-Buckley Spink, Wilson Holcomb, John Vosburg. 1850-Thomas S. Carman, Wilson Holcomb, John Vosburg. 1851-Michael Walters, Hiram Brakeman (no record). 1852-Henry Buchtel, William Chapman (no record). 1853-54--Henry Buchtel, A. Bair, John Adams. 1855-P. W. Hathaway, W. Huffman, Henry Buchtel. 1856-57-Henry Buchtel, G. W. Adams, P. W. Hathaway. 1858-G. B. Hedge, G. W. Adams, J. B. Lockhart. 1859-G. B. Hedge, G. W. Adams, J. B. Lockhart. 1860-Hiram Brakeman, G. W. Adams, J. B. Lockhart. 1861--P. W. Hathaway, G. W. Adams, J. B. Lockhart. 1862-John Bair, John Long, F, Ormsby. 1863-William McCormick, A. Hyter, C. L. Hoiles. 1864-F. Ormsby, A. Hyter, C. L. Hoiles. 1865-W. R. Van Voorhis, J. W. Lawhead, Thomas Brown. 1867-Michael Bordner, Jacob Stahl, John Reed. 1869-James Caskie, William Uhler, S. Morgan. 1870--James Caskie, G. H. Feasel, William Uhler. 1871--James Caskie, G. H. Feasel, Thomas Brown. 1872-H. C. Bacon, G. Bierly, Andrew Peebles. 1873--Ezekiel Rice, G. Bierly, A. J. Foster. 1874-Charles Jacobs, A. J Bates, Stanley Morgan. 1875-Conrad Shefler, W. Brown, Stanley Morgan. 1876-Conrad Shefler, W. Brown, Stanley Morgan. 1877--Conrad Shefler, W. H. Kiger, Nelson Wolcott. 1878-Stanley Morgan, B. B. Hoiles, Abraham Shoe. 1879-R. W. Kelly, D. Knisely, Conrad Shefler. 1880-D. Knisely, W. Peterson, C. Shefler. 1881--B. B. Hoiles, O. Diver, D. Knisely. 1882-J. W. Carter, H. N. Van Voorhis, D. Knisely. 1883-J. W. Carter, A. Hyter, O. A. Diver. 1884-J. R. Vaneise, H. N. Van Voorhis, A. Hyter. 1885-J. R. Vaneise, H. N. Van Voorhis, W. W. Long. 1886--James Caskie, Conrad Shefler, W. W. Long. In 1887 A. A. Stump was elected; in 1888, Frank M. Heminger; and in 1889, William H. Bates. The three trustees named served until April, 1893, when F. Fairbank was elected, vice Stump. G. M. Palmer was elected in 1894, and C. F. Wollam in 1895. The trustees in 1896 were George M. Palmer, F. Fairbank and C. F. Wollam. Justices.-The justices elected were Guy Morgan and John A. Kelly, who qualified in December, 1835; Guy Morgan, 1838-41; Michael Brackley, 1858; Wilson Holcomb, 1839; T. G. Frisbie, 1842 to 1848; John A. Kelly, 1842 to 1858; W. R. Bryant, 1850-53; Samuel Bacon, 1856 to 1862; Ezra Morgan, 1857; J. S. Stanton, 1859-62; Jonathan Stanton, 1859; James F. Chilcote, 1865; Edwin R. Sage, 1865 to 1874; WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 331 Frederick Bowers, 1868; G. B. Hedge, 1868; Thomas Brown, 1871; Elisha Biggerstaff, 1874; S. A. Angus, 1877; John W. Blessing, 1877, resigned in 1878; M. C. Mowen, 1878; Charles J. Sage, 1880-83; J. Haskel, 1881 ;John Edmonds, 1884-87; W. S. Sutliff, 1885-88; Stephen A. Angus, 1886 and 1895; O. A. Diver, 1889; George C. Shefler, 1891 ; Jonathan E. Ladd, 1890-93; Joseph Goudy, 1890, resigned in 1891; Osman A. Diver, 1892; M. C. Mowen, 1894; 5. A. Angus, 1895; A. A. Stump, 1896. Clerks.-The office of township clerk has been filled by the following-named citizens: Michael Brackley, 1835; T. G. Frisbie, 1839-48; Arnold A. Moon, 1848; A. Lansdale, 1851; S. Yant, 1856; T. G. Frisbie, 1857; C. W. Marvin, 1858; A. Lansdale, 1859; E. R. Sage, 1860; A. A. Jellison, 1862; J. B. Lockhart, 1863; James Lincoln, 1864; L. F. Chilcote, 1865; James T. Yant, 1867; T. G. Frisbie, 1869; J. B. Lockhart, 1870; S. A. Angus, 1874; L. Edgar, 1876; W. Hamilton, 1877; L. Edgar, 1878; J. B. Lockhart, 1879; C. J. Sage, 1880; C. Yost, 1883; George M. Palmer, 1884; O. N. Bryant, 1887; Eugene West, 1890; and A. F. Basey, appointed September, 1892; Charles S. Sage, elected in 1894, was re-elected in 1896. Treasurers.-The treasurer's office was first held by John Shuman, elected in 1835. He was followed by Michael Walters, 1836; Henry Buchtel, 1837; A. Adams, in 1840; John D. Bailey held the office down to 1845 ; W. Holcomb, 1845; and E. R. Sage, 1849-59. The records are wanting from 1860 to 1874. Since 1875 the following named have filled the office: S. E. Tilton, 1875; Milton Ashley, 1876; S. A. Angus, 1877; W. Hamilton, 1880; H. L. Hathaway, 1882; S. J. Dern, 1887; O. A. Diver, 1894; H. L. Hathaway, 1895-96. Assessors.-Among the first assessors were Thomas J. Carman, elected in 1842, and John Stephens, in 1844. In 1895, J. W. Coy, J. W. Huffman and Charles Sheffler were elected assessors. In 1896, John Harman, Daniel Stahl and Adam Klotz were elected to that office. Constables.-In 1896, the constables were Robert Edgar, H. B. Bierly and William Blackman. School Directors.-In 1896, the school directors were George K. Daily, Henry Wensel, William H. Kiger, Daniel Knisely, Noah Rinebolt, and George H. Feasel. Pioneers.-John A. Kelly was the first settler of Montgomery. He landed on his homestead on the 19th day of June, 1832. Mrs. Emily P. Carter, writing in 1886 on this subject, said: He brought with him a man named Henry Sapp, to help dig a well and cut timber for the house-a double round-log cabin with a fire place in each end made of clay mud and sticks-mud stuck together or held together with grass. Sapp worked for him forty days, and Kelly deeded him forty acres of land in payment thereof-an acre for each day's work. The same land Reason Kelly has since bought and paid $60 per acre for it. It is now the home of Cyrus Kelly, grandson of John A. Kelly. The pioneer went eighteen miles, and got fourteen men to come and help him raise the logs for the cabin. They came in the morning of one day, and remained until the next afternoon. Almost the first thing they undertook to do was to dig a well. They dug fourteen feet and struck hard-pan; after that they could only dig six inches a day, but they persevered until the well was twenty-ive feet deep, when they came to the rock, and in this wet, swampy country got only a meagre supply of water. The first meetings held in the township were held in Kelly's house by Revs. Dresser and Harlow Hill. Joseph Asbaugh, an early settler, found a bee tree, and, as was the custom, proceeded to cut it down. When it fell he discovered it contained a swarm of bees, two coons and three bears-a prolific tree and verily "a happy family," which it seemed a great pity to disturb-but he captured the honey, the coons and one bear. Game of all kinds was plenty, and fish so abundant that when Kelly was coming here, as he rode through the east branch of the Portage river, his horse stepped on and killed several large pickerel. The Indians would frequently come to eat, and would pay at the rate of a shilling a meal. One day several came and sat down to eat while Mrs. Kelly fried corn-fritters. They always ate hearty; but this day they seemed ravenous, for the cakes disappeared by the pan full. She mixed another mess, but still the Indians did not appear satisfied, and the mystery was only solved when she discovered by the grease dripping down onto the floor that one of the squaws had a large quantity stowed away in the folds of her blanket. The marriage of John Shuman and Catharine Brackley is said to have been the first event of that kind in the township. In Harlow Hill's reminiscences of his coming here in 1832, he speaks of his three-months' stay in Seneca county; of Charles Footer's little store at Fostoria; of McCormick's cabin, and of his reception by John A. Kelly in October of that year. In January, 1833, he built his cabin; in March, Morgan located a mile and a half south; then came Michael Brackley, to a point a half mile northward; and then, Charles Smith. Abraham Shoe began work on his cabin April 21, 183 5 . About the same time, the Divers came, while, on the site of Bradner, Freeport, Rochester, Royalton and other villages, the pioneers, referred to in the history of such villages, made their homes. A. McBurney, the first white man who died in this township, came from Ireland in 1775 to aid the Revolutionists, and served in the Continental army to the close of the war. A. J. Brooks believes that the old soldier died in 1837. Michael Mogle's wife, the first woman who died within the township lines, was buried near McBurney, on Chestnut Ridge. Rodney Beets was the first Disciple preacher; but Moses Bonham was the first to organize a 332 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. class of that denomination here. In 1840, the Methodists held their first quarterly meeting in Frisbie's gristmill, at Freeport. First Resident Land Buyers.-The following names, descriptions and dates are taken from the transcript of original entries, to show the order in which the pioneers made their purchases from the United States: David Hanline, E. N. E. 1/4. 1, April 7, 1834. John Hamilton, S. W. S. E. S. 2, May 11, 1835. John Stephens, pt. of S. E. S. 2, Nov. 10, 1835. G. H. Hathaway, S. W. 1/4 S. 2, Dec. 19, 1835. John Segel, S. S. W. S. 3, April 1, 1836. Jesse Stone, N. W. S. 3, April 5, 1836. Alex. McConnell, S. W. N. E. S. 3, taxed in 1853. Guy Morgan, E. S. E. S. 5, Oct. 30, 1833. Francis Smith, E. N. W. S. 5, Nov. 6, 1833. Daniel Hemminger, S. W. N. W. S. 5, May 6, 1837. John P. Bradner, pt. S. E. 1/4 S. 6, Nov. 16, 1837. Reuben Bierly, S. W. of S. W. S. 6, Nov. 23, 1838. Philip Shroyer, N. E. 1/4 S. 7, taxed in 1854. Harlow Hill, W. S. E. S. 8, Oct. 12, 1833. Anthony Brackley, E. N. E. S. 8, Nov. 20, 1833. Philip Siffert, S. E. of S. 10, Sept. 16, 1833. Michael Bordner, pts. of S. W. and N. W. 1/4 S. 10, Jan. 11, 1836. David Hanline, N. S. E. S. 11, Aug. 17, 1833. Simeon and Dan. Edmonds, W. of N. E. and N. W. S. 12, Nov. 16, 1833. Henry Myers, W. S. E. S. 12, July 5, 1834. Henry Myers, N. E. S. 13, Sept. 13, 1833. Michael Mogle, Jr., N. N. W. S. 14, June 27, 1833. Nathan Wightman, S. S. E. S. 14, Dec. 12, 1833. Seth B. Frisbie, pt. N. W. S. 14, June 8, 1835. David Mogle, N. E. S. 15, June 27, 1833. Henry Buchtel, pt. N. W. 1/4 S. 15, Sept. 16, 1833. John G. Willard, S. S. W. S. 17, June 20, 1833. Alex. McCurdy, E. N. E. S. 17, Aug. 8, 1836. Jonas Carter, S. E. S. 20, Sept. 2, 1834. John McGill, S. E. S. E. S. 21, Nov. 8, 1836. John Graham, pt. S. W. S. 22, May 30, 1835 (died in 1848). George W. Dunn, E. N. E. S. 28, Nov. 17, 1835. Silas Hufford, N. W. S. 29, Sept. 10, 1832. John J. Bowman, S. E. N. E. S. 29, June 10, 1835. Henry Sapp, S. E. S. W. S. 30, May 6, 1833. Abraham Logan, pt. S. W. 1/4 S. 30, Sept. 6, 1833. Joseph Ansbaugh, E. S. E S. 30, April 19, 1833. John A. Kelly, S. E. S. 32, May 28,1832. Michael Reith, N. E. S. E. S. 34, Mar. 16, 1836. Abraham Shoe, pts. N. W. and S. W. S. 34, May 26, 1835. Jacob Baer, N. W. S. W. S. 36, April 11, 1836. Benjamin Wollam, N. N. W. S. 36, Oct. 25, 1833. Men of 1839.-There were 106 male inhabitants, aged twenty-one years or over, in the township in 1839. They, with their relatives formed the first circle of pioneers, and for this reason their names are given here. John Ash, Joseph Ansbaugh, Asa Adams, George Adams, John Adams, David Adams (2d), Alexander Adams, David Adams, Thomas Adams, Peter Becker, Henry Buchtel, George Buchtel, Michael Bordner, Michael Brackley, Anthony Brackley, John D. Bailey, William Baker, Jacob Baker, Abraham Becker, Samuel Biggerstaff, John Brooks, Alva Burgess, William Burgess, Jacob Bonawittz, Jacob Burns, Reuben Bierly, David Bierly, George Craig, John Craig, Jonas Carter, Thomas Carman, William Cox, William Cary, David Caldwell, Malhon Dunkel, Thomas Davis, David Earnest, Daniel Edmonds, Seth B. Frisbie, Theodore G. Frisbie, Robert Dake, John Grayham, John Donaldson, Jacob Harsh, Daniel Heminger, Harlow Hill, Elam Henry, David Hanline, Samuel Hanline, David Hanline, Jr., Tobias Hanline, Michael Hanline, Wilson Holcomb, Henry Harsh, George Keefer, John Kyser, Samuel Matthews, Lyman Matthews, Guy Morgan, Griswold Morgan, David Mocktel, John McDowel, John Ostrander, Benjamin Ostrander, James Martin, Caleb Penn, Jacob Rickerprot, Abraham Shoe, Frederick Shoe, Jacob Shoe, David Stevenson, John Stevens, Justus Stearns, John Shaner, John Shuman, John Shuman, Jr., Charles Smith, George Smith, Buckley Spink, Christian Smith, Daniel Shwab, Godfrey Stahl, John Seymour, George Squires, Matthew Stump, Almiron Rollins, John Rombler, Loyd Rombler, Benjamin Scott, John Richards, Benjamin Wollam, Archibald Wollam, John Vosburg, E. B. Gould, Jacob Kinnaman, Leonard Jackson, Abner Smith, John Fritcher, Jacob Gilbert, Beng Keller, James Andrews, Adam Shroyer, Michael Walters, Joseph Walters, Emanuel Walters, and Osman Diver. Early Postal Facilities.-The first post office was at Montgomery Cross Roads, with Guy Morgan, postmaster. The route was from Perrysburg to Bucyrus. Later a route was established from Fremont, connecting with the one at the Cross Roads, and having an office at Freeport. Ezra Morgan was postmaster in 1849, and G. B. Hedge in later years. John Baer carried the mail from 1835 until 1839. He was a boy ofsixteen then. It usually required four days to go from Bucyrus to Perrysburg. The Morgan School.-Mrs. Diver, when a girl, taught school in the Morgan school house, a little log cabin about twelve feet square. At one end a mud and stick fire place; around the other three sides pegs about two feet long were driven into a row of logs some three feet from the floor. On these pegs were fastened slabs, which formed the desks; in front of the desks stood benches, three in number, one for each side. The teacher's home was seven miles south of Bucyrus, and when she came to teach she came on horseback, in one day, in company with the mail carrier, who also came on horseback. She afterward made the trip alone, and would ride for miles without seeing a human being. First Orchard.-The oldest apple orchard in the township is still standing on the farm owned by John Adams, adjoining the J. W. Carter farm, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 333 and bears some apples yet, although its best days are over. Jonas Carter brought the seeds from Delaware county, when he moved in 1833 or 1834. He had the trees grafted when large enough, and for many years they bore very fine fruit. As soon as they began to bear so that Carter had plenty of apples, he made a cider-mill which would turn out two barrels of cider a day, and thus he made the first cider in the township. Royalton, on Sections 30 and 32, Montgomery township, was surveyed in July, 1836, by Hiram Davis for Dr. Jacob Kinnaman. Dr. John Kinnaman, a graduate of a Philadelphia college, was the first physician. He was a young man, and a lover of his profession. His coming was hailed with delight by the settlers. He located about one-half mile west of two miles north of Millgrove. A very large walnut stump served him for a laboratory, drug depository and general reception room. He laid out a town at this point and named it Royalton, but it died in its infancy shortly after the demise of its founder. Many times in riding he would cut down a tree, hitch his horse to one of its branches and let him browse until his patient was out of danger, often from eight to ten hours. The following is an instance of this man's nerve and ability in his profession. Swayn, a pioneer of Perry, then living in Bloom, was hurt by a falling tree. In a few days it was found necessary to amputate the leg. Dr. Kinnaman was sent for and arrived. Without any assistance, and with no surgical implements but a razor and an old saw, the doctor amputated the limb neatly and speedily, and the man got well. Dr. Kinnaman died in 1838, a victim of excessive attention to medical study and over work. Township Churches.-Mt. Tabor Evangelical Church, in Section 28, was built in 1870, by Andrew Foster, Andrew Dieter and J. Christian Dieter. The building committee were Jacob Dieter, Adam Bowe and their wives, with Annie Hanline. Wm. Osborn, of West Millgrove, built the house at a cost of $2,000, on one-quarter of an acre donated by Andrew Dieter. Among the pastors were Rev. Samuel Rife, Thomas George, John Plantz, W. T. Strough, D. Strowman, E. Wingard, Samuel Crocklen, Eli Shoemaker, D. H. Huddle, J. J. Bernhardt, and W. D. Ganertesfelder, the present pastor. He attends the Bradner, Salem (in Perry), Trinity (in Sandusky), and St. Johns (in Seneca county) congregations. J. C. Dieter has been an official of the Church since 1870. He is now trustee; also Levi Shoe, George Arnold, the clerk, John. Bowers, and Jacob Dieter. There are about forty members in good standing. The Union Church, of Chestnut Ridge, is noticed among the Churches of Bradner. The German Baptist Church, on the west line of Montgomery township, was organized about fifteen years ago. Among the old members were Elder Jonathan Whitmore, George Amos, Andrew Whitmore, Elder J. Whitmore, Jr., Jacob Esterly, the Graybills, and a few others. The trustees are Henry Michael, George Amos, and John Lindower. The membership is small. The first United Brethren Church was organized, in 1836, by Revs. Jeremiah Brown and Jacob Crom. Abraham Shoe stated some years ago his belief in the date given. The Montgomery Church and school stood not far from Bower's mill, west of Risingsun. For years the two Longs preached there, as in other parts of the circuit. Common Schools.- The conventional pioneer school was carried on down to the close of the "thirties," when the common-school system began to receive attention. The records, like those of the township, cannot be found. The journal of the board of education, in possession of the clerk, dates back only to April 17, 1882, when W. C. Showalter, G. K. Daily, Thomas Adams, Jr., W. H. Kiger, Jacob Stahl, John Mervin, W. W. Long, Fred Bower and J. G. Heltman qualified as clerks of the nine districts. In May, a tax levy of 5 1/2 mills for school purposes was ordered, a brick school house was erected in District No. 6, by Adam Graber, for $787.50, and a frame one in District No. 1. A. L. Bordner, Henry Hill, H. N. Van Voorhis, Daniel Knisely, Jacob Bair, B. Inman, Albert Faatz, E. F. Day, James Hoot, James Caskie, H. B. Bierly, George Amos, J. H. Lusk, G. L. McNutt, George Feasel, and others, have been members of the board at intervals since 1885, directing the modern improvements in buildings, equipments and systems of instruction. In 1882 there were 335 male and 262 female children of school age in the township. In September, 1886, there were only 239 male and 185 female pupils enumerated outside the special districts, while in July, 1895, there were 161 male and 132 female children in the six country districts, and six children in joint Sub-District No. 2, adjoining Freedom. The treasurer's record dates back to 1866, when Lucy Strong, H. B. Brown, Minnie F. Lampson, H. Canfield and Ellen Fay were teachers. Sarah Cook, A. E. Hurlbut, Sarah L. Curtis, E. F. Hase, Helen Adams, Lucy Henry, Jerusha Hays, C. W. Lenhart, Mary Smith, Emma Gould, Emma Strong, Maggie Huffman, Nannie Morgan, Louisa Myers, Maggie Davidson, 334 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Annette Rockwood, Jennie Adams, J. B. Jackson, G. W. VanSickle, G. W. McPeck, E. T. Sherwood, Clara J. Lockhart, Albert Everett, Alice Anderson, Marion Muir, John Soule, Lizzie Angus, Ann E. McQuinn, Mary Winklepleck, Anna E. Poe, Jennie Faylor, Martha Colwell, I. N. Van Tassel, Lewis Edgar, Fannie Norris, Nancy Bierly, Kate Haynes, Charity Adams, Anna Forrest, H. H. A. Boyd, Ida Gould, Arienna Cowden, Austin Harrison, and Adie Langdon were teachers here prior to the close of 1871. In 1871, there were 311 male and 382 female children of school age in the township, District No. 5 having 103 of the total for the ten districts. Log-Hill. -A log-mill, where corn was ground, was established at West Millgrove, but the first gristmill was built in 1835, on Section 10, on what was called the Keller farm, north of Freeport. It was run by horse-power. The first sawmill, a water-power, was on the Cox farm, on the out-let of the Freeport Prairie, Section 21. The power was not always sufficient, and a great deal of fun was had at its expense. There was abundance of water, but no fall, and people said the sawyers had to help turn the wheel, until it was called "elbow and water-power." The Adams gristmill, on the McCutchenville road, west by south of Freeport, was built by David Adams, about the year 1838. He dammed the river at that point, and operated the mill until 1857 or 1858. It was a hewed-log structure, with inside frame-work; it had two pair of stones, one pair of French buhrs for grinding wheat and rye, and one pair of stones for grinding corn and buckwheat. This mill was torn down in about the year 1861 by a son, Asa Adams. Mills.-The first sawmill in the vicinity was that built by Tift, on Section 31, in connection with a potash factory. He was also an itinerant pump-maker. An old settler, referring to the man, said wherever there was a pump wanted he would take his tools, then go to the woods and get a small sycamore log and bore it out for a pump-stock, and when finished it was quite cheap and durable. He sometimes suffered from ague. When in the woods he would lie down on a log and shake an hour or more, then go on his way again as if nothing had happened. The Freeport mill was built by Tifft for T. G. Frisbie, where O. N. Bryant's dwelling now stands. In 1860 the frame and roof were standing. A short distance southwest, on the East Branch, was the Adams' mill, which was running, down to the time of the war. The old Diver sawmill passed away before the war. The old Hedge mill, now by new buildings, and the Ensminger mill were established years before the war, while the Bower mill, on the Risingsun road, and many portable sawmills, have been useful industries. The Hedge saw and planing mill was established eight years ago on its present site, after the burning of the older mill which stood a half-mile northwest. FREEPORT, OR PRAIRIE DEPOT. The ground, on which the village stands, was surveyed in March, 1836, by Hiram Davis, for John Bailey and Henry Buchtel. In the summer of 1836, Michael Brackley and T. G. Frisbie built a log cabin (where Mrs. Cook's new dwelling was erected in 1894), in which they placed a stock of general merchandise. About the same time, Michael Hanline erected a larger log-house (east of Dr. Brooke's residence), and established himself as a tavern-keeper. Rochester and Montgomery Cross Roads had postal facilities many years before the department took cognizance of the new village, but in time it was given a post office, and the new name-Prairie Depot. The first merchants, not satisfied with the water and horse-power mills, referred to in the history of the township, constructed a large mill, introduced good machinery, and inaugurated it as the pioneer steam-gristmill. Michael Bordner had the contract for freighting the boiler from Perrysburg, a work he performed within a week, with two yoke of oxen. Prior to May, 1852, the United States mail, for the residents of the village and vicinity, was carried from Montgomery Cross Roads, and left in care of E. R. Sage, until the Brookes, Carters, Spinks, Sheflers, Bordners, Shoes, Baileys, Dr. Gorsuch, Dr. Huffman, and others, would find it convenient to call for their letters. T. G. Frisbie was appointed postmaster in 1852; Samuel Angus followed; Dr. Edwin R. Sage held the office in 1863; Mrs. James Lincoln, in 1864; Dr. Sage, in 1865, with Caroline Chapman, deputy and mail-carrier; Edward R. Sage, 1876; Osman Diver, 1885; H. L. Hathaway, 1889; and O. N. Bryant, 1893. Village Government.-The petition for the incorporation of Freeport, dated April 21, 1876, was presented by Edwin R. Sage and Lewis C. Edgar, representing the forty-five petitioners, June 8, 1876, and was granted September 7, that year. The mayors were W. R. Bryant, elected in 1876; E. R. Sage, 1878; W. A. Pryor, 1879; W. R. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 335 Bryant, 1881; W. A. Tew, 1883; W. R. Bryant, 1885; A. Lesher, 1886; Charles J. Sage, 1887; W. Hamilton, 1889; L. C. Edgar, appointed in December, 1889, vice Hamilton, resigned; L. C. Edgar, elected in April, 1890, and J. L. Williamson, 1893. The election of L. C. Edgar was recorded in 1895 and 1896. Fire and carelessness have played havoc with the village records. After the expenditure of time and labor in research and interviews, a complete list of mayors was made, but the names of councilmen for 1876 and 1877 could not be given with anything approaching certainty. In 1878, W. R. Bryant, C. Bierly, C. Jacobs, M. Bordner, L. C. Edgar and C. J. Sage formed the council; while, in 1879, Aaron Lesher occupied M. Bordner's place. In 1880, E. R. Sage, W. V. Haines and R. N. Crouse were members, and they, with N. W. Goodrick, John Baer and J. W. Graham, formed the council in 1881, while J. W. Hoiles was elected in 1882. The councilmen for each year, from 1883 to 1894, are named in the following list, while those elected in 1895 are mentioned in the report of the election: 1883-J. W. Hoiles, George W. Collins, David Lusk, S. A. Angus, E. R. Sage, J. W. Graham. 1884--J. W. Hoiles, George W. Collins, John Fuher, S. A. Angus, E. R. Sage, W. Graham. 1886-John Fuher, C. Villwock, J. M. Lawrence, S. J. Dern. 1887-A. W. Herriff, N. J. Wirebaugh, W. Hamilton, J. M. Lawrence, Cyrus Haff, W. Hoiles, vice John Fuher, resigned, and L. C. Edgar, vice Hoiles. 1888-C. Villwock, T. H. Lawhead, F. P. King. 1889--T. E. Frisbie, N. J. Wirebaugh, J. D. Kurtz. 1890-F. P. King,. H. Hannan, C. Villwock, E. C. Palmer, J. W. Coy, T. H. Lawhead. 1891-J. G. Heltman, N. J. Wirebaugh, J. F. Ross, W. H. Palmer, W. Hamilton, F. P. King. 1892-J. W. Graham, B. Hutchins and S. Newcomer. 1893-J. W. Calkins, J. Hoiles, J. W. Graham. 1894-O. A. Diver, J. W. Calkins, A. Fike. The officers, elected in 1895, were: Mayor, L. C. Edgar; council, J. F. Ross, M. P. Smith, B. C. Harding; treasurer, C. H. Hoiles; clerk, J. R. Wright; marshal, Levi Holcomb, to succeed F. H. Fike; street commissioner, D. E. Jackson; school board, Mary E. Tilton and Mrs. Hinkley. The entire ticket was Republican. The issue wet "or" dry " was won by the drys. "In 1896, A. Fike, J. L. Williamson, J. H. Brandon, Wilson Hamilton, J. H. Harman. The office of village. clerk has been filled by A. Lesher, 1877; J. B. Lockhart, 1878; W. Hamilton, 1879; J. A. Stump, 1881; F. H. Fike, 1885; E. E. Frisbie, 1887; F. H. Fike, 1888; M. B. Frisbie, 1889; E. J. Coy, 1891; J. L. Williamson, appointed in March, 1892; J. B. Newcomer, 1893; J. R. Wright, 1895; J. L. Graham, 1896. Among the treasurers may be named N. W. Goodrick, 1878; A. A. Simmons, 1881; E. E. Smith, 1889; A. A. Heltman, 1892; and C. H. Hoiles, 1895, 1896. In 1896, L. Holcomb and M. L. Palmer (ass't) were elected marshals; Wilson Hamilton, R. N. Graham, J. W. Calkins, E. R. Page, Sr., Mrs. S. E. Tilton and Mrs. S. D. Hinkley were elected members of the school board. In November, 1887, the question of prohibiting the liquor traffic was presented. There were forty votes for and thirty-seven against. In April, 1890, a petition for the annexation of territory was presented to the council. In 1895, the question of selling intoxicating liquors was again presented, when the Prohibition party won. The proposition to pave Main street from the railroad to the west line of the village has been seriously entertained, and it is believed the council will authorize such a necessary improvement. In school matters, the village is well endowed. A large school building, modern in architecture and furnishings, has taken the place of the small structure, which was a link between pioneer days and the development of the oil field. Mills.-The old Frisbie mill was burned about 1843. At that time Henry Buchtel, John Brooke and Caleb Minkler were owners, as they are remembered by A. J. Brooke. Michael Hanline rented it, and, shortly after, it was burned. Frisbie & Hanline rebuilt the mill and added sawmill machinery. Prior to 1860, the concern was abandoned, and the old soldier of 1812, Kieffer, occupied it as a tenant, for some years. The Metcalf sawmill, which stood east of the Frisbie mill, was built by Heller in the "fifties." About the time the railroad was constructed, the house was torn down. The Halliday & Hamilton sawmill took its place, and continued in operation until the oil boom commenced. Foundries, and boiler and machine shops are the rule to-day, showing that Freeport is in its iron age. The Hedge, the Stiger & Hoiles, and the Bowers mills may be considered village industries. Fires.-Like its sister village of West Millgrove, Freeport had its destructive fire. In August, 1893, the buildings on the corner of Main and Center streets were swept away, including Tilton & Sage's store, John Hart's harness shop, M. Heath's three-story hotel, Hathaway & Heltman's store, and the Lesher building. In the last named house was the council room and the village archives. Rebuilding.-Tilton & Sage built their present store immediately after the fire, and Good- 336 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. rick's shop followed in 1893. In 1895, the "Lesher House," a modern concern, was erected, and opened for hotel purposes in the fall of that year. A few of the pioneer business and dwelling houses have come down to the present time intact, but, as a rule, the buildings of the village are modern. In 1878, Lawrence's blacksmith shop was established where is now the T. J. Chilcote furniture store (near the Edgar residence), and for fourteen years he carried on his trade there. In 1892, Chilcote purchased the lot, and the shop was removed to Center street. Again, in Mayor June, 1895, he built a large shop next the unused Congregational church house. Later in the year, the Angus building was erected and opened as a gents' furnishing house. Outside the business center, along Main and Center streets, several large residences and well-kept grounds can be seen, while, on the parallel streets, many cottage homes stand in orderly lawns. Shade trees, wanting in the majority of the newer villages, abound here and give to Freeport a warm, comfortable appearance. Churches. -The first Methodist Episcopal class in Montgomery was organized by Rev. Harlow Hill, in 1834, with seven members. Among them was Frederick Shawhan, a soldier of the Revolution, who, when eighty-four years of age, walked to Harlow Hill's house, wherein he preached. Mr. Thrapp was the first circuit preacher, though Mr. Hollopeter is said to have been the first Gospeller to address the pioneers of this section, while Mr. Whitman, who took a part in organizing the Risdon Circuit, was also here. Among the first members were Frederick Shawhan, Rachel Kelly, Mary Rawlins, Mary Carter, Wm. Fancher, Amy Hill, and Harlow Hill, who was class-leader. David Darling Harlow, Henry Darling, John Shaner and wife, John and Melita Graham are said to have become members in 1837 or 1838, when the class was really organized. In 1839 Freeport was in the Bowling-green, Woodville and Elmore Circuit. Thirty years after, Freeport Circuit was organized to include New Rochester, West Millgrove, Jerry City, Greensburg and Rollersville, with the Troy and Webster classes. Among the early preachers other than those mentioned were John Brock, Simon Lee, M. Hollopeter, J. R. Jewett, Elnathan Gavitt, Henry Nicholson, John Graham, M. Riggs, Job Morrow, John Whistler, H. L. Nickerson, John Priddey, M. Cook, Joseph Sims, and H. W. Hill, one of the local preachers. A house of worship was erected in 1867, at a cost of $1,500, and a pasonage in 1883. There are 200 members in this class. In July, 1893, William Kiger, James Caskie, and J. G. Heltman were elected trustees. Rev. I. N. Kuel is now the preacher-in-charge. The Congregational Church organized in 1842, by Rev. N. T. Fay, claimed about fifty members. He began holding his meetings in the different school houses, but they finally built the first church in Freeport, a log building, and some years later erected the first frame church which is still standing, but unoccupied. Mr. Fay had a varied experience in the comedy and tragedy of life. For many years weddings and funerals were the only recreation the people had, and he was frequently called upon to officiate at both. Great secrecy was observed with regard to most of the weddings, for if it became known that such an event was about to transpire, a belling was sure to ensue, and very few were willing to be the victims. On January 24, 1876, the society was incorporated with Mrs. H. Bacon, treasurer; Thomas Adams, deacon; J. S. Mahoney, J. B. Lockhart and H. Bacon, trustees. In 1887 the society dissolved, and the building left without tenants. The Disciples Society was formally organized in 1858, and completely organized in 1860, with twenty members. Rev. William Dowling was the first preacher, and the " Old Red School House " the place of meeting. In 1865-66, the present church house was erected. A few years ago the building was moved across the street to its present location, where the 132 members came to worship. Rev. A. McMillan, the pastor, was the publisher of The Christian Review, a semimonthly journal issued from the Observer office, down to September, 1895, when the editor left the village. Long before the organization of this society, Rodney Beets preached in the township, and Moses Bonham organized a class, about 1850, with Esther, Maggie and Laura Diver, William Wirebaugh and wife, Melissa Jones, John Baer and wife, William Dowling and wife, and Mrs. Chapman, members. Revs. Wm. Dowling, J. Q. Randall, S. A. Griffin, A. S. Bartlett, J. T. H. Stewart, G. W. Kline, A. P. Frost and A. McMillan were pastors in the order named. Societies.-Prairie Depot Lodge, No. 646, I. O. O. F., was organized at West Millgrove, and chartered July 20, 1876. During the ensuing six years it made remarkable progress, but its decline was noticed early in 1883, and by 1886 the members considered it advisable to surrender the charter. Under such circumstances the Odd fellows of Freeport stepped into the WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 337 breach, and asked the Grand Lodge to transfer the charter to them. This was done July 20, 1886, when the back dues were subscribed and paid over by the twenty members then belonging. The noble grand's chair has been filled by the following named members: H. J. Pelton, Asa Baird, O. Stearns (1), T. J. Henry (2), G. W. Zeppernick, Joseph Enos (3), James Brandeberry, A. K. Longaker, R. Swinehart, J. P. Wetmore (8), J. C. Ort (16), B. F. Simons (7), J. M. Dicken (10), A. Hampshire (9), James Dindore (11 and 11 a), M. J. Moffett, S. S. Shank (12 and 13), Levi Worts (15), J. C. Conley (6), J. W. Graham, J. W. Adams, G. W. Hedge (18), W. H. Palmer. (23), W. H. Kiger, J. D. Kurtz, W. H. Palmer, F. T. Hedge, R. N. Graham, Eugene West (24), E. J. Coy (25), J. G. Heltman, F. P. King, J. A. Graham, H. C. Pittinger, O. A. Diver, C. S. Sage and W. P. Cessna. There have been twenty-seven different incumbents of the secretary's office, the numbers given above showing the order in which those promoted to the noble grand's chair served. L. H. Perry was the 4th; A. R. Knapp, the 5th; W. Coontz, the 9th; J. C. Thompson, the 14th; A. K. Wein, 15th a; George Buckingham, 17th; G. A. Bryant, 19th; F. H. Fike, 10th, 21st and 22d; W. R. Tilton, 26th; D. K. Morrison, 27th; Jesse Crowfoot, 28th; H. L. Hinkley, 29th; and A. W. Herriff, 30th and 31st. The membership in July, 1895, was eighty-four. Crystal Encampment, No. 271, I. O. O. F., was chartered November 22, 1892. The names of charter members are as follows : W. H. Palmer, A. F. Basey, H. G. Walters, A. W. Herriff, F. P. Ross, F. T. Hedge, S. S. Warner, J. W. Coy, W. P. Cessna, James A. Graham, R. N. Graham, Fred. Holcomb, L. R. Jacobs, P. C. Hoiles, C. G. Hovis, N. J. Wirebaugh, William Eckart, Frank Castle and J. W. Calkins. George Myers, Guy J. Johnson and W. Gaines have presided over this encampment down to June, 1895. J. W. Coy, the first scribe, was succeeded by C. A. Thompson. The number of members reported, in June, 1895, was twenty-eight. Lucy Webb Lodge, No. 285, D. of R., was chartered May 24, 1889, with the following named members: Jerusha Fike (1), Lizzie Heltman (2), Sarah Diver (3), Lucy Fike, Elsie Basey (8), Cora West, Lucy Bryant, Lucy King (5), Mett Lawrence, Lena Hovis, Callie Hedge, Jessie Sage (7), Sarah Heath, Lizzie Harmon (9), Maud Newcomer, Rose Pittenger, Annie Graham, Alice Ayres, Lavina Graham (11), Ida Kurtz, Adelene Coy, Mary Kiger, Minnie Villwock, Lizzie Fuher, Henry Pittenger, Russell Graham, Osman Diver, Osias Bryant, George Hedge, William Kiger, Abram Fike, Augustus Basey, Melvin Ayres, Eugene West, Frank Fike, Charles S. Sage, Charles Villwock, John Fuher, Joseph Coy, Jacob Lawrence, Joseph Heltman, John Harmon and Frank King. The ladies who have held the position of noble grand since organization are those whose names are followed by numbers in the above list, with Maggie Graham, the fourth in order of service; Emma Herriff, the sixth, and Ella Palmerton, the tenth. The secretaries have been Sarah Diver, Mary Kiger, Maggie Graham, Emma Herriff, Elsie Basey, Lizzie Harmon, Ella Palmerton and Ednetta Calkins. Celia Walters is the present secretary. There were 110 members reported in July, 1895 Randall Post, No. 53, G. A. R., was chartered April 5, 1881, with the following named members: J. W. Carter (7 and 12), L. C. Edgar, S. A. Angus (1), J. Clary, W. B. Haines (3), J. O. Hess, W. A. Pryor, B. N. Hutchins, J. Gould, Howard Carman (4), J. A. Stump, J. Lusk (2 and 8), I. J. Warner and Charles Jacobs. The commanders among the charter members are numbered above in the order of service. B. Odell was the 5th; Joseph W. Coy, the 6th; A. A. Simonds, the 9th; William Eckert, the 10th, and Daniel Knisely, the 11th. The first adjutant was L. C. Edgar. B. N. Hutchins was elected for 1888; B. Odell for 1893; J. Lusk for 1894, and William Bates for 1895. Of the comrades, Richard Fleming, W. A. Pryor, J. A. Stump and Thomas Smith have died. In January, 1895, the installation of J. W. Carter, A. Simmons, E. R. Sage, W. H. Bates, T. A. Graham, D. Knisely, J. W. Coy, J. H. Lusk and H. Odell, officers in Post rank, took place. Randall Relief Corps, No. 222, was chartered April 5, 1888, with thirty members, namely: Sarah Diver, Harriet and Elizabeth Gould, Anna, Hattie and Louisa Graham, Ophelia Lusk, Mary Tilton, Emily Carter, Sophronia Riley, Margaret Stump, Ella Palmerton, Emma Herriff, Amanda Palmer, Fianna Odell, Mary Kiger, Carrie Stahl, Caroline Lesher, Adeline Coy, Lizzie Fleming, Barbara Shoe, Rhoda Hathaway, Emma Bryant, Cora Simmons, Lucy King, Sabina Butler, Elizabeth Heminger, Charmina Angus, Jennie Bovie and Sarah Heath. The first president was Sophronia Riley; the second, Ida Edgar, who served two years; then Emily P. Carter, Sarah M. Sage, Harriet E. Gould, Margaret Stump and Jessie Dern. The secretaries, in order of service, were Mary Tilton, Vina Butler, Sarah M. Sage, Emma Yost, Ida 338 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Edgar, Cora West and Emma Carter, the present incumbent. There were forty members reported in October, 1895. Randolph Palmer Camp, No. 273, S. Of V., was chartered April 24, 1888, with E. J. Coy, F. A. Stump, C. J. Finney, J. D. Dicken, W. W. Billman, D. D. Coy, E. E. and M. F. Frisbie, A. J. and L. Heminger, P. M. Valmer, A. A., O. and C. Heminger, W. Saxon, G. Hiser, John Pinney, L. Riley, P. O. Fleming, G. W. Heath, J. L. Graham, Wm. and L. A. Keller, C. Ackerman, H. Algyre, John Hart, T. B. Dailey, G. M. Marsh, D. B. Lusk, H. N. De Wolfe, S. A. Angus and L. Hoiles. The camp holds its charter, but has practically ceased work. Petroleum Lodge, No. 499, K. of P., was chartered June 8, 1891, and instituted July 16 following. The names of the charter members are: J. W. Stiger, O. A. Diver (1), O. N. Bryant (2), Geo. E. Horton, F. J. Horton (3), J. L. Williamson, L. Lockhart, J. W. Law, E. E. Frisbie, D. D. Coy, E. J. Coy, J. L. Graham, E. C. Zimmerla, D. P. Trumbull (5), Eugene West, F. P. King, G. W. Elliott, L. C. Edgar (4), A. G. Ream, R. B. Morrison, F. A. Pew, W. E. Sage, F. L. Sweet (6), John McMillen, J. D. Barnes, W. H. Jeffrey, J. P. Harndon, S. J. Dern, Frank Hastings, W. A. Harmon, F. M. Heminger, Fred. Hanson, T. C. Haller, C. W. Brice, C. S. Myers, H. E. Blair (8), Walter Deal, F. T. Hedge, H. L. Wirebaugh, T. J. Mason, I. B. Newcomer, D. K. Morrison, L. R. Jacobs, F. B. Adams, S. F. Hopkins, H. N. De Wolfe, Frank Horton and F. E. Taylor. The number after a name in the above list denotes the order in which the promotion to the chancellor's chair was followed, S. M. Adams being the 7th chancellor. The keepers of records and seals have been: Eugene West, D. K. Morrison, E. E. Frisbie (3 terms), J. L. Graham (2 terms), and D. S. Black. There were fifty-eight members recorded in July, 1895. Excelsior Tent, No. 223, K. O. T. M., was instituted November 3, 1894, with twenty-eight charter members. S. F. Hopkins was elected commander, and J. W. Calkins, record-keeper. Pansy Hive, No. 105, L. O. T. M., was organized September 13, 1894, and chartered January 7, 1895. The members enrolled were Rachel Biery, Nellie Brooks, Mary Breman, Sarah A. Bierly, Lucinda and Ednetta Calkins, Bertha Deal, Mary L. DeWolf, M. E. Engler, Eunice Fisher, Clara Hoiles, Etta E. Horton, Katie Hovis, Sarah J. Jordan, Alice McDowell, Maud Knowles, Alice Ramsey, Ida Stiger, Hattie Wade, Sadie A. Watson, Mary E. Rounds, Rebecca Goodrick, Sarah L. Diver, Mary R. Slocum, Laurel S. Frey and Anna L. Shoemaker. Mary R. Slocum and Sarah A. Bierly are past commanders; Rachel Biery served as secretary to January 18, 1895, when Eunice E. Fisher was elected recordkeeper. There are twenty-seven members. CONCLUSION. The greatest boom that ever struck the Buckeye oil field was in 1890, at Prairie Depot and North Findlay, where for a time an average of twenty wells were completed daily. In that year 2, 151 wells were completed in Ohio, and the majority of them in the two fields mentioned. Since that time the village has been an important oil center, and the rendezvous of a large body of operators and employes. BRADNER. The original town of Bradner was surveyed in 1875, for John Bradner and Ross Crocker, of Fostoria, and H. G. Caldwell, who resided in the vicinity of the village. They purchased thirty-four acres, and named the place in honor of the senior member of the little syndicate. Mount Prospect addition was surveyed by W. H. Wood for J. H. Stephens, Charles H. Lightner and Jacob Plantz, and the plat was acknowledged by them February 7, 1876. The projectors intended to make it an ordinary railroad town, having then not one idea that their village was the gateway to an oil field of greater area than that of Pennsylvania. The pioneers of the district were David Hanline, who purchased land in Section I I, and located here in 1833; the Edmunds (or Edmonds), who arrived March 19, 1834; the Mogles and Fanchens; A. McBurney (a soldier of the Revolution); Godfrey Stahl, and Benjamin Scott. During the absence of David Edmonds, who had gone to Tiffin for a door for his cabin, wolves came prowling around the house, and one night, one, more venturesome, walked boldly in. Of course the family were terribly frightened, but with true heroism Mrs. Edmonds picked up a chair and went for him. The older children followed her example, and they succeeded in driving the intruder out. The first work they did after getting settled in their cabin was to clear off five acres of land, and plant it in corn. They sold about forty bushels, besides having all they wanted to use, and also raised about fifty bushels of potatoes from two bushels of seed. They brought with them in a box quite a quantity of peach pits, and upon opening it found them sprouted, so set them WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 339 out around stumps or wherever they could find a spot for them. In three years they had plenty of peaches, and in five years over a hundred bushels rotted on the ground. Then there came a severe winter and killed the trees, and although they tried frequently, they never succeeded in raising another peach. They saw a great deal of sickness. Mrs. Edmonds had the ague during the summer for seven years in succession, and the mosquitoes were terribly bad; for screens were unheard of then, and they just swarmed in the houses. The veteran, McBurney, was the first to be buried in the Bradner neighborhood, while David Edmonds' daughter, born November 14, 1834, is said to have been the first white child born in this part of the wilderness. After the survey of the village, J. H. and David Stephens established a grocery store; H. G. Caldwell built the "Bradner House; " Peterson Brothers moved in from Minckler's Corners; the Petersons built a grain elevator in 1877; the post office was established, with Mr. Caldwell in charge, the Railroad and Express Companies appointed Caldwell their agent; church and secret societies came into existence, and in a little while the precociousness of the little town began to attract attention, as her merchants had already attracted trade. In 1877, John Zeppernick moved from New Rochester; J. Bowers erected a drug store; Hill & Tuttle established a boot and shoe store; Richard Abel took charge of the "Bradner House ; " Bradner & Mahony built a grain elevator; C. H. Lightner built the " Exchange Hotel ; " a two-story school building was in existence, and the old Methodist Protestant meeting house stood within sight of the business center. In 1879, J. W. H. Smith & Co. established the stave and handle factory, wherein 100 hands were employed. He died in 1880, but the work was carried on until the fire of 1885. The post office was established in the spring of 1877, with T. H. Peterson, postmaster; Jacob Huffman was the next incumbent; in 1885 J. H. Stephens was appointed, and served until 1889, when Jacob Huffman was commissioned; in 1893 David Stephens, the present incumbent, took charge. In 1885 there was only one oil well drilled in the Bradner field. A reference to the chapter on Oil and Gas will give the reader an idea of the gradual development of this part of the Wood county field. In 1888 an oil refinery was established here, and, in November of that year, the first car-load of oil, refined under the Yargan process, was shipped to Toledo. Before the close of 1890, no less then seventeen buildings,, costing from $1,000 to $1,800, were erected-ten costing from $700 to $900, and nine from $500 to $b00-with many smaller houses, were erected. All may be credited to 1890. The Craig storage tank, said to have cost $6,000, and the Bradner Oil Co.'s tank, $5,000, were constructed that year. The larger houses were built for J. P. Raab, A. Bordner, M. O. Ladd, P. Shottenberger, John Earnst, M. M. Fowler, C. McCormick, Chester Hamilton, J. V. Huffman, H. Waggoner, John H. Denny, Youngs Bros., J. W. Wyant, Mrs. H. Ayres, D. Hoiles, Welsh & Berenger, Miniger's livery, E. A. James, E. J. Horton, S. E. Entsminger, W. Cribbs, P. H. White, Raab & Thorn, N. Sloan, A. Belknap and Dr. Furste. The work of building still goes forward. In 1895, J. F. Huffman and John Ernst erected the two-story brick block, on South Main street, north of the Advocate office. This building, which cost $7,000, is the first and only business block in the city. The Globe Building & Loan Association was organized in December, 1894, with M. H. Murray, president; W. C. O'Bryan, vice-president; Orion Kirk, secretary and treasurer; J. E. Ladd, attorney; Daniel Stahl, David Edmonds, W. L. Cribbs, W. B. Gregg, J. M. Cribbs and D. H. Runneals, directors. The foundries and machine shops of Bradner give it the air of a manufacturing center, while derricks, and crowds of lively oilmen, tell unmistakably that it is a center of oil production. Civic Affairs.-The petition for the incorporation of Bradner, signed by forty-one residents, was presented to the commissioners December 2, 1889. This was followed by the usual remonstrance, and both were considered February 4, 1890, when the petition was granted and made of record February 10, that year. The first election was held April 22, 1890, when eighty-two votes were cast. J. E. Furste, was chosen mayor; Jonathan E. Ladd, clerk; J. H. Stephens, treasurer, Potter C. Clay, marshal; John F. Miller, Edward Jamison, Peter Plantz, O. J. Mitchell, M. L. Stevens and D. H. Bryan, councilmen, with M. O. Ladd, sealer of weights and measures. Mr. Ladd has served as clerk down to 1896, when J. H. Cahill succeeded him. Mr. Stephens was treasurer down to 1894, when John W. Wyant succeeded him, and J. F. Huffman succeeded Wyant in 1896. R. S. Dewitt was elected marshal in 1896. The mayors elected since April, 1890, are named as follows: J. E. Furste, 1890, resigned in July, 1890; David Edmonds, appointed July WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 340 10, resigned August 6, when Silas Ralston was appointed; N. Wolcott, December 3, 1890, elected in April, 1891. J. S. Ashbrook, 1891 ; N. Wolcott, December, 1892, elected in April, 1893; A. A. Stump, 1894; W. B. Gregg, 1896. The councilmen elected annually are named in the following list: 1890-0. J. Mitchell, M. L. Stephens, E. Jamison, D. H. Bryan, P. Plantz, John Miller, John W. Wyant and John Conley, elected to fill vacancies. 1891-0. J. Mitchell, E. J. Horton, P. Shottenberger, M. L. Stephens, D. H. Bryan, John Miller. 1892-M. L. Stephens, Milton Ashley, W. B. Johnston, D. Youngs, D. H. Bryan, M. L. Stephens, O. J. Mitchell, E. A. James, appointed in July, 1892, vice Youngs resigned, and W. A. Stump, in December, 1892, vice Stephens. 1893--D. H. Bryan, W. B. Gregg, J. H. Stephens, J. W. Beam, M. Ashley, W. B. Johnston. 1894-W. B. Johnston, M. Ashley, C. L. Broyles, J. H. Stephens, W. B. Gregg, J. W. Beam. 1895-W. B. Gregg, S. N. Sloan, with Messrs. Ashley, Johnston, Broyles and Fowler. 1896--S. N. Sloan, A. J. Fowler, C. Eckert, O. W. Delo, C. Whalen and H. Hartman. The question of water supply was discussed in 1894, and adopted in 1895. In May, 1895, the bid of the Bradner Supply Co., for furnishing 10,000 feet of water pipe, was accepted. The system of fire protection embraces an 800-barrel tank; a Howe chemical engine; a pump with steam engine; a hose-cart; and an active fire department. The names of the members of the school board, elected in 1896, are J. H. Westerfield, M. M. Fowler, J. E. Ladd, David Edmonds, C. Hartman, and A. W. Reese. Schools.-The records of the special district of Bradner date back to April 11, 1876, when William Hartman, A. Earl and John H. Stephens were elected members of the board of directors. Among the teachers named in the record book are Helen and Alice Canfield, Nancy Bierly, A. J. Munsell, Alma Adams, Nora Peoples, Hannah Mason, Clara Mahoney and L. C. Merchant. In 1879, E. A. James, James Peebles, J. F. Huff - man and William Brown were elected directors; M. L. Stephens and Daniel Stahl are named in later years. On September 22, 1883, an election was held for directors of the special district, and John Edmonds, Abram Hyter and J. F. Huffman were chosen directors. Wiley Peterson was treasurer of the district in 1884, and John T. Shippey, teacher. In 1889, M. L. Stephens, A. Hyter, D. Stahl, J. Hartman, J. Walters and J. Hutchinson formed the board. In 1883, M. M. Fowler was appointed teacher; Gilbert Benton in 1886; J. E. Ladd succeeded him in 1887, and taught here until 1892, and F. H. Bowers from 1892 to 1895. In April, 1893, there were seventy-nine votes cast for and thirty-five against the question of building a school house, and March 5, 1894, six bonds for $1,000, one for $2,000, one for $1,500, and one for $500, were issued. The present two-story building, 57 x 84 feet in ground area, was erected and equipped at a cost approximating $15,000, to meet which a tax levy of seven mills in 1894, and eighteen mills in 1895, was made. The board of 1895 comprises J. H. Westerfield, M. M. Fowler, E. A. James, J. C. Hartman, David Edmonds and J. E. Ladd. There are 281 children in the district. Accidents.-The development of the place has not been carried forward without some rude shocks. The explosion of the Bradford Glycerine Company's magazine, a half-mile south, on January 9, 1891, damaged several buildings in the village. The collision, on the C., H. V. & T. railroad, one and one-half miles south, November 9, 1893, resulted in the death of S. H. Jones, engineer of the passenger locomotive; Charles Jones, his fireman; James C. Gresh, expressman; and W. Kerlin, engineer of the freight locomotive. Three others were injured. The oil field has furnished a full quota of accidents, but little notice is taken of them. A Big Shot.-The field aims at large things. In August, 1895, 400 quarts, or 1,3334 pounds, of glycerine were used in shooting the Van Vleck & Stowe well. This is said to have been the largest shot ever used in the Bradner field, or, as far as known to the writer, in. any other division of Wood county oildom. Churches.-The Methodist Protestant Society of Mt. Prospect, is said to have been the first religious organization in the Bradner neighborhood, and the builder of the first house of worship, Rev. A. D. Homey, is pastor. Since the little society came into existence, wonderful changes in the temporal and spiritual affairs of the people have taken place, so that to-day there are at least four denominations and representatives of many more. The Methodist Episcopal Society erected their present house of worship in 1891, at a cost of $3,000. Rev. I. N. Kalb, named in the history of the Church at Freeport, is pastor. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which Rev. Mr. Gamertsfelder was pastor in 1895, is an off-shoot of the older Lutheran classes of the vicinity. Many of its members belong to the pioneer families of the Bradner district. The Presbyterian Church was organized June 14, 1895, by Rev. Dillon, of Bowling Green, Elder Ward, of New Rochester, and Rev. Syl. Haupert, with F. Kirk, T. Martin (elders), E. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 341 M. Kirk, J. M. Cubbs, and their wives, Mattie, Jennie and Pearl Kirk, Charles Kirk, Mrs. Delo, Mrs. Black (Risingsun), and Geo. Murray. This society purchased the old school building for a nominal sum, and fitted it up as a place for worship. Rev. Sylvanus Haupert was pastor at the beginning of 1895. Union Church, on Chestnut Ridge, east of Bradner, may be considered a local institution. The original deed of the land was made to the Reformed Presbyterian Society, which merged into the German Lutheran Society some years later. Among the early members, as remembered by Mrs. Minkler, were Jacob Plantz, Ben Plantz (who died in 1895), Peter Bovie and son, and William Cox. Mrs. Minkler, who has resided near the church for over forty-eight years, states that the log house of worship was torn down sixteen years ago to make place for the present church house, which is now used only on funeral occasions. Cemetery. -Chestnut Ridge Cemetery may be said to have been established in 1836, as related in other pages. It is certain that the Shevely child was buried there in 1837. The oldest headstone observed by the writer is that which tells of the death of Christina Zimmerman, July 26, 1846. Societies.-Bradner is well endowed with secret and benevolent societies, the greater number in working condition and thoroughly alive to the interests of members. Acme Lodge, No. 676, I. O. O. F., was chartered May 16 and instituted July 18, 1878, with fourteen charter members, of whom Morris Reese was noble grand. The lodges at Risingsun, Freeport and Pemberville are offshoots of No. 676. The first members were C. Bryan, M. Ashley, W. C. Glover, Tobias Hanline, John Peoples, J. F. Hutchinson, Elverson Peoples, G. W. Foster, A. W. Reese, W. Bell, M. Reese, and S. W. Smead. The Daughters of Rebekah organized here in later years with thirty members, of whom Hattie E. Ayers was noble grand. Hamilton Post, No. 90, G. A. R., was chartered June 15, 1881, and named in honor of a soldier, who, in 1861, enlisted at Perrysburg in Co. K, First United States Chasseurs, afterward known as the 65th N. Y. V.; was wounded at Spottsylvania, and died in 1872. The original members of this Post were: Richard Angus, E. R. Beach, W. Crossman, H. Dobson, M. Eckert, E. Evans, Geo. D. Evans, William Ensminger, T. M. Hill, Caleb Minkler, J. Fry, J. S. Mahoney, J. F. Hutchinson, J. M. Jones, J. Heath, J. W. Hoiles, William Gregg, J. Timmons, W. Peterson, C. Walters, A. Shively, E. A. James and J. M. James. E. A. James was the first commander, and John Mahoney the first adjutant; J. Hutchinson succeeded James; J. F. Huffman was the third to command; B. Langell, the fourth. Wm. M. Basore succeeded adjutant Mahoney in 1883, and I. V. Shell succeeded him in 1884, the number of members at that time being fifty-four. Hamilton Women's Relief Corps is made up of the wives, daughters and sisters of the members of Hamilton Post, G. A. R. Bradner Lodge, No. 429, K. of P., was chartered May 8, 1890, with thirty-six members, namely: J. W. Wyant, E. Evans, M. O. Ladd, V. B. Langell, A. A. Stump, J. F. and J. V. Huffman, John Edmonds, J. E. Ladd, Martin Eckert, J. P. Evans, J. M. Stephens, J. E. Furste, T. J. Clements, M. H. Brasher, C. E. Hyter, H. G. Hartman, C. L. Broyles, R. Timms, David Edmonds, A. J. Fowler, W. B. Gregg, J. J. Pratt, W. L. Dunn, S. H. Curry, J. F. Nepton, and J. M. Cribbs. The office of chancellor has been filled by the following named members: W. B. Gregg and J. W. Wyant, 1890; J. E. Ladd and J. E. Furste, 1891 ; C. E. Hyter and A. A. Stump, 1892; J. M. Cribbs and D. H. Youngs, 1893; G. W. Walter and J. V. Huffman, 1894; and N. L. Covell and C. L. Broyles, 1895. The keepers of records and seals, since organization, are named as follows: J. E. Furste, 1890; C. E. Hyter, 1891 ; W. B. Gregg, 1892; J. M. Stephens, 1893; W. B. Gregg, 1894; and A. A. Stump, 1895. I. O. U. A. M. Council, No. 270, was chartered May 4, 1892, with W. W. Stevens, N. J. Hartman, E. F. Huffman, John M. Williams, J. O. Ladd, J. L. Fleming, Fred Huffman, M. P. Colt, W. White, J. W. Meek and J. S. Newman. Shuey Hive, No. 100, L. O. T. M., was ehartered September 8, 1894, with Lucy Furste, L. C., and the following named officers in Tent rank: Carrie Lamb, Etta Graham, Ida Collins, Emma Morris, Anna Fowler, Ada McHenry, Blanche Rhoades, Adda Ladd and Fannie Ladd. Bradner Tent, No. 119, K. 0. T. M., was chartered December 13, 1892, with the following named officers in Tent rank: C. E. Hyter, W. S. Morris, William Clark, F. H. Lamb, William White, Thomas Daily, J. E. Furste, Charles Allen, Robert DeWitt, William Knowles, F. Shefler, William Daily and Frank Daily, with M. Hathaway, M. J. Cleary, W. G. Nicholls, B. F. Hart, G. W. Walters, C. E. Cornman, M. M. Fowler, T. J. Sullivan, G. W. Eckert, 342 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. twelve unofficial members. The Tent now claims sixty-five members, the names of the twelve members referred to being J. F. Miller, A. Leslie, B. W. Graham, E. J. Horton, G. A. McAlpine, C. E. Herriff, E. L. Bordner, T. Clements, W. M. Chamberlain, J. F. Turk and J. H. Lapp. White Division, No. 5, U. R. K. O. T. M., was organized March 19, 1895, with the following named members: F. B. Allen, George Coyle, W. White, D. H. Runneals, M. H. Overocker, F. H. Lamb, C. E. Allen, William Summers, J. O. Wiles, E. T. Welsh, W. Gaines, George McAlpine, R. DeBrant, E. A. North, M. P. Long, M. H. Murray, George Murray, B. W. Graham, C. A. Herriff, John H. Lapp and Patsie Molchy. The officers were George Coyle, past captain; F. B. Allen, captain; D. H. Runneals, record keeper, and W. White, finance keeper. There are twenty-one members. The Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized in May, 1895, with Mrs. F. H. Bower, president; Mrs. A. L. Bordner and Mrs. F. Kirk, vice-presidents; Mrs. Beam, secretary; Mrs. M. Ashley, Mrs. E. James and Mrs. D. I. Dale, superintendents. The Y. M. C. A. was organized in May, 1895, with F. H. Bowers, president; Rev. Sylvanus Haupert, secretary, and W. S. Frees, treasurer. The association's hall is in the second story of the old school house, now used as the Presbyterian church. RISINGSUN. The first settlement made within the vicinity of this village was that by Benjamin Wollam, who purchased land in Sec. 25, in 1834, built a pole shanty with the aid of an Indian, and then fled from the wild animals which infested the place. Within a few years, Benjamin and Archibald Wollam are found here. In 1837, Straub located on the site of the village, where he constructed a log cabin. A cabin for school purposes was built prior to that time, and Arnold Moon installed as teacher. David Phillips settled in the village in 1844; Conrad Shefler, the same year, while Adam Bates, David Shoe, David Bierly and others, named in the history of the township, must be considered among the pioneers of the district. In 1849, George Strause built the first frame dwelling house, and in 1851 .the first frame barn. In 1866, William Shoup erected a small house for mercantile purposes, near the Prentiss sawmill (constructed in 1857, and, later, operated by J. W. Blessing). The place was at first known as St. Elms, but this being too polite for a spot in the wilderness, the residents went to the other extreme and named it "Coon Town." The limestone outcrop suggested " Stony Battery," which name it bore until July 4, 1874, when David Earl's motion to 'baptize the place " Rising Sun " was adopted. It is now spelled as one word- " Risingsun." The village was surveyed by W. H. Wood, in June, 1876, for Luther Wineland, John Mervin, J. W. Bonawit, Adam Grover, J. W. Blessing, John Carey, E. Bolinger, Conrad Shefler and their wives, and E. F. Day and Thomas Mervin. Henry Baker, John Mervin and John Carey were the original owners of the land; John W. Blessing was the first postmaster, and Enos Williams the first carrier of the mail between the village and Fostoria in the ante-railroad days. Prior to the close of April, 1877, there were established here; Frankfother Bros.' general store, Gregg, Wyman & Co.'s lime kilns, John Baker's hotel, and two drug stores. The school house then sheltered about fifty pupils, while a brick house, for church purposes, was in process of building, and ground was broken for over twenty dwellings. In 1886, there were three hotels, two dry-goods houses, two hardware houses, one flour and feed store, one grocery, one saloon, two schools, two physicians, four preachers, the lime works, and two churches, found here. Village Officers.-In November, 1878, a petition was signed by forty-one inhabitants asking the commissioners to incorporate them as a village. This was presented December 16, 1878, but the order creating the village was not signed until March 13, 1879. The mayors were E. F. Day, 1879; Charles E. Sabin, 1882; W. S. Sutliff, 1883; Chauncey E. Houston, 1890; A. H. Emerson, 1893; G. C. Shefler, appointed in July, 1893; E. F. Day was elected in 1894, and was the presiding officer of the village in October, 1895, when the records were summarized. In 1896, he was re-elected. The office of clerk has been held by Ray Gilmore, 1879; S. G. Sheller, 1879; Martin Shively, 1881; J. H. Ream, 1888; Charles R. Shefler, 1889, re-elected in 1896. The office of treasurer has been filled by Conrad Shefler, 1879; E. F. Day, 1886; George H. Baker, 1892; and H. C. Sass, 1896. The councilmen elected since the beginning are named as follows: 1879-H. B. Houston, J. W. Miller, J. W. Reese, J. W. Bonawit, Daniel Ragon, L. M. Mosely. 1880-John Mervin, M. C. Mowen, J. W. Blessing, H. B. Houston, A. Graber, J. W. Bonawit. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 343 1881-G. M. North, John Mervin, M. C. Mowen, E. H. Kirk, A. Graber, J. W. Bonawit. 1882-Lewis M. Mosely, W. Bates, A. Graber, M. C. Mervin, C. Heplir, G. M. North. 1883-G. M. North, L. M. Mosely, A. Graber, J. H. Miller, D. F. Myers, J. W. Bonawit. 1884-William Wollam, E. F. Day, H. L. Byington, L. M. Mosely, G. M. North, A. Graber. 1885-William Wollam, E. F. Day, H. L. Byington, J. H. Burnett, J. W. Blessing, G. M. North. 1886-J. W. Reese, Conrad Shefler, H. K. Byington, J. H. Burnett, W. Blessing, G. M. North. 1887-G. H. Baer, Conrad Sefler, H. L. Byington, J. H. Burnett, Ed. Bollinger, J W. Reese. 1888-G. G. Myers, N. Wirebaugh, H. L. Byington, J. H. Burnett, Ed. Bollinger, J. W. Reese. 1889-G. H. Baker, Charles Day, H. L. Byington, J. H. Burnett, L. C. Windull, G. G. Myers. 1890.-G. H. Baker, Charles Day, George Buck, J. H. Burnett, Noah Swope, G. G. Myers. 1891-Martin Shively, Charles Day, E. S. Shefler, Noah Swope, B. F. Bates, G. G. Myers. 1892-Martin Shively, Charles Day, E. S. Shefler, E. F. Day, B. F. Bates, W. Wolf.. 1893 -Jesse Graham, Charles Cook, E. F. Day, J. H. Burnett, W. Wolf. 1894-Jesse Graham, J. H. Burnett, H. Voglesang, E. Graham, S. Hengsteler. 1895-J. M. Koons, Jesse Miller, H. Voglesang, E. Graham, S. Hengsteler. 1896-C. S. Shefler, J. F. Myers and William Wolf were elected. Common School.-The school directors of 1876 employed L. C. Edgar to take charge of their schools, established two rooms in a public hall, and guarded the interests of the district so well that in 1880 they were enabled to build two brick school houses. At that time the graded system was adopted, and G. C. Shefler employed as superintendent. In 1892 the present modern school house was erected, at a cost of $12,000. On May 11, 1891, Risingsun organized as a separate district, with J. W. Blessing, L. C. Winchell, W. W. Long, John Phillips, William Myers and E. E. White, directors. An election on the question of building a new school house was held June 5, 1891, when sixty-four votes were recorded for and twenty against, and August 28, 1891, the contract for building was awarded to Ricker & Mayer. On September 3 the sum of $10,025 was received from the sale of bonds. In October, C. A. Kline succeeded J. W. Blessing as president, and in April, 1893, G. G. Myers succeeded him. E. E. White has served as clerk of the district since its organization. G. W. Hengsteler and Emma Byington have been members of the board in later days, and Mr. Shefler has held the position of superintendent since 1891. The enumeration made in July, 1895, shows 103 male and seventy-two female pupils. Post Office.-The records of the post office date back to July 17, 1873, when John W. Blessing was commissioned postmaster. H. B. Houston was appointed in 1876; J. K. Plantz, in September, 1881; C. E. Sabin, in 1883; F. J. Aldrich, in July, 1884, to succeed W. H. Wight, who served a short time. In May, 1887, Samuel Milligan was appointed; on May 1, 1889, O. A. Bigley was commissioned; and in August, 1893, G. H. Baker was appointed. When the name was remodeled, in September, 1894, a new commission was issued to Mr. Baker. L. L. Pop, his courteous deputy, attends to postal affairs. Faith post office, four miles southeast, was discontinued in 1893, Wm. L. Shupe, the postmaster, losing a sinecure of small value. Fires.-The fire of October 30, 1894, resulted in the destruction of the Arcade, and a few small buildings. It was the introduction to the greater fire of February, 1895, which reduced to ashes the Phillips-Shefler building (occupied by C. E. White's drug store, and J. D. Goodman's grocery), and Miller's blacksmith shop. Churches.- The United Brethren Society was organized in 1854, under the name "Montgomery U. B. Church." On January 30, 1858, the Union Church trustees purchased a small tract of land from Benjamin Wollam, in the S. W. corner of Sec. 25, but what interest the U. B. Society had in it then is not known. It is, however, understood that the frame building, used by them down to 1878, made way for the brick house of worship. The first pastors were Samuel Essex and George Stewart. The society signed articles of incorporation February 10, 1881, H. E. Smith, John Carey and Amos Bigley, trustees, representing the seventeen members then belonging. Rev. A. H. White is pastor, and E. E. White, superintendent of the Sunday-school. The Radical U. B. Society is a recent organization, of which Rev. J. W. Witham, of Fostoria, is pastor. The thirty-five members purchased one of the two old brick school houses, filled it up as a place of worship, and dedicated it January 27, 1895. The Church of God was organized, in 1860, by J. W. Wilson and R. H. Bolton. The members worshiped in the Basswood school house until 1876, when they purchased a house from the school district, in which they held meetings until 1881, when their present frame building was erected on the Sandusky side of the county line. Rev. W. E. Fuller is pastor, and G. W. Hengsteler, superintendent. There were eightyfive members reported in October, 1895. Societies.-Onward Lodge, No. 329, K. of P., was chartered January 29, 1889, and instituted March 7 of that year. The original mem- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 344 hers were James Carmichael, P. Stump (3), Joseph Riegler, J. W. Bierly, S. S. Mowen (4), F. Bower (2), G. H. Baker, William Wolf (5), C. G. Myers, C. R. Shefler, G. W. Dunlap (6), E. E. White, W. S. Lyon, H. L. Byington (1), S. B. Vandersol, H. Rubart, P. Byers and L. Swope. The chancellors have been the charter members after whose names the figures 1 to 6 are given, with A. C. Wolf, N. Rinebold, J. H. Ream, H. A. Blackman, G. C. Shefler, A. L. Ferster, A. F. Plantz, and C. E. Pew, who was serving in June, 1895. C. G. Myers was the first keeper of records and seals, M. Shively the second, and F. Bower the third. The number of members in June, 1895, was sixty-three. Rising Sun Lodge, No, 788, I. O. O. F., was chartered August 15, 1890, and instituted August 20, with the following named members: J. H. Ream, C. G. Myers, C. A. Houstin (1), J. M. Koons (5); W. S. Sutliff, L. A. Taylor, William Wolf (4), F. Glasscott, J. H. Rease, S. Bodie, N. Rinebold (2), P. Byers, G. Gephart, J. H. Burnett (6), and L. Swope (3). The members, after whose names the figures are placed, served as noble grands in the order given, with William Myers the seventh, and E. L. McCrory the eighth, incumbent. J. M. Koons was the first secretary; W. Myers, the second; J. H. Ream, the third; and E. M. Martin, the fourth. There were forty-four members reported in June, 1895. The P. O. S. of A. was organized here January 15, 1889, with thirty-nine Sons, and had at one time seventy members, but in recent years the membership has fallen very low. Whitman Post, 604, G. A. R., was organized in September, 1888, but not chartered until 1892. The original members were O. A. Bigley (2 and 4), and Samuel Plantz, Stephen Shoe, Conrad Shefler, Henry Voglesang (3), Jesse Miller, Jacob Phister, Martin Shively (1), Adam Miller, A. N. Byers, A. Putman, Daniel Ragon, Enos Williams, Jacob Sidile, Titus Beck, B. Inman, Joseph Stohl, Moses Wymer, Jacob Boyd, Thomas Mervin, W. L. Shupe. Three of the number have served as commanders, while Henry Voglesang is the adjutant. There were sixteen members reported in October, 1895. Whitman Relief Corps, No. 179, was chartered February 12, 1893, with the following named members: Lizzie Wirebaugh, Ida Ferster, Jane Bollinger, Sarah Voglesang, Clara Cook, Angle Bower, Nettie Miller, Lizzie Burnett, Mary Rouglet, Catherine Miller, Hattie Klotz, Minnie Graham, Anna Bigley, Emma Inman, Cynthia Cline, Ida Day, Ida White and Rose Aldrich. The office of president has been filled by Mrs. L. Burnett, Lizzie Burnett and Tina Covill, and that of secretary by Ida Ferster and Minnie Graham, Mrs. Ferster being secretary in 1895. There are twenty members. RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE