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500 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. could be at this late day. The following list contains the names of nearly all of the pioneers not mentioned heretofore: Jacob Swisher settled a little north of the present site of Hiett's Post Office, and died about twenty-five years ago; Timothy Shirly, Uriah White, James Parker, Jonathan Rees, Alexander Rees, Daniel Boone, Simon Reeder, John Scott, William Cooper, 011ie Kilgore. John Richmond, Samuel Flaslam, a reed maker, Jonathan Ayres, Robert Covert, Gregory Glascock, first singing teacher of the township, Peter Glascock, John Blair, William Taylor, a soldier of the war of 1812, who died while in the service having a family of five small children, Thomas Shelton, James Howard, John Lack, James Higgins, Adam White. Richard Thomas, George Brown, _____ Bascom, father of Rev. Henry Bascom, Daniel aud John Moore, Mc- Kinney Burbage, Edward Veach, Henry Altic, Alexander Parker, Moses Race, John and James Stewart, brothers, who built a mill near the mouth of Little East Fork of Eagle Creek, Robert Taylor, Eli Hurin, father of Jeremiah and Silas and Samuel Hurin. Many of the men mentioned in the foregoing list were celebrated hunters, and some were "crack marksmen" with the rifle; John Gunsaulus is believed to have been as good as any of his day; he seldom missed his mark when the chances were favorable. It is related of him that he would bet on hitting a three-inch mark off-hand at a distance of 100 paces, and nearly always came off winner. SCHOOLS. The early settlers no doubt felt the great necessity of an education; they soon turned their attention to it, and began devising methods and providing means for educating their offspring. To this end, rude cabins were built by volunteer labor, and teachers paid by subscription, the rates paid per scholar for a term of thirteen weeks (sixty-five days) being from $1.50 to $2.50, owing to the number that could attend, making the wages of teachers from $8 to $10 per month. The books then used were Dilworth and Guthrie's arithmetics, Webster's and Cobb's spellers, English reader and American preceptor, Linley, Murray's and Kirham's grammars and Olney's atlas and geography. The Testament was also much used as a reader. One of the oldest schoolhouses stood near the center of the township on land then owned by John Evans, now by H. V. Martin, and was built in 1805 or 1806. George Harrison, Adam Calduward, a Mr. Swan and Samuel Ewings were the first teachers, teaching in the order named, as near as can be ascertained. The house was abandoned about 1823. About the year 1812, a log schoolhouse was erected on the farm now owned by D. W. Earley, about three hundred yards northeast of Ebenezer Church. The first teachers were Levi D. Beverage and Isaac W. Gibson. In 1822, the house was moved to what is now the corner of the Ebenezer Churchyard. In 1810 or 1811, a log cabin was built near Gilbert's mill-dam, about two hundred yards south of the junction of the Ripley and Brady sville and the Iron Bridge & Bradysville Turnpikes. James Said, a Mr. Goodwin, William McCalla, Silas Clark, John Coxet, Royal Tyler and Reuben Case were all primitive teachers there. This house was used for a schoolhouse till 1843, when a new house was built one-half mile below it on the farm now owned by Dyas Gilbert. This was the first frame house used for school purposes in the township, and was twenty feet wide by twenty- five feet long. It was built by subscription, and cost $250, seats and desks excepted. Nathan Gilbert, son of William Gilbert, taught the first school in the new house. The whole number of districts in the township, except Aberdeen Special District, is thirteen, with three fractional of Union Township and two of Adams County. HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP - 501 No. 1 is at the head of Fishing Gut Creek, running to the county line. No. 2 is west of No. 1, and extends to the corporation of Aberdeen. No. 3 is west of Aberdeen, lying on the Ohio River to the west side of the Hamilton farm, below the mouth of Three-Mile Creek. No. 4 lies on the river hills north of No. 3, and extends to East Fork on the northwest, and to Howard's land on the east. No. 5 lies mostly north of Three-Mile Creek on Slickaway Run, and has a good frame house 26x30 feet, built in 1870. No. 6 lies in the center of the township on Little East Fork of Eagle Creek, and has a new frame house, built in 1878, which now occupies the place of the one built in 1843; size, 25x28 feet. No. 7, located on the Ripley & Iron Bridge Turnpike, northwest of the center of the township, has a good frame house. No. 8, situated in the north part of the township, has a good frame house, built in 1872. No. 9, in the northeast part of the township, had lately part of its territory cut off, forming a joint subdistrict with a part of Sprigg Township, Adams Co. The house was built about 1847. No. 10, on Ellis Run, is known as Greerson's District, and has a new frame house, built in 1873. No. 11 lies along the Ohio River above Aberdeen, and has a good frame house, built in 1869. No. 12 (California District) is located at Taylorsville, and has a good frame house, erected in 1872. No. 14 lies near the center of this township, and was formed principally from District No. 6, and lies southeast of it. The fractions of Union Township are No. 13, at Logan's Gap; No. 15, at Fitch Bridge, and No. 16, at Martin's Bridge. All the districts in the township have been furnished with improved school furniture. There is one colored' school in the township. The house is located in Subdistrict No. 7; it is a box frame, and furnished with bast school furniture. There is also a colored school in Aberdeen. The scholars in the township are as follows: Number of white males, 326; females, 290; colored males, 16; females, 21; total number males and females, 651. The tuition fund for the year, exclusive of the fractional districts, is $3,000; whole contingent. fund, about $1,000; average wages paid teachers, nearly $38 per month. The educational interest, has increased very considerable in the last few years, and is still increasing, with prospects for a brighter future. CHURCHES. The first preaching in the township was by Rev. Waad, a Baptist, about the year 1806. A church organization soon began, and was in a short time completed, with preaching occasionally. There being no church houses, schoolhouses and family residences were occupied as such until about 1852, a good brick building was erected in Aberdeen, Rev. Baldwins, Pastor, and Rev. Mason occasional Pastor. A Mr. Hutchison, Hosea Paul, James Paul, Elizabeth Evans, Samuel Carpenter and family, William Ruggles and others were members. The first organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Aberdeen and vicinity was at the house of James Dennis. The old schoolhouse in Aberdeen was used for a number of years. The McCallas, Campbells, Dennises and Kilgores were members of the organization. In 1845, the society erected a brick building on Main Cross street in the village of Aberdeen. The church is in a pretty good state of prosperity, having connected with it a flourishing Sabbath school, with all the other essential elements for church prosperity. Huntington Presbyterian Church.—Some years previous to 1832, Rev. Rutter, Robert Rankin, Rev. James Gilliland and sometimes Rev. John Rankin, private houses, and schoolhouses, and a church was organized. The following persons were members: William Anderson and wife, Joseph 502 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Daniels and wife, Robert Scott and wife, David Dunseth, Thomas Gibson and wife and James Mears. In 1832, a brick house was erected on the opposite side of the creek, and near where Hiett's Post Office now stands. The church stood for years, but about 1850 the brick walls became cracked and much dam- aged, so that it was unsafe, and it was taken down and rebuilt on a smaller scale on the same site. The church membership became much reduced in the course of a few years by the death of some and the removal of others. Serv- ices have not been kept up regularly, and consequently the church has become weak both numerically and otherwise. Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church. —About 1815, Robert Dobbins, a local Methodist minister, owned the farm now owned by D. W. Early, and often held religious services in the neighborhood. Nathan Gilbert's house, id:1(3re E. Porter now lives, became a religious preaching place, and a class was soon organized. In 1822, an old log schoolhouse was moved to the corner of the present church lot, a few rods south of the site of present house, which be- came a regular point in the circuit for preaching. About the year 1818, Robert Dobbins sold his farm to John Meek, another Methodist Episcopal minister. In 1834, Rev. John Meek, Elijah Reikerds, John Hook, John W. Game, Elias Painter and George Woods, who was class leader at that time, felt the need of a building suitable for holding their meetings. The site was donated, John Hook and John -F. Games were appointed building committee, and a brick church 40x48 feet was erected. It was some years before the house was com- pleted, and for some cause it was never dedicated. Besides the members named above, there were Arthur Vain, a licensed exhorter, and his wife, John Blair, wife and family, Mary Inn and Rachel Parker, John Cooper and wife, William Gilbert and wife, John Shelton and wife and some others. in 1878, the old brick was taken down, and a new frame erected on the same site, but a little smaller. It was dedicated by the Rev. William I. Fee, then Presiding Elder for the district. The Trustees of the church are Thompson Maddox, John F. Games, John R. Glasscock, D. W. Early, W. B. Games and Samuel Maddox. W. B. Games and Samuel Maddox, Stewards; W. H. Simpson, Samuel Mad- dox, John Eubanks, and W. E. Hook, class leaders. The society numbers about seventy members. There is a flourishing Sabbath school maintained at the church. D. W. Early is Superintendent of the Sunday school, and W. H. Simpson, Assistant Superintendent. Fellowship Christian, Church. -This society was formed several years previous to having a church building. The schoolhouse and private dwellings were used for holding religious services fo- a time, and a brick house was built, but did not prove to be a good structure. It was taken down about three years ago, and rebuilt on the same site and partly on the same foundation. For some years the church did not prosper, but now it appears to be in a prom- ising condition. Hiett Christian Chapel.—During the years 1867 and 1868, a number of mem- bers of Bethlehem and Fellowship, Churches, who lived at a distance from their churches, felt the necessity of a place of worship in their immediate neighbor- hood; prominent among the movers of this purpose were James Cochran, Dr. W. H. Evans, Rev. James Paul, Lewis Shelton and John B. Hiett. Meetings were first held at Buchanan's Schoolhouse; the interest increased rapidly, and on the 13th day of June, 1869, the church was organized with forty-eight members, Elder C. W. Garoutte, officiating. Measures were immediately taken to raise a subscription to build a church edifice; $2,200 was subscribed, and William Shelton donated half an acre for, a church lot on the Ripley, Ironbridge Bradys- ville Turnpike, a little north of the center of the township. On June 4, 1870, the name of the church was adopted, and a frame building 32x50 feet was HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP - 503 erected on the above named lot. On the first Sabbath in September, the house was dedicated to the worship of God by Elder N. Summerbell, D. D., assisted by Elders Garrautte, Pangburn and Gardner. To Elder William Pangburn the church owes a debt of gratitude for his unceasing efforts; he was its first Pastor. John K. Hiett donated about one-half of the money raised toward building the chapel, and he, with Thomas Beck and Dr. W. H. Evans, were the first Trustees. James Cochran, Lewis Shelton, Hiram McDaniel and Lewis Swearingen were the first Deacons. Additions have been made to the membership from time to time until now it numbers 150. The Sabbath school which is under the guidance of the church is maintained about one-half of each year with an average attendance of forty. The church burial-place is Shelton's Cemetery, for a history of which the reader is referred elsewhere in this work. Colored Church of Aberdeen.—About five years ago, the colored people of Aberdeen and vicinity felt keenly the necessity of a suitable house in which to hold their religious meetings. They took steps toward erecting a house of worship, and to this end subscriptions were raised, the white people assisting them liberally in this good enterprise. The house was shortly afterward built, being a neat frame, upon which at that time there was a debt, but the church has continued to reduce it, and now have their house nearly paid for. The church has a pastor, and holds religious meetings regularly. Bethlehem, Christian Church. —This church was organized by Elder Mat thew Gardner, who commenced preaching in this vicinity about 1823. Elder Gardner writes: " After giving up preaching at the old stone meeting-house, on Lawrence Creek, in Kentucky, I began to preach once a month on the Ohio side of the river, opposite Maysville, some twelve miles from my home. I had occasionally preached there on my way to the Lawrence Creek Church. The neighborhood was famed for wickedness. Sabbath-breaking, by horse-racing and gambling, cock-fights and whisky-drinking, was common. I had a great desire to carry the Gospel there. There was no preaching on the Ohio side of the river within ten miles of them. A Methodist minister had sent an appointment, but when he rose to speak, the congregation, in concert, as previously arranged, arose and left the house and empty benches to preach to. They needed salvation. Could I reach them? I would try. I appointed meetings in their dwellings or log cabin schoolhouses, but the congregations soon became so large that, when the weather permitted, our meetings were in the woods. A church was soon organized. The revival continued. Many were added to the church, and, in a few years, Bethelehem Church numbered over four hundred members. We soon built a good brick chapel, and the church prospered. If ever the power of the Gospel was manifest to all, it was in that section of country." The Bethlehem Church became the largest and most important Christran Church in the conference to which it belonged. Elder Gardner was its pastor for forty-five years. In 1829, the first brick house of worship was erected. This was destroyed by a storm in 1860, and a new frame edifice erected the same year, near the same site. On the third Sabbath in May each year, this church held a " big meeting," as it was termed. These annual meetings were attended by vast congregations. Some came a distance of twenty miles, and as many as three thousand persons were sometimes collected together. At some of the meetings, more than one hundred joined the church. The church now has a membership of over four hundred, and sustains a large Sabbath school. THE GREAT STORM OF 1860. A great storm swept over the West on Monday, May 21, 1860, destroying houses and barns, and blowing down forests. Elder Matthew Gardner gives a 504 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. graphic description of the destruction of Bethlehem Christian Church by this storm: "The third Lord's Day in May, 1860, was our communion meeting at Beth- lehem Church. I was assisted at that communion by Brother William Pangburn and Brother Charles W. Garoutte, whose labors were blessed. We continued the meeting on Monday at 10 A. M., and met again at 3 P. M. The congregation was large. The house was of brick. It was 35x50 feet in size, and was nearly full. A few minutes before the hour for preaching, a heavy cloud appeared in the west, of a dark green color, attended with a roaring sound. The ministers had ascended the pulpit, which was at the side of the house, and I was sitting on a chair, leaning back against the pulpit. The men occupied the west end of the house. As the cloud approached, the storm gathered strength, the roaring becoming louder and louder. Trees were swept down, limbs and brush were driVen along, all accompanied by deafening thunder. Great drops of rain began to fall. The preachers waited, for almost utter darkness prevailed. Suddenly a crash was heard; the cries and screams could be heard above the roaring of the storm. Half of the roof, commencing at the west end, had blown to a great distance. The west gable had blown in, down to the square, and came crashing through the ceiling upon the men, closely seated below. Then distinctly, above all the din of the storm, was heard the cry, 'What shall I do to be saved? What shall I do to be saved?' I did not at first leave my seat. Having my trust in God, I felt as safe there as any- where else, and I knew not yet the end of the calamity. I supposed that a shaft of lightning had struck the house; and as I saw the mass that had fallen upon the men, I said to myself, 'There are six men killed.' None were killed. The rubbish was quickly removed, and the men were assisted out, bruised, but all living. A young man who had run from the house got out in time to be struck by a falling rafter, which broke his arm. His was the most serious injury. All started home with sad hearts." CEMETERIES. Many of the burial-places in the township seem to have been selected with a view to their peculiar fitness, while others are very inappropriately situated. The greater number of the burial-places are private. Some of the oldest are now turned out into the cultivated fields, and corn, wheat and other crops flourish where sleep the ashes of the venerable pioneer. These are called family graveyards," but few are regularly laid out, and a great number are shamefully neglected. The first regularly laid out cemetery in the township was Charter Oak Cemetery, in the river bottom, one and a half miles below Aberdeen. The Odd Fellows of Charter Oak Lodge of Aberdeen bought and laid out about four acres in the year 1852. Its location is a beautiful one. It is well cared for, and is usually in fine trim, and is much the largest in the township. It is estimated that three hundred are already buried there. Shelton Cemetery, on the Ripley & Iron Bridge Turnpike, about one mile north of the center of the township, was laid out into lots in 1870 or 1871, and, soon after, the company was incorporated. The cemetery is beautifully located, and is kept in good condition. The first person buried there was John B. Hawk. The lots, especially the choice ones, are already disposed of, but there are yet some very good ones for sale. Martin's Graveyard has perhaps the largest number of graves in it of any other family graveyard in the township. Most of the graves are marked by marble monuments, or marble head and foot stones, while others are marked with freestone, and a few have only rough limestone, or no mark at all to des- HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP - 505 ignate them; the latter are very few. The Helms, Martins, McDowells, Lawwills and Coopers are mostly buried there. Ebenezer Graveyard, at the Ebenezer Church, is a large country graveyard, and nearly all the ground that could be used is filled with graves. The site is not a pretty one, being too much inclined. The Gaines. Hooks, Earleys, Simpsons, Griersons and many others are here interred. D. W. Early, Sr., deeded to his sons a lot west of the Ebenezer Church, that might properly be called Early Addition, as it is regularly laid out into lots. There are buried there D. W. Earley, Sr., and wife, Hon. John Cochran and wife, Hon. Andrew Evans, two sons and one daughter, and other persons, nearly all being connected with those just mentioned. Hiett's Graveyard, on Ephraim Martin's farm, has been well taken care of, and is on a fine site. The Hietts and their connections are the principal occupants of this burial-place. William Hiett and his wife, Mary, and John Hiett's wife, are buried here. They were among the early settlers of this part of the township. Hickory Ridge Cemetery, at Fellowship Church, near the north end of the township, is now in a little better condition than it has been for years. It has a considerable number buried there. William Jenkins, Sr., an early settler of that neighborhood, is interred at this place. Slickaway Graveyard is near the Bethlehem Church two miles north of Aberdeen. It is very badly cared for, although there are many persons buried here. Beasley's Graveyard is on the farm of Mrs. Card, four miles north of Aberdeen. It is surrounded by a stone wall. Benjamin Beasley, Sr., his family and connections, are buried there. Benjamin Beasley was one of the very earliest pioneers of the township Evans' Graveyard is situated on the farm owned and cleared out by John Evans, who was one of the first settlers of the township. In it rest the ashes of John Evans and wife, John Housh and wife, Watty McDonald, Edward McDaniel and wife, Joseph Cochran and wife, John Housh, Jr., and James Cunningham and wife, all pioneers or early settlers, besides divers others. But few graves are marked so that a stranger could tell by passing whose remains are resting there. It is very much neglected. Besides the cemeteries named above, there are several others that it is proper to mention, all of them being private or family, viz., McDaniels, Gilbert's, Maddox's, Anderson's, two Scott's, Griffith's, two Cooper's, Rain's, Veech's, Parker's, Flaugher's, Boone's, and perhaps some others, which have been left out unintentionally. The greater portion of these have been almost totally neglected for years. MILLS. Housh's Mill was built by John Housh, on the right bank of the Little East Fork of Eagle Creek, four miles from its mouth, about 1808. It was a small saw and grist mill combined, with one run of buhrs, with which corn, wheat and buckwheat were ground, the bolting being done by hand. It did the grinding well, and served the neighborhood for some time. The saw-mill was rebuilt about 1830, and operated till 1848. Scott's saw-mill was built on the right bank of the same stream, one-half mile below Housh's mill. Alfred and Evan Griffith built a saw-mill on the same stream, about two and a half miles from its mouth, but it never did much work. About the year 1870, Evan Griffith completed another saw-mill, half a mile below the former,. but, like the first, it was not a success. 506 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Gilbert's saw-mill, on the same stream, aboutakve and a half miles from its mouth, was built about 1816, by William Gilbert, and operated till his death, in 1836, when it changed owners, A. B. Gilbert becoming the owner. lie has owned and operated it ever since. It has done more work than any other water saw-mill in the township, and the work has always been of the best character. In 1827, John Evans began to erect a flouring-mill on the right bank of the Little East Fork of Eagle Creek, five miles north of Aberdeen, and in 1828 it was completed. It was operated until 1858, when Samuel Evans became the owner. He remodeled it the next year, and operated it till March, 1876, when a severe flood washed away the dam and injured the races. When the mill was built, the stream afforded considerable power, but, as the timber was cut away along the stream, the power began to fail, and now the stream does not afford power for more than one-third of each year. The mil l had a fine reputation for its work, and the flour commanded the best prices in its day. It is a three-story frame, 30x36 feet. It had two run of buhrs—one for corn and one for wheat—and did a general milling business. It was driven by an eight- een-foot overshot wheel. Cochran's mill, near the mouth of the same stream, was built by Robert and James Stewart about 1816. John Cochran bought it about the year 1823, remodeled it, and operated it for about twenty years. The building was a two-story log, 24x28 feet, and had two run of buhrs—one for corn and one for wheat. It did a general milling business. It was driven by an overshot wheel. Young's mill, on Eagle Creek, in the north end of the township, was built about sixty-five years ago. John Richmond then became the owner, and operated it for several years,- and then sold it to James Baldwin. It was then a log building. Baldwin and Dr. Hamilton rebuilt it, enlarging it and putting in new machinery, costing them a large sum of money. John Ellis became the next owner, and he operated it till his death, in 1848. Milo Melvin then bought it, and ran it about ten years, when John K. Hiett became the owner, and, in 1869, sold it to Thomas Young, the present owner, who put in a new turbine water-wheel and otherwise repaired it. It has two run of buhrs, but never did a great deal of work. Sharondale Mill was built by Daniel Boone. The building was log, and stood on the right bank of Big Three Creek, two miles north of Aberdeen, near the old stone still-house, a little below where William Bradford's residence now stands. Hickson bought out Bonne in 1832, and Parker & Wright bought out Hickson, rebuilt the mill, applied steam-power, and operated it till 1835. William Carpenter then bought out Parker & Wright, and operated it till 1844, when Dr. Moore bought it, and, a short time after, T. B. Fulton went in as a partner. In 1857, T. B. Fulton bought out Dr. Moore, and operated it very successfully till 1874, when he sold it to Jacob Pimm, who operated it till 1876, and then A. R. Brookover became a partner. In March, 1878, Brookover became a bankrupt, and, in the same fall, his interest was sold to William Bradford, who also bought Pimm's interest, and operated the mill till in May, 1882, when it was burned down. Reeder's mill was a small log mill, standing on the same side of the same stream as Sharondale, a little higher up the stream. It was built by Simon Reeder about 1820. I. H. Warstell owned and operated it for several years. About 1855, a company bought the Reeder Still-house, which was built for a distillery, but never used. It was fitted up for a mill, and operated for a year or two. I. H. Warstell bought out the company, remodeled the mill and ran it occasionally till after the war, when he converted it into a distillery. It stands on the opposite bank of the creek from Reeder's mill. HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP - 509 Shelton's, or Scott's mill, stands on the same stream, half a mile above Reeder's mill. It is a small log mill, and is now quite old. Parker & Carpenter's mill was built in 1844 by William Parker and William Carpenter. It was a large frame steam mill, on the river bank, below Market street, in Aberdeen. It did not prove to be very remunerative to its owners, and it was only operated a few years, when it was taken down and moved to Kentucky. The Ohio Valley Mill was built in the fall of 1881, by T. B. Fulton and Elijah Davis. It is a steam flouring-mill, on the west side of Market street, in Aberdeen. The building is a frame, three stories, of wood, and a basement of stone, and cost $12,000. It has four run of buhrs and all the modern improvements in the way of mill machinery. It has a good reputation for its work, and, without doubt, is one of the finest mills of its size in the State. TURNPIKE ROADS. The township is pretty well supplied with regular laid out macadamized pikes, running in different directions. The Aberdeen & Zanesville pike was the first built, and has been much the best in the township. Its direction is northeast from the Ohio River, at Aberdeen, to Zanesville, leaving the township and passing into Adams County about three and a half miles from Aberdeen. It was built in 1840, 1841 and 1842. The Ripley & Bradysville Turnpike was built in 1860 and 1861, by a company. It enters the township two miles northeast of Logan's Gap, and runs nearly east to the county line, one and a half miles above Ebenezer Church. The road lies between Ripley and Manchester, and six and a half miles are in the township. The Ripley & Iron Bridge Turnpike enters the township at Eagle Creek, two miles above the last named, and bears a little southwest till it intersects the Ripley & Bradysville pike at East Fork, one mile below Hiett's Post Office. The distance in the township is about four miles. It was built in 1860 and 1861. The Aberdeen & Huntington Free Turnpike was built, or commenced, in 1868, and completed in 1870. It was built under what is called the two-mile law. Its direction is nearly north, commencing at the old Aberdeen & Zanesville road, two miles north of Aberdeen, and intersecting the Ripley & Bradysville road one-fourth of a mile below Hiett's Post Office. Length in township, four and one-third miles. The Huntington & Maysville Free Turnpike begins at the Ripley & Bradysville road, at Evan Griffith's farm, and, bearing southeast, intersects the Aberdeen & Huntington pike at J. C. Waldron's farm, three and a half miles north of Aberdeen. Length, two and one-fourth miles. It was built during the years 1880 and 1881. Hiett's Post Office and Neel's store road was laid out in 1880, and is now nearly completed. Twenty per cent was raised by subscription. and the county furnished the balance of the money to build it. Its direction is nearly north, beginning at Hiett's Post Office and passing out of the township at Neel's Store, on Eagle Creek, thence up Eagle Creek to Decatur; whole distance, about seven miles; nearly four miles of it are in this township. PROMINENT MEN OF THE TOWNSHIP. Henry B. Bascom was the most noted of any man who ever resided in this township. At one period, he was perhaps second to none in popular pulpit oratory in the United States. He was born in the State of New York May 27, 1796, and died at Louisville, Ky., in September, 1850. He united with the Methodist Episcopal 510 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Church in the western part of Pennsylvania in 1811. Two years after, he was licensed to preach, and was received on trial in the Ohio Conference. At the age of sixteen, he moved into this township, and settled about three miles northwest of Aberdeen, where Conrad Eppensteiner's widow now lives. While he lived there, he devoted his time to study and laboring for his church. In 1823, he was elected Chaplain to Congress. In 1827, he was elected President of Madison College, Pennsylvania, which position he filled until 1829, when he became agent for the American Colonization Society. In 1832, he was elected Professor of Moral Science in Augusta College, Kentucky, and in 1842 he be- came the President of Transylvania University. He was a delegate to every general conference from 1828 to 1844. At this latter date, he wrote the fa- mous "Protest of the Minority," in the general conference, and the report on organization at the formation of the Methodist Church South. When the agi- tation of the slavery question began to disturb the Methodist Episcopal Church, he attached himself to the South Branch, and edited the Southern Quarterly Review from 1846 to 1850, when he was elected Bishop, in which capacity he was serving at his death. He published several works. An early Justice of the Peace, and a very prominent and well-known citi- zen, was Thomas Shelton. The Maysville (Ky.) Bulletin of February 17, 1870, contains the following personal sketch of him: "Death of Esq. Thomas Shelton, at Aberdeen, on Tuesday last, at the age of ninety-four years. He was born in Stafford County, Va., in 1776, and in about 1812, emigrated to this county. In 1816, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, which office he held without interruption to the day of his death. He was perhaps the most remarkable man of his section, from the fact that he has officiated at the solemni- zation of more marriages than any person in the United States. It has been esti- mated that he has united in the bonds of wedlock over four thousand couples, or eight thousand persons. Hundreds of young people from this State, whose par- ents were unfavorable to their plans, have flown to the old ' Squire,' and found his services an efficient remedy for their misfortune. He always claimed that the majority of his marriages were happily made, and, if they turned out to be contrary, he consoled himself with the reflection that his own part was well done, and he was not to blame. The old gentleman for many years previous to his death, had a peculiar passion for buying and trading watches, and it was said of him that he seldom made a good trade. He has purchased as many as six watches in one week, and has traded them off for other watches within the next week. He was a zealous and life-long Democrat, taking great interest in the progress and prosperity of his party, and never voting any other ticket. He had many generous impulses, and the members of his family and his neighbors were much attached to him." Shelton was succeeded by Massie Beasley, who has solemnized more than three thousand marriages since 1870, a large proportion of them being without the authority of a license. Aberdeen has thus become as famous in Ohio and Kentucky for its irregular marriages as Gretna Green in England and Scot- land. The following is the form of marriage certificate given by Esq. Beas- ley in cases of marriages without license, which is similar to one used by the officiating blacksmith of Gretna Green: TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. ABERDEEN, O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188. . THIS CERTIFIES, That by virtue of a Marriage Contract by and between Mr......... and Miss........................................of the County of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . and State of . .. . . . . They have this day, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses, acknowledged themselves as Man and Wife. Witnesses. MASSIE BEASLEY, ESQUIRE. HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP - 511 John Cochran was a Senator and Representative to the Ohio Legislature. The reader is referred to pioneers of this township for further information of him. Benjamin Evans, son of John and Mary (Housh) Evans, was born January 17, 1796, at Blue Licks, Mason Co., Ky., and died July, 1861. He was married twice. His first wife was Ruth, a daughter of William and Margaret (Fryar) Gilbert. They were married in 1818, and Ruth died about 1826. There were four children born to them—Mary, Margaret, Hannah, and a small child, whose name is unknown. Elizabeth Allison, his second wife, was a daughter of Joseph Allison, born April, 1806, died June, 1863. They were married about 1829. The fruits of this marriage were four sons and five daughters--W. G., Andrew J., Ruth, Thomas, Diana, Angeline, Matilda, Tacy and John; last two named died young. Benjamin held the offices of band Appraiser, County Auditor from 1829 to 1831, and was elected Associate Judge shortly after his term of office as Auditor expired. He served two terms in the Ohio Senate, from 1847 to 1849, and also served two or three terms as Justice of the Peace. John F. Games was born March 11, 1810, educated in the common school of his day, and taught school several terms. He served one term as Justice of the Peace in this township, and was elected Representative to the Ohio Legislature in 1854, but was not a candidate for re-election. Andrew Evans, son of John and Mary (Housh) Evans, was born December 12, 1809, and died September, 1879. He held the office of Justice of the Peace of this township for twelve years, and represented Brown County in the Ohio Legislature from 1864 to 1866. He was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by a small majority. He was elected as a War Democrat. John C. Waldron was born in Adams County, Ohio, and emigrated to Huntington Township in 1829. He served as Township Constable fifteen years, as Justice of the Peace, and was elected Representative to the Ohio Legislature two terms-from 1870 to 1874. Politically, he is a Democrat. Andrew J. Evans, son of Hon. Benjamin Evans, represented his county in the Kansas Legislature. John W. Games, son of Hon. John F. Games, represented his county in the Kansas Legislature for two terms. MILITARY Huntington Township bore an honorable part in the great war for the supremacy and perpetuity of the Union, and her soldiers have a record of which her people may justly be proud. From that memorable day of April, 1861, when the glorious old flag was struck with traitorous hands, and when the rebel batteries centered their fire on Sumter, until the grand and lasting victory at Appomattox, the sons of Huntington Towns ip, with their lives and all they held dear, were at the service of their country and on the side of the Union. In victory as well as defeat, in camp and field, in bivouac or on the march, at the cannon's mouth or around the quiet camp-fire, they showed themselves worthy sons of worthy sires. At the beginning of the war, their response to their country's call was prompt and cheerful. As months and years rolled on, the decimated ranks were filled by fresh and determined troops; and when the end came, there were but few families that had not laid on the country's altar some costly sacrifice. Of those who slumber in unknown and unmarked graves, upon fields exposed to the parching rays of a Southern sun, are sons of Huntington Township. There they wait the reveille for the brave and honored dead. But they have left the memory of their heroic deeds impressed upon the hearts of a grateful people, who will, to the latest generation, call them 512 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. blessed. Those who were fortunately permitted to return feel a just pride in the war record of their township. There were tears and sorrows; their ranks and files had been fearfully thinned; the human sacrifice in behalf of the nation had been intensely severe; but better this sacrifice than a divided country. While the men of the township contested the question of secession in the field, there was also an army of noble women at home, who bore an exalted part in the great contest. They never wearied in their efforts to supply to the soldiers at the front many tokens of remembrance; the sick were supplied with innumerable delicacies, and their fervent petitions were almost continuous to the God of battles for the cause of the Union; that right might triumph, and that the country might emerge from the great contest purified by defeat and disaster, till it be worthy of its founders and its defenders. The following list embraces nearly all who enlisted from this township; it is as near correct as can be obtained, since no record of enlistments was kept in the township. This list has been prepared with great care and labor. If any names have been omitted, it is to be regretted. It is possible that some names are recorded that do not properly belong to this township; if so, it is not for the purpose of over-estimating the township's honor, or encroaching upon the honor of any other portion of our great country. They served in nearly all the great battles of the rebellion; first, in Western Virginia, and, as the war progressed, they were scattered to almost every portion of the South, though the greatest number, perhaps, were engaged in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Virginia. The following were commissioned officers from this township: George B. Bailey, Captain, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Joseph Blackburn, Cap- tain Company F, Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; James Drennan, Captain Company F, Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; I. W. Adams, Second Lieutenant Company F, Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; D. A- Dodds, Captain Company F, Seventieth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry; John Redman, Second Lieutenant, Eighty-ninth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry; John Moore, Lieutenant in Tenth Kentucky Cavalry; Samuel Evans, First Lieutenant, Fifty-ninth United States Colored Infantry; John E. Carpenter, First Lieutenant, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; William Hubbert, First Lieutenant Company H, Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Frank Harding, First Lieutenant Company H, Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. The enlisted men of Company F, Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, were: William Anderson, I. W. Adams, Benjamin Abrams, D. B. Brown, William Case, Henry Campbell, Dyans Campbell, Robert Campbell, D. A. Dodds, Joseph Dodds, Allen Dodds, Darius Dodds, Lawson Dragoo, Daniel Dragoo, Phillip Dragoo, J. B. Evans, Samuel Evans, John Flemming, Thomas Grier, James Galbraith, William Geddis, Paul Geddis, Oliver Gray, Caleb Glasscock, D. W. Games, W. T. Hook, William Hart, Henry Harding, Samuel Hied, Griffith Hiett, John Hiett, William M. Haynes, Phillip Hender- hand, B. F. Jacobs, George Jamison, Joseph Kilgore, P. J. Lane, Samuel Lyons, Ed Morgan, John McDaniel, Joseph McDaniel, D. E. Maddox, William Mills, John McDaniel, Jr., John Midghall, Alex Neil, John Newman, Daniel Reeder. Alex Rains, Benjamin Reeder, John Sibbald, James Sibbald, J. W. Shelton, Alfred Shelton, Lewis Shelton, James Scott, John Swisher, N. B. Thompson, James Waldron, G- H. White. Those of Company H, Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, were: W- C. Buck, James Bradford, William Brooks, James Fryar, William Hubbert, Silas Hurin, John Hurin, Charles Jumper, Darius Kilgore, James Kilgore, James M. Lawvvill, Jeremiah Mahanna, C. Mahanna, John Mahanna, Jesse McKinley, Samuel Reed, S. N. Sawyer, Thomas Simons, Charles Walker, J. M. Sut- ton, Mark O. Neal, William McCune, Michael O. Neal, Andrew Smalley. HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP - 513 Members of Companies E and G, Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry: James Brooks, C. Cook (E), Frank Harding (G). Members of Company H, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry: Charles Case, J. E. Carpenter, J. B. Campbell, William Campbell, G. D. Evans, James Frame, T. F. Hill, Ephraim Helm, Luther Hall, William Hall, Sr., William Hall, Jr., Alex Hall, George Hall, Frank Hall, John Jones, Aaron Jones, Moses Paul, William Riggs, Thomas Sutton. Members of Company E, Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry: Richard Bailey, E. Bowman, Amos Evans, W. H. Evans, G. W. Earley, Samuel. Flaugher, John McNulty, J. W. McDaniel, William McDaniel, Alfred McNulty, John Redman, J. W. Swisher, G. A. Shelton, Jacob Scott, Samuel Scott. Members of the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry: George Brookover, Joseph Carpenter, Power Campbell, W. R. Ellis, Thomas Carpenter, Thomas Harding, John Moore, Lieut. Joseph Power, F. P. Waldron, S. R. Worstell, T. J. Worstell, J. C. Sutton. Members of Company B, Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry: J. W. Grierson, William Grierson, Robert Grierson. Members of the Fourth Independent Cavalry were: William Bowman, John W. Scott, James Brittingham. In the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry: J. W. Games, J. H. House. In the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry: B. F. Botts, William Crabtree, Daniel Hare, James Madigan, J. Paul, L. Schlitz. In the One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry: John Carrigan, G. W. Davidson, M. B. Glasscock, S. McDaniel, Joseph Paul, H. Palmer, Lewis Paul, liarvey Teeters, James Payne, A. White, Lewis Shelton. In Company C, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry: William Gray, W. D. Grierson, Simon Reeder, J. W. Stewart. The following list contains the names of soldiers whose company and reg. iment could not be definitely ascertained: George Anderson, William Atherton, John Brittingham, James Brittingham, T. Bennett, James Campbell, William Carroll, Ed Cunningham, John Daulton, Benjamin Campbell, Thomas Daulton, George Daulton, Ely Frame (Seventeenth Kentucky), T. H. Glass- cock, L. Grimes, Marion Harover, James D. Howard, S. J. Housh, S. R. Hutchison, Smith Howland, Lewis Jones, Aaron Jones, 1). C. Kerr, William Little, B. B. Lawwill, George McDaniel, James McDaniel, James McKinley, Jesse McDaniel, -- Mafferty, John Newman, Aristus Norris, Isaac Payne, John Rains, William Richmond, William Ruggles, John Rist, Permenius Ryan, P. Roush, John Ruggles, W. H. Sutherland, Powell Simpson, Henry Stafford, A. M. Shelton, J. W. Scott, William Shelton, Lewis Swearingen, William Savage, George Scott; Robert Taylor, P. W. Waldron, -- Young. Soldiers of the war of 1812, residents of the township, all of whom are now dead: Nelson Austin, Richard Brown, George Brown, William Burnett, John Cochran, John Ellis (Captain), Jesse Ellis, Samuel Ellis, John Evans, Adam Flaugher, Jacob Flaugher, David Flaugher, Henry Flaugher, Mason Griffith, John W. Games, James Higgins, William Harding, Thomas Leech- man, James Leechman, William Little, Arthur Mitchell, Hosea Paul, Alex Rains, William Taylor, Samuel Wilson. VILLAGES. Aberdeen is the only incorporated village in the township. It was originally laid out by Nathan Ellis, July 5, 1816. A. Woodough, Surveyor of Adams County, surveyed it. The plat was recorded July 12, 1816, by J. Darlington, Recorder of Adams County. James Power's Addition was laid out in 1832. John Beasley's First Addition was laid out in 1841, his second in 1845, 514 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. and his third in 1850, at which time the village became incorporated. Arthur Mitchell was the first to engage in the mercantile business. His store, a frame building, stood just below Pike street on the river bank. The ground on which it stood is nearly all washed into the river. Andrew Scott was the second business man. His store was about where John O. Herron's grocery now is, on Ferry and Front streets. Nathan Hodges, William Parker and Shelby Campbell were pioneers in the grocery business, and following them were Ely Davison, James G. Lane, Morgan and Thomas Sharp, I. H. Warstell, James C. Power, J. S. Acklin and Moses Lamb. The first settlers were Nathan Ellis, James Edwards, Evan Campbell and James Power, all business men. James Helm was also one of Aberdeen's early business men, and was engaged in the dry goods business, hotel, ferry, and coal and lumber trade. William Parker and William Carpenter, about the year 1845, erected a large steam flouring- mill on the river bank, just below Market street, and operated it for a few years, but it did not prove profitable. It stood idle for several years, and then was torn down. The tannery now owned by Martin Rudle has been operated successfully for many years- It was built by Samuel McDaniel, and sold to Henry Grimes. Benjamin Bradford owned it for several years, then Martin & Cole became the owners, and enlarged it considerably, and operated it successfully till about the commencement of the late civil war, when L. C. A. Rudle became a partner. Since then, they have enlarged the buildings, added a fine steam engine and a great amount of machinery, and employ from forty to sixty hands. The first steam ferry that plied between Aberdeen and Maysville was owned by Maysville men, and was only operated about a year, when it was sold and went out of the trade- Campbell & Helm put in the second ferry-boat in the Aberdeen and Maysville trade, and ran it for a few years. James .Helm owned the third, and ran it till after the rebellion, when William Linton bought him out, and put in the trade another boat. During 1879, James C. Power had a large double-engine boat built, and placed it in the same trade. Soon after, William Linton had „his boat rebuilt, and named it Frank S. Owens, and in 1882 James C. Power bought and sold it. His boat, the Gretna Green, is still in the trade, and is a very fine ferry-boat. In 1856 or 1857, Aberdeen built a large schoolhouse on Mountain street, below Main Cross street, in which there are now employed four teachers, be- sides the colored school- The number of white scholars is about three hundred and ten. The school is in a very good condition. The population of Aberdeen in 1880 was 883, being a slight increase in the last decade. The Methodist Episcopal Church, on Main Cross street, was built in 1845. A good Sabbath school is connected with the church. The Baptist Church was built in 1852, on Mountain, between Market and Locust streets. The Baptist Sabbath school is in a flourishing condition- The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, below Market street, was erected a few years ago. It is a small frame church, and the society is in good working order. The Ohio Valley Mill, built by T. B. Fulton and Elijah Davis, is one of the finest mills of its size in the State, and is a very valuable addition to Aberdeen and vicinity. It was erected in 1881, at a cost of about $12,000. H. S. True & Son, 0. B. Spears and W. S. Spears are dealers in leaf tobacco, which is a new enterprise, and has given new life to Aberdeen through the tobacco season. Campbell's saw-mill, built by Campbell & McCalla, on the corner of Front and Walnut streets, is a good mill, and worthy of notice. There are now in the town two dry goods stores, two drug stores, five groceries, two restaurants, two hotels, three blacksmith shops, three saloons, and two coal and lumber HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP - 515 dealers. Taylorsville, on the Aberdeen & Zanesville pike, three miles from the Ohio River, was laid out by William Lawwill, Sr., in 1850, and contains two stores, two smith shops, a school building and wood shop. It has a pop- ulation of eighty-three. Hiett is situated about six and a half miles north of Aberdeen, on the Ripley & Bradyville Turnpike, and contains a post office, dry goods and gro- cery store, one church (Presbyterian), one doctor (W. H. Evans) and stock scales. W. D. Grierson is Postmaster, and also runs the store. A few years ago, a Granger Lodge and another store existed here. The mail is semi- weekly. The Post Office Department has granted a tri-weekly mail, but as yet nothing further has been done to establish the new route. LODGES. Aberdeen Lodge, No. 149, F- & A. M., was chartered October 20, 1847. The first meeting after dispensation was granted was held April 23, 1845. The first officers were: Caleb Atherton, M.; Marshall McKinley, S. W. ; Thomas Mills, J. W.; T. H. Worstess, Treasurer; James Dennis, Secretary; T. M. Moore, S. D.; Jesse Ellis, J. D. ; James Helm, Tiler. These were also charter members. The officers for the year 1882 are: T. Heaton, M. ; T. M. Martin, S. W. ; Samuel Evans, J. W. ; John Brookover, Treasurer; S. C. Bradford, Secretary; James Drennin, S. D. ; G. Sorries, J. D.; W. R. Ellis, Tiler. The lodge is in fair working order, and has at present about sixty members. Charter Oak Lodge, No. 137, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 12, 1849, with the following charter members: James C. Power, W. C. Clift, John McCalla James S. Scott, Dyas Power, John Lepage, Thomas Sharp, James Bricker and John Stevens. James C. Power is the only charter member now belonging to the lodge, and Dyas Power, John McCalla and J. C. Power are the only charter members now living. The present officers are: A. B. Gray, N. G.; W. R. Brittingham, V G.; A. H. porter, Secretary; L. Schlitz, Treasurer. This lodge is in a good condition, has a good, comfortable hall, a large cemetery below Aberdeen, and a surplus fund of more than $1,000. The present number of members is seventy-five. Magnolia Encampment, No. 186, L O. O. F., of Aberdeen, was instituted June 17, 1875, with the following charter members: Dyas Gilbert, Daniel Pence, A. IL Porter, W. R. Flaugher, Thomas Sharp, J. W. Cheesman, P. W. Waldron, J. C. Waldron, J. W. Stewart, L. Schlitz and G-. H. Wheeler. The present officers are: M. Jones, C. P.; John Curtiss, S. W.; John Sutton, H. P.; L. Schlitz, Treasurer; and A. H. Porter, Scribe. The present number of members is sixty-five. This is a flourishing society, many of its members be- ing leading citizens of the township. Gretna Green Lodge, No. 99, K. of P-, of Aberdeen, was instituted, under a charter of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, May 18, 3876. The charter members were: G. II. Wheeler, Dyas Gilbert, Lawrence Schlitz, S- C. Bradford, F. W. Sharp, E. M. Flaugher, F. H Miller, C. B. Sutton, P. J. Neeper, John Crane, John Enis, Moses Jones, A. B. Jones, G. W. Schlitz, A. R. Brookover and Julius Clames. The present number of members is sixty-five. The officers for 1882 are: N. J. Sutton, C. C. ; W. A. Rist, V. C. ; Robert Helm, Prelate; Dyas Gilbert, Representative to Grand Lodge. This is a flourishing society, and bids fair to become the largest in the township. GENERAL This township, on a full vote, could poll about seven hundred votes. The largest vote ever polled in the township was in 1880, at the Presidential elec- 516 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. tion, viz.: W. S. Hancock, 394; James A. Garfield, 281; Neal Dow, 2; total, 677 The Democratic majority is strong. At a general election, it does not vary much; yet a nomination for township officers does not always insure an election. The best of feeling generally prevails between contending parties, and the contests are nearly always good-humored. Tradition says Nathan Ellis was the first Justice of the Peace in the township. Thomas Shelton succeeded him in 1816, and held the office for forty- four years without intermission. James Parker, John F. Games. William Gilbert, Benjamin Evans, Henry Vane, Massie Beasley, Andrew Evans, Alex Grierson, John C. Waldron, William Riggs and Samuel Evans all served as Justices. The present township board of officers is as follows: Justices of the Peace, Massie Beasley and Samuel Evans; Township Trustees, P. N. Brad- ford, Samuel Riggs and F. M. Stephenson; J. W. Guthrie, Treasurer; T. C. Carr, Clerk; Harrison Bradford, Constable.   CLARK TOWNSHIP - 519 CHAPTER VI. CLARK TOWNSHIP BY O. P. RALSTON. THE township of Clark was one of the original townships of the county, and before the organization of Brown County was a township of Clermont County. It was created by the Commissioners of Clermont County October 18, 1808, and the boundaries established as follows: Beginning where the State road from Denhamstown to West Union crosses White Oak; thence running wrth the State road to the Adams County line; thence north with said line to Highland County; thence west with said county line to the corner of Highland County, and continuing west so far as to include Aaron Leonard and Moses Moss; thence south to the Lewis Township line; thence with the same to the place of beginning. The township originally included nearly one hundred square miles of territory, but it was reduced December 2, 1822, by the formation of Washington and Franklin Townships; March 23, 1823, by the formation of Pike Township, and December 1, 1828, by the formation of Scott Township This left it in its present dimensions, containing 18,223 acres. There are no streams of any magnitude in the township; the head-waters of Cloverlick drain the western part, Bullskin the southern, and several small tributaries of White Oak the eastern part. These streams are all too small to afford good water power for machinery. The township lies on an elevated ridge, dividing the waters of White Oak Creek from the waters of the East Fork of the Little Miami River. It consists mostly of level table-lands, somewhat broken in the eastern and western part, but all susceptible of easy drainage. The soil consists of a heavy limestone clay, which was formerly very heavily timbered with oak, beech and sugar in the dry part, soft maple in the wet parts, poplar, walnut, hickory, some white and red elm, hackberry, buckeye, linn, blue and white ash, mulberry, black and red locust, sycamore, willow and dogwood, There are now 5,116 acres of woodland, 6,515 acres of plowed land and 6,592 acres of pasturage. The total value of real estate in the township is $367,870, which includes $8,409 of village lots. The population at the census of 1880 was 780 white males and 799 white females. The chief products of the township are corn, tobacco, wheat and oats. Grasses do not grow as well here as in the country farther north, and the land is not well adapted to stock-raising, though a goodly number of cattle and sheep are raised in small herds. The fruit crops become more uncertain and the yield poorer as the forests disappear; in the early settlement of the township, peaches were abundant, and the crop rarely failed, but now they are scarce, and of a poor and small character, and a crop is rarely yielded. Apples do not grow as large and fine or in as great abundance as they did in the virgin soil. Pears, plums and the smaller fruits are not extensively grown, but blackberries grow spontaneously in great abundance. POLITICAL. The first regular election held in the township was on the 8th day of November, 1808, when Jonathan Liming, James Liming and Christian Smith were Judges, and Jacob Bradberry, Clerk, and the following township officers 520 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. were elected: Robert Wardlow, Christian Smith and Samuel Liming, Trustees; William Still and John Pitzer, Constables; Christian Smith, Clerk; Henry Zumalt, Treasurer; Thomas Liming and George Washburn, Supervisors; John Hill arid Benjamin Smith, Overseers of the Poor; Thomas Liming, John Fiscus and Francis Myers, Sr., Fence Viewers; number of votes cast, eighty. The first mention of a Justice of the Peace in the records is on April 3, 1809, when Alexander McBeth, Justice of the Peace, administered the oath to the Judges and Clerks of the second election. At this election, only twenty-seven votes were cast, and the following officers were elected: Alexander McBeth, James Thompson and Phillip Lindsey, Trustees; William Morecraft and William Hill, Listers and Constables; Christian Smith, Clerk; Henry Zumalt, Treasurer. The first order drawn on the treasury of the township was on March 15, 1809, in favor of William Still for $1 for township services. On January 11, 1809, James 1VIcKinny took the oath of office as Justice of the Peace for Clermont County. On January 12, 1809, Alexander McBeth was sworn as a Justice. In March, 1810, the township was divided into four road districts instead of two, as before. The first jurors, returned March 4, 1811, were as follows: John Allen, James McCall, Samuel Liming, John Lindsey, Samuel Wardlow and George Little. By the year 1812, the wealth of the township must have materially increased, as the records show the following large sums to have been paid to the Supervisors—probably the first money paid from the treasury to those officers: William Still, $1.50; Abram Liming, $1.50; Robert Davidson, $1.50; Nicholas Devore, $1.50. October 11, 1811, James McKin.ny and William White were commissioned as Justices of the Peace. In 1812, the number of road districts was increased to six by the board, which then consisted of Joseph Foor, Christian Smith and Robert Allen, Trustees, and Franois Myers, Clerk. From the records it appears that up to the close of the year 1816 only thirty orders were drawn on the treasury, the total amount of which was $41.08. In 1820, although the township was reduced in size, the number of voters had increased to 132, and the following officers were elected: Robert Kennedy, John Lindsey and Christian Smith, Trustees; Francis Myers, Clerk; William White, Treasurer; A. Gibson, Constable and Lister. In the year 1819, soon after the organization of the county, Nathaniel Gist, by his trustees, purchased about one thousand two hundred acres of land on the east side of White Oak Creek, on which he settled thirty-four families (200 persons) of colored people, who were all legally warned to depart from the township, lest they should become a township charge. An amusing incident is related by one of the old citizens of the township, explaining why Henry Clay received no votes in the township at the election in 1824. The election was held in a log schoolhouse on the farm of John Wilks, and Robert Kennedy, Lot Stratton and William Gould were Judges, an I Joseph Ralston, Clerk. One of the Judges, who was also one of the four Whigs in the township, brought with him to the polls a roll of Clay's tickets, and laid them on the writing bench; they rolled back into a crack between the logs, and another of the Judges, who was not one of Clay's supporters, pushed the ballot-box back against them in such a way as to effectually hide them till the polls were closed; as these were the only tickets to be had, and as the voters were unable to remember the names on the tickets, they were not tbble to vote for their candidate. In 1840, the number of electors in the township had increased to 232; of these, William Shannon had 175 for Governor, and Thomas Corwin had fifty-seven. In 1880, Hancock received 297 votes for President, and Garfield received 106, showing a Democratic majority of 191. The township has been CLARK TOWNSHIP - 521 strongly Democratic since the days of Jefferson; this may be because it is settled principally by people from Kentucky and Pennsylvania. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. The following is a list of the Justices of the Peace of the township with the dates of their election, the two previously mentioned being excepted: William White, 1812; William Chapman, January 3, 1815; John Lindsey, 1817; Francis Myers, January, 1818; Robert Allen, January 17, 1818; William White, 1821; Robert Kennedy, 1824; James Rounds, 1826; William Gould, April 7, 1828; Robert Kennedy, December 1, 1828; William Neal, April 4, 1831, served twelve years; William H. Kennedy, April 6, 1840; James Lindsey, April 3, 1843; James Ross, October 10, 1845; S. M. Blair, October 14, 1834; James Ross, October, 1846; George C. Moore, April, 1849; Jonas Murphy, October, 1849; William H. Kennedy, October, 1855; William Neal, Jr-, October, 1858; R. M. Wilson, October, 1859; 0. P. Ralston, April, 1864; James Redmon, April, 1865; J. P. McBeth, April, 1867; J. W. Lucas, April, 1870; Asher Brooks, April, 1876; T- B. McChesney, October, 1879; James 0. Liming, April, 1882. SETTLEMENT. The first settlement was made in the northwestern corner of the township in 1802 by John Colthar and his sons, Mathey, Isaac, James and John, and John Frazee and family. In the latter part of the same year, or in the year following, Thomas Liming, James Liming and Samuel Liming settled on the creek in the eastern part of the township on R. Gamble's Survey, No. 3,024. In March, 1804, Christian Smith settled on Survey No. 3,062. From 1805 until 1808, the settlement seems to have been rapid- James and Lemuel Rounds, two soldiers of the Revolutionary war, settled on Survey No. 2,937; Aaron Leonard and Joseph, on the same survey; Henry Vandament, on Survey No. 3,859; Rasonna Roney and Thomas Allen, on Survey No. 3,862; George Wresler and John Pitzer, on Survey No. 3,862; Elijah Hall and John Springer, on Survey No. 2,937. The central or more level portion of the township was not settled until 1810 or 1812, when William Kennedy came down the river in a " broad-horn" with two married sons, John and Robert, and a son-in-law, George Flick, and settled on Survey No. 3,779; a little later, James and Joseph Liming settled on Survey No. 2,936; James Thompson purchased Survey No. 2,737, on which he settled with his sons, William, John and Jesse P., and his son-in-law, Henry Whiteman. Jacob Kylander settled in the southern part on Survey No. 3,627. William Neal settled in the year 1820 on No. 573; Asa Dutton settled on the west end of Survey No. 573, about 1820, and erected the first saw-mill within the present boundaries o' the township; it was built in 1822, and continued to cut lumber until 1836 or 1838, when it fell into disuse, and now no trace of where it stood is visible. John Brooks settled on Survey No. 2,939 as early as 1807 or 1808. William. Gould and Daniel Gould, sons of Joseph Gould, and William C. Goff settled on No. 3,869- The northeastern corner was not settled until after 1820; John Derry settled on Survey No. 10,658; Levi Wilson settled on Survey No. 12,012; Lewis Perry, on the east end of No. 573. John Wilks, James Kennedy and Hugh Kennedy settled on Survey No. 3,781; David Ogden and Samuel Price settled on No. 2,940; Michael Holman, on No. 4,857; William Jacobs, on No. 3,628; Lewis Shick, on No. 3,606 ; Moses Moss, on the northern corner of No. 3,627. PIONEER BIOGRAPHIES. John Colthar, Sr., was the first white settler in the present limits of the township. He and his sons, Matthew, Isaac, James and John, were natives 522 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. of New Jersey, and settled in the northwestern part of the township on William Lytle's Survey, No 2,939, in the fall of 1801 or spring of 1802. The father was a good type of the hardy pioneer farmer, straightforward, honest and industrious; many of his descendants are still citizens of the township. Matthew Colthar, son of the above, was born in Essex County N. J., in 1777; he married Mary Church in 1816, and by her had the following children: Harrison, Rebecca, Jonathan, Harriet, Eliza, Sarah John P. and Sophia. Mr. Coltaar mysteriously disappeared November 9, 1831. He was serving on the jury at Georgetown, and, on being dismissed Saturday, was seen to leave the court house just at dusk as if going home, but he was never heard of after- ward. The country was scoured in every direction, but not a trace of him could be found. John Frazee was one of the first settlers of the township. He located on Survey No. 2,939 in 1803 or 1804, and raised a large family. He was killed by the falling of a tree in 1822. As all of his decendants have left the county, no further account of him can now be learned. John Brooks came to the township in 1805, and located on Survey No. 2,939, where he remained until his death in 1833. He raised a family of twelve children—three boys and nine girls: Jane, the eldest, was born in 1801, and is now the widow of William Neal, Sr. ; John and Elizabeth, twins, were born in April, 1803; John is still a resident of the township, a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and a highly respected citizen; William, born in 1805, resides on the old homestead; he was for many years a minister in the Baptist Church, and is characterized by his honesty and piety. William Neal, Sr., was born in 1800, and came to the township when ten years of age, and When twenty years of age married Jane Brooks. He bought his first piece of land of William Duncanson in 1818, and by industry and strict economy he amassed nearly one thousand acres during his lifetime. He raised a family of eight children, five boys and three girls, most of whom still live in the township. His eldest child, Elizabeth, married Jonas Murphy; Julia Arm married John Colthar, and resides in Pike Township; Lewis, the oldest son, married and lives on Survey No. 10,717; John married Sarah J. Kennedy, and lives in Pike Township; William married Miss Dean, and is a farmer and store- keeper; Sarah married Stephen Kennedy; Sanford lives in the old homestead, and Randolph lives just south of the old homestead. Christian Smith, who settled in the eastern part of the township on Survey No. 3,962, on Miranda's Fork of White Oak, was born in Holland in 1748; his parents died while he was small, and he was placed in a Catholic school to be educated for a priest, but on reaching his majority and finding the church had absorbed all his property, a comfortable patrimony left him by his father, he concluded to embark for the New World. He spent a few years in the coast trade from New York, and in 1790 married Elizabeth McDuffy, of New Jersey, with whom he emigrated to the backwoods of Kentucky, settling at Washing- ton, where he remained a few years. In 1797 or 1798, he located on Robert Lawson's Entry, No. 2,523, near Georgetown, but a few years later, being disturbed by a still-house that was built near him, he traded his land for a farm in this township, on which he moved in 1804, and where he remained until his death in 1832- Joseph Ralston, the veteran school-teacher, who married Mr. Smith's only daughter, Eleanor, in 1813, got most of his education from his father-in-law, who in education was far in advance of his neighbors. Mr. Smith brought the first sheep to this section of the country, and for some years was obliged to keep them in a pen winter and summer to protect them from wolves. Joseph Ralston was born at Pittburgh December 6, 1793, and in 1794 came CLARK TOWNSHIP - 523   with his father (who was a blacksmith in Wayne's army) to Manchester, where he remained until 1807, when he removed to White Oak, and settled at the mouth of Miranda's Fork, on the northwest corner of Entry No. 901. There he resided until his marriage with Eleanor Smith, September 5, 1813, after which he resided on the Smith farm until his death, February 18, 1869. When twenty-eight or thirty years of age, his back was injured at a log rolling, and he was afterward unable to do hard work; he taught school with eminent success for forty years. He had three sons and seven daughters, but three of the latter died while small. The sons were Christian Smith, Andrew Jackson and Oliver Peru, and the girls were Orphia, Zorilda, Almira and Matilda Jane, Christian was born November 4, 1814, married Sarah Martin in 1836, removed to Ripley County, Ind., in January, 1842, and died September 27, 1869. Andrew was born September 8, 1818, married Nancy J. Perry in 1839, moved to Fulton County, Ill., in 1848 and died in February, 1875. Samuel M. Blair was born near Knoxville, Tenn., October 24, 1798, and at the age of eleven years removed to Brown County, Ohio, with his father, who settled on the farm now owned by W. P. Macktem, two miles north of Georgetown. In 1821, when twenty-three years old, Mr. Blair settled on J- Watts' Entry. No. 3,781, one mile northeast of Hamersville. He was twice married, first to Matilda Tweed. by whom he had three children—Amanda, Jane and Matilda. Amanda is the widow of Samuel Wilkes, and still lives in Hamersville, the " good Samaritan " of the village. Mr. Blair's second wife was Mary Ann Davis, by whom he had ten children—four boys and six girls, viz., Marcus, Lafayette and L eander, who live in Illinois; C. Columbus, the Clerk of the Court of Brown County; Samuel Warren, the ticket agent at Hamersville; America, Martha, Almira, Minerva, Eliza and Sarah, the three eldest girls being dead. Mr. Blair, after filling most of the township offices, including six years as Justice of the Peace, was in 1857 elected County Commissioner, which position he creditably filled six years. He was a consistent Christian, and for many years was an Elder of the church. He died in 1871, and was buried in the cemetery at Unity Church; his wife survived him ten years, dying July 24, 1881. Henry Van Deman settled on Survey No. 3,024 about the year 1806. He had a large family; Jacob settled on Survey No. 3,862, and when Scott Township was formed his house was in that township, although the larger part of his farm was in Clark. He was a farmer, but also preached for a number of years, first as a New Light, then as a Methodist, and lastly as a Campbellite. Benjamin married Susan Shick in 1842, and settled on Survey No. 3,781, where he raised four children—Daniel, who now occupies the old homestead; John, Mary and Barton S- George settled south of. Benjamin, on the same survey. He was a preacher of the Campbellite Church, and raised a large family, who, after his death, emigrated to Illinois. Robert Kennedy was born in Butler County, Penn-, and settled just north of Hamersville in Brown County, Ohio, in 1811, where he remained until his death. He was a man of strict integrity and more than ordinary ability. He took an active interest in the early politics of the township, and for many years was a Justice of the Peace. He raised five children, viz., Thomas, who was three times married, and died of cholera at the old homestead at-the age of forty years. He and his wife were found dead in the morning, having died alone during the night; James, a retired physician of Clermont County; John C., a retired physician, now residing at Felicity; Ella, the wife of S. B. Smith, and William H., who raised a large family, all of whom are dead. George Flick was born in Butler County, Penn., June 11, 1785, and in 1806 married Jane Kennedy. They came to Ohio in 1811, and settled where 524 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Hamersville now stands, where he remained until his death, October 7, 1861, his wife having died October 11, 1848. Their children were William K., born June 28, 1807; Catharine, born February 29, 1809; Jacob, born August 17, 1810; Margaret Jane, born in 1812, and George Wayland, born in 1815. William K. was a painter and chairmaker, and for eight years was Postmaster at Hamersville. He married Nancy A. Ford, August 9, 1832, and by her had seven children—Pauline J., Fernandes W., Martin V. B., William Benton, John K., Joseph S. and Martha M.; most of them are still residents of the township. Nathaniel Moore was born in Pennsylvania in 1770, and spent his boy- hood days in the Susquehanna Valley. When quite young, he made his way across the mountains to Pittsburgh, and engaged in boating and rafting on the Ohio River. From Pittsburgh he went to Limestone (now Maysville), and in 1799 he married Nancy Welch; in the following year, he moved to Ohio, and located on Eagle Creek. On his farm the first church in that re- gion was built; it stood on the site of Moore's Chapel of to-day. In 1821, he moved to Brown County, where Hamersville now stands, his son Henry having cleared some land and built a cabin during the year previous. The house was the first one in this settlement that had stairs, hewed plank floor and doors. It was the meeting house for years, and in it such pioneers of the pulpit as Quinn, Findley, Collins, Westlake and others were entertained. As soon as he had his farm in shape, Mr. Moore commenced sawing lumber with which to supply the country for miles around. In 1828, he, with several others, contract- ed to carry the mails from Cincinnati to Portsmouth, and in this he was en- gaged twelve years. In 1844, he lost his wife, and went to live with his youngest son in Indiana, where he died in 1861. Joseph Liming was born and raised near Philadelphia, Penn. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served in several severe battles. In 1799, he moved to the West, and settled near Lexington, Ky., where he re Mained four years; he then moved to Ohio, and after a three years' residence there he moved to Clark Township, and settled on White Oak in 1806. At the same time, his father, Henry, and two other sons came from Pennsylvania, and settled on White Oak. Joseph raised a large family of children. viz., Jonathan, Abraham, Samuel, Sarah, Joseph, William, James and Ahira Dellaplane. Samuel fought the Indians under Wayne, and Abraham, Joseph and James served in the war of 1812 until James was taken sick in the swamps near Detroit, and his two brothers were left to nurse him. James Liming was born in Pennsylvania, and in 1815 he married Christina Wrestler, and located on Survey No. 2,936. She died in 1829, leaving seven children, and he married Eunice Leonard, by whom he had seven children. He kept a nursery, and supplied many orchards of Ohio and Indiana. He died in 1847. The number of the descendants of this name in the township is very large, and the family have figured very extensively in the religious, political and agricultural growth of the township. The practices of the first settlers were nearly uniform. They would build a rude log cabin, clear a few acres of ground for corn to supply their families with bread, potatoes and garden vegetables, trusting to their rifles to supply the table with meat other than pork, which was afforded by the few hogs they owned and allowed to run wild in the woods. For several years, little if any wheat was raised, as there were no mills at that day to make flour. The only sugar and molasses they had was that procured from the sugar trees of the forest. Their few wants were at all times supplied out of the abundance of the forest, which also furnished them with fuel, timber for building, and the tender shoots of the trees formed good pasturage for their cattle. They were CLARK TOWNSHIP - 525 a sturdy, honest, hardy race, on whose memory too much honor cannot be bestowed, SCHOOLS. Clark Township has always been characterized for the interest taken in the cause of education by its citizens, and by the great number of teachers that received their primary education in its schools. The early history of the schools of the township is almost lost; the first schoolhouse was the little round log pen that has been so often described elsewhere as to make it unnecessary to mention it here- The first schools were taught in private houses, and sometimes in huts that had been built and vacated by squatters who had been in the neighborhood some years prior to the first settlement. The first schoolhouse built in the present limits of the township was located near the east line of the township on the land of Jacob Vandeman; it was built about the year 1812. Near the same time, another was built near the northwest corner of the township on the land now owned by Thornton. The first teachers were William I. Bowler, the poet, known in the early newspapers as the " Backwoodsman," John Duly, John Morgan and John Derry. The first regular division of the townships into school districts was made by the Trustees June 6, 1826, when it was divided into nine districts, including the territory from Clermont County to White Oak Creek. The first district contained twenty-seven house holders; the second twenty-two; the whole township contained 145 families. After the reduction of the township to its present size, it was divided into seven districts, each about two miles square, and each district was supplied with a good schoolhouse. After Hamersville became a village, it was made a special district, designated as No. 8, being in the northwestern corner of District No. 4. Each district is supplied with a neat and substantial schoolhouse of frame or brick, seated with the most improved desks, and in each, school is taught eight months in the year. The prominent teachers after the organization of Brown County were Joseph Ralston, William Fite, Law- son, William H. Stephenson, Frederick Morgan, Mary A. Moore, Morgan Victoria Moore, D. W. Fite and C. C. Blair. The township has furnished and sent out into the world more well qualified teachers according to its population, perhaps, than any other township in this part of the State. They are found in all grades here and in the Western States nobly teaching " the young idea how to shoot." The school fund of the township is as follows: Teachers' fund, State, $1,321.49; Virginia military, $53.50; township, $802.20; total, $2,177.19. CHURCHES. The first church society was a small class of New Lights or Christians that was organized in the southeastern corner of the township. The Protestant Methodists formed a class in the northern part, and a Methodist Episcopal class was formed in the west and central part of the township The first church built was a log structure on the State road on the lands of Lemuel Rounds that was built by the Methodists about 1835. Mt. Nebo Methodist Church, a log building, near the Newhope and Bethel road, on the lands of John Brooks, was erected in 1838. In 1866, it was replaced by a good and substantial frame building that was burned down in the winter of 1881. The society is now building a new and still better house of worship. The Disciples or Campbellites built a frame building in the west side of Scott Township about 1835; most of the members were from Clark Township. They worshiped at Unity, as the church was called, about ten years, when they organized at Hamersville, and, in 1860, built a brick church. They are the strongest society in the township, and still meet at Hamersville. 526 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. The Methodist society built a log church in Hamersville in 1848, which they used for fifteen or twenty years, but the class was always rather weak, and the lot and house were abandoned and finally sold. A class of the Christian Union Church was organized soon after the war, in Brownsville, and in 1876 they built a nice frame building. The early preachers of the township were George Vandeman (Disciples), Peter Shiek, Sr. (Disciples), Rev. Lawson and Sanford Ewing. The church denominations are Campbellite, New Light, Methodist Protestant, Methodist Episcopal, Christian Union and a few people of almost every other beliet. The present ministers are Rev. S. B. Smith, Methodist; residence, Hamersville. He has been in the ministry nearly forty years, and has occupied all the offices of honor in the church, including Presiding Eldership. Rev. Bagby, New Light; residence, Hamersville; he has been in the ministry but a few years. James E. West, Disciples, has been six or eight years in the ministry, and now has a charge in Kentucky; William Brooks, Baptist, residence in the northern part of the township, superannuated and nearly eighty years old. P. S. Honaker, Christian, residence east end of the township; he has only been licensed a few years. MILLS. During the first few years of the early settlement, corn was reduced to meal in hand mills, consisting of two large stones about two feet in diameter dressed as millstones, between which the corn was crushed. In 1806, James Roney built a mill, a corn-cracker, where the old Thompson Mill, now owned by Mrs. Armstrong, stands. This was in Lewis Township, but served the people of Clark Township for a long time. Henry Zumalt built the mill in what is now Scott Township, on the site now occupied by Henry Young's mill, in 1808. A water saw-mill was built by Asa Dutton on Clover Creek in 1822, and Dila- plane :Liming built one on Indian Run about 1830; both were on small streams, and were only operated while the creeks were very high, and when steam began to be generally used they were abandoned. The first steam saw-mill was built in Harnersville by Eliakim and Nathaniel Moore and W. H, Kennedy in 1838; after being run by them a few years, it was sold to J. W. Prather, in whose hands it was twice burned down and rebuilt, it was afterward sold to C. P. Fite and Peter Kellum, who still operate it. Thornton Bros. are operating a steam saw-mill that was built originally by Thornton & Crooks, but burned down and was rebuilt by the present firm. A great deal of lumber is cut by portable mills. There is no grist-mill in the township, nor has there been one since the days of corn-crackers. ROADS AND RAILROADS. The first public road laid out in the township was known as the "Waters road," from Levanna to Williamsburg, then the county seat of Clermont Coun- ty; it was laid out by Josephus Waters, and crosses the township diagonally, entering it on the eastern side near the middle, and leaving it near the northwest corner. The next road laid out was the Georgetown & Cincinnati State road, which crosses the township in nearly the same direction, entering on the southern line about one and a half miles from the southeast corner, and, passing through Hamersville, leaves near the middle of the western line. The next road is the Augusta & New Market road, which crosses the southeast corner of the township in a southwesterly direction. These and the New Hope & Bethel road are the leading thoroughfares. The Georgetown & Bethel and the New Hope & Bethel roads are piked across the township; the Hamersvale & Higginsport is piked from the State road to Higginsport. The Cincinnati & Portsmouth Railroad was graded across the township in CLARK TOWNSHIP - 529 the fall of 1868, and the first train of cars was run into Hamersville in December, 1881, which place seems likely to be the terminus for some time. A trip from Hamersville to Cincinnati and return, that used to occupy three or four days by wagon, can now easily be accomplished in a few hours. HAMERSVILLE. The village of Hamersville was laid out by Nathaniel Moore, Sr., and George Flick in the year 1838. It was named in honor of Thomas L. Hamer, then a Member of Congress from this district, who was instrumental in having a post office located at that place. William C. Doudney, who kept the first store, was also the first Postmaster. A few years afterward, the post office passed into the hands of William H. Flick, a chair-maker and painter, who held the position during his life; at his death, his wife took charge of the office, and retained the position until her death, when her oldest daughter, Pauline J. Perkins took the office, and continued it until 1880, when it was placed in the hands of Dr. J. C. Stires. The village now contains two dry goods stores, three groceries, one drug store, one tobacco warehouse, one steam saw-mill, three blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, two physicians, two lawyers, and about two hundred inhabitants. De Soto Lodge, No. 374, I. O. O. F., was instituted in the hall at Hamersville June 14, 1866. The charter members were O. P. Ralston, I. N. Ellsberry, C. Oursler, S. H. Ellis, T. J. Lindsey, W. F. Landon, D. S. Dean, W. 0. Perkins, A. R. Gillet, Harvey Snider, R. F. Bryant, W. P. Landon, W. J. Thompson, Peter Dean and Dr. W. H. Langstaff- Only three of these now remain, viz., Messrs. Ralston, Perkins and Snider; the rest have taken cards and gone elsewhere. The first officers were: I. N. Ellsberry, N. G.; Charles Oursler, V. G.; S. H. Ellis, Secretary; T. J. Lindsey, Treasurer. Sixty-four have been initiated, sixteen admitted on card and four have died, making the present membership forty-two. The present officers are: J. H. Love, N. G.; C- W. Jordan, V. G.; M. V. Flick, Secretary; Cyrus Fite, Treasurer. Clark Grange, No. 382, was instituted January 13, 1874, with O. P. Ralston, W. M., and J. S. Salsbury, Secretary. In 1876, they built a good hall, in which they now meet. The present officers are: Frank Devore, W. M., and O. M. Swope, Secretary. They kept a supply store in .the first floor room of their building for three or four years, but discontinued it in 1880, and since then the room has been rented to William West for a store room. An organization of the Good Templars was effected in 1874, but it has only maintained a fitful existence, and the meetings are held very irregularly. 530 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. CHAPTER VII. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. S. C. GORDON, M. D. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP was formed by order of the County Commissioners December 2, 1822, and is bounded and described as follows: "Beginning in the southern boundary line of Highland County dividing in part Highland and Brown, five and one-half miles from the corner or connection of the said line with Adams County, and running from thence due south to the township line dividing the townships of Eagle and Byrd; thence westerly with the line dividing Eagle, Pleasant and Clark Townships, six miles; thence north five and one-half miles to a point, from which point a line shall be run at right angles to the first line, forming one entire township, to be called Franklin Township." It was also ordered "that an election be held on the first Saturday in January next, at the house of Henry Dunn, in said township, for the necessary officers." March 3, 1823, a petition was made to the County Commissioners by a number of the inhabitants of that part of the county, " praying that the north and south lines or boundaries of Franklin and Washington Townships be so changed as to make White Oak Creek the line between the said townships of Franklin and Washington, thereby attaching all the territory between the said White Oak Creek and the said original north and south boundaries of Franklin and Washington Townships, to the said townships respectively, agreeable to the east and west line dividing said townships of Washington and Franklin; and the said application having been duly considered, it is ordered by the Commissioners that the alteration be made accordingly, and that White Oak Creek to the fork, and thence with the North Fork thereof, shall be the westerly boundary of the aforesaid townships of Franklin and Washington, thereby including all the territory east of the said White Oak Creek in and to the townships of Franklin and Washington." On the same day, a petition to change the line dividing Franklin and Pleasant was present- ed, "and the same having been duly considered, it is ordered by the Commis- sioners that the alteration be made accordingly, and that the Williamsburg road, so far as connected with the territory of the said townships, be the boundary line east and westwardly between the said townships of Pleasant and Franklin, thereby attaching all the territory south of the said Williamsburg road to the township of Pleasant." Afterward, Richard and Robert Blair (the latter owning the farm now owned by W. P. Maklem) were, upon their peti- tion, stricken from Franklin into Pleasant Township. When Scott Township was formed (January 1, 1828), that part of it east of White Oak Creek, and as far north as the southern line of Washington, was taken from Franklin Township. There was no other important change in the boundary of Franklin until June 25, 1853, when Jefferson was formed from Byrd, Jackson and the southeastern corner of Franklin Townships, the portion from this township including the Abbott mill. On petition of B. W. Whiteman (then owning the farm now owned by Frederick Elschlager) and A. D. Ellis (then owning where Ephraim Brown now lives), the line was so changed as to throw them, together with those now owned by Mat Elschlager and William Ellis and Ephraim Brown, into Scott Township. This line is not straight, and there is some controversy about it. Franklin Township is bounded on the north by Washington, on the east by FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 531 Jackson, on the south by Jefferson and Pleasant, and on the west by Pleasant and Scott Townships. When the township was formed, Hosea Bunner was appointed by the Commissioners to enumerate the white male citizens, and to list the taxable property of the township. He was allowed for said service $8. This township is watered, or rather drained, by Straight Creek (so called because it is straight the distance of half a mile or so from where it empties into the Ohio River), the West Fork of the same, which is generally spoken of as West Fork, and the West Fork of Eagle Creek, with their tributaries. Straight Creek enters the northeastern part of the township, flows in a westerly direction until it reaches Arnheim, where it trends to the south, and emerges from the south central part of the township into Jefferson, soon, however, to pass into Pleasant. West Fork flows through the western part of the township in a southerly direction, trending somewhat to the east, and empties into Straight Creek, about one and a half miles from the southern boundary of the township. The West Fork of Eagle Creek rises in the southeastern part of the township, and passes out near the southeastern corner into Jackson Township. The surface of Franklin Township is generally level, but along the streams it is somewhat broken. The soil is generally fertile, yet there is considerable land that is badly worn. It has literally been " corned to death." Originally, the land was heavily timbered with the different varieties of oak (the majestic white oak predominating), beech, hickory, maple, sweet gum, and, along the streams, walnut, poplar, ash, hard maple or sugar tree, elm and wild cherry, and, although there has been almost reckless destruction of the timber, there is still enough, with the exceptions of cherry, waluut and poplar, for local demands Blue limestone for building purposes, as well as for roads, and for burning into lime, is abundant, and is easily obtained along the streams where it crops out, but back from the streams it is deeply covered by clay drift. The residents of Franklin are generally engaged in agriculture, manufactures of any kind having received but little attention. The principal crops for many years were corn, wheat, oats and hay. After the German element was added to the population, there was some barley raised, and a few vineyards planted, but the manufacture of wine has been abandoned, and at the present time there is not a vineyard in the township. Of late years, tobacco has been raised quite extensively, and can now be ranked as one of the principal crops. Last year (1881), the crops of the township were materially shortened by the drouth, but this year there has probably been raised the largest crop of corn, wheat, hay and tobacco ever produced in the township. The favorable weather of last fall gave an opportunity of putting in a larger acreage of wheat than usual, and the mild winter prevented it from freezing out. The hay was mostly put up in good condition, but some cut later was somewhat injured by wet weather The crop of oats was poor, being badly injured by rust. The corn on wet land is light, as is also tobacco, but, taken as a whole, they are up to the average—tobacco above, as a larger acreage was planted this year. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are raised in abundance for home consumption, as well as for market, and the same may be said of sorghum. The culture of flax, once so necessary for home wear, is a product of the past, and only remembered by the older citizens of the township. EARLY SETTLEMENT. Among the first settlers in what is now Franklin Township were Joseph Long, Robinson Lucas, Uriah Springer, Job Springer, Jacob Springer, John 532 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Springer, George Washburne, Uriah Washburne, James Prickett, John Prickett, John Lindsey, Phillip Lindsey, Thomas Pindell, John Pindell, Reuben Bunner, Joseph Abbott, John Abbottt, Silas Abbott, Joseph Abbott, Jr., Greer Brown, John Carbery, James Dunn, Henry Dunn, Ferrel Dunn, Benjamin Hays, Charles B. Smith, McCord Brady, James Ball, Jacob Lucas, John Stansberry, Thomas Stansberry, Isaac Stansberry, Benjamin Wells, Josiah Stansberry, David Thorp, Terry Womacker and David Newman. They came mostly from Virginia, Ken- tucky and Pennsylvania, and, on their way, crossed mountains, rivers and for- ests, and fought their way through hardships, dangers and privations- They and their children were familiar with the alarms and dangers of a frontier life. There being no market within easy access for the products of the soil, there was little grain raised, and that little mostly Indian corn- The forests abounded in game of all kinds, deer and turkeys being abundant for many years, and, when the first settlers arrived, bears were plentiful, especially among the hills near the Ohio River. The wild bee had stored its honey in the hollow trees, and, when the hardy pioneers wished honey for their " johnny-cake," they felled a "bee tree," and carried the honey home in the fresh skin of a deer, the legs being tied together over a pole, which was placed on their shoulders, and stored in troughs hewn from the trunks of fallen trees, such things as jars and cans being un- known in the settlements, and even buckets were few. They were all expert in the use of the rite (it being their almost constant companion), and were fa- miliar with the habits of the bear, wolf, deer, turkey, etc. As the country became more thickly settled, there was developed a propensity for horse-racing, horse-trading, and, occasionally, getting on a "spree," as whisky was considered "legal tender," and was easily obtained, as still- houses were numerous, and a gallon of whisky was exchanged for a bushel of corn, or its equivalent. The hardy pioneer was brave and generous, but With- out the polish and formality of the present day, and the occasional traveler who entered his rude cabin was freely entertained, the fare simple, but being pressed upon him with genuine hospitality. William Long and his wife, Mary (Evans) Long, came to the United States from Ireland, and, as early as 1798, if not before, they came from Kentucky, and settled on Cornick's Run, near the present site of Ripley, where the hus- band died and was buried, leaving his widow and six children—Nancy Jane, Margaret, Sarah, Joseph and Mary. About 1800 or 1801, Mary Long and her children, who were not married, came to what is now Franklin Township, and settled on what is known as the Joseph Long farm, where Henry Miller now lives. Nancy married Uriah Springer. Jane married John Bunner, who was a cooper, and the son of Reu- ben Bunner, and they settled on his father's farm, now owned by L. Spencer. Margaret married Isaiah Lucas, sou of Robinson Lucas. Sarah married Ben- jamin Purdum a tanner, who established a tan-yard, the first in the township, on his father-in-law's farm, where he lived for some years. Joseph (born January 22, 1784), married Charlotte Bunner; he lived on the home farm, his wife died May 17, 1855. In February, 1865, he went to Illinois, and, on October 23 of the same year, died, aged eighty-one years, eight months and one day. He was brought back to Franklin Township and buried by his wife in the old Baptist Churchyard. Robinson Lucas moved from Virginia to Kentucky, came from Kentucky and settled near the Ohio River, at Cornick' s Run, with William Long, Uriah Springer and James Prickett. We are informed that his sons, William and John, came over about a week before the rest of the family, and built the first shanty ever built at the mouth of Red Oak Creek, and, when the family arrived, they had twenty-one bears killed and hung to the trees around the shanty. After living here a short FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 533 time, Mr. Lucas came up Straight Creek and settled on the farm now owned by Huston Rhoten, where he died and is buried. There were born to Robinson Lucas and wife nineteen children, fifteen living to grow up, viz., Temperance, Elizabeth, William, John, Jacob, Drucilla, Mary, Cynthia, Anna, Isaiah, Isaac, Sarah, Robert, Rhoda and James—the last two born after their parents came here. Temperance married William Arnold; lived for awhile north of the present site of Arnheim; afterward moved one mile east of Arnheim, where she died. Elizabeth married John Lindsey. William married Mary Hickembottom; settled on the farm now owned by the widow of Jacob Biery; they removed to Indiana in 1830, where the wife died; he came back, and died on West Fork. John married Margaret Harper, and settled on the farm adjoining his brother William; the farm is now owned by H. F. Pindell; he sold and went to Illinois- Jacob remained in Virginia when his parents moved to Kentucky; he married the widow of Moses Stansberry, and, about 1810, came to Ohio and settled on Straight Creek. Drucilla married Phillip Lindsey. Mary married Edward Pindell, son of Thomas Pindell. Cynthia married James Robins, and settled on Brown's Run, in Washington 'Township, where he died; she afterward married John Jacobs; they lived and died near Arnheim. Anna married Isaac Bunner; lived on West Fork, where they died; their son. Isaac Bunner, now owns the farm. Isaiah married Margaret Long, daughter of William Long; lived for some years on the east side of Straight Creek, on land now owned by B. W. Gordon; he sold to John Ernst and moved to Indiana, where he died. Isaac married Euphemia Harper, and settled on Straight Creek, above Arnheim, and, while running on a keel-boat on the Ohio River, he died at Gallipolis. Sarah never married. Robert married Mary Grogan; settled on Straight Creek adjoining his brother William, and, later. moved to Indiana, and from there to Illinois, where he died. Rhoda married Thomas Arnold; lived on West Fork till he died; she lived at Phillip Lindsey's until her death. James inherited the home farm; he married Harris, who lived but a few years; he afterward married Sarah Smith; he sold his farm to Michael Pindell and went to Indiana, and from there to Illinois. John Lucas and Margaret (Harper) Lucas had born to them Lydia, Presley, Reason, Euphemia and John. Lydia married Nathan Springer, son of Uriah Springer; they moved to Illinois, where she still lives, her husband having died some eight years ago Presley went to Illinois with his father, and married Louisa Prickett, daughter of James Prickett; he died in December, 1881; his widow is still living. Reason married Martha A. West in 1839, and lived on the West Fork of Eagle Creek for eight years, then moved to Russellville, where they still live. Euphemia went to Illinois with her father, and married Reuben Long, and is still living there. John wont to Illinois with his father, and married Sarah Smith: is still living in that State. Uriah Springer, when he first came to Ohio, settled near where Ripley now is. He married Nancy Long, daughter of William Long, and there were born to them Hannah, Nathan, William, Joseph, Zadoc, Levi, Drucilla, Nancy, Uriah, Theresa and Mahala. When he came to what is now Franklin Township, he settled on the farm where Isaac Waters now lives, where he lived for many years. After the close of the war of 1812, he made a trip across the State on horseback, after the late James Bunner, who had been discharged from the army, but, on account of ill health, was unable to reach home. Bunner worked for him afterward, and off-bore the brick for the house which he shortly afterward built. This and the house where M. A. Courts now lives, built by John Lindsey about the same time, were the first brick houses built in the township- Mr. Springer was elected Justice of the Peace in 1822, and served as such officer, and as one of the Township Trustees, for many years. He and all his family went to Illinois. 534 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Jacob Springer, brother of Uriah, settled on the farm on which J. W. Barnes now lives. John Springer settled on the opposite side of the creek. George Washburne and his wife, Azuba (Robins) Washburne, came from Kentucky to this township about 1799, and settled on the east side of Straight Creek, on what was called Cherry Bottom; the land is now owned by Adam Wells. They lived here for some years; moved above the present site of Sardinia, and, after living there three or four years, moved to a farm on Wardlow’s Run, but, in a few years, sold this farm and moved to Indiana, where they died. There were born to them Jeremiah, Isaac, Cornelius, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachael, Azuba, Phoebe and Nancy—the last three after they came to Ohio. Jeremiah married Nancy McDaniel; moved away, but where to is not known, Isaac married Rachael Laycock; settled on part of the home farm, on the east side of Straight Creek. Cornelius married Susan Dunn, daughter of James Dunn, and settled on the west side of Straight Creek, and set out an orchard; the house was on land now owned by B. W. Gordon, but the orchard on land now owned by the writer; the last tree has been gone for some seven or eight years. Sarah married James Holmes and moved to Clermont County, but where to from there is not known. Rebecca married John Stansberry. Rachael married Samuel G. Sperry; settled on farm now owned by Jasper Leming, opposite White Oak Valley, where they lived for several years, and moved to Indiana, where she died. Azuba married James Haas; settled on White Oak Creek; he lived but a short time, dying at her father's house. Phoebe married William Grant; settled on White Oak, below Sardinia, where they lived, for some years, and then moved to Indiana. Nancy married Andrew Lowderback; lived on Brown's Run, on what is known as the Gabriel Hays place, for several years, then moved to Indiana. James Prickett, with his wife, Mary, after living a short time near the Ohio River, came to this township and settled on the farm just above the pres- ent site of Arnheim, now owned by Thomas Lindsey. When he came, he found the second bottom, on which the present house stands, covered with huts or wigwams, made of poles and bark, left by the Indians. Thinking the eas- iest method to get rid of them was to burn them, he acted accordingly, and, after clearing the ground, put out an orchard, some trees of which are still living, and apparently thrifty; others are nearly dead, some being merely large stumps, from which the bark is gone, a few small limbs on one side still show- ing signs of life. The writer measured some of these venerable trees, and found three of them eight feet and two inches in circumference at four feet from the ground. Mr. Lindsey says that, three years ago, while the bark was on them, they measured nine feet. Two of those still living measure seven feet and eight inches in circumference. The spring near the house is still called the "Old Indian Spring." After living on the above-named farm for many years, Mr- Prickett sold it and removed to Illinois. His children were Dudley, Hannah, Sabra, Basha, Louisa and Lexie. Dudley married Eda Washburn̊ and moved to Illinois with his father. Sabra married John McDaniel, and they moved to Missouri. Hannah married Enoch Laycock, and, for many years, lived where Christian Kieffer now lives, and afterward went to Illinois. Basha, Louisa and Lexie went to Illinois with their father. John Prickett married Elizabeth Hays in Virginia; came to Franklin Township about 1800, and settled on what is known as the Jacob Arn farm, between the Xrnheim and Brownstown and the Arnheina and Sardinia roads. The village of Arnheina was laid out on part of this farm. There were born to them Phoebe, James, William, Zadoc, Henry and Benjamin in Virginia, and Presley, Susan, Nimrod, Amelia, Manerva and Eliza after they came here. Nimrod and Amelia were twins. Phoebe married Simeon Gardner, and both FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 535 joined the Mormons; they went to Nauvoo, returned to Indiana, and there died. James married Lucy Rice and moved to Indiana and died. William married Catherine Rice (sister of Lucy); they also moved to Indiana and died. Zadoc married Mary Ross; moved to Indiana about 1830, and afterward died. Henry married Elizabeth Washburne, moved to Illinois, and has since died. Benjamin married Sarah Ann Fleming, moved to Missouri, and is now dead. Susan married Isaiah Carberry, moved to Indiana, and from there to Michigan, where she died; her husband is still living. Presley married Mary Pindell; moved to Indiana, and there died. Nimrod married Mary Fleming and moved to Missouri, where he died. Amelia, born July 7, 1805, married Jesse Lindsey in 1827; her husband died in 1871; she is still living, on West Fork, the last of her father's family. Manerva married Peter Fraze; moved to Indiana, and from there to Michigan, where they both died. Eliza went to Indiana with her father and mother, and died the year following. John Lindsey was born in Pennsylvania February 28, 1774, and married Elizadeth Lucas, daughter of Robinson Lucas, but whether in Virginia or Kenturky, or after his father-in-law came to Ohio, we have been unable to learn. He came to the territory now constituting this township about 1801 or 1802, and settled on land now owned by Joseph List, and, with his brother Phillip, who lived with him, cleared a small field. He and his brother shortly afterward bought a tract of land on West Fork, he taking the farm now owned by M. A. Courts, and on which he lives, and Phillip taking where Charles Elschlager lives- The title, however, not being good, they bought it again, from Cadwallader Wallace. Upon the organization of the county of Brown, in 1818, John Lindsey was one of the Commissioners, and, at the first election after Franklin Township was formed, was elected one of the Trustees. The same year, he was also commissioned as Justice of the Peace, which office, as well as that of Township Trustee, he held for many years. In 1824, Franklin Township gave him seventy-nine votes for Sheriff; in 1825, it gave him ninety-one votes for Commissioner; in 1826, for Sheriff, the vote of Franklin stood: John Lindsey, seventy-four; James Loudon, fifteen; John W. Odell, eighteen; and John Walker, three. In 1830, he was again a candidate for Sheriff, the vote of Franklin standing: Jeremiah Purdum, thirty-one; Robert Allen, four; Moses Laycock, twenty•four; and John Lindsey, thirty-seven. September 12, 1844, he deeded one acre of land for a burying-ground, and upon which to build West Fork Church. He died April 9, 1847, aged seventy-three years one month and twelve days, and is buried in the above-named churchyard, as is also his wife. There were born to them William, Hezekiah, James, Sarah, Rhoda, Rachel, Emma, Mary, Dorcas and Grant. William, born about 1797 or 1798, married Elizabeth Harris, and lived on the farm now owned by William Ellis, in Scott Township, for many years; he then went to Missouri, where he was living when last heard from- Hezekiah, born in December, 1799, married Nancy Wells, and lived for some years on West Fork, then moved to the farm now owned by Rev. S. A. Vandyke, in Scott Township. He was the first Clerk of Franklin Township, and held the office until 1828. He was elected County Auditor, and moved to Georgetown, and afterward left there, but where he went is not known to the writer. James married Mary Rich; lived near Haniersville for some years, and, on the death of his father, he bought the home farm, where he lived until his death, Sarah married John Rich, and they lived where Frederick Elschlager now lives, then moved near Hamersville, where she died- Rhoda married Henry Spires; moved to In diana, where she died. Rachel married Enoch Smith, and they lived near New Richmond, where she died. Emma married Joseph Smith (brother of Enoch), and they lived at Chilo, in Clermont County, where they both died- 536 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. the former in the winter of 1881-82, and the latter in the spring of 1882. Mary married Warford Jordon, and, soon afterward, hey moved to Spencer County, Ind., where she was living when last heard from. Dorcas went with her sister Mary to Indiana, where she died. Grant married America Dennis, and lived on his father's farm. He and Wilson Morrow engaged in a bowing match on West Fork, and, going in bathing while heated, he was taken sick, and died a day or two afterward. Phillip Lindsey was born in Pennsylvania February 13, 1782; came to this township with his brother John, and lived with him until he was married. He married Drucilla Lucas, and settled on the farm where Charles Elschlager now lives. His house burning down, he moved into the house where he and his brother John first settled until he could rebuild- He lived for many years on West Fork, and then moved to the James Prickett farm, above Arnheim, where he died May 22, 1866, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. There were born to Phillip and Drucilla Lindsey, Jesse, Delilah, Elizabeth, Preston, Thomas, Elijah and Drucilla. Jesse, born August 6, 1805, married Amelia Prickett in 1827, daughter of John Prickett, and bought forty-five acres of land where J. L. Carberry now lives. He cleared part of it, and, after some years, sold, and bought on West Fork, on the Arnheim & New Hope road, where he lived until his death, June 22, 1871. His widow is still living. Delilah married Valentine D. Carberry; her father gave them the farm on the Georgetown & Sardinia road, where F. W. Hanselman lives; he exchanged with Josiah Carberry for the farm on Sycamore Run, where they lived for many years, when he and Thomas Lindsey exchanged farms, they moving to where G. B. Carberry now lives, where he died. She afterward married Henry Dunn, and lived near Brownstown until her death. Elizabeth married Simon Krat- zer, and they lived on her father's farm for some years, when they moved to the farm now owned by the writer, purchasing it from George Bohrer; after the death of her husband, she married Lemuel Rachford, and sold the interest in the farm, and bought property above Arnheim, where she died October 16, 1878. Preston died when about seventeeen years of age. Thomas was born Noyember 23, 1813; married Mary Pindell; lived two or three years on his father's place, and then moved to the Carberry farm, on Sycamore Run, where he lived for about twenty years; he then moved to ArnhAm, where he lived for nine years; from there he moved to the James Pickett farm, where he is still living. Elijah married Susan Pindell, daughter of Jacob Pindell; lived a few years on the home farm, when he bought the Uriah Springer farm, where he lived until his death. Thomas Pindell married Elizabeth Mills, and came to this township among the first settlers, and settled on the farm now owned by Magdalene and Dorothy Biehn. There were born to them Sarah, Jacob, Nancy, Edward, Thomas, Gabriel, Samuel, Michael and Davis. Sarah married Benjamin Hays, and settled on Straight Creek, on the farm now owned by Conrad Kattein, op- posite where he now resides. They lived there for some time, and move to the farm on Brown's Run, in Washington Township, known as the Gabriel Hays farm. Jacob married Susannah Hays, sister of Benjamin Hays; settled on Straight Creek, on the farm now owned by Huston Rhoten, where his wife died; he afterward married Sarah Carbery, daughter of John Carbery, and died August 10, 1825; at the time of his death, was one of the Township Trustees; his widow afterward married Josiah Wolcott. Thomas married Marie Brady, daughter of McCord Brady, and settled on the farm now owned by Simon P. Berry, where he lived until his death. Gabriel married Elizabeth Pindell, daughter of John Pindell; settled on the farm now owned oy J. M. Pindell, and there died. Samuel married Sarah McCollister, and settled on FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 539 the farm above named, which he sold to his brother Gabriel, and moved to Washington Township Michael married Jane Brady, daughter of McCord Brady, and settled on the farm on which Huston Rhoten now lives, where he died. Davis married Mary Springer, daughter of Uriah Springer, and remained on the home farm for some years, when he sold to George Biehn and moved to Illinois. Joseph Abbott was horn May 29, 1739, and his wife, Esther Abbott, September 17, 1746, and there were born to them eight children, as follows: Mary, born September 7, 1767; Chloe, February 5, 1769; John, November 22, 1770; Rebecca, November 22, 1774; Eunice, September 11, 1777; Silas, June 28, 1779; Jane, November 28, 1'781; and Joseph, June 2, 1784. Joseph Abbott, Sr., moved from New Jersey to Virginia; served in the Continental army during the Revolution, and, shortly after the war, in company with Greer Brown (who had also been a soldier), came to Straight Creek and located 1,000 acres of Virginia Military land, in one body, each taking 500 acres. This land lies in the south central part of Franklin Township, on both sides of Straight Creek, and embraces some of the best land in Brown County. Mr. Abbott went back to Virginia and worked at his trade (being a millwright) for some years, then moved to Kentucky, and. about 1804, came back to Straight Creek (where his son John already was) with the rest of the family (except Eunice, who had married a Mr. Lake, and moved to Northern Ohio), and settled where John E. Brown now lives, where he remained until his death. He is buried in what is known as the Abbott Graveyard. John Abbott was born in New Jersey November 22, 1770; went, when a boy, with his parents to Virginia; there he learned the trade of millwright with his father, and, after he became of age, for helping him build a mill in Virginia, his father gave him 250 acres of the land he had located on Straight Creek. He came and picked out the land about 1792, and returned to Virginia, and went with his father to Kentucky, where he remained until about 1800, when he came back to Straight Creek, built a cabin on his land, and for four years lived here by himself. March 1, 1804, he married Hannah, daughter of Joseph and Experience Reynolds, who came and settled in what is now Jackson Township about 1802. The cabin which John Abbott first built, and in which he raised his family, is still standing. When he built the brick house (about 1836), he moved the cabin back, as it stood in front of the new one. John and Hannah (Reynolds) Abbott had borne to them eleven children, viz.: Lewis, December 1, 1804; Amanda, May 28, 1806; Eliza, September 15, 1807; Charles, July 15, 1809; Esther, March 20,1811; Roxie, June 9,1813; George, May 30, 1815; Elias, December 9, 1817; John M., February 6, 1820; Elizabeth, March 9, 1822; and Lucy J., June 29, 1827. Lewis married Deborah Jennings; lived one year at his father's mill, on Straight Creek, and moved to his father-in-law's farm, on Camp Run, in Pleasant Township, where he lived until his death, some years ago. Eliza married David D. Brown, son of John Brown and grandson of Greer Brown, and lived on Straight Creek for a number of years, then moved to Clark Township, near Hamersville, where she still lives; her husband died a few years ago- Charles married Sarah Brown, sister of David D. Brown, in 1830; moved to the mill, where he lived until 1838, when he bought and moved to the farm in Pleasant Township where he still resides; his wife dying in 1856, in September, 1864, he married Mrs. Frances Earhart, nee Winter. Esther married Thomas Silman; they moved to Eagle Township, where they lived for several years, and, while there, he built the mill at Fincastle, and afterward moved to McLain County, Ill., where his wife died; he went from there to Kansas, and lived but a short time Roxie married James, son of John Brown, and moved to Cincinnati, where they lived for 540 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. some years; she died about 1837 or 1838. George married Melinda, daughter of Michael Pindell; lived a year on the Pindell farm, and moved to Eagle Township, where he still lives. Elias inherited the home farm on Straight Creek, where he lived until his death, January 7, 1881; he never married. John M. married Lettie, daughter of David Newman; settled on Straight Creek, where Joel Martin now lives, where he lived for five or six years, and went to Indiana in 1850, where he still lives; his wife died several years since. Elizabeth married Caleb Shreves; lived for a year or two on the Richard Hew- itt farm, then moved to near Russellville, where she died a year or two afterward. Lucy J. married J. F. Abbott, son of Joseph Abbott; they lived on Straight Creek, part of the time on the home farm, then bought of J. M. Abbott and lived there some years, where she died. Her husband sold this farm to Joel Martin, and is now living in Clermont County. Silas Abbott, son of Joseph and Esther Abbott, and brother of John Abbott, married Lettie, daughter of Greer Brown, and settled where Abraham Berry now lives, between Straight Creek and West Fork, where he lived until his death. His wife lived there for some years afterward, when she died. Jane, sister of Silas, married Joseph Reynolds; moved to a farm near Carlisle, where they lived until their death. Joseph, youngest son of Joseph and Esther Abbott, married Rhoda Mas- terson in Bracken County, Ky.; lived on the home farm on Straight Creek (now owned by John E. Brown) until his death. His widow lived there for several years afterward, and died in Missouri while on a visit to her children. Greer Brown came with Joseph Abbott, after the Revolutionary war, and located his claim with him on the waters of Straight Creek, and came and settled on the farm where William Flaugher now lives, where he died, and was buried in the Abbott Burying-Ground. His wife died in Kentucky, Lettie, daughter of Greer Brown, married Silas Abbott, and Ann, sister to Lettie, married David, son of Joseph Newman, and lived at the home place, where they died. James Dunn came from Virginia about 1800, and settled on the west bank of Straight Creek, about one mile below the present site of Anaheim. Henry Dunn., son of James Dunn, was born in Monongalia County, Va., January 6, 1779 He married Nancy Pindell, and came to Franklin Township at the same time as his father, and settled on land now owned by Adam Bauer, oppo- site where Christian Bauer now lives. After the formation of Franklin Township, the first election was held at his house. He lived here until the spring of 1832, when he sold out and moved to Illinois with ox teams, but, not being satisfied, he returned in September of the same year, and bought of Dennis Springer, of Virginia, 533 acres of land in Washington Township (the present village of Brownstown being on a part of it). The land was divided into tracts, and prices fixed on each tract. He paid $1.25 per acre for the whole. His son Rolla took one tract (116 acres) at 75 cents per acre, and Levi 112 acres at the same price. His wife dying, he married the widow of V. D. Carbery, and they lived there during the rest of their lives. There were born to Henry and Nancy (Pindell) Dunn twelve children, viz. : Roanna, Maria, Wilson, Rolla, Levi, Sarah, Elizabeth, Pindell, Nancy, Henry and Jane. Roanna married Henry Straight, and they moved to Illinois, and there died Maria married Gardner Curtis, and they lived on east side of Straight Creek, and, about 1832, joined the Mormons and went to Nauvoo; after the Mormon war at that place, they came back to Ohio, then went to Utah, and are both now dead. Wilson Dunn married Rachel Parker, and lived in Georgetown and worked for Thomas Jennings (being a tanner) in the old Grant Tannery. He went from there to Illinois, where he now lives. Rolla, married Paulina Lucas; lived in Wash- FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 541 ington Township; laid out Brownstown, and, some years ago, moved to Illinois, where he now lives. Levi was born in 1813, and went with his father to Illinois in 1832, driving two yoke of oxen to a wagon; while there, he enlisted in Capt. Payne's company, in the Black Hawk war; he was with the command for a day or two, but his father, wishing to come back to Ohio, induced a man named Brown to take his place, and he was allowed to return. A short time afterward, Brown, while out with a team, was killed by the Indians, who took the horses and escaped. In 1834, Levi married Margaret* Lucas; bought 112 acres of land of his father (where Robert Dunn now lives) and cleared up this farm, where he lived until 1856, when he bought where he now resides (288 acres), of George Bohrer, and has lived there ever since; his wife died while in Washington Township, and he married Mrs. Rebecca Kratzer. About 1833, he hewed a set of house-logs for Jesse R. Grant, the house being for Mr. Grant's sister, Mrs. Margaret Marshall, and was built in Georgetown, where Andrew Armstrong now lives; he boarded with Mrs. Marshall, who, at that time, lived in what is known as German Row. About 1836, he took the job of hewing for J. R. Grant the timbers for lining the jail then about to be erected, boarding with Noah Ellis, who lived about a mile north of Georgetown, on the farm now owned by F. M. Tracy; before he completed the job, however, he cut his foot badly, and had to give it up; he was taken home on a horse, loaned for the purpose by the late Gen. Thomas L. Hamer. Eli married Mary Parker; moved to Iowa in 1856, where they still live. Sarah married William M. Straight, and moved to Iowa in 1856. Elizabeth married Stephen Parker (brother of Rachel and Mary); lived in Jackson Township until the death of her husband; she afterward married Allen Hendrixson, and they are still living in this township, on the Ripley & Anaheim Turnpike. Pindell married Ann Owens, and lived at Brownstown for some years, where his wife died; he afterward married Catherine Padgett, and now lives in Warren County, but is about to move to Colorado, where he has two sons. Nancy married Uriah Lowderback, and moved to Brazil, Ind., where they now live. Henry married Lydia, daughter of Aaron Purdum, and lived on a farm in Washington Township; his wife died, and he married Amelia Lowderback and moved to Sardinia, where he formed a partnership with the late James McIntyre in merchandising, and died about 1876. Jane married James Prine, and is now living in Eagle Township, near South Fincastle. Ferrel Dunn, son of James Dunn, settled on Straight Creek, just above his father, on the farm where Conrad Kattein now lives. Benjamin Hays settled on the farm on the opposite side of the creek, which is also owned by Conrad. Kattein. Rev. Charles B. Smith, or, as he is more familiarly spoken of by those who remember him, " Uncle Charlie Smith," was born in Maryland November 25, 1765, and married his cousin, Lucy Burgess. His father gave him some twenty negroes, and also some three or four hundred acres of land in Kentucky. He, however, did not believe that slavery was right, and acted according to his convictions and gave his negroes their freedom. He did nothing with his land in Kentucky, never going near it, but came to the free territory which now constitutes the proud State of Ohio. Here he settled on the farm just west of Arnheim, known as the James Ball farm, and lived about where George Yookey now lives. (This farm is now divided, Joseph List owning a part of it.) How long he remained here we have not been able to ascertain. James Ball owned and lived on it afterward, and it is probable that he sold to Ball. He bought the farm now owned by Matthias Arn in 1818, fifty acres of Jesse Wood in March, and, in June of the same year, fifty acres of Ezekiel Thorp and Hannah Reed, administrator and administratrix of Luther Reed, deceased. 542 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Here he lived until he sold to Balthazer Yecko, in 1831, and removed to New Market, Highland County, and died November 25, 1844. His remains were brought back to the field of his labors, and buried among his congregation, in the old Baptist Churchyard on Straight Creek. His tombstone bears this inscription: "Sacred to the Memory of "Charles Burgess Smith, "Who was Born November the 25th, " 1765, "and after serving his generation as a Regular Baptist preacher of the Gos- pel of Jesus Christ for nearly fifty years, "Died November 25, 1844, aged seventy-nine years." His widow died in Russellville, at the residence of her son William, about January 1, 1852. There were born to Charles B- Smith and wife fourteen children, nine of whom lived to grow up—Walter, Mary, William, Lucy, Abraham, Hays, Sarah Ann, George and Charles. William married Patience Lawson in Kentucky, and lived in Russellville for many years, where he kept a store; his wife died February16, 1848, aged forty-seven years five months and three days, and was buried in the old Baptist Graveyard, by the side of Charles B. Smith; William married again, and, after some years, went to Illinois, where he died. Lucy. married Peter Runyon. McCord Brady settled on Straight Creek, opposite the present village of Arnheim. The farm is now divided, part owned by George Snider, part by the Lutheran Church and part by Conrad Kattein. James Ball came to Ohio from North Carolina in 1808, and settled on the North Forkof White Oak, where he lived for some years. He afterward bought the farm west of Arnheim, part of which is now owned by Joseph List, but at that time it extended to what is Main street of the village. Here he remained until his death, which occurred May 27, 1849, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. He was one of the leading members of the Straight Creek Baptist society, and took an active part in building the old brick church above Arnheim, in the yard of which he and his wife are buried. His wife lived until August 20, 1855, when she died, in the seventy-eighth year of her age. Joseph Stansberry married Sarah Lavorce in New Jersey, and moved to Virginia, and there were born to them Josiah, John, Thomas, Isaac and Mary. The father died in Virginia, and his widow married Jacob Lucas, and to them were born Asahel and Amelia. The Stansberry family (with the exception of Josiah) and Jacob Lucas, came to Ohio and settled on the east side of Straight Creek. John Stansberry was born November 18, 1792, and came to Franklin Township with his mother and step-father, Jacob Lucas, about 1810. He enlisted in the army in 1812, and was one of the command surrendered to the British by Gen. Hull in August of that year. He came home, and, July 4, 1813, married Rebecca, daughter of George Washburne. She was born Feb- ruary 20, 1794. They built a house and went to housekeeping on the east side of the creek, on her father's farm, and there lived for several years, and then moved to the farm on Wardlow's Run, where they resided until the death of Mr. Stansberry, January 3, 1880. His widow is still living, with her son, E. A. Stansberry, in Scott Township, near White Oak Valley. Thomas Stans- berry came at the same time and married Margaret Lowderback. He lived arid died on his farm on West Fork. (The farm is now owned by Christian Kieffer.) Isaac Stansberry, born December 15, 1799, came with his brothers, and, in August, 1817, married Anna Harris, who was born March 7, 1799. They settled on a farm owned by Thomas Harris (his father-in-law) on West Fork, and, in a few years, he bought the part east of the creek, and on which. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 543 they moved (fifty-two and a half acres), and have ever since lived there. Mary Stansberry, came with her mother and brothers- She married Adam Srofe, who bought a farm near Buford, Highland County, where they lived and died. Josiah Stansberry married Elizabeth Sheerer in Virginia, and came to Franklin Township about 1817, and settled where Frederick Stoehr now lives, and afterward moved to the west side of the creek, on part of the land known as the Lewis Ball farm, now owned by Adam Wells, where he died. Asahel Lucas, son of Jacob Lucas, married Jane Lucas, and died about three years ago. His widow is still living. Amelia Lucas married James Brady, and both died in 1876. Benjamin Wells was born in Wales, and came with his father, Charles Wells, to the United States while they were colonies of Great Britain, and settled in Maryland, and there married Miss Rice, and, in the Revolution, served the colonies on shipboard, and had one hand disabled. After the death of his wife, he went to Virginia and married Mary Aultz, and lived there some years, where their children---Nancy, Jacob, Sallie, Henry and Adam—were born. They came down the river on a raft, and landed at the mouth of Red Oak Creek in 1810; rented of John Mann, near the " Beech Woods," where they lived for about five years, and bought 100 acres of land of John Springer, on the east side of Straight Creek, where they moved the year following. (Part of this land is now owned by M. B. Smith, and part by J. W. Barnes.) After they came to Ohio, Catherine, Jane, Diademia, Elizabeth and Mary were born. Nancy was married three times. Her first husband was Hezekiah Lindsey; the second, William Dye, who was killed by a fall from his wagon between Georgetown and Higginsport; and the third was Allen Jones- She moved to Higginsport, and died in 1880. Jacob married Jemima Rice, moved to Indiana and died in 1866. Sallie married Andrew Newman and moved to Illinois. Henry married Elsie Devore and moved to Washington Township, and there died. Adam was born in 1805, and, in 1829, married Elizabeth Rice, who died in 1842, and in 1844 he married Rhoda, youngest daughter of Josiah Stansberry. They are living on West Fork, where they have lived for many years. Catherine married David Rich, and they moved to the farm north of Arnheim now owned by Rudolph Kress, where she died. Jane married Samuel Smith, and lived for some years on the West Fork of Eagle Creek, then moved to Indiana, where her husband died. She and her children came back to Franklin Township, where she married David Day, and, after some years, went to Missouri, and there her second husband died. Diademia married Cecil Shaw, and moved to Russellville, where she died. Elizabeth died when about eighteen years of age, and Mary died when a child. Terry Womacks was born in Virginia in 1789, and came to Ohio in 1806, and, in 1815, married Roxie, youngest daughter of Joseph Reynolds, who settled in Jackson Township m 1802. They settled on what is known as the Womacks farm, in Franklin Township, and here lived and died. There were born to them William H., Marinda D., Wiltshire, Wesley, Willis, Peter S., Jefferson, Ulysses G., Ellen., Lemuel and Francis M. William H. married Elizabeth Doty, and moved to Ripley, where he lived a short time, and moved to Rock Island County, Ill., where he still lives. Marinda married John Milligan, and moved to Byrd Township, where they are now residing. Will- shire married Ellen Inskeep, who died in 1855, and he afterward married Mrs. Roush. They moved to Missouri, and he enlisted in the Confederate army. He was in the battle of Pea Ridge, and died from disease while in the Confederate service; his widow returned to Ohio, and is now living in Adams County, Wesley and Willis died when quite young. Peter S. married Amanda Heaton in 1848, and she died in 1870, and, in 1874, he married Jennie 544 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Hunter. They live near Russellville, on the Russel Shaw farm. Jefferson was accidentally killed by a gun when seventeen. Ulysses G. married a Miss Moore, and lives in Missouri. Lemuel served three years in the Fourth Ohio Independent Cavalry Company during the war of the rebellion, and is now living in Des Moines, Iowa. Francis M. married Miss Rees and moved to Iowa, where they were living when last heard from. Since 1825, there has been added a large German element to the population of Franklin Township, who, with their descendants, form a large proportion of the present inhabitants. George Bohrer, born in Germany, came to this township in 1826, and bought of Hugh Meharry about live hundred acres of land, including the farm on which Levi Dunn now lives, and afterward bought the rest of the survey (1,500 acres). He also bought the Mosely Survey (850 acres), and between 800 and 900 acres of the Fox Survey, but lost about two hundred acres of the latter, as he missed one heir, who afterward sold his interest to Luther Reed. He built the house where Levi Dunn lives, Basil Waters, then of Georgetown, building the brick work, and Samuel Tucker doing the carpenter work. He built a horse mill on the run below his house, for grinding corn and wheat; also put up a still-house, and, on the farm now owned by his son Jacob, he built a steam saw-mill. In 1856, he sold out and moved to Illinois; bought a farm near Bloomington, but afterward gave it to his son Lewis and moved into the city, where he died in December, 1879. Frederic Faul came with George Bohrer, and lived on the farm now owned by Frederic Stoehr. About 1828, Michael Ziegler, Philip Faul and George Kkeckner came with their families and about 1830, Frederic Neu, Jacob Arn, John Kautz, with their families, Mrs. Kautz, with her sons George and Sebastian, and three daughters- George A. Kress, John A. Kress, Phillip Miller, Balthazer Yecko, George Bohl and Peter Schatzman, with their families, settled in the township about 1831. Peter Biery and John Lauth, with their families, the same year; also Jacob Gross, with Valentine Dahl and family, Conrad Bauer and family, Lewis Weaver and Francis Hauck. In 1832, Christian Wahl and Adam Bahl, with their families. Succeed- ing these came Frederic Gwinner, Joseph Weber, John J. Stephen, Christian Reisinger, George Biehn, Charles Hanselman, Matthias Am, John Weisbrodt, Christopher Steinmann, Lewis Braun, Frederic Henges, John Ferdinand, Frederic Handman, Jacob Hook, Christian Kieffer and many others. Frederic Gwinner came about 1833, and started a brewery on Straight Creek. He sold out to Conrad Kattein, who, for many years, manufactured the well-known Arnheim beer, which had a reputation far and wide. About three years ago, Kattein sold to his son Lewis, who built a brewery in the village of Arnheim, put in an engine and added a pair of buhrs for grinding corn. The brewery is not now in operation. ARNHEM. Arnheim, the only village in the township, was laid out on land owned by Jacob Arn, for whom the village was named (Am's Home), by John D. White, County Surveyor, November 4, 1837, John A. Kress and Frederick Handman being chain-carriers. On July 5, 1838, the addition to Arnheim comprising that portion north of and including Jackson street was laid out; Josiah Wolcott and Elijah Lindsey, chain-carriers. The harvest before. Thomas Lindsey cradled a crop of wheat for Mr. Arn on the site of the village. Francis Feike came from Austria and started a tan-yard where Kautz's store FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 545 now is about 1831. He bought the land of James Ball (whose daughter he married), and, in a few years, sold to John Lauth and went to Cincinnati. He afterward went to Sardinia, where he established a tan-yard. Hill D. Stay- ton had a tan-yard on Sycamore Run about the same time, and for some years afterward. Lewis Ball started a store where G. C. Reisinger now lives, and Wilson Ball one where the stable of Frederic Kautz now stands. William Cappe built where Charles Miller lives, and kept hotel, groceries and liquors. After Arnheim was laid out, Frederic Handman bought the lot and built the house where John J. Bohrer lives, Jacob S. Campbell built a log house opposite Kautz's store, and a black smith shop north of his house. He was the first Postmaster of the village. Augustus Straight built the house on the hill where Martin List now lives (where Lewis Braun lived for many years), and Miller Straight built the house where Conrad Hagins lives; he also kept a drinking saloon, but soon sold out. Frederick Henges built the house now owned by Stephen Bohrer, at the corner of Water street and the Sardinia road, and John Ferdinand the one where his widow now lives. Dr. Joseph T. Richardson built where Henry Bohl lives, and sold it to members of the German Reformed Church for a parsonage, and built where E. A. Lindsey lives, and there resided for several years. He was the first physician who settled in Arnheim, and was a member of the Fifty-third General Assembly, 1858-60, elected on the Democratic ticket- He sold his property to John Haas and moved to Higginsport. John Haas built an addition to the house fur a store, and lived here until his death. E. A. Lindsey then bought the property, where he still lives, and keeps a general variety store, and is Postmaster. John Lauth sold to A. C. H. Cotterill, who kept a store and whisky saloon; he afterward bought the house where Charles Miller now lives, kept store there for several years, sold out and went to New Hope- Lewis Ball sold his store to Messrs. Allen & Davis, Davis building the house where John Mueller now lives. They remained in partnership until the death of Allen; after which W. C. Davis continued the business, and, when Campbell left Arnheim, was appointed Postmaster- He sold out, and Frederick Handman opened a store in the same building, and bought the John Lauth property, remodeled it, building an addition for a dwelling, where he lived and kept store for many years, doing a large business. He was Postmaster and Notary Public. In 1873, he made an assignment, and shortly moved to Kentucky, and died in Germany while on a visit. In 1875, Frederic Kautz, and P. W. Gross started a store at Handman's old stand, under the firm name of Kautz & Gross, and, after about three years, Gross retired, and the business is still carried on by Kautz. Thomas Lindsey bought out A C. H. Cotterill; lived there for nine years, keeping groceries and liquors, and sold to R. B. Dunn, who continued the business for several years He was also appointed Postmaster, and, when he left Arnheim, G. C. Reisenger became his successor, and was Postmaster until 1881, when he resigned, and E. A. Lindsey was appointed. There are at present. in Arnheim two stores, one blacksmith shop, one wagon shop, one cabinet-maker and undertaker, one tailor, one house carpenter, one carpenter and plasterer, one hotel and saloon, one brewery (but not in operation), one tobacco warehouse (owned by E. A. Lindsey, but 0. B. Moore, of Sardinia, is now there prizing tobacco), one Catholic Church, and schoolhouse of Subdistrict No. 5, the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches being just outside of the village. The population by the census of 1880 was ninety-eight. MILLS. What is known as the Abbott Mill, now owned by James Martin, was, until 1853, in Franklin Township- The first mill was built at a very early day, 546 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. by Jesse Thompson, and, after his death, his sons, James and Samuel, operated it for some years, and sold to John Abbott, who afterward built the present mill, some fifty or more years ago. George Schultz built a mill on Straight Creek, on the farm now owned by the writer, not far from 1820, but it did little good; when the creek was low, there would not be sufficient water come into the mill-race, and when it was high, the water would back up on the wheel, there not being sufficient fall just below the mill; some parts of this one were used in the present Abbott Mill. Jacob Newman built a log horse mill on the farm now owned by Allen Hendrixson, every one taking a grist furnishing the horses and doing his own grinding. Wheat was ground the same as corn, and sifted by hand. Charles Abbott says he once stayed two days and one night at this mill, going home occasionally for something to eat, and feed for his horses, not daring to take them away, for by so doing he would lose his turn. Thomas Harris bought this mill, moved it to his farm on West Fork, and, after his death, James Dennis bought and operated it for several years. John Carbery also built a mill above the present site of Arnheim, on Sycamore Run. George Bohrer built a mill with tread-wheel. In dry times, this mill was kept going day and night. He sold it to Frederic Haudman, who moved it to Arnheim, and changed it so the horses were hitched to levers. It was used occasionally for grinding corn as late as 1865. There are three steam saw-mills now owned in the township, two stationary and one portable. In 1832, George Bohrer built a steam saw-mill on the farm now owned by Jacob Bohrer. He sold half of his interest to Samuel a Moore, and, about 1836 or 1847, they moved it to where Inskeep's Mill now stands. Moore sold his half to Lemuel Postlewaite, and, in 1845, Job and Fountain Inskeep bought Postlewaite's interest, and ran the mill, in company with Bohrer, until 1847, when they bought his half. They ran it in company until 1867, when Job bought his brother's interest. In 1872, he put in a spoke-lathe, felloe-benders, planer, etc., and in 1881 he put in a new engine, boiler and circular saws, and has a pair of French buhrs on which to grind corn. Tracy's steam saw-mill, in the northeastern part of the township, was built by Daniel Markley about 1853. He sold to M. D. Barngrover about 1870. In 1874, Barngrover sold to Tracy & Waters, and, about 1879, Waters sold his interest to Martin Tracy, and afterward Ira Tracy sold his interest to his son Frank. It is now owned by Martin and Frank Tracy, but is rented by Randolph Waters, who is now running it. There is a pair of buhrs in this mill on which corn is ground every Tuesday and Friday. G. C. Reisinger & Co. have a large portable steam saw-mill in the town- ship. It was purchased new in 1881, and is owned by G. C. Reisinger, Lewis Kattetin and Adam and Jacob Bohrer. CHURCHES.* The first church built in the township, and probably in the county, was the Straight Creek Baptist Church, built of round logs at a very early day, on Straight Creek, just above the present village of Arnheim, on ground given by James Prickett. This society was organized by Rev. Charles B. Smith, who preached at the cabins of the settlers and in the woods until the log church was built. As the church became old and the members more numerous, they built (not far from 1820) the brick church which is now in ruins. The water for making the brick was hauled in an ox-cart by William Long, now of Eagle Township, when a small boy, and the brick made by Woodbeck Low, the clay * The sketch of St. Diary's Catholic Church will be found in the general history of the county. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 549 being tramped by oxen; the pits where this was done still remain in the churchyard. We have tried to find some record of the members of this church and the date of its organization, and, although we've searched most diligently in six townships, the search has been unavailing- Stout Drake, who died in Pleasant Township some four years since, was for many years Secretary, and had the records, but we find no trace of them since his death. Lutheran Church.—This church was organized in 1832, by Rev, Gerhardt. The members bought three-quarters of an acre of ground of Louis Weaver, and on it erected a log building. Among the members were Peter Schatzman, George Bohl, Peter Biery, Michael Ziegler, Phillip Faul, Frederic Neu, Adam Bohl, Louis Weaver, Valentine Bauer, Jacob Arn, John Kautz and Sebastian Kautz. In 1846, a division occurred in the church, and some eleven or welve families withdrew and organized the German Reformed Church. The present brick church was built A. D. 1852, Henry Kress doing the brick work and plastering. German Reformed Church.-This church was organized in 1845, by Rev. F. Wahl. Among the members at that time were Jacob Gross, George P. Biery, Christopher Steinmann, Valentine Schaeffer, Peter Bauer, Adam Bauer, Adam Bohl, Frederic Ringeiser, Peter )lattell, Jacob Bohrer and Francis Hauck. They built the church A. D. 1847, on half an acre of ground bought of James Ball, and united with the German Reformed Synod of Ohio, which now belongs to the Cincinnati Classes of the Central Ohio Synod. The same pastor is in charge of this congregation and the one at Higginsport. The late L. S. Van Anda, then of Sardinia, built the church, and it was plastered by P. R. Kinkead. West Fork. Church.— This society was first organized September 17, 1842, by Elder N. Dawson, on Middle Run, in Washington Township, at the house of Charles Thompson, where Charles C. Miller now lives, with fourteen members. June 27. 1846, " the church met at the new meeting-house on West Fork." December 25, 1851., a division occurred, part of the members continuing as the church of Christ at West Fork (or, as it is known in the proceedings, at Republican), and part uniting with the society at Immanuel's Chapel, in Jackson Township. The church went down in 1862. In 1864, it was re-organized, with seventeen members, and continued as such organization until, under the charge of Elder W. H. Robinson. In 1867, it joined the Christian Union Conference, and has since been known as the Christian Union Church. There has been no regular service since 1879. CEMETERIES. There are six burying-grounds in the township—the Catholic Cemetery, where the old Catholic Church was built; one at each of the others; the old Straight Creek Baptist, the Lutheran, the German Reformed, and the West Fork, or Christian Union Churches, and the one on the farm owned by Benjamin Wardlow, known as the Abbott Burying-Ground. The latter, and those at the old Baptist and West Fork Churches, are public burying-grounds, and in them are buried most of the pioneers of the township. Here " the multitude comes, like the flower or the weed, that withers away to let others succeed." In the others, only the families of those connected with the respective churches are buried. SCHOOLS Franklin Township for many years was divided into six school districts, but the house of Subdistrict No. 4 burned down in the winter of 1872-73, and in the spring that subdistrict was divided, and at the present time there are seven subdistricts in the township. All the schoolhouses in the township