(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)

550 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. are frame, with the exception of the one in Arnheim (Subdistrict No. 5), which is of brick. The latter and the one in Subdistrict No. 2 are old houses; the others have been built since the spring of 1873. The negroes in the western part of the township are, for school purposes, attached to Scott Township, in which the schoolhouse is situated. FRANKLIN GRANGE Franklin Grange, of the Patrons of Husbandry, was organized January 2, 1874, the charter members being E. T. Reed, M. G. Ziegler, C. F. Schatzman, Joseph Schatzman, J. T. Schatzman, Allen Hendrixson, W. M. Hendrixson, L. M. Wolcott, Levi Myers, Joseph Lucas, Daily Bratzer, Jacob Miller, Louisa Wolcott, M. A. Hendrixson, Elvira Reed and Mary Miller. The same year, they built a neat and commodious hall, with a storeroom in the first story, on the Ripley & Arnheim Turnpike, on ground bought of Joseph Lucas. At the present time, the officers are: C. F- Schatzman, Master; Levi Myers, Overseer; B. W. Gordon, Lecturer; W. M. Hendrixson, Steward; William Bauer, Assistant Steward; Allen Hendrixson, Chaplain; Joseph Schatzman, Treasurer; M. A. Hendrixson, Secretary; M. B. Smith, Gate-Beeper; Luella Schatzman, Ceres; Mary Miller, Pomona; Abigail Smith, Flora; and Louisa Wolcott, Lady Assistant Steward. The Georgetown & Sardinia Railroad, now in course of construction, passes through the western part of the township across its entire width. The Ripley & Arnheim Turnpike is the only macadamized road in the township. This enters it at the south central part, and extends in a northerly direction, to Arnheim, three-fourths of the distance across the township. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. In the Township Clerk's books there is no account of the election held at the house of Henry Dunn in January. 1823, but we find that John McBeath, Jacob Pindell and John Lindsey were elected Trustees, and Hezekiah Lindsey, Township Clerk. March 3, 1823, the Trustees met and agreed that the next election for township officers should be held at the house of Jacob Sprin- ger, on the first Monday of April next. At this meeting, they selected for Grand Jurors, Phillip Lindsey, Enoch Laycock, Henry Dunn and David Thorp; for Petit Jurors, Gabriel Pindell, James Jacobs and Andrew Moore; and laid off four road districts. On April 26, the additional part of the township was divlded into two districts, making Shotpouch Run the dividing line. At this meeting, the schoolhouse near John Lindsey's was selected for holding the elections for the township. This schoolhouse stood about where West Fork Church now stands. The Supervisors for the several road districts were John Fowler, Richard Hewitt, Ezekiel Roddy, John Bunner, James McFadden and Lemuel Monahan. On Monday, March 1, 1824, at a meeting of the Trustees, they settled with the Supervisors, James McFadden reporting that all hands in his district had worked, but made no charge for his services; the others were each allowed $1-50 for their services, except Ezekiel Roddy, John Bunner and Richard Hewitt; they reported that all hands had worked in their respective districts except one day in each; this was deducted from their allowance, and an order for 50 cents each drawn. In 1825, township officers were: Trustees, John Brown, Benjamin Smith and Jacob Pindell; Constables, H. Lindsey, Joseph Newman and James Mc- Fadden: Lister, H. Lindsey; Overseers of Poor, G. Anderson and Isaac Stans- berry; Fence Viewers, James Lucas and Henry Prickett; Supervisors, D. Reynolds, G. Anderson, William Brown, Richard Hewitt, Sr., G. Pindell, J. Herron, Joel Martin and William Lindsey. "October 11, Uriah Springer sworn to office of Trustee to fill vacancy caused by death of J. Pindell." FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 551 1826-Trustees, John Lindsey, William Brown and Uriah Springer; Clerk, R Lindsey; Lister, H. Lindsey; Constables, James Lindsey, E. C. Sellenberger and James Prickett; Overseers of Poor, E. Roddy and SethFlowers; Supervisors, James Prickett, Sr., Michael Pindell, Davis Pindell, Hiram Higgins, Silas Abbott, Enoch Laycock, John Rich, John T. Wills, Ezra Pool and Jacob Kratzer; Fence Viewers, John Clark and Dudley Prickett. 1827---Trustees, Uriah Springer, Lawrence Rose and William Brown; Constables, James Robins, James Lindsey and Thomas Grogan; Clerk, H. Lindsey; Treasurer, Joseph Rich; Supervisors, J. Pitzer, L. Remely, T. Silman, D. Reynolds, J. Woods, D. Newman, J. Carbery, R. Bunner and D. Johns; Overseers of Poor, P. Lindsey and Martin Gatts. 1828-Trustees, John Lindsey, U. Springer and E. C. Sellenberger; Constables, Henry Straight, T. Silman and James McFadden; Treasurer, Nicholas Smith; Overseers of Poor, Martin Gatts and Everett D. Smith; Fence Viewers, Josiah Carbery and S. Pindell; Supervisors, John Forsythe, D. D. Brown, John T. Wills, John Fields, Asahel Lucas, Silas Abbott and Henry Young. 1829-Trustees, John Lindsey, Uriah Springer and William Brown; Clerk, Michael Pindell; Treasurer, Benjamin Hays; Supervisors, Josiah Lucas, Samuel Pindell, Enoch Laycock, Thomas Pindell. Jr., Ferrel Dunn, John Lafabre, Joseph Abbott and James Gilman; Fence Viewers, Augustus Straight and Williaw Evans; Overseers of Poor, James Ball and Phillip Lindsey; Treasurer, Terry Wornacks. 1830-Trustees, Uriah Springer, John Lindsey and Terry Womacks; Clerk, Greer Abbott; Constables, Henry Straight and Isaiah Lucas; Overseers of Poor, Uriah Springer and John Brown; Supervisors, John Brady, V. D. Carbery, David M. Pindell, Henry Young, Ferrel Dunn, Richard Brown, William Masterson and Peter Runyon; Treasurer, Gabriel Pindell; Fence Viewers, Henry Straight and Silas Abbott. 1831-Trustees, Terry Womacks, Uriah Springer and John Lindsey; Clerk, Greer Abbott; Constables, Thompson Lindsey and Isaiah Carbery; Overseers of Poor, Basil McLefresh and John Lafabre; Supervisors, Robert Morrow, Robert Elder, Eli Hewitt, George Reynolds, David Rogers, Augustus Straight, Joseph Long and James Ball; Treasurer, Gabriel Pindell. 1832--Trustees, John Lindsey, Terry Womacks and Uriah Springer; Clerk, Samuel Work; Constables, Thomas Lindsey and Lemuel Rachford; Treasurer, Gabriel Pindell; Supervisors, Basil McLefresh, Charles Abbott, Asahel Lucas, Issac Bunner, James Pindell, Uriah Springer V. D. Carbery and Terry Womacks; Overseers of Poor, John Bunner and David Newman; Fence Viewers, John Lafabre, David Rogers and Nathaniel C. Heaton. The dates of Commissions of Justices of the Peace for Franklin Township for the above time are as follows: Uriah Springer, May 13, 1822; John Lindsey, January 13, 1823; Joseph Newman, January 13, 1823: Uriah Springer, April 20, 1825; Lawrence Rose, January 7, 1826; John Lindsey, January 7, 1826; Marin Gatts, January 14, 1828; John Lindsey, January 12, 1829; John Lindsey, December 31, 1831; Uriah Springer, April 13, 1832. This is the last record of this kind until 1853, and, with the exception of Township Clerk, we find no record of the officers until 1858. Justices of the Peace since 1853, with dates of commission, are as follows: Thompson Lindsey, May 2, 1853; Samuel Myers, June 16, 1854; William C. Davis, April 28, 1856; James T. Erwin, October 28, 1858; Joseph Newman, April 12, 1859; James T. Erwin, October 21, 1861; W- S. Campbell, April 23. 1862; Jacob Hanselman, May 11, 1864; Joseph Ward, November 17, 1864; Jacob Hanselman, April 15, 1867; Joseph Ward, October 12, 1867; H. L. Vance, April 12, .1870; Joseph List, October 18, 1870; J. T. Erwin, 552 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. April 15, 1871; Joseph List, April 18, 1873; J. T. Erwin, April 8, 1874; G. C. Reisinger, October 21, 1876; James T. Erwin, April 17, 1877; G. C. Reisinger, October 27, 1879; and Isaac Waters, April 1.7, 1880; G. C. Reisinger, re-elected October 10, 1882. We find that the following persons were Township Clerk prior to 1868, viz.: John H. Hallam, in 1838, 1838 and 1840; William Myers, inl 841 and 1842; C. W. Reed, in 1843, 1844 and 1845; Thompson Lindsey, in 1852 and 1853; J. R. Lindsey, in 1854, 1855 and 1856; W- H. Wells, in 1857; W. C. Davis, in 1858, 1859 and 1860; R. B. Dunn, in 1861; W. H. Wells, in 1862; W. S. Campbell, in 1863; E. T. Reed, in 1864; D. W. Sharp, in 1865; R. B. Dunn, in 1866 and 1867- From this lime, the records have been more fully kept. The township officers since 1867 have been: 1868—Trustees, M. A. Courts, A. J. Jacobs and Job Inskeep; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Treasurer, Joseph List; Assessor, Enoch E. Roney; Constable, Valentine Kaufman; Supervisors, Joseph Schatzman, G. W. Hanselman, A_. J. Jacobs, A, Lucas, Adam Bauer, Phillip Kautz and Isaac Waters. 1869—Trustees, M. A. Courts, Joseph Schatzman and Huston Rhoten; Treasurer, Joseph List; Assesaor, E. E. Roney; Constable, J. W. Morrow; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Supervisors, Reason Schatzman, G. W. West, A. Shaw, L. Bier, W. A. Waterman, Jacob Weber, C- Arn, Phillip Kautz and Isaac Waters. 1870—Trustees, M. A. Courts, Huston Rhoten and Joseph Schatzman; Treasurer, Joseph List; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Assessor, E. E. Roney; Constable, J. W. Morrow; Supervisors, Jonathan Hanselman, W. NI. Hendrixson, William Hansehnan, L. Bier, John Wells, Jacob Weber, Jacob Bohrer, Grant Lowderback and Christian Keller. 1871—Trustees, M. A. Courts, Huston Rhoten and Joseph Schatzman; Treasurer, Peter Bohrer; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Assessor, M. G. Ziegler; Constable, J. W. Morrow; Supervisors, A. Shaub, Phillip Dunn, Ed Inskeep, C. Sullivan, Charles Elschlager, John Weisbradt, Jacob Bohrer, John Davis and H. A. Palmer. 1872-Trustees, NL A. Courts, Huston Rhoten and Joseph Schataman; Treasurer, Peter Bohrer; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Assessor, M. G. Ziegler; Constable, Stephen Myers; Supervisors, Stephen Myers, L, M. Wolcott, S. P. Berry, Harvey Wills, Henry Weber, A. Welts, A. Bauer, William Shaub and C, Keller. 1873—Trustees, Joseph Schatzman, M. A. Courts and Huston Rhoten; Treasurer, Peter Bohrer; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Assessor, L. M. Wolcott; Constable, Stephen Myers; Superintendent Free Turnpike, Allen Hendrixson; Supervisors, Jacob Miller, W. M. Hendrixson, W. W. Young, L. Bier, A. Wells, G. Hauck, F. Hanselman, William Shaub and James T. Erwin. 1874—Trustees, M. A. Courts, Huston Rhoten and Joseph Schatzman; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Assessor, L. M. Wolcott; Treasurer, P. Bohrer; Constable, J. W. Morrow; Supervisors, L. Bier, Hugh Wardlow, Rudolph Kress, S. P. Berry, William Ramsey, Peter Forthoffer, Isaac Waters, Adam Wells, Adam Bauer and Levi Myers. 1875—Trustees, M- A. Courts, Huston Rhoten and Joseph Schatzman; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Treasurer, Peter Bohrer; Assessor, W. H. Wells; Constable, J. W. Morrow; Supervisors, Stephen Myers, Hugh Wardlow, W. W. Young, L. Bier, Joseph List, Jacob Bohrer, Rudolph Kress and Fred Yochem. 1876—Trustees, G. W. Laycock, 1. J. Jacobs and Phillip Stephen; Clerk, G. C. Reisinger; Trensurer, S. P. Berry; Assessor, H. F. Pindell; Constable, Stephen Myers; Supervisors, Jacob Miller, G. C. Mannon, William Hansel- FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 553 man, Levi Jacobs, John Wells, Jacob Weber, C. F. Hanselman, J. P. Kautz and Phillip Stephen. 1877- Trustees, Phillip Stephen, A. J. Jacobs and G. W. Laycock; Treasurer, S. P. Berry; Clerk, Joseph List; Assessor, H. F. Pindell; Constable, William Shaub; Supervisors, Jacob Miller, Ira Hendrixson, S. P. Berry, L. Bier, John Wells, George Snider, C. F. Hanselman, R. Kress and P. Faul. 1878—Trustees, A. J. Jacobs, Philip Stephen and Milford Lowderbaok; Treasurer, S. P. Berry; Clerk, Joseph List; Assessor, Samuel Kautz; Constable, J. W. Morrow; Supervisors, Peter Shaub, Ira Hendrixson, James Sullivan, John Wells, Frederick Kautz, F. W. Hanselman, Peter Berry and Phillip Stephen 1879-Trustees, H. F. Pindell, Phillip Stephen and Joseph Schatzman; Clerk, M, B. Smith; Treasurer, S. P- Berry; Assessor, C. F. Schatzman; Constable, J. W. Morrow: Supervisors, Phillip Dunn, F. W. Hanselman, M. A. Courts, Henry Bohl, Christian Bauer, H. F. Pindell, Phillip Stephen, Peter Shaub and John Wells- 1880--Trustees, Phillip Stephen, H. F. Pindell, Joseph Schatzman; Treasurer, H. F. Pindell; Clerk, Joseph List; Assessor, C. F. Schatzman; Constable, Joseph Weber ; Supervisors, Peter Faul, W. W. Young, Peter Berry, Peter Shaub, A. J. Jacobs, Amos Bunner, George W. Hendrixson, C. F. Schatzman and H. F. Pindell. 1881--Trustees, H. F. Pindell, Phillip Stephen and F. W. Hanselman; Clerk, Joseph List; Treasurer, H. F. Pi ndell; Assessor, Samuel Kautz; Constable, Joseph Weber; Supervisors, J. T. Schatzman, Isaac W. Dunn, W. W. Young, A. D. Ellis, Amos Bunner. Jacob Arn, William Bauer, Peter Berry and Phillip Schweighart. 1882—Trustees, H. F. Pindell, Phillip Stephen and F. W. Hanselman; Clerk, Joseph List; Treasurer, H. F. Pindell; Assessor, Samuel Kautz; Constable, Joseph Weber; Supervisors, J. T. Schatzman, W. M. Hendrixson, W. W. You g, A. D. Ellis, Charles Elschlager, George F- Yockey, William Bauer, Phillip 'Kautz and Phillip Stephen. Politically, Franklin Township is strongly Democratic, but in local elections there is no party spirit manifested; but in county, State and Presidential elections, although the people are strictly divided by party lines, good feeling and harmony generally prevail- Some of the votes cast in the township have been as follows: 1824-For Governor, Allen Trimble, 22; Jeremiah Morrow, 99; President, Jackson, 65; Adams, 4; Clay, 7. 1826—For Governor, Alexander Campbell, 51; Trimble, 44; John Bigger, 8; Benjamin Tappin, 1. 1828—Governor, John W. Campbell, 143; Allen Trimble, 1. 1830—Governor, Duncan McArthur, 11; Robert Lucas, 87. 1844—Governor, David Tod, 158; William Bebb, 13; Samuel Lewis, 2. 1876 —President, S. J. Tilden, 227; R. B. Hayes, 43. 1877-Governor, R. M. Bishop, 166; William H. West, 31. 1880--Secretary of State, Lang, 225; Townsend, 34. 1880—President, W. S. Hancock, 230; J. A. Garfield, 44, 1881—Governor, J. W. Bookwalter, 168; Charles Foster, 33. 1882—Secretary of State, James W. Newman, 216; Charles Townsend, 27. POPULATION. The census returns show that Franklin Township had a less number of inhabitants in 1880 than in 1870, as follows: Population in 1870, 1,225; in 1880, 1,195; showing a loss of sixty in the ten years. 554 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. CHAPTER VIII. PIKE TOWNSHIP. BY C. C. DONLEY. PIKE contains about twenty-three square miles, or 11,720 acres; its extreme length from east to west is eight and three-quarter miles; extreme width, about three and one-fourth miles. It is in the western part of the county, occupying the middle position in the western tier of townships. It is bounded on the north by Sterling and Green Townships and Highland County, on the east by Washington and Scott, on the south by Scott and Clark, on the west by Clermont County. The boundary lines were established in 1823, the sur- vey being made by John McBeth. This was originally a part of Clark Town- ship. Its topography is not very marked, as the land is mostly level or rolling. White Oak Creek on the eastern boundary causes some broken land in that portion, and Sterling Creek, crossing the township from north to south, a short distance east of the center, is bounded by low hills; some slight depressions are in the western part, through which small streams take their meander- ing courses. Agriculture and stock-raising are the chief pursuits of the people; wool growing receives considerable attention. The principal agricultural products are wheat, rye, corn, oats, potatoes and tobacco. Many varieties of timber which have been planted by nature grow on our soil, the principal of which are oaks, beech, maple, elm, ash, gum, dogwood, locust and hickory- The township is drained by the branches of White Oak Creek and the East Fork of the Little Miami River. Although the locality is not adapted to fruit-growing to any desirable extent, yet enough is generally gathered to supply the home demand. IMPROVEMENTS Less than half a century ago, most of Pike Township was a dense wilder- ness; blazed roads and bridle paths constituted the principal thoroughfares for public travel; churches, commodious school buildings, cozy dwellings, roomy barns and easy vehicles were only pictured in the fancy of the sturdy pioneers of the forest; but subsequent energy and perseverance have caused the forests to give way to beautiful meadows, vast fields of growing grain and rich pastur- age. The rude huts have given place to more comfortable dwellings and spa cious barns- Temples have taken the Place of private dwellings for religious homage; the old-time log schoolhouses, with slab benches without backs or desks, have ceased to be the dread of the youthful mind in his intellectual pursuits; the meandering tracks without their guides, and with but few evidences of civilization, have been straightened and improved until we have a system of roads over which a traveler may pass with the satisfaction of knowing from whence he came and whither he is going. A large portion of this section of the county is almost level, and before the forests were broken the land was covered with water almost the year round, but the ever patient and persevering tiller of the soil has demonstrated the fact that this element cannot stop the wheels of agricultural development. In early times, this level portion was considered as almost worthless property, but since the clearing and draining of the land has baen accomplished to a great extent, lismonr1 PIKE TOWNSHIP - 555 this has proved one of the most productive portions of the township. Many of the water courses have been enlarged by the regulation of the ditch law, and improvement in this line is still going on, and in time the swampy section will have a network of ditches which will carry away the surplus water before it can have time to damage the crops. One of the first and most noted drains thus established and improved is that known as the head-waters of one of the branches of Clover Creek. The spirit of improving the public highways still moves on. In the summer of 1881, the citizens near the central part of the township improved the road, beginning at the top of the hill south of the residence of James Blair, and completing to the bridge across Sterling Creek at Blair's Crossing. This was done by grading the road, bridging and covering with gravel, and is said to be one of the best jobs of public road improvements by individual donations in the county. The Mount Orab & Georgetown Free Turnpike passes from north to south through the township, and was built in 1867-68 on the two-mile system. Artus Pepper, who lived on the road at that time, was the principal contractor. Through the northeastern part .of the township passes the Cincinnati & Eastern Railway- The only mill built in the township was erected by Christian Drum in 1856, in the hamlet now known as Gorgonia. The chief articles of commerce manufactured and sold at this mill were lumber and chair material. It has ceased to be used as a mill, the machinery being out of order and the building being old and almost ready to fall. New Harmony, a small village in the northwestern part of the township, was laid out by E. B. Whorton in 1847, and probably at this day the population does not exceed 100 persons. David Wade kept a store here in 1848. Delos Laughlan was engaged in store business in 1850; after Laughlan, Luther Lyons and Test & Reining were in the goods business; later, Colthar & Long; McLain & Reynolds succeeded by Calvin Owens. Louis Thompson is at present in the mercantile business in the place; also small grocery stores by Maggie Thompson and Daniel Frazee. Jared E. Winter and Daniel Long are blacksmiths at this point. Locust Ridge, another hamlet containing probably less than threescore inhabitants, is located to the southwestern part of the township. The first buildings were erected in the place probably in 1835. Adam Earheart was among the first who was in the mercantile business at this point. Henry H- Jones was for twenty years in the goods business here. Andrew Earheart was also in business here for several years previous to his death in 1860. Alonzo Earheart sold goods here for several years. The only merchants of the place at the present time are Jones & Vaughan, partners in general store. Dr. W. H Langstaff lives at this place, and is the only physician living in the township. The blacksmiths are Charles M. Zollers and Robert Duncanson; boot and shoe manufacturer, John Vandelph; marble works, Charles Hancock. Surryville consists of a store and post office, kept by C. C. Donley; blacksmith and repair shops of Wilber O. Robinson; church, school building and a few dwellings- White Oak, a station on the Cincinnati & Eastern Railway, consists of a store and post office, kept by Perry Hoss; blacksmith shop by Mr. Stump, and several dwellings. EARLY SETTLERS. Henry Moyer, Sr., born in 1767, came to Brown County, Ohio, in the year 1816; lived on the land now owned by his sons and heirs in the western part of the township, near Locust Ridge, making that his residence until his death in 1829, aged sixty-two years. Henry was father of John and George F. Moyer, 556 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. pioneer boys of the township whose names appear further on. He was a native of Chester County, Penn- The father pf Henry came with him to Ohio; died in earlier days, and of his history not much can be gathered except he was a native of Germany. Thomas Foster came to the township prior to the arrival of Henry Moyer and lived at that time on the farm which is now occupied by Wesley Thompson, he died in Williamsburg, Clermont Co., Ohio, about 1878. William Thompson came from Greenbrier County, Va., in pioneer days, and settled on the farm now owned by Elijah McGohan. William was the father of Alexander, Isaac, James, John, William, Andrew and Felix, who were well known by many of the present citizens of Brown County as worthy and good men. Charles Hunt was among the earliest who sought the unbroken forests of this part of the State. Of him, tradition can give but little account, as none of his posterity are here to give us the genealogy of the Hunt family. He lived on the farm now owned and occupied by George F. Moyer. Jonathan Hunt was among the first comers to this section, and located on the farm which is now the home of Adam Earhart. His history, like that of Charles Hunt, is obscured in the mist of the past. Jasper Shotwell flourished in the days in which it tried men's hearts to cope with the inhabitants of the dense forests, and resided subsequent to the settlement of Charles Hunt on the Moyer farm. James McIntire lived in 1830 on the farm now owned and occupied by Theodore Knabe. George F. Moyer, one of the eldest pioneers now living in the township, was born in Chester County, Penn., January 10, 1810; came with his father, Henry, and settled on the Moyer land, and has been a resident of the township ever since. He recollects distinctly the howl of the wolf, the wail of the wild cat, the fleet-footed deer and flocks of wild turkeys. He used to attend the musters of militia on the Allen farm (now Blair's farm). John Moyer, born in Chester County, Penn., June 24, 1805, came to Ohio with his father, Henry, in 1816, and was a resident until his death, which oc- curred in 1880. His son, William H. Moyer, is a citizen of the township at this time. Elijah Winter was born in Virginia in 1798, came here in 1817, and first lived in the vicinity of Locust Ridge, but during the latter part of his life, lived on the land now owned by Henry Seirs, near the New Harmony Cemetery; he died in 1844. Jared, James and William, sons of Elijah, have long been residents of the township. James died on his farm in 1876. The estate after his death was purchased by W. H. Holmes, of Maysville, Ky., and is now the home of his family. Jared and William are still living here, the latter a farmer by occupation, and the former a blacksmith, residing in New Harmony. During the year 1869, he was subjected to the misfortune of losing his dwelling and its contents by fire. John Earhart, born October 11, 1777, in the State of Pennsylvania, came here in the spring of 1815, and purchased the farm on which he ever afterward lived, located southwest of Locust Ridge, now the property of George F. Moyer, and present residence of Lydia Thompson. Although he spent much of his time on his farm tilling the soil, he was a cooper by trade, and timber being plenty and of little value until manufactured into implements of utility, the profits of his labor were such as to enable him to live comfortably and happily. He died in February, 1851, and was laid to rest in the little family graveyard on the farm. His sons—Adam, David, John and William—are still living, Adam and William being present residents of the township. The former was born in PIKE TOWNSHIP - 559 Lancaster County, Penn.; came with his father to Ohio when a boy not yet four years old, and lived at home until he married and moved on the farm on which he now lives; he also purchased part of the homestead of his father, which joined his first purchase. He is in his seventy-first year, and has always made farming his occupation. William was born five years after his father settled at the old home He, like his father, is a cooper, but does not work much at his trade of late. Vincent Applegate was born in Mason County, Ky., in 1795; came here in 1836, and settled on the land now in possession of his heirs on the Williamsburg & New Hope road. He was among the first settlers in that portion of the township, and one who had a full realization of the inconveniences and disadvantages of settling in the woods, and having to clear and improve his lands, and at the same time provide a competence for a large family. He served as Justice of the Peace six years. His wife, originally Anna Lemon, whom he married in 1824, was a native of Maryland, born in 1808. Vincent died in the fall of 1869; Anna survived him twelve years, and died in the spring of 1881 at the old home. They had four sons and three daughters, namely, Milton, Frank, Mahlon, Newton, Amanda, Cordelia and Eliza. Eliza, Cordelia and Milton are dead; the rest, though living, are non residents. John Allen was probably the first man who settled in the eastern part of the township, He located on the farm now in the possession of Jerome Allen in 1810; was born in Westmoreland Comity, Penn., October 15, 1785. He was Colonel of the militia, which mustered on his farm in pioneer days. He lived in the township several years; the latter part of his life he spent in Georgetown, Ohio, where he died in 1879. He served in the capacity of Justice of the Peace for several years- He had three sons and four daughters —Sanford (who was probably the first white person born in the township), William, John, Eliza, Melinda, Rhoda and Nancy. Vincent Brown was born in Kentucky in 1786; came to this township in 1801, and was married soon after his arrival here to Martha Ann Allen, thus being the first marriage ceremony performed in the township. He resided for a number of years on the old Brown homestead, now in possession of the heirs of Elliott Brown, prior to his death, January 7, 1853. Martha A., wife of Vincent Brown, was born in Kentucky in 1793, and died at the old homestead October 17, 1857. James Young, born in 1.811 in Bracken County, Ky., settled in 1856 on the land now occupied by his heirs in the southeastern part of the township; he was a lawyer by profession. Mary Young, wife of James, and daughter of Vincent Brown, was born in this township April 6, 1814, and is still living on the home property. John B. Stump, born in 1796 in Hampshire County, W. Va., came here in 1828, and settled in the eastern part of the township on the farm now occupied by his son James, and lived there until his death in September, 18'7'7. Mary C., his wife, is still living at the old home. Joseph Keethler, born in October, 1780, was a native of the glades of Pennsylvania; came to Brown County, Ohio, in 1810, and located on the farm which was long the home of Christopher Day, Sr., and remained there about ten years, removing thence to Green Township, where he died. James Brown, a native or Kentucky, born in 1795, came to this township in 1812; was married in 1814, and built a cabin on the land where George W. Watson now lives, and began to clear away the timber in order that the arrows from-the eternal quiver of the sun might smite the earth and cause vegetation to spring forth for his subsistence. He lived in the township until 1855, when his career ended, and his remains were deposited in the Hendrickson Grave- 560 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. yard. His wife, Mary, in her eighty-fifth year, still lives in the township with her daughter, Maria Higgins, and is the oldest of the early pioneers of the central part of the township who are now living. Well can she recollect when the wolves and bears and deer were as plentiful throughout the township as the timid hare which gambols over the meadows now. Henry Gates was the first who settled where James Liming now lives, and out of a family of ten, six died in 1848 with the cholera, three of whom lay dead in the house at the same time. One Gennings occupied the land where Hampton Wardlow now lives for several years from 1812, being the first settler who built there. Abram Fiscus in 1812 lived on the land now owned by Perry T. Dunn, being the first who occupied the premises. Nicholas Peddicord first settled on the land where Reuben Wilson now lives, and was for several years thereafter a resident of the township Isaiah Wells, born in Wales in 1777, came to Pike Township in 1826, and built him a cabin on the land he purchased near New Harmony. The house stood on the land now owned by John Simpkins. He, like the other early settlers, located in the timber, and began to clear off the land, on the products of which he depended for subsistence. He continued a laborer on his farm until 1842, when he departed this life, and was taken to his last resting place in the New Harmony Cemetery. His sons, James and Daniel, came with their father, and the latter is still living on part of the old homestead, and drinking in the quiet enjoyment of rural life; he is now in his sixty-seventh year. During the same year came Daniel Newberry, who purchased a farm on the New Harmony & Williamsburg road, on which he built a cabin, and commenced to exercise his strength and ingenuity by making less forest in the vicinity of his new home. He labored on his farm during the summer, and in the winter season was employed in going from house to house making shoes for the different families in the neighborhood. He continued to perform the duties devolving upon him until the year 1851, when he died from the effects of a stroke or paralysis at the age of eighty-five. Smallwood, son of Daniel New- berry, is still living on the old home place, and, although seventy-one years of age, he is still engaged in tilling the soil. William Lewis Kinner was born August 14, 1759, in Westmoreland Coun- ty, Va. ; his real name was William Lewis, but at the age of six years he was kidnaped while playing near the coast, and carried away by a seaman. He was taught by his new friend, whose name was Kinner, to call himself Will- iam L. Kinner, which name he adopted. He was married to Nancy Benham in 1784, and emigrated to Adams County, Ohio, in 1796; thence to Ross County in 1800; from there to Clermont County, and finally to Brown County on the 23d day of February, 1815. He settled on the farm now owned by Elizabeth Strain, and there lived until his death, which was only a few years later. Richard L. Kinner, son of W. L. Kinner, was born in Highland County, Ohio, December 23, 1805; came With his father in 1815 to Brown County, and has lived in sight of the place where his father first settled ever since. Although in his seventy-seventh year, he has a very correct recollection of the early events of his life. James Hughs, a native of England, settled near Augusta, Ky., but soon left the State and came to Ohio. He married Sarah Cochran in 1819, and in 1823 purchased the farm on which William Hancock now lives, near the Pleasant Hill Schoolhouse, and there resided until his death in 1856. William Hughs, son of James Hughs, born in 1822, came with his father, and has Jived in the township ever since; now lives on his farm near where his father died. PIKE TOWNSHIP - 561 James D. Higgins was among the earlier settlers, having come to the township in 1818. He taught a school the first year he was here on the Allen farm- He was a native of North Carolina, and was married in 1822 to Nancy Fiscus. He settled on the farm now the property of Elizabeth Strain; died in 1837, and his remains were interred in the old Allen Graveyard, on the land now owned by Charlotte Carr. Nancy survived him many years, and died in 1877. They had nine children— Robert, Mary, Dow, Sarah, William, Andrew, Nancy, John and James, all of whom are still living, five being residents of the township. James Allen was born October 20, 1806, in Pennsylvania; was married in 1827; came to this township in 1837, and settled on the farm which is now the property of his son Jerome. He served for sixteen years as Justice of the Peace; died on his farm in 1858, and was buried in the Hendrickson grounds in Scott Township. The children of James were Milton, Martha, Robert, one child which died in infancy and Jerome. John Allen, Jr., lived in the township several years from 1830; settled on the land now the property or Robert Boyd (part of the Blair farm) Nicholas Allen was a resident in 1R46, and occupied the property now owned by James Blair. Smith J. Cowdrey, a native of Connecticut, was among the first settlers in the northwestern part of the township. He was born in 1785; went from his native State to New York; thence to Indiana; from there to Kentucky, where he was married in 1817 to Mary Brush (originally Beatty), and during the same year came to Pike Township, and settled on the farm now owned by Matthew Dyer.- He lived in the township most of the time thereafter until his death; he died in 1860 at the age of seventy-five, and he was taken to his final resting-place near New Harmony. Although twenty-two years have elapsed since Mr. Cowdrey's death, his wife is still living among her children here; she is now in her ninety-second year, but has a vigorous mind and good recollection of early events. Her first rememberance of Ohio was when she was but four years old, living with her uncle, Gen. Lytle, where Williamsburg now stands, in Clermont County. In the year 1795, one Snider killed an Indian belonging to one of the neighboring tribes. The red men sought revenge, and came to the settlement, which stood on the present town plat of Williamsburg, and made known their intentions to have the scalp of the pale face who did the deed or spare none; but Lytle, fully awake to the value of strategy, so common to frontier life, gave them a feast of good things, many presents, and promised that the life of the offender should pay the forfeit, which quieted the savages, and they returned to their wigwams without further hostile demonstrations. William, James, Clara (now Brooks), Joseph, Achsah, Mary and Olive are the children of. Smith and Mary Cowdrey; the first three are residents. The third and fourth generations being very numerous, give them a large posterity among us- Daniel Kain is reputed to have been the first white man who settled in the western part of the township, none of whose posterity are here to narrate anything interesting concerning him and his pioneer home, only that he was a settler on the land now in possession of W. H. Holmes, adjoining New Harmony, and came here about 1811 or 1812. Ramus Raper lived also on part of the Kain land during the first settlements. Thomas E. McLain came here as early as 1834, and purchased the land now belonging to David Wilson in the northern part of the township. He was born in the county on the old homestead in Sterling Township, which is now the property of his brother, Archibald, and was married in 183-3 to Mary 562 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. A. Hiles; he lived on the farm which he purchased here until his death, which occurred in 1863. William P. Taylor, a native of Ireland, was born in 1808; came to Pike Township in 1845, and settled on the farm now owned by Daniel Long, after which he purchased the farm now owned by John Day. He was a cooper and manufacturer of chair stuff in connection with farming. He died in 1855 at his last-mentioned home, and was laid to rest in the burial-grounds at New Harmony. There were four sons and two daughters-Robert, John, James, William, Mary and Sarah. Robert only is a present resident, In 1845, Reuben Wilson, Sr., came, and purchased a farm and built a house thereon in the midst of the thick forest. The house which he built is now the home of Elizabeth Buchanan. He was a native of Vermont; was born in 1795, and lived in the township until 1848, in which year he died of the cholera. Huchins Allen was an early settler, locating on the land now owned by Andrew Higgins. Samuel Wardlow was one of the early settlers in the eastern part of the township, when all the modes of egress and ingress were to follow blazed roads through the woods for miles. He, like most of the other pioneers, lives no more to watch the march of civilization and improvement. Jonathan Church came to his present farm as early as 1840. Isaac Penny was among the early settlers, and was the first person who lived on the farm where Lafayette now lives. He has been dead several years. David H. Carpenter, born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1816, settled on the farm on which he now lives in 1847, on the Georgetown & Mount Orab pike. Daniel Keethler, born in the township August 24, 1812, has always lived here, and now resid6s on his farm in the northern part of the township. He at present keeps his bed, being the victim of a stroke of paralysis. Gideon Lowe, born in 1810 in Clermont County, Ohio, came to this town- ship and located on the farm where he now lives in 1853. James D. Day, born January 11, 1818, on Straight Creek, Brown Co., Ohio, came with his father and setlted in this township in 1824, and has since resided here. By occupation he is a farmer and stone mason. Robert L. Alexander, born in Virginia in 1805, came to his present home in 1850, and has lived here ever since. James Fry, Sr., was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in October, 1806; came from there to Clermont County, Ohio, in 1812, and from thence to Pike Town- ship, locating on his present farm in 1848. Alexander Holten, a native of Virginia, came in 1812, and located on the land now the property of Robert Boyd, where the old orchard used to stand, being part of the old Blair farm. John Brown was the first who settled on the land where Elliot Brown spent the latter part of his life. RELIGIOUS. Tradition gives John Srofe and Joshua Archer the praise of being the first whose voices were heard proclaiming "the glad tidings of great joy" to the hardy pioneers of the eastern part of Pike Township. They held services at private houses along Sterling Creek, and the first house built exclusively for religious exercises was erected on the land now owned by William Hughs, south of his residence and west of the county road. Those who worshiped here were of the New Light persuasion. Peter Shick, Sr., and George Vandament were the pastors in those days. In the western part of the township, services were held at the residences PIKE TOWNSHIP - 563 of John Earhart and others as early as 1824, by Rev. Beck, a Protestant Methodist. Otho Parrell, a minister in the Christian Church, was among the early expounders of the Scriptures; he left the township and moved to Illinois in 1858. In 1827, services were held at the residence of Isaiah Wells, near New Harmony. Hector Sanford was the first preacher in that locality, and a Methodist Protestant in belief. David Hannah and Sanford Evans were among the pioneer preachers in the northwestern part of the township, and the first church built in that section was on the land now belonging to Caroline Long. It was known as the Providence Meeting-House, and was built by the Methodist Episcopal Church organization in 1841. In 1846, a frame church was built in the graveyard by the Methodist Protestant society. Jonathan Flood preached the dedicatory sermon. The members of the original society were Isaiah Wells, Joseph Brower, James Wells, Elias Newberry, Daniel Wells, John Philipps, William Taylor, Smith J. Cowdrey and the wife of each. The Methodist Episcopal society built a frame church in town in 1853, but it has ceased to be used, and the house and lot have been sold. In 1856, the Methodist Protestant society erected the present church building in New Harmony. Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church Society was organized in 1853 by Revs. Bennett and Gossard, and held its meetings first in a cabin which stood near the present residence of Eliza Rush; during the next year, a schoolhouse being built on the present site, the society was permitted to use that and the subsequent building until 1877, when the Shiloh Chapel was erected, and the organization with its paraphernalia moved to a more spacious and lasting home. Shiloh Chapel was built at a cost of $1,400, Joseph Doughty having the contract. The dedication services were conducted by Rev. Boyer, and were held in November of the same year in which the house was built. The only pioneer members still connected with the society are Elizabeth J. Donley and Sarah Stuart (now Ogden), the rest having either withdrawn, moved away or died- The ministers who have had charge of the flock at this point are Revs. Wheat, Wolf, Philipps, Morrow, Middleton, Bodkin, Zink, Schultz, Green, Jackson, Armstrong, James, Head, Calhoon, Stokes, Callender, Goudey, Boltin, Nine, Gregg, Smith, Euel, Boyer, Eastman, Ross, McColm, McLaughlan, Edmondson and Fee. SCHOOLS. The first school taught in the township was by James Higgins in 1818, on the farm of Jerome W. Allen (present possessor), between where his residence stands and Sterling Creek. The pupils of that school were Sanford Allen, Rhoda Allen, Malinda Allen (children of John), Nancy, Andrew and Thomas Fiscus (children of John Fiscus), Mary and Rhoda Brown (daughters of Vincent), William and Louis Keethler (sons of Joseph)- The next was taught in a schoolhouse on the same farm, north of his residence, in 1820; the next in a cabin on the land now belonging to Robert Higgins, in the field opposite the residence of Chambers Brown, in 1821. The wages in those days were from $5 to $10 per month, paid by the Patrons. The first school taught in the vicinity of Locust Ridge was kept in a vacant cabin on the Jasper Shotwell farm by John Dooly; the first building erected exclusively for school purposes was on the farm of Theodore Knabe. Subsequent to that was a frame building on the old site, opposite the present 564 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. one; afterward two brick buildings were erected on the same grounds at different times, and when in time it became necessary to change to a new site, on account of the unfitness of the old one, the present building was erected south of the old one on the land purchased of Adam Earhart. In 1834, Thomas Anderson taught a school in a house which stood on the land where Robert Taylor now lives, back from the road in what was then a hazel thicket. This seems to have been the first school taught in the New Harmony District. Subsequent to this, school was kept in the old Providence Church, and in 1842 a log building was erected on a site purchased off the Bolar farm near the residence of Daniel Wells. In 1865, a frame building was erected on the same site, and in 1881 a lot was purchased in town, and the present building erected. Cade McGouldric was the first who taught in the Shiloh District. The session was held in an old log schoolhouse which stood on the land now owned by James W. Donley, in the year 1846- In 1853, J. W. Donley deeded to the district a site off the southeast corner of his land, to be held as long as it is used for schoolhouse lot, and the second building was erected thereon, and in 1866 the present house was built on the same ground. The first school building in the district, known as Areopagus, stood on the land belonging to the heirs of Martin Bavis, a few rods east of where the present house stands; the building, like the rest of those built in pioneers days, was a log structure. Fairview District originally used a log building, which stood south of the present one, near Shawnee Run. The first School Board in the township met April 18, 1853, at the Pleasant Hill Schoolhouse. Elliott Brown was elected Chairman, and William Neff, Clerk. The other members were Nelson Applegate, John B. Stump, Gideon Lowe, William Sammons, James W. Donley and James M. Winter. The resident teachers of the township are Joseph Young, Absalom B. Brooks, Nannie Donley, V. B. Young, Rufus Johnson, Harvey Hoss and Charles C. Donley. SECRET SOCIETIES. Lodge No.618, I. O. O. F-, at Locust Ridge, was established August 5, 1875, The Noble Grand who first presided was John W. McMahan; charter members, J. W. McMahan, Samuel S. Brooks, Samuel J. Meeker, Charles M. Zollers, Dr. W. H. Langstaff, William H. Jones, H. Campbell, Benjamin F. Applegate, Charles Ousler, Edward Duncanson, Absalom B. Brooks and William S. Emmons. Lodge rooms in second story over Jones & Vaughn's store. New Harmony Lodge No. 435, F. & A. M., was established October 20, 1869, in the town of New Harmony, H. S- Reynolds, First Master; charter members, H. S. Reynolds, G. Patton, D. C. Wells, James W. Winter, J. E. Winter, D. Wilson, L. T. Mattox, W. A. Colthar, William Sammons, L. T. Ear- hart, W. T- Winter. Lodge room second story over Louis Thompson's store. Pike Grange, No. 448, was organized in 1874, First Master, Robert Duncanson. The charter members were Robert Duncanson, Sylvanus and Ellen Patten, William and Levanche Chatterton, Clay and Ellen Patton, Newton and Marinda Jacobs, James and Lorinda Cowdrey, Alexander and Martha Henning, Shannon and Nancy Alexander, John and Alonzo Colthar, William Ogden, William Mayer, George Earhart and David Wilson. Sessions are held in the school building in Subdistrict No. 5. POST OFFICES. Pike Township contains four post offices. New Harmony, the oldest, was established in 1850. Mails were carried from Williamsburg, in Clermont County, to this place. The first Postmaster was Delos Laughlin, and in 1856 PIKE TOWNSHIP - 565 the route was extended through Locust Ridge and Clover Valley to New Hope, Locust Ridge being the second in order established, and H. H. Jones being the first Postmaster at that place- The other two points, one in Clark, the other in Scott Township, did not long continue on the route, after which Locust Ridge became the terminus until 1874, when the route was again extended to Surryville, William Surry being the first Postmaster at that point. White Oak, on the Cincinnati & Eastern Railway, was the fourth and last, established in 1878, in the extreme northeastern part of the township, George Dunn having charge thereof. ‘Originally the route to Locust Ridge from Williamsburg had only a weekly mail, then in time two mails, on Tuesdays and Fridays, and in 1880 changed to three mails each week-Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. White Oak has a daily mail. New Harmony Cemetery contained originally one acre, deeded in 1845 to the Protestant Church, and one-half an acre was added in 1866. This continued in the possession of the church until 1880, when it was deeded to the Trustees of the township, who purchased two acres more, making three and one-half acres. The first who was laid to rest here was a small child of James Wells, in 1832. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE The docket of John Allen (Uncle Jack) is the earliest record preserved relative to the office of Justice of the Peace. On this docket are transcripts (in 1824) of cases from the dockets of Francis Meyers and William White, late Justices, showing that Meyers and White, if they are of the township, were the earliest we have any exact account of in this capacity. On Allen's docket • is a transcript from the docket of James D. Higgins in 1828, showing him to have been in office prior to that time- Allen held the office for several terms, probably until 1838. Nicholas Srofe held the office from 1838 to 1844; Samuel Wardlow, from 1842 to 1848; William Thompson, from 1842 to 1845; James Allen, from 1843 to 1858; Adam Earhart, from 1845 to 1851; John B. Stump, from 1851 to 1860; Jared E. Winter, from 1854 to 1857; F. B. Goll, from 1858 to 1861; V. C. Brown, from 1858 to 1861; Vincent Applegate, six years, dates not of record; also Isaac Dean, whose record we have not; James L. Irvin, from 1861 to 1866; Abraham Boler, from 1861 to 1864; Thomas E. McLain, from 1862 part of term, died in office; J. E. Derril, from 1867 to 1870; Henry H- Jones, from 1864 to 1879; Robert A. Higgins, from 1870 to 1879; F- S. Stevens, from 1879 to 1882. V. C. Brown, elected in 1879, one of the present Justices; Absalom B. Brooks, elected in 1882, one of the present Justices. SOLDIERS OF THE LATE WAR. During the civil war which agitated our nation from 1861 to 1865, our citizens responded to the calls of the Government promptly, leaving their homes in squads, hastening to the scene of action until the last year of the rebellion, when there were less than half a dozen men subject to military duty remaining on their farms. Their wives and children had to take their places on the farms, feeling that the cause for which the husband and father fought was as sacred as their homes. The hard-fought battles of Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Stone River, Murfreesboro, Vicksburg, the siege of Corinth, Chickamauga, Franklin and Nashville and many others found them contending with the foe, and protecting the tattered banners which represented the principles for which our Revolutionary fathers had pledged their lives, their property and their sacred honor- Andersonville, Belle Isle, Camp Ford and other prison pens of the South were not without the presence of some of our brave and true. Sherman was not without some of them in his famous " march to the sea." And when the contest was over, and the returning braves came marching home, 566 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. comrades there were who with them went, but homeward with them never came. They had sealed the pledge of eternal fidelity by sacrificing their lives to pro- tect their country's honor. Jordan Brooks, private, Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served nine months. Abel Frazee, Fourth Independent Company, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, private; served two years and nine months. Warren Carr, Company I, Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; served three months; also Company A, Fifth Ohio Veteran Volunteer service, two years and ten months. Timothy Srofe, Fourth Independent Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, private; time of service, nine months. William H. Russell, Fourth Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; served nine months. Benjamin G. Kimball, Company A, Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served eight months; discharged for disability. Benjamin F. Young, private, Company G, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; served three years. Charles M. Pask, private, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; discharged for disability—palpitation of the heart. Allen Thompson, private, Fourth Independent Company Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; time of service, nine months. Capt. William H. Langstaff, commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company —, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Septem- ber 1, 1864, by John Brough, Governor of Ohio; October 10, 1864, commissioned First Lieutenant of Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and on June 1, 1865, by request of his company, and meritorious conduct at the battle of Franklin and during the Hood campaign, was promoted to Captain of his company. Robert H. Duncanson, private, Company A, One Hundred and Seventy- fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time of service, nine months. Frederic S. Stevens, private in Company E, Twenty-second Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, served four months; also Company I, Forty-eighth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry three years, and was veteranized; was a prisoner six months and fifteen days at Camp Ford, Tex.; rank, Sergeant. John M. Colthar, private, Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; time of service, one year- James Srofe, private, Company D, Seventieth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry; time of service, three years and seven months. George Wilson, a private in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time of service, nine months. William F. Rush, Company G, Twenty-ninth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry; served eight months and six days; rank, private. Andrew F. Higgins, a private in Fourth Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; served one year. James Liming, Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served nine months; a private. John C. Kimball, rank, Corporal, Company A, Sixty-first Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, served three years and three and one-half months. Thomas B. Young, Company H, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; time of service, one year and seven months; a private. Noah Kinner, private, Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunther Infantry; served nine months. Otho P. Stephenson, Second Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, private, Company 31; time of service, three years and Sour months. PIKE TOWNSHIP - 569 Alexander Fox, private, Company A, Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served three years and six months. Charles W. Hancock, Company B, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served three months; and Company L, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; eighteen months, a private; also One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio National Guards, 100 days; Corporal. Byard H. Church, Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; time of service, three years and four months; private. James F. Church, private, Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; served three years and four months. George W. Church, Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; private; time of service, three years and four months. Leondus Morue Church, private, Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; served three years and four months. Jonathan Church, private, Company 1, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; served three years and four months. William H. Moyer, Company F, Seventh Ohio National Guards; served 100 days; rank, a private. Also Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time of service, nine months; rank, Sergeant. Lafayette Penny, Company E, Eleventh Independent Volunteer Infantry; rank, a private; served three years; lost a limb in a skirmish at New Middleton, Tenn. Granville Patten, Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served six months, and regiment consolidated with Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he seved six months; whole time, one year; private. Sylvanus A. Patten, Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time, one year; last six months served in Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. George W. Richards, Company H, Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; veteranized; time of service, three years and ten months; high private. Henry Carter, private, Company G. One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment; served eight months Thomas F. Young, private, Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time of service, ten months. John Robins, Company G, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; a private; served three years, and was a prisoner six months at Camp Ford, Tex. Perry Hoss, Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; a private; was a prisoner at Cohawba and Selma, Ala., three and one- half months; time of service, ten months. Orange D. Louderback, Company D, Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; private; served three years three and one-half months; also in the United States service, Company I, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time, three months. Jacob Wardlow, Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time, ten months; rank. a private. Enoch A. Wisby, Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; a private; served one year and three months Henry H. Jones, Company E, One Hundred and Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry; nine months.; was Assistant Commissary. Lieut- Levett T. Earhart, Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; enlisted as a private. and was regularly promoted for good conduct to the rank of First Lieutenant; entire time of service, three years and five mouths. Benjamin Earhart, Company A. Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; time of service, three years; rank, a private. Andrew Fry, Company K, One Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio National 570 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Guards; 100 days; also Company E, Fortieth Ohio National Guards, two years; a private. William Augustus Day, Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served nine months; a private. Martin V. Bavis, Company B, Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time of service, ten months; rank, a private. Francis M. Alexander, Fifth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry; sixteen months; a private. Isaac Penny, Jr., Company H, Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer infantry; private; died in the hospital at Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 16, 1863. O. P. Straight, Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; rank, Sergeant; was a prisoner on Belle Isle, Va., in 1862; served three years. Frank M. Straight, Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; private; was wounded at Coffeeville, Miss.; served three years. Charles L. Straight, Company F, Merrill's Cavalry; served one year; rank, a private. Elijah McGohan, Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; private; served ten months. William R. Chatterton, Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; 100 days; rank, a private. William Hancock, Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; rank, private; served ten months. John Hancock, Company F, Merrill's Cavalry; served one year; rank, a private. Henry J. Hancock, Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; a private; time of service, ten months. Jeremiah Stuart. Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time of service, three years; rank, a private. David Hancock, Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; rank, a private; time of service, ten months, Taylor Montgomery, Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; private; was a prisoner, taken in a skirmish near Columbia, Tenn. Henry J. Long, Corporal, Company I, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time, one year; also Company A, Thirty-fourth Zouave Ohio Volunteer Infantry; eighteen months; was a prisoner at Andersonville almost a year. James B. Coudrey, Company B, Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; ten months; a private. Samuel Davidson, Company Gr, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; private; time of service, eight months. Calvin Meeker, Company D, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; a private; time of service, two years and ten months; was a prisoner at Andersonville two months. David Wilson, Company B, Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served ten months; a private. James W. Donley, Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; private under Capt. Johnson; time of service, ten months. John Neal, Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; private under Capt. Johnson; served ten months. Reuben Wilson, Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; private under Capt. Langstaff; .served ten months. Alexander E. Henning, Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; a private under Capt. Langstaff; served ten months. Vincent C. Brown, member of Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; rank, private; time of service, six months. PIKE TOWNSHIP - 571 Harvy Kennett, Companies I and K, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; private; time of service, four years and seven months. Alonzo Earhart, member of Fourth Independent Cavalry under Capt. Foster; rank, private; time one year; also Company G, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; a private, and served one year. Smith Long, a private in Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; one year. John Higgins, Company K, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time, one year. Erasmus Boyd, a private, Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; served one year. David E. White, a Sergeant in Company K, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Capt. Sloan; served three years; also was a Sergeant in Company C, Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time of service, one year and two months. James L. Irvin, private in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served thirteen months. Louis Windsor, private in Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry; served five years. Smith Newberry, Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; time of service, five years. William Evans, a private in Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served three years. Henry Wells, Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; rank, a private; enlisted for three years, but died in the service John Fry, Company G, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; a private; out eight months. William T. Winter, Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; regiment consolidated into the Eighty-third; served one year; rank, a private. Abram Winter, Company B, Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; enlisted for three years; died in hospital at Carthage, Tenn., before the completion of the first year's service. Steven Winter, Company B, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was killed at the battle of Shiloh; rank, a private; enlisted for three years. John Winter, private, record not known. John Tatman, One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio National Guard; private; 100 days. Robert Fry, Company E, Fortieth Ohio National Guards; time, two years; a private. James Higgins was a member of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; rank, a private; served three years. William Thompson, Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; rank, a private; served ten months. Andrew J. Thompson, Fourth Independent Cavalry under Capt. Forster; rank, a private; prisoner at Andersonville nine months; served three years. Andrew was the only person present when Gen. McPherson was killed at the battle in front of Atlanta. He (Thompson) was captured here. He is now and has been for nine years Superintendent of the Brown County Infirmary. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. The following is a list of the officers of the township since 1840, which is as far back as the records have been preserved: 1840--Trustees, Samuel Wardlow and Vincent Brown; Clerk, Abram Fiscus; Treasurer, Aaron E. Day. 572 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. 1841—Trustees, Daniel White, Samuel Jones, Adam Earhart; Clerk, Nicholas Pedicord; Treasurer, John Allen. 1842--Trustees, Elijah Wiiater, Daniel White, Luman Kimberly; Clerk, Nicholas Pedicord; Assessor, James Allen; Treasurer, John Allen. 1843--Trustees, Aaron E. Day, Isaac Thompson, Louis Vance; Clerk, John Fiscus; Assessor, James Allen; Treasurer, John Allen. 1844—Trustees, David Brannen, James Allen, Samuel Jones; Clerk, Aaron Day; Assessor, Felix Thompson; Treasurer, John Allen. 1845—Trustees, Samuel Wardlow, James Stills, William Taylor; Clerk, Robert Higgins; Assessor, Thomas E- Brown; Treasurer, Daniel Keethler. 1846—Trustees, William Taylor, David Brannon, James Brown; Clerk, T. B. Mahan; Assessor, Felix Thompson; Treasurer, Daniel Keethler. 1847—Trustees, James Brown, David Brannen, James Winter; Clerk, Robert Higgins; Assessor, Felix Thompson; Treasurer, John Allen. 1848—Trustees, James Allen, James Winter, John Stump; Clerk, James Day; Assessor, Robert Higgins; Treasurer, John Allen. 1849--Trustees, James Allen, William Thompson, John Stump; Clerk, Jarnea Day; Assessor, Robert Higgins; Treasurer, Hiram Day. 1850—Trustees, John Stump, Daniel Keethler, William Thompson; Clerk, William Whorton; Assessor, John Allen; Treasurer, Hiram Day. 1851—Trustees--James Allen, N. P. Applegate, James Brown; Clerk, William Neff; Assessor, Robert Higgins; Treasurer, Thomas Brown. 1852--Trustees, N. P. Applegate, James Allen, James Brown; Clerk, Delos Laughlin; Assessor, Adam Earhart; Treasurer, Thomas E. Brown- 1853-Trustees, N. P. Applegate, James Allen, James Brown; Clerk, William Neff; Assessor, Robert Higgins; Treasurer, Thomas E. Brown. 1854—Trustees, James Brown, William Thompson, John Thompson; Clerk, Milton Allen; Assessor, Robert Higgins; Treasurer, Thomas Brown. 1855—Trustees, John Thompson, Thomas E. McLain, Vincent Robins; Clerk, William Sammons; Assessor, John Lawson; Treasurer, Adam Earbart. 1856—Trustees, Thomas McLain, Vincent Robins, John Moyer; Clerk, Henry Jones; Assessor, Adam Earhart. 1857—Trustees, John Moyer, Vincent Robins, John Moyer; Clerk, Cham- bers Brown; Assessor, Thomas E. Brown; Treasurer, James Allen. 1858—Trustees, John Moyer, Alexander Thompson, Sanford Stratton; Clerk, Henry Jones; Assessor, Jarred Winter; Treasurer, James Allen- 1859—Trustees, Sanford Stratton, Alexander Thompson, Granville Patten; Clerk, Henry Jones; Assessor, Willliam B. Cowdrey; Treasurer, Adam Ear- hart. 1860—Trustees, Granville Patten, Alexander Thompson, Sanford Strat- ton; Clerk, Henry Jones; Assessor, Chambers Brown; Treasurer, Adam Earhart. 1861—Trustees, Granville Patten, Daniel Keethler, John Moyer; Clerk, Henry H. Jones; Assessor, Alexander Thompson; Treasurer, Thomas McLain. 1862—Trustees, James L. Irwin, Granville Patten, John Moyer; Clerk, John R. C. Brown; Assessor, C. W. Dougherty; Treasurer, Daniel Keethler. 1863—Trustees. Alexander Thompson, Sanford Stratton, S. Wardlow; Clerk, H. H. Jones; Treasurer, Daniel Keethler; Assesssor, J. B. Langstaff. 1864—Trustees, S. Stratton, J. E. Winter, Ira B, Dunn; Clerk, V. C. Brown; Treasurer, D. Keethler; Assessor, Alexander Thompson. 1865—Trustees, S. Stratton, J. E. Winter, I. B. Dunn; Clerk, Raphael Sapp; Treasurer, D. Keethler; Assessor, Alexander Thompson- 1866—Trustees, S. Wardlow, H. Carter, A. Jacobs; Clerk, V- C. Brown; Treasurer, D. Keethler; Assessor, A. F. Higgins. PIKE TOWNSHIP - 573 1867—Trustees, I. B. Dunn, Alfred Jacobs, Henry Carter; Clerk, V. C. Brown; Treasurer, Gideon Lowe; Assessor, Alexander Thompson. 1868—Trustees, A. Jacobs, I. B. Dunn, Elmore Dean; Clerk, V. C. Brown; Treasurer, G. Lowe; Assessor, Alexander Thompson. 1869—Trustees, John B. Lang-staff, Elmore Dean, Perry Hoss; Clerk, V. C. Brown; Treasurer, Hiram S. Day; Assessor, Henry Jones. 1870- Trustees, William B. Cowdrey, Elmore Dean, Robert A. Brown; Clerk, Albert M. Day; Treasurer, Gideon Lowe; Assessor, Albert N. Brown. 1871—Trustees, Robert A. Brown, William B. Cowdrey, Hiram S. Day; Clerk, Albert M. Day; Treasurer, Daniel Keethler; Assessor, J. E. Winter. 1872—Trustees, David Wilson, J. Wardlow, J. E. Winter; Clerk, Jerome W. Allen; Treasurer, Daniel Keethler; Assessor, Albert Brown. 1873—Records do not show for this year who were the officers. 1874—Trustees, G. M. Blair, J. E. Winter, John M. Colthar; Clerk, Albert M. Day; Treasurer, Perry T. Dunn; Assessor, Samuel Blair. 1875—Trusteee, George M. Blair, George Wilson, John Sidwell; Clerk, Albert M. Day; Treasurer, Perry T. Dunn; Assessor, Samuel Blair. 1876—Records do not show. 1877—Trustees, Robert A. Brown, J. E. Winter, Elijah McGohan; Clerk, Albert M. Day; Treasurer, Perry T. Dunn; Assessor, J. M. Dyer. 1878—Trustees, Elijah McGohan, Elias Bolander, J. E. Winter; Clerk, Albert M. Day; Treasurer, David B. Trout; Assessor, J. M. Dyer. 1879—Trustees, Elias Bolander, George Wilson, Elmore Dean; Clerk, Albert M. Day; Treasurer, David B. Trout; Assessor, Robert Werner. 1880—Trustees, Elmore Dean, G. M. Blair (Thomas Young appointed; Blair resigned), George Wilson; Clerk, Christopher C. Day; Treasurer, Granville Patten; Assessor, William C. Hancock. 1881—Trustees, George Wilson, Elmore Dean, John Sidwell; Clerk, Christopher Day; Treasurer, Frederick Bauer; Assessor, Isaac N. Jacobs. 1882—Present officials: Trustees, G. Wilson, John Sidwell, William Rogers; Clerk, Christopher C. Day; Treasurer, Frederic Bauer; Assessor, Isaac N. Jacobs. 574 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. CHAPTER IX. EAGLE TOWNSHIP BY E. B. STIVERS. EAGLE is one of the original townships of Brown County, and was formed from territory stricken off from Adams County upon the erection of Brown, in 1817. From the date of its organization until the year 1823, most of the territory now within the boundaries of Jackson Township belonged to Eagle. The present outline of this township is nearly that of a square, and its geograph- ical location is in the extreme northeast corner of the county. It is bounded on the north by a portion of the east and west line separating Highland County from Brown, while on the east it is limited by a part of the dividing line between Adams and Brown. On the south, it borders on Jackson Township, and on the west it is limited by Washington. The surface is level in the west, and undulating in the north and south, the only hill land bordering the course of Brush Creek through the township. The soil is generally productive, being, for the greater portion, limestone land, and well adapted to the production of wheat and corn. The flat land in the western part of the township is mostly a compact white clay soil, rich in all the elements of vegetable growth, except organic matter, which is characteristic of the localities known as the black maple swamps. These white clay lands, under their present culture, are not abundantly productive, but will some day, under wise culture, become the most valuable lands of the township. The township was formerly covered with a dense growth of timber, which differed in kind and quality in the two districts above mentioned. The forest trees of the flat lands are mostly white maple, beech, several species of the oak., elm and hickory, with a dense undergrowth of hazel-brush and grape- vines. This locality is especially noted for a species of wild grapes, called the "Fox grape," from its peculiar odor. The timber of the upland is white oak, black maple, ash, black walnut and some poplar, scattered among which are the smaller growths, dogwood, mulberry and redwood. The distinct geological formation is the Cincinnati group, the predominant one of the county, the very summit of which series is attained in the north- eastern portion of Eagle Township. The agricultural products of Eagle are the chief sources of wealth of the people. The principal grains are wheat, corn and oats. Tobacco, within the last five years, has become a favorite crop with quite a number of farmers, and the quality as well as the quantity of the yield is not discouraging to those who properly cultivate and handle the crop. A few individuals are engaged in stock-raising and trading in a general way, but the greater portion of the inhabitants depend upon the products of the soil for a livelihood. The township is well drained by Brush Creek and its tributaries, with the exception, perhaps, of a part of the western portion; but those lands are now being tiled and drained by artificial means, which is enhancing their value a great deal. The political complexion of the township is and always has been Democratic. With 1,250 inhabitants, Eagle has a voting population of 300, 128 of whom are Republicans, and the remainder Democrats. Twenty-seven of the Republican voters are colored. EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 575 Most of the heads of families are descendants of the first settlers who began to locate here about 1805. They, as a class, are sober and industrious persons, after whom the rising generation may well example. Besides the throe church organizations supported in the village of Fincastle, there are some four or five others located at different points of the township. Several large Sabbath schools are sustained at many of the schoolhouses by energetic Christian persons, and which have a vast influence for good among the people. The educational advantages of the township are such as are furnished by the common school only, yet they compare favorably, we believe, with the schools of like character throughout the county New houses have been lately built, and generally furnished with modern improvements in school furniture, and the people are awakening to the importance of devoting more time and money to the advancement of the public schools. Although none of the noble sons of Eagle have enrolled their names alongside of 'those emblazoned on the immortal pages of history, yet several have attained a degree of eminence far above the mediocre. They are not wanting in patriotic principles, as has more than once been shown when the country demanded their services- In the war of 1812, the war with Mexico, and in the late rebellion, Eagle had her representatives. In the latter war, more than two-thirds of her voting population enlisted in the cause. Scarcely a family was there that did not send a father or a son to the front, many of whom now sleep beneath Southern skies. EARLY SETTLERS. Among the first families that settled in Eagle Township was that of -- Livingston, who settled on the farm now resided upon by William Rhoten. Here also lived the Darling family. In 1806, William Laycock located here and built a cabin near the spring west of the road. This was the only house on the road at that time between New Market and Ripley, excepting the "old Gardner residence," in what is now Jefferson Township. Laycock, shortly after his coming, built a still-house in the woods directly east of Rhoten's present residence, and dug a ditch from the spring at the house to the still, which furnished him with an ample supply of pure water. Here Capt. Abraham Shepherd halted and refreshed his men with Laycock's brandy, while on the march to Sandusky and Detroit in 1812. Jonas Sams came from Westmoreland County, Penn., to Kentucky, and thence to Ohio in 1803. Two years later, he settled on the head-waters of Brush Creek, in Eagle Township, on lauds now owned by Milton Scott. Sams was an old hunter and Indian fighter, an expert woodsman, thoroughly familiar with frontier life. He was with Col. Crawford at his defeat and capture near the Wyandot village in 1782, and experienced the horrors of that fearful retreat. He says, in an account of that disastrous undertaking, that he and his brother, Jonathan Sams, joined Crawford's men at the Mingo Bottoms, and that, after the defeat of Crawford, he and seven others started for the fort at Wheeling, but that, after a perilous journey of ten days, four of which they were closely pursued by Indians only he and two of his companions arrived at the point of destination, the others having been killed by their pursuers. The same paper gives the date of his birth as November 18, 1756. Of his own family, one son, Nehemiah Sams, now in his ninetieth year, is still living. In 1807, Robert Breckenridge, who had previously purchased 1,000 acres of land on the waters of the West Fork of Brush Creek, removed from Bourbon County, Ky., and built a house on said land, near the late residence of James Wilson. Breckenridge was of Irish descent, and was born in Virginia. He was one of the few who took an active part in the early history of Eagle 576 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. Township, and he was no less active in the affairs of the county. In 1823, he was one of the Board of Commissioners that contracted for the building of the first court house at Georgetown. He was also for several years one of the Associate Judges of this county. His wife's maiden name was Mary Wright, and they had born to them thirteen children—Alexander, Samuel, William, James, Mary (Mrs. Kincaid, still living), Merrill, Rodney, Lucinda, Eliza, Salina, Margaret, Preston and Anna. John C., a grandson of Robert Breckenridge, resides on a portion of the land formerly owned by him. The Coulter family settled on the head-waters of the West Fork of Brush Creek about 1809. William Coulter and wife first came. They were of Scotch descent, and emigrated from Pennsylvania to this county. Coulter was a powder-maker by trade, and was quite a welcome comer to the Brush Creek settlement. He was one among those from Eagle Township that served in the war of 1812. Shortly after the war, his father, James Coulter, came to his son's new home, and built a cabin a short distance from his residence, in which he lived alone and taught school for several years. He had several hundred dollars in silver, which he buried semewhere near his home before his death, and which has caused many stones to be turned and holes dug, but as yet " Coulter's piggin of silver" is safe. He had a son, John Coulter, that served in the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1803-04. John Baker, also a Pennsylvanian, located on the farm owned at present by his son George in the year 1807. The first settler in the Baker neighborhood was Adam Erwin. He located on the farm adjoining the Baker land on the north in 1804. Erwin built a still-house on the branch near his house, which was in operation as late as 1834. In this neighborhood resided the Records family. Spencer Records, a man of moderate education and considerable genius, built the first water-mill in the township.. The Records family were Irish by birth, and came to Eagle Township in 1807. Abraham Edgington, the first Justice of the Peace for Eagle Township after the erection of Jackson from its territory, lived at that time on the farm now owned by John Stanforth. He located there about 1810 or 1812. Benjamin Gutiridge settled on land near Edgington's in 1814. He came from Kentucky. The Alexanders came to Brush Creek in 1811. There were two brothers, John and Andrew, with their families. They came from near Stanton, Augusta Co., Va. They have numerous descendants now living in and about Fincastle. Andrew Alexander, son of John Alexander, is the oldest man living in Eagle Township. In speaking of early days in Eagle, he said: " My father, John Alexander, came here in 1811. The following year, we moved on the farm now owned by William Burns. We had for neighbors Breckenridge on the east, Cowans, Hughes and Millers, on the creek below us, but none on the west. That year, McColister was teaching in an old log cabin on the branch running through the farm now owned by J. R. Carey, and he dismissed his school and volunteered in the war. There were a plenty of deer, wild turkeys and other game in this region then, and north of where we lived were favorite hunting-grounds, where my uncle, Andrew, Jonas Sams, the Reynolds boys and Neal Washburne have spent many days." Of the early settlers he said: " Old man Murphy lived then on the Vance farm, afterward on the Widow Cross farm, and he shortly sold to Jacob Marquis, who started a tannery there. Jeremiah Fenton lived on the Fenton farm. The others that I now recollect, and who resided near here, were John Cross, Joseph Edgington, Abraham Edgington, Thomas Heatherly, the Ramseys and John McCanlas," and the others who have been previously named. EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 579 Isaac Carey built a house near where J. R.. Carey resides, in 1817. He came with his father's family to near Emeral, Adams County, in 1801. He served with his brothers, John and William, in the war of 1812, and, after his return, worked at the old furnaces in Adams County. In 1818, he married Miss Catharine Eyler, and immediately moved in his new home, before named, where he resided until his death, in April, 1866. Isaac Carey was a man of some note in official circles of the township and county. He was elected Jus- tice of the Peace of Eagle Township in 1834, which position he filled for six years; afterward served as one of the Associate Judges of the county until the new Constitution abolished the office and created a Probate Judge instead_ Of his family, one son, Dr. S. E. Carey, rose to considerable distinction as a man of business and learning. He graduated in the Ohio Medical College in 1844, and afterward became one of its Professors. He afterward helped to found a medical college at Indianapolis, Ind., of which he was some time one of the faculty. He always took an active part in home enterprises, and was one of the leading men in getting the C. & E. R. R. through this county. John Bradley came to Eagle Township with his father about 1814. Mr. Bradley has seen much of the early history of the township. He resided on his father's farm, known as the Bradley residence, until within a few years, when he located in Winchester, Adams County, where he yet resides. He built the first house in Fincastle for John Frierun, and was instrumental in organizing the Methodist Church at that place. He says he cast one of the four votes polled in Eagle Township for John Quincy Adams for President in 182,8. His parents came from Lancaster County, Penn., to Ohio in 1808. Among those that located in the township from 1812 to 1820, inclusive, may be mentioned William Lurgey, Robison Spears, Samuel Masters, Abijah Moore, the Kettermans, William Denney, John Burris and John Rice. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. No very reliable information can be had concerning the early officers of the township. Probably most of the names of the early Justices of the Peace are given below, but as to the exact date of election and the term served, we can get nothing very satisfactory. At the time of the division of Eagle Township, Stephen Reynold and James Kindle were acting as Justices. After the division, in 1823, Abraham Edgington was the first Justice of the Peace. Robert Breckenridge served in the same capacity about this time Among some old papers formerly belonging to Francis Alexander, I found a commission from Allen Trimble, then Gov- ernor of Ohio, to Alexander, empowering him to act as a Justice of the Peace in and for Eagle Township. The date of this commission is the 8th day of June, 1829. In 1834, Isaac Carey was ekected a Justice of the township. Eli Goldsbury and Adams Morrow served in the same capacity following Carey. William Laycock was one of the Justices, probably at the time of Alexander's election. Daniel McLaughlin and Zeb Ketterman, about 1840- Eli Goldsbury, from 1841 to 1845. Robert Dunn, from — to 1855. L. S. Martin, from 1859 to 1871. J. C. Breckenridge, from 1871 to 1880. J. H. Brown, from 1880 to 188–. Adams Morrow, from 1853 to 1856. P- E. Hare, from 1856 to 1871. A R. Skinner, from 1871 to 1877. Nelson Long. from 1877 to 188–. 580 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. 1848—Clerk, John McColgin; Trustees, Jesse Cross, Joseph Heaton, Benjamin Gutridge; Treasurer, Abraham Edgington; Constable, William Bruce. 1849---Clerk, Peter Wamacks; Trustees, James Cowan, Jesse Cross and Benjamin Gutridge; Treasurer, Adams Morrow; Constables, John Hare and Oliver Edgington; Justice of the Peace, Daniel McLaughlin. 1850—Trustees, Jesse Cross, Daniel McLaughlin, James Cowan, Treasurer, Adams Morrow; Constable, William Bruce (appointed); Clerk, P. S. W smacks. 1851—Clerk, P. S. Wamacks; Trustees, Henry Eyler, Daniel McLaughlin, James Cowan; Constable, W. E. Bruce. 1852—Clerk, S. N. Records; Treasurer, Adams Morrow; Constable, Joseph &lie; Trustee, Zebadee Ketterman; Justice of the Peace, Chris Holmes. 1853—Clerk, S. N. Records; Treasurer, Adams Morrow; Trustees, Isaac Carey, William Tomb, Daniel Hare; Assessor, Francis Alexander; Constable, Z. Ketterman. 1854—Clerk, J. H. Bradford; Treasurer, Adams Morrow; Assessor, Daniel McLaughlin; Constable, Wilson Maddox; Trustees, Jesse Cross, Jeremiah Wilson, Daniel Denny. 1855—Clerk, S. S. Cowan; Assessor, Jesse Cross; Trustees, S. N. Recirds, Hugh Miller; Constable, C. N. Page; Justices of the Peace, Adams Morrow, Robert Dunn. 1856-Clerk, James Wilson; Treasurer, J. C. Breckenridge; Assessor, Lilly Stivers; Constables, E. A. Sellmon (Milton Scott, appointed); Trustees, Jesse Cross, Beasley Stivers, J. N. Records. 1857—Clerk, James Wilson; Assessor, Lilley Stivers; Treasurer, John F. Searight; Constable, J. B. Hill. 1858-Clerk, James Wilson; Assessor, Jesse Cross; Treasurer, J. F. Sea- right; Constable, J. B. Hill; Trustees, L. W. Brouse, J. R. Hare, A.. R. Skinner. 1859—Clerk, R. B. McClanahan; Assessor, Jesse Cross; Treasurer, J. F- Searight; Constable, John Demaris; Trustees, Henry Eyler, George Cornelins, Lewis Brouse. 1860—Clerk, Z. B. Winters; Assessor, Lilley Stivers; Treasurer, J. F. Searight; Constable, John Demaris; Trustees, H. Eyler, William Borden, George Cornelius. 1861—Clerk, Z. B. Winters; Assessor, Jesse Cross; Treasurer, William Alexander; Constable, N. P. Long; Trustees, William Borden, J. Reese, G. W. Cornelius. 1862—Clerk, Z. B. Winters; Assessor, Jesse Cross; Treasurer, William Alexander; Constable, John Demaris; Justices of the Peace, Lewis Martin and P. E. Hare. 1863—Clerk, Z. B. Winters; Treasurer, William Alexander; Constable, John Demeris; Trustees, Hugh Miller, W. A. Borden, Henry Eyler. 1864—Clerk, Z. B. Winters; Assessor, John Heaton; Treasurer, Jesse Cross; Constable, D. L. Robbins; Trustees, Kindle Bowen, W. M- Robbins, L. W. Brouse. 1865—Clerk, Z. B. Winters; Treasurer, Jesse Cross; Assessor, John Heaton; Constable, D. L. Robbins; Trustees, G. W. Shaw, J. R. Hare, L. W. Brouse. 1866—Clerk, Z. B. Winters; Treasurer, John Alexander; Assessor, Beasley Stivers; Constable, D. L. Robbins; Trustees, L. W. Brouse, C. C. Eyler, G. W. Shaw. EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 681 EARLY MARRIAGES. September 24, 1819, Jonathan. Sams and Elizabeth Bratten., by Noah Sprenger. Be it remembered that in this day, I the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for Brown County, Ohio, joined Henry Edgington and Margaret Beard, both of Eagle Township, and county aforesaid, in the solemn bonds of matrimony. This the 5th day of August, 1819. STEPHEN REYNOLDS, Justice Of the Peace. April 17, 1820, Robert Kincade and Mary Breckenridge, by Robert Moore, Justice of the Peace. July 2, 1820, John Selmon and Hannah Reynolds, by Robert Moore, Justice of the Peace. January 4, 1819—This day a license is issued to join George Reynolds and Hannah and Middleswart together in the bonds of matrimony according to law. ABRAHAM SHEPHERD, Clerk. September 9, 1819—This day a license issued to join Nehemiah Sams and Sally Bratten together in the bonds of matrimony according to law. MILLS. The early settlers of that portion of Brown (then Adams) County comprised within the present limits of Eagle Township experienced not a little inconvenience from a want of mills suitable for preparing their corn and wheat for food. The old-time hand-mill, with its oddly constructed buhr-stones, was, indeed, quite an improvement, in a labor-saving point of view, over the clumsy pestle and mortar, yet the laboriousness of that process of preparing meal was necessarily very great. There were some three or four of the above-mentioned hand-mills in as many different settlements within the boundaries of this township when Reynolds' mill was put in operation. It was driven by horse power, and was said to be the second of the kind erected within the present limits of Brown County, the other having been built a short time previous at Levanna, on he Ohio River. Joseph Reynolds came to Limestone (Maysville), Ky., from New York State in 1799, and, in the spring of 1800, purchased 1,250 acres of land in what is now Jackson (formerly Eagle) Township, and began clearing out a farm the same season. In 1804-052 having a large family himself, and other settlers having arrived in the vicinity, the hand-mill was found to be inadequate for the grinding of the grain of the settlement, and, after some bother in getting suitable buhrs, the horse-mill was put in operation. This supplied the wants of the people on Red Oak and Eagle Creeks, as well as those of his own immediate neighborhood, then known as the "Yankee Settlement." This mill stood on a slight elevation, a few rods east of the resichInce of Eli Long. Esq. The farm now owned by Long was formerly the old Reynolds homestead. Here Joseph Reynolds settled in 1800. Previous to the year 1809, there were no mills other than the above mentioned nearer the settlement on Brush Creek in this township, than one on Cherry Fork in Adams County; Patterson's, near what is now Hillsboro, in Highland County, and Sutton's Mill, near Decatur, within the present limits of Brown County. About the year 1809, Spencer Records erected a small water-mill on Brush Creek, at a point about two miles below the present village of Fincastle. This was the first mill of the kind in the township. It was of the pattern known as the "tub-wheel," had but one pair of buhr-stones, and, although so very insignificant in its construction, yet, in those days, it was considered an important improvement in the settlement. It is said that Records dressed the buhr-stones from a kind of quartz found in the Sunfish Hills, Adams County, and brought them to the above-named place. 582 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. In the year 1812, Robert Breckenridge, who had lately removed from Kentucky to a large tract of land lying on the waters of Brush Creek, in Eagle Township, built a saw and grist mill on the creek, above the site of Rec ords, and about one mile below the town of Fincastle- This was also driven by water-power. being a decided improvement on Records' little " tub-wheel." and was for a time the best mill in the vicinity. It was finally torn down, however, on account of the great labor and expense of keeping the dam repaired, the situation not being suitable for a mill of the kind, and the buhrstones and other fixtures were removed to Breckenridge's residence, north of the creek, where he had a horse-mill constructed from them. The term " horse-mill " was applied to that kind of mills which were driven by horse-power. The were constructed of heavy timbers, posts and cross-ties, so framed together as to support a large upright shaft or cylinder, which rested its lower extremity in a socket, and which was connected above with a set of cog-wheels, that, in turn, gave motion to the buhr-stones. The frame-work of the mill was large enough to allow the extension of a sweep or lever some ten or twelve feet long from the upright central shaft; to the lever or sweep, one or more horses were hitched, and, while a boy below vigorously applied the lash to keep up power, the " jolly miller " stood on a platform above, and manipulated the hopper and his pipe with one hand, and the old-fashioned bolting-chest with the other. Of these horse-mills there were several in the township. Among the first built was the Kincaid Mill. It was built in 1815, by Samuel Kincaid, on his farm near Brush Creek. Later, quite a good one was built by Jacob Borris, near his residence, in the northeastern portion of the township. This mill was afterward removed to Fincastle. and the frame of it is still standing on a lot near Dr. Carey's residence. After the removal of Breckenridge's mill from the creek to his home, John McCormick, an old soldier of the Revolution, who came from Pennsylvania to Adams County, Ohio, about the year 1812, rebuilt and greatly improved the Records Mill. In addition to the water-power, a tread-wheel, or tramp-wheel, as it is usually termed, was attached to the machinery, so that, in times of drouths and low water, the mill would not have to remain idle. There was a sawmill connected with the grist-mill also. The McCormick Mill was for many years one of the better class of mills throughout that region. It passed under the management of various parties, and assumed almost as many different names, the last of which was the Cameron Mill. It was torn down several years ago. The Shreaves Mill, situated on White Oak Creek, where it cuts the northwest portion of the township, was of some local notoriety from 1845 to 1860- About the last-named date. the "Swamp Fox," a large saw-mill that had been built in 1848, on the Sardinia & Fincastle road, about two miles from the former place, for the purpose of sawing material for the plank road then under construction from Williamsburg, Clermont County, to Fincastle, Brown County, had corn and wheat buhr-stones attached to its machinery, and did considerable grinding for several years. This mill stood near the line between Washington and Eagle Townships, on the Cress farm. Greene Rose put the first saw in this mill. The first steam-mill in the township was built at Fincastle, by Thomas Selmon and J. T. Brown, in 1843-44. This was replaced with the present one, by D. M. Sayers and S- W- Swain, in 1868- It is a two and one-half story frame, furnished with modern improvements in machinery, and has the reputation of making an excellent grade of flour. It is under the control of William Peddicord. Esq., and is known as the Eagle Mill. EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 583 SCHOOLS. The educational advantages of this region in the days of our forefathers were very limited indeed. Comparatively few they were who possessed the ability to instruct in even the rudiments of those branches of learning essential to an English education. The schoolhouses were necessarily rude in construe tion and furniture. The duration of the school term was not more than sixteen weeks—usually but thirteen, as the boys and girls could not be spared from the duties of farm work longer than that time; and, as that was in the winter sea son, when the few bad roads were at their worst, and taking into consideration, also, that many families lived two and some three miles distant from the school- house, we are surprised at the advance in learning these hardy boys and girls made. But the master was a character suited to the times and surroundings. He thoroughly believed in all—whatever their abilities or desires—walking in the pathway of knowledge, and, having physical powers at least on a par with his mental capacity, he usually carried out his theory to the letter, as many a youth could testify with " streaming eyes and striped back." The first schoolhouse in the township, from what we can learn from the oldest living inhabitants, stood on the farm belonging at present to Joshua Carey. It was situated on the "branch," just below his house, and was of course not a very costly structure. Andrew Alexander, who recollects this house, says it was simply a poor kind of log cabin, as were all the houses in those days, built of round logs, and covered with clapboards held in position by weight-poles. The fire-place occupied one end of the structure, and a huge door the other. Light was admitted through an opening made in the side of the building by cutting out one or more logs and fitting in a frame of cross- sticks, covered with greased paper, as glass was not a procurable commodity then. The floor was laid with puncheons hewn on the school-grounds, while the seats were split from saplings and supported by pins driven into them. Along the side of the house occupied by the window was a large slab, or puncheon, supported on pins driven into the wall, and which served as a writing for the entire school. The branches taught were reading, spelling, arithmetic and writing, the master furnishing each pupil with suitable quill pens. The first teacher in this school was Samuel McCollister. Some of the scholars who attended here were the Alexanders, John Miller, Hugh Miller, David Cowan, James Cowan, Dumfield Rhodes, John Murphy, Abe and Reuben Laycock and Polly Rhoades. John Records also taught this school. The second schoolhouse stood on brush Creek, on the Breckenridge farm; Francis Alexander and John Mahan, teachers- The third house was on the farm owned by Andrew Alexander, and later known as the John MeClelahan farm; Josiah Records and Francis Alexander, teachers. The date of these houses is from 1807 to 1818 Another of the earlier schoolhouses was situated on the farm of Abraham Edgington, now known as the McVay farm. The Bakers, Edgingtons, Breckenridges, Kirkpatricks and Gutridges attended school here. John Helms was the first teacher. And still another one stood on the hill, just east of the present residence of James and Jesse Cross, north of Fincastle. School was held here for several years. The above earlier schools were all supported by sub- scription. The person desiring to teach would circulate a subscription paper in the neighborhood, taking as pay wheat, corn, flax, or anything in way of barter, when money could not be had, and, if he could get subscriptions suffi- cient to realize $8 or $10 per month. he would open a school. The tuition was from $1.50 to $2 per scholar for a term of thirteen weeks. No examinations of teachers were held, and any one might teach who could "read, write and 584 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. cipher." After the formation of school districts and election of local Directors, subscriptions were secured by them. About 1830, some public funds were added to the subscription. Until 1840, even schoolhouses were built by subscription- In 1852, township districts were divided into subdistricts, the tuition funds raised by taxation, and schools put on a better and more liberal basis. About 1820, a schoolhouse was built in the northwestern portion of the township, near the present residence of William Borden, and known as the Ketterman Schoolhouse. In 1834, the first schoolhouse was erected on the present site of Fincastle. Sally McNeely and a Miss Wylie were among the first teachers. The house was built of hewn logs, covered with an oak-shingle roof, and stood on the lot now occupied by the Christian Church. The first frame school building in- the township was built in Fincastle in 1847. It stood on the lot lying in the southeast angle, formed at the crossing of School and Cooper streets. This was occupied until 1881, when the present building, in the south end of town, and fronting the Hillsboro & Ripley Turnpike, was erected. THE SUB-SCHOOL DISTRICTS. The sub-school districts in Eagle Township number eight in all. District No. 1 is located in the northeastern portion of the township, near the residence of John Dunn. The house is a frame, in good repair and is known as the McVay Schoolhouse. The district enumorates—white males, 31; females, 18; total, 49; no colored pupils. Wages paid last school year, $30 per month for first quarter; $33.33-1 for second quarter. District No. 2 includes the town of Fincastle and'vicinity. The house has been lately erected, and is furnished with patent desks and other improvements. The district enumerates-white males, 28; females, 38; colored, 1; total, 67. Wages paid, $25 per month for first quarter; $30 per month for second quarter. Nine months school, including summer term. District No. 3 is located in the southeastern portion of the township. The house is on Peter Roselot's farm, and is in good repair. The district enumerates—males, 27; females, 26; colored, 2; total, 55. Wages paid last school year, $33.331 per month. District No. 4 is in the southwestern portion of the township. The house has been lately rebuilt and newly furnished. The enumeration of this district rs—white males, 27; females, 18; total, 45. No colored pupils. Wages paid last school year, $35 per month. District No. 5 is in the northwestern part of the township, and is one of the largest. The house is situated at the crossing of the Fincastle & Sardinia and Arnheim & Mowrytowr roads, and is widely known as the Borden Schoolhouse. The district enumerates—males, 28; females, '27; total, 55. Wages paid last school year, $33-331 per month. District No. 6 is the colored school of the township. The district includes most of the territory known as " The Settlement," and, although somewhat extensive in scope, is comparatively meager in point of numbers. The enumeration is—males, 24; females, 19; total, 43. Wages, $33.331- per month. District No. 7 is one of the fractional districts of the township, including a portion of Highland County. It lies in the northwest portion, and is known as " Dixie." The district in this township enumerates—males, 13; females, 12. Draws from Highland County—males, 17; females, 15. Total number of pupils in the district, 57. Wages paid in 1881-82, $35 per month. District No. 8 is the largest district in the township, and is located in the southern portion. The house was built in 1879, and is in good repair. It is EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 585 situated near the residence of H. L. Vance, and is known as the South Fincas- tle Schoolhouse. The enumeration in 1881 was—males, 35; females, 41; total, 76. Wages paid teacher. $35 per month. Eagle Township has sent forth many excellent teachers "to rear the tender thoughts" and "teach the young idea how to shoot." Among the present resident teachers may be mentioned M. L. Abbott, Waldo Hare, Lizzie Elliott, Carrie Laney, A. N. Overstake, C. B. Stratton, Amos Eyler, Elzaphin Sayers, the Misses Fenton and T. M. Hare- CHURCHES. United Brethren Church.--Meetings for worship were held at private houses until about 1820, when the United Brethren Association erected a log house near the present site of the Borden Schoolhouse- The building was used both for church and school purposes, and was generally known as the Ketter- man Schoolhouse. The association met regularly at the schoolhouse at this point until within the last year, when, through the activity and liberality of some of the members, a new and commodious frame church has been erected. It stands near the school building, on a lot given by John Euvard, one of the oldest living members of the church at this place. The first minister in charge of the church here was Rev. Bessie. Following him, Revs. Toppin, Harrison and Davis ministered to the spiritual welfare of the organization. Rev. George Hempleton is the minister in charge at present Some of the more active members of the church, those who have labored zealously for the growth of the society, are John Euvard, William Parish, T. A. Borden, John McFadden, William Scott and William McFadden. Crum Chapel.—This church was organized by a body of Methodists in 1855. The church lot was donated by John Denny. The house is a frame, and is situated near Denny's residence, in the eastern portion of the township. Dedicated by Elder Crum. Christian Chapel.—Elsewhere mention is made of the organization of the Christian Church in this township. The first church, as there stated, was built in 1842. This was a frame building, of very poor accommodations. In 1867, the members felt that a more commodious house was absolutely neces- sary for their accommodation, and accordingly their present neat and comfort- able brick chapel was completed. Elder J. P. Daughtery delivered the dedicatory sermon, in the presence of a large audience, in September (we believe) of above given year. There were present on this occasion quite a number of noted ministers of the church, prominent among whom was Elder Mathew Gardner. The church was first organized at Fincastle, by Alexander McClain, a man of fair talents and of some notoriety forty years ago. Of the early members, Thomas Selmon, John Alexander, Sr., William Marsh and David Selmon may be named. The Disciples' Church at Fincastle, as has been stated, was built in 1851. The minister in charge at that time was Rev. Daniel Dillon. Isaac Carey and family, Andrew and Spencer Records and their families, were among earliest members. The Methodist Episcopal Church, built at Fincastle in 1841, and which is still in use, was dedicated by Presiding Elder W. H. Raper. J. W. Clark and Rev. Steward had charge of this organization in its infancy. Robert Shepherd, J ohn McKnight, John Manker, David Denny and Orin Basset, early members- There was at one time an Associate Reformed Church at Fincastle. The Baptist Church (colored). —In 1818, a large tract of land wag pur- 586 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. chased in the western part. of Eagle Township, by the agents of Samuel Gist, for homes for his slaves in Virginia, whom he had lately freed. Shortly after their coming here, a Baptist association was formed, and, soon after, a church was built, which is still standing. It is a log building, and stands near the C. & E. R. R., about one mile west of South Fincastle Station. Rev. Charles Smith took a prominent part in helping organize the church, baptizing fifty persons in one day. Most of the persons who settled these lands became members of this organization- Their names, with an account of the settlement, are given elsewhere. The Methodist Episcopal Church (colored) was built some years after the Baptist Church. The present building is a very comfortable frame, situated on the Fincastle & Sardinia road, a short distance from Five Points Station, on C. & E. Ry. CEMETERIES. " All that tread The globe are but a handful, to the tribes That slumber in its bosom." “The majestic and courtly roads which monarchs pass over, the way that the men of letters tread, the path the warrior traverses, the short and simple annals of the poor, all lead to the same place, all terminate, however varied in their routes, in that one enormous house which is appointed for all living." However great the privations and self-denials of our pioneer forefathers, however successful in the conquest of their undertakings, they, like " all that tread the globe," have to meet one common enemy—Death, who conquers all. The Aerl Cemetery.—The above " hallowed spot " is the oldest place of burial in the township. It is situated in the northeastern portion of the township, on the farm owned by the widow of James Wilson, lately deceased, and formerly known as the Aerl farm, originally a part of the Breckinridge purchase. It lies just a few rods east of the old Breckinridge home, which is still standing, and contains something over one acre of ground. It is in a state of neglect at present, although some fresh-made mounds met our eyes, the walks and many of the graves being overgrown with weeds and briars. It was made a place of burial as early as the year 1809, Elias Boatman being the first person interred there. Shortly following, two women, named Davis and Miller respectively, were buried near Boatman, and from that time until the present it has been a place of public interment. In looking through this " city of the dead," with its quaint old headstones, blackened by the storms of many winters, we find recorded thereon the names of many who took an active part in the pioneer history of Eagle Township. The following are a few of them: Adam Erwin, died March 30, 1844, aged eighty years eight months and twenty-seven days. Nancy, his wife, died rn 1860, aged eighty-three years. Jeremiah Fenton, died November 19, 1863, in his eighty-fifth year. Susan, his wife, died March 8, 1828, aged forty-seven years. Stephen Carey, died February 29, 1832, in his sixty-seventh year- Joseph Eyler, died July 29,. 1839, in his eightieth year. Mary Ann, his wife, died March 13, 1841, in her seventy-fifth year. Solomon McVay died March 3, 1875, in his ninetieth year. Elder Charles Payne died May 24, 1857, aged eighty-five years. William Butlar, born in 1771, near Boston, England, died November, 1875. William Lurguy, died in 1862, in his eighty-ninth year. John Alexander. died March 3, 1832, in his seventy-seventh year. Jannett, his wife, died September 19, 1836, in her seventieth year. EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 589 John Records, died October, 1872, aged eighty years. Abraham Edgington, died August 2, 1848, aged sixty eight years three months and two days. Isaac Aerl died February 23, 1851, in his sixty-ninth year. Patrick McLaughlin died August 19, 1848, aged seventy-four years five months and seven days. John Cuss, died April 11, 1849, in his eighty-fourth year. Dr. John Buchannan, died March 30, 1859, in his forty-second year. Samuel King Stivers, died August 7, 1864, in his seventy-eighth year. Mary Creed Stivers, wife of above, died January 3, 1868, aged seventy-seven years. Among those buried here who heroically sacrificed their lives in the strag- gle to maintain the -Union, and whose resting-place should never be forgotten while the stars and stripes protect our homes, are Capt. La Fayette Hare, John Edgington, Jesse Breckenridge, William Breckenridge, Corwin Bell, John Sayers, Richard Cowan, Lawrence Smith, Amos Rees, Samuel Pursel, William Black, Thomas Wilson, William Tigart, Nelson Records and John Hare. THE FINCASTLE CEMETERY. As early as the year 1864, from a want of family lots in the old Aerl Cemetery, it was urgently demanded that a new burial-place be selected in a suitable and convenient part of the township. But it was not until the year 1866 that the present beautiful site occupied by the Fincastle Burying-Grounds was determined upon. The grounds occupy the northwestern corner of what was once the Fincastle Fair Grounds, and a more beautiful spot for the final resting-place of the dead could not have been found in the township. The cemetery is surrounded by a substantial stone fence, and from the ar- rangement of the walks and shrubbery, presents a very neat appearance to the passer-by. The first interment in this cemetery was the remains of Dr- Samuel Laney. His grave is just to the left of the gate fronting the Ripley & Hillsboro Turn- pike. And strange to say, his was the only grave in the cemetery for more than one year after his interment. In thinking of this, we are reminded of the words of Prentice: "Thou sleepest here, all, all alone! No other grave is near thine own. 'Tis well, 'tis well; but oh, such fate Seems very, very desolate." The Burris Cemetery is a family graveyard, and is situated on the farm of John Burris, in the northeastern portion of the township. The colored people in " the settlement," in the western part of the township, have burial-grounds near the Baptist and Methodist churches. ROADS. The roads of this, like those of other portions of the West, at the time of first settlement, were mere paths traced by the deer, elk, buffalo and other wild animals, with an occasional well-beaten trail found by the Indians. One of these latter trails was formerly well defined in its course across Eagle Township, and was widely known as YORK' S TRACE. It crossed near the Stivers settlement, south through the James Wilson farm, thence near the old salt wells, on Eagle Creek, in Jackson Township, through, to Logan's Gap, on the Ohio River. Tradition tells us that an old hunter and trapper named York, "blazed" the trees along this once Indian 590 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY trail, whence it became known as York's Trace. Some of his bear-traps were still standing in the vicinity as late as 1818. THE HILLSBORO & RIPLEY TURNPIKE. This was surveyed about 1836 by Williams Bros., of Cincinnati, and Samuel K. Stivers. The general direction of this road is along the course of the old road that connected the above-named places, and which was the first public highway through this section. Although the necessary funds were raised by the people of Eagle Township to complete this turnpike through it, yet, by some " crookedness," or misapplication of the money, the people in this and Jackson Township, also those in White Oak and Concord Townships, in Highland County, were " left in the mud." As proof of the wrong done the citizens of Eagle Township in the construction of the above-named turnpike, we give the following list of names of residents of the township, with amount subscribed and paid by each: Joseph Heaton, $250; J. N. Records, $300; J. McKnight, $300; Tom Selmon, $250; Adams Morrow, $300; Moore Edgington; $200; Isaac Carey, $300; James Cowan, $200; David Cowan, $50; Joe Massie, $50; Brice Edgington, $50; Andrew Alexander, $50; John Alexander, $50; Charles Welsh, $50; Jesse Cross, $150; S. King Stivers, $300. THE PLANK ROAD. The plank road that was to connect Williamsburg, Clermont County, and Fincastle, of Brown County, was the next road scheme following the Hillsboro & Ripley pike, by which the people were again induced to subscribe liberally, and, as usual, were " left in the mire." About the year 1850, some very prominent men of the county took up the plausible theory of building plank roads throughout the county, rnstead of turnpikes, as the former could be built much cheaper than the latter and were quite durable. And as that seemed a novel way of utilizing the extensive forests of this region, of course the people readily fell in with the plans of the agitators. The proposed plan was to extend the plank road then under construction from Batavia to Williamsburg, Clermont County, from the latter point via Mt. Oreb and Sardinia. to Fincastle, of this township and county- This was an idea. Fincastle would be the terminus of the road, and having already the funds paid for the proposed turnpike aforementioned, the town would rapidly increase in wealth and population. Dr. Carey, believing in the wisdom of the scheme, urged the appointment of meetings for the discussion of the subject. Meetings were held. The people became enthusiastic over plank roads. They subscribed liberally to further its progress; the road-bed was graded; timber felled and sawed into planks, a few of which were laid between Sardinia and Fincastle; they (the planks, of course) curled and warped up in the sun, the trees ceased falling, the mills stopped for want of logs and—the plank road disappeared in the mud- THE HILLSBORO & RIPLEY PIKE. The Hillsboro & Ripley pike deserved attention again. Plank roads were not profitable investments. Besides, the wrong done the fathers in the matter of the turnpike deserved righting by the sons. The gap in the pike through this township should be completed. This subject was agitated frequently from 1850 to 1878. Then the proper plan for constructing the road was advocated, namely, the people interested in the road to raise 20 per cent of its estimated cost, the remainder to be raised on taxable property of the EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 591 county, and secured by interest-bearing bonds. This ignored "stock companies," and was liberal enough in its general tenor. Through the energy of the members of the State Le4islature from this county, a special act to authorize the Commissioners of Brown County, Ohio, to construct a free turnpike road from the terminus of the Ripley & Hillsboro Turnpike to Highland County line, was passed April 17, 1878. Immediately after the passage of this act, the following paper was circulated among the people by several of the leading citizens: We, the undersigned, agree to pay the amount set opposite our respective names, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Commissioners of Brown County, Ohio, to aid in constructing a free turnpike road, beginning at the Highland County line on the farm of Peter Overstake, and running on or near the line of the Ripley & Hillsboro State road; provided, and it is hereby understood and agreed, that all subscriptions made hereto in work, shall be paid at the time and rate fixed by said County Commissioners. The subscriptions in work amounted to $500, and in cash to $1,700. The subscriptions being presented to the Board of County Commissioners, and the act of the Legislature relating to the turnpike, the board, on the 15th day of June, 1878, resolved to improve the road. Dr. S. E. Carey, James F. Cross and S. Y. Hamilton gave bond to the sum of $5,00.0 to secure the payment of the subscriptions, and in due time the road was completed. THE CINCINNATI & EASTERN RAILWAY. The Cincinnati & Eastern Railway was put in operation in 1877, the first train passing over the road through Eagle Township August 7 of that year. The road is intended to connect the coal fields of Jackson County, Ohio, with the city of Cincinnati. It was first to extend only to Winchester, Adams County, but is at present building rapidly east of that point toward its destination. The people of Eagle Township labored energetically and subscribed liberally to the funds for grading the above road. South Fincastle Station was created upon the completing of the road through the township, and William Peddicord was appointed first station agent. THE "COLORED SETTLEMENT." The colored settlement in Eagle Township was made in 1818, by a number of the former slaves of Samuel Gist, a wealthy banker, resident of Lon- don, England, and an extensive land-owner and slavehold.er in the United States. It is not known that Gist ever visited his plantation here, or that he ever saw a single slave that cultivated his lands, but all was left to the management of resident agents appointed by him. These lands lay in the counties of Hanover, Amherst, Goslin and Henrico, Va., and included some of the finest plantations in the "Old Dominion." In 1808, desiring to make ample provision for the future happiness of those who had so abundantly filled his coffers by their servitude, Gist made a will, the intent of which was certainly benevolent, but which has been most wretchedly executed. This document, of fifty-eight closely written pages, is a study within itself. It begins: "This is the last will and testament of me, Samuel Gist, of Gower street, in the parish of St. Giles, in the city of Lon- don, of the county of Middlesex, England." After bequeathing various valuable estates and large sums of money to his only daughter, he designates what property and sums of money shall fall to the numerous persons who have been in his employ, and most explicitly does he provide for his slaves in Virginia, who numbered nearly one thousand souls! Relative to them, the will provides that at his death, his "slaves in Virginia shall be set free." That his lands there shall be sold, and comfortable 592 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. homes in a free State be purchased for them with the proceeds. That the revenue from his plantations the last year of his life be applied in building schoolhouses and churches for their accommodation. That all money coming to him in Virginia be set aside for the employment of ministers and teachers to instruct them. That " care be taken to make them as comfortable and happy as possible." In 1815, Samuel Gist died, and Wickham, of Richmond, Va. (in conjunction with his father-in-law, Page), who had been appointed Gist's agent, proceeded to execute his will. Accordingly, through parties in Hillsboro, Ohio, 1,122 acres of land near Georgetown, and 1,200 acres west of Fincastle, in Eagle Township, were purchased for homes for these slaves. These lands were covered with thickets of undergrowth and sloughs of stagnant water, and were almost valueless at that time for any purpose other than pasturage. Here in June, 1818, came nearly 900 persons, a part of whom located on the Georgetown lands, the remainder on the Fincastle purchase. Their " comfortable homes" lay in the wild region about them; the education they received was in the stern school of adversity. As a matter of course, they did not prosper. Some who were able returned to Virginia. Others built rude huts and began clearing away the forest. What little money they had was soon spent. Scheming white men planned to 'get their personal property. They became involved in numerous law suits among themselves, and so from various causes they were reduced almost to pauperism. In later years, their lands have been sold, so that at present but few families remain as relics of this once large settlement. Among the first families that settled in this township were the following persons, most of whom had families: Jacob Cumberland, George Cumberland, Samuel Hudson, Gabriel York, James Gist, Gabriel Johnson, Joseph Locust, James Cluff, -- Davis, Sol Garrison, -- Parsons, -- Williams, Glascow Ellis and Tom Fox. " Old Sam Hudson," as he was familiarly known, was an odd character, and many anecdotes are yet related of him. At one time, he was sent to the State Prison at Columbus for making unlawful use of another man's horse, and it so happened that a white man named Demitt accompanied him for a like offense. Upon being interrogated as to his occupation, Sam answered, " Preacher ob de Gospel!" Turning to Demitt, the officer asked, " What's your occupation?" "1 clerk for Sam," was the shrewd reply. Richard Cumberland (" Blind Dick "), Meredith Cumberland, Taylor Davis, Moses Cumberland, Ephraim Johnson and Winston. Cumberland were also born in Virginia. FINCASTLE. Fincastle is the oldest town in Eagle Township, having been laid out by John Alexander, Sr., in the year 1835. The town was platted by Col. S. K. Shivers, and named by him after Fincastle, Va. The first house in the town was built for John Frierson, on Lot No. 6, by John Bradley in 1835. Frierson shortly afterward opened a dry goods and notion store in the building. It is still standing, and was for many years the office of Dr. S- E. Carey. Dr- Samuel McElhaney was the first resident physician, he having located in the village in the spring of 1838. A hotel was opened by William Parish in tha fall of 1837, and about the same date Jesse Edgington and G. W. McClellan commenced smithing and horse-shoeing in the town. The M. E. Church was erected in 1841 and the New Light, or Christian, in 1842. The steam saw and grist mill was built by Selmon & Brown in 1844, and thus it was the town of Finoastle began that existence which it has maintained without any serious changes until the present day. EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 593 The only industrial scheme of any note over in operation in the village was the carriage and wagon shop opened by John Alexander, iu 1858, and continued until a few years ago. Cooper shops of some local note were operated rather extensively from 1850 to 1865 by William Bell, Lilly Stivers and Joseph E. Winters. Thomas Selmon operated a tress-hoop factory for several years. He began operations here in 1837, and for eight or ten years employed forty or fifty workmen. The village at present contains about 125 inhabitants. There is one ho- tel, the Cottage House, opened by the present proprietress, Mrs. J. E. Win- ters, in the year 1840. Two of the three churches have been mentioned above. The other one is the Disciples, or what is better known, " Campbellite " Church, organized in 1851. The town supports two dry goods and grocery stores, one of which is owned by W. T. Hicks, the other by Winters & Hare. The one blacksmith shop is owned at present by E. W. Sanders. William Bell still continues the old cooper shop. The steam grist and flour mill has been noticed under the proper head. Dr. Jesse Baird is the resident physician. John Phist carries on a boot and shoe shop. The merchants who have been located here since 1837 are Moore Edgington, who built the second house in town; Brice Edgington, John Thompson, Adams Morrow, Manker & Son, John and Joseph Eyler, Milton Robins, John Erwin, Leroy Marshall, R. IL Hilling, D. M. Sayers, Peddicord Bros., Richard Ewan, Gilbert & Williamson, J. F. Searight, John Alexander and the present ones, given above. Physicians—Drs. Carey, Rogers, Field, Viers, Buchanan, Pettijohn, Heaton, Shelton, Beheymer, Wilkins and Page. Inn-keepers—Adams Morrow, in the spring of 1838; Louis Van Winkle, Milton Robins, Milton Scott, James Thompson and D. M. Sayers, from 1840 to 1867. THE FINCASTLE FAIRS. In September, 1855, a meeting of the leading citizens of Fincastle and vicinity was held and arrangements perfected to hold an exhibition of the better grades of live stock of the locality. Fincastle was selected as the place for holding it, and the display was made in the streets of the village. The result of this was so gratifying to the projectors of the scheme, that it was determined to repeat the exhibition the following year. This was done. The Christian Church was used for the display of the floral department, and the stock was exhibited in the meadow north of Mrs. Hare's residence. The following year, the stock ring was formed in the field north of where the old Associate Reformed Church stood. These fairs, which were held but one day each, proved a source of both pleasure and profit; so much so, indeed, that a joint-stock company was formed among the citizens, and measures taken to secure suitable grounds for holding the next annual exhibition. A beautiful woodland north of Fincastle was leased, and the grounds put in proper condition for the coming season. P. E. Hare was elected President of the association; D. M. Sayers, Vice President; Dr. S. E. Carey, Treasurer, and John Duffey, Secretary. The first fair was held on these grounds in 1858. This and those of the years 1859 and 1860 were largely attended, and continued five days each. Extensive preparations were making for the season of 1861, but the breaking-out of the rebellion frustrated the undertaking, and so ended the Fincastle A. & M. Association. The grounds were sold in 1866, and the Fincastle Cemetery now occupies the northwest portion of them. 594 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. VANCEBURG. The little village of Vanceburg, or South Fincastle* Station and Post Offioe, was laid out by H. L. P. Vance, County Surveyor, on the farm of H. L. Vance, June 15, 1879. The village is situated on the Cincinnati & Easiern Railway, at the crossing of the Hillsboro & Ripley Turnpike, two miles south of Fincastle. The streets north and south are Pike, Oak, High and Vine. Cross streets are Broadway, Gum and Maple. The town plat contains eight acres. Jonathan Burris purchased the first lot, on the corner of Broadway and Pike, on which he erected storeroom and dwelling. J. H. Brown purchased Lot No. 2, and erected storeroom and dwelling in 1880. W. M. Brown purchased Lot No. 12 about the same date, and erected wareroom and dwelling. Thus began the village of Vanceburg, which, in the course of three years, has gained in a business point of view what Fincastle has been nearly fifty in acquiring. So much for a railroad. The town at present contains two dry goods stores, owned by F. M. Plank and J. H. Brown, respectively; one blacksmith shop, Fred Hienche, proprietor; one drug store, Lee Erwin, proprietor, and one saloon; also telegraph office, railway depot, express office and post office. William Peddicord was first Postmaster and station agent. John Haines was the first blacksmith, and W. M. Brown one of the first merchants. BERNARD. This is a railroad station and post office on the Cincinnati & Eastern Railway, about two miles west of Vanceburg. The place is better known as Five Points, so named from the intersection of that number of roads at this place. The village contains two dry goods stores, one blacksmith shop and a few dwellings. The African M. E. Church is near this point. JOHN MORGAN'S RAID On the 7th of July, 1863, the successful rebel raider, John Morgan, with about 2,500 men, crossed the Ohio River at Brandenburg, over into Indiana, and after sacking Corydon and Salem, turned his line of pillage up the river. This threw the river towns into consternation. Ripley, in this county, from the strong Union sentiment that prevailed there, had long feared an attack, and now waited with " fear and trembling " for Morgan's coming. The militia of the interior towns and surrounding country were given notice to be ready at a moment's warning to go to her rescue. On the 14th of the month, the alarm was given that Morgan was approaching, and to hasten with all speed to Ripley. They went, but no Morgan came to Ripley. No; while the brave militiamen of old Eagle were waiting with clenched fists and drawn clubs for Morgan at Ripley, he and his raiders were spreading terror and consternation in their own dear homes. Such great excitement never prevailed here as at that time. The word came that Morgan was at Sardinia, destroying everything before him. Women would frantically seize bed-clothes or some piece of house furniture and run pell-mell for the woods, corn-fields, and one very well remembered old lady actually buried her parlor mirror- What men were at home were engaged in secreting their horses, and some were so thoughtful as to secrete themselves. One very prominent Unionist cheered the raiders with " Hurrah for Vallandigham!" So passed the ever memorable 24th of July, 1863. The main body of Morgan's men passe I through Eagle Township along the *The railroad station was named "South Fincastle" by the railroad company, hence the village is generally so called. EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 595 road leading from Sardinia to Winchester. They took a few horses, but fur- ther than that did no serious damages. The next day, Hobson's men came along in hot pursuit of Morgan, but nevertheless took time to scour the surrounding county to take the better horses that had been brought in from "the brush." TORNADO OF 1860. On the 21st of May, 1860, occurred one of the most frightful storms that ever swept over this region within the recollection of the oldest inhabitants. The storm came from the southwest, and struck Fincastle about 4 o'clock and continued to rage without ceasing for one hour. There had been no indica- tions of a storm that day further than an unusual calmness of the atmosphere, and people were taken by surprise at their work, many quite a distance from shelter. No lives were lost in this vicinity, but houses and barns were blown down and many persons escaped death as by a miracle. Many orchards were totally destroyed, and great damage was done the forests, particularly the maple groves. ANCIENT REMAINS. In the mounds and ancient fortifications which are scattered over that vast scope of country stretching from the Appalachian system to the base of the Rocky Mountains the territory occupied within the limits of Ohio is the most prolific. It is stated by good authority that no fewer than 10,000 mounds and 1,500 inclosures or circumvallations of earth and stone are within its borders. The origin of these ancient remains has been a problem of no small mo- ment to the archasologist, but all agree that they are the work of a race of people pre-historic to even the ancestors of the Indians. The purpose for which these mounds and other works were erected is also problematic It is inferred from the outline and general structure of some of the inclosures that they were works of defense. A noted one of this character is "Fort Ancient," in Warren County, yet we are not to suppose that all the inclosures of the various forms, structure and sizes were used for that purpose. The mounds seem to have been erected as the funeral piles of the dead. In proof of this, it is found upon making excavations from the sides to the center of a tumulus that human skeletons still in a degree of preservation exist therein, while unmistakable traces of human remains are found within a few feet of the surface. These facts have led to the supposition that many of the tumuli were generations in forming. The theory is that a mound was formed by a succession of burials, commencing with a layer first upon the ground, with a small tumulus of a few feet over the first body; then the next at its side raised to an equal height, and so on till the base was of proper dimensions. Then, by a succession of 'burials on this base, a second layer would be formed, and in like manner layer after layer may have been added, until after the lapse of a few generations the mound would be completed. Some of the tumuli are supposed to have been altars used in the religious rites of those who erected them. Others again, from their situation, are thought by some to have been used as watch-towers. But for whatever purpose they may have been ereoted, they stand to-day durable records of a race of people, all other races of whom have long since perished. A tumulus about which there has been considerable speculation at different times, stands on the James Wilson farm, in the northeastern portion of Eagle Township and something over one mile east of Fincastle. From its situation on the most elevated portion of the table-lands north of Brush Creek, quite an extensive view of the surrounding country can be had from its summit. It is conical shaped, and measures in circumference about its base 103 yards; its 596 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY vertical height is about twenty-five feet. Its summit is covered with locust and coffee-nut trees, some of which are over two feet in diameter. Several borings have been made from the summit down in a vertical line, but as yet nothing worth mentioning has been discovered within it. On the north of this mound, and but a few rods from it, are several bowl-shaped excavations, while to the west a few hundred yards is another tumulus, but much smaller than the above described one. In the field southeast of the large mound is a ring about twelve feet wide and two hundred and twenty-five yards in -circumference. This was formerly two or three feet in height, but from being plowed over many years, is now nearly on a level with the surrounding surface, yet it is clearly discernible from the color of the clay of which it is formed. In the woods south of this is another figure of an ellipticak form, and quite well defined. Mr. Levi Williams found on his farm, in the extreme northwest corner of the township, in 1871, a relic that attracted the attention of a great many persons., although some of the more incredulous supposed it to be the production of Mr. Williams, he being a very clever artisan in stone. The relic referred to was nothing more or less than an effigy pipe, having the form of a human being in a crouching position, with the elbows clasped against the sides of the chest, hands and forearms resting on the knees. The image has considerable obscure ornamentation on its different parts, and is considered modern, the work of the red man. It is formed from free stone, is about fifteen inches in longest diameter and four or five inches in the shortest. It is now in the collection of H. H. Hill, of Cincinnati, Ohio. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP - 599 CHAPTER X. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. BY W. P. WILLIAMS. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP is situated in the eastern part of the county, the second township from the eastern boundary and third from the northern boundary of the county. It is bounded on the east by Byrd Township, on south by Union Township, on the west by Pleasant Township, and on the north by Franklin and Jackson Townships. From the organization of the county until June, 1853, what is now Jefferson Township was a part of Byrd Township, when a survey was made and the present limits established. We have appended the official action of the township authorities in the matter of the organization, as taken from the township records: "A large number of the citizens of Byrd Township, Brown Co., Ohio, be- lieving that it would be not only for the convenience of a large majority of the citizens of said township, but that, justice and mercy demanding that our citi- zens should be released from the hard task of wading in mud through rain, and standing on beech roots, on election days, it was absolutely necessary that a new township should be formed, had meetings called, consulted together in regard to the matter, and filrally concluded to take the necessary steps for the accomplishment of the aforesaid object. Accordingly, notices were posted in three public places within the limits of the proposed new township, of which the following is a copy: NOTICE. There will be presented to the Commissioners of Brown County, Ohio, at their next June meeting, a petition praying for a new township to be composed of the surplus territory over the constitutional limits of Byrd, Jackson, Franklin and Pleasant Townships, to be called Jefferson, beginning on the limits of Byrd and Jackson Townships where Eagle Creek crosses the line of Jackson and Byrd above Cosslett's Mill, thence to the Union Township line at such point as will leave the statutory limits in Byrd; thence with said Union line to the line of Pleasant on Straight Creek, including that part of Pleasant lying on the east side of Straight Creek; thence with the Pleasant line or up said creek to the Franklin Township line; thence northeast to the Franklin and Jackson Township line, so far as by running a southeast line to the beginning, to include territory for the proposed Township of Jefferson. May 7, 1853 In pursuance of the above notice, a petition was presented to the Commissioners of Brown County, at their June meeting, praying for the establishment of a new township, as described in the notice. Whereupon, a survey was granted by the Commissioners, and, when Byrd Township was surveyed, it was found to contain territory sufficient for the constitutional limits of two town- ships, so that no territory was required from any of the three townships of Jackson, Franklin or Pleasant. So the Commissioners granted the new township, which consisted merely of a portion of Byrd Township, and gave it the name of Jefferson Township. For the purpose of organizing the new township, the Commissioners caused the following notice to be posted in different parts of said township: NOTICE. To the Electors of Jefferson Township, Brown County, Ohio: You are hereby notified to meet at the tavern of John C. Davis, at the cross-roads in said township, on the 16th day of August, A. D. 1853, between the hours of 6 o'clock and