RESOURCES.
Cash and exchange Municipal bonds Loans and discounts Fixtures Total	$145,000.00 22,000.00 302,500.00 1,000.00 $470,500.00
LIABILITIES.
Capital Deposits Surplus Undistributed profits Current earnings   Total	$100,000.00 325,000.00 40,000.00 4,000.00 1,500.00 $470,500.00

PEOPLES BANK OF WOODSTOCK. The Peoples Bank, a private hank of Woodstock, is one of the more recently organized financial institutions of Champaign county. It was organized in May, 1906, and since that time has had a successful career. The bank, which owns its own building, began business with a ten-thousand-dollar capitalization, which has not been increased. When the bank was first organized, D. R. Kimball was president; W. C. Fullington, vice-president; S. F. Burnham, cashier, and W. C. Kimball, C. P. Kimball, F. .G. Fullington, O. M. Clark and George Hahn, directors. Since the hank opened its doors for business 'a few changes have taken place in the personnel of its officers and directors. At present, D. R. Kimball is president; W. C. Fullington, vice-president ; A. R. Connor, cashier, and F. G. Fullington, W. C. Kimball, C. P. Kimball, Henry Westfall, and George Hahn, directors. Since the bank was organized, it has had but one president, D. R. 852 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Kimball; and two cashiers, S. F. Burnham (May, 1906, to August 1, 1913), and A. R. Connor, from August 1, 1913, to the present. THE WOODSTOCK BANK. On April 4, 1877, the Woodstock Bank was organized with A. P. Howard as president and George Riddle as cashier. In 1880 Moulton & Riddle became the owners of the bank. On October 1, 1883, True Martin assumed control of the concern and organized the present bank, of which he ever since has been cashier. At the time of that reorganization E. P. Black was elected president of the bank. He was succeeded by D. W. Sharp, upon whose death H. D. Martin, present incumbent, was elected president. The Woodstock Bank has a capital of $15,000 ; surplus and profits, $10,000, and deposits, $50,000. The first banking institution in Woodstock was a building and loan association organized by L. C. Herrick, A. P. Howard and George Riddle, about 1870. This institution voluntarily suspended business about three years later and the village. was thereafter without banking facilities until the organization of the Woodstock Bank in 1877. CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK OF ST. PARIS. The Central National Bank of St. Paris was organized in 1906 with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The first officers of the bank were: David McMorran, president; G. L. Smith, vice-president, and B. A. Taylor, cashier. The only change in the officials has been in the vice-presidency, J. E. Printz having succeeded G. L. Smith in this office on September 6, 1916. As the bank's business increased in volume, it became necessary to employ an assistant cashier and G. G. Jones was elected to that position on January 18, 1911. The directors include the officials and J. H. Batdorf, Charles Heck, R. M. Kite, and Cephas Atkinson. The strong financial backing and the excellent business ability of the directors and officers has been a large factor in the success which the bank has achieved. The Central National Bank is one of the most recently organized banks in the county and its prosperous course thus far promises for it a long career of usefulness to the community. It owns the building in which it conducts business, which is always carried on with its patrons with the marked courtesy consistent with sound business and good banking practice. From its last bank statement, which follows, a conception of its stability as a financial institution can be gained. 853 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

RESOURCES
Loans and discounts Overdrafts U. S. and other bonds Bonds to secure U. S. deposits Banking house Cash and due from banks 5% redemption fund Total resources	$228,908.14 921.29 67,914.33 3,000.00 12,800.00 58,715.68 2,500.00 $374,759.44
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock Surplus and undivided profits Circulation Dividends unpaid Deposits U. S. deposits Total liabilities	$ 50,000.00 20,985.44 50,000.00 36.00 253,339.11 398.89 $374,759.44

BANK OF NORTH LEWISBURG. The Bank of North Lewisburg was organized on May 1, 1872, by Hudson Haines, who was elected president; James Carder, cashier; E. S. Callender, and J. I. Callender. These men conducted the business until May 15, 1876, when the company was reorganized and increased by adding fifteen directors, all residents of the county. A fter the reorganization, the officers were: W. D. Sibley, president ; S. Clark, vice-president; and E. S. Callender, cashier. The presidents of the bank who have served it since its organization are Hudson Haines, W. D. Sibley and S. Clark. The officers of the bank at present are S. Clark, president, and J. C. Thompson, cashier. In 1881, the bank was doing an excellent business with a paid-up stock of $25,000 and assets, $500,000. Later the operations of the bank were extended by adding to the capital stock which is now $30,000. At present the bank. owns the building in which it conducts its business. Its stability as a financial institution is well known throughout the county. FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ST. PARIS. The First National Bank of St. Paris was organized on July 15, 1880, with a paid-up stock of $52,100. The charter bears the date August 2, 1880, and the bank opened its doors for business on November 8, of that 854 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. year, in a handsome new building on Springfield street. The first officers of the bank were : Lambert Pond, president; E. V. Rhoads, cashier; Henry Sayler, vice-president. The following men composed the board of directors: John Poorman, G. W. Kite, William Michael, H. Sayler and Lambert Pond. The following are the names of the presidents, in order, with the dates of their service : Lambert Pond, from the date of organization to January 10, 1884 ; John Poorman from January 10, 1884, to January 16, 1885; D. J. Brubaker, January 16, 1885, to April 4, 1906, and I. P. Kizer, from May 1, 1905 to the present. At this time (1917) the following men serve the bank in official capacity : I. P. Kizer, president; Fred Black, vice-president; W. L. Hunt, cashier, and J. T. Middleton, assistant cashier. Since the bank was launched upon its career in the latter part of 1880, it has enjoyed a steady growth and wholesome prosperity. In the thirty-seven years of its existence it has served the interests of the public with courtesy consistent with good business and sound banking. Its stability as a financial institution, which is well-known throughout the county, is set forth in the following condensed report of its condition at the close of business on May I, 1917, as rendered to the comptroller of currency :

RESOURCES
Loans and discounts Overdrafts U. S. bonds for circulation U. S. certificates Bonds and securities Banking house and fixtures Federal reserve bank stock Cash on hands and due from banks Redemption fund		$325,296.20 2,140.52 52,100.00 5,000.00 57,354.03 6,000.00 3,150.00 131,275.77 2,605.00 $584,921.52
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock Surplus fund Undivided profits Circulation Dividends unpaid Demand deposits Time deposits	$ 52,100.00 52,100.00 31,700.73 $339,174.78 55,854.01	$135,900.73 52,100.00 1,892.00 395,028.79 $584,921.52

CHAPTER XXXI. TRANSPORTATION : HIGHWAYS, STEAM AND ELECTRIC RAILWAYS. One of the first problems confronting the early settlers of Champaign county was the building of roads. With the settlement of the county there arose the need for some means of communication between the different communities, and this need was met by the local authorities as fast as possible. It was natural for the first settlers to locate along the rivers and navigable streams, or along some of the many Indian trails which were to be found scattered at irregular intervals over the county.. Otherwise they would have had no means of communication with the outside world. The construction of roads and bridges has been in the hands of the county commissioners since the beginning of the county, although during the last few years the Legislature has provided a state highway department which, however, is more or less under the general direction of the county commissioners. An explanation of the present status of highways is given later on in the chapter. A perusal of the records of the county commissioners from the organization of the county in 1805 down to the present time shows that more than half of their deliberations have had to do with the construction of highways and bridges. Many of the sessions of the board are wholly taken up with the consideration of new roads, the alteration of roads already established, the building of bridges, hearing of claimants for damages on account of new roads, overflowing streams or faulty bridges. As might be expected the roads in the county for many years after it was organized were little more than trails through the forest, over the hills, around the swamps and across the prairies. Most of the earliest roads simply followed the old Indian trails and were seldom wider than would accommodate the passage of one wagon, it being necessary in 'the thickly wooded parts to cut out here and there a wider place in the trail in order to allow two wagons to pass each other. HEAVY EXPENSE FOR BRIDGES. There are many factors to be taken into consideration in the building of roads and certainly Champaign county had a number of them to contend 856 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.. with in its early history. The fact that practically the entire county was densely forested made it very expensive and at the same time difficult to hew a road out. Again the county is crossed by a number of rivers and streams of considerable size, and their bridging has entailed a heavy expense on the county. The presence of a river the size of the Mad river costs the county thousands of dollars, not only to keep it bridged, but also to keep it free from obstructions. The commissioners' records throughout the whole history of the county refer constantly to Mad river and every reference means the expenditure of money. At the present time there are eleven bridges across the river, averaging about one hundred feet in length, and costing from eight hundred to twelve hundred dollars each. The date of the construction of the first bridge across Mad river has not been ascertained, but it was probably in the latter part of the forties. It is estimated that there are now at least three thousand bridges and culverts in the county, and a total road mileage of eight hundred miles. Another factor which confronts the road builder in Champaign county is the county's topography, the county being decidedly rolling in many places and as decidedly swampy in many others. For this reason there are many of the roads of the county which still follow the same general direction of the old Indian trails which they superseded. The Indians made their traces on the principle of following the path of least resistance, and the first settlers of the county followed in their footsteps—and in many cases the automobiles of 1917 are coursing down the same path trod by the Indian centuries ago. The trail used by the Indian was "corduroyed" by the county commissioners in the forties and macadamized only within the past few years. STATE ROADS. From the beginning of the history of the county there were what were known as "state" roads and "county" roads, the former being those which extended beyond the limits of the county and the latter those within the county. Within the first decade (1805-1815) there were a number of so-called state roads, no fewer than ten being provided for prior to 1815. The descriptions of these roads as set forth in the commissioners' records are characterized by an ambiguity which must have left the settlers in a maze. The first description of a state road on record reads as follows : STATE ROAD FROM DAYTON TO FRANKLINTON State road leading from Dayton to Franklinton through Champaign county commencing at the county line between Greene and Champaign at the 22 Mile running N CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 857 16 ½ E 4. mile to the 26 mile tree thence East ½ mile through Springfield on the Hill East of the town then Commencing on the line between Franklin and Champaign county 24 Chains at the 30 Mile tree from Franklinton in Franklin county South 80 W 1 mile thence S 62 W 2 mile thence west 1 mile thence S 82 W 6 miles thence S 34 West 2 mile thence S 82 W 2 mile thence S 71 west 1 mile thence S 71 ½ mile to the Hill on the east of Springfield. This is the first road described in the records and is reproduced verbatim, with all its ambiguities and uncertainties. It will be noticed that no mention is made of the width of the road or any other particular other than its general direction. The Franklinton thus named is none other than the present city of Columbus. The road as above defined does not cross the present route of Champaign county, but passes through that part of Clark county which was a part of Champaign county until the former was organized in 1818. This road is given as definite a delineation as any of the early roads in the county and gives a good idea of the haphazard methods of the surveyors who laid out the roads a century ago. Another description of an early road which is of peculiar interest to Champaign county is taken from the records at Columbus. This record is reproduced here as it was transcribed on the records at Wilmington, Ohio. THE KENTON TRACE. The Kenton Trace--This trace commences on the bank of the Ohio river, opposite Maysville, and terminated at Urbana, Ohio. It was laid out by. Gen. Simon Kenton, and passed through Williamsburg, New Market, Morgantown, Wilmington, Washington (C. H.) and thence to Urbana. This road is given even less definite location than the road previously described. But, indefinite as these early surveyed roads appear on the records, they were actually laid out although there is no way of telling how the makers of the road were able to follow the directions of the surveyor. Evidently they must have combined clairvoyance with a knowledge of surveyors' notes. In 1917 every road which is repaired, altered or newly ordered, is surveyed with an exactness which accounts for every fractional foot of its length; and not only is it set forth in writing, but a plat of the road is made a part of the official record. There has been as much improvement in methods of surveying as in any other line of public work and the time has long since passed when all the surveyor needed a bottle of whiskey, a compass and a rod pole. 858 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. AN EARLY ROAD. The beginning of the present fine Urbana-Piqua highway dates from an act of the Legislature in 1847. This act authorized the Urbana-Piqua Turnpike Company to build a gravel road between the two towns and it was actually completed two years later. The eleven miles in Champaign county cost three thousand six hundred dollars and the money for its construction was raised by selling share's of stock at one hundred dollars per share. Laborers on the road received sixty cents a day ; teams were paid one dollar and a quarter. The Maddens constructed most of the road in Champaign county. The gravel came largely from the creek beds nearest the road. In 1873 the commissioners of Champaign county bought from Joseph Wooley, that section of the road lying in this county, paying him three thousand three hundred dollars for the entire eleven miles. The company charged toll from the time the road was built until it passed into the hands of the county : three cents a mile for four-horse teams ; two cents for two-horse teams ; one cent for singles ; three-fourths of a cent a head for all stock driven over it. This was the usual rate for all the toll roads in the county. No history of the highways of the state would be complete without mention of the toll roads which once were found through the length and breadth of the state. It is not certain when the first toll road appeared in history, but it is recorded that Edward III of England was instrumental in establishing such a road as early 'as 1346. Toll roads later were established throughout the British Isles, and it was from the mother country that the idea was brought to America. A toll road was in operation in Pennsylvania in 1792 and the first one appeared in Ohio in Trumbull county in 1809. It is not certain when the first toll road made its appearance in Champaign county, but they were in operation in the thirties. During that decade the 'Legislature provided that county commissioners might assist in the building of turnpikes by purchasing stock in private companies. People were anxious to get roads and were willing to take advantage of any legislation which would enable them to secure better communication with the outside world. At one time Champaign county was a network of toll roads, and it cost as much to travel these pay-as-you-drive roads as it does to travel in the best steam or electric trains in the state today. Turnpike companies were authorized by law until in the eighties, during which decade the construction of toll roads was discontinued. Laws were passed providing for their absorption by the county and as late as 1910 a law was enacted which made it mandatory for all CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 859 counties to take over all toll roads within their limits, and, if necessary, issue bonds to effect the purchase. As a matter of fact there are a number of counties in the state in 1917 that are paying interest on bonds which have been issued for the sole purpose of buying toll roads, and in some counties these bonds extend until after 1930. SOMETHING ABOUT ROAD LAWS. The building of public highways in Ohio is hedged about with a multiplicity of enactments. From the earliest clays of the state down to 1915 the road laws of the state were a miscellaneous patchwork of legislative acts, the result of more than a century of legislation. Prior to 1915 those interested in good roads had been demanding that the state revise its road laws, but it was impossible to get the legislative sanction necessary to bring this about. It is fruitless to follow the vagaries of highway legislation since the first act was passed on August I, 1792, by the Legislature of the old Northwest Territory. Subsequent road laws were passed by the same body on October 28, 1799, December 13, 1799, and January 23, 1802. This latter act was in force when the first state constitution was adopted in 1802, and consequently was the first road law in the state of Ohio. TRANSPORTATION. During the period of the old constitution (1802-51) there were hundreds of road laws placed on the statute books of the state, but most of these were of local application only and not concerned with highways at large. After the adoption of the 1851 constitution there was a considerable change in the management of highways, but the law until 1912 still permitted road taxes to be worked out by those against whom they were assessed. In 1892 an effort was made to provide a highway committee, or .rather a commission, which was to investigate general road conditions in the state and make such recommendations to the Legislature as they might see fit. It is interesting to note that this commission of 1892 reported that public highways were matters of purely local concern, and that their maintenance was a. matter which should be left in the hands of the local authorities. It is this idea that has been responsible for the backward condition of the roads of the state. Not until 1904 did Ohio awaken to the necessity of establishing a centralized highway department. With the legislative act of 1904 the state started on a new era of road 860 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. making. Between 1851 and 1904 the state made no appropriation for roads, but on the other hand contributed freely of legislative acts to assist the local authorities. The act of 1904, supplemented by acts passed up until 1915, placed road construction in the state on a new basis altogether. The most revolutionary change was brought about by an amendment to the constitution in 1912 which abolished the principle of working out the road tax. This antiquated system is fast disappearing all over the United States, and Ohio was one of the last states to rid itself of this obnoxious system. THE CASS HIGHWAY ACT. The present system of highway construction is based on the legislative act of 1915, known as the Cass highway act, a comprehensive act covering ninety-two pages of the Laws of Ohio, (105-106, pp. 574-666). The act, according to its title, is "To provide a system of highway laws for the state of Ohio, and to repeal all sections of the General Code, and acts inconsistent herewith." It is not possible to go into detail to set forth the various provisions of this act, but its general provisions may be briefly summed up as follows : The county surveyor was designated as the county highway superintendent and was given the general supervision of all the roads in his county. He was given the authority to appoint such assistants as he might require in the performance of the duties connected with his office. During the past year Surveyor H. B. Hull has had five assistants : Deputy county engineer, C. M. Richey, who has charge of ditches and bridges ; county highway superintendent, Raymond H. Smith, who has charge of state highway work; two rodmen, Dean Hull and Melwood Stanhope; clerk, Hazel Kirk Reck. During 19.16 a second deputy engineer was employed but it was necessary to dispense with his services at the close of the year on account of 'a lack of funds. The county contains twelve townships and eleven of the townships are divided into four road districts each, one township—Jackson—making provision for only one district, The law provides that each township may have any number of districts not to exceed four, and Jackson decided that they needed only one: Each district in the township is in charge of a township highway superintendent, appointed by the trustees, who receives a per diem of $2.25 and is restricted to a definite number of days, the compensation being determined by the trustees. This law of 1915 underwent several radical changes at the hands of CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 861 the 1917 Legislature. The changes are embodied in the White-Mulcahy act (March 10, 1917). While the main features of the old act were continued, its administration as regards the counties was changed. The office of county highway superintendent was abolished and to the county surveyor, who, in most of the counties of the state, had served as highway superintendent during the past two years, was given most of the duties formerly in the hands of the highway superintendent. With the abolition of the office of highway superintendent the surveyor was placed upon a straight salary basis and the fees formerly attached to the office of highway superintendent now revert to the county. In other words the county surveyor is still highway superintendent, but is not officially recognized as such by title. He does practically the same work, exercises the .same jurisdiction over roads and performs the functions as were prescribed by the act of 1915. Ohio has a set of names for its roads which are somewhat confusing. There are township roads, county roads and state roads. State roads are of two kinds—inter-county and market. Each road is in a distinct class regarding the method of providing and paying for the same. Main market roads are the main roads leading from a large city in one county to a large city in another. Inter-county roads follow the same principle between counties. Under late enactments of the federal Congress, federal roads will be established as the main roads in the United States, such as the national pike south of us. The county and township roads are the less important roads in the county. The best roads of the county are the inter-county highways. INTER-COUNTY HIGHWAYS. The county now has nine highways of this character, for example, the Urbana-West Jefferson I. C. H., No. 188 ; Urbana-Sidney I. C. H., No. 192; Troy-Urbana Southern I. C. H., No. 471; Piqua-Urbana I. C. H., No: 190, etc. The following table shows the main facts concerning these highways:

Name of Inter-County Highway.	Total Mileage.	Length in Champaign.	Style of Construction,
Springfield-Urbana Urbana-W. Jefferson Urbana-Bellefontaine Piqua-Urbana Urbana-Marysville Urbana-Sidney Dayton-Lakeview Urbana-London Troy-Urbana Southern	12.5 25.5 18.0 25.9 23.4 27.6 53.1 17.0 23.4	5.5 12.5 9.6 14.4 18.6 15.9 16 5.5 14.4	Gravel Macadam and gravel. Gravel. Macadam and gravel. Gravel. Macadam and concrete. Gravel. Gravel. Concrete and gravel.

862 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. It is provided in the new law of 1915 that all roads shall be named and numbered and that all bridges shall be located and numbered. A traveler would be able to follow a road by the numbers on the bridge or culvert, as "125/10," painted on the bridge. The first number, "125," means that the road is No. 125 and "10" means that the bridge is the tenth one on that road. The county surveyors are thus able to keep a more accurate record and can locate a bridge at any time. HIGHWAY STATISTICS. Since the highway department was established in 1912, it has issued bulletins at intervals summing up the work done by the various counties of the state in the way of constructing roads. So-called "market roads" were provided for in 1913, but Champaign county has not yet 'had any of these roads established within its limits. Inter-county highways are those whose construction is divided equally between the counties through which they pass, and the state. The following table gives a summary of the roads of the county, outside of municipalities, from January I, 1912, down to the last report of the highway superintendent on March I, 1917:

Type Road.	All roads Jan. 1, 1912.	Improved-roads Mch. 1, 1917.	Inter-County Highways Jan. 1. 1915.	Inter-County Highways Jan. 1, 1917.
Concrete Macadam Gravel Earth	... 11 566 200	0.1 17.0 566.0 ...	... 5.2 110.7 ...	2.12 13.68 102.06 ...
Totals	777	583.1	115.9	117.86

The following table shows the amount of road and bridge expenditures from 1910 to 1913, inclusive. This table shows the amount expended by the county commissioners and township trustees, exclusive of state aid money. There is no summarized report available since 1913:

	1910	1911	1912	1913
Road repairs   Road construction   Bridge and culvert repairs Bridge and culvert construction.	$40,394 901 3,065 28.801 $73,161	$53,590 .... 2,630 35,548 $91,768	$48,383 1,053 1,974 15,282 $66,692	$45,662 1,040 7,718 34,045 $88,465

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 863 FIRST MACADAMIZED ROAD IN CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Future generations may wonder where the first macadamized road in Champaign county was built, how much it cost, its length, and something definite about it. That this point may be forever settled the records have been searched by Raymond H. Smith, who had charge of road construction in 1917, and he presents the following facts concerning this first macadamized road. It was built in 1911 in Goshen township and is the first mile of road west of the corporation limits of Mechanicsburg. The road in the official records is thus labeled : "Sec. A. Urbana & Mechanicsburg Road," but the same road is now (1917) known as "Urbana-West Jefferson I. C. H., 188—Sec. A. This road was sold on January 14, 1911, for $7,984.20; that is, the twelve-foot road cost the county about one dollar and fifty-one cents for each running foot. The road was well constructed by Harvey Stephens and today is in better condition than some of the macadamized roads that have been built since that year. It was the highest type of macadamized road then being built, and its construction has been followed by twelve and sixty-eight one-hundredths miles of a similar type during the past six years. A higher-type road, constructed in 1914 of concrete, has been built to the extent of two and twelve one-hundredths miles. RAILROADS. Champaign county has had railway connection with the outside world for nearly seventy years: There are very few people now living in Urbana who can recall the Thursday evening of July 30, 1848, when the first steam train pulled into Urbana from Sandusky. The day should be set down as a red-letter day in the history of the county, for with the coming of the railroad the growth of the county was stimulated in every direction. It gave the farmers an outlet for their products ; it made it possible for the manufacturer to enlarge his output and ship to foreign fields; it placed the county in close touch with the railroad running between Columbus and Indianapolis, and with all points between Sandusky on Lake Erie and Cincinnati on the Ohio river. In other words, since 1848 Urbana; and Champaign county have been in touch with the markets of the world. In 1917 the county is crossed by five railroads : Three through the county eat—Pennsylvania, Erie and Big Four ; the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton, which runs 864 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. across the western part of the county, and a branch of the Big Four which cuts across the southeastern part of the county, passing through Mechanicsburg. BIG FOUR RAILROAD. The first railroad to reach the county was known as the Mad River & Lake Erie railroad and was chartered by the Legislature in 1832, its charter stating that the company proposed to construct a railroad from Sandusky, on the lake, to Cincinnati, on the Ohio. The road was built as proposed, but not within the time which the company thought it would take to construct it. The northern part of the road was commenced first and was opened through from Sandusky to Urbana in 1848 as above stated. The name of the road was later changed and for many years it was known as the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland railroad. It is now, and has been for many years, known as the Big Four railroad. Another branch of the Big Four passes through the southeastern portion of the county, Mechanicsburg and Catawba being the only stations in the county located on the line. The road was originally known. as the Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Mansfield railroad, and later was operated as the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis railroad. The agitation for the road began in the latter part of the forties and by 1850 the discussion had reached the point where Goshen township was willing to subscribe for a liberal amount of stock. The township 'itself subscribed fifteen thousand dollars worth of bonds, which were, however, issued with the understanding that the township was to pay the interest on them for a definite term of years, at the end of which stipulated time the bonds were to be cancelled and the township freed from any .further obligation. But the township officials had failed to realize that they were dealing with shrewd railroad attorneys. Entering into the contract with the idea that they did not have to pay the principal, the supreme court of the state decided that the township was liable not only for the interest on the bonds, but also for the full amount of the principal. There was nothing for Goshen township to do but to pay the bonds. An annual tax was lveied year after year and it was not until. 1871 that the last bond was retired, and by that year the township had paid thirty thousand dollars into the treasury of the railroad. In addition to the part the township took in the building of the road, a number of the citizens of the township subscribed as individuals. The branch of the railroad running from Springfield to Delaware was CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 865 completed through the county in 1852. The first train to reach Mechanicsburg was greeted with a great ovation by the assembled citizens and the day of its arrival was fittingly celebrated by a grand free excursion to Springfield.. PROPOSED ROADS. In connection with the discussion of the railroad at Mechanicsburg it is necessary to refer to other attempts by people of Goshen township to locate railroads within its limits. It would seem that the experience which the township had with its first railroad would have been sufficient for a time at least. However, the township had but fairly cleared itself of its -first railroad obligation before it launched a new scheme for a second road. A petition signed by one hundred and sixty-two citizens and taxpayers was presented to the township trustees on June 24, 1872, asking for an election to determine whether the township should bond itself to the extent of twenty thousand dollars to assist in the construction of a railroad from Columbus to Urbana. The inception of the road was the legislative act of April 23, 1872, and, backed by this act, a, company was organized to build the road. The various townships of the three counties (Franklin, Madison and Champaign) through which the road would pass were asked to vote on the question of granting a subsidy, and it was for this purpose that the taxpayers of Goshen township, in Champaign county, petitioned the township trustees for the privilege of voting on the granting of the subsidy. The election was ordered by the trustees for July 31, 1872, and the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of granting the subsidy, the vote standing three hundred and thirty-five for and fifty-one against the proposition. It seemed that the road was a certainty; the. right of way was secured; bids were advertised for and the contracts for the construction of the road were let by sections on November 2, 1872. But the road was never built. With everything in its favor; with the three counties and their respective townships willing to grant liberal subsidies; with a rich territory to cross, and with the right of way secured—it seemed that there was no question but that the road would be built. There was one factor, however, that had been overlooked. The supreme court of the state stepped in and declared the act of April 23, 1872, unconstitutional—and the proposed railroad came to a sudden and abrupt end. Not to be daunted by their previous experience with railroads the people of Mechanicsburg made a second attempt in 1877 to get a railroad, (55) 866 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. this being their second attempt to get direct connection with Columbus. A railroad company was organized as the Columbus & Northwestern Railway Company and was to construct a road to connect Columbus and Urbana, passing through West Jefferson and Mechanicsburg. The company secured the right of way through the three counties of Franklin, Madison and Champaign and considerable stock was subscribed. Goshen township, in Champaign county, subscribed about nine thousand dollars worth of stock and most of this represented investments by the citizens of Mechanicsburg. The contract for the construction of the road was let to an eastern firm, but the railroad company failed to comply with its part of the contract and the contractors in charge of the construction work refused to continue work. With the suspension of work the original company found it difficult to finance the undertaking and it soon surrendered its charter—and Mechanicsburg is still waiting for a direct road to Columbus.   THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD. The Pennsylvania railroad was built through the county during the fifties and was the first road tringing Urbana into direct connection with Columbus, although at \least two later attempts were made to build lines between the county seat and the capital. The line extends east and west through the county and passes through the townships of Rush, Wayne, Salem, Urbana, Mad River, Jackson and Johnson. The stations on the road are Woodstock, Cable, Urbana, Westville and St. Paris. When the road was projected it wknownoWn as the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana railroad, but since the road was completed in the fifties its name has been changed several times, now being known as the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. .Louis railroad, but commonly as the "Pennsylvania.' The various townships of the county through which the road passed granted liberal subsidies and,. in addition, a number of the wealthy citizens subscribed for stock in the company. Data is not available to show the extent of money invested by the county in the company, but it is estimated that it was not far from a quarter of a million dollars. This road, like all of the other early roads built in the state, experienced considerable difficulty in getting ready for operation. While the work on the road was begun 1850 it did not reach Urbana until May, 1853, and Piqua was not reached: until 1854. The first through train between Columbus and Indianapolis passed through Urbana on Monday afternoon, April 4, 1859. This is now the. main line of the Pennsylvania system between Pittsburgh and CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 867 St. Louis. It is now double-tracked from Columbus to Urbana, while from Urbana to Piqua it now has three tracks in operation. Some idea of the amount of traffic on the road may be gained when it is stated that there are now seventeen passenger and express trains and from sixty to seventy-five freight trains passing over the road each day, the number of freight trains yarying with the season of the year. DETROIT, TOLEDO & IRONTON RAILROAD. The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton. railroad, the last railroad to be built through the county, was constructed in the early nineties. It passes through the western part of the county and crosses the Pennsylvania railroad at St. Paris. The other stations in the county touched by this road are Rosewood, Mockery, Darnell, Coffins and Diber. The road places the western part of the county in direct connection with Springfield to the south and Toledo and Detroit to the north, and has been no small factor in raising land values in the part of the county through which it passes. ELECTRIC RAILROADS. The history of electric transportation in Champaign covers a period of nearly twenty years. If all the electric lines had been built which were contemplated the county would have more than twice as many miles of such transportation facilities as it actually has in operation at the present time. Lines were projected in all directions from Urbana and one line—Urbana to Mechanicsburg to Columbus—looked like it was going to be built. The line west to St. Paris was projected, but it never proceeded beyond the paper stage. The Urbana-Columbus line not only had its franchise and right of way, but work was actually begun, grades made, and some ties placed in position, only to find its financial backing withdrawn and all work indefinitely suspended. The one line through the county today, now a part of the Ohio Electric Railway Company, was chartered as the Dayton, Springfield & Urbana Railway Company in the spring of 1899. The previous year an agitation was commenced for a line to connect the three cities and the local Urbana papers make frequent references to the possibilities of such a line being constructed. With the organization of the company in the spring of 1899, Urbana seemed assured of its first electric line. The company applied to the city council and the county commissioners in May for a franchise, and the question of 868 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. granting it was thoroughly discussed for. more than a month before the company succeeded in making satisfactory terms with the council and commissioners. On Monday, June 19, 1899, the county commissioners granted a franchise to the company from the Clark county line to the southern limits of the corporation boundary of Urbana, and on the evening of the same day the city council granted the company a franchise for the use of certain specified streets. The company agreed to pay $1,400 toward the construction of the. North Main street bridge. It also agreed to employ as many Urbana men as 'possible in its construction work in the county. Two years were to elapse between the time the commissioners granted a franchise to the company before .the people of Urbana saw the first electric car on the streets of their city. These two years were filled with constant bickerings between the company and the city council of Urbana. It was even charged that certain of the city officials were bribed by the company in order to grant certain concessions which the citizens at large did not want the company to have. It is needless to follow the complicated situation between 1899 and 1901—it is sufficient to state that the company finally built its road. As soon as it was completed from Springfield to Urbana, preparations were at once begun to continue its construction north to Bellefontaine, and within a year the cars were running to that city. Subsequently the road was completed through to Lima, and now through cars are running daily between Springfield on the south and Lima on the north. It is hard to estimate the value which has accrued to the . county as a result of the building of this electric line. Hourly passenger service is maintained throughout the day, while a sufficient number of freight cars are operated to handle an ever increasing amount of freight traffic. There can be no question, but that the electric road has taken a large amount of business away from. the steam road, not only in the way of passenger fares, but also in the amount of returns from the freight traffic. CHAPTER XXXII. WOODSTOCK. The history of the village of Woodstock may be traced back nearly one hundred years. During this time the village has lived a quiet and unpretentious life, never aspiring to metropolitan 'honors, never, attempting to delude itself with the idea that it would be more than a village, never holding itself up as an example of a model community center, but during all these years living the life of the ordinary hamlet. Like all villages it has had its ups and downs, its .share of lean years and its share of fat years ; it has seen many worthy people go out from its precincts and many other worthy people make their homes within them; it has been proud of its school and cherished its churches; it has patronized its home industries as far as possible; in all things it has been true to the genuine village type. It has, like unto all villages, had its "firsts" in everything. There was the first proprietor, the the settler, the first blacksmith, the first physician, the first school house, the first church, the first saloon, the first mail line; the first hotel—and the first of everything which has been part of its life. In order to give the village its proper setting it is necessary at the outset to set forth its geographical relation to the county and the state at large ; how it came into existence; who was responsible for its .appearance and, in short, to set forth the facts concerning its entry into the history of the county. The land on which it is located is a part of Virginia Military Survey No. 7822, and was taken out in the name of Anthony Walke. He never lived on the land and as far as is known never knew of such a place as Woodstock. While the village itself did not have a plat recorded until March 28, 1834, yet there were settlers on its site for several years prior to that date. It seems that about 1819 this survey was purchased from the original proprietor by a number of New Englanders, mostly from Vermont and New Hampshire. The part including Woodstock and a substantial part of Rush township was bought by four Smith brothers (Sylvanus, Samuel, Lester and Dexter), David Holt, Levi Churchill, William Gifford and Benjamin D. Sibley. In 1820 this little group of settlers was augmented by Hezekiah Ripley, Joseph Meacham, James Webb, John McDonald, Harvey Cushman and James Parkhill. 870 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO, Thus during 1819 and 1820 the present site of Woodstock and the immediate community received about a dozen families, which, added to a few families who a short time previously, had located to the west of the settlement, made a very respectable community. Those in addition to the families already mentioned, were the Corbets and Lanes, about a mile west of Woodstock ; also Thomas Irwin and William Wright. Irwin and Wright were Virginians and did not have any particular affection for the Vermonters and consequently sold out in 1835 to Philip Smith, a brother of the Smiths who had settled in the community in 1819 and 1820. Randall Willard secured part of the tract owned by the Virginians and, as soon as they had sold, they left this section of the country for a more congenial climate. The period from 1820 to 1834 found Woodstock gradually adding to its scattered population, but it was not until the latter year that an effort was made to have it platted. During this period of fourteen years most of the many "firsts" of the village made their appearance, and they may be noticed at this point. THE FIRST PHYSICIAN. Every community of several families had a physician early in its history and Woodstock was no exception. But the village had an unusual physician as its first healer; she was a woman, Mrs. Sophia Sumner Holt, not a regular practicing physician, but withal, one who traveled far and wide in response to requests for her services. She was distinctly a "yarb doctor" and many stories are told of the wonderful concoctions, decoctions, infusions, etc., which she prepared and administered. So unique was her system of therapeutics, so distinctly feminine, that an explanation of her method of procedure is worthy of record. "Doctor" Holt must have been a sartorial curiosity ; her raiment was of a piece with her other idiosyncracies. In her practice she traveled the roads astride an old white mare—that is, the old mare was white when she left the stable, but the farther her mistress traveled the less this color was evident. On the horn of her saddle the good old lady had a big pasteboard box full of roots, herbs, peppers, spices and medicinal plants of every description. Arriving at the home of her patient she proceeded to fill him full of the hottest mixture she could concoct, and, so it is recorded, internal spontaneous combustion was sometimes narrowly avoided. In modern parlance she would undoubtedly have been called a "hot" doctor. One man whom she had treated in this heated manner declared afterwards "that her stuff had made him so hot that his clothes smelled like burnt rags for a month." Following this initial pro- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 871 cess of getting the patient to the proper temperature she put him in a sweat box "to extract all the juice out of his anatomy possible, then sponged him off with cold water, and wound him up in a woolen blanket to get well or die." And here comes the strange, but true, part of the story. Her husband was the undertaker of the community, also the coffin maker, while—that nothing might escape—the good old lady herself was fully competent to preach a funeral sermon. Such another combination and co-ordination of interests it would be hard to find. So if the patient lived, she got her fee; if he died—well, he would be taken care of. According to local historians, the doctor-preacher did not hesitate in her funeral sermons to consign her subject to. Heavenly bliss, if she felt that was his proper place; nor, on the other hand, if he was not a suitable subject for the heavenly kingdom "she passed him down the trail to the next station, a locality Where climatic conditions are good for cold feet." The good old lady has long since dosed her last patient on this earth, but, if as some believe, we follow her earthly vocation in the world to come, the good old lady is still digging herbs, and, to quote from the local historian of her earthly home, "she will have a long time in which to pull herbs and dig roots." THE FIRST CHURCH. The first church was of the Christian denomination, a branch of the church of this name founded by Elias Smith ; but this church, while the first of the community, was about five miles east of the village of Woodstock and about one mile west of the ancient village of Homer, in Union county. The first church in the village proper was a Universalist church and dates from about 1828. Rev. Asher A. Davis was the first minister, a lad of nineteen with a wife of fifteen, and the pair were possessed of about as much ability to run a home in the wilderness as a pair of "babes in the woods." He was, notwithstanding his youth, an eloquent preacher and his wife proved to be just as useful as ornamental. They were so genial and gentle that the rough old settlers took kindly to them and the young couple were really a wonderful blessing to the community. For four years Davis preached, and then it seemed that he began to introduce too much Universalist doctrine into his sermons. Remonstrance on the part of his parishioners did not stop him and finally the young couple were fairly driven out of the community. Strange to say they came back two years later on a visit and by this time the people seemed to have had a change of heart. He delivered a Universalist sermon in Sibley's grove, where a few years before he had preached a Christian ser- 872 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. mon—and he held the audience spellbound for two hours. The very people who drove Davis and his wife from the community on account of his espousal of Universalism were the very ones who organized the first church of this denomination in Woodstock. THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE. The first school house was built in the village in 1823 on a lot later owned by Dan Fox. The lot was a generously-sized one of an acre and was giyen by Samuel Smith. This first temple of learning was a log structure and about its only recommendation was its cheapness. An old citizen, Warren D. Sibley, recalled a few years ago that one of the diversions of the boys in this school house—and he was one of them—consisted in pulling out of their pants the splinters which found their way to the boys from the seats on which they had to sit. A word- may be said about this first school house of Woodstock as it was described by Mr. Sibley a few years ago At the age of four years I was sent there to school to spend six hours each day to receive instructions about that number of minutes. The rest of the time I spent in planing slivers off a rough slab seat, without any back, and so high that my feet could not reach the floor without sliding partly off, which I occasionally did; but if discovered in this position by the teacher, I was certain to get a thump on the head, accompanied by a command .to "Crawl back on your slab." There were six little human cubs on this slab and when the teacher could think of nothing meaner to do he would slide his foot along the row tipping us all over backwards. We sat facing a great yawning fireplace sufficiently large to take in one-half a cord of wood and topped out with a stick chimney large enough, if laid on the ground, for a good-sized mule to pass through. And how the wind would roar and swirl down that chimney,. filling the room with smoke, fire' and ashes, and then to vary the discomfort, to have a stream of melted snow spout down from the loft and strike a lad in the neck, and drift along down his spinal column, producing a sensation for which no- sane boy would hanker for a second application. The description which the foregoing writer gives of a school house in Champaign county in the twenties is typical of most of those in use at that time. The added description which Sibley gives of the management of the school by the teacher may also be taken as typical of teaching methods in the county during the twenties and thirties—and even later. To continue quoting from Sibley : When the teacher planted himself at his desk to close the school for the day, I was so overjoyed with the prospect of being turned out of that prison that I must have been rather demonstrative and noisy, for the teacher tucked me under his desk and put his foot on me to keep me still, and when my name was called I answered "Here." "Yes, my lad," the teacher said, "You wouldn't be here if I hadn't my foot on you," CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 873 which was very true, for when a lad of my 'dimensions was flat on the floor with a foot on his back and that foot hung to a leg about the size of a salt barrel, his chance of being anywhere else is pretty slim. That teacher weighed three hundred and fifty-seven pounds, and it was gross in more ways than one. This, my first teacher, was David Ripley, the most popular teacher in Champaign county. As it seemed to me he was subject to fits of cyclonic wrath at the least violation of the rules of the school during school hours, yet at recess, he was a boy among boys and engaged in all boyish sports with avidity. Called the champion of the Darby plains, it was said when he got a fair whack at the ball the surest place to find it would be in the next county. One essential qualification for a male teacher at that time was his physical ability to lick the biggest boy in the school. Without this qualification the applicant for a school was quite sure to be turned down. The methods in use at that time to punish refractory pupils I felt, as a youth, were an outrage to childhood; and at mature age I know that they were extremely cruel and vicious. Every device that the vile ingenuity of man could invent was adopted to enforce obedience in the school and seemingly the only object to be accomplished was to break down and destroy every particle of independence and self-respect that the pupil possessed. by nature. The rod, the ferrule, the dunce block, standing on one foot with a book elevated above the head, split quill placed astride the nose and various other methods, equally as humiliating, were in vogue, none of which were calculated to give sensitive boys and girls a very exalted opinion of themselves or any too much self-respect. Apparently the pupils had no right that the teacher was bound to respect. To pet a boy and spare the rod was considered a sure method of sending him down the broad road that leads to death, and the rougher and harder a boy was used, the better his chance of becoming, a good and useful citizen here, and a winged pauper in the New Jerusalem. The school house just described stood from 1823 to 1829, but by the latter year it was deemed necessary to provide a new building. Although Thomas Irwin got the contract for building the new brick building and agreed to have it done by the following December, there were only a few loads of brick on the ground by that time. The new building was to be on the old site and the old one was to be used for school purposes until the new structure was ready for occupancy. During the summer of 1829 the wife of W. D. Sibley taught the summer term in .her own home. During the winter of 1829-30 there was no school, and it was not until the first Monday in December, 1830, that the new building was open for school purposes, with Eliphas Burnham as the first teacher. Old settlers unite in calling him a very conscientious, kind-hearted and capable teacher. BEGINNING OF THE VILLAGE. The history thus far recounted deals with Woodstock before it was platted in 1834. A word should be said at this point concerning the several names which have been applied to the village. The first official plat on record is dated 874 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. March 28, 1834, and bears the title of "Hartford alias Woodstock." This implies that both names were in current use in 1834 and by inference it would seem that Woodstock was applied to the place at a later date. It would seem that the local historian, Sibley, would have the best information on the nomenclature of the village. Here is what he says : "An attempt was made at first to call our village Smithville ; this, however, did not seem to become popular. It was called New Albany for a while, then Hartford. About 1837 or 1838; a horde of Vermonters came and called the village after the old Woodstock, Vermont. It was sometimes called by people outside the village—Mudsock." Sibley is incorrect in stating that the name of Woodstock was not applied before 1838, since the plat of 1834 carries the name of Woodstock. Another local authority states that the town was called Woodstock because, when it applied for a postoffice, it was found that there was already a postoffice by the name of Hartford in the state and this made it necessary to select a new name—hence Woodstock became the name of the Postoffices and gradually the old name of Hartford was supplanted by the name of Woodstock. Undoubtedly the name was applied because so many of the first settlers came from the vicinity of Woodstock, Vermont. The actual platting of the town was done on March 17 and 18, 1834, by John Arrowsmith, county surveyor. The official plat states that it is the "southwest part of survey No. 7822, Anthony Walke, original proprietor, for Sylvanus Smith and Phebe Smith." There were originally forty-two lots laid out in a very irregular fashion. The platting of the town was evidently the means of stirring up considerable trouble. While it is impossible to follow the thread of events in 1834, yet the appearance of the first plat, laid out in such an irregular manner, bears witness to the fact that the owners of land adjacent to the crossroads were not working together in harmony. There were four owners of the four respective corners : Sylvanus Smith had the northwest corner; Phoebe Smith, the northeast; B. D. Sibley, the southeast ; Isaac Marsh, the southwest corner. The first plat shows that the Smiths were the only ones to have any of their land platted, and according to local authorities Sibley and Marsh refused to have anything to do with the Smiths in regard to laying out the proposed village, on the ground that the latter would not consent 'to have the streets straightened so they would cross at right angles. Other local authorities aver that the Smiths were responsible for the town being laid out in such an irregular manner. Whatever the reason may be for the haphazard platting of the town, it has had no effect on its prosperity, and it may be said that it even adds a cer- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 875 tain piquancy to the little village. Before a year had elapsed Sibley had a change of heart and decided to plat an addition and on January 28, 1835, he recorded a plat of ten lots on his corner—the southeast; then, of course, Marsh had to follow suit. On September 5, 1836, he laid out eight queerly shaped lots on his corner—the southwest. Subsequent additions have been made by Elias Smith (November 15, 1865, seven lots), and E. M. Bennett (August 5, 1867, ten lots), both being in the southwest corner. There was only one house standing on the site when the plat of the village was recorded in 1834. Phoebe Smith's house happened to fall on lot 24 and must therefore be recorded for all time to come as the first house erected in Woodstock. This same house was later the property of Joseph Chamberlin and within its homelike precincts was opened the first saloon in the village. The first house erected after the platting in .1834 was erected by David 4. Hall on lot No. 3 and in it he opened the first shoeshop. William B. Linell, a blacksmith, built the second house on lot No. 2 and put up his shop on lot No. 15. By 1837 houses had been erected on lots Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 16. On lot No. I stood a combined store and dwelling house, the property of Ira Johnson, who was also the first postmaster. The blacksmith, Linell, became converted at one of the revivals, sold his shop to Erastus Martin and became a regularly ordained minister in the Universalist church. CHRISTENING THE FIRST HOTEL. One other "first" remains to be noticed. In 1835 Harvey Cushman built a hotel adjoining the present new bank building and for several years conducted the only hostlery in. the village. In those days the ceremony of "raising" a house was attended with the consumption of vast quantities of whiskey; in fact, few farmers would have had the courage to invite their neighbors to a house-raising or log-rolling without providing an ample supply of, genuine corn whiskey. On the day that the framework of the Cushman Hotel was raised every man present, except Sylvanus Smith, was drinking and most of them were decidedly under the influence of the liquor. When the framework was finally up it was decided to christen the future hotel in some such manner as battleships are christened. Accordingly, a bottle of whiskey was provided and the soberest man of the drunken crew was delegated the task of taking a drink and then throwing the bottle, dripping its contents enroute, over the building, and thus was christened Woodstock Hotel. The question of spelling the word hotel was the cause of considerable warm feeling; some said it should be spelled with one "1" and some insisted that two 876 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. were needed. Sylvanus Smith, being the only sober man in the crowd, was asked to decide the momentous question. Smith looked at the building and then at the motley -crowd around him and then pronounced his decision : "If this day is a sample of what the hotel is to be, it. should be spelled 'Hot-hell.' " And according to the best authority, "it proved to be a -hell of a place for three or four years:" To continue the description of this gin-shop the local historian says : "Hoodlums gathered there from various localities on Saturday afternoon and continued their bacchanalian orgies in the village, frequently until midnight, terrifying the people by their demoniacal yells, fighting, and running horses on the street." Fortunately eggs were not as high in price then as now or the following story would. not be told. The older and soberer Men of the community encouraged the non-drinking young men to form a vigilance committee and rid -the community of the doggery. Each young fellow gathered two or three dozen eggs of uncertain age and on the next Saturday night, following their plan of campaign, they lay in wait for the revelers. When the drunken mob emerged from the saloon and began to disport themselves on the street the egg-laden conspirators turned loose a volley of eggs. A man has to be pretty drunk not to resent an aged egg greeting him face to face and the young men in charge of the egg brigade must have engaged in practice, since it was only a matter of a few minutes before the drunken mob was ready to beat a retreat. The hotel came in for a share of the omelet and next morning presented a grotesque appearance. This charge of the egg brigade put an effective stop to these weekly orgies, and had. a sobering effect on both the proprietor and his customers. The proprietor decided to confine his liquor sales to travelers, and as a result his caravansary became a very respectable tavern. EARLY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. It is impossible to trace the growth of business enterprises of the village for the eighty years that it has been in existence, but a few of the more important merchants may be mentioned. The first storekeeper, Ira Johnson, has been mentioned. The second store was opened by the firm known as Franklin, Fairchilds & Company, Samuel Franklin furnishing the capital, Deranzell Fairchilds being head manager and Lockwood, a member of the company, serving as clerk. The latter withdrew in 1840 and Franklin & Fairchilds continued the store until about 1850. This firm did an enormous business and of a most peculiar character. It did not matter to them whether their customers paid cash or not, all they wanted was cash in January of each year of CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 877 notes—and they got mostly notes. These limes the proprietors traded for horses arid for upwards of fifteen years Fairchilds collected each spring fifty to sixty head of horses and actually drove them all the way to Connecticut, where he sold them. Then he stopped off at New York on his way back, bought his goods for the following year and came on home. Fairchilds was "Doc" to everybody and was one of those jovial fellows who make life worth living. His partner, Franklin, was also of a jovial disposition and was reputed to be able to laugh the "loudest and the longest and the most completely of any man who ever lived in the county." He was "Uncle Sam" to the whole community. ERASTUS MARTIN. There is usually in each community, and especially in the community the size of Woodstock, one man who may be said to be responsible for its prosperity during a long period of years. Such a man in Woodstock was Erastus Martin. Born in Randolph, Vermont, in 1811, he learned the blacksmith trade in New York City when a young man and drifted West, eventually finding himself in Mexico, where he accumulated a goodly sized fortune in a short time. Martin came to Woodstock about 1840, being drawn thither by the fact that many of his neighbors in Vermont had located there. He continued to make Woodstock his home until his death in 1891, and in the course of more than half a century in this community it is not too much to say that for many years of the time he was the most influential factor in its industrial life. He was a natural financier, and anything to which he turned his hand proved successful. At one time or another he actually owned every lot in Woodstock and North Lewisburg, securing them in the course of his many business transactions. He engaged in farming, blacksmithing, real-estate business, dealt in imported Norman horses and French sheep, and for many years engaged extensively in the slaughtering business.. He slaughtered thousands of hogs and sheep annually and hauled his pork and mutton overland to Toledo. He was responsible, more than any other man, for the Pennsylvania railroad going through Woodstock rather than through Mechanicsburg. In short, he was the moving spirit in Woodstock as long as he was active in business affairs. WOODSTOCK'S SERVICE DURING THE CIVIL WAR In the decade before the Civil War, the village boasted of two general stores, a grocery store, drug store, wagon shop and two blacksmith shops. 878 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Smith & Sprague were the proprietors of the general store which stood on the 'southeast corner of the square, while a man by the name of Harback occupied the southwest corner with his store. Edward Clark was on the northeast corner with a grocery and T. Burnham had his drug store on the northwest corner. The blacksmith shops were owned by Elder Marsh and James Conner, while the wagon shop was located over the blacksmith shop of Elder Marsh, and was run by Charles Marsh and N. P. Hewitt. Joseph Chamberlin operated the village hotel in the brick building built by a man by the name of Ganter. The Civil War came on apace and the business industries of the town suffered as a result. The part Woodstock and Rush township took in the Civil War is told in the military chapter, and need not be treated here in detail. Woodstock claimed to have furnished more men for service, according to its population, than any other village or city in the state. On the day the first call was made, eight young men enlisted ; fifteen answered the second call; five went at the next; and others from time to time until the close of the war. The complete summary of Woodstock's service will be seen in the chapter above mentioned. At the opening of the war the village had a fine brass band, most of its members being married, and when the war opened nine members at once enlisted. More than fifty. soldiers are buried in the local cemetery. Upon the breaking out of the Spanish-American War the following young men enlisted from Woodstock : W. C. Gifford, Charles Bailey, Daniel Poling, Charles and Arthur Cushman, Guy Clark, John Overfield, Guy Weatherhead, Perry Sessions, David Hanley and Simeon Martin. Two other young men, William Griswold and Thomas Linehan, both of whom were former residents of Woodstock, served in the war and reached the front. The nine young men from Woodstock got no farther than Florida before they were called back. The present European War finds one young man at the front in June, 1917. Vivian Crawford, who is with an ambulance corps. FACTORIES, MILLS AND SHOPS. There have been blacksmith shops in Woodstock since its earliest history, and the followers of Tubal Cain have usually been woodworkers as well. W. B. Linell, the first blacksmith, was followed by Erastus Martin, the latter subsequently becoming the wealthiest man in the township and one of the wealthiest in the county. Elder Marsh and James Conner came in as blacksmiths in the forties and continued for a number of years. Philander Geer CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 879 came in the fifties and Miles Standish and Ancil Mechaum came in still later. The firm of Morrissey and Fox followed in the nineties and both are still in business, although not in partnership. Another group of shops which have existed in the past include shoe-shops and tailor shops, not to mention barber shops and harness shops. David Hall appears to have been the first shoemaker, closely followed by Simon Chapman. Later shoe repairers have been Dan Poling and 0. B. Summers. The first tailor shop was in charge of William Riddle and his successors were Patrick Connolly and Staley Shepherd. In the beginning the harness shops were identical with the shoe shops. In the early history a shoeshop meant a shoe factory, since all the shoes then were handmade and usually made in the community where they were to be worn. Until factory-made shoes came into use after the war, it was .customary for shoemakers to visit their different customers sometime during the year, take their foot measure and make their shoes while they were free from their regular work. If . the tales of old settlers may be believed, some of these hand-made boots were worn for ten years, and if a shoe did not wear from three to five years it was not accounted a good shoe. The county commissioners' records show that they paid two dollars a pair for shoes in the twenties for inmates of the county poor house, and these shoes were made out of genuine cow leather. Shoe repairing shops and harness shops are two distinct affairs at the present time and have been since shoe cobblers quit making shoes. Benjamin C. Vance is now the local harness maker. The first village barber was Benjamin Fish and since his day barbers have come and gone, leaving their bloody trail behind them. Years ago Samuel Louden attended to the hirsute wants of the community; J. 0. Carter and Paul Perry now preside over the village barber shops. OTHER INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES. Woodstock is not on a stream and consequently has never had the opportunity of providing itself with water-power mills.' The first saw-mill was opened in 1850 by Jesse and. Stephen K. Smith, brothers, in the north end of town. Five years later Jesse Smith in partnership with Orris Fairchild, added a flour-mill and the combined saw- and flour-mill was doing a big business when the whole establishment was burned to the ground in the spring of 1858. The firm had no insurance, but. Smith was a man of energy and evidently of considerable means. The railroad had reached the town in 1853, and after the fire he bought an acre south of the railroad and proceeded to rebuild both mills at once. The flour-mill was discontinued many years ago, 880 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. but the saw-mill was operated year after year until a few years ago, when Pearl Bennett, the son of Barnett Bennett, who had run it for many years, sold it to parties in Georgia. It is now doing duty in the cypress swamps of that state. Another woodworker of former years was Lester Smith, who had a small shingle factory in the basement of his house. He produced handmade oak shingles, but history does not record how many he could make in a day or how long he continued in the business. As has been stated, the first blacksmiths were generally woodworkers, and divided their attention between iron acid woodwork, but later the demands of the time called into existence special wagon makers. Thus, in 1856 it is recorded that Charles Marsh and N. P. Hewitt had a wagon shop and in 1872 this same Hewitt was still listed as a carriage, buggy, spring and farm wagon manufacturer. He was the last one to conduct such an industry in the village. The first drain tile factory in the village and in the county as well was opened for operation by David Kenfield in 1857 about forty rods south o the railroad track. This factory passed through a number of hands an eventually became the property (about 1875) of W. H. Miller, who operated it until Ralph 'Burnham took it in 1880. It closed about 1885. Another industry dating back more than half a century was the tannery business. On lot No. 7 of the Sylvanus Smith plat there is indicated a tannery standing in 1872. This industry had been operated by Thomas Archer and was discontinued in the seventies. The history of the way Woodstock came to get the railroad which went west from Columbus to Indianapolis is one of intense interest. It was presumed that the road would go through Mechanicsburg to Urbana, a more direct route and consequently less expensive, but Woodstock had one man who was more than a match in diplomacy and financial ability for all of the citizens of Mechanicsburg. This one man was Erastus Martin. He made up his mind to have the railroad Come through his. village and he left no stone unturned and no pocketbook untouched to bring about this desired result. With his own means and with such money as he induced his neighbors d subscribe, together with the subsidy voted by his township, he was instrumental in raising one hundred thousand dollars—a sum which was sufficient to induce the railroad company to put Woodstock on its right-of-way. The coming of the first train into the town in 1853 was made the occasion for a great celebration. For several years the railroad engines burned only wood and a shed was erected at Woodstock which would hold five hundred cords of four-foot wood for use in the engines. There was also a watering tank at CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 881 Woodstock, the water coming from a dug well and being pumped into the large tank by the hand of Richard Linehan, who lived until about 1910. Old residents recall that a blind man by the name of John Moody, now deceased, was employed by the railroad company for years sawing wood with a buck saw. PHYSICIANS. A brief account has been given of the first exponent of the healing art—the woman with the healing apparatus, white horse and undertaker husband. The first real physician in the village was Dr. Daniel Delaney, who came to Woodstock with his wife in 1834 and built a house in the little village. He was a well-educated physician and soon built up an extensive practice. His wife was a cousin of Henry Ward Beecher, was a well-educated woman, and for many years was a teacher in the community. So excellent was the character of her teaching that many school teachers completed their work under her schooling and went out to take charge of schools in Champaign, Logan and Union counties. In fact, there was a greater demand for Woodstock teachers trained in Mrs. Delaney's school than could be supplied. Her husband spent a few hours each day in the school room, long enough to "hear" the lessons in arithmetic. The second physician to locate in Woodstock was Dr. Benjamin Davenport, who settled there in 1836 with his wife, four boys and one girl. Within four years he had one of the most extensive practices of any physician in the county, and, until he left in 1859 for Oregon, he had all he could attend to. It is said that he never collected a bill for his services if he had to go after it; if his patients paid him they did so of their own volition. He seemed to have no care as to how he should live, but when his boys grew to maturity the family home took on a very comfortable appearance. He was really a. very competent physician despite the fact that he seldom gave any medicine. It is not possible to go into details concerning the careers of the many physicians who have come and gone in the village. Following Doctor Davenport came Dr. L. Swaine and he was succeeded by Dr. J. S. Crawford, who came to the village in 1854 from Logan county. Doctor Crawford practiced in the village until his death in 1889. The physicians since that year have included C. O. Johnson, L. C. Herrick, W. J. Green, D. W. Sharp and Howard Sharp. L. C. Herrick was one of the best trained physicians Champaign county has ever had. A summary of his .career is given in detail in the medical chapter. Dr. Howard Sharp is now the only practicing physician in the (56) 882 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. village. He and his father had the only drug store in the village for many years. His mother now owns the drug store. The village is the birthplace of W. C. Hewitt, a homeopathic physician, who practiced in his native town for a few years, and then located at Xenia, where he is now practicing. CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES. The village has had two churches for more than seventy years. As has been stated, most of the first settlers were members of the Christian church, but a few years later most of those in the immediate vicinity of Woodstock became identified with the Universalist church. The Christian church was definitely organized on April 13, 1839, by Amos Stephens, Harrison Lines, Gardner Thomas, Elias Smith and others. They bought a lot of Sylvanus Smith in 1844 and built a brick church the same year, dedicating it on November 19. This same building is in use in 1917. The Universalists also erected a brick building in 1844, the trustees at the time being Jonas Miller, Eliphas Burnham and John McDonald. This church was in use until replaced by the present brick building in 1893. The Catholics have never been sufficiently strong in the community to have a building, but are served by the priest from Urbana at regular intervals. For many years mass was said at the home of Mrs. Michael Sullivan, but services are now held in one of the town halls. A complete history of the Woodstock churches may be seen in the church chapter. The first village cemetery was laid in 1846 and stands at the west side of the town. Richmond Sibley was the .first person buried in the cemetery and during the seventy years of its existence it .has acquired a population considerably in excess of the village by which it stands. The cemetery is one of the finest and best-kept cemeteries in the state for a village of the size of Woodstock, and the people are justified in being proud of it. A handsome vault was built in the cemetery in 1887. The most striking monument in the cemetery is the Cushman family monument. It was designed and sculped by Warren Cushman, now a resident of Zanesfield, Ohio. It contains the names of the various members of the family, a group of standing figures and busts of several other members of the family. The accompanying photograph gives a good. general view of the monument. THE FIRST SCHOOL BUILDING. The first school building in the village was a rough log affair built in 1823, followed in 1829 by a brick structure. The latter structure was added CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 883 to in 1843, and this building, continued in use until' 1860. In that year the school trustees erected a two-story brick building in the western part of the village. the grounds occupying the space between the highway and the railroad. The. next building appeared in the latter part of the seventies and was made possible by a legislative act passed' in 1877. Joseph Chamberlin was responsible for the passage of the act and, despite vigorous opposition on the part of many farmers, Woodstock saw ,its fourth school building. This building cost nine thousand dollars, and was first in charge of J. W. Freeman, who was at the head of the schools for nine years. He was followed by Stephenson. McConkey, George Waite, Alonzo Smith, J. W. Cross, Thomas Johnson, M. A. Brown, I. L. Mitchell, C. C. Kail, Miller, H. C. Cusick and R. A. Conrad. In March, 1893, the school building erected in 1877-78 was completely destroyed by fire and the present building was erected in the summer of that same year. The high-school building was erected in 1915, and the Woodstock school district is now as well supplied with buildings and equipment as any school district in the county. Among other teachers prior to the nineties was Evan P. Middleton, now the common pleas judge of the county, who taught in the village during the seventies. COLLEGE MEN AND WOMEN OF WOODSTOCK. The state of Ohio is noted for the number and excellence of its colleges and universities. No statistics are available to show the number of Champaign county people who have attended college ; but a list of the young people of Woodstock who have attended college within the last few years has been compiled by one of the graduates of the Woodstock high school and later a graduate of Ohio State University. This list is not complete, but it indicates in a striking, way that the present generation firmly believes in higher education. While this record is only for the Woodstock community, there are many others of the county which can doubtless furnish similar records. Not all of the appended names of Woodstockians were graduates, but they have at least attended college one or more years.. In the following list, the names of those who graduated are indicated with an asterisk. Ohio State University—*Raymond H. Smith, *Marion Carter, *Ernest Kimball, *Christine Kimball, *Clifford Briney, George Lincoln, Edward Kimball, James Miller, Frank Miller, Herbert Clark, Mrs. Herbert Clark (Ruby Smith)', *Howard Sharp (medical department), Leroy Briney, Jared Cushman, and Byron Hawley. Miami University—*Vivian Crawford, *Frederica Crawford, *Kenneth 884 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Crawford, Sarah Martin, Robert Lincoln, Ruth Fox, *Mabel Briney (later attended Columbia University), *Helen Lincoln. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio—*Fauntobelle Lattimer, *Marjorie Kimball, Mr. and Mrs. Wist. Oberlin College—Mrs. Moultin Martin (Grace Carter), Mrs. Than Madden (Adak Westfall). Antioch College—Philo G. Burnham, Mrs. Edna McMullin. Columbia University—Mabel Briney, Leroy Briney. College of Osteopathy, Kirksville, Missouri—*Carson Burnham, *Arthur Benedict, *Emmett Benedict. Cleveland School of Homeopathy—*W. C. Hewitt. Military Academy, Pontiac, Michigan—C. K. Lincoln. King's School of Oratory, Pittsburg—*Eva Darrow. Grant Hospital, Training School for Nurses, Columbus, Ohio—*Nellie Martin. Harvard University—Rev. Harland Glazier. SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. The first settlers of Woodstock were opposed to secret organizations and it was not until the decade before the Civil War that the first fraternal society gained a foothold in the village. The Odd Fellows instituted a lodge of October 22, 1850, and erected a brick building in that same year. This building was burned in 1871 and was replaced by the present building two years later. There are traditions to the effect that a lodge bearing the peculiar title of "E. Clamups Vitus" thrived in the village years ago, but its history has disappeared along with the men who conceived its unique name. The Know-Nothings had an organization in the village during the heyday of the political party of that name, and the local organizations Were genuine secret affairs—with rituals, grips, passwords, and such other paraphernalia, impedimenta, etc., as are usually associated with secret organizations. Then in later years came the famous, or infamous, according as it may be viewed, American Protective Association. Probably no organization in the country has ever aroused as much discussion as the American Protective Association, and while it lasted in Woodstock it was the means of furnishing plenty of conversation for the loafers around the stores during the long winter evenings. No more honorable organization ever came into existence than the Grand Army of the Republic, and it was but natural that Woodstock should organize a post as soon as the national organization began spreading to the different states. The local CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 885 post was organized in 1886, but its members have been fast answering the last roll call and now there are only a few left. The Junior Order of American Mechanics has maintained an active organization since it was established. BANKS. The first banking institution in the village was a building and loan association formed by L. C. Herrick, A. B. Howard and George Riddle, about 187o. It lasted for about three years and voluntarily suspended business. The village was without banking facilities until April 4, 1877, when the 'Woodstock Bank was organized with A. P. Howard, president, and George Riddle, cashier. These men operated the bank until 188o, when Moulton & Riddle became the owners and operated the same until the spring of 1883. For a brief period of nearly four months the village was again without banking facilities. On October I, 1883, True Martin assumed control of the banking business and organized the present bank. E. P. Black was chosen the first president, and he was succeeded by D. W. Sharp. After his death H. D. Martin was elected to the presidency and is the present incumbent. True Martin has been the cashier since the beginning. In May, 1906, the Peoples. Bank opened for business with D. R. Kimball, president ; W. C. Fullington, vice-president ; and S. F. Burnham, cashier. The bank erected a fine brick building on the northeast corner of the square, containing five business rooms on the lower floor, besides the quarters for the bank, and a large hall for public gatherings on the second floor. The officers of the institution at the present time consist of the following : D. R. Kimball, president ; W. G. Fullerton, vice-president ; A. R. Connor, cashier ; W. C. Fullington, F. G. Fullington, D. R. Kimball, W. C. Kimball, C. R Kimball, George Hann and Henry Westfall, owners and directors. The bank has a financial responsibility of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. INCORPORATION. The population of Woodstock had reached a place in 1870 where many of the leading citizens of the village felt that it would be advantageous to have it incorporated and to this end circulated petitions in order to ascertain the sentiment of the voters of the village. On March 31, 1870, forty-one voters of the village, representing a total population of two hundred and seventy-five within the limits of the proposed corporation, presented a petition to the county commissioners and on the 30th of the following May 886 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. the commissioners granted the prayer of the petitioners. The official proceedings incident to the incorporation of the village are taken from the official record in the recorder's office, plat .book B, p. 32. To the honorable the commissioners of Champaign ocunty, Ohio. The undersigned petitioners, legal voters of the village of Woodstock, Rush township, Champaign county, Ohio, residing within the limits of the territory named in the petition, respectfully petition your honorable body that you organize the following territory into an "Incorporated village for special purposes," towit: " the territory lying within the limits of a quarter of a mile extending in every direction from the center of the public square of said village of Woodstock, said limits embracing one-half a mile square, for fuller particulars refer to Map of territory proposed to be incorporated accompanying this petition. The name proposed for the corporation is the name the village now bears, "Woodstock," about 275 persons reside within the proposed limits of the corporation and we hereby authorize J. F. Gowey to act as our agent in the matter. Signed by Joseph Chamberlin and forty others.. This petition will be heard by County Commissioners at their office in Urbana, Ohio, on Monday, May 30,1870. Woodstock, Ohio, March 19, 1870. J. P. Gowey, Agent. 1. Joseph Chamberlin, 2. C. C. Wait, 3. J. G. Hoisington, 4. J. Frank Gowey, 5. R. Smith, 6. Minard Sessions, 7. G. W. Clark, 8. George Riddle, 9. Miles Standish. 10. John McDonald, 11. W. S. Cushman, 12. Joseph Judy, 13. D. S. Abbot, 14. C. C. Smith, 15. B. H. Reynolds, 15. Samuel Standish, 16. Barnet Bennet, 18. David Smith, 19. J. H. Weiser, 20. L. Smith, 21. L. C. Herrick, 22. Samuel A. Standish, 23. George McDonald, 24. James S. Foster, 25. John Pampel, 26. Charles P. Pollard, 27. N. P. Hewitt, 28. J. E. Hewitt, 29. J.. H. Abbot, 29. D. H. Hall, 30. S. P. Carlson, 31. G. M. Jennings. 32. Jesse Smith, 33. Azro Smith, 34. John Judy, 35. Cyrus Smith, 36. J. B. Reed. 37. F. L. Mason, 38. John D. Taylor, 39. T. J. Crawford, 40. S. W. Painter. A REMONSTRANCE AGAINST INCORPORATION. To the Hon : The commissioners of Champaign county, state of Ohio, We. the undersigned residents and property holders of Woodstock, Champaign county. Ohio, do humbly remonstrate and protest against the petition now before your humble body praying for the incorporation of said town for special purposes for the reason that we think the incorporation is not needed and that we can get along under the present laws of Ohio regulating villages, etc., Woodstock, Champaign county, Ohio, May 2, 1870: James Bindon, Dexter Smith, Nathan Davis, C. B. Jennings, John Willett, Thomas Archer, Jerry Stapleton, Michael Morrissey, John Lockwood. E. Cranston, William Casey. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 887 COMMISSIONERS ORDER INCORPORATION. In the matter of petition for the organization of the incorporated village of Woodstock for special purposes, a petition was this day presented to the county commissioners signed by thirty or more legal voters on the territory described therein praying that it may be organized into an incorporated village for special purposes to be known as the "Incorporated Village of Woodstock for special purposes," which petition is filed in the office of the county auditor ; whereup the commissioners fixed a time for the hearing of said petition for Monday, May 30, 1870, at the hourt house in Urbana. On the 30th day of May, 1870, said petition came on for hearing and after a careful examination of the petition, map and the objections, the commissioners find that the said petition contains all the matters required, and that its statements are true, that the name proposed for said corporation is appropriate, that the limits thereof have been accurately described and that the same are nut unreasonably large or small, and that the map or plat thereof is accurately made, that the persons whose names are subscribed thereto are legal voters, residing on said territory, that at least 50 qualified voters reside on said territory, and it is deemed right and proper by the commissioners that said petition be granted. .It is ordered that the corporation as named and asked for in the petition be organized. It is hereby certified that the foregoing is a full and complete transcript of the proceedings had by us in the above stated matter. Attest: J. M. Fitzpatrick. auditor, received the foregoing for record June 10, 1870. Thomas F. Wood, Z. P. Cayre, E. M. Bennett, Commissioners of Champaign County, Ohio. WOODSTOCK IN 1872. There has been preserved in an atlas of the county published in 1872 a complete directory of Woodstock, and, what is valuable from a historical standpoint, the atlas contains a plat of the town as it appeared after its incorporation in 1870, with the names of the owners of the various lots printed thereon. Beginning at the east end of Bennet street, on the north side, the following names give the complete list of the owners on the north side of the street to the west side of the incorporation : Lockwood, D. Gifford, E. Cranston, Susan Cushman, C; Cushman, Rian, W. Casey, D. P. Smith, A. L. McDonald, "Tip" Smith, Carlton & Gowey, M. Sullivan, Universalist church, N. P. Hewitt, A. Smith. The south side of the same street beginning from the east has the following : E. Cranston, L. Park, A. Foster, J. Conner, Burnette Elsworth, R. Smith, Hiram Guy, E. Cerrier, B. E. Fish, Dexter Smith, Erastus Martin, Joseph Chamberlin, David Watson, T. J. Crawford, and school. Main street beginning at the south and following the east side of the street had the following : The factory, W. H. Miller, R. Linehan, 888 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. D. Smith, C. B. Jennings, A. Cushman, D. Hanley, R. Smith, D. Smith, J. Hicks, Mrs. Flynn, Mrs. Waite, N. Davis, C. Smith, M. Guager (and turning to the right) Geo. McDonald, C. C. Waite and Mrs. Ballon. The west side of Main street beginning at the south. line had the following residents : J. A. McDonald, railroad station, W. S. Cushman, J. W. Crawford drug store, Odd Fellow building, Hiram Guy, Carlton & Gowey, Mrs. E. M. Smith, Mrs. S. Fairchild, Mrs. L. Riddle, J. S. Crawford, J. Conway, Mrs. A. Shipley (and turning to the left—now called Flynn Place Avenue) tannery, A. Smith and P. M. McDougal. The owners of the northwest section of the town were R. A. Smith, Mrs. M. Smith, Miles Standish, A. .Smith, `Jason Taylor, Mrs. Waite and Mrs. L. Smith. This gives the owner of all lots indicated on the plat of 1872 with the exception of Michael Morrissey who lived on what is now Burnwell avenue, just north of the Universalist church. In addition to the business interests represented on the map it is known that the following were located in Woodstock in 1872: L. C. Herrick, physician ; J. F. Gowey, attorney-at-law ; S. A. McAdow, liveryman and Barnet Bennett, saw-mill. WOODSTOCK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. The Woodstock Library Association was organized at the drug store of George Riddle & Company, on the evening of May 19, 1874, by the following persons : J. F. Gowey, Rev. T. N. Glover, Dr. L. C. Herrick, Levi Kidder, George Riddle, N. P. Hewitt, N. W. Chamberlin, Charles Colwell, Samuel Standish, S. D. Fairchild, J. A. McDonald and Miss A. L. McDonald. According to the. by-laws and regulations of the organization the number of stockholders was to be unlimited, and each share was to sell for five dollars. The first officers elected by the organization included the following: S. D. Fairchild, president; Rev. T. N. Glover, secretary and treasurer; Dr. L. C. Herrick, librarian. The executive board, composed of the president, secretary and treasurer, decided to call in half of the capital stock and to expend the same for books. The purchasing committee selected and bought thirteen volumes and with this small stock opened the library in the office of Doctor Herrick. The first book was loaned on May 29, 1874. In August, 1874, the association negotiated with several persons who owned collection of books and thus secured thirty-three volumes, taking the shares at a fair valuation on the shares of stock. The library was kept supplied with reading material by means of assessments on the capital stock, made CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 889 at intervals of every three or four months, until the stock was paid up. After all the stock had been paid the library was supported by an assessment of fifty cents on each share for a period of four months, together with rentals, fines and entertainments. The library continued to enjoy a more or less prosperous career for nearly fifteen years, but about 1888 the interest in it had waned to such an extent that it was deemed advisable by the few remaining stockholders to close the institution permanently. By that time the library had accumulated about five thousand volumes, besides a goodly collection of magazines and pamphlets. F. T. Crawford was the last regular librarian in charge. The books were. divided among the stockholders and the library was closed forever. Since that time the school authorities have installed a library in the school building, which is to all intents a free library for the community. POSTOFFICE. The postoffice was established shortly after the village was laid out but no information is at hand to show when it was established or who was the first postmaster. Among the postmasters who have been identified with the office are H. Poland, John Hoisington, C. C. Smith, James Welch, S. M. Overfield, N. P. Hewitt, Walter C. Gifford and S. M. Overfield, the present incumbent, who was appointed November 20, 1909. One rural route serves the rural community from this office. The present postoffice is in the township building. BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY, 1917. The following persons and firms represent the business and professional interests of Woodstock in 1917: Frank Mason, auctioneer ; Fred T. Crawford, railway -agent ; Peoples Bank, Woodstock Bank ; J. 0. Carter, Paul Perry, barbers ; Daniel A. Fox, Thomas P. Morissey, blacksmiths ; Harry Neal, brick mason; McCoy Canning Co., Warren G. Lincoln, manager ; G. H. Clark, M. G. Burnham, C. K. Lincoln, carpenters ; Universalist church, Christian church, Catholic mission ; Gwynne Clark, Marble Burnham, contractors ; Wesley. Hardman, C. P. Kimball & Son, Ohio Grain Elevator Company, coal dealers ; William H. Hess, drayman ; Howard Sharp, drug store ; Herbert Clark, resident manager of the Northwestern Ohio Light Company ; Ohio Grain Elevator Company ; Adams Express Company, Fred T. Crawford, agent ; Edgar Borst, Morrissey & Clark, garage; Claypool & Weist, 890 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Westfall & Madden, general stores; Samuel G. Louden, grocer; Benjamin Vance, harness ; C. P. Kimball & Son, hardware; Mrs. Ellen Davis, hotel; Thomas P. Morrissey, implements; Bruce Craig, livery stable ; Samuel G. Louden, meat market ; Thomas Davies, music teacher ; Frank Mason & Son, painter ; Linehan & Clark, pool rool ; Frank Mason & Son, paper hanger; Samuel Overfield, postoffice; Dr. Howard Sharp, physician ; Samuel G. Standish, repair shop ; Linehan & Clark, restaurant; Frank Riley, section foreman; O. B.. Summers, shoe repair ; Howard Martin, George Hann, Henry Westfall, stock dealers ; Scott Cushman, truck farmer ; Mrs. Lena Woodward, local telephone operator. VILLAGE OFFICIALS IN 1917. Mayor, Levi Kidder ; clerk, Edward Gifford; treasurer, T. B. Smith; marshall, Daniel Fox; council, D. R. Kimball, W. G. Lincoln, Michael Powers, B. C. Vance, Warren Swisher ; board of education, W. C. Kimball, M. C. Leninger, T. B. Smith, G. S. McCarty, Edward Guyton. CHAPTER XXXIII. CHRISTIANSBURG. Among the early settlers in Jackson township was Joshua Howell, who emigrated from near Christiansburg, Virginia. He entered quite a large tract of land in the southwestern part of the county and came to this new country with the idea of making it his permanent home. Without any selfish motive in mind, and for the general welfare of the pioneers, he thought that the settlers in this part of the county should have a trading point. Thus he was impelled to lay out a village site upon his farm and after considering several prospective .sites chose the one now occupied by the` town. The site was platted for him on October i8, 1817, and consisted of forty-two lots, including all the ground between what is now East and Dayton streets and Pike and Westville streets. But the hopes of the proprietor were slow to be realized because three years after the time the village was platted there were only six little log houses scattered here and there. In fact, the growth was so slow that the pessimist would have declared that as soon as the cabins rotted down the village of Christiansburg would be no more. For nearly twelve years. the size of the village remained almost stationary. But in 1829 there came a young man to the village to start a store. Because of his business .ability the little hamlet seemed to take on renewed life. This man was no other than William McCrea, the father of Mrs. Belle McCrea Shofstall, who now lives in the old family homestead in the eastern part of town. McCrea's father, who was one of the early settlers in this community, was a large landowner. William McCrea, the boy, attended school for a few years north of what is now Christiansburg. After completing his schooling he went to Cincinnati, where he met a dentist whose name was Williard and a physician, named Menchie. When they heard of the opportunities in this vicinity, they persuaded him to return, taking with him a few dry goods to sell. After he reached the village, he found that) his stock of goods was entirely inadequate, for the townsmen immediately bought out his whole supply.. This so encouraged him that he erected a 892 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. small building and opened a store. This building, which was the first frame structure in the village, stood where E. W. Hollis' residence stands today. It was built in 1829. His stock was composed of groceries, dried meats and fruits, nails, glassware, hardware, medicine, millinery, and pewter ware. A story is told how one of the society women of the village, wishing to entertain her friends at a sumptuous dinner, bought some tea, but without the requisite knowledge as to its, use. The article did not prove satisfactory and upon her return to the store she was not slow in telling McCrea the truth of the matter and what she thought of tea. She had put the tea in a pot with meat with the expectation that the meat would be highly flavored. VILLAGE TAKES ON NEW LIFE. When the future prospects of the village began to grow brighter, people were naturally attracted to it and in two or three years from the time McCrea had opened his store the population of the little hamlet had almost doubled. These circumstances made way for more business enterprises. Among the first was a tavern which was built just across the street south of McCrea's store and operated by Abiel Smith, who was a native of Main. Other industries that were started during the early thirties were a tannery which was run by a man named William Kelley, and a, wagon shop that stood on the southwest corner of Main and Pike street and operated by John Rogers. Charles Rogers also had a wagon shop. From about 1835 to 1840 a tavern was owned by David Kyle who made his place of business one of the most attractive spots in this section of the country. The village was supplied with a blacksmith shop as early as 1818 when Jesse Julian opened a small. one. The .next smith was a man named Gridley who came in in 1820, but whose prices were usually as much as the article repaired was worth. The first physicians in the little settlement were Indian "medicine men," but their treatment and cures were quite unsatisfactory to the white settlers. As early as 1818 two brothers who represented themselves to be traveling physicians stopped over, but their stay was of short duration. Probably the first real physician was a Doctor Van Mewter, who came in the early twenties. He made way for Doctor Marshall, who came in 1832, and Doctor McFarland, who came about 1838. Another early physician was Doctor Muller, a Scotchman and the grandfather of George Edmonson. Doctor Musson came soon after Doctor Muller. A man. who was responsible for making Christiansburg quite a noted 893 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. point during the pioneer days was Noah French who came here from Pennsylvania. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and made all the coffins that were used within a radius of fifty miles from Christiansburg. INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE. As the village grew in population and commercial importance the inhabitants were desirous of becoming independent of the township. This led to the final incorporation of the village in 1835, and with the election of the following officers : Bouinger, mayor ; Silas Overton, John Corbley, Henry Crist, Noah Howell and Silas Kelley, councilmen. But the support of a municipality proved too strenuous and within less than a year's time the charter was relinquished. No further attempts were made toward incorporation until March 2, 1914. At that time a petition, signed by ninety citizens living within the limits of the village, was filed with the county commissioners asking incorporation. Remonstrances with the usual complaint were filed soon afterward. The county commissioners, however, refused to recognize the incorporation and the local authorities were forced to mandamus the county to legalize their acts. The case was in the court of common pleas from June until December, 1915, when the court recognized the legality of the acts of the local authorities and recognized the incorporation. Grant Strouse was the first mayor and served until the first Monday in January of 1916. He was succeeded by A. J. Bright, the present incumbent. The other town officials include the following : E. E. Furrow, marshal ; C. 0. Hill, clerk ; Bert Richeson, treasurer ; Ralph Foster, J. S. Black, Ezra Jenkins, M. Shell, B. W. Hyde and L. W. Williams, councilmen. SCHOOLS. Almost from the beginning the little village was amply supplied with school facilities. The first school house within the limits of the hamlet was known as the White school, so named because the building was painted white. This structure was of the usual pioneer type and stood on Monroe street. As the number of pupils increased the little structure became inadequate and in time Was replaced by what is known as the Red school house, which stood at the east edge of town. Carrie Lind is remembered as one of the teachers in the school. The next building was a three-room structure which stood on the site of the present school building. Among the first teachers employed in this school were M. T. Deaton (principal), Estella Thomas and Ida 894 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Carpenter. The building is now owned by Job Gray and is used as a residence. The present school building was erected in 1886.. T. W. Draper is the present superintendent of schools and under his supervision the school system has risen to a high standard of efficiency. Under the present school system it is customary for teachers to teach in the school as long as their work is satisfactory, but not so during the pioneer days. In no instance did a teacher. remain more than one year, and often several teachers were required to complete the school term. Some of the earliest teachers were Alexander Jordan, Maggie Wilson, a man named McCalaster, who was quite a hard drinker.; Billie Stapleton, a lame man; Milton Stratton, a man. of the name of Kelley and Sherman Smith. Of the old pioneer buildings only four remain standing. Three of these are log houses used as residences and the other, built in 1839, is the store building occupied by C. S. Leffell. The building has undergone several changes since its erection, but still bears the earmarks of pioneer architecture. Both the Masonic and Odd Fellows secret societies were organized in this building. SOME OTHER "FIRSTS". What is generally conceded to be the first orchard in Champaign county was planted by Joshua Howell on what is now the McCrea homestead. This orchard which was set out in 1809, just back of the barn that is now standing on the land owned by Mrs. Belle McCrea Shofstall, was not started from young trees but from seeds. When it was in its prime, it attracted attention far and wide, since it was one of the very few ochards of the state of Ohio. The orchard finally disappeared in 1871. What is now the beautiful home of Mrs. Belle McCrea Shofstall was formerly a favorite camping ground of the Indians. It was there that they pitched their wigwams, held their war councils and made terms of peace with the white settlers. Although the Indians did not remain many years after the advent of the whites into this section, their rude houses remained for almost a decade after their departure. The first religious organization in the vicinity of Addison, later known as Christiansburg, was a Presbyterian congregation organized at a point two and one-half miles west of the village. When the organization was established and the church was built cannot be ascertained, but from the best information obtainable the society was discontinued about 1846. It was at this time that the first religious body was formed in the village. It seems that the members. of the church already mentioned joined with the Presbyterians of Christiansburg in forming the first church. The church building, now occupied by the Christian congregation, was erected at a cost CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 895 of one thousand eight hundred dollars. The society was quite active and services were held every Sunday and the "edifice was always crowded to its capacity. Moreover, the society owned a fine library. Among the pastors was a Reverend Smith, and a Reverend Martin. To the latter is given the credit of delivering one of the most patriotic addresses ever heard in the village. The Civil War had just begun and there were a few Rebel sympathizers in the vicinity whose attitude gave rise to the outspoken utterances of the pastor. The church had an active existence until about 1872, after which it gradually became dormant because most of the leading members had passed away. The church property was purchased by Jacob Furrow and George McCullough, leading members of the Christian society, which has occupied the church ever since. LOCAL BUSINESS INTERESTS. That the village grew very slowly is evidenced by the business interests that were there in 1858, given as follows : E. J. Heffner, inn ; Manoah Howell, store ; L. A. Marshall, merchant tailor ; W. Kelley, harness shop. Fourteen years later, or in 1872, the business interests had become more extensive and included the following L. A. Marshall, dry goods ; Isaac P. Pond, merchant tailor ; Manoah Howell, merchant; E. F. Warner, harness-maker ; A. E. Pond, carriage manufacturer ; John Rogers, wagon-maker ; D. C. Howell, carpenter ; 0. W. Hoard, attorney ; George Simmons, cattle and stock dealer ; Thomas and Ross, tiling. The business and professional interests at the present time include the following : I. Baker, city garage; J. B. Black, concrete tile and supply company ; J. W. Dobbins, lumber ; Elmer Downing, barber ; M. R. Drake, insurance and automobiles ; Farmers and Merchants Bank ; J. W. Harmon, meat market ; C. A. Hill & Son, shoe store Dr. W. H. Hill, veterinary ; Hollis & Gabriel, pumps and well drilling ; John Huddleson, restaurant; Dr. W. F. Hyde, physician ; Dr. W. B. Hyde, physician ; J. W. Julian, barber ; Tiffin Julian, repair shop ; Thomas Knull, pool room ; A. C. Leffel, general store ; C. S. Leffel, general store; M. E. Maxon, grocery ; James H. Miller, drugs ; J. C. Richeson & Son, furniture ; Rust & McDonald, blacksmiths ; J. M. Saylor, garage ; Dr. J. M. Saylor, veterinary ; M. Shell, grocery ; G. W. Shepard & Son,. elevator ; E. Smith, music store ; R. 0. Whitaker, Christiansburg Herald; Howard Wilgus, hardware; L. W. Williams, grocery. 896 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. PROGRESS SINCE 1903. Numerous townsite additions have been made since the original plat of Christiansburg was filed. The proprietors and dates of each addition include the following : Ross & McCrea, November 25, 1831 ; J. Howell, December 22, 1831 ; J. Merrill, June 22, 1839 ; William B. McCrea, March 26, 1840; James Smith, May 1, 1846; Onick & McCullough, November 16, 1852; Daniel Howell, March 31, 1853 ; Stephens & Shepard, July 22, 1899; Hollis, Howard & Schell, December 1, 1908. The town has made greater progress since 1903 than during all of the years of its previous existence. It was in this year that the Springfield, Troy & Piqua traction line was built, hence the village was opened to all the avenues of trade and commerce. The largest and best elevator in the county was built by Adam Bright, at a cost of eleven thousand dollars. It was this business enterprise that made Christiansburg one of the chief grain markets in this section. THE POSTOFFICE. When the postoffice was established at Christiansburg about 1830, James Smith was appointed postmaster. Among his successors are the following: William McCrea, D. N. Jones, William Kelley, Noah French, James Smith,. I. P. Pond, L. D. Marshall, John F. Overton, William Marshall, William Hill, A. C. Leffell (who sered twenty-three years) and M. T. Deaton, the present incumbent, who assumed the duties of the office on July 7, 1914. This postoffice is of the fourth class and the receipts for the last report, exclusive of money orders, amounted to one hundred and fifty-five dollars and forty-eight cents. The office has three incoming and three out-going mails daily, whereas eighty years ago the village was fortunate to receive one mail a week. At this early date postage on a letter cost from twelve and one-half cents to fifty cents, according to the distance it was sent. From the time the postoffice was established, it has been known as Christiansburg. The town, however, was commonly known as Addison until the village was incorporated in June, 1915, when it assumed the name of the postoffice.. THE VILLAGE OF. DARNELL. The village of Darnell, if it may be called such, is located one and one-half miles northwest of Thackeray on the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton rail- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 897 road. It was laid out in 1893 by a man named Darnell, who thought that this vicinity could easily support a village, as there was no commercial center in close proximity. However, there was another man not far distant who had a similar idea and this was no other than Mr. Thackery, who was a very prominent man in this locality. He decided that he would like to be the founder and proprietor of a village and lost no time in laying out the site of what is now the village of Thackery. Immediately the question of supremacy entered into the affairs of the two villages. Because, however, of Thackery's influence in the community and with the railroad officials, Darnell was destined to be merely -a village on paper. All that remains to give the passerby the hint that a village was really intended for this place is a switch track and a store, the latter at present owned by Mrs. Valentine. Although the aspirations of this place to become a town are doomed to failure, it has become an important local grain market, for a number of farmers of the vicinity sell their grain at this point. (57) CHAPTER XXXIV. NORTH LEWISBURG. The site of North Lewisburg was platted by Gray Gary on September 6, 1826, on a high point of land on Spain's creek near a big spring. At first there were only two streets laid out, Maple and Sycamore.. The lots were sold at auction, the first one selling for eighteen dollars. As the village continued to grow several additions were made, among which are the following : Townsend' addition, November 24, 1848 : Bowron addition, June 20, 1849 ; Gregory addition, January 16, 1850; Extension addition, February 8, 1858; Wheeler addition, August 2, 1864 ; Sampson addition, March 10, 1865; Audas addition, January 20, 1866 ; Audas, Gowey & Miles addition, March 20, 1867; E. C. Young, September 19, 1867; Milburn, October 30, 1867. Prior to 1845, the citizens of North Lewisburg received their mail from Coberly's on Darby creek, and from Woodstock. In 1845 the postoffice of North Lewisburg was established, with Royal Jennings as the first postmaster. Most of the early settlers of North Lewisburg and the immediate vicinity were Quakers who came from the Eastern states, chiefly Pennsylvania. For eighteen years after the village was laid out it was only a part of the township ; but on July 7, 1844, an election was held for the purpose of electing officers for the corporation of Lewisburg, the village having been granted the request to hold such an election by the state Legislature in 1844. The first election resulted in the election of the following officials : Russell B. Spain, Mayor ; John Winder, recorder ; Joseph F. Gary, William Milligan, C. F. Bowron, Aaron Winder and Abner Winder, Jr., trustees. Pursuant to previous agreement, the village council met for the first time on July 7, 1844, and at that meeting Harmon Limes was appointed the first marshal; William Reames, the first treasurer, and John Winder the first recorder. DROPPED "NORTH" FROM CORPORATE NAME. According to the official minutes of the council the corporation was known as North Lewisburg, but on July 12, 1846, upon a motion of Abner CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 899 Winder, the word "North" and the letter "N" where they occurred in the records of elections, were directed to be expunged from the records and the corporation thus assumed the name of Lewisburg. The postoffice name of North Lewisburg, however, has ever been maintained. The council seemed to have considerable trouble with the live stock of the community, because most of the ordinances during the first two years of the town's existence were concerned with keeping stock in the village. One of the most interesting features about the early records. of the village, and doubtless it can be found nowhere else in the county, is that the minutes of the council are written in the quaint Quaker language. In very few cases are the days of the week, and months of the year, mentioned as we do today; but, instead, the days of the week and the months were designated according to the Quaker custom. While going through the early records, a very interesting petition was discovered, a petition presented to the village council on December 4, 1848, by S. Ware and others, asking that an ordinance be passed to prevent groups of men from assembling and making low. and vulgar remarks about people as they passed on the Sabbath. The council saw fit to pass such an ordinance without any hesitancy, as most of the councilmen were Quakers and believed in a quiet, holy Sabbath. The ordinance, as passed, stated that anyone found guilty of violating the decree would be found guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof, was to be fined any sum not less than twenty-five cents and not more than one dollar and cost for each offense. LOCK-UP, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CITY HALL. These stanch Quaker villagers surely upheld the precepts of their sect and were thus law-abiding citizens, because it was not until 1867 that any movement was made for a village lock-up. In the fall of that year, the council authorized the building of a place to lodge the culprits of the community. This was no imposing edifice, for it was only fourteen feet wide, sixteen feet long and nine feet high. It contained two cells, seven by twelve feet, separated by a hall four feet wide. Each wall was provided with a window, across which were heavy iron bars. This lock-up was used until the erection of the present city building, which contains a place of lodgment for the evil doers. The first fire equipment ever purchased by the village was bought in the fall of 1867. It consisted of eight ladders, two fifteen feet long; two twenty feet long; two twenty-four feet long; two sixteen feet long, with hooks in the ends to fasten them to the roofs in case of necessity. Three poles, twelve,