TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES

of

PICKAWAY COUNTY

CIRCLEVILLE.

ORIGIN OF NAME AND DESCRIPTION OF ANCIENT MOUNDS.

The name given to this township (after having first been given to the city which it contains, and which constitutes the county seat of Pickaway county,) is designed to perpetuate the memory of one of the most remarkable relics of a pre-historic age, found by the first European explorers of the Ohio valley. The name Circleville, together with a drawing and description, first published in the Archaelogia Americana, in 1820, and reproduced in several historical works since that time, is now one of the few existing memorials of that interesting relic. Being thus associated with the name of the place, it is fitting that a somewhat minute description of it should be .given at the very outset of our history of Circleville.

In the centre of the territory now embraced within the corporate limits of the city, once stood an extensive earth-structure, the work of the Mound Builders. It is generally supposed to have been 'a 'military fortification, although its design can be only a matter of conjecture. It consisted of two parts ; the larger and more important one being in the form of an exact circle, sixty-nine rods

•in diameter; the other an exact square, fifty-five rods on each side, and tangent to the circle, at the middle point. of its western side. It is the circular "fort". (so-called) which occupies the central portion of the city—the centre of the circle being at the point where Court and Main streets now cross each other; and the square extending out toward the city limits, beyond Washington street, in an easterly direction from this point.

The circular enclosure was surrounded by two walls and a deep ditch between them. [Some of the Oldest inhabitants insist that there was not, within their recollection, any appearance of a regular wall, or embankment inside of the ditch ; but we follow the printed accounts.] It is, of course, impossible to guess how high the walls were originally; since, when first discovered, they had for unknown ages, been gradually worn down by the action of the elements and other causes. But, whenfirst measured, they were somewhat more than twenty feet high, on an average, measuring from the bottom of the ditch, which was about twenty feet in width. On the side not adjacent to the ditch, the walls were, at this time, about six feet in height. They were evidently made nearly perpendicular at first, and were constructed, for the most part, of clay, which was found near by, or thrown out of the ditch, and was of an excellent quality. Some think it was originally made into bricks and. dried in the sun. However that may be, it was largely used in making the bricks of which many of the buildings, now occupying the same ground were constructed.

In the centre of the circular work stood a mound of considerable size, with a large semi-circular pavement extending half way around it, on the eastern side; looking toward the only opening in the circular walls. This opening was at the point of contact with the square "fort," into which it formed an entrance. The.. single wall (which was without any ditch) inclosing the square was, at the time of its discovery,. about ten feet in height: It had eight openings; one at. each corner, and one at the middle point of each side—that in the western side being the one which led into the circle. Before each of these openings, at a distance of about two rods, on the inside of the square, was a mound, circular at the base, and about five 'feet in height, except the .one before the entrance into the circle,. which was considerably. larger and higher. The others were about forty feet in diameter, at the base, and about twenty at the summit. The writer in the Archaeiogia takes it for granted that- these small mounds " were intended for the defence of the openings." But this does not seem to us by any means certain. At any rate, the one before the entrance into the circle could not have been so intended, since it is not conceivable that the occupants would have attempted to defend the square " fort " after the circular one had been captured and filled by an enemy.

We notice that in the representation of the two forts contained in the Circleville Union-Herald for August 2, 1878, and evidently copied from that in the Archaeo-

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logia just mentioned; the small mound at the opening between the two forts, is placed within the circle. Whether or not this change of position was made because the author of the very valuable historical notice in' the paper referred to perceived that that was the only position in which the said mound could be of any use as a defence of the opening we do not know; but certain it is that, in the copy of the original drawing, made by Howe, in his "Historical Collections of Ohio," this mound is inside of the square. Since we have intimated a doubt as to the correctness of the prevalent notion that these enclosures were purely for military -"purposes, we shall, perhaps, be pardoned for presenting, at some length, our reasons for believing that they were designed mainly for religious or festive occasions.

Mr. Isaac Smucker (who is certainly a very respectable authority in matters pertaining to American archaeology), in his treatise on the " Pre-historic Races and Pre-territorial History of Ohio," which constitutes the introduction to the "Annual Report of the Secretary of State on the statistics of Ohio, for the year 1.877, makes. the following observations as to the inclosures of the Mound Builders :

" Inclosures are of several kinds; one class being known as military or defensive works; anothcr as parallel embankments, or covered ways; and the third as sacred inclosures. Under the general title of inclosures are also walls of circumvallation, or ramparts, constructed for military or defensive works, while others were doubtless walls surrounding the residence of the reigning monarch; perchance others were erected for the performance within' them of their national games and amusements, and perhaps many, also, served a purpose in the performance of their religious rites and ceremonies, and facilitated indulgence in some superstitious practices."

Farther on he says

"Defensive inclosures are of irregular form, are always on hie ground, and in naturally strong position, frequently on the summits of hills and steep cliffs, and are often strengthened by exterior ditches."

Then he proceeds, quoting the American Cyclopaedia :

"The walls generally wind around the borders of the elevations they occupy, and when the nature of the ground renders some points more accessible than others, the height of the wall and the depth of the diteh at these weak points are proportionally increased. The gateways are narrow and few in number, and Well guarded by em-. bankments of earth placed a few yards inside of the epenings or gateways, and parallel with them, and projecting somewhat beyond them at each end, thus fully covering the entrances, which, in some cases, are still further protected by projecting walls on either side of them. These works are somewhat numerous, and indicate a clear appreciation of the elements, at least, of fortification, and unmistakably point out the purpose for which they were constituted."

If this description of defensive inclosures is to be relied upon; it is obvious that the works under consideration must have belonged to some other class. Instead of being of "irregular form," they are so strikingly regular as to make it a matter of wonder how a people as rude and uncultivated as the Mound Builders are generally supposed to have been, could possibly have laid them out. They are 'not on "high ground," and there are, in the immediate neighborhood, many stronger positions than that in which they are located. In fact, no modern general would think of constructing an earthwork in such a position, unless he had no choice of situations, or unless the immediate presence or threatened approach of an enemy compelled him to fortify that very place. The gateways, instead of being "few in number," are so numerous as to amount to an absolute absurdity in fortification; and the so-called defences of these gateways, or openings, are not "embankments," "projecting somewhat beyond them. at each end," but small, circular mounds, apparently of no greater diameter than the width of the openings.

But let us see now what the authority above-quoted says about inclosures which were not designed for military purposes:

“Sacred enclosures," says Mr. Smucker, "are mainly distinguished from. those of a military character, by the regularity of their form, and . by their more frequent occurrence. They are of all shapes and forms; and when moats or ditches exist, they are invariably found inside of the . embankments. Sacred inclosures are generally in the form of geometrical figures, of surprising accuracy, such as circles, squares, hexagons octagons, ellipses, parallelograms, and of various others. They are sometimes found within military inclosures, and evidently had some connection with the religious ideas and ceremonies of their builders. Frequently there is situated in the center of this class of works a mound or elevation, supposed to have served the purposes of an altar upon which sacrifices were offered, or which was, at least in some way, used in conducting their religious services. Within those sacred inclosures were dou btless celebrated .religious festivals, and upon those contra "high places," or altars, were undoubtedly performed, by priestly hands, the rites and ceremonies demanded by their sacrificial, their idolatrous religion. * * * Some archaeologists, however, maintain that many works called sacred inclosures were erected for, and used as, places of amusement, where our predecessors of pre-historic time's practiced their national games, and celebrated their great national events; where they held their national festivals, and indulged in their national jubilees, as well as performed the Ceremonials of their religion. And it may be that those (and there are many such) within which no central elevation or altar occurs, were erected for the purposes last named, and not exclusively, if at all, for purposes connected with their religion, and are, therefore, erroneously called sacred inclosures. • Other ancient peoples, if, indeed, not all the nations of antiquity, had their national games, amusements, festivals and jubilees, and why not the Mound Builders, too? Notably in this regard, the ancient Greeks may be named, with whom, during the period known as the !Lyric Age of Greece,' the Olympic, the Pythian, the Nemean, and the Isthmian games became national festivals. And without doubt the Mound Builders, too, had their national games, amusements, festivals and jubilees, and congregated within their enclosures to practice, celebrate and enjoy them.”

Another quotation, a little further on, must suffice:

"The amount of labor bestowed upon those of their works that were erected in the interest of their religion, shows a strong tendency towards superstitious belief. They doubtless offered up animals in sacrifice, as a part of their religious ccremonies, and it may be that human sacrifiees were not Unknown among them. Prisoners of war are thus disposed of sometimes by people and nations who have attained to as high a grade of civilization as that reached by the Mound Builders. The sacrificial character of their religion is clcarly established. The late Dr. Foster he itated not to say that the Mound Builders were worshipers of the elements; that they worshiped the sun, moon and stars, and that they offered up human victims as an acceptable sacrifice to the gods they worshiped ! He deduced this fact from the charred or calcined bones which cover their altars. Other high authorities also unhesitatingly assert that there is convincing proof that they were fire-worshipers."

So exactly does this account tally with the drawings and descriptions which have come down to us of the ancient works at Circleville, that we were actually surprised to find in it no allusion to those works as remarkable specimens of inclosures obviously designed for religious and festive purposes. Here was the surprising symmetry of form characteristic of such inclosures. Around the square was the one walk, with no moat or ditch on the outside, and perforated by its numerous entrances. Here was the circle, with its deep moat- inside of the .

HISTORY FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 177

principal wall—even if there was, in reality, more than one—for, as we have stated, the recollection of some of the oldest inhabitants, who often passed over the ground before the embanknients were removed, is, upon this point, at variance with the printed accounts. And, above all, here, exactly in the center of the circle, stood the "high place," with its semi-circular pavement, composed of gravel and smooth stones taken from the adjacent streams—a mound utterly without significance in a military point of view, but entirely intelligible if regarded as an altar for offering up sacrifices, or for the performance of other religious or festive rites. That it was an altar, and that it had been used for offering up human sacrifrces, is rendered extremely probable from the fact that, at different depths below the surface, charred skeletons were found lying upon wood ashes and charcoal, mingled with various articles, such as arrow heads, burnt bricks, plates of mica, etc. It would seem, from the positions in which these relics were found, and from the various depths at which they lay, that, after each burning, the fire, the charred remains of the victim, and whatever else was left unconsumed, were covered with earth; and that the mound had gradually been formed by this process, beginning, perhaps, from the original surface of the ground. How high it may have been when last used by the people who constructed it, we have, of course, no means of knowing. When, however, it was first seen by Europeans, it was about ten feet high, four rods or more in diameter at the base, and about two rods at the summit.

If it be asked whether the theory of the religious and festive character of these works implies that the builders had absolutely no thought of defence in their construction, we reply that this inference is by no means necessary, since the inclosures may have been for the purposes named; while, at the same time,, the embankments about both the square and the circle, and the ditch about the latter, may all have been intended, in part at least, to guard those engaged in celebrating their worship or their games from the intrusion of those of their own people who were not entitled to participate in them, and also from the attacks of their enemies. It must be admitted that the thought most likely to be suggested to the mind of one viewing such works for the first time, is that they were designed as military fortifications. But if inclosures were to be made for Other purposes at all, it is surely most likely that such a people as the Mound Builders were, would construct them of earth. In the celebration of their religious rites, a plenty of deep water might be necessary for the practice of those ablutions and immersions which, in all ages of the world, have occupied so prominent a place in the religions of various nations. If so, the ditch dug on the inside of the inclosure would furnish both the necessary water and the ma terial for the needed embankment.

For the reasons set forth above, we seriously incline tc the opinion that the square inclosure was designed for the celebration of games and other secular festivals thai the small mounds before the openings had some sort of connection with the games celebrated in the inclosure and that the circle was devoted mainly, if not entirely, to the performance of religious rites.

This will. be an appropriate place in which to mention a remarkable mound that stood but a short distance outside of the circle, ,about forty rods in a southwesterly direction from the sacrificial mound already described. We follow the description made by Mr. 'Atwater in his Western Antiquities, published in 1833.

This mound was more than sixty feet in height, and stood on the. summit of a large hill; to which it was joined so skillfully that the whole- appeared to be arti ficial. It must: have been the common cemetery in which the dead of the neighboring people, for several generations, were buried, since it contained "an immense number of human skeletons, of all ages and sizes." The skeletons were laid horizontally, with their heads, generally toward the centre and their feet toward the outside of the mound. A considerable part of this work was still standing when Mr.. Atwater wrote, uninjured, except by time. In it were found, besides the skeletons, stone axes and knives " and several ornaments with holes through them, by means of which, with a cord passing through these perforations; they could be worn by their owners."

On the south side of this mound, and only a short distance "from it, was a semi-circular ditch or trench, some six feet or more in depth, but nearly filled up to a level with the surrounding surface. On being opened, there were discovered in it large quantities of human bones, evidently of warriors who had fallen in some destructive battle. This conclusion seems necessary from the fact that .the bones were those of persons who had attained. their full size ; whereas, in the mound adjoining young and old had been buried indiscriminately ; and also from the fact that the bodies had been thrown into the trench without order, and as if in great haste.

The student of archaeology will never be able to contemplate the . obliteration of all these interesting relics without a feeling of regret, not unmixed with. indignation. When land was so abundant and so cheap, why should not the.county of Pickaway, among its first acts as a Corporation, have purchased the ground covered by these relics, and set it apart for all time as the imperish-. able monument of a perished race ? Overgrown, as it was, with beautiful forest trees, it might, without erasing one mark of its original character, have been changed into a park, more unique and attractive than any public grounds. now to be found in the State of Ohio. Here, in the square. inclosure, our young men might have met in friendly contest to practice their athletic .sports, on the very spot devoted, countless ages before, to a similar purpose. And although it might .not have. been thought seemly to .perform. any of, the solemn acts exclusively appropriate to our holy religion,. within the circular inclosure once set apart to the performance of heathen rites; yet a grateful people. might properly have met there to celebrate their national anniversaries, amid scenes and associations which could not.. have. failed to. heighten their gratitude to God for the countless blessings which, in these latter days and. in this 'wonderful land, He has vouchsafed to them.

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178 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

But since the founders of the county had not the farsighted liberality to do this, the next best thing they could have done was the very thing they did, viz., to locate their county seat on the site of these ancient works—placing their court house in the centre of the circle—making the lines of the two principal streets of the city cross each other at this point, as those of Pennsylvania and Maryland avenues do, at the capitol in Washington, dividing the four quadrants thus formed by two other streets crossing each other at right angles in the same way, but extending no further than the limits of the circle—and finally laying out two circular streets around the court house, within the same limits, but leaving all the rest of the town to be laid out in regular squares, like most other western cities.

This, if the earth-works themselves were to be obliterated, was certainly a graceful and altogether appropriate way of perpetuating a visible memorial of them. But, strange to say, although this plan was adopted and carried out, and the circle built up in accordance with it, after the city had attained its twenty-seventh year and a population of over two thousand souls, the citizens were persuaded to undo the work, to obliterate the circle constructed by the first builders of the city, as the latter had obliterated the circle constructed by the Mound Builders. The history of the " squaring of the circle " (that feat hitherto regarded as impossible in geometery), with the method of its accomplishment and the reasons for it, if any can be found, will be related further on. But we have deemed it proper to relate this much at the outset, by way of explaining why. the name Circleville was given to this beautiful and historic (not to say pre-historic) city.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first brick house erected in the city of Circleville, was that now occupied by Harsha's marble works, then a one-story building. Mr. James Greno worked on it as a mason.

The first grocery in town was kept by Joe Strouse, near where. Mader's bake shop was later.

The first sermon by a Methodist minister (and probably the first by a minister of any denomination), preached after the town was located, was by the Rev. William Swayze. The precise date is not given, but it must have been soon after the location of the town, which was in the autumn of 1810.

Louisa (Leiby) Myers, born June, 1811, is believed to have been the first child born in Circleville. Her father, John Leiby, a native of Pennsylvania, who moved to this place from Chillicothe, established here the first dry goods store, soon after the town was laid out.

Jacob Try, brother of George Try, killed a deer within the circular earthwork, some two or three years before the town of Circleville was located.

We are not certain that this was the first deer killed there ; but the occurrence reminds us to say that dears are now seen in the same locality every day, and nobody thinks of killing them.

The first hotel in Circleville was kept by John Ludwig, now living in the southeast part of the township. It was kept in a log house, which was the first built within the circle, in the fall of 1810.

The first public step toward building the first public school-house in the town of Circleville, was a resolutio passed at a meeting called for that purpose in March, 5827. The school-house was built but a short time after, near what was known as the Academy.

The first newspaper published here was the Oliv Branch, the first number of which appeared on the 9th of August, 1817. Of this paper the present Union- Herald is the lineal successor.

The first church edifice built in this town was a Presbyterian meeting-house of brick, whose corner-stone was laid by the Rev. Mr. Burton, September 2, 1826.

The first entries of land made in what is now Circleville township, were as follows : Jacob Zieger, sr., entered sections .19 and 20, and fractional section 5, May 7, 1801. And, on the same date, section 29 was entered by Samuel Hill. The only other entry made as early as 186r, was that of section 32, made by Robert F. Slaughter, June 9th, of that year.

The first Sunday school in this town was organized as a union school in 1825, by John P. Davenport.

CIRCLEVILLE DESIGNATED AND LAID OUT AS THE COUNTY

SEAT.*

As already stated, Pickaway was erected into a separate county, by act of the legislature, on the twelfth of January, 1810. On the 19th of the next month the same body passed a resolution appointing David Bradford, George Jackson and John Pollock as commissioners "to fix on the most eligible spot for the seat of justice in the county of Pickaway."

"This duty was considered a very important one, and the gentlemen -above mentioned were men of character and reputation in the State. They came into the county in the spring and made a thorough examination of all the places which had been mentioned, visiting Bloomfield and some points west of the river. The old Indian fortifications (so-called), with the mound and circle and square, were then intact. The embankment or walls of the forts stood up many feet above the ground, and were, as were the interior, covered with large trees and heavy undergrowth. These fortifications were selected for the county seat in preference to all other places which had been pointed out. The gentlemen, in deciding, no doubt thought they were doing that which would serve to preserve the ancient monuments from demolition and ruin, and that, with a town located here, that' would, surround them with an interest which would protect and care for them. As to the wisdom of their predictions, the total obliteration of every trace of the old forts gives sad witness. The commissioners reported their decision to the court, which, on July 25th, appointed Daniel Dreisbach as director, whlr bonds in the sum of ten thousand dollars. His duties were to purchase the ground for the sight of the new town, lay it out in town lots, and dispose of the same.+

“The lands upon which the fortifications stood belonged to the heirs of Jacob Zeiger, Jacob Zeiger, jr., and Samuel Watt, the circular fort being the property of the former. He at that time resided in a log cabin which stood about where the canal now is, and just opposite the site of Ruggles' slaughter house, there being one of the best springs in the country at the foot of the rise upon which his cabin stood. He at this time had partly completed a new residence a little east of his cabin. This new residence is still standing, and is known as the Williamson house, on the corner of Scioto and North High streets. His wife, who

* For alr of the documents, for nearly arl of the facts, and largely for the phraseology of this article, we are indebted to the Circlevirre Union-Herald of August 2, 1878.

+ Mr. Dreisbach held the offrce of director until his death, in 1850. One or two others were subsequently appointed by the court, but, there being no further need of such an officer, the office has now become obsorete.

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 179

also signed the deed, became Mrs. Shoemaker, having, after the death of Mr. Zeiger, married Judge Shoemaker, one of the justices who first held court in the county. (At the time this was written she was ninety-five years old and in possession of all her faculties. When the editor of the Union-Herald called upon her a few days before, he found her reading a book. Unfortunately the last few years had dimmed her recollection of those early days, and she was able to give comparatively lac information. She died in January, 1879.)

Dreishach purchased, as the records show, three tracts and one or two fractions of aeres. The first tract contained one hundred and three-fourths acres, fifty of which Zeiger donated, the other fifty being bought at. eight dollars per acre. For the three-fourths acre the price was twenty dollars per acre, with a further consideration, in payment for the improvements, consisting of the cabin, etc., to be decided upon by referee's. The second tract, purchased of Valentine Keifer, contained seventy-one acres, seven.y-eight poles, and was bought for two hundred and eighty-six dollars. The third tract contained twenty-nine acres and was bought for one hundred and sixteen dollars. The whole two hundred acres cost but between eight and nine hundred dollars, many tunes less than single lots have since sold for.

Dreishach proceeded at once to survey and lay out the town according to the directions, and by the day appointed, for the 40sale had all complete. We have been able to find no one who could give definite information in regard to the first sale, but we judge from what we have learned that it was a memorable event and celebrated with a grand barbecue, with whole ox roasts, etc. We have been told that a large' number of persons from the west side of the river joined in the manufacture of an immense cheese for the occasion, weighing several hundred pounds, and drawn to the barbecue on a large sled. There seems to have been quite a spirited competition for the honor of building the first house in the new town. No sales were made before the second Monday of September, and of course no one had a right to occupy any of the ground before that time. Among others determined to build the first house was John Ludwig, who then lived on what is now known as the Rudy farm. He had his lumber all prepared before the sale day, the logs hewn and fitted ready for framing, and all loaded on wagons. and ready to start into town, as soon as his purchase should be announced. Laborers were ready and stone for the foundation was in waiting with David Leist, as mason, prepared to lay them. What the result of so much preparation was, or whether he got his house up first we have not learned, but it is certain that the sun had not gone down on the day of the sale when several habitations had been reared, in a temporary and hasty mariner, of course. On the first sale day Dreisbach disposed of twenty-nine lots, and on the next day eleven. The houses were rapidly pushed to completion, and by winter about forty families had taken up their residence in the new town. Dreisbach's first report to the county commissioner, in which he gives an account of his stewships, reads as follows :

" Daniel Drcisbach, director, made report of his proceedings, whieh was sanctioned by the court and ordered to be recorded verbatim, viz.: and that the plat returned of town be recorded in the recorder's office.

Proceeds of sales of lots in the town of Circleville, public and private sales, from the tenth to the twelveth of September, 1810 :

To 29 lots sold, first day's sale - $2,276 50

11 " second " - 611 00

17 " private sales - 762 50

Sale of timber on streets and alleys - 44 50

Total amounts - $3,694 50

Valuation of Jacob Tegar's improvement, appraised by Charles Bodkin and Aquilla Justice, duly sworn and both parties chosen :

The house appraised to - $275 00

Six and three-fourths acres of cleared land at $6 per acre - 40 00

Well of water and other improvements - 5 00

$330 00

Which sum is to be paid to the said Jacob, on or before the first day of May next, 1811, or he, the said Jacob, will take the house back, at the valuation, and purchase the lot on which the house is erected.

D. DRIESBACH.

CONTRA CREDIT.

By cash reeeived from the tenth of September to the twelveth

of November, 1810, inclusive - $897 61

By cash received as forfeit money of two lots - 10 00

$907 61

Expenditures from the commeneement until the twelveth day of November, 1810 :

To cash paid for one hundred and three-fourths acres of land— $414 00

Cash paid David Kinnear, surveyor - 50 00

Cash paid out for cleaning alleys and streets, and other necessary expenses - 159 44

$623 44

Balance remaining in my hands         $284 17

I do hereby certify the foregoing statement to be accurately and justly stated with all the proceedings from the tenth of September to this twelfth of November, 1810.

DANIEL DREISBACH, Director.

[P. S.] William H. Puthuff's bill for recording and other services is not included in the above statement of expenditures, but will be presented next court. D. D., D.

This day came Daniel Dreisbach, director, etc., and produced here into court a statement of the sales of lots in the town of Circleville. Which said statement is in the words and figures following :

Sales of lots in the town of Circleville, Pickaway county, from

the twelfth of November, 1819, up to August 5, 1811, to 44

lots at private sales, amounting to - $1,864 01

To sales of timber from the twelfth of November, 1810, up to

August 5, 1811, amounting to - 9 50

$1,873 51

Total amount of the sales of lots from the commencement up

to August 5, 1811, 57 lots sold, first report amounting to - $3,650 00

44 lots sold, second report, amounting to (101 lots sold) - 1,864 01

Sales of timber, total amount - 54 00

Total amount - $5,568 01

CONTRA CREDIT.

By cash and county papers received from the twelfth of November, 1810, up to the fifth of August, 1811, amounting to the sum of - $ 694 22

CASH EXPENDED.

November 26, 181o, to cash paid David Kinnear, in addition to the former bill of surveying of the town, and three days'

clerkship at the sales   - $8 00

To cash paid Charles Bodkin, one day's work cleaning off

streets - .75

$ 875

Balance of county orders and cash remaining - $ 685 47

I do hereby certify the above to be a true and accurate statement of the sales of lots in the town of Circleville, Pickaway county, and moneys received from the twelfth of November, 1810; up to August 5, 1811.

DANIEL DREISBACH, Director.

CIRCLEVILLE, August 5, 1811.

The commissioners' first duty, after the town had been laid out and the lots had been sold, was to prepare a place for the meeting of the court, and to provide a jail. For the first purpose, Zeiger's new residence, still unfinished, the upper floor not being partitioned off, offered suitable accommodation, and a contract was entered into with him, by which the building was used as a. court house. The jail was provided for in a contract, Which was made some five months before the one above mentioned, with Andrew Broner, who, for the sum of fifty-five dollars, was to erect a building twenty-two by sixteen feet, of good, sound lumber, and have it ready for occupancy in four weeks from April 14, 1810.

SQUARING THE CIRCLE.

Although the site for the capital town of Pickaway county was chosen on account of the ancient circular inclosure found here, and the central portion of the town was laid out in circular form to coincide with that pre-historic structure, and to perpetuate the memory of it to future times, yet not many years elapsed, after the town .began to be built up, before dissatisfaction with this unique arrangement showed itself in certain quarters. Various objections were made. Some thought that the original design was a piece of childish sentimentalism ; others that the shape of the lots was awkward and inconvenient; and others still that the open circular space about the court house became a nuisance in being used

180 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

by people from the country as a hitching and feeding place for their teams; thus attracting to the same center the hogs and other domestic animals which were allowed " the freedom_ of the city," and making the Pickaway seat of justice a rather poor gem in a worse setting.

But with however much of sincerity these objections may have been urged, and however important they may have seemed to those who urged them ; it is not at all probable that any change in the town plat would ever have been made, if it had not occurred to somebody that by laying out the circular portion in a square form, several acres of waste ground—in the center of the circle, in the four angles where the square portion joined' upon the circle, and in some of the avenues and alleys—would become available for building lots, and yield a fair profit over and above what the county would charge for it.

It was doubtless a fair business transaction, and not to be censured (however much it may be regretted), except upon aesthetic grounds. An act of the legislature, authorizing the change of plat, had first to be obtained ; and then it could not be made without the consent of all the property owners within the space affected by it. Many of the lots were purchased out and out by the parties making the change, and then resold after it was made. Of. the lots unsold, some were increased in size, and others diminished by the change; and the owners of the former made, and those of the latter received, suitable compensation.

The buildings fronting the streets or avenues which were to be vacated (and which, of course, made acute angles with the main streets), were either removed, torn down, or changed in position, so as to face the new streets. One only, of any prominence, remains in its original position, as a memento of old times. This is the fine brick residence of the late Dr. Hawkes-----still owned by his widow. It originally fronted on " Bastile avenue," which seems to have been the aristocratic street of the old town, and which ran at an angle of forty-five degrees with West Main street. When the now Franklin .street was laid out parallel to .Main, it passed the front of the building at the same angle. This gives to one of the finest residences in Circleville a very singular, but by no means unpleasing, appearance ; and it is pointed out to strangers, with much apparent satisfaction, by the present generation, as a proof that the name of their town was not always a misnomer.

Two " enabling acts " were passed by the legislature to authorize an alteration of the town plat of the town of Circleville.

The first act was passed by the legislature March 29, 1837.

Nothing, however, was done toward the squaring of the circle, during the year named. We conclude it was found difficult to obtain the consent of all the property owners, in all the entire circle, to the proposed change ; for, in the next year, March t, 1838, the legislature was induced to pass a supplementary act, authorizing the friends of the measure to proceed. as soon as the consent of all the owners of any part (meaning, doubtless, any fourth part), of the circle should be obtained. This act, as did the former, provides for the reservation of ground for the erection of a court house.

Soon after this, viz.: on the twenty-third of March, 1838, on application of Andrew Huston, Edson B. Olds and Thomas Huston, the southeast quarter of the circular portion of the town was vacated by order of the court' of common pleas, and Daniel Dreisbach, director of the town, was directed to convey to the said parties all the interest of Pickaway county in said part of 'Circleville, for the consideration of seven hundred and fifty dollars. The next day they filed their plat in the recorder's office;: and, on the thirtieth of the same month, the director conveyed to them, by deed, the interest of the county,: as directed.

On the fifteenth of the following September, similar steps were taken by the same parties, for squaring the northwest quarter of the circle, receiving their deed from the county October 4th, for the same consideration as.,. above.

The process of building the town in the new form must. have gone on slowly; for after the steps taken (as described above) for squaring the southeast and northwest quarters, eleven years elapsed before anything was done toward squaring the remainder of the circle. The parties at length undertaking it were John Cradlebaugh, E. B. Olds, Francis Kinnear, and others, known as "The Circleville Squaring company." After they had made a satisfactory arrangement with the property holders in the northeast quarter, they obtained a deed from the county for its interest in the same, August 17, 1849, for seventy-five dollars, and then proceeded to lay it out in lots of rectangular form. Why the consideration was so much less than that paid for each of the other two quarters, is not stated; but the commissioners doubtless decided that that was all the purchasers could afford to pay.

The squaring of the southwest quarter was undertaken by W. W. Bierce alone. He secured an order from the court for that purpose, and filed his plat in the recorder's offrce, September 1, 1854, but did not Obtain his deed until March 6, 1856. No mention is made of any consideration allowed for it, and doubtless the price was merely nominal, since it was from this quarter that ground was reserved for the new court house.

It will thus be seen that it took eighteen years to square the circle, even on paper; and how long it was after the date of last deed, till the final change was made in the position of the buildings and in the form of the lots, we are not informed. The account of taking down the old court house, and the building of the new, will be found elsewhere.

The grading of the streets and of building-lots has gradually effaced every trace of the two ancient inclosures, with a slight and solitary exception in regard to each. A short distance in the rear of the court house is a deep hollow, .which is undoubtedly a remnant of the circular ditch, and at the southeast corner of Franklin and Pick-away streets (as mentioned below) is a piece of the square embankment, perhaps three or four rods in length. With

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 181

these two exceptions, every relic of those celebrated works is lost.

The line of the two inclosures, as marked by existing objects, is thus described in the Union-Herald of August 2, 1878, from which we have already quoted:

"The center of the circle was the center of the square at the intersection of Court and Main streets. The circle and square were joined, or rather the gateway, as the opening between them was called, was in the street a little west of the point where the valley crosses Main street at the Central Presbyterian church. Starting at this point, the ditch, which was the circumference of the circle, ran under a part of the church, under the rear of Mr. Scovil's house, curving around to McClaren's livery stable and Bauder's carriage shop, crossing the street between Bauder's and the Foresman corner and Pinckney street diagonally to T. K. Brunner's, through the rear of the Jones lot, on West Main street, through Jesse Ward's and the Tibbs barber. shop, through the Steele-Jones block, and the Martin property, and diagonally to Jerome Wolfly's, north of the court house, crossing to Mrs. Nightengale's residence, through the Brobeck carriage shops, and diagonally across Franklin street, to the rear of Ruggles' lot, and through it to the beginning.

This circuit was the line of the ditch described above, and which was full of water to a depth ranging from three to ten feet. The banks were very steep, and only at a few places was the ditch fordable. The embankment was overgrown with immense trees, and so thickly covered with vines and bushes that it was almost impenetrable. Here and there the cattle had made trails down to the water and at these places horsemen were in tho habit of crossing, the path winding down sidewise. Within the circle the growth of timber and bushes was quite dense.

We now go to the square, the limits of which we can not so clearly define, but sufficiently so to give a fair idea. The face next to the circle was on the line of the alley next to the Central church, extending south to Franklin street (lower side), and north to Watt street. 'I'he south line ran along parallel with the south side of Franklin street, extending to a point a few rods east of Washington street. The only remains of the old embankment now visible is the elevated ground near which the little cabin known as Mrs. White's house, stands, at the corner of Pick-away and Franklin streets. The north line ran along Watt street east from H. R. Heffner's residence, a distance of fifty-five rods. Tbe eastern boundary running north and south, crossed Main street a little east of Washrngton street, the old elm tree, well remembered by many, which stood in the pavement, being just inside of the embankment."

The people of Circleville are indebted to Mr. G. F. Wittich (who came to this place, with his parents, from Germany, in 1836) for the only pictorial representation that was ever made of the old town. It is a bird's-eye view in water colors, painted mostly from memory, but pronounced very accurate by all the old inhabitants. Considering that Mr. Wittich never had any instruction, and but very little practice, in drawing and painting, the work is highly creditable to his taste and skill. It has been lithographed, and doubtless, in coming times, copies of it will possess an antiquarian interest and value. [See page 174.]

INCORPORATION OF THE CITY.

As already stated, Circleville was laid out as the county seat of Pickaway county, and a nucleus of the future city was formed early in the autumn of 181o; but it was not until more than four years after this time that an act was passed by the legislature' of the State, erecting the youthful village into a town corporate. Of the growth of the community, during this brief anti - municipal period, no records remain. Its population, at the ,end of this period, can be only a matter of conjecture; but as it appears to have had about forty families at the start, if we allow it the same, as an annual increase, for the next four years, it must have comprised, at the time

of its incorporation, about six or seven. hundred souls.

We have not been able to find any record of the election held in accordance with an act .passed by the legislature, December 24, 1814, authorizing an election to be held, nor can any of the old residents give us the names of any of the officers then elected. But in order to contrast the machinery of the old town organization with that of the city to which the corporation was afterwards changed, we append the names of the officers elected under the old regime several years later.

The town officers elected in 1830 were as follows: Mayor (then properly called president), W. B. Thrall ; recorder, E. B. Olds; trustees, William McArthur, George Crook, Joseph Olds, Jacob H. Lutz, and Erastus Webb.

'I'he organization formed in 1815 continued for thirty-eight years; that is to say, until 1853, in which year, on the twenty-first of March, the town .council passed the following resolution:

Resolved, That the town of Circleville, by its council, does hereby determine and elect to be classed as and to become a city of the second class, under the provisions of the act of the general assembly of this State, passed May 3, 1852, entitled "An act to provide for the organization of cities and incorporate villages, and the act amendatory thereto, passed March, 18-53."

The city records, containing the account of the election which was held in accordance with this resolution, have as it seems to us, with most strange and culpable carelessness) been lost or destroyed. But we have been so fortunate as to find a file of the Circleville Herald, from which we learn that, on the fourth of April, 1853, the following officers were elected under the new city organization: Mayor, Z. R. Martin; treasurer, AV. Baker; solicitor, H. N. Hedges; marshal, S. Barncord; councilmen, William Van Heyde, William Doane, W. W. Bierce, and Allen Myers.

To show how much more complex the municipal government has become since that time, we conclude our notice of the city corporation with the following official directory of the city of Circleville for 1879:

Mayor, I. P. Todd; marshal, Jacob Brown; solicitor, J. Wheeler Lowe; civil engineer, C. C. Neibling; street commissioner, Thomas Heiry. Members of Council : First ward, James Brobeck, Michael Hoover; second ward, C. A. Helwagen, Charles E. Groce; third ward, Edward -Smith, E. P. Strong; fourth ward, Thomas Hamilton, Fred. Warner; fifth ward, George May, George Krinn; president of council, Ed. Smith; vice-president, C. A. Helwagen; clerk, R. P. 1)reisbach; treasurer, county treasurer. Standing Committees: Streets, alleys and nuisances, James Brobeck, C. A. Helwagen, E. P. Strong, Thomas Hamilton, Fred Warner; public grounds and buildings, C. A. Helwagen, Thomas Hamilton, George Krinn, Charles E. Groce ; market house and markets, George May, C. E. Groce, Fred. Warner, M. Hoover; fire department, Charles E. Groce, James Brobeck, George Krinn, Thomas Hamilton; claims, C. A. Helwagen, Thomas Hamilton, George Krinn, M. Hoover; gas posts and lights, George May, Fred Warner, George Krinn, E. P. Strong. Fire Department: Chief engineer, W. H. Nicholas; first assistant, '1'. N.

182 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICK AWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

Caskey; second assistant, Charles McLain; first engineer, steamer Circleville, Louis F. Dresher; second engineer, steamer Buckeye, Andrew Rudel; fireman, William M. Todd. Board of Health: Mayor I. P. Todd, president ex officio, Dr. E. I). Bowers, George H. Fickardt, William E. Bolin, George Davenport, John Boyer, William Doane. City Library Board: Citizens, W. M. Anderson, W. B. Marfield, W. M. Drum; members of council, Charles E. Groce, Charles A. Helwagen, Michael Hoover.

Council meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

THE CHURCHES OF CIRCLEVILLE.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

As early as the beginning of the present century Presbyterian services were held within the bounds of what was then Mount Pleasant, now Kingston, congregation, by ministers of the old Washington Presbytery, the territory of which embraced a part of Kentucky and southern Ohio. One of these ministers, Rev. James Robinson, a student of the well-known Dr. McMillan, organized, in 1808, the Pickaway church of Ross county, to which he ministered in connection with Mount Pleasant. He preached also occasionally. to the Presbyterians of Circleville, holding services in the court house.

In 1822 Columbus Presbytery was constituted from the territory covered formerly by the Washington Presbytery, and at its first meeting the congregations of Mount Pleasant and Circleville were reported as united and able to sustain a pastor. Rev. William Burton was appointed to the charge of the same, and installed as pastor September 13, 1822. At this time the Circleville church had twenty members and two elders, Jacob Hughes and Benjamin Cox.

In 1828 the. congregation was incorporated by act of assembly as the First Presbyterian Church of Circleville. Lots one hundred and nine and one hundred and ten were deeded by Andrew Huston to Dr. Finley and Dr. Luckey, trustees, for the purposes of a Presbyterian church, in consideration of one hundred dollars. A plain, one-story brick edifice was erected on the site thus provided—the same now occupied by the congregation. The building had sittings for some two hundred and fifty worshippers.

In the winter of 1830-31 both the Mount Pleasant and the Circleville congregations were visited by a thorough and extensive revival, which added fifty-six members to the Circleville church. Thus strengthened, the members extended a call to Mr. Murton for his whole time, and he was installed as pastor of the First church of Circleville, April 8, 1831. The elders of the church at this time, from which it dates its separate existence, were Matthew McCrea and James B. Finley. The number of communicants was one hundred and ten.

The pastorate of Mr. Burton continued until the spring of 1835; when he resigned his charge to accept one at Piketon. He was a native of Massachusetts, a graduate of Dartmouth college, studied theology with his uncle, Dr. Asa Burton, of Thetford, Vermont, and was a man of •line logical and rhetorical powers:

From May 2, 1836, until March 21, 1842, the pastor ate was held by Rev. Franklin Putnam. During this period the division of the Presbyterian church into Old School and New School took place, and the First church of Circleville voted, August 13, 1838, to adhere to the exscinded synods. The vote was forty-eight for to nine against such action; and, after a brief interval, the minor ity peaceably withdrew and organized the Central Pres byterian church, in connection with the Old School assembly. In 1842 Mr. Putnam, after a prosperous pastorate, resigned his charge because of ill health, and the church resolved that "we feel it our duty and privilege to follow him and his family with kind remembrances and prayers."

March 11, 1844, the congregation extended a call to Dr. James Rowland, who ministered with great acceptance and success, and with the favor of the entire community, until his death, in 1854. During his pastorate the present commodious and convenient church edifice was erected, at a cost of about fourteen thousand dollars. The committee on subscriptions were, N. S. Gregg, S. Marfield, Dr. C. Olds, Dr. Rowland, W. W. Bierce, Chauncey U. Olds. During the erection of the building the congregation worshipped in the seminary. The first services held in the audience room were those connected with the interment of the pastor, Dr. Rowland. His remains repose under the belfry, and a suitable mural tablet in the vestibule expresses the affection of his bereaved parishioners.

Rev. P. M. Bartlett, now president of Tennessee university, was pastor from January 29, 1855, until April, 1857.

December 20, 1857, Rev. Henry Calhoun, formerly of Coshocton, Ohio, began his labors as pastor. That winter was one of deep religious interest, and thirty persons, mostly heads of families, were added to the church at the spring communion. After a prosperous pastorate, Mr. Calhoun resigned December 2o, 1865.

June 2, 1867, Rev. H. R. Hoisington entered upon his duties as pastor. His services were highly acceptable to the church and the community. In 1870 the Old School and New School branches of the church were formally re-united in the city of Pittsburgh. This step brought the First and Central churches of Circleville into the same ecclesiastical relations, and the subject of a union of the two was agitated. April 28, 1872, Mr. Hoisington resigned and removed to Cleveland, Ohio, that the way might be clear for such a union. But the Central church having declined to accept the resignation of its pastor, the union was not consummated.

June 10, 1873, Rev. S. H. McMullin, formerly professor of church history in the theological seminary at Danville, Kentucky, was installed pastor of the church, and is the present incumbent.

The officers of the church at present are: trustees, J. A. Hawkes, Thomas Miller, W. M. Drum ; session, Otis Ballard, H. A. Jackson; treasurer, William M. Drum; superintendent of Sunday-school, William M. Drum.

The number of communicants is one hundred and sixty-four; and of children in Sabbath-school, one hundred.

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 183.

The church is free from all indebtedness, provides for an annual expense list of two thousand eight hundred dollars, and contributes an average of three hundred dollars to missionary agencies.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.*

Among the earliest churches of this place and vicinity is the one called Methodist Episcopal. We only refer to what is historical, in saying that Methodist itinerants were among the first in bearing the gospel to those finding homes in the West.

Very early, in this century, a place of worship was established about a mile and a half east of this, near the old Lancaster road, at the house of a Mr. Burget. Before preaching was established here, a few members, moving into this place, were in the habit of going there to worship. This town was laid out in 1810, by Mr. Daniel Dreisbach. The first sermon preached by a Methodist minister in the newly-opened town, was by the Rev. William Swayze. Passing over the country, he made this a place of rest. Proposals having been made for stated preaching, the question of place arose. After consultation, the public house of Mr. Andrew Ensworth, standing on the east side of the circle, in the locality now occupied by the corner of Court and Main streets (some say where William Albaugh's house now stands, others, upon the ground occupied by Philip Warner), was offered and accepted.

About 1812 to 1815, a local preacher, by the name of Emmet, living west of this, in company with another, whose name is forgotten, was accustomed to visit this place and hold occasional services. In process of time, during that period, a class was organized under the supervision of these local ministers, consisting of eight persons, namely, Louisa Hare, Elizabeth Burget, Margaret Botkin, Margaret Davis, John Eli, Sarah Burget, and two colored women—Lydia Smith and her mother, Venice. Only one of the original class survives, she who is familiarly known among the membership as mother Hare.

Through the instrumentality of Lydia Smith, commonly known as Aunt Lydia, a Methodist church was raised here among the people of her own color. She died in 1875, having witnessed, according to the testimony of both white and colored people, a good confession for Christ upwards of eighty years, dying peacefully, at the extreme age of ninety-five or ninety-six.

The surviving member, Mother Hare, is the daughter of one who was a pioneer Methodist in Ohio—Nimrod Bright. She is now in extreme feebleness, being in her eighty-eighth year. She, too, for more than sixty years, has enjoyed among her acquaintance the reputation of being a firm, consistent, and devoted christian.

In the year 1815 or 1816, the class was regularly taken under the care of the traveling ministry of the church. Soon after William McArthur, subsequently known as Judge McArthur, was appointed leader. The society formerly meeting at the house of Mr. Burget, east of the town, was transferred to this place. The

* Taken mainly front a paper read by the Rev. J. Mitcherr, during the centenniar exercise, at the church, Sunday evening, April 9, 1876.

names of John Burget, John Wright,. Mr. Hasselton, and others, are remembered as being early added to the original number; also, William Moore, father of S. A. Moore, well known to our citizens, who lived where his son now lives, was among the early additions, and proved a devoted friend of the church and the general interests of religion.

The first places of meeting were school-houses and private dwellings. Mother Hare says the first place of preaching was in a log school-house, with slab seats; then in a better school-house, more nearly in the center of the town. When the court house was built, worship was transferred to that building, which was used in common by nearly all the religious denominations; then from the court house to the academy, continuing there until a church edifice was put up, which was about the year 1830. Two lots, numbered one hundred and seventy-one and one hundred and seventy-two, near the academy, were purchased of Charles Shoemaker, for two hundred dollars. The church was built of brick, doubtless made of clay from the old circular earth wall, near which it was erected; but neither the cost of the building, nor the length of time taken in the work, is remembered.

This church remained as the stated place of worship until it was destroyed by fire, in 1851. The fire is supposed to have occurred through a defective flue. This disaster was under the ministry of the Rev. J. A. Brunner. The first Presbyterian church was kindly offered and accepted for preaching services, and the basement of the Episcopal church for the Sunday-school. The pastor and members immediately went to work to secure another building. The people of all denominations generously responded to the appeal for a new church. Because of the town extending southward, it was thought best to change the location. The old site was abandoned, and the present one, on the corner of Main and Pickaway streets, was secured.

The building committee of the present edifice consisted of Jacob Welter, Joel Franklin, and William C. Taylor, the latter recently deceased. The cost of the present building, according to Mr. Welter's recollection, was twelve thousand dollars, or upwards. The bell was the gift of a former merchant of this city, Mr. Frederick Cogswell, now deceased. He also endowed a pew for the pastor's family. This house was dedicated to the worship of God by the Rev. Dr. Trimble, now of Columbus. It was several years from the time the church was first occupied until the audience room was fitted up for worship. From time to time sundry improvements have been added ; recently, in new windows and renovation, at a cost of two thousand dollars. An indebtedness of two hundred and fifty dollars remains, which the ladies are devising ways and means to remove. The roll of membership now numbers over three hundred.

This church, after being regularly established as a preaching place, so far as can now be ascertained, was included in what was known as Pickaway circuit—a part of the old " Scioto district" While in a circuit, it was served by the following ministers :

184 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

In 1816 (most likely while he was on Fairfield circuit), by Michael Ellis; 1817 (Pickaway circuit), Michael Ellis and Samuel Brown ; 1818, James Quinn ; 1819, Michael Ellis and John Solomon ; 1820, David Davidson and Michael Ellis, 1821, Cornelius Springer and Peter Warner ; 1822, 13. Westlake and Andrew Kanier ; 1823, Jacob Hooper and Whitfield Hughes.; 1824, Wm. Stevens and J. T. Donahoe; 1825, Z. Connel and M. Ellis ; 1826, Richard Brandriff and S. P. Shaw ; 1827, Jacob Delay and William Reynolds ; 1828, Benjamin Cooper and J. Young ; 1829, John Ferree and Jacob Hooper ; 1830, Solomon Minear and James C. Taylor ; 1831, David Lewis and H. Baird ; 1832, David Lewis and Jacob Dixon; 1833, Z. Connel and W, T. Snow ; 1834, J. Delay and Abraham Baker ; 1835 (now Circleville circuit), S. Hamilton and E. B. Chase ; 1836, S. Hamilton and E. 'I'. Webster ; 1837, Isaac C. Hunter and Harvey Camp ; 1838, Isaac C. Hunter and P. Nation ; 1839, J. A. Reeder and P. Nation ; 1840, A. M. Lorraine and T. A. G. Philips ; 1841, A. M. Lorraine and C. C. Lybrand-making thirty-nine different pastors in twenty-six years. In 1842 (half station), J. C. Bontecue ; 1843 (full station), J. C. Bontecue-J. M. Trimble, presiding elder ; 1844, Joseph J. Hill ; 1845, A. B. Wombaugh ; 1846-7, David Warnock ; 1848, E. 1). Roe ; 1849, John Dillon ; 1850, Jacob Dimmett, who remained only six months, the year being filled out by Rev. John Dreisbach ; 1851-2, J. A. Brunner ; 1853-4, J. M. Jameson ; 1855, G. W. Brush ; 1856-7, C. E. Felton ; 1858-9, A. Brooks ; 1860-1, A. Byers, who went into the army-his place being supplied by Rev. E. P. Hall ; 1862--3, I. Crook ; 1864-5, S. M. Merrill ; .1866-7, T. R. Taylor ; 1868, W. T. Harvey; 1869-70, H. K. Foster ; 1871, C. D. Battelle ; 1872-3, T. H. Philips-his son Howard supplying his place for the last year ; 1874-6, J. Mitchel ; C. M. 1877-9, Bethauser, who is, at the present time, visiting his relations in Germany. It will be seen, therefore, that sixty-four different ministers have been employed, since the first organization of the society.

Two annual conferences have been held here, one in 1834, presided over by Bishop Soule ; the other, in 1861, presided over by Bishop Janes.

ST. PHILIP'S (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH.

The twenty-sixth day of May, 1817, the Rev. Philander Chase, who had recently been rector of Christ church, Hartford, Connecticut, afterwards bishop of the diocese of Ohio,' conducted service according to the liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America, and preached in the town of Circleville, at which time the present St. Philip's parish was organized, with the following instrument of parochial association:

"We, whose-names are hcreunder written, deeply impressed with the truth and importance of the Christian religion, and anxiously desirous to promote its influences in the hearts and lives of ourselves, our families and our neighbors, do hereby associate ourselves together by the name, style and title of St. Philip's church, county of Pickaway, State of Ohio, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America, whose liturgy, constitution and canons, we do hereby adopt. (Signed)

GUY W. DOANE,

JOSHUA JOHNSON,

JOS. G. MIXON,

THOMAS WHITING.

S. M. MORGAN,

JOHN E. MORGAN,

JOHN EVANS,

WM. SEYMOUR,

NEIL McGAFFEY,

DANIEL WRIGHT.

WALTER THRALL,

J. T. DAVENPORT,

WILLIAM B. THRALL,

In September, 1818, at a parish meeting, presided over by the Rev. Philander Chase, the following gentlemen were elected, to serve until Easter, 1819: Wm. Seymour and Guy W. Doane, wardens; John E. Morgan, Jos. Noxon, Joshua Fulsom, vestrymen. Wm. Seymour was, elected to represent the parish in the convention to be held in Worthington on the first Monday in January, 1819. On the eighteenth of June, 1819, the parish was visited for the first time by the Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, as bishop of the diocese of Ohio.

The first regular minister was the Rev. Ezra B. Kellogg, who commenced his parochial labors in Circleville, and conducted services one Sunday in four weeks. Previous to this time, the services were conducted by lay readers and occasional supplies. How long the Rev. Mr. Kellogg remained as minister in charge, the records do not show. December 23, 1829, six years after the last recorded vestry Meeting, there was a meeting of the parish, at which a vestry was elected to serve until the Easter following. This vestry immediately opened negotiations with St. Paul's church, Chillicothe, and the Rev. Mr. Bausman, minister in charge of St. Paul's, which resulted in his conducting service here one Sunday in every four weeks, during the two years following.

The Rev. R. V. Rogers took charge of the parish, September 12, 1832. On the twenty-sixth of December, of that year, it was resolved by the vestry that G. W. Doane, W. B. Thrall and John L. Green, be constituted a committee to petition the legislature for an act to incorporate the wardens and vestry of St. Philip's church. The vestry further resolved, that they accept the proposition this day made in writing bv Mr. R. Douglas for lot number one hundred and one, on the Mound, for which they were to pay three hundred and fifty dollars, in seven annual instalments, without interest; and that a committee of six be appointed to draft and circulate a subscription for the purpose of raising funds to build a 'church, and that the following persons constitute said committee: Wm. B. Thrall, R. H. Hopkins, Robert Larrimore, G. W. Doane, J. W. Finley and Wm. McColloch. At a parish meeting at the house of Mr. G. W. Doane, May, 1833, Messrs. J. G. Doddridge, Wm. B. Thrall and Robert Larrimore, were elected a committee to design a plan for a church, of the relative proportions of the Episcopal church in 'Columbus, with a seating capacity of three hundred; to contract for materials, and have in charge the building of said church, which was completed in the year 1834, and was a comfortable and commodious brick building. The Rev. Mr. Rogers resigned the rectorship to return to his home, in England, the eleventh day of March, 1836. Previous to the erection of this church, the services seem to have been conducted in the court house and the First Presbyterian church.

The following were the ministers in charge from this date to the eighth day of October, 1865: Revs. W. F. Halsey, W. W. Aruat, Anson Clarke, Alex. McLeod, Chas. B. Steret, A. 1). Benedict, H. N. Bishop, R. L.

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 185

Nash, D. Risser, C. W. Fearns and Thos.. AV. Mitchell. October 8, 1865, the Rev. E. Owen Simpson took charge of this parish, in connection with St. John's, Lancaster. During the month of April, 1867, he resigned St. John's, and took full charge of St. Philip's, and remained in charge until Easter, 1870. During his administration the parish greatly prospered; the original church was torn down, and the present very commodious, substantial and beautiful stone church was erected, at a host of fifteen thousand dollars, paid for and consecrated. Rev. E. Owen Simpson and Messrs. Wm. B. Marfield and Alfred Williams were the building committee. The corner stone was laid August 16, 1866, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Mcllvaine, and the church was consecrated April 23, 1868, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bedell. During the erection of their church, the congregation worshiped in the First Baptist church. Since 187o, the following have been the ministers in charge: Revs. W. C. Mills, H. C. Camp, J. T. Franklin, C. A. Bragdon and J. H. Logie, the latter having been ordained deacon in the church by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Jaggar, of the diocese of Southern Ohio, on the twenty-third day of February, 1879, and at the same time he was appointed, by the bishop, as minister in charge of the church.

In 1874, a rectory was purchased, at a cost of four thousand dollars, which makes the total value of the church property about nineteen thousand dollars.

LUTHERANISM IN CIRCLEVILLE PRIOR TO 1859.

The early history of .the Lutheran church in this place is involved in much obscurity, A division occurred in 1859, resulting from differences in theological opinion, since which time there have been two separate congregations, each claiming to be the rightful successor of the original organization. We have received, from representatives of both congregations, historical sketches, from which we condense the following brief history of the church, down to the time of the separation.

Among the heads of families attached to the Lutheran church, who emigrated, principally from Pennsylvania, and settled in Circleville and its immediate vicinity, early in the present century, are recorded the following: Jacob Zieger, sr., George Zimmer, Samuel Watt, Philip Zieger, Jacob Zieger, jr., Frederick Zieger, John Valentine, Peter Apple, Valentine Keifer, Peter Trees, Heinrich Trees, William Moyer, Peter Herbster, Heinrich Ely, "Old Father Try," Anthony Weaver, John. Weaver, John Row, Mr. Earnhart, sr., and others.

In the year 1811 the Evangelical Lutheran synod of Pennsylvania delegated the Rev. Jacob Leist to go to Ohio and organize congregations. He preached his first sermon here on the 28th of August, 1811. As this was less than a year after the town was laid out, it must have been one of the first sermons (if not the very first) preached in the place. For a long time he held services once in four weeks. All the members being familiar with German, the services were held exclusively in that language for several years. There was no church building in town, and the meetings were held in such places as could be obtained. After the court house was built

in the old circle, this denomination, as well as others, used it for their meetings. It is. claimed that the Rev. Mr. Leist organized a church in due form; and, judging from the amount of material which he found here at the time, as well as from the nature of his mission, nothing can be more probable. And yet, if such an organization was effected, two things are very remarkable : first, that no scrap of record can be found to testify of its existence; and second, that it should, by common consent, have been entirely ignored in the forming of a new organization to take its place, some twenty years later. However this mystery is to be explained, it is certain that records, apparently authentic, exist, which show that, in May, 1831, a congregation, taking the name of "the English Evangelical Lutheran Church," was organized, with the Rev. N. B. Little as pastor. Of the meeting at which this organization was effected, Mr. George Wildbahn was chosen president, and John Marfield sec retary. Following are the names of the gentlemen present and taking part in the meeting: George P. Kephart, Henry Try, George Hammel, Adam Pontious, Robert Hays, James Carlisle, Gershom M. Peters, Moses Dawley, Michael Pontious, Joseph Landes, Daniel Funk, Michael May, John Valentine, Henry Triece, Samuel Watt, U. P. Kerr, Philip Zieger, John Groce, William B. Thrall, Valentine Keifer, Dr. William N. Lenker, John A. Wolf-ley, James Kepler, and John Ludwig.

The three last named having been appointed a committee to examine the credentials of the Rev. Mr. Little, Made a favorable report, and he was thereupon chosen as their pastor. At the same meeting, or one held very soon after, a committee was also appointed to confer with the Rev. Mr. Leist, who, quite advanced in years, was still residing in the vicinity. The object of the conference with Mr. Leist does not very definitely appear. It is evident, however, that he gave at least a tacit assent to the organization, and thenceforth .the venerable missionary drops out of view.

The Rev. Mr. Little continued in charge about two years and a half, when he resigned ; and, on the 23d of February, 1834, the congregation gave a call to the Rev. J. A. Roof, who labored for them acceptably twenty-one years, preaching partly in German and partly in English, when he resigned and moved to Iowa.

In the fall of 1831, soon after Mr. Little commenced his ministrations, steps were taken to build a church ; the sum of two thousand three hundred and thirty-seven dollars being raised for that purpose by subscription, part of which was paid in money, and part in materials or work on the building. The south half of the "area on Bastile avenue" was obtained as a site, and the corner stone was laid in the spring of 1832. The building contained a basement and audience room, the dimensions being sixty-five feet in length and forty-five in width. The basement was occupied till 1839, in which year the audience room was completed.

After the resignation of Mr. Roof, there was a vacancy of about two years in the pastorate, when the Rev. Joel Swartz, of Shenandoah county, Va., accepted a call in the latter part of March, 1857. He also preached in Ger-

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186 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND. PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

man and English. It was during the administration of Mr. Swartz that the church was permanently divided. We should have no heart, even if we had time and space, to write the history of the painful theological controversy which culminated in this unhappy division, nor of the still more painful lawsuit by which the party that felt themselves compelled to withdraw from the church, sought to regain possession or the property. Suffice it to say that, at the 'annual meting which was held on the 7th of March, 1859, the party corresponding to what is known as " old school," or " high church," in other religious bodies, retired, leaving the " new school," or " low church " party, with Mr. Swartz at their head, (whom they retained for another year) in possession of the church. Each party elected officers, claiming to continue the original organization. The so-called old Lutherans brought suit against the so-called new Lutherans, for the possession of the church property, both parties claiming their right to it.

The decision of . the court of common pleas, in which the case was tried, was in favor of the so-called old Lutherans. The case, however, was appealed to the district court, which (in effect, at least) reversed the decision of the court below. The old Lutherans could have brought suit by another form of action, but concluded not to do so. They were served for a time by neighboring ministers, and remained in the Ohio synod. Mr. Swartz and his congregation connected themselves with the Miami synod. Thus two congregations existed. The party that adhered to Mr. Swartz took (or retained) the name of

THE ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The Rev. Mr. Swartz continued in charge one year, when he resigned, and the Rev. Thomas Hill was elected in his place, May 21, 1860.. He was succeeded by the Rev. M. L. Wilhelm, March 31, 1866. During the administration of Mr. Wilhelm, a new brick church was built, at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. He remained till the church was finished and dedicated, when he resigned, and was succeeded by the Rev. H. B. Miller, December 29, 1868. Mr. Miller remained a little less than a year—then resigned and went to Tarleton, Ohio.

The names of the ministers who succeeded him, with the length of the ministry of each, are as follows : The Rev. Thomas Hill (second term), one year ; Rev. E. W. Sanders, three years. Then there was a vacancy one year, and the Rev. J. M. Ruthrauff was elected, September 13, 1874, and continued a year and a half. The present minister, Rev. J. W. Swick, accepted a call to the charge of this congregation, April 6, 1879.

The party that withdrew from the church took the name of

TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

In June, 1859, the Rev. C. Albrecht received and accepted a call to the pastorate of this congregation, and, remained until April, 1860, when the Rev. John Wagenhals was called. Then the Trinity congregation obtained, by order of the court of common pleas, from the director

of the town, W. W. Bierce, a lot known as the "public, or "city," or " Presbyterian " burying ground ; and buil thereon a neat brick church, at a cost of about five thou sand dollars. It was dedicated May 27, 1866. A commodious parsonage was built on the same lot, about the same time.

In 1868 the Rev. Mr. Wagenhals resigned his pastora office, on account of feeble health and advanced age having served eight years. In the same year the Rev B. M. Lenker accepted a call from the church, and re mained until 1870.

On account of a diversity of opinion in the Ohio synod, on certain doctrinal points in dispute among the clergy, a . division took place in the English district o said synod. Unfortunately, it also caused a division in this congregation. A number of older families withdrew, as they were not willing to make these questions a test of true Lutheranism, having previously been considered open questions, left to the discretion of pastors and congregations. The members remaining in the church after the resignation of Mr. Lenker, were served first by the Rev. E. L. S. Tressel, and subsequently by the Rev. A. H. Schultze, who resigned in May, 1879—the pastorat being still vacant.

UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.

At a general conference, in May, 1833, it was resolved that the United Brethren church should have a printing establishment of its ow, and that said establishment be located at the town of Circleville. So, to carry out this resolution, the conference. appointed a board of trustees, consisting of George Dreisbach, Jonathan Dreisbach and Rev. John Russel. On the twelfth day of April, 1834, the trustees bought a printing press, together with type and cases; and also a lot and two houses of Mr. Z. R. Martin, on North Main street, and on the thirty-first day of December, 1834, the first number of the Religious Telescope was issued, with Rev. W. R. Rinehart as editor. The publication of the .Telescope was conducted for several years without any church organization, there being no members of the society in town except the editor, and perhaps some of the employees of the office.

In the spring of 1837, Rev. William Hanley, with his family, moved to Circleville, and during this year regular preaching, on alternate Sabbaths with the Universalist preachers, was kept up in the old court house, standing in the center of the circle, where the two main streets now cross. In the winter of 1838, services were held in the academy, instead of the court house, a building situated in the northeast part of town, close to the lot occupied by the old Methodist church. During this year [1838] a very interesting meeting was held, during which .penitents were often seen on the streets enquiring for the United Brethren prayer meeting, and in some cases, as soon as they entered the enclosure of the meeting, they would fall upon their knees and beg for an interest in the prayers of God's people. This meeting resulted in the conversion of a number of persons, and the organization of a United Brethren society of about one hundred members. The tide of public sentiment was turned in the direction

AARON R. VAN CLEAF

was born at Arneystown, Burlington county, New Jersey, March 20, 1838. When he was about three years old his parents removed to Monmouth county, New Jersey, where they now reside. His ancestors were of the pioneer settlers of New Jersey, on the paternal side, of the early Holland emigration, and among the first settlers of Monmouth county. On the maternal side he is connected with the Reeves family, one of the oldest and most respected families in Burlington and other counties of south Jersey. Several of the Van Cleafs served in Jersey regiments during the war for American independence, and are specially mentioned among the patriots of that day. His paternal great-grandfather owned an extensive body of land in Monmouth county, New Jersey, which was divided among his large family of children.

Aaron Van Cleaf was educated in the common schools near Freehold, New Jersey, until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered the Monmouth Democrat office, at Freehold, as an apprentice to the printing business, remaining there, as apprentice and journeyman, until April, 1859, when he emigrated to Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio, and for a few months was connected with the Democratic Standard, which paper was soon after merged in what is now the Brown. county News. In November, 1859, he became editor and publisher of the Democratic Citizen, at Lebanon, Ohio, which was published in the face of many difficulties. On the twelfth

of August, 1862, the office was destroyed by a mob of political opponents, but he re-established the paper and continued its publication until May, 1863. In November, of the same year, he purchased the Circleville Democrat and Watchman, and has since conducted that paper.

In 1871 he was nominated for representative in the general assembly by the Democratic party of Pickaway county, and was elected by four hundred and seventy-seven majority over James Langhry, Republican, who was then extensively known and popular. He declined a re-election. In 1877 he was again nominated for representative by acclamation, being the first Democratic candidate for that place in Pickaway county, nominated without opposition, for many years. He was elected by nine hundred and forty-six majority over Frederick Thorn, Republican, and in the house was chairman of the committee on reform schools, and a member of the finance and printing committees. On the third of June, 1879, he was nominated by acclamation, in the Democratic senatorial convention; to represent the counties of Franklin and Pickaway in the State senate, and at the October election following, was elected by one thousand six hundred and thirty-four majority.

He has taken an active part in the politics of Pick-away county for fifteen years past, and has been chairman of the Democratic central committee of the county for thirteen years.

SAMUEL MARFIELD, JR.

THE MARFIELD FAMILY.

John Marfield was a resident of the mining town of Bardenburg, on the lower Rhine, Germany, and was probably in some way connected with mining interests. He was married to Elizabeth Spies, and at the latter end of the last century emigrated to America with his family, consisting of his wife and two daughters-Penelope and Hannah. He located, soon after reaching this country, in Baltimore, Maryland, and successfully engaged in merchandising. In Baltimore were born five more children-William, Catharine, Samuel, John, Henry, and Elizabeth. All were reared in the school of domestic discipline and economy The head of the family was a man of unbending will, severe honesty, and simplicity of character. The wife was a kind, warm-hearted, gentle, christian woman. The father ruled with the rod-the mother with love. Before the children grew to maturity their father died, but they enjoyed the love and affection of their mother until, ripe with a good old age, she passed away, in 1851. The boys, as they grew to manhood, became scattered. One of the daughters-Hannah-by marriage, became Mrs. Benson; the others lived in maidenhood, in the home their parents had left to them. Elizabeth, the youngest, is now the only survivor. Of the sons, William, a mechanical engineer, located in Virginia; Henry in Galena, Illinois; John in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he built up a fine fortune and an enviable business reputation; and Samuel in Circleville, Ohio. Henry and Samuel are the only sons now living. It is with the latter and his family that this sketch has to deal.

Samuel Marfield was born in Baltimore, Maryland, January 17, 1808. When a youth he was apprenticed to the saddlery business, which he learned. Self-depending f10m childhood, he branched out in business for himself before he became of age, and rapidly built up a handsome trade in domestic and imported saddlery hardware in Baltimore. January 3, 1833, he was married to Harriet M., daughter of Samuel and Sarah Wright. Mr. Wright was a Maryland farmer, of Welsh extraction. To Samuel Marfield and wife were born, in Baltimore, two sons-William B., November 19, 1833, and James T., January 29, 1838. Captivated with the inviting opportunities of the West, Samuel Marfield moved to Ohio in 5839, and located in Circleville, engaging in the general hardware business. Here, in Circleville, April 2o, 1844, another son was born, and named after his father-Samuel. In his business Mr. Marfield made a success, and in a few years, in 1848, was enabled to establish a private banking house, which he called The People's Bank," afterward's " Marfield's sank," and which continued in operation until May, 1877-twenty-nine years.

Harriet M. Marfield was a faithful and devoted wife, and a tender, loving, patient mother, the memory of whose sweet affection is the treasured heritage of the surviving sons. After several years of bodily affliction, she passed away, April 27, 1865.

The three sons were all given generous opportunities for acquiring a good education-William, at Kenyon college, Gambier, Ohio, where he passed through the first two years of the classical course ; James, at Greenway academy, Springfield, Ohio, and Samuel, jr., at Harcourt school and Kenyon college, where he graduated in 1864.

William, after leaving college, was associated with his father in the bank, and remained with him until 1877. He was married January 15, 1861, to Mary F., only daughter of N. S. Gregg, of Circleville. To them were born six children: Elliott, born December 4, 1861; Harriett, born March 2, 1863; James, born January 1, 1865; Nannie, born June 24, 5866; Delano, born March 8, 1869; Mary, born February 4, 1872. They are all living but James, who died in infancy, September 13, 1865.

James T., commencing as a farmer, also finally took a position in the bank, until 1862, when he entered the Union army, as second lieutenant of company B, One Hundred and Fourteenth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. He was then in his twenty-fifth year, a powerfully-developed and magnificent specimen of manhood.

The regiment was largely recruited in Pickaway county, and contained the flower of the youth of the community. It was organized in August, 5862, and soon after being mustered in, was ordered to the front to join the army which was being massed to operate against Vicksburg, Mississippi. On December 28th, General W. T. Sherman, in command, embarked his forces on the Yazoo river above and in rear of the rebel army protecting that strongly entrenched citadel, and on the twenty-ninth charged their lines. It was a day of slaughter and defeat. Lieutenant Marfield fell, and was buried by his comrades near the battlefield. The army retreated; but six months after, when General Grant captured Vicksburg, the same faithful comrades sought out and recovered the remains of their friend and offrcer, and they now rest in the beautiful Forest cemetery. The name of Lieutenant James T. Mar-field is held in dear remembrance, for he was, irl every true sense, a man.

Samuel, jr., the youngest son, whose portrait heads this sketch, after the completion of his collegiate course spent some time in foreign travel, visiting France, Switzerland, Germany, and the British Isles. From 1866 to 1875 he was engaged in commercial pursuits as a wholesale grocer and produce merchant. December 18, 5867, he was married to Florence L., daughter of Dr. A. W. Thompson, of Circleville. To them have been born five children: Dwight S., born December 11, 1868; William T., born August 30, 1870; George R., born August 2, 5872; James T, born March 24, 1874; Elizabeth Spies, born February 28, 1875. James T. died in infancy, September 13, 5874.

December 1, 1875, Samuel Marfield, jr., assumed editorial direction and general management of the Circleville Herald and Union, shortly afterward changed to The Union-Herald, and April 1st, following, was appointed, by President Grant, postmaster of Circleville, both of which positions he occupies at this time.

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 187

of the new organization, and the people were generally anxious to hear what the newcomers had to say on religious subjects. The academy building was becoming entirely too small for the attendance; hence, during the year 1839, a church house was erected on East Main street, sixty-six by forty-six feet, made of good material, and, at the time, the largest, and perhaps the best, in the town.

On the nineteenth day of October, 1839, the first quarterly conference was held in the new church, with the Rev. J. Coons as pastor. The official members of the first conference were Rev. J. Coons, Rev. Elias Vandemark, Rev. William Hanley (being then editor of the Religious Telescope), William Freman, W. R. Rinehart, Robert Levering, Samuel Hargus, James Moodey and Abraham Hostteton. During this year the church did not meet with any very flattering success. A few, however, were converted and joined the church.

At the annual conference of 1840 Rev. W. W. Davis was sent to Circleville as pastor. He had some success, but received such a small salary that he would not stay longer than one year. It would be well to remark here that the reader will have to excuse the writer for not giving the salary of the early pastors, as there is no record of it. At the next conference, in 1841, Rev. P. Brock was appointed as pastor, and labored for one year, with little encouragement. He was assisted during the year by the Rev. W. B. Jarvis. In the spring of 1842 Rev. L. Davis, now Dr. Davis, of Union Biblical seminary, Dayton, Ohio, was placed in charge. During this year there was quite a falling off in the membership. In the year 1843, Rev. Davis was succeeded by the Rev. E. Vandemark. During this year the church was much embarrased by debt, and, as a result, had little or no prosperity. In the spring of 1844 Rev. D. Edwards was appointed as pastor. In May, 1845, the general conference of the whole church was held in Circleville*. At this conference the pastor, Rev. D. Edwards, was elected editor of the Religious Telescope, and was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. I. Kretzenger. During this year the Scioto conference changed its time of meeting from spring till fall; hence, in the fall of 1845, Rev. Kretzenger was succeeded by Rev. R. Hastings. In October, 1846, Rev. J. M. Spangler was called to the station. He remained its pastor for two .conference years, and his labors were blessed with good results. At the close of 1847, Rev. H. Jones was appointed as pastor, and served one year. In the fall of 1848, Rev. Spangler was again appointed. In 1849 Rev. William Fisher was appointed, and served two years. During the last few years the church had been gradually decreasing in membership, and its success, as a separate congregation, was despaired of. Rev. J. Swarence succeeded Rev. Fisher in 1851, and Mr. Swarence was succeeded, in 1852, by Rev. T. Sloan. At the close of this year it was admitted that it could not succeed alone, its membership being of the poorer class and unable to-support a pastor; consequently it was attached to Pickaway circuit, in charge of Rev. W. W. Davis. During this year, parties holding claims against the church became impatient, and the sale of the church was threatened ; consequently at an annual conference held at the Moris church, Pickaway county, it was resolved that a vigorous effort must be made to lift the claims. The conference appointed Rev. William Hanley to solicit funds tor that purpose, and on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1854, after a debt of over two thousand dollars was provided for, the church was solemnly and joyfully dedicated to the service of almighty God, fourteen years after it was built.

At the conference above named (1854) Rev. Mr. Fisher was again appointed its pastor. This year the salary was exceedingly small—indeed, smaller than ever before, owing to the removal of the Telescope office to Dayton, Ohio, which had occurred the year previous. In the year 1855 we• find the Rev. J. S. Davis as pastor. Rev. Mr. Davis was an excellent man, also a good pastor and preacher. He filled his own pulpit with credit, and had frequent invitations to exchange pulpits with other ministers of the town. But alas for the church! just when his suceess in building up her interests seemed a fixed fact, the Master called him from labor to reward.

In the fall of 1856 Rev. E. Vandemark was again placed in charge. During this year the church and pastor became involved in a difficulty about his salary and secret societies, that resulted in almost the entire overthrow of the church.

From July, 1857, to January, 1862', we have no records whatever upon the journal of the proceedings of the church. At the last-named date we have Rev. Mr. Fisher again as pastor. From the close of 1862 to 1866 we find another gap in the records. I believe there were no services kept up during this time.

At an annual conference in September, 1866, it was resolved that Circleville church be called a mission station and receive an appropriation from the conference funds to sustain it. Rev. D. Bonebrake was then appointed to take charge of the congregation. In coming to the work he .found the membership reduced to twenty-nine members. His labors were greatly blessed, and a number added to the faithful' few. Rev. Mr. Bonebrake received a salary of five hundred and forty dollars. In October, 1867, Rev. J. H. Dickson was placed in charge, and received a salary of four hundred and sixty dollars. Mr. Dickson remained in charge three years, receiving about the same amount of salary each year. His labors were blessed with fair results. In October, 1870, Rev. William Brown received the appointment. This year there was considerable decrease in the membership by removals. Mr. Brown received four hundred dollars. Rev. Mr. Bonebrake, in 187r, was again returned. His labors, however, were not so successful as before. His salary, this year, was only three hundred and twelve dollars. In 1872, Rev. D. A. Johnstone received the appointment and was continued for three years, with fair success, receiving a salary of five hundred dollars each year. In October, 1875, Rev. Peter Wagner was appointed, receiving a salary of three hundred and twenty-five dollars. Rev. Mr. Wagner was succeeded, in 1876, by the Rev. J. Everhart. Owing to ill health, Mr. Evarhart had but little success. He received

188 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

for his services a salary of three hundred and fifty dollars.

The annual conference of 1877 appointed Rev. J. M. Mills. Mr. Mills took charge of the congregation when it was in a very weak condition. He had, however, some success the first year, and received a salary of five hundred and fifty dollars. At the conference of 1878, Mr. Mills vas again returned, and at this writing—July, 1879—is still laboring successfully, and is well received by his church and community.

The present membership of the church is one hundred and ten; Sabbath-school scholars enrolled, one hundred and seventy-five; average attendance, one hundred and twenty.

Present official board of the church: J. M. Mills, Stephen Miller, Henry Pontious, Samuel Denman, E. Cave, A. Moris, James Sims, and George Denman.

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

was organized with about twelve members, by the Rev. L. Davis, in the year 1834. The succession of pastors since that time is as follows: The Rev. Messrs. Burd, Adkesson, T. Lawrence, L. Davis, Tilman, Coleman, Peters, Arnold, Gibbons, J. Tibbs, W. Lewis, W. D. Mitchel, W. Davison and R. H. Morris, who is the present pastor. Its membership numbers, at this time, one hundred and sixty-three.

Mr. Morris and his band of faithful workers are now in the midst of a great struggle to build a new church edifice, the corner stone of which was laid only a few days ago, with appropriate ceremonies. It is to be a very fine building, forty by sixty feet in dimensions. The congregation have insisted on calling it " Morris Chapel," in honor of their present beloved pastor.

THE FIRST REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1838, a number of persons holding letters from Baptist churches in different States, especially Virginia, decided to organize themselves into a regular Baptist church. For this purpose, on the twenty-seventh of July, the following persons met' at the house of Abram Van Meter: Gershom M. Peters, Jacob Van Meter, Acker King, Thos. B. Godard, Milton Peters, Samuel Creighton, Enoch Lamb, Nahum Newton, Maranda Peters, Emily Van Meter, Maria Van Meter, Mary Van Meter, Adelaide Newton, Amy A. King, Eve Everett, Agatha Menear, Priscilla Lamb and Eliza Lamb, and adopted articles of faith and a church covenant. They were recognized by a council, called on the eighteenth of August, composed of the following persons: Dr. Jonathan Gonig, president of Granville college, who addressed the church; Rev. T. R. Cressy, who preached the sermon; Rev. Jacob Drake, who made the prayer, and Rev. Ezra Gonig, who gave the hand of fellowship. There was also a Mr. John Rees present, from Granville church.

Of these original members, six died in the fellowship of the church; three were excluded; one joined the Presbyterians; one, Acker King, is still an active member, having held the office of deacon from the organization of the church to the present time. The recognition services took place in the Presbyterian church, which was kindly offered for this purpose. On the day following the re ognition services, Charles Dean was received and baptize by 1). E. Thomas.

The first pastor was Rev. Isaac K. Brownsen, who had just graduated from the Theological seminary, at Hamil ton, New York, and who, after his ordination at Peters boro, New York, was sent, under the auspices of the Home Mission society, to the then western State of Ohio and through the influence of Rev. t. R. Cressy, of Co lumbus, came to Circleville, and took the oversight of the church, October, 1838, and remained with them fifteen months. A portion of this time he was joint pastor of the church at Frankfort, so giving each church but half the time preaching. A few were added by baptism, but several familes moving away, the church was much weakened.

The young church took hold of its work with zeal, and at a time when the question of anti-missions was agitating the churches throughout the State, took decided grounds in favor of missions, and the first Sabbath evening of each month was devoted to prayer and contribution to that object. The tenth day of November, 1838, was observed by them as a day of fasting and prayer; thus the work began in humble reliance on God. They were too poor to erect a house of worship, so they met in the octagonal court house, a portion of the time, and another portion in the Atheneum building and public school building. They were not left without a pastor when Mr. Brownsen went away, as Rev. John A. Peters had moved into the neighborhood, to be near his brother, G. M. Peters, and, though in feeble health, he undertook the pastoral care of the church, and preached, not only in the town, but at Grey's school house, five miles north of town, and at Mrs. Pancake's three miles west of town.

In September, 1840, they joined the Scioto association, and in May, of the next year, organized a Sunday school, which was not a common thing in those days, commencing with forty scholars, and soon increasing to seventy-five, a number which has not been greatly exceeded since. G. M. Peters was the superintendent. The pastor's health was gradually failing, so that the preaching and baptizing were mostly done by neighboring pastors. In November, 1841, the pastor died, greatly regretted by all the church. Shortly after his death, two of the neighboring pastors, W. D. Woodruff, of Frankfort, and 'I'. R. Cressy, of Columbus, held a series of meetings that resulted in much good to the church, and ten persons were baptized, and at a communion season that followed, thirty-two persons sat down to the Lord's table together. The church was desirous of securing a pastor, and applied to a Rev. M. Wheaton, of Columbus, but failed to secure his services. Rev. (afterward Dr.) J. L. Moore visited the church and preached a few weeks, but not with a view to the pastorate. His labors were very acceptable, and several were .added to the church. At the June meeting, a committee, consisting of G. M. Peters, A. King, J. H. Welsheimer and J. Haswell, was appointed to inquire into the expediency of building a house of worship. At about the same time Rev. Henry Billings was called to the pastorate, preaching two Sabbaths in the month. He remained

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PIC KAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 189

with the church one year, and when he left, the church abandoned the idea of building a house of worship, though the committee had gone so far as to lease a lot for six years. The cause was in rather a discouraging state, and what made it still worse, they were unfortunate in calling a young man named Edward Lyons, and at his urgent request called a council to ordain him, February 21, 1844. He stayed with them but six months,- and left them, weakened by his influen4, which was not good. He was published in the Cross and Journal, by vote of the church.

The next year, in March, Rev. W. D. Woodruff became pastor, and the Sunday-school was revived, and E. P. Peters elected superintendent; but he did not hold the position long, for in November L. L".` Woodruff was chosen to that office. At the end of two years the prospects of the church were so low that Mr. W. D. Woodruff resigned the pastorate to go to a more hopeful field. After this, for three years, no regular meetings were held. Still, a few members held on to the cause, and were not willing to give it up. In August, 1850, the few members came together at the house of J. H. Welsheimer where a vote was taken appointing Eli Todd, L. L. Woodruff, John H. Welsheimer and A. King a committee to purchase a lot on which to erect a house of worship. Mrs. Catharine Brower, of Pennsylvania, was here at the time, visiting her daughter, Mrs. Anna B. Darst, and took a lively interest in the work, and volunteered to raise funds among her friends east, which was greatly appreciated by the little church, for with that timely aid, and by borrowing fifty dollars, they were enabled to build the house in which they still worship : a small but comfortable house, twenty-five by fifty feet, which was dedicated October 19, 1851. Rev.—now Dr.—D. A. Randall was called to the pastorate, but after preaching six months he was obliged to give up the work on account of ill health. The church was loth to part with him, as his preaching and work were very acceptable, indeed, to all. Through Mr. Randall the church was induced to extend a call to Benjamin Bedell, a recent graduate of Granville college, who was invited to preach to them six months, with a view to frnal settlement. Mr. Bedell arrived in Circleville the last of January, 1853. Before the end of February it was deemed advisable to call a council to ordain him, which was done March 2, 1853, Rev. Dr. H. Davis, Rev. S. 'I'. Griswold, Rev. W. D. Woodruff and Rev. D. A. Randall participating. This pastorate was the longest the church ever had, being three years and eight months. During that time the church enjoyed two revival seasons, and more than doubled its membership.

In the spring of 1855, after a very interesting work, in which the pastor was assisted by Rev. H. A. Brown, it was decided to proceed to put up a parsonage on the church lot. It was quite an undertaking for the church, but by much personal sacrifice, and with outside help, it was accomplished and the pastor moved into it on the third day of July, the same year. That was a very joyful period for the church, and it was hoped its dark days were over, but it was not be be so. The Scioto association met with the church that year, in August, and during the session of the association the pastor was laid aside by sickness from which he did not sufficiently recover to resume labor for several weeks, and when he did resume labor the interest had sensibly diminished. The heart of the young pastor was discouraged, but he did not decide to leave the field until September, 1856, when several families, that had been good helpers, having moved away, and the congregation being reduced to a very small number, the pastor gave in his resignation and went to Wilmington. The church was greatly enfeebled and disheartened, and suspended meetings, and for a period of sixteen years the church stood idle, only as it was rented to other denominations, who occupied it while they were building their own houses of worship. It was thus occupied by the Episcopal, English Lutherans and Evangelical churches. In June, 1872, Rev. J. Kyle, a missionary of the Scioto association visited the place and found the few old brethren that were left, together with quite a number who had moved in, ready to resume work, and as they could have preaching only occasionally, they chose Mr. A. C. Elster a leader of the meetings. Rev. Dr. S. Talbot, president of Dennison university, and Rev. A. J. Lyon, of Lancaster, preached for a few times till, in November, they called Rev. J. Chambers to preach for them half the time. There was no especial growth, but they kept together and sought to regain the ground that had been lost. They moved the house of worship to the side of the lot on which it stood and purchased an organ, so that, when Mr. Chambers left, after two years' labor, the church was in condition to go right forward, and they called Mr. J. Adams, just from Chicago Theological, seminary, to the pastorate. In the meantime the house of worship had been repaired and gas fixtures introduced. Mr. Adams began his work in August, 1875, and was ordained the next month, September ,16th, Rev. Dr. I). A. Randall, Rev. G. G. Harriman, Rev. E. W. Dannells, Rev. J. Chambers and Rev. W. W. Sawyer taking part in the services. The pastor addressed himself to the work before him with characteristic energy, and his work told for good. The cause rose sensibly under his ministration. The membership increased from twenty-seven to sixty-one during his three years and one month pastorate. When, at length, he felt compelled to resign and leave the field [September, 1878,] it was a great grief to many members of the church. The church then recalled Rev. B. Bedell, a former pastor, who returned to this, his first pastorate, and began his second term of service in October, 1878. The first work that was done was to repair the parsonage, so that it was made a very comfortable home for the pastor.

In this review of the forty years' history of the Baptist church of Circleville, we find that over twenty years of that time they had no pastor and no regular service. There have been connected with them, from first to last, two hundred and eight members. They have had nine pastors—I. K. Brownson, J. A. Peters, H. Billings, E. Lyons, W. D. Woodruff, D. A. Randall, B. Bedell, J. Chambers and J. Adams; four deacons—A. King, G. M. Peters, J. J. Bugh and F. L. Lemon; thirteen clerks N. Newton, S. K. Greenleaf, E. Lamb, E. P. Peters, G.

190 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

Dalton, W. C. Gildersleeve, C. 'T. Emerson, L. L. Woodruff, W. H. H. Stone, W. H. C. Dodson, A. C. Elster, S. Ward and L. I). Lyon; seven- Sunday-school superintendents—G. M. Peters, E. P. Peters, Dr. S. H. Potter, L. L. Woodruff, A. C. Elster, S. Ward and F. L. Lemon. For the year 1877 and the present year [1879] they have maintained mission Sunday-schools; of the school for the year 1877, which was located three miles in the country, L. D. Lyon was superintendent, and of the school established this year, in town, Dr. J. C. King is superintendent.

CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

In 1838, just after the disruption of the Presbyterian denomination, the Central Presbyterian congregration was formed. In the old church, known as the "First," the minister, Mr. Putnam, and a majority, voted to join the New School branch. They retained the old site and building. The minority withdrew peaceably and came down town to organize an Old School church-- -the one now called the "Central:" Of the sixteen or seventeen persons who formed it, only one is now remaining. They held a meeting in " 'Squire" Bell's parlor, in the house now owned by Mr. L. S. Scovil. Dr. James Hoge, of Columbus, organized them as a church. In various parlors they worshipped. It was "the church in the house." Out on one of the streets called East street, which started from the center of the town like the spokes from the hub of a wheel—for the town was circular stood the old brick academy. Here, for a time, the Old School Presbyterians worshipped.

Rev. George Wells, a young man, became the first pastor. He was ordained and installed at a meeting held in the Lutheran church. The audiences increased, the house became too small, and the Rev. Mr. Roof, of the Lutheran church—a warm personal friend of Elder Matthew McCrea—tendered the use of the -Lutheran church. For two years the congregation worshipped there every two weeks. Subsequently they rented a large room in the building called Olds' block—a room over the Wallace dry-goods store. The lower room was occupied as a liquor saloon. Hon. Samuel Galloway, one evening; beginning a temperance address in the church room above, rose and gravely said:

"There's a Spirit above and a spirit below ;

The Spirit above is a Spirit divine--

The spirit below is a spirit of wine."

But the people were not satisfied with a room merely; they wanted a house and home of their own for worship. Elder Matthew McCrea said he wouldbuild a church on his own lot, if they could not get one elsewhere. They leased ground where now is Wagner's grocery store, and reared a little frame church. A thankful company they were. They put a little bell up in the cupola, and elders and ladies' hands pulled that bell rope and rang the people to worship. A noted revival came upon them in that little house. But their five years' lease expired. Their house was purchased and moved across the street. It is now the hardware store of Mr. Ensworth. The congregation moved again into Olds' block; and worshipped in the lower room. Mr.–Wells, Mr. Wells pastor, died, and Mr. McKennon became their next minister. Soon he was succeeded by Rev. Milton A. Sackett.

Mr. James McCoy donated to the church the lot o ground whereon their present edifice stands. A sub! scription of one thousand six hundred dollars was made, and the congregation began to build. Six thousand five-hundred dollars were finally expended on the building.. For two years the basement only was used for worship. Then the upper room was finished, and, in 1865, June 3d, the church was dedicated to the service of God. The ministers present, besides the pastor, were Rev. W. C. Anderson, D. I).,. of Chillicothe, Rev. Josiah D. Smith, of Columbus, and Rev. J. M. Lowrie, of Lancaster. The dedication sermon was by Mr. Smith ; text—"We have thought of thy loving kindness, O Lord, in the midst of thy temple."

Mr. Sackett, the pastor, removed, and Rev. George L Kalb, now of Bellfontaine, succeeded him for ten years.

In the autumn of 1864 Rev. William McMillan, t present pastor, assumed the charge. The congregation: increased, and the Sabbath-school, under the superi tendence of Mr. A. McCrea, so enlarged that there was not room enough in the lower chamber. It was the largest school in the synod of Columbus, Old School.

In January, 1869, the building was enlarged by twen feet in length. In 1873 repairs again were needed, a. the entire roof was removed, the walls heightened, and the present elegant architecture finished.

ST. JOSEPH'S (ROMAN CATHOLIC) CHURCH.

The first religious services held in this place, according to the forms of the Roman Catholic communion, were, in the spring of 1841, at the house of Mrs. Turner, The next were in the fall of the same year, at the hou of Andrew Lynch.

The old church was situated on Franklin street, direct) north of the spot where the first Presbyterian church now stands. The ground (which was purchased of Thomas Huston for a small sum) was partly covered by the ditch' and embankments of the old circle. The people Wine, out en masse, Protestants as well as Catholics, to fill up the ditch and prepare the ground for the building. This was commenced in 1843, but not finished till 1846.

When this church was begun, there were only four permanent families connected with the society, viz.: Bar' nard Riley, Andrew Lynch, George Myers, and .John McLane. A good many new families were brought in by the building of the first turnpike, which was commenced about this time. The parsonage, connected with the old church, was built in 1854, at a cost of about two thousand dollars. The whole was sold in 1868 for about two thousand five hundred dollars, and the price was put into the new church.

The ground for this fine brick edifice, which is situated on Sound street, was bought of Henry F. Page for about fourteen hundred dollars, and presented to the church by one .of its most liberal benefactors, Edward Smith. The building was commenced in the summer of 1866, the foundation only being laid that year: It was enclosed and roofed the year following. Services were first held

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 191

in it in 1868, although it was not then plastered. That work was done in 1869. The pews, altar, pulpit, etc., were put in in 1870, and finally, in 1874, it was brought to its present state of completion. The entire cost of the building was about fifteen thousand dollars, which was raised by the liberal contributions of many outside of the church, as well as by the self-denying liberality of all those in it.

The elegant and commodious parsonage, adjacent to the church, was built in 1871 or '72, at the cost of about twenty-five hundred dollars.

The priests who have ministered to this church are named (in the order of their service) as follows :

Father Young, Father Junker (both of whom afterwards became bishops), P. Tschieder, Michael. Ford, I. N. Thisse, I. D. Duffy, Edward Fitzgerald, C. L. Pindar, Sergius Stchoulepnikoff, A. M. Marzeand, D. B, Cull, and A. 0. Walker, who is the present incumbent.

THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH (AFRICAN)

was organized in the year 1856, by the Rev. William Norman, with three communion members, namely, Lucy. Winters, Enoch Weaver, and Sarah Hollinsworth. For some time their meetings were held in the houses of the members, but before the first year was ended. they had purchased a lot for a church, with a dwelling house on it, which was used for their religious services till 1869. This lot is on the corner of Water and Mill streets. It was bought for six hundred dollars, and was paid for by the end of the fourth year.

Their present substantial brick edifice was built in 1869, at a cost of four thousand five hundred dollars. Quite a heavy debt was incurred in the building, which was secured by a mortgage on the property; but this debt, also, was wiped out by the end of the fourth year, and they are now even with the world, as every church ought to be.

The succession in the pastorate is as follows: William Norman, Grayson Jones, Elder Day, from Springfield; Jesse Meeks, Andrew Hunt, Wm. Norman. (second term), Andrew Hunt (second term), Wallace Shelton, and William Nash, whose ministry began October z3, 1878, and who is still serving. The membership, at the present time, numbers one hundred and twenty-nine.

We cannot help thinking that this is a very creditable record for a people who have so much to struggle against as the Africans have in this country.

William Norman, the patriarch of this little flock, has long enjoyed the confidence and esteem of this community. He is a mulatto, with almost Caucasian features, and as he evidently does not regard cleanliness as the chief of the moral virtues, he might pass for a European of rather untidy habits. He was born near Richmond, Virginia, about the year 1815, his father being a slave and his mother a free woman. At the age of eight years he was taken to Tennessee and "bound out" to a certain Dr. Calhoun. Being cruelly treated, he ran away from his master at about eighteen years of age, and, after passing through the usual experiences of a fugitive slave, he found himself, in 1833, in Chillicothe. There he remined till 1856. About the year 1841 he became con-, verted and was baptized. Two years later, having "picked up" considerable education, and being somewhat gifted in discourse, he was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist communion by Elder W. Shelton. He settled here in 1857, having been here a year before in • the capacity of missionary, and assisted, as above stated, in the organization of the church of which he was the first pastor and has always been the main pillar. He has acted as the financial agent of the congregation in the purchase of their property and in the building of their church; has raised most of the subscriptions collected here and elsewhere to aid in paying their debt's, and has contributed largely from his own earnings for the same object. Even when acting as pastor of the church, he has always followed some temporal calling. Like the early apostles, he believes in immersion and deals in fish. By industry and the closest economy, he has amassed a nice little property of about four thousand dollars. Long may he live to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

CALVARY CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

This church was organized by the Ohio conference, in 1869, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Wm. Whittington, missionary. In 1871, Rev. Jesse Lerch succeeded Rev. W. Whittington, and labored for three years with success and acceptability. In May, 1874, Rev. Vander-salt became the pastor, and labored for three years with success. In April, 1877, Rev. S. S. Condo was stationed in charge of the church, and is now spending his third year successfully.

Since the organization of this church it has continued to prosper, year after year, and is the most prosperous church in the city. At the close of the two years' labor of its first pastor, its membership was sixty-two. Its present membership is two hundred. Its sustains a Sunday-school of two hundred and sixty scholars, and a Young Mens' Christian association. Pastors cannot remain longer than three years, according to the laws of the church.

CIRCLEVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.*

Previous to 1820, according to the recollection of the oldest inhabitants, all the schools held in Pickaway county were sustained entirely by subscription, and the only branches taught were reading, writing and arithmetic. The school-houses, even in Circleville, were log houses of a single room. These were made comfortable by seaming the cracks with tempered clay, and light, by pasting oiled paper over the latticing in the window-holes, cut through the unhewn logs. Slabs, on rude legs, supplied sittings, and other slabs along the walls, supported on pins fixed at a proper slope in the logs, beneath the windows, were the convenient "writing benches" of that day.

Dilworth's spellers, readers and arithmetic, were among the first text-books used here, unchanged from before the adoption of our federal currency. The first reading

* Written by Superintendent M. H. Lewis for the Centenniar vorume entitred " Historical Sketches of Ohio Pubric Schoors."

192 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

classes began with the New Testament. The introduction, later, of Webster's speller and the Columbian orator, helped greatly to a more definite grading of classes. Lindley Murray's works afterwards gave an impetus to improved teaching.

Johnston Hunter was a successful teacher of this earlier time, down to 1818. He taught in a log house, of the kind described, just south of the present market space. In another similar building, not far south of the present High street building, Hans Hamilton kept school. Hugh Hannagan is spoken of as a teacher of excellent parts, but as often partaking too freely of the "liquid hospitality" of the country.

Marked improvement in the schools took place after 1820, when teachers of a superior class, and of professional pride, were employed. Of these, we name Hon. Joseph Olds, Dr. Edson B. Olds, Dr. M. Brown and Hon. J. C. Groom.

No common schools, entirely free, can be said to have been established here until after the passage of the school law of 1838. Soon after, the Little academy was built by the district. It stood beside the Circleville academy, the best private school here at that time, or afterwards, and consisted of a single room. By the boys who went to the pay-school, it was mockingly denominated the "kitchen school." Pine desks ran around the walls, behind which, raised a step or two above the floor, sat the larger scholars, while the little ones were seated on benches ranged in front upon the floor, and facing the middle of the room. Other district schools were held in rooms about town wherever they could be had.

Till 1849, male teachers were mainly employed, at about twenty dollars per month. The county examiners tested them by law, only in the three R's, but added their qualifications in other branches if they desired to teach them. For such extra teaching the scholars were required to pay.

There were three directors elected by the people. George Gearhart, of whom mention will again be made, was a director from 1838 to 1849. The school funds were derived from the State school tax creating a State fund of two hundred thousand dollars; from township school lands, and from interest on proceeds of " section sixteen." No special provision was made for the books or tuition of indigent pupils. The charity of the benevolent afforded some help of this kind. Judge H. N. Hedges, George Gearhart, esq., and the Ohio Common School Director, conducted in 1838, by Hon. Samuel Lewis, first State school commissioner, are the sources of the facts narrated under this topic.

[This account of the early schools of Circleville is so meagre that the editors feel bound to add the few facts they have been able to glean in regard to them.

In the Circleville Herald and Ohio Olive Branch, bearing date September II, 1830, we find the advertisement of a "female seminary," taught by the Misses Streeter, who, having rented two rooms in Mr. McCracken's brick row of buildings, and fitted up the same, were prepared to teach all the branches usually taught in female schools. The terms of tuition were certainly sufficiently moderate, varying from two to four dollars per quarter.

The facilities for obtaining an education must have been ample in those early times; for we find that, eight years later, when Atwater's history of Ohio was published, the town of Circleville contained (as stated in that work) "four churches and about twelve schools—one or two, for young ladies, deserving great praise, and receiving it."

Ten years later, that is, in the spring of 1848, Mr. C. C. Neibling, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, came to th is place and opened a select school for boys only, under t patronage of some of the best citizens of the town. H is school consisted of about forty scholars, the maximum number that he would receive. His charges were four dollars per scholar, for each quarter of sixty days, payable in advance. The enterprise continued to flourish very successfully for about four years, or until the union schools were inaugurated. The free system soon taught the professor that his "occupation was gone," and he therefore left the profession and went into other business. He was a good mathematician, a laborious teacher, and very pains-taking with his pupils. As a consequence, his school achieved a high degree of success. He still resides in Circleville, and is now the city engineer.

In an old paper of 1850 we find an advertisement of the "Circleville female seminary," taught by Benjamin M. Ludden and wife, with three other teachers. These were succeeded, in the same year, by the Rev. W. S. Spaulding and wife, with two other teachers.

In the same paper of about a year later, we find a notice of a select school taught by Lucy M. Atwater, who was afterward associated in the same school with R. A. Foster.

We are painfully aware that this is a very imperfect showing of the early educational history of Circleville but it is all we can find room for, and, at the same time, insert, as we desire to do, the full and complete history of the graded schools which follows.—EDS.]

On September 1 1, 1849, John Cradlebaugh, S. Moore, Joseph G. Doddridge, Jacob Rutter, Cheste Olds, and seven others, issued a call to the qualified electors of the town of Circleville to assemble on the 22d prox. and "then and there to vote, by ballot, for or against the adoption of an act for the better regulation of the public schools, etc., passed by the general assembly of Ohio on the twenty-frrst of February, 1840." Ninet seven ballots were cast on the day designated, of which "eighty-seven were for school law, nine against school law, and one blank;" whereupon the act of assembly aforesaid was declared adopted by the town of Circleville

On the fourth day of October following, six directors of public schools were elected. This board, in the•suc ceeding December, resolved that it was "inexpedient to . open free schools in this district until such time as the board of directors can procure or build a suitable house to accommodate the scholars."

During the two or three months succeeding the pass age of this resolution, a somewhat sharp division of view seems to have arisen, in and out of the board, as t whether it were better to erect a small school-house in each ward, suitable to accommodate its scholars, or to "erect one school-house in this district of sufficient siz

DAVID B. WAGNER.

The life of the subject of this brief biography illustrates the success that attends quiet, honest endeavor and well-directed industry, without the assistance of early advantages or the aid of particularly favorable chance or circumstance.

David B. Wagner was the son of Jacob and Mary (Bryant) Wagner, natives of Pennsylvania, and among the earliest settlers of Greenfield township, Fairfield county, Ohio. They were the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first-born. Fairfield county was the place of his nativity, and the time, November 14, 1822. He passed his boyhood days in the manner common to the youth of the farm, and attended the common district schools of his neighborhood, receiving the best instruction attainable at that time and in the locality where he lived, but not enjoying the advantages of an advanced education, which most of the young are now offered. He acquired, however, through his own endeavors and by close application and diligence, a fair knowledge of books, which he has, during his whole life, been supplementing with what he has obtained from reading and observation. In the early years of his manhood he taught school eight terms—three before and five after his marriage—giving very general satisfaction. His regular occupation, however, was farming, and he followed it until his removal to his present place of residence, in 1854.

Mr. Wagner married, January 19, 1845, Leab (daughter of the famous Evangelical preacher, the Rev. John Dreisbach), who is still living. The offspring of this union were four children, all of whom are living except one. The eldest, John D., was born January 23, 1846—married Elizabeth Feller, and is now living in Hancock county, Ohio ; Jacob was born July 25, 1847, and is living with his parents, in Circleville ; as is also Jennie, the youngest, born September 18, 1859 ; Mary Francis, the third child, was born March 25, 1851, and died September 6, 1852.

Mr. Wagner's life, since 1854, has been identified with Circleville, and he has been, during all the years that have passed subsequent to that date, one of the town's representative business men and substantial citizens. He commenced his mercantile career immediately on coming to Circleville, in the dry goods and grocery business, as a member of Einsel, Wagner & Co. Louis Einsel was the senior member, and the junior, Jacob E. Dreisbach. Mr. Wagner remained in this firm, which did business on West Main street, where Joseph Wallace now is, until September 5, 1859, when he opened, in partnership with Martin E. Dreisbach, a grocery store. When this partnership was dissolved Mr. Wagner conducted the business alone until 1865, when he associcted with himself Andrew Nonnamaker, under the firm name of D. B. Wagner & Co. Just at this time the war coming to a close, prices went suddenly down, and, in common with most of the merchants of the country, Mr. Wagner suffered a loss. Although he had just associated with himself a partner, he bore alone, by his own voluntary proposal, the entire loss occasioned by the falling of values on goods which they had in stock, previously invoiced. After the partnership of Mr. Wagner and Mr. Nonnamaker had existed four years it was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Wagner took into his business Mr. B. H. Moore, who remained with him one year. At the expiration of that period Mr. Wagner and his son John formed a partnership, and remained in business together five years. After that the firm name became D. B. Wagner & Co., the company being Jacob Rife, and, as a silent partner, M. E. Dreisbach. The business was continued for five years under this name and style, and then changed to that which at present exists—D. B. Wagner & Rife. Mr. Wagner, ever since his first business partnership, has been, through the several changes, the senior member of the different firms, and has furnished the greater part of the capital used. He has been popular as a tradesman, and successful in his business. During all of the years since he began, Mr. Wagner has given the business he has been engaged in his personal attention and supervision. He has taken no part in public affairs, except that which every good citizen does, and has not been connected actively with the political movements of the times, though he has had much interest in them, and been an intelligent observer of men and measures. He originally was a Democrat, but left that party at the time of the free soil issue, and afterwards became a Republican. His vote has since been, on all questions of National or State importance, with that party.

Mr. Wagner's religious affiliation is with the Evangelical Association. He has been for forty years a member of this church, and is one of its class-leaders. He is a prominent Sunday-school worker, and has been superintendent of the Calvary Sunday-school of the Evangelical Association ever since its organization—nearly ten years. It is not inappropriate to add, in this connection, that this school was organized by Mr. Wagner as a mission school. He expected and endeavored al secure assistance in the labor and expense of conducting it, but was unsuccessful, and not wishing to have the project prove a failure, continued it alone. He purchased the library at his own expense, and virtutoy gave the entire support that the school received in its inception and infancy. It is now in a very flourishing condition.

GEORGE HITLER,

son of George and Susannah (Gay) Hitler, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1798. His father was a native of Maryland, but removed with his parents to Franklin county, Pennsylvania, when young; and in 1793, having then a family of wife and two children, settled in Somerset county, in the same State, where the subject of our sketch was born, as already stated. In April, 1799, Mr. Hitler sr., emigrated to Ohio. His family made the journey down the Ohio river, to the mouth of the Scioto, on a flat-boat, Mr. Hitler himself bringing through a number of horses for himself and others. From the mouth of the Scioto the journey was with team and wagon, the wagon being said to have been the second that ever came up the Scioto valley.

At this time there were but two log houses in Chillicothe, and the country was almost a complete wilderness.

Mr. Hitler, sr., settled on the lower plains, in Pickaway township, but subsequently located on Scippo creek, on land then owned by Benjamin Duncan. In 1804 he bought and settled in Washington township, section thirty-three, where he died, April 2, 1818, and his wife, September 16, 1848.

In 1819 George Hitler, in connection with his brother Jacob, purchased a quarter section of land in the south part of Washington township, which land is now owned by his son, Thomas L. Hitler. Upon this farm they raised wheat, which they manufactured into flour and shipped on flat-boats to New Orleans. This they found far more remunerative than to sell the grain at home, which brought at one time only twenty-five cents per bushel. The first trip was made by Jacob, in 1819, and each of the brothers subsequently made five separate trips, covering a period of ten years. George Hitler, on one occasion, was fifty days in going from Boggsville to New Orleans. He returned on a steamer, and was about three months in making the round trip.

Mr. Hitler was married June 14, 1829, to Hannah Ludwig, daughter of Thomas and Catharine Ludwig. He settled on his first purchase, and resided there until 1838, when he located where he now lives.

Mr. Hitler's occupation has been that of a farmer, and his career has been a very successful one, owning at this time about one thousand acres of land. While practicing a wise economy in the expenditure of his means, he has always been liberal in his support of every object which he considered worthy of it.

Mr. Hitler has reached the good old age of eighty-one, and few, it any, of the inhabitants of Pickaway county can date, as he can, their first residence here back to 1799. Save a little rheumatism, his health is almost as good as it ever was. He is a man of energy, of character, and of strict integrity.

His wife died July 3, 1863. They had seven children, as follows : Eliza, born July 4, 1830—died August 21, 1831; Mary, born October 30, 1831—married Daniel Hosler, and is now deceased ; Catharine, born December 16, 1835—became the wife of Amos Hoffman, and died November 25, 1858 ; Eleanor, born November 22, 1833 —died January 21, 1837; Susannah, born March 29, 1840, is the wife of Alexander Ross, and resides in Indiana ; Thomas L., born April 4, 1842—married, December 14, 1876, Martha A. Lindsey, and lives in Washington township ; George W. married, February 21, 1878, Ida Lutz, and occupies the home farm.

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICK AWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 193

and capacity to accommodate all the children of the town." Finally, it was decided to hold a meeting of the people at the court house, March 18, 1850, to decide by ballot "for or against levying a tax to build a schoolhouse." Three hundred and eighty votes were polled; one hundred and sixty were for tax and two hundred and twenty against tax, being a majority of sixty against the tax. This result, so far as the writer has been able to ascertain, did not spring at all from opposition to taxation for the support of free schools, but entirely from opposition to the evident purpose of the board to, build but one house in a central location. It was deemed by the stronger party impracticable, if not absurd, to attempt to gather six to eight hundred children into one edifice for daily instruction. So many could not be profitably and healthfully provided for under one roof, nor could there be efficient government of such masses on the school grounds. Other reasons, no doubt, of a local nature, operated to strengthen the popularity of the decentralizing policy of the opposition.

Determined in their original purpose, the board now took measures to enlighten the people on this question. In May, of the same year, William C. Taylor and George Gearhart were selected by the board to visit Massillon, Akron, Cincinnati, and other towns and cities, for the purpose of "examining school-houses, and any and all matters connected therewith." Besides, Dr. D. A. Lord, then superintendent of the union schools of Columbus, was invited to address the citizens of Circleville, at the Lutheran church, on education and the organization of public schools under the law of 1849.

Messrs. Taylor and Gearhart returned from their tour of the cities full of enthusiasm in behalf of the union school-house plan, and armed with facts and figures which wrought a speedy change in the public mind. Again, on the tenth of June, 1850, an election was held at the court house to decide "the levying of a tax of nine thousand dollars, to be called for as follows, to-wit: three thousand dollars in one year, three thousand dollars in two years, and three thousand dollars in three years, to enable the board of education to purchase ground and build a schoolhouse." The motion before the board, calling for such vote, further proposed that, in the event of an approving vote, "Messrs. W. W. Bierce and George Gearhart should be a committee to purchase of the heirs of E. Everts their out-lot (known as Everts' Hill) at a price not to exceed eight hundred dollars, and also of John Irwin and widow Darst portions of their in-lots, adjoining said out-lots, for an entrance to the same."

The result of the election was very gratifying to the enlightened and public-spirited men, who, for nearly a year,, had used every honorable endeavor to establish in Circleville as excellent a system of graded public schools as existed anywhere in the State. A majority of one hundred and seventeen votes decided in favor of levying the tax. The Everts property was promptly secured of 0. E. Niles and others (heirs of E. Everts), and also the in-lots alluded to above.

A commemorative word should be added with regard to this Everts' Hill property. Mr. E. Everts was, for

25

many years before this period, an earnest and successful school teacher of this district. In a log house of two rooms, an upper and a lower, standing near the old oak Just east of the present Everts building, he held a popular school. Many of our older citizens bear grateful testimony to the unwavering zeal he showed in behalf of the establishment in Circleville and throughout the State of a graded public school system, supported liberally by direct tax, and free to all of school age in each district. Though this property was not large, yet he determined, if such a system could be established in his day, to donate this hill property to the town as a site. His views were in advance of his time. In his will, this out-lot of nearly four acres was to be sold by the heirs to the school district, if devoted forever to educational purposes, for the nominal sum of one thousand dollars. The heirs, in the true spirit of the testator, offered it to the board for eight hundred dollars, though at the time it would have yielded several thousands in town lots.

Besides the sum of nine thousand dollars provided for by tax, the treasurer of the hoard, Col. S. A. Moore, reported having received, up to January 14, 1851, from district and township treasurers, and from State school fund, in full, one thousand four hundred and sixty-one dollars.

Early in January, 1851, Messrs. William C. Taylor and Stanley Cook submitted a plan for a school-house "to be known by the name of Union school-house," which was unanimously adopted. Contracts were at once made (as far as practicable, with the mechanics of Pickaway county) for the material and building of the Union school-house, and Thomas Pedrick was appointed superintendent to oversee its construction.

The old district school-house, called the Little academy, standing beside the Circleville academy, near what is now Watt street, between Court and Pickaway, was sold, with all its appurtenances, at auction. Still further funds were raised by increasing the annual :levy beyond the amount necessary to meet the regular expenditures for schools when opened, and by the issue of bonds payable after certain dates, with interest at from eight to ten per cent.

The building moved rapidly forward to completion, and was ready for occupancy in November, 1852.

I transcribe from the Ohio Journal of Education for 1853 the following account of this new edifice. The no' tice in the Journal is accompanied with an excellent full. page cut of the building and grounds:

“THE CIRCLEVILLE UNION SCHOOL-HOUSE.

"This building, which is pleasantly situated on a lot of four acres, is ninety-six feet long by sixty-nine feet wide. It is three stories high above the basement, and contains fiftecn school-rooms. Connected with each room is a closet, which- is furnished with a wash-stand, looking-glass, combs, and all the paraphernalia of a dressing-room.

"Neat and commodious apartments are fitted up in the basement for the rcsidence of a janitor.

"Two of Chilson's No. 6 furnaces are placed in the basement, which afford ample means for heating the house. In each hall is a large cooler, which is constantly supplied with fresh water. We noticed, among other things, on looking over a neat pamphlet of sixteen pages, giving a very clear account of the organization of this promising school, that a janitor is employed, who has entire charge of the furnaces, keeping the rooms clean, providing water, ringing the bell, etc.

194 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICK AWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.

This is as it should be. It is the poorest kind of economy to compel teachers or scholars to make fires and sweep the school-rooms, though no better arrangement can be expected till the plan of erccting large buildings is adopted.

"The cost of the house and grounds, when the latter is ornamented, will be about thirty thousand dollars."

Three of the lower rooms were furnished with long pine benches, divided into what are known as box seats; the boxes constituting the partitions between scholars along the settee, and serving as deposits for books and slates. The remaining rooms—as many as were needed at first nine in number—were supplied with double desks of walnut the best.of the day. The lower middle room on the first floor was used as an exercise room for the primaries, especially in unpleasant weather. The middle room of the third floor was used for morning exercises, and was long denominated the chapel.

The school revenues were derived from-the State common-school fund, from interest on school-lands, or "section sixteen," from foreign tuition fund, and from an annual tax levied each year on the school district, and called special tuition fund.

Besides the names given as signers of the call to adopt for Circleville the law of 1849, there are several others worthy of honorable mention, because of their activity in securing the adoption of the union-school system, and in consummating this movement by the completion of the noble edifice described, and by the admirable organization of schools adopted as soon as the rooms were thrown open to the scholars of District No. three. Such a list must at least include William C. Taylor, first president of the board; Col. S. A. Moore, first treasurer; W. W. Bierce, George Gearhart, George W. Myers, and Dr. Wayne Griswold, president of the board for four years from 1850.

At a meeting of the school board held in May, 1852, Messrs. Griswold, Bierce and Moore were appointed a committee to secure, by correspondence or visitation, a superintendent and other teachers to take charge of the public schools. This committee reported at the August meeting that they had visited Cincinnati, Columbus, and other places, and had attended the teachers' convention at Sandusky, and that they felt full confidence in reporting the name of John Lynch, of Ashland, as one well qualified to act as superintendent of the Circleville public schools. The report was accepted, and John Lynch was unanimously chosen as the principal of said schools, at one thousand dollars per annum.

It was resolved on this occasion "that the teachers to be employed in the union school shall he one superintendent, with one male assistant and eleven female. assistants ; and that in the selection of teachers by this board preference shall be given, other qualifications being equal, to those who intend to make the business of teach-. ing a permanent employment." A board of examiners was also appointed, consisting of John Lynch, Chauncey N. Olds, and H. N.. Bishop.

The schools were opened on the 22d of November, 1852, with the twelve assistant teachers.

In October, Mr. Lynch, by direction of the board, prepared and reported a system of rules for the govern. ment of the. schools, course of study, and a list of text books. These regulations; but slightly modified, and with a few additions, remain in force to this day.

III. GROWTH OF THE SYSTEM.

I present herewith, in tabular form, the more import-' ant statistics as far as they can now be obtained by gent research, of the first year of the schools, ending' June, 1853 ; of the third year, ending June, 1855, when the system had been thoroughly tested under Mr. Lynoh's superior

management, and of every tenth year thereafter: