584 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP.

It is believed-and so stated by Mr. D. H. Edgar-that this township was organized in 1833, the same yea, the county was erected; and such we find on record, it being one of the early settled and first organized townships of the county. It originally embraced all, or nearly all, of the northern portion of the county, and even some territory now embraced in Wyandot County: then Jackson Township was erected; then Washington, and later, Liberty Township. In 1845, Wyandot County was organized, and some territory then embraced in Jackson Township was attached to said county, and. to preserve the identity and dimensions of said Jackson Township, a portion was detached from Blanchard and attached to Jackson Township, which then left Blanchard with its present limits, being in form a rectangle, four sections wide from east to west and six sections long from north to south, embracing, twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres. It is situated in the northern tier of townships, and bounded as follow;: On the north, by Hancock County; on the east, by Jackson Township; on the south by Pleasant. and on the went by Washington Township. This territory was originally covered by a very heavy growth of timber, and required a long-continued and persistent labor to open nut, clear up and bring the land into condition to be easily cultivated and productive, and its first settlers had to endure many hardships and deprivations.

The first settlers here ware compelled to travel through the dense forests to Logan County to obtain meal or flour-a distance of about forty miles. Some would use "hominy blocks" to pound their corn. then sift out the finest for meal to make bread. This difficulty of the pioneers induced John McBride to visit tile Wyandot Indians at Upper Sandusky, and purchase a hand mill. about twenty inches in diameter, with two small buhrs,. which ground very well by being turned by a lever or sweep, and was regarded as a great acquisition to the settlement. This mill would grind about two bushels per day. Subsequently, a horse mill was purchased by William Ford, of Allen County, about fifteen miles distant, which was much resorted to and did very good work. This mill ground for this neighborhood for about twelve years. This was succeeded by a draft mill, built by Mr. Benjamin Eulin, in Washington Township. A great trouble and hindrance to the early settlers was the "milk sickness," which prevailed in some sections to au alarming extent. and in soma families half their number died of thin dreaded disease, and many oxen and horses that ran at large in the woods would become affected with the disease, and often die in a short period of tuna. After the country was opened out and cultivated, the disease disappeared, and there was no longer danger in the free use of milk and butter. Game-such as deer and turkeys-was plentiful, which, together with the wild hugs, furnished the settlers with au abundance of meat.

SURFACE, STREAMS, SOIL, TIBER, ROADS, ETC.

The surface of Blanchard Township is generally level or slightly undulating. Its principal stream is the Blanchard River, from which the township takes its name. This stream rises in Pleasant Township, near

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Kenton, flows north to northeast and passes through the southeast part of this township, receiving, in its course, one small tributary, known as Cessna Creek, then, in a northeast direction, enters Jackson Township. This is the only stream of any importance within this township. The soil is rich and productive, yielding, abundantly, wheat, corn, oats and hay.

The soil is a loam and clay, with enough admixture of sand to give more warmth and dryness than generally exists in the eastern and southern parts of the county. As stated above, this was originally very heavily timbered, and, as Mr. Edgar states, the trees were tall and straight, with very little undergrowth, this having been destroyed and prevented by yearly fires by the Indians. This gave a clear sweep for the hunters, whose view for game was thus unobstructed; and the appearance of these mighty forests, with their straight, towering trees ranching heavenward, with such a clear and unobstructed view over the surface underneath their branches, was beautiful indeed; and with the abundance of wild gams, which than existed here, it is not strange that the pioneer hunter was fascinated with the beauty of the situation. The varieties of timber are the same as have been enumerated in other townships, the leading and most valuable being ash, maple, oak and beech, of which there have been thousands of most beautiful logs sawed into lumbar. This township is well supplied with gravel for building roads, and also has some limestone quarries, which produce some good lime, and much of the atone is found in thin layers, one upon another, which are easily Baked off and broken into small fragments and then used for building macadamized roads, and for ballasting railroads. This township has built and lies in construction several of these macadamized roads, and it can boast of some of the best pikes in the county. The progress and improvements hers have been rapid. A little more than fifty years ago the first white settler set his foot upon the soil of Blanchard Township. Now it contains many beautiful, cultivated farms, with fine dwellings and improvements. These, with its fine pikes, railroad, telegraph and telephone lines, with all their conveniences, are in marked contrast to the wilderness and wild scenes of those days. If there be the same degree of progress during the nest fifty years than there has been in the past fifty, who can imagine or portray the condition of this people and country then? It is beyond the power of the pea of the historian, and we can only leave it to be developed as the years roll by.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The first to penetrate the forests of Blanchard and to make a permanent settlement here was David H. Edgar, who was born in Beaver County, Penn., September 8, 1800, and who in 1814, with his father, Joseph Edgar, and his family came to Holmes County, Ohio, where the parents died. In June, 1830, David left Holmes County, and came to this county and entered eighty acres of land on the northeast quarter of Section 18, in Blanchard Township. There were then three families who had settled on the Blanchard in Jackson Township, viz., James E. Hueston, Joseph Bates and Daniel Hamblin, the first mentioned being his nearest neighbor-a distance of five miles. In the following winter,- Mr. Edgar taught a subscription school, for the above-mentioned families, in an old log cabin on the Hueston farm, formerly occupied by him as a dwelling, but which he had previously vacated. This was the first school ever taught in the north part of Hardin County. In March, 1881, Mr. Edgar was united in marriage with one of his scholars-:Miss Azuba Hamblin. During this year, he

588 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

farmed the place belonging to the heirs of D. Hamblin, and, in the spring of 1832 he located in his own cabin, on the eighty acres he had entered in 1830, and here commenced the struggle of life. In January, 1834, was born to them a daughter, the first child born in Blanchard Township. Mr. Edgar says that at the time of this occurrence, there were but three women in the three townships of Jackson, Blanchard and Washington, and those three were present, and took charge of affairs on this occasion. His cabin had been " chinked and daubed," and with some deer skins tacked over the crevices in the walls, and others laid upon the floor, made the cabin as comfortable as possible for the occasion, occurring, as it did, in midwinter. But all things passed off well, and Mr. Edgar says that on no similar occasion since, with a warm and comfortable house, and the attendance of a skillful physician, have they ever passed through the ordeal more successfully than on that first occasion in the rude and cold log cabin, with the three neighbor women in attendance. He thinks that many in the fashionable society of to-day, with their fine houses and comforts, could they have looked in upon that scene in that rude, rough cabin, would have pronounced it death to both mother and child!

Here, in the dense forest, Mr. Edgar passed through all the trying scenes and hardships of pioneer life; cleared up his land, erected good buildings and obtained, by his labor and industry, a good farm with good improvements. He has filled most of the important offices of his township, having served as Trustee many years, as Treasurer fourteen years, and as a Justice of the Peace twenty-five years; and to him, perhaps more than any one person, the community owes a debt of gratitude for the noble pioneer work he has performed, and the aid he has given in the organization of the civil and religious institutions of the township. His wife died. June 11, 1867, aged fifty-four years. They raised a family of seven children, all grown to maturity, and are engaged in the active spheres of life. After the death of his wife, he retired from the active scenes of life, and has since resided with his children. After the incorporation of the town of Dunkirk, Mr. Edgar served as its Mayor two years. He is now in his eighty-third year, and is still able to walk about town and among his children with the aid of his crutches, and seems to enjoy life well, is very cheerful and happy, and delights in thinking of and relating the incidents of his early life-of their hardships and their peculiar habits and modes of living.

Levi Bodley was the second settler who located here. He was a native of the State of New York, but emigrated with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, in 1816, where they died. There Mr. Bodley grew to manhood and married Rebecca Dubois and, in August, 1833, came to Hardin County and settled on the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 18, whore he resided until about 185b-57, when he removed to Iowa. In April, 1834, his wife died, and he subsequently married Rebecca B. Davis. He raised a large family of children. By pie first wife were Esther Ann, Elisha, Mathew and Sarah. By his second wife, he had Charles, Eliza Jane. William, Joseph, John and Ann. Of these, Mathew, Elisha and John died in the army, in the war of the rebellion. The balance of the children are all in the west. Mr. Bodley sustained an unblemished character, was a good neighbor and a worthy citizen.

William McKelvey, a native of Pennsylvania, became an early settler of Richland County, Ohio, where he married, and, in June 1835, he removed to this township and settled on Section 7, but resided here only a few years, and removed to Huron County, Ohio, where he died.

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John R. Davis came here from Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1836, and settled on Section 17. The following December, his horse strayed away, and he started to track him in the snow through the wilderness toward Marseilles, about twenty miles distant: but the snow melting away, he lost the trail, and never returned, but was subsequently found frozen to death on the ground in the woods. His family remained several years, then sold their place, but some of the children are still residents in other portions of the county.

Robert Wiles, a native of the State of New York, settled here on Section 5, in 1836. He was twice married; first, in New York, to Miss Lydia Squires; she died August 7, 1847, aged fifty-three years. He married again, but again survived his second wife, who died December 7, 1857. He died April 17, 1859, aced sixty-six years. He was the father of the following children: William, Robert, Eunice, Seba and Alfred (twins), Edward, Russell and Elizabeth; all of whom have removed to the West, except William S., who still resided here, and in the early history of the township was a substantial and valued citizen, and filled many of the offices of the township.

Renatus Gum was born in the State of Delaware. September 18, 1817, and with his father and family came to Knox County, Ohio, near Danville. In 1838, they removed to Washington Township, this county, where they settled north of Hog Creek Marsh. Mr. Gum erected the first cabin in Dunkirk, which was of hewed logs, about 1851, just south of the railroad. He also opened the first store in this, village. He is still a resident of the town.

John Fry, with his father, Enoch Fry, came here from Coshocton County, in the fall of 1834, and settled on Section 19, where they lived only a short time, both dying of milk sickness. John married Mary Mowrey, by whom he had Enoch, George, John and Jefferson, all of whom settled in this township except George , who now resides in Oregon.

George Mowrey came here from Knox County, Ohio, in the spring of 1835, and settled on Section 18, where he died, about 1844, after which his family all moved away.

Joseph B. Smith came here from Clinton County, Ohio, in 1838, and settled in Section 7, near where the grist mill now stands in Dunkirk. He died here in 1852-53. Mr. Smith was one among Jackson Township's best citizens; prompt in all his dealings, enterprising and giving his aid and assistance to all improvements and the general good of the community. He married Elizabeth Fleming, by whom he had the following children: Nancy, John, James and Elizabeth. His wife died and he married again, and by his second wife had three children. Ha subsequently moved away.

ELECTIONS AND OFFICIALS.

We find no records preserved of the first four years of the existence of Blanchard Township, but from 1833-39 to the present time there is a good record, and we here present the officials from those years down to 1870. The first elections, and those for many years, were held at private houses. The officers have been as follows:

Trustees-S. J. Lawson, William Higgins and Robert Wiles; 1839, William Higgins. C. W. Shaw and Levi Bodley; 1840, Thomas Hueston, C. W. Shaw and Levi W. Bodley: 1841, William S. Wiles, George Roberts and Thomas Hueston; 1842-43, Levi Bodley, Abner McLane and Thomas

590 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Hueston; 1844. James Packer, Levi W., Bodley and William C. Dewitt; 1845, John Huff, William C. Dewitt and William S. Wiles; 1846, James Ray, Henry Louthan and D. H. Edgar; 1847. Henry Louthan, James Ray and Levi W. Bodley; 1848, James A. Thomson, Jacob Mowrey and Henry Forsythe; 1849, James A. Thomson, Conrad Zimmerman and Henry King; 1850, Henry D. Miller, Morgan Gardner and Hiram King; 1851. Hiram King, Jacob Mowrey and James Ray; 1852, Henry Louthan, William Beem and Samuel Herring; 1853, D. C. Phillips, James A. Thomson anal Samuel M. Louthan; 1854, S. W. Bodley, Morgan Gardner and D. C. Phillips; 1855, S. H. Packer, D. C. Phillips and W. T. Hinebaugh; 1856, W. T. Hinebaugh, Morgan Gardner and James A. Thomson; 1857, Nathan Bien, James M. Reed and James A. Thomson; 1858. W. S. Wiles, Isaac Miller and Nathan Bien; 1859-60, William S. Wiles, Jacob Wood, and James A. Thomson; 1861, Jacob Woods, Isaac Miller and A. Lynch: 1862, William S. Wiles, Isaac S. Miller and Henry Louthan; 1863, W. S. Wiles, Jacob Woods and S. H. Packer; 1864, David Higgins, William Peeler and Amos Clingman; 1865, Jacob Woods. D. H. Edgar and James A. Thomson; 1866; D. C. Phillips, J. A. Thomson and David H. Edgar: 1867 W. S. Wiles, David Higgins and A. Lynch: 1868. James A. Thomson. W. S. Wiles and A. Lahr; 1869, Isaac Miller. Jacob Wood,; and N, B. Phillips.

Township Clerks-1835, George Roberts; 1839-43. John McVitty; 1844-45, Peter Johnson; 1846-47. William S. Wiles, 1848-49, Isaac Kinnear; 1850-52, W. S. Wiles; 1853, Samuel M. Louthan: 1854-55, F. Church; 1856, Jonathan McLane, 1857-59, D. McLane: 1860, Isaac Griner; 1861, D. A. Moses; 1862-64; L. N. Moses: 1865-66, Jonathan McLane; 1867-68, James Halterman; 1869. F. B. Woods.

Assessors-1842, Luther Lyman: 1843-45; William H. Johnson: 1846. Henry Munson; 1847-48, James A. Johnson; 1849, Renatus Gum; 1850, James A. Thomson; 1851, W. R. Hardwick; 1852, W. S. Wiles; 1853, Jonathan T. Packer; 1854-55. William H. Packer; 1857. John Watters; 1858-59, S. Strawbridge; 1860. Moses Louthan; 1861; D. H. Edgar; 1862, M. Louthan; 1863. J. B. Alexander; 1864-66, William D. Edgar; 1867. I. V. Miller; 1868, E. Shuee: 1869, E. F. Shuee.

Treasurers-Benjamin Johnson; 1839-45, D. H. Edgar: 1846, James A. Thomson; 1847-52, Joseph B. Smith; 1853-56, D. H. Edgar; 1857-58. H. D. Miller; 1859-63, Samuel Bosserman; 1864-65, Charles Mahon; 1866-68, Isaiah Larkins. 1869, F. P. Gale.

Justices of the Peace-1837, Peter Johnson; 1839-45, William S. Wiles; 1843-49, D. H. Edgar; 1845, Thomas Hueston; 1849, Isaac Kinnear; 1851, Henry Louthan; 1852-70, David C. Phillips; 1854-60, William Brant; 1855, A. K. Mecaskey; 1861, Isaiah Larkins.

In 1839, the Treasurer's total receipts were $60.12 1/2, and his expenditures $26.69, leaving on hand a balance of $33.43 ½. In the settlement of March, 1883, the total receipts were $1,956.38, and the expenditures $720.17, leaving balance on hand of $1,236.21. In the year 1839, the Clerk received for his services during the year $3, and the Treasurer $1.50. In 1882, the Clerk received $150, and the Treasurer $74.35-quite a marked contrast!

MILLS.

The first saw mill was erected in 1853, by William Porterfield and Fred Church, on the northwest quarter of Section 18. This mill did a large business fur several years, and then went out of use. In 1878, Mathew Kern erected a saw mill, in Dunkirk, which is still doing a good business.

BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP. - 591

In 1881, James Fleming and James Rush erected a saw mill on Section 19, and are doing a large business.

SCHOOLS.

The township was platted into school districts April 2, 1838, a copy of which was deposited with the County Auditor April 30, 1838.

The first schoolhouse was built of logs, erected on Section 7, and the first teacher was Wilmot Munson, a Yankee, a good scholar and an excellent teacher. From settlement to settlement, schools were established, and the progress in educational privileges has been quite rapid and complete--as much so, probably, as any township in the count-. The report of the Board of Education of the township, which includes the schools, excepting those of Dunkirk, is as follows:

Total receipts for all school purposes, $3,477.62; total expenditures, $1,487.83; balance on hand September 1, 1882, $989.79 number of subdistricts, 7: number of horses, 7; number of schoolrooms, 7, and number of teachers necessary to supply the schools. 7. Average wages per month for male teachers, $30: average wages per month for female teachers. $21: average number of weeks, schools were in session, 24. Total value of school property, $4.000. Number scholars enrolled-boys, 120; girls, 111 ; total. 231.

Dunkirk Union School. - Total receipts for school purposes $1,938; expenditures. $3,174.36; deficit, $1,236.36. Number of schoolrooms, 7; number of teachers employed, 8. Average wages paid teachers per month, male, $47. female, $30. Average number of weeks the schools were in session, 32. Total valuation of school property $6,000. Total enrollment of scholars--Primary. boys, 161, girls. 192, high school, boys 12, girls, 20; total, 385. Dunkirk Board of Education has now under contract a new brick school building, to he erected during the summer of 1883, as follows: 76x86 feet; three stories high, with basement; the first and second floors are each to contain four rooms, the third floor two rooms and a literary hall, the latter to be 36x86 feet and 16 feet high. The basement is to be seven and a half feet in the clear, and divided into four rooms intended for surplus rooms, to be used as playrooms for the children in stormy weather, for fuel, etc. The whole building is to be heated by hot air, on the Ruttan system. Said building is to be finished at a cost of $21,670. The total receipts of funds for school purposes for the Dunkirk schools, from March, 1882, to March, 1883, were $2,813.31; total expenditures, $1,721; balance on hand, $1,092.31. This building, when completed, will be the finest school structure in Hardin County.

TOWNS AND VILLAGES.

Dunkirk, the only town or village in the township, was surveyed and laid off into lots, streets and alleys by R. D. Millar, Surveyor for Hardin County, for Hugh D. Miller, and the same was platted and recorded, being duly acknowledged April 9, 1852, since which the following additions have been made by the following persons, as per dates attached to their names respectively, viz.:

Samuel H. Packer, September 6, 1852.

Samuel H. Packer, May 26, 1856.

Archibald Gardner, September 9, 1857.

Hugh D. Miller, June 25, 1867.

Seba Wickwire, bray 26, 1868.

592 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

S. B. Smith & J. B. Alexander, April 8, 1868.

R. Brubaker, November 30, 1868.

M. F. Larkins and S. N. Peck, April 11, 1868.

Hugh D. Miller, April 11, 1868.

J. A. Orths, May 12, 1871.

Hugh Hueston, May l5, 1871.

James Downing, January 20, 1872.

Hugh Hueston, Second Addition, May 13, 1873.

Weigle & Miller, May 15, 1874.

Hugh .Hueston, Third Addition, May 5, 1875.

Joseph Alexander, May 15, 1875.

Seba Wickwire, Second Addition, November 29, 1875.

Hugh D. Miller, Second Addition, May 4, 1876.

H. Downings, August 30, 1876.

J. A. Woods, August 30, 1876.

H. D. Miller. Fourth Addition. April 1, 1876.

I. W. Martin, April 23, 1877.

H. D. Miller, November 3, 1879.

D. W. Edgar, October 27, 1880.

The town was incorporated on petition of fifty-nine resident voters, represented by W. D. Edgar and Isaiah Larkins, who brought the matter before the Commissioners, and the prayer of said petitioners was by them granted and the town organised into an incorporated village under the name of Dunkirk, September 4, 1867.

Runatus Gum built the first house in the town and also opened the first grocery store, and William Porterfield the first good general store. Frank Waldruff was the first blacksmith. The first physician was Dr. Steyer. The first family to locate in the town was George Kinsey, and the second John Watters. Anderson Natter, was the first child born in the village, in 1858. The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad was completed in 1854, and soon after the town began to improve. In 1857, Thomas Mahon & Co. opened a large dry goods store. In 1867, Bowers & Bosserman opened a good hardware store. In 1868, Mahon Bros, entered upon the manufacture of agricultural implements, which did a large business for several years. The town has now (1883) about 1,500 inhabitants and many fine residences, and almost all kinds of business are represented with some quite larger stocks of goods.

The business of the town at present enumerates as follows: Four dry goods and grocery stores; six groceries; two boot and shoe stores; two bakeries; two hardware, stove and tin stores: two drug stores; one merchant tailor: four millinery and fancy stores; three lintels; three livery stables; one furniture and music store; two harness shops; three barber shops; two warehouses with elevators: two meat markets; six physicians; one dentist; one grist mill; two planing mills, with lumber yards attached; two saw mills: one stave factory; two wagon shops: four blacksmiths; three boot and shoe shops; one tile factory, and one marble works.

The Dunkirk Stone Quarry was opened in 1877, and is at present operated by Hipple & Talbert, of Pennsylvania. They employ 138 hands, and are now taking out sixty car loads of atone per da. The crusher in connection with the quarry has a capacity of thirty car loads every twelve hours, the finer material being used for roads and sidewalks and the balance for railroad ballastincr. The stone is also used for building purposes, and this quarry is one of the leading interests of Hardin County.

BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP - 593

Mr. S. B Davis issued the first copy of his paper at Dunkirk, July 1, 1875, called the Dunkirk Standard, and continued the publication of this paper with good success and a good patronage, until the 1st daY of March, 1883, when he sold out to the present proprietors, Messrs. Owens Bros. Mr. Davis removed at once to Hancock County, where he purchased the paper at McComb and entered upon his field of labors there; and we have no doubt of his success, and that what has been a loss to the people of Dunkirk will be a gain to the citizens of McComb.

The following persons have filled the office of Mayor of Dunkirk, viz.: 1867, Isaiah Larkins; 1868-70, wanting; 1871, D. Youngker; 1872, D. M. Bowers; 1873, A. K. Mecaskey; 1875, D. H. Edgar; 1877, H N. Hullinger; 1878-79, John Watters. He resigned in March, 1880, and H. J. Eager was appointed to fill the unexpired term: in 1881, J. J. Wood was elected, and is still the incumbent of that office.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Dunkirk Lodge. No. 624, I. O. O. F. -This lodge was instituted, June 1, 1876, with the following charter member, viz.: J. H. Pore, J. J. Wood, Eli Trump, Ezra Friedley, John Fry, G. G. Doling, C. M. Jones, H. H. Hullinger and S. B. Lydick, and officered as follows: J. H. Pore, N. G.; Eli Trump, V. G.; J. J. Wood, Sec.; H. H. Hulinger, Per. Sec.; G. W. Conrad, Tress. ; S. B. Davis, W.; D. C. Smith, C.; W. D. Edgar, I. G., and George Neaff, O. G. The present membership, sixty-three. Present officers are M. F. Howe, N. G.; F. C. Pore, V. G.; J. W. Miller, Sec.; E. B. Leslie, Per. Sec., F. Wilcox, Tress.; J. P. Woods, W.; M. McKinstrey, C.; L. T. Pore, I. G.; P. Yuximer, O. G. Their meetings are every Wednesday night at Odd Fellows hall. Dunkirk, Ohio.

Hardin Lodge, K, of H., No. 1,.910, was instituted December 1, 1879, by Deputy King, with the following charter members: James J. Wood, Charles M. Jones, Isaiah Larkins, Adam Neff, John H. Jones, Parker Longfellow, M. E. Barber, Jamey P. Woods, Walter Teegardon, S. H. Wagoner, W. B. Wagoner, George Shira, John Beach, George A. Richard, A. M. Hostetter, William H. Lippincott, Lewis W. Hebenthal, Joseph M. Hutchinson, Christian Shultz. John H. Neff, Charles T. Snyder, Jacob Smith, Levi Curtis, and James D. Miller. Officers: J. J. Wood, P. D.; Isaiah Larkins, D. L.; W. Hebenthal, V. D.; Adam Neff, A. D.; G. A. Richards, Chap.; P. Longfellow, Tress.: C. M. Jones, F. R.; W. H. Lippincott, R.; George Shira. M. D. E.; J. P. Woods, G.; C. T. Snyder, I. G.; Levi Curtis, S. Present membership thirty-eight. Present officers: C. T. Snyder, D.; E. C. Longabaugh, V. D.; J. F. Beans, A. D.; J. P. Woods, R.; J. B. Halderman, F. R.; A. M. Hostetter, Tress. ; Frank Haskins, G.; J. S. Darst, I. G.; William Gucas, S.; George Shira, M. D. E.; M. E. Barber, P. D.; G. A. Richards, Chap. Meetings are held on Friday evening of each week, at Knights of Honor Hall, Dunkirk, Ohio.

Edgar Post, G. A. R., No. 102, was instituted March 20, 1883, by J. T. Timmerman, M. D., with the following thirteen charter members: I. Diefenderfer, J. J. Wood. A. Yazel, J. B. Halderman, Daniel Edgar, John Darst, L. B. Lydick, L. W. Hebenthal, C. Hostetter, S. B. Davis, John Beans, E. C. Longabaugh and L. C. Crum. Officers as follows: Isaac Diefenderfer, P. C.; James J. Wood, S. V. C.; J. B. Halderman, J. V. C.; John Darst, O. D.; L. W. Hebenthal, Adjt.; C. Hostetter, Chap.; John Beans, Surg.; E. C. Longabaugh, O. M., and L. C. Crum, O. G.

594 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

CHURCHES.

Blanchard River Disciple Church was organized in the schoolhouse on Section 16 by Rev. Philip Axline, in the summer of 1871, consisting of the following six members: David Higgins and wife Charity, Thomas Chamberlin and wife, and Isaac Miller and wife Emily, and they bore the expense and burden principally of eructing the present church building, which was built, the same summer, at a cost of about $1,200. A series of meetings were held and many additions made to the church soon after its organization. The first Elders were John Duller and Thomas Chamberlin, The church was duly dedicated the following fall. William W. Dowling preaching the dedicatory sermon. The following ministers have served the church as its pastors: Revs. Philip Axline, William V'. Dowling, Mr. Griffin and Adam Moors. At the present time, they have no pastor, but expect soon to be supplied. The following have served as Elders: Thomas Chamberlin, John Miller, George Tressler and Enos Shannon. Present membership is about forty. A Sabbath school was early established, and has been kept up during g the summer season, with an average attendance of about forty-five, with E. Shannon as Superintendent.

Harris Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. - This church was organized in the Miller Schoolhouse, on Section 16, January 1, 1869, by Rev. F. Plumb, with the following twelve members: H. Grout, Lucy A. Groat, Drucilla Shannon, Jane Maxwell, S. M. Louthan, M. A. Louthan, Oliver Smith, David Higgins, Charity Higgins, Abigail Sapp, Elizabeth Marquis and Mrs. Smith, with Hiram Grout as Class Leader. They held their meetings in the above schoolhouse, until the spring of 1871, when, during that summer, they erected their present frame church, at a cost of about $1,000. The house was dedicated in the fall of 1874, Rev. S. S. Roberts preaching the dedicatory sermon. Ministers who have served as pastors: Rev. J. C. Miller, I. N. Smith, Joshua M. Longfellow, Joseph Wykes, William W. Lantz and L. O. Cook, the present pastor in charge. Class Leaders: H. Groat and William Callahan. Present membership, thirty-four. A Sabbath school is conducted through the summer season, with an average attendance of about sixty-four; R. F. Holmes, Superintendent.

Blanchard Christian Church was organized. December 2, 1866, by Elder N. Hurd, in the Miller Schoolhouse, on Section 16, with the following constituent members: James A. Thomson, Elizabeth Thomson, William C. Thomson, Sarah Johnson, Sarah E. Johnson. John Steele, Sarah E. Reeder, William McLane, William Hinebaugh, Mary Hinebaugh, Show Hinebaugh, Charlotte Hinebaugh, Frances Dickey, Delilah McLane. Mary McLane, William Hall, Elizabeth Hall, Zerrah Hurd, Sarah Hurd. John Hurd, Jane Hurd, Elder N. Hurd, Sylvia Hurd, George Hull, Jane Hull, Enoch Fry, Sarah Fry, N. S. McCloud and Mary E. McCloud. They held their meetings in the above-mentioned schoolhouse, until the summer of 1875, when they erected their present church, at a cost of abort $1,000, and the same was duly dedicated to service on the third Sunday of July of the same year. Elder A. C. Hanger, of Union County, Ohio, preached the dedicatory sermon. Ministers who have served as pastors are Elders N. Hurd, Elijah Grubb and H. H. Holverstott, the latter being the present pastor of the church, who has served them over thirteen years. The following have filled the office of Deacon: Elder N. S. McCloud, John Steele and Enoch Fry. The present membership is about sixty-four.

Seventh-Day Advent Church was organized, May 18, 1879, by Elder G. G. Rupert, consisting of the following members: I. W. Martin, Sarah

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BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP. - 597

Martin, Ida Martin, J. J. Myers and wife, Cordelia Woodruff, Elizabeth Heightsman, Betsey Boegle, Rachel Shone, A. T. Williams, Calvin Packer and wife, A. S. Stradley and wife Elsie, Jennie Stradley and Agues Stradley. They have held services in Woodruff's Hall since their organization. Ministers who have served the society since its formation are Elders G. G. Rupert, R. A. Underwood, D. M. Canright, H. A. St. John, and O. F. Guilford, their present pastor. Present membership, twenty-two. Several who were formerly members have moved away, thus leaving the present membership much smaller than formerly.

Wesleyan Methodist Church. - This society was organized December 7, 1877, by Rev. S. Rice, of Ada, Ohio, with the following members, viz.: A. S. Stradley, Eslie Stradley, I. B. Mahon, J. K. T. Ferrell, Henry Gershan, Madina Gershan, Fred Ballard, Alice Ballard, A. T. Williams. Lucy Devore. Jennie Stradley, Cornelius Friedly, Michael Friedly, Callie C. Friedly, Elizabeth Friedly, John Houseman, Sarah E. Mahon, Cordelia Woodruff, Elizabeth Dottier, Ulrich Dottier, Callie Holverstott., Sarah Downing. Callie Close. Lucy Mahon, Sarah Williams, Lizzie B. Boogie, Rev. S. Rice, W. R. Mathews, Mary Mathews. Clara Mathews, Rebecca Mathews, Mrs. Riley, Rebecca Hively. Richard Williams and James Preston, with I. B. Mahon and .John Houseman as Class Leaders. Trustees, I. B. Mahon, John Houseman, F. Ballard, Ulrich Cattier and Michael Friedly. The following were appointed a Building Committee: John Houseman, I. B. Mahon and J. K. P. Ferrell. A frame house was erected in the fall of 1878, size 30x40 feet, at a cost of about $1,100, and the same was dedicated that fall by Rev. Thomas K. Doty, of Cleveland, Ohio. The society has had the following ministers: Revs. Guthrie, M. Friedly (two years) and Charles Rowley, who is the present pastor. Class Leaders, F. Ballard, John McKee: and ;~'. Ballard and J. Houseman are now serving in that office.

German Baptist Church of Dunkirk. -This society was organized in September, 1881, and erected their house of worship the same fall an West Wayne street-a frame building, 36x54 feet., and 18 feet high. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Bishop R. H. Miller, of Ashland, Ohio, October 1, 1881. The society, as organized. consisted of forty members, with Bishop S. T. Bosserman as pastor and Michael Bosserman and Adam M. Bowers as Deacons. Members, Michael Bosserman, E. J. Bosserman, Catherine Bosler, Mary Black, John Baughman, L. M. Baughman, Amos Clingman, Sarah Clingman, Emma Dowling, Mary Hoppy, Christian Rough, Elizabeth Rough, Sarah Frederick, John Keifer, George Kinsey, Jane Kinsey, Edward Kinsey, James M. Kinsey, Flora Kinsey, George King, Lydia King, Eunice King, Samuel Musser, Lizzie Musser, Milton Smith, Joseph Shire, John Shannon, Phoebe Shannon, George Underwood, Kate Underwood, Jones Rodabaugh, Kate Rodabaugh, Viola Rodabaugh, George H. Warren, Hattie Warren, Michael Zeigler, Jerry Zeigler and Hattie Zeigler.

United Brethren Church, Dunkirk. - This society was organized January 6, 1860, by Rev. L. S. Farber, in the schoolhouse which stood where the Methodist Episcopal Church is now located, with forty-five members, some of whom were as follows: John Houseman, Mary Houseman, John Waiters, Maranda Watters, C. T. Jones, John Jones and wife, David C. Phillips, wife and three daughters. John Siegley, Lovina Siegley, Benjamin Johnson, George Beem, Hiram Marquis. A. Zuba Edgar, Ruth A. Rush. Charity Rush, William Koontz, Samuel Rush, Elizabeth Packer, Milton Johnson,

598 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

,lames M. Bradbury and wife, Miss Lynch, Daniel R. Timmons, John Woods, Elizabeth Reed and a few others to the number of forty-five. During the following summer (1860), they erected their present church building, and the same was dedicated in November of the same year. The church coat about $2,000. Bishop David Edward; breached the dedicatory sermon. The ministers who have served the church since its organization are as follows: Revs. L. S. Farber (two years), S. Fairfield (two years), George and P. B. Holders (one year), Jacob McBride (not quite two years --died of consumption, and L. Johnson was appointed by the Presiding Elder to take the charge of the work until the next meeting of Conference), D. R. Miller (one year), William Maginnis (three months and resigned); then the Presiding Elder sent to the charge a local preacher, by name of J. F. T. J. McKinney, which proved very disastrous to the society. He was succeeded by Rev. A. W. Holders, R.. Wilgus, W. S. Fields, Merrit Miller. Rev. Johnston. J. P. Stewart and Rev. J. W. Lower, why is now serving the church. The Class Leaders have boars as follows: John Houseman, John Natters. J. M. Bradbury, J. J. Ripley and A. D. Jones. The first Trustees of the Church after its organization, and who conducted the building of the church in the summer of 1860, were William Koonts, C. T. Jones, D. C. Phillips, John Natters and .John Houseman. This class has furnished three ministers to the Gospel work, viz.. John Houseman, who was licensed by the quarterly conference in the year 1861, as a quarterly conference preacher, James M. Bradbury was licensed, in 1862, and removed to Illinois, where he died, in 1864, and John Watters, who was licensed, in 1863, by the quarterly conference and, in 1865, by the annual conference, and, in 1869, was ordained a regular minister of the church, and still holds that relation. The present membership of the church is sixty-one, with Rev. J. Park as Class Leader.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Dunkirk. - This Society was organized by Rev. Andrew Kinnear, in June, 1835, at the cabin of David H. Edgar, Esq., consisting of the following four members: John R. Davis, Mary Davis, David H. Edgar and Azuba Edgar, with John R. Davis as Class Leader. Mr. Davis died in December, 1835, and Robert Wiles, an old fashioned Methodist, who had come from the State of New York and settled here, was appointed Class Leader. In October, 1835, conference sent them their first minister, Alanson Fleming. whose circuit embraced all of Hardin County with a part. of Hancock County. In 1836, F. P. Waugh was pastor; in 1837, Revs. Nielse and W. H. Cole: in 1838, Zephaniah Bell and Samuel Hagerman; in 1840, Robert Armstrong and E. Williams; in 1841, Revs. Wareham and Samuel Hagerman; in 1846, Hubbard Ward and J. Wykes; in 1847, W. J. Wells and Elder J. Holmes; in 1848. J. M. Holmes, J. Wykes, H. M. Close and S. B. Maltbee; in 1849, E. H. Holmes and W. J. Peck; in 1850, H. M. Close, H. J. Bigley, Samuel Hagerman and W. J. Peck; in 1851, J. Good, F. J. Mathew and I. M. Smith; 1862-63, William Goodman and J. C. Carter; 1869, Frank Plumb; 1870-71, J. C. Miller; then I. N. Smith served three years: J. M. Longfellow, three years; Joseph Wykes, three years: W. W. Lantz, one year; then came Rev. Leonard O. Cook, who is the present pastor. The present membership is 175. Thus, from a small beginning, with four members, the "leaven" has been at work until the "whole has become leavened." The society, which began in the log cabin, has now a good and substantial church edifice and now, with 175 live, working members, what a vast amount of good should be accomplished in the next half-century.

DUDLEY TOWNSHIP. - 599

Catholic Church *-Dunkirk has been a regular mission for the Catholic priest of Hardin County for over fifteen years. The highest number of Catholic families in this place never exceeded fourteen, whilst at present there are only nine. The periodical demand for laborers in the large stony quarry operated by the railroad company at Dunkirk would frequently increase the little band of Catholics, but as the work in the quarry, would slacken, some of the people world be compelled to leave again. From 1866 to 1869, Rev. Nicholas Raymond Young, pastor of Kenton, visited this mission. Since 1871, Rev. Anthony S. Siebenfoercher, from Kenton, better known as " Father Anthony," has had charge of Dunkirk, with but a short interruption in 1881, when it was attached to the Logan County-missions. In these many years, Father Anthony often attended this place, and so did his assistants, Fathers Joseph M. Quatman, Alfred D. Dexter, Andrew Ebert, William B. Migeel and F. X. Losance. During 1879 mass was celebrated in the large hall owned by Mr. Woodruff, but since then, generally once a month, in private house.

* By Roy. A. S. Siebenfoercher