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DUDLEY TOWNSHIP.
This township is composed of both the Virginia military and Congress lauds, the largest portion, however, embracing all within its boundaries lying south of the Scioto River, belongs to the first class of lands, and that portion north of said river belongs to the Congress lauds. This territory was somewhat noted as a resort of the Wyandot and Shawnee Indians, they frequently camping on the north bank of the Scioto, near the residence of what is known as the Judge Wheeler farm. The ancient Shawnee trail, leading from the Shawnee towns on Mad River, in Logan County, to their towns on the Tymochee, passed through this township, on the track of which the old State road was laid out from Bellefontaine to Upper Sandusky it crossed the Scioto near the Judge Wheeler residence. and was known as the Shawnee Ford. On the north bank of this river, near said ford, tradition says that Dr. John Knight, of the Crawford expedition in 1732, made his escape from the Delaware guard. Julie Latimore, a soldier in the war of 1812, with Gen. Shelby, and subsequently an early settler in this township, states that he readily recognized this trail as the course of Gen. Shelby's troops, and the Shawnee Ford as their crossing platy on their march to Upper Sandusky and to the lakes. Near this ford, on the north bank of the river, is also the noted spot of one of the last encampments of a band of the Wyandots, in 1843, just before their removal to the " far West." Here Mr. Walker, their half-breed chief, made an affection farewell speech to their many white friends among the early settlers of this section, who had congregated to see them and bid them a last adieu. Among the whites who paid them this last visit at their camp, was Joshua Cope, now the eldest surviving pioneer of Dudley Township. He tells us that he had long been acquainted with the above mentioned chief-William walker; that he made a very touching and affecting speech, declaring that he had expected that he had made his last speech in the vernacular tongue of his tribe, as they were then so reduced in numbers and so scattered and intermingled with other tribes that the original language of his tribe had be-
600 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
come nearly obsolete. Mr. Cope and his lady, who also listened to Mr. Walker's speech, say they shall never forget the touching pathos of this noble Indian chief's address; its powerful portraying of his memory of their joys and sorrows, now forever past, were touching in the extreme. Mr. Cope was also well acquainted with others of their chiefs, as Holy Cross, Lump-on-the-head, Grey Eyes and Peacock. Whatever may be said of the rights of the white settler, or the great advantages in the advance of civilization attending our race, there is something melancholy in the fate of the Indian, notwithstanding his rudeness of life and character, which awaken our heartfelt sympathy, for they possessed many excellent and strong points of character which made them abiding and true friends to all who were kind to them, and they were long remembered with a sympathizing kindness by many of our noble pioneers who had reason to know them beat.
Having written the above interesting incidents and reminiscences of the territory now comprising the township of Dudley, we will proceed to speak of its erection as a township, and its more recent history. It was organized in 1833, although, as stated in the history of other townships. the official records of the County Commissioners setting forth the erection of the townships, were destroyed, rat persons are still living who were residents here at the time of its organization, also the election returns show that, an election was held in October, 1833. As originally constituted, it embraced much more territory than at present, embracing, it is believed, a part of what is now Hale and Buck Townships, but finally, upon the erection of those two townships, became circumscribed to its present limits, and of it as such we shall now speak. It is bounded north by Goshen Township, seat by Marion County, south by Hale Township and east by Hale. Buck and Pleasant Townships, and contains about thirtyseven square miles, or 23,680 acres.
STREAMS, SURFACE, SOIL, PRODUCTS AND TIMBER.
The principal stream of the township and the largest of the county is the Scioto River, which enters thin township from its western boundary, about one mile and a half south of the northwest corner of the same, and takes a course a little south of east, passing into Marion County, leaving this township about midway from its northern and southern boundaries. A peculiarity of this stream is that its course lies so close to the south side of the great and natural "dividing ridge" of thin and other counties, which divides the waters that flow south into the Ohio River from those that flow north into the lakes, that it does not receive in its course through this township a single tributary of dimensions sufficient to be recognized by a name, while from the south from the west border of the township it receives Wolf Creek, which empties into it about one mile east of the west line of the township; then, about one mile further down, it receives Jim Creek; two miles further down the stream, and a little east of the center of the township, it receives Panther Greek, quite a large tributary, and soon after leaving the township it receives Wild Cat Run, which courses about five miles through the southeast portion of Dudley Township. These tributaries, which it receives from the south, all have a general northeast course, so that we have the fact thus plainly established that the surface of the southern and southwestern portions of the township have a greater altitude, and gradually elope toward the Scioto, while north of this stream, for about two or three miles, we may term the surface a kind of table-land, although
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considerably undulating; and on thin elevated portion there are no streams, as it is the "dividing ridge" above mentioned, and just north of this in Goshen Township, creeks begin to form and flow northward toward the lakes. South of the Scioto, the surface is generally level or slightly undulating, except along the above-mentioned creeks, where it is more undulating just in their immediate vicinity.
In strength and quality of soil, this township is excelled by but few others in the township. Along the valleys of the streams and the more flat and level portions, it is a rich black loam, and the balance is a strong clay soil. It stands drought well, and rarely fails to yield abundant trope of wheat, corn, oats and hay. This country, as the first settlers originally found it, was very heavily timbered, and required a largo amount of labor to clear it up and bring it into a state of easy cultivation; the timber, much of it being very large, left large stumps and roots, which took years of patient waiting for the forces of nature to decay and dissolve into the soil, so se to be no obstacle in the way of plowing and cultivation.
The principal varieties of timber were the various species of oak, hickory. maple, elm, beech, ash and, alone the streams, large quantities of walnut and some sycamore. Of the sugar tree, oak and ash, there was some remarkably fine timber. Sums rare specimens of walnut were found along the Scioto bottoms. Mr. Joshua Cope informs us that he cut down one walnut tree on his place which measured twenty-one feet in circumference, measurement being made more than two feet above the ground. This valuable tree he made into hundreds of rails, many of which are still in existence on his farm. This tree, if now in his possession, would be worth several hundred dollars. Thousands of fine walnut, oak and ash loge, worth many thousands of dollars. were rolled into log-heaps and burned by the first settlers, to get them off the land so as they could plow and cultivate it.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Difficulties which arose in many instances in the first settlement of the Virginia military lands, and, in fact, difficulties which have continued more or less down to the present time, in securing undisputed titles to the lands, caused a great preference among the permanent settlers to locate upon the Congress lands, where the danger of such troubles did not exist. In the settlement of this township, this principle was verified, as here were both military and Congress lauds, all north of the Scioto River being of the latter class, and all south of it of the former class. The lands north of the river were settled first, with no other reason for it except that these were Congress lands, for which there were no uncertain titles: therefore in this portion of the township we find the first settlements.
Moses Dudley, a native of Maine, if not the first settler, was one of the first, and has been recognized as such, and, upon the erection of the township, it was named .in honor of him. He settled on land now owned by Robert Morrison, on Section 7, about 1830 or 1831, remaining a resident of this township a few years. He removed into Wyandot County, and subsequently to Kenton, Hardin County, where he died. Of his children, only one now survives-Mrs. Sarah Cary, of Kenton.
Jacob Dick was perhaps about the first settler of this township, coming in 1829-30. He located on land now owned by Mrs. Maria Wheeler, on Section 9. He resided here perhaps six or eight years, then moved away.
602 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
George Elzy, a native of Virginia, settled nn the southwest corner o f Section 8. Soon after, Mr. Dick settled here, either the same year or early in the next. He remained here but a few yearn and moved away. John G. Marks came here from near Marietta, Ohio, abut 1830 or 1831, and settled on land now owned by Mr. A. Burkhart, on Section 7, where be opened out in the dense forest and where he resided for twenty years; thence he removed to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he still remains a resident. He had a family of several children, who all moved Vest with their father. Mr. Marks served as the first Justice of the Peace of Dudley Township.
Solomon Goss settled on land now owned by Mrs. Nancy McLain, in Section 10, abort 1831 or 1832, and after residing here about ten years he moved to Iowa. Mr. Goss was a man of character and integrity, of firm and established religious principles, and ono of the organizers of the Pisgah Methodist Episcopal Church.
William Salmon, a native of Delaware State, settled here on land now owned by Joseph Morrison, on Section 6, about 1832. He resided here several years, then moved to Missouri of his children, were Jacob, Love, Betsey and Robert--who all moved West
Asa Davis came here from Muskingum County and settled on the Robert Morrison place, on Section 7, in 1832; after several years' residence, removed to Iowa, where he and his wife died, but their remains were brought back to Ohio and both interred in Marion County. Mr. Davis was one of the Trustees at the first election, in the fall of 1834.
Joshua Cope, Sr., was born in Virginia in 1781. and moved to Ross County, Ohio, in 1813, where he remained but a few months and mowed into Madison where he resided five year, then removed to Big Island Township, in Marion County, in 1819, being the first white settler in the township. In February, 1833, be removed with his family to this township, and settled on the place now owned by Joseph Ward, on Section 11. Mr. Cope served as one of the first Commissioners of Hardin County, be was a man of moral worth and integrity, and one whose experience in pioneer life was surpassed by few, having nerved several yearn as such in each of three counties. He died in 1851. He was the father of four sons and three daughters, viz., Charles, Hannah, William, Joshua, Jane, George and Lydia, of whom three now survive, viz., William, who is a practicing physician, now residing in Kansas; Lydia, married to Joseph Lindsey; she is now a widow and resides in Dunkirk, this county, and Joshua, Jr., the only cue now a resident of Dudley Township. Joshua Cope, Jr., was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hopkins, in 1836, and has now been a resident of this township half a century, is the oldest pioneer now resident in the township, and has experienced the " true inwardness " of pioneer life. When he first came here with his father's family, there was but one road opened through the forests of this township the Bellefontaine & Upper Sandusky road-which was opened by the soldiers in the war of 1812. The second road, leading from Kenton to Marion, he assisted in opening out. This is now made into a pike. When be was young, they had to go to Marseilles or Liberty to get their milling done. He remembers driving an ox team with a few bushels of corn or wheat to a mill at Liberty, in Logan County, through the forests, which took four days to go and return, frequently having to camp in the woods all night. As sown as they had their land cleared so as to raise wheat, they had to haul it about eighty miles to find a market. over muddy roads and corduroy bridges. Their market was at the lake, and required a week or more to make the trip. There they purchased their sole leather,
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groceries, and other necessary articles for their families. Some few plain goods were obtainable and purchased at Kenton. These were some of the hardships of thane early settlers. Mr. Cope and wife have never been blessed with any offspring, but their loving care and attention have been bountifully bestowed upon the orphan and needy children of others, having raised or partly raised fourteen children, giving them all the care and attention of natural parents. For intelligence, industry and unswerving integrity, few stand higher or command, more universally, the respect and esteem of this neighborhood than Mr. Cope.
Abraham Jones settled on land now owned by A. Burnison on the north east quarter of Section 2. He was a Trustee at the first election, but resided here only a few years and removed into Delaware County, Ohio.
Portius Wheeler settled on land now owned by John Pfeifer, on the old State road, on the southeast quarter of Section 8, by the old Shawnee ford. Here he erected a log house and kept a " tavern" for more than thirty years. He also served as Associate Judge, one term. He was one of the substantial al men of Dudley Township, and accumulated quite an amount of property. When far advanced in years, he removed to Kenton, where he died, August 28, 1874, aged seventy-eight years. His wife, Jane, died September 5, 1870, aged seventy years. Their children were Joseph, deceased; Amos, deceased; John, Urania, Jane Ann. Nelson, Mahala, deceased, and Edward, none of whom are now residents of this county.
John Henry settled on the place now owned by William Lee, on Section 9, about, 1841, where he resided several years, thence removed to Kenton, where he died, August 12, 1863, aged sixty-three years. He donated the land for the Lee Cemetery, m which his remains now rest. His children were Elizabeth, John, Maranda, Lydia, Mary, Ann and Hannah, and one son, whose name we did not ascertain. All the children are either deceased or moved away.
Harvey Chapman settled on land now owned by Gilbert Myers on the northeast quarter of Section 11, in 1833 or 1834. He subsequently re moved to Iowa, but again returned to this county and died near Kenton. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and integrity, and greatly esteemed by all his pioneer neighbors His children are now all deceased or moved away, except one son-Harvey-who is a silversmith in Kenton.
Samuel Codner, born in Rhode Island, January 22, 1769, settled here in 1831-32, and died March 30, 1833, aged sixty-four years. He was probably the first person who died in this township, and was the first interred in the Lee Cemetery.
Josiah Roby, a native of Virginia, married Margret Elzy, and had two children born to them in that State, one of whom died in infancy. With the other son-Hanson-in 1809, they removed to Ohio, the mother carrying the infant son in her arms on a pack-horse through the entire journey. They settled first near Coshocton, thence removed to near Newark in Licking County, thence into Franklin County. In the spring of 1833, they made a final removal to the forests of Hardin County, where they settled four miles east of Kenton, and where Mr. Roby died. Their children, born in Ohio, were George, deceased, Elizabeth and John, both deceased. Matilda, Mary Ann, Josiah, Henry and Isaac, of whom, Mary Ann, with Hanson, who was born in Virginia, reside in this county. Matilda resides in Hancock County, Ohio, and the balance all reside in the West. Hanson married Eliza A. Johnson in 1839, and settled on the place where he still lives, having made a continued residence here of forty-four
604 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
years, and is now one among the oldest resident pioneers, a worthy citizen and a stanch member of long standing in the Pisgah Methodist Episcopal Church. in which he has served as a class leader for twenty years.
Lewis De Moss settled on the Scioto River, about one-half mile below Joshua Cope, in 1834; resided there several years, but finally sold out and moved away.
Miles Van Fleet was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1805. He married Elvira C. Knapp in 1832, and in June of the same year removed to Ohio to enter land upon which he commenced the battle of life. At that time he had a brother residing in Big Island Township, in Marion County, Ohio, whom he called to see. They visited the forests of Hardin County, and, after looking around for some time at different locations, he concluded to locate where he still lives. After returning to Marion County, he was informed that unless he entered his land before 9 o'clock Monday morning, another party intended to enter. So on Sunday morning Mr. Van Fleet started for the land office at Tiffin, and, arriving there after a long ride through the forests, on Monday morning early, he aroused the agent from his slurnbers and secured his land. In the spring of 1834, he moved with his family upon his homestead. The first election of the township was hold that fall, and he had the pleasure of depositing the first vote in the ballot box, and also serving as Clerk of the election. Mr. Van Fleet has been three times married. and is the father of eighteen children, of whom twelve are deceased. He is a stanch Jacksonian Democrat, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He always votes an unscratched Democratic ticket, and is proud of his political record, and frank and decided in his opinions. Mr. Van Fleet is now, next to Mr. Cope, the oldest resident pioneer of Dudley Township.
A Mr. Harper settled on land now owned by I. B. Mouser, on Section 13, about 1834 or 1835, but, after a few years' residence, moved away.
Hiram Shutz settled on land now owned by Isaiah Potter, on Section 11, about 1835, but remained here only a short time and moved away.
Gardner Hatch, from the State of Maine, settled on the same tract of land on Section 11, in the same year-1835-but subsequently sold his property and moved to near Ridgeway, where he died in 1881.
Amasa Farnum, a native of Vermont, settled on land now owned by Joseph Ward, on the southeast quarter of Section 11, where he lived till his death, which occurred September 27,. 1839. His family are all either deceased or moved away.
Peter Spracklin, born in England. December 20, 1774, settled on land now owned by Mr. Mouser, on Section 13, about 1835. where he resided till his death, October 26, 1845. His wife Betty was born June 6, 1771, and died November 13, 1860. Their children were Alfred, Anna, Elizabeth, Permelia and George.
David and Anson Clement, two brothers. natives of Vermont, lived on land now owned by Mr George Clement, a son of the above David, in 1835. Anson Clement never married. and subsequently removed to Iowa, where he died. David was married when he came here, and remained a resident here till his death. He died July 26, 1871, aged seventy-seven years. His wife, Nancy, died January 16, 1877, aced seventy-eight years. They had four sons and one daughter, of whom two now survive, George and Anion, both married and residents of Dudley Township.
Elias L. Lownes, believed to be a native of Virginia, settled on Section 8, on the place now owned by N. Glock, in 1835 or 1836, but, after over
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twenty years' residence here. removed to Missouri. Mr. Lownes way a man of character. a good and reliable citizen, and served this township as Trustee many years.
David Ward was a native of England, but emigrated to America when a young single man, and came to Marion County, Ohio, where he married Margaret Pangburn, and in December, 1836, settled on land in Section 12, of Dudley Township. Hardin County, where he resided till his death. Mr. Ward kept a "tavern" on his place about twenty-five years. He was a good neighbor and a valued citizen, kind and generous, yet a keen, shrewd business man, and acquired a large amount of property, owning 700 acres of fine land. His wife still survives, and resides upon the old homestead place. Their children were Joseph, John, Vesta, Henrietta, Harriet, George and David, and two who died in childhood.
The above were all early settlers on the Congress lands north of the Scioto River and in Dudley Township.
We will now make mention of some of the first settlers on the Virginia military lands on the south side of the Scioto. It is believed that the first to break the quietude of the forest here was James Peaver, a native of Ohio, who settled on land now owned by Warnock Williams, about 1830 or 1831, where he cleared up a good farm with good improvements, but finally sold his place and located on the Kenton & Marysville pike, where he died, and his remains now rest in the Mentzer Cemetery.
Henry Jackson. a native of Clermont County, Ohio, became an early resident of Madison County, where he married Mary Latimore. In the spring of 1834, he removed to this county and settled - on land now owned by Robert. Thompson. Here he resided till his death, August 14,. 1845, aged forty years. His wife survived him, and died May 24, 1881, aged seventy-seven years. Their children were William, John, Angeline, Sarah Jane, Margaret Jane, Lydia Ann. George, Precilla and Martha Ann.
Henry Burris also came from Madison County, where he married Hester Latimore. and settled on the Robert Thompson place, where he died. Their children were Margaret, Elizabeth, Frank, Mary, William, Rebecca, Martha, Amanda, John, Henry, Rachel and Sarah all living but three, Frank, William and Sarah; and all are married and settled in life, and are prosperous and worthy citizens.
George Thurman came from Highland County, Ohio, and settled on land where his son, Zachariah. now lives, in 1834, where he died. Their children were Joel, Mary, Rebecca, William, Jane, Mahala, Matilda and Zachariah: all are living and residents of this county.
John Car came from Madison County, where he married Sarah Latimore. In 1835, he located on the place now owned by Andrew Miller, where they resided several years, thence removed to Iowa, where they died.
John Kern settled on land now occupied by Joseph Wood, but after a few years sold out and moved away.
John Latimore, a native of Kentucky, but raised principally in Clermont County, Ohio, where he married Margaret Horner, settled in Madison County, about 1818. In the fall of 1836, they removed to Hardin County and located on the south side of the Scioto, opposite the Judge Wheeler place, and remained a resident of the township till his death in 1857. His wife died about 1853. Mr. Latimore was a soldier in the war of 1812, and passed through Dudley Township, with Gen. Shelby's troops in 1813. He was the father of the following children: Mary, Hester, Elizabeth (who married Henry Shanks, is now a widow and resides in Iowa),
608 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Sarah, Francis (who married Arminta Richardson, and is still a resident of this township), Lewis, John (who enlisted in the war of the rebellion, and was killed in the battle at Gettysburg), Nancy, Martha, Amanda, Jesse, Samuel and James Alexander, all of whom are deceased, except Elizabeth and Francis; the latter has made a continued residence upon the place where he now lives since the spring of 1837. He has had a family of ten children, who all grew to maturity, all married and settled in life, and are all still-living, prosperous, worthy citizens.
John Peaver settled on the south bank of the Scioto, where Mrs. N. Brown now lives, and resided there until his death.
Thomas Bramble, a Dative of the State of Delaware, with his family, of whom were William and Thomas, two sons, settled on land on the south bank of the Scioto, where the father died at the advanced age of one hundred and seven years. The son William is still a resident of this township, now aged eighty-nine years.
It appears that Anthony Banning came into Dudley Township from Knox County, Ohio, prospecting for land, in 1833, and having selected his locaticn, returned for his family. Mr. Banning was soon after taken sick and died, leaving his widow with a large family of children. About 1836 or 1837, she, with her family, removed to this township and settled upon the land selected by Mr. Banning, and here, in the almcst unbroken wilderness, reared her children, who, in return, became helpers in subduing the mighty forests, cultivating the fields and rearing a home, right out of the wilds, which was made "to blossom as the rose" and yield to them the comforts and pleasures of life. Although the mother has long since passed to that "undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveler returns," yet several of her children are still residents of this township and county, and are among its most honored and worthy citizens. One of her sons--Anthony namesake of his father, who now resides in Kenton, served as Treasurer of the county from 1861 to 1863. and was Probate Judge from 1867 to 1870.
William C. Hampton was born in Bridgetown, now the city of Rahway, Union Co., N. J. His father, Joseph Hampton, was a native of England and a brother of the noted Wade Hampton, of South Carolina. William C. received from the hand of his father a good liberal education, and early manifested a natural taste and talent for drawing, painting and perspective. At the age of eighteen years, be was placed as a student with the New England Bank Note Ccmpany, situated in the Merchants' Exchange on Wall street, New York, where he showed such tact and ability that be was soon employed on a salary, though small at first, yet at the end of three years was employed as their designer for three years for $4,000. At the expiration of this time, a great fire occurred by which the company were burned out, and the prospects and course of Mr. Hampton's life were entirely changed, the result of which was that, in the summer of 1836, he emigrated to Ohio and settled right in the woods of Dudley Township, on the land where be still resides. Unaccustomed to manual labor and unacquainted with pioneer or even farm life, here be began the, to many, discouraging work of opening out and making a home and a farm right from the green woods. He has now been a resident here for forty-seven years, has a fine farm of 253 acres, and seems to enjoy well the pleasures of rural life. He has taken great interest in the cultivation of fruits and ornamental trees, flowers and shrubbery; has been greatly interested in and spent much time at the study of botany, and is one of the experienced florists and botanical collectors of Hardin County.
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William and Abraham Mathews, two brothers, natives of New York, who, it appears, came to Ohio about the same time as Mr. Hampton, settled on the same tract of land. Subsequently they purchased land. William Mathews is still a resident of the township, in which he has served as Justice of the Peace. Abraham subsequently returned to his native State, where a few fears ago he died.
ELECTIONS AND OFFICIALS.
The first election was held in the fall of 1834. The Judges at this election were Joshua Cope, Sr., Asa Davis and Abram Jones. There were twenty votes cast, ten for Lucas and ten for McArthur, for Governor of Ohio. The township records are not to be found prior to the year 1839, for which, and all years since that, the officials have been as follows:
Trustees-1839, John W. Edgar, Anson M. Clement and Elias L. Lownes; 1840, John W. Edgar, Thomas Bodine and Joshua Cope; 1841, William Carter, David Ward and Hanson Roby; 1842, David Clement, David Ward and William Carter; 1843, Samuel Hopkins, E. L. Lownes and William Carter; 1844-45, William Young, E. L. Lownes and Ephraim McLain; 1846 to 1848, W. C. Hampton, Albert Dean and S. C. Smith; 1849, J. C. Smith, W. C. Hampton and E. L. Lownes; 1850-51, E. L. Lownes, Samuel Hopkins and David Ward; 1852, Paul E. Davis, B. L. Boynton and Anthonv Banning; 1853, Peter Johnson, Benjamin Kelly and E. Davis; 1854, Benjamin Kelly, W. C. Hampton and Elijah Davis; 1855, Benjamin Kelly, Hanson Roby and W. C. Hampton; 1856. Hanson Roby E. L. Lownes and W. Mathews; 1857, E. L. Lownes, Jesse Williams and Samuel Hinton; 1858, William Lee, Samuel Hinton and Joseph Wheeler; 1859. William Lee, Anthony Banning and Benjamin Kelly; 1860-61, William Harriman. Amos Wheeler and David Ward; 1862, Joseph Morison, Joshua Cope and W. D. F. Mathews; 1863, W. D. F. Mathews, Anderson Morison and Joshua Cope: 1864, Joshua Cope, William Lee and Edward Kelly; 1865, Joshua Cope, James Morison and Edward Kelly; 1866. Nathan Smith, Joseph Morison and Elijah Davis; 1867, Elijah Davis, James Morison and Alonzo Harvev; 1868, William Lee, James Morison and Amos Wheeler; 1869, James Morison, Joshua Cope and Joseph T. Ellyson; 1870, Joseph T. Ellyson. William Lee and Israel Brobeck; 1871, William Lee, Israel Brobeck and Edward Kelly; 1872, Edward Kelly, Israel Brobeck and A. W. Burnison; 1873, A. W. Burnison, Thomas Ballinger and James E. Smith; 1875, Anson Clement, William H. Davis and Ira Williams; 1876, William H. Davis, A. W. Burnison and J. C. Marshall; 1877, George Banning, George W. Wright. and James H. Linger; 1878, William H. Davis, Peter W. Lame and T. R. Young; 1879. J. C. Marshall, John B. King and John Burris; 1880, Thomas Kearse. S. H. Cook and John Burris; 1881, Joshua Cope, Thomas Kearse and William Hinds; 1882, William Hinds, S. M. Smith and Joshua Cope.
Clerks: 1839, Asa Davis; 1840, Portius Wheeler; 1841, Alexander Young; 1842 to 1844, John G. Marks; 1845 to 1848, John Wheeler; 1849, William Williams; 1850 to 1852, Miles Vanfleet; 1853-54, E. C. McLain; 1855. Amos Wheeler; 1856, P. J. Picket; 1857-58, Isaac Roby; 1859, R. D. Morison; 1860 to 1864. Joseph T. Ward; 1865 to 1877, Anderson Williams; 1878-79, S. G. Harriman, 1880 to 1882, M. M. Thompson.
Treasurers-.1839 to 1848, Portius Wheeler; 1849 to 1851, John Wheeler; 1852 to 1860, Portius Wheeler; 1861 to 1864, John Wheeler; 1865 to 1872, William Harriman; 1873, Robert Morison; 1874 to 1876,
610 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Robert Thompson; 1877-78, Thomas Ballinger; 1879-80, William David; 1881-82, Frank Wheeler. In 1841, the Treasurer's commission was $5.87 1/2. In 1881, it amounted to $55.73 quite an increase in forty years.
Assessors-1856, R. D. Morison; 1857, William Mathews, 1858, Anderson Williams; 1859, J. B. Wheeler; 1860-61, R. D. Morison; 1862, Anderson Williams; 1863 to 1865, John S. Bowers; 1866-67, George W. De Long; 1868, Joseph Morison; 1869, J. S. Kelly; 1870, Joseph Morison: 1871, J. S. Kelly; 1872, Joseph Morison; 1873-74, J. S. Kelly; 1875, Oscar Harvey; 1876, George W. Wright; 1877, Oscar Harvey; 1878-79, Wright Head; 1880-81, Alfred Fisher; 1882, George W. Wright,
ROADS AND PIKES.
This township is generally well supplied with gravel for constructing gravel roads, but as yet it has not been brought into very extensive use for this purpose. There are an abundance of roads coursing in almost all directions through the township, but are all mud roads except two. The Kenton & Marion pike has been built several year, and is an excellent road. Of more recant construction is the pike from Mount Victory, connecting with the first mentioned pike at the Judge Wheeler place. Other roads need graveling, and doubtless will receive the attention of the people to that end. erelong. The township has one railroad, recently completed, the Atlantic & Pacific, which passes east and west through the township on the north side of the Scioto River. along its valley to Kenton. On the mouth half of Section 10, on the farm of Mr. Hopkins, is a fine gravel bank, and while constructing the railroad. which runs through this farm, the company tried to buy a few acres of this gravel for their use, but, as it was in the central portion of the farm. Mr. Hopkins would not sell it, and finally the company bought the whole farm, lying south of the Kenton & Marion pike. Here they have erected a depot and established a regular station. They have platted and laid out a portion of the farm into lots, streets and alleys, for a town. As there is no town or village within the township, we have no doubt that their project will meet with favor and success and the establishment of a town and post office here, with the various branches of mercantile and mechanical industries, will be of great advantage and convenience to the surrounding community.
SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse erected in Dudley Township was on the place of one of its first settlers-Moses Dudley. This was of the most primitive kind-round log, stick and mud chimney, puncheon floor, slab seats and greased paper windows. The first teacher was Hampton Wood and the second Benjamin Boynton. Soon after, the schoolhouse known as the Kell,, Schoolhouse was built, constructed in the sane rough, primitive manner. And thus, from settlement to settlement, from time to time, sprang forth the pioneer schoolhouses; and as wealth and comfort were vouchsafed to the people, the rude log houses were replaced with good. neat and comfortable frame houses, until now (1883) the township is divided into ten sub-school districts, with an equal number of good schoolhouses. The total receipts of the township for the year 1882 for school purposes were $3,381.34; total expenditures for the same year, $3,116.21; balance on hand September 1, 1882, $235.13; average wages of male teachers, $34; average wages of female teachers, $24; average number of weeks, schools were in session, twenty-seven; number of teachers necessary to supply schools, ten; total value of school property, $10,000.
DUDLEY TOWNSHIP - 611
CHURCHES.
The first to effect a religious organization here warn the Free-Will Baptists. At the house of William Salmon, in 1834, Rev. David Dudley organized a church with the following seven constituent members: William Salmon and wife Mary, Asa Davis and wife Jane, John G. Marks and wife Jane, and a Mrs. Gardner. Their meetings and services ware hold in private houses and in schoolhouses until about 1863-67, when, as many had died and others moved away, the membership had become so reduced that services were discontinued, and they ceased to exist as an organization The following ministers served this church as its pastors: Revs. David Dudley, Isaac Dodson, Aaron Hatch, George Baker, Kendal Higgins, John Wallace, Mr. Cope, O. E. Baker, James Aldrich ant D. D. Halstead, John G. Marks and Banjamin Boynton served the church as its clerks.
Pisgah Methodist Episcopal Church, - It is thought by some that this society was organized prior to the above Free-Will Baptist. but whichever was first, it is evident they were both organized near the same time, and perhaps in the same year. The first class of this society consisted of Solomon Goss and wife, Uriah Williams, Mary Williams, William Williams and wife, Sarah Young, Elizabeth Elzy, Josiah Roby and wife, Matilda Roby, Mary Ann Roby, Daniel Cable and wife, Abel Allen and Rebecca Allen, with Josiah Roby as leader. Their meetings were held in private, houses and schoolhouses until the spring o f 1843, when they erected a hewed log house 25X30 feet. for church purposes. This house served them till about 1858. The present frame edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,000, and the same was dedicated to service. The erection and dedication of this house was accomplished during the services of Rev. James DeLiel as pastor. Among the early pastors of this church were Revs Harvey Camp, Mr. Nation. Archibald Fleming, Samuel Shaw, Mr. Ball, Mr. Day, Mr. Wareham, Mr. Bissell, Mr. Welch, William Boggs, Samuel Boggs, Mr. Ray, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Mathers. Early Class Leaders were Josiah Roby, Daniel Cable, William Plugh, Henry Badley, Hanson Roby and William Williams. At one time, this church reached a membership of about sixty. Sickness and death and moving away have decimated their numbers, till at the present time they have a membership of about thirty, with Jefferson Williams as pastor and Solomon Cook as Class Leader. They early established a Sabbath school, which was conducted through the summer seasons for many years, with good attendance, but of late years it has greatly decreased in attendance and interest.
Reinhart Chapel, Methodist Episcopal, was organized in 1839 by Rev. Enos Holmes, at the old log schoolhouse. The class consisted of Francis Latimore, Araminta Latimore, Henry Jackson, Mary Jackson, Henry Burris, Hester Burris, Frederick Kemper, Jane Kemper, Henry Shanks and Elizabeth Shanks. They held services in the old schoolhouse till it was burned down, then they were held at the house of Francis Latimore. Subsequently, a new schoolhouse was erected, in which they held services until the summer of 1873, when the present frame edifice was erected for church purposes at a cost of $1,400. The house was dedicated to service in August of the same year, Rev. Thomas Harvey Wilson preaching the dedicatory sermon. The following have served as pastors: Revs. Enos Holmes, Mr. Santly, John K. Ford James McNabb, Zephaniah Bell, Mr Godman, Thomas Harvey Wilson, Mr. Morris, Mr. Frisbee, Mr. Wareham Samuel Boggs, Lemuel Herbert, Hr. Taylor, Mr. Brigley, Caleb Hill, Will iam Boyer, Mr. Shaffer, Mr. Bull, Frank B. Olds, William Dunlap, James
612 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Clement, William LaMaster, Leonard Cook, Mr. Bowers, and Joshua Longfellow; Class Leaders, Henry Jackson, Frederick Kemper, Joseph Munger and John Smith. Present membership, about sixty-five, with Rev. William Day as pastor, and Thomas Ballinger and Frederick Kemper as Class Leaders. Trustees, Robert Powlson and Raymond Ballinger. A Sabbath school was organized about 1850, and has been continued through the summer seasons ever since, with good interest and attendance. averaging about sixty-five, with Thomas Ballinger as Superintendent.
Otterbein United Brethren in Christ. - This church was organized in March, 1850, by Rev. Robert Weeks, at the house of Benjamin Kelly. The class consisted of the following persons: James H. Lingo, Emeline Lingo, Benjamin Kelly, Martha Kelly, Benjamin Kelly, Jr., William Kelly, Isabel Kelly, Henry Burris, Hettie Burris. Margaret Barris, John Latimore, Sarah Latimore, Francis Latimore, Frederick Kemper, Jane Kemper. Sarah Kemper, Sanford Kemper, Henry Shanks, Elizabeth Shanks. and others, to the number of about thirty. Services were held in the Kelly Schoolhouse until the summer of 1875, when the present frame church edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,400, and the house was dedicated in August of the same year, Bishop Weaver preaching the dedicatory sermon. The following have served as pastors: Revs. Robert Weeks, Mr. Powell, P. P. Landon, Mr. Lay, F. B. Hendricks, Mr. Forbes, Samuel Fairfield. Mr. Marks, Mr. Hall, Thomas Downey. T. W. Hughs, C. Bodey, James Wilkinson. Jacob Kiracofe, Reuben :More, J. W. Wentz, Jacob Parthamore, David Davis and J. C. Montgomery. Class Leaders, Benjamin Kelly, James H. Lingo, John Thompson. Parker Lee, Samuel Linton, Oscar N. Harvey and James Lingo, Jr. Present membership, 116, with J. C. Montgomery as pastor and Samuel Marshall as Class Leader: Trustees, Joseph Kelly, John Kinney and James H. Lingo. A Sabbath school was established soon after the organization of the church, and has been continued through the summer seasons to the present, with good attendance, averaging about sixty, with Vincent Kinney as Superintendent.
CEMETERIES.
There are three established places of interment in Dudley Township. The first was the one now known as the Lee Cemetery, which is located on the Kenton & Marion pike, in Section 9. The ground was donated by John Henry, and contains about one acre of ground, pleasantly located on a high, elevated position, and is now and has been, for several years, in the care of the Trustees of the township. This was dedicated to use by the reception of the body of Samuel Codner, who died March 30, 1833, since which, it has received the mortal remains of many of the early settlers and others of this neighborhood and vicinity. The next established, was the one located about one mile and a half west of the Lee Cemetery, also on the Kenton pike on Section 8. This is smaller in size, but is also in care of the Trustees. The third is the Otterbein Cemetery, situated on the west and adjoining the Otterbein United Brethren Church. This consists of one acre of ground, which was donated to the church by John Latimore in 1850. It remained in care of the Trustees of the church till about 1866-67, when they deeded it to the Trustees of the township, who have surrounded it with a good substantial board fence, and, under whose supervision, it is now expected it will receive due care. The first to be interred here was a child of a Mr. Hockingberry.