CHAPTER XXIX. HILLIAR TOWNSHIP. In the extreme southwestern part of Knox county is what is known as Hilliar township. It was created from territory formerly a part of Miller township, and the change was effected August 28, 1818, as shown by the county records : "Ordered that a new township be, and hereby is formed as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of said county of Knox and running east on the line between Knox and Licking counties, seven and a half miles; thence north five miles to the line dividing the fifth and sixth townships; thence west seven miles and a half to the west boundary of Knox county ; thence south five miles to the place of beginning; which shall be known and called Hilliar township. Then on March 9, 1825, the lines were changed again, as follows: "The township of Hilliar shall be composed of the fifth township in the fifteenth range." As thus formed the territory embraced sixteen thousand acres, owned by four individuals, and was divided into four equal parts. The names of the owners were, "Rathbone," "Dayton," "Hilliar" and "Parker" sections. The Hilliar section was the first to come into the market, and it was where the first settlement was made, hence the newly formed township was named in honor of Dr. Richard Hilliar, one of the four original proprietors. The land in this township is level, or gently rolling and not rough, as in many parts of Knox county. The north fork of Licking traverses this township from northwest to southeast, passing near the enterprising town of Centerburg. Dry creek drains the northeast corner of the township, while numerous smaller streamlets are found in different parts of the territory. Originally, this township had a heavy growth of fine sugar maple and walnut, but much of it was ruthlessly destroyed before the country at large knew how valuable it would soon become. Ash, white oak and elm also abounded in large quantities, all first class timber, save the last named. In the early eighties large quantities were being shipped by rail to distant parts of the country for manufacturing purposes. Here, as elsewhere in Knox county, coal is not a commodity of home production. but is shipped in when needed. 326 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. There are but two Indian or prehistoric mounds within Hilliar. The population of the township in 1910, including the town of Centerburg, was 1,359, about the same as ten years previous. The settlement in this township dates from the time when Dr. Richard Hilliar, a native of England, came to Zanesville, in 1805, and the following season came into what is now Hilliar township, one-fourth of which he purchased from Jonas Stanbery, of Newark, Ohio. The year 1806 he built his log cabin in the southwest part of the tract now called after him. His family then moved into the new house and the settlement was indeed opened. The next settlement was effected by Messrs. Joseph Jennings, Jacob Houck, James Houck, Joseph Kerr and George Hinton with their families, who located on lands purchased of Dr. Hilliar. The third little colony that came in for permanent settlement consisted of William Russell, William Reynolds, John Borden and Elijah Dowell, when the woods began to resound with the axe and nature was beginning to be tamed by civilized hands and intelligent brains. The Indians were friendly at first, but matters changed some in consequence of the coming on of the war of 1812-14, at which time a pioneer seldom ventured outside his own cabin home without taking his trusty old rifle. Yet much of this was imaginary, for there were no real Indian outbreaks here. The matter of milling was of much importance to the people in Hilliar township, and they decided to petition the county commissioners to build a road to Mt. Vernon for them. It was finally surveyed, but the authorities .decided it would be too expensive to cut a road through the forests at that date and so notified the people of the township. However, they were not to be beaten that way, but put their combined strength and forces together and made the highway themselves. Before then they had been compelled to go to Zanesville for their milling. EARLY-DAY INCIDENTS. Good men were plentiful in those days, and some of them, conscious of their muscular superiority, were not a little quarrelsome, but the best man among them never picked a fight and was never whipped, and that person was Stephen Sutton. Early agriculture was pursued with much difficulty. The first plows were designated "go-devils ;" some called them "bull-plows." The Jethroe wood plows were a great improvement over all others before known. That KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 327 plow had an iron shear, secured by a bolt and nut. Thomas Hinton owned one of these plows, which was the wonder of the neighborhood. Philander Bailey was hired to run the new implement and at first it worked well, but not long before it refused to remain in the soil, so stones were piled upon the beam to weight it down. Mr. Hinton soon appeared on the scene and upon examination found that they had lost off the iron shear and had actually plowed several rounds without it being on ! When grain was raised it was usually threshed by horses treading over it, going round in a circle. It was then winnowed on a sheet and large wooden fan. Sickles were used in reaping in those first days of agriculture in Knox county. In 1820 William Reynolds constructed a "grip" cradle, which was soon followed by the true type of grain cradle which laid the grain in a smooth swathe ready to be taken up in order by the man who raked and bound it into bundles. The first wind mill was introduced in 1825 by a Mr. Matthews, and the first grass cutting mower by George Jones. The first threshing machine in Hilliar township was operated by "Brad" Follett. At the presidential election in 1820, only twelve votes were cast for presidential electors, Jeremiah Morrow had twelve and John McLaughlin twelve. In 1824 the Adams electors received fifteen votes each, while the Clay votes only numbered two. Dr. Richard Hilliar was the first settler and also was the first person to die within the township named for him. The first graveyard in the township was the land donated by James Houck, and the next one was established at Centerburg by the Baptist people. The earliest mills were built on the north fork of the Licking creek, one by Jacob Houck in 1835, and another by Samuel Hupp. At these mills white walnut timber was worked into fine finishing lumber, while black walnut was made into clapboard lumber and sold in large quantities. Lewis Rinehart built a tannery near Rich Hill in 1835 and in 1847 Gideon Sutton and Daniel Wolfe built a carding machine and fulling mill in the town of Centerburg-. A steam grist mill was set in operation at this point in 1874 and was a paying enterprise many years. For the history of the churches and schools, see general chapters. where all are treated at length. In passing, it should be added that Jacob Houck conducted a hotel a mile and a half from Centerburg, and there William Houck worked at the blacksmithing trade. 328 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO The matter of roads was much agitated by the people in this part of Knox county, but not until 1830 was any action taken toward making a real highway for public use to Mt. Vernon. This was done by an act of the Ohio Legislature in 1829, making a state road from Mt. Vernon to Columbus. The road finally took the old roadway cut out by the pioneers before mentioned as making their own road through the forest. Colonel B. Barney established a line of stage coaches, and in the fall of 1831 Neil & Moore were awarded the contract for carrying the mail. Horses were changed three times between Mt. Vernon and Columbus. William Houck and Benjamin Jennings were the original stage drivers there. Later, another—an opposition line—was put on by Walker & Company. As to the growth of population in Hilliar township, the following may be of interest to the reader : In 1820 it had sixty people; in 1830 it had 200; in 1840, it had 1,012 ; in 1850, it had 1,14i ; in 1870, its population had decreased to 931 ; in 1880 it had 1,101 ; in 1890, it enumerated 1,296; in 1900 it reached 1,341 ; in 1910, the last United States census gives the township 1,359. This includes Centerburg, which was placed at 723. The following statement was made many years since by the pioneer, James Houck, then residing in Goldfield, Iowa : "Will say regarding the founder of Hilliar township, Dr. Richard Hilliar, that I knew him well. He was a good looking man, full of ambition and of medium size. He would never transact any business with a man who had once deceived or lied to him. When he came to this township he lived in a pole house, and had seven acres of land cleared ; the work was done by a man named Hyatt Williamson. Dr. Hilliar was affected with consumption and dropsy, but boasted that he lived eighteen years in spite of death. Before his death he broke down some brush near a cherry tree in the woods, about thirty rods southwest of the forks of the Sunbury road, and directed that he be buried there and his grave left unmarked, and he wanted no man to say, 'Here lies old Doctor Hilliar.' His orders were obeyed, and no man knoweth of his grave to this day.' " VILLAGES OF CENTERBURG AND HILLIAR. One of the most important places in Knox county, aside from Mt. Vernon, is the enterprising village of Centerburg, which was platted into lots in October, 1830, by Edson Harkness, surveyor, and it appears to have been, recorded December 24, 1834, by Stephen Sutton and Jacob Houck, owners of the land. They called it Centerburg as it is near the center of Hilliar township. The first house was erected on lot No. 35. by Harvey KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 329 Jones, who also kept the first tavern and opened the first dry goods store in 1835. -At that time the entire travel from the lake region to Columbus passed through Centerburg, and great offers were made by rival stage lines to secure the greatest number of passengers and make the best time, as by these means they hoped to secure the mail contracts. Hence the horseflesh was not spared and the driver who could drive up in front of Jones' tavern with the most passengers, ahead of the other driver, was thought to be a knight of the road sure! But these things all changed with the coming of the Newark & Sandusky railroad in 1851, when the trains carried both mail and passengers, leaving the stage coaches to be sold and sent on to the far western country that had not yet heard the neigh of the iron horse. At about the same time the proposed line of railway called the Springfield, wit. Vernon & Pittsburg, was surveyed through the township and it ran via of what has since been known as Rich Hill. In August, 1852, Aaron D. Rinehart laid out a town and named it in honor of Dr. Hilliar. Here, the first house was built in 1853 by Richard Shackleford. John Miller built a steam grist mill, and Michael Ross kept a general store. Hilliar bid fair to be a lively rival for Centerburg, but as the road failed to materialize it went into decay. In 1880 it went by the name of Rich Hill and had one store, a few shops and the postoffice. Over about the same route, however, was built the Toledo & Ohio railroad through the township in 1880, which greatly increased the business of Centerburg. CENTERBURG POSTOFFICE HISTORY. Harvey Jones was the first postmaster at Centerburg in 1834 or 1835 and received mails over the stage line. He was succeeded by Nimrod Bishop, Edward Gant, Chester Heldt, Smith Hadley, J. Scott, Enoch Nichols, Daniel Wolfe, Robert Woods, Enoch Nichols (again), Robert Jackson, Charles Gregory, Charles Jennings, 1880, M. F. Hasson, C. J. Updike, Maurice Welsh, Frank Mercer, and the present incumbent, C. H. Bishop. No. 1 rural route was established December 15, 1900; Nos. 2, 3 and 4, February I , 1902. The amount of business in this postoffice (outside money order work) was three thousand and forty dollars and forty-four cents. October 3, 1901, the office was robbed, the safe blown open and a large sum in stamps and cash taken one of the thieves was captured and sent to prison from Knox county. 330 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. INCORPORATION HISTORY. The date of incorporation was September 14, 1875, as shown by county records. The present municipal officers are : Mayor, Dr. S. Robert Best ; clerk, A. W. Brown; treasurer, R. B. Ramey; marshal, L. B. Evans; council, C. W. Stinemates, Homer Smith, C. B. Smith, O. B. Messmore, L. M. Daily, R. B. Bishop. A system of water works, under the lease plan, is being attended to this year (1911). It will cost about twenty-five thousand dollars. The village uses the old brick township building for offices. etc. It was erected in 1893. As near as can be learned now, the following have served as mayors of Centerburg: D. C. Oberholtzer, C. J. Updike, F. W. Cotton, A. A. Higgins, L. M. Bell, C. L. Bowers, M. L. Messmore, H. C. Fickle and Dr. S. Robert Best, the present mayor The only means of fighting fire in the village now is by the street cistern supply of water and the hand engines, used by a volunteer company of about two dozen men. BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1911. Farm implements, E. E. McGuire ; hardware, C. W. Stinewates, E. D. Updike, C. L. Bowers ; hotels, "Park," by R. E. Glaze ; furniture, Kasson & Grubb; dry goods, Miller & Tuttle; grocers, C. L. Willis, Baker & Payne. C. B. Smith ; clothing, Jesse Spira ; boots and shoes, Homer C. Smith, E. E. McGuire ; millinery, Miss Maude Foster. Mrs. Ella Hess; mills, Burrer & Sons ; lumber and coal, Fred C. Bishop; coal and hay, A. W. Rizor; grain, T. W. Updike & Son ; stock dealers, Smoots & Jacobs, T. W. Updike; produce houses, Homer C. Smith and E. E. McGuire ; barbers, E. R. Brown, R. E. Baker, C. C. Ash ; undertaker, D. H. Purdy : tin shop, Swetland & Hewitt ; insurance, Bishop, Bishop & Darling, Holman Dally ; harness, W. A. Barnard ; blacksmiths, Elmer Borden. F. W. Cotton ; restaurant, J. W. Truex ; creamery, Westerville Creamery Company ; cement blocks, F. C. Bishop; jewelry, D. C. Oberholtzer ; photographs, G. W. Stinewates ; monuments, W. M. Kasson ; livery, Fouts Bros.; banking, Centerburg Savings Bank, First National Bank ; building and loan, C. H. Bishop, secretary ; newspaper, Gazette, by L. M. Bell ; physicians, Drs. S. Robert Best. \V. B. Merriman, S. 0. Gantt, W. 0. Phillips ; dentists. A. W. Brown. J. B. Wilson & Son ; drugs, E. B. Walter, Hulse & Henry ; hoop and stave works, W. T. Leatherman ; tile factory, Landrun & Landrun. CHAPTER X XX. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. In March, 1829, Jefferson township was organized by the county commissioners of Knox county. It is located in the northeast corner of the county ; bounded on the north by Ashland county and a part of Holmes; south by Union township; east by Holmes county ; west by Brown township, Knox county. At the election held in 1832 at the house of Frederick Rice the following were elected : Trustees, Alexander Greer, Josiah Frost, John Hibbetts ; constables, Alvin Critchfield and Jesse Casteel ; Robert McMillen, fence viewer. This township was named, as might naturally be supposed, for Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States. In 1876 a strip one mile wide was taken from the south side of the township and annexed to Union. Here one finds some of the most interesting geological scenery and formations in the county. The general topography is very uneven and hills, almost like mountain ranges, are seen here and there, with their peaks pointing skywards. In the early days these hills and glens afforded a safe and ready retreat for the vicious, wild animals and snakes which abounded in great numbers. Dens of rattlesnakes were a frequent occurrence. Foxes, coons, opossums and wild turkeys were numerous twenty-eight and thirty years ago. The principal stream is the Mohican river, crossing the eastern portion of the township from north to south. Interesting relics were dug and plowed up by the pioneers, the same having been made and used by a people superior to our known North American Indians, but who they were and when these people lived here we can but simply guess at. On the old George Bird farm. near Greersville, were several mounds and the early settlers explored them, finding human skeletons, ashes and charcoal. There are also ancient fortification works and trenches built hundreds and possibly thousands of years ago. In the vicinity of Greersville the peculiar formations of rock are named as in Colorado. There is the Alum rock, over which flows a water impregnated with alum. When exposed to the sunlight much pure crystalized alum is found left on the rock. Many years since this came to be a favorite resort for pleasure parties of both young and old, who saw much of the curious as well as beauty in the scenes hereabouts. Whortleberries grow in great abundance on the hills o fthis township and hundreds of bushels are annually gathered by the people of the two counties. 332 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. The population of Jefferson township in 1910 was 802, showing a great loss over former years. In 1900 it stood 1,018 and in 1890 it was placed by the government census at 1,011. Just who was the first person to effect a settlement in Jefferson township is not easy to determine at this late date in the county's history, and indeed it matters but little who it might have been, as long decades ago he was laid to rest. Among the first, it is quite certain, were Isaac Enlo• and Nicholas Helm, who probably came a short time after the close of the war of 1812-14. It is not known or believed that others were here prior to that time. On account of the hilly, rough grade of land found here, other portions of Knox county were taken up long before this was, as it very naturally would have been the last settled. Others who braved the dangers and hardships incident to pioneer life in Jefferson township must not be omitted, John Melton, Aaron Mathene, Andrew McKee, Ephraim McMillen, Jacob Shiner, Elisha Ross. John Dailey, Alexander Darling. James Henderson. John Hibbetts, Josiah Trimbley, Joseph Critchfield and George Greer. The last named family have long been identified with the township and county of which this work is an historical account. During the war of 1812-14 Mr. Greer did much to promote the formation of companies for defending the frontier against the English and to ward off the blows being inflicted by Indian tribes. For over forty years some of the Greer family have been justices of the peace. Robert Greer, a native of Ireland, horn in 1806, came to Jefferson township in 1827, after receiving a splendid education in his native country. He farmed, taught school and was justice, of the peace. He died in 1865, his only child being Abraham W. Greer. "Night and Day," as he was known because of his untiring work, another Pioneer named Jacob Colopy emigrated from Maryland to Knox county in 1812, first settling three miles south of Mt. Vernon, but in 1825 moved to Jefferson township. Later he retired and lived at the village of Gann. Absalom Shrimplin, son of John Shrimplin, one of Knox county's earliest settlers, was born in Owl creek valley, in 1806, the second white child born in Knox county, while his mother, Elizabeth Shrimplin, nee Morrison, was the second female child born in Ohio, it is said. Mr. Shrimplin entered Jefferson township soon after it was organized. James Withrow, from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, came to Jefferson township in 1836, settling on section 4. He succeeded in defeating Hon. Columbus Delano for a seat as state representative in 1851, he being elected on the Democratic ticket. Another interesting character of this township, in an early time, was Samuel Beck, from West Virginia, who married Mary Seaman, of Virginian KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 333 birth. Mrs. Beck resided near Bethany, Virginia, and was intimately acquainted with John Doddrige, historian of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and with Alexander Campbell, founder of the Disciples church. She heard him preach his first famous sermon on immersion, at a private house in Bethany. Mr. Beck died in 1844 in Jefferson township. He was a thrifty, enterprising citizen. Jonathan Rice came into this township from Allegany county, Maryland, in 1831. Soon after his settlement in the township, there was a grand reunion of all settlers who participated in a great union hunting expedition, covering the settlements of Jefferson, Brown and Union townships. It is related that more than one thousand persons took part in this hunt. There were but few wolves and bears then, but deer, foxes, wild turkey and smaller game were very abundant. A central point was selected and officers elected to manage the incoming forces. "The lines were formed in a square, enclosing several miles, and the men were all provided with guns, clubs, tin horns. knives, pitchforks, axes, etc. At a given signal the forces advanced toward the center, every man and boy making as much noise as possible. As the advancing columns approached one another, turkeys began flying over ; the frightened game rushed from side to side, seeking an avenue of escape, and by reason of mismanagement, a gap in the lines was left open, through which most of the coveted game made its escape. This was the last grand circular hunt in the township." The first grist mill in the township was constructed by John Greer in 1833, on the Mohican river. He also added a. saw mill to the flouring mill. Later, a larger flouring mill plant was erected at Mt. Holly, now called Gann Station. The schools and churches will be mentioned at length in the chapter on such subjects in this volume. VILLAGE OF GREERSVILLE. The only village in Jefferson township is Greersville. located in the eastern part of the territory. It was platted by pioneer Robert Greer in 1836: it is on the Mohican river. four miles north of Gann, and the census of 1880 gave the hamlet a population of seventy people. Simon Hull erected the first house and James Greer opened the first general store. It grew to a good sized village and today there is a fair trading point there. CHAPTER XXXI. JACKSON TOWNSHIP. Named in honor of Gen. Andrew Jackson, this sub-division of Knox county was organized from a part of Morgan township, September 4, 1815. This is a rough township, topographically speaking, and in its southern portion has numerous large hills. The soil, however, is very productive. Fine springs of pure water are found here and there over the township, which afford a good supply of water for man and beast. Several streams course their way through Jackson township, and these include the Wakatomica, that rises in Coshocton county, runs west across the township near the line of Clay township, thence south in a meandering course, passing out of the township into Licking county. In the center of the township rises Jug creek and this runs southeast into Coshocton county. Along the Licking-Coshocton county line there has been found a very superior quality of iron ore, but it has never been mined for commercial uses. The once heavy timber of this county, embracing this goodly township, with others, has been cut away in the settlement of the county, until only enough remains for home use. In the pioneer years of the township there was a vast amount of wild game and the settlers killed large numbers of deer, bear and other wild animals. Snakes have always been here in too great numbers to make one feel at ease in warm weather. As late as 188o John Farquhar found a black-snake measuring eleven feet in length and not until after a desperate fight was he enabled to kill it. When the township was first inhabited by white men they found large numbers of Indians who visited here from Greentown and Upper Sandusky on semi-annual hunting trips. It had evidently been the hunting grounds of Indians many decades, for numberless relics, including stone implements, hammers, arrow-heads, etc., have from time to time—even are now—picked up in this township. Through this township passed the Greentown and Coshocton Indian trail, which was used by the first settlers for roads, none better then being within the county. Here, too, are evidences of Indian (or some say Mound Builders') works for fortification in times of war. One of these was found on the farm owned later by Mrs. I. Kerr. It was a wide trench, encircling a small hill on which her residence was erected. The frequent plowing and washing of the land has about obliterated the mound. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 335 FIRST SETTLEMENT. It is supposed that the first white settler to invade this part of Knox county and take up land and make for himself and family a permanent home, was Robert Eaton, who emigrated from Wheeling, West Virginia, in April, 1810. He selected a part of section 7. As a soldier, he had helped suppress the Whisky Insurrection, and had frequently seen Gen. George Washington. After living in Jackson many years, he went west. He had many golden opportunities for getting rich here, but it was not his way—he left a good country with but small means. The next settler was David Meelick, who located here in August, 1810. He also settled on section 7, purchasing a quarter section of government land at two dollars per acre. He was one of the first two justices of the peace elected after Jackson township was organized. This township was then one dense forest of hard and semi-soft woods. The forest literally swarmed with wild animals and game for eating purposes was plentiful on every hand. He was an expert with a rifle and it is stated that he killed hundreds of deer and other valuable animals in the first few years of his settlement. With the single exception of Robert Eaton, his only neighbors were the Delaware Indians. When he first plowed ground here he believed that it must certainly be several generations before the township would be 'settled up and its rich land all subdued, but he lived to see this all accomplished and his descendants are here and there throughout the neighborhood and county in goodly numbers today. Andrew McCamment, from Pennsylvania, came to Jackson township in 1819. He took land on section 19 and lived and farmed successfully until his death, in December, 1864. Another pioneer was George Holtz, from Belmont county, where he was born in 1800. About the close of the war of 1812-14 he moved to Coshocton county and to this township about 1830. He took government land at the government rate, which was about two dollars per acre. Samuel Davidson came in the same year from Maryland. He was in the war of 1812-14 and was at the battle of Bladensburg. William Hall was another early settler in Jackson township. He came from Pickaway, Ohio, but was a native of Pennsylvania. He came here in 1814 and located in the southern part of the township. He had a wife and ten children. Washington Houck, though not a "first settler" in the true sense, was horn in Huntingdon county. Pennsylvania, in 1799. visited Ohio in 1821, and, with a dollar and fifty cents in his pocket, walked the whole distance from Pennsylvania. returning home in November. He settled up all bills and 336 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. accounts due his creditors in his old home in the Keystone state and, with eight dollars left, packed his belongings and started back to Ohio, February 22, 1822, landing in Hilliar township the 20th of July, when he removed to Clay township and bought government land at ten shillings an acre. After paying for his land he had eighteen cents left on hand. After many years of residence in Clay, he sold and bought in Jackson township. At an early time tobacco was the principal crop among the farmers of Jackson and all southeastern townships in Knox county, and Mr. Houck was absent from home once for two weeks attending tobacco house raisings. He bought land where now stands the village of Bladensburg. He conducted a hotel there, as well as operated a general store, many years. John Donahey entered eighty acres on section 26 in 1810. He was from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1799. He was first to locate lands in the south part of Jackson township. His only near neighbors were Indians and the hills around about him were filled with ferocious wild animals and poisonous reptiles. He killed many deer and wild turkeys. He spent much of his time at assisting newcomers in providing cabins for themselves and in log-rollings. Peter Fry, who lived to be a hundred and more years old, came to Jackson township at a very early day. He was at St. Clair's defeat, being forty years old at that time. He recalled many Revolutionary events and frequently talked with Washington. He settled on section 7, but was not financially successful. Thomas Nichols arrived from Virginia in 1828 and took up government land in Jackson township. He was in the southern portion and was still residing there in the eighties. His sheep were frequently destroyed by the packs of hungry wolves in the near-by forest when he first made his settlement in the township. Others who made homes for themselves in the township were : Jacob Striker, Adam Earlywine, Robert Wilson, Joseph Scott, Daniel Massholder, Daniel Blue, Peter Miller, Christian Baughman, James Harris, John Wheeler, Elijah Harris, William Braddock and Daniel Striker. "Johnny Appleseed" was frequently seen here. One of the largest nurseries in Coshocton county being near this locality, he found market for his apple trees in Jackson township. Many of the first and best orchards in the township were started from trees procured through his nursery. A terrible tornado visited Jackson in early times. The date cannot now be fixed, but it is known that what few settlers there were here had much property destroyed by it. Orchards were uprooted and stock killed in large numbers. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 337 The first grist mill was erected in 1816 by Samuel Wheeler, and the first saw mill in 1818, by S. Brown. These mills were run constantly in supplying the newcomers with flour, meal and native lumber. In 1818 a carding mill was put in motion by Samuel D. Ross. Until the establishing of Bladensburg in 1833, there were no stores in Jackson township and Coshocton or Mt. Vernon had to be resorted to for trading purposes. In 1817, however, I. D. Jackson started a little store at Martinsburg, then a place of a half dozen houses. He bought all the tobacco raised in that section, and this was no small amount, for be it remembered that the south part of Knox county was a great tobacco raising district in the early history of the county. In this way the farmers were enabled to pay for lands and keep up taxes each year. This, with the distilling of rye and corn into whisky, gave a good ready money revenue and all hands worked, and most all drank, too. The last still-house, however, had disappeared by Civil war times. See general chapters for an account of schools and churches in Jackson township. VILLAGES IN JACKSON TOWNSHIP. The only village within Jackson township is Bladensburg. The first village started was named Front Royal, located on the farm owned by William Darling, in the north part of the township, about 1832. It had a small store and a blacksmith shop, with several residences. For a number of years it flourished as a country village, but when it became known that the title to the land on which the lots had been platted was not good, the place was soon abandoned, so that not a sign of a village is to be discovered on the spot today. Bladensburg was laid out in 1833 by John and Samuel Wheeler and Washington Houck. This place lies in both Clay and Jackson townships, but the greater portion in Jackson township. The first house was erected by Washington Houck, who also started a blacksmith shop and conducted the hotel. Later he engaged in merchandising. The original store of the village was opened by John Wheeler in 1833. He was a prominent citizen, a Whig in politics and a great factor as a working member in the Disciples church. He later removed to Iowa. He was Bladensburg's first postmaster and 'Washington Houck was the letter carrier. Mail came once each week from -Martinsburg, the carrier going on foot, a distance of four miles, for which he was paid the sum of eight dollars or eighteen months' service. Other postmasters have been John Hanna, Eliza- (22) 338 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. beth Hanna. James P. Ross, 1880, Emma W. Gardner, from 1885 to 1893 ; A. Blue, 1893 to 1897; N. K. Ramsey. from July 1, 1897, to the present date. A rural delivery route was established here October 1, 1903. The office has one mail each way daily ; the amount of business for this postoffice for the year ending June 30, 1911, was $527.31. A flourishing mill was built long before the town existed at this point. It was on the banks of the Wakatomica, whose waters propelled it. An early physician was Dr. A. C. Scott, who came in 1841 with pills and quinine and saddle-bags to heal the afflicted of pioneer disorders. He developed into a first class practitioner and practiced many years. The reader will be informed as to lodges, churches and schools by referring to the general chapters. In 1881 the business of Bladensburg consisted largely of the three dry goods stores, a grocery, a jewelry store, two hotels, a barber shop, a millinery store, a harness shop, several blacksmiths, a good grist mill, a saw mill. It had two hundred population. James Ross was postmaster at the date last given. Mails were had from Utica and it was then a daily service. BLADENSBURG IN 1911. The following have control of the social and business enterprises of the village in 1911 : General stores, C. V. Horn, Mizer & Hull ; hardware and grocery, E. L. Wolfe; restaurant, A. D. Hess; shoes, John Martin; undertaking, L. McCamment ; meats and groceries, Carpenter & Rine ; blacksmiths, Collins McQueen. D. M. Wiggins. Jesse Baird ; mill, Nathaniel Taylor ; physicians, W. W. Stonehocker, Norman Hull ; lodges, Masons, Knights of Pythias and Maccabees ; churches, Disciples and Presbyterian. CHAPTER XXXII. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. Liberty township was organized by the county commissioners June 4. 1822, when its boundary lines embraced very much more territory than at present. In March, 1825, it was cut down to the limits described herewith : "Ordered that Liberty township shall be composed of the sixth township in the fourteenth range." It is the second township from the south line and third from the north line in the county and on the western line, with Holmes for its western boundary. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad (as now called) runs through its southern part, with Mt. Liberty as a station point in the southwestern corner. It had a population of 808 in 1910, several hundred less than in the two previous federal census periods, it having 908 in 1900 and 1,044 in 1890. The surface in this part of Knox county is rolling, but not particularly rough and hilly. Its streams are Dry creek, Granny's creek and Armstrong's run. The soil is composed of a rich loam. One-third or half of the land within this township is under cultivation, the balance in grass and woodlands. Originally, timber covered the entire township and included the varieties common to this part of Ohio. The Mound Builders' works and fortifications in this township were but few and are not very noticeable at this writing. The only one deserving mention is that one mile to the east of Mt. Liberty village, where there was a mound thirty feet in diameter, originally ten feet hgh, but time and plowing have materially lowered it. Mr. Higgins, who owned the land, made excavations, but found nothing of interest—merely some ashes and charcoal. In an adjoining field, on much lower ground, is found a circular embankment, one hundred feet in diameter. This originally had the appearance of a military work or fortification. Mystery, of course. surrounds all of these Knox county "mounds." THE FIRST PIONEERS. The following constituted the early settlers in Liberty township : Francis Atherton, Francis Blakeney, Thomas Fletcher. George Ginn, Francis Hardesty, Alexander Dallas. These all came in from Washington county, Penn- 340 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. sylvania, in the spring of 1805, hence were among the first to locate in Knox county. They located on Dry creek. Mr. Atherton was a mechanical genius and built the first frame house in the township, the same being raised in 1808. He also built a mill—intended to be a grist mill—on Dry creek, but he died before its completion, and the mill was never made a complete success. Francis Atherton and wife buried the first child in the township. Alexander Dallas was a rough character, a distiller by trade; he was finally landed in the penitentiary for burning a neighbor's barn. In the spring of 1810 Joseph Higgins pitched his tent a mile to the east of the present site of Mt. Liberty. John Wilson was the earliest blacksmith. He had a shop in 1811 on land later owned by George Carey. Lewis Bricker, Sr., of Greene county, Pennsylvania, having faith in the West. desired to provide his large family of children with cheap lands. He purchased sixteen hundred acres in the northeastern portion of what is now Liberty township. in the spring of 1810. He sent Peter Bricker and George Lewis, his brother-in-law, and they, being homesick from the first, remained a time, but, hearing the hoot owls and wolves at night, they concluded to let the land go back. They reported that it was worthless and that no one could ever live here on account of the wild state of the country. They saw many Indians and hence did not want to bring their dear ones here to die. They went back. The father, however, being more used to hardships and frontier life, determined to make a second effort at utilizing his large landed interests here in Knox county. He sent another delegation, and kept on until he succeeded in getting Peter, George, John. Jacob, David, Solomon, Lewis, Catherine, Rachel and Mrs. George Lewis all to effect a settlement, and all succeeded in making good, comfortable homes and were finally glad they were ever induced to leave Pennsylvania and its mountains. These families all reared other children until the township was really a Pennsylvania colony. One of the Brickers being unable to erect his cabin in the late fall after he arrived, turned his big freight wagon box bottomside up and, with some changes, managed to live therein during the first winter in Liberty township. Later settlers, though considered early. were the Coyles, Humphries, Severes, Careys, Hollisters, Magoons, Gearharts and Wolfs. The first families had to undergo many a hardship, but finally made it win. Their descendants are in possession 0f much of the Liberty township of today, and are happy and prosperous. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 341 Gilman Bryant built the first successful mill in this township ; it was on Dry creek, near the present site of the county infirmary. He finished a saw 'mill in 1824 and a grist mill in 1825. A "corn-cracker" was put in motion by John Wilson in 1829 on the Proper place. Then mills of various kinds sprung up everywhere, including the plants built by Samuel Thatcher, Sr., on the north fork of Dry creek, in 1827, to which he added a carding mill in 1839 this was a half mile east of Mt. Liberty. He abandoned this mill after two years. He was known as the "mill-builder," but he was not a successful financier. Early hotels were the ones kept by Francis Wilkins, perhaps the earliest one; the one by Jerome Rowley; one by Samuel Thatcher, Sr., in 1833, and several others, where the weary traveler and land seeker might refresh himself with both food and drink. The first election was held in 1822, but no record of its results can be found today. Liberty township has come to be a good agricultural district. From the day when the first threshing machine was started by Leonard Weaver, and the first mower by Amos Leech, vast have been the changes in farm life. It is now one of the best sections for farming in Knox county. The churches, schools and lodges are spoken of in the general chapters under their several topic headings, hence will not need to be named here. VILLAGE OF MOUNT LIBERTY. Mt. Liberty and Bangs are the only towns in this township. Of Mt. Liberty, it may be said that it was situated on the old state road leading from Mt. Vernon to Columbus, in the best part of the country on Dry creek. Samuel Thatcher, Sr., owned the land and platted the village in company with George Beardsheare, October 8, 1835. The place grew very slow until fortunately the line of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad was surveyed through the county, since which time new life has shown its effect there in a good business point, for one so near the county seat city, Mt. Vernon. The railroad was built in 1872-3. Henry A. Childs, M. D., was the first doctor of the village, having come in 1837. In 1829 Henry Layering kept a small store, in which powder, lead, tobacco, whisky and a small assortment of groceries were kept for sale. Newton B. Rice started the first good store in the village, in 1832. Pioneer Layering was also the first postmaster at Mt. Liberty, being appointed in 1832, and was succeeded by the following persons : James 342 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Sever, John W. Cotton, Luther Hill, John McAllister, Dr. H. A. Childs, William Conway, Prentice S. Wilson, Williams McGaughey, E. D. Bryant, D. K. Waldruff, Judson Hildreth, C. R. Lineweaver, Daniel Veatch, G. R. Bowlby, J. P. Wintermute, who was in office in 1881. Since then there have been the following: Ramsey, Hawkins, Jackson, Whitefield, Robertson. The office only paid the sum of two hundred eleven dollars and forty cents in the year ending July, 1911. This office was robbed a few years since and the loss in stamps and money was eighty-eight dollars and fifty cents. There was another robbery of this postoffice, but no facts are at hand. In the autumn of 1911 the business of Mt. Liberty was as follows : R. B. McLaughlin, physician; W. R. Rowland, drugs and medicines; D. L. Teagarden, groceries; D. E. Wintermute, hardware and roofing; Coe & Buckmaster, hay, grain, poultry and cement ; J. M. Shafer & Son, hay dealers; O. M. Thatcher, poultry. The blacksmiths are L. M. Tucker and W. 0. Coe. The churches of the village are the Methodist Episcopal. Advent and Christian denominations. The only lodge of the village is the Knights of Maccabees. VILLAGE OF BANGS. Bangs—or Bangs Station, as sometimes called—is a little station point on the line between Liberty and Milford townships, on the Pennsylvania line of railroad, as called today. It derived its name after George H. Bangs, a United States mail superintendent when the office was established there. When the railroad was under construction in 1872-3, William H. Smith bought the adjoining land of Shannon Rowley, built a house and opened a store just opposite the county infirmary. He was made postmaster in 1873 and held the office many years. Others who have held this position at Bangs are : W. H. Smith, L. W. Spillman, from 1888 to 1907, when the office was turned over to the present postmaster, Ellis Oliver, who conducts the only store of the place now. Besides the above there is a good blacksmith shop and a Methodist Protestant church, built in 1860, with this inscription over the doorway : "My Father's House—Beulah Church." At Bangs is located the largest natural gas pumping station in this section of Ohio. It is the property of the Logan Natural Gas and Fuel Company. CHAPTER XXXIII. MILFORD TOWNSHIP. Milford township in 1808, with what now comprises Hilliar, Miller, Morgan and the west half of Clay, the south half of Pleasant, and the southwest quarter of Harrison townships, constituted Morgan township. On September 4, 1815, Morgan was divided by the county commissioners, forming a new township known as "Sycamore" township, which comprised what is now Hilliar, Milford, Miller, and a strip of land one mile wide from the west side of Morgan, and one section from the south corner of Pleasant. October 10, 1815, the name of the township was changed from Sycamore to Miller. In 1818 a petition was presented the commissioners of Knox county, asking that a new township be formed from the west end of Miller, to be called Hilliar and in August of that year this was granted. Then in 1833 a petition was presented asking for another new township to be taken from the west side of Miller, to be known as Milford and on March 3d of the same year this was granted. It embraces a territory five miles square and historian Norton remarks that its name was chosen after this wise : "The settlers met together and various names were proposed ; among the number, Judson Lamson proposed that it should be called Milford, taking the idea from his native town, New Milford, Connecticut. Some objection was offered to every other name but this, and in consideration of the fact that Mr. Lamson was one of the oldest settlers, and alSo it being a New England name—those present being all from 'down East'—it was finally adopted." Of its topography it may be briefly stated that this township is generally quite even and level, with some portions slightly rolling. Licking creek flows near the southern border, where the soil is exceptionally fertile. Sycamore creek rises in the western portion, crossing the territory to the east. Between these two streams the surface is level and very productive of excellent crops. Dry creek flows across the extreme northwest corner of the township. This is, as is most of Knox county, well fitted for grazing purposes. It was originally covered with forests, including the beech, rock maple, soft maple, elm, white and black hickory, white and swamp oak, black walnut, butternut, wild cherry, bass wood, cucumber, buckeye and some fine sycamore trees. 344 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Among the principal wild animals found here by pioneers were the deer, opossum, porcupine, black and grey squirrels, raccoon and common rabbits. Then there were immense flocks of wild turkeys, pheasants, owls, hawks, etc. The north half of this township consisted of unappropriated military lands. PIONEER SETTLERS. Milford's first permanent settler was Thomas Merchant, who, with James Pell, from Massachusetts, purchased the northwest quarter of section 5, being the northwest section of the township. They there erected their cabins and located with their families the same season. Late in the autumn of that year came John Davis with his family and they located on the southwest quarter of section 6. He was an elder in the Baptist church, and wore buckskin pantaloons. His wife was the first person to die in the township. The date was some time in 1818. In 1816 Major Buxton bought the southwest quarter of section 9, and his brother, Sylvester, the southeast quarter of the same section. Each built a cabin and remained about one year. They were Vermonters and the families have long years since passed from the county. John Beardslee, in 1817, purchased the southwest quarter of section 9 of Sylvester Buxton. His brother, William Beardslee, in 1818, bought the west part of this quarter section and remained permanently. In 1817 came two brothers, Harris and Stephen Hawkins, from Rhode Island, and purchased the Major Buxton place on section 9. In that year came Jacob Simons, from Vermont, who located in the northwest quarter of section 10. He had one son, Horton J., later of Mt. Vernon, and one daughter. It was also in 1817 when Aaron Hill, from Massachusetts, who had emigrated to Knox county in 1811, came in and purchased the northwest quarter of section 3. Erastus Riley and James Robinson bought the northeast quarter of section 1. James Fry bought the northwest quarter and John Lash the southwest quarter. It was also in 1817 when Judson Lamson, from Connecticut, came to claim land in section 8. He came from New Milford, Connecticut, and hence it was that finally the township was named for him. He came to this township in the month of February, and after making maple sugar during the month of March, returned to his native country on foot, performing the long journey at the rate of about fifty miles per day. The same year he returned with his family and located permanently. He died on his old homestead in May, 1867, KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 345 aged eighty-eight years. By trade he was a brick-mason and was known as the hardiest of all pioneers in the township. By about 1820 most all of the north part of the township had been taken up by actual settlers. Among the first up there was John Jeffers, in 1818, who settled on section 3. Jesse Smith located on section 2 ; Uziel Stevens. on the northeast quarter of the same section ; Leonard Simons, on the southwest quarter of section 10; John Simons, on section 9; Curtis Terril, on section 9. In 1826, Frederick J. Dinsey, of Maryland, purchased the west part of the northeast quarter of section 13, Cornelius Sharp locating on another part of the same section. In 1829 came Preserve Smith, a Connecticut Yankee, and bought the southeast quarter of section 8. The men who first set foot on the soil of Milford township were men of brains and muscle and made the best possible use of the country they came in to possess. The price of land was one dollar and a quarter per acre for congress lands and as high as four dollars for choice military lands, the first selected. The hard times seen in those days have forever disappeared. The hoot owl, the bear, the sickle and spinning wheel are all gone and a changed order of things obtains. When first these lands were bought, the wolves were very numerous and attacked the calves and devoured the lambs and sheep to such an extent that the county commissioners consented to offer a reward or bounty for the killing off of these forest pests of the animal kingdom: Three dollars a scalp was given for all sworn to have been killed within Knox county. On one occasion a great wolf hunt was planned. The entire surrounding country was invited and most all came prepared to do their best to exterminate the sheep-killing wolves. This was planned for a day in February, 1824, and was very exciting, but when the captains, generals and all interested in the "circular drive hunt" had counted up the day's results, it was learned that fifty-six innocent deer had been slaughtered, whereas not a single wolf had been captured. Mr. Wolf was altogether too cunning to be driven into any circle like that planned to trap him in. The first public road, known as the Columbus road, was laid in the township in 1808. About 1851 the Pittsburg, Mt. Vernon & Springfield Railroad Company was organized to build to Springfield, Ohio. Its proposed route was along the Milford township line on the north (where another company did finally construct one). For obtaining large subscriptions along the line, many inducements were held out. No stockholder was expected to pay more than the interest on his stock for twenty years, but the men who purchased stock had to guarantee by mortgaging their farms, which, strange to relate, many scores 346 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. of them did agree to. Hard times came on and the company failed, after having executed considerable grading work along the line. The citizens in Knox county, mostly along the route proposed, put up bonds to the amount of ninety-five thousand dollars, securing the same by first mortgages on their farms. The road was not built, but the bonds held (then) by innocent purchasers had to be paid, which caused much personal loss and distressed many a Milford farmer, and in cases broke them up for life. Such was the early-day railroading in this county and commonwealth. FIVE CORNERS. This is the name given to a place near the center of Milford township, where, about 1843, a postoffice was established called Milfordton. Emor Hawkins was first postmaster. There were two churches and a school house there early in the eighties that had been there many years. VILLAGE OF LOCK. This, too, is of ancient origin as a town site, but never has proven to be a place of much commercial or social importance. It is situated on the south line of the township, a part of it being in another county. In 1836 Abraham Abbot purchased the south part of lot l0 in the Burnett section, and engaged in the business of making potash. In 1837 he laid out a village and named his place "Lock." Isham Abbot was the first person to sell goods there. In 1839 a postoffice was established and Isham Abbot was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by Peter Eddy, Edwin Horton, Eber Smith, James Stearns, Washington Hildreth, who was appointed in 186o and was still in office in the early eighties, at which time the place supported two dry goods stores, a school house, three churches, a blacksmith shop, harness shop, cooper Shop, a wagon and boot and shoe repair shops. Several lodges have been formed at one time or another in this village and township. The 1910 federal census gave Milford township a population of seven hundred and six, as against seven hundred and ninety-two in 1890. The history of schools and churches will be found in their respective places in the general chapters of this volume. CHAPTER XXXIV. MORGAN TOWNSHIP. Morgan belongs to the southern tier of townships in Knox county. It was named after Gen. Daniel Morgan, noted in military affairs in Revolutionary days. As originally organized in May, 1808, it comprised what is now called Morgan, Hilliar, Miller, Milford, west half of Clay, and the south half of Pleasant township, with the southwest quarter of Harrison. When the general reorganization of townships took place in March, 1825, it was reduced to its present boundary lines. The streams that flow through its borders include the Sycamore, Tumas, Big run, Rocky fork and Muck Shaw run. Here, as in many places in Knox county, are to be seen several Indian mounds—so called—or possibly the work of a prehistoric people. One on the old James Campbell farm was originally about six feet high and forty feet in diameter. In the neighborhood have been discovered hundreds of arrowheads, but the interior of the mound has never been thoroughly explored by scientists, as have others within Knox county. Morgan is purely an agricultural district, where the fertile soil has made the farmers wealthy and independent, above many other sections of the state. The timber here is of the variety so common and valuable in this county--beech, maple, walnut, ash and oak. Thirty and more years since, it was claimed for Morgan township that it possessed more really valuable timber than any other in the county. Another feature here, for many years and in a measure today, is that the lands are owned in quite large tracts and there are not so many small farms as in other townships within the county. The pioneers at first were largely from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, with but here and there a foreigner—there being perhaps fewer of foreign birth than any place in Ohio. The first settlers located in the western part of the township. In 1890 the township had a population of 645.; in 1900, it had 650, and in 1910 the federal census gave it but 622. The first man to set stakes in this township, as near as can be learned from records and land papers, was John Green, who came from Maryland in either 1805 or 1806, entering land in the northwest part of the territory now known as Morgan township. He became a justice of the peace and an influential man in all public affairs. 348 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Cornelius Bartalow, Sr., was perhaps the next to invade the wilds of the township. He emigrated from Martinsburg, Virginia, in 1806, taking up forty acres of military land near the village of Utica, Licking county. When he came Indians were very numerous and constituted about all the near neighbors he had for a number of years. Later he removed to Clay township, near the village of Martinsburg, where he died in 1814, he being the second person buried in the cemetery there. Azariah Davis came from Greene county. Pennsylvania, and settled in Utica, Licking county. He was born 1756 and served in the war for independence. Just before coming from Pennsylvania, he harvested a crop of wheat which, when threshed, he hauled to Zanesville, Ohio, where he had it made into flour and stored in a mill warehouse there. As often as he needed to he went to Zanesville and procured flour from his storage. By such a precaution his family never went hungry, as did many another, for the lack of bread, until such times as he could clear up a patch and raise more grain. Jacob Hanger came in from Old Virginia about 1809, settling in the southeastern portion of this township. He married Rebecca Davis and they reared twenty children, ten of each sex, all becoming men and women of more than ordinary strength and usefulness to the world. Mr. Hanger served as justice of the peace for twenty-one years in this township. He passed from earth in 1834 honored by all within the radius of his acquaintance. The Pumphreys were numbered among the pioneers here. They were all zealous Methodists, and at their places stopped all of the early ministers of this denomination. Caleb, who was the eldest, died in 1817. John Sellers, who in 188o was the largest land owner in Morgan township, having at that date eleven hundred acres of choice land, came from Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, locating two hundred and fifty acres in the northern part of this township. He built a cabin, returned to Pennsylvania, and permanently settled here in 1824. Energy and perseverance were his chief traits. The great "Burlington storm," mentioned in the miscellaneous chapter, struck his farm in 1825, the year after his family came to the township. In 1819 Aaron Davis came from Essex county, New Jersey, and at one time was the only Whig living in the township. He was of good old Revolutionary stock, his father, Joseph Davis, having served several years in the patriot army, being one season a bodyguard to Washington. When the British army occupied Elizabethtown, New Jersey, he was engaged to be married in two weeks, and had bought his wedding suit, which the British secured with other plunder, and he afterwards saw an English officer wearing it. The marriage was postponed until that long war had ended. Aaron Davis lived in KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 349 this township many years and was among the most intelligent and upright men within its pioneer borders. He died in 1842. John F. McLain, who came to Morgan township in 1828, was an extensive land owner and live stock dealer. He also conducted an early store at Mt. Vernon. He died in 1858. The Bell family were numerous in this part of the county. James Bell came from Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1815, hauling his household goods overland, being seventeen days in coming. He settled in the eastern part of the township, where death overtook him in 1867. His son, Samuel, who was born in 1800, also lived here. A son of Samuel was William Bell, who served as sheriff and auditor of Licking county several terms, and was elected secretary of state in 1874, also serving as a railroad commissioner, by appointment of Governor Bishop. He belonged to what is known as the Bell Disciples church. Another emigrant from Pennsylvania was John Clutter, who in 1818 settled near the center of the township. He was a member of the Owl Creek Baptist church for more than sixty years. John Sperry, of Hardy county, Virginia, removed to Morgan township, this county, in 1812, settling two miles from Utica. Both he and his wife were killed by the cars of the Baltimore & Ohio road while crossing the tracks, with a team, on August 2, 1872. Another Virginian who made his home in this township was James Honey, who came in 1818, settling on the third military section. His early wheat crops he hauled to Zanesville, where he sold it at thirty-one and a fourth cents per bushel, paying five dollars for a barrel of salt. David Campbell, born in Ohio county, Virginia, came to the township in 1824, locating one hundred and forty acres on military lot number 14. Nehemiah Letts came from Greene county, Pennsylvania, to Morgan township in 1806. He first erected a frame house, southeast of the brick house on what was known as the Veasy Price land. He died in Morgan township in 1835 and was buried at the Owl Creek Baptist cemetery. He was an old Revolutionary war soldier. He became wealthy and gave each one of his children a large farm, from two to three hundred acres each. EARLY INCIDENTS. The Browns of this township were all good shots with the rifle. "On one occasion," says an early-day writer. "the elder Brown, needing some articles that could not he procured without cash determined upon securing a bear, as Lear hides always brought money. For the purpose he went out one moon-