100 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. necessary, as the people were dependent upon them for most of their farm implements, such as trace chains, hoes, axes, plows, and many necessary and indispensable articles. In the year 1818 Samuel Smith and family came from the state of Vermont and settled in this township. He purchased a large tract of land, containing about six hundred acres. On this farm he built the first brick house on the plains. The roof of this house was made by pine shingles, purchased in Cincinnati, from the dairy products, and wagoned through an almost trackless forest, requiring two weeks or more to make the round trip. Simeon Hager, who was born in 1766, emigrated to Ohio and settled in this township in 1814. Soon afterward he purchased a farm near Plain City and spent the remainder of his life in its management. He died at his home in 1843. He was the father of Simeon, Jr., Baldwin and Aurelius Hager. In the year 1817 Isaac Bigelow came to this part of Ohio with the idea in mind of opening up a great stock farm, and purchased land now covering, in part, the site of the village of Plain City. But the tide of emigration seemed toward the central portion of Ohio. The chief trading points of Zanesville, Chillicothe, Cincinnati and Sandusky were so distant that Mr. Bigelow conceived that idea of platting anew town for the convenience of the future settlers, where• they might make their necessary purchases of nails, glass, salt, etc., and so planned to lay out a new town. Accordingly, in 1818, the original town plat of Plain City was laid out by him, but a more comprehensive sketch of the founding of Plain. City will be found in the history of that village. Mr. Bigelow was a physician by profession and for many years enjoyed a wide practice in this and neighboring townships. Israel Bigelow, his father, came to the township in 1828 and purchased property in the village of Plain City. He was also a practicing physician and for several years followed his profession in Plain City and the surrounding country: He died in Plain City in 1838. Dr. Daniel Bigelow, a son of Israel and a brother of Isaac Bigelow, settled in the township in 1831, and likewise spent his life in the active labors of a. medical practitioner. He was ever ready to attend all calls in his profession, and his greatest delight was embodied in his efforts tor mitigate the sufferings of his fellow creatures. He was sociable, pleasing and winning in his manner ; his presence in the sick room. dispersed the gloom of his patients, and, in a word, cheerfulness was traceable in every lineament of his features. Another settler who arrived in the year 1818 was Eber McDowell, who purchased a farm about two miles west of the Converse settlement. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. With others, he experienced many of the hard struggles incident to pioneer life. Though the price of land was seemingly very low, yet all the farm products were correspondingly reduced in price, and, in order to make the last payment on his farm, he sold and delivered two hundred bushels of corn to a Mr. Wright, of Dublin; Franklin county, for ten cents per bushel. This delivery was made by hauling the corn, with a heavy pair of cattle, a distance of fifteen miles, requiring two days to make the round trip. The oxen were also sold to the same person for twenty-seven dollars. The money thus obtained enabled him to procure a deed for the farm, on which he spent his days. He died at the advanced age of ninety-six. Amos Beach emigrated from Vermont to Darby township in 1814. He became the owner of a small farm on the Plains, where he lived and which he successfully managed until about the year 1830, when, selling his property, he removed to Union county. He later returned to this county and lived in Plain City, where he died. Abner and David Chapman, two brothers, came to this township in about 1810. Abner Chapman, a man of good education, first purchased a farm near Plain City, but MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 101 later sold this and located on the banks of the Big Darby. It was included in Union county on its erection in 1820. He spent a portion of his time for several years in teaching school. His brother, also a young man of good education and a surveyor by profession, taught school and did a great deal of surveying for Walter Dun, of Virginia. At this time there were many small strips of land that had been unentered by former speculators. Many of these were now entered and patented by him. He later married a daughter of Joshua Ewing and for many years lived on his farm on the Plains. He later, however, moved to Union county and from there to the state of Iowa. William McCune, a step-son of Andrew Noteman, came with the latter in 1803 and settled on the east bank of Big Darby creek, immediately opposite the Indian village or Ramping ground referred to above. In the creation of Union county he was included within its territory. But the stepson above referred to began to support himself early in life. At the age of twelve, he went to Franklinton to learn the trade of blacksmith. He remained there for some time and, it is said, assisted in the forging of the nails that were used in the construction of the old state house at Columbus. Mr. McCune afterwards went to Buck Creek and learned the tanning business, but, after completing his trade, he came back and purchased and moved onto a farm near Plain City. Mr. McCune's tannery was one of the first in this part of the county. Here was an accommodation kindly appreciated by the people, and his thorough knowledge of the business, in connection with his honesty, won for him a large proportion of the custom of the county. A few years prior to his death, he became entirely blind. His home was cut off from Darby in 1820. Another pioneer who hailed from New England and who came to settle in Darby township, was Richard Morgridge, who came with his family from Connecticut to Licking county, Ohio, in 1816. Here he was compelled to stop and remain a short period because of sickness in his family. He came with more property than was customary among those early, hearty woodsmen. He emigrated with a good pair of horses and wagon, and with him he brought a large box of Yankee clocks, which he had purchased very cheap in his native state, but which he sold at a great profit in the new country. All this property was converted into cash within a short time. However, this cash was in paper and, being issued by many different banks, he went to Marietta and there exchanged it for notes of the Muskingum Valley Bank of that place. This banking house became insolvent a short time afterward and closed business, leaving him penniless and with his property gone. The sickness in his family forced him to remain in Licking county for three years and also forced him to incur expense that he could not meet. In 1819 he purchased a yoke of oxen and moved his family to Darby township. There he purchased,- or rather contracted for, one hundred and thirty acres in the Converse settlement of Walter Dun. The debts incurred in Licking county were still hanging over him, and his creditors came and attached all of his chattel property; but, this being insufficient to satisfy their claims, his body was also taken by the sheriff, to be lodged in the county jail for debt. But, before leaving home with that officer, his wife placed in his hands all the money in their possession, being one dollar and thirty cents. After they had proceeded some distance, it occurred to Mr. Morgridge that the law required. the creditor to support the debtor while in jail, if he had no means of supporting himself. Therefore, he made an excuse to stop by the roadside, where he secretly placed his money under a rail in the fence, near a large tree. After their arrival. in London, a search was instituted, and he was found without any means of supporting himself. The creditor was then asked to give bond for the maintenance of the prisoner while in jail, which he refused to do, whereupon Mr. Morgridge was set free. Richard Morgridge never completed the payments on his farm, but, after his death, the family met those obligations. There were other pioneers, whose descendants have long since left their ancestral 102 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. homes and pushed on to more remote parts, and .among these should be mentioned the Marquis, Petty, Nickels and Frazell The emigration to this part of the county from 1812 to 1820, as shown in the pages above, was little short of wonderful. By .far the greater portion of them came from the New England states, whose soil was so inferior in fertility to that of Madison county that the fame of the latter became proverbial for its fertility and productiveness. The sad years of 1822, and 1823, with their murderous ''sickly seasons," cast a great cloud of gloom over the township and draped the previously prospective outlook for a. rapid and early development of her resources, with death and disease that threatened depopulation. The shock thus produced was felt all over the county, but the heaviest.. burden of it seems to have fallen on Darby and Canaan townships. Emigration ceased, practically, until 1830 and 1832. The only residents of the township from 1823 until 1830 were the survivors of those two sickly seasons, and even some of. these returned to their native states or moved on to other settlements. The great portion of the present inhabitants of Darby township are the descendants of these pioneer families.. EARLY STOCK SPECULATORS The chief draw-back to stock raising in pioneer times was the great difficulty of marketing the animals. It was neither expensive nor difficult to raise the cattle and hogs, but they must be driven to distant market places. Moreover, there were just a few marketable points within the reach of the settlements, and the demand at these markets was limited. At Sandusky and Detroit the government agencies were ready purchasers of small amounts of this kind of produce. In addition to these places, Cincinnati, Chillicothe and Cleveland did a small amount of this kind of business. Here, then, were the points of marketing, but the serious problem was that of transportation. The only method possible at that time was by driving. the driving on foot of a great amount of stock a distance of froth one to two hundred 'miles, With such surroundings as were peculiar to a new country such as this was, was a great task, beset with many difficulties and dangers. Perhaps Butler Comstock, of Worthington, was the first of the extensive cattle buyers and speculators who operated in Darby township. His purchases were usually made in the spring and comprised one hundred or more head of four-year-old steers, for which he paid, on the average, between four and seven dollars a head. These cattle were herded and grazed on the prairie until early autumn, and then driven to one of the above-mentioned markets or to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. In 1818 a young Canadian by the name of James Guy came to this township. He possessed fine business qualifications and at once began buying cattle—in limited quantities at first, however, but increasing as his means increased. The points of trade sought by him were in keeping with the kind and condition of his stock. His fat cattle were driven to Sandusky or Detroit, but his stock cattle were taken to the neighborhood of Chillicothe and sold to the feeders of the Sciotio bottoms. This method of doing business was too: circumscribed to meet his enlarged views and speculative usefulness. This increased trade upon his part was in keeping with the increased supply, for, by this time, the people had learned that stock-raising was the most profitable, if not the only, industry that brought the ready cash: The current price for a four-year-old steer during the years from 1830 to 1840 was from seven to ten dollars per head. .1n his traffic in cattle, Mr. Guy did not limit himself to this township or county, but purchased large droves of cattle that. were driven on foot over the Alleghany mountains to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. Sometimes his herds assumed mammoth proportions, numbering from three to five hundred head. He followed this business for nearly twenty years, At one time he was the owner of fifteen hundred acres of the finest grazing land on the plains. In 1846 MADISON .COUNTY, OHIO - 103 he, in company with David Mitchell, son of Judge Mitchell, entered on an extensive scale into the pork-packing business in Columbus. Many thousand head were slaughtered, for which they paid from five to. six dollars per hundred pounds; but before this great, bulk, of packed meat could be put on the market, there came that great financial crash of 1847, wrecking them upon the sandbar of finance. He lost all and made an assignment to his creditors. However, he was not the kind to sit idle and brood over his reverses of the past and,: when the California gold fever swept the country, he joined that procession of "Forty-niners" to "Ophir" to gather the precious dust. He remained there for four years and came back with five thousand dollars in nuggets, with which he purchased a farm, partly in this and partly in Union counties, where he lived until his death in 1882. A stockman of great prominence at a. later date was Daniel Boyd. He was the grandson of James Boyd, who came to Canaan township in 1820 and lived there until his death in 1831. As the railroad lines extended westward, many of the old stock speculators and drovers retired from business and a new generation stepped to the front. One of the leaders of these was Daniel Boyd. His early business training was in connection with the cattle herds of Darby township. Accordingly he made his first shipments, to the Eastern markets in 1855. . After a few years' experience, he practically abandoned the shipment of cattle and confined his efforts to the shipnient of hogs, sheep and wool. He was engaged in this business in the county for over thirty years and many of the older residents remember the times when his business •was most flourishing. ERECTION OF THE TOWNSHIP. After a careful search among the commissioners' records, the following is found, under the date of April 30, 1810: "Ordered,' that all that tract of country comprised in the following boundaries be, and the same is .hereby, created into .a separate township, to be known by the name of Darby, and bounded as follows, to wit: "Beginning at the upper corner of Jefferson township, thence north. with line, to Delaware county; thence with said line east, to the northwest corner of Franklin county; thence with said line to the place of beginning." This creation lasted for only one year, when it was declared void. The reason for this action is not given, but the following is of record under date of June 11, 1811: "At a meeting of the commissioners. of Madison county, ordered that all that tract of country comprehended in the following boundaries be, and the same is hereby, created into a separate township by the name of Darby and is bounded as follows: "Beginning at the northeast corner of Madison county, thence south with Franklin county line, so that a point turning west will strike Calvin Cary, Sr.'s lower corner ; thence westwardly to Abraham Johnson's lower corner,.on Little Darby ; thence to Peter Paugh's southeast corner; thence westwardly so as to strike, the Champaign county line, two miles north of William Frankabarger, Sr.'s thence. with said line to Delaware county line; thence with Delaware county line to the place of beginning." This creation has been greatly reduced by subsequent creations; Canaan township was taken from Darby in the year 1814 and Pike township was formed from Darby in 1819. And when Union county. was created in 1820, from the. territory of Delaware and Madison counties, a strip of land two and a half miles wide was taken from the northern boundary of Darby township. Thus it has been reduced in territorial .advantages until it is among the smallest townships in the county. SOIL. The soil of Darby township is of greater variety. Near the streams it is a reddish, gravelly loam, very deep and well adapted to mixed agriculture, such as the production   104 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. of wheat, rye, oats and corn, as well as root crops. After leaving the streams on the east, the soil, on the more, elevated lands, partakes of a light-colored clay, with a small admixture of gravel, better adapted for grass and grazing purposes. But the greater portion is a black loamy and when once thoroughly drained is well calculated to grow any and all of the agricultural products adapted to this climate. The western portion of the township—the prairie land— is composed of a deep, black loam, presenting the appearance of having been composed of vegetable decomposition, upon which, in its native state, grew a wonderful growth of vegetation. STREAMS. The only stream that enters Darby township is Big Darby creek and its tributaries. Big Darby creek finds its source in the northeastern portion of Champaign county, wends its way across the southern portion of Union county, passing through Darby and a portion of Canaan townships, and thence forming the boundary line between Madison and Franklin counties. This stream received its name from the Wyandot Indians who named it after a. chief of theirs by the name of Darby, who for a long time lived on its bank, near the present Madison and Union county line. Sugar creek rises in Union county, flows through the eastern portion of the township and empties into the Big Darby. To the early settlers of the township this stream furnished important and indispensable water power, with which they ran their grist- and saw-mills. OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES. All land to the east of Big Darby creek was covered by heavy timber, made up mostly of walnut, ash, beech, white and black oak, hickory, basswood and white elm on the swampy lands. There were some rather extensive sugar groves along Sugar run and near Big Darby. Spice-bush was the principal underbrush and grew abundantly, especially on the flat lands. The land lying to the west of Big Darby and east of Little Darby creek was widely known as the Darby plains. However, this prairie was dotted here and there by occasional small oak openings, or a narrow, long line of scrubby burr-oaks, whose growth had been fatally interfered with by the annual prairie fires of the Indians. By far the greater portion of the timber of later times grew up after the stopping of these fires. This whole area was covered with wild grass and flowering herbs. 'The lower portions of the prairies were covered with a species of grass that came up in single stalks, very thick at the ground, with a large round straw, very tough, long, broad blades, and on top a head, somewhat resembling barley. This specie grew from six to eight feet in height, but was of no value for grazing purposes except when it first came up in the spring. On the more elevated portions of the plains grew two other varieties that were known as the "limber-will" and "ledge-grass." The former of these came up in single stalks, very thick on the ground, with long drooping blades and slightly sickle-edged. The latter variety grew in bunches, or tufts, very compact, with fine blades and center stalks very tall, smooth and round, like rye. These last two varieties were very nutritious, not only in a green state, but equally so when cut and made into hay. There were other, but unimportant, varieties. The plains abounded with flowering vegetation. It would be almost impossible, at this late date, to give a full description of the vegetation, but a few species should be mentioned. The prairie dock had large, brittle roots, long, broad leaves, and, every alternate year, large center stalks. It grew to a height of six or eight feet and branched out near the top, upon each stem of which was a beautiful yellow blossom.. When the stalks were cut near the ground, or the leaves punctured, a thick gummy exudation took place, which soon became semi-solid, and was gathered by the young people for chewing gum. The wild sunflower was a kind of weed that grew with a large, strong stalk, very MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 105 high, with numerous branches, having a yellow blossom on each, about three inches in diameter and drooping like the cultivated species. All of the ponds were surrounded by the wild blue flag. This was a very pretty, but very offensive, plant. At the top of each center stalk was a large, blue flower, very pretty in appearance, but its fragrance was of an offensive and sickening character. There were many other varieties that grew upon the prairies besides those that were found skirting and in the oak openings, such as the daisies, buttercups, wild pinks, coxcombs, lilies, and many others, equally as beautiful. A large portion of these prairie lands was covered with water for most of the year, for what little outlet there was for the surface water was filtered through this dense growth of vegetation. The height and density of the wild grasses that grew upon these prairies was such as was calculated to produce a feeling of despondency and desolation. TOPOGRAPHY. There is one peculiar feature in the topography of these lands, which very much retarded the early development and drainage of the prairies. It has only been within the last forty years that the fact was demonstrated and generally understood, that all the prairies lying east of Little Darby creek, with but one or two exceptions, drain to Big Darby. The first opinions were that, as these plains were situated between the two Darbys, that the drainage would be about equal distance to each. However, the dip of the country here is east and southeast. Here, then, was a stubborn obstacle in the way of a complete and thorough drainage, for no one or two men could afford to cut the necessary long and deep artificial drains to secure such benefits to the upper lands as were required to make the farming of those lands a success. But right here the legislative enactment of the state came to their relief, namely, that, by petition of twelve interested freeholders' to the trustees of the proper township, an artificial drain could be located and the cutting of the same awarded to the land-owners along the line thereof, according to the benefits derived therefrom. The supposed worthlessness of these prairies by the early land speculators, who bought soldiers' claims, and laid out their warrants in the Virginia military district, is clearly shown by their leaving out of their surveys as much as possible of the above lands. Another evidence in support of the same conclusion is that the first settlers made their purchases near or adjacent to the streams, supposing the prairie lands would ever remain wet, worthless and uninhabitable. But the scientific truth in regard to this part of the country is, that her altitude is nearly equal to that of any other part of the state; and yet, her reputation has been that of being but little above sea level. There were two distinct periods or phases in the origin of the burr-oak timber that was growing on these plains when they were first discovered by the white man. The oldest of these were scattering and few in number, and are found growing on the highest points of the prairie lands. The limbs of these trees came out almost at right angles with the trunk, an evidence of the tree having stood alone, and dating back to the forming periods of all the forests of this country. The latter are of a more recent origin and date back from two or three hundred years. There is considerable uniformity in the age of the trees of each of these groups. Why so many years should elapse between the two periods is a question difficult of solution, but, by a thorough knowledge of the topography of these prairie lands, a reasonable hypothesis might be adduced that would remove the obscurity in part at least. Topographical science has demonstrated beyond all question of doubt that the Darby plains are table-land. Such lands are always surrounded with one or more rims of a greater or less elevation, but of sufficient height to hold, as it were, like a basin, the rainfall or waters from any cause that may flow into it, and there to remain, unless otherwise dried up by evaporation. Many of the first settlers were greatly deceived as to 106 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO the most natural and available points for the drainage. of these lands, and, as a result some very unpleasant law-suits were prosecuted, to the detriment. of all parties. The error consisted in mistaking the rim that formed the basin for the natural watershed between the two Darbys. This latter. elevation is quite distinctive and is easily traced by the timbers that grow on ,either side:. Upon the one side, it is characterized by the kinds of timber that are found near all streams, and upon the other, by that which is peculiar to the prairies. This natural water-shed is generally found; from one-half to one mile east of Little Darby creek, thus continuing for several miles, but gradually leaving, the stream until it abruptly, circles away, connecting itself with . one or more rims of this table land.. Tha t these elevations, at some prehistoric. age of the world, had been much more elevated than at present, or that the prairie depressions have. been much greater, or both, is evident from this standpoint. That there was a time, a prehistoric period, when these lands were covered with water there can be no doubt. But these elevations have been slowly worn down by the overflow of water and tread of the buffalo, elk and other wild animals, until some of the More elevated points of the prairie (or lake) appeared as dry land. This process of reasoning would date the period when those few and scattering burr oaks first sprang into existence. Hence, the conclusion that, as this wearing away and filling up continued much larger portions were brought to the surface, upon which sprang the second growth, that was in existence when the first white men came. As this wearing away and filling up still continued, the whole of these prairies was covered with a heavy coat of vegetation. Thus, year after year;. or perhaps centuries, this growth and decay had been going on until the depth of soil is unsurpassed by any other portion of the state. There is one more conclusive evidence in support of the theory that •these prairies were for a long time submerged in Water, for, when the lowest prairies were first broken by the plow, large quantities of snail and clam shell were turned up, which, however, soon crumbled on exposure to the atmosphere GEOLOGY. From the geological point of view, Darby township differs from many other portions of the county. There are no ores and but. few limestone ledges, and these are found only near the banks of Big Darby and below the water, and therefore are unaccessible and of no practical value. Gravel is found in abundance .near the streams and of the very best quality, from which most of the excellent gravel roads have been made. In nearly all of these gravel beds, some relies of a pre-historic race, or of the North American Indians, have been found, such as human skeletons, stone hammers or axes, pestles, arrowheads, etc., and in one of these banks there were several skeletons found lying in close proximity to each other: By the side of each was found a piece of yellow ochre as large as.a cocoanut, and is supposed to have been placed there .under the superstitious idea that it would he required as a war paint in fighting the battles of the other world. There is one peculiar freak in the drift formation of the western portion of this township, which was unearthed many years ago in cutting an artificial drain, east of Little Darby creek, through the only prairie lying west of the natural watershed. This prairie is about two miles in length, quite broad at the upper end, but, going down, the. prairie is gradually contracted by the elevated lands and the timber until the latter. finally closes in, obliterate the prairie and forming .a dense mass of timber. In cutting this drain at the point where the timbers come together, and for some distance below, large quantities of white limestone were found in blocks,, scattered here and .there, sometimes Singly, and at others in close proximity, or. lying one 'upon another ; but, to convey the correct idea, they lay scattered in a promiscuous mass. These blocks were irregular in shape, but uniformly flat on either side, varying in thickness from three to ten or twelve inches. They were MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 107 very soft and easily cut when first removed, but soon hardened on exposure. They were found from six inches under the soil to as deep as the drain was built. Therefore the extent of this deposit is not known. Like many other portions of the county, there are here also those old, time-worn boulders, scattered here and there as monuments. They are not, however, as numerous here as in many other places, except at a few points on each side of Big Darby and near Sugar run, where they have been deposited in considerable numbers. CHAPTER VI. DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP. Deer Creek township occupies a central location in Madison county, being bounded on the north by Monroe and Jefferson townships ; on the east by Jefferson ; on the south by Union, and on the west by Somerford township. This township was first erected in 1810, the year of the organization of Madison county, and the following is found in the commissioners' record under date of April 30 : "At a meeting of the commissioners of Madison county, present John Arbuckle and William Gibson, ordered that all that tract of country comprehended in the following boundaries be, and the same is hereby, erected into a separate township by the name of Deer Creek, and is bounded as follows, viz : "Beginning on the Franklin county line, where Jefferson township line intersects said line, and running westward to the northeast. corner of John Melville's survey on the glade; thence with the south line of Jefferson township to the north line of Mark's survey on Little Darby creek, including all the settlement on Spring fork to the Champaign county line; thence with said line to the East fork of Deer creek, at or near Levin Gibson's; thence on a direct line to the southwest corner of the widow Taylor's plantation; thence to the northwest corner of John Melville's survey, thence to the beginning." In the same records is found a second erection of the township under date of June 11, 1811, as follows: "At a meeting of the commissioners of Madison county, ordered that all that tract of country comprehended in the following boundary be, and the same is, erected into a separate township by the name of Deer creek, and is bounded as follows, viz : "Beginning at the southeast corner of Jefferson township ; thence westwardly with Jefferson township line to Darby township line ; thence with said line to Champaign county line; thence south with said line, to the south boundary of Levin Gibson's survey ; thence eastward to the widow Taylor's on Deer creek; thence to the northwest corner of John Melville's survey ; thence eastwardly to the county line of Franklin county. and from thence to the place of beginning." On June 6, 1836, the line between Union and Deer Creek townships was changed by the following order : "At a meeting of the commissioners of Madison county, on petition being presented, ordered that the line between Deer Creek township and Union township be altered to run as follows, to wit: "Beginning at the northwest corner of Jefferson Melville's land, and southwest corner of John Adair's land, and to run westerly to strike the La Fayette Road, ten poles south of the Glade, between B. Bowdery's and D. J. Ross; thence the same course continued until it strikes the present line which divides said townships, so as to include D. J. Ross into Union township." The boundaries of the township have not been changed since and remain to this day. The first election in the new township was held in the spring of 1812,.. at which the following officers were elected : Trustees, John Arbuckle, John Wilson and John Shields; treasurer, Charles Atchison; constables, William Noteman and William Atchison ; fence viewers, John Arbuckle and Thomas Gwynne; overseers of the poor, Daniel Roos and William Marp; supervisors, Curtis Ballard and William Pepper ; lister, William Pepper. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 109 By the official acts in recording the marks for stock, it appears that from 1810 to 1812, the time of the first election officially recorded, John Blair performed the work of the township clerk. Justices of the peace were not elected in the township until the year 1818, when George Prugh and John Shields were chosen. The elections were held in Lawrenceville, more generally known as "Limerick," until the spring of 1837, since which they have been held in Lafayette, the only village in the township. In the early days the treasurer was required to give a bond of only three hundred dollars. PIONEERS. A man by the name of Adair seems to have been the first person to have settled within the bounds of present Deer Creek township. He came to Deer creek, camped over night on its bank, and then selected his location in about 1802. In 1806 John Adair settled on Deer creek, on land that was many years afterward owned by James Wilson. The relationship between these two men cannot be established. About the same year William Blair and John Blair settled on Glade run, on what was later known as the Plimell place. These pioneers were all leading, active men in the early history of the township. John Blair was the first township clerk after its organization, and held other offices, and it is believed that he would have represented this district in the Legislature if he had lived. The Blairs were of Irish descent. William was a son of John Blair, and was a preacher in the New Light Christian church. In the same year (1806), John Barr settled on the Beals place. John McCaul and Charles Ewing settled on the Stutson land. Charles Ewing was of Irish descent and came from Kentucky to this state. He was a very honest man and an excellent citizen. John Ewing settled in the township at about the same date. He later became a trustee and treasurer of the township. John Coon settled on Deer creek just below John Adair. William Blaine settled on Deer creek just below John Adair, and near where the village of Lawrenceville was subsequently laid out. He was a man of considerable means for that day and often came to the financial rescue of his neighbors with loans. He served for a time as an associate judge. He removed to the West in about 1842. It is thought that all of the above mentioned settled within Deer Creek township prior to 1806 and hence may be considered pioneers in the strictest construction of the word. The following settlers came to the township between the years 1806 and 1810: John McDonald came from Tennessee and, with his family, settled at the Upper Glade on the Stutson land in 1808, and his father, John McDonald, who died in 1811, was the first person buried in the McDonald, or Upper Glade, burying-ground. The first mentioned John McDonald was the founder of the Upper Glade Methodist church. Its meetings were first held in the dining room of his big house. Later he donated the land and built upon it a church building. A new church was erected on the same site several years later, but was destroyed by a wind storm in 1913, and services were discontinued. John McDonald, his son, was but five years old when brought to this county, and spent the remainder of his life, over three quarters of a century, here. He is survived by a, son, also by the name of John McDonald. He was also the father of Mrs. Wilson, who lives in London. This family has been identified with the growth of the township from its organization and its members have been among her most worthy and trusted citizens, ever active and prompt in the organization of schools and churches and in the general moral and Christian progress of their community.. Thomas, John and Eli Gwynne, located on Deer creek. The former. in 1816, laid out the town of Lawrenceville, became very wealthy and died, leaving a large estate. The brothers were very active business men and for some years carried on quite a mercantile trade in Urbana and Columbus. A large family by the name of Ross located on Deer creek—Angus, John, Daniel and Alexander; the former kept a tavern at Lawrenceville. 110 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO James Brown also located here on the opposite side of the creek from Mr. Ross. Curtis Ballard and David Foster were two settlers of this period. Charles Atchison; one of the prominent settlers, was township treasurer in 1812, the first to hold that office. James and Daniel Wright were two settlers on the Glade in 1808. The latter lived a long and useful life and served in many of the offices of the township; Samuel Duncan and William Noteman settled on the west side of Deer creek, nearly opposite William Blaine, Who was on the east side. Noteman was born on the ocean and was principally reared in Madison county. He was married on September 28, 1817, and finally he settled on the place later known as the John Lohr farm: He died on January 4, 1827. Aaron Delano, William Lawrence, Gilman Lincol and a person by the name of Pudgy, all located in this neighborhood about this time. In 1808 Benjamin Garrett, with his family, settled on Coniac run, where he built a block-house to protect them from the Indians. Soon afterward he located on the Garrett farm, where he passed to the world beyond. He was a native of Virginia, emigrated to Kentucky in 1805, came to Chillicothe in 1807, and from there to Madison county. About 1812 came Jarvis Pike, Doris Pike and Benjamin Pike, who settled on the Glade north of the National road: Jacob Sidener, a native of Kentucky, with his father, Philip Sidener, a native of Virginia, came to Jefferson township, where he died. About1811, Jacob, with his. sister,. settled: on the old Ewing farm, later to be owned. by George O. McDonald. In 1818, they settled on the farm where W. Clark later lived. About 1815, John Plimell settled on the Glade. Isaac Jones, and Zachariah Jones from Tennessee,. James Chriswell, John Wiseman, Jesse Abbey and Harry Cay were all settlers at Lawrenceville the same. year. In 1815 Samuel Bowdry located where Lafayette now stands an John Davidson settled on Deer creek in the year 1817. Others of the early, settlers who settled in Deer Creek township prior to 1820, were Asa Wright, Ira Wright, John Garby; James Logan, John McNutt, John Clernoe, Joshua Littler, Nite Adair, James Stout and Franklin Clark. The later, settling in the neighborhood of Lawrenceville, was a man . of considerable prominence and held several local offices, being a justice of the, peace for several years. He died at the age of sixty-six years, on-October 1,• 1844. William McCoy was a pioneer who deserves more than a passing notice. He came here as. ,early as 1813 and his name is found among the office holders in 1819. In 1824 he was elected a justice of the peace, which office he filled for several years. He was a man of great integrity of character and a very worthy and useful citizen. Another early settler whose life was fully identified with the growth and progress of the community was William Minter, who was born in Virginia ; was married in Kentucky, and in the spring of 1829 came to this. county and located about one mile north of the present village of :Lafayette. He laid out the town of Lafayette, was a man of .great enterprise and, with his means and influence, did much for the advancement' of his community, And so was a much esteemed citizen: STOCK MAIMS. The first settlers, with the greater portion of the country in its wild and unimproved state, allowed their cattle, sheep and hogs to roam at large, and they were often not seen for weeks. and months by their owners.. It became necessary to protect. settlers in their just claims to their own stock; to distinguish, beyond any doubt, one man's stock from that of his neighbor, and to accomplish this legislation came to their aid with a special law, declaring that each owner of stock, by having his special mark branded upon his stock, and having the same recorded with the township clerk of the township wherein he resided, should thus be protected in his ownership from. any claims of any other person or persons, stock. bearing the recorded mark. This privilege was early taken advantage of by the .settlers of Deer Creek township and continued in active use for many years. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 111 EARLY SCHOOLS. Like most of the early pioneers, the settlers of Deer Creek township realized fully their lack of education and, as soon as possible, endeavored to provide ways and means for the education of their children. The country was sparsely settled, and many of the children had long distances to traverse over almost impassable roads to attend the first school established, which made it rather discouraging to both parents and pupil. But the undaunted determination of the pioneer soon overcame all obstacles and, the settlements rapidly increasing in numbers from accession from other countries and states, they were soon able to dot the township over with school houses a reasonable distance apart. Although the first schools were rude log structures, with puncheon floors and slab seats, with none of the comforts and conveniences of the present day, and though the roughness of the building was in exact keeping with the unpolished and limited qualifications of the greater portion of the teachers of that day, yet they answered their purpose. being the best they could have under the circumstances. They served as a beginning—a foundation and stepping stone to something better and but a few years elapsed ere the rapid increase of population with attendant improvements and advantages, enabled them to have better school houses and better teachers. To show the rapidity with which the township was populated, and the progress in the establishment of school districts in a few years, as well as to give a knowledge of the families that then lived in the township, we give a list of every family in each school district at an early date. School district No 1, in 1826-Amos Howard, Sidney Addison, Amos 1, Howard, John' Cory, William Scott, Anry Brown, James Brown, Joel Burnsides, Asa Bates, Benjamin Landon. John Negley, Richard Baldwin, John Summers, Willard Kirly, Ansel Bates, Elijah Bates, Asa Owens, John Canaber, David Reece, Thomas Gillespie, Samuel Dickison, David Culver; and Abner Williard, a 'total of twenty-three families. District No. 2, in 1827 - Thomas Operd, George Prugh, John Osborn, John Grooves, Joseph C. Geer, Henry Groves, John Arbuckle, Erastus Hathaway; Charles Atchison, John Kennedy, John Shields, David Ross, John Ross Fanny Shields, Blackwell Parish. Benjamin Bowdry; Uriah Hancock, John Hamond, Henry Prugh, Noah Morris and Thomas Taylor, a total of twenty-one families: District No: 3. in 1830—John W. Simpson; Eli W. Gwynne, Eliabeth Owens, William R. Lawrence, John Wagoner, Franklin Clark, Pachariah Jones, Jemima Jones, William Blaine; Alexander McMurray, Mathias Furrow, William Minter, Hiram Edwards, William McCoy. and William T. Davidson, total of fifteen families. District No. 4, in 1827—Benjamin Pike, Joshua. Littler, John Calhoun, Asa Wright, John Clernoe, Samuel Ewing, Charles Ewing, Daniel Wright; John McDonald. Sr., Thomas McDonald, John McDonald, Jr:, Elizabeth______, Jacon Sidener, John Sr. John Plimell, Jr., John McNutt and John. Adair, total nineteen families. District No. 5, 1827-Alfred Garrett. Robert M. Adair, Jessie Stout, Elizabeth Adair, Edward K. Adair. John Davidson and William. T.-Davidson, total; seven families. District No. 6, in 1827—Timothy Beach. Robert Scott, Gabriel Markle, George Vance, William Soward, Charles Soward, Barnet Warren, Valentine Wilson, Samuel Wilson; Eli Williams, Robert Taylor, Jonathan Markle, Sutton Petee. John -Roberts, Benjamin Hull, Solomon Porter, and Levi Humble, total, eighteen families. Of course these school districts have since the above date, been changed, and the present districts are not numbered as then. The township at that time embraced more territory than now, as other townships have since been organized and Deer Creek township made smaller. The above enumerations show that; from the very few families that resided in the above mentioned territory in 1807, in the short space of twenty years they had increased to one hundred and three families, established into six school districts. The first schools were often held in private-homes before the people were able to, erect buildings expressly for school purposes: One of the first schools of which an account 112 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. can be gained of was held in a small log building twelve feet square, situated in Lawrenceville, opposite the house of Isaac Jones; this was about 1816. The first teacher was a Yankee by the name of Turtlott. There were but few pupils, and the teacher was paid with money raised ,by subscription, which amounted to about eight dollars per month, and the teacher "boarded around." He was very. rigid in his discipline, as were most of the school masters in that day, and he extended his authority over the children at their homes, or on the road, as well as in the school room; and if trouble arose among them that came to his knowledge he chastised them severely, and it was considered all right—in fact, rigid discipline was as much expected as what they should learn from their books, which were of the most primitive sort. These subscription schools were the only schools to be had for several years, as in that day there was no school tax or public money from any source to be spent in the support of school ; hence, in every neighborhood; wherever settlers became numerous, and able to support a teacher at those low wages, a school would be held in some private house, if there was no school house. The first house erected expressly for school purposes in this township was about one mile south of the present town of Lafayette. It was rebuilt of round logs, puncheon floor, clapboard roof and door. The front of the fireplace was the width of one end of the house, and greased paper, instead of window glass, through which light was admitted to the room, filled the windows. The first teacher here was also a Yankee, named Clark. Another pioneer teacher who taught extensively throughout the township was John Gillingham. Afterwards a school was established on the Curtain farm, one mile or more east of the one already mentioned: This was an old log cabin; so low that the pupils could not stand upright, and they had to take out the joists overhead so as to give standing room. But as the years advanced, the country became thickly settled, roads were extended in all directions, progress and improvements of all kinds were marching onward, wealth was increasing, and every neighborhood which needed and could support a school, erected good frame and brick buildings. EARLY ROADS. Deer Creek township was for many years without pikes or any good gravel roads and consequently had more than its share of bad mud roads; due to its very rich, deep soil. But in 1836-37; the government extended one of its greater enterprises through' this township. The government of the United States commenced to build a turnpike from Cumberland, Maryland, extending westward through all the Middle Western states. There were then no railroads and no great thoroughfare from East to West. The great flow of emigrants to the West, and the increasing traffic and demand for better communication between the East and the West, caused the government to enter into this project. It was a monumental undertaking and would not in that day have been attempted by any power less than the federal government. This great national highway passed from east to west through the center of Deer Creek township,, and was the first and only pike built for many years through this township or county. It was completed about 1837. The amount of travel over this road for many years was truly wonderful and hotels—taverns, as they were known then—sprang up all along its length, no less than six or seven being within the borders of Deer Creek township. There were two or three in the eastern part of the township and four at Lafayette, while all seem to have done a good business. It was not an uncommon sight to see from eight to ten four-horse coaches in Lafayette loaded down with passengers and baggage. But after the railroads passed through the country, this road lost its great prestige; stages and passengers disappeared; hotels closed, and the bustle and rattle of stage coaches and the shrill whistle of their bugle-horns were heard no more. Yet the road remains and is one of the best in the country, standing as a monument to the enterprise of the government that constructed it. Another early pike is the Urbana, Mechanicsburg and Jefferson, which passes through MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 113 the northwest corner of the township in a southeast course until it arrives at the Dun school house, where it strikes the boundary line between Deer Creek and Monroe townships and continues on that line to the eastern terminus of the township and on• through, striking the national road to the west of West Jefferson. This pike was first built by a stock company and was completed about 1859. It .remained a toll road until about 1876, when that portion within Madison county was purchased and turned over to the county and made a free pike. The London and Jefferson pike was built a few years later. The London and Plain City pike was built to Lafayette in 1868, being completed through to Plain City in 1873. CEMETERIES. In settling Deer Creek township, the first pioneers followed the streams and located on the higher and drier portions of the country first—in fact, it was a necessity, as many of the more fiat and level portions of the country were so wet and unhealthy in their primitive condition that it was unsafe and inexpedient to live upon them. Hence we would expect to find the early burial places in the regions of the first settlements. Many of these first places for receiving the dead of the early settlers were private family burying grounds, some of which should be mentioned. On the Gwynne estate were. one or two such burial places, but now not a vestige remains to mark the hallowed spot, or to tell the passerby that underneath the sod rests all that remains of a noble sire of a pioneer family. Another of these burial_ grounds is found further down Deer creek, near the old Headley farm, which was known as the Davidson burying ground, as it was located on his farm. It is now all in the open woods pasture and practically obliterated; although the dead of the Davidson family have been removed to another and more permanent cemetery. Yet a few graves remain whose headstones tell the following : Joseph McCray died on May 28, 1848, aged sixty-two years, nine months and five days; John W. McDonald, died on December 3, 1850, aged twenty-six years, and Mary Jane wife of John W. McDonald, died on March 2, 1852, aged twenty-five years. Further down the creek, still on the Garrett farm, is the Garrett family burying ground, which contains principally the ancestors of that family. One of the earliest burial places of the Upper Glade is the old McDonald cemetery. This was on the farm of John McDonald and contains the remains of most of the early settlers of the neighborhood. This lot was dedicated by the reception of the body of John McDonald, Sr., who died in March, 1811, aged seventy years. Further up the Glade, a little south of the National road, is found the Wright cemetery. This has always been a family burying place and contains the remains of the ancestors of that family and a few deceased persons of the fl immediate neighborhood. The first cemetery in Deer Creek township to be under the care of and owned by the trustees of the township was the Lafayette cemetery, at Lafayette, on the National road just west of Deer creek. The land upon which this was located was formerly owned by, Stanley Watson, and the lot was first dedicated to this purpose by the reception of the body of Rachel, wife of J. Shryack, who died on July 12, 1838. The second person buried there was Sarah, wife of Andrew Anderson, who died on December 6, 1838. This tract of land upon which the burying ground is situated was subsequently purchased by James Wilson, who set apart for burial purposes the lot, embracing between one and two acres, which was continued as a receptacle of the dead, and to make it more permanent, and that it might have the care and protection that such a place should have, in 1874, Mr. Wilson deeded it to the trustees of the township, who, in 1878, purchased sufficient ground of Mr. Wilson to make it embrace five and three-eighths acres. This they nicely improved and fitted up with good gravel roads and walks, ornamented it with evergreens and shrubbery, and it is now among the prettiest of rural cemeteries. (8) CHAPTER VII. FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP The boundaries of Fairfield township are as follows: Bounded on the east by Franklin county ; on the south by Pleasant and Oak Run townships ; on the west by Oak Run and Union townships and on the north by Jefferson township. This township occupies a position in the eastern tier of townships of Madison county which border on Franklin and Pickaway counties, and is the second from the south line of the county. It was erected at a much later date than most of the townships of Madison county. the commissioners' records is found the following record, dated June 2, 1835: "At a meeting of the commissioners of Madison county, present Burton Blizzard, Thomas Jones and Jacob Garrard, on petition being presented. ordered, that the following bounds compose a new township to be known and designated by the name of Fairfield : Beginning at the northeast corner of R. Means' survey, No. 5,046 ; thence to the northeast corner of John Beck's survey, Nos. 11,096 and 12,141; thence to the line between Madison and Franklin counties (passing ten poles south of Thomas Durflinger's house) ; thence with said line south's far that a west line will just leave Hiram Tipton's in Pleasant township ; thence west' to Deer creek ; thence up the creek to the county road from Robinson's Mill to Jefferson; thence with the west boundary of said road to the easterly line of D. Bradford's survey, No. 3,973, thence with said line to the place of beginning." On the commissioners records bearing the following date, December 7, 1841, is found the following change of line between Fairfield and Union townships, viz : "At a meeting of the comity commissioners of Madison county, a petition was presented praying for an alteration in the line between Fairfield and Union townships; wherefore, it is ordered that said line be established as follows: Beginning where the lower line of John Evans' survey, No. 4,124, crosses Deer creek, thence with said Evans' line to his southeast corner (so as to include Thomas Chenoweth), thence with the east line of David Bradley's survey, No. 3,973, to the Jefferson road." SURFACE, SOIL, ETC. The surface of Fairfield township is similar to that of the other townships in the eastern part of the comity. It is .very level, with slight undulations, especially along the creeks, as it has no large streams within its territory. In its original state, as the first settlers found it, there were large tracts of prairie scattered here and there, which was covered with a heavy sedge, and this constituted quite a sustenance and helped to support the stock of the early settlers. The soil is principally deep, rich, and composed mainly of loam; and clay, with a limestone gravel as subsoil, and, being. very flat and level, and of a nature to hold water, was originally very wet, much of it, in wet seasons, being covered with water.. In .later years it has been drained and tiled, so that it constitutes excellent farms, equally .adapted for grass and grain. The. timber portion of the township was never what could be called heavily timbered, consisting principally of white and burr oak and hickory. Like. a great portion of Madison county, this township has never held great .attractions in the way of heavy or. valuable timber; hence, we would not expect to find an extensive business carried on here. in the line of.saw-mills or dealing in lumber, as is the case in other counties:. One great attraction to the first settlers of this township and county was the prevalence of vast numbers of deer and other wild animals, deer were often seen in the early times in large herds, and it is said that prob- MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 115 ably no section of the state contained in an early day such vast numbers of deer and held out such attractions to the hunter as did this. county, and Fairfield township was among the foremost in this respect. In accordance with this, we find that many of the early settlers were "squatters," sportsmen who located temporarily for the purpose of hunting and killing deer and other game. These settlers located along the streams and creeks, for these places were most frequented by the different species of game. They would erect a rude log cabin, which was only their temporary habitation, and for a time give their attention to hunting. Finally, as game became scarce, they moved to other and fresher hunting grounds in the West their places being filled here with the permanent settler, who located to make a home, and oftentimes the cabins of these early "squatters" made temporary lodging places for the permanent pioneer settlers. Not a hundred years ago this part of the county was occupied. by savages, in their war paint and wigwams. Next, following in their- trail, came the hunters and trappers, with just a degree more of civilization and comfort. Then the pioneer. settler appeared, with his rude pole-and-log cabins, which were later supplanted by substantial. and comfortable hewed-log houses. And finally, here and there, scattered over the now thickly populated country, we see attractive frame and brick houses. What wonderful progress and changes in the short period of a hundred years. And not only is this comfort and progress exhibited in the dwellings and habitations of our people, but even a .greater advance has been made in the arts and sciences ; for example, the invention of machinery, by which to expedite and carry on the work of agriculture with ease ; .and the wonderful application of machinery to spinning, weaving and. the manufacture of clothing and wearing apparel. Think of the difference in getting clothes now and in .the time of our forefathers. Clothes in the early days had to be worked through the process from the raw wool or flax to a piece of linsey-woolsey cloth and then made into suits. Now it is merely a. matter of knowing the size or taking the measurements, and a short time the suit of clothes is ready for wear. The log cabin of the pioneer, with its clapboard roof, greased-paper windows and latch-string door, have been replaced with modern dwellings, with all, the modern conveniences, such as electric light, steam heat, running water, etc. The old wooden mold-board plow has been replaced by the improved plows of today. The sickle and cradle,. those implements which were used with such a great expenditure of toil and energy, have been supplanted by the horse-power reaper and self-binder, the acme of genius. In. pioneer times it took several days to go to market and dispose of the products of the farm; now, with the aid of the steam road, electric line and automobile, combined ,with our pike roads, the trip can be made in a few hours. The pioneer sold his corn for six and one-half to twelve cents per bushel; wheat, at twenty-five to forty ,cents per bushel, and often hauled it many miles to market over almost impassable roads to even get those prices. Now, a short distance from his door, and that distance over pike roads, is the railroad, with its elevator, where he can sell his grain, and it can be shipped to distant markets in any part of the country and the. best price received. And so with all farm products. Fairfield township as was mentioned before, has no large streams within its boundaries. The township is well watered,. for stock purposes, owing to the flatness of the country and the nature of the soil. There is very little water for mill, or manufacturing purposes and, as this is strictly an agricultural township, there is no great need for such. Deer creek is the. largest stream within the boundary of Fairfield township. This passes through the southeastern part of the township, entering it from Oak Run and running in a southern and southeastern course about half. a mile, then it turns south and continues about one mile and enters Pleasant township. The next largest stream, Oppossum rim, was nown in an early day as Plum run this streamlet flows into Pickaway county. Its present name was given it by John Phebis and Isaac McHenry, two of the early 116 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. settlers who came up the creek from Yankeetown, is Fayette county, seeking a location. As they were traveling up the stream, they were suddenly startled by a large oppossum, with a large brood of young ones dinging to her back ; these they killed, and on their return journey they came upon another, which they also killed, and from this circumstance they gave it the name of oppossum run. A little southwest of the last-mentioned stream is Lubbergut creek. It takes its rise in the southern portion of the township and runs in a southeastern course, entering Pleasant township. It is related that the name came about as follows: A large, fleshy man by the name of Mantle, who weighed four hundred and eighty pounds, and who lived near the creek, was accustomed to almost daily trips across the foot log. Two neighbors thought they would have a little fun at the expense of the ponderous and weighty Mr. Mantle, so they sawed the foot log from the under side, nearly through, and the next time Mr. Mantle attempted to go across on the log, down it went, with Mr. Mantle on top. He received quite a ducking in the creek, since which incident the creek has ever been known by the euphonious name of Lubbergut run or creek. West of this is a small stream or creek called Tortle run, which completes the list of streams in Fairfield township. EARLY SETTLERS. Enoch Thomas was among the first to make permanent settlement in this township. He came from "High Knob," Virginia, and settled on Oppossum run in 1807. He was a man .of excellent Christian character, a great worker in the United Brethern church, and was the leading active man in organizing the church, which has since been known as Thomas chapel. His house was ever open to their ministers and his hospitality was never exhausted. He lived on the place where he first settled until his death, September 31, 1851, aged seventy-nine years. He married Jemima Phebis, who died on June 17, 1822, aged forty-five years. He married for his second wife Mrs. Foster, nee Dorcas Clark. She died on October 23, 1842, aged sixty-one years. At a very early date Mr. Thomas erected a brick house, which, it is said, was the first of its kind built in the county. John Phebis, a native of Kentucky, was an early settler at Yankeetown, Fayette county, Ohio, whence he came to Madison county and settled in 1807. Mr. Phebis was a great hunter and devoted himself principally to that occupation ; he was a lively, jovial man, a very sociable neighbor and a good citizen. But as this county became settled and the game scarce, he desired better and more extensive hunting-grounds, and finally removed to the Ozark mountains in Missouri. He subsequently became a settler in Indiana, where he died,' and some of his descendants still reside there. David Dennison settled in 1807 on Oppossum run. He died on October 1, 1823. Jonathan Benjamin, who settled on land in this township, was a native of New Jersey. Isaac and Daniel Long settled in this locality in 1808; the latter was a preacher in the New Light church. William Ware came from Kentucky, about 1810 or 1812, and settled on the tract of land now occupied by the village of Big Plain. He served as sheriff of the county and was quite a leading, prominent man of the day. James Blair, who was known to every one as "Big Jim," came from Kentucky and settled here about 1813. He died on September 20, 1816, and his remains were interred in the Fitzgerald cemetery'. About 1815 Robert Thomas. a native of Virginia, settled on a tract of land just east of Big Plain, but which was then known as California. Thomas Dennison settled in this township in 1815. Charles Henderson, a native of Virginia, came to this county with a surveying party as a chain carrier, and remained a permanent settler here. Richard Newland settled here about 1818. Joseph Jackson' came from New Jersey to Cincinnati in 1818. In 1819, he settled near London, and, in 1820, removed to Fairfield township, MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 117 where he resided until his death, in January, 1861, aged eighty-three years. He was a successful hunter, knew just where to look for the game, and yet he never let hunting interfere with his other business, although it was quite profitable to him. He fully experienced the hardships of pioneer life. He worked for twenty-five cents per day, sold corn for ten to twenty cents per bushel, bacon for one dollar and twenty-five cents per hundred pounds, and chopped and split rails for twenty-five cents per hundred. William Cartmill was a pioneer from Kentucky and, in the spring of 1813, came to Franklin county, Ohio, and in 1824-25 located in this county. John F. Chenoweth was born in Mason county, Kentucky, September 15, 1793. In 1799 he settled with his parents in Ross county, Ohio, and, in 1800, they settled on the Big Darby, Franklin county. He married Margaret Furgus on March 21, 1811, and lived on his father's farm till 1820; he then purchased land in Madison county, where he resided until his death. Edward and Lewis Godfrey settled here about 1825. The former died on June 8, 1833, aged forty-seven years; the latter died on June 3, 1838, aged fifty-two years. James Byers, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Ross county in 1806. In 1826 he settled in the north part of Fairfield township, Madison county. He was an excellent man and ever ready to assist in any charitable work and to do anything for the benefit of his neighbor. George Hume and his wife, Ann (Scott) Hume, settled here in 1826. Mr. Hume died on March 20, 1856. A. Q. Bennett settled here about the same year as did Mr. Hume. Judge Edward 0. Fitzgerald. and William B. Fitzgerald settled in this township in 1828 and 1829. Judge Fitzgerald was well known in the county and is spoken of everywhere for his integrity and honor. He was identified with this county in its growth and progress for more than half a century and was one of her most honored and respected citizens. Jeremiah Johnson, who settled in this township in 1831, was a native of New Jersey ; in 1855-56 he removed to Warren county, Illinois. Wesley Lilly settled north of Lilly chapel in 1830. Mr. Lilly was closely identified with the early growth and progress of Fairfield township. John Shepherd was born in Virginia and, accompanied by his wife Judy, came to    Ohio soon after the War of 1812, settling in Ross county. About 1831 he came to Madison county and settled near California, now Big Plain, and here resided until his death, on August 18, 1850, aged seventy-five years. His wife died about 1869, aged sixty-eight years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a prosperous farmer, a worthy . neighbor and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Daniel C. Freeman was born in Belmont county, Ohio, July 28, 1802, his ancestors being from Ireland. In 1833, he became a resident of Fairfield township and was thoroughly identified with her growth and interests. At the organization of the township, in 1835, he became the first clerk. He was a resident of this township for over a half a century. George Noland, a native of Virginia, settled in this township in 1833. His wife died on October 2, 1862, aged sixty-two years; in 1868, he removed to Missouri where he died on November 4,• 1878, aged seventy-four years. J. C. Strain, who settled here in 1834, was a leading and honored citizen of the township, where he resided for over half a century. James D. Truitt, a native of Maryland, became a resident of Madison county in 18111, and of Fairfield township in 1836, settling in the northern part. John Creath became a settler of this county, with his parents, near Mt. Sterling, in 1811. In 1838, he settled in Fairfield township, where he resided until his death, January 15, 1881. He was an honored and worthy citizen, respected by his neighbors. Valentine Recob settled here in 1846. William D. Pringle settled in this township in 1848, and he and his worthy family have been fully identified with her business interests, improvements and progress since that time, their valued and important lives being reflected in the growth of the township. Daniel Thompson settled on Oppossum min, quite early, but the exact date is unknown. He built one of the first saw-mills in Fairfield township. CHAPTER VIII JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. Jefferson township lies in the east central part of Madison county, being one of the boundary townships. It is bounded on the north by Caanan township ; on the west by Deer Creek and Monroe townships, and on the south by Fairfield township. On the east it is washed for several miles by the waters of Big Darby creek, but when near the southeastern corner, Franklin county stretches west of the creek, forming a, part of the eastern as well as about one mile of the southern boundary. Jefferson township was one of the original subdivisions and embraced a much larger area than it does at the present time. It was: erected on April 30, 1810, and under that dote is found the following commissioners record : "Ordered, that all that tract of land comprehended in the following boundary be and the same is hereby created into a separate township, to be known as Jefferson township, and is bounded as follows, viz : Beginning at the lower corner of Calvin's survey, or on the Franklin county line north ,of Carey's; thence on a straight line west to the Champaign county line; :thence south along the said line until it intersects the Deer Creek. township line; thence with the said township line east to Franklin county ; thence along said line to the place of beginning." This erection was subsequently declared void, and a second one made. on June 11, 1811, on which date the commissioners' records show the following : "Ordered that all the tract of land comprehended within the following boundaries be and is hereby erected into a separate township, by the name of Jefferson, and bounded as follows, viz: . Beginning at the south corner of Darby township; thence with the south line of Darby township westerly to a point running south will strike the east boundary of Mark's survey, on Little Darby creek.; thence southward to where the state road, leading to Franklinton, crosses the Guide Pun branch of Deer creek; thence easterly so. as to include all the inhabitants of Darby creek in said township, continuing to, Franklin county line; thence with said line to place of beginning." The continued to organize different townships. at a later date, taking a part from Jefferson at various times, giving it different shapes, until its present area and formation was reached. It is very irregular in shape: stretching for about flve and a half miles from north to south, and about five and one-fourth miles from east to west. Jefferson township is for the most part, rather level and was originally a non-productive region, covered with stagnant water, producing much fever. and ague, which retarded the early settlement. It has sufficient elevations and depressions to afford excellent facilities for underdraining, which, of late years, has received no small amount of attention, at present there being thousands of rods of tile buried beneath the surface. Through the medium of the underdraining, the citizens of Jefferson township have rendered it a fine and productive farming country. It has been freed from the early diseases and is a very healthful and productive township and a desirable location. The northern portion of the township is level, but as it nears the central part it becomes more rolling, and flnally empties the water from the fiats into the Little Darby. The southern portion slopes toward the south and east, emptying its waste waters into the 'Big Darby through the Little Darby., which flows through the central and southeastern part of the township. That part of the county front which Jefferson township was formed was composed of MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 119 oak openings and prairie land. The soil is of a deep. clay loam, capable of the highest fertility, and produces fine crops of wheat, corn, oats and hay. Wool. was a staple product of the township in the earlier settlements and is not altogether .abandoned, Cattle, horses, sheep and hogs are raised in abundance. Special attention is given to raising cattle. The timber of the township, of any value, consisted mainly of oak: hickory and elm, although. there were other varieties existing, such as sycamore and the timbers of lesser value found along streams. The more valuable timbers, such as walnut. poplar, etc., were lacking. The township is Watered or rather .drained by the Big Darby on the eastern boundary, and Little Darby through the center, and their. small tribu- taries, the largest being Price's run. Along the last-named stream are numerous springs of excellent water, some of which possess mineral substance. There are also many picturesque spots along. its banks. Little Darby, the principal stream traversing the township, enters the territory about half a mile north of the Urbana pike and, with its irregular course to the southeast, makes a total distance within her limits of about ten miles. It passes out of the township southeast of the village of West Jefferson. and one mile and a half south of the National road. SETTLEMENT. The honor of being the first white settler within: the present limits of Jefferson township must be accorded to Michael Johnson, wife and eight children Johnson emigrated from Virginia to this section of the Northwest territory in 1796-97 the same time, William Lapin in this township, and subsequently married Margaret daughter of Michael Johnson, which family. had settled about four miles northwest of the site of West Jefferson. Another pioneer of this township was Silas Springer, who first located near Plain City, but. afterwards removed to this township. The next locate here was Reason Francis, also a native of the Old Dominion, Mr. Francis emigrated to the neighborhood in 1800 and settled between the Darbys He was quite a hunter and loved the chase possessed many peculiar characteristics, and was a shrewd, sharp business man. Another early settler was Tobias Bright, who, it is claimed killed on Indian in 1816, at the old camping-ground on Spring Fork, near its junction with Little Darby creek: He was tried and .acquitted, One of the Lapins also shot. an Indian near the same place a few years later; but these events were common in pioneer days. The Indians were, as a rule inveterately detested, especially, by those who had lost friends or relatives during the Indian wars. About the beginning of the nineteenth century, Nehemiah Gates came into the township, and remained until after the War of 1812. He then returned to his, native state of Virginia, married a Miss Johnson, and again came to Madison county. He was married four times, his last wife being a sister to his first. Mr. Gates was a native of the state of New York, and, after his first settlement on Little Darby, he assisted in erecting a mill on that stream. He was an industrious, hardworking man, and was much respected by the pioneers. His name is found among the first juries of Madison county. Philip Sidener. came from Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1802, and settled on the Scioto river, four miles below Franklinton. He built and operated a. distillery at this place, but was very much annoyed by the Indians, who were continually begging whiskey of him, and if he would not comply with. their wish they would either buy or steal it.. After a brief residence in this place, unusual sickness induced him to sell his farm and "Strike out" for the Darbys. He built his cabin on the east bank of the Little Darby about sixty rods south of the National road, and was a close., neighbor to Reason Francis and Tobias Bright. A short time after Philip Sidener settled here, Tobias Bright and another neighbor called one evening at the camp of two Indians on Spring fork. After spending the early part of the evening, they started home and, when a few paces away. Bright turned and shot one of the Indians dead. This cold-blooded act caused great 120 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. indignation among the Indians and spread general consternation over the settlement. A general uprising was expected and such was the feeling of unrest that it led to Mr. Sidener's removal to Kentucky. The settlers who remained built a stockade about fifteen feet high, inclosing about an acre of land, including Sidener's cabin. This was in 1811 and some of the posts could be seen as late as 1890. The excitement soon subsided, and Mr. Sidener returned, to the place of his former settlement, .where he built another cabin. Such was the life of the earlier settlers and it is interesting to mote a few other incidents• and facts that relate to these early settlers. There were no roads at this time save an Indian trail from the Muskingum and Scioto to Mad rivers, passing just north of the present National road. There were no schools 'and religious services were held only at intervals, this generally occurring at the home of some pioneer. There were no blacksmiths and wagonmakers, but every man was his own mechanic. There were no stores nearer than Franklinton. Quite a number of the early settlers engaged in making whiskey, as this was the only thing they could transport to Chillicothe and profitably exchange for other goods. It is interesting to note that the greatest bulk they took in exchange was salt, which was an actual necessity. The clothing was of buckskin, flax or linsey-woolsey ; the wants of the people were few ; game was plentiful, and there was not much to stimulate the people to exertion, as there was little market for any surplus they might produce. Bone and muscle were at a premium, as is the case in all countries where mental culture is neglected. And, although the pioneers of this section were educated through the rough education of experience, still they lacked the opportunities of school education. The standard of the pioneer in those times was the physical power of a man. This led to many personal encounters for supremacy of this title. The title of "best man" in a community was contested just as bitterly by our pioneers as the title "belts" of today. Musters were held at Philip Sidener's house four or five times .a year, and it is related by these sturdy forefathers that it was no uncommon thing to see twenty or thirty men, with their coats off, either fighting or ready. to see fair play between the combatants. There- was a strong feeling of antagonism existing between the Darbyites, as they were then called from the location, and those living on Deer creek. They scarcely ever met without having a rough-and-tumble time to prove their superiority. John, nicknamed "Chunky," was the acknowledged leader among the Darbyites. He was very peaceful except in times of combat. A Mr. Graham was the "bully" among the Deer Creekers. But these men never met in personal encounter. At that date, about half of the township was prairie, or barrens, thought to be of little value, and, in consequence, the settlements were all made along the streams. The first ground plowed in Jefferson township, according to the early settlers, was that lying between the National road and the railroad, just east of Little Darby. This land was placed under cultivation by Mr. Sidener. The Indians were peaceable, lazy and mostly honest, rarely stealing anything from the whites. The squaws would raise a little corn but the men would spend the time in hunting and fishing. The younger ones used bows and arrows to kill game, as they had not become familiar with fire arms. There was but little money in circulation, and what the pioneers had was gold and silver, paper money not coming into use this far west until a later date. Small change was scarce, and to remedy this a silver dollar was cut into pieces, which passed for their proportionate value. Sometimes a shrewd operator would cut a dollar into nine pieces, instead of eight, and still pass them for the fractional parts, "nine-pence," or one-eighth of a dollar. William Johnson, according to tradition, settled in Jefferson township about the year 1803. "Uncle Billy," as he was familiarly known, was a native of Virginia, but MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 121 was as married in Pennsylvania. He came to the Little Darby with his wife and family, settling about one and a half miles southeast of the present town of West Jefferson. He was through life a farmer, and remained in Madison county until 1842, when he moved to Franklin county and died the following year. He was a man Of small stature, but possessed a strong constitution. Rev. Lewis Foster, who settled in Jefferson township in 1806, brought his wife and seven children with him and located on land given him by his father, Reverend Foster. The latter had embraced. the faith of the Methodist church, and commenced preaching while in Pennsylvania. Soon after coming to Ohio, he was able to organize a society at his residence. He remained in this township until 1835 and then removed to Illinois. Today Foster Chapel stands as a monument to his Christian walk and zealous work in its behalf. Prior to the War of 1812, Nathaniel, Henry and Robert Frakes took up their settlement on Little. Darby, in this township. They entered the Indian War, in which Nathaniel and Robert were killed, a short time after their settlement in this county. Henry died a short time after the war. Michael Dickey and a second Robert Frakes also settled at an early date. The latter was a native of England and was much heralded by the settlers in this locality, as he was a cooper by trade, and probably the first one to meet the wants of the few settlers then in Jefferson township. He also carried on farming on a small scale, as his cooper business did not furnish him steady employment. He died in 1830. Moses Nickens was the first colored settler in this township. He came to Madison county in the year 1810, having served under General Washington in the Continental army. He remained a resident quite a number of years. Isaac Ruperts came from Virginia about the year 1810 and settled near what was then known as the Gates mill. During the period of the War of 1812, dates the settlement of David Harriman and family. He and his wife soon afterward died and the children moved from this county. Jacob Sidener, a son of John T. Sidener, emigrated to this township after the War of 1812. Moses Pippet was also an early settler. Samuel Jones came about the year 1818 with his wife and nine children. The Ayle family were early settlers, among whom was John Ayle, a native of Martinsville, Virginia, and who reached Jefferson township about 1828. He ever after remained in Jefferson township until his death, August 17, 1861. James Burnham was among the early settlers in this township. but the date of his settlement cannot be ascertained. He was born in Windham county, Connecticut, December 12, 1791, and came to Ohio in 1817, with a large train of emigrants, over fifty of whom were Burnhams, and who settled in this and other counties in the state. Mr. Burnham kept a hotel on a stretch of the Columbus and Urbana stage route for a number of years. Mr. Burnham was appointed general of a brigade of cavalry which was organized for protection against the Indians. For many years the parades of this company were marked days in the calendar. In early days Mr. Burnham was elected county commissioner, and was re-elected to this responsible Post for a period of fifteen or eighteen years. He also served as justice of the peace for a term of over thirty years. In all of these positions, and wherever known, his name was a synonym for integrity, good judgment and fidelity to every trust. Mr. Burnham died on January 6, 1857. This good old pioneer left a name which can hardly be equalled by any settler of the present day. The family of Thomas Timmons marks a great place in the early settlements. Mr. Timmons was a native of Pennsylvania and came to this county with the. Foster family. He was an industrious pioneer and a man of rugged constitution. He was much interested in the establishment of Alder chapel, and liberally assisted to that end. He was well estimated in the minds of his friends. 122 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. EARLY ROADS. When the white man first came to this part of the state and began to penetrate the wilds of this territory, they found no roads but a few Indian trails. The most prominent one as was previously mentioned, was the one from the Muskingum and Scioto rivers to the Mad river. It passed rather 'westerly through the township, entering just north of the National pike. However, the first road cut out for a thoroughfare was the old state road. It entered the township a little "south of the National pike, Passing westward, bearing ft little to the north. and finally Crossing the line of. the National pike, and continuing in almost the direction through the township. It was a thoroughfare from east to west, and great stare loads of passengers were hourly seen, passing along the line. This however was not long open for travel until a road was opened from Amity to Georgesville. being almost due north and south and at right angles to the state road. The next in order was the great Nationial pike, which was surveyed almost on the fortieth parallel, Very nearly due exist and west. :ft awakened, the interest of the people, and many who had yet thought: little of settling in Madison county were now induced to come from the east aucl make their home along such a great road. It was the greatest inducement Which Could have been offered for settlement in this county. It added new facilities, increased travel and made it possible for the early settlers to transport their products to foreign markets,   short time after the building of the National pike, the old state road Was abandoned. After this, roads became more numerous and the records of the county commissioners are filled with petitions for„ the opening up of. new roads. Mr. Gilmore, according to the early settlers, was the first man to keep a store in Jefferson township. He was a one-legged man and it was quite difficult for him to get around. He soon. concluded to take in a partner and, accordingly, a Mr. Dalby became associated in the business. Mr. Dalby had but one arm, but it seems that the business was Managed quite well. Dalby would do the selling and get the goods, while Gilmore would tie them up, and thus they followed their business. Mr. Atkinson kept the first tavern on the state road. The blinding was of lieu and formed a comfortable inn for that day, but. with the building of the National road this tavern was closed. J. W. Simpkins opened .a tavern on the National pike. This was the second tavern to be started On this pike, but the mine of the proprietor of the first cannot be learned. WEST JEFFERSON. West Jefferson was first laid out and called New Hampton. When the first settlers located-in this part of the county, their closest town or trading point was at Franklinton (now Columbus), a distance of fifteen to twenty miles, for some of the pioneers, and over mud roads. It was decided to, lay out a place in the township, where some one would keep in store such necessaries as were likely to be handled by a pioneer merchant. In consequence, on July 5, 1822; Samuel Jones, and Samuel Sexton acknowledged the original plat of New Hampton and the signing of the deed, before Justice A. Burnham, and it was recorded July 13, of the same year. There were three streets east and west, viz., Main, North and South streets. each sixty feet Wide, and two alleys east and West, viz., Jones and Sexton. The streets north and south were five in number; the first three, Friend: Center and Pearl, were each sixty feet in width, and the latter two, Union and Prairie, were forty-nine and one-half in width. There were ninety-three lots in the first and only plat of New Hampton, mostly four by ten poles in size. The town, at the height of its prosperity, consisted of a store or two, two or three taverns, a postoffice, about seven families and a Baptist church. Soon after this hamlet was opened up, a Mr. Gilmore started a store, referred to in the preceding Paragraph. It is generally believed that Benjamin Pike kept the postoffice and tavern in New Hampton as early as 1825. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 123 Another tavern was kept in New Hampton by a widow lady, whose name is given as Tacy Widener. Soon after the building of the National road, in. 1836-37; all business houses and dwellings were moved to the great road, and the pioneer village was abandoned. West Jefferson was first called Jefferson and, in reality, still bears this name, as the records show, but the postoffice' was called West Jefferson and common usage has given the town this name also. It is very probable that steps will be taken in the near future to change this name by law to West Jefferson. The town was laid out on September 13; 1830, by Rev. Isaac Jones, who owned the land. The first plat called for sixty-four lots and was surveyed in the fall of the same year by James Millikan. Unlike most towns, only a few years elapsed until, on April 24; 1834, the first meeting was held for the incorporation o the village. This meeting was held at the postoffice and motions were passed to have special laws and town. government, as the citizens deemed advisable At this meeting John W: Simpkins was chosen president; David Wilson, recorder; David Mortimore, Perrin  Olmsteadt, James Roberts, Wilson Graham, Abraham Hare and Joseph Powers were chosen common council; Joseph Powers was chosen marshal and Ezekiel Arnett was appointed the first street supervisor. The first ordinance the council passed was to charge circus shows, etc: the. sum of ten dollars license for every twenty-four hours' exhibition. At the same meeting they passed an ordinance to charge a grocery keeper the sum of thirty-five dollars license a year. In May, 1834, the council passed an ordinance that the president should have for his services and stationery annually; twelve dollars; recorder; ten dollars; marshal, five dollars, and treasurer, five dollars. At the second meeting of the council all members for non-attendance. Subsequently, James Roberts was also' fined' one. dollar for now attendance; but this sum was refunded to both in August, 1834. The first calaboose was were present save Olmsteadt, who, by motion of Abraham Hare, was fined one dollar built in 1835, at a cost of about sixty dollars The new town soon grew to be of considerable importance, in consequence of the opening of the National road and ere a great while it was not: an uncommon occurrence to see daily the five hotels thronged with travelers and the street lined with stages and horses, Among the early merchants were Mr. Dalby; who built the Mantel house, keeping tavern. and store in the same building; Thomas Mortimore, J. W. Simpkins; W. J. Black; T.: Hancock, W. Graham, and, Nathan C. Davis, who was associated with Calvin Horr. Abraham Hare was hatter by trade and opened up the first business of this kind in the town. J. W. ("Squire") Simpkins kept the first postoffice, which was designated West Jefferson, having moved his office from New Hampton. The town seemed to grow rapidly had large business firms located here. At one time it was the leading business point in the Bounty: In 1846, with his father, Doctor Bliss established a large wholesale and retail dry-goods trade in Jefferson, but, at the height of their mercantile trade, Doctor Bliss died, and the business finally became extinct. The population of the village at this time was six or seven hundred, stage coaches did a thriving business and the freight; to and froth the. village; was hauled in wagons drawn by four and six horses. There were two hatteries, which made hats and caps from the fur of wild animals caught in the woods. There were two, slaughter houses, run by Jeannette Stutson and Crabb & Parks. These did a flourishing local business and 'killed all the hogs raised in the immediate neighborhood. These two firms later built two grist-mills after the completion of the Pennsylvania railroad, in 1850; and shipped flour and feed to distant parts. The first mill was equipped with four sets of burrs and they did an extensive local business, utilizing all the wheat grown in this section. There were also two tanneries, owned by E. S. Han- 124 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. cock and Balser Mantel. They did a large local business and furnished the shoe makers with their leather for boots and shoes. At that time the shoemaker "whipped the cat"—going to a farm house, where he took the measurements for shoes and boots for the entire' family and remained until he had them all fitted out. There was also a carding-mill in Jefferson, which was run by Charles C. Jones. The farmers brought in their wool and it was carded into rolls some two feet long by an inch in diameter. This mill was patronized by the entire east side of the township. Later other establishments were erected and carried on, but when the Little Miami railroad was completed through West Jefferson, it demoralized the travel on the National road and badly affected the business of the village. Goods could now be shipped in and sold cheaper than they could be manufactured at home and the local industries began to disappear. For a time the village was at a standstill, but, with the coming of new settlers and the advanced changes in conditions, which began to be taken advantage of in this little village, new life began to spring up. The railroad has been a great advantage to the town and this has been increased by the building of the Ohio Electric line from Columbus to Springfield. This was completed in 1905 and is the main line of this road. In 1913-14 the Pennsylvania railroad raised its tracks through the town and now all the roads and streets go under the tracks. This is a great advantage, as it alleviates the possibility of accidents and also takes the tracks off the streets. West Jefferson at present is a flourishing town of one thousand seventy population. Work has already begun on paving the math street, which will extend almost a mile in length and cost forty-two thousand dollars. A new high school building was erected in 1911, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars, and the children of this town are accommodated with the best possible facilities for acquiring a preparatory education. The building is modern and up-to-date in every respect and is an evidence of the interest and desire of the citizens of the town to furnish their children with the proper facilities for education. The town hall and opera house was erected in 1893, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. It is a modern and very beautiful building and affords opportunities for public meetings and shows, having a seating capacity of six hundred. The city library, postoffice and the offices of the different town officials are all located in this building. The village is supplied with natural gas for lighting purposes, which is piped in from Columbus. Plans are under way to secure electric lighting for the city and residences, as this has already been furnished to the canning factory and elevator. This will be furnished to the city by the Ohio Electric Company. The Commercial Men's Club was organized June 15, 1915, with fifty-two members. Dr. L. E. Evans was chosen president; Howard Johnson, secretary, and R. C. Millikin, treasurer. W. J. Burns is the oldest man in the town. with Edward Powell a close second. Mr. Powell was born on July 2, 1828, in Ireland, but came to this country and, after remaining a year or two in Cincinnati, settled in Jefferson on July 4, 1855. He was married in 1858 and has remained in this village since that time, keeping house in the same residence the greater part of that time. L. C. Eglesperger is the oldest resident in the town. He has been a resident for seventy-six years, having been born here in 1839. The present town officials are: Dr. A. F. Green, mayor ; Willard Culp, clerk; William Redmond, treasurer ; Oscar Sprague, marshal; Albert Clark, night watchman; Dr. Lester Olney, P. W. Damson, E. J. Buckley, Forrest Brown, George Baber and George Hann, council. There are four churches and four lodges, which will be referred to specifically in another chapter. The business and professional directory of the town is as follow : Attorney, E. W. Johnson; agent Pennsylvania railroad, William Redmond; agent Ohio Electric Company, Mary Stickley ; bakery, Frank Wise, Harvey Johnson; barbers. Horn Fairman, Woodward, Neighborgall and McNeill ; blacksmiths, Oscar Sprague, Mitchell & Miller, John-