314 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO

TWIN.

This township is bounded on the north by Harrison, on the east by Montgomery county, on the south by Lanier, and on the west by Washington township. It received its name at a very early date, and is the name sake of the most important creek and valley in Preble county. It has a population of one thousand nine hundred and sixty-one, and an area of twenty-two thousand one hundred and thirty-five and sixteen one-hundredths acres of land, valued at thirty-three thousand four hundred dollars. Owing to its fortunate location on Twin creek, it is among the most productive agricultural regions in Preble county. Its diversity of surface and consequent variety of soil make the raising of crops of all kinds an easy matter. The more elevated portions of the township, known as clay upland country, afford excellent territory for the growing of wheat, oats and barley, while the lower areas in the valleys of the streams bordered with rich, moist soil, afford a choice field for the cultivation of corn and tobacco. The leading industry of these lowland areas is the growing of tobacco, which has proved itself to be the most paying crop that can be raised.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

The contour of the surface is wonderfully adapted to the wants of the resident farmer, as well as to the msthetic taste of the wandering poet. The philosopher, upon taking a birds-eye view of Twin township, would note two very important elements in the panorama before him. The bright sunlight in a clear sky would reveal to his poetic taste, wave after wave of beautifully diversified land, losing itself in the "classic shades" of Twin valley, and rolling eastward, wave after wave, beyond the confines of the township. The practical glance would reveal the wealth as well as the splendor of the scene. The fertility of the soil would be noted, and character of the productions would stand out in relief; and the whole landscape, broken by streams and dotted with well cultivated farms, fringed with native forest.

The land naturally arranges itself about the valley of Twin creek, which flows through the center of the township. This valley is the deepest and broadest in the county, and, undoubtedly, the most important. It is the smoothest of the three principal valleys, and contains no bogs or swamps. The soil is black, and almost exclusively devoted to the cultivation of tobacco and corn. One of the most productive tobacco regions in the State is said to be along this valley. Though comparatively broad it is not very wide, and varies in width from three-quarters of a mile in the northern part of the township, to a mile and a half in the southern part" It is narrow- est in section ten. Twin creek was named by the In- dians long before the eye of the white man looked upon its rich valley.

The Indians, thoroughly acquainted with the country, observed that a little beyond the Indiana line there were two parallel streams flowing southward, the one called 'Westwater, a very sluegish stream, and the other known as Wildwater, because of its rapidity, especially during a rise. They also noticed that the stream flowing south through Miami and Montgomery counties was very similar to the sluggish Westwater, and that its neighboring and parallel stream in Preble county corresponded in position and character with Whitewater. Correlating these four streams, they found that they had two pairs and two distinct characters of streams, and on this ac- count called the Preble county stream by an Indian name which signified that it was the twin of Whitewater. This is the legend of the. Pottawatomies, who once dwelt along the banks of Twin creek. The valley has always been considered one of nature's health resorts. The Indians desired no better watering place: Before the white settlements they congregated here in large num- bers, and the last tribe which left Preble county, the Pottawatomies, spent their last night, April 30, 1805, near the beloved stream. As long as Twin valley was within the narrowing bounds of the Indian's freedom,

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he would, from time to time, come back, seeking the renewal of that health which he secured while a growing boy in Twin valley, and had lost in his later years in the miasmatic regions of the west. This valley was the Indian's Nile, and subsequent settlers have found it one of the healthiest spots in the State. The ague is a stranger in the neighborhood of Twin, except, perhaps, in the northern part of the valley, where the land is somewhat swampy.

Four principal table lands control the drainage of the township, affording abundant supplies to Twin creek. That in the northwestern part, adjacent to Price's creek, in the vicinity of Brennersville, has a clay ridgy soil, with blue clay or "hard pan" almost touching the surface. The soil is a brown loam, somewhat rocky, but good when plowed. Of necessity this is a beech region, with a sprinkling of smooth bark hickory, and considerable numbers of sugar trees. Most of the gravel of the township is found in this part.

Land similar to this is found in the northern half of the township, east of Twin, between that stream and Rape's run. The soil here and in the northeastern corner of the township is clay upland, and the forests abound in beech and oak timber, with some shell-bark hickory. More oak is found in the northeast corner than in any other part of the township.

The southeast quarter of Twin township used to be very low and flat, and in early times it was frequently flooded with two feet of water. There was fall enough for the water, but the accumulations of fallen timber held it back. Since this timber has been cleared away and the land thoroughly drained, a rich agricultural region has been discovered with deep soil, black and durable, well supplied with beech, sugar, burr oak, considerable red oak, and but little white oak.

Opposite this part, in the southwest quarter, is found a slight ridge, which lies between, and for a time separates Twin creek from its important tributary, Banta's fork. Here the growth of sugar trees is the heaviest in the county, and the surface is ridgy.

It is from these upland regions that Twin and its tributaries are supplied. Price's creek enters the township from the northwest at section six, and flows southwest through sections six, eight, sixteen, and in twenty-two, on the farm of James Banta, empties into Twin creek. Price's creek was originally called Cook's fork, after Jacob Cook, who first settled on it, on the farm of Jesse Royer, where the big spring is. Afterwards the stream took the name of Henry Price, who settled near it in Harrison township. In the southwestern corner is Banta's fork, named after Albert Banta, who was the first settler on the stream, where Jacob Peters afterwards settled. East of Twin creek, Rape's run from the northeast, and Leslie's run along the southern half of the eastern township line, are the only important streams.

In general the ridges of the upland country are on the line which distinctly marks the junction of the Clinton or yellow limestone with the blue limestone. The blue limestone beneath is impervious to water, and the Clinton stone, just overlapping, is porous, and covered with lines of fracture. Springs of water must, therefore, necessarily appear along the outcrop of the two formations. Investigation shows that springs do appear in this line, especially in the vicinity of Brennersville on Price's creek. On the farm of Jesse Royer, in section seventeen, there is a spring whose copious flow entitles it to the name Mammoth spring, which gives rise to one of the branches of the creek just east. When the proposed railroad was expected to be built through Brennersville the imaginary station received the name bf Mammoth Spring. There is but little doubt this is the strongest spring of water in the county. Southeast of this parent spring, on the same farm is found nearly an acre of ground that fairly bubbles over with minor springs, giving source to another branch of Price's creek, and finding its way thither through the stone quarry of J. O. Deem. There are numerous other springs in this neighborhood. Beginning at the northwestern corner of the township we find the second mammoth spring on the farm of Jonathan Cotterman, and another one on the farm owned by E. Marker, both in section six. In section eight there are five strong springs—one in the northwest quarter, three on the farm of Samuel Enoch, and one on Joel Smith's farm, Besides these there are other smaller springs. This line of springs marks a very productive country. Besides the limestone abounding in this region there is considerable sandstone. The sand, it must be understood, however, is lime sand.

The southwestern and southern portions of Twin township are traversed by the line of erratic rocks of granite formation, known as the

BOULDER BELT,

a belt brought down by the glaciers of the north, and scattered from the northwest to the southeast through the county. These boulders are very numerous in the corner of Twin township where they abound. A few years ago on the farm of David Potterf, in section thirty- three, near West Alexandria, no less than twelve hundred boulders were counted, whose diameters exceeded two feet. There are many of these large stones under ground. This surface stone quarry, although it interferes with agricultural pursuits, has been very valuable in furnishing the solid foundations of buildings. Although an obstruction, these boulders must not be lightly esteemed. Every farm in this belt has on and beneath its surface thousands of perches of valuable building stone. The formation of these boulders may be best seen in stone walls which are made from them. The mechanics who can split and trim these boulders are in demand; and there is no more durable or attractive fence than one made of boulders.

SETTLEMENT.

As in other townships, the majority of the settlers in this part of the county were southerners, from Kentucky, Virginia,. Georgia, and North Carolina, with some from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In the early days of settlement the land, which was owned by the Government, was sold in parcels of not less than a section, at two dollars per acre. Of course, many of the early settlers were unable to take so much

316 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

land, and it became necessary for some one man to buy a section of land, and, after sub-dividing to suit the purchaser, sell it to settlers; or a number of men would club together, appoint one of their number treasurer, and authorize him to buy a section of land. This was done by many of the early settlers of Twin township. This plan gave abundant opportunities for land sharks, but there is no instance of any fraud of this kind in Twin township.

Among the first settlers who entered land in the township, were the Van Winkles, the Millers, and the Keslings, who came in 1804; and the Nisbits, Quinns, Bantas, Whitesells, Rapes, and Ozias, who came about 1805.

The first permanent settlement in Twin township was ' made by Simeon Van Winkle. He was born in Georgia, June 5, 1768, and his wife, Phebe, was born in the same State, October 3, 1766. They emigrated to Kentucky, and in February, 1804, came to Ohio and entered sec- tion twenty-seven, on which the village of New Lexington now stands. They afterwards sold a portion of this land, and retained the northwestern corner, now known as the Ozias farm. They were parents of ten children, five boys and five girls. Mr. Van Winkle gave each of his sons eighty acres of land, upon which each one finally settled. David, the eldest, owned what is now the Copp farm. He lived there for several years, and went to Anderson, Indiana, where he died, in 1872. He is buried in the Baptist graveyard at New Lexington. John, who was active among the early members of the New Light church, used to live on the Solomon Meekley farm. He afterwards emigrated to Missouri, where he died. James, Robert, and Jesse followed David to Anderson, Indiana. Jesse is dead, but James is living in Anderson, Indiana, and Robert is living in that vicinity. Susan, now the widow Robinson, is lilvng in West Alexandria. Louisa is living, and Phebe, Tirza, and Hannah are dead. The Van Winkles were very prominent in the early affairs of the township, in the community, and in the Baptist church, of which they were members. Simeon Van Winkle was one of the first township trustees. He donated the ground on which the Baptist church was built, and he and his wife were buried in the adjoining burying-ground. He died in 1831, aged sixty-three years. His wife nearly completed her centennial year, dying September 12, 1866, aged ninety-nine years, eleven months, and nine days. There is now none of the name living in Ohio.

Frederick Miller was the next settler in Twin township. He was a native of Virginia, born in 1761. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in 1762. Mr. Miller was a. soldier of the Revolution, having served under Washington, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown. He subsequently removed to what is now Anderson county, Tennessee. In the fall of 1803 he emigrated to Ohio with his family, which he left at Lebanon, Warren county, while he searched for a suitable location for his new home. In March, 1804, taking with him his daughter Abbie, aged thirteen, and his son, Jacob F., aged eleven, he left Lebanon, and brought a portion of his goods to the place he had chosen for the location of his wilderness home. The way was obstructed by the heavy timber, and the road had to be cut out as they advanced. After several days' weary travelling they arrived on the land whereon their new home was to be built. They built a pole shanty against a coffee-bean tree, which is still standing on the farm of the late James H. Curry, about one hundred yards east of the pike from Lexington to West Alexandria. After seeing that the children were comfortably fixed, Mr. Miller left them in charge of the camp, and returned to Lebanon for the remainder of his family and goods. The brave little guards were not molested by anything, although wild beasts and Indians were plenty at that time

Frederick and Elizabeth Miller had three sons and two daughters: Sarah, wife of Robert Davidson, died in July, 1880; Abbie lived in Indiana; Jacob F. lived near Lewisburgh, and was at one time county commissioner; he died in 1849; John died in West Alexandria, and Solomon, the only one living, emigrated to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he founded Millersburgh, of which he is at. present the postmaster.

It was at the house of Frederick Miller that the wounded soldier, Sergeant Henry Riddle, died, in 1813. Frederick Miller and family were among the original members of the old Lexington

Presbyterian church.

In the spring of 1804 quite a number of other families settled in Twin township.

Albert Banta settled on the Peters farm, at the cros- sing of the Eaton and Lexington road with the branch of Twin creek, that took his name, and is now known as Banta's fork.

Henry Kesling located on the land selected for him by Frederick Miller, where the farms of John Bare and George Sauer are, and the part of West Alexandria which is in Twin township. Mr. Kesling died about 1837, and is buried in the cemetery at West Alexandria.

In the year 1805 William Nisbit and his three sons, William, James I., and Thomas, emigrated from Kentucky to Ohio. William Nisbit, the father, was born in Pennsylvania in 1734, and afterwards emigrated to Kentucky. His three sons were born in Kentucky. William located on what is now the Trick farm, and for several years carried on the tanning business. His tannery was at the foot of the hill.

Thomas settled on the place now owned by J. H. Markey, in section twenty-seven.

James I. located on the land on which New Lexington was afterwards built by him. In 1806 Judge Nisbit laid out the town which he designed for the county seat. He built the first house in Lexington, the first frame house on the turnpike, and the first brick house in the county, all on the same site. He kept the first store and was the first postmaster, and one of the first members of the old Presbyterian church. When the court of com- mon pleas was established at Eaton he was made one of the associate judges. Of him it may be said that he was the soul of all the enterprise New Lexington ever had. He is buried at Lexington.

Robert Patterson, known as "Pat," and John Jackson, called "Jack," were sons of Judge Nisbit. Both became good physicians. Their history is given under the head

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of early physicians of West Alexandria. They are buried at Lexington. Dr. John J. Nisbit, their cousin, is also buried there.

Harriet, daughter of Judge Nisbit, is living in West Alexandria. She is the last survivor of the family who lives in Twin township.

About this time Aaron Torrence, of Cincinnati, a large land speculator, bought land formerly owned by Thomas Nisbit, west of where Alexandria now stands. He was very much afraid that the Indians would destroy him, though at this time they were peaceable. He sat up nights and slept in the day time. After a time this manner of life became monotonous and he sold out and fearfully departed. Whether the Indians ever got him or not has not been ascertained.

Henry Whitesell was one of the earliest settlers in Twin township. He emigrated to Ohio from North Carolina at a very early day, and came to Twin township, locating on Banta's fork. He married Miss Strader, of North Carolina. He sold out before the War of 1812, and removed to Eaton, where he remained one year. Thence he moved north of Eaton, in Washington township, and located on Seven Mile creek. He was a blacksmith by trade. In the War of 1812 he served faithfully in the company of Captain David E. Hendricks. Two of his sons were also in the war. Mr. Whitesell's sons, George, Adam and Tobias, are dead.

John Rape, sr., was born in France, and came to this country with General Lafayette. He served in the Revolution nearly five years. After the close of the war he deserted from his command, and refused to return to France. He was so infatuated with Virginia that he concluded to remain there. In Loudoun county, Virgmia, he married Eva Catharine, daughter of John Dickard. He subsequently settled in the Shenandoah valley, and in 1803 emigrated to Ohio. He came by wagon across the mountains to Wheeling, thence on a New Orleans flat-boat down the Ohio river to Cincinnati, and then by wagon to Warren county, Ohio. In 1805 he emigrated to Preble county, settling in Twin township, on the spot of ground now occupied by his son, John. He was a natural mechanic, although he never learned a trade, and was very useful in aiding the settlers to build their homes. The hewed log house which he built in 1811, is still standing, and is used by John Rape as a wash house. He died in 1831, at the age of eighty-six. His wife died in 1823. They raised a family of six children: Mary, widow of Frederick Wikle, in her eighty-seventh year; John, born October 17, 1797, and Jacob; the other three are dead.

About the year 1748 John Quinn emigrated from the north of Ireland to the State of New Jersey. He married Miss Crooks, of New Jersey. They have four sons, of whom John, Robert and James were born in New Jersey, and Joseph in Maryland. John died in Maryland.

In 1788 Robert Quinn was married to Elizabeth Lacey, who lived near the site of Washington city. Her father was General Lacey, of Revolutionary fame. The Laceys came from the Isle of Wight in 1699.

The first child of Robert and Elizabeth Quinn was Jane, who was born in Maryland; and married Phineas Hart. Robert Quinn lived for a short time in Virginia, and in the fall of 1789 moved to Georgia. Here were born: John in 1790; James in 1792; Robert in 1795; Margaret, who married Peter Aten, and now lives in Texas; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel P. Wilson, of Muncie, Indiana; Lacey, who died in infancy, and Mary Ann, who died about 1830.

In the year 1805 Robert Quinn, sr., emigrated to Ohio, and lived for two years near Germantown, Montgomery county. In 1807 he came with his family to Preble county, and settled in section thirty-one in Twin township.

His brothers, John and James, came about the same time, and Joseph several years afterwards.

John settled in Twin township, on the farm now owned by George Kline, and lived there till 1830, when he moved to Delaware county, Indiana, where he died in 1840.

James who settled near Brennersville, Twin township, left Preble county about the year 1837, and died on the road to Iowa, where his family still resides.'

Joseph who was a bachelor, purchased land in Lanier township, and died in 1837.

Robert Quinn, sr., died April 10, 1844.

His son, John, married in 1834 Mary Ann Pottenger, who was born in Butler county in 1804. They lived during the most of their lives on the old home place on the Dayton pike.

In the War of 1812 he served in Captain Joseph E. Hawkins' company. After the war he was made brigadier general in one of the early day military organizations. During the years 1831 and 1835 he served the county as sheriff. He represented Preble county in the general assembly of Ohio, in the sessions of 1837 and 1838, and at one time was a member of the State' board of equalization.

To Mr. and Mrs. John Quinn were born five sons— Thomas P., born July 6, 1832, graduated at Farmers college in 1853, and died in Eaton, of cholera, in 1854, while studying law; Robert W., born September 28, 1835, attended Farmers college at College Hill, Ohio, for three years, graduated at the Cincinnati Law school, practiced before the war in Cincinnati, and since 1867 has, been practicing in Eaton. January 10, 1861, he married Josephine M. Palmer, of Cincinnati, by whom he has had two children, Edmund F. and Caroline B.

John W. Quinn was born July 25, 1838, lived on the farm most of his life, and enlisted in the company of Colonel Harris, in the fall of 1861, and died at Monterey, Virginia, in 1862.

James L. Quinn was born September 21, 1844, and after attending the Miami university at Oxford for one year, graduated first at Bartlett's Commercial school, in Cincinnati, and afterwards at the Miami Medical college, in Cincinnati. In 1873 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Quinn, by whom he has had three childrenCharlotta M., Ruth Eleanor, and John William.

Samuel Quinn, born February 5, 1844, attended Farmers college one year, and graduated at the Cincinnati Law school about 1870.- He is practicing in Cincinnati.

318 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

James Quinn, the brother of General John Quinn, was born in 1792, lived in Washington township for a while, afterwards settling in Twin township, just east of his father's farm. In 1817 he marled Sarah Glines, by whom he had seven children : John Lacey, of Eaton; Eliza Ann, married George Irvm, and lives in Randolph county, Indiana; Robert M., lives in Eaton; James Harvey, lives in Illinois; William D., who for several years was clerk of the county of Preble; Joseph, who died when a young man; and Sarah, the wife of Sylvester Irvin, of Randolph county, Indiana.

Colonel Robert Quinn is the son of old Robert Quinn, who settled in Twin township. He was born February, 1795. His wife was Sarah Wasson, by whom he has had two children: Joseph W. lives near his father, in Washington township, and Nancy Jane is the wife of D. W. Chrisman, of Indiana. Everybody knows "Uncle Bobby" Quinn. He well remembers the "cold Friday" of 180–, which was spent by the Quinn family in open camp. For many years he was an honest tiller of the soil. He also worked at the blacksmith trade. He was an active soldier in the War of 1812. He now resides on the Lexington road just north of Eaton, in Washington township.

John Ozias, and his sons, Jacob, John, and Peter, came to Ohio from the State of North Carolina as early as 1803 or 1804. After living for about a year in War- ren county, the family removed to what is now Twin township, where the father purchased a tract of land two miles square on Twin creek, in sections three and ten. He settled east of the creek, near the middle of this tract, where W. W. Geer, now lives, and his three sons around him. Jacob, born in 1775, married Susannah Christman, and located where Jacob Riley now lives. He died in 1849, from the result of an accident by a horse. He left to his heirs some seven hundred acres of land. His widow surlvved him many years, and died at the age of seventy-eight. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters, two of whom are deceased. The names of the survivors and their places of residence are as follows: Jesse, Mrs. John Beem, and Thomas, in Iowa; Mrs. Unger in Dayton; Eli and Mrs. George Werhley in this township. Eli, born in 1810, married Elizabeth Wikle, and resides in section ten.

John Ozias, the second of the three brothers mentioned, was married in Montgomery county, to Elizabeth Higgins, and died in Twin township in 1869, at the age of eighty-nine years and eleven months: Ors wife died in 1847. Five of their nine children are still living, namely: Mrs. Phebe Weakly, in Peru, Indiana; J. W., Mrs. Dalvd Kumler, and William in Harrison township, and Susan, wife of George T. Potterf, in Lanier township.

Peter Ozias settled where his grandson, Washington, now lives, and died there. Jacob, his son, who lived on the old Ozias homestead, was born in North Carolina in 1797, and was married in 1823 to Sarah Potterf, who was born in 1790. They died in 1867 and 1879, respectively. They left.surviving them seven children, who are all still living, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Rohr in Montgomery county; Anderson and Joseph in Missouri; Washington; Mrs. Eliza Moots; Mrs. W. W. Geer and Wesley in this township. Washington was married first to Nancy Gregg, and, after her death, to his present wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Shafer. Wesley was married to Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Christian Markey, and now resides on the old Van Winkle place.

John Hart, sr., emigrated from Augusta county, Virginia, to Preble county, Ohio, in 1808. He settled near what is now Brennersville, on the farm now owned by Jesse Royer. He lived there some ten years and then moved on to Price's creek, and in 1849 removed to Carroll county, Indiana, where he died in 1856. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1773, and moved, when young, to Augusta county, Virginia, where he was, subsequently, married to Elizabeth Sellers. His wife died in Twin township, and he was afterwards married twice. He was one of the pioneer preachers of the Dunker church in this county, and faithfully followed the for many years. He assisted in organizing the first Dunker society in Twin township. He was a tailor by trade, and worked at it, as was then the fashion, from house to house. His children were—William, John, Jacob, Samuel, Isaac, Benjamin, Nancy, Elizabeth, Phebe, and Sarah. Of these, John, Isaac, Benjamin, and Elizabeth are now living.

John Hart, now residing in West Alexandria, was born August 30, 180x, in Augusta county, Virginia, and was married to Catharine Brower in 1827, who was born in 1804. They first settled in Twin township on Price's creek, on a part of the, farm his father had purchased, and moved into West Alexandria in 1880. Isaac Hart resides in Elkhart, Indiana, and Benjamin in Huntington county, same State. Elizabeth (Martin) lives in Darke county, Ohio. Samuel Hart (deceased) resided in Twin township, where he died in 1866, aged sixty-one years. His wife, Ari Ann, died in 1873, aged sixty-two. She was the daughter of Daniel Sayler, an early settler of Gratis township.

John Vance emigrated to Montgomery county, Ohio, from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1807. Two years after (in 1809), he came to Preble, and settled in what is now Harrison township, and resided there until his death, which occurred at the age of a little over seventy, in 1843. His wife died shortly afterwards. They had a family of eleven children, but only four of them are now living. Jacob, the oldest, was born in 1803, and, in 1827, was united in marriage to Elizabeth Judy, and settled where he now lives, commencing in the woods. His wife died in 1870, and Mr. Vance still occupies his farm, his son Isaac, and family, living with him.

Philip Wilde settled in Dayton, Ohio, in 1808, having emigrated from Virginia. In 1809 he removed to Twin township, and settled where his grandson, Lewis Wilde, now lives, in section fifteen. He died there seven years afterward. He was the father of eight children, of whom Frederick occupied the old homestead after his father's death. He and his brother George, who were both natural mechanics, erected for Daniel Miller, a flouring mill, on Wolf creek, in Montgomery county. Fredeack

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was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, in 1788, and was married, in 1816, to Mary, daughter of Jacob Rape. She was born 1792, and is now living with her son Lewis, her husband having died in November, 1866. She has five children now living, viz: Lewis, now aged sixty, in this township on the old homestead; William, in Indiana; Alfred and Elizabeth, wife of Eli Ozias, also in this township; and. Jackson, in Alabama.

Nicholas.Coleman was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1789. He removed from that State to Ohio, about the year 1810 with his family, then consisting of his wife, and one child. He began in the woods, where his son, John, now lives, cleared up a farm, and died there. His wife survived. him several years. Her maiden name was Anna. Mary Vance. They had three children, as follows : Catharine, Salome, and John. Catharine became the wife of Daniel Diefenbaugh; Solome married William Hapner. Both of the daughters are deceased. John_ Coleman was born where he now lives, in Twin township, in 1815, and has occupied the place settled by his father, tor sixty-five consecutive years. He was married, in 1839, to Tryphene Diefenbaugh, and has five children living, and one dead.

Lewis Utz was born in Virginia, about the year 1792, and died in Twin township, Preble county, in 1822. About the year 1810, he married Elizabeth House, who was born in Virginia in 1790, and died in Euphemia, in 1872. Six children were born him, four of whom are now living, namely: Nancy, Mary Ann, Susan, and William. Mr. Utz came to Preble county, in the year 1810, and settled on the farm in Twin township, where his son, William, now resides. William Utz was born in Twin township, in 1822. In 1843 he married Catharine Hubler, born in Pennsylvania, in 1822. Fourteen children were born to them, nine of whom are now living. This son, Lewis, served for three years, during the war of the Rebellion, in the Ninety-third Ohio volunteer infantry.

Isaac Enoch came to this county from Butler county .in the year 1805. He first settled in Gasper township, where he lived until a 1811, when he removed to Twin township, and lived here until his death in 1838. Samuel Enoch, son of Isaac, is still living in Twin township at an advanced age. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1798, married, in 1817, Eliza Hewitt, whose father, Israel Hewitt, was among the first settlers on Seven Mile creek above Eaton.

Jacob Bare moved to Preble county, Ohio, from Warren county in 1816, and settled in Twin township, at the mouth of Price's creek. He lived there on the old Van- Winkle farm until his death, which occurred in 1822, in his fifty-fifth year. He was born in Pennsylvania, and moved to Warren county in 1805. His wife, Mary, died many years after her husband's death. Six of their nine children are living.

Henry Bare was born near Lebanon, Warren county, in 1805, and in 1826 married Ann Foreman, who was born in Virginia in an. Her father was formerly a hatter in Lexington. Henry Bare was at one time a cooper, but is now a farmer. They have been members of the German Baptist church for over forty years, and Mr. Bare has been a minister for thirty years. Ten of his fifteen children are living.

Nathaniel Benjamin was born in Morris county, New Jersey, June 25, 1795. He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, and in the fall of 1817 came to Cincinnati on foot and with his knapsack on his back. He engaged there at his trade until the following January, when he was induced to come to New Lexington, this county, by John Ayres, whom he had formerly known, and who had established a store in that then promising town. Mr. Benjamin's employer in Cincinnati offered him lots on Sixth street in that city at one hundred dollars a lot, with the privilege of paying for them out of his wages at one dollar and seventy-five cents per day. Mr. Ayers, however, set forth in such a glowing manner the wonderful capabilities and prospects of New Lexington, believing that it would, in the near future, become a place of considerable importance, that he communicated a large share of his enthusiasm to, his young friend. It is probable, however, that a young lady then living in Lexington—Miss Hannah Johnson, sister of the wife of Abijab Hayward-had something to do in attracting him hither, for on the seventh of the following November he made the said young lady his wife. For the subsequent thirteen years he resided in Lexington, eleven of which he kept a public house. The only persons now living between Lewisburgh and Winchester who were married at time of Mr. Beujamin's marriage are the widow Winkle and widow Robinson of this township. Mr. Benjamin was for twelve years justice of the peace at Lexington, during which time he officiated at ninety-seven weddings. When he removed from Lexington he settled on a farm on the hill above John H. Markey's, where he lived until 1851, when he removed to West Alexandria, and has since resided in that village. He is the father of two children, one living and the other dead. The oldest is Catharine, now widow of Dr. A. W. Dewey, and living in Cicero, Indiana. The other daughter, Mary Ann, died in October, 1879. She was the wife of Charles B. Dewey, brother of her sister's husband, who is also deceased.

Charles Wysong was born in. Franklin county, Virginia, in 1802. His father removed from that State, with his family, to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1877. Charles was married in 1825 to Margaret Gustin, of Warren county, Ohio, and shortly afterward settled in Twin township, Preble county, on the east county line, where he resesided until he moved into West Alexandria., some seven years ago. He has raised a family of eleven children, ten of whom are now living. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Wysong number nearly one hundred.

Jacob Bowers came from Pennsylvania and settled in Twin township, about the year 1820, removing here from Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio. He finally removed to Indiana. His son, John, born in Pennsylvania, married Delilah Wysong, of Montgomery county, and settled in Twin township, and carried on for many years the old Bowers mill, on Twin creek, which his father had

320 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

erected at an early date. He died in 1869, in West Alexandria, aged sixty-nine. The widow is still living, aged sixty-eight.

Mahlon Karn came to New Lexington in 1827, from Maryland. He was born in 18 it, and in 1832 married Lovey Fritz, of New Lexington. They have had four children, of whom two are living: James H. Karn, of West Alexandria, and Mrs. Julia A. Holland, postmistress of West Alexandria. In 1839 he removed to West Alexandria, where he now resides.

Philip Shafer, now residing in West Alexandria with his daughter, Mrs. Waymire, in the eightieth year of his age, removed from Pennsylvania to Butler county, Ohio, in 1822. In 1829 he came to Preble county, and settled on Banta's fork, in Twin township, on the farm which he still owns. His wife died in 1874, at the age of sixty- seven. He has ten children living and one deceased, viz: Peter, Henry, and Jacob, on the pike west of West Alexandria; Margaret (Oyler) deceased; Mary Jane (Poullus) in Van Wert county ; Julia A., wife of Harvey Waymire, in West Alexandria; Lucinda, wife of John W. Sayler, on the Dayton pike, west of West Alexandria; Elizabeth, wife of Washington Ozias, in Twin township; Elcina (Bell) in Montgomery county; Christian, on the old home place in Twin; and Philip, on the pike, west of West Alexandria.

Joel Shaw was born in 1803, in England, from whence he emigrated to the United States, in the year 1829. He removed from Kentucky to Dayton, Ohio, in 1835, and a year afterwards settled in Butler county, Ohio. In 1840 he came to Preble county, and settled in this township, on the farm now owned by Herman Voge. He removed to Illinois in the spring of 1879, and is still living there.

John T. Shaw, the only one of the family now living in the county, was born in Kentucky in 1835, and re- moved to Preble county with his father in 1840. In 1855 he was married to Seraphina Fudge, and now occupies the place in Lanier township on which William Wright, sr., formerly lived.

Jacob Stotler emigrated from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1797, to Preble county, in 1833. He . settled in section thirty-six, on the farm now owned by William Campbell. He died there in 1851, in his fifty-fifth year. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Sorber, and whom he married in Pennsylvania, died here in 1846, in her forty-fifth year. Of ten children born to them, four are now living, viz: Edward S. of West Alexandria; Mrs. Lucinda Earhart, living in Darke county; Miriam, wife of Joseph Copp, of this township; and Margaret J., wife of Bethuel Harris, of Lanier township.

Edward S. Stotler was born February 13, 1825. In 1857 he married Sarah A. Halderman, who died April 1861, in her twenty-eighth year.

Henry Snyder, born in Virginia in 1792, and when a young man of twenty-two years of age came with his parents to Montgomery county, Ohio. In 1816 he was married to Pamelia, daughter of Rev. Samuel Mow, a Lutheran clergyman. When he moved to this county he settled in this township in section twenty-three, where Conrad Binkey now lives. He afterwards sold his farm and was living in Johysville, Montgomery county, at the time of his death, which took place in March, 1876. His wife died in March, 1851. They raised a large family of children —thirteen in number, ten of whom'are yet living, as follows: Mrs. Daniel Unrue and Mrs. Jonathan Guntle in Elkhart county, Indiana; James, in Linn county, Iowa; Pamelia, wife of Greenbury Loy, of this township ; Mrs. Moses Gangwer, near Lewisburgh, this county; Samuel, in Twin township; Henry, in Grant county, Indiana; E. N. and Lovina, in Miami county, Ohio, and Mrs. Jacob Trick, in Eaton. Elizabeth (Mrs. Tragger), John, Harry and Daniel are dead. Samuel, who resides in section twenty-four, this township, was born in 1828; was married in 1841 to Maria Stubbs, of Montgomery county, Ohio.

Robert Davidson was born in Ireland, and in 1822 emigrated to this country. For eight years he was clerk in his uncle's store in Cincinnati. In 1836 he found his way to Preble county, and established a general store in a part of the house now occupied by Dr. Hill, in New Lexington. He has been in this business ever since, his present store being located just across the street from Dr. Hill's residence. In 1840 he married Sarah Miller, whose father, Frederick Miller, was one of the earliest settlers in Twin township. July 3, 1880, Mrs. Davidson died, and was buried in the Presbyterian cemetety July 4th.

Amos Markey, born in Baltimore county, Maryland; was married in 1821 to Jane Eby, of the same county, and in 1838 emigrated to Preble county, Ohio, after a residence of some years in Carroll (formerly Frederick) county, Maryland. He arrived here in the spring, and the following fall bought nearly three hundred acres of land in Twin township, where his son, John H. Markey, now lives. He died there in 1844, and his widow, sub-sequently married John Harter, whom she also survives. She is now seventy-eight years of age, having been born in Baltimore county, Maryland, in 1802. She has six children living and two deceased, namely: Jacob (dead), . John H., living on the homestead; Christian, in Jackson. township; Samuel, who died in California; Susannah, wife of Franklin N. Fudge, of Lanier township; Amos, in Missouri; Nathaniel, near Dayton, and Joseph, who married in 1862 Barbara, daughter V Samuel Hart, and who, like his brother, John, is one of the most substan- tial farmers of this township. His aged mother resides with him.

Andrew Copp was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1798. He was married there to Elizabeth Huddle, who was two years his senior. In 1832 they emigrated to Ohio with a family of six children. They came in a four-horse wagon, and brought with them two cows, which the son, Andrew, then a lad of nine years, drove on foot nearly all the way out. On arriving in Preble county, the family took up their abode for a few months in Lanier township, and in the spring of 1833 moved into Twin township, and settled in the southeast corner in section thirty-six. The farm is now owned by Mr. Lewis Drayer. Mr. Copp opened there a tavern which he kept for a number of years. He subsequently

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moved into Lanier township, locating where his son, Andrew, now lives, but finally moved out into the Dayton pike, where he resided until his death, which took place in 1848. His wife died in 1849. Of their six children, four are yet living, viz: Mrs. Lucy Stover, on Banta's creek, in this township; Andrew, who married Matilda Klinger, resides in Lanier on the the old home place; Mrs. Elizabeth Klinger, in Darke county, Ohio, and Joseph, who married Miriam Stotler, resides in section twenty-eight, this township.

Johnson McLean, esq., settled in West Alexandria in 1849. He was born in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and at sixteen years of age commenced to learn the saddler's trade in his native county. After he came to Preble county he worked jour work until 1853, since which time he his been engaged in business for himself. In 1857 he was elected justice of the peace for Twin township, and is now serving his seventh term, six of which were continuous terms. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Lucinda Loxley, of Twin township.

George Sauer, born in Germany in 1807, emigrated with his father to the United States in 1826. He lived in Montgomery county, Ohio, until 1840, when he removed to Twin township, near West Alexandria. He married, in 1833, Ann Mary Kisling, who died in 1859. He was married to his present wife, then Mrs. Margaret Eagle, in 1869. Mr. Sauer has two children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of John Fadder, of Lanier township, and Sarah, wife of Herman Vogue, of Twin township.

Frederick Pontius emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1822 or 1823. He settled in Gratis township and died there aged seventy-two or seventy-three. His oldest son, John, formerly a well known resident of Twin township, was born in Pennsylvania in 1817. He married Nancy Marsh, in Montgomery county, in 1840, and in 1844 settled north of Pyrmont, in that county. In the summer of 1850 he moved to Twin township, Preble county, and settled where his son Levi now lives. He died in 1875. Mrs. Pontius is still living with her son and is now seventy-seven years old. Levi Pontius, the son, occupies the homestead and was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Westerfield, of Twin township.

William Klinger was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1792; came to Ohio with his father, Philip Klinger, in 1810. Philip Klinger settled in Montgomery county, but several of his sons subsequently became residents of Preble county. When about twenty- five years of age William was married to Catharine Bean, of Preble county, and settled in Twin, about a mile and a half northeast of West Alexandria. He cleared up a farm there and afterwards moved out on to the pike where Daniel Kritzer now lives. He kept hotel on the hill there from about 1833 to 1850, when he moved into West Alexandria, where he died in 1863. His widow, now nearly ninety years of age, is still lilvng with her son-in-law, Andrew Copp, in Lanier township. They had seven children, four of whom are living: Henry C., in West Alexandria; Matilda, wife of Andrew Copp, in Lanier, southeast of West Alexandria; Samuel, in California, and Mary, wife of Jonathan Kesslinger, in Euphemia.

Henry C. Klinger was born in 1820, and in 1844 was married to Elizabeth Hewit.

Michael Klinger, brother of William, was an old-time resident of West Alexandria, where he kept hotel for some time.

Philip Hewit, sr., came from North Carolina as early as 1807, and settled on Banta's fork, south of the road leading from Lexington to Eaton. He afterwards moved down on the Miami river, and built a mill near Miamisburgh. Philip, his son, settled on a part of the homestead, in Twin, but finally moved to Darke county; where he died. Only two of the family are now living, viz : Mrs. John L. Quinn, in Eaton, and the wife of Henry C. Klinger, in West Alexandria.

John Henry Voge emigrated with his family from Brunswick, near Bremen, Germany, to this county, in 1847. He settled in this township, half a mile north of West Alexandria. He was born in 1813, and died in Montgomery county in 1874. His wife, Margaret; is still living there, aged sixty-five. They have seven children now living, and three live in Preble county. Herman, born in 1838, married Ann, daughter of George Sauer, and has five children.

Henry Voge lives in this township, on the Mrs. Trick farm, and Anna, wife of Henry Waiger, in Gratis.

William Longstreet came from New Jersey at an early date, and settled in Montgomery county, near Springsburg. In 1854 he moved to New Lexington and resided there until his death, in October, 1860. His wife survived him, her death occurring some nine years since. Of their five children, Mrs. Mary E. Trick is the oldest. She was married in 1858 to John C. Trick, who, when a child, in 1830, emigrated with his parents from Germany. His father, Frederick Trick, settled where Mrs. Trick now lives, and John C. occupied it after his father's death. John C. Trick died in January, 1875. There are five other children of William Longstreet, namely: Mrs. David Haywood and Mrs. Michael Wolf; in West Alexandria; Mrs. John Hart, in Jackson township; Martha, wife of Daniel Young, in Lanier township, on the pike west of West Alexandria, and Christopher, in Kansas:

ORGANIZATION.

Prior to the year 1811 the whole of the third range was known as Twin township. The name is derived from the creek which runs through it from north to south.

In 1811 Gratis and Lanier townships were cut off and organized as they now stand, and for some time Harrison and Twin formed one township. In 1815 Harrison became separate, and Twin, with little of its former self but its name, assumed its present dimensions.

It is to be regretted that the early township records have not been preserved. The accessible records go back no further than twenty years.

It has been ascertained, however, that the whole of the first range was originally one township. William Swisher was justice of the peace.

The first election, after the organization of Twin as it now is, was held at New Lexington, where the elections have been held ever since.

322 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

At this first election Frederick Miller was elected justice of the peace, and Henry Kessling, Simeon Van Winkle, and — were elected township trustees.

When Harrison and Twin were one the elections were held at the house of John Vance, on the farm in section thirty-three of what is now Harrison township, where George Weaver now lives. It is not known just when the first election was held at Vance's, but it is remembered that after it was over there were only three men left without an office, and to the credit of these men be it said that they did not try to create offices for themselves.

The present township officers are: James Carroll, John Zimmerman, and Wesley Ozias, trustees; N. S. Hart, clerk; Robert Davidson, treasurer; Johnson McLean, of West Alexandria, and N. S. Hart, of New Lexington, justices of the peace.

INDIANS.

Wandering companies of the Shawnees, Delawares, Mingos, and Pottawatomies once held the territory of Preble county as a neutral hunting ground. Game of all kinds was plenty. Buffalo and elk still were to be found, and bears were numerous. Small game was too numerous to be noticed. The territory between Whitewater and the Miami valleys was traversed with well defined Indian trails. A favorite path was through the region of the Twin valley, now embraced in Twin township. As has been said, there was no better health resort for sick Indians than Twin valley. Neither was there any better hunting ground. The Indians of that primitive day are to be envied by the habitues of modern resorts, in that they were enabled to pursue and secure business, pleasure, and health, the three requisites of happiness, at an expense of almost nothing, and right at home, too.

Prior to 1805 the Indians in Twin township were numerous. The Pottawatomies, who were the last to leave, used to encamp in large numbers.

In the years 1803-4 there were several companies of them in Twin township. One band ot more than seventy-five warriors of the Pollawatomies pitched their wigwams just west of where Jacob Rape lives, in section twenty-two, not far from Twin creek.

About fifteen hundred camped on the Ozias place, in sections ten and three, and the country round about was their hunting ground. They are never known to have injured the white man, who was every day limiting the freedom of the original owners of the forest. As long as the Pottawatomies lived in Twin township they were friendly and peaceable.

The Indian trading post was then at Fort Greenville, in Darke county. In the early part of 1805, the Government having purchased all of the Ohio land in the possession of the Pottawatomies, prevailed upon them to leave this part of the country. The time for this migration was set for the first of May. The setting sun of the thirtieth of April left them as usual on the old camp ground, and the rising sun of the morrow found in the valley of the Twin only the ashes of their camp fires, and overtook them far on their westward journey.

Their departure was quiet, and no doubt the white settlers thought that they had seen the last of them, but in the War of 1812 these same Pottawatomies, under the influence of Tecumseh, joined the English, and at this time the Indians came back to their old haunts, and overtaking the traders who had not treated them fairly at Fort Greenville, they wreaked their vengeance upon Stoner and Elliott.

THE INDIANS IN THE WAR OF 1812

were very troublesome to the soldiers. Men who could out-general the British red-coats, lost their scalps at the hands of the wiley savages, who acted for the English as the hounds of war.

In the fall of 1852 Captain Trotter's company of the regiment of Kentucky cavalry, commanded by Colonels Ball and Sirnmerell, and Major McDowell, passed through Preble county en route for the Indian towns along the Missisinewa river, near where Marion, Indiana, now stands. On their way they rested for about a week on the hill adjoining New Lexington on the south, and the people of the neighborhood were happy to make the acquaintance of these stranger soldier boys in their midst. Among them was a young man of fine address and pleasing manners, Sergeant Henry Riddle, of one of the best Kentucky families. His gentlemanly conduct and social qualities won for him the highest esteem of all who made his acquaintance. He left Lexington with his company in the full vigor of his young manhood, little thinking of the hardship, suffering and death awaiting him.

The company arrived on the banks of the Missisinewa, and, right in the midst of hostile Indians, made a halt early in December. One night, soon after their encampment, they were attacked by a large force of In- dians. A deep snow covered the ground and the night was bitter cold. The brave Kentuckians retired behind their camp fires, and, concealing themselves as best they could, awaited the approach of day. Though they had suffered terribly with the intense cold, they were ready in the early morning to return the attack of the "red-skins." A sharp fight ensued, entailing considerable loss to both sides. In this engagement the Kentuckians numbered . several killed and about forty wounded. Among those severely wounded was the popular young sergeant, Henry Riddle. The company succeeded in repulsing the Indians for a time, and hastily destroyed a number of their villages; but Tecumseh with an army was near by, delayed by the heavy snow, and it was necessary to beat a hasty retreat The company, broken up into little squads, accordingly started for home. The wounded were carried on litters. Sergeant Riddle was then placed in charge of four of his comrades—Conley, Bailey, McBride, and McCarty—and the little party started on the long and weary homeward journey. . They came by the way of Greenville, Darke county, and in a, few days reached the vicinity of New Lexington and their old encampment. The bitter cold and the scarcity of provisions caused great suffering among the returning soldiers, and all along the way the kind-hearted settlers

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met them with horses and provisions, thereby saving many a life. When Sergeant Riddle reached the old camp ground, near Lexington, his courage failed, and his wounds had grown so much worse by reason of constant exposure to the inclemencies of the winter weather that it was thought best to make a halt, and thus give the sick man a chance for his life. His litter was set down before the house of Frederick Miller, just south of Lexington, near their former camping place.

While Sergeant Riddle was among them in the early part of December, in the full, vigor of perfect health, the settlers had become acquainted with him, and had learned to esteem him. As soon as the neighbors heard that their friend was lying at Mr. Miller's sick and helpless, they vied with each other in supplying his wants, and he was in danger of being killed by kindness.

Notwithstanding the careful nursing and many comforts which he received, it was evident to all that death had marked him for his own. He gradually sank, and in January, 1813, slept the sleep that knows no waking.

The peculiar circumstances of this death excited the sympathy of the whole community, and although their acquaintance with the young soldier was of short duration, the people mourned for him, and every possible preparation was made to give him a soldier's burial. The coffin in which the remains of Sergeant Riddle were placed, was made by Alexander Stinson, of New Lexington. At the funeral Captains David E. Hendricks and James I. Nisbit were present with their companies, and honored the memory of the dead by a military parade, martial music, and a parting salute over the grave, which was situated a half mile from Lexington, on the south line of Frederick Miller's farm, about one hundred yards west of the West Alexandria and Lewisburgh pike. Here until 1826, rested the remains of the gallant soldier. At that time it was thought that his grave and his memory would be better preserved in the cemetery at West Alexandria, and accordingly the remains were disinterred, and with appropriate ceremonies, buried in the cemetery. On this occasion the coffin was made by John Miller, of West Alexandria, and Captain Elzroth with his company turned out and fired a military salute over the final resting place of Sergeant Riddle.

It is to be regretted that no memorial stone marks the last resting place of the soldier. The exact position of his grave cannot be given, as there is not a vestige of a mound to be seen. The grave is in the northwestern part of the cemetery, and almost anybody in the vicinity can tell about the place.

EARLY EVENTS.

The first house in the township was built by Judge Nesbit, where the first brick house in the county was built in 1811. This brick house is three stories high but narrow. It is still in good condition.

Frederick Miller produced the first crop of wheat. Henry Kesling had the first bearing orchard. There are some of the old trees still standing.

There have been three organized squirrel hunts. The last one was very exciting. Companies from Twin and

Washington townships contested with companies from Harrison and Monroe. Every man was a good shot, and the pesky little squirrels died by hundreds. On the day of this big hunt nearly three thousand "bunnies" yielded up their little lives, and there was only a difference of fifty between the two companies, but which company beat is not recollected. This occurred in 1815.

It was customary on holiday occasions for all the good shots in the township and surrounding neighborhood to gather in some central location, and have a turkey match. Among those who could hit the turkey "every pop" was Jacob Rape, sr., who never thought of taking a rest for his rifle while shooting.

Wolves, catamounts and bears were numerous in the early times, and they were a source of considerable annoyance to the settlers.

The awful screaming of a scared catamount was enough to curdle the warmest blood. One night when Elder Adrian Aten was going home from meeting at New Lexington, just as he arrived at the stone quarry on Rape's run, man and horse were nearly scared to death by the scream of a catamount, whose den was in the quarry, and man and horse were home before they knew it.

One day Henry Kesling went into the woods to cut a hoop pole, to make a hoop for a sugar-water tub. He was just unslinging his sharp axe to cut a hickory sapling that grew by the side of a big log, when he was surprised by a big black bear that immediately showed its teeth and beckoned him to its embrace. But Kesling had no idea of being hugged by a bear. Without stopping a moment he dealt bruin a death blow with his axe, and the family was supplied with fresh meat.

About twenty years ago a tremendous big catamount imposed upon the people in the vicinity of West Alexandria by making them think that it was a panther escaped from some show. Nobody was afraid of it, but they all kept out of the neighborhood. It was finally killed and the imposition discovered.

EARLY SCHOOLS.

The first school-house in Twin township, was a little log cabin, which stood in New Lexington, not far from the site of the old Presbyterian church. It was opened as a school about the year 1807, probably by George Miller, son of Frederick Miller. He was followed by David Williams. The house was a deserted cabin that had been used for a short time as a residence. It was owned by James Nisbet. The benches were rough, and the light was admitted through little windows, covered with greased paper.

What is known as the Whipple school-house, was built near where Whipple's mill now stands, on Price's creek, in section eight. The first school opened there in 1812, was taught by Thomas Coldscott, who remained for several winters. Afterwards this school was divided, and one school was established in the northwest corner of section sixteen, and the other further north. These two schools were the nucleus around which the present efficient school system of the township is formed. The township

324 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

is divided into eight school districts, and there are nine school-houses, there being two buildings in New Lexington. The present handsome and commodious two-story brick building, at Lexington, was put up in 1873. It is a credit to the place, and is a proof of the deep interest which is taken in educational matters.

MILLS.

Twin and its largest tributary, Price's creek, have always offered excellent water-power to those wishing to locate mills, and from the earliest days of the settlement, Twin township's saw and flouring-mills, have been in operation.

The first mill was built on the right bank of Twin, near New Lexington, the center of the first settlement. It was erected in February, 1805, by James I. Nisbit, the founder of Lexington, and its early enterprise. Here the first wheat raised in the township was ground, and the first timber was sawed.

The first saw-mill was built soon after this on Twin, just north of Lexington, by John Van Winkle. This mill was afterwards bought by John Mumma, and then by Solomon Meckley. It is now a steam mill, owned by Henry Wick, and John Winkleman.

Prior to Judge Nisbit's death he sold the mill at Lexington to John Mumma, who tore the old building down,, and erected the building that is still standing. The privilege of this mill was afterwards purchased by Stotler, Gale, and Glander, who, in 1861, built the flouring-mill at West Alexandria, in Twin township. The mill was operated by this firm until the death of Mr.. Gale, which occurred in when his interest was purchased by the surviving members of the firm. A few years ago Mr. Stotler became sole proprietor, and in the spring of 1880, sold the mill to J. M. Kinsel & Company.

The second grist and saw-mill in the township, and the first on Price's creek, was built at an early day by Henry Price. It. is situated in section five, about a mile and a half 'above the Eaton & Lewisburgh road, and is now operated by Andrew Clemmer.

About the year 1828, Isaac Enoch built a grist-mill in section eight, and soon afterwards built a second one, width is now operated by the heirs of Borlace Whipple, after Whom it is called, Whipple's mill 'It is -now a steam, and water-mill The upper mill has always been run by water-power.

WOOLLEN MILL.

The branch flowing from the Mammoth spring, with its strong stream of pure water, affords excellent advantages for milling purposes, and accordingly, in 1830, a woollen-mill was erected on the left bank of the branch, not far from its entrance into Price's creek. Isaac Enoch, and his son Henry, were the first proprietors. his a large three-story frame building, and ever since its founding it has been doing an extensive business. There is but one: other woollen-mill in Preble county. Enoch & Son .sold out to Joseph B. Shaw, who is the present proprietor.

In the early times Simeon Van Winkle carried on a distillery on the farm now owned by John Bare, near West Alexandria, and Samuel Robertson had a still in section twenty-two.

CHURCHES.

In the early settlement of this county, a glance at the history proves that the settlers had correct principles concerning the necessity of maintaining a high standard of moral and intellectual excellence. In the country from which each emigrated, were the little school-houses and churches.

Though many brought their denominational religious beliefs with them, it was a strange thing to see a bigot.

In Twin township it was especially to be noticed that a spirit of liberality and religious tolerance prevailed. among the first settlers. Yet they did not neglect their religious culture.

The first school-house was used as a meeting-house, whenever they were so fortunate as to secure The services of some passing preacher.

Deprivation of religious privileges only increased the eager desire for them.

Among the first settlers of the township there were representatives of two denominations —the Presbyterians and the Baptists. For a number of years these people united in their meetings, holding them in the little schoolhouse near where the Presbyterian church now stands.

About the year 1828 a difference of opinion arose concerning the propriety of allowing a Universalist minister to preach in the school-house church, and though there was no bitter quarrel, the end was the establishment of the two most strongly represented churches—the Presbyterian and Regular Baptist.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

was the weaker of the two in point of numbers, and naturally enough in trying to establish their church, formed an alliance with those whose religious beliefs were uncle fined by denominational lines.

After mutual conference it was decided to build a church on the most liberal basis, although it ws to be called the Regular Baptist church. It was agreed that those who subscribed, should have charge of the building, and have full control of the business of the congregation.

Prominent among the Baptists was Simeon Van Winkle, and the leader of the outsiders was Squire Nathaniel Benjamin.

Simeon Van Winkle donated the half acre on which the church now stands, in the midst of the graveyard that grew around it.

At the first election Asa W. Malloy, of Eaton, Nathaniel Benjamin and George Ivens were appointed trustees. George Ivens was the only one of the three belonging to the church.

Rev. Poyner and Rev. John Day effected the organization in 1829, during which year a substantial, though small and plain brick building was put up. Rev. Anderson Adams, a son-in-law of John Van Winkle, Rev. James Sanford, Rev. William Williams, the pioneer Baptist preacher, Rev. James Eaton, a missionary. from New York, and others occasionally preached, though

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 325

during a great part of the time the church had no settled pastor.

About the year 1831 a preacher by the name of Burnet, from Cincinnati, a strong believer in the doctrines taught by Alexander Campbell, came to the Lexington church, and in a short time brought all of the Baptists over to his side, except George Ivens, and a petition was sent to the Baptist association asking for dismission from the church. The petition was granted, and the church, though still liberal, was called the Campbellite church. Preaching continued there from time to time until about fifteen years ago, since which time the church has been deserted. Until 1879, the building was in a tumble-down condition, and Squire Benjamin, the only surviving trus- tee, was about to sell it to Peter Van Ausdal for eighty dollars. But the people of the neighborhood rallied, and a subscription was raised, which was used to repair the building. The United Brethren have been holding services in it since July, 1879.

PRESBYTERIAN.

At the time of the separation of the two denominations there was a regularly organized society of Presbyterians, consisting of about thirty members. Rev. Samuel J. Miller, a Presbyterian minister who took charge of the congregation in 1828, was the first regular pastor. At this time C. Van Doren and B. Aten were the elders. In the winter of 1828 there was an interesting revival of religion, which resulted in an accession of forty persons to the church. The next summer the little brick church, which is still standing in Lexington, was built. It is still in its primitive state, with its old fashioned windows, high backed benches, and high pulpit towering in the center. In October, 1829, Mr. Miller was ordained and installed pastor of the church, which office he filled faithfully until the fall of 1836, when he resigned and took charge of the Pleasant Ridge church. During his ministry in the church at Lexington the following persons were ordained and installed as ruling elders: Isaac Pierson, Ebenezer B. Ayers and George Miller.

Rev. Miller was followed by Revs. John Crabb, Rich- ard Badau and John C. Mitchell, who was the last regular minister.

When regular preaching was discontinued, about twenty years ago, there were not more than half a dozen members left, so quickly had emigration and death reduced the ranks. Robert Davidson and Phebe Ayers are the only members lilvng in the vicinity. The aged pastor, Rev. S. J. Miller, is still living at Washington court house, Ohio.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

This church is a branch of the Lutheran church at Lewisburgh, and was organized about 1847, by Rev. Jacob Gruber, who preached there for some time afterwards. It is a little frame building, located in the extreme northeastern corner of Twin township, on the Syler farm. Michael Hoerner, John Chambers, and Christopher Syler were among the first officers of the church. Rev. George Baughman, of Eaton; Rev. G. W. Busby, Rev. George Baughman, jr., and Rev. Schroyer have been among the preachers they have had. Rev. G. W. Busby is the present pastor.

About the time of the organization of the church, this people got into a religious controversy with the members of the New School Lutherans, who worshipped at the Shiloh meeting house. At that time Rev. Andrew Henkle, of Germantown, frequently came up and fought the battles of his church, and it is said that he was a very successful debater. Rev. William C. Barnet, now of Kentucky, occasionally took part in the discussions.

THE SHILOH CHURCH,

situated in the southeast part of section twelve, was organized about 1840, by Rev. Thomas H. Wentworth, of the German Reformed church. He was the pastor when the house was built, and continued to preach until about r850, when he-left, and the church went down.

It was about this time that the party known as the New School Lutherans branched off from the Lewisburgh Evangelical Lutheran church.

At the time that the Old School branch built the St. John's church, the New School brethren decided to have a church of their own, and hence secured Shiloh church, where they at present have a very flourishing congregation.

Rev. Abraham Recks was the first pastor, and it was he who engaged in discussion with the brethren of the Old School. He preached there for two or three years, and was followed by Revs. Barnet, Geiger, Helwig, and the present pastor, Mr. Graugh.

There is a burying-ground near the church.

KELLEY'S CHAPEL

was an old Methodist church, and was named after Rev. George Kelley, who organized the church, and is now pastor of the Wesley chapel in Cincinnati. The church was built of logs in 1835, on the farm of Frederick Hartman, in section fourteen. The church had a small mem- bership, and soon went down, and there is scarcely a vestige of the ruins of the building.

GRAVEYARDS.

The graveyard at the Presbyterian church in New Lexington is the oldest in Twin township. The first burial in the township was that of Grandfather William Nisbit, who died June 7, 1809, aged seventy-five. His grave is just back ot the church. If there was any earlier burial there is no recollection of it. In this place are also buried Dr. Robert Patterson Nisbit, who died in 1862, aged fifty-four; Dr. John Jackson Nisbit, June 28, 1864, aged forty-nine; Dr. John Nisbit, their cousin, died in 1839, aged twenty-five; Frederick Miller, 1835, aged seventy-four; Elizabeth, his wife, 1835, aged seventy-three; Sarah Davidson, their daughter, July r, 1880, aged about eighty; William Longstreet, 1858, aged fifty- eight; Thomas Nisbit; Judge James L Nisbit. 1830; and others of the earliest settlers.

In the cemetery adjoining the Baptist church are buried Simeon Van Wrinkle, died in 1831, aged sixty- three; his mother, Phebe, who died September 12, 1866, aged ninety-nine years, eleven months and nine days;

326 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

George Ivens, 1868, aged seventy-five; his wife, Rachel, 1873, aged seventy-nme; and others.

There is a general burying-ground near the Shiloh church, which is much used.

The St. John's cemetery is in low marshy ground, and is not generally used. Here is buried Christopher Syler, the man on whose ground the church is built

There is a cemetery near Brennersville, in section seventeen, on the farm of J. A. Bantz. The first grave was dug there in 1812. Here are buried Isaac Enoch, Peter Warren, Mr. McGriff, and others whose names cannot be ascertained.

A number of graves in both cemeteries are marked with rough stones, simply bearing the initials of the deceased, and many old graves have no mark by which they can be identified.

The Dunkers have an old graveyard in section sixteen on John Hart's place. It is located away from the road, and is overgrown with bushes. Many prominent members of the German Baptist church are buried here. John Hart and wife, Jacob Bare and his son Jacob, and others sleep here.

There is a deserted little burying-ground in the southeast quarter of section fourteen, in which Timothy Pierson and members of his family, and several others are buried. There is no sign of a graveyard there now.

Henry Hapner came to Twin township in the fall of 1811, but he could not forget his old home, and in the spring of 1812 died of home sickness, or "home sieges," as it was then called. He is buried on the Hapner place, in section four, a little north of the house.

QUARRIES

are found all along Price's creek and Banta's fork, though many good localities have not yet been worked. Price's creek abounds in good limestone, which is used for building purposes. The most extensive quarry is known as the Twin Valley Stone Works, owned by J. 0. Deem. These quarries yield an unusually fine quality of flagging stone, the stone lying in very even courses of suitable thickness.

NEW LEXINGTON.

The plat of this little town has never been recorded, but investigation proves that this is the oldest town in Preble county, and for some time rivaled its sister town of Eaton in importance.

A short time prior to the founding of Eaton by William Bruce, in 1806, James L Nisbit, who, since his settlement in 1805, had lived on a farm in section twenty-seven, laid out part of his farm into town lots, and announced that his new town was to be called New Lexington, after Lexington, Kentucky, whence he had emigrated. Mr. Nisbit built the first house, a log cabin, in New Lexington. It was situated where he afterwards built his brick house, in the eastern part of the village. A number of houses were soon afterwards put up, and the enterprising, and enthusiastic founder of the little town saw, or thought he saw, in Lexington an embryo city. At the time of the organization of the county, when it became necessary to select a capital, this village was first named as the one to be selected, and for a time it was thought that it would become the county seat. The citizens of Eaton and New Lexington each contended sharply for a decision in their favor. Mr. Nisbit worked very hard to secure for his town the name, county seat. The matter was finally decided by the legislature which, in 1808, appointed three commissioners and vested in them the authority to decide the question, which to the contesting towns was a question of life or death to them. Lexington had precedence of birth, and as the eldest, claimed the gift of the county seat as a birthright. On the other hand, Eaton was a hamlet of much promise, and, furthermore, it had the advantages of a central location. The commissioners appointed were Aaron Harlon, Ichabod B. Halsey, and Ichabod Corwin. They were to select between the two points, to establish the county seat, and report the same to the court of common pleas for confirmation. After viewing both places they found that as fax as the towns themselves were concerned it was "six of one and half a dozen of the other," but in respect of position Eaton had the advantage of central location, and this advantage decided the fate of the two villages. The question of municipal life or death was settled, with the odds against New Lexington, and to-day the only reminder of the once high aspirations of the little village is the tall three- story brick house, which Judge Nisbit built in art, and which he had designed for the court house.

Since the decision against it, the lvllage has lacked the spirit of enterprise so necessary to the growth of a town, and at the death of Judge Nisbit, the last hope of Lexington's growth died.

Mr. Nisbit sold goods at his house at a very early day. Lexington was on the direct mail route between Dayton and Richmond, prior to the building of the State road through West Alexandria, at which time the post office was removed from New Lexington to West Alexandria. James I. Nisbit was the first postmaster, and the only one. The mail was at first carried on horseback, and afterwards in a cart drawn by a tandem team.

The first tavern was kept in Lexington by John Haw- kins in a little brick house in the northwestern part of the village.

Nathaniel Benjamin, now living in West Alexandria, kept a public house east of Hawkins.

In 1836 Robert Davidson, of Cincinnati, started a general store in the frame house built by John B. Ayres, where Dr. Hill now resides. Mr. Davidson is now proprietor of the village store, which, true to the ideal of a country store, offers to the public everything from a needle to a haystack.

There are a couple of groceries where liquor is sold, a blacksmith's shop, and a shoemaker's shop.

At present the village has about one hundred and twenty-five inhabitants.

Squire Nathan S. Hart and Dr. H. Hill have offices located here.

From the very first New Lexington has been the voting place of the township. The school building, a hand- some two-story brick, was erected in 1873. The old

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 327

Presbyterian church is east and the Baptist meetinghouse north of town.

BRENNERSVILLE

was laid out about 1835 by John Brenner. He never had the plat of the town recorded, but sold lots of an acre each to any desirous of forming the little community. Esom Taylor built the first house, a little cabin in the west part of the hamlet, where the little store was kept and travellers were entertained. There are at present but four houses and a blacksmith shop. The name has gradually degenerated, and to-day the name of Brennersville is Sniffletown. It is on the line of the proposed railroad at the southern extremity of section eight.

*WEST ALEXANDRIA.

West Alexandria is pleasantly situated on the west bank of Twin creek, in the midst of the richest agricultural region in the county, and contains about six hundred inhabitants. One-half of the town lies in Lanier and the other half in Twin, the Dayton turnpike, which forms the township line, passing through the center and constituting its principal street. The town is said to be the wealthiest in the State in proportion to the number of inhabitants. It contains three substantial churches, the finest school-building in the county and many handsome residences. The town presents a neat, substantial and thrifty appearance. Its people are intelligent, moral and hospitable.

West Alexandria was laid out in August, 1818. Forty lots comprised the original town plat, twenty on the Twin side being laid out by Henry Keisling, and twenty on the Lanier side by William Alexander, for whom the town was named. Keisling was one of the earliest settlers of Twin township, having located just north of where the lvllage now stands, on the farm now owned by George Sauer, as early as 1804. He died in 1835 and is buried in the village cemetery. He never became to any extent identified with the town, and Mr. Alexander, who did, spending his subsequent life here, is regarded as its founder. A brief sketch of him and of his settlement here may properly preface this sketch, the facts for which we get from his widow, who still resides in the town. He was born in Virginia February 27, 1791, and in the spring of 1817, with his wife and one child, a few months old, removed to Ohio. They were four weeks and four days in making the journey to Hamilton, Ohio, where a brother of Mr. Alexander then lived, and it rained every day during the trip but four. Alexander left his family at Hamilton while he went in search of a permanent location. He came to Twin creek, where his brother-in-law, Jacob Sorber, had moved the year previous, and purchased of Jacob Hell eighty acres of land, a part of which now constitutes the south side of the town. The next spring be brought his family from Hamilton. They found here, where West Alexandria now stands, a little cleared patch of ground and four rude log buildings— the old Reformed church, a school-house and two cabins. One of the cabins stood where the store of J. E. Dalvs

*Our thanks are due Rev. Mr. Herman, Mayor Campbell and O. Shephard, esq., for courtesies extended the writer. The sketch of the Reformed church was prepared by Mr. Herman, and that of the public school by Mr. Sheppard.

now is, and was occupied by a family by the name of Coble, who soon after moved away. The other cabin stood on the site now occupied by the store of Coffman & Block, and had been occupied as a dwelling and blacksmith shop by John Clapp, the first blacksmith in the neighborhood. These two families were mere squatters, not owning any land. Alexander, after a short stay with the Sorbers, moved into the Clapp cabin, and not long after, William Sherman arrived, taking possession of the Coble domicile. In the fall of the same year Alexander provided more comfortable quarters in which to spend the winter, by the erection of a hewed-log addition to his house, twenty feet square, and in the spring of 1819 Valentine B. Mikesell, who had been living at Nisbet's mill, took up his abode in the part vacated. From this humble beginning has grown up the pleasant and enterprising town of West Alexandria. William Alexander died in April, 1837, and is buried in the cemementery in this village. His widow is, still living, having reached the remarkable age of ninety-three years. She resides in this village where she settled in the spring of 1818, having had a continuous residence within its corporate limits of nearly sixty-three years. She retains her faculties, mental and physical, in a remarkably good state of preservation. She is as spry and active as many people one-half her age. Before the beginning of the present century she saw, and shook hands with, General Washington. She was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1788, and was married to William Alexander April 24, 1816. She has had nine children, all now deceased but two—Mrs. John Winters, living in Springfield, Ohio, and Perry, in Eaton, Ohio.

TAVERNS.

Early in the spring of 1819, Valentine B. Mikesell commenced the erection of a frame tavern of two rooms, where the Lange house now stands, and shortly afterward William Alexander put up a larger one, where his dwelling had stood, on the present Coffman & Block corner. The erection of these buildings was quite an event, and settlers with their families gathered from many miles around to assist in the raising, and to take part in the fun that followed. They had a big dance, at which a kind of peach brandy ("peachley cure" Mrs. Alexander says they innocently called it) flowed pretty freely, and resulted in the whole crowd becoming intoxicated.

The Mikesell tavern has been owned successively by Michael Klinger, Samuel Fisher, — Miller, Isaac Johnson, Fred. Shafer, Henry Weber and Henry Lange, the present proprietor. Mr. Lange bought the property in March, 1879, and has since made extensive improvements. Alexander carried on the hotel business on the other corner for some seven years. The property afterward passed into the hands of Dennis Kelley. It was burned down on the night of July 26, 1863, being the result of a public jollification over the capture of the rebel raider Morgan. The fire was the most disastrous in the history of the town, the whole adjoining block being laid in ashes.

328 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

The Twin Valley house, now conducted by Wolf & Co., was established by Jacob Winters who opened the tavern in a frame house, which had previously been occupied as a dwelling by George Loy. Since then, business has been conducted, among others, by widow Hutson, Jacob Feary, Jacob Good, Hiram Burke, John Wysong, John Early, Johnson Brothers, E. T. Galbraith, Wolf Brothers, Teager & Hefflinger, Wolf & Johnson, and Wolf & Co. David Wolf, of the present firm, has been connected with the house, with the exception of a few months, since the spring of 1876.

POST OFFICES.

In April, 1828, the post office was removed from Lexington to West Alexandria, and James I. Nisbet who had been postmaster at Lexington, continued to hold the office after its removal, although the business then by no means large, was transacted by a clerk.

A weekly mail was carried from Dayton to Eaton through Lexington. Among those who have officiated as postmasters since Judge Nisbet's term, were Mr. Kep- ler, Elias Herdman, Esquire Taylor and John H. Gale. The present incumbent is Mrs. Julia Holland.

EARLY MERCHANDISING.

Who had the honor of opening the first store in the village cannot be definitely ascertained. It is thought by some whose recollection runs back to that time that a man by the name of Wearhoff was the pioneer merchant. He kept a.store where Dr. Tillson lives, in a one-story house owned by Jacob Sorber. He was followed in the same place by George Gilbert, who moved subsequently to Dayton.

About this same time or soon afterward, Henry Hath- away opened in the building, which he erected, now occupied by J. E. Davis. Hathaway did a considerable business for a time, dealing largely also in pork packing, but his business was not successful, and he finally failed. George Taylor kept at an early date in the building prelv- ously occupied by Gilbert and Wearhoff. Others who were prominent at a later date in the mercantile interests of the place, are mentioned further on as the founders of some of the present business houses.

PHYSICIANS.

The pioneer physician of West Alexandria was Dr. William Lindsey, who located here at an early day. He removed from here to Richmond, Indiana. He finally returned to West Alexandria and resided here until his death. The next physician was Dr. Nelson Donnellon, who was engaged in practice here many years, finally re- moving to Indianapolis. He was followed by Dr. Francis Cunningham, who practiced until his appointment as clerk of the court of Preble county, when he removed to Eaton. About this time, or soon after, as early as 1835 or 1836, Dr. William G. Linaweaver commenced practicing in West Alexandria. He was a graduate of the regular school, and an excellent physician. He died of cholera in 1849. Dr. George W. Edgerly, who was a son-in-law of Dr. Donnellon, was also in practice here. Other physicians whose names are mentioned are A. J. and R. P. Nisbet, Warren Campbell, West Hoover, Dr. Means and Dr. Baker. R. P. Nisbet had been a student and afterward a partner of Dr. Linaweaver. He gradu- ated at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in 1854, and also educated himself for the practice of dentistry. He stood high in his profession, and was popular and successful. He died in 1862.

The present physicians are Dr. R. D. Huggins, Dr. 0. E. Tillson and Dr. A. E. Singer, who but recently located here. Dr. Huggins commenced reading medicine in 1853 with Dr. R. P. Nisbet, and in the spring of 1858 graduated at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He began practicing in West Alexandria in partnership with his former preceptor, and continued until the death of Dr. Nisbet, in 1862. Since that time he has practiced alone, with the exception of a few years in partnership with Dr. Campbell.

Dr. Tillson began the study of medicine in 1856 under Dr. Dickey, of New Hope, in this county. Attending the Eclectic Medical institute, of Cincinnati, during the sessions of 1859-60 and 1861-2, he graduated in the spring of the latter year. He opened an office soon afterward in West Alexandria, where he now resides. Dr. Huggins and Dr. Tillson are both eminent and success- ful practitioners, ranking among the best of their profession in the county.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF WEST ALEXANDRIA.

From the total absence of any records of the early schools of West Alexandria, and the conflicting state- ments of those whose memory runs back to that period, little can be definitely said in regard to them. The first school was kept in a deserted log cabin, which stood at the northwest angle of what is now the village graveyard, and was erected by Jacob Parker. This building gave way to a frame house, which was erected upon the same spot, and is now doing duty as the kitchen of Mr. John Galt. This frame building was erected by William Alexander, in the fall of 1818, who travelled all the way to Cincinnati to get the nails and glass used in its construction, and also a stove. Mr. Alexander taught the first school in it the succeeding winter, and was the third teacher in the town. The first teacher was William Sherman, and the next David Williamson. Subsequently Henry Kissling, who then owned all the land upon which the north half of the town is built, donated a lot for school purposes, and upon this a small brick house was built and used for some time, when a larger house, containing two rooms, was built. In this house, which is still standing, most of the middle-aged inhabitants of the town received their education.

In 1871 the present elegant and commodious school building was commenced, and finished in 1873. This is the finest school building in the county, built of brick, three stories high, and has a mansard roof, and cost thirteen thousand dollars.

Among the early teachers, if not the very first one, was a Mr. Williamson, but in what years he taught, or what became of him, no one seems to know.

Another of the early teachers following Mr. Williamson, was Asa Sherman, who was also justice of the

PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, WEST ALEXANDERIS, PREBLE CO., O.

R. D. HUGGINS, M.D.

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 329

peace. About 1825 the school was taught by John M. U. McNutt, who afterwards was one of the leading attorneys of the county, and represented it in the State legislature. Following Mr. McNutt was John Graham, the author of Graham's arithmetic, which was published for the author by Mr. Tizzard, of Eaton.

The record, which extends back only to 1865, shows the following as to teachers :

1865, W. I. Barnhiser, principal; E. Jane Earley, assistant.

1866, W. I. Barnhiser, principal; Laura Hume, assistant.

1867, C. C. Fetherling, principal; Laura Hume, assistant.

1868, W. I. Barnhiser, principal; Laura Hume, assistant.

1869, W. I. Barnhiser, principal; Laura Hume, assistant.

1870, W. I. Barnhiser, principal; Laura Hume, assistant.

1871, A. J. Surface, principal; Laura Hume, assistant.

1872, Oscar Shippard, principal; Laura Hume, assistant.

1873, Oscar Shippard, principal; Laura Hume, first assistant; Sarah A. Coleman, second assistant.

1874, Oscar Sheppard, principal; Jennie Finney, first assistant; Sarah A. Coleman, second assistant.

1875, Oscar Sheppard, principal; Emma Coleman, first assistant; Sarah A. Coleman, second assistant.

1877, Oscar Sheppard, principal; Mary R. Bloom, first assistant; Sarah A. Coleman, second assistant.

1878, Oscar Sheppard, principal; Mary R. Bloom, first assistant; Sarah A. Coleman, second assistant.

1879, M. D. Tyrrell, principal; Mollie Braun, first assistant; Sarah A. Coleman, second assistant; Anna Sweeny, third assistant.

1880, M. D. Tyrrell, principal; J. W. Halley, first assistant; Mollie Braun, second assistant; Sarah Coleman, third assistant.

The course of study since 1872 embraces the common or legal branches: Algebra, geometry, physiology, natural philosophy, history, English literature, and the constitution of the United States..

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DR. ROBERT D. HUGGINS.

Robert D. Huggins is a son of James Huggins and Nancy (Bailey) Huggins, both natives of Pennsylvania. James Huggins was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1797. In 1818 he was married to Nancy Bailey, who died at West Alexandria, July 8, 1879, at the advanced age of eighty-one. He is still living in West

Alexandria.

Dr. Huggins was born in New Lexington, Preble county, September 16, 1836. When he was six years old his father moved to West Alexandria, where Robert attended village school until 1850. His father then moved to Winchester, Indiana, at which place Robert enjoyed the privileges of a seminary one year. Upon the return of his father to West Alexandria, Robert again attended the village school. In 1853 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. R. P. Nisbet. He at the same time purchased a set of instruments and began the study and practice of dentistry. His dental practice for the next two years became quite large and yielded considerable income.

Robert had always cherished a desire for a liberal education, and in 1855 entered Miami university, then the most flourishing institution of learning in Ohio. At the end of the first year, however, he was compelled, by want of means, to quit the university. In the following October he entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine, from which he received the degree of M. D. in 1858. He began practice at West Alexandria, in partnership with Dr. Nisbet. During the four years 0f this partnership, which was terminated by the death of Dr. Nisbet, in 1862, Dr. Huggins acquired an enviable reputation in the community as a trustworthy physician. He continued to practice alone until 1867, when he associated in partnership W. M. Campbell. This partnership was dissolved in 1872.

The doctor was married March 25, 1866, to Mrs. Caroline Curry. The house is blessed with two children- William and Bertha.

Dr. Huggins is deservedly popular, both as a physician and citizen. He belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and is a member of the State Medical society. A large, healthy body, vigorous mind, and cheerful disposition, peculiarly fit him for his profession. He disclaims any political aspirations and takes no part in the management of political campaigns. The doctor has made himself what he is by untiring industry. His own labor furnished him the money with which to prepare for his profession, and his own merit maintains his high standing and large practice.

NATHANIEL BENJAMIN.*

Nathaniel Benjamin, esq., was born in Morris county, New Jersey, on the twenty-fifth of June, A. D. 1795. His ancestry were from Wales, his mother of the real Puritan stock. His younger years were spent on the farm, until he arrived at the age of sixteen years, when he was bound out as an apprentice to the trade of house carpenter and joiner. He served faithfully, under a hard master, for four and one-half years. His apprenticeship being completed he went to New York city, where he worked at his trade one year. Not being content with the surroundings of the crowded city, he determined to go to the far West (as Ohio was then regarded). Accordingly, in the autumn of 1817, with his staff in hand and a budget on his back, he set out for a home in the new country with scarcely any money in his pocket and without friends or companions. After a long and tedious journey on foot and by stage, he arrived at Browns-

* By Rev. H. M. Herman.

330 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

ville, Pennsylvania. Here he undertook to pilot a flat- boat, with two families aboard, down the Ohio river. His pay for his work and responsibility was his fare. He arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio, in October. Here he worked at his trade until April 18, 18'8, when he came to New Lexington, Preble county, Ohio.

Here he started as master workman, and followed his trade for a number of years, and there are houses yet standing of his construction.

On November 7th, of the same year, he married Miss Hannah Johnson, with whom he lived for nearly sixty years, she dying May 16, 1878.

His family consisted of only two daughters, though he raised, unto full womanhood, four or five other children, gilvng each one, as well as his own, a comfortable start in life. In 1819 he built a house at New Lexington, where he kept tavern eleven and one-half years, and in connection with this business he reared a nursery and supplied the county with fruit trees. In 1822 he sold his property in town and moved into the woods, where he opened up a farm and planted an orchard. Here he remained until 1851, when he sold his farm and removed to West Alexandria, where he still resides, an honored and respected citizen. Father Benjamin is a man of strong conlvctions and determined purposes. When he undertook a project nothinourned him from his purpose. When, in 1844, he was elected by his district as a dele- gate to the convention at Baltimore which nominated Clay and Frelinghuysen for the presidency and vice- presidency, he accepted the appointment with the declaration that he would go if he had to walk every step of the road.

His likes and dislikes are very marked. He hates with all his soul and loves with equal power. He is a true friend or no friend at all. No hypocrisy or deceit finds a lodgement in his manly breast.

He has husbanded his earnings with care until he has become a man of wealth, and is now enjoying his well earned fortune in his old days. Yet, with all his getting, he was not unmindful of the wants of others. He has been charitable to worthy objects. When the project of founding an orphan asylum by the Masons was inaugurated, he was among the first to contribute one thousand dollars. He also gave liberally to the churches of the , place, and gave one hundred dollars to start a library for the use of the public school at West Alexandria.

A few days before he was eighty-one years of age he made a public profession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was received into full communion with the Reformed church.

Father Benjamin is most generally known as an ardent member of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the oldest Masons in the State

He united with. St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., at Day- ton, Ohio, in 1824 or 1825 with eight more, who comprised all the Masons in Darke and Preble counties. He applied for a dispensation for Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Eaton, Ohio, and,, though he lived eight miles distant, he was not absent a single meetmg for three years. He was also 0ne of the 'charter members of Eaton R. A. chapter, and served as high priest two years, and never missed a meeting.

He was exalted to the sublime degree of knight tern- plar at Lancaster, Ohio, in 1841.

He was also one of the petitioners for Reed Commandary K. T., No. 6, of Dayton, and King Hiram Lodge F. & A. M., No. 88, West Alexandria, Ohio. He was first a member of the Grand Lodge at Worthington, Ohio, in January, 1830, and has been a con- stant attendant ever since. He now holds the honorable position of president of the Masonic Veteran society, by the unanimous voice of his brethren.

In civil life he has held many and responsible trusts. He was commissioner of his county two terms, and was treasurer of the Dayton and Western Turnpike company for several years, during which he received and dis- bursed one hundred and thirty thousand dollars of con- struction funds, and seven thousand dollars of tolls, without one word of fault or charge of corruption.

He was justice of the peace four terms, during which time he married ninety-six couples and docketed two thousand cases, of which only one was appealed, and his judgment was then affirmed. In every department of life Father Benjamin has proven himself true to the principles of honesty and integrity. He enjoys in his ripe old age the full confidence and esteem of his friends and acquaintances, old and young.

JACOB VANCE

was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1803. His father John Vance, was a native of the same State, where he married Elizabeth Long, and in the spring of 1807 emigrated with his family to Preble county, Ohio. They travelled by wagon to Brownsville, thence by the Ohio river to Cincinnati on a flat-boat. The teams was brought through by land and arrived at Cincinnati two weeks in advance of thearrival of the boat. At Cin- cinnati the journey was resumed by wagon, and in the latter part of April the family arrived in Lanier township, where Mr. Vance had previously entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. They set to work and rolled up a log cabin, cleared off a piece of ground, and had a crop in that same spring. After lilvng there two years Mr. Vance moved to Harrison township, settling a mile south of Lewisburgh, where he afterwards lived. He and his wife both died in 1845. Their family consisted of eleven children, as follows: Maria, Martin, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Catharine, John, George, Jacob, Frederick, Michael, and Sarah. The only survivors are Jacob, the subject of this sketch; Michael, who lives in Indiana; and Sarah (Mrs. Wikle), living in Harrison township.

Jacob Vance was married April 19, 1827, to Elizabeth Juday, daughter of Frederick Juday, of Harrison township. He resided on his father's farm five years after his marriage, when he rented a farm adjoining. This he occupied for two years, and then removed to Twin township. He occupied a cabin on Twin creek for four years, and then moved to the place where he now lives. This was

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 331

forty-one years ago, and the old hewed log house into which he moved is still used, adjoining his present residence, which was built in 1863. Mr. Vance began here in the woods, cleared up a farm which is now a well improved property of one hundred and fifty-six acres. His wife died March 6, 1870, aged sixty-four years, eleven months and twelve days. Mr. Vance is the father of nine children, as follows: Eve Elizabeth, wife of John Jordan, born January 11, 1828; Sarah, born July 28, 1831, died in 1863; Isabella, born June 6, 1834; Maria, wife of John Ashbaugh, born May 26, 1837; Isaac, born March 16, 1840, married Catharine Houk, and occupies the farm with his father; Lydia, born February 6, 1842; Amanda, born November 30, 1844. Two children died in infancy.

DR. OLIVER E. TILLSON.

The practice of medicine imposes upon its followers a heavier weight of responsibility than any other profession. Upon the decision of the physician depends the health, and, frequently, the life of the patient. A thorough knowledge of all that pertains to the profession, an accurate judgment and rigid conscientiousness are requisite qualifications of the successful practitioner. The subject of this sketch, Dr. Oliver E. Tillson, is, happily, well possessed of all these qualifications.

He was born in Darke county, Ohio, April 20, 1842. When quite young his father removed with the family to Richmond, Indiana. Oliver attended the public schools of Richmond, clerked in a store and worked in a printing office until 1856, when he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. G. W. Dickey, at New Hope, Preble county. In the fall of 1859 he entered the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical institute, where he remained two sessions. His extensive course of reading was then resumed in Dr. Dickey's office and pursued until October, 1861, when he returned to the institute, and graduated with distinction in 1862.

Thus thoroughly prepared by six years diligent study, Dr. Tillson was ready to begin the practice of his profession with the most flattering prospects. He located at West Alexandria, and his merits were soon appreciated by the community. From the time he opened an offrce the doctor has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, and a high standing among his professional brethren. He is a member of the National Eclectic Medical associction, the Ohio Eclectic Medical association, and the Miami Valley Medical association, of which he is secretary.

Dr. Tillson's wife, Caroline (Brower) Tillson, was born in West Alexandria, November 18, 1843. Her father, Joseph Brower, was one of the earliest settlers of the county. Her mother, whose maiden name was Maria Spate, was a native of Switzerland.

Oliver Tillson, father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Butler county, Ohio, August 5, 1805. His father, a native of Vermont, was one of the pioneers of southwestern Ohio.

Oliver Tillson engaged in farming in Darke county until about 1845, when he removed to Richmond, Indiana, where he engaged in the shoe and leather business. He afterwards engaged in the same business in New Paris and New Hope, Preble county. He died at New Hope, June 21, 1865. He was married December 19, 1823, to Rosanna Beeson, who was born in North Carolina in 1807. While in childhood her father removed to Ohio. He was a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, and died at Fort Meigs, September 5, 1814. She died at Richmond, Indiana, December 7, 1873.

The family of Oliver and Rosanna Tillson consisted of four daughters and three sons, one of whom is dead. Mary Ann was born June 21, 1827. She is married to Andrew Tosh, and is living in Kansas. Rebecca C. was born December 25, 1830. She is married to David Richey, and living in Richmond, Indiana. Lydia was born April 13, 1834, She is married to Dr. G. W. Dickey, and lilvng in New Hope, Preble county. Frances A. was born February 3, 1837. She was married to Jacob Benner, and is living in Richmond, Indiana. Robert Mitchell was born September 1, 1839, and died January 19, 1842. William Irwin was born July 18, 1845. He is now living in the south.

Dr. Tillson is not only a close student of his profession, but is a public-spirited citizen and diligent observer of events. He takes an active interest in the affairs of the village, having several times been a member of the council and school board. In 1875 he was nominated by the Republican party, of which he is a working member, for the office of county clerk, but was beaten by an independent candidate. His vote, however, in the townships in which he is best known, was very flattering. He is a member of the Reformed church, and the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.

DR. A. F. HALDEMAN

331A - CAPTAIN MATTHIAS DISHER

Captain Matthias Disher was born on the James river, Botetourt county, Virginia, on the first day of January. in the year 1817. His grandfather, Peter Deischer (as the name was originally spelled), came to America from Germany, prior to the Revolution. He served under General Arnold, and lost an arm at Quebec. At the close of the war he settled in Maryland, whence some years later he removed to Botetourt county, Virginia. where he resided until his death, about 1821, or 1822. He had seven children, five of whom were sons, the youngest of whom was Christian, born in Maryland in 1788. He was in the War of 1812 as sergeant of his company, and was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. He married Miss Frances Circle, and settled on a farm in Botetourt county, Virginia, and resided there until the fall of 1812 when, with his wife and five children, he emigrated to Preble county. He settled in Harrison township, building his log cabin in the woods where his son, Christian, now lives. September 15, 1871, he died, at the advanced age of eighty-two years and eleven months. June 13, 1857, his wife died, aged seventy years, seven months and twenty-nine days. They raised five children, of whom Matthias was the oldest. He was raised upon the farm and had, perhaps, less than two years' schooling. The greater portion of his earlier years were spent in clearing land. He assisted at eleven log-raisings within two weeks. This kind of work he enjoyed very much. September 1, 1840, he was married to Mary Ann, daughter of John Ozias, of Twin township. She died some six months after marriage, and July 9, 1843, he married Rebecca Jane Ozias, a cousin of his first wife. He remained on the homestead until the fall of 1843, when he located on a part of the farm on which he now lives, which consists of three hundred and sixty acres. In 1862 Captain Disher raised a company of volunteers (company H, Ninety-third Ohio volunteer infantry), and was chosen captain of his company. His regiment was ordered to Kentucky, and in the retreat which followed from Richmond, Kentucky, to Louisville, lost by capture one hundred and eighty men. He remained in service only about four months, being compelled to resign on account of ill health. Captain Disher is a man of much more than ordinary intelligence, notwithstanding his lack of early educational advantages. He is a reader of books, and possesses a literary quality of mind in which the antiquarian element predominates. Politicarly he is a Republican. Captain Disher is now living with his third wife, his second wife having died in February, 1854, at the age of twenty-eight. His present wife, are Elizabeth A. Circle, horn April 13, 1821, he married December 6, 1855. He has had four children by his second marriage, namely, Mrs. Mary Ann Bunger of Harrison township, Mrs. Susan Frances Fritz, of Twin, Mrs. Martha Jand Richard, deceased, and Leonidas living at home. By his present wife he has two children—Julia C. and Ada B.

O. E. TILLSON, M. D.

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 333

DR. A. F. HALDEMAN.

In the person of Dr. Haldeman we have all the char- acteristics of a live American. His life has been one of action and progressive thought. There is nothing fogy in his make up; with him mere antiquity commands no reverence, and mere novelty conciliates no favor.

Allen Furgus Haldeman is a native of this county, and is the youngest of six children: He was born in 18431 and is thirty-seven years old. His father is Abraham Haldeman, a native of Virginia, and emigrated to this county with his father, John Haldeman in 1806. He is still living in the enjoyment of excellent health, and is in the eighty-first year of his age. In his prime of life he possessed a fine physical organization, with -rare mental and social endowments. At the early age of nineteen he became a self-taught and practical surveyor. His mother is Elizabeth Haldeman, who emigrated to this county with her father, John Fisher, in 1813. She is still living in the enjoyment of good health, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. She possesses rare qualities of both heart and mind, and has filled well her mission in life.

Dr. Haldeman's early life was spent in acquiring an education; but before he had fairly emerged from boyhood he lost his health. He tried the merits of the Allopath, Homceopath, and Eclectic without finding that health he sought, and receilvng, as he believed, nothing but injury from the treatment of all the physicians whom he consulted, and being dissatisfied with their explanations of his malady, and their talk about the remedies proposed, he determined to investigate the subject for himself; he had, however, no idea of ever becoming a physician. His health was lost; if he did not regain it he would be useless to himself and to the world. He determined to sacrifice all to that primary consideration, and let the future take care of itself. Having no love for, or interest in, any system but the true one, he determined to satisfy himself, if possible, what was true. His observation and experience, however, were continually leading him from all faith in drug remedies. In 1862 he heard of Hydropathy or Hygienic Medication through "Laws of Life," published by Dr. Jackson at his home, Hygienic institute, Dansville, New York.

Through its teachings he was not long in convincing himself that Dr. Jackson was teaching and practicing a system that was at least in harmony with nature and the laws of vitality. In the spring ot 1863 he became a patient at Dr. Jackson's cure. During a course of treatment of five or six months he was restored to health. He now had a pretty good idea of what constituted a philosophical treatment of the sick. Out of this embryotic insight of matters pertaining to health, sprang a desire to enter the medical profession. In the spring of 1865 he had a correspondence with Prof Trail, president of the New York Hydropathic college. He was informed that Dr. Trail would hold a spring and summer term of his college at his Hygiean Home, Saint Anthony's Falls, Minnesota. Dr. Haldeman concluded to attend this term. At the end of the term he returned, and remained at home several weeks, preparatory to attending the winter term in New York city.

In 1866 he became a graduate of the New York Hygeio-Therapeutic college. After his graduation he remained in New York several months, attending a course of scientific lectures on collateral sciences. In the fall of 1866 he returned to New York on purpose to accom- pany Prof. Trall to Europe, to prosecute his studies in that country.

After reaching New York, he found that Dr. Trall would be delayed several weeks on account of engrossing professional duties, and in consequence, his stay in Europe would be shortened. On this account Dr. Haldeman deferred going to Europe, and instead, spent the winter in New York. He attended hospital clinics at Bellevue, and at Blackwell's Island. His new and progressive medical ideas opened up new fields of thought, and he lost no time in making himself convers- ant with as wide a range of doctrines and scientific sub- jects as possible. It is but justice in behalf of the age of progress to say that Dr. Haldeman came out of New York as much of an anti-orthodox as he was anti-drug.

In the spring of 1867 he visited Boston and the New England States. While at Boston, he made the acquaintance of Dr. Dio Lewis, and with him visited his young ladies' physiological school at Lexington, Massachusetts. After a visit of several months in Boston, he returned to New York. In the spring of 1869 he went west. After spending several months in Chicago, returned.

In the fall of the same year he went to Philadelphia, to investigate a business proposition made him by Dr. Wilson, of that city, wherein Dr. Haldeman would become a partner with him in his Hygienic institute. Dr. Trall, of New York, had also submitted a proposition to him to become a partner with him in his Hygeian Home.

After investigating the proposition of each, Dr. Haldeman concluded to establish an institution himself.

In the spring of 1870 he again went west, and invested largely in real estate. While he was in the west, he was one of a company who organized the Boston Mountain Mining and Smelting company with a capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars. Dr. Haldeman was made president of this company, with headquarters at Chicago. During his business career in the west he was elected president of two other business corporations. In the spring of 1876 he went east to look at several health institutions, with a view of purchasing.

After remaining several months in Philadelphia, attending the Centennial, he returned. In the spring of 1877 Dr. Haldeman was employed as physician at Cedar Springs. In August of the same year he purchased Mr. Marshall's entire interest. In the spring of 1878 he and his brother, Eli, became the owners of the entire property. Immediately after this purchase Dr. Haldeman and his nephew, 0. A. Gale, furnished the hotel entirely new and have ever since conducted the place as a health resort. With the opening of the coming season of 1881, its name will be changed to Cedar Springs Hydro-Therapeutic and Hygienic Institute, and will be conducted on

334 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

the medical philosophy as is understood and practiced by Dr. Haldeman. The doctor has furnished the following, as embracing his viewing as to the rationale of the new medical philosophy which, he believes, constitutes a "True Healing Art;"—one that is successful and satisfactory when applied to practice.

THE RATIONALE OF THE NATURE OF DISEASE.

Disease is an action of the living_ system, and occurs only in living organisms. 1ts nature is determined by its symptoms, and by the causes that produce it. Two things are necessary for its existence; first, vitality in the organism, and second, a morbific cause introduced therein, or an agent brought in contact with the vital principle that produces obstruction in its operations. Disease is then the action which follows as a result of this contact, in which the vital instincts of the organism strive to rid themselves of the offending substance. Disease, then, is vital war, an effort of the living system to preserve itself, to defend its autonomy. In this instance war is right and should continue as long as the morbific causes are upon the patient. Disease, then, is a necessary vital process, and should not be cured until the removal of its cause. The vitality of the organism is the motive or operating cause and the morbific agent, the obstructing cause. To remove the motive or operating cause, nothing is more certain than the administration of violent poisons, and this explains why physicians of the drug schools consider them their best remedies, on the supposition that disease is a thing that must be killed, hence employ them for that purpose, often to the destruction of the patient's life. If they were cognizant of the fact that disease itself represents the life powers of the patient in remedial effort, and that, in killing out the disease, they were but killing out the vital power of their patient, they would see how utterly unphilosophic the practice of employing poisons in the treatment of disease. Disease, then, is not a thing to be destroyed, but an action to be regulated, a process to be directed, not allowing the action to terminate in congestion in any part or organ in the body. The body brought to a high degree of temperature, either by violent exercise or by disease, is just as subject to the great law of radiation as any other heated object, and to obtain the necessary radiation we have only to supply the conditions in accordance with this great law. The normal temperature of the body is ninety-eight Fahrenheit. A few degrees above indicate consuming fever; a few below, a depressed condition that tends to collapse and death. In health, if the heat of the body tends to increase beyond the standard of normality, the body at once covers itself with water (perspiration), thus the evaporation carries off the dangerous excess. 1n fevers and congestions, however, there is such a sudden increase of heat as a consequence of extreme labor, or the introduction of a poison into the circulation, that the perspiratory glands become obstructed and perspiration does not take place; then the science of Hydropathy clearly indicates the remedy. The dry and hot surface of the body must be supplied with the conditions of moisture, according to the great law of radiation. Thus we see our remed¬ies are indicated by the preservative tendencies of nature.

THE RATIONALE OF THE MODUS OPERANDI OF DRUGS AND POISONS.

It is claimed by the advocates of drug medication that when a drug is introduced into the system that it acts by a special elective or selective chemical affinity, which the different drugs inherently possess for the various organs, parts and structures of the system. The rationale of this apparent action is reduced to.the following propositions:

First, a drug is an inorganic substance, and does not possess any power of action, except the power to act chemically.

Second, a drug, when introduced into an organism, does not act but is acted upon.

The rationale: The vital instincts recognize the substance to be inimical to their normal functions, and an rntruder into their sacred domicile; hence it cannot remain; they cannot use it by any process known to the sustenance of life. Hence they set up a process to expel it. If the drug is classed as an emetic it devolves upon the stomach to expel it; if classified as a cathartic, the duty is assigned to the bowels; if a diueretic, the kidneys become the best vehicle to carry it out, and so on by like process to the end of the three thousand known drugs.

The vital instincts, in relation to the duties they have to perform, have an intelligent guidance, as it were, the same as a man would have who had a difficult piece of work to perform; if intelligent he would do the work the easiest way, and with the least wear on his vital energies, considering the material he had to use. Just so with the vital instincts of the organism in relation to the expulsion of non-usable substan ces. They take in, as it were, the nature of the situation, and the nature of the substance they have to deal with—the composition of its component elements, its density, or its fluidity; then whatever enunciatory is best adapted to the removal of the substance with the least wear to organic structures, to that organ or organs is the duty assigned. The work often necessitates extreme and violent action on the part of the organ or organs whose duty it devolves. This undue action is disease—a veritable drug disease. This explains why professors of the drug schools say, "We but cure one disease by producing another;" or why Professor Paine, of the New York university says, "Remedial agents," meaning drugs, "are essentially morbific in their action. They operate in the same manner as do the remote causes of disease." The. action which follows, on the part of the living system, when a poison is introduced, is intense in ratio to the poisonous qualities of the drug. This explains why mild poisons only affect the patient slightly, while violent ones depress vitality rapidly. The action devolved upon the system where a violent poison is administered, becomes so great that the vital powers soon exhaust themselves and fall paralyzed, as it were, and death is the result. This explains, perhaps, why the distinguished Marshall Hall declares "thousands are annually slaughtered in the quiet sick room."

This, then, is the rationale of the modes operandi of the so called drug medicines, which is so much written about and so little understood. Perhaps the advocates of the chemical theory are not quite satisfied with this solution of the problem. What is chemistry? Chemistry is the accretion and separation of the atoms of dead matter. Chlorine and mercury will combine and- form a new substance called calomel, and then the calomel may be decomposed and the chlorine and mercury reproduced. Nothing like this happens in the domain of organic life. There is no chemistry in the living organism. Were any drug to act chemically upon any part or organ within the living system, it would combine with it, and that would certainly be the death of it. Dead things combine with dead things, and this is chemistry. Living matter acts on dead matter, resists and expels poisons, and this is vitality. Chemistry then takes cognizance of the combinations and decompositions ot dead, inorganic matter, while vital action is the transformation of usable matter into living forms. There are but two functions of vitality, one-process transforms the elements of food into tissue, and throws off the waste matters; this is health—physiology—vis conservatrix nature. The other process expels drugs, extraneous or foreign substances and repairs damages; this is disease pathology—vis Medicatrix Nature. The living system acts only in two ways. It acts appropriate to the substance if useful, and to reject it if injurious. This, then, explains the grand demarkation between foci& and poisons, as they are recognized by the vital instincts of the organism. A nutritious agent creates and renews nerve cells and structures, endowing them with the finest physiological sensibilities, while a poisonous agent disturbs the essentiat conditions of their growth and renewal, and paralyzes their normal sensibilities. Thus one destroys, what the other builds up. Hence It is just as reasonable to suppose that there is affinity between health and disease as to attribute affinity between a poison and any organ, part, or structure of the body. With these truths we enter the most facinating field in nature to consider the conduct of agents within the elaboratory of life. Nowhere in nature has Deity evinced such evidence of divine and supernatural intelligence. It brings into play man's noblest and highest manifestation of intellect to perceive and make the distinction between these opposing forces. One agent producing construction, and the other destruction one maintaining integrity of function, and the other debasing and de: stroying it. Out of this depot of lifesis dynamics the-brain becomes the recognized sun of the physiological system, receiving and transmitting to the system a force that propels the mightiest and minutest process of physical life. In this citadel sits enshrined the immortal soul, whose sublime and sensitive train of transition is evolved. As the brain is the instrument of the mind through which it receives and transmits its vital force, then much depends upon the integrity of its structural health, and its normal action. Let it once become diseased or paralyzed by the use of debasing poisons, and the mentality becomes deranged, and life loses its purpose.

Then for men to call poisons medicines is an outrage upon the name of science ; a blight upon our civilization, and an obstacle in the pathway of progress.

RATIONALE OF MEDICINES.

A more correct knowledge of the nature of drugs shows they are not medicines at all ! Medicines are those things which in themselves does the patient good, and can never be used properly with any other idea.

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 335

Drugs are agents which produce disease, hence cannot be medicines. The idea that drugs are medicines found existence in the primary dogma that nature has provided in drugs remedies for disease. If disease is a result of a transgression of the vital laws, would nature so stultify herself as to to provide remedies to do away with the consequenced penalties? Nature has provided penalties to secure obedience . to her laws; not remedies to do away with the consequence of disobedience to them ! Man has mistaken her teachings. Instead of nature providing drugs as remedies for disease, the truth is, every drug taken into the living system induces a new disease. Every drug has its own penalty. Every dose is an outrage on the vitality of the patient. There is no so called law of cure in the universe. There is a condition of cure, which, when filled, means to live in obedience to physiological law.

RATIONALE OF DRUG MEDICATION.

Drug medication is established upon the fundamental fallacy of doing evil that good may come. Health cannot come through the use of those means which destroy health. Poisons cannot sustain vitality, for the very term implies its destruction. It is a grand delusion to poison a person because he is sick. To drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, and eat opium are additional parts of the same delusion, and the one prac- tice is justified or condemned upon the same principles as is the other. Physicians prescribe drugs because the patient is made to feel better, because his eyes and ears tell him he is better. The drunkard drinks whiskey, smokes tobacco, and eats opium for the same reason, and with quite as great wisdom. Every process of stimulation known to man is a delusive process, either by whiskey or drugs. Whiskey makes the drunkard feel better, and he repeats his dram from day to day until he fills a drunkard's grave. Tobacco sustains the nervous powers of the smoker, just as arsenic, strychnine, and opium sustains the nervous powers of its deluded victims. Hence we see that the practice of drug medication is a delusive practice, encouraging and buoying up the pa- tient, making him feel improved, while destruction and death follow close after him. When he dies his death is ascribed to a special act of Divine Providence for the protection of the doctors.

Then what is the rationale of this practice? It is to force into the organism that which is destructive to it. No difference what common sense has to say, that which destroys life must save it ; that which exhausts vitality must increase it ; that which is ordinarily deadly in its effects must be salvatory. Health, then, is sought to be obtained by the use of those means which destroy health ; invigoration is hoped for through exhaustion ; natural power sought to be developed by defying nature. Hence the plans are in their very terms empirical and con- trary to every law of the organism.

Drug medication is a clear case of deception of the senses, and its practice is predicated upon appearances.

To illustrate: If the usual vigor of the patienti seems diminished, the physician becomes alarmed—the patient as well, and he administers a poison "to rouse the patient up, to sustain and support his vitality. The vital powers act with electric energy to avoid death, thus he sees the wonderful magic of his remedy. The rationale of this is, that the organism was forced to yield up what little vigor it had left, in the contest against its enemy. So pleased is he (and the observers, too,) with this manifestation of vital vigor, and so intent is he upon appearances, that he repeats his dose from time to time, as long as the vital resources hold out. Finally the delusion ends in exhaustion and death. This explains why Professor Alonzo Clark, of the New York college of Physicians and Surgeons, said: "All of our curative agents are poisons, and as a consequence, every dose diminishes the patienesvitality. Or why Dr. Garth, in his last illness, when he saw his fellow doctors consulting together at his bedside, raised his head from his pillow, and said, with a smile: "Dear gentlemen, let me die a natural death." Were the physician cognizant of the fact that the appearances he believed were signs of recuperation and health were but the morbid manifestations of life in defence of his remedy, he would then see why this apparent sinking away of the vital energies was in harmony with the great and inexorable law of periodicity, and that the vital forces were only being saved and accumulated through rest, in order to recu- perate for another struggle. What would the intelligent community think of an over anxious mother who would prick and pinch her child to keep it awake and active, for fear it would die if its powers sank to rest. Yet physicians are prescribing alcohol on the same principle. Why is this? Because, they tell us, that as yet medrcal science is still in her rnfancy. And it is safe to predict that if they still continue to took for the solution of its problems in the same direction they have for the last two thousand years, it will always remain in its infancy.

Periodicity is another great law of nature, in which harmonizes with Hygienic practice, because the patient is placed in the very best conditions to rest and recuperate naturally. When the patient is in the throes of the paroxysm, the remedial effort is assisted and regulated.

Periodicity is a law of nature which gciverns physiological processes, as well as pathological. No bodily function will bear continuous exertion without its periodic rest. Contraction must be followed by relaxation, or disintegration is the result. Even the heart, which carries on its unceasing action, has its period of rest between every beat. Digestion has its periodic stages. Periodicity then is a law of nature, all-pervading and inexorable. If disease shows its manifestations more markedly at certain periods than others, it is in obedience to this great law. In conclusion we will say, that if a man is not conversant with the true relation that a substance sustains to the living system, he is not a fit person to predicate an opinion as to the good or harm the agent employed will do him. When a man says: "I want a quiet night; I will take a sleeping draught," that man speaks in parables. He should say, I will poison myself a little, just enough to make me unconscious, but not enough to kill. The state he produces is not sleep, but a condition of narcotism that counterfeits sleep. He is a wise man who meets the condition with rest, seeks the sunshine and fresh air, and makes some fresh investments for his nervous system. If he follows in the footsteps of his deluded neighbor, and takes an artificial stimulant, he will begin a career which, sooner or later, will place him among the incurables or .bring him to an untimely end. Alcohol and all drugs that narcotize are dangerous in the highest degree, for they mask the malady without curing it. The remedy is to give up all habits which cannot be sustained and defended by reason and scientific argument.

THE RATIONALE OF THE RELATION THAT WATER SUSTAINS TO THE BODY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. —Air and water are two fluids necessary to life, and subserve similar purposes in the organism. The elements of air yield to chemical combinations in the organism, by which it furnishes materials for its use, and conveys from the system some of its impurities, while water receives and dilutes the impurities and carries them out of the Organism. Three-fourths of the organic world is water, equally true is it that three-fourths of all organized existence is composed of water. Water subserves a similar purpose in the animal economy, to that of our livers, canals, and lakes in commercial life. It is the medium through which floats the solid materials to their requisite places; carrying from out the organism the waste and worn out matters. Then one of the chief uses of water is the function of transportation, which, in reality, is the most important one of the organism. Nutrition is the first and greatest of life's functions, and comprises the breaking down of the old structures, and the building up of new. This pro- cess necessitates the continual removal of its ashes, and the debris of various depurating organs. Hence water becomes the organisms’ chief medium of exchange. Without water the excretory matters would be- come solid; and incapable of removal. With the fluidity of the body properly sustained, the tissues are kept soft and pliable and the blood a iluid, nutrition perfect and health the physiological result. When the third part of the body is not properly sustained, the mucous surfaces become dry and parched with attendant fever, then the inward use of water just as truly radiates internal heat as its application to the external. The great law of radiation is just as applicable to the allaying of inward fever, as its use is to its external manifestation. When the channels of navigation get dry or low in the system, it is a most prolific cause of disease. Then it is of the greatest importance to serve the system with the requisite amount of water each day, and at proper times. For this purpose only pure water should be used—water which contains no elements save its own proper and unvarying constituents; and like the air, it is a difficult thing to obtain. The purer and softer the water, the better solvent it is, and the quicker absorbed and circulated through the system. Another important reason why water should be abundantly supplied to the organism, is to facilitate the process ot endosmose and exostnorse. This process affords &constant interchange of the tluids of the body. When this function is acting normally there is a perfect depurent from the blood of its impurities. When the blood becomes thick it becomes impure, and this occurs because the system has not been furnished the means for its purification, according to the law of endosmose and exosmorse.

RATIONALE OF HYGIENIC AND HYDRO-THERAPUTIC MEDICATION, —This system of medicatron contemplates the employment as remedial agents those materials and influences which have normal relations to the living system. These are: air, water, food, sleep, exercise, rest, sunshine, light, temperature, and social recreation. 1ts philosophy is predicated on the primary* premise that those things which are constitutionally adapted to the preservation of health are also the proper remedies for

336 - HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

disease. It rejects from its materia medica all poisons—all things whose presence in the vital domain is incompatible with the normal play of all the functions, and which are destructive to the living tissue. It regards disease as disordered vital action, consequent on irregularity; excess or defect in the use of things normal, or as a result of the presence of things abnormal. Then the remedial plan is to regulate the use or application of thrngs normal, and to rid the system of the presence of things abnormal—regulating the one and removing the other. In other words: disease is nature making an effort to rid herself from agrievance, or if from traumatic causes, to repair the injury done. Nor does she cease her efforts until she accomplishes her object, or exhausts herself in an unsuccessful attempt. Then, to assist nature, we first place the patient in normal relations to useful things health giving agents; and, second, to furnish her with the means to regulate and amoral her morbid actions. Hence the work must not be suppressed but intelligently superintended; her forces marshalled and commanded, that the labor to be performed be equally divided among the organs involved: The patient is always safe when the remedial action is equally directed to the various depurating organs, or mainly to the skin. There is danger just to the extent that the remedial action is determined from the skin and concentrated on some internal organ. The rule then is to balance the remedial effort. To direct and control the remedial effort we have only to balance the circulation; and to balance the circulation we have only to regulate the temperature. 1n order to do this the by dropathic appliances are successful, because they are in accordancewith the great law of radiation. When the temperature rises above 105̊ Fahrenheit, there is great danger of disorganization, but when kept within the limits of hyperpyrexia, roe Fahreheit, there is little or no danger to the patient. An acute disease is an active effort on the part of the vital forces against the offending causes; while a chronic disease is a subdued, sullen, or inactive condition against the same causes. One of the first conditions of disease is an unbalanced circulation. Here again the Water Cure appliances are in harmony with the two great natural laws of expansion and contraction, on the principle that cold contracts and heat expands. By these means, then, we have the most efticient remedy known for equalizing and balancing the circulation. Then to radiate heat from the surface we have only to supply the condi- tions of moisture; thus we bring to bear upon the patient two great natural remediat laws. Then this is a practice in harmony with the laws of nature in agreement with every living structure; in accord with science and common sense.

The more you know about it the better you like it; the more you see of it the more you are convinced it is correct in theory, and in practice based upon the immutable laws of nature, while Drug-opathy is not demonstrable in science, and in practice is not based upon one law in nature, hence it cannot bear examination; to explain it would be to destroy it; to defend it would be to damage it; to keep the people ignorant of its philosophy consists only in its safety; to hold an intelligent court of inquiry over its theories and practices, it would fall ,to pieces like a baseless fabric, or be driven into thin air like the vapors of a poisonous miasma before a rising sun. It does not seek explanation; it wants the people to believe that medical science is in its infancy and thatsi its practices and theories cannot be explained by its most brilliant advocates. 1ts existence is a good thing for those who follow it for a livlihood, and palm it off on the dear people as philosophy, as science—but what about the people? Do the people exist for the benefit of the profession, or does the profession exist for the benefit of the people? But occasionally the most liberal and educated of the profession talk heteropathic. Professor Parker says: "As we place more confidence in nature endless in the preparations of the apothecary, mortality diminishes." Professor Smith says: "Drugs do not cure diseases; diseases are cured by the vismedieatrix stature. " Medicine is as yet in a very imperfect state. The philosophy of diseased action is very little known."—Professor Nunnely. "All of our cogitations of the modus operaxdi of medicines are purely empirical."—Professor Meigs. Professor Campbell, in a clinical lecture, said: "When you get into practice you wili think that your medicines cure, and that moment you will begin to kill your patients." "The whole nation is groaning under the present practice of the medical profession, which fosters disease more than it cures it, and debases and ruins our constitutions."—Morison. "The science of medicine is founded upon conjecture, improved by murder."—Sir Anthony Carlisle. "It is not less certain, but still more deplorable, that the majority of the people are yet a prey to med- ical credulity, superstition, and delusion."—Professor Rafinesque. "I have long enough been tossed on the sea of unfounded hypothesis to feel convinced that absolute darkness prevails in the medical practice." —Reil. "Universities are but dull repositories of exploded opinions.” —Dr. Adam Smith. "l am wearied of guessing."—D’Alembert. "The people are a goose and Isim going to pluck it,"—Beale. "I was a dogmatic at twenty, an observer at thirty, an empiric at torty, and now at fifty I no longer have any system."—Borden. The great physiologist and pathologist of France, M. Magendie, in a clinic to a medical class, said: "Gentlemen, medicine is a great humbug." When the advanced physician dropped the large pill and adopted the small pill the revolution began. Statistics show that the practice of Homceopathy is a great saving in human life over the Allopathic. This is already opening the eyes of the blind. One step more and Hygeio-Therapy will remove all the scales, and poor faculty-fooled humanity will be emancipated. Hygeio-Therapy is in the sience of health what the steamship, the locomotive, the gas light, and the telegraph are in the science of tocomotion and progress. Drugopathy is the stage coach, the canal-boat, the mail bag, the tallow candle system of advancingbackward. Hygelo-Therapysis perscriptions need not be written in Latin. Rest, regularity, recreation, diet, sunshine, exercise, and early hours are naturesis phyiscians. It says meat once a day, plenty of water inside and out, no alcohol drinks, and no drug poisons. It tells you that cleanliness is next to godliness, while Allopathy says he that is filthy let him be filthy The-criminality of Drug-opathy is apparent. It inoculates the beathiest of our race with the seed of death. 1t is pitiful to see an innocent babe, whose blood is pure, inoculated with some terrible disease by the introduction of poisonous vaccine matter. 1t is a blight on the delicacy of woman to submit to the demoralizing use of the speculum. It sets all babitsof temperance aside and plants forever the seeds of drunkenness by re-commending bourbon, or some one of its train of fashionable narcotics Hygeio-Therapy ignores all these pestilentialcontrivances of. the faculty, and is undermining, by acts and facts, this system which is only perpetuated by a blind and ignorant faith in delusive appearances; grown out of the false idea of the relations of poisons to the living system; and the ignorance entertained of the essential nature of disease; and in not comprehending the functions of vitality wherein. it snakes its grand demarcation between foods and poisons. Then this new system of medicine is a practice in harmony with all the laws of nature, and in agreement with every stricture and function of the living system and in accord with science and common sense, and is the only successful and satisfactory system of the healing art known to man.

With these truths, scientific and self-evident, in the name of science that ciagsifies all knowledge, in the name of science that truthfully: Interprets the teachings of nature, let the edicts issue and drive from popular use and favor this poisonous plague, drug medication, end. with it its train of fashionable and debasing poisons. When this is secured a heavenly halo of light will open up over the poisonous. wastes of the world, a broad and bright, and beautiful pathway of crimson and.gold, wherein garlanded angels will gladly, gather, Proclaiming from highest heaven over all the earth, man's emancipation from the ruinouso and depressing practice of pupularised poisons, which have foe centuries been wasting his highest and holiest possibilities.

Dr. Haldeman, as a medical investigator, was not satisfied. withmere statements, mere incoherent expressions of incoherent. ideas, searched for. a philosophy. of the healing art based in and upottalbe immutable laws of nature. His new medical philosophy comprises a solution of the following fundamental problems :

The essential nature of disease ; the essential nature-of the functions of vitality ; the essential nature of the conditions of cure ;. the essential nature of the vis inediastrix wawa; the essential nature of the vis medicatrix natura;. the relation of organic and inorganic matters ; the relation of remedies to disease ; the relation of disease to .the,sais medicatrix sahsras ; the rationale of the nature and source of remedies: These propositions comprehend all the premises of medical science ; all the principles of the healing art. . Each is fundamental Without an exact knowledge of the. truth of each, the physician can inve-na nue medical science, nor no rational nor. successful practice. Dr. Haldeman, as a medical reasoner, is eloquent and cogent in his.argumests, and is destined,to stand at the head of the great therapeutic.moueregn of this enlightened nineteenth century. His forthcoming book will.be entitled the "Principles of Hydro-Therapy and Hygienic Medication." 1t will show their relation and adaptation to the treatment of diseases, and the preservation of health. Its teachings will be predicated upon the philosophy that nature has so related man to.this life on earth that in order to. live and keep. well and finally die of old age (accident aside), he has only to be so circumstanced, and conditioned; that he may know and obey the laws which govern and regulate his organism. It will show that the different drug schools are in darkness in regard to what constitutes the true healing.art. It will show that their practices are based on mere assumptions, and that every .dose is a blind experi-

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ment on the patientsis vitality ; and that it is diametrically opposed to every great natural preservative law in nature. It will show that drug medication is a Bohon Upas, grown out of a false doctrine of the relation that poisons sustain to the living system ; and that to perpetuate a system that is so fearful in its consequences as that of poisoning a person because he is sick, should belong only to the dark ages where it originated, and not any more be a part of the medical practice of our boasted civilization. It will explain the relation that stimulation sustains to the economy of life. It will show that a stimulant is any poisonous substance that abnormally increases functional activity without imparting nourishment. It will teach that alcohol increases the work of the heart by increasing its beats, and that every heart beat that is evoked outside of its natural rate per minute is a draw on constitutional power out of time. It wilt teach how alcohol produces paralysis of the raso-motor nerve centres, thus weakening the contractile force of the

minute blood vessels which fill the heart with blood at each of its strokes, and that these vessels, when once paralyzed, offer insufficient resistance to the force of the heart, and the pulsating organ quickens its action like the main spring of a clock, from which resistance has been removed. Thus this quickened action becomes a pathological action, and as pathology is disease, and disease is waste of vital power, so it will show that stimulation and disease is one and the same thing. It will show how water produces disintegration of the tissues, and keeps nutrition perfect, while alcohol prevents it, because alcohol checks decomposition of tissue. It will show why plethora abdominalis is a fashionable disease among whiskey drinkers, and why they fall such easy prey to disease. It will show why the temperance cause has never succeeded ; why it stands to-day a mere childish farce. It wilt consider the whole range of scientific medical subjects, and their relation to health and disease.