536 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNT

CHAPTER XVIII

EDEN TOWNSHIP.

THIS township boasts of being the first agricultural settlement in the county, and the first in fertility of soil and beauty of landscape. In 1820 it was known as Township 1 north,. Range 15 east, and in this year it was surveyed in quarter-sections by David Risdon and James T. Worthington, the Van Meter Reservation being the exception. This reservation extended west from the center of Sections 5 and 8 to the West line of the township, or the east line of, the Walker Reservation in Bloom. The treaty of the foot of the Rapids of the Miami, negotiated April 29, 1817, provided for the establishment of this reservation in the following words: "To John Van Meter, who was taken prisoner by the Wyandots, and who has ever since lived among them and has married a Seneca woman, and to his wife and wife's three brothers, Senecas (Brandts), who now reside on Honey Creek, 1,000 acres, to begin north; 45° west, 140 poles from the house, in which the said John Van Meter now lives, and to run thence south 320 poles, thence and from the beginning east for quantity." This tract was purchased by Lloyd Norris in 1828 from John Van Meter, Jr., and his uncles, the Brandts, and forty years later formed the farms of Clementine Kishler, J. W. Miller, S. J. Seed, Thomas Lahore, M. A. Trexler, H. Leaso and Eden Lease. The greater part of the Van Meter Huckleberry Swamp was in the south center of the northwest quarter of Section 7, and the lake on the northwest quarter of Section 8, within the reservation.

EDEN TOWNSHIP. - 537

The Sandusky River courses through Section 31. Hone Creek, an Eden like stream, enters the township in Section 24, flows southwest by Melmore and enters on its northwestern course in the southwest quarter of Section 27, leaving the township in the northwest quarter of Section 6. Rock Creek enters the township in Section 1, flows south to Section 12; thence in a general course west to Section 10, and northwest to Section 4, leaving the township in the northeast quarter of that section. Brandt Creek, which flows through a small lake on Section 8, enters Honey Creek above the mill-race. Numerous streams course through this favored division of the county, and springs, as well as spring creeks, are found in almost every section. The surface is generally rolling, broken along the streams, and the soil fertile.

Organic and Official.-Eden Township was set off in 1821, and the first election held June 4, 1821, at John Searles' house. Henry Craw, James Mathers and John Welch were elected trustees; David Clarke, clerk; John Searles, treasurer; Ira Holmes and John Searles, overseers of the poor; Daniel Pratt and John Searles, fence viewers; Hugh Welch and Ira Holmes, appraisers; Samuel Knapp and John Welch, road supervisors, and Thomas Welch, constable. The early records were kept so very poorly, the board contracted with John Lamberson in 1834 to have them copied. The board of trustees from 1824 to 1827 comprised Richard Jaqua, I. J. Halsey and Elisha Williams. In the following record the names of trustees are given first, while the name of the clerk holds the last place on each line:

1828.-Elisha Williams, Selden Graves; John Kagy.

1829.--Ira Holmes, John Kensor, Chris. Sponable; B. Hutchins.

1830.-Ira Holmes, John Kensor, Chris. Sponable; Dan Palmer,

1831.-S. S. Martin, John Welch, D. McClung; John Kinger.

1832.-S. S. Martin, John Welch, D. McClung; M. J. Cornell.

1833.-Thomas Baker, Samuel Saul, Noah Seitz; M. M. Wright.

1834.-John T. Bretz, Samuel Saul, D. McClung; John Lamberson.

1835.-Martin Welch, William Watson, D. McClung; James Grad-.

1836.-George Denison, S. S. Martin, John Baker; James Gray.

1837.-Case Brown, S. S. Martin, John Baker; James Gray.

1838.-George A. Blackwell, Abram Hess, John Baker; James Gray,

1839.-Case Brown, Abram Hess, Thomas J. Baker; Chester Brown,

1840.-Noah Seitz, S. Saul, James C. Murry; H. W. Burrows.

1841.-William Randall, Ezra Brown, S. Saul; John Lamberson.

1842.-D. M. Eastman, Jonah Brown, William Randall; John Lamberson.

1843.-Jonas Hershberger, George A. Blackwell, Jonah Brown; Hiram Flack.

1844.-William Marquis, Jonas Hershberger, G. A. Blackwell; Hiram Flack.

1845.-John Bretz, Jonas Hershberger, Aaron Howell; J. D. Barns.

1846-47.-Sylvanus Arnold, John Bretz, Aaron Howell; John Lamberson.

1848.-Philip Bretz, S. Saul, H. S. Berber; Sylvanus Arnold.

1849.-Martin Welch, H. S. Barber, Philip Bretz-, James M. Stevens.

1850.-John Kagy, Aaron Howell, John T. Bretz; Moses King.

1851.-John Kagy, Levi Chamberlain, Matt Elliott; Moses King.

1852.-John White, Richard Jaqua, Matthew Elliott; John Rosegrat.

1853.-John White, Richard Jaqua, George Kennedy; James M. Stevens.

1854.-Samuel Herrin, R. Jaqua, George Kennedy; James M. Stevens.

1855.-William Watson, H. H. Shanck, R. Jaqua; Henry J. Crouse.

1856.-H. H. Shanck, W. Watson, P. Bretz; Henry J. Crouse.

1857.-H. S. Barber, S. Chamberlin, H. H. Shanck; J. J. Crouse.

1858.-H. S. Barber, S. Chamberlin, H. H. Shanck; W. W. Grant.

1859.-G. Cowles, S. Chamberlin, T. J. Baker; J. J. Crouse.

538 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

1860.-M. S. Paynter, T. J. Baker, S. Chamberlin; J. J. Crouse.

1861.-M. S. Paynter, T. J. Baker, S. Chamberlin; J. J. Crouse.

1862.-Abram Brown, S. Chamberlin, M. S. Paynter; J. J. Crouse.

1863.-David Hass, Richard Baker, Abram Brown; A. S. Beryman.

1864.-William Furgeson, David Huss, R. Baker; J. J. Crouse.

1865.-William Furgeson, Ed. Andre, Benjamin M. Gibson; Samuel Snover.

1866.-William Watson, William Furgeson, Ed. Andre; J. J. Crouse.

1867.-William Barrick, W. Furgeson, William Watson; J. J. Crouse.

1868-69.-John T. Reed, William Fleet, William Barrick; J. J. Crouse.

1870.-William Snyder, John Tuttle, William Barrick; J. J. Crowe.

1871.-John L. Cross, James Brinkerhoff, William Barrick; J. J. Crouse.

1872.-E. Shumaker, S. Herrin, J. Brinkerhoff; J. D. Stalter.

1873.-Isaiah Kline, William Snyder, J. Brinkerhoff; Henry C. Pittman,

1874.-Lorenzo Rogers, Isaiah Kline, J. Brinkerhoff; Henry C. Pittman.

1875.-John Loose; Isaiah Kline, J. Brinkerhoff; Henry C. Pittman.

1876.-J. H. Loose, E. Shumaker, I. Kline; Henry C. Pittman.

1$77.-David Berger, L. Barrick, I. Kline; Henry C. Pittman.

1878.-John Wax, David Berger, S. D. Brundage; Henry C. Pittman.

1879.-David Berger, G. H. Baker, W. B. Hamlin; Henry C. Pittman.

1880.-W . B. Hamlin, G. H. Baker, J. .H. Brinkerhoff; J. W. Warner.

1881.-J. H. Brinkerhoff, A. Swigert, W. P. Steele; J. W. Warner.

1882.-W. P. Steele, A. Swigert, Adam Keifer; J. W. Warner.

1883.-W. P. Steele, Lemuel Downs, Adam Keifer; J. W. Warner.

1884.-David Berger, Adam Keifer, Aaron Swigert; H. C. Pittman.

1885.-G. W. Snyder, Adam Keifer, George Heabler, trustees; H. C. Pittman, clerk; Joseph Rhodes and James Patton, justices of the peace; Isaiah Kline, treasurer; R. A. Cole, assessor; William Osborne and John Carroll, constables.

General Statistics.-The assessment roll of Eden Township, made in 1841, shows 12,935 acres of land, valued at $71,158; town lots valued at $4,863; horses, 377, valued at $15,080; cattle, 662, valued at $5,296; mercantile capital and money at interest, $5,873; pleasure carriages, 6, valued at $255. Total, $102,525. Total tax, $1,409.71. Delinquencies since 1840, $165.48.

The valuation and taxation of Eden Township for 1884-85 are given as follows: Acres of land, 22, 793, valued at $918, 400, with personal property valued at $235,750, making a total of $1,154,150. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,598, to each of whom (were such a thing as communal division possible) $722.02 would be given. The total tax for 1884-85 is placed at $12,719.29, together with $93 dog tax. The State tax forms $3, 231.62 of the total. The true valuation of this township approximates $3,200; 000. The general statistics of Eden Township for 1884 are as follows: 4,342 acres of wheat; 23 of rye; 3 of buckwheat; 1,342 of oats yielding 52,274 bushels; 2, 995 of corn producing 82, 850 bushels; 1, 011 acres of meadow, 1,310 tons of hay; 1.516 acres of clover, 1,916 tons of hay, 1,259 bushels of seed, and 31 acres plowed under; 107 acres of potatoes, 12,338 bushels; home-made butter, 55,250 pounds; 1 acre of sorghum, 44 gallons; 788 pounds of maple sugar, 583 gallons of maple syrup; 92 hives, 1,038 pounds of honey; 34,675 dozens of eggs; 4 acres of vineyard, 700 pounds of grapes in 1883, 10 gallons of wine; 10 bushels of sweet potatoes; 402 acres of apples, 4,837 bushels; 2 bushels of peaches, 230 of pears, 9 of cherries and 2 of plums; 15,380 acres of land cultivated; 2,301 in pasture; 4,144 in woodland, 119 acres waste; total acreage, 21,947; ,wool, 47,432 pounds; milch cows in 1883, 551; dogs, 94; sheep killed and injured by dogs, 11; domestic animals died of disease, 28 hogs, 89 sheep, 13 cows and 6 horses.

EDEN TOWNSHIP. - 539

School Statistics.-In June, 1838, the township of Eden was laid off into nine school districts, and the first regular school organization established. The present condition of the schools of Eden is set forth as follows: Local tax, $2,086; receipts, $5,497; expenses, $3,435; schoolhouses, 10; value of property, $2,700; number of teachers, 16; average pay, $40 and $20; male pupils, 100; female pupils, 110.

Pioneer History.-The first settlers of the township were undoubtedly the remnant of the Mohawk band of Indians, who came here about the last quarter of the last century, a few Wyandots, and their captives, Catherine Walker and John Van Meter. Consul Butterfield, the first historian of the county, and himself a pioneer of this township, writing in 1847, says: " Vanmeter was captured by the Wyandot Indians, in the month of March, 1778, at the age of five, at Greenbriar, near West Liberty, in the State of Virginia. The people in the neighborhood, having been frequently alarmed by Indian aggressions, had assembled for the purpose of building a fort to protect themselves from savage cruelty. It was a beautiful day in the spring of the year, and two of the elder boys of the family were directed to proceed to a `chopping,' and arrange some brands. John accompanied them, and the father proceeded to the fort. The boys had but just commenced their work, when they were suddenly beset by a party of Indians. The elder boys made good their escape, but John was easily captured. The Indians then directed their course to the house of Vanmeter, set it on fire, murdered his wife and daughter, and immediately fled to the wilderness, carrying with them their captive boy, He ever afterward lived among the Indians, completely forgetting his native tongue, though he learned it again before he died, so as to converse quite fluently. He was afterward induced to visit his relatives and friends; but refused to remain among them, preferring, as he said, `the innocent and unrestrained indulgences of the Indian's life to the arbitrary restraints of civilized society.' Vanmeter was a man of more than ordinary decision of character, of a benevolent disposition, and friendly to the whites. Owning a large stock of cattle and several horses, early settlers relied much upon his generosity; and it was not in vain that they sought relief at his hands in times of distress and destitution. He married a woman of the Seneca nation (a relative of the celebrated Brandt, whose name is well known in the State of New York). and died some years ago on the grant made him by the United States." Johnny married a Mohawk Indian woman, commonly called Susan Brandt, and became an Indian of the Indians. The marriage ceremony was very simple: Johnny went into the forest and killed a deer, which he brought to Thomas Brandt's cabin. Susan gathered some corn, and returning to her brother's cabin received Johnny's present of the deer, cooked the corn and venison together, of which both ate in the presence of witnesses, and thus a marriage ceremony was gone through. Some few years after the death of one of the Welch brothers, about 1826, John Vanmeter, Sr., died here. Having learned to speak the English language between 1819 and the date of his death, he became a favorite with the first white settlers, all of whom attended his funeral, and one of whom exhumed his body in 1829 or 1830 for the purpose of obtaining the skeleton. The families of John Vanmeter, Jr., old Susan Vanmeter, the. three families of the Brandts, the negro preacher, Jonathan Pointer, and twenty other lodges of Mohawks left their happy hunting-grounds on Honey Creek for that portion of Kansas now known as Cherokee County, but subsequently moved 100 miles south to the Lower Neosha Country.

Thomas and Hugh Welch, who settled in Eden Township in February, 1819, on land which was the property of David Olmstead in 1847, and Martin and

540 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

John Welch, who settled in Vden in June, 1819, were the pioneers of American civilization. Butterfield noticing the settlement says: "In the month of February, 1819, Thomas and Hugh Welch started from Huron County to seek a home in the wilds of Seneca. Having reached the limits of the county, as since defined, they soon struck a beautiful stream of water, where they encamped for the night. On awakening in the morning a beautiful sight met their vision. The sun just peeping over the distant horizon, giving a fantastic glimmer to the lovely forest trees, whose lofty stems and wide-spread branches, the latter covered with verdant leaves, and overshadowing them as they lay under the broad canopy of heaven, shielded by naught but these `monarchs of the forest,' the grand old oak, the now precious black walnut, and the less pretentious hickory! All these trees, in nature's bounteousness; thickly grouped together, formed one dense, but valuable forest. Here and there, amid this beauteous scene, were growing in the infant spring the odoriferous leek, and a few wild flowers disseminated their fragrance in the silent woods. The spot was protected from the severity of winter by the overhanging branches of the surrounding trees, which assisted nature in the production of this early vernal vegetation. The stream where they had encamped was Honey Creek. The following morning they proceeded down the stream until they arrived within the present limits of Eden Township. In the vicinity of what is now the residence of William Fleet, they came upon a band of Seneca Indians employed in making sugar, and with them they again encamped for the night. The next morning, pursuing their journey down the creek, they arrived at a Mohawk In. than village, consisting of about twenty loghuts, pleasantly situated upon both sides of the stream. This village was located on a tract of land of 1,000 acres, granted at the treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie to one John Vanmeter, a white man, and to his wife's brothers."

John Searles, of whom reference is made in the history of Tiffin and Fort Ball, was one of the first resident citizens within the old fort in 1820. He moved to Eden Township in the fall, and, in April, 1821, assisted by the Welch !mothers, including Henry, not hitherto mentioned, opened a road from Section 30, Clinton, to Section 4, Eden. This Searles was a soldier of 1812, and a n useful citizen of the county up to his death in 1844.

Ira Holmes, an old settler of Chenango County, N. Y., and a native of that State, came in immediately after the Searles family, and about the same time the Sponables, Clarks, Browns, Knapps, Craws and Daniel Pratt came to the county and decided on making their homes in Eden.

Personal Mention of Pioneers.-A. N. Armstrong came in 1847.

Baker family, four brothers, Franklin, Thomas, John and Richard, and four sisters, Mary Baker, Sophia (Baker) Stearns, Lucretia (Baker) Arnold and Ann (Baker) Knapp, all children of Samuel Baker, and natives of Connecticut, were represented in the township in 1822 by Franklin and Thomas. John came in 1823; Sophia (Stearns) settled with her husband on Rock Creek in 1828, and Richard near Melmore in 1835, the latter coming from Steuben County, N. Y. . . John W. Barrick, born in Maryland in 1817, and his mother, Mrs. George Barrick, who died in 1858,.settled here in 1846 .. ..Rev. Joseph Bever, anative of Virginia, after doing considerable pioneer work in other parts of the State, ,settled here in 1823 . . . . Peter Bever came at the same time . . . . George Bever, a native of Rockingham County, Va., in 1800, and one of the old residents of this county, died in 1869 . . . . John and Eliza (Lewis) Bigham, natives of Maryland, parents of John Bigham, of Jackson Township, came to Eden Township in 1834 . . ...Mrs. Sarah Boroff, of Virginia, widow of Henry Boroff, came to this county at an early day, bringing four children, of whom Mrs.

EDEN TOWNSHIP. - 541

John L. Cross; of Eden Township (married in 1839), is one .... Jacob and Phila (Wolf) Bretz, parents of Mrs. Capt. R. H. Bever, of Tiffin, were pioneers of Eden Township . . . . The Brundage family came in 1824 . . . . Aaron Burton, who died in the county infirmary in December, 1884, resided in Eden for over half a century. It is said that he was between one hundred and three and one hundred and four years old at the time of his death. He recollected and could relate many incidents of the Revolutionary war, and remembered distinctly having seen the horse rode by Gen. George Washington . . . . Anson Burlingame, of Chinese treaty fame, was an early settler and school teacher of Eden Township . . . .Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Buskirk came from Pennsylvania in 1832, to Melmore, bringing their infant son, Albert Buskirk, who was born that year in Pennsylvania. Here Jacob Buskirk died in 1837; his widow died in Lima, Ohio, in 1880 . . . . Amroy Butterfield, who was killed July 16, 1836, at Melmore, was one of the early settlers of Eden. His son, Consul Butterfield, was the first historian of the county, publishing a small book in 1848, and a history of Crawford's campaign and death, subsequently. His daughter, a contributor to Madame Demorest's Magazine, New York, and subsequently a correspondent, of the New York Herald at Paris, married the ex-priest Hyacinthe, at one time a celebrated preacher. There were six other children, all of whom were pioneers of this township . . . . Ezra Brown, who settled in Eden Township in. 1821. with his brother, Case Brown, was a soldier of 1812, and a comrade of Richard Jaqua, escaping with him from Canada, and participating in many of his adventures.

Jacob and Elizabeth (Johnson) Chamberlain, parents of Scudder Chamberlain, of Tiffin, who was born in New Jersey in 1819, came from New Jersey, settling in Melmore in 1836 . . . . Matthias Clark and his wife, Maria (Copeland) Clark, natives of Pennsylvania, were pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio, and early residents of Seneca County, Ohio . . . . Samuel Clark, of Eden Township, died in 1832 . . . . James Corbett, father of Martin Corbett, settled in Eden Township prior to 1830 . . . . John and Deborah (Comegys) Cross, natives of Maryland, parents of John L. Cross, of Eden Township (who was born in Virginia in 1812), came to Eden Township in 1828.

John and Elizabeth (Eckhart) Ditto, married October 14, 1814, settled in Clinton Township in 1822, and also owned an eighty acre tract in Eden Township. John died in 1853. He served in the war of 1812, located at Pickaway, Ohio, after the war, and came to Seneca to share in the hunt with the Mohawks and Wyandots . . . . Mrs. Eliza Ditto was born on the Atlantic Ocean, while her parents were emigrating to America from Germany, June 23, 1795. She and her husband settled in Seneca County at a very early day, and for over sixty years resided on their farm. She died August 9, 1885 . . . . John and Caroline (Holden) Downs, former a native of Virginia, latter of Kentucky, parents of John L. Downs, of Eden Township (who was born in Ohio in 1812), came to Eden Township in 1824, Mr. Downs having previously been here to enter and clear up land.

William Ferguson, born in Pennsylvania in 1817, came to Seneca Count, in 1845, first living on Silver Creek, then purchasing the farm where he now resides in Eden Township .... William Fleet, a native of New York State, father of Dr. W. D. Fleet (who was born in 1849 in Eden Township), came to Ohio in 1830, settling in Eden Township, where he afterward owned about 1,600 acres of land. He died in 1880 . . . . Charles C. and Caroline B. (Boyd) Fox, former a native of New York, latter of Pennsylvania, parents of James B. Fox of Fostoria (who was born in 1840 in Eden Township), were pioneers here. Charles C. died in Wyandot County in 1880, aged seventy-six years.

542 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Madison P. Geiger, a native of Baden, Germany, came to Seneca County in 1835; died in 1861 . . . . John Gibson, whose parents came from Ireland about the period of the Revolutionary war, settle in Eden Township late in the summer of 1822, and there had erected on his farm the first barn ever raised in Seneca County. He was a most estimable citizen. In early years it was his custom to call his sons together in the evening, propose a subject for discussion, and apportion, as it were, to each the affirmative or negative. The debate was carried on in his own presence, and followed by his criticism and judgment. Gen. Gibson, his son, who was brought to the township in 1822, the year of his birth, is an example of what such a training is capable of developing ....Dr. Solden Graves, James Gray and a few others mentioned in the chapters on lawyers, physicians and general history, .were among the pioneers.

Samuel Herin born in 1812, in Pensylvania, came to Ohio in 1828, with his parents, James and Mary (Smith) Herin, and settled near Tiffin, where his father, who died in 1833, had entered eighty acres of land. He afterward bought and moved to the farm where be now resides . . ..Micajah Heaton settled in Eden in 1829; died in 1866 . . . . Jonas and Martha Hershberger, parents of Mrs. William L. Reid, of Bloom Township, came from Virginia and settled in Eden Township in 1833 .. . . . Dr. Daniel Hough came in 1822.

Richard Jaqua, born in New York in 1787, moved to Leeds County, Ontario, Canada, in 1790, with his parents; was married to Eliza Ouilsee in 1810. In 1812 he was drafted, but escaped service in the British army by crossing the St. Lawrence. He subsequently engaged in the dangerous work of assisting Americans, who, like himself, were drafted, but wished to serve their own country. His adventures and escapes in this service were numerous and thrilling. In 1814 he entered the United States regular service and worked earnestly and well for the young Union. In 1813 he brought his family to the United States, moved to Eden Township in 1822, and died here September 26, 1878. His wife died in May, 1877, in her eighty-seventh year. From 1872 till his death he was a pensioner of the war of 1812, this consideration being won for him through the' exertion of Congressman Charles Foster .... John C. Jones who erected the first house at Melmore in 1824, died there in 1828.

Abraham and Elizabeth (Wrouff) Kagy, (parents of the widow Barbara Martin, late of Eden Township,) were among the pioneers . . . . John Kagy, one of the pioneers of Eden, died at Inks, Ill., in March, 1885, while visiting with his daughter Mrs. Huddle. He was about ninety years old . . . . Isaac Kagy was appointed county treasurer in 1885, to succeed John Heabler. He served as auditor from 1862 to 1866; was elected representative in 1865, and was appointed auditor to fill vacancy in 1872 . . . . H. P. Kennedy, a native of Ohio, settled in Eden Township in 1845; Samuel Koch, a Pennsylvanian, came in 1853, and George W. Kishler in 1854 . . . . Col. James Kilbourne, one of the pioneer surveyors, laid out the town of Melmore for Case, Jolly and Ezra Brown in 1824 . . . . The Knights settled here about 1825 . . . . July 23, 1831, one Olive Knight is alleged to have burned the dwelling house of Joseph Trask, in Eden Township. She was brought to trial in March, 1832, when the jury declared her not guilty.

Dr. Henry Ladd, a native of New York State, settled in Eden, in 1839 . . . . Otho and Belinda (Street) Lease, parents of Lloyd Norris Lease, of Tiffin; were natives of Maryland; located in 1832 in Edefi Township (where Lloyd Norris was born in 1838), and removed to Sandusky County in 1846. Eden Lease, born in. Maryland in 1813, settled in Edon in 1835, and shortly after

PAGE 543 - PICTURE OF GEORGE KING

PAGE 544 - EDEN TOWNSHIP

EDEN TOWNSHIP. - 545

purchased his present farm .. ..Esau G. Leidy, born in Columbiana Count, Penn., July 28, 1817, settled in Eden Township in 1834, died June 5, 1885 . . . . Peter Lantz located in Wyandot County, in 1829, moved thence to Seneca County, and died in 1876 . . . . Clarence Linn, a native of Ohio, settled at Melmore in 1841 . . . . Ruel Loomis settled on Section 16, Eden, 1822, with his wife Anna (Lyon) Loomis and son Wildman Loomis. He died in 1852, and his widow in 1857.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Boyd) McClelland (widow of Hugh McClelland, who died in about 1823), mother of Samuel B. McClelland, of Bloom Township (who was born in 1818, in Pennsylvania), came to Eden Township with her young family in 1830. Samuel B. McClelland moved into Bloom Township in 1853, and there settled . . . . Samuel and Mary Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Robert M. C. Martin, late of Eden Township (born in 1822, in Perry County, Ohio, died in April, 1879), came to Seneca County in 1827, locating on land in Section 19, Eden Township, which land Samuel Martin held until his death in April, 1864 . . . . Hamilton McCollister was a justice of the peace of Eden Township in 1825, and for many years after was a well-known character in pioneer times. He it was who had Judge Matthew Clark brought before him for driving hogs on the Sabbath, and imposed a fine on Judge Lane's old associate. Clark appealed the case, and also entered suit for $3,000 against McCollister .... Josiah Meeker, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1831 . . . . John Mimm was among the pioneers, but little of him can be learned, and that little unauthentic . . . . Miles Mitten settled in Seneca in 1838; moved to Wyandot in 1843, died in 1860 . . . . Joshua D. Munsell, who died in .1833, owned lands in this township in Town 1 north, Range 15 east.

Lloyd Norris, who settled in Eden Township in 1828, is said to have served in the Mexican war. His death took place December 6, 1866, aged sixty-one years and six months.

John O. Connell, one of the early settlers of Eden, came from Stark County, Ohio . . . . Mrs. S. M. Ogden, died April 8, 1884, aged sixty-one years . . . . Jesse S. Olmsted and David Olmsted were among the pioneers.

Jacob and Esther (Heisbaum) Price (both deceased), natives of Virginia, parents of Daniel Price, of Eden Township (who was born here in 1835), settled on Section 20, Eden Township, in 1823, where Jacob Price's father-in-law had entered land . . . . Philip J. Price, an early settler, is noticed in the history of Melmore.

E. Randall settled in Eden in 1831 . . . . Mrs. Eliza B. (W Watson) Reid, wife of John T. Reid, of Bloomville, was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, and came to Eden Township with her widowed mother, Mrs. Elizabeth McClelland, in 1830 . . . . George Robertson, owner of the south part of the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, Town 1 north, Range 15 east, died about 1834 . . . . Barnabas Rogers, a native of Vermont, father of Lorenzo Rogers, of Eden Township (who was born in 1819, in Lake County, Ohio), when a young man, came to Ohio on foot, making shoes as he journeyed, He entered land in 1824, in Eden Township, and here died in 1879. His wife died in 1874.

Lewis Seitz (son of John Seitz, German immigrant, of 1767) entered lands in Bloom Township, in 1821. His son, Lewis Seitz, Jr., now eighty-three years old, is still living; while his grandson, John Seitz, born in Bloom Township, in 1825, is a resident of Eden Township since 1865 . . . . Magdalene, wife, of John Seitz, who came to this county in 1823, died February 26, 1862 . . . .

Mrs. Ann Seitz, wife of Abram Seitz, died at San Francisco, Cal., June 6, 1883, aged sixty-seven years. She moved from Melmore to the Pacific Coast eighteen years prior to her death . . . . Samuel Saul. born in Pennsylvania in

546 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

1801, settled in Eden Township in 1828 . . . . John Searles, a soldier of the war of 1812, located at Fort Ball in 1820; moved to Eden in 1821; settled there in 1825; died in May, 1844, and his widow, Jane (Dunken) Sbarles, in 1870 . . . . Hezekiah Searles, born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 4, 1810, come, in September, 1820, to Fort Ball; moved with parents to Eden Township in 1821 . . David and Nancy (Beery) Stalter were old residents of Eden Township, former one of the township's most enterprising farmers until 1863 . . . . James M. Stevens, of Melmore, died in December, 1829, leaving five children, of whom Elizabeth Ann Stevens was the only one over fourteen years old. A. Coffinberry was their guardian ad litem. He settled here in 1827, and built the first gristmill in the township . . . . Thomas Stripe settled on the Vanatta farm . in 1822; moved to Lower Sandusky in 1825 . . . . John Sweinhelm, now of Wyandot County, came here in 1840 . . . . J. W. Stewart settled in 1845, and R. C. Steele in 1830 . . . . Joseph and Susanna Swigart, natives of Maryland, were early settlers of the township.

Jonathan and Susan (Beaty) Tittle, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of John Tittle, of Eden Township (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820), came to this township in 1840 . . . . The Trasks were also early settlers. Joseph Trask's dwelling house was the first destroyed by fire in the township.

Henry Umstead, a native of Maryland, settled at Melmore in 1830.

Philip Yon Blon settled in Eden in 1834; moved to Tiffin in later years, and died there some years ago.

Dr. T. J. West, born in the county in 1836. His father, Thomas West, settled in the county in 1820, and located lands in Eden in 1822 . . . . James B. Watson settled in Eden Township in 1831 . . . . Martin Welch, brother of Thomas Welch, settled in Eden in June, 1819; moved to Wyandot County; is deceased . . . . . John Welch, brother of Martin' Welch, settled in Eden in June, 1819 (see Political History); is deceased . . . . Thomas Welch settled in Eden Township in February, 1819, and died there in 1821 . . . . Henry Welch settled here with his family, but moved to Tiffin in 1822, and build one of the first cabins there .... Hugh Welch settled in Eden Township in February, 1819, and, with his brother, Thomas, made the first white settlement there. He is the second senior settler of the county.

There were others who could claim membership with pioneers, of whom little or nothing of an authentic character can be learned. In our researches we find following names of parties residing in Eden Township, outside of Melmore, in 1847-48, as subscribers to Butterfield's History:

George Kennedy, Isaiah Kline, J. L. Downs, L. Chamberlin, J. Lawrence, Samuel Seitz, William Wing, John Crum, R. Jaqua, E. Trimer, J. Osenbraugh, Harry Blackman, John Wolf, R. Holmes, N. E. Merrill, John Zinger, M. C. Gibson, P. Springer, Joseph Hall, W. Dilley, Lloyd Morris, M. K. Kern, Samuel Herrin, Amos Nichols, John Kagy, E. S. Bellamy, Joel Wright, J. G. Patterson, R. W. Bellamy, George Swigert, Samuel Garber, Seneca C. Wing, W. B. Matthewson, H. W. Blackman, Ed Tollman, R. L. Speer, R. H. Squier, Samuel Grelle, Ben. Brundage, G. Cowles, D. W. Graves, Elizabeth Graves, J. B. Watson, W. Watson, W. Brown, Isaac Bretz and A. K. Bretz.

MELMORE VILLAGE.

The town of Melmore was projected and surveyed by James Kilbourne on Honey Creek, north of the islands known as Mill, Middle and Duck Islands, in 1828, and the plat accepted February 24, that year. The principal part of the town was laid out on the west half of southwest quarter of Section 23, Town 1, Range 15 east, and minor parts on the lands of Case, Jolly and Ezra

EDEN TOWNSHIP. - 547

Brown. Price's addition to Melmore was surveyed by Seth Kline, April 4, 1836, for Philip J. Price.

The first dwelling house at Melmore was erected in 1824 by John C. Jones, who died there in 1828. Buckley Hutchins opened the first store at Melmore. September 28, 1824, and carried it on in connection with the postoffice for ii number of years. Joshua D. Munsell kept the first tavern at Melmore. Selden Graves, the first resident and practicing physician of Seneca, settled in Eden Township, March 6, 1.822. Dr. Daniel M. Bate was the first resident physician at Melmore. The physicians at Melmore, in 1847, were Robert McD. Gibson, Timothy M. Smith and Henry Ladd. Dr. West practiced here for some time prior to his removal to Tiffin. Dr. R. G. Steele is now one of the resident physicians.

Among those who were in the village in 1848, were following patrons of Butterfield's work: Adeline and Laura Buskirk, Maria Coleman, Angelina and Amanda Arnold, Maria Ireland, Emily Butterfield, Robert McD. Gibson, John Lamberson, J. F. Newton, P. J. Price, Isaac Arnold, D. P. Edgar, John C. Kingner, T. M. Smith, N. N. Wright, W. Lightcap, Jacob C. High, W. C. Stevens, E. B. Kingner, F. W. Butterfield, H. J. Roberts, S. Chamberlain, Jacob Chamberlain, James Gray, Sylvester Arnold, H. Pratt, D. M. Bate, James M. Stephens, W. Melroy, George W. Chamberlin, H. Smith, H. Kline , E. Seitz, J. C. R. Eastman, J. Weeks, Moses King, H. K. Burg, G. A. Blackwell, J. M. Chanchey, H. Ladd, George R. Weeks, J. Cross, H. Arnold and E. J. Chamberlin.

Postmasters. -Hugh Welch, the first postmaster appointed in the county, was the first in Eden Township, holding the office from August 4, 1825, and carrying it on at his home. Buckley Hutchins was the first postmaster appointed at Melmore. He was succeeded by Philip J. Price, who held the office in 1847. In November, 1847, a meeting was held at Melmore, with Richard Jaqua, presiding, and J. M. Smith, secretary, to consider charges againt Postmaster Philip J. Price, made by friends of Dr. D. M. Bate. Resolutions of confidence in Price were adopted. W. B. Matthewson, Levi Chamberlain anal Isaac Arnold formed the committee on resolutions. Horace Arnold was succeeded by G. A. Allen in September, 1885.

Mills and Millers.--The first grist-mill erected in this county was built in 1821 by Ezra Brown and Case Brown, above Melmore. Here George Free, of Bloom Township, brought the first grist and had it ground by the enterprising millers. John Kinger's grist-mill was erected on Honey Creek, below Melmore. in 1827. The Morris grist-mill on Vanmeter Creek, near Honey Creek, received its power from water drawn from the lake through a race. This mill was burned down some years ago. The Stonebreaker Mill on Honey Creek, was operated by George W. Cunningham in 1856. The Warner Flouring-mill at Melmore, and the Meyer's Saw-mill are thriving industries. The Loomis Mill on Section 20, the Huddle Mill on Section 9, the mill and race in the bend of Honey Creek, Section 27, the Grelle Mill, Stewart Mill and other industries mark the progress of the township.

The Business and Professional Circle in 1884-85 , was made up as follows H. Arnold, A. Benham, druggists; J. W. Holmes, H. Ladd, E. J. West (now of Tiffin), R. G. Steele, physicians; H. Beals, Levi Starkey, furniture; Chamberlin & Seiple, J. & H. Melroy, died within last year; D. Melroy, wagonmaker; Joseph Coby, cooper; J. J. Crouse, H. C. Pittman, boots and shoes; S. Ireland, L. Lee, Samuel Myers, E. E. Coonrad, blacksmiths (Ireland moved to Kansas in 1884), Melroy, meat market; A. H. Myers, slate roofer: 1. Myers (now L. C. Leidy), saloon; Samuel Myers saw-mill; B. F. Walters, B.

548 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Warner, flour-millers; H. H. Seiple, confectionery; L. Bowlus, dry goods and groceries; G. A. Allen, postmaster; H. H. Seiple, boarding-house; H. Beals, undertaker. The churches are the Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Brethren and Evangelical.

In 1836, when it was evident that Melmore was to lose the line of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad the citizens joined together in an enterprise which promised to meet the loss of the pioneer railroad. The Melmore & Republic Railroad Company was organized, books were opened at Jacob Buskirk's Temperance Hotel (the pioneer temperance house of Ohio), Melmore, at the Miller Tavern, at Republic, and Bradley's Washington House, Tiffin, in July, 1836, while the following named citizens and directors worked day and night to obtain a railroad for the village: B. Hutchins, P. J. Price, Case Brown, M. Heaton, Selden Graves, T. J. Baker, W. Patterson, I. J. Halsey ,William Cornell, T. P. Roberts, Samuel Waggoner, H. McCollister and Calvin Bradley.

Societies.-Eden Lodge No. 310, F. & A. M. was organized in October, 1858, and was chartered October 20, 1859, with the following members Richard Jaqua, D. 1V. Eastman, A. H. Lee, F. D. Rodgers and E. Reynolds. James H. Stevens was first Master, Amos L. Westover, S. W., and E. J. Chamberlin, J. W. The Past Masters are J. H. Stevens, 1858; A. H. Lee, 1861, H. B. Martin, 1863, J. M. Stevens, 1864; J. W. Barrick, 1866; J. A. Gibson, 1867, Eleazer Shumaker, 1869; J. W. Barrick, 1871, J. F. Gregg, 1875; E. Shumaker, 1876; J. F. Gregg, 1880, who is now Master. H. C. Pittman has served as recorder for eight years, succeeding A. B. Stewart and Dr. T. J. West in 18 74, and L. G. Cole in 1880.

The present officers are J. F. Gregg, W. M.; Cephas Bartleson, S. W.; J. W. Warner, J. W.; H. C. Pittman, R. S.; Silas Hottle, treasurer; James Chamberlin, Tyler; L. G. Coe, S. D. The present number of members is thirty-four. The old Masonic Hall, erected about sixteen years ago, is the property of the lodge. This lodge was incorporated July 9, 1866.

Melmore Lodge No. 174 I. O. O. F. was chartered July 18, 1850, and instituted in 1851, with the following members : Scudder Chamberlain, E. J. Chamberlin, Walter S. Burns, James M. Stevens, J. F. Krauss; and incorporated April 2, 1851. The Past Grands of this lodge, E. J. Chamberlin, W. S. Burns. 1851 ; J. S. Chamberlin, W. C. Stevens, 1852; --King, J. M. Stevens, 1853; --Chamberlin, N. G.; H. Arnold, N. G., 1854; D. Richards, S. Chamberlin. 1855; Dr. H. B. Martin, E. R. Webb, 1856; E. J. Chamberlin, Isaac Cole, 1857; E. Reynolds, J. C. Rozegrant, 1858; J. J. Crouse, D. Driscoll, 1859; Abram Cox, E. Adams, 1860; A. G. Oder, J. H. Freese, 1861; S. Waller, W. C. Stevens, 1862; J. Crum, S. H. Treat, 1863; J. Delamater, Horace Arnold, 1864; L. M. Waller, J. Feighner, 1865; Charles Crawford, S. H. Treat, J. McLaughlin, 1866; Samuel Herrin, 1867; J. J. Crouse, Julius A. Wolf, 1868; J. C. Holt, 1869; N. Holt, A. B. Saltzer, 1870; J. A. Ransom, E. W. Seiple. 18 71 ; B. F. Hudson, V. Underwood, 1872; S. D. Thompson. T. J. West, 1873; L. C. Leidy, J. W. Warner, 1874; R. A. Cole, S. Wisman. 1875; H. A. Bowlus, S. Brooks, .1876; H. C. Pittman, S. C. Fauber, 18 77; W. P. Noel, L. G. Cole, 1878; A. P. Cooke, John Correll, 1879; W. S. Kline, E. W. Seiple, 1880; J. W. Warner, J. C. Kemp, 1881; T. J. West. J. W. Warner, 1882; G. W. Snyder, A. B. Cook, 1883; J. Correll, J. Orner, 188-1; J. W. Warner, 1885. There are twenty-five members. They own the Hutchins brick building on Main Street.

Melmore Temple No. 103, I. O. G. T., was reorganized under State Law, December 8, 1868, with Edward Wing, W. C. T., Eliza Johnson, W. V. T., mid James A. Gibson, P. AV. C. T., trustees.

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The Eden Literary Club is an influential society, which has been carried on for some years most successfully.

Churches.-The Methodist Society of Eden Township was the first organized in the county, about 1821 or 1822. In 1828, this society erected the first log-church building on Section 28, in the Shock neighborhood. Among the early preachers were James Wilson, W. Brock, Martin Welch, G. W. Breckinridge, J. R. Jewett, Thomas Thompson and William Runneels, all of whom preached in Eden Township, prior to 1848. The first class at Mehnore was organized by Rev. Thomas Thompson, in Levi Cunningham's shop, no church building being then in existence in the village. The members of this class were William Brown, Rachel Lucretia Arnold Brown, Nancy Cunningham, Maria Coleman, Harriet Hoyt, Martin Welch, Sarah Welch; Martin Welch was the first class leader. Samuel Baker has been recording steward since 1875.

The first Methodist Episcopal Church in Melmore was built and dedicated in 1836, by L. B. Gurley. Thomas Thompson and Philip Wareham were circuit preachers. The present church (1885), was built in 1850, and dedicated winter of 1850-51. Amroy Butterfield, of Melmore, was killed July 16, 1836, while engaged in raising this Methodist meeting house. The preachers since 1848 are named as follows : Leonard Hill, 1848; Ralph Wilcox and C. Baylor, 1849; W. C. Huestis and N. B. Wilson, 1850; Henry Warner and George W. Collier, 1851; T. J. Monnett, 1852; L. S. Johnson and W. R. Kisler, 1853; W. M. Spafford, 1854; Uri Richards, 1855-56; Ralph Wilcox, 1855; John R. Jewett, 1857; Dennis Dreskell, 1857-58; Jesse Williams and Thomas Thompson, 1859; Newell J. Close and W. C. Huestis, 1861; George Dunn, 1862; John McKean, 1863; George McKillips and Orlando Pearce, 1865; A. P. Jones, 1867; Thomas Thompson, 1867-68; T. J. Gard, Thomas Thompson and S. D. Seymour, 1869; Luke S. Johnson, 1871; G. L. Hanawalt, 1872; W. C. Huestis and E. S. Thompkins, 1873; J. A. Kaull, 1874; Joshua Crawford, 1875; A. P. Jones, 1877; William Jones, 1878; Joseph Mattock, 1879; T. J. Gard, 1881; James A. Kellam, 1885-86.

In 1830 the Rev. John Robinson preached to the Presbyterians of the county, and about this time the first Presbyterian Church was founded at Melmore. On the organization of the Presbyterian Church at Tiffin in July, 1831, a number of the original members withdrew to join that society, and in September of the same year, the new society at Republic claimed another quota of the old church membership.

The Presbyterian congregation of Melmore, comprising the members of the first Presbyterian Church of Eden Township, was incorporated August 19, 1848, with Hugh McAllister, Levi Chamberlin and Benjamin M. Gibson, trustees, and R. McD. Gibson, clerk. Rev. A. D. Chapman was chairman of the meeting.

Throughout its early history the preachers named in the history of the Tiffin and Republic churches were identified with this church at Melmore. Rev. McCutchen followed Rev. Thompson; Revs. A. S. Dunton and John Whipple filled the pulpit from 1837 to 1852.

The United Brethren Church of Melmore, the first established. in Seneca County, was organized at Melmore, May 12. 1834, at the home of Philip Bretz. There were present Samuel Hiestand, Jacob Bowlus, John Russell, John Eckert, Jacob Baer, Israel Herrington, D. Mechlin, Orange Strong, William Tracy, Nathan Smith, John Crum, John Alsap, Benjamin Moore. Henry Errett, John Smith, John Fry, Torence Easterly, Ludwick Cramer, James Track, H. Vreimberling, Jacob Crum, John Long. Philip Cramer. George

550 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Hiskey, Henry Huber; Israel Herrington was ordained elder. In 1846 the conference met in the stone church, known as Bretz's Meeting House, a mile up Honey Creek from Melmore. This was the first United Brethren Church in the county and continued in use until about 1858, when the present church at Melmore was erected.

Up to 1848 Honey Creek was a part of Seneca Circuit, but the conference held that year at Melmore set off the Honey Creek Circuit as a mission of Seneca Circuit, with D. Glancy, preacher. In 1865, the missions known as Seneca Union, Honey Creek Chapel and Liberty were detached from Seneca Circuit, Base Line from Benton Circuit, Berwick from Van Lue Circuit, and all formed into the Honey Creek Circuit; with Rev. Isaac Crouse, preacher. T. J. McKeon came in 1866; H. K. Berry, in 1867; B. Struble, in 1868, with William Mathers (Protestant Episcopal); W. Miller (Protestant Episcopal) in 1869; W. A. Keesy in 1870-71; C. Hepler, 1872; E. B. Maurer, 1873-74; H. C. Bevington, 1875; W. W. McCurdy, 1876-77; N. S. Long, 1878-79; M, E. Spahr, 1880-81; G. P. Macklin, 1882-83, and J. H. Arnold, 1884. The membership is 204.

The church of the Evangelical Association at Melmore, of which Rev. E. Wengard is pastor, is one of the old churches of this society in Seneca County.

Cemeteries.-The Buckeye Cemetery Association of Eden Township, composed of persons interested in the old cemetery on the farm of Solomon Brundage, was organized June 29, 1861, with Joseph Smith, Gamaliel Cowles and John Bigham, trustees. There are no less than five burial-grounds in the township. Of the Indian cemeteries not a vestige remains, if we except the mysterious mound and fortification referred to at page 195.

CONCLUSION.

This pastoral and picturesque division of Seneca was formed on foundations which promised teeming wealth and sunny prosperity, by the enterprising pioneer farmers who came here to stay and develop. Few of the original builders are here, but they live again, not only in the brighter land beyond the "swift Borysthenes," but also here in spirit among the generations for which they labored late and early. The drama, which they first placed upon the stage, goes on, each year adding an act and each actor widening the scene, promising the play to hold the stage until the firmament is rolled up, and time here ceases to be time. The hard hands which prepared the way for these pretentious homes, these orchards, gardens, fields of golden grain; for filling the cities with the habitations of men, building schools, churches and all substantial evidences of prosperity, are quietly resting in old mother earth. The historian, conscious of a duty, dwells among them for a time in study, and brings up a hundred names of those who commenced the work of civilization here, and blends them with present names, thus bringing history down to our own times, and covering sixty-six years of the township's life under American laws, customs and manners.