648 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXV,

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP.

THIS Township, as originally established, December 6, 1824, comprised Town 2 in Range 16, Town 2 in Range 17, together with fractional Town 2, in Range 18, east, (vide pp. 239-240), Town 2 in Range 16, and Township 1 in the same range, formerly belonging to Eden Township, were set off as Bloom Township June 7, 1824, and continued a part of that township until the organization of Scipio December 25, 1824. At this election seventeen voters were present-all the freeholders in Scipio at that time---of whom fourteen were chosen to fill the offices of the new township. December 5, 1826, Township 2, in Range 17, and fractional Township 2, in Range 18, were detached from Scipio and set off under the name of Reed Township. The name of the township was suggested by William Anway, who presented the petition for establishment, in honor of his old home Scipio, in New York State.

The population in 1824 was estimated at about 50, increasing in 1840 to 1,556, in 1850 to 2,321; decreasing in 1860 to 1,835; in 1870 to 1,642; increasing in 1880 to 1,836. The population of Republic, included in foregoing figures, was 161 in 1840, 917 in 1850, 636 in 1860, 481 in 1870 and 715 in 1880. Within the last year or two the village entered on its business revival, and the estimate of population gives about 800 as the number of inhabitants. In 1847 there were fourteen school districts, in which 953 pupils were enrolled.

The township was surveyed in 1820 by Sylvanus Bourne, and the portion of the Indian Reservation therein was surveyed, in 1832, by C. W. Christmas. William Laughrey purchased the first tract of land here in 1820 or .1821, and came to reside in 1824.

Rock Creek enters the township in the southeast quarter of Section 13, flows west through the southern portion of Republic, thence southwest, and leaves the township in the southwestern quarter of Section 31. Morrison Creek, in the center of the north half of the township, and a tributary of Honey Creek, in the southwest quarter of the township, are the leading streams. Sugar Creek waters a small portion of the northern sections and flows northwest into Adams Township. Several spring creeks are also found here. At a depth of sixty-five feet pure spring water is found. While these creeks afford a fair supply of good water for ordinary purposes, the wells of the township supply water of the finest quality for drinking and cooking.

The surface is gently rolling, the soil fertile, farms well cultivated and laid off in large fields, with many Osage hedge-rows already in existence, and others fast rising to usurp the place of the old rail fence; farm houses are all comfortable, and many elegant farm buildings are pretentious.

The roads are good, while two lines of railway, the Baltimore & Ohio and the Northwestern Ohio afford all the advantages which railroads alone offer for the use of the farmer as well as the traveler. The Baltimore & Ohio enters the township from the east at Section 25, runs about northwest, and, after passing through the southwest corner of Republic, takes an almost due westerly course, leaving the township at Section 19. The Northwestern Ohio cuts

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. - 640

across the extreme southwest corner of the township, entering at Section 32, and leaving at Section 31.

Organization all d Officers. December 6, 1824, Scipio Township was set off and the first election held December 25, 1824. At this date there were only seventeen qualified electors, of whom the following named were chosen officers: Seth F. Foster, John Wright and Jonathan Nichols, trustees; William B. Matthewson, clerk; Adam Hance and Joseph Osborne, overseers of the poor; Ezekiel Sampson and William Stephens, fence viewers; William Anway, treasurer; William Anway, Jr., lister; M. McMillan and C. T. Westbrook, constables; John Anway and E. H. Brown, supervisors. From this date forward to 1865 there are no township records which would justify the writer in attempting to give the names of officers elected annually.* From 1866 to the present time the township books are in fair condition, and from them the following list of trustees and clerks is compiled, the clerk's name appearing last in each year up to 1885.

1866.-W. Baker, D. M. Neikirk, J. W. Clay; H. Bromley t

1867.-D. M. Neikirk, Philo Bugbee, J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole.

1868.-Henry Troxell, Philo Bugbee, J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole.

1869.-Henry Troxell, Philo Bugbee, J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole.

1870.-- Hiram Chaffee, J. L. Anway, Philo Bugbee; J. L. Cole.

1871.-B. F. Moore, J. K. Miller, J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole.

1872.-J. L. Anway, J. K. Miller, J. H. Knapp; J. L. Cole.

1873.-J. B. Stearns, J. H. Knapp, J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole.

1874.-J. B. Stearns, J. H. Knapp, J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole.

1875.-J. B. Stearns, J. H. Knapp, J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole.

1876.-D. D. Neikirk, John Albright, J. B. Stearns; J. L. Cole.

1877.-Henry Hoppler, J. B. Stearns, John Albright; X. F. Charles.

1878.-W. Bogart, John Albright, D. N. Neikirk; C. H. Turner.

1879.-J. B. Stearns, John Albright, D. D. Neikirk; J. L. Cole.

1880.-Israel Lease, John Albright, D. D. Neikirk; Henry Milber.

1881.-E. Grant, Israel Lease, D. D. Neikirk; Henry Milber.

1882.-E. Grant, Israel Lease, D. D. Neikirk; Henry Milber.

1883.-J. L. Anway, Israel Lease, B. F. Hensinger; Henry Milber.

1884.-E. F. Gray, Israel Lease, J. L. Anway; Henry Milber.

1885.-D. B. Crissell (Republican), J. Hilsinger (Democrat), J. L. Anway (Republican), trustees; Henry Milber (Democrat), clerk; Henry Mansfield (Democrat), treasurer; Alva T. Jones (Republican), assessor; J. E. Scott (Republican), Thomas Shaw (Democrat), constables; Stephen Lapham, D. B. Crissell, H. R. Pettys, justices of the peace.

Pioneers and Pioneer Incidents.-Among the pioneers and old residents of Scipio Township were many of those men of enterprise who shared fully in raising this proud county out of the wilderness. There are only a few of them left to relate incidents of olden times, and, with one or two exceptions, the memories of the few survivors are photographed, so to speak, in this division of the chapter for from such memories, only, could many of the following names and incidents be obtained:

Charles Ames, a native of Connecticut, settled here in 1847 . . . .It is of record that one H. Anway, a native of New York State, came to the county in 1820, but the fact of his becoming an actual resident at that time is not sub-

* E. T. Stick ney was justice of the peace from April, 1839, to August, 1851. John P. Smith and N. P. Colwell were justices in 1865, and prior to that date.

T. N. P. Colwell was elected clerk in 1850 and, it is said, held the office until 1861, and was a justice of the peace for sixteen Years.

650 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

stantiated. William Anway is said to have settled in Scipio Township in 1821, but beyond the fact that his son John patented a piece of land in Clinton Township about that time, there is nothing to define such date for his settlement. It is stated by his children that he settled here with his family in 1823. He died forty-five or forty-six years ago, and was the first to be interred in the cemetery at Republic, though not the first to be buried in the township. John Anway, his son, patented the first lands in the county, being the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 23, Clinton Township. He was born in New York State in 1799 and died here in 1883. His marriage in 1825 with Mary Foster, who was born in 1805, was the first solemnized in Scipio Township. Mrs. Anway moved to California in October, 1884, and died there February 13, 1885. Her remains were interred at Republic, February 26, 1885 . . . . Charles and Molly (Smith) Albright, former born in Pennsylvania in 1810, latter born in 1808, died in 1877 . . . . John Albright (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1835), came to Adams Township in 1836, and moved to his present home in Scipio Township in 1862 . . . . J. S. Armstrong. a native of Ohio, was here in 1835.

Mrs. Mary Baker (a member of the well-known pioneer Baker family of four brothers and four sisters, children of Judge Samuel Baker) settled with her husband, Joseph Baker, in Scipio Township in 1822 . . . . Nathan and Matilda Baldwin, natives of New York State, parents of Isaac S. Baldwin. of Bloom Township (who was born at Republic in 1838), settled bore in 1835. and in 1838 moved into Republic, where Nathan Baldwin carried on a wagon shop until his death, September 3, 1849 . . . . J. C. Barton, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1850, and in 1865 purchased the hotel property called the "Burton House" . . . .In the village of Republic there lives one of the most eminent in good works and faithful ministers in the Methodist Protestant Church, Rev. A. H. Bassett, D. D., who is the recognized historian of his denomination. Mr. Bassett is one of the best of men, loyal to the cause he espoused in youth, and he is beloved by all as a father in Israel. While superannuated as an acting pastor, he is still doing good work as a writer . . . . John F. Baxter, who died December 21, 1854„was one of the old residents . . . . Matthew and Hanna (Lapham) Beard, parents of Charles F. Beard, of Tiffin (who was born in Massachusetts in 1829), came from the Eastern States with their family in 1833, to Scipio Township, where they are buried . . . . Samuel Beigh, who died October 20, 1875 , was an early settler . . . . Dr. George W. Beigh died at Plymouth, Ind., April 14, 1882 . . . . Irsael Bentley was an early settler . . . . Daniel and Clarissa (Chittenden) Benbam, parents of Norman Benham (who was born in Connecticut in 1818), came to the farm in Scipio Township in 1834, where they died, Mr. Benham in his eighty-fourth, and Mrs. Benham in her eighty-fifth year . . . . Rufus Bishop, who died September 19, 1851, was among the early settlers . . . . Daniel Billman, a native of Ohio, came in 1847 . . . . Mrs. Polly Bliss (widow of Parley Bliss), mother of Edward P. Bliss, came to Scipio Township in 1835, and here Edward P. resided until 1859, when he located at Bloomville ....Emmett Bogart died August 10, 1845 . . . . William Bogart, a native of Ohio, was here in 1841 . . . . M. V. Bogart was one of the old settlers of Republic and the first mayor of the village . . . . John Bowerman and family settled here in 1830 . . . . John Bowser purchased the land on which the village of Republic stands in 1829, sold it in 1835, and in 1836 settled in Bloom . . . . Mrs. James Boyd (nee Mercy Smith), second wife of James Boyd (deceased), late of Bloom Township, was born in New York State and came to Scipio Township with her widowed mother and brothers in 1835; she died in 1865 . . . . George Briney, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1843 . . . . Jacob Brong, father of the late Mrs. Samuel

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. - 651

Mittower (latter born in Pennsylvania in 1822, died in 1873), settled in Scipio Township in 1835, where he died .... Aaron T. Brong came in 1835 . . . . Paul Brong, born in Seneca County, New York, in 1824, came to this township in 1835 . . . . Daniel Brown, born in 1799, in New York State, came to Scipio Township about 1836, locating on a farm now owned, by William Baker; he died in 1872 . . . . Elijah Brown, who died January 9, 1885, in his seventy-ninth year, resided in Scipio after 1841; his widow, Catherine (Shirrick) Brown, to whom he was married in 1833, survives him . . . . E. H. Brown was elected one of the first supervisors of the township in 1824 . . . . Philo and Celia (True) Bugbee, natives of New York, former born in 1815, died in 1870, latter born in 1818, still living, parents of Morgan Bugbee (who was born in Scipio Township in 1840, died in 1884), were early settlers here . . . . Aaron Bugbee, a pioneer, died May 12, 1861 . . . . Consul W. Butterfield, the writer of historical sketches of Seneca County, published in 1848, and of Crawford's campaign, published recently, was among the old residents of Scipio Township .. . .Hoses Wilson Burrows, whose father was an early settler, and himself one of the founders of Republic Lodge No. 40, I. O. O. F., died August 19, 1846.

The Carter family came: to Scipio Township in pioneer times . . ..Hiram Chaffee, a native of New York State, settled here before the war . . . . Daniel Church, who died November 11, 1858, was one of the early settlers . . . . The grandparents of James D. Clark settled a farm in Scipio Township in an early day, now occupied by Mr. Clark . . . . J. W. Clay came from Pennsylvania in 1831 . . . .Nathan Cole, a native of Massachusetts, father of John L. Cole of Republic (latter born in Clinton Township in 1840), came to Seneca County in 1836, and died in 1875, aged eighty-nine years . . . . N. P. Colwell, who came to Thompson Township in 1831 from Madison County, N. Y., settled here in 1838; from 1850 to 1870 he filled town offices ....Alvin and Elizabeth (Frazier) Cooley, natives of Massachusetts, married in 1796, parents of Orange Cooley (who was born in Massachusetts in 1811), came to Seneca County in 1828; Mr. Cooley and his wife died years ago . . . .Franklin Cramer, a native of Ohio, was here in 1847 . . . . Mathias and Phoebe (Booth) Cummings, natives of New England, parents of Obediah Cummings (who was born in this township in 1837), came to this county about 1830.

George and Christine (Briney) Dallman, maternal grandparents of Mrs. Daniel Shawberry, carne from Alsace, France, to America, in 1826, and to this county in 1833 . . . . Evan Dorsey, who first settled in Bloom Township, was in Scipio Township about 1827; afterward moved West and died . . . .Robert button, who settled in Scipio Township about 1822, died in 1823, the first white person to die in the township . . . . George Duesler came from New York State in 1847.

John W. Eastman, born in New York State in 1797, father of W. S. Eastman (who was born on the farm, where he now resides, in 1835), came to Seneca County in 1831, and following year purchased land entered by Nathan Dix (in Scipio Township), removing his family to same in 1833; he died in 1872; his widow (nee Cynthia Spooner), was born in New York State in 1807, and died in 1855 . . . . P. O. Eastman came from New York State in 1837.

James Finch, a native of New York, paternal grandfather of Burtis W. Finch, of Loudon Township (latter born in Scipio Township in 1846), settled here in 1834, afterward removing to Hancock County, where he died . . . . Bellana Finch, a native of New York, father of Burtis W. Finch of Loudon Township, resided here from the time he was nineteen years of age till 1858; then moved to Hancock County where he died in 1873; his widow (nee .Frances Bolte) died in 1879 . . . . Nathan Foster, one of the first town officers, came from New York

652 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

State in 1824 . . . . Seth W. Foster was elected in 1824 one of the first trustees Enoch Fry came from Maryland ten years after the township was established . . . . Joseph Fisher a native of Maryland, settled here in 1841. . . . Louis F. Fisher, a native of Ohio, came in 1851.

John C. and Abigail J. (Seeley) Green, parents of M. V. and John G. Green, naives of this township, former born in 1834, latter in 1837, were among the pioneers of Scipio Township where they died. John G. Green moved to Fostoria in 1852 . . . . Samuel B. and Jane (Striker) Gray, natives of New York State, parents of E. F. Gray (who was born in this township in 1845), settled here in 1834, where they died, Mr. Gray, in 1880, aged sixtynine and Mrs. Gray in 1850, aged thirty-five . . . . Jacob and Margaret (Dallman) Guyer, parents of Mrs. Daniel Shawberry (who was born in 1847 in Pleasant Township), were early settlers of Seneca County. Mrs. Guver was born in Alsace, France, in 1815, and died in 1876.

Zephaniah Hathaway, born in Massachusetts in 1802, father of Henry Hathaway of Reed Township (who was born in 1828, the second child born in Scipio Township), came to this county from New York State in 1825 and entered land here. His first wife, Lucina, daughter of Josiah Smith, was born in New York State in 1802; died in 1856. Mr. Hathaway subsequently entered land in Reed Township and settled there in 1855 . . . . Henry and Hannah (Swander) Hall, natives of Pennsylvania, former of whom died in 1881, aged eighty-two, latter in 1868 aged sixty-three, parents of Joel Hall (who was born on the farm where he now resides in Scipio Township in 1827), came to this county in 1827 and entered the land whereon he died . . . . William S. Hall, who died December 7, 1850, was among the old settlers . . . . Rev. Horace Hall died June 4, 1876 . . . . Morgan H. Hall died February 13, 1837 . . . . Mrs. C. M. Hamilton came from Virginia in 1842, and is still a resident of Republic . . . . Adam Hance, a justice of the peace, settled on the site of Republic in 1822, and subsequently moved West with his family . . . . Anthony Harpster, a Pennsylvanian, settled here in 1828 . . . . H. L. Harris was connected with the early history, but little can be learned regarding him . . . . Philip A. Harrison, who died in July 30, 1852, was among the first settlers . . . . George Harshner, a Pennsylvanian, came in 1843 . . . . The Hennessy family settled in Scipio Township prior to their removal to London Township . . . . Joseph Hilsinger, a native of Germany, born in 1802, father of Joseph Hilsinger (who was born on the farm where he now resides in 1841), came to this township in 1835 with his wife, Mary (nary), a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1800; she died in 1875, Mr. Hilsinger in 1878 . . . . John R. Hill, a native of New York, settled here in 1845) . . . . Sabert and Mariette (Baker) Hoxter, parents of Mrs. Lewis Ransburg (who was born in New York State in 1831, died in 1884), came to this county in 1844; Mr. Hoxter died in 1865 and Mrs. Hoxter in 1858 . . . . Henry Hoppler came from Germany in 1832 . . . . Benjamin Huntley settled in Scipio Township in 1823, coming with the Anways and assisting in building the Anway log house.

Jacob S. Jennings, a native of New Jersey, father of Mrs. Henry Miley (who was born in Hopewell Township, in 1836), came to this county at an early date and entered land. He died in 1857. His widow, zee Osee Blackford, born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1799, died in 1876 . . . .Henry Johnson, who died July 31, 1849, was among the first settlers . . . . Erastus and Grace (Perry) Jones, natives of New York, parents .of Charles Jones (who was born in New York State in 1827), came in 1828 to Scipio Township. Charles Jones died in 1878, aged fifty-one years . . . . . Thomas Jones was born here in 1835.

Elder Kating (or Keating) is classed among the old settlers . . . . Eleazar O.

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. - 653

Kelley died August 6, 1849 . . . .Obediah and Phoebe (Booth) King, natives of Connecticut, parents of Mrs. George Stearns (who was born in this county in 1831), were early settlers : . . . Patrick Kinney, a native of Ireland, came to this county in 1829, and owned a farm in Scipio Township. His son, Edward, who resides in Venice Township, was born here in 1833 . . . . Henry Koch, a native of Germany, settled here in 1854.

Joseph and Lovina (Howland) Lapham, natives of Massachusetts, parents of Noah, Henry and W. W. Lapham (born in 1813, 1818, and 1828, respectively), moved to New York State in 1800, and later to this county, arriving here in 1826, there being at that time but one house between their farm and Tiffin. Joseph Lapham's land patents were signed by J. Q. Adams and Andrew Jackson. He died in 1871, aged eighty-five. His widow died in 1878 aged eighty-four . . . . Humphrey and Eliza (Allen) Lapham, both deceased (former a native of Massachusetts, died in 1868), parents of Squire Stephen Lapham, of Republic (who was born in New York State in 1821), came to this county in 1835 . . . .William and Jane (Postage) Laughery, natives of Pennsylvania (former born in 1782, died in 1847; latter died in 1857, aged severity-eight), parents of James Laughrey, late of this township (who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1813), purchased land in Scipio Township in 1820 and settled here in 1824. James Laughrey came with his parents to the township in 1824, and died in 1885 . . . . S. H. Lamkin died July 27, 1849) . . . . David Lawton was here at an early day. In January, 1846, a letter addressed as follows, passed through the Rochester postoffice:

"Pray, Mr. Postmaster, I want to go

To David Lawton, in Ohio,

In Seneca County, in Sippiotown,

And village of Republic, please let me down.

If you'll do me this favour, in double quick time,

You shall have my best wishes and a Yankee dime."

.. . Moses Lee, who died September 5, 1848, settled here early in the "thirties."

Henry Mansfield came in 1852, and established a dry goods store at Republic . . . . . Dr. Maynard built the house where Nathan Colwell now resides. The cellar of his house was a station on the "underground railroad," and the next station was Jackson's cellar near Clyde. At one time there were thirteen negroes stowed away in Dr. Maynard's cellar, who, when night came on, would husk and shell the Doctor's corn, and return to the cellar on the approach of day ....William B. Matthewson, who settled here in 1824, was elected first clerk of the township that year . . . . Thomas, Maurice, Charles and Rev. McNamee were very early settlers of Tiffin; of these brothers Maurice, who settled afterward in Scipio Township, is here still . . . . Morrison McMillen was here in 1824, and was the first constable of the township, being elected that year . . . . John and Magdalene (Beever) Miley, natives of Virginia, parents of Henry Miley, who was

horn in Eden Township in 1831, came to this county in an early day; Henry Miley moved to Scipio Township in 1858, and died in 1883 . . . . W. A. Mills came from New York in 1856, and J. M. Mills in 1857 . . . . Hiram Millman died February 2, 1851 . . . . Philip Miller came from Germany in 1852 . . . . Robert Montgomery settled here prior to 1830 . . . . Elijah Musgrave settled in 1824; he served as captain in the Toledo war.

D. M. Neikirk, a native, was here in 1831; ]David Neikirk in 1833; Joseph Neikirk in 1847, and J Jeremiah Neikirk in 1839 . . . . William H. Norris, a native of Ohio, was here in 1831, and John T. Morris in 1838 . . . . Jonathan Nichols arrived in 1824, and at the first town meeting was elected a trustee.

Joseph Osborne, who came here immediately after the Anways, was chosen one of the overseers of the poor, in 1824; this was a peculiar position, as there

654 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

were only fifty people here at the time, and the heads of families claimed to be all as rich as Osborne himself . . . . Gilbert M. Ogden, a native of New York State, father of Herbert G. Ogden, of Bloomville (who was born in Scipio Township in 1843), came to this county in 1836 and married Miss Sarah Jopp, of Pleasant Township, who died in 1854; Mr. Ogden carried on business in Republic for a time and mined in Nevada, dying in Toledo, Ohio, in September, 1884.. . D. D. Ogden came from New York State in 1836 . . . . Nathaniel and Elizabeth Owen, parents of Lewis R. Owen, of Bloom Township, came to Scipio Township in 1833 from New York State. Nathaniel Owen died in 1846, his widow in 1882, aged ninety years.

T. M. Pancost was agent for the B. P. & C. Railroad in 1859 . . . . Alonzo and Lydia (Phillips) Patrick, natives of New York, parents of Mrs. William W. Lapham (who was born in New York State in 1831), came to this county in 1847 Mr. Patrick died in 1863, aged sixty-four; his widow died in 1876, aged sixty-one . . . . Giles Pearce, who died July 30, 1858, was a pioneer. William Pearce, the first blacksmith in the township was a free negro . . . . Richard T. Porter, born in 1811 in Pennsylvania, came here in 1842 . . . . John D. Porter, who died May 13, 1854, was buried by the Odd Fellows, of which order he was a member.

Lewis Ransburg came from Maryland in 1831. . Mrs. Ransburg (nee Hoxter), was born in Yates County, N. Y., and with her parents immigrated to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1844, where she married Lewis Ransburg. Her death took place October 12, 1885, in her fifty-third year . . . . Abraham Reynolds a native of New York State, settled near Republic in 1830; later moved to Tiffin, and died some years ago at Carey, Ohio . . . . Squire Joseph Rhoads was one of the old justices of the peace . . . . . Jacob and Elizabeth (Drake) Rine (both deceased), the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1796, parents of John Wesley Rine, of Scipio Township (who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1826), came to this county in 1836, and shortly after lost everything by fire: a few years later Mr. Rine owned land in Hopewell Township, which he sold, and moved to Fostoria. He died in 1847 . . . . . Timothy P. and Rhoda (Chadwick) Roberts, former, born in Massachusetts in 1784, died in 1868; the latter, born in 1792, died in 1872 (were married in 1809), came here in 1825. (Mr. Roberts had entered land in 1823). They were parents of Hon. Mrs. Edson T. Stickney, who was born in New York State in 1819 . . . .O. P. Rogers, better known as "Ped" Rogers, was among the earliest settlers of this county, baying moved here from New York State, where he was born in 1816, well known in 1839 by many as a jovial and pleasant citizen. He died in January, 1881_ . . . . Timothy P. Roberts, to whom many references are made both in the count and township histories, was born at Middletown, Conn., in 1784, died January 28, 1868. His wife, Rhoda Chadwick, to whom he was married in 1809, was born in 1792, died in 1872. Mr. Roberts purchased lands here in 1823, and two years later came to reside in the township . . . . Elijah Roberts, who died August 9, 1852, was among the pioneers . . . . Dr. J. Roop came in 1843 . . . . Albert A. Rule and Samuel Rule, with their families, settled in Scipio Township in 1824. Daniel Rule made his settlement in the same township in 1825. Albert A. Rule died in 1846; Mrs. Rule, Sr., in 1848.

Ezekiel Sampson, who settled here in 1824, was elected a fence viewer that year . . . . Jacob and Mary (Litzenberger) Samsel, natives of Pennsylvania, latter born in 1822, parents of Mrs. Charles Jones of Scipio Township (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1845), came to this county in 1856. Mr. Samsel died in 1877 . . . . John Scott, a native of Virginia, father of J. Elwood Scott, of Republic (who was born in Scipio Township in 1848), was an early settler of this

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. - 655

township. He died in 1881, aged sixty-five years. His widow, Mrs. Abbie Jane (Bugbee) Scott, of New York, born in 1822, still lives .. .. William Scoville settled in Scipio about 1827 . . . . Sidney Sea, better known as "Gen. Sea," is noticed in the chapter on Courts and Bar, while sundry references to him are made in the military and other chapters and in the history of Republic Village. In 1834 he had Scipio Centre surveyed and platted under the name Republic. In September, 1836, the case of John Wright vs. Sidney Smith was heard. It appears that Smith (Sea) purchased $647 worth of land from Wright in Scipio Township, of which sum he did not pay a cent, so that the court gave judgment against him. He was a peculiar character in everything, yet possessed a large amount of energy together with another commodity, which early settlers allege to be "solid cheek.".. ..Robert and Sally (Keller) Shaw, parents of Mrs. Sally H. Rogers, of Scipio Township, who was born in New York State in 1816, came to the farm on which Mrs. Rogers now lives, in 1837, and here died, Mr. Shaw in 1864, aged seventy-nine, and his widow in 1868, aged eighty-two ....Silas W. Shaw, treasurer of the county, died April 28, 1865 . . . . . H. H. and Catharine M. (Bocholds) Shawberry, natives of Prussia, parents of Daniel Shawberry, of Scipio Township, who was born here in 1842, immigrated in 1832, and settled in this county in 1833. They were both born in 1799. Mrs. Shawberry died in 1868 . . . . . Rev. C. B. Sheldon moved West, and was a member of the Wisconsin Convention. When a member proved troublesome. the church was reorganized and admittance refused to said member . . . . George H. Sheldon, father of Mrs. John G. Green of Fostoria, was a pioneer . . . . Zephaniah and Margaret (Longstreet) Sherman, parents of Mrs. John Wesley Rine, of Scipio Township, who was born in New York State in 1834, settled in this county in that year; now in Michigan . . . . Daniel W. and Louisa (Paine) Smith, parents of Mrs. Richard T. Porter, of Scipio Township (who was born in Reed Township in 1841), came to this county in 1827. Mr. Smith died in 1853, Mrs. Smith in 1848 . . . . David and Susan (Neikirk) Smith, parents of Mrs. Joseph Hilsinger, of Scipio Township (who was born in this township in 1839), were early settlers here . . . . William Smith, Jr., who died November 21, 1827, was the son of William Smith, who died July 10, 1849. They were among the pioneer settlers . . . . Hiram Smith, who died March 3, 1850, was one of the pioneers . . . . Moses Smith was an early settler, and kept a store near the Anway homestead--it is thought the first store in the township . . . . Mrs. Ethan Smith in whose barn the Presbyterian Church of Republic was organized, was a resident of Kansas in 1884 . . . . Abram Smith settled in Scipio Township in 1827, died three or four years ago . . . . Dr. Jabez Spicer, known as the physician preacher, mixed up orthodox religion with predestination, and spoiled a good doctor to make a bad preacher. He removed to Hudson, Mich,, and there, in his own house, committed suicide . . . . . J. S. Sparks is classed with the pioneers . . . . . H. K. Spooner, an Ohioan, was bore in 1837 . . . . . William Stevens settled here in 1824 . . . . . George Stearns, a native of Vermont, born in 1794, father of George Stearns, of Scipio Township, (latter born in New York State in 1826), came to this county in 1829, where he died in 1831. His widow (nee Sophia Baker), a native of New York State, born in 1797, afterward married William Fleet . . . . J. B. Stearns came from New York State in 1829 . . . . Archibald Steward settled on Section 29, Scipio, in 1824, died in 1884. His son James was born in this township in 1829. Archibald was born in Pennsylvania in 1797 . . . . . Edson T. Stickney, a native of Moira, N. Y., born in 1811, came to Seneca County July 4, 1836, and to his present farm in 1851. He is married to a daughter of Timothy P. Roberts, one of the pioneers of 1825. A family reunion was held at the home E. T. Stickney, one mile and a half east

656 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

of Republic, Tuesday, October 6, 1885, consisting of C. B. Stickney, of Norwalk; Mrs. John Thayer, Hammond, Wis.; E. T. Stickney I. S. Stickney, Mrs. S. W. Shaw and Mrs. G. M. Ogden, of Republic, Ohio. The, combined ages of the brothers and sisters came to four hundred and nine years, the eldest being over seventy-five and the youngest over sixty; the ages of Mr. John Thayer, Mrs. E. T. Stickney and Mrs. I. S. Stickney, added, making the party of nine six hundred and two years. The family formerly consisted of twelve children, born iii Franklin County, N. Y., six of whom came West and settled and are all living. Those who staid East are all dead. Mr. Stickney was postmaster at Republic for sixteen years and a justice of the peace for a number of years . . . . George and Elizabeth (Small) Swigert, parents of John Swigert, of Bloomville, and Mrs. Martin V. Green and Mrs. John F. Heilman, both of Fostoria, came from Pennsylvania to this county in early days settling on their farm in Scipio Township in 1844-45, where George Swigert died in 1856. His widow died in Bloom Township in 1873 . . . . John Swigert, of Bloomville, born in Pennsylvania in 1817, came to Scipio Township about 1843, when he kept a hotel four years in Republic, finally, in 1872, moving to Bloom.

Lance Todd and family came to Fort Ball from Maryland, in 1828, and the same year settled in Scipio Township . . . . Henry and Eliza (Walburn) Troxel, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively (both deceased), parents of Mrs. James W. Stewart, of Scipio Township (who was born in Bloom Township, in 1834), came to this county, in 1834 . . . . Alfred Tompkins, a native of Ohio, was here in 1844 . . . . William A. Taber in 1852 . . . . Thomas Thompson, a Methodist minister, in 1832.

H. W. Van Fleet was here in 1830.

Isaac and Allie (Doan) Watson, parents of the late Mrs. J. T. Robinson, of Scipio Township (who was born in Bloom Township, in 1844), came to this township in 1830. Mr. Watson died in 1873, Mrs. Watson in 1850 ....Asa Way, who came from New York to Republic in 1833, was a member of the old bar . ...Cornelius Westbrook settled in the township in 1824 ....J. B. Wilcox, born in New York State in 1822, came to this county in 1833 . . . . Charley Wilkerson came from New York State in 1843 . . . .Isaac B. Witter settled ill Scipio in 1839, died a few years ago . . . . John Wright settled on the site of Republic in 1822. He was the first postmaster and justice of the peace here, and a great friend of Gen. Sea, until the lawsuit of 1836 was commenced by him against the General . . . . John P. Worstell was among the early settlers. Little information of an authentic character can be had relating to him . . . . Yost and Elizabeth (Helt nee Neikirk) Wyant, former of whom died in 1844, latter of Maryland, who died in 1868, parents of Daniel Wyant (who was born in Maryland in 1830),, came here in 1832, and in 1833 built the house in which Daniel Wyant now lives, which house is now one of the oldest landmarks in the neighborhood.

The subscribers to Butterfield's history in 1847, at Republic, are named as follows: Josiah Roop, Jonas Roop, S. W. Shepard, D. C. Myers, G. H. Shaw, R. Chamberlin, John Williamson, A. W. Littler, W. R. Fleming, Gad Goodspeed, A. E. Slat, J. Maynard, Calvin P. Ranson, J. P. Maynard, G. G. Smith, N. P. Caldwell, Jansen Parmenter, W. C. Cole. J. S. Smith, Al'. A. Parks, G. H. Spangle, H. R. Allison, James Davis, W. M. Dildine, P. M. Smith, A. Burrell, T. Kraft, E. S. Stickney, A. G. Sargent, O. E. Page, Daniel Brown, H. P. Benton, David Lamton, W. A. Barnes, Ezra Brown, R. W. McCartney, N. Church, William Parker, W. W. Culver, A. H. Westbrook, P. DeWitt, H. D. Wilson, F. S. Kendall, G. W. Haxton, D. Maltby, L. D. McCardle, R. F. Parks, Nathan Foster, Job Pettys, A. T. Miller, Peter Rumsey, D. S. Reynolds, John B. Frary, Jonathan Pettys.

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP - 657

Schools. About 1826 or 1827 the schools of the pioneer period first made their appearance in the township. Two decades later there were fourteen school districts and 953 pupils enrolled. The township board of education was organized April 18, 1853, with Jacob Brong, George Stearns, Daniel Brown, David Neikirk, William Baker, Henry Troxall, T. P. Roberts, Elijah Brown, clerks of the several districts. The Legislature passed an act creating a ,joint sub-district, known as the Rockaway District, embracing Bloom Township, Eden Township, Clinton Township and Scipio Township. Owing to the vigilance of the township school boards the act was declared invalid, and Rockaway did not obtain the school building sought for.

School Statistics. ---The schools of Republic presented the following statistics for the year ending August 31, 1884: Number of pupils enrolled, 160-82 boys and 78 girls- -of whom 41 attended the high school; 1 schoolhouse; value of property, $3,000; 4 teachers, average salaries, $67 and $32; local tax, $1,655.55; total revenue, $2,899.55; total expenditures, $2,042.58.

The statistics of separate school No. 1, as published at the close of August, 1884, give the following figures: Local tax, $11.29; total revenues, $578.49; expenditures, $244.35; 1 schoolhouse; value of property, $500; 1 teacher, salary, $40; number of pupils, 56 boys; average attendance, 32.

The school statistics of Scipio Township for the year ending August 31, 1884, are as follows: Local tax, $1,918.32; total revenue, $3,159.36; expenditures, $2,342; number of schoolhouses, 8; value of property, $13,000; number of teachers, 11; average salaries, $38 and $30; number of male pupils, 144; of female pupils, 135; average daily attendance, 156.

General Statistics.-The assessment of Scipio Township in 1841 gives the following figures: 22,843 acres valued at $63,590; value of town lots, $10,741; 307 horses, valued at $12, 280; 713 cattle, valued at $5,704; moneys invested in stores and on interest, $7,030; 2 pleasure carriages, valued at $150; total value, $99,495; total tax, $1,666.54; delinquencies from 1840, $102.94.

The valuation and taxation of Scipio Township and Republic village are as follows: 22,658 acres of land in township valued at $810,010, and chattel property, $'243,180; 282 acres in Republic valued at $120,680, and personal property valued at $56,610, making a total valuation of $1,230,480. The total tax is $17,074.06, with $112 dog tax. Republic claims only 9 dogs. The population of Scipio in 1880, was 1,836, including 715 inhabitants in Republic village.

The predial statistics of Scipio Township for 1884 are as follows: Acres of wheat, 2,709, product of 1883 crop, 21,990 bushels; rye, 10 acres;' oats, 1,559 acres, product. 65,147 bushels; corn, 1,858 acres, product, 30,915 bushels; meadow, 2.305 acres, hay, 2,512 tons; clover, 917 acres, hay, 954 tons, 830 bushels of seed; potatoes, 71 acres, 9,055 bushels; 1 acre of sorghum yielded 65 gallons of syrup; maple sugar, 970 pounds; maple syrup, 1,223 gallons; 134 hives. 340 pounds honey; 15,630 dozens of eggs; 384 acres of orchard, 3,515 bushels of apples, 18 bushels of pears; 14,310 acres of land owned and cultivated, 227 in pasture, 4,172 in forest, 125 waste total acreage 18,834; wool shorn in 1883, 47,753 pounds; milch cows, 388; dogs, 112; killed, 7 sheep; animals died from disease, 41 hogs, 290 sheep, 9 cattle and 7 horses.

REPUBLIC.

The original name of the location of Republic was " Scipio Centre," a name founded on the principle of the Western Reserve, which confers on the

658 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

actual geographical center, the name of the township with the word "Centre" attached.

John W right and Adam Hance entered lands here in 1822. In 1832 Sidney Smith (Gen. Sea) settled at Tiffin, coming from Portage County, Ohio, that year. A year or two later he purchased lands in Scipio, and in July, 1834, had a town surveyed at the Centre, and recorded under the name "Republic," which, as the General said, "was for the public good." In September, 1836, John Wright, from whom he purchased a parcel of the town site, sued him for the agreed price and got a judgment against lawyer Sea, which he is said to have paid. His enterprise was little appreciated by the people of Scipio. Of course John Wright's log house, the first on the site of the village, stood where Gale's store was in 1847, and was, in fact, Gale's store until its destruction or removal about 1889 or 1871.

In June, 1835, the town consisted of Runnel's tavern, Gale's store, Amos Hall's shoe-making establishment, William Pearce's blacksmith shop (a colored blacksmith) and a few log dwelling houses. The situation urged Smith to advertise the town, and this he did through the columns of the Tiffin Gazette. He advertised all his lands and lots at Republic and Tiffin, but did not succeed in disposing of all, as when he moved to Cincinnati in 1838 he appointed lawyer Chapin his agent until his return to Republic in 1840. A year later he had his name changed to Sidney Sea by the Legislature, and in 1843 put himself forward for military honors, winning the position of brigadiergeneral of militia. Once in uniform he made every effort to ape the manners of Baron Steuben, one of Washington's distinguished German officers, noted for his soldierly bearing and qualities, and went so far as to address the unmilitary body, known as the Seneca militia, thus: `Look bold! Look fierce! Look like the devil! Look as I do!' He was generally obeyed, but the loyal old militia of Seneca County looked forward to parade day as they would to circus day. On one occasion he caught one of his men in the act of jumping out of George W. Black's restaurant at Tiffin. Riding furiously up to him, he addressed the hungry soldier thus: "Attention! Great Jehovah! Look down on this! A son of Republic, a free born American soldier, in the service of his country, eating George Black's gingerbread on parade. Shame! Shame! Shame!" About this time he removed from Republic to Tiffin and in partnership with Luther A. Hall, carried on a law office for some time. Again, when such partnership had not existed, he went to Kentucky as the legal agent of Jeremiah Carpenter, an old settler of Venice, to look after his interests there. He failed to satisfy Carpenter that his accounting was exactly correct, and as a result Gen. Sea went to jail in 1846. February 5, 1847, Judge Reuben Wood, of the supreme court, whose term of office fortunately ended February 6, that year, came to Tiffin, heard the arguments of R. G. Pennington and Oliver Cowdery in behalf of Sea, and ordered his release. A year later the family moved to `'Wisconsin. Such is an outline of the history of the beginning of Republic and the man who founded it.

Original Town and Additions.-Republic was laid out on the southeast corner of Section 19, and northeast corner of Section 21 by D. Risdon in July, 1834, for Sidney Smith, subsequently known as "Gen. Sea." The eastern and southern additions were made in September, 1835, for Sidney Smith by Surveyor Shoemaker. Waggoner's addition (Lots 155 to 249), was surveyed by George W. Gist for Samuel Waggoner and approved January 20, 1837. Patrick's addition was surveyed by George W. Gist in July, 1837, for Shepherd Patrick. Samuel Wag goner's addition of out-lots was made in August, 1841. Samuel Waggoner's Burying;-ground addition (south part of east half of north

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. - 659

east quarter of Section 21) was surveyed in December, 1844, Weiker & Schoch's first addition was surveyed in March, 1849, and Roy G. Perry's in April, 1849. Farewell Retreat Burying-ground addition was made for Timothy P. Roberts in September, 1848. In 1874 additions were made by Alfred Jenck, H. Bromley, D. D. Ogden and Conrad Dagons.

Organic and Official. -There are no records whatever of the organization of the village of Republic, or of the transactions of the town council from 1853 to 1866. It has been ascertained, however, that M. V. Bogart was mayor in 1853; W. S. Hamilton in 1854-55; A. A. Hall in 1856; N. P. Colwell in 1857 ; Joseph Boyer in 1858; A. A. Hall in 1859-60; Daniel Metzgar in 1861-62; W. S. Hamilton in 1863. The officers and council from 1867 to 1885 are named as follows:

1867-68.--N. P. Colwell, mayor; J. Corbett, recorder; John Scott, D. D. Ogden, L. L. Berry, P. Bollinger, E. S. Chittenden, council.

1869.-N. P. Colwell mayor; I. B. Witter, recorder; Philip Griffin, D. D. Ogden, S. Lapham, J. W. Stewart, Jacob Stuky, council.

1870.-C. Osborne, mayor; J. S. Smith, recorder; George Duesler, J. Scott, Philo Bugbee, George Karsner, S. F. Hall, N. P. Colwell, council.

1871.-C. Osborne, mayor; J. S. Smith, recorder; George Karsner, P. Griffin, W. V. Bromley, council.

1872.-W. H. Pearce mayor; J. W. Mills, recorder; S. Lapham, George Duesler, Robert Chamberlin, council.

1873.-W. H. Pearce, mayor; J. W. Mills, recorder; Thomas Smith, Philip Griffin, George Karsner, council.

1874.-J. W. Shaw, mayor; N. E. Childs, recorder; S. Lapham, G. A. Hisey, A. Kellogg, council.

1875.-J. W. Shaw, mayor; N. E. Childs, recorder; Thomas Smith, William Pancost, D. Troxell, council.

1876.-Stephen Lapham, mayor; Jesse Spooner, recorder; C. D. Turner, D. D. Ogden, Elwood Scott, council.

1877.-Stephen Lapham, mayor; Jesse Spooner, recorder; E. Chittenden, Leroy Rice, Israel Rice, council.

1878.--Stephen Lapham, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; A. Tompkins, S. J. Beigh, A. Palmer, council.

1879.--Stephen Lapham, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; W. H. Anway, S. C. Neikirk, J. B. Wilcox, council.

1880.---Stephen Lapham, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; no record of council.

1881.---Stephen Lapham, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; no record of council.

1882-83.---George Tubbs, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; X.. F. Charles, G. W. Hemingway, Charles Lease, A. T. Jones, Eli Beard, D. D. Ogden, council.

1884.-E. R. Sage, mayor; William Robinalt, recorder; M. Breyman, F. B. Ogden, Peter Coffman, H. McCartney, X. F. Charles, G. R. Hemingway, council.

1885.-E. R. Sage, mayor; William Robinalt, recorder; X. F. Charles, Israel Lease, M. Breyman council; E. Scott, marshal; E. R. Sage, B. Cris. sell, F. Moore, P. Griffin, William Pancost, A. T. Jones, board of education.

CHURCHES.

The Presbyterian Church* was known at Republic previous to 1831,

*From Rev. D.D. Biggar's History

660 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY

for prior to its organization Rev. James Robinson, pastor of Melmore, preached there. September 17, 1831, a number of citizens of Scipio met at the house of Ethan Smith, when Abram Tremain, Rufus Bishop and Brainard Cleveland were elected ruling elders. April 19, 1832, a society was organized with the following members: Abram Tremain, R. Bishop, B. Cleveland, William Smith, of Scipio, N. Y.; William Van Fleet and wife from Molmore; Eliza Church, Sophia Cleveland and Susan Bishop from Homer, N. Y.; and Martha Tremain from Genoa, N. Y. At this time a resolution adopting the Presbyterian confession of faith was carried, and in the barn attached to Ethan Smith's house the organization was perfected. For some time after services were held in the barns of T. P. Roberts and Ethan Smith, and in the winters within Smith's house. Rev. James Robinson was the first preacher, receiving $75 per annum, and a monthly call to shorten his sermons. At this time there were only a blacksmith shop and a little store at Republic. In 1834 the village was surveyed and platted by one Shoemaker, settlement was retarded and the progress of this church slow. Rev. John McCutchen was the first resident pastor, having preached here April 22, 1832. He remained almost ten years and won a membership approximating 100 for the church. December 10, 1837, a protracted revival was closed by Mr. McCutchen, and twentyfive members added to the society, of whom one, Orange Cooley, alone remains. Mr. McCutehen left August 20, 1841. Rev. John Spicer, a doctor (who committed suicide in Wisconsin), was called in 1842, and filled the pulpit until 1844, although Rev. John Whipple came in 1843. Both were succeeded by Rev. Merrit Harmon May 23, 1844, who remained until 1846. During the campaign of 1844 politics claimed the greater attention of members, and created serious dissensions in the church circle. An ecclesiastical trial, too, was carried on from October 3, 1845, to July 2, 1846. Rev. Calvin Ransom came January 2, 1847, left in October of that year, and after many changes settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lost. his eyesight. Rev. C. B. Sheldon came August 25, 1850, and had charge until July 7, 1855. He was ordained and installed pastor October 8, 1851; and was the first regularly installed minister of the society. June 6, 1856, Rev. F. Putnam arrived, and he remained until 1857. November 10 of that year Rev. Samuel Montgomery came and remained until April 3, 1859. Rev. J. B. Parlin came in September, 1861, and was pastor until May 29, 1864. From October, 1865, until September, 1866, Rev. William Newton was pastor. In the latter year he was called to the church at Melmore. In 1868 Rev. R. S. Lockwood was pastor, and about this time the services of Rev. Henry Rice were recognized. March 14, 1874, Rev. Alvin Baker took charge and continued pastor until October 10, 1875. Mr. Baker died in 1884. Rev. Walton Pattinson was pastor of the churches at Republic and Bloomville from July, 1876, to April, 1878. In 1880 Rev. R. B. Moore was called. During his pastorate the church building at Republic was erected. Rev. D. D. Biggar filled the pulpit afterward. The list of ruling elders comprise the names given as elected in 1831: Joseph Curtin and Ethan Smith, elected April 11, 1838; Gaylord Smith in 1842; Joseph Creque, Orange Cooley and Henry Chamberlain in 1851; Elroy C. Smith, B. Rush, Porter Payne, and Lyman F. Payne in October, 1877.

The first log church building completed in the winter of 1831-32, was erected on the Anway farm, one mile and a quarter southeast of Republic. In 1837 the second church was erected, during the pastorate of Rev. John McCutchen, and on its opening the revival services of that year were commenced. In 1845 steps were taken by Rev. Harmon and society, to build the new or third church. This was completed in 1846 at a cost of $3,000.This building is now known as

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. - 661

Stickney & Dentler's warehouse. The present church was completed in 1881. The whole number of communicants from 1831 to 1884, was 256; of baptisms, 140; of pastors, 17, and of ruling elders, 12. Mrs. Emma Stickney is senior member of the church, having united in 1836; Orange Cooley, in 1837; Nathan Caldwell and A. J. Scott, in 1840; Mrs. Robinson, in 1843; Jane Miller, in 1846: Abram Miller, in 1847; Lydia Ann Shaw, nee Stickney, in 1852, and Hannah R. Porter, in 1854.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Republic, is almost contemporary with the old church of Melmore, and for years the same circuit preachers, named in the history of the Melmore society, appeared here, their coming dating away back to the. days when Cunningham's log workshop was the center of the Christian Church in the young settlement of Republic. In 1845 the Universalists introduced the era of church building. In 1846 the Methodist society erected a finer house of worship, and this was eclipsed in 1847 by the Presbyterians, who expended a greater amount of money on their house than either the Universalists or Methodists, viz.: $2,400, the limit of a church building fund in those days. The history of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Eden Township contains some facts relating to the establishment of a society here.

Salem Reformed Church of Scipio and Adams Townships was founded in 1837, as a union of the Lutheran and Reformed societies, by Rev. F. Rahauser, and a house of worship erected on lands donated by John German. The old church of 1837 gave place some years later to a better building, and this also was superseded.

Salem German Reformed Congregation of Adams and Scipio Townships was reorganized September 29, 1867, out of the older organization of Adam Township. John Hensinger presided, with Rev. Eli Keller, clerk. J. Hensinger, Anthony Harpster and H. Bachman were elected trustees. In 1868 a brick house of worship was erected on lands purchased from David Wyant.

The Universalist Society was founded here in 1840 under the name " Universalian Church," and in 1845 a house of worship was erected. Forty years ago this was one of the leading churches of the township, the society expending over $2,000 on the erection of a house of worship.

The Baptist Society, of Republic, was organized- December 29, 1837, with the following named members: Giles Pearce, Content Pearce, Israel Green, wife and two daughters, Nathan Cramer, Aaron Carlo, wife and daughter, Lowell Robinson, Irene Spooner, Margaret Hammond, Sarah Eastman, Lovina Robinson and Margaret Holt. The,secretaries of the society since 1837 were Joel Platte, R. H. Blodgett, O. F. Colwell and A. Maria Cole, nee Platte, the present clerk. The roll of pastors of the church embraces the names of Revs. Brown, Goodenough, Mack, Keating, Beebe, Collins, Wall, Clark, Oviatt, Dunn, Lockhart, Lyon, Hall, Buell and Ramsay. The present membership numbers twenty-two, and the value of property placed at $800. Mrs. Cole, in speaking of this church and society says: "The little Baptist Church at Republic has passed through many trials and conflicts. It was first called the Bloom and Scipio Church from the two townships in which the meetings were held alternately. In March, 1839, the name was changed to Republic and the meetings all hold at said village. The church was driven hither and thither, like the tempest-tossed bark, sometimes securing a home for a few weeks or months in some public building; but this frequently was denied them, and they were obliged to hold meetings within the narrow walls of some private dwelling which had been thrown open by some brother or sister. In 1862 they purchased a house and lot of Republic Union School District for $100, which they remodeled and dedicated to the service of God, and today we have a

662 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

neat little church in good repair of which we feel proud." This society was reorganized under the act of May 1, 18'52, on February 18, 1854, from the Scipio Baptist Society. T. R. Wall was chairman, and Asa Way, clerk. Bennett Spooner, Giles Pearce and P. H. Pettys were elected trustees and Joel Platt, clerk and treasurer.

In the history of the Republic churches by Rev. Mr. Biggar, it is related that three preachers, a Presbyterian, a Methodist and a Baptist, attempted suicide, of whom two succeeded.

CEMETERY.

Republic Cemetery.-Just east of the Bloomville road, and north of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is the beautiful little cemetery of the village. Many of the pioneers are interred here, and many elegant monuments stand sentry over their remains. The grounds are neatly laid out and shaded by ornamental trees.

SCHOOLS.

At page 657 the statistics of the schools of Republic are given. The Seneca County Academy was chartered in 1836. The incorporators organized on February 8, 1844, and the academy was opened November 10, 1845, with S. W. Shepard, principal. In December, 1847, the preparatory school was opened by Miss Amelia E. Root. From 1845, onward, Mrs. Sarah Jane Thayer was a teacher here, while Mrs. Eliza A. Baxter presided over the school of music. In 1870 the academy ceased, and in its place was instituted the Northwestern Normal School.

When the board of trustees organized in 1844, Timothy P. Roberts was elected president, William C. Cole, secretary, and Edson T. Stickney, treasurer. There were nine trustees, under whose authority the red brick building, still called the "academy," was erected on the east side of the village.

The Northwestern Normal School was founded at Republic in 1870, with Richard J. Fraise, principal. In 1874 he moved to Fostoria, carrying with him, to that rising town, the name, principals, and one or two teachers of his school at Republic.

The Republic Normal School was founded, in 1874, by B. B. Hall, and the first session inaugurated in the building known as the "academy."

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

August 20, 1869, a fire swept away thirteen buildings in the village of Republic. The entire contents of the Masonic lodge room were destroyed, and the records of other societies lost or burned. In 1871 another fire swept away two business blocks. Prior to 1869 a fire company was organized here, which ranked with the old-time fire-pail companies. After the fire of that year a new equipment was introduced, and after the fire of 1871 the department was reorganized.

Republic Star Hook and Ladder Company was reorganized under the State law September 17, 1872. H. R. Covert was elected secretary, and H. R. Covert, J. D. Hopkins, T. M. Green, Daniel Bollinger and Jonathan Witter, trustees.

SOCIETIES.

The Masonic society was organized at Republic very early in the history of the village, but, unfortunately, the records were destroyed in the fire of 1869, together with all the property of the lodge.

Hildreth Lodge No. 465, A. F. & A. M., was reorganized under State law January 28, 1873, when trustees were elected,

De Molay Comamadery, K. T., was organized at Republic August 10

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. - 663

1848. with Josiah Roop H. L. Harris, M. V. Bogart, Ed Winthrop, Hiram Humphrey, Daniel Watersons, H. Benton, Platt Benedict and John P. Worstell, members. This was essentially a society of Republic until February, 1869, when the charter was transferred to Tifn. H. Bromley, elected E. C. in 1865, continued in office until 1870.

Republic Lodge No. 40, L O. O. F., was reorganized for incorporation August 2, 1856, with E. T. Stickney, G. M. Ogden and O. T. Robinson, trustees. H. Burton was previously elected N. G., and N. P. Colwell, secretary.

Horace Robinson Post, G. A. R., was established under charter September 10, 1881 and named in honor of a soldier who fell at Chancellorsville May 2, 1863. The charter members are named as follows: G. R. Hemingway, George Tubbs, L. C. Hopkins, E. R. Sage, J. T. Dittman, H. K. Spooner, J. B. Ennis, L. S. Bergstresser, D. D. Neikirk, W. A. Mills, C. A. Way, L. A. Cook, D. Troxell, M. F. Sweetland. W. R. Robinalt, J. P. Sparks, E. C. Sparks, M. Gray, J. Crossley, J. P. Rogers, E. F. Gray, L. R. Barker, H. M. Reed. P. J. Shaw, A. Way, H. C. Martindale, F. A. Lumbar, G. M. Singer and B. A. Sloate. W. A. Mills was commander to the close of 1882; P. S. Shaw, in 1883, and E. R. Sage, in 1884. The post has a membership of about forty.

Republic Lodge No. 192, I O. G. T., was incorporated August 15, 1870, when W. H. Pearce, D. AT. Neikirk and George Duesler were elected trustees, Lizzie Hamilton, secretary, and J. W. Stewart, W. C. T.

Scipio Rangers.--A society known as the "Scipio Rangers" was organized in 1847 for the apprehension of horse thieves.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Roll of Business Men.--The business circle of Republic in 1884-85 was made up as follows: A. F. Betts, E. S. Chittenden, J. F. Freeman, B. F. Hartman and Stickney & Dentler, drugs and groceries; T. C. Case, dry goods; H. Mansfield Bro., general store; Cooley & McCartney, F. A. Lumbar, hardware; Cole & Estabrook, Miss E. A. Osborne, millinery and dress rooms; Buckeye Churn Co.; J. L. Cole, H. Melber, lawyers; C. H. Correll, restaurant; Daniel Wyant and H. R. Covert, carriage builder; G. R. Hemingway, hotel; H. Howland and C. F. Ricketson, liveries; D. Jones, books, stationery, tobacco; F. B. Ogden, planing-mill and foundry; stave and barrel works, G. Woodward, proprietor; Pancost & Co., furniture; George E, Peabody and W. B. Thatcher, boots and shoes; J. E. Scott, meat market; Sourwine & Sons, flour-mill; L. F. Strausbaugh, jeweler; D. T. Strong, saloon; Henry Melber, postmaster; M. Breyman, dentist; George Tubbs, C. E. and surveyor. The resident physicians of Republic in 1847 were William C. Cole, Dr. Pierce, William L. Hamilton, F. S. Kendall, J. S. Sparks and John Ball. Dr. Spooner is an old physician of the town. Dr. Maguire was also here, and Dr. Stover was a more recent resident. Stephen Lapham is justice of the peace.

Railroads and Highways.--The Mad River Railroad, the history of which is given in the general history, was actually built and in operation between Sandusky and Tiffin, via Bellevue, Lodi and Republic at one time; but the track was taken up and both ties and rails used on the new track via Clyde and Green Spring to Tiffin. The loss of this road was a serious blow to the young village, for with it disappeared the chances of constructing the Melmore & Republic line, projected in May, 1836. The old railroad entered the village from the northeast, at the intersection of East and Jefferson Streets, and then took a due western course.

The Baltimore & Ohio, once known as the B., P. & C. R. R., runs through the southwestern corner of the village.

664 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

The Kilbourne Road, named after Col. James Kilbourne, who in 1827 surveyed the Sandusky & Columbus Turnpike for a toll-road company, was opened through Republic. William and John Anway opened the first road to Tiffin in 1823 or 1824.

CONCLUSION.

From the very beginning of settlement to the present time, the people of the township, and particularly of Scipio Centre, made great efforts, and, in many instances, great sacrifices, to place this division of the county foremost among the townships. So early as 1832 they entered their claims for the Mad River Railroad, and won the road some years later; again they assisted in efforts to secure railroad connection with Melmore and other points south, but when near the goal of success, other and opposing influences took away the railroad which they possessed, and destroyed all hopes of success for new enterprises of this kind. In 1841 or 1842 a well organized effort was made to secure the county seat; but like other measures which deserve success, these failed to win the coveted prize. With all the failures credited to the center of the township, Scipio, as a whole, has made remarkable progress, and to-day vies with the best sub-divisions of northwestern Ohio in wealth and all its accompaniments. The building of the Baltimore & Ohio gave a new impetus to the business life of Republic, and this village now may be said to share with the township in general prosperity.