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328 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. CHAPTER VI. COUNTY SOCIETIES. UNION COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. (1) AT the time our Agricultural Society was organized, our county was thinly populated and one of the most backward counties in the State, very little tillable land, but little cultivated, not enough of grain products or stock raised to supply home demand-no thoroughbred stock of any kind, but on the contrary, very inferior horses, cattle, sheep and hogs of every kind, and the farming implements used were very few and primitive in kind. Our county in its earliest day was settled with men of strong moral convictions, industrious and enterprising, and at an early date advocated the importance of organizing an agricultural society. The first meeting to organize was held in the old court house during the summer of 1847, at which time the society was organized and officers elected, and the time fixed for holding the first fair in the county was in the second week of October of the same year. The first fair was held in the public square of Marysville, using the old court house for the display of fabrics. The second year the ground for exhibiting was about two squares south on Main street and continued in that vicinity until the year 1852, using the court house for the fine art hall. Afterward the fair was held on the grounds now owned and occupied by the society for that purpose. A committee in 1854 was appointed to make a purchase of fair ground and report plan for payment. The committee made a purchase of John Cassil of thirteen acres of land on the Marion road, about three-fourths mile from the public square in Marysville, for which they agreed to pay $50 per acre, one-half January 1, 1855, balance in one year; with interest, and executed a written contract to that effect. The plan reported by the committee to procure funds for the purchase was that the ground be purchased by a joint-stock company in which each share should be $10. The deed of conveyance to be made to such stockholders, subject to the use of the Union County Agricultural Society, so long as it should use the same for a fair ground, but to pass absolutely and unconditionally with the improvements to the stockholders, when the society shall disband or cease to occupy it for its annual fairs. In accordance to the plan reported, a warranty deed conveying the thirteen acres of land in Survey No. 3,353 was made by John Cassil, November 26, 1860, to the following named persons, stating the number of shares taken by each: John F. Sabine, 1 share; J. C. Miller, 2; James A. Henderson, 1; Richey & Buxton, 1; P. Manchester, 1; R. L. Broome, 1; Solomon Cook, 1; John Barbour, 1; Jesse Mearis, 1; J. R. Galloway, 1; Moses Coe, 1; A. S. Chapman & Co., 1; W. H. Robb, 1; Joseph Newlove, 1; John E. Cahill 1; William M, Robinson, 1; John Cassil, 4; Samuel Woods, 1; D. D. Welsh, 1; E. Biglow, 1; Luther Winget, 1; Ray G. Morse, 1; Benjamin Gordon, 1; James Smith (Darby Plains), 1; John Reed, 3d, 1; R. D. Reed, 1; A. A. Woodworth, 1; Will- (1) The article on this society was kindly contributed by R. L. Woodburn, Esq., of Marysville. HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. - 329 iam Bigger, 1 ; Jesse Gill, 1; A. F. Wilkins, 1; John W. Thompson, 1; S. A. Cherry, 1; Thomas W. Miller, 1; John Johnson, 1; John T. Lenox, 1; James Finley, 1: W. W. Woods, 1; C. S. Hamilton, 1; P. B. Cole, 1; William C. Malin, 1; Joshua Marshall, 1; Tabor Randall, 1; N. Raymond, 1; S. R. Reed, 1; F. Hemingway, 1; Hiram Stokes, 1; William Gabriel, 1; George B. Burnham, 1; J. & E. Burnham, 3; James Riddle. 1 1/2; James Fullington, 3; Charles Fullington, 3; George W. Stamates, 1; J. C. Sidle, 1; James Kinkade, 1; Philip Snider, 1; James W. Robinson, 2; Samuel C. Lee, 1; C. Houston, 1; William T. Brophy, 1; Phelps & McWright, 1; Thomas Turner, 1; J. Sexton & Co., 1; James Martin, 1; William R. Webb, 1; James M. Welsh, 1. There were others who subscribed and paid part, but by the conditions of the association the same were forfeited because not paid in full, and part of the amount subscribed was paid toward the improvements, and the sum of $650 and interest paid for the said land; the total amount of land owned by the society is forty-seven acres and ninety-nine poles. The amount of purchase money paid, $6,092.50. The fair grounds are well improved, a good half mile track, good substantial buildings in the main. The amount of money spent for improving the grounds since its organization is about $8,000. The value of grounds, $15,000. The number of entries the first year were less than 100, In the year 1882, were 1,920. The receipts the first year were less than $100. The receipts for the year 1882 were $5,212.15. The attendance the first year was estimated about 250. In 1882, the attendance on the third day of the fair was estimated about 12,000. The membership the first year was about fifty. In 1882, it was 2,200. The first money paid to any officer of the society was to John Johnson, Secretary, $5 for his services from the organization of the society until the year 1852. C. S. Hamilton did all the printing for the society for the year 1851 for two years' membership, being the first compensation for printing. The first building was erected by Thomas Snodgrass, for the accommodation of the ticket master and board of directors, 20 feet long and 12 feet wide, at the cost of $22 for the entire building. The first imported horse brought to the county was by Charles Fullington, in the year 1851, known as "Louis Napoleon," weighing 1,650 pounds. In 1850, James Fullington brought from Kentucky the first thoroughbred cattle to the county. In 1853, Charles and James Fullington imported to the county some very fine thoroughbred cattle, and the same year and by the same parties were imported to the county the first fine-wool sheep. W. M. Winget brought to the county the first thoroughbred "Jersey" in the year 1880. Our county is specially noted for raising French and Norman horses, and the money realized from their sales has been of great financial benefit to our farmers. Our county might, be regarded better adapted to grass than any other product. Great improvement has been made in the last few years in the raising of wheat, by the means of fertilizing, which has proved to be of great profit, and quite a number of our farmers are using the same with great success. The admission fee to the fair is $1 for a man and his wife and all the minors of his family during the fair, with the privilege of taking a wagon inside the grounds and of exhibiting articles; for each footman, 25 cents; for wagon or buggy, 25 cents; and each person in same, 25 cents; children, 10 cents; and horsemen 40 cents. Persons from any part of the State are allowed to compete for premiums of stock, farm implements and fine arts by paying 330 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. $2. Any person who is a resident of the county and twenty-one years old may become a member of the society by paying $1 to the Treasurer annually, which entitles him to a family ticket for the year. The family ticket system has proved a great success, making the price so reasonable that it brings it within the reach of every citizen, giving him an opportunity of every advantage to be derived from the fair. The object of our managers has been to award in premium to the exhibitors the proceeds of the fair each year, after deducting the necessary amount for improvements and expenses. All games of chance and intoxicating drinks are prohibited. No officer of the society receives any pay except the Secretary. The society is in good financial condition. The Agricultural Society has been of great benefit to the county, inspiring a zeal of enterprise among the people that is commendable. One remarkable feature of our society has been the unanimity with which the officers and managers have worked together from its organization, with but one object in view, its success. The following are the names of the officers from its organization to the present: 1847-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, A. A. Woodworth, Treasurer and Secretary, John Johnson. 1848-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, A. A. Woodworth; Treasurer and Secretary, John Johnson. 1849-President, Eliphas Burnham ; Vice President, J. W. Robinson; Treasurer, Cyprian Lee; Secretary, John Johnson. 1850-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, J. R. Galloway; Treasurer, Cyprian Lee; Secretary, John Johnson. 1851-President, Joshua Judy; Vice President, Eliphas Burnham; Treasurer, Cyprian Lee; Secretary, John Johnson. 1852-President, Joshua Judy; Vice President, Eliphas Burnham; Treasurer, Joshua Marshall; Secretary, John Johnson. 1853-President, Joshua Judy; Vice President, Eliphas Burnham; Treasurer, Joshua Marshall; Secretary, John Johnson. 1854-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, John Cassil; Treasurer, Joshua Marshall; Secretary, John Johnson. 1855-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, John Cassil; Treasurer, Joshua Marshall; Secretary, John Johnson. 1856-President, A. A. Woodworth; Vice President, J. R. Galloway., Treasurer, John Barbour; Secretary, James W. Robinson. 1857-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, James A. Henderson; Treasurer, John Barbour; Secretary, James W. Robinson. 1858-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, James A. Henderson; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, M. C. Lawrence. 1859-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, James W. Robinson; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton. 1860-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, James W. Robinson; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton. 1861-President, James W. Robinson; Vice President, Eliphas Burnham; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton. 1862-President, James W. Robinson; Vice President, R. D. Reed; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton. 1863--President, R. D. Reed; Vice President., W. M. Robinson; Tresurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton. 1864-President, R. D. Reed; Vice President, Levi Longbrake; Treasurer, S. S. Jewell; Secretary, S. C. Lee. HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. - 331 1865- -President, R. D. Reed; Vice President, James W. Robinson; Treasurer, S. S. Jewell; Secretary, S. C. Lee. 1866-President, R. D. Reed; Vice President, James W. Robinson Treasurer, S. S. Jewell; Secretary, S. C. Lee. 1867-President, James W. Robinson; Vice President, Thomas W. Miller; Treasurer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, James A. Henderson. 1868- President, James W. Robinson; Vice President, H. C. Hamilton; Treasurer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, L. Piper. 1869-President, Philip Snider; Vice President, James A. Henderson; Treasurer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, L. Piper. 1870-President, Philip Snider; Vice President, James A. Henderson; Treasurer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, L. Piper. 1871-President, Philip Snider; Vice President, George Sinclair; Treasurer, James A. Henderson; Secretary, L.. Piper. 1872-President, George Sinclair; Vice President, Joshua S. Gill; Treasurer, James A. Henderson; Secretary, L. Piper. 1873-President, George Sinclair; Vice President, George Wilber; Treasurer, James 1. Henderson; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn. 1874-President, George Sinclair;. Vice President, George Wilber; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn. 1875-President, George Wilber; Vice President, William R. Webb; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn. 1876 -President, W. R. Webb; Vice President, Darius Buxton; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn. 1877-President, W. R. Webb; Vice President, Darius Buxton; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn. 1878-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, Nathan Howard; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn. 1879-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, Nathan Howard; Treasurer, Luther Liggett; Secretary, A. H. Beightler. 1880-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, Luther Liggett; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary, A. H. Beightler. 1881-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, T. P. Shields; Treasurer, Philip Snider Secretary, A. H. Beightler. 1882-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, T. P, Shield$; Treasurer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, A. H. Beightler. 1883-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, T. P. Shields; Treasurer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, A. H. Beightler. The following are the names of all the persons who have served as members of the Board of Directors: Joseph Brannon, John Reed, 3d, W. M. Robinson, Joshua Marshall, B. F. Kelsey, J. R. Galloway, Solomon Cook, Thomas Turner, R. L. Judy, James V. Welsh, A. A. Woodworth, P. Manchester, Jr., William T. Brophy, J. C. Sidle, John Sterling, P. W. Alden, Joshua, Judy, Jesse Gill, James Fullington, D. D. Welsh, John Johnson, Charles, Fullington, Isaac Mechney, T. W. Miller, James B. Richey, Levi Longbrake, George Stuart, I. W. Smith, Thomas Robinson, D. G. Cross, Philip Coe, James A. Henderson: David Watson, John Mitchell, Jr., George Stephens, F. Fenner, J. R. Richey, W. C. Wood, Peleg Cranston, Thomas Turner, W. H. H. Miller, Moses Coe, C. S. Hamilton. W. H. H. Titus, Dyer Reed, George P. Cross, J. M. Roney, John Sidle, Nathan Howard, Lee Smith, Philip Snider, George Sinclair, K. L. Wood, H. C. Hamilton, J. M. Danforth, R. T. McAlister, William R. Webb, George Wilber, Israel Slack, D. R. White, W. P. Anderson, Edward Powers, D. H. Henderson, Charles W. Smith, Philip Roush, L. M. Fairbanks, Luther Turner, Hylas Sabine, Uriah Cahill, Jehu 332 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Gray, T. P. Shields, Jerry Reinhart, George Keckley, Isaac Willet, W. F. H. Pennington. THE UNION COUNTY B113LE SOCIETY.(1) A history of Union County, Ohio, would be very imperfect if it did not include some account of its County Bible Society, auxiliary to the American Bible Society. There can be no doubt that this society has had much to do in influencing and determining the moral and religious tone of this community, out of which has come not, only a large proportion of the existing churches of the county, but much of its prosperity, and the spirit of improvement and progress which characterizes the people of the county at the present time. When in 1830, the Union County Bible Society was first organized, it was evidence of the fact that there were those among the pioneer settlers who appreciated. the teachings of the Bible and the importance of having these teachings disseminated and observed. At that period, the county was but very sparsely settled in any part of it; a large part of its territory was but little changed from an unbroken wilderness, and the entire population, according to the census, was but 3,192. It was not strange, under these circumstances, that the operations of its infant Bible Society were very limited for the first ten years of its existence, and its records for this period not having been preserved, it can only be contemplated as having its place as a planted seed in the county, the fruits of which were to appear in after time. But in July, 1841, the population having increased to something over 8,000 (by the census of 1840 it was 8,443), it was re-organized, and in adopting a new constitution the following preamble is found upon its records: "WHEREAS, a Bible Society auxiliary to the American Bible Society has been in existence in Union County with a constitution which has been mislaid or lost, therefore resolved that the following Constitution be adopted in lieu thereof, as the constitution of the Union County Bible Society." In the constitution then adopted, Article 1 designates its name. Article 2 declares that " The whole object of the society shall be to promote the circulation of the Bible without note or comment." Article 3 provides " That any person may become a member who shall pay annually to its funds any specific sum, and shall be allowed to purchase Bibles and Testaments at cost price " from the Depository. Article 4 provides that " The funds of the society shall be devoted to the supply of the destitute in its own sphere, or paid over to the parent society." Article 5 provides that " The officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Depositary," to be elected annually or hold their offices until their successors shall be elected. Articles 6 and 7 provide that these officers shall constitute a Board of Managers to carry out the designs of the society. Article 8 provides for the alteration of the constitution. It is worthy of notice that the first organization of this society in 1830 was but fifteen years after the formation of the American Bible Society, which took place in 1815; so that this County Auxiliary Society, with all its disadvantages, was early in the field in tis endeavors to help forward the beneficent designs of the parent society, and it is pertinent and fitting to say that whatever good has resulted from the operations of this county society, it may all be reviewed as so much testimony in commendation of the benevolence and wisdom of the originators and founders of the American Bible Society. There can be no doubt that this county society has been an incentive and a help in the organization of most of the churches now found in the county. There were but few churches in the county at the date of its first organization-not half a (1) Prepared by William Lee, of Marysville, Secretary of the Society, especially for this work. HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. - 333 dozen, it is believed and at the period of its re-organization in 1841, only a comparatively small number of the churches now found in the county had been organized. The increased circulation of the Bible through the instrumentality of the county society, called attention to its teachings and to the commission and warrant furnished by the New Testament to gather the people into church associations; and formal church organizations have followed as a natural result. Without entering into statistical details of the operations of the society, it will suffice for the present purpose to state that, from its re-organization in 1841, it has maintained a depository at which there has usually been an ample supply of Bibles and Testaments to meet the wants of the county and carry oat the objects of the society. Thousands of volumes have gone out from the depository, and, besides paying the parent society for these books, a very considerable sum of money has been contributed to that society to aid it in its work of circulating the sacred Scriptures among the destitute in the wide field which it occupies. The work of the county society has been prosecuted by various methods. It has sometimes had local visitors in the different school districts, and at other times employed canvassing agents to go over the entire county to seek out the destitute families and supply them, and at the a same time solicit from the friends of the Bible their pecuniary contributions to pay for gratuitous distributions to the needy among us, and to enlarge the contributions of this society to the parent society. In addition to the methods thus mentioned, there have been organized, in all the fourteen townships of the county, branch societies, and there have been periods when most of these branch societies have done good work for the Bible cause. As the work of this society has been inaugurated and carried forward chiefly by the personal agency of those who have been its official representatives and managers, their names are a part of its history. It has; already been stated that no record has been preserved of what was done for ten years after its first organization, but it has been ascertained from the records of the parent society that the Union County Bible Society was first organized as an auxiliary in August, 1830, and that E. Strong was both President and Corresponding Secretary at that time. After the re-organization in 1841, the names of the officers of the society are as follows: Presidents-S. G. Strong, one year, to 1842; Cyprian Lee, from 1842 to 1853, inclusive, twelve years; Otway Curry, elected in 1854, and held the office at the time of his decease in 1855.; Rev. James Smith, from 1856 to 1875, inclusive, nineteen years; Rev. W. G. March, elected in 1875 and 1876, two years; Rev. W. A. James, in 1877, one year; Rev. P. P. Pope, 1878-79, two years; Rev. A. Harmount, 1880-82, two years-present incumbent. Secretaries-Joseph H. Gill, for 1841, one year; George W. Cherry, four years, beginning 1842; Haman Ferris, 1845-46, two years; John Johnson, from 1847, seven years; C. S. Hamilton, 1854-57, three years; S. W. Dolbear, 1858-61, three years; William Lee, 1862 to 1882, inclusive, excepting one year in 1873-74, when Franklin Wood hold the office. Mr. Lee is the present Secretary of the Society. Treasurers- -William. Snodgrass, 1841, one year; William H. Frank, 1842-44, inclusive, three years; Rowland Lee, 1854-56, two years; William H. Skinnier, 1847-53, six years; Cyrus A. Phelps, 1854-57, inclusive, four years; Charles Rathbun, 1858-62, four years; A. J. Whitney, 1863-75, twelve years; E. S. Pyne, 1875-78, three years; L. Piper, 1878-82, present incumbent. Depositaries-Cyprian Lee, 1841, one year; Rodney Picket,. 1842-53, eleven years; Cyrus A. Phelps, 1853, one year; William M. Smith, 1854-61, seven years; William H. Phelps, 1862-63, two years; D. Buxton, 1864, one year; 334 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Thomas Brown, 1865-69, four years; Philip Snider, 1870-74, four years; Alvin Thompson, 1875, one year; F. T. Arthur, 1876, one year; F. O. Pierson, 1877, one year; Miss Ella Robb, 1878-80, two years; G. R. Greenawalt, 1880-82, present incumbent. UNION COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION. Pursuant to a published call, signed by W. M. Robinson, H. Sabine and others, a number of the pioneers of Union County met at the court house in Marysville on the 4th of December, 1875, and organized an association. William M. Robinson was chosen Chairman and H. Sabine, Secretary. A constitution was adopted, and the following persons were enrolled as members of the Society:
The following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: William M. Robinson, President; H. Sabine, Secretary; J. F. Sabine, Treasurer; Vice Presidents as follows, one from each township: William Porter, Union; Hiram Kent, Darby; Jesse Mitchell, Jerome; Silas Bell, Mill Creek; Samuel Gamble, Dover; Joseph Dodds, Paris; Abraham Holycross, Allen; Stephen Shirk, Liberty; George W. Carey, Leesburg; Samuel Scott, Taylor; William Phillips, Claibourne; John Chapman, Jackson; Gorham Bird, Washington; Jonathan G. Miller, York. After some other business the society adjourned to hold its first regular meeting on the first Saturday in the following June. The second meeting was held as appointed, and about 100 pioneers were present. Judge P. B. Cole delivered the principal address, and was followed by William Porter, of Union Township, William Phillips, of Claibourne, and A. A. Woodworth, of Union. The third meeting was held at the court house in Marysville, January 6. 1877, at which time William M.. Robinson was re-elected President, and H. Sabine, Secretary. Several, new members were added, making a total of sixtyfive. The following Vice Presidents were elected: Page 335 - Blank Page 336 - Picture of S. B. Woodburn HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. - 337 William Porter, Union Township; Hiram Kent, Darby; Nelson Cone, Jerome; Joseph Conklin, Mill Creek-, Samuel Gamble, Dover; Joseph Dodds, Paris; James Wilber, Allen; Stephen Shirk, Liberty; G. W. Cary, Leesburg; A. G. Brooks, York; Samuel Scott, Taylor-, William Phillips, Claibourne; M. Chapman, Jackson; Gorham Bird, Washington. Short addresses were made by A. A. Woodworth, Eliphas Burnham and Nelson Cone. Mr. Burnham remembered some of the commands given by an old-time Madison County Militia Captain, among others these: "Advance backward three paces!" "Elevate your pieces well downward!" The latter command was given upon entering a sham fight. Mr. Burnham assisted in building the first jail in Union County, a log structure. At this meeting the death of Adam Shirk, a native of Virginia, was announced. He had lived in Union County since about 1826. The next meeting was hold at the same place June 20, 1878, and was but slimly attended. The meeting for August 16, 1879, was held at the court house, and but few were present, owing to bad weather. The pioneers met again in September following, and there is no record of further proceedings until July 4, 1881, when another meeting was held at Marysville. Resolutions were read and adopted in respect to the memory of Eliphas Burnham, Jesse Mitchell and A. G. Brooks, deceased pioneers. Feeling tribute was paid to them and their contemporary workers in the wilderness, and the following poem was read as appropriate to the occasion: THE FARMER's EULOGY. "On a green, mossy knoll, by the banks of the brook, That so long and so often has watered his flock, The old farmer rests in his long and last sleep, While the waters a low, whispering lullaby keep. Chorus: He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last grain; No morn shall awake him to labor again. "Yon tree, that with fragrance is filling the air, So rich with its blossoms, so thrifty and fair, By his own hands was planted. and well did he say It would live when its planter had moldered away. Chorus, etc. "There is the well he dug, with the water so cold. With its wet, dripping bucket, so mossy and old, No more from its depths by the patriarch drawn, For the pitcher is broken and the old man is gone. Chorus, etc. "'Twas a gloom giving day when the old farmer died; The stout-hearted mourned, the affectionate cried, And the prayers of the just for his rest did ascend, For they all lost a brother, a man and a friend. Chorus, etc. "For upright and honest the old farmer was; His God he revered, and respected the laws. Though faultless he lived, he has gone where his worth Will outshine, like pure gold, all the dross of the earth." Chorus, etc. Resolutions were also adopted in respect to the memory of Mrs. W. M. Robinson (wife of the President of the Association), Mrs. David Burnham and Mrs. John Fleck. John B. Coats was elected Secretary in place of H. Sabins, who had removed from the county. Mr. Robinson was re-elected President. Remarks were made by Nelson Cone, Aaron Shirk, Judge Coats and others, and the assembly adjourned to meet September 8, 1881. At the time named there was a fair attendance, and several new members were admitted An adjournment was had to the second week in June, 1882, but no meeting 338 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. was held at that time, nor until the 27th of September following, when a few of the members met at the Mayor's office in Marysville. The old officers were re-elected, and the regular date for holding meetings was changed to the third Wednesday in June, but one meeting being agreed upon annually instead of two as before. The last gathering was very interesting, notwithstanding the small attendance. UNION COUNTY FARMERS' INSURANCE COMPANY. This company was organized at York Center, in June, 1881, and was incorporated on the 10th of that month. It is designed exclusively for a protective fire insurance association for farmers. The incorporators were: Uriah Cahill, Lemuel Cahill,. John Trimble, M. E. Stamets, C. W. Smith, H. P. Harvey, L. D. Worbs, L. W. Bolenbaugh, Amon Davis, John Penhorwood, Jelin Grey, Jacob Harris, Nat Brooks, Isaac Cahill, L. H. Bechtel, P. T. Webster, J. J. Miller, S. Taylor, J. A. Morrow, L. H Southard, Bent Cahill, W. M. Skidmore, A. J. Richardson. The following officers were chosen: President, Uriah Cahill; Vice President, Amon Davis; Secretary, L. H. Southard; Treasurer, S. Taylor; Directors, L. H. Bechtel, Isaac Cahill, 0. W. Smith, Nat Brooks, Amos P. Harvey. The first fire lose incurred by the company occurred early in December, 1882, when the house of J. J. Goldsmith, of Jackson Township, was burned, and an assessment was made to pay it. A horse belonging to Amon Davis, of York Township, had been previously killed by lightning, but the loss was paid without an assessment. The officers of the company in December, 1882. were: President, Uriah Cahill; Vice President, John Penhorwood; Secretary, L. H. Southard; Treasurer, Sylvanus Taylor; Directors, C. W. Smith, L. H. Bechtel, Lemuel Cahill, A. P. Harvey, Stephen Shirk. THE UNION COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE Was organized probably about 1866 (the absence of the records makes the date uncertain), and has been very successful to the present time. Among the teachers of Marysville who have been connected with it are L. Piper, R. M. Woodburn and Edward W. Porter. Franklin Wood was its first President, holding that position a number of years. He moved from Marysville in the fall of 1878, and is now engaged in teaching in the State of New York. The Teachers' Institute has been very beneficial to its members; the attendance has averaged about 150, most of the teachers present belonging to Union County. S. W. Van Winkle, of Richwood, is the President of the Institute at this time (December, 1882), and --- Spain, Secretary, succeeding E. W. Porter. NORMAL SCHOOL.(1) The Normal School which was very successfully conducted by J. S. Wharton and D. N. Cross, two well-known teachers of this county, daring the summer of 1882, at Marysville, promises to be a permanent and profitable organization as a review preparation and special training for teachers who desire to become more proficient in their vocation. During the Normal, many teachers were in attendance, and all appreciated its value and importance. The earnest teacher knows that education is not a fixed but a progressive science, and will always, during his vacation, devote at least a little time to reviews and study of his work. THE GRANGE IN UNION COUNTY. Among the many agencies and influences which have been at work to advance Union County to the front rank of counties in Ohio, the Grange is entitled to notice. The Grange movement, having for its main objects the social, (1) Items by J. S. Wharton. HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. - 339 educational and material advancement of the farming classes or our country, took its start a few years after the close of the late war. Its growth at first was slow and uncertain, but about the year 1870 it received a new impulse and rapidly spread over the Western States, and successively in other sections of our country, until it secured a footing in every State and extended into Canada and Great Britain and other countries of Europe. The first Grange in Ohio was organized in East Cleveland, in 1872. On August 11, 1873, Mill Creek Grange, No. 99, the first Grange in Union County, was organized at Watkins, in Mill Creek Township. Thomas P. Shields, who was a member of this Grange, received the appointment of Deputy from the National Grange to organize Granges, and subsequently organized the Granges in this county. The Granges of the county were organized in the order and with the Masters and Secretaries as follows: Mill Creek Grange, No. 99, organized August 11, 1873; Thomas P. Shields, Master, William D. Brown, Secretary. Dover Grange, No. 225, November 22, 1873; James Rittenhouse, Master, Milo Howey, Secretary. Allen Township Grange, No. 242, December, 1873; William H. Crary, Master, George Mitchell, Secretary. York Grange, No. 313, December 27, 1873; Sylvanus Taylor, Master, U. Cahill, Secretary. Leesburg Grange, No. 372, January 9, 1874; 0. Jewett, Master, H. Highbargin, Secretary. Paris Grange, No. 404, January 15, .1874; John W. Robinson, Master, S. McFadden, Secretary. Liberty Grange, No. 616, February, 1874; James Herd, Master, C. W. Lyon, Secretary. Rush Creek Grange, No. 710, 1874; William Wilber, Master, W. D. Cameron, Secretary. Claibourne Grange, No. 849, 1874; M. W. Hill, Master, J. D. Graham, Secretary. Byhalia Grange, No. 918, 1874; Jehu Gray, Master, John Hobensack, Secretary. Broadway Grange, No. 072, June 26, 1874; W. S. Rogers, Master, Z. C. Pooler, Secretary. Jerome Grange, No. --, 1874; Thomas Jones, Master, J. Hutchinson, Secretary. Darby Grange, No. 1,091, 1874;. John Knock, Master, L. A. Dockum, Secretary. Several of these Granges have built commodious halls in which to hold their meetings. There is also a County or Pomona Grange, composed of members from the several subordinate Granges, organized April 6, 1877, Thomas P. Shields, Master, J. C. Hull, Secretary. The County Grange is intended to advance especially the educational features of the order. One noteworthy feature of the Grange is the admission of women to full membership, and to this fact may be attributed its great success as a social institution. The Grange has done much toward lessening the burdens of women in the country households and afforded occasions and facilities for social intercourse unknown, or at least uncommon, before its advent. The presence of women at the regular meetings tends greatly to the encouragement and refinement of all parties. The Grange encourages education among farmers, and in their meetings are discussed questions calculated to improve their condition and contribute to make their homes more attractive. These discussions lead to liberal sentiments, and it is believed that through the liberal teachings 340 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. of the Grange much has been accomplished in bringing our rural population to the adoption of improved methods in farming, and greatly encouraged the spirit for building our free gravel roads, which at an early day encountered such strenuous opposition. The Grange is in no respect partisan, yet in the meetings of the subordinate Granges as in the State and National Granges, men of all parties and sections are brought together and calmly discuss questions of public policy. These meetings and discussions tend greatly to remove sectional prejudices and jealousies, and moderate the asperities engendered in heated political campaigns. The influence of the Grange has been felt in the legislation of our country, notably in the States of Illinois and Wisconsin, where restrictive laws regulating railroads were passed.. These were commonly known as the Granger Laws, and much commented upon at first, yet they have all stood the test of the Supreme Court of the United States. In the future, this influence is destined to be felt in the impending contest between the people and monopolies. Among those who have represented the Granges of Union County in the State Grange may be named: John W. Robinson, Mrs. Sarah C. Robinson, Sylvanus Taylor, James Rittenhouse, William H. Crary, Thomas P. Shields, Mrs. E. J. Shields, Philip Coe, Mrs. Louisa S. Coe, James B. Dort, Thomas M. Brannan, Mrs. Amelia Brannan, L. L. Laughery, Mrs. Jane Laughery, Henry Highbargin, Mrs. H. Highbargin, John M. Roney, Mrs. E. M. Roney, S. G. Gilcrist, Mrs. Lizzie L. Gilerist. The county has also been represented among the officers of the State Grange by Mrs. E. J. Shields, who filled the position of Pomona. Many of the most substantial men and women of our county are members of the order and devoted to its principles. Among them will be found many who have held and now hold important official positions, such as County Commissioners, Sheriffs, Treasurers, etc. The Grange in Union County was popular in the start, subsequently it lost in membership and some Oranges became dormant from various causes, more especially because many looked upon it as merely a money-saving institution, and being disappointed, dropped out. Recently, however, as in other sections of the country, the Grange is beginning to have a healthy growth, and the prospect is that it will be in the near future what it was intended to be, a blessing to farmers and their families. The educational feature of the order is being more thoroughly put into practice now than ever before. The National and State Granges are devoting a large portion of their revenues toward the payment of lecturers to visit the Granges throughout the land. and any subordinate Grange, by a limited expenditure added to the provisions made by the State and National Granges, can secure the benefit of lectures, essays and addresses, on subjects of general interest. Such privileges have been enjoyed by the citizens of the towns and cities greatly to their profit and improvement, but never by the country people until this system was devised by the Grange. That there has been a great improvement following the efforts of the Grange, no intelligent observer will deny. The safety of our free institutions depends upon the intelligence and virtue of our people, hence the importance of encouraging every effort to improve and advance the agricultural classes who constitute the great conservative element of our country. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) |