CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP - 557 CHAPTER XII CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. THE territory of Claibourne has successively formed a part of many townships. In 1825, shortly after the first settlement was made here, it became a portion of the new township of Leesburg. In 1829, at the formation of Jackson, most of its territory was embraced in it, and so remained until the organization of Claibourne, in 1834. The journal of the County Commissioners under date of March 4, 1833, contains this entry: " This day Cyprian Lee presented a petition for dividing the township of Jackson into two townships, the southern part to be called Claibourne, and the northern part to retain the name of Jackson; whereupon the Commissioners order that said township of Claibourne be laid off from said township of Jackson, beginning at the fourth mile tree southwardly from the northeasterly corner of said Jackson Township; thence parallel with the north line thereof." March 5, 1833.-" This day it was ordered by the Commissioners that Levi Phelps proceed to lay off the township of Claibourne, beginning at the fourth mile tree southwardly from the northeast corner of the township of Jackson; thence running westwardly, parallel with the north line of Jackson Township to the division line between the township of Liberty; to be done as soon as convenient." For some unknown reason the township was not then surveyed and organized as the following entry will make appear: " March 5, 1834-This is the day it was ordered by the Commissioners-on the application of various individuals-That a new* township to be called Claibourne, to commence on the east boundary of the county of Union at the first mile tree south of the Indian Boundary Line; thence west, parallel with the northern boundary of said county to the east boundary of York, to be laid off; to be run by Levi Phelps, prior to the next June session'' The first election for State and county officers was held October 14, 1834. Absalom Carney, Nathaniel Wilson and George Clark were elected Judges; William Price and John P. Brookins, Clerks. Nineteen votes were cast-those of Nathan Richardson, Absalom Carney, John T. Evans, John Carney, William Price, Nathaniel Wilson, J. P. Brookins, Philip Plummer, William Phillip,, George Clark, John Calloway, John Dakin, William Sirpless, Adam Burge, Lar- 558 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. kin Touguet, John Dilfavor, Eleazor Rose, Hiram Andrews and William Jackson. For Governor, Robert Lucas received 14 votes, James Finley, 5; for Congressman, Sampson Mason, 18, Samuel Newell, 1; for Representative, Nicholas Hathaway, 13, Otway Curry, 6; for Senator, Samuel Newell, 18; for Commissioner, Thomas Parr, 19; for Sheriff, Calvin Winget, 19; for Coroner, John Adamson, 19. Politically, the township was for several years Democratic; it then became Whig, and that party maintained the ascendency until its extinction. Since then it has been strongly Republican. VOTE FOR GOVERNOR. The complete vote of the township, from the date of its organization to the present, for Governor of the State, is herewith presented: 1834-Robert Lucas, 14; James Finley, 5; total, 19. 1836-Joseph Vance, 28; Eli Baldwin, 14; total, 42 1838-Joseph Vance, 27; Wilson Shannon, 35; total, 62. 1840-Thomas Corwin, 52; Wilson Shannon, 38; total, 88. 1842-Thomas Corwin, 52; Wilson Shannon, 36; Leicester King, 2; total, 90. 1844-Mordecai Bartley, 62; David Tod, 43; total, 105. 1846-William Bebb, 52; David Tod, 26; total, 78. 1848-Seabury Ford, 91; John B. Weller, 42; scattering, 1; total, 134. 1850-William Johnson, 84; Reuben Wood, 59; Ed. Smith, 1; total, 144 1851-Samuel F. Vinton, 103; Reuben Wood, 59; Samuel Lewis, 6; total, 168. 1853-Nelson Barrere, 58; William Medill, 90; Samuel Lewis, 47, total, 195. 1855-Salmon P. Chase, 125; William Medill, 55; total, 180. 1857-Salmon P. Chase, 128; H. B. Payne, 81; total, 209. 1859-William Dennison, 146; R. P. Ranney, 50; total, 196. 1861-David Tod, 192; H. J. Jewett, 53; total, 245. 1863-John Brough, 237; C. L. Vallandigham, 79; total, 316. 1865-J. D. Cox, 210; George W. Morgan, 78; total, 288. 1867-R. B. Hayes, 245; A. G. Thurman, 118; total, 363. 1869-R. B. Hayes, 229; G. H. Pendleton, 112; total, 341. 1871-E. F. Noyes, 258; George W. McCook, 100; total, 358. 1873--E. F. Noyes, 295; William Allen, 190; J. C. Collins, 28; G. T. Stewart, 22; total, 485. 1875-R. B. Hayes, 378; William Allen, 230; Jay Odell, 11; total, 619. 1877-William H. West, 385; R. M. Bishop, 222; H. H. Thompson, 5; total, 612. 1879-Charles Foster, 381; Thomas Ewing, 235; G. T. Stewart, 54; A. Sanders Piatt, 5; total, 675. 1881-Charles Foster, 371; John W. Bookwalter, 171; A. R. Ludlow, 72; total, 614. JUSTICES. In 1829, Henry Swartz was commissioned Justice of the Peace for Lessburg Township. He resided in the portion that is now Claibourne. Philip Plummer was the Justice of Jackson Township, who resided in what is now Claibourne at the time of its organization. His commission expired in 1836. Since that time the justices have been as follows: J. P. Brookins, 1836; Philip Plummer, 1837; John P. Brookins, 1837; William Jackson, 1840, resigned 1841; Page 559 - Blank Page 560 - B. P. Glascoe CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 561 J. P. Brookins, 1840; Cornelius Stiers, 1841; James B. W. Haynes, 1841; John P. Graham, 1842; James B. W. Haynes, 1844; William Hamilton, 1845; James B. W. Haynes, 1847; William Hamilton, 1848; W. H. Ferguson, 1851, resigned the Same year; John M. C. Mulvain, 1851; J. B. W. Haynes, 1851; Jacob C. Sidle, 185.4; J. B. W. Haynes, 1854; Jacob C. Sidle, 1857; C. W. Rosette, 1857; Jacob C. Sidle, 1860; Charles W. Rosette, 1860; Jacob O. Sidle, 1863; Charles W. Rosette, 1863; Jacob C. Sidle, 1863; Charles W. Rosette, 1866; L. A. Hodges, 1869; William H. Conkright, 1869; L. A. Hedges, 1872; William H. Conkright, 1872; William J. Wood, 1874; G. B. Hamilton, 1875; J. O. Sidle, 1876; M. W. Hill, 1878; J. S. Gill, 1878; W. J. Woods, 1879; Seth S. Gardner, 1880; H. M. Wright, 1880; M. W. Hill, 1881. SURVEYS. The original surveys which compose the present limits of Claibourne Township, together with their original proprietorships, areas, surveyors, and dates of survey, are as follows: Richard Claibourne, No. 220, 1,250 acres, surveyed September 7, 1811, by Joseph Kerr; Richard Claibourne, No. 220, 416 acres, same surveyor and date; John Nicholas, No. 5,809, 2,000 acres, surveyed June 1, 1809, by James Galloway, Levin Joynes, No. 6,107, 633 1/3 acres, surveyed by Joseph Kerr, September 10, 1810; John Crouse, No. 6,161, 823 acres, surveyed by Joseph Kerr, February 15, 1809; John Evans and Edward Owings, No. 6,228, 500 acres, surveyed by James Denny, April 18, 1811; heirs of Buller Claibourne, No. 6,293, 4,267 acres, surveyed by James Galloway, Jr., July 21, 1809; William Pelham, No. 6,307, 1,200 acres, surveyed by James Galloway, Jr., November 16, 1809; William Pelham, No. 6,307, 1,200 acres, Same date and surveyor; William Pelham, No. 6,307, 380 acres, surveyed by James Galloway, Jr., November 14, 1809; William and Isaac Corruthers, assignees, No. 7,008, 2,400 acres, surveyed October 28, 1808, by James Galloway, Jr.; Andrew Moore, No. 7,008, 800 acres, surveyed October 29, 1808, by James Galloway, Jr.; William Murdock, No. 12,654, 500 acres, surveyed July 10, 1829, by Allen Latham; Cadwallader Wallace Nos. 13,440, 13,449 and 13, 526, 614 acres, surveyed by proprietor, May 9, 1834; William Pelham, No. 6,308, 280 acres, partly in Delaware County, surveyed November 14, 1809, by James Galloway; John Gibson, No. 7,869, 800 acres, surveyed August 25, 1813, by John Kerr; representatives of Thomas Ruffin, No. 6,301, 400 acres, surveyed July 20, 1809, by James Galloway, Jr. There are also in the township small fractions of Nos. 6,129 and 6,162, which are mostly in Delaware County. Claibourne Township is located in the northeastern part of Union County. It is bounded on the north by Jackson Township, on the east by Marion and Delaware Counties, on the south by Leesburg and Taylor Townships, and on the west by York. It is one of the largest townships in the county and the second in population Its name is derived from the Buller-Claibourne Survey, which is the largest in the county, and which at the organization of the township contained nearly all the settlers, then within its limits of the latter. Fulton Creek is the principal stream. It enters at the northwest corner of the township from York and flows out near the southeast corner. It is said that the stream received its name from the fact that Mr. Fulton, an attache of a surveying party, which was surveying land in this vicinity, while attempting to cross the creek over a log one cold winter day, slipped and fell into the water. The stream was high and it was with difficulty that he was rescued by his comrades. The soil is argillacious; the surface, generally level and in places slightly rolling. A heavy growth of timber covered the township when 562 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. first settled, interspersed with a thick growth of underbrush and vines, as the following incident will testify: Daniel Swartz, residing just north of Rich. wood, on going to mill once to Millville, thirteen miles distant, directed Mrs. Swartz to watch the cattle and not permit them to stray far from home. After a while, not seeing them, she climbed an old log that had fallen partly to the ground, not far from the cabin door, and on looking around discovered the cows only a few yards away, almost at her feet, in the thick brush, that had obscured her view from below. INDIANS. The Indian occupancy of the soil now embraced within the limits of Claibourne Township, as a hunting ground was for a long time undisturbed by the presence of white men after the settlement of pioneers in other parts, of the State. It lies adjoining the Greenville treaty line, the territory north of which bad been reserved by treaty for the exclusive use of the red men. Within the township were some favorite hunting grounds. The site of Richwood, elevated slightly above the surrounding country, was rich not only with an abundant growth of plants and forest trees, but in game as well, and that the Indians often tented on these grounds is handed down by tradition, and is established by the many relies that have been found in the vicinity. Knives, fragments of Indian saddles, brooches, tomahawks and all the accoutrements of camp life have been brought to light, in the preparation of the soil for agriculture. In the gravel pit owned by Mrs. Susanna Swartz, situated just north of Richwood, numerous skeletons have been exposed. After the earliest pioneers had taken possession of the country, the forests were ranged by hunters from both races for many years. The Indians would not tolerate the presence of white men north of the Greenville line, but frequently hunted South of the line. The best state of feeling did not exist between the Indians and settlers, though amicable relations were usually maintained. Whether the red or white men were the first aggressors is not known, but if either committed a wrong, however slight, retaliation would surely ensue. The Indians, either in a spirit of retaliation or from an innate proneness to evil, would occasionally shoot the settlers' hogs as they were feeding in the woods, and commit other depredations. In bee-hunting, it was a custom sacred among the pioneers engaged in this pursuit that when a bee tree was found by one of Them and marked with the finder's initials it at once became his property, to be relieved of its honey at the hunter's leisure; and for another to abstract the honey was regarded as detestable a crime as to steal a horse. The Indians, however, were not affected by any such scruples, and when one of them discovered the home of a swarm of bees, be rifled it of its treasure, whether or not a prior badge of ownership had been stamped upon the tree. Such proceedings naturally incensed the settlers. The principal game was deer, but the practice of the Indians while hunting on the white man's hunting ground, were such as to drive the game from the vicinity. They would crouch low in the tall grass, and, imitating the bleating of a fawn, attract the doe to the spot where they were concealed. They would then kill and skin it, leaving the young to perish. The stench arising from the decaying carcasses would drive the deer to other grounds. An old hunter claims to have counted in one Indian camp, between Fulton and Bokes Creek, the hides of sixty deer that had been killed in this way. Yet a friendly relation was maintained. The Indians would call at the cabins of the settlers and eat with them. They would engage with them in foot races and various kinds of games, and often hunt in their company The tradition prevails that Henry Swartz and Ned Williams, two of the first settlers of Claibourne, killed two Indians on Peacock Run, in the south- CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 563 em part of the township. The fact was never established, but the missing Indians were never heard of again, and circumstances pointed strongly to their removal from this world by these two primitive backwoodsmen. Mr. Swartz possessed an irascible temper, which would often vent itself on the heads of the savages. On one occasion he beat one of them with the ram-rod of his gun. He would steal into their camps while they were off hunting and there play annoying tricks. The Indians sought Swartz and wanted a reconciliation. He gave them no satisfaction. They then set up sticks with bullets on the ends around their camp to indicate war. Soon after, two Indians who had gone hunting did not return. Their comrades searched diligently for them, but without any results. Suspecting foul play, they carefully examined brush heaps and thickets and wandered excitedly along the banks of the creeks peering intently into their depths, but no trace of the lost men was found. They had traced them to Peacock Run, but there found no further indications of their presence. Capt. Henry Swartz and Ned Williams had been clearing land and burning brush in this vicinity, and the Indians suspected them. They visited Swartz's cabin; he was apparently unconcerned, but watchful. They wished to be friendly, they said; wanted to shoot at a mark with him and to borrow his gun, but he refused every request. One day an old Indian hunter came to him and proposed a hunt, to which Capt. Swartz at length agreed. The Indian desired Swartz to lead, but the latter declined. They hunted for a long time, watching each other more closely than for game. Finally the Indian brave proposed that they divide. " You take that side and I this," he said. " No, replied Swartz, "you take this side and I that," choosing the side toward home. They separated, and when Swartz supposed he had left the Indian out of right, he turned and hastened rapidly home. The Indian soon followed and in a great rage exclaimed, " You lie, you no hunt, you lie. " But as a discharge still remained in the rifle of Capt. Swartz, the Indian made no further demonstration and departed speedily. Mr. Swartz was always afterward very cautious and vigilant when he believed the Indians were near him They soon afterward withdrew permanently from the region Capt. Swartz, when afterward asked about this affair, would never commit himself, one way nor the other. He neither denied nor admitted that he killed or knew of the death of the Indians. But "Neddy " Williams, when he was made somewhat indifferent to consequences by a few drinks of liquor, loved to boast that he knew where there were two good rifles in a hollow sycamore tree, and said they were put in by climbing a slender tree by the side of a sycamore and dropping them through an opening in the tree made by the breaking off of the upper part of the trunk. There was a well-beaten path along the bank of Peacock Run by the side of which stood an old sycamore, from which had fallen a large limb, sinking deep into the ground. This was near the place where Swartz and Williams had been clearing, and around the limb a large fire had been made. After a fall of snow, Mr. Zach Stephens, a brother-in-law of Henry Swartz, while hunting for some lost cattle, stopped into the hole made by the limb. He fell, and on withdrawing his foot found the lower jaw bone of a human being clinging to the heel of his boot. Suspecting the manner in which it had been placed there, be took it with him to Swartz's cabin, and holding it before the proprietor of the domicile, said: "Henry, do you know anything about this?" Swartz grew pale, but made no response. It was currently believed that he and Williams had killed the Indians and buried the remains. Cyprian Lee, is universally accredited with being the first settler of Claibourne Township. He was heir to one-third of the Buller Claibourne Survey of 4,267, acres, and for his share took the southern third. The exact date 564 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. of his settlement here is unknown, though it was some time between 1820 and 1825, and probably not far from the first-mentioned date.* Mr. Lee was from Delaware. He first came out about 1820, a young unmarried man, and to find and see the land he owned. He then returned to Delaware, married Elizabeth Cooper and returned to his backwoods home with his young wife. By trade he was a shoe-maker, and he followed the business to some extent in this township. In physique, he was short and muscular and quick in action His was the first cabin built west of the Scioto River in this region, and the date of its erection was a gala day for the settlers on the river. It stood several miles south of Richwood on the south bank of Fulton Creek, a few rods west of the bridge on the Marysville pike. The men who helped raise the cabin were mostly from the Scioto River. Among them were John L. Swartz and his two sons, Henry and Abram, John B. and Zachariah Dilsaver, James Cochran, Sr., John Hurd, Russell Fields and William Gallant. The occasion was one of great hilarity, and the popular beverage flowed freely. It was proposed, when the cabin was completed, that the place of the settlement of Mr. Lee should be named. John L. Swartz, an old but jovial German, said, Boys, ketch Lee." Lee eluded their grasp for some time, but finally submitted with good grace to the ordinance of christening. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Swartz, who took a flask of whisky, and pouring the contents on the uncovered head of Lee, exclaimed with all the solemnity he could assume, " Veil. ve calls it Leesburg'' The name survived the occasion and was afterward given to the new township formed from this and other territory. Mr. Lee did not remain on his farm here longer than a few years. He was elected County Treasurer, and removed to Marysville, where he engaged in business and became a prominent citizen. The next three settlers were Edward Williams, Robert Cotrell and Henry Swartz. Each of them purchased a farm from Mr. Lee and settled in a cluster, neighbors to Lee, Of the three, Ned Williams, as he was familiarly called, was the first to arrive, probably about 1822. He bought 100 acres from Mr. Lee and settled on it with his wife, Rebecca (Wilson), and children, Sally and Wilson. He was a hard working, industrious farmer, and keenly enjoyed hunting, and often engaged in it, and who was somewhat addicted to the practice, then quite common, of indulging freely in the products of the still. He died suddenly while on his way with a load of wheat to Portland, Lake Erie. His widow after a time removed to other parts. To Robert Cotrell is accorded the honor of being the third settler within the present limits of Claibourne Township. He came, perhaps in 1823. A native of Virginia, he emigrated to Ohio and tarried for a space of two or three years on the west bank of the Scioto River, in Delaware County, about two miles up the river from the mouth of Bokes Creek. He rented property here and farmed industriously, then bought 100 or more acres from Mr. Lee. He had married. Elizabeth Tyler in Virginia, and had two children when he emigrated to Ohio, and several were born since their arrival in this State. They were Richard, Samuel, Gabriel, Eliza (Dilsaver), Jane (Lindsley) and Susanna (Kaiser). Mr. Cotrell was a small, rather slightly built man, but active and fond of fun. He owned only the few chattels which his neighbors did during the first years of his settlement, but when he was in a jovial mood he took delight in recounting to strangers the large amount of stock and other property he claimed to possess. The County Assessor visited him one year, and Mr: Cotrell was not aware of his official position. To the inquiries as to the extent of his personal wealth, he answered so much in accordance with the view of humor which then 'possessed him that his taxes were much * See account of Cyprian Lee in history of Marysville, this volume. CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 565 greater than those of his neighbors. After some opposition, he paid the amount, but the experience made him more wary with strangers thereafter. All in all he was an industrious and upright man. He died on the place he first settled in Claibourne Township. Henry Swartz was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated with his father, John L. Swartz, to Highland County, Ohio; thence they moved to the Scioto River, in Delaware County. Henry Swartz there married Ann Stevens, purchased a forest farm from Cyprian Lee just north of the Sidle Methodist Protestant Church, and built his cabin northeast of Fulton Creek. The cabins of his three neighbors-Lee, Williams and Cotrell-were south of the creek. Mr. Swartz moved over to his new home about 1823 or 1824. He is described as being a tall, well-formed man, very strong, aggressive, not the least cowardly, and, withal, a kind, clever man. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and understood the Indian character very well and had no love for it. He was a great hunter, killing from sixty to eighty deer in a season and cutting as many as seventy bee trees in a single fall, besides taking a considerable amount of other game. He sold the farm he first purchased in this township and bought another just north of Richwood, where he lived a few years. He was also in business for a short time in Richwood, but at last removed to Defiance County, where he died at a ripe old age. The Clarks, four brothers-James, George, Henry and John-probably made the next settlement in Claibourne Township. The first three became the holders of 1,675 acres of land off the north part of the Buller Claibourne survey, just east of Richwood, divided it among themselves and settled on it in 1826. They were from Amherst County, Va., and about 1822 emigrated to Miami County, Ohio, where they remained two years and then journeyed to the Scioto River in Delaware County. Two years later they entered upon their extensive land possessions. George came first. He was an old bachelor, and died on the place at the age of more than eighty years. Henry was married to Mary Fay, in 1824, in Delaware County. After residing in Claibourne Township for some time, he sold his property to Louis Hedges and removed. to Illinois, where he died. James married Sarah Wilson, sold his land to Jacob Beem and took up his residence in Delaware County, where he died. John Clark came to Ohio in 1816 and settled first in Miami County. He remained there until 1824, when he removed to, Delaware County. Four years afterward he purchased from one of his brothers a small place two and a half miles east of Richwood and settled there. He died in Delaware County, in 1850, aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Sarah Touguet, a sister of the Clarks, and widow, came with her eight children to Claibourne Township in 1826, and made the cabin of her bachelor brother, George Clark, her home. Four of the eight children still survive-Clarka, the wife of Maj. John Calloway, Henry, of Logan County, John A. J., in this, and Steward in Jackson Township. David Field, a colored man, received 100 acres of land from Cyprian Lee for two years' labor and settled on it about 1826. He was born a slave, given his freedom and brought to Delaware County when a boy by John Mark. He was a strong, muscular man, and would not bear imposition. For a while he was industrious and economical, but through sickness his farm became involved and he finally lost it. He never regained any property and died a pauper in an adjoining county. Nathaniel Wilson came from Ross County, Ohio, about 1830, and settled on the Cyprian Lee farm. He was of Scotch-Irish descent and by religious affiliation a Presbyterian. His four children were Joseph, William, Elizabeth, who married William Touguet and Sally, the wife of James Clark. Mr. 566 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Wilson afterward moved to Richwood, and after a time departed and took up his abode in some other locality. John Smith, or " Buffalo Smith," as he was universally called, a large, rough character, rough in physique and rough in manners, but kind hearted, took a " squatter's " claim on 100 acres in the Lee settlement very early and lived there for awhile. He then removed to Marion County. The Henry Swartz place, three miles south of Richwood, was purchased by Henry Shisler, a German, who came to Claibourne from Licking County about 1832. His children were John, William, Sarah (Beem), Mary (Rose), Elizabeth (Sturdevant), Lydia and Anna (Reed). Eleazor Rose, his son-in-law, came about the same time and settled upon the same farm. He, too, was born in Licking County. After tilling the soil a number of years at this place, he removed to a farm on Rush Creek, and there spent the remainder of his life. Basil Bridge, in 1834, bought a farm of 114 acres, now the L. Myers place, just southeast of Richwood, from one of the Clarks, and settled upon it with his large family. It was then a dense wilderness. He was a native of Canada, but moved to New York in 1812 and enlisted in the American Army, though then but sixteen years old. In 1814, he married Almira Warner, a native of Vermont, and in 1815 emigrated to Ohio, settling in Ames Township, Athens County; thence he removed to the Scioto River in Delaware County, and to Claibourne in 1834. He died in 1859 in Marion County. His widow survived until December, 1874. Of their ten children, the oldest, Sarah Jane, the wife of John Dilsaver, is the only resident of Union County. Zerah Lindsley, in the autumn of 1832, removed to Claibourne from Thompson Township, Delaware County, but not liking the country remained only till the following spring. Fifty acres of land then sold for one horse and the labor of splitting 1,000 rails. Mr. Lindsley now resides at Richwood. Thomas Andrews, a German, came from Licking County about 1830 or 1832 and settled on what is now the Elijah Harris place, about one and a fourth miles south of Richwood. His wife was Phoebe, a sister of Ebenezer Rose; his children wore Hiram, Peter, Phoebe and Elizabeth, Mr. Andrews sold his farm and removed to Marion County. He ultimately emigrated to Iowa and died there. Adam Andrews, a cousin of the above, came about the same time and from the same place. He settled on a farm just south of Richwood, now owned and occupied by J. A. Phillips. He soon after sold it to Adam Dilsaver and moved West. Adam Dilsaver came to Claibourne about 1832 from Fairfield County, after stopping a short time in Delaware County until be could look up a good location. His wife was Sally (Winstead), and his three children, Harrison, Elizabeth, and Ann Maria. After living for a few years on the place he had purchased from Mr. Andrews, he removed with his family to Winnebago County, Ill. John Dilsaver, in December, 1835, settled on the farm which he still owns, about two miles south of Richwood. He had married Jane Bridge July 14 preceding. He was born in Fairfield County in 1806, and about 1812 emigrated with his father, Michael Dilsaver, to the Scioto River in Delaware County. John remained here, working out some. however, in this township, until his marriage and settlement on his own farm. He was reared on the frontier, and in his youth wore deerskin clothes, the usual garb of the backwoodsmen of that day. From the earnings of manual daily labor, he saved means enough to purchase his land, and has since accumulated more. He raised his family on this farm and is still a resident thereon, one of the old and highly esteemed pioneers of this locality. CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 567 Adam Imbody, about 1835, settled about three miles south of Richwood, north of Fulton Creek, on the farm now owned by D. A. Bigelow. He was a German, and had emigrated from the State of New York. He brought with him his wife and four children, and reared a large family. He moved afterward to Marion County and died there. As will be noticed, all the above settlers occupied farms on the Buller Claibourne Survey. Most of the other surveys were not yet in market, the proprietors doubtless withholding them for higher prices than were then current. Between 1835 and 1840, the settlements became more scattering, and at the later date dotted all parts of the township. Among the most important settlements was that of the Grahams. Samuel Graham, son of John and Jane Graham, was born in Jefferson County November 3, 1800. From Jefferson he removed to Carroll County, and from it to White-Eyes Township, Coshocton County, with his parents, while yet in his youth. He was married October 16, 1821, to Sarah Butterfield, who was born in Fayette County, Penn., July 22, 1803, and came to Carroll County when two years old, with her parents. Mr. Graham remained in Coshocton County, engaged in farming, until 1836. In June of that year, he purchased 100 acres, just northwest of Richwood, from Henry Swartz, and in the following September moved to it with his family. He continued to reside on this farm until his death, which occurred by accident on the railroad, April 13, 1864. Mr. Graham had occasion to visit Marion. The railroad was then in process of building and he received permission to travel on the construction train. On his return trip, the weather was severe and the car upon which he was riding, with others, an open one. He was walking back and forth from one car to another to dispel the numbing sensation of cold, when a sudden jerk of the cars threw him beneath the wheels and he was instantly crashed. He had been an upright man, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church for thirty-three years. Of his twelve children, three died young; John, is a Methodist Episcopal minister at Richwood; Margaret is the wife of William Fisher, of this township; Thomas B., a Methodist Protestant minister, is now at North Lewisburg, Ohio; Samuel P.. died in Illinois in 1865; Francis M., died two years ago; Lydia Ann, occupies the old homestead; Joel D., resides in this township; William J., enlisted in the service and died in the Louisville, Ky., Hospital; Martha, wife of Benjamin A. Snowden, resides in Claibourne Township. In 1837, John and Jane Graham, the parents of Samuel moved from Coshocton County. and settled on a farm of 100 acres in the woods about one mile southwest from Richwood. Mr. Graham was born in Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch-Irish descent; his wife was a native of Ireland, emigrating to America when seven years old. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr, Graham died about 1848 or 1849. His wife preceded him to the grave two years. John P. Graham, in September, 1836, accompanied his brother Samuel from Coshocton County and settled on an adjoining farm of 100 acres. It was then wholly unimproved, and he paid for it $3 per acre. Mr. Graham died at this place. His widow, Mrs. Eliza Graham, still survives. Their children are Jane, Abigail, William, Hannah, Margaret, John L., Isaac, Francis and Marion, some of whom lived in Claibourne Township. Samuel Livingston. from Coshocton County, about 1839 settled on a small farm one and one-fourth miles southwest from Richwood, where he is still living at a venerable old age. He followed farming and blacksmithing. His wife was Jane Graham. Mr. Livingston furnished five boys for the service during the rebellion, and all returned uninjured. 568 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Daniel Swartz, in October, 1834, purchased from Philip Plummer fifty acres of land, situated just north of Richwood, and he moved to it at once. He was born in Pennsylvania, but had emigrated when quite young with his father to Highland County, near Hillsboro. He died March 9, 1842, of consumption, aged forty-two years, leaving a wife and five children. The former, Mrs. Susan Swartz aged eighty-three years, is still residing at the old place. Peter Grace, in March, 1837, came from Licking County with his wife Nancy, and children, and settled one and a half miles west of Richwood, where he still owns and occupies a small place. He was at one time a minister of the New Light Christian faith, but afterward became a Methodist Protestant, and later of the Disciple Church, In the western part of the township one of the earliest settlements was made by John Cahill. He there accumulated a large property and became one of the leading, energetic and influential citizens of the northern part of the county. William Hamilton was one of the early pioneers of Claibourne Township and for a period of almost thirty years one of the foremost men of Union County. He was born near Morgantown, Va., in 1789. In 1807, he emigrated with his father, William Hamilton, Sr., to Muskingum County, Ohio, arriving at their pioneer home on his eighteenth birthday. Here his energies were developed by his assistance in clearing the densely timbered land and reducing to a well-improved farm. He acquired extensive possessions, and in 1837 sold his large farm with the expectation to locate farther in the west. For one season he tarried in Licking. He then purchased from Cadwallader Wallace his survey of 1,000 acres, northwest of Richwood, paying $3,600 for it, and reached Claibourne Township, April 30, 1838. The survey was afterwards, found to contain nearly 1,400 acres. Mr. Hamilton remained at Richmond until he could build a log house, when he at once moved into it and remained its occupant till his decease. This large tract was as yet untouched by the, woodman's ax, and the arduous labor of again developing a farm devolved upon him. He was a man possessed of energies greatly superior to those of average mankind, and carried an enthusiasm and determination into whatever enterprise he undertook which insured its success. In physique he was large and powerful. Though not cultured, he was thoroughly honest and public spirited, and was perhaps more influential in creating a healthy moral atmosphere in his community, by his example and teachings, of his withering denunciation of whatever was mean and contemptible, than any other individual. His spirit was chivalrous, and to the weak or oppressed he was unusually kind He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and for nearly forty years a local minister of this faith. In politics, he was strongly Whig, and later in life a Republican. He had served in Muskingum County as Commissioner and filled the same office in Union County. It was to his exertions and labors, largely, that the Infirmary farm was purchased and building erected. His death occurred August 12, 1867. Mr. Hamilton had been twice married. By his first wife, Miss Ewing, he had four children--Elizabeth, Samuel, William and Benjamin. Elizabeth, married Jacob C. Sidle, a prominent farmer of Claibourne; Samuel, is a farmer in Marshall County, Ill.; William, a farmer at Wenona, same county; Benjamin, died in Claibourne Township. The second wife was Lydia Springer. By this marriage there were eight children-Cornelius S. (deceased), an attorney of Marysville; John W., Professor of Surgery at the Columbus Medical College; Joseph H., a Methodist Protestant Minister, now at Mount Vernon, Ohio; Isaac N., a physician, at Marysville; Horatio C., of Richwood, George B., a farmer of Claibourne; Susan R. (deceased); and Thomas B., a physician, who enlisted as Page 569 - Picture of George Coder Page 570 - Blank CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 571 Surgeon in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Regiment, and died at Memphis, Tenn., in 1865. Lazarus Hartley accompanied Mr. Hamilton from Licking County, conveying his family and effects to the new home in a two-wheeled cart. He leased a farm on the Hamilton tract and assisted greatly in clearing it. Mr. Hartley was illiterate but possessed a remarkable memory. Whatever he saw or once heard was always remembered, and it became quite a custom in the neighborhood where he lived to refer any disputed matter of fact to him for settlement. He after awhile acquired a farm in Claibourne and some of his children now occupy it. His death occurred a few years ago. Richard Ward came from Muskingum County with Mr. Hamilton and lived in the vicinity for ten or more years. About 1835, Peter Jackson removed from Pickaway County and settled on a farm in Survey No. 7,008, on Peacock Run, three miles south of Richwood. His son occupied a portion of the same farm. After a few years, both, with their families, returned to Pickaway County. Junkin Mulvain came about 1839 from White-Eyes Township, Coshocton County, and settled on a farm in Survey No. 6,307, about two miles west of Richwood. He was a large, tall man, and a good citizen, and died in this township. Jacob Beem. was born in Alleghany County, Md., and when twelve years old emigrated with his brother's, family to Jersey Township, Licking County. He there married Phoebe Rose and in 1834 came to Claibourne Township, settling on a farm about two and one-half miles south of Richwood. Mr. Beem possessed a strong and hardy character, well fitted to cope with the difficulties incident to pioneer life. He remained a life-long and well-esteemed citizen of the township. His death occurred in December, 1878. John Beem removed from Licking County to Claibourne in 1832, but a few years later sold his farm to Jacob Beem and emigrated to Webster County, Iowa. Aaron Beem settled early, about one and one-half miles southeast of Richwood. The following settlers entered the township at some time prior to 1840, some of them several years before. John Atwood was originally from Virginia, but came here from Muskingum County. He died on his farm about one and a half miles south of Richwood. Alexander and George Cowgill, father and only son, came from Ross County, and dwelt for a time on Bokes Creek. They then settled in the southeast part of the township, where the father, Alexander, died. George removed to Jackson Township, and his family still resides there. Michael Cramer from Knox County, settled just south of Richwood on land now embraced within the corporation limits. He was a farmer and died here. His son Michael removed to Marysville. Abraham Decker was a Pennsylvanian by birth. He emigrated to this township a widower, with his children, and settled two or three miles east of Richwood. In a few years he removed to Mercer County. Benjamin Fisher, now a resident of Richwood in his seventy-fifth year , in April, 1836, removed from near Mount Vernon, Ohio, to a farm one and a fourth miles west of Richwood. He had come the fall before with five or six men and built a cabin on the place. His brother-in-law, Atticus Neil, took immediate possession of it. Mr. Fisher occupied it during the spring of his removal until he had constructed a hewed-log house. At this time there were no settlers living between his farm and the village. He purchased 160 acres, paying for it $2.50 per acre. The York road was opened about the 572 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. time he came There had previously been a trail to the Miller settlement in York Township. His father, Larkin Fisher, came a few years later, but resided most of the time in Richwood. Isaac Gearheart about 1835 took possession of a farm about a mile south of Richwood. He subsequently moved to Rush Creek, where he passed the remainder of his life. Sylvester Grindle, formerly a resident of Pickaway County, settled about three miles west of Richwood, and by economy and frugality acquired considerable property. Elisha Higbee was an early settler. He was a cooper by trade, and removed to Kenton. Subsequently he went to Hancock County. Isaac Headley, from Coshocton County, settled about one and a half miles northeast from Richwood, and remained on his farm of 100 acres there through life. He followed carpentering to some extent in connection with farming Joseph Murphy in 1836 came from Allegheny County Penn., and settled on the Joynes Survey, in the southwestern part of the township, near the site of Claibourne Village. He pursued the avocation of farming, and died on his farm in 1857. His widow, Mrs. Rebecca Murphy, still survives. A brother, Samuel Murphy, accompanied him to this home. He was an old bachelor, hunted a great deal, and died at Richwood in 1882, aged eighty-one years. Charles Morse, probably about 1839, settled on a farm of 100 acres just north of Richwood. He was a Yankee. and afterward removed to Marysville. Samuel Moses in 1835 changed his place of residence from St. Lawrence County, N. Y., to Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The year following he came to Jerome Township, Union County, and soon after settled on a farm in the eastern part of Claibourne, where he still resides aged eighty-one years. His wife, Sally, died in 1882, aged eighty-two years. Of their eleven children, eight grow to maturity. Abraham and James Moses, brothers, and distantly related to Samuel Moses, were also early settlers of Claibourne. Abraham died about a mile east of Richwood and James moved to Mercer County. Isaac D. Stewart, from Muskingum County, settled in the southern part of the township on Fulton Creek. He afterward moved to Iowa and died there. William H. Sherman settled in the northeastern part of the township. He was from the eastern part of the State. Not liking Claibourne Township, he soon returned to his former place of residence. In answer to an inquiry as to the cause of his return, he said that the country was so wet that he could not find a dry spot large enough to set a hen, and had to use the stump of a tree for this purpose. William and John Wynegar, two brothers, in 1837, came from Highland County and settled on adjoining farms in the wilderness, about three miles west of Richwood, south of the Summersville road. In 1852, John moved to Winnebago County, Ill.; and in 1882, to Kansas, where he now lives. William removed to Starke County, Ind., in 1864, and died there. Tobias Robinson, about 1838, became a resident of the western portion of the township, where he remained until his death. He was from Pickaway County. In 1837, John Warner, from Coshocton County, settled with his wife and one child in the southwestern portion of the township, near Claibourne Village. He subsequently emigrated to Iowa. Martin Walters and Abram Taylor, brothers-in-law to Mr. Warner, in 1838 removed to the same part of Claibourne from Coshocton County. Mr. Taylor died there, leaving a family which is now scattered, and Mr. Walters CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 573 moved West. In 1838, there were no settlements nearer than two or three miles to this group of pioneers. The first road in the township was probably the one passing north and south through Richwood. About 1825, Cyprian Lee and Henry Swartz took the contract to cut this road from the southern to the northern line of the township. They only cleared away the under brush and small trees, leaving many obstacles in the shape of large timber. The road was made fifteen feet wide. MILLING, One of the serious problems that arose for solution in the pioneer times in Claibourne as well as every other newly settled locality, was how to reduce the corn and wheat to a degree of fineness sufficient for domestic purposes. The family of Henry Swartz for several weeks ground all the meal they used in a hand coffee mill. John Swartz, a settler on the Scioto River, was the happy owner of a little hand mill, upon which, by a vigorous exercise of muscle, a half bushel of grain might be reduced to a tolerably fine meal in several hours. It was much resorted to by Robert Cotrell and others of the earliest settlers. Adam Dilsaver constructed a horse mill at his place a short distance south of Richwood, which was extensively used by his neighbors. His customers must furnish their own horse power, and as three or four horses were necessary to operate the cumbersome machinery, several would sometimes arrange to be there at one time in order to help each other; this, however, was rarely necessary. The capacity of the mill was so slight that it was usually in motion, and it was not uncommon for a farmer to start to mill at 2 o'clock in the morning in order to be first there, and consequently the first to have his wants attended to. Occasionally the mill would run all night. Richard Irwin, whose farm was about one and a half miles east of Richwood, also had a horse mill. These mills were so almost interminably slow that they were used only during dry weather when there was no water power, or during muddy weather when the distant mills were inaccessible. Some pioneers preferred going forty miles to a good mill to using a horse mill, and this distance was sometimes traveled. A large four-horse load was once taken to a mill on Mad River in Champaign County, where the press of business was so great that several weeks elapsed before the hungry settlers in this vicinity obtained their grists. A mill on Owl Creek in Knox County, was occasionally visited, but usually the mills on Darby Creek were available. No water grist mills are known to have been in operation in Claibourne Township. John Dilsaver operated a small tannery for a few years on his farm south of Richwood. Another was for a long time operated in Richwood by the sons of John Graham. SCHOOLS. A log cabin stood near the Sidle Methodist Protestant Church, a little northeast of it, which was built as a schoolhouse, and in which the first school in the township was held. The primitive pedagogue here was Mr. Lamphere, an aged man, who taught in various localities. The pupils were Ellison, James and Wilson Williams, Richard, Samuel and Eliza Cotrell, John A. and Elder Swartz, and perhaps the Wilson children and a few others from a distance. The term lasted only about two months. Eleazor Rose was one of the earliest teachers in this locality. He dwelt in one apartment of a double log cabin, and in the other enlightened the understanding of the youth in this community. He was reputed an excellent teacher. 574 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. It would be impossible to make mention of the first teachers in all portions of the township. The schools have had a gradual growth from very small beginnings, like, all other institutions, and have now attained an efficiency equal to that found anywhere else in the county. SKETCH OF THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.* Richwood and vicinity, in Claibourne Township, was early noted for the order, morality, and religious character of its citizens. When the writer, in 1836, first became acquainted in the place, it was understood that all the inhabitants were a Sober, church-going people. And this continued to be its reputation for many years. The first minister of the Gospel who settled in the town was Rev. John Carney, of the Regular Baptist denomination. He was an old man when the writer first saw him, and appeared to be in declining health. His home was a little log cabin situated some rods south of where the Baptist Church now stands. He had no church organization of his own denomination, and was able to preach but occasionally. I think it was in 1838, he seemed to grow more feeble than usual, and it became apparent that his work on earth would soon be done, unless his health should improve. This did not occur. He seemed, however, to desire to use his little remaining strength in giving his dying testimony in favor of the truth. He therefore had word circulated that he wished his neighbors and friends to come to his little cabin on a certain Sunday and he would preach to them once more. At the time appointed they came. The old gentleman opened the service in the usual manner; and when the time for the sermon came, he introduced his subject by saying, " I will read for my text the first and Second verses of the Scriptures." He then read Genesis, i, 1,2, and preached his last formal discourse on earth. Soon after, his health became so feeble he had to remain in the house, and not many weeks after, he quietly fell asleep. His neighbors and friends laid his body carefully and respectfully in the little village graveyard, where his dust still quietly waits the call of the resurrection of the just. Another generation of the Baptist people in Richwood have very recently learned that the little graveyard lot, on a part of which their church stands, contains the unmarked grave of the pioneer minister of this community. They have inquired out the spot and declared their purpose to mark and protect the precious trust. This is well. For it is an honor to any congregation to be permitted to guard the resting place of the man who first preached the Gospel in the wilderness the harvest of whose seed-sowing they reap and enjoy. As a fitting sequel to the above, it is proper now to say, that on March 24, 1878, the Regular Baptists, under the pastoral labors of Rev. W. R. Thomas, formally organized themselves into a church, according to the rules of their denomination, and thus adding one more church to Richwood's already fair supply. The names of the persons who entered into this organization were Thomas Phillips, S. Carter, Joseph Powell, Susan Landon, Elmos Langstaff, Jane Langstaff, William Ferguson, S. A. Ferguson, Anthony Trickey, Mary Tricksy, Robert B. Cook, Mary A. Gooding, Clara Crabtree, Kim Crabtree, Amanda Hanby, Louisa Wooley, Elizabeth Blake, Anne Cain, W. H. Richards, Annie H. Richards, Martha Merritt, Zella Merritt, E. M. Lindsay, M. J. Lindsay, Elizabeth Eagans. The regular officers of this church have been: Deacons-W. H. Richards, Elmos Langstaff; Clerks-1st, William Ferguson; 2d, E. M. Devreaux; 3d, E. M. Lindsay; 4th, D. B. Willoughby; Treasurers 1st, S. S. Carter; 2d, W. H. Richards. * By Rev. John Graham, of Richwood. CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 575 The pastors of this church have been-1st, Rev. R. W. Thomas, two years; 2d, Rev. W. Wilbur, eighteen months; 3d, Rev. J. W. Scott, who commenced his pastorate September 1, 1881, and continued to the present time, December, 1882. The places of worship that have been occupied by this church have been, first, Westheimer's Hall; second, Marriott's Hall; and third, their new church, which they erected and dedicated on the third Sabbath of September, 1882. This church is a neatly finished frame house, worth about $2,000, and paid for. The number of communicants in this church at the present time is forty-two. In September, 1880, this church organized a Sunday school, which has been regularly kept up, and is now in a prosperous condition. This is the proper place to state that the colored members of the Regular Missionary Baptist denomination organized themselves into a church in Richwood, February 13, 1876, under the pastoral labors of Rev. L. B. Morse. The members who entered into the first organization were George Curry, I. Thornton, Bertie Curry, Lida Thornton, Joseph Williams, Lucinda Williams, N. V. Evans, Jordan Harrison, Fanny Harrison, Melvina Parker, Robert Malone, David Brown, Peter Snow. The officers of this church are: Deacons N. V. Evans, R. Malone, D. Brown; Clerk-Jordan Harrison; Trustees--, N. V. Evans, J. Harrison, J. Malone; Treasurer--Peter Snow. This church has built a good house of worship, worth $1,900, all paid for but about $125. This house was formally dedicated to the worship of God on the second Sunday in September, 1882. The communicants in the church now number thirty six. They have organized and maintained a Sunday school. The pastors of the church have been Rev, L. B. Morse, Rev. H. Clay, and Rev. Mr. Golliford, who serves the church at present. Methodist Episcopal Church- The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Richwood, October 17, A. D. 1835. William Phillips was the first Class Leader, and the following named persons were the members of this class, to wit: William Phillips, Isabella Phillips, Mortimer Bentley, Nancy Bentley, Elsie Sirpless. - Not long after the organization the following were added to the names above given: Sarah Woods, Margaret Brookins, Hezekiah Burdick, Catharine Burdick, Philip Plummer, Ann Maria Plummer, William Barkdull, Priscilla Barkdull, Adam Burge, Louis Burdick, Catharine Burdick. The pastor of the church at the time of its organization was Rev. Warren Frazell. The Presiding Elder was William H. Raper. William Phillips was elected as first Steward of the newly formed church;. also first Recording Steward of Richwood Circuit. The first leaders' meeting of the church was held at Mr. Phillips, shop, with the pastor and class leader as the only members present. There was no church house of any denomination in Claibourne Township at the time this organization took place. The religious meetings, therefore, were held in such places as could be procured -sometimes in a shop, a storeroom, the little schoolhouse, or in the home of some of the members. These places were inconvenient, but the best that could be obtained at the time. The pastor next appointed in charge of the Richwood Circuit was Rev. Richard Doughty. He remained in the work but a short time; and when he left, the Presiding Elder, Rev. Jacob Young, employed Rev. Samuel M. Beatty, a local preacher, to take charge of the circuit. Mr. Beatty continued to serve the circuit until in August, 1836. Next after Mr. Beatty, Rev. Ebenezer T. Webster, a member of the Ohio Annual Conference, was appointed in charge of Richwood Circuit. He arrived with his family on his work sometime in the autumn of 1836. His home was in Richwood, and he and his family, devoted themselves earnestly 576 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. to the service of the church. The circuit prospered under his ministry. He remained one year in charge of this work. During the year 1837, the Methodist Episcopal, Church erected in Richwood the first house of worship in Claibourne Township. This house was built of hewed logs, about, I think, 28x36 feet in size. It was finished in the plainest style. Its seats were rude benches without backs to them. It was warmed by one stove, placed near the center of the building. It stood on or near the spot where the residence of A. J. Blake now stands. It was dedicated during the Quarterly Meeting services, hold by Rev. Samuel Hamilton, August 14, 1837, Mr. Hamilton, having been sent by the Presiding Elder to hold the Quarterly Meeting in his stead. Mr. Hamilton's subject of discourse on Sunday morning was the return of the prodigal son. This effort was a very happy one; many wept, and many others rejoiced aloud-all were deeply impressed. Next after Mr. Webster, Rev. R. S. Kimber was appointed as pastor in Richwood. He did not move his family into the bounds of the work. He remained in charge of this work two years. He labored very faithfully, and was fairly successful in promoting the interests of the church. During the latter part of his second year on the circuit, Mr. Kimber had to assist him in his work, Rev. John C. Havens. In August, 1839, Mr. Kimber, Mr. Havens and Rev. Jacob Young, The Presiding Elder, all closed up, for the present, their ministerial labors at Richwood. In the latter part of August or first of September, 1839, Rev. Jacob A. Brown and Rev. Jesse Prior arrived in Richwood as pastors on the circuit. Mr. Brown settled his family in Richwood, and Mr. Prior his in Delhi. They both remained on the work one year with Rev. Zachariah Connell as Presiding-Elder. They were all faithful and successful in their work. At the General Conference, in May, 1840, a change was made in the boundaries of the Ohio Annual Conference, to which Richwood Circuit, up to this time, had belonged, and the North Ohio Conference was organized, with Richwood within its limits. At the first session of this conference, which met, in Norwalk, Ohio, in the month of August, Rev. George Armstrong was appointed to Richwood, with Rev. W. S. Morrow as his Presiding Elder. Mr. Armstrong moved to Richwood and commenced his labors immediately. Soon after the year began, the Presiding Elder employed Rev. W. S. Rowe to assist Mr. Armstrong in his work. These two men were earnest and faithful. Mr. Rowe remained on the work but apart of the year; and when be left, Rev. T. H, Wilson was employed to fill out the balance of the year. They had fair prosperity in their work. Next after Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Wilson, R. S. Kimber was reappointed to Richwood, with George S. Phillips as his co-pastor. They were pleasant gentlemen and faithful to their labors. In the latter part of August, 1842, Jesse Prior and William Boggs took charge of Richwood as pastors. They were cordially received by the people, and indications seemed to promise a year of prosperity. The year had not advanced far, however, till Mr. Prior, the senior pastor, began to preach the peculiar doctrines of Mr. Miller, who said the world will come to its end in 1843." This new departure did not promote the harmony of the church, and controversy with dissensions abounded. Before this conference year ended. Mr. Prior withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church and identified himself with the newly organized sect. called " Second Adventists." Mr. Boggs proved true and faithful to the church, and did what be could to prevent disaster: and his efforts were so far successful that it was deemed best, by the authorities to return him the second year to the charge. He was a judicious manager, a good preacher, and a devout man. CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 577 Joseph Jones was with him on the work during his second year. Mr. Jones, was the senior in office. As near as I can now ascertain, the following is a correct list of the pastors who served the Methodist Episcopal Church in Richwood from 1844 to 1864, namely, Edward Williams, L. F. Ward, W. M. Spafford, B. Herbert, O. Burgess, A. Rumfield, J. Sterling, P. Plummer, F. W. Vertican, E. Hyatt, J. Frownfelter, S. D. Seymour, W. Knapp, P. Wareham, L. Herbert, L. L. Roberts, J. Blanpied, J. Good, J. M. Longfellow, J. Wykes, W. Lawrence, J. S. Deleal, H. M. Shaffer, J. K. Ford. During the pastorate of Mr. Good and Mr. Longfellow, which lasted from 1856 to 1858, the most extensive revival of religion that this church has ever had in Richwood occurred. Almost 100 persons were converted and added to the church. During their pastorate, also, the old log-meeting house proved entirely insufficient to accommodate the wants of the church. They, therefore, took measures to secure the building of a new house of worship. The result is the present church, which is a substantial brick building, well situated, and well furnished. It is large enough to accommodate the congregation, and is worth about $6, 000. The present membership of this church is a little over 200. Its present pastor is Rev. D. Bowers. The church has kept up a working, successful Sunday school from near the time of its first organization. It is now in prosperous working order. It has twenty-five officers and teachers, and 160 scholars. The ladies of the church have kept up, for the last nine years, an efficient, earnest, working organization of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. The society is now prospering. The church is doing good work. Early in the history of Claibourne Township, there was a small society of the Methodist Episcopal Church organized some three miles west of Richwood, in what was known as the Wynegar neighborhood. They never built a house of worship. They kept up a feeble existence for some thirty years; but finally disbanded. Its old members are either dead or removed to other parts; and some have united with churches in other places. A church organization without a place of worship, or some convenient place for meeting, is like a family without a home--it cannot prosper. The Methodist Protestant Church was formally organized in Richwood, September, 1836. John B. Lucas was its pastor at the time; and Samuel Graham was its first Class Leader. The names of its first members were Samuel Graham, Sarah Graham, John P. Brookins, Margaret Brookins, John Woods, Sarah Woods, John P. Graham, Eliza Graham,. Jane Houk, Jane B. Coffee. Its first place of worship was the little log schoolhouse which stood in the northeast part of town. Within some two years after its organization, there were important additions to the membership of the church in the persons of Rev. William Hamilton, Lydia Hamilton, Samuel Hamilton, Nancy Hamilton, Benjamin Hamilton. These persons moved into the neighborhood, having been members of the church in Muskingum County, and joined by letter. I think it was in the winter of 1839 and 1840 that Rev. John M. Young, assisted by a number of other ministers, held a revival meeting for the Methodist Protestant Church in Richwood, which was very successful. In it were converted the following-named persons who afterward became distinguished John W. Hamilton. Dow Professor of Surgery in the Medical College in Columbus; Joseph M. Hamilton, who has long been a leading minister in his church in the Muskingum Conference; T. B. Graham.. who has for many years been a prominent minister in the Ohio Conference, and I. N. Hamilton, who is local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a physician. Many others were converted in this meeting who have proved faithful some of whom have gone to the better land. This revival was probably 578 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. farther reaching in its results than any other ever hold in Richwood by this denomination. It was held in the Methodist Episcopal house of worship.. After diligent inquiry, I have failed to obtain a consecutive list of the ministers who served this church in the early years-one of whom I remember, but I cannot recall his name. He treated this congregation to a surprise which was rather pleasant. He was preaching in the old schoolhouse one Sunday morning, when very unexpectedly Rev. Ziba Brown, with Miss Jane B. Coffee on his arm, walked into the house. Mr. Brown stepped into the pulpit and sat down behind the minister who was preaching. Miss Coffee sat down in the congregation. When the sermon was ended, the minister said-" There is a case of matrimony to be attended to. The parties will please present themselves." Whereupon Mr. Brown stepped down to where Miss Coffee sat, took her on his arm, they two presented themselves before the minister, and he, after requiring them to " plight their vows each to the other, " pronounced them "husband and wife together. " He then dismissed the congregation. All were pleased. As soon as the possibility for better accommodations than the old schoolhouse afforded could be seen, the members began to plan for a new church. As near as I can now ascertain, they commenced getting materials ready in a the winter of 1839 and 1840; and they got the house so it could be occupied by some time in 1842. This house was built of hewed logs; and was in size, about 30x35 feet. When finished, it was the largest public room in the north part of Union County. The first seats in it were plain benches with no backs to them. When the house was about ready for occupancy, a serious question arose as to how it should be warmed. There were no stoves for sale in or near Richwood, and there was then no railroad on which to order one brought. The problem was finally solved, by the members contributing, wheat enough, when sold, to pay for a stove; and Mr. Samuel Graham, accompanied by Rev. William Hamilton, hauled the wheat in a wagon to Granville, in Licking County, and traded it for a stove. They brought this stove back with them in their wagon, and placed it in the church. As I can find no records that give a consecutive list of the early ministers who served this congregation of Christians, I give from my own memory, and the memory of others, as near a correct list as I am able to produce: Jonathan Flood. Sr.. was one of the earliest, R. M. Dolby was another who preached in the old schoolhouse. Soon after him were Isaac Hunt, Louis Hicklen, David Moore, Joshua 1. Devore, Isaac Edwards, Ziba Brown, O. P. Stevens, John Inskeep, J. H. Webster. Lyman Ensminger and John B. Peat. These had all served the church here previous to the close of 1848. From 1847 to 1850, the brothers, S. H. Flood and J. M. Flood, served the church. Under their labors extensive revivals of religion occurred, and many were added to the church. In 1851, O. P. Stevens again served this people. After him T. D. Howe, D. Kinney, M. V. B. Evans. About 1858, it became apparent to this congregation that their old log house was not up with the improved condition of the country; they, therefore, set about providing more commodious accommodations for themselves. They got ready for dedication on the 17th day of July, 1859, a very pleasant, substantial, neat, brick house, large enough to meet all their wants. This house cost something over $2,000; and would have been sufficient to the present time, but for the fact it was consumed in a fire that occurred in April, 1875. The present house occupied by this church is built on the foundation of the one that was burned; and is a neat, well finished, well furnished, brick structure. worth some $5,000. This church was constituted a station at the Annual Conference which met in the summer of 1865: and its first Quarterly Confer- Page 579 - Blank Page 580 - Picture of John Paver CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 581 ence, as a station, was held in the church in Richwood, November 4, the same year. The official members who constituted this Quarterly Conference were: T. B. Graham, Pastor; Rev. D. Kinney, Rev, W. Hamilton, Laymen J. T. Lenox, John Woods, E. Norris, J. S. Gill, L. Myers, J. A. Cook, G. B. Hamilton, Cyrus Landon. The officers of the conference were J. Lawson, Chairman; W. H. Ferguson, Secretary. This station has been continuously kept up till the present time. Its history has been one of fair prosperity and it now has a good reputation in the community. Its present pastor is Rev. E. G. Brumbaugh. Its membership numbers a little more than 200 communicants. This church has kept up a prosperous Sunday school most of the time since its first organization. This school is now doing well. The ladies of the church keep up an efficient working organization for the promotion of "Foreign Missions." The officers of this society are: President-Mrs. J. Tucker; Vice President-Mrs. B. C. Hamilton; Treasurer Mrs. Marion Hamilton, now deceased; Secretary-Miss E. Simpson. As near as I can now ascertain, some time in the year 1848 Rev. John B. Pests organized a society of Methodist Protestants two and one-half miles south of Richwood, in Claibourne Township, and named the organization "Bethlehem Church. " The names of the members who went into this organization were-Rev. J. C. Sidle, Elizabeth Sidle, David Burns, Mary Burns, Michael and Permelia Brown, John and Mary Swartz, Jacob Wilds, Allen Wynegar. This organization soon increased in numbers until nearly sixty persons were accepted as communicants. They worshiped for a time in the schoolhouse and such other places as could be temporarily obtained. As soon as their financial circumstances would justify them in doing so, they proceeded to erect for themselves a comfortable frame meeting house, near the east bank of Fulton Creek, on some two acres of ground, donated by Rev. J. C. Sidle, as a site for the church and burying ground for the dead. This church was erected in 1855, is still used by the society as their place of worship, is worth some $1,400, and is known as Bethlehem Church. A Sunday school is usually kept up in it. The present pastor of this church is Rev. Mr. Cramer. The Claibourne Church of this denomination is situated near the southwest corner of the township. It was built in 1880, under the pastoral labors of Rev. Mr. Elliott. It is a neat frame house, and has in it an energetic, enterprising organization of worshipers. This church is the outgrowth of what was known as the Stires' Society of pioneer days. Christian Church. -The Christian Church has an organization and a house of worship in the southeast corner of Claibourne Township, which is known on the records of the denomination as the Thompson Church. It was originally located in Thompson Township, in Delaware County, but its house of worship in that place being, burned down some thirteen years ago, the congregation built their house on its present site. This house is worth $1,000, and has in it as worshipers about seventy communicants. Its present pastor is Rev. A. C. Carras. The Church of the Disciples was established in Richwood during the first years of the existence of the town; but so far as I can find there are no records of its early history preserved. My personal acquaintance with its doings began in the latter months of 1836; and between this date, and 1840, the following-named persons were known as members of this church: Rev. Isaac Cade and Mrs. Cade, Charles Cade, Aaron Beem, Mrs. Beem, Benjamin Beem, B. Bridge, Mrs. Bridge, T. Warner Bridge, Charles Morse, Elvira Morse, Ira Morse, Mrs. Morse, Isaac Headly, Nancy Headly, Eveline Headly, Angeline Headly, Henry Swartz, Nancy Swartz, R. Elder Swartz, John P. Graham, Eliza Graham, Peter Grace, Nancy Grace, Mrs. John Dilsaver. These twenty-seven 582 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. persons to whom not long afterward were added Jacob Reed and Mrs. Reed, Joseph Cameron and Mrs. Cameron and Jesse Reed, constituted the pioneer church of this denomination. Rev. Isaac Cade was their recognized minister for many years. I think he received no stated salary. He was a man of good character, honest and upright. He was a man of not much learning, but read his Bible carefully, and was ready in quoting its contents. There were other ministers who often assisted Mr. Cade in the services of the church, but they were mostly traveling evangelists, whose names I cannot now recall. The meetings of this church for a number of years were held mostly in the little log schoolhouse which stood near the northeast corner of the town. As near as I can now ascertain, the first house of worship erected by this denomination in Richwood was built about 1850 or 1852. It was a small frame building worth about $800, and is still occupied as their place of worship. They have, however, recently purchased a very eligible lot on which they contemplate erecting in the near future, a commodious house to be dedicated to the worship of God. The number of communicants in this church is now about eighty. Their present pastor's name is W. L. Neal. The officers of this church are: Elders- George W. Taylor, Thomas Prosser; Deacons-W. H. Moses, E. Collier; Trustee - L. H. Stephenson, I. H. Graham, W. H. Moses; Clerk-W. H. Moses. This church has a living, working Sunday school, which meets each Lord's Day at 9:30 o'clock, A. M. Number in attendance average about fifty. The ladies of this church are organized into a " Society of Christian Workers," whose object is to look after and help the poor, and to raise funds to pay for furnishing of the new church when it shall be ready to receive its furniture. They meet weekly. The officers are: President-Mrs. M. B. Collier; Vice President--Mrs. T. E. McGee; Treasurer -Mrs. M. M. Marriot. Presbyterian Church. -As a proper introduction to the following history of the Presbyterian Church it should be recorded that the second minister who preached in Richwood was Rev. Mr. Perigreen, a Welsh Presbyterian, from Delaware County. He commenced visiting the place soon after the town began to be settled, and preached for a time, but did not organize a church. After him, in 1837 to 1840, a Rev. Mr. Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Marysville, preached occasionally in Richwood; also Rev. Mr. Galbraith, who was then preaching at Milford, this county. But no organization was attempted till the one accounted for below Presbyterian Church of Richwood organized June 20, 1874, by Rev. H. Shedd, assisted by visiting ministers, Rev. W. G. Marck and Rev. D. D. Waugh, and Elder A. McNeal, of York Church. The members that went into the first organization were: John Landen, James Landen, Rebecca Landen, Elizabeth Long, Milton M. Shipley, Ann Shipley, Mary Jane Best, Essay Ann Best, Rachel E. Rowe, Ransler Parsons, Samuel M. Landen, Mary E. Landen, Abbica Landen, W. L. Curry, M. J. Curry, J. Dennons. The following-named persons were elected to fill the offices of the church, viz.: Elders-M. M, Shiple and John Landen; Trustees-W. L. Curry, John Landen, and Ransler Parsons; Secretary-W. L. Curry; Treasurer-James Landen. The following ministers have served the church since its organization Rev. H. Shedd, Rev. Charles S. Wood, Rev. C. W. Torrey, Rev. R. C. Colmery, Rev. John McDowell. For the first six years of its organization this church worshiped in Burgner's Hall. From that time to the present, a period of three years, in Cants' Hall. During these years there were received into the church as communicants, seventy-seven. There have been dismissed from the church by remov.- CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 583 als, deaths, etc., twenty-two, leaving the present number of communicants, fifty-five. Soon after the organization of the church, this congregation organized a Sabbath school, which has been regularly maintained ever since. It now numbers-officers and teachers, twelve; scholars, seventy-five. The school is now, and has been from the first, a great source of spiritual strength to the church. There has been no marked periods of revival in the history of this church, but its growth has been gradual and constant-the result of patient and continuous effort. Financially, the church is now out of debt, and, spiritually, it is in the most hopeful condition. CEMETERIES. The earliest place of interment within the township was the one now most extensively used-at the Sidle Methodist Protestant Church, two miles south of Richwood, It is on the land which formerly belonged to Henry Swartz, and burials were commenced while the place was yet in the midst of a deep wilderness. Henry Swartz buried two small children here, and the deceased of his neighbors' families found their " eternal resting place" in the same secluded spot. The burials of Mr. Garner, John Logue, Mrs. Ira Bennett and Mrs. Rose were among the first. When Jacob C. Sidle became the proprietor of this farm, he donated an acre for a cemetery. Afterward it came within the charge of the Township Trustees, and they made additions to its limits. The grounds are located on rising land, and now receive the remains of " the departed " from Richwood and the surrounding country. The old graveyard, in Richwood, is no longer used for burial purposes. At the Lenox Schoolhouse, one and a fourth miles northwest of Richwood, William Hamilton donated a lot for a cemetery, which is still used to some extent. Another small graveyard, now abandoned, was situated on the Graham farm, just northwest of Richwood. At Stony Point, in the western part of the township, is a graveyard, where the dead of that vicinity are interred. CLAIBOURNE. Claibourne is the newest village in the county, and, though yet in its infancy, bids fair to surpass, in size and prosperity, some of the earlier settled villages. It is situated in the extreme southwestern part of Claibourne Township, on the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad. The plat was surveyed March 14, 1881, by Frederick J. Sager, and contains ten and three fourths acres, divided into thirty-nine lots. William Jolliff, Jr, was the proprietor. He made an addition of five lots, March 4, 1882. G. M. Warner was the first resident of the place who anticipated the location of a village. He was appointed Postmaster in August, 1879, a position which he yet retains, and in September of the same year opened a stock of general merchandise in a building which he had just erected. Through his exertions and representations, the railroad company laid a side-track, and during the winter of 1880 - 81 built and opened a station, The first dwellings were erected in 1881. About fifteen families compose the population. One physician, Dr. T. F. Wurtsbaugh, is in practice here. The village contains a saw mill, owned by Bell & Shearer, a shoe shop, a blacksmith shop, one hotel, a millinery store and two general stores. A neat brick school building has just been erected, and a Methodist Protestant Church is close by. The village is six miles distant from Richwood. 584 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. RICHWOOD. Richwood, the second town in size and importance in Union County, is located in the central part of Claibourne, Township. It is a wide-awake, business place, with an enterprising, public-spirited class of citizens, and for many years has competed successfully in trade with larger towns in surrounding counties. Its streets are broad and regularly laid out. Substantial and spacious business blocks are being constantly added to the number already erected. and the indications of a prosperous, active town are everywhere manifest. It has just completed its first half-century of existence. For thirty years its growth was slow; during the last two decades, it has been more rapid. Its success is due, principally, to the building of the railroad through the place. A fine agricultural region surrounds the town, and the facilities for commerce, which the railroad afforded, made it at once the center of a large and widely extended trade. The population in 1840 was 99; in 1870, mainly through the growth of the last few years, it had reached 436; in 1880, it was 1,317, a ratio of increase rarely attained. Philip Plummer was the proprietor of Richwood. He had come into possession of the William Pelham Survey, No. 6,307, of 1,200 acres, or the greater part of it, and in the summer of 1832 visited it, from Mount Vernon, Ohio, with his brother, Thomas Plummer, Elisha Merriot and Dr. John P.. Brookins, a physician in search of a good location for practice. They traveled in a large two-horse wagon, and stopped on the way overnight at Daniel Swartz's house on the Scioto River. The village was surveyed and platted in the midst of a dense wilderness, August 8, 9 and 10, 1832, by Thomas G. Plummer, Special Deputy Surveyor, under the direction of the County Surveyor, Levi Phelps; and the plat was acknowledged before Ira Wood, Justice of the Peace, August 20, 1832. They all returned to Mount Vernon, and soon after Philip Plummer and Dr. Brookins returned to Richwood. The original plat contains a full description of the location; stating that it is situated in a tract of land known as " Richwoods," about four miles west of the Scioto River, at the headwaters of Ottaway Run, on a broad and beautiful knob of table-land, unsurpassed in fertility. The distances from many towns and cities are minutely given, and it is said that "the signs, by timber, of the fertility of the soil in the Richwoods are beech, blue ash, gray ash, black ash, hackberry or hoop ash, mulberry, wild cherry, black walnut, white walnut, white oak, red oak, buckeye, honey locust, lyden tree, coffee tree, a species of mahogany, hickory, red elm, white elm, sugar or hard maple, soft maple, box elder and dogwood, with a copse wood of spice brush and prickly ash, burning bush, grape vine, bladder bush and bramble. The herbage is principally maiden hair, pea vine, yellow root, ginseng, Indian and madder etc. The soil is of the richest loam, mixed in a small proportion of sand; the substratum is limestone and gravel, mixed with clay. The town plat is at an elevation of from fifteen to twenty feet above the bottom." The plat covered an area of 44.788, acres, was 84 poles and 1 foot square, bearing north 17 1/2 degrees west, or south 17 1/2 degrees east, and north 72 1/2 degrees east, or south 72 1/2 degrees west. The principal street, north and south, was Franklin, 100 feet wide, with Fulton and Clinton streets, each five poles wide, parallel with it, the former west and the latter east of it. The three streets east and west were Blagrove, Ottaway and Bomford; Ottaway, one hundred feet wide, the other two five poles. There were four alleys running each way, each one pole wide. The lots on Franklin and Ottaway streets, Nos. 1 to 112 inclusive, were each eight poles long and two wide; the lots on the other streets, Nos. 113 to 152 inclusive, were eight by four poles in CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 585 size. Besides these, there were sixteen outlots, each eight poles square, four at each corner of the plat. A reservation was made of timber not exceeding one foot in diameter that stood fifteen feet in front of the line of lots on Franklin and Ottaway streets as shade trees, and all timber of the same size that stood twelve feet in front of the line of lots on Bomford, Blagrove, Fulton and Clinton streets. The following donations of lots for public purposes were made: Lots 13 and 69, on Franklin street, to the first and second fire companies that might be organized, to consist of fifty or more persons each, and own engine and hose, or buckets and ladders; Lot 44, to the town for a public library, when it would appoint trustees and own 200 volumes of useful and Miscellaneous publications; Lot 100, to the town for a museum, as soon as a council of fifteen members would be legally organized and appoint a naturalist to take charge of it; Lots 117 and 118, to the Mayor and Town Council as soon as the town was chartered; Lots 137 and 138, for a market-place for the town and country people; Lots 122, 123, 142 and 143, for common schools; Outlot 5, for a place of worship for the people of town of all denominations together, to be managed and regulated and organized on the 4th of July and at Christmas by the whole people together; Outlot 14, a botanical garden, to the literary, scientific and medical men when they would form a society of one hundred or more members, the lots to be completely under the control of the Town Council, when properly organized, or a majority of the whole people, composing a number of two hundred or more. By an act of the State Legislature, passed a number of years before Richwood was incorporated, the ownership of all these lots was restored to Philip Plummer and his heirs. In 1832, but three families settled in the new, forest-covered village; those of Philip Plummer, John P. Brookins and Absalom Carney. Philip Plummer was born in Maryland, and emigrated from that State to Mount Vernon, Ohio. Some time after he came to Richwood, he became a Methodist minister, and preached for a number of years at Richwood and elsewhere. He afterward returned to Mount Vernon with his family, and there died. He was a man of moral principles and temperate habits, but did not possess that kind of nature to accumulate and retain property. His character is differently estimated by persons who know him. Mr. William Philips, one of the earliest pioneers of Richwood, thus speaks of him: " Mr. Plummer was a man of taste and refinement, and loved good society, so, while the better class of people appreciated him, there were those who disliked him. He was kind and obliging; ready to do anything in his power to help along new comers. He made it a point to go from one cabin to another to encourage them and reconcile them to the privation that must be endured by the pioneer. In this he seldom failed. He was an excellent talker. He was a thorough temperance man, and, selling lots, he would sell to none who would sell whisky, believing that it would injure the property of the town and community. In this most of the new settlers encouraged him, and consequently log-rollings, house-raisings and the like were done on temperance principles, and never distinguished by ruffianism. An orderly community grew up, and its good example and correct principles are felt today in the society of our village." Dr. John P. Brookins was one of the leading citizens of Richwood during its primitive days. He was born at Shippensburg, Penn., March 1, 1801, and emigrated to Ohio, settling first at Mount Vernon, and engaging in his profession-medicine. He there became acquainted with Mr. Plummer, and decided to cast his lot with the little village to be founded on Mr. Plummer's land. He moved, with his wife, Margaret (McClay), and two children, Mary Jane and William C., and erected the first cabin on the village site. It stood on 586 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Lot 97, at the southwest corner of Franklin and Ottawa streets, where Miller's store now is. The first sad event in the village was the accidental burning of the Doctor's little daughter, Mary Jane, a promising child, which occurred in August, 1833. While playing near a log-burning in the street, her clothes took fire, and she was so badly burned that death ensued the next day. In his family, also, occurred the first birth and the first marriage. The bride was Miss Jane Coffee, the Doctor's niece. Dr. Brookins was a very small, spare man, physically, but very jovial. He was a social, genial spirit, and possessed an uncommon fund of good humor. He always had a good story to tell, and usually kept a crowd in a roar of laughter. He was Justice of the Peace for many years, and also Postmaster. He was the first physician in the township, and pursued the practice of his profession here successfully until 1847, when he removed to Eaton, Ohio, where he died January 20, 1878. His son, William, is now a resident of that village. Absalom Carney was a blacksmith, and built his shop on Lot 148, east Bumford street. He did not remain many years, but removed West. It was reported that he and all his family, except one daughter, were killed by Indians in Missouri. In September, 1833, William Phillips, with his wife Isabella (Woods), emigrated from Shippensburg, Penn., and settled on Lot 48, southeast corner of Franklin and Blagrove, streets. He had a family of eight children --William J., who died in Pennsylvania; Jane Elizabeth, wife of Edwin Bruck; John A.; Alfred G., killed at Atlanta July 22, 1863; Sarah W., wife of Harvey S. Wood, of Marysville; Mary H., wife of Joseph Swartz (deceased); William Fletcher (deceased), and Isabel W., wife of Austin G. Converse, of Carroll, Ohio. Mr. Phillips was highly esteemed as a citizen, and was identified with all the movements to elevate and improve his fellow-men. He was a thorough temperance advocate. He died January 15, 1880, at Marysville, where he had removed two years previously. By trade and occupation, for many years, he was a potter. For about twenty-five years after he came to Richwood, he was engaged in the manufacture of pottery. The following items, taken from his account book, furnish the market value of a number of commodities in those times: May 17, 1834, John Woods, Dr. to making vest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .50 May 17, 1834, James Scott, Dr. to one gun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.00 May 17, 1834, James Scott, Dr. to 8 3/4 yards muslin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.26 May 17, 1834, Thomas Cheney, Dr. to one wagon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.00 June 18, 1834, Philip Plummer, to 15 bushels ashes at 6 1/4 . . . . . . . .. .93 3/4 October 24, 1834, Philip Plummer, to making roundabout . . . . . . . . . . . .62 1/2 November 14, 1834, Henry Swartz, Cr. by 1 1/2 gallons honey . . . . . . . .75 November 17, 1834, John T. Evans. Dr. to one calf-skin . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.50 November 17, 1834, William Surpliss, Cr. by 4250 brick at $4.25.. . . . .18.06 1/4 December 5, 1834, John P. Brookins, Dr. to ware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 April 15, 1835, David Hawk, Cr. by one pound coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 3/4 April 20, 1835, David Hawk, Cr. by one-fourth pound tea . . . . . . . . . . .. .22 June 22, 1835, William Lockhart, Cr. by four pounds butter . . . . . . . . . . . .25 July 16, 1835, John Calloway, Dr. to two jugs . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .25 September 21, 1835, William Barkdull, Cr. by 1/4 pound tea . . . . . . . . . . .44 October 17, 1835, Mortimore Bentley, Dr. to four bushels potatoes.. . . . . 1.00 December 23, 1835, Ira Bennett, Cr. by two turkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 1/4 February 13, 1836, Nathan F. Woodruff, Cr. by one day's labor. . . . . . . . .50 February 13, 1836, Samuel D. Beall, Cr. by one day's labor . . . . . . . . .. . .50 April 9, 1836, Joseph Murphy, Dr. to recording of ear mark . . . . . . . . . . . .25 June 16, 1836, Joseph Wilson, Dr. to one palm hat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 1/4 November 1, 1836, Jacob Delsaver, Cr. by 36 pounds buckwheat. . . . . . . .90 November 12, 1836, Ira Bennett, Cr. by 41 pounds lard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 November 12, 1836, Ira Bennett, Cr. by 6 pounds pork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 1/2 February 16, 1837, Christian Dowell, Dr. to two bushels corn . . . . . . . . . .75 November 5, 1837, John Darling Dr. to one ax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.00 January 4, 1838, Starret Irwin, Dr. to six lights of glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 587 June 2, 1838, Philip Plummer, Dr. to one pair shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .44 June 2, 1838, Philip Plummer, Dr. to five pounds coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.00 June 2, 1838, Philip Plummer, Dr. to 4 elementary spelling books . . . . . .50 September 27, 1838, Abraham Decker, Cr. by twelve chickens . . . . . . . . .97 1/2 John Woods, born December 9, 1799, emigrated from Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Penn., to Richwood, in July, 1833. He purchased 112 acres of land just north of the original plat, but now included within the corporation. He was a tailor, and, in connection with clearing and cultivating his farm, he followed his trade. His wife was Sarah (Brookins), and a son, George Woods, now resides in Richwood. Mr. Woods died on the home place May 12, 1874. William Sirpless settled in the village in 1833, coming from the Scioto River, in Delaware County. He built his cabin on Lot 119, just south of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He performed rough carpenter work while staying here, which was only a few years. He then went West. John Wilson, a son of Nathaniel Wilson, in 1833 moved to Richwood, and resided on Outlets 9 or 10, opposite Canan's grist mill. He, too, came from the Scioto River, to Delaware County; was a laborer, and assisted in the erection of cabins. His first wife was Mary Dilsaver; his second, Elizabeth Atwood; his third, Mrs. Butts. He removed to Hancock County, and, when last heard from, he had buried his fourth wife. John Carney, the father of Absalom Carney, arrived at Richwood in 1833. He was quite old and feeble at the time, and did not survive many years. He was a Baptist minister, and occasionally held services in the village. The only other settler in Richwood in 1833, besides Messrs. Burdick and Calloway, was Mortimer Bentley. He was a carpenter. or cabinet-maker, and stayed only a few years. In 1834, there were a number of accessions, including Christian Goul, Nathan Richardson, Adam Burge, William Price, John T. Evans and Henry Sayer. Adam Burge was a " Thomsonian" or "steam" doctor, and practiced among the few believers of his school in this vicinity. His house and office was on Lot 105, Franklin street, where the residence of Dr. King now stands. The Doctor remained at Richwood only a short time, as his practice was not very remunerative. Nathan Richardson was a carpenter. He came from Champaign County, and about 1840 returned there. Christian Goul was a shoe-maker, from near Mechanicsburg, and his stay was also of brief duration. John T. Evans was also a manufacturer of boots and shoes. His bench was in Burdick & Calloway's store. He was unmarried, and a skillful workman, but the settlement was too sparse to furnish him with steady employment, and at the expiration of a year he sought a new field of labor. Henry Sager was a brother-in-law to Absalom Carney; built a cabin on Franklin street, but before it was furnished with door, floor or window he took his departure for the West. The village grew very slowly from this time. In 1840, it contained about eighteen or twenty families. The following, were here in that year: David Houk, a wagon-maker, who came about 1835; Sterrett Irwin, a carpenter; Hugh Thompson, a farmer, who died soon after; L. H. Hastings; J. B. W. Haynes, who came, in 1840, from Virginia, was an earnest Abolitionist, a real estate agent and a prominent citizen, and who died August 20, 1869, aged seventy-six years; Samuel Jenkins, a laborer; William Sirpless; William Price, who afterward operated a small grist mill here; Dr. Brookins; Ziba Brown, a local Disciple minister; William Phillips; John Woods; Enoch Fisher, a farmer, who had been in Indian service under Gen. Anthony Wayne, and who died in the village at the advanced age of one hundred and one years; 588 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Rev. Brown, the Methodist Episcopal minister; Isaac Cade, a Disciple preacher, who afterward died here; Henry Swartz, and the Widow Barkdull. Her husband, William Barkdull, was a shoemaker, and came to Richwood from Mount Vernon in 1835, but soon after returned and died there. His widow, Mrs. Priscilla (Fisher) Barkdull, then moved with her children again to Richwood. In 1840, there was but one frame house in the village. It was owned and occupied by Hugh Thompson. The other dwellings were the primitive log cabins. The first store was opened at Richwood in a little log building, which stood on Lot 102, now occupied by Ferrier's saddlery shop, by Burdick & Calloway, in August, 1833. Hezekiah Burdick was a local Methodist Episcopal preacher, and had owned and cultivated a small farm three miles southeast from Marysville, on Mill Creek. John Calloway was born at the Scioto salt works, in what is now Jackson County, in 1802, where his father was engaged in making salt. A year or two later they removed to Yellow Springs, Greene County, where Mr. Calloway was proprietor of a tavern for two years. He then entered a half-section of land in that county, and, after occupying it for eight years, was defrauded of it by a process of legal chicanery He then removed to Clark County, and from that county young John went to Marysville to try his fortunes, and by industry became the owner of a small property near Marysville and two town lots. Messrs. Burdick & Calloway purchased a small stock of goods at Marysville, owned by L. H. Hastings, and removed them to Richwood. The stock embraced a few staple groceries and dry goods, and the entire amount was conveyed to Richwood in one load. As both the purchasers were inexperienced in merchandising, it was stipulated in the contract of sale that Mr. Hastings should remain with them several weeks, till Mr. Calloway could become accustomed to his position behind the counter. This store remained in operation about two years. Mr. Calloway withdrew, and soon after Mr. Burdick closed out his entire stock. Financially, the first store was not a brilliant success. Mr. Burdick soon removed to other parts, but " Major " John Calloway, as he is universally known, took unto himself a wife, Clarky R. Tonguet, in 1835 , and settled down to rural life near Richwood. He has resided on his little place ever since, and is now a hale and hearty old gentleman of past eighty years. The next mercantile venture was made by Cyprian Lee and Mains Wasson. Foreseeing the retirement of the first business house, they purchased a stock of goods and brought them to Richwood in 1835. The management of the store was intrusted to L. H. Hastings. About a year later, they sold out to Henry Swartz and Dr. J. B. Brookins. A few weeks after this transfer, Ira Reynolds, a merchant at Homer, on Darby Plains, decided to open a branch store at Richwood, believing that a second store would prove remunerative. He secured the services of Mr. L. H. Hastings. who soon after became a partner in the business, and afterward purchased Mr. Reynolds' interest and became sole proprietor. The store of Swartz & Brookins in time dropped out of existence, and in 1840 Hastings' store was the only business house in Richwood. There has been no merchant so intimately associated with the business interests of Richwood as has Levin H. Hastings. For almost forty years, be had been an active and leading business man in the village, and was its first successful merchant. He was born in Maryland September 1, 1806, and. removing to Laurel, Del., became a clerk in a store there. Possessed with a desire to see the West, he came to Ohio, remained a short time in a store at Columbus, and then attended school at Delaware, Ohio, for a term or two. Returning to Laurel, Del., he taught the winter school and clerked again for Page 589 - Missing Page 590 - Missing CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 591 a short time, then purchased a stock of goods at Baltimore, and brought them to Marysville in the spring of 1833. In the fall of the same year, he sold to Burdick & Calloway, and after spending a few weeks in Richwood returned to Delaware. While visiting Richwood in 1832, he had purchased 500 acres of land, located just east of the village, from Silas C. Strong. He married Mary Carroll, of Delaware, March 24, 1834, and again came to Ohio and settled at Richwood. Several years later, he purchased an interest in Reynolds' store, and from that time until 1874 remained in active business life in Richwood, except two short intervals, which he spent in Illinois and at Marion, Ohio, In 1874, he retired from business. He died at Richwood, July 30, 1882; and thus closed a life of usefulness and activity. His widow still resides at Richwood. Merchandising in early times was attended with difficulties that are unknown in the present day. Money was scarce, and the store was oftener the scene of a barter or exchange than of a sale. The merchant had, occasionally, as great difficulty in disposing of the products taken in exchange for his goods as in the original sale of the goods. Eggs were usually quoted at 3 cents per dozen, and there was no demand for them. Nearly every family kept a cow, and butter was a drug in the home market. These products were, however, accepted in exchange for goods usually, and disposed of to traveling agents, who sold them in Cincinnati or Columbus. In the absence of money, credit became almost a necessity, and by the shifting about of many early settlers from one settlement to another, many accounts were lost. Coon skins, deer skins, home-made sugar, pork, honey and saddles of venison were the most current articles of exchange. Venison was sold at from 50 cents to 75 cents a saddle, consisting of the two hams, and was packed and taken to Columbus. By the fluctuation in the value of these articles, the merchants often suffered losses. INCORPORATION AND OFFICERS. Richwood was incorporated as a village by the County Commissioners - William Porter, William F. Fulton and Nelson Cone-March 6, 1855, by reason of a petition from forty one citizens of Richwood, who named B. F. McMillan, J. B. W. Haynes and H. O. S. Heistand to act as their agents in the premises. This action was taken by the citizens of Richwood, it is said, in anticipation of the immediate building of the projected Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, by which it was expected the village would be greatly improved. Charles W. Rosette was elected Mayor in 1855, and reelected in 1856 and in 1857. The railroad was not built as expected, and for some reason the people allowed the incorporation to lapse, or remain dormant. For a few years, no borough officers were elected, nor was there any village government. James B. W. Haynes was the next Mayor, elected in 1864, and re-elected. He was succeeded by J. W. Jones, who was elected in 1868. The Clerks' record begins with the year 1868, and since then the following have been the officers of the village: 1868-J. W. Jones, Mayor; D. F. Parsons, Recorder; G. W. Canan, A. Spratt, V. F. Collier, P. Overshiver and P. T, Lightner, Council. 1870-Mayor, T. P. Cratty; Recorder, T. P. Owens; Council, two years. V. F. Collier, afterward resigned, P. Overshiver, resigned, and N. P. Westheimer, one year, D. F. Parsons, G. W. Holland and O. Curry, Treasurer, G. W. Canan: Marshal, F. A. Graham. 1871--Council, O. Curry, T. Loveless and T. H. Moore, W. H. Conkright and E. Y. King appointed to fill vacancies; Clerk, T. P. Cowan, resigned and L. J. Blake appointed. 592 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. 1872-Mayor W. W. Kile; Clerk, L. J. Blake, resigned and P. H. Bauer elected; Treasurer, G. W. Canan; Marshal, G. B. Tucker, resigned; Street Commissioner, E. W. Tanner; Council. D. W. Godman, E. Y. King and G. W. Holland. April 17, 1872, W. W. Kilo resigned and J. L. Blake was appointed Mayor. July 10, 1872, Hylas Sabine was elected Mayor, vice L. J. Blake, removed. 1873-Mayor, H. Sabine; Council, A. J. Blake, A. L. Smith, and Thomas H. Moore; Clerk, L. Sabine; Marshal, W. E. Tanner. 1874-Mayor, L. A. Hedges; Council, F. H. Thornhill, P. T. Lightner and J. J Goldsmith; Clerk, William H. Reeves; Treasurer, A. Z. Converse, Street Commissioner, J. P. Brookins; Marshal, George K. Stewart 1875-Council, James Cutler, O. Curry and Edward Tanner; Marshal, J. J. Woodruff. 1876-Mayor, J. P. Slemmons; Council, Frank Merriott, Jason Case and Alexander Smart; Treasurer-, J. H. Vaughan; Clerk, W. H. Reeves; Marshal, J. J. Woodruff; Street Commissioner. S. D. Evans. 1877-Council, George Woods, S. M. Blake and John Rosette; Clerk, William B. Jones; Street Commissioner, James Hughes. 1878-Mayor, J. S. Gill; Council, James Eddleman, G. W. Canan, resigned and S. Carter elected, and G. R. Gum; Clerk, H. M. Wright; Treasurer, James H. Vaughan; Marshal, G. B. Tucker. 1879-Council, T. H. Moore. C. W. Hoffman and G. H. Woods, resigned ,October, 1879, Robert Ferrier elected Councilman, vice Carter resigned, A. Ferris also elected to fill vacancy. 1880-Mayor, H. M. Wright; Clerk, A. J. Thomas; Council, O. Holmes, L. C. Beem, F. W. Merriott and M. W. Hill. 1881-Council, E. Y. King, Jason Case and Thomas Moore. 1882-Mayor, H. M. Wright; Clerk, A. J. Thomas; Council, J. L. Horn, William Burgner and Henry Long; Treasurer, Robert Smith; Marshal, John Ogan. ADDITIONS. The following are the additions that have been made to the original plat ,of Richwood. T. B. Smith, July 31, 1857, made an addition of eight lots, and had the plat recorded, but the addition must have been forgotten; for subsequent additions were made of the same land. The lots of the first and now forgotten addition were not numbered, but all others continue in order with the numbering of the original plat. Joshua S. Gill's First Addition was surveyed May 27, 1864, by A. S. Mowry. It consisted of 14 lots, Nos. 153 to 166 inclusive. Hugh S. F. Hogan's Addition of 21 lots, 167 to 188, was surveyed January 14 and 15, 1864, and corrected June 2, 1805, by B. A. Fay. John A. Cook's Addition of 8 lots, 188 to 195, was surveyed May 3, 1866, by John Sidle. John Wood's Addition. 14 lots, 196 to 209, was surveyed November 2, 1865, by E. Dix. The addition of H. H. & E. F. Poppleton, executors of Samuel Poppleton, deceased, 13 lots, 210 to 222, was surveyed July 20 and 21, 1865, by A. S. Mowry. O. P. Stephen's Addition, 11 lots, 223 to 233, was made in July, 1869. Henry J. Merriott's Addition, 61 lots, 284 to 294, was surveyed October 1, 1871, by Hylas Sabine. Proprietors of subsequent additions, with dates of survey are C. Landen, 6 lots, 295-300, November 15, 1871; Edward Norris, 21 lots, 301-321, February 14,1872; J. S. Gill, second addition, 175 lots, 322-342 and 393-546, and M. W. Hill, 37 lots, 547 -583, a joint-survey, November 4, 5 and 6, 1872, and January 8, 9 and 10, 1873; William G. Beaty, 50 lots, 343-392, November, 1872; W. G. Courts, 11 lots, 584-594, April 1, 1873; H. Sabine, first addition, 14 lots, 595-608, not recorded; School lot subdivision, 8 lots, 609-616, recorded March 10, 1878; Alex- CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.593 ander Gandy and Joel D. Graham, 10 lots, 617-626, February 15, 1874; Orin Beem, 80 lots, 627-689 and 744-760, August 15, 1873; Henry T. Marriott, second addition, 38 lots, 690-727, July 10, 1975; Edward Norris, second addition, 16 lots, 728-743, November, 1873; John A. Cook. second addition, 16 lots, 761-776, June 1, 1874; W. H. Marriott, 14 lots, 777-790, August 10, 1874, The limits of the corporation were extended May 23, 1867, and again November 18, 1875, by order of the County Commissioners, in accordance with a petition from the Village Council, presented September 6 previous. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The corporation owns an engine house, which was built in 1875, at a cost of about $1,300, and has a fire department, complete in all its appointments. A destructive fire occurred on Friday evening April 9, 1875, on the east side of Franklin street, between Blagrove and Ottaway streets. It was discovered in a barn at the roar of Westheimer's dry goods and grocery store, and soon the frame hardware store of Godman, Thornhill & Co., across the alley, took fire; a barn farther to the east, at the rear of the Methodist Protestant Church, caught, and communicated the flames to the church, which was destroyed. Telegrams for help were sent to Urbana and Marion, and the latter responded by sending a hand engine; but before it arrived the flames were extinguished. Nine buildings were destroyed in all, and the loss amounted to considerably more than $25,000. Although the Council had previously taken action looking to the establishment of a fire department, this destructive conflagration caused them to push it to completion with greater vigor than before. A hook and ladder company, composed of thirty members, was organized in May, 1875, with Col. W. L. Curry as Captain. The Council had previously purchased a few hooks and ladders, and had ordered a wagon made. A steam engine was ordered directly after the fire had occurred, from Silsby & Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., and was received June 11, 1875. It, with the hose cart and 800 feet of hose, cost $5,250. A hose company and engine company were organized in June, 1875, and J. S. Gill was elected Engineer; he still fills this position. The fire department was a volunteer organization until 1881, when the Council organized three departments. The book and ladder company consists of nine members, with N. W. Spratt, Foreman. The hose company contains nine men, and has V. F. Collier for its Foreman. W. S. Bowers is Foreman of the engine company, which has seven members. The members of the department are now paid for all services rendered, either during fires or while on drill, and a more efficient force in a village of 1,500 people it would be difficult to find. Scattered over the village are eight cluster wells, each with from fourteen to twenty branches, driven into the ground twenty-one or twenty-two feet. The branches center in a five inch hydrant, and the water supply from them is regarded as inexhaustible, The wells costs about $350 each. W. W. Kile was the first Chief of the department. He served two years, and was succeeded, for one year, by O. Curry. George B. Tucker was then elected Chief by the company about four years ago, and when the department was re-organized by the Council he was appointed to this position, and still holds it. POSTMASTERS. Dr. J. P. Brookins was the first Postmaster, and he retained the office until his departure from Richwood, in 1847. In his day, the mails were very irregular and scant, but it is said he would never permit the mail bags to leave without something in them. If there was no mail to send, he himself would 594 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. hastily write a Communication to some friend, and inclose it in the empty sack. William Ferguson succeeded him, and held the position for quite a number of years. George Roberts then became Postmaster, and at the expiration of his service the office recurred to the possession of William Ferguson. The subsequent dispensers of mail, to the present time, have been successively A. J. Blake. Sarah Moore, Jane Moore, Mrs. Mary Boggs, William W. Kile and E. S. Hubbard. The present incumbent entered upon his duties May 1, 1876. MILITIA. Company G, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio National Guard, " Gibson Guards," was organized at Richwood July 17, 1877, with forty-three men. Its first commissioned officers were John P. Slemmons, Captain; James Hughes, First Lieutenant; George B. Tucker, Second Lieutenant. In the fall of 1878, Lieut. Hughes resigned; Mr. Tucker was promoted to the vacancy, and John G. Ropp elected Second Lieutenant. Capt. Slemmons resigned in the spring of 1880, and Lieut. Tucker was elected Captain and A. H. Miller First Lieutenant. Lieut. Ropp died in February, 1882, and John Ogan was elected to the vacancy, thus occasioned. The company was re-organized July 17, 1882, and retains the officers as above given. The following is its roster of non-commissioned officers. Sergeants, M. V. Watson, John Cunningham, J. C. Irwin, W. S. Smith and Wilbert Ferguson; Corporals, Larkin Tonguet, O. H. Vorhees, Noah Swartz, M. K. Baker, William McGee, F. S. McMahan and Willis Young. The company now numbers sixty-seven members. At the State Tournament of the Militia, held at Columbus in July, 1880, the team prize for target shooting was won by Company G. It is a heavy, handsome gold badge, still in the possession of the company. Also, four of the eight individual prizes were gained by the Richwood team. SOCIETIES. Mount Carmel Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 303, was chartered October 21, 1858, and organized November 9 following, by John Barber, under proxy from the Grand Master. Members of the fraternity from Marysville assisted in the organization. The Marysville Band was also in attendance. The following were elected the first officers of the lodge: John Sidle, W. M.; J. C. Sidle. S. W.; J. Beardsley, J. W.; L. Barber, S. D.; Mr. Radebaugh, J. D.; John Wood, Treasurer; J. S. Gill, Secretary. G. Myers, Leet Bonham, John Wirrick, J. B. W. Haines and J. M. Longfellow were also charter members. The lodge was organized in the log house of Dr. J. N. Ross, opposite the Beem House. Meetings were held there for awhile, then at the southeast corner of Franklin and Blagrove streets, and afterward in the block at the southeast corner of Franklin and Ottaway streets. In 1873, the third floor of the Courts Hall became the hall of the lodge, and meetings are now held there every Tuesday night, on or before the full moon. The present officers are A. J. Blake, W. M.; C. D. Sidle, S. W.; C. O. Bishop, J. W.; J. L. Jolliff, S. D.; Robert Smith, J. D.; G. R. Woods, Secretary; P. !I. Bower, Treasurer; J. W. McCracken, Tiler; P. J. C. Irwin and W. H. Richards, Stewards. Richwood Lodge, No. 443, I. O. O. F., was granted a dispensation May 10, 1870, and instituted June 11, 1870. The charter members were Andrew Spratt, Byron Andrews, R. C. Bigelow, Solomon Walker, W. H. Robertson, Richard Biddle, Robert Ferrier, Henry Biddle, G. W. Canan, N. P. Westheimer, William Drumm, Morgan Young and two others. The first Noble Grand was Morgan Young; the first Vice Grand, Andrew Spratt. The present officers are 0. W. Holland N. G.; Dr. W. B. Duke, V. G., Henry Hazen, Sec.; W. J. Slemmons, Per. See.; R. Ferrier, Treasurer. Two of the charter CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 595 members are deceased, Richard and Harry Biddle. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and meets every Saturday evening, It was organized in the Westheimer Block, which burned in 1875. Several years before that, however, they built the third floor of the John A. Woods building, on west Franklin street, at a cost of $2,250, and have since had a commodious and neatly furnished hall. The present membership is about one hundred and ten. Richwood Encampment, No. 185, I. O. O. F., was granted a warrant May 5, 1875, and duly instituted June 8, 1875, by W. B. Kennedy. The charter membership was composed of Charles E. Canan, William H. Reeves, Stephen D. Evans, John E. Rosette, Nathan P. Westheimer, Byron F. Andrews and John M. Guthrie, The regular evenings for meetings are the first and third Mondays of each month. The membership at present numbers fifty-five, and the official list is as follows: M. M. Mather, C. P.; W. S. Bowers, J. W.; A. M. Tricky, S. W.; Simpson Price, H. P.; W. G. Vaughan, Scribe; Philip Bender, Treasurer. The first officers were C. E. Canan, C P.; H. D. Evans, H. P.; W. H. Reeves, S. W.; J. E. Rosette, J. W.; N. P. Westheimer, Scribe; B. F. Andrews, Treasurer, Delpha Lodge, No. 99, Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted August 10, 1874. The original members were Will H. Reeves, John Drum, J. H. Randall, E. Y. King, W. H. Conkright, L. A. Hedges, N. E. Paterick, Mrs. E. A. Reeves, Mrs. J. Drum, Mrs. Maud Randall, Mrs. E. Y King, Mrs. W. H. Conkright, Mrs. L. A. Hedges, Mrs N. E. Paterick, Mrs. Solomon Walker, Mrs. A. Spratt, Mrs. Charles Canan, Mrs. Robert Ferrier, Mrs. A. Lower, Mrs. R. White, Mrs. L. Case, Mrs. N. P. Westheimer, Mrs. L. Fisher and others. The lodge was in a prosperous condition for a few years, and still retains its charter. Rising Sun Lodge, No. 71, Knights of Pythias, was granted a charter May 27, 1875, and instituted June 8 of the same year. The charter members were S. J. Finch, H. W. Finch, J. H. Randall, J. Critchfield, T. C. Owen, J. H. Vaughan, P. E. Barnes, Will H. Reeves, G. R. Gum and J. J. Woodruff. The membership has increased from ten to seventy-eight, and the lodge is now officered by J. C. Irwin, P. C.; C. E. Hill, C. C.; Jerry Bigelow, V. C.; W. S, Smith, Prelate; J. W. Scott, .11. at A.; J. E. Robinson, K. of R. and S.; John Lake, M. of Ex.; J. C. Lough, M. of F.; N. W. Spratt, I. G.; M. K. Baker, O. G. Meetings are hold every Wednesday evening, For two years the Odd Fellows Hall was the place of meeting, and the lodge then rented a hall on the second floor of W. S. Bowers' building, and occupied it until the fall of 1882. During the summer of 1882, it erected the third story of the Cooper Building, corner of Franklin and Blagrove streets, at an expense of $1,600, and now has a handsome and nicely furnished hall. But one death has occurred in the lodge since its formation-that of George D. Winchell. The lodge has a drill corps of seventeen uniforms, and in the near future it is believed a Division will be formed here. Union Lodge, No. 5, of the Prudential Order of America, was organized July 25, 1882, with twenty-four members. Its first and present officers are John Brookins, P. R.; Charles Lyons, E. R.; William Guthrie, V. R.; Thomas P. Fadley, Prelate; Joseph Scott, Ins.; O. H. Gaines, Rec, See. : James Moore, Fin. See.; H. A. Thomas. Treas.; Thomas Gill, I. W.; Clifton Smith, O. S.; David Willoughby, Conductor. The lodge meets every Monday night, and now has a membership of thirty six. It was organized at the K. of P. Hall, and now meets in the Bowers Hall. The order is a recent one, and in its nature is both a fraternal and mutual insurance association. Its membership is Charles H. Jacobs, R. W. Connell, D. B. Willoughby. Clifton Smith, W. H. Richards, T. P. Fadely, Charles Lyons, W. A. Guthrie, L. J. 596 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Robertson, Albert Reynolds, Thomas J. Gill, William P. Smith, W. B. Duke: Louis C. Beem, J. P. Brookins, A. J. Thomas, Edgar M. Horn, George W. Metzger, L. B. Johnson, Osco H. Games, F. C. Smith, C. H. Smith, M. K. Baker, William A. Smith, Joseph W. Scott, John M. Horn, S. W. Van Winkle, James N. Moore. Richwood Division, No. 74, Sons of Temperance, is the latest organization, It was instituted by A. M. Collins November 7, 1882, and began its existence with a membership of forty. Tuesday evening of each week is the time of meeting. Its officers are L. Myers, Worthy Patriarch; Mrs. E. J. Tucker, Worthy Associate; Miss Lettie Layton, Recording Scribe; Charles Bailey, Assistant Recording Scribe; P. R. Kerr, Financial Secretary; Mrs. S. V. R. Young, Treasurer; Rev. E. G. Brumbaugh, Chaplain; 0. H. Games, Conductor; Miss Maggie Burgner, Assistant Conductor; Miss Ruth Wilcox, I. S.; John McElfish, O. S.; Miss E. Simpson, Past W. Patriarch; P. R. Kerr, Division Deputy; O. Beem, Thomas Livingston and M. Vestal, Trustees. PHYSICIANS. Dr. John P. Brookins was the first and for many years the only regular resident practitioner of Richwood. J. N. Ross was probably the next. He came, in 1840, from Zanesville, and remained in practice until his death in 1869. Benjamin F. McMillan located here in the summer of 1847, the date that Dr. Brookins removal to Eaton. He came from Licking County, and maintained a successful practice until about 1867, when he removed to Mahaska County, Iowa. Dr. Atwood came about the same time, but remained for only a short period. H. O. S. Heistand removed to Richwood from Mansfield about 1852, and continued in practice until his death a few years later. Aaron Irwin read medicine under his instructions, and at his death acquired his practice. Dr. Irwin died in service. Dr. White located here at the close of his service in the late war, and practiced for several years. He then removed to Pickaway County. Dr. Stephenson came from Westerville, about 1867, but soon after removed to Springfield. Dr. T. C. Owen settled at Richwood about 1865. He had been a Surgeon in service. He practiced here until a few years ago. Other physicians, who have been located at Richwood for only a short period, are Dr. I. N. Hamilton, Dr. Randall, Dr. Thomas Mather, Dr. Miller, Dr. Harris and Dr. Leach, a homoeopathist. Dr. R. D. Connell was the first homoeopathist to locate here. He came, about 1873, from Mansfield, but removed to Columbus in 1879, and is now engaged in practice in that city. The medical fraternity at Richwood today consists of six members-Drs. E. Y. King, P. H. Bauer, W. B. Duke, R. AV. Connell, B. I. Barbee and B. P. Hall. Dr. King is an allopathist, and located at Richwood in 1866, coming from Fredericktown. Dr. Bauer settled here in 1871. His partner, Dr. Hall, came in the spring of 1882. Dr. Duke is a practitioner of the eclectic school. He has been here since 1875. Dr. Connell, a homoeopathist, located in March, 1877, and Dr. Barbee, of the same school, in August, 1880. ATTORNEYS. The bar of Richwood is not very strong, numerically speaking, though it has sufficient legal talent to attend successfully to the litigation that arises here. In olden times, Col. J. B. W. Haynes figured prominently as a pleader before local magistrates, and somewhat later Hylas Sabine and T. B. Crafty were often called upon to represent their neighbors and friends before the justices. CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 597 Louis J. Blake was the first admitted attorney to locate at Richwood. He is a graduate of Litchfield Law School, and in 1871 opened an office at Richwood. Two years later, be removed East, and is now in practice at South Norwalk, Conn, P. R. Kerr came next, and is still practicing. S. S. Gardner, in 1877, located here, and is still in practice. The latest disciple of Blackstone in Richwood is S. W. Van Winkle. He opened his office in the summer of 1882. SCHOOLS. Of the early schools of Richwood, only a few facts can be gleaned. The first ones were conducted on the customary subscription plan, and the children of those who could not afford this voluntary per capita tax were deprived of the benefits of the education, which, at best was very meager. The village has had four schoolhouses; one log, two frame and the present handsome and durable brick building. The first school was taught about the year 1834, in an unoccupied cabin, which stood on Lot 8, southeast corner of Franklin and Bomford streets, afterward the residence of L. H. Hastings William Phillips had the honor of teaching this primitive school. About 1835, the citizens of the village raised a log schoolhouse on Lot 142, Blagrove street, where now stands the residence of C. Huffman. It was rudely furnished, without any of the modern appliances now deemed necessary, and was occupied as a schoolhouse until about 1840, when it became too small and too dilapidated to be any longer suited for the purpose. Richwood did not furnish many of the early teachers. They were usually young men and women from Marysville and other surrounding towns. Mary Waters, from near Prospect, Delaware County, taught two, terms here between 1836 and 1839. Other teachers who held sway in this log schoolhouse were Horatio Hickok, Miss Clarissa Price, the daughter of William Price, Miss Henrietta Skinner, of Marysville, and Miss Matilda Munson, of Norton. The latter taught here during the summer of 1838. John W. Hamilton was the teacher during the winter of 1838-39, and Miss Henrietta Skinner during the following summer. Cornelius Hamilton taught the winter term of 1839-40. This was probably the last school held in this building Another schoolhouse was not erected immediately, but for a few years instruction was given in the churches of the village. Col. J. B. W. Haynes taught during the winter of 1840-41, in the old Methodist Protestant Church, which stood on Franklin street. The next winter James Dara taught in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Succeeding teachers of winter schools in these churches were James C. Dobey, John P. Graham, C. S. Hamilton, who resigned on account of sickness and was succeeded by Lucy Johnson, of Marysville, Jacob Spafford and John Barber. Miss Johnson was an accomplished and thorough teacher. Under her control, a marked improvement was made in the efficiency of the schools. Her successor, Mr. Spafford, was an energetic and skillful instructor, as was also Mr. Barber, and under their management the Richwood School lost none of the prestige it had gained under their predecessor. William H. Ferguson then taught for two winters, in a building which occupied the site of Blake's drug store, Lot 47. H. C. Hamilton, during, the winter of 1849-50, taught in the Methodist Protestant Church. The attendance was so great that the services of an assistant teacher, Miss Jane Thompson, became necessary. The subject of a new schoolhouse was then agitated, and, about 1850, a small frame building, containing but one room, was erected on Lot 113, Fulton street. Its limits soon became too contracted to accommodate all the youth of the village, and the adjoining Methodist Episcopal Church was called into requisition, to afford room for an overflow department. These buildings were in use until 1860. During this period of about ten years, the following 598 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. teachers were employed Julia Brown, of Marysville, William Ferguson, Thomas Barkdull, now a Methodist Episcopal minister of Toledo, Ohio, Israel Kinney, James Eurts, J. S. Gill and John Swartz. In 1860 or 1861, a large frame, containing three apartments, two on the first and one on the second floor, was erected on the large lot on South Franklin street, which has since become the School Subdivision of lots. Jacob Lowe, Mrs. Jacob Lowe and Miss Anna Irwin were the first corps of teachers in this school building. Clinton Case; Cadwallader Walker. Jacob Lowe and Miss Maggie Fisher were subsequent Principals in this schoolhouse. It remained in use until the erection of the present schoolhouse in 1875-76. Until 1867, the schools of Richwood constituted a township school district. In May of that year, several citizens, wishing the village to withdraw from the township as a school district, gave notice as follows: NOTICE. The qualified electors of Subdistrict No. 3, of Claibourne Township, Union County, Ohio, are requested to meet at the post office of Richwood, Ohio, at 2 o clock, P. M., on Wednesday, June 12, 1867, and there to vote by ballot for or against a separation of said subdistrict from the township, into an Independent District under the law of February 26, 1849, and the law amendatory thereto. (Signed) A. J. BLAKE, J. S. GILL, J. J. THOMPSON, T. C. OWENS, J. D. GRAHAM, J. W. JONES. In accordance with this notice, an election was held at the specified time, which resulted in a separation from the township. At a special election for members of the new Board, the following were chosen: A. J. Blake and J. S. Gill for three years; J. D. Graham and T. C. Owen for two years; and G. W. Courts and J. J. Thompson for one year. The Board was organized with A. J. Blake, President; J. S. Gill, Treasurer; and T. C. Owen, Secretary. The first Board of School Examiners in the new district consisted of W. H. Ferguson, H. Sabine and Prof. William Lowe. The first teachers elected under the now system were Prof. William Lowe, Principal; Miss Martha Graham, Teacher of the Primary Department; Miss Sarah Moore, Teacher of the Intermediate Department. One of the first acts of the new board was to build an addition to the schoolhouse, a one-story room on the east end of the old building. The partition between the two lower rooms of the old schoolhouse was removed, and the number of departments remained the same as before-three. The following is the result of subsequent elections for members of School Board: 1868, J. W. Jones and J. J. Thompson for three years; 1869, G. W. Canan and T. C. Owen; 1870, T. P. Cratty and A. J. Blake; 1871, Thomas H. Moore and J. A. Cook; 1872, A. L. Smith and G. W. Canan; 1873, G. B. Hamilton and S. V. R. Young. In 1874 there was no election. Previous elections had been held in the month of June, but by the law the time of election was now changed to April. In May 1874, T. H. Moore and A. L. Smith resigned as members; W. L. Curry and W. H. Ferguson were appointed to fill the vacancies until the following April. In 1875 W. H. Ferguson and P. E. Barnes were chosen for three years, O. Beem for one year; 1876, G. W. Canan and S. M. Blake, three years, O. Beem. one year; 1877, J. D. Graham and H. H. Pringle, three years. Dr. E. Y. King, one year, vice AV. H. Ferguson, resigned; 1878, C. W. Torrey and Dr. E. Y, King; 1879. A. J. Blake and J. P. Slemmons, three years, G. W. Holland. two years, vice C. W. Torrey, resigned; 1880, James Cutler and J. D. Graham 1881 George Smith, T. J. Williams and J. E. Howe. The present Board is constituted as follows: J. D. Graham. President; W. H. Conkright. Secretary; George Smith, Treasurer; James Cutler, T. J. Williams and J. E. Howe. Page 599 - Missing Page 600 - Missing CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 601 In 1868, William Lowe was re-elected Principal of the schools. In 1869, G. W. Buell was elected Principal, and reelected the following year. In October, 1870, an additional room being needed, the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church was secured, and a primary, school established there, with Miss Etta Clark as teacher. In 1871, J. W. Sloppy was elected Principal He held the position two years. In 1873, S. J. Flickinger was elected, but his eyes failed him and he resigned. O. J. Richards succeeded him, in November, 1873. He was re-elected in 1874. John Kelb was Principal in 1875-76. In 1873, another apartment became necessary to accommodate the increasing attendance, and a room on the second floor of D. F. Parson's building was procured, at a rental of $8 per month. At a meeting of the Board, January 6, 1875, a resolution was passed, to submit to the qualified voters of the district the question of authorizing the Board to issue bonds to the amount of $20,000, bearing seven per cent interest per annum, payable semiannually, and to levy a tax of $20,000 to meet the payment of the bonds for the erection of a new schoolhouse, the bonds to run ten years. February 3, following, the election was held, and resulted-Yes, 134; no, 49. Some disagreement was manifested in selecting a site for the proposed edifice; but Lots 141, 142 and 143 were finally purchased for $600. J. Mozier, of Toledo, architect, prepared plans and specifications, which were accepted; notice for proposals was issued, and the bid of Woodward & Son, to furnish all material and complete the building for $15,895 was accepted. The purchase of additional lots, grading and other expenses, aggregated the total cost of the building about $20,000. Its erection was commenced in 1875 and completed in 1876. It is a large, handsome, brick edifice, containing eight departments; is surrounded by a broad, deep lawn, and presents, in a village the size of Richwood, marked evidence of enterprise and prosperity. The first school term in the building began in the fall of 1876. R. M. Boggs was Superintendent; Mrs. Minnie M. Corey, Teacher of the Grammar School; Mrs. R. E. Connell, Intermediate Teacher: Mrs. J. P. Brookins, First Primary Teacher, and Miss Dora Armstrong, Second Primary Teacher. In October, 1876, Miss Anna Smedley was engaged as Assistant Teacher of the High School. At present there are eight departments-A, B, C and D Primary; A. B, C and D Grammar, A and B grades of the Grammar constituting one department, and the High School. Mr. Boggs, at the expiration of three years, was succeeded by A. E. Gladding, who served as Superintendent two years. P. R. Mills, the present Superintendent, was elected in 1881, and reelected the year following. The schools are in a high state of efficiency. The High School course extends through three years. The branches pursued are as follows: Junior Year-First Term, Algebra, Physiology and Latin; Second Term, Algebra, Physical Geography and Latin; Third term, the same. Middle Year-First Term, Geometry, Physics and Latin; Second Term, the same; Third Term, Geometry, Civil Government and Latin. Senior Year-First Term, Arithmetic, General History and Latin: Second Term, Trigonometry, English Literature, Grammar and Latin; Third Term, Surveying, English Literature, Grammar and Latin. Rhetorical work is continued monthly throughout the entire course. Three classes have graduated from this course, as follows: 1880-Edwin S. Gill Mary V. Finley, Frank Stubert, Julia Torrey. 1881-James S. H. Hoover. 1882-J. S. Blake, Bessie Blake. Minnie Beem, Clara Bowers, Nellie Burgner, Mamie Godman, Fannie Godman, Jessie Graham, Will Graham, 602 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Clara Hamilton, Charles King, Zora Fadely, Ida Lake,. Littie Layton, O. E. Loveless, Willis Young. Much of the information contained in this sketch of the schools of Richwood was kindly prepared by Mr. A. J. Blake, to whom, for this and many other favors, our thanks are due. NEWSPAPERS. The Richwood Gazette was ushered into the world August 16, 1872, by J. H. Vaughan and W. H. Nicholson. with J. H. Vaughan an as editor. November 13, 1873, Mr. Vaughan became sole publisher, and remained alone in charge of the paper until October 20, 1879, when it was purchased and edited by Robert Smith and W. Ferguson. Just two years later, Mr. Smith purchased the interest of his partner, and exactly one year afterward, or October 20, 1882, he disposed of a half-interest to George W. Worden. During the first year, Friday was the day of publication, It was then changed to Thursday, and has so remained ever since. In politics, the Gazette is independent. It is a local paper, aims to present its readers with all home news of interest, together with a choice selection of miscellaneous matter, and is devoted to the interests of its town and county. Its circulation exceeds eight hundred copies. The second journalistic venture was made by J. S. Blake & Bro., January 28, 1882, by issuing the first number of the Richwood Reporter. The enterprise has proved a success. and indicates that there is ample room in Richwood for two newspapers. The Reporter is independent in politics, and is published every Saturday. Although, at this writing, it has not yet completed its first year, it has already attained a worthy subscription list, and bids fair to rank among the permanent institutions of Richwood. HOTELS. William Sirpless was the first citizen of Richwood to provide entertainment for the wayfaring stranger. He made no pretensions to inn-keeping, but only accommodated those, at his log residence. who desired temporary lodging and board. David Houk succeeded him. His dwelling house served him as a tavern, but he made tavern-keeping a business. His house stood on the west side of Franklin street, just north of Merriott's store. Mr. Houk removed to Eaton, Ohio, in a few years. Jesse Reed afterward kept hotel at the same place. About 1843, J. B. W. Haynes became a village host, at the northeast corner of Franklin and Bomford streets. A few years later, he crossed Franklin street, and occupied Houk's old tavern stand, then built a two-story frame on Lot 97, where Miller's store now stands. R. C. Bigelow succeeded him as landlord here. About 1848 or 1850, John Mulvain erected a hotel where the Parsons House now stands, northwest corner of Franklin and Blagrove streets. It has since changed hands repeatedly, and has always since been occupied as a hotel. Since it has come into the possession of the present proprietor, D. F. Parsons, it has been extensively remodeled and enlarged. In the winter of 1854-55, R. W. Weisz, then a merchant, built a hotel now known as the Beem House, and in June, 1855, moved into it as landlord. He sold it, in 1866, to John Meyer. In 1869, it was used as a grocery store for awhile, then sold to J. J. Goldsmith, who restored it to its original intended use. O. Beem was the next proprietor. He then rented it for a year to, J. Campbell, and in 1877 J. W. Gaston purchased it. It has since been conducted by A. Faris & Son. CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 603 BANKS. The first bank in Richwood was opened, in 1866, by J. M. Davids and G. Allen, with Mr. Davids as manager. The capital was limited, and the bank survived only a single year. In 1867, the Bank of Richwood was organized, with G. B. Hamilton, President. He was succeeded by W. H. Conkright, and he in turn by James Cutler, the present President, in 1880. B. L. Talmage was first and present Cashier. The stock amounts to $20,000, and the stockholders are James Cutler, B. L. Talmage, W. H. Conkright, I. and B. Cahill and the estate of Nicholas Money. The Union County Bank was organized and began business January 1, 1874, with T. P. Cratty, President, and A. J. Blake, Cashier. J. Q. Roads and S. M. Blake were each original stockholders, and the latter is still a member in the bank. J. P. Brookins is book-keeper. MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. In about the year 1842, J. S. Gill, Sr., began the manufacture of wooden bowls on an extensive scale at Richwood; first on Lot 36, Clinton street, and afterward on Lot 438, South Fulton street. His factory burned here in 1869, but be rebuilt, and proceeded again with the manufacture for a year or two, then removed the establishment just across the Indiana State line, near Dixon, Ohio. This was the only manufacturing enterprise of any magnitude that is not represented to-day. The largest establishment in Richwood at the present time is the saw mill and planing mill of Beem & Biddle. In 1873, L. C. and Benjamin F. Biddle stationed a portable saw mill on the site of their present mills, and in the fall of that year built a two Story frame mill, using the upper story for a carpenter shop. In 1874, George Johnson purchased the interest of B. F. Beem, but in a short time Orin Beem became a partner, and soon after Mr. Johnson sold his share to his two partners, L. C. and Orin Beem. December 1, 1875, Orin Beem retired from the firm, and C. N. Biddle became the junior member of the firm, which has since been Beem & Biddle. A stationary boiler and engine was substituted for the portable engine in the winter of 1874. The mill, with all the lumber, was totally destroyed by fire June 26, 1876, at a loss of $3,000; no insurance. The energetic, but now involved, owners rebuilt at once, mostly by their own labor, and, by their strictest economy and utmost industry, running night and day, during the ensuing winter they cleared themselves from all pecuniary liabilities. In the fall of 1877, they built the planing mill, 30x60 feet, mainly from the cullings of the saw mill. They adopted the novel method of making one boiler furnish the power for both saw and planing mill, by conveying the steam from the saw mill boiler to the planing mill engine, one hundred feet distant, through an underground pipe. Besides supplying the home market, the saw mill, in 1876, began to furnish Barney & Smith, car builders, Dayton, Ohio, with their oak lumber, and Aultman & Taylor, of Mansfield, with ash and hickory lumber for threshing machines, besides shipping lumber elsewhere. Foreseeing that the supply of this lumber would soon be exhausted, the firm, in 1880, sought a market for elm lumber, as the most available in this locality. In that year they began the manufacture of wheelbarrow trays for the Revolving Scraper Company, of Columbus, Ohio, and this year (1882) have entered into a contract to furnish it with 100,000 wheelbarrow sets for $44,000, a set consisting of tray, handles, legs and strips. To meet this demand, their facilities must be increased, and over $6,000 was expended for new machinery, including a new Corliss erigine. The lumber is taken from the stump, and to assist in prepar- 604 - TORY OF UNION COUNTY. ing it a saw mill has been erected in Jackson Township. About thirty men are employed at the mills throughout the year. Besides fulfilling this contract, Beem & Biddle do a general line of work in the saw and planing mill business. Loveless, Howe & Bishop are the proprietors of a woolen mill on East Ottaway street, which was built in May, 1869, and has been operated since. Manufacturing is carried on, however, only during a portion of each year, and is chiefly confined to yarns and satinets. Besides this, the firm deals extensively in wool. It has offices in surrounding towns, and in the aggregate buys from three to five hundred thousand pounds of wool annually. Hides, pelts and furs are also handled largely, the purchases amounting to about $12,000 per year. The mill was built by Messrs. T. S. Loveless and J. E Howe. C. O. Bishop became a partner in March, 1881. There is but one grist mill at Richwood, now operated in the name of D. H. Roland. Naman Price, as early as 1836 or 1838, constructed a tread grist mill on the site of the present mill. It consisted of a large inclined wheel, perhaps forty feet in diameter, from which the motive power was obtained by placing on one side of the wheel from two to four oxen, whose weight would cause it to revolve. A saw mill was afterward attached, and operated by the same power. This rude, primitive structure, which, however, fully supplied the milling necessities of the first settlers, was remodeled by John Fields, and steam power added.. He had two runs of buhrs, and his business was confined to a little custom work. It afterward came into the possession of Thomas Dutton, and from him was purchased by G. W. Canan, in 1864. Mr. Canan rebuilt it, and added greatly to its facilities. It contains four run of buhrs, and its work is chiefly custom. Mr. Canan sold it in 1879, to the present proprietor. The planing mills of S. M. & A. J. Blake were started by S. Carter and S. M. Blake about 1871. In the spring of 1874, A. J. Blake acquired an interest, and during the winter of 1878-79 Mr. Carter retired. Since then, the firm has been as at present. It began on a small scale, and has ever since gradually but steadily increased in business. Four grain warehouses are in operation. That of Camp, Randall& Lyon, now superintended by T. J. Williams, does an annual business of from 150 to 200 car-loads, in grain, coal, seeds and salt. The warehouse was built by E. Thompson, soon after the railroad was constructed, and was operated by Thompson & Graham for some time. H. D. Gill became a dealer in grain and seeds in September, 1879, and now does a business of over 100,000 bushels per year. O. P. & L. Lennox started in business in August, 1881, and annually buy and ship large quantities of grain. D. H. Roland, also, deals largely in grain. Camp, Randall & Lyon, in 1871, built a flax mill at a cost of $7,000. It was operated for about ten years. Flax has ceased to be a crop in this locality, and the mill suspended business from lack of material. Three large tile manufactories at Richwood are in operation. They are owned by C. J. & L. G. Monroe, Martin Scheiderer and Horn Brothers. The mercantile business of Richwood is now represented by four dry goods stores, three clothing stores, three groceries, two bakeries, two jeweler stores, one provision store, one furniture store, two hardware stores, three drug stores, one tin and stove store, two boot and shoe stores, three millinery shops and one merchant tailoring establishment. There are also here three meat markets, three livery stables, two lumber yards, two harness shops, one carriage repository, one repair machine shop, three blacksmith shops, several shoe shops and a cooper shop. CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 605 SOME EARLY INCIDENTS.* July 4, 1838, was observed in Richwood in old pioneer style. The people turned out en masse; a martial band was employed, consisting of James Landon, Cyrus Landon and Payne Landon. They were paid 50 cents each, and came on foot, carrying their drums from Prospect, a distance of six miles. Rev. Jacob Young delivered the oration. In the morning, while the people were gathering, a foot-race was arranged between William Bennett and Benjamin M. Hamilton. The latter was young and quick in his motions; he had been in the habit of outrunning his schoolmates, in Muskingum County, and gave out word that he could outrun any one in Richwood. Bennett was an old hunter, and once a very powerful man, in which respect he was like all his brothers. They started, from what is now the center of town, and ran south, on the Marysville road. At first, Bennett allowed Hamilton to lead him by twenty feet or more, but, when about half way, began to lope off something like a deer; and in a few jumps he was in the lead. He then turned and ran backwards, calling on Hamilton to "come on," and not to be discouraged Bennett won the race, making half the distance backwards. He then said he could beat Hamilton any distance, and carry old man Cade who would weigh over two hundred pounds-on his back. In the summer of 1842, when I was twelve years old, and was a small boy, carrying the mail from Richwood to Marysville and back every Friday, I chanced to see an old-fashioned militia muster at Pharisburg. Capt. Westenhoover was in command. The ground was wet and muddy; the Captain had on a large, bell-crowned beaver hat, and a blue spike-tailed coat with a great many brass buttons. He was in his bare feet, and had his home-made pants rolled up to the knees. As I came into Pharisburg from Marysville, Capt Westenhoover came, leading his company south, with David Welsh in the lead and the Scott boys next, At what is now the south part of town, the Captain countermarched his company, and started north, and all went well until they came near the cross-roads, and to a large oak stump that was near the road. At this point, Welsh gave a knowing wink to those around, and then aimed for the stump and fell over it, and was followed by all the company, until they all lay in one pile around the stump, with their broom-sticks and corn-stalks in their hands, and raising a roar of laughter. This broke up the muster in a row. About the year 1841, I chanced to go to Marysville on an errand. I went across the square, to the southwest side, to Rodney Picket's store, where I heard some men indulging in loud laughing. I was a timid boy, but got close enough to overhear the cause of laughter. A man, whose name I did not learn, had taken a contract to paint the court house, and had prepared his paint by mixing in buttermilk, in order to save money; but when he carried it to the building to commence work he left it for a short time, and some hogs drank it up and this was what the men were laughing about. In early times, there lived on the knoll east of the present residence of G. B. Hamilton. a person of some notoriety known by the name of "Dick;" and such we will call him in this history. Dick was an innocent kind of a fellow, whose lies were not of the kind to make mischief, and whose stealings were on a small scale, and of such things as he stood in need of. It was said of Dick that if he borrowed a horse he would feed it well, if he had to steal the grain from its owner to do so. He was always ready to do a kind act, and was looked upon as rather a good kind of fellow, in spite of his weakness. He was a man of some talent, had a passion for polemics, and was fond of talking of his skill as a debater. He had one besetting sin, that was not offset by a * Contributed by Capt. H. C. Hamilton. 606 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. virtue sufficient, in the eyes of his neighbors, for the wrong; it was that of whipping his wife, whose name was Hannah. The old men of the community tried to scold and shame him out of so bad a habit, but it was of no use.. Very frequently Hannah's screams would be heard all the country round, and the neighbors would be disturbed by his efforts to correct his wife. It was finally proposed that the young men of the neighborhood should take the matter in hand, and try the effect of a debate on "Poor Richard." The matter was duly considered, and plans matured. It was arranged to hold the debate in the upper room of Samuel Hamilton's house, which was the best room of the kind in the country, save the two churches in Richwood. The time for meeting was set at 2 o'clock on Saturday. afternoon, that all might attend. First, there was to be a question discussed such as Dick was fond of, and he was to be one of the principal disputants. John Graham was to be President Judge of the first debate, and when it closed, and the decision of the judges was given, he was to retire from his chair and name his successor. Upon doing so, he chose Dick as the President Judge on the debate to follow. The first one was cut short, to give time to the second. Richard, upon taking the chair, returned thanks for the honor done him, and stated that the next thing in order was to choose the Assistant Judges; whereupon Samuel Graham and Eleazer Rose were appointed they being in league with the others in the scheme to give Dick a scorching. The three were placed on the seats of honor, with Richard in the center. It was further agreed that the question should be, "What crime should sink a man the lowest in the estimation of the community? " James C. Dobie and O. S. Hamilton were appointed leaders in the discussion. Dobie chose J. H. Hamilton and B. Graham as his assistants, while Hamilton chose John Graham and John Wells. Each leader was to choose for himself whatever crime he saw fit, as being the one that should sink a person the lowest in the esteem of his fellow-men, each speaker to be allowed two speeches. Dobie opened the discussion by choosing lying and stealing, as being the worse of all crimes. He was a fluent speaker, and made a good address, scoring Dick pretty heavily. He was followed by Hamilton, who had great difficulty in finding a crime that was as degrading as lying or stealing. After naming over all the crimes he could think of, he finally concluded to select "wife-whipping" as the one which, above all others, should sink a man the lowest in the scale of human existence. Poor Richard now saw that he was caught, but it was too late; for if he had attempted to leave, the two assistant judges would have held him to his post. Hamilton opened for his side, by admitting all that Dobie had said as to the meanness of the liar and thief, but argued that the man who would whip his wife was meaner still. When it came John Graham's turn to speak, he made a fine argument, tending to show that in the single act of whipping a wife were found all the crimes in the list-that the wife-whipper was a liar and a perjurer as well as a thief. Dobie's side made an effort to ward off some of the blows, and did well for some three hours, until it came Hamilton's turn to close the debate. He, no doubt, then made the best speech of his life; taking the position that a man might be a liar, a thief, a robber, a pirate, a murderer, and yet, if he had manhood enough left in him to live true to his marriage vows, he was entitled to some respect from his fellow-men; but that when he was so far gone as to beat his own wife-the mother of his children-he was so low down in the scale of existence that he was not entitled to any respect from either men or devils; and the wife-beater was to be shunned and scorned in this life, as one would shun a viper; even in hell he would not be accounted worthy to associate with the lost, but that in one corner there would be a place by itself, in which to confine none but wife-whippers, for the reason that they were so low CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP. - 607 it would be unjust to compel others to associate with them, even in the regions of the damned. He then appealed to the judges to decide, without hesitating one moment, that wife-whipping should, of all crimes, sink a man lowest in the estimation of the community. During all this long debate, of three or four hours, poor Richard sat with his head down, and only now and then made an ineffectual effort to look up. Afterward, he said to one of his associate judges that it was the hardest question he was ever called upon to decide! Dick was quite anxious to try the same game on some of his neighbors, with a view to their reformation. He would say to his chums, "Let us have a debate over such a follow, and see if we can't break him of some of his mean tricks." Dick lived and died near Richwood, and, so far as I know, was not known to whip Hannah after the debate.