674 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY CHAPTER XIV. TAYLOR TOWNSHIP. THIS township occupies a central position in Union County, and was the last constituted township in the county; the greater portion of the territory now comprised within the boundaries of said township was formerly embraced in Liberty and Leesburg Townships. Although the territory embraced in this township was not settled until several years after some of its neighbor townships, and only a little more than three decades have elapsed since its organization, yet it stands as a formidable rival of its neighbors in its progress, schools, churches, improvements and wealth. The first settlers here had some advantages over those of the earlier settled portions of the county, in that they had much newer markets, and a nearer base of supplies. The settlers were industrious and enterprising, and the township has made rapid progress, In the Commissioners' record we find the following: "December 5, 1849, Commissioners' met; present, a full board. Resumed the consideration of R. L. Judy's petition for a new township, and agreed unanimously to erect a new township to include the following described territory: Beginning at the north. east corner of Survey No. 5,646, thence running its east line and the east lines of 3,691, 5,386, 14,632, the north and east lines of 5,507 to the southeast corner of 5,507 (being in the north line of Paris Township); thence westward on the south lines of 5,507, 14,632, 42,664, 5,249 (part of said distance being the north line of Paris Township) to the southeast corner of 5,229; thence northward with its west line to the south line of 4,265; thence westward with its south line to its southeast corner; thence northward with its west line to its northwest corner; thence eastward with its north line to the southeast corner of Green's lot of sixty acres, being in a public road, until its intersection with the Bellefontaine & Delaware road; thence eastward with said road until the southeast corner of John R. Burrows' land; thence northward with Burrows' east line to his northeast corner; thence westward with his north line to his northwest corner; thence northward to the TAYLOR TOWNSHIP. - 675 southwest corner of Survey No. 5,635, being in the York Township line; thence northward with the west line of 5,635 to its northwest corner; thence eastward with its north line and the north line of 15,015 to the west line of Survey No. 3,690; thence with its west and north lines and the west and north lines of 5,646 to the beginning, including all the surveys mentioned and territory included within said boundaries; provided, also, that the roads mentioned as being traversed by said line be considered as belonging to Liberty Township. The new township to be called Taylor." Although this township was later settled and so recently erected, the lands were surveyed about as early us other portions of the county. The surveys are as follows: Surveyed, September 14, 1799, for Flavery Frazer, representative of William Frazer , deceased, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 3,690; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, September 11, 1799, for Flavery Frazer, representative of William Flavery, deceased, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 3,691; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, July 5, 1802, for John Holmes, assignee, 1, 333 1/3 acres, Survey No. 4,264; Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed, July 5, 1802, for John Holmes, assignee, 1,333 1/3 acres, Survey No. 4,265; Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed, November 7, 1803, for Benjamin Grimes, 1,333 1/3 acres, Survey No. 4,405 Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed, November 20, 1807, for Nathan Reid, assignee, 400 acres, Survey No. 5,247; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, April 20, 1808, for Thomas Boyer, 1,000 acres. Survey No. 829; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, November 16, 1808, for Robert Means, assignee, 990 acres, Survey No. 5,386; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, November 8, 1807, for Baylor Hill, 390 acres, Survey No. 5,507; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, November 9, 1811, for James Gilmore, 1,200 acres, Survey No. 5,635; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, November 16, 1809, for Robert Means, assignee, 1,866 2/3 acres, Survey Nos. 5,629 and 5,493; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, April 20, 1808, for Thomas Worthington, assignee, 750 acres, Survey No. 5,626; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, November 17, 1809, for Robert Means, assignee, 1,828 2/3 acres, Surveys No. 5,778, 5,641, 5,806 and 6,495; D. McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, April .10, 1809, for Thomas Worthington, assignee, 250 acres, Survey No. 6,156; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, October 30, 1834, for Cadwallader Wallace, 100 acres, Survey No. 13,593; Cadwallader Wallace, D. S. Surveyed, November 5, 1841, for James Taylor, Jr., assignee, 530 acres, Survey No. 14,632; E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed for James Galloway, 50 acres, Survey No. 15,015. SURFACE, SOIL, STREAMS, ETC. The surface is level and undulating, with very little hilly or waste land in the township. The general inclination of the lands of the township is to the east and southeast, as is indicated by the course of the streams. The principal streams are Bokes Creek, which enters this township from York and flows eastward through the northern portion into Leesburg. Blues Creek rises in the western part of Taylor Township and flows eastward. Hill Creek courses through the southeast corner of the township, entering from Liberty, and passing out into Paris. Along this stream and in the southeast portion of the township, were located the first settlers. The soil is deep, rich and productive; along the creek bottoms and the low, flat portions, it is a. black loam, and the balance a strong clay soil. It is considered one of the best townships in the quality of land in the county. In the eastern central portion of the township, east of the Asbury Methodist Church, was a locality formerly known as "The Cotton Slash," so named, it is said, from the quantities of cottonwood trees which grew there. East of that and near the center of the township is a locality formerly known as the " Beaver Pond, or Swamp," as it was inhabited 676 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. by great numbers of those animals who built a substantial and perfect dam across a flat strip of land so that in the winter time they could have a good pond of water and the beautiful dam to burrow in. Some portions of the dam are still there as perfect and symmetrical as though made by human hands. The principal productions of the soil are corn, wheat, oats and grass. As the lands are becoming ditched and drained, so they increase in productiveness and value, and with the natural quality of these soils to resist the effects of drought, they are capable of making the best of lands for agricultural purposes. PIONEERS. Such we will call them, and such they were in truth and verity, although in reference to the years of their settling here, as compared with the dates of the settling of other townships, it would be of but recent date; yet their labors and surroundings were those of the pioneers, and took the same muscle and nerve, the same self-denial, passing through the same trials and dangers, as those of other sections at earlier dates. From the fact that nearly all the first settlers have passed away from earth, and their descendants mostly removed to other parts of the country, and the lands are now occupied by another class of more recent settlement, we have found great difficulty in gaining as extended, or as definite information as we desired; but such as the facilities that are left for us could produce, we have obtained, and here present them. We think we are safe in placing as one of the first settlers, if not the first, the name of Adam Shirk, a native of Virginia, born in Hardy County October 22, 1791; was a soldier in the war of 1812; he married Anna Dox, and first emigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio; in 1822, removed to Union County, Ohio, and settled in Liberty Township; in 1829, he removed into Taylor Township on land now owned by his son, Aaron, and here remained through life. His wife, Anna, died April 25, 1859. Subsequently, he married Charity Mann. He died July 29, 1876. Mr. Shirk, throughout his long and useful life, was recognized as one of the most perfect and upright men of his day. Honest and just in all his dealings, kind and generous to the poor, and ever ready with his means and influence to aid every good cause, he died honored and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was the father of the following children: Stephen, who married Mary Brake, and is one of the most honored citizens of Liberty Township (see his biographical sketch in this work); Daniel, married Sarah Brake; John, married the Widow Safford; Henry Aaron, married Elizabeth Baughan; and two daughters, Rachel and Hannah. Robert Maskill was an early settler, locating here about 1831-32. Richard Judy settled about the same date, and probably came from Kentucky or Virginia; he was one of the Judges at the first election held in the township, and was the first Assessor, serving two years. James Irwin, from Ross County, settled about 1832 - 33. He was the township's first Treasurer and served three terms in succession. Although having little education, yet he was a man of principle and character, a worthy citizen, and possessed the confidence of his community. He died May 19, 1858, aged seventy-six years. John McNeal, from Ross County, settled in 1832-33. John McAllister settled here in 1833-34. Hugh McAdow, probably a native of Maryland, settled about 1833-34. James Siebold, in 1835. Samuel Wheeler came from Knox County, about 1836-37, and settled on what was known as the "cotton slash." He was the second Assessor of Taylor Township. Thomas Scott settled about 1838-39. Samuel P. G. Brown, a native of the State of New York, settled in 1837-38. Jacob Wigle, in 1838-39. In 1839-40, came Robert Wigle , John Wigle and Benjamin Welch; also George Laughrey and Oliver Simpson. In 1841-42, David D. Welch became a settler, also John, Simpson. In 1843-44, came Richard Dildine, George Draper, John Overfield and James Welch. TAYLOR TOWNSHIP. - 677 Robert C. Greene, a native of Vermont, married Ruth Draper, and in the fall of 1837, removed to Ohio; in the spring of 1838, he located in Taylor Township, on Mill Creek, near James Hamilton; in 1840, they located on land now owned by Mrs. Sanaft, on the west border of Taylor Township, where they resided till death. Mr. Greene was twice married; his first wife died January 16, 1859. He married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Fink, who died February 26, 1865, aged sixty-three years; Mr. Greene died July 28, 1864, aged sixty-nine years. Mrs. Sallie Greene, the mother of Robert C. Greene, lived to the remarkable age of ninety-eight years, and during the last forty-three years of her life had been totally blind. Mr. Robert O. Greene was the father of the following children: Elizabeth, wife of Isaiah Sanaft; Ira, married Elizabeth Shirk; she died and he married Phebe Heath; she died and he married for his third wife Elizabeth - , of Indiana, and now resides in Starke County, Ind.; Ruth, deceased; John C., married Amanda King; Gideon, died young, Robert B., married Eliza Johnson.; she died, and he married Mary Roberts, and now resides in Kansas; Henry E., deceased; Sarah, married Thomas Yearsley; and Nancy A., married T. Lewis Temple, and resides in Kansas. Gideon Draper, a native of Vermont, married Ruth Harris, of same State, and at an advanced age, in 1838, came with his family to Ohio and settled in Taylor Township, where be died the next year, November 26, 1839, aged seventy-eight years. His wife had died many years before in Their native State. James Draper, also a native of Vermont, settled in this township in 1838. He married Joanna Draper in his native State. He died October 28, 1860, aged seventy years; his wife died March 3, 1861, aged sixty years. Ira Draper, son of Gideon Draper, married Betsey Nurse, and was a resident of this township till his death, May 14, 1859, aged seventy-two years. James Hamilton, a native of Ross County, Ohio, married Maria Blue, a native of Virginia, and in 1835 removed to Ohio and settled on Mill Creek, on the place where his son still resides. He was among the earliest settlers, and resided here till his death, September 18, 1872, aged eighty-one years. His wife still survives and resides with her son on the old home place, aged eighty-three years. When they located here they moved into a rough log cabin, and had no land cleared but a small piece upon which the trees were deadened by girdling; now they have a fine cultivated farm, a good residence and all the comforts of life. Their children were John, who married Catharine Coder, she died and he married Lucy Griffin; Elizabeth married George Coder; Catharine married Daniel Burnham; Alexander married Delia Morse, and now resides in Illinois; James married Elizabeth Graham, and resides on the home place, David died in childhood; two infants died unnamed; Samuel never married, and died at twenty four years of age,- one infant - Silas married Christina Turner, is deceased; and Joanna died in childhood. Mr. Hamilton was a soldier in the war of 1812. John McAdow, a native of Maryland, removed to Pennsylvania when a boy, where he grew to manhood and married Rebecca McElhaney. Emigrating to Ohio, he lived several years in Tuscarawas and Licking Counties; in 1840, he removed with his family to Union County and settled on land now owned by Rogers and Thompson, remaining a resident of this township till his death, March 11, 1877, aged seventy-four years; his wife died November 12, 1869, aged sixty-nine years. Their children were James, married Mary Wheeler, and now a resident of Iowa; Jane resides in Pike County, Ohio; Rebecca married John Wheeler, and resides in Iowa; John O. married Hannah Dildine, and resides in Ottawa, Ohio; Hugh married Elizabeth Wolf; two children died young; William married Miss Elizabeth Clark, and Edna married John Irwin, and now reside in Hardin County, Ohio. John Wheeler, son of Samuel Wheeler before mentioned, married Rebecca McAdow, and was Township Clerk from 1850 to 1854, inclusive; was a prominent citizen of the township for several years, but subsequently removed to Iowa, where be now resides. 678 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Joseph and Cornelius Sprague became settlers here about 1848-49. James D. Sprague came about one year later. James Turner settled on Mill Creek, near James Hamilton, about 1844-45. Isaiah Sanaft, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, became a resident of Union County in the fall of 1837, locating and residing in Union Township about seven years, and in the fall of 1844 located on the place where he now lives and has sines resided. He married Elizabeth Greene, daughter of Robert C. Greene, before mentioned. Mr. Sanaft's fine farm has been entirely improved by himself, the site being in the forest depths when he first located upon it. They have had the following children: Irena, who married William P. Hisey; Sarepta, deceased; Marilla and Delphina, deceased; and Isaac Walter, who married Sarah Lucretia Dixon. Mr. Sanaft knows. from experience what are the hardships of pioneer life, and what it is to start in life poor, depending entirely upon his muscle and brains to make a livelihood. One of his first efforts was chopping cord-wood. He made a contract to cut fifty cords of wood at twenty cents per cord, but finding that the best trees had been culled out before he received the job, he finally obtained twenty-five cents per cord. Mr. Sanaft was a champion wood chopper, finding few, if any, who could cut and cord up more in a day than he. December 24, 1847, he chopped and corded up five and one-fourth cords. He also cut and split rails for thirty-one cents per hundred. In the harvest of 1839, he reaped, bound and shocked five dozen sheaves of wheat between sunrise and sunset. Philip Miller settled near Mill Creek about 1846, and was one of the first Trustees of Taylor Township. In the fall of 1849, two brothers, Truxton and Lorey Ford, natives of Muskingum County, Ohio, came to Union County with their families and settled on Bokes Creek, on lands where they still reside. The township was not then erected, but was organized in the December following. They were the first settlers in the northern portion of the township. Truxton Ford married Roanna Brummidge, of Perry County, Ohio; she died September 10, 1859, aged fifty-six years. He married, for his second wife, Martha Maskill. He is now seventy-eight years of age, robust and healthy. He is the father of the following children: Rebecca, Sylvester, Amanda, Henry, William and Minerva. Lorey Ford married Heater Ann Miller, of Perry County; she died June 24, 1875. Their children were as follows: Philarna, Clarissa, Minerva, Mary Elizabeth, Franklin, Matilda Jane, Lorey C., Chauncy W., died in infancy; John Sylvester, died at twelve years old; and Hiram J. Mr. Ford cast his vote at the first election after the erection of the township. Mr. Ford has served as Trustee of the township for fourteen years. Z. C. Pooler, who came from Licking County, Ohio, settled in this township about 1848-50. He organized the first Sunday school, it is believed, in Taylor Township, at the old Scott log schoolhouse. He was one of the leading men of the township, taking an active part in obtaining its organization, and in promoting its prosperity by all public improvements and in all enterprises which tended to the general public good. He filled all the most prominent offices of the township, serving as a Justice of the Peace nine years. He died May 21, 1881, aged seventy-one years. Benjamin Pierce came from Clark County, Ohio, and settled on land now owned by William Jolliff, about 1846-47, and is still a resident of the county, but at present located near Mount Victory. He married Mary Maskill, who is now deceased. By her he had the following children: Martha; Sarah, deceased; Wheelock, also deceased ; Charlotte; and one son who died in the army. Joseph C. Hall, a native of Maryland, settled first in West Virginia, and in the fall of 1849 came to Union County and settled on the tract of land where he still resides. He married Jane Fulton, by whom he has had the following children : Frances Anna, Thomas, Rosalind, Florence, and one infant, deceased. Mr. Hull's father, John C. Hall, also came to this county with his son, and died here. Mr. Hull is a very active and enterprising man and takes pride in ornamenting TAYLOR TOWNSHIP. - 679 his home with flowers and shrubbery, and has everything comfortable and beautiful around his home. Henry Crist was born in Sullivan County, N. Y.; he settled in Taylor Township, Union County, in 1848, but left his native State in 1836, settling in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1836, where he resided about twelve years. He married Miriam Hollister, of New York. He resided on his farm in Taylor Township twenty-eight years, and about 1876 removed to Marysville, where he now resides. The above mentioned names embrace the larger portion of the earlier settlers of this township. Below we give additional names of persons who settled prior to 1850, and before its erection as Taylor Township, to wit: B. Burgess, Amos Beard, Samuel Cousin, Joseph Carter, Lemuel Carter, Edward Gray, C. Goodrich, William Graham, Hezekiah Hodges, Joseph W. Hisey, Henry Hisey, Thomas E. Lockwood, Stephen McLean, William McMonegal, John Parker, Benjamin Pearl, Sylvanus Smith, Simon Shirk, Joseph Simpson, Daniel Shirk, Tellatiah Safford, Daniel Sanders, Jesse Taylor, John Turner, William Taylor, Corbin Wigle, Thomas Wigle, Charles Wilson, John A. Welch and Oliver H. P. Ward. MILLS. About 1854-55, Thomas and James Yearsley built a steam saw-mill, just west of the village of Broadway, which was the first mill in Taylor Township. The above parties continued to ruin this mill most of the time until it went out of use, about 1868. This mill did an extensive business, sawing nearly all the lumber for the first frame houses of this neighborhood and vicinity. At one time they had attached a "corn-cracker," which did considerable business for a few years. About 1857-58, Messrs. Brown & Shaw erected a steam saw-mill, located about five miles south of Broadway, on the Marysville pike, which continued in operation till about 1867, when it was burned down and was never rebuilt. In 1867-68, Messrs. Goff & Ray erected a steam saw-mill one mile east of Broadway, on the Marysville pike, near the railroad, which is still in operation; it is a good mill, and they are doing a prosperous business. In 1881, Messrs. Morris & Albaugh erected a grist and saw mill combined, on the east bank of Blues Creek, near the east boundary line of Taylor Township. This is called a No. 1 mill, and is doing a good business. SCHOOLS. Taylor Township, at a regularly called meeting of the Trustees, on March 4, 1850, was divided into road and school districts. It now (1882) consists of eleven subdistricts, with an enumeration of scholars is follows: Subdistrict No. 1, males, 19; females, 12; total 31. Subdistrict No. 2, males, 37; females, 35; total, 72. Subdistrict No. 3, males, 32; females, 13; total, 45. Subdistrict No. 4, males, 16 ; females. 15 ; total, 31. Subdistrict No. 5, males, 25; females, 28 total, 53. Subdistrict No. 6, males, 14; females, 13 ; total, 27. Subdistrict No. 7, males, 13; females, 4; total 17. Subdistrict No. 8 males, 19; females, 8; total, 27. Subdistrict No. 9, males, 21 ; females, 12; total, 33. Subdistrict No. 10, males, 61 ; females, 51 ; total, 112. Subdistrict No. 11, males, 31 females, 18 ; total, 49. Total males, 288 ; females, 209 ; grand total, 497. REPORT OF BOARD OF EDUCATION. Balance on hand September 1, 1881 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,489.33 State tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405.75 Irreducible school funds . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 53.70 Township tax for school and schoolhouse purposes . . . . . . . . . 1,026.33 Amount received August 26,1882 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,288.19 Total receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,263.30 EXPENDITURES. Whole amount paid teachers in common schools . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,399.17 Amount paid for fuel and other contingent expenses . . . . . . . . . 760.41 Total Expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,159.58 680 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Balance on hand September 1, 1882 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,103.72 Number of subdistricts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Number of schoolhouses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Total value of school property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$8,800.00 Number of teachers to supply schools. . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Average wages of teachers, males. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28.00 Average wages of teachers, females. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 The following persons constitute the present Board of Education : Subdistrict No. 1, W. H. Ford; No. 2, J. McDonald; No. 3, S. McAdow, No. 4, S. B. Scott; No. 5, S. R. Griffin; No. 6, J. M. Hamilton; No. 7, J. A. Welch , No. 8, J. B. Warner; No. 9, J. C. Hull (President of Board); No. 10, 1. F. Gates; No. 11, C. E. Morris; with P. J. Wyeth, Clerk. CHURCHES. Christian Union Church, on Mill Creek, was organized about 1839-40, at a meeting held in the grove near Peoria, with eight members, to wit: James Hamilton and wife Maria, Jesse Judy and wife Althea, Nathaniel Stewart, Theodore Greene and John Judy and wife. Meetings continued to be held in private houses and in schoolhouses till about 1857-58, when they erected the present frame church edifice,. which was probably dedicated in 1859, Elder Josiah Knight preaching the dedicatory sermon. The following have served as pastors of the church: Elders Caleb Morse, Sr., Erastus Powers, Daniel Long, Daniel Griffin, C. T. Emmons, William Webb, Andrew Hanger, C. A. Williams and E. W. Humphreys who is the present pastor in charge. The Deacons have been as follows: Jesse, Judy, Nathaniel Stewart, James Hamilton, Samuel Judy, Isaiah Sanaft and John Hamilton, the last two being the present incumbents. Present membership of the church is about one hundred and thirty. A Sabbath school was established at an early day in the schoolhouse, where it continued to be held till after the erection of the church, since which time it has been held at the church regularly through the summer seasons. The school is in a prosperous condition, with an average attendance of about forty. Methodist Episcopal Church. - About one mile east of Broadway, in 1854, was organized a class consisting of the following persons: P. Safford, Thomas E. Lockwood and wife, Julia A.; Hiram Danforth and wife, Matilda; Mrs. Hannah Temple, Z. C. Pooler, and perhaps a few others. They were supplied with preaching for a few years by Rev. Johnson, Rev. Webster, and Rev. Southard; thence they had regular pastors as follows: Revs. Good, Lawrence, Mounts, DeLiel, Mathers, Bethards, Schultz, DeKalb, Powell, Carter, Jaggers and Parlette. The church became diminished in numbers by death and removals, and was so enfeebled that after the services of Rev. Parlette, the organization was abandoned and the few remaining members united with other churches. Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. - About 1843, a class was organized at the schoolhouse by Rev. David Davis, and some of its members were as follows: Mrs. Rebecca McAdow, John McNeal and wife Elizabeth, Peter Little and his wife. They had preaching occasionally for several years in the old schoolhouse, but the society was weak and few in number, and finally ceased as an organization. In the meantime, some ministers of the United Brethren Church commenced to hold meetings here, awakened quite a religious interest, and soon organized a church, which at one time had quite a large membership, but they never erected any church edifice, and finally dwindled away and became nearly extinct as an organization. In the winter of 1865-66, Rev. Thomas Mathews held a series of meetings in the schoolhouse and a large revival resulted, the organization of a Methodist class was again effected, and the society grew and increased till it numbered about 100. In the summer of 1866, the present frame, church building was erected, and duly dedicated November 25, of the same year, by Rev. Mr. Walters, of Delaware, Ohio. Since that time, there has been preaching regularly every two weeks. The church remained prosperous and flourishing for several TAYLOR TOWNSHIP. - 681 years, but for some time past it has been diminishing in numbers, by deaths, removals and other causes, until at the present time it is in a weak condition. The principal preachers who have administered to this people have been Revs. Thomas Mathews, Dwight Cook, Mr. Ray, Christian Wolf, Benjamin Powell, Joseph Bethards, J. Schultz, John Kalk, Mr. Carter, Taylor Jaggers and Rev. John Parlette. The Class Leaders have been John McNeal, James Whitcraft, Jesse Vanatta, Jacob Nash, and a few others. A Sabbath school was organized soon after the church, which has been continued through the summer seasons to the present time, and is in a flourishing condition. Baptist Church (Colored). - About 1859-60, the colored people organized a church about one mile west of the Asbury Church. They erected a hewed-log house, and at one time probably had fifty to sixty members. Soon after the war of the rebellion began, some enlisted in the army and many were killed; others moved away, and the organization ceased. The church property was sold and the money deposited in the bank at Marysville, anticipating at some future time to erect a church at that place. Free- Will Baptist Church of Broadway. - About 1866, by a subscription by the people of Broadway and vicinity, money was raised and the present church edifice erected, at a cost of about $2,200. In this house, services were regularly held once a month by the minister of the Newton Church, for two or three years, as there were several members of that church residing in this vicinity. In 1869, a society was organized here consisting of the following persons: William Jenkins, Sewell G. Hartshorn, Lucretia S. Ball, Mary S. Robins, H. P. Goff, Harriet Hartshorn, Henry Fulton, Adaline D. Goff, John A. Welch, Lockey Garrett, John B. Hisey, Sarah Jenkins, Mathias Pheasant, M. A. Cranston, Sopronia R. Yearsley, John Yarrington, Albert T. Hitt, Nancy A. Pheasant, William Hinton, Ruth M. Hisey, John Predmore, Sarah Hartshorn, William McDermott, Minerva Ford, Edward F. Welch, Jane Predmore, Ira Welch, Sylvia Disbennett, William Cartmell, Lydia Welch, Caroline Yarrington, William H. Goff, Sylvia J. Goff, Climenia E. Yonkin, Martha Safford, Lois B. Welch, Sarah Yearsley, Cordelia Garrett and Elmira Garrett, with B. F. Zell, pastor, and Sewell Hartshorn, as Deacon. October 9,1870, the church was dedicated by Rev. S. D. Bates, of Marion, Ohio. Mr. Zell, as minister, was succeeded by Rev. A. H. Whitaker, who served the church three years. There are now more than one hundred enrolled on the church record, with H. P. Goff as Deacon. At present they are without a pastor. A Union Sabbath School was organized several years prior to the building of the church, and was held in the schoolhouse. After the erection of the church edifice, the Sunday school convened in it, and continues in a flourishing condition. It is said to be the largest Sunday school in the county. Its enrollment last year was 250, with an average attendance of 160, with P. Cranston, Esq., as Superintendent. CEMETERIES. Union Christian Church Cemetery. - This was probably the first burial place within Taylor Township. The ground was donated for the purpose by James Hamilton, Harrison Shaw and John Turner, about 1836-37, and it received the body of an infant child of James Hamilton as its first occupant. After, or about the time the church was built and dedicated, this cemetery, which embraces about one acre of ground, was deeded to the trustees of the church, and by them is kept fenced and in repair. Asbury Church Cemetery. - This piece of ground was donated by Richard Dildine, about 1855, as a burial place for the church and the neighborhood. Prior to this, all the dead from this neighborhood were taken to Marysville and interred. This is now in care of the Township Trustees. There are two cemeteries on Bokes Creek. One is located near the east line of the township, on the South bank of said creek, and in it are buried a large number of the early settlers of this neighborhood. It is located on the land of James Maskill, but has not been used as a 682 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. burial place. for several years. The other is located about one and a half miles farther up the same creek; in it there have been but few interred. Broadway Cemetery, which is located just east of the village of Broadway, consists of one acre of ground, which was deeded to the Township Trustees, by P. Cranston, Esq., in 1874; Mr. Cranston also deeded one-half of an acre to be used as a road leading to said cemetery. The cemetery is laid off into lots, and two drive-ways pass through it. This is now becoming the principal burial place for the village and vicinity, ROADS AND PIKES. Upon this subject it is necessary to say but little, as the description of the roads of one township of Union County is, to a great extent, descriptive of them in every other. They are all good gravel roads ; that is to say, all the principal ones. In fact, many of the cross and connecting roads are also becoming graveled roads. Taylor Township has beautiful pikes, the Marysville & Broadway pike being especially straight and beautiful. The township has one railroad passing through it in a northeast and southwest course-the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad-with station and shipping point at Broadway. This road was completed and the first train Sent over it in the spring of 1864. VILLAGES. There is but one town in the township of Taylor-Broadway ; yet the records show that there was a town laid out prior to the platting of Broadway, as follows: On November 9, and on December 17 and 18, 1863, was surveyed and laid off into streets and alleys a certain tract of land in Survey No. 829, for H. P. Goff, Hiram Danforth, Ira A. Robbins and Charles J. Sayre, for a town to be known as Union Centre, situated in Taylor Township, Union County, Ohio; 1. B. Fay, Surveyor, The same was duly platted and recorded December 21, 1863 ; James Smith, Recorder. But it seems that there was never much building done, and we did not learn of any business, mercantile or otherwise, gaining any foothold in the town Soon after, about one mile west of the locality of Union Centre, was laid out the town of Broadway, which, by the records, is as follows: "I hereby certify that on the 15th and 16th days of August, 1865, 1 surveyed for L. C. Pooler and Leon and Richey certain lands into lots, streets and alleys, as described and platted on the records at Marysville, to be known by the name of Broadway, in the County of Union and State of Ohio. A, S. Mowry, Deputy Surveyor, Union County, Ohio." The above was duly certified to, and the streets and alleys dedicated to public use, on the 23d day of August, 1865, by the said parties, and the same duly acknowledged by them before Peleg Cranston, a Justice of the Peace, and recorded September 1, 1865, by James Smith, Recorder, Union County, Ohio. On the 30th and 31st days of August, 1865, was surveyed and laid off into lots, streets and alleys, for Peleg Cranston, Esq., certain lands as described on the records at Marysville, to be known as Cranston's Addition to Broadway, Union County, State of Ohio. A. S. Mowry, Surveyor. The same was certified to, and the streets and alleys dedicated to public use, on the 11th day of September, 1865, by said Cranston and his wife, and duly acknowledged on the same day and date, before T. L. Wiswell, a Justice of the Peace; recorded September 12. 1865, by James Smith, Recorder, Union County, Ohio. On the 23d and 24th days of November, 1865, was surveyed for Thomas Yearsley and Z. C. Pooler, certain lands as described upon the records at Marysville, to be known by the name and style of the Western Addition to Broadway, Union County, Ohio; A. S. Mowry, Deputy Surveyor, Union County, Ohio. This was certified to and the streets and alleys duly dedicated to public use by said parties January 16, 1866, and acknowledged on the same day and date before Peleg Cranston, a Justice of the Peace, and the same was recorded March 12, 1866, by James Smith, Recorder, Union County, Ohio. June 19 and 27, 1867, were surveyed into lots, streets and alleys, for Peleg Cranston and Samuel Straley, cer- TAYLOR TOWNSHIP. - 683 tain lands as described on the records at Marysville, under the name of the Eastern Addition to Broadway, Union County, State of Ohio, and the same certified to, and the streets and alleys dedicated to public use, August 6, 1867, by the said parties, and duly acknowledged on same day and date, before T. E. Bowen, a Justice of the Peace. August 7, 1875, were surveyed and laid off into lots, streets and alleys, certain lands, as described on the records at Marysville, to be known as Cranston's Second Addition to Broadway, Union County, Ohio, by Andrew S. Mowry County Surveyor, and the same certified to, and the streets and alleys dedicated to public use August 20, 1875, by the said Cranston and wife, and duly acknowledged the same day and date before Zelotes C. Pooler, a Justice of the Peace, and recorded August 23, 1875, by Hiram Roney, Recorder. Prior to the laying-out of the town of Broadway, Peleg Cranston, Esq., erected a frame house south of the railroad, and in December, 1864, opened a store with a general assortment of goods; the next summer the town was laid out, so that Mr. Cranston became its first, merchant. The first blacksmith was John Bault. In 1867, Mr. Cranston and others, through petition, obtained the establishment of a post office, with Peleg Cranston, Esq., Postmaster. The first post office in this township was established in 1853-54, known as Taylor Center; it was on the Kenton & Marysville pike, on the place now owned by A. Dever, with Z. C. Pooler as Postmaster, who held the office till 1862-63, when he resigned and H. P. Goff was appointed Postmaster. But after the building of the railroad, and the establishment of a mail route over it, the old mail route through this township was abandoned, and the post office was established at Broadway as above mentioned. Peley Cranston, Esq., as Postmaster, was succeeded by Wellington Armstrong; and the office has been successfully occupied by the following: S. A. Dennis, Z. C. Pooler, Wellington Armstrong (second time), and Mrs. C. E. Yonkin, who is the present incumbent. The first physician was Dr. Henry Vigor; and the following have been the successive physicians, viz.: Dr. Stephen Burkham, Dr. Shaw, Dr. Jeremiah Randall, Dr. Skidmore, Dr. Crumley, Dr. W. L. Pinkerton, Dr. S. S. Drake, Dr. J. B. Taylor and Dr. H. P. Winters. A spoke and hub factory was erected on the north side of the railroad, by S. A. Dennis & Brother, where they carried on an active and extensive business till about 1880, when they removed their machinery to Upper Sandusky, where they are now doing a prosperous business. This town now contains a population of nearly 500 inhabitants, embracing the following business firms: Three general stores, by Peleg Cranston, Esq., J. J. Watts and Seth Gates; one drug store, by C.. D. Watts; two groceries and restaurants, C. W. Smith and J. P. Robins; one grocery and feed store, by T. A. Redding; two millinery stores, by Mrs. S. A. Tunks and Mrs. V. A. Hunt; two blacksmiths, John Bault and A. B. Pugsley; one harness shop, by John Crofford; two boot and shoe makers, N. C. Welch and A. Leonhard; two hotels, by John Morris and Saul Gleason; one livery stable, by Lewis Bruard; two butchers, Messrs. Wilson and Higby - one grain warehouse and elevator, by Rogers & Thompson. The railroad was completed and ran its first train March 31, 1864, and has a fine depot building here, one of the best along the route. There is one church, Free Will Baptist, and one two-story frame schoolhouse with two rooms. Broadway is a pleasant town. ELECTIONS AND OFFICIALS. The first elections were held at the old log schoolhouse, known as the Scott Schoolhouse. April 1, 1850, a regular election was held according to law to elect members to a general convention called for the purpose of amending the constitution of the State of Ohio, which resulted in this township making choice of Otway Curry and Cornelius S. Hamilton for representing the District of Marion, Union, Logan and Hardin Counties. The various officials of the township since its erection have been as follows : 684 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Trustees-1850, Philip Miller, Truxton Ford and James McAdow ; 1851 William Sayers, Joseph Maskill and ; 1852, Joseph Maskill, Zelotes C. Pooler and John W. Thompson; 1853. John IV. Thompson, Z. C. Pooler and Lorey Ford: 1854. John W. Thompson. Lorey Ford and James Irwin: 1855, James Irwin. Lorey Ford and J. J. Welch ; 1856, James Irwin, Joseph Evans and Lorey Ford ; 1857-59, Lorey Ford, Joseph Evans and David Sheneman: 1860-62. Lorey Ford, Joseph Evans and William Laughrey; 1863-64, Lorey Ford, Joseph Evans and Henry Crist ; 1866-67, Lorey Ford, Henry Crist and Luther Turner; 1868-69, J. A. Welch, J. C. McAdow and William Elliott; 1870, Z. C. Pooler, Newton Case and M. C. Thompson; 1871-72, N. Case, M. L. Thompson and Thomas Yearsley; 1873, William Elliott, N. W. Convers and Luther Turner - 1874, V. J. Case, J. W. Brown and E. McNeal; 1875, E. McNeal, S. McAdow and J. W. Brown; 1876, S. McAdow, M. L. Thompson and B. F. Martin - 1877, J. C. Hull. M. L. Thompson and B. F. Martin ; 1878-80, J. C. Hull, S. McAdow and N. C. Welch - 1881-82, T. Hogan, William Elliott and S. L. Laughrey. Clerks- Joshua Judy, Jr., who served until the spring election when John Wheeler was elected and served by re-election five years in succession , 1855-61, Thomas E. Lockwood; 1862, Z. C. Rose - 1863, G. W. Freeman; 1864-66, John A. Welch - 1867-69, Henry Vigor -, 1870-72, J. A. Welch ; 1873-82, P. J. Wyeth. Treasure's-1850-52, James Irwin ; 1853, Jesse Barnett ; 1854-58, David Danforth; 1859-62, Peleg Cranston - 1863, H. P. Goff ; 1864-67, Peleg Cranston, 1868-69, Nathan Yearsley ; 1870-76, P. Cranston; 1877-82, W. S. Rogers. Assessors-1850-51, Richard L. Judy; 1852-53, Samuel Wheeler; 1854, Thomas Yearsley - 1855-56, J. M. Danforth - 1857-58, Jesse H. Welch; 1859, Jesse Welch; 1860-63, William Fulk , 1864-69, John R. Farrington, 1870, J. O. McAdow; 1871-72, Luther Turner: 1873, P. Cranston 1874, B. Collins; 1875, W. H. Willis; 1876, L. Turner; 1877-78, C. H. Robbins 1879, L. Turner; 1880-82, W. H. Willis. Constables-1850, O. H. P. Ward ; 1851, John Keaan ; 1852, John L. McAdow ; 1853, William Scott; 1854, Richard Herd, refused to Serve, and Thomas E. Lockwood appointed ; 1855, Ira A. Robbins , 1856-57, Richard Herd and Brice Collins; 1858-59, Brice Collins and Franklin Welch; 1860-61, Brice Collins and G. W. Wheeler, 1862, Brice Collins and Benjamin Spillar ; 1863, Brice Collins and S. H. Johnson; 1864-65, Benjamin Spillar and Pellatise Safford; 1866, J. M. Dollison and Benjamin Spillar; 1867, David Lamb and John B. Jackson; 1868, David Lamb and Franklin Welch; 1869-70, William Turner and James McNeal, 1871-72, William Turner and John Rowe; 1873, David McGoon and A. Young; 1874, David McGoon and A. Amrine ; 1875, A. Rowe and A. Amrine; 1876, J. Converse and J. Green; 1877, F. A Goswell and D. Magoon; 1878, D. Patrick and C. M. Cary ; 1879, D. Patrick and R. H. Branan; 1880, H. Maybee and J. W. Hover ; 1881, S. A. Tunks and B. F. Miller; 1882, S. A. Tunks and W. A. McCanney. Justices of the Peace-1850, Richard L. Judy; 1851, Samuel Wheeler; 1854-62, Z. C. Pooler; 1856-61, J. M. Danforth ; 1860, John Fulk; 1863-71, David Sheneman; 1863-71, P. Cranston; 1871, George W. Freeman, 1875-81, Willard Edson; 1874, and served till his death - 1877, S. A. Dennis; 1879, S. B. Hamilton 1881, Peleg Cranston; 1882, O. W. McAdow; 1882, David Sheneman. VALUATIONS. Value of lands of Taylor Township, $411,439 - value real estate in cities and towns, $15,475 ; value chattel property, $152,137 ; total valuation, $579,051. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)