UNION TOWNSHIP, OHIO - 1883 HISTORY - CHAPTER V

UNION TOWNSHIP, OHIO - 1883 HISTORY - CHAPTER V - MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP
328 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY

CHAPTER V.

MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP.

THIS was one of three original townships into which Union County was first subdivided. On the second subdivision of the county, in 1821, the boundaries of Mill Creek were fixed as follows, as shown by the record of commissioners' proceedings: " At a meeting of the Commissioners of Union County on the 12th day of March 1821, they agreed to divide the County of Union into five townships, and the fifth township was to embrace all east of Paris Township to the east boundary line of said county, and to be known by the name of Mill Creek." On March 29, 1829, the township was surveyed by order of the Commissioners of Union County by Levi Phelps, Surveyor, Union County, Ohio. March 5, 1839, "Ordered by the Commissioners that the boundary lines of Mill Creek Township and Dover Township be altered, so as to detach from Mill Creek Township and attach to Dover Township, Survey No. 3007, in the name of John Graham." "The first election for County and State officers held in the township, was on the 10th day of October 1820, William Badley, John Jolly and Launcelot Maze acting as Judges; William Richey and Clement Badley, Clerks. There were twenty-four votes cast at this election, as follows: Ethan Allen Brown received twenty, W, H. Harris one, and Jeremiah Morrow three, for Governor; Nicholas Hathaway fourteen, and Lewis Foster ten, for Representatives; Gustavus Swan one, and Joseph Foos twenty-two, for Senator, Joseph Vance twenty-three for Congress; James Ewing twenty, and James Biggs two, for Sheriff; Samuel Robinson eight, David Conner seven, Henry Sager six, and Joseph Williams one, for Coroner."

In the spring of 1820, the first election was held for township officers; as the early records of the township were all destroyed by fire a few years ago, we can obtain no account of the election, or give any of the officials except the commissioned officers, obtained from the records at Marysville.

This township is situated in the southeast part of the county, and takes its name from Mill Creek, which flows through the north part of the township, of which we shall speak further hereafter; it is bounded on the north by Dover Township and the county of Delaware, on the east by Delaware County, on the south

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by Jerome Township, and on the west by Darby, Paris and Dover Townships. The lands of this township were surveyed at an early day; and, according to the records at the County Surveyor's office at Marysville, the work of surveying was all completed in less than eleven years. Below we give the various surveys of the township as found upon the records, and one noticeable feature is that more than seven thousand acres, embraced in eight different surveys, were surveyed by Nathaniel Massie in one day, apparently a very extensive task for so short a time.

MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP SURVEYS.

Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for Robert Dundridge, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 1,307 Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, October 20, 1801, for John White, 1110 2/3 acres, Survey No. 1,394, Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for Sydnor Cosby, 400 acres, Survey No. 1,573, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for John Phillips, Asses, 1070 acres, Survey No. 2,989, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for William Croghaix, Assee, 1100 acres, Survey No. 2,992, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for the representative or representatives of Isaac Jeffries, deceased, 800 acres, Survey No. 2,995, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for the representative or representatives of Isaac Jeffries, deceased, 726 2/3 acres, Survey No. 2,996, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for the representative or representatives of Isaac Jeffries, deceased, 1140 acres, Survey No. 2,997, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, June 2, 1797, for Samuel Seldon, 1086 acres, Survey No. 2,998, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for Peter Talbot, heir to William Worsham, deceased, 1000 acres, Survey No. 3,006, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, August 22, 1798, for James Lenkins, Assee, 1200 acres, Survey No. 3,349, Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed, October 20, 1801, for John White, 1000 acres, Survey No. 3,956, Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed, December 20, 1807, for John Cole, 1600 acres, Survey No. 5,477 , James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, January 2, 1808, for Thomas M. Bayly, Assee, 690 acres, Survey No. 5609, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, January 4, 1808, for Thomas M. Bayly, Assee, 700 acres, Survey No. 5,610, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, for John Baird, 295 acres, Survey No. 5724, of which fifty acres are in Mill Creek Township and the balance in Jerome Township.

STREAMS, SURFACE, SOIL, ETC.

The principal stream of this township is Mill Creek, which, as stated above, gave the name to the township. It enters from Dover, passing through Survey No. 3,956, and for more than a mile forms the boundary line between said townships, coursing in an easterly direction, and keeping said course till it reaches Survey No. 1,307, when it takes a very crooked course in a general northeast direction, passing diagonally through said survey; thence, in the same direction, passes through Survey No. 2,995, and enters Delaware County. This stream in an early day furnished the settlers with water-power privileges. Along its banks were built many of the early mills of the county, and the lands adjacent to it were chosen by the first settlers as sites for their homes. It receives but a few small runs that course from south to north in this township. In the central eastern portion of the township is Spring Run, rising on the farm of John Piersol and coursing in a northerly direction into Delaware County; it is, however, of no Significance, only as a water supply for stock, and an outlet by which to drain the lands adjacent. And the same is true, of the other small creeks and runs. The surface along Mill Creek is somewhat rolling and in some places hilly, but elsewhere over the township the surface is generally level, and lies beautifully for all agricultural purposes. Few, if any of the townships in the county, taken as a whole, present a more beautiful surface for farming purposes. The soil is deep, rich and productive. Along the creek bottoms and flat portions, it is a black loam, while the balance is a strong clay soil, most of it underlaid with a disinte-

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grated limestone and gravel, the latter forming in abundance of good material for making roads. The timber of this section, originally, was much like that of the adjoining townships. Along creek bottoms were walnut, hickory, elm, sycamore and some oak as the prevailing varieties elsewhere, hickory, elm, oak and sugar-tree prevailed, the latter forming a great source of profit as well as convenience from the sugar and molasses manufactured. The hickory and sugartree also furnished the people with the best quality of wood for fuel. The principal productions of the soil are wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. Considerable attention is given to stock raising by the farmers, as one of their best and surest sources of profit, and owing to the great improvements in stock, especially in sheep and hogs, it is becoming much more profitable, as well as interesting it's a business to the thrifty farmers.

EARLY SETTLERS.

It is conceded that the first white man to make a settlement in Mill Creek Township was Ephraim Burroughs, a native of New Jersey, who with his family emigrated to Kentucky, leaving his native State September 15, 1795. In 1804, he removed to Clark County, Ohio, and at the close of the war of 1812 or about 1814-15, removed to this county, and settled near Mill Creek, little east of the village of Watkins. Here he purchased 100 acres of Mr. Towler, and resided on it about four years, when he sold out and removed to Dearborn County, Ind., where he died, aged sixty-five years; his wife survived him about two years. Their children were as follows: Newton, who married and settled in Dearborn County, Ind., where he resided till his death; Jonathan, who is mentioned among the pioneers of Dover Township, Nancy, married Stephen Norton, is deceased; Polly, married George Durham and died in Indiana; James, married a Miss Liggett and also died in Indiana; Jesse, married Polly Wilson, of Indiana, but removed to Illinois, where he died; Ephraim, settled in Illinois; William, died in the army ; Alhannan, married in Indiana, and still resides in that State; Elkanah, now resides in Indianapolis, and two daughters, deceased.

William Conklin we give as the second settler, although there were three or four families who came here the same year, and probably about the same time. Mr. Conklin was a native of the State of Delaware; married Rebecca Coleman, a native of Maryland, and at quite an early day emigrated to Ohio, residing for a time in Greene County. In the spring of 1816, he removed to this county and settled on the same tract of land with Mr. Burroughs, where he resided till a short time prior to the war of the rebellion. He removed West and died in Indiana. He was the father of the following children: John, married Emily Funk, and removed to Indiana; Elizabeth and Jemima, married early settlers and are mentioned in connection with them,- Joel, married Polly Anderson; Hannah, married Jacob Warner, is deceased; Joseph, married Eliza J. Gamble; Martha, married Charles White, is deceased; Malachi, married Eve Hitson, of Indiana, he died in the war of the rebellion; and Anna, married Anderson Thompson and resides in Hardin County. Mr. Anderson is said to have paid for his farm in hickory nuts, which grew in abundance upon his land, and which he gathered and hauled over the mud roads to Springfield and Dayton and there sold them, and paid for his land with money made in that novel way.

Daniel Bell was probably a native of New Jersey, but became an early settler in Greene County, Ohio, and about 1816 of this township, near Mr. Conklin. He was a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed in connection with farming. Subsequently he removed to Indiana and settled on White River, but finally returned to Union County and died near Watkins. His children were Polly, Jesse, Mercy, Sally, John, Aaron and Charlotte; the latter now resides in Indiana - John lives in Holmes County, Ohio, and Sally in Iowa; all the others are deceased.

John Price, who married Polly Bell in Greene County, settled on Mill Creek at the same time with Daniel Bell, and remained a resident here till his

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death, June 29, 1834, aged forty-six years. Their children were Susan, Hannah, Daniel, Joseph and John, who' all moved to the West.

John T. Thompson, with his aged father, James Thompson, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio and settled in Union County, about 1816, locating on Mill Creek, on Survey No. 5,477, known as the Towler Survey; and there the father, James Thompson, died, December 14, 1843, aged eighty-seven years. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, and was probably one of the first four families who settled in this township. John T. married Marv Nelson in Virginia, and after settling here remained a resident till his death. For further particulars of this prominent pioneer family, the reader is referred to the biographical sketch of James Thompson, of Dover, in another part of this work.

Alvin Randall, a native of New Hampshire, emigrated to the State of New York about 1809 and there married Elizabeth Rogers; thence, in 1812, emigrated to Ohio, locating at Worthington. In 1813 settled in Madison, Ind., where he was a voter in 1816, when Indiana was admitted as a State. In 1817, he became a resident of Darby Township, this county, and in 1819 settled in Mill Creek Township, on Survey No. 5,477. In 1839, he removed to Adams County, Ind., and while residing there buried his wife and two of his children. Subsequently, he removed to Noble County, Ind., where he remained till his death. Mr. Randall was a man of firm principles and character, of unwavering honesty, and possessed a good intellect. While a resident of Adams County, Ind., he served as Probate Judge, also as Sheriff of the county. He died at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He was the father of the following children: Charles, who died at seventeen years of acre; Dorcas, died young; Emeline, married a Mr. Skinner, who died, and she subsequently married Mr. Pancake, who is also dead; she is now a widow and resides in Noble County, Ind.; Hannah, married William Shepman, both deceased - Joshua R., married and resides in Delaware County, Ohio, where he is proprietor of a paper mill; Alvin, married and resides in Noble County, Ind.; William, married and resides in same county; Phebe married Mr. Bell and resides in same county; and John and Pyrena, who died young in Adams County, Ind.

Hezekiah Burdick, a native of one of the New England States, emigrated with his family to Ohio, and settled on land now owned by Mary C. Shields, on Survey No. 2,995, and resided there many years; but subsequently removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he died. His children were Hannah, who married Ralph Graham; Betsey, married William Taylor and now resides near Plain City; John was killed by a falling tree while a young man; Phebe married and settled on the Darby Plains in Madison County; William, died young, unmarried - Lois, married a Mr. Warner; and Milton.

James Bell, Esq., a native of New Jersey, born 1778, married Sarah Warner, of Pennsylvania, in 1799. In 1804, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Warren County, near Lebanon. In 1818, removed to this county and settled on the same survey with Mr. Burroughs, and after the organization of the county in 1824, was elected a Justice of the Peace. He had erected a large and commodious log cabin, and for several years the elections were held at his house. He died November 23, 1848, aged sixty-six years; his wife died October 31, 1869, aged ninety years. Of their children, Elizabeth, married William Graham and died in this county; Judith, married Robert Graham, is deceased; Jesse and Jacob moved to Indiana; and Phineas, married Catherine Graham, is deceased.

Thomas Springer settled here about 1818-19, but remained only a few years and moved West.

Asa Robinson, a native of Massachusetts, while voting, removed with his father's family to the State of New York, and in 1809 is said to have moved to Ohio, and very early settled in Delaware County. He was engaged in the milling business at Hinton's mill soon after its erection. After running that mill about three years, he purchased a tract of land upon which he located, which is now owned by

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Richard Pounds, on Survey No. 2,992, and made his residence here till his death, May 12, 1865, aged eighty-four years. He married Mrs. Ann Catharine Myers, nee Turney, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., by whom he had the following children: Bartlett G., who became a practicing physician, never married, and died at Woodstock in Champaign County, Ohio; Joseph T., married Eliza Mann, of Pennsylvania, is now a minister in the Christian Church and resides at Crestline, Ohio; Henry died on a journey to California, in 1849, Asa died in infancy; Daniel, unmarried; Adam, married Elizabeth Kirkland and is proprietor of the Park House at Green Bend; Samuel, died in California in 1850, aged twenty years; Harriet, married William McCawley, is deceased; Mary, married John S. Smart and now resides in Marysville; and Margaret, married Martin Savage and resides in Dover.

About 1818-22, the following became settlers of Mill Creek Township: Joseph Harrison and sons, Aaron, Moses and Benjamin, all locating on Survey No. 2,998: Valentine T. Shover, John Sherman, Thomas Daniel, Silas Osborn, Nathaniel Toothacre and John Gray, all settled on Survey No. 5,477 - John, William, Asa and Randolph Death-four brothers, colored men-settled near the Harrisons, but it is believed most of them soon moved away.

Zebadiah Farnum, a native of Rhode Island, married Jane McNinch, a native of Connecticut, and emigrated to the State of New York at an early day; thence, about 1823, he removed with his family to Ohio and settled in Union County, near where the village of Watkins now stands, where he cleared his land and made him a home, residing upon it until his death, October 13, 1854, aged eighty-five. Of their children, Polly married Asahel Rose, who emigrated to this county prior to Mr. Farnum; she died here; Samuel married Hannah Randall in New York and came to this county in 1820, residing here about twenty years; they removed to Shelby County, Ohio, where he died; Priscilla, married Seymour Wilkins in New York, and finally settled in this county, where he died; she still survives and resides in Watkins, in her eighty-first year; Henry, married Fanny Hamlin, of Franklin County, Ohio, and subsequently settled in Mill Creek and died here; Betsey died in infancy; Sallie died in childhood; Sophronia married Adam Richy, who died September 25, 1871, aged sixty-four years; she survives him and now resides at Dover, Isaac died young; Chester married Sarah Longbrake and subsequently settled in Illinois; his health failing, he started with his family to return to Ohio, but died on the way before getting out of the State of Illinois; his family continued their homeward journey, and his widow now resides in Dover Township; Jane married Elijah Newhouse and settled near Millville, Delaware Co., Ohio, where he died; she still survives, and resides on the home place; Susan married Jacob Longbrake, now deceased; she survives and resides on the home place; Caroline married William Cory, who died, and she married Samuel Sherwood, he died at Marysville, and she still survives and resides at Marysville; and Emily, who married Warret Owen, a native of Champaign County, Ohio, but who settled at Watkins in the fall of 1845, where they have since resided. He has served as Justice of the Pence more than twenty years, and is one of the reliable citizens of the township has filled the office of Postmaster at Watkins for twenty years.

George Graham was a native of England, and was united in marriage with Elizabeth Lazenbee; emigrated to America and settled in the State of New York; thence removed to Clark County, Ohio, where he died. His children were as follows: George, Thomas, Mary, Betsey, William, Ralph, Robert and Hannah (twins), all of whom, except George, the eldest, removed to Union County and settled here about 1821. Thomas married Jemima Conklin, and resided here till just before the war of the rebellion; they removed to Delaware County, where they died; Mary married Richard Bancroft, a native of England, resided here till quite aged, raised a family, many of whom married and settled in Iowa, where their parents journeyed to make them a visit, and while there they died; William married Betsey Bell and resided here through life; Betsey married John Thompson

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and died in this township; Ralph married Hannah Burdick and remained here till death; Robert married Judith Bell and died in Marysville; and Hannah, who married Christian Myers, is now a widow and resides on the home farm.

Pierce Lamphere settled in this township on land near Watkins, in 1822-23; he married a Miss Price, resided here several years, and was one of the early teachers; subsequently, he moved north and settled on Blues Creek. Their children were Sarah, who died young, and was the second body interred in the Watkins Cemetery, and Harriet.

Aaron Tossey, a native of New England, married a Mrs. Soules and settled on land south of Watkins, now owned by his son, Philemon, about 1823, where they resided till death. Their children were William, who married Polly Bell, is deceased; Stephen married Sarah Graham, and subsequently removed to Illinois, where they died; Lorenzo died young, also Solon; Philemon married Judith Graham and resides on the old home farm; Elizabeth married John Richards.

Elder Daniel Long was a native of Maryland, born August 9, 1789; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and became a settler of Union County about 1820, or perhaps earlier. He traveled over a large portion of Southern Ohio, and organized many Christian Churches. The Watkins Christian Church was the first of that denomination in the township, and was organized by Elder Long, who served as its pastor for many years. He continued in ministerial work till the very close of his life, November 26, 1873, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He died while, in the midst of a series of meetings at the church in Mill Creek Township. He was one of the pioneer ministers of Ohio, an excellent man and an earnest Christian worker. He married Nancy Kelly, by whom he had one child-Thomas W.

George Lukenbill settled on Survey No. 2,989, on land now owned by George Freshwater, about 1823; subsequently he moved above Marysville, where be died.

John McCawley, a native of Scotland, emigrated to America and settled in Virginia; thence, about 1824, came to this county and settled on Survey No. 2,992, on the land now owned by W. Schmidt, where he resided till his death.

Bennett Beard settled on Mill Creek about 1824, and erected one of the first saw mills in this vicinity, which he operated for several years. About the same year, there came to this township and settled here Jacob Hawk, Alexander Garringer, John Heriff, Samuel Saunders, Zachariah Smith, Jeremiah Roe, John Keens and Jacob Taylor. Also, the same year, Joseph Watkins settled on Survey No. 1,307. In 1825, Asahel Rose and James Fowler settled on Survey No. 5,477 Daniel Andrews settled on same survey, but only lived there about two years and moved away. In 1826, Richard Bancroft settled on same Survey. The same year came William Rogers and settled in the northeast part of the township, on land now owned by John Penn; he was a school teacher, but subsequently moved away. Edmond Holycross settled on Survey No. 5,477. William Newhouse settled here same year, but remained here only about two years and moved away. Cornelius Rose was here about the same year. About 1827 came Joel Coleman, William Devol, Daniel Roberts, Simpson White-the latter settled on Survey No. 2,992-Perry Eubank and Isaac Auderson-the latter, a native of New York, settled on Survey No. 2,992.

About 1828, we find Christian Myers and Charles Hamlin to be residents here. In 1829, Clement Brawdy, Abraham Stiner and David Smith appear as settlers; the latter located on Survey No. 1,573.

John S. Smart, born in Franklin County, Ohio, March 20, 1811, settled in Mill Creek Township in 1829, and married Mary Robinson May 20, 1833. They resided in the township fifty-two years, when, in the fall of 1881, they moved to Marysville. He began in the woods and has cleared up and brought into cultivation three farms. He commenced as a poor man, and now owns 211 acres of well-improved land. He was compelled to go nine miles to mill on horseback to get his grist ground. Now, he has retired to the pleasant town of Marysville to enjoy the balance of his days, the comforts of a competency which his own hands

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have accumulated. Their family consisted of the following children: Catharine J., who married Isaac Breckenridge, and resides in Franklin County: Joseph married Mary Hutchinson and resides in Delaware County; Oliver P: married Margaret Piersol and resides in Kansas; Samantha married Charles Richey; Margaret married William Bell, she died in Illinois; Susan married James McCurgan and resides on the home place; Asa married Laura Edson; Isaac married Miss Breckenridge and resides in Auglaize County; John Henry married Miss Stimmel, is deceased; William, unmarried, resides with his father, and Etta married Silas McKitrick and resides in Marysville.

About 1830, James Martin settled on Survey No. 1,573, but subsequently removed to Illinois. About the same year, Jacob Bowersmith settled on Survey No. 2,992. Samuel Dixon came about the same time. In 1830, John Lame, from New York, removed to Clark County, Ohio, and hi 1832 settled in Mill Creek Township, where he resided till his death, May 4, 1858, aged sixty-three years. In 1833, or about that time, Absalom Ligget came from Ross County. J. H. P. Bouic, a native of Maryland, came to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1830, and in 1835 settled in this township, where he has since resided.

The above embrace most of the true pioneers and early settlers. Some of these may have settled earlier, but from the best information we could obtain from those now living, and from the records and a careful examination of the tax duplicates in the Auditor's office, we are satisfied we are not very far wrong in the dates of their respective settlements.

SCHOOLS.

The first settlement made in Mill Creek Township, was on Survey No. 5,477, and the first settler Ephraim Burroughs, and in this vicinity we would naturally expect to find the establishment of the first school, which was the fact. As soon as a sufficient number of families had settled here to form a nucleus for a school, we find their attention given to the education and welfare of their children, and in few years after Mr. Burroughs had made the first opening in the mighty forests,

number of families had concentrated in that neighborhood. Mr. Burroughs having moved away, his vacated cabin was occupied for school purposes, and Mrs. Martha Gulick was the first teacher. She was a daughter of William Richey, Sr., one of the early settlers. The next to fill the position of teacher, it is believed, was Pierce Lamphere. The first building erected expressly for school purposes, was a log house built on the farm of Zebadiah Farnum; the land is now owned by Esquire Owens. It is believed that Taber Randall was the first teacher in the new schoolhouse. This was, of course, one of the primitive kind, so often described that it is not necessary to delineate it further here. This building was succeeded by one or two other log houses; about 1849, a frame house was erected, which was succeeded by the present brick house, built about 1868.

The next school established was in the settlement of the Harrisons, Robinsons and others, in the eastern part of the township, now known as Subdistrict No. 1, or the Myers District. The first building erected here for school purposes was one of the primitive log houses with a fire-place six feet long in one end, greased paper for windows, etc. Some of the first teachers employed here were William Rogers, James Martin, Alin Randall and P. B. 'Cole. Thus, from settlement to settlement, as the country was occupied and the population increased, schools were organized and conducted upon the subscription plan until the present excellent system of free schools was established, when the township was divided into regular school districts. These, at the present time, number nine, with enumeration of scholars as follows: Subdistrict No. 1, males, 19; females, 20; total, 39. Subdistrict No. 2, males, 18; females, 22; total, 40. Subdistrict No. 3, males, 30; females, 23; total, 53. Subdistrict No. 4, males, 22: females 18; total, 40. Subdistrict No. 5, males, 13 - females, 11; total, 24. Subdistrict No. 6, males, 12; females, 15; total, 27. Subdistrict No. 7, males, 17; females, 11 - total, 28.Subdistrict No.

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8, males, 19; females, 13; total, 32. Subdistrict No. 9, males, 22; females, 14; total, 36. Total, males, 172; females, 147; grand total, 319.

REPORT OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Balance on hand September 1, 1881 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,686.11

State tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483.00

Irreducible school funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.50

Township tax for school and schoolhouse purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,570.52

TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,772.18

EXPENDITURES.

Amount paid teachers in common schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,843.50

Amount paid for fuel and other contingent expenses . . . . . . . . . . . .1,346.62

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.190.12

Balance on hand September 1, 1882 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $582.01

Number of schoolhouses in the township .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9

Number of school rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Number of teachers to supply schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Average wages of male teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $32

Average wages of female teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26

Average number of weeks schools in session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Total value of school property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,400

CHURCHES.

One of the first objects of attention in the settlement on Mill Creek was the spiritual condition of her people; and we find, about 1818, Rev. Henderson Crabb held a meeting at the house of William Conklin and organized a class consisting of the following persons: William Conklin, Sr., Rebecca Conklin, Joseph Conklin, Joel Coleman, John Conklin, Jemina Conklin, William Conklin, Jr., Betsy Bell and possibly one or two others. Soon after its organization, Hezekiah Burdick and wife Polly, and Pierce Lamphere and wife settled in the neighborhood and united with the class, and Mr. Burdick became class leader and continued as such for many years. This class was the nucleus of the Watkins Methodist Episcopal Church. They continued to hold meetings at the house of said William Conklin, Sr., for about sixteen years, after which they held meetings at the houses of various members of the society, until about 1849, when they erected a frame house for church purposes, which still stands where it was first built, but is now owned by Warret Owen, Esq., and used as a barn. The above house served the people as a church edifice until 1869-70, when the present neat and substantial brick church was erected at a cost of about $3,000. It was dedicated November 6, 1870, by appropriate exercises, by Rev. Mr. Mather, of Delaware, Ohio. The following were a few of the ministers of this church: Rev. Smith, Rev. George Maley, Rev. John Havens and Rev. Simms.

Christian Church at Watkins was organized at the house of John Price, October 15, 1825, by Elder Long, on the following principles: "To take the Holy Scripture for the only rule of faith and practice, and to fellowship all Christians. In confirmation whereof we have pledged our hearts and joined our hands, this day and date above mentioned." This church to be known as the Christian Church of Price's settlement. The following nineteen persons are believed to have been the constituent members: Joel Coleman, William Conklin, Rebecca Conklin, Eliza Conklin, Mary Price, William Thompson, Sarah Thompson, Martha Conklin, Nancy Thompson, John Thompson, Elizabeth Thompson, James Thompson, Temperance Thompson, Thomas Graham, John Conklin, John Taylor, John Keens, Catharine Keens and Nancy Taylor. They hold their meetings in private houses for a while, then in the schoolhouse till the erection of the Methodist Church, after which they held services therein

338 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

until 1861, when they erected their present frame church edifice. On Saturday evening, November 10, 1861, services were hold in the new church, and a discourse delivered by Elder Marvin; and on the next day, Sunday, November 11, 1861, the house was duly dedicated to service by a sermon from Elder Marvin. Elder Daniel Long was the principal minister for many years; occasional preaching was had from Elders Daniel Griffin, Joseph Robinson, and others. September 17, 1859, Elder Riley Fuller became pastor of the church; since then, it has had the following ministers, viz., Elders Daniel Long, C. A. Williams, Samuel Horn, Jonathan Pugh, William Webb, Riley Fuller, W. A. Dobbins and Elder William Overturf. The first Deacons of whom we got any information were Thomas Graham and John Taylor. They were succeeded by

Nelson Finney and Anderson Thompson. In 1849, the name of the church was changed to "Christian Church at Watkins," and on June 30 of that year the first meeting was hold at the house of Charles White, when William Walley and Chark Low were chosen Deacons. March 26, 1859, Stephen Graham was chosen Deacon in place of William Walley, who desired to be liberated from the office. Aaron Tossey became Deacon in place of Chark Low, who resigned. In the summer of 1879, the church building having become old and out of repair, a committee, consisting of Gideon Ligget, Robert Thompson, Isaiah Lame, Lyle Stimmel and Low Hobert, was appointed to make suitable repairs to the church, which was again occupied for services in October 1879. The present membership of the church is about one hundred and fifty. The

following persons appear to have been clerks, viz., John Keens, George Thompson, Thomas Graham, William Graham, William Thompson, Isaiah Lame and Robert Graham, who served temporarily, while Mr. Lame was serving in the army; on his return after the war, he again resumed the clerkship, and has served as such to the present time.

Christian Church of Elder Long's Settlement was organized in May 1832, at the house of Daniel Long, with the following thirty-five constituent members: Elder Daniel Long, John Ramsey, Daniel, Somers, John Guy, Vinson Sherman, Levi Hinton, Elisha Decker, Nancy Long, Diana Ramsey, Rachel Somers, Mary Mathews, Jane Guy, Mahala Sherman, Polly Mathews, Cynthiann Black, Rebecca Roberts, Mary, E. Anderson, Mina Hinton, Sally Ramsey, Margaret Decker, Elizabeth Bradford, Elizabeth Dixon, Elizabeth White, Sarah Duvall, Deborah Hinton, Mary Brown. Mary Ann Coberly, Amanda Humble, John Polk, Isaac Anderson, Drusilla Cripin, Rachel Brown, Catharine Brown, Mary Ann Stiner, Anna Hays, Jacob Hawk, S. Hawk and Elizabeth Stiner. They held their meetings at private houses, principally at Elder Long's. At the time he erected his large barn, they hold a series of revival meetings in it, and many were added to the church. In the summer of 1843, they erected a frame house for church purposes, a little south of the farm of Mrs. Hannah Myers, on ground donated for the purpose by Asa Robinson, the land to remain as theirs so long as used for church purposes, and whenever it ceased to be used as such, it should revert to the donor or to his heirs. This house was used as a church until 1880, when the present neat and substantial frame church edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,600. It is located on the Delaware & Plain City gravel road, in the east part of the township; is neatly and well furnished, and is a comfortable and tasty country church. Some of the ministers who have served the church during the past twenty-five years have been: Elders Riley Fuller, William Webb, Samuel Horn, Williams, Lohr, Alexander Dobbins, Henry Holverstott and William Overturf. The present membership is about eighty. Present Deacons, William Stockton, Edward Wells and John Penn. They have had a good Sabbath. school for many years, and it now has an average attendance of about fifty. The school

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is conducted only through the summer season, with Jerry Williamson as Superintendent.

Providence Presbyterian Church was organized in December 1860, by Rev. Mr. Brinkerhoff, of Frankfort, Delaware County, Ohio, consisting of the following persons: Rebecca Bouic, J. H. P. Bouic, Rachel Hutchinson, Joseph Turney, Benjamin Turney and wife Elizabeth, and perhaps one or two others, with Benjamin Turney and J. H. P. Bouic as Elders. The church edifice was erected in the summer of 1860, and dedicated in December following, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. Brinkerhoff. In the summer of 1861, on the division between the Old and Now School Presbyterians, this society became united under the Congregational Church articles of faith, and remained with that church till about 1877, when it again came under the Presbytery, subscribed to its articles of faith, and was embraced in the Marion Presbytery, where it has since remained. The following have been pastors of this church: Rev. Mr. Brinkerhoff, Rev. A. M. Hamlin, Rev. C. N. Coulter, Rev. Thomas Hill and Rev. I. N. Thomas. During the past summer the church has been supplied by Rev. Ferguson, of Marysville. The following have served as Elders: Benjamin Turney, J. H. P. Bouic, Joseph Hutchinson, John S. Smart and Ri chard Clark. The present membership is about twenty-five. A Sabbath school was organized in the summer of 1861, and has been continued through the summer season every year since; during the last three years, it was continued during winter and summer, had a good attendance and was in a flourishing condition, until November 1882, when it was closed on account of the prevalence of smallpox at Ostrander, but will be re-opened in the spring of 1883. J. H.P. Bouic served as the first Superintendent after the organization of the School; he was succeeded by Benjamin Turney, and he by J. R. Hutchinson, then Asa Smart Served for a while. During the summer of 1882, J.H. P. Bouic acted as Superintendent until the closing of the school in November, as mentioned above.

CEMETERIES.

The Watkins Cemetery is the oldest and principal one in the township. This is situated a little southeast of the village of Watkins, on the farm of S. Wilkins. This ground was dedicated to this sacred use soon after a settlement was formed here, by the reception of a child of Mr. Ephraim Burroughs, which died in 1817. The second person buried here was Sarah, a daughter of Pierce Lamphere; Since then it has received the remains of many of the pioneers as well as a large number of the dead of more recent years. It contains probably one acre or more of ground, is now deeded to the Trustees of the township, and is under their care and supervision. There is a small cemetery near the Providence Presbyterian Church, on the land of J. H. P. Bouic; but few interments have been made there, and it is but little used. These are all the public cemeteries in Mill Crook Township. There may be a few private burial places, where certain persons have been buried by request, or in an early day, from necessity, before the regular cemeteries were established.

ROADS AND PIKES.

This township has no railroad passing through its domain, but is supplied with good gravel roads and pikes, the principal of which are the California & Bellepoint, Delaware & Watkins, Watkins & California, Watkins & Bellepoint, Marysville &Watkins, and the Marysville &California gravel roads. - Several other cross or connecting roads are now graveled, and when we compare the present condition of roads and the means of travel and transportation with what they were sixty years ago, the contrast is remarkable. Such are the improvements and progress of the age.

342 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

VILLAGE OF WATKINS.

Watkins is the only village in the township, Upon the records at Marysville we find the following: "On July 12, 1838, was surveyed a certain tract of land in Survey No. 1,307, in Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio, and the same was laid off into twenty-eight lots, four streets and two alleys, for a town to be known by the name of Watkins, Joseph S. Watkins, Deputy Surveyor. "The proprietors were Thomas P. and Watkins and William Conklin. who duly acknowledged the laying-out of the above for the purposes aforesaid, before James Turner, a Justice of the Peace, and the same was duly recorded with the plat July 13, 1838; P. B. Smith Recorder, Union County, Ohio.

The first house in Watkins was built by James Thompson, which was a frame and was erected just east of Ray Thompson's store. He also opened the first store in the place, about 1840, in one room of his house. The first blacksmith was Jacob Warner. The post office was established in 1810-41, with James Thompson appointed Postmaster, which office he held till about 1860, when he was succeeded by William Mosier, who served about one year. He was succeeded by Warret Owen, Esq., who has held the office to the present time. The first physician was Mains Wasson; he has been succeeded by Dr. Reed, Dr. Rose, Dr. William Andrews, Dr. T. P. Shields and Dr. John Pounds; the latter is the present practicing physician. The village now contains two general stores-one by Ray Thompson and the other by Leonard Coltise; one blacksmith, Edward Bolton; one wagonmaker. William Covey, and one harness shop, by Warret Owen & Son. The town probably contains a population of about seventy-five.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1821-29, William Richey; 1824-29, Samuel Farnum; 1824, James Richey; 1825, James Buck; 1836, William Richey; 1836, Samuel Farnum; 1836-41, Christian Meyers; 1837-42, James Bell; 1842-44, William Hays; 1843-51, James Thompson; 1848-53, John Hutchinson; 1851-56, Warret Owen; 1853, Christian Meyers; 1854, J. H. P. Bouic; 1854, Benjamin Gamble; 1856, H. B. Felkner; 1857, Anderson Thompson; 1859-64, D. B. Hays; 1860, Warret Owen; 1863-74, W. H. Andrews; 1864, William Walley; 1867, William O. Hays; 1870, R. L. Stimmel; 1873, Stephen Graham; 1975-81, Warret Owen; 1876-81, Stephen Long; 1882, Warret Owen.

VALUATIONS.

Value of lands of Mill Creek Township, $336,580; value of real estate in towns and villages, $1,280; value of chattel property, $145,415; total, $483,275.

MILL CREEK GRANGE NO. 99, OF WATKINS.

This was the first Grange organized in Union County. It was instituted August 11, 1873, by William H. Stokes, of Warren County, Ohio, a Deputy of the National Grange, with the following officers selected by the charter members, viz.: Thomas P. Shields, Master; John M. Roney, Overseer; Lewis Lemay, Lecturer; Bolivar Hays, Steward; Aaron Tossey, Jr., Assistant Steward; Samuel Hannawalt, Chaplain; R. L. Stimmell, Treasurer; William D. Brown, Secretary; Thomas N. Elsom, Gate-keeper; Mrs. Elizabeth Henderson, Ceres; Mrs. Maria Ligget, Pomona; Mrs. Martha J. Elsom, Flora; Mrs. Emily J. Elsom, Lady Assistant Steward. For a few years the society prospered, and in 1876 they raised money by voluntary subscriptions and erected a neat and commodious hall, furnishing it appropriately, at a cost of about $1,000. The hall was dedicated April 5, 1877, by S. R. Ellis. Master of the Ohio State Grange. This society has endured great loss in membership, from deaths, removals and other causes.

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But recently there has been a revival of interest, and with a membership of about thirty it enters upon the year 1883 with brighter prospects. Present officers are, Lewis Lemay, Master M. R. Hat, and, Overseer; Aaron Tossoy, Jr., Lecturer; William D. Brown, Steward; Isaiah Lame, Assistant Steward; William H. Elsom, Chaplain; Mrs. Sarah Lame, Treasurer; Thomas P. Shields, Secretary; Luther Ligget, Gate Keeper; Mrs. E. S. Brown, Ceres; Mrs. S. A. E. Elsom, Pomona; Mrs. Maria Ligget, Flora and Miss M. T. Shields, Lady Assistant Steward.

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