LIBERTY TOWNSHIP - 381 CHAPTER VII LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. THIS was the sixth township constituted in Union County, and was organized as follows: "At a meeting of the Commissioners of the county of Union. On the first Monday of June 1822, the township of Liberty was organized as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of Paris Township, thence west to the county line, thence north to the north boundary of said county, thence east to the west boundary of Paris Township, thence south with said line to the place of beginning, to be known by the name of Liberty Township." Upon the organization of York Township, at a later date, the northern boundary line was changed, and the territory of Liberty made much less, and finally brought to its present limits and boundaries. Land surveys were begun in this township quite early, although not as soon as in the southern townships of the county. The first survey was made in September 1799. The several surveys of this township are as follows: Surveyed September 16, 1799, for David Duncan Assee, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 3,444, Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed February 8, 1834, for Arthur W. Duncan, Assee, 150 acres, Survey No. 3,462, E. P. Hendrick, D. S. Surveyed July 20, 1815, for John Scarborough, 666 acres, Survey No. 3,462, Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed December 4, 1823, for William Dangerfield, 400 acres, Survey No. 3,487, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 4, 1823, for Thompson Davis, 191 acres, Survey No. 3,487, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for William Richie, 100 acres, Survey No. 3,490, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for John Hoopwood, 100 acres, Survey No. 3,490, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed September 17, 1799, for Jacob Woolston, Assee, 600 acres, Survey No. 3,689, Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed November 7, 1803, for Benjamin Grimes, 1,333 acres, Survey No. 4,404, Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed November 7, 1803, for Benjamin Grimes, 1,333 1/3 acres, Survey No. 4,404, Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed December 11, 1805, for the representative of L. Jones, 382 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. 1,380 acres, Survey No. 4,815, James Galloway. Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for George Solomon. 100 acres, Survey No. 5,267, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for James Baldwin, 100 acres, Survey No. 5,267, James Galloway. Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for Bryan Simmons, 100 acres, Survey No. 5,267. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823. for William Russell. Asses, 200 acres, Survey No. 5,270, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 2, 1823, for George Winter, 100 acres, Survey No 5,270. James Galloway, D. S. Surveyed February 29, 1808, for Robert Means, Assee., 1,000 acres, Survey No. 5,729, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed September 4, 1809, for Robert Means, Assee., 300 acres, Survey -No. 5,777 . James Galloway Jr., D. S. Surveyed September 5, 1810, for Duncan McArthur, 880 acres, Survey Nos. 6,563 and 6,776, Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed November 29, 1823, for Richard Dorsey, 750 acres, Survey No. 12,282, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Charles Neal enters 100 acres, January 1, 1821, Survey No. 10,593. Surveyed October 26, 1824, for Young Wilkerson. 1,000 acres. Survey No. 12,283, Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed January 15, 1824, for John Shanks and Joshua McQueen, 200 acres, Surveys Nos. 12,388 and 12,401, J. Galloway. D. S. Surveyed March 12, 1824, for James Galloway, Jr., Assee., William Schoolar and Joshua McQueen, 523 acres, Surveys Nos. 12,399, 12,402, 12,395, 12,427 and 12,423, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed February 16, 1824, for Andrew Rogers, Joshua McQueen, Robert Green, Robert Payne and Susanna Payne, his wife, son of Robert Green, deceased, and James Galloway, Jr., Assee, 1,823 acres, Surveys Nos. 12,400, 12,403, 12,393 and 12,413, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 1, 1824, for Joseph Spencer, 200 acres, Survey No. 12,484, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed July 1, 1824, for Mazy or Mary Vance, 1,600 acres, Survey No. 12,472, Allen Latham, D. S. Surveyed February 4, 1832, for Joseph Spencer, 94 acres, Survey No. 13,271, James Galloway, Jr. D. S. Surveyed May 22, 1832, for James Galloway, Jr., Assee. 83 1/3acres. Survey No. 13,291. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed November 27, 1837, for Allen Latham, Assee., 455 acres, Survey No. 13,447, E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed February 13, 1837, for James Galloway, Jr.. Assee., 80 acres, Survey No. 13,849, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 24, 1843, for Allen Latham, Assee., 155 acres, Survey No. 14,912, E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed November 15, 1842, for John L. Dawson and John Dawson, Assees., 400 acres, Survey No. 14,755, E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed for Allen Latham, 81 acres, Survey No. 16,133. Surveyed for A. D. Kendrick, 100 acres. Survey No. 15,921. Surveyed for Tuttle Hudson, 400 acres, Survey No. 6,232. Surveyed for Robert Means, 1,828 2/3 acres, Surveys Nos. 5,778, 5,641, 5,800 and 6,495. SURFACE, SOIL, STREAMS, ETC. The surface is generally level, not as undulating as that of Allen Township. The western and southwestern portions are quite flat and originally were very wet, but by ditching and draining are becoming in fine condition for farming. The eastern and southeastern portions, and along the creeks are more undulating and in some places slightly hilly. The bottom lands and some of the level portions possess a deep black loam, but generally the soil is a strong productive clay and loam, producing abundant crops of corn, wheat, oats and grass. The principal stream of the township is Mill Creek, which enters from Logan County, on its west boundary, passing through the Hosack farm, on Survey 4,815, and meandering in a general southeastern course through the township, leaves it, and passes into Taylor, through the Aaron Shirk farm. This creek is one of the largest streams of Union County, and LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 383 gave water-power to all the early mills of this township: and along its course and near its banks located most of the first settlers. In its course through the township, it receives a few small tributaries, as Colver Run, etc., but none of any significance. In the extreme southern anti southeastern part, is Little Otter Run, which takes the same southeasterly course. In the southwest part is Flat Branch, which takes its rise in the western central portion and flows South into Allen Township. This township was originally heavily timbered, embracing the following varieties: White, black, red and burr oak, hickory, walnut, elm, sugar, maple and beech, the latter predominating, especially in the northern portion of the township. EARLY SETTLERS. The pioneers early made their way up Mill Creek, and formed a settlement in the dense forests of the territory comprised in Liberty Township several years prior to the settling of Allen Township. Levi Carter, believed to be a native of Virginia, was, in all probability the first to penetrate the unbroken wilderness of this domain. He settled on land now owned by James T. Mahaffy in 1813-14. He married Miss Elizabeth Edgar, by whom he had the following children: Caleb, who was a man full of eccentricities and well known for his peculiarities; Lemuel, who married Jemima Orahood; William. Joseph, Levi, Margaret and Malinda. Mr. Carter was one of the Judges of the first election of Liberty Township. As an inducement to start an early settlement here, Gen. McArthur offered 100 acres to any man who would permanently settle upon it, and Mr. Carter accepted the proposition, and became as above stated, the first settler in this vicinity. He was a good man and neighbor and a worthy citizen. About 1840, he with all his family removed to Illinois, where he died. Charles Colver, a native of the State of New York, who was mentioned as an early settler of Union Township, locating their in 1812; in the fall of 1815, became the second settler, probably of this township. He married Olive Callander, and settled on land now owned by his son, Russel Colver, and here resided till his death, September 8, 1823, aged fifty years; his wife Survived him several years and died on the home place. Their children were as follows: Standish, who married Betsey McCloud; she died and he married Maria Smith; his death occurred November 15, 1882; Asa, married a widow, formerly Mary Tignor, in the State of Mississippi, where he settled and resided till his death; Hulda married Joseph Curl and died in Logan County, Ohio; Caroline married Isaiah Garwood, and died in Logan County; Silas, removed to Illionis, where he married and resided till his death; Russel, married Mrs. Mary Colver, and resided in North Lewisburg; Catharine, married Hiram Smith, and resides near Irwin Station; Permelia, deceased; Amos, married a lady from near Homer; she died, and he removed to Oregon, where he again married and now resides; and Calista, who married William Stokes; she is deceased. Israel Carter, brother of Levi Carter, settled on land now owned by Moffet and Henderson, about two years later than his brother. He married and remained a resident of this neighborhood till his death. His children were Lewis, who never married, is deceased; Benjamin, married Miss Susan Kigar, moved to Illinois, where he died; Levi, married Miss Orahood, and subsequently moved to Illinois; John, married Fannie Griffin; she died, and he married Harriet Smith; again he was left a widower and married Mrs. Rebecca Foster, nee Smith; Charles, married Rachel Dillon; Israel, married Jane Smith, both are deceased; Zephaniah, married Frances Anderson, and removed to Wisconsin; Lemon, married Angeline Seaman, and removed to 384 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Kansas; Margaret, married a Mr. Paige, and settled in the West; Sarah, married Leonard Griffin, and removed to Iowa; Minerva, married a Mr. Dee, is deceased and Hulda, deceased. Mr. Carter was a highly esteemed and respected citizen. He died January 9, 1850. aged seventy-one years. Oron D. Colver, a brother of the above mentioned Charles Colver, settled on Mill Creek on land now owned by James T. Mahaffey, in the spring of 1816. He married Clarissa Millington, of Vermont, in 1799. They resided on the place where they first located till 1823, when they removed into Logan County, where he died August 21, 1827; his wife died April 29, 1857. Their children were Oron D., who died young in Vermont; Sallie, married Elisha White; she died in 1823; Angeline married Israel Lockwood; Sophia, married Ira White, and both died in Indiana; Rhoda, married James Hawley, and died in Illinois; Porter, married Laura Hawley, both died in Kansas; and Burrell, married Mary Lane, and resides in Kansas. Samuel Porter, a native of Vermont, with his family, settled on land now owned by William H. H. Titus, about 1817, where he resided till about 1823, when he removed back to his native State, where a few years after, he and his wife died. He was a man of untarnished character, a good neighbor and valuable citizen. James Herd, a native of Berkeley County, Va., emigrated to Clark County, Ohio, while a young man, prior to the war of 1812, and there married Margaret Edgar. In March 1817, they settled in this township, on land now owned by Henry Wheeler, being the fourth family to settle in Liberty Township. They resided here till their death. Mrs. Herd died in 1834, and he died January 12, 1842, in his fifty-fourth year. Their children were William, who died in Missouri, unmarried; Hannah, deceased; Andrew, married Sarah J. Turner, is deceased; Wallace, deceased; Jane, married Samuel Smith, is deceased; Margaret, deceased; Richard, married Miss Waggle, and now resides in Iowa, and James who married Desa Kaley. Mr. Herd was one of the most reliable citizens of Liberty Township. Thomas Herd, Sr., was born in Clark County, Ohio, and was a son of Thomas and Dorcas Herd, who moved from Berkeley County, Va., to Kentucky, at the close of the Revolutionary war, and in 1812 removed to Clark County, Ohio, where he died in 1813, and his wife in 1814, leaving Thomas, an infant child. He was taken by his uncle, James Herd, above mentioned, and raised to manhood, becoming a resident of this township with his uncle in 1817. He married Lydia Darrow, October 11, 1835, a native of Clinton County, N. Y. They settled on the farm where they still live, and have now made a continued residence of forty-seven years. This family was one of the true pioneers, and Mr. Herd still has vivid recollections of those days of trials and hardships; of bears, wolves, deer and other wild game in abundance, and the many dangers they and their stock were subject to from the ferocious bears and wolves, and how they had to secure their sheep nights in inclosures with a high fence all around; and many scenes and dangers of which the present generation have not even the faintest conception. Dr. Winthrop Chandler was a native of Vermont, emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Union Township, Union County, in 1818; married a Miss Hammond, and about 1826 settled in Liberty Township, on Mill Creek, where he practiced his profession till about 1846, when he removed to Illinois, where he died. He was the first resident practicing physician of Liberty Township. It is said he was a very peculiar and eccentric man, and when any physical exertion was necessary, he "was not around;" he had the reputation of being the laziest man in the community. He was accustomed to keep some old, second rate horses, which were never very well fed or groomed, and as a result, many LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 385 times became poor and weak, and sometimes would get down in the stable, and being too weak to get up, often had to be helped up. This, of course, took physical exertion, which was troublesome and distasteful to the Doctor, so to remedy the difficulty, he had a windlass arranged over the horses, and when they could not get up, he would attach his gearing and raise them with his windlass. But whether this story of his laziness and eccentricity be true or exaggerated, it is also true that he was a thoroughly educated man, and a regular graduate of a medical college, a scientific doctor, and one of the best Liberty Township ever had; a man of gentility and a good citizen. Isaac Brake, with his wife, Rosanna, natives of Virginia, emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, with their family, in 1818, remaining there two years In 1820, they removed to Liberty Township and settled on Mill Creek, being then quite advanced in years. They settled on the farm known as the Joshua Judy farm where they remained till their death. Mrs. Brake in her latter years became subject to a peculiar disease, and when its attacks came on (they generally came suddenly) she felt a desire for water immediately, and that administered she obtained relief. She had observed that if she should some time be attacked where she could riot readily obtain water, she believed she would die. In that day, shooting-matches were a common and legitimate occurrence, and the citizens generally attended them and tried their skill to win the prizes. On one of these occasions Mr. Brake and family attended, it being near by; at an early hour, Mrs. Brake took her leave and started for home. Subsequently the balance of them returned home. On their arrival they found Mrs. Brake had not reached her home, and they supposed she had probably called to see one of the neighbors, and no anxiety was awakened till a late hour; when upon her not making her appearance, they became anxious and entered upon a search; but no tidings could be obtained of her. Diligent search was made in all directions; " horns " were blown through the woods, and everything done that could be devised to learn of the whereabouts of Mrs. Brake, but not until the next morning was any intelligence received, when she was found a short distance from the main road, near some water, and life was extinct. It is believed that, on her way home, she had been attacked by her disease, and had gone to that place in search of her remedy-water-and while there died. This occurred about the year 1826. Mr. Brake died about the year 1833-34. Their children were as. follows: Adam, the oldest son, married Eva Baughan, and resided in Liberty Township till his death, May 15, 1870, aged seventy-six years; his wife died July 19, 1875, aged sixty-six years; Michael, the second son, married Polly Shirk, both are deceased; their children were, Aaron, Elam, John, Angeline and Mary; Sarah, the third child of Isaac; and Rosanna Brake, married John Shirk; Elizabeth, the fourth child, married Jeremiah Baughan; both are deceased. Mordecai Baughan a native of South Carolina, first settled in Ross County, Ohio; thence in 1820 removed to Union County, and settled on Mill Creek, about three-fourths of a mile below Newton, on land now owned by John Roynor. About 1858-60, he removed to Illinois, where he died. His children were Jeremiah, who married Elizabeth Brake, both are deceased; Mordecai, married Miss Orahood, is deceased; Madison, married Mrs. Gross, and removed to Illinois; Eve, married Adam Brake, both deceased, and one daughter who married William Gladhill. John Shirk, a native of Virginia, born February 3, 1787, married Sarah Brake August 2, 1805; she was born in Virginia January 2 , 1790. In 1820, he emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Ross County, and two years later removed to Union County, and settled on the farm since known as the Jesse Judy farm. In 1832, he purchased land where the Disciples Church now 386 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. stands. This tract of land he purchased of Judge McLean, and here resided till his death, about 1873. Mr. Shirk was a very large, robust man, and physically had but few equals. While a resident of Virginia, he was the acknowledged champion, both in physical strength and activity, and there "wore the belt." But he was also possessed of an unswerving character. In morals, in kindness and justice to all with whom he had dealings, he was excelled by but few. His conclusions upon right and wrong were drawn with great nicety of decision, and adhered to with great firmness in all the minutest details of business life. At one time in his life there was a scarcity in corn generally throughout this section of country, but Mr. Shirk had an abundance, and to spare. He had always said that the true value of corn was 25 cents per bushel; that it was worth that to raise it, and no more; and consequently would never sell his corn for any more or any less than that price. He found many poor people through the neighborhood who had to buy corn, and supplied them with what they needed at the above stated price, while at other places not many miles distant corn was selling at 50 cents per bushel. One of his neighbors who knew the market value of corn, and learned that Mr. Shirk had a quantity to sell, and also the price at which he was selling it, concluded he would enter into a speculation; he harnessed up a four horse team and drove over to Mr. Shirk's residence and told him he understood he had corn to sell. Mr. Shirk replied that he had, and the man with the team told him he would take all he had. Mr. Shirk replied: " You cannot have a bushel of it; you do not want it for your own use, and do not need it, but are trying to speculate off of poor people. " So he gave the man some strong moral advice, and sent him home without any corn. Thus was his kindness and generosity ever exhibited to the poor. At the time he concluded to make a purchase of land, one of his neighbors, Mr. Moore, decided also to buy; they were both poor. Judge McLean owned a large tract of land which they concluded they would endeavor jointly to purchase. The Judge would not sell to speculators; they desired it for their own use, upon which to make homes for themselves; so they concluded to go to see Judge 'McLean, in Ross County, and sot the day to start on their journey. Mr. Moore had nothing but an old ragged suit of clothes and felt unable financially to buy a new suit; so he borrowed a fine suit of his neighbor, and on the morning appointed, dressed in his tine black suit, he made his appearance at Mr. Shirk's ready to start on the trip, Mr. Shirk looked the man all over, from head to foot, then he told him to go right home and take off his fine suit and put on his old clothes or he would not go with him; that they were going to see the Judge in their plain old clothes, and tell him just their situation financially, and make no fine show of dress or any misrepresentation in any form. He did as Mr. Shirk directed; they visited the Judge, in that plain way, with plain talk, were successful, and purchased 733 acres of land for $1,000, on easy terms, and the same land, when correctly surveyed, embraced 912 acres. This success was all due to Mr. Shirk's straight forward course, and true representation of themselves and circumstances. And the above examples are but illustrations of the principles and character which made up the warp and woof of this noble pioneer's life. Mr. Shirk was the father of the following children: Elizabeth, who married Caleb Orahood; he died and she married Ezekiel Clements; she is now a widow again and resides in Middletown, Champaign County, Ohio; Aaron, married Rosanna Tobey; she died in 1879; he now resides at York Center; Nancy, married Daniel Johnson; Jemima, married Abraham Grubb; he died, and she married William Davis, and now resides in Michigan; Henson and Hiram (twins), the former married Nancy Wilson, the latter a lady in Northern Ohio, and subsequently removed to Iowa where he died; Jonas, married LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 387 Olive Harrington, is deceased; Isaac, married Jane Dillon; Lucy, married Matthew Johnson; Alfred, married in Michigan, was in the war of the rebellion, and severely wounded, from the effects of which he died soon after in Indiana; Silas, married Sarah Stout, who died, and he married Christena Hamilton; John, married Millie Clemens; Sarah, married James Miller, and now resides in Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio; and one child that died in infancy. Jacob Humphreys, a native of North Carolina, emigrated with his parents to Logan County, Ohio, about 1821-22, where he grow to manhood and married Margaret Green, and about 1829 settled in Liberty Township, Union County, Ohio, on land now owned by Mr. Hosack; here his wife died a few years after, and subsequently Mr. Humphreys sold his farm, returned to Logan County, and married Permelia Skidmore. Mr. Humphreys served in the war of the rebellion as Captain, and died in the army. His children by his first wife were Phebe Ann, Shepherd, Caroline and Sarah Jane; by his second wife he had several children born to them in Logan County. Elisha White, a native of Vermont, settled on land now owned by William H. H. Titus, about 1822-23; his wife soon after died and he married Sarah Colver, and about 1840 removed to Indiana. Mr. White was a very eccentric man, unpolished in his manners, yet a good neighbor and citizen. His children were as follows: Ira, who married Jemima Colver, and settled in Indiana, where both died; Diantha, deceased; and Sarah, who married a Mr. Seaman and moved away. David Lockwood, who was born in Vermont, settled on land now owned by Mr. Thompson, north of Newton; here he resided till quite advanced in years, when he removed to Illinois; remaining there but a few years, he again returned to Union County. Subsequently he again removed to Illinois, and in few years returned to this county and died. He was a farmer through life, genial neighbor and worthy citizen, and in religion a Universalist. - He married Hannah Hand, who still survives and now resides in Leesburg Township. Their children were Silas, who moved to Illinois and settled; is now deceased; Walter, also moved West; Alonzo, married Hannah Walker; Luther, deceased; Mary Ann, married Stephen Hutchinson, is deceased; Sarah Ann, married Robert Raymond, and moved to Kansas; Emily, married C. A. Williams; Angeline, married Samuel Dillon, and moved to Illinois; Jane, who married James Wallace, and removed to Illinois; Melissa, deceased; and Lois, who married Henry Andrews. Israel Lockwood was born in New England, and married Sallie McCloud. He with several of his neighbors first settled in Canada, where they remained till the war of 1812, when they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Union Township, this county, in 1818. In 1822-23, Mr. Lockwood settled in Liberty Township, on land now owned by Joseph Smart. His wife died and he married Angeline Colver. On this farm he remained a resident till his death in 1848. Mr. Lockwood was a most worthy farmer and citizen, and a member of the Methodist Church. His widow still survives and resides in Newton, one of the oldest pioneers now living in this township. Their children were, Thomas Edward, who married Julia Safford: was killed in the war of the rebellion; Oliver, married Amanda Judy and removed to Nebraska; Wesley, married Mary Ann Gray, she died, and he married Sarah Walker; Erastus, married Emily Baxley; George, married Henrietta Temple and removed to Kansas, but returned and is now a resident of this township; French, married Emily Dawson, and resides in Logan County, Ohio; Israel, married Amanda Woods; and Amanda and -31inerva, unmarried, and reside with their aged mother. William Gladhill, a native of Virginia, settled on Mill Creek, below New- 388 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. ton, on land now owned by John Reyner; he married a Miss Baughan, and about 1850 removed to Illinois, where he resided till his death. Their children were as follows: Joseph, married Martha Griffin, she died, and he married Sarah Irwin, and subsequently moved to Illinois; Mordecai, married Jerusha Clark and moved West; Jeremiah, also moved to the West; there were also two daughters-one died here, and the other moved West. Allen Rea, a native of Virginia, born December 12, 1798, emigrated with his father, Joseph Rea, and family, to Logan County, Ohio, in 1806, they locating near East Liberty, where Allen grew to manhood, and in 1821 married Maria Bishop. In 1828, he settled in this township on land now owned by James Herd, where they resided the balance of their lives. Mrs. Rea died in 1863, and he in 1870. When they located here, they commenced in the woods and out the first tree ever taken from their land. Wolves and wild animals were all around them. Theirs was the work of the true pioneer and they were faithful in it until death. They had the following children: Susanna, married Morgan Shirk, is now a widow residing at Kenton, Ohio; George M., is deceased; John B, was twice married, first "Hannah Wickersham, and second, Mrs. Mary J. Rice, and now resides in Kansas; Mary J., married D. H. Henderson; Charlotte, married Michael Hisey, and now resides in Indiana; Deborah, is deceased; Margaret, married William Crowder; Joseph S., married Nancy Clark, and resides in Kansas; Carlisle A.. married Delilah Skidmore, and resides in Kansas; Samantha, married A. W. Davis, and also resides in Kansas; Robert S., served in the late war, was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and died at Camp Chase from its effects; and Louisa, who married A. W. Davis, is deceased. William Crowder, a native of Virginia, came to Champaign County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Broader. In 1859, he settled in Union County, Liberty Township, cleared a farm in the midst of the forest, and here spent his entire life. His death occurred in 1878. Samuel Griffin, a native of Maryland, married Lucy Johnson and emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County, in 1812; while residing there he buried his wife. Subsequently he married Mary Plily, and in 1831 became a resident of Union County, settling on the location where Newton now stands, where he remained till his death, February 17, 1841, aged sixty-five years. He was a farmer, a reliable man and a respected citizen, and a member of the Christian Church. They had the following children: Caleb, who married Martha Plily, both deceased; Levin, married Emily Hand; she died and he married Mary Cahill; Daniel, married Amelia Burson; she died, and he married Sophrona Chamberlin, she is also deceased; he is a minister in the Christian Church, in which sphere he has labored for many years; Charlotte, is deceased; Fanny, married John Carter, is deceased; the above were children by his first wife; by his second wife he had Leonard, who married Sarah Carter, and settled in Iowa; Andrew Jackson, married Nancy Parson; Samuel, married Rachel Wigle; Lucy, married John Hamilton, and Martha and Marv deceased. David Hosack, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, of Irish descent. married Mary Gibson and settled in this township, on the north bank of Mill Creek, about 1835, and there and at his present location on the south bank of said stream has since resided, a period of forty-seven years. His father. John Hosack, and wife, Charity, settled here at the same date and remained here till their death; he died in 1842 and she a few years later. David was the father of the following children: John. William, Nancy, James, Harrison, Mary Jane, Lafayette and Caroline. Mr. Hosack is a quiet, reserved man in his habits, a kind neighbor and good citizen. Thomas Rea, a native of Vir- Page - 389 - Picture of Samuel Sherwood Page 390 - Blank LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 391 ginia, and a brother of Allen Rea, before mentioned, settled tin the same tract of land with his brother about 1830-31. He married Nancy Carter; residing here a few years, he sold his farm to Mr. Hosack and removed into Logan County, thence to Illinois, and finally to Iowa, where he died, September 1850. His children were as follows: Charles, Levi, Alonzo, Angeline, Rebecca, Allen and Robert, all of whom moved West, married and settled there. Silas Burson, a native of Virginia, married Charity Bird, and became a settler here, on land now owned by J. T. Mahaffy, in 1824. After several years' residence here, he removed to Illinois, with his family, where he remained till his death. Of his children, Permelia married -Daniel Griffin and subsequently he settled in Illinois, but again returned to this county and resided a few years; thence removed to Greene County, where his wife died. He died during the war, while nursing his son. Who had enlisted in the army and was sick and in the hospital. Jesse Judy, a native of Kentucky, removed to Clark County, Ohio, and about 1832 became a resident of this county, settling on Mill Creek, where he resided till his death, May 1, 1862, aged sixty-four years. His children all removed to the West. John Raymond, a native of New Hampshire, married Sallie W. and settled in Liberty Township about 1831. The post office at Newton was named in honor of him, as he was a resident of Newton, and took an active part in establishing the town, and was appointed the first Postmaster of the office. He died April 22, 1850, aged sixty-five years; his wife died December 6, 1860. Their children were Nathaniel, married Melissa Stewart; she died and he married her sister, Mrs. Lucinda Crew, and now resides in Illinois; Wallace, married Lucinda Stewart, is deceased; Robert, married Sallie A. Lockwood, and now resides in Kansas. Mr. Raymond was an active business man, a good financier and a reliable and honored citizen. Nathaniel Norviel, a native of Vermont, settled on land in the southern part of this township about 1835 -36. His children were Rufus; William, deceased; Abraham; Seth, deceased; David Stiles; Rodney, and two daughters one of whom is deceased, and the other married Mr. Sharp, of Logan County, Ohio. Littrell Ford, a native of Virginia, came to Champaign County, Ohio, when quite young, and married Irene Smith, settling in Liberty Township about 1829, where he resided till his death, about 1879. They had the following children: Archibald; Daniel, who served through the war; William and Lucinda, besides two or three deceased. George Baxley, born in Virginia June 6, 1801, married Martha Ann Griffith, July 4, 1826. They settled in Union County, on Boke's Creek, about 1840, and about 1843 traded the farm there for a grist mill on Mill Creek. This mill was ran for more than twenty years, after which he farmed some and served as Postmaster for a time, and also was in the drug business at Newton. Mr. Baxley died January 20, 1877. He was twice married; his first wife died May 19, 1881. He married for his second wife Mrs. Dillon, who still survives him. Mr. Baxley has immortalized himself by leaving behind him a diary, commencing in 1847, and continuing for nearly thirty years, containing the passing events'' of his family and the neighborhood generally. So thorough was his record, that when any neighbor desired to know the date of any event of the past or any, particular information upon incidents of the neighborhood, he would refer to Mr. Baxley, who, upon examination of his record, could generally give the desired information. Even the extremes of temperature, and marriages, births and deaths, were all recorded; excessive droughts, or excessive floods were all noted with correctness and precision. He was a pe- 392 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. culiar man, exhibiting many eccentricities, yet, withal, a respected citizen and neighbor. Nathaniel Stewart, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., emigrated with his family to Ohio and settled in Liberty Township, west of Newton, in the spring of 1836. They both remained residents of this neighborhood till their death, and were most worthy and devoted Christian people. They were both constituent members of the Christian Union Church, located in Taylor Township, between Newton and Marysville, and remained consistent members till their death. Mr. Stewart died October 12, 1872; his wife August 20, 1859. Charles M. Brooks came from Clark County, Ohio, and settled in Union County, with his step-father, in 1833. He married Susannah F. Bennett in 1827. They remained residents of Liberty Township many years, but finally removed to North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio. George Holloway settled in Liberty Township in 1846, and here opened out a home from the native forest. Solomon Cook settled here in 1846, and became an influential and respected citizen. He died April 8, 1879. Charles Smith, settled in this township in 1835, and remained a respected citizen till his death, October 18, 1859, aged seventy-one years. George Hemminger settled quite early in the southern portion of this township, and was a prominent and useful citizen. He and his wife, Susan, were among the organizers of the Otterbein United Brethren Church. Mr. Hemminger died January 29, 1874, aged seventy-six years. John Burson, settled here about 1833; he died October 22, 1880, aged seventy-six years. David Danforth settled about 1840, and died May 12, 1876, aged eighty seven years. Sewell G. Hartshorn became a settler about 1836; was from the State of New York; he died September 18, 1874, aged seventy-five years. Aaron Wheeler settled about 1836; died June 30, 1846, aged sixty-five years. Timothy Hutchinson located here about 1838; died November 12, 1869, aged eighty-five years. Peter Danforth settled about 1840; died January 12, 1843, aged eighty two years. David Paul settled here about 1838; died March 21, 1861, aged seventy one years. James Orahood became a resident here about 1835; died May 15, 1857, aged sixty-four years. The above is a record of most of the early settlers of Liberty Township. There are possibly a few names that have escaped our observation; if so, it has not been intentional on the part of the writer, but because he failed to get any knowledge of them, from the limited resources now left. Many names of residents of the township, especially of later dates, will be found in the list of officials of the township, in the history of churches, and especially in the biographical department of this work for Liberty Township. We will now give a few facts, incidents and events culled from the diary before mentioned, of George Baxley. May 7, 1849, David Paul's child was drowned in a cistern. Early in the year 1851, there was considerable agitation about building a railroad from Columbus to Bellefontaine. Mr. Baxley says it was surveyed through his farm, but predicted it would die a natural death, and thought it would be much better to build a good gravel road. On Sunday, November 30, 1851, Barnet Bennett's only child was strangled to death by a kernel of meat from a hickory nut getting into the air-passages to the lungs. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 393 Spiritualism.-January 14, 1852, spiritualism in full play; Mr. Baxley witnessed knockings at the home of Mr. Titus-David Rowland, the medium. On the 17th instant, he says, " people turned nearly crazy about mysterious rappings, which are all the go." On the 24th he says. " mysterious knockings still continue around these diggings. Some believe the devil is unloosed, and some believe that it is the spirits of the departed returned; whilst others believe it is animal magnetism of some kind. But all is yet dark! dark! No one as yet having found out the secret, or in my opinion, ever will." "February 10, mysterious rappings all the go-the devil I raised, etc." "February 18. mysterious rappings nearly every night; calling for the spirits of departed friends - Old Elisha White, Sampson, and Old Nick, himself-who they pretend comes at their bidding, and who has great aversion to the Bible, Testament and Hymn-book-knocking them away, off of the stand and table, while he molests no other book whatever." Extremes of Heat and Cold " January 20, 1852, thermometer 20' below zero." "June 5, 1852, heavy frost; over-coat and sitting by the fire feel comfortable; thermometer, 44' above zero at sunrise; beans, cucumbers, pumpkins and other tender vegetables killed by frost last night." " February 4, 1856, thermometer 14' below zero." " May 31, 1856, heavy frost." " June 5, 1859, heavy freeze, thermometer 28' above zero ice one-eighth inch thick; crops cut down." " June 4, 1860, ground covered white with hail; duration of hail storm, ton minutes; four panes of glass broken in my dwelling house, and four in the mill; the course of storm from northwest; sixty-two panes of glass broken in Methodist Church." "January 1, 1864, thermometer 100 below zero." "May 2, 1864, snow two inches deep." "June 12, also 13, heavy frost." "February 5, 1866, thermometer 10' below zero." "February 3, 1868, thermometer 10' below zero." "April 10, 1868, snow five inches deep." "August 18, 1869, thermometer 118' above zero." - Great Freshets -"January 1, 1847; another on April 14, 1859; and a still greater one on April 10, 1860, doing great damage; destroying property all along Mill Creek." "March 31, 1885, great freshet; highest water known since 1837." Sickly Season.-"August 1863, very sickly, flux, diarrhoea and fevers; al. most every family more or less afflicted, and many deaths." Great Temperance Crusade-" On Christmas, 1865, twenty or more ladies entered a saloon kept in Newton and destroyed all liquors, decanters, glasses, etc. Subsequently the said ladies were arrested for riot; also twenty indictments were found against the saloon keeper; he was fined and jailed, and at last completely prostrated, financially, and unable to continue prosecution against the said ladies; but at this juncture, the wholesale liquor dealer, from whom he purchased his liquor, and for which he was indebted, came to the rescue and took up the prosecution against the ladies. Subsequently the ladies in the case, and numerous citizens, raised money by subscription, and paid the damages to property, and thus settled the suit'' Pioneer. - " Jacob Orabood. settled here in Liberty Township in 1823, and resided here thirty years on Mill Creek, moving away in April 1850." GRIST MILLS, SAW MILLS, ETC. The first mill erected in Liberty Township was built about 1831-32, by Samuel Orahood. This was a grist mill run by water power, situated on Mill Creek, about one and one fourth miles above where Newton now stands, on the Israel Lockwood farm. It was a small but good frame mill. Mr. Orahood operated the mill two or three years, when he was succeeded by G. Smith, who, while owner of the mill, attached a saw-mill. In the spring of 394 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. 1843, George W. Baxley became owner of the property and continued to run these mills until 1856, when he rebuilt the grist-mill and ceased to run the saw-mill. This mill Mr. Baxley kept in repair and continued to ran for more than twenty-five years. It was very expensive to keep up the dam and have everything in repair, from the fact that Mill Creek was subject to so many freshets, washing out the dam, and it cost many dollars to repair it; this occurred frequently. Soon after the war, Mr. Baxley having poor health and the mill becoming old and dilapidated, he abandoned it, and it has never been repaired or run since. Clements' Saw-Mill.-About 1833, Ransom Clements erected a water-power sawmill on Mill Creek. This was probably the first saw-mill in the township, and was run about eight or ten years, when it ceased to be used; the saw mill above mentioned, attached to the grist mill, having supplanted it. About 1847, Ransom Clements commenced the erection of a saw mill, about one mile north of Newton, on the York Center road, but before the mill was completed Mr. Clements was succeeded by Walter and T. E. Lockwood, who finished the mill and ran it for a few months, when it was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt by Walter and Frederick Lockwood and operated by them till 1854-55; they were succeeded by Wheeler & Phelps. After a few months, Milton Colver became owner of the mill, but a few years later it was again destroyed by fire. Mr. Colver then sold the property to David Wood, who began preparations to rebuild it, but finally relinquished the project, and thus closed the history of this mill. The Thomas Grist Mill.--About 1845-46, Mr. A. Thomas erected a gristmill on Rill Creek about three and one-half miles above Newton. This will was ran by water power about ten or twelve years and went out of use. Peoria Saw-Mill -Was first erected and run by a Mr. Feltner; he was succeeded by Barnet Bennett. Tannery.-About 1849, T. L. and Daniel Wiswell built a tannery about one mile north of Newton, near the Clements saw mill. They carried on business nearly two years, when Daniel retired and the tannery was continued in operation by T. L. Wiswell till 1861, when he was succeeded by G. J. Hill. In 1865, the tannery passed into the ownership of E. & F. G. Lockwood, who continued business till 1870, when the tanning business was discontinued, having been run over twenty years. SCHOOLS. In 1824 was erected the first schoolhouse in Liberty Township. This was a round-log cabin situated on the lower corner of what is now the Baughan Cemetery. But prior to this, school was held in an old unoccupied house on Israel Carter's farm. The first teacher was William Edgar; the next, Thomas Lapham. The above-mentioned schoolhouse was Succeeded by a hewed-log house, which was built on the site of Dague & Wilson's store; and the first teacher here was Thomas Cheney. The next was a frame house erected on the lot where Mrs. Angeline Lockwood now resides; this was succeeded by a frame house built on the site of the present house. In 1880, the present large two story frame house was erected, with two rooms and two teachers employed. Thus from the primitive log schoolhouse has succeeded four different structures, each being a little better and more comfortable than its predecessor, until the present one is large and commodious and exhibits the interest taken by the people in the education of their children. A similar degree of progress is seen in the several neighborhoods and school districts throughout the township; from the rough log cabin, they have successively risen to good, comfortable frame or brick houses; and instead of benches and slab Seats they now LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 395 have the most approved furniture, constructed so as to give comfort mud to comport to the health of the children who are there to be educated and qualified for the responsible duties of life. The township is now divided into ten subdistricts, with the following enumeration of scholars- Subdistrict No. 1, males, 29; females, 22; total, 51. Subdistrict No. 2, males, 23; females, 21; total, 44. Subdistrict No. 3, males, 31; females, 29; total 60. Subdistrict No. 4, males, 17; females, 13; total, 30. Subdistrict No. 5, males, 13; females, 17; total, 30. Subdistrict No. 6, males, 49; females, 28; total, 77. Subdistrict No. 7, males, 35; females, 21; total, 56. Subdistrict No. 8, males, 13; females, 11; total, 24. Subdistrict No. 9, males, 33; females, 24; total, 57. Subdistrict No. 10, males, 18; females, 14; total, 32. Total males, 261; females, 200; grand total, 461. Board of Education.-District No. 1, James Thomas; No. 2, James Herd, President of the Board; No. 3, B. R. Sudduth; No. 4, J. E. Southard; No. 5, David Skidmore; No. 6, E. U. Argo; No. 7, Z. McElroy; No. 8, R. W. Bault; No. 9, M. W. Judy; No. 10, William Fry. REPORT OF BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR 1882. Balance on hand September 1, 1881 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,279 57 State tax . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 667 50 Irreducible school funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 43 50 Township tax for school and schoolhouse purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,365 03 Amount received from sale of bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 580 92 Library books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 52 Total receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4,941 04 EXPENDITURES. Whole amount paid teachers in common schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,696 00 Amount paid out for sites and buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,018 00 Amount paid for fuel and other contingent expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800 14 Total expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,514 14 Balance on hand September 1, 1882 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $426 90 Number of sub school districts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Number of rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Number of teachers employed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Average wages of teachers, male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $41 Average wages of teachers, female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27 Average number of weeks the schools were in session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 CHURCHES. Methodist Episcopal Church at Newton. This was evidently the first organized religious body in Liberty Township. In 1819, it is believed, Elder J. B. Finley organized a class at the house of Israel Carter, consisting of the following persons: Israel Carter and wife Agnes. Levi Carter and wife Betsy, and Mrs. Polly Carter. They occasionally met as a class. and at times had preaching at the private houses; but there were so few of them, and the roads in such bad condition, that it was difficult to meet together, and the organization was abandoned. About 1826, Rev. Simms visited the neighborhood and organized a class, in the schoolhouse. consisting of the above-mentioned members of the former class, together with the following persons: Adam Shirk and wife Anna, Mrs. Kiger, Israel Lockwood and wife Angeline, with some children of these families; also Polly Orahood, Jemima Carter and perhaps a few others. They held meetings at private houses and at the schoolhouse till about 1833, at which date they erected a hewed log house for church purposes, which served the people until about 1859, when the present frame house was erected. At the raising of the frame for this church, David Wood 396 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. had a foot badly crushed by a falling timber, which crippled him severely. The church was dedicated September 30, 1859, by Elder H. E. Pilcher, and regular services have been held here since. Among the pastors who have administered to the spiritual wants of this people since its organization were Revs. Jones, Pryor, J. A. Brown, George Walker, Oliver Burgess, T. Herbert, J. S. DeKalb, Ford, Good, Joshua Longfellow, Webster, Joseph Wilkes, Richard Lawrence, William Taylor, J. A. Wright, Dwight Cook, J. S. DeLiel, T. J. Mathews, James F. Mounts, H. J, Bigley, Samuel Boggs, John Bower, Taylor Jagger, Samuel Roberta, Shultz, Frank Oulds, Philip Wareham (one of the early ministers), Daniel Carter and William G. Littell; the latter is the present officiating minister. Class Leaders have been Charles Smith, who served twenty years, Charles Smith, Jr., Benjamin Glassco, Homer Woodward, R. P. Amrine and Isaac McElroy, with Benjamin Glassco and R. P. Amrine as the present class leaders. Present membership is about thirty-nine. A good Sabbath school has been maintained for many years. The average attendance is probably about forty-five, with R. P. Amrine as Superintendent. Free Will Baptist Church at Newton.-Is the next oldest church. It was organized March 28, 1826, by Elder David Dudley, at the house of James Herd, consisting of five persons, as follows: James Herd, Levi Carter, John Sharp, Jeremiah Moore and Israel Carter, who received the right hand of fellowship. James Herd was chosen Clerk. The monthly meetings were held for some time, alternately, at the house of Brother L. Garwood, and at East Liberty, until Brother Skidmore came into the vicinity, when they were held at his house, and then alternated between the three places. On November 1, 1834, the church met at Liberty for monthly meetings at which time Levi Garwood and James Herd were appointed Deacons in the church. At a meeting of their church, October 1, 1836, at the schoolhouse in Brother Garwood's settlement, Brother Isaac Dotson was received into the church and at the same time they moved that a request be sent to the next Quarterly Meeting to license Brother Dotson to " improve his gift wherever God in his providence might cast his lot. "Also at same time moved that Brethren L. Garwood and James Herd be ordained Deacons in this church. At a meeting at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day the said Brethren were set apart to the office of Deacons, by the laying on of hands by Elders Mead and Dudley. Also on the same day Brother John Monroe was chosen as Clerk. At a meeting of the church, December 16, 1837, at the schoolhouse in Liberty Township, after due deliberation, agreed to divide the church, and that the church at East Liberty be called the First Church. At same date. James Herd was appointed Clerk. At a meeting in November 1841, Levin Griffin was appointed Clerk; and moved that the subscription of $15.50 for " Home Missions " be collected and paid to Elder Mead on January 22, 1842, Elder Mead was appointed pastor of the church. December 24, 1842, Elder Harvey was appointed pastor for one year. On the fourth Saturday in July of the same year, Ara Gleason was appointed Deacon in the church. On the fourth Saturday of January, 1844, Elder Erastus Harvey was again chosen pastor for one year; and again. September 14, 1845. he was appointed for one year. In December 1845, was held a series of meetings during which quit" a revival occurred, and on the 22d of said month Elder George Baker baptized eleven persons. On the 30th instant. Elder David Dudley baptized six persons and ;it a meeting on the fourth Saturday of said month twelve persons, united with the church it Newton. On the fourth Saturday of July 1846, Brothers Ara Gleason and William Simmons were chosen Deacons in the church. December 3l, 1846, Elder David Dudley was chosen pastor for the year 1847: again in Jan- LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 397 nary, 1848, he was chosen pastor for that year; he also served for the year 1849. In 1850, he moved away. April 3, 1852, Elder Higgins was chosen pastor for one year. Again in April 1853, he was chosen for another year; and also served in 1854 and 1855. In 1856, Elder Colyer was employed as pastor, and continued as such till 1866. B. F. Zell became pastor in 1867, and remained till 1877 inclusive. He was succeeded by Elder Abraham H. Whitaker in the summer of 1878, and remained for four years. His services ended in the fall of 1882, since when the church has had no regular pastor. In 1852-58, this church and the Christian Church united their efforts and commenced the erection of a church building. It was several years before it was fully completed, but in the spring of 1858 the house was dedicated and has served the two societies to the present date. The present membership of the church is about twenty-two, with William Figley as Deacon. A flourishing Sunday school is conducted, averaging about seventy-five scholars, with Charles Lockwood as Superintendent, and Harry Williams, Assistant. Disciples' Church, on Mill Creek, was organized by Rev. D. H. Hathaway, in the winter of 1838, with the following constituent members: Andrew Henderson and wife Sarah, James Henderson and wife Elizabeth, Charles Burr and wife Mary, Jonathan Bennington and wife, and daughter Margaret, Robert Ramsey and wife, John Ramsey and wife, A. H. Thompson and wife Harriet, Joseph Phifer and wife Charity, and Rev. D. H. Hathaway and wife Rachel, and probably a few others, with Andrew Henderson and Charles Burr as Elders; James Henderson and Isaiah Bay as Deacons. The organization was completed in the schoolhouse near where the church now stands. They continued to, hold meetings in private houses and in the schoolhouses till about 1847, when they erected a hewed-log, building about 28x24 feet for church purposes, which was duly dedicated by Rev. Jacob Reed. This house served the people till the building of the present one, in 1859, at a cost of $1,200, and the same was dedicated January 29, 1860, by Huston January, since which time they have had preaching once every month to the present, and social meetings on every Sabbath day. The following pastors have administered to this society since it's, organization: Revs. D. H. Hathaway. Arthur Criffield, William Dowling, Sr. John Ferguson, Jesse Ferguson, Jacob Reed, George McCaul, John Reed, "Mr. Lieurance, David 'Mitchell, Joshua Antrim, Michael Riddle, William Pinkerton, Mr. Peterman, A. J. Clark, John Stanard, J. J. Moss, George Morse, Alonzo Skidmore, and Rev. M. C. Gallier. The present membership is about 100 with Daniel Skidmore, Lemuel Ballinger, D. H. Henderson, James Henderson and Isaac Shirk as Elders; and Thomas Garwood, D. S. Argo and George Holloway as Deacons. A good Sabbath school is hold here, which was organized here twenty-five years ago or more, and has been continued through the summer seasons to the present time. Otterbien United Brethren Church.-This church is located in the southwestern part of the township near Flat Branch, and was organized about 1849 by Rev. F. B. Hendrick,. who formed a class at the schoolhouse, consisting of the following persons: Zachariah -McElroy and wife Catharine, George Hernminger and wife Susan, Thomas Clark and wife Polly, John Stokes and wife, Littrell Ford and wife Irena. and probably a few others. Services were held in the. schoolhouse till about 1857, when they erected a frame house for church purposes and the same was duly dedicated to sacred use. Services continued to be held here regularly till about 1876, when the house became so out of repair that it, was no longer a suitable place in which to hold meetings, and the membership has dwindled away by death and removals, till now there are only two members, Rev. D. Zeigler and wife, and their membership is held in the Darby Church in Allen Township. For those who served as pas- 398 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. tors of this church, see Darby Church, as services were supplied at the two places by the same ministers. The following persons served as Class Leaders: Thomas Clark, Stephen Cranston, Cyrus Fetty, A. P. Hemminger, James Carnston and Zechariah McElroy. Christian Church at Newton. -September 30, 1850, the following persons organized themselves into a church under the appellation of " The Christian Church at Newton," taking the Bible as their only rule of faith and practice, viz.: Nathaniel Stewart, Hezekiah Stewart, Theodorus Green, Eliza Green, Jenette Robb, Jonathan Wickersham, Hannah Wickersham, Fannie Carter, Levin Griffin, Melissa Raymond, Mary Henderson, Permelia Griffin, Jacob Meyers, Catharine Myers, Abraham Stiner, William Reynolds. Mary Griffin, James Neal and Ann Wickersham. The minister who officiated on this occasion was Elder Daniel Long. Their regular church meeting to be held on the Saturday before the third Sabbath in each month at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. October 4, 1850, a meeting was hold for the election of officers, at which time R. H. Hutchinson was chosen Clerk, and Nathaniel Stewart, Deacon. On the third Saturday in September 1851, Jacob Myers was elected Clerk. Elder Beard was the minister at this meeting; also discourses were delivered by Elders Herd and Griffin, in October, Elder Wilson in December, and Elder Bowersmith, in January, Elder Long, in February 1852; April 25, by Elder Knight, on the third Sunday in May by Elder Robinson; and on April 10, 1858, by Elder Brina. April 11, 1858, the church building, spoken of in the history of the Free-Will Baptist Church as erected by the united efforts of the two churches, was dedicated, the following ministers present: Elder Baker (Baptist), Elder Knight (Christian), Elder Heath (Baptist,) and Elder Griffin (Christian), Brother Outland (Baptist) and Elder Brina (Christian). The dedicatory sermon was preached by Elder Knight. A series of meetings was held for five days, and a large number United with the church and received the ordinance of baptism. October 9, 1858, C. A. Williams was elected Clerk. Elder Knight served as pastor in 1858. October 8, 1859, P. Manchester was elected Clerk. Elder Knight was again employed as pastor in 1859; also in 1860. April 12, 1862, Edwin Cranston was elected Clerk. June 13, 1862, L. R. Carter was elected Clerk. October 17, 1868, D. H. Harrington was elected Clerk. January 19, 1877. A. H. Lyon was elected Clerk and also in 1878. Since the organization of the church the following pastors have served this people: Elder, Daniel Long, Josiah Knight, Daniel Griffin, C. T. Emmons, Hutchinson. William Webb, Winget, Lyons, Halverstot, and C. A. Williams. The present membership is about sixty-five: present pastor, Elder Humphreys Deacons are J. T. Mahaffey and Charles Tobey, and the present Clerk-, David Harrington. CEMETERIES. Baughan Cemetery was the first burial place in the township: it is located on the Marysville Pike, about midway between Newton and Peoria It was taken off from the farm of Mordecai Baughan, for a burial ,round, about 1822, and was dedicated to its use by the reception of the body of a child of William Gladhill; the second to be buried here was Mrs. Colver, wife of Charles Colver; and the third was Charles Colver. About 1868, this cemetery was enlarged by an addition from the farm of Orlando Wells, and about the same time the Township Trustees took charge of it, and have since kept it fenced and in repair. Newton Cemetery, located a little northeast of the village of Newton was set apart for burial purposes about 1850-51, from the farm of David Paul and first received the bodies of Lyman Bodkin and a son of Solomon Cook, Page 399 - Blank Page 400 - Picture of Mathew Lingrel LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.- 401 and has since been open for the reception of the dead. About one year ago the Township Trustees assumed superintendence of the grounds and are keeping up repairs in general. The above are the principal cemeteries of the township. South of Newton on the Clark farm is the private burial place of the Clark family; it is on the land now owned by J. W. Lockwood. Also at the Disciple Church is a private cemetery which belongs to the church; and a little further down the creek, situated on the north side of Mill Creek, is an old private cemetery; these are now but little used. ROADS AND PIKES. This township, like all the others in Union County, is well supplied with good gravel roads. The first to be built was the Marysville & Newton, 8 3/4 miles, built in 1871, at a cost of $23,673.50. The Marysville & Bellefontaine, 8 1/2 miles, at a cost of $26,122. The Newton & Bellefontaine, 4 miles, cost 7,968.25; the last two were built in 1874. The Broadway & Newton, built in 1876, at a cost of $5,315.26; this was 2 5/8 miles in length since the building of the above, several pikes have been constructed, and at this time others are being built, which when completed will give the township many miles of gravel roads, all the principal lines of road being transformed into good pikes or gravel roads. The township has one railroad, New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio, which was completed and the first train passed over the road in the spring of 1864. This road passes through the southwest portion of the township in a northeast and southwest course. having a station at the village of Peoria. This is a great convenience, furnishing the citizens with a good shipping point for their grain and stock. VILLAGES. There are two villages in the township, Newton and Peoria. The former was surveyed for David Paul and laid off into lots and streets, August 25, 1838. The lots are all five poles in front and eight poles back, excepting Lots No. 1, 18, 19, 25. Lots No. 1 and 25 are but three poles and twelve links in front. and eight poles back; Lot No. 18 is-five poles in front, on Marysville street, and four poles in back; Lot No. 19 is five poles in front, on Marysville street, and six poles back: the lines of Lots No. 18 and 19 running S. 46 W.; the lines of all the other lots run N. 51 W. and N. 39 E. and their opposites. At the northwest corner of Lot No. 13 is a stone planted, and at the southwest corner of Lot No 8, both stones are on the margin of Marysville street, all of which is represented on the recorded plat. March 6, 185-, Surveyed by A. F. Wilkins, for David Paul, an addition to the town of Newton, beginning at the south end of Marysville street, laying off on the west side of said street five lots, with five poles front, and eight poles back, to east lot, with an alley of one pole in width between No. 25 and No. 26, and No. 27 and No. 28, with an alley on the back two poles wide; course of the lots on Marysville street, S. 51' E., and course back S. 39' W.; amount contained in said additional lots, alleys and streets is two acres and four poles; and amount contained in each lot is one fourth of an acre. The first house was a frame, erected by Hezekiah Davis, on the corner now owned by James Wood. John Raymond kept the first hotel. The first store was opened by Edward Inskeep, who was succeeded by Hezekiah Davis and David Harrington, located on the James Wood corner; this was about 1838, near the time of the layingout of the town. William Boggs was the first blacksmith. First physician was Dr. Winthrop Chandler; he was succeeded by Dr. Core, then Dr. Marcus, Dr. Blair, Dr. Southard, Dr. Burkham 402 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. and Dr. Stokes. The post office was established about 1842, with John Raymond as Postmaster; he was succeeded by S. W. Atkinson, Nathaniel Raymond, Anson Darrow, J. J. Wallace, Nathaniel Raymond, G. W. Baxley, P. A. Graves, J. W. McElroy, W. M. Milligan, R. P. Amrine, W. M. Milligan and G. T. Lockwood, the present -incumbent. Present Business- Two general stores, Dague & Wilson and C. W. Case; one drug store, by Dr. Wright; one hotel, by E. Wells; two blacksmith and wagon shops, by Ham & Quinn and Moffitt & Hinton; one photograph gallery and furniture store, by S. U. Argo, one boot and shoe shop, by D, K. Anthony; one harness shop, by E. Lockwood; two physicians, Dr. J. Q. Southard and Dr. J. Wright; one two story frame schoolhouse, with two rooms, in which are employed two teachers; and two church edifices, with three denominations-Methodist Episcopal, Free-Will Baptist and Christian; the last two occupy one church building. The town contains by the last census, 175 people. It appears by the records in Marysville, that, on about the same location where Newton now stands, was surveyed and laid off into streets and alleys a town to be known as " Kingsville " as follows: "On September 26, 1834, was surveyed into lots and alleys for Samuel King a certain tract of land as described on the records at Marysville, the same to be known by the name of Kingsville, Union County, Ohio; Levi Phelps, Surveyor, and the same duly acknowledged on October 4, 1834, before Samuel B. Johnson, Justice of the Peace. "Recorded October 24, 1834, But we gain no further information concerning this town, and the probability is that, no building occurred and that four years later Newton was laid out and superseded it. Peoria-" I hereby certify that on the 20th day of May 1870, 1 made a survey of the town of Peoria in the township of Liberty, and in the county of Union, for Joseph K. Richey as described and platted upon the record at Marysville, containing, exclusive of the railroad land, 9 3/4 acres. B. A. FAY, Surveyor. The same being duly executed and acknowledged before W. M. Robinson, a Justice of the Peace. Addition. -"I hereby certify that in September 1872, I made a survey and plat of an addition to the town of Peoria, in the township of Liberty, in the county of Union, in the State of Ohio, for Robert D. Finley, as duly described and platted on the record at Marysville, F. J. Sager, Surveyor." The same being duly executed and acknowledged before George W. Baxley, a Notary Public, October 4, 1872, and recorded in October 1872. Hiram Raney, Recorder. Robert Finley opened the first store; George Wesley was the first blacksmith; Robert Finley was appointed first Postmaster. Messrs. Woods & Richey erected a warehouse. The village now contains about seventy-five persons, with one general store, by Gosnell Brothers; one blacksmith, Samuel Sterling; one warehouse, by Rogers & Thompson; and one saw mill. The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad passes through the town. This is the only railroad station and shipping point in the township. SECRET SOCIETIES. Newton Lodge, No. 249, F. & A. M., was instituted October 19, 1854, with the following Charter members: W. H. Robb, P. Manchester, C. Winkler, Milton Colver, Nathaniel Stewart, James R. Smith, James W. Brooks, Smith Brown, T. L. Wiswell and G. W. Baxley; with officers as follows: W. H. Robb, W. M.; P. Manchester, S. W.; C. Winkler, J. W. Present membership, thirty-three. Present officers are: S. S. Drarke, W. M.; E. Lockwood, S. W.; Almond Johnson, J. W.; N. O. Dillon, Treasurer; C. F. Smith, Secretary; T. A. Redding, S. D., and O. H. Reeder, J. D. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 403 OFFICIALS OF LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. We find the early records of this township are lost or destroyed; the records that are now in their possession only run back to 1863. The first election for State and county officers was hold October 8, 1822; Charles Colver, Josiah Davis and James Herd were Judges; Elisha White and Israel Lockwood, Clerks. The number of votes polled at this election was ten resulting as follows: Jeremiah Morrow, 10 for Governor; Joseph Vance, 10 for Representative in Congress; Henry Brown, 10 for Senator; Nicholas Hathaway, 10 for Representative in State Legislature; Nathaniel Kazer, 5, Harvey Hovey, 3, and John Reed, 2, for Sheriff; James Comer, 7, for Coroner; Anson Howard, 7, and Henry Sager, 1, for Commissioner; Clark Proven, 7, and Alexander Robinson, 1, for Auditor. In 1880, the township polled 372 votes. TRUSTEES. 1863, L. S. Norviell, C. M. Brooks and T. E. Brown; 1864, J. H. Thomas, Thomas E. Bowen and C M. Brooks; 1865, D. H. Henderson, John Hartshorn and T. E. Brown, 1866, James Cranston, Israel Carter and George Halloway; 1867, James Cranston, Stephen Shirk and George Holloway; 1868, D. H. Henderson, Stephen Shirk and A. P. Hemminger; 1869, D. H. Henderson, James Cranston and Stephen Shirk; 1870, Stephen Shirk, Charles Tobey and R. W. Bault; .1871, Charles Toby, James T. Mahaffey and R. W. Bault; 1872, R. W. Bault, D. H. Henderson and John Hartshorn; 1873, E. Lockwood, Stephen Shirk and James Herd; 1874, James Herd, Erastus Lockwood; 1875, D. H. Henderson, N. G. Dillon and John Hartshorn; 1876, D. H. Henderson, N. G. Dillon and J. J. Miller; 1877, A. H. Doan, D. K. Anthony and James Herd; 1878, A. H. Dean, D. K. Anthony and E. Tallman; 1879, W. Milligan, D. H. Henderson and Alexander Gibson; 1880-81, W. Milligan, George Holloway and J. R. Hubbard; 1882, John Reyner, N. G. Dillon and J. E. Southard. CLERKS. 1863-73, A. A. Hutchinson; 1874, L. F. Strickland; 1875. A. A. Hutchinson; 1876, George W. Baxley; 1877, J. C. Lockwood; 1878, D. H Thomas; 1879-80, J. H. Lockwood; 1881-82, H. Dague. TREASURERS 1863-64, Josiah Knight; 1865-66, S. H. Hewett; 1867, T. L. Wiswell; 1868-70, James T. Mahaffey; 1871, James Henderson; 1872, James T. Mahaffey; 1873-82, Stephen Cranston. CONSTABLES. 1863, Job Dillon and A. Lockwood; 1864, Job Dillon and Abisha Warner; 1865-66, A. Warner and Levin Griffin; 1867, A. Warner and C. F. Sparks; 1868-69, A. Warner and Levin Griffin; 1870, A. Warner and Job Dillon; 1871, A. Warner and E. Hammond; 1872, N. G. Dillon and A. J. Griffin; 1873, John Reid and Irwin Turner; 1874, Levi Hill and Irwin Turner; 1875, A. E. Myers and L. Griffin; 1876, A. E. Myers and A. Phelps; 1877, A. E. Myers and W. P. Miller; 1878, A. E. Myers and John Dasher; 1879, L. McElroy and D. A. Lockwood; 1880, N. G. Dillon and D. A. Lockwood; 1881, L. McElroy and J. E. McElrony; 1882, L. McElroy and John Darling. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 1823-38, William Gladhill; 1838-53, Joshua Judy; 1838, James Herd; 1841-47, E. W. Inskeep; 1842-48, David Danforth; 1846, William Norviell; 404 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. 1847--53, Miles H. Wadham; 1849-70, David Norviell; 1852, F. E. Henderson-, 1853, Samuel Turner; 1853, Bonnet Bennett; 1854, R. L. Judy; 1856 - 62, William M. Baughan; 1857. Samuel Turner; 1860-69, T. L. Wiswell; 1867, T. E. Bowen; 1868, S. W. Atkinson; 1868, A. P. Hemminger; 1871-73, James Herd; 1871-74, James T. Mahaffey; 1877. S. W. Atkinson; 1880, John Lyon. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)