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630 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP BY LOUIS F. COLEMAN. Only a century ago, the territory known as Deerfield Township was clad in its native wildness. Not an open space could be found which would let the mellowing light of the sun pass to the then undisturbed soil. The forests stood an impenetrable wilderness and, with not a tree amiss from their number, defied any transformation of nature's unexplored solitude. Heavy underbrush formed itself into one continuous mat, only broken by the winding trails along which the native red man was wont to wander. TOPOGRAPHY. Already had the streams penciled their courses between the rounded and rock-ribbed hills and the many springs had an easy outlet at all times by which their chilled waters were carried oceanward. The springs and streams are to-day as they were centuries ago. The names they bear were given to them by the early settlers. They were so given on account of local causes. The Little Muddy Creek is the pride of the Northern part as it courses its way toward the Little Miami. Then comes Muddy Creek, the largest stream of the township, taking up the waters " that become unclasped from the folds of the ground," near Socialville, then forwarding its way diagonally across the township in a northeasterly way. Spring Run carries the waters away from the many springs in the southwestern part. The Little Miami scallops the eastern boundary and coaxes the waters from Espy's Creek (now Simpson's) and Cat, or Monger's Run. The township is well watered throughout. The wells are of the best, being from twenty to thirty feet in depth, and limy in nature, owing to the limestone strata that exist throughout our territory. The lowlands at the source and along the streams, in the earlier period, were covered with water, which places, in later days, have been tiled and drained and now form some of the richest farms in Southwestern Ohio. Swamps and marshes were numerous at an early date, but they have become valuable fields by the ingenuity of man. The character of the soil in the north is of that rich black quality generally found in bottom lands, which is so well adapted to the raising of corn and heavy- yielding barley; in the south it assumes a more clayey nature, better known as wheat-and-oats land. This difference in the soil makes the season for the farmer two weeks earlier in the northern part than in the southern. The forests are so far cleared away that not more than one-eighth part of the township is now covered with woodland. The land originally was well timbered with oak, elm, ash, hickory, wild cherry, maple, sugar-tree, black and white walnut, sycamore, cottonwood, etc., etc. ; but the forests have so yielded to man's longing for cleared land, that the scarcity of certain kinds of timber is so great that many trees now are sold for $50 as they stand in the woods. The monarch oaks seem troubled as their bald and dying tops indicate, owing to the stealing away of the moisture from the ground, by the thorough draining of the land and the destroying of the underbrush. Rich deposits of gravel are found in the northern part, supposed to have been cast there by the melting of icebergs in a very remote period, when the oceanic waters rolled over our surface. These icebergs holding this gravel DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - 631 wended their way through what we now term valleys, until they reached this latitude, where it is supposed the temperature was such as to melt them, thus depositing the gravel and forming inexhaustible knolls from which the necessary material has been obtained for the numerous improved roads of the township. In early days, the country contained many "deer-licks," being springs tainted somewhat with saline substances, and to these many deer were wont to go. It is from this cause that the name Deerfield was given to the township. This name was given to one of the townships of Hamilton County about 1796, which included nearly all of what is now Warren County. There were three noted licks —one was north of Mason, on Dodd's place, where the early settlers went to capture game. The men had planks placed in the trees upon which they rested while awaiting the coming of the deer. Another was known as the Deer Park and was south of Mason This consisted of a spring and grounds within an elevated ridge. Upon the ridge, the settlers had placed a barrier of logs leaving an open place through which the deer could enter in order to reach the spring. When once within this inclosure, the hunters, closing the opening, would take all within captives. This was an attractive place for sportsmen and many deer were killed here. The third lick was south of Socialville. Around these springs to-day nothing is seen but cultivated fields. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. To whom is due the honor of being the first settler in this township is not definitely known, as persons settled early in different localities. The forfeitures in Symmes' Purchase are explained in the general county history. There were many of these in Deerfield Township. The first settlers of the township located on these claims and were generally of the poorer class. Joseph Coddington and Peter Tetrick were undoubtedly the first white men who made their homes in the township. Coddington settled on the forfeiture of Section 35. He was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and settled here about 1795; his first house was made of bark built against a log, and in it he lived while making his improvements. Having cleared some land, he raised corn and carried it on his back to Columbia to be ground, being gone some days at a time for this purpose. He afterward built a log house and continued his improvements. He shot deer and wild turkeys from the door of his cabin and had adventures with bears and wolves. He had a family of ten children who grew up, married and raised families. His descendants write their name Corrington. Joseph Coddington and two of his sons served in the war of 1812. Peter Tetrick settled on the forfeiture of Section 27, where he built a rude house and lived by himself ten years before he was married. He came from Virginia quite early and stopped at Fort Washington before coming to this township. Failing to secure a deed for his forfeiture land, he purchased land from Thomas Espy upon which he lived and raised a large family. He married a Miss Lowry. Benjamin Morris was probably the first settler in the immediate vicinity of Twenty Mile Stand; he settled on the forfeiture in the northeastern part of Section 20, for which he received a deed in 1798; he afterward removed to Turtle Creek Township. William Wood settled on the Little Miami about 1797, and built his mill in 1798 or 1799. Robert Witham settled about 1798 on the eastern half of Section 28; he was the ancestor of many families of Withams now found throughout the township. Moses Kitchel was the first to receive a deed from Symmes His farm 632 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. was on Section 18, upon which he settled about 1796. He was a man given to much speculation and traded continually in land; he was from Wales. Thomas Espy, Jeremiah Morrow and John Parkhill, having selected lands in the same vicinity, came up from Columbia to survey them in the winter of 1796-97. They encamped in the woods; the weather was extremely cold, and Mr. Parkhill, having his feet frozen, they were detained for some time in the wilderness. Gov. Morrow was at that time a 'young unmarried man, and boarded at the house of Mr. Espy, in Columbia, and followed the business of surveying. Espy and Morrow came to Columbia in 1795. Thomas Espy settled on Section 21, and built his cabin about one-half mile north of the site of Twenty Mile Stand, on a stream then called Espy's Run. Morrow and Parkhill settled on Section 15. Soon after, David Espy, a brother of Thomas, purchased the lands where Twenty Mile Stand now is, and began a settlement there, where he continued to reside until his death, at an advanced age. Parkhill and Morrow were brothers-in-law, and lived as near neighbors until their death, and died within two weeks of each other, in 1852, both over eighty years of age. David Espy was a Swedenborgian. Thomas Espy, John Parkhill and Gov. Morrow were members of the Associate Reformed Church and assisted in the establishment of a church near Glendale, Hamilton County, which was the first church of this denomination in the Northwest Territory. Morrow was the father of eleven children, Parkhill of fifteen and Thomas Espy of eleven. John Patton settled on the forfeiture of Section 34. Thomas Crawford settled on the forfeiture of Section 22. Ruloph Schenck was one of the earliest in the western part of the township, settling on Section 6, now the Voorhis place. Being Indian-like in most of his ways, caused him to be known as the "Old Injun." Stephen Bowyer, a Virginian, came here in 1798 or 1799, and settled on Section 16. Before 1800, James McCready settled on the farm, which is still in the family name, in Section 14. About the same time, James Ross settled in the central part of Section 20. John Bigham came about 1798, and settled in the central part of Section 35; he was from Ireland. John Briney settled on the forfeiture of Section 6, which passed into the hands of John Randall, who came shortly after 1800, and was quite a prominent man in his day. Sam. Bouseman settled the forfeiture of Section 5, which is now known as the Harper farm. The forfeiture of Section 33 was settled by a man named Powell. Three brothers by the name of Clark—John, Elisha and Brazilla—located in the eastern part of the township in the early part of the century. John was a local preacher of some prominence, and is the ancestor of the Clarks now in the township. The other two lived but a short time in the community. John Meeks, about 1797, lived for a short time on the Crawford farm near 'Union. Maj. William Mason emigrated to Ohio about the year 1795; at an early day he was made Major in the Ohio militia, and served in Harmar's campaign against the Indians; also in the war of 1812. Upon his arrival in the township, he purchased a section of sand upon which he settled, and, in time, laid out the village of Palmyra. He raised a family of four children, all of whom married and remained in the township. One of the most prominent men of the northern part of the township was Judge J. D. Lowe, who came to this community about 1800; he was an Associate Judge from 1803 to 1824; he speculated much in land and became the DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - 633 owner of several large tracts; he gave a lot for the Unity Church and graveyard; he located on the hill east of Students' Hall, where he kept an important stopping-place for travelers and where a post office was soon stationed. His with them to Dayton, where some of them have been quite prominent in the family consisted of six children, and, when they became grown, he removed legal profession, and one has been Governor of Iowa. Joseph Scofield was among the settlers about 1800, who located south of Mason. A man by the name of Keelor settled the extreme southwestern section of the township; which is now known as the Morrison farm. Among others who owned lands in the early part of this century, and have no descendants now in the township, were Ralph Phillips, John Gano, Jedediah Tingle Benjamin Scudder, Benjamin Stites, John Shaw, Patrick Shaw, Ralph Hunt, David, Flynn, John Cain, Piercy Kitchel, Garrett Peterson, John Howard, Luther Ball, David Enyart, John Glass, James Fugate, Henry Houk, Jedediah Hewett, John Trimble, Dick Compton, H. Cole, Dr. Cazad, William Kendall John Seward, the father of Mason Seward, a prominent man of Mason for many years, emigrated here in the first decade of the century and located just east of town The Cline family came from Pennsylvania a short time after 1800 and settled on Section 22. To Frederick Cline, who is still living, we are much indebted for valuable information. The Dodds family first settled north of Lebanon, but came to this township in 1808, and located south of Mason on the Jos. Dodds farm. Benjamin Dodds, the father, was a man of energy, and raised a family consisting of eleven children, most of whom remained in the township and became the heads of large families. The Wikoff family came from New Jersey in 1810, and settled on the Coulson farm southwest of Mason. The Voorhis family first settled west of Lebanon on the Snook farm. Of the children that became grown Alfred located on the old Schenck farm, which he still owns. The William Coulson family came from Pennsylvania to this township in 1811, and settled on the farm north of Mason, which is still in the family. Mr. Coulson was quite a prominent man during his years of activity; his family was large, most of whom remained in the township. James Johnson came about the year 1806, and settled on Section 18; his family consisted of eleven children, most of whom arrived at the age of maturity. In 1816, a family of eight orphans, by the name of Dill, came from New York and settled on Section 17, where the John Hoff farm now is. The Thompson family came some time in the decade of 1820, and located in the neighborhood of Socialville. John Randall settled early on a farm west of Mason. For many years he was the Treasurer of the county, being regarded by all as a man of honesty and integrity. Some other early families can be named, as David Slayback, Morrison, Baxter, Hageman, Irwin, Monfort, Rynearson, Voorhees, White, Scott, Bercaw, Baysore, Van Horn, Argendine, Hoff, McClung, Bursk, Bennett, Vandyke and Smith. who came at a later day and are at present well represented in the township. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. Deerfield was one of the four original townships into which the county was divided, May 10,1803. As originally organized, it included more than one- 634 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. half of Turtle Creek, all of Union and all of Salem north of the Little Miami, together with its present territory. Its position is in the extreme southwestern part of the county. The township embraces 20,566 acres, or a little over thirty-two sections. It includes part of Townships 3 and 4, of Ranges 2 and 3 north. The first township seat was at Deerfield, and the first election was held at David Sutton's house, June 7, 1803. Mason, formerly known as Palmyra has been the township seat since 1815. The first election at Palmyra was held at the house of James Fugate. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. From imperfect early records, we find that Moses Kitchel, Andrew Lytle and David Fox were the first on the list of the Justices of the Peace. Afterward were L. D. Leonard, Joseph Scofield and James L. Kitchel. After this they were elected as follows: Andrew Lytle, elected 1808, continued until 1814; Stephen Bowyer, elected in 1808, resigned in 1810; Garrett Peterson, elected in 1810, continued till 1816; Piercy Kitchel, elected in 1811, continued till 1817; Abram Van Fleet, elected in 1814, continued till 1817; William Coulson, elected in 1816, continued till 1828; John Lowe, elected in 1817, continued till 1824; James Fugate, elected in 1817, continued till 1820; Stephen Bowyer, elected in 1820, continued till 1823; Henry Houk, elected in 1823, continued till 1835; Alex Dill, elected in 1824, continued till 1827; David Slay- back, elected in 1827, continued till 1830; William Kirkwood, elected in 1828, continued till 1831; Abraham Phillips, elected in 1830, continued till 1845; Mason Seward, elected in 1831, continued till 1837; George G. Murphy, elected in 1835, continued till 1837; John A. Dodds, elected in 1837, continued till 1846; dames Baxter, elected in 1837, continued till 1859; John Morrow, elected in 1845, continued till 1848; William Miller, elected in 1846, continued till 1852; P. W. Wikoff, elected in 1848, continued till 1851; Mason Seward, elected in 1851, continued till 1854; Milton Coulson, elected in 1852, continued till 1864; Thomas Crawford, elected in 1854, continued till 1857; D. W. Vandyke, elected in 1857, continued till 1860; James R. Kendall, elected in 1859, continued till 1862; D. W. Baxter, elected in 1860, continued till 1866; R. H. Bennett, elected in 1862, continued till 1865; D. W. Vandyke, elected in 1864, continued till 1879; Reading Doty, elected in 1865, continued till 1868; T. J. Blackburn, elected in 1866, continued till 1869; John Haines, elected in 1868, continued till 1872; R. H. Bennett, elected in 1869, and still continues; P. C. Byrne, elected in 1872, continued till 1878; T. J. Blackburn, elected in 1878, continued till 1881; J. H. Vallandigham, elected in 1879, and still continues; Darius Ross, elected in 1881, and still continues. The record of the other township officers, up to 1826, is lost, and we can only append those that have served since that time: Township Clerks--Mason Seward, served from before 1826 till 1831; L. D. Leonard, from 1831 till 1834; David Fox, from 1834 till 1835; Milton Coulson, from 1835 till 1841; William Kirkwood, from 1841 till 1843; Milton Coulson, from 1843 till 1848; James Baxter, from 1848 till 1852; Milton Coulson, from 1852 till 1859; William H. Kendall, from 1859 till 1863; D. W. Vandyke, from 1863 till 1873; A. Miller, from 1873 till 1876; J. T. Cunningham, from 1876 till 1877; Sam C. Bennett, from 1877 till .1879; B. D. Welton, from 1879 till 1880; W. C. Van Fossen, from 1880 and still serving. Treasurers-Stephen Bowyer, served from before 1826 till 1832; G. Barton, from 1832 till 1833; James McCowen, from 1833 till 1836; Robert Thompson, from 1836 till 1859; John A. Dodds, from 1859 till 1867; W. W. Wikoff, from 1867 till 1872; P. W. Wikoff, from. 1872 till 1874; R. M. Cox, from 1874, and still continues. DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - 635 Trustees-1826, William Coulson, James McCowen, Thomas McWheny; 1827, William Coulson, James McCowen, James Logan; 1828, John Ross, Thomas as Hall, Henry Houk; 1829, same; 1830, James McCowen, John Bigam, James Baxter; 1831. Abram Phillips, William Kirkwood, James Baxter, 1832, Abram Phillips, R. G. Compton, James Baxter; 1833, John A. Dodds, Abram Phillips, James Baxter; 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, same; 1838, John Waldron, Murphy, John Morrow; 1839, Richard Cox, Reuben Murphy, John 1840, Richard Cox, Reuben Murphy, John Baxter; 1841, Richard H. Willoughby; Reuben Miller, John Baxter; 1842, Richard Cox, James Thompson, John Willoughby; 1843, Richard Cox, James Thompson, John Ross; 1844, Richard Morrow; Thompson, James Fugate; 1845, same; 1846, Richard Cox, James C Thompson, William Ross; 1847, same; 1848, Mason Seward, Levi Bowyer, William Ross; 1849, Mason Seward, Levi Bowyer, John L. Thompson; 1850, 1851, same; 1852, Mason Seward, Richard Cox, John L. Thompson; 1853, R. H. Bennett, Richard Cox, John L. Thompson; 1854, A. C. Bates, Richard Cox, John L. Thompson; 1855, P. W. Wikoff, Richard Cox, John L. Thompson; 1856, same; 1857, P. W. Wikoff, Richard Cox, James Baxter; 1858, P. W. Wikoff, Richard Cox, Levi Bowyer; 1859, Jonas McCurdy, Peter Walsh, Sam. Paxton; 1860, Jonas McCurdy, Peter Walsh, William Cox, Jr.; 1861. Jonas McCurdy, Barn Miller, William Cox, Jr.; 1862, T. M. Skinner, Barn Miller, William Cox, Jr.; 1863, R. M. Cox, Barn Miller, J. M. Thompson; 1864, same; 1865, R. M. Cox, P. W. Wikoff, J. M. Thompson; 1866, same; 1867, R. M. Cox, Sam. Casseday, Joseph A. Dodds; 1868, same; 1869, James M. Thompson, Sam. Casseday, Joseph A. Dodds; 1870, 1871, 1872, same; 1873, James M. Thompson, Sam. Casseday, R. M. Cox ; 1874, James M. Thompson, Sam. Casseday, A. W. Stitt; 1875, William C. Williamson, Sam. Casseday, A. W. Stitt; 1876, William C. Williamson, Sam. Casseday, J. M. Thompson; 1877, same; 1878, William C. Williamson, Sam. Casseday, John M. Voorhis; 1879, William C. Williamson, Sam. Casseday, Lee R. Randall; 1880, same; 1881, William C. Williamson, Sam. Casseday, J. M. Ralston. Constables-J. D. Slayback, served from 1826 till 1828; L. D. Leonard, from 1828 till 1829; John A. Dodds, from 1829 till 1831; J. D. Slayback, from 1831 till 1833; Cyrus Hamilton, from 1833 till 1835; L. H. Davis, from 1835 till 1837; W. C. Wikoff, from 1837 till 1839; Abraham Duvall, from 1839 till 1840; M. C. Wonnell, served 1840; William Walker, 1841; P. W. Wikoff, from 1842 till 1845; Daniel Whittaker, from 1845 till 1846; Joseph McCoy, from 1846 till 1847; P. W. Wikoff, from 1847 till 1850. Since 1850, the Constables have been Thomas Crawford, Sam Crawford, Ambrose Mason, S. W. Logan, J. S. Scofield (two years), J. M. Duvall, S. W. Logan, Silas Ballard, Elias Meighan, W. W. Thompson, H. D. Enyart, W. G. Ammons, Garret Wikoff, J. D Martin, Garret Wikoff, W G Ammons, Elias Meighan (three years), J. R. Corrington, William R Minor, D. R. Whitaker, J. R. Corrington (three years), Gill Dom, H. T. Scott, J. A. Dodds (two years), J. R. Corrington (two years). Assessors-The following persons have been Assessors since 1842: Felix Welton, three years; James Baxter, two years; James Thompson, three ears; David Whitaker, five years. From 1857 to the present, the one elected Constable was also elected Assessor for the township. Prior to 1842, there was only one Assessor for the county, who appointed deputies at times from the several townships. But, as the county rapidly increased in wealth, the duty of assessing property was given to one from each township. Overseers of the Poor were also elected during the first forty years of our township history. These overseers would see to the welfare of those who were citizens of the township and unable to make a living. The paupers would be 636 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. sold out, so to speak, to the lowest bidder, who would take care of the unfortunate one for a year. The records are fall of such sales as the one we insert: Thomas W. Clark, sold for eleven months to Mary Scofield, to be kept by her for the sum of $46.75. Given under our hands this 20th May, 1829. WILLIAM GIFFIN, ROBERT DOING, Overseers of Poor. Besides this, whenever a person or family would come into the township, and it was thought that a charge or burden would be the result, such a warrant as this would be issued: STATE OF OHIO, Warren Co., To John D. Slayback, Constable, Greeting : Deerfield Township. You are hereby directed to command John Lewis (a black man), and family ; likewise his mother-in-law, Nancy Symmes, forthwith to depart the township of Deerfield, and of this writ make legal service and return. Given under our hands this 12th day of July, 1826. Wm. GIFFIN, ROBT. DOING, Overseers of Poor. The county officers that have been taken from Deerfield Township are David Sutton, Clerk of Court from 1803 to 1815; John Randall, Treasurer, from 1828 till 1836; F. S. Welton, Recorder, in 1859; A. B. Gooch, Recorder, from 1866 till 1871; J. D. Lowe, Associate Judge from 1803 till 1824; John A. Dodds, member of General Assembly in 1849, 1850, 1851. ROADS. As early as 1790, an open way was made karough this region by Gen. Harmar with his several hundred men, who marched from Fort Washington (Cincinnati) to the Maumee for the purpose of attacking the Indians there. This trace entered the township on the west side, and, running north and northeast, passed out of the township on the north side. The army encamped a short time on the bottom of Little Muddy Creek, on the place now owned by Joseph McClung on Section 32. This open way made by them was used as a road for a long time by the settlers after locating in their new homes. The trace made by the first-comers to Bedell's Station, crossed the township passing just west of Mason, and then, in a winding way northward, through Sections 31, 25 and 26. In a short time after this settlement was made, one of the most important early roads was constructed from Columbia to Deerfield, passing through the eastern part of the township, and known then by the name of the Round Bottom road, but now called the Union & Twenty-Mile Stand pike. The State road, running from Cincinnati to Chillicothe, through Twenty-Mile Stand, was laid out in 1804. In 1834, this became a chartered pike, and was known as the Cincinnati, Montgomery, Hopkinsville, Roachester & Clarksville macadamized turnpike. In 1836, the company was authorized to construct a toll-bridge at Foster's Crossing, which continued as such for many years. In 1804, a road was laid out from Deerfield to Cincinnati passing to the east of Mason, and known as the Sergeant road. In 1806, a road, starting from a mill 'near Deerfield, extended to the county line west of Socialville. The same year, the road running from Mason through what is known as Dogstreet to the present powder-mills, was laid out. In the latter part of 1806, the road running north and south through Socialville was laid out. The State road, extending from Cincinnati to Xenia, through Mason and Lebanon, was laid out about 1810 or 1812, in its present place, and was noted in its early day for the extent of travel thereon. 637 - BLANK 638 - PICTURE OF FREDERICK CLINE DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - 639 Nearly all the important roads of the township are now free turnpikes, and have been macadamized since the passage of the Free Turnpike Act of 1865. There are over sixty miles of pikes within the limits of the township. CHURCHES. The Muddy Creek Baptist Church was one of the oldest Baptist Churches in the county. It was admitted into the Miami Baptist Association in 1804. The first preaching of the society was at private houses, and afterward in a schoolhouse erected near where the Muddy Creek Graveyard is. About 1817, te society purchased a lot and erected an old-fashioned frame meeting-house. A brick building was afterward erected. The name of this society was dropped from the minutes of the association in 1854. The Christians or New-Lights erected a log meeting-house in the western part of Section 29 about 1815, at which Rev. Isaac Dearth, Rev. Richard Simonton and others preached. This society ceased to exist about 1820. The Unity Presbyterian Church was one of the old churches of the township. As early as 1808, the Presbyterians held services at private houses. In 1812, David Williamson and Noah Corey were ordained Elders of the Unity Church. The leading members about 1812 were George Williamson, John Vandyke, Sr., Hannah Vandyke, Mary Williamson, Peter Williamson, Hannah Williamson, John Vandyke, Mary Vandyke, Peter Vandyke, Judge J. D. Lowe, Hannah Corey, Peter Wikoff, Catharine Wikoff, John Lynn, Jane Lynn, John Monfort, Mary Monfort and others. The congregation gradually increased, and, in 1814, feeling the necessity of a public place of worship. a lot was given by J. D. Lowe to the trustees of the church, located just east of the Unity Graveyard, on which was erected a log church. About 1832, this congregation was divided, one division forming the Harmony Church at Monroe. The Unity Church ceased to exist some years ago, the few remaining members uniting with the Pisgah Church, in Butler County, and forming a new society called the First Presbyterian Church of Mason, which dates its existence from October 25, 1845. This church is still in existence. The Bethel Methodist society was organized about 1830 at the house of Augustine McNail. About 1840, the society erected a church on a lot donated by Uriah Keeler. The congregation was blessed with several successful revivals. In 1875, the church was burned. The location of the church was then changed to Hamilton County and a new house erected. The Union Methodist society was organized as a class before the year 1820. Its first meetings were held at a log house called Union, about two miles northeast of the present site. In 1834, the society built a brick house on the site of the present church. The Trustees at that time were Frederick (Mine, Brazilla Clark, Michael Bowman, Levi Bowyer, Stephen Bowyer, Elisha Clark, Joel Hanly and John Clap. The present brick structure was built in 1862 and cost $1,092.85. The Socialville Methodist society originated in a class which sprang from the Bethel society, and, in 1845, a church was built on a lot donated by Henry Hageman, costing a little over $800. The first Trustees were N. Dawson, David Bennett, Abbott Norris, Jonathan Myers, Aaron Scull, S. P. Wilkinson and Joseph Hulse. The Mason Universalist society took the first steps toward the erection of a church on the 15th of August, 1835. On this day a meeting was held and the following resolution adopted: First. That the meeting have determined to build a house of public worship in the town of Palmyra, and that the house be a frame one. Second. That said house be built, 30x40 feet. Third. The meeting proceed to appoint three Trustees to contract for, and superintend said building ; also a Treasurer and a Clerk. 640 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. David Hoffman, George G. Murphy and Peter Wikoff were duly appointed Trustees; James Fugate, Treasurer, and John McKinney, Clerk. The house was soon erected, and the society has ever since been in a flourishing condition The Mason Methodist Church, in 1837, numbered thirty members, and in that year took steps toward erecting its first house of worship. A lot Was donated to the society by Rev. J. J. Hill, and a house of worship costing $2 000 was erected thereon. The Trustees at that time were Thomas White, Wills iam White, John Randall, William Morris and Enoch Harker. The society prospered for many years and maintained a good Sabbath school. Subsequent to 1860, services were for a time discontinued, and the church became dilapidated. In 1880, a new house was erected at a cost of $2,500. The Somerset Presbyterian Church is in the extreme southern part of the township. The congregation was organized about 1820, and, in 1822, Rev. Ludwell G. Gaines became pastor of this church in connection with the Presbyterian Church at Montgomery. The church is still in existence and generally has had its pastors in connection with the church at Montgomery or Mason. SCHOOLS. When the early settlers established their new homes, they did not forget that their minds could be cultivated in a wilderness. As early as 1805, houses were built for this purpose. They were constructed of unhewn logs, covered with clapboards held in their places by weight-poles. The open places between the logs were chinked and daubed with clay mortar. A large fire-place with an outside stick chimney was at one end. The floor was made of puncheons split from large logs and hewn into shape; these were notched on the underside and held in position on the sleepers by their own weight. The seats were mostly of split logs, sometimes of sawed slabs. The writing-desk was placed along one side, and was held in a slanting position by pins driven obliquely into the wall. The door opened outward, swinging on wooden hinges and fastened by a latch-string. The windows were small and not of glass, but in its stead greased paper was used, admitting but a feeble light. The teachers in those days were determined to impart and the pupils as determined to learn. The schools were conducted on the subscription plan. Then the course of study was in the American Preceptor, English Reader, Testament, Webster's Speller and very limited lessons in arithmetic. School government was directly under the charge of the birch. Time has changed the school system. Now nine months take the place of the original four; teachers receive their salaries from the public school fund, arising from a tax levied on all property. Brick buildings have replaced the log ones; a broader field of knowledge is required of all instructors. Yet, with all these, the system is far from a perfect one, for, as Garfield says, " it is to me a perpetual wonder that any child's love of knowledge survives the outrages of the schoolhouse." Our schools are seven in number, besides the Mason Special District. No. 1, Students' Hall, has already had four houses, the first being a log one located in the center of Section 26; the second being the famous " Old Stone," standing several rods south of the present site. This was one of the most popular places of former days. Singing schools, literary societies and Sunday meetings were held there, thus bringing together people from far and near, to chant the melodies from the "Old Missouri Harmony." Two brick structures have been in use since, the last having been built in 1873 at a test of $3,000. Three have been built in No. 2, Mound, better known as " Dogstreet," the first being at a place a half mile south of the present one. No. 3, Union, has had four houses. No. 4, Twenty Mile Stand, has had four; the last, built in 1879, is one of the DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - 641 finest in the county. No. 5, Lick, has had three. No. 6 has had three, the first standing where the Muddy Creek Graveyard is. No. 7, Unity, has had four. Mason, also, has had four, the first standing about half a mile north of the town; the second was a frame; the last two have been brick. Our school buildings are among the best in the county. In 1840, the average wages were $21 per month; now they amount to $50. The enumeration in our schools has been gradually on the increase. In 1878, a Township Superintendent was employed by the Board of Education, whose duty it was to make the school work in the different districts more uniform. A. general examination was held in each school, and the merits and demerits of the different teachers were made visible. This proved detrimental and was immediately dispensed with. SOCIETIES. Many organizations have been formed within our limits. Some were only of short duration; others have been longer kept up. The temperance people have at different times organized societies, but none are now maintained. The Horse Rangers has been among the most noted orders. It has for its object the maintenance of the laws of our land, by detecting villainy and outlawry in its various forms. It was organized in 1849, but not until 1850 was it ready for emergencies. Its early members were James Bowyer, P. W. Wikoff, Garret Wikoff, William Kendall, J. M. Duvall, Alfred Voorhis, Joshua Cox, William McVay, R. H. Cunningham, William Harper, Ralph Moore, William C. McVay, J. A. Dodds, Aza Coleman, Thomas White, Jos. Dodds, William Cox, Peter Faust, W. W. Howard, J. Ross, W. W. Van Hise, J. F. Thompson, A. J. Hoff and S. Voorhees. Since then its work has been well done. More than twenty horses have been stolen from its members, but, by its quick work and detective force, they have never lost a horse, and, in most cases, have captured the thieves. Sometimes the expenses of recovering a stolen horse would amount to $500 (which is always borne by the company) when the horse stolen probably was not worth $50. The number of members now is 164. The present officers are: P. W. Wikoff, Captain; J. M. Voorhees, Lieutenant; R. H. Bennett, Secretary; R. M. Cox, Treasurer. An order of this kind established five years ago at Twenty Mile Stand now has seventy members. Mason Grange, No. 49, P. of H., was organized May 10, 1873, by S. H. Ellis, then Master of State Grange. There were about twenty charter members. R. H. Bennett was chosen as Worthy Master, and B. F. Lee as Worthy Overseer. This organization is still in existence, but interest in it is rather on the decline and the number of members greatly reduced. Mason Lodge, No. 209, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 21, 1853, by J. Hamilton, Grand Master, with six charter members and the following officers: John Loree, N. G.; Joseph A. Dodds, V. G.; D. R. Whittaker, Recording Secretary; J. M. Duvall, P. Secretary; F. T. Bundy, Treasurer. These, with William McAulley, were the original members. The number of initiations from the instituting of the lodge to the present time is 180; those admitted by card, 22. The present membership is 52. The officers now are: J. C. Bennett, N. G.; J. M. Wood, V. G.; L. L. Dodds, P. and R. Secretary; S. K. Bowyer, Treasurer. Favorite Lodge, No. 118, Knights of Pythias, was instituted at Mason, Ohio, October 23, 1879, by E. Kuhn, P. G. C., and acting as G. C., with twenty charter members, viz., J. C. Bennett, A. C. Recker, D. W. Bishop, William Randall, S. K. Bowyer, L. R. Randall, W. S. Bowyer, H. J. Sausser, G. W. Sausser, R. Mount Cox, L. L. Dodds, Christ Erbeck, J. H. Vallandigham, J. M. Vandyke, J. W. Fibbe, B. F. Welton, T. F. Hall, M. C. Wikoff, John Kohl, 642 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Mont McVay. The exercises incident to the instituting of the lodge Commenced at 9 A. M. and closed at 10 P. M. The first officers were: J. M. Vandyke, P. C.; A. C. Recker, C. C. ; L. R. Randall, V. C. ; G. W. Sausser, P, L. L. Dodds, K. of R. & S.; J. C. Bennett, M. of E.; S. K. Bowyer, M. of P; M. C. Wikoff, M. at A.; J. W. Fibbe, I. G., W. S. Bowyer, 0. G.; G. W. Sansser, Representative to the Grand Lodge. The present membership is thirty. six. MILLS AND DISTILLERIES. Our first settlers had to go to Columbia to get their grists ground, but, as time moved on, mills were built along the Little Miami. One was built by William Wood about 1799, where the King Powder-Mills are. It passed into the hands of Hunt & Lowe; then under Isaac Stubbs' control, where it remained until the mill ceased running, in 1877. Piercy Kitchel built a mill at Foster's in 1806. It passed into the care of Phillips & Clark, who used the mill tintil it burned, in 1844. Seventeen years afterward, it was rebuilt by S. B. Greeley, who still runs it. Shortly after the building of this mill at Foster's, one was erected by Gov. Morrow about a mile below. In 1858, one was built in Mason by Kendall & Van Fossen, which, after a few years, was burned. A woolen and carding mill was kept busily at work for several years at Gainesboro. One was built by Richard Sibbet, in 1823, at Stringtown, south of the "Old Stone" Schoolhouse. This was run awhile and then converted into an incubator; but failure was the consequence and business soon stopped. In early days, many distilleries were scattered over the township. Some four or five were around Mason; one was north on the McClung farm; one to the east, on the Lewis farm; one southeast, on the Dogstreet road, on the Dill place; one to the west, on the Randall farm. In fact, they seem to have been within calling distance from each other. Of course, these stills were small affairs, yet they converted nearly all the corn raised into liquor. These have all been stopped and none are now running in the township. In 1877, A. King purchased the grist-mill property from the Stubbs' estate and began immediately to erect the many houses necessary for the manufacture of powder. Everything was soon in readiness and to-day it is one of the most extensive powder-mills in the country and the leading manufacturing establishment in the county. It is known far and wide and goes by the name of the Great Western Powder Mills. GRAVEYARDS. One of the oldest burying-grounds was the now unused part of the Unity School lot. It was set apart about the year 1800, when the first bodies were buried there. In 1813, J. D. Lowe gave a lot, adjoining the one he gave to the Unity Church. In this many bodies have been interred, but it is no longer used as a burying-place. In 1803, the Union yard was opened for the interment of the dead. This is in the Bowyer community, about a mile north of the present Union Church. About the same time the Muddy Creek Graveyard was started. Just after Mason was laid out, a yard was commenced on the north edge of the town. Besides these yards; many private family burial places dotted the township. In 1868, a move was made to form a common place of burial for the township. The Trustees purchased ten acres of ground from P. W. Wikoff for $2,000, to be used as a cemetery under the control of the township. The grounds were immediately prepared, divided into lots, graded and sectioned. Hundreds DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - 643 of bodies were taken from the old graveyards and moved to this Many have been buried there since. Monuments of the most beautiful design have been erected to these dead ones by their living friends. The greatest care has been taken to make it one of the most beautiful of places. This has been done, and no "city of the dead" in this county is more beautiful than this. POST OFFICES. Prior to 1820, the citizens here had to go to Lebanon for their mail, that being the nearest point where there was an office. In those days but little mail was received, the postage being 18 cents for every letter. The first office was at Judge J. D. Lowe's stand, the place being a half mile east of where Students' Hall now is. It remained there till the early part of the decade of 1830, when it was moved to Mason. Here it was called, for a short time, Kirkwood; then the name was changed to Palmyra; but, as there was another such office in the State, the name Mason was given it. POLITICS. In the earlier period, no political strife troubled the minds of the people. Every one attended to his own individual business and not to public affairs. Jackson's campaign was the sprout of partyism. The Democratic element was fostered early, which still survives and lives in the majority. At but very few of the times have they been placed in the minority. The vote of the township at different periods is given below. The names of Democrats are printed in Italics: 1856-Buchanan, 207; Fremont, 137; Fillmore, 36, for President. 1860-Thomas Corwin, 139; William B. Telfair, 166, for Congress. 1861-Todd, 162; Jewett, 143, for Governor. 1863-Brough, 219; Vallandigham, 175, for Governor. 1865-Cox, 162; Morgan, 180, for Governor. 1867-Hayes, 165; Thurman, 213, for Governor. 1869-Hayes, 168; Pendleton, 206, for Governor. 1871-Noyes, 162; McCook, 175, for Governor. 1873-Noyes, 136; Allen, 175, for Governor. 1875-Hayes, 176; Allen, 238, for Governor. 1877-West, 186; Bishop, 215, for Governor. 1879-Foster, 234; Ewing, 265, for Governor. 1876-Hayes, 223; Tilden, 262, for President. 1880-Garfield, 260; Hancock, 280, for President. THE WAR RECORD. The citizens of Deerfield Township have every reason to be proud of their patriotic soldiery, both in the war of 1812 and in the great struggle of 1861 to 1865. At both times our men were in readiness to answer the call of the Government, and, during the years of the contests all her demands were responded to cheerfully and willingly. How much was done by the people of the township can never be known. Tradition is the only source of information as to the soldiers of 1812. We are told that Mason Seward and John Patton were among the first to enlist in our county. Others who followed were Philip Seward, George Cline, Maj Mason, Caliph Leonard, John Cline, Capt. Spencer, Brazilla Clark, James Striker, Richard Cox, Robert Doan, Dick Compton, James Johnson, Patrick Shaw, Byron Williams, John Parkhill, Jedediah Tingle, Sam Harris, James Seward, Joe Coddington, Isaac Coddington, Freeman Coddington, David Briney, Fred Briney, Nicholas Rynearson and several others whose names we are unable to get. Seward,. Mason and Spencer held important offices while serving in the war. 644 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. SOLDIERS OF THE REBELLION. The following is a list of the members of Company A, Sixty-ninth ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, volunteering from Deerfield Township: DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - 645