300 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. retreated, and were closely pressed. They made a stand at Carrick's Ford, and poured a heavy fire upon the Fourteenth, as the latter came tip, but after a short conflict the rebels fled precipitously, throwing away everything that would impede their progress. More than thirty well-laden wagons, one piece of artillery, three stands of colors and 250 prisoners were captured. Soon after this, the regiment returned home, their term of service having expired. They were greeted all along the route home by crowds of grateful people. THE THIRTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. The Thirty-eighth was organized at Defiance, Ohio, September, 1861, :.der the call for 300,000 men for three years. On the 22d, it was transferred to Camp Dennison, Columbus, where it was armed, equipped gal partially drilled, and, in October, was sent into the field in Kentucky. encamped first at Nicholasville, but, two weeks later. was ordered on a ,reel march of sixty miles to the relief of Wild Cat, Ky., where it arrived October 19. It pursued the enemy on several occasions, and finally, took up winter quarters at Somerset, Ky., though it did not remain  idle. The winter of 1861-62, was very sickly for the regiment, and aoon less than three hundred of the 990 men were fit for duty. In March, it moved to Nashville, and, a little later, on the campaign through Middle Tennessee. In April and May, it participated in the siege of Corinth then pursued Beauregard to Booneville; returned and camped near Corinth ; marched, in June, to Tuscumbia, Ala., and, in August, to Winchester. Tenn. During this period, the regiment participated in various reconnaissances. A party of eighty men of the regiment made a forced march of seventy-two miles, capturing Tracy City, destroying valuable stores and returning without the loss of a man in less than twenty-four hours. The regiment was in the terrible march from Chattanooga to the Ohio River. In September, the regiment fought at Chaplin's Hills, and afterward campaigned in Kentucky, going into camp October 27 at Rolling Forks, Ky. Here recruits were received, quite a number from Williams County, and then the march to Nashville was made. In November and December, 1862, it guarded railroads between Gallatin and Nashville; but, in December, took part in the campaign which terminated in the bloody battle of Stone River, where the regiment fought with the loss of a few men, going into camp after the battle, near the city, where it remined until March, 1863, when it moved to Triune, and built Fort Phelps. During the summer of 1863, it took part in the Tullahoma campaign, and, in August, moved with the center corps over the Cumberland Mountains, crossed the Tennessee at Shellmound, and moved over Lookout and Raccoon Mountains to Lookout Valley, where immediate prepara- HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 303 tions were made for battle. The Thirty-eighth, under a special order of Gen. Thomas, was charged with the transit to Chattanooga of the supply-train of the whole army. The regiment thus escaped the bloody battle of Chickamauga. At the assault on Mission Ridge, the Thirty-eighth was on the extreme left, and though the fire from the rebel batteries was hot and terrific, it moved up, up to the very summit, loosing seven killed and forty-one wounded. It pursued the enemy to Ringgold, Ga., then returned to Chattanooga, where it " veteranized," and was furloughed home. The Williams County boys were received with banquets, speeches, toasts and great enthusiasm and rejoicing, and, at the expiration of the furlough, reported at Ringgold, Ga., where recruits were received, and the depleted ranks raised to 741 men. In May, 1864, it skirmished briskly at Buzzard Roost Gap, and at its fortifications nearly in the rear of Resaca, where several men were killed and wounded. It took an active part in the siege of Kenesaw; moved in July to the Chattahoochie River, fortifying and skirmishing; established on the 22d of July the picket line of the Fourteenth Army Corps near Atlanta, and, early in August, moved to Utoy Creek, where Companies A, C and K charged the enemy's skirmish line, forced it back with the loss of nine men killed and forty-two wounded out of 120 men engaged. Companies A and C were from Williams County. After various expeditions, the regiment, with its brigade (Este's), assaulted the enemy's works at Jonesboro, where it fought desperately, suffering the appalling loss of forty-two killed and 108 wounded out of 360 engaged. The color-bearer, 0. P. Randall, was shot dead, as was also his successor, Corp. Baird. The third, Corp. Strawser, fell severely wounded, and the fourth, Corp. Donsev, bore the flag to the enemy's works, though suffering a slight wound. Corp. Brookes, the fifth bearer, received five balls through his clothing. The dead were buried on a little knoll near the battle-field. At Atlanta, those who had not " veternanized" were discharged. After pursuing Hood a portion of the way back, the regiment rejoined the Union forces at Atlanta, and marched with Sherman to the sea. It did provost duty at Milledgeville, destroyed the bridge across the Big Ogeechee, marching forty-four miles to do it, and reaching camp at 12 o'clock at night. On the 21st of December, 1864, the regiment went into camp near Savannah, where 200 drafted men and substitutes were received. It participated in the campaign of the Carolinas without events of serious importance ; it moved to Richmond, to Alexandria, to Washington, D. C., and to Louisville, Ky., where, on the 12th of July, 1865, it was mustered out, the discharge taking place at Cleveland on the 22d of the same month. F 304 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. THE SIXTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. The Sixty-eighth rendezvoused at Camp Latta, Napoleon, in November, 1861, and spent the succeeding winter pleasantly there. In the latter part of January, 1862, it moved to Camp Chase, and in the middle of February to Fort Donelson, Tenn., where it was assigned to Gen. C. F. Smith's division, and skirmished on the left of the lines during both days' battles. After a few other operations, it moved about the middle of March to Pittsburg Landing, where bad weather, bad water and bad rations reduced the regiment from 1,000 men to less than 250. At the battle of Pittsburg Landing, it guarded ordnance and supply trains. During the operations around Corinth, it was constantly engaged in building bridges, roads and intrenchments, and, after the evacuation, guarded railroad lines and bridges. It fought at Iuka and Metamora, and was complimented in general orders for gallantry. It moved with the attempted expedition to penetrate Mississippi to Vicksburg, and then returned to Memphis. In the spring of 1863, it worked on various canals in Louisiana, and, on the 10th of April, was moved to Milliken's Bend, where, for a time, it worked on military roads. On the 23d, it began to march around Vicksburg, crossing swamps, bayous and swollen streams, and reaching the Mississippi at Grand Gulf May 1, 1863, by a forced march ; it fought at Thompson's Hill, and subsequently at Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills and Big Black. Men were lost at each place, the most at Champion Hills. It fought in the rear of Vicksburg, and participated in the assault on Fort Hill on the 22d. It supplied the trenches, furnished sharpshooters, and formed part of the army of observation near Big Black. On the 12th of July, it fought at Jackson, and afterward guarded 600 prisoners to Vicksburg. In October, it skirmished at Bogue Chitta Creek, and, in February, 1864, fought at Baker's Creek. Just before this, it a “veteranized," and soon after returned home, where it was received with all the "pomp and circumstance of glorious war." In May, it returned to Cairo, where it was joined by 300 recruits, and on the 10th of June reached Sherman's army at Acworth, Ga. During the remainder of the Atlanta campaign, the Sixty-eighth was almost constantly under fire, being on the advance sixty-five days. It fought at Kenesaw, Nicojack, Atlanta, July 22d and 28th, Jonesboro and Lovejoy. Its fight of the 22d was very heavy. It was sandwiched between two heavy detachments of rebel infantry, but by gallantry and good leadership eluded the enemy and joined its brigade, which was found hotly engaged. At one time the brigade was almost surrounded, the rebels assailing from several points. After long, hard fighting, the Union lines were charged in splendid style by a long array of rebels with muskets at a " right shoulder shift." They were met with a terrific fire from the HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 305 brigade, volley after volley being poured into them until the ground was strewn with their dead and the remainder were repulsed. The Sixty-eighth pursued Hood, but soon returned and moved with Sherman to the sea. It engaged the Georgia militiaat the crossing of the Oconee, but otherwise had an uneventful transit to Savannah, where it arrived on the 10th of December, 1864. After a short delay, it moved on the Carolina campaign. Upon arriving at Goldsboro, forty-two men were barefooted, thirty-six bare-headed, and two hundred and sixty wearing some articles of citizens' clothes. It moved via Washington, D. O. to Louisville, Ky., whence, on the 10th of July, it was ordered to Cleveland for payment and discharge. This took place on the 18th of July, 1865. THE ONE HUNDREDTH INFANTRY. The One Hundredth was organized at Toledo in July and August, 1802, and was mustered into service on the 1st of September. On the 8th, it moved to the defense of Cincinnati. and on the 9th took position on Covington Heights. A month later it moved to Lexington, Ky., and on the 1st of December to Richmond, Ky. It worked on fortifications until December 26, when it moved to Danville, and on the 3d of January, 1863, to Frankfort. Near the last of February, it marched to Lexington, thence to Crab Orchard, Mount Vernon, Somerset, and various other points. It finally moved to Knoxville, whence a detachment was sent to the Virginia State Line to guard the railroad. This portion, numbering two hundred and fifty, was captured and sent to Richmond, Va. Large numbers of them afterward died of starvation and exposure. The regiment participated in the defense of Knoxville, and, after active duty in East Tennessee, moved in the spring of 1864 to Tunnel Hill, Ga., and joined Gen. Sherman. It participated in the Atlanta campaign, fighting in almost every battle. On the 6th of August, it assaulted the rebel work in front of Atlanta, suffering a loss of 103 men killed and wounded out of 300 engaged. Thirty-six men were killed on the field, and eight more died from wounds within the next thirty days. This frightful loss has scarcely a parallel in the annals of the war. The Colonel was disabled for life. The regiment joined the pursuit of Hood, participated in the desperate battles of Franklin and Nashville, and finally moved to Wilmington, N. C., where it was actively engaged. It moved from Goldsboro to Raleigh with Sherman, thence to Greensboro, and thence to Cleveland, Ohio, where it was mustered out July 1, 1865, having served two years and ten months. It lost during its term of service 65 men killed in action; 142 wounded; 21 died of wounds; 108 died of disease; 325 were captured by the enemy, and 85 died in rebel prisons. It fought in the battles of Lenoir Station, Knoxville. Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca. 306 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Dallas, Etowah Creek, Atlanta, Columbus, Franklin, Nashville, Town Creek and Wilmington. It was one of the most gallant regiments from Ohio, or in the war. Its record is its proudest and grandest monument. THE ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH INFANTRY. The One Hundred and Eleventh was organized in August, 1862, and mustered in September 5 and 6. On the 11th, it took the field at Covington, Ky. In the same month, it drove the cavalry of Kirby Smith from Crittenden. On the 25th, it started on transports for Louisville. It skirmished at Frankfort, and some time later moved by rapid marches to Bowling Green, Ky., where it did garrison duty. It took part in the pursuit of John Morgan, and after his capture proceeded to Portsmouth, where it arrived July 18, thence to Kentucky. After various marches. expeditions, scouts and skirmishes, the regiment found itself, about the middle of October, confronted by Longstreet at Huff's Ferry. It charged with its brigade, and was successful, forcing the rebels back and losing a few men. At Loudon Creek, the regiment skirmished briskly with the Sixth South Carolina, and lost four killed and twelve wounded. The stand was made to protect Henshaw's Illinois Battery. At daylight on the morning of the 16th, Lieut. Norris and fifty-two men of Company B were captured while on picket. Thirty-six of these afterward died of starvation and exposure at Andersonville Prison, N. C. In the engagement at Campbell's Station, the regiment was for six hours exposed to the artillery fire of two rebel batteries, though the loss was only eight, owing to the percussion shell used, which fell mainly in the rear. It moved to Knoxville, fighting on three separate occasions, and moving for three days without food, sleep or rest. At the siege of Knoxville, it lost six men killed and wounded. It skirmished at Blain' s Cross Roads, Danville and Strawberry Plains, losing one man killed, January 21, 1864, at the latter place. It skirmished briskly at Morristown, March 14. On the last of April. it was moved to Charleston, marching 100 miles in four days. It participated in the Atlanta campaign, fighting at Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Mountain, Resaca, Kenesaw, Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, Dallas, on the Chattahoochie, near Nicojack Creek, Decatur, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta and the skirmishes at Rough and Ready, Lovejoy Station and Utoy Creek. It started on the campaign with 380 men, and of this number lost in killed and wounded two hundred and twelve. It lost a few men at Stone Mountain, and then pursued Hood, skirmished at Cedar Bluffs, also at Rome, Ga., and moved to Resaca November 1. 1864. It skirmished at Columbia, and repulsed two charges of the enemy near Franklin. It reached Franklin on the morning of the 30th of November. and was immediately assigned a front rank on the left flank of HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 307 the Second Division, to the right of the Franklin Turnpike. It fought desperately on that eventful day, losing in this “hottest battle of the war" twenty-two men killed on the field and forty wounded out of the 180 men engaged. Many were killed by rebel bayonets. The contest was so close, hot and terrific, that once the regimental flag was snatched from the color-bearer by a stalwart rebel, who was instantly shot dead. The loss of officers was so great, that a detail from other regiments was necessary to command the companies. The regiment fought gallantly both days at Nashville, and in a charge on the second day captured three rebel battle-flags and a large number of prisoners, losing seven killed and fifteen wounded. It pursued Hood, and then moved to Cincinnati, Washington, D. C., and took ocean steamers for Fort Fisher to participate in the campaign of the Carolinas. Soon after this, it participated in the actions at Moseley's Hall and Goldsboro, and the capture of Fort Anderson. It was mustered out at Cleveland July 5, 1865. The regiment numbered 1,050 men when it entered the service, and received eighty-five recruits. Two hundred and thirty-four were discharged for disability, disease and wounds ; 200 died of disease contracted in the service; 252 were killed in battle or died of wounds, and 401 were mustered out. This was one of Ohio's best regiments. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND INFANTRY. The One Hundred and Forty-second was organized at Camp Chase, arid mustered in May 12, 1864. It moved to Martinsburg, Va., where it remained until the 19th, and then continued on to Washington, D. C., where it arrived on the 21st. It marched out to Fort Lyon, where the men were obliged to pass the night on the bare ground. On the 5th of .June the regiment was ordered to the front at White House Landing, on the Pamunkey River, much to the surprise of the men, though not to their dismay. It reached the Landing on the 9th at midnight, and encamped on the open field. The wounded from the battle of Cold Harbor were being brought in, and the sight to the new, untried soldiers was sickening. At 4 o'clock the next morning, the regiment was ordered to guard a supply train through the wilderness to Gen. Grant's front. When this was accomplished, the regiment was ordered to report to Gen. Butler at Bermuda Hundred. When there, the troops were moved to Point of Rocks, five miles below Petersburg, thence out to the extreme national right about six miles. The tired boys were roused from their ,lumbers by the long roll, marched on the double quick to the rifle-pits, and ordered to destroy rebel earthworks, which they did, though not without resistance from the enemy, who were driven from the field. Here, day after day, the regiment worked at building forts, guarding earth- 308 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. works, and performing severe picket and fatigue duty. Soon after this, the boys were ordered to Camp Chase via Washington, D. C., and mustered out September 2, 1864. About fifty men were lost from disease and exposure. THE THIRD CAVALRY. The Third Cavalry was organized in September, 1861, at Monroeville, Huron County. It moved to Camp Dennison January 14, 1862, and to Jeffersonville in February. On the 18th of March, it arrived at Nashville, Tenn., but left for Pittsburg Landing on the 29th. The first battalion was sent against Biffle's rebel cavalry, who were driven from Lawrenceburg. A quantity of bacon was seized at Mt. Pleasant ; the enemy were driven back at Monterey ; a brisk skirmish was had with the enemy's lines at Corinth, in which the regiment was driven back, though twelve rebels were killed upon the ground. On the 27th of May, the enemy in force were routed on the Memphis Railroad, and four of them killed. The regiment was divided here, but after various expeditions was re-united at Iuka and Tuscumbia. After occupying various positions and participating in numerous foraging and other expeditions and several skirmishes, the first battalion of the Third had a sharp engagement with the enemy at Munfordville, losing two killed and twelve wounded. The enemy lost thirty-eight killed and sixty wounded. In a severe attack on the enemy near Bardstown, the Third lost six men killed, twenty wounded and seventeen captured. After this, for several months detachments of the regiment were constantly engaged scouting and skirmishing with rebel guerrillas. Six men were killed and several wounded at Guntersville. From Nashville to Louisville, the Third formed portions of the rear guard of Buell's army, and skirmished almost daily with the enemy. It fought the enemy at Shelbyville on the way to Perryville and at Perryville. On the 19th of October, a detachment sent to escort special couriers to Covington was completely surrounded by John Morgan's forces, and, after an obstinate resistance, forced to surrender. They were stripped of their valuables, dismounted, paroled and ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio. The remainder of the Third, after skirmishing several times with Morgan's forces, went into camp at Hartsville, Tenn. A detachment, after a twenty-six-mile chase, near Carthage, captured a train of valuable stores, killing three rebels and capturing seventeen. It skirmished with Morgan's forces near Lebanon, assisted in driving the rebels from Franklin, fought the second time at Franklin, engaged the enemy near Triune, and on the Wilkerson Turnpike skirmished Bragg's forces on the 29th of December and on. the 30th, and at 2 o'clock in the morning of the 31st apprised the National troops of the advance of the enemy. Much of the Third Cavalry was thrown out as HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 309 skirmishers, but was driven by the rebels at 4 o'clock. After two hours of fighting, the whole right wing of the National troops was thrown back with severe loss, though when McCook's ammunition train was captured the second and third battalions of the Third charged the enemy, retook the train and captured 140 prisoners. On the afternoon of the 31st, the regiment lost in one charge of the enemy thirteen killed and many wounded. On the 1st of January, 1863, the Third was ordered to escort a train of 4,000 wagons to Nashville for supplies, and on the way had two desperate fights with the enemy, resulting in their repulse. After the battle of Stone River, the Third pursued the enemy, captured one of his trains, and then encamped at Murfreesboro. A detachment fought Morgan's guerrillas near Woodbury, losing severely in killed, wounded and prisoners. Another detachment was completely surrounded, ordered to surrender, but cut their way out and captured a number of prisoners. The regiment fought at Milton, Liberty, Readyville, Franklin, Auburn, Manchester, McMinnville, losing many killed and wounded. It fought at Elk River, at the Tennessee River, above Chattanooga, on the run for three days, at Lafayette and at Farmington, losing at the latter place two killed and twenty-three captured. January, 1864, the Third Cavalry re-enlisted, and were furloughed home. During this time, about 1,000 recruits were received, which raised the regiment to about 1,500 men. It took the field again in Tennessee, fought the rebels at Courtland, Ala., at Moulton, Ala., at Etowah, Kenesaw Mountain, Noonday Creek and at the crossing of the Chattahoochie River. It captured 400 factory girls at Boswell, Ga., who were sent through the lines by Gen. Sherman. A severe fight was had at McAfee's Bridge, also at Peach Tree Creek, Decatur. and in the raids to Covington and Stone River. It participated in the Kilpatrick and the Stoneman raids around Atlanta, skirmished at Jonesboro, Lovejoy, and at Rome, Cartersville and Decatur in pursuit of Hood. It fought at Franklin and at Nashville, losing heavily, after which it pursued Hood into Alabama, and then participated in the Wilson raid, fighting at Selma, Montgomery, Macon and Griffin, and participated in the chase of Jeff Davis. After a few other movements and duties, the regiment was ordered to report at Nashville, Tenn., where it was mustered out and transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio, where, on the 14th of August, 1865, the men were paid and discharged. THE NINTH CAVALRY. The Ninth Cavalry rendezvoused at Zanesville, and though begun late in the year 1862, did not take the field until the 23d of April, 1863, when it was ordered to Lexington, Ky. At this time, the regiment was not a regiment—it was the First. Battalion of the Ninth Cavalry, and con- 310 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. sisted of 300 effective men. Its first service was driving the rebel force out of Clay County. Here it remained skirmishing with the enemy until the 15th of June, when it, with nearly two thousand other troops, began the expedition which resulted in the capture of a strong rebel force at Pine Mountain Gap. The next morning, a severe skirmish with others of the enemy occurred, but the Gap—the objective point—was gained. It moved to Stanford, thence to Danville to check Gen. Morgan ; thence to Wild Cat to watch and embarrass the rebel Gen. Scott, with whom they had a running fight of ten days, living during the time chiefly on blackberries, which grew by the roadside. On August the 9th, moved to Glasgow, where it, with other cavalry, was organized into a brigade to cross the Cumberland Mountains, which was done amid great hardships, and Knoxville was taken and the battalion assigned guard duty around the suburbs. In November and December of this year, the regiment was recruited to the extent of two other battalions. After careful drilling, the battalions proceeded in February, 1864, to Nashville, where they were ordered to report for field duty at Athens, Ala., and while here were joined by the First Battalion, and all began watching the enemy along the Tennessee River. After various expeditions, forty-one of the men were captured, the greater number of whom were consigned to Andersonville Prison, where, eight months later, twenty-five had died of starvation and exposure. Lieut. Knapp succeeded in making his escape after two unsuccessful trials. He was pursued by bloodhounds on the third trial, but, with the help of a sagacious negro, effected his escape, and afterward joined the regiment at Savannah, Ga. Another battalion had frequent skirmishes with the enemy near Decatur, Ala. Seven hundred men of the Ninth, with other troops, were sent to destroy the Atlanta & West Point Railroad. This was done amidst numerous skirmishes with the enemy, whereby the Ninth lost twenty-six men, mainly captured while foraging. Gen. Sherman's lines were reached at Marietta, July 22. In the movements around Atlanta, the regiment divided into battalions, found active service in scouting, guarding and skirmishing. After the fall of Atlanta, the regiment, about seven hundred strong, marched to the sea with Sherman, fighting almost daily with the enemy, and quite severely at Waynesboro. It destroyed large quantities of stores and railroad property. It moved North through the Carolinas. A brisk skirmish was had at Barnwell and at Aiken. So many of the horses failed on the march, that a portion of the cavalry was organized into the "dismounted" command. On the night of March 9, 1865, Gen. Kilpatrick went into camp with the Third Brigade and the dismounted men about three miles in advance of the remainder of his command. Early on the morning of the 10th, a large force of rebels dashed into camp, capturing the wagons, HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 311 artillery and many of the officers and men. The excitement was intense, but the dismounted men rallied, opened a hot and destructive fire on the enemy, forcing them back, and recapturing all the stores, during which time twenty-five national and seventy-five rebel soldiers were killed. The man who accomplished this splendid result, who turned defeat into victory and won a Brigadier General star was none other than William Stough, of Bryan, Ohio. The Ninth fought at Averysboro, Bentonville, Raleigh and Chapel Hill. After some guard duty, the regiment was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, August 2, 1865. Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead, Dear as the blood ye gave, No traitor's footstep e'er shall tread The herbage o'er your grave; Nor shall your glory be forgot, While Fame her record keeps, For Honor mourns the hallowed spot Where loyal valor sleeps." 312 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. TOWN OF BRYAN. BY H. S. KNAPP. ITS ESTABLISHMENT AS THE COUNTY SEAT. At the session of the Ohio General Assembly, which convened on the first Monday of December, 1839, three Commissioners were appointed, by a joint resolution, to review and permanently locate the seats of justce of Williams and Lucas Counties. These Commissioners were Joseph Burns, of Coshocton; James Culbertson, of Perry, and Joseph McCutchen, of Crawford. Since the organization of Williams County, the seat of justice had been at Defiance; but that place, geographically, was a border town, and difficult and expensive of approach to the growing population of the interior, and all the northern, and most of the eastern and western townships. The location chosen was a central one. Towns, however, several years previously, had commenced building up at Williams Center and Pulaski, and both were strong competitors for the county seat. John A. Byran, of Columbus, then Auditor of State, had donated the ground to the county in consideration that the seat of justice be permanently established upon it; and the first business, after the site had been fixed, was to secure a civil engineer to survey and plat the town, and Miller Arrowsmith was employed for this work. The surveyor and assistants, with a foreknowledge that they would have no accommodation for bed and board at the place, appeared on the ground with a supply of tents and provisions, and entered upon their duties. After the completion of the survey, Mr. Arrowsmith named the town BYRAN, in honor of its founder. The following explanatory notes and references appear upon the margin of the plat: 11 Situated on the southwest quarter of Section 17, Town 6 north, Range S east, in the county of Williams and State of Ohio. The lots are four rods wide, and eight roads long. A stone is planted on the northeastern corner of the public square. The streets cross at right angles, and Main and High streets are 100 feet wide, and all other streets sixty-six feet wide. The alleys are twenty feet wide. The public square, together with the two lots incorporated within the square, are donated to the county for public buildings by the proprietors of the town—the numbers of the two lots being left blank on the plat. John A. Bryan, for himself, and as agent and attorney for the American Land Company." And on the right hand margin of the plat occurs the following record : TOWN OF BRYAN - 313 THE STATE OF OHIO, ss WILLIAMS COUNTY. February I4, 1840-I, Miller Arrowsmith, County Surveyor of the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify the within plat and field notes to be correct of the town of Bryan, or set forth therein. MILLER ARROWSMITH, County Surveyor of Williams County, Ohio. THE STATE OF OHIO, WILLIAMS COUNTY. I certify that on this I4th day of September, 1840, personally appeared before me Join A. Bryan, to me personally known, and acknowledged the due execution of the instrument or deed. E. D. POTTER, President Judge Williams County Common Plea,, in Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. The above town plat of Bryan was received for record September 24, 1840. C. L. NOBLE, Recorder. ADDITIONS TO ORIGINAL PLAT OF BRYAN. It may be well here to note the several additions which have been made to the town : March 9, 1851, the late Dr. John Paul platted an addition to Bryan on " a tract situated as follows: The south half of the southeast quarter of Section 18, Town 6 north of Range 3 east, Williams County," known as Paul's Addition. October 7, 1852, George W. Wilson added part of " the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 20, Town 6 north of Range 3 east," to Bryan, and known as Wilson's First Addition. October 14, 1852, David Fairfield laid out an addition on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 18, Town 6 north of Range 3 east. December 10, 1853, Joshua Dobbs made an addition to the town, " being the west half of east half of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 18, Town 6 north, Range 3 east," known as Dobbs' First Addition. May 29, 1854, Joshua Dobbs had a second plat made adjoining Wilson's First Addition. July 17, 1854, A. P. Edgerton and William Trevitt made an addition to Bryan on a part of Section 17, Town 6 north of Range 3 east, adjoining the railway company's station grounds. July 21, 1854, John W. Evans, of Fort Wayne, Ind., laid out an addition to the town of Bryan, consisting of six lots. March 24, 1855, Richard H. McClelan's Addition was surveyed. It consisted of five lots. January 13, 1855, Leonard Naftzger made an addition to Bryan of lands situated on the east half of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 18. March 30, 1855, Jacob Miller made an addition of eight lots. August 21, 1855, Alexander Conning's Addition was surveyed by Seth B. Hyatt, Surveyor of Williams County, and same date, August 21, 1855, John W. Pollock made his addition. April 20, 1857, Joshua Dobbs wade his third addition. June 3, 1859, Ezra Smith made his addi- 314 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. tion, and June 13, of the same year he made another addition. July 22, 1864, Dr. William Trevitt, of Columbus, made his first addition. October 20, 1865, Albert M. Pratt and John W. Nelson recorded their addition to Bryan. March 4, 1867, A. P. Edgerton's first division was recorded. May 13, 1867, Edgerton's Second Addition. April 11, 1868, Gen. William Stough's Addition. July 27, 1868. John A. Garver and Andrew W. Killits recorded their addition to the town. January 1, 1869, M. Harris' Addition was recorded. June 23, 1869, A. T. Bement's Addition was recorded. November 13, 1869, Trevitt's Second Addition appears on the record. March 17, 1870, was recorded "plat of John Will's Fountain Lawn Addition to Bryan, Ohio." April 18, 1870, Cooney & Lyder's. May 24, 1870, Bostater's, and September, 3, 1870, Garfield's Addition were recorded. February 27, 1874, Baker's Second Addition, and October 19, 1874, Trevitt's Third Addition were recorded. January 14, 1875, Myers' Addition, and August 12, 1875. Nancy A. Shouf's were recorded. May 31, 1877, Pratt & Nelson's Addition of outlots, and April 16, 1878, William H. Lockhart's Addition of outlots were recorded. In the clearing of the land of timber for public buildings and surroundings, and for street and alley uses, it may not be here out of place to recall the fact that there rested upon the new plat as grand a timber growth as covered any portion of the earth, and had this and a small per cent of other forest wealth been suffered to remain as nature had planted and nursed it, it would now be of inestimable value; but it was so abundant that a general war of extermination was begun and prosecuted against the large and small trees, and even the attrative ones, that bore the most beautiful foliage during spring, summer and autumn seasons, shared a common fate. Had a half dozen of these been permitted to remain, they would have possessed tenfold the value of all the evergreens and other ill-chosen trees that, through the power of man, have usurped the places of those of nobler birth and grace. Volney Crocker, yet a resident of the county, had the contract for “clearing" the public square grounds of this timber offense. He made no reservations, and every tree planted by nature was doomed to perish by the executioner's ax. Mr. A. J. Tressler was upon the ground when this clearing contract was in progress, and, during evenings, with other citizens, aided in burning timber and brush. The foregoing and following, from official records, will explain the origin of the title through which Bryan real estate owners hold their proprty. Having been originally purchased of the United States by Charles Butler, of New York, agent of the American Land Company, and by him and that corporation transferred directly to the original proprietor of the TOWN OF BRYAN - 315 town, John A Bryan, no real estate title could rest upon more indestructible foundations: JOHN A. BRYAN TO WILLIAM TREVITT Know all men by these presents that we, John A. Bryan and Eliza A. Bryan, wife of said John A. Bryan, of the County of Franklin, Ohio, in consideration of the sum of $800 in hand paid by William Trevitt, also of the said County of Franklin, have bargained and sold and do hereby grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said William Trevitt, his heirs and assigns forever, the following premises, situate in the county of Williams, in the State of Ohio, and bounded and described as follows: All that lot, piece and parcel of land situate, lying and being in the County of Williams and State of Ohio, known and distinguished as the half of the west half of section number seventeen (17), in township number six (6), north of range number three (3) east, and containing an equal undivided half part of the entire half section, which half section contains, in all, three hundred and twenty acres (320), on which, or a portion of which, the seat of justice in and for the county of Williams, State of Ohio, has recently been located, as the same was originally conveyed to Charles Butler, by patent bearing date the sixteenth day of March, A. D. 1837, recorded in the General Land Office of the city of Washington, in volume twelve, page one hundred and seventy-five ; reference thereto had will more fully and at large appear the premises hereby conveyed—being the equal, undivided half part of the half section above described, and which was deeded by Charles Butler and the American Land Company to the said John A. Bryan under date of the twenty-second day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one, as a reference to the same will the more fully exhibit, to have and to hold said premises with the appurtenances unto the said William Trevitt, his heirs and assigns forever. And the said John A., and Eliza Ann, his wife, for themselves and heirs, do hereby covenant with said William Trevitt, his heirs and assigns, that they are lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid —that the premises are free and clear from all incumbrances whatsoever, and that they will forever warrant and defend the same, with the appurtenances, unto the said William Trevitt, his heirs and assigns, against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever. In testimony whereof, the said John A. and Eliza Ann Bryan have hereunto set their hands and seals this twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one. JOHN A. BRYAN.     [Seal.] ELIZA ANN BRYAN. [Seal.] Executed in presence of C. H. BRYAN. THOMAS WOOD. [And following the foregoing is the usual acknowledgment—the instument having been executed at Columbus, Franklin County, March 27, 1841, and received for record in Williams County, by the County Recorder, C. L. Noble, per W. A. Stevens, Deputy, July 20, 1841, and recorded 22d same month.] BRYAN AND TREVITT TO COUNTY COMMISSONERS: Know all men by these presents, that we, John A. Bryan, and Eliza Ann, wife of the said Jphn A., William Trevitt, and Lucinda, wife of the said William Trevitt, all of the county of Franklin, in the State of Ohio, in consideration of the location of the county -eat of Williams County, Ohio, at the town of Bryan, in said county, have bargained and ;old, and do hereby grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the County Commissioners of the paid county of Williams, the following premises, situate in the county aforesaid, in the State of Ohio, and bounded and described as follows : Being the Public Square in the 316 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. center of the town of Bryan, in the center of the County of Williams, in the State of Ohio. which public square is distinctly marked and designated on the recorded plat of said town of Bryan; also, the two town lots of the said town of Bryan, situated immediately south of said public square, and contained within the intersections of Main street, High street. Linn street and Butler street, with each other—the said last mentioned lots to be used for county purposes, under the direction of the County Commissioners, for the erection of a county jail and such other public buildings as may be deemed for the benefit of said county. To have and to hold the said premises, with the appurtenances, unto the said County Commissioners, and their successors in office forever. And the said John A. and William and Eliza Ann and Lucinda, their wives, themselves and their heirs do hereby covenant with said County Commissioners that they are lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid. that the premises are free and clear from all incumbrances whatsoever, and that they will forever warrant and defend the same, with the appurtenances, unto the said County Commissioners and their successors in office, against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever. In testimony whereof, the said John A. Bryan, William Trevitt, Eliza Ann Bryan and Lucinda Trevitt, have hereunto set their hands and seals this twelfth day of June, A. B. 1841. JOHN A. BRYAN, ELIZA ANN BRYAN, WILLIAM TREVITT, LUCINDA TREVITT. Executed in the presence of Thomas Wood, M. Bryan. [Then follows the usual form of acknowledgment, appended to which is the official statement of the County Recorder, certifying that the instrument was recorded July 23, 1841.] The Commissioners of Williams County had taken bond of John A. Bryan and William Trevitt, as principals, and Alfred P. Edgerton, as security, for payment of the amount elsewhere named, to aid in the building of the present court house; and to enforce compliance with the full terms of this instrument, the Commissioners brought suit against the proprietors and their security, and at the May term of the Common Pleas Court, 1847, obtained judgment for $6,402.65 and costs, and execution ordered and levy made upon the real estate of said proprietors. Mr. Edgerton bid off the property, and the sale was confirmed by court and the Sheriff ordered to execute to him a deed therefor. Mr. Bryan conveyed his interests, and the whole title became vested in Edgerton and Trevitt, as proprietors. After it became generally known that the Legislative Commissioners had located the county seat of Williams in the midst of an unbroken section of Pulaski Township forest, many people, some attracted with a possible view to purchase and open up business, and others to gratify curiosity, made journeys to the place. Most of these returned home and circulated reports anything else than favorable. Among the few, however, who determined to brave it out was the late John Kaufman, who aided in building the first log court house, and in burning brick for the walls of the present one. Mr. Kaufman was a worthy citizen, and many years TOWN OF BRYAN - 317 prior to his death, which only occurred recently, was janitor of the court house. By many, the selection of Bryan as the capital of the county was deemed ill judgment, and some complaint, orignating chiefly at Defiance and neighborhood, was made ; but the place, being so near the geographical center, satisfied for the time the majority interests. Soon after the plat became cleared of its timber, however; an unexpected source of water wealth developed itself at Bryan, being an artesian or flowing well on the premises of Daniel Wyatt, and soon after another on Alexander Hamilton's lot ; the third, on lots of Dr. Thomas Kent, and the fourth one at the tannery of Jacob Youse. Others were soon discovered, and as they multiplied, many of the first ones ceased their supplies of flowing waters. These disclosures of artesian wells, and their claimed medicinal virtues, gave the new town a broad fame, and made many recruits to the population. FIRST SHANTY AND CABINS. Volney Crocker, for use as a habitation during the time he was engaged on his contract for clearing the public square grounds, built a shanty on the lots now owned by David King. The first regular cabin was built by Daniel Wyatt, on lots now owned by Samuel White, south side of the square and on Butler street, and now used by Mr. White as a residence. But very soon after that time, John Kaufman erected a cabin on the lots now owned and occupied by Dr. Q. H. Graser. FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE. The first schoolhouse was a small log structure, situated on the south side of the square, on the lots where the Bryan Boot & Shoe Company now stands, and this was where A. J. Tressler, now President of the Bryan First National Bank, taught the first public school. Previous to ts, however, Miss Harriet Powell, now Mrs. David Shoemaker, of Michigan, had taught in the same building a private school for the instruction if juvenile pupils. Subsequently, and in about 1845, a one-story frame schoolhouse was built on the lots northwest corner of Butler and Beech streets, upon which now stands one of the public school buildings. More on this subject will be found farther along in this chapter. FIRST MARRIAGE. The first marriage solemnized in Bryan was in September, 1842—the contracting parties being Andrew J. Tressler and Miss Oleva, daughter of Dr. Thomas Kent. 318 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. HOTEL RESOURCES. The first recognized public wants, after the county seat became fixed at Bryan and the public records had been removed, were places of accommodation for transient visitors. Several undertook to meet this demand, and Thomas Shorthill opened a public house on Main street, which he afterward sold to Mr. Yates, who used part of the building for his first storeroom. Thomas McCurdy, on Lynn street, west side public square, and in the vicinity of Pratt & Bentley's law office, and John McDowell, southeast corner of public square, each opened public houses. During the first court terms, accommodations were so limited that such private houses as could afford possible entertainment for lawyers, clients, jurymen, witnesses and others, whose business required them to attend court, offered lodgings to sojourners. The first frame public house, and, indeed, the first one of any importance, was built by Daniel Langel, east side of court house square, upon the ground where now stands Neikirk's dry goods store. On these premises, before Langel opened his house, he discovered, by boring about sixty feet, that he had struck a vein that afforded him a large volume of water, and by adjusting tubing, he carried the stream that issued from the earth to a height above the first floor of his house. But a pump is now required to bring the water above the surface, having lost its flowing power nearly forty years ago. FIRST DRY GOODS STORES. In the fall of 1841, William Yates brought with him from Wayne county, where he had formerly been engaged in mercantile business, his family, consisting of his wife and ten children, and a stock of goods. His freights were transported from Defiance to Bryan in wagons drawn by ox reams, and three days were consumed in making the distance, which, in a traight line, would be eighteen miles. A person could now travel from New York to Omaha in less time. In December, 1855, the store and dwelling of Mr. Yates were destroyed, and he retired from the business. The three merchants who immediately succeeded him were, in order of tong, I). M. ('rill, .Taco}, Boyer and Charles Case. EARLY INDUSTRIES. The blacksmith most convenient to the town, after settlement commenced, was William Sheridan, Sr., who resided one and a half miles west of the corporation line. The first who opened a shop in the town was James Alexander, and the second, John Thompson. James Shorthill established the first tailor shop, and, subsequently, James B. Akey and Richard McClure engaged in the business. Jacob Over and James McFadden were the first who appeared as car- TOWN OF BRYAN - 321 penters, and for a brief time were partners, and dressed the logs for the first court house. John Bostater was the third carpenter, and furnished most of the wood work for the present court house. The first wagon-maker was John Sadoris, and the second, C. T. Weldon. The first shoemaker was Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Carbaugh the second. In 1842, Jacob Youse established a tannery, and operated it until 1848, when he sold to William R. Bowlby. During the six years it was managed by Mr. Youse, it was the most important manufacturing industry in Bryan. A. M. Rolls engaged in the business; but during several years the town has had no tannery. BRYAN MANUFACTURING IN 1882. Having noted manufacturing in its first planting, it may be well to give here a sketch of the interest as we find it in 1882. The town has now the Bryan Manufacturing Company ; two flouring mills; planing mill ; two saw-mills; marble and granite works ; ashery ; three carriage factories; wagon and repair shop ; foundry and machine shop ; two cooper shops ; two handle factories; four harness shops ; a boot and shoe factory, that supplies jobbers, and three that make custom work; one of the best breweries in the State ; furniture factory ; two merchant tailor shops ; one cigar factory ; wheelbarrow factory ; pump factory ; three bakeries ; four blacksmith shops, that are disconnected with carriage, wagonmaking, or machine shop; fanning-mill factory ; and a brick yard and tile factory an extensive creamery and cheese factory. Following this enumeration, it is just to make something more than passing mention of parties, to whose enterprise and foresight Bryan is chiefly indebted, for establishing a business power which, of itself, is the chief source of its prosperity. THE BRYAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY. This concern was organized in 1873, and had its foundation in the energy and sagacity of Morrison & Fay—a firm that accomplished more to plant the manufacturing interests of Bryan upon the solid basis it now occupies, than any other firm that has had existence in the town. No two men were, perhaps, ever associated in a firm, whose business and social relations were more pleasant, and who worked together in a higher degree of harmony. Mr. Morrison possessed a mechanical genius rarely equaled ; and his death, which occurred November 18, 1880, was deplored by all interested in Bryan, and regarded as a public loss. There are few in active life, in Bryan, possessed of a clearer judgment, which enables him G 322 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. to grasp all the details of a large business than Mr. Fay. The loss of his energetic partner was, especially, a serious one to him ; but since that event, there has been no visible interruption in the steadily increasing prosperity of the industries that survive him. Mr. Morrison's widow and heirs continue to hold the interests left by him. To afford a general idea of the magnitude of different industries of the company, it may be stated, that for their wheelbarrows, alone, orders seek them from almost every State and Territory of the Union, and even from Europe. The company employ an average force of from thirty to thirty-five men. PLANING-MILL The planing-mill of John and Philip Niederaur, under the firm name of Niederaur & Bro., conduct a successful business, and have facilities for supplying all the wants of town and country. BREWERY. This brewery, of which Jacob Haim is proprietor, is pronounced by those who are judges of lager, to turn out as good a quality of beer as is produced in any Ohio city, or in Milwaukee or Chicago. FANNING-MILLS. C. Osmun has achieved a reputation for the manufacture of a quality of fanning-mills that have been awarded premiums at every fair where they have come in competition with those heretofore considered the best in use, inasmuch as Mr. Osmun's mills effectually cleanse wheat of oats, and even of timothy and flax-seeds — points never known to have been achieved by any other invention. FLOUR-MILLS. The " Model Mills," by Warner & Son, and the "Excelsior," by J. Y. Lyon, have established high reputation for the superior quality of flours they produce. CHEESE FACTORY AND CREAMERY. Welker, Dales & Co., an enterprising mercantile firm, have, during several years, conducted a successful cheese factory, and have this year added to their cheese manufactory, an extensive creamery. MARBLE WORKS. The establishment of Willett & Darby has been in successful operation, encountering scarcely an attempt at competition during a period exceeding twenty years. Their works are supplied from marble obtained at the best quarries of Scotland, Italy and America. TOWN OF BRYAN - 323 CARRIAGES. Two establishments—one owned and managed by A. Kenninger, and the other by the Bryan Carriage Company—turn out first-class work. Mr. Kenninger commenced in April, 1863 ; and the Bryan Manufacturing Company, in 1881, bought their property of C. H. Straight, who founded the establishment and continued in business about eighteen months. Both these establishments are powerful in wealth and resources. PUMPS. From a cooper shop, established by G. Lockhart & Bro., in 1862, the senior partner took the business alone, and converted it into one for the manufactnre of pumps, cisterns, and wagon and carriage neck-yokes, and has raised the business to a condition of high prosperity. FOUNDRY AND MACHINE WORKS. Among the most important manufactories of Bryan are these works, which also had their origin in the intelligent enterprise of Morrison & Fay, but since the decease of the former they have passed into the ownership of a joint-stock company. An extensive three-story block of brick was added to the works about a year ago. These extensive works are highly creditable to the town and remunerative to stockholder THE BRYAN BOOT AND SHOE COMPANY. This was organized August 3, 1880, the design being to manufacture boots and shoes for the wholesale trade, and the experiment has fully met the anticipations of its projectors. FOLK'S GUN WORKS. An unpretentious but very useful business are the gun and plating works of William Folk. His manufacture of muzzle-loading rifles are favorites among sportsmen. BANKING. Bryan has two banks—the First National, which commenced business in 1864, with a capital of $50.000, and the Farmers' National. Of the First National, A. J. Tressler is President, Oscar Eaton, Cashier, and D. Farnham, A. J. Tressler, Oscar Eaton, A. M. Pratt and D. C. Baxter, Directors. The Farmers' National Bank is a re-organization, under United States charter, within the last year, of the Bryan Bank, a private institution, which had existed several years, and established a high credit. This institution is now officered by J. W. Nelson, President; Frank M. Carter, Vice President, and E. Y. Morrow, Cashier, and by 324 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. the Board of Directors, John Miller, Richard Knight, Andrew Smith, J. W. Leidigh, J. W. Nelson, F. M. Carter and E. Y. Morrow. So far as the fiscal arrangements of Bryan are concerned, no city or town in Ohio could be regarded as more substantial. HOTELS. The Bryan House, by Jacob Hudson, and the Fountain City House, by Mrs. Gilbert, are popular with their guests. There are also five well-conducted boarding houses. Bryan has five well-patronized restaurants. where no intoxicating beverages are sold. MUSEUM. Although this is a private institution, and the exclusive property of Dr. Q. H. Graser, citizens of Bryan prefer a sort of quasi claim to it as common property. It was, however, the Doctor's genius, money, and indomitable industry that originated and perfected the enterprise. The doors of his museum have always been thrown open to the free inspection of respectable citizens and non-residents. The field of numismatics has hardly been explored more thoroughly by any scientist in the United States than by Dr. Graser. Bryan may well have pride in so valuable a citizen, and of his varied contributions to the Republic of Science. PUBLIC LIBRARY. As yet, Bryan has not had the advantages of a popular library. Even the high and other schools have hitherto been destitute of this public blessing, which like institutions always confer upon a community. Many of the private libraries, however, have extensive and valuable collections of books. The cultured ladies of Bryan, alive to this great want, have taken hold of this matter in earnest, and organized the Bryan Library Association. At their first annual meeting, held in May, 1882, they adopted a constitution and by-laws, and made choice of the following-named Trustees: For three years—Mrs. A. M. Pratt, Mrs. J. W. Long, Mrs. E. Foster, Mrs. H. Cooney and Mrs. Oscar Eaton. For two years —Mrs. J. P. Day, Mrs. C. W. Pitcairn, Mrs. J. W. Nelson, Mrs. C. W. Mykrantz and Mrs. J. M. Welker. For one year—Miss E. M. Willett, Mrs. 0. M. Dales, Mrs. A. J. Tressler, Mrs. R. D. Everett and Mrs. F. G. Fay. The following officers, at a meeting of the trustees, were elected to serve during the ensuing year: President, Mrs. A. M. Pratt; Vice President, Mrs. Oscar Eaton ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. C. W. Pitcairn; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. C. W. Mykrantz, and Treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Nelson. The very names of the ladies engaged in this movement TOWN OF BRYAN - 325 afford ample guarantee that a solid foundation stone has been planted for the Bryan Library Association. CLOTHING. There are two establishments in Bryan exclusively devoted to this trade, and their houses are so well stocked that general merchandise stores have discontinued traffic in clothing. These are conducted, respectively, by D. A. Wolff and P. H. Magnus. Their goods display will bear favorable comparison with city stocks. GENERAL MERCHANDISE. Five large establishments are engaged in this trade, to wit: Moore & Yesbera, Willett & Gibson, Welker, Dales & Co., L. C. Neikirk and E. T. Binns. GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS. This business, one might imagine, is overstocked, but all appear to have a prosperous trade. Those prominent are W. J. Carroll, T. O. Williams, F. Carter, E. S. Jones, Jacob Halm, McQuilken Bros., McLain & McHenry, W. Brownsberger, and two or three others of some importance. HARDWARE. John Garver was first in this trade, and, in 1854, sold his stock to E. B. Kauke, who yet continues in the business, and is the oldest in the trade. Gleason & Baxter and Garver Bros. are also firms that carry large stock. HARNESS AND SADDLERY. Four shops, all carrying good stocks, supply the town and country with these goods. UNDERTAKING. The first professional undertaker, and one who yet continues in business, is A. C. Dillman. PHOTOGRAPHY. William H. Lockhart is the oldest photogropher now conducting the business in Northwestern Ohio, and no one in Toledo, or any other city, produces better work. L. .M. Johnson, though more recently established, is rapidly gaining public favor as an artist of high merit. JEWELRY. There are three establishments, two of which carry liberal and choice stocks. DRUGS, BOOKS, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS. Five houses are well filled with these lines of goods, and none deal in articles of inferior quality. 326 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. Williams County derives its principal wealth from its productive soil. Therefore, as farming economy has developed, there has been a continually increased demand for the best machinery and implements. Three establishments in Bryan control this trade, the most recent being that of Thomas L. Donaldson & Co. The aggregate sales of the three will amount to $150,000 annually. Mr. Smith was first in the trade, and Mr. Willett second. All three establishments have active demand for their best goods, which fact exhibits healthy enterprise among Williams County farmers. HATS AND CAPS. The one establishment devoted exclusively to the hat and cap trade is owned by Messrs. White & Hopkins. Mr White is one among the veteran hatters in Ohio, and there is only one (Mr. Carter, druggist and grocer), now in the trade who is his senior in business in Bryan. SKETCH OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. In the progress of time, several manufacturing industries have been undertaken and abandoned by their projectors, for the purpose of engaging in more profitable employment; but, it is believed that none of these ventures in Bryan ever failed, but some have been converted to other purposes, while a few have been destroyed by fire, and never rebuilt. At one time, there were flourishing hub, and spoke, and woolen factories, as well as a tannery, and less important manufactories; but all of their roofs, except those burned, now cover busily employed men, though engaged in other branches of useful production. It is only of quite recent date that Bryan sprang into existence as a manufacturing town. The dominant powers have hitherto been noticed. All that remains to be added to that already stated, is that Robert Park located in Bryan in 1862, and started a small foundry, and continued it on a limited scale until July, 1864, when he sold out to John A. Garver, and the latter sold, January 20, 1865, to Thomas F. Morrison, George Garver and Eugene Leonard. May 6, 1865, Mr. Fay bought Mr. Garver's interest, and the firm then became Morrison, Fay & Co. September, 1856, Morrison & Fay bought the interest of Mr. Leonard, and continued as Morrison & Fay until March 1, 1880, when Mr. Morrison sold his interest to John A. Garver, A. J. Tressler and D. C. Baxter. E. G. Fay also sold one-third of his interest to S. M. Gleason, and the style of the firm was then changed to the Morrison & Fay Manufacturing Company, by which name it has since been known. January 1, 1881, Mr. Fay sold one-half his remaining interest to his son, F. E. Fay, and, in October TOWN OF BRYAN - 327 following, the firm became incorporated as the Morrison & Fay Manufacturing Company. And, from the inception to what is now discovered, are embraced all the manufacturing agencies that have sprung into existence in Bryan. There is nothing more to add worthy of note. BRYAN CORPORATION-EXTRACTS FROM OFFICIAL RECORDS. In pursuance of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, entitled " An act to incorporate certain towns therein named," passed March 7, A. D. 1849. notice for an election was duly made public. In pursuance of this notice an election was held June 15, 1849, at which the following named persons voted : John Paul, John B. Jones,* Edward Foster,* Stephen Kent, D. H. Barton, L. B. Silver,* John Kaufman, J. S. Thompson, Joseph Kaufman, Joshua Dobbs,* William McKean, Levi Cunningham, William Yates,* John G. Kissell, James L. Rowly,* Allendy Jump.* Thomas Serrels, Jacob Youse,* Samuel Roodky,* Charles Case,* J. G. Young, George Snelling, George Keckler,* I. K. Morrow,* Milton B. Plummer,* A. J. Tressler,* Benjamin Kent,* Leonard Naftzger,* Volney Crocker,* Joseph Fulton, Daniel Langel, Jonathan Davis,* Daniel Hall, S. Paul, A. M. Rowles,* Jacob Over,* Jacob Eberly, Louis Rose. Charles Young, William I. Bowlby,* Benjamin Schmachtenberger,* C. Mattison, and John Will ;* total forty-two votes. At this election Charles Case was elected Mayor ; John Will, Recorder , Jacob Youse, William Yates, E. Foster, Thomas Serrels and Jacob Over, Trustees. The Trustees appointed John K. Morrow, Marshal, and Benjamin Schmachtenberger. Treasurer. Of the Trustees or Councilmen chosen at this first election, all survive, and are now residents of Bryan, excepting one—Thomas Serrels. At the election held April 3, 1882, 676 votes were cast, and the following municipal officers were elected, viz.: William 0. Johnston, Mayor; John P. Woods, Clerk ; George E. Coy, Treasurer; John B. Jones, Marshal ; J. E. Daily, •Street Commissioner; Benjamin F. Bostater, James P. Day and John Niederaur, Councilmen; A. C. Dillman, Cemetery Truestee. Councilmen holding over, D. A. Garver, John W. Nelson and John Yates. FIRES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. The first destructive fire occurred in Bryan on Sunday night, December 30. 1855, commencing about 11 P. M., and originating in a building occupied jointly by Edward Evans as a grocery store, and by George «'alit, Postmaster. The building adjoined David Langel's tavern, Henry Miller being then proprietor of the house. The fire destroyed the store * These persons are yet living. 328 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. and dwelling house of Mr. Yates, merchant, and altogether it was, at that date, and considering the circumstances of the town, a misfortune of no mean proportions. The town then was helpless in being destitute of any organized forces for extinguishing fires that assailed property. Improvised arrangements for the public safety were at once entered upon, and before the embers of the burnt district became cool, the formation of " bucket brigades " was commenced, and finally a band engine was purchased, and a hook and ladder company organized, and within a few years a steam fire engine of the best efficiency, according to approved tests, was added to former resources, and now Bryan probably has means for as secure protection against accidental fire assaults as any town of equal population in Ohio; although well organized as the department is. it is not always proof against the torch of the incendiary, as the town's unfortunate experience of 1881-82 very clearly demonstrated. The corporation owns a commodious brick building, centrally located, the first floor affording ample accommodation for engines, hose and other fire apparatus; and stabling for horses, and the upper floor for Council room and corporation offices. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. The following sketches of the First Baptist Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bryan, were prepared by M. B. Plummer: October 8, 1841, the first Baptist Church of Bryan was organized at a meeting held at La Fayette, Williams County, Ohio, consisting of the following members, to wit : Pastor—G. B. Lewis, Thomas, Elizabeth Thomas, P. S. Gleason, Jane Gleason, Daniel Wyatt, Elizabeth Wyatt. At said meeting, Brother Lewis was elected Moderator and P.S. Gleason Clerk. After reading the articles of faith and covenant, which were adopted, the right hand of fellowship and charge were given by G. B. Lewis. The society applied for admission into the Maumee Association. Brothers Lewis and Gleason were appointed to represent the society in the association. From that date to the 26th day of May, A. D., 1849, there does not appear any account given in the record of said society. On that day, they met at Bryan for covenant meeting, Rev. H. P. Stilwell present. Four were received by letter and one by baptism ; no names given. Brother Stilwell was appointed delegate to the association. December 22, A. D. 1849, Allendy Jump was elected Church Clerk, which position he held until he went to California in the spring of 1850, and P. S. Gleason was re-elected. May 5, 1855, William H. Keck and wife, N. and Mrs. Bibler were received by letter. Thomas Tucker and Samuel Sheffler by confession. William H. Keck was elected Church Clerk. February 12, 1859, at a TOWN OF BRYAN - 329 meeting held by the society, a motion was made and carried that Rev. W. Pearce be requested to remain as pastor for one year. The society had made arrangements with the Presbyterian brethren and was using their church for preaching. May 21, 1859, at a meeting held, Thomas Punches, Jacob Youn and A. W. Boynton, were elected Trustees of said church, A. T. Bement, Clerk ; Henry C. Long, Treasurer, preparatory to building their present church. May 22, 1860, the church gave to Rev. L. D. Robison a call to become their settled pastor. July 31, 1860, the Rev. L. D. Robison was ordained pastor of the Bryan Church by Rev. R. C. Knell, Rev. E. E. Platt and Rev. A. H. Cole. Subsequently, John W. Leidigh, A. T. Bement, Norman Relyea, James P. Homey and H. D. Gintir, were at different periods elected Clerk. January 10, 1867, call made and extended to the Rev. J. B. Shaff, to become pastor of this church. February 9, 1869, a call was made and extended to Rev. J. V. Stratton to become pastor of this church. October 14, 1869, a call was made and extended to Rev. J. V. Stratton to become pastor of this church. January 1, 1870, there was sixty-five members in church fellowship. February 16, 1871, a call was made and extended to J. V. Stratton to become pastor of this church, which he accepted. April 14, 1873, a call was made and extended to W. V. Thomas to become pastor of this church, which he accepted. W. W. Beardsly was called and accepted to become pastor of this church, but for some reason resigned. In the spring of 1877, a call was made and extended to D. M. Christy to become pastor of this church, which he accepted. July 28, 1881, a call was made and extended to J. M. Davies to become pastor of this church, which he accepted and at present is its pastor. At the present time. there are about ninety members; these church meetings seem to be well attended, and general peace and quiet prevail. They built one of the finest churches in the town at a cost, lot and house, of $4,000, and have it all paid for. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In the fall of 1840, Zara Norton, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, organized the first class in Bryan ; first preaching-place at the hotel of Thomas Shorthill, with the following-named members : Thomas Short-hill, Elizabeth Shorthill, Mary Kaufman, James Shorthill. William Yates and wife moved to Bryan in the summer of 1841, and brought with them their letters of membership, and joined the church in Bryan ; from that time to the present they have been acceptable members. The congregation moved their place of preaching from the hotel to the old court house, and continued their meetings until the schoolhouse was built, and occupied it until their present church was built. In the year 1853, the present church was built at a cost of $2,500. The Trustees at that time 330 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. were D. M. Crall, David Fairfield, A. R. Patterson, M. B. Plummer, Jacob Over, Levi Cunningham, William Yeates. From time to time the Trustees have remodeled the church at a cost of $1,000 or $2,000. The following is a list of the Presiding Elders of the Maumee, and subsequently the Toledo District of the Methodist Episcopal Church : 1840, Wesley Brock; 1842, John T. Kellum; 1844, Thomas Barkdull ; 1848, George W. Breckenridge; 1850, William Pierce; 1854, David Gray; 1858. Joseph Ayres; 1862, E. C. Gavitt; 1863, Samuel Lynch ; 1867, E. C. Gavitt; 1868, Thomas H. Wilson; 1871, Le Loy A. Belt; 1875. Park S. Donaldson; 1879, Wesley G. Waters. In 1841, Bryan was included in a mission called Bean Creek and Pulaski Mission, and extended from Burlington, now in Fulton County, to Clark's in Paulding County, and one appointment in Indiana, and in all sixteen appointments, to wit : Lutz's (now Burlington), Donutt's, Alvord, Eagle Creek, Allenung's, Beechler's, La Fayette (now Pulaski), East Fayette, Bryan, Williams Centre, Lost Creek, Fisher's, Six Corners, Hicksville, Clark's and Indiana. The mother of Hon. A. P. Edgerton at that time, and until her death, resided at Hicksville; was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and for many years Mr. Edgerton paid yearly $40 to the weary itinerants, and they were always welcome to his home. The following are the names of the ministers appointed to the mission and circuit that included Bryan : 1840, Zara Norton; 1841, Zara Norton, Orin Hatch; 1842, Simeon H. Alderman; 1843, J. L. Ferris, Chester Coleman; 1844, W. W. Winter, Samuel Morrow; 1845, William Boggs, T. W. Wilson; 1846, Alan-son Foster, H. K. Bairns; 1847, John Burgess, Samuel Fairchild; 1848, Henry Chapman, A. H. Walter; 1849, Benjamin Herbert, J. S. Cutler; 1850, David Aucker, J. A. Shannon; 1851, Thomas Parker, J. M. Wilcox; 1852, J. S. Albright, E. Lindsay; 1853, J. S. Albright, J. W. Thompson; 1854, Henry Warner, H. L. Nickerson; 1855, Henry Warner. J. H. Beardsly; 1856, William Thacker, D. S. Reagh; 1857, William Thacher, J. H. Miller; 1858, E. Morrison, A. Hollington; 1859, H. M. Close, A. M. Cory. In the fall of 1860, Bryan was made a station, with the following appointments, to wit : 1860-61, F. L. Harper; 1862-63, S. H. Alderman; 1864, Wesley G. Waters; 1865-67, John L. Bates; 1868, Philip A. Drown; 1869-71, Hamilton J. Bigley; 1872-73, James F. Mounts ; 1874-76, William Deal; 1877-79, Hamilton J. Bigley; 1880-81, W. W. Lance. At the present time, there are about two hundred and fifty members divided into nine classes, with the following-named persons as leaders, to wit : Leader of Class No. 1, E. E. Becbtol; No. 2, Samuel White; No. 3, William N. Noble ; No. 4, John Reagle; No. 5, H. L. High; No. 6, TOWN OF BRYAN - 331 Joel S. Mattocks; No. 7, John E. Beach ; No. 8, James Taneyhill; No. 9, C. M. March. The officers are: Wesley G. Waters, Presiding Elder; William W. Lance, Pastor; Thomas Taneyhill, Martin Perky, William H. Taylor, Superannuated ; Timothy H. Rimes, Local ; Martin Perky, Frederick Maurer, T. H. Himes, Jacob Over, Frank Kelly, Mary Brown, Hannah Harper, Mrs. J. W. Smith, Jennie Deuchar, Stewards ; Trustees—David Morrow, President; John Bailey, Treasurer; William Brownsberger, Seceratary; J. N. Riggs, Seth Kemble, Henry L. High, William Folk. There are about two hundred names enrolled in the Sabbath school, with the following-named officers and teachers, to wit: W. W. Lance, Superintendent; J. E. Beach, Anna Noble, Assistant Superintendents; John P. Woods, Secretary ; William Brownsberger, Treasurer; John Kemble, Frank Conrod, Librarians; Jennie Deuchar, Anna Noble, Mrs. C. C. Long, Mary Githen, Millie Barstow, Mrs. William H. Taylor, Anna Ware, Martin Perky, Jennie Jones, Rose Deuchar, 1. E. Beach, Carrie Brown, Mrs. G. Lockhart, Mary Snyder, Florence Bostater, Teachers. Preaching, Sabbath morning and evening. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. [Extracts from minutes.] “BRYAN. June 10, 1854.—Pursuant to notice previously given, and agcereeable to an order to that effect by the Presbytery of Maumee, a meeting was held this day for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian Church. After sermon by Rev. J. M. Crabb, certificates were received and found in order from the following persons, viz., Alexander Conning and wife, Sarah Conning, John Kelley and Harriett N. Kelley, James Allen and Sarah J. Allen, Jennette Grim, Isabella M. Ogden, William H. Ogden, 1.v profession of faith in the absence of a certificate—making in all ten iii embers. At this meeting, into the proceedings of which were, at intervals, introduced prayer for the divine guidance, Messrs. William H. Ogden and John Kelley were chosen Ruling Elders, and Messrs. Alexander Conning and James Allen were appointed to the office of Deacon. At the session held May 10, 1862, William Dunlap, William Sheridan were chosen Elders, and D. L. Anderson, Moderator. Miss Julia Hamilton was received to membership on certificate from the Presbyterian Church of New Lisbon, Ohio, At the session of September 27, 1862, the following were received to the communion of the church : James Q. Beattie, on certificate from the church of Union, Defiance County ; Franklin Lockhart, by profession of faith. At the session August 6, 1864, Bro. Raffensperger, Moderator, Mr. J. B. Jones was received upon presenting his letter of dismission from the Truro Presbyterian Church of Columbus 332 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Grove, Ohio, and Mr. William Ward, upon profession of faith. Session of March 21, 22 and 23, 1865, the following persons were received on profession of their faith in Christ, viz. : Miss Jennie White, Matilda White. Mrs. Harriet McCutcheon and her four daughters, Mrs. Rebecca McCloud, Miss Emma McCutcheon, Ella McCutcheon, Mary McCutcheon, Mrs. Maria Bell and her two daughters', Frank and Libbie Bell, Miss Cora B. Obrist and her sister Emma Jane, Miss Electa M. Fay, Miss Ada M. Kelley, Mary A. Kelley and Mr. William Kelley, Mrs. Nancy A. Willett, Mrs. Louisa Bostater and her two sisters, Miss Eliza Amelia Sheridan and Elmira Hannah Sheridan, Mrs. Cynthia E. Valentine. Miss Phoebe C. Townly, Miss Ella Green, Miss Sarah Montgomery, Miss Mary A. Jones, Miss Eliza Moore, Misses Caroline, Emma L. and Harriet Odell, Miss Binnie Ryan, Mr. Francis Kennedy and Mr. Jacob Raupert. At a Congregational meeting on the evening of March 3, 1865, Dr. A. Larrimore, a Ruling Elder from the church of Auburn, Ind., and Mr. J. B. Jones, Ruling Elder from the church of Columbus Grove. were unanimously elected to the office of Ruling Elders in the church of Bryan. The session of May 6, 1865, was opened with prayer by Bro. Cochrane Forbes, of Kendallville, Ind. Present: Messrs. Kelley, Jones, Larrimore and Sheridan. Mrs. Adeline E. Moore, Mrs. Catharine Willett were each received on profession of their faith in Christ, and Dr. Larrimore and wife and Mrs. Sloat on certificates. " The manse in Bryan was built in 1870-71, and finished June 20 in the latter year. C. W. Boynton was chairman of building committee, who planned and superintended the work. It cost, without the lot, $2,675." July 22, 1878. At the session held this day, Rev. James Quick, acting as Moderator (having resigned his charge of this church 1st of June last), the Clerk was ordered to give letters of dismissal to the following named persons, who had so requested: Mrs. Maria E. Quick, Miss Julia E. Quick, Miss Marion T. Quick, and Miss Alice Cornelia Alexander. The first session at which the name of the present pastor, Rev. Thomas Doggett, appears upon the minutes, was held September 19, 1878. The session held March 23, 1880, voted to pay an annual salary of $900 to Rev. Thomas Doggett for his services. July 31, 1879, Mrs. Thomas Doggett was received into the church by letter from the Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls, N. Y. October 30, 1879, Mr. Wilson presented a letter of dismission from the Evangelical Church of Edgerton, Ohio, and Mr. Frank Kennedy a letter from the First Presbyterian Church of Elmore, Ohio, and the persons were received into the church. December 25, 1879, Miss Roby Velorce Witmore was received into the church by profession; and January 3, 1880, Mrs. Louisa M. Price, Mrs. Coleman, Miss Olive Wetmore, and Miss Nellie M. Ingalls were received TOWN OF BRYAN - 333 on profession of faith. Mr. Jacob E. Hime and Mrs. Mary A. Hime were received on certificate from the Congregational Church of Wauseon. March 18, 1880, Miss Cora B. Warren presented a letter of dismission from the Congregational Church of Burton, Ohio, and her name was added to the roll of members. November 4, 1880, Miss Francis Maria Folk was received into the church on certificate from First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Miss Frances Mariah Doggett and Mr. Eugene Ellsworth Newman were received on profession of faith. February 3, 1881, Mrs. Margaret Helwig was admitted on letter from the Presbyterian Church of New Philadelphia, Ohio. To make the history of this church complete, it is proper to embody extracts from a sermon delivered by Rev. James Quick, July 1, 1876: The Society was legally incorporated September 9, 1856, as the Presbyterian Church and Society Old School. August 6, 1872, a question having arisen as to the full power of the society to hold property under existing laws of the State, a slight modification was made, and the organization perfected under the name of the First Presbyterian Church Mull Society of Bryan, Ohio. Since the first organization up to the present time, there have been received to the fellowship and communion of the church (including those who first formed it) by certificate from other churches, 127 persons, and on profession of their faith in Christ 98 persons—making an aggregate of 225. There have been dismissed to the fellowship and communion of other churches, eighty-six persons, and from this number twenty-two persons have died, and two have been excommunicated. Rev. D. S. Anderson was the first clergyman, and his ministry continued until 1861; he was succeeded by Rev. Williamson S. Wright, who terminated his work August 12, 1865. September 1, 1865, Rev. John H. Carpenter commenced labor and remained until June 7, 1h7, when, October 1, Rev. D. K. Richardson took ministerial charge April, 1870, Mr. Robert B. Marshall, licensed by the Presbytery of Chicago, became a successor to the pastoral office, and he died November following. February 5, 1871, Rev. Elias Thompson was employed and served one year, when he was succeeded by Rev. Henry H._ Bridge, who remained until July, 1873, and was followed by Rev. Ebenezer Buckingham, who remained six months. On the first Sabbath of December, 1874, Rev. James Quick commenced his labors with this church. Up to the close of 1871 the church was dependent for aid in support of the ordinances of the Gospel upon the Home Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church ; but since that time it has been self-sustaining. Total collections and expenditures for missions, etc., $13,239.97. " Thus far bath the Lord brought us, and He says to us by His Word, and by His Providence, ' Go Forward.' " The Sunday school of this church is under 334 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. superintendence of Joseph B. Jones. The teacher of the Bible is Mrs. Rev. Doggett, and the other teachers are J. D. Gleason, John Kelley, Rev. Doggett, M. M. Boothman, Miss Mabel Pratt, Miss Dora Cannon, Miss Almira Treat, Mrs. Willett Gibson, Mrs. D. K. Richardson, Miss Metta Carter, Miss J. H. Willett and Miss Ida Cunningham. Average number of pupils, in excess of one hundred. GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN. The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's congregation commenced its existence December 21, 1861, having at that date no house of worship, though commencing with a membership of eighteen persons, and the pastor being Rev. Hermann Schmidt, of the Ohio Synod; and February 4, 1869, a movement was made to build a church edifice, and a plan agreed upon to have its dimensions 40x28 feet, the ceiling sixteen feet. Accordingly the house was erected on Beech street, adjacent to the planing mills. The building cost, in cash, aside from liberal donations in money and material, $750. The lots were donated by Hon. Alfred P. Edgerton, who has contributed more liberally, in real estate and money donations to church purposes, than any other one in Northwestern Ohio. Mr. Schmidt retired from the pastorate of the church September 14, 1863, and from this date, until January 1, 1867, the congregation had occasional supplies from various clergymen, and oftentimes of slightly differing creeds, until, on the last mentioned date, Rev. Eugene Kuchle was installed, and maintained his pastoral connection until 1870, when he was succeeded by Rev. Heinrich Lutz, who held charge until 1872. when he was followed, in the ministry, by Rev. Joel Goebel, who continued his relations with the church until 1878. At this date, Rev. Wilhelm Young, whose work is under the auspices of the Evangelical Synod of North America, was assigned to the charge of the congregation, and yet continues his ministrations. In 1882, the membership numbers thirty, and a Sunday school, under the superintendence of Jacob Schleenbaker, has an average attendance of about eighteen pupils. After the retirement of Rev. Mr. Goebel, a division of sentiment regarding the Christian propriety of church members identifying themselves with secret societies sprang up, and divisions followed, and the trouble was brought before ecclesiastical tribunals, and a length, on an issue affecting title to church property, the controversy found its way to the civil courts, where it is yet pending. As the matters of variance affect only the parties interested, further reference to them in these pages is omitted. It is only just, however, to state that the organization, of which Rev. Heinrich Stahling is pastor, claims to be the regular and legal organization. TOWN OF BRYAN - 335 ENGLISH LUTHERANS. The English Lutheran Church of Bryan was founded in February, 1875. Rev. F. A. Matthis has had pastoral charge since its organization. Commencing with a membership of twelve, it now numbers about fifty communicants. The Sunday school employs thirteen teachers, who give instruction to 150 pupils. Cost of building, $4,500, and of lot, $500. The church has a seating capacity for 500 persons. To the faithful and tireless efforts of Rev. Mr. Matthis, aided by the divine favor, this church is indebted for its substantial and rapidly acquired prosperity. The church building is located on Bryan street. FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. The First Universalist Church of Bryan was organized July 10, 1870, by Rev. J. F. Rice, with a membership of twenty-one, the original members being John M. Welker, Mrs. Julia A. Welker, Mrs. S. A. Farr, Mrs. Helen A. Garver, Miss Nellie Farr, Miss Frank Fay, Albert Stinson, John Miller, Mrs. John Miller, Mrs. P. M. Harris, R. S. Owen, F. E. Fay, William Ayres, Mrs. William Ayres, Ephraim Dawson, Mrs. A. M. Dawson, Miss Clara A. Dawson, Mrs. Clarissa Owen, Mrs. Myra Moores, Mrs. Augusta Lawton and Miss Alice E. Owen. Rev. J. F. Rice preached for it for the first nine years. It is to his untiring industry and unwavering zeal that the church owes its existence and great success. Mfr. Rice, though not living with the church at any time, and preaching for it only every alternate Sabbath, was more than ordinarily successful, which may be largely attributed to the fact that he is a strong preacher and a man of great social power. The church now has a membership of 111, nearly all of whom were received into fellowship by Mr. Rice. Rev. H. L. Canfield supplied the church for one year every alternate Sabbath. The second pastorate was begun in August, 1880. Rev. G. L. Perin, a graduate of Canton Theological Seminary, was elected pastor. Mr. Perin is still preaching for the church every Sunday at a salary of $900. During Mr. Perin's pastorate thus far, nine members have been added. The church held religious services for several years in Long's Hall, north side of Court Square. In 1875 and 1876, the first and only church edifice was erected at a cost of $8,000. The church is a beautiful brick ; in size, 37x57 feet ; Gothic in style. The main audience room is neatly frescoed, and has elegant stained glass windows. It has a large and commodious basement with Sunday school room, furnace rooms, kitchen, pantry, and what is very rare in a church, a beautiful fountain of clear, cold water. The church is situated on the southeast corner of Main and Maple streets. The present officers are: Moderator, Hon. S. N. Owen ; Trustees, J. M. Welker. E. G. Fay and 0. C. Ashton ; Treasurer, E. T. 336 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Binns. The Sunday school, in connection with the church, was organized about January 1, 1870, and has now an enrolled membership of 110 an average attendance of about sixty to eighty. With one brief interval, it has been under the constant superintendence of J. M. Welker, Esq., whose energy and devotion have been unremitting. CATHOLICS. There are in Bryan devout and pious Catholics ; but their numbers are small, and a missionary priest, at stated periods, holds service. They have a church edifice. Few as are the numbers of these worshipers. they command a high degree of respect from co-religionists, on account of the firmness they manifest in holding fast to their faith. JEWS. Those of this persuasion form only a small per cent of the religious element, and have no rabbi or synagogue. They are, however, held in high esteem as citizens. INSTITUTIONS OF BENEVOLENCE AND SOCIALITY. In all the agencies designed to elevate the standard of useful and rational enjoyment, Bryan occupies no secondary place in rank among her sister towns. Of the I. 0. 0. F., there are Fountain City Lodge, No. 314 ; Williams Encampment, No. 102, and Bryan Circle, No. 9. P. C. Of the Masonic Fraternity, there are Bryan Lodge, No. 215, and Northwest Chapter, No. 45. Knights of Honor have Hospitable Lodge, No. 1650. LITERARY SOCIETIES BY LADIES. In Bryan are three literary societies, aside from an incipient library association, which is under the general management of the three. These are two " Thame " Societies and the "Chautauqua Circle." These societies were organized by and are under exclusive control of women, who have demonstrated that the religious, intellectual and moral culture of the sex reflect a high degree of credit upon themselves. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. Evans Post, Bryan, G. A. R., was organized October 17, 1881, with the following-named charter members: E. R. McDonald, F. H. Miller, M. M. Boothman, D. Graves, J. Hively, J. W. Leidigh, N. B. Shouf, J. R. McNary, C. R. Spicer, C. C. Crummel, D. Davis, J. P. Caldwell, W. M. Johnston, W. J. Carroll, S. E. Richards, J. Bauer, M. Enterman, John H. Shouf, A. Gribbons, J. S. Moore, A. Dubois, J. C. Horton, J. G. Lauby, J. E. Partee, J. H. Stuart, T. H. Himes; John S. Kounts, TOWN of BRYAN - 339. Department Commander; George S. Canfield, Assistant Adjutant General ; E. R. McDonald, Post Adjutant; J. P. Caldwell, Post Commander, and J. W. Leidigh, Post Quartermaster. The present membership numbers 127, and its officers are: J. P. Caldwell, Commander; John Horton, Senior Vice ; M. M. Boothman, Vice ; T. Himes, Chaplain ; J. W. Leidigh, Quartermaster; J. R. McNary, Officer of the Day; E. R. McDonald, Adjutant. It will be observed that the numerical growth of Evans Post during the brief time that has elapsed since its organization has been remarkably rapid. EARLY SCHOOLS OF BRYAN. In the contract made with A. J. Tressler to teach the Bryan School, $45, for three months, was agreed upon, being at the rate of $15 per month. The average attendance at his school "was, according to the best recollection of Mr. Tressler, from twenty-five to thirty-five pupils. As late as 1862, there was but one public school building, that one being near the Methodist Church. It was without a bell or any school apparatus. There were three departments—High, Secondary and Primary. The number of enrolled pupils was 224. The Bryan Normal School was opened J uary 1, 1864, with an enrollment of forty pupils, and soon numbered 100 and its annual catalogue exhibited an enrollment of about two hundred. which were instructed a large per cent of the leading educators and professional men of the present in this and adjoining counties. In 1874, the normal and graded schools were united, and C. W. Mykrantz, the Principal of the Normal, was chosen Superintendent, and has continued uninterruptedly to hold this place. There are no public schools in Ohio, probably, of towns even more populous, where the public schools are under more judicious management. This high school building was used a brief time for an experiment of establishing a commercial college, but failed for want of adequate support. Their 1868 sign, " College," is yet upon the front wall. BURIAL GROUNDS. The places of interment for the early dead of Bryan were at Pulaski, Williams Centre, or at other more convenient but temporary locations on private property, but not intended as permanent abodes for the remains of those who had gone before. Population being sparse, and the region healthy, there were few deaths. But in the early part of 1841, and some months after the town was platted, a place of sepulture, then a wild but pleasant locality, was selected, which it was believed that no wants of commerce or demands for residence places, would ever covet, and where the ashes of deceased kindred and friends would forever rest in consecrated ground. The place chosen was an elavated one, on the south side of Lynn H 340 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Run, and many feet above high-water mark of that stream. Portland street now passes on the west side of these grounds, and they were nearly west of the place where Mr. Warner's flour-mills and Mr. Halm's brewery are now established. But commerce, however, as in almost every like instance, adopts the almost cruel logic of Jefferson that "the earth belongs to the living," and that no power is able to resist its invasion of any soil, however sacred, when greed requires it for its uses ; and after manufacturing and residence wants clamored at the gateways of this first burial-place, two new cemeteries—the Fountain Grove, south of Bryan, in Pulaski Township, and Brown's Cemetery, two miles northwest of Bryan, in Centre Township, were established, and the remains of nearly all the dead were exhumed and transferred to one or the other of those places. But some had no surviving friends, and their bodies yet rest in the old grounds where they were originally deposited. Thomas Wyatt's body was first buried there, and his ashes have never been disturbed. The second interment was a daughter of Thomas Shorthill, and from some cause her remains were suffered to continue in the old grounds. FOUNTAIN GROVE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. The first meeting for the purpose of effecting such an organization was held on the 26th of January, 1855, when Messrs. John Will, David M. Crall, Levi Schlott, Robert Pitcairn, Alvira Spencer and William Yates were elected a Board of Trustees, and Albert R. Patterson, chosen Clerk. At a meeting of the trustees, held February 2, 1855, Robert Pitcairn was elected President of the Board, and by-laws were adopted. William A. Stevens was chosen Treasurer. Several years seem to have elapsed before there was a regular sexton employed to have charge of the cemetery. The first appointed was O. L. Brown, and the present one is Matthias Blossing. Both these gentlemen were competent to discharge faithfully the duties conferred upon them, and they have rendered the grounds highly attractive. The principal officers now, in addition to the sexton, are: John W. Pollock, President; Dr. A. L. Snyder, Executive Trustee; A. C. Dillman, Secretary. Mr. Youse states that John Will was most prominent in the selection and supervision of the present cemetery. PULASKI TOWNSHIP - 341 PULASKI TOWNSHIP. BY H. S. KNAPP. SETTLEMENT. In October, 1833, Judge John Perkins removed from Brunersburgh, with his sons, Isaac and Garrett, and son-in-law, John Plummer, and these, accompanied by John Moss, George Lantz, Henry Jones and a Mr. Hood, established themselves on Beaver creek, and named their colony Pulaski. Judge Perkins built a grist and saw mill on the Creek, which, it is believed, was the first erected within what now are the limits of Williams County. ORGANIZATION. At the session of the Commissioners of Williams County, held at Defiance, August 8, 1837, it was ordered, that the "south half of the south tier of sections in Town 7 north, Range 3 east, be taken from said town and added to Town 6, in said range, and upon petition the name of said town is changed from Beaver to Pulaski, and the said Township of Pulaski is hereby organized ; and the Auditor is ordered to give notice of an election to be held at the house of Alonzo Rawson, on the 26th inst., for the purpose of electing the necessary officers for the government of said township." The Alonzo Rawson above mentioned belonged to one of the most eminent pioneer families of Northern Ohio, his three brothers being the late Abel Rawson, a distinguished lawyer who settled in Tiffin. in 1826, and Dr. L. Q. Rawson, who settled in Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) in 1827, and Dr. Bass Rawson, of Findlay, one of the early pioneers of Hancock County. Alonzo Rawson opened the first stock of goods at Lafayette (since changed to Pulaski), in a house built by himself, and afterward sold to A. W. Boynton, when Mr. Rawson removed from the county. The same building and rooms are now occupied as a store by Aaron Stoner. At this time there was no white settlement in the township, except at what is now Pulaski, and its inhabitants, like those at Williams Centre, then anticipated that when the seat of justice would finally leave Defiance for a point near the geographical center, it would settle permanently at Pulaski. No dreamer then contemplated the erection of Defiance and Fulton Counties. and the destruction of the original county lines. ELECTIONS AND VOTERS. At an election for Justice of the Peace held in Pulaski Township, April 6, 1840, Reuben H. Gilson, David Pickett and David Landaman 342 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. acting as Judges, and Alonzo Rawson and Jabez Jones as Clerks, the following persons voted: Daniel Davidson, David Pickett, Reuben H. Gilson, Robert Thompson, Isaac Swagger, Daniel Wyatt, Sr., William Kilpatrick, Isaac Perkins, James McKinley, Philetus S. Gleason, Jabez Jones, Ezra Wilson, George B. Jones, Alonzo Rawson, John Kaufman, David Landaman, Alfred Shepard, John Oakes, Henry Johnson, George Shook, John Beavers, Seymour Montgomery, Aquilla Caszet, Peter Deck, John Harris. Benjamin Smith, Barnabas Peddycoast, William Johnson, John Flannahs, J. R. Capsil, Daniel Wyatt, Jr., Samuel A. Baker, Benjamin Kent, George Everett, John Perkins and Garrett Perkins. The above election being held the year Bryan was platted and named, there were then, of course, no voters on the space now occupied by the town. A special election was held in Pulaski Township, November 28, 1840: David Landaman, James McKindley and John Hanna, Judges; and George Lantz and Ezra Wilson, Clerks. The election was called to .Ake choice of a Justice of the Peace. Thirty-six votes were cast, of which Daniel Wyatt received sixteen and Ezra Wilson twenty ; no politics at this election. October 12, 1842, at the general election held in Pulaski Township, sixty-four votes were cast, of which Wilson Shannon, Democratic candidate for Governor, received forty-nine votes, and Thomas Corwin, the candidate of the Whig party, thiry-four votes.  Those who voted were: William A. Stevens, Benjamin W. Evans, Ezra Wilson, Thomas C. McCurdy, Thomas Kent, Jacob Youse, Seymour Montgomery, Isaac Swager, Robert Traylor, Daniel Kite, Benjamin Kent, Jasper Fulkerson. Robert Thompson, George L. Higgins, Daniel Wyatt, Andrew J. Tressler, John Dinsmore, Thomas J. McDowell, Andrus Dutcher, George Shook, James B. Godwin, John Oakes, Henry Wilson, John McDowell, Isaac Perkins, John Perkins, John A. Alexander, David Landaman. James Alexander, R. H. Gilson, David Harris, George B. Jones, William Oxenrider, John Harris, Jabez Jones, William Johnson, William Johnston. Henry Johnson, Thomas Shorthill, Adam R. Bowlby, William I. Bowlby, Jacob Beavers, John Kaufman, John E. Traylor, William Kilpatrick, John Wyatt, Henry Deivert, Philetus S. Gleason, George Lantz, John Clampet, David Picket, Andrew Hamilton, James Shorthill, George Mather, Volney Crocker, Jacob Over, John J. Hill, John D. Martin, Garrett Perkins, Aquilla Caszet, George Everett, Benjamin Smith and James McKinley. At the election in Pulaski Township, held on the 11th of October. 1843, Bryan had commenced business life, and E. II. Leland, Adam R. .Bowlby and Daniel Langel were Judges, and N. M. Landis and John PULASKI TOWNSHIP - 343 Cameron acted as Clerks. The following-named persons voted; Daniel Landaman, E. H. Leland,* Thomas Kent,* Daniel Langel,* S. R. Brown,* Henry Trevitt,* N. M. Landis,* John Cameron,* James Shorthill,* John Perkins, Isaac Swagger, John Johnson, Robert Traylor, Jesse Lantz, Jacob Teems,* William Cronk, David Harris, John Oaks, John A. Alexander, William Kilpatrick, George Lantz, William Yates, Benjamin Kent, Jr., David Wyatt, Jacob W. Guver, Garrett T. Hitt. William Stough, Andrew Hamilton, Edington Sterner, Sylvester Lewis, A. W. Boynton, James Guthrie, Jacob Beavers, Adam R. Bowlby, Charles Young, George Beavers, Thomas Kent, Sr.,* Christian Harris, David Pickett, Benjamin Smith, John Peticord, John Hanna, Jacob Youse,* James B. Godwin, Hezekiab Hanna, Jabez Perkins, Seymour Montgomery,* John Clampet, John Kaufman,* Lewis Rose,* Andrew J. Tressler,* George W. Kent, Reuben H. Gilson,* Jacob Over,* John P. Wyatt,* Benjamin Kent, Sr., William Johnson, Hustin Brown, John Godwin, John Harris, Garrett Perkins, Samuel Myers,* Daniel Davidson, Thomas J. McDowell,* Philetus S. Gleason, William Eariston, Daniel Thar Ashford Kent, William 1. Bowlby, Heman Harman, George B. Jone Jeremiah Beavers, James McKinley, Samuel K. Miller, John Traylor William Oxenrider, John Collins, Washington Leonard, Alonzo Rawson, Jabez Jones, Isaac Perkins and John McDowell.* October 18, 1846, at a special election, Daniel Langel, David Tharp, and David R. Bowlby, Judges, and Andrew J. Tressler and Joshua Dobbs, Clerks of said election, there were 105 votes cast. As it may, for obvious reasons, be matter of interest to know who then voted, the names of the electors are given as follows : Francis M. Case, Jacob Stauer, Joseph Mankin, William A. Stevens, John B. Alexander, Jacob Over, Daniel Langel, Andrew J. Tressler, Thomas Kent, Leonard Naftzger, E. H. Leland, Isaac Swagger, Solomon S. Little, Thomas H. Blaker, Levi Cunningham, Peter Himes, George Keckler, John Stauer, William Peoples, Thomas Stakes, Peter Deck, Sr., William Yates, Henry Batlo, James S. Gurwell, Sanford W. Smith (sworn), George Snalling, John Sadoris, John Mattocks, Ezra Wilson, Joseph S. Johnson, R. H. Gilson, David W. Harris, George Shook, John Godwin, James Alexander, Daniel Tharp, Samuel Kent, Alfred Shepherd, Adam R. Bowlby, Robert Tompson, N. M. Landis, John Kaufman, Jacob Youse, Barnet Brown, John Perkins, Joseph S. Boynton, Jeremiah Beavers, John Paul, James B. Godwin, Isaac Perkin, John P. Wyatt, Jacob Beavers, George B. Janes, Washington Leonard, Robert Russell, Stephen I. Doughton, J. E. Washburn, M. D. Doughton, Henry Carbaugh, George Lantz, Samuel Paul, * At this election eighty-three votes were given, of whom those marked with an asterisk (*) were citizens of Bryan, and on the basis of an average of five members of a family to each one who voted, a fair estimate of tine population of the town at that date can be made. 344 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. George W. Beavers, James S. Guthrie, William I. Bowlby, Jeremiah Scarnell, Samuel K. Miller, Joshua Dobbs, James B. Akey, Benjamin Smith, Jonathan Davis, Henry Johnson, Joel F. Pool, William B. Yates, Stephen Kent, Elias Johnson, James Earlston, John Shaw, George W. Kent, Thomas Shorthill, John Oaks, John Lantz (sworn), Michael Lickel, Elijah Athey, James Oxenrider, Joseph Fulton, Jacob Teems, Charles Case, A. W. Boynton, Daniel Wyatt, Jabez Jones, James McKinley, Jared Griswold, Volney Crocker, Moses Johnson, William Stough, Elijah Perkins, John A. Molbash, Garrett Perkins, Jabez Perkins, William Oxenrider, Jr., Joseph Dixon, Thomas Kent, Benjamin Kent, Giles 1Is1. Tomlinson. Total, 105. Only a few of those above recorded are now residents of Bryan. Even within the comparatively brief space of thirty-six years, the larger number have passed the portals of the tomb, while some have removed, and of these a majority have died in other homes. Charles Case settled in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he became prominent at the bar and represented that district in Congress. Subsequent to the civil war, he occupied a responsi ble place connected with the United States Internal Revenue service at New Orleans. Others in the list might also be mentioned, who removed to other sections, and afterward often regretted that they had not remained in Bryan, and " let well enough alone." JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. Following embraces a list of names and dates of commissions annexed thereto : Payne C. Parker, June 4, 1825; George Lantz, June 8, 1827; Jabez Jones, June 20, 1834 ; H. C. Conoway, December 31, 1836; Harman Doolittle. May 15, 1837. [The foregoing were elected in the territory then comprising three townships, of which Pulaski was one, and after Pulaski was organized as a district township, the following were chosen] : David Pickett, January 24, 1838; Ezra Wilson, December 24, 1840; George Lantz, April 29, 1840 ; Adam Bowlby, December 21, 1845; William A. Stevens, February 1, 1842; John Godwin. December, 31, 1843; Alonzo Rawson, February 13, 1844; Giles H. Tomlinson, December 7, 1844 ; William Stough, February 22, 1847; W. McKean, October 26, 1850; Adam R. Bowlby, February 14, 1852; Adam R. Bowlby, January 13, 1855; William Stough, April 13, 1855; Edwin J. Evans, April 13, 1855; William H. Ogden, January 18, 1858; Edwin J. Evans, April 16, 1858; William Stough, April 16, 1858; William H. Ogden, January 10, 1861 ; Elen Langel, April 9, 1861; Henry Gilbert, April 17, 1863 ; Edwin J. Evans, April 23, 1864; Elen Langel, April 23, 1864 ; John H. Palmer. April 23, 1864; Eli T. Richardson, November 25, 1864 ; William H. Ogden, April 10, 1867 ; Ed- PULASKI TOWNSHIP - 345 win J. Evans, April 10, 1867; William Stough, April 15, 1869; Cyrus S. Bowman, October 21, 1869; George E, Long, May 12, 1871 ; William Stough, April 9, 1872; Milton B. Plummer, April 16, 1874; William Stough, April 13, 1875 ; M. B. Plummer, April 17, 1877 ; John S. Williams, April 10, 1878 ; William F. Roop, October 21, 1879; Jacob Teems, April 17, 1880; George C. Coy, April 18, 1881. ENUMERATION OF ADULT MALES. Following is a list of white male inhabitants over the age of twenty-one years in the township of Pulaski, Williams County, Ohio, on the first (lay of May, 1843, as taken by Andrew Tressler, Township Assessor: James B. Akey, James Alexander, J. A. Alexander, S. H. Alderman, David Beechler, James Bell, John Beavers, Adam R. Bowlby, William I. Bowlby, Jacob Beavers, Jeremiah Beavers, George Beavers, John A. Butler, A. W. Boynton, S. S. Case, John Cameron, Henry Caszet, Aquilla Caszet, John Collins, Volney Crocker, William Cronk, John Clampet, Peter Deck, Samuel Deck, Isaac Deck, M. D. Dowton, Daniel Davidson, Benjamin W. Evans, John Earlston, George Everett, John Fields, Samuel Fowler, Benjamin Gardner, James B. Godwin, John Godwin, P. S. Gleason, Calvin Gleason, R. H. Gilson, James T. Guthrie, Andrew Hamilton, John Hart, William Hilton, Peter Himes, John Hanna, Hezekiah Hanna, John Himes, Garrett T. Hitt, William Johnson, John J hnson, Henry Johnson, George B. Jones, Jabez Jones, Thomas Kent, Benjamin Kent, Thomas Kent, Sr., George Kent, Ashford Kent, William Kilpatrick, Benjamin Kent, Sr., John Kaufman, N. M. Landis. E. H. Leland, Daniel Langel, Reuben Lewis, James McDowell, Thomas I. McDowell, Samuel Meyers, Samuel K. Miller, James McKinley, Noah B. Mackey, Jacob Over, William Oxenrider, John Oaks, John Peticord, Garrett Perkins, John Perkins, Jabez Perkins, David Pickett, Isaac Perkins, Joel F. Pool, James Shorthill, W. A. Stevens, David M. Shoemaker, Alfred Shepard, Benjamin Smith, George Shook, Isaac Swagger, William Stough, Simon Sines, G. H. Tomlinson, Daniel Tharp, Jacob Teems, Allen Tingley, Robert Traylor, John E. Traylor, Robert Thompson, Andrew J. Tressler, John P. Wyatt, Daniel Wyatt, Henry Wolfe, Alpheus Willson, Isaac Warfield, Ezra Wilson, William Yates, Jacob Youse, George Lantz, Jesse Lantz, Seymour Montgomery, Alonzo Rawson, Lewis Rose, John Paul—total, 111. The Peter Himes, above named, was shot and killed by Benjamin F. Everett, while endeavoring to enter the dwelling of the latter during the night. No one believed that the intents of Himes were larceny or robbery; yet his proceeding was unlawful. Everett gave himself up to the legal authorities. by whom he was tried and acquitted. 346 - TOWNS IN PULASKI. The place known as Pulaski never had a town organization. The airs- white population having gathered there the elections, the post office, and the small amount of trade then in the township, all centered at that point. The first schoolhouse and the first house of worship were also established at Pulaski. Bryan is the only town that has ever been incorporated in the township. The date of its charter and of its first and present town officers are recorded in their appropriate place. It was incorporated with certain other towns named in the act, by a law passed by the Ohio Legislature March 7, 1849, at a period when the cities and towns in the State derived all their municipal powers from special acts of the General Assembly. Many so-called cities of Ohio have assumed the burdens, and undertaken to wear the habiliments of " cities," whose population and taxable wealth at the time they started out with the self imposed yoke were much less than what Bryan can now exhibit. FIRST PLACES OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP. Religious meetings in the early settlement of Pulaski, as of other townships, were held at private houses, and often in the forests, and as schoolhouses were erected they were used outside of schoolhours, on Sundays and evenings. The old-fashioned Methodist camp-meetings were always held in the best selected groves—God's own temples—and generally gathered from far and near the best elements of backwoods life, and also a few of the baser sort; for even in those more pure and primitive times, there were a few who would attend these meetings for purposes quite different from those that governed the good people who were zealously active in them. But some of the class who came to sneer and mock. returned home contrite, praying men. There exists a conflict of recollection as to the point of location of the first church building in Pulaski Township, which is quite difficult to reconcile. Some say that it was at Lafayette (now Pulaski) in 1839-40 ; and that the denomination that built and dedicated it was the Methodist Episcopal; but it is more probable that, practically, it was a sort of township house, never dedicated to religious purposes by any denomination, and that it was used for school instruction, religious, political and all secular meetings—its doors being open to all. This could hardly have been the first church building in Pulaski Township. Yet others claim that in Bryan and Pulaski the first regular church houses were built by Methodists, and dedicated in 1853 ; while yet another authority, very accurate in memory and exactness in his statements, is of opinion that the German Reformed Lutherans built a church in Pulaski in 1846. The hewn-log PULASKI TOWNSHIP - 347 court house was for a considerable length of time used for religious meetings, and afterward the present one. Outside the town, there are two churches in Pulaski Township—the United Brethren, on Beaver Creek, and the Tunkard Church, on Lick Creek. The United Brethren Church was built in the spring of 1862. It has no regular pastor, but is supplied every two weeks by Rev. Mr. Butler. Jeremiah Bard is Superintendent of the Sunday school, which is attended by an average of sixty-five pupils. This church will comfortably seat 250 persons. CHURCH BUILDINGS AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS. The First Church building of Lafayette (now Pulaski) has already been mentioned. The present buildings, in style of architecture and inside finish, are highly creditable to the congregations that built them. The Methodist edifice was completed and dedicated in 1873, and the pastor who now ministers to its communicants is Rev. Mr. Scott of West Unity. The German Reformed, or Reformed Church, as now known, was erected in 1874, and has a resident pastor in charge—Rev. Mr. Steiner, who entered upon his ministry in this church in April, 1882. The membership is about 100. His congregation purchased a very pleasant home for him and such successors as may have spiritual charge of the congregation. Upon Mr. Steiner also devolves the labor of ministering, at stated periods, to two other churches—the Bunker Hill and Beaver Creek. The two denominations in Pulaski co-operate in Sunday school work—holding their schools alternately in both churches, and the number of pupils in attendance under the joint arrangement averages 175. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. The situation of Pulaski, on the banks of Beaver Creek, possesses unusual attractions. The soil is a sandy loam, exceedingly fertile; and heavy rain-falls, that render the streets of many other towns almost impassable by reason of the depth of the clay mud, benefit the road-ways of Pulaski, which never continue for any length of time affected detrimentally by them. In the town and neighborhood are several artesian wells, one or two of which are equal, in the volume they discharge, to any in the State. As stated in another place, it was where Pulaski now stands that the first grist and saw mills, within the lines of the present Williams County. were erected. These antiquated structures, and the comparatively primitive rude machinery they employed for turning out work, are long ago perished; but upon the site of the old Perkins' Mills now stand the Pulaski Flouring Mills, now owned by Enoch Cox, employing two run of French buhrs, and operated partly by water and partly by steam. which 348 - HISTORY OF COUNTY COUNTTY keep the mills perpetually in motion. A steam saw-mill operated in another part of the town by William F. Roop, and a general merchandise store by Aaron Stoner, now constitute the business of the town. ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP. BY CHARLES A. BOWERSOX. This is the southwest township of Williams County. It borders on Defiance County, Ohio, on the south, and De Kalb County, Ind., on the west. It was organized December 2, 1832. It was the first township organized in the county. As nearly as can be ascertained, the first settlement was made in this township in December, 1827. This first pioneer was Samuel Holton. He settled on Fish Creek, one mile north of Edgerton, on what is now known as the Burkhart Farm. It is claimed by some that one John Zediker, who came from Pennsylvania, was in the township as early as 1821-22 ; this, however, is not well sustained, and the honor of being the first pioneer in the township is generally accorded to Samuel Holton. He also contests with one James Guthrie the honor of being the first settler in the county. The weight of the evidence is in favor of Mr. Holton. In the further history of this township, it is assumed that he was the first white settler therein. From that early period until the present, the township has had a steady, substantial growth. After the construction of the Air Line Railroad through this township, its growth and development were very rapid. The people are largely of the agricultural class, and the many fine farms, good houses and spacious barns, show that the people of St. Joseph Township are industrious and prosperous. The population in 1880 was 2,073; the tax duplicates of 1881 show an entire property valuation of $782,000. The experiences of the early pioneers of this township were similar to those of the early settlers of all new countries. They out down and cleared away the vast forests, built their log cabins and barns, and planted their newly cleared fields. Times were hard, money and the common necessaries of life often scarce. For many years Defiance was their nearest market ; it required four days to make the journey. They received from 50 to 75 cents for a bushel of wheat, and paid from $5 to $10 for a barrel of salt. To raise a log cabin or barn required the help of all the neighbors for miles around. In the fall of the year neighbor helped neighbor to " log off " the new grounds and prepare them for seeding. In the evening-time, they gathered together in each other's ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP - 349 cabins. and around their old-fashioned fire-places told how they were getting along, told their bunting stories, or talked about their old homes in the East. Then, with torches made from the bark of the hickory tree, they would go through the woods, or along well-known trails, each to his own home. Wild beasts, bears, wolves, panthers and wild cats and wilder Indians, roamed through the dense forests. Corn bread was their staff of life; venison their meat ; honey from bee-trees, maple sugar, wild plums, cranberries and wild blackberries their luxuries. Amid these wild scenes these early pioneers passed years of substantial enjoyment, to which the minds of the few who remain revert with real regret because they are irrecoverably gone. Indians were more numerous than whites. They were of the Ottawa, Miami. Wyandot and Pottawatomie tribes. On the banks of the St. Joseph River, near where was once the village of Denmark, and on Fish Creek, they used to encamp in bands of from twenty to upward of a hundred. They wandered through other parts of the township hunting game. but were more numerous along the streams. Down the St. Joseph River, from the former site of the village of Denmark and on the western bank, is a low, level meadow. It was a sort of a prairie in that early time. It is yet called "The Indian Meadow." It is said these Indians tilled this piece of ground after a manner, and there raised corn for food. The wife of Judge Long, who moved to Denmark in the fall of 1836 with her parents, and whose father, Judge Payne C. Parker, was the founder of the little village, says that she once saw in camp on the banks of the river an Indian squaw, said to be one hundred and fourteen years old. She was comparatively helpless, unable to walk, and crawled about on the ground iike a child. The camp was on the south side of the river, not far from inhere the house of Mr. Dietsch now stands, and a little northeast thereof. They made their Iiving principally by hunting, selling or trading their furs at Brunersburg and Defiance; they were friendly, indolent and filthy. In 1840 to 1843, they were removed to the West. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Samuel Holton first settled on Fish Creek, one mile north of Edgerton. He built the first saw-mill ever built in the township. It stood on the banks of the creek, about twenty rods up the stream from where it is now spanned by a bridge. This mill was built as early as 1830. It was operated for many years. Finally it fell into decay, was torn down, the dam destroyed, and the waters of Fish Creek suffered to flow on unvexed to the St. Joseph River. Some time after the construction of the sawmill, a rude contrivance was placed therein for the purpose of grinding.