400 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. over fourteen years, and Mr. Smith about nine years. Ely & Smith understand the trade in every detail, and they have, by their obliging disposition, gained an excellent reputation and good trade. J. C. Poucher is pleasantly located, with a fine stock of dry goods and shoes, in the brick building owned by William Swisher. Mr. Poucher engaged in the dry goods business with Mr. E. S. Davies, in 1878. About one year later, he bought out his partner. The business of this house is constantly increasing, and we look to see it still more successful. Hinman & Son came here in 1852, and engaged in the undertaking business. In 1856, they erected a shop in which they put an engine and machinery, and two years later their building was destroyed by fire. In 1860, they erected their undertaking building, west of town. About this time, William Hinman, the son, enlisted in our late war, and served as a bugler for a term of eighteen months. He then returned home, but in a short time re-enlisted as a private, and remained in the service until the war ended. He was with the soldiers who captured Jeff Davis. The firm thoroughly understand their trade, and so far as a good funeral is a mark of respect, and, in a measure, of consolation, a gratification of these natural desires can be obtained here. C. F. & J. W. Grisier are the publishers and proprietors of the Eagle. The paper was established in 1878. It is a forty-column quarto, containing as much reading matter as any paper in the county. It is published every Wednesday morning, and the subscription price is $1.50 per year. Their job department is complete, and their work will compare favorably with any job printing office outside of the large cities. Grindle & Neil are the proprietors of the saw mill, oar factory and -planing mill at this place. This firm manufacture a large number of oars yearly, and their custom and other sawing keep the mill running most of the time. The mill is a great benefit to West Unity and surrounding country. PHYSICIANS. The practicing physicians are Mrs. Dr. G. W. Finch, Dr. J. N. Runnion, Dr. William M. Denman, Dr. A. M. Wilber and Dr. F. O. Hart. DRUG STORES. The leading drug store of the town is kept by William M. Denman, corner of Main and Jackson streets. The whole establishment is characterized by an air of easy elegance. Everything that capital, zealous management and skill can do, is done in the effort to render this establishment a credit to the town. On the north side of Jackson is situated the drug store of McGrew Bros. They have a fine room amply fitted up for the purpose. They also carry a full line of groceries. BRADY TOWNSHIP - 401 CLOTHING. Clothes, when of good material and well fitted to the form, are gratifying to the major portion of the human family ; hence all desire artistic worknen in the manufacture of clothing. The clothing trade is carried on here by Adam Yesbera and Ewers & Brown. Both of these firms carry very large stocks. Mr. Yesbera has a tailoring department, and none enjoy a better reputation for first-class work. GROCERIES. Webb & Davidson, Stanley Kent, Frank E. Davies and Jeremiah Cline furnish the people with first-class groceries. All are situated on the north side of Jackson street, in good rooms, with ample, well arranged stocks of choice goods. FURNITURE. A. Smith is the furniture dealer of the town, and if the purchaser cannot be accommodated in the line of furniture by him, then he is very hard indeed to please. HARDWARE. A. J. Hoover and E. C. Charpiat, the two hardware stores of the town, keep on hand everything connected with the hardware trade. A good tin shop is connected with each store. TAILORS. A. Yesbera and H. H. Peppard carry on the tailoring business, and none are more generally patronized, or have a better run of customers than these gentlemen. Mr. Peppard has been Justice of the Peace for years, and there is one thing of which we feel assured, that is, that in case of suits he is fully competent to give everybody " fits." MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS. Meat markets, J. J. Hamilton, H. B. Morrison ; photograph gallery, W. M. Dean; organ and sewing machine dealer, Tunis Stires; barbers, James Smith, Albert Jones; sewing machine dealer, Stanley Kent; brick and tile factory, Holtzberg & Neff ; dentist, Dr. Geo W. Ely ; foundry, G. H. More; millinery stores, Mrs. N. Stires, Mrs. M. M. Fox; house mover, J. W. Vans; bakery, Charles Vogleson; confectionery and cigar store, C. F. May; saloons, Samuel Allen, James Stevenson; harness shop, Harvey Miller; agricultural stores, J. Shilling & Son, A. F. Stoner; boot and shoe shops, William Coslet, A. C. Horn; produce dealer, T. M. Ritchey; cooper shop, Joseph Burkhart; jeweler, William Gardner; attorney at law, E. C. Orton; blacksmiths, N. S. Stoner, David Beach, James H. Fidler; carriage and wagon store, McIntire & 402 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Davidson; painters, H. H. McIntire, J. W. Pettit, Henry Shawley & `on, S. G. Brown: Postmaster, Stanley Kent; contractors and builders, William McIntire, L. F. Gardner, W. C. Gill, Henry Clay, A. J. Cain; plasterers, H. C. Jones, George Munson, J. D. Mathews; live stock dealers, W. E. Davidson, D. M. Webb, John M. Webb, John H. McIntire. WEST UNITY CORNET BAND. It was in West Unity, as it has been in many other villages, many efforts were made to organize a brass band. The first attempt was made about the year 1862. A number of men met, formed an organization with D. M. Webb and William Hinman as leaders. Instruments costing about $375 were purchased, and practice commenced under the teaching of Abraham Kimmel, of Stryker, Ohio. They attained some proficiency, and were in playing condition about two years, when they disbanded. Several other attempts to organize were made between 1864 and 1881, but soon failed. In February, 1881, what is now known as the West Unity Cornet Band, was organized under the immediate supervision of F. E. Davidson, with six mouthpieces, drum and cymbals. They at first tried to use, and did for some time use, the old instruments, which, when new, were almost worthless, and by use, neglect and abuse had become entirely so. After purchasing some second-hand instruments, and finding them unsatisfactory, they concluded to correspond with C. G. Conn, of Elkhart, Ind., in reference to a new set complete. F. E. Davidson was delegated to carry on the correspondence and to make the purchase. if satisfactory terms could be agreed upon. Conn finally agreed to take the old horns at what they were worth as part payment on the new ones. After this arrangement had been made, each member of the band was assessed $5, and with this amount, together with all the old instruments, F. E. Davidson was chosen to go to Elkhart and make the trade. After trading and paying the cash on hand, they found themselves in debt to the amount of $150; although some two or three of the members had paid the full price of their own horns. They then—many of the members being mechanics—made a box that they could fit on any two-horse wagon, thus furnishing conveyance for the band when they need it to go to other towns, or out in the country. etc. They borrowed the money to pay off their indebtedness, giving a joint note, each member signing it. Thus paying for their instruments, they went to work with a will to learn to play. The next thing now in order was to form a more permanent organization. A constitution and by-laws were drawn up and signed. Frank E. Davidson was chosen Leader and Secretary; George H. More was made Treasurer, and they were to hold their offices till January 1 following. By July BRADY TOWNSHIP - 403 15, they paid off their note. and by August 1, had a surplus of cash on band. They then began to think of uniforming. After corresponding with several different firms, they purchased of a firm in Cincinnati. On the arrival of the uniforms, they lacked $80 of having funds sufficient to pay for them. They again resorted to borrowing, secured the money and paid for the clothes. They got up a fair and museum, which in the end netted sufficient to pay off the note, and leave a balance of $70 in the treasury. In February, 1882, they decided upon becoming legally incorporated. Notices of the association were written up, and on the 20th of February was signed by the following members: F. E. Davidson, J. N. Runnion, George H. More, J. E. More, H. D. Grindle, J. W. Vaus, J. W. Pettit, 0. S. Webb, J. D. Matthews, C. W. Hinman, S. G. Brown, C. M. Vogleson, George Hyatt. The following are the articles of association: The undersigned incorporators certify that they are residents of West Unity, Williams County, Ohio, and by these presents do associate themselves together and form a corporation for the purpose of more fully organizing and binding themselves together as a Cornet Band, and as such cornet band to engage in playing on all occasions for which they shall be engaged, and for which they expect to receive valuable consideration. First. The said incorporation shall be known by the name of The West Unity Cornet Band. Second. It shall be located at, and have its office in, the village of West Unity, in the county of Williams and State of Ohio. Third. This corporation is organized and exists for the purpose of playing on all occasions for valuable consideration. Fourth. The capital stock of said corporation is fixed at $700, divided into seventy shares of $10 each. The present officers of the incorporation are as follows : A. J. Hoover, President; 0. S. Webb, Vice President; F. E. Davidson, Secretary and Leader ; George H. More, Treasurer; J. W. Pettit, J. W. Vaus, C. W. Hinman, S. G. Brown and J. D. Matthews, Directors. The career of this band has been remarkable. Since its organization, they have collected, in a little more than a year, $720, and disbursed $719.53. Balance in Treasury, 47 cents. Much credit is due to the energy and good management of F. E. Davidson. COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS. School District No. 1.—The first school taught in this district was in the year 1852. The first Directors were R. G. Ely, John Borton and John R. Clifton. December 5, 1852, Julia M. Linsley was engaged as teacher for a term of thirteen weeks, she being the first teacher in this district. Elizabeth Kenney taught seventeen weeks, commencing May 4, 1853 ; Caroline Putman taught twelve weeks in 1854; Juliana Tripps taught three months in 1854, she also taught three months in 1855. In 404 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. 1856, L. Dubois taught three months, and the same year Catherine Fisher taught three months. In 1857, Lafayette Ely taught a term of four months, and Annette Ely taught a term of four months the same year. In 1858, Roxa Guilford taught three months. In 1859, C. C. Riddle taught three and a half months, and Phebe Ely three months. In 1860, C. B. Wiley taught three months, and Ann Ives three months. In 1861, J. S. Hake taught three months, and Helen McClure three and a half months. In 1862, F. Darby taught three months, and Hannah Van Buskirk three months. In this year, a new schoolhouse was built, frame, costing the district $290. 0. S. Ely and H. W. Crum took the contract and erected the same. The school is known as the "Loral School." In 1863, Levi Brown and Sarah Thompson each taught a term of three months, and Martha Vangundy two months. In 1864, Lucinda Smitley taught four months, and Theodocia Snyder three months. In 1865, Rachel A. Clifton taught three and a half months; she also taught three months and a half in 1866. In 1867, Meredith Doty and Helen Smith each taught a term of three months. In 1868, George A. Ely, Libby Wood and Olive M. Wilber each taught three months. In 1869, Olive M. Wilber and George A. Ely each taught a term of three months. Sadie Thompson and B. B. Jones taught in the year 1870. Angeline Baum and Esther Clifton, in 1871-72 ; Rebecca Hoover and Ella Bostetler, in 1873; Miss Taft and Albert Hayes, in 1874; Esther Marks and George Shafer, in 1875; Julia Spade and John Rings, in 1876; Alice Stewart and William Hubbard, in 1877; Mary Crumrine and Frank Money, in 1878; Ida Crum and Lum Spade, in 1879. For the years 1880 and 1881, the school has been taught by C. C. Spade, having held the position longer than any other teacher in the district. The school is in a prosperous condition. District No. 2.-The first School Board was A. Jones, D. Eggleston and A. Miller. They were elected in 1853, and built a schoolhouse costing $400. The teachers were as follows: 1854, S. S. McPherson; 1855, Catherine Baxter; 1856, Sarah Bushong and H. Taft; 1857, II. Taft; 1858, James Grant; 1859-60, Phebe Snyder; 1861, D. R. Bushong; 1862, Anna Snyder; 1863, Annie Rings; 1864, Phebe Snyder; 1865, Chase Vetin; 1866, Orpha Shoemaker. In 1867, the school building was re-painted and remodeled at a cost of about $100. 1867, M. Prickitt; 1868, John Taner; 1869, Albert Fraser; 1870, Laura Hamilton ; 1871, Ella Jones and Cyrus Krisey ; 1872, Alice Ronk and Byron Richardson; 1873, Laura Hamilton; 1874, B. T. Conkling; 1875, William Smith; 1876, Anna Hansey; 1877, L. W. Lanphere ; 1878, Anna Hansey and George Shaffer; 1879, Tina Morey and George Shaffer, R. J. Hamilton and C. D. Young; 1880, C. D. Young and R. BRADY TOWNSHIP - 405 J. Hamilton; 1881, A. D. Hayes and R. J. Hamilton; 1882, Julia A. Spade. District No. 3.-The first school taught in District No. 3 was in 1848, by Ann Shorthill; in 1849, S. J. Baldwin; 1852, H. M. Taft; 1854-55, H. B. Hayes; 1856, Chancey Stubbs; 1857, T. R. Morrison; 1858, Mary E. Tannyhill; 1859, Chancey Stubbs ; 1860, A. S. Gish ; 1861, Hamilton Persing; 1862-64, Amanda Snideker; 1865, Ester C. Doughton ; 1866, Louisa Barkdall ; 1867, Olive M. Wilber; 1868, Rachel A. Clifton; 1869, A. S. Gish and A. M. Hartsuck; 1870, H. S. Kirk and L. M. Baxter; 1871, L. M. Baxter and Sarah Thompson; 1872, Preniia M. Dars. In 1873-74, a new brick school building was erected, and the location changed to one more suitable. 1875, S. H. McAdams and Alwilda Bradrick; 1876, S. H. McAdams and Mary Fyke; 1877, Samuel Fogle and Jessie Loveless ; 1878, Elsie Taft, two terms; 1879, Ida Bradrick and Mr. Lanphere ; 1880, Frank Money and Florence Jacobs; 1881, Jefferson Freed and Clara Shilling; 1882, Jefferson Freed, two terms. Of Districts Nos. 4 and 5, there are no records. District No. 6.-This district was organized and a schoolhouse erected in 1875. The first teacher was Abraham Crabb ; the second, in 1876, A. S. Gish ; the third, in 1877, Miss Louella McGrew; the fourth, in 1878, Miss Maria Barkdoll ; the fifth, in 1879, Miss Olive Richardson ; the sixth, in 1880, Miss Maria Barkdoll ; the seventh, in 1880, M. E. Lutz; the eighth, in 1881, Miss Maria Barkdoll ; the ninth and tenth, in 1882, S. S. Warren and Miss Mattie Warren. Of District No. 7, there is no record. District No. 8.-The first Directors were N. Lyons, W. M. Stubbs and A. Betts. The first school building was built in 1839, at a cost of about $200. A new school building was erected in 1877, costing about $400. The teachers were as follows : 1839, Mary Shipman ; 1840, Louis Prettyman. From 1840 to 1855, there is no record to show who were the teachers or any of the Directors. 1855, James Warden; 1856, Hila Lyon; 1857, Chancey Stubbs; 1858, Phebe Taylor; 1859, Louisa Bark-doll; 1860, Ellen Miller; 1861, Charlotte Miller; 1862, Maggie Ayers; 1863, Orpha Shoemaker; 1864, H. Persing; 1865, Arthur Fish; 1866, Francis Huyk; 1867-69, M. M. Boothman; 1870-71, A. S. Gish; 1872, Etta Doughton ; 1873, Richard Heritage; 1874-75, A. S. Gish; 1876, Albert Barkdoll ; 1877, Maria Barkdoll; 1878, John Kerr; 1879, Edward Bradley ; 1880, Charles Goll; 1881, John Morey. District No. 9.-The first school taught in this district was by L. M. Boothman, now living in Bryan, about 1851 or 1852. The first record we could get was from 1856, in which year the school was taught by 406 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Hannah Ann Riggs, and, in 1857, by Eli Richardson. In the year 1858, the Directors decided to build a new school building, which was done at a cost of $350. The contract for building same was given to Joseph Dilworth. The first school taught in this building was by Chancey C. Stubbs, the same year it was built. Mr. Stubbs is now in Montana. Following is a list of teachers up to the present time: 1859, Ester Doughton; 1860, 0. G. Doughton and R. E. Wood; 1861, S. J. Baldwin and Hannah A. Riggs; 1862-63, A. S. Gish ; 1864, G. E. Bark-doll. For 1865, 1866 and 1867, there appears to be no record of teachers on the Clerk's book. 1868, G. E. Barkdoll; 1869, Louisa Barkdoll and Chancey Steward; 1870, R. A. Clifton and Ellis J. Bostetler; 1871, Abbie Prickitt and Franklin Marsh; 1872, Louisa De Ford and L. J. Grisier; 1873, Maria Coslet and S. S. Warren; 1874, Alice Kerr and Allison Wyatt; 1875, A. S. Gish and R. J. Hamilton; 1876, M. B. Crabbs and Mattie Lambert; 1877 and 1878, the school was taught by Peter L. Warren; 1879, Mattie Warren and Peter L. Warren; 1880, Edward Shultz and Peter L. Warren; 1881, Martha E. Warren and Peter L. Warren. MADISON TOWNSHIP. BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED. There was no permanent settler in what is now Madison Township prior to the spring of 1838, although it is quite certain that temporary abodes of bark or logs had been previously erected and occupied by men who, either for themselves or the land-holders, had come in for the purpose of making some improvement, with the view of speedily settling the township, and thus enhancing the value of real estate. A few acres had been “slashed" in the vicinity of Kunkle's Corners, and the ruins of a rude temporary abode lay scattered upon the ground there when the Barretts arrived; but with this exception, insignificant as it was, and scarcely deserving the name of improvement, and perhaps one other exception somewhere in the northern part, no opening whatever had been made in the heavy forest that stretched in tangled and almost impassable confusion for miles around. In the spring of the year 1838—the year that is remembered throughout the Lake region and the Ohio Valley as "the terrible sickly season "—Cyrus Barrett came from Seneca County, N. Y., with his family of ten members, and built a rude log cabin in the southeastern part, chinking the same with mortar of mud, and covering it with a roof of bark. The cabin was not larger than 18x20 feet; was built in such a hurry and with such a lack of assistance that the logs MADISON TOWNSHIP - 407 were but little better than poles; and was graced with a very large chimney, made of sticks and clay, that was peculiarly ornamental as well as useful. The architectural design is thus mentioned in detail, as the building was the finest in the township ; and it is reasonable to conclude, judging from ordinary human emotion and character, that Mr. Barrett was the proudest, as well as the wealthiest, resident. A well-populated temporary encampment of native North Americans was standing on the Little St. Joseph, near the forks, at this time; and these nomadic people were, perhaps, Mr. Barrett's nearest neighbors—nearest, in that they visited his humble abode more than occasionally, and remained with him longer than necessary, as the wants of these humble denizens of the woods led their natures to covet almost everything of value in the white man's possession. They were mild, but importunate, and took evasion or negation to their demands with all the admirable imperturbability that is usually ascribed as a mental endowment of that mystery of modern civilization—the tramp. But, withal, they were interesting, if not pleasant, neighbors, as the family of Mr. Barrett had ample proof. GENERAL IMPROVEMENT. It is quite certain that no other permanent settler located in the township during the year 1838. then Mill Creek Township was created in March, 1839, Madison was attached to it for election purposes, and at that time the following persons, in, both townships, paid personal property tax: Cyrus Barrett, James Black, John Donaldson, John Hane, Joseph Hane, Theron Landon, Jacob Landis, Alonzo Pike, David Severance and Josiah Woodworth. At this time there were but five horses and thirty-two cattle in the township, the tax on the same amounting to $7.98. In 1840, the following additional settlers had come in : George Barronne, Asher Ely and Tallman Reasoner, and by this time there were ten horses and forty-nine cattle, the tax being $13.86. Of course, this refers to both townships, though Madison, at that period, included the western tier of sections now belonging to Mill Creek. Of the above-named men, only two lived in Madison, and they were Cyrus Barrett and Tallman Reasoner, the latter building his cabin during the summer of 1839. In 1840, Albert and David Angell arrived with their families, locating on the eastern tier of sections of the present Madison Township. Josiah Woodworth had settled on this tier of sections in autumn, 1838. In 1841 and 1842, there had come in David Connelly, who located in the extreme southeastern corner, on the thirty-rod strip, Samuel Tremains, Jones Whitney, J. A. Rogers, George Reasoner, Isaac R. Carpenter and P. W. Norris. There were then enough residents of the township to properly administer public affairs, provided each man would assume about three 408 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. official responsibilities. Early in 1843, a petition was presented to the County Commissioners, praying that the township might be created and an election of officers ordered, in accordance with which the Commissioners ordered such an election held at the cabin of Cyrus Barrett, on the 3d of April, 1843. FIRST ELECTION OF OFFICERS. There were present on this occasion, Cyrus Barrett, David Barrett, Cyrus Barrett, Jr., David Connelly, George Reasoner, Tallman Reasoner, Josiah Woodworth, Samuel Tremains, David Angell, Albert D. Angell, Jones Whitney and Philetus W. Norris. Cyrus Barrett, Josiah Woodworth and Tallman Reasoner were Judges of Election, and Albert D. Angell and George Reasoner, Clerks. Albert D. Angell was elected Township Clerk; David Angell, Cyrus Barrett and Jones Whitney. Trustees; Daniel Barrett, Constable; Tallman Reasoner and Cyrus Barrett, Jr.. Overseers of the Poor; Albert D. Angell, Assessor; David Angell, Treasurer; Josiah Woodworth, Cyrus Barrett, Jr., and P. W. Norris, Fence Viewers; Cyrus Barrett, Supervisor of Road District No. 1 ; P. W. Norris, Supervisor of Road District No. 2. At the same time, the township was divided into two school districts, No. 1 comprising the southeast section, and No. 2 much of the central portions of the township. A short time after this, the following appears upon the records: To any Constable of Madison Township, Greeting: WHEREAS, Complaint has been made before me, Cyrus Barrett, Jr., one of the Overseers of the Poor of said township, that Tallman Reasoner and his family are likely to become a township charge; you are therefore commanded to warn said Tallman Reasoner and family to depart the township forthwith, and of this writ make legal service and due return. Given under my hand and seal this 10th day of July, 1843. CYRUS BARRETT, Overseer of the Poor. And to this was appended: I hereby certify that I have legally served this warrant by personally reading the same this 11th day of July, 1843. DANIEL BARRETT, Constable. All that portion of the township south of the quarter post of Section 19 was Road District No. 1, and all the balance, No. 2. On the 23d of May, 1843, the contract for building a bridge across the river on the Angola road was let to Thomas Spencer and William Magarah for $40. On the 26th of April, there was $121.83 road money, $119 of which was spent that year. On the 19th of September, the Court of Common Pleas ordered an election of one Justice of the Peace at the house of Cyrus Barrett, on which occasion Albert D. Angell was elected. At the annual election, in April, 1844, Cyrus Barrett, Jones Whitney and David Angell were Judges of Election, and A. D. Angell and J. A. Rogers, MADISON TOWNSHIP - 411 Clerks. The Trustees elected were Jones Whitney, Cyrus Barrett and David Angell; Constable, Samuel J. Tremains; Clerk, A. D. Angell; Treasurer, David Angell; Assessor, John D. Angell; Overseers of the Poor, J. A. Rogers and Josiah Woodworth; Fence Viewers, Cyrus Barrett, J. A. Rogers and Josiah Woodworth ; Supervisor of Road District No. 1, John D. Angell; Supervisor of Road District No. 2, J. A. Rogers. Eleven electors were present on this occasion. At the time of the first election at the, cabin of Cyrus Barrett, the ballot-box was a pewter teapot which was kept by the family until a ,few years ago, when it was purchased by P. W. Norris, who now has possession of it at Detroit, Mich. Such an interesting relic should never have been permitted to leave the township. It is not probable that Michiganders will derive any great amount of pleasure in examining it, except, perhaps, Mr. Norris, while it would always be an object of great interest to residents of the township. INCIDENTS AND AMUSEMENTS. Daniel Barrett tells many interesting anecdotes of life in the woods of Madison, ere enough families had arrived to mar to any serious extent the primitive wildness of the country. At that early period, deer, wolves, bears and various other wild animals roamed the forest, scarcely molested by the report of the settler's rifle or the echo of his ax. Along the river and larger creeks many valuable fur-bearing animals were to be found ; and those who became expert trappers and hunters could at first make much better wages than those who devoted their attention to the cultivation of the farm. There was no market worth mentioning for farm productions ; or rather, the market was so far away, and transportation was made at such a cost, that there was practically no market. Scarcely no attempt was made to raise anything, except such as was wanted for home consumption. There was no money. Barter and exchange took the task of conducting all commercial relations between the settlers. The value of all articles was ascertained by the demand for them, as compared with the demand for other articles whose worth in money was known. Poor men who came into the woods with large families, found themselves unable to meet the problem of life, and were forced to return East. Others, by dint of the utmost economy and self-denial, managed to pull through, and, in the end, secure good homes. REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER LIFE. One day in winter, about the year 1839, Josiah Woodworth and Daniel Barrett went hunting northeast of Kunkle's Corners. They had not gone far, ere they saw the fresh tracks of two bears in the snow. They immediately started in pursuit, Woodworth leading the way. After L 412 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. moving rapidly for some distance, Woodworth suddenly stopped short and exclaimed. "Hold on, I see them !" and with that he drew his rifle to his eye and fired, and away scampered the two bears at full speed, Woodworth following the one at which he had fired, and Barrett the other. The latter could not keep up with his animal, which was soon lost to sight and sound. He stopped and returned to see what had befallen his companion, and, while going rapidly along, saw the very bear be had been following coming back ; but although the hunter endeavored to get a shot, it was impossible, owing to the thickness of the underbrush. The bear soon distanced him, and he stopped for a moment to regain his breath. While standing there panting, he glanced carelessly upward, and was astonished Co see two half-grown bears standing quietly on a large limb high above his head, eying him with curiosity and composure. He instantly raised his rifle, took deliberate aim, fired, and one of the bears came tumbling down, shot through the neck, and bounding like a rubber ball when it struck the earth. Barrett cut a heavy cudgel with his hatchet, and although the wounded bear reared up for fight, it was soon finished by repeated blows on the bead. He endeavored to load his rifle to shoot the bear yet in the tree, but his hands were so numb with cold that he made but sorry headway. While thus engaged, Woodworth came back, having been outrun by the bear he had been following. Upon a sign from Barrett, he shot the bear in the tree, which fell to the ground, dead. Woodworth immediately claimed that the bear Barrett had shot was the one he had unknowingly killed at the first fire; but when the ground was examined, and Woodward's bullet was found deeply imbedded in a tree, not having touched the bear, he was forced by the demands of consistency to give up the controversy. The dead animals were taken home and furnished excellent meat for the families, while the hides were sold for $3 each. Cyrus Barrett and his sons came across a very large bee-tree on one occasion, and cut it down, whereupon they found a large quantity of fine honey ; but for some time were unable to get it, owing to the furious attacks of the bees. Some men could readily find bee-trees, while others could not. Often many gallons, and even barrels, of the finest honey were obtained, and this found a very welcome place on the settler's table. It was excellent on the huge johnny-cakes that were baked before the old fire-places, and made good sweetening for cranberry, crabapple and other wild sauces. While some families had all they could do to Iive comfortably, others were more fortunate, or, perhaps, more successful, and really enjoyed life in the backwoods. They had an abundance to eat—had pork, beef, wild turkey, squirrel, coon, fish, and occasionally a bearsteak ; had an abundance of corn bread, wheat bread, potatoes, turnips, tomatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, melons, garden products, maple sugar, honey, molasses, MADISON TOWNSHIP - 413 will fruits and berries, buckwheat and beans. Many made their own garments from flax or wool, but usually the material was purchased, and then made into the necessary apparel by the wife and mother. FIRST BIRTH. William Barrett, whose birth occurred in the township on the 21st of April, 1840, was the first white child born within its limits. MAIL FACILITIES. For sometime after a daily mail was carried along the Angola road, no office was established in the township; but in 1847 one was applied for and obtained, and was located at the house of Elias Barrett, and the office called Deer Lick, named thus from the fact that near there was once a brackish spring that was a great resort of deer. The mail was at first carried on horseback, and often came so soaked with rain that it was necessary to dry it before it could be read. After a few years, the office was discontinued, but, in 1880, was re-established, the Postmaster being Phillip Weidner, and the office—" Kunkle's." THE FIRST SAW-MILL. In 1852 or 1853, a Mr. Kirkendall and Jacob Dohm built a saw-mill on the river a short distance east of Pioneer, securing a fall of about five feet by extending the race across a bend of the stream. Kirkendall retained his interest only a short time; and then sold to Dohm, who owned and conducted the mill many years, at times doing a splendid business. It remained a water-mill while in operation; and the old race will be visible scores of years to come. The dam was destroyed by court process, as it had become a nuisance. The old building is yet standing silent and deserted. MOUND BUILDERS' WORKS. At an early period, Messrs. Norris, Joy and McCarty discovered two or more pre-historic mounds at the confluence of Silver Creek and St. Joseph River, and opened the same, taking therefrom four or five crumbling skeletons. The skulls and larger bones of the body were quite sound, but the greater portion of the remainder soon crumbled to powder. There are other mounds in the vicinity. SOCIAL PROGRESS. After 1843, the settlement of the township was quite rapid. The vicinities of Kunkle's Corners and Pioneer were the oldest, but, by 1845, there was scarcely a section that did not have one or more log cabins thereon. Each was surrounded by a small clearing, that slowly widener} with each year. A rail fence protected the sides of the cabins (not always, 414 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. however) from the too friendly approaches of the domestic animals. The winding paths were cut wider and worked; bridges were built; timber disappeared ; better habitations were erected ; money became plentier ; markets were nearer and better ; comfort took the place of privation, and schoolhouses and churches began to mark the cross-roads. KUNKLE'S CORNERS, OR " PODUNK." In about the year 1855, Augustus Moore opened a small store at the corners, the stock consisting largely of groceries, being worth about $300. A fair trade was obtained, but after continuing some three years, the stock was closed out and the building sold to Levi Hendricks, who sold goods for a short time. Since then the merchants have been Weaver & Widner, Hendricks & Greek, Kunkle, Wallace, Stambaugh, and perhaps one or two others. Mr. Kunkle, in whose honor the corners were named, sold goods for many years from a stock, the average worth of which was about $2,500. Phillip Widner and William Stambaugh are in business at present. About nine years ago, John Shock and Jacob Neisley erected a steam saw-mill at the village; but after a short time Mr. Shock died, and his interest went to his son, John Shock, Jr., who, with Mr. Neisley, is yet operating the mill. A shingle saw has been placed in the building. The mill realizes sufficient business to keep it running about half the year. Alfred Hendricks and Oliver Coy are at present operating a planing mill, the same having been started in 1882. William Whitley was probably the first blacksmith, coming in some thirteen years ago. Three carpenters are now residents of the village. A restaurant was conducted for a short time during the winter of 1881-82. Kunkle's Corners has never been properly laid out and recorded, but its pretensions are as great as those of many villages have been. A number of years ago, a drunken fellow in the neighborhood, while under the influence of "O be joyful," applied the derisive title of " Podunk" to the village. Of course the villagers do not recognize the authenticity of the appellation. Some sixteen or eighteen years ago, Greek, Hendricks and Warner owned and operated a saw-mill in the southern part of the township, continuing the same probably eight or ten years, and doing good work. The Wabash Railway, which extends through "Podunk," is at present negotiating with the citizens for the necessary grounds and funds for a station. The citizens have offered $2,000 for the station, but the railroad magnates are willing to take $1,200 if the residents will give the grounds and grade the track for a specified distance at the village. An arrangement will be effected in the near future. Some ten years ago, the citizens expended much time and money in assisting to grade the Coldwater Railway, hoping that they might have a station ; but they were disappointed. MADISON TOWNSHIP - 415 VILLAGE OF PIONEER. This enterprising country town is located at the corners of Sections 16, 17, 20 and 21, the land at the corners of the last three having been entered by James A. Rogers not far from the year 1840. Section 16 (school land) was not subject to entry or improvement until some years later. In 1842, Mr. Rogers employed two young men, P. W. Norris and Owen McCarty, to clear ten acres for him on the corner of Section 17. These young men immediately began work by erecting a small log shanty on that section, in which to live while the land was being cleared. At that period, not another house was within several miles of the place, but all was heavy forest and unbroken solitude. Norris did the cooking for McCarty and himself, and both young men put in their time to good advantage, and soon the ten acres of timber were upon the ground, ready for the torch. McCarty and Norris were brothers-in-law, and the former entered into some sort of contract with Rogers to purchase for Norris the eighty-acre tract at the corner of Section 17, where the ten acres had been cleared; but no deed was made out, and finally Norris became the owner of eighty acres at the corner of Section 21. During the winter of 1842-43, Mr. Rogers, with the assistance of McCarty, Norris, and several men from the Smith settlement in Bridgewater, erected a large, comfortable, round-log residence on the corner of Section 20. where Mr. Joy now lives, and in February, 1843, moved, with his family, into this house. During the ensuing year, and until 1845, Norris lived with the family of Mr. Rogers, clearing, in the meantime, quite a large tract on his own land, on Section 21. In 1845, Norris erected his log house having made up his mind to get married about this time) ; and while Rogers was assisting on the building, he cut his foot severely with the ax, and about a week later died, with much pain, from the effects. The Widow Rogers remained with her family in her house until 1848, when she married G. R. Joy, and yet lives on the site of the old log house. In 1848, P. W. Norris, Mrs. Rogers and Silander Johnson were the only families living in what is now Pioneer. Johnson had appeared about four years before, locating a short distance north of the corners. In January, 1849, Samuel Doolittle came with his family, and built a house on the corner of Section 21, where Mr. Kelsey now lives. In May of the same year, Benson Doolittle arrived, as did, also, Ebenezer Doolittle, the father of Samuel. The father at first lived with Norris, purchasing, in the meantime, a portion of the farm belonging to Johnson ; and when the latter had vacated his house, Mr. Doolittle immediately occupied the same. All these families lived within the present corporate limits of Pioneer. A short time before this, Christian Thuma had moved his family into a small log cabin just without the corporate limits. From this on until 1853, the families 416 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. of Jacob Weaver, Abigail Bear and Joseph Rogers established themselves in this little settlement, and these, with the other families, constituted the Pioneer of 1853. P. W. Norris became Postmaster in April, 1851, naming the office Pioneer, and subsequently naming the village after the post-office. Other Postmasters (not all) have been G. R. Joy, Joseph Rogers, Mr. Canfield, E. P. Converse, W. F. Kelsey, Orin Kelsey, and the present agent, T. C. Durbin. The first physician was Richard Gaudern, who is yet there, having practiced about twenty-five years. Others, since, have been Erastus Cottrall, Joseph Rogers, Hainer, Shoemaker, Young and Merz. The village has had good doctors, but they are less numerous than in other villages of the same size, doubtless owing to the healthful surroundings of Pioneer, and the experience and skill of her followers of Esculapius. PIONEER BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. In 1854, Joseph Rogers brought the first stock of goods to Pioneer, the same being worth about $500, and consisting of a general assortment of' articles that were in demand in country stores at the time. Mr. Norris soon went in with him, but after a few years sold out, and Rogers continued on alone until a short time before the last war, when he failed in business, and his affairs were wound up. Bolds, of Toledo, his creditor, took charge of the goods and employed a Mr. Canfield to sell the same, which he did for a time, but finally purchased the stock, and within a few years sold to Kelsey & Gordon, probably, though this is uncertain. David Worth was the second merchant, a 'Mr. Colmer, third, and a Mr. Roberts, fourth. G. R. Joy was the fifth, having taken Worth's place. After him came Bolds, the sixth, and then Canfield, the seventh. Since then there have been (representing dry goods, groceries, drugs, hardware, etc.) the following merchants, although the list or the order should not be regarded as perfect: Barnum & Wakefield, Hadley & Bennett, E. P. Converse, Daniel Smoot, Perkey & Gaudern, Doty & Hall, W. McMahon, A. C. Marshall, T. K. Knauer, E. Darlington, Al. H. Doty, Charles Deroy, A. J. St. Clair, Clark Riddle, J. P. Colwell, George Durbin, Badger Brothers, Henry Harley, Albert Sumner; S. T. Woodruff, Park Smith, Mathias Kelley, Culver & Hanna, Henry Zuver, Daniel Cogswell & Brother, Garter & Masters. The present business of the village is shown as follows: Dry goods, A. C. Marshall, Hall Brothers, M. H. Doly & Co., Hadley & Hilton ; druggists, M. T. Hodson & Co., S. L. Bailey ; grocery, A. Gonter; boots and shoes, H. Thomas; jewelry, J. R. Hagerty ; hardware and agricultural implements, H. A. Hardy; hotel, C. G. Sweet; harness shops, J. H. Anders, I. Mercer; furniture and undertaking, H. E. Loomis; millinery, Mrs. C. J. Ryan, Mrs. Tucker, Mattie Findley: MADISON TOWNSHIP - 417 physicians, Richard Gaudern, G. Young, H. S. Shoemaker ; restaurant, E. L. Slough; dentist, William Siddall ; butcher, 0. C. Mercer; picture galleries, F. H. Sweetman, W. Woodruff; tailor, J. Orth ; newspaper. The Alliance, C. J. DeWitt, editor and manager; barbers, W. M. Helmes, George Rhoads; saloon and billiard hall, W. M. Stephens; grist mill, Throne & Sons; saw and planing mill, Emery Sibley; blacksmiths, D. Cogswell, C. F. West, J. T. Joy; wagon shops, Samuel Russell, B. Moore; livery, J. W. Barger, James Andrews, G. Smith ; coopers, Smith Brothers, Daniel Slough ; tannery, —; wool-buyers, A. C. Marshall, M. T. Doty & Co., Hadley & Hilton, Hall Brothers ; produce dealers, R. Barnum, Ennis Brothers. FORMER INDUSTRIES OF PIONEER. Cornelius Van Orsdale, a blacksmith, located in the village in 1857. Andy Irwin erected the Pioneer Hotel in 1854. G. R. Joy built the second the same year, and continued until 1880, when Mr. Sweet took possession. The Pioneer House tried to kill out Joy's Hotel, but after twenty-one different proprietors had vainly struggled through a period of twenty years to accomplish that result, the attempt was abandoned. In 1854, P. W. Norris built a grist-mill and a saw-mill, at a cost of about $4,000, operating both mills with one engine, and placing in the former two sets of buhrs. After the saw-mill had been in operation some ten years, it was destroyed by fire ; but the grist-mill is yet running, under the ownership of Throne & Sons, who are doing an excellent business. Various others owned the mill after Norris. In 1862, G. R. Joy built a saw-mill, and did good and profitable work with it until it was finally sold, but soon re-purchased and re-sold. After numerous other changes in the ownership, the mill went to the present owner, Mr. Sibley. Machinery for planing, and for manufacturing spokes, laths, shingles, etc., has been used in the mill. Brown & Sperry began doing an excellent cabinet business in 1856, continuing some eight year, and employing some three assistants. Snowdon & Schenk erected a tannery, about 1867, sinking some ten or twelve vats. The property has changed owners many times, and the business is yet continued. A great quantity of excellent leather was turned out formerly, but the work is lighter at present. Lewis & Lemon built a cheese factory, some seven years ago, but at the end of two years it was burned down. Milk from more than three hundred cows was consumed, and hundreds of pounds of excellent cheese were shipped away or used in the neighborhood. Daniel Cogswell made carriages for about four years, beginning not far from 1875. He employed considerable help, and constructed some fifty vehicles per year, all of which found a ready sale at home. Charles Wright engaged in the same pur- 418 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. suit about 1865, and continued for ten years, doing a profitable and excellent work. A Mr. Crosier manufactured boots and shoes as early as 1858. Other men in the shoe trade have been Barnhart and the Thomases. Norris & Rogers conducted an ashery, beginning in 1854. Black-salts were turned out at first, but finally pearls were manufactured to the extent of about forty tons per annum, and conveyed in wagons to Bryan, Defiance, Adrian, and even Toledo. This was one of the most important and extensive industrial pursuits ever conducted in Pioneer, or in the township. Families for miles around brought loads of ashes there, exchanging the same for goods from the store. As many had but little money or credit, and as they had numerous unsatisfied wants, they were thus enabled to get what they desired, which could not have been done if there had been no demand for ashes. Joy & Magarah kept the first livery in 1860. These have been the principal industries, and about the only ones. Of late years, the wool-buying and produce-dealing of the town have assumed gigantic figures. The wool-buyers (whose names appear above), for the last eight years, have purchased annually about eighty thousand pounds of wool. Ohio wool commands a better price in market than that of Michigan, and citizens of the latter State, taking advantage of that fact, transport their wool to towns in Ohio, where it eventually enters market as Ohio wool. Pioneer is thus made an extensive wool market, notwithstanding the fact that it has no railroad. The produce trade is even more marvelous, and is made a specialty by some to the exclusion of other business. Six or eight coopers are kept busy all the time to supply the necessary tubs, barrels, etc., for the trade. The produce trade last year was not less than $150,000, that of Barnum & Co. alone being $72,000. Ennis Brothers did about the same. The former firm, last year, shipped 2,200 barrels of eggs, 5,700 tubs of butter, and 150,000 pounds of dried apples, five teams being used on the road. A heavy poultry business was done last winter. There is no probability that this trade will decrease. Pioneer, with a railroad, would be beside itself with joy and enterprise. The population has gradually increased from about 20 in 1850, to about 70 in 1855, about 150 in 1860, about 300 in 1865, about 425 in 1870, about 660 in 1880, and about 720 at present. SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. Pioneer Lodge, No. 441, F. & A. M., was granted a charter October 19, 1870, and a dispensation January 27, 1870. The charter members were O. C. Ashton, A. C. Marshall, J. P. Snowden, E. H. Kenrick, C. G. Sweet, Sidney Hill, C. F. Haviland, Jacob Schenk, R. W. McMahon, M. O. Palmer, William Eagle, A. J. Sinclair, Martin Perkey, Clark Backus and E. F. Keeler. The first officers were: O. C. Austin, W. M.; MADISON TOWNSHIP - 419 A. C. Marshall, S. W.; J. P. Snowden, J. W.; E. F. Keeler, Treasurer; C. G. Sweet, Secretary; E. H. Kenrick, S. D. ; Sidney Hill, J. D.: William Eagle, Tiler. The present officers are : C. G. Sweet, W. M. E. F. Keeler, S. W. ; S. L. Bailey, J. W.; Willian Eagle, Treasurer O. P. Gay, Secretary; A. C. Marshall, S. D. ; T. L. Converse, J. D. ; C. F. Haviland, Tiler.        The present membership is twenty-two ; the lodge property is worth about $350, and the members pay $35 annually for rent. The Odd Fellows Lodge received its dispensation May 10, 1870, and its institution August 10, 1870, the charter members being G. R. Joy, James Pallitt. Mathias Kelley, E. P. Converse, Andrew Irwin, J. L. Zuver, John Moore, J. S. Ely, G. Magarah, S. G. Eggleston and Daniel Stough. The first officers were: G. R. Joy, N. G.; J. L. Zuver. V. G.; E. P. Converse, Secretary; J. S. Ely, Permanent Secretary; G. Magarah, Treasurer. The present officers are: J. Fulton, N. G.; T. B. Snowden, V. G.; H. E. Loomis, Rec. Sec.; W. H. Durbin, Per. Sec.; T. C. Durbin, Treasurer. There are twenty-four members at present. The lodge pays $50 annually for its hall, and owns about $600 worth of property. Joy Post, No. 152. Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in November, 1881, with the following charter members : Emery Sibley, Clark J. De Witt, W. H. Durbin, C. H. Gay, Henry Shaffer, W. H. Zuver, William Siddall, George Magarah, B. F. Ewan, Lyman Bigbee, S. H. Mead, H. S. Shoemaker, Andrew Irwin, J. S. Mott, Jacob Zuver, C. R. Perkins, P. V. Fulton, B. Hosmer, Adam Shaffer, Jr.. J. H. Funk, G. N. Richardson, H. E. Loomis, M. H. Doty, William Belcher, J. F. Hoover and C. B. Hale; total twenty-six. The present and first officers are: Emery Sibley, C.; Caleb Hale, J. V. ; H. E. Loomis, S. V. ; C. J. De Witt, Chaplain; W. H. Durbin, Adjutant; M. H. Doty, Q. M.: James Hoover, O. of D. ; Charles Day, O. of G. The charter was granted December 1, 1881. The present membership is forty-two. The lodge meets every first and third Wednesday of each month. TOWN PLAT, ADDITIONS, INCORPORATION, OFFICERS, ETC. In October, 1853, P. W. Norris employed a surveyor, and laid out twenty-four lots on the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 16, Township 9 south, Range 2 west, and named the village thus founded, Pioneer. In April, 1855, he made an addition of thirty-five lots, and two large blocks. In 1858, a petition was presented to the County Court of Common Pleas, praying that a portion of the town might be vacated, and making some alterations in the lots. The petition was signed by A. Sumner, J. W. Wood, L. D. Stark, John Brown, J. S. Rogers, Simeon Barronne, S. M. Dixon, Jeremiah Zuver, Richard Gaudern, W. A. Keys, Alexander Bigbee, Jacob Zuver, E. A. Crane, Charles Mowry, Samuel 420 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Best, V. Keys, M. Barnhart and P. W. Norris, and was engineered successfully through the court by S. E. Blakeslee, of Bryan, attorney, the prayer of petitioners being granted October, 1858. These men—the petitioners—were more than two-thirds of the resident proprietors of the town at that period. G. R. Joy has made five additions to Pioneer, the first one being in July, 1860. Other additions were made by Norris, Masters and Stough. A petition, dated January 7, 1876, and signed by seventy-four citizens, was presented the County Commissioners June 5, 1876, urging the incorporation of the village, with the following territory : All of Section 16, except the northeast quarter ; all of Section 17, except the northwest quarter; all of Section 20, except the southwest quarter, and all of Section 21, except the southeast quarter. This petition was duly considered, and granted in autumn of 1876. The first election of municipal officers was held April 2, 1877, with the following result: William Siddall, Mayor; H. S. Shoemaker, Clerk ; Emery Sibley. Marshal; Henry A. Harley, Treasurer; Martin Perkey, E. H. Kenrick and George Young, Councilmen for' one year; G. R. Joy, Simeon Durbin and A. D. Ewan, Councilmen for two years; 117 votes were polled at this election. In April, 1878, Martin Perkey, J. F. Hadley and William Myers were elected Councilmen; J. M. Scovill, Marshal, and Adam J. Shaffer, Street Commissioner, the other officers holding over. In April, 1879, G. R. Joy, Simeon Durbin and B. E. Doolittle became Councilmen, and C. G. Sweet, Treasurer. In March, 1878, sealed proposals were called for to build a jail for the village after specifications prepared by a committee appointed by the Council, with the following result: E. W. Loomis, $119.38; J. C. Blackford, $133 ; 0. S. Finegan, $120; Charles Gay, $143.88. After considering all these proposals, they were all rejected by the Council ; and, after a few months, re-considered, and Mr. Finegan erected the building after a new plan. In January, 1879, A. C. Marshall took Mr. Perkey's place as Councilman, and at the same time O. P. Gay took that of A. D. Ewan. At the April election, 1879, M. H. Doty, P. V. Fulton and H. A. Harley became Cemetery Trustees. In August, 1879, John Atkinson took Mr. Marshall's place as Councilman. In December, 1879, the Council purchased of Samuel Eggleston a tract of ground 30x32 rods, for $500, the same to be used as a cemetery. In April, 1880, Emery Sibley, T. B. Hall and 0. P. Gay became Councilmen; P. V. Fulton, Cemetery Trustee, and G. W. Durbin, Street Commissioner. In April, 1881, T. C: Durbin became Mayor; H. S. Shoemaker, Clerk; G. S. Sweet, Treasurer; W. M. Helms, Marshal; G. R. Joy, Cemetery Trustee: Thomas Hall, Owen McCarty and S. L. Bailey, Councilmen. In April, 1882, C. F. Haviland, Mr. Garry and Mr. Wilkinson became Council- MADISON TOWNSHIP - 421 men, the other officers holding over. Taking all things into consideration, there is not a livelier or better town in Northern Ohio than Pioneer. It is the center of a large, thrifty, well-populated country, and its business and trade are fixed. SCHOOLS OF THE TOWNSHIP. In 1842, the first schoolhouse in the township-a rude log structure-was erected one mile east of Kunkle's Corners. As stated at the beginning of this chapter, the township was first divided into two school districts in April, 1843, and from this it will be seen that the log schoolhouse was erected before the township was organized, or before districts had been created, and was located where it would do the most good. The probability is that Miss Angell taught the first term, though this is not certain. In May, 1843, the scholars in this district No. 1 were as follows: Celinda Angell, Orpha C. Angell, AIpheus Angell, Christina Barrett, Benjamin Barrett, Sally Ann Barrett, John Barrett, Mary Ann Barrett, Elijah Barrett, Charles Woodworth, Hannah Woodworth, Ray Woodworth, Miles Woodworth, Mary Ann Young, Sarah Hunt, John Connelly, William Connelly, Calvin Connelly, Harrison Connelly, Jacob Reasoner and Elizabeth Reasoner. The amount of school money on hand in 1843 was $55.72. In March, 1844, three additional school districts were created, making then a total of five in the township. At this time none of the districts enumerated scholars except Nos. 1 and 4, the former numbering twenty-seven scholars, and the latter five, as follows : Jasper A. Best, Abner Johnson, Celestia Johnson, Nancy Johnson and Lucy M. Rogers. This was the first enrollment at what is now Pioneer. The school districts then were as follows : District No. 1, Sections 1, 6, 7, 12, 31 and 36 ; District No. 2, Sections 2, 3, 10, 11, 34 and 35 ; District No. 3, Sections 4, 5, 8, 9, 32 and 33 ; District No. 4, Sections 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29; District No. 5, Sections 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 30. An examination of the township map showing the sections, will reveal the location of each school district. From this it may be learned that, in 1844, quite a heavy settlement was in the southeastern part, a small one was in the vicinity of Pioneer, and, with these exceptions, no other part of the township contained children of school age. Going back, it was stated that a log schoolhouse was built in District 1 in 1842. This house was destroyed with fire within a year. and another log house was built on the same site, and used until 1846, when a brick school structure was erected, the brick being manufactured by David Connelly, and the house being constructed by Jacob Young. Connelly afterward burned more brick for the settlers' chimneys. Alanson Smith and Miss Angell were among the first teachers 422 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. in the brick house. After this house had been used about ten years, it was torn down, and the brick used in the construction of a new frame schoolhouse, at Kunkle's Corners, the brick being filled in between the studding. This frame is yet standing, but was superseded in 1881, for school purposes, by a new brick house. District 4 (near Pioneer) had school in the cabin of Mr. Johnson as early as 1844, and several terms were taught there, though but few children were in the neighborhood. The first schoolhouse—a frame building—was erected in 1847, and was located where the old burying-ground now is. The first teacher was Miss Rachel Baker, of Amboy, Mich., who taught a summer term of three months for $1 a week, and boarded around. Miss Snow, of Bridgewater Township, taught in the same house during the following summer. After the house had been used for schools without intermission until,just before the last war, a new frame building was erected at a cost of $700, to which several additions have been made, the structure being yet used for educational purposes. The additions have cost about $100, making the total cost of the house about $1,100. There are four rooms, each containing a department of the graded school. When this house was erected, two teachers were employed for the first time; and when the L addition was built about ten years ago, two new rooms were formed, and since then two additional teachers have been employed. A new house will be erected in the near future. A High School Department was created a few years ago, since which time, smiling young ladies and gentlemen pass out to battle life with diplomas of the Pioneer High School. A fitting interest has been created in the village schools ; but a new house ought to be built. SCHOOLS CONTINUED. Schools did not start up in the northeast part until about the year 1850, when two frame schoolhouses were erected, and used until a few years ago, when both districts were merged into one, and a new house was built about half way between the old ones. Some trouble is likely to arise over the school-lot, as, it is stated, the deed of conveyance was not recorded before the death of the land-owner. Old District No. 3, in the southwest part, had a school in 1852, in a cabin owned by D. J. Worley, the teacher being Miss Julia Clark, of Jefferson Township. She had about twenty-two scholars. Some trouble arose over the use of the house, and the latter part of the term was taught in the cabin of Henry Sheets. After two or three years, a log schoolhouse was built near the church, and the first teacher was John Wrest. Three terms were taught in this house (one of the teachers being Miss Dunlap), after which the old " Basswood Schoolhouse " was erected on the same site. This was not far from 1856. This house was used until ten years ago, when the present brick was MADISON TOWNSHIP - 423 constructed at a cost of $600, all except $100 being paid by the township. A frame schoolhouse was erected at the center of the township about 1852, Milton Zaver being the first teacher. Eight years ago, the present frame was erected by Nathan Kirk for $525. Jones Whitney gave the ground upon which the house was Iocated. Alfred Douglas was the first teacher in this house. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. Rev. Daniel Brown organized a Methodist class in the old Basswood Schoolhouse, in the southwestern part, not far from 1858. There were but few members at first, though the class was greatly strengthened by United Brethren and Winebrennarians, who met with them to worship. and who helped to bear the expense of keeping the class together. The schoolhouse was used until the church was built, some thirteen years ago. By this time, the old Methodist class had almost wholly disappeared, and the society had become Winebrennarian, and the church was constructed under the auspices of members of the latter denomination, though much assistance was received from other classes and from outsiders. Among those who assisted in defraying the cost of constructing the church were John Barnhart, Hiram Mott, Samuel Bartley, Basil Hardesty, Jacob Croft, Henry Troxel, Henry Hayen and Ira Mercer. The ministers have been Brown, Stewart, Porter, Neal, Updike, Cline, Sands, McKee, Mowan, Lilly and Slough, at present. Sunday school was first organized during the last war, and has been kept up a portion of the time since. In about the year 1862, the United Brethren class at Union Chapel was organized, and consisted of the following members, among possible others : Timothy Kirk, John Kast, Christina Kast, Thaler Judd and wife, and two or three others. The ministers have been Joseph Brown, Joseph Dixon, John Martin, George Tuttle, James Snyder, Jonas Lower, Emanuel Miller, William Denios, J. K. Alwood, J. W. Rhodes, David Holmes and Abram Tussing. The church, which was begun in 1870, and finished in 1871, cost $1,200. Among those who paid the burden of the expense were William Kirk, Nathan Kirk, Hiram Waldron, Nathan Harrison, Father Judd, James Cummins, Charles Cook and William Finnecal. The class has done good work since it was first organized. The first Sunday school was begun in the spring of 1871, and has been held every summer since, with an average membership of about forty. As early as 1846, the Evangelists and the United Brethren held meetings in the old brick schoolhouse in the southeastern part, and finally at Kunkle's Corners. Among those interested in later years were Daniel Barrett, Levi and Jacob Daso, Martin Batterson and William Shinnabarger. It is said that early preaching was held at the old cabin of the Barretts as early 424 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. as 1843, the ministers being Ferrier, Lillibridge and Butler, who were circuit riders, and appeared about once a month. The Presbyterian Church at " Podunk " was built about ten years ago, by James Connelly, and cost about $1,600. The leaders in this movement were Hughes, Gray and Ovenhouse. The class is much run down at present. CHURCHES OF PIONEER. In 1852, the Methodist Episcopal class at Pioneer was organized by Rev. David Ocker, in the old schoolhouse, with some six or eight members, among whom were P. C. Grannis and Esther, his wife, John Fulton, William Fulton, Barbara Fulton, Catharine Fulton, Mary Grannis and Henry Smith and wife. The class grew stronger under the impulse of stirring revivals, and, in 1859-60, was strong enough to build a frame church, which was used constantly until the present brick edifice was erected at a cost of over $4,000. The old house cost some $1,500, and was provided with a, bell and steeple a few years after its erection. Among the ministers have been Revs. Lindsey, Butt, Perkey, Poe, Roberts, Henderson and Colgan, Barkdoll, Cheney, Boyer, Hoag, Fegtley, Ferris, Miller, Powell, Zimmerman, Prentice, Clark, Rusbridge and the present able man, S. H. Alderman. The present membership is about one hundred and sixty. The Sunday school has been conducted many years, and numbers about seventy-five members. This is the strongest class in the township, and its excellent influence is felt over a large section of country. The United Brethren class at Pioneer was first organized a short time after the Methodists started up, by Rev. William Moffatt, and the first class consisted, it is said, of some twelve members. Ministers have been : Kelso, Cherry, Gear, Holmes, Crossland and Cross, Thomas, Ward, Brown, Martin, Lilly, Keller, Baldwin and Crawford. The church was built in 1860, at a cost of $1,000. Additions and improvements to the amount of about $400 have since been made, much of which was done nine years ago. The present membership is about eighty. Nine years ago, the Sunday school put on new strength and vigor, and has continued thus until the present. Prior to 1860, members of all denominations conducted a very large and thrifty Union Sunday School in the old schoolhouse at Pioneer. But after the construction of the churches, and each class had doubled in strength and zeal, separate schools were instituted. Mr. Joy says the Methodists had their first class in 1848, and were preached to by Rev Sampson, from Hillsdale County, Mich. Among the members at this time were Mr. Norris and wife, Mr. Johnson and wife, Mr. Laughlin and wife, and Mrs. J. S. Rogers. This is probably the true origin of the Methodist class at Pioneer, though the connection of the society with the one formed in 1852 is not clear. The old class might SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 425 have died out about 1851, and a year later a new class might have been formed. This conjecture is probably correct. In April, 1870, the Baptist class at Pioneer was organized with the following members: Samuel Wells, S. T. Woodruff, Mary Woodruff, Levi Thomas, Heman Thomas, Abiden Thomas, Hannah Ely, John Culver, Rhoda Culver, Betsey Culver, Gilbert D. Hart, E. H. Kenrick, Elsa Joy, C. M. Williams, Mary DeWitt and Abba Thomas. The ministers have been L. M. Rose, C. B. Shear, W. Prentiss, R. D. Clark, William Reed, M. Hayden and R. P. Jones. The church, which was begun in 1881, is not yet finished (June, 1882). The present membership is about forty. The Sunday school was begun in 1871, now numbers about sixty members, and is conducted by Z. G. Swan, Superintendent. PIONEER CORNET BAND. This band was organized in the autumn of 1879, and the first set of instruments was purchased later in the same year. In July, 1880, the old set, at an estimated value of $91, was given in part payment for a splendid new set, which cost $465. In April, 1882, a band fair was conducted for an entire week, and $216 was realized, which amount was used in purchasing uniforms for the members. Subscriptions have been solicited and obtained from the citizens to defray the expense incurred in securing the new instruments. For the past two years, the citizens of the town have been regaled with music sweeter than that of Orpheus. It may be, also, that the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and even the rocks and trees, gather round to listen to the divine strains. The music should not be permitted to die out in mournful cadences in the surrounding forests, but should be wafted harmoniously at all times on every breeze. SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP. BY SOLOMON JOHNSON. GENERAL FEATURES. Springfield Township occupies the southeast portion of Williams County. It is a perfect Congressional township—six miles square—and contains about twenty-three thousand acres. The surface of the township is quite level, especially in the eastern part. Tiffin River, or Bean Creek, is the largest stream that flows through the township. It traverses the western portion, from north to south. Owl Creek, a small tributary of Bean Creek, and Brush Creek, a branch of Owl Creek, flow through the eastern part of the township. Beaver Creek, which is quite 426 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. a large western tributary of Bean Creek, crosses Section 19 and enters Bean Creek at the northwest quarter of Section 29. Coon Creek, a small tributary of Bean Creek, traverses the southeast part of the township and flows into Bean Creek just south of the township line. The soil for the most part is a loamy clay, and is very fertile. There is but little sand or tough, yellow clay in the township. No doubt Springfield Township was one of the best-timbered townships in the county. Its forests consisted of an immense quantity of burr oak, white oak, hickory, beech, ash, black walnut, poplar, elm, etc. The township is well adapted to agriculture. Wheat, corn, oats and clover seed are raised extensively. Apples and pears are abundant. EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP. In treating of the early settlement and organization, it might be well to go back to the time when Springfield Township was included in Tiffin Township. The Commissioners of Williams County met at Defiance on December 6, 1831, and, upon application for a new township to be erected by striking off the north end of Defiance Township, they ordered " that a new township be erected and incorporated by the name or appellation of Tiffin Township;" and, upon examining the proceedings, I find that said Tiffin Township was bounded " on the south by Township 4 north, in Range 4 east, and extended north to the north boundary of Williams County, including Range 4 east. On March 30, 1835, the Commissioners of Williams County met at Defiance for the purpose of extending the northern boundary of certain townships to the Harris line, and of erecting a new township in said county. After the Commissioners had finished some other business, I find the following on their books as a record of the proceedings at that session : "The board further ordered that there be a new township erected and organized, as follows : Commencing at the northern boundary of Town 5 north, of Range 4 east, and including all the territory within Range 4 from said north line of Town 5 to the northern boundary of said Williams County, as defined and established by an act entitled I An Act Defining the Northern Boundary of Certain Counties within the State and for other purposes,' passed February 23, 1835. Said new township is hereby erected and organized by the name of Springfield." The Commissioners instructed the Auditor to advertise an election to be held at the house of , in said township, on the 16th day of May next, for the purpose of electing the necessary officers, etc. The name of the person at whose house the election was to be held was left blank, but by examining the records in the Township Clerk's office, I find the following: " The township of Springfield was organized the 16th day of May, 1835. At an election held at the house of Sarah Luther, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 429 on said 16th day of May, the following persons were elected to the respective offices set opposite their names : Jonathan B. Taylor, Clerk; Bruce Packard, John Stubbs and Harmon Doolittle, Trustees; Daniel Colgan and Abram Worts, Overseers of the Poor; Joseph Stubbs, John Fields and Joseph Bates, Fence Viewers; Joseph H. Stubbs and Calvin Gleason, Constables; John Lindenberger and Joseph Bates, Supervisors; Thomas J. Prettyman, Treasurer. At a meeting of the Trustees—John Stubbs and Harmon Doolittle—on the 5th day of September, 1835, Daniel Colgan was appointed Treasurer. At an election held in the township of Springfield September 5, 1835, Jonathan B. Taylor and Harmon Doolittle were elected Justices of the Peace. All the above persons were qualified; those required to give bail did so as the [law] directs. Attest, J. B. Taylor, Clerk." " At a meeting of the Trustees on the 12th day of November (present John Stubbs and Harmon Doolittle), Daniel Colgan was appointed Treasurer." From the above it seems as if there were two meetings at which Daniel Colgan was appointed Treasurer. I mention both of them, as I desire to give the facts verbatim as I find them on the Clerk's book. Daniel Colgan must have been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Thomas J. Prettyman, which occurred August 4, 1835. EARLY POLL-BOOK. By consulting the records in the County Clerk's office at Bryan, Ohio, I find the following : " Poll-book of the election held in the township of Springfield, in the county of Williams and State of Ohio, the 5th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1835—John Stubbs, Daniel Colgan [and] Joseph Stubbs, Judges; and Joseph H. Stubbs [and] Calvin Gleason, Clerks of said election, were severally sworn as the law directs, previous to their entering on the duties of their respective offices. Number and names of electors-1, John Stubbs; 2, Joseph Stubbs; 3, Daniel Colgan ; 4, Joseph H. Stubbs; 5, Calvin Gleason; 6, John Hollinshead ; 7, Jonathan B. Taylor; 8, Harmon Doolittle; 9, John Lindenberger; 10, Abraham Worts. Harmon Doolittle received for the office of Justice of the Peace, 10 votes; Jonathan B. Taylor received for the office of Justice of the Peace, 10 votes. It is hereby certified that the number of electors at this election amounts to ten. Attest John Stubbs, Daniel Colgan, Joseph Stubbs, Judges of Election; Joseph H. Stubbs, Calvin Gleason, Clerks of Election." Without a doubt Harmon Doolittle and Jonathan B. Taylor were the first Justices ever elected in Springfield Township. The writer has seen the statement that Jacob Coy was the first Justice of the Peace elected in M 430 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Springfield Township, but that is certainly an error, as Jacob Coy tells me that he was never elected Justice of the Peace in and for the Township of Springfield. At an election held in Tiffin Township April 2, 1832, Jacob Coy and Ephraim Doty were elected Justices of the Peace. At that time, Tiffin Township included the territory now embraced in Springfield Township. The following is a copy of the poll book of an election held April 4, 1836: "Poll book of the election held in the township of Springfield, in the county of Williams, on the 4th day of April, in the year of our Lord 1836—John Stubbs, Daniel Colgan and Joseph Stubbs, Judges; and James Guthrie and Jonathan B. Taylor, Clerks of said election, were severally sworn as the law directs, previous to their entering on the duties of their respective offices. Number and name of electors—1, Joseph Stubbs; 2, John Hollinshead ; 3, Chauncy Clark; 4, Harvey Clark ; 5, David Carpenter ; 6, John Stubbs; 7, Jonathan B. Taylor ; 8, James Guthrie; 9, Lewis Clark; 10, Joseph Clark; 11, Daniel Colgan; 12, John Lindenberger. It is hereby certified that the number of electors at this election amounts to 12. Attest James Guthrie, Jonathan B. Taylor, Clerks; Daniel Colgan, Joseph Stubbs, John Stubbs, Judges. For Township Clerk, Jonathan B. Taylor had 10 votes ; for Trustees—John Lindenberger had 11, and Joseph H. Stubbs and Lewis Clark 12 each; for Treasurer, John Stubbs had 10 ; for Overseers of the Poor, John Stubbs and Daniel Colgan had 12 votes each; for Supervisors of Roads, Preston Barber, David Carpenter and John Fields had each 11 votes; for Constable, Joseph Stubbs and David Landaman had 12 each; for Fence Viewers, Daniel Colgan and Lyman Sanford had 12 each; for Justice of the Peace, James Guthrie had 12 votes. James Guthrie, Jonathan B. Taylor, Clerks ; Daniel Colgan, John Stubbs, Joseph Stubbs, Trustees." James Guthrie was elected Justice of the Peace to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Harmon Doolittle from the township. At an election held October 11, 1836, there were twenty-three votes cast. James Brown had 17 votes for Representative in Congress, and Patrick G. Good had 6 votes for the same office. Joseph Vance had 6 votes for Governor, and Eli Baldwin had 17 votes for Governor. At an election held October 10, 1837, there were twenty-six votes cast. Parlee Carlin had 25 votes for Representative, and George W. Crawford had 1 vote for the same office; Curtis Bates had 22 and John Patterson 4 votes for Senator ; Jonathan B. Taylor had 26 votes for Sheriff. At a meeting of the Commissioners of Williams County, held at Defiance March 7, 1836, they "erected" a new township, " bounded as follows, to wit: Commencing at the south line of Township 7 north, Range 4 east, and extend [to] the State line between Ohio and Michigan, * * * SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 431 said township to be known by the name of Bradie." Also that the citizens meet on the first Monday of April next, to organize the township and elect officers. From the above facts, it is safe to assume that Springfield Township was reduced to its present limits in the spring of 1836, and that at the election held in April of that year, none were voters in the township but those who lived within its present limits. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. It is claimed that James Guthrie settled on Bean Creek about 1827. If such is the fact, he must have been the first settler in what is now Springfield Township, and very probably in what is now Williams County. Peter Knipe settled on the southeast corner of Section 33, in the spring of 1831. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and removed to Ross County, Ohio, at an early day. He left Ross County and settled on Bean Creek, near Brunersburg, in the year 1827, and from there he moved within the present limits of this township. Josiah B. Packard settled in the north part of the township at an early day. Rev. Thomas J. Prettyman settled on the north part of Section 29, in the spring of 1833. He was a Methodist local preacher, and a leading man in the community. Lewis W. Prettyman, a son of Thomas J. Prettyman, has lived in the township ever since his father settled here. Ile was four or five years of age at that time. No doubt he has lived longer in Springfield Township than any other person. Daniel Colgan settled on Section 20, in the year 1833. He lived there until his death, which occurred in 1867. He came from Champaign County, Ohio, to Williams County. He was a native of Kentucky. William B. Sprague, and his father, Solomon Sprague, came to Williams County, and settled in the south part of this township about 1832 or 1833. They were natives of Rhode Island, and are distant relatives of ex-Senator Sprague. James Luther settled at an early day, perhaps in 1833, near the place where Stryker now stands. I have been informed that John Hollinshead first settled on a farm on the west bank of Bean Creek, and that Daniel Colgan bought the claim in 1833, after which Mr. Hollinshead moved farther north. Among the other early settlers were John Stubbs, Joseph Stubbs, Harmon Doolittle, Jonathan B. Taylor, David Carpenter, John Lindenberger, Lewis Clark, Harvey Clark and Chauncy Clark. The Stubbses came from the State of New York. They were natives of New York, but of Welsh descent. The Clarks were natives of New England. Lewis Clark and his wife, who was one of Peter Knipe's daughters, live on the south part of Section 21 at present.   The early settlers had much to contend with, and, what made matters 432 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. worse, the country being quite level, they were subject to fever and ague. For the first few years, they had a hard time of it in the woods, as they could scarcely raise enough for their own immediate wants. Defiance and Maumee were their nearest markets. They, no doubt, would have left the country in despair, if it had not been for the abundance of game. They kept themselves almost entirely in meat by hunting the deer and the bear, and, as coons were plenty, they could get some money out of coon-skins, which sold readily at from 75 cents to $1 each. At an early day, the nearest mills were at Maumee and Brunersburg, and, as the roads were bad, it would take three or four (lays to make the trip. Evansport, which is just south of the Springfield Township line, was laid out shortly after the first settlements were made. It was a great aid in furnishing supplies. In the winter of 1835 and spring of 1836, John Snider, John Coy and Jacob Coy built a grist-mill at Evansport, which was considered a grand thing for the adjoining country. Although the early settlers had many hardships to overcome, yet they seemed to enjoy themselves. The writer has heard many old settlers exclaim, " Oh' what good times we had when we first came to this country !" They seemed to be imbued with the spirit that " where there is a will there is a way ;" in fact, if there was no way, they seemed determined to make one. When we think of the immense trees that had to be felled, and the density of the forests, we are led to exclaim, " What energy and pluck our forefathers possessed ?" FIRST BIRTH. It is claimed by some that the first birth within the present limits of Springfield Township was that of Rachel Guthrie. There seems to be some dispute as to where Rachel Guthrie was born ; but the best evidence is that she was born on Bean Creek, in the west part of the township. I can find no record of her birth. If she was not born in this township, Austin Knipe must have been the first white person born within its present limits. From the family record, I find that Frederick Austin Knipe was born on the 11th day of September, 1834. He was baptized in 1835, by James Austin, a minister of the Gospel. Mr. Knipe lives at present in Defiance County, having moved from Springfield Township about two years ago. FIRST MARRIAGE. Perhaps the first marriage within the present limits of the township was that of Harmon Doolittle. He married one of John Stubbs's daughters, in the spring of 1834. Jacob Coy (a Justice of the Peace for Tiffin Township, which at that time included the present territory of Springfield Township), performed the ceremony. SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 433 FIRST DEATH. The first death was that of Malinda Knipe, daughter of Peter Knipe, which occurred on the 1st of May, 1834. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas J. Prettyman. INTERESTING FACTS AND INCIDENTS. Mr. William Sprague tells me that he has been Iost many a time in the woods, and could not find his way home until the sun arose; but in a short time he began to learn how to travel in the woods by feeling of the trees, and " then," said he, " I could find my way, as the north side of the trees were generally covered with moss." In the summer of 1835, several different parties came up Bean Creek in canoes, and stopped for the night at Rev. Thomas J. Prettyman's. They had a pleasant, social chat until late in the evening, and then retired for a quiet rest; but no sooner had they done so, than Mr. Prettyman heard his hogs make a "fuss." He had twelve or fifteen fine hogs in a pen on the bank of the creek. As he looked out, he saw a large bear jump out of the pen. Mr. Prettyman, who was quite sick and somewhat delirious, ran out in his bare feet, and kicked bruin on the nose. This made the bear growl, which aroused Mr. Prettyman, who ran to the house. By this time, the men who were stopping for the night, got up, took their guns and ran out after the bear, which had entered the pen again, and was just climbing out with a shoat in its "arms." It let the shoat drop, and ran. The men shot at it several times, but it disappeared in the woods. No doubt their excitement, together with the darkness of the night, enabled bruin to escape. The first houses were what are commonly known as log cabins, and going to a raising was one of the enjoyments of that time. The sturdy pioneer would often go several m~.les to help his neighbor raise his " cabin." The next day he would attend a "rolling bee," and really enjoy it; but, as a matter of course, we of to-day would not enjoy that kind of sport. The difficulties to be encountered in a new country show that the good wives had their share of the burdens to bear. They no doubt left the older-settled countries, where there were fine houses and good schools, to go to a new country, where there were no signs of civilization. The fact that they were willing to help their husbands make homes in the wilderness, ought to be sufficient to convince us that they were worthy of being the mothers of the present generation. Let us not make ourselves unworthy of them. POST ROADS, ETC. The first mail route in the township was the one from Defiance to Evansport, and north to some town in Michigan. Asa Hight was the mail-carrier, and, as the roads were bad, he carried the mail on horseback. 434 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. I have also been informed that there was a post office called Phalanx, on the Doolittle farm, in Section 16. The office was discontinued many years ago. When the Air-Line Division of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad (now the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern) was built, and Stryker laid out, the mail was carried from Defiance to Stryker on Tuesdays and Fridays; but several years ago that route was discontinued, and a daily route established from Stryker to Evansport. There is also a daily mail from Stryker to West Unity. Stryker also receives mail four times a day by railroad. EARLY BRIDGES. Perhaps the first bridge built in Springfield Township across Tiffin River or Bean Creek, was the old one north of Evansport. There was als one built at an early day on the Bryan and Napoleon Pike. Several other bridges were built at an early day. SAW-MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES. Thomas J. Prettyman built a saw-mill at the mouth of Beaver Creek. It did very little business, and was soon abandoned. About 1835, Thomas Lingle built a saw-mill on Owl Creek, in the south part of the township. It was not much of a success. At an early day, there was an attempt to build a mill on the line of Sections 17 and 18, about half a mile west of where the " Eagle Mills" now stand. The foundation was built, and a race dug, and I have been informed that a town was laid out called Williamsport. The mill was not completed, neither was the town built. Shortly afterward, Harmon Doolittle built a saw-mill where the "Eagle Mills " now stand. In 1857, Kingsland & Chase built a gristmill in the west part of Stryker. It was the first grist-mill built within the present limits of the township. About sixteen or seventeen years ago, John C. Chappuis built what is known as the " Eagle Mills," and, as the mill built by Kingsland & Chase burned down many years ago, this is the only grist-mill in Springfield Township. There are seven sawmills in the township, two of which are in Stryker. DRAINAGE. The drainage facilities of the township are excellent. There are several good ditches within its borders, the most important of which is County Ditch No. 17. That ditch is, in fact, Owl Creek from its head to the place where it receives Brush Creek. It was first made a township, and then a county ditch. The ditch and anti-ditch men had a " big time." At first the Commissioners refused to establish the ditch, but it was finally located and completed in the fall of 1878. It is SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 435 now considered by all as one of the best improvements ever made in Springfield Township. It affords an excellent opportunity for tile drainage. When the township is well drained, it will, no doubt, be one of the best farming communities in the Northwest. STATISTICS OF PRODUCTIONS. Upon examination of the work entitled " Statistics of the United States of America," published by authority of an act of Congress June 1. 1840, I find the following items in regard to Springfield Township Horses and mules (classed together), 44 ; neat cattle, 345; sheep, 51; Swine, 711 ; wheat, bushels, 3,235 ; oats, bushels, 556 ; rye, bushels, 140; corn, bushels, 7,895; wool, pounds, 56 ; potatoes, bushels, 2,387 ; hay, tons, 26 ; maple sugar, pounds, 2,628 ; dairy products, pounds, 174. Statistics for 1881.—Wheat, acres, 2,979; bushels, 48,420. Oats, acres, 883; bushels, 32,090. Barley, acres, 3; bushels, 100. Corn, acres, 2,059 ; bushels, 76,580. Meadow, acres, 1,176 ; hay, tons, 1,142. Clover, acres, 1,034; seed, bushels, 1,874. Potatoes, acres, 92 ½ ; bushels, 4,253. Butter, pounds, 73,111. Cheese, pounds, 1,000. Eggs, dozen, 28,250. Apples, bushels, 24,430. Acres, cultivated, 12,520. Pasture, 1,223. Wood land, 5,105. Lying waste, 35. The statistics for 1881 were taken from the Assessor's report, which was filed May, 1882. Value of property in Springfield Township, appraisement of 1880, and chattels of 1881, value as found on the duplicate of 1881: Township, except Stryker corporation and territory attached, for school purposes, $575,000 ; Stryker corporation, $135,000 ; territory attached, $117,000; total value, $827.000. VILLAGE OF STRYKER. Stryker is situated on the Air-Line Division of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, forty-seven miles west of Toledo. It was laid out by John A. Sargent and E. L. Barber in the fall of 1853, and named in honor of John Stryker, who was an officer of the Air-Line Railroad (by some it is claimed that he was a sub-contractor, and by others that he was President of the road). The original town occupied the southwest part of Section 4. Blinn & Letcher (Chester Blinn and William Letcher), started a store in the village in the fall of 1853, and did business there for several years. Tingley built a hotel the same fall. I have been informed that Mr. Izzard, William Landis and Joseph Dilworth lived in Stryker at that time. William Sheridan, Jr., moved into a house on the east side of Defiance street on the 11th of February, 1854. He used it as a dwelling and business house. In the fall of 1854, C. L. Chase built a saw-mill for Walter Haywood & Co., of Fitchburg, Mass. 436 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. The mill burned down on the morning of July 4, 1856. In the fall of that year, Chase built another mill for the same company. It was the best mill ever built in the county, and did an immense business. Peter Charpoit commenced the hardware business in 1856, and in the spring of 1857, Kingsland & Chase built a grist-mill, and in 1858 they attached a distillery to it. E. W. Fuller was one of the first dry goods merchants of Stryker. When the town was laid out, there was an old log schoolhouse near by that was used for school purposes until the town, with the aid of the township, built a two-story frame house in 1856-57. The town improved steadily until 1860, at which time it had become a lively little village, with quite an extensive trade in lumber, dry goods, groceries, live stock, grain, produce, etc. William Sheridan, Jr., who was the first Postmaster at Stryker, held the office until after Mr. Lincoln became President. Since then, each of the following-named gentlemen has held the position in the order named: C. C. Douglass, E. W. Fuller, W. R. Babcock, John Boyer, 0. G. Smith, A. S. Wilson, and J. J. Fuller, the present incumbent. Mr. Fuller has been Postmaster since 1873. Perhaps the town had reached its highest prosperity about 1865. Since then, disastrous fires and financial failures have injured it very much. Von Behren & Shoner started a tannery in Stryker in 1862, with a cash capital of $1,700. Three years later Von Behren bought Mr. Shoner's interest, and soon after H. G. Shaffer bought a half-interest in the tannery. In the fall of 1866, they built a circular-saw mill, and the year following they commenced to manufacture oars, spokes, etc. Their business increased so that the sales of oars alone amounted to $20,000 per annum. They burnt out in the spring of 1876, losing everything. They rebuilt and had everything in running order within three months. Since then, they have kept from twenty-five to thirty-five workmen in employment. Their prospects are good for an increasing trade. They ship oars, spokes, etc., to all parts of the United States, and also direct to Europe. Jesse Ecker owns a saw-mill, and does quite a business. U. A. Wynn, dealer in gen- eral merchandise, came to Stryker, November 22, 1875. His sales, which amount to nearly $40,000 per annum, show that he is a good business man. F. Louys is also engaged in the dry goods trade. He has done business in Stryker since 1863. In 1867, he formed a partnership with Mr. Solier, but since 1879 he has been doing business alone. His annual sales amount to $16,000. Peter Charpoit, who commenced business in 1856, is yet engaged in the hardware trade. His annual sales amount to $25,000. C. Veriner & Co. are also engaged in the hardware trade. They deal in agricultural implements and do quite a business. Stryker has two good drug stores, one kept by N. B. Stubbs SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 437 & Co., and the other by F. A. Snear. The following is a list of the business men of Stryker: Blinn & Douglass, grain and stock dealers; J. A. Miles, landlord; U. A. Wynn and F. Louys, dry goods and general merchandise; Peter Charpoit and C. Vernier & Co., hardware dealers; N. B. Stubbs & Co. and F. A. Snear, drug stores; Von Behren & Shaffer, saw-mill, oar factory, tannery, etc. ; Jesse Ecker, sawyer and lumber dealer; Fissel Brothers, furniture dealers ; C. A. Werum, dealer in agricultural implements; Hamilton & Fuller, W. W. Stubbs, Berrier & Lucas, John Garyman, groceries and provisions; A. Collins, O. L. Gambier, livery stable; W. H. Stough. harness-maker; Charles Schmidt, C. Durler, shoe-makers; Boothman & Haverfield, Joseph Eberle, blacksmiths; Emiel Bourquin, P. Penquet, J. & A. J. Cuquel, saloons; Fred Julliard, George Mignerly, meat market; R. Howard, wagon-maker; Charles Waggoner, barber shop; Mrs. S. A. Knauer, dress-maker ; Mrs. F. L. Van Ostrand, Mrs. A. Hamilton, millinery. SECRET SOCIETIES. The Stryker Lodge, No. 611, I. O. O. F., was organized July h, 1875, by W. C. Earl, W. G. S. of Ohio. There were fourteen charter members at the organization. The first officers were as follows: D. P. Aldrich, N. U.; A. Hamilton, V. G.; J. E. Meek, R. S.; H. G. Grisier, P. S.; J. H. Stubbs, T. The lodge is in a prosperous condition at present. Since the organization of this lodge, the West Unity Lodge has been organized by members of this lodge. The present membership of the lodge is fifty-five with the following-named officers: W. I. Pepple, N. G.; J. G. Rumsey, V. U.; John Bancroft, R. S.; William Pengeot, P. S.; J. E. Meek, T. The Sons of Temperance instituted a lodge at Stryker in 1871. W. E. Kintigh was elected Worthy Patriarch. They met regularly for some time, and then began to decline and finally surrendered their charter. There was also a Lodge of Good Templars organized, which had quite a large membership. The writer has no definite knowledge concerning it. It has long since ceased to exist. PROFESSIONAL MEN. Among the early physicians who practiced at Stryker, we find Dr. Blaker, E. P. Willard and Dr. Hubbard. Stryker has at present three doctors: D. C. Clover, N. B. Stubbs and F. A. Snear. D. C. Clover has practiced at Stryker about twenty years. N. B. Stubbs and F. A. Snear have been practicing about ten years. Stryker has had its share of the legal fraternity. Perhaps Sanders Hyke was the first attorney that lived in the town. He had quite a local practice. George De Merritt practiced law at Stryker for several years; but soon neglected his 438 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. business, and finally went West. In 1863, William Sheridan, Jr., was admitted to the bar, but he never made the practice of the profession his business. INCORPORATION AND OTHER FACTS. By consulting the records of the village, I find that it was incorporated in August, 1863. John Barnhart made oath before Lemuel Allen, a Justice of the Peace, that he ̊̊ set up " notices that an election would be held on the 24th day of August, 1863, for the purpose of electing village officers. At that election there were ninety-one votes cast. William Sheridan, Jr., received forty-seven and E. D. Bradley forty-four votes, for Mayor. John S. Kingsland received forty-seven and E. P. Willard forty-two votes, for Recorder (Clerk). I also find that John Barnhart, S. N. Webb, E. P. Willard, C. E. Woodworth, C. C. Stubbs and D. C. Clover, were elected Councilmen. August 31, 1863, N. B. McGrew was sworn in as Marshal and 0. G. Smith as Treasurer. They were elected by the Council. September 28, 1863, the Council appointed Peter Charpoit as Councilman, to fill the vacancy caused by C. C. Stubbs' removal outside of the corporation. February 1, 1864, C. L. Chase was appointed Councilman in place of S. N. Webb, who removed outside of the corporation. Mr. Chase accepted the office February 29. The following-named persons have been Mayors of Stryker: William Sheridan, Jr., Lewis H. Smith, John B. Grice, W. R. Babcock, William Sheridan, Jr. (two terns), George DeMerritt, J. A. Miles, W. E. Kintigh, A. Hamilton, J. A. Von Behren, J. B. Kimmell, John E. Meek, H. C. Thompson, W. B. Kitzmiller and Adam Fissel. The present town officers are as follows: Adam Fissel, Mayor; J. M. Carens, Clerk; N. B. Stubbs, Treasurer; N. Blair, Marshal ; W. W. Stubbs, W. H. Stough, J. A. Miles, C. L. Gates, C. H. Elliott and W. I. Pepple, Councilmen. Since the town has been laid out, the following additions have been made to it: McArt's Addition, 97 lots, January, 1854; Tingley's Addition, 65 lots, January, 1854; Luther's Addition, 52 lots, September, 1857; Haywood & Co.'s Addition, 22 lots, October, 1857; Kingsland & Co.'s Addition, 190 lots, and Luther's Addition, 52 lots, January, 1858 ; Luther's Second Addition, 102 lots, March, 1860 ; Grey's Addition, 20 lots, March, 1860; McArt's Second Addition, 1 and 6 lots May, 1861 ; Fuller's Addition, 14 lots, January, 1862 ; Boyer & Evans' Addition, 37 lots, August, 1865; Hile's Addition, 14 lots, April, 1866; Werum's Addition, 18 lots, August, 1866 ; Sheridan's Addition, 24 lots, June, 1869. The limits of Stryker corporation were extended February 7, 1871, but there was no record made of it until April 28, 1871. The population of Stryker, as shown by the Secretary of State's report for for 1880, was as follows: Population in 1870, 671, and in 1880, 662. SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 439 Stryker had, for a time, a regularly organized fire company. The Council bought a hand fire-engine several years ago, but it was a failure, and every one now says (as is usual on such occasions) " I told you so." In conclusion, I will say that Stryker is a wide-awake little town. It has one of the best grain and stock markets in the Northwest. Its fine school building is enough to convince every one that the people are awake to their true interests. They believe in the principle, " Educate the child aright, and then there will be no trouble in the management of public affairs." EDUCATIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. School districts were first organized in Springfield Township in 1836, as the following copy of the records on file in the Township Clerk's office will show : 1. Agreeably to an arrangement entered into by the Trustees of Springfield Township, all the south part of said township lying south of the 20th, 21st, 22d, and 23d sections, be organized into a school district, known as School District No. 1. 2. That Sections 14, 15, 16, 17, and the south part or half of Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, constitute a School District No. 2. 3;. And that the north half of Sections No. 7, 8, 6 and 5, constitute School District No. 3. Entered by order of the Trustees April 3, 1886. Attest, J. B. TAYLOR, 4'ownship Clerk. District No. 4 was organized May 18, 1838; No. 5, March 1, 1841; and No. 6 in 1844. Perhaps it would not be of interest to trace the organization of the school districts farther, as after the districts were organized some were abandoned, others organized, etc. As the township became better settled, the districts were re-organized, and at present there are eight districts permanently established, exclusive of the Stryker District. No doubt the first schoolhouse was built in District No. 1, as the township was most thickly settled in that locality. The first houses were small log ones with few windows, and with floors made of " puncheons." The following-named persons were among the early teachers of the township: Jonathan B. Taylor, Orin G. Greely, Mr. Carmiele, Jane Washburn, John Washburn, Elizabeth Miller, Sarah C. Jones and L. W. Prettyman. The wages of teachers at an early day were from $5 to $8 per month for summer, and from $8 to $12 per month for winter schools. In addition to that they would get their board by " boarding around" with the scholars. Mrs. Ayres (formerly Miss Sarah C. Jones), of Centre Township, informs me that she taught school in Springfield Township in the winter of 1850-51, at $2 per week, of five and one-half days, which was considered a "big price," as wages had advanced. At that time gentlemen received from $3 to $4 per week and board. The 440 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. first teachers had to labor under many disadvantages. The houses were small and inconvenient; 11 puncheons " were used for seats, and, upon the whole, schoolhouses were not very attractive. The "branches " taught were reading, writing, arithmetic, and, as a matter of course, spelling was not neglected. Spelling schools were a great treat for the pupils and teacher, and almost every Friday or Saturday afternoon the pupils would engage in a "spelling match." At an early day, Mitchell's outline maps were in use everywhere, and sometimes, instead of a spelling-match, the pupils, led by the teacher, would engage in singing from the map as follows: " The face of the globe two hundred millions," "The face of the globe two hundred millions," "North America eight millions," "North America eight millions," "South America seven millions," " South America seven millions," "Europe three and half millions," "Europe three and a half millions," etc., meaning so many million square miles. The same exercise would be gone over with in regard to the bays, gulfs, etc., but as the writer was not much of a singer, he does 'not remember the exact form. On Christmas the pupils anticipated a "grand time," and an effort, which was generally successful, was made for some of them to get to the schoollhouse before the teacher arrived and "bar him out," and then keep a look-out, and as other pupils arrived let them in, but they were careful to prevent the teacher's getting in unless he promised to " treat," which he would generally do unless he were of a "mean disposition," and then he would threaten to whip the pupils (when he got in) unless they opened the door. As a rule, however, the pupils and teachers enjoyed the day quite well, eating apples and candy and reciting a few lessons. "Barring out" the teacher is not practiced at present. In fact, very few teachers have school on holidays. At present, each school district has a good brick schoolhouse. The first one in the county, outside of Stryker, was built in 1871, and the last one was built two or three years ago. These houses cost from $1,000 to $1,400 each. Most of the houses have new "patent seats" and are well built, with all the modern improvements. Exclusive of Stryker District, there are 429 youths of school age in the township. The township school fund for the last year was $1,439.14. The school fund of Stryker School District amounts to about $2,000 annually. According to the report of September 1. 1881, there were 301 youths of school age in Stryker School District. The schools of the township are in good shape, and if it was not for the frequent change of teachers, they might be made a grand success. The following persons taught in the township during the past winter: William Fritzsche, District No. 1; Wilbur M. Fyke, District No. 2; Eliza Snow, District No. 3; J. D. McCord, District No. SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 441 4; C. A. Gurwell, District No. 5; Ettie Teeple, District No. 7; E. N. Bradley, District No. 8; and J. M. Cummings, District No. 9. The wages of teachers are from $16 to $18 per month for summer and from $30 to $40 per month for winter schools, and as the practice of "boarding around " has been discontinued, the teachers pay their own board. In 1857, when the two-story frame schoolhouse was built in Stryker, the town seemed to be growing at a rapid rate, and in a few years there was a demand for a larger building. In 1867, the contract was let to F. Seller for building the present structure, but the death of Mr. Solier made it necessary to relet the contract. The contract for building the house was relet to Wheelock, McKay & Underhill, of Fort Wayne, Ind., some time during the summer of 1868. They were to receive $11,500, exclusive of the furniture. The building committee consisted of E. D. Bradley, William Sheridan, Jr., W. H. McLyman, John Allison, C. Blinn and 0. G. Smith. Mr. Sheridan was appointed as manager for the school district. The corner-stone was laid on September 19, 1868. but the building was not completed until about the middle of October, 1869. It is a fine two-story brick, containing four rooms. The first teacher of the high school in the new building was George N. Glover. who (as I am informed) is a graduate of Yale. The writer attended school at Stryker in 1869-70, and can testify that Mr. Glover was an excellent teacher. Mr. Glover went from Stryker to Bryan, and the last heard of him he was Professor of Political Economy in the University of West Virginia. Since Mr. Glover taught at Stryker, Mr. Field, E. O. Brown, Arthur Fish, James Paul, George F. Solier and W. B. Greek have been teachers in the high school. W. B. Greek, who taught the past year, has been engaged for the next school year. He is a gentleman of experience, having taught at West Unity and at Pioneer, in this county. The grammar department has been taught the past two years by A. D. Beggs. Mrs. Carrie Lloyd and Miss Lillian Snyder taught the intermediate and primary departments. The enrollment for the past year was as follows: High school, 57 ; grammar department, 42; intermediate, 58 ; primary, 87. The Stryker schools were in session nine months the past) year. W. B. Greek, teacher of the high school, received $700 for the year, and the other teachers from $27 to $30 per month. CHURCHES. Perhaps the first religious meeting in the township was held at the house of Daniel Colgan, on Section 20. The writer read an article in the Chistian Advocate of 1874, in regard to the death of Christi Ann Colgan, wife of Daniel Colgan, deceased, stating that forty years ago last October (that is October, 1833), Rev. James B. Austin was invited 442 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. to preach in their log cabin. A society of five members was formed. " This was the first religious meeting within the present limits of Williams County." I have been reliably informed that those five members were Thomas J. Prettyman, Lydia Prettyman, Mary Prettyman, Daniel Colgan and Christi Ann Colgan. Peter Knipe and wife, and Wallery Coonrod and wife were also early church members. All of the above named were Methodists. David Carpenter, who settled in the "Thicket," was the first prominent United Brethren Church member in the township. The churches of the township have made rapid progress from these small beginnings of forty or forty-five years ago. There are at present three societies of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the township, with a total membership of 114. The largest society belonging to this circuit is at Evansport, just south of the township line. Of the societies in this township, the membership is as follows: Stryker, fifty; Springfield, forty-two ; Oak Grove, twenty-two. There is a Sunday school connected with each of the above-named societies. The Stryker Sunday school contains about fifty members, with W. B. Kitzmiller as Superintendent. The Sunday school at Springfield Church contains about forty or forty-five members, with Clarence Betts as Superintendent, and at Oak Grove there are about twenty-five or thirty members. The ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Stryker since 1863, were as follows : 1863 to 1865, John R. Colgan: 1865 to 1867, S. H. Alderman; 1867 to 1870, S. B. Maltbie ; 1870 to 1872, John Farley ; 1872 to 1874, Richard Wallace ; 1874 to 1876, S. M. Boggs; 1876 to 1879, H. A. Brown; 1.879 to 1880, J. M. Shultz; 1880 to 1882, W. S. Philpott. The Methodist Church at Stryker was built about 1862 or 1863. It has been repaired several times, and is a neat little frame building. The Springfield society built a small frame house about the year 1872. The Oak Grove society put up a small frame-building in 1879. Perhaps the first religious society of United Brethren in the township, was organized in the "Thicket" about twenty-five or thirty years ago. David Carpenter, a leading member, contributed a great deal of time and money, and through his efforts a building was soon after put upon his farm, on the southeast corner of Section 15. About 1873, that house was removed to Stryker and rebuilt. The only organization of United Brethren in the township at present is at Stryker. There is a church membership of sixty-eight. There is a Sunday school connected with the church, which contains sixty or sixty-five members, with Levi Durler as Superintendent. Rev. W. 0. Butler has been the minister for the past three years. The Universalist Church at Stryker was organized April 13, 1877, by Rev. J. F. Rice, with seventeen members. The following were SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP - 443 the first officers: W. E. Kintigh, Moderator; Philip Werum, Chester Blinn and William C. Miller, Trustees; C. C. Douglass, Clerk ; Mrs. ; . Silvernail, Treasurer; S. P. Cameron and Chester Blinn, Stewards. This church organization is one of the most active in the township. Lv the efforts of their excellent minister, Rev. J. F. Rice, and by the energy of their members, they have increased their membership from seventeen of five years ago to forty-six, the present number. They fitted up the second story of the "Town Hall," and have been using it as a place of worship. They have made arrangements to build a " veneered brick " house the present summer and fall. It will cost them about $3,000, and will be one of the finest public buildings in the township. There is a Sunday school connected with the church. It was organized June 20, 1877. W. E. Kintigh was chosen Superintendent, and has held the position ever since. The average membership is fifty-two. The present officers. of the Sunday school are : W. E. Kintigh, Superintendent ; Mrs. T. H. Moore, Assistant Superintendent; Philip Werum, Treasurer; Walter Stubbs, Secretary ; Miss Alice M. Kintigh, Librarian. The church officers are as follows : J. T. Heater, Moderator ; Mrs. T. H. Moore.. Clerk ; Philip Werum, A. Silvernail and W. E. Kintigh, Trustees ; Mrs. N. B. Stubbs, Treasurer. The Catholics have a church organization at Stryker, consisting of about thirty families. Their church building, which is the oldest in the township, was built about 1860. They have services once every month Rev. Nunnen is their minister. The Baptists have a society at Stryker, consisting of forty-three members. They have no regular minister, but F. Louys preaches for them every Sunday. As they have no place of worship, the Methodists allow them to use their house. There are a few Presbyterians and German Methodists at Stryker. They have preaching occasionally. The total value of all church property is about $8,000, distributed as follows; Methodist, $4,500; United Brethren, $2,000, and Catholic, $1,500. The total membership of all denominations in the township is about 550. SPRINGFIELD GRANGE, N0. 499. This grange was organized February 3, 1874, with twenty-six charter members. The following were the first officers: C. M. Clark, Master; D. S. Clark, Overseer; F. A. Smith, Lecturer; Chester Clark, Steward: A. J. Witt, Assistant Steward; Austin Knipe, Chaplain; J. C. Sanford. Treasurer; C. L. Gates, Secretary; Simon Johnson, Gate-keeper; Mrs. C. M. Clark, Ceres; Mrs. J. C. Sanford, Pomona; Mrs. F. A. Smith, 444 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Flora; Miss Alice Clark, Lady Assistant Steward. The officers of the grange were energetic and wide-awake, and did their utmost to make it a success. The grange numbers 105 members at present, and is, perhaps, the best in the county, if not in the Northwest. The members of the grange have built a neat two-story building on Coy's farm, in Section 16. It has a wareroorn below and a good lodge room above, in which they hold their meetings. C. M. Clark has been Master, and J. C. Sanford, Treasurer, ever since the grange was organized. The officers for the year 1882 are as follows: C. M. Clark, Master; S. L. Clark, Overseer; J. Maltby, Lecturer; John Robinson, Steward; G. G. Bloom, Assistant Steward; H. T. Betts, Chaplain; J. C. Sanford, Treasurer; O. C. Robinson, Secretary ; John Chappins, Jr., Gate-keeper; Miss Altie Schaeffer, Ceres; Miss Mary Schaeffer, Pomona; Miss Elenor Sanford, Flora Dana Bloom, Lady Assistant Steward ; Mrs. Levitt, Organist. THE OIL WELL COMPANY. A company known as the Stryker Oil Well Company was organized in Boston, Mass., in 1865. In the spring of that year, the company began boring a well in search of oil at Stryker, under the management of ~.Villiam Sheridan, Jr. The work was continued until 1867, and then it was abandoned, as no oil of any consequence was found, although the well had reached the depth of 860 feet. At the depth of 230 feet, a vein of heavily-charged mineral water was met with, which used to flow from the well at regular intervals, but for the last few years the well has ceased to flow. In February, 1870, Prof. Silas H. Douglass, of the University of Michigan, made an analysis of the water, with the following result, as shown by the Geological Survey of Ohio, Vol. I, page 564: Grains per gallon (231 cubic inches) of water,