406 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY

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

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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 fly ascribed as a mental endowment of that mystery of modern civilizatin—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. When Mill Creek Township was created in March, 1889, 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

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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 her-seers 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,

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PAGE 410 BLANK

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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 too; 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 amity until a few fears ago, when it was purchased by P. W. Norris, who now has possession of it at Detroit, Mich. Such an interesting relic should ne ter have been permitted to leave the township. It is not probable that Michiganders will derive !buy 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 Madison, ere enough families had arrived to mar to any serious extent e 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 DanieI 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

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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 bye 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 he 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 to 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 head. 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 beementrees, 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 johnnycakes 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 live 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,

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fruits and berries, buckwheat and beans. Many made their own garments from flax or wool, but usually the material was purchased, and then de into the necessary apparel by the wife and mother.

FIRST BIRTH.

William Barrett, whose birth occurred in the township on the 21st of Aril, 1840, was the first white child born within its limits.

MAIL FACILITIES.

For some time after a daily mail was carried along the Angola road, , office was established in the township ; but in 1847 one was applied 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 brackish spring that was a great resort of deer. The mail was at first flied 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 Philip 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 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 widened

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 " 0 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.

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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, entered into and soon the ten acres of timber were upon the ground, ready the torch. McCarty and Norris were brothers-in-law, and the former entered red 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 hat 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 ben 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, M. 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 ;

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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 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 years, 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 carriage 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. Blacksalts 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 42.54 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 0. C. Ashton, A. C. Marshall, J. P. Snowden, E. H. Kenrick, C. G. Sweet, Sidney F. Haviland, Jacob Schenk, R. W. McMahon, M. 0. Palmer, William Eagle, A. J. Sinclair, Martin Perkey, Clark Backus and E. F. Keeler. The first officers were : 0. C. Austin, W. M.;

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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. William 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 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. Durbin, 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, 0. of D. ; Charles Day, 0. 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

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. OR. 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 foltlowing 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 Januury, 1879, A. C. Marshall took Mr. Perkey's place as Councilman, acrid at the same time 0. 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-

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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-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 in certain. In May, 1843, the scholars in this district-No. 1-were as follows: Celinda Angell, Orpha C. Angell, Alpheus Angell, Christina Barrett, Benjamin Barrett, Sally Ann Barrett, John Barrett, Mary Ann Woodworth, Elijah Barrett, Charles Woodworth, Hannah Woodworth, Ray worth, 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. Rodgers. 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 schoolhouse 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 $400, 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 West. 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

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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 Zuver 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 located. Alfred Douglas was 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, was 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, Hen- , Berson 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 I conducted a very large and thrifty Union Sunday School in the old school house 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 o the society with the one formed. in 1852 is not clear. The old class might

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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.