348 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP.

BY CHARLES A. BOWERSOX.

This is the southwest township of Williams County. It borders on Defiance County, Ohio, on the south, and De Kalb County, Ind., on the, west. It was organized December 2, 1832. It was the first township organized in the county. As nearly as can be ascertained, the first settlement was made in this township in December, 1827. This first pioneer was Samuel Holton. He settled on Fish Creek, one mile north of . Edgerton, on what is now known as the Burkhart Farm. It is claimed \ by some that one John Zediker, who came from Pennsylvania, was in the township as early as 1821-22 ; this, however, is not well sustained,' and the honor of being the first pioneer in the township is generally accorded to Samuel Holton. He also contests with one James Guthrie the honor of being the first settler in the county. The weight of the evidence is in favor of Mr. Holton. In the further history of this township, it is assumed that he was the first white settler therein.

From that early period until the present, the township has had a steady, substantial growth. After the construction of the Air Line Railroad through this township, its growth and development were very rapid. The people are largely of the agricultural class, and the many fine farms, good houses and spacious barns, show that the people of St. Joseph Township are industrious and prosperous. The population in 1880 was 2,073; the tax duplicates of 1881 show an entire property valuation of $782,000.

The experiences of the early pioneers of this township were similar to those of the early settlers of all new countries. They cut down and cleared away the vast forests, built their log cabins and barns, and planted their newly cleared fields. Times were hard, money and the common necessaries of life 'often scarce. For many years Defiance was their nearest market ; it required four days to make the journey. They received from 50 to 75 cents for a bushel of wheat, and paid from $5 to $10 for a barrel of salt. To raise a log cabin or barn required the help „of all the neighbors for miles around. In the fall of the year neighbor helped neighbor to " log off" the new grounds and prepare them for seeding. In the evening-time, they gathered together in each other's

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cabins, and around their old-fashioned fire-places told how they were getting along, told their hunting stories, or talked about their' old homes in the East. Then, with torches made from the bark of the hickory tree, they would go through the woods, or along well-known trails, each to his own home. Wild beasts, bears, wolves, panthers and wild cats and wilder Indians, roamed through the dense forests.

Corn bread was their staff of life; venison their meat ; honey from bee-trees, maple sugar, wild plums, cranberries and wild blackberries their luxuries. Amid these wild scenes these early pioneers passed years of substantial enjoyment, to which the minds of the few who remain revert with real regret because they are irrecoverably gone.

Indians were more numerous than whites. They were of the Ottawa, Miami, Wyandot and Pottawatomie tribes. On the banks of the St. Joseph River, near where was once the village of Denmark, and on Fish Creek, they used to encamp in bands of from twenty to upward of a hundred. They wandered through other parts of the township hunting game, but were more numerous along the streams. Down the St. Joseph River, from the former site of the village of Denmark and on the western bank, is a low, level meadow. It was a sort of a prairie in that early time. It is yet called " The Indian Meadow." It is said these Indians tilled this piece of ground after a manner, and there raised corn for food.

The wife of Judge Long, who moved to Denmark in the fall of 1836 with her parents, and whose father, Judge Payne C. Parker, was the founder of the little village, says that she once saw in camp on the banks of the river an Indian squaw, said to be one hundred and fourteen years old. She was comparatively helpless, unable to walk, and crawled about on the ground like a child. The camp was on the south side of the river, not far from where the house of Mr. Dietsch now stands, and a little northeast thereof. They made their living principally by hunting, selling or trading their furs at Brunersburg and Defiance ; they were friendly, indolent and filthy. In 1840 to 1842, they were removed to the West.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Samuel Holton first settled on Fish Creek, one mile north of Edgerton. He built the first saw-mill ever built in the township. It stood on the banks of, the creek, about twenty rods up the stream from where it is now spanned by a bridge. This mill was built as early as 1830. It was operated for many years. Finally it fell into decay, was torn down, the dam destroyed; and the Waters of Fish Creek suffered to flow on unvexed to the St. Joseph River. Some time after the construction of the sawmill, a rude contrivance was placed therein for the purpose of grinding.

350 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

Every mark of these pioneer improvements has been obliterated and a stranger, riding along the banks of the creek, would hardly dream that at that point were built the first saw-mill and grist-mill in St. Joseph Township. Shortly thereafter, a grist-mill was built at West Buffalo, which, for many years, did the milling for the people of the four townships cornering there.

MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS.

To Samuel Holton and wife was born the first white child in the township. This was some time in 1831 or 1832. The first persons married in the township were this Samuel Holton and his brother John. They married daughters of the Widow Fee, who then lived on the river, northeast of Edgerton, on what is now known as the Rishel farm. Later along, in 1836, William Bender married another daughter of the Widow Fee. This was a wedding of considerable consequence. The people gathered in. They came down the St. Joseph River from Denmark in boats. Daniel Farnham, who had lately moved into the township, was there.

DEATHS.

It is difficult to tell who first died in St. Joseph Township. On the farm now owned by Judge Parker are three graves. They are situated east of the Edgerton road and south of the Bellefontaine road, and not far from the bank of the river. A person riding along the Bellefontaine westward, after passing the house of Judge Long about seventy rods, and looking toward the south, will see the place of these early burials. Daniel Farnham says they were plainly marked in 1835. The names of those thus buried in the woods were Baker, Horton and Stailey. They were probably the first, but of what they died, when and by whom buried, it has been impossible to find out. A little farther south and nearer the river bank is the grave of Zediker, who once owned that land. He died at an early period, and was buried in the woods. By his side was buried a child, an infant daughter, of one Thomas Hill.

CEMETERIES.

The first graveyard in the township was located on the farm of Judge Parker, now owned by Judge Long. Persons were buried there as early as 1838. Rev. Elijah Stoddard was one of the first buried there. George Aucker was also buried about the same time. Judge Parker, who died in 1857, was buried there, and several of his children, who died before him. Later, their bodies were exhumed and removed to the cemetery at Edgerton. The wife of Judge Parker, who survived him some years, and his daughter, Urilla Stough, were also buried at Edgerton. There were

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quite a-number buried in this early graveyard, but at present it is difficult to And even their graves.

A little later, they began to bury on the farm of Daniel Farnham. Sallie Farnham, mother of Daniel Franham, was the first person buried there, some time in 1844, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Hanks was the second, and a Mr. Edwards was the third. This cemetery is still in a tolerable state of repair, and is now, and has been used by the people of the edge of Indiana for the burial of their dead. Still later, a graveyard was started southwest of Edgerton, on the Clarksville road. The

people in the southwestern portion of the township buried for many years. It is still kept in pretty fair condition. In the eastern part of the township, on the Bryan Road, is another cemetery of early origin. It was connected with the first church building erected in the township. The old church fell into decay, and has been torn down, but the cemetery is kept in very good repair, and is still used by the people in that part of the township. Some of those residing in the northwestern part of the township laid their friends away in what, is known as the Leonard Graveyard, over in the edge of Indiana.

In the early times, the dead were often buried in some favorite spot at home. Here and there, all over the township, on the farms of the early settlers are these graves—now almost forgotten. The last cemetery located in the township is the one at Edgerton. To this, many of those buried on farms, and in other cemeteries, have been removed. It is the most beautiful in the county, and is kept in excellent condition.

WILD ANIMALS.

Bears, wolves and deer were very abundant. Deer came in upon the wheat-fields in the fall and winter. The pioneers, lying in watch for them on moonlight nights, were able to shoot them with comparative ease, and thus kept up a good supply of venison. It is related by the earlier settlers that deer would venture so near to their buildings that they were able on moonlight nights to shoot them from their barns. Wolves were more cautious, and though they destroyed sheep and made night hideous by their wild howling, yet they were killed in comparatively fewer numbers. The Worthington, in St. Joseph Township, and the elder Bush, in Florence, did the largest business in that line. Bears were death on hogs. It was no uncommon thing for the settlers to find some of their hogs killed and partially devoured, or so injured as to die. Daniel Farnham killed one between his house and the farm of the elder John Casebeer. John W. Bowersox killed a very large one on his farm, in the northwest part of the township. Aaron Streets killed one, just north of that, in the edge of Florence Township. It is not related that bears ever attacked any of the

352 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

early settlers, though John Wesley Bowersox, a resident of St. Joseph, was once compelled to seek refuge from wolves by climbing a tree, just south of the tamarack swamp, in the south part of Florence Township.

FIRST FAMILIES.

In August, 1835, the following-named persons were residing in this township : The Widow Fee and her children were living on Section 10, in said township ; the Widow Craig, on Section 11; George Aucker and Robert McCullough, on Section 15 ; Solomon Lewis, father of William Lewis, once Sheriff of Williams County, on Section 33 ; Samuel Helton; on Section 21, and Mr. Haskins on Section 27. Turner Jolly was s young man having no abiding place. A Mr. Talbot was in the township then for a short time, but did not remain. Most of those parties are now ' dead. Daniel Farnham came in 1835 ; Judge Parker and David Aucker in 1836 ; John Bretton, in 1837 ; John W. Bowersox, Benjamin Cornell, John Cornell and George Long, in 1838. John W. Bowersox, Daniel Farnham and wife, and John Bratton are the last of the grown up persons, then in the township, now remaining. Judge Parker moved into the township from Defiance. He had sold goods in Defiance for a number of years previous. He first came up the river to trade with the Indians. He bought a large tract of land, built a house, and then removed his family. The frame house, built as early as 1836, still stands, and is now occupied by Judge Long. He laid out, at about this time, the village of Denmark. It had its public square, storeroom, ashery and schoolhouse, and in 1840 was quite a village. This was the first village in the township. He had a large family of children, but three of whom grew to womanhood. Mary died unmarried at twenty-four ; Urine married J. S. Stough, M. D., and has since died ; Harriet married George E. Long, formerly Probate Judge of the county, and is still living, the last of the family. Daniel Farnham has resided in the township continuously since 1835. He first sold goods for Judge Parker at Denmark. He was married to Miss Caroline Sawyer, at his own house, in 1840, Judge Parker performing the marriage ceremony. A large family of children grew up around them ; he owns a large tract of land in the western part of the township, and considerable property in Edgerton. He and the companion of his youth are living in the enjoyment of great plenty in the village of Edgerton. Benjamin Cornell and wife are both gone. George Long lived for many years on his farm three miles northwest of Edgerton. He did a mercantile business in part of his dwelling house as early as 1850, and for some years thereafter. He owned and cleared up a large farm on the Bellefontaine road, and later on removed to Edgerton, where he died in 1880. John Bretton still lives on his old farm, one and one-half miles

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west of Edgerton, The companion of his youth departed this life in February, 1881, leafing him alone. John W. Bowersox resides on the farm first: settled by him in 1838. His wife died many years ago, and he has never remarried. The old log cabin built by him in the fall of 1838,

stands. He lives with hia daughter in the enjoyment of plenty of this world's goods, the result of his own hard labors.

Aucker and wife came into the township in 1836, and lived on the he river bank just north of Denmark, have both been dead several years. Wright Blair, and who resided at Blair's Owners, southwest of Edgerton, died there in 1839 or 1840. Ha was one of the earliest settlers in. that part of the township. John Skelton came into the township from Stark County in 1839, and settled in the northwestern part of the township; he died a number of years ago, and his wife in 1881. Two of his sons live on the old farm, and another in the community.

Jacob Aucker now owns and lives on the farm entered by his parents in 1836. Though but a lad then, he is now comparatively an old man.

INDIAN TRAILS.

These are not well defined in this township. The Bellefontaine road, running from Defiance, Ohio, to Lima, Ind., is said to have been laid and cut out along the line of an Indian trail. It was certainly crooked enough in the beginning to have been laid out in that way. There was another Indian trail leading from where Samuel Holton lived in St. Joseph Township, along the banks of Fish Creek, to where his brother, John Holton, resided in De Kalb County, Ind. This trail has altogether disappeared, nor is there any road running along the line thereof.

BRIDGES.

The first bridge of any consequence in the township was the one across the St. Joseph River at Denmark, Ohio. It fell into decay, and was replaced. by a new one, which in its turn gave place to the one that now spans the river at that point. The bridges that obtained in the early times, were those known as corduroy. By this means the new roads across the swamps and bogs were rendered partially passable.

EARLY TAVERNS.

The first tavern was at Denmark, at the private house of Judge Parker. Here the early pioneers stopped and left their families while they explored the wilderness for the lands formerly entered by them. Judge Parker entertained the traveling public for many years, though he never had any hotel building than his private house, still standing. Later on,

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George Long fed the traveling public at his house on the Bellefontaine road. Benjamin Cornell, who lived on the Bellefontaine road still nearer the State line, occasionally kept travelers over night. Soon after Edgerton was started, perhaps in 1855, one Mr. Thursby built the large frame hotel now standing in Edgerton, and known as the Arlington. About that time John H. Newman kept hotel on the west side of Michigan avenue, in said village.

ASHERIES.

The first ashery was at Denmark ; it was started as early as 1840. It stood west and across the road from the present residence of Judge Long. Not long afterward Daniel Farnham started one on his farm. As he was selling goods at the same time, he did a large business, exchanging goods for ashes. Many years afterward an ashery was started at Edgerton.

MANUFACTORIES.

The only factories of any consequence in this township were the oar factory built in Edgerton along about 1860, the woolen factory started later, and the handle factory located there very recently. The oar factory, burned down a few years after it was built; the others are still in operation. Joseph Spindler started a tannery in Edgerton soon after the town was started. He has continued in the business there ever since, making good leather and doing a good business.

VILLAGES AND STORES.

The first village was Denmark, and on the lands originally owned by Judge Parker. The first building was his residence. Its limits were on either side of the Bellefontaine road from near the river to a point west of the residence of Judge Long. It extended north of where his barns now are, the public square being not far from where his new barn stands. West and a little north of said barn was built the first schoolhouse built in the township. There is nothing left to indicate to a stranger that there was once the site of a smart little village. Judge Parker brought on the first stock of goods. Frederick Stevens and John D. Martin had sold goods before this just across the river, on the farm now owned by Mr. Dietsch. Judge Parker kept his first stock of goods in what is now the dining-room of Judge Long's residence. Daniel Farnham clerked for him about four months, in the fall of 1836. Judge Parker then built a storeroom, that stood just west and across the road from Judge Long's residence, and near where a large maple tree now stands. In 1840, Daniel Farnham started a store on his farm. He rafted lumber down the St. Joseph River to Fort Wayne, and with the proceeds purchased his stock of goods. It is said that he kept his first stock of goods in a

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box under the bed. He sold goods here until 1855, when he removed his stock to Edgerton. Still later than Farnham, George Long started a general store at his residence on the Bellefontaine road. He kept his first stock in the sitting-room of his house. He did a big business with the surrounding farmers. He built a store building near his residence, and did business there until in the fall of 1864, when he bought out John Ainsworth, at Edgerton, and entered into business there. Edgerton was started some time in 1854. Much of the lands whereon the village is located was once owned by the railroad company. It was purchased for the company Hon E. Foster. Subsequently it passed into the hands of Sergeant, Bement and Crane. The first store was brought there by the railroad company. William Hill purchased that stock of goods and moved them into a frame building, west of Michigan avenue and south of Indiana street. In 1855, Daniel Farnham built a storeroom and began business on the corner where his brick block now stands. He did business in this building until 1872, when he began the erection of his present business-room, into which he moved in May, 1873. George Helwig tor him on the farm, clerked worked for him on the farm, clerked for him after he removed to Edgerton for a number of years, was for a long time a partner, and recently has been doing business for himself. Denmark and Edgerton were the a only villages started or built in the township. Edgerton is a pleasant little village, on the west bank of the St. Joseph River. Its streets are wide, shady and always dry. It has several fine brick and frame business houses, four good stores, three drug stores, hardware stores, furniture room, and has always been cursed with more saloons than it needed. Its population in 1880 was 782. The amount of taxable property, as shown by the duplicates of 1882, was $142,000. It has excellent schools, always well attended, and five churches, Methodist, Catholic, German Lutheran, Disciple and Presbyterian. The merchants have always had an excellent trade, and this village has the reputation of being one of the best markets for produce on the Air Line Railroad.

POST OFFICES.

The only post office in St. Joseph Township for many years was at Denmark. Judge Parker was the first and only Postmaster. Subsequently, it was removed to the residence of Mr. Marsh, less than three miles north of Edgerton. While there the whole family, apparently, were Postmasters. Before this office was finally discontinued, one was established at Edgerton. Dr. Barkdol had charge of this office among the first. He was an appointee of President Buchanan. Since then, J. 0. Rose, Albert Knight, William F. Roop and John L. Terpening, have

358 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

had charge of the office. John L. Terpening, the present efficient Postmaster, has held that position for a number of years.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

The fraternal organizations have long been a fixture in Edgerton. The Masons have a strong society. They were the first to organize. The Odd Fellows, Royal Arcanum and Knights of Honor organized later, each society being in a flourishing condition. Their halls are well and tastefully furnished. The Good Templars once had a strong society in the village, but it was suffered to go down, and has unfortunately passed out of existence. The many places in the village where liquors are sold show the necessity of a revival of this organization.

PHYSICIANS.

J. S. Stough lived just north of the village, and practiced medicine for a number of years.; he afterward removed to Waterloo, Ind. Dr. Barkdol was one of the first physicians ; he had a fine practice ; his prospects were the most flattering ; he became intemperate, lost prestige and his practice, and is now living in Stryker. Dr. Andrews once practiced in Edgerton. He was a good physician and remarkable for his height, being about six and a half feet in length. He died of consumption, though he was particularly skillful in the treatment of lung diseases. Dr. Miner came there after 1860 ; he went into the army and died there. His son attempted to fill his father's place for awhile, but never became as eminent. Dr. Schmidt practiced there about the same time. Subsequently he removed to Indiana. Dr. Samuel Wood, located there about the beginning of the war ; he was a Canadian, and a brother-in-law of the Drs. Stough. He entered the army near the close of the war, and was commissioned a Lieutenant ; he removed to Chicago, and entered into the stock business. During this time the Drs. Long, George E. and John W., did a large practice in and around Edgerton. Drs. Hathaway, Scribner, Taylor and the Drs. Mortland, have located there at subsequent times, and enjoyed lucrative practices. Dr. Schoettly practices some, and also holds the office of Justice of the Peace. He is eminent in the law.

LAWYERS.

The lawyers have not abounded in this village. E. L. Knight, who came there as a merchant after the war broke out, was an attorney at law. He was, elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which office he was filling with much satisfaction when he died very suddenly A. D. Austin, Esq.,

has been in the practice for a number of years ; he held the office of Justice of the Peace for a considerable length of time, and is

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especially skilled in that class of practice., James Marshall did a good dead legal business;. he was drowned Mysteriously. A suspicion that he wait foully murdered still lurks in the minds of the people: C. P. Winbigler has lately sot up lit the practice, and is reported to be doing a comfortable business.

EDGERTON'S PUBLIC AND BUSINESS MEN, SCHOOLS, ETC.

Edgerton has been incorporated a number of years. It has numbered among its Mayors such esteemed citizens as George Helwig, 0. H. Fusselman, William F. Roop, James Marshall, John L. Terpening, and the present incumbent, Samuel Fritz, and others. Additions have been made to

the original plat from time to time. Within the last year this has been done on a large scale. The excellent public schools of the village have caused much of the surrounding territory to be attached for school purposes. The following-named have superintended these public schools :

C. H. Kiracofe, F. V. Irish, Charles A. Bowersox, J. F. Awes G. Bowersox, Joseph A. Weitz, and the present incumbent, Mr. Newberry. The school building is a commodious brick of four rooms well arranged. The business men have been singularly fortunate. Few business failures have occurred in this village. During the dark days of and succeeding the panic, her business men came safely through. Situated in a region of unsurpassed fertility, her business men of all classes have always enjoyed a substantial trade.

PUBLIC HALLS.

No town hall has ever been built in this town. This want has more than been met by the elegant opera hail, on the third floor of the brick. block of Daniel Farnham. This large and commodious hail, with stage and scenery, and well seated, has met every want.

DISTRICT SCHOOLS, SCHOOLHOUSES AND TEACHER.

The first schoolhouse built in the township was at Denmark. It was built of logs, and stood north of the public square. It has long since disappeared. Near it stood a large apple-tree, said to have been planted by the Indians. The first term of school taught in it, and in the township, was taught by Rev. Stoddard. This was early, as 1837 or 1838. Immediately after him a Mr. John Cornell taught a term or two in the same house. There were several other terms taught in this schoolhouse before it was abandoned. The next schoolhouse built in the township was over a mile north of Edgerton. It stood on the east side of the road, on the hill, and very near the barn on the farm of Joseph Hemling, now deceased. This house remained standing for over a outer of a century,

360 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

and was once used for election purposes. Shortly after this, and at about the same time, schoolhouses Were built in the Carr neighborhood, in the east part of the township, on the Bellefontaine road ; and also one in the' northwestern district of the township, on the Bellefontaine road, which was for years known as the Wilson Schoolhouse. In this latter neighborhood, however, several terms of school had been taught in rooms temporarily fitted up. "'Rev. Chambers, Mrs. P. E. Wilson, now dead, Mary Dillman, daughter of Jacob Dillman, now deceased, and Marion Preston, now the wife of Daniel Strickland, were among the first teachers in that district, and in the township. A Mr. Southworth also taught in that early time. He was eminent in scholarship, but unbalanced in mind. Of later years he will be remembered as an old man, tall, spare, and with long gray hair and beard, traveling about continually, leaning on two staffs, carrying his budget upon his shoulders. He was a harmless old man, stopping at whatever house or place night overtook him. He would read or expound the Scriptures and pray with those who kept him, in apparent payment for his entertainment. He died within a few years. He had at least one daughter. Her name was Charity. She was a mild, intelligent lady and married an excellent gentleman in a county south. There are few of the older citizens of the township, who do not remember patient Charity Southworth.

The first schoolhouses built in each of the districts were log. They could well have been built much larger and more commodious considering the abundance of timber. The desks were placed around the wall. The seats were mostly made of basswood logs split into halves. Upon these rude and uncomfortable seats, pupils of all ages and conditions were compelled to sit the six hours per day of school. These pioneer schoolhouses were in strange contrast with the present light, airy and commodious school buildings in every district in the township. And yet it is a fact that as much solid work was done by pupils in those early school buildings as in the more elegant ones of the present. Wood was furnished by the patrons in proportion to the number of pupils sent. Often, it was drawn to the schoolhouse, by the parents, in the log, and cut up by the pupils. Most of the pupils found their way through the woods to the schoolhouses, roads being comparatively unknown. Along these school trails the scholars went to school, and at night to spelling-schools, lighting their way, in the night-time, with torches made from the bark of the hickory tree.

SPELLING-SCHOOLS.

Nothing modern can equal the spelling-schools of those early times. The young people would go miles to a spelling-school. It was district against district, and it was wonderful how each would back their cham-

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The order was different at times in spelling down. Sometimes they would stand up and spell around and the last one up was the winner, A. more thorough test, however, was to stand up two and two and the one who was able to spell the whole crowd down in that way was the winner indeed. These friendly contests were often very exciting, and continued until late into the night Webster's Elementary Spelling-book was, used for many years, and finally gave way to McGuffey's. And it is not very clear even yet that the exchange was a rise one. That the pupils in our common schools then were much better spellers than now is beyond all question.

SCHOOL BOOKS.

McGuffey's Readers, the old edition, were introduced into the schools of the township at an early period. Previous to that, other books were used as readers, the New Testament being prominent among the rest. There was no uniformity in this matter, until the adoption of McGuffey's series. Adam's arithmetic was used by some, Pike's by others, and the old Western Calculator had its friends. No uniformity was arrived at in this regard, until the adoption of Ray's series. He has held the ground ever since. His Third Part, or Practical, has been the standard for many years. There are many, with very good cause, who think it has never been excelled for the purpose for which it was designed. No particular system of writing was ever taught, save perhaps, in the village of Edgerton. The systems were as various as the teachers were—ever changing. Davie's algebra was first used by those who had advanced that far. It was supplanted by Ray, who has held the ground ever since, save in Edgerton, where, of late years, Schuyler's complete algebra was used for a time. This township early took- a front rank in matters of education, and has always held its place. It has furnished many teachers, and some of the most eminent the county has ever had. In this respect, one district, number three, particularly excelled. In that district there was scarcely a family that did not furnish a teacher, and several as high as three. A number attended the acadamies of the country, while four from that district graduated from college, and largely by their own efforts. Rev. James G. Bowersox, from Otterbein University and Oberlin Theological School ; Charles A. Bowersox, from Otterbein University ; Joseph A. Weitz and Luthera Wilson, now Mills, from Hillsdale College, Michigan. Allen Klippart taught for many years in the district right east of this, or number two. He was a brother of the Klippart who was once prominent in the Agricultural Departments of the State. He was, like his brother, an excellent scholar. Strong drink got the better of him. He was killed by a railroad train while going to Bryan, and just as the train was starting from Edgerton. It was scarcely regarded accidental.

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Daniel Strickland was one of the early teachers, as was his younger brother, Michael. Lewis N. Mills taught in nearly every school in the township several times over. "Lew " Mills, as he was called, was cross-eyed and could spell everybody down. He is in Nebraska now. Elizabeth Cornell, now the wife of William Poole, of Center Township, taught many terms, as did also her sister, Harriet, now in Nebraska. James G. Bowersox taught the greater part of the time for over a quarter of century, occasionally stopping off to preach. He died at his post, almost in the schoolroom in Edgerton, at about forty-six years of age. There were other excellent teachers, among whom were J. A. Weitz, D. W. Weitz, Luthera, Maria and Lottie Wilson, and others equally good, whose names do not now occur to the writer. In passing it is very safe to say, that St. Joseph Township has produced an intelligent class of young people, always anxious to avail themselves of every opportunity for improvement.

NEWSPAPERS OF EDGERTON.

The only newspaper ever published in Edgerton was established in the winter of 1876, by H. A. Granbery and J. R. Fusselman ; it was a small folio, printed on a hand press, and was called the Edgerton Weekly. The following summer Granbery assumed entire control, and ran the journal till 1878, when he sold out to Sardis Williams, of Bryan, who is now publishing a paper in Decatur, Ind. He changed the name to that of the Edgerton Herald, ran the paper nearly a year, and then turned it over to its former owner, Mr. Granbery. This gentleman is a free and graceful writer, and was quite successful in the management of the business until June last, when he suspended. The journal was independent in politics, and had a circulation of about six hundred copies. The probabilities are that its publication will be resumed at an early day, either by Mr. Granbery or other parties.

POLITICS.

Politically, the township is Democratic, and has been for years. The majority has varied from eighty-five to fifteen of late years. The corporation of Edgerton is slightly Republican. This township, one time or another, has filled nearly every county office. H. H. Wilcox in the Recorder's Office; Lewis E. Brewster and William H. Chilcote in the Clerk's Office ; George E. Long and Charles A. Bowersox in the Probate Judge's Office; William S. Lewis and his son-in-law, George C. Kober, in the Sheriff's Office ; William McCain in the Auditor's Office and Daniel Farnham in the County Commissioner's Office ; while Charles A. Bowersox, formerly of that township, is the present member of the State Legislature. The township has good material with which to fill all these offices round again—indeed, she has the men anxious to do it.

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ELECTIONS.

The first election held in the township was at John Fee's, April 4, 1832 ; after that for a time at Denmark. At least one election was held at what was called the Parker place, now the farm of Mr. Hollinger. John W. Bowersox says he attended an election there. Afterward, they held elections in the schoolhouse on the hill, a little more than a mile north of Edgerton. It stood on the hill not far from the barn of Joseph Hemling. Soon after Edgerton was started, they began to hold elections there, and it has been the voting place ever since. One of the first Justices of the Peace, and in fact one of the first officers elected in the township, was a Mr. Preston. Offices were not sought after then as now. A Mr. Tanner and Alexander Kearnes were Assessors for years. An office, now abolished, it was difficult to get any one to fill ; this was the Fence Viewer.

DURING THE REBELLION.

St. Joseph Township did its duty nobly in that dark struggle. It furnished men for the three months' service, and its quota for every subsequent call. It gave its best boys to such grand old regiments as the Fourteenth, Thirty-eighth, Sixty-eighth, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and other regiments, and to the Third and Ninth Ohio Cavalry. St. Joseph Township has some, and many for its population, as brave and noble boys sleeping in the South as ever dressed, in the loyal blue. Some are sleeping in the little cemetery at Edgerton. Annually the good people gather there, strew their graves with sweet spring flowers and bedew them with their tears. They are a part of that noble army of the dead. The citizens of the township gave of their substance to the Sanitary Commissions to make comfortable the sick, the wounded and the dying. Many a poor boy in the service was made comfortable by gifts from people in St. Joseph Township, who were, in fact, to poor to give.

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.

Rev. Elijah Stoddard was among the first, if not the first minister, who preached in this township ; this was as early as 1836 or 1837, at Denmark. The services were held in a small log house, not far from the residence of Judge Long, and a little east. Mrs. Farnham, who was there, says that, seats being scarce, she saw the men go out and carry in rails from the fences and, fix up temporary seats. Meetings were held, with more or less regularity, at Denmark for a number of years. For awhile they were held in the residence of Judge Parker, and, later along, in his barn. The barn stood very near where the barn of Judge Long, lately built, now stands. Revs. Coleman and Warner, min-

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isters of the M. E. Church, traveled through the township in that early time Rev. Warner traveled a circuit extending into this township. Many years afterward. Rev. Coleman traveled a part of the same circuit again in 1869 and 1870 ; he is now somewhere in the West. The Presbyterians held services in Denmark at about the same time. They were represented by such ministers as the brothers James and David Anderson, Akey and Crabbs. James Anderson died many years ago; he had much to do with the academy established in Williams Centre more than a quarter of a century ago. David Anderson has had a charge in the northwest part of Williams County within the last three or four years. Revs. Akey and Crabbs are dead. A daughter of Rev. Crabbs is married, and resides in Superior Township, in said county. James Anderson was especially beloved by the people as a preacher and teacher. The Presbyterians, later on, occasionally held services in the barn of Henry Cassler, on the farm now owned by Daniel Stevens, three miles north of Edgerton. Rev. Cather, of the Lutheran Church, preached in the township at various places for a number of years after 1840. He preached at Denmark, in the house of John W. Bowersox, and at various other places. He has not been in the active ministry for a number of years, and resides in Indiana. He was something of a wag. He had several daughters ; he named one Coon, another Whale, and another Bear. By these names, especially Coon, they went for years. He had quite a family. They were strangely unfortunate, the larger number having died when comparatively in the prime of life. The Church of the United Brethren was represented by Revs. Hulburt and Jonathan Thomas, commonly known as " Father" Thomas. Rev. Hulburt was an eccentric character, something of the Peter Cartwright style. He preached in various places in the township, amongst others in the log barn of John W. Bowersox. " Father " Thomas is now living in Butler, Ind. ; he is about seventy-five years of age, and has been in the ministry over half a century ; he states that he preached in Bryan over forty-four years ago, or in. 1838. One of his appointments, over forty years ago, was at what was called Blair's Corners, southwest of Edgerton ; he preached there in a little old log schoolhouse. He was a man of wonderful natural talent, fearless in defense of what he. conceived to be right, terrible in denunciation of the wrong. He had a reputation as a revivalist.

The German Methodists were at one time represented by two ministers named Baker and Deemer. They held services for awhile in what is called the Weitz neighborhood, in the northwest portion of the township. It is said that Baker, who was very popular, abandoned the ministry and fell from the profession altogether.

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The Methodist Episcopal Church has maintained organizations in the township from the earliest time to the present. Appointments have changed somewhat, and some have been abandoned, but the voice of the itinerant minister has always been heard in the township. In the days of Thompson, Allbright, Lindsay and others, they would hold services on week days. Then it was that ministers were traveling the circuit in reality. Farmers and their hands, their wives and children, would leave their harvest fields, and, in the garb of toil, go to the schoolhouses, the then houses of the Lord.

About the first organization of a Congregational Church in the township was at the schoolhouse three miles north of Edgerton. This was as early as 1856. Rev. Worts, then of Ligonier, Ind., was the first minister. At one time, there was quite a flourishing organization there. It has been abandoned for many years, the congregation having been re-organized at Edgerton. Mr. Worts was present at or about the time of the hanging of the famous horse-thief McDougal, by the regulators of Noble and La Grange Counties, Ind. He seems to have held some religious services with the doomed man. In his sermons of that time, he made frequent reference to the terrible scene and its lessons.

The Reformed Church also had an appointment at the same schoolhouse for a number of years. Indeed, it appears that for awhile every religious denomination known to the Christian world held services in that schoolhouse. Rev. Weaver held services for the Baptists in a log schoolhouse standing on the same site. This was as early as 1854. It was about the time the Air Line Railroad was being built. He was holding services there one Sabbath afternoon. Something like a dozen or more of the employes on the road came to the meeting, and began to disturb the minister. He remonstrated with them, but to no purpose. Having come for a row, they proposed to have one. They continued their disorderly behavior beyond the endurance of the citizens then present. The meeting stopped, and the fight began—Alexander and Tobias Wright, John Gnagy, John W. and David Bowersox, John Skelton and Benjamin F. Cornell and others on the part of the preacher, the railroad hands on their own behalf. The struggle was terrific. Finally, the friends of good order and the Gospel prevailed. The railroad men were completely routed, and most of them fearfully battered. They threatened to return in great force, but never put in an appearance.

The Catholics first organized in Edgerton. They have a good church building and parsonage there. They have their priests, and are in a flourishing condition.

The Disciples were once stronger in Edgerton than they are now. At

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one time they built a very neat little church, wherein they still hold services, as they are able to employ a minister.

The German Lutherans have a church building and organization in Edgerton. Their numbers are not great, but they are in a growing condition under the ministration of their popular pastor, Rev. Staehling.

Within the last fifteen years, the Evangelical Association has done a good work near the central part of the township. Services were formerly held in a schoolhouse, about a mile and a quarter north of Edgerton. The membership has grown rapidly. Recently they have completed an excellent church building near the site of the schoolhouse. They have among their members many of the substantial citizens of the township.

The Universalists occasionally held services in Edgerton. They have had no distinct organizations at any time.

There have been services held from time to time in the township by ministers of other denominations than those named, but no distinct organizations have been effected. Probably the first church building erected in the township was on the Bryan road, near the east line of the township. It was built of hewed logs, and, as nearly as can be ascertained, was controlled by the Lutherans It is torn away now, and was abandoned for many years theretofore. A little graveyard, heretofore referred to, was in connection with it. It stood there, almost in the woods, for many years, and had a sort of ghostly appearance. A better selection for a, spectral story could not have been found. There is now scarcely a trace of it left.

The next was the Methodist Church in Edgerton. This was built in the early days of the war, and by the contributions of all the people. It is still in a good state of preservation. A parsonage has been added lately. The other churches were built in or about the order named here : Disciple, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Evangelical. The Presbyterians have recently built a very neat little church in Edgerton. The organization is formed in part of former members of the Congregational Church. It is in a flourishing condition, and increasing in membership. They were helped by the church erection fund of the Presbyterian Church.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Sunday schools had much of the same history as the churches. They began at Denmark, and extended over the township as the population increased. Held first in private houses, then schoolhouses, and then in church houses in the communities where such houses are. Among the earliest was one organized in the old log schoolhouse, commonly known as the Wilson Schoolhouse, in the northwestern part of the township. It was managed largely by Mr. Wilson, who now resides in Bryan. There

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were no lesson leaves nor Bible teachers as now. He carried the whole library, testaments, question books, and Sunday school books, in a small hand basket. Even in that poorly equipped school impressions were made in childhood, that have not been forgotten in maturer years. Barefoot, with nothing on but chip hat, shirt and denim pants, men, now well known in the county, in childhood attended that Sabbath school, in the old log schoolhouse by the wayside. Sunday schools were less sectarian then than now. They were generally called and managed as Union Sunday Schools. Revival meetings were conducted with much zeal in that early time. Night meetings-- were attended mostly on foot. At least one member of each family would come bearing a torch unlit, made from the bark of the hickory tree, and even a rifle was no uncommon thing to be seen in meeting. When dismissed, they would light their torches, and start for home. A number of families living in the same direction would form quite a procession. As they move along, there is something wild and weird in the scene. The glare of their torches light up the dense forest, and the fitful shadows dance and quiver on either side like spectral creatures. Ever and anon the wild woods ring with hymns of rejoicing or songs of awful warning, exhorting sinners to repentance. There is nothing like these pioneer meetings in modern times.

RETROSPECTIVE.

No important event has occurred in the township during its history. Among the people general good feeling and harmony has prevailed. The few old settlers often talk about the hard winter, as they call it, of 1837— 38. They say a heavy snow fell on the 1st of November, and lay until well into the following April. In going to the spring election they crossed the streams on the ice. Stock subsisted for weeks on browse. When a farmer wanted to feed his stock, he took his ax on his shoulder and started for the woods, his stock following him. He would cut down trees, mostly basswood, upon the young shoots of which cattle fed. Much stock perished from cold, exposure and lack of food. The early settlers tell to this day how, during the days of that awful winter, in the afternoon, in the southwestern heavens, a cloud would appear, white and having the shape of a cow's horn. Tile few pioneers regarded it as an omen of evil.

It has been about half a century since the first white man began a settlement on Fish Creek in this township. He is gone. The dam he threw across the stream, the mills he built upon its banks, the dwelling house in which he lived, all are gone. Scarcely a thing is left to mark his works. More than a generation has passed on the swift flight of years. Scarce a few of those who began the struggle of the wilderness with him are left.

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But four of these are in the township now to tell the history of those years of hardest toil. Another decade will sweep the last one from the cares and trammels of earth. At their death, the last living monument of their works and history will have perished. It is hoped that this history will properly preserve the record of their early toils.