WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 383 CHAPTER XLI. PLAIN TOWNSHIP. SURVEY, POPULATION, ETC.-TOPOGRAPHY-EARLY HISTORY-PIONEERS-FIRST LAND BUYERS PIONEER SCHOOLS AND SCHOLARS-MODERN SCHOOLS -ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWNSHIP- TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS-NITRO-GLYCERINE EXPLOSION-CHURCHES-CONCLUSION. THE survey of the exterior lines of this township was made, in 1819, by Samuel and Alexander Holmes, while that of the sub-divisional lines was made, in 1821, by I. T. Worthington. The tracks of the United States surveyors were not covered immediately by the pioneers, as is the case with new-lands to-day. Almost a decade passed over the land since the survey, before one of the courageous first settlers selected a corner of the township for his home, and the denary period was extended another decade before civilization left its impression appreciably on the forest. In 1840, the population was 272. Ten years later, the enumerators found 492 inhabitants; in I860, there were 1,300; in 1870 the number was 1,719, increased, by 1880, to 1,985, and, by 1890, to 2,673. Of this total there were 1,589 credited to that part of Bowling Green west of Main street, leaving to the township proper 1,084 inhabitants. As the name denotes the surface is level, if a few sand ridges be excepted. The soil is a sandy loam merging into sand on the ridges. Before the days of ditches, numerous swamps or swales existed which yielded heavy crops of hay in dry seasons, and after being drained became especially fertile. As a rule the whole township, outside Bowling Green, is devoted to agriculture, and it is a matter for congratulation that the farmers of the territory have converted the sandy area into productive fields, gardens and orchards. In late years the stock-breeder has introduced fine grades of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs, and erected, so to speak, a new branch of industry peculiarly suitable to this township. In early years after the Presbyterian mission below Grand Rapids was abandoned, or disbanded, Rev. Isaac Van Tassel, the ex-superintendent, established himself and family on a farm, and in 1834 or 1835, introduced silk culture, setting out hundreds of mulberry trees which he obtained through friends in Connecticut or New York. For nearly fifteen years he devoted himself earnestly to agriculture, horticulture and stock-growing, and at the time of his death, in 1849, was undoubtedly one of the first, if not the first, agriculturists of the county. The Sucker-rod oil belt extends diagonally through this township, where it is marked by its narrowness and few extensions. A new field, it has produced oceans of petroleum, and appeared as inexhaustible in 1895 as it did at the beginning. In the chapter devoted to Oil and Gas, the history of this field is related, and its extensions described. Pioneers.-At the date when the Caucasian pioneers appeared in Weston, Center, Liberty and Middleton, Plain was an Indian hunting ground, with few attractions, even for the savages. It was not long to remain so. The man, seeking a home for his family, found in it a safe place to invest his little savings and his labor; while the imprudent, pulling against the current of adversity, found here a harbor which held out promise of rest, if not plenty. The first actual settler came in 1831, and by degrees the territory was opened up. The pioneers, as a rule, were earnest, frank and kind, and bridged the interval between sin and purity by kindness. They made the mistakes and had the failings of the time, but such were the excesses of their virtues. Rough and tender, they were generous, they were industrious, and they were enterprising, according to the spirit of their times. They knew not fear, were brave to rashness, revelled in the free air, gloried in the forest they were conquering, and altogether were men fitted exactly for opening a new country. The women of pioneer times, too, were as brave as the men. They were the encouragers and sustainers of their husbands and sons, and the workers in the homes and gardens made in the wilderness. Orderly, economical and peaceful, they were the guardians of society, however rude, and of Christian duty, however vaguely understood. 384 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. First Land Buyers.-In the early history of Bowling Green many of the pioneers of this township are referred to, and the story of their settlement well told. Again, in the chapters devoted to biography, the history of many of the first settlers is related in detail. For these reasons, it is unnecessary-it would be repetition-to tell the same story over, so that the reader must be content with the official notices of the pioneer land buyers. On April 6, 1831, Joseph DeWitt entered the W. Pt. of S. E. J Sec. 36; Joseph A. Sargent followed on May 31 by entering the E. Pt. of the same; John Wilson purchased the S. E. of N. E. J. Sec. 14, October 6, 1832; Valentine Winslow, the W. Pt. of S. E. I Sec. 5, February 7; Horace Hamilton, the N. E. of S. E. Sec. 5, September 13; Samuel Hamilton, the W. Pt. of N. E. Sec. 5, December 25; and Elisha Martindale, the S. E. of N. W. Sec. 24, October 29. In 1833, a larger delegation of pioneers purchased homes here. John Skinner and John Gardner, on Sec. I., April 11 and May 27, respectively; Thomas Leavering, on Sec. 13, May 25; James T. Skinner, on Sec. 5, June 13; Joseph Hollington, on Sec. 25, August 5; Thomas and William Gorrill, on Sec. 13, August 21 ; David Chadwick, on Sec. 14, August 31; Mahlon Meeker, on Sec. 12, October 3; Alex. Howard, on Sec. 12, October 2; Joseph Mitchell, on Sec. 35, October 17; Stephen Ward, on Sec. 24, October 18; Ben. S. Reid, on Sec. 25, November 10; John McComb, . on Sec. 13, November 22; Henry Walker, on Sec. 24, November 25; and Andrew M. Stewart, on Sec. 12, December 4, 1833. Among the buyers of 1834 were James Reed and Moses M. Arnold, Sec. 32, January 1 ; David Maginnis and James Maginnis, Sec. 12, February 20; and Thomas and William Gorrill, Sec. 13, August 21, 1834. The Hannons, Woodburys, Van Tassels, Gatehouses, Mintons, Edgertons, Warners, Whiteheads, John Evers' family, and other well-known pioneers, came into the wilderness shortly after, and shared in its development. Pioneer Schools and Scholars.-The Bell school house and the Plain church were the principal institutions of pioneer days. The school house stood on the northeastern corner of Section 26, and the church on the northeastern corner of Section 21. From 1835 to 1841 the church was the subject of daily conversation, and the school received attention. In the year named, John Whitehead (who died in 1895), and John E. Jenkins built a school house for the subscribers in what later was known as District No. 2, constructed a little belfry, and therein placed the bell, which formerly was used at the Mission house. Rev.. Isaac Van Tassel was the donor, but there were conditions attached to the gift which left the title of it in the donor. A few years later, the house passed into the possession of the common-school trustees, and Mr. Van Tassel had the bell removed. The old school house was burned in 1857, but its memory is green, for few, if any, of the old settlers of Plain or their children, forget to mention the old Bell school house. It was by no means the first institution of learning here, for, in 1835, after the Gorrills removed to Bowling Green, Morris Brown, the great pedagogue of that day, gathered the youth in a cabin, and taught many of them their first lessons. The enumeration of youth, between four and twenty years of age, in Plain township, made between October 1 and October 20, 1842, shows fifty-five males and fifty-one females, in Districts Nos. 2, 3 and 5 and joint-District No. 5. The school census was taken by Abraham D. Edgerton, township clerk, who reported the following named children of school age: District No. 2.-Martha J., Mary A. and Joseph (Jr.,) Mitchell; Mary, Jane, Ann, Hannah, Stephen and William (Jr.) Hoff; Elizabeth Buzzard (ward of N. A. Reed); Stella M., John and George Parsons (wards of Neptune Nearing) ; Mary N. and Ann E. Jones; John H., Lucius B. and Isaac Van Tassel Gatehouse; Charles W. Evers; Lois, John and Robert Eldridge; W. W. Hunter, Daniel P. and Charlotte L. Whitehead; Ellen, Sarah, Jane, Richard, Isaac and Geo. Green; Isaac and Diantha Hunter; Mary Thurstin; Alvin Coe; Susan Rebideau and Sophia H. Tebault (written Teboo), (wards of Rev. I. Van Tassel); Clavilla, Lyman and Bennett Osgood, and Stephen Eldridge. District No. 3.-Benjamin H., Roxanna, Lucy, Celia, Sarah, Mary H. and Charlotte Woodbury; Robert B., Nathan W., William H. and Martha B. Minton; Sarah M. Condit; Eliza, Nancy M., Charles and Henry Pierce; John E. Loper; Lemuel, John, David and Milla Wagoner; Jacob, Samuel, Benjamin and Joseph Huff; Martha B., David, Hannah and Phillip P. Condit; Orville and Zilpha Hunter. Joint-District No. 5 (part in Plain).-Horatio, Narcissa A., Betsy H., Mary, Mahlon (Jr.) and John Meeker; Elsa A., Rhewa and George Harris; John, Caleb and Sarah Clarke; Andrew J. and Ann M. Manville, and Eleanor Maginnis. District No. 5.-James, John, Ann, Joseph (Jr)., Elizabeth and Almy L. Ralston; Sprankle, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 385 Louisa, Caroline and Rebecca Snyder (children of Samuel); Samuel, Jacob, John, Mary, Betsy, William and P. G. Snyder (children of Daniel), and Catherine and Mary J. Woods. They formed the school population seven years after the first class was organized in the Thurstin cabin, at Bowling Green. Many of the children of 1842 are the men and women of Plain and Bowling Green, of 1895, some residing on the spot where they were born, others inhabiting the new towns and villages which they aided in establishing. Some are in distant California, and others may be found scattered over the States and Territories of the Union. Modern Schools.-Like the records of the township, the records of the schools, down to 1881, are in the deplorable condition of nihility. Many of the townships have had good records which are now in the same state; but none of them, save Henry, can approach Plain in this matter. The document on which the foregoing enumeration 'is based was found in the county auditor's archives, but there is nothing to show the transactions of the board of education down to 1881, though in the chapter on Schools many of the teachers hired by that board find mention. The school board of 1881-82 comprised George Smith, Rezin Jewell and J. H. LeGalley, 2; Christian Schearer and John S. Matthews, 3; N. W. Minton, 4; George M. Brown, 5; Emanuel Constable, 6; Henry Goodenough, 7; P. Myers, 8; C. P. Fox, 9; George Smith, 10; W. T. Gillespie, 11 ; and Frederick Hartman, 12. A bid of $950 for a brick school house in No. i0 was accepted in June, 1882, and one for a similar house in No. 5, in June, 1883. In November, 1885, plans for the brick house in No. 9, Sec. 15, were accepted. In April, 1886, the personnel of the board was changed, by the election of D. L. Thurstin, W. H. Ewing, J. S. Matthews, Justus Stearns, Henry Hughes, George W. Callin, Moses Lane, Sr., Jacob Kromer, E. Miller, John S. Dailey, W. T. Gillespie and Wilson Patterson as members. Later, the names of William English, George Knouse, Thomas Avery, William Hale and B. C. Woodbury appear; and, still later, J. B. Craw, C. W. Richardson, Matthew Munn, George Brimm, G. C. Nearing and Fred Sutton are named as members. In 1894, Joseph Hampton, J. B. Stearns, Eli Wilson, Joseph McClung and J. B. Craw were elected members for the long term; G. H. Avery, R. C. Minear and G. E. Gill were among the members in April of that year. Establishment of Township.-The commissioners of Wood county, in session March 3, 1835, set off the following described territory, under the name Plain Township-commencing at the northeast corner of T. 5, R. 10, thence west to the N. W. corner of Section 3, south to the southeast corner of Section 9, west to the southwest corner of Section 7, thence to the southwest corner of T. 5, thence to the southeast corner, and north to the place of beginning. The election was ordered to be held at Henry Walker's house on April 4, 183 5. By reference to the chapter on Bowling Green, the location of the first place of meeting may be learned, with other interesting facts relating to the earliest settlers along the eastern line of this township. On March 3, 1840, Sections 3 and 10 were annexed to Washington township, but on March 3, 1845, were restored to Plain. The next territorial change was made December 2, 1844, when the South 2 of Section 36, T. 6, R. i0 (recorded as range 12), was set off from Middleton and annexed to Plain. That territory was returned for taxation from 1849 to 1852-James Hall, S. G. Skinner, Francis Maginnis, William Lewis, and Asher Wickham, Sr., being then the known owners. James Ralston's recollections of this transaction point it out as being done in the interest of the school district. The records of this township have been subjected to the worst treatment imaginable. Most of them have been lost, so that to-day,' not one of the many old settlers, who have been interviewed on the subject of their whereabouts, can tell anything of them. The county auditor's office does not present to the searcher much that would permit him to make a list of the trustees prior to 1843; but, fortunately, in the clerk of courts' office, he found the bonds of justices from 1836 to 1895, being the only perfect record, relating to this division of the county extant. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. First Election.-There were nineteen votes recorded at the first election, namely: Mahlon Meeker, Andrew Race, Joel Osgood, Joseph Zerbe, Nathaniel Edgerton, A. D. Edgerton, Abner Charles, James Maginnis, John Wilson, David Dewitt, William Dewitt, Jacob Stauffer, David Maginnis, Joshua Wood, Henry Walker, William G. Charles, Joseph Dewitt, Joseph A. Sargent and Elisha Martindale. In October following, when twenty votes were cast, the names of Eli Manville, John Wood, Stephen Ward, Jacob Outkelt, W. C. Hunter, Christopher Stright and Leonard Pierce, with many of the older voters, appear as voters, bringing the number, in 1835, up to twenty-six. David Maginnis, Joseph De- 386 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. witt and Jacob Stauffer are said to have been chosen trustees, but there is nothing of record to show this beyond the fact that they were judges of election. Justices of the Peace.-The justices of the peace who have qualified since June, 1836, are named in the following list: Henry Walker, 1836 and 1839; Joshua Wood, 1839; Joseph A. Sargent, 1840; Sylvanus Hatch, 1842; James Maginnis, 1843; Gideon Thomas, 1846; S. W. St. John, 1846 and 1850; Peleg G. Thomas, 1848, resigned October, 1851, requalified December 8, 1851; R. C. Comstock, 1851; M. B. Tracy,. 1854-57; J. D. Smith, 1855; S. W. St. John, 1860, 1863, and 1866; R. C. Comstock, 1862, and continuously until re-elected in 1883; Amherst Ordway, 1869 and 1872; Samuel W. Clay, 1874 and 1877; W. A. Benschoter, 1880; Samuel Case, 1883; Nathan D. Patterson, 1886 and 1889, resigned in 1891; William Ewing, 1886 and 1889; Abel Comstock, 1890 and 1893; J. P. Battles, 1891 and 1894, and Christopher Lehman, 1893, resigned in July, 1893. Clerks.-The clerks of the township, so far as documents and records show, were: A. D. Edgerton, 1842; Samuel Clark, Jr., 1845; N. W. Minton, 1853; Sylvanus Hatch, 1855; J. J. Parsons, 1857; George N. Parsons, 1858; D. Cargo, 1860; H. G. Condit, 1862; D. Cargo, 1863; W. Powers, 1864; D.. Cargo, 1865; J. D. Bolles, 1871; D. Cargo, 1873; W. M. Leaming, 1874; Guy C. Nearing, 1875; H. H. Collins, 1876; W. H. Smith, 1877; W. M. Learning, 1879; Abel Comstock, 1881; and Joseph G. Starn, 1887. 'I. W. Clayton, the present clerk, was elected in 1894, and re-elected in 1896. Trustees.-The names and dates in the following list are based on signatures to the township levies down to 1880, on a list furnished, from 1881 to 1894, and on the records of the April elections of 1895. 1843-Joel Osgood, John Whitehead, W. G. Charles. 1844--Elisha Martindale, Philip Condit, John Whitehead. 1845-John Evers, Peleg G. Thomas, W. G. Charles. 1846-Alfred Condit, Peleg G. Thomas, Philip Condit. 1848-Joseph A. Sargent, Peleg G. Thomas, Alva Sholes. 1849-William G. Lamb, S. L. Brewster, Francis Maginnis. 1851-Jacob Minton, John Whitehead, Joshua Carr. 1858-J. R. Tracy, J. M. Lamb, Silas Thomas. 1859--S. W. St. John, R. B. Minton, Silas Thomas. 1860-61-S. W. St. John, R. B. Minton, Silas Thomas. 1862-J. W. Woodbury, R. B. Minton, A. Condit. 1863--J. W. Woodbury, J. R. Tracy, Silas Thomas. 1864-J. W. Woodbury, John Whitehead, Silas Thomas. 1865-J. W. Woodbury, A. Condit, H. G. Condit. 1866-William Gorrill, G. W. Matthews, Hugh Cargo. 1867-M. B. Tracy, G. W. Matthews, E. C. Minton. 1868--M. B. Tracy, John Whitehead, E. C. Minton. 1869-Guy C. Nearing, John Whitehead, John Coen. 1870-Guy C. Nearing, N. W. Minton, Myron LeGalley. 1871-72-M. B. Tracy, Allen McKenzie, Le Grand Bishop. 1873-M. B. Tracy, N. B. Patterson, (not named). 1874-M. B. Tracy, J. O. Avery, D. Skinner. 1875-G. M. Brown, J. O. Avery, A. McKenzie. 1876-Moses Lane, G. M. Brown, John Clarke. 1877-S. W. St. John, G. M. Brown, John Clarke. 1878-Moses Lane, G. M. Brown, J. S. Dailey, Thomas C. Reid, vice Brown. 1879-M. B. Tracy, G. M. Brown, J. S. Dalley. 1880-M. B. Tracy, Thomas D. Avery, Allen McKenzie. 1881-Wilson Patterson, S. W. St. John, Allen McKenzie. The trustees elected since 1882 are named as follows: Allen McKenzie, 1882; Frederick Hartman, 1883 to 1886; Morgan F. Withrow, 1887 to 1895; Henry Goodenough, 1884; Charles H. Tracy, 1887, re-elected in 1890; John A. Stearns, 1889, 1892; E. H. St. John, 1893; John Hartman, 1894; Albertus Russell, 1895; and E. H. St. John, 1896. Treasurers. --Jacob Minton was treasurer in 1839, and for some years later: while John W. Woodbury was chosen in 1845. The modern treasurers are named as follows: Jay P. • Latshaw, 1877; John R. Hankey, 1880; Charles C. Potter, 1889; and Gus. H. Bunkey, 1895. Assessors.-Isaac Van Tassel, Jr., was elected assessor in 1842; Joseph R. Tracy, in 1844; S. W. St. John, in 1844; and Caleb S. Clark, in 1850; * * * Nehemiah Ordway, 1877; Nehemiah Ordway and Albertus Russell, 1880; Nehemiah Ordway and Eli Wilson, 1881; Nehemiah Ordway, 1884; A. S. Rush and James P. Woodbury, 1886; Nehemiah Ordway and A. E. Battles, 1887; Julius Walker and W. C. Battles, 1888; C. E. Matthews, D. W. Lowell, E. E. Gundy, and Carl Smith, 1893; A. E. Battles and Carl Smith, 1894; A. E. Battles, Carl Smith, C. E. Matthews and D. H. Lowell, 1895. In 1895, assessor Smith received a majority vote in East Plain. In 1896, E. A. Battles, W. M. McKenzie, A. Ordway, and D. W. Lowell, weRE elected. Board of Education.-In 1896, G. H. Avery, J. H. Shearer, Sandford Low, and G. E. Gill, were elected. Nitro-Glycerine Explosion.-Were a chapter on tragedies and accidents to be written, Plain township would require very little space. While it has not been entirely free from them, nothing strikingly tragic has been enacted within its present lines, nor did an accident occur, from March, 1849, down to December 6, 1895, to mar the quiet of the people. On the latter date, the Ohio and Indiana Torpedo Company's Magazine, located on the Fowler farm, Section 35, no less than 520 quarts of the stuff was in store at the time. Where the little building stood, a hole WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 387 eight feet deep and twenty-five feet in diameter is to be seen, a large elm, which stood near, was lifted up and fell, with branches downward, while at Bowling Green, two and one-half miles away, windows were broken and buildings shaken. Throughout this and adjoining townships, the concussion was felt, and the power of the explosive manifested to many, who heard much of it, but never understood the terrible chemical. CHURCHES. The church history of Bowling Green covers, in a measure, that of Plain township. A Methodist Episcopal and a Congregational Society were formed prior to the close of 1835, but the members gave much more attention to -temporal than to spiritual affairs, for hard times, disappointments and sickness which they experienced, precluded their desire of worship, and partially dulled their religious dispositions. The advance of settlement was so gradual as to be scarcely perceptible, but, nevertheless, from among the small number of pioneers, the ministers of the Gospel, representing the Methodist and Congregational denominations, picked out a few earnest men and women and organized them into classes. The Plain Church may be credited as the first society organized in the township, and Carr's Methodist class as the second. It is not known whether the Methodist preachers, named in the chapters on Bloom, Montgomery and Perry townships, visited the settlements in Plain, but it is known that, as early as 1836, Rev. Austin Coleman preached the doctrines of John Wesley at Bowling Green, and in one or more cabins west of the Findlay road. Plain Congregational Church.--The beginnings of this branch of the Christian Church, in northwestern Ohio, were made in Plain township, November 27, 1835, by Revs. Joseph Badger, Isaac Van Tassel and Benjamin Woodbury, of the first part, and Elisha Martindale, Jacob Minton, Nathaniel Edgerton, Mehetabel Woodbury, Philetta Minton and Lydia Edgerton, of the second part. The meeting was held at Jacob Minton's house, near the present Plain church. There Mr. Badger presided as moderator, with Mr. Woodbury, scribe, and there the confession of faith and the articles of practice of the Presbyteries of Grand River and Portage were adopted for the guidance of the little Church then formed in the wilderness. When it is said that the articles were adopted, it must be remembered that, instead of the words in the seventh article, "when he has not thus elected," the words, "who will not repent," were adopted. The second meeting was held December 5, 18 when Elliot Warner was chosen scribe. In addition to the members named above, there were received the following named: Martin and Nancy Warner and Clara Martindale. Martin Warner was chosen deacon, and, on the date last written, the society was fully organized. Eight days after, James Donaldson and Alexander Pugh were recommended for admission, and on January 3, 1836, Hannah Maria, Robert W., Nathan W. and William H. Minton were admitted. On January 4 a meeting was held at Caleb North's house, " across the prairie, " when the owner and his wife Sarah, Mary Black, Warner and Robert Black were admitted. From that time until the close of the year a number of members were enrolled, namely: James and Eliza Jane Hutchinson, Ann Clarke, with Mary P., Samuel, Jr., Joseph, John and Caleb S. Clarke, John Whitehead and wife, Isaac Van Tassel, Jr., and Phoebe Moore. In April, 1836, the old interpreter at the mission, named King, was tried for intemperance and suspended. In October, 1836, a Home Missionary Society was organized, to aid the American, Home Missionary Society. On March 3, 1837, Edward C. and Louisa M. Martindale, and three members of the Minton family, with Charles Castner, were examined for admission. In March and April, several were received, among whom were four members of the Black family, Roxanna Woodbury and Mrs. Gatehouse. In the fall of that year, Johnson H. and Mary E. Hobart, Lucia Van Tassel, Samuel Clarke and John E. Jenkins were admitted. On March 2, 1838, the society resolved to build a church, 30 x 44 feet, on the northeast corner of Section 21, and to petition for incorporation. The committee for collecting building funds was not appointed until January, 1839, when necessity compelled the members to act in this matter, as Elisha Martindale had suggested that, henceforth, meetings should be held in the new school building, rather than in his house, as was then the custom. Now, the Methodists by some means claimed the use of the school house for Sabbath meetings, and the Congregationalists were compelled to return to Jacob Minton's house for religious meetings. In the -fifties" such old settlers as John Evers and others became members. Rev. Benjamin Woodbury, the first pastor, signed the record, December 7, 1845 for the last time, and twenty-two days after he died, aged fifty-three years. For over ten years he labored here, and also in Milton, West Millgrove, Freeport and Swanton, where he gath- 388 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. ered small bodies of worshipers and organized churches. Almost thirty years after his death, or September 9, 1875, a brick building was finished, at a cost of $4,000, near the site of the old one. This, as restored in 1889-90, tells of the progress of the congregation in material wealth. The number of members is now (April, 1895), ninety-four. The clerk, William H. Minton, was present at its beginning, but all the others have passed to their reward. The list of pastors contains the following names: Revs. T. P. Emerson. P. C. Baldwin, E. B. Turner,----- Thornton, Robert Hovenden, William Irons, John Vetter, S. D. Smith, A. J. Hadley, S. D. Taylor, J. K. Deering, D. Clapp, Edwin Rose, L. Kelsey, William T. Richardson, R. E. Hill, S. B. Beard, Charles Shear, M. Knowles and the present pastor, Samuel Crosby. In April, 1864, this Church ceased to be connected with the Presbytery, and in May, 1865, J. W. Woodbury represented it in the Congregational Conference, held at Mansfield. Carr's Methodist Episcopal Church dates back to pioneer times. In the scant records found at Portage, and particularly in the books held by Mayor Collin, of Tontogany, mention of this class is made, while in the sketch of the Church at Bowling Green, reference is made to it. At the close of Mr. Barkdull's pastorate, there were twenty-three members in good standing, while the Sabbath-school, called Mt. Pleasant or Ridge, was carried on by N. T. Stratton. At the close of the war of the Rebellion, the class comprised R. H. Bullis and wife, Rev. Joshua, Polly, Luke and Martha B. Carr, Caroline Crandall, Mary Bullis, Martha Campbell, Harriet Conklin and E. Towne. To-day the class has an active membership and regular services. Lovett's Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church elected trustees May 3, 1863, Peter F. Ferciot, John Mears and Joseph Ralston being the members elect, with John Clarke, church clerk. Among the members were William R. H. and Betsey H. Avery, J. B. and Adaline Gregory, Ann Mears, Lucy Clarke, Rebecca and Eliza Ferciot, Oliver and Abigail Mears, Sylvestor and Abigail Simons, H. H. and Amelia VanCamp, Harmon and Polina Gregory, Levi S. Gregory, Caleb S. and Sarah Clarke. By January 31, 1864, the sum of $280 was subscribed, the men gave their labor gratis, and a few of them contributed material, so that in the fall of that year the present frame house of worship was completed. William Avery was chosen trustee in 1870, vice Joseph Ralston; Oliver Mears, J. B. Gregory, and H. H. Van Camp, in 1876; J. B. Craw, R. A. Boardman and H. H. VanCamp in 1879; James Klopfenstein, in 1881, for five years; H. A. Craw, R. A. Boardman, and W. R. H. Avery, 1887; while in 1889 the last named succeeded John Clarke as clerk of the board of trustees when he, with J. T. Sweet, R. A. Boardman, H. A. Craw and John Craw were elected trustees. Everett Sweet took his father's place subsequently, while, in 1892, R: A. Boardman was re-elected. Prior to 1863, the Adventists heard the message in a frame school building, which stood on W. G. Avery's land. Then, the school house on the Avery and Boardman farms, became the place for meeting, and the worshipers assembled there until 1864. The membership in July, 1895, was sixty-four. Union Hill United Brethren Society is a branch of the older Center Society. The present church house was erected in 1893, during Rev. G. W. Coss' pastorate, when C. W. Thomas, J. N. Davis, William Smith, J. H. Karns and W. H. Hair were trustees. The constituent members, in 1881, were J. N. Davis, class-leader, with the trustees named and their wives; Mrs. Seger, Mary Smith, Mrs. Withrow, Philander A. and Jane Stephens, Mrs. Snyder, and Mrs. Kate Knouse. In 1894 W. H. Hair became classleader, while John Knouse was chosen trustee vice J. H. Karns. There were fifty members reported in July, 1895. The Spiritualist Society, in the Carr neighborhood, claimed a large class in the " seventies," causing the withdrawal of many members from the Methodist, United Brethren and Congregational Societies of Plain and Bowling Green. The seances and logic of the preachers appeared to several men and women to be reasonable, and, as a result, many who were not entirely satisfied with the older denominational forms, adopted the new. The Free Methodist Society erected a house of worship, near the corners of Plain, Weston and Washington townships, in 1881, Mr. Adrett being then pastor. That society merged into the Congregational Society sometime after, bringing title to the frame of the building with it. The Consolidated Church sided the house, and plastered the interior. Among the members were Henry Finkenbinder, David Porter, Mrs. Conklin, and Mr. Baker and wife. The house ultimately became the property of the owner of the land. The Christian Union, organized a few years ago, repaired and refitted up the church building, in 1888, and therein Rev. McBride preached to a small congregation. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 389 CONCLUSION. The people of Plain, as shown in the foregoing record, have pursued the even tenor of their way, undisturbed by feuds within their territory. The tax for building a plank road, caused some commotion, as related in the chapter on Roads, Navigation, etc. When the clarion notes of war rang out in April, 1861, patriotism was not sleeping in Plain, for old men as well as young responded to the summons of the Republic's President, and left home and friends to battle for the Union. The roster and record of the soldiers of Plain are given in the Military chapter. It is in itself a history of which the people of this division of the county may well be proud. In other chapters of general history references are made to this township; while, in the pages devoted to biography, a large number of family sketches are given. RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE