422 - WOOD COUNTY, OHI0.

CHAPTER XLVII.

WESTON TOWNSHIP.

PREAMBLE-POPULATION-SURVEYOR-ORGANIZATION AND OFFICIALS-LIST OF PIONEERS-EARLY SCHOOLS-FIRST DITCH-A CURIOUS RECORD-PIONEER ROAD-CHURCHES. WESTON VILLAGE-ITS GROWTH, INDUSTRIES, ETC.-SETTLEMENTS [FROM DR. SPENCER'S SKETCH OF EARLY SETTLEMENT-CORPORATION AND OFFICIALS-POST OFFICE-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES THE WESTON GAS CO.-BANKS-FIRES-SOCIETIES, ASSOCIATIONS, OPERA HOUSE, ETC.

THE territory, now known as Weston township, was among the first municipal divisions of the county to attract the agricultural pioneer from the river front, and prove later that the back lands were as fertile as the lands along the river, if not more so. In 1840, when the census enumerator first considered the township, he counted heads in what are known as Weston, Grand Rapids and Milton, and reported a population of 539. In the half century ending in 1890, the population of the same territory inbreased to 4,866, while it boasted of four incorporated villages-Weston township and village being credited with 1,558 inhabitants, of which number 845 belonged to the village.

Sixty-six years have vanished into the past since the first faint gleams of civilization were introduced into this portion of the wilderness. It is true that Chicago was built and destroyed and rebuilt within that time; but it is questionable if a small band of settlers ever carved out of the forest so many rich farms, or so many happy homes, as the pioneers of Weston did.

The United States surveyor, Samuel Holmes, ran the exterior lines in 1819, while P. F. Kellogg surveyed the township into sections, in 1821.

Organization and Officials. -Weston township, was established June 14, 1830, under the name "Ottawa Township," included a large part of the territory ( western Grand Rapids, Milton, Jackson and western part of Washington) in Range 9, south of the Maumee, with the islands in that river. The place of meeting was fixed at Edward Howard's house; but for some reason the Act of the commissioners was ignored. On December 6, 1830, the name was changed to Weston, and an election was ordered to be held on April 4, 1831, at the same house. On the appointed day, the voters assembled, and elected themselves to fill the following named offices: Trustees-Edward Howard, William Pratt and Emanuel Arnold; clerk-R. A. Howard; treasurer-R. M. W. Howard; overseers of the poor -M. P. Morgan, Jacob Crom and James Donaldson; fence-viewers-William Loughrey and Joseph North; constables-William North and William Wonderly; road-supervisor-James Donaldson; justices of the peace (elected June 21, 1831 )-Emanuel Arnold and Alexander Pugh. The road supervisor received seventy-five cents, and the treasurer, seventy-five cents, for their labors that year, the trustees making their pay equal to the work performed. Of course, what is now Grand Rapids township was then the settled part of Weston, and the officers named resided therein. The twenty-even voters present in April, 1831, were the officials named above, with John Flavel, Joseph Kling, Isaac Maires,

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Levi Cartwright, George W. Bement, Joseph Keith, Levi Felton, John Wonderly, Silas George, Joel Smith, Moses Marsh, Jacob Macklin, John Gingery, and John Melinger. At the election for justices, held June 21, 1831, twenty-five votes were cast-the new voters being AlleN Green, Sr., and Allen Green, Jr., Hezekiah and Samuel Green, Deake Taylor, Samuel Van Horn, Charles McKenan, Jacob Walters, Jacob Martin, Daniel Crom, Matthias Reams and Henry Kimberlin. The document from which this list of voters is taken, is in possession of Ed. H. Baggaley, of Weston, who, in September, 1893, offered it to the Herald for publication.

In 1832, Edward Howard, William Pratt and Emanuel Arnold, the trustees, established five school districts, and entered earnestly on the work of public improvement.

The fall election of 1834 was presided over by Thomas Davis, James Donaldson and William Wonderly, with R. A. Howard and A. W. Oliver, clerks. There were 17 votes cast for James Findlay, and 26 for Robert Lucas, gubernatorial candidates; 24 for Epaphroditus Foote, and 19 for James Wilkinson, candidates for commissioner; 18 for Addison Smith, and 7 for George W. Wood, candidates for coroner; and 22 for Joshua Chappel, candidate for county assessor.

The whole force of forty-three voters included the following named old residents: John W. Hooper, Benjamin Atkinson, Elias Hedges,. Thomas Davis, Ira S. Patterson, Robert A. Howard*, Peter Smith. David Harbaugh, A. W. Oliver, James Donaldson*, Reed Wilber, Benjamin Harbaugh, William Wonderly*, Joseph Keith*, Nicholas Gee, Harvey Burritt, a physician, Oliver Campbell, Emanuel Arnold*, Tilton Bunting, Peleg Attwood, Henry Kimberlin (June, 1831 ), Peter Keith, Al. Shell, William Laughrey*, Thomas Silsbey, William Martin, Edward Howard*, Thomas Goundry[?], Robert Bainber, Jr., Richard Close, Matthias S. Van Fleet, John Crom, Charles McCarns, John Grim, David Hedges, John W. Yates, John Fowler, Levi Fulton, A. Brown, Samuel Van Horn, Joseph Kling, John Gingery and David Taylor. Of the number, those marked thus* voted at the first meeting. From 1831 to the date of the organization of Grand Rapids, residents of that township took a leading part in the official life of Weston. Therefore, for the purposes of the two chapters, the lists of trustees, justices, clerks, treasurers and assessors are given here.

Among the office holders from April, 1831 to April, 1841, may be named Gabriel Guyer, John Gingery, Neptune Nearing, Jacob Harris, Lewis Bortel, Jonathan Crom, William Patten, B. McCue, Edmund Buttles, Matthias Oberdorf, -Jacob Macklin, John O'Campbell, Joseph Keith, Francis Hinsdale, William Baker, Joseph Henry, Jacob Walters, David Hedges, Moses P. Morgan, Samuel Dull, John Crom, Enoch Gruber, H. M. Lone, William Gruber, John Wood, Alex. Pugh, David Harbaugh, Asa Gilbert, John Fowler, A. R. Williams, Hiram Scoville and Anson Owens. Many of the men named served in after years. From the county records we learn that Thomas Davis and William Pratt were trustees in 1834; in 1838, James Donaldson, E. Arnold, Enoch Gruber; in 1839, Benjamin Olney, Alex. Brown, William Pratt; and in 1848, C. Honeywell and William Pratt.

An entry in the trustee's journal, made April 3, 1849, by Clerk Olney, shows that on April 2 the board authorized him to purchase a book in which their transactions would be recorded, and one for recording indentures. In reporting the purchase of such books, he enumerates the State reports, laws, etc., turned over to him, and also names one township, one stray, one indenture and one ear-mark book received by him from his predecessor in office. He writes on page 2, of the minute book: " The records have been very imperfectly kept, and several copies of the laws are lost. "

The oldest journal of trustees, in possession of clerk Coward, dates back to the record of the election of 1849. From it the following names of trustees are taken:

1849--William Pratt, Henry Kimberlin, Calvin Honeywell.

1850-52--William Pratt, Henry Kimberlin, Thomas S. Sabin.

1853-55-William Pratt, Smith Bassett, Thomas S. Sabin.

1856-Robert B. Mead, Joseph W. Ross, Smith Bassett.

1858-Joel Foote, Joseph W. Ross, Isaac A. DeWitt.

1859--Joel Foote, William Pratt, Isaac A. DeWitt.

1860-61-Levi Taylor, William .Pratt, Joel Foote.

1862-Levi Taylor, William Ward, Joel Foote.

1863-Samuel McLain, David Petteys, Joel Foote.

1864-Levi Taylor, David Petteys, Robert M. Brown.

1865- Levi Taylor, David Petteys, Robert M. Brown.

1866-Levi Taylor, David Petteys, William Pratt.

1867--Ira B. Banks, William N. Chapman, William Pratt.

1868 Charles B. Smith, John McKee, William Pratt.

1869-Charles B. Smith, Samuel R. Junkins, James Donaldson.

1870-Charles B. Smith, Samuel R. Junkins, Edw'd Baldwin.

1871-Charles B. Smith, Samuel R. Junkins, B. S. Beverstock.

1872-Barney S. Beverstock, J. S. Benschoter, Samuel R. Junkins.

1873--Sandford Baldwin, J. S. Benschoter, Evan Jones.

1874-Sandford Baldwin, S. R. Junkins, Evan Jones.

1875-Sandford Baldwin, Ebenezer Donaldson, Evan Jones.

1876-7-8-Sandford Baldwin, John Rowland, Evan Jones.

1879-Richard Green, John Rowland, Evan Jones.

1880-John Ward, John Rowland, Evan Jones.

1881-John Ward, John Rowland, S. H. Wood.

1882-John Ward, John Rowland, Lewis Fitch.

1883-Richard Green, Sandford Baldwin, Joseph H. Wright.

1884- John Rowland, Robert D. Henderson, Jos. H. Wright.

1885-John Rowland, Robert D. Henderson, John W. Brown.

1886-R. D. Henderson, 1. H. Wright, Ebenezer Donaldson.

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The trustees elected since April, 1887, are named in this paragraph: Ebenezer Donaldson, 1887; Joseph H. Wright, 1888; R. D. Henderson ( 3 years), William Stretsberry ( 1 year), 1889; William Stretsberry ( 3 years), 1890; Joseph H. Wright, 1891 ; Sandford Baldwin, 1892; W. H. Pugh, 1893; W. E. Jones (died in April, 1895), 1894; Sandford Baldwin, 1895 (3 years), Joseph H. Wright appointed vice Jones. The death of Mr. Baldwin, in 1895, created a second vacancy. James Stretsberry, Luther Wisely, A. S. Taft, 1896.

The funds in the Weston township treasury in November, 1848, amounted to $3.34, to which $156.57 was added by April 11, 1849. Of the' total, the sum of $136.07 was expended in 1849, leaving a larger balance to the credit of the succeeding year.

In early times it was customary in Wood county to sell poor people to the best bidder. More than one case is credited to Weston township. On March 7, 1859, the trustees sold Spencer Parley, a pauper, to Wesley Ebert, who agreed to pay the trustees $2 a week for one year, except for the time the trustees would have him away for medical treatment. In April, 1862, Jonathan Crom agreed to board and lodge Parley for $1.75 a week. This is only one of several cases of the same character.

The justices were Alexander Pugh (written "Brown" in record), who qualified August 15, 1831, and resigned May 5, 1832; Emanuel Arnold, 1831, resigned November 5, 1832; Robert A. Howard, 1832; Henry Kimberlin, 1833-38; Andrew W. Oliver, 1835; Frederick Bassett, 1836; John W. Culbertson, 1837; Thomas Davis, 1838 to 1856; Benjamin Olney, 1840; Bela M. Bennett, 1841; William Martin, 1843-46 to 1855 Tobias Rudesill, 1850; Gabriel E. Guyer, 1854; Charles Hollis, 1855; Isaac B. Snively, 1856 and 1873. James J. Vorhes, 1856; Samuel Dewese, 1856; R. B. Mead, 1859; George W. Wade, 1859; Seneca E. Sterling, 1861; Edward Quigley, 1862; John A. Miller, 1864-67; David Donaldson, 1864; John Campbell, 1866; John Campbell, 1869-72; S. J. Harper, 1870; Barney Beverstock, 1870 and 1888; Solomon Phillips, 1873; Ebenezer Donaldson, 1875-79; D. A. Gunn, 1876, resigned in 1878; John A. Henry, 1878; Carlo Call, 1881-84; Stephen G. Robinson, 1882-91; James W. Williams, 1885; James Long, 1888, resigned same year; B. S. Beverstock, 1891; G. P. Thompson, 1894; and G. P. Thompson, 1896.

The assessors elected since 1842 have been: James Donaldson, 1842; William Martin, 1845-49; William Martin, 1849-53; Henry Kimberlin, 1854; James Donaldson, 1855; Thomas S. Sabin and Matthew Wilson, 1856; David Petteys and Allen Bortel, 1858; David Donaldson, appointed in 1858; Joseph W. Ross, 1859; Jesse Kerr, 1860; Jacob Crom, 1861; Edward Gallagher, 1862; Jacob Crom, 1863; Thomas Sterling, 1864; Jesse Kerr, 1865; David H. Bassett, 1869, 1873-74; David Petteys, 1872; William B. Kerr, 1876-79; D. B. Pugh, 1880; John Q. Wade and John McLain, 1881-82; John Q. Wade and J. S. Benschoter, 1883; David L. Dull, 1885; W. B. Kerr, 1885; David L. Dull, 1886; Jerry Huffman, 1886-88; W. H. Walters, 1887-88; L. S. Baker, 1888; Albert Neifer, 1889-90--91; Burt Dewese, 189293; T. J. Winnup, 1894-95.

The clerks chosen since 1838 are named as follows: P. B. Brown, 1838; G. E. Guyer, 1848; Stephen B. Olney, 1849; Gabriel E. Guyer, 1850; George Kimberlin, 1853; Gabriel E. Guyer, 1854; Hamilton R. Pratt, 1855; Foster H. Pratt, 1858; George Kimberlin, 1859 to 1871; D. A. Avery, 1871; John Freyman, 1872; Frank M. Young, 1873; Daniel B. Pugh, 1874; W. W. Hill, 1880; George Hospelhorn, 1882; George Oswell, 1883; Alex. Williamson, 1884; Ed. H. Baggally, 1885 and 1887; Jesse L. Pugh, 1886; Lewis S. Baker, 1888; Charles B. Saxby, 1890-92-93; A. L. Coward, 1894-95; Lewis Toan, 1896.

The treasurers, other than those elected from 1831 to 1838, were: Harvey Burritt, 1839-52 George Laskey, 1852; David Donaldson, 1855; G. E. Guyer, 1857; Jeremiah Atkinson, 1859; Isaac N. Clayton, 1869; D. A. Avery, 1875; Jacob Heater, 1882; I. B. Banks, 1883; Benjaman F. Kerr, 1884; W. C. Singer, 1885 and 1889; R. A. Housley, 1886; W. D. Mudge, 1887; Samuel C. Oswald, 1888-90; B. B. Buck, 1893, re-elected in 1896.

In 1896, William Martin and Charles Baldwin were elected school trustees.

List of Pioneers.-The male inhabitants of the township in 1839, aged 21 years or over, are named as follows : E. H. Eaton, Ralph O. Keeler, John Fowler, Edwin Howard, Elijah Hox, Adam Hemperly, Joseph Owens, Joseph Owens, Jr., Anson Owens, William Wonderly, John E. Carson, James Donaldson, Henry Kimberlin, John Gingery, Dennis McCornell, John Pugh, Samuel Van Horn, Gabriel Guyer, Gabriel Guyer, Jr., Alexander Pugh, Alexander Brown, Asa Smith, Samuel Carson, John Crom, Jonathan Crom, Peter Dull, Jacob Walters, Matthew McClury, James T. Martin, Jacob Harris, Joseph Ward, Gideon Cornell, Samuel Dull, Jacob Macklin, Jacob Dull, James Hecks, Matthias

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Reams, Christian Kling, Joseph Kling, Allen Bortel, Lewis Bortel, Mathias Oberdorff, Samuel Oberdorff, Daniel Oberdorff, Benjamin Olney, John Ward, Calvin Honeywell, Conrad Albright, Enoch Gruber, Edward Kirkpatrick, John Bortel, Emanuel Arnold, M. B. Bennett, Robert Siften, Daniel Townsend, Alva Gillet, Harvey Bennett, Lewis Shell, William Pratt, William Long, Thomas Davis, Nathaniel Gee, James Bowerman, Edward Howard, P. B. Brown, Isaac Barkhammer, B. McGuire, Smith Phillips, James Smith, Dresden Howard, William Price, Jared Owen, Henderson Kinow, J. S. Gregory, William Grover and Hiram Seaville. This list embraces many of the settlers within what is now known as Grand Rapids township. It varies from the list given in the last named township in some particulars, but fully covers the names of the pioneer men of Weston, omitting such pioneers as Thomas Taylor, who settled across the line in Milton, in 1834. Daniel Rice, with his son John, and John's second wife, with her children, Clarissa, Thomas, Julianne and Samuel Junkins and Anna Belle Rice, also four children by his first wife, namely, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy and Isaac Rice, came in 1833 and settled in Section 18, where Philip Hyman now lives. There Daniel Rice died in 1834, in his seventieth year, bequeathing his property to his children and grandchildren. John Rice died in September, 1833, was buried in the Howard cemetery, but a few years later his remains were taken to the newer cemetery on Beaver creek. In 1828, Alexander Brown and his father-in-law, Joseph North, were the first settlers to move back from the river into the dense forests that lay thick and dark between the river and the broad, grassy swamp now known as Keeler's prairie. Brown located a heavily-timbered tract of land along Beaver creek, or, as it was also then called, " Minard's creek," and built the first cabin in a beautiful beech and maple grove, just back of where his son Samuel erected, in 1883, a brick mansion. The bluff banks of Beaver creek, covered thickly with forests of sugar-maple, beech, oak and hickory timber, rapidly attracted the attention of settlers, and ere long Brown had neighbors 0n all sides of him.

Early Schools.--In the Beaver Creek settlement, we find a record of most interesting events. The line between District No. 4, and the gigantic District No. 5, split the Beaver Creek settlement into tw0 parts, crossing the Gilead r0ad, where that r0ad crosses Beaver creek. Thus Alexander Brown, Alexander Pugh, the Norths, Jacob Crom, Jacob Walters and other stanch patriots lived in No. 5, while in No. 4 resided the equally persistent Macklins and others. A school had been taught in the year 1832 by Miss Sarah Edwards on the east side of Beaver creek, at, a private house. Now, at the spring election, a vote was to be taken for school districts of a school between Districts Nos. 4 and 5, and there arose a whiff of civil war in the great strugg between Districts Nos. 4 and 5 for the majority of the school board, whose power and prerogative it was to l0cate the proposed new schoo house. District No. 4 wanted the building located in the center of that district, or where the Randolph school house now is, but the residents of No. 5 wanted to locate it east of Beaver creek, near where Capt. John McKee lived. No. 4 won, but compromised, and the house was located three-quarters of a mile west of the later Randolph scho0l, on land donated by Jacob Macklin. A teacher named Garzely presided therein first; but he was succeeded by Morris Brown, who located land, known later as the Henry Strow farm, and taught school in connection with his vague agricultural work.

The Dewese school, or District No. 7, was organized in 1851, in Barrett's log cabin, which stood on the present farm of G. W. Wade. Of the seven voters in the district, Robert Brisbin, Sam Gingery and Amos Dewese, Sr., were chosen directors. The unofficial voters were Peter Phenix, Sam Dewese, Christian Gingery and Augustus Bassett. Jonathan Crom built a log school house for $62, in which - Martindale presided as master during the winter term of 1851-52; Mary Harris during the summer term, and Morris Brown during the winter of 1852-53. The succeeding teachers were Eliza Clark, George Cass, Jane Clark, Ebenezer Donaldson, Margaret Carr, Wesley Thurstin, Sarah Carrothers, John Evers, Dennis Patrick and W. H. Wood, who taught one term each, and Amanda Rogers, who taught two terms. A frame house was erected in 1859 at a cost of $350, which was used until Centennial year, when the present house was built at a cost of $800, and opened by Z. Waltz.

The records of the board of education, in possession of the clerk, begin April 15, 1861. At that time the members were Joseph Ward, T. Waggoner, T. S. Sabin, William Ward, Elias Walters, W. M. Bell, G. W. Wade and George C. Gilmore, with George Kimberlin, clerk. The tax levy ordered was four mills. In 1862, Joel Foote was a member. In April, of that year, a motion to cancel the salaries of members was

426 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

lost; two years later, a new school house was erected in Sub-District No. 8; John McKee was school librarian for the township, and in every particular the members were beginning to realize the responsibility of their position. In 1872, Joseph Burket, D. A. Avery and George C. Gilman were appointed a committee to draft rules for the government of schools, the trouble in District No. 5 showing the necessity for such rules.

In 1873, a petition asking that parts of Weston, Plain and Washington be established as a sub-district, was granted. Within the boundaries were fifty-one children divided according to families, as follows: George Long, J. Conklin, Harrison Gill, A. White and Dan Gingery (3 pupils each), E. W. Lamb, Joseph Richardson, W. Wade and Moses Wilcox (2 pupils each), Orrin Tyler (1), S. T. Fairbanks (4), J. Taylor and W. T. Gillespie (5 each), E. C. Minton (6), and David Porter (7). In 1882, the contract for erecting a brick school house in Sub-District No. 9, was awarded to Joseph Gill, on his bid of $500, and the carpenter work to H. L. Phillips, for $365. This may be called the introduction of brick houses for school purposes in this township - a modest beginning, which gradually led up to the construction of the large house at Weston, in 1895. The present school board comprises: W. H. Walters, president; M. N. Lovewell and Charles Baldwin, directors; A. S. Coward, clerk.



First Ditch.- The first township ditch was authorized April 26, 1855. The assessments were paid by J. Rochtee, William Brooks, Jacob Walters, Richard Green, John Williams, John Gingery, John Hill and Elizabeth Walters. Subsequently, in 1857, the east and west ditches were opened, followed by the Beaver Creek, Middle and Green and Rochtel ditches.

A Curious Record.-The early clerks of the township had very little work to do on the records, if one is to judge from the estray book of 1851. That book was found by the writer, and the entry, of which the following verbatim copy is, through the courtesy of the present township clerk, here given: '' This day Dec. 13, 1851, Jacob Long made return of his ear mark for Chattle, Sheep & hogs; To be recorded as follows, to wit, a square crop of the right Ear and a slit in the left.--G. E. Guyer, Twp. Clerk."

Pioneer Road.--The third road established in the original township, and the first in the present township, was that very accommodating road still in use, called " the Gilead road," which ran about wherever there was dry land enough, and wherever there was a settlement, and finally brought up at Collister Haskins' place, where the Findlay road strikes the Portage river. The description in the petition to the commissioners is as follows: '' Starting from the river road above the mouth of Beaver creek, on the line between the farms of Henry Kimberlin and Richard M. W. Howard, then following the nearest and best route to the bridge over Beaver creek near James Donaldson's, thence by the nearest and best route to Hollister's farm, and from there by the nearest and best route to intersect the Findlay road at Collister Haskins'." On the surveyor's map of the road, the place where Ralph O. Keeler and his herders were camped was called "Hollister's Prairie;" this was the first name applied to the Keeler Prairie, and the settlement which afterward became New Westfield, Westfield, Taylortown and, finally, Weston. It was completed in 1834. The petitioners were Wm. Bigler, Benjamin Farnsworth, Samuel Hamilton, Neptune Nearing, N. M. Forsythe, J. H. Jerome, Volin Winslow, S. H. Wilson, Ep. Foote, Jacob Bernthisel, James Gray, C. O. P. Hunt, Jesse Decker, B. H. Howard, Nicholas Sypher, M. P. Morgan, Jesse T. Pugh, George Barron, James C. Adams, John Crom, Sr., W. L. Bellinger and Collister Haskins.

Churches. -The Christian or Disciples Church is located in the northeast corner of Section 26, and may be considered one of the village places of worship.

The East Beaver Creek United Brethren Society, referred to in the chapter on Grand Rapids, built a church on the N. W. corner of the N. W. J of Section 27, in 1859 or 1860, which was used until the society disbanded, when the building and ground were sold to a Mr. Gill.

The Christian Union was organized a short time ago, and worshiped in the old East Beaver Creek church for a season, but the society, like its predecessor, is said to have disbanded.

In the history of Weston village, the settlement of that neighborhood is minutely described, and sketches of the churches, schools and industries of the village given.

WESTON VILLAGE.

The village of Weston, though one of the old settlements of Wood county, is to-day a characteristic Ohio town, with its churches, lodgerooms, mills, banks, newspaper, hotels, large mercantile houses and enterprising business men.

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Practically outside the limits of the Northern Ohio oil field, so far as the tell-tale drill has explored the adjacent territory, Weston relies for trade on the beautiful country round her, and directs her energies to foster that trade. Long ago, the swaddling clothes of the hamlet were cast away, and by degrees brick blocks took the places of the little frame buildings of the olden time; while the residence streets were extended, and many fine dwelling houses were erected. In, 1895, a new school house and a new church were built, old wooden sidewalks gave place to the modern stone walks on part of Main street, and, on both sides -of the railroad, evidences of a strong desire for such improvements, such as water-works and street paving, were manifest.

The year 1831, when Hollister & Keeler's cattle were seen on the prairie, is the first milestone in the history of the village; in 1853, when the village was surveyed, the second; the opening of the railroad, the third; the village incorporation, the fourth; and the rebuilding after the fires of 1891, 1893 and 1894, the fifth. The events and names, connected with the evolution of Keeler's Prairie into a prosperous town, are given in the following historical notice.

Settlements. -From Dr. Spencer's sketch of early settlement, the following story is, in the main, taken:

Ralph O. Keeler was the first settler in this vicinity, he coming here with a drove of cattle for the Hollisters in the summer of 1831, to pasture on the prairie; the headquarters of the cattle ranch was upon the high ridge north of Weston, where is now the new cemetery. The Keeler homestead was afterward located on the same hill, the adjacent land entered by Ralph O. Keeler at Bucyrus,, and the Keeler family became residents here in 1833, where the new cemetery is, and where the son, W. O. Keeler, was born in 1833 and buried in 1892. The next settler was Thomas Taylor, Sr., who moved from Richland county, Ohio, in 1834, and located 120 acres in what is now Milton, and built his log house very nearly where the well known "Taylor House" is now situated. His deeds were given May 7, 1835, and signed by Andrew Jackson, president. The forty acres upon which is located the principal part of the business houses of Weston was a part of the Keeler estate, and is described as the S. E. 1/4 of the S. W. 1/4 Sec. 35, Township 5, Range 9. After Keeler died, in 1848, the administrator of the estate sold this forty acres to W. P. Raynor for $66.68. Raynor sold it to Taylor in 1849 for the same consideration. At the same sale Joseph Middleton bought eighty acres, which lies in the southeast corner of the section, for $133.38. The planning-mill lots and land, later owned by W. B. Ladd, is a portion of the estate, forty acres of which has since been sold for over $4,500. Mr. Taylor, in 1851, bought ten acres where the planing-mill stands, paying for it $100. In 1835, Moses Moore entered the eighty acres cornering at the Cook mill, and built his home on the ridge where E. H. Fox recently lived. He afterward built the frame house where Mr. Fox resided. Mr. Moore afterward built and operated the first hotel in Weston, in 1855. John Inscho located the land known as the Spangler farm, but up to 1850 no thoughts of a town here were entertained. Moore and the Morehonses, west; Samuel and Alvin Clark and Captain Russ, south; Inscho and Charles B. Smith, east; Wm. Miller and George Blodgett, north of Thomas Taylor, were all content to farm the lucky sand ridges and go to Gilead for their groceries, without any hope or expectation of seeing a thriving village grow up where the town now is. The location of the village is therefore mostly upon land owned by Mr. Taylor. Where the hotel and Mrs. Powell's store are, are sand ridges that Taylor's boys cleared the hazel brush from and farmed, or used as herding grounds for their cattle, when the floods were deep on the prairie. The grass of the prairie grew tall and rank, furnishing fine lurking places for deer and bears. Samples of this prairie grass are yet to be found on the farm of Charles Baldwin, just east of town. I have seen it eight or ten feet tall.

Charles Smith bought the east seventy acres of Joseph Middleton in 1849, and built a cabin just west of where Ed. Baldwin lived. Wm. Miller bought the Keeler homestead in 1848. So, to recapitulate, the landed proprietors of the embryo town, in the year 1850, were Thomas Taylor, Wm, Miller, Charles B. Smith and Moses Moore. Alvin Clark, father of J. E. Clark, was located on the old homestead, and Samuel Clark on the farm now owned by Mr. White, they having come into Milton township in 1835, and settled first at Groff 's Corners, in the Hutchinson settlement, but in a year or two removed to the above named locations. In 1850, there began to be talk of a railroad from Toledo to Cincinnati. Grading began in 1853, and was completed partially, but was not ironed until 1859. The location of the Dayton & Michigan railroad gave an impetus to business of all kinds; towns sprang up; sawmills were built all along the line, and there was a genuine boom in the back-woods of the Black Swamp.

In 1853, Thomas Taylor made the first plat of Taylortown, or Westfield, and that name it bore until 1857, when it was changed to Weston. Thomas Taylor, Alvin and Samuel Clark and John Inscho conceived the idea of building a sawmill. Alvin Clark knew of a young machinist at Republic, Ohio, who could put up their mill for them. It was J. H. Covert. Thomas Taylor furnished the location for the mill, which was on the south side of the railroad, across from the remains of C. W. McDonald's old sawmill. Before the mill was erected, Inscho left the firm. The engine and boiler were hauled from Huron county on wagons. It was not until the spring of 1854 that the mill was in running order. The railroad grade was then constructed, and to make it through the swail that lay between Main street and the location of the mill, the contractor had dug deep trenches on each side, and it was thought that those trenches would furnish plenty of water to operate the mill; but the summer of 1854 was dry, the water evaporated, and the mill was forced to stop. The inventive mind of Covert set him to boring in the earth with a two-inch anger welded on to an iron rod; he welded on rods and kept on boring until, at a depth of fifty-two feet, water was reached that raised to the surface, and thus was constructed the first fountain well known in northwestern Ohio. It flowed a full two-inch stream; it flooded the mill, it filled the trenches; it kept on flowing until water impeded the operation of the mill, and the proprietors were forced to cut a ditch through the sand ridge to give their fountain room to display its running qualities. Covert says he has frequently shot deer from the mill, but that often the mosquitoes would settle on the gun barrel so thickly before he could take sight at all as to completely hide the sights, and this prevented a deadly aim at the deer. I told him to put his mosquitoes along with the grass pikes, but the old settlers corroborated the yarn.

On October 5, 1853, Thomas Taylor laid out a town plat of thirty-one lots, surveyed by Sylvanus Jefferson, which he named Westfield. In 1860, Eli Brnner, a railroad surveyor, replatted the thirty-one lots and surveyed a new plat of thirty-two lots more, which was recorded in that year, and the name of the town was New Westfield. One morning in May, 1854, Jonathan Crom, who had the contract for the first mile of the railroad in Weston township, came to the sawmill and said he wanted some lumber, as he wanted to build a house that day. Mr. Taylor went up and "stepped off" the lot across from Baldwin's hotel, and now known as the "Gillespie lot," sold it to Mr. Crom, who got his lumber

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sawed, built his house that day and moved in his family that eveing. That evening, Covert and William Taylor wrote an a board in large letters, " Taylortown," and nailed it on the mill, and so gave to the village another of its many names. We may say, then, that the village of Weston was not started until in 1854, when the Taylor sawmill was put in operation. Levi Taylor established a general store in what is now Powell's clothing store, Dr. W. M. Bell is said to have erected the first frame house that year. Jonathan Crom built his shanty, started a saloon and kept a few groceries. Benjamin West came in 1854, and, wishing to get an eligible site for his blacksmith shop, went directly across the street from Crom's saloon, and located his forge just about where Indlekofer's post office building now stands. In 1855, Moses Moore got out the frame and started the first hotel building, which building later belonged to Amos Niefer, but which was not completed and in operation as a hotel until 1856. Levi Taylor built the front half of the building, later owned by Mrs. Powell, in 1854, and in the fall of that year put in the first stock of dry goods and groceries that the village ever saw.

In 1856, John Hoover came to Westfield and worked a year or so for Benjamin West, then bought the business of West, and, as he owned the lot where the hotel and the "Worth House" are now situated, he built a shop on his own lot, where Hartman's drug store stands.

In December, 1858, Henry Atkins came from Tiffin with a stock of goods which he had hauled over on wagons. He occupied Levi Taylor's building, as Levi had quit keeping store. Atkins continued in business here until his death in 1872.

Watson Baldwin, father of Ed. and Charles, came from Portage township in December, 1855. In 1856 he built and operated an ashery on the lots just east of the gristmill. He died in 1867. Ed. Baldwin is now one of the leading business men.

In 1855, in the fall, D. A. Gunn moved into More's hotel, More's wife having died in June of that year. Mr. Gunn kept the hotel one year, being succeeded by William Taylor, who kept it until the fall of 1859, when Sanford Baldwin became the landlord, and, with a vacation of only six months, Mr. Baldwin kept hotel here from 1859 down almost to his death, in 1895.

In 1857, Dr. Philo came over from Gilead, and kept a little grocery on the corner now owned by John Henry; and upstairs, in the same building, Price Cornel operated the first shoe shop of the town. Dr. W. M. Bell came soon after.

In 1859, J. E. Clark erected a store where Depew's store stands. That was burned soon after, and, in 1861; was replaced by the Depew building.

In 1859, Thomas Taylor & Son built a gristmill on the site of the present mill. It was burned a few years later. John Bamber was probably the first regular carpenter to work in the village; he built a store for Levi Taylor in 1854; also the house now occupied by Mrs. Evans, for Mr. Taylor. Levi Taylor was the first agent of the railroad company, followed by William Stone, I. W. Clayton and W. W. Wlnegardner.

W. O. Keeler was born, in 1833, at the old homestead north of Weston. He also, in after years, kept a store in Weston for about a year.

The first post office was established in 1857, with Dr. Philo, master, who received malls twice a week, and delivered letters at his convenience.

In 1864, I. B. Banks established his dry-goods business here, now occupying the first brick business block built here; L. Ames established a shoe store in 1866; Joseph Shlpman, a meat market in 1865; John Heldleberg, a tailor shop in October, 1867, and the beginnings of Weston's trade and commerce were made.

Corporation and Officials. -The petition for organizing the territory known as the S. 1/2 and S. 1/2, of the N. ½ of Sec. 35, T. 5, R. 9, and the N. 2 of the N. 1/2 of Sec. 1/2, T. 4, R. 9, as a village, under the name " Weston, " was presented December 2, 1872, by John W. Canary, and on February 10, 1873, the order of incorporation was made. The first election of village officers William Strope; councilmen, Ira B. Banks, John E. Clark, John H. Whitker, B. S. Beverstock, Henry Kiel and Lewis Dubbs. The first meeting of the council was held on May 12, 1873, in a room over Harper & Young's boot and shoe store. The first ordinance passed was the one to protect ornamental and shade trees."



The mayors elected since the close of the first year are named as follows: Sanford Baldwin, 1874; H. C. Uhlman, 1875; L. K. Parks, September, 1875, vice Uhlman, resigned; John Henry, 1877; Samuel H. Wood, 1879; John Hoover, Sept., 1879, vice Wood, removed fromWeston; J. W. Williams, 1881 ; Samuel L. Irwin, 1883; E. D. Moffett, appointed in October, 1883; Wallace W. Hill, 1884; George W. Pore, 1885 (did not qualify); John Hoover, 1885; G. P. Thompson, 1887; J. A. Holmes, 1888; Abner G. Wood, 1889; J. A. Holmes, 1890-1896.

The councilmen elected annually, since April, 1874, are named in the following list:

1874-E. L. Waltz, Thomas D. Avery, Sid Vanatta.

1875-William Soash, John Heidelberg, Lewis Dubbs, W. M. Bell.

1876-S. Baldwin, S. Sterling, G. B Spencer and H. Kiel.

1877-S. Irwin, W. M. Bell, C. F. Boyer, John Hoover.

1878-C. W. McDonald, H. C. Uhlman, Henry Kiel.

1879-S. K. Saylor, H. Sattely, A. E. Smith,

1880-Sanford Baldwin, Theodore Smith, James W. Williams.

1881-B. S. Beverstock, I. B. Banks, H. A. Motley, Henry A. Kiel.

1882-William Foreman, Caspar Lewis, C. W. Bradshaw.

1883-Daniel M. Long, Henry A. Kiel, Henry A. Motley.

1884-William D. Mudge, Charles W. Bradshaw, John E. Clark, A. J. Munn.

1885-Thomas W. Taylor, Joseph W. Long, Andrew J. Munn (did not qualify.)

1885-Jacob Oswald, Thomas W. Taylor, Joseph W. Long.

1886-Luther Ames Abner G. Wood, William Foreman.

1887-J. W. Long, T. W. Taylor, J. E. Clark.

1888-J. K. Henderson, James Blodgett, J. D. Conklin.

1889-Martin L. Groff, Charles Healy, A. L. Avery.

1890--S. C. Oswald, W. Mullally, G. H. Depew.

1891-James K. Henderson, Bernard Indlekofer, George W. Barnes.

1892-Ebenezer W. Schooley, Caleb F. Greiner, Jay Brown.

1893-J. K. Henderson, B. Indlekofer, G. O. Hartzel.

1894-W. C. Mullally, C. F. Greiner, C. W. Bradshaw.

1895-G. W. Taylor (R.), James V. Baldwin (R), A. P. Thomas (D.).

1896--E. J. Martz, I. N. Neifer, T. J. Pugh, J. V. Baldwin, G. W. Taylor. A. P. Thomas.

Clerks.-Frank M. Young, 1874; Elam Day, 1874; R. D. Henderson, 1876; Frank M. Young, 1878; Carlo Call, 1880; Edwin Baggally, 1882; result: Mayor, Sanford Baldwin; clerk, Frank M. Young; treasurer, Isaac W. Clayton; marshal, occurred on May 5, 1873, with the following

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W. W. Hill, 1886; Edwin H. Baggally, 1888; L. S. Baker, 1892; B. B. Buck, 1894-96.

Treasurers.-Isaac W. Clayton, 1874; D. A. Avery, 1875; I. B. Banks, 1883; Seneca Sterling, 1885; I. B. Banks, 1887; J. D. Conklin, 1891; George R. Banks, 1893-96.

Marshal.-John W. Lingo was elected marshal in 1896.

School Trustees.-In 1896, Edward Baldwin, J. M. C. Cook, W. C. Mullally, George H. Depew, G. B. Spencer and J. Moorhead were elected.

The Cemetery Trustees elected in April, 1883, were Frank M. Young, G. W. Todd and John E. Clark; in 1884, 1. B. Banks; D. M. Long, 1886; R. D. Henderson, 1887; J. M. Oswald and A. J. Munn, 1888; B. S. Beverstock, 1889; E. Stearns, 1890; Al. Neifer, Seneca Sterling and E. A. Saxby, 1892; Charles Healy, 1893; George B. Spencer and W. W. Hill, 1894; E. A. Moore, 1895.

Russ addition was approved in 1876; W. P. Noble's addition in September, 1877. In December, 1881, the question of building a town hall and engine house was discussed, and for the ensuing decade many improvements were proposed. In January, 1882, the purchase of the cemetery was considered; but in July, 1882, a tract of twenty-two acres was purchased from S. J. Harper and Ed. Baldwin, at $75 an acre, for a new cemetery. The vote on the question of constructing water works, taken in February, 1892, showed 150 votes for and 54 against. In April, 1892, S. C. Oswald, William Mullally and George H. Depew were elected water works trustees, and it appeared for a time that the village would have a good water system; but the mayor refused to sign the bonds, the court sustained him, and so ended the proposal.

Post Office.-The Federal officers of Weston, i. e., the postmasters, are named as follows: Dr. Philo, 1856 or 1857; Levi Taylor, 1859, for whom Amos M. Neifer was deputy, is said to have succeeded Dr. William M. Bell, though old settlers state that the Doctor was never postmaster. Mr. Neifer is equally positive that the Doctor kept the office at his house, before Dr. Philo became master, and he also states that William Stone preceded Clayton; Isaac W. Clayton, 1869; Amos M. Neifer, 1873 (his cash book begins July 5, 1875 ); Frank M. Young, 1878; Carlo Call, April, 1882; Edwin H. Baggally, January, 1885; Bernard Indlekofer, October, 1885; J: D. Conklin, July, 1889, and Bernard Indlekofer, July, 1893, the present postmaster.

Schools.-The first school house in the village was a log-hut, constructed, in 1835 or 1836, on the Cameron lot, or that known in recent years as the Henry lot, where I. B. Banks' store now stands, on Main street. The puncheon floor, benches and desks; the cut-off round logs, with ribs and weight-poles to hold down the clapboards; the small windows, with a few panes of 8x10-inch glass; and Jesse Osborne, who presided therein at a salary of twenty-five cents per diem -all told that it was a pioneer school house. The children attending, in 1843, were Mary Taylor, Thomas and William Taylor, Samuel McAtee, Olmsted, Amelia and Melicent Keeler, and a few precocious urchins of twenty-one years of age and over, who came at intervals to learn readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic " from Dr. Osborne. The hut was called the " Taylor School, " but not a few called it the -Keeler School." On September 6, 1873, the Weston village district elected J. E. Clark and H. C. Uhlman, directors for one year; T. D. Avery and E. L. Waltz, for two years; and W. J. Trimble and D. A. Gunn, for three years. Clara Foote was appointed teacher for the primary school that fall at a salary of $25 a month, and John McConkie for the higher department, at $50. In May, 1874, there were thirty-seven votes cast for and twenty-nine against the proposed loan of $4,000, for a site and school building. Wyckoff & Ordway were awarded the contract for building in July, on their bid of $4,640. In April, 1876, a tax levy of eight mills for building, five for tuition, and two for contingencies-fifteen mills in allwas made. W. C. Catlin and wife were elected teachers in June, 1876, with Louisa M. Singer, Clara Allyn and Mertie Clark. In September, 1877, there were 132 males and 124 females between the ages of six and twenty-one years in the district. In 1879, the respective numbers were 137 and 128. A reference to the list of councilmen will point out with sufficient clearness the members of the board from 1873 to 1890, for the greater number of the men who directed the affairs of the corporation were also directors of the school district for one or more terms. In December, 1891, the school board, then comprising H. C. Uhlman, Jacob Oswald, G. H. Depew, J. W. Long and L. S. Baker, with Ed. Baldwin, clerk, discussed the proposition of building a large school house. Geo. E. Ryan, who was principal of the school from June, 1890, down to June, 1895, was the teacher. In 1894, Dr. Geo. B. Spencer and William Mullally were chosen directors, and the former as secretary. George H. Depew was elected president, and W. C. Mullally, treasurer, the other members being H..

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A. Kiel, Josiah Morehead and H. C. Uhlman. On April 3, 1893, the question of levying a tax not exceeding eight mills, for the purpose of erecting a $15,000 school house, was adopted by a vote of 132 pro and 117 contra. In August, 1894, the question was re-submitted, 115 voting for, 110 against. In November, 1894, the bonds were purchased by the Citizens Bank of Weston, for $16,002.50, and in February, 1895, the building contract was awarded to Winchester jumper, on his bid of $11,673.79

Churches.-The Presbyterian Church of Weston was incorporated November 16, 1865. It was organized June 11, 1864, by Perry C. Baldwin, the first pastor, with Isaac Van Tassel, Eli Wilson, and Perry C. Baldwin, trustees. In 1866-67, a house of worship was erected by Presbyterians and Methodists, on a lot donated by Thomas Taylor, Sr., which continued in use down to December 18, 1887, when the present building was dedicated. This cost $6,193.25, all of which was paid that day. In 1834, a Mr. Kimberlin preached to the Presbyterians of the settlement. The next year, Mr. Van Tassel, who had charge of the mission on the island below Grand Rapids, preached in the log school house, and long after the mission ceased to exist he was in the habit of filling the pulpit at Taylor Town, until his accidental death, in 1849. With the trustees named in the act of incorporation were Louisa Van Tassel, James, Etta; and Theresa Wilson, and John Barton as members. On August 6, 1886, a building committee, made up of I. B. Banks, W. C. Singer and H. C. Uhlman, was appointed, and by March 11, 1887, the present house of worship was completed at a cost of $6,350, Rev. N. C. Helfrich being. then pastor. In 1874, the parsonage was erected. In 1892, Rev. Adam Schaffer was called as pastor, and under his administration the membership has increased to 150. Messrs. Uhlman and Singer, named above, with A. M. White and J. W. Williams, are the elders of the Church; John A. Stearns, the third elder, moved to Bowling Green in 1895. Revs. John H. Tenney and M. L. Donahey preceded Mr. Helfrich in the pastorate. The membership is about 175.



The Methodist Episcopal Church is contemporary with the Presbyterian in its beginnings here, but older as an organized body. In 1859, the following named members were enrolled Mary H., Sarah, Harriet M. and Martha Taylor; Hannah, Emilene, Anna and J. E., Clark; Mrs. Healy, Maria Healy, and Ed. Baldwin. Rev. John A. Shannon preached to this class in the school house until the Union church was completed in 1867. In 1871-72, when Amos Neifer was recording steward, and I. W. Clayton a member of Church committee, the class erected a building which was dedicated in July, 1872, by Rev. L. E. Belt, the successor of Mr. Graham as preacher-in-charge. The membership is over 200, while that of the Sunday-school is 312. The officers were W. B. Ladd (now deceased), Lewis Toan, H. G. Strawser, W. W. Hill, Ed. Baldwin, A. G. Wood, A. T. Munn, Geo. H. Depew, C. F. Greiner, Carlo Call, George I. Dewese (resigned in May, 1895), Charlotte Mullally, Kate Beverstock, J. W. Long, Charles Baldwin, M. L. Groff, S. K. Saylor, J. E. Clark, and Rev. James Long. Plans for a new church building, made by architect Brown, were adopted June 11, 1895, and shortly after the construction of the new meeting house was commenced.

St. Paul's German Reformed Church was organized September 27, 1882, by Rev. W. Hustedt. F. J. Brand was secretary of the meeting. There is no mention made of this society in the Herald of 1883-86, but in 1894 a statement is made that the organization took place in 1885, and that in 1887 the members purchased the old Union building from the Presbyterians. In 1892 Rev. John Berry was pastor..

The Christian Church, known also as the Disciples Church, occupied the German Lutheran house in June, 1895, Rev. L. L. Carpenter being the preacher. The proposition to organize a society here was well received, and on June 23, a society was organized with Rev. G. M. Kemp, pastor; J. J. Stout, H. D. Baker, E. W. Schooley, J. M. C. Cook and H. Spray being trustees. In September, 1895, there were thirty-six members, among them being the trustees and their wives; Thomas Miller, B. J. Rosencrantz, W. P. Potter, John Bassett, and their wives; Jessie and Nellie Baker, Madams Smith, Kesler, Gingerich, Fillmore, Bruck, Bamber, Pugh, St. Clair, and Kenzie, with Vida and Hattie Miller, Eunice Mitchell and Jennie Whitney. Albert Whitney and Charles Mitchell were also named among the members.

The Catholic Church mission was established here in the '' eighties," but like the older church at Wurtzburg, the mission was consolidated with the more important parish of Custar.

The Weston Gas Co. was organized in October, 1885, with Z. Waltz, W. D. Mudge, J. H. Biddle, G. W. Pore, Sanford Baldwin, A. J. Munn, L. Ames, J. Stratsbery, H. G. Strawse, B. S. Jones, J. W. Williams, A. L. Avery, W. H. Soash, A. C. Wood, F. J. Banks, J. E. Clark, H. C. Uhlman, W. B. Ladd, G. B. Spencer, S.

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 431

J. Harper, C. F. Lewis, Oswald Bros., J. L. Dull, E. H. Baggally, T. W. Taylor, C. W. McDonald H. A. Motley, Edward Baldwin, G. W. Pennington, J. W. Long, Singer & Henderson, and William W. Hill. In February, 1886, the drill was down 720 feet, later a show of oil was made, near the old Taylor mill, but in a short time it resolved itself into a water well. No. 2 was drilled next, which proved a producer of sulphur water, and so on to the end, each deep well yielding a fine mineral water.

Banks.-The first banking-house was that established by A. J. Munn, in 1878, and carried on by him as a private bank until 1890, when it was merged into the Exchange Bank, under a State charter.



The Exchange Banking Co. was organized May 14, 1890, and the same month a charter was issued to A. J. Munn, William Mullally, J. W. Long, G. H. Depew, W. D. Mudge, J. E. Clark, J. W. Williams, B. S. Beverstock, Ed. Baldwin and Z. Waltz. The capital stock was $1 00, 000. In 1890, the following named officers were chosen: A. J. Munn, Pres. ; W. C. Mullally, V.-P. ; B. B. Buck, cashier; W. D. Mudge, assistant cashier, and they retain their positions with one exception -B. S. Beverstock being elected vice-president in 1891. George S. Depew took the place of Mr. Beverstock in 1895. A. T. Munn was appointed assistant cashier in 1894. The bank building, in which are the bank and the Herald office, was erected in 1886, at a cost of $3,500.

The Citizens Bank was established April 8, 1890, under a State charter issued February 13, 1890, to Henry C. Uhlman, John R. Jones, Joseph A. Holmes, W. C. Singer, H. G. Strawser, John A. Henry and Robert D. Henderson. Henry C. Uhlman has been president since the beginning of this financial house, and Joseph A. Holmes, cashier. The banking office is in the Henry C. Uhlman brick block, erected in 1889-90.

Fires--The Levi Taylor gristmill was burned early in the " sixties," being the first large fire in the village. The Weston fire of October 4, 1880, originated in Shuster's bakery, destroyed Harper & Ladd's livery, and injured Kiel's brick block and Mrs. Atkins' house. The bucket brigade did extraordinary work in saving the - Atkins House " and adjoining buildings. The burning of two children of Widow Anthony, who lived two miles northwest of the village, took place on the eve of Christmas, 1880, when the mother's house was burned. In August, 1891, the elevator was burned. The fire of December 19, 1891, destroyed the buildings on the west side of Main street from the railroad to Cherry street, including Gingery & Co.'s and George R. Banks' stores, at the corner of Main and Cherry; J. K. Henderson's dry-goods store, and Knights of Labor hall, above; A. L. Avery's meat market next; Mrs. W. R. Worth's residence, with offices of Solon Davis and Van Tress & Holly; L. S. Dome's -Exchange Hotel" next; Mrs. Pennington's millinery store and residence; the post office; Ben Indlekofer's residence and restaurant; Stratton & Powell's harness shop, near the railroad, with J. B. Caddy's house close by. The fire originated in the rear of Henderson's store at about 1:30 A. M. There being no fire engine, the bucket brigade was called out, but its efforts were unavailing until the Deshler Fire Department arrived. The fire of October 2, r893, destroyed the building on the east side of Main street, between the railroad and Cherry street, destroying Mrs. Worth's new '' Exchange Hotel," Shipman's butchery, Gingery & Co.'s produce store, Drummer's grocery, Rickard's meat shop, Mudge's vacant drug store, C. W. McDonald's and M. Gillespie's vacant buildings, Peinert's barber shop and Baldwin's corn cribs. Baldwin's elevator was damaged. The fire of July 29, 1894, destroyed Edward Baldwin's elevator and Martz's new flouring-mill. The mill may be called a local enterprise, since the citizens contributed $1,500 toward its construction.

Societies, Etc.-Neibling Post NO. 30, G. A. R., was chartered June 18, 1879, with the following named members: F. M. Young, of the 99th and 50th O. V. I.; Carlo Call, 100th Inf.; G. B. Spencer, 3d Cavalry; E. P. Williams, 21st Inf.; H. G. Burdue, N. S. Lee, G. W. Rickard, D. B. Pugh, 144th Inf. (died in 1883); J. J. Clark, Capt. 140th Inf. ; William W. Hill, 123d Inf.; C. Chandler, E. Gross, 102d Penn. Inf.; O. Holbrook, E. A. Cook, in cavalry; Wallace W. Hill, 10th Ohio Cavalry; A. and E. Brisbin, 21st Inf.; George Rei, S. L. Irwin, 185th Inf.; T. L. Wood, 192d Inf.; M'. M. Stretsberry, S. Weirs, H. B. Smith, and H. A. Motley. Only six of the number were here in January, 1893, and four in September, 1895. The past commanders are named as follows: F. M. Young, June 18, 1879, reelected in 1880, 1881 and 1884, and subsequently junior vice-commander of the Department of Ohio; George B. Spencer, 1882 and 1885; Wilson S. Swank, 1883; W. W. Hill, 1887-88-95; Carlo Call, 1889; John Whitker, 1886; Lewis Baker, 1890; John L. Dull, 1891; E. W. Schooley, 1892; G. H. Depew, 1893; and H. D. Baker, 1894, re-elected in December, 1895. The adjutants are named as follows:. A. Brisbin, 1879; H. A. Kiel, 1880; C. F. Lewis, 1881, 1885;

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Solon Davis, 1890, 1892, 1894; W. W. Hill, 1886, 1891; J. L. Dull, 1893; C. Call, 1887, 1895; Hiram D. Parker, 1888; L. S. Baker, 1889, and Solon Davis, elected in December, 1895. This Post was named in honor of James M. Neibling, the second colonel of the 21st O. V. I., from December 20, 1862, to December 6, 1864. Only one member died prior to June 18, 1883,. but by January 19, 1893, there were only 109 of the 212 members mustered in, in good standing. Down to that date, the sum of $4,000 was collected -for dues. [These figures are taken from Dr. Hill's sketch of the Post, published early in 1893.]

Neibling Women's Relief Corps was organized September 20, 1887, with twenty-five members, and chartered October 29, 1887. The charter members were Elizabeth Stearns, Rachel Peininger, Cora Berry, Nettie Hill, Harriet A. Call, Alice Foreman, Lottie Blodgett, Eva Hartzell, Kate Biddle, Nettie Dull, Louisa Thompson, Laura Motley, Lewellyn Ladd, Eva Strawser, Harriet Baldwin, Sadie Dull, Jennie Munn, Molly Long (1), Mollie Long (2), Mary E. Dubbs, Lulu Jones, Libbie Gunn, Juliet Baldwin, Elizabeth Steinshauer, and Colista Hewitt. In a paper written by Mrs. Schooley, in April, 1893, she speaks of $797.41 being collected down to that date. Mrs. Kate Biddle was president in 1887-88-89; Mrs. Schooley, in 18g0; Mrs. C. Call, in 1891 ; Mrs. Kate E. Biddle, in 1892; Mrs. Eva Hartzell, in 1893; Mrs. Schooley, in 1894; and Mrs. Addie Morgan, in 1895; with Mrs. H. D. Baker, secretary.

William Taylor Camp, S. of V., was instituted August 8, 1887, with fifteen members. The officers in order of rank were: G. W. Taylor, Arthur Smith, H. E. Deyo, Fred Brisbin, F. H. Taylor, Orrin Brisbin, C. R. F. Berry, C. C. Richardson, F. Burdo, Ed. Seymour, Wilbur Call, Rollin Brisbin and Theodore Gross. This organization disbanded within a few years.

Keeler Camp, S. of V., was organized January 9, 1893, with Irvin Edgar, captain, and the following named officers in camp order: John Miller, John Stretsberry, Christ Linn, Charles Stern, George Marshall, T. Rosencrantz, Lemuel Walling, Charles Walling and John Horner.

Weston Lodge, No. 681, I. O. O. F., was chartered May 15, and instituted July 15, 1879, with twenty-five charter members, namely: Theodore L. Wood, J. A. Henry, S. F. Long, Barnet Older, John Kistner, Ross Boyles, Josias Smith, L. Cretzinger, Wm. H. Pugh, H. Satterly, James Stretsberry, George Askins, Peter Nyswander, Geo. W. Downs, Joseph B. Ward (first noble grand),, John Rechner, A. Brisbin, S. K. Saylor, J. W. Williams, W. Culver, John Buckingham, James Salisberry, W. O. Keeler, George Ingmire, and James T. Dean. The past grands in good standing, in March, 1893, are named as follows: J. W. Williams, Josias Smith, R. D. Henderson, W. H. Pugh, H. C. Uhlman, I. N. Neifer, W. D. Mudge, H. G. Strawser, E. A. Saxby, G. W. Barnes, G. P. Thompson, S. C. Oswald, B. S. Jones, W. T. Stretsberry, W. H. Walters, E. E. Stearns, N. T. Foster, A. S. Coward, Allen Bortel, Jacob Bohmer and H. E. Jones. In July, 1895 , Charles B. Saxby was installed noble grand, and in January, 1896, William Martin succeeded him, with G. P. Thompson, recording secretary. The members who were past grands when they joined this lodge are Barnet Older, James T. Dean and Howard Cline, W. F. Peinert, F. Wetzell, W. F. Shipman, and L. A. Lathrop. The lodge was incorporated March 22, 1882.

Columbian Encampment, No. 274, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 27, 1893, with twenty members, under the charter of May 3, 1893. The first members were W. H. Walters, W. Martin, George W. Barnes, perry Junkins, Fred Wetzell, W. F. Peinert, J. K. Henderson, H. G. Strawser, A. T. Munn, L. L. Holly, G. W. Pore, R. D. Henderson, H. E. Jones, W. Sockman, Allen Bortel, J. W. Long, James Stretsberry, Jacob Bohmer, J. M. Williams, G. P. Thompson, E. W. Schooley, S. F. Hull, William Shipman, William Stretsberry, M. A. Matheny, W. D. Mudge, John M. Wright, M. W. Hunter, I. N. Neifer, J. W. Anderson and E. A. Saxby. The patriarchs have been .W. D. Mudge, R. D. Henderson, J. K. Henderson and Dr. Williams. J. V. Beverstock is the scribe. The membership is forty-three. The encampment was incorporated April 19, 1894. In July, 1895, W. F. Shipman was installed as chief patriarch.

Kokosing Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 303, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 25, 1890. The charter members were: J. W. Williams, S. K. Saylor, E. A. Saxby, W. H. Pugh, J. B. Smith, B. Older, G. W. Barnes, E. E. Stearns, Dr. E. W. Schooley, W. F. Stretsberry, William Martin, W. H. Walters, N. T. Foster, with Mesdames S. K. Saylor, E. A. Saxby, W. H. Pugh, J. B. Smith, B. Older, G. W. Barnes, E. E. Stearns, E. W. Schooley, W. F. Stretsberry, William Martin, W. H. Walters and Emma Burson. The past grands of this lodge are named as follows: Madams Maria R. Schooley (three terms), Lucretia J. Martin, Rebecca Stretsberry, Mary Bortel (two terms), Effie Saxby, Sadie Hunter, Harriet

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A. Heath (elected in November, 1894), Louisa Thompson .(in June, 1895), with Mrs. G. P. Thompson, secretary; and Mrs. L. A. Lathrop in December, 1895, with Mrs. Heath, secretary.

Kenilworth Lodge, No. 340, K. of P., was instituted March 29, 1889, with the following named members: J. H. Biddle, J. M. Oswald, W. C. Singer, Ed. Baggally, G. H. Pratt, Ed. Baldwin, O. C. Sterling, J. E. Clark, D. L. Aldrich, W. W. Hill, H. G. Strawser, W. D. Mudge and Will Clark, officers; S. C. Oswald, L. E-. Long, C. H. Petrie, F. H. Taylor, W. P. Smith, S. E. Burson, Carlo Call, G. W. Taylor, Herman Fell, J. T. Steinshauer, G. B. Spencer, T. W. Taylor, J. W. Long, L. S. Baker, R. D. Henderson, J. W. Lingo, W. O. Keeler, Luther Ames, J. J. Morgan, W. H. Pugh, G. W. Barnes, Ed. S. Spaulding, G. E. Lingo, John Ballmer, A.L. Avery, R. H. Ballmer, and Joseph Shipman. The chancellor's chair has been held by the following named: D. L. Aldrich, J. M. Oswald, W. L. Clark, A. L. Avery, H. G. Strawser, Fred. Schwind, W. D. Mudge, G. O. Hartzell, Carlo Call, S. Gingery, G. L. Bortle and J. W. Filmore. The keepers of records and seals have been: Ed. Baggally, F. M. G. Sibert, W. S. Stearns, G. W. Taylor, Arthur Smith and D. M. Cluxton. This lodge claims no less than 110 members. In January, 1896, M. D. Hall was installed C. C., and G. W. Taylor, K. of R. & S.

Anthony Wayne Tent, No. 140, K. O. T. M., was instituted January 31, 1893, with thirty-one members, namely: W. F. Stretsberry, B. B. Buck, George Barnes, S. F. Long. J. L. Dull, D. R. Angell, Tom Pugh, George W. Pore, E. A. Saxby, J. T. Steinshauer, W. C. Mullally, Art. T. Munn, Fred M. Hill, James V. Baldwin, W. H. Schooley, W. W. Hill, G. H. Depew, O. E. French, W. H. Lehman, F. J. Banks, H. G. Strawser, E. A. Hartman, E. W. Schooley, Henry Thomas, W. D. Mudge, Howard Wise, Dr. J. M. C. Cook, Barney Cramer, G. R. Banks, Charles F. Holland and Charles B. Saxby, who was elected P. C., with Dr. Hill, C., and Fred J. Banks, record keeper. In July, 1895, Fred Hill was installed commander.

Emerald Hive, No. 42, L. O. T. M., was instituted July 5, 1893, with the following named officers in Hive rank: Mrs. W. W. Hill, Mrs, J. W. Miller, Sadie Ash, Mrs. C. B. Saxby,. Stella Holbrook. Mrs. O. Hartzell, Mrs. Shoup, Mrs. O. E. French, Mrs. B. Older, Mrs. G. P. Thompson, Ella Reardon, Flora' Fuller and Lizzie Murphy.

Weston Lodge, No. 560, A. F. & A. M., was organized U. D. October 23, 1889. The first meeting was held November 11, 1889, L. Black being master, F. M. Dubbs, S. W., and J. A. Holmes, J. W. The charter was issued October 19., 1891, to twelve members, who elected J. A. Holmes master. The officers installed December 1, 1891, were the above named, with J. H. Biddle, secretary; A. J. Munn, treasurer; A. L. Avery, S. D.; W. P. Smith, J. D.; S. Sterling and J. A. Henry, stewards; and Joseph Parrott, tyler. F. M. Dubbs succeeded Mr. Holmes as master. The number of members in June, 1895, was thirty.

The Knights of Labor had, at one time, a strong lodge here. The Grange, too, had a numerous following, while the Sons of Temperance, the A. O. U. M. and other secret organizations existed here.

The Weston Library Association was organized June 13, 1883, with 10i members, and the following officers: N. C. Helfrich, president; Ed. Baldwin, vice-president; Mary Singer, secretary; Mrs. W. B. Ladd, treasurer; and W. D. Mudge, librarian. The payment of one dollar was the only qualification for membership.

The new Opera House is a venture of 1895. In the summer of that year a few young business men purchased the old school house, moved it to a new location, and fitted it up for theatrical purposes, employing Karl B. Steers to paint the drop curtain and scenery.

A secret society existed here long before any of the present organizations existed. Though nearly all the able-bodied men were engaged in the field of Civil war, in 1863, enough remained to attend to local affairs, for, on June 13, 1863, when the formation of the Union League, of Scott's Mills, was proposed, no less than fifty-eight males and 104 females joined the organization, and they sustained it until the necessity for such a society ceased.

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