WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 247 CHAPTER XXIX. CENTER TOWNSHIP. FIRST WHITE SETTLER-FIRST LAND ENTRY-WRESTED FROM SAVAGES-BUILT A CABIN-THE FIRST WAGON-THE COX, PHILLIPS AND OTHER PIONEER FAMILIES AND LAND BUYERS-THE END OF THE WORLD-RANDOM NOTES-SURVEY AND ORGANIZATION-TRAILS CONVERTED INTO ROADS-GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY-WILD HOGS-MEN OF 1889-POPULATION, ETC.-JOSEPH WADE-OPPOSING A CONSTABLE-A BEAR STORY-THE WILLIAMS FARM-FIRST ELECTION -TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS-CHURCHES-SOCIETIES. BENJAMIN COX was the first white settler in Center township. He built a cabin near the Portage on the northeast quarter of Section 32, now the Infirmary farm, in the latter part of 1827 or early part of 1828. Collister Haskins was under the impression that Cox did not bring his family in until 1828. Benjamin did not enter the land; still, we must not grudge him the honor of being the first settler, since he located and made his improvements with that intention, and brought the first hand mill into the township; but after four years sold out and moved off. The First Land Entry.-His son Joseph Cox, however, made the first land entry in Center, January 13, 1831, the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 28, which, in April, 1835, he sold to Joseph Russell; the land, lying on the Portage three miles east of Main street, was for years known as the William Underwood place. A daughter of Benjamin Cox, Elizabeth, married Jacob Eberly, and was among the most respected of that galaxy of noble pioneer women, who with their husbands braved the deprivations of bygone days in the Black Swamp. Another daughter, Lydia, born at Findlay in 1817, was, according to Beardsley's history, the first white child to see the light of day in Hancock county, where the same authority credits Cox with being the first white settler. Cox, who had performed useful military service in the war of 1812, was a native of Virginia, and seems to have possessed that restless spirit of most of the old border men of that day, who were never contented unless fully abreast of or a little ahead of the westward advance of white settlements. That class usually led the van and blazed the way. Robust and 'fearless, those restless, adventurous fellows were, in a sense, scouts for the more timid multitude, then hastening over the Alleghanies, and like the ocean spray scattering itself in the valleys of the Muskingum, Scioto and the two Miamis, until, in its northward and westward march, it had swept away the Greenville Treaty line, advanced to and passed the Maumee. Much of the early history of this township is related in that of Bowling Green, where a small, honored band of pioneers resides to-day, a remnant of the adventurous spirits of 1833, 1834 and 1835. Wrested From Savages.-That hardy class of men, the coarser, stronger fiber of civilization, was not only useful, but absolutely indispensable. Their like never was before, nor can be again. The conditions, which required the hard, dangerous service they performed, have passed, never to return. The smoother grooves and easier lines on which we move to-day demand qualifications so varied and changed, that, in our haste to keep up with the march, we almost forget that there ever was a race of pioneers, our forefathers who lived in cabins, and, with flint-lock guns, freed this land from the bondage of kings, and wrested the wilderness from the dominion of barbarous savages-all honor to them-their manhood and sterling virtues in life can never suffer, by comparison, with their successors. Uncrowned heroes and heroines they were. Though most of them sleep in graves unmarked with stone or bronze, we can do them the more enduring honor of passing their names and deeds down to future generations on the brightest pages of our annals. Benjamin Cox moved to Indiana, where he closed his life at an advanced age. Built a Cabin.-The next entry in Center, after Joseph Cox's, was the .northwest corner, 48 acres, of Section 31, by Joseph A. Sargent, October 31, 1832, lying on Main street next south of the Bender road. For some years this tract was 248 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. owned by Nancy Flickinger. Sargent built his cabin on the west side of the street, in Plain, where he also owned land. Twelve days later, November 1, 1832, Adam Phillips entered the Infirmary tract, the improvements of which he had previously bought of Ben. Cox. The First Wagon.-In the following spring, April, 1833, Phillips brought his family, wife and six children, out from Stark county, coming by way of Fremont (then Lower Sandusky). When he got as far west as Woodville with his outfit, consisting of a wagon covered with boards, and drawn by two horses and four oxen, Phillips left the road and followed the Indian trail up the'' Portage through the wilderness to the Cox cabin, being the first man to bring a wagon through on that route, now one of the best and most traveled roads in the county; he had taken the precaution to bring two good axemen-Jacob Phillips and George Heminger-with him. The Phillipses were so well pleased with the location that Adam soon after bought more land. Few persons who came into Wood county at that early day were better suited to withstand the deprivations of life here than Adam and Catharine Phillips; both were rugged and determined; they were ambitious to have a prosperous home; their courage and hopes were boundless. Everything in those first days looked bright; the bow of promise was great. Alas, how often that bow was to be overcast with clouds of discouragement-of sickness, of destitution-almost despair; yet theirs was almost the identical experience, at one time or another, of all who came. Still there were few obstacles so great that Phillips would not find some way to overcome them. He was a medium-sized, dark complexioned man, with keen black eyes, long, dark hair, usually parted in the middle; he had a loud, clarion voice, and, though of limited education, he had a ready flow of language, and when a bit excited would get off some startling figures of speech, especially on religious subjects, which were always favorite themes with Adam. The End of the World.-He had a striking resemblance to some of the published pictures of Lorenzo Dow. Phillips was in many ways as eccentric as Dow, and his peculiar appearance and voice would attract attention in any crowd of men. Pages might be filled with incidents, both laughable and pathetic, told about him by his neighbors. One incident related, whether true or not, suggests how completely religious emotions took hold of him at times. It was at a period when the "Millerite" craze was being boldly promulgated, and a day had been fixed upon, not far ahead, when the world was to be burned. Some of the zealous Millerites had been dinning the doctrine in Phillips' ears pretty industriously until it had, to some extent, become a subject of serious thought to him. One dark night about that time, as the story goes, the smoke-house in the yard, where were stored the hams and bacon, took fire, and the lurid glare of the rising flames soon flashed with blinding effect on Adams' bedroom window. With a piteous, deep groan he sprang out of bed, shouting: ' I My God, Catherine, the Judgment Day's upon us, and my soul is unprepared; call the boys;" and immediately he fell upon his knees, half asleep yet, and began praying so loud that no further fire alarm was needed. This story, enjoyed by none more than Adams' best friends, was told so often on him that it had, doubtless, like most stories, gained a little by the telling, but is given here in rather an abridged form. Phillips at once took a leading part in all the improvements in the settlement; at every cabin-raising or road-chopping he was on hand, and did his part well. When the great meeting was held at Ft. Meigs, in 1840, he, with his neighbors, cut and hauled a buckeye log as Center township's contribution for the log cabin at the Fort. Of dame Phillips, his wife, it may truthfully be said that she was a good second to Adam in all his worthy efforts. Besides the cares of a large family of children, whom she had often to feed from meal ground by her own hands in the mill sold them by Cox, she found time to do many generous deeds for her sick or otherwise needy neighbors. None went from her door unaided if it was in her power to afford relief. With this very inadequate sketch of the Coxes and Phillipses, the two pioneer families of Center, it will now be in order to briefly notice some others who came early. Joseph Ralston entered 97 acres in the S. W. J Sec. 6, Center, March 17, 1834; Joseph Wade, 8o acres in the N. W. and S. W. of Sec. 18, April 2, 1834; John M. Jaques, W. part of the N.E . 1/4 of Sec. 31, April, 1834; Joseph Russell, 80 acres in the N. W. 1/4 of Sec. 34, October 9, 1834; George Stacy, 40 acres S. W. corner of Sec. 27, December 28, 1833; Henry Shively, N. ½ 80 acres N. E. 1/4 of Sec. 30, April 26, 1834; Thomas Cox, E. A N. W. of Sec. 31, April 27, 1833; D. L. Hixon, 55 acres in the N. W. of Sec. 18, April 14, 1835; William Dewitt, 80 acres in the N. W. of Sec. 29, December 10, 1833; Thomas Slight, Jr., 40 acres in N. W. of S. E., Sec. 30, August 17, 1833; Samuel Snyder, N. 2 of Sec. 7, October 29, 1833; John Muir, N. W. 1/4 of Sec. 24, April 7, 1831; William Munn, W. of S. W. 1/4 of Sec. 32, February 3, 1836; William Zimmerman, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 249 S. W. 1/4 of Sec. 13, June 17, 1834; Adam Housholder, N. part of the S. E. of Sec. 13, June 17, 1834. The latter two entries are now within the limits of Webster township. Other early land buyers were: Joseph A. Sargent, S. 31, October 31, 1832; Fred Zephernick, N. W. 1/4 Sec. 27, November 10, 1832; Samuel Myers, S. 2 Sec. 14, November 12, 1832; George Wickham, N. W. of S. W. 1/4 Sec. 30, July 9, 1833; Henry Walker, W. N. W. 1/4 Sec. 19, August 5, 1833; Lee Moore, S. W. S. E. and S. part S. W. Sec. 30, September 16, 1833; Lee Moore, W. part N. W. Sec. 3o and S. W. of S. W. Sec. 31, September 16, 1833; Jonathan Fay, part S. W. Sec. 18, October 13, 1833; Alfred Thurstin, W. part S. W. 1/4 Sec. 19, November 2, 1833; George Booth, S. E. N. W.1/4 Sec. 30, November 27, 1833; Orange Strong, part S. W. 1/4 Sec. 27, December 28, 1833; Daniel Crom, W. part N. E. 1/4 Sec. 27, January 27, 1834; Robert Moore, parts N. E. and S. E. 1/4 Sec. 12, May 3, 1834; James Watson, W. part S. W. and S. W. N. W. 1/4 Sec. 29, May 19, 1834; Robert Barr, part N. W. 1/4, Sec. 19, June 9, 1834; Horatio N. Ward, E. S. W. 1/4 Sec. 7, January 25, 1836; Thomas R. Tracy, part S. W. 1/4 Sec. 10, December 15, 1836. Random Notes.-These few random notes from the land books, comprising but the small fractional part of the original entries and of the names of the purchasers, are given here as showing who the first comers were. Most of those buyers named became actual residents on their land. Other early settlers, such as the Lundys, Klopfenstines, Andersons, and others, not enumerated in the list, no doubt bought their lands of second hands. The chief purpose here is to show who the actual beginners were - a task not so easy after the lapse of three-score years, when nearly all the actors have faded away in the corroding mists of time. Survey and Organization. - Center township, originally six miles square, was surveyed by Samuel Holmes, Deputy U. S. Surveyor, in 1819; that is, the exterior lines were made. In 1821 the subdivisional lines were run by S. Bourne. The designation in the survey is Town 5, North; Range 11, East. The county commissioners, at their March session, 1835, on petition of the residents of Town 5, granted the request for a township organization, under the name of Center, and ordered an election of township officers to be held on the first Monday of April following, at the house of Adam Phillips. At the time of this action, Center was- a part of Portage, and had been since June, 1833, prior to which time it had been a part of Middleton, since that township was cut off from Perrysburg. When, in 1846, Webster was created, six sections, 1, 2, 11, 12, 14 and 15, were set off to that township. In 1844, on petition of the residents thereon, the south half of Section 31, Middleton, was given to Center. It lies at the northwest corner, on the Perrysburg road, so, that, as now constructed, the township comprises thirty and one-half sections. Converted Into Roads.- The trails between the settlements, at first mere footpaths indicated by blazed trees, were gradually converted into wagon trails, barely passable, by voluntary labor among those interested. Some of these trails eventually became permanent highways, since they were usually located on the most favorable ground for the purpose. The first object of the newcomer, after his cabin' was built, was to get into road communication with the nearest market, which in this case was Perrysburg. There lake boats landed regularly, in the open season. The first wagon trail in Center, after Hull's Trail, was from Cox's cabin up the Portage to Haskin's trading place. The next was the Phillips wagon trail, along the Portage, from Woodville. Geology and Topography of Center-The geological formation of Center differs but little from the rest of the county, except in the matter of gas and oil production, in which she has not, up to date, taken high rank. The oil pool, as now developed, approaches close to the southwest corner of the township, then diverges a little, passing in a narrow but productive pool just beyond the west line. The discovery of gas at the infirmary, in 1884, and the completion of the pioneer deep well of Wood county, at Bowling Green, in the early days of 1885, are mentioned in the chapter on oil and gas. Since that date, experimental wells have been sunk in various parts of Center, but only light flows of gas, with now and then slight showings of oil, have been found so far. The watershed is to the northeast, the fall being a little more perceptible, because of the irregular limestone ridge which enters from the southwest, and with frequent surface out croppings continues to the north line, near Sugar Ridge; this stone, used extensively in rough masonry work, makes excellent lime also. On, and about this jagged ridge, sand and bowlders from some distant place have found lodgment, forming, near Bowling Green, scattering ridges and low hills of yellow sand, overgrown with scrubby oak. The southeast part of Center had, through the two branches of the Portage, very fair natural drainage, though the obstructed waters of these streams, if such they 250 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. might be named, frequently overflowed their banks; they gave very uncertain protection to the farmer, until vast sums of money had been expended in clearing their channels, and the forests a little distance back were, most years, sodden with water till long after the seed-time had passed. South of Bowling Green, about two miles, a little stretch of prairie and swale, covered mostly with coarse grass, willows and pin oak bushes, crossed Main street and spread out in shape of a tree-leaf nearly in the direction of the infirmary. It had no outlet, and was very wet; it is now drained, and a garden spot of productiveness; east of Bowling Green lay a similar stretch, in irregular shape, and more than two thousand acres in extent, with plenty of fall for the water, but an obstructed outlet. This was called Williams' prairie in later years, after the man by whose foresight and energy its unsightly acres were converted into gardens of golden grain. In the east and north of the township were corners, once hopelessly wet, and a dismal waste of woods, thicket, prairie and marsh, named by some of the disgusted settlers-no doubt when in an unguarded blasphemous mood-"the devil's hole." Under the present thorough drainage system this land is fast becoming the garden spot of northern Ohio; its convenience to the markets of Toledo gives it an additional value. The soil of Center differs but little from black land in general in the county; it is either a deep vegetable mold or a sandy loam resting on either yellow or blue clay; the clay strata lie on the lime rock, in thickness varying from nothing to a depth of forty feet, and even more. The varieties of timber and plant growth are those common to the county; the cottonwood, burr-oak, elm and sycamore predominate in the low ground. The fine growth of valuable timber that once covered nine-tenths of the surface has, since the advent of a railroad in the township, melted away so rapidly that, approximately, there is now only about one acre in ten of timber left. In the way of coverts for game and birds, Center has, like the rest of the county, only her beech, hickory and sugar-maple ridges, especially along the Portage, and also the oak groves, affording as they did vast supplies of acorns and nuts, an unusually attractive place for deer, bear and coon. These in turn attracted the Indians as well as the wolves. The ridges along the Portage, outside the sickly season of the year, were a favorite resort of the Indian trapper and hunter, and the sugar groves were the animated camps of the squaws and children making maple sugar each spring. The Indian paths were distinct along the Portage, and from that through. the chains of sand ridges in Plain township to Tontogany creek, for many years after the Indians had removed to the Far West. Wild Hogs.-A variety of game the Indians did not like so well, began to grow numerous here soon after the war of 1812-wild hogs. They were noticed when the first settlers came, though not frequently. Later, however, in the profusion of nuts and acorns they grew and multiplied until their numbers at times seemed almost legion; these droves doubtless got accessions from the settlers' hogs which hunted their living in the woods, and soon mingled with their wilder brethren, and led the free life of the range without fear of ear-marks or the butcher's block. These hogs, supposed to have at first been strays from the quartermaster's droves, brought out for the troops in 1812, had become as wild as any of the forest denizens, and were more ferocious and dangerous when molested, or one of their young attacked, than either wolf or bear; a frantic old sow, or an enraged boar with murderous tusks, could make short work of the stoutest dog, and when the drove came, neither man nor beast could escape except by hasty flight, or climbing a tree. The Indian with his half starved cowardly dog, hatchet and arrows, stood but a poor show with this new kind of game, and seldom hunted or molested it. The whites, in the fall season sometimes formed hunting parties, when the hogs were fat, and frequently in this way helped out a scanty home supply of winter's meat. Some exciting stories were related by some of the early settlers of adventures and narrow escapes from bands, whose peace they had disturbed, accidentally or on purpose. As the settlements grew, the wild hogs, like the other wild animals, gradually disappeared, and the settlers were not sorry to be rid of them. Men of 1839.-In 1839, the number of male inhabitants, aged twenty-one years and over, was thirty-nine, namely: Robert Barr, James Anderson, Joseph Ralston, Samuel Snyder, Daniel Snyder, Jacob Snyder, Jonathan Fay, Jacob Staufer, Theron Pike, John Walker, Abraham Walker, Daniel Jolly, Alfred Thurstin, Jacob Smith, Adam Phillips, David Hixon, Lee Moore, Jacob Hartman, John Brown, Peter Klopfenstein, Joseph Arbuckle, Peter Richards, Henry Shively, Mark Lowell, William Munn, Henry Lundy, Thomas Reigle, George Winklepleck, Matthias Shoup, George W. Underwood, Joseph Russel, John Tracy, Daniel Crom, John Carter, William Zimmerman, John Muir. The annexation of the south-half of Sec. 31, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 251 Tp. 6, R. 11, in 1844, brought in the original entries of John P. and Henry Pifer, purchased May 2, 1834, and the lands credited to George Ferciot, Joseph R. Tracy and Jeremiah Ward in the tax roll of 1850; while in the sections set off to Webster were the Muirs, Housholders and others who purchased in the "thirties." - The population of the township in 1840 was 97; in 1850, increased to 357; in 1860, to 892; in 1870, to 1,331; in 188o, to 2,023, including 792 in the eastern part of Bowling Green; and in 1890, to 3,370. Joseph Wade.-In the early settlement of Center township, there lived on the farm later owned by A. S. Nims, one mile northeast of the court house, a bustling, bluff little man, named Joseph Wade, a United Brethren preacher, who was formerly a sailor. His partiality for a berth on the forecastle, and a snuff of the salt sea breeze, seemed never to have left him, and he often declared that Wood county would be a good place only for the surplus fresh water. While denouncing the locality, he built his little cabin here, and, after some years, gathered logs to construct a large house. Then inviting ten or a dozen neighbors to the raising, he told each that they must come without hope of whiskey, as drinking the "vile stuff" was opposed to his principles. The men came, but, finding no whiskey, retired immediately. Wade started for Perrysburg, bought ropes and pulleys, and, with the aid of these and his pony, constructed the cabin. Opposing a Constable.-Wade's strength of character, as shown among the whiskey-drinkers, was not able to cope with other troubles. His pulpit and farm were insufficient producers of revenue, and he was compelled to borrow a small sum from Rev. Isaac Van Tassel. That sum he was unable to pay, and the reverend lender sued him, got judgment, and D. L. Hixon, then constable, was sent to levy upon the property. Hixon levied upon a pony, a little wagon, two tons of hay, a fanning mill, a rifle and a clock. Hixon had all save the gun and clock, for which he now approached the house. He rapped at the door. It was slightly opened so that he could see a woman with a large tin dipper in her hand. "What is wanted?" she asked. "The clock and rifle," said the officer. "Not if I can help it," said she. "But I must have the property," said he. "Not unless you are a better man than I, " said the preacher's wife. Arguments and threats were of no avail, only during the confab she mildly called his attention to a pot of hot water on the fire, also that she held a dipper full of the same in her hand ready for any sudden emergency, and that she would most surely scald the first man who crossed her threshold. The constable and his assistant drew off, and, by a close calculation, thought possibly that they could satisfy the debt from what property they had, and that the old rifle and clock were not worth much " no how, " and that the water in the kettle was very hot, and that it was a disgrace to fight with a woman, &c. A Bear Story.-The story of this township without the Ferciot bear story, would be like that of the county with its hunters omitted. For this reason the following paragraph is taken from the Sentinel, and made a part of this chapter. Peter Ferciot, Jesse Wood and Miles Deshler were out coon hunting. In the Devil's hole, near where the new railroad crosses the center ditch, Ferciot noticed a big sycamore with the bark badly scratched. They felled the tree, and it had no more than struck the ground when out rushed a she bear. Ferciot's two dogs attacked old bruin, but one of them was almost instantly disabled. The other dog and the bear soon locked jaws, while old bruin was embracing the poor dog to death at the same time. The men, meanwhile, had kept shy of the ferocious beast, but when Peter saw his dog in this uneven death struggle, he ran up and split the bear's head with his axe. They found in the tree. three cubs, not much larger than kittens, and each hunter took one. One of the cubs created much disturbance later in the homes of Mrs. Ferciot and Mrs. Bloom. G. Z. Avery got possession of the animal July 4, 1853, and in the following winter received $44 for the untameable beast. The Williams Farrn.-The Williams farm maybe said to have been established in 1852, when George Williams moved his family from Columbiana county to Wood county, where he had purchased 700 acres at an average price of $3.25 an acre, the year before. In 1851, he constructed three and a half miles of ditches, made a large clearing, fenced the cleared tract and made ready for beginning agricultural life on a large scale in 1852. In that year he planted 14o acres under corn, and seventeen acres under buckwheat, sold 4, 000 bushels of corn at sixty-one cents a bushel, with 700 bushels of buckwheat at thirty-one cents. This was the first extensive venture in corn raising in the beautiful, highly-cultivated and extensive scope of land east of town, now cut into many nice farms, but which still goes by the name of the Williams Prairie. The land had, from the advent of the first settlers, grown prairie grass, rosin weed and dock, and would so have continued to do for years had WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 252 not Mr. Williams accidentally come along. No one thought it susceptible of cultivation, at least no one dared to make the venture, and many were the forebodings of disaster on the part of the old settlers on the rash, venturesome foolish man from the East. The third year his corn crop yielded him between ,$6,000 and $7,000. In 1853, his brother purchased lands adjoining, but in 1855 he left the county, selling his property to George Williams, who then, had 1,700 acres, of which goo acres were under cultivation. He was not only the first great farmer but also the first great ditch builder, proving that agricultural success, in the Black Swamp, must always depend largely on the perfection of the artificial drainage systems. Prior to 1869, he amassed considerable wealth, and established himself as a manufacturer at Columbus, Ohio. The acres he once owned have passed into other hands, but the memory of him who reclaimed them from the wilderness lives in the county. First Election.-The records of the first election cannot be found, but it has been learned that Adam Phillips, Daniel Crom and James Watson were chosen trustees, and Jacob Smith, clerk. At the special election, held in June, 18 there were twenty-six votes cast, Henry Shively receiving eighteen, and Joseph Russell, ten, for justices, but the poll-book gives only twentytwo names, viz.: John M. Hannon, Adam Phillips, Daniel Crom, Jacob Smith, William Munn, Joseph Russell, Orange Strong, David L. Hixon, Robert Barr, Henry Lundy, John M. Jaquis, George Winklepleck, Joseph Ralston and Henry Shively-all of whom voted at that time and at the October election following; and in addition to the voters present in June, were James Ayres, John Bowman, John Foreman, Joseph Wade, George Hemminger, Samuel Snyder, Samuel Barr and Thomas Slight. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. Trustees.-The electors of 1835 supplied officials from their number for some years. So much is known. There are no records prior to 1842, dealing with trustees; but the township records (1842-1894) enabled Mr. Marron to compile a list which was supplemented as a result of research in the auditor's office. 1842-Daniel Newton, Peter Klopfenstein, James Anderson. 1843-Lee Moore, Samuel Snyder, Geo. W. Underwood. 1844-Lee Moore, Joseph Ralston, Geo. W. Underwood. 1845-Lee Moore, Joseph Ralston, John Tracy. 1846-Lee Moore, Henry Lundy, William Zimmerman. 1847-Lee Moore, Henry Lundy, Geo. W. Mnderwood. 1848-Geo. W. Underwood, Henry Lundy, David L. Hixon. 1849-Joseph Stokeley, Henry Lundy, David L. Hixon. 1850-Hollis Fay, Henry Lundy, Horatio S Meeker. 1851-Peter Klopfenstein, John McMillen, Horatio S. Meeker. 1852-Peter Klopfenstein, Daniel Eldridge, Horatio S. Meeker. 1853-Peter Klopfenstein, William Truesdale, Horatio S. Meeker. 1854-Theron Pike, Oriel B. Bradley, Jacob Flickinger. 1855-Joseph A. Sargent, James F. Smith, James McMillen. 1856-W. G. Avery, Joseph A. Sargent, Geo. W. Underwood.. 1857-W. G. Avery, Horatio S. Meeker, Reuben Keck. 1858-59-Isaac Ward, James F. Smith, David L. Hixon. 1860-Isaac Ward, Nathan A. Noble, Peter Richard. 1861-62-Wm. Underwood, Nathan A. Noble, Peter Richard. 1863-A. J. Manville, Henry Lundy, Peter Richard. 1864-Wm. Underwood, Daniel Eldridge, Peter Richard. 1865-66-Henry Lundy, Daniel Eldrige, Peter Richard. 1867-Milton Fuller, Isaac Ward, Peter Richard. 1868-Milton Fuller, Joseph Anderson, Peter Richard. 1869-N. A. Noble, William Underwood, Wm. Perrin. 1870-Isaac Ward, F. D. Noble, Wm. Underwood. 1871-Peter Richard, John P. Shinew, H. Terry. 1872-Peter Richard, Isaac Ward, John Shinew. 1873--Peter Richard, Isaac Ward, H. H. Van Camp. 1874-Peter Richard, Calvin Nelson, H H. Van Camp. 1875--Charles W. Evers, J. J. Shinew, H. H. Van Camp. 1876-W. Underwood, Peter Richard, H. H. Van Camp. 1877--W. Underwood, Peter Richard, F. D. Noble. 1878--Martin Klotz, John Russell, Horatio S. Meeker. 1879--Martin Klotz, John Elliott, Horatio S. Meeker. 1880-John Russell, Charles E. Matthews, George Thomas. 1881---Joseph Russell, Charles E. Matthews, John R. Lundy. 1882--Wm. Underwood, Charles E. Matthews, John R. Lundy. 1883--Robert Eldridge, Charles E. Matthews, John R. Lundy 1884-85--Robert Eldridge, Frank Van Camp, Wm. Bandeen. 1886--Charles S. Stacy, Robert Eldridge, John R. Lundy. In 1887 John R. Lundy was elected; 1888, Robert Eldridge; 1889, Charles S. Stacy; 189o, John Lundy; 1891, Robert Eldridge; 1892, William Klotz (died in 1893) ; 1893, John R. Lundy; 1894, Robert Eldridge; 1894, to fill vacancy, James M. Forrester, and 1895 he was elected for three years. In 1896 Henry Olds was elected trustee, the full list being Robert Eldridge, James M. Forrester and Henry Olds. Justices.-The names of the justices of the peace, who qualified from 1835 to 1895, were found recorded in the clerk of court's office, in the following order: Henry Shively and Joseph Russell, who qualified in November, 1835; Joseph Ralston, 1838; Henry Shively, 1839; James Anderson, 1840; John Carter, 1840; Theron Pike, 1840-46; Levi C. Locke, 1847; George J. Poe, 185o; J. D. Smith, 1851; Fuller Ballard, a botanical doctor, 1850; Thomas E. Jackman, 1855 and '64; Peleg G. Thomas, 1848-55 [It is stated that W. R. Peck was a justice of the peace in 1846, but the name is not given on this record.]; Nathan A. Noble, 1856-68; Daniel Noyes, 1858-71; Isaac Clay, 1867; Edson Goit, 1868-77; Earl W. Merry, 1874, resigned in 1876; Simon P. Harrison, 1876; George C. Phelps, 1879; B. L. Abbott, 1880 to '92; George W. Hill, 1882; Milton Zimmerman, 1884 to '91; WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 253 Thomas S. Forrest, 1894; Charles R. Nearing was elected in 1895; C. R. Nearing and Thomas S. Forrest in 1896. Clerks.-The office of township clerk has been filled by the following named citizens since 1843 Henry Lundy, 1843; Henry Shively, 1845; L. C. Locke, 1847; George J. Poe, 1848; Henry Lundy, 1852; S. L. Boughton, 1859; N. A. Noble, 1864; E. H. Hull, 1866; Samuel Case, 1869; A. R. Patterson, 1870; S. H. Fairchild, 1871; W. A. Whitacre, 1872; George W. Gaghan, 1873; W. H. Rudulph, 1875; John H. Crane, 1877; Guy C. Nearing, 1878-79, 1881--83, 1885 and 1887; Frank Boughton, 1880; David J. Cargo, 1884; Frank W. Dunn, 1886; and Rufus B. Moore, 1888 to 1896. Treasurers.-The treasurers have been Peter Klopfenstein, 1839-41; Henry Shively, 1842; W. R. Peck, 1843; Peter Klopfenstein, 1845; W. R. Peck, 1846; Lee Moore, 1847 to 1856; Jacob Hartman, 1856; Albert Selkirk, 1858; S. L. Boughton, 1864, and 1873-74; A. A. Thurstin, 1871; George W. Gaghan, 1875 to 1880; W. R. Noyes, 188o to 1886; and George W. Gaghan, 1886 to 1895. The present (1896) treasurer, B. J. Froney, was elected in April, 1895. Assessors.-The assessors, in order of service, are named as follows: James Smith, 1842, 1843, 1845 and 1846; Henry Shively, 1844 and 1847 to 1851; William Phillips, 1851; Lee Moore, 1852; Jacob Hartman, 1854; Daniel Shoffstall, 1855 to 1858; Joseph Alcorn, 1858; William G. Lamb, 1859 to 1862; Irvin Walker, 1862; Thomas J. Avery, 1863-64, and 1866-69, and 1870-73, and 1874; F. D. Noble, 1875; William R. Noyes, 1873, and 1875 to 1878; Milton Zimmerman, 1878, 1879, 1881; A. M. Wyckoff, 1880; Hiram Boardner, 1882-83; Henry G. Hixon, 1884 and 1889; Samuel M. Eaton, 1885; William Zimmerman, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1890; George Walker, 1891-92; William Tansey, 1894 Leslie Stacy, 1895; and Chauncey Underwood, 1896. Board of Education.-1896: H. A. Elder, John Walker, A. R. Buck, Andrew Bandeen, Mrs. Wight, Joseph Russell, George Walker, George Foos, N. Buchman, James Zimmerman, and George Gallier. CHURCHES. The township is singularly well endowed with churches and religious societies. Not content with the numerous societies at Bowling Green and New Rochester, new organizations were effected throughout the township, and near its southern, eastern and northern lines, as well as its center, houses for worship were erected. In early days the Millerites were known here, and continued in existence until 1843, when the prophecy of their chief failed to be realized. Seeing that the world was to continue, the followers of Miller became quite worldly. The Mormons created some enthusiasm here in later years, but failed to win a large number of recruits. In the chapters devoted to Middleton, Plain, Freedom, Webster, Portage and Bowling Green, sketches of neighboring religious associations are given, while here a history of each society owning a house of worship, or having a part interest in one, built within the township, is related. The United Brethren Church (Liberal), near the Center school house, was known in 1833 as Joseph Cox's class. It was reorganized in 1834, and again reorganized about thirty years ago. In 1873, when the Klotz family became members, there were William Phillips, who became a member in 1849, John Taft, Daniel and Jacob Long, James McMillan and a few others. The church was erected in 1861 or 1862, on land donated by James Brown, to revert to the estate if not used for religious purposes. Among the members in 1885, were William Klotz, trustee and leader; Ellen, Obed, Lilly, Martin, Sarah, Ollie and Nathan Klotz; Lafayette Canfield, trustee, with three members of his family; three Walkers; three of the Bates family; A. R. Buck and wife; the Carters, Leggetts, Burketts, Bandeens, George C. Houskeeper, Wesley Long and wife, and a few others. Rev. Mr. Naylor was pastor in the " seventies. " From that time to 1894 the pastors of the Church at Portage attended the Center Church. There were thirty-seven members named in September, 1892, George C. Houskeeper being then clerk, as he was in 1885 and 1894, when the Church was attached to the Dowling Circuit, with Dr. Pope, circuit steward. In 1891, the church house was repaired at a cost of between $1,400 and $1,500. The United Brethren Church (Radical) was organized a few years after the division in the Center church. Rev. H. L. Downing presided. Rev. G. W. Coss was pastor down to 1894; Rev. M. H. Tussing came in 1895, and is now pastor of the Underwood, the Union Hill, the New Rochester and the Providence classes. Elijah Leggett, Henry Hairy, Henry Long and Daniel Barr are the leaders of the respective classes. The church of the Underwood class was an old school house, which is used jointly with the Methodist society. Portage River Seventh Day Adventists organ- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 254 ized December 18, 1883, and signed articles of association January 20, 1884, when Peter Klopfenstein, John E. Freeman, Austin Cary, George Klopfenstein and C. S. Clarke were chosen trustees. A house for worship was erected the same year, at a cost of $600, which was dedicated by Revs. R. A. Underwood and E. H. Gates (the latter is a missionary in the Pitcairn Islands). Messrs. Lindsay and Thompson were the successive pastors after Mr. Gates. The first members were Peter, Ann, George and James Klopfenstein; Caleb S., Sarah M., Aura and Olive Clarke; John E., Hannah, Dora and Emma. Freeman; Eva and Artie Underwood, David M., James N., Mary A. and Maggie L. Francis, and Harriet Hurst. B. C. Ferciot succeeded George Klopfenstein as trustee in 1888; Dora Freeman was elected in 1889, and George Klopfenstein in 1892. In 1894, Coy B. Van Gorder was chosen trustee, and John Freeman, Jr., took the place of C. S. Clarke, deceased. Mr. Clarke was the first resident elder, George Klopfenstein the second, W. T. Weeks the third, in 1891, and George Klopfenstein again in 1893. Miss Mary Heron is secretary of the Sabbath-school. The Union Church of Cloverdale was built by James F. Long, Frank Ledyard and George Mell, the committee, and Michael Amos, representing the subscribers, for the use of all evangelical societies. It was completed in 1891, and the United Brethren applied for it as a place of worship. Mr. McNutt, of the Methodist Protestant Society, preached the dedicatory service September 13, 1892. Meetings of that society were held in 1892, but its existence was very short. The Christian Union was organized by Charles Paine with nine members, who were George Mell, Frank and Matilda Abbott, William and Clara Hall, Lemuel and Mary Ward and Jason and Agnes Koons. The membership in June, 1895, was thirty-five. The United Brethren organized a class of seventeen members in 1892, among them being Albert and Ettie Buck, Mrs. Hall, James F. and Susannah Long, Cyrus and Julia Johnson, Finley and Mary Oberdorf, Frank and Susie Dorman, Fred and Mamie Jamieson, Albert and Lottie Waring, Albert Berry and Mrs. Sanders. Rev. Peter Tussing, the pastor, has charge of this society, of that at Portage. of that at Wingston, in Liberty township, and of Mt. Zion, at Cass' Corners. Mr. B. Lanker organized the class, he being then pastor of the Center United Brethren Church, as well as of the other churches in the circuit. The membership in June, 1895, was forty-four. The Dunkards, or German Baptists, hold meetings once every four weeks in the Union church, Messrs. Jonathan Whitmore, John Kraybill and John W. Rees being preachers. David Monroe and Jacob Kiser and their wives, Christopher and Benjamin Reeves and wives, Viola and Cora Rees, Elsworth Rutter, Ezra Hemminger and wife, and a few others, formed this class. The first trustees of the Union building were Henry Sawyer, George C. Houskeeper, Jacob and Monroe Kiser and George Mell. United Brethren Church, Maple Grove, was organized in 1890, on a liberal platform, and in March, 1891, the site for the present building was selected on lands donated by Mr. Cook in the N. W. 41 of Sec. 9. The first trustees were Charles W. 'Cox (secretary), William Dennis, Andrew Glenn, whose place was subsequently filled by Daniel Barr, J. H. Bush, whose place is now filled by Charles Barr, and Henry Nixon. In June, 1891, Charles Barr and Thomas Cross were elected additional trustees. The bid of C. Stacy, agreeing to erect a house of worship for $975.87, was accepted, and the building was completed in October, 1891. The sum of $1,912.81 collected for all purposes from organization to August 20, 1891, of which $1,744.26 was expended. The society made remarkable progress until 1893, when Mrs. Ross came to preach the doctrine of the Radical wing at the Union Hill church. A number of the members joined the new society. Underwood Methodist Episcopal Class was organized in 1891, by Rev. Scoles, with Henry Mincks, leader. He, with his wife and daughter, Hester, Jacob and Lizzie Mincks, James Mincks, who died October 28, 1893, Jane Mincks, John Walker, William and Emma Bonnell, Gideon Underwood, deceased, Margaret Underwood, John and Amanda Russell, John Shanks and William, Carrie and Nellie Stacy formed the class. Like the United Brethren Society of Center, this one was part of the Portage circuit until 1894, when it was attached to Dowling. Some two years before the United Brethren and Methodist classes were organized the Underwood school house was fitted up for religious purposes, and ultimately purchased by the two societies. The class in July, 1895, had fourteen members. SOCIETIES. Sugar Ridge Grange, No. 745, was chartered June 1, 1874, with F. D. Noble, H. H. VanCamp, C. E. Matthews, O. M. Grover, John Simonds, Reuben Abbott, H. S. Meeker, G. S. Meeker (secretary), William Grover, Mrs. Angeline Grover, Martha Grover, Alice Ashley, Mrs. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 255 Laura Matthews, officers in grange rank, and twenty-five unofficial members. Joseph Hampton was elected master, vice Noble resigned. In August, 1874, the charter members built the present hall (William Grover hauling the first lumber), on land donated by H. S. Meeker and Robert McKenzie. C. E. Matthews was elected secretary in 1876; George W. Brown in December, 1878; J. D. Smith, 1879; while C. E. Matthews succeeded Master Hampton in December, 1880. G. E. Cessna was master in 1883, with H. V. Meeker, secretary; G. C. Stevenson served as master in 1884, with Seth F. Gregory, secretary; John Current was master in 1885, with C. K. Stevenson, secretary. Gilbert S. Meeker served as master for some years; Wilber Simons also held the chair, and other members were honored with the position, until the grange ceased working. At one time, this association had sixty active members, and was undoubtedly the banner grange of this county. The Center Grange, with place of meeting near Houskeeper's, was also an important association of agriculturalists. RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE