Chapter 13

Township History

One hindering difficulty in the development of the resources of the county as been the rage for hunting which most of the early settlers possessed. Instead of clearing a farm, only a small spot was generally opened on which to raise a patch of corn, and the time principally spent in hunting. It would have been much more profitably employed in making wider aggressions upon the forests and thus adding new fields to the farm. During the first stages of the emigrant's life this hunting was an absolute necessity; but was often from long habit and love of the excitement of the hunt, continued after the necessity had passed away. The liberal prices paid for skins by the fur traders also encouraged the hunting, and the money thus distributed was for many years the chief dependence of the pioneer families in making purchases of merchandise and grain, and in paying taxes and doctor bills. Coffee, tobacco, muslin, and, we are sorry to say, in some neighborhoods, whisky, were the staple articles of trade for the first few years. A boy once called at Theo. Wilson's store, in New Corydon, with one bushel of corn, half of which he left for tobacco, and the other half took to the mill, remarking that it was the last grain they had. As game became scarce in Jay and adjoining counties, hoop poles came to be the chief exporting product. Jay County hoop pole teams have been seen at Eaton and Camden in Preble County, Ohio, and that, too, before there was a turnpike on any part of the road.

Penn Township was the first organized by order of the County Commissioners at their first sitting. It was named by Samuel Grissell, in honor of William Penn. John Gain built the first house in 1823; the first settler was John Brooks; the next was Moses Hamilton, who remained long enough to acquire the honorable distinction of first permanent settler. Samuel Grissell came next, and was soon followed by John McCoy, both in 1834.

The town of Camden was laid out August 27th, 1836, by Jeremiah Smith, Samuel Grissell being the proprietor. It was first called New Lisbon. Mr. Grissell made a sale of town lots, Job Carr being the auctioneer, and sold at prices varying from $15 to $30. John D. Jones built the first house in the summer of 1836, (William Samuels had partially raised a house before this,) and became the first settler. It took the few hands that could be collected three days to raise it. The town site was then partly cleared of underbrush, but Mr. Jones has the honor of having taken out the first "grub." The elections for several years were generally held at this house. William Samuels was the second person to settle in the town.

In 1836 H. Z. Jenkins brought his family from Ohio, and a stock of goods, consigned to him to sell on commission, with which he opened the first store in the town - first occupying Job Carr's house, just west of town, and afterward one of his own, in the village. Mrs. Jenkins generally waited on the customers. Job Carr, junior, kept the second store; and in April 1839, Anthony Pitnam, now of Richmond, Indiana, opened the third. The Friends built the first Meeting House in the township, situated east of the town. This log house, though still standing, is now superceded by a neat frame structure. AT the first meeting held in Camden, by the Methodists, H. Z. Jenkins joined the church. James Coulson and his wife H. Z. Jenkins, Mary Delong and Sarah Gove formed the first class. Mr. Joseph A. Lupton was the first blacksmith, opening a shop in the winter of 1839-'40. Stephen Kees and Joseph J. Paxson were among the earliest pioneers of the north part of the township. The prudent forethought of Joshua Bond led him to bring a pair of hand millstones when he moved from Ohio. These he made into a hand gristmill, in the spring of 1836, which was the first mill in Jay County. There was much rejoicing in the vicinity when this successor to the hominy block was put in operation. It was constantly thronged, each man grinding his own grist, no toll being charged. But it would by no means supply the demand, and Mr. Bond soon fixed it to run by horsepower. This contrivance also failed to supply the wants of the region, and in 1837 Mr. Bond build a good mill, which was run by four to eight horses. That was the most celebrated mill ever erected in Jay County. To it the settlers flocked from far and near, some coming twenty miles. No public improvement was ever more welcome to the needy settlers. Sometimes so many would be at the mill over night that there was not room on the floor of Mr. Bond's house for all of them to lie down. This mill was in the basement of the log barn, in which he afterward built a threshing machine. That was the first threshing machine in the county. The customers then brought their grain to the mill in sheaves and took it away in flour! What modern mill can excel this pioneer establishment?

About 1838 Samuel Grissell started a sawmill on the Salimonie by Camden, and in 1844 put in operation a water gristmill. In 1850 Mr. Grissell and Lukins Griffith built a steam sawmill, and the same year built the steam gristmill now owned by Samuel A. Shoaff.

The first election in Penn Township is involved in much obscurity. The County Commissioners record shows that the first election appointed was to be held at New Lisbon (Camden) on the second Saturday in December 1836, Samuel Grissell, Inspector. AT the January term, 1837, another election was ordered, to be held at Jonathan Hiatt's, John M. Carr, Inspector, on the last Saturday of that month. And again, at the May term, 1837, still another election was appointed for the first Saturday in June - place not given. All these elections were to elect a Justice. Elihu Hamilton says he was elected the first Justice at the election held at Jonathan Hiatt's; that he would not accept the office, and that at a subsequent election, Ellis Davis was elected. The first township officers were appointed by the Commissioners in May, 1837, and were as follows: Inspector, Elihu Hamilton; Supervisor, Jonathan Hiatt; Overseers of the Poor, Joshua Bond and William Swallow; Fence Viewers, Moses Hamilton and David Canady.

Levi Johnson, Esq., for twelve years Justice of the Peace in Jackson Township, taught the first school in Penn Township in the winter of 1837-'38, in a log house which stood near the present residence of Jesse Gray, Jr.

The Post Office was established in Camden on the 19th of January 1839, and John D. Jones appointed Postmaster. He held the office just six days, during which time he opened one mail and found one letter for that office. John M. Carr succeeded Mr. Jones as Postmaster. It was first called Penn, and then changed to Pennville.

Bear Creek Township was organized in November 1836, at the house of John Pingry, Biram A. Pearson being Inspector. The first township officers were as follows: Inspector, James Marquis; Supervisors, William Vail and James Marquis; Overseers of the Poor, William Baldwin and Edward Buford; Fence Viewers, Frederick Wible and William Gray.

The first settler was John Pingry, Sr., Lewis N. Byram, at Bloomfield, kept the first store. The first Post Office (Bear Creek) in the township was also at Bloomfield, established on the 7th of February 1840, L. N. Byram, Postmaster. On the 14th of July 1851, the office was removed to West Liberty, in Jackson Township and W. R. Coldren appointed Postmaster; but in July the following year it was returned to Bloomfield, and J. L. Grigsby became Postmaster. John H. Smith holds the office at present, and is the only merchant in the place. In 1854 George W. Porter started the first store at West Chester, and in April of that year the Post Office was established there, and he was appointed the Postmaster. Soon after, A. R. McGriff and I. N. Green purchased the store, and they sold it to William H. Montgomery, who still remains there and is the present Postmaster. Monroe Post Office was established on the 24th of November 1854, and John A. Smith appointed Postmaster, who held the office until July 1864, when it was discontinued on account of a change n the mail route. It was on the Wabash River, near the farm of William Siberry, Sr.

The first marriage in the township was that of Addison D. May and Miss Lucinda Pingry, November 6, 1834, by William Odle, Esq., of Deerfield. In the fall of 1835, Tandy Dempsey came to John Pingry's, and on the 8th of August 1836 he died, being the first death in the township. In 1836 a large hickory tree caught fire near Mr. Pingry's. The fire ran up the tree about forty feet, there burned it off, and then slowly and constantly burned downward for nearly one year. It was known as the "burning tree."

James Marquis and family settled on the farm now owned by Rev. Aaron Worth, April 14th, 1836, purchasing the claim of Michael Zimmerman, who lived in a split log house. The chickens roosted on the joists at one corner of the house, while at one end on the outside was a shed, under which the horses were kept, and, at the other, against the chimney, there was a pigpen. In May, of this year, a Methodist Episcopal class was formed at Mr. Marquis' house, being the first religious organization in Jay County. The members were: James Marquis, William Vail, Jesse Gray, senior, David and William Baldwin, and their wives.

In June 1837, Mr. Marquis commenced building a water gristmill on that place, and, in January 1838, put it in operation - the second mill of the kind in the county. Like all other pioneer mills it was a great blessing to a large section of country. Many persons were waiting at the mill to get some grinding done when it started. Persons came to that mill from Adams, Wells and Blackford counties. Most persons came on horseback, some on ponies, and some brought their grists on their shoulders.

In March 1839, he started a sawmill, the first one in Jay County.

The first temperance meeting ever held in the county was also held at Mr. Marquis' house, in 1837. In 1839 the first temperance society was organized in the same neighborhood. And Dr. Jacob Bosworth delivered an address full of sound sense and convincing arguments. The following scraps are specimens of its bold, manly utterances:

"Intemperance is incompatible with genuine patriotism. This virtue is not to be conceded to the drunkard. This noble and generous plant cannot live in a soul so uncultivated so overrun with foul and noxious weeds. Can a man be a patriot who violated every obligation of domestic and social life? Whose example is a moral pestilence in the community, and who, for the sake of beastly gratification, inflicts misery and wrong upon all who have the unhappiness to be connected with him. The good man loves his country because it contains much hat is excellent and much that in sear to him. He knows it to be the home of the wise and good, of his kindred and friends, whom he venerates; he reveres the liberal and holy institutions it contains; in their prosperity and perpetuity he takes the deepest interest, and his most strenuous efforts are ever ready to remove what is evil and to advance that which is excellent and useful. Nothing of this kind can be attributed to the drunkard. His conduct and example, instead of advancing the welfare of his country, are eminently calculated to destroy its best interests. Do patriots discourage habits of industry and encourage habits of idleness, pauperism and crime? Intemperance destroys the intelligence and virtue of the people - those pillars of our republican system! It endangers our civil and religious institutions, with all that is held dear by the true patriot."

Signed to the pledge of that society are nearly one hundred names, embracing persons living in all parts of the county.

The first settler on the Limberlost, between William Gibson and William Chapman, was Ira Towle, who came in the spring of 1837. In three weeks Samuel Towle settled beside him. Within the next year or two a whole settlement of Eastern people joined them. John C. Montgomery, Harry Reed, Reuben Montgomery, David Antles, George Axe, M. P. Montgomery, and Aaron and Thomas Brown. Ira Towle burned the top of a large stump in concave shape, which answered for a hominy block, and above it built a frame, in which way a contrivance to pound the corn in the stump. In this way the neighbors made their meal. Samuel Towle kept many travelers the first year. Twenty-five strangers staid in his fourteen-by-twenty-feet cabin one night. They lay upon the floor, commencing under the bed, the last one lying by the door, who had to get up in the morning before it could be opened! For three years John C. Montgomery's house, which stood just north of Westchester, was most of the time full of westward travelers on the Huntington Road. Sometimes they went in caravans; at one time forty, at another seventy persons were in one company. Once, when Mr. Montgomery was sick, he put his gun out of the window and shot wild turkey, which with a flock had come into the dooryard. The wolves killed several calves for Samuel Towle, and once caught a deer and tore it in pieces within fifteen rods of his door.

A whirlwind more terrific than any storm that has since visited Jay County occurred on the 28th of March 1840. In commenced half a mile west of Adam Stolz, near Westchester, taking nearly an eastern direction. A very small cloud first appeared, which soon began to whirl, and in a few moments the sky presented a vast mass of confused whirling clouds. It would strike the earth, and follow the ground for perhaps half a mile, then rise above the trees, and soon again descend and renew its devastations. Its disastrous track was not more than forty rods wide. It took half the roof from Mr. Stolz house, and tore down all the trees in his fields. It appeared to be in the height of its fury when it reached the old farm of William H. Montgomery. Darkness came as suddenly as the tornado; -- the terrible roaring and crashing swallowed up all other sounds. The windows were blown in, and while the family endeavored to hold blankets against them, one side of the floor rose up several inches, the roof was taken off and carried several rods, and a limb fell into the chamber, which took to men to lift. A straw bonnet belonging to Miss Jane A. Montgomery was torn to pieces, wrapped around a large tree, and the tree lying upon the ground. A dress belonging to Mrs. Harriet Walter was taken four and a half miles, and left in a treetop. All the fences were scattered; trees were torn down, and nothing fairly in its course withstood its fury. Trees three and four feet in diameter were torn down, and nothing fairly I its course withstood its fury. Trees three and four feet in diameter were twisted into splinters or snapped off, as if by the power of Him who holds the winds in the hollow of His hand. When it reached the farm of Ebenezer Drake, Mrs. Drake was at home, alone with the children. With commendable forethought she took up a puncheon, put the children into a hole under the floor, and was just going down herself when a piece of flying timber struck her, inflicting severe injury. In a few moments the storm had passed, and she found only a few rounds of logs left of their house. Its noise was heard distinctly a distance of nine miles. A similar whirlwind passed through Madison Township before any families had settled in Jay.

Wabash Township was first settle by Peter Studabaker (1821); the second was Orman Perring, and the third was William Gibson. The first election was held at William Gibson's, on the 23rd of September 1837. John B. Gillespie settled on what is now the town site of New Corydon in 1837, and in 1839 built the old gristmill, having only a brush dam. In 1841 Samuel hall build a sawmill on the south side of the river. James Gillespie erected a sawmill adjoining the gristmill in 1842. In August 1843, Theophilus Wilson purchased the town site and the Gillespie Mills, brought a stock of goods, and opened the first store. Gillespie had laid off a few town lots in 1840, but none had been sold. In March 184, Mr. Wilson employed Thomas Brown to survey the town of New Corydon. Jesse Snyder put up the first blacksmith's shop in 1844. Theophilus Wilson put a tan yard in operation in 1845, which he afterward sold to Timothy H. Parker, who disposed of it to David Walter, the present owner. In 1845 Almon Sparling opened a cooper's shop. Wilson's store was the only one in the town until 1847, when Joshua Gifford commenced selling goods, and continued until his death, in September 1853. Wilson sold his store to Sherburne A. Lewis in 1848, who subsequently took C. J. Plumb as a partner, and the store was kept in Plumb's house, at the lower end of Main Street, which has since been a hotel. Samuel Hall and Harper Tyson sold goods a few months in Wilson's old stand, were succeeded by C. W. Scott, he by J. B. Cecil, and he by David Beardslee, whom George Steckel bought out, continuing the business, though at present in the hundred-days service of his country.

The first school kept in the township was by Miss Elizabeth Montgomery, now Mrs. Thomas Towle, in the summer of 1840. The first school in New Corydon was taught in the summer of 1844, by Miss Sophronia Lewis, -- a hewed log "smoke house" being converted into a schoolroom. A Post Office was established at New Corydon in September 1844, and T. Wilson appointed Postmaster, who held the office until January 1st, 1852, when he resigned in favor of C. W. Scott, who resigned in a year, and George Stolz was appointed. He is the present incumbent, and also has a store.

In 1844 the Rev. I. N. Taylor was stopping at Mr. Wilson's, who had just been repairing his old log house by ceiling up the rafters. Mr. Taylor proposed that a Presbyterian Church should be built there, and when Mr. Wilson made some objection he read to him these words from Hosea: "It is time for you to dwell in your ceiled house, and this house lie waste? Go up to the mountains, and bring wood and build the house, and I will dwell in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord." Mr. Wilson replied, "You have got the Bible on your side; we will build the house!" and immediately gave Mr. Taylor the choice of his lots, and started a subscription paper by putting his name down for fifty dollars. The paper was circulated, and persons signed work, lumber, hauling, grain, etc., no money being promised. Rev. I. N. Taylor and the Limberlost settlement aided very much. Mr. Reuben Montgomery took the subscription and built the house for $250, without money. This pioneer church has been occupied by all denominations with good feeling. In1855 a Methodist Church was built.

The first Sabbath School in New Corydon was established on the 26th of June 1842. The preliminary steps of organization were taken at the house of Asahel W. Lewis, in February previous.

The old mills have now good successors. About 1858 John Hall and Vynul Arnett started a steam sawmill on the south bank of the river at the bridge, and in August 1859, set in operation a steam gristmill. In 1862 William and Henry McMakin erected a large water gristmill at the old mill site. All these mills are now in successful operation. In 1859 Henry Reed opened a drug store in New Corydon, which he still owns.

The earliest minister in Wabash Township was Elder Robert Tisdale, a Baptist. He continued to travel and preach until his death, at a good old ate, at Montpelier, in the autumn of 1856. In early times he carried a hatchet with him, in the winter, with which, fastened to a pole by withes or linden bark, he would sit on his horse and cut the ice before him, sometimes making but three or four miles a day, camping out at night or climbing a tree to avoid wolves. He traveled extensively over Indiana and sections of Ohio; was a strong advocate of temperance and Sabbath Schools; noted for long sermons, and in late years for his liberal Christian sentiments.

Rev. F. Baldwin, Rev. J. W. Allen, Rev. Mr. Drury and Elder Chaffee were, at different periods, the preachers for the Baptist Church at New Corydon, until 1854, when Rev. J. C. Skinner became its pastor. And still holds that relation.

In 1847, Rev. J. H. Babcock preached for the Congregational Church of New Corydon, but died the following year.

He was succeeded by Rev. Andrew Loose, who remained some over one year, when Rev. James Boggs became the pastor of that church and the Presbyterian Church on the Limberlost, and continued until 1854, when he moved to Clinton, Indiana, and afterward to Fairton, New Jersey, where he still resides. Rev. Joseph H. Jones then became pastor of the two churches, and still retains that position. He settled first in Adams County, but, in 1863, moved to Westchester, where he now resides.

The many Methodist circuit preachers in New Corydon and other circuits in the county deserve honorable mention for their self-denying labors in the dissemination of Christian principles, but their large number prevents us from obtaining a complete sketch.

Among the most valuable of the Jay County pioneers was Theophilus Wilson. He settled in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, in 1841, where he bartered goods for the furs, skins, deer hams and everything the surrounding forest produced. He settled on the Wabash in 1843, from which time his identity with the physical, moral and political interest of Jay was conspicuous. He was the proprietor of New Corydon, its first merchant, Postmaster, and leading spirit in all religious, temperance, educational and other enterprises, while he remained. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, always relied on as a citizen who was constantly looking to the best interests of the community. He represented this county and Randolph in the State Senate one term. His ceaseless activity, superior intelligence and large generosity made his loss deeply felt by the people, especially those at New Corydon, who knew him best, when he moved to Avondale, near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1855, where he now resides, as deeply interested in Jay as though he were yet a citizen.

Noble Township was organized in September 1837. It was named in honor of Noah Noble, Governor of Indiana from 1831 to 1837.

The first settlers were James Stone and Henderson Graves. The first election was held at James Graves', who was elected the first Justice of the Peace. Here the name Limberlost finds its source. This singular name was given this stream from the following circumstance: A man named James Miller, while hunting along its banks, became lost. After various fruitless efforts to find his way home, in which he would always come around to the place of starting, he determined he would go a straight course, and so, every few rods would blaze a tree. While doing this he was found by his friends who were hunting him. Being an agile man, he was known as "limber Jim," and, after this, the stream was called "Limberlost." A curious phenomenon can be seen in its waters. Bubbles are constantly rising, which, on reaching the surface, burst and leave an oily substance upon the water. Perhaps they are ebullitions for a coal oil fountain. Among the many hunters who have lived in this township, perhaps David Money is chief. He first settled about half a mile from Jay County line, in Ohio, October 1830, moving into Noble Township in May 1839, his brother Alexander having preceded him several years. Hunting has been his chief business during life, and in this respect he has acquired considerable celebrity and much skill. The first winter after settling in this county, he hunted steadily for three weeks, killing from three to nine deer each day, except two days, on each of which he killed two. During that fall and winter he killed one hundred and twenty deer! He received, at one time, one hundred dollars in Fort Wayne, for furs and skins. At one time he was hunting with a companion who lost his gunlock. Mr. Money sent him back to hunt the lock, and take care of the deer they had already shot, telling him that he (Money) would meet him at a certain place the next day, at noon. At the appointed time they men, and, since their separation, the old hunter had killed eleven deer and one fox! The next winter he hunted three weeks, and killed sixty-seven deer. He took to market at one time thirty-two deer, all having their skins on. There were two sleigh loads of them. The first sleigh had a fine old buck with high horns and many "points," standing erect in the front, presenting a most novel and amusing spectacle. During his life he has killed eighteen deer at nine shots, two at each time. Only a few years ago he shot thirty-two consecutive times at deer, foxes, pheasants and other game, without missing. His chief hunting ground, in later years, has been Paulding County, Ohio, whither he goes once or twice a year, camps in the woods, after the good old hunting style, and hunts for weeks at a time. In the fall of 1861 he killed eleven deer and one wolf in that count.

A Post Office was established in Noble Township May 28th, 1851, called Hector, and J. C. Brewington appointed Postmaster. For several years Wilbur Morehous has held the office.

Near the "ninety mile tree," - a tree on the State Line, between Indiana and Ohio, just ninety miles from the Ohio River, -- Ebenezer Woodbridge now of Lee County, Illinois, settled in 1838, bringing his family two years after. Their cooking stove was the first in that part of the county, and created much curiosity among the neighbors. He was an earnest temperance man. When he wanted to raise his barn, out of the many persons invited, but few came the first day. And it was hinted to him it was because he would not furnish liquor. He indignantly mounted a stump and made a regular "stump" speech to his neighbors, saying that if his barn could not go up without whiskey, the logs might rot upon the ground. The next day his barn was raised.

In 1861, Daniel Forner and Charles Joseph commenced the manufacture of crockery ware at Mr. Forner's residence, in Noble Township. They are still engaged in the business.

Wayne Township was organized in September 1837. Most of the early history of this township has already been given. The first election was held on the third Saturday in September 1837, Daniel Farber, Inspector. The first settler was Philip Brown, who built the first house (1832). The next was William Brockus, and the third Jams Morrison. Then came Obadiah Winters, the Highlander family, and H. H. Cuppy. The latter built the "Conner House" on the south side of the Big Salimonie, now owned by Colonel Shanks, in the fall of 1833. That house is celebrated as the one which the first Commissioners and Circuit Courts were held.

In 1836 Cuppy brought some goods from Richmond and opened a store in that house, which was the second one in the county. He also built the first house in Portland, which was in 1837. It was a long, log structure, and stood on the corner, since the Jay Inn. He moved his store into that house. The next house in town was the Courthouse, build by Robert Huey. The next year Lewis S. Farber built a house, where D. L. Grow's tan-yard is now situated; and James Simmons built one for D. W. McNeal on the corner where Miller's building now stands. Dr. D. Milligan built the first farmhouse, on the corner south of Miler's building. The first regular tavern was kept by William Haines, who built what is known as "Hickory Hall" for that purpose - still standing.

In 1839 Nathan B. Hawkins and William T. Shull opened the second store in the place. The town was full of native trees then, and it is related that hickory-nuts would often fall upon the log Courthouse while court was in session.

Dr. Jacob Bosworth moved from Massachusetts to Ohio in 1817. While passing through Darke County he found Jesse Gray, who urged him to go to Jay to look for land, which he did. He and his family arrived March 1st 1836. He was the first physician in the county, and for many years his practice was extensive. In the summer of 1837 he opened a Sabbath School in the Wringer cabin at Liber, which had then been used for a sugar-making house. It was the second school of that kind in the county. Afterward it was moved to his house southeast of Liber, where it was continued for nine years.

John Smith built the next house in Liber in 1836. It was on the farm so long the home of Deacon Jonathan Lowe, now owned and occupied by Jonathan R. Wells. Mr. Smith also built the "old log barn," still standing, and now owned by Mrs. Mary S. Montgomery, which was the subject of the following verses by R. S. Taylor, Esq.:

There's a charm for me yet in the old log barn,

So tottering, old and gray;

Where wildly I loved, long years ago,

To romp on the new-made hay.

CHORUS

For the merry old times that I sported there,

The song that I sung in my play,

Have an image and echo within my breast

That never will fade away.

There was gathered the fruit of the plenteous year,

In garner and spacious mow;

And the labors' shout of "Harvest Home,"

Is floating round me now.

CHORUS

And here is the olden-time threshing floor,

Where busily moved our feet;

To handle the hay, or the bearded sheaf,

Or winnow the golden wheat.

CHORUS

But now the old barn is forsaken and lone,

The best of its days it has seen;

Still, when it has fallen and moldered away,

Its memory will be green

CHORUS

They were set to music also composed by Mr. Taylor, and after being sung at an exhibition at Liber College, were published in the Minnehaha Glee Book.

In the summer of 1845 Rev. Joseph H. Babcock came to Jay County, residing first at Portland, where he organized a Presbyterian Church November 29th, of nine members, consisting of J. H. Babcock, Eliza Babcock, Jacob Bosworth, Nancy Bosworth, Josiah H. Topping, Hector Topping, Amaretta Topping, Joseph C. Hawkins and Amanda Frazee. The meeting was held in the Courthouse. In 1847 he moved to New Corydon, preaching in Portland and in the old Limberlost Church. He died at New Corydon March 15th, 1848, universally lamented. He was a favorite with all classes, adapting himself with ease to the society around him: a fluent speaker, and possessing a complete education as a lawyer as well as a minister, he was well calculated to be a leader in all the moral movements of the time, and especially to lift the Banner of the Cross in the heterogeneous society of a new country. The temperance reform, the Sabbath School and the common school received his active attention. He was a model preacher, a good citizen and a truehearted Christian man. No death in Jay County has been so lamented by those who knew how to value such a man in the forming of new communities. "Though dead he yet speaketh" to those who knew him in his self-sacrificing labors in this county.

Pike Township was organized by the Commissioners in 1837 and J. C. Hawkins is credited with having suggested its name. Most of its early history has been given. The first settler was John J. Hawkins; the next Thos. J. Shaylor; and the third Sarah Riddley.

Jacob Sutton relates that one night, soon after he settled there, his dog became much alarmed. He saw in front of the hose some animal, and shot at it while in the house. It proved to be a wolf, and the shot had broken its back. The excited dog caught it and would not let go until he had dragged it into the house, where it was killed.

The oldest settler, now living, in the west part of the township is Henry Harford. The first election was held at Jacob Sutton's, and Henry Welch, who lived on the farm now owned by John J. Adair, was elected Justice. David Garringer has held that office the longest of anyone in the township. The first schoolhouse built was on John Kidder's farm, and Miss Lucetta Kidder, now Mrs. Waldo, taught the first school, commencing July 1st 1840. Abraham C. Sutton, on his farm near Bluff Point, kept the first tavern. W. H. Montgomery surveyed this village in 1854, for L. J. Bell and I. N. Taylor. It was first called Iowa. December 17th 1840, the Post Office was established there, and David Garringer appointed Postmaster. It was then called Van, which name it retained until 1853, when it was changed to Bluff Point.

Boundary City Post Office was established May 11th 1852, and Daniel Heaster appointed Postmaster. He still retains that position, and has a store.

The village of Antioch was surveyed in 1853. Amos Hall, C. H. Clark and David Frazee were the proprietors. Mr. Clark named it after Antioch College. Peter Couldren kept the first store.

The first sermon ever preached in Jay County was by Rev. Robert Burns, a Methodist, at the Hawkins cabin, in the fall of 1832. His text was, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Jefferson Township was organized at the last meeting of the Commissioners in 1837. The first election was held at the house of Jacob H. Sanders, who was elected the first Justice, and John Nixon was chosen Constable. Peter Daily was Inspector of the election. J. H. Sanders laid out New Mount Pleasant, and named it in honor of a Quaker Meeting House in Ohio of a similar name. William Hite was the first settler in the town, and kept the first tavern. The Grand Jury found forty-two indictments against him at one time for selling liquor, all of which were sustained. It brought out the true manhood that was in him. He abandoned the business, and became a sober, highly respected citizen. John Bell built the second house in the village, and kept the first store. An Irishman named Thomas Athy, near the farm of William Finch, Sr., taught the first school in the township.

Jackson Township was organized in March 1838. Prior to this it had been attached to Bear Creek Township. The first settler was Edward Buford. The first person who died in the township was Aaron Rigby, in September 1837, near the farm of Isaac Russell. There being no lumber, the coffin was made of "puncheons," by Joshua Bond. Gillum Post Office was established January 8th, 1856, and George Fish appointed the first Postmaster. In 1857 Abel Lester opened an establishment for the manufacture of crockery ware. It was in operation only about two years. Silas S. Pingry was Justice in this township for seventeen years. He married two pairs of twin sisters out of the same family. The first name of each of the husbands was John.

During a thaw in the winter of 1837-'38, Mr. James Snow, father of Dr. B. B. Snow, then about sixty years old, who lived six miles northwest of Portland, being out of tobacco, of which he was a passionate lover, started to Camden on foot to procure some. Soon after leaving home the weather began to turn colder; but though thinly clad, eh was sufficiently comfortable until his return, when it began to sow very rapidly, making him quite wet and hiding the trace he was following, except the blazes upon the trees. Soon the snow covered most of these, and he discovered he had lost the track entirely, which he tried in vain to regain. Finding that he was suffering from the cold despite all his exercise, he endeavored to retrace his steps to Camden. This he found very tedious work, and soon impossible, on account of the darkness. He now became seriously alarmed for his safety; wandered about and called loudly for aid, but received no answer. By this time he was discouraged and exhausted. He had waded across runs and through slashes until his feet and lower extremities were very wet; his clothing was freezing upon him, and he had eaten nothing since early in the morning. He was forced to choose between an effort to save his live by exercising all night or submit to his fate! Being drowsy, he was strongly inclined to the latter course. Finally, he sought a clear, level place between two large trees, and there continued walking and running from one to the other until morning. His family, supposing he was lost, procured the assistance of some neighbors, and went in search of him at daylight. About 9 o'clock in the forenoon they found him crawling on his backtrack and badly frozen. He was a long time recovering.

Richland Township was organized in May 1838. It was named by Benjamin Manor. The first election was held at William Richardson's who lived where Laban Hickman now does, on the second Saturday in June, the same year, John Booth, Inspector. James Ewing was the first Justice. Matthew A. Smith held this office for fourteen years. Half Way Post Office was established September 19, 1853, and Samuel J. Current appointed Postmaster. Half Way Creek was so named from being half way between Portland and Muncie, and, from this stream, the Post Office received its name. The village of Mount Vernon was laid out by W. H. Wade, and surveyed by John C. Bailey. Michael Coons, who settled in the township in 1837, has killed several bears and over three hundred deer there.

The first settlers in the vicinity of Dunkirk were Isaiah Sutton and William Shrack, who came in September 1837. One day, while the men were absent, Mrs. Sutton saw a deer, and, though she had never fired a gun, she took careful aim and shot, killing the deer instantly.

James S. Wilson was the first Postmaster at that office, which was established February 28th 1856.

Green Township was organized in March 1838. The first settler was T. J. Shaylor, the next William Coffin. Samuel Routh, William Bunch, Greenbury Coffin and Henry Delong were also early settlers. The Rev. G. C. Whiteman settled where he still lives, October 22nd, 1837. Mr. Routh and Christopher I. Timberlake were from Green County, Ohio, and named the township after that county. The first election was at Delong's, the first Monday in August 1839.

Rev. Wade Posey, who was then on the Winchester Circuit of the Methodist Church, preached the first sermon in the township at Mr. Whiteman's. The first school was taught in the winter of 1845 -'46, in a schoolhouse situated near James Whaley's. The township had no Post Office until May 22nd 1862, when one was established called Green, and John Stricker was appointed Postmaster.

Knox Township was the last organized, which was in March 1839. A. C. Smith and Joseph Gaunt went to Portland to get the township organized. After hunting some time they found the Commissioners in session out in the woods, near the Courthouse. The old township name of Salimonie had not been given to any of the new townships, and Jacob Bosworth, who was then one of the Commissioners, insisted that at least the last township should have that name. But Mr. Gaunt wanted it named after Knox County, Ohio, and succeeded.

John Brooks was the first settler. Brittan Beard, Joseph Gaunt, John Gaunt, Adam Zeigler, Abraham C. Smith and Joshua Bowers were among the early settlers.

The first election was held at Gaunt's on the first Monday in April 1839, A. C. Smith, Inspector. There were just seven votes cast, and six officers elected as follows: Trustees, A. C. Smith, Michael Roland and Joseph Gaunt; Justice Michael Roland; Clerk, Cornelius Smith; Constable, Adam Zeigler.

The first death in the township was that of Mrs. Jane Beard, wife of Brittan Beard. She died in the fall of 1839, and was the first person buried in the township cemetery. Cornelius Smith taught the first school in the winter of 1838-'39.

Madison Township, of which the organization has been previously given. Henry Abel and Benjamin Goldsmith were the proprietors of Lancaster. It was surveyed by D. W. McNeal. Salimonie Post Office was established in 1852, and G. W. Abel appointed Postmaster. He still retains that position. Jordan Post Office was established in 18--, but it was then in Randolph County. For a few years it has been on the Jay side of the County Line. The village of New Pittsburg, like Salem, is on both sides of the line separating the two counties.

In the winter of 1835-'36 William Martin opened a store near Abraham Lotz', which was the first in the county.