USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 15
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The present officials of Black Creek township are the following: Trus- tees-O. O. Stover, W. Kuhn and A. J. Bargahiser; clerk, John Andress ; treasurer, D. T. Ruffner; justices of the peace-J. E. Piper and A. J. Dell- inger. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,441; in 1890, 1,557; and in 1900, 1,438.
PIONEERS.
The township was not settled as early as was Dublin township, the heavy forest growth and wet condition of the land retarding its settlement. Land was first taken up along the Fort Wayne road. It is thought that William Harris and a man by the name of Shaw were the first, as they were here prior to 1830. The following list comprises such settlers as established themselves here prior to 1836: William Harris, Thomas Harris, Shaw, John Street, Charles Henderson, Jacob Harper, Joseph Harper, Jacob Stetler, Ebenezer Goddard, James Heath, Henry Hoaglin, John Rutan, Ben- jamin Manly, -- Sivey, Jesse King and Silas Jordan. In the three suc- ceeding years came Joseph Mapes, Chauncey Knowlton and the Gauzes, Downs, Sprys, Countermans and Kennedys. Other early settlers were : David Wright, J. C. Whitney, A. P. Nott, A. Guthrie, E. J. Detmer, A. Shuks, Jacob Tickle, Jacob Bollenbaugh, Martin Winkler, Daniel D. Cross, B. Hobblet, Henry Van Tilburg, Moses Stover, John Addy, John Andrew Leistner, Levi Shock, Thomas R. Miller, Frederick Becher and the Lorees, Rutledges and Robinsons.
The first log cabin in the township was built by William Harper, while the first frame house was erected by Jesse King. The first marriage was that of Jacob Harper and Kalinda Watkins, in 1831, and the first birth was that of Alexander Harper, son of Jacob Harper, born in 1833. The first school- house was built about 1840.
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CHURCHES.
Black Creek township has two Methodist Episcopal churches-Duck Creek Church and Fountain Chapel. Both churches are served by the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Willshire, Van Wert County. The Duck Creek Church was the first religious society formed in the township, being organized about 1856 by Rev. Joshua Smith at the Duck Creek school- house. A frame church building was erected in 1868. Among the first mem- bers were: A. M. Counterman and wife, Alonzo Cross and wife, George Clark and wife and William Harper and wife.
There are two classes of the United Brethren Church in the township- Pleasant Grove and Bethel. Rev. Betz is the pastor of both churches.
CHAPTER V
LIBERTY, HOPEWELL, WASHINGTON AND BUTLER TOWNSHIPS
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
Lies south of Black Creek township, west of Hopewell and Jefferson town- ships, north of Washington township and east of the Indiana State line. It is six miles square and contains 36 square miles. Big Beaver Creek enters the township in section 35, flows through section 34 and in section 33 empties into the Wabash River, which flows west through sections 32 and 31 into Indiana. The township is settled principally by German Lutherans, a major- ity of whom however, speak good English; the schools are all conducted in the English language. When first settled, the township was heavily wooded. In course of time, when the land was cleared and put under cultivation, Lib- erty became one of the foremost townships of the county, second to none in agricultural possibilities. The soil is very productive.
The township was organized March 1, 1841, and the first election was held at the house of Philip Bolton on the first Friday in June following. The present township officers are as follows: Trustees-Jacob Gehm, William Florence and Jacob Betzer; clerk, Andrew Bauer; treasurer, John J. Bollen- bacher ; justice of the peace, George Felver. The population of the township in 1900 was 1,733. In 1880, it was 1, 196 and in 1890, 1,652.
PIONEERS.
Daniel Freeman, John and Philip Bolton, Timothy Hankins and Isaac Trace were probably the first settlers in the township. When Jacob Deitsch and daughter, Philip Deitsch and family and Adam Bollenbacher, wife and son, came to the township in 1840, they found four cabins here, which had been occupied by the pioneers named above. Among the early settlers of the township were the Bollenbachers, Deitsches, Frederick Becher, Henry Kuhn,
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Henry and John Leininger, Frederick and Ferdinand Kable, Dr. S. R. Wil- son, Samuel M. Loree, Christian Kessler, Granville Freeman and others. Quite a few of these pioneers are still living ; some reside in the township and others live in neighboring towns, having left their farms to the care of their children.
This township has furnished its quota of county officials. Dr. S. R. Wilson served four years as county coroner in the 70's. Samuel M. Loree, once treasurer of the county, was elected from Black Creek township, but was originally from Liberty. Frank P. Hinton recently retired from the Board of Infirmary Directors, after serving two terms. Charles Bollenbacher served as commissioner for two terms of three years each. The township is now represented on the Board of County Commissioners in the person of Peter Linn, who is now serving his second term of three years.
CHURCHES. -
There are four Evangelical Lutheran churches in the township, two of which are regular-St. Paul's and Zion's congregations. St. Paul's congre- gation was organized in 1841 by Rev. Frederick Knabe, who conducted serv- ices here once every two months during a period of nearly four years. Dur- ing the pastorate of his successor, Rev. Burger, the congregation split, many of the old members joining the Albright faction. Another split also occurred under Rev. Burger's successor, Rev. J. G. Strickfus. Rev. J. I. Müller, the next pastor, was followed in June, 1850, by Rev. J. D. Gackenheimer, during whose pastorate of II years a church building was erected, being dedicated November 30, 1851. Another split took place when Zion's congregation was organized. A frame church building was erected about 1866. Mr. Gacken- heimer was followed by Revs. George Heintz, Philip Schmidt and Hugo Willert in the order named. Rev. A. F. Gilman is the present pastor. The congregation has a membership of 120 and an average Sunday-school attend- ance of 40. The church building cost $6,000 and the parsonage, $800. Zion's congregation at Chattanooga, an offshoot of St. Paul's congregation, was organized in 1860, in which year a church building was erected. The congregation at the present time own the following property: Church build- ing, valued at $3,000; parsonage, valued at $1,500; and a parochial school building, valued at $1,500. There are 200 members of the congregation and 125 Sunday-school scholars. The following pastors have served the con- gregation : Revs. George Heintz, Philip Schmidt, Hugo Willert, F. Besel, C. Adam, C. Reinhardt, J. Soller, J. Vollmar, A. Affeld, P. Schmidt, P. Brock- haus and George Haas, the present pastor .- Rev. Samuel Egger is pastor of St. Paul's German Evangelical Church in this township.
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The Friends' Church in Liberty township was built recently at a cost of $1,200. About 50 members constitute the meeting. Local preachers fill the pulpit, there being no regular pastor.
Mount Carmel Church of God is the only society of this denomination in Liberty township. Rev. J. W. Johnson, who is also in charge of the Tabor and Pleasant View churches in Hopewell township, is pastor.
SCHOOLS.
The township has 10 school buildings, two of which are brick and eight frame. Nearly all of them are comparatively new structures. Each of the IO teachers employed receives $420 for nine months' teaching.
CHATTANOOGA
Is an unincorporated town of something over 100 inhabitants, situated on the north line of the township near the northwest corner. It has a hotel, a church, a school, general stores, blacksmith shop and barber shop. It also has a resident physician, Dr. Price T. Waters.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP
Is six miles in length from east to west and five miles wide from north to south. It has an area of 30 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Dub- lin township, on the east by Center township, on the south by Jefferson town- ship, and on the west by Liberty township. The township is level through- out and the soil is exceedingly fertile. There are no streams of importance within its borders. It has three country stores at different places in the town- ship. At Stedcke, John W. Shively has a general store; at Tamah, a station on the Cincinnati Northern Railroad, there is a store and grocery and also a grain elevator; and at Oregon, a station on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, there is a store. The Home Telephone Company, of which the secretary, I. N. Kraner, is a resident of Hopewell township, has lines all over the township.
The township was organized December 6, 1842. The present township officials are as follows : Trustees-William Hair, G. F. Sielschott and B. F. Smith; clerk, Ed. Hellwarth; treasurer, John Now; justices of the peace- James L. Morrow and John L. Hansel. The population in 1880 was 1, 185; in 1890, 1,414; and in 1900, 1,313.
PIONEERS.
The western part of the township was largely settled by people of Ger- man descent. The northern and eastern portions were settled by English-
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speaking people from the older counties of Ohio. The early families of Ger- man people were those of Wilhelm Fetter, Michael Hellwarth, John Miller, John Frahm, Frederick Sielschott, Henry Beathler, John Now and the Sie- bert family-John H. and Adam Siebert still live here. Jacob Eichar, one of the pioneers of this township, came from Stark County, Ohio, September 10, 1837. His family live here at present. Joshua Roberts was an early settler of the county. He first came to Center and afterwards moved into Hopewell township, in 1879. William Morrow came to this township when it was a wilderness and has lived to see it cleared and improved with good homes and beautiful farms, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences. William Buck, Peter- W. Shimp, Edward Willcutt, W. L. Groves, John Lehman, Lewis Smith and Henry Crogman all came to this township 50 or more years ago. J. C. Brookhart settled in the township in 1851 ; Samuel Brookhart set- tled in the county in 1852. Amos Chapman is an old settler of the township. The Pierstorf family came from Germany prior to the Civil War and settled in the township. William Y. Wallace was a pioneer, who settled here in 1837. Moses McCristy was a native-born citizen of Mercer County, born March 7, 1832. The Fast family came about 50 years ago. John E. Smith settled in Mercer County in 1847, coming from Germany. William Rege- danz came from Germany and settled here in 1852. Tobias Eichenauer was born in Germany and settled in Mercer County in 1867. There are others who came at a later date and have been instrumental in developing and improving the township. Frederick Stedcke, who settled here at a very early date, has been a worker in church and educational matters in the county.
CHURCHES.
Hopewell township is well supplied with schools and churches, having six religious organizations.
German Evangelical Lutheran, St. John's congregation, was incorporated May 21, 1866, its trustees at this time being William Grube, Sr., Charles Weis and J. Frahm. It was served in connection with other churches of the denomination until 1883, when Rev. W. Luedemann became pastor, in which capacity he served until 1891. The congregation was without a pastor, in 1892. From 1893 to 1906, inclusive, the following were in charge of St. John's congregation : Revs. John Toutaman, William Grabeman, John Fritz and H. J. Melcher. Rev. J. E. Harman, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Celina, is now filling the pulpit. The congregation num- bers 150 members and the Sunday-school has an average attendance of 50. The large brick church is valued at $4,000, and the parsonage, at $500.
Hope Church, of the Evangelical Association of North America, dates
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from June 26, 1868, when the Hoffming class of this denomination met in the church of Mount Hope, in Hopewell township, and elected the following trustees : John E. Smith, Andrew Stedcke, Frederick Smith, Conrad Smith and John Hellwarth. The present church, located in the western part of the township, was built in 1894, under the direction of the pastor, Rev. George Readerer, at a cost of $1,300. The parsonage was erected at a cost of $800. The church has a membership of 170, and the Sunday-school, an average at- tendance of about 100. Herewith are given the names of the pastors of the church since 1881, with their respective terms of service : Revs. William Konig (three years), Henry Arlen (three years), Shuh (two years), Albert Fisher , (three years), George Readerer (three years), William Ackerman (two years), J. F. Bockman (one year), John Schnitz (one year), H. H. Schlicker (two years), L. J. Ehrhart (two years) and L. J. Buyer, who will have served four years, in April, 1907.
There are two societies of the Church of God-Tabor in the eastern part of the township and Pleasant View, in the western-both of which, with Mount Carmel Church of God in Liberty township, are served by Rev. J. W. Johnson. The Tabor class was organized in the Mercer Methodist Episcopal Church where services were held for a number of years. In 1883 Tabor Church, a frame structure, was built at a cost of $1,500. The members of the class at this time were: William Hensel, Jacob Fast, A. G. Fast and Anderson Chapman and their families. William Hensel, Jacob Fast and A. G. Fast were the trustees. The church was dedicated in September, 1883, by Rev. Koogle, who was then pastor. He was followed by the following, in order as named: Revs. Poland, Cassel, McNutt, Hoover, Munyon, Poland, Rockwell, Richey, Miller and Johnson, who is the present pastor. The class has a present membership of 40. The Sunday-school has an average attendance of 35.
Union United Brethren Church was organized many years ago; the first members of the church were Andrew Sherrick and wife, William Morrow and wife, Enoch Johnson and wife, John Tester, William Hamline and wife, Daniel Weaver and wife and John Cook and wife. The present church build- ing, located near the center of the township, was erected in 1892 at a cost of $1,500. The church has a present membership of 70 and an average at- tendance at Sunday-school of 50. The church belongs to the branch called "Radical" and has been served by the following pastors: Revs. Michael Johnson (two years), William Kiracoffe (two years), William Kindel (two years), Thomas Coats (two years), Thomas Beber (two years), Jacob Kira- coffe (two years), Thomas Weyn (two years), C. S. Johnson (two years), Thomas Harvey (three years), A. J. Steman (two years), James Sherer (two
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CITIZENS BANK, CELINA
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH. COLDWATER
FIRST NATIONAL BANK, CELINA
COMMERCIAL BANK, CELINA
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years), and J. L. Culbertson, who is serving his second year. Union Church and Otterbein Church in Dublin township are served by the same pastor.
The Friends' Church in Hopewell township was organized some 20 or more years ago, John H. Dysert being the leader at that time. The church is located in the northwest corner of the township and cost $1,500. The so- ciety has a membership of 40. Rev. Isaiah Jay is the pastor.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
This township is bounded on the north by Liberty township, on the east by Jefferson and Butler townships, on the south by Recovery township and on the west by the State of Indiana. It is regular in form and contains 36 square miles. It is crossed from south to north by the Wabash River, while Beaver Creek flows across its northeast corner. These form sufficient courses of natural drainage and the township has rapidly improved in all its agricul- tural features. The population is largely German in character and is enter- prising and industrious.
Washington township was organized March 5, 1838, and the first elec- tion was held at the house of George Arbaugh, on April 2, 1838, when the following officers were elected : Trustees-James Schoonover, David Trexler and James Q. Grimes; clerk, William Nichols ; constable, Peter Stevens ; over- seers. of the poor-John Dixon and George Armstead; fence viewers-Ed- ward Dixon and Samuel Freeman, Jr. ; supervisor, Justin Stevens; and treas- urer, George Arbaugh. On the 26th of May following, William Nichols was unanimously elected justice of the peace. The present township officers are as follows: Trustees-Daniel Fennig, Orville S. Ashcraft and Joseph Born; clerk, George L. Schroyer; treasurer, John McQueen; justices of the peace-Perry C. Knox and James Jeffries.
In 1886 the township contained 8,933 acres of arable land, 2,577 acres of meadow land and 11,347 acres of woodland-a total of 22,857 acres, valued, with the buildings, at $362,345. In 1906 the assessor made the fol- lowing returns: Acres of cultivated land, 10,364; acres of pasture land, 6,592 ; acres of woodland, 2,793 ; acres of waste land, 405. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,384; in 1890, 1,617; and in 1900, 1,487.
SPECULATORS' LAND.
The lands in this township were nearly all entered between the years 1836 and 1840 and the larger tracts were entered by parties who never lived in the county and were called speculators' land. In section I David Cathcart entered 641 acres in 1839. He never lived on the land. Jefferson Walters, who lived at Dayton, Ohio, entered 320 acres in 1837. He never lived in
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
the county but kept his land until in the '80's. It was unfortunate for the township that so much land was held by non-residents who did nothing to clear and improve their lands, but this land is now owned by resident land- owners who have cleared and improved it.
PIONEERS.
Most of the early settlers entered land in 40, 80 and 160-acre tracts. Among the first settlers in the township were John Boley, John Betz, Samuel Arbaugh, David Harrod, E. A. Hillary, William Spriggs, W. Fishpaw, Peter McMillen, Joseph Loughridge, David Houston, William B. Wilson, Daniel Freeman. John Dixon, William Loughridge, Amos Dixon, H. Davidson, William Davidson, Joseph Davidson, George L. Adair, Henry Fortman, Will- iam C. Armstead, Samuel McDowell, Richard Scott, Thomas Clinton and Adam Miller.
CHURCHES.
Washington township has two Christian or New Light churches-Bethel and Wabash. Bethel Church was organized by Elder O. S. Green, June 17, 1871, with 31 communicants, with the Bible as their only rule of faith and practice, and Christian character as the only test of Christian fellowship. Elder Green was chosen pastor and filled the position many years. By 1880 the church had grown to a membership of between 80 and 90 .-- Wabash Church was organized at the town of Wabash, March 28, 1880, by Elder O. S. Green, with II communicants, with the same tenets as Bethel Church. The first officers of the church were the following: Deacons-Joseph Doner and William McCane : clerk, Allen Wishon.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized about February, 1861. The present church edifice was built in 1886. The church property is valued at $1.000, and the parsonage at $800. The church has 130 mem- bers and the Sunday-school. 45 scholars. The following pastors have served the congregation : Revs. Seitz, Heintz, Phil. Schmidt, H. Willert, W. Schmidt, A. J. Feeger, W. G. Nicol, C. E. Herbst, A. F. Klopfer and H. N. Probst, the present pastor.
There are two Methodist Episcopal churches in Washington township, namely : Erastus and Washington Chapel. Both churches are served by the pastor of the Fort Recovery Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. J. H. Butler ; both have flourishing Sunday-schools. The list of pastors and other informa- tion relating to the churches will be found in the sketch of the Fort Recovery Methodist Episcopal Church.
St. Anthony's Catholic Church at Padua is the only church of this de-
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nomination in the township. A history of this church will be found in the chapter devoted to Roman Catholic churches and institutions.
SCHOOLS.
The whole township constituted one school district until March 2, 1842, when it was divided into three districts, each six miles long and two miles wide. The records show that a Miss Montgomery was probably the first school teacher ; in December, 1838, she was paid $6 for teaching. In Febru- ary, 1839, Lewis J. Hunt was paid $30 for teaching. There are now II schoolhouses in the township-three brick and eight frame. There are II teachers employed at $50 per month for the eight months of school each year.
MACEDON, ERASTUS, PADUA AND WABASH.
This township contains no very large towns but there are four trading places. Macedon is a very old town. It was laid out by William Nichols and George Arbaugh on September 28, 1838, in 60 lots. It had at one time a hotel, two stores, grocery and blacksmith and wagon shop, but at present it has only a few residents and no business is carried on.
Erastus is a small place with only a few people and no business.
Padua is a town of few inhabitants. The church and school is about all it can boast of.
Wabash is the best and largest town in the township. It has a store and blacksmith shop, a church and a school.
BUTLER TOWNSHIP -
Is one of the leading townships of the county. Its land is in a high state of cultivation, the farms are well kept and the buildings are modern and up-to- date. A great many of the farmhouses are of brick and one seldom sees other than large capacious barns and granaries. As in the case of the other townships, corn, wheat and oats are the main crops raised. The soil is well adapted to these crops as well as to timothy and clover, which are raised in plentiful crops. The township is traversed by two railroads-the Cincinnati Northern, running north and south and the Lake Erie & Western, which runs from northeast to southwest. Both pass through Coldwater, the principal town, thus affording a good market for the people of the township.
The township was organized June 4, 1838, 25 residents petitioning the County Commissioners for such action, and the first election was held at the house of David Gray on Saturday, July 9, 1838. The township is bounded on the north by Jefferson township, on the east by Jefferson township, the
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
Grand Reservoir and Franklin township, on the south by Granville township, and on the west by Recovery and Washington townships. For the greater part it is six miles from east to west and five and a half miles from north to south, and has an area of about 32 square miles. The township had a popu- lation of 1,595 in 1880; 1,930 in 1890; and 1,995 in 1900. The present township officials are as follows: Trustees-Henry Stukenborg, Henry G. Uppenkamp and John L. Bucanon ; clerk, D. W. Frick; treasurer, Jacob Wil- hoff ; justice of the peace-D. W. Frick.
PIONEERS.
One of the first settlers of the township was J. C. Gray, who came here in 1835. Peter Stevens came here from Licking County, Ohio, in 1837. Philip Baker moved to Mercer County in 1836; his son Jacob settled in section 21, Butler township, in 1840; some of the family still live in the township. The Snider and Frank families were among the earliest settlers of Butler town- ship. Samuel Snider was the first settler on land in section 34. George Frank built the first blacksmith shop. The first store-house was built by David Buzzard and the first dwelling house in Coldwater was built by Samuel Snider. John F. Hickman was born in Mercer County in 1836 and lived here all his life. Jeremiah Plummer moved to Mercer County in 1836 and became a resident of Butler township; Isaac Kester, in 1839; and John Buehler and W. B. Wigner, in 1840. Jacob Hyman settled near Coldwater in 1844. John F. Albers, a native of Germany, settled in Butler township in 1846; his family were the first settlers on land in section 4. At this time Mercer County was one vast woods. James Grunden was another pioneer of Butler township, settling here in 1846. Joseph H. Smith entered land in 1832 and settled on it in 1852. He was the first settler on land in section 32. President Martin Van Buren signed his government deed. The Indians were his nearest neigh- bors on the west. He assisted in building the first schoolhouse in the district. When the family moved on the land they had a big oak tree for their shelter until they raised a cabin in which to live. Wild animals of all kinds abounded. Henry Lennartz settled here with his parents in 1848, when 12 years old. John J. Spoltman came in 1849; John W. Bennett and Herman Nieberding, in 1855; Joseph Birkmeyer, in 1857; and Henry Roetker, in 1858. Butler township is at present settled with a German population, who are an indus- trious and frugal people.
CHURCHES.
Butler township has two large and flourishing Roman Catholic churches : Holy Trinity at Coldwater and St. Mary's at Philothea. The history of these churches is given in another chapter of this work.
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