USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne county, Ohio, from the days of the pioneers and the first settlers to the present time > Part 61
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The Grape .- This fruit, produced from a well-known tree-like vine, is a native of Greece, Asia Minor and Persia, and is culti- vated in endless varieties for the table and for the manufacture of wine. The discovery of the process of manufacturing this bever- age is attributed to Noah*, and according to the Bible testimony the old Ark-builder got drunk, had to go to bed, and either per- mitted himself to be "uncovered," or lay "uncovered within his tent," and shamefully exposed himself. His youngest boy, Ham, made fun of him for getting intoxicated, whereupon the old Agri-
*Smith's Dictionary of the Bible.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
culturalist, Noah, became violently exasperated and declared that a curse should rest upon the sons of Ham." It should be regretted that an old settler like Noah, a leading and influential citizen be- fore the Flood, divinely commissioned to navigate the waters of the Deluge, and who did save eight souls and considerable live stock from destruction, should have thus indulged in excessive vinous imbibitions to the extent of gross inebriety and recklessly and disgracefully exposing his body.
Says Smith: "The vines of Palestine were celebrated both for luxuriant growth and for the immense clusters of grapes which they produced." To illustrate the size of these clusters, it is recorded, Numbers xiii, 23, that when the spies were sent out to view the promised land :
They came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff.
The treading of the wine-press was a great occasion, and we are told that "they encouraged one another by shouts," and that "their legs and garments were red with the juice." The process of expressing the wines by treading of the feet by women and girls, has long been practised in Oriental, as well as in some Euro- pean countries. Macaulay in his " Lays of Ancient Rome," and his poem, Horatius, has the following stanza :
" The harvests of Arretium This year old men shall reap; This year young boys in Umbro Shall plunge the struggling sheep; And in the vats of Luna, This year, the must shall foam Round the white feet of laughing girls Whose sires have marched to Rome."
From Anacreon to Thomas Moore and Dr. Holmes, of Boston, the juice of the grape and the treading of the press have been the theme of song.
Holmes, in addressing the contents of the wine cup, says ;
"It filled the purple grapes that lay And drank the splendors of the sun, Where the long summer's cloudless day Is mirrored in the broad Garonne ; It pictures still the bacchant shapes That saw their hoarded sunlight shed-
The maidens dancing on the grapes-
Their milk-white ankles splashed with red."
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AGRICULTURAL SURVEY.
The Isabella is said to have originated in South Carolina, and is a universal favorite in the North, and the Catawba is a product of Maryland. The grape delights in strong, rich soils, is a swift and rapid grower, and in the woods climbs to the top of the tallest trees. The wines of California take rank with the best products of the vineyards of Europe. The successful culture of the vine in Wayne county has been demonstrated, the condititions of our climate and soil being well adapted to its cultivation. No physi- cal obstacle interposes to its production, and upon the sunny slopes of our hills, why should it not be grown, and wines manu- factured of the richness and smoothness of the Rhine ?
Butter, Cheese, Sorghum, Maple Sugar .- The Auditor's books of Wayne county for the year 1875 show that there was produced 946,614 pounds butter, 47, 621 pounds cheese, 298 pounds sorghum, 1,50I gallons syrup, 13,742 pounds maple sugar, and 5,330 gal- lons syrup.
Cultivated, Pasture, Wood and Waste Lands .- By the Audi- tor's Report of 1876 there were within the county 165,052 acres of cultivated land, 50,006 acres of pasture land, 67,622 acres of wood land and 7,214 acres of "other lands lying waste."
Potatoes and Tobacco .- Our modern potato is said to have been carried to England by Sir Walter Raleigh from Virginia in 1586. With the laboring classes of Ireland it is the principal diet, though partial failures of the crop are of frequent occurrence upon the island. Its failure in 1847 produced the famine of that year with its terrible horrors. There are over fifty varieties, all having par- ticular merit. When planted on new ground, or lands fertilized by vegetable substances, they are more healthy than when raised from soils invigorated from the exuvia of the barn-yard-the latter being liable to produce rot and disease. A great many different varieties are cultivated in the county, but the commercial idea too often enters the head of the farmer; hence quantity instead of quality governs him. In Wayne county, in 1875, from 2,361 acres planted there was produced 287,874 bushels. The sweet potato is a creeper with angular and variably-shaped leaves, is diffi- cult of production, not particularly congenial to our soil, and gen- erally can be purchased cheaper than raised. The yam that re- sembles it most is anything else than a sweet potato.
Tobacco .- This plant was unknown to Europeans until the dis- covery of the American continent, it first being discovered on the
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
island of Cuba. It requires a deep, rich, mellow soil, or sandy loam. By the Auditor's books of Wayne county, in 1875, from 42 acres was produced 49,885 pounds.
Domestic Animals .- In 1876 there were listed for taxation in Wayne county, by reference to the Auditor's books, 12,014 head of horses, valued at $709,303; 29,772 head of cattle, valued at $441,699; 21I head of mules, valued at $15,713 ; 40,224 head of sheep, valued at $90, 629; 24,339 head of hogs, valued at $ 107,690. In 1875 there were produced in the county 159, 719 pounds of wool; there were 2,453 dogs in the county; 281 sheep killed by dogs, worth $926; 149 sheep injured, the estimate of the injury being $268, or a total injury by dogs to sheep of $1, 194.
Poultry has no place in the county statistics, yet a poultry breed- ing association exists in Wooster, and considerable attention is given to the cultivation and propagation of the better species.
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GREENE TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXVI.
GREENE TOWNSHIP.
GREENE township was organized February 5, 1817, and took it name from Major-General Nathaniel Greene, a revolutionary sol dier, and a native of Warwick, Rhode Island. The population ir 1870 was 2,715. The following is the official record of the town ship since its organization :
Justices of the Peace .- 1817-David McConahay, George Boydston ; 1820-Thos Smith, George Boydston ; 1823-Benjamin Sanford, Thomas Smith; 1826-Jess McKinly, Thomas Smith ; 1829-Jacob Bowman, Thomas Smith; 1833 - Jacol Bowman, Joseph Wilford ; 1836-John Musser, Joseph Wilford; 1839-Simon Ru ble, Thomas Washburn ; 1842-Simon Ruble, Thomas Darrongh ; 1845-Willian Taggart, David Kling; 1848-Simon Ruble, Thomas Darrough ; 1851-David Kling, John Zimmerman ; 1854-David Kling, John Zimmerman; 1857-Smitl Orr, John Zimmerman; 1860-Peter Walters, John Zimmerman; 1864-D. L Keiffer, Smith Orr; 1867-D. L. Keiffer, A. E. Clark; 1870 Thomas Fankle, A E. Clark ; 1873-Henry Schriber, O. K. Griffith ; 1876-Henry Schriber, Jame! Bodine.
1817. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, George Boydston, Thomas Hayse; Treas urer-Thomas Dawson ; Clerk-David Boydston.
1818. Trustees-David McConahay, David Boydston, Thomas Hayse; Treas urer-John Wade; Clerk-Benjamin Boydston.
1819. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, Jonathan Casebier Treasurer-Samuel Wilford ; Clerk-Benjamin Boydston.
1820. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, Thomas Smith; Treas urer-Samuel Wilford ; Clerk-Jacob Breakbail.
1821. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, George Smith; Treasurer -Samuel Wilford : Clerk-Benjamin Boydston.
1822. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, Adam Peckinpaugh ; Treasurer-Samuel Wilford ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1823. Trustees-John Wade, John Winkler, Joseph Wilford; Treasurer- Samuel Wilford; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1824. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, Adam Peckinpaugh Treasurer-George Carson ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1825. Trustees-Abram Feightner, James Long, Jacob Breakbail ; Treasurer- Thomas Hayse; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1826. Trustees-Abraham Feightner, James Long, Samuel Furgason; Treas urer-Thomas Hayse; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1827. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, Jacob Bowman, Thomas Smith; Treas urer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
1828. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, Jacob Bowman, Benjamin Erb; Treas- urer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1829. Trustees-Peter Flickinger. Jacob Bowman, Benjamin Erb ; Treas- urer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1830. Trustees-John Winkler, George Leasure, Samuel Furgason ; Treas- urer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1831. Trustees-John Winkler, George Leasure, Samuel Furgason ; Treas- urer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk -- Adam Kieffer.
1832. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, Jacob Hess, Jacob Erb; Treasurer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk -- Adam Kieffer.
IS33. Trustees-Peter Flickinger, Jacob Hess, Jacob Erb; Treasurer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk -- Adam Kieffer.
1834. Trustees-John Winkler, John Musser, Jacob Erb; Treasurer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1835. Trustees-John Musser, John Winkler, Jacob Erb; Treasurer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1836. Trustees-Jobn Winkler, John Capp, David Brenizer ; Treasurer-Pe- ter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1837. Trustees-John Winkler, Thomas Darrough, Evans Burgin; Treas- urer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk -- Adam Kieffer.
1838. Trustees-John Winkler, Thomas Darrough, Simon Bowman ; Treas- urer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1839. Trustees-John Winkler, Thomas Darrough, Simon Bowman; Treas- urer-Peter Flickinger; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1840 .. Trustees-John Winkler, Thomas Darrough, Simon Bowman; Treas- urer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1841. Trustees-John Winkler, Jacob Erb, Jacob Hess; Treasurer-Peter Flickinger; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1842. Trustees-John Winkler, John Hoover, Joseph Weiler; Treasurer- Peter Flickinger; Clerk-Adam Kieffer.
1843. Trustees-John Winkler, John Hoover, Joseph Weiler; Treasurer- Peter Flickinger; Clerk-Jacob Erb.
1844. Trustees-John Winkler, John Hoover, Joseph Weiler; Treasurer- Peter Flickinger; Clerk-Jacob Erb.
1845. Trustees-John Winkler, Jacob Hess, Peter Walters; Treasurer-Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-John Myers.
1846. Trustees-John Winkler, John Capp, Joseph Klepper; Treasurer- Peter Flickinger ; Clerk-John Myers.
1847. Trustees-John Winkler, Adam Kieffer, Daniel Schriber; Treasurer- Peter Flickinger; Clerk-John Myers.
1848. Trustees-John Winkler, Adam Kieffer, Daniel Schriber; Treasurer- Joseph Klepper; Clerk-John Myers.
1849. Trustees-John Winkler, Daniel Schriber, John Zimmerman ; Treasu- rer-Joseph Klepper ; Clerk-Peter Walters.
1850. Trustees-John Winkler, David Kling, John Zimmerman; Treasurer -- Joseph Klepper; Clerk-Peter Walters.
1851. Trustees-Daniel Lightfoot, Daniel Schriber, John Zimmerman ; Treas- urer-David Kling ; Clerk-Peter Walters.
1852. Trustees-John Winkler, Daniel Lightfoot, Christian Brenneman ; Treasurer-David Kling ; Clerk-Peter Walters.
1853. Trustees-John Winkler, Christian Brenneman, Henry Hoover; Treas- urer-David Kling ; Clerk-Peter Walters.
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GREENE TOWNSHIP.
1854. Trustees-Christian Brennaman, Henry Hoover, Jacob Hess; Treasu- rer-David Kling ; Clerk-Peter Walters.
1856. Trustees-Henry Hoover, David Arick, H. H. Webb; Treasurer- David Kling ; Clerk-Peter Walters.
1857. Trustees-John Erb, George Hurding, Jacob Gardner; Treasurer- Jacob Hess ; Clerk-John Myers.
185S. Trustees-Robert Hutchinson, Jacob Gardner, John Myers; Treasurer -- Jacob Hess ; Clerk-C. N. Storrs.
1859. Trustees -- Emanuel Schriber, J. W. Watters, Jacob Baughman ; Treas- urer-Jacob Hess ; Clerk-C. N. Storrs.
1860. Trustees-Emanuel Schriber, Samuel Brenizer, Robert Hutchinson ; Treasurer-Jacob Hess; Clerk-C. N. Storrs.
1861. Trustees-Christian Brenneman, Emanuel Schriber, Samuel Brenizer ; Treasurer-J. W. Winkler; Clerk-Jacob Reaser.
1862. Trustees-Andrew Ault, Daniel Holser, George Starn; Treasurer- James Gray; Clerk-Moses Morrett.
1863. Trustees-Andrew Ault, Daniel Holser, Peter Zell; Treasurer-James Gray; Clerk-Frederick Seas.
1864. Trustees-Christian Brenneman, James Bodine, Abraham Huffman ; Treasurer-James Gray ; Clerk-Frederick Seas.
1865. Trustees-Jacob Gardner, James Bodine, Josiah Foutch ; Treasurer- James Gray ; Clerk-Frederick Seas.
IS66. Trustees-James Bodine, Jacob Gardner, Isaac Winger ; Treasurer- Jacob Reaser ; Clerk-C. T. Clark.
1867. Trustees-James Bodine, Jacob Gardner, Isaac Winger; Treasurer- Jacob Reaser; Clerk-C. T. Clark.
1868. Trustees-James Bodine, Jacob Gardner, Isaac Winger; Treasurer- Jacob Reaser ; Clerk-C. T. Clark.
1869. Trustees-James Bodine, Christian Brenneman, William Myers; Treas- urer-Jacob Reaser; Clerk-C. T. Clark.
1870. Trustees-J. M. Flickinger, L. S. Taggart, William Myers; Treasurer -Jacob Reaser; Clerk-O. Lademore.
1871. Trustees-J. M. Flickinger, E. H. Milton, William Myers; Treasurer- John Myers; Clerk-Jeremiah Stutzman.
1872. Trustees-J. M. Flickinger, E. H. Milhon, J. J. Weiler; Treasurer- John Myers; Clerk-Jeremiah Stutzman.
1873. Trustees-J. M. Flickinger, E. H. Milhon, J. J. Weiler Treasurer- John Myers ; Clerk-Jeremiah Stutzman.
1874. Trustees-Frederick Seas, William Pontius, Joseph Bricker; Treasurer John Myers ; Clerk-H. J. Smith.
1875. Trustees-Frederick Seas, William Pontius, Peter Zell; Treasurer- Isaac Schriber ; Clerk-O. Ladimore.
FIRST SETTLERS AND FIRST THINGS.
The early inhabitants of this township observed one peculiarity in the first occupancy of it. It was a wilderness, overgrown with timber, with the exception of about twelve acres on the south-west quarter of section three, which was clear of trees, stumps, and even roots, and was called by the early settlers " the Indian's Field."
680
HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
A tradition runs, that, as early as 1802, a party of four young men, who had passed from Pennsylvania to Cleveland, and leaving the latter place for " Tusca- rawa," now Coshocton, were attacked by the Indians and one of their number killed, when the remaining three retreated by the line of trees they had blazed. The bullet that killed the young man entered a small oak tree, which the Indians. notched high above the ground. A few years thereafter two of these young men, accompanied by others, returned to the spot of the murder, discovered the notched tree, but saw no remains of the dead comrade. This would be the first death in the township.
The first settlement made within its present limits was in 181I, by Michael Thomas with his wife and seven children. He emi- grated from Washington county, Pa., and settled upon the south- west quarter of section 33, now known as the Bechtel farm ; and was followed by Thomas Boydston and his wife, who came from Pennsylvania, and who settled on the north-west quarter of the same section. For three years these were the only settlers in Greene township. In 1814 Lorenzo Winkler and family came from Virginia, and settled on section 22. The emigration was meager until 1815. Among other of the early settlers of the neighborhood, were, George Boydston, David McConahay, David Boydston, Thomas Hayes, David Antles, Thomas Dawson, John Wade, George Smith, Benjamin Boydston, Thomas Smith, Jacob Breakfield, John Harris, Douglas Wilford, Barter Harris, James Sparks, John Hobbs, Francis Shackler, Isaac Robbins, Phineas Burrwell, Thomas Johnston, John Bigham, Robert Calvins, Jacob Cook, Charles Kelley, Will Ruffcorn, George Carson, Jacob Break- bail and Thomas Alison.
In 1817 the population was 147, of which 26 were legal voters, and on application the township was formed. April, 1817, the electors convened at the residence of William Barnett, on the north- east quarter of section 21 to choose their local officers. David Boydston, Thomas Hayes, David McConahay and Thomas Daw- son were appointed Judges, and Thomas Boydston and Jacob Breakfield, Clerks.
Martha, daughter of Michael Thomas, was born September 25, 1812, the first birth in the township; the second, that of Richard Antles, February 3, 1813. The first marriage was that of Liver- ton Thomas to Anna Wade, by " Priest" Jones, in 1815. In 1819 the first saw-mill was put up, and built by Thomas Smith, on the site of the present grist-mill, at Smithville. The first frame build- ing was erected in 1822, on the present farm of Cyrus Hoover. In the fall of 1815 John Wade built a hand-mill to crush corn for fam-
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GREENE TOWNSHIP.
ily use, which was situated upon the farm now owned by D. L. Kieffer.
On section 21 were visible remains of an Indian village as late as 1819. The first State's warrant was issued April 5, 1818, by George Boydston, for the arrest of John Treasure, for assault and battery, upon complaint of Cephas Clark. Treasure was a " for- tune teller," and Clark had his fortune told " on tick ; " the " teller" proved to be a liar, and Clark "bucked" and wouldn't pay, where- upon Treasure got him "in chancery" and drafted "sirloins" on his "frontispiece." Both were citizens of East Union township.
In 1812 the first sermon was preached in the township by Rev. Gray, at the house of Mr. Thomas. In 1818 the first school was taught by Peter Kane, a student of Oxford, England, and the first school-house was built upon the north-west quarter of section 23- a log cabin 18x22. The second was taught by George Boydston, on the farm now owned by George Freeman; and the third was taught by Adam Kieffer, in 1824.
The first death in Greene township, after its settlement, was December 27, 1817. It occurred at a raising on the old Ruble farm, now owned by G. A. H. Myers, the victim being Christian Partshie, a stick of timber falling upon him.
Smithville took its name from Thomas Smith, who, in 1818, erected the first house in the neighborhood, a cabin, located on the north-west side of the Portage road, in the vicinity of which he afterward, in 1831, laid out a village. But on account of low grounds the site was vacated ; and on May 25, 1836, David Bir- ney, Sr., Joseph Musser, John Shroll and Luther Carey laid out a new village of forty-one lots, survey and plat made by Campbell Bell, being the central part of the present town of Smithville. David Brenizer, who is still living in Smithville, put up the first building, on the corner now occupied by John Willaman's brick store ; the second was built by Jacob Musser, near the present residence of Jacob Stutz, and the third was " Widow Johnson's- tavern." The first store in the original settlement was opened in 1818, by Reasin Beall, in one end of Thomas Smith's cabin. The first Postmaster was Thomas Smith, under the first administration of Andrew Jackson. The first store in the present village was opened by Judge Smith Orr and Jonathan Casebier, in the spring of 1837.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
CHURCHES OF GREENE TOWNSHIP.
There are nine different church organizations in this township, to wit; Metho dists, Amish, German Baptists (Dunkards), Presbyterians, Winebrenarians, Luth- erans, River Brethren, Brethren in Christ and the United Brethren. The first was organized in 1814, by the Methodists ; the second in 1816, by the Amish ; the third in 1826, by the German Baptists; the fourth in 1830, by the Presbyterians; the fifth in 1839, by the Winebrenarians; the sixth in 1843, by the Brethren in Christ ; the seventh in 1844, by the Evangelical Lutherans; the eighth in 1845, by the United Brethren ; and the ninth in 1867.
Jacob S. Paul, a native of Cumberland county, Pa., was born May 22, 1820. The self-reliant and resolute disposition of Mr. Paul developed itself quite prematurely, as at the age of twelve years he entered upon a clerkship in the store of Robert Sturgeon, of Churchtown, in his native county. With him he remained for seven years, when a change of firm took place, Mr. Paul, however, remaining a similar period under the new management, meantime obtaining an interest in the same. At the end of two years he disposed of his share in the establishment, and sought a wider sphere for the exercise of his commercial genius. Having some acquaintances in Smithville, in 1848 he removed there, soon there- after embarking in business with John Zimmerman, remaining with him three years, when for three years he gave his attention to farming. For a period, he was variously engaged, but in 1862, resumed his mercantile pursuits in Smithville, where he continues in business.
Mr. Paul has imparted to Smithville its reputation as a vital business center. By fair dealing he has won the respect and con- fidence, and hence the patronage of the surrounding country. In 1873 the business of his firm amounted to an excess of $115,000. In 1873 he established a branch liouse at Shreve, under the style of Paul, Bricker & Co., which suddenly sprang into a deserved popularity. His education was limited, receiving most of it from Jacob, son of Joseph Ritner, at one time Governor of Pennsylva- nia. He is an earnest, wide-awake man, possessed of sagacity, shrewdness of calculation, business fidelity and stubborn adhesion to business honor. He is of retiring disposition and covets no un- due notoriety. Thrown upon the world at an early age, he ac- quired habits of industry and self-dependence, which invariably insure success. He has remarkable organizing and executive abil- ity, and this, combined with his discretion and sound judgment
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GREENE TOWNSHIP.
makes him a successful business man. He was married December 26, 1846, to Amanda C. Bricker, of Cumberland, Pa.
Thomas Boydston settled in Greene township as early as the spring of 1811. He was born in Green county, Pa., in December, 1786, and married Emily Burress, of Monongalia county, Vir- ginia, the following children resulting from this first marriage: Boaz, Mary, Charles, Belinda, Presley and Enoch. His wife Emily dy- ing May 24, 1824, in East Union township, he was married a second time to Mary Brakefield, of Greene township, who died without issue. A third time he was married to Elizabeth Steel, of East Union township, of which union the following children are living : Solon, Sarah, Emily, Minerva, Eunice. He died in Orrville, August 22, 1863, his wife still surviving him.
John Winkler, the oldest living pioneer in Greene township, and first son of Lawrence Winkler, was born April 22, 1799, in Burke county, North Carolina, and came with his father to Greene town- ship, Wayne county, Ohio, in the spring of 1814, to prepare the way for the rest of the family, who came in the fall. In 1820 he married Miss Dorcas Wade, who died July 17, 1826, leaving one child. November 22, 1827, he married Miss Margaret Wilford.
Thomas Smith, after whom Smithville was named, was born May 14, 1788, in Washington county, Pa., and on January 9, 1815, was married to Miss Jane Wiley, of the same county. In the spring of 1818, with his wife and two children, he immigrated to Greene township, and settled on the east half of the south-west quarter of section 18.
Smithville High School .- This excellent educational institution was established in Smithville in August, 1865. Professor J. B. Eberly was the first teacher, and now is the popular Principal. The school first commenced in the old Presbyterian church, better known as the Synagogue. About two years afterwards money was subscribed by the citizens of Smithville and vicinity to the amount of $5,000, to build a suitable building, which was erected, and, with the grounds, is valued at $10,000, and the boarding halls about the same, making a capital of about $20,000. The average yearly attendance has been about 275 students of both sexes. A large majority of the present teachers of Wayne county have been educated here, and many from other counties, especially Stark. The school has no endowment, nor has it received any gift at any time, except as above mentioned.
Officers of the School .- President-Rev. D. Kosht, of Smithville; Secretary-B. Musser ; Treasurer-Rev. James Baldwin ; Board of Trustees-Benjamin Herschey, of Canton ; D. B. Hotchkiss, of Limaville; David Shisler, of North Lawrence ;
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Rev. John Excell, of Limaville; David Ecker, of Burbank; John Willaman, of Smithville.
Instructors .- J. B. Eberly, M. A., Principal, and Professor of Normal Depart- ment ; Leonard Huber, M. A., a graduate of Munich University, Germany, Pro- fessor of Ancient and Modern Languages; Benjamin Musser, Principal of Mercan- tile Department; Mrs. Eugene G. Grenamyer, Principal Instrumental Music ; Mrs. Sarah Isiphine Eberly, Assistant Teacher Instrumental Music; Joseph Cor- bett, Teacher of Vocal Music; Julius E. Henderson, Assistant Teacher Scientific Department.
John Jacob Kieffer, among the first emigrants to Milton township, was born October 16, 1759, in the Provisdiction of Zweibricken, Europe. His great-great-grandfather, De Wald Kieffer, was a native of Paris, and of wealthy and noble ancestry. He was the fifth child and oldest son of Michael Kieffer, and left Europe with his parents on April 15, 1773. They first settled in Bedford county, Pa., and lived there for about eight years, then crossed the Allegheny mountains and settled in Somerset county. Here, on September 2, 1787, he was married to Anna Eva Fritz, by whom he had nine children, viz: Michael, Margaret, Elizabeth, Adam, Mary, Jacob, Susanna, Joseph and Eva, who were all born in Somerset county, Pa. In the spring of 1815 he, with his family, immigrated to Wayne county, Ohio, and settled upon the north- east quarter of section 35 of Milton township, there being but few settlers in advance of him. He died there February 23, 1828. His wife died September 29, 1843, aged 75 years.
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