Wayne lies in the western tier of townships, with Liberty on the south, Winchester on the north and Brown County on the west.  It was one of the original townships, formed by the Commissioners, when they re-arranged the several townships of the county at their session held Dec. 2d, 1803.  The elections were ordered to be held at the house of Nathaniel Patton.  It was then embraced within its limits, a part of what is now Oliver township and the whole of Scott and Winchester.  It was named in honor of General Wayne.

FIRST SETTLERS.

     The first settler here was probably Samuel Wright, who came from Kentucky in 1799, and located on Cherry Fork, half a mile west of North Liberty; part of his farm is still owned by his descendants.
     In 1800, two families by the name of McNeil - John and Joseph - located a mile and a quarter south-east of the same village.  Their farms are now owned by John McGoveney and John Whitney.  About 1802, Francis McClellan came and settled near  the McNeils, and in 1804, Thomas Wassen located about a mile north-east of the village, on the farm now owned by his son, T. C. Wasson, Esq.  James Smith came in 1802 or '03, and settled the place now owned by Nathan Plummer, one and half mile east of North Liberty.  Robert Foster in 1802, settled the farm now owned by his son, Alexander Foster, two miles south-east of town.  James Young located where Youngsville now stands, 1802.  Among other early settlers, were William and James Finley, John McIntire and James Caskey.

VILLAGES.

     There are three villages in Wayne township;  North Liberty, Eckmansville and Youngsville.

NORTH LIBERTY.

     Which is the largest, was laid out by William McVey, March 28th, 1848.  Mr. McVey was a radical abolitionist, a member of "Liberty Party," and loved the name liberty so well, that he called his new town "North Liberty."  This village stands on the north bank of Cherry Fork.  The original survey was fifteen lots, numbered from 1 to 15, commencing at the creek and running north along the east side of the Winchester and West Union pike.
     The first addition, was made Oct. 2d, 1850 by Mr. McVey, who laid off three more lots, extending the original plot northward.  These lots were numbered 16, 17 and 18.  A second addition of nine lots numbering 19 to 27, was made February 2d, 1853.  Several parties united to make this addition, contri__ing the lots respectively attached to their names to-wit:  A. D. Kirkpatrick, lots 19 and 20; A. M. Gabby, 21 and 27; John Kenny, 22; Robert Patterson's heirs, 23; Rev. James Arbuthnot?, 21; Mrs. Fry, 26, and Robert Quick, 27.
     These lots commenced on the west side of the road opposite lot No. 2 of the original plat, and were numbered northward.
     The third addition was made by Thos. B. Reighley, August 21th, 1857,  who laid out ten more lots on the north of the second addition, numbered 28 to 37.
     A fourth addition was laid out by William McVey August 19th, 1872, of thirteen lots, which were located on both sides of the Youngsville road - four on the north and nine on the south side of that road - numbered 38 to 45, and from 50 to 55.
     This village lies on the Winchester and West Union pike, about eight miles north-west of the latter place. It contains two dry goods stores, one grocery store, two drug stores, one hotel, two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, one millinery store, three physicians, three churches; one U. P., one Methodist Episcopal, one Baptist (colored).

EARLY BUSINESS IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP - MILL

     The first mill in Wayne township was built by Samuel Wright in 1799, on Cherry Fork, near the village of North Liberty, where the present steam mill of Stewart McCormick stands.  It was what they called a tub mill, which means a small affair.  Mr. Wright afterwards sold it to Robert Thomas, who rebuilt, enlarged it, and attached a horse power to grind in dry weather, but subsequently put in a steam engine for that purpose.  It passed through the hands of many parties, until 1877, Stewart McCormick became the proprietor, who did a successful business until his decease, Dec. 11th 1879.  His death was caused by his clothing becoming entangled in arranging some of the belting while it was in operation.  He was badly mangled and died the same evening.

FIRST STORE.

     Col. Wm. McVey started the first store, probably, in the township.  He commenced business at his residence on the north side of where the village of North Liberty now stands, fitting up a room in his dwelling for the purpose and opened out his store in 1835.  The elections were held at his house at that time, which, being before any town was laid out, made it the most public place in the township. 

Here he carried on the mercantile trade until 1845, when he removed his store to the south side of the creek, and occupied a house that now belongs to C. Helmey.  After the removal, his son William took charge of the business and continued it until 1855, when he closed out and quit the trade.  The son seems to have been a successful as his father.
     In the spring of 1848, A. D. Kirkpatrick commenced the mercantile trade in a house on the south side of the creek.  In 1849 he removed to the north side, within the village, and continued business until the fall of 1855, when he sold out to J. N. Brown.  This building has since been removed, and a new one built near where it stood, now occupied by the Kleinknect Bro's.

FIRST CEMETERY.

     The first cemetery used, was probably the one that now belongs to the U. P. Church, on the south side of Cherry Form, and the first interment made in it was a son of Wm. Davidson, killed by lightning in 1802.  The second burial is believed to be Jas. Brown, who died in 1804.

FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.

     The first school house ever built in Wayne township was a log cabin, on the farm of Mr. Baldridge, and Wm. Patton was perhaps the first teacher.
     There are at present nine sub-districts in the township, with a good frame house in each of them, kept well painted and in good repair, where schools are kept seven months each year.
     The enumeration of the youth of school age in 1879, was: white males, 186; white females, 168; colored males, 12; colored females, 9.  total, 375.  The colored children are taught by a colored teacher.
     There is also an Academy or High School in the village, but no one can be found that can tell its history.  As nearly as can be gathered it was organized as a joint stock company, a building erected in 1857 and competent teachers employed, who conducted the schools for some years, but from some cause the investment proved unprofitable to the company, and it was sold about 1868, to Prof. Smith, who since that time successfully conducted the institution, either in person or by others under his management.

EARLY SETTLERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ECKMANSVILLE.

     ROBERT MORRISON came to Wayne township late in the year 1803, and temporarily stopped near where North Liberty now stands.  He, however, soon bought a tract of land near where Eckmansville now is.  This land is now owned by his son, William Morrison.  William and James McKittrick came about 1804.  Their property is now owned by Thomas Allison.  Daniel Marlatt settled in 1804 also.  His son, Silas Marlatt, now owns the old homestead, one mile north of Eckmansville.  In 1806, Wm. John and Daniel John, settled.  Samuel Alexander now owns the farm of the former and James Johns' heirs own the latter property.  John and James Ross also settled about the same time.  Their property if now owned by R. M. Alexander.  John Thompson and James Wright came a few years later.

ECKMANSVILLE.

     In 1824, Wm. Eckman settled where this village now stands.  He was a blacksmith, built a shop and worked at his trade.  In 1833, James Cross started a store in a house that is now owned by Robert Fulton's heirs.  Amos Gulick bought out Foster in 1835 and continued the business in the same rooms until 1838, when he was succeeded by Mr. Eckman who carried on the mercantile trade until 1854, when he sold to Daniel Bayless, who occupied the house now used by Mrs. Matthews as a hotel.
     On July 9th, 1850, Mr. Eckman laid out the village which bears his name.  It is located on the Ripley pike, about two miles south-west of North Liberty.  The town lies north-east and south-west, and was surveyed into 42 lots.  John Morrison and perhaps one or two others, were joined with Mr. Eckman as proprietors.
     Andrew Johnson, in 1835, started a store in the Fulton building, which he carried on about two years, and then closed out.
     A building now owned by John L. Gibbony was for many years - 1840 to 1865 - occupied as a store.  It was successively used by James Walker, Wm. Stewart, Robert Manning and Samuel Fitch.  Since 1865 it has not been occupied as a store.
     John Morrison commenced the mercantile business in the fall of 1836, and has continued it at the same stand ever since.  In 1865, he associated his son, A. B. Morrison, with him in business, since which it is known under the name of John Morrison & Son.   This is now one of the oldest mercantile establishments in the country, having been carried on by the same proprietor for forty-three years.

YOUNGSVILLE.

     This village was never surveyed or regularly laid out, but the proprietor, David Young, sold lots of all sizes to suit the purchaser, until it has grown to be something of a village.  There are now two dry goods stores, one drug store, two blacksmith shops, one shoe maker shop, one doctor, one hotel, and contains a population of 125.

     There is a meeting house here that belongs to no religious organizations, but is free to all religious denominations.  It was built by non-professing christians, who desired to have some place where their children could receive moral instruction.
     All denominations preach in it, but none control it.
     The first store in the place was started in 1819, by David Young.  It was a small affair.  James Young next started in the mercantile business in 1845.  He was succeeded by W. and J. F. Young with a good establishment.  This firm continued business until 1864, when they closed out.
     Several other establishments have done business in this place.

SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.

     Wayne is probably the best agricultural township in the county.  Its surface is not as hilly and broken as most other portions of the county.  The soil is mostly of a reasonable fertility, with well improved and neatly cultivated farms, that give it a pleasant appearance.
     The principal stream of water is the Cherry Fork, that meanders through the township from west to east, passing the village of North Liberty.

FIRST CHURCH AT NORTH LIBERTY.

     The Associate Reformed church, of Cherry Fork, near North Liberty, was the first religious organization formed in Wayne township.  It was first constituted on Eagle creek in 1803, but as a considerable portion of the members lived near Cherry Fork a congregation was formed there in 1805, and the Eagle Creek church soon ceased to exist.  Their first place of worship was a hewed log house, "chinked" with stone and "daubed" with lime and sand-mortar.  It was thirty feet square and had neither fireplace or stove.  Each family furnished the slabs for its own seats.  This building was used until 1833, when a new brick edifice 50x50, took its place.  This new house had a four sided roof, twelve feet ceiling and cost $1,200.  The third and present house was built in 1854.  It is of brick and is 48x70, with twenty-two feet ceiling.  Its total cost was $3,600.
     The first pastor was Rev. David Risk, who preached a few years.  In 1809, Rev. William Baldridge took charge.  They promised Mr. Baldridge a salary of $165, for one-half his time; one-half of this sum was to be paid in "merchantable produce."  A committee, of which Mr. Morrison was Chairman, appointed "to transact the congregational business, rated the price of produce paid into Mr. Baldridge," as follows:
Beef and Pork per cwt.............................$2.50
Wheat per bu...........................................   .58
Rye per bu...............................................   .42
Whisky per gal.........................................   .50
Oats per bu..............................................   .25
Corn per bu.............................................   .25
Seven hundred linen per yd.....................  .50
Clean swingled flax per lb......................   .12½
Sugar per lb.............................................  .12½

     Such facts as the above show how our forefathers lived in the early years of our country.  Yet no doubt they lived as happily, perhaps more so, than their descendents do.
     Mr. Baldridge preached for this church until his death, in December, 1830.  After the death of Mr. Baldridge, there was a vacancy of about a year, when Rev. Robert Stewart took the pastoral charge of the church and served it until his decease in 1852.  Another vacancy of a year ensued, when Rev. David MacDill took charge in June, 1853.  Mr. MacDill remained with the congregation until 1876, when he removed west.  After another vacancy of a year, Rev. Jno. S. Martin, the present pastor, was called to take charge.
     This was called the Associate Reform church until 1858, when a union was effected with the "Associated church," since which time it is known as the United Presbyterian church.  It now (1880) numbers 265 members.

POST OFFICES.

     There are three post offices in the township; Cherry Fork at North Liberty, Eckmansville and Youngsville.
     The history of these post offices is so vague and indefinite that it is useless for our work.

CHURCHES.

     There are four churches:  U. P. church of Cherry Fork; one M. E. church, and one Presbyterian church at Eckmansville; one M. E. church at North Liberty.

BIOGRAPHIES

     JOHN COLEMAN AND ROBERT COLEMAN - The ancestors of these brothers were natives of New Jersey.  Their grandfather, Christopher Coleman, removed from New Jersey to Washington county, Pa., with his family about 1793.  Christopher Coleman's oldest child, named William, and who is the father of the subjects of this sketch, was born in New Jersey, and came with his parents when about two years old, to Washington county, Pa., where he grew to manhood.  He there married Jane Boyce.  In April, 1831, he removed to Carroll county, O., where he settled and lived until 1846, when he removed to Adams county, where he resided until his decease in 1854.  His wife died in 1858.  These parents raised a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, named Susan, Joseph, John, William, David and Robert, who all grew to years of maturity, and all married but one.  Two of this family of children, John and Robert, the subjects of our sketch, now own and occupy the old homestead, about four miles east of North Liberty, on the Grace's Run pike.  This farm contains nearly 260 acres.  They have cleared it out and put it in a high state of cultivation and adorned it with beautiful buildings, as will be seen by reference to the view in this volume.  Robert, the younger brother, was born May 31, 1825.  He married Elizabeth E. Taylor, November 9, 1853.  They are the parents of five children, named Mary, William, James T., Jennie B., Alma C.  William is deceased.  Mary married F. P. McCreight, and lives in Oliver township.  The others remain at home.  Mrs. Coleman died Nov. 12, 1871.  John Coleman was born in Washington county, Pa., Nov. 7, 1816.  He never married.  These brothers bought and improved their farm, have always lived pleasantly together, and are now enjoying the comforts and fruits of an industrious life.

     SAMUEL McNEIL - John McNeil, father of Samuel McNeil, came to Adams county in 1801, and settled in Wayne township, on a farm now belonging to Mr. McGovney.  He was born in 1771 and died in 1841.  He reared a family of ten children, only two of whom are now living, Samuel and Martha.  Of these children, two, James and Sarah were born in Kentucky; the others, John, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Samuel, Jessie, Martha and Nancy were born in Adams county.  Samuel, who is the subject of this sketch, and one of the two surviving children, followed teaching for about seven years, but is now engaged in farming.  Martha, the other surviving child, is married, but still retains the same name, having married a man named McNeil.

     T. C. WASSON - The subject of this sketch is of Irish descent.  His grandfather, John Wasson, was a native of Ireland, and married in that country.  At an early day, he emigrated from there with his wife to America, and settled in Rockbridge county, Virginia, where he raised a numerous family.  Among his children, was a son named Thomas, who married Rebecca Cowan.  This Thomas Wasson and wife removed from Virginia to Ohio in 1804, and settled first one and a half miles east of Winchester, which was then a part of Wayne township, where he lived a year or two.  He then removed to Cherry Fork and settled near North Liberty, on the farm now owned by his son, T. C. Wasson, Esq.  He and his wife both united with the U. P. church at Cherry Fork, soon after its organization in 1805, of which they remained honored and consistent members through life.  Mr. Wasson cleared up his farm and lived on it, until his decease, Dec. 3, 1851, aged 73 years, 2 months and 24 days; his wife died Aug. 5, 1838, aged 60 years, 9 months and 2 days.  They __ in Cherry Fork graveyard.  They reared a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, who all grew to years of maturity and married.  After the death of his first wife, Mr. Wasson entered into a second marriage with Elkiah Spencer.  By this marriage he raised a son named William F., who was born Aug. 29, 1845.  This son enlisted in the war of the rebellion in Co. H., Capt. D. Urie, 173d Regt., O. V. I., Col. J. R. Hurd.  He died of disease at Johnsonville, Tennessee, Aug. 29, 1865.  Mr. Wasson's surviving children by his first wife, were named Samuel C., John F. T. C., Ellen Q., Rebecca and Polly Wasson, all of whom grew to years of maturity and married.  Samuel C., the oldest, married Jane Young, of Adams county.  They both fell victims to the cholera in 1849, Mr. Wasson dying on the 11th and Mrs. Wasson on the 13th of August.  Ellen Q., married Matthew Campbell, who has since deceased.  She now lives a widow in Promise City, Wayne county, Iowa.  John F. married Sarah McComas.  They live in Tippecanoe county, Indiana.  Rebecca married James M. Campbell who died, and she now lives a widow in Tipton county, Indiana.  Polly married Joshua Matthews.  They live in Missouri.  T. C. Wasson, the third son, whose name stands at the head of this article, and a sketch of whose home adorns the pages of this volume, was born on the old homestead, that he now owns, May, 20, 1812.  Here he grew up to manhood.  He married Miss Martha P. Campbell, Feb. 9, 1832.  They are the parents of eight children; one died in infancy; two, Margaret Ann and Rebecca M., died in early years.  The other five, named T. S. Wasson, Matilda Jane, James P., Martha M., and S. Y. Wasson, grew to years of maturity and married.  T. S. Wasson, the oldest, was born Feb. 22, 1833; was married to Miss E. J. Askren, Oct. 19, 1853.  He is engaged in farming in Wayne township, and is a ruling elder in the U. P. church at Cherry Fork.  Matilda Jane, born Mar. 17, 1836, married B. F. Pittenger, Sept. 10, 1857.  They live near Minneapolis, Ottawa county, Kansas.  Martha M., was born Feb. 8, 1840; married J. S. Glasgow, Oct. 18, 1860; lives in North Liberty.  S. Y. Wasson was born Nov. 5, 1851.  He graduated at Oxford College.  He followed the mercantile business in Gallipolis ten years, and represented Gallia county in the Legislature two terms.  He married Miss Jennie Henderson, of Butler county, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1867.  He is now engaged in farming in that county.  James P. was born Dec. 18, 1837; married Martha McIntire, Sep. 8, 1859.  He is now engaged in farming in Douglas county, Kansas.  In August, 1863, he enlisted in Co. G, Capt. Urie, 129th Regt., O. V. I.  Col. John commanding; served mostly in Kentucky and Tennessee; was in the fight of Cumberland Gap, and several smaller engagements, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his time.   These children were all baptized in the U. P. church at Cherry Fork, of which they became members.  Two of them, Matilda Jane and Samuel Y., having removed outside the bounds of any U. P. church, have united with Presbyterian churches in their neighborhoods.  T. C. Wasson and his first wife, both united with the U. P. church at Cherry Fork, soon after their marriage, she remaining a member until her decease, and Mr. Wasson still continuing.  Mr. Wasson married for a second wife, Mrs. Eliza J. McNeil.  This lady was born in 1818, and was, in her infancy, baptized in the U. P. church at Tranquility.  She was married to Jesse McNeil, Oct. 20, 1836.  Soon after their marriage, they united with the U. P. church at Cherry Fork, of which they lived honored and consistent members.  Mr. McNeil was born Oct. 24, 1914, and died Sept. 4, 1852.  By this marriage Mrs. McNeil became the mother of eight children, four of whom died in infancy.  The four survivors who grew to years of maturity, were Mary Ann, John W., James G., and Jesse McNeil.  Mary Ann was born Dec. 3, 1837, and died Feb. 1, 1856; never married.  John W. was born June 10, 1841.  Enlisted in the service of his country, July 4, 1861, in Col. I., 4th Regt., Iowa Volunteer Infantry.  He participated in many of the hard fought battles of the war; was at the battle of Springfield, Missouri; at Pea Ridge, Arkansas; was through the whole siege of Vicksburg; was at the battles of Chattanooga; at Mission Ridge, etc.; was finally captured in March, 1864, while with a scouting party, somewhere in Georgia, and carried to Andersonville where he died June 16, 1864.  James G. was born Jan. 16, 1847; enlisted in the 46th Regt., Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Co. H., in May, 1864, and died of disease, brought on by taking cold after an attack of measles, at Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 4, 1864.  Jesse was born Feb. 14, 1853; married Jennie May  in March, 1873.  He resides in Wayne county, Iowa; engaged in farming; has two children, both boys.  In the fall of 1856, after her husband's death, Mrs. McNeil's parents, with her brothers and sisters, emigrating to Iowa, she accompanied them.  Upon their arrival there, they located in Wayne county, Mrs. McNeil settling in Promise City, while her parents located in the country adjoining the town.  Here she united with the U. P. church, by letter from Cherry Fork.  Here she lived, taking a lively interest in church affairs, and working actively in the Sabbath Schools, until 1872, when she became the wife of Mr. Wasson, with whom she returned to the neighborhood in which her earlier years were passed, again uniting with her old Cherry Fork church.  Now in the afternoon of life, Mr. Wasson and his lady, in their pleasant home amid the scenes of their early years, blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, are enjoying the fruits of their well spent labors, with the respect of all who knew them.