This township was formed at the reorganization of the townships in 1803. It then had the following boundaries: Beginning at the mouth of Island creek on the Ohio river, thence up the river to the mouth of Brush creek, thence with the high land between Brush creek and Lick Fork, till it strikes the east line of Wayne township thence south along said line till it strikes the north-east corner of Sprigg township, thence south along the ___ line thereof to the place of beginning. Since that time several important changes have been made in its boundary lines. It was named in honor of Edward Tiffin, then Governor of the State. The elections were ordered to be held at the court house West Union.

SURFACE.

Tiffin township, as well as the whole of Adams county, was doubtlessly once a level plain. This is evident from the even and horizontal position of the layers or strata of the rocks.  The regularity of their stratification shows conclusively that they were deposited in quiet waters, and they lay in the unbroken strata that covered the whole land.
     This level plain has been furrowed with the valleys we now  see, wholly by the excavating power of water, that has cut down through the rocky strata, until the country presents the appearance of the endless succession of hills and valleys that we now see.  The present configuration of the country is caused by artificial means.

STREAMS.

     While no considerable streams pass through this township, two or three creeks have their source or head springs within its limits.  The highest spring of Beasley's Fork is near the old factory building in West Union.  Flowing southward, increasing in volume by the added waters of other springs along its course, it becomes a considerable creek, and finally empties into Ohio Brush creek, opposite the farm of Nathan Foster, in Green township.
     Lick Fork has its source in a spring on the farm of Mrs. Holmes opposite Jerry Stewart's house, one-half mile west of

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West Union, winding its way eastwardly; it flows into Brush creek, near the Fristew farm, a mile south of Jacksonville.
     There is another strong spring, about a mile north of the Holmes spring, known as the Stroman spring.  This was once a noted deer lick, and is generally considered the source of Lick Fork, and which gave name to the latter creek.

EARLY SETTLERS.

     We have been unable to gather with certainty the exact dates at which the first settlers in Tiffin township came.
     Jacob Treber, who came in 1797, and settled in Lick Fork, where his grandson, William Treber, now lives, was among the very first that settled in the township.  Among others who were here when he came or who arrived soon after he did, were Andrew Ellison, who settled about half a mile south-west of him, and built the stone house now owned by Simon Fields; Daniel collier who settled on Brush creek, on the farm now owed by his son-in-law, Andrew Ellison; Duncan McKenzie, who settled a little lower down the Collier; Lewis Piatt and a few others.
     Another settlement was made in the neighborhood of Killintown, about 1800.  Among these settles were James Ellison, James, Robert and Jonathan; Job Denning, Joseph Eylar, Adam Hempleman, John Killin, who afterwards laid off Killinstown; Devern Clary and Jacob Piatt, who died at the age of 104 years; Samuel Compton, who came in 1802; George Harper and David Collins.  Harper located adjoining West Union on the north side.  The property is now owned by Salathiel Sparks.  Collins settled south of the village.

CHURCHES.

     There are within the limits of Tiffin township, twelve churches, as follows:  one Presbyterian, three Methodist Episcopal, one Methodist Protestant, one Baptist, one United Presbyterian, three Christian Union, one United Brethren, one Christian church.
     We have, by the assistance of some of these churches, been able to gather their history, which we give in our work, whilst others have rendered us no aid, and therefore their histories are necessarily left out, because we could not obtain it.

POST OFFICE.

     There are two Post offices, West Union and Osman.  The history of the former is given fully, but there is no data to give the history of Osman.

THE TREBER FAMILY.

     JOHN TREBER - Was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from whence he emigrated to Limestone - now Maysville, Kentucky, in 1794 or '95.  From that place he removed in 1797 to Adams county, and settled the farm now owned by his grandson, William Treber, on Lick Fork, about five miles northeast of West Union, on the Maysville and Zanesville pike.  There were but few settlers here when Mr. Treber came.  Among those who were here, or came about that time, was Andrew Ellison who settled about half a mile southwest, on the farm now owned by Simon Fields, where the old stone house now stands.  Daniel Collier who settled the farm now owned by Mrs. Andrew Ellison.  Duncan McKinsey, Lewis Piatt, and a few others.  Mr. Treber first built a cabin, for temporary shelter for his family, but in 1798, he erected a substantial hewed log house and hung out a shingle inscribed "Traveler's Entertainment."  This was one of the first taverns opened in Adams county - the Leedom House at Bentonville, perhaps preceded it two or three years.  Mr. Treber kept this tavern until 1825, when he traded it to his son Jacob, for his farm on the Killenstown ridge.  Jacob Continued the old tavern until about 1850, when the introduction of railroads had so changed the

modes of travel that country taverns were no longer paying institutions, and the "sign" which the winds had swayed to and fro for over fifty years was pulled down, and the house offered "travelers entertainment" and more.  This building was weather-boarded in 1831, and is to-day, after a lapse of eighty years, in good condition, making a very comfortable, pleasant residence for its occupants.  There are many incidents of historic  interest connected with this old house and its vicinity.  Being on the Maysville and Zanesville road, which Col. Zane marked out, this road, the route of travel from the south and the southwest to the eastern States was over this road.  General Jackson passed over it on his way in Washington city in 1839, to be inaugurated President.   Henry Clay and Thomas H. Benton used to pass this way to attend the sessions of Congress, and both have slept within the walls of this old tavern.  In 1815, a company of Kentucky soldiers on their way home from the army, after the declarations of peace, stopped over night.  One of them, named Zachariah Moon, being sick, died during the night.  His companions remained over a day to bury their dead comrade, which they did with military honors.  Though no stone marks the last resting place of this dead soldier, it has been respected; no ruthless plow share has ever desecrated it.  This grave is about sixty rods northeast of this old dwelling, in the field near the roadside.  It has marked by a clump of bushes that with their green foliage, cast a pleasant shade over the spot in the summer's heat, while the beautiful wild flowers by their mute silence seem to plead in pity to the passing traveler for sympathy for the quiet sleeper whose rest they seem to guard.  About thirty rods southwest of this house along the pike towards West Union is a spot rendered memorable by the death of Asahel Edgington, who was killed there by the Indians in December, 1793.  A narrative of this affair is given in another part of this work.  Edgington fell near a small cedar tree that stands about a rod from where the pike runs, on the northwest of it.  When his friends at Manchester came to look for his body, the next day, they found his head stuck upon a pole which was set up near this cedar tree.  His remains were gathered up and interred near the creek.  In course of time the wearing away of the land by the waters, disinterred his skeleton, which was again gathered up by his friends.

MURDER OF WILLIAM FLORENCE

     This man lived in Monroe township, on the west side of Brush creek, near Waggoner's Ripple, on the property afterwards owned by the late John Jones, and still occupied by his family.   William Florence married the daughter of James Karskadon, of Blue Licks, Kentucky.  This Karskadon appears to have been rather a thriftless kind of a man, fonder of hunting than work, and fonder of whisky than either.  HE frequently wandered over the country with his gun to hunt, and when he could get it, carried a bottle of whisky with him, stopping with friends here and there to stay all night, or to get a meal of victuals.  On one of these occasions, he made his way to the house of his son-in-law, Florence, but knowing his aversion to whisky, Karskadon left his bottle out somewhere, but when he wanted to find it, was unable to do so.  He accused Florence of having found and concealed it, and demanded its return, and threatened to shoot him if he did not produce the bottle.  Florence was unable or unwilling to get it, when his father-in-law deliberately shot him while standing in his own door, killing him instantly.  Karskadon then coolly started on his way home, shooting a squirrel or two, as he traveled along.  He made his way to Wrightsville, where he was arrested before crossing the river.  This occurred on the 24th day of June, 1839.  Karskadon was lodged in jail, indicted for murder in the first degree, and tried at the September term and found guilty, as charged in the indictment, the jury bringing in their verdict on the afternoon of the 27th.  The court met on the morning of September 28th, and the Sheriff was directed to bring the prisoner into court, to have sentence passed upon him.  The Sheriff presently returned in some consternation, and reported "the prisoner has hung himself, and is dead.  Thus ended the career of James Karskadon.

MURDER OF SIMON OSMAN.

     James Easter and Simon Osman lived neighbors in Jefferson township, not far from the forge dam bridge, where they had lived the greater part of their lives.  There had however existed a feud between them for many years, that time could not efface.  They had grown to be old men, being sixty-five years of age.  The families maintained a like ill-feeling towards each other.
     On Saturday, Sept. 28, 1876, the neighbors had gathered at the forge dam bridge, to celebrate its completion by a picnic, with plenty of drink.  The Osmans were there, and Easter and his son John passed with some stock they had sold.  After delivering the stock, the Easters returned, crossing over the bridge, where the Osmans had a restaurant.  The old man Osman who had been drinking freely, followed Easter, inflicting several blows on him.  Easter turned on his assailant with a knife, with which he stabbed him, severing the artery of the left arm, from which Osman died in twenty minutes.  In the mean time, two of the young Osmans attacked young Easter, one of them stabbing him with a carving knife inflicting a wound that extended from his temple down his face and body nearly to his knees.  In the mean time, the old man Easter, hurrying to the assistance of his son, was assailed by one of the young Osmans with a fence stake, and knocked down and so severely injured that he never fully recovered from the effects of it.  Old man Osman was carried to his home near by, a corpse, and young Easter was many months under the doctor's care.
     The blood shed on that occasion was visible for a long time on the bridge, which is often called bloody bridge.
     Indictments were found against Easter, but they were never prosecuted to final decisions.

CHURCHES.

SOLDIER RUN BAPTIST CHURCH -
TIFFIN TOWNSHIP.

     On the fourth Sunday in June, 1802, there assembled at the house of James Carson, on Soldier Run, a few of the scattering neighbors to hear the gospel preached.  At this meeting a new church was organized, and seven members united with it.  This little band of worshippers who at that early day planted this infant church in the wilderness, deserve to have their names go down to all future generations.  they are now dead, but "Their memories should live."  Their names are James Carson, Elizabeth Carson, David Thomas, Patrick Killen, Nathaniel Foster, Priscilla Lovejoy and Eve Ellrod.
     The Rev. Thomas Ellrod preached the sermon, and regularly constituted the church, after which, a constitution and rules of government were adopted to guide its members in the way of the christian life.
     The house to which these meek and lovely pioneers made their way from their humble cabins, along the winding paths among the forest trees, that bright, quiet Sunday morning in June, 1802, to usher into existence this new church, is still standing near the mouth of Soldier Run.  It is considerably dilapidated by the wear of time.  It afterwards passed into the hands of David Black, and is now the property of his widow, Mrs. Sarah Black.  It probably took some little time to get the machinery of this church - if we may so speak - into regular running order, for it appears that its first clerk was not elected until October 9th, 1802, when David Briggs was called to that position, and it was not until Saturday, Feb 12th, 1803, that Nathaniel Foster and James Carson, were appointed the first deacons.  On Apr. 9th, 1803, Elder Thomas Ellrod was unanimously invited to take the pastoral charge of the church.  This appears to have been the first minister regularly called to the charge.  At this meeting, Nathaniel Foster and James Carson, were ordained deacons.
     July 9th, 1803, the church agreed to join the Bracken association.  Elder Thomas Ellrod was appointed to prepare a letter for that purpose, to be presented to the next church meeting for inspection.
     Aug. 16th, 1803, Elder Ellrod presented the better he was instructed to present for the association, which was approved, and Deacon Foster and Bro. Thomas were directed to bear it to the association.
     On July 13th, 1805, "Bro. Pangburn was permitted to preach awhile on trial," and on Apr. 7th, 1810, "Bro. Ellrod was permitted to take out license to keep tavern.
     Up to 1835, the regular church and business meetings, on Saturdays were generally held at the house of Mr. Carson, but for preaching or other larger gatherings, were held at Osmon's school house, but three-fourths of a mile from Carson's.
     In 1835, arrangements were made to build a meeting house, and an acre and a half of land was purchased from Abraham Newkirk, and in 1836, a comfortable new frame house was built.  This deed was made Jan. 29th, 1836, by Abraham Newkirk and Massey Newkirk, his wife, to David Spohn, John Osman and Wm. F. James, as trustees of the church.  The following are complete lists of all the church officers.  From the organization of the church to 1865, there have been the following pastors:
     Thomas Ellrod and John Harover, twenty-nine years; Jacob Layman, four years; David Spohn, four years; Hiram Burnet, four years and four months; Lyman Whitney, two years and five months; David Vance, two years; Hugh S. Kelley, five years; Mr. Dinkleman, ____; F. Fear, ____.
     The following ministers have been licensed by the church to preach:
     Mr. Pangburn, in 1805; John Harover, 1805; David Spohn, 1825; Walter Smith, 1831; Mr. Fry, 1839; Francis Fear, 1865.
     The following Deacons have been elected:
     James Carson, in 1803; Nathaniel Foster, 1803; John Hamilton, 1838; Samuel Mason, 1838; F. C. Fear, 1844; Adelpheus Humble 1852; John Osman, 1852.
     The following are the church clerks:
     David Briggs, 1802; Bartholomew Anderson, 1804; William F. James, 1835; William Parks, 1838; William F. James; 1839; F. C. Fear, 1845.
     The total number of members that have united with it, is two hundred and forty-four.

OAK GROVE GERMAN M. E. CHURCH

     This church is situated on the road leading from West Union to Youngville, three miles from the former place, but in Tiffin township.  It was organized about 1843, with the following members, to-wit: J. Esaick and wife, F. Kimmerly and wife, G. Hans and wife, and C. Haughenbuch.  Rev. John Baer was the first preacher.
     The meeting house was built in 1845, of hewed logs, 18x24.
     The society now numbers but eight or ten members.  Most of the old membership now sleep in the quiet church yard, while others have removed to the far west.  Their descendants have forgotten their mother tongue, and mostly united with different branches of English churches.

OAK GROVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

     This church is situated near the Oak Grove German M. E. Church, before mentioned.  It was organized Aug. 12th, 1867, by Elders N. Davidson, C. W. Garroutte, and William Pangburn, with the following members, to-wit:  Hester Lowe, Sarah Postlewait, Margaret Russell, Elizabeth Howland, Jonathan Postlewait, Huldah Lewis, Levi C. Howland, Andrew Gallaspie, Sarah Russell, Sarah L. Gallaspie and Matilda Billiter.  In 1868 they procured from James McGoveny a lot of land adjoining the property of the German M. E. Church, on which they erected a neat and comfortable, meeting house.  The building is a frame, 32x40, costing $1,200.  It was dedicated in October, 1858, by the Rev. N. Dawson.  John B. Howland is the present Deacon.
     The present number of members is ninety-nine.
     Since its organization there have been the following pastors,

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to-wit:  William Pangburn, George C. Hill, John Shelton, Jacob Hawk, and John F. Burnett, present incumbent.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

FRANK SEAMAN -    This gentleman, was born in Mongola county, now West Virginia, Sept. 7th, 1816, came with his parents to Adams county, in 1820, when but four years old.  His father, John Seaman, first cam and "looked out" a new country, and selected Adams county, to which place he afterwards, in 1820, brought his family.  He first settled temporarily, about one-fourth of a mile east of West Union, but presently took a lease on a place now known as the Johnson farm about three and a half miles from West Union.  Here he moved a family.  It required hard work and economy to provide for them, in this new and comparatively unimproved country.  At the age of sixteen, Frank went forth from the parental roof, to make his way in the world on his own resources, which was the "bone and musle" of his limbs, and a will to use them.  He first went nine miles above Portsmouth, and hired to work on the Ohio canal, then building, where he worked three months, at $13 per month.  With this money, he provided himself with some additional clothing, came home, remained a few days, then went to Greenup county, Kentucky, and worked for some time at Darlington's Furnace.  He then returned to Adams county, bought a small farm of sixty acres, on which he placed his parents.  He was now eighteen years of age.  After buying this land and placing his parents upon it, he again returned to Kentucky.  In about a year his father died with cholera.  Frank hastened home, to look after the interests of his now widowed mother and his sisters.  After providing for their support and comfort, he returned again to Kentucky.  Having now learned the stone mason trade, he worked for Trimble & Co., doing the mason work for their furnaces.  While he was working for his company he married Miss Susan Kane, Nov. 25, 1836.  Soon after his marriage, he returned to Adams county, where he continued working at his trade.  He worked on several furnaces.  In the meantime he saved his earnings, which he invested in lands, as opportunity offered.  In 1855, he quit his trade and turned his attention to farming, since which he was rapidly accumulated property, until he now owns over two thousand five hundred acres of very valuable land - the largest land owner in Adams county - a striking example of what indomitable will and unflagging industry may accomplish, even with the most discouraging beginnings.  Mr. Seaman Resides on the West Union and Cedar Mills pike, about three miles from the former place, where he owns a magnificent farm, which has on it the largest cattle barn in the county, together with a magnificent dwelling and other farm buildings, as will be seen in the engraving that appears in this work.  Mr. Seaman has raised a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, named John William, Elizabeth Ann, Henry Allen, Mary E., Silas Chase, Wilson Shannon, Sylvester, Sarah Rebecca, Louie Josephine, George, and Frances Marion.  Mary E. died at the age of twenty, and a son in earlier years.  Saved of the surviving children are married, the other three Sarah, George and Louie Josephine, are unmarried, and remain with their parents.

PETER MCKENZIE -      Duncan McKenzie, the father of Peter McKenzie, was born near Glencoe, Scotland, in 1755.  He emigrated to America in 1786, landing in New York, from whence he came west, and settled on the Mingo Bottom, near Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio.  He came to this country, bringing with him from his church this certificate:
                                                                                  "BLARCRIN, 28th of April, 1786
     That the bearer hereof, Duncan McKenzie was born in Glenkinglass, in the parish of Ardchuttan, that he had resided for the most part of his life within the bounds of said parish, where his moral character has been always unexceptional, inaffensive, regular, and free of any scandal and immorality, is attested by            DUNCAN McFARLANE, Minister of Glencoe and Glentie."
     The following is his receipt for his passage money:
"GREENACK, 7th of June, 1786.
     This is to certify that the bearer, Duncan McKenzie, has paid six pounds, as payment of his steerage passage to America, per the Alexander, Capt. Ritchie.           JOHN STUART

     At the time of Mr. Kenzie's arrival on the Mingo Bottom, the country there was in a constant state of alarm from the depradations of the savages, who were plundering and murdering the frontier settlers at every opportunity.  The inhabitants were in a state of continual fear.  Military organizations had to be kept in constant readiness to repel an assailing foe, or to range the forests to observe the approach of any hostile baud that might be hovering round the infant settlements.  Mr. McKenzie at once joined a company of Rangers, under apt. McMachan, served his time and received the following discharge.
     "Duncan McKenzie, soldier in my company of Ohio Rangers, having served the time required, he is honorably discharged from the service.
Given under my hand at Shepardsburg, this 27th of November, 1788.      
WILLIAM McMACHAM, Capt.
     Mr. McKenzie next emigrated to Manchester, where he arrived in 1791, joined Gen. Massie, and received the bounty of a hundred acres of land, which he selected on Brush creek, just above the bridge, on the West Union and Cedar Mills pike.  In 17995, he married Miss Jane Ellison, daughter of Andrew Ellison, an uncle to the Andrew Ellison who was captured by the Indians at Manchester in 1793.  This uncle, however, never left Ireland.  Duncan McKenzie with his wife settled on their farm about 1800, where they lived and died.  They reared a family of six children, four sons and two daughters.  They are now all dead but the youngest, Peter McKenzie who is the subject of this sketch.  He owns and occupies the old homestead, to which he has added one hundred acres more by purchase.  To give an idea of the way they did business in the early settling of the country, when there was little or no money in circulation, we subjoin a copy of a note which was found among the papers left by Duncan McKenzie, and now in the hands of the surviving son, Peter McKenzie.  This note given to Duncan McArthur, afterwards governor of Ohio, we presume, from the appearance of the writing, is in the Governor's own hand.  We append it verbatim.
     "I promise to pay, or cause to be paid until Duncan McArthur, or order, the just and full sum of two deer skins, at five shillings pr. pattern, to be paid on or before the twenty-fifth of December next, it being for value received.  Given under my hand seal, this first day of September, 1795.

     Peter McKenzie was born Jan. 14, 1811, and in 1835, married Miss Susan Boyle, who was a native of Maryland.  They are the parents of five children, four sons and one daughter.  Two sons survive - the others are deceased.  Names of children: John  who married Rebecca Moore, in 1873.  He died Mar. 26, 1879, leaving two sons named Daniel Coleman and John Calvin.  Jane , the third child, died Oct. 7th, 1875.  She never married.  Daniel, the fourth child, married Mary Saterfield.  He died May 5, 1872, leaving three children, two sons and one daughter, named John, Wesley and Anna.  The latter is since dead.  The oldest, named Duncan, married Mary Jane Bayless, lives at Waggoner's Ripple and farms - has three children, named Laura, Elizabeth, and John Franklin.  The son is dead.  Peter, the youngest son, is not married, but lives with his parents.