CHAPTER XXV.
 RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Pg. 521 - 537

     RICHLAND, in Towns 1 and 2 south, Range 8 east, is still a timbered land.  Here, the streams known as Riley and Little Riley Creeks have their sources.  In this township also are found the head waters of Sugar Creek.  Remains of beaver dams and spring swales are numerous.  The arable land is rolling and admirably adapted to all the purposes of agriculture, even the small area of marsh-land is capable of high cultivation.  The groves of hardwood trees are large, and the water-power, afforded by the creeks named above, most valuable.  The water-lime and Niagara formations found throughout the township are treated of in the pages devoted to the Economical Geology of the county, as the quarries of Bluffton and neighborhood form one of the leading industries.
     There are two stone quarries near the L. E. & W. R. R. depot at Bluffton, operated by John Bates and Richler Greenwold.  The quarries are excavated to a depth of about 20 feet.  The quarries on the east side of the town, near the narrow gauge depot, are worked by Ira M. Thompson and L. Seidel.  The heaviest stone produced ranges from six to eight inches in thickness.  The stone quarries in the neighborhood of Bluffton are numerous and valuable.
    The population in 1880 was 3,372 including 353 in Bluffton.  It is safe to estimate the increase within the past four years at 400, which would bring the number of inhabitants, at present up to 3,772 or about 90 to the square mile.

ORGANIZATION.

     This township was organized in 1835 under authority granted by the commissioners of Putnam County on the petition of David Miller and others.  Henry Shank and Daniel Goble were the first justices of the peace, Henry Carter, constable.  In February, 1848, on the organization of Auglaize, the southern tier of sections in Township 1, Range 8, was taken from Riley Township, Putnam County, and attached to Richland, thus giving it an area of 42 square miles.
     Pioneer History. -  The early settlers of Richland were not backwoodsmen previous to their coming here.  They were from a region cleared by their fathers, and were little accustomed to the use of the ax.  To them as a heavy growth of timber and the great fallen trees were formidable.  A tree was not then, as now, a little mine of wealth - it was a nuisance to be rid of, and to the task of destroying the forest and subjugating the wilderness the pioneers applied themselves assiduously.  Henry Carter in his reminiscences of fifty years ago, states that he came to Putnam County in 1834, and located in what is now Richland Township.  David Miller, a shoe-maker, and a very useful man, just in from Richland County, was very enthusiastic for the organization of the new township, and quite active, and through his zeal and influence the township was erected, and named after his former county - Richland.  The first justices were Henry Shank and Daniel Goble.  Mr. Carter was elected the first constable.  People were poor, everybody avoided litigation, and all seemed willing to help their neighbors and preserve the peace.  The pioneers, in every direction, commenced to clear the forest, erect new cabins, and welcome all new neighbors to the township.  Men did not lag behind, but with strong arms and resolute hearts, set to work levelling the forests and preparing fields for culture.  It was but a few years until many of the comforts of civilized life began to reward their toil and hardships.  In due time they were joined in their labors by Henry Shank, Joseph Cokenour, Caleb and Josiah Gaskel, Samuel Gaskel, John Carnahan, Joseph Deford, on present site of the village of Bluffton; on Section 12, John McHenry, Green McHenry and Isaac McHenry.  These persons are all deceased.  The first schoolhouse was built on Little Riley Creek.  It was a log-cabin and the teacher is believed to have been Franklin Smith.  The first preaching was in a cabin at Budd Gaskel's.  The first mill was on Riley Creek, a little corn-cracker owned by Joseph Deford.  In 1834 deer, turkeys and raccoons were very plentiful.

W. E. Watkins

     In Daniel Milliken's reminiscences he refers to Jacob Shull, Louis Roberts and James Woods as the survivors of pioneer days, and to the following named old settlers: James Van Meter, James Lippincott, Samuel Lippincott, David Freet, William B. Rockhill, Thomas Rockhill, Alexander Stewart, Stephen Cook and Jefferson Vertner.  These were old settlers near Rockport and Beaver Dam.  In Richland Township  as early schoolhouse was Hilty's, and the first teacher, William Reeding.  The first church, Methodist Episcopal, at Rockport.  The fist horse mill at Rockport, owned by Isaac Parker.
     Lewis Jennings, who came with his parents to Allen County in 1836 and settled in Richland in 1852, states that the neighbors within two miles at that time were Tobias Woods, Benjamin Furshee, John Murray, and Richard Hall.  The first school-house in his district was bu8ilt in 1852; the first church was at Bluffton.
     The following record of land buyers in the northern tier of sections, originally belonging to Putnam County, and of those who purchased lands in Township 2, south, Range 8 east, establishes the history of settlement.  Again the tax roll of 1834, given in the pioneer chapter covers almost all the names entitled to appear among the pioneers of the original township.

SCHOOLS.

     The early schools of Richland were primitive in their character as well as teaching.  William Redding presided over a school of half a dozen pupils at Hilty's, while Benjamin Franklin Smith taught a few pupils in the log schoolhouse on Little Riley Creek.  After some years, the town was set off into school districts, and the system, now pursued, was adopted.  The receipts for 1884 were $6,131.47; the expenditures amounted to $4,845.81.  There are ten school buildings valued at $14,000.  Fourteen teachers are employed.  The number of pupils enrolled is 940, 503 boys and 437 girls.  In the Bluffton Special School District the receipts for 1884 amounted to $7,017.55, the expenditures to $3,509.85.  Number of pupils enrolled 402 - 212 boys and 190 girls.  There is one school building valued at $15,000.  Seven teachers are employed, of whom five are ladies.

CHURCHES.

     At Budd Gaskel's cabin the pioneer Methodists found a home, church and congregation.  In 1842 the German Reformed Church was founded here by George Spangler.  In 1848 the Mennonite Church was organized by John Flint, and in 1849 the Presbyterian Church by Revs. Halliday and McKinney.

BLUFFTON VILLAGE.

     The village of Bluffton, platted in 1837 under the name Shannon, by Joseph Deford, is located on Sections 1 and 12, Richland Township, on the line of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad.  The name of Shannon was changed to Bluffton in 1872-73, although long prior to this the latter name was bestowed upon it.  The original village comprised the four blocks bounded by Jackson and Monroe, Jefferson and Riley, extending northwest to the creek, intersected by Main and Washington Streets, with a few lots on the northwest corner of Jackson and Riley and Jackson and Washington, and on the southeast corner of Monroe and Jefferson.  The principal additions to the village are Goble's, Eaton's, Vance's, Godfrey's, Farrell's and Kibler's, all of which may be said to extend northeast from Kibler Street to Riley Creek, and north west from the line of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad to Little Riley Creek.  A small creek named Marsh Run empties into Riley Creek on the line of Jackson Street.  Little Riley Creek joins the main stream one block west of Spring Street.
     At Croghan Postoffice, subsequently named Shannon, and again in 1873 named Bluffton, were the families of Josiah and Budd Gaskel, Hugh Lee, John Carnahan, John McHenry, D. W. Goble, Sam Viers, John Amstutz and John Steiner.

ORGANIZATION

     The village of Bluffton was organized Aug. 17, 1861, when Josiah S. Powell was elected mayor; H. H. Edsall, clerk; James Patterson, John H. Fennsler, John Meyer, E. P. Leslie, Hugh Walls, councilmen; John Franks, Francis Smith, Isaac Seidel, A. P. Carsons and A. W. Cahill, judges of election.
     The mayors of the village since organization are named in the following list; Josiah S. Powell, 1861; William Wilson, 1862-65; A. Long, 1866-72; R. Bartlett, 1872; J. J. Ferrall, 1872-74; S. S. Yoder, 1874-75; G. R. Sutton, 1876; S. J. Brand, 1877-80; J. H. Eaton, 1880, (resigned); A. J. Owens, 1881; Thomas P. Johnson, 1882(resigned); F. C. Steingraver, 1833, elected.
     The clerks of the village have been H. H. Edsall, 1861-64; H. Walls, 1863 (appointed); H. Walls, 1864-66; Jacob Moser, 1866; W. L. Ferrall, 1868; G. Steiner, 1867; A. G. Kibler, 1869; A. J. Owens, 1870-71; F. J. Baldwin, 1872-74; Alfred Besire, 1874-79; D. S. Fennsler, 1879-82; John H. David, 1882 (resigned); G. W. Murray, 1882; M. G. Smith, 1883-84.
     The village elections of 1884 resulted in the choice of the following named officials; H. J. Call, J. H. David, A. D. Lugibihl, H. C. Steiner, O. J. Russell, Jesse Vernon, councilmen; S. J. Brand, mayor; M. G. Smith, clerk; A. G. Kibler, treasurer; Frank Herrmann, marshal; Thomas Jackson, street commissioner.

CHURCHES.

     The Presbyterian Church of South Bethel was organized June 6, 1849, by Rev. Messrs, McKinney and Halliday, and the church named South Bethel.  Robert Stewart was ruling elder.  In 1852 the Goble heirs donated the land on which the church building now stands, and a house was erected soon after.  From 1852 to 1873, the church was called the Presbyterian Church of Shannon.  In April the latter year, the name was changed to Bluffton.  The pastors who have served the church are named as follows:  Revs. James Anderson to 1850; R. M. Badeau, 1850-51; T. P. Emerson, 1851; W. K. Brice, C. R. Van Emmons, R. H. Haliday, 1872; I. G. Hall, 1878; W. C. Scott, 1878; Edward Laport, supply, 1879; and B. J. Brown, Mar. 7, 1883, the present pastor.
     The original members of the Presbyterian Church of Bluffton were Elder Robert Stewart and wife (not Elder Stewart of the first organization), William Wilson and wife, Nancy Murray, Roxanna McConnell, Jane Nunnemaker, Daniel Frantz, James Fenton, Emiline Fenton, Anna Carnahan, Mary Anderson, Mary A. Drittesler, William Peppel and Mrs Pepple.  The ruling elders were Robert Stewart, 1849-55; Robert Stewart, Jr., of Knox County, Ohio; D. A. McComb, 1877; Dr. J. McPeak, 1884.  The number of members enrolled is fifty-five, of whom fifteen moved away.  The value of property is about $5,000.

     Methodist Episcopal Church. - The Methodist preacher had been a frequent visitor among the people of Richland in pioneer days, and was one of the first ministers of the gospel to establish a branch of the Christian Church in the township.  Service were held at Gaskel's and other places until a society was organized.  In 1873 a church building was erected at Bluffton at a cost of $8,000.  The parsonage erected in 1874 cost $2,000.  Both buildings are solid brick structures.  The pastors of this society since 1865 are named as follows:  Charles Ashton, 1865; A. J. Frisbee, 1868; J. C. Miller, 1870; L. W. B. Long, 1872; A. J. Fish, 1873; Jabez S. Blair, 1874; J. A. Wright, 1875; J. F. Crooks, 1877; A. C. Barnes, 1879; W. W. Winters, 1882, and Rev. Isaac N. Smith, the present pastor, in 1883.  The number of members belonging to the society is seventy-six, while the Sunday school claims 100.

     St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton, was founded in 1869.  The first members were the Owens family, Frank Kenney, Joseph Kenney, William Gustwiller, Joseph Remon, the Woolridge family in later years, Laurence and Joseph Fisher, the Steinhowers, Hortingers and Wichoffskys.  The church building was erected in 1869 - a frame building, at a cost of $1,000, subscribed by all classes of citizens.  Rev. Fathers Young, Rudolph and Donner have attended this church.

     German Reformed Church (Emanuel's) was organized as a German Reformed and Lutheran Society in 1842 by Rev. George Spengler.  In 1860, under Pastor Dr. P. Greding, the brick church, located on northwest quarter of Section 22, near the center of the township, was erected.  In 1861 the congregation was reorganized as a German Reformed Society, and, as such, adopted a constitution in accordance with that of the German Reformed Church in the United States.  In 1872 a new church was formed at Bluffton, four miles distant, by a number of hte members of this congregation dismissed for that purpose.  The membership of hte old church amounts to 200 at present.  The ministers who have served since the original organization are George Spengler, A. Doner, C. H. Pfaff, J. Klingler, J. Reiter, Dr. P. Greding, C. Pluess, A. Schenck, and H. Rusterholz, and Rev. G. Kuhlen.

     German Reformed Church (St. John's) was organized in 1872,  under Rev. A. Schenck.  The congregation used the Presbyterian Church as a place of worship up to 1881, when their church building was completed.  The membership does not exceed 100.  The pastor of Emanuel's German Reformed Church is also preacher in charge of St. John's.

     The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bluffton is presided over by Rev. G. W. Grau.

     The Mennonite Church - The American Mennonites formed a society here in 1848, their first preacher being John Thut, who was born in Switzerland, in or about the year 1801, and died in 1867, aged sixty-six years, six months and five days.  He had immigrated to America in 1825.  On the 25th day of December, 1843, he was chosen by lot to preach the gospel in Holmes County, and on the 6th day of October, 1857, he was unanimously elected to the office of bishop, in Richland Township, Allen County.  Thut and several families came here from Holmes County in 1848 and founded this society.  The American Mennonites claim a membership of seventy for this society.  The Swiss Mennonites have an organization in the township, and a meeting house on Section 3, while the Reformed Mennonites are represented by a church and society on Section 34, North Richland.

     The Disciples are represented by a society at Bluffton.  This church claims a large membership.

SOCIETIES.

     I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 371, was chartered May 18, 1863, with J. S. Powell, A. J. Conrad, Jacob Moser, R. H. Cox and Joseph B. Hall, members.  The present membership is about twenty-eight.  The Noble Grands since 1873 are named as follows:  A. Hanenstein, William Wilson, Wesley Cramer, H. L. Noble, A. Besire, L. Seidel, C. Lugibihl, Joseph Miller, H. L. Romey, D. S. Fennsler, A. J. Owens, J. F. Hissong, J. A. Amstutz, L. L. Conkey, Joseph Miller, C. Lugibihl, D. S. Fennsler, W. V. Hutchins, 1884.  The secretaries:  W. Cramer, H. L. Romey, A. Besire, C. Lugibihl, H. L. Romey, L. W. Bell, D. S. Fennsler, A. J. Owens, J. F. Hissong, J. A. Nunnemaker, L. L. Conkey, G. Steiner, F. C. Steingraver, L. L. Conkey, and A. Hauenstein.

     Bluffton Lodge 432, A. F. & A. M., was chartered Oct. 20, 1869, with the following members:  E. W. Geene, S. S. Yoder, John Goble, John Meyer, Jacob Moser, J. J. Ferrall, J. G. Honnell, John Eaton, James J. Crawford.  The masters of this lodge were E. W. Greene, 1869; S. S. Yoder, 1870-73; J. M. Cahill 1873; S. S. Yoder, 1874; J. J. Crawford, 1875-77; J. J. Ferrall, 1877; S. S. Yoder, 1878; A. Hauenstein, 1879, who has held the position since that time.  The secretaries are A. Hauenstein, served from December, 1869; A. J. Owens,  1878-79, and W. B. Hutchins 1883-84.  The number of members is thirty-five.  The lodge was held in the Bartlett store in 1869, in the Steiner Building in 1872; and in the Kibler Building in 1882-84.

     Royal Arcanum Lodge, No. 193, Bluffton, was organized under dispensation, Nov. 12, 1878, and under charter in December, 1878, with the following members:  O. S. Langan, A. G. Frick, James Wilson, Harry Eckels, Joseph Harris, S. J. Brand, S. C. Patterson, A. D. Lugibihl, W. P. Bentley, W. B. Richards, I. M. Townsend, J. S. Asire, A. G. Kibler, F. C. Steingraver, J. J. Anderson, J. F. Hissong, D. Steiner.  The other members of the lodge are Thoams Jackson, Zachariah Latham, I. A. Dennis, R. R. Zoll, Charles Gustwiller, Andrew Kohli, A. N. McBride, B. J. Brown, C. L. Townsend, S. S. Yoder.  The present membership numbers twenty-four.

     Equitable Aid Union was organized  at Bluffton January 28, 1882, with the following members:  M. S. Muma and wife, D. A. McComb and wife, O. E. Townsend and wife, J. J. Miller, Dr. Steingraver and wife, George Balentine and wife, John Wilson and wife, and W. V. Hutchins. D. A. McComb was first secretary and Dr. Steingraver, president.  The membership is fourteen.  The society is organized for the same objects as characterize other insurance societies.

     Robert Hamilton Post, 262, G. A. R., was organized Sept. 28, 1882, with the following members:  Jesse Vernon, W. B. Richards, A. Hauenstein, Joseph Harris, L. W. Bell,* H. W. Rieter, J. M. Wolcott,* M. W. Hesser, * S. J. Brand, H. L. Romey, H. J. Call, Patrick Noonan, * S. B. Agin, William Lewis, Sr., F. M. Bailes, Isaac McHenry, J. A. Nunnemacher, J. B. Lewis, Lewis Rash* and J. G. Moorhead.  of the original members all are now members except those marked *.  W. B. Richards was first commander and A. Hauenstein adjutant.  Jesse Vernon is now commander.  The names on muster-roll number forty-one.  With three exceptions, all served in Ohio regiments from 1861 to 1865.  Lewis Homard of Jackson Township, who died about three years ago, served all through the war but received no discharge.

     Richland Township Insurance Company. - This association was organized in January, 1885, with Christian Stettler, president, and Alfred Besire, secretary.  This district canvassers appointed were Emile Schaenblin, G. Althaus, C. P. Steiner, George Bailey, John R. Marshall, Isaac Hochstettler, J. A. Schifferly, C. Matter, Thomas Fett, H. P. Owens, William Huber, Eben Goble, James Phillips, John Conrad, M. Edgecomb, Moses Stager, John Amstutz, B. P. Lugibihl.

INDUSTRIES OF BLUFFTON

     Within the last few years the progress of this village has been phenomenal.  A short time previous to its incorporation it was classed with the hamlets of the county, but under the impulse of enterprise it was raised far above this rank, and now fills a very important place among the wealth contributors of Allen.  The leading industries are St. John's Sucker Rod and Handle Factory, the Althous Planing Mill, the Townsend Saw-Mill, Shingle and Lathe Factory, the Cherry Street Foundry, a small gun-shop and brass foundry, Besire & Goble's Tile Works, Fischer's Carriage Factory, and the stone quarries of the neighborhood, referred to in other pages.  The Russell Elevator and the Stearn Elevator, each of large capacity, represent the grain trade of the village.  The mercantile interests are well represented.

     Townsend Mills.  This saw-mill, shingle and lathe factory may be said to have been established in 1853, by Clinton & Woodford, was blown up in 1878, and rebuilt the same year.  In 1854 I. M. Townsend purchased Clinton's interest, and with Woodford conducted the mill until 1862.  At this time the mill was sold to Dunlap & Jackson, Mr. Townsend building a mill below, on Riley Creek.  In 1868 he repurchased the old Clinton & Woodford Mill, and has operated it since.  The machinery, etc., is valued at $4,000.  This industry gives employment to ten men annually, and creates a large market for local lumbermen.

     The Sucker Rod and Handle Factory was established here in June 1883.  The industry was established by Mr. St. John in Crawford County about 1876, the machinery moved to Lima in May, 1880, and carried on there until June, 1883.  The frame of the building was moved to Lima, and next to Bluffton, from Pennsylvania.  This industry gives direct employment to eighteen men.  The machinery is valued at $2,500, and the value of annual sales ranges from $20,000 to $30,000.  There is a saw-mill in connection with this industry, the lumber being supplied mainly from without, but a large supply is taken from the forests of the county.

     The Bluffton Grist Mill was established by Siddell & Son, from whom the Steiner Bros. purchased it about 1870.  In 1872, William B. Richards purchased the buildings and machinery and introduced new machinery.  The value of machinery at present is $6,000.  The capacity is fifty barrels per day.  The mill gives employment to three hands.

     The Althaus Planing Mill was established in September, 1873, by Peter Oberly and Peter Althaus, but is now owned by Althaus Bros.  The mill gives employment to twelve men annually.  The machinery is valued at about $6,000 and the buildings at $4,000.  The value of annual product is about 30,000.

     Carriage and Wagon Works of L. A. Fisher, were established in September, 1879, by Fisher Bros. in the Dave Franks factory buildings.  The works were carried on by Fisher Bros. up to October, 1884, when L. A. Fisher took charge.  This industry offered employment to twelve hands.  During the winter of 1884-85 the works were almost idle, owing to the depression in all branches of trade.   
     This beautiful village, in the midst of one of the richest agricultural districts of northwestern, Ohio, has attained its present important position through the steady labor and well directed enterprise of its citizens.  It is still in infancy, growing daily, and marching onward to the place which its geographical position and wealth of surroundings fit it to occupy.

BEAVER DAM VILLAGE

     Beaver Dam, on Sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, Richland Township, was laid out in 1853 by Frederick Shull.  The original town is bounded by North Street, the eastern continuation of the second addition, on the south, Lima Street on the west and Church Street on the east.  The first addition lies east of the original town, extending from Lima to West Street, and bounded by the center division of the second addition on the south, and by North Street.  The second addition extends east from the Lake Erie & Western Depot grounds to Church Street, bounded north by the first addition and original town, and south by the south line of Pearl street.  Gates' addition lies south of Pearl Street and west of West Street.  Jennings' and Wood's additions extend east from the east line of West Street.  May, Shull, Hilty, Fields, M. Edgecomb, Parker F. Nicolet, Isaac Solomon, ___ Honnell, Jackson Shull, James Shull, Mrs. Augsbrger and others own acres tracts within the village boundaries.
     According to Daniel Milliken, an old resident, the legend connected with the village is, that "originally the beavers that were found there by the Indians had built two dams, one east and the other west of the present site of the town, so as to cause the waters to become accumulated to enable them to use the flood for a sort of dam."  The town is located between the ancient dams.

MISCELLANEOUS

     The Lake Erie & Western Railroad passes through Richland Township in a southwesterly direction, and the Cleveland, Delphos & St. Louis Railroad cuts across the extreme northeast corner of the township.  The postoffice are Bluffton and Beaver Dam.

- END OF CHAPTER XXII - RICHMOND TOWNSHIP -