Section Year Guilford D. Coleman 13 1845 James Brown 13 1851 Joeph Rickart 13 1851 Jacob Hittell 13 1845 Daniel W. Hall 13 1849 Enoch Thomas 13 1851 Avery Brown 13 1851 Jacob Peterbaugh 14 1834 T. B. Van Horn 14 1834 Benj. P. Southworth 14 1834 David C. Brown 14 1850 George Young 14 1834 Joseph Brown 14 1834 Solomon K. Brown 14 1834 Jacob Peterbaugh 14 1835 Anthony Santo 14 1850 John Snyder 15 1851 Anthony I. Saunders 15 1851 John Nagler 15 1851 Joseph Osborne    20 15 1848 John Clifton 15 1848 David B. Mercer 15 1849 Oswald Sheeter 15 1849 James Oard 15 1849 Silas Mills 15 1851 James Mark 22 1834 Henry S. Wykoff 22 1835 Jacob Peterbaugh 22 1834 T. B. Van Horn 22 1834 Thomas Farmer 22 1851 Jesse Coil 22 1850 Wm. McCollister 22 1850 Alfred Simonton, et al 23 1851 George Lance 23 1851 Wm. R. Leffingwell 23 1851 David Krider 23 1851 Robert Lee 23 1852 Lewis M. Duren 23 1851 Joseph Walters 23 1849 John B. Talbot        40 23 1851 George Stiger 23 1851 Samuel Forrer 24 1834 Frederick Marquand 24 1835 Henry S. Wykoff 24 1835

Section Year Dennis Davenport 24 1835 Alexander Walker 24 1851 John Hockenberry 25 1845 Guilford D. Coleman 25 1845 Cyrill Russell 25 1851 Isaac F. Rider 25 1851 John H. Barlow 25 1851 C. Zeitzler 25 1851 Anthony Bergen 25 1851 Jacob Geckel 26 1850 Joseph Moorehead 26 1850 James Delaney 26 1850 Martin Post 26 1850 Jesse Bowers 26 1850 Christian Brecht    60 26 1850 Jacob Geckel 26 1850 Royal D. Hooker 26 1850 Samuel Youkey 26 1850 Henry Barnes 27 1849 Ellis J. Bayman 27 1852 Henry Barnes 27 1851 Marshall & Jacobs 27 1851 Wm. McCollister 27 1851 Allen L. Mark 27 1851 Edward Purdy 34 1850 Robert Maxwell 34 1850 Ozias W. Purdy 34 1850 Samuel Purdy 34 1849 Richard Hughes 35 1851 Cahrles C. Marshall 35 1852 Evan Davis 35 1851 Christ Rice 35 1851 John Burke 35 1851 Catharine Rapp 35 1851 Wm. Maxwell     80 35 1851 Ellis J. Bayman 35 1852 Samuel Former 36 1834 Fred Marquand 36 1835 Henry S. Wykoff 36 1835 Dennis Davenport 36 1835 Isaac N. Skillman 36 1835 Thomas Lochead 36 1848 Ellis J. Bayman 36 1850 James May       89 36 1849

     The southern portion of the township in Township 4 south, Range 4 east, was entered by the persons whose names are given below:

Section Year Caspar Smith, 1 1846 James May, Jr. 1 1849 John G. Vaughn 1 1850 Wm. Jones, 1 1850 Elizabeth Suman 1 1850 Wm. Tyler 1 1850 Evan B. Jones 1 1850 Amy Saunders 1 1851 Thomas T. Jones 1 1850 Madison L. Boyer 1 1850 Samuel L. Sweeney 1 1849 James W. Jones 1 1848 Phillip Herring 2 1850 Thos. T. Jones 2 1850 Thomas Farmer 2 1850 John Coil 2 1850 Patrick Fox 2 1851 Alexander Counts 2 1848 David Carey, Jr. 2 1849 Daniel O. Evans 2 1850 Jno. Pritchard 2 1850 Berry Smith 2 1850 Conrad Norbeck 2 1849 Alexander Counts 2 1850 John Kinsel 3 1852 Ellis J. Bayman 3 1852 John H. Duffey 3 1850 Thomas Farmer 3 1851 Benjamin Sides 3 1852 James Spercer 3 1852 Samuel Purdy 3 1851 Jacob Miller 3 1851 Jona M. Warrick 3 1852 John Meyer 3 1852 Thomas J. Fair 10 1850 Samuel Cook 10 1850 Bowen Dunham 10 1850 Charles Simpkins 10 1851 Calvin L. Starr 10 1850 Peter Field 10 1850 Lewis T. Rupert 10 1851 Frederick Gonkle 10 1850 David Archer 10 1850 Wm. H. Webb 11 1848

Section Year Wm. Tyler 11 1845 Margaret Rench 11 1850 Evan B. Jones 11 1850 Wm. Tyler 11 1845 Elias Harter 11 1850 Wm. Hummell 11 1850 Wm. Olien 11 1851 Fred. Marquand 12 1835 H. S. Wykoff 12 1835 Dennis Davenport 12 1835 Wm. Tyler 12 1843 John Dehart 13 1848 Daniel Smith 13 1848 John McMullen 13 1850 Henry Barnett 13 1848 John McMullen 13 1850 Martin Bope 18 1850 Francis J. Lye 13 1850 Chas. C. Marshall 13 1850 Francis Roegner 13 1852 Robert D. Hood 13 1850 Samuel D. Bush 13 1849 Merritt Harvey 14 1848 John Mitgen 14 1846 George W. Reece 14 1848 Lewen Davis 14 1847 Andrew Coil 14 1847 Robert Adams 14 1850 Thomas McKenna 14 1850 Timothy Shaffer 14 1850 Rachel Archer 14 1850 Savid Sheets 15 1850 George H. Sheets 15 1850 Timothy Shaffer 15 1851 John Nugent 15 1851 George G. Long 15 1851 James Perry 15 1852 John Price 15 1850 Sam. Wagner 15 1851 Nathan Davis 15 1851 Ellis J. Bayman 15 1852 Richard E. Bush 15 1852 Sarah Brown 15 1850

     IN the southeastern sections, 7 and 18 of Township 4 south, Range 5 east, deducted from Amanda in 1848 the following entries were made:

Section Year Phebe Smith 7 1850 Wm. Bice 7 1849 Philip Place 7 1849 Ellinor Peterson 7 1850 Ezekiel Clark 7 1850

Section Year Peter Kephart 7 1847 Nathaniel Clawson 7 1852 Simon Perkins 18 1835 E. W. Schon 18 1836

SCHOOLS.

     Previous to 1848 what is now fractional Township 3 and 4 south, Range 4 east, was variously attached.  One part belonged to Jennings, another to Salem and still another to Amanda.  Whatever attempts were made to establish a school in the territory now called Spencer were of the faintest character; yet school privileges were not totally wanting to the youth of the district; for along its borders, the subscription school and even the common school of our own days, were in existence.  The condition of the schools of Spencer and Spencerville at present is shown in the following abstract of reports for 1884:  Spencerville School District: Receipts for 1884, $2,196,72, expenditures, $1,947.89.  There is one schoolhouse valued at $8,000.  Four teachers are employed.  The number of pupils enrolled is 289 - 148 boys and 141 girls.  Spencer Township Schools:  Revenue in 1884 was $3,193.06, expenditure $1,897.  There are 212 pupils enrolled, of whom 107 are boys and 105 girls.

SPENCERVILLE VILLAGE.

     Spencerville, in Spencer Township, was platted in 1845-46 by Conover McConnell and Tyler of Dayton, Ohio, at the time they built their first mill at the lower lock.  Hartford, an old settlement in this township, ceased to exist on the establishment of Spencerville.  The population of the village in 1880 was 532.  At the close of 1884 the estimated number of inhabitants was 800.
     The act of incorporation was passed in 1867, and the first village election held that year.  In the following official history, the names of those who have served and are serving as councilmen and corporation officers, are given.
     1867.  J. C. Campbell, mayor; Merritt Harvey, recorder; Jacob Dehart, treasurer; W. H. Orcutt, marshal; William Moorman, Henry Staub, W. P. Dehart, J. M. Watts, A. C. Harter.
     1868.  John Monroe, mayor; Dehart, Orcutt, Harvey, Staub, W. P. Dehart were re-elected.  Joseph August, Henry Heap, S. H. Thomas were elected councilmen, and Samuel Brice, supervisor.
     1869.   Isaac T. Rider, mayor; A. C. Harter, recorder; W. P. Dehart, treasurer; S. Place, marshal; Samuel Brice, supervisor; George Meihls, John C. Campbell, Franck Roeckner, Joseph August and W. P. Harter.
     1870.  Merritt Harvey, mayor; J. C. Campbell, recorder; R. D. Hooker, marshal; W. P. Dehart, treasurer; John Miniviler, supervisor; Jacob Dehart, J. B. Robins, E. D. Fogle, Johnzey Keeth, Joseph H. Harbison and William Moorman, councilmen.
     1871.  Merritt Harvey, mayor; Levi Counts, N. A. Meeker, Joseph August and E. D. Fogle.
     1872.  Merritt Harvey, mayor; W. H. Orcutt, marshal, A. C. Harter, clerk; Philip King, Francis Roegnar,  and Joseph Harbison, councilmen.
     1873.  Merritt Harvey, mayor; Henry Staub, R. D. Hooker and Joseph August, councilmen.
     1874.  George M. Hammond, mayor; John C. Campbell, clerk;  W. P. Dehart, treasurer; Tobias Foster, marshal; Theo Eisenbach, Johzey Keeth, A. C. Harter, Gottlieb Henna, councilmen.
     1875.  J. S. Fogle, Joseph Harbison, A. F. W. Meyer, councilmen.
     1876.  George M. Hammond, Mayor; Merritt Harvey, recorder; Theo Eisenbach, treasurer; I. N. Fogle, marshal; Johnzey Keeth, J. D. Welsh, and Levi Counts, councilmen.
     1877.  J. S. Fogle, William F. Meyer and Apollos Place, councilmen.
     1878.  O. S. Judd, mayor; Lambert Cochran, recorder; Theo Eisenbach, treasurer; George W. Lynch, marshal; H. C. Hart, A. C. Harter and George Henna, councilmen.
     1879.  Tobias Foster, W. H. Harter and C. W. Koenig, councilmen; Thoams Shaffer, street commissioner.
     1880.  A. J. Travis, mayor; Lambert Cochran, clerk; S. H. Kephart, mayor; Theo. Eisenbach, treasurer; Daniel Fitzpatrick, marshal and street commissioner; George Henna, A. C. Harter and U. Renner, councilmen.
     1881.  A. S. Hooker, W. P. Dehart, O. S. Judd, councilmen.  The question of erecting the Town Hall was voted upon in April 1881, when an affirmative vote was polled.
     1882.  J. W. Arnold, mayor; George Munroe, clerk; J. M. Beard, treasurer; Fred Hirn, marshall; Johnzey Keeth, James E. McDonald and James Fitzpatrick, councilmen. 
     1883.  L. M. Place, A. E. Shosker and W. P. Dehart, councilmen.
     1884.  J. H. Dunathan, mayor; K. Mochouert, clerk; J. M. Beard, treasurer; Samuel Place, marshal; W. P. Dehart, C. W. King, T. C. Burns, W. C. Hance, A. C. Shosker and L. M. Place, councilmen; J. N. Bailey, attorney.
     It is stated that a small debt is due by the village, but the amount, even the very nature of the debt, is not understood.

CHURCHES.

     Methodist Episcopal Church, at Spencerville, was attached to the Acadia Circuit.  On Aug. 1, 1851, the official members of Spencer Mission assembled with William A. Baker, P. C.; Samuel Dillinger and Charles Post, stewards; Israel Slausson, leader, present.  In August, 1851, the first quarter meeting was held at Hartford, with Wesley Brock, P. E.  In addition to the officers named above, Nelson Hayes, Alanson Hayes, Silas Myers, William Rhine, Horace Bixby.  The names of original members of record in 1857 are Brunson J. Miller and wife, William Gamble and wife, Samuel Dillinger and wife, J. G. Young, Alfred Fritz, Jane Nye, Rebecca Dillinger, Benjamin Hall, G. W. Kirkbride, James Lee Gamble and wife, Francis Hall and wife, M. Ellen Dibble, Melinda Young, Nancy Young, Horace Bixby and wife, Mary Barker, Catherine Nell, Eliza Heffner, Henry Miller, Margaret Stradley.  In 1859, Spencer was attached to Delphos Circuit.  In 1868, Messrs. Post, Cochran and Hover were elected a building committee.  There are three appointments now in the Spencerville Circuit.  Of the 170 members of the circuit, seventy belong to Spencerville, where also is a church property valued at $4,000.
     The presiding elders of this circuit are named as follows:  Hiram M. Shaffer, 1852; J. A. Kellum, 1854; Wesley J. Wells, 1856; E. C. Gavitt, 1856; Hiram M. Shaffer, 1861; F. Marriott, 1864; S. L. Robert, 1869; A. Harmount, 1872; A. Berry, 1876; M. Albright, 1880; John F. Davies, 1884.
     The pastors of the mission and circuit since 1853 are named as follows:  William Gardner, P. C., 1853; Harrison Maltbie, P. C., 1854; J. F. Mounts, 1864; F. D. Preddy, 1865; L. Herbert, 1866; Caleb Hill, 1866; T. D. Preddy, 1867; F. S. Fagan, 1867; D. B. Rinehart, 1868; Phillip Lemaster, 1869; I. R. Henderson, 1871; A. J. Frisbie, 1873; L. W. Patrick, 1874; J. C. Clemmons, 1875; Reuben Rauch, 1877; W. R. Shultz, 1878; T. J. Bowers, 1879; S. M. Boggs, 1880; Orlando Murlin, 1881; William Deal, 1882; Benjamin B. Powell, 1884.    

     St. Patrick's Church (Catholic), was formed in 1858, by Rev. Patrick Henneberry.  From 1858 to 1861 the church was attended by Rev. Fathers Jacob and Michael.  In 1871 Father Seltzer attended, and in the same year Father Brem was appointed pastor.  In 1877 he was succeeded by Father Leddy who remained until 1878, when Father Cahill took charge.  He was succeeded in July 1879 by Father Barry.
     A log cabin 26x36 was consecrated as a house of worship in 1860 by Bishop Rappe.  This was used until the completion of the present church in 1876 by Father Brem.  It cost $1,100.

     German Methodist Episcopal Church -  Spencerville Circuit Northern Ohio Central German Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church has been until recently a mere outpost of missionary work.  In the fall of 1883 Spencerville was detached from Knoxville Circuit, when Rev. John Hess was appointed first resident pastor.  Previous to Sept. 19, 1883, the parish was attended by the preacher in charge of the old circuit, visiting from Knoxville.  The present membership is 52 members and six probationists.  The value of church building, pastor's house and grounds is placed at about $2,200.  The pastors in order of time, were H. Shimmelpfennig, John Fickan, John C. Speckman, Jacob Gabler, Philip Grescle, Aug. F. Miller, John C. Egly, and John Huaneke, the predecessor of Mr. Hess.  The first Presiding Elders were George A. Brunig, Jacob Rothweiler, D. D., George Schwinn, and John S. Schneider, the present presiding elder, son of one of the first German Methodists in Ohio.  Mr. Hess also attends Zion Church in Auglaize County.

     Christian Church was founded March 31, 1867, with the following named members: William Mooreman and wife, B. D. Harter, Sarah J. Harter, Eliza Moorman, Nancy E. Hill, Merritt Harvey, Eliza J. Harvey, Adaline Monroe, Anna Harter, and Barbara Workman.  In 1868 a house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,500.  The pastors of this church since 1867 are named as follows:  M. Martz, D. Lepley, S. Whetstone, W. C. Rimer, G. B. Garner, L. Gander, T. S. Wells, and Mr. Rimer, now serving his second term here.  The clerks have been, Merritt Harvey, H. M. Hill, W. T. Allen, and S. L. Fryer, the present clerk, chosen in 1872.  The membership is ninety-seven.

     The German Reformed Church was founded at Spencerville some years ago.  In 1883 a church building was erected, which wase dedicated in 1884.  This church is growing fast in membership.

     The First Baptist Church was founded here about the time the Methodists organized their society.  Many years afterward the members of the Baptist congregation erected a frame church building, which is still in use.

MISCELLANEOUS.

    The first postmaster in Spencerville was Dr. Solomon Wyatt, who was serving when Merritt Harvey passed through the settlement in 1845, and held the office when Harvey settled here in 1847.  Since that time the office has been conducted by Webb & Harter, John Heaton, A. C. Harter, Smith Fogle, Dr. Sticknor, Joseph Harbison and Theodore Eisenbach.

     Fair Post, No. 322, G. A. R., was organized June 16, 1883, J. B. Post, commander; Joseph E. Fisher, S. V. C.;  Henry Wasson, J. V. C.; L. E. Titus, O. D.; Charles W. Bridges, O. G.; H. C. Hart, surgeon; Peter Lies, Q. M.; J. M. Jones, chaplain; G. W. Biner, William Counts, J. L. Combs, John Conrad, John N. Dick, Henry Garee, John Kies, J. M. Lamme, S. L. Fryer, Joseph Monroe, Leander McMillan, Charles G. Post, L. M. Place, William Place, J. Rathgaber, John Schamp, Robert Sutton, John Sands and Fred Stork.  H. H. Hill was first adjutant and F. L. Langley, present adjutant.  The number of members at present is twenty-nine.
     The Keeth House, recently erected, is a first-class hotel, well-equipped and conducted.
     The Journal, a weekly newspaper, was founded in May, 1878, by J. W. Summersett, with J. W. Arnold and C. W. Smith.  The present owners are H. J. Hamm and J. W. Arnold, the latter being editor and publisher.  The circulation of the Journal is 600 weekly.  The office is valued at $1,500.
     The Masonic Lodge and the Grand Army of the Republic are the only secret and benevolent organizations in the village.
     The schools and churches are well administered; the mercantile establishments are carried on on thorough business principles, while the mills and factories of the neighborhood are extensive and well operated.  The Narrow Guage or T. C. & St. L. R. R., entered the village in July, 1878, and four years later the great railroad system known as the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad, placed the village in direct communication with the East and West.  The Miami & Erie Canal, completed in 1845, formed the great highway of travel previous to the advent of the railroads. 

- END OF CHAPTER XXVII - SPENCER TOWNSHIP -