Source:
A History & Biographical Cyclopaedia
 of
Butler County, Ohio
With Illustrations and Sketches
of its Representative Men and Pioneers
Publ. by Western Biographical Publishing Co.
Cincinnati, O
1882

MILFORD.
pg. 562

     This township lies north-west of the center of the county and is bounded on the north by Preble County, on the east by the township of Wayne, on the south by Hanover, and on the west by Oxford.  The township was organized in 1805, and originally formed a part of St. Clair.
     The justices of the peace were the leading men of the township for many years.  We, therefore, give the names and dates of these first men:

COLLINSVILLE.

     Matthew Richardson, in 1802, entered the land on which Collinsville now stands.  Richardson was a Marylander, and came to this part of the county with a five-horse team, overland, bringing three colored people - two men and one woman.  One of the men was afterward drowned while coming from Hamilton, in attempting to cross the stream near the old Matthew Hueston farm.  This was the beginning of what is now Collinsville- the entering of the land by Richardson.  The first lot sold was bought by Charles Collins, an Englishmen, and wagonmaker by trade, from whom the town received its name.  He immediately began to work at his trade, and in 1839 sold out to W. H. Crume.  Collin snow lives in Preble County, where for many years he carried on the wagon-making business, and was also an undertaker.
     Colonel Andrew P. Young was an early storekeeper.  He was succeeded by James Steel who was also the village postmaster with Young.  Eli Murphy and James Crozier, a Scotchman, opened a blacksmith shop in 1837.  The latter removed to Morning Sun, in Preble County, and afterward to Texas, where he engaged in the cattle trade.   David McMechan opened a dry-goods store; he sold out to Thomas Brown, who built a new house opposite.  Johnson Davis built, about 1843, the dwelling-house and store-room now occupied by John Sloneger, a German.
     The first school teacher in Collinsville was an Irishman by the name of William Hewett, who taught here in 1818, continuing for about twenty years.  For many

[Page 565]
years he was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church.  William Simpson, Moses Dougherty, William McMeecham all taught in the old log house.  This building had a fire-place in the middle of it, while a brick chimney carried out the smoke through the rafters.  The second house, a frame, was erected somewhere in 1838.  Joel Harris was a teacher in it.  The third and present building was erected in 1876, a handsome two story brick.
     Collinsville's first physicians were Dr. Robinson of Preble County, who remained with the people for about three years and then removed to Iowa; Dr. Kline came next, who stayed for two years, followed by Dr. Smiley, an Irishman, from Hamilton, here not to exceed three years.  He married a daughter of Samuel Davis, and now resides in Pickaway, Ohio, where he still practices medicine.  Dr. E. C. Wooley was the most prominent of all the early physicians.  He came from Symmes's Corner, and was a wagon-maker by trade.  He is now in Paris, Illinois.  Dr. Silver, of Clermont County, came here some six or seven years ago.
     James Young's saw-mill was built in 1811.  The grist-mill was erected three years afterward, and though often repaired, the old frame is yet in the present structure.  The first saw-mill was destroyed by fire.  This mill has always remained in the family, but since 1860 has been abandoned.  In 1836 Mr. Young had a large log distillery close by, where he fattened many hogs.  The building is now gone.  As early as 1813 Oliver Smith had a saw-mill on Seven-Mile, two miles below Collinsville.  It was run by an undershot wheel.  He also erected a grist-mill at the same place in 1808, but which in 1829(0) was destroyed by fire.  About 1828 David Young built a saw-mill, carding-machine, and oil-mill on Seven-Mile on the east side, in the north-east corner of Section 25.  The former of these establishments stood below the latter.  All were sold after the death of Mr. Young, in 1848, to Joseph Hursh who continued to do sawing until about 18_3.  Samuel and David Young built an undershot saw-mill one mile below Somerville, about forty years ago.  The latter also had a fulling-mill and carding-machine at the same point; all have disappeared.
     The Collinsville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1843.  Among the early members were David Simpson and David Gray the latter of whom was one of the early class leaders.  At the time of organization this Church was on the Germantown, but is now on the Camden Circuit.  The house was begun in the Spring of 1844 and completed in the Fall of the same year.  The Rev. William H. Sutherland was the first minister.  Jeremiah b. Ellsworth and John W. Steel were preachers in charge of 1844.  Prior to 1844 the Church worshiped in the frame school-house which stood half a mile south of Collinsville, on the Hueston road.  The log schoolhouse stood ten rods west of the present Presbyterian Church.  About ten years ago the Methodist Church was abandoned, on account of deaths and removals.  In its best days this Church had about forty-five members.
     The Seven-Mile Presbyterian Church at Collinsville was erected or organized in 1810.  It was a frame building and stood eight rods west of the present house.  Some of the early members were Samuel Davis, Robert Irwin, Sen., Matthew Richardson, Ralph Brown, Robert Swann, Oliver Smith, father of Samuel Smith (who now lives in Seven-Mile, eighty years of age), John Armstrong and Samuel Young.  The land on which the house stood was given for this purpose - two acres, including the graveyard - by Matthew Richardson.  The house was about thirty by forty feet, and was furnished with slab seats, with legs for supports, from James Young's saw-mill.  In the course of time better seats were put in, and the pews were sold, but this practice was soon discontinued, because of the dissatisfaction which it caused.  For the choir-leader the class had Daniel Corson, who stood close to the pulpit and "lined" the hymns, and Matthew J. Richardson, who pitched the tunes.  The Rev. Francis Monfort was one of the first ministers.
     Subjoined are a few inscriptions from the Collinsville cemetery:

     Philip Ray, died October 7, 1849; aged 61
     Samuel Davis, died March 27, 1843; aged 72.
     David Young, died August 21, 1849; aged 52.
     Rev. James McMechan, Sr., died October 1, 1819, in the 59th year of his age.
     Mary McMechan, died in April, 1813, in the 40th year of her age.
     Alexander Young, born September 22, 1784; died July 13, 1861.
     James E. Young, died February 6, 1873; aged 60.

DARRTOWN.
pg. 565

     Conrad Darr and Robert and William Ogle, all from Pennsylvania, entered Section 28, on which Darrtown stands, in 1802.  After making the entry, they returned home, and in 1803 bought their families with them, and divided the section.  Darr took the south half; William Ogle, the northwest quarter; and Robert Ogle, the north-east quarter.  The section cost $1.25 per acre.  In 1814, April 4, the former of these gentlemen laid out Darrtown, and called it after himself.
     Abraham Darr was the first resident of the village.  He kept a store on the east side of the street, near the center of the town, in a frame house.  This building burned down in 1820.  John Deen built the second house, about 1817, which is now used for a grocery by William Shears.  In 1825 William Davis was in the house as a store-keeper, also as a saddler.  In 1820 Henry Watts built a log-house in Darrtown, opposite the Davis property.  Herron & Fenton were in this log building in 1827 as merchant tailors.  The venerable building has long since disappeared.  Mr. Persails, a hatter, from Hamilton, was here many years ago.  John Cook, a blacksmith, from Pennsylvania, came here, in 1825, with a huge family; remained fifteen years, and died in this county.  Stephen Cook his son, followed, in the same business, for five or six years.  David and

[Page 566]
John Knee were also early blacksmiths.  Abram Darr built a frame house, where Zimmerman now keeps, in 1817, and began the tavern-keeping business.  He continued for ten or twelve years.  In 1832, he opened a still-house, two hundred yards east of where Hiram Darr now lives.  His corn was ground at the old carding mill on the corner south of the Lutheran Church.  This distillery continued for a number of years.  Mr. Darr removed to Iowa, in 1844, and in 1852, while in Cincinnati, died very suddenly.
     Aaron Chamberlin, a native of New York, rented a store-room in 1826, and began to accommodate the public.  His store stood on the east side of the street in the middle of the village.  He afterward opened a tavern in the store building, continuing for six years.  He also worked at the wagon-making business for some time, and died in Pike County, Illinois, some time after 1840.  Henry Branner was a blacksmith in Darrtown from 1817 to 1827, in a log shop opposite Chamberlain's tavern.  Patterson and Martin had a store, in 1828, where Zimmerman's saloon is.  Stephen Kendall came to Darrtown in 1825, built a tavern in the lower end of town, and continued until 1844.  He was by trade a shoemaker, carpenter, and wagonmaker.  William Kirkpatrick kept a tavern in Darrtown in 1845 in the house now occupied by his son Samuel as a tavern and saloon.  Henry Krigger was another blacksmith from 1826 to 1832, south of the widow Carnahan's house on the cast side of Main Street.
     Mitchell Marshall

SOMERVILLE.
pg. 567

     Somerville was laid out by Jacob F. Rowe, Oct. 7, 1831.  John and Marsh Williams, from New England, were the first village store-keepers, in a log house in the southern part of the town.  John removed to the West, where he died.  Marsh, after several years in the village, opened another store half a mile west, where his son Benjamin now lives.  The Williamses came to this township in 1803.
     Benjamin Fox and Luther Taylor were village store keepers after the Williams brothers.  Mr. Fox bought

[Page 568]
the saw-mill, and run it for some time.  Ford Huff was a store-keeper for ten or twelve years.  He also engaged in cutting pork for two seasons.  Benjamin Myers, now of Camden, Ohio, was a Somerville store-keeper in 1840, under the old Odd Fellows' hall.  He sold out to David Davis, who cut pork and shipped it to Cincinnati on the canal from Hamilton.  Davis is now in Louisville, Kentucky.  Edward Ogle was also a pork merchant, but failed, removing to Illinois.  One of the old pork-houses stood on the west side of the old cemetery, and was forty by fifty feet, one-story and cellar.  Ogle and Fox did their packing in the hewed log house, built in 1837 or 1838 by Samuel Ellsworth for a pottery.  It stood opposite the Methodist Church.  At the time the pottery was built Ellsworth was keeping tavern in Somerville.
     William Morey, father of Lee and Ellwood Morey was a hatter in the village in 1827, one door above where John Young's drug-store is.  He was followed by others, the last of whom was James Craig.  C. H. Newton began as an apprentice in April,1832, and served four and a half years.  He is now the only man living in the corporation who was here in 1832.
    The Somerville mill originally stood above the depot, and was an old establishment in 1832 - a frame building.  It was run by the Joneses, who were Quakers.  A sawmill stood a short distance above, which was torn down about ten years ago.  Jones sold to Jacob F. Rowe in 1839, removing to Michigan.  John Irwin became the next owner, from Pennsylvania.  Since this time there have been a number of owners, among whom were Benjamin Fox, William Fox, and James Young.  The present owner if John Muff, who bought the property of the John Antrim estate in 1879.
     Solomon White was the first tavern-keeper in Somerville; he was in a frame house opposite the Odd Fellows' hall in 1827.  By trade White was a carpenter; he also carried on a blacksmith shop in the village in 1832.
     Jacob Andrews had a tavern in the village in an early day, on the south-east corner of the depot and Main Street.  He was followed by David Miller.  L. J. Saucer followed Ellsworth, and David Holmes succeeded Saucer.
     The Somerville Presbyterian Church is a branch of the Seven-Mile Presbyterian Church at Collinsville, which was organized in 1810.  The first pastor was the Rev. M. G. Wallace, who served the Church from 1810 to 1820.  The Rev. James Hughes then supplied the Church for one year.  He was followed by Francis Monfort for ten years.  The Congregation was then supplied for a short time by the Rev. B. Smith, and the Fall of 1834 the Rev. Thomas Edgar Hughes became stated supply.  The church was erected during the same year.  Here the people assembled regularly still under the control of the Seven-Mile Church.  In 1843 the Oxford Presbytery appointed elders for the Church.  After the organization the Rev. Mr. Hughes continued to supply the two Churches until his death in January, 1864.  Over two hundred persons united with the Church during his ministry.  In 1864 Rev. James W. McClusky entered upon the pastorate, which continued for eighteen years.  In the year 1874 the old house was declared unsafe, and in the month of December of the same year a new house, which cost about $5000, was dedicated free of debt.  In 1875 seventy-six members were added to the Church register.  The ruling elders have been Daniel Carson, Caleb Baker, Jonathan Crowley, Benjamin Bourne, John Beaty, Howard Young, A. P. Young, Jacob Earhart, James R. H. Bernard, William Crume, Mahlon D. Hinsey, and G. F. Cook.  Some of these have rested from their labors and entered upon their reward.
     For the first school-house Somerville had a building which stood on the Jacksonburg road, on the bank of Pott's Run, in the field now owned by John Young, five rods from the road.  William Mack was one of the early teachers.  The second school building stood in town; so also does the third.
     In August, 1861, Somerville was overflowed by Seven-Mile, and considerable damage done to property.  Stock was scattered and fences were displaced beyond recognizence.
     Dr. Williams, here in 1825, was the first resident physician in Somerville.  He remained about eight years.  Dr. Waugh, from Maryland, came here in 1828, and remained three years.  He married while here.  Dr. Adams, a New York unmarried man, was with the people for four or five years.  He went from Somerville, married, to Eastern Ohio.  Dr. Mendenhall succeeded Dr. Adams, who was also his pupil.  He was a resident physician at two different periods.
     Dr. Easton came here in 1840 from near Cincinnati, and in 1847 went to Evansville, Indiana, where he died.  The other physicians have been Dr. Creighton, from Dayton, Ohio, here about five years; Dr. Simpson, Dr. Miller, Dr. Brown, Dr. Cook, and Dr. Carey.  Dr. Alexander, from near Camden, practiced here more than a quarter of a century ago, and was the first resident botanical physician in Somerville.  Dr. Ferguson was another of the physicians here for three or four years.  Dr. Hair was also a citizen at the same time.  Dr. Brown was the first physician in this section of country, and was here three-quarters of a century ago.  His home was in Preble County, two and a half miles north-west of Somerville.
     The Free-will Baptist Church was organized in 1835 or 1836.  This building was erected with the understanding that all religious denominations should use it if desired.  Thomas Murray, Cephas Blossom, and Mr. Foreman were the trustees on the part of the Church.  John Clark, Dr. Eastman and Harrison Perham were the trustees on the side of the people.  The house was a frame, and stood on the east side of Mound Street,

[Page 569]
a few feet from the first alley.  Jacob Rowe and wife deeded the land - about one-eighth of an acre - for church purposes.  Alexander Keller now occupies the house as a dwelling, two and a half miles west of the town.  The Rev. Benjamin Skinner was the organizer of the Church, and afterwards served the people for ten or twelve years. 
     Odd Fellows' Lodge, No. 54, Invincible, was organized in December, 1845.  The charter members were John Woodside, Henry Dove, Daniel Boyer, J. Westerman, Jr., William Newton, Miles Minges, and Abram Clark.  The first meetings were held in the third story of a house built by Mr. Nye, of Cincinnati, who came here and built a store in 1838.  The third story was added by Ford Huff, to whom he sold out.  The present membership numbers about forty-five.  Huff's room was used for three or four years.  A room was then leased of Benjamin Myers and occupied for twenty years.  The present hall built in 1850, costing $2,500, and occupies the site of the first place of meeting.
     In 1832 Jacob F. Rowe and Benjamin Bourne donated about one acre of land to the Presbyterian Church for burial purposes.  The first person buried in it was John, son of Daniel and Anda Perry, who died April 26, 1832; aged nine years, ten months and fourteen days.    The leading burying-ground for the early settlers was in Preble County, just over the line.
     In December, 1875, the Collinsville cemetery was enlarged at a cost of $2,125, for seven acres, after a great deal of vexations bargaining.  The same month and year the Somerville ground, four and four-fifths acres, was enlarged at a cost of $970.  And in August 1876, the Darrtown ground was likewise enlarged by the township buying three acres at a cost of $1,000.
     In 1850, three miles west of Somerville, John Wright, a millwright, who worked for Ezra Bell, erected the mill that is seen standing idle in the southern part of the town, for want of capital and work.  The original structure cost $2,200.  Six years thereafter the establishment was removed to the village.  A small grinding establishment was added.  Every thing is now in the dilapidated condition.  As far back as 1828 Mr. Rowe, of New Jersey, began to tan on Marcy's run of Seven-Mile.  He continued for ten years.  John Airy opened a tanyard in Somerville, opposite the present post-office, in 1832 or 1833, which has continued to run with many changes in proprietorship, for forty years.  Robert Young had a still house one mile south on a branch of Seven Mile, at an early day.
     Cornelius Hinsey came with his brother William and Archibald Armstrong, from Delaware, in 1802, and entered Section 9, which was afterward divided among themselves.  As early as 1810 the former of these men opened a still-house, which he carried on for twenty years.  The distillery was on Hinsey's branch of Seven-Mile.  David Unsicker had a distillery on Section 9 in 1839.   On Section 16 Joseph Augspurger had a whisky-making establishment in 1825, on the farm now owned by John Sloneger.   The water was pumped by a big dog, and the corn ground by horse-power.  Moses Campbell also had a still-house on Section 16, but it was not very important; it was known as a "family concern."  Samuel Young had another on Section 10 (which he partly entered) at an early day.  Christopher Augspurger had a similar one in 1824, about three rods from his house.  He was followed by his son-in-law, Joseph Kinsinger, who carried on the business extensively.  His corn was ground by cattle.
     Somerville was incorporated in 1832.  Thomas Martin was the first mayor, and Benjamin Hubbard, now a lawyer of Eaton, seventy-two years old, the first clerk and recorder.  Among the other mayors were Ebenezer Blossom, R. L. Gard, Henry Dove, J. P. Randall who served four terms, Daniel Peters, W. R. Woodside, Cornelius Conaroe, and M. W. DeCamp, the present officer, who has held the office for ten or twelve years.  Council meets in the town hall, erected in 1863 or 1864, and cost, including the lot, $850.  Erastus and Joseph Marcy were the contractors.
     The following are the postmasters in the township of Millford, since they have been appointed:
     Collinsville - Matthew Richardson, March 26, 1826; Andrew P. Young, June 12, 1837; James H. Steele, May 11, 1850; Stephen B. Squire, May 27, 1858; George Hippard, Nov. 30, 1861; Pierson Carl Oct. 31, 1863; Stephen R. Runnell Jan. 17, 1867; Oscar Bischoff, Dec. 22, 1868; James G. Young, Nov. 4, 1870; Daniel McLain Apr. 11, 1871; Jacob H. Shallenbarger, Dec. 15, 1880.
     Darrtown - Abraham F. Darr, Jan. 18, 1825; Sylvanus P. Oaks, Apr. 14, 1836; John McMechan, July 27, 1839; James Shears, June 17, 1853; Philip Stover, June 3, 1854; John McMechan, Nov. 28, 1854; Benjamin F. Stevens, June 4, 1858; John E. Bagsley, Dec. 31, 1858; James G. Clements, Mar. 4, 1859; Cynthia A. Davis, Dec. 28, 1859; John McMechan, June 13, 1860; Wiliam B. Kendall Jan. 24, 1871; James G. Clements, Dec. 19, 1872.
     Williams's Store - John Williams, Jan. 27, 1824; Jeremiah S. Waugh Jan. 20, 1834.  Changed to Somerville, Feb. 28, 1834.
     Somerville - Jeremiah S. Waugh, Feb. 28, 1834; Thomas Martin, May 26, 1836; Martin Tolbert, Sept. 25, 1839;Reuben White, Nov. 11, 1839; John W. Kline, Jan. 25, 1841; Ford Huff, May 11, 1842; William Lange, Mar. 18, 1843; James Cook, Mar. 29, 1855; William Lange, Dec. 16, 1856; Andrew S. Ridenour, August 28, 1872; John P. Woodside, July 15, 1872; Andrew P. Young, Mar. 14, 1873; Mahlon D. Hinsey, June 21, 1875.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES:
pg. 570

MARTIN BAILOR
HEZEKIAH BRADBURY
JAMES BROWN
ZEBEDEE BROWN
HIRAM DARR
WILLIAM HANCOCK
ROBERT HARRIS
HENRY HERRON
EDWARD HINSEY
GEORGE W. HOOD
JOHN IRWIN
FREDERICK SMOYER
DAVID SOMMER
EDWARD T. STEPHENS
JAMES ARTHUR STEPHENS
JAMES FINDLEY STOUT
ANDREW P. YOUNG
JOHN W. YOUNG