THE MILITARY.

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     The militia of Fairfield County held an annual general muster, and, as this was held at or adjoining Lancaster, it is worthy of mention.  This sketch will also

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AUGUST WITTE

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SOME WEDDINGS

     Samuel Crim was married to Maria Sanderson, eldest daughter of General Sanderson, Mar. 4, 1841, by Rev. William Cox;
Anthony L. Clark, to Mary Jane Jeffries, daughter of Ewel Jeffries, County Treasurer, May 5, 1840;
William Phelan, to Mrs. Gillespie, sister to Henry Miers, Feb. 8, 1841;
James Sherman, to Sophia, daughter of John Connell, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1841;
James C. Maccracken, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Connell, Oct. 14, 1841;
Samuel Beery, to Mrs. Ann Matlack, mother of Mrs. Judge Biddle of Indiana, Aug. 1, 1840, by

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Rev. William Cox;
John H. Tennant and Maria Reber, June 10, 1840, by the Rev. William Cox;
Robt. H.Caffee and Nancy Reber, June 25, 1840, by Rev. William Cox;
John G. Willock and Julia Sherman, June 5, 1838, by Rev. William Cox;
Joseph Grubb and Emma Claypool, October, 1820, by Rev. Thomas A. Morris, afterwards a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church;
Wesley Newman, teacher, to Mrs. Lucy Cook, December, 1820;
James Clark, of Chillicothe, to Sarah Quinn, daughter of the Rev. James Quinn, Feb. 4, 1820;
Rev. John W. Fowble, to the youngest daughter of Rev. James Quinn, in the year 1838;
Dr. William Trevitt, to Lucinda Butler, adopted
daughter of Colonel John Noble, in Columbus, Ohio,
November, 1839.

SOCIETY LEADERS.

     The society leaders of the period of 1840 were the families of Thomas Ewing, Hocking H. Hunter, Henry Stanbery, P. Van Trump, General S. F. Maccracken, General William J. Reese, the Creeds, Dr. M. Z. Kreider, Samuel Effinger, John Reber, Daniel Kutz, Thomas Reed, Robt. H. Caffee, Jesse B. Hart, John H. Tennant, John G. Willock, Dr. Jas. White, Dr. Boerstler, Dr. Edwards, Mrs. Colonel Sumner, John T. Brasee, Michael Garaghty, and William Medill.  Senator Ewing in 1833 gave a grand party in honor
of his distinguished visitor, Hon. Daniel Webster, which was attended by the elite of Lancaster.  Of those who attended that great function, there is but one survivor, Mrs. General Reese.  From about 1830 to 1845 Lancaster was famous for fine and elaborate entertainments, and as was the custom of the time, wine and punch was served to the guests.  The use

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of stimulants was not confined to these occasions.  John Sherman tells in his "Autobiography" that in toxicating liquors were in common use among young men, and that he and his companions were occasional victims.  Men of position and high standing indulged in stimulants more freely than is the custom in our day.  There has been a great reform in this respect, and the cut glass in use upon the side boards of that period is now a mantel ornament.

CITY OFFICERS OF 1840.

     In the year 1840 Lancaster was as well officered as at any period of her history; indeed, we doubt if the list of municipal officers herewith presented has ever been equaled; President of Council, Wm. J. Reese; Recorder, H. F. Blaire; Treasurer, Jacob Green; Town Surveyor, Gabriel Carpenter; Assessor, Robt. R. Claspill; Street Commissioners, Henry Miers, Daniel Sifford and Amos Hunter; Board of Health, Dr. James White, Dr. Boerstler, Dr. Bigelow, Samuel F. Maccracken, M. Garaghty; Fire Wardens, George Ring, Benj. Connell and Geo. H. Smith; Property Guard, Capt. T. O. Edwards, G. Steinman, Henry Arnold and Jas. A. Weakley; Marshal, Adam Short; Cemetery Trustee, Adam Short.  For this year Jacob Green, Treasurer, received $9144.  The expenditures were $5399.  Charles H. Brough was editor of the Ohio Eagle in 1840 and elected to the Legislature soon thereafter.  Captain John Duffy was temporary editor of the Gazette, employed for the campaign.  They were both pungent and forcible writers and made the campaign hot.

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POLITICAL MEETINGS.

     No town in the State of Ohio was ever more thoroughly aroused than was Lancaster in the campaigns of 1840 and 1863.  Ohio being the home of General Wm. H. Harrison, the Whig candidate, it was but natural that the Whig campaign should eclipse all others and but little else was done beside holding political meetings.  The great day, when Corwin and other great orators appeared, capped the climax.  Long processions with banners, coons, cider, and buckeyes were hours in passing through the town.  The town was full of people wild with enthusiasm.  A log cabin of buckeye timber was built and used afterwards as headquarters.  This was on the Public Square north of the Court House.  A pole two hundred feet high was erected by Henry Orman and William Cassel.  For some purpose William Cassel ascended the pole one hundred feet sailor fashion.  Such excitement was never before witnessed in Lancaster.  Long processions came from Chillicothe, Circleville, Columbus, Newark, and Zanesville.  A free dinner of immense proportions was served in the grove.
     John Reber was the wide-awake chairman of the Whig Central Committee.
     In 1863 John Brough came to Lancaster and the grandest pageant ever witnessed in Lancaster passed in review, requiring two hours and thirty minutes to pass the Postoffice.  One wagon, commanded by Captain Dresbach Drum, was drawn by eighty horses, a rider to each horse.  Governor Brough personally complimented him and said it was the finest turnout he had seen in the state.  The Democrats were just as active as the Whigs, but their meetings were not so

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as a member of Congress extended to the year 1873, or three terms.  He was a member of the board of directors that organized the Starch Company and continued to serve as such during its existence.  Colonel Van Trump had many friends in this community and was always a popular citizen.  He did not long survive his service in Congress, for he sickened and died at his home July, 1874.  His dust reposes with the dust of the Beecher family in the Elmwood Cemetery.  Colonel Van Trump was a positive man, honest and sincere, and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of many Lancaster people by whom he was highly esteemed.

DR. ROBERT MCNEILL

     Dr. Robert McNeill came to Lancaster when a young man and commenced the practice of his profession in which he became eminent.  He was an able physician and always popular, and a Freemason of high degree.  So much was he esteemed by his brethren that at his death they erected a handsome monument to his memory.  He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Arnold.  Dr. McNeill took a prominent part in all public affairs at Lancaster.  When but forty-four years of age he met with an accident which caused his death Dec. 1, 1835.  It is a noteworthy fact that many of the brilliant men of Lancaster died young; and but few can be named who lived beyond the age of seventy years.  His wife survived him nearly sixty years and died at the age of ninety-three.

W. J. CARD

     W. J. Card was born in Greenfield, New York, Jan. 26, 1862.  He was reared upon a farm and educated in the common schools.  He married Miss

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Lydia Stone at Nelson, New York, Jan. 27, 1825.  In the year 1837 he emigrated to Ohio and settled in Lancaster.  His first employment was in the capacity of superintendent of the lock masonry work on the Hocking Canal during its construction.  During this time he studied surveying and made himself master of the science.  He was soon thereafter elected County Surveyor for Fairfield County and served in that capacity acceptably for several years.  He died in the state of Virginia, April 16, 1876. His son, W. W. Card, is one of the substantial citizens of Pittsburgh, Pa., and was educated in Lancaster, one of his favorite teachers being Wm. Lyon.  He was a civil engineer and for years the superintendent of one division of the Pan Handle Railroad.
     He became interested in George Westinghouse's brake patent and with him organized a company to manufacture air brakes at Pittsburgh.
     Westinghouse is a millionaire and Card is a wealthy man and secretary of the company.
     Mr. Card has never severed his connection with his old town and returns occasionally to revive old and sacred memories.

DR. M. Z. KREIDER

     Dr. M. Z. Kreider was a splendid man, physically and intellectually.  A good physician and surgeon, he was not content — his mind required more active and exciting employment.  He dipped into politics, became Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, local preacher, temperance lecturer, manager and owner of a line of stage coaches, and owner of a large drug store.  His first store was at No. 66 Main Street, as he advertised it, where the Martens hardware store

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is now located.  His last place of business was in the rooms now occupied by his widow as a residence.  He was known and recognized everywhere in central and southern Ohio; for, once seen, his face and form could not be forgotten.  He was a genial man and in conversation always entertaining.  He was the first Grand Eminent Commander of Knights Templar for Ohio, and Grand Master of the fraternity for the State of Ohio at the time of his death.  He was honored with an imposing Masonic funeral, in which eminent officials of the order participated.  He delivered a temperance lecture in the church at New Salem in 1843.  George Stinchcomb, one of the audience, asked a question that required a technical answer as to the effect of stimulants, etc.  The next week he received a bill for five dollars.  The matter was treated as a bit of humor on the part of the Doctor, and of course the bill was not paid.  Dr. Kreider was a Pennsylvanian, and lived for a time in Royalton.  He came to Lancaster as early as 1832.  He was but fifty-two years of age when he died.  He was for two years a member of the Ohio Legislature.

NELSON SMITH

     Nelson Smith was probably the most noted colored man who ever lived in Lancaster.  He was the favorite of the men of the old school, who knew how to appreciate faithful and intelligent service.  He was always proud of the fact that he was chosen by Mr. Ewing to care for Daniel Webster during his two weeks' visit here in 1833.  He left a family of sons and daughters who, like their father, have the confidence and patronage of the people.

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