Concord township, in the southwestern part of Fayette county, is bounded on its north, east and south by the townships of this county, while at its west is Clinton county.   The dividing line between Union township and this township is Sugar creek.  Rattlesnake creek divides Concord into two almost equal parts.  As to the organization of the township, this is fully set forth elsewhere in this work.
     Just who the first settlers were here is not known for any degree of certainty, but it is certain that one of the most important pioneers was John Wright, who emigrated to the Scioto valley in 1798, settling on the waters of Paint creek with his family.  There he resided until 1807, then married and in 1808 removed with his bride to Fayette, locating in this township on Sugar creek.  He was a soldier in the War of 1812, being commanded by Captain Kilgore and Gen. William H. Harrison, under a draft for the forty-days service.  Later he went out among the men who volunteered under the general call for troops.  He was a thorough-going farmer, cleared up much land in this county and was elected trustee and enjoyed the respect and love of all who knew him.
     Peter Marks was born in Pennsylvania.  In 1806 the family left their native state and settled at Oldtown (now Frankfort), Ross county, Ohio.  In 1815 Marks bought about two hundred and forty acres of land in Concord township, this county, near the village of Jasper Mills.  He was compelled to re-purchase his land, as it was claimed to be that of an officer of the Revolutionary War.  A son of Peter Marks, Joseph, in 1828, erected a small cabin on the Washington and Staunton road.  He resided there practically the remainder of his days.  There was no habitation between his cabin and Buena Pista, and but three on the road running to Washington C. H., the whole country consisting of dense forest and underbrush.  He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson for President in 1822.
     A little before the arrival of John Wright, the family of George Moore came in from Kentucky, locating on Sugar creek, a mile and a half southeast of the Wright settlement.  The names of two sons now recalled are Ezekiel, who served in the War of 1812, and Thomas, who died of the dread milk sickness.  The remainder of this family removed to Indiana in either 1820 or 1821.
     Just prior to the organization of this county, Thomas Gilbert settled on what was later styled in Ingle farm.  He moved west later.
     Thomas Foster occupied the old Elias Priddy farm, but, becoming dissatisfied with the new country here, returned to Kentucky.
     In the fall of 1808 David Wright, brother of John Wright, erected a small cabin on a little knoll, situated on land later known as the Jasper Wright place.
     Other pioneers of Concord township were:  Daniel Carmine, who came before 1812, was a hard-working settler, and reared a large, honorable family; James MAddox, who located on Sugar creek; Leonard Bush, Sr., Berryman Allen and Eli West.

SUNDRY INCIDENTS.

     A former historical collection for Fayette county gives the following on early days of Concord:
     Of the wife of John Wright, it is said that she was a woman of enterprise, industry and business habits.  During the War of 1812, her husband being a soldier in that campaign, she, with the help of a small boy, cultivated and gathered nine acres of corn, amounting to four hundred bushels; the boy plowed while she hoed.  According to a pioneer superstition, in order to raise flax successfully it was necessary to sow the seed on Good Friday.  In the year above mentioned, Mr. Wright had the ground broken ready for seeding on the day preceding.  During the night snow fell to the depth of six inches.  The lady was very much troubled upon making this discovery, but, nothing daunted, dressed herself warmly, and proceeded to seed the ground through the snow.  The result was satisfactory and the old lady often boasted of the wonderful crop she raised by sowing flaxseed on Good Friday.
     Mrs. Moore, well known in early days, desiring to visit Kentucky, her native state, engaged a horse of John Wright, for the use of which she was to have the animal shod and bring the owner a quart of apple seeds.  The contract was carried out to the letter, and from the seed planted the first orchard in southern Fayette county sprung.
     Jeremiah Dunn was the first person to die in the neighborhood.  In the absence of grave-yard or coffin it was decided to wrap the remains in a blanket and bury them in an old Indian burying ground, on the east bank of Paint Creek.
     Caleb Wright, who came to Fayette County about 1807, was at the time a single man and when the War of 1812 was declared by Congress, he volunteered as an Indian spy.  He continued in that critical and dangerous capacity, traversing hills, plains, valleys and swamps for one year, feeding on wild meat, hiding in the black swamps and continually encountering the most imminent perils to which his peculiar occupation exposed him.
     T. H. Maddox, son of James Maddox, the old settler, is said to have been the first blacksmith in this township.  He was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church and a licensed preacher of the United Brethren denomination at one time.
     The first millwright and carpenter was O. H. Wright.
     The first justice of the peace in Concord township was William Thompson.
     John B. Rowe, in the immediate vicinity of Staunton, was a famous hunter.  He was never known to say that he had killed Indians, but had seen them "get down from fences," "lie down at the root of trees," or some such expression, indicating that he might have hurt them.  In early days the occupation of the hunter and trapper was quite common and very profitable.

MILLS OF THE TOWNSHIP.

     The first grist-mill and saw-mill, as well as the first distillery, was built on Sugar creek by Adam Taylor.  The lands were low and wet, and of course fever and ague were a common disease, which were supposed to be readily cured by frequent drinks of liquor.  The old still was a favorite resort for many an old settler.  Taylor afterward became involved, abandoned his place and moved west.  The mill was never operated after his departure, and scores of years ago was washed down by the floods of Sugar creek.  Prior to this mill the settlers carried their grain to "horse mills" at Washington C. H. and Sabina.

VILLAGE OF STAUNTON.

     This is Concord township's only village.  It is located in the northeast part of the township, within a mile of Sugar creek, close to Hankin's run.  The village was platted in 1848.  The county records show the following concerning Staunton's origin:
     "Whereas, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned, that there shall be a town laid out and established in Concord township, Fayette county, and the state of Ohio, at the place where the village of Staunton is now situate, so as to include said village.  And inasmuch as the undersigned are all interested, each one owning a part of the premises upon which it is intended to locate said town, and will be mutually benefited thereby, and in order to have the proper accomplishment of said purpose, have entered into and signed an agreement in writing in substance as follows:

"Staunton, Fayette County, Ohio
"September 5, 1849.

     "We, the undersigned, citizens of the above place and vicinity, do hereby agree to sign and properly execute such instruments as may be drawn up by a competent attorney-at-law, providing for the establishment of a town at the above place, and to appoint three commissioners for the purpose of carrying this matter into effect.  They are instructed to run two rows of lots and one street on each side of the State road, and as many cross streets and alleys, as they may deem necessary, the principal streets to run east and west, parallel with said State road.  The commissioners are further instructed to pay due regard to the buildings now up; to take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of each individual concerned, etc.
     (Signatures) "Willis Rowe, John Stukey, James Holbrook, William Craig, Stroder Evans, P. F. Johnson, David M. Terry, Jonathan Burgess, David Pollock, William Long, James N. Flannagen, Charles Van Pelt, William Heller, Jesse Rowe, Jacob Jamison (provided a street runs through his lot, the commissioners are to value his lot and he is to be paid for it if he wishes to sell), Thomas J. Craig, Thomas McCorcle, D. S. Craig."
     In September of that year the following commissioners were duly appointed:  Daniel McLean, Micajah Draper and John S. Burnett.  The original survey was made November 25, 1849, by John L. Burnett.  Other territory was later added.
     There had been quite a village started before this act, and this was simply to give form and shape and permanent order for a village proper. 
     Thomas J. Craig entered this locality from Greenfield, in 1842, and was the first to open a general country store.
     As early as 1835 a blacksmith shop was started by Michael Marks, who years later sold to Caleb Wright.  The second store of the village was established by John Webster.  Year after year, when railroads were being projected, the citizens here attempted to secure a railroad, but all attempts were marked with failure.
     In 1880 this village had a population of about one hundred and twenty-five souls, and business was conducted as follows:  Groceries, notions, etc., William Long, Henry Limes, T. J. Craig; blacksmithing, K. B. Cole and William Dimon; wagon shop, John Rustler; boot and shoe shop, William Bay, James Holbrook; physician, Doctor McAffee.
     Coming down to the present time (1914), it ay be said that Staunton has a population of less than one hundred, and the business is confined to a couple of general merchandise stores and a few shops.  This was another of the original towns of Fayette county that the railroad era materially injured.