STREAMS, SURFACE, SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.

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ROADS AND PIKES.

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PIONEERS.

     John Fry was one of the first to locate within what is now Washington Township.  He was a native of Pennsylvania, and with his parents, Enoch and Mary Fry, emigrated to Ohio at an early day and settled in Coshocton County; thence, in 1832, removed to this county and located on land now owned by Mrs. Hannah Curn in Washington Township, from where, after a few years’ residence, they removed into Blanchard Township and settled on land now owned by Alonzo Lynch, where the parents died from that terrible and then prevailing disease-milk sickness.  Enoch Fry was the father of the following children: Jacob, John, Joshua, Daniel, Jonas, Stephen and Catharine.  Of these, John died of milk sickness; Daniel accidentally shot himself, from the effects of which he died; the balance of the children, after a few years’ residence here, returned to Coshocton County, where Jacob resided till his death, in April, 188l; Joshua and Catharine still reside in that county.  Jonas is now a resident of Muskingum County, Ohio, and Stephen moved West.  John Fry, the second son, married Mary Mowry, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of George W. Mowry, who settled in Blanchard Township in 1832, where he resided until his death: by her he had five children - Enoch, George W., Charity, Col. Jefferson and John.  Of these, Charity, the only daughter, died young; George W., in 1850, moved to Illinois; in 1851, to Oregon; in 1853, to California, where he resided about twenty years, and thence removed to Washington Territory, where he still resides; Enoch, in the spring of 1851, crossed the plains to California, where he remained about five years; started to return by vessel, was shipwrecked, but was saved, and returned to California, where he remained one year longer and then returned to Ohio; and he, Col. Jefferson and John are new residents of Blanchard Township.  Enoch, the eldest son above mentioned. served in the war of the rebellion, four years, in the Ninth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry; Jefferson enlisted in the Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served over three years, and re-enlisted as a veteran; was taken prisoner and confined in a rebel prison, but finally paroled.  John also served about one year near the close of the war in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

     Andrew Petty settled and erected the first cabin in the north part of the township about 1832-33, but remained only a short time and moved away, Also another man by the name of Petty, about 1833, settled on land now owned by John Bame; was rather eccentric. an old bachelor, never married, resided here a few years and also moved away.  About 1834, Mr. Young came from Pennsylvania and settled upon the land that Andrew Petty vacated, as mentioned above, but remained only a few years, when he returned to Pennsylvania.  Richard Hamilton, a native of Richland County, Ohio, settled here one mile east of North Washington.  He married a

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Miss Lynch, a daughter of George Lynch.  He located here about 1834, and resided about twenty-five years, and removed to Idaho, where he still resides.  The first election of the township was held at his cabin, and he served as the first Constable, also filled the office of Justice of the Peace for more than twenty years.

     John McBride settled on land now owned by N. Ahlefeld and George McElroy about 1834, where he resided until his death in 1862.  He was a man of integrity, a good neighbor and worthy citizen.  His children were as follows: Margaret, Mahlon, Allen and Mariah, who now survive and reside in the West; Nancy, Rebecca and Love are deceased.

     William Thorne was a native of Maryland, then a resident of Virginia, where he married Margaret Fulk, and removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, thence to Trumbull County, and in July, 1836, came to this county and settled on land now owned by Elizabeth Summerville, where they resided till their death; he died about 1848 and she about 1853.  Their children were James, Elizabeth, Henry, William, Mary, Thomas, Cassander, Benjamin, Sarah, Rachel. Jacob, Rebecca and one that died in infancy.

     Robert McMillen, of Irish descent, came here from Knox County, Ohio, about the same date and settled on land now owned by the heirs of Joseph Ream.  He was thrice married, his first wife dying before he came to Hardin County; his second wife was Susanna Baker; she died and he married Mary M. Smith.  About 1843, he moved to near Dunkirk, thence a short time prior to the war of the rebellion he removed to Illinois, where his wife died.  He subsequently removed to Missouri, and died in that State.  Some of his children are dead and the balance of them are in the West.

     Andrew Kridler was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington County, and when young went to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he married Mary Thorne, and in the fall of 1836 came to this county and settled on land now owned by Willie Young, where they resided until their death.  His wife died Dec. 8, 1866, aged fifty-nine years.  Subsequently Mr. Kridler married, for his second wife, Margaret Arnold, who was also a native of Pennsylvania.  Mr. Kridler died Oct. 2, 1870, aged sixty-three years, and in twenty-four days after, or Oct. 26, 1870, his wife died of cancer.  Mr. Kridler was a resident here thirty-four years, and sustained an unblemished character for honor and integrity, and was a worthy member of the Christian Church.  He was the father of the following children:  Elizabeth, Cassander, Henry, Albert, Margaret, Lucinda, Andrew J., Sarah A., Samuel, Mary Matilda and one died in infancy.

     John Gum came here from Knox County, Ohio, but was a native of the State of Delaware.  He settled on land now owned by William McElroy.  He was thrice married; his last wife was Mrs. Catharine Williamson.  They subsequently removed to Dunkirk, where he died.  She subsequently died in Kenton.  A further account of the family will be found in the history of Blanchard Township in this volume.

     Adam Orth, a native of Germany, married Mary Weaver and emigrated to America in 1831 and settled near Pittsburgh; thence he removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and from there came to Hardin County about 1835, and settled on land now owned by Jacob and Charles Stair, where he opened out right in the woods and resided on that place until about 1860, when he sold his farm and purchased another about two miles west of his first location, where he died Dec. 22, 1870, aged seventy-six years.  His first wife died in Pennsylvania soon after their arrival in that State.  Subsequently he married Mary E. Troutman, also a native of Germany; she

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died Mar. 31, 1878.  Mr. Orth by his first wife had the following children: Margaret, John (deceased), George, Leonard, Elizabeth, and one that died in infancy.  By his second wife he had John G., J. Adam and Frederick (deceased).  While a resident of Wayne County, Mr. Orth peddled clocks, but after his arrival in this county he gave his exclusive attention to farming.  He cleared 100 acres right from the woods, had a good orchard and other improvements.

     William Wilcox, a native of the State of New York, married Miss Lurena Hopkins, and, in 1838, settled in this township on land now owned by Marion Tarr.  Here he resided several years; thence he returned to his native State, but finally removed to Wisconsin.  He had three sons, David, Jackson, and one name not known. and two daughters, Mary and Lurena; the latter, the eldest child, is deceased.

     William S. Baird, was a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and married Rachel Booth, and came to Hardin County about 1838, and settled on land now owned by Daniel Berger, where he died Sept. 15, 1854, aged forty-five years.  His wife died July 31, 1858, aged forty-eight years.  He was a good farmer, and “the noblest work of God - an honest man.”  Their children were Mary, Rufus, Eli, William and Artimas; all survive but the latter.

     Robert Summerville, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., was married in Beaver County, Penn, to Eleanor Derringer.  Thence he removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and, in 1842, came to this county and settled on land now owned by Mr. William Pfeiffer.  Subsequently he moved into Hancock County, where he died Oct. 4, 1862.  His wife died while a resident of this county - Jan. 16, 1849.  Their children were Hannah, John, Daniel James, Catharine, Benjamin and William, all now deceased but the two last mentioned.

     Leonard Morrison, a native of Butler County, Penn, married Mary Ann Whysong in Fayette County of the same State.  In 1836. he removed to Hardin County, Ohio, and settled on land now owned by N. Ahlefeld; subsequently he moved to the farm known as the Emmett farm, situated in the east part of Washington Township; thence he moved to the place now owned by Peter Cerson, where he died May 7, 1867, aged sixty-two years.  His wife still survives and resides with her son John L.  Their children were as follows: Camille, Sarah Vinah, Angeline and James, all now deceased, and Savilla Ann, William B., Sarah, John L., Robert J. and Winfield S., who survive.

     Reuben Zahner, a native of Pennsylvania, married Sophia Myers, and came to Hardin County and settled on land near the Sidney Baird farm in 1848, where he lived till his death.  Their children were William, Michael, Mary Ann, Caroline, Cordelia, Jesse and Sophia, all married and settled in this neighborhood except Cordelia, who is deceased.

     Barnhart Wagoner, a native of Germany, settled in Washington Township on land now owned by Samuel Taylor in 1833-1, where he resided many years.  He was twice married and was the father of twenty-four children.  He was a remarkably strong, active and muscular man.  Subsequently he and all his family moved to the West.  Some of his children who were well known here were Anthony, Barnhart, Francis, Lewis, Lena, Theresa, Sallie, Fanny, Susan and Margaret.

     Jacob Griner, a native of Germany, settled in.this township near Dunkirk about 1838-39, where he resided till his death.  He was twice married.  His second wife was Margaret Wagoner.  He had three sons - Jacob, Isaac and Daniel.

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     William Hartoon settled near the Cessna Township line in 1836.  He died on the place where he first settled, on the southwest quarter of Section 35.  His children were William, Mollie and Caroline, who all moved away.

     John Kraft, a native of Germany, settled on the southeast quarter of Section 34, where he died; his wife still survives, and now resides in Kenton.  Most of their children died young.  Two - Charles and Christopher - still survive.

     Ephraim Crawford, from Columbiana County, settled on the southwest quarter of Section 34 about 1838.  He was married in Columbiana County to Susan Hively and still resides here where they first settled.  Their children were seven, two of whom were Emery and Stephen.

     Samuel Hively also came from Columbiana County and settled on the east part of Section 33, in 1837, where they still reside.  He married in Columbiana County, and has two sons - George and David - and four daughters.

     Harman Obenour was born in Washington County, Penn; removed to Stark County, Ohio, and, in 1836-37, came to this township and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 33, where he died in 1852.  He was twice married, and was the father of the following children: By his first wife, John, Henry, Elizabeth, David, Susan and Frederick; by his second wife, Harman, Sarah, Josiah, Amos, and three who died in infancy.  Those who survive are possessed of an excellent moral and Christian character, have made a success in life and are highly respected citizens of the community.

     John Reifenstein was a native of Germany. where he married; came to America and settled on Section 32, where he and his wife died, leaving no issue.  Mr. Reifenstein was an intelligent, educated man, and a valuable citizen.

     Jacob Shroll was a native of Pennsylvania, but early came to Crawford County, Ohio, and married a Miss Sheofstall, of Bucyrus, Ohio: she died in 1879 or ’80.  They settled in this township on the southwest quarter of Section 31 in 1837.  Their children were David, Emanuel, Catharine, Harman, Lydia and Frederick.   Mr. Shroll still resides upon the place where he first settled; has accumulated an abundance of this world’s goods, and more than all, has lived an honest, upright life, and is highly respected by his numerous friends.

     Benjamin Ulin came from Coshocton County, Ohio, and settled on land now owned by Mr. Ibling about 1833-34, being one. among the first settlers in the township.  In 1838, he erected a horse-mill for grinding, which made very good flour.  He resided here several years, thence moved to Iowa.  His children were Eliza, John R., Andrew, Benjamin, Sarah, Elizabeth, William and Samuel, all of whom moved West except John P., who now resides in Cessna Township.

     Harrison P. Darst, a native of Woodstock, Va., born in 1817.  About 1831, he emigrated to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he married Catharine Teegarden, born in that county in 1815.  In 1839, they removed to Hardin County and settled in this township, on the southeast quarter of Section 27, on land which he entered from the Government, upon which he resided till his death Oct. 31, 1860.  Mr. Durst was an active member of the Christian Church, and a minister in the same about, twenty years.  Their children were as follows: Sarah E., George W., John S., Rebecca J. and Maria M., now living, and Susanna, Lucinda and two infants, deceased.

     John L. Kahler was born in Germany in 1778 and married Mary A.

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Schiber, born Mar. 26, 1785.  They emigrated to America in June, 1834, and, in 1836, entered forty acres of land in the southwest quarter of Section 34, Washington Township, where he resided till his death in May, 1841.  Mr. Kahler was a weaver by trade.  His children, John L., Frederick, John G. and Elizabeth, are all deceased but John G., who married Mary E. Markley and is still a resident of this township.

     Frederick Markley, a native of Germany. emigrated to America about 1836, and, in 1838, settled on Section 32, where he still resides.  Children  - Mary E., Frederick, Catharine, Barbara, Mary M., Sarah and Christina.

     Archibald Smith came here from Franklinton, Ohio, and settled on the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 26, in 1840 - 41.  He married Elizabeth Williams; she died on the place where they first settled.  He died while on a journey to his son in Union County.  Children—Magdalena, Mary, William and John.

     Conrad Wejount, a native of Germany, married there and emigrated to America in 1835, and settled on Section__, where they died. Children - Susanna (deceased), and Mary, now the wife of Charles Tierce, of Dunkirk.

     John G. Smith, a native of Germany, married Susannah Wejount and settled on Section 33, where he still resides.  His wife died and subsequently he married Dorothy Baker.  Children - John, Henry, Jacob, Adam, Mary, Susanna, Margaret, Catharine and Sarah.

     George Lynch and Jacob Crow were early settlers, locating here about 1834-35; the former has a son now a resident of Kenton.

TOWNS.

     North Washington is the only town in the township.  It was platted and laid out into lots, streets and alleys by Judy Shaw and A. Landis in the summer of 1852.  The first house erected here was a log cabin, built by Ephraim Harvey, and the second by George Orth.  The first frame house was erected by C. W. Show, which is now occupied as a drug store and dwelling.  The first store was opened by Show & Darst, in the above-mentioned frame house.  Peter Ash was the first blacksmith; the first physician, Dr. Rayl; but the first to remain and become permanently settled was Dr. E. B. Heistand.  The post oflice was established about 1852 or 1853, and Samuel Andrews was appointed Postmaster.  His successors have been as follows: Frank Kinnear, Pierce and Lukens, Albert Behrends and Ezra Maynard, the present incumbent.
     The village is now represented by the following businesses: Two general stores, G. W. Burnworth and John Reifenstine; one grocery, by Mrs. Smith; one drug store, by J. J. Orth; two blacksmiths.  Charles Guider and Henry Mason; one saw mill, with one set of buhrs for grinding, owned by G. W. Burnworth; one warehouse, owned by Frank and Levi Pores; and two physicians, Dr. Joseph Saeger and Dr. W. B. Brayton.

SCHOOLS.

     It is believed that the first school ever taught in this township was by Wilmot Manson in 1838.  In 1841, William Simpson taught in a cabin on land then owned by Renatus Gum.  Then there was a log schoolhouse built on Andrew Kridler’s place; this was one of the primitive kind, with puncheon floor, slab seats and greased paper for window lights.  This house was succeeded by a small frame house built on Mr. Thorne’s place about 1850; then this was succeeded by the present frame schoolhouse,

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built in 1874.  Other schools were established in the east and southern parts of the township soon after, and now (1883) this township is divided into eleven subdistricts, with eleven good schoolhouses, in which are employed eleven teachers.  The average number of weeks of school session is 29, enrolling 242 boys and 222 girls; total scholarship, 464; total receipts for school purposes in 1882 were $3,615.80; total expenditures, $3,448.44, leaving balance on hand, Sept. 1, 1882, $167.42; total valuation of school property, $5,000.

CHURCHES.

     Christian Church, northwest corner of Section 34. - This society was organized about 1843, by Rev. Christian Stipp, assisted by Conrad Show, with the following constituent members, viz.: Mrs. James Leper, Mary Leper, Catharine Leper, Anna Leper, Rebecca Leper, Harrison P. Darst, Catharine Darst, Benjamin Ulin, Elizabeth Ulin, Sarah Ulin, John Ulin, Andrew Ulin and wife, Richard Hamilton, Elizabeth Hamilton, Moses Riley and wife, John Riley and wife, Anthony Wagoner and wife, Thomas Dunlap and wife and two daughters (Lavinia and Vina), Samuel Axford and wife, Leonard Packer and wife, and perhaps a few others.  About 1844-45, they erected a log church edifice, which has served as a place of worship to the present time.  Benjamin Ulin and H. P. Darst were chosen as the first Deacons, after which the office was filled by Anthony Wagoner and Andrew Ulin.  The ministers who have served the church as pastors have been Revs. Christian Stipp, Martz, Harrison P. Darst, Mr. O'Neil, Mr. Thompson, David Kinnear and Rev. Holverstott.  This society was quite large and prosperous for several years, but subsequently many died and a large number moved away to the West, until at the present time there are only about ten members, with George Orth and Walter McCloud as Deacons.  Rev. Nicholas McCloud is their present pastor.  A Sabbath school has been organized for many years, and is conducted through the summer seasons with a good attendance.

     The United Brethren in Christ at North Washington was organized into a society at the schoolhouse in april, 1875, by Elder William H. Ogle, consisting of the following members:  C. A. Guider, Thomas Waters, B. D. Brayton, Savilla Waters, Samantha Pierce, Martha Andrews and Eleanor Obenour, with C. A. Guider as Class Leader.  They have no church edifice, but have held their services in the schoolhouse since their organization.  The following have served as ministers of the congregation, viz.:  Elders William H. Ogle for two years; Merritt and Miller two years; Mr. Johnson one year; Mr. Stewart two years; and J. W. Lower is now serving the society.  C. A. Guider and B. D. Brayton have filled the office of Class Leader.  A Sabbath school has been held every summer, and during last season had an average attendance of about sixty, with B. D. Brayton as Superintendent.

     Willow Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. - This society was organized in the Kridler Schoolhouse in 1876 by Rev. Taylor P. Jagger, with the following members: Daniel Helm, Elizabeth Helm, Frank Helm, Jacob Clark, Jacob Derringer, Emma Derringer, Mary Pugh, Charles Yocomb and Elizabeth Summerville, with Daniel Helm chosen Class Leader.  The society was quite prosperous for some time, but from various causes it began to decrease in interest and membership, until finally itceased to exist as an organization.  From the time of its formation they held services about four years, during which they were served by the following ministers:  Revs. Taylor, P. Jagger, and Andrw J. Frisbee.

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J. R. TRISSLER

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     St. John's Lutheran Church. - This society was organized in an old log schoolhouse in District No. 2, in 1853-54 with the following constituent members: G. Borset, Michael Frank, Tobias Frank, George Karn, Adam Hensel, George Shultz, F. Speer, M. Casper, A. Guider and Louisa Kraft.  They held services in the schoolhouse until, in 1873, they erected their present frame church building, at a cost of about $1,600, and the same was dedicated to service in October of that year, by Revs. Heiley and G. F. Roitz. Ministers who have served this church as pastors have been Revs. Harman, Mochalds, Doring, Bretsler, Bergley, George Miller, G. F. Roitz and Rev. Greicher, who is now administering to the society.  Present membership is about thirty, with Adam Hensel and George Shultz as Elders; Trustees are M. Casper, George Wolfert and George Karn.

CEMETERIES.

     In the first settling of this township many of the first dead were interred upon the lands upon which they lived, many of whom have no tombstone or anything to mark their last resting place.  The Kridler Cemetery, on Section 4, in the north part of the township, was established as a family burying place at quite an early day, in which are interred some of the Moses, Baird and Kridler families, and perhaps a few others.  It is kept well preserved, with a good fence inclosing it.  The principal cemeteries of this township which are under the protection and care of the township are the Washington and the one on the township line on the southeast corner of Section 33. The former is located on the Dunkirk & Washington pike, on the southeast quarter of Section 14.  It contains about one acre of ground, is well inclosed with a good board fence, and has been in use for nearly forty years, and contains the dead of many of the early pioneers.  and their families.  The latter contains about the same amount of groundand is well fenced and cared for.  This has also been used for many years, receiving the dead of many of the early settlers of this vicinity.  Both of these cemeteries are pleasantly situated and very appropriate places for the purposes for which they have been dedicated.