THIS township was created in March, 1825, and named after Richard Butler, Major-General of the U. S. A., killed by the Indians in the great battle between them and Gen. St. Clair, Nov. 4, 1791.  He was one of the bravest of the brave, and as he lay upon the ground helpless and bleeding from wounds received in the battle, the savages scalped and tomahawked him.
     We have been at considerable pains to find out the origin of the name, and were led for some time to believe that it was given in compliment to the sturdy old settlers, the Butlers, but have become satisfied from our investigation that the object was to perpetuate with the names of Gens. Knox, Harrison, Jackson, Pike, the fame of the Ill-fated brave Richard Butler.  The land is generally rough and broken, and the population has usually been smaller than in any other township.  The wild and picturesque scenery, giving an air of romance to much of the country, we must believe contributes to the health of the people, if we take Joe Stotts, Ben. Butler, Nich. Riley, Geo. Sturgeon, Abe Darling, and others of the oldest settlers now living, as evidence.  The Lepleys, Jacob, George and Joseph, the Shrimplins, Abraham and William, the Camp-

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bells, the Morningstars, the Horns, the Hammills, the Carpenters, the Burkholders, the Cogginses, the McLarnens, the Darlings, the Wolfs, the Melicks, the Gambles, have been long residents of this township.  John Busenburg, Philip Edy, Benj. Hugh, John Jones, Sam. Cermerer, Jesse Ashcroft, W. Beaty, Job Lewis, Elijah Farquhar, Wm. Seamen and Ephraim Thornberg also lived in it many years ago.  Orange Hollister for many years was one of the most active and useful citizens, spending many thousand dollars among the people erecting mills and machinery for their benefit; he is now living in Iowa, and Ben. Butler is operating the mills.  Robert Giffin was another useful man in the milling line, and his death was much of a loss.  John R. Gamble was much noted for his business qualifications.  Nicholas Riley emigrated from Washington co., Pa., in 1805, to Coshocton co., and in 1807 to Knox; he is in his 82d year.  We have the following account of his offspring; William lives in Illinois; Harriet, wife of Abraham Darling, is in Wayne; Eliza, wife of Isaac Wood, Rachel, wife of John Welker, jr., Susan, wife of Geo. Spurgeon, and Almira, wife of Amos Wolf, all live in Illinois; Abraham is dead; George, Nicholas and Hannah live in Butler; and Mary, Mrs. Wm. Parks, lives in Hancock county.
     In 1830, the population was 419; in 1810, 647; in 1850, 763; and in 1860, 727.  About 1817, a post-office called Owl Creek was kept by Abraham darling as postmaster, but the Judge, some fifteen years ago, became tired of and gave it up.  Many years since there was a store kept in this township,

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and a post-office was established thereat called "Hollister's," but it has been discontinued.
     Uncle Bob and Aunt Hetty Giffin were noted characters.  They selected the most romantic spot on Owl Creek for their residence, and amid the rough, rugged and wild scenery known in olden time as "the rocks" - of later days as "the caves" - they dwelt and raised a large and respectable family.  As early as 1820, they put up Giffin's mills; we say they, for everything thereabouts was their joint work, and could not have been created without the two were united in the undertaking.  He was quiet, peaceable, with a well-developed mind and an uncommon good judgment.  She was violent, resolute and determined, with a strong heart and great physical power.  Whatever plans were matured and work determined upon, she put into execution with a warrior spirit.

CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

     In 1820, Joseph Dunlap was a Justice in this "neck of woods," and was again elected in 1824; in 1825, Jacob Leplely; in 1826, David Campbell.

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