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JONATHAN ALDER

     In a previous chapter of this volume are given the outlines of the life of Jonathan Alder, whose history is closely linked with each of the two races of pioneer times.  When he was captured by the Indians, he believed his life was spared because his hair was dark, and because he smiled at the savage who had raised his tomahawk to kill him.  He saw his little bright-haired brother slain and believed all the family except himself had been killed.  He lived within the bounds of Jerome Township at the time he abandoned his Indian life and returned to his home.  With other Indian braves, he dwelt on the west banks of Big Darby just above Plain City.  His cabin stood on the high bank above the grist mill, and only a few rods from the present residence of George Atkins.  When he came to this place is unknown, but he was living there with his squaw wife when the first settlers arrived.  Until 1795, when the Indian treaty restored peace, he was engaged with his Indian comrades in various depredations and hostile excursions and it was probably very soon after this that he settled on Darby.  As the pioneers arrived, he mingled with them and relearned the English language, which he had almost forgotten.  His squaw cultivated a little patch of corn in the bottoms and Jonathan dealt to some extent in stock.  The land he occupied belonged to the tract Daniel Taylor had purchased, and, when the latter arrived about 1803, Jonathan kindly surrendered to him the cabin he had built and occupied, and with his squaw built and removed to a bark hut close by.  His association with white men created a strong desire to follow their habits and abandon his Indian life.  His squaw still clung to Indian ways and their diverging tastes became more and more marked.  Jonathan no longer went with his Indian brethren on their "big hunts."  From a settler, he received the information that his mother was still living, and he resolved to return to her.  Richard Taylor made him a suit of clothes which he donned in place of his Indian garments.  He told his squaw his intention and they divided their effects.  The wild life he had led had not wholly obliterated the instincts to accumulate, for he had saved a few hundred silver dollars, and had besides a number of ponies.  The former he gave his

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wife after some parleying and also equally divided the latter with her.  He bade her adieu; she went northward to her own people and he turned his face toward Virginia, the State of his birth and boyhood.  This was in 1805, and his departure terminated his connection with Jerome Township.  He found his relatives in Virginia, there married Mary Blont and returned with her to Ohio, settling in Madison County.  By this marriage he had twelve children.  He lived, died and was buried in Madison County.  His tombstone bears this inscription: "Jonathan Alder, born September 37, 1773.  Taken by the Indians 1781.  Returned to his mother in 1805.  Died January 30, 1849, aged
about 76 years."
     His squaw wife had separated from him unwillingly, for in spite of his proclivities for the fashions of the pale face, she was deeply attached to him.  It is said she had threatened to kill his wife should he ever marry again, and that he feared her on this account.  For some time after his return, he would not permit his wife to remain alone in their cabin.  When he went to the fields to work, she must accompany him.  On their return one day from a trading expedition to a neighboring town, they found the tin ware bent and cut, the iron ware broken in pieces by an ax and Mrs. Alder's dresses slashed and cut in shreds.  Though the squaw was not seen, the mischief was attributed to her hands.  Mr. Alder's long life with the red men had bred in him Indian traits and manners, which clung to him through life.  Though he possessed good business talent, he disliked hard work, and confined his farm labors principally to stock-raising.  He was dark hued and bore some resemblance to the Indian race.  He was a large, tall man and could move about almost noiselessly.  While living in Jerome Township, he was the friend of the white men, and whenever occasion offered acted as peacemaker between them and the Indians Mr. Adler related the following hunting incident, which occurred while camping on Darby, in Jerome Township:  "One day about noon I saw a large bear in the top of a big, white oak tree, picking off and eating acorns.  I sat down on the ground about 100 yards off to watch its motions.  I did not wish to kill it, as bears were not yet fat, and fur was not yet good, or rather not of full growth.  I sat there amusing myself with its motions for some time.  It was really funny to see it get about in the very top branches, while the whole tree shook with its enormous weight at every motion.  All at once it ceased to gather in the branches and slid down and commenced picking the acorns that had fallen to the ground.  In a few moments, without the least warning, it started in the direction I was, as rapidly as it could pace.  I had my gun resting in my lap and saw it would run right over me.  I had no time to get up and get out of its way, so I raised my gnu and fired as soon as possible, when it was within a few yards of me.  I shot it through the brain and it fell right across my lap.  I was badly scared, for I did not know that I had killed it.  I kicked and struggled to get from beneath it, but it was so heavy that it took some time before I could get out.  I had shot it so dead that it never kicked, but laid like a log upon me, all of which, had I not been so frightened, I might have observed.  When I finally got out, I was so much exhausted from the fright and effort I could hardly stand."

EARLY SETTLEMENTS

     To Joshua and James Ewing, two brothers, belong the honor of making the first settlement in what is now Union County and in Jerome Township.  Accounts all agree that they settled permanently on Big Darby in the year 1798, but it is also said that two or three years prior to this date, these two young men, then both unmarried, had been West, probably in the Indian service, and having determined on settling in this wild and unoccupied country,

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cast their eyes about for a favorable location.  They traveled with one horse and a small, two-wheeled cart, cutting their way through the tangled brushwood and sleeping in a tent, which they carried with them.  They encamped on a spot in southeastern Jerome, which afterward became the James Ewing homestead, there cleared a small patch of ground and planted it in corn, chopping holes in the ground with an ax and then covering the hill with the fork of a stick.  Peace with the Indians had just been declared, and the smoke of war had scarcely yet risen from the land.  Surrounded on all sides by the Indians, who had scarcely yet washed the war-paint from their faces, the youthful adventurers felt the solitude and dangers of their position, and without waiting for their little patch of corn to ripen, they packed their few goods and turned their faces eastward, concluding to wait several years before returning.  The two boys were the sons of Mascol Ewing, whose home was in New Jersey.  They were cousins to Gen. Thomas Ewing, formerly of Lancaster, Ohio.  They possessed great force of character, and in point of intelligence and education, they ranked among the highest class of pioneers.
     In 1798, when they made the permanent settlement, each brought his household effects by team the entire distance from New Jersey.  Joshua, the elder, had recently married Margaret Scott, and he brought his young wife with him.  James was accompanied by his aged mother, Cynthia, and his two sisters, Betsy and Mrs. Eunice Donaldson.  The latter was a widow, and her only child, Ewing Donaldson, came with her. Joshua purchased a lot in the newly platted town of North Liberty, in Darby Township, and there erected his cabin.  Both families lived here for a short time, but the town did not improve any and very soon after the Ewings both settled in Jerome Township, near its southwest corner on the south side of Big Darby.  Of this early family no descendants are now left in Union County.
     Joshua Ewing was a surveyor and in addition to his labors on the farm he devoted considerable time to this occupation.  He made a great many of the early surveys in Madison and Union Counties.  He was the first Auditor of Union County and it is thought died while serving his first term.  His death occurred about 1822, it is supposed from the fatal fever which swept over Darby Plains in that year.  His children were Eliza, born in May, 1800, who removed to Adair County, Iowa, and died there, unmarried, Aug. 28, 1881; George, who emigrated to near Attica, Ind. , and died there; Polly, married to David Chapman, and removed to Adair County, Iowa, where both died; Joshua Green, who died in Jerome Township, leaving seven children, all of whom went to Iowa; Cynthia, who died unmarried on the home farm; Harriet, who married William Allen and died a few years since in Plain City; Martha, Peggy and William Scott, all of whom died in Jerome Township.
     James Ewing, was one of the best and foremost citizens of Union County during the first thirty years of its existence.  His old homestead in Jerome was in Survey 12,125, where he lived to the time of his death.  He was elected and served as the first Sheriff of Union County.  In religious belief, he was a Presbyterian and a firm member, and for many years a Ruling Elder of Lower Liberty Church.  In politics, he was an unflinching Whig.  In 1810, Mr. Ewing purchased a stock of goods at Chillicothe, brought them to his farm and opened a country store, thereby becoming the first merchant in what is now Union County.  Through his efforts, a post office was secured and he was appointed the first Postmaster.  He operated the store for about ten years, and then withdrew for a time from mercantile business.  In 1833, he erected a large frame store room adjoining his dwelling, and filled it with an extensive stock of goods.  He continued in business this latter time only two years.  In 1835, his younger son, David, to whom he was deeply attached, met with an

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untimely death just as he was entering upon a life of brilliant promise, and under his sense of loss Mr. Ewing retired permanently from business.  He had been the possessor of some means when he came to Ohio, and by his stern, honorable business qualities he accumulated considerable property.  He was one of the first trustees of the Franklin County Bank.  He was scrupulously honest in all his dealings, and his word passed current for almost any amount.  Small currency was very scarce, and in order to meet the demand for this kind of money and facilitate trade, he issued what was termed in those days "shin plasters," payable on demand.  They were considered by the people as good as coin and were never dishonored by their maker.  James Ewing possessed strong convictions and was always true to them.  He lived in his little log cabin till the day of his death, which occurred Aug. 26, 1850.  It was too closely associated with his earliest struggles, when the country was wild and unoccupied, to be forsaken for the more modern spacious frame that stood by its side.  He was married about 1807 to Elizabeth, daughter of Calvin Cary, of Madison County.  Their children were several daughters who died young, and two sons, Thomas M. and David C.  The latter was an intelligent, promising young man, who graduated at South Hanover College, Indiana, in 1885, and was just entering upon the study of law. when he fell a victim of typhoid fever.  Thomas M. was a well-known resident of Jerome.
     Elizabeth, the sister of James Ewing, married David Cary during the war of 1812.  He died six months later in camp at Franklinton.  She afterward married a widower, Andrew Gill, and had two children, Mason and Susan, both of whom married and died in Darby Township.  Mrs. Eunice Donaldson, soon after emigrating here, returned East.  Her son, Ewing remained with his uncle, James Ewing; became a farmer and died a few years since near the Scioto River, not far from Dublin, leaving a large family.

     The Taylors were among the foremost pioneers of Big Darby in Jerome Township.  There were five brothers by this name, Richard, Daniel, Isaac, William and John, all of whom settled on the Creek in close proximity to each other, but the last three in Madison County.  They came in 1800 or 1802.  They were Virginians, who had settled in Kentucky, but not liking the country there immigrated to Ohio.
     Richard Taylor was born in Virginia, learned the tailors trade in that State and removed to Kentucky.  He there married Mary Murray, near Cynthiana, and followed farming and tailoring until he came with his family to Darby Creek about 1802.  He purchased and settled on the land in Survey 5,238, located on the west banks of Big Darby, about one-half mile north of Plain City, and now known as the Jones farm.  Only a few families were then living on the creek.  His nearest neighbor was Jonathan Alder, who lived in a little cabin a little farther down the stream.  Mr. Taylor's family was troubled with ague, owing to the low, wet lands in the vicinity, and in a few years he disposed of his place and returned to near Cynthiana, Ky.  He there bought land, but in a few years the validity of his title was questioned, and under the fear that it might prove defective, hearing encouraging reports from his friends in Ohio, he abandoned his land and returned to Darby.  He purchased a farm situated immediately east of the site of Plain City, and located partly in Union and partly in Madison County.  His cabin, however, was built in Madison, and he lived there to the day of his death.  He was a Whig, and a member of the Christian and New Light Church.  Of his six children, two died young.  Two sons, William and Jeptha, live in Jerome Township.  The former has occupied his present farm since 1831.  Of the two daughters, Susanna, the elder, is deceased; Nancy, who was born in Union County in 1803, married Samuel Mason, and now lives in Madison County.

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WM. C. WOOD

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     Daniel Taylor was born in Virginia March 13, 1774; came to Jerome Township about 1802, and died Feb. 29, 1852.  He married Miss Mary Brown in Virginia, and had eleven children, three of whom died young.  Samuel, Rhoda (Hager), Mary (Knapp), and Moses died in Madison County; Jane was the wife of Moses Mitchell, of Darby Township, and John was a farmer of Jerome; Sarah, wife of John Norton, and Levi still live at Plain City.  Mr. Taylor had lived in Kentucky before coming here.  He settled on thirty-two acres in Survey 5,128, just north of Plain City and west of the creek, but in a few years bought 150 acres across Big Darby, off the southern part of Survey 3,686, and lived there till his death.  He was a Democrat through life and a zealous member of the Baptist Church, of which he was for many years a Deacon. 
     John Taylor, a young unmarried man, accompanied his brother, Richard, to Darby when he first removed here from Kentucky and made his home with him in Jerome Township for several years.  He married Mrs. Elizabeth McCullough, the widow of Samuel McCullough, Sr., and settled in Madison County.

     Another of the earliest settlers on Big Darby in Jerome was Andrew Noteman.  No record has been kept of the date of his settlement and the time cannot be definitely determined.  The date of his deed is 1802, and it was probably about that year or soon after that he arrived.  He was born June 1, 1773, near Harper's Ferry, Md.  When he first came to Ohio, he located in Ross County, and remained there till he purchased from John Taylor and settled on the 100 acre farm where his son Zachariah now lives, about a half-mile north of Plain City.  The farm was then in its native wildness with no clearing upon it.  Mr. Noteman built his cabin on the site of his son's present residence, and lived there, clearing and cultivating his land till, his death at a venerable age.  He had been twice married.  His first wife died before his emigration to Jerome, leaving one child, Jinsey, who accompanied her father here, and afterward married John Taylor, of Madison County.  Mr. Noteman's second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown), McCune, whom he married near Chillicothe.  She was a widow, and John, William, Jane and Susan McCune, her children by her first marriage, came with them to their frontier habitation.  By this second marriage there were two children, both born in Jerome Township—Polly (who afterward became the wife of Otway Curry), in 1807, and Zachariah, now in possession of the old homestead, in 1811.  Mr. Noteman was a prominent and earnest Methodist and a Whig.  He was a farmer, judicious, economical, living within his means, kind, benevolent and interested in the welfare of others."

     John McCune married Polly, daughter of Simeon Hager, and settled in Madison County near Plain City.  Afterward he removed to a farm in Jerome, on Sugar Run, and lived there till his death.  His children were Chauncey, of Illinois, David, John, Mrs. Jane Grreen and Mrs. Mary Green.

     The Sagers were also among the earliest settlers and occupied some of the best land in the township.  The larger part of this family settled in Darby Township; but Henry, Frederick and Abraham located in Jerome.
     Henry Sager purchased the farm just north of Big Darby, now owned by J. T. McCullough, in Survey 3,686, and settled there shortly after the beginning of this century.  His first cabin stood back from the road quite a distance, but it was built before public roads had any existence in his locality, and after the highway was opened he built his second cabin near the present residence of Mr. McCullough.  He was a blacksmith, and was occupied with the labors of his trade when not clearing or tilling his land.  Mr. Sager was a genial, good-natured citizen. In his day, the customers usually furnished the metals with which to fashion the various implements they desired; and iron

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then and there was a very valuable ansd rare article, so much so that it was often pilfered; but whenever any was missing and complaint made to him, Mr.  Sager would reply very seriously that he strongly suspected that the rats had eaten it.  He was a County Commissioner for many years, and quite a prominent citizen.  In religious belief and affiliation, he was a Presbyterian.  He had married Lavinia Haynes, and remained a life-long resident of Jerome Township.
     Frederick Sager owned a large farm, comprising the land in Survey 3,686, on the east banks of Darby Creek, now the property of T. T. Kilbury and Perry Douglass.  His first cabin stood near the present residence of Mr. Kilbury.  Mr. Sager had the honor of erecting the first mill in the territory now comprising Union County.  He was a generous man, but, like many of the pioneers, rough in manners.  He married Hannah Harrison, raised a large family and ultimately removed with it to Kalamazoo County, Mich., where he spent the remainder of his life.

     Patrick Conner was the first settler on Sugar Run, coming from Pennsylvania about 1804-05.  He owned and occupied a small farm in the lower part of Survey 5,132.  He was of Irish descent and a very intelligent man.  Like most men of his nationality, he was fond of whisky, and he usually gratified this propensity.  He was once a candidate for Justice of the Peace, probably before 1820, and his intemperate habits were urged against his election.  Patrick heard of it and at the polls promised if elected that he would thenceforth refrain from the use of liquor.  His popularity won for him the election and he kept his promise and made an excellent officer.  He followed shoe-making in connection with farming, and afterward removed to Amity, where he died in 1810.  His wife, who was Polly Lee, died in 1856, at the home of her grandson, David McClung.  Their two children were Jane, who married Reuben Cook, and Margaret who married Joseph McClung.
     Joseph McClung came to Sugar Run from Pennsylvania very early, settling on the farm his son David now owns.  He was in the war of 1812.
 

     John Kent settled in Survey 5,126, on Sugar Run, in 1806.  When he first came, he cleared ten acres on the Mitchell place through mistake, and for his trouble Judge Mitchell permitted him to use the field till he thought he was repaid for the work.  He was a well-to-do farmer, always had an abundance of provisions and seed grain on hand, and would invariably help those of his neighbors who needed assistance, whether or not they had money to repay the loans he would make.  He was a strong member of the Christian or New Light Church, and occasionally had services at his house.  His wife's name was Margaret; they had six children—Daniel, who was born Feb. 25, 1791, married Dillie Shover and resided in Jerome; James, who removed to Delaware County; William, who died in Illinois; Moses, Sallie and Alexander.  The last also removed to Illinois and died there.

     Henry Shover was a Revolutionary soldier, who emigrated from Virginia at an early date, purchased and settled upon a farm in the northern part of Survey 3,686, above Darby Creek.  He was of German descent, and his religious preferences were Lutheran, though he was not a member of any church.  He helped to move the Sager family from Virginia, and thus became acquainted with the Darby country, where he soon after settled.  He possessed some means, and in his demeanor was quiet and honest.  He had three sons and three daughters.  The latter became the wives of Christian Sager, George Cary and Samuel Mason.  The sons were Adam, Frederick and Simon.  Adam removed to Mechanicsburg and there operated a mill.  Frederick died a farmer of Franklin County.
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lived in Union County.  It is said that he served in the Indian wars and was once captured by the savages and only escaped death by jumping on a log, flapping his arms and crowing like a rooster.  This novel antic pleased his captors and made him a favorite.  He enlisted early in the war of 1812, was taken prisoner at Gen. Winchester's defeat and paroled.  Returning home, he found that most of his acquaintances were in service, and becoming discontented he disregarded his parole, went to the front and re-enlisted.  For several years his whereabouts were unknown to his friends, but at the close of the war he returned.  He served under Gen. Harrison in the Northwest, and was one of the body of fifty men who made a sortie from a garrison to spike some cannon, in which only nineteen men returned.  Simon was a good scholar and an excellent scribe, but too fond of the cup that cheers and inebriates, and when under the potent spell of alcohol his daring recklessness was at its height.  On a favorite black horse, he would plunge into Darby and swim across when high waters made the stream utterly unsafe, but from frequent practice the horse had learned to swim like a duck and always carried its rider safely over.  He could give the genuine Indian war whoop, and once rode horseback into court and astonished the dignified Judge, the bar and spectators by uttering this savage war-cry at the top of his voice.  He was constantly playing all sort of queer tricks, regardless of consequences, but his humor and popularity usually kept him out of trouble.  He never married, and ended his days in one of the charitable institutions of Union County.

     One of the few Revolutionary officers who settled in Union County was Col. James Curry.  He was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1752, came to America with his father when ten years of age, and located in Augusta County, Va.  After a most honorable service as an officer of the army throughout the Revolutionary war, he removed in the year 1797 to Ohio, settling first in Ross County.  In 1811, he came with his family to the territory now known as Union County, where he located a large body of land and on which he erected the cabin in which he died.  He was a member of the Legislature when the county was organized, and was for many years after one of the Judges of its courts.  For a detailed history of the life of this eminent man the reader is referred to the biographical sketches following.  The following are brief notices of his children:
     Harriet C. Curry was born June 7, 1791.  She married James Buck and they resided in the northeast portion of the Curry Survey.  Mrs. Buck died Aug. 10, 1845.  Their four children were Caroline, Perry, Mrs. Maria Fleck and Mrs. Martha Shaffer.  Only the first now survives.  James Buck came from Highland County about 1812.  He was a well-informed farmer and served Jerome Township for some years as Justice of the Peace.  He was a Democrat, a Presbyterian and died at about the age of fifty, of consumption.
     Stephenson Curry was born Dec. 3, 1801, and was a life-long farmer of Jerome Township.  He married Sarah D. Robinson, daughter of James Robinson, of Darby, and had eight children.  He took little part in public affairs, preferring the quiet of books and domestic life.  His death occurred Apr. 2, 1861.  A full sketch of him appears elsewhere in this work.
     Otway Curry was born Mar. 26, 1804, and married Miss Mary, daughter
of Andrew Noteman; he resided for a time on the Jones farm on Big Darby, in Jerome, then removed to Marysville.  A full sketch of him appears elsewhere in this volume.

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     Louisa Curry was born July 24, 1807, married Nelson Cone and is still living in this township; nine children have been born to them, of whom six survive—James, Stephenson B., Daniel R., Albert H., Thomas N. and Louisa.
     Robert Burns Curry, the youngest of this family, was born June 3, 1811.  He remained a farmer of Jerome until 1854, when he emigrated with his family to Iowa.  Subsequently he removed to Missouri and is now living in Norton County, Kan.  He married Sarah Beard, and their children are James D., William G., Jane, Ann, Harriet, Sarah, Albert and Ella.

    Samuel McCullough was a son of Samuel McCullough, Sr., who died in Darby Township in 1800.  He lived with his mother, who married John Taylor, in Madison County, till he arrived at the age of maturity.  He then purchased a small farm in the southwestern part of Jerome, where his son, John T., now resides, and there engaged in farming.  He was industrious and constantly extended the limits of his property.  He took pride in making his home pleasant and attractive, and died in a large and handsome residence, which he had erected a few years ago.

     George Hensel, of German descent, came with his parents when a boy from near Parkersburg, Penn., to Fairfield County. In 1818, he moved to Delaware County and the same year bought a large quantity of land in Jerome Township and Delaware County. In 1819, he removed to Jerome, near Frankfort, and with his sons cleared up much land in this vicinity. By trade, he was a brick layer and stone mason. He died in 1847. He was twice married; by his first marriage he had three children, by his second, six.

      Survey 5,132, of 600 acres, on Sugar Run, in the south-central portion of the township, was purchased at an early date by Judge David Mitchell, of Darby Township, divided into three portions, upon each of which one of his sons located.  George Mitchell came first, probably as early as 1814.  He married Margaret Boles and had three children—David, James F. and Martha E., who married Dixon Robinson.  Mr. Mitchell died of pneumonia, soon after his settlement in Jerome.
     David Mitchell, Jr., his brother, settled, on the adjoining tract about 1816.  Years afterward, he removed to Darby Plains and engaged extensively in stockraising.  He then removed to Columbus and operated in the cattle market till his fortune deserted him.  He moved to St. Louis, Mo., but afterward returned to Ohio and spent the remainder of his life with one of his children at Hilliard.  His children were David A. (deceased), Joseph H., of California; Zenus M., in the West; Belinda (Cushman), of California; Hasson Shaw, of St. Louis; Dixon A., of California; Samantha, Maria L. (Welch) and Delmore.
     The third son of Judge Mitchell, who occupied land in this survey, was Jesse Mitchell.  He was the first white child born in what is now Union County.  The date of his birth was Nov. 4, 1799, a few weeks after his parents had settled in Darby Township.  Jesse remained with his parents until his marriage, in December, 1823, to Elizabeth Robinson, daughter of Rev. James Robinson, then of Union Township.  He at once settled with his young wife on his farm on Sugar Run.  The farm was at this time still in its native wildness, except three acres, which had been cleared years before by John Kent under a mistake as to its location.  In 1823, there were no neighbors eastward nearer than live or six miles.  Mr. Mitchell remained on the farm an industrious, energetic farmer until his death, May 13, 1881.  In his lifetime he amassed considerable property.  He had nine children—Maria, who married A. H. McCampbell; Martha E., who died unmarried; Lucinda, wife of Rev. Levi Hall, a Methodist Episcopal minister, now of Minneapolis; James, on the home place; Amanda, widow of Thomas J. Haynes, of Plain City; David, who died young; George W., who died in service at the St.

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Louis hospital; Electa, died in infancy; and Hester, widow of Z. H. McCullough, at Central College, Franklin County.  Mrs. Mitchell still survives and resides with her daughter Amanda in Plain City.

     On what is now the J. W. Mitchell place, in Survey 5,133, on Sugar Run, William Bethard settled probably as early as 1820.  He afterward removed with his family.  His son Josiah, soon after his marriage, settled in Franklin County.

     Samuel Colter sojourned for a few years on Sugar Run, his arrival dating about the year 1825.

     Moses Green owned a small place on Sugar Run, taking possession about 1820. He died in this township.

     William Long was a very early settler on Survey 5,126.  He removed with a large family to Indiana and died there.

     John Stickle, whose mother had married William Bethard, settled on Sugar Run, where he farmed.  He was a Presbyterian.

     Philip Hawn settled on Survey 3,750, of 100 acres, in the western part of the township in 1819, and remained there till his death.  His wife, Mrs. Mary Hawn, claimed to have been the first white female child born at Cincinnati, where her birth occurred Mar. 5, 1791.  Her father was Jacob Linsicome, who came down the Ohio from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1790 and stayed during the ensuing winter with his family within what are now the limits of Cincinnati.  Soon after the birth of Mary, he purchased land in Turkey Bottom and removed his family there.  He died of small-pox within three years after, and his widow subsequently became the wife of Samuel Edwards.  After a short time they moved to a place on the stream called Sycamore, and in 1821 to the Pickaway plains, settling three miles from Circleville.  Here Mary married Philip Hawn, and having exchanged her share of her father's land in Hamilton County for the 100 acres in Jerome, removed to it with her husband in 1819.  She survived her husband some years and died at the residence of her son Joseph Hawn near Unionville Center, June 21, 1861.

     There were a few squatters here in early times and many renters, who usually remained only a short time.  A complete record of them would be impossible, even if desirable. James Stillwill was a Renter for a time on the Sager farm.  He taught one term of school. Isaac Mason also lived on the Sager place.  He was the first potter in Jerome, and followed his trade here.  George Casey was another early settler, who owned no realty.

     Simeon Hager and Abner Chapman were pioneers. They married sisters —Polly and Relief Baldwin.  Mr. Chapman first settled on the John Gray farm about a mile northwest of Plain City, and afterward removed to Darby Township, where he died.  Mr. Hager was a renter and lived on the Chapman place; then Mr. Noteman's farm and elsewhere, and finally bought a little place just across the line in Madison, where he died.

     Samuel P. Morrison, about 1820, came from York County, Penn.  He rented at various places in Jerome, then bought a small place about three miles south of Marysville, where he died of "milk sickness."  His five children were Ann, wife of Zachariah Noteman; Nancy, wife of Samuel Snodgrass; William, now of Hancock County, Ill.; John and Alexander.

     Aaron Tossey was a reckless but sharp and jolly man, a chum of Simon Shover.  Thomas Marshall, Thomas Gray and Martin DeWitt were early renters.  Moses Harrison was a Virginian.  He rented land from Frederick Sager; then removed with his family to Indiana.  Alexander Brown, an old bachelor from Kentucky, lived in various localities in Jerome and died here.  William Cummings was a renter on the Curry farm.  Jeptha Peasley moved about much.  He was an intelligent and well-liked citizen and taught school

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repeatedly.  He ultimately removed to parts unknown.  Henry and William Wilson, two brothers, came about 1830 and settled in the northwest part of the township.

     Simeon Rickard, a native of Virginia, in 1828 emigrated to Darby Township, and a year later to southwestern Jerome, on the farm his son George M. Richard, now owns. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; married Mary S. Sanbower in 1813, and died in Jerome Jan. 5, 1844.

    Landen Bishop emigrated from Virginia to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1824, and three years later came to Jerome Township.  He was twice married and had six children by his first, and seven children by his second marriage.  He was a farmer and stock-raiser and died Feb. 22, 1860.
     All the above settlers located in Jerome Township prior to 1830.  There are many other prominent families who settled in Jerome Township at an early day, among whom are Nelson Cone, the Beards, McCampbells, Liggetts, Gills, Flecks, Biggers, Roneys, Dodges, McKitricks, Woodburns, Foxes, Hills, Ketches and Dorths.

MILLING

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SCHOOLS.

VILLAGES.

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PLAIN CITY

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MICHAEL SAGER

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numerically, and its places of holding services have frequently changed.  About ten years ago it was changed by Rev. Samuel Donahue from Mooney Schoolhouse to the Pike Schoolhouse No. 1, and when a new schoolhouse was erected in this district two years ago, the directors withheld permission to use it for church purposes.  The society then took measures to provide itself with a suitable home.  On a lot donated by S. S. Davis, a handsome brick edifice has been erected at a cost of about 82,000.  It will be finished and dedicated as soon as the weather permits.  The class now numbers about thirty members.

GOWAN'S GUARDS

     On the evening of the 24th day of April, 1861, in response to the call for the first 75,000 volunteers, a war meeting was held in the old Seceder Church at New California.  Patriotic speeches were made by many of the old citizens, and among others the Rev. B. D. Evans and Llewellyn Curry.  Volunteers were called for, and the first young man to enroll his name and offer his services was David O. Taylor, who soon after joined the Thirteenth Ohio Regiment, and, after serving his country three years with honor, was killed on the battlefield of Dallas on the 27th of May, 1861.  About forty of the young men of the neighborhood volunteered that evening and in a few days an election was held fur officers of the company, and James Cutler was elected Captain; W. L. Curry, First Lieutenant, and D. R. Cone, Second Lieutenant.
     Among the first to volunteer was Walter Gowans, a patriotic old Scotchman upward of sixty years of age, and in honor to him the company was named the "Gowans' Guards."  The company began drilling immediately at New California.  The busy hands of mothers and sisters in a few days furnished uniforms, consisting of red jackets and black caps.  The young ladies of the neighborhood made a large silk flag, which was presented to the company.
     The company soon numbered about sixty volunteers, but before it was recruited to the required number to enter the service, the call was made for three years troops, and many of the boys becoming impatient to be off for the seat of war, began to enlist in companies that were being recruited more rapidly in the larger towns.  The organization never entered the service, as their ranks were rapidly decimated by these enlistments in other organizations.  All but two or three of this company soon enlisted and seventeen of them died in the service.
     A complete roll of the company cannot be found, but by consulting members of the company the majority of the names have been obtained.  Those with a star attached died in service.

The young men of Jerome Township rallied to every call made during the war, and her quota was always filled.  No draft was ever made in the township.  Soldiers' families were well cared for by the old citizens at home, and about $10,000 were paid during the last years of

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the war as local bounty to recruits.  The first call on Jerome Township for volunteers was for fourteen men, and the first money paid was by Thomas Jones, who paid $70, giving each of the boys $5.  They went without bounty.  Squire S. B. Woodburn was particularly active in raising money to pay bounties and save the township from the draft, and it was to him that the citizens looked for aid when calls were made for troops.  He repeatedly advanced the means to pay bounties.  When the last call for troops was made, it became necessary for Jerome to furnish about $6,000 to fill her quota of men.  Attempts were made to raise the amount, but they failed, and as a last resort Squire Woodburn was appointed to assess the amount.  At that meeting he assessed ten men $200 each and advanced $4,000.
     No township in the county has a better record than Jerome.  More than 340 of her citizens entered the service, and sixty-nine of them were killed or died in the army.
     The county official record of oaths administered to Justices of the Peace contains the following list for Jerome Township, with the dates of commissions:

     The complete vote of Jerome for Governors of the State, has been as follows:
1822—Jeremiah Morrow, 6; Allen Trimble, 24; total, 30.
1824—Jeremiah Morrow, 11; Allen Trimble, 23; total, 34.
1826—John Bigger, 22; Allen Trimble, 7; total, 29.
1828—John W. Campbell, 23; Allen Trimble, 7; total, 30.
1830—Robert Lucas, 32.
1832—Darias Lyman, Whig, 12; Robert Lucas, Democrat, 36; total, 48.
1834—James Finley, Whig, 13; Robert Lucas, Democrat, 33; total, 46.
1836—Joseph Vance, Whig, 50; Eli Baldwin, Democrat, 15; total, 65.
1838—Joseph Vance, Whig, 60; Nelson Shannon, Democrat, 27; total, 87.
1840—Thomas Corwin. Whig, 86; Nelson Shannon, Democrat, 58: total, 144.
1842—Thomas Corwin, Whig, 75; Nelson Shannon, Democrat, 43; Leicester King, Abolitionist, 7; total, 162.
1844—Mordecai Bartley,Whig, 105; David Tod, Democrat, 48; Leicester King, Abolitionist, 9; total, 162.
1846—William Bebb, Whig, 63; David Tod, Democrat, 28; Samuel Lewis.  Abolitionist, 9; total, 100,
1848—Seabury Ford, Whig, 104; John B. Weller. Democrat, 57: total, 161.

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1850—William Johnson, Whig, 101; Reuben Wood, Democrat, 69; Edward Smith, Abolitionist, 16; total, 186.
1851—Samuel F. Vinton, Whig, 71; Reuben Wood, Democrat, 42; Samuel Lewis, Abolitionist, 24; total, 137.
1853—Nelson Barrere, Whig, 74; William Medill, Democrat, 62; Samuel Lewis, Abolitionist, 34: total, 170.
1855—Salmon P. Chase, Fusion, 97; William Medill, Democrat, 21; Allen Trimble, Know-Nothing, 32; total, 150.
1857—Salmon P. Chase, Republican, 106; H. B. Payne. Democrat, 45; P. Van Trump, Know-Nothing, 3; total, 154.
1859—William Dennison, Republican, 98; R. P. Ranney, Democrat, 71; total, 169.
1861—David Tod, Republican, 132; H. J. Jewett, Democrat, 84; total, 216.
1863—John Brough, Republican, 204; C. L. Vallandigham, Democrat, 84; total, 288.
1865— J. D. Cox, Republican, 149; George W. Morgan, Democrat, 96; total, 243.
1867—R. B. Haves, Republican, 176; Allen G. Thurman, Democrat, 117; total, 293
1869—R. B. Hayes, Republican, 163; G. H. Pendleton, Democrat, 102; total, 265.
1871—E. F. Noyes, Republican. 153; G. W. McCook, Democrat, 94; total, 247.
1873—E. F. Noyes, Republican, 106; William Allen, Democrat, 91; J. C. Collins, Liberal Republican, 2; T. Stewart, Prohibition, 9; total, 208.
1875—R. B. Hayes, Republican, 187; William Allen, Democrat, 126; total, 313.
1877—William H. West, Republican, 186; R. M. Bishop, Democrat, 131; H. A. Thompson, Prohibition, 5; total, 322.
1879—Charles Foster, Republican, 207; Thomas Ewing, Democrat, 148; G. T. Stewart, Prohibitionist, 14; total, 369.
1881—Charles Foster, Republican, 163; J. W. Bookwalter, Democrat, 131; A. R. Ludlow, Prohibition, 31; total, 325.

     For President, 1876, R. B. Hayes received 208 votes; Samuel J. Tilden 139; total, 342.
     In 1880, James A. Garfield received 216; W. S. Hancock, 153; and the Greenback candidate, 2; total 37.

     The original surveys which compose Jerome Township, their areas, original proprietors, surveyors and dates of survey are as follows:
     No. 419, 1,200 acres, William Brown, James Galloway, Jr., Mar. 2, 1807.
     No. 1,440, 1,000 acres, James Curry, James Galloway, Jan. 21, 1807.
     No. 2,365, 666⅔ acres, Thomas Parker, Nathaniel Massie, June 5, 1797, partly in Delaware County.
     No. 2,925, 6,663⅔ acres, Beverly Roy, Nathaniel Massie, June 5, 1797.
     No. 2,990, 666 acres, John Phillips, Nathaniel Massie, June 5, 1797, partly in Delaware County.
     No. 2,991, 1,330 acres, John Phillips, Nathaniel Massie, June 5, 1797, partly in Delaware County.
     No. 3,003, 174 acres, William Crogan, Joseph Kerr, Dec. 22, 1814 partly in Delaware County.
     No. 3,005, 666⅔ acres, Peter Talbot, Nathaniel Massie, June 3, 1797.
     No. 3,009, Robert Means, mostly in Franklin County.

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     No. 3,014, 199 acres, H. Gilman, Nathaniel Massie, June 3, 1797, partly in Delaware County.
     No. 3,244, 200 acres, William Annis, James Galloway, Jr., Nov. 18, 1807.
     No. 3,452, 650 acres, William Barksdale, James Galloway, Jr., Mar. 18, 1810, partly in Franklin County.
     No. 3,452, 350 acres, William Barksdale, James Galloway, Jr., Mar. 1, 1810.
     No. 3,475, 410 acres, Robert Woodcock, James Galloway, Jr., Dec. 25, 1820.
     No, 3,484, 800 acres, Lucas Sullivant, Lucas Sullivant Mar. 4, 1799.
     No. 3,685, 666⅔ acres, Lucas Sullivant, Lucas Sullivant, Sept. 18, 1799.
     No. 3,686, 1000 acres, Lucas Sullivant, Lucas Sullivant, Sept. 18, 1799.
     No. 3,743, 600 acres, Robert Means, Lucas Sullivant, Sept. 17, 1799.
     No. 3,750, 100 acres, Thomas Snead, Lucas Sullivant, Sept. 30, 1799.
     No. 3,754, 400 acres, Charles Simms, Lucas Sullivant, Sept. 30, 1799.
     No. 5,126, 470 acres, Alexander Kerr, James Galloway, Jr., Jan. 22, 1807.
     No. 5,128, 80 acres, Alexander Kerr, James Galloway, Jr., Jan. 23, 1807.
     No. 5,132, 600 acres, James Galloway, Jr., James Galloway, Jr., Jan. 22, 1807.
     No. 5,133, 190 acres, James Galloway, Jr., and John Goode, James Galoway, Jan. 21, 1807.
     No. 5,134, 533⅔ acres, John Pride, James Galloway, Jr., Jan. 21, 1807.
     No. 5,143, 100 acres, Terence Doren, James Galloway, Jr., Jan. 21, 1807.
     No. 5,144, 50 acres, Richard C. Anderson, James Galloway, Jr., Feb. 28, 1807.
     No. 5,144, 50 acres, Richard Jones, James Galloway, Jr., Feb. 28, 1807.
     No. 5,162, 800 acres, Robert Means, James Galloway, Jr., Mar. 27, 1807, mostly in Delaware and Franklin Counties.
     No. 5,166, 2,000 acres, Robert Means, James Galloway, Jr., Mar. 2, 1807.
     No. 5,167, 200 acres, James Galloway and others; James Galloway, Jr., Feb. 21, 1807, partly in Madison County.
     No. 5,234, 600 acres, Robert White, James Galloway, Jr., Nov. 18, 1807.
     No. 5,238, 200 acres, Lucas Sullivant, James Galloway, Jr., Apr. 25, 1807.
     No. 5,261, 466⅔ acres, Henry Bidinger, James Galloway, Jr., Nov. 18, 1807.
     No. 5,417, 300 acres, Nathan Lamme, James Galloway, Jr., Dec. 21, 1807.
     No. 5,611, 360 acres, Thomas Bayly, James Galloway, Jr., June 14, 1807.
     No. 5724, 295 acres, John Baird, James Galloway, Jr., Feb. 23, 1808.
     No. 6,310, 280 acres, William Pelham, James Galloway, Jr., Sept. 10, 1809.
     No. 6,420, 346⅔ acres, William Barlow, James Galloway, Jr., Mar. 29, 1810.

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     No. 6,581, 450 acres, John Galloway, James Galloway, Jr., Jan. 12, 1810.
     No. 6,595, 277½ acres, Thomas Parker, James Galloway, Jr., Mar. 27, 1810.
     No. 6,596, 277½, Thomas M. Bayly, James Galloway, Jr., Mar. 28, 1810.
     No. 6,748, 555 acres, John Anderson, James Galloway, Jr., June 7, 1810, mostly in Franklin County.
     No. 6,954, 320 acres, representatives of Anthony J. Dixon, James Galloway, Jr., July 9, 1811, mostly in Madison County.
     No. 7,058, 400 acres, James M. Galloway, James Galloway, Jr., Apr. 23, 1811.
     No. 7,073, 526⅔ acres, Richard I. Waters, James Galloway, Jr., Apr. 24, 1811.
     No. 7,074, 800 acres, John Crawford, James Galloway, Jr., Apr. 29, 1811.
     No. 7,181, 200 acres, Walter Dun, Walter Dun, Nov. 17, 1811.
     No. 7,029, 38 acres, Lucas Sullivant, James Galloway, Jr., May 1, 1812.
     No. 7,390, 45 acres, John Graham, Walter Dun, Aug. 29, 1812.
     Nos. 7,751 and 7,754, 447 acres, Walter Dun, Walter Dun, July 1, 1813, partly in Darby Township and Madison County.
     Nos. 7,758 and 7,830, 168 acres, John Graham and G. Scroggs, Walter Dun, July 21, 1813.
     Nos. 9,367 and 10, 614, 149 acres, James Galloway, Jr., James Galloway, Jr., Jan. 20, 1821.
     No. 9,736, 407 acres, James Galloway, Jr., Benjamin W. Ladd and James Barnett, James Galloway, Jr., Nov. 18, 1818.
     No. 10,620, 51 acres, John Messenburg, James Galloway, Jr., Jan. 19, 1821.
     No. 10,708, 94 acres, William Sullivant, Michael L. and Joseph Sullivant, heirs of Lucas Sullivant, Matthew Bonner, Sept. 22, 1831.
     No. 12,125, 63 acres, S. Whitehead, survey not recorded.
     For much valuable assistance kindly rendered in the preparation of Jerome Township history, thanks are due to Col. W. L. Curry, Robert McCrory, Lewis C. Curry and others.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES