Delaware lies just south of the northeast corner township of the county. Niles forms its northern boundary, while a portion of Randolph County bounds it on the east. Its southern boundary is formed by the north line of Liberty, and its western boundary by the east line of Hamilton. It contains an area of thirty square miles, or, in round numbers, 19,200 acres.

The surface is only slightly undulating scarcely sufficient to afford good natural drainage- while the soil is of the usual varieties clay, black loam, etc. It is uniformly fertile, and yields largely of all the fruits, cereals, etc., common to this climate. The Mississinewa River enters the township about a mile south of the northeast corner, and for a distance of more than two miles its course is nearly west. Here it changes to a southwest course, and flowing thus to a point in Section 16, forms almost a horseshoe curve, and the direction again changes, this time to the northwest, the stream leaving the township at a point in Section 5, and continuing its northward course. Its banks afford some picturesque scenery, but nothing grand or imposing. Its tributaries are Mud Creek, which drains thee eastern part of the township, and flowing in a direction nearly due north, joins the river at the northeast corner of Section 11; Campbell Creek, which flows through the southern part, and changing its course from west to north, discharges into the river near the southern line of Section 16. Besides these there are several minor streams, or branches, to which no names have been assigned.

There is but a comparatively small amount of timber now standing, the larger part having been cleared away during the progress of agricultural pursuits in the past half-century. Along the banks of the river may still be seen some fine specimens of forest trees, and the same is true of some of the large farms; but the smaller tracts have been almost denuded of timber, and finely cultivated fields cover the ground once occupied by it.

The prevailing varieties were oak, ash, walnut, beech, maple, etc., and stood a solid and seemingly impregnable phalanx against the ax of the pioneers who first penetrated the wilds for purposes of improvement.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Before the lands of this township were placed in market, and white men began to settle upon them, John Boyles took up his residence among the Indians, by whom the land was then held. His object in settling among these wild people is hard to guess, as, from all accounts, he did not belong to that class known as Indian traders. Living among these people, he contracted some of their habits, and fell naturally into their mode of living. It was said of him by a recent writer, that "he was as much like an Indian in his habits as a white man could be, and the terrible scars that covered his neck and person, he said, were received in fights with the Indians."

His relations with the tribes were evidently not of an amicable nature, as the cabin in which he lived was fortflied against their attacks by being completely surrounded by a stockade of heavy timber, placed endwise in the ground. He was a married man, and had his family with him in the wilderness. His residence in this locality, it is said was first discovered by Thomas Kirby and a companion, who, in 1828, passed through this township on their way to an Indian agency near Logansport. On this occasion they met a man carrying a mattock, who, in reply to their interrogations, said that he was digging a mill-race for John Boyles, on the Mississinewa, and was then going to West River, to have his mattock sharpened.

It is not known how long Boyles had been living here prior to the year 1828, as he was of an uncommunicative disposition and so far as known, never favored any one with an account of his settlement, or the circumstances that led to it.

When he found that his retreat was rapidly being invaded by settlers, instead of seeking a more remote location, where the same experience would be repeated in time, he wisely determined to turn their advent to good account, by building a mill which should grind the material for their food.

His original intention was to have his mill on dry land: so he con structed his dam, and had the race dug, but, upon its completion, found that the grade was wrong, and that, no kind of persuasion could induce the water to run up to the place he had chosen for the site of the building. Disgusted with this discovery, he built a log pen, right in the water, and close up to the dam. Filling this, for a depth of several feet, with stones to keep it from floating away, he spread a layer of dirt over them for a floor, and in the center of this dirt floor a fire was kept burning in the winter.

There was then little wheat to be ground, and his machinery, which was constructed with a view to grinding corn only, was quite equal to the occasion, and although such a rude affair, the mill was a convenience fully appreciated by the settlers, who, without it, would have been compelled to make long journeys, or have the alternative of grinding their corn in mortars hastily and imperfectly constructed.

On the 25th day of July, 1832, Boyles entered the tract of land in the northeast quarter of Section 7, upon which his mill was situated, and opposite which the present Black Mill stands. Although of a surly disposition generally, it, is said he was very accommodating to his customers, and treated them kindly.

He continued his milling operations for several years, and in the meantime cleared a small lot of ground. He remained but a short time after the township became settled, and nothing is known of his movements after leaving this locality.

Late in 1827, or early in 1828, Andrew Kennedy settled with his family on the land where the village of Albany is now situated, in Section 2. It is probable that he only occupied the land by the right of possession, as we learn that the same tract was subsequently entered at the Government Land Office by William Venard, in October, 1832. Mr. Venard took immediate possession of the land, after paying Mr. Kennedy for the improvement made thereon by him, and, in 1833, subdivided it into town lots and founded the village of Albany.

Mr. Venard was accompanied by his brother, Francis, who, in Octo ber, 1833, entered a tract of land in Section 3. They were both worthy citizens, and were identified for many years with the interests and improvements of the township. Both moved to the West in later years.

After being thus dispossessed, Mr. Kennedy sought another location in the township, and, in November, 1835, entered a tract of land in Section 15, where he cleared and improved a farm. He was an honest, hardworking man, and remained in the township until death.

Some time in the year 1830, David Jones settled upon a tract of land in Section 2, which he entered November 30, 1831. At the first election after the organization of the township, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and he and Benjamin Drummond filled that office jointly for several years. Both afterward resigned. Probably the next settlers were James Dean and Absalom and Solomon Boots, who came in 1832, and settled upon the lands which they afterward entered. Each made extensive inprovements, and were always regarded as being among the best citizens. Solomon remained on his farm until he died, while Absalom moved to one of the Western States, and James Dean afterward moved to Muncie.

Joshua Bantz, Joseph O'Neal and Lewis Stoner came in 1832, and like their predecessors, lent cheerful hands to the development of the township, remaining for many years and witnessing its growth and improvement. In the spring of 1834, Reuben Strong came with his family, and settled upon a tract of land in Section 2, that had been entered for him by his son, John W., in October, 1832. He died on this farm about eighteen months after his arrival, and the improvement of the farm and support of the fanlily devolved upon his sons, who fulfilled the duty nobly. They are both respected farmers of the township. Afred B. owns and occupies the homestead, while John W. owns the farm adjoining him on the south. In March, 1834, William Black and wife came from Clark County, Ohio, and settled upon their present farm in Section 4. He had entered his land in the preceding year. The brick house in which he resides was erected in 1852, and is one of the oldest in the township. The brick used in its construction were manufactured by himself from the clay on his farm. Mr. Black has been a useful and valued citizen of the township for upward of half a century. When Benjamin Drummond resigned his commission as Justice of the Peace in 1835 or 1836, and left the county, Mr. Black succeeded him as the incumbent of that office. The present townships of Niles and Union were within his jurisdiction, and nearly all the settlers as far north as the Salamonie River, came to him to make out the necessary affidavits for land entries. Tiring of so much work for a little compensation, he followed the example of his predecessor and resigned. His successor was Uriah Pace, who served four years. James Orr, Sr., came to the township in 1838 with his wife and five children---Joseph, Margaret, Samuel, Martha and James. He emigrated from the North of Ireland to Greenbrier County, Va., in 1821; to Greene County, Ohio, in 1836, and finally to Delaware County, Ind. At the time of his arrival here he purchased 320 acres of land, located in the townships of Liberty and Delaware, and erected his house in Section 27, the south border of Delaware Township.

MEMORANDA OF LAND PURCHASES.

From a copy of the original tract book the dates of many of the early settlements in this township can be established with tolerable accuracy. In some instances the date of settlement preceded the date of purchase two or three years, but these were rare. In a majority of cases the settlers came with the money to pay for their lands, which, being Government property, were placed within the means of all the prices ranging from $1.25 to $1.50 per acre; and generally the settler purchased his land in the same year in which he located upon it. There were some who purchased large tracts at the low rate at which the lands were then sold, holding them for an advanced price, after the Government lands should all be taken up. This was especially true of Sections 8, 19 and 22, which were purchased almost exclusively by capitalists who never came to live upon their possessions. In the following list of land entries, we give the names of those only who were actual settlers. The several sections were entered by tile following persons:

Section 1. Lewis Stoner, August 2, 1832; Jacob Pendroy, October 27, 1832; Reuben Strong, October 27, 1837; Ezra Bantz, September 26, 1833.

Sec. 2. David Jones, November 30, 1831; Morrison Quinn, August 18, 1832; John Quinn, November 24, 1832; William Venard, October 3, 1532; Joseph Cron, June 24, 1833; Stephen Venard, July 13, 1833; Emerson H. Venard, October 7, 1833; Absalom Boots, November 23, 1833; John Densmore, November 7, 1835.

Sec. 3. Francis Venard, October 7, 1833; David Bright, November 9, 1833; Ralph Stafford, March 7, 1836; Robert Malcolm, March 8, 1836; Martin Depoy, March 26, 1836; Susannah Thomas, February 14, 1837; Joshua Bantz, January 20, 1837.

Sec. 4. William Black, May 23, 1833; Wilson Martin, November 14, 1833; Joseph Godlove, October 31, 1835; Malcolm McCoy, April 4, 1836.

Sec. 5. Thomas Wilson and Adam Wilson, June 2, 1831; Isaac Martin, November 20, 1831; William Thomas, Sr., March 13, 1834; John Thomas, April 18, 1836.

Sec. 6. Adam Wilson, July 5, 1831; Israel Martin, June 10, 1834; John Baldridge, March 16, 1836; Thomas Williams, May 11, 1836; Ezekiel Thomas, June 2, 1836; William H. Green, August 4, 1836; Benoni Wilson. September 21, 1836.

Sec. 7. John Boyles, July 25, 1832; John Battreall, Sr., February 5, 1835; Floyd Wilcoxon, May 20, 1836; Jefferson Walburn, August 23, 1836; L. Boyles, August 23, 1836.

Sec. 8. George Richardson, August 4, 1832; Wilson Lennon, June 29, 1833.

Sec. 9. Moses C. White, November 23, 1833; Reuben Eppert, June 10, 1834; Silas Sparr, March 23, 1836; Stephen Berry, November 12, 1836.

Sec. 10. Henry Bright, October 6, 1832; John Bantz, September 26, 1833; John H. Taylor, March 8, 1836; John Sparr, March 23, 1836.

Sec. 11. Joseph O'Neal, June 20, 1832; Adam Keever, September l, 1832; Alfred Lee, November 17, 1832; Joseph H. Hobbs, February 25, 1834; Jonathan Bergdoll, April 4, 1836.

Sec. 12. John W. Strong, October 27, 1832; James Dean, October 29, 1882; Lewis Stoner, July 23, 1833; Frederick Stoner, Septmnber 7, 1833.

Sec. 13. Levi Boots, September 24, 1834; James Campbell and Abner Wolverton, March 25,1836; Nehemiah Burden, August 22, 1836.

Sec. 14. Joseph Templer, August 22, 1835; Stephen Kennedy, May 25, 1836; Eli Thornburg, November 1, 1836.

Sec. 15. Joseph H. Hulse, August 5, 1834; John Kennedy, September 11, 1834; Andrew S. Kennedy, November 23, 1835; Granville F. Hastings and John H. Taylor, March 8, 1836; Solomon Rohrbaugh, February 21, 1837.

Sec. 17. Philip Cochran, April 18, 1836; Daniel Cochran, July 22, 1836; Abraham Godlove, October 6, 1836; Edward Marshall, November 21, 1836.

Sec. 18. William Custer, November 14, 1833; A. Custer, September 21, 1836. The balance of this section was purchased by persons who never came to live on the lands.

Sec. 19. Daniel Pittenger, October 20, 1834; Elijah Reeves, September 30, 1835; James Russell, December 12, 1835; Stephen Martin, March 8, 1836.

Sec. 20. W. B. Fox, November 17, 1832; Benjamin Drummond, March 8, 1836; Aquilla Halstead, September 19, 1836; Robbins B. Wilson, November 12, 1836.

Sec. 21. Jacob Sellers, August 25, 1834; Samuel Thomas, October 20, 1834; John Pittenger, April 18, 1836; Jonathan Rarden, September 21, 1836; Glass Ross, September 25, 1836; Christopher Humphrey, October 25, 1836.

Sec. 23. John Boots, January 31, 1835; Benjamin Mann, July 18, 1836; Elias Pugh, October 27, 1836; Martin Boots, December 10, 1836.

Sec. 24. Joseph Orr, November 7, 1835; William Woods, July 11, 1835; William Bartlett, October 10, 1836; Samuel and Edward Johnson, December 1, 1836; James Pendroy, September 15, 1837.

Sec. 26. Warner Mann, December 29, 1834; William Jamieson, July 11, 1826; James Johnson, December 1, 1836; Thomas Jones, December 6, 1836; Joseph Humphrey, December 9, 1836.

Sec. 27. James and Jabez Jones, December 3, 1835; David Lowellen, December 5, 1835; Adam Boots, September 21, 1835; Justus Ketterman, November 7, 1835; Ilda Lake, July 13, 1836.

Sec. 28. William E. Pendroy, October 27, 1832; Thomas Humphreys, March 30, 1836; Daniel Richardson, May 25, 1836; Uriah Lennon, August 8, 1836; John Moody, December 6, 1836.

Sec. 29. Jacob C. Harmon, September 30, 1835; Josiah Wade, March 2, 1835; Wilson Lennon, June 29, 1833; Henry Pittenger, June 2, 1836.

Sec. 30. John T. Goff, January 27, 1835; Thomas F. Wilson, September 21, 1836; Benjamin Dragoo, October 15, 1836; William Dragoo, December 13, 1836.

ROADS.

A settlement having been formed near Smithfield at an earlier date than in this township, that town became quite a trading-point for the settlers in Delaware, and the first road through the latter township was laid out from Deeds' Mill to the village of Albany. This road was probably opened soon after the village was founded, as it was a new road, and greatly obstructed by trees and underbrush when Reuben Strong same to the township, in 1834, and he was compelled to cut his way over a portion of the route. It had a rambling, irregular course, and, was evidently not laid out by a surveyor. About the year 1840, however, the line was surveyed and straightened, and the road is now in use. It traverses the township in a north and south line, forming the western boundary of Sections 12, 13, 24 and 25.

In the west part of the township there was another road, which was laid out perhaps as early as that just described. Its western terminus was at Muncie, and, running to John Boyles' mill, it turned north, following the course of the river, and terminated at Granville.

All the records from which could have been gleaned the necessary information touching the early roads, as well as other early matters, were destroyed by fire while in the possession of Benjamin Lockhart, Trustee of the Township. The oldest record now extant begins with the year 1853, and the first road therein mentioned was one for which a petition was presented to the Trustees at a meeting of the board, held on the 3d day of June of that year. The proposed road was to begin at the Albany State road and run south on the section line to the road leading front Sheller's shop to the county line. Joseph Godlove, John Shaffer and Samuel Thomas, the committee appointed to view the road, reported to the Trustees June 25, 1853, that in their judgment the road would be a public benefit, and it was accordingly ordered opened.

Four years elapsed before another road was located. At a meeting of the Trustees, held April 11, 1857, John Godlove presented a petition for a road, "commencing at the county road running up the north side of the Mississinewa River, where said road crosses the line dividing Sections 8 and 17, and Sections 9 and 16, in said township, thence east on said line till it strikes the road on the bank of the Mississinewa." Abraham Cline, Alfred R. Lee and Benjamin Jones, were the committee appointed to view the road, and, upon their favorable report at the next meeting of the Trustees, it was ordered that the road be opened.

At a meeting of the Trustees, held May 9, 1857, it was ordered that a road be opened in response to a petition presented by Jefferson Walburn, described as follows: "Commencing at or near tire residence of Edmund Brammmer, thence to run north on a line dividing the lands of D. Fishburn's heirs, and E. Brammer's, and also dividing the lands of Jefferson Walburn and H. Hatfield's heirs, to the corner of the last named lands, north of the prairie; thence northerly till it intersects the road leading from Smithtleld to Granville."

March 27, 1858, Jacob Dowell presented a petition for a road to run from White Chapel directly south, and terminate at the end of the lane dividing the lands of James Orr and Anthony Shroyer. This route was viewed by a committee of three men, upon whose recommendation the Trustees ordered that the road be opened. In 1859, the township was divided into ten road districts, the boundaries of which still remain as they were established at that time.

MERCHANTS AND PHYSICIANS.

In the year 1834, Granville Hastings brought the first stock of merchandise to the township, and kept his store in a building near the present site of the Zehner Mill at Sharon. He came from Wayne County, Ind., where he had probably been engaged in milling operations, as one of his first steps after arriving here was to make preparations for the erection of a mill at this point, and he had among other articles of trade a quantity of flour--an article which, in those days, was regarded as quite a luxury. He employed a number of men to dig a race and construct a dam for him, paying them a barrel of flour for a month's work. He succeeded in completing his saw-mill, and putting it in operation, but died before the completion of the flouring-mill. He carried on a limited mercantile trade while he lived, but, it is thought, sold all his goods before he died.

The first store at Albany, and the second in the township, was opened in 1836 by Uriah Pace, in a little log building that has long since been razed to the ground. Shortly after this, or nearly at the same time, John Mitchell opened a little grocery, and his establishment was the first in the town at which the lovers of strong drink found the opportunity of quenching their thirst. Little is known of him except that he finally left the village, after conducting a trade not altogether devoid of profit to himself.

In 1838, William F. Krohn came to Albany and opened a stock of general merchandise in a building which stood upon the lot now occupied by the residence of Leander Blake. He was an enterprising merchant, and kept a good stock, much better than was usually to be found in a village store of that day. He conducted a good trade for a number of years, and died at Albany after having sold out his stock.

In 1841 or 1842, Jacob Powers brought a good stock of merchandise to the village, and after carrying on a good trade for a year or two, sold his stock to his clerk, Abraham Shank, who continued the business about a year longer, after which he went away.

About the year 1846, Abel, Elisha and Samuel Bergdoll opened a store at Albany, but retired from the business several years later. Of the merchants now in business at Albany, B. F. Carey and Benjamin Lockhart have been longest identified with the trade.

The first physician at Albany, or indeed in the township, was Dr. Isaiah Templin, who located about the year 1845. He enjoyed quite a successfid practice for a munber of years, and finally went to the State of Iowa. Dr. James H. Powers has enjoyed a successful practice in this township and vicinity for over thirty years, and is still actively engaged in the practice of his profession.

Among the early merchants of the village were Thomas and Allen Lewis, A. Allegree and Ezra Maynard. In Ezra Maynard's store was kept the first post office in the township, and Mr. Maynard was the Postmaster.

This store was located on the lot now occupied by the residence of Benjamin Lockhart.

MILLS.

The mill already referred to as having been erected by John Boyles was the first in the township. On the opposite side of the river, in 1838, John Black erected his mill, after purchasing the site from Boyles. The latter was a good mill, and was supplied with the best machinery then to be obtained. It had one run of buhrs for wheat and one for corn. Here the proprietor conducted a good trade, until he found that the capacity of his mill was no longer equal to the requirements of his patrons, and, in later years, he erected the present mill on the same site.

This is a four-story frame building, and is supplied with the best milling machinery. It has three run of buhrs, and is operated by a Leffell turbine wheel. In addition to this, it is supplied with a boiler and engine, and all the appointments necessary for running by steam, in the event of a failure of the water supply.

Mr. Black continued to operate the mill until his death, which took place about eight years ago, since which time it has been operated by his son Andrew.

At the present site of the Zehner Mill, within the limits of the village of Sharon, the building begun in 1835 by Granville Hastings was completed by some one whose name cannot now be ascertained. It was afterward sold to Joseph Godlove & Son, by whom it was operated for several years, and finally sold to John Shafer, who continued the business until 1856. In that year, Benjamin Zehner, the present proprietor, purchased the mill of Shafer. In 1864, Mr. Zehner erected the present mill on the same site. It is a frame building, three stories high, with a basement, and has four run of buhrs. It has two turbine wheels--one of the Smalley patent, and the other of Springfield, Ohio, patent. Like the Black Mill, in the northwest part of the township, it is supplied with all the appliances for being operated by steam power. It is conducted as a custom mill. Attached to its other machinery is a circular saw, which is in operation during the greater portion of the year. The same is true of the Black Mill.

There are, in addition to these, two other saw-mills in the township at the present time, one on the Jones farm, in Section 15, and the other at Albany. The latter was purchased by B. F. Binegar about the year 1872, and moved to its present location from the adjoining township of Hamilton. It has a double circular saw, and is operated by steam.

At Albany there is a flaxmill, owned and operated by Isaac Mann. The building was erected by James Boyce, and subsequently sold by him to the present proprietor. Mr. Mann employs from six to eight operatives about the mill, and sells the tow at Muncie.

CHURCHES.

The Albany Methodist Episcopal Church.--While the township was yet sparsely settled, ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church were sent out as missionaries by the Conference, and held services at private houses throughout the settlement. About the year 1835, a class of this denomination was organized at the house of Jacob Pendroy, and con- tinued to meet at his house and at the houses of other members of the class for three or four years. A log house was then erected upon a portion of John W. Strong's farm, for the combined purposes of church and school, and in this house the meetings of the class were held every Sunday, and, at intervals of two or three weeks, they were visited by ministers of the church; but as yet there was no regular pastor. After a few years, the meeting-place was transferred to Albany, where the society erected a frame house of worship in the south part of town. This was, perhaps, as late as 1848, and in the meantime the class had been placed in the Granville Circuit, with regular appointments for preaching.

They continued to worship in the frame church at Albany until 1876. In the meantime, they received accessions to their numbers, and, in that year, urged by the Pastor, Rev R. J. Parrott, they began the erection of the present neat brick church. Rev. Parrott was recognized as the master spirit in this undertaking, and its success was largely due to his earnest efforts.

E. Maynard, A. B. Strong, Joseph Watt, A. R. Lee, N. Woodring, G. H. Current, B. Lockhart, C. J. Stright and C. Starr were the Trustees appointed. In the spring of 1876, they purchased a lot of H. C. Nicholls and others, in the north part of the village of Albany, and proceedings were at once begun, looking toward the erection of the church.

Late in the fall of that year, the house was completed, and Rev. A. Marine preached the dedicatory sermon on the 3d day of December. The total cost of the church, when completed, was $3,100.

Rev. R. J. Parrott continued as Pastor of the church for two years after its completion, and was succeeded, in 1878, by Rev. James Leonard. Mr. Leonard was succeeded, in 1879, by Rev. D. C. Woolpert, the present Pastor.

The church now has a membership of about one hundred souls, and a well-attended Sunday school, of which J. O. Lewellen is the Superintendent.

Delaware Methodist EpiscopaI Chapel.--In 1876, Andrew Black donated a lot in the northwest part of the township, upon which this edifice was erected in the same year, at a cost of about $1,200. The class was organized several years previously, by members formerly connected with the churches at Granville and Albany, but they worshiped in temporary places until the church was completed. This is a neat frame building, pleasantly situated on the Albanv Pike. The class meets every Sunday, and once in three weeks the church is visited by Rev. D. C. Woolpert, of Albany, who conducts divine service.

Union Methodist Episcopal Chapel.--This church is situated near the center of the township. The first building was erected about 1845, on land owned by John Pittenger, and donated by him to the society. This was a frame building, and was occupied until 1870, when it was replaced by the present edifice, which is a plain brick building. The church is attached to the North Muncie Circuit, and services are conducted every two weeks, by the Pastor, Rev. T. Sells. Class meeting and the services of the Sunday school are conducted every Sunday.

White Chapel (Methodist Episcopal).--About thirty years ago, a Methodist class was organized in the eastern part of the township, and, about five years later, erected a church three and a half miles southwest of Albany. This building was occupied until 1875, when it was succeeded by the present church, erected on land donated for the purpose by Alfred R. Lee.

The church is in the Albany Circuit, and services are conducted twice a month, by Rev. D. C. Woolpert.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.

Heart and Hand Lodge, No.361, was organized at Albany March 15, 1871, with the following charter members: Horatio J. Lockhart, Otho Dowden, John McNelly, William R. Johnson, H. C. Nicholls, Adam J. Boots, Coursen J. Stright and R. A. Maxwell. The officers chosen on the evening of institution were: H. J. Lockhart, N. G.; William McJohnson, V. G.; H. C. Nicholls, Secretary; and Adam Boots, Treasurer. The following officers were then appointed by the Noble Grand: Otho Dowden, W.; E. R. Hobbs, C.; C. J. Stright, I. G.; R. A. Maxwell, O. G.; Samuel Brenner, R. S. N. G.; David Wasson, L. S. N. G.; John McNelly, R. S. V. G.; David Goings, L. S. V. G.; Leonard Snyder, R. S. S.; M. A. Wilson, L. S. S.

The first meeting was held in the Masonic lodge-room, and, on the evening of institution, six candidates were initiated into the mysteries of the order.

The lodge has continued to prosper since its organization, and now owns the hall in which its meetings are held. It is free from debt, with a cash surplus in the treasury. The officers for the present term are: B. W. Wingate, N. G; Manaen Vincent, V. G; J. R. Stafford, Secretary; Isaac Mann, Treasurer; D. M. Bell, C.; J. O. Sheron, I. G.; M. S. Whitehair, O. G.; Adam Boots, R. S. N. G.; Lafe Chamberlain, L. S.N.G.; R. A. Maxwell, R. S. V. G.; David Nihart, L. S. V. G.; James Rhodes, R. S. S.; George Abbott, L. S. S.

CEMETERIES.

For several years after the settlement began, There were no public places of interment in the township, and corpses were taken to the cemetery near Granville, or, in some cases, were buried on the home farms. Through the latter circumstances, probably, the earlier cemeteries came to be established.

At an early date, there were several interments near the junction of Mud Greek with the Mississinewa, and this spot afterward became a public burial-ground. In later years, however, many of the bodies were taken from this place and re-interred in the cemetery donated to the township by Alfred B. Strong.

In 1850, William Black executed a deed to the County Commissioners, giving a portion of his farm to be used as a public burying-ground. The first corpse interred here was a young son of Joseph Stafford, and the second was Mr. Stafford's wife.

The cemetery near Union Chapel, on the land of John Pittenger, was donated at an early day, and is still used as a place of interment, and there is a cemetery on the land belonging to Mrs. Sellers and Joseph Godlove, which was donated to the township by both, and is likewise a public burying-ground at present.

SCHOOLS.

It has been said that the first school in the township was taught by Joseph Godlove, in his kitchen. It is not known, however, whether his efforts to instruct the youth of his neighborhood were contributed as a labor of love, or whether he offered them the benefit of his knowledge in consideration of money subscribed by the parents. It is related, by the writer quoted elsewhere in this chapter, that, at, Christmas, the boys, in pursuence of a time-honored custom, demanded a treat, with which demand the teacher expressed a determination not to comply; when the boys, finding persuasion unavailing, determined to employ force, and, taking him to thee river cut an opening in the ice, preparatory to "ducking" him. The master, convinced of the sincerity of their intentions, commended their bravery, and was released upon his promise to accede to their demand, with which promise he faithfully complied.

After this, schools were conducted at irregular periods, whenever a teacher came along with the requirements deemed necessary at that time. These were a knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic, as far, at least, as the "rule of three" and unlimited knowledge of the use of the rod.

In the winter of 1836, the cabin in which William Venard first settled was converted into a schoolhouse, and the term was conducted by a man whose nmne has been forgotten.

In the following year, the first house erected expressly for school purposes was built on the farm of Adam Keever. This was a hewed-log building, and was greatly superior to the buildings in which the schools had been taught in former years. It was important, too, as being the first representative of the free-school system in the township, for, in (Sorry that a portion of this topic, which is continued on next page 243, is missing.)

VILLAGES.

Albany.-This village is situated in the northeast part of the township, on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 2. The land on which it is situated was originally owned by William Venard, who laid out the village in 1833. The early mercantile establishments have received due attention in another part of this chapter, and, as an item of present interest and possibly future value, we present a summary of the business firms of the present: Samuel B. Murphey is the proprietor of the hotel; Lockhart & Stright and R. M. Ball are the respective proprietors of dry goods and grocery stores; M. J. Boots and Joseph Lafever are the village druggist; while David Nihart and B. F. Carey are proprietors of grocery stores. The resident physicians of the village are Dr. James Powers, Drs. Murray & Sayers, Dr. S. E. Munsey and Dr. Joseph Lafever. The village blacksmiths are Maxwell & Krohn, Joseph Hunt, and Rees & Dowden. H. B. Hawley deals in hardware, and the Foster Brothers are the village boot-and-shoemakers.

Clifton (Sharon Post Office).-This is a small hamlet situated southwest quarter of Section 16. It has no mercantile establishments, and its inhabitants are engaged chiefly in agricultural pursuits. Joseph Zehner is the Postmaster at this point, and J. Valentine is the black-smith.

POPULATION.

The population of Delaware in 1850 was 934, and, during the next ten years, the increase was only 137-the total population in 1860 being 1,071. In 1870, the tota1 number of residents was-1210, of whom 1,197 were natives, and 13 of foreign birth. In 1880, the total population is stated at 1,351.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-1879.

Wheat; 4,000 acres, 60,000 bushel; corn, 6,000 acres, 180,000 bushels; oats, 425 acres, 8,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 100 acres, 5,000 bushels; flax, 1,000 acres, 200 tons fiber, 5,000 bushels of seed; meadow, 1,000 acres, 1,500 tons of hay; pasture land, 4,000 acres.

TOWNSHIP EXPENDITURES-1879.

Amount expended on roads $128
Amount expended for road implements 68
Amount paid Supervisors 10
Amount paid for building new schoolhouses 816
Amount paid for repair of schoolhouses 8
Amount paid for fuel 182
Amount paid to teachers 2,290
Amount paid for sheep killed 114
Amount paid Trustees for service 36
Amount paid for all other expenses 522
Total $ 4,174

(Pages 239-245, including bios)