An Incident

As printed in 1881

AN INCIDENT.

In the history proper of the county, mention is made of a boat taken from here to Cincinnati by David Lowry in 1800. A similar incident in the history of this township is well worthy of mention. John Jackson, who married Nellie Lowry, built a flat-boat about 1825, on the north bank of Donnels’ Creek, about thirty yards south of where David W. Lowry now lives. He launched the boat in high water, and, taking three or four of his children, floated down to Mad River, thence to the Miami, thence to the Ohio and Mississippi, settling in Tennessee, where he died. His wife and one or two of his children remained with the Shakers in Montgomery County, Ohio, this sect being the cause of the family’s separation.

Of the Bethel Township men who served in State and county offices are found Reuben Wallace, who was a member of the Ohio Legislature from Champaign County when Clark County was included in Champaign, and did much toward the establishment of this county while there.

William G. Seniss was Associate Judge. Joseph Tatman was Associate Judge and member of Legislature. Dr. B. Neff was a member of the Sixtieth and Sixty-first Legislatures.

Gen. J. W. Keifer, the present member of Congress for the Eighth District of Ohio, who also served in the Legislature, is a native of Bethel Township.

John E. Layton, Sheriff of Clark County from 1856 to 1860, was a native of the township.

Samuel B. Williams, when elected Treasurer of Clark County, was a resident of Bethel. William E. Lamme served as County Commissioner.

Of natives of Bethel Township who are now holding honorable positions outside of the township are Ed H. Funston, who has served four terms in the Kansas Lower House of Legislature, two as Speaker; is now member elect of the State Senate; John S. Reyburn, member of Assembly several terms in Pennsylvania, is now member elect to the Senate.

H. H. Williams, Common Pleas Judge, of Miami County.

Elihu Williams was a member of the Legislature in Tennessee.

à Ed F. Taylor was a member of the Legislature in California; is now Receiver in the Land Office at Sacramento.

William McClure is now Treasurer of Allen County, Kansas. Samuel Dailv was Treasurer of Boone County. Indiana; his brother, Calvin Daily, served in the same office in the same county. Warwick. Common Pleas J udge in Iowa.

Mention has been made in another place in this history of a select school taught in New Carlisle by the Rev. Thomas Harrison. It is but just to say that all of the above-mentioned natives of the township were pupils of Mr. Harrison. ae other of his pupils are filling responsible positions in the several States of e Union

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.