box under the bed. He sold goods here until 1855, when he removed his stock to Edgerton. Still later than Farnham, George Long started a general store at his residence on the Bellefontaine road. He kept his first stock in the sitting-room of his house. He did a big business with the surrounding farmers. He built a store building near his residence, and did business there until in the fall of 1864, when he bought out John Ainsworth, at Edgerton, and entered into business there. Edgerton was started some time in 1854. Much of the lands whereon the village is located was once owned by the railroad company. It was purchased for the company by Hon. E. Foster. Subsequently it passed into the hands of Sargeant, Bement and Crane. The first store was brought there by the railroad company. William Hill purchased that stock of goods and moved them into a frame building, west of Michigan avenue and south of Indiana street. In 1855, Daniel Farnham built a storeroom and began business on the corner where his brick block now stands. He did business in this building until 1872, when he began the erection of his present business-room, into which he moved in May, 1873. George Helwig worked for him on the farm, clerked for him after he removed to Edgerton for a number of years, was for a long time a partner, and recently has been doing business for himself. Denmark and Edgerton were the only villages started or built in the township. Edgerton is a pleasant little village, on the west bank of the St. Joseph River. Its streets are wide, shady and always dry. It has several fine brick and frame business houses, four good stores, three drug stores, hardware stores, furniture room, and has always been cursed with more saloons than it needed. Its population in 1880 was 782. The amount of taxable property, as shown by the duplicates of 1882, was $142,000. It has excellent schools, always well attended, and five churches, Methodist, Catholic, German Lutheran, Disciple and Presbyterian. The merchants have always had an excellent trade, and this village has the reputation of being one of the best markets for produce on the Air Line Railroad.

POST OFFICES.

The only post office in St. Joseph Township for many years was at Denmark. Judge Parker was the first and only Postmaster. Subsequently, it was removed to the residence of Mr. Marsh, less than three miles north of Edgerton. While there the whole family, apparently, were Postmasters. Before this office was finally discontinued, one was established at Edgerton. Dr. Barkdol had charge of this office among the first. He was an appointee of President Buchanan. Since then, J. O. Rose, Albert Knight, William F. Roop and John L. Terpening, have

had charge of the office. John L. Terpening, the present efficient Postmaster, has held that position for a number of years.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

The fraternal organizations have long been a fixture in Edgerton. The Masons have a strong society. They were the first to organize. The Odd Fellows, Royal Arcanum and Knights of Honor organized later, each society being in a flourishing condition. Their halls are well and tastefully furnished. The Good Templars once had a strong society in the village, but it was suffered to go down, and has unfortunately passed out of existence. The many places in the village where liquors are sold show the necessity of a revival of this organization.

PHYSICIANS.

J. S. Stough lived just north of the village, and practiced medicine for a number of years; he afterward removed to Waterloo, Ind. Dr. Barkdol was one of the first physicians; he had a fine practice; his prospects were the most flattering; he became intemperate, lost prestige and his practice, and is now living in Stryker. Dr. Andrews once practiced in Edgerton. He was a good physician and remarkable for his height, being about six and a half feet in length. He died of consumption, though he was particularly skillful in the treatment of lung diseases. Dr. Miner came there after 1860; he went into the army and died there. His son attempted to fill his father's place for awhile, but never became as eminent. Dr. Schmidt practiced there about the same time. Subsequently he removed to Indiana. Dr. Samuel Wood located there about the beginning of the war; he was a Canadian, and a brother-in-law of the Drs. Stough. He entered the army near the close of the war, and was commissioned a Lieutenant; he removed to Chicago, and entered into the stock business. During this time the Drs. Long, George E. and John W., did a large practice in and around Edgerton. Drs. Hathaway, Scribner, Taylor and the Drs. Mortland, have located there at subsequent times, and enjoyed lucrative practices. Dr. Schoettly practices some, and also holds the office of Justice of the Peace. He is eminent in the law.

LAWYERS.

The lawyers have not abounded in this village. E. L. Knight, who came there as a merchant after the war broke out, was an attorney at law. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which office he was filling with much satisfaction when he died very suddenly A. D. Austin, Esq., has been in the practice for a number of years; he held the office of Justice of the Peace for a considerable length of time, and is

especially skilled in that class of practice. James Marshall did a good deal of legal business; he was drowned mysteriously. A suspicion that he was foully murdered still lurks in the minds of the people. C. P. Winbigler has lately set up in the practice, and is reported to be doing a comfortable business.

EDGERTON'S PUBLIC AND BUSINESS MEN, SCHOOLS, ETO.

Edgerton has been incorporated a number of years. It has numbered among its Mayors such esteemed citizens as George Helwig, O. H. Fusselman, William F. Roop, James Marshall, John L. Terpening, and the present incumbent, Samual Fritz, and others. Additions have been made to the original plat from time to time. Within the last year this has been done on a large scale. The excellent public schools of the village have caused much of the surrounding territory to be attached for school purposes. The following-named have superintended these public schools: Rev. Harris, C. H. Kiracofe, F. V. Irish, Charles A. Bowersox, J. F. Starr, James G. Bowersox, Joseph A. Weitz, and the present incumbent, Mr. Newberry. The school building is a commodious brick of four rooms well arranged. The business men have been singularly fortunate. Few business failures have occurred in this village. During the dark. days of and succeeding the panic, her business men came safely through. Situated in a region of unsurpassed fertility, her business men of all classes have always enjoyed a substantial trade.

PUBLIC HALLS.

No town hall has ever been built in this town. This want has more than been met by the elegant opera hall, on the third floor of the brick block of Daniel Farnham. This large and commodious hall, with stage and scenery, and well seated, has met every want.

DISTRICT SCHOOLS, SCHOOLHOUSES AND TEACHERS.

The first schoolhouse built in the township was at Denmark. It was built of logs, and stood north of the public square. It has long since disappeared. Near it stood a large apple-tree, said to have been planted by the Indians. The first term of school taught in it, and in the township, was taught by Rev. Stoddard. This was early as 1837 or 1838. Immediately after him a Mr. John Cornell taught a term or two in the same house. There were several other terms taught in this schoolhouse before it was abandoned. The next schoolhouse built in the township was over a mile north of Edgerton. It stood on the east side of the road, on the hill, and very near the barn on the farm of Joseph Hemling, now deceased. This house remained standing for over a quarter of a century,