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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
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��Htiskell was, perhaps, the most public-spirited citizen. He early laid out an addition to the place. He erected, at his own expense, a brick building known as " Haskell's Academy," em- ployed teachers, and by his influence and en- ergYj kept it going for several years. He started the first bank here in 1868, which after his death was continued by his nephew, George C. Haskell. When the latter died in 1876, the business was continued by the Lou- donville Banking Compan}', consisting of George Schauweker, William Garrett, J. W. Bull, William Campbell, J. L. Quick, J. H. San- born and J. W. Stacher. It is not a national l)ank.
One of the earliest mills in the township was that of Thomas McMacken on Clear Creek, erected in 1834.
A. A. Taylor, of Loudonville. is now the owner of one of the largest mills in that part of the country. It is capable of turning out about two hundred and fifty barrels of flour daily, and is located in one of the best wheat- growing regions in the State. In order to erect this mill, Mr. Taylor was compelled to demolish one of the first mills of the county, which had been erected about 1819, by Alexander Skinner.
Thomas H. Stewart, yet living in Loudon- ville, was one of the first Associate Judges of Richland County, and his wife, yet living, is the onl}' one of the first pioneers yet remaining in the township. She was the daughter of Caleb Chappel.
The population of Loudonville, at present, is about two thousand. There are four dry-goods stores kept by William Fisher & Co., J. W. Stacher, Adam UUman, and Frederick Arnold ; three clothing stores, by Wise & Co., C. Open- heimer, and Steitzel & Co.; five grocery stores, by Jacob Buckheisen, Lewis McMahou, Samuel Hess, Joseph Yuncker and John Redd. There are two hotels, two butter and egg packers, a very extensive tannery by Godfrey Schawaker ; two foundries doing a small business ; three
��drug stores, by P. Ullman & Co., Leopold & Co., and M. Clough ; two hardware stores by Hartupee & Reed, and Priest & Frankheiser ; three stove and tin stores by Henry Pippet, G. G. Leopold and Daniel Prutzman ; three boot and shoe establishments by C. Petot, John Long and A. Barker ; two newspapers, the Democrat and the Loudonville Advocate.
In addition to the above, there are many other small business institutions of different kinds, and the usual number of mechanics and laborers.
The secret and benevolent institutions are the Hanover Lodge, No. 115, A., F. & A. M., organized in 1843 ; the I. 0. 0. F., instituted April 20, 1854 ; the Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor. The charter members of the first society mentioned were George H. Stewart. Adolph Clem, A. Haskell, John Ewalt. William Cullen, P. B. Griffith, E. B. Fuller and Jacob Boothe : and of the I. 0. 0. F., John Taylor, D. E. Stockman. A. P. Mather, C. Hildebrand and A. Yarnell.
There are seven churches in the town.
The Methodist was organized in the spring of 1834 by Rev. Elmore Yocum, in Thomas McMahon's warehouse. The early meetings were held at the houses of Joseph White and James Martin, and in the old Plank School- house. The first church building was erected in 1836. It was brick and cost about $500. In 1856, a frame was erected at a cost of $1,500.
The Baptist Church was organized in May, 1839. Isaac Wolf and John Xeptine were Deacons. Revs. Wilson, Stearns and William Leete were the earl}' Pastors. A frame building was erected in 1843 at a cost of $1,250.
The German Reformed and Lutheran Evan- gelical denominations erected a church for joint use in Loudonville in 1846. This building was destroyed b}- fire in 1860. These societies then erected separate frame churches. The Reformed and Lutheran Societies also erected a church in
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