Wayne County Pioneer Association
The object of the Wayne County Pioneer Association was stated in Article 2 of the Association’s Constitution: “…to renew old acquaintances, cultivate new friendships, preserve pioneer history, etc.” In Article 11 of the same document: “Any person of the age of 40 years, and who has been a resident of this County twenty years, by paying the sum of Twenty five Cents may become a member of this Association.”
Roster of Members.
John H. Kauke - Born Dec 15, 1817 William N McGugin – Born Dec 27, 1817 John Van Nest – Born Dec 1st, 1814 Mary J. Myers –Born 1823 Matthew McClure – Born 1817 Peter Amstutz –Born Nov 15, 1832 W W Wallace – Born Apr 15, 1839 I N Kieffer – Born Aug 13th, 1843 N. S. Hawkins – Born Mar 8, 1825 C. Matilda Thomson – Born June 20, 1820 Mathew McClure – Born Sept 1, 1817 D.K. Hamilton –Born Oct. 6th, 1813 W. G. Myers – Born June 7th, 1820 M Welker – Born April 25, 1819 Jacob Frick – Born Sept 17, 1834 Benjamin Rohrer – Born Aug 10, 1821 (?) S A Bender – Born March 4, 1839 W. G. Myers – Born 1820
The first annual social picnic was held at Highland Park on 2 September 1880. More than 500 people were said to be in attendance. Nathan W. Smith of Wooster, the oldest living settler of Wayne County, was named President of the Association. Sixteen Vice-Presidents were elected – one from each township.
- Paint – Thomas Marshal
- Sugarcreek –John Goudy
- Baughman – John Ault
- Chippewa – Henry Frederick
Milton – John Slemmons Green – Wm Metsker East Union –Simon Chafin Saltcreek – Peter Franks Franklin – David Gabriel Wooster –Dr. John Cunningham Canaan – Demas Sommers Congress – Royce Sommerton Chester – Pete Stair Plain – Christian Mellinger Clinton – L. D. Odell Wayne – David Wasson
James Johnston was chosen as Recording Secretary; Dr. J. D. Robison as Corresponding Secretary; and John McClellan, Treasurer. According to the article found in the Wayne County Democrat on 8 September 1880 on page 3, Mrs. Mertilla “Tillie” (Miller) Brierton of Lima, Ohio was in attendance. She was the first white child born in Wayne County, her birth occurring on 8 April 1809. She was the daughter of Benjamin Miller and was named by John Bever. Benjamin Miller was the first married man who settled in the county.