Spohn Family
The Spohns are entitled to a family sketch, for they were early settlers, exemplary people and the founders of Butler. Martin Spohn, Sr., was a Pennsylvanian by birth. He was a Dunkard preacher, who according to the rules of his sect, worked for a livelihood instead of receiving a salary from his congregation. He located in Ohio in an early day and took what was called the "tomahawk right" to 160 acres of land. This "right" consisted in marking or "blazing" trees so as to encircle the land, for which after a specified time he was to pay the government a small price. His son, Daniel, was the founder of Butler. Martin Spohn, Jr., was born in Washington Co., Pa., in 1804, came to Ohio when young and resided in Worthington Twp. many years, dying at an advanced age. The elder Spohns wore the Dunkard garb and were hard-working, honorable men. Mrs. Sarah Bevington, of 486 West Fourth Street, is a daughter of Martin Spohn, and the maiden name of the widow of the late Joseph M. Manner was Spohn.
From The Bellville Messenger, June 4, 1903