This is a charcoal drawing of Mary Emma Benham who was born in Elizabeth Township in 1862. Emma (or Aunt Emmie), a descendant of the Gearhart, Bousman, Jackson and Benham pioneer families of Elizabeth Township, spent virtually her entire life living in the same home. She attended the first Kyle School (Elizabeth Township School #2). She never...

SUTHERLY FAMILY SERIES POST #6: While Wes and Kate Sutherly were neither born in Elizabeth Township, they loved their community. They served actively as members of Cove Spring Church and on a committee of concerned township citizens that in 1993 opposed the potential expansion of Interstate 675 through the township. This committee’s work laid the...

The Sutherly grandchildren (ten in total) grew up in Elizabeth Township, the third generation to do so. They went to Elizabeth Elementary School and Miami East High School, participating in many school activities. Their participation in 4-H and FFA have also been a part of this family’s story. The Sutherlys have won many awards, championships,...

Wes and Kate’s farm eventually became known as “the dairy” as it was where their four sons milked Holsteins until 2003. Even after Wes and Kate’s children married and had families of their own, the dairy remained the hub for Sunday evening meals. Without fail, Kate had a big batch of salted or caramel popcorn sitting atop the stove that family...

In the 1950s and 1960s, the farm on State Route 201 was a gathering place for friends and neighbors, with pickup basketball games, and horse and pony rides up and down the road. Among those who took part in these rides were Harold and Alma Young (and occasionally their children, Dave, Phil, and George), Jimmy McQuire, Nellie Retter, Jimmy...

In 1929, just prior to the Great Depression, Angelo W.(“A.W.” or “Ang”) and May Miller moved from Greene County to a farm they had purchased at 2570 S. State Route 201 with their 14-year-old daughter, Catherine, better known to most as “Kate.” A.W. Miller (1876-1953) was a farmer, but in his younger years, he had been a painter. While working on...

The following series of posts will be centered on a well-known family of Elizabeth Township. The Sutherly family have been an integral part of the agricultural heritage of Elizabeth Township for over one hundred years. Their dedication to excellence in the science and labor of farming is a tradition that has passed from generation to generation....

Here is an aerial photo from the late 1960s of Trails End Farm. Owned for these many years by the Harold Young family, it is located at the corner of State Routes 201 and 41 in Elizabeth Township. The farm has served many purposes. Elizabeth Township Historical Society members can read more about this farm’s history, as well as what the Society...

 Join us as we celebrate America's beginnings with this wonderful program about George and Martha Washington. It promises to be very interesting and entertaining!

The ETHS Find Your Patriot Genealogy program was held on Sunday, April 12. 2026 at the Elizabeth Township Community Center. Sharon Maingi along with Steve and Patty Kaplan helped attendees find their Patriot ancestors and gave guidance on how they could continue their genealogy work at home. It was a very productive day! Our thanks to the...