Adams County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 13 of those read), 1880

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 13 of those read)

This was known by the name ot Iron Ridge township in the days of the territorial government. It was reorganized by the Commissioners, December 3. 1806, and named in honor of Gen. Greene, of revolutionary fame. It is in the south-eastern part of the county. Beginning at the mouth of Brush creek, it runs up that stream to the mouth of Beasley's Fork, thence on a direct line to the head of Black's run, thence on the highlands of Oliio and Scioto Brush creek to the cast line of Adams county, thence south along said county line lo the Ohio river, thence down said river to the place of beginning. It lias twelve miles of river front.

Surface

A large portion of this township is high, Lilly and rough land. The highest point of land along the Ohio river within the State, is said to be within this township. It also contains quarries of the best building stone in the State, or perhaps in the United States.

This is the Waverly sand stone, and is quarried and shipped in large quantities to various parts of the United States. Tin* Burnet House and Grand Hotel, of Cincinnati, as well as mam of the best houses in that city, arc made of this stone. The Cm tom Houses of St. Louis and Chicago arc built of it. It shipped to New York and Boston.

The road leading from Rome to Buenavista passes along tl base of bills that lie a little distance back from the river, and ri seven or eight hundred feet above it at low' water mark.

These bills arc for a good part of this distance, faced wit perpendicular walls of roek, several hundred feet in height. TL action of the elements and frost have from time to time, detach* < many fragments of these rocks, some of them of huge proportion*, which have boon precipitated to the valleys below. The resistless impetus given to these blocks by tlicit* rapid descent, hapropelled them across (he road and into the adjoining fields, some of which are thickly covered with them1.

The principal stream! .of water is Stout's run, named from Obadiah Stout, the lirsUSettler upon its banks. This run, which is not of any considerable size, is fed by numerous small tributaries that have their sources in the mauv springs that issue from the gorges of the mountainous bills that rear their tops in the adjacent country.

The narrow valleys along the little streams, as well as the hillsides facing the north, norlu-oast and east, are rich and productive. The timber: poplar, basswood, chestnut, sugar, oak. hickory and spice brush, while those facing the south add southwest, contain n great deal of ornamental rock-work, and are covered with pine, cedar, laurel, black gum and sourwood shrubbery, with huckleberry bushes ami winter green as an undergrowth.

Tin* iiihahitaips derive considerable revenue from the sale or slaves lor cooperage. t;iii-l»:irk ami hoop-poles, which they gather from the forests that still cover many of the more barren hills, m. I w hieli they haul to Koine ami ship or sell there.

i; 'a i ionary war. After the war was over, he moved to Redly . jui'.l from that place to Blue Lick. Ky. ; from there lie . : i. Manchester Island, and thciiec to Graham Station, at V had twoehildren tomahawked and scalped by tlio , i, ...... in i in* voar 1796 or*97 lie moved to this township ami i; , ' , i |'nniiie>*s Turk of Stout's run. oil a mound near where i: ; i - ami West l n ion road crosses the run. This is the farm ,i i w ,llX by N'oab Tracey. Tradition has it that there was a n ill Indian cornfield just north of this mound, which was the inducement to settle at that particular point.

Mr. Stout had leu children, seven sons and three daughters; Tlmma- Charily lluhhard, Rachel Pettitt, Josiah S.. Isaac S., Sarah Cole, Jesse S., Ohadiah and John; the last two were the «*:.(*- killed b\ the Indians at Graham's Station.

Shortly after Mr. Stout settled, other families came and located in the neighborhood, among whom were the Colvins, the Pettitts. Montgomerys, Samuels, John Russell, Geo. II. Puntney and his lather-in-law. William Hamilton, who taught the first

' ieorge Hollingsworth Puntney was a son of Joseph Puntney, who-e father was a French Ilngcnot, who was compelled to leave hi- native home in France on account of his religious principles. II li ft Rochelle, France,, two weeks before the elder Marion i l l f Francis Marion of Revolutionary fame), emigrated also -amc place on account of his religions principles. The ship i ,i i irried the Puntney family, landed them on a barren, mountainous island in the West Indies, called Eustatia. They soon became dissatisfied with it, and the first opportunity, embarked for Ghc..i in Holland : from there they soon went to Oxford, England. \\ ie Joseph Puntney married Mary Hollingsworth. From there they emigrated to America, and settled at Little Gun P.»wd: v F.-'Is in Maryland. At the breaking out of the Revolui :i»:iai \ War. George II. Puntney was fourteen years old. His lather dl< <1 in the second year of t he war, and his property was sold l»\ i he administrator for $22,000, which was paid in contiti - nial money that soon became worthless. The family then moved to Braddock's old battle-field in Pennsylvania, and George II Puntney became a scout. lie afterwards became a trader with the Delaware Indians, and subsequently connected with a -ur\ eying parly in the Greene river country, Kentucky. lie .p'i;-*'d ^'iiieiuuati twice before there was a stick of timber cut on i -lie of that city. He presently married and settled in Boureoiiuiy. Kentucky. He moved to Greene township in March 1 and settled on what is now known as the Puntney farm. farm, James Puntney was born, September 1. 1800. Geo. intney died in 1S33, at the age of 94.

Early Recollections

At the first settling of Green township, it was the hunter's pai'ai I i.-e. It abounded in bear, deer, turkeys, and all the game * « mi moil to a new and hilly country. William Stout, while hunting coon- one night near where Rome stands, killed a mother ar and two cubs, with his dogs and an ax. One of the Colvins killed a wolf with an ax-handle, that lie was using as a stall* or « am .

At the. lime William Hamilton taught in the township, wliieli v» as in I sol. there were four distilleries, one school house and no - burcli, There are now five churches, thirteen school hotises and Imi one distillery.

Which i> the principal town, w is laid out by William Stout, Sr.. March 2f*. IS33. with thirty lots. It is situated on the bank* of i he Ohio river, and is a shipping point for a considerable scope of country hack from the river, cmhraeing most of Greene and .!- ficr.-on. with a portion of Meigs townships. It is the great slopping place for the -laves, tail-bark and hoop-poles which

Romo eontains three dry goods stores, two n.illi m w establishments, om* eonfeelibnory store, two shoe shop*, one harness shop, one I in shop, one blacksmith shop, one steam a w -m: 1 1. I wo cooper shops, two carpenter shops, a boat yard, w here haiges arc built; a wharf boat, a telegraph ofiiec, a union ---bool with three departments, two churches: one Methodist' KpL-c.opal, one I'rcsbyterian, and a population of about 409.

Hock Vii. I.E.

This village is situated about six miles above Koine, on the i Ohio river, near the stone quarries, lienee the name. It. was laid out January I I. 1830, with a plat of twenty-six lots; S. 15. McCall, i proprietor.

John Lotiglicrv, an enterprising citizen, who lived adjoining or within the village, not liking the class of citizens that had settled in it. bought out one by one the lot owners, petitioned the | court for and obtained an order to vacate the place. The several ] houses yet remaining arc occupied by tenants, but there is no j business carried on any more in the place. The occupants of the | houses are mostly laborers, who work in the quarries.

Mr. McCall, hound not to he thwarted in bis desire for a. town, soon after laid oft' another village, almost adjoining Rockville. This town he called

It was laid out January 13, 1832, in eighteen lots. It never flourished or did much business. At present there is one small grocery store, one marble shop, and a small steam mill for grinding corn. A post office was kept here for awhile, hut it was removed to the neighboring village of Bcunavista, in Scioto county.

Villages, Etc

Greene township contains two villages, four mills, thirteen sub-school districts and two independent districts, five churches and two post offices.

The Mills

This is a steam flouring and saw-mill. It was built on Ohio Brush creek, in 1858, by Mark and David Pennvwitt. In 1804. David Pennvwitt became sole proprietor, and in 1805, removed it from Brush creek, about one-fourth of a mile 141 Wagoner's run, and attached a saw- mill to it.

Post Offices

Stout's. - Rome. - This office was established before Rome was laid out. It was called Stout's in honor of Mr. Stout, who was an old citizen and the first Postmaster. The following is a list of the Postmasters who have held the office: 1, William Stout; 2, John Newman ; 3, George Pettit; 4, Lyman Taft; 5, John II. Baird ; 6, Geo. M. Lafferty.

Wagoner's Ripple. - This office was cstabled about 1S47, and has had the following Postmasters : 1, Jesse Wikoff;2, Benjamin Naylor; 3, David Pennvwitt; 4, John Beach ; 5, Luther Collier;

Presiiyteri An Church

This is the oldest of these churches. It was organized September 2, 1820, with three ruling elders, David Mitchell, Robert Russell and Moses Bailey; Rev. Robert Dobvns actingas Moderator of the new session.

Occasional preaching had been held at private houses, from l lie beginning of the settlement. A log meeting house was soon built, which was replaced by a brick one in 1833. This house was burned down on Sabbath morning, of April 4. 1809. The present beautiful brick house was erected on the same plat, and was dedicated May 28, 1871.

The ruling elders first mentioned, were aided and followed by others, chosen from time to time. Among those who served the church longest and died within its folds, were Thomas Russell. James A. Baird, Robert Baird, James Louglierv and John Lo ugh cry.

'flic church has been served hv various ministers, for a larger or shorter period of tiliic, some being only lor a few .Sabbaths: supplies furnished by Presbytery, as John Kaukiii, Dyer Burgess, David Vandyke, Elcazor Braincrd and K. Buckingham, the latter f »r one year.

The Rev. Joseph Chester, nor/ of Cincinnati, ordained and installed, Juno 21, 1810, was the first settled pastor. The ordination sermon was preached by the Rev. M. H. Wilder, and the charge to pastor and people, given by the Rev. John Rankin, of Ripley, <>. This pastorate of near leu years was the most, promi-- ing and prosperous in the history of the church.

September 7, 1852, Rev. J. E. Vance was installed pastor : II. P. Pratt preaching the sermon, and Messrs. Ordway, Kelsey. Chester and Hicks taking part in the services. His pastoral* continued till September, 1857. Rev. Janies Wilson preached I'm Hie church four months during 1858.

In May, 1859, Rev. E. P. Adams was employed as the rogulai minister for the Sandy Springs and Rome churches, and continued in the work until May 1, 1873, a period of fourteen years.

Ilczekiah Johnson and Hiram Penny witt were the pioneer or missionary preachers, who first preached the Baptist doctrine in the vicinity. Their meetings were mostly held in the private houses of those who believed their faith - very frequently at the house of Recompense S. Murphy ; sometimes they were held in the Presbyterian church.

Early in 1840, the Rev. Griswold held a protracted meeting here, which continued two or three weeks. At this meeting, a young lady, named Charlotte McCall, professed the Christian faith, as laid down bv the Baptists, and was baptized in the Ohio river. This was the beginning point of this church. There were a few members of other distant Baptist churches that lived in the immediate vicinity, who united together and organized the Rockville Baptist church, which was readily recognized by the proper council. The names of the original members of this church were Recompense S. Murphy^ Rachel Murphy, Gabriel Pullam, William Harris, Zenas Hayward, Hugh Kelly, Jemima Kelly, members ot other churches, and Miss Charlotte McCall, who had just been baptized. After the organization, the meetings were held at the house of Recompense S. Murphy, until the building of a meeting house.

In 1844, measures were taken to build a house. A lot of 64 square rods of land was deeded by Abner Ewing to Recompense S. Murphy, Zenas Hayward and John Murphy, as trustees for the church, and a comfortable frame building was put up the same year.

Hamlin E Chapel, M. E. Church

About 1820, a class of eight or ten members was formed the house of George Truitt, about 1'4 miles wcstwardly fro; where the meeting house now stands, and regular preaching <- tablishcd.

These meetings were held at Mr. Truitt's some ten or liflei .1 years, until a school house was built, when the congregation met at it. Finally, in 1847, the present meeting house was built. If is a comfortable frame building 35x45, (Costing $709. The membership at present is about 20.

The session consisted of Rev. Joseph Chester, Moderator, and Thomas Russell, J. C. V. Baird and Bennett J. Stout, ruling elders. Willis Robinson, William Russell, W. D. Blair arc its present session. It has also, as Deacons, George II. Pmitucy, J. Tracy and J. II. Dobson, and a board of trustees.

IVoi h i In' si* elm ' lies have boon greatly weakened by the emii*rai ion of t heir me- .hers to the West, especially to Illinois and l\.m>as. as well as o the towns and cities in Southern Ohio, lienee the combine, membership is not as great as it was in ISO. and their liniii? ial ability is probably still weaker.

Chatter Xvii

I. -:\:tv 0; k.c,k:l - Iljnry O.irsler's gre.it gr.m If.ither, Edward < birder. was an Englishman, while his great grand-father mi Ids mother's side was Irish, and named Patrick McKinley. Hi' grand-father's name was Charles Onrsler. and his grandmother's maiden name was Martha McKinley. They reared a family of nine children, three sons and six daughters. One of the sous, named Archibald, was the father of Henry Onrsler. Archibald Onrsler was barn in Baltimore county. Maryland, and was taken, when quite young, by his parents to Pennsylvania, where they settled for a short time. They then removed to a a small village, called Buffalo, in Putnam county, W. Va. Indians were plenty there then. They next moved to Limestone, Kentucky, aad settled near Washington in that State. Indians were still plenty there. About 1794 or *95, Mr. Charles Onrsler removed to Ohio, where he soon after died. As before stated, be raised a family of nine children. Their names were Joseph, Archibald (father of Henry Onrsler), Charles, Ruth, Martha, Elizabeth. Mary, Catherine and Margaret. Ruth married a Mr. Jacobs, who afterwards died. She married for a second husband a Mr. Hayman. Martha married Caleb Ilurd. Elizabeth married John Lynn. Mary married Samuel Neal, and Catherine married John Jones. Charles removed to Putnam county, Indiana. in 1834, where he died. Joseph died on a trading boat, on his way down the river. * Archibald was born May 11, 1781, and mar: icd Rachel Riggs, April, 180G. She died March 2, 1809. lie married for a second wife, MalindaTruc, February 6, 1812. This lad) was born May 8, 1788. Mr. Onrsler reared a family of nine children. By his first marriage lie had two sons, John and Charles. John was born April 0, 1807 ; married Elizabeth Parish. He died October 28, 1863. Charles was born March 21, 1S09 ; married Ma'hala Howland, by whom lie had one son. Ilis wife died and the son was killed at Georgetown, Brown county, O., July 4, 1858, by the premature discharge of a cannon. Charles Oursler's second wife was Margaret Jones, by whom he has two sons and a daughter; all remain with him. He now resides near Ilarnersville, Brown county, O. Archibald Onrsler, by his second marriage, reared a family of seven children, whose names are Jane T., Thomas, Joseph, Mary, Martha Ann and Nancy Elizabeth Onrsler. Jane T. was born November 25, 1812 ; married Leonard Brooks, who lias since deceased. She is now a widow, and lives in Jefferson township. Thomas, born September 1. 1814, married Mary Jane Neal, who is now deceased. He i> now a widower; resides in Greene township. Joseph, born 'lay 1. 1817, married Harriet "Westbrook. lie died September >. J*79. Ilis widow lives in Jefferson township. Mary, born i ary 22. 1x22. she never married, and now lives with her r Thomas. Martha Ann, born April G, 1824; married Tracy. Tl icy reside % of a mile north of Rome. Nancy in ih, born Scptcnibei 23. 1828. She never married; died " 5. 1870. Henry Onrsler, the subject of this sketch, was born August 11, 1820. He married Elizabctli Puntncy, Now mber 7, 1850. They arc the parents of'divc children, whose names are Anna Belle, Effic Jane, James Archibald. Martha Malinda, Charles .Joseph. Anna Bell was born January 21, 1852 ; married lb, sea Moore Wikoff, June lfc,/l 875. They reside in Cincinnati. Effic Jane was born December 14, 1857. James Archibald was born August 13 1861. Martha Malinda was born March 22, 1807. Charles Joseph Ayns born August 13, 1869.

I hose four children live with their parents. Henry Ourslcr is a lending i I influential - itizen. well and favorably kmnyq uronuiiMiit ihe county. had almost continuously been the 1 i 1 " -nine position his township or county, since he ai/- 1 «i at il«> years of man" estate. Besides the many township "ili< i >. lie has held, be has tilled the office ' iconic r of the conntv tv\ o terms, serving from 1819 lo 1855. l*o v, - -dec ted County Auditor in 1858, serving one 'term, uiid ,ic. - h i n o ha to Irate Judge in 1863, served two years am igi. Mr. Ourslcr w'tis appointed deputv surveyor of the V y District carried on salt, works and kept a ferry. About 1796 or '97 lie came to Adams county, and settled at the confluence of two streams, about of a mile back from Rome, near where the West Union road crosses it. This farm is now the- property of Noah Tracey. The crock on which Mr. Stout settled is called Stout's run, and the two branches that unite and form this run at the point where lie settled, arc called the cast and west forks of Stout's run. Hero Obadiah Stout, who was probaby the first settler in Greene township,' cleared out a farm and reared a family, which consisted often children, seven sons and three daughters, named Obadiah, Robert B., Susannah, William, John K., Josiah, I )ecia, Elisha ( '., U riah Jackson, Bonnet. Uriah died when seventeen months old. The other nine grew to years of maturity, and all married but Elisha. They are now all deceased but John K. John K. Stout was born July 27, 1808. lie married Miss Frances Drcmian, April 25, 1832, who died April 27, 1812. He married for a second wife, Elizabeth Taylor Alice Waite, October 3, 1843. This lady died June G, l£5l. He married for his third wife, Caroline Daikon, June 8, 1853, who died March 26,1873. Mr. Stout, by his first marriage, raised three sons, David D., W. B. II. , and Elisha. David lives in Kentucky, owns stock in two steamboats, and is Captain of one of them. W. IE. B. Stout, the second son, lives in Lincol'i, Nebraska; is a builder and contractor, who by his enterprise, has accumulated a large property. By his second marriage, Mr. Stout raised three children, one son and two daughters. They were named Elizabeth. Mary and Alonzo M. Elizabeth married the Rev. Jonathan Stewart, and lives in Rome. The other two remain at home and arc unmarried. There were two children by his third marriage, both sons: they were named Homer I), and Henry W. Homer is married, lives in Aberdeen, Brow'ii county, O. ; engaged in telegraphing. Henry W. remains with his father on the farm. Mr. Stout started in life while a young man, with a small store in 1S29, on Stout's run. where George Dobson now lives ; after keeping here a year, he removed to where Rome now stands. At the end of a year he took into partnership with him his brother William. Two years afterwards, William bought the interest of his brother in the store, and carried it on alone until his decease twenty years afterward. After selling his interest in the store to his brother William, Mr. Stout bought a farm above Rome, but not liking it, lie swapped it for his present farm near, blit below the village, lie afterwards removed to Manchester where lie sold goods for a year; then returned to his farm again, where lie lias since lived. By his industry and perseverance, Mr. Stout lias accumulated a fine properly. Besides giving each of his children a fair set out in life, lie still owns one hundred acres of splendid land on the Ohio river bottom, adjoining the village of Rome on the west. This farm is in a high state of cultivation, adorned with excellent buildings, where he now resides, surrounded with every comfort that man could desire, quietly enjoying the? fruits of his laborious and well spent life, with the respect of all who know him.

Wash. Cross. - This gentleman is of Irish descent. Ilis grand-father, Richard Cross, was born in Pennsylvania, where he married. At an early day lie came to Adams county, and settled about a mile south-east of Winchester, lie reared a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters. One of. these sons, named Richard, married Elizabeth Smith; they reared a family of four children, three sons and one daughter. These children were named Wash, Rebecca Ann, Joseph C. and James S. All are married and have families.. Wash, the oldest, and who is the subject of this sketch, was horn in Winchester, Adams county, on t lie 12th day of April, 1828. He came to Rome in I he spring of 1853, where lie lias since carried on the blaoksmithing and wagon making business. He does nothing but first class work, and his wagons arc sold in distant parts of the connin', as well as at home. In religion, Wash. Cross is a free thinker; in politics, a Re uhlican. He has always been a strong advocate of Ihe equal rights of man without regard lo race, color or sex.

Daniel Kenyon. - The maternal grand-father of the subject of this sketch, Aaroa Stratton, was a native of New Jersey, where lie grew to manhood and married. About 1893, lie removed to Lewis county, Ky., and settled near Clarksburg. Mr. Strati on, who was a man of enterprise, engaged in the manufacture of salt, which lie followed for a number of years, by which lie made a considerable fortune and owned many slaves. lie bought Steele's Survey, a ho ly of some 793 acres of land, on the Ohio side of the river, in Irish Bottom. He reared a family of ten children, one son and nine daughters, lie made it a rule, upon the marriage of si child, to present it among other things, with a colored man and woman. Ilis second daughter, Sarah, married Jonathan Kenyon, a nativa of Vermont. This daughter did net believe much in slavery, and at her marriage preferred something else than slaves. Mr. Stratton give her instead, 139 acres of this Irish Bottom laud. She ami her husband settled on this land, cleared it up, and lived and died there. Mr. Kenyon, who was a regular lawyer, proved to ha a very useful man to the neighborhood. Ha was able to propjrly dr tw all their in stiqi limits of writings, & -., ami did not encourage litigations in law. I lo reared a family of seven children, all sons, named Aaron, Samuel, Thompson, Daniel, James, William and Benjamin. Those sons all grew up lo manhood, married and raised families. Janies and Benjamin went to California, where they are engaged in farming. Aaron moved to Marion county, where lie died. ^-William lives near Ironttm, Lawrence county, Ohio. Samuel and Thompson both removed to Andrew county, Missouri, where they died. Daniel, the fourth son, became the owner of the old homestead, to which he has added 103 acres more in the Carrington Survey adjoining. He married Miss Rebecca Zormes, in 1832. They reared a family of seven children named Martha Jane, Artemissa, Cynthiana, Mary, .Fames R., William F. and Samuel T. Konyop. Mary is deceased; the others survive. Martha Jane married Rev. Daniel Chcrrington, a Methodist minister, who died. She married for a, second husband, George Tittle, and removed to Portsmouth. Artemissa married Dr. W. A. Frazell and lives in Bucnavista, Scioto county, O. Cynthania married VV". P. Truitt, and lives near Little Rock, Arkansas. James R. is in Kansas, farming near Reno Station. Samuel T. is in Greenup county, Ky., teaching. William F. is married ; lives on the old homestead, a part of which lie has purchased. Daniel Kenyon subject of our sketch, was born October 14, 1811. lie has been a member of the M. E. church at Sandy Springs, thirty-live year-. Ilis wife and all his children are members of the same church in their various localities. Mr. Kenyon is now in the latter part of his life, quietly living on his beautiful farm on the banks of the Ohio, enjoying the comforts acquired by the labors of an industrious and well spent life.

James McKinley. - The ancestors of this gentleman, both paternal and maternal, were Irish. Ilis paternal grand-father, James McKinley, was born in the North of Ireland, where he grew to years of manhood. Here lie married Miss Letitia McIntyre, a native of the same neighborhood. Ilis maternal grandparents. William Sinclair and Letitia Wilson, were both born in the North of Ireland. Mr. McKinley's paternal grand-father, James McKinley, immigrated to America in 1803 or '4, and landed in New York, where lie remained a year or two, then removed to Weegee, Belmont county. Ohio, where he resided until his decease. He reared a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters: John, William, James, Robert, Sarah Ann. Letitia and Mary. Of the children but two survive - William and Sarah Ann. The oldest of these children, John McKinley, was. the father of James McKinley, the subject of this sketch. He was bom in the city of New York in 1805, and was brought by liis parents to Belmont county, when they removed there from New York. Here John McKinley spent his early years and grew to manhood. In 1830, he married Margaret Sinclair, of that county, who was a native of Ireland. He remained there after his marriage until 1844, when with his family, he took passage on the steamer *'Lodi," at Lockwood's Landing, Belmont county, Ohio. This was one of the early steamers on the river, sidewheel and single engine. Their journey was without incident, and on the 4th day of April they landed on the banks of the Ohio, near their new home on Irish Bottom. Mr. McKinley's wife died in 1847. He married for a second wife, Letitia Sinclair, lie died January 19, 1831; his last wife still survives. The other children, Letitia, James, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Margaret, Emma ; (the last named Join by his second wife,) all grew to years of maturity and married, Letitia married James Hiner, of Vanccburg, Ky. S'.ic died there in 1855. Elizabeth became the second wife of James llincr, and now lives in Vanccburg. They also own the old homestead of John McKinley, in Irish Bottom. Sarah Ann married James Brown, who lived niear Rome until liis decease, where his \vidow still resides. Jlangkrot married John Crawford. They live in West Union and carrjton the Crawford House. Emma, daughter by his second wife, married Joseph Clements, of Newport, Kv., where she lives. James Melvinicy. the only living son of John McKinley, was born April 9, 1837.

I le married Miss Salome S. Hayward, February 24, 1859. TIiL lady, who was born October 15, 1839, was the daughter of Zena> and Sarah Hayward. They have reared a family of three children. one son and two daughter?, named John, Sal I ic and Elizabeth Lillian. He owns a beautiful farm of 137 acres on the bankof the Ohio river, in Irish Bottom. This farm is of extra qialiiy of soil, neatly cultivated and tastefully adorned, where lie is surrounded with all the comforts that man can desire. On Mr. Mc- Kinley's farm is situated the remarkable Sandy Springs, elsewhere mentioned. ,

Elliott II. Collins. - This gentleman's paternal grand-parent.s were of English descent.. Ilis ^rand-father, John Collins, was born in Maryland, in October. 1754. He married Sallied Ienthorn. They reared a Hujrfly of seven children, three sons and four daughters, named Ilenry, John, James. Mary. Ruth, Nancy and Sally. About 1800, Mr. Collins settled in Washington county. Ohio, where he lived until his decease, in 1842. His son Henre, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, Was borh in 1779. Ho married Frances; Ewart, who was born in comity Armagh, Ireland. They reared a family of six children, live sous and- one daughter, named Elliott II., Elizabeth Ewart, Sardyne Stone, Francos Ewart, John Hen thorn and Jeremiah Williams. Elliott II., the oldest son, was born in Grandview township. Washington county. Ohio* -April, 23, 1812. IJo married Jgftxnhclli ltinard, March 19. 1835. They reared a fatally of four children, one. sou and three daughters, Cleopatra Minerva, Elizabeth Rebecca, Uoxanna Samantha and Lycurgus Benton Allen. Ills wife died October 6. 1X51, and Mr. Collin- made a second mar- riair,*. March 2S, 183$, will* Nhiicv McKay. Thin liuly was tlio duiiglilcr of Koiibeu and June Mcliuy - formerly Jane William- >oll- Mr. MrKuv was of Scotch descent, and his wife J. Williiimwas of Irish origin. This daughter, Nancy McKay, was horn in Tyler county. West Virginia, January 15. 1S2J. She came with her parents to Meigs county, Ohio, where she lived until her marriage. Of Mr. Collins' children, Cleopatra Minerva, mnrrud William Wikotf, of McLean county, Illinois, where he is engaged hi farming. Elizabeth Rebecca, died August 24, 18C8, aged 27 years. Itoxanna Samantha married Joseph. Noggle, who lives in Morris county. Kansas, and follows teaching. Lycurgus Ben- I :>n Allen lives in McLean county, Illinois, and is fanning. Mr. Elliott II. Collins came to Adams cou niv 1818. lie soon prominently identified himself with its business interests, taking a leading part in every measure tending to develop its resources and promote the general prosperity. lie has performed the dutics of Justice of the Peace almost thirty years, his tenth term bcimr nearly completed. He filled that office twelve years in Washington county, Ohio; nine years in Monroe township, Adams county, and has nearly completed nine years in Greene township.

In this period of time, he has married not less than 500 couples; never received a fee or reward of any amount, for these interesting ceremonies. lie has always taken a lively interest in political atfairs, has always been firm and unwavering in his support of the Democratic party, frequently attending nominating conventions as a delegate from his county. He cast his first vote for General Jackson in 1832, traveling twenty miles to reach the polls, lie has never missed an election since or scratched a ticket in his life, and is a member of the Christian Union church, at Beasley's Fork. Mr. Collins owns a splendid farm of choice land, on the Ohio river, in what is known as Irish Bottom, where he is surrounded with an abundance of this world's goods. He is a kind, genial, whole-souled gentleman.

David Harris. - This gentleman's maternal grand-parents, James Morrison and Sarah Morrison, were both natives of Ireland. They emigrated to America, and first settled in London county, Virginia, where they remained two years. They then removed to Adams county and settled in the Irish Bottom. They came down the Ohio in a boat, which they anchored to the shore, and lived in till they built a cabin on their land. Mr. Morrison bought 273 acres in the Carrington Survey, on which he and his wife lived and died. He raised a family of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. One of these daughters, named Jane, married William Harris. They were the parents of David Harris, the subject of this sketch. William Harris was a native of Maryland, and came in early years with his parents to Kentucky. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and located in West Union. While working there he married Jane Morrison, in 1814. A few years later they left West Union, and moved to Mr. Morrison's, to run the farm and take care of the old folks. After Mr. Morrison's death, William Harris became the owner of a portion of the farm. Mr. Harris raised a family of three children, two sons and one daughter, James M., David and Sarah. James is long 6incc deceased. David and Sarah still survive. David married Miss Eveline. Collier, November 14. 1852. The same year he bought of Mr. Murphy, fifty acres of the old homestead of his grand-father Morrison. On this fifty acres his residence is located, though he is the owner of a considerable quantity of laud besides. Mrs. Harris was born in 1830. She was the daughter of John Collier, a son of Daniel Collier, who was one of the earliest settlers on Brush creek, whose family history is prominently identified with the early settlement of the county. Mrs. Harris' mother was the daughter Thomas Burkett, a name whose history is also identified with early settlements. These parents have had bom unto them i. children, two of them, the second and tenth, died in infancy ; two others. Jennie and James M., died in youth. The surviving children are Edward R., Moses B., Annie, Oneida, Estella, Mollic. They all remain with their parents and are unmarried. Mr. Harris has a farm of several hundred'^fbres, most of it choice land, in the Irish Bottom, beautifully located on the Ohio river, where he now resides. James Morrison, the grand-father of David Harris, raised twelve children, niue sons and thlec daughters. named Robert, James, William, David, JohH, Archibald, Richardson, Thomas, Moses, Elizabeth, Sarah and Jauo,' the last of whom was the mother of Mr. Harris. .

George Gilpin. - The<parents of George Gilpin, Thomas and Nancy Gilpin, were both natives ol Ireland. Mrs. Gilpin's^iWidcn name was Mullen. A few years after their marriage, in 1811, they .emigrated to America, landt/i in New York, and settled somewhere in Pennsylvania, where they remained two of three >cars, then removed to Adams county, and Jocfttcc' the. Brush Creok Furnace. Mr. Gilpin -worked at t: - Cg; r. .o'i? h»8 docedsc in 1832, a victim of the cholera. 'Ms- Gl-'ojfi died February 17, 1870. These parents reared a famfi r I d- * dren, five sons and four daughters. Sarah, Eliza, Ha T. *al, George. John, Henry, William and Thomas. F >lv o .fry-' cl.ildreu, Sarah, Eliza, Rachel and Thomas, are )he ' ide

These parents have had horn unto them eleven children ; four of them are deceased, to-wit : Geo. W., who died at 18, and Martha Susan, Gilbert Thomas, Clarence Victor, who died in early years. These all lie in the Stu'iily Springs Cemetery. The survivlngchildreu arc Eliza A., John M., Thomas, William It., Henry G., Walter I/., Elmer W. ; all yet remain at home under the parental roof. Mr. Gilpin is a man of indomitable energy and industry. He made the overland journey lo California in 1849, in search of gold. It was a long tedious trip, attended with inexpressible hardships and no little suffering, but nevcrllielesf, there were connected with it many interesting events and incidents, encountered in the wild romantic scenery through which he passed. Mr. Gilpin, unaided, has by industry, accumulated a fine property. The farm on which he now resides, contains 320 acres, most of it in the Carrington Survey, in the Irish Bottom. It is excellent land, well cultivated, with his pleasant residence overlooking the beautiful Oliio, which flows just in front olf it. Besides this farm, Mr. G. owns some 250 acres more. He has set an example before future generations, of what industry and perseverance may accomplish without aid, in the humblest beginnings in life.

John Lougiiery. - John Lougherv, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to the neighborhood of Rockville, in 1831. lie was an1 enterprising man, and soon opened rp the stone quarries, that have since obtained so much celebrity. From these quarries he supplied the stone to build the Deer Creek Locks, near Cincinnati. After they were built, he furnished stone for some of the best houses in Cincinnati. The Post Office in that city, and the Catholic Cathedral on Plum street, arc constructed of these stone. He built two boats adapted to the work of carrying the immense blocks of rock down the river. In 1834, lie put up a saw-mill, and some two years after, lie added a flouring mill, with two pair of burrs, the whole costing $10,000. In December, 1855, tbe whole of these buildings was consumed by fire, and never rebuilt. In 1833 or '34, Mr. Lougherv built the steamboat " Princeton," which he sold after some two years. He next built the "Columbus," which he run on the river. Among Jiis papers was foitnd a receipt of $29.57, for the services on the boat, of a slave named Lot, who belonged to James Brooks. Upon the death of Mr. Lougiiery, his son, John Lougherv, whose name stands at the head of this article, succeeded to the ownership of these immense quarries, selling annually several hundred thousand dollars worth of stone, shipping them to all parts of the United States.

Mrs. Pauline McMasters. - This lady is the daughter of Charles Lewis, of Scott county, Ivy. Her parents were both natives of that State. Their family consisted of eight children, three sons and five daughters, Mrs. MeMasters was born August 24, 1834 ; received her education at the Shcibyvillc Female College, and was married at the old Kentucky homestead, April 7, 1855, to Gilbert MeMasters, whence she removed, with her husband, to Cincinnati, where they resided until the fall of 1850, when they removed to Adams county, and settled on the old MeMasters homestead in Irish Bottom.

Gilbert McMasters. - Gilbert MeMasters, the husband of Mrs. McMasters, was of Scotch descent. Hjs father, John Mc- Masters, was born in Pennsylvania, where he was married. From thence he removed to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1824, where he remained some years, then removed to Adams county, in 1835, and bought the farm on which Mrs. MeMasters resides. This place is a part of ihc Steele Survey, and was first bought from him by Aaron Stratton ; afterwards sold it to It. S. Murphy, who built his cabin and settled on it in 1805, but afterwards sold it to John Lougiiery, who next sold it to John McMasters, who lived on it most of his lifetime. Gilbert McMasters, was the seventh in a family of twelve children. lie early engaged in the business of steam-boating on the Ohio, and was, for many years, a a Pilot on the steam boats that plied the Ohio and other western rivers. At the commencement of the rebellion, he was early and actively engaged in the service of the government, as a Pilot for the boats and transports conveying men and munitions of war. He performed ceaseless, laborious services in the Pittsburg Landing Campaign, in 1862. A few days after the battle, while engaged in fatiguing duties, he had an attack of suu-strokc, from which he presently seemed to recover, but a few months later, at Columbus, Kentucky, while laboring to secure boats from the burning flames of a fire tWt had broken out amoTig them, he was overcome by inhaling the heated air and smoke, and again prostrated. From this attack, he never recovered, but gradually sank, until be at length became a hopeless, helpless invalid. In 1872, his eyesight failed him, his mind gave way, and for eight years, this once bright, active, enterprising business man, lay a complete wreck, perfectly blind, helpless and imbecile, until Sunday morning, March 21,1880, death relieved him from his earthly troubles and sufferings. The eld homestead^, which Mrs. McMasters now occupies, is a beautiful farm of ucariy thrpe hundred acres, lying near Sandy Springs, on the road from Borne to Buena Vista, It is pleasahtly located, highly cultivated, neatly and tastefully improved and kept up by the good taste and judgment of Mrs. MeMasters, upon whom has developed the duties of the general directions for its management, during her husband's long infirmities. Mr. MeMasters in bis earlier years took great interest in raising good stock. Ho delighted In training Itnrsm, und

This is not a village, but receives its linumfrom a vast deposit of sand, and two or three excellent springs (hat issue from near its base. This immense deposit of clear sand, extends perhaps, two miles from near tho foot of the hills back of Irish Bottom southeasterly to tho Ohio. It is a long ridge of irregular form, varying in width from a half to three-fourths of a mile, and in some places (lie pure sand is, perhaps, forty to fifty feet in depth. This immense bank of sand was,, doubtless, drifted into its present position by the waters of tho Ohio, ages ago.

These springs, after flowing a short distance, disappear. By digging anywhere in this great belt of sand, water is found at a short depth, while in sinking a well any place outside, water is not found at a less depth than forty or fifty feet.

There arc in the vicinity of these springs, three churches, one Baptist, one Presbyterian, one Methodist Episcopal, and the Union School building of the Independent District, that has been established in the Irish Bottom.

The quaint beauty and quietness of the place, made us anxious to gather its early history minutely, especially of the churches, which were early organized here, and in which the pioneers worshiped, but could collect but a few fragmentary items, which are given under the head of churches-r-Sandy Springs, given elsewhere.

History informs us that some fifty years ago - 1839, there was a post office near here called "Sandy Springs," with Simeon Smith, postmaster, but the people here have no remembrance or record of it.

The Anti-Slavery Question

The community of Sandy Springs, were among the first in the country to espouse the anti-slavery clause. "The Sandy Springs Anti-slavery Society " was organized Oct. 3, 1836. A Constitution and by-laws were adopted, and received the signatures of thirty-three members, including both males and females.

Irish Bottom

The road from Rome to Buena Vista passes along the base of a continuous line of gigantic hills, which rear their tops hundreds of feet above the bottom below, while their sides are lined with perpendicular walls of rock, which are capped with huge blocks that have been detached by the frost and other forces «m the elements of nature. Many of these immense fragments see almost to be balanced upon it pivot, which the least dist urban would overset and hurl upon the traveler below, should he lr. pen to be within their line of descent. These hills crow d prel close upon the river, leaving but narrow bottoms, until o reaches Sulphur Run, about three miles above Rome, where tl begin to recede, and the bottoms widen uutltyou approach Sam Springs, where they again begin to approach tho river and so shut out the valley.

This bottom embraces an area of about 170o acres of as ferti! land as can be found anywhere. It embraces the surveys of Join: Steele, Mayo Carrington and David McDcrined. The eastern portion was settled by Duncan McCall, Abner Ewing, Recompense S. Mqrphy, and William Murphy, who nil came, about 1805. They were from New Jersey, and tiffs part df(tho valley was called the "Jersey Bottom." Then came Jonathan Kenyon, who was a Yankee, and-aftcr him came William Smith. Next came William Heath, (whom William Early brought out in 1811 or 1S12,) Archibald Morriamn John Morrison, John QuincySAda.us. These came in 1805, ancScttled on the lower part ot the bottom. They were Irish - or of Irish descent - and their portion of the valley was called Irish Bottom, a nft«je that has sibcc beqn applied to the whole bottom. This is a well -improved/ highly cultivated and prosperous comrhunijfy - is organized into an Independent School District with- a good school house, and has within its limits the three churches qt cisewlic:c mentioned. '

, i On i Ik* nfh i*nooii of February 21 Id, 18(19, Frank mid Ida f;ii |u.|. wnc engug. d in repairing tlio stulls Jn tho stable, and w Ini,- thus engaged, the* boy look an axe, and by blows on tlio u id, ; t, killed Mr. Hire. lie (lion .dug a hole near tlio river baiib. and liai ed I lie dead man to it on a sled, burned him and >i;iried down the river, got on a boat lictu*, or at Manchester, and M0t ;IS t'.t r as r.iiro, Illinois, where he was arrested, brought back, indicted, tried it the September term of tjio Common Pleas Court, found guilty o» murder in the first degree, and sentenced to be hung, on the second Friday in February, 1870, between the hours of 12 o'clock M. and two o'clock P. M. on that day. 1 1 is counsel carried his case to the Supreme Court, which suspended the execution. The rulings of the court below being sustained, it remained for the Supreme Court to lix the day for the execution, which was ordered to take place May G, 1870, between the hours of <) o'clock, A. M. and 4 o'clock P. M., on said day. Thus the matter remained until the 27th of April, when Governor llayes commuted his punishment to imprisonment in the penitentiary for life. These papers were received by the Sheriff on April 30, and on the third day of May, Hardy was delivered to the officers of the Ohio Penitentiary, and safely enclosed in its walls. While serving out his sentence he was in the fall of 1879, pardoned by Gov. Bishop, and set free again. lie soon settled in Kentucky, where ho now resides.

Murder Of Luti1Er Collier

Sometime previous to July, 1872, an ill feeling had existed between Luther Collier and James AV. Harper, growing out. of the circumstance of the former having made an unsuccessful effort to collect some debt or claim from the latter, by process of law. There was a bitter feeling between the parties in consequence thereof. They accidently ipet at a public sale, at the house of AA'ash Brown, one and a half miles below Rome, on the 23d of July, 1872.. A personal combat ensued, and while the parties were down, Harper drew a knife with which lie stabbed Collier in the back, penetrating his lungs, from which wounds he died on the 13th day of the succeeding August. Harper was arrested, indicted, tried at the May term of Court, 1874, found guilty of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to the penitentiary for life. In the latter part of November, 1879, he was pardoned by Gov. Bishop.