Morgan County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (1 of 2 so headed), 1886

Biographical sketches

Gen. Robert McConnel , - The founder of the town of McConnelsville and in his lifetime one of the foremost citizens of the county of Morgan, was a native of Pennsylvania, born near Chamberburg, August 23, 1773. He was an Ohio pioneer, coming to the vicinity of Chillicothe among the earliest colonists of that portion of the State, whence he removed to Muskingum County and settled on a farm about live miles from Zanesville. His sound sense, ability and good judgment brought him into prominence among the sturdy pioneers of the Muskingum Valley, and from 1808 to 1815, inclusive, he served continuously as a State senator from the district in which Muskingum County was included. In 1816-17 and again in 1819-20 he represented Muskingum County in the lower branch of the general assembly.

He entered the tract of land on which the town of McConnelsville now stands, and on the establishment of the county seat on this tract donated for public purposes, lots for the county buildings and for churches and school buildings, lie also held a considerable body of land situated in Morgan Township, near the village. He induced Jacob Kaliler, the first settler of McConnelsville, to make the first improvement in the village. and was always zealously interested in promoting the prosperity of the town and county. In 1827 he moved from Muskingum County to Mc- Connelsville, where he passed the remainder of his days. For a time he engaged in the mercantile business in a store on the public square, but chiefly occupied himself in looking after his extensive real estate interests. He served as one of the associate judges of Morgan County from 1830 to 1810, and was a brigadier-genera! and for several years a major-general of militia. He constructed a mill-dam and erected the first mill at McConnelsville, and for his services in building locks and a dam in connection with the river improvement, was granted a valuable water privilege by the State.

General McConnel was a democrat in politics and a Presbyterian in his religious faith. He was a man of honest purposes, liberal views and upright character, and was widely honored and esteemed. He died August 3, 1841. He was married in Muskingum County September 12, 1811, to Mary Adams, a native of Fauquier County, Va.,

James A. McConnel, only son of General Robert McConnel, was born in Muskingum County, May 12, 1822, and died November 19, 1871. After the decease of his father he succeeded to the management of the estate and was one of the foremost business men of the county. He built the mill now standing at McConnelsville, and in addition to this business was largely interested in farming, mercantile business, and in other ways was identified with the prosperity of the county. He was an active, public-spirited citizen, and was always ready to lend his aid to any enterprise that was calculated to promote the welfare of the community. He took but little part in politics, but was zealously devoted to local interests. Mr. McConnel died a bachelor.

Alexander McConnel, brother of General Robert McConnel, was born in Pennsylvania, March 15, 1791. He 1 came to McConnelsville in 1817, and from that time until his death was one of the most prominent and respected citizens of the county. In the early years of the town he operated a tannery. He afterward engaged in farming, and died October 21, 1853, on the

Sherwood farm south of the town. He married Polly Adams and reared a large family, none of whom now remain in the county. He served as brigadier and major-general of militia, and was an active democratic polititician. Few men enjoyed more of the 'esteem and confidence of the community, whether in a public or private capacity. His political life began early in the history of the county, and in 1820-21 he was a representative to the legislature. In 1822 he was one of the associate judges of the county, and from 1824 to 1827, inclusive, he served three terms in the legislature. In 1828-9 he was again a member of the same body ; in 1829-30, 1830-31 and 1841-42 he represented this district in the State Senate. As a presidential elector in 1832 he cast the vote of the State for President Andrew Jackson. He was a member of the first State board of public works in 1833-8, and in 1849-50 again served as associate judge. As is elsewhere stated, his course in the legislature placed General Harrison on the road toward the White House. His public life was characterized by honesty rather than brilliancy, and the many offices whic]i he filled sufficiently attest his popularity.

Joseph McConnel, brother of Robert and Alexander, was a farmer. He was bora March 14, 1793, and came to McConnelsville among the early sellers. He married Elizabeth Patterson and reared a family in the town. He died in 1868. Agnes McConnel, sister of the above, married James Adams, and about 1840 settled in McOonnelsville, where she lived until her decease.

that county and learned the millwright's trade when a young man. He moved thence to Frederick County, Md.. where he married Rachael Madary, built a grist mill on a small creek in that county and continued to run the mill until 1817, with the exception of part of the year 1813, when he served in the army, in the war between the United States and Great Britain. In the spring of 1817 lie emigrated to Ohio with his family, crossed the Alleghany mountains in a wagon, and after enduring many hardships and privations at the end of four weeks arrived at Zanesville. There his family remained until the fall of the same year, when they came to Morgan County, to the place afterward known as the town of McConnelsville, where Mr. Raider had erected a double log cabin, the first house of any kind in the place. The same year he entered a quarter section of land about two and one-half miles northeast of the town. Shortly after settling in McConnelsville he built a saw mill east of the town, on the stream known as McConnel's Run, for General Robert McConnel, the proprietor of the town. He continued :o follow his trade and to work at carpentry whenever his services were demanded in either direction. His occupations obliged him to be away from home a great deal of the time. The climaie along the river was very unhealthy and his family suffered much from fevers of various types. Between 1817 and 1824 three of his children died, victims of the deleterious influences of the climate. In 1826 Mr. Raider built a house on Ins land, to which he removed and there resided until his death in February, 1*44. His death resulted from a fall upon the floor of his barn from a height of sixteen feet. 1 1 is skull was fractured and he lived but three hours after the accident. After clearing away the dense forests and getting quite a fine farm under cultivation, his industry began to bear fruit, and his accumulations slowly but steadily increased. About 1840 he gave the entire management of the farm to his sons William and Andrew, who jointly occupied and cultivated the land until 1852. William then moved to Jackson County, Oregon, where he still resides. He has reared a family of ten children, who are scattered in various parts of the country. He has been a successful business man and has represented his county in the legislature. A sketch of the other surviving son. Andrew Kaliler, follows. There is but one of the other children of Jacob Kaliler now living - Mrs. Kraps, of McConnelsville.

Mr. Kaliler was a quiet, unassuming man, yet possessed of strong convictions, always ready to maintain the principles and doctrines he professed and to give a "reason for the hopes he entertained." His conduct was characterized by strict integrity and honesty, and it was a principle of his life to "owe no man anything." He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, bv reason of his conscientiousness and moral worth. He was a great admirer of John Quincy Adams - an anti- Jacksonian. He became a whig, and so remained until his death. Although sometimes severe in his criticism of the other party his opinions seldom gave offense. He always appeared to be contented with his lot. For three or four years preceding his death he spent much of his time in reading the Bible and sacred and profane history ; from his studies in this direction, as ivell as from the writings of Balfour, Ballou, Murray and others, he became an earnest believer in the doctrine of universal salvation. His wife survived him about six years and died in 1850.

Andrew Kahler

Andrew Kaliler, son of Jacob and Rachael (Madary) Kahler, is among the oldest residents of McConnelsville. He wis born in Frederick County, Maryland, August 16, 1813, and is of Herman descent. He moved to Ohio with his parents in the spring of 1817, and in the fall of the same year to McConnelsville, where his father was the first settler. He received a common school education in the imperfect pioneer schools, walking back and forth to Mc- Connelsville to attend school after his parents moved to the country. He lived on a farm from 1826 to 1857. When a young man he began teaching school, and followed that occupation, generally in the winter time, for eighteen or twenty years. He held the office of justice of the peace, and in 1857 was elected sheriff of the county, and moved to McConnelsville, where he has since resided, witji the exception of two years. He served two years as sheriff, and has also been coroner of the county several terms. From 1863 to 1868 (when the office was abolished) he was revenue assessor and storekeeper of the bonded warehouse. He published the McConnelsville Herald four years ; was in the grocery business in McConnelsville for two years, commencing in 1873, and from 1879 to the fall of 1885 he served as deputy county auditor. Mr. Kahler was formerly a whig, and is now a republican. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd

Fellows orders, and a Universalist in religion. He was married in January, 1837, to Susan Pyle, daughter of Jonathan Pyle, of this county. Their children are Harriet E. (Shephard), Indianapolis ; Francis M., now living in Nebraska ; Charles F... Columbus ; Kate H. (Paine), Columbus ; William S., Indianapolis.

Francis M. Kahler enlisted as a private in the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three months. In the fall of 1861 he reentered the service as first lieutenant of Company B, 62d Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served through the war, and rose through the several grades to the rank of major. After his return from the service he engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. Worley Adams, under the firm name of Adams & Kahler, until 1878.

Jacob Adams

The subject of this notice was one of the pioneers, and during his long life ranked among the leading influential citizens of Morgan County. Jacob Adams was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, November 8, 1788. Left an orphan in early life, and in destitute circumstances, his oldest brother, one of a family of eight children, moved the family and household effects in a cart, by way of Brownsville, to Pittsburgh. There he built a boat, in which he transported the family and goods to Limestone (now Maysville), Kentucky. There Jacob was bound out to a tailor of Paris, Kentucky, and after serving his time returned to Maryland and then worked about a year at his trade i i Winchester, Va. lie then started on mot for Ohio, alone and almost penniless. While walking along what is now the turnpike, then a muddy road, in a brown study as to how he should obtain his supper, he saw at his feet a piece of shining metal. Stooping to pick it up he found it to be a fifty -cent silver piece. He often said that he never had another half dollar that made him feel so happy. He, now almost at his journey's end, was rich enough to buy supper, and he was hungry. He stopped at Zanesville, where he married and lived, and worked at his trade until his removal to McConnelsville. While there he' volunteered in the war of 1812, and served six months.

In 1819 he moved his family to Mc- Connelsville, and from that time until his death 'witnessed the growth and prosperity of the town and county, aiding every beneficial public enterprise as far as he was able, and taking an earnest and zealous interest in local I matters. He began the mercantile business soon after his arrival, and in the following year added hotel-keeping to his business, becoming widely and favorably known as a landlord and entertaining many famous men as his guests. With the exception of about fifteen years which he spent on a farm he continued hotel-keeping as long as he lived. He was a successful merchant until about 1836. when lie engaged in saltmaking, which resulted for him in serious loss. He was also postmaster in the town of McConnelsville, and held the position several years.

As a- business man he was enterprising and sagacious. Soon after coming to the county he found money very scarce, and to accommodate his customers and make some profit possible for himself he bought up droves of hogs, and ('very year- for three years drove them to Baltimore to market. There he ex- changed them for merchandise, which was transported in wagons to McConnelsville. Such were some of the business methods of pioneer merchants.

The following is given as a single instance of the energy and business capacity of Mr. Adams : Some time after 1830 lie built a flatboat at McConnelsvi lie, which he loaded with wheat for which he paid 37i cents per bushel. This he took to Maysville, Ivy., where it was converted into flour, and with the flour started for New Orleans. On his arrival he found flour remarkably cheap, and it seemed almost certain that he would be a heavy loser by his venture. But chancing to pick up a Charleston, S. C., paper, he noticed that bacon commanded a good price in that city. Accordingly he exchanged bis flour for bacon, and had it transported by vessel to Charleston. There he sold the bacon, and proceeding to Baltimore bought goods with which he returned to McConnelsville. His lengthy trip did not bring much profit, but his shrewdness and prudent foresight prevented a heavy loss.

Mr. Adams always took an active interest in local and general politics. In the early years of the county he was a "Junto," and next a Jacksonian democrat ; 1 iut after -I ackson vetoed the United States bank bill he became an earnest whig and then a republican. He was lie was a man of strong constitution and robust health, and continued active even in old age. He died, September 23, 1880, at the ripe old age of nearly ninety-two years, and in his death many

I citizens both of the town and county felt that an irreparable loss had been sustained. He was married in Zanesville, August 1, 1811, to Lydia Shugert, daughter of John Shugert, of Muskingum County. She died April 20, 1826, liafing borne five children - Eli, Janies, .John, Worley, and Eliza (Shepard). Of these children Worley is the only survivor. March d, 1828, Mr. Adams married Miss Amelia Wise, of Brownsville, Pa., who died November 27, 1875. Of this marriage five children were born - Henry (deceased), and Alfred, Catharine, William and Jacob (living).

Worley Adams the oldest living native of McConnelsville, son of Jacob and Mydia Adams, was born November 13, 1819, and has resided all his life in Morgan County. In early fife he worked at various occupations, but since he was twenty-two years of age he has followed the mercantile business in McConnelsville. He is now the head of the dry goods firm of Adams A Kahler, one of the leading business houses of the town. Mr. Adams is a republican in politics. He served as township trustee for twelve years and has held some village ottices. He has been an influential member of Valley Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F., since 18L7. He was married in 1842 to Millie Shepard, daughter of the late Judge Nathaniel Shepard, of this county. Three children have been born to them - Elizbeth A., wife of Major F. M. Kahler, of Nebraska ; Emma J., at home, and Chester W., Iowa.

Jacob Adams, born November 7, 1841, is the youngest son of Jacob and Amelia Adams. In September, 1 861, lie enlisted in Company II, 17th O. J'. I., and becoming a veteran, served untd July, 1865, participating in all the bg/tm'connelsville.

ties and campaigns of this regiment. During all this time he had no furlough and was not off duty a single day for any cause. Among the fifteen engagements in which he took part were the notable battles of Perryville, Stone River, Resaca, Mission Ridge, siege of Corinth, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Bentonville, Chickamauga, etc. lie was sergeant of the company at muster out. Mr. Adams is the popular commander of Hughes Post, No. 285, G. A. R., and is zealously devoted to its interests. He was married in April, 1868, to Miss Julia Chadwick.

The Pinkerton Family

Alexander R. Pinkerton, one of the pioneers of McConnelsville, was born in Allegheny County, Pa., in 1783. His father, also named Alexander, was a native of Scotland, and came to this country shortly after the revolutionary war. He was one of the pioneers of Allegheny County, Pa., and was killed by the Indians while at work in the held. Ilis wife with her children, three daughters and two sons, John and Alexander, escaped to what is now Pittsburgh, then known as Fort Pitt. After the Indians were driven from the vicinity Mrs. Pinkerton returned to her home, where Alexander R. was reared. He acquired in Pittsburgh the trade of a cabinet-maker, and in 1805 was married to Miss Nancy Adams, of Fayette County, Pa.

In November of 1805 Robert A. was born, and shortly after the family removed to Heaver County, Pa., where for a time the elder Pinkerton followed his trade. In company with his brother-in-law, Alexander Adams, lie bought a tract of four hundred acres of land on Little Heaver* Creek, to which he removed with his family. He soon became quite extensively engaged in business. He built a sawmill and gristmill and also kept a store. Through a defective title, however, he was dispossessed of his hard earnings, and almost disheartened he removed to New Castle, Pa., where he remained until 1820, when with his family, consisting of his wife and six children, Robert A., Amzi C., Eliza, Alexander, David and Henry, he started for Athens, Ohio, on a flatboat. Arriving at Marietta, he visited Athens, but not finding it a desirable location, he concluded to locate in Zanesville. Before starting, however, he happened to get a copy of the Chillicothe Recorder , which contained a glowing description of a new town, by the name of McConnelsville, on the Muskingum. The advantages offered were so flattering that he concluded to make it his future home. The journey was made on a keelboat, the elder Pinkerton and his son Robert walking, one on each side of the river, for the purpose of selling cordage to the settlers along the route, taking their pay in provisions. A few miles below McConnelsville Mr. Pinkerton ascertained that he was near the town, and joining his son, the two soon reached the spot where is now the Baptist church, where they found James Earn son chopping. Mr. Pinkerton inquired the distance to McConnelsville.

From the article referred to, Mr. Pinkerton had received the impression that the town was a thriving young village of twenty -five or thirty families, and the information quite overcame him, and it was some little time before he regained his composure. It being late in the afternoon he asked Larrison if lie could direct him to a place where they could obtain accommodations for the night. Larrison said, " Yes, sir. Your humble servant kee]>s the ' Sign of the Buck,'" which they found to be a two-story log structure nearly destitute of either doors, windows or floors. He found, however, two old Pennsylvania friends - James Young and John Jack - which in a degree relieved him of his disappointment.

Shortly after Ids arrival lie moved into a cabin which stood where is now the northeast corner of the Stanbery Block, where he remained for many years, and where for ten years Robert A. did business as a cabinet-maker. The elder Pinkerton did watch repairing and money -cutting. The latter occupation was quite remunerative. lie died in McConnelville in 1837. March 29th, 1830, Robert A. was married to Miss Lydia A. Johnson. Three children were the result of this union, only one of whom, Mrs. W. M. Grimes, is now living. Mr. Pinkerton has been largely identified with the development of the village, of which he has been a resident for sixty-six years. While devoting himself strictly to his business, he has filled several positions of trust and responsibility. He was sheriff of the county from 1845 to 1849, and at various times has been mayor of the village.

Of the children of Alex. R. Pinkerton, Amzi C. is deceased; Eliza (Olipliant) resides in Indiana; Alexander died in McConnelsville in 1827; David is a resident of Washington, D. C. For fifteen years he was probate judge of Morgan County, and one of its leading citizens. Two of his sons J. W.

In 1809, his health having become seriously impaired, the doctors held a consultation, told him his lungs were affected beyond earthly help, and if lie had anything to say let it be known immediately, as he had but few days to live. He replied, "I have something to say : 1 am going to Ohio before I die." The next day he walked a quarter of a mile, and felt so exhausted that he was compelled to stop for the night. In the morning he resumed his journey. Continuing on, each day he was able to walk a little farther, until his daily journey amounted to several miles. He persevered and reached Ohio. He came to what is now Morgan County, crossing the Muskingum by wading it at the head of the island below McConnelsville. Proceeding along the bank to the top of Sandy Hill he made his way through dense woods along what is now Center Street, McConnelsville. That he might not lose his way he blazed trees with a hatchet as he went along.

After an absence of six months Mr. Shepard reached his home in Connecti- j cut. He had so recovered his health that on the day he arrived at his home | he walked forty miles. October 14, 1S10, he married Hyla Merriam in j Meriden. Conn. In 1817, his health 1 again beginning to fail, he put his wife i and two children in a small one-horse t wagon and again started for Ohio. Af- f ter a journey of six weeks the family stopped three miles from Malta, and moved into a little hut without door or window. There (in 1818) Mr. Shepard entered a quarter section of land. He soon put up a cabin, and as the old stage road passed by it he kept travelers. While at work hewing timber to make an addition to his house his broad-ax slipped and split his kneecap. The nearest doctor was at Zanesville. The wound required immediate attention, therefore Mr. Shepard dressed it himself, and sewed up the gash by taking six stitches. The first term of court in Morgan County lie attended, going in his bare feet, as shoes were not easily procured at that day. Whether from this circumstance, or from the wound made with the broadaxe, he was given the name of " Broadhorns," which he bore until the title of Judge Shepard took its place. He served as one of the associate judges of the county in 18J7-51. In 1851 he removed to Athens County where he remained five years. In 1856 he moved to McConnelsville, where he resided until his death - caused by consumption - May 21, 1857. He followed mercantile business many years in the town. Mrs. Shepard died January 20, 1876, at the age of eighty -six. They had five children, two of whom were born in Connecticut and the rest in Morgan County ; Eli, who died in Iowa; Itoxa (Gaylord) now a resident of Morgan County; Seth, who died in this county in 1885 ; Milly, wife of Worley Adams, McConnelville ; Eliza (Dickey), now living near McConnelsville.

Daniel Chandler

Among the notable characters in the early history of Morgan County was Daniel ('handler. lie was born in Rutland County, Vermont, in 1781; emigrated to Ohio in 1797; settled in Athens County, where he lived a short time, then came to the locality of Putnam, Muskingum County.

In 1802 he sailed on the brig " (Marietta," built at Marietta, Ohio, for Liverpool, England. When the vessel arrived at Liverpool the custom house officers were going to have the captain arrested for sailing under false papers, as they knew no seaport by the name of Marietta. The captain took a map, showed them the mouth of the Mississippi River, followed the river to the mouth of the Ohio, then up the Ohio to the town of Marietta, where the vessel had been built and loaded for Liverpool.

The crew of the Marietta were arrested by the press-gang and held in custody for forty-eight hours. Mr. Chandler was confined in a room ten by twelve feet with twenty -four other men. He got an opportunity of sending a note, written on a piece of his garment, to bis captain, who came to the prison, then called on the United States consul, and by the aid and description furnished by the consul he exculpated him from being an Irish subject. After his release he declared that if ever a war should break out between England and America, he would have reparation for this insult and arrest.

After bis return to his native country the opportunity was soon presented, and be entered the army under General Harrison. He was at Eort Stephenson daring the siege, and did good service i as a scout. He served through the | war, and in 1817 settled in Morgan Townhip and engaged in farming. He took an active part in the affairs of the county, and in 1SJ4 was elected to t hi' I legislature. He was much interested in the "Northwest Boundary" question, and made an able speech in defense of his position. The ('handlers were pioneers in many parts of the West. Zachariah Chandler, of Detroit, was a distant relative of the family of Daniel Chandler. Four of his children are now living - two sons and two daughters - -Mrs. Permelia Christy, Mary A. Moore, William and Daniel.

Colon Ef. William Hawkins

Colonel Hawkins was horn in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on the 18tli of August, 1796. lie moved with his father to Guernsey County, Ohio, in the year 1812, and came to live in McConnelsville about 1821, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred August 18, 1868.

Colonel Hawkins possessed line natural ability, was an able writer, good debater, and noted for excellent common sense. He was highly esteemed by his friends and acquaintances, and held many offices of trust and honor, all of which he discharged with satisfaction to his constituents - indeed, it was a matter of satisfaction to the Colonel himself that lie never was an unsuccessful candidate for any position.

His career as a public man commenced in 1827, when he was elected county assessor of Morgan County, and was reelected in 1828. He wTas elected sheriff of Morgan County in 1829, and again in 1831. In 1833 he was elected to the high and honorable position of State senator, from the district composed of Morgan and Perry Counties, which he filled with distinguished ability. In 1837 he was again elected to the senate, from the district composed of Morgan, Perry and Washington Counties, defeating Dr. Perley B. Johnson, his whig competitor. At the second session, in 1838, he was elected speaker of the senate, which under the old constitution of the State was the same as lieutenant-governor under the new constitution. The Hon. Benjamin F. Wade, late United States senator, was the colonel's opponent for the po- | sit ion. In April, 1850, members of the constitutional convention, which framed our present State constitution, were elected, and Colonel Hawkins was chosen as a member from Morgan County, and in December, 1852, he was elected to the Senate to fill the unexpired term of the Hon. C. C. Covey, who was so badly injured by the explosion of the steamer "Buckeye Belle" that he died, and who was the first senator elected under the new constitution from the Washington and Morgan district.

After serving his count}' and district in many civil positions, enjoying in a preeminent degree the confidence of his fellow-citizens, the perfect confidence of his fellow-senators, as shown by the places of prominence and trust to which they appointed him, Colonel Hawkins remained a private citizen, engaged in different business pursuits after his senatorial term of 1852, esteemed and respected by all who knew him.

George P. Morris, one of the pioneer merchants and prominent citizens of McConnelsville, was born in 1798 in Trowbridge, a manufacturing village of Wiltshire, England. His father, Joseph Morris, was a Avell-to-do merchant and a man of some prominence in his native town. He reared a family of six children, three sons and three daughters.

In those days it was the custon in wellregulated English families to educate one of the sons for some profession. Young George evidencing an inclination for books was given an academical education and fitted for the profession of a teacher. The plans of the parents, however, were doomed to disappointment, the glowing accounts of the new country and the opportunities offered for the acquirement of property and position, excited his youthful mind and in 1817 in company with an elder brother Edward lie came to Marietta, Ohio, where the former found employment as a teacher and the latter at his trade, that of a coppersmith. The expectations they had formed of the new Elderado were fully realized, and in a short time Edward returned to England for the family.

Previous to his departure, however, the boys had come up the Muskingum to where Rokeby Lock now is, and negotiated for the purchase of a large tract of land in Bloom Township. In 1819 the entire family took passage for their new home, and after an uneventful but tedious voyage arrived safely and began the development of their property. The clearing of the land and the production of crops was to them a new enterprise, and their inexperienced efforts resulted in a signal failure ; they therefore leased their lands and betook themselves to other avocations. At this time the production of salt was the leading industry of the Muskingum Valley, and George became engaged in its manufacture, a business he followed very successfully for many years. In 1837 became to McConnelsville and engaged in the manufacture of tinwain1, and in 1849 in the hardware trade with the same success that had characterized his other business ventures. LTp to the time that he became incapacitated by age for active business life, no one was more prominently identified with the commercial interests of the county or did more for its development than he.

In 1870, despite his age and infirmities he began the erection of the Morris Block, which is a monument to his industry and energy, the building of which undoubtedly hastened his death,

| which occurred June 3, 1873. Mr. Morris was a man of sterling character, the personification of integrity, and a man of more than ordinary ability. In his demise McConnelsville lost one of its most valuable citizens.

In 1822 Mr. Morris was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of John Hammond, one of the pioneers of Bloom. The Hammonds are of Welsh descent and came to this country before the revolutionary war and settled in Baltimore, Md., where many of the family now reside and where Mrs. Morris was born on October 18, 1799. To them were born five children, Mary J., Sebasto E., Maria (Scott), Robert L. and William. The mother, a venerable lady of eighty-seven years, Maria and Robert L. are the only survivors of the family, The latter was born in Bloom Township in 1830, and continues the business established by his father.

In his religious views the elder Morris was a Methodist, and did much for the advancement of the religious interests of the village. He was a prominent and zealous member of the Corinthian Lodge F. and A. M. of McConnelsville. Politically he was a republican, but his extensive business interests prevented him from taking a prominent part in political matters, even

Luther I). Barker, one of the early settlers and pioneer merchants of Mc- Connelsville, was born near Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, December 14, 1794. Beared amid the influences of this typical New England town, he developed in early life those distinguishing1 traits of New England character - thrift, industry and enterprise. At the age of twenty-seven he married Miss Maria, daughter of Jonathan Devol, and for a short time they lived in Newport, Washington County, where Mr. Barker was engaged in farming. The life of a farmer was not congenial, and in 1825 he came to McConnelsville and began merchandising, which avocation he followed during the remainder or his life ; for a few years, however, he was also engaged in the manufacture of salt, owning the works below Malta, near the clam. He was classed among the prominent and successful business men of that period and was cpiite an extensive trader for those times. It was not, however, as a business man that Mr. Barker attained his greatest success. While his business interests were never neglected, all matters of public import received due consideration. In politics he was a whig, and he always took an active interest in the exciting political contests of the olden times and yet was remarkably free from that demagogism so unseemly in the citizen of a republic.

Mr. Barker was a most pronounced temperance advocate and one of the earliest pioneers in the cause. He was the leading spirit in the first temperance convention held in McConnelsville in 1834, and from that time he identified himself with every temperance movement and was always ready to forward the interests of this great reformation by any means within his power.

No biography of Mr. Barker would be complete without prominent reference to his labors as a Christian. He aided in laying the substructure of religion in the infant village, and no sooner was he established in business than he began to work for the organization of a church of his faith. IBs efforts were rewarded in the erection and dedication of the Baptist church of McConnelsville in 1832. Like other pioneer churches it had a struggling existence, and during all its vicissitudes he bore the larger part of its financial burdens and gave to it his most active energies until his health gave way from a stroke of paralysis in the spring of 1843. Although a wreck physically and mentally, yet the same spirit was manifest, and he was as zealous as when in possession of his health and faculties. He died March 31, 1845, in the fifty-first year of his age. From a sketch of his life, prepared by a gentleman who knew him intimately for years, we make the following extract : " Mr. Barker was one of our most distinguished citizens, prompt, honest and benevolent. If he had an enemy it was based on political prejudice." He was the father of six children, four of whom survived him - Charles L., who became his successor in business and one of the prominent citizens of the county; Bev. J. Henry, the present efficient superintendent of the Children's Home ; Ann Maria, wife of Bev. S. G. Dawson, one of the prominent Baptist ministers of the State, and Mrs. Alfred Wilkin, now residing in Toledo, Ohio.

Joseph Kelly

Jose])h Kelly was an early settler and a prominent citizen of McConnelsville. He was reared in Marietta and came to Morgan County when a young man. lie was one of the pioneer saltmakers of the county, and prominent in the development of that industry. As early as 1828 he moved to McConnelsville, where for a number of years he carried on the mercantile business. He was a man of considerable influence, though quiet and unassuming in his manners and never seeking distinction. He was an earnest democrat, and served with credit as a member of the State board of equalization. He was well informed and of sound judgment. He died in 1872, aged sixtyseven years. He was married in this county to Electa B. Chandler, and was the father of eight children, six of whom are living.

James Watkins, Esq

Few men are I letter known to the inhabitants both of town and county than the subject of this notice. James Watkins was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 1, 1S0G. His father, Jonathan Watkins, was among the first settlers of that county. He was a farmer and blacksmith, and came to Ohio from the vicinity of Philadelphia. Wilbert Watkins, father of Jonathan, was of Quaker origin, and was killed at the battle of Breed's Hill. James passed his boyhood in Athens County, lie is self-educated, excepting a- few terms at the Ohio University. lie settled in McConnelsville in 1833, and has since resided here, working at 1 1 is trade, that of harnessmaking. He served three years as recorder of Morgan County, being elected in 1838. lie has twice been mayor of the village, and held that office at the time the famous McConnelsville liquor ordinance was passed. This law he enforced with characteristic earnestness. Since 1869 he has been justice of the peace. The 'Squire has always been a politician, and always a democrat. He is well read, especially in legal and theological matters. He has been married four times, and is the father of eight children, of whom six are living.

Mon. William Mukhin

William Durbin was born in Frederick County, Md., on the 1 1th day of October, 1802. II is father's name was Dan Durbin. At the age of twelve years he moved with his father's family to Lancaster County, Pa. In about three years from the time they settled in Pennsylvania his mother died, and his father having a large family of children, William left home at the age of sixteen years, without money and with but little education, to try unaided his fortune among strangers; but by his diligence and industry he learned the carpenter trade, and also attended school and acquired sufficient education to enable him to perform the duties which devolved upon him in after life. At the age of nineteen he, with the family of Caleb Wells and others, emigrated to Morgan Countv, Ohio, and worked at different places, either as a farmhand or at his trade, lie sometimes got employment in and about Marietta, at which place he became acquainted with Martha Nixon, daughter of William Nixon, one of the earliest settlers in tin1 State, and was married to heron the 10th day of August, 1S26. They resided in Marietta till tin* following spring, when they removed to the village of McConnelsville, purchasing lots number 1 and 12 of the original town, on which a log house had already been erected. He soon afterward built a carpenter-shop on the southeast corner of lot 12 which has been converted into a dwelling house and is still standing. Here lie worked at his trade till the year 1834, when he became a candidate for the office of county auditor. He was then in the thirty-second year of his age, but lie had a remarkably youthful appearance, and being of a retiring, bashful disposition, strangers on meeting him would take him to be scarcely above twenty-one years of age, and his boyish look was often the subject of comment during the campaign. He was elected to the office by a small majority. He was reelected to a second and third term, each time by a larger majority, leading the whole ticket, thus attesting his popularity and ability as an officer. At the expiration of his third term of office he removed with his family to a farm, or rather, to a quarter section of unimproved land which he purchased in Bloom Township, and engaged in rural pursuits.

Soon after his removal to the country he was appointed associate judge of Morgan County, which office lie held till the fall of 1848, when he was nominated as a candidate for representative. lie resigned his judgeship and was duly elected representative. He spent the winter of 1848-9 at the State capital in the discharge of his official duties, and returned home in the spring in very poor health and died of typhoid fever on the 19th of April, 1849, being in the forty-seventh year of his age. He left three sons: Samuel, William

In religious belief Mr. Durbin was a Universalist, but as there was no organized cliui'ch at or near McConnelsville during his residence in the country he never joined any church.

James Kelly Jones was born at Marietta, Ohio, August 28, 1812. He was named for his maternal grandfather, Janies Kelly, who was killed by the Indians at Belleville, at the outbreak of the Indian war in the spring of 1791.

At the same time the father was killed the little son Joseph was captured and we have the following account of his captivity and recovery in Dr. S. P. Hildreth's "Memoirs of the Early settlers of Ohio."

" Amongst those known to have been captured was Joseph Kelly, a lad taken from Belleville, Ya., in 1791, and whose widowed mother lived in Marietta, her husband having been killed at the time of the capture of Joseph. In the autumn of 1795 the Indians had brought in and given up all their prisoners, as j provided in the treaty made that year.

Yet no account could be had of young Kelly, and it was quite uncertain whether he was dead or alive. But the Indians seldom put boys to death after they Avere prisoners. Although nearly all hope had ceased of his recovery, Colonel R. J. Meigs, one of the officers 1 Avho negotiated and carried out the set- i tlement with the Indians, continued to j inquire of every neAv Indian face he saAV. At length tAvo Indians said they knew of two white boys on the headwaters of the Auglaize River who were kept back by their masters. Hoping that one of these boys might be the widow's son he immediately applied to Cfeneral Wayne for a messenger to be sent for them. One of these Indians as a guide and a white man were sent out.

Joseph had been adopted into the family of an old Indian warrior, named Mishalena, who had lost live sons in the war with the whites and had now no child left but one daughter, and yet he adopted this boy as his own, although the son of his enemies. Mr. Kelly said that the old warrior was one of the most kind and benevolent men he ever knew and had a noble and commanding appearance ; he was now too old for war, but was in great favor with his tribe as an able counselor. Ilis adopted mother's name was Patepsa. She never accepted him with the hearty good will of Mishalena, but always gave him plenty to eat when she had it. Joseph was only six years old when captured, and was now eleven. He parted with his Indian parents and the boys of the tribe with great regret. He had lived with them so long in the wild freedom of the forest that he had forgotten his native language and almost his former name. His Indian parents had given him the name Lalaque. They accompanied him to Greenville, parting with him very reluctantly. As a parting gift, Mishalena presented him with a beautiful bow and arrow made with his own hands.

"On the arrival of the boy at the Fort, Colonel Meigs sent for the tailor and had him fitted out with warm woolen dresses after the fashion of the whites and the blanket and leggins were laid aside. Joseph's mother had described the boy's hair, eyes and looks so accurately that at the first glimpse Colonel Meigs picked him out. The Indian interpreter soon confirmed his opinion by talking with him in the Shawanoe dialect. On being questioned he remembered the names of his brothers and his own name. Colonel Meigs was satisfied that he was the lost son of the sorrowing widow, who for the whole period of his absence never omitted him in her daily prayers or sat' down to the table with her children without mentioning his name. So anxious was Colonel Meigs to restore the boy to his bereaved mother that he started in February across the swamps and pathless forest for Marietta. A young, active Shawanoe Indian named 'Throm' guided the party, which consisted of six soldiers, Colonel Meigs and the boy, with six horses, and they passed through the wilderness without deviation and struck the Muskingum River at Rig- Rock, a noted Indian land mark.

" The party reached Marietta early in March, and the fervent and oft repeated prayer of the widow for the restoration of her lost son was at length answered, to the great joy and thankfulness of Colonel Meigs, by whose unwearied exertions it had been accomplished."

Mr. Jones removed with his parents to Wolf Creek in Deerfield Township in 1816 and started life in the wilderness upon the farm known in later years as the " John Trainer farm." lie was the oldest son, and many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life fell upon him. Ilis father was a carpenter bv trade, knew but little about farming, and besides had purchased his land on payments; and it required the greatest care and industry to provide for the family and meet his payments. Mr. , I ones' father brought the first sheep that came to the neighborhood, and it became a part of the daily routine duties of James to guard them from the wolves through the day and pen them at night m a pen prepared so high and tight that wolves could not get at them.

Mills at that time were poor and far apart, and young Jones was mill-boy for the family. The first few years his father had no team except oxen, and the roads were only paths through the forests. Young Jones would often take a bag of corn, tie it on the yoke and mount the near ox and go several miles to mill. On one occassion he went to a horse-mill near Porterville, and after waiting all day got his bag of meal and started for home. When near the place afterward known as the Stone House, a pack of wolves followed him quite a distance, barking and howling like demons.; but mounted upon his ox with a good whip he bravely made the trip home in the night. On another occasion, a few years latter, he took a bag of wheat upon a horse and went to the White Mills near Windsor. On his return just at night, being hungry he stopped at the orchard of Colonel Stone, below Malta, and when out of sight some mischievous person concealed his horse. Supposing the horse had got loose, he ran to Malta and there found the horse had not passed through town. He returned and found his horse tied where he had left him. Col. Stone had made the mischievous person, who proved to be his daughter, return the horse. This trip involved a ride of over thirty miles, a good part of the way through the forest and along mere paths. There were no free schools in that day and Mr. Jones only had an opportunity to learn reading, writing and spelling in the schools he did attend. His eldest sister taught one of the first schools in the neighborhood on the subscription plan, for which she was to have fifty cents per week and "board among the scholars." A few years later, when she got one dollar per week she was considered very fortunate. The first money Mr. Jones earned after he became of age was in chopping wood at Thomas Stone's salt works at eight dollars permonth. Afterward he took the place of kettle tender at ten dollars per month and put in regularly eighteen hours per day.

In 1836 he fitted out a small trading boat and loaded it with flour, potatoes, dried apples and peaches, beans and other products. He ran it down the Ohio, and after selling out, went on to New Orleans. This trip paid him very well and gave him a start in business He made a second trip in 1837, and after his return, bought the farm in Deerfield Township now owned by George Martin. In 18-12 he married Mary Whitaker and continued to live on the farm until 1866. He has been industrious, temperate and frugal, and as a consequence has been successful in business. In the last named year he moved to McConnelsville, where he still resides, lie had two daughters and one son, a promising lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, who died in 1882. The daughters reside in McConnelsville, one the wife of John L. Cochran and the other with her parents. Mr. Jones was admitted to the practice of the law in 1870, but his principal business since 1866 has been the loaning of money. At present he is the president of the First National

Captain William Davis

Captain William Davis was born in Bedford County, Pa., December, 14, 1817, and came to Zanesville, Ohio, with his father in the summer of 1835. He began his career as a steamboatman in his twentieth year as a deck hand on a Zanesville and Dresden packet, and from that humble position he worked his way to a competency, tilling every position from a deck hand to a commander. In 1838 he shipped as second cook on the steamer " Tuscarawas," plying between Zanesville and Dresden. On this boat he tilled the positions of cook, pilot, fireman and engineer. The " Tuscarawas " becoming incapacitated by age, he became first engineer on the " John McIntyre." By close application to his duties and rigid economy he saved a little money, and by the aid of a friend he built and ran the steamer " Ohio" in the Dresden trade, and was quite successful. After the " Ohio " had become aged he took an interest in the steamer " Zanesville No. 1," acting as captain, clerk, pilot or engineer as occasion required. After- ! ward he built the steamer " Freighter," I which he ran as a Zanesville, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati packet. He afterward took the vessel into the Upper Mississippi trade, when he sold her. Returning to Zanesville he became part owner in the "Zanesville No. 2," which he commanded, and which was run as a tri-weekly packet between Dresden and McConnelsville. He next, in connection with Captain Edward Martin and the late Captain C. C. Morgan, built and ran the " Mink No. 1," between Me- ; Connelsville and Zanesville. He com- j manded this boat for six years, when his partner, Captain Morgan, took his place. In 1865 Captain Davis, Morgan and Martin formed a copartnership under the name of " The Muskingum Packet Company." Under Captain Davis' superintendency they built the "Mink No. 2," which is still running. They bought and ran the " J. H. Best." Afterward they built the " Lizzie Cassel" and the "Olivette."

The " Mink No. 1," "Mink No. 2," the " Lizzie Cassel " and the' " Olivette " were built under Captain Davis' superintendency, and attest his skill and competency in the building of steamers. In December of 1884 he retired from the command of the " Cassel " and in the following March sold his interest in the packets to Captains Morgan and Martin. This was the ending of a business career extending through a period of nearly half a century, during which time he had been a conspicuous personage on the Muskingum and ( )hio Rivers, and had enjoyed a degree of popularity among hi's associates and the traveling public seldom attained. He was remarkable for his kindness and good nature, and a thorough gentleman in every sense of the word. II is success was due largely to industry, sterling honesty and Ids intimate knowledge of the business in which he was engaged. In 1849 Captain Davis was married to Mrs. Emily Buckingham in Washington, Pa., who still survives him. 1 1 is decease occurred at his home in McConnelsville, January 22, 1 885.

County, N. Y., July 17, 1810. His father, Diodate Morgan, was of Welsh descent, and was born in New London, Conn., January 23, 1785. He was married in 1809 to Miss Lucy Church, and to their care was given a family of ten children, eight daughters and two sons, the subject of this biography being the eldest. From Connecticut he emigrated with his family to New York, and from thence to Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio, September, 1825, where he resided the greater part of his time until his decease, which occurred May 24, 1881, at the remarkable age of ninetysix years. He was a man of powerful physique, and possessed of a generous amount of sterling good sense. He gave his children all the educational advantages within his power, and all received good educations. Carleton C. being the eldest of the family he began to assume the responsibilities of life at a very early age. In a letter to a cousin written when he was in his fourteenth year, and while his father was suffering from reverse of fortune, he says : " We live in a world of disappointment, and I must bear my part. Once there were many flattering prospects, but they have passed by, and though everything now looks dark I hope we may live to see better times." A year later he was at work on the excavation of the Ohio Canal at Newark at eight dollars per month, and in another letter he says : "I am cold, wet and sleepy. My head aches so that I am almost insensible to everything around me. My clothes are worn, and I have no money to obtain more." Such were his youthful experiences, and perhaps the hardships of his youth made him better fitted for the work which came to him in after life. The time for several succeeding years was i spent upon his father's farm, where the summer's work was alternated by a term at the district school in winter. An active mind and a retentive memory enabled him to lay bv a fund of information to which he continued to make additions as long as he lived. In 1830 he found employment as a stage driver from Sunbury to Delaware, and in the latter part of this year lie writes his parents that " he was at work on a canal boat." This was the initial effort in the business in which he was afterward so successfully engaged. Two years later he was in command of a boat. Ilis perseverance and integrity had met with deserved success, and for a time his affairs were in a very prosperous condition; but through the perfidy of an associate the results of his patient industry and frugality were lost. To him, however, "defeat was not conquest."

He came to Zanesville and engaged in the shipping house of Allen, Cadawallader & Co. He devoted his leisure time to perfecting his business education, and in a short time he was doing business on the Muskingum. His devotion to the interests of his employers, and his strict attention to all his duties, soon gave him prominence and promotion, and in a little time he acquired a working interest in two or three boats that plied between Zanesville and Dresden. At the latter place he was married in 1850 to Miss Charlotte A. Kellogg. The union was blessed with two children, Nettie (Mell) and Diodate, the present captain of the steamer "Mink." Captain Morgan resided in Dresden until the upper trade of the river was abandoned, when he moved to McConnelsville, and to the time of his decease, March 9, 1884, he was the commander of the "Mink." No man on the river was more exten- sively or favorably known than Captain Morgan. He was a steadfast friend, a kind father and an indulgent husband. As a brother he fulfilled faithfully a trust committed to him by his mother, and to his sisters he was a father, always ready to minister to their wants or to counsel them when required. One of the leading dailies of Zanesville, in a biography published at the time of his death, said : " Captain Morgan was a public benefactor. His manner of life was plain and unostentatious as were his liberal charities. He was noted for his general intelligence and genial disposition, and was a true type of the American gentleman."

Marietta, Ohio, was born in Waterford Township, Washington County, Ohio, January 28, 1814. In 1835 he came to Morgan County, as manager of the Fulton Salt Works, and the following1 year to McConnelsville, where he engaged in merchandising. He did a successful business for about ten years, Avhen he became the agent of all the salt works on the river, excepting two ; or three. Upon the formation of the First National Bank of McConnelsville he became its cashier, which position he resigned on account of ill health.

Dalphon Devol, brother of G. C. Devol, came to McConnelsville in 1836, and for a time was engaged with his brother in the mercantile business. For many years he has been doing business at Eagleport, Bloom Township, where he now resides.