Scioto County, Ohio - Chapter 7, 1903 (part 6 of 8)

About 1811 he undertook to plat and sell the Front of the town on the river south of Water street, and went so far as to sell.one lot to General William Kendall for $80.00. It was opposite lot 280, and was six poles square. About the same time he sold two lots to William Lodwick, opposite his lots on the north side of Front street. The latter bought them for a wood yard. 'This matter troubled the town for years, and was the subject of much public agitation. __Delegates were sent to him at Louisville, lawyers were employed and testimony de bene esse taken. The matter was supposed to be settled on August 7, 1829, when Massie was paid $3,000.00 and he gave the town a deed, but it was not signed by his wife.

After Henry Massie's death, his widow asserted a claim as executrix of her husband and dowress in this land, and the matter was bandied back and forth until 1842, when, on June 19, the city paid her and John. L. Martin $1,087.62 for a release of her claim.

It is in tradition that after Henry Massie had purchased the site of Portsmouth, he revisited it and found Captain Josiah Shackford there. 'The Captain informed him that he had expected to purchase the same land, to plat a town on it and name it Portsmouth. Major Massie then told Captain Shackford, if he would aid him in building up the town, he would name it' for Portsmouth, Captain Shackford's native place.

Captain Shackford agreed to Major Massie's proposition, and the town rcceived the name of Portsmouth. Whether the same be true or not, Captain Shackford and Massie became great friends, and Shackford did all he could to promote the town of Portsmouth.

When Massie began to sell lots he usually sold a lot 82% feet front by 132 feet deep for $50.00. He: was content to sell his land outside of the lots for $10.00 per acre.

In 1807 he vacated all of his town plat of 1803 north of the center line between Second and Third streets, and made the inlots into outlots of about three acres each. 'This was probably done because he despaired of the town.

Major Massie made his will but two days before his death. He gave to his. wife his home estate of 430 acres and his slaves and their increase, his moneys on hand, debts due him in Kentucky, and his stock in the Shelbyville and Louisville turnpike road; also $3,000 and the securities for the same, owing to him but payable to him some time in the future by the corporation of Portsmouth in the State of Ohio. He directed that his debts be paid and the interest on $1,400 be paid to his brother, Thomas Massie during his life, the principal on his death to go to his wife. He gave his nieces, Constance Massie and Elizabeth Thompson each $3,000. The residue of his estate he divided between his nephews, Heath Jones, of Louisville, Kentucky; Nathaniel Massie of Ohio; Henry Bullitt, son of Cuthbert Bullitt, and Alexander Scott Bullitt. The will expresses a great affection for his wife and his desires to provide for her. She seemed to have been much attached to him, but that did not prevent her marrying twice after his death. The following is a tribute written by Mrs. Massie in regard to him directly after his death. 'He fell like a noble tree, after two or three strokes, with all his sap and verdure, with extended boughs and rich foliage, while many were reposing in his-shadow and partaking of his fruits. Seldom has deatn gained a richer spoil than in the extraction of the earthly existence of this admirable man." was born July 7, 1794, in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. His grandfather was in the Revolutionary War. His father was a farmer. He lived at home until he was sixteen, when he was apprenticed to a shoe makcr in Exeter, New Hampshire. He served five years. He was in the first company, Fourth Regiment, New Hampshire Militia, in the war of 1812. He was in active service for forty days. Captain Gilliman commanded his company. After his apprenticeship, he worked in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as a journéyman shoemaker. He had an uncle there in New Hampshire, who resided in Marictta, Ohio. He concluded to go west with his uncle. They drove in a two horse wagon all the way from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Marietta, Ohio. He remained in Marietta, a month, and not obtaining work, concluded to gu further down the river. :

He landed at Portsmouth, Ohio, August 16, 1816. 'He took breakfast at Eli Glover's tavern. After breakfast, he took a walk to see the town. He dropped into John H. Thornton's shoe shop and asked for employment. He obtained it and in three months bought Thornton out. He had at this time between $300 and $400. October 19, 1817 he married Miss Nancy Lloyd. She was born on Septembcr 1, 1798. In the spring of 1819, he built a two story brick house on the southeast corner of Second and Washington streets. In 1819, he bought O. F. Moore's lot for $300. In 1820, he built a two story frame, some distance above, on Second street opposite O. F. Moore's. At that time business began to be dull and many left the place. In 1829, Mr. Melcher built a two story brick on the southwest corner of Second and Court streets. It gave way to the present Elk building. _He opened a boarding house in it. He sold his shoe business and went into the grocery business in the same building. He made money and considerable of it, but hard times and unfortunate speculations overtook him and he was compelled to sell out. He then went back to his trade and worked for his brother-in-law, Richard Lloyd until he was unable to work at all. Mr. and Mrs. Melcher were members of the Presbyterian church. They had three children living (in 1874): Richard Lloyd Melcher, Mrs. ' M. V. Cropper and Mrs. Jesse J. Appler. When he failed he was several hundred dollars insolvent. He paid it off by working at was born in Oldurf, Holland, on November 20, 1805, and died in Portsmouth, Ohio, on November 26, 1879. He was the son of John and Wilhelmina Molster, and grew to young manhood in his native land, where his father was employed at teaming on the construction of some of the Dutch canals. In 1823, John Molster and a brother with their families set sail for South Carolina, intending to settle there. 'The writer isn't informed whether they ever reached there, or, if so, why they did not remain. At any rate, they settled in and near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the men found employment in the rolling mills, and there our subject met and married Charlotte Blecker, a native of Lancaster, a Pennsylvania Dutch girl, whose parents were natives of Alsace.

In 1831, Martin Molster who had become a skilled worker of iron, with his young wife and their first child, traveled by wagon over the then great highway the Cumberland road, to Wheeling, West Virginia, and thence by boat to Cincinnati, Ohio, whither he went to assist in the construction of one of the first mills in the west. In the next year they returned to Philadelphia or Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and remained about two years when they again went to Cincinnati. In 1836, he came to Portsmouth and with the exception of about one year 1839-1840 when the family resided in Cincinnati, continued to reside in Portsmouth till his death.

For thirty-six years he was employed in the Gaylord rolling mills, and when in. 1873 he retired from the mill he had completed fifty years of toil in various iron works. He acquired in that service a splendid knowledge of the building and operation of every feature of the rolling mill, was the wise counselor of his sons and co-laborers in the mills, and enjoyed the highest esteem of his employers, and especially of the late Benjamin B. Gaylord. He had "run with the machine" as a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, Independent Company No. 1 for many years and in recognition of that service was elected Chief of the Fire Department in 1876, serving until 1878, At the time of his death, he was Street Commissioner of the city to which office he was elected April, 1879. In politics he was a - Republican, though up to the beginning of the Civil War he had been a Democrat.

His was a vigorous mind and body and whatever he undertook was done with enthusiasm, with all his might. So after he took the vows which united him with the First Presbyterian church in 1841, he was ever a consistent and faithful member evidenced by attendance on its service, the study of his Bible and his walk in life, where to know him was to love him.

During the Mexican war, a company of guards of which the late Peter Kinney was Captain and our subject-was a member, was engaged in a sham battle north of the court house, and during its excitement Charles Kinney, a fellow member let the steel ramrod remain in the gunbarrel and on being discharged, a piece of the rod was driven through Mr. Molster's neck and into his shoulder. - It was removed with great difficulty and the Now of blood checked hy some heroic means. A long fight followed, but he eventually recovered his full strength. At the time of the accident, his son, Henry, then a lad of eight years, was playing nearby and learning of the affair, ran all the way to the family home on Second street, where he fell prostrate in his mother's presence, unable to deliver the news. During the war of the Rebellion, he did service as a member of the Home Guards and did scout duty at the time of Morgan's Raid. He was an expert rifleman and loved to hunt.

Four sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Molster: Mary Ann, John T., both deceased, Henry, Cornelius, Susannah E., wife of Peter J. Monaghan, James M. and Wilhelmina, all of whom together with numerous grandchildren, gathered at the family residence on the evening of Monday, November 24, 1879, to celebrate the golden anniversary of their wedding. It was a joyous assemblage with little thought of what a day might bring forth. Martin Molster was taken deathly sick that night and after intense suffering endured with wonderful fortitude for thirty-six hours, died on Wednesday morning. All the people mourned his death and sypathized with the bereaved household and especially the widow. Mother Molster as she was known to many (as our. subject was "Daddy'') lived eleven years thereafter till December 8, 1890, and many a sad heart or sick one was gladdened by her visit, generally with some delicately prepared food, always with a sunny smile. The world is better for their living.

the son of Levi Moore and Amanda Gunn, his wife, was born December 27, 1823. His mother was a daughter of Samuel Gunn, one of the pionecrs of Portsmouth, who, has a sketch herein. His grandfather was Phillip Moore, a native of New Jersey. <A fuller statement of the ancestry of our subject will be found under the title of Capt. Wm. Moore, an elder brother.

Iinos Moore grew up on his father's farm, graduated from the country school of his vicinity, and was preparing to enter Delaware College with a view to the study of law. At this time, a flat-boat loaded with flour from New Orleans came down the river and landed at the bank near his father's farm. He was invited to-become a part of the erew and take a trip to New Orleans. If he did so he had to give up his project of an education at Delaware. 'The love of

For forty-two years from that time his life was given to the occupation of boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. For ten years he served as a pilot between St. Louis and New Orleans, and afterwards as a master. In 1858, he and Capt. Duvall Young built the steamer "Champion" and ran between St. Louis and New Orleans. 'The breaking out of the war compelled the abandonment of the trade and the boat was sold. Capt. Enos Moore has served as master on no less than forty different steamboats, but most of his service has been in the Cincinnati and Portsmouth trade, on the boats of the White Collar line, in which company he was largely interested until his retirement from the river in 1889. In 1863, he and his brother, William, purchased an interest in the foundry and machine business, conducted at that time by Murray and Stevenson. The firm was originally Murray, Ward and Stevenson. 'Jn 1863, the Moore brothers purchased the business, and conducted it under the firm name of Murray, Moore & Company, until 1872, when Mr. Murray sold out his interest to the Moore brothers; and afterwards the business was in corporated as the Portsmouth Foundry and» Machine works, and has been conducted as such ever since. Capt. Enos Moore is now president of the company, and has been for a number of years. Capt. Moore has been twice married; first to Miss Maria Prime Pratt, of Washington County, New York, and second time to Miss Mary E. Switzer, of Dayton, Ohio. There are two children of the first marriage: Mrs. Frances Geiger of Troy, Ohio, and Mary Young Moore at home. Of the second marriage, the children are: Ralph, Lucy, Edith and William. Capt. Moore is a Republican in his political views. He has been a member of the First Presbyterian church since 1862, and is one of the board of ruling elders.

Capt. Moore is a gentleman of the most agreeable temperament. He is nae calm and collected, rever loses his equipoise. As a captain of a large steamboat he was unexcelled. Whatever dangers et he was equal to the emergency, and never was taken off his guard. No matter what happened he was always ready for it. He used to claim to the passengers on the old "Bonanza" that they were safer on his boat than they were on land, and they believed it. He is a gentleman of the most excellent judgment in business and in social affairs. He has always been a most pleasant companion and could always entertain the passengers with him on the steamboats, as well as tale care of their safety, and navigate the boat. He looked for the comfort of his passengers with great care, and it was always a real pleasure trip to travel on the "Bonanza" with Capt. Moore as master. He has made as excellent a citizen since 1880, as before that he did a stcamboat master. It would be useless to at- tempt to inventory his good qualities, he has so many of them. While his life has been mainly devoted to_business, he has been yery successful and all the while, has enjoyed the highest regard of all who knew him. = was born October 8, 1815, in Alexandria, Scioto festa Ohio. His father was Levi Moore, oe in Fayette County, February 9, 1793. His mother was Amanda A. Gunn, daughter ae Samuel Gunn, who was born in Waterbury, Conn., and came to Portsmouth, at five years of age. Levi Moore was the same age when he came to Scioto County in 1797. Philip Moore, grandfather of our- subject, was born t Allentown, Pa. Levi Moore had the following children: our subject, the eldest; Milton, died in Mississippi, of yellow fever in 1854; Maria, who married Solomon B. McCall; Lora, died when 18 years of age; Mary Ellen, died about the age of twenty-five years; Enos and Samuel.

Our subject was educated in the common schools, and did not learn any trade. He labored on his father's farm until he was about fifteen years of age, then he began to run machinery wherever steam was employed. He worked for Dr. Offnere in the old Red Mill, as engineer for a year. He began steamboating for Samuel Coles on the steamer '"Home" from Cincinnati to Pittsburg, as engineer. He went to Franklin Furnace and was engineer for Dan Young in 1837. The year 1838 he spent on his father's farm four miles below Portsmouth. In 1839, he made a trip to New Orleans on a flat boat, and while there hecame an engineer on a steamboat on the Yazoo river. He built the steamboat " enaiivces ' and was her master in 1841. He was then a steamboat engineer for two years. 'Then he was off the river for one year; and in the meantime ran a flat boat of corn to New Orleans in 1845, and was at his father's home in 1846. In 1847, he ran the steamboat 'St. McClean'? from Yazoo to New Orleans.

He was married August 11, 1847, to Elizabeth Smith, daughter of John F. Smith, and her mother Margaret Russell. Directly after his marriage, he went to New Orleans and began running a corn _ sheller on the steamboat, "Grace Darling,' and also shelled corn on the flat boats. He was then employed by the Yazoo Packet Company, to run the packet "Hard Times" from Yazoo city to Vicksburg, one hundred miles, and he lived in Yazoo city. He was master and kept at that for four years, when he sold her in 1851. He built the steamboat "Home" in Cincinnati in the summer of 1855, - and the "Hope" in 1859, and run her until the war broke out when the Rebels took and sunk here. Then Capt. Moore stayed at home and fishcd until he could get a chance to escape the Rebels. Gen. Heron brought an expedition up the Yazoo in 1863, and Capt. Moore got in with him and came home. He then went into a partnership with David N. Murray and his brother, Enos B. Moore, in the fall of 1863, as the firm of Murray & Co. In 1878, Murray sold out and a corporation was formed, under which the business has been con, ducted. 'This corporation was called the Portsmouth Foundry and Machine works. Capt. Moore has had the following children: Louisiana, wife of James W. Ricker; Mary; Virginia, married FE. B. Greene; Elizabeth.married R. R. Peebles. | He has two sons, Enos and John. He has been a communicant of All Saints church for many years.

Captain Moore has been a great Ve and accumulated a large collection of books which he sold to the public library of Portsmouth. He is quiet and retired in all his tastes and prefers the fellowship of his books, papers and family to public assemblies. He has taken no interest in political affairs since the war, though he keeps fully informed in all public affairs. | He has been very successful as a business man and devoted all his life's energies in that direction. Capt. Moore died suddenly on Sunday, June 22, 1902.

was born September 16, 1807, in Pennsylvania. He was a nephew of John Loughry. He went from Pennsylvania direct to Rockville to engage in business under Mr. Loughry. He remained with John Loughry from about 1831 to 1841 as superintendent of the business of quarrying and shipping stone. From 1841 to 1847, he was engaged in boating on the Ohio river. He owned a towboat and a number of barges and engaged in transporting heavy goods on the Ohio river. From 1851 to 1850, he resided in Covington, Kentucky. He bought the Judge Mitchell farm, lately owned by his sons, Albert R. and James H. Morrison, removed there in 1859, and resided there until his death, though he never was at any time a farmer, but was always engaged on the river.

He was married to Martha Mitchell, the daughter of Associate Judge David Mitchell, on the 28th day of November, 1835, by Rev. Eleazor Brainard, and they went to housekeeping in Rockville.

He was a large man, weighing over two hundred and fifty pounds and was always active and energetic. He died suddenly March 23. 1862, from the effects of an operation on his eyes. His wife survived him until March 18, 1886. They both rest in the Mitchell cemetery on the hill overlooking the former home of Judge David Mitchell, her father. They had the following children: Mary, wife of Loyal Wilcox, residing in Kansas, who hae a large family and a son and datighter married; Armour Morrison, resides in Chicago and is engaged in the life insurance business; Albert R. Morrison, married Elizabeth McMasters, now his widow, who resides in the old home in Nile Township, Scioto County; James H. Morrison, the second son, died September 23, 1901; Charles W. Morrison, the youngest son, is a teacher of music in the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College, and has been so engaged for the ast twenty-three years. He went there as a young man to study music and after he chad completed his studies there and in Europe, he was engaged to teach and has remained ever since. 'The sons are and were all like their father, active, energetic and industrious men.

son of Recompense Murphy and Catherine Newkirk, his wife, was born in Salem County, New Jersey, in 1800. He was brought by his parents to Adams County when five years old.

This incident occurred when our subject was about twelve years of age. He and another boy near his own age were crossing the Ohio river in a canoe, one sitting at either end. When they had gotten far into the current, they noticed a large animal swimming toward them. It proved to be a bear, nearly grown, and was almost exhausted by its efforts. Seeing them, it fhade for their canoe and climbed in. 'The boys, of course, were very much frightened, but nevertheless, continued paddling their canoe to the landing. The moment they touched the shore, bruin sprang out and disappeared. The boys were as glad to be rid of their shaggy companion as he was of their company.

Our subject grew to manhood in Sandy Springs neighborhood, having the advantages of such schools as were there, having the fen and sports that boys of his time were privileged to have. His first wife was a Miss Julia Ann Turner, whom he married in Bracken County, Kentucky: By this marriage there were two sons and a daughter; James, William, and Anna Maria. The sons both went south before the Civil War, and were soldiers in the Confederate Army. William was Lieutenant of a Mississippi Battery.

David Murphy's second wife was Cynthia Givens, a widow whose maiden name was McCall. The children of this marriage were: David A., married to Jennie M. Ball, of Portsmouth, Ohio, now living at Oxford, O.; Ella M. Evans, wife of Mitchell Evans, a prominent citizen of Scioto County, residing at Friendship, Ohio; Leonidas Hamline, a partner in the recently organized shoe house, The Murphy Shoe Company, of Portsmouth, Ohio; John Fletcher Murphy, a clerk in the Auditor's office of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway Company, in Cincinnati, and Miss Tillie M. Murphy, residing at Valparaiso, Indiana. Our subject and his second wife, Cynthia Givens, were earnest members of the Methodist church all their days. Until 1848, he was a farmer, residing in Adams County, Ohio. In that year he left Adams County, and removed to Buena Vista, just over the line of Adams County in Scioto County, where he kept a hotel for awhile. He was postmaster at Buena Vista from 1868 until 1873. His home in Buena Vista was a delightful one where it was always pleasant to visit. After the death of his second wife, in 1873, he.made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Evans, of Friendship, Ohio, until his death in 1892.

Mr: Murphy had a great deal of dry humor and could express himself so as to entertain his hearers and amuse them at the same time. He was always anti-slavery, and once, a long time before the war, being asked if he would help execute the Fugitive Slave Law, he said, "Yes, if called by the United States Marshal to_ be part of a posse to catch fugitives, I would help, as I must obey the law, but I would be very lame." He served as a Justice of the Peace in the two counties of Adams and Scioto, for a period of fifty years, and his decisions gave general satisfaction. He would draw an ordinary deed as well as any lawyer. In politics, he was a Whig, until the Republican party, was organized, when, after 1856, he went into that party and remained a member of it during his life. However, he voted for Fillmore for president in 1856, because he felt that his election would better preserve the Union. In 1860, he voted for Lincoln and for every Republican presidential candidate from that time until 1888, his last presidential vote, which was for Benjamin Harrison. He died in February, 1892.

was born in Madison Townshin, Scioto County, Ohio, June 17, 1816, He was the son of Daniel and Catherine (Samson) McKinney, and a grandson of Daniel McKinney, one of the first settlers of Scioto County. He lived on the home farm until he grew to manhood, has always followed farming pursuits, and by his own industry has accumulated a large property.. He was married September 12, 1841, _to Isabinda Stockham, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Stockham, pioneers of Scioto County. She was born February 26, 1819. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom are dead. Those surviving are: William, a farmer of Madison Township; Samantha, wife of Jacob Deemer of Crabtree, Ohio; Ruth, wife of Eli Stout residing in Portsmouth, Ohio; Maria, wife of John Decker residing in Los Angles, California; Charles, in the Steam Shovel Works at Marion, Ohio, and Eliza, residing in Denver, Colorado.- His wife died in 1886. He was always a Democrat and at one time was a member of the U. B. church, but is no longer.

; He announced his intention of having his funeral preached on his eightieth birthday. The fact was heralded all over the United States and his picture was printed far and wide in all the great newspapers. He was a widower and gave it out that if he survived his funeral he would marry again. That was published broadcast and he was deluged with offers of marriage by mail. His post office was Scioto and the post office was overwhelmed with scented and tender missives. - He received over a hundred such offers. They were from old women, widows with children, widows without children, and young misses. Some of them sent photographs and three of them were from Portsmouth.' It is only the eccentric people in this community who attract attention. Lorenzo Dow McKinney was eighty years old on the 17th day of June, 1896. For twenty-five years, he had been contemplating having his funeral sermon preached if he ever reached his eightieth birthday. The services held in the grove at Fallen Timber were carried out according to his directions. Six weeks previous, he made the matter public and it was published in all the great daily newspapers in this country and even in the London Times. 'The place was on the farm of John Diffen, six 'miles east of Lucasville, Ohio. "There were 6,000 to 8,000 people present. The newspaper men present were: C. I. Barker, George Mitchell and Walter C. Taylor of the Blade; E. C. Dover, C. A. Goddard and H. E.. Taylor of the Times.

Rev. Forest E. Evans delivered the funeral sermon: He resided at Pride in Ross County, Ohio, and Fallen Timber was one of his regular appointments. His text was from 11 Timothy IV Chapter, 6 verse, ""The time of my departure is at hand." It was a funeral without a corpse. Uncle Dow was seated on a round platform, surrounded by a dozen newspaper reporters and listened to his funeral sermon. The minister gave some account of him. The corpse behaved himself properly only sometimes he talked to persons in the crowd when he ought to have been listening to the sermon. After the services were concluded, each man, woman and child present filed past the platform and shook hands with the ,anticipated corpse. It took an hour for the people to bid him farewell. They picniced on the ground and there were services in the afternoon at 2 p. m. and again in the evening. The sentiment, "I would not live always" has no response in Dow McKinney's heart. He would live always if he could, and enjoy it too.

After his funeral was preached, he took a long trip west, and where he was known, he had an ovation. Everyone Te had heard of the man who had had his funeral preached on his eightieth birthday - wanted to see him and shake hands with the corpse. Wherever they found him out, Uncle Dow's receptions vied with those of Prince Henry. In all the history of the world, "Uncle Dow," as he is best known, Charles V., of Spain and a Japanese gentleman are the only examples of those who have had their fuheral sermons preached while: they lived. :

Uncle Dow takes life easy. He never worries about anything. That is perhaps the reason he has lived so long. At eighty-six, he can take a tramp like a young man and there is nothing that he enjoys more than a festive occasion. He has outlived all the enmities of life and having a competence, he has nothing to worry about. He resides was born in Northumberland County, Pennslyvania, January 28, 1775. His father was William McDonald and his mother Effie McDonald, a distant relative. He was the first born of his parents and had four brothers: Thomas, James, William and Hiram and two sisters: Nancy and Henrietta. Nancy married George Duncan McArthur and Henrietta married Presley Morris. His grandfather, Thomas McDonald was a shepherd in Scotland, born near Lock Shin. -He came to America in 1772. William McDonald, father of our subject, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and about 1780 crossed the mountains and settled in the Mingo Bottoms near Steubenville, where he remained until 1798, when he removed to Washington, Kentucky, where he lived a number of years. He then settled in Ohio. He died near Chillicothe on the 6th of September, 1823, and his wife died on the roth of September following. They were buried side by side on Fruit Hill. The husband was seventy-eight and his wife sixty-eight.

Our subject learned to be a woodman while his father lived at Steubenville. He was a contemporary with Simon Kenton, General Nathaniel Massie and others, well known pioneers of Ohio. He was so anxious to go with parties from Washington, Ky., to pursue Indians, that on one occasion, he stole a rifle and joined a party going in pursuit of the Indians. In the spring of 1792, he joined General Nathaniel Massie's settlement at Manchester and was engaged in many dangerous expeditions. During the Indian war, his life was one of extreme hardship and constant peril. He was a boatman, a hunter, a ranger, and a surveyor. In 1794, in Gen. Wayne's campaign he was a member of a company of seventy-two men, commanded by Capt. Ephraim Kibby. It was their duty to traverse the country in every direction in front of the regular army.

McDonald was a man of the most unquestionable bravery, persevering and wonderfully ingenious and surveyed over the entire Virginia district. He was skilled in woodcraft and had a thorough knowledge of Indian habits and tactics. He was courageous enough to attempt any task and he was judicious enough to conduct it to a successful issue. He was of short stature, broad built and heavily muscled and had great physical power and ability to resist fatigue. He was agile and active and always on the alert. He was married onel. When the war of 1812 broke out, he enlisted in the first regiment of Ohio Volunteers and was immediately*made Paymaster General of the army. He went to Dayton where he accepted this appointment and there was made quartermaster of the regiment and served in both capacities until General Hull's surrender. In 1813, he was made a Captain in the regular army. In 1814, he was a Colonel of volunteers. | He remained in the service until peace was made in 1815;

He entered the Ohio senate December 7, 1816, from Ross County and served at the 15th and 16th legislative sessions. On December 20, 1816, Lawrence County was organized. During his second session of service, on December 2, 1817, Brown County was organized and Hocking County was organized December 17, 1813. He removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, sometime prior to 1825 and resided on Front street with his family. In that year, he was Captain of one side in a great squirrel hunt, which took place in Scioto County. On March 7, 1837, he was elected a councilman of Portsmouth, for three years, by 27 votes and had no opposition. He served the first year on committee on streets with Doctor Hempstead. In 1828, he was on the committee to repair the public well. | November 28, 1829, he vacated his office and William Hall was elected to succeed him. In the year 1827, he was Assessor for Scioto County. He returned to his Ross County farm on Poplar Ridge, late in 1829, where he spent the remainder of his days.

In 1834, he began writing his sketches of the pioneers with whom he had been familiarly acquainted. They were first published in the Western Christian Advocate and four of the more important biographies were published in book form in 1838, and known as "McDonald's Sketches.'' The prospectus of his work was_published in the Portsmouth papers. When published it sold for seventyfive cents but the books are rare now and a copy sells for five dollars. He was not an educated man but he possessed a strong and vigorous mind. As an author, he was very modest and was very reticent in regard to himself, a matter much to be regretted by readers of this day who would like to know more about him. His work was valuable beyond his fondest hope, and has given him a place in the minds and hearts of the thinking people of the present time, which he never thought to fill, His early years were spent in the midst of excitement, toil and conflict. The later years of his life were occupied in the promotion of public good and almost every work of material and moral improvement and every benevolent. enterprise found in him an unselfish friend and warm supporter. He died September 11, 1853, after a long and lingering illness, having survived his wife over three years and his intimate friend General Nathaniel Massie over forty years.

Col. John McDonald had the following children: Effie, born on the 15th day of January, 1801, married Henry Core, November 11, 1817; Maria, born on the 14th day of December, 1802, married White Morgan, March 20, 1820; Henrietta, born on the 4th day of December, 1804, was never married; Nancy, born on the 6th day of December, 1806, married Enos Gunn, September, 1827; Mary Teeter, born on the 8th day of July, 1808, married David Core, March, 1833; John Cutright, born November 26, 1809, married Hannah Teeter, January 17, 1833; Margaret, born on the 20th day of March, 1811, died July 7, 1814. Elizabeth, married to John B. Morgan, October 7, 1820.

was born September 24, 1798, near Winchester, Virginia. His father was Doctor William McDowell, who was born in Ireland and died in Chillicothe, Ohio, November 11, 1841, in his 81st year. His mother Rachel MecClintick was born in Philadelphia and died in Chillicothe, in 1831, in her 6oth year. In 1806, his father removed to Chillicothe. In 1818, our subject joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married September 20, 1820, to Mary Whiting Jefferson.

He came to Portsmouth, Ohio, on January 1, 1821, with his personal goods, overland in wagons and loaded them on a keel boat to go further west. After they were loaded the boat was snagged and sank in shoal water near the shore. Their goods were somewhat damaged by water and they took them out and put them in an empty warehouse to dry out, intending to resume their journey. While waiting for, their goods to dry, John McDowell concluded to try to sell some goods and met with so much encouragement, he concluded to remain in Portsmouth. He was a zealous and earnest member of the M. E. church and lived his religion every day. In 1821, he was appointed a class leader in the Methodist church and took part in organizing the first Sunday school. This Sunday school met at the Academy on Fourth and Market streets until 1834, when the church on Second street was built, after which it was held there.

In 1827, he was a Captain of a Light Infantry Company of the Ohio Militia and served five years. In 1823, he was an Overseer of the Poor cf Wayne Township and was such in 1826 and 1&34. In 1832, he built the steamboat 'Diana,'' and ran her as master. He and Captain Davis built the "Scioto Valley," a fine side wheel boat. In 1834, he was in the Commission business with James W. Davis as McDowell and Davis and was associated with him for many years. In 1836, he purchased of C. C. Hyatt and moved into the Moses Gregory property on the north side of Third street and remained there until he moved into the William Knowles residence on Second street, built by Captain Frank Oakes. Then the B. Kepner property

In 1839, he kept ferry across the Ohio at Portsmouth and paid a license of $50.00 per year. He was to cross every half hour in daylight from May to December, and every hour the remainder of the year. In 1840, he was Treasurer of the Portsmouth and Columbus Turnpike Company. In 1842, he was agent of the Columbus Insurance Company. In 1842, he was elected mayor of Portsmouth and served two years. In 1846, he was active in the Sons of Temperance. He was County Infirmary Director from 1848 to 1854; 1865 to 1868 he was County Commissioner. In 1853, he and Captain A. W. Williamson established a wharfboat and paid the city $295 per year wharfage. In 1861, he was Captain of a Military Company, known as the "Silver Grays.'"' No man under forty-five years could be a member. From 1873 to 1875, he was one of the City Infirmary Directors. He built the three story brick on Front strect, just south of the Washington hotel. For years he conducted a commission business in Portsmouth.

In his political views he was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican. In his church, he was esteemed one of the Saints on earth, and in the latter years of his life was affectionately referred to as Father McDowell. He was one of the few men as to whom everyone agreed that his life accorded with his professions. 'Un his latter years, had anyone inquired as to the best man in Portsmouth, in virtues, Father McDowell's would have been the first name used. He was a citizen whose memory should be sacredly cherished by 'his townsmen as the record and exemplification of all the Christian virtues. He died March 20, 1876, leaving a widow, five sons and two daughters.

David Nevin Murray was born in Gallowayshire, Scotland, May 23, 1814. His parents were John Murray and Hannah (McKean) Murray. He was reared on a farm and received a good education in his nativé country. When a lad of seventeen, having a desire to try the fortunes of the new world, he embarked for the United States, and landed at St. Andrews, New Brunswick, in July, 1831. There he clerked in a wholesale dry goods and hardware store for three years. In 1834, he removed to Brighton, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, his father's family, having come to America and located at that place. He was engaged as a clerk there until 1837, at which time his father removed to Morgan County, Illinois, and he came to Portsmouth and became a member of the hardware firm of McNairn & Murray and so continued for six years.' After the dissolution of this partnership, Mr. Murray carried on the hardware business for some twenty-five years, thus making thirty-one years in which he was engaged in the hardware trade. In 1854, he with Messrs. Ward & Stevenson erect-

\ ed the machine shops and foundry in Portsmouth, now owned by the Portsmouth Foundry and Machine works. In 1857, Mr. Ward sold out and the firm was Murray & Stevenson. In that year, Mr. Murray offered to sell the whole property for $10,000, but could not. It was to avert the panic of that year that he offered so low. . Afterwards when he sold out, he received $138,000 for his interest 'from Mcore brothers. 'These shops built the cars for the railroad from Portsmouth to Hamden, then known as the Scioto and Hocking Valley Railroad. When that company failed, Murray & Stevenson were their creditors to the amount of $69,000 of which the firm lost some $9,000. In 1855, Mr. Murray built the Portsmouth Rolling Mill, assisted by James W. Davis and Charles A. M. Damarin. 'They each put in $10,000. They afterwards took in seven more partners and made the capital stock $100,000. In 1857, it went down and its debts were paid by five out of the ten partners, Mr. Murray being one of the five. In 1862, he and other prominent business men of Portsmouth undertook to get a National armory at Portsmouth but failed. In 1871, he was interested in building the Portsmouth Agricultural Works, which failed in 1874. In 1875, he organized the Citizens' Savings Bank of Portsmouth, and at the outset owned half its stock, and was its president. He was a member of the School Board as early as 1849. In 1882, he was elected president of the Board of Education and served several years as a member and was also its treasurer. From 1875 until 1880, he was a member of the Board of Health and was for two years president of the Board of Trade. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church for forty-two years, and a teacher or superintendent in the Sunday school for fortyseven years." He was the first man to introduce the plan for the superannuated ministers' fund in his church. He was also the first to establish a young men's prayer meeting in the Presbyterian church in Portsmouth. He was a staunch Republican. His first wife was Isabella McNairn, whom he married May 23, 1839. She died April 28, 1849, leaving three children: Joseph, now in Grand Rapids, Hiram B., a resident of Portsmouth and Mary deceased. May 14, 1850, he was married to Harriet White, daughter of Josiah White of Had- 'ley, Massachusetts. There were seven children of this marriage; the survivors are: Emma, the wife of J. Boyd Herron, of Chicago, Ills.; Addie, the wife of John Naesmith, of Marion, Ind.; Lucile, the wife of William A. Harper of Portsmouth, and Maggie, the wife of Mr. Kerner living in Columbus. Mrs. Harriet Murray is deceased. Mr. Murray died August 13, 1895. At one time, he was worth $100,000, but lost every cent of it before his death.

In 1810, 1815, and 1817, he was a supervisor of Wayne Township. In 1817 he was also a Justice of the Peace of Wayne Township. In 1818 he was an overseer of the poor. He was a Colonel of the Militia. He appears to have been a popular citizen, capable and highly appreciated.

' He died June 27, 1828, in the 50th year of his age and is buried in the Noel graveyard on the Nicholas Gable farm. Mrs. Joseph Briggs is a granddaughter of his.

was born in Scioto County, Ohio, July 13, 1807. His father was Philip Noel, a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother's maiden name was Susannah Putnam, a native of Virginia. His parents had thirteen children, Aaron being next to the youngest. His father emigrated from Virginia in 1798, with his wife and seven children, Peter, John, Philip, and Jacob P., Mary, Solomon and Catherine. After his location in the northwest territory, Isaac, David, Margaret, Aaron and Elijah were born. Philip Noel came to Wheeling by land and thence to the town of Jackson, from there he removed to Oldtown. He was a weaver by trade and a great hunter. He died in the year 1849, at the age of eighty-five years, and his wife died October 11, 1851. Aaron's four brothers, Peter, John, Philip and Jacob P., were in Captain Roup's Company, in the war of 1812, and were surrendered by Hull at Detroit. Aaron worked on the farm until he was of age, and he also learned the trade of a baker, and worked at it for his brother, Jacob P., in Portsmouth, Ohio, for eight years. Aaron Noel never saw window glass till he was five years old. His father's house till that time had greased paper for lights. In 1814, his father built a frame house, where Michael J. Noel now lives and it was used for an inn for thirty-eight years. In 1831, he traded on a boat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, selling dry goods, groceries, etc. In 1832 to 1835, he conducted a dry goods store in Portsmouth, Ohio. After that, he went back to farming. August 15, 1844, he was on the Whig Central Committee. October 8, 1867, he was elected County Treasurer on the Democratic ticket, and he served one term. 'The vote stood Charles A. Barton, 2,344; Aaron Noel, 2,503; Noel's majority, 159. In October, 1869, he was again a candidate for County Treasurer, but was defeated. He received 2,078 votes to 2,530 for his opponent, Charles Slavens, his son-in-law, majority of 452. He has been a trustee of Clay Township a number of times. In 1886, he owned 600 acres of land within four miles of Portsmouth, all highly improved. He -was married June 3, 1832, to Catharine Ann Orm. She died February 25, 1864. They had eleven children. His son, Nathan Milton was drowned in the Scioto river, November, 1855, aged twenty-two years, three weeks after his marriage. His older children: were Josiah O., Ann

Eliza, married Henry Briggs, John Philip, Elizabeth S., Aaron T., Mary C., married Charles Slavens, Jacob $., Oscar B., Maggie J. and Sarah M. He was a Whig during the continuance of that party, and then became a Democrat. Mr. Noel died April 1, 1895, on the same farm on which he was born. He was a very generous man and hospitable. He was firm in his convictions and not easily moved. He could be led but not driven. He was remarkably charitable to the poor. He was never anti-slavery in his views and this fact caused him to join the Democratic party when the Whig party dissolved. He was a man of great public spirit and in favor of public improvements. He gave the Scioto Valley Railway the right of way through his lands, a distance of three-fourths of a mile. Mr. Noel was a very agreeable companion and was always disposed to make the best of every situation. He accumulated much wealth in land and money and was very liberal with it to his children, to charity and public enterprises. He was the last survivor of the early Scioto Valley farmers, a hardy race who conquered the forest and gave their descendants good estate.

was born in Scioto County, Ohio, six miles northwest of Portsmouth, January 29, 1809. His grandfather Peter Noel is said to have come to America from Holland, at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war and to have enlisted in that war from Virginia and served during the contest. After coming to this country he learned the trade of a weaver.' In 1793, he removed to the Northwest Territory where he died.

His wife was Sophia Good and he had thirteen children, all of whom grew to maturity and married. The third of these, Peter, was fourteen. years old when the family located in the Northwest Territory. He learned the trade of a gunsmith, which he followed much of his life. He was an expert marksman. He was in the war of 1812, and was a scout and guide. For this work of guide he was well adapted, for he was a thorough woodsman and could tell the points of the compass at night by feeling the bark of the trees. He 'was at Finley's block house, eighteen miles from Detroit, when notified of Hull's surrender and paroled. He was taken sick immediately after, and it is said that on recovering, he re-enlisted in the war of 1812, in which he was promoted to be a Colonel.

He left Ohio in 1850, and' went to Will County, [llinois, where he died in the spring of 1851. He was a large land owner in Ohio, at the time he left the state. In politics; he was a Whig and it is said that in 1840 there were 76 Noels in Scioto County who voted the Whig ticket. In the militia he commanded a company of riflemen and he was a great hunter.

In 1833, our subject and two others were out hunting at the time of the shooting stars, which made the night hight as day, an interesting phenomenon which our subject vividly recalls. In the month of October, 1833, Peter Noel, father of our subject, shot 47 deer and our subject 37, while one was shot by both, making a total of 85, which suggests that there ought to have been a law for the protection of game at that time.

Peter Noel, father of our subject, married Susannah, daughter of Joseph DeFeurt, said to have belonged to the nobility of France, who came to America, and served in the Revolutionary War. He settled in Newtv Jersey and afterwards removed from there to Ohio, making the trip in the same boat with Peter Noel. Peter Noel's children were Joseph, Abraham G., Mary, Sophia and Mercy, all of whom are deceased.

Our subject obtained what was then considered a good, practical education in the subscription schools. | November 9, 1837, he married Evelina Glasscock, the daughter of Gregory and Elizabeth (White) Glasscock, the latter a cousin of Zachary Taylor. Her father, Warner White, a native of Virginia, but for years a resident of Ohio, served in the Revolution. She was born and reared in + Brown County, Ohio.

After his marriage, Mr. Noel bought a farm and began life for himself. In 1844, he removed to Indiana, and to Will County, Illinois in 1848. Since 1850, he has resided in Joliet or near there. He was a farmer until 1885, when he moved to town. For many years he served as a school trustee in Joliet, and was regarded as a man of good judgment and had great influence -in his community. In his political views, he was a Republican.

He had five daughters: Mary, the wife of Lewis Linebarger, a banker of Orient, Adair County, lowa; Sophia L., died in 1890; Susanna E.., the wife of Joseph Campbell, a grain dealer of Lacon, IIlinois; Sarah, married James Watkins and is now deceased; Melvina M., widow of Carlos F. Long, resides at Joliet. He has four grandchildren: H. Norwood Linebarger, a banker at Greenfield, lowa; and Sarah E. Linebarger, the wife of A. A. Wright, a banker of Kent, Iowa; Ethel M. Campbell, a water color artist of New York city and Harry Noel Campbell, who resides in Chicago. He also has four great grandchildren.

Mr. Noel died February 5, 1902, aged ninety-three years, at his home in Joliet, of injuries resulting from a fall. He furnished the account of the shooting stars on November 13, 1833, which is published in this book. He also furnished a list of the animals, birds, trees and plants of this county when he was a youth, which will be found herein. He was a citizen highly respected at Joliet and was noted for his honor and integrity in the whole course of his long life.

His education was obtained by attending a country school, a month and a half each winter, commencing in December and quitting in February to make maple sugar. He lived in the Davis Bottoms till he was. eight years old. He was run out in 1832 and moved to the Hereodh farm. In 1834, he moved to where he now lives.

He was elected Clerk of Clay Township in 1847 and served fourteen years. He was treasurer of the Township for ten years. He was county Treasurer from 1860 to 1864 and Auditor from 1865 to 1869. He has always been a pEpulencan: and was formerly very active in politics.

He was married January 3, 1830, to Harriet Oldfield, daughter of Judge Oldfield. She died February 13, 1851, leaving one son, John F., still living. He was again married April 3, 1861, to Miss Sophia S. Chase. * She died June 14, 1873, leaving three daughters: Janette C., Anna Sophia 'and Elsie Catherine.

Joshua Oakes was born at Haverhill, Scioto County, Ohio, January 11, 1826. His father, Ephraim Oakes, was born at Long Island, February 1, 1796, and came to Ohio when about twenty-one years of age, being one of the early settlers, suffering the hardships incident to pioneer life, and in the course of time amassed a considerable fortune. He lived to see a large family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren bear his name, dying at the ripe age of ninety-two. Joshua Oakes, his eldest son, soon after attaining his majority, went to Illinois, where he operated a saw mill for three years. Returning to Ohio, he purchased the ferry at Haverhill, running it for seven years, when in 1857 he bought a farm of two hundred acres in Green sak on a portion ae which he now resides. On this land, in 1877, he erected the tile factory which has since grown to extensive proportions, and is one of the thriving enterprises of the county.

January 10, 1850, he was married to Temperance, daughter of Jesse Marshall and Mary Gervais Serot Marshall, who was born June 21, 1791, at the French Settlement at Gallipolis, and who has always been claimed by her relatives and descendants to have been the first white child born in that settlement. Her parents, Marie Avaligne and Peter Serot, were married in Christ church, Alexandria, Va., just after landing in America. In token of her being the first white child born, she was given two town lots and a half dozen solid silver teaspoons and table spoons, each inscribed with her baprl]

Joshua Oakes and Temperance M. Qakes were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living: Mary C., the wife of Charles W. Austin, residing in Lawrence County, Ohio; A. Davis, Oscar F., and Frank E.., residing on the home farm: Ella T., the wife of Samuel Matheson, residing at Charleston, West Virginia; Elona O., the wife of Filmore Musser, and A. Elmore, residing at Portsmouth, Ohio; and C. Henry residing at Yazoo city, Mississippi. The mother passed to her reward, at the age of seventy-two years, on March 10, 1901, after having celebrated with her husband, the fifty-first anniversary of their marriage. Joshua Oakes is still vigorous in mind and body, is a practical farmer, a prosperous manufacturer, a good citizen and a kind parent.

was born October 4, 1775, in Virginia. His father was Samuel Offnere, a native of the Canton of Berne in Switzerland. His mother was Sarah Carpenter, only daughter of a Dr. Carpenter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied medicine with her father. The name Carpenter is a translation of the German name Zimmerman which was the name the family bore in Germany. Dr. James Offnere was the eldest son and he studied medicine. | When he came to Scioto County, he had his diploma as a Doctor of Medicine, a horse, saddle, bridle and saddle bags. At the close of his lifé he was in as good circumstances as any one in Portsmouth. One of his mother's ancestors was a Dr. Zimmerman, physician to Frederick the Great of Prussia.

He was ready to endorse for his neighbors, and lost all he had, including "Wheatland." Everything was sold and he died. His wife then began the practice of medicine and thus supported herself and children. Her sons Jacob and George came to Portsmouth. Dr. Jacob built a brick houseon his farm near the river, the present Damarin farm, and was residing there in 1816. When he moved to Portsmouth, in 1823, he built a red brick house on the street just east of the first-alley above Market street on Front street. It had a hall through the center and a large flower garden back. Mrs. Harriet Damarin was married in that house. They had three children, a daughter Caroline and a son Samuel, both of whom died young.

He did not practise his profession subsequent to 1830. He had a natural adaptability for business and followed it. He was conserv- ~ ative in all matters prudent and economical. He knew when to buy and when to sell, but he*did very little selling. He invested in real estate as opportunities offered and held it as did his descendants after him, until now it is in the possession of the third generation.

The first official recognition of him at Portsmouth, was in 1810, when he was elected treasurer of Wayne Township and refused to serve. In 1817, he was elected township road supervisor and served. He evidently wanted good roads and to keep out of the mud, and to do so was obliged to accept the office. From 1819 to 1823, he served as county Treasurer being appointed in June of each year. In 1820, he served as township Clerk of Wayne Township. In 1823, the town authorities appointed him and Drs. Waller and Hempstead to inves~ tigate the slaughter houses, then being conducted in. Portsmouth, with a view to report to what extent, if any, they affected the public health. Their report was not a matter of record. In July, 1823, he was elected a member of the town council, but refused to serve. In 1824, he was one of the three health officers of Portsmouth, the others being physicians. 'his particular Board of Health officers was the beginning of a Board of Health in Portsmouth, and it was sug- .gested by Mr. Samuel M. Tracy, the year previous.

In 1825, Dr. Offnere was supervisor of the East ward in Portsmouth, being all that part of the town, east of Market street. The office was then the same as street commissioner now, but for only onehalf of the town. In 1823, he was elected treasurer of Wayne Township and was re-elected each and every April thereafter, except 1836 until 1842, when he retired and was succeeded by William G. Whitney. Apparently he was elected without opposition. A singular thing occurred in 1836. John Smith, grandfather of our Col. Floyd L. Smith was elected by 71 votes to 15 for Doctor Offnere. Doctor Offnere was not a candidate in seeking the office and whatever may be the cause of his being dropped in 1836, the Township was sorry for it and re-elected him in 1837, and thereafter until 1842.

His wife, Mary Harness, was born October 4, 1775, and died April 9, 1843. He never married. His daughter MHarrfet married Charles A. M. Damarin and his grand children are the well known members of the Damarin family.

1839, he was a Director of the Commercial bank in Portsmouth. - In 1840, he was a Health Officer in Portsmouth. His principal business in Portsmouth was conducting a mill which stood on what is known as the York place. In this business, George Corwine was his partner for a long time and the firm was Corwine & Offnere. They were in business many years and were quite successful. Doctor Offnere had the faculty of King Midas. He was always successful in business. He was exact and precise in all his business methods and far seeing.

He had a patent from the United States for the 400 acres con- _ stituting fractional section 14, township 1, range 21, what is now the - Damarin farm, and there has never been a conveyance of it since the patent. It descended to his daughter and from her to her children.

His interest in Wayne Township is easily accounted for. He owned considerable real estate in the eastern part of the 'Township and was desirous of good roads and improvements. Doctor Offnere bought real estate to a considerable extent, but the author cannot find that he ever sold any. He held what he purchased and it descended, to his heirs. He was a prominent Mason and contributed liberally to build the present Masonic 'Temple. He was a useful and valuable citizen and contributed much to the material progress of the town of his adoption. He died December 12, 1859, aged eighty-three years, seven months and twenty-three days.

was born March 28, 1774, near Hagerstown, in Maryland. His parents were from England, and the name was originally thought to have been Arms. He was married to Elizabeth Graham, about the year 1798, at Hagerstown, Maryland. 'They had eight children, the first seven) of whom were born in Maryland. John Orme, his wife and seven children came from Hagerstown, Maryland, to the Ohio river at Wheeling, in wagons. »They traveled muddy roads and country - with no roads at all, climbed over hills, and forded rivers and creeks till they reached the Ohio river. 'Then he purchased a family boat and went in it to Portsmouth, where he'rented what was then called the Offnere farm near Gallia and Offnere streets. His family lived there in a log house for several years and then they purchased land about four miles north of Portsmouth on the Chillicothe pike, and moved there. John Orme was a tall man, fully six feet high, wore side whiskers, and had a slight stoop in the shoulders.

His eldest son was 'Thomas Orme, born in 1799, and died February 18, 1872. Tlis second son, Nathan, married Margaret Noel, daughter of Philip Noel; his son, John Orme, married Philura Hayward, daughter of Moses Hayward. He was a farmer in the Scioto Bottoms. His children were: Martha I., wife of A. B. Cole; Sarah, married to Charles O. Cole; George W., married Effie Fenton, and died at the age of twenty-six, leaving two children, both now deceased; Mary Jane, married to James Richardson; Lloyd, married to Elizabeth Hayward, another dé aughter, of Moses Hayward ; Mary, married to Isaac Noel and Eliza married Aaron Clark, who was born September 12, 1817, in Portsmouth, on Offnere street, in a log house near the mound, on the Heinisch lot.

John Orme cleared up his land and resided on it till his death on the 25th of March, 1844, at the age of seventy-six years, one month and twenty-seven'days. He and his children went through the hardships of the early settlement of the country. He paid for his land by hard work, and at his death he owned the largest portion of Big Island. In order to do this, each of the boys and girls had their share of work to do. - Eliza, being the youngest, had to do the mar- keting. She walked four miles or more to Portsmouth and carried a big basket of eggs and a half dozen chickens to' market. She says she sometimes rode horseback, if one of the horses happened to be idle. Eggs were three cents per dozen and other things were in proportion. ,When there was no marketing to carry to Portsmouth, she worked at the spinning wheel, or worked on the farm. She says she was never idle, as there was always plenty to do. She remembers when the old Methodist church stood on Fourth and Market streets. It was a one story brick church with two fire places for burning wood. She remembers two of the ministers: Mr. Brown, of Kentucky and Mr. John R. Turner. The school house where she attended was on the Alpheus farm about five miles from Portsmouth. It was a small log house with benches made out of slabs with wooden pins for legs. One log was taken out for a window and the vacant space was covered with greased paper. Some years they had school for three months. The teacher boarded week about among the families. She says he never forgot to have a switch, which he kept in the corner of the school house and used it as though he thought he had to. Mrs. Clark is living at this date, August 31, 1902.

John Orme was a Democrat, but was not a member of any church. He was an upright, honorable citizen and well respected by all who knew him. He tried to do his best for his large family of children. He made them all rich, and his grandchildren are enjoying the fruits of his labors at this day.

was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1801. When about seventeen years of age, he came to Portsmouth, Ohio, and on July 20, 1826, married Rhoda Kendall, daughter of General William Kendall. She was born December 9, 1808, and died April 19, 1837. Their children were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Hughes) born May 6, 1827, died May 8, 1901, aged 74; Eleanor (Mrs. A. Marsh) born April 16, 1829, and died May 25, 1901, aged 72; William born September 16, 1831, died September 9, 1834. On August 23, 1838, he married Rachel Kendall, the youngest sister of his first wife. She died October 30, 1874. To them were born John W. who after a residence of sixty years in Portsmouth removed with his family to Columbus, Ohio, where he now resides; Rhoda, who died in infancy; Ewing K., who resides in Rush Township, Scioto County; Thomas J., who resides in Buffalo, New York; Emma, who married Peter Brown and _resides in Rush Township, and George who resides in Waterville, Douglas County, Washington. From 1830 to 1834, he was Sheriff of Scioto County. From 1838 to 1839, he was Treasurer of Scioto County. In 1832, he was elected County Assessor. At 'that time there was an unwritten law' that the Sheriff should also be County Assessor. {In 1833, his bill as assessor was $57.75. His assessment roll as returned was $10,974.0634 cents and the commissioners cut his bill to $51.04. In 1834, he again assessed the'County and his fees for the same was $61.40, for 41 days labor. In 1835, he.was elected councilman of the town of Portsmouth and re-elected in 1836. He was on the committee on claims, in 1835 and in 1836. In 1839, he was Captain of the steamboat 'Post Boy.'' From 1849 to 1852, he was assessor of Wayne Township. He resided in Portsmouth until 1864, when he removed to a farm in Rush Township and spent the latter part of his life there. He was employed for a number of years with the grocery firm of M. B. Ross & Company. He was a member of the dry goods firm of Kendall, Kepner & Company, and for a number of years was connected with the flour mill (which property is now occupied by the Times Publishing Company) run by C. S$. Smith & Company. He was a Whig and afterwards a Republican. He was a member of the Methodist church and when he removed to Rush Township was instrumental in building a church there. He died October 31, 1872, and was buried on his farm. Afterwards his remains were removed to Greenlawn Cemetery. He was respected by all who knew him. John Peebles was born near Shippensburg, Pa., November 21, 1769: His father, William Peebles, was a Captain in the Second Battalion of Miles' Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, March 9,-1776. He was taken prisoner at Long Island, August 27, 1776, and died while a prisoner October, 1776.

John Peebles was married November 17, 1795, to Margaret Rodgers, a native of Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, born May,17, 1777. They came down the Ohio river on a flat-boat in 1807. They stopped at Portsmouth, Ohio, near the mouth of the Scioto, and went on to Chillicothe, where they remained until April 2, 1819, when they came to Portsmouth in a keel boat in the Scioto river. ,

Mr. Peebles stopped with his family at the Hotel on Front street, and the same day purchased it. The next day was Sunday, and he and his wife attended the Presbyterian church. They put their letters in that Sunday and remained members all their lives. He believed in the doctrine of the final perseverance of the Saints and practiced it. :

They had a family of nine children, William,-the oldest, died - July 24, 1829, aged 33 years, and was the first 'person buried in Greenlawn Cemetery. Rachel Rodgers, the wife of Robert Hamilton, died August 27, 1883, at the age of 83 years. Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. G. S. B. Hempstead, died April 11, 1875, aged 75, years. Fanny Denny died at 16 months at Shippensburg, Cumber land County, in Pennsylvania, November 11, 1804, Jane Tinley, wife of Robert Wood, died November 1, 1875, aged 69. years, Richard Rodgers, died August 8, 1893, aged 83 years. Margaret Rodgers died at Portsmouth, Ohio, September 17, 1822, aged 11 years. Joseph Scott, died at Portsmouth, Ohio, July 8/1893, aged 73 years. John Geddes died October 30, 1901,

The first Board of Health in the town of Portsmouth was composed of John Peebles, Jacob Offnere and Ebenezer Corwin. In (824, he was appointed by the County Commissioners as Custo dian of the Standard Measures of the County. THe was appointed by the County Commissioners House Appraiser of Wayne 'Township, and was allowed $3.75 for his service.

On July 17, 1828, he was one of the jury in the celebrated case of Jackson vs Clark, reported in rst Peters, 666. 'This case was heard in Columbus before Judges Robert 'Todd and Charles Willing Byrd. Mr. Peebles' business often took him to Columbus during the sessions of the Unites States Court there, and he was frequently called as a juror, 'The verdict in the case was sustained by Chief Justice Marshall,

Ii 1830, he was conducting a hotel in Portsmouth, which he ealled the Portsmouth hotel, at Glover's old stand, corner of West and Waller streets.

In 1836, he was -a Commission Merchant in Portsmouth and agent of the Protection Insurance Company of Columbus. He kept his office in with his son-in-law, Dr. Hempstead.

the eldest son of John Peebles and Margaret Rogers, his wife, was born November 16, 1796, in Pennsylvania and came with his father and mother to Ohio in 1807. When they located in Portsmouth in 1819, he was twenty-three years old, and the hotel business was carried on by him in his name in Portsmouth for some time.

In the same year he received one vote for Justice of the Peace and John Noel had 32. He died unmarried July 24, 1829, and was the first person interred in Greenlawn cemetery. His remains were taken up when Mr. John G. Peebles purchased his family lot in Evergreen cemetery and now repose in the family lot with an appropriate headstone.

John Geddes Peebles was born on a small farm on Lick Run, five or six miles from Chillicothe, Ohio, November 30, 1813. His father, John Peebles, one of the pioneers of Portsmouth, has a sketch herein. His mother was Margaret Rogers, fully mentioned in the sketch of her husband, His parents located in Portsmouth, Ohio, April 3, 1819.

Our subject, John G. Peebles, attended the primitive schools of the village of Portsmouth until he was fourteen years old. He then entered the dry goods store of his uncle, John McCoy, at' Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1828, and continued there in a clerical capacity for eighteen months, when he returned to Portsmouth to assist his father in his hotel and commission business. In the summer of 1831, his father was appointed Deputy Marshal and sold his hotel. Then young Peebles clerked on the steamboat ''Hermit" and was afterward in the employ of A. B, Ellison and Charles Scarborough. In 1836, he took two flat boats loaded with stone to New Orleans for Lemuel Moss, whose employ he had entered in 1833 as clerk and manager at the quarry mills. Moss was engaged in the manufacture of sawed stone. In 1836 he left this position and started a store on the West Side with Captain Francis Cleveland. He closed his. store when the panic of 1837 came and moved his stock to a flat boat and traded along the river for about a year and then sold out what goods he had left and returned to Portsmouth, where he worked for Colonel John Row until 1842.

This year he removed to Pine Grove Furnace where he worked at the carpenter's trade. While thus engaged he studied the iron business and so well did he learn it that he was made General Manager of the furnace in 1844. Mr. Peebles continued in this position for about ten years, during which time he accumulated a small capital. In 1854, he and his brother, Joseph Scott Peebles, and Samuel Coles, bought a half interest in Pine Grove Furnace and the Hanging Rock Coal Company. In 1864, this interest was sold to Thomas W.

John Geddes

Means and others. In 1860, our subject became the successor of James Rogers, as president of the Iron Bank of Ironton, Ohio, which position he filled. until the bank merged into the First National bank of Ironton, when he became its president, and so continued until his removal to Portsmouth.

During his residence in Lawrence County, he was interested in other enterprises than those mentioned, the most important of which were the Belfont Iron Works Company at Ironton, Ohio, the Ashland Coal Company, the Ashland Coal and Iron Ry. Company and the Lexington & Big Sandy R. R. Company. Mr. Peebles changed his residence from Ironton to Portsmouth, August 28, 1865. Two years later, in partnership with Sherman G. Johnson and Benjamir B. Gaylord, he built the hub and spoke factory of Portsmouth, the firm being Johnson, Peebles & Company, and later sold his interests to Josiah H. Roads and Sherman G. Johnson. Mr. Peebles was a stockholder in the Portsmouth National Bank from its formation, later he became a director and on the death of George Johnson, in 1875, was elected President. He held that position until his death.

After coming to Portsmouth to reside, Mr. Peebles retired from the more active sphere of business life, in the sense that he did not engage in new enterprises. He continued, however, to look after the interests that he already had, with the shrewdness and ability which always marked his business dealings. A large part of his time was devoted to work along charitable lines. As an instance of this, he bore a prominent and influential part in securing the establishment of the Children's Home, and served continuously as president of the Board of Trustees of that institution for twenty-five years. He avoided all political positions, and, although solicited often, never accepted any position in the gift of the people. He has, however, held appointive positions.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Peebles was a Republican from the time the party was organized, and previous to that time was an old line Whig. He was a faithful and consistent member of the First Presbyterian church of Portsmouth, and contributed liberally toward its support.

Mr. Peebles was married June 10, 1835, to Miss Martha Rose Steele, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nine children were born, five of whom reached maturity: Robert, Secretary and Treasurer of the Ashland Coal and Iron Railway Company at Ashland, Kentucky ; John, formerly of the firm of Reed, Peebles & Company, Portsmouth, Ohio; Margaret J and Mary E. who reside at the Peebles home on West Second street, Portsmouth, with their mother; Richard R. who recently died at Wooster, Ohio.

Mr. Peebles was killed instantly on the Bienoen of October 30, T90I, by being run over by a trolley car going west on Second street, at the corner of Second and Washington streets. -

Notwithstanding he was in his eighty-eighth-year, his faculties ~ were well preserved and he filled all the positions he occupied with credit and ability to the last. At the time of his death, he was president of the Portsmouth National Bank, President of the Belfont Iron Works of Ironton, Ohio, and Vice President of the Ashland Coal and Iron Company of Ashland, Kentucky. He took an active interest in many matters of public interest. He was deeply interested in the Presbyterian church and in the enterprise of the preparation of this book. Mr. Peebles had not lost his interest in anything going on around him on account of his age or his infirmities. He was not willing to admit that he had any infirmities, at his advanced age, and his unwillingness to depend on others in going about cost him his life.

He was a man of the most positive convictions. When he would investigate a matter and make up his mind on the subject, that ended it, but he was always open to conviction and if any one approached him on a matter and it was meritorious, he could interest him in it. He had a wonderfully keen insight in business affairs. His integrity was most strict. He had'remarkable executive ability, was a shrewd observer and his acquisitions and knowledge were extensive. In every matter of business or social duty, he was prompt, and never forgot anything incumbent on him to do. As a business man he had phenomenal success, and accumulated a fortune. He made the very best use of it; his charities and beneficences were innumerable. They were carefully and meritoriously bestowed and were given or made without any- ostentation. When Portsmouth lost this prominent and distinguished citizen, it lost one of its most useful and valuable business men. 'This fact was shown in the' attendance at his funeral. No larger or more numerously attended funeral was ever held in the city of Portsmouth, Distinguished people from neighboring towns and cities attended to show their respect for his memory. All who knew him well felt as if they had lost a friend and more than a friend.

was born at Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, June 19, 1817. His father, John Peebles, has a sketch herein. Our subject was two years of age when his parents removed to Portsmouth. He attended school till fifteen years of age, finishing at the old seminary that stood on the corner of Market and Fourth streets, Davis and Archibald being the teachers. After leaving school, he spent a few months with his brother, John, who was bookkeeper and financial manager of Lemuel Moss's flour and stone mill at the Three Locks, and a few months with G. J. Leet, agent for the Troy & Erie Canal boats. He was then a year or two Wich William Hall, of Portsmouth, where he learned the dry goods business. | He next went with his brother-inlaw, Robert Wood, who was in the supply business, on the corner of

In 1836, Mr. Peebles went to Hanging Rock to take charge of the store owned by his brother-in-law, Robert Hamilton, which was connected with Pine Grove Furnace.

During the years 1842, 1843, 1844, after Mr. Hamilton had become exclusive owner of Pine Grove. Furnace, he associated with him John Ellison; the manager of the furnace, James A. Richey, his bookkeeper, and Joseph Scott Peebles, under the firm name of Hamilton & Company. In 1844, Messrs. Ellison, M. R. Tewksbury and Richey purchased Jackson Furnace, Ohio, and Mr. Peebles, in company with Robert Wood and Thomas Martin, built the Hanging Rock Foundry, and carried on business under the firm name of Peebles, Wood & Company. This business proved very successful.

In October, 1850, John F. Steele, the junior partner and bookkeeper of Hamilton, Peebles & Company, died, and Joseph was solicited to take the position thus made vacant, with the promise of an interest at some future day. In 1854 the new firm was formed, consisting of Robert Hamilton, John G. Peebles, Samuel Coles and Joseph Scott Peebles, the firm name being Hamilton, Peebles & Coles. September 11, 1856, Mr. Hamilton died, and the business was carried on eight years longer under the same name, and in 1864 was sold to Messrs. Kyle & Company.

April 30, 1864, Mr. Peebles removed to Portsmouth, and with his brother John G. and others bought the Ashland coal and railroad property including a large number of iron and coal mines. 'They opened the coal banks at Coalton, and built a coal furnace at Ashland. A year later, Joseph Peebles' health becoming impaired, he sold his property to his brother, John G., and traveled a year through the Eastern and Southern states. In June, 1866, he returned to Ohio, and went to Lebanon where he purchased the Corwin property, and remained there till June, 1869, when he purchased a residence at 49 Wesley avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio.

He was married April 8, 1851, to Nancy Finley Lodwick, daughter of Colonel John Lodwick and Hannah Finley, his wife. They had but one child: William, now deceased. September 28, 1874, he went with his son William, who had been appointed vice consul by Hon. James S. Scott, United States Consul to the Hawaiian Islands. On December 1, 1875, he returned to San Francisco and took a steamer for Japan, traveling through the countries of the Eastern continent, and returned to America October 28, 1876.

After his return, he visited all parts of his own country, and has been in thirty-six of the states, of the United States. In 1884, he was a stockholder in the Portsmouth Steel and [ron Works, Portsmouth, and the Peebles, Foulds: & Company flour mills, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 18, 1860, Mr. Peebles united with the First Presbyter- ian church at Hanging Rock. His first vote was for Wilson Shannon, Democratic Governor in 1838.. He voted for Van Buren, 'Polk, Cass, Pierce and Buchanan for presidents. In 1860, he changed his politics and the rest of his life voted for the Republican candidates. He died July 8, 1890, aged seventy-three. His wife died October 23, 1881, aged sixty-one years.

was born near Danvers, Massachusetts, April 17, 1817. His father died when he was a babe and his mother in company with eighteen others, emigrated to Ohio, in 1820. They landed at Hayport, near Wheelersburg, Green Township, December 20, 1820. There were nine adults and eleven children in the party, among them were Rey. Daniel Young, his brother, John Young, Joseph and Asa Merrill. Mr. Preston's mother, Mrs. Jane Preston, reared two sons, Nathaniel and Ira. She lived a long life of great usefulness and died June 22, 1879, aged 83 years. From December 20, 1820, at the age of three years, he lived on the banks of the Ohio river at Hayport, in Porter Township and led the life of a plain and simple farmer.

He was married February 19, 1850, to Mary Ann Holmes, who survived him. He never- tried to make money and never did so, but always had enough of this world's goods to be comfortable. He was always cheerful and always cordial. No man was more attached to his friends than he. He never had a dishonest thought. In fact, he was too honest with his neighbors and gave them the benefit of the doubt all the time, instead of reserving it for himself. He believed in simplicity in living and lived in that man- | ner all his life. He was not a member of any church. He often ° compared himself with his brother Ira and thought himself very wicked. He would sometimes say "damn it'? but he possessed all the Christian virtues in an eminent degree. No kinder hearted nor more sympathetic man ever lived. He was always in earnest in all he did. He loved his country and would have given his life for it on a second's notice. In his political views, he was a Republican and strong anti-slavery. He died May 23, 1901, at his home near Wheelersburg, Ohio.

was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1818. His father died a few months before his birth and when he was two years old his mother | took him and another son, Nathaniel, thirteen months older, the long and then very difficult journey to Wheelersburg, Ohio, to join her father, who had gone there some time before to secure land for a home. Ira grew up there helping in the farm work, but considering himself not strong enough to be a farmer, he went to Marietta to fit himself for a position as clerk in a store in Portsmouth, Ohio. He very soon became a Christian and his conversion changed all his plans for life. He decided that he must preach the Gospel and that he must have a thorough education. He entered Marietta College in 1841, graduating in 1845. He went to Lane Theological Seminary, graduating there in 1848. He had some time before this decided to go as a missionary to the heathen, choosing as his field, West Africa. On the 29th of May, 1848, he married Jane Sophia Woodruff of Marietta, and soon after sailed for the Gaboon Mission in Equatorial Africa. After ntmeteen years of service under the A. B. C. F. M., 'he returned to this country, broken in health. His health improving, he taught school for several years. He was tutor in Marietta College for three years. He was a man of great fortitude, bearing hardships and trials without a murmur, always a singularly upright, conscientious man. After years of great feebleness, he died in Marietta, February 7, 1901. . : Seymour Pixley was born July 14, 1801, in New York state. In October, 1830, he was County Assessor of Scioto County and John Peebles, G. S. B. Hempstead and James Lodwick were on his bond. On June 7, 1831, he was allowed $56.81 for his services as Assessor. September 16, 1831, he was a candidate for Sheriff in Scioto County, Ohio. In 1832, he was County Assessor. 'The total expense was $68.371%4 of which his bill was $49.00. 6214 cents was for two quires of ruled paper. and $18.75 for Ira Preston for 12 days as deputy. April 3, 1841, he was appointed Assessor of damages on the Portmouth and Columbus turnpike, by the County' Commissioners.

. September 30, 1827, he was married to Eliza Ann Smith, daughter of Major John Smith. She was born February 15, 1807. Her mother was a sister of Doctor Lincoln Gooddale of Columbus, Ohio, and daughter of Major Nathan Gooddale, who was abducted by the Indians. 'Their children were: Hezekiah Squire Pixley, born July 8, 1828; Edwin Pixley, born June 10, 1830;-Mary Ann Pixley, born November 17, 1832; Susan Gooddale Pixley, born February 20, 1835; Eliza Ann Pixley, born January 7, 1838; Eliza Ann Smith Pixley died January 14, 1838.

June 20, 1838, Seymour Pixley married Elizabeth Orme, widow of Lloyd Orme. Her maiden name was Hayward and she was a daughter of Moses Hayward. 'Their children were: Charles Lloyd, born May 6, 1839; William Henry Harrison, born August 20, 1840; Milton Smith, born June 2, 1842; Martha Hannah, born February 5, 1850, married Joseph Merrill, January 20, 1874, and died September 13, 1901. Elizabeth Orme died August 3 1857, and Seymour Pixley died October 16, 1860, on his farm on the Ohio river near Wheelersburg on which he had lived for many years.

father was John Powers, a Revolutionary soldier, who married a daughter of William White, a native of Ireland. "About 1802, he went with his father to Butler County, Ohio, where they lived for several years. The family returned to Virginia about 1810, on account of ill health. When the war of 1812 with England commenced, Ezekiel, with his father, joined the First Virginia Militia, in Harrison County, Virginia and went to the war. He was afterwards granted a pension for his military services.

The records of the War Department at Washington show that John Powers, Sr., grandfather of our subject and father of John, Jr., served as a private in Capt. Thomas Meriwether's Company of Light Infantry, First Virginia regiment, Revolutionary war, from September 14, 1777, to March 4; 1778, when he died.

His son John, Jr., also served in the Revolutionary war in Capt. William Hoffler's Cabapenied First Virginia state regiment, from March. 1,°1777 to April, 1780, "He and his son, Ezekiel, Sr., our subject, afterward served in the war of 1812. The former was a member of Capt. John E. Brown's company, Ist (Clark's) regiment of Virginia militia, from February 11, 1813, to June 25, 1813, when he was killed in action at Hampton, Va. 'The latter served in Capt. John McWhorter's company of infantry, Ist Virginia militia from September 16, 1812 to March 29, 1813.

Ezekiel and his father escaped from the Breen at the time of Hull's surrender, and traveled across the state of Ohio, most of the time in the night, to avoid hostile Indians. They sustained many hardships, living upon the inner bark of trees and ground nuts and found their way to the Ohio river at the mouth of Guyan river, West Virginia, where a camp of hunters in Virginia heard them and constructed a raft on which they were taken across the river. When the raft was near the Virginia side, a band of Indians, who had been in pursuit, came yelling through the willows on the Ohio side and fired at them, but without effect. Their clothing was almost worn from their bodies from struggling through the dense brush at night, their moccasins entirely worn out, their feet bleeding, and they were almost starved. 'They were well cared for by the hunters who proved to be from near Clarksburg, their home, and with whom they returned. | Young Powers had hunted about Guyan river before and had met the famous Davy Crockett and heard from him many incidents of his career as an Indian fighter. On his second removal to Ohio, he settled in Portsmouth, where he resided but a short time. He then removed to the mouth of the Little Scioto river, where he lived for several years.

In 1815, Ezekiel, Sr., was married to Jane sce daughter of James Simpson and Jane Van Sickle, of Harrison County, Virginia, who were themselves married on the day of the first battle of the Reyolution, in Sussex, County, New Jersey.

His first child, Sarah, was drowned at the age of two years, in 1818, by falling down the steep bank into the deep water. His son, ~ James was born October 7, 1818.. He married and lived at Lexington, Indiana, many years, but now resides at Dehesa, California. His second son, John Simpson was born October 13, 1820, and went to California in 1848, and has lead the life of a miner and prospector ever since. He now resides in Dehesa, California. He joined the First California Regiment, United States Volunteers, war of 1861 and served until its close. A second daughter, Harriet, born March 13, 1823, was married to William Campbell, at Lexington, Indiana, and resided there. She died February 14, 1900. The third son, William Powers was born October 6, 1826, was Captain in the Mexican war of a company of Louisiana Rangers, and in the war of 1861 to 1865 was Captain in the Twenty-second Indiana Volunteers. He died May 30, 1901. Ezekiel Powers, the fourth son, was born October 9, 1828, on Bonset's Run. He died at Sciotoville, October 14, 1894. George Read Powers, the fifth son, was born ° July 27, 1832, near Sciotoville. He went to Indiana when a young man. He joined an Indiana Regiment in 1861, and served until 1865.. He resided at Madison, Indiana. Jane Simpson Powers, the wife of our subject, diced at Wheelersburg, June 28, 1838.

Ezekiel Powers, Sr., was ,a stone mason and worked upon the first bridge across. Little Scioto river at Sciotoville. He also worked on the Ohio canal, near Chillicothe. He was a Democrat until the war of 1861, when he became a Republican. He was a devout member of the Methodist church and took great interest in the welfare of the church, He was postmaster in Wheelersburg from 1839 to 1843. He owned 160 acres of land near Sciotoville upon which he discovered fire clay, which in 1861, he brought to the notice of Mr. Thomas, a fire brick manufacturer of near Wheeling, West Virginia, who soon organized a company, procured the old Wilcox saw mill at the narrows at Sciotoville and converted it into the first fire brick works in Scioto County.

was born April 15, 1815, in Cumberland County, Maryland. His parents were Zadock and Matilda (White) Purdum, both of whom were born in Cumberland County, Maryland. His ancestors emigtated from Wales to America in the time of Cromwell; his mother was of English ancestry. In 1817, his parents, in company with a colony of relatives and neighbors, came to Ohio and located in Ross County, near Chillicothe. His father located and cleared a farm in the Paint Creek Valley, where he spent his boyhood; but upon the death of his parents, while he was yet a lad he went to Chillicothe where he learned the trade of carpenter and joer. In 1832, on the opening of the Ohio canal, he came to Portsmouth.

October 9, 1838, he was married to Eliza, daughter of John Ratcliff who was a prominent citizen of English nativity. She died in 1854. Of this marriage, were born eight children, all of whom died in childhood, except Harriet who died in 1863; John W. Jr., who died in 1870, and Annie E., who died in 1899. April 10, 1855, he was married to Sarah Pursell, who was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, England February 3, 1824, and was a sister of James Pursell, one of the pioneer merchants of Portsmouth. She survived him and died August 10, 1894. Of this marriage, four children were born, two dying in childhood, Martha A., dying in 1880, at the age of 22 years, and James P. Purdum, who is a practicing attorney of Portsmouth, Ohio.

From 1832 until 1880, Mr. Purdum engaged in contracting and building in Portsmouth, during which period he constructed many of the largest and finest public and private buildings in the city.