Bedford Township

Bedford Township

BEDFORD township hes in the western part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Jefferson township, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Washington, and on the west by Perry, and consists of township 5 in the 8th range of the original survey. The northeastern quarter is a military section, which was surveyed into one hundred-acre lots, in 1808, by Wilham Cutbush; the remainder of the township is congress land, opened up for settlement by its survey into sections, in 1803, by Silas Bent, Jr. The township exceeds somewhat the requisite width of five miles, making the western tier of sections considerably larger than they should be. Some of the quarter sections here contain nearly 260 acres, instead of 160, and the fact led to some unsuccessful local litigation, in early days, by one or two settlers, against their adjacent, more fortunate peace. Richard Wood afterwards served the township in this latter capacity for an extended period of years. Jehu Wright, Michael Heaton and John Quigley, were other early "squires." The township election continued to be held at Mr. Haines' residence for four or five years, and were subsequently transferred to West Bedford. The township received its name from a county in Pennsylvania, from which came quite a number of the pioneer families. Bedford county furnished at least fifteen or eighteen early families ih this township, perhaps many more, besides many others to surrounding townships. The first settler from there doubtless sent back to the friends he had left in the East, a glowing account of his western home and thereby induced others to emigrate, the favorable reports of these in turn bringing others. A similar emigration was instituted years afterwards from this township into Hardin county, many of the early settlers moving there in their old age. The population of the township according to the late census is 920.

The character of the surface is rolling throughout, generally roughly rolling. The headwaters of Mohawk and Simmons' runs are near the middle of the township, east and west. South of this the water flows in a southerly direction in several small streams, the most noticeable of which is Wakatomica run. Poplar, chestnut, black walnut, hickory and red oak, besides other varieties, were the trees composing the dense forests that held continuous possession of the soil seventy-five years ago. Coal in the eastern half of the township is abundant; scarcely any is found in the western part. In the east the soil is sandy and black loam in places; in the west, where much limestone is found, it is a loam with clay subsoil. There is very little surface rock to be seen. On John Noland's place is a single exception. Standing Eock, as it is called, about fifteen or eighteen feet high and twenty feet in length by ten in width, is rendered doubly conspicuous by the absence of other exposures in the vicinity.

Richard Shelton is regarded _as the primitive white settler of the township. He came about 1808, and settled on lot 25 of the military section He was of a roving nature, possessing in a greater' degree the characteristics of a hunter than of a farmer.

Next in the long Une of pioneea?s was Ezra Horton. He was from the Cumberland valley in Maryland, and settled in the southwest quarter of section 6 about 1809 or 1810, where he remained till his death. His wife, Jemima, was noted in pioneer circles for her . skill in performing the duties of a physician. Two of his sons, Thomas and Datid, were engaged in the second American struggle for liberty in 1812. Thomas, at the firit call to arms, enlisted in Captain Meredith's company, and served in the vicinity of Mansfield. David participated in a more active campaign at Fort Meigs, on the Maumee river.

Henry Haines was the next settler. He left his eastern home in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, for the West, reaching Licking county in the fall of that year, expecting to continue on to Franklin county, but discouraging reports induced him to stop. He was informed that Zanesville, some sixty miles distant from his prospective home, would be the nearest point at which to obtain salt and get his grinding done ; also that the proposed location was unhealthy. This piece of news prevailed with him, and he resolved to settle closer to Zanesville. He was directed by a Mr. Wolford to this township. In the spring of 1811 he moved here, entering the northwest quarter of section 18. For six months he lived in a three-sided cabin, the one end being entirely open, but by fall he had a substantial log cabin ready for occupation. He brought with him six cows, and made a large amount of butter. Few of the settlers who soon after located here were fortunate enough to own a cow, and butter, with them, was quite a luxury. Mr. Haines availed himself of every opportunity to exchange this product of the dairy for a pig. In the course of several years he had a large drove of hogs and a fine herd of cattle, which had been raised with trifling cost. These he drove to Zanesville in several lots, and sold them at a fair figure. With the proceeds of . these sales he paid for his quarter section. He reared a family of eight children, and died in 1863, at the age of eighty-one years. His brother John '^> came with him, and settled the northwest quarter of section 14.

In the fall of 1811 John Wolford appeared, settling in the southwest quarter of section 14. He had entered it some time prior to his imigration; was originally from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, but had been living a while in Belmont county. He afterwards moved to Hancock county, and there engaged in milling till he died.

About the same time Elias James from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, settled on the northwest quarter of section 16. This quarter had been entered by a German named Grimm, who, at the first indication of approaching Indian warfare, sold it for a trifle to Mr. James and vamosed to a more congenial clime in the East. Information is had that Mr. Grimm afterward settled in Keene township and rose to the dignity of an associate judge.

John McKearns from Bedford county, about 1812, settled in the southwest quarter of section 24. He died in the spring of 1815 of " cold plague '' as did also his wife and a sister. Aaron now lives just across the line in Washington township.

Solomon Tipton, formerly from Wellsburg, Virginia, but directly from Belmont county, settled on the northwest quarter of section 15 probably in 1812. He came in the spring and in the fall of the same year was drafted into the army and entered service. While in the army a sad calamity befell his family at home. The back wall of his chimney which had been built that summer fell over upon two of his children, killing one of them and seriously injuring the other.

Nathan Wright came with his family from Bedford county to Perry township in June, 1814, and a few months later to the southwest quarter of section 25. His oldest son, John, who was married, accompanied him. Another son, Nathan, is still living in the township and is the oldest resident here. He was born February 9, 1798, being now in his eighty-fourth year. His mental vigor is unimpaired, and he is widely known and highly esteemed by all who enjoy his acquaintance. In his youth he was a deer slayer of note, and in his prime an active, intelligent and energetic citizen. Charles Cessna came with the Wrights from the same county. He settled in the northwest quarter of section 17, and after a residence of perhaps fifteen years moved to Hardin county.

About 1814, Samuel Dillam settled on the military section. He was a roving character, did not become a property owner here, and changed his place of habitation repeatedly.

John Anderson had entered the southeast quarter of section 24, and built a little cabin upon it, in 1814,' which he expected to occupy. He 'returned to Guernsey county, whence he came, for his family, and died there, early in 1816, of cold plague.

About 1815, a tide of emigration set in, which unabated for ten years, and before the of that time, the land in the township had all been entered. Thomas Smith and his son Edward settled, about 1818, in the southeast quarter of section 11. Their nationality was Irish. Edward had been drafted into the British service, while still living on the Emerald Isle, and was sent, the English forces, to Canada, near Sackett's Harbor. While he and a fellowsoldier were out on the river, in a little boat, fishing, they made a successful effort to desert the English lines. They drifted down the river as far as they could, without exciting suspicion, and when ordered to return, pulled lustily in the opposite direction. The pickets opened fire upon them, and Smith's companion dropped flat in the bottom of the boat, to screen himself from the flying bullets, leaving his fellow deserter to row him out of danger. Smith brought the boat safely to the American lines, amid the huzzas of tthe soldiers who witnessed the escape. A brother, who subsequently became a blacksmith, in Coshocton, and his father, Thomas, had in the meantime emigrated from Ireland to America. Edward joined them in the East and came, with his father to this place, where he remained all his life. Daniel, William and James McCurdy, three brothers, remotely from the "holy sod," and immediately from Jefferson county, came in about 1816 or 1818, and settled in sections 19 and 20.

Edward McCoy, a little earlier, came from Bedford cctanty, Pennsylvania, and settled in the southwest quarter of section 17. He died recently in Monroe township. His brother, William McCoy, accompanied him here. Other early settlers, from the same county, were Moses Wolford, occupying the northeast quarter of section 24; William Eichards, the southeast quarter of section 17 ; Jacob Eine, the southwest quarter of section 14; Henry Bine, the southeast quarter of section 25 ; Enoch Pry, the northwest quarter of section 25; Jacob Adams, Eobert Elder, Samuel Eose, a famous bee-hunter, and Micajah Heaton, the northeast quarter of section 16.

To vary the Bedford township monotony, John Hutchinson, originally an Irishman, about 1816, came from Wilmington, Delaware, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 11. John Mc- Nabb, a little earlier, emigrated from Belmont county to lot 6, military section; likewise George McNabb to the southwest quarter of section 15; Martin Markle to lot 13, from Virginia. He removed to Illinois twenty-five or thirty years ago. Nathan Evans, from near Baltimore, Maryland, about 1818, located the northwest quarter of section 3; Samuel Duncan, a brother to Matthew Duncan, of New Castle township, the southwest quarter of section 6. He here ran a little fulling machine. His death resulted from the kick of a horse. Bennett Browner moved to lot 21, military section, about 1816. He hailed from Virginia, was a noted character, and years after moved to New Castle township, where he died. Joseph Parish came, in 1817, from Belmont county and entered the northwest quarter of section 8. Hugh Barrett and his sons, John (married), Joseph and Eichard, came about 1818 or 1820, emigrants from Ireland, settling in the northwestern part of the township. John Eichardson, one of the floating population, lived a while, at an early day, on the military section, and afterwards went to Jefferson township. He was from Virginia. A son, Joseph, attained to considerable prominence subsequently in Roscoe. Thomas Tipton, a brother to Solomon, in 1817, settled on the southeast quarter of section 5.

Thomas Norris came to Ohio in 1813, with the expectation of settling in Coshocton county, having relatives on the Tuscarawas river, but his children were taken sick with the measles in Belmont county, and, once stopped, he remained there seven years. He rented a farm of about fifty acres, which was cleared and leased twenty acres of timber for six years, having the use of it, during this period in return for the labor of clearing it. During his stay here, he accumulated means sufficient to enter the south half of section 7, on which he settled in 1820. He died twentyone years later,, at the age of sixty six years. Stephen Donley came with him, entering the northeast quarter of section 5. Joseph Hughes came in the spring of 1821, from Belmont county, to the southeast quarter of section 6. David Lammey, his brother-in-law, owned seventy acres of tKis section, and came out a year or so earlier, building at first a little cabin of saplings, without doors or windows, the only entrance being from the roof.

No Indian village existed within the bounds of this township, though the savages frequently encamped along the little streams here. Few set- ,tlers had arrived when the Indians deserted this part of the country, consequently there was little local communication here between the two races- One Indian, known as J. Cook, encamped for some time in the southwest quarter of section 22, now owned by Mrs. T. English, on the little branch of Wakatomica run, which flows through the place. He had a hopeful scion about fifteen years of age, whom he was endeavoring to train up in the way he should go, by sending him out in the woods every morning to shoot game. The lad formed the acquaintance of Henry Haines' sons, shortly after their arrival, and instead of scouring the wild forest paths in quest of noble game, as he should have done, he whiled away the laay hours of the day at the cabin of his white neighbors, -roasting potatoes, scraping turnipsand getting a civilized meal occasionally.. On his return home in the evening he would report "no game " to his waiting sire. J. Cook at length suspecting that his son was not as zealous in the pursuit of deer, as he should be, followed hira one day, and found him as usual, playing with his white companions. He took him home with him and very successfully applied corrective principles of some kind to the boy's wayward course, eflTeotively curing his hankering after civilized companionship, for he never returned.

When Mr. Haines was about to put up his cabin in 1811, there were no settlers in the vicinity from whom to receive assistance. He went down to the neighborhood of Dresden to procure the services of several workmen, if possible, and found two men who willingly agreed to come, but complained a little of the distance they would have to walk. Mr. Haines jokingly advised them to ride two of the ponies belonging to the occupants of an Indian village close by. Sure enough, the men appeared at Haines' door the next morning mounted on two horses. They had not been here long, however, when two new arrivals put in their appearance - an Indian and his half-grown son - who had tracked their stolen horses hither. A jug of whisky mollified their wrath and induced them to stay all day. The Indian lad rendered some little assistance, but the noble red man devoted his attention exclusively to a full investigation of the whisky jug. As evening approached they bestrode their recovered steeds aojd silently wended their way homeward, leaving the men to follow the path afoot.

Wolves were quite an annoyance to the settlers, particularly to those who owned sheep. These had to be kept in tight pens close to the cabin during the night, and even then were not always safe from the fangs of their old-time enemies. Squirrels, too, were quite a pest in destrojdng the corn and other products of the farm. A famous squirrel raid was organized in New Castle township, at a time when it comprised what are now Bedford, Pike, Perry and New Castle townships. The township was divided equally into two parts, the settlers of each division vieing with each other in their efforts to exterminate the mischievous little animal. The hunt lasted

Two salt licks existed near the township center, one on the northwest quarter of section 18, Levi Haines' place ; the other on the northwest quarter of section 13, about a mile to the north. These were the favorite haunts of deer, generally at night. The venison-loving settler might secrete himself in the neighboring thicket any evening and be tolerably sure of killing a deer if he possessed a little patience. Deer have often been killed here at night when darkness shrouded them completely from view, the hunter being made aware of the game's presence by its tread, and knowing by experience the direction in which to shoot.

The first road in the township was the one leading from Coshocton to Mt. Vernon. It was built in 1810 or earlier, and just grazed the northeastern part of the township. The next was the one built from Dresden to the mouth of Owl creek, in New Castle township. It was made as far as the center of Washington township in 1811, and in 1812 or 1813 completed. It was the road which passes through West Bedford north and south.

About 1818 a school was taught in a deserted cabin on the northeast quarter of section 6. Another, about the same time, was held in an old cabin on the southwest quarter of section 18. It was taught by Thomas McBride, later of Newark, and Wilham McCoy. In 1824 one was taught in the cabin which Henry Haines had occupied, on the northwest quarter of section 18. Mr. Haines had moved into a new brick the year before. William McCoy, one of this township's pioneer settlers, taught the first term of three months. The three " rs," reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic, were the only branches taught. The families that sent their children here included the Harrisons, Wolfords, Richards, Mc- Curdys, McCoys, and Cessnas. The next year another term of three months was taught by John Oxley,an individual who was crusty in manner and harsh in his treatment toward the scholars. The school was then abandoned. About 1820 a clumsy little log school-house was built in the northwest quarter of section 25. Nathan Wright, Sr., was installed the first teacher.

Richard Wood succeeded him the next year. About 1825 or 1826 a term was taught by John Oxley in a deserted loom-house belonging to Thomas Norris. The settlers then were obliged to manufacture their own clothing, or wear buckskin, and many of them chose the latter. Oxley afterwards moved to Perry, then Monroe, township, where he died.

Milling facilities were important considerations with the pioneer settlers in selecting the spots for their future homes. In this township where the water power could not always be relied upon, the settlers made provision for gettiiig along without it when it became necessary. Many of the settlers constructed rude, little hand mills, which they could resort to in an extremity to grind their corn. Draft horse mills also were not rare. One of these was built by Jared Parish and Ben. Nulen about 1825 in the northeast quarter of section 23, which was operated ten or twelve years. Ben. Nulen afterward built another in West Bedford but when he moved to Hardin county some years later it was abandoned.

In the southwest quarter of section 18 a grist mill was built about 1814 by John Wolford. An overshot water-wheel was used, and one set of buhrs was run. Mr. Wolford sold to Patrick English who added a saw mill and afterward sold out to Isaac Dickerson The mill was operated till about 1865.

About 1830 Henry Haines erected a saw mill on the quarter section adjoining this one on the north, on the same stream. Several years later he built a grist mill at the same site. Two races were constructed from the two forks of the run, one a hundred and twenty-five, the other seventy-five rods long. A large undershot wheel was employed in driving the machinery. One set of buhrs was connected with the mill, and about 1850 it was abandoned; the saw mill had been taken away some years before.

In the eastern part of lot 11, of the military section, three acres were sold for a mill site, and a saw mill erected upon it about 1835, by Aaron Kane. He removed to Adams county, Illinois, and Harvey Doney came into possession of the mill, who subsequently moved to Greene county, Indiana. The water-wheel was of Parker's pattern, and the saw was a sash-saw, as were also

It is said that Joseph Parish erected a little distillery, about 1818, in the northwestern part of the township, which remained in operation five or six years. His boys were obliged to pack the rye on horses to a little mill on Mohawk run, in Jefferson township, there being no mill closer.

About 1828, Edward McCoy started a distillery on his place, in the northwest quarter of section 17. He had first built a carding mill; but after a few years abandoned this, attached a little pair of btthrs for grinding, and erected the distillery. His motive power was of a kind not usually found here. It consisted of a tramp-wheel, a large wheel perhaps thirty feet in diameter, set in an inclined position. Cattle were placed upon one side of the wheel, and their weight set it in motion. They were fastened so that they were unable to move along with the wheel, but had to tramp, tramp, up the side of the revolving wheel until the mash was ground in the mill, which was connected by machinery with the wheel. This distillery was operated about ten years.

The next distillery was owned by William Richards, and erected several years later. He had no mill connected with the distillery, but had his grain ground at difierent little mills around. After some ten years' operation, it, too, was abandoned.

About 1835, Moses Wolford became another manufacturer of distilled spirits and, not only was whisky made at these little distilleries, but also peach brandy, apple brandy, etc., Wolford's still was located on the northeast quarter of section 24 and, after a period of four or five years, it suspended operations. Probably the last still was smallest of all, quite an insignificant affair, run for a few years, and owned by John Metz, about thirty-five years ago, in the southern part of the township.

From 1858 to 1860, and to some extent for a few years later, a large amount of capital was invested in coal oil manufactories in this and in Jefferson township. Beds of cannel coal, of the richest description, from which the oil was extracted, lie in the hills in the northeastern part of this and the southern part of Jefferson township. The vein is largest on Simmons' run.

where it attains a thickness of six feet three inches, cannel coal, and three feet bituminous. The average thickness of the cannel is between three and four feet, with the bituminous in proportion. It is sporadic, however, liable to swell into a deep rich vein, or dwindle away into a worthless seam, in a very short distance. The biturninous lies over the cannel coal, and was little mined, having no market.

Previous to 1858, coal oil had been manufactured to a considerable extent in the east, and about that time extensive works were springing up in Newark, the manufacturers designing to ship the coal from the various mines to that place, and there extract the oil. Colonel Metham, of Jefferson township, was probably the first person in this vicinity to enter the promising field of future wealth. He purchased a piece of land containing coal, in this township, with William Stanton, of Coshocton, as partner, and went to Newark to acquaint himself with the minutise of the distilling process. He there met J. E. Holmes and found high excitement prevailing. The coal he was able to supply could be easily disposed of to the various speculators at a fair figure. He was the first to suggest transferring the works to the coal fields, and thus save the freightage on the coal, which was a considerable item of expense. The suggestion was acted upon, and a number of firms came with their works to the coal beds in this township. The coal beds were, as a rule, leased by the operators from the land owners. Three companies were located on the Metham and Stanton tract - Captain Stuart, of Steubenville, with two sets of works, one consisting of fourteen, the other of ten retorts; Forsythe & Brothers, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, having thirty-two retorts, and a Mr. Edwards, of Muskingum county, with six retorts. Wilcox & Osborn made heavy investments in the coal regions here, still owning about 650 acres of land. Judge Wilcox, the senior member of the firm, is a banker in Painesville, Mr. Osborn a banker of Chicago. On their property Dr. Semple, of Steubenville, had a set of works, Mr. Carnahew, of Pennsylvania, another, and Ezra Cornell, of New York, a third. Mr. Cornell superintended his works here in person. Some of the companies not only distilled the crude oil here, but also, at least, par-

The retorts by which the oil was distilled were of various kinds, the most common pattern being an upright, cast-iron retort, about nine feet high and four feet thick. It was filled with coal, made air-tight, and heat was then applied on the outside. The vapors thus set free were conveyed through a worm and condensed. At first, two charges were run a day, but this was found to be too many, and the number was reduced to one. A ton of coal usually produced about forty gallons of crude oil, worth at first fifty cents per gallon, but toward the end sold at a narrow margin at ten cents a gallon. Mixed with the crude lamp oil were lubricating oil, asphaltum and paraffine. These, in the early stages of the manufacture, were regarded and treated as waste products; afterward they were utilized, the lubricating oil first, then the asphaltum and paraffine. For a year or two after the war some of the works were operated solely for these latter compounds, the ^crude oil being relied upon, however, to pay expenses.

The works had scarcely become thorougly established when the petroleum oil wells in Westem Pennsylvania, which developed rapidly and produced oil in immense quantities, furnished the burning fluid at a figure which made it utterly impossible for the manufacturers here to compete with them, and the business received its death blow. All the costly preparation for a permanent business, by way of machinery, etc., became at once so much dead capital, completely valueless. It is estimated that 1300,000 were lost through these enterprises in the two townships. This was not felt to any great extent by the county, however, for the most of it was foreign capital. A few of the retorts were removed only a short time ago, but most of them were taken away during the war, and, it is «aid, cast into shells and used on various battlefields in the late conflict.

It is a noteworthy fact that most of these rich beds of coal are now owned by non residents of the county, and await only the construction of a" railroad in the vicinity to be developed to the fullest extent. The tract of about 650 acres of land, situated in the heart of this valuable field, owned by

Wilcox & Osborn, has already been mentioned. Much of the coal has been purchased by foreign capitalists from parties who still own the land. One company of seven, consisting of Mr. Thompson (now deceased), formerly president of the Pennsylvania Central railroad, Thomas Scott, expresident of the same road, Mr. Shaw, a vice president of this road. Judge E. C. Hurd, of Mount Vernon (now deceased). General Q. A. Jones, of Mount Vernon, now receiver of the Cleveland, Mount Vernon and Delaware railroad, Samuel Israel, vice president of the same, and Colonel P. Metham, now own about 800 acres of the coal in this and Jefferson townships.

The Dresden branch of the Cleveland, Mount Vernon and Columbus railroad, which was partially constructed in 1873, but then suspended operations by reason of the panic, passed throughthis region and would have ofi'ered the desired outlet to a market had it been completed. The road entered the northeastern part of the township from Jefferson, and passed up the narrow valley of Simmons' run, in a southwesterly direction, for about three miles to " Tunnel Hill," on William Noland's farm, lot 32 of the military section. The company was at work in this tunnel when it ceased operations, had it been completed, the construction of the balance of the road to Dresden would have been comparatively easy, as the little valley of Wakatomica run could be followed the entire distance.

Limestone abounds in the vicinity of the coal beds, and kidney iron ore has also been discovered. What extent of this iron . ore a thorough investigation might reveal, awaits the future to determine.

A Christian church, vulgarly known as the " New Light," was organized in 1823. The pioneer settlers, who attached themselves to the organization at or closely following its inception, and grew to be leading lights in the body, included the names of Joseph Hartman and wife, Charles Cessna and family, Eichard Mood and wife, Wilham Eichards' family, Ira Marshall and John Haines. Services were held at private houses during the infancy of the church, generally at Eichard Mood's or Joseph Hartman's. It was customary also to hold protracted meetings in the forest - "God's first temples." In 1840, a house of worship was erected a short distance north of the village of West Bedford, at an outlay of the modest sum of $300. It was a small frame,, which still stands the ravages of time. Eevs. James Mervin and Ashley were the first ministers. At a later date, came Revs. Andrew Hunger, Adolphus Bradfield, Jacob Hunger, William Webb and H. Harrah. In, 1864, by reason of removals and deaths, the church was too feeble to support itself and became extinct. During its existence, a Sunday-school had been carried on with success and several refreshing seasons of great spiritual revival marked the history of the church. Its membership at one time exceeded fifty.

The Union Methodist Episcopal church is located in the southern part of the township. It was long known as Smith's church, so called from one of its principal early members who lived in the vicinity of the building, but since his decease it has given way to the name mentioned above. The first church building, a hewed log affair, was erected about 1832. Preaching had been held for many years prior in cabins, but, it is understood, the class was formed not long before the erection of the building. Harvey Willson was probably the first minister. The early members were George and James Smith, William McCoy, John Dickerson, Moses Wolford, Jonathan Phillips, Isaac Dikus, Martin Markle and the families of many of these. One of this number, William McCoy, built the first church. The present house of worship, -a frame structure, was built about twenty-five years ago. The membership is now fifty or more, the minister in charge, A. McCullough. A Sunday-school is carried on during the summer.

The Methodist Episcopal church in West Bedford was organized in 1838 or 1840. It might properly be called a branch of the Union Methodist church, just described, as a number of the early members of that society severed their membership with it in order to organize this one. Colonel Roe was mainly instrumental in effecting its organization. He was an ardent Methodist and resided at West Bedford but was unable to walk to the Union church and, having no conveyance of his own, could not be regular in his attendance upon services.

The society was organized in his log cabin, which stood on the lot now occupied by the parsonage. Revs. Kellogg and Joseph Brown were on the circuit at that time. The circuit was larger than at present, embracing New Castle, East Union, Mohawk Village, West Carlisle, Roscoe, Dresden, and perhaps other appointments. Other early preachers were Revs. Barker, Blanfield, Henry, Whiteman, John McNabb and William Boggs. William Jones and William Smith were the two first class-leaders. Besides these, other original members were Mr. Smith's wife, Nancy (the only original member now connected with the church), and his daughter, Mary Ann; Mr. Jones' wife Rachel and daughter Susan; James Jones, his wife Susan and children Mary Jane and Barrack ; Coe Roe and his wife Julia, and Mrs Ellen Renfrew. James Jones had four sons who subsequently became ministers of the gospel in this denomination, Thomas, Barrack, William and Samuel. The second, one oi the original members, was at the time of the church's organization a lad of but ten years of age. Meetings for a year or two were held in private houses on week days, then in 1841, the church was built and services held in it on Sundays. The church lot was donated by Mrs. Ellen Renfrew.- The building is a large frame, with a seating capacity of about 500, built by George Conn. It was repaired and refurnished several years ago, and, notwithstanding its age, still presents a good appearance, though the members are at present discussing the propriety of erecting a new structure. The year the church was built was a noted one in the history of the church. A revival that year resulted in 500 accessions to the different churches in this circuit. During another revival in the West Bedford church, several years ago, about 140 conversions were made. The present membership ranges about ninety or 100. Rev. A. Mo- Cullough is the pastor.

West Bedford was laid out September 13, 1817, by Micajah Heaton. For a long time it was known only as Heaton's Town, then its proper name came into use. It lies in the southwestern part of the township, on the northeast quarter of

.-section 16. Mr. Heaton was from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and settled on this quarter-section about a year previous to the laying out of the village. His cabin was situated upon the corner -where James James' residence now is. He kept & tavern here for a few years. The travel through the town was scanty, and the proprietor relied mainly upon the gale of whisky for the income of the house. He also received the appointment as postmaster, and thereby drew considerable custom to his bar. Thomas McBride after- "ward became postmaster and retained the office -for an extended term of years. In order to promote the growth of the village, the proprietor offered a town lot to the person who would erect the first house in the village. Enoch Pry and Samuel Waters competed for the prize, but it is unknown which of the two was successful. Lemuel Holmes was the first store keeper. He had been a merchant in Baltimore, but had met with business reverses and came West about 1818 or 1819, with his aged father, to retrieve, if possible, liis broken fortunes. He had but a small stock

' of goods and did not remain here long. He purchased a farm near Mount Vernon and removed to it. William Renfrew and Robert Hay suo- -ceeded Mr. Holmes in the mercantile business of the place. Their store occupied the site of Mr. Heaton's cabin. Mr. Renfrew remained in business here quite a number of years, and became a ^jrominent and influential man in the extended -circle in which he moved. When he retired from business, he removed to a farm in the eastern part of the township, and there, undisturbed by business cares, spent his remaining years amidst the quiet and repose of rural life.

While he was still in business, James McParland, an Irishman, opened a second store. He here with only $400, rented a little log house, stocked it with goods, and also lived in it. He remained identified with the village many years, and acquired a large fortune through his business relations. He removed to Vermillion

Illinois. An important character in the village's early days, was William Lynch, the ha(> ter, who fashioned and furnished all kinds of head-ware for his pioneer customers hereabouts.

was followed by James Roney, an attentive and industrious mechanic, who worked at the trade here for many years. In 1820, Isaac Heaton, another brother to Mioajah, was running a little tannery. It afterwards passed into the hands of John Quigley, who sold it to Thomas McBride and William Renfrew. It ceased to exist some twenty-five years ago. Another tannery was started about 1842, by Philip Kennedy. Patrick Thompson operated it awhile, and Thomas Jones then purchased it. Several years later he allowed it to go down.

In the past, considerable manufacturing was carried on in the village. About 1840, a threshing machine manufactory was started by Isaac and Thomas Lewis and William Lukens. Pour years later. Dr. E. M. Lewis, who had had charge of the shops for the firm, bought it and in turn sold it to John Shields, who gradually discontinued the business. Patrick Thompson and James Roney, about 1861, started a shop of a similar kind, but after three years experience quit the business. Thompson and Shields have built a limited number of windmills here, in years gone by. About 1862, John Shields began making revolving hay rakes, and is still engaged in the manufacture; about fifty were made the first season, but the number has since been reduced.

In 1858 George Moore erected a large stearti saw and grist mill just west of the village. The saw mill was first set and the material for the structure sawed. After the building was finished he removed the saw and used the building as a grist mill only. In 1863 Patrick Thompson purchased the property, replaced the sawing apparatus and has carried on both ever since. In former times the mill was kept constantly running but not so much business is done now.

The first school in the village was held about 1822 in a little log cabin which stood near the present residence of Mrs. Sarah Movel. Edward McCoy, an easy, good-natured man, was the first teacher. His pupils were John, Daniel and Henry Haines, Owen Marshall, Elijah, Elisha and Joseph Musgrove, Absolom Wolf, Conner Crawford, Arthur and Robert McBride and Elias Norris. Schools continued to be held in the village with tolerable regularity from that day to the present, at first not longer than three months in a year. About 1846 the West Bedford academy was organized, and for many years was one of the leading institutions of the place. The building was erected by a stock company consisting of James Jones, James and Matthew Mc- Farland, William Smith, Charles Barnes, Patrick Thompson and others. William Renfrew donated the land. After a flattering career of four or five years the academy was destroyed by fire, but the school was transferred temporarily to the Methodist church and the energetic citizens proceeded at once to erect another. Its cost was about $1,200, a fund raised by stock subscription as before. Eev. William Grissell the Methodist minister at the time was the founder of the institution. He was assisted in the instruction by two lady teachers from Oberlin The school in its day ranked high as a college preparatory department. The catalogue showed one hundred and ten students in attendance at one session, a number of them from Coshocton and Eoscoe. A bell capped the building and a fine library circulated among the students. In the course of time the property passed into the hands of the school district, the directors buying the stock at a discount. The village school is still held in the building. It is a two-story frame, twenty-four feet by forty-eight, and contains three rooms only two of which are now used. About eightyeight scholars are now enrolled. They are taught by Samuel Moore and W. R. Spencer.

Wakatomica Lodge, No. 108, of the Masonic Order, is located here. It was organized at West Carlisle, February 10, 1840, under name of Washington Lodge. Afterward, it was removed to West Bedford. The lodge formerly owned a one-story frame hall, situated across the street from Jones' store, but, in 1875, it erected a third story to a building belonging to Patrick Thompson, and have since occupied it as a lodge room. The present officers are : Joseph Dickerson, Master; T. W. Thomson, Senior Warden; James White, Junior Warden ; John McKee, Secretary ; Frank Jones, Treasurer ; T. W. Helrigle, Senior Deacon; Martin Wolford, Junior Deacon; Frank Tredaway, Tyler. The membership is now forty- £ve.

The population of the village is one hundred and thirty-four. Although there have been three or four stores here formerly at one time, at present Thomas Jones monopolizes the mercantilebusiness. Several blacksniith shops, a shoe shop, and a cabinet shop complete the business. C. F> Moore is proprietor of the hotel. Two physicians are now in practice here, Drs. J. W. Heskett and William Litten. Former practitioners were Drs. Nelson, William Stanton, Roof, Wattel, Simmons, Smith and Stockdale.

Zeno was the quaint appellation which Abraham Cheney bestowed upon a little town of his own creation, in 1833, situated on lot 11 of the military section. Its life was ephemeral. Few houses were built, these few soon removed, and the village plot vacated not many years after its formation, the reason whereof is veiled in oblivion as deep as the town itself.

Tunnel Hill Postdffice is situated about two miles east of West Bedford, on the Coshocton road. It was formed in 1873 by the appointment of T. W. Thompson postmaster. He still holds the position. The postoflfice was secured through the influence of the railroad officials then engaged upon the construction of the tunnel a mile or so to the northeast. T. W. Thompson owns a store here, Leonard Haines a harness shop, and Samuel Dickerson a blacksmith shop.

Source changes here: from History of Coshocton County, Ohio;, by Hill, Norman Newell, Jr., [from Old Catalog] Comp, published 1881; 7,170 words in this source stream.

Bedford Township

BEDFORD tow-nship lies in the western part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Jefferson township, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Washington, and on the west by Perry, and consists of township 5 in the Sth range of the original survey. The northeastern quarter is a military section, which was surveyed into one hundred-acre lots, in 1808, by William Cutbush; the remainder of the township is congress land, opened up for settlement by its survey into sections, in 1803, by Sila.s Bent, Jr. The township exceeds somewhat the requisite width of five miles, making the western tier of sections considerably larger than they should be. Some of the quarter sections here contain nearly 260 acres, instead of 160, and the fact led to some unsuccessful local litigation, in early days, by one or two settlers, against their adjacent, more fortunate

The land whicli forms this township was a portion of Newcastle township until 1825, at which time it was organized by act of commissioners into a separate township. The organization was completed by the election of townshij) officers at the house of Henry Haines. It is not known to a certainty who these officers were, as the records of the election are not known to exist, but William McCoy, Herman Anderson and John JIc- Nabb are supposed to have been the first trustees, and Nathan Wright the first Justice of the peace. Richard Wood afterwards served the township in this latter capacity for an extended period of years. Jehu AVright, Michael Heaton and John Quigley, were other early "squires." The town.'^hip election continued to be held at Mr. Haines' residence for four or five years, and were subsequently transferred to West Bedford.

The township received its name from a county in Pennsylvania, from which came quite a number of the pioneer families. Bedford county furnished at least fifteen or eighteen early families in this township, perhaps many more, besides many others to surrounding townships. The first settler from there doubtless sent back to the friends he had left in the East, a glowing account of his western homo and thereby induced others to emigrate, the favorable reports of these in turn bringing others. A similar emigration was instituted years afterwards from this township into Hardin county, many of the early settlers moving there in their old age. The population of the township according to the late census is

The character of the surface is rolling throughout, generally rouglily rolling. The headwaters of Mohawk and Simmons' runs are i)ear the middle of the town.ship, east and west. South of this the water flows in a southerly direction in several small streams, the most noticeable of which is Wakatomica run. Poplar, chestnut, black walnut, hickory and red oak, besides other varieties, were the trees composing the dense forests that held continuous possession of the soil seventy-five years ago. Coal in the eastern half of the township is abundant; scarcely any is found in the western part. In the east the soil is sandy and black loam in places; in the west, where much limestone is found, it is a loam with clay subsoil. There is very little surface rock to be seen. On John Noland's place is a single exception. Standing Rock, as it is called, about fifteen or eighteen feet high and twenty feet in length by ten in width, is rendered doubly conspicuous by the absence of other exposures in the vicinity.

Richard Shelton is regarded as the primitive white settler of the township. He came about 1808, and settled on lot 25 of the military section. He was of a roving nature, possessing in a greater degree the characteristics of a hunter than of a farmer.

Next in the long line of pioneers was Ezra Horton. He was from the Cumberland valley in Maryland, and settled in the southwest quarter of section 6 about 1809 or 1810, where he remained till his death. His wife, Jemima, was noted in pioneer circles for her skill in performing the duties of a physician. Two of his sons, Thomas and David, were engaged in the second American struggle for liberty in 1812. Thomas, at the first call to arms, enlisted in Captain Meredith's company, and served in the vicinity of Mansfield. David participated in a more active campaign at Fort Meigs, on the Maumee river.

Henry Haines was the next settler. He left his eastern home in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, for the West, reaching Licking county in the fall of that year, expecting to continue on to Franklin county, but discouraging reports induced him to stop. He was informed that Zanesville, some sixty miles distant from his prospective home, would be the nearest point at which to obtain salt and get his grinding done ; also that the proposed location was unhealthy. This piece of news prevailed with him, and he resolved to settle closer to Zanesville. He wsis directed by a Mr. Wolford to this township. Li the spring of 1811 he moved here, entering the northwest quarter of section 18. For six months he lived in a three-sided cabin, the one end being entirely open, but by fall he had a substantial log cabin ready for occupation. He brought with him six cows, and made a large amount of butter. Few of the settlers who soon after located here were fortunate enough to own a cow, and butter, with them, was quite a luxury. Mr. Haines availed himself of every opportunity to exchange this product of the dairj- for a pig. In the course of several j'ears he had a large drove of hogs and a fine herd of cattle, which had been raised with trifling cost. These he drove to Zanesville in several lots, and sold them at a fair figure. With the proceeds of these sales he paid for his quarter section. He reared a family of eight children, and died in 1863, at the age of eighty-one years. His brother John came with him, and settled the northwest quarter of section 14.

In the fall of 1811 John Wolford appeared, settling in the southwest quarter of section 14. He had entered it some time prior to his imigration ; was originally from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, but had been living a while in Belmont county. He afterwards moved to Hancock coimty, and there engaged in milling till he died.

About the same time Elias James from Bedford county, Penns)'lvania, settled on the northwest quarter of section 16. This quarter had been entered by a German named Grimm, who, at the first indication of approaching Indian warfare, sold it for a trifle to Mr. James and vamosed to a more congenial clime in the East. Information is had that Mr. Grimm afterward settled in Keene township and rose to the dignity of an associate judge.

John McKearns from Bedford county, about 1812, settled in the southwest quarter of section 24. He died in the spring of 1815 of "cold plague" as did also his wife and a sister. Aaron now lives just across the line in Washing ton township.

Solomon Tipton, formerly horn Wellsburg, Virginia, but directly from Belmont county, settled on the northwest quarter of section 15 probably in 1812. He came in the spring and in the fall of the same year was drafted into the army and entered service. While in the army a sad calamity befell his family at home. The back wall of his chimney which had been built that summer fell over upon two of his children, killing one of them and seriously injuring the other.

Nathan Wright came with his family from Bedford county to Perry township in June, 1814, and a few months later to the southwest quarter of section 25. His oldest son, John, who was married, accompanied him. Another son, Nathan, is still living in the township and is the oldest resident here. He was born February 9, 1798, being now in his eighty-fourth year. His mental vigor is unimpaired, and he is widely known and highly esteemed by all who enjoy his acquaintance. In his youth he was a deer slayer of note, and in his prime an active, intelligent and energetic citizen. Charles Cessna came with the Wrights from the same county. He settled in the northwest quarter of section 17, and after a residence of perhaps fifteen years moved to Hardin county.

About 1814, Samuel Dillam settled on the military section. He was a roving character, did not become a property owner here, and changed his place of habitation rcpeatedlj-.

John Anderson had entered the southeast quarter of section 24, and built a little cabin upon it, in 1814, which he expected to occupy. He returned to Guernsey county, whence he came, for his famil)-, and died there, early in 1815, of cold plague.

About 1815, a tide of emigration set in, which continued unabated for ten years, and before the expiration of that time, the land in the township had all been entered. Thomas Smith and his son Edward settled, about 1818, in the southeast quarter of section 11. Their nationality was Irish. Edward had been drafted into the British service, while still living on the Emerald Isle, and was sent, with the English forces, to Canada, near Sackett's Harbor. While he and a fellowsoldier were out on the river, in a little boat, fishing, they made a successful eflbrt to desert the Engli.sh lines. They drifted down the river as far as they could, without exciting suspicion, and when ordered to return, pulled lustily in the opposite direction. The pickets opened fire upon them, and Smith's companion dropped flat in the bottom of the boat, to screen himself from the flying bullets, leaving his fellow deserter to row him out of danger. Smith brought the boat safely to the American lines, amid the huzzas of the soldiers who witnessed the escape. A brother, who subsequently became a blacksmith, in Coshocton, and his father, Thomas, had in the meantime emigrated from Ireland to America. Edward joined them in the East and came, with his father to this place, where he remained all his life. Daniel, William and James McCurdy, three brothers, remotely from the "holy sod," and immediately from Jeflerson county, came in about 1816 or 1818, and settled in sections 19 and 20.

Edward McCoy, a little earlier, came from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and settled in the southwest quarter of section 17. He died recently in Monroe township. His brother, William JlcCoy, accompanied him here. Other early settlers, from the s.ame county, were Moses Wolford, occupying the northeast quarter of section 24; William Richards, the southeast quarter of section 17; Jacob Rine, the southwest quarter of section 14; Henry Rine, the southeast quarter of section 25 ; Enoch Fry, the northwest quarter of section 25; Jacot Adams, Robert Elder, Samuel Rose, a fiimous bee-hunter, and Micajah Heaton, the northeast quarter of section 16.

To vary the Bedford township monotony, John Hutchinson, originally an Irishman, about 1816, came from Wilmington, Delaware, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 11. John Mc- Nabb, a little earlier, emigrated from Belmont county to lot 6, military section; likewise George McNabb to the southwest quarter of section 15; M.artin Markle to lot 13, from Virginia. He removed to Illinois twenty-five or thirty years ago. Nathan Evans, from near Baltimore, Maryland, about 1818, located the northwest quarter of section 3; Samuel Duncan, a brother to Matthew Duncan, of New Castle township, the southwest quarter of section 5. He here ran a little fulling machine. His death resulted from the kick of a horse. Bennett Browner moved to lot 21, military section, about 1816. He hailed from Virginia, was a noted character, and years after moved to New Castle township, where he died. Joseph Parish came, in 1817, from Belmont county and entered the northwest quarter of section 8. Hugh Barrett and his sons, John (married), Joseph and Richard, came about 1818 or 1820, emigrants from Ireland, settling in the northwestern part of the township. John Richardson, one of the floating population, lived a while, at an early day, on the military section, and afterwards went to Jefferson township. He was from Virginia. A son, Joseph, attained to considerable prominence subsequently in Eoscoe. Thomas Tipton, a brother to Solomon, in 1817, settled on the southeast quarter of section 5.

Thomas Norris came to Ohio in 1813, with the expectation of settling in Coshocton county, having relatives on the Tuscarawas river, but his children were taken sick with the measles in Belmont county, and, once stopped, he remained there seven years. He rented a farm of about fifty acres, which was cleared and leased twenty acres of timber for six years, having the use of it during this period in return for the labor of clearing it. During his stay here, he accumulated means sufficient to enter the south half of section 7, on which he settled in 1820. He died twentyone years later, at the age of sixty six years. Stephen Donley came with hyn, entering the northeast quarter of section 6. Joseph Hughes came in the spring of 1821, from Belmont county, to the southeast quarter of section 6. David Lammey, his brother-in-law, owned seventy acres of this section, and came out a year or so earlier, building .it first a little cabin of saplings, without doors or windows, the only entrance being from the roof.

No Indian village existed within the bounds of this township, though the savages frequently encamped along the little streams here. Few settlers had arrived when the Indians deserted this part of the country, consequently there was little local communication here between the two races- One Indian, known as J. Cook, encamped for some time in the soutliwest quarter of section 22, now owned by Mrs. T. English, on the little branch of Wakatomica run, which flows through the place. He had a hopeful scion about fifteen years of age, whom he was endeavoring to train up in the way he should go, by sending him out in the woods every morning to shoot game. The lad formed the acquaintance of Henry Haines' sons, shortly after their arrival, and instead of scouring the wild forest paths in quest of noble game, as he should have done, he whiled away the lazy hours of the day at the cabin of his white neighbors, roasting potatoes, scraping turnips and getting a civilized meal occasionally. Oir his return home in the evening he would report "no game " to his waiting sire. J. Cook at length suspecting that his son was not as zealous in the pursuit of deer, as he should be, followed him one day, and found him as usual, playing with his white companions. He took him home witli him and very successfully applied corrective principles of some kind to the boy's wayward course, effectively curing his hankering after civilized companionship, for he never returned.

When Sir. Haines was about to put up his cabin in 1811, there were no settlers in the vicinity from whom to receive assistance. He went down to the neighborhood of Dresden to procure the services of several workmen, if possible, and found two men who willingly agreed to come, but complained a little of the distance they would have to walk. Mr. Haines jokingly advised thera to ride two of the ponies belonging to the occupants of an Indian village close by. Sure enough, the men appeared at Haines' door the next morning mounted on two horses. They had not been here long, however, when two new arrivals put in their appearance - an Indian and his half-grown son - who had tracked their stolen horses hither. A jug of whisky mollified their wrath and induced them to stay all day. The Indian lad rendered some little assistance, but the noble red man devoted his attention exclusively to a full investigation of the wliisky jug. As evening .approached they bestrode their recovered steeds and silently wended their way homeward, leaving the men to follow the path afoot.

Wolves were quite an annoyance to the settlers, particularly to those who owned sheep. These had to be kept in tight pons close to the cabin during the night, and even then were not always safe from the fangs of their old-time enemies. Squirrels, too, were quite a pest in destroying the corn and other products of the farm. A famous squirrel raid was organized in New Castle township, at a time when it comprised what are now Bedford, Pike, Perry and New Castle townships. The township was divided equally into two parts, the settlers of each division vieing with each other in their efforts to exterminate the mischievous little animal. The hunt lasted

Two salt licks existed near the township center, one on the northwest quarter of section 18, Levi Haines' place ; the other on the northwest quarter of .section 1.3, about a mile to the north. These were the favorite haunts of deer, generally at night. The venison-loving settler might secrete himself in the neighboring thicket any evening and be tolerably sure of killing a deer if he possessed a little 2iatience. Deer have often been killed here at night when darkness shrouded them completely from view, the hunter being made aware of the game's presence by its tread, and knowing by experience the direction in which to shoot.

The first road in the township was the one leading from Coshocton to Mt. Vernon. It was built in 1810 or earlier, and just grazed the northeastern jiart of the township. The next was the one built from Dresden to the mouth of Owl creek, in New Castle township. It was made as far as the center of Washington township in 1811, and in 1812 or 1813 completed. It was the road which passes through West Bedford north and south.

About 1818 a school was taught in a deserted cabin on the northeast quarter of section 6. Another, about the same time, was held in an old cabin on the southwest quarter of section 18. It was taught by Thomas McBride, later of Newark, and William McCoy. In 1824 one was taught in the cabin which Henry Haines had occupied, on the northwest quarter of section 18. Mr. Haines bad moved into a new brick the year before. William McCoy, one of this township's pioneer settlers, taught the first term of three months. The three " rs," reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic, were the only branches taught. The families that sent their children here included the Harrisons, Wolfords, Richards, Mc- Curdys, McCoys, and Cessnas. The next year another term of three months was taught by John Oxley.an individual who was crusty in manner and harsh in his treatment toward the scholars. The school was then abandoned. About 1820 a clumsy little log school-house was built in the nortfiwest quarter of section 2-5. Nathan Wright, Sr., was installed the first teacher.

Richard Wood succeeded him the next year. About 1825 or 1826 a term was taught by John Oxley in a deserted loom-house belonging to Thomas Norris. The settlers then were obliged to manufacture their own clothing, or wear buckskin, and many of them chose the latter. Oxley afterwards moved to Perry, then Monroe, township, where he died.

Milling facilities were important considerations with the pioneer settlers in selecting the spots for their future homes. In this township where the water power could not always be relied upon, the settlers made provision for getting along without it when it became necessary. Many of the settlers constructed rude, little hand mills, which they could resort to in an extremity to grind their corn. Draft horse mills also were not rare. One of these was built by Jarcd Parish and Ben. Nulen about 1825 in the northeast quarter of section 23, which was operated ten or twelve years. Ben. Nulen afterward built another in West Bedford but when he moved to Hardin county some years later it was abandoned.

In the southwest quarter of section IS a grist mill was built about 1814 by John Wolford. An overshot water-wheel was used, and one set of buhrs was run. Mr. Wolford sold to Patrick English who added a saw mill and afterward sold out to Isaac Dickerson The mill was operated till about 1865.

About 1830 Henry Haines erected a saw mill on the quarter section adjoining this one on the north, on the same stream. Several years later he built a grist mill at the same site. Two races were constructed from the two forks of the run, one aliundred and twenty-five, the other seventy-five rods long. A large undershot wheel was emploj'ed in driving the machinerj'. One set of buhrs was connected with the mill, and about 1850 it was abandoned; the saw mill had been taken away some years before.

In the eastern part of lot 11, of the military section, three acres were sold for a mill site, and a saw mill erected upon it about 1835, bj' .Aaron Kane. He removed to Adams county, Illinois, and Harvey Doney came into possession of the mill, who subsequently moved to Greene county, Lidiana. The water-wheel was of Parker's pattern, and the saw was a sash-saw, as were also

It is said that Joseph Parish erected a little distillery, about 1818, in the northwestern part of the township, which remained in operation five six years. His boys were obliged to pack the rye on horses to a little mill on Mohawk run, in Jeflerson township, there being no mill closer.

About 1828, Edward McCoy stiirted a distillery on his place, in the northwest quarter of section 17. He had first built a carding mill, but after a few years abandoned this, attached a little pair of buhrs for grinding, and erected the distillery. His motive power was of a kind not usually found here. It consisted of a tramp-wheel, a large wheel perhaps thirty feet in diameter, set in an inclined position. Cattle were placed upon one side of the wheel, and their weight set it in motion. They were fastened so that they were unable to move along with the wheel, but had to tramp, tramp, up the side of the revolving wheel until the mash was ground in the mill, which was connected by machinery with the wheel. This distillery was operated about ten years.

The next distillery was owned by William Richards, and erected several years later. He had no mill connected with the distillery, but had his grain ground at difJerent little mills around. After some ten years' operation, it, too, was abandoned.

About 1835, Moses Wolford became another manufacturer of distilled spirits and, not only was whisky made at these little distilleries, but also peach brandy, apple brandy, etc., Wolford's still was located on the northeast quarter of section 24 and, after a period of four or five«years, it suspended operations. Probably the last still was smallest of all, quite an insignificant atlair, run for a few years, and owned b}' John JMetz, about thirty-five years ago, in the southern part of the township.

From 1858 to 1860, and to some extent for a few years later, a large amount of capital was invested in coal oil manufactories in this and in JefTerson township. Beds of cannel coal, of the richest description, from which the oil was extracted, lie in the hills in the northea«tern part of this and the southern part of Jcflerson township. The vein is largest on Simmons' run, where it attains a thickness of six feet three inches, cannel coal, and three feet bituminous. The average thickness of the cannel is between three and four feet, with the bituminous in proportion. It is sporadic, however, liable to swell into a deep rich vein, or dwindle away into a worthless seam, in a very short distance. The bituminous lies over the cannel coal, and was little, mined, having no market.

Previous to 1858, coal oil had been manufactured to a considerable extent in the east, and about that time extensive works were springing up in Newark, the manufacturers designing to ship the coal from the various mines to that jjlace, and there extract the oil. Colonel Metham, of Jefferson township, was probably the first person in this vicinity to enter the promising field of future wealth. He purchased a piece of land containing coal, in this township, with William Stanton, of Coshocton, as partner, and went to Newark to acquaint himself with the minutiae of the distilling process. He there met J. E. Holmes and found high excitement prevailing. The coal he was able to supply could be easily disposed of to the various speculators at a fair figure. He was the first to .suggest transferring the works to the coal fields, and thus save the freightage on the coal, Which was a considerable item of expense. The suggestion was acted upon, and a number of firms came with their works to the coal beds in this township. The coal beds were, as a rule, leased by the operators from the land owners. Three companies were located on the Metham and Stanton tract - Captain Stuart, of Steubenville, with two sets of works, one consisting of fourteen, the other of ten retorts; Forsythe & Brothers, of Pittsburgli, Pennsylvania, having thirty-two retorts, and a Mi-. Edwards, of Muskingum county, with six retorts. Wilcox & Osborn made heavy investments in the coal regions here, still owning about 650 acres of land. Judge Wilcox, the senior member of the firm, is a banker in Painesville, Mr. Osborn a banker of Chicago. On their property Dr. Semple, of Steubenville, had a set of works, Sir. Carnahew, of Pennsylvania, another, and Ezra Cornell, of New York, a third. Mr. Cornell superintended his works here in person. Some of thff companies not only distilled the crude oil here, but also, at least, par-

The retorts by which the oil was distilled were of various kinds, the most common pattern being an upright, cast-iron retort, about nine feet high and four feet thick. It was filled with coal, made air-tight, a,nd heat was then applied on the outside. The vapors thus set free were conveyed through a worm and condensed. At first, two charges were run a day, but this was found to be too many, and the number was reduced to one. A ton of coal usually produced about forty gallons of crude oil, worth at first fifty cents per gallon, but tow.ard the end sold at a narrow margin at ten cents a gallon. Mixed with the crude lamp oil were lubricating oil, asphaltum and paraffine. These, in the early stages of the manufacture, were regarded and treated as waste products ; afterward they were utilized, the lubricating oil first, then the asphaltum and paratfine. For a year or two after the war some of the works were operated solely for these latter compounds, the crude oil being relied upon, however, to pay expenses.

The works had scarcely become thorougly established when the petroleum oil wells in Western Pennsylvania, which developed rapidly and produced oil in immense quantities, furnished the burning fluid at a figure which made it utterly impossible for the manufacturers here to compete with them, and the business received its death blow. All the costly preparation for a permanent business, by way of machinery, etc., became at once so much dead capital, completely valueless. It is estimated that 1300,000 were lost through these enterprises in the two townships. This was not felt to any great extent by the county, however, for the most of it was foreign capital. A few of the retorts were removed only a short time ago, but most of them were tiiken away during the war, and, it is said, cast into shells and used on various b.ittlefields in the late conflict.

It is a noteworthy fact that most of those rich beds of coal are now owned by non residents of the county, and await only the construction of a railroad in the vicinity to be developed to the fullest extent. Tlie tract of about G-'O acres of land, situated in the heart of this valuable field, owned by

Wilcox & Osborn, has already been mentioned. IMuch of the coal has been purchased by foreign capitalists from parties who still own the land. One company of seven, consisting of Mr. Thompson (now deceased), formerly president of the Pennsylvania Central railroad, Thoma-s Scott, expresident of the same road, Mr. Shaw, a vice president of this ro.ad, Judge R. C. Hurd, of Mount Vernon (now deceased). General G. A. Jones, of Mount Vernon, now receiver of the Cleveland, Mount Vernon and Delaware railroad, Samuel Israel, vice i)resident of the same, and Colonel P. Metham, now own about 800 acres of the coal in this and Jeflerson townships.

The Dresden branch of the Cleveland, jMount Vernon and Columbus railroad, which was partially constructed in 1873, but then suspended operations by reason of the panic, passed through this region and would have oll'ered the desired outlet to a market had it been completed. The road entered the northeastern part of the township from Jefferson, and passed up the narrow valley of Simmons' run, in a southwesterly direction, for about three miles to " Tunnel Hill,'' on William Noland's farm, lot 3- of the military section. The comjiany was at work in this tunnel when it ceased operations, had it been completed, the construction of the balance of the road to Dresden would have been comparatively easy, as the little valley of ^^'akatomica run could be followed the entire distance.

Limestone abounds in the vicinity of the coal beds, and kidney iron ore has also been discovered. What extent of this iron ore a thorough investigation might reveal, awaits the future to determine.

A Christian church, vulgarly known as the " New Light," was organized in 1823. The pioneer settlers, who attached themselves to the organization at or closely following its inception, and grew to be leading lights in the body, included the names of Joseph Hartman and wife, Charles Cessna and family, Richard Mood and wife, William Richards' family, Ira JIarsliall and John Haines. Services were held at private houses during the infancy of the church, generally at Richard Mood's or Joseph Hartman's. It was customary also to hold protracted meetings in the forest - '- God's first temples." In 1S40, a house of worship was erected a short distance north of the village of West Bedford, at an outlay of the modest sum of 1300. It was a small frame, which still stands the ravages of time. Revs. James Mervin and Aishley were the first ministers. At a later date, came Revs. Andrew Hunger, Adolphus Bradfield, Jacob Hunger, William Webb and H. Harrah. In 1864, by reason of removals and deaths, the church was too feeble to support itself and became extinct. During its existence, a Sunday-school had been carried on with success and several refreshing seasons of great spiritual revival marked the history of the church. Its membership at one time exceeded fifty.

The Union Methodist Ejiiscopal church is located in the southern part of the township. It was long known as Smith's church, so called from one of its principal early members who lived in the vicinity of the building, but since his decease it has given way to the name mentioned above. The first church building, a hewed log afiiiir, was erected about 1832. Preaching had been held for many years prior in cabins, but, it is understood, the class was formed not long before the erection of the building. Harvey Willson was probably the first minister. The early members were George and James Smith, William McCoy, John Dickerson, Moses Wolford, Jonathan Phillips, Isaac Dikus, Martin Markleand the families of many of these. One of this number, William McCoy, built the first church. The present house of worship, a frame structure, was built about twenty-five years ago. The membership is now fifty or more, the minister in charge, A. McCullough. A Sunday-school is carried on during the summer.

The Methodist Episcopal church in West Bedford was organized in 183S or 1840. It might properly be called a branch of the Union Meth odist church, just described, as a number of the early members of that society severed their membership with it in order to org.anize this one. Colonel Roe was mainly instrumental in eflecting its organization. He was an ardent Methodist and resided at West Bedford but was unable to walk to the Union church and, having no conveyance of his own, could not be regular in his attendance upon services.

The society was organized in his log cabin, which stood on the lot now occupied by the parsonage. Revs. Kellogg and Joseph Brown were on the circuit at that time. The circuit was larger than at present, embracing New Castle, East Union, Mohawk Village, West Carlisle, Roscoe, Dresden, and perhaps other appointments. Other early preachers were Revs. Barker, Blanfield, Henry, Whiteman, John McNabb and William Boggs. William Jones and William Smith were the two first class-leaders. Besides these, other original members were Mr. Smith's wife, Nanc}- (the only original member now connected with the church), and his daughter, Mary Ann; Mr. Jones' wife Rachel and daughter Susan; James Jones, his wife Susan and children ISIary Jane and Barrack ; Coe Roe and his wife Julia, and Mrs Ellen Renfrew. James Jones had four sons who subsequently became ministers of the gospel in this denomination, Thomas, Barrack, William and Samuel. The second, one of the original members, was at the time of the church's organization a lad of but ten years of age. Meetings for a year or two were held in private houses on week days, then in 1841, the church was built and services held in it on Sundays. The church lot was donated by Mrs. Ellen Renfrew. The building is a large frame, with a seating capacity of about 500, built by George Conn. It was repaired and refurnished several years ago, and, notwithstanding its age, still presents a good appearance, though the members are at present discussing the propriety of erecting a new structure. The year the church was built was a noted one in the history of the church. A revival that year resulted in 500 accessions to the different churches in this circuit. During another revival in the West Bedford church, several years ago, about 140 conversions were made. The present membership ranges about ninety or 100. Rev. A. Mc- Cullough is the pastor.

West Bedford was laid out September 13,1817, by Micajah Heaton. For a long time it was known only as Heaton's Town, then its proper name came into use. It lies in the southwestern part of the township, on the northeast quarter of section 16. Mr. Heaton was from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and settled on this quarter-section about a year previous to the laying out of the village. His cabin was situated upon the corner where James James' residence now is. He kept a tavern here for a few years. The travel through the town was scanty, and the proprietor relied mainly upon the sale of whisky for the in- -come of the house. He also received the appointment as postmaster, and thereby drew considerable custom U> his bar. Thomas McBride afterward became postmaster and retained the office for an extended term of years. In order to promote the growth of the village, the proprietor oflTered a town lot to the person who would erect the first house in the village. Enoch Fry and Samuel Waters competed for the prize, but it is iniknown which of tlie two was successful. Lemuel Holmes was the first store keeper. He had been a merchant in Baltimore, but had met with business reverses and came West about 1818 or 1819, with his aged father, to retrieve, if possible, his broken fortunes. He had but a small stock of goods and did not remain here long. He purchased a farm near Mount Vernon and removed to it. William Renfrew and Robert Hay succeeded Mr. Holmes in the mercantile business of the place. Their store occupied the site of Mr. Heaton's cabin. Mr. Renfrew remained in business here quite a number of years, and became a prominent and influential man in the extended circle in which he moved. When he retired from business, he removed to a farm in the eastern part of the township, antl there, undisturbed by business cares, spent his remaining years amidst the quiet and repose of rural lite.

\Miile he was still in business, James McFarland, an Irishman, opened a second store. He came . here with only $400, rented a little log house, stocked it with goods, and also lived in it. He remained identified with the village many years, and acquired a large fortune through his business relations. He removed to Vermillion county, Illinois. An important character in the village's early days, was William Lynch, the hatter, who fashioned and furnished all kinds of head-ware for his pioneer customers hereabouts. Jabcz Heaton, a brother to Micajah, was the first blacksmith, opening his shop about 1820. He was followed by James Roney, an attentive and industrious mechanic, who worked at the trade here for many yesrs. In 1820, Isaac Heaton, another brother to Micajah, was running a little tanner}-. It afterwards passed into the hands of John Quigley, who sold it to Thomas McBride and William Renfrew. It ceased to exist some twenty-five years ago. Another tannery was started about 1842, by Pliilip Kemicdy. Patrick Thompson operated it awhile, and Thomas Jones then iHirchascd it. Several years later he allowed it to go down.

In the past, considerable manufacturing was carried on in the village. About 1.840, a threshing machine manufactory was started b_v Is;\ac and Thomas Lewis and William Lukens. Four years later, Dr. E. M. Lewis, who had hud charge of the shops for the firm, bought it and in turn sold it to John Shields, who gradually discontinued the business. Patrick Thompson and James Roney, about 1851, started a shop of a similar kind, but after three years experience quit the business. Thompson and Shields have built a limited number of windmills here, in years gone by. About 1862, John Shields began making revolving hay rakes, and is still engaged in the manufacture; about fifty were made the first season, but the number has since been reduced.

In 1858 George Moore erected a large steam saw and grist mill just west of the village. The saw mill was first set and the material for the structure sawed. After the building was finished he removed the saw and used the building as a grist mill only. In 1863 Patrick Thompson purchased the property, replaced the sawing apparatus and has carried on both ever since. In former times the mill was kept constantly running but not so much business is done now.

The first school in the village was held about 1822 in a little log cabin which stood near the present residence of Mrs. Sarah Movel. Edward McCoy, an easy, good-natured man, was the first teacher. His pupils were John, Daniel and Henry Haines, Owen Marshall, Elijah, Elisha and Joseph Musgrove, Absolom Wolf, Conner Crawford, Arthur and Robert McBride and Elias Norris. Schools continued to be held in the village with tolerable regularity from that day to the present, at first not longer than three months in a year. About 1846 the West Bedford academy was organized, and for many years was one of the leadhig institutions of the place. The building was erected by a stock company consisting of James Jones, James and Matthew Mc- Farland, William Smith, Charles Barnes, Patrick Thompson and others. William Eenfrew donated the land. After a flattering career of four or five years the academy was destroyed by fire, but the scliool was transferred temporarily to the Methodist church and the energetic citizens proceeded at once to erect another. . Its cost was about iii!l,200, a fund raised by stock subscription as before. Rev. William Grissell the Methodist minister at the time was the founder of the institution. He was assisted in the instruction by two lady teachers from Oberlin The school in its day ranked high as a college preparatory department. Tlie catalogue showed one hundred and ten stuilents in attendance at one session, a number of them from Coshocton and Roscoe. A bell capjied the building and a fine library circulated among the students. In the course of time the property passed into the hands of the school district, the directors buying the stock at a discount. The village school is still held in the building. It is a two-story frame, twenty-four feet by forty-eight, and contains three rooms only two of which are now used. About eightyeight scholars are now enrolled. They are taught by Samuel Moore and W. R. Spencer.

Wakatomiea Lodge, No. 108, of the Masonic Order, is located here. It was organized at West Carlisle, February 10, 1840, undername of Washington Lodge. Afterward, it was removed to West Bedford. The lodge formerly owned a one-story frame hall, situated across the street from Jones' store, but, in 1875, it erected a third story to a building belonging to Patrick Thompson, and have since occupied it as a lodge room. The present oflicers are : Joseph Diekerson, Master; T. W. Thomson, Senior Warden; James White, Junior Warden ; John IMcKee, Secretary ; Frank Jones, Treasurer; T. W. Hehigle, Senior Deacon; INIartin Wolford, Junior Deacon; Frank Tredaway, Tyler. The membership is now forty-

The population of the village is one hundred and thirty-four. Although there have been three or four stoi'es here formerly at one time, at present Thomas Jones monopolizes the mercantile business. Several blacksmith shops, a shoe shop, and a cabinet shop complete the business. C. F. Moore is proprietor of the hotel. Two physicians are now in practice here, Drs. J. W. Heskett and William Litten. Former practitioners were Drs. Nelson, William Stanton, Roof, Wattel,Sinmions, Smith and Stockdale.

Zeno was the quaint appellation which Abrahanr Cheney bestowed upon a little town of his own creation, in 1833, situated on lot 11 of the military section. Its life was ephemeral. Few houses were built, these few soon removed, and the village plot vacated not many years after its formation, the reason whereof is veiled in oblivion as deep as the town itself.

Tunnel Hill PostoflSce is situated about two miles east of West Bedford, on the Coshocton road. It was formed in 1873 by the ajipointment of T. W. Thompson postmaster. He still holds the position. The postofRce was secured through the influence of the railroad officials then engaged upon the construction of the tunnel a mile or so to the northeast. T. W. Thompson owns a store here, Leonard Haines a harness shop, and Samuel Diekerson a blacksmith shop.