Liberty Township (part 4 of 6)

John Married Catharine Miller of this county. Peter married Catharine, a daughter of the iate George H. Strode. Daniel married Rebecca Strode. They live on the old Crumley farm. Daniel was a Union soldier during the war. George married Matilda Brobst. Mary became the wife of Daniel Hoffman. Elizabeth is the wife of Amos Graham. All are farmers and have fine homes in the neighborhood where they were born and raised.

The Graham Family

The Graham family is not a large one, but for one hundred years it has been an honored and respected one in the United States, and for seventy-five years well known and esteemed in Fairfield County. William Graham was one of the early teachers of Fairfield County, a class of men who deserve immortal honor, for they taught under great difficulties and were faithful and earnest in their work.

.\rthur Graham, the ancestor, was born in Tyrone county, Ireland. He came to the LInited States about the year 1791 and landed in the city of Baltimore. He was then 19 years of age. He came with an uncle

He married Nancy Hanna, who was reared about five miles below Hagerstown, Md. To them were born three sons and two daughters. William, the oldest son, was born near Hagerstown, June 4. 1799. Elizabeth, the second child, married Leonard Bumgardner. Samuel married Nancy Thomas. James, the fourth child, married Nancy Givens. James died in 1896 in Scioto County, Ohio, aged 90 years. Fanny, the youngest daughter, married James Givens and they lived and died in Pike County, Ohio.

Arthur Graham was a man of giant strength and famous for his feats in that line. He at one time carried nine bushels of rye some distance and ascended five or six steps with the burden on his back. These things are remembered, for the strong man was in pioneer times the pride of his neighbors.

William, of whom and his family we have more particularly to sketch, at the age of twenty-two years married the widow of John C. Flood, whose liusband was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died in the hospital at Norfolk, Va. She was the mother of the late John C. Flood and Washington Flood of Lancaster, Ohio.

The Floods were Virginia slaveholders, and the grandfather of John C. and Washington willed them an interest in his slaves. These slaves were emancipated thirty years before Abraham Lincoln issued his famous proclamation of emancipation. William Graham and his wife lived on Patterson creek, Hampshire County, Va. On the 20th of October, 1822, he placed his family and his belongings in a Conestoga wagon drawn by four horses - wife and babe, his two step- sons, and two nephews, Henry and August Burnham, constituted his family. They turned their faces to the far west, and crossing the north branch of the Potomac at Washington bottoms, made their way to Carter's tavern, five miles west of Cumberland, and followed the emigrant road over the mountains to Brownsville, thence to Washington, Penn., and on to Wheeling, on the Ohio river.

In crossing the river their cow refused to go upon the boat and swam the river ; becoming confused, she turned back to the shore whence she started. In time she was got over, but swam the river three times in so doing. From Wlieeling they passed through St. Clairsville. Cambridge and Zanesville, over the old Zane trace. This was before the national pike was built. Arriving at Lancaster, they turned south to Madison township, where William Graham had, while in Virginia, rented a farm of one Philip Welsheimer. When he reached the farm he found that it had b'^en sold to Major John V. Pearse.

Here his trouble began. For two weeks he hunted for a farm, without success, leaving his goods in his wagon. He was finally compelled to place his family in an old school house with a dirt floor. Here his family remained over winter, he teaching a school in the neighborhood, his wife and boys taking care of the team and cow. In the spring of 1823 he rented the Robert Cisna farm, one mile west of Lancaster, now owned by Dr. C. E. Reese. Here they lived six years. During these years his sons, George and Amos were born. In 1829 they rented the Christian King farm, the same where Charles Creed now lives. About this time King built the oil-mill, afterwards changed to a grist mill, and lately torn down by Henry

C. Weaver. About the year 1832 he bought 80 acres of school land, to which ne moved his family in 1833, and where his family was reared. The old Graham home is familiar to all Hocking township people.

His wife died at this home June 12, 1869. In tRe year 1870, Mr. Graham sold his farm and moved to Logan, where he married Mrs. M. A. Lyons. He died in Logan, February 8, 1875. His widow survived him several years.

The daughter, the six-months babe that came over the mountains in the wagon, on the 6th of April, 1844, married C. F. Griner. Griner was a fine scholar and a special friend of the late Dr. John Williams. He was the architect and builder of the famous stone wall around the graves of Nathaniel Wilson and family. He broke down soon after this work was completed and for several years was an invalid. He died leaving a wife and five children.

William A. Griner, of Delaware, Ohio, Edward Griner, a soldier of the Union army, now deceased ; George G. Griner, also a soldier, who died in a Louisville (Ky.) hospital; C. F. Griner, now deceased, and Susan, wife of William Barr of Amanda, were his children. His widow became the third wife of Fred A. Shaeffer.

George Graham, son of William Graham, married a daughter of John Morgan, whose wife was a McCleery. He lived near Carroll and reared a family of children. In 1875 he moved to DeWitt County, Illinois, where his wife died and where his children married. He married a widow named Stone. He moved to Kansas, back to Illinois, and from there to Oklahoma, where he now resides.

Amos, the youngest son of William Graham, married Elizabeth, daughter of Conrad Crumley. Amos was a school teacher in his young days and well qualified for the profession. But he soon settled down as a farmer and has ever since followed that occupation, either in Amanda or Hocking township of this county. He has been successful and owns a fine home - once owned by F. A. Shaeffer. He reared a good family of boys and girls, and enjoys the happiness that such a family only can bring to a parent. One daughter married S. E. Cullumber and resides in Pickaway County ; Francis and Myrta reside at home ; George A., John L., Dr. W. C. and Edward Boyd are good business men, highly esteemed, and are prospering. Amos Graham and family are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church.

The Claypool Family

The Claypools were distinguished people among the pioneers of Licking, Fairfield and Ross Counties. Tliey were O'f the bluest blue blood of Virginia and able to trace their ancestry back in an unbroken line to a time when English history was little more than a tradition.

James Claypool lived at Waldrum Park, Northamptonshire, England. Like other gentlemen of the period he was granted a coat-O'f-arms June 17, i583. John Claypool married Elizabeth, the favorite daughter of Oliver Cromwell. The tomb is pointed out to visitors, in Westminster Abbey. James Claypool, brother of John, witnessed the signature of William

Betsy Ross, who lived in Philadelphia, and married a John Claypool, made the first United States flag, the stars and stripes. Her portrait and the history of the flag was in the magazines during the last year. We cannot go into full details of this large family, but must be confined to the Ohio branch. The grandfather of Jacob Claypool, who came to this country, was James Claypool. He lived and died on Lost River, Hardy County, Virginia, on the south branch of the Potomac. He was born February 14, 1701, and died October 9, 1789. His son James was born December I, 1730. He married Margaret Dunbar, October 31, 1753- She was born November 20, 1736, and died March 26, 1813. James Claypool died August 11, 181 1. They were the parents of nine daughters and three sens. The daughters of James Claypool (b. 1730) and Margaret Dunbar were (in order of birth) : I. Ann, m. Archibald Wilson; 2. Hannah, m. ist John Watson, m. 2nd William Evans ; 3. Jane, m. William Peppers ; 4. Margaret, m. David Thomas ; 5. Esther, m. Jeremiah Jaco'bs : 6. Ruth, m. Robert Denton ; 7. Rachel, m. John Rerry ; 8. Rhoda, m. Joseph Jcfiferies : 9. Elizabeth, m. John Woolard ; 10. Tirzah, m. \\'esley Blizzard. The sons were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and that was the order in which they were born. Abraham was born in Hardy County, Virginia, April 2, 1762. Abraham was one of the very early settlers of Ross County, Ohio. He reared a family of children, most of whom moved to Fountain and other counties of Indiana. Abraham was a very prominent man and represented his county several terms in the Ohio Legislature. This was prior to i8[0. His descendants are distinguished people of Indiana. Solomon Claypool, of Indianapolis, was Common Pleas Judge at Covington on the Wabash, and an able lawyer and an upright man. He is a pleasant gentleman to meet, cordial and sincere, as the writer found him. He is one of the distinguished men of Indiana. Edward F. Claypool is a business man of large wealth and resides in Indianapolis. Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, daughter of Austin B. Claypool, and widow of Henry Clay Meredith (son of General Solomon Meredith), was the business manager of the Board of Lady Managers, World's Fair, and wrote the ofificial report of the board for Congress. Mr. A. L. Claypool, the brother-in-law of John Book waiter, and living in Springfield, Ohio, is a brother of Judge Claypool.

Abraham Claypool married Elizabeth Wilson. Isaac Claypool was born February 7, 1769. He married a A4iss Wilkin and they settled in Ross County They were not blessed with children.

Jacob, the Fairfield pioneer, was born March 17, 1775. He married Margaret Baker, O'f Rockingham County, Virginia, March 5, 1799. They came to Ohio about October 21, 181 1. The wife died June 22, 1828. He was married the second time to Mrs. Neil, of Ross County. Jacob died October 27, 1843. He first came to Ohio in the year 1805 and purchased the original farm 011 which Isaac his son now lives. It had been occupied by squatters up to that time, James Brooks, a Mr. Crook and Drake Taylor. The place was called "Yankeetown" by the early settlers. He built a hewed log house for his family - the same, in part, now occupied by Isaac Claypool. Jacob Claypool received a good education, especially in mathematics, and he qualified himself for a land surveyor. During the first twenty years of his residence in this county he was largely engaged in that business. The papers he left behind are beautiful specimens of drafting. He was methodical, accurate and an accomplished penman. His superior education and fine mind soon gave him a leading position in the county and in Lancaster, where he was highly esteemed. Upon the organization of the Lancaster Bank in 1816 he was elected one of the directors, as was his neighbor Richard Hooker. In the same year he was elected to the lower House of the Legislature, was reelected in 18 18 and again in 1822. In 1824 he was elected a member of the Ohia senate. He supported the preliminary legislation that secured for us the Ohio Canals and the Common School system. He was one of the first Fairfield County men to drive cattle to the Eastern markets and he continued the business to within three years of his death. His son Isaac, when a youth, accompanied him on such trips to Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. In the year 1826 the Barrett Woolen Mill at the upper falls of Hockhocking burned down and the owner was unable to rebuild. The Legislature gave authority for a lottery and the Common Pleas Court appointed Jacob Claypool, Samuel F. Mccracken and John Creed commissioners to conduct it, and in this wav it was rebuilt and leased for a term to Joshua Clark and Colonel John Noble.

Jacob Claypool was a man of unusual business capacity, honest, correct and with the ability to dispatch business, a great quality in a business man. H ^ was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belonged to the Lancaster society. He was a liberal contributor to the expense of building the present church edifice, but did not live to see it fully dedicated. But few men lived in this county more highly esteemed in life or more sincerely lamented in death.

Jacob and Margaret Claypool were the parents of three daughters and six sons. Emma was born April 2, 1800. She married Joseph Grubb October 19, 1820. Reverend Thomas A. Morris, then the Methodist pastor at Lancaster, afterwards a Bishop, officiated. She died May 20, 1832. They were the parents of Jacob Grubb, long a well known and wealthy farmer of this and Ross County. Elizabeth was born August 17, 1 801. She married Stephen Yale March 12, 1822, and died September 10, 1823. Mary was born January 12, 1803, and died August 13, 1823. Albert was born December 5, 1806. He was married to his first wife, Rachel Hooker, daughter of Richard Hooker, of Turkey Run, March 25, 1826. His second wife was a Miss Rebecca Mounts, of Warren County, Ohio. Albert Claypool was a splendid specimen of the physical man. For many years he was a large and prosperous farmer in this county. He reared quite a family of children, who filled or are filling honorable and useful positions in life. Albert late in life moved to Warren County, where he died November 2, 1862.

Wesley Claypool was born February 15, 18 10. He married Catharine McNeil November 9, 1830. He died June 25, 1877. His wife died February 22, 1879, at her home in Chillicothe, Ohio. Wesley Claypool was a man of more than ordinary ability and in his prime a successful farmer and cattle feeder. He represented Ross County as a Whig two or three times in the General Assembly of Ohio. He was a man of fine apT)earance, companionable and made friends. His farm at

Higli Bank, below Chillicothe, was a fine one and well managed. Felix was born March 8, 1812, and died September i, 1826. Jacob was born July 23, 1816, and died May 26, 1835, in the citv of Philadelphia. Issac Claypool was born January 29, 1821. He married Nancy Meason August 17, 1843, the daughter of John Meason. She was born January 22, 182 1, and died October 16, 1855. He married a second wife, Sarah A. Pierce, March 18, 1858. She was born in Dover, New Hampshire, November 15, 1836; she died March 18, 1893. Annie E. Cosgrove v^as his third wife. They were married August i, 1895. She was born in Mifflin county, Penn., April 9, 1843, ^"^1 died very suddenly March 23, 1898. Isaac Claypool has been all his long life a farmer and lives upon the farm and in the house where he was born. His father trained him to purchase, drive and handle cattle, and in this he was successful. He was the life long friend of John T. Brasee, and when a young man purchased for him his feeding cattle. Mr. Brasee had implicit confidence in his judgment and in his integrity. For a young man to have had the confidence and friendship of John T. Brasee was an honor to be proud of. Isaac Claypool commenced his career with two hundred acres of good land. He added to this farm from time to time until it became one of the very largest and best in the county. The home farm of 600 or more acres is a beauty and the admiration of all who behold it. Mr. Claypool has reared and fairly educated a large family of children. He is a public spirited citizen, liberal and generous. He is a Republican, but never took an active or aggressive part in politics. His sons represent the family in politics. He spent three years of his life in Lancaster, but upon his second marriage moved to his farm. His sons were Jacob, who married Truphenie Weist, daughter of Jacob Weist, was born Aug. 26, 1846. He Hves upon a good farm near Hookers. He has been president of the Agricultural Society and received a very complimentary support for County commissioner. James Bruce married Elizabeth Peters, daughter of Newton Peters. He was born Oct. 23, 1850. He resides upon his farm adjoining his brother Jacob. He is a good farmer and a breeder of fine horses. Frank P. married Elizabeth Prindle, daughter of Myron Prindle. He was born April 16, 1859, and resides in Lancaster. John Reber married Henrietta Carnes, daughter of John Carnes. He was born March 11, 1861, and resides upon the home farm with his father. His wife is one of the stylish young dames of Greenfield. Isaac Claypool's daughters are Anna, Mary, Emma Eliza McCowan, Nancy Jane Caldwell, Ida Pierce Shell, Ada Maud Creighton.

Albert Claypool had three sons, Felix, James and Jacob. Felix was born Aug. 7, 1827 and died in New York City Sept. 2, 1865. James died Feb. 14, 1873, at his home in the state of Illinois. Jacob died at Rantoul, Illinois, July 5, 1891. His wife was a Rankin, of Licking County, Ohio. His daughter, Mary Elizabeth Cochran, was born in 1832, and lives in Emporia. Kansas. Martha Cochran was born March 12, 1834, and died Oct. 10, 1868. Florence Edith Mounts was born Nov. 26, 1872, and lives near Clarksburg, Ohio. Bertha B. Howell was born March 25, 1875 and lives at Fulsom, New Mexico. Josephine married E. B. White, of Lancaster, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1864. She was born Aug. 26, 1843. White is a successful business man of Lancaster. His son, Albert Claypool, has literary talents and possesses high merit as a writer of sketches. He is well read and has seen much of the world. He was born Oct. 5, 1865. He married Miss Daisy Swartz, daughter of Joel Swartz. She was one of the belles of Berne township.

Wesley Claypool had three sons, but they did not live to reach man's estate. This was one of the sorrows of Wesley's life. Four of his daughters lived to marry and raise families. Margaret Ann married W. R Foster, of a prominent Ross County family. Sarah E. married George Davis, one of the foremost business men of Portsmouth in his time - both now dead. Jane P. married Dennis Rennick, of one of the pioneer families most widely known in the Scioto valley. They lived for a year or two on the south side of the Van Meter prairie, two miles east of Lancaster. Wesley Claypool opposed this union and held out for some time, but the sight of the first born child, when able to be fondled by him, melted the old man's heart and all was forgiven.

James Claypool, born in 1730, the founder of the family we have described, had a brother named John, born in 1832, who had a family of boys, and lived in Hardy County, Va. There was also a Philadelphia branch, large and respectable. There were in all branches twenty-three John Claypools. Levi Claypool was a Virginian and a grandson, 011 his mother's side, of Mathias Miller, a familiar Virginia name.

Black Hand, was a son of Levi. Norton was a veryfine looking man, as the writer well remembers. He reared two sons, who are very intelligent business men. Wm. O. Claypool, of the T. R. & W. Railroad, and Edward A., of Chicago, 111. The Claypool family produced many preachers, lawyers, doctors and professors.

There are but few families in the United States able to trace their lineage back through English records five hundred years. There are but few families, if any, that have, a cleaner record than the Claypools.

The Meason, Cherry And Bear Families

Colonel John Meason, seventh son of Thomas, was born h^bruary 22, 1753, in Berkeley County, Va. He married Hannah Frost, who was born December 23, 1 75 1. They moved to Fayette County, Pa. They were the parents of ten children. - Isaac was born November 20, 1773, and died February 26, 1845 5 Ehzabeth, born April 2, 1776; Martha was born May 20, 1779; Hannah was born June i, 1782; John was born September 7, 1784; Nancy was born May 4. 1787; Mary wa.^ 1)orn May 9, 1789, Thomas was born June

Isaac Meason, son of Thomas Meason, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1773. He married Rached Cherry, daughter of Ralph Cherry and Annie Meek, his wife. She was born June 17, 1774. Ralph Cherry died April 25, 1836.

Isaac Meason and wife came to Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1799, and settled near the present Summit church in Greenfield, where the Masons still own the land. They were both buried in the Wells graveyard near Hooker.

They were the parents of nine children : John Meason, son of Isaac was born March 26, 1795 ; Ralph Meason, was born September 29, 1797, and died November 15, 1799; Hiram Meason was born May 10, 1799, and died June 3, 1802; Jeremiah was born August I, 1801, and died May 18, 1825, and was buried in the Wells graveyard. Elijah was born March 20, 1804, and died January 31, 1823 ; Enoch was born August 24, 1806, and died July 28, 1822 ; Isaac Whatcoat was born February 21, 1809, and died April 25, 1852, and was buried in Wells graveyard. Nancy Miranda was born October 14, 181 1; she married Mr. Baxter, moved to Lima, and died there. George Wesley was born April 11, 1814, and died January 16, 1847.

John Meason, son of Isaac and Rachel, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, five miles northeast of Uniontown. Anna, his first wife, was born in May, 1798, and died Jan. 11, 1830, aged thirty-one years. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Bear. The second wife of John Meason was a Miss Elizabeth Haver, sister of Peter Haver of Walnut township.

John Meason lived a long and honorable life near the summit in Greenfield and died in 1876, aged 84 years. He was the father of seven children.

Mary was born October 17, 1819. She married John Neel, and moved to Lima, ( ). Nancy was born January 22, 1821. She married Isaac Claypool. Her sons, Jacob and James Claypool, are prosperous farmers and reputable citizens of Greenfield. Elijah E. was born January 26, 1823. He lived for years on the George Meason farm at the Summit. Isaac Jerome was born September 30, 1825; he died young. Sallie Elizabeth was liorn November 10, 1827; she married Elijah Winters. Their son, John M. Winters, is now postmaster of Carroll, Ohio. Anna Miranda was born January 3. 1830. She was the second wife of Samuel Baxter, late of Lima, Ohio.

Isaac Meason was one of the most noted of the pioneers for strength and activit}-. h^cw men, if any, among the pioneers could throw him in a wrestling match and only W^alter McFarland, his friend and neiglibor, could lift a hca\ier load.

Tie once niet a famous athletic Indian in a wrestling hnnt. His friends feared that he had found his match, but he throw him three times in sticcession. At the raising of Honker's l)ani, Walter McFarland carried one of the squru'c ])];\tes a few steps, that required .six men to lift it and place it u])()n his shoulders. Such were the annisemenls id' the i)ioneers. Every neighborhood had its chamjiion.

Xathaniel Cherry, Ralph Cherry, Thomas Cherry and William Cherr}', late of Walnut township, were sons of Thomas Cherry, a relative of the Greenfield Cherrxs. Thev are all dead and but few of their descendants remain in the county. Mrs. Wm. Murphey and her children, of ]\[illersport ; Frank Cherry and sisters, of Lancaster; Mrs. Samuel Wiseman and r.rook Cdierry, of New Salem; Mrs. Lightnecher, of ThursidU, are about all that remain in the county.

i-'ranci'^ IMeason, daughter of Col. John ?\Ieason, married Judge William Salter in Fayette County, Pa. Tliey moved west and were early settlers in I'ortsmouth, ( )h.io. \\ here Judge Salter was a leading citizen and (jne of die pioneers in the manufacture of pig-iron.

Samuel j'.axter. whose two v/ives were both Measons, w;is fur man}' years a business man of Lancaster. He studied law xvith Governor ^Med.ill and located m Liiua. ( ).. where he was a successful man and acquired property. Dr. Sanuiel L.axter, son of his first wife, is a ]>j-(!r.unent business man of Lima.

Cherry Family

Ralph Cherry, son of Thomas and Rachel Cherry, was born July lo, 1744, and Anne Cherry, daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah Meek, was born June - , 1750. Were married October 10, 1765. They were the parents of three children.

Ralph Cherry, Sr., was an early settler on the head waters of the Hockhocking, and formerly was one of the first emigrants to Westmoreland County, Pa. He died in Greenfield township, July 22, 1820, aged yy years. His wife Anne followed him on September 2y, 1822, aged y2 years. Their remains lie in the old Wells cemetery at Hooker; also their children.

Jeremiah Cherry, son of Ralph and Anne, married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Hannah (Frost) Meason, in 1794. Three children were born to them.

Ralph Cherry, Jr., married Ruth Martin, who died in 1826. He afterwards married Mrs. Sallie Comer, daughter of John and Elizabeth Bear, and removed to Allen County. Their descendants live in Allen, Auglaize and Union counties.

Sarah Cherry married George Bear in 1816 and subsequently moved to Allen County. Descendants moved westward. Coffey County, Kan., contains a large number. Van Wert County, Ohio, is the home of some others of the family.

Bear Family

Katie, who married Philip Lamb, and whose descendants, the families of Philip, Jr., and Peter Lamb, reside in this county. George W. Lamb, of Hooker; Noah, John and Irvin, of Carroll, are sons of Peter Lamb. The daughters are Mrs. Henry Coffman, Mrs. Belle Beatty, of Carroll, and Rachel Flood, of Lancaster. Polly married James Steadman and moved to northern Ohio.

Betsey Bear married Daniel Miller in 1817 and lived in Allen County. Joseph Miller, a son, resides with his daughter, Mrs. George Kester, of Greenfield township.

Winter Family

Jacob Winter was an early settler in Walnut township, born in 1760, died in Baltimore in 1827. He had two sons, Benjamin and Abraham. Benjamin died young in 1829, but left seven children.

Samuel, the oldest, lives in Effingham County, Ills., and is a farmer. He was captain in the army during the rebellion. He married Jane Turner.

Elijah, born 1823, was married to Sallie E. Meason in 1846, and who died in 1873 leaving seven children. In 1875 he married Catharine Berger and has two children by this marriage.

Of this union Cora M. is the wife of F. E. Wilson, superintendent Lithopolis schools, and Frank E., the youngest, is telegraph operator at Valley Crossing.

Benjamin Winter, born 1825, married Elizabeth Miller, of Walnut township. Have two children, Walter, a farrrfer near Baltimore, and Emma, the wife of Eugene Yontz, of New Salem, Ohio.

Kate Strode, the wife of Isaac Winter, Charleston, Ills., was a niece of Geo. H. Strode. Her mother's second husband was Daniel Devore, of Lancaster. O.

6. Charles C, married Esther E. Gorham. Now live at Continental, Ohio. Is agent for the N. Y., Chi. and St. L. R. R. Has been in R. R. work for twenty years. They have one son, Fred E., who is telegraph operator for the Pullman Car Co., Chicago.

7. William B., married Mollie Turner, of Mason, Ills. Has been in the employ of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois R. R., also the Illinois Central, for ten years. Is now located at Pullman. They have two daughters.

Mrs Winter died in 1873, and by a second marriage with Miss Katherine Berger in 1875 two children were born. Cora M., who is now the wife of Frank E. Wilson, superintendent of the Lithopolis schools, and Frank E., telegraph operator at Valley Crossing on the C. H. V. R. R.

Sketch Of The Hooker Family

Thomas Hooker is the first of his name of whom the writer has any account. He Hved near Ricetown, Maryland, and ten miles from the city of Baltimore. Of his family we know nothing except his son Richard and his descendants. Thomas Hooker died March 24, 1744.

His son Richard was born September 24, 1701. He married a woman named Martha. Of her family we know nothing. Richard Hooker was a farmer and tobacco planter, as we learn from his old account book and family record. The following quotation from said book gives some insight into his character :

He died September, 1781, at half past five o'clock in the afternoon. His wife, Martha, died August 13, 1 78 1, aged 69 years. They were the parents of thirteen children, viz.: Margaret, born the 15th of November, 1732; Barny, born the 28th of November, 1734; Eurath. born December 4. 1736; Charity, born March II. 1739; Aquilla Hooker, born February 22, 1741 ; Mary, born January i, 1743 ; Richard Hooker, Jr., born on the 20th of October, 1745 ; Jacob Hooker, born 22d of June, 1748; Ruth, born 17th day of September, 1751 ; Susan, born March 17, 1753; Samuel, born i6th of Novem])cr, 1757; Sarah, born May 28, 1762.

Of this family of thirteen children we can learn nothing, except as to Richard, Samuel and Eurath, the sister, of whom more later on. There is a record of the birth of Kezia Hooker, January 6, 1761, in the handwriting of Richard, and the presumption is that she was one of his children, making the number thir- teen. From an entry in his family record it would appear that his daughter Margaret married Button Land, and that his daughter Ruth married Lathrop Cole.

Samuel Hooker, Jr., with his brother Richard and his sister Eurath, came to Ohio and settled in Greenfield township, Fairfield County, in 1810. He married Rachel Belt, daughter of Richard Belt, of Maryland. She was born November 11, 1767 Soon after his arrival in this county Samuel purchased of Gen. James Wells 665 acres of land for the sum of $8.00 per acre. It was a valuable and beautiful section of fertile land, just west of Hooker Station. The deed for this land is dated October i, 18 10.

Samuel Hooker, Sr., was a man of sterling qualities, a good citizen and one highly esteemed in his neighborhood. He and his wife raised a large family - one of the largest and most prominent of Greenfield township. After a long and useful life he died October 3, 1842. His wife survived him, but passed to her long home February 7, 1853. Their children were Mary, born December 21, 1787; Jared, born May 20, 1789; Milcha, born January 17, 1793; Samuel, born February 17, 1797; Richard, born February 17, 1799; Rachel, born August 28, 1801.

Rachel married a Mr. Pickens, and subsequently moved to Wabash County, near Attica, Indiana. Milcha married William Stanbery, of Greenfield. Mary was the second wife of John Stanbery, and stepmother of of the present John Stanbery, of Greenfield. Jared must have died while yet a young man. Richard, son of Samuel, married Phoelie Tallman, a daughter of a prominent man named William Tallman, who then

Richard Hooker was always a prominent respected citizen of Greenfield, and the father of a large family of children. He died in 1885, at the age of 86 years. The children of Richard and Phoebe were : Jared, born in 1828, and who married Sallie Manson, of Lancaster ; Samantha, born in 1830, and who married Thomas Trimble, son of the old pioneer. Col. William Trimble; Richard, born in 1831, and who married a daughter of David Foster, of Lancaster, Ohio ; Nancy, born in 1833, and who married George Little, of Lancaster, Ohio; William Henry, born in 1836; Samuel Henry, born in 1839; George W., born in 1849. He married a daughter of William Rippey, of Lancaster, Ohio. Samuel Hooker, Jr., brother of Richard, was born February 17, 1797, and married Sarah Shull, whose parents lived at that time near what is now Buckeye Lake. He was a highly respected citizen of Greenfield, and reared a large family on the farm now owned by M. S. Vought, near Hooker Station. The children of these parents were : Samuel L., who married Miss Lydy, Daughter of S. Lydy, the proprietor of the " Swan Hotel," which stood on the site of the present Mithofif House; Samuel was a lieutenant in Company A, First Ohio Cavalry; John, who married Miss Lydia Alspaugh, daughter of John Alspaugh, who resided near the Rock Mill ; Martha, who married Hosea P). Tong, both of whom are dead ; Orpha, who married E. S. Carr, of Fayette County, Ohio; Sarah, who married Darius Wise, son of Rev. Wise, of Lancaster ; Loretta, who married Captain James M. Sommers, who was killed at the head of his company, Sixtv-first O. V. L, in one of the last battles of the civil war ; Mary, wlio married George W. Alfred, who was Probate Judge of Hocking County ; Louise, who married M. K. Wright, of Jeffersonville, Ohio ; and Rachel Elizabeth, who married John G. Reeves, a prominent attorney of Lancaster, and by marriage a double second cousin of Richard Hooker, Jr., of Turkey Run.

Richard Hooker, the bachelor of the family, who came to this comity, was a son of Richard and Martha Hooker, of near Ricetown, Maryland. He arrived in this county with his brother Samuel in the year 1810. He was born October 20, 1745, and died in the year 1823, August the 5th. He was near 60 years of age when he landed here, was a bachelor and a man of means and ability. He soon became a large land owner and prominent in the county and in Lancaster, Ohio. In 1816 he was elected a member of the Board of Directors of the First Lancaster Bank, and he was four times a representative and twice a senator in Ohio Legislature. He gave farms to each of the children of his brother Samuel. The farm on which John Stanbery now lives is one of them. Reber Allen lives upon one of them. It is now yy years since his death, and there is no one living who knew him; hence our sketch is very brief. Too brief, we have no doubt, for a man so highly esteemed in his day and generation. When or where his sister Eurith died, we have not been able to ascertain. She did not marry. Richard was buried at the old Hooker graveyard, which holds the dust of many of the best pioneers of this county.

Richard Hooker, always known in this county as Turkey Run Hooker, or Dick, was a near relative of Samuel, Sr., and Richard Hooker, Sr., of Greenfield township, Fairfield County, Ohio. He came to this county early in the century, at least as early as 1804 or 1805. He was the first of the name to settle here. January 6, 1806, he was married to Nancy Tallman, by Thos. McCall, J. P. His wife was a daughter of William Tallman, who then lived upon a farm adjoining that of Jedediah Allen, in Amanda township. William Tallman was a good man, a good citizen, and prospered financially. In later years he moved to a farm adjoining that of his son-in-law, but just over the line in Pickaway County, where he owned about one section of land. William Tallman donated the land for the East Ringgold cemetery, and there he and his wife were buried. His father, Benjamin Tallman, and also his wife, were buried in the same cemetery. John, a brother of William, had a daughter named Mary, who married Fred Slough. They were the parents of Judge Tallman Slough, of the Common Pleas Court, Lancaster, Ohio. Another brother, Samuel, married a daughter of Gen. James Wells, the first owner of the Hooker farm, in Greenfield township.

The sons of William Tallman were George, Hinton, James, Thomas and Benjamin. George settled first in Chillicothe, and later moved to near New Holland, Pickaway County, Ohio. He was the father of Mrs. Rev. B. N. Spahr, late of Columbus, Ohio. This George Tallman reared Wilhelmina Slough in his family. He promised her an equal share in his estate with his children. He died suddenly, without making a will, and his children, who possessed his noble traits of character, carried out his promise, giving the young girl an equal share of the estate. Hinton moved to Delaware, Ohio, where he was a prominent merchant and miller. George Spahr, a great-grandson of William Tallman, is a prominent citizen and busi-

In i8ti Richard Hooker purchased i6o acres of land of Abraham Moyer, southwest quarter of section 20, on Turkey Run. He had previously entered section 1 9, and moved there, improved it, and built a grist mill. The mill race can yet be distinguished, but there is no trace of mill or the dam. The Cedar Hill and Circleville pike passes diagonally through section 19, and the mill was just north of the crossing of Turkey Run.

Mr. Hooker gave one acre of ground for a graveyard and school yard, also for the site of the present Baptist Church. Up to 1830 the services of this society were held in the Hooker school house. William Tallman's section was just over the line in Pickaway county, west of and adjoining the Hooker land. One half of the section is now owned by the Peters and Blues ; Claypool owned the section north of and adjoining Hooker. On the land of this one family the sightseer could ride three miles - a tract unsurpassed in beauty and fertility. From the hill south of the Hooker residence is to be had the finest landscape view in this or any other county. Milton Peters now owns a large part of the Claypool farm, and his fine home is now one of the landmarks of the neighborhood.

Mr. Hooker was a very prominent and influential man. Some time prior to 1831 he moved his family to Holliday's Cove, Brook County, Virginia, where they immediately took a prominent position in the society of the neighborhood, and of Steubenville and Wellsburgh. In the year 183 1, October 5, Mr. Hooker died. He made a will and gave to his son Richard 500 acres of section 19, range 19, of Fairfield County. This land Richard sold in less than a year to George Reigle, Sr. The Reigles and Kigers own the greater part of it. A section of land hardly surpassed hy any other in the county. The children of Richard and Nancy Hooker were Phoebe, Elizabeth, Mary, Nancy, Richard, Emanuel, John Randolph, George and Tallman. Phoebe married Albert Clay pool, March 26, 1826, and they settled upon a large farm adjoining and north of that of Mr. Claypool's father-in-law. Two daughters of these parents are still living; the sons are dead. Richard Hooker, Jr., married Susan Graybill, February 13, 1828, Rev. Michael J. Steck officiating. Mary Hooker married Dr. Cowen, of Steubenville, Ohio. Elizabeth married a Mr. Shear, and he dying, she moved to California. Nancy married Dr. Stanton, a brother or near relative of Edwin M. Stanton. The widow now lives in Washington, D. C. Of Mary, George and Tallman, we have no information. After Richard, Jr., sold his large farm he moved to Steubenville and became a merchant there. Later he married a second ivifc. ga\e up merchandise, and went to Texas, where he met witli financial reverses. He is said to have met with a violent dcatli in the south. Major Emanuel T. Hooker, l)elieved to 1)e the son of Richard, returned to this county some time before the civil war. He enlisted in the Union army, in the First Ohio regiment, and was made a lieutenant of Company A. He was promoted to Captain, and served with his regiment until 1864, when he was regularly discharged. He was afterwards made major of one of the newly organized Ohio regiments. January 16, 1865, he married Rebecca J. Hutchins, of Lancaster. Fie had three children Iw his first wife : Jessie, of Lancaster, who mar- ried Henry Dysinger ; Fannie, of Fairfield County, who married Thomas Wilhamson ; George, a son, supposed to be living in Canton, Ohio. He had a daughter by his second wife. Major Hooker died in Lancaster a few years after the war and was buried in Elmwood cemetery.

Mary L. Ely, daughter of Dr. Stanton, and granddaughter of Richard Hooker, of Holliday's Cove, is the wife of Rev. J. H. Ely, Episcopalian, College Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hollidav's Cove, and Brown's Island, Virginia, were famous places in pioneer times. In this neighborhood many people who have become distinguished were born and reared. The Brown's. Doddridges, Wells, Tallmans, Hammonds, Wrights, and other' distinguished families had their habitation here. Col. Richard Brown, the original proprietor, was born in ^Maryland, eight miles froiu Baltimore, in 1740. and died February, 181 1. Prior to 1800 he purchased 1,150 acres of land, including Brown's island, of 350 acres. It was this land the greater part of which Richard Hooker, of Turke}' Run, owned at tlie time of his death in 1831.

We close this sketch of a very remarkable and honored pioneer family, one tliat took part and were prominent in the social life of their respective townships, and the schools and churches, doing all that was required of good citizens. All were farmers and owned and cultivated large farms of the best land in the countv. The families with whom they intermarried, the Tallmans and Stanberys, were large and highly respected, and all have left numerous descendants of unblemished reputation.

Some Marriage Records

Jonathan Hays married Elizabeth Hooker, in the year 1809, Richard Hooker, J. P., officiating. We can't state to what family Elizabeth belonged.

William Tallman married Rachel Rush, of Amanda township, April 17, 1834. This was doubtless the father-in-law of Richard Hooker and his second wife.

Hinton Tallman married Amanda M. Thompson, May 5, 1836, by Rev. Solomon Mineer. Hinton and his brother George were able business men, of high character, and were greatly esteemed wherever known.

The Reber Family

John Bernhard Reber came from one of the German states to America in the year 1738 and settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania. His descendants have been numerous in Berks County for one hundred and ninetythree years. One of his descendants, Morris Reber, is at this time a resident of Reading, Berks County. John B. Reber was the ancestor of the family of this county (Fairfield). Peter and Valentine, brothers, belonged to the third or fourth generation from Bernhard. They left behind them eight brothers and sisters. When

Valentine and Peter Reber, brothers, came to Fairfield County from Berks County, Pennsylvania. Peter came here a single man in 1801 and made his home in Lancaster. He married a daughter of Frederick Arnold, a farmer living north of town. They reared a large family. Peter was a hotel keeper and owned considerable property in town. John Reber, a distinguished merchant of Lancaster, and George Reber, a lawyer, were his sons. David Bright, Sr., married a sister of the Rebers and came to this county in 1800 and settled where Jacob Bright now lives in Greenfield. Peter Reber and his family are more fully sketched in " Centennial Lancaster."

Valentine Reber was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and came with his young wife, who was Magdalena Van Reed, to Fairfield County in 1805. He had in 1803 visited the country and decided to make it his home. He purchased Section 10 of Amanda township, upon which he made his home during his life. He was an intelligent, industrious, enterprising and influential man. He reared a family of thirteen children, all of whom filled an honorable position in life, and left to their children the immortal heritage of a good name. Valentine Reber was a member of the Ohio Legislature in the year 1820. He left to his children each 160 acres of land, or its equivalent. He died in the year 1828, still in the prime of old age. His widow married for her second husband, William Stage, but the union was not a happy one. His old homestead is now owned by the heirs of Henry Reber.

and married Rachel, the daughter of Jedediah Allen, a famous man of the neighborhood. He lived for some years on the Allen farm, but later moved to Wyandotte County and purchased of the Armstrongs or at government sale, a very fine farm near Upper Sandusky. Here he lived and prospered, accumulating a fine estate. A Sandusky banker told the writer that Reber's bank balance never fell below $25,000.00. His son Felix lived and died in Marion County, Ohio.

Reber found on his farm, when he purchased it, a good brick home, one that had been used by Armstrong, a half-breed, as a hotel. The writer, when a youth, spent one night in this famous hotel and partook of fruit grown in the old Indian orchard. This fine farm adjoins one equally as good, but not so large, of another Fairfield County man, Solomon Beery. Mr. Reber has been dead several years.

John Reber, one of the sons of Valentine, was raised upon his father's farm, but early engaged in selling goods at Adelphi, Ohio, in which he was not successful. He gave up the business and commenced farming and cattle feeding in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio. In this he was very successful and before he had reached three score and ten he was a very wealthy man for the period in which he lived. He was a bachelor, lived in good style, was hospitable, kind and generous, and before or at his death, divided an estate of $400,000.00 among his relatives. A nephew resides upon his old home farm. John Reber was highly esteemed.

Dr. William Reber married Susan Huston and moved early to Brandon, Miss., where he spent his life. He reared two. daughters known to the writer, one of whom became the wife of W. L. Clement, late

Charles Reber married BeHnda, the daughter of a farmer near Groveport, Ohio. They made their hon-'' Air. Reber died in 1849. Thornton Rcber of this county is his son, and Mrs. Clarke Williamson, is a daughter. His son Henry lives near Circleville. A daughter married George Ashbrook, a son of Absolom Ashbrook. They reside in Pickaway Count}', Ohio.

James Reber married Catharine Stage and he spent his life in Pickaway County. James Reber was a very amiable man. a good citizen, and a Christian gentleman. His son \\'illiam resides upon the John Reber homestead.

Samuel Reber secured a good education, studied law in I>ancaster, and being admitted to the bar, removed to St. Louis, Missouri. There he became prominent and was elected Judge of the Common Pleas Court, judge Reber was an elegant gentleman and A^ery nuich esteemed. He married Margaret, the daughter of General William J. Reese of Lancaster, ( )hio. He died while yet a young man and left quite a family of children.

Henry Reber married Sarah x\lleu, daughter of Howard Allen. He became owner of his father's old home and Section 10. Plere he lived in good style, rearing a nice family of children. Henry was an exceptionallv fine man, honorable in all of his dealings, a just and liberal man. He was a reader and was posted on all political matters. He was a man of affairs and calculated to lead in any walk of life. He died while there yet seemed to be many years of usefulness before him. Joseph Hedges, George Blue and Dr. Beery married his daughters. He had but one son, Henry Clay.

A daughter of Valentine Reber, whose name we cannot give, married Jonathan Huston of Pickaway County, Ohio They reared a large family of children.

Eliza married Lyman Allen, the son of Jedediah Allen. His sons were Reber, Flavins and Clinton. Reber lives near Hooker; Flavins in Jackson County, Missouri ; Clinton died in Missouri. One of the daughters married Emmitt Defenbaugh, Nora married Ed. Griner, Etta married William Griner. Margaret married Silas Wolfly of Delaware, now a wealthy tanner. Mary married John Allen, son of Howard. Rachel died young.

Anna married Andrew Peters and they began life upon a farm near the old home. They both lived to a good old age and led an exemplary life. Success crowned their lives and they left their children a fine estate. Alice Peters married George Creed ; their children were Frank, Ann, Fannie and Emma. Mrs. Creed died suddenly October 7, 1896. Milton Peters, son of Andrew, lives upon a fine estate in Amanda township ; Frank and John in Pickaway County.

Pauline Reber married William L. Clement, for many years a prominent merchant of Royalton, Ohio. Their children were John, Charles, William, George and Mary. His second wife was Ann Reber, daughter of Dr. William Reber. They had two children.

Their children are John and Eugene. We regret that this sketch is not more complete. It is next to impossible to procure full information of the pioneer families. What can the children of the honored dead be thinking about to neglect this matter?

The Rebers, who were church members, were Methodists, prominent in the church and influential in the circle where they lived. But few, if any, pioneer families have a better record. The thirteen children, like the thirteen on an adjoinmg farm (Samuel Peters), grew to man's estate and lived long and useful lives. Jacob Dum, whose farm adjoined the Peters' home, settled there in 1833. He reared a family of thirteen children. Three such families on adjoiningfarms is remarkable.

But what is more remarkable, the thirty-nine children became men and women, and, without exception, filled honorable and useful positions in society.

David Bright, Sr., one of the early pioneers of Greenfield township, married Sarah Reber, a sister of Valentine Reber. They came from Berks County, Pennsylvania, to Fairfield County, in the year 1800, and settled where Jacob Bright now lives. David Bright cleared up a farm and like many other pioneers ran a whiskey distillery near his home, which, like all of its kind, proved a great injury to the neighborhood. Mr. Bright reared two sons and four daughters. He died at the very early age of 42.

David Bright, Jr., was born in 1812. He married Catharine Arnold for his first wife ; his second wife was Susan Gesselle, who still lives at the advanced age of 87 years. David Bright was a very substantial man, highly esteemed for his industry and integrity, and his skill and judgment as a farmer and business man. Greenfield honors no better citizen than David Bright, Jr. His son Charles married Catharine Carnes, one of an estimable family of Greenfield,

Charles moved to near Findlay, Ohio, where he owns a large and fertile farm. He represented Hancock County in the Ohio Legislature a few years since.

Samuel married Rebecca Fisher of Greenfield, daughter of Samuel Fisher. He lives upon a good farm in Walnut township. He is a wide-awake farmer and devoted to his business. Raised a Lutheran, on account of new location he became a very devoted Methodist.

James married Mary Rugh, daughter of Christian Rugh. Their fine mansion overlooks one of the finest 300-acre farms in Walnut township. James is a good farmer, a money maker and a money saver.

Luther married Alma, daughter of Jacob Rugh Brandt. He owns the old Abrams homestead in Greenfield township. He is a sturdy farmer and not afraid of hard work. His build and face remind us of the picture of his grand namesake, Martin Luther.

John R. Bright married Sarah Rife, daughter of John Rife. He owns the old David Bright homestead, a magnificent place, and is a good, industrious farmer, who raises good crops and whose word is always good.

John Bright, son of David Bright, Sr., married Sarah Arnold, daughter of Jacob Arnold. John was a good farmer, good manager and a successful man. He reared a large family.

Thomas married Rebecca Bush, daughter of Samuel Bush. He is a good farmer near No. 8. Mary married John Fisher, son of Daniel of Greenfield.

Sarah Bright, daughter of David, Sr., married Thomas Fetters. They reared a very large family of sons and daughters, a family highly respected and an honor to Thomas Fetters, who was a good man. Margaret married Daniel Arnold; they were the parents of Monroe and Jerry. Diana married a Boyer and lives near Pleasantville, a widow.

John Bright, the brother of David Bright, Sr., spent the greater part of his life on his farm on Poplar creek, Liberty township, Fairfield County. He was married three times and reared quite a family of children. Two of his sons own the old home farm of over

300 acres, and are very prominent men in their township, and well known throughout the county. John, Jr., lives at his ease in Baltimore, and Enoch upon his farm. John Bright, Sr., wa^ one of the founders of the Evangelical Church in this county and upon his farm the first house of worship of that denomination was built. Moses Bright is a son of a deceased brother of Enoch.

The Ream Family

Four of the best known old-time citizens of Liberty, married daughters of John Bright - Alexander Miller, Daniel Langle, John Swartz and Henry Langle. They all reared families and the connection is very large and widely extended. They were all good men and worthy of the high esteem in which they were held. John Bright was a man of integrity, whose word was good everywhere he was known. His descendants bear an honored name and worthilv maintain the reputation of the old pioneer. THE REAM FAMILY Abraham Ream, the first person l)y that name to settle in Ohio, was born in Reamstown, Pa., in the year 1746. His wife's name was Rosannah, and there were born to them fourteen children - six sons and eight daughters. Of this number twelve were born in Pennsylvania. In 1798, Abraham, together with his family, removed to Fairfield County, Ohio. His was the sixth family of white settlers to settle in this county. Tt is stated that he journeyed from his Pennsylvania home to Pittsburg in wagons ; from thence on a flat-boat down the Ohio river to the mouth of the Hockho'cking. He then wended his way up that stream in dugouts or canoes as far as the great falls (now one mile aI)ove Logan) ; thence by land up the stream, till he reached a point on its banks now known as the Ream's mill. In this beautiful and fertile part of the valley he entered four and one-fourth sections of land. These purchases were made at auction, against a Kentuckian, at Chillicothe. The price paid for some of the land first bought was nearly four dollars per acre ; for some of the rest, as low as one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre.

In 1804 Abraham Ream built the mill which still retains his name. He and his sons were strong and fearless men. They were also great hunters, killing many bears, deer and other wild animals in the adjacent hills. Abraham was also a man of some business qualifications, was industrious, accommodating, sociable and was a member of the Reformed Church. He died in 1824, and his wife in 1826. Their remains lie buried in the Ream graveyard.

1. Elizabeth, tne oldest, was born April 4, 1776; was married to Peter Rudolph, Sr., who also came along with her father from Reamstown to Fairfield County. Their children were Joseph, William, Peter John, Abraham, Henry, Daniel, Samuel, Polly, Margaret and Delilah. Elizabeth died April 12, 1861.

2. Sampson was born June 27, 1877 ; was married to Anna, sister of Judge Joseph Stukey. Their union was fruitful of thirteen children, as follows : Jonas A., who married Hannah E. Wilkinson ; to whom were born Thaddeus Hector, Cadorsus Plantagenet, Moisten Constantine, Victoria Grace Arena, Florence, Alice, Pocahontas and Mary. Mrs. Charles W. Towson is a daughter of the second wife of Capt. Jonas A. Ream, who was Miss Ely, the teacher of a select school in Lancaster for several years. Jonas A. Ream was captain of the Black Hawk company, Berne township boys. Samuel married Nancy Schisler ; their children were named Sarah, Joseph and Rachael, all of whom died young. Noah A. married Nancy King; he afterwards moved to California. Eli and Absolo'm were unmarried and both died in the Mexican war. Elizabeth was married to George Westenbarger. Barbara was wedded to John Fartig. Martha married Jacob Poff. Joseph Adam died single in California. Four c>thers died young. Sampson's feats of physical strength and skill would lead one to conclude that he was not mis-named. If he never slew a lion, yet hisexploits among wild animals only a little less ferocious than the king of beasts would at least lead one toassociate him with his Bible namesake.

3. Rosannah was born December ii, 1778. She married John Panebaker. They were the parents of John, who died in his fourteenth year. William, who married Rachael Kelley ; their children were George, Elizabeth, Rosan and Rachel. Abraham married Eva Kremer ; there were born to them Daniel, Susan, Eva, Hannah, Catharine and Mary. Rachel died in her eighteenth year. Samuel was united in wedlock tO' Sarah Erick. Rosannah died December 2, 1839.

4. William Ream was born Septemeber 16, 1780. He was both a farmer and tanner. Was married to Anna Hess ; their children were Adam and Lydia. Their children were Rosan, Rachel, Elizabeth, William, George, Henry, Josiah, Lydia Jane. William died September 30, 1845.

5. Julia Ann was born January 31, 1782. She was married to Isaac Shseffer. They were the parents of the following named children : Jacob, Isaac, John, Delilah, Judy and Sarah.

6. Maria Barbara, born October 15, 1783, was married to Abraham Shseffer, and had born to them the following children : Joel, Samuel, Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, Judy and Nettie.

11. Mary was born October 28, 1793. Mary was married to Judge Joseph Stukey and to them were born Noah, Abel, Aaron, a daughter who died young; Solomon, whose children are Rosa, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Zwingli and Ella ; Joseph whose children are William, Clara and Emma ; Daniel, to whom were born Edward, Albert, William, Charles, Robert and Agnes. Rosa, who married the Rev. Rike ; two sons, one named Joseph, were born to them. The husband having died, Rosa then married Robert L. Sharp ; they were the parents of five children, viz : Anna, Lee, Agnes, William and Robert. Mary Ann.

12. George Ream was born June 21, 1795; died June 8, 1833. George owned the farm north of the Ream's mill on which still stands the large brick house. Was captain of the Third company. First regiment. First brigade of the Seventh division of the Ohio militia. His marriage with Catharine Ludwick was fruitful of six sons and one daughter. Of these, Daniel, the eldest, was born August 2, 1821. Daniel owned the mill property, which was carried on most successfully while he lived. He was the first sergeant the regiment of which his father was captain. Was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church, of good habits, led an exemplary Christian life and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Daniel was married to Catherine Osenbaugh and to them were born children as follows : Julia, who died in her twelfth year ; George, who died in infancy ; Lewis Melanchthon, who married Mary Eliz. Plout; Daniel, still single; Clara, whose husband is Capt. Albert Getz; and Elizabeth, who also died young. Abraham, the second son of George Ream, was born December 17, 1823; was married to Sarah Bumgardner September 9, 1847. Their children are Solomon, who married Ida A. Lusk ; Mary Catherine, who married John S. Crook ; and Lewis, who wedded Caroline Seiffert (nee Johnson.) Abraham died October 11, 1854. It affords the writer, a son of Abraham, exquisite satisfaction to be able to speak on commendable terms and to testify to the excellent Christian character of his deceased father. Those who knew him best speak of him as being a typical representative of the best manhood of his day. He was an earnest Christian, a kind husband and a loving father. His religion was of a type that always made him joyful and happy ; was a member of the Reformed Church, of which he was at various times secretary, treasurer, deacon and elder. He also held the offices of township clerk and justice of the peace. When twenty-one years of age he was also elected first lieutenant O'f the Black Hawk Braves of the First brigade, Seventh division, Ohio militia. Abraham owned the farm located one-half mile north of the mill, which he bought of a Mr. Daniel Wilson. George Ream, Jr., \vas the third son of George Ream, Sr. The writer has no record of the date of his birth, but his death took place September 17, 1842. Rosannah was borrb April 27, 1826 ; was married to Wm. Stallsmith. Their children are John F., who married Mary P. Welsh; William H., who married Emma Crumley; Catherine Elizabeth, who died young; Charles Edwin, who died in infancy; Emma C, who married Henry Zangmeister; Joseph L. wedded Minnie Courtright; Frank L. died yo'ung; Minnie and Callie S. are twins. Thefirst married J. Luther Faler, and the latter Frank Sallee. Jacob was born June 5, 1827; was married to Caroline Fulse, to whom were born the following named children : Rose, Kate and Louisa. Jacob died April 7, 1855. Joseph Ream was born June 25. 1830; married Susan Braucher, to whom were born Estelle, Winnie R., Calvin B. and Frank C, all of whom areliving; Ella. Daniel, George John and the twins, Joseph and Isaac, are dead. Joseph Ream is the only one of the seven children of George Ream still living. He resided a long time in Lincoln, Ills., where he served eight and one-half consecutive terms as county treasurer. His present postoffice address is Bronaugh, Vernon County, Mo. Lewis was the seventh in number of the children of George Ream ; no accurate dates have been furnished of his birth and death. The widow of the elder George Ream was afterward married to Rev. John Wagenhals. Their children are Catherine, who was married to the Rev. George Harter ; Rev. Samuel, who married Eva Shaeffer for his first wife and Nellie Hamilton for second wife ; Mary, who was married to David Emmitt; David, who died wherb about five years old. Grandmother's death took place May 30, 1883. She was the mother of eleven children. Her life was beautiful, sweet, and even-tempered. She-

13. Catherine, daughter of old Abraham Ream, was born December 17, 179Q. Her marriage with Henry Annes Hensley was fruitful of five children, viz : Tobias, Adam, Jacob, Christian and Rosan. Catherine died November 9, 1849.

14. Sarah was born December 30, 1801 ; was unmarried and died from the effects '^of a stroke of lightning. Her age was 18 years and six months.

This completes the sketch of the Abraham Ream family down to the third generation. Another line, starting with Jacob, a half-brother of old Abraham's, is not given in this extract.

It will be observed that the Ream family were quite numerous and prolific. Being widely intermarried, also, the relationship was a very large one. Jn the course of time, however, numbers of them removed to other and newer parts of the country, so that now the Reams may be met with in nearly all sections of the North and West. Some of these, however, emigrated directly from Pennsylvania or from Europe, as the various spellings of the name would indicate. These are Ream, Reahm, Riehm and Reeme.

In conclusion, let it be borne in mind by the present and after generations inheriting for their patrimony the Ream name, that whatever be the pride of honorable lineage, of heroic deeds, noble lives and acts well done, after all -

The Van Metre Family

Jan Gysbesten Van Metre was the founder of the Van Metre family in America. In the year 1663 he emigrated from Bommel, a city in South Holland, and settled in New Utrecht, on Long Island, near New York. He had one son, also named Jan Gysbesten Van Metre. This son married twice, and left several sons and daughters. The eldest son was named Jan Van Metre. He, with several members of the family, in 1709, left New Utrecht, and settled in Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey, which is just across the bay, opposite Long Island. Kryn Jan was a great Indian trader, and in his expeditions was the first white man to penetrate the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac. He was so impressed with the beauty and fertility of the country that he induced his sons, John and Isaac, to secure a grant of land, embracing 40,000 acres, from Governor Gooch, of Virginia. This land was in the valley of the Opequan creek, and of the South Branch of the Potomac. The grant was made in 1730. In 1735 they conveyed 10,000 acres to Jos. Hite, a Cumberland Coimty, Pennsylvania, German, and ancestor of the venerable Jacob Hite, of Lancaster, Ohio, who was the first settler on the land. The Van Metres did not remove to Virginia till about 1740. Three brothers, John, Isaac and Jacob, were the first, but later on several others from Monmouth joined them. Jacob Van Metre, who settled east of Lancaster, was the grandson of John, one of the grantees under Gov. Gooch. Daniel Van Metre, who settled west of Lancaster, was descended from Isaac, the brother of John, and one of the co-grantees. They were a very prolific family, and their descendants are now settled across the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They were very patriotic during the revolution. Ten Van Metres went to the war from Monmouth County. New Jersey and Virginia sent as many more. Colonel Garrett Van Metre was County Lieutenant for Hampshire County, and was very prominent till the end of the struggle. He was the grandson of Isaac, one of the grantees, and was the uncle of John I. Van Metre, of Ohio.

The name of Van Metre has been a familiar and well known one for one hundred years in Fairfield County. The family has been by blood and by marriage one of the largest in the county. Jacob and Daniel Van Metre were natives of Virginia, but came to Fairfield County from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. They were cousins and friends, but entered land ten miles apart in this county. They came to this county with families in 1799. Daniel settled on the edge of Muddy Run prairie, eight miles west of Lancaster, and became the owner of a large and productive farm. In 1805 he told Bishop Asbury that a tenant had raised 100 bushels of corn per acre. The old bishop spent his first night in 1803, west of Lancaster, with Judge Van Metre, and enjoyed his hospitality on several occasions. In 1803 Daniel Van Metre was appointed an Associate Judge of the Court of Quarter Sessions. He met with reverses later in life and involved his cousin Jacob. He was bondsman for Judge Sherman in 181 7, and was then a heavy loser, for a time at least. It is generally understood that he died poor. He had one son who went to Cincinnati, studied and practiced law there. His sister Mary

Jacob Van Metre entered 1,280 acres of good land, a part of which has ever since been known as Van Metre's prairie. This was a body of land between the glass works and the stone quarry, and was often from one to three feet under water. Van Metre's land was one mile wide and two miles long. His cabin stood where Van Applegate's house now stands, and there he lived and died. In 1803 he was appointed by the Court one of the County Commissioners. He was an old-fashioned Virginia gentleman, who took life easy, and enjoyed the amusements of the neighborhood. He was fond of fine stock, was a fox hunter, and many of his descendants possessed the same traits. He bailed his cousin at one time and was compelled to sell 500 acres of his land to pay the debt. The name of his wife was Catherine De Moss. She was born in 1752, and died in 1816, aged 64 years. She was a Dutch- French woman of good qualities. Jacob Van Metre was born in 1745 and lived to be 93 years of age. He died in 1838. A few trees of his old orchard, planted in 1802, are still standing and bear fruit.

His daughter Josina married Rev. Hickman, of the Baptist Church, while they lived in Virginia. This family moved to Indiana, and became quite prominent there. Rebecca Hickman married Abel Williams and they lived for a time at Millersport, moving from there to Indiana. Her daughter married Judge Buckles, of Muncie, Indiana.

Rebecca married James Pearse, in Virginia. They came to Fairfield County from Virginia in 1800, bringing with them on horseback their infant son, John Van

'Metre Pearse. They lived in a cabin in the Van Metre settlement. John Van Metre Pearse grew up there and married Diana, the daughter of John Carpenter. They spent their lives in or near Lancaster, and reared a small family of children. Miss Bina, a woman of literary taste and culture, and Mrs. Swinhart are the surviving children. John Carpenter lived on what is now known as the Geisy farm, and there Mrs. Pearse was born.

Van Pearse was a lover of fine stock. He bred, bought and sold horses, making that his chief busmess. He numbered among his many friends Col. Van Trump and Rev. Wm. Cox. They were warm personal friends during life. Van Pearse was very decided in his likes and dislikes, but kind and generous. He was a captain in Col. Collins' cavalry regiment and served on the frontier in 1862 and '63, and to the close of the war. He found homes for his brother Frank's orphan children. They were well brought up and married well. They were very pretty girls.

James Wilson Pearse married Eliza Murphey, daughter of Wm. Murphey. Their children were William, of Newark, and Mrs. Matlack, of Lancaster. He was a farmer and horse dealer and a prominent and well known man. He was married three times. His second and third wives were named Ward, of Baltimore, Ohio. He reared a large family. One son married a daughter of Joshua Clarke. One a daughter of Joseph C. Kinkead, both well known Lancaster women.

His son, James Wilson, married a Miss Frances Bowser, another Lancaster woman, of Fort Wayne. Frank married a Miss Nettie Lane and lives in Fort Wayne. Lewis Pearse, son of James Pearse, married a Virginia girl, a relative of his mother, Catharine Van Metre. She was good looking and refined and was an excellent mother. One of her daughters, an elegant and handsome girl, married William Renick, one of the distinguished men of Pickaway County. The other married a Lewis Sweyer.

Joseph Pearse married Delilah Walker and the family moved to the west. His daughter married Dr. Koontz, of Cedar Rapids. Frank settled in Kentucky, married there and dying left young children. They were brought to Ohio and found homes among their friends, two of them with Mrs. Geo. K. Wheat, and they married in Wheeling - Mrs. Isett and Mrs. Hendershott. Ar.other married John Richards, in Lancaster. She died early and left a handsome daughter, Miss Maud Richards.

Andrew Pearse married a daughter of David Carpenter, of Bald Hill. They settled on a fine farm in Madison township, where John Landis now lives. Salem, John and Jerry were well known men, sons of theirs.

Elsie Van Metre married Walter Applegate. They lived upon the old home place on Pleasant Run, and Jacob Van Metre spent his old age with them. Mrs. Applegate lived to be 94 years of age. Their best known son was Abraham Van Metre Applegate. Abe Applegate took the world easy. He loved fine horses, fine chickens, fine dogs, and a good fox hunt. He could ride to hounds with the best of them and clear the fences. He was a great reader, especially in the line of his taste, and was well informed. He was an interesting talker, and could write a good letter. The Rev. Wm. Cox admired him, corresponded with him and praised his letters. He could trace the pedigree of fine stock back to the Godolphin Arabian. He was one of the last representatives in this county of the Virginia gentlemen of sporting taste. He was fond of a good horse race, but with all a moral man, and he died a Christian. There was but one Abe Applegate.

Josina Applegate married John Shook. She is said to have been a very intelligent woman. She was the grandmother of Dr. William Shook, of Canal Winchester, who, after the death of his mother, found a good friend and mother in Mrs. Samuel Beery.

Sarah Van Metre married Samuel Crawford. They settled upon a farm near Wm. Murphey, in Walnut township, and raised a large family. Jacob Van Metre Crawford was their son. His first wife was an Applegate. His second wife was Sarah A. Hull. They lived east of Lancaster, on a part of the old farm of the Van Metres. W. H. Huber married a daughter; Mr. Pratt, of Columbus, married Alice ; Lulu married R. Shallenberger ; Eva is not married.

Catherine Crawford married A. Morrison ; Margaret married Harrison Applegate ; Elsie married Richard Buffington ; Priscilla married Lewis Fink ; Emeliza married Dr. T. A. Aldred, and they lived in Carroll. Two sons died young. Samuel Crawford and wife were buried at New Salem.

Catharine Van Metre, the youngest daughter of Jacob, married for her first husband Thomas Armstrong. He was a native of North Ireland. Soon after his marriage he built a carding mill, run by water, on Pleasant Run, near the old Hull cabin, as it is now known. He died in a few years, leaving two children, Thomas J. and Eliza. The latter married David Renshaw. Thomas J. Armstrong married Jane Ann Rhodes, whose mother was an Arnold. They lived

David Renshaw and wife reared a family of children. They were good people and highly respected. Dr. Renshaw lives in Sugar Grove; Ransom, the horticulturist, at the old home place. Mrs. Daniel Hammack lived for many years with the old grandmother. Mrs. Weeks lives in Lancaster. David Renshaw was a charming fifer and his good music was enjoyed and is remembered by many admirers.

Robert Armstrong had a brother John who lived near Thornville, Perry County. He died there, leaving a widow and a young daughter. A Mr. Buriff married the widow and they reared the daughter. She became the excellent wife of John M. Ashbrook and is still living in Geneva, Nebraska, aged 87. About the time of Robert Armstrong's death Robert S. Hull came into the neighborhood and took charge of the fulling mill. He was from New York. In time he married the Widow Armstrong. Their daughter, Sarah A. Hull, married Jacob Van Metre Crawford, her cousin. Catherine Hull married Samuel Beery. They lived several years near Bremen, and then built a stately home near Lancaster, where Mr. Beery soon after died. A few years after his death his widow married Samuel Black, a native of Ireland. Mr. Black is a very intelligent and worthy gentleman. Like most Scotch- Irish, they are both staunch Presbyterians.

Robert L. Hull lived but a few years after his marriage. A brother of his, Benjamin Hull, came out to Ohio, courted and married the widow. In a few years he died and Mrs. Hull spent many years alone, or with her grandchildren, in the home where she had been happy with three different husbands.

She was the youngest and the last to die of her family. They all sleep their last sleep on the Applegate hill. Mrs. Hull was much more than an ordinary woman, bright and intelligent, and a good talker. Benjamin Hull brought with him from New York a young son, F. C. Hull. He went to Chicago at an early day and was engaged in the real estate business in which he made a large fortune. He left $5,000,000 to his niece, who was his bookkeeper, of this she gave $1,000,000 to the University of Chicago. She is one of the very wealthy women of Chicago.

Colonel John A^an Metre, the son of Jacob, lived and died on the prairie. He was born in 1871 and died in 1845, aged 64 years. His house stood just west of Ashbaugh's spring. The old log building was still standing in i860. He served during the war of 1812 in Captain Sanderson's company. He was a fine penman, the only one in the company, and was made first sergeant and kept the company's rolls. He was surrendered and paroled at Detroit. He came home and re-enlisted in the 27th U. S. Infantry. He was twice married. First to Anna Neely. His second wife was Margaret Young, a sister of the second wife of Thomas McNaghten. He was a colonel of the Ohio Militia, and filled other minor ofiices. His life wa^ spent upon his farm. He was a genial, witty and cheerful man and made many friends. After his death his family received a land warrant for 160 acres of land. His son Jacob located this warrant and lives upon the land in the state of Iowa. Colonel Van Metre was a plain man and lived in plain style, and was much esteemed by his fcllowmen.

butcher. One of his daughters married a Syfert, and moved to Columbus ; another married John Radabaugh and they live in Columbus; another married William Selby and they moved to Peoria, Illinois; another married a Drinkle, who died, and the widowthen went to California where she marri-d again.

Cynthia Ann married John Shrieves, a native of Rhode Island. He was a butcher by trade. They reared three or four sons, one of whom, Harry, was a fine looking, sprightly fellow. He went west, to Nevada, and married well, but died in a few years, leaving an only daughter. His widow is living and his daughter, Mrs, Teresa Joise, in San Francisco, California. John Shrieves lives in Franklin County, Ohio. Mrs. Shrieves is still living in this city at the age of 87 years, and is a bright, clever old lady, of the old style. Mary married Alfred Snider; Catharine married James Craiglow - their descendants, the Harvey Denton family, live in Lancaster. Mrs. Denton has quite a family of children. Old Lancaster people all remember Harvey Denton. Elsie married a Mr. Alford of Illinois. Jacob, the son of John Van Metre, moved many years ago to Iowa. He reared a family of five children, who married well and are prosperous, useful citizens of the Hawkeye state.

Catharine married Gabriel Carpenter, a son of old David, of Bald Hill, now the Prindle farm. Gabriel lived on his farm below town and reared a large and interesting family. His son, Seymour David, studied medicine in Lancaster about 1847, and after graduating, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1850, or about that time, he prevailed upon his father to sell his farm here, pay some debts, and invest in a farm adjoining the town. Thither he moved his family and there he prospered and his children married well and succeeded in business. That farm has long since become a part of the city of Cedar Rapids. Gabriel Carpenter and wife lived to a good age, respected and admired by all who knew them. Dr. S. D. is a well preserved man of 70 years or more - with a history of good deeds and a useful life behind him. He reared a good family, now scattered and gone from him. He lives a quiet, unobtrusive life in Chicago, Illinois.

Colonel John I. Van Metre, late of Pike County, Ohio, was a distinguished man and a relative of Jacob Van Metre. He owned and lived upon the finest farm of 2,500 acres in the Scioto Valley. He represented his district in Congress. A son of his studied law and made his home in Chillicothe. He was, for many years, a distinguished citizen of the ancient metropolis.

Colonel John I. Van Metre was a typical Virginia gentleman of the old school. He was a reader and well informed. The writer once met him at his stately home and was charmed with his fine manners and gentlemanly bearing.

John E. Van Metre and Dr. Van Metre, of Picka- Avay County, were brothers and relatives of the Fairfield family. John E. married his cousin, a sister of Mrs. Lewis Pearse. Dr. Van Metre married Nancy, daughter of William Murphey, and a sister of Mrs. James W. Pearse. The father of Ella Connell's hu^ band married a Miss Beall of Wooster, Ohio, a sister of Mrs. Rev. William Cox, well known here.

The Courtright Family

Among the very early pioneers who settled in Fairfield County, were two brothers, Abraham V. Courtright and John Courtright. They came from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1801.

They were intelligent, brainy, hardy, upright men, and they left the impress of a good character and good life upon the community in which they lived. For nearly one hundred years the Courtrights have been a numerous people in Fairfield County, and among the foremost men of their township.

Abraham V. Courtright married Elizabeth Mc- Farland. a sister of Walter McFarland. They reared a large family of children, who in time reared other large families, and they all proved themselves worthy of their hardy pioneer ancestors, of Bloom township. Their children were Abraham V., William, O. P. Courtright, John, Zephaniah, Cyrus and Effie.

Abraham V. was born in 1810, and for his wife married Susan Fellers. They lived a long and useful life in Greenfield township. Their old mill west of the Summit church is still one of the old land marks of the neighborhood. Winfield Scott Courtright, a prominent citizen of Columbus, is their son.

Zephaniah was born in 1819, and for his wife married Sarah Williamson, a daughter of George Williamson. Zephaniah was a very intelligent man and an enterprising and prosperous citizen. No man was more highly esteemed in Bloom township or in Fairfield County, among those who knew him. He died at a good old age, leaving a handsome estate, and, what is far better, a good name. We write thus of him because we knew him best and esteemed him highly. Their family consisted of two sons, Silas and Abraham, and four daughters. Mary resides on the home place with her brother Abraham, a leading farmer and stock man of Bloom. H. J- Kneisley married one of the daughters. They own a part of the old home place, but reside in Carroll, where Kneisley is a grain merchant, and a live, wide-awake individual. Reber Allen, a great-grandson of the old Vermont pioneer, Dr. Silas Allen, married one of the daughters ; they reside on a nicely improved farm on the Columbus pike near Hooker. Another daughter married Andrew Jackson A'lusser, late Treasurer of Fairfield County ; they reside in the city of Lancaster.

Cyrus Courtright was born in 1821, and for his wife married Catharine Switzer, a step-daughter of Walter McFarland, and a sister of Mrs. Rev. Joseph Roof and of Mrs. Robert Wilson. One of their daugh-

Effie Courtright was born in 1827; she married John W. Wilson of Greenfield township. One of their daughters married Thomas Carlisle, son of B. W. Carlisle. Another married Henry Lehman of Des Moines, Iowa.

We regret that we have not the data to say more of the other families mentioned. Each couple reared families of children more or less numerous.

John Courtright, Sr., one of the two pioneer brothers, married Elizabeth Grubb. Their children Avere Abraham, John Jacob, Jesse D., and Sallie, wife of George W. Custer.

Jesse D. married a Miss Stout of Clearcreek township. Dr. George S. Courtright of Lithopolis, where he is a prominent citizen, was a son of Jesse, as is Juflge Courtright of Circleville, and Dr. Alvah Courtright.

Of the old stock all are now dead, except the venerable John Courtright of Lithopolis and Cyrus of Pickawa}' Count}-. John's health is fair and his mind bright, and he seems to enjoy life, and would no doubt be willing to live it over again.

dusky, Ohio. He learned the harness trade with Nick Little and was one of the live boys of the town in 1848 and 1849. He studied law and located in Sandusky years ago. He was one of the company under Captain Ira Tripp, that broke up the Negro celebration in August, 1848. At that time many people winked at and applauded their conduct. Now such conduct would meet with universal condemnation.

Judge Samuel W. Courtright of Circleville is a descendant, as we learn, of John Courtright, Sr., a son of Jesse D. Courtright, and brother of Dr. Courtright. He is a very prominent man of his adopted home and a bright Freemason. He was born in Bloom township and owns a good farm there.

John E. Courtright and Ezra were, a few years since, quite prominent men in Bloom. They were of the third generation. Like most of their family who passed middle life, they have gone to the land of eternal rest.

The Williamson Family

Theodore Williamson, the pioneer and the ancestor of the large family in this county, was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, in 1774. He came to Ohio and settled in this county near Royalton in the year 1807. He died April 15, 1870, aged 96 years. His wife was Miss Rhoda Prater, of Virginia. She died September, 1857, aged 79 years. They were the parents of a large family of sons and daughters, all of whom were farmers and reputable citizens. The oldest son, George W., married Elizabeth Kemp. They lived on the farm now owned bv Albert Williamson,

Their oldest son, Theodore Williamson, married a sister of Henry Alspach. He lived for years on a fine farm near Hooker, and was known as the neatest and best farmer of that vicinity. He sold his farm and moved to Omaha, to which city his sons, Seymour and Charles, had preceded him. He now lives, near Columbus, Ohio. Seymour married a Bookwalter; Charles married Miss Annie Wiseman of Lancaster, Ohio. Henry, son of George, married a Miss Tipton. He owns a good farm in Bloom township^ but makes his home in Lancaster. He was a Union soldier, and left his right arm in Southern soil.

Albert, son of George, married Rose Dysinger. He owns the home farm, but rents and conducts an implement store, or warehouse, in Lancaster. Sarah married Zepheniah Courtright, ; Zona married William Cofi'man ; Lorinda married John E. Courtright ; Elizabeth married Isaac Bollenbaugh, and Amanda married John Coffman.

Abraham Courtright and his sister Mary reside upon the home place of 300 acres. One of his daughters married H. J. Knisely, a farmer and grain dealer of Carroll, Ohio. Another daughter married Reber Allen, and another daughter married Andrew J. Musser, late treasurer of this county. Silas, a son of Zepheniah Courtright, lives near the upper falls of Hockhocking.

Jacob P. Williamson, son of Theodore, was born in 1804. He died March 16, 1876, aged 72 years. He married Elizabeth Odell and lived upon the home

Silas J. Williamson, son of Jacob, was born December 14, 1 83 1. He married Susanah Kiger. He lives on the old pioneer farm. John, son of Jacob, married Hannah Cruit. George, son of Jacob, married Anna Kiger and moved to Wells county, Indiana.

Alonzo, son of Jacob P., married Dora, daughter of Daniel Kellerman, and moved to BlufTton, Indiana, where he is a very prominent banker and citizen.

Rhoda, daughter of Jacob, married John Madden ; they live on Muddy Prairie, near Amanda. Cholista married James Robinson and died some years since. Etta married David Cole, and they moved to Wells county, Indiana. Catharine married George Otis. Emma married Robert Cruit, one of the prominent and successful farmers of Hocking township.

Isaac Newton, son of Theodore, the pioneer, married Elizabeth Peters, daughter of Samuel Peters. She is living at a very old age, but is well and hearty, bright and happy, in the home so long endeared to her by toil and happiness. Mr. Williamson died December 16, 1890, aged 82 years. Mr. Williamson was a good farmer and a lover of and a judge of good fruit.

Tunis married Ella Alspach, daughter of Joseph Alspach. Samuel died young and did not marry. Mary married G. Stanbery; Althea married Frank Philbrick ; Anna married Clay Johnson ; Emma never married. John Williamson, son of Theodore, married a Miss Ingman. He died recently. His home was on a farm near Royalton. His son, Clark Williamson, married a daughter of Charles Reber and a grand daughter of Valentine Reber. His daughter married Dr. Silbaugh of Lancaster, Ohio. Milton Williamson married a Miss GrofT and they live on the home place of John Williamson. Henrietta married George Ward, Sophia and Maria are single women.

Silas, the son of Theodore, married Lucinda Shawan, a sister or niece of R. W. Shawan, the great merchant of Tiffin, Ohio. Shawan, in early life, worked upon a farm in Amanada township, and fed cattle in the winter for a small sum of money per month. He went to Tiffin at an early day, prospered and was rated a millionaire.

We know but little of the family of Silas Williamson. His son Thomas married a Miss Hooker. William Williamson, a son of Theodore, married Catharine Griffith and moved to Missouri, where they died. Levi Williamson, son of Theodore, married a daughter of James Grantham, and moved to Iowa, where they died. Eliza, daughter of Theodore Williamson, married George W. Halderman, both long since dead. Ara married Henry Huber, who once lived where George Creed now lives. They moved to Shelby County, Illinois. Zero married Enos Prater and they moved to Ross county, Ohio. Both now dead.

On the farm near the house of Silas J. Williamson, in sight of the Royalton road leading from Lancaster, there are two very remarkable elm trees. They were found there by the pioneer, Theodore Williamson, and preserved. Eighty-two years ago they were

15 inches in diameter. One of them measures 2| feet from the ground, 20 feet in circumference. The other 23 feet. Their tops cover a space of ground 90 feet in diameter. Apple trees planted 75 years ago still bear fruit.

Larimer-Chaney

The Larimer family were citizens of Rushcreek township as early as 1802. Robert Larimer was the first resident to die and Phoebe Larimer the first to marry. Her husband was William Martin, the son of a pioneer. Ebenezer Larimer was a prominent man among the first settlers; Isaac, Sr., James, Joseph and John Larimer were O'ther members of the family. Isaac and James were in Capt. Sanderson's company in 1812, ana with their comrades were surrendered by General Hull at Detroit. Joseph and John were in the second company raised by Capt. Sanderson.

Wright Larimer and Isaac Larimer were well known, popular, useful and honorable men of a late period. Fifty years ago they were the prominent Democrats of the township and received favors at the hands of their party. Isaac Larimer was a member of the Ohio General Assembly in the years 1848 and 1849, representing Fairfield, Hocking and Perry Counties. The Whig and Democratic parties were so nearly a tie that two Freesoilers held the balance of power and dictated legislation. They knew their power and ruled with an iron hand. They proposed to the Whigs to repeal the Black Laws and elect Salmon P. Chase United States Senator and that they should have the Supreme Judge. The Whigs declined the offer. It was made to the Democrats and accepted. Daniel Keller, Isaac Larimer and H. C. Whitman, Senator, voted with the Freesoilers.

All that the Democrats got out of this combination was a Judge of the Supreme Court and the satisfaction of defeating the Whigs and Thomas Ewing for Senator.

They builded better than they thought ; they drove the entering wedge that finally disrupted parties. The election of Chase gave new life and strength to the Freesoil sentiment throughout the north, and it soon became apparent that the watchword of parties would be slavery or anti-slavery. The Whig party went down before it and the result was the formation of the Republican party. Chase led in this preliminary skirmish, and from that day to the present, fifty years, Ohio statesmen have been influential leaders in public affairs.

The vote of Keller, Larimer and Whitman was denounced in unmeasured terms by the Democrats of this county, both in public and in private ; indignation meetings were held in some townships.

Larimer became disgusted with the treatment he received and ever after followed the fortunes of Senator Chase. He became a leading and active Republican and voted for Chase for Governor of Ohio, and for General Fremont and Abraham Lincoln for President.

Chase had him appointed a mail agent from Zanesville to Morrow in 1861, but the work proved too hard for him and his eyes gave out. He resigned and returned to his farm. In a year or two he sold out and moved to Darke County, Ohio, where he died a few years since. He left two daughters in this county who are highly esteemed - one, Rebecca, is the wife of William Rowles, the other, Elizabeth, is the wife of a relative of William, John S. Rowles. William Rowles is the present owner of the old homestead of John M. Ashbrook, a beautiful farm of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Rowles have about reached three score and ten years. They are the happy parents of ten children.