Ludlow Township

Ludlow Township

Tus township derives its name indirectly from a surveyor of that name, who ran the north boundary of the donation land called the Ludlow line. On July 17, 1819, the county fathers established the township and named it after the line that now bounds it on the north. At that time, however, the township extended two miles north of this line. The establishing act, as found in the commissioners' journal, is as follows:

The board of commissioners of Washington county establish the third township in the sixth range, together with section No. 36 of township two, in said sixth range, into a new and independent township and election district, to be hereafter known and distinguished by the name and denomination of Ludlow. And order that the qualified electors of said district meet at the house of Daniel Hearn, in said

In 1851 all above the Ludlow line became a part of Monroe county. In 1840 the establishment of Independence declared the "'section No. 36 in township two" a part of that township. These are the only two changes that Ludlow has suffered territorially since its establishment. It now contains twenty-two and a half square miles, and is bounded north by Monroe county, east by Grand View, south by Grand View and Independence, and West by Liberty.

As is, unfortunately, often the case, the township records for the earlier political history of Ludlow are wanting. They were destroyed by fire. Consequently, dependence must be placed in the uncertain memory of man for what few early township officers he may chance to recall. The earlier elections were held principally at the house of Christopher Dickson, sr. This continued for a great many years. Afterwards a school-house was * used for the purpose, then a log town house was built

The early justices of the peace that are remembered are Joseph Dickerson, who was probably the first; Charles McIntyre, David McIntyre, and, later, Daniel Flint.

By the year 1840 there were about sixty voters in the township, but this number was of small benefit to the Whig party. A list of those who through these years stuck to the Whigs would begin and end with the names Samuel Kean, Solomon Hearn, Porter Flint, and George Adams, who says he was at one time the only Whig in the township.

The township officers for the year 1880-81 are: Elijah Haught, James Drum and Jonathan Cline, trustees; E. G. Smith, clerk; A. J. Watson, treasurer: Christopher Dickson, assessor; William Hendershot and Samuel Boston, constables; Isaac Tucker and John Hall, justices of the peace.

The population of Ludlow in 1840 was five hundred and thirty-nine; in 1860, one thousand and _ forty-three; in 1870, one thousand and eighty-two; and in 1880, one thousand three hundred and seventy-four.

Topography

The principal stream of the township is the Little Muskingum river, which, with very crooked course, bisects the township from northeast to southwest, so that the two halves dovetail together in much the same way as the different pieces of a child's puzzle block. The runs that enter the river from the left flow from a water-shed in the southeast part of township, and take, in general, a direction north of west. The principal of these creeks are, beginning up the river, Edwards' run, Wilson's run, Cedar run, Pice run and Hendershot run. Wilson's run is named from an old hunter by the name of Israel Wilson, who made its valley his favorite hunting ground: The derivation of the name of Cedar run is evident. The others are named from the owners of farms near their mouths.

The tributaries entering the Little Muskingum from the right flow almost due south from a water-shed in Monroe county. Those named are, proceeding down the river, Long eddy, Sackett's run and Winget's run. The first was named from the eddy formed at its mouth by its current and the conformation of the banks of the Little Muskingum at that point. Sackett's run was the resort of a hunter by that name, and Jacob Winget was the first settler on the stream by that name.

The township, like the others in its vicinity, is quite hilly. Many of these hills, however, are covered with the red soil that yields so well, and, if carefully tilled, affords good crops. The seams of coal are the same as in Liberty and Salem townships, but not so thick or extensive.

The Little Muskingum valley is famed for its beauty. Almost any of the hills that overlook this stream afford fine prospects. This may be particularly remarked of the ridge at one of the southern bends of the river, about a mile above the mouth of Pice's run. Through the trees on this ridge, whose limbs form a rustic frame for the scene, near two miles of the course of the river can be descried as it swings far to the south, laps the foot of the ridge under the spectator's feet, and bears off to the west. In the elbow thus formed lies the "made land of many an acre of the proverbial breadth' - the child of the river and the northern hills. By almost insensible gradations, the level merges to the rolling, and finally to the hill land back of it. Far back the dividing ridge, and to the right and left the ridge that turns the stream from sight bound the view. When the leaf and grain have painted this prospect in green and gold, it must be a sight for an artist. Unfortunately for the description, however, the writer was forced to be content with a winter view, when the snow was gone. A rain was falling, alike dampening to soil, clothes and appreciation of the beautiful, and in this case the bleak prospect proved the untruth of the adage that ''beauty unadorned 's adorned the most." SETTLEMENT.

As is everywhere the case, the first settlements were along the streams, usually in the order of the size of these streams. All the early settlements in Ludlow were along the Little Muskingum, and generally, at the mouths of its tributaries. The oldest in Ludlow is the Tice run. The first ones to make a home here, and, consequently, the pioneers of the township, was the family of Solomon Tice.

Solomon Tice, sr., was known as ''Governor" Tice. He was a blacksmith, farmer, and hunter, and came from New York city. He settled in Ludlow in 1797, on the east side of the Little Muskingum, about two miles below Bloomfield, where he died about 1838, at the age of ninety-three.

At one time he was in Virginia, and while there, received one vote for governor of that State. This gave him the cognomen of governor which stuck to him until the day of his death. He was a man of remarkable energy, which did not desert him even in his old age. One of his ruling passions was the desire to amass wealth suddenly. In 1833 he dug for silver on 'Silver Mine run" known afterwards as Campbell's run, in the upper part of the township. He found shining metal which he took to be silver, probably thinking that the saying "All that glitters is not gold," did not apply to silver. He took a half bushel of it to Wheeling as a test, and there learned his mistake. This was not his only attempt. The hills of Independence and other places were the scene of his prospecting expeditions. In 1825 he bored for salt on Fifteen Mile creek opposite the mouth of Mill fork, penetrating the earth three hundred feet, Petroleum, of whose value he was then ignorant, calling it the ''Devil's grease," stopped his enterprise. Throughout his long life, he boasted he never attended church. His family was remarkable for longevity. He had seventy grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and a few great-great-grandchildren before he died. He was noted for his wit and sociability. He related as his own experience the well known story of the capture of seven Indians by knocking the wedge from a partially split log, which they had been induced to try to pull apart.

Collier. He had six sons and two daughters. Martin died young. James was born in 1775, and owned six hundred acres of land. of land. He owned a saw-mill on the Little Muskingum above the mouth of Hendershot's run. He died on the way to Oregon in 1851. His wife was Sarah Strimback.

The first death in his family was that of a daughter. The longevity of the Tices has been remarked. James and family had not been in the habit of attending funerals. 'They therefore were at a loss to know the customary way in which funerals were conducted, and had to seek their neighbors to learn how. John, another son of Solomon, was born in 1780, and settled near his father in Ludlow. His two wives were sisters: Catharine and Christina Cline. Another son, Solomon, jr., was born in 1782, and settled on Archer's fork in Independence. He married another of the Cline sisters, Rosanna. The next son, Jacob, shot himself at a sugar camp in trying to kindle a fire with a loaded gun. Mary died in infancy. David settled in Virginia, from whence he went to Missouri in 1850. Sarah was born in 1798, and is the only one still living. She is the wife of Jacob Newlin, who was a soldier of the War of 1812. Sarah was probably the first white child born in Ludlow township.

The next to settle was the family of Abraham Devees. They came in about the decade of this century, probably near the year 1808. Mr. Devees had five children named William, Sarah, Archibald, Abraham, and Nellie. 'They settled near the mouth of Tice's run.

Following the family of Mr. Devees, was Daniel Hearn, a native of England. His migration to this county, however, was from Sussex county, Delaware. About the year 1807 he came with his family down the Ohio river, the freezing of which compelled him to stop where is now Matamoras. He leased a farm of, perhaps, eighty acres near that place, and remained there about four years. Then he changed his quarters to Ludlow, moving over by the aid of Solomon Tice, jr., who brought over the household goods on a sled. At that time Mr. Hearn's family consisted of his wife, who was Betsy Wilson before marriage, and five children named Hiram, Josiah, Solomon, Mary, and Daniel, jr. This number was subsequently increased to thirteen by the birth of Henry, Elizabeth, Nancy, Narcissa, Louisa, Perry, Luther, and Nehemiah.

Mr. Hearn settled in the same section of land with his neighbors Devees and Tice, section twenty. He, also, chose his home on the banks of the creek. Solomon Hearn was celebrated for his fondness for litigation. He practiced law himself to a limited extent. He also did something in the way of loaning money. Nehemiah married Elizabeth, daughter of John Medley. Nancy married James Bowie. Daniel, jr, was born in 1810 and was therefore a year old when he came to the township. He married Margaret Elder in 1840. Mrs. Daniel Hearn was born in 1818. 'Their surviving children are three boys and one girl.

Elder and Christopher Dickson. Elder probably came first. His arrival was in the neighborhood of 1812. He was accompanied by his two sons, James and John, from Ireland, although his son, John, never came to Ludlow. James married Sarah Rinard and was blessed with twelve children, one of whom, Margaret, has been referred to as the wife of Daniel Hearn. James Elder was a farmer, miller, distiller, and, in fact, worked at almost anything. John and James Elder settled on opposite sides of the creek on the farm now owned by Luther Rinard.

Christopher Dickson, sr., came in 1813 or 1814, and settled on the hill above Bloomfield, with his wife, who was Fanny Lewis, and children: Christopher, Jane, Elizabeth, Susan, and Mary. Afterwards Sarah, Jemima, Lavina, Nancy, Cythia, Alexander, and Jacob were born. All are now dead but Jacob, Christopher, jr., Susan and Cynthia. Jacob lives on the right side of the Little Muskingum, a short distance above Bloomfield. Cynthia is the widow of John Thomas, and lives farther down the stream. Susan is the widow of Truman Payne and lives near by. Christopher, who was born in 1808, lives just above Bloomfield. In 1834 he married Ann Elizabeth Snyder, who was born in 1815 and died in 1878. The children are Amanda, Albert, Lavina, Cynthia, Iewis, Margaret E., Abner, Clarissa, and Selena. Lewis, Cynthia, Albert, and Lavina are dead. Amanda became Mrs. John Woods and lives in Pennsylvania. Margaret married R. L. White and lives in Indiana. Abner married Mary E. Kirkpatrick. Christopher Dickson, jr., has been honored with many Offices in the gift of his township. His father died about thirty years ago aged not far from eighty years; he lies in the Bloomfield cemetery.

The makeshifts and contrivances resorted to by these early settlers in the absence of harness-makers, blacksmiths, and the like, are difficult of comprehension by one who did not live at that time. Thus, in the toilsome task of loosening the soil on the hill-sides, the farmers would harness their horses to their rude plows with bark stripped from bushes and saplings. The settlers were obliged to get their blacksmithing done outside the township until the arrival of Stephen Parr, who opened the first blacksmith shop a little below where Scot Town now is.

The difficulties of travel were greatly ameliorated by the building of the first road in the township. It was the Woodsfield and Marietta road, and ran along the Little Muskingum. A branch was afterwards built up Winget's run. The distances were marked by means of mile-trees.

Mention must also be made of the old settler, Jacob Winget, who named the stream just referred to and settled at a very early date at its mouth.

David Edwards settled in Ludlow in 1819, and resided there until his death in 1848. He was born in Maryland in 1792, and in 1817 was married to Rachel Riggs, a native of West Virginia, born in 1795. She died in 1863. Mr. Edwards was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was the father of eight children, seven of whom survive and reside as follows: Mrs. Mary Scott, in Washington Territory; Mrs. Priscilla Griffiths, in

Brooklyn, New York; James, in Belpre, this county; Charles, in West Virginia; William A. W., in Missouri; B. W. in Ludlow, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hooper, in West Virginia; Harriet is deceased; Baswell W., born in 1833, married in 1856 to Arminta Hooper, born in 1838, and has ten children: Nancy J., wife of S. Cline; Rachel E., wife of L. Moore; Benson B., Priscilla I., Mary B., Minerva J., Margaret A., Rebecca, Amanda E., and Sarah L.

Another very early settler was Patrick O'Hanlon. He was born in Ireland, whence he came with his parents. His children were: Margaret Ellen, John, Phelix (s¢c) James, Mary, and Richard. Ellen married Jacob Kinser, a laborer, who was the first settler on Dana's run. At first their dwelling was under a rock. He removed down the river where he died. Phelix became the husband of Mary Musser, who lived in Ludlow township; James married Sarah Tice and lived in Ludlow; Mary became Mrs. George Musser, of Ludlow.

John Rinard, born in Pennsylvania in 1801, came to Washington county with his parents, Isaac and Mary Rinard. In 1824 he married Nancy Ray, who was born in 1802. They reared a family of twelve children, ten of whom survive, as follows: Isaac, John W., and Luther, who reside in Ludlow; Samuel, Mrs. A. Smith, David, Nelson, and Theodore, who reside in Iowa; Mrs. J. Pool, in Grand View township, and Mrs. H. Monteith, in West Virginia. Luther, one of the leading farmers of this township, was born in 1834 in Grand View township. In 1865 he married Charlotte Martin, who died in 1879, at the age of forty years. He has had seven children, six of whom are living, namely: Matilda and Delilah A. (twins), Delilah (deceased), David A., John, Hannah, Charlotte B., and Ida Dell.

David Cline came to Ludlow about 1840, and lived a few years at the mouth of Sackett's run. Then he moved about a mile below, back on the high ground. He laid out a village, which he called Clinesville, on the corner of a road just surveyed, hoping that this road would build the town. He left in a few years for Archer's fork, in Independence township.

Porter Flint was a millwright and farmer. He built Flint's mills before 1832 on the Little Muskingum, at what is now Bloomfield. His wife was a Miss Bell, of Newport township. He was drowned in 1859 while running a raft.

Daniel Flint, his brother, kept the first store in the township. It was opposite Flint's mills, and subsequently kept by Holland. He afterwards moved out of the State.

Joseph Reese, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, born in 1798, removed to Washington county in 1840, and settled in Ludlow township. He remained here until 1862, when he moved to Germantown, Liberty township, and died the following year. His wife, Maria, born in 1796, survived him some ten years. He had twelve children, three of whom are living. David, merchant and postmaster at Dalzell, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1835, and removed to this county with his parents in 1840. He was married, in 1859, to Malinda Scott, who was born in Ludlow in 1840, They have seven children - -Howard B., Jewett A., Laura L., James R., Albert O., John C., Melvin F., living, and Charles S., deceased. Mr. Reese served in the war of the Rebellion, from September 14, 1861, to July 27, 1865, being a member of company G, Thirty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry. He had also four brothers in the service, viz: Joseph, Oliver, Jonathan, and Thomas. He was appointed postmaster at Dalzell in 1874, and continues in that position.

William Fox, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, emigrated to this country with his family in 1841 and settled in this township. He settled in a sugar-camp and entered the first land in section one and seven. In the winter of 1842 a catamount was killed in the springhouse. At that time the milling was all done by horsepower at E. Reed's. Mr. Fox and wife, and son James, were the first Catholic citizens of the county outside of Marietta. The locality in which they settled was called the Fox settlement. Mr. Fox died in 1857. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Maginnis, died in 1876, aged about eighty-four. They had five children. Patrick, James, and Mrs. Sarah McCormick reside in Ludlow; Mrs. Mary McKinney in Grand View, and the family of William, who is deceased, live in Iowa. James was born in Ireland in 1819. He married, in 1847, Margaret Mc- Kinney, who was born in 1824. They have had ten children living, as follows: 'Thomas, John, Sarah, William, Jane, Mary, Maggie, James, Anna, John, Catharine, and Bell. The first two are dead. Mr. Fox served about nine months in company D, Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry in the war of 1861-5.

Samuel L. Day came to Washington county and settled in Ludlow in 1849. He was born in 1820, and died in 1854, He married, in 1844, Drazilla Johnston, who was born in 1825. There were born to them nine children, of whom three only are now living, viz: William A., Rachel E. (Mrs. Scott), and Lavinia (Mrs. Ridgway). The last two reside in Kansas. William A. was born in 1845; married, in 1867, Joanah Hendershot, and has four children - Samuel L., Clara B., and George and Minnie, twins. He was a member of company G, Seventy-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and served from the fall of 1861 to the spring of 1865. He was postmaster of Winget Run office for two years.

In 1853 Robert Giffin came to Ludlow, from Belmont county, Ohio, in company with his mother. Though born in 1798, the aged lady is still living with him. Robert Giffin was born in 1829. In 1858, he married one of the same surname - Miss Mary Giffin, who was born in 1833. Their children are: Emeline Asa, Anna M., Eunice M., Huldah J., and Reginald R. Huldah is dead.

One of the later settlers to the township is A. J. Watson, who came in 1878 and began keeping a store at Bloomfield. He was born October 30, 1855; his parents are James and Maria Watson, the former a native of Scotland. In 1880 he married Anna K. Poole. Al though so short a time in the neighborhood, he has been already selected to fill township offices, that of clerk and treasurer.

The "advance guard of civilization," which came on foot armed with axe and rifle, would, in the early settlement of the country, be followed in no long time by the pioneers of mind and soul - the itinerant preacher on horseback, equipped with Bible and calling the hunters and farmers together as he passed, to worship God. By 1824, one of these preachers, Abner Martin by name, addressed meetings at different houses in the neighborhood often, for one, at the house of Christopher Dickson. 'These meetings soon bore fruit in the organization of the first church in the township. This was of the Methodist denomination. Before 1848, it became strong enough to build a meeting-house at Bloomfield. This lasted about twenty-five years, and was finally torn down. 'The organization has long since ceased to exist.

The next church was of the Christian denomination, otherwise and more properly called the Disciple church. This was near 1850. The original members, so far as learned, were: Ezra McMullins, Joseph Rees, Richard Scott, Samuel Thomas, Isaac Thomas, Levi McMullin, and their wives. 'The first minister was Richard Atherton. Following him were Isaac Thomas, Rev. Ashley, and David Hendershot. In about ten years after their organization, the members built a place of worship on Winget's run in section thirty-four, where they now hold meetings.

In the southeastern part of the township are many Irish, mostly of Catholic proclivities, making the field a favorable one for the planting of a Catholic church. This was accordingly done by Father Brumer, not far from 1860. At the same time a log church building was erected, principally through the agency of Messrs. Fox, Patrick Cawley, Charles Cawley, and James McCormick. The land on which it stands was donated for the purpose by Charles Cawley. The present officiating priest is Father Newmonger.

On April 29, 1866, Rev, John S. Covert preached in a school-house called "Solomon's temple." About twenty people only, attended the morning service, but in the afternoon the house would not hold the people. In May, 1866, a Sabbath-school was organized with Thomas Reynolds as superintendent. This school furnished itself a library and all the necessary accessories to its successful work.

The religious work thus inaugurated was continued by Elder Covert, who preached in May, July and August of that year. He was granted an involuntary vacation in June by the prevalence of floods, preventing his access to the place. Thus at different intervals, the work was kept alive until February, 1867. At that time the great flood of religious interest in Lawrence township to the south, arose and lapped the sides of the southern hills of Ludlow. Large meetings were held in the little schoolhouse and five persons were baptized by Elder Seckman.

On the last day of March, 1837, a council was called of delegates from the churches at Brownsville, Graysville, Matamoras, Unity, Woodsfield, Liberty, Rood Fork, and Lawrence. The elders were present and the organization of the Baptist church of Ludlow was effected. The first members were: Mary Thomas, Isaac R. Rinard, Luther Rinard, Alfred Graham, Eunice Graham, Martha Thomas, and Eliza Swallow, all of whom yet live in the neighborhood. G. W. Harvey and Mary E. Harvey, who are now dead; and Ellen Hendershot, - Reynolds, Sarah Powell, Sarah Baker, James Pratt, Mary J. Pratt, Burgess Hall, Hannah Hall, Jonah Walters, and Mary J. Walters, who have moved away.

In a few years the little band determined to have a special place of worship, but it was not until May, 1870, that this was dedicated. The exercises lasted from the twenty-seventh to the twenty-ninth of that month, under the guidance of Elders Covert and Dana, and pastor D. Seckman, who was the regular preacher at that time. The building is a neat frame structure, situated on a bluff on Pice's run.

In November, 1870, at a meeting held in the church building, it was decided to incorporate the church. The trustees were elected for three years, consisting of Luther Rinard, Luther M. Hearn, Isaac Graham, and G. W. Harvey.

Usually, when a settlement has so far progressed as to include four or five families, some maiden lady undertakes the task of keeping the little ones out of the way of the harvesters or other summer laborers, by instructing them in the mysteries of A, B, C, and the like branches of knowledge. About the year 1816 two such schools were taught. No trace of earlier ones in the neighborhood have been found. Nothing definite is learned that will determine which of these two schools were the first. The probability is, however, that the first one was by Miss Daly. It was asummer school of three months duration. Quite a number of pupils attended for the time of year, probably fifteen. This was held in a log school-house, about a mile and a half below Bloomfield. The attendants were the little ones of the families of Dickson, Tice, Hearn, French, Martin and others. The wages paid were a dollar and a half per pupil. The next school was taught by a man by the name of Gale.

At a school-house on the land of Daniel Hearn, the first teacher was Elizabeth McIntyre, about the year 1816. She was succeeded by Washington Williams. She had over a dozen pupils.

The settlers of Ludlow were without the benefits of a physician within easy access until 1838. Before that they were obliged to summon assistance, when sickness of such gravity as justified it attacked any of them, from Newport, Woodsfield, or even more distant points. But in the year referred to Dr. Philip D. Cocks settled in the vicinity. About the same time Dr. Jesse Ward, one of those physicians peculiar to the times called "steam doctors," made his home in what was then Ludlow but since has become Monroe county. Since then Drs. Russell and William Mitchell have settled in the township,

The first mill in the township not turned "by hand" was the horse-mill of James Tice. Soon after James Elder built one. These mills partially relieved the necessities of the people in that direction, until about the year 1818 or 1820 when Richard Taylor built the first water mill in the settlement. It was constructed on the Little Muskingum at the site of Bloomfield. It was both a grist- and a saw-mill. The first dam was a brush dam; this being swept away, it was replaced bya log dam. So anxious were the farmers to have this great convenience that when it was proposed to build the mill they subscribed aid enough, principally in lumber, work, etc., to insure its probable completion. This mill was afterwards rebuilt by Porter Flint, and still afterwards by Mr. Edwards and Solomon 'Tice.

About 1850 J. C. Ashley built a saw-mill farther down, in the neighborhood of Scott Town, but it has not been running since about 1870. Near this town, also, the firm of Best & Bates moved in and in the spring of 1869 started a woollen mill on Winget's run.

The oldest of the graveyards in Ludlow is what is known as the Tice cemetery. This dates from the year 1815, at which time Cynthia, a daughter of Jacob Wright, was buried - the first one in the yard. This cemetery has received the bodies of many old citizens and many of their families. Here Solomon Tice was buried; here William Snively and his wife; here are gravestones bearing the names of Dickson, Hearn, and others.

About forty years ago the graves of four children from the families respectively, of Daniel Flint, Jacob Flint, Elijah Reed, and George Snyder, situated near the site of Bloomfield, were found to be too close to the Little Muskingum. The bodies were accordingly removed to what is now the Bloomfield cemetery, which thus originated. Here are buried Daniel Hearn, sr., and his wife, Porter Flint, his wife and his mother, Christopher Dickson, sr., and his wife, David McIntyre, and others.

After the erection of the Baptist church building, near the school-house, that bears the singular name of Solomon's Temple, a cemetery was started. Necessarily, it is a burying-place for only the comparatively modern settlers.

At present there are two villages in the township, Bloomfield and Scott Town. The attempted enterprise of Clinesville has been referred to in the treatment of the settlement.

About forty years ago Porter Flint laid out the town of Bloomfield. The flouring and saw-mill there, as well as a furniture shop, distillery, and store carried on by Harvey and Horace Holland, seemed to warrant the expectation that a town could be successfully started. About that time, also, a post office was started which is yet in operation. At present Bloomfield is a small place on the left bank of the Little Muskingum, and situated principally in section twenty-one. The pos® office is on the other side of the stream.

In 1865 Isaac Scott opened a store at the mouth of Wingate's run. This was the origin of and the first building in Scott Town. In 1873 the place was granted

Biographical Sketch Robert Giffin

The subject of this sketch was born in Belmont, county, Ohio, August 5, 1829. His father, Archibald Giffin, was a native of Scotland, and was born September 24, 1771. He emigrated to America and settled in Belmont county, Ohio. He owned a farm and lived in Richland township until his death, July 26, 1833. In November, 1814, he married Agnes Belville, who was born in Newcastle county, Delaware, July 14, 1798. She is of French parentage.

The Giffin family consisted of six children. Cornelius lives in Belmont county; John died in Belmont county; Archibald lives at St. Clairsville, Belmont county; William lives in Newport township, this county; Agnes died at the age of four years; and Robert, a pictorial sketch of whose residence in Ludlow township is presented on an adjoining page.

Robert Giffin purchased the farm on which he now lives while that portion of the county was comparatively new. Ninety acres was the extent of his property at that time. This was a part of the old Solomon Tice farm, an eccentric character who came from Virginia at an early period. The clearing and cabin of the "Governor," as he was known among the early settlers, stood near the site of Mr. Giffin's residence. But a small portion of the land was cleared, and to our subject is due the credit not only of accumulating acres, but also of improving them. John Giffin lived on the farm during the first year of Robert's proprietorship. The following year, his father having died, Mr. Giffin removed to the farm on which he has resided ever since. His mother accompanied him, and still makes his residence her home.

Mr. Giffin married Miss Mary Giffin, of Belmont county, York township, who was born June ro, 1833. The fruit of this union was six children, viz: Emeline, born August 29, 1861; Asa, born October 29, 1863; Anna Martha, born November 6, 1865; Eunice, born April 26, 1868; Huldah J., born December 12, 1872; Reginald R., born November 15, 1874. Huldah J. died October 25, 1873.

Mr. Giffin has been adding to his possessions from time to time until he now has in the farm on which he lives two hundred and twenty-seven acres. He also owns a farm on Tice run, embracing one hundred and twenty acres,

Mr. Giffin served during the war in the Thirty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry. He enlisted February 24, 1865, and was discharged from the service July 27, 1865.

the township. In addition to the routine of farming he deals largely in sheep, and in that way has added materially to his competence. In the community he is looked

His farm is probably the best improved in the township. The large, square house, presented in the view, is surrounded by picturesque hills. Few more picturesque or more desirable places, so far as scenic effect goes to give interest to a locality, could be found in the county.

Source changes here: from History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Andrews, Martin Register, published 1902; 2,696 words in this source stream.

Ludlow Township

called the Ludlow line. On July 17, 1819, the county fathers established the township and named it after the line that now bounds it on the north. At that time, however, the township extended two miles north of this line. The establishing act, as found in the commissioners' journal, is as follows:

The Board of Commissioners of Wiashingt'on County establish the third township in the sixth range, together with section No. ,^6 of township two, in said sixth range, into a new and independent township and election district, to be hereafter known and distinguished by the name and denomination of Ludlow. And order that the qualified electors of said district meet at the house 01 Daniel Hearn, in said town, on the fourth Monday of August next, at 10 o'clock, .\. M., to elect their township officers agreeably to law.

In 185 1 all above the Ludlow line became a part of Monroe County. In 1840 the establishment of Independence declared the "section No. 36 in township two" a part of that township. These are the only two changes that Ludlow has suffered territorially since its establishment. The valley of the Little Muskingum was first settled. Solomon Tice is reported as being the first settler. Other early pilgrims were the Devees, Hearns, Elders and Dicksons.

A Methodist Church was. holding services as early as 1824. Before 1848 a Methodist Church was built at Bloomfield. A Disciple Church was organized about 1850. In the southeastern part of the township a Catholic Church was built about 10 years later. Schools were in existence in 18 16, and perhaps some previous to that date. About 1820 the first A\iater nuill was built b-}- Richard Taylor on the Little Muskingum at' Blnom field. This village was laid out abrnit 1840 by Porter Flint. "; Tlie de\'eloped oil territory extends across the township and into Monroe County.

eighth range, and townships No. 2 and 3 in the ninth range, be, and they hereby are incorporated and included in ore township, by the name of Marietta.

The town officers were: Anselm Tupper, tow,n and township of ^Marietta were the same, William Stacy, overseers of poor; B. I. Oilman, constable.

For the first 12 years of its history the town and township of Marietta were the same but at a town meeting held September i, 1800, Gen. Rufus Putnam, Paul Fearing, Benjamin Ives Oilman, and William Rufus Putnam, were appointed a committee to apply for incorporation. The act creating the town of Marietta was passed Novanber 3d, approved by the governor December 2nd, to take effect January I, 1801. The first officials were: Oen. Rufus Putnam, chairman; David Putnam, clerk; Ichabod Nye, treasurer; Ruifus Putnam, Oriffin Oreene, and Joseph Oilman, councilmen.

The above plan of tO'wn government continued until 1825, when another charter was obtained which changed to election of a mayor and reduced the area to about the present size. Harmar was made the Second Ward, and Marietta east-side constituted the First and Third Wards, each being entitled to three councilmen. The nine councilmen were elected by the voters and they in turn elected the officers from their number. On account of local disaffection, the west side secured a separate corporate existence in 1837, but was re-united to Marietta in 1890. Marietta was chartered as a city of the 2nd class, October 29, 1853, and charter amendments with protective ordinances have been passed from time to time, which were all codified and published in 1893. The population of Marietta in 1880 was 5,444, and of Harmar 1,571, making a total of 7,015 which in 1890 had increased to 10,050 and the census of 1900 gives the city 13,348-

The early history of the village has been outlined in the history of the Ohio Company. It is our purpose here to give a running sketch of the city's commercial and social development through the' century.

And Representative Citizens

The first store in Marietta - tlie first store in the Xorthwest Territory - was located on tlie ciinier i)f Muskingum and Ohio streets, and was owned I)}- Dudley Woodbridge. Business seems to have followed the river bank both ways from this point. As we shall proceed with this sketch, the location of stores first around "the Point" and then up Muskingum street, will appear. At a later period Ohio street was the line of trade, and it was not until comparatively recent times that Front street was improved. Previous to 1830 Front street was almost a common, the grass and weeds scarcely ever being broken by a team or vehicle. It will be seen also that in the olden time Putnam street had a few stores. Business slowly advanced from the river westward, coming over the flats and creeks, forming an unbroken line of stores on one side to Putnam, which in the unseen future may become the center of trade. Greene street and the cross streets connectinig it with Ohio were avenues mainly to smaller shops and dwelling houses. In Harmar the stores were along the river as in Marietta. Furs and salt were the two most important articles of trade. The second store in Marietta was opened by Charles Greene about 1797. Later he went into the ship-building business. Other early merchants were ]\Iaj. Robert Lincoln, Col. John Mills. Col. Abner Lord, Benjamin Ives Gilman in Harmar, also Col. Levi Barber, James Whitney, Abijah Brooks, Joseph Holden, S. B. Wilson, Col. Ichabod Nye, Nathaniel Dodge, Seth Washburn, D. B. Anderson, Dr. Regnier, Dr. John Cotton, Weston Thomas, A. L. Gitto, W. and S. Slocum, \\'avles and' J. E. Hall, D. P. Boswoith and A. P. Nye.

Ship-building was one of the first industries in Marietta of more than mere local importance, and the little city at the mouth of the Muskingum was made a port of clearance in the first years of the centurv from which barques and brigs sailed for ports bevond the seas laden with the produce of Southwestern Ohio.

of the Governor of the Northwest Territory. She was built for Charles Greene & Company by Stephen Devol. The 'St. Clair" took a cargo of flour and pork, and in May, 1800, cleared for Havana, Cuba, under the command of Commodore Whipply. The voyage was a remunerative one for the owners and encouraged the enterprising men of Marietta so that they continued building ships and sending them down the river to the sea. The "St. Clair," which was the first rigged vessel built upon the Ohio, was sold in Philadelphia, and her commander returned to Marietta by land.

The "St. Clair" was built near the foot of Monroe street, where Charles Gicene & Company established their shipyard. Several others were established about the same time. Benjamin Ives Gilman had one on the Harmar side of the river where the lock works are now located. Edward W. Tupper built ships at the foot of Putnam street on the Marietta side of the Muskingum. Col. Abner Lord had a shipyard near where the Phoenix Mills now stand. Col. Joseph Barker built several ships and boats about six miles up the Muskingum, among the latter the flotilla engaged hv Aaron Burr.

The following is a list of the ships built at Marietta at an early period, together with the names of owners and commanders, furnished Colonel Ichabod Nye by James Whitney, Charles Greene & Company's master builder :

The ship-building industry received a fata^ blow in Jefferson's "Embargo Act" passed in 1808. It revived again at the beginning of the era of slack water navigation and many vessels have been built at Marietta and Harmtir since 1822. The steamboats built at Marietta and Harmar up to the end of 1832 are named in the list in Chapter XI, under the heading of "[Marietta Tbwaiship in 1833." A list of those built since 1832 would include the following :

Marietta Township School District, which includes all the territory of the township lying east of Duck Creek, has set the pace in educational progress for the townships of this county, by the erection of a beautiful high school building at Sand Hill and by the orjganization and grading of its district schools.

The reunion of the Thorniley family, held at the home of Willis H. Thorniley, August 7, 1902, is worthy of permanent record. From the day in July, 1795, when Caleb Thorniley and family arrived in Washington County from Cheshire, England, until the present time the family has continued to prosper. It now numbers more than 1,000 members and many names of the family are found elsewhere in this history.

"Out Town. - Marietta has had a singular foi-tune. Tlie oldest town in Ohio^ - settled by an industrious and enterprising people - exceedingly pleasant and healthful in situation - ad^'antageously located for water-carriage - and having around it a good proportion oi very good, and la great deal of tolerable quality oif land - ^has fallen far behind many other plaices, in Ixisiness, Ixiildings and wealth. A variety of causes have C(jntril;ute<l to this result. - The first business in Marietta which caused any rapid increase O'f its buildings and population, was ship-building. This was prostrated, and with it, for the time beinsf, the general business of the town, in 1807 and 1808. In 1809 the tO'Wii looked like a deserted village. The number engaged in mechanical and mercantile business was very small. A large number of the best dwellings were unoccupied. In this state of apparent decay the place remained for several years. The few persons engaged in mercantile business were successful. They had a fine portion oi the custom within a circuit Oif 50 miles round - including parts of the valleys and bottom lands of the Ohio, Mivskingum, Kanawha, &c. In the n.'eantime the products of this region were disposed of to emigrants - to the salt makers of the Great Kanawha - or taken down the Ohio', or over the mountains - the merchants being seldom or never the exporters. Those engaged in mercantile business being, therefore, merely importers, did very little to enhance the business of the toiwn. Little was done, or attempted, which had this tendency. The town plot, being duly extended, was many times too large for the demand ; lots were held at very low prices. There was no encoulragement for building, because, as there was no apparent ^'ncouragement for the increase o-f business^ there was no' apparent encouragement for emigrants to settle in the town. We have said there was no apparent encouragement. But it is believed that, had the real capabilities of the place been fully known, the town would long ago have attained far greater than its present growth. But the symptoms of decay, so long apparent - the stillness of the place, owing partly to the scattered situation of the buildings, and partly to the carriage being mainly done by water-craft instead of wagons - in}- pressed on strangers the idea that Marietta was not, arid could not lie made, a place of extensive business. Possibly it may be, hereafter, deemed fortunate that the growth of the place has thus far been retarded. Within a few years Marietta has become a place of Education. The beanty and healthiness of this location, and the ereat extent of pleasant and un- O'ccupied building gronnd, render it a very eligil;le situation for those who woiuld locate themsehes in an advantageous situation for the education oi their children. Building lots have risen \vithin a few j'cars - ^but are still to be had at a nmich lower rate than at any other place O'f the same importance in the Western Country. The institutions for education have already had \-ery considerable effect in carrying forward the improA^ements of the town, and we trust the course of all will be onward."

'"Our Town. - M'arietta is the oldest municipal corporation northwest of the (3hio. The first act of incorporation was in Decanber, 1800, by the Legislature of the Northwest Territory. The act of incorporation was based on the denilocratic principles of the Eastern townships, or towns, as thev are there called. And to some, who have been educated in these democratic communities, it is a matter oi regret that similar institutions were not generally adopted in Ohio. They are founded on the principle that the people should be left, as far as practicable, to mianage their own affairs in their own way. The people met together in town meeting to discuss, and decide on, all matters which concern only the little community thus assemlbled. Here i? a school where young men learn the rudiments of legislation, and gain the confidence to address a public assemlbly. In these primary assemblies men learn to- feel their equal rights. If town meetings are sometimes noisy and disorderly, so are other assemblies. Should we reject the institutions of freedom because freedom is somf^times carried to excess ? On similar principles we might reject every good thing. But to return. - The original incorporation included not only the fractional sur\'eyed townships. noAv constituting the township of Marietta, but a great portion of several adjacent townships : - part of the territory of the present townships of Fearing, Union and Warren. The bounds, from time to time, were narrowed down to the twO' fractional townships. B'ut the old charter remlained in force for about a quarter of a century. It was superseded, in 1825, by the present charter, which confined the town to the town pint, and changed the corporation from a danlocratic to a rq>resentati\-e character. SoiTte of our old Yankees regretted the change; but all nolw acknowledge the superior efficieuicy of a government by representation for boroiigh purpose. The concerns of a city, or a village, require more promptness and decision than can well belong to a pure dempcracy. The latter ma)- do \'ery well for the more rural portions oi the country, but the police and public improvements necessary for a town require greater decision and more rapid execution. The advantages of the new fo-rm of governmient are well exemplified in the experience of the last 10 years. Previously the romantic mud stories of the West were in some promising degree realized in Marietta, so that strangers were sometimes disposed to nickname the place by substituting mud for the first syllable. The impro\-ements in graveled ways for teams and pa\-ed walks for pedestrians, have added most m»-aterially to the com,- fort and advantages of this ])lace, and exhibit, to those who recollect the days of mud, a contrast highly gratifying. The erection of bridges and raised highways has also added greatly to convenience.

"It would be of great consequence to the town to repair the banks of the rivers, and add to the facilities of landing, particularly on the Qhio. It is singular that nO' effort has yet been made to open the channel between the island bar and that of the Muskingum. It is thought not to be a difficult undertaking. The steamboat custom is \'ery important ; but might be much more so if the facilities of landing were greater. If the channel above mentioned could he permanentl}- deepened, and a few trees renwived from the bed of the river near the miouth of Duck Creek, the channel next the town ould be far more preferable in low water. As general improvements of the Ohio River are to continue and progress, under the Federal Government, it is hoped these particular in'^provements may shortlv, in this way, be accomplished."

Town Of Harmar

the Second Ward O'f Marietta - Pt. Harmar - into an independent borough - and we were for it, - but we did not expect the divorce to be so sudden and unceremonious. - The act is passed. M'arietta is disorganized - and we have been legislated for without our consent. We can have no municipal governmfcnt, under the present charter, without the concurrence of three wards. And so we are not only dismembered but disorganized, without our being consulted. Our den^ocracy would have deemed it necessary to submit to the people a mattei" in which the people are so much concerned. But the nature of the imported democracy may be quite of another cast."