Noble Township (part 4 of 8)

In 1889 the first election under the Australian ballot law was held in Noble county. The first election commissioners for the county under the new system were J. F. Knouff and George Rhodes, Republicans, and Peter Miller and L. H. Barry, Democrats. Schools of instruction were conducted by both parties for the purpose of instructing the voters as to the workings of the law. Notwithstanding some friction occurred in the change from the old to the new method of voting the system worked well and met the general approval of the voters.. So well had the schools of instruction done their work that a smaller percentage of votes were thrown out in Noble county, on account of defects, than in most of the counties of the State. Since that time the system has grown in popular favor and few of the

By an act of the legislature, passed March 8, 1892, an additional judgeship was created in the eighth judicial district. The subdivision is composed of Muskingum, Mocca, Guernsey and Noble counties, and is known as the frst subdivision of the eighth district, and had two judges previous to the act of March 8, 1892. Under the provisions of the act the first election for judge was to be held on the first Monday in April, 1892. At that time William Chambers, of Noble county, was elected judge and continued to hold the office for ten vears. ,

When the Spanish-American war broke out Noble county was not called on to furnish any velunteers but a number of Noble county boys, who were serving in the regular army participated in the military operations in Cuba. Among them were Stephen M. Archer, who held the rank of captain in the Seventeenth United States infantry, Oliver M. Knouff, and William H. Wehr, now foreman in the Republican Journal composing room, who was wounded in the hip at El Caney, Harry Collins and Pursell Archer, both of whom were in the artillery service and fought at E] Caney and the other engagements areund Santiago. About a vear before the beginning of the war a company was ereanized at Summerfield, known as the Guilbert Rifles, and was mustered into the Ohio National Guard as Company FE of the Seventh regiment. The company numbered sixty men, the first. captain being Robert W. Calland, a veteran of the Civil war, and who was afterward promoted to major of the Seventh regiment. A signal honor was paid to this company on the occasion of the reception to Admiral Dewey at Wheeling, Va., February 22, 1900, when it was selected as escort to the admiral and assigned the post of honor in the procession. The company was named in honor of W. D. Guilkert, auditor of State. who is a citizen of Noble county. In 1903 the commissioned officers of the company were Grant S. Hastings, captain: Luther Danford, first lieutenant; and Clyde MeClintock, second lieutenant. This is the only company of the National Guard in the county. but it is regarded as ene of the best drilled in the State, owing in a great measure to the skill and perseverance of Captain Calland, who aroused a military pride in the bosoms of the young men constituting the company.

Prior to 1869 the physicians of Noble county had never established a local medical society. The pioneer doctor, with a practice covering a territory extending over a radius of ten to twenty Lele. out at all times of night and in all kinds of weather. visiting his patients over roads that were at times almost impassable, had but little time for association with his professional brethren. Mounted upon a, good horse, with a stock of medicines in the old-fashioned pill-bags thrown across the rear of his saddle, he combatted disease in his own way according to his best judgment. Among the early physicians of the county were William McKee and David McGarry, of Olive ; J. Fr Capell and William S. Spriggs, of Sarahsville; John Kirkpatrick and Francis Slater, of Sharon; J. M. Stone and N. P. Cope, of Hiramsburg; John Keller, of Mt.. Ephraim; Joseph Wilcox, of Batesville; R. P. Summers and David Frame, of Summerfield; John Martin, G. A. Way, and J. W. Kraps, of Caldwell. There were others but these were perhaps the most prominent in their day. In the summer of 1869 there was organized and incorporated The Noble County Medical Society, with the following charter members: Drs. Mechem and R. B. Taylor, Summerfield; Join Martin, J. W. Kraps and G. A. Way, Caldwell; W. G. Martin, Harrietsville; Charles Schreiber, Sharon; R. C. Downey and W. P. Spriggs, Sarahsville. Dr. John Martin was the firsi president and G. A. Wav the first secretary. This organization continued in existence for several years and held regular quarterly meetings, many other physicians joining at intervals. ,

On April 20 and 21, 1901, occurred one of the heaviest falls of snow ever known in the county. It began snowing early on Saturday morning, the 20th, and continued without cessation for thirty hours. In that time three feet of snow fell, interfering greatly with the ordinary business pursuits, and almost. blocking the highways to travel. Few people attended church that Sunday morning. The bells hung silent in the steeples, sending forth no invitation to come to worship, while everyone who 'was able to lend a hand turned out to clear the roads or clean the snow off the flat roofed buildings to prevent their collapse under the great weight. For once the old settler was nonplussed. From his storehouse of recollections he could bring no reminiscence of a similar phenomenon in the years gone by, and as the date of the great snow was so late in the season it is quite probable that it will not oceur again in many years. Future generations, when a heavy fall of snow comes, can sit around the firesides and hear old men tell of the great snow storm of April, 1901.

In celebrating the centennial of Ohio's admission into the Union it fell to the lot cf Ncble county to furnish the poet, who wrote the ode that was widely used in the exercises of the public schools of the State. The ode was written by J. Milburn Harding, a young attorney of Caldwell, and was first used in the Caldwell public schorls cn Febrnary 27, 1903. On Sunday, March 1, it was published for the first time in the Ohio State Journal, and soon afterward was nsed in the public schools of Chillicothe. It was published in the Caldwell Republican Journal on March 26, and during that month was widely used in the schcols as the best tribute to Ohio's progress and patriotism. The poem, which is reproduced below, tells in graphic language the story of the State's redemption from savagery to civilization. It has heen preserved in the report of the Historical and Archaelogical Society of Ohio, for 1903, and was published in the quarterly journal of the society.

Ohio Centennial Ode

Columbia's pride, Ohio, grand and fair, Where wealth and beauty are beyond compare, Where labor, truth and knowledge have control, Thy name is peer upon the honor roll.

Ohio, first-born of the great northwest, Nursed to thy statehood at the Nation's breast And taught the wisdom of the Ordinance Rule, No slav'ry chain, but e'er the public school. Ohio, name for what is good and grand,

Far to the south where, beautiful and grand, The placid River's wave kissed untrod sand, The dusky twilight of the forest. old Concealed the native Indian, wild and bold. Within the awe of that primeval wood

Here lived the greatest, noblest Indian men. Retreating from their eastern glade and glen, They crossed the river, called this land their own And hoped to hunt and fish and live alone.

The scout, the trapper, followed each his trade. Here, too, the priest and bishop, with sad face, Converted souls, built missions, "Tents of Grace." But they are gone. The annals of the strife That brought to one race death, another life, Have oft been writ, by deeds not. free from stains, In noblest blood that coursed a race's veins.

To Buckeye faith. With noble. pure desire Deharked that crew - to found a new Empire. They brought with them their all; but, eer they, came The purest laws that Liberty conld frame.

Were first to bear and last to stack their guns. With Erie's waters mixed their erimson blood; Thev reached and crossed the Rio Grande's flood ; Thev 'Starred and Striped' the Montezuma's halls ; Thev filled the ranks at Lineoln's several calls, And fought till Freedom won. Ohio's rol]

BounpaRIES OF THE CounTy - AREA - SURFACE- - SOIL - Crops - Topacco - OccuPpaTIONsS - MINERAL PrRopUCTS - SANDSTONE - Coat - Iron - Satt - NaturaL Gas - TaxasLe PROPERTY IN 1903 - Morreaces - Cuurcures - Meruopist Episcopa, -

Kyieuts or Pyruras - Granp ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC - SONS or VETERANS - CiviIL GoVERNMENT - LiIsT OF OFFICIALS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CountTy - PoLiticaAL - ELECTION Statistics - Cernsus Reports - Distancrs - GENERAL REFLECTIONS.

OBLE COUNTY is situated in the southeastern part of the State and is bounded on the north by the county of Guernsey ; on the east by the counties of Belmont and Monroe; on the south by the county of Washington ; and on the west by the counties of Morgan and Muskingum. The area isa little over 400 square miles, the county containing 258,560 acres. It is one of the hilliest counties in the State. A ridge running east and west through the county divides it into two main slopes. This watershed runs through Marion, Center, Noble, Buffalo, and a corner of Brookfield townships. North of it the streams flow in a northwesterly direction to the Muskingum river. These streams are the three forks of 'Will's creek - Buffalo fork, Seneca fork, and Beaver fork - with their lesser tributaries. South of the ridge the principal streams are the east, west, and middle forks of Duck creek, which flow southeast to the Ohio. Although the surface is exceedingly uneven the soil is of that limestone formation that makes it strong and productive. The hill 'sides are well adapted to grazing while the bottom lands along the 'streams produce bountiful crops of all kinds of cereals. Fruit is also grown in abundance and is of great variety. One of the most. profitable crops is tobacco, which is raised throughout the county and is generally of a fine quality. Agriculture is the principal odcupation, though several important mineral products are to be found in the county. Limestone is found in every township and in several localities there is sandstone well adapted for building purposes. The largest of these deposits is near Whigville, in Marion township, where the ledge measures in soma places forty feet in thickness. Another large bed of sandstone is on Reasoner's Run in Jackson township. Iron ore is also found in some parts of the county. It is said to be of excellent quality but has never been worked to any great extent. What is known as the Meigs creek coal has been found at several points and it is believed that it underlies the entire county. At numerous points it crops out and at such places mines have been opened and worked to good advantage. The coal is not of the best quality, however, containing but about forty-five per cent of fixed carbon, and leaving a large amount of ashes and clinkers. The vein varies from three feet to five and a half feet in thickness and is mined without much difficulty. This enables the producers to put it on the market cheaply and the chances are that the local demand will be supplied by the local mines for some time to come.* The Meigs creek coal is mined in drifts or banks. In addition to this vein extensive testing shows the existence of two other veins of excellent coal, the Cambridge, or No. 7, at a depth of about 180 feet and the Hocking Valley, or No. 6, at a depth of about 280 feet, underlying the'entire Duck Creek valley, north of Caldwell. There are now three shafts working in the different veins just north of Belle Valley, the Chris McKee plant being the finest. in the valley between Caldwell and Cambridge, and is equipped with the latest improved electrical mining machinery. Practically all of the coal lands on both sides of the Marietta branch of the Pennsylvania railroad north of Caldwell, for a mile on each side have been bought outright. Other mines have already been located and at no distant day the little city of Caldwell will become the center of an important coal mining industry. The Caldwell Mining Car and Manufacturing Company was organized in 1892 and is now making cars, tipples, and other coal mining supplies, and their products are used not only in the various mines in the Duck Creek and Will's Creek valleys, but are shipped to nearly every State in the Union.

In early times when salt was scarce and hard to obtain its manufacture was conducted at several places in the county, salt water being found almost anywhere by drilling a well. When the railroads were opened through the county it was soon discovered that salt could be more easily obtained through commerce and the salt works of Noble county were discontinued. The oil industry, described in a previous chapter, is one of the principal sources of wealth. A few years ago when natural gas began to be utilized for fuel in Western

*A full, technical description of tie coal deposits of the county mav be found in the report of the Geological Survey of Ohio, volume V, chapter XIX.

Pennsylvania, various parts of Ohio, and in Eastern Indiana, the attention of certain persons in Noble county was directed to the conservation of the gas from the wells in the oil district, a product which had hitherto been allowed to go to waste. As-a result of their endeavors the people in the principal towns and villages, and many of the farmers of the county, have for some years enjoyed the benefits arising from the use of this gas as a clean and economical fuel. The experience of the Noble county gas fields does not differ materially from that of others. In time the pressure began to decrease, the Jong hard winter of 1903 was so severe a test that many found the supply of gas inadequate to their needs and returned to the use of coal, which, though not so clean nor so convenient, they found more reliable.

The casual observer, in passing through Noble county, might conelude, from the uneven surface, that the people are rough in character and poor in property. Such, however, is not the case. The men who settled the territory were of industrions habits and their descendants have proved themselves to be men of the same distinctive quality, who have by their energy wrested wealth from the rngged hills. In 1903 the real estate of the county was appraised for taxation at $3,874,010, and the personal property at $1,858,319, making a total of $5,732,320, or about $1,250 to each family. Few agricultural counties can make a better showing. The census of 1901 gave the number of families on the farms at 2,815. Of these 1,726 owned their homes free from encumbrance, 563 were mortgaged, and the remainder were tenants. Schools and churches were among the first institutions to be established, distinguishing the early settlers as believers in education and as a moral, reverent and God-fearing people.

The oldest church in the county was probably the Methodist Episcopal church at. Carlisle, founded about the vear 1812. At first it was only a class, with Elisha Enochs as leader, but in 1820 a log house was erected and the congregation regularly organized. Among theearlvy inhabitants of the county the Methodists were the most progressive and aggressive of any of the religions denominations. The first Methodist church in Summerfield was erected in 1830, though a class had been in existence there ever since the vear 1819, Nathaniel Capell being the first leader. A Methodist church was established at Sarahsville abont the time the town was laid out and is therefore one of the oldest in the county. Thomas Barry and William Shaw were among the leaders at this point. The church at Mount Ephraim was organized in 1830, with Joseph Graham as class leader, and in 1844 the first building was erected for the congregation. This building was replaced by a larger one in 1880. In 1832 a few Methodists in the vicinity of Harrietsville gct together and organized a class with Jonas Lovett as leader. After a school house was built the congregation was organized into a regular church, meetings were held in 'tho school house until 1869 when a church building was erected. In 1836 Methodist churches were organized at. Mount Tabor in Stock township and at Crumtown in Elk township. Tio years later a mecting-house, as the early church buildings were generally ealled, was erected by the Methodists at Sharon. This afterws ard ecaae one of the strongest congregations in the county. The old building was superseded by a larger "and finer structure in 1870. The Middleburg Methodist porch was organized. For some time class meetings had been conducted under eS leadership of Henry Enochs. Jacob Miller was the first pastor of the chureh at Middleburg. In 1859 the Methodist church of Caldwell was founded. The church was really organized at the old village of Olive vears before Noble county was created. After the location of the county seat at Caldwell, Samuel Caldweli donated a lot for a church site and the congregation removed to the new county seat. It is the oldest church in Caldwell. Some of the most prominent citizens of Caldwell were among the membership. After the completion of the railroad from Marietta to Caldwell the Methodists turned their attention to the founding of new churches in the villages that sprang up along the line of the railroad. In 1872 the church'at Dexter City was organized,-meetings being held for a time in the school house with Rev. Luther Timberlake as the pastor. Two years later the church building was erected, the first in Dexter City. In 1881 William Kirkbride offered to give the Methodists a lot in South Olive if they would build a church there. The same year the South Olive Methodist church was organized by Rev. George Willis. Although small at first, the congregation soon became one of the largest and most active in the county. Methodist churches were also established at an early day at Batesville and in Buffalo township.

Next after the Methodists came the Catholics. In 1819 Rev. Edward Fenwick came from Maryland, as a missionary to the settlements northwest of the Ohio. The same year he organized Catholics about Batesville into a parish and founded a church. It was at first. known as St. Dominic's but was later changed to St. Mary's. The parish prospered and in a few years numbered several hundred members. In 1840 the "Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of St. Mary" was organized at Fulda. During the next nine years Father Kremer visited the church twice a month, and it was not until 1853 that the first church edifice was dedicated. It is now one of the strongest religious organizations in the county with a good parochial school. St. Michael's, at Mount Ephraim, was founded in 1841 and was for scme time under the same pastoral charge as St. Mary's of Fulda. Another Catholic organization that was conducted for a time as a mission of St. Mary's was that of St. Henry's, established in 1868, and located about two miles east of Harrietsville in Elk township. - "

On February 8, 1825, a number of Baptists gathered at the house of Ezekiel Dye, Sr., in Brookfield township, and organized a Baptist church. This church, afterwards known as the Brookfield Baptist church, was the first organization of that denomination in the county. In the spring of 1826-a log building was erected. On May 26 and 27 the Meigs Creek Association met in this building before it was fully completed. Another Baptist congregation was organized in 1825, in the vicinity of South Olive. It was re-organized in 1843, at which time it took the name of the New Harmony Baptist-chureh. In 1856 a neat frame church was built, the membership having grown to about one hundred. Five years after the organization of these two churches the Manchester Baptist church was established, taking its name from Manchester township in Morgan county. A minister by the name of Gabriel was the first pastor. Another Baptist chureh was organized near Hiramsburg, in 1850, and after struggling along for a number of years under the most discouraging circumstances was finally disbanded. The Roadfork Baptist church, in Elk township, was established in 1857, with Henry Lyons as the first pastor. Meetings were held in the school honse until 1859 when the congregation built a home of its own. The Baptist church at Caldwell was established in 1861 by Rev. G. W. Churchill. The chureh building was erected the same year at a cost of ahout $1,200. For some time the growth of the church was slow, ewing to the Civil war, but later it prespered and at the present time it is the largest Baptist church in the connty.

A Presbyterian chureh was founded at Olive as erly as 1820 and was for many vears supported by the hoard of Home Missions until it grcw strong enough to sustain itself. Ameng the early pastors was Jehn Arthur, though but little is known ef the early history of the cengregation. In 1828 the Presbyterians erected a church building at Sharon. Tt was used also by the Wnitel Presbyterians. The Preshyterian church at Caldwell was organized on July 27, 1868, by Rev. H. C. Foulke, of Cumberland, assisted hy other ministers, the membership numbering less-than twenty at the time of the organization. Churches were established by the Cumberland Preshyterians at Pleasant Hill, in Center township, in 1845, and at TTiramsburg in 1870. The first named church afterwards passed into the hands of the Methodist Protestant denomination, which alse had congregations at Belle Valley, Hoskinsville, and in Jackson, Noble and Center townships.

Enoch township, about the close of the Civil war; and at' Middleburg in 1879. Other churches were those of the United Brethren at Fredericksdale, and in Olive; Enoch and Jackson townships; the Wesleyan Methodists at Summerfield, Sarahsville and in Beaver township, the last named being founded as early as 1822; St. John's Evangelical church, established in Elk township in 1842; Mount Hope Evangelical Lutheran church at Batesville, in 1828; and the Universalist church at Dudley, in 1878. For more than a quarter of a century the believers in the doctrines taught by the Universalist creed had been holding meetings in this part of the county, but it was not until after the building of the railroad that they became strong enough to venture upon the organization of a congregation and the erection of a building. Some of these congregations have given way to others of later creation showing evidences of greater vigor and vitality, but it can be said that the people of Noble county believe in the precepts of the Christian religion.

The history of the educational progress of Noble county is but a repetition of the experience of all new countries. As ponulation increased, the growth of the school interests kept pace with the development along other lines. The log house, with the huge open fireplace, the greased paper windows, and the puncheon seats, gave way to the more modern brick or frame structure, offering greater comforts to the pupils and better facilities for imparting instruction. Uniform text books were adopted, which permitted the arrangement of the scholars into classes, while the constant accumulation of the school funds afforded a larger revenue for educational purposes. Under these conditions the schools of the county have prospered. In 1901 the State department of education reported 133 school buildings in the county, with 155 rooms, the property being valued at $103,250. The term of school was 29 weeks in the township schools and 32 weeks in the separate districts. The number of teachers employed was 216, at salaries ranging from $30 to $55 per month. The total revenue reported amounted to $70,069:51, of which $46,781.55 was exvended, leaving a balance of $23,178.96 in the treasurer's hands at the close of the school year - certainly a satisfactory financial condition. Of the 6,230 boys and girls of school age 3,864 were enrolled in the schools, 124 being in the high school grades, and the average daily attendance for the year was 2,647. The total number of graduates from the county high schocls since their establishment was given as 184. Good buildings have been erected in all the principal towns and villages, and in most of the country districts. Caldwell, Middleburg, Batesville, Summerfield and Dexter City are noted for the superiority of their schools.

ference was the first to enter the field by the organization of Sharon Lodge, Xo. 136. which was instituted in Mareh, 1846, with only eight members, the Worshipful Master being Rev. Patrick MeCue. In 1903 the Lodge had a membership of forty -three. WAL. Walters being the W orshipful Master. In 1857 this lodge erected a two story building, the first Masonie building in the county. The second Masonic lodge to he organized was Olive Lodge, No. 210, at Sarahsville. This lodge received its charter on December 4, 1851, soon after Sarahsville had heen selected as the county seat. Eight charter members were enrolled, with J. Y. Topkins as master of the lodge. In 1908 the lodge had forty-one members and J. M. Murphy was the master. Summerficld Lodge, No. 425, F. and A. AL, was organized in 1869, receiving its charter on October 20, of that vear, with twelve charter members and George W. Mason as master. In 1908-C. W. Farley was the master and the lodge had a membership of forty-seven. Noble Lodge, No. 459, Free and Accepted Masons, was instituted at Caldwell, October 17, 1872, with fourteen charter members and William H. Frazier as the first Worshipful Master. The membership of this lodge in 1903 was sixty-one. E. G. Chamberlin being the Worshipful Master. Summerfield Chapter, Roval Arveh Masons, was organized in September, 1870, with fourteen charter members. The charter of Summerfield Chapter was surrendered about 1890. Cumberland Chapter, No. 116, was instituted January 6, 1869, at Cumberland. On February 18, 1889, the place of meeting was changed to Caldwell. In 1908, Cumberland Chapter had about sixty members, and Homer L. Hastings was the Gigh Priest.

Olive Lodge, No. 259, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Olive, December 4, 1854. In 1861 the meeting place was changed to Caldwell. In 1908 the lodge had a membership of one hundred and four and a fund of several thousand dollars invested. On August 23, 1866, Batesville Lodge, No. 882, I. O. O. F., was instituted. For some years the First National Bank of Batesville oceupied the lower story of the Odd Fellows building. The lodge had a membership of sixty-one in 1903. The next organization of Odd Fellows was Keith Lodge, No. 466, at Keith's in Jackson township. Peter and Adam Keith were among the charter members. A hall was built in 1884, and in 1903 the lodge had ninety-four members on the rolls. Dexter City Lodge, No. 496, was instituted on August 22 1871. It prospered rom the start and soon owned a good hall and property worth several hundred dollars. The membership i in 1903 numbered sixty-one. Two Odd Fellows' lodges were organized in 1873; Gem Lodge, No. 552, at Sharon, and Noble Lodge, No. 563, at Harrietsville. The former was instituted i in July and the latter i in December. At one time Sharon Lodge had the largest and best furnished hall in the county. It is still in a prosperous condition, reporting an active membership of sixty-seven in 1903. The lodge at Harrietsville never grew to the proportions of some of the others in point of membership but those belonging to it have shown their devotion to the principles of the order by their liberality in charitable work. In 1903 the membership numbered thirty. South Olive Lodge, No. 763, has been organized more recently and has a membership of forty-nine. M. C. Ogle, of this lodge, was a Deputy Grand Master in 1903. Lodges of the Daughters of Rebecca have been organized at South Olive, Batesville and Caldwell, the total membership being one hundred and twenty-five.

Within the last fifteen years six lodges of the Knights of Pythias have been instituted in Noble county. The first of these was Caldwell Lodge, No. 280, which in 1904 had a membership of seventy-nine; Batesville Lodge, No. 331, reported thirty-one members; Rado Lodge, No. 632, thirty-three; Autumn Lodge, No. 646, located at Summerfield, one hundred and sixteen; Spring Lodge, No. 705, at Hiramsburg, fifty-five; and Jewel Lodge, No. 726, at Dexter City, fifty-eight. The total membership in the county was three hundred and fifty-seven and in three of the lodges a section of the Endowment Rank was maintained. Concerning the growth of this order the last Journal of Proceedings, of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, said: '"Pythianism is at a premium in Noble County. All the Lodges report prosperous conditions with good future prospects."

Upon the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic the Noble county veterans took steps to establish local posts of the order. The first mustered was at Dexter City, July 8, 1884, with thirty charter members. It was named the John M. Moseley Post in honor of the captain of the first volunteer infantry company recruited in Noble county, and who died at Cheat Mountain, Va., September 27, 1861. The Post number is 470. Noble Post, No. 491, was organized on September 18, 1884, at Caldwell, with forty-eight charter members. On January 21, 1885, John Brown Post, No. 504, was organized at Summerfield. It received its name from Capt. John Brown, who enlisted from Summerfield as first lieutenant in Company D, Ninety-Second volunteer infantry. He was promoted cap tain in July, 1862, and died from wounds received in the battle of Chickamauga. At the time the post was mustered nineteen charter members were enrolled, among them being R. W. Calland, who organized the militia company at Summerfield in 1897. Following the establishment of Grand Army posts came the organization of camps of the Sons of Veterans. On July 29, 1885, James A. Trimmer Camp, No. 53, was organized at Caldwell, with seventeen members, and on September 20, 1886, William C. Simmons Camp was instituted at Batesville with ten members. / its affairs administered by public scrvants who were both honest and efficient. No scandals have attached to her civil officers, and but few of their official acts have keen deserving of severe criticism. - Following is a list of the judicial, excentive and administrative othcers since the organization of the county in 1851, with the year in which each went into office to serve until his sucecssor was elected and qualitied, as shewn by the succession of dates. The county has been in the eighth judicial district ever.since its creation. Some of the common pleas judges in the list were residents of other counties of the district.

County Commissioncrs. - Commissioners are elected for terms of three vears. After the organization of the first board in 1851 lots were drawn so that the term of ene eommissioner would expire in each year. -\s a consequence of this arrangement one member of the board is elected each vear, fer a full term of three vears. In the list where the regular order of dates is broken it is an evidence that the eommissioner whese term exrired in that verr was re-cleeted. Jaeoh Lyons, Timothy Smith, and John Noble, 1851; (in April). Alfred Ogle, 1851; (in Novenber). Elijah Wathawav, 1852: J. Aveher, 1855; Jenathan Eehelberry, 1856; Rohkert MeKee, 1857; William Crmm, 1858: Jame: Ball, 1859: John Lenmmax, 1860; E. P. Svlliyan, 1861: George Wilson, 1862; William W., Stringer, 1863; Williain J. Gregg, 1865; James Eakin, 1867: William Wane 1869: Robert Calland, 1871; Jehn Moore, 1873: William Ross, 1875; John Cenner, 1876; Samuel Hatheway, 1877; Adam Tlamilton, 1878; John N. Shafer, 1879: John Smithson, 1880; Tsaac Crow, 1881; ele Collins ton serine. I, Greves, 18835 12 tk, Gorbx 1esh; Nol dagalrnes, Pong! ogee es, Gorby and Barnes each served two or more terms). C.J. Eagler, 1889: Charles Craig, 1890; T.3f. Combs, pote 1), 1. ouater, (900, 2. G.. Brown, 18965.) .-s..Arcier, (S99; eel Calla 19022 \\ a Als \\ ison. 1903;

Coroners. - (Tt is probable that this list is not complete as records of some of the eleetions could not be ebtained). David MeGarry, 1851; (elected in April). John Bainuin, 1851: (elected in Octo-

*Hellver resigned in April. 1854. and Casey was appointed to serve the remainder of the term. In October Stevens was elected but died in office in 1859 and T. W. Morris was appointed to the vaeancy. He was elected in November, 1859, and served until 1862, when his deputy, Jabez Belford. completed the term.

Infirmary Directors. - The term of office of the infirmary directors is three years, and, like the commissioners, one is elected annually. The first full board was elected in Noble county in 1861. After this board no further records of the directors can be found until 1867. Ezra McKee, John Miley and Morris Danford, 1861; Samuel Langhlin, 1861; James Ball, 1867; W. W. Rhodes, 1867; Jonathan Miller, 1868; James N. Hedge, 1870; Robert Barry, 1872; Anderson Briggs, 1873; Stephenson Trimmer, 1874; William Musser, 1875; Sanmel Laughlin, 1876; J. W. R. Newton, 1879; J. B. Clark, 1880; John N. Graham, 1881; George Weekley, 1885; Peter Vorhies, 1886; Richard Tams, 1887; Thomas R. Davis, 1889; George Davidson, 1890; Arch. Osborne, 1891; Svlvester Reed, 1893; D. N. Brown, 1895; L. W. Palmer, 1897; J. W. Ruby, 1899; G. A. Bell, 1903.

Members of the Leqislature. - For ten years after the erection of Noble county it had no direct representation in the general assembly of the State. During that time the voters continued to cast their ballots for legislators in those counties to which they had formerly belonged.

From 1862 until 1900 the county was allowed a member of the lower house. Since 1902 it has been in the Morgan-Noble joint district. By the census returns of 1900, neither Morgan nor Noble counties had sufficient population to allow them separate representation. By an amendment to the constitution adopted at the election of 1903 every-county in the State is allowed separate representation. In the future Noble county will constitute a separate representative district. The boundaries of senatorial districts are fixed by the State constitution, and as Noble county was formed after the formation of the present constitution, the constitutional convention adjourning a few days after the act. creating the county was passed by the legislature, the voters have continued to cast their ballots for senators as though still in the counties from which the territory was taken. The county is divided by the senatorial line nearly in the center, several townships being divided. This has caused a good deal of confusion in voting, and many mistakes have been made that were impossible to eorrect. Noble is the only county not mentioned in the constimtion of the State. The constitution was adopted in the fall after the crcation of the county, but the convention which drafted the constitution

The western townships are in the fourteenth district, with Washington and Morgan counties, and the remainder of the county is in the nineteenth district with the counties of Guernsey and Monroe. Since the allotment of a representative to the county, elections have been held as for members of the general assembly, with the following results :

In the first few years of Noble county's corporate existence the Democratic party was in the majority, but, as in many other localities, the issues growing out of the Civil war changed the political complexion of the county and since that time it has been reliably Republican by majorities ranging from twenty to seven hundred votes, the largest majority for governor being in 1901, when Nash defeated Kilbourne in the County by 751. The following table shows the vote for governor since the Civil war:

In each of these elections a few votes were cast for some third party candidate. The largest vote of this character was in 1887, when Sharp, the Prohibition candidate, received 124 votes, and in 1895, when Coxey, the Populist candidate, reecived 172 votes.

The population of Noble county has remained almost the same ever since the organization. In 1860, the first United States census after the county was erected, the population was 20,751, and in 1870 it was 19,949. The following table shows the population by townships at each census since 1880:

In 1900 the census department required that in taking census of towns that the work be confined within the corporate limits. This rule was nct so rigidly enfcreed in 1890. This accounts for the apparent falling off in the population of Caldwell.

TaBLE showing the principal points of interest in the county, the township in which each is located, the general direction and distance from the county seat.

Town or Village. Township. Direction. Distance. FAV AT. sees dace INObletieess. ose North itn. aces 8 miles. Batesville .......... Beaver iah.2caes ae Northeastis./4...<% 20 miles. *Belle Valley....... IN ODI isperiors ss oscrotencieg INOF GD Ae et oso ceases 4 wiles. Warisiore. nee toe Stockerce. cess csc. Mastenee te ce eee LL miless Crooked Tree ...... JACKSON. she eeens Southeee sense 9 miles. *Dexter City....... JACKSON. afeictetnis cloe South? Ss casecses 8 miles. Erederickstown. <...| HKG 6.0... .cicce seers Hast. cereale miles. Wala ne ar rss NOCH =. hae eee AUASL eke acr. cece. 7 miles. Harrietsville ....... Bile Ros Pedic enters Southeast ......... 15 miles. *Hiramsburg ...... INODIO cre a teacec ss INorthienect acitsasieers 6 miles. Hoskinsville........ INODIO% a won sis.e oc a's Northwest ........ 6 miles. Kennonsburg ...... Wayne. occ soe Northeast......... 16 miles. Middleburg ........ Jvellersonkxs. 6... Southeast ......... 9 miles. Mount Ephraim....| Seneca............ Northeast mn. c.c- 9: 10 miles. INGWDUDE. . -con 3. -% noche. ae ee Southeast ......... | 8 miles. Renrocktss.iss see. Brookfield ........ Northwest ........ 9 miles. *Sarahsville........ Center seicc2 bes ete Northeast: /. Setecu: <0 7 miles. HALON: cock cig ono SHALOM aicce irs ecsts Wests. nm aiioctsecs 3 miles. *South Olive....... OliVer. forte eee Souths coe). oe eee | Loumires: *Summerfield. .....| Marion............ Northeast <<... Jaa 18 miles. FS WIBIG VINO iors sa srersie IM arION acy oes 25.2 Norghbeast:..c son. sc 14 miles.

Although one of the first counties settled, Noble is the youngest of the eighty-eight counties constituting the State of Ohio. More than a hundred years have elapsed since the first hardy pioneers penetrated the wilds of the Northwest Territory and founded settlements in what is now the great State of Ohio, and over half a century has passed away since the county of Noble was erected. What changes have come in that time! The sturdy forests have disappeared under the woodsman's ax, and where they once grew in their majesty is now seen the fields and orchards of the husbandman. The wild beasts that roamed through these forests in search of their prey have also disappeared and in their stead have come the flocks and herds of domestic animals that mark the progress of civilization. The log cabin has been supplanted by the more pretentious residence of modern times; the self-binder has taken the place of the old fashioned cradle and the steam thresher has relegated the flail to oblivion. Through the valleys, once untrodden by the foot of civilized man, is now heard the whistle of the locomotive, while from the hills come the merry chimes of the school bells, calling the youth to the preparation of their duties as citizens in later years. The post-rider has been displaced by the magnetic telegraph, and the long distance telephone places the people of the county in direct communication with all the important cities of the State. And while the people enjoy all these advantages of modern civilization much of it is due to their own heroic efforts. In peace or war the record of Noble county is one of steadfast devotion to duty. In the foregoing pages it has been the aim to note the development of the county's resources and the establishment of her institutions. In the second part of this work will be found some special mention of the men who have materially aided in this development, and from that part of the work the reader can gain some idea of the magnitude of the business interests of the county.

Cassius O. Dyr. - Ezekiel Dye was the first of that name to settle in what is now Noble county. He was born in New Jersey, removed: to Westmoreland county, Pa., and in 1804 removed once more to Ohio, settling in what is now Brookfield township, then a part of Morgan county. He took up land from the government, the deed being signed by President James Madison. The place is still known as the "Old Dye Settlement," and a portion of the original land purchase still remains in the possession of the descendants. Ezekiel Dye was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, taking prominent part in the battle of Monmouth. He was married twice, the first wife being Betsy Cox, of Pennsylvania, and of the same family as "Sunset" Cox. She bore him ten children: Thomas, Ezekiel, Vincent, William, John, Amos,. Rebecca, Polly, Sarah, and Acha, all of whom are now deceased, leaving descendants in Eastern Ohio. The second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah (Egbert) Paul, and to them were born nine children: Joseph, Louis, James, Furman, Morgan, Betsey, Lucinda, Charlotte, and Cynthia, all of whom are now deceased except Furman, the youngest. Mr. Dye was a nephew of Anthony Applegate, of Revolutionary fame, who was shot in his own door by the Tories. Furman Dye was the. youngest child of Ezekiel Dye, and was born in March, 1820, at the old homestead near Renrock, now Noble county. He was reared in that vicinity, and has spent his entire life in Morgan and Noble counties. He received a good education and taking up the study of medicine, prepared himself for that profession, but never practiced. He has always been a man of note in the section of the state in which he lived, taking a prominent part in public affairs as a_ political speaker. He was married to Lucy McElroy, a native of Noble county, and a daughter of Samuel McElroy, of Irish descent and an early settler of Eastern Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Dye were born seven children: Laura, now Mrs. Carr, of Coshocton; Wayland, a physiclan, now deceased ; Henrietta, deceased ; Courtland H., deceased ; Georgia, wife of J. A. McClellan of Cumberland : Cassius O. ; 'and Forrnat ie city editor of the Zanesville Signal. Furman Dye and wife are both living and enjoying their old age in the village of Renrock. Cassius O. Dye was born in Morgan county, on November 28,

1866, and was reared and educated there. He began his career as a teacher, and followed that vocation for about eight years, in the méantime reading law. In 1892 he came to Caldwell and continued his studies in the offices of J. M. McGinnis, and-in March, 1893, he was admitted to the bar, beginning to practice immediately, and continuing to the present time. In the spring of 1895 he was elected mayor of Caldwell, serving one term, and in the spring of 1899 he was again elected to that position, serving another term. In the fall of 1897 he was the Democratic candidate for Representative in the state legislature, and although the county is about six hundred Republican, he was beaten by only eighty-eight. Mr. Dye was married in 1888 to Florence Thorla, daughter of F. W. Thorla, an old resident of Brookfield. Four children have been born to them, Valerie Ethel, Dorothy Edith, Donald Leslie, and Florence Muriel. Mr. Dye is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being district deputy Grand Chancellor for the counties of Noble, Washington, Morgan and Monroe. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

' Hon. Atrrep M. Morris. - Isaac Morris, the first of the family of which the Hon. Alfred M. Morris is a descendant, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in an early day. He located in what is now Stock township, Noble county, then a part of Monroe county, and was a man of distinction and prominence and of great influence in his community. He was the father of a large family, of whom James Morris was one of the sons. James Morris was born in Stock township in 1828, was reared and educated there, and was a farmer by occupation. During the Civil war he served as a private, taking part in the Virginia campaign, the siege of Vicksburg and Sherman's March to the Sea. At the close of the war he returned to Noble county, remaining there the rest of his life. In 1844 he married a Miss Archer, of an old family of Noble county, and to that union were born four sons and five daughters, of whom three sons are living: Martin, of Michigan; Simon, of Carlisle; and Stephen, of Texas. The oldest child, Albert, now deceased, was born December 25, 1845, in Stock township, was reared, educated and lived the most of his life in Noble county. He was engaged the 'most of his life in the mercantile business. He served as a private about eighteen months during the latter part of the Civil war, taking 'part in the battles around Chattanooga, and from there to Atlanta. 'He was married in 1866 to Martha Moore, daughter of an old resident of Noble county. They were the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Alfred M., Jennie, wife of Jacob Claypool of Guernsey county; and Minnie, wife of Charles Hayman of Licking county. Mr. Morris married for his second wife, Belle Clark, and to them was born one child, Charles Roscoe, who with his mother survive Mr. Morris who died January 7, 1901. Alfred Maywood Morris, the subject of this sketch, was born at East Union, Noble county, January 1, 1869. He was reared in Noble county, was educated at the East Union schools until he-was sixteen years of age, and at the Normal School at Caldwell. At the age of fourteen he received a teacher's certificate, and at the age of sixteen began teaching, following that vocation for ten years. During the last three he read law with James M. McGinnis, of Caldwell, and in December 1892, was admitted to the bar. Mr. Morris began the practice of his profession at once, and in the fall of 1893, was elected prosecuting attorney of Noble county, and re-elected in 1896, serving until January, 1900. Two years later he formed a partnership with his former tutor, James McGinnis, which still continues. He was married in 1890 to Mariba Harris, a daughter of Sampson Harris, an old resident of Noble county. Four children have been born to this union: Ronald, deceased; Opal, Lucy, and Geneva. Mr. Morris is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Knights of Pythias.

Martin B. Arcuer. - In the very first years of the nineteenth century, five families from northwestern Virginia and western Pennsylvania settled in what is now Noble county, the place of settlement being known as the "East Fork of Duck Creek," lying between Crum Town and the source of the stream. The history leading up to this settlement is very interesting. At the close of the eighteenth century, Patrick Archer and his brother came from Ireland to this country, Patrick locating at Waynesburg, Pa., and ihe brother at Baltimore. It is impossible to follow the history of the brother but suffice it to say that a number of the leading men of Maryland in after years were his descendants. Patrick Archer had a very large family, only

'one of whom ever came to these parts - James; he had a family of six sons and four daughters, most of whom in turn were married and had families; these were the first of the Archer name to settle in what is now Noble county. The names of the children were: James, Jr., Michael, Simon, Jacob, Joseph, Nathan, Rachel, Nancy, Betsy, and Polly. Most of the sons served in the War of 1812. James Archer, Jr., was born in Pennsylvania, was a farmer by occupation, following that all his life. He married Rhoda Enochs, a daughter of Captain Enoch Enochs, an officer in the Revolutionary war. Howe in his history reports him to have been killed in a battle with the Indians near the Ohio, but this is a mistake, as he came to what is now Noble county with his family, and died there. Mr. Enochs was a Hollander and a man of remarkable force of character and broad intellect. He had several noted descendants, among whom was General William H. Enochs, of Civil war fame. James and

Rhoda (Enochs) Archer were the parents of James (3), Amy, Cynthia, Stephen, Henry, Enoch, Joseph, and Jacob, and two daughters, one of whom married John Dye and the other Mr. Dailey. James Archer (3), was the oldest son of the family, and was born in Virginia in 1800, coming to Ohio with his parents when but a child. He received a good education, was a farmer all his life, and hesides that was a local preacher in the Methodist church for a number of years. He was a man of great influence and integrity, and was commonly known by his friends as "Preacher Jim." He married Cynthia Morris, daughter of Isaac Morris and they became the parents of George, Jonas, John W., Stephen M., Isaac, Celia, and Cynthia. Stephen M. Archer was born in what is now Stock town-. ship, in 1837, received a common school education and has always lived in Noble county, engaged in farming, stock raising and tobacco dealing. He married Rachel Matheny, daughter of Cyrus Matheny, a Methodist minister and old resident of Noble county. Mr. and Mrs. Archer are still living in Noble county, the parents of six children living, who are: Martin B.; Rosa, wife of W. T. Hague; Cicero M., a farmer in Marion township; Eastman W., in the mercantile business at East Union; Esther, wife of Charles Craig; and Stephen M., Jr., principal of schools at Maple Grove, Seneca county. Martin B. Archer, the subject of this sketch, was born in Stock township, August 26, 1860, was educated in the common schools and atthe Normal. Upon reaching manhood he engaged in farming until 1890, when he entered the mercantile business at East Union for three years. In 1887 he was the Republican candidate for county treasurer but was beaten in the convention by five votes. In 1893 he was unanimously nominated for Probate Judge, elected, re-elected in 1896, leading the presidential ticket by one hundred fifty-two votes. In the fall of 1900 he was upon the Republican state electoral ticket for the fifteenth district, and was elected. He has frequently been a delegate to conventions of his party.. In 1897 he was admitted to the bar, and after the expiration of his term as Probate Judge, he began the practice of his profession. Mr. Archer was married November 30, 1887, to Arabella Rutherford, daughter of Joseph Rutherford, an old resident of Center township. Five children are the fruits of this union: Bertie, Jessie, Katie, Howell C., and Grace. Mr. Archer is a member of the Masonic Order.

James R, Krenan. - James Keenan was the first of the name to settle in the territory now comprised in Noble county. He was born in Waynesburg, Pa., was reared and educated there and engaged in the occupation of a stock drover. He came to Ohio in 1838, locating at the head waters of Captina Creek, probably in Franklin township. Mr. Keenan died there and the family remained until 1847, remoy- ing to Quaker City. Thomas and Margaret (Rinehart) Keenan were the parents of four children, Thomas, Hugh, James, Jr., and Alice, all but one of 'whom are living. Thomas Keenan was born in Waynesburg, Pa., in 1832, coming to Ohio at an early age. He was educated in the common schools and in Meadville College, Pa., working his own way in the latter case. He followed teaching for a number of years, then took up farming, continuing until his death in 1888. He was a Captain of the Home Guards at Quaker City, his especial duty being to guard a trestle on the B. and O. Road between Spencer Station and Barnesville. This he did and protected it when Morgan made his raid through Ohio. Mr. Keenan was twice married, in 1860 to Tamar Reed, by whom he had one daughter, Clara N., now a resident of Beaver township. He was married the second time to Maria Reed, a cousin of the first wife, and a daughter of James P. Reed, a native of Virginia, and to them were born seven children: Emmett and Emma, twins, the former principal of the high school at Batesville; the latter wife of Philip Kreamer of Somerton; Ella, wife of Thomas M. Burrough; James R.; Martha, the county superintendent of schools of Custer county, Idaho; Margaret, now Mrs. McGowan; and Thomas, of Shenandoah, Iowa, where he holds the position of vice-president of a Normal College and is professor of higher mathematics; he was a student of the State Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., and at the age of nineteen, through the recommendation of the faculty he secured the position of professor of higher mathematics in the Lincoln State Normal School, at Lincoln, Nebraska, holding that position until the buildings burned and the institution was abandoned. The mother died Mlarch 3, 1895, at Batesville. James R. Keenan, the subject of this sketch, was born in Batesville, September 15, 1868. He was reared and educated there, spént some years on the farm, and then three years in the oil fields. He was married in 1893 to Bertie Gebhart, of Batesville, who died in 1898, leaving two children, Pauline and Thomas. Mr. Keenan was married the second time to Florence Robinson, daughter of John W. Robinson, an old resident of Caldwell. In 1894 Mr. Keenan began the study of law under ¥. B. Dondna of Quaker City, and in 1897 was admitted to the bar. He entered at once upon the practice of law at Batesville, where he remained until 1900, removing then to Caldwell. Mr. Keenan is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in religious matters affiliates with the Methodist church.

Rozsert C. Downry. - Thomas Downey, the grandfather of Robert C. Downey, was the first of that family to locate in what is now Noble county. He was born of Irish parents in Maryland in the latter part of the eighteenth ¢entury, was reared in that state, received a common school education and adopted farming as an occupation. In the early part of the last century he removed to Ohio, locating for a short time in Harrison and Belmont counties, and coming to Noble county in 1822, where he took up land from the government. Thomas and Margaret (Tracev) Downev were the parents of fourteen children, eleven sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to matnrity, but are now among the silent majority. Their names were: Bazel, Walter, Merriam, Joseph, Enhraim, Thomas. Doctor, John, Elza, Jacob, Chloe. Margaret, and Rebecca; four of these having descendants in Noble countv. Doctor Downey was the seventh son of Thomas Downey, was born in Maryland in 1807, received a common school education, and was fifteen years of age when his parents located in Ohio. He followed the vocation of a farmer, and was supervisor of Noble township for twentv-five consecutive vears. He was twice married, in 1831 to Elizabeth Hellver, a native of Virginia, who became the mother of six children: Lucinda, deceased : Robert C. : Rachel, wife of Perrv Davis: John G.: Hiram J.. deceased; and Nancy Jane. wife of Isaac McLanohlin, of Franklin, Ind. Mr. Downey died February 28. 1891. Robert C. Downey, the subject of this sketch, was born in Noble townshin May 11, 1834. He received an academic edneation, taneht. school and followed farming a number of vears, and in 1859 took up the studv of medicine. He spent two years in the medical denartment of Michigan University and graduated from the Sterling Medical College at Columbus in 1863. Immediately after his eraduation he entered the service as assistent surgeon of the Thirteenth Ohio volunteer cavalry, remaining with them until after the surrender at Appomattox. after which he returned to Noble county and began the practice of his profession at Sarahsville. Dr. Downey came to Caldwell in 1884. and for the last ten years has conducted a dinsomania cure. He filled the office of Coroner of Noble county for four years. Dr. Downev has been married four times; first in 1853, to Jane Bugher, who died in 1855, leaving one son, Luther U., now a practicing attorney at Gasport, Ind. The second marriage was in 1860 to Mollie E. Noble. daughter of John Noble, an old resident of Noble county, who died in 1863. The third marriage was in 1867 to Mrs. Lizzie (Jones) Ball, a daughter of Elias B. Jones. an old resident of Noble county: she passed away in 1883. Dr. Downey was married in 1884 to Angie I. Swank, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Dr. Downey is a member of the Masoniz order, heing a Royal Arch Mason, also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a supporter of the Methodist church. ;

; WILLIAM C. Oxry. - A history of Noble cotnty would certainly be incomplete without mention of this venerable gentleman, whose well ~n form is familiar to nearly every man, woman and child in the county. In deference to his years and long and successful experience as an attorney and counselor at law, he is familiarly known as "Judge" Okey, though his life has been spent in private practice and he has seldom given a thought to the honors of office. Judge Okey was born in Woodsfield, Monroe county, August 24, 1828. His entire life has been spent-in the vicinity of his birthplace, and his early years were given to labor upon the parental farm. The environments of those days were such as to inure him to the hardships and privation of pioneer life, and develop that sturdy manhood which has followed him through a long career of usefulness. His father was James Okey, a typical pioneer of Monroe county, a citizen of prominence and usefulness, serving the people in the capacity of a magistrate for twenty-one years, and twice as a representative in the Ohio legislature. Mr. Okey, the subject of this review, attended the district schools of his neighborhood, usually only a few months during the winter seasons, and devoted the balance of his time to the labors required on the undeveloped home farm. By close application to his work in the subscription schools, he was enabled to pursue the higher studies in an academy, and in time was qualified to teach school. While thus employed and during vacations he took up the study of the law under private tutors, and made rapid progress in this direction. In 1849 he entered the law office of Nathan Hollister at Woodsfield, continuing his studies with only temporary interruptions, until 1851, when he was admitted tothe bar. A year following he opened an office in Sarahsville, which was then the county seat of the recently formed Noble county, the firm name being Hollister, Okey & Hollister. Mr. Okey made rapid strides toward a position of prominence in his profession and was early recognized as a capable, honest and trustworthy young attorney. But even the most experienced in the profession did not find the law a source of great recompense in the early fifties; and Mr. Okey was induced to accept an appointment as clerk of the courts of Noble county, in 1855. . He -was his own successor at the following election, and after serving about three years voluntarily retired to resume his law practice. By the expressed will of the people, the county seat was removed to Caldwell during Mr. Okey's term as clerk, and he followed the seat of government to the new location, being thus one of the first settlers of Caldwell. When the war cloud darkened the land, he promptly laid aside personal considerations, and volunteered his services in Com- 'pany E of the Ninety-Second Ohio volunteer infantry, and was chosen to the second position in command of his company. The exposures of camp and field, and the arduous duties of those stirring times, impaired his health and he was obliged to retire from the service in 1863, receiving an honorable discharge by reason of disability. He soon resumed his professional work and has continued a prominent and honored citizen all these years. In 1866 he formed a law partnership with Jabez Belford, a prominent attorney of the county, and this continued until the death of Mr. Belford in 1882.

a deep interest in politics, local and general. He has been a firm and unwavering supporter of the Democratic party, though not at all times in full sympathy with some of the principles advanced by that time honored organization. In 1870 Mr. Okey accepted the nomination of his party for the office of Judge of the court of Common Pleas, and while the district was known to be overwhelmingly Republican, he entered the contest to lead a forlorn hope. His defeat was a compliment to himself in that he succeeded in reducing the majority polled for his competitor, to a very small margin, and carried his own county by a majority of three hundred fifty... This was the only time in his history that he would consent to enter a political contest, and possibly had he been assured of success, he might have reconsidered this action. In recent years Mr. Okey has relaxed some of his former professional energy and ambition, and has allowed the mantle of his well earned popularity to fall upon the shoulders of his son, Joseph A., who wears the dignity with becoming honors. Mr. Okey has been twice married, choosing for his first companion in 1851, Miss Julia Ring, of Monrce county, who lived but ten years, and then Miss Ruth Caldwell became his wife, and the mother of his two sons, Joseph A. and Edwin Forrest. The former is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and of the Cineinnati Law School, and is a well known and successful attorney in Caldwell. The other son is a telegraph operator, located at Woodsfield. Mrs. Okey is a daughter of Joseph Caldwell, one of the first settlers in the vicinity of Caldwell and a family weil and favorably known throughout the county. Though well past the "ihree score and ten years" allotted to man Mr. Okey is still in the enjoyment of a fair degree of health, and in possession of all the natural faculties. For many vears he has heen a communicant in the Baptist church, and has taken an active interest in things spiritual. He has been a member of the Masonic Order from early manhood. Snch in brief is the life, full of vears and replete with good works, and when the final summons shall come to lay aside the weapons of this world's warfare, the

Exocn W. Wickiau. - Nathan Wickham, a native of New York State, was the first of that name to locate in what is now Noble county. He came to Ohio in the early part of the last. century, probably about 1810 or 1812, locating in the township of Enoch, near the town of Caldwell. Of the large family of children onesdleremidh vcaston in 1820 in Enoch township, grew to manhood there and followed the calling of a farmer all his life. He was married in 1838 to Miss Esther Ackley, a daughter of Daniel Ackley, one of the first settlers of Noble county. Mrs. Wickham is still living at the age of eightythree. They were the parents of eight children: Nathan, who lost his life in the Civil war; Daniel, a farmer; Nancy Jane, wife of Jesse Archer; Jacob, a soldier in the Civil war, now a farmer; Milberry, died in infancy; Phoebe, deceased; Enoch W.; and Martha A., who also died in infancy. Enoch W. Wickham, the subject of this sketch, was born in Noble county in 1855, and' was reared and educated _there. Upon reaching manhood he followed teaching for three years, leaving that to enter politics. In the fall of 1875 he was elected to the position of County Recorder, re-elected in 1878, 1881, and 1884 serving until January 1888. He then entered the insurance business at Caldwell, and has been so engaged since, at the present time the firm of Wickham & Ackley doing practically all of the fire insurance business of Caldwell and surrounding country. Mr. Wickham was married in 1876 to Ella Harman, a daughter of Garrett Harman, an old resident and prosperous farmer of Noble county, Ohio.

Tuomas M. Tucriow. - Silas Thorla, now spelled by some of his descendants Thurlow, was the first one of his family to locate in Noble county. He was born in New England in 1775, and was a son of Thomas Thorla, also a native of New England, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was a surveyor, and came to Ohio thinking it a good opening for his vocation, and took up government land, which is still in the possession of his descendants. He was a leader in the eommunity and acted as a local preacher for a number of years. His wife was Susannah Sweft' whom he married in New England, and she was the mother of the following children: Ruth, John, Daniel, Dillie, Rhoda, Benjamin, Silas, Lois, and Wesley. Benjamin Thorla was born in Massachusetts in 1809, and at the age of eight years he came with his mother to Ohio, where he engaged in farming after reaching manhood. He was married to Jane Dyer, a native of Maryland, and to them were born: William, a farmer in Missouri; Susanna, widow of James McCune; Mary, wife of Thomas Morris of Kansas; McDonald and Jane died in infaney ; McDonnell, a farmer, and old soldier; Louisa, wife of William Yetter of Kansas; Benjamin and Lillie, decersed; and Benjamin. The father lived tc a good old age, passing ¢ ay in 1897. Thomas M. Thurlow, the subject of this sketch, was born January 24, 1855, in Noble county, and was reared on the old farm, and followed that vocation all his life. In the fall of 1901 he was elected Sheriff of Noble county, and is now serving his first term. He was married October 8, 1877, to Sadie Aisqueith, a daughter of William Aisqueith, an old resident of Noble county, and to this union has been born one son, Silas, who is superintendent of the Marietta Chair Factory, one of the largest concerns of the kind in that section of the country. Mr. Thurlow is a Knight

James Henry Mitts, son of Stephen Mills, was born in New York City in 1855. At the age of six years he came with his parents to Ohio, where they located in Stock township. He was reared and educated there, and upon reaching manhood, he engaged in the business of contracting and building, at which he has been very successful. In 1880 the family moved to Caldwell and purchased a planing mill which was conducted in partnership until 1901, when Mr. Mills bought the interest of the other members of the family and has been conducting it alone since then. Mr. Mills was married in 1878 to Belle V. Mason, of Monroe county. She died in 1886 leaving three children: Lena, Willis, and Howard. Mr. Mills was married a second time to Oegie C. Danford, of Belmont county, and to this union has been born one child, Emma Bernice. Mr. Mills is « member of the Masonic order, having filled the position of Worshipful Master of Noble Lodge, No. 459, for a number of years. He was reared in the Methodist faith but is not a communicant of any church.

TayLor Bivens, a liveryman of Caldwell, is a native of Virginia, having been born in Charlestown, January 16, 1844. He is a son of Thomas E. Bivens; the father was born in Maryland, near Frederickstown, was reared and educated there, and upon reaching manhood learned the trade ofa carriage maker. He removed to Charlottesville and while there was married to Eleanor Watson; to them were born five children, all of whom are now deceased except the subject of this review, Taylor Bivens. In 1853 Mr. Bivens moved to Ohio and settled at Sharon, and after the death of Mrs. Bivens, he married Miss Betsy Archibald for his second wife. To this union were born three children, all of whom are also deceased. Mr. Bivens died in 1867. Taylor Bivens was nine years old when his parents moved to Noble county, and he has since made that county his home. He was educated in the common schools, and upon reaching manhood engaged in the business of buying and selling horses, following that all his life. For over thirty years he has also conducted a large livery business, and has been extraordinarily successful in the undertaking. In 1864 he was married to Margaret Boggs, a daughter of Reuben Boggs, an old resident of Noble county, and to them have been born four daughters, Catherine, Lottie, Minnie and Grace, the latter now Mrs. H. H. Smith. Mr. Bivens is a very staunch citizen of Caldwell, though of a retiring disposition, a man who never seeks prominence in any way, but is content with the duties that come to his

Biographical Sketches

Atverson C. Oxsy, assistant cashier of the Noble County National Bank, of Caldwell, was born in Woodsfield, Monroe county, April 16, 1858, and is a son of F. G. Okey. He was educated in 'the Caldwell-schools and spent his early years as a clerk in his father's store. In 1879 he accepted a position in the Noble County National Bank, leaving that after two years to accept the position of clerk in the county auditor's office, under W. D. Guilbert for a period of six years and ten months. In September, 1888, Mr. Okey was appointed county auditor for one year to fill a vacancy, and in the fall of the same year, he was elected for a three year term, to begin in 1889. In the following year he was elected assistant cashier of the Noble County National Bank, which position he still holds. Mr. Okey was married in November, 1897, to Mary Belford, a daughter of Cyrus Belford, an old resident of Noble county. Mr. Okey is a member of the Methodist church.

FREEBORN GarRRETTSON OXEY, the oldest man in business in Caldwell, is a native of Monroe county, and was born there on July 4, 1828. He was educated in the common schools and at the Seminary at Woodsfield, and began his business career as a merchant. at Woodsfield, remaining in the business for eight years. He spent three years in Pittsburg, and at the oil excitement in Noble county, he returned to Caldwell in the spring of 1865, entering a partnership in the drug business with Dr. John Martin. After two years Dr. Martin disposed of his interest to Worthington McKee, who in turn soon sold out to Mr. Okey, who has since conducted the business alone. In 1867 he was appointed revenue collector for Noble county, and filled that position until the office was abolished by legislation. Mr. Okev has been twice married, first in April 1857, to Marinda Myers, of Monroe county, who died in May 1858, leaving one son, Alverson Carey. The second marriage was to Minerva Myers, a sister of the first wife, on November 20, 1860. To this union have been born five children: Emma, the wife of Charles Tipton; William Arthur, clerk in the Caldwell postoffice: Flora Alta, deceased; Clifford Taylor, a practicing physician of Columbus; and one child who died in infancy. Mr. Okey is a member of the Methodist church of Caldwell.

Wiuram E. Tietron. - John Wesley Tipton, the father of the subject of this review, was born near Cadiz, Harrison county. December 28, 1825. His father, William Tipton, was a Methodist minister and a farmer in that county, and a very well educated man for his time. Mr. Tipton was educated at Madison College in Pennsylvania, and upon reaching manhood, engaged in the mercantile business in Belmont county, remaining there about three years, and then removed to Noble county, where he took up the same business in the old town of Olive. In 1858, Mr. Tipton was elected auditor of Noble county, re-elected in 1862, and again in 1864, thus serving in all three terms. After retiring from serving the public, he re-engaged in his old calling in the mercantile business, and conducted it for thirty years, retiring in 1896. Mr. Tipton was married in 1848 to Elizabeth Jane Richards who became the mother of twelve children, three of whom died in infancy. The others were: Thomas Weston, deceased: William Edmund, cashier of Noble County. Bank; John Wesley, Jr., dealer in horses; Mary, wife of M. C. Grimes, of Irondale; Charles Fremont, salesman in a mercantile establishment; Francis Marion, salesman in Pittsburg; Elizabeth Jane, wife of a "Mr. Knox, of Freeport ; Freddie, deceased ; and Edgar Richards, also a salesman. It is worthy of mention that a brother of Mr. Tipton, Thomas Merton Tipton, was elected to the legislature of Ohio in 1845, served as Chaplain in the army for four years, and after the war, was elected to the United States Senate from Nebraska, whither he had moved, and served eight years. He has considerable reputation both in and out of Congress. William E. Tipton, cashier in Noble County Bank, and a son of John W. Tipton, was born in Guernsey county May 24,1851. At the age of four years, he removed to Noble county, where he received a common school education, and was for several years associated with his father in his mercantile business. He conducted a store in Senecaville for six years, and engaged in the 'fire insurance business for a short time in Caldwell, when he received the position of teller in the bank. He was promoted from one position to another as his ability became known, until he is now cashier. Mr. Tipton was married in October 1872, to Elizabeth Martin, of Monroe county, and ito this union have been born three sons: John C., an employe of the Pennsylvania Railroad; Charles E., a student in the Cincinnati Law School; and William H., who is a student of the State University in Columbus. Mr. Tipton is a member of the Methodist church.

Arcu Wirry. - John Wiley, one of the first settlers in what is now Noble county, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Noble county at about the same time as the Caldwells and McKees families. He entered land from the government and took up farming as a vocation. Mr. John and Charity (Severs) Wiley were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom are dead. Thomas was one of the sons and was born in Olive township February 5, 1809, where he spent his life, in the calling of a farmer. Thomas and Maria (Scott) Wiley were the parents of eight children who grew to maturity: Emeline, deceased ; Delilah, widow of William McCune, of Belle Valley; Archibald; Eliza J., deceased ; James, a farmer in Missouri; Dunlap, a farmer of Caldwell; and Mary E., wife of William Corns.

Mr. Wiley died in 1869, on the old home farm of his father. Archibald Wiley, the subject of this review, was born in Olive township, September 14, 1835, and has always lived on the land entered by his father. He received a fair common school education, and has supplemented it by extensive reading, so that now he is one of the broad minded men of the community. His patriotism caused him to enlist as a private in 1861, in the Twenty-Fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, Company I, with which he served in the following engagements: Allegheny Mountain, Slaughter Mountain, Second Bull Run, Gettysburg, Bull Pasture Mountain, and many others. At the battle of Gettysburg he received two slight wounds, while at the close of the battle only seventy-five of the men responded at roll call. Mr. Wiley was captured hy the enemy, but escaped. He was employed in the hospital service for a time, and then transferred to another regiment, where he served until the close of the war. My. Wiley was married in 1865 to Marv E. Brown, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Baalam Brown, an old settler of what is now Marion township. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have no children. Mr, Wilev is now retired and is enjoying the rest which helengs to those who have so valiantly served their native country and fellow men.

Davin A. Lorenz. a well-to-do farmer of Noble county, was bora at Marietta, June 28, 1864, and is a son of Jacob Lorenz, a native of Germany. TTe attended the public schools of his native city and when but a boy of thirteen vears started out to earn his own living, which he did by working in a butcher shop at Marietta for one vear. He followed this oeeupation in Caldwell until 1897, when he sold his interests and bought a farm in the eutskirts of Caldwell, and has since devoted his time to farming. Tle was married in May, 1888, to Martha A. Evssen, a daughter of Charles Evssen, an old German resident of Noble county. Four children have been born to this union: Nira M., deceased; Walter M., Lola M., and Minnie C. Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz are members of the Baptist church.

Jounx Werents. a well-to-do farmer of Noble county, was born in Washington eounty near the line between that county and Noble, in 1830. Tlis father, also John Hutehins, came to Washington county with his parents from Maine, when he was a smal] child, and lived there all his life. My. Tlutchins grew to manheod on his father's farm, receiving a eommon scheel edueatien, and a large practical one frem his surroundings. Tle has lived in variens places in Noble county, and for the past twelve vears, about ene mile south of Caldwell. IIe was married December 16, 1855, to Margaret Buchanan, of Washineton connty. whe died in 1893, having become the mother of three children: Flerenee, wife of Rev. A. K. MeCall: Leretta, and

Ernest, a farmer near Macksburg. He was married a second time te Mrs. (Tilton) Ogle, of Noble county, in 1894. Mr. Hutchins is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. The family is Baptist in religious affiliation. z

Tomas H. Morris, one of the prominent citizens of Caldwell, was born in Monroe county November 3, 1841, where he was reared and educated. At the age of eighteen he went to Belmont county to work at farm labor, remaining there a year, and then went to Quaker City to serve an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade. In 1863 he enlisted in Company F, of the Ninth Ohio cavalry as a private and served until the close of the war. He was on detached duty most of the time as a blacksmith, but still was in some spirited engagements, principally among which was the battle of Kingston, N. C. After the close of the war he engaged in blacksmithing for a short time in Woodsfield, and for about twenty years at Caldwell, taking up at that, time the planing mill business. Mr. Morris followed that occupation for some time, and since 1899, has lived a retired life, free from business cares. Mr. Morris has never been an office seeker, but has served the city of Caldwell for ten vears as treasurer, and the township of Olive for a shorter time. Mr. Morris was married on September 16, 1862, to Martha Marsh, a daughter of Joseph Marsh, an early settler of Noble county and to this union have been born two children, Allie A., now Mrs. Brown; and Norval T., an engineer of Marietta. Mr. Morris is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in religious affiliations both he and his wife are Methodists.

Oscar Mirrer. - William Miller, an early settler of what is now Noble county, was born in England in 1776. When a bov of fifteen vears of age, he started to come to America to join two of his brothers, but on the way was seized and impressed into the British Navy, where he was kept for thirteen vears. Upon his release he visited his old home a short time, and again tried to get to America. This time he was suecessful, locating in Maryland, where he followed the oceupation of farming. With his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Barton, he removed to Ohio and located in what is now Beaver township, in 1831, and lived there the remainder of their days. Mr. Miller died in 1859 at the age of 83, his wife having preceded him in 1851. One child was born to them, William, who was born in Maryland in 1818 and was about thirteen vears old when his father moved to Ohio. Like his father he engaged in farming, but was not so engrossed in it as to forget his duty as a citizen. He was a very prominent man in all local politics, was chiefly instrumental in establishing the township cemetery in Beaver, filled the office of township trustee and Justice of the Peace a number cf years, and otherwise fulfilled the duties which came to his hand. Mr. Miller was married to Sarah A. Perry. a daughter of John Perry, an old resident of Beaver township. Thee were the parents of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity, and were: Henry, a life insurance man of Zanesville; David, deceased : Anna, the wife of J. A. Fry, of Kenton; Oscar; Edgar, superintendent of the Bradford schools in Pennsylvania; Ella, wife of (. E. Wilson, of Batesville. Mr. Miller died in 1887, and his wife in 1909. Oscar Miller, the subject of this sketch, was born in Beaver township in 1851, was reared and educated there, and taught one term of schooi, which he soon found was not to his liking. After spending a few years on the farm, he took up the watch making business, and worked at that for thirteen vears, when failing health compelled him to give it up. He engaged in the carpenter trade, and has successfully followed that occupation since. Mr. Miller is a very enterprising man, and it is largely due to his efforts that Caldwell has grown so much of late. Mr. Miller was married February 21, 1873, to Laura J. Reach, a daughter cf F. J. Roach, an old resident of Beaver township. Mr. Miller is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Laxpon Racey, an early settler of Noble county, was born in Hampshire county, Va., in 1796. He received but three month: schooling, but having strong determination and a mind to work he fitted himself for a teacher in the schools of that time. He lived in Virginia until early manhood, when he came to Ohio, locating in Harrison county, where he became acquainted with Miss Susannah Barnhouse, who was a native of Loudoun county, Va., and whom he married; they afterwards moved to Morgan, now Noble county. To them were born fifteen children of whom but four are living: Gecrge A., cf Noble; Peter, of Oregon; Samuel, of Iowa; and Arthur W., of Caldwell. Landon Racey died in 1855, his wife surviving him fourteen years. Arthur W. Racey was born in Noble county, March 31, 1840; he was a resident there until 1859, when he went to Missouri, Iowa and Illinois, locating in Illinois where he worked on a farm until the war broke out; he then enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Illinois infantry, May 24, 1861. The first eight months were spent in Missouri, wintering at Otterville, near Sedalia; the regiment moved to Fort Henry and crossed to Fort Donelson, and after the fall of the latter point it proceeded to Pittsburg Landing ; taking part there and at Hatchie River, and in the siege of Vicksburg. He was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., June 24, 1864, and returned to Noble county, Ohio, the same year. He was married Sept. 7, 1865, to Naney B. McGee, a native of Amsterdam, Jefferson county, Ohio, his wife being a daughter of William and Elizabeth

McGee, whe located in Noble county in 1841. Mr. Racey is a member of the Masonic order and cf the Grand Army of the Republic; he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church.

Joun W. Rosinson, the oldest hotel man in Noble county, and a proprietor of the Exchange Hotel at Caldwell, is a native of Maryland. He was born in Calvert county, May 4, 1830, and was a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fowler) Robinson, both natives of Maryland. When Mr. Robinson was two years of age, he came with his parents to Ohio and located at Barnesville, in Belmont county. He never was in school but being of a studious turn of mind, acquired the ability to read, and, through reading, a good knowledge of the world. In his boyhood days he was bound out to a merchant, Mr. Barnes, and at his death, was transferred to a shoemaker, Mr. Uncles, of whom he learned the trade. In 1851, Mr. Robinson came to Noble county, locating at Carlisle, and engaging in his trade there and at Sarahsville until he enlisted in Company G, of the One Hundred Eighty- Sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, serving until the close of the war. After the war he worked at his trade in various places until 1881, when he entered the hotel business, first at The Eagle, and then the Exchange. Mr. Robinson was married February 4, 1852, to Henrietta Collins, daughter of H. B. Collins, an early settler of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are the parents of nine children: Ellen J., wife of E. J. Cater, of Zanesville; Francis E., of Caldwell; John L., deceased ; William B. and Mary B., (twins), the former a stockdealer at Barnesville, the latter widow of E. S. Burnham; Amanda, deceased; Joseph C., night watch at the Car works; Walter P., deceased ; and Florence J., the wife of James R. Keenan, Mr. Robinson has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for thirty-five years.

Joun Wrstzy Tipton, Jr., a prominent citizen of Caldwell, was born in the old town of Olive, November 18, 1854, and is a son of: J. W. Tipton, Sr. He was educated, grew to manhood, and has lived all his life in that county except for two years spent in Washington ecunty. For some time he clerked in his father's store, and had some experience in a wholesale house at Zanesville, but did not like the indoor life. In 1887 he engaged in farming and stock raising, and has since been in that business, paying particular attention to the raising of horses. Mr. Tipton has filled the position of township clerk of Olive, and has served as a member of the village council of Caldwell. He was married September 30, 1879, to Ella McGlashan, a daughter of Calvin McGlashan, an old resident of Noble county. "Three children have been born to this union: Clarence R., Fred L., a student in the Marietta College, and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Tipton are members of the Presbyterian church at Caldwell.

Witiiaxt Woop Wixper. - John Winder, deceased, was an early settler of Noble county. He was born in Pennsylvania, and while but a child, his-parents moved to Belmont county, where he was educated and where he grew to manhood. He chose farming as the most suitable occupation for him, and followed it with much attention, and therefore innch suecess. To John and Martha (Daniels) Winder, were born four children; David, a farmer in Olive township; Elizabeth J., wife of Matthew. Steen, of Olive; Alexander, deceased; and William Wood. Mr. Winder died in 184, and his wife in 1898. William Wood Winder, voungest son of John Winder, was born in Olive township, November 9, 1853, and has spent most of his life there. Ile received a common and high school education, and held a very good position as an employe on the railroad for three vears, when he entered the mercantile business, remaining in that for about fous years. Since that time he has been salesman and collector for different firms, and has found it a verv profitable undertaking. Myr. Winder was married in 1879 to Arminda B. Smith, of Belmont county. Mr. Winder is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Winnraw E. Ropey. - William THenry Robey was Lorn in New Gottingen, Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1837, was reared and edueated there, and learned the trade of a plasierer, which oceupation he has followed the most of his life. In 1882 he moved to Seneca township, and two vears later entered the marble business at Mount Ephraim, still continning in that line. He is a Democrat in polities, but has never sought office. Te was married in 1857 to Naney A. Dilley, a daughicr of William Dilley, an old resident of Guernsey county. To this union were born the following children: Mary Elizabeth, wife of Jchn Linn; Cynthia Ann, wife of William R. Riddle; William E. : Susan, wife of Isaac Morrison; Addie, deceased; Minerva, wife of John Smith, died in 1895; Nina, now Mrs. Davidson; and Pearl, wife of Thurman Ilazzard. Mis. Robey is a member of the Christian church. William E. Robey, a grocer in Caldwell, was born in New Gottingen, August 17, 1862. He received a common school edueation there, came to Noble county at the age of thirteen, and engaged in farming, hiring out as a day laborer. At the age of sixteen he learned the plasterer's trade, and followed that vocation until 1897. At that time he located in Caldwell and engaged in the produce business and in three years sold that to enter the grocery business, at which he is still profitably employed. Mr. Robey was married in 1885 to Rosanna Craft, a daughter of Campbell Craft, an old resident and merchant of Noble county, and to them have been born two children, Hiley and Norval. Mr. Robey is a member ot the Christian church. Campbell Craft, father of Mrs. Robey, is a prosperous farmer in Seneca township, and was for a time engaged in the mercantile business at Mt. Ephraim. He was married in 1859 to Mary Ellen Love, and to them were born four children; Hiram Wesley, Rosanna, Maud Alline, and George. Mr. and Mrs. Craft are members of the Christian church. ; *

Tuomas Martin McVay, M. D., one of the oldest practicing physicians in Noble county, was born in Franklin township, Monroe county, March 12, 1842. He was reared on the farm there and received his preliminary education in the district schools. He taught school for four years, reading medicine in the meantime, and in 1863 he began the practice of medicine at Harrietsville, two years later locating at Dexter City, where he practiced until 1880. He was elected treasurer of Noble county in 1879, re-elected in 1881, and retired in 1884, when he resumed the practive of medicine at Caldwell. After three years he built ihe Caldwell Woolen Mills, and shortly sold out to enter a general store at Dexter City, which he conducted in connection with his practice of medicine until 1889, when he again sold out to take up his residence on his newly purchased farm of two hundred forty-six acres, located near Harrietsville, and continued in the practice of medicine. The life of a farmer was not entirely pleasing to him so he returned to Caldwell, to resume the practice of medicine there, and while there he also became the owner of the Caldwell Flouring Mill. In 1891 he again sold his interests in Caldwell, and moved to Summerfield where he has since been in the practice of his profession. Dr. McVay was married October 22, 1864, to Lovina Pryor, born April 11, 1848, a daughter of William and Louisa Pryor, old residents of Noble county, and to them have been born six children: Miles W., born Sept. 14, 1865, a merchant in Summerfield ; William H., born April 26, 1867, now deceased ; Maggie M., born January 16, 1869, a milliner; Minnie M., born April 30, 1873, deceased; Albert A., born January 4, 1875, in business with his brother; and Ara A., born March 2, 1877, in business with her sister. Miles W. was married Nov. 8, 1898, to Sarah A. Wells, born Sept. 28, 1866, and two children have been born to them, Grace, born May 11, 1895, and T. M. bern Dee. 29, 1896. Dr. MeVay is a member of the Masonic order, holding membership in the Macksburg lodge, and an Odd Fellow, a member of Reliance lodge of Summerfield, Ohio.

Joun W. Rovss, a prominent merchant of Summerfield, was born near Woodsfield, Monroe county, April 18, 1853, was there reared and educated in the common and Normal schools of Woodsfield. He followed the vocation of a school teacher for three years, but abandened it 1o become a clerk in a mercantile establishment. Mr. Rouse. was engaged in that occupation in different places for fourteen years, and in 1887 purchased William W. Paull's interest in the firm of Rownd & Paull, in which he has since been associated, the firm name being Rownd & Rouse. In 1903, the First National Bank of Summerfield was organized, with Mr. Rouse as president and a capital stock of $25,000. The directors are: L. Curtis, E. P. Sullivan, J. R. McClintock, W. W. McClintock, John Kaiser, Dr. J. W. Morris and J. W. Rouse. The officers: J. W. Rouse, President; E. P. Sullivan, vice-president; W. H. Philpot, cashier. Mr. Rouse was married in 1889 to M. Alma Williams, a daughter of William T. Williams, an old resident of Noble county, and to them have been born two daughters, Frances G. and Lucy C. Mr. Rouse is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.