Noble Township (part 1 of 8)

Noble Township

Organization of the Township - Meteb and Bounds - Eakly Elections and Electors - Poll Book List for 1820 - Taxes in 1822 - An Early Indian Trail - Formerly A Part of Buffalo Township - The Memorable Election of 1816 - The Family of John Noble, Senior - Difficulties of Pioneer Life - The "Cold Plague" - Mention of Early and Prominent Families - Joseph Lippitt - An Irishman's TiucK - A Bear Story - Progress of Improvement and Settlement - Early Schools - Personal Sketches - Villages - Hiramsburg, Hoskinsville. Rochester, Belle Valley and Ava - Churches.

NOBLE TOWNSHIP was organized in 1819. At that date it became a township of Morgan County, and so continued until the formation of Noble County. May 1, 1851, the county commissioners changeil the boundaries of the township, making them as follows:

"Commencing at the southeast corner of section 34, in township number 7, of range 9 ; thence north to the northeast corner of section 3, in said township number 7, range 9 ; thence west along the township line to the northwest corner of section 1, in township number 7, of range 10 ; thence south along section lines to the southwest corner of section 36, in said township number 7, range 10 ; thence east along the township line to the place of beginning ; containing thirty sections."

At an election for township officers which was held in Noble Township, Morgan County, on April 3, 1820, forty-three votes were polled. Andrew Millslagle, Asa Burlingame and Joseph Franklin acted as judges of election; and Josiah Burlingame and John Fogle, clerks. For justice of the peace, Peter Fogle had thirtyfive votes and William Ralph eight. The names of the voters were Charles McKenny, James McKee, Elijah Day, Samuel Noble, James Noble, John Davis,' Alexander McKee (still living), George Dye, David Devolld, William Hamilton, Isaac Warpingba, Samuel Ilalley, John McKee, Jonas Ball, Linus Moore, Lambert Newton, Daniel Ball, John Noble, EUy Moore, John Clowser, Michael Fogle, Benjamin Thorla, Benjamin Severance, Jacob Fogle, Robert Ilellyer, Charles Posten, Ephraim Bates, John McGarry, John Ralph, Solomon Brown, Joseph Lippitt, Sylvester Westcott, Isaac Covalt, John Fogle, Josiah Burlingame, Joseph Franklin, Andrew Millslagle, Asa Burlingame, Peter Fogle, Armstrong Johnston, Ezekiel Bates, William Ralph and James Dye.

Josiah Burlingame and Sylvester Westcott, as clerks. Only twenty votes were cast. For governor, Ethan A. Brown had eighteen votes; Robert Means, two. For representative to the legislature, Alexander McConnel, two; Willmm M. Dawes, fifteen; Amzi Stanley, three. For representative in Congress, David Chambers, twenty. For county commissioner, David Fulton, fifteen; Andrew Wharton, five. What can be said of the political enthusiasm of that day, when an election for a justice of the peace called out more than twice as many voters as an election for State officers?

From the tax-list of Noble Township for the year 1822, made out by Josiah Burlingame, lister, and Lambert Newton, appraiser, it appears that the township contained ninetysix property holders, and ninety-nine horses and one hundred and four neat cattle were listed for taxation. Upon this list appear the following names in addition to those upon the poll-book for 1820:

Along the West Fork of Duck Creek was an Indian trail which had evidently been much traveled by the red hunters prior to the settlement of the valley by white people. The stream seems to have been a favorite resort for the elk, deer and buffalo, and was doubtless an attractive hunting-ground for the Indians. The buffalo paths, in many places deeply worn into the earth, were distinguishable long after the white settlers came into the valley. For some years prior to the War of 1812, the Indians devoted themselves to the destruction of the larger wild animals of the forest, apparently for the sole purpose of thwarting the white hunters, as they left the carcasses to rot upon the ground. The Duck Creek Valley was frequented by the Indian hunters almost up to the time of the war, but never after its close. Mr. John Noble, who came to his present farm in 1812, states that an Indian camp, evidently erected only a few years previous, was then standing on the bank of the creek, a short distance above his present residence.

Noble

included all the northwest part of the present County of Noble, extending south to the old line of Washington County. In 1816 Olive Township was formed from part of Buffalo. We have no description of its boundaries, but it probably included the greater part, if not all, of Noble. In 1819 Noble Township, Morgan County, included township 7 of range 9 of the original survey.

Old residents recall an election that was held at the house of the Jordans, in the vicinity of where Hiramsburg now is, in 1816. This being the first election, the event was celebrated in a manner characteristic of the pioneer days. Some enterprising citizens succeeded in getting a barrel of cider from some point on the Muskingum River, and after " doctoring " it to their satisfaction with stronger liquors, put it on tap on the day of election. Cider being an article which the settlers of Duck Creek seldom had an opportunity of tasting, all partook freely, and as a consequence, nearly every man there became gloriously inebriated before the day was over. The more sober ones placed their intoxicated neighbors upon their horses, and started them toward home, some of them sitting, or rather lying, upon their horses, as inert, and apparently as lifeless as bags of meal.

The first entry of land on the West Fork of Duck Creek was made in 1806 by a man named Bain, near where Belle Valley now is. Richard Fletcher made an entry of land in the

John Noble, a Pennsylvanian by birth, settled in 1812 on the farm which his son John now occupies. A family sketch will be found elsewhere in this chapter.

In the early years, the settlers found it very difficult to keep stock of any kind. Aside from the danger that it might be destroyed by wolves or bears, there were other obstacles to encounter. Cattle died of murrain in large numbers. On the bottoms along the creek cattle were permitted to run at large, getting their own living at all seasons. Many wintered on the bunch grass found along the creek, without ever being fed at all. Hogs were also allowed to pick up their living as best they could in the woods. John Noble, Sr., brought a herd of twentyfive young hogs to his farm when he settled here, but the first season the bears made such havoc among them that but three were left. The old hogs were usually strong enough to defend themselv^es from their enemies, but young swine were never safe.

The climate was by no means healthy. A variety of chills, known as the "cold plague" attacked many, and those suffering from this disease found it impossible to get warm. Many died. Bleeding was then considered the sovereign remedy for nearly all the ills that flesh is heir to, and that process doubtless hastened the exit of many invalids from the world. Richard Fletcher was an early settler on the creek, on land now owned by James Carr. His

Charles McCune and John Reed were both Irishmen and early settlers. Reed was a very worthy citizen, lie came in 1813. His sons, Joseph, John and James, lived here and reared families.

Joseph Lippitt was one of the few pioneer settlers that had money. He was considered a rich man in his day. He bought and settled upon a whole section of land north of where Belle Valley station now is. He was from New England, and had the trading faculty which is popularly supposed to be inherent in all Yankees. In early days he kept a few goods at his house, and would give a yard of muslin for a day's work. His father had an interest in a cotton-mill in one of the Eastern States. Mrs. Lippitt was a woman of good judgment and shrewdness, and was an excellent manager. Li|>- pitt died here, and after his death the farm was sold, and the family became scattered. The Lippitt family were among the very earliest permanent settlers in the township, and among the earliest on Duck Creek.

Solomon Brown, a blacksmith, wjis among the early settlers. For a number of years he made salt on the creek, on a part of the John Noble farm. The well was 130 feet deep. A deer-lick near the spot had been much frequented before the country was settled.

There were many eccentric and peculiar characters among the early residents. Such an one was an Irishman named Crawford. One day he came to John Noble, who, then as since, was an excellent, thrifty, orderly farmer, and wished to obtain some seed-corn. Mr. Noble sent him to his corn-crib, and told him to help himself to any that he liked, except some choice speckled com, which Mr. Noble had placed by itself for his own use. Later, it was discovered that the speckled corn had all been removed by Crawford, who had piled some ears of the common variety in its place, and that the Hibernian was retailing among the neighbors what he called ''a very foine aili-kel of calico cor-m.''

Another Irishman came to Mr. Noble to borrow a scythe in the days when those instruments were scarce and valuable. Not wishing to lend, Mr. Noble told him he hadn't any. The Irishman's shrewdness then became apparent. " But," said he, " didn't I see it hanging up ? '"^ '* Well, go and take it then, but be careful of it," returned Mr. Noble. "And where will I find it, sor?" asked the borrower.

Andrew Brawton was the first settler where Iloskinsville now is. He and two other New Englanders made the first clearing there at an early date.

Lemuel Fowler, a New Englander, was among the early settlers. His son, Royal Fowler, still living (1886), is among the oldest residents of the township.

John McKee was commissioned justice of the peace May 1, 1817, two years prior to the organization of Noble Township and Morgan County. His authority was derived from Guernsey County. His com*- mission, record of which still exists in Morgan County, expired May 1, 1820. Peter Fogle, the first justice chosen in Noble Township, was commissioned April 24, 1820.

Benjamin Severance, a Yankee, and his sons, Benjamin and Rodney, were early settlers near Hiramsburg, Rodney was for some years engaged in the making of salt on the Muskingum River.

The Fogies were a numerous and respectable family. They were natives of Virginia, but came here from Washington County, Pa. There were three brothers, Jacob, Michael and Peter, who settled in the same neighborhood. Jacob and Michael came first, and a year or two later Peter settled on the farm where he lived and died. He came about 1818. He was the first justice of the peace in the township, and liekl Ube cMee aboot twenty years. He was also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1875, at the age of eighty-nine years. The Fogle brothers were all married before they came to Ohio. Jacob lived and died in Noble Township. His son Jacob still lives here. He and Mrs. Mary Merry Caldwell, are the only children of Jacob Fogle now living in the county. Michael moved from Noble Township to Enoch, and died there. He left no family. Peter Fogle was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Salliday, and their children were Mary, Eliza, Sarah and Margaret, all living, the oldest two in this county. For his second wife he married Phebe Stevens. Their children were Rachael (Rucker), who lives on part of the homestead ; John, Hlinois; Lucretia, Kansas; Anna, dead; Annary, Vinton County, Ohio ; James, Colorado ; George, Kentucky, and Peter, Caldwell. Peter lived on a farm until 1879, and then engaged in hotelkeeping in Caldwell. Since 1880 he has been in the business of undertaker and furniture dealer in Caldwell, owning a large and fine store. He has a German Bible, printed in 1590, which has been in the Fogle family nearly three hundred years.

Joseph, Calvin and Nathan Franklin Avere early settlers and good men. Calvin had an early mill, run by horse-power. Joseph was a wagon-maker. He built and ran a mill near Hiramsburg station.

George, Robert and Thomas Hellyer were early settlers. George was a tailor. The others were stonemasons. Robert was the first auditor of Noble County.

Joseph, Zachariah and Wesley Cooper lived in the north part of the township and operated a distillery. Samuel Thompson, a tanner and Methodist preacher, was a somewhat eccentric character, who lived in the same neighborhood. Richard Thorla was another early distiller.

Among other interesting memoror hilia in the possession of George Burlingame, of Belle Valley, is a tax receipt signed by treasurer of Morgan County. It is dated September 19, 1835, and shows that Josiah Burlingame's tax on 166 acres of land was one dollar, ninetysix cents and nine mills, and his tax on personal proi>erty, one dollar, eighty-four cents and eight mills. The valuation of the land was then $179. It is the present Chris. McKee farm, one of the best in the valley.

In 1816 Josiah Burlingame and family were living on the present farm of Chris McKee. The bears and panthers were still freiiuently found in the valley. On one occasion, Mrs. Burlingame was awa}^ from home, and a neighbor by the name of Edmond Burton was staying with Mr. Burlingame. In the night, they heard loud noises proceeding from a pig-pen near the house. Surmising the cause, Burlingame seized a large hand-spike and Burton an axe, the only one about the house, and proceeded to investigate. They found a large bear attempting to devour one of the pififs. Mr. Burlingame used his weapon with such good effect \x\x)x\ the bear that he finally caused him to desist; but Burton was so alarmed by the fierce actions of the bear, that he did not attack him, and he was allowed to make his escape.

After the war closed, farms were taken up and occupied quite rapidly, although times were very hard for |K)or people. There was a great scarcity of money, and those who were compelled to hire it were obliged to pay exorbitant interest. But settlers came pouring in from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Belmont County, so that it was not long before all the land was taken up, and the work of cleari ng and improving it was inaugurated. There has been steady and constant progress ever since. The township now contains many fine farms, good residences and a thrifty population.

In the western part of the township is one tier of sections running from north to south which belonged to Brookfield Township, before the erection of Noble County. Among the early settlers in this part of the township was Hugh Nickerson, father of Sparrow Nickerson, who settled on the farm now occupied by the latter, in 1817, coming from Massachusetts. He was a prominent man, and served eighteen consecutive years as justice of the peace in Brookfield.

Rev. Sparrow Nickerson says that when he came to the township with his father, John Noble was the nearest settler east of him. The Westcotts, Scotts and Browns were the nearest neighbors. Mr. Nickerson used to go, when a boy, to Benjamin Bay's mill, on Will's Creek, eight miles distant, passing only three houses on the way.

In the spring of the same year Christopher Westcott, from Rhode Island, settled on the farm now occupied by his son, Lewis C. Westcott. Dexter Brown, also from Rhode Island, settled in 1817. He was one of the commissioners of Morgan Count}^ 1833. His son Andrew now owns the farm. Erastus Iloskins, after whom Iloskinsville was named, came from Connecticut in 1818. lie was an influential citizen and in the early years was colonel of a regiment of the Morgan militia. He represented his county in the legislature two terms, 1831-2 and 1832-3.

*' An old log barn standing on Alexander McKee's farm, one mile north of Caldwell, was erected in 1811, by Daniel Bates and George Dye. Many of the hands who helped to raise it came up from the Marietta settlement, thirty miles distant. After the barn was completed. Bates and Dye both enlisted and served through the War of 1812-14. Dye was badly wounded in an engagement with the British and the Indians."

Miss Mary F. Brown, a native of Rhode Island, taught the first school near Iloskinsville in 1820, where she settled with a brother and a sister in 1818. She died in 1883 in the ninetyseventh year of her age. She taught school a number of years and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for sixty-four years.

According to the recollection of an old resident, the first school in the vicinity of Caldwell was taught by Walter Stevens on the McKee place. A space .Between a couple of corncribs ser\'ed as the school-room in fair, warm weather; but when the open air became unsuitable, the school adjourned to the house.

Josiah Burlingame was an early settler and a prominent citizen, a surveyor by profession. He came to Ohio from Rhode Island, and in 1814 located in this township. In 1815 he married Sarah Noble, a sister of the venerable John Noble. He was county commissioner of Morgan County from 1827 to 1832. He reareil a large family, all of whom are now widely scattered. A reunion of the Burlingame family at Belle Valley, in the fall of 1886, was an interesting occasion.

George Burlingame, one of a family of nine brothers, all living but one (Samuel), was born January 21, 1829. In 1860 he married Miss E. J. Coflfee of this county. They have one child, Alta, now Mrs. Frank L. Green, of Belle Valley. Mr. Bur- lingame was formerly a Whig, and is now a Democrat. He has served as county surveyor, and was townsliip assessor six terras. He has been engaged in the mercantile business at Belle Valley since 1884.

Sylvester Westcott is among the oldest residents of the township. He was born in Providence, K. L, in 1815, and has resided in Noble Township since 1817. He married Mary A. Wheeler in 1840, and is the father of three daughters. He has a vivid recollection of the early days, and of the difficulties under which the early settlers labored.

Rev. David Gorby was born in Ohio County, W. Va., in 1810, and has resided in Noble County since his parents settled here in 1824. His maternal grandfather took part in the Ilevolutionary War, and afterward assisted in suppressing the *' whisky insurrection " in Pennsylvania. Mr. Gorby is a farmer, millwright, and minister of the Free Methodist church. He has recently been engaged in developing a fine mine of carbonate iron ore, which? wMth coal, renders his land valuable. He married, first, Mary Mason, and second, Eliza N. Hunter.

Robert R. Danford, a representative of one of the early and prominent families of Noble County, was born in this county in June, 1828. In 1850 he married Mary A. Grove, of this county. Their children are Ellis J., Eliza A. and Arizona R., living, and Osceola C, deceased. Mr. Danford is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He served as justice of the ]>eace of Morgan County six years, and, although living in a Democratic township, was chosen township assessor by seventy-five majority. Mr. Danford was in the late war as first lieutenant of Company F, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, resigning in 1862, on account of rheumatism. In 1864 he was in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the one hundred days' service.

David D. Jennings, who for fifty years was a prominent citizen of this township, was a pioneer on section 31, Center Township. He was originally from western Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Ruth Wright. He was a successful farmer and accumulated a fine competency, under rather adverse circumstances. It is related of him that the first winter after his arrival in Center he was obliged to thresh grain with a flail for one-half the straw, in order to provide food for his only cow. He was one of the pioneers of the Methodist church of the county. For many years the " meetings " were held at his house, and all religious projects had in him a firm friend and patron. He died April 22, 1S79, aged eighty-three years. He reared a family of ten children - four boys and six girls.

John McCleary was born in 1839, in this county, as now constituted. His father was a drummer boy in the War of 1812, and his grandfather was killed in the same war. John McCleary enlisted September, 18G1, in Company K, Thirtieth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and was discharged in September, 1865. He participated in the battles of Carnifex Ferry, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Kidge, Chattanooga, and the engagements during the " march to the sea."

William P. Willey, one of the early settlers of what is now Noble Township, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to this county about 1870. Ilis first location was on a small tract of land which he bought from his brother-in-law, George Dye. He was identified with the township as a pioneer farmer, and was one of the early and prominent members of the Protestant Methodist Episcopal church and helped to build one of the first churches of this society. He married Sarah Dye, and had a family of thirteen children, eight of whom were born in Pennsylvania.

George Willey was born in Pennsylvania, in 1804, and came with his parents to Noble County about 1817. He was a carpenter by trade, and several years after his immigration bought a mill near Belle Valley, which he operated until 1848, when he removed to Hoskinsville, and engaged in trade. He died in 1856. In 1828 he married Miss Nancy Westcott. They had seven children. Sylvester, one of the sons, was born in 1835. In 1864 he enlisted in the Twenty-Second Ohio Light Artillery and served until the close of the war. He and his wife, 7iee Ellen Moore,

J. W. R. Newton, a prominent farmer and a leading citizen, is the son of an early settler. His father, a native of Maine, came to this township in 1818. Mr. Newton was bom in 1834. In 1856 he married Miss Mary McKee, and is the father of two sons and one daughter. His wife died in 1880; in 1885 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Sipe. Mr. Newton is a Republican.

J. C. Campbell was born in Noble Township, in 1832, and is by occupation a farmer and merchant. His father, a native of Ireland, settled near Philadelphia, in the latter part of the last century, removing thence to Ohio. He died in Noble Township in 1847. On his mother's side Mr. Campbell is of German descent. J. C. Campbell was married in 1860 to Martha Noble. He has always been a Democrat. For six years he served as postmaster at Hoskinsville under a Republican administration.

Samuel McFerren was born in Pennsylvania in 1776. In 1836 he settled in Noble Township, where he died about 1866. He married a Miss Need ham, whose father, J. Needham, settled in Morgan County. Mr. Nee^lham was the only survivor of a family of several members. The rest were killed by the Indians on their way from Pennsylvania to Ohio.

Richard C. McFerren is of German and English descent. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in 1808, in JeflFerson County, Ohio, where Richard was born in 1821. In

1835 he came to the vicinity of Hoskirisville, where he has since resided, engaged in farming. Mr. McFerren was married in 1841 to Louisa Jennings, and is the father of two sons and three daughters, all living and all married. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist church. He served as township treasurer fourteen years.

Harrison Jones is of Irish and Welsh descent. His father, an 1812 soldier, was born in Pennsylvania. He was an early settler in Muskingum County, Ohio, where the subject of this notice was born in 1821. In 1840 Mr. Jones settled in Noble Township, where he has since resided. He married Anna McKee, a native of this township, in 1845. They have have had four children, two of whom, Joseph and Margaret, are still hving, both married. Mr. Jones is a Methodist and a Democrat. He has held some township offices. His maternal grandfather was a soldier of the American lie volution.

Joseph W. Jones, son of Harrison Jones, was born in Noble Township, October 6, 1846, and hjis resided in this vicinity. He was educated at Sharon College, and was a teacher for some years. He is now engaged in the mercantile business at Hoskinsville. Mr. Jones is a prominent Democrat. He has served thirteen yeai-s as justice of the peace. In 1870 he married Tryphena II. Walters, daughter of the late John B. Walters, of this county. They have two daught<3i's living and one deceased.

was born in Noble Township in 1842. In 1861 he entered the service of his country in the Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the engagements at Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing. In 1862 he was honorably discharged by reason of poor health. In 1865 he married Maria Oliver, of Center Township: six children living, one deceased.

Peter J. Walters was born in Noble Township in 1838. His father was born in Belmont County, and cf\,me to this township quite early. The family consisted of nine children, six of whom are living. In 1865 P. J. Walters married Miss Teresa A. Brown, of this township. They have one child, a son. He is a member of the Baptist church, and of the Republican party. He enlisted in June, 1863, in Company I, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, and served for two years, being honorably discharged at Knoxville, Tenn.

L. W. Palmer was born in Chester County, Pa., October 14, 1835. His parents were natives of the same county; came to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1838, and to Noble County in 1839. The subject of this notice has always followed farming. He was married to Nancy Harkins in 1836, and has had seven children, all living, except one - Lydia J. He is a Republican and has held several township offices, although the township is Democratic.

L. C. Westcott was born in 1820, on the farm where he now resides. His father was among the early settlers, coming from Rhode Island, and settling here in 1816. L. C. West-

W. F. Jordan is a descendant of one of the pioneer families. Both his father and his mother were born in this county. Mr. Jordan was born in 1854. In 1877 he married Mary E. Glass, who died in 1878. In 1881 he married Maggie L. Archibald. They have had three children, two of whom are living. Mr. Jordan is station agent and telegraph operator at Belle VaUey.

Thomas llacey is of English and German descent. His father, Landon Racey, was born in Frederick County, Va., and his mother, nee Susannah Barnhouse, in Loudoun County, Va. They were married in Harrison County, Ohio, and came to Noble County in 1828, settling on Duck Creek. Landon Racey was a farmer and school-teacher. He died in this township in 1855. Of his children six sons and two daughters are living; George A., Arthur W., Thomas and Rosanna (Cain) live in Noble County ; Rachel (Engle), in Morgan County ; James F., in Missouri ; Peter A., in Kansas ; and Samuel, in Iowa. Thomas Racey was bom on the line of Jefferson and Harrison Counties in 1826, and has resided in Noble County since 1828. In early life he followed teaching. He is now engaged in farming and the insurance business. He is a Democrat, and a deacon in the I^resbyterian church. He has served as justice of the peace. He was married in 1847 to Matilda A. Marquis,

P. D. Jordan is a descendant of one of the early families and is a son of John Jordan, of Brookfield Township. Mr. Jordan has resided at Ava since 1877 and is engaged in mercantile business and farming. He was married in 1807 to Sarah A. Fair, of Washington County, and has three children living, one deceased. He is a member of the Baptist church and a prominent merchant at Ava.

B. W. Clark was bom in Washington County in 1843. His father was a native of ^Pennsylvania, and his mother of Guernsey County. His grandfather was an 1812 soldier. B. W. Clark came to Noble County at the age of three years. He is a Republican and a prominent farmer. In 1863 he married Sarah A. Buckey. They have six children, all daughters. In 1864 he volunteered in the One Hundred and Sixty -first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until honorably discharged in September, 1864.

Elijah Davis, second, was born in Virginia in 1810, and came to Noble Township with his parents in 1822, and has since resided here. In 1831 he married Mary Buckey, whose father lost his life in the War of 1812. They have had two daughters and nine sons. Six of the children are yet living. Five of the sons enlisted in the Union army in the late war. Eli Davis, son of Elijah, was born November 2, 1846, on the place where he now lives. He enlisted when seventeen years of age, and served until 1865. He was first with the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and afterward with the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth, until the close of the war. He was marrie<l in 1873 to Mary Russell. They have ha<l five children; four are now living. In politics he is a Republican.

Bartholomew Davis was born in 1821 on the plac*e where he now lives. He married Hannah Cox, and is the father of eight sons and four daughters. Benjamin F. and Thomas J. were in the service in the late war, the former in the Twentysecond Ohio Battery, and the latter in the Sixty second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Itenjamin was captured, and died of starvation after seven months in Libby prison.

Benjamin Clowser was born October 29, 1827, on the farm where he now resides. His parents were from Virginia, and came to this township about 1820. In 1853 Benjamin Clowser married Sarah Anderson. They have had two sons and six daughters. Five of the daughters are still living. Three of them are married - to E. C. Westcott, I. L. Archer and W. L. Archer, respectively. Mr. Clowser was in the service in the late war as first lieutenant, in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Protestant church.

John Russell was born in Belmont County, February 2, 1813. His parents were Virginians, and emigrated to Ohio about 1800. In 1820 the family came to Noble County, settling on the farm where John Russell now lives. The latter was married in 1837 to Nancy Anderson, who died in 1851. In 1853 he married Rachael Anderson. He is the father of ten children, seven of whom are living. Two sons, Joseph and Ezra, were in the late war. The former enlisted in the Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, and served in that and other organizations until the close of the war. Ezra served in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the Baptist church. He is a Republican, and a man of excellent reputation.

W. B. Secrest was born in Hartford, Guernsey County, and his parents were natives of the same county. The family came to Noble County in 1854, and settled in Noble Township. W. B. Secrest married Fannie Westcott in 1870, and is the father of three sons and one daughter. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and a Republican in politics. He has held the offices of township clerk and church trustee.

W. H. H. Burlingame is of New England descent, and was bom in Noble County in 1838. His father came from Rhode Island to the vicinity of Iliramsburg in 1818. W. H. II. Burlingame has followed farming and mercantile business. He enlisted in October, 1861, in the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served four years. He was wounded at Fort Wagner, and saw much active service.

Gorby, an old resident, was born January 23, 1848. His father settled in Noble County in 1823, being then fourteen years of age. J. R. Gorby has been engaged in farming and the lumber business. He spent some time in Illinois and Alabama. He married Rebecca Davis, in Illinois. Mr. Gorby is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church . He has held several township offices, and is now serving as a county commissioner.

John Preston, of Belleville, was bom in Belmont County in 1837, and came to Morgan County in 1840. In 1861 he enlisted in the Seventyseventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the engagements at Pittsburg Landing, the battle and siege of Corinth, the battle of Holly Springs, and many others of less note. In 1864 he settled at Sharon, and engaged in shoemaking. In 1875 he came to Belle Valley, where he still follows his trade. Mr. Preston is a Democrat in politics, and in 1867 was a candidate for the office of county auditor.

V. E. Harkins, of the firm of Harkins & Co., merchants, Belle Valley, was born in Noble County in 1856, and has followed mercantile and other occupations in Belle Valley and vicinity since attaining his majority. He marrie^l Miss Emeline Ginn, of Noble Township, in 1880. In politics he is a Democrat. He is the present postmaster at Belle Valley.

Stevens, formerly of Morgan County, and was born June 4, 1836. The family, consisting of James and five sisters, settled in Sharon Township in 1847. In 1867 James began the mercantile business. He is at present a member of the firm of Harkins & Co., Belle Valley. In 1857 he married Miss Mary McMahon, and in 1870 was again married, to Miss Sarah A. Tolbert. One child was born of this union, and is now deceased. Mr. Stevens is a Methodist, and a Democrat. He was elected county clerk in 1862.

Joseph Parmiter was born in Bristol Township, Morgan County, in 1818. His parents came from Maine, and were among the pioneer settlers of that locality. In 1885 he came to Belle Valley, where he follows his trade, carpentry. He married Elizabeth Shuster in 1841, and is the father of two sons and two daughters. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Christian church.

J. B. Perry is of Scotch descent. His grandfather was a brother of the father of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, of naval renown. Both his grandfathers were in the Revolutionary War, and his father served in the War of 1812, and was on board the brig " Enterprise" when she captured the English vessel, "Boxer." J. B. Perry was born in Phippsburg, Me., January 10, 1816, and is one of a family of five sons «and five daughters. The sons all became sea-faring men. One of Mr. Perry's brothers was a celebrated sailor, and twice circumnavigated the globe. J. B. Perry came to Noble County in

1846. Jn 1848 he married Olive Blake, of Olive Township, a representative of one of the early families. They had a son and a daughter, both of whom are dead. Mr. Perry is by occupation a farmer and a mason. He is a member of the Congregational church. lie served fifteen years as clerk of Olive Township and the same length of time as postmaster at South Olive.

The villages of Noble Township, although numerous, are small and unimportant. They are Iliramsburg, Iloskinsville, Rochester, Belle Valley and Ava.

Iliramsburg was named for its founder, Hiram Calvert. The survey was made by John F. Talley, November 5, 1836. The original plat contained twenty lots. An addition was made by the same proprietor in 1838, and another in 1858.

Samuel Stevens was a merchant here before the town was laid out. Harrison P. I^rry built the first house in the village, and kept store here a number of years. The building remained standing until 1886. He was succeeded by Wakefield & Shankland, Hiram Knight, Fortune Galbreath, Asa Burlingame and others. Charles Lukens established an early store. Asa Burlingame kept the first hotel, and was the first postmaster. The office was established about 1845, and supplied with a weekly mail from Cumberland.

Jacob Jordan was the pioneer blacksmith of the village. There was, however, a blacksmith here long before the village was projected. His name was Jacob Stoneking. He owned the land on which the village is, and sold it to Calvert.

Among the early settlers of Iliramsburg was Reason Calvert. He l>ought wood ashes at five cents per bushel, from which he made potash. The potash was sold to refineries and converted into pearl-ash. He also manufactured castor oil and linseed oil.

In 1886 the business interests of Iliramsburg were as follows : George A. McClure, J. W. Murphy, general stores; Henry Shadlow, blacksmith; Eli Covert, cabinet-maker.

The village of Hoskinsville, E. E. Parrish, proprietor, was platted by John F. Talley, in February, 1839. The plat was placed upon the Morgan County records October 22, 1840. The place \vas nametl in honor of Colonel Erastus Hoskins. He was the first postmaster. Hoskinsville postoffice was established prior to 1830. In that year it was supplied with a weekly mail from McConnelsville and Barnesville.

The first house in Hoskinsville, after the projection of the town, was erected by James Needham, a shoemaker. The first store was started by a man name<l Saveall. As a village the place never realized the ambitious ex[)ectations of its founders.

Rocliester was laid out as a village by Samuel Aikens, surveyor, May 4, 1841. Robert Ilellyer was the proprietor. In September, 1845, he made an addition to the town plat. The growth of the place has been so slow that no other enlargement of its boundaries has been necessary. There is scarcely enough of the place to warrant its being dignified by the name of a village. It contains one small store and a postoffice which goes by the name of Nobleville.

Belle Valley is a hamlet of about a dozen houses, and owes its origin to the Cleveland & Marietta Railroad. It was laid out on the farm of Benton Thorla. The first store was started by Mr. Thorla in 1872. The postoffice was establisiied in the same year, with Mr. Thorla as the first postmaster. The business of the place is represented by Ilarkins & Stevens and Burlingame & Green, general merchants; Manly Parmiter, grocer; John Preston, shoemaker; and Newton Bros., proprietors of a steam flouring-mill, erected in 1886. There are two hotels, kept by George Burlingame and Greenberry Davis, and one church, Methodist Protestant. Belle Valley is a telegraph station on both the Cleveland & Marietta and the B., Z. & C. Railroads.

northern part of the township, has also been built since the completion of the C. & M. Railroad. It contains three stores, kept by P. D. Jordan, Amos Pryor and D. F. Stottsbury. H. Burlingame has a cooper shop, and Albert Davis, a blacksmith shop. A steam grist-mill is being erected by George Stewart. There is one church - Methodist Episcopal.

RegaiibS Chai)el 3fethodist Protestant Church, - This church is situated at Hoskinsville. The Methodist Protestant congregation was organized in 1829. Previous to that time the Methodist Episcopal denomination had organized a society and held services in the neighborhood. In 1829 Revs. Cornelius Springer and Jacob Myers organized a Methodist Protestant circuit. The first preachers on the circuit were Jacob Myers and Daniel Gibbons. The Hoskinsville congregation met in dwellings and in the school-house until 1880, when a brick meeting-house was erected on the site of the frame church in which the congregation now worships. Among the original members of the church were Erastus Hoskins, Edward Parrish, Francis Scott, William Willey, Lambert Newton, Mary Brown, Sylvester Westcott, Hugh Nickerson, and others, most of them belonging with tlieir wives and famihes. The pres- the sons, Lemuel, who now lives in Cumberland, Ohio, was a soldier in the One Hundred and Twentysecond Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a prisoner at Andersonville for eight months. Ellis was also in the service and received a wound from a piece of shell. Although he served through the war, he died immediately after reaching home.

The Carr family came to Ohio in 1835, settling in Bristol Township, Morgan County. The father was a farmer, and died in 1878. His widow is still living with two of her children upon the homestead. James passed his boyhood upon the farm until 1842, when he started out to make his own way in the world. He went first to Belmont County and thence to Allegheny City, Pa. He remained in Pennsylvania two years, driving through the country selling clocks and "Bee-palaces." In 1844 he got the " western fever," and emigrated to Iowa and from there to California. He located at Sigourney where he was engaged in the mercantile business and the loaning of money, doing a very successful business. Here, in 1847, he married Miss Helen L. Pinkerton, who bore three children, Inez Iowa (deceased); Charles S., who is married and resides in Nelsonville, Athens County ; and Helen S. (Boyd), Sharon Township. Mr. Carr's first wife died January 20, 1856.

In 1857 Mr. Carr returned to Ohio, and bought the farm now owned by Mr. Lovell, in Malta Township, Morgan County. In the following year he married Miss Martha J.

Noble. They continued to reside in Morgan County until 1868, and from that time until his decease made their home with Mrs. Carr's father, the venerable John Noble.

Mr. Carr was prospered admirably in his business relations, his good judgment, courage and tact serving him in good stead. Although he was an invalid for several years before his death, he maintained his native cheerfulness undisturbed. Thankful for the favors which fortune granted him, he rejoiced that he was no longer under the necessity of a continual striving after the ''almighty dollar." He was one of the prime movere in organizing and securing a charter for the Noble County Bank, and was identified with other important home enterprises. He was a man of good general information, a fluent conversationalist and of agreeable social qualities. He died January 31, 1887, and was buried with Masonic honors.

Rev. Sparrow Nickerson. - Col. Hugh Nickerson, the father of the venerable pioneer whose name heads this article, was of Irish descent, and was born in Chatham, Barnstable County, Mass., in 1782. He was a man of intelligence and ability, and during the War of 1812 commanded a regiment of infantry. The Nickerson family at this time were seafaring people, an occupation to which Mrs. Col. Nickerson was very averse, and fearing that her sons, as they grew up, would resort to that occupation for a livelihood, persuaded her husband to immigrate to Ohio. In the spring of 1817 the family, consisting of the parents and five children - Mahala, Eliza, S|)aiTo\v, Lurana and Josoi)h - left their native town by vessel for Baltimore, Md.; thence they came by teams across the mountains to where they embarke<l on a for Marietta. The journey was without incident worthy of mention, and on their arrival, the boat was tradetl for a Chickasaw horse. From Marietta they came to Mrs. David Mc- Kee's, where the family remained until a rude cabin was prepared for their reception on the farm now owne<l by his Sf)n, Sparrow. They had to find their way by blazeil trees, and during the winter suffered greatly from ex|K>sure and j)overty. The cabin was without a chimney, door, loft or floor, and frecjuentiy wild animals would come close to the house. Their surroundings were such that had it not been for the mother, who was a resolute woman, the family would undoubtedly have returned to their eastern home. The return of s|)ring brought |)artial release from pioneer hardships. The father found employment at his tnule, that of a car|)enter, in Zanesville, and in this way supported his family and paid for his land. He built for Augustus Iloskins the first frame house erected in what is now Noble Township. He was a man of force and stamina, and identified himself with early churcti history. He was a Methodist in belief, and was one of the organizers of the Methodist Protestant church, and with othei*s, founded the Brookfield librarj^ which was probably the fii'st in the county.

His wife, n^e Rebecca Blancliard, was bom in Boston, where she lived until her marriage, in lsu3. Her children, aside from those above mentioned, were Hugh, Rebecca, Simon and Celestia. The father died in 1846; his wife in 1835. Rev. Sjiarrow Nickerson was bom in Chatham, Mass., March 7, IS 12. He was reared on the homestead farm, and being the eldest son, was denied the limiteil advantages for education affordeil by the occasional subscription schools of that day, but in that other school, in which the teachers are observation and ex|)erience, he has been an apt pupil. By extensive reading, aided by a retentive memory, he has acquired a fund of valuable knowleilge. In |K)litical belief Mr. Xickerson was originally a Whig, and advocated the election of James G. Birney for President. Next he became a " Free Soiler," and was nominated, in 1845, for lieutenantgovernor of Ohio. On the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks. He is now, however, a Prohibitionist, and has been the candidate of this i^arty for senator and representative. In ante he/ltun days he was an abolitionist, and on that ticket mn for State ti^easurer. In 1850 he was ordained for the ministry, and for two yeurs was a circuit preacher. In 1835 he marrie<l Miss Helen Byei-s; by this marriage there were three children: Joseph, Thomas and John ; the latter was a member of the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. His second wife, Miss Betsey Sawyer, was born near

St. Albans, Vt., in 1815, and came to Ohio in 1823. She is the mother of six children: Elizabeth (Allen), Levi M., Sarah M. (Bell), Simon S. Hannah R. (Love) and Hugh G. Sarah M. is deceased.

Mr. Nickerson is a typical pioneer, and but few men have attained to a greater share of public esteem than he. He is now enjoying the full fruition of a well-spent life, and in a few more years will leave to his family that priceless legjicy, an unsj>otted reputation.

George E. Geddes. - This gentleman, one of the prominent citizens of Noble Township, was born in Manchester Township, Morgan County, Ohio, March 6, 1833. Ilis father, James Geddes, was one of the early settlers of this township, was born in Philadelphia County, Pa., in 1788, moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, about the year 1800, and from thence to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1817. He was of Scotch parentage, and was a soldier of the War of 1812 with Great Britain. lie served under Gen. William H. Harrison, and died in 1853.

George E., the subject of this narrative, started in life a poor bo}^ with poor health, having inherited by nature a very frail constitution. By industry, economy and good business habits, he has placed himself among the most successful farmers of the county. He received a good English education, having studied surveying and the higher mathematics; followed teaching from 1854 till 1862; was elected justice of the peace in Noble Township in

1859, and re-elected in 1862. On July 4, 1863, he was commissioned, by Gov. Todd, captain of Company H, First Regiment Ohio Militia, and on September 4, 1863, was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel, by Gov. Todd, of the First Regiment Ohio Militia. In 1878 he was the Greenback candidate for Congress in the Fifteenth Congressional District, composed of the counties Monroe, Morgan, Washington, Athens and Noble. His name has frequently been mentioned in connection with oifices of trust and responsibility in the county. In 1855 Mr. Geddes was married to Miss Mary A. Brown, a lady of rare good common sense, and of excellent family, but handicapped, like her husband, with a frail and weak constitution. Her father, Edward G.Brown, came from Rhode Island. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Geddes: James Kennon and Edmond Burns. James K. married Miss Irene Young, of Chandlersville, Ohio ; Edmond B. married Miss Effie M. Rummer, of Lowell, Ohio. Both of these young men are surveyors and civil engineers, who have become conspicuous in their profession. George E. was raised and educated a State-rights Democrat, but the late civil war, with its threatened disintegration of the Union, revealed to him the fact, that the right of a State to withdraw from the Union at pleasure, was fatal to a general government. He is now a strong Protectionist, believing it to be the duty of the general Government to foster, encourage, develop and protect our home industries.

He is an extensive reader, well versed in the politics of our country. Progressive in thought, he stands well abreast in all the political, social and rehgious reforms of the country. Though raised a Methodist, lie believes strongly in the decrees and ordinations of God. Socially, Mr. Geddes is gentlemanly and agreeable.

Gpx)kge Alonzo McC.^lure. - George McOlure, father of tlie immediate subject of this biography, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1823; his father, William McClure, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and his paternal grandfather served in the War of the Revolution. He was a staff officer and distinguished himself in many of the hard-fought engagements of that great struggle. After the war, Congress gave him, in consideration of his service, a tract of land, where Frankfort, Ky., now stands. This land was occupied by squatters, who disputed his claim. Serious complications arose and he finally lost the property.

William McCHure immigrated to Ohio in 1827, and settled near Gaysport, Muskingum County, where he resided until his decease in 1887. He was twice married ; his first wife was a Miss Andei'son; two children were born of this union: George and William. William went to California in an early day; he was a thrifty business man and acquired a large property in real estate. George was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio with his parents. He was reared in Muskingum County and when a boy entered the employ of Chapman & Stevens, with whom he remained several years. In 1847 be came to Hiramsburg and engaged in merchandising under the firm name, Stevens & McClure. The firm did a successful business until 1855 when Mr. Stevens retired.

In 1869 he was succeeded by his son, George 6. McClure, who has since that time done a highly successful business. George McClure was a thorough business man and a valuable citizen. He was twice married; his first wife was Miss Susan T. Giljbs. Two children were bnrn to them: Francis L., who died young, and George Alonzo. He was burn in Hiramsburg. October 13, 1851. He grew up in his futhers store, and i-eeeivod a thoroiigfi education in hooks, nml a pmctiail business echieation. He is one of the rising y<.jung bimiriess men of the count}', ^nul is hlgiily esleeiii+d not only fc*r his sterling hoiit^sly and business enteriirise. but tht^ ud vanced position lie r;ikes tin u\\ <|Mi*s!ions in whicli the moral or religious welfare of his community is involved. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, in religion a Methodist. He marrieil, in 1872, Miss Mary B. Davidson, granddaughter of Philip Burlingame, a pioneer settler of Rhode Island; they have two sons and three daughters.

Source changes here: from History of Noble County, Ohio,, by Hon. Frank M. Martin, published 1904; 108,831 words in this source stream.

Chapter

FRENCH AND Exaursm Cratrs - Onto LAND ComMPANY - EXPLORATIONS - FRENCU FORTS - WASHINGTON S MISSION - FRENCH AND INDIAN War - ENGLIstr Gain PoSSESSION--First SurRVEY - SQUATTERS - INDIAN TREATIES - LAND BOUNTIFS TO REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS - THE On1o ComMpaNxy ForMED - GETS A GRANT OF LAND Frow Concress - RULES FoR SETTLEMENTS - MARIFTTA SETTLED - First Cotrt - First Lanp PaATENTS - PROGRESS OF THE SETTLEVEE NTS Oe DRS Cece Gadlc P airctie Ne nt oreE ULE SESE NG dec: Gree Seite vay Sth cavers 17-23

Chapter Iii

InpiIAN RELATIONS - Last Act or Hosvitity - Earty RoAbS - THE FEp- ERAL TratL - Roap TO Tromreson's MILL - THE CENTER Roap - First Roap To CALpwEt1 - STaTeE Roaps - Post OFFICES - OLIVE - WiHARTON - BATES' MiLt - St MMERFIELD - SHARON - HOSKINSVILLE - Earty Main CarriERS - SARAUSVILLLE - H IRA MSBURG - CARLISLE - Movunt Eprirarm - "Moss Tavern' - BATESVILLE - HARRIETTSVILLE - ROCHESTER - MIDDLEBURG - WHIGVILLE - MATROM OR SOCUM - LEx1ncton - A Novenr MaArrtace CEREMONY - A HARVESTING INTIES Ure cereetanaietors) a5) sneiover ao eer siete eunyete Meena ay Oceravaks wiiglio eas ove uavetolelevelereiaie.s 35-45

Chapter Iv

PAGES ZATIONS - A CouNTY SEAT War - AGITATION FOR A-NEw CouNTY BecuNn - WHIG SENTIMENT - FiRsT PETITION TO THE LEGISLATURE - How THE County wAs NAMED - MEMORIAL OF 1849 - PASSAGE OF THE ORGANIC AcT - First ELECTION - LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SraT - SARAHSVILLE SELECTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS - FIRst MEETING OF THE BOARD oF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS............+ 46-56

Earty Civit Instirutions - First CourTtS - NEW OFFICERS INSTALLED - REORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS - ELECTION FOR JUSTICES OF THE PEACE - SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES - FIRST NEWSPAPERS - AN ECHO OF THE LOCATION OF THE CouNTy SEAT - A JAIL ORDERED - TROUBLE WITH THE ConTRACTOR - A CouNTY SEAT WAR INAUGURATED - SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES IN PoriricS - AcT OF 1854 - PLAT OF CALDWELL SuRVEYED - TowNn NaAMED - COoNTRACT FOR Court HousE - TEMPORARY QUARTERS - FuiRST SALE OF LOoTS - First NEWSPAPER IN CALDWELL - ORDER TO REMOVE COUNTY OFFICES - NEW JAIL - ANOTHER NEWSPAPER - HARLY CHURCHES - COUNTY INFIRMABY ESTABLISHED ......... Ft OOO Bynes eratetanersl se a ataiein eabtecnie eo oheietiansiesistelele perernOd ase:

Chapter Vi

First Troops FRoM NOBLE - MUSTER ROLL oF COMPANIES - NAMES OF VOLUNTEERS - ENGAGEMENTS - MOVEMENTS OF THE REGIMENTS - IN VIRGINIA - PART OF NATIONAL GUARD - ONE BATTALION FROM NOBLE - MusterR Rot~ts - Last CALL FoR TRoOoPS - NOBLE RESPONDS - MISCELLANEOUS ENLISTMENTS - THE HOSKINSVILLE REBELLION 71-92

Chapter Vii

Procress SINCE THE WAR - THE O1L Firtps - A CONFIDENCE GAME - RaILRoAD AGITATION - THE OLp CaLico RoAD - MaRIETTA & PITTSBURG COMPANY INCORPORATED - THE Narrow GAUGE - ZANESVILLE & SoOUTHEASTERN - Two CoMPANIES CONSOLIDATED - NEw TowNs IN NoBLE CouNTY - DExTER CiITy - SoutH OLiIve - DupLEY - AVva - BELLE VALLEY - EAsT UNION - MOUNDSVILLE - FULDA - GROWTH OF CALDWELL - NEWSPAPERS - VILLAGE OF THE SECOND CLASS - LIST OF City OFFICIALS - BANKS - FAIR ASSOCIATION - BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION - WaTER-WorKs - Soutpiers' REUNIONS - MouND BUILDERS RELICS - AUSTRALIAN BALLoT LAwW - NEw JupIcIAL Cir- CUIT - SPANISH-AMERICAN WaAR - MILITIA - MEDICAL SocieTy Or- GANIZED - THE GREAT SNOW STORM - CENTENNIAL ODE...........93-113:

Chapter Viii

BouNDARIES OF THE CouNTY - AREA - SURFACE - So1L - CROPS - MINERAL PRODUCTS - SANDSTONE - COAL - IRON - SALT - NATURAL GAas - MorTcaGES - CHURCHES - EDUCATIONAL GROWTH - ScHOOL SrTaTIs- TICS - FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS - CIVIL GOVERNMENT - LIST OF OFFICIALS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CoUNTY - POLITICS - ELEcTION STaTISTICS - CENSUS REPORTS - GENERAL REFLECTIONS. 114-128

Contents

Page Page Charles S. McFerren............ 200 bevid Radelifte cus. ocjec ones «se 152 D. M. McFerren ............... 200! David Radcliff ................. 150 Calvin McGlashan .............. 215 | Davide Radcliff. aati eas 151 James McGlashan .............. 215 William Radelift <...<cos.w@n <tn. 151 Andrew C. McKee............... a2) John? Radelitl, j.meadsemc 2. ism 151 ChrispMcKeer.. 5 «ns. s¢ebieee Meas L6S:2Abraham Rich ....a-ecossek. ee 179 p2ra .McKee*....... three .2e: weal MGS WT acobsRichwer...o «wetaceeinne + ake waees 180 William' MeKee.«....<22. hfe... a PE 2IS ION RICH cc o.0 5 ves poe 180 Jonn McLaughlin: <....nemens. osm OIC WIS We RICH). 2-).- seers cits 180 Joseph McLaughlin <..2.2.. 0... 202 | William Hi Rich i262: . 6- - ess 179: PONN eMC Williamsye ates eee 167 | Kdward Richcreek .............. 198 EBhilipy MeWwilliams. 7. 2. sense. cle 167 | William H. Richcreek .......... 198 William McWilliams ........... UGTA William: Ee Robey. cme ee eee 145 Ambrose Merry 2..).00 ead s:< Stee 168| William H. Robey <4 cscs 145 Caltone Merry. nce aes eee 168 | JOhny We RObDINSON: jc erecta 144 NEOVT (Dy Merry. io: ss .cautieie oe eee EGSieSamuel Ks ROSS oo ac eee. cere 216 WilliameDseMerry .2 3. wecte s . bet GG Mohn W-ROUSe 1a 6. nian oe 146 Fenny Millerie.. A sot ces ach eee 250! James M. Rownd ............:.. 221 James: He Mills ts css sels oe TSSHTOHN Was RUDysce eee cee ore eee 176 Stephen (Mills... = .j.2t4m 2 saseuews NF Ao MvoFVe MIMO oro guaoyuogotnce 176 osephe Miller aeneep nace eee 250 | Henry-Schafer: «43.502. Jeaneds +: 209 Once Miller 230.0 apcsc Sea ee: 142| Jonn H. Shankland ............. 221 Worenzou DME Ime tag ieee vledevaous 235; James W. Shankland............ 221 Stephen: Milner cs «« «pene oe eieerae 235 | George P. SINE ooocbone sosdse 239 Warn MEAT Orava ere coats stciere sh cos ei 142) Joseph Shirley fa.scscmenscee cae 239 Aifired sMeMOnris acc ccwce cea CSO Johns Wee Simons cena ae 188 NSAACRMONLIS@ 0. cskcras uss essere vile 130% David' S: Spriggssa.. ssc. ose 196 AMOS MOLLIS sects e citer see erste TSO EMOrrise Ds SPLigeseoceserae oer ae 196 James W. Moseley. ..2.....5..-2. ZoOIC Pai Simons seit: 188 William L. Moseley ............ 250 | Jacobespringer 42). cs. ee isn 150 Andrew Murphy ............;:.. IS PUrich.Springer ace eee eee 150 JVAMESwMCUPDIY,: aetesiets oa ieiela-.eteleke L7 Os ultone NeeS wan ke |-yaeecis reins 233 James: Moa Murph yin..c ey: aot - 178i JaACODUWesS Wank es ances 231 MHOMASHEH OMOLTIS.. .- oes arent 142| William Swank .......... acme 231 Thomas) Mee MCV AY ccc. cielo. ei 146 | Edward Heo Laylor oc annie oie 147 Wesley Neptune ................ 245| Richmond B. Taylor ........... 147 Alverson Cm OKey: cpr: [Olpentys Leeners sc... create 191 Freeborn G. Okey.......-.+.00- 139+ Alden-D. Tilton................ 157 AIT ES @ OREY Wer err ela icteric feels 135 | CULO Dil COMM cre este eac siesta shersiencee 157 WitliamiCa Okey cence cree. 2s 1343) Orin Gea tone eee eee 157 Joseph Patterson) ...-0.20..2%.. Sse Jonna W. Piptottiace. ck ccs ea ne 139 Saniiuel® Patterson s.r crete. os erotes ove) ave 233 | JOHNGWee DIPtON ITs. cece cies 144 Tempest W. Patterson........... Zoe | William -Piptons..2 108 eee | LOD) Davide Weehilhisiaaer = scree + she - 2504) Benjaminw Thorla "2... scree oshs 137 MGbMeEP His ee en. bac gata cee oes br Silas Phorla, . oo sscmes lense een 137 Hoan aetibuth coonunsooenoceucr 288 William: 155 Diptonine-ctt. see eee 139 WANGOni RAC yas seus «ere lets ons Yate 143 | Thomas M. Thurlow............. 137

First Waitt Men - Misstons - Trapine Posts - A LEApDEN PLATE - Frencu anp Enouish Crarms - Onro Lanp Company - ExpioraTions - Frencu Forts - Wasuineton's Missrion - Frencu anp Inpran War - Encuisu Gatn Possesston - First Survery - SaquatTters - Inpian TRrEATIEFS - LaAnD BounrTIEs TO RevoLuTionary SoLprers - Tue Ouro Company FormEp - Gets A Grant or Lanp From Coneress - RvueEs ror SETTLEMENTS - MaRIETTA SETTLED - F rst Court - First Lanp Part- ENTS - PROGRESS OF THE SETTLEMENTS.

URING the latter part of the seventeenth, and the early years of the eighteenth century, the French missionaries and traders were active in founding missions and establishing trading posts at various points in the Ohio Valley.

The principal avenues of travel were the Ohio and the Wabash rivers, and from the great lakes the line of missions and trading posts followed these streams, together with the Allegheny and Maumee rivers, to the Mississippi. The traders, being bent on gain, kept no records of their explorations, so that the only authentic account of this period is to be obtained from the journals of the Jesuit missionaries, and this is often so meager as to afford little information. Leaden plates have been found on the Kanawha and Allegheny rivers, and at the mouth of the Muskingum, bearing inscriptions to show that the French had laid claim to the country in the name of their king. The inscription on that at the mouth.of the Muskingum was as follows: "In the year of 1749, of the reign of Louis XV of France, we, Celeron,* commandant, of a detachment sent by the Marquis de la

* This plate was found in the year 1798 and the dates mentioned in the inscription correspond to the expedition sent out under Celeron de Bienville. This expedition built a fort at Sandusky and explored several tributaries of the Ohio. :

Galissoniere, captain-general of New France, in order to establish tranquility among some villages of savages of these parts, have buried this plate at the mouth of the river Chi-no-da-hich-e-tha, the 18th of August, near the river Ohio, otherwise 'Beautiful River,' as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken of the said river Ohio, and all of those which empty themselves into it, and of all the lands on both sides, even to the sources of said rivers, as have enjoyed or ought to have enjoyed the preceding kings of France, and that. they have maintained themselves there by force of arms and by treaties, especially those of Ryswick, of Utrecht, and of Aix-la- Chapelle." ;

By this claim that portion of the State of Ohio now included within the boundaries of Noble county became the territory of France, and subject to the edicts of the French king. But, before this plate had been deposited, the English had already began to dispute the possession of the country. As early as 1714, Governor Spotswood, of the Virginia Colony, had found an easy route through the Allegheny mountains and advocated taking possession of the country west of them. The governor of Pennsylvania joined with him in recommending the mother country to take possession of the region between the Alleghenies and the great lakes. Had the suggestions of those two colonial governors been accepted by the British Parliament the French and Indian war might have been avoided, and the history of the Conquest of the Northwest Territory would have to have been told in different language. From 1720 to 1750 numerous English traders and explorers visited the Ohio Valley. Some were licensed by the Pennsylvania authorities to trade with the Indians, but many of them assumed the responsibility and the risk and went on their "own hook." Among these early adventurers were Conrad Weiser, John Howard, who was captured by the French on the Mississippi in 1742, and George Croghan, who erected a, stockade on the great Miami river, in what is now Shelby county, Ohio.

The first systematic attempt to establish an English settlement west of the Alleghenies came in 1748. That year Governor Robert Dinwiddie, of Virginia, Thomas Lec; president of the Virginia council, and ten others organized the Ohio Land Company. The following year the company received from George IT a grant of 500,000 acres of-land.. By the terms of this grant the company was given the option of locating their lands either between the Kanawha and Monongahela rivers, or on the northern side of the Ohio, but in either cease the conditions required the settlement of one hundred families within seven years. In 1750 the Company sent out a surveying party, under the leadership of Christopher Gist, to locate the grant. Crossing the Ohio near the mouth of Beaver Creek, Gist spent the month of December among the Indians of the Tuscarawas country.

In one of the Indian villages he found George Croghan, previously mentioned, and a Seneca half-breed named Andrew Montour. They _ had hoisted the English flag and were taking steps to hold councils with the different bands of Indians in the interest of the English traders. Accompanied by Croghan, Gist explored the valleys of the Muskingum and Scioto rivers, after which he descended the Ohio to the falls, but nothing definite was accomplished in the way of locating the grant of the Ohio Company.

In the meantime the French had established a line of forts from Lake Erie to the junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers to prevent the English from gaining a foothold in the country. The reader of American history is familiar with the story of how George Washington, then a young man, was sent by Governor Dinwiddie to the French commandants at Forts Le Boeuf and Venango to demand the reason for their invasion of English territory. No satisfaction was received from the French officers at those posts, the French and Indian war ensued, and all efforts to found a colony north of the Ohio was for the time abandoned. By the treaty of 1763 the French relinquished all claims to the disputed territory and the following year an expedition was sent into the country north of the Ohio to punish the Indians for their participation in the French and Indian war. Although the English were given undisputed control of all the region between the Ohio and the great lakes, they were slow to take 'advantage of their new acquisition. A few resolute traders invaded the country and established a profitable traffic in furs with the natives, but it was not until after the Revolution that a finally successful attempt was made to settle the northwest territory.

In April, 1784, the Congress of the United States passed an ordinance providing for the government of the territory northwest of the Ohio river.. This ordinance remained in force for about three years and under its provisions the first survey of the public lands was begun. Among the surveyors appointed by Congress were Rufus Putnam, of Massachusetts; William Morris, of New York; Nathaniel Adams, of New Hampshire; Alexander Parker, of Virginia; Adam Hoops, of Pennsylvania; James Simpson, of Maryland; and Isaac Sherman, of Connecticut. These surveyors were appointed on May 27, 1785, and at once entered upon their duties. They found a number of squatters upon the unsurveyed lands and reported the conditions to Congress, which led to the following proclamation being printed and circulated throughout the territory:

"Whereas, it has been represented to the United States in Congress assembled that several disorderly persons have crossed the Ohio and settled upon their unappropriated lands; and whereas, it is their intention, as soon as it shall be surveyed, to open offices for the sale of a considerable part thereof, in such proportions and under such other regulations as may suit the convenience of all the citizens of the United States, and others who may wish to become purchasers of the same; and as such conduct tends to defeat the object they have in view, is in direct opposition to the ordinances» and resolutions of Congress, and is highly disrespectful to the Federal authority, they have therefore thought fit, and do hereby issue this proclamation, forbidding all such unwarrantable intrusions, and enjoining all those who have settled thereon to depart with their families and effects without loss of time, as they shall answer the same at their peril." The names of about sixty of these squatters were sent to Colonel Harmar at Fort McIntosh, and a body of troops was sent out to dispossess them. The squatters showed fight, and the affair was finally adjusted by temporary homes being given them on the east side of the river until the lands were opened to settlement. By the treaty of Fort Stanwix, New York, in 1784 the Six Nations had surrendered all claims to lands in the Ohio Valley, and on January 21, 1785, a treaty was made at Fort McIntosh between George Rogers Clark, Arthur Lee, and Richard Butler, acting on behalf of the United States, and. the chiefs of the Delawares, Ottawas, Wyandots, and Chippewas. By the provisions of this treaty the boundaries between the United States and the Indian lands were fixed and the different tribes relinquished all claim to the lands in Southeastern Ohio. On the last day of January, 1786, General Clark, Richard Butler, and Samuel H. Parsons met the Shawnee chiefs at Fort Finney and negotiated a treaty by which this tribe ceded their lands in the Ohio Valley to the United States. Thus the native red man retired before the march of the Caucasian, and the lands once the home and hunting ground of the savage, became the possession of a civilized race. Meantime another agency was at work, having for its object the settlement of the Northwest Territory. In 1776 Congress had passed an act providing for a bounty of land to be given from the . public domain to every soldier that served through the war. These bounties ranged from 500 acres for a colonel down to 100 acres for - a private soldier. In 1783 a petition, signed by nearly three hundred officers of the army, was presented to Congress asking that: the lands constituting these bounties be located north of the Ohio river. Owing to claims of certain States to these lands Congress did not deem that it had a perfect title to the domain and declined to act. The State of Virginia surrendered her claim in 1784 and another effort was made by some of the officers to have Congress recognize the claims of the soldiers. Among these officers were Generals Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper. General Tupper had been one of the surveyors under the ordinance of 1784 and had been favorably impressed with the resources of the country. The soldiers of the American army during the Revolution received very little money for their services, being paid in certificates, which in 1785 were worth about twenty per cent of their face value. General Tupper, conceived the plan of organizing a company and purchasing a large tract of land, payment for which was to be made in these certificates. In January, 1786, he and General Putnam prepared the following address to the people, and it made its appearance in the Boston newspapers on the 25th of that month:

"The subscribers take this method to inform all officers and soldiers who have served in the late war and who are by a late ordinance of the honorable Congress to receive certain tracts of land in the Ohio country, and also all other good citizens who wish to become adventurers in that delightful region, that from personal inspection, together with other incontestable evidences, they are fully satisfied that the lands in that quarter are of a much better quality than any other known to the New England people ; that the climate, seasons, products, ete., are, in fact, equal to the most flattering accounts that have ever been published of them; that being determined to become purchasers and to prosecute a settlement in the country, and desirous of forming a general association with those who entertain the same ideas, they beg leave to propose the following plan, viz.: That an association by the name of the Ohio Company be formed of all such as wish to become purchasers, ete., in that country, who reside in the commonwealth of Massachusetts only, or to extend to the inhabitants of other States, as shall be agreed on."

The address also recommended that each county choose delegates on February 15, and that these delegates should meet in Boston on the first day of March, 1786, to perfect plans for the organization of the company. Delegates were accordingly chosen, among them being some of the most prominent men of the State. General Putnam presided over the deliberations and Winthrop Sargent acted as secretary. Articles of association were adopted, providing for the subscription of a fund, not to exceed $1,000,000, each share of which was to consist of $1,000 in Continental certificates and $10 in gold or silver. A second: meeting was held at Brackett's tavern, in Boston, on March 8, 1787. Only two hundred and fifty shares had been subscribed up to this time, the agents reporting that many had expressed sympathy with the movement but that they had declined to become stockholders because of the uncertainty of the company's being able to secure a suitable tract of land for a settlement. At this meeting it was determined to take immediate action and apply to Congress for the acquisition of lands. General Putnam, Samuel H. Parsons, and Rev. Manasseh Cutler were elected directors, and were given authority to make a purchase of such lands as they might deem best. In June Dr. Cutler went to New York, where Congress was then in session, to secure the title to a tract of land for a settlement. While he was in New York Congress passed the act "for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the River Ohio." This act, since known as the "Ordinance of Freedom," contained several provisions suggested by Dr. Cutler. It was passed on July 18, and on the 27th Dr. Cutler and Winthrop Sargent submitted propositions for the purchase of 1,500,000 acres of land, which were adopted by Congress. The agreement was ratified by the Board of Treasury on October 27, and the Ohio Company became the owner of a million and a half acres of land lying along the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. .

The first settlement made upon the lands of the Ohio Company was at Marietta, in April, 1788, by a party of forty-seven men from Massachusetts, with Gen. Rufus Putnam as superintendent of the colony. On September 2, 1788, the first court ever held in the Northwest Territory was convened at Marietta and was opened with imposing ceremonies. No business appeared before the court and it was soon adjourned. Prior to the settlement of Marietta, however, the Company adopted the plan of donating Jands to companies of aciual settlers. One of these donations was located at the forks of Dueck Creek, about fifteen miles from Marietta, and consisted of twenty lots of one hundred acres each, to be given to twenty settlers who would bind themselves to observe the following rules:

2. To build a dwelling-house within five years, of the size of 18 bv 24 feet, eight feet between the floors, and a cellar ten feet square; a chimney of brick or stone.

In addition to these rules each settler was required to keep upon his land, for the period of five years, a man capable of hearing arms in case of invasion or attack from the Indians. To all who would comply with these requirements the directors obligated themselves to give a deed to their lands. This liberal policy on the part of the Company encouraged immigration and the country northwest of the Ohio began to attract the attention of home seekers in the older States.

deeded to them for the $500,000 already paid, and that a further grant of 100,000 acres be made to reimburse the Company for the donations made to encourage settlers. In April Congress passed an act providing that a deed for 750,000 acres be made for the $500,- 000 paid; another for 214,285 acres, to be paid for in land warrants; and another for 100,000 acres to be held in trust and parceled out in tracts of one hundred acres each to actual settlers. On May 10, 1792, patents were issued by the president for these three separate tracts. They were issued to Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Greene, in trust for the Ohio Company, and were with one exception the first land patents issued by the government of the United States.

When it became known that the Company had a clear title to its grant, immigration received a still greater impetus, and at the close of the year 1793 there were three settlements in the new territory - at Marietta, Belpre, and Waterford - with a population of nearly two hundred men capable of bearing arms.*

_ * Most of the incidents referred to in this chapter are treated in detail in the first volume of this work. They are mentioned here merely for the purpose of enabling the reader to refresh his memory and form a better conception of the events which led to the early settlement and ultimate formation of Noble county.

First Wuite Men 1x Nosite County - DIFFERENCE oF OPINION - JosEPH ReEEVES - JoHN VoruiIES - IN THE NORTHEASTERN Part or THE County - On THE East Fork oF Duck CrEEK - ConFiicting Storirs - THEr Enocus SetrLtement - Martin Crow - Tue Dyer Serrtement - Section Lixes Run in Bour- FALO TowNsHIp - First SeTTLEMENT THERE - First SCHOOL Hovse - Lanp Entries Near Bette VaLteEy - WHuHERE CaALp- WELL Now Stanps - In Exrx Townsyuip - Satt Ketrites - In Wayne Townsuip - Earty Mirrs - Aaron Huaus 1n JAcKson TownsHip - His Strenvovus CarEER - REASONER THE TRAPPER A TeMPoRARY RESIDENT - ALES' TAVERN - ENGLISH IMMIGRANTS - Tue Krirus - Bett Maxine - Tue Irisu SEetrLeEMENtT - Hvueu O'Nertw's ScHootr - Scotcu PioneERsS - SQvUATTERS' Rieuts - A Lawsuit Over a TitrtE - SuHaron Townsuip SEt- TLED - First GRAVE IN SHARON CEMETERY - GERMAN FAMILIES - Pioneer Lire - Tue Log Casrin - DescripTion or 1Ts Con- STRUCTION - ITs FurNITURE - FRONTIER ADVANTAGES - AMUSEMENTS - Earty ScHoots - THE ITINERANT PREACHER - NOMENCLATURE.

HERE seems to be some difference of opinion as to when, where, and by whom the first settlement was made in Noble county. It is a matter of record that the lands were surveyed as early as 1800 and that numerous hunters and trappers had taken up at least a temporary residence within the present limits of the county. One of these early adventurers was a man named Joseph Reeves, who built a cabin in what is now Wayne township, as early as 1799, and declared his intention of taking up his permanent abode there. But the lonely life of the wilderness and the hostility of the Indians caused him to change his mind and abandon the home he had established. Later he returned to the county and became a permanent resident. Descendants of John Vorhies claim that he came to Wayne township in 1802, and that he was the first real settler of the county. Three years later it is said that Jacob Yoho settled in the same neighborhood. Descendants of Timothy Bates say he settled in what is now Seneca township in 1805, while the Reeds, John and James, claim to have located in Beaver township the previous year. These, and various other claims are made for the early settlers in the northeastern part of the county, within the present townships of Wayne, Seneca and Beaver, along the rich valleys of Will's Creek, the fertility of which was the chief attraction to these dauntless pioneers.

A settlement was established on the east fork of Duck Creek, in what is now Stock township, by the Enochs, Morris, Crow, and Grandon families at an early date. Watkins fixes the date of this settlement as the year 1806. THe also says that among the first settlers were Elisha,' Henry, Enoch, and Jesse Enochs, and that their father, Enoch Enochs, did not join the colony until some years afterward. Another story, which appears to be equally as. well authenticated, places Enoch Enochs, Sr., among the first settlers. 'According to this story Enoch Enochs, Lewis Wetzel, Martin Crow and Simon Girty were residents of the same neighborhood on Wheeling Creek, in Western Pennsylvania, near the Virginia boundary. For the protection of the settlements on Wheeling Creek a company of three hundred men was organized. Under the militia laws of that period each company was given the privilege of electing its own commissioned officers. Enochs, Crow, Wetzel, and Girty were candidates for the captaincy of the company. Enochs was elected captain, Crow and Wetzel were chosen lieutenants, and later were appointed scouts.* After the Ohio Company had succeeded in establishing settlements on their purchase northwest of the Ohio, detachments of this company were employed in piloting and protecting emigrants to the new territory. On these excursions they learned the value of the fertile valleys of Southeastern Ohio and some of them determined to try their fortunes in the new country. Among these were Captain Enochs and Martin Crow. The story goes on to say that their exodus from Wheeling Creek was somewhat hastened by the massacre of Martin Crow's parents and three of his sisters in the spring of 1791, but is not definite as to whether they came directly to the east fork of Duck Creek or whether they spent some time in the other settlements before attempting to found one of their own. Some of the descendants of the Enochs and Archer families believe the Duck Creek settlement, in the present township of Stock, was made in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and that it is, therefore, the oldest settle ment in the county. Martin Crow lived in the county until 1832, when his death occurred, and his remains rest in the Carlisle cemetery near the settlement he helped to plant on the margin of civilization.

* Girty's defeat on this occasion is said to have been the cause of his becoming a renegade, and of his hatred of the whites. This statement coincides with that of Simon Kenton, who says that Girty deserted his race because.he failed to receive a military promotion.

Gen. William H.-Enochs, a great grandson of Captain Enoch Enochs, was the only one of Noble county's sons to attain the rank of brigadiergeneral during the Civil war. After the war he established himself in the practice of law at Ironton and for several terms he represented the Eleventh Ohio district in Congress. '

In 1804, Ezekiel Dye, a veteran of the Revolution, left Pennsylvania and started westward in search of a new location. He followed the old "Federal Trail,'' which had been made by a part of General St. Clair's army on its way to Fort Washington. This trail left the Ohio river at the mouth of Grave Creek, pursued a westerly course, and crossed Dye's fork of Meigs Creek near the present site of Renrock. After proceeding as far west as Chillicothe, Dye returned to Meigs Creek and made a selection of a tract of land. The next year was spent in Pennsylvania, making preparations to emigrate, and in 1806 he sent his six sons, Thomas, Ezekiel, Jr., Vincent, William, John, and Amos, to occupy the land and make the necessary improvements for a permanent home. In 1807 he joined his sons and thus was made the first settlement in what is now Brookfield township. Following the Dyes there came a large number of immigrants from New England, chiefly from Massachusetts, and it was not long until the "Dye Settlement'? was one of the best known northwest of the Ohio river. These early settlers were men of sturdy character, little given to roaming, and some of the farms they entered are still in the hands of their descendants.

In 1805 the section lines were run in what is now Buffalo township by William R. Putnam. The following year Jacob Gregg came from Pennsylvania and entered a hundred and sixty acres of land there, upon which he settled. Shortly after him came Abraham, John and George Rich, and John and Abraham Miley. These pioneers blazed trees to mark the route to the new settlement, to serve as a guide to their friends in Pennsylvania, several of whom came out a little later. In 1812 a number of families from Virginia joined the settlement.

~Among them were Levi Lyons, Abraham Booher, John Drake, George R. Johnson, John, Samuel, and Isaae Kackley. One of the -first school houses in this part of the State was built on the farm of George R. Johnson. It was of logs, with a bark\roof, a puncheon floor, a clapboard door, and a huge fireplace at one end. George Kackley - was employed as teacher and in this rude temple of learning was imparted to the children of the hardy pioneers the simplest rudiments of an English education. : .

A man named Bain made an entry of land not'far from the present village of Belle Valley in 1806. Soon afterward he was joined by Richard Fletcher. These two men were the first settlers on the West fork of Duck Creek. For five years they were the only settlers 'in that part of the county, but in 1811 they were joined by the McKees, and the next year John Noble and his brother came to the same locality. Between 1812 and 1815 Charles McCune, John Reed, Benjamin Thorla, John Clowser, Lambert Newton, John and Thomas Davis, Lemuel Fowler, Joseph Lippitt, Solomon Brown, and a number of others settled on the West fork. Joseph Lippitt bought a whole section of land just: north of where the Belle Valley railroad station now is, and at that time was considered the wealthiest man in the entire community. Solomon Brown was a blacksmith and when not engaged in working at his trade he made salt from a well on the John Noble farm and sold the product to his neighbors. In 1809 * Robert Caldwell came from Washington county and made an entry of land where the city of Caldwell noW stands, this being one of the first entries made in what is now Olive township. During the next three years several settlers located in this township. Among them 'were Simeon Blake, William Free,* Joseph Tilton and his three sons, Charles Davis and four sons, Silas Thorla, .James Webber, George Padgett, Sherebiah Clark, and Samuel Allen. Allen erected the first mill on the West fork, at Socum, soon after coming from Marietta. It was probably the first mill in Noble county. Sherebiah Clark came from Kennebec county, Maine, where he had been a member of the State legislature of Massachusetts before the State of Maine was created. Upon the organization of Morgan county in 1819 he was appointed one of the associate judges of the new county. About the time that Robert Caldwell made his entry of land Samuel Pryor, Jesse Davis, Moses T. Spencer, and a few cthers founded a settlement in what is now Elk township. The descendants of Matthew Gray claim that*he was the pioneer settler in this township, and relate a story to the effect that the day his cabin was raised an elk was killed near the place, from which incident the township afterward took its name. _ This cabin could be seen for many years after Mr. Gray's death still standing in the village of Harrietsville. Ephraim Bates and James Dye made entries of land in Center township in 1809. Bates was one of the first men in this part of the country to start an orchard. It seems that he was an enterprising individual, for, in addition to his orchard, he built the first mill in Center township, having it in operation as early as 1814. Other early settlers in this vicinity were the Devollds, the McGarrys, Ambrose Merry, James Lowe, and some of the Archers. Daniel Devolld brought with him the kettles that were afterward used in Thorla & McKee's salt works.

*There is a story told of William Free to the effect that his real name was Hamilton: that for some nettv offense he was publicly whipped at Marietta, and after receiving his punishment and being released from the whipping post he shouted ''I'm free! I'm free!'' After that he was called Free. He settled in ' Olive township, near the locality afterward known as Socum, and was one of the first justices of the peace of Olive township.

Mention has been made of the settlement of John Vorhies and Jacob Yoho in Wayne township. In 1807 Edward Ward and his son. John brought their families from Pennsylvania and located in the same neighborhood. Others came within the next three years and by 1812 quite a population had gathered in what is now the northeastern part of Noble county. Some of the early settlers there were Cornelius Bryan and his two sons, James and John, Joseph Burson, Robert Carpenter, John Ferris, James Law, John Hague, Thomas Richey, Isaac Mendenhall, William Lowrey, and William Thompson. The last named erected a mill on the Seneca fork of Will's Creek, which was the first structure of its kind in this part of the county. Before the advent of the mills of Allen, Bates, and Thompson, the settlers had to depend upon two horse mills owned by Thomas Barry and Elisha Fogle. These early mills were operated by water power and in a dry season they were frequently rendered useless by a lack of ver. In emergencies of this kind a heavy rainfall was looked upon as a Godsend, and after such an event it was no unusual sight to see the settlers coming from all directions, mounted on horseback, hearing a "turn of corn" to supply the family with breadstuff until another rain should give the mill an opportunity to again become of use. At the mill each one would have to await his turn, and the time was spent in frontier sports, such as wrestling, shooting at a mark, pitching horseshoes, ete., or in discussing the weighty problems of government. Many a heated argument over political questi¢ns have occurred at the old country mill, and many a problem of public policy has been settled to the entire satisfaction of the rural Solons, who, on such occasions, would resolve themselves into an extempore legislature.

About the year 1811 Aaron Hughs settled in Jackson township. Few cf the early settlers had a more strenuous career than he. Hughs was a native of Hardin county, Virginia, but in 1804 came to Guernsey county, Ohio, locating on Will's Creek. After a vear or two there he sold out for $500 and went to what is now Center township in Morgan county. While stopping at a tavern his $500 was stolen and he was compelled to begin life again bare-handed. Nothing daunted, however, he improved a farm in Morgan county, which he sold in 1810 for $150 and with $80 of the monev entered the land in Noble county the following year. It is believed that he was the first settler within the present boundaries of Jackson township. Aaron Hughs was a typical backwoodsman. Almost a giant, physically, his courage was equal to his physical strength. With his dog, his rifle, and a pocket compass he would venture alone into the unbroken wilderness on his hunting expeditions, and often days would elapse before his family would hear anything of him. He was an expert marksman and he made mfore money as a hunter and trapper than he did asa farmer. It is said that he killed the last elk that was ever seen in Noble county.

Soon after he located in Jackson township he was joined by his brother Jonathan and for some time they were the only residents in that part of the county. Some years before Aaron Hughs became a permanent . settler a trapper named Reasoner came from Guernsey county and built a cabin on the little stream that still bears his name. Not far from the Hughs brothers, in what is now Jefferson township, a man named David Ales settled at an early date.* He was a native of New England. When the Barnesville and Marietta State road was built he opened a tavern on the line of the road and for many years his place of entertainment was a popular resort for travelers, being the only tavern for several miles in cither direction. The settlements in the southern part of the county made slow progress, when compared with those in the northeastern portion and along the west fork of Duck Creek. It was not until after the war of 1812 that immigration was attracted to them, and as late as 1825 the district was the most 'sparsely settled in the county. Among those that came after the war were several English families, who came in 1817 and almost doubled the population. Prominent among these were the Taylor and Cadwell families, Peter Gore and the Keiths, Benjamin and Peter. The Keiths were natives of Pennsylvania but came at the same time as the English. They were both blacksmiths, and after coming to Noble county did a thriving business in the manufacture of cowbells, which they sold to the settlers. John Hall came to this vicinity soon after the war, married a daughter of David Ales, and settled near the Ales tavern.

One of the most prosperous of the early settlements was made between the years 1812 and 1820 in the neighborhood of the present town of Summerfield. The first settler there was David West, who came from Delaware in the spring of 1812. He was followed by Nathaniel Capell, Ananias Banum, William and Archelaus Lingo, James Shankland, Asa Barton, William Burcher and Thomas Cochran, all of whom came from Delaware. In 1817 a number of Irish Protestants, fresh from the "Ould Sod," located on the site of Summerfield. They were attracted to that point by its being the crossing of the Sunfish and Zanesville and the Barnesville and Marietta roads. Moses Horton bought the land x. ir the junction of these two highways and laid out some lots, predicting that in time a city would be built there. Some of the early settlers were inclined to look with disfavor on the coming of this foreign element. Naturally clannish, this opposition cemented them closer together and led them to assist each other more than they might have done under different circumstances. This, with their native thrift and industry, brought them prosperity and the

*The exact date of Ales' coming could not be ascertained but it is believed that he was the first inhabitant of the present township of Jefferson.

"Trish Settlement" gradually worked its way into popularity. They' believed in education, and one of their number, Hugh O'Neill, opened - a subscription school soon after the beginning of the settlement. This _ school - probably the first in what is now Marion township - was liberally patronized and was conducted for several years. Among the Trish settlers were a few Scotchmen, foremost among them being Robert and William Calland and Matthew Woods. Descendants of these early pioneers still live in the county and are among the most highly respected citizens, notwithstanding their ancestors were prattically ostracized when they. first came to the New World in search of liberty and a home.

Friction sometimes occurred between the early purchaser of government land and some person who had settled upon the same tract prior to the time of entry. A notable case of this kind happened in 1815 in what is now Sharon township. A year or two before this, Samuel Sailor came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, selected a likely piece of land a little south of where the village of Sharon now stands, built a camp and engaged in hunting. He did not go to the formality of acquiring a title, because he did not think that any one else would want the land bad enough to dispossess him. In this opinion he was mistaken. Early in the year 1815 a man named Archibald entered the land upon which. Sailor had attempted to establish "Squatters rights." Sailor made a claim for his improvements, but Archibald considered his demand exorbitant and a lawsuit resulted. The case was tried at Cambridge, as the territory was at that time within the jurisdiction of Guernsey county. -No road was at the time opened and plaintiff, defendant, and their witnesses walked the thirty miles or more to attend court. Each bore his trusty rifle and it was remarked that the expedition looked more like one of a military character than a civil process. After the adjudication of the dispute, Sailor settled farther west, near the present line of Morgan county. This time he entered his land in the regular way and lived upon the tract thus taken up until his death, which occurred in 1871. James Archibald, who entered the land upon which Sailor had "squatted," was in all probability the first permanent settler in Sharon township. The date of his arrival there is given as April 5, 1815. Other early pioneers in this section were William Boone, Alfred Smoot, James Kyle, Thomas Wiley, Peter Ackley, Thomas Boyd, William Wiley,* John Brownrigg, Lewis Shirley, Robert Lowe, William Bell and Samuel Long. Several German families located in this township at an early date, among them being the Anthonys, the Swanks, the Pickenpaughs, the Harmons, and the Klingensmiths: The descendants of some of these early families still reside in the county. Sharon township will remain distinguished among her sisters as the home of the first lawyer in Noble county. This was Isaac Parrish, who settled there in 1819, and who afterward occupied a seat in Congress.