Winchester Township (part 3 of 30)

In 1800, Allaniah, a fourth son, the subject of this sketch, was born. The remittance from Mrs. Cole's home and her untiring energy kept the family above want, and the girls as well as the boys were, for those times, well educated, but there came a time, shortly after the birth of Allaniah, that the parents felt that better times awaited them in Ohio. They in West Union, a town settled by persons far above the average : schools and churches, the best obtainable, were there and Allaniah did not fail to appreciate his mother's earnest desire to have him take advantage of all that was offered. At that early day, a college education meant a long journey eastward and a greater outlay of money than could be obtained by even the most prosperous. These West Union people determined to surmount the seemingly insurmountable difficulties and when their brightest sons and daughters were ready for a higher education, "Dewey's Grammar School" was awaiting them. This school must have been in advance of the so-called colleges which sprang up in other Ohio towns a little later, for we hear of no one being excluded on account of sex. Allaniah Cole was a student of "Dewey's Grammar School," where he became acquainted with Miss Nancy Steece, one of the girl students, who years after became his wife.

After leaving "Dewey's Grammar School," Allaniah's first business venture was the index to his character. Hearing that horses were bringing fabulous prices in New Orleans, he went to Mr. John Sparks, a wealthy citizen of the town, who directed him that he could buy, on time, as many horses as he could drive. Mr. Sparks said: "I'll go on youi paper, Al." It was then determined, and the nineteen-year-old boy was soon started on his long journey, over bad roads, sometimes mere bridle paths, with his trusty men driving his fine horses. He arrived in New Orleans in six weeks, long rests having been needed to keep the horses in marketable condition. The venture was successful and Allaniah was soon at home paying every cent due his creditors, besides being able to show Mr. Sparks that his good offices had not met the too frequent ingratitude of beneficiaries. Years after Mr. Cole would speak to his children of Mr. Sparks' great kindness to him, when he had "nothing but his gool name." After several similiar expeditions south, Allaniah found himself the proud possessor of five thousand ($5,000) dollars. His next venture was at an iron furnace, in Lawrence County, where he learned the business, before he risked his precious, hard-earned five thousand.

In the beginning of the year 1828 he made his best and most successful venture, when he married the "Dewey's Grammar School" student, the daughter of Henry and Mary Anne Steece. Henry Steece was a German, who came early in the history of Pennsylvania to develop that iron center of the world. He was what, at the present time, would be called "the chemist of a furnace." When, toward the latter part of the past century, marvelous accounts of the great iron ore deposits of Brush Creek, Adams County, Ohio, reached the Pennsylvania "iron men," Mr. Steece soon started with his family, consisting of wife, four sons and five daughters, down the Ohio River in a keel boat, to a landing (now called Manchester) twenty miles from their objective point. Brush Creek. It is recorded that Archie Paul and James Rodgers, afterguards distinguished "iron men," were on the ground to meet them, and that one at least, of the three furnaces - "Old Steam Furnace, Marble Furnace and Brush Creek Furnace" - was already nearly ready for the "Dutchman," Henry Steece, whose valuable work was to terminate so soon. When Henry Steece's work was finished, his widow, who was already understood and appreciated as a woman of great intellectual and moral force, did not fail of the moral support of her husband's friends. While she in turn repaid their kindness with intelligent help that broadened their homes, and kept their children fit companions for her talented boys and girls, whose discipline and education had added to her task of supplying their daily bread. Nancy, the youngest of the girls, was sent to West Union to Dewey's Grammar School, to board in the family of Mr. Armstrong, a wealthy merchant. An illustration of the hospitality of pioneer times, as well as the desire of making their academy famous, it may be told that when the mother went to Mrs. Armstrong, to pay her daughter's board, she refused to accept payment, saying, "Nancy is the guest of my daughter. Keep your money."

About 1830, Mr. Cole bought the Old Forge, eight miles above Portsmouth, on the Scioto River, where he lived but two or three years, when he went to take the then great charge of Bloom Furnace. While at Bloom, he was among the first to introduce the "Sunday Reform," against the judgment of most of the furnace men, who felt sure that stopping the furnace from midnight Saturday until midnight Sunday, would give the much dreaded "chill." Few, looking at these old furnaces today, could realize their past importance, tlie army of workmen, woodchoppers, ore diggers, lime diggers, lime burners, stone-coal miners.

Pioneer Character Sketches 643

At Bloom, Mr. and Mrs. Cole, while accumulating what was in thosfe days considered a large fortune, were unconsciously doing missionary work. The schoolhouse, of their building, was also the place of worship, and Mrs. Cole saw to it that the people were not neglectful of the privileges of religious as well as mental training.

A curious phase of that age, at the furnaces, was, notwithstanding the houses were of rough logs and the want of which is now considered necessary furnishings, the high style and strict etiquette of living, the table linen was always the finest and cleanest, the silver bright, the china beautiful, the glass clear, knives and forks polished after each meal. It is told of Mr. Cole, that when a young man appeared at his table, on a warm day, without his coat, he rose and waited: "Mrs. Cole always liked the gentlemen to wear their coats here." Needless to say the man put on his coat.

Mr. Cole, though not a drinker, kept the friendly glass, to drink with friends, but the arguments of a speaker of the first temperance society - ^The Washingtonians - convinced him that total abstinence, on his part, was the only way to reach the many inebriate men of his employ, whom he had vainly tried to help. The evening of that temperance lecture, will be rememberea today, if any one is living who witnessed Mr. Cole's signing the pledge and inviting his men, who were present, to follow his example. Nearly all took th'* pen and many confirmed drunkards kept their pledge till the end of their lives.

In the Spring of 1842, at the urgent request of his wife, Mr. Cole retired from business and removed to West Jnion, to educate their young family, but in November of the same year, Mrs. Cole was taken ill, and in two weeks Mr. Cole was left with six motherless children.

In 1844, the family went to Kentucky, the ideal state of the Cole family. In the fall of the same year Mr. Cole married Miss Louisa Paul, a niece of his first wife. Miss Paul was a beautiful lady, of refinement, good judgment and common sense, who did what she could for the children of her adoption. After years of prosperity in the iron business of Kentucky, Mr. Cole returned to Ohio, on account of failing health, living several years in Portsmouth, before returning to Bloom Furnace, where he died in 1866.

was born in Gloucester County, New Jersey, November i, 1769. When a boy, the first money he earned was a dollar, and with that he bought a new testament and committed a large portion of it to memory. In his twenty-third year he went to Charleston, South Carolina, by sea and remained a year. In November. 1793, he was married to Sarah Blackman, who survived him. In 1794, he became a Methodist, though he had been reared a Quaker. At the time he joined the Methodist Church, he was a major in the militia, but resigned soon after. Directly after this he was licensed as a local preacher in the Methodist Church and he became noted for his sermons as such. He traveled in west New Jersey, and in 1804 he came to Ohio and settled in Horse Shoe Bottoms, about twenty-five miles above Cincinnati, in Brown County. Before coming to Ohio, he visited the Northwest Territory, in 1802, and then removed his family the next year. He continued to reside on his farm in Brown County until a few months before his decease, when he removed to Maysville, Kentucky, and resided with his second son, George Collins.

In 1804, he preached the first Methodist sermon ever preached in Cincinnati, to twelve persons, in an upper room. This was in the house of Mrs. Dennison. His text was, "Go ye unto all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, etc.*' His congregation were melted to tears by the pathos of his sermon and one person was converted and afterward became a local preacher. A short time after he formed a class of eight persons, of whom Mr, Gibson was the leader, and he was the only one of them whose circumstances admitted of his entertaining the minister. In 1807, Mr. Collins became a traveling minister, and was appointed to the Miami Circuit with the Rev. B. Cikin as a colleague. His wife prayed for his success during his absence at the time he had appointed for public worship at each appointment.

In 1808, Mr. Collins traveled the Scioto Circuit, and in 1809 and 1810, the Deer Creek Circuit, then the Union Circuit, embracing Dayton and Lebanon. At this time, 181 1, there was no Methodist preaching in Dayton, and Mr. Collins was the first one to preach there. He organized a church there and caused an edifice for public worship to be built. This was the beginning of Methodism in Dayton. In Lebanon, he had a great revival and numbers were taken into the church. In 181 2, he retired from the ministry and remained on his farm until 18 19 when he was appointed Presiding Elder in the Scioto Circuit and continued in that office during 1820. It was during his eldership that Chillicothe had a great revival of religion. At one time, while preaching in Chillicothe, he preached with such impassioned eloquence that the congregation remained one hour after the benediction, and a Presbyterian, present, said the sermon was the most eloquent he had ever heard.

In 1821 and 1822, he was stationed in Cincinnati; in 1823 in Chillicothe, and in 1824, in Cincinnati. From 1825 to 1828 he was in the Miami District; from 1828 to 1831, he was in the Scioto District. In 1832 and 1833, he was in the New Richmond District. In 1834, he was stationed in Cincinniti, and in 1834 and 1835 he traveled the White Oak Circuit, and this was his last work as an active minister. In 1836. he was superannuated, but visited about and preached as his strength permitted.

During the time of his activity in the ministry, the Methodist Church had not a more successful minister than Mr. Collins. He was unassuming and gentlemanly in his manners, instructive and religious in his conversation, and evinced so much interest in the spiritual welfare of his hearers that iall who became acquainted with him, loved him. He was a great reader and thorough in his thinking. His biblical knowledge was complete and always available. He had an extensive knowledge of history and literature. His perceptions were quick and accurate, and his power of discrimination perfect. His mind was well balanced and his statements were deliberate and never necessarv to recall or qualify. He was a most perfect judge of hupian nature. There was never a suspicion of affection in his nature. He was always earnest, always sym- pathetic, and the tones of his voice were captivating. He never preached without shedding tears and nearly always he caused weeping in his congregation. Nothing he said ever seemed premeditated. He always seemed to be full and overflowing with his subject. Above all, he was sympathetic. When he described a situation or condition, his hearers felt it, and they sympathized with the subject just as he did. He did not teach the terrors of the law, but the love of the Gospel. His social intercourse with his fellow men was such, so gentle, so kind, so full of interest for those he met, so full of spiritual sympathy that it is said he preached more out of the pulpit than in it. His friends loved him and loved to be in his presence. Moreover, when he secured the affection of anyone, he never lost it. His personal appearance always made a favorable impression. His dress was always neat, always plain and Quaker like. Solemnity and benovolence were blended in his countenance which was always pleasing and impressive. His eyes at o noe attracted those who met him. His voice was full of melody, so full that, often when reading the opening hymn in his expressive manner, tears would come into the eyes of his hearers.

was bom August 26, 1789, in Harford County, Maryland. His father was Ephriam Cole, and his mother was Ada Mitchell, bom in the same county, near Havre-de-gras. His grapdparents on both sides were born in the same county. He came to Kentucky with his parents in 1793 where they located in Mason County. In 1794, they removed and located near West Union, Ohio, on the second farm near to the right on the old Manchester road, at one time occupied by Mr. Harsha. He had three brothers, Ephriam, Leonard and Allaniah, and three sisters, Ada, Zilla and Elizabeth. He was married in 1809 to Nancy Collings, daughter of James and Christian Collings, who was bom in Manchester, March 16, 1794, in the Stockade. Her parents were also from Harford County, Maryland. James M. Cole was a soldier in the War of 1812, and obtained a land warrant for 160 acres for military services. After his return from the war, he resided on a farm near West Union. From 1830 to 1833, he was one of the County Commissioners of Adams County. Prom 1833 to 1837, he was Sheriff of the county. In 1839, he removed to a farm opposite Concord, Kentucky, and resided there until 1850. He then purchased a farm in Lewis County, Kentucky, some miles below Vanceburg and lived there until i860, in which year he died on the sixteenth of August. He was buried in the Collings cemetery, south of West Union, His wife died in March, 1861, and is buried by his side.

In politics he was a strong Democrat all his life, a follower of Andrew Jackson, and he and his wife were both earnestly and enthusiastically attached to the Methodist Church. He was of more than the average intelligence and had a very high sense of integrity. He possessed great wit and humor and fine conversational powers. His wife was a woman of extraordinary force and grasp of subjects. She possessed the most wonderful fortitude and tenacity of purpose, and was never known to 35a lose her self poise. They reared a large family of sons and daughters. The sons have largely followed professional pursuits and have distinguished themselves. As most of them are sketdied in this work, they are not further noticed here.

was bom in New Jersey, January 3, 1778. His father was in the Revolutionary War and was wounded at the battle of Trenton, December 26, 1776, and died of the same in 1778. After his father's death, his mother moved to Kentucky and married a man named Peterson. In 1792, George, who could not get along with his step-father, ran away and went to the Stockade in Manchester. The settlers had him drive out their cows in the morning and drive them in at evening. In the Fall of 1793, on one occasion, when George was out in the forest to bring the cows in, he saw a party of Indians who discovered him at the same time. They were lurking about to take a prisoner or a scalp. George at once set up a series of Indian yells and started for the Stockade. The Indian yeU was as well understood by the cattle as by the settlers. The cattle took fright and. went for the Stockade on the run. The boy also did the best running he ever did in his life, yelling in Indian style all the time, and he could imitate the Indian yell most perfectly. The result was as George expected. The settlers rushed out of the Stockade fully armed, and met young Campbell. The Indians, unable to overtake George, and seeing the settlers, fled. Evidently they wanted to capture the boy as they made no attempts to shoot or tomahawk him. George grew to manhood in Adams County and spent his life there. He married Katherine Noland on September 15, 1803, and in 1804 settled in Scott Township, where he died October 30, 1854.

was bom November 18, 1793, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and died November 8, 1881, in Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, while on a temporary visit there and had therefore, reached the grand old age of eightyeight years. He belonged to a family of remarkable longevity. His father. General Joseph Darlinton, died at eighty-seven, one brother at ninety, another at ninety-one, and his sister, Mrs. Sarah Van Deman, of Delaware, at eighty-six years. He was the second son of Gen. Joseph Darlinton. Not long after his birth, his father removed to the Northwest Territory, settling in 1797 near the present town of West Union. Here George remained with his father until he g^rew to manhood, gathering such an education as could be found in that pioneer life, and being thoroughly drilled in the strictest tenets of the Presbyterian faith, which never departed from him, for he lived and died in it. The General was never so busy in his struggles for livelihood, or in the discharge of his important official duties, but he could give his personal attention to the instruction of his children in all moral and religious doctrine. He was a firm believer in the shorter catechism, the Westminster confession and the Decalogue, particularly the fourth commandment. Many are the «5tories told, - ^doubtless problematical, - of the manner he required the observance of the Sabbath, such as fastening the bees in their hives, or tying the dog's mouth on that day, but George thoroughly remembered his drilling on that subject, and all through his life he "remembered the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Through the superior abilities of his fath^er, supplemented by the instructions of a mother of more than ordinary wisdom and literary tastes, he enjoyed many more than the usual educational opportunities for that day. He was inclined to mercantile pursuits, and about 1825 located at Newark, Ohio, and formed a partnership with his brother Carey in the dry-goods business. They were both gentlemen of fine personal appearance, of stately deportment, and of exemplary habits. During the life of this partnership, George secured a contract and constructed a portion of the Ohio Canal through Licking^ County. In a few years they dissolved partnership, Carey ultimately locating in Montana Territory, and George settling in Greenup County, Kentucky, where he continued to reside until his death. He enjoyed the utmost confidence of the people of Eastern Kentucky, serving for many years as Sheriff and Collector of Revenues of Greenup County. He was also engaged in the manufacture of iron, and at one time constructed an extensive manufactory for extracting oil from coal, but the great discovery of petroleum in the oil fields of Pennsylvania and elsewhere closed his new enterprise at a heavy loss.

At an early day, he was the owner of a few slaves, but an enlightened conscience told him it was not right to hold human flesh in bondage, so he took them across the Ohio River and purchased them a comfortable home, leaving them with the warning "that if they did not behave themselves, he would take them back to Kentucky."

He was a most uncompromising supporter of the administration of President Lincoln in the war for the preservation of the Union. He endorsed the proclamation freeing the slaves, not only as a war measure but because he thought it was right, and as an old Henry Clay Whig, he believed in the highest protection to American industries.

During his life of eighty-eight years, he saw the pioneers sweeping down the western slope of the Alleghanies, spread themselves over the whole of the Northwestern Territory, converting it all into new states in the Confederacy, and extending westward across the Mississippi to the extremest verge of the continent. The marvelous growth of the country in agriculture, in manufactories and in the sciences, as also in the improvement in the condition of all classes from the inventions and discoveries in his day, was the subject of frequent comment by him. He was universally beloved by old and young, and no one ever received intentional unkindness from "Uncle George.' Many a young man was indebted to him for his unostentatious aid in some critical time in his life. He was a genial gentleman of the "old school," a gfood conversationalist, a pleasant companion, a warm friend and an honest man. There was a quiet humor about him that was at times refreshing. He was a man of most abstemious habits, so that he enjoyed exceptional health to the last. He believed in temperance in eating as well as in drinking. The strength of a constitution built up by a life of such temperance was well illustrated towards the close of his life. About six years before his death, he had the misfortune to fall and break his leg, but such was the health fulness of his constitution that he was out walking with a cane in less than six weeks after the accident. He accumulated a handsome property, which he divided with most rigid impartiality among his relatives. He was never married. He died in the communion of the Presbyterian Church and was buried in the cemetery at West Union, where his father, mother and other relatives sleep.

son of Israel 'H)rman and Judith DeBniin, was bom December 24, 1796, in Amsterdam, Holland. His parents were Hebrews and, by tradition, of the tribe of Levi. They ga\ne this, their eldest child, a thorough education, of which he made good use, and which proved, a valuable legacy to him in a long and active business life.

His parents died when he was young. After attaining his majority he had a great desire to come to America, but with limited means could not see his way clear. Just then he found a good friend coming to this country, who offered to advance his passage. He accepted the passage money, as a loan, and in October, 1819, he sailed for America. After a long and stormy voyage he landed at Philadelphia early in January, 1820. His and his friend's destination being farther west, they made the trip over the mountains on foot and in an emigrant wagon, which they h^d procured that they might ride when tired of walking. The trip was a hard one, but they reached Pittsburg after many days. There they took passage on an Ohio River boat and after a tedious trip landed at Maysville.

A stranger in a strange land, Mr. DeBruin, with business intent, at once started out to find employment, and was soon rewarded in securing a position as bookkeeper in a large commission house owned by Mr. Andrew M. January, who accepted the obligation, which had been assumed by this kind friend from Amsterdam.

Mr. DeBruin had the contract made in legal form and entered upon his work, in his characteristic and systematic way. He was a fine penman and a model clerk. He remained with his new employer several years until he had cancelled the obligation for his passage and saved enough to go into business for himself. The friendship thus formed with Mr. January was never broken.

On March 14, 1832, Mr. DeBruin was married to Miss Rebecca Easton, daughter of Rev. Edward and Mary Easton, of Linconshire, England, who came to this country in 1820.

In July, 1833 when the terrible epidemic of cholera was raging in Maysville, Mr. DeBruin removed his family to Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, where he continued in the mercantile business until about 1854. Having gathered together quite a little sum, about sixty or seventy thousand dollars, he retired from business and lived a quiet life.

He became a member of the Methodist Church in January, 1844. He was class leader and superintendent of the Sabbath School for many years and was never absent from church or Sunday school unless out of town or sick.

There were bom to these parent% twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. Four died in infancy and two at the ages of thirtyfour and thirty-two. On February 12, 1898, the first born, Rev. Israel Hyman DeBruin of Columbus, Ohio, passed away in the seventy-fifth year of his age. There are still five children living, three sons and two daughters. The youngest, a son, aged thirty-three, and the oldest about seventy-two.

Our subject's political affiliations were with the Whig and Republican parties. His first vote cast, on becoming a legalized citizen of the United States, was for James Monroe, for President. He was an ardent admirer of Mr. Clay and voted for him three times for President. He voted the last Whig ticket in 1852 for General Scott. After that he voted the Republican ticket. His last vote for President was for General Grant, in 1868.

Mr. DeBruin died at his home in Winchester, September 9, 1871, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. His wife died on February 25th, in her seventieth year.

was bom in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, February 2, 1767. His father moved to the County of Cumberland, in the same State, where he received his education. While too young to take any part in the Revolutionary War, he remembered much of it. It seemed he obtained a fair education prior to his twentieth year. In 1787, he left his home in New Jersey for the West, traveling alone and unaided. He first located in Ohio County, Virginia, where he remained until the Spring of 1790. In this time, he farmed, taught school and acted as Indian ranger and scout. In May, 1790, he went down the river on a flat-boat accompanied by a fleet of the same kind, and reached Maysville on June ist. During that summer, he taught school at Maysville. That winter he formed the acquaintance of General Nathaniel Massie and in the Spring of 1791, went to reside in the Stockade at Manchester. In April, 1791, he, Nathaniel Massie and James Tittle went up the river in a canoe with a surveyor's chain and compass to do some surveying. They got ashore just below Wrightsville, near a large mound which stood on the river bank, but is now washed away by the river. There they discovered two canoe loads of Indians, almost in shore. The Indians .discovered them at the same time. Donalson and his two companions started to run. He was in the rear, and as he went to jump a branch his foot caught in a root and he fell forward. Before he could rise, three Indians were upon him, and he was a captive. The Indians started on a march with him, and marched all day and for two or three days when they reached the camp of their tribe. Here they began to make an Indian of him, by training his hair Indian fashion, with turkey feathers and putting an Indian jewel in his nose. After he had been with them several days, he determined to escape, come what would. He slept between two Indians, securely tied, but he gnawed his thongs loose and crawled away one morning about daybreak. The Indians discovered his escape almost immediately, and pursued, but he escaped without arms of any kind. He reached Fort Washington about May ist. He first met Mr. Wm. Woodward, for whom the Woodward High School is named, who took him to the Fort. Here he remained several weeks when he returned to Limestone and afterwards to Manchester.

Mr. Donalson was well qualified for a school teacher before leaving New Jersey. He took up this occupation at Manchester as soon as there was a call for a teacher, and he followed that with surveying, which he had also studied in the East, more or less all his life. He was in Wayne's Campaign against the Indians in 1794.

He married Miss Annie Pennyweight on Nevember 15, 1798, and had to go to Kentucky for that purpose, as there were no legal authorities to solemnize marriages in that part of the Northwest Territory at that time.

In i8q2, Mr. Donalson was elected one of three delegates from Adams County to the first Constitutional Convention of Ohio. His as- :sociates were Joseph Darlinton and Thomas Kirker. The Convention met in Chillicothe on November i, 1802, and was in session until November 29th, when it completed its work. The journal of the Convention is very meagre, as nearly all the work was done in committee of the whole and no record kept. On the question of inviting Governor St. Clair to address the Convention, he and his two associates voted "no," but the affirmative carried it nineteen to fourteen. He usually voted with his colleagues on all questions. On the question of a poll-tax, he voted "no," as did his colleagues. On the question of allowing negroes and mulattoes to vote, he, Kirker and Massie voted "no," while Byrd and Darlinton voted "yes." He, also, with Kirker, Byrd and Darlinton voted "no" to the proposition of forbidding negroes and mulattoes to hold office in the State, or to testify against a white man. On the last day, sixty copies of the journal of the Convention and eighty-eight copies of the Constitution were ordered delivered to Israel Donalson for Adams County. We would like to know what became of the seven hundred copies of the journal ordered printed. Only four are now known to be in existence out of that number. Of those delivered to Mr. Donalson for distribution, none are now known to be in existence.

Israel Donalson was appointed postmaster at Manchester in 1801, and served until September 27, 1813. In 1808, he started a carding-mill in Manchester, but it does not appear how long he operated it. In the War of 1 81 2, he went out in the general call for troops.

He was a resident of Manchester all his life, and was a devout member of and a ruling elder in* the Presbyterian Church of that place. He was Clerk of the Session for many years, and the records appear in his very clear hand. He was also frequently a delegate to the Presb\tery of Chillicothe, which he first attended at Red Oak in 1825, and on September 4 and 5, 1849, he was last present at Eckmansville. Altogether he attended the Presbytery some nineteen times.

In 1847, there were but five survivors of the Constitutional Convention of 1802 living. Ephriam Cutler, of Washington County; Jeremiah MorroAV, of Hamilton; John Reiley, of Butler; General Darlinton and Israel Donalson, of Adams. Cutler wrote a letter to each of the other four, and received an answer from each. Donalson's letter is dated May 20, 1847. He condemned the Mexican War then in progress. He wrote to Judge Cutler again on August i, 1848. He spoke of his captivity among the Indians lasting a week and says from that day to this "my life has been one of turmoil." He says he has met with pecuniary losses but is thankful to God who sustained him. John Reiley died June 7, 1850; General Darlinton died August 2, 1851; Jeremiah Morrow died in 1852; Judge Cutler survived until July 8, 1853, and from that time imtil the ninth of February, i860, Israel Donalson was the last survivor of the Convention. His picture in this book was taken at the age of ninety-one, but he survived until ninety-three. He was a man of the strictest integrity, honorable in all his dealings and highly respected by every one. In his political views he was a Democrat and later a Whig.

Pioneer Character Sketches 661

Andrew Dunbar, father of the subject of our sketch, was bom in Winchester, Virginia. His wife was Deborah Mitchell, of the same place. They were married in Winchester, Virginia, about 1779, and several of their children were born there. They emigrated to Lewis County, Kentucky, in 1794, when their son, Hamilton, bom August 28, 1782, was twelve years old. Here Andrew Dunbar adopted the business of trading along the river with a large canoe between Alexandria, Ohio, and Maysville, Kentucky. One night his boat capsized, and he was lost, leaving a widow, four sons and three daughters. At the time of his father's death, Hamilton was living on the home farm near Concord, Kentucky. Not long after the family moved to Adams County, Ohio. As it was a custom in those days that every boy should learn a trade, Hamilton selected that of a carpenter and followed it in Adams and adjoining counties. He entered the land east of West Union, on the Portsmouth road, where John Spohn formerly resided. He was married January 14, 1808, at West Union, Ohio, to Delilah Sparks, bom January I, 1792, in western Pennsylvania, a daughter of Salathiel Sparks. Mrs. Dunbar died at West Union, Ohio, August 14, 1828, and is interred in Lovejoy Cemetery. They were married at the residence of the bride's father in the property east of West Union where Thomas Huston formerly resided and afterwards owned by Hon. J. W.Eylar. Soon after their marriage, Hamilton Dunbar purchased the lot just opposite and west of the stone Presbyterian Church and built the residence thereon in which he continued to reside until his death. The house is now occupied by Vene Edgington. Mrs. Dunbar's brother, John Sparks, was a banker in West Union, and died there in July, 1847. His wife was a sister of David Sinton, of Cincinnati, Ohio, the well known philanthropist.

George Sparks, her brother, died in West Union in 1842, leaving two sons, Salathiel and George. The children of Hamilton Dunbar are as follows: John Collins, lx>m December 2, 1808, and died the following year; Ann, bom November 21, 1809, and became the wife of Peter Bryant, of Kentucky, July 16. 1837, and died July 19, 1894 ; Grace, bora December 6, 1812, became the wife of David Murray, April 22, 1829, and died in Georgetown, Ky., April 18, 1833; Agnes, born August 27, 1815, married April 3, 1838, John L. Cox, and is now living in Abilene. Kansas; L. William Willson, born November 16, 1817, and now resides at Locust Grove, Ohio; David Dunbar, bom February 4, 1820; George Franklin, born August 3, 1822, and died at Ripley, Ohio, June 13, 1872; Johanna, born July 4, 1824, married Jesse Fristoe in 1843, and died at Manchester, Ohio, May 10, 1866; John Sparks, bom December 6, 1827, died at Sigonney, Iowa, June 14, 1866. In those days people believed in the old scripture command to multiply and replenish the earth and practiced it.

Mrs. Hamilton Dunbar married at the age of sixteen and became the mother of nine children in the succeeding twenty years. She was a pattern of all (domestic virtues known at that time, and died at the age of thirty-six. Her husband survived her seven years, but did not remarry. Hamilton Dunbar did work for Judge Byrd, while the latter was a resident at West Union. He built the manager's house at Union Furnace in Lawrence County. He built a dwelling house at Union Landing for

Thomas W. Means, and another dwelling house at Hanging Rock for Andrew Ellison. In West Union, he built a house for Peter Schultz, being the home where Auditor Shinn died in 1851, of cholera, and afterwards^ used by J. W. Lafferty for a carding mill. He also built the house now occupied by W. V. Lafferty on Main Street, opposite the old Bradford Tavern. At the time he worked in West Union, carpenters went into the woods, cut down the timbers for cross-beams, sills and upright posts and hewed them with broad axes, got out the studding and rafters and roofed with lap shingles. As to all of the houses built by him, the work was done in this manner.

He also built the forge house for Sparks and Means, at Brush Creek - Forge Furnace. He also did the carpenter work on the home for Col. John Means, below Bentonville, and now owned by A. V. Hutson. But every carpenter has his last contract and Mr. Dunbar had his inj the Hollingsworth House on Main Street in West Union, Ohio. He began work on that in June, 1835, and had begun on the excavation. John Seaman had taken the contract for the excavation and had worked all day on Saturday, June 27, 1835. He lived east of the village some two miles and had gone home that evening. He was in the prime of life and vigor. He had made all arrangements to go forward with the work on' the following Monday, but that night he was taken with the cholera and died on Sunday, the 28th. He was the father of Franklin Seaman. Hamilton Dunbar had overseen the work on the Hollingsworth contract on Saturday, as usual, and had attended the Methodist Quarterly meeting on that day. He retired to bed in good health. Later in the evening, he was attacked by the dread Asiatic cholera and died Sunday morning at four o'clock. He went out with the rising sun. At that time it was customary to bury a cholera patient in a few hours after death. He was buried that afternoon at the Lovejoy graveyard. In those days there were no hearses, and the body of the deceased was taken out in a road wagon. The few mourners who attended the interment followed the wagon afoot. Nelson Barrere, of Hillsboro, was in West Union at that time and attended the funeral.

Hamilton Dunbar was the first victim of the scourge that year. He died in the house built by him directly opposite the old stone Presbyterian Church.

He was six feet high, of a large frame, weighed 180 pounds, had blue eyes and a fair complexion. He joined the Methodist Church a few years before his decease and was zealously attached to it. He was a man of great firmness of character and his family loved and respected him. With them his word was law. He was a Whig in politics and devotedly attached to his party, as earnest in politics as he was in all other things. His political guide was the Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gazette,

His sudden taking off was a great blow and loss to the young community then only thirty-one years old, which has not been entirely forgotten after a lapse of sixty-three years.

a pioneer of Adams County, was bom in Northampton County, Pa., April 20, 1768. His father was William Dobbins, a native of Ireland. Young Robert was reared among the Friends in Pennsylvania, but in

Pioneer Character Sketches 553

1793 he united with the M. E. Church in which organization he became a noted divine. In his early manhood he worked on a farm and flatboated on the Ohio River. In' 1791, he married Miss Jane Boyce, a native of Cannonsburg, Washington County, Pa., and in 1804 he removed with his family to the East Fork of Eagle Creek in Adams County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm now known is the Early farm. There he reared a family of ten children among whom was a son, William Dobbins, who was a noted school teacher in early days in Adams County. During his residence in Adams County, our subject rode the old Scioto Circuit and preached to the pioneer Methodist Societies in Brown, Adams, Scioto and Highland Counties. He was an associate of the Rev. James Quinn and Henry Bascom under Bishops Asbury and McKendree. It was Rev. Dobbins who successfully prevailed upon David Beckett to make a full confession at West Union on the morning of the day of his execution for the murder of Lightfoot, after Lorenzo Dow had exhausted his pursuasive powers on the condemned and had failed to elicit from him a confession of the crime with which he was charged.

Rev. Dobbins was a preacher of great force, and his magnetic powers in the pulpit were most wonderful. In the pioneer days of Methodism in Adams County, he and the Rev. John Meek conducted camp meetings on East Fork of Eagle Creek on the Richard Noleman farm where thousands gathered to drink in the word of God from the lips of those eminent divines.

In the year 1818. the wife of Rev. Dobbins died at Horse Shoe Bottoms on White Oak Creek in what is now Brown County, where he had removed after disf)osing of his farm on Eagle Creek, and on June 24, 1819, he married Miss Jennie Creed, a daughter of Mathew Creed, of Rocky Fork, Highland County, and soon thereafter removed to Greene County, Ohio. While a resident of that county he represented it in the Legislature from 1826 to 1829. In 1830, Rev. Dobbins associated himself with the Methodist Protestant Church because the office of Bishop in the M. E. Church had become repulsive to his democratic ideas of government.

In 1844 he was elected by the Whigs in the Fayette-Clinton district to a seat in the General Assembly of Ohio where he served with great distinction in those troublesome times in Ohio State affairs. He was then in his seventy-seventh year.

He is described as being of a stocky, heavy build, head very large, with blue eyes, a prominent nose, and pleasing countenance. He died January 13, i860.

was born in Manchester, December 19, 1808, the son of John Ellison, Jr., then Sheriff of Adams County, and Anna Barr, his wife. He was the eldest of a numerous family, and grew up and was trained as boys usually were at that time. From accounts we have, we believe that he, as a boy, and his boy companions had more enjoyment than boys now do. At any rate, he had more sport in hunting. When he was about sixteen or seventeen years of age, he clerked in two different stores in West Union for Thomas McCague & Company, and for Wesley Lee. At that time, it was customary to set out a bottle of good old com whisky and treat each custctfner. Young Ellison set out the bottles and glasses many a time, but did not drink himself. His father died a few months before he became of age, and in 1830 he went to Cincinnati and into the employment of Barr & Lodwick, who had a store there and one in Portsmouth. In 1832, he was engaged for a short time in their employment in Portsmouth, and wliile there witnessed the great flood of 1832. Those of 1847, 1833 and 1884 he witnessed in Manchester. October 20, 1833, he was married to Miss Rachael A. M. Ennes, daughter of Judge Ennes, of Cincinnati.

In 1834, he took up his residence at Lawrence Furnace in Lawrence County and was store-keeper and manager until 1840, when he removed to Manchester, where he resided thereafter during his life. In Manchester he bought out the merchandising business of Henry Copped and continued it until he went out of business in 1880, forty years. His store in Manchester, during its continuance, was one of the institutions of the county. It was known far and wide. Mr. Ellison kept all kinds of merchandise. If ohe could think of any article he wanted and could not find it in any other store in Adams County, he was almost certain to find it at A. B. Ellison's. He was the principal merchant in the county, and while in his time department stores were unthought of and unheard of, yet he practically kept a department store. During the early period of his merchandising in Manchester, he and Thomas W. Means wertt East together to buy their goods every year. During his business career no one ever visited Manchester without having his attention called to A. B. Ellison's store and without visiting it. People went from all parts of the county to deal with him. His store stood on Front Street facing the river, and to all passing boats he and his store were familiar figures.

One of his most notable characteristics was his rugged integrity. He was plain and frank in manner even to brusqueness, yet he had an underlying vein of great kindness. His generosity was large, but without display.

'His dress was always of the same style, black in color, low crowned soft hat, low cut vest and small pleated bosom shirt. His marked individuality caused him to be regarded as eccentric. He had but one price for his goods. If he could not sell any article at the price he marked on it, it remained unsold.

No one acquainted with his character ever attempted to jew him down, but if a strager tried it, he was at once told, "This is my price, if you do not want the article, let it alone." After this lesson, the same person never tried it a second time. He had a great flow of spirits and a keen sense of humor. The anecdotes floating about Manchester, illustrative of his peculiarities, are legion, but one which will illustrate him well, is given: A customer owed him a note for merchandise long past due and which he had failed to pay after repeated duns. One day when this person was in the store, Mr. Ellison took him to one side and said to him in his peculiar brusque way, "If you don't settle with me, I swear I will tear that note of yours up. I won't have it." The manner in which this was done so impressed the customer with its awfulness that he actually paid the note at once.

Pioneer Character Sketches 566

Mr. Ellison was a prominent Mason and took a great interest in the order. In sentiment, he was a Presbyterian, but was not connected with the church. He was always one of its most liberal supporters.

No sketch of Mr. Ellison would be complete without mention of his loyalty to the Union during the Civil War. He never missed an opportunity to show a kindness to a Union soldier going to or returning from thie war to their families at home. He watched the struggle with the most intense sympathy for the Union cause and with an unfaltering faith in the result. He had three daughters, Ann Eliza Herron, wife of Rev. R. B. Herron, a Presbyterian minister, but both now deceased ; Mrs. Susan Barr Drennan, wife of Samuel Drennan, Esq., residing in Manchester, and Mrs. Rachael Shiras, wife of Peter Shiras, banker, of Ottawa, Kansas. Mrs. Herron left a son and daughter grown and the latter nmrried. Mrs. Shiras has six children grown up, and some of them married. Mr. Ellison's wife difed March lo, 1875, and thereafter he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Drennan. m Manchester. He retired from business in 1880, and from that until his death on the fifteenth of April, 1888, he enjoyed the society of his daughter's family and his old friends, without any cares, till the end came, with peace.

He was a unique character, noted and talked of everywhere in Adams County, but highly respected by everyone for the most excellent qualities in his rugged character. He had the business qualities of his grandfather, Andrew, with the sterling virtues of his mother. All of Anna Barr's children were noted men and women, as a careful perusal of this book will show.

was born in Adams County, August 16, 1816, the son of Robert Ellison, the third son of John Ellison, who emigrated from Ireland in 1785. Robert Ellison was married to Rebecca Lockhart. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He had a family of tein children, his son Cyrus being the fourth son and the youngest child but one. The children were reared as all children of pioneer families were, and our subject had only such advantages as the schools of that day offered. He was, however, a great reader and student, so far as he could obtain books. His ideas of wisdom were those of the illustrious King Solomon. He believed "that out of wisdom came the issues of life." He begfan the world for himself at the age of seventeen years as- a clerk in West Union, where he remained until the age of twenty-four at a salary of five dollars a month and his board. He saved his money which he invested in Indiana Scrip, which was then known as "wild-cat money."' The failure of the banks which issued the scrip depreciated his capital and gave him a severe blow, but his brother, John Ellison, loaned him $1,100 and he invested it in the mercantile business at Manchester, and he managed to make and save a considerable amount of money.

On September 11, 184.S, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Stevenson, daughter of Charles Stevenson, one of the prominent pioneers of Adams County, who had emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland. He maintained his home in Adams County until 1853 when he removed to Ironton, in Lawrence County, and ba:ame associated with the firm of Dempsey, Rosfers & Ellison, the latter being John Ellison, his brother. This partnership owned Aetna and Vesuvius Furnaces and he became their gcffieral agent until 1857, when he became a partner, the name of the firm being Ellison, Dempsey & Ellison. When the Lawrence Iron Works Company began business in 1852, Mr. Ellison was its manager, and when that company was incorporated in 1862, he became its president, and rejnained such until he retired from active business.

In 1857, he was one of the stockholders in the Ohio Iron & Coal Company, by which the town of Iron ton was laid out. In 1872, he was .one of the organizers of the famous Aetna Iron Works, at that time, the largest iron furnaces in the United States. Mr. Ellison was a director in this company, and, at one time, its president. It purchased from the Ellison, Dempsey & Ellison Company, the old Aetna and Vesuvius furnaces and seventeen thousand acres of valuable timber and mineral land in Lawrence County. Mr. Ellison was one of the original stockholders of the Ironton Gas Company, and its president from January 25, 1876, to January 25, 1881. He was also at one time a stockholder in the First National Bank at Ironton, Ohio. With his brother, John Ellison, he was one of the builders of the Iron Railroad which connected the rich mineral fields of Lawrence County with the Ohio River, at Ironton. He was president of this road from 1859 to 1879.

In 1872, ten gentlemen, including Mr. Ellison and his brother John Ellison, met in the former's home and organized the First Congregational Church of Ironton, and built the present handsome structure. This church was dedicated without debt, owing to the liberality of the men who organized it.

Mr. Ellison, from the habit of extensive reading, kept up during his entire life, was a well-read man. He was a most entertaining conversationalist, and always, even in his last days, interested in current events. He was fond of traveling, and until the infirmities of age disabled him, he traveled a great deal.

From the time he came of age until the organization of the Republican party, he was a Whig. While he was never ambitious for, or sought office, he took a great interest in political matters. He was a leader in all enterprises which were for the benefit or development of his city and county, and was prominently indentified with all the iron interests of Lawrence County. His superior executive ability, excellent judgment and natural discernment were the conditions of his success. In all the positions of trust which he occupied, and they were many, he discharged his duties with great ability and to the satisfaction of all those who had business connections with him.

He was a man of fine personal presence, about six feet, two inches tall, and well proportioned. He had fine regular features, light hair and flowing beard, ruddy complexion and deep blue eyes. In his associations with his fellow men, he evinced great natural dignity, and his presence impressed strangers on sight that he was a man of importance, which was strictly true. Socially, he was much liked by all who knew him, of genial manners and a gentleman of the old school.

Prom his first marriage, there were three daughters. Prances, who died in infancy ; Mary Adelaide, who married John Thornton Scott, son of Robert Scott. She has two sons, young men, who distinguished themselves in the late Spanish War. His third daughter, Rosa, is the wife of Charles Brunell McQuigg, son of the late Colonel McQuigg, of Ironton.

Pioneer Character Sketches 557

Mr. Ellison was, at one time, the possessor of great wealth, but owing to the shrinkage of iron, his investments wer-e lost, and at the time of his death, only his life insurance was left of all he had accumulated. He died on the sixteenth of February, 1897, at the ripe age of eighty years. ^ He left behind him the memory of a life full of wonderful energy, a long vista of useful, happy years, and his bright and cheerful old age was crowned with his good work fully completed. His last years were cheered by the presence and companionship of his greatful and devoted daughters. He was interred at Woodlawn, near Ironton, but his memory will remain green, sweet and precious in the hearts of all those who knew him and who resepcted.and loved him for his virtues.

was born in Manchester, Ohio, June 19, 1796. His father, John Ellison, was bom in Ireland in 1752, the son of John Ellison, born in Ireland in 1730. John Ellison, father of our subject, located at Manchester and purchased land extensively. His wife was Mary Bratton, bom in Ireland, September 28, 1767 and died in Manchester in her one hundreth year.

John Ellison and Mary Bratton were married in Ireland. They had eight children who grew to maturity and eight who died in infancy. He died February 21, 1826, at the age of seventy-four years. He made a will drawn by a clergyman, and after he was dead thiry years there was extensive and expensive litigation to construe it and determine its meaning. Moral : Never have a will drawn by any other than a lawyer. From the time he came of age until 1831, our subject was engaged in the commission, shipping and forwarding business at Manchester, Ohio, in connection with his brother, David Ellison. At that time he went to Lawrence County as the manager of Mt. Vernon Furnace and became a member of the firm of Campbell, Ellison & Company, known all over southem Ohio. He retained his interest in that firm until his death. He retumed to Manchester in 1835 and from that time was practically retired from business. He was married to Mary Patton, of Ross County, in 1827. She died in 1828, leaving no surviving child.

Mr. Ellison was married to Mary Keys Ellison, whose father, John Ellison, Junior, was a full cousin to William Ellison, on June 19, 1833. She was bom January 25, 1812. They had the following children: Mary Ann, who married Rev. D. M. Moore; Sarah Jane, married Archibald Means; Robert Hamilton, who has a separate sketch herein, and Julia, who married John A. Murray. William Ellison died November i, 1865, and his wife, May 14, 1888.

William Ellison was six feet, three inches in height, thin and spare. He possessed great natural dignity and equipose of character. He thought much and said little. He was a man of the strongest convictions. Nothing could swerve him from a course he believed to be right. In politics, he was first a Whig, and then an Abolitionist. He was a Republican from the organization of that party and from that time, until 1864, took an active interest in politics. In 1855, he and E. P. Evans were the delegates from Adams County to the State Republican Convention. He attended the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia in 1856. He also attended the Republican State Convention in 1857 and was a member of the Committee on Resolutions. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Baltimore in 1864. He kept up all the activities of life as long as his health permitted. He joined the Presbyterian Church at the age of twenty and lived up to its teachings faithfully and conscientiously all his life. He was a superintendent of the Sabbath school for over thirty years and a ruling elder in the church for over forty years. He was never absent from Sabbath school, the church or the weekly prayer meeting unless he was sick or absent from home. It was a fixed principle of his life never to allow any secular business to interfere with his social or private Christian duties. He often contributed one-third of the minister's salary in cash and donated food, etc., equal to one-half more. The incidental expenses of the church, when not paid in full, were made up by him. For many years prior to his death, he was regarded as the wealthiest man in Adams County, and he devoted much time to public and private charity. He was constantly looking after the poor and contributing to benevolent objects, but it was all done quietly and unostentatiously. He daily visited the poor, the sick and the afflicted and administered to their wants, temporal and spiritual. He was much given to hospitality and was a most kind and generous friend. He had some grave financial troubles and some of the most harrassing social troubles, but he bore them all with the greatest equanimity and fortitude. In them all, he was like Job - he sinned not nor charged God foolislily.

On his death-bed, his religion stood him well. He knew he was to die. He disposed of all his worldly business days before his death and would not refer to it afterward. When he felt the near approach of the last ememy, he sent for all his family and bade them a calm farewell. Among them was his mother in her nnety-eighth year. He was as calm and self-possessed as though death were nothing but the passing from one room to another. After giving a suitable message to each, he took his right hand and felt the pulse of his left wrist. After watching it for a moment, he said "Almost gone," replaced his right hand by his side and soon after died, most calmly. His faith in the religion he had lived was most complete. His dying hours were the most sublime of any Christian's death in Manchester before or since. At his funeral all the people turned out and all the poor were there and wept at his grave. Then and not until then were his benefactions to the poor known and they were told by recipients themselves. The writer was at his funeral and the grief of those whom he had befriended seemed as great as those of the members of his family. Till the people stood by his open grave, the extent of his good works in Manchester was not known. Thirty-four years have passed since that memorable funeral and the place of William Ellison in the church and community of Manchester have not been refilled. No one who has come after him has been able to do the good he did. To say that William Ellison was the best citizen in Adams County in his time would offend none who were cotemporary with him, for all would con- oede it. It is to be hoped that the memory of his' pure and upright life and his kind and good deeds may long remain fresh and green with the people of Adams County.

His great-erand father, Hugh Evans, was a Quaker, came over with William Penn m 1682, and located near Philadelphia. He had a son, Edward, who located in Chester County. His son, Hugh, became a school teacher in Chester County, and Mad Anthony Wayne, when a boy of twelve years, was one of his pupils, and a very mischievous and unruly one. Hugh Evans also had a trade, as that was thought necessary in those days. He was a weaver as well as a school teacher.

Hugh Evans, the father of our subject, removed to what was then Cumberland, but is now Bedford County, Pennsylvania, about ten miles above Bedford borough on the Juniata River.

Edward Evans was bom April 27, 1760, an only son. He had two sisters older than himself who died in young womanhood, but not before they had made themselves scmie reputation for attainments in vocal music. The family attended the commencements of Princeton College, and they sang in the commencement exercises.

Edward Evans spent his boyhood as the boys of his time did. He was fond of fishing in the Juniata River, and from the time he was twelve years of age, often made trips alone to Hagerstown, Maryland, to obtain salt. In these trips, he usually took a train of twelve pack horses. He would carry the horese' feed in the packs in going over and leave it at stopping places where it would be used on his return. The salt, when brought to Bedford, was sold for as high as twelve dollars per bushel. In his sixteenth year, the Revolution began. Till that time, the family had beetn Quakers, but King George did away with that, and father and son abandoned that faith. Hugh Evans went into the war in 1776, and served two months, but he was lame and had to give it up. Then Edward determined to go and did go, and became a member of Captain Samuel Dawson's Company of Col. Richard Humpton's Regiment, nth Pennsylvania. He spent that dreadful winter in the cantonments of Valley Forge. There he saw Mrs. Washington, where she visited the camp, knitting and sewing for the soldiers. He was at the Battle of the Brandywine, September II, 1777. At Brandywine, the British had retired over a bridge across the creek. They did not have time to destroy tne bridge, but filled it full of wagons, carts and dabris to prevents immediate pursuit. Edward Evans was one of twelve detailed to clear the bridge under muskety fire of the enemy. The bridge was cleared, and not one of the twelve were struck, though the splinters flew all about them. The Continentals immediately charged across the bridge. He was at the affair of Paoli, September nth, and at Germantown, October 4, 1777. Here his colonel had his horse shot from under him, but he took off the saddle, put it on another horse, and went on with the fight. In this battle, hei was in the left wing, and claimed that the troops he was with were compellel to fall back, when it was not necessary because the officer in command was intoxicated. He was near the battle of Monmouth on that hot Sunday, June 28, 1778, but having been on the sick list, his Captain ordered him to remain with the baggage, which he did, but he was in sight and hearing of the battle. He left the service for a time soon after the battle of Monmouth, and settled in

Rostaver Township, Westmoreland County, Virginia, called the Neck, lying between the two rivers, the Youghiougheny and the Monongahela. He lived near Devore's Ferry on the latter river. There he married Jemima Applegate, daughter of William Applegate, recently located there from the State of New Jersey. The weddiijg was a grand affair for the time and one hundred persons sat down to the dinner.

Directly after his marriage, he and his wife went to housekeeping in the house of John Right, a Scotchman and a bachelor. Wright liked the young couple and made them many household utensils on his anvil. Among them was a fire shovel, now in the possession of the writer hereof.

Edward Evans, in 1785, emigrated to Kentucky, descending the Ohio River on a flat-boat with his wife, two children and household goods. He landed at Limestone, now Maysville, but went back to Washington, where he rented land of a Presbyterian minister. While residing there, he acted as an Indian scout and spy, from time to time, until the treaty of Greenville. In 1799, he removed to Adams County, near its western line. He lived near Red Oak and rented land until he could be suited in a purchase. In 1803, he bought 109 acres of land all in the unbroken wilderness, in what is now Jefferson Township in Brown County. He paid for this land in horses. When he went over the land, after purchasing, he was unable to find any springs on it. He then went to his wife and wanted her consent to rescind the trade. She said, "No, it would make them a home and they must hold on to it," which they did. Afterward, seven good springs were discovered on the tract. Edward Evans built him a pole cabin and went to housekeeping, and as soon as he could, he built him a two-story hewed double log house and moved into it. He made all the chimneys he thought necessary and hauled a hundred loads of stone to do it. He resided on this farm until his death, November 3, 1843. He at one time weighed three hundred pounds, but his ordinary weight was one hundred and eighty-five pounds. He was five feet, ten and a half inches tall, and in youth, had black curly hair. He had high cheek bones, broad forehead and regular features. He always carried himself very erect. In his youth, he had learned the art of distilling liquors, and at times, operated a stillhouse. He was the father of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. His wife had four sisters, ^1 of whom married. Two of their husbands were Revolutionary soldiers, John Dye and Robert Wright, and they two and Edward Evans used often to sit together and recount their e^peiences in the Revolutionary War. Each had served in different places during the war, one at sea and two on land.

When Edward Evans was about to die, he requested to be buried in the old-fashioned shroud, to be laid on a flat-topped cherry coffin and buried on his farm. All his wishes were complied with. In his family from 1862 to the pesent time, there were in alternate generations, a Hugh and an Edward. Hugh came over with William Penn. He had a son Edward. His son Hugh was in the Revolution. His son Edward was the subject hereof. He had a son, Hugh, who was a Mississippi River pilot. There was an Edward among his grandsons and a Hugh among his great-grandsons. His wife, Jemima Applegate, died January 7, 1844. Her father, William Applegate, emigrated from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, and from there to Corydon, Indiana, where he died at the ripe age of one hundred and five years. When one hundred years old, he walked into the woods with his rifle, and, without glasses, shot a squirrel in a tree. The descendants of Edward Evans were once numerous in Brown County, but are now scattered in many States of the Union. A great-grandson is one of the editors of this work.

the pioneer, was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, September 22. 1759. He was a son of George and Catherine Eyler who lived and died in that country. In 1777 he ran away from home to escape service in the army, and after walking 800 miles to the coast, shipped for the United States, arriving at Baltimore in the autumn of that year. From that time until the period of his marriage little is known of him except that he was engaged as a wagoner, and accumulated enough to own a four-horse team and a "Cannestoga*' of his own. In 1787 he married Mary Ann Rosemiller, a daughter of John George Rosemiller, living in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Thei Rosemillers were wealthy Tories, and objected to their daughter's marr}'ing the unknown and poor wagoner ; an elopement followed, and Mary Ann Rosemiller became Mary Ann Eyler. However, John George Rosemiller had other daughters *'Ann'' to cheer his declining years. They were Ann, Rose Ann» Catherine Ann, Barbara Ann, Elizabeth Ann, Julia Ann, Mary Ann, who eloped with Eyler, and a son named John George Lewis.

The breach in the domestic life of the Rosemillers made by the clandestine marriage of Mary Ann remained until her death. Her sisters had married well, and they never lost the opportunity to remind her of the fact, so that she and her husband shortly after the birth of their first child, the late Judge Joseph Eyler, of Adams County, removed to Bedford, Pennsylvania, then a frontier town from which goods were distributed to the settlements in western Virginia and Kentucky. It was a point where the young wagoner found ready employment.

In 1795, Joseph Eyler and his little family, in company with others, came down the Ohio River by keel-boat and landed at the "Three Islands" where Nathaniel Massie had founded the town of Manchester. Eyler tended a patch of corn on the lower island that summer, and the following winter built a cabin on a tract of three hundred acres purchased near Killinstown. The next year, James B. Finley passed over Tod's old trace to the new settlement at Chillicothe and noted the fact that there was a "cabin near the present site of West Union, built by Mr. Oiler, but no one was living in it." Eyler's original tract is now owned by Sandy Craigmile, John Crawford, and Samuel McFeeters.

Joseph Eyler moved into his cabin in the year 1796. He then had four small children, Joseph, Mary, Sarah and Catherine, and there were bom here John, Samuel, Martin, Henry, David, Lewis, George, and Elizabeth. Of these, Samuel, Martin, David, Lewis, and Gebrge died in childhood and are buried at Killinstown. He cleared away the forest and soon possessed one' of the best farms in that portion of the country. He was industrious and economical and accumulated considerable wealth for those times. He was frequently called on to serve in local official positions such as "lister" of property, being a man of good judgment and a great deal of common sense. From Killinstown he moved to a farm near Winchester, on what is now known as the "Massie Farm." He resided there a few years and then bought a farm near Berryville, in Highland County, where he conducted a distillery. He remained there until 1834, when he disposed of his property and removed to Brown County, on a farm now owned by his grandson, Carey C. Eyler, north of the village of Fincastle. Here he died July 29, 1839, and was buried in the Wilson cemetery about one mile east of the village of Fincastle. His wife survived until March 13, 1841.

In personal appearance Joseph Eyler was strikingly peculiar. He was five feet, five inches in height and weighed over three hundred pounds. His complexion was very fair, hair dark, and eyes steel blue. He spoke English tolerably well, but preferred to use his native language when possible to do so. His household language, until his family was grown, was the German, and he always read and prayed in that tongue. It was the rule in his household to read a portion of God's Holy Word every evening, followed with a simple family worship in the way of prayer.

A strong trait of Joseph Eyler was his love of good horses, of which he always kept a number of the "largest and fattest." In pleasant weather he would turn them out to pasture, and as they galloped over the fields they fairly shook the earth. It was a common remark among his neighbors when it thundered, that "Joe Eyler's horses were having a romp."

was born in Mason County, Kentucky, January 23, 1787, the second son of Edward Evans and Jemima Applegate, his wife. His father had emigrated frolm Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1781, and had located near Washington, Mason County, Kentucky. There until the close of the Indian War, he had beein a farmer and acted as an Indian scout. In 1800, he moved into what was then the western part of Adams County, and resided until his death in 1843. William Evans was reared on his father's farm. When the War of 181 2 began he went into the service, and while there, formed a great friendship for Charles Kirkpatrick, who had been born in Virginia in 1777, and moved to Ohio in 1806. On the way returning in the summer of 1812, the company was waylaid by the Indians and Kirkpatrick was wounded. He died of his wound at Chillicothe, September 26, 1812, and his young friend, William Evans, remained with him and buried him. It was his sad duty to carry the news to Kirkpatrick's widow, which he did with so much address, that the next year, August 13, 181 3, he married her. He reared her three children by kirkpatrick, and they had ten more of their own, of whom the elder was Edward Patton Evans, herein noticed. He lived on the farm near Pilson's Mill, along Eagle Creek, which Kirkpatrick had owned at his death, and purchased it of his heirs. His wife died March 22, 1830, and he contracted a second marriage with Miss Harriet Taylor, of near Aberdeen. Of this second marriage, there were four .children. He survived the second wife and died February 13, 1873, at the age of eighty-six years.

William Evans never owed anyone anything. He kept out of debt, out of jail, and out of the penitentiary. He never sought or held any public office. He took the Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gazette from its first issue until his death. He never had a lawsuit, either as plaintiflF or defendant. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Russellville, fifty years or more, and a ruling elder for forty years. He scarcely ever went away from home, and when he did, would always walk in preference to riding. He was a law-abiding citizen, who discharged his duties to his God and to his fellow men, and was content to live the life of a farmer all his days.

His children are as follows: Edward Patton, May 31, 1814, died April 17, 1883; Samuel Jackson, bom March 15, 1816, died February 2,7 ^ 1842; Martha Ann, bom March 15, 1818, died; William Harvey, bom January 6, 1820, now living at Thorntown, Indiana; Mary Juline, born December 12, 1821, married Scott Miller, of near Ripley, and was the mother of a large family. She died in 1876; her husband survives. James Kirkpatrick, born February 10, 1824, died unmarried March 21. 1875; Nathan Evans, bom January 27, 1826; Elijah Applegate, born May 7, 1828, died unmarried in 1851 near Spring Hill, Indiana; Lucinda and Louisa, twins, bom December 29, 1829; Lucinda married James Martin. He and she are both deceased. They left a large family residing near Lawrence, Kansas. Louisa married twice and is living near Stanwood, Iowa.

Of his second marriage, there were three daughters and one son: John Taylor, deceased, who was a soldier in the Civil War of 1861 ; Martha, who married John Pittenger, both of whom are deceased ; Mrs. Jemima McGregor, who resides near Russellville, Ohio, and Mrs. Thomas Logan, who lives in Russellville, Ohio.

was born in Mason County, Ky., April 2, 1796, the son of Edward Evans and Jemima Applegate, his wife, both of whom are fully noticed in the sketch of Edward Evans herein. At the age of four years his parents removed to Adams County, Ohio, and located in what is now the central part of Jefferson Township. Brown County. They located in the primeval forest, and Joseph, one of a large family of brothers and sisters, was brought up as boys of his time.

When Joseph Evans became a youth, there were three courses open to a young man in his situation. He could become a hunter, he could become a keel-boatman, or he could learn to still whisky. Joseph Evans chose the first of the three, and became a skilled hunter. This was in accordance with his natural tastes. He loved the solitude of the forest and the companionship of the inaminate objects of nature. Farming there was none. There was a contest with the wildemess, and all had to engage in it whether he would or not. He early developed his taste for hunting and kept up the habit all his life. He was very successful in the pursuit of game and an excellent marksman with the rifle. Like most of the early hunters he had a favorite rifle which he kept his entire life. He named it "Old Betsey," and it did him good service so long as he was able to Use it. Once returning alone through the forest, at night, from a hunt, he was followed by a panther. He had just crossed a large log, and when he heard the panther mount the log, he turned and gave the wild beast the contents of **01d Betsey," and its final quietus. His wife, Matilda Driskell, was born November 16, 1802, in Mason County, and died August, 1863. Her people removed to Ohio, near his, when she was a child. They were married January 21, 1823, in Brown County, Ohio, and continued to reside there until 1829. In Brown County, four of their seven children were born, and the other three in Indiana. Three of these are still living, Mrs. India Ann Jolliffe, of Nineveah, Ind. ; Dr. John T. Evans and James Edward Evans, at Clay City, Clay>County, 111.

At fifty years of age Joseph Evans was six feet tall, weighed two hundred pounds, was of full habit, with dark hair, ruddy complexion and gray eyes. He always had perfect health. He never followed any occupation but that of farming. He was of a retiring and quiet disposition ; never sought publicity of any kind. In 1828, he visited Indiana and took up land from the Government in Johnson County. In 1829. he and his family moved on to this land, where he resided until his death fiftyeight years later. He obtained a patent for his land November 6, 1830, signed by President Andrew Jackson and no transfer of it of any kind was made until after his death, among his heirs. He lived a quiet and most unostentatious life, owing no one anything. He was never a member of any church, and politically he was a Whig and a Republican, though he took but slight interest in politics. He died October 9, 1887, aged ninety-one years. It cannot be said that he died of any particular complaint. The machinery of his body was simply worn out and stopped.

His son, John T. Evans, studied medicine but has not practiced it for many years. He is a successful merchant and business man at Clay City, 111. He stands high in the church of the Christian Disciples and takes a great interest in church work. He is also very prominent in the Masonic Order. In his political views he is a Republican. Surrounded by an interesting family of children and grandchildren, he is aiming to fulfill the duties and obligations of a good citizen and a good Christian, and those who know him say he has succeeded well.

Among the first settlers on Ohio Brush Creek was Simon Fields, a soldier of the* Revolution, whose grandson, Simon M. Fields, resides at the "Old Stone House" on Zane's Trace, near Dunkinsville. He was one of the founders of Methodism in Ohio, being a co-worker with Joseph Moore, the founder of Moore's Chapel, the first Methodist Meeting House in the Northwest Territory. Fields' Meeting House, now Stone Chapel, was founded by him in 1798. He was appointed class leader of the pioneer society of Methodists on Ohio Brush Creek in 1799, and retained the office until the day of his death, at his old family place on Brush Creek, eight miles east of West Union. He was a very large and fleshy man, and, like the Revolutionary fathers, had positive opinions which he dared to express on any subject in which he was concerned. He was an enthusiastic admirer of President Jeflferson. He was shot through the side by a musket ball while fighting British red-coats in defense of the Republic.

It was his custom on entering a church house to bring both hknds together, slightly inverted, and say, "Bless the Lord" in a round full tone of voice. He always sat close up to the pulpit, just in front of the preacher, and would exclaim, "That is the Gospel,'' if passages in the discourse suited him; or "That is not the Gospel, brother; preach the Gospel!" if the discourse did not meet his approval. He is buried in the family burial place on his old homestead on Ohio Brush Creek. His grandson, Simon M. Fields, erected a monument to mark his resting place on which is the following inscription: "Simon Fields, born November 9, 1757; died November 9, 1832, *0, that men would pray ev^erywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.* A faithful soldier of the Revolutionary War."

Simon Fields had a son, Wesley, who died under peculiar circumstances. He had enlisted as a soldier in the War of 181 2, and was ready to go to the front. His horse was saddled and hitched in front of his home while he was bidding farewell to the family. He took suddenly ill and expired in a short time.

John Hannah, the father of William Hannah, lived in Virginia. He was the maternal grandfather of John H. Kincaid, who was a prominent citizen of Adams County. Little is known concerning the early history of John Hannah except that he was a soldier of the Revolution, and the story is told of his having swam the Brandywine. As the incident has been mentioned in history, it must have occurred at a critical time and was to his credit.

William Hannah, one of three sons of John Hannah, was born September 13, 1770. He came from Virginia into Kentucky where he remained a short time, finally coming to Ohio and settling in Liberty Township at Hannah's Run. During a recent visit to the place, all that was found to remain of the old home was a small heap of stones which marks the place where the chimney stood. He then went to Cabin Creek where he conducted a ferry. After twelve years, he returned to Liberty Township and at Hill's Fork purchased 400 acres of land, all in woods. Here he remained and made; his home. Part of the old homestead is still owned by the family, having been in the Hannah name eighty-seven years. Mr. David A. Hannah, of Hill's Fork, is the present owner of 134 acres, all in a good state of cultivation.

Captain Hannah was a soldier of the War of 181 2; was made a Captain and served with distinction. The following anecdote concerning him has often been related by the members of the Hannah family. The incident occurred while the troops were in camp and mustering at Manchester, Oliio. One day while at dinner, on the banks of the Ohio, a deer was seen to come out of the woods on the Kentucky shore to get a drink. Seeing such a sight, the idea uppermost in the minds of the men was to gain the prize. It was next to an impossibility as it was not thought any one would be able to shoot the deer for the distance intervening was too great. However, Captain Hannah being a marksman of note was challenged to do so and he accepted the challenge with alacrity. He aimed at a mark across the river at about ten feet above where the deer was standing, the ball falling, broke the deer's back. The deer was then brought across the river in a canoe and it is needless to state that Captain Hannah remembered his friends. It is not known what became of the gun with which he shot the deer. The sword carried by Captain Hannah is in the possession of David A. Hannah, his great-grandson.

Captain Hannah was twice married. His first wife was Martha Moore, by whom he was the father of eleven children. Of these children, none are surviving, but their descendants are numerous in Adams County. Joseph and David M. Hannah, of Hill's Fork, and Aaron Moore, of Winchester, are grandsons of Captain Hannah. In this family in each generation, there has been a William and a John.

One of Captain Hannah's . sons, Aaron Hannah, was bom in 1803. He was a man generous to a fault, dispensing his means with great magnanimity. He married Mary Ann Aerl, by whom he was the father of ten children. Of these children, five are surviving. William Patterson Hannah, residing at Boulder, Col.; Isaac Aerl Hannah, at Seaman, Ohio; Mrs. Rebecca E. Kepperling, at Detroit, Mich. ; Dudley A. Kepperling, a prominent business man, Chicago, 111., and Miss Edna Inez Kepperling, Principal of Custer School, Detroit, Mich., are grandchildren of Aaron Hannah.

Aaron Hannah died December 11, 1890, and is buried at Mt. Leigh, Adams County, Ohio. His father, Captain William Hannah, died September 10, 1849, and is buried at Kirker's cemetery, where several of his children are buried.

His father, James Holmes, was born in 1790, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was married to Nancy Shaw, une 28, 1791. He came to the Northwest Territory in 1800 and located in Adams County as a farmer. He died in 1833. He had fourteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and all of whom married and bad families except one son, Silas, who died a young man. His son, William, lived on the hill west of West Union and died there many years ago, leaving two sons, William and Nathan, and a daughter. James Holmes' daughter, Nancy, married Salathiel Coryell and she was the mother of Judge James L. Coryell.

Thomas was the eldest son and child and was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1792. He was set to learn the cabinetmaker's trade as a boy and youth, and did learn it, but never followed it, having taken up fanning and followed that all his life. He went into the War of 1812. On his way home, his party was waylaid and ambushed by a party of Indians at a spring where they had stopped to drink, and his Uncle Shaw and another of the party were^ killed. The Indians escaped after the first fire. He celebrated his safe return from the war by marr}ang Margaret McClanahan, December 23, 1813. She was born April 8, 1795. There were ten children of this marriage, as follows: James, born December 31, 18 14, married Morella McGovney, November 5, 1840, died December 31, 1885. Eliza, born November 17, 1816, married James McGovney, February 20, 1840, died July 29, 1897. Nancy, born October 27, 1818, married Richard W. Ramsey, 1838. John Holmes, born November 30, 1820, married July 22, 1846, to Elizabeth Treber, died December 29, 1895. Rebecca, born October 15, 1822, married John McGovney, 1843, d*^d February 25, 1879. Sarah, bom November 28, 1824, married Crockett McGovney, December 20, 1849. She is the only one of Thomas Holmes' children surviving. She is now a widow residing at Manchester. Caroline, born December 14. 1826, married Andrew Alexander, October 12, 1848, died August j8, 1897. Margaret, bom March 14, 1830, married James Clark, March, 1850, died in August, 1889.

Pioneer Character Sketches 567

Harriet, bom August 2, 1832, died at the age of seven years. Thomas F. Holmes, bom April 28, 1835, married Margaret Compton, 1857, died October 10, 1886.

Thomas Holmes, the subject of our sketch, died October 25, 1866, on the premises just west of West Union, built by Rev. John P. Van Dyke, and now occupied by the Stewart family. His wife survived him until January 22, 1879. He lived an honorable, upright life. He was just in all his dealings. He was strongly attached to the Baptist Church and brought all his children up in that faith.

He was respected by all who knew him, and his death, like his life, was peace. The best commentary on his life are his children and grandchildren surviving him, all of whom are honorable men and women, striving to do the best for themselves and those dependent on them. While his life was uneventful, it was a record of every duty well done and a family well trained in their duties toward God, toward their neighbors and toward their country.

The Hood family is among the oldest families in Adams County, having come to the county when it was yet a dense forest and when the present county seat consisted of not more than a dozen houses. John Hood, the pioneer of this family, was born in Ireland in the year of 1769, of Scotch parentage. After coming to the United States, he located at Connellsville, Pa. Here in October, 1801, he married Hannah Page, daughter of Joseph and Ann Page, who was bom in Monmouth County, New Jersey, November 24, 1779. In 1806, John Hood, with his family, moved from Connellsville, Pa., to Adams County, landing at Manchester, May 5, having floated down the Ohio River in a flat-boat, then the only method of river navigation. At Manchester a misfortune befell them in the loss of their daughter, Hannah, who was a little more than a year old, leaving them with their eldest child, James. They located at West Union, where Mr. Hood engaged in the mercantile business. At this time he bought his goods in Philadelphia and they were hauled across the mountains in wagons. He built a two-story stone house on the comer now occupied by the drug store and dwelling of C. W. Sutterfield, where he lived and carried on his business. Four more children were born here, Maria, Joseph, Angeline and John Page, all of whom are now dead. Angeline became the wife of Andrew McClaren, of Brush Creek, Ohio ; John Hood died in West Union, April 17, 1814, and was buried in Manchester. His wife died in West Union, November 19, 1863, at which place she was buried.

Perhaps no one has been more intimately associated with the history and the people of Adams County than James Hood. He was bom at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1802, and moved with his parents to Adams County, Ohio, in the spring of 1806. Ever since that time, with the exception of about fifteen months in Clermont County, Ohio, two years in Indiana and one year in Kansas, Mr. Hood resided in West Union. He leamed the tanner's trade with Mr. Peter Schultz, and worked a number of years at that business in the yards now occupied by Jacob Plummer's flour mills. He then went to Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio, where he worked nearly two years, at the end of which time he turned over the business to Jesse Grant, father of ex-President Ulysses S. Grant. In 1826, Mr. Hood opened up a general store in West Union, ifi which business he continued until his retirement from active business life in 1868.

In 1831, James Hood was elected County Treasurer, defeating David Bradford, who had acted as Treasurer for more than thirty years. It was the boast of Mr. Hood that he was the first man to defeat David Bradford for Treasurer. He served for ten years and was succeeded by his son-in-law, Andrew Smalley. Mr. Hood was elected Treasurer as an Andrew Jackson Democrat, but fell out with the President because he vetoed the bill to make a national road of the Maysville and Zanesville turnpike. Had the bill become a law, it might have made a different town of West Union. He collected the taxes and kept the Treasurer's office in his store. His campaign expenses were, on an average, one dollar a year for printer's fees.

In 1857, Mr. Hood built the flour mills now owned by Mr. Pflaummer. He also built the house on Main Street, opposite the courthouse, for a family residence, which is now occupied by William Wamsley, and the large building just west of it, for his store rooms, now owned by G. N. Crawford. By careful attention to business, Mr. Hood accumulated a large sum of money, and was known as one of the wealthy men of the county.

James Hood was twice married. His first wife was Mary Ellison, daughter of Robert and Rebecca Ellison, to whom he was married December 2, 1828. She died May 9, 1838. The result of this union was John and Rebecca Ann, twins, Isabella Burgess, James and Hannah.

On January 9, 1840. Mr. Hood married Isabella Ellison, sister of his first wife, to whom were born the following children : Mary, Sarah, Caroline, Minerva and Samuel. She died January 8, 1862, and Mr. Hood never remarried.

When a young man, working at the tanner's trade, Mr. Hood, while wrestling with a young man, dislocated his ankle, which made him a cripple all the rest of his life. Politically, he was a Whig, an Abolitionist and a Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was the main pillar. His purse was always open when money was needed for the support of the church. He was a close Bible student and a writer of great strength. His writings were mostly of a religious nature and were printed in the West Union Scion and read with great appreciation by its readers. Mr. Hood was a modest man and all his writings were anonymous under the cognomen, "Ahiezer." If he had had the opportunity, he would have made his mark as a poet, as he possessed the faculty of rhyming to an uncommon degree and often used it against his enemies to their no small discomfiture.