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V^'lisjfi.s'
fgarfaarti College iibrarg
FROM THE
BRIOHT LECIACY.
Descendants of Henry Bright, jr., who died at Water-
town, Mass., in i6S6, are entitled to hold scholarsh ips in
Harvard College, established in iS8o under the will of
JONATHAN BROWN BRIGHT
of Waltham, Mass., with one half the income of this
Legacy. Such descendants failing', other persons are
eligible to the scholarships. The will requires that
this announcement shall be made in every book added
to the Library under its provisions.
Received CLjW^LA.^. 'S-^..^ 1^04-^.
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A HISTORY
OF
ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO
FROM ITS EARLIEST SEHLEMENT TO THE
PRESENT TIME
INCLUDING
Character Sketches of the Prominent Persons Identified with the First
Century of the County's Growth
AND
Contiininj Numerous Enjravinjs and Illustrations
BY
NELSON W. EVANS AND EMMONS B. STIVERS
WEST UNION, OHIO
PUBLISHED BY E. B. STIVERS
1900
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PREFACE
The history of Adams County properly dates from the month of De-
cember, in the year 1790, when Nathaniel Massie and his little band of
hardy fronti^ersmen began the erection of the Stockade at the Three
Islands on the present site of the town of Manchester. This was the
*'pioneer corps" in the Virginia Military Reservation, in the Northwest
Territory, and was the beginning' of the third permanent white settle-
ment in the State of Ohio.
This settlement was begun at a time when the Indian denizens of the
region were waging the most cruel and most relentless warfare in the
history of the country, against the border settlements of Virginia and
Kentucky; and, it was maintained by its brave and vigilant founders,
without Federal assistance, until the close of hostilities at the Treaty of
Greenville in 1795.
From the Stockade as a base of supplies, and as a place of refuge in
case of attack, these daring adventurers explored by stealth th^ remotest
parts of the Reservation, and entered and surveyed the most desirable
lands of the region. They prepared the way for those patriots of the
Revolution who came with their families to establish their future homes
here, and to lay, ultimately, the foundation of one of the greatest States
of the Union.
To preserve in book-form the history of the founding of Adams
County and of the growth and development of its resources ; to preserve
for future generations the story of the lives of the pioneers and their de-
scendants, that their virtues may be emulated and their achievements
appreciated, is the intended mission of this volume. To what extent
the Compilers have succeeded in the accomplishment of their designs,
must be determined by the reader.
The volume is composed of four books :
A General History of Adams County ; The Township Histories ;
Character Sketches of the Pioneers; and. Biographical Sketches.
A feature of the volume is the very complete Index.
Grateful acknowledgement is hereby made to the public-spirited
persons, both residents and non-residents of Adams County, who by their
kindly offices greatly lightened the task of the Compilers in collecting and
preserving the matter for this volume.
E. B. S.
N. W. E.
October 30. 1900.
(Ill)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I.
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Chapter I.
PAGE.
Outline Sketch of Adams County 3
Chapter II.
Geolog>' and MineraIog>' 10
Chapter III.
Tlie Mound Builders 20
Chapter IV.
The Indians 28
Chapter V.
The Virginia Military District 36
Chapter VI.
The Pioneers 50
Chapter VII.
Cotiflicts and Adventures with the Indians 65
Chapter VIII.
Civil Organization in the Northwest Territory yy
Chapter IX.
The Territorial Courts 81
(V)
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VI mSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Chapter X.
PAGE.
Organization of the Townships 98
Chapter XI.
Commissioners' Early Proceedings , 104
Chapter XII.
Public Roads and Highways 114
Chapter XIII.
The Early Taverns and Old Inns 124
Chapter XIV.
County Affairs 133
Chapter XV.
The Courts Under the Constitution 168
Chapter XVI.
Politics and Political Parties 234
Chapter XVII.
Military History 330
Chapter XVIII.
Miscellaneous 365
PART II.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
Chapter I.
Bratton Township 413
Chapter II.
Franklin Township 415
Chapter III..
Greene Township 421
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TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
Chapter IV.
PAGE.
Jefferson Township 428
Chapter V.
Liberty Township 434
Chapter VI.
Manchester Township .^ 437
Chapter VII.
Meigs Township 445
Chapter VIII.
Monroe Township 449
Chapter IX.
Oliver Township 453
Chapter X.
Scott Township 457
Chapter XI.
Sprigg Township 461
Chapter XII.
Tiffin Township 468
Chapter XIII.
Wayne Township 485
Chapter XIV.
Winchester Township 492
PART III.
PIONEER SKETCHES 501
PART IV.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 674
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
ILLUSTRATIONS
PORTRAITS.
PAGE.
Belli. Major John 522
Bunn, Dr. James W. . . -. 750
Burgess, Rev. Dyer 614
Campbell, Hon. Alexander 279
Campbell, Judge John W 301
Campbell, John % 534
Campbell, Joseph R 712
Cockerill, Gen. Joseph R 311
Collings, Hon. George 179
Collins, Rev. John 606
Darlinton, Gen. Joseph 251
Donalson, Israel 66
Dobbins, Rev. Robert 606
Dunbar, David 730
Edgington, Dr. Charles W 740
Ellison. William 459
Enochs, Gen. William H 326
Evans, George C 217
Evans, Nelson W 745
Evans. Edward P 206
Hamilton, Robert v . . 913
Holmes. John 763
Hook, James N 459
Kirk, Albert D 485
Kirker, Gov. Thomas 82
Lafferty, Joseph W 750
Lafferty, Dr. Nelson B 750
Lodwick, Col. John 581
Massie. Gen. Nathaniel 51
Mason, Judge John W 232
McCormick, Dr. George D 823
McCauslen, Hon. Thomas 628
PAGE.
Meek. Rev. John 606
Meek. William M 485
McDlll, Rev. David, D. D 821
McGovney. Crockett 485
McSurely, Rev. William 818
Miller. Dr. Flavins J 750
Murphy, Capt David A 312
Pollard, Hon. John K.
Quarry, Rev. William P.
273
459
Ramsey. Rev. William W 485
Rothrock. Judge James H 615
Russell, Hon. William 303
Shriver, Hon. Joseph A 867
Sinton. David , 618
Smith, Hon. Andrew C 293
Smith, Hon. Joseph P 855
Sparks. Charles S 865
Spring, Rev. John W 381
Steen. Aaron .^ 606
Steen. Rev. Moses D. A..* 868
Stivers, Hon. Emmons B 854
Thomas, James Baldwin 629
Thomas, James S 885
Truitt, Samuel B 437
Truitt. Mary 437
Van Dyke, Rev. John P.
459
Wamsley. William M 654
Wykoff. Cyrus W 227
Wilson, Hon. John T 318
Willson, Dr. William M 437
Willson. Jerusha 437
VIEWS. PAGE.
Bird's-eye View of West Union 470
County Jail 482
Court House 136
Great Serpent Mound 24
Miller and Bunn Building, West Union .^ 780
Public School Building, Manchester 442
Old Stone Court House, West Union, Frontispiece
Residence of Dr. James W. Bunn 690
Residence of Dr. George F. Thomas 446
Residence of Dr. Flavins J. Miller 808
Residence of James H. Connor 717
Rock Spring, West Union , 12
Scene on the Ohio 421
The Scion Office. West Union 479
The Old Treber Tavern. Lick Fork 126
Twin Rocks. Cedar Fork 16
The Wilson Children's Home 77
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PART I.
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
By EMMONS B. STIVERS
la
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNH
CHAPTER I.
OUTUNE SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY
Adams County is one of the oldest in Ohio. It was formed July lo,
1797, by proclamation of Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Ter-
ritory. The elder Adams was then President of the United States, and
St. Clair named the county in his honor. The civil organization of the
county was effected Tuesday, September 12, 1797, at Manchester, the site
of the first white settlement in the Virginia Reservation, and the third in
Ohio. There were three counties organized in Ohio before Adams,
namely : Washington, Hamilton, and Wayne.
Adams County lies on the majestic Ohio, and borders Highland on the
north, Scioto on the east, and Brown on the west. Pike; joins at the north-
east* angle. The form of the county is rectangular, its longer sides being
its eastern and western boundary lines, and it contains six hundred and
twenty-five square -miles of surface. The original boundaries of the
county included the greater portion of the Virginia Reservation. On the
hydrographic charts of the state, Adams County is classed in the Scioto
Valley section, but it is properly designated an Ohio River county. Its
system of drainage empties directly into the Ohio, except a small area in
the northeastern part drained by Scioto Brush Creek, a tributary of the
Scioto River.
Few counties of the state surpass Adams in the number and size of
its fine streams and creeks. The largest of these is Ohio Brush Creek, a
magnificent stream that flows through the central portion of the county
from the north and empties into the Ohio River. From the village of
Newport at the junction of its west and east branches to its mouth at the
Ohio, it traverses a distance of nearly forty miles, and for the greater por-
tion of its course attains the magnitude of a small river. In the days of
the old iron furnaces their products were transported a portion of the year
in barges from "Old Forge Dam" to the Ohio. A system of slackwater
navigation on Ohio Brush Creek was at one time contemplated by the state
when the iron furnaces were in operation there. In an article in the West-
ern Pioneer George Sample states that in 1806, he loaded two flat boats
with flour at his residence on Ohio Brush Creek and took them from there
to New Orleans. Hundreds of rafts of logs used to be floated from the
vicinity of the SprouU bridge during good stages of water, while the lower
course of the creek could be* used almost the entire year.
Next in size and importance to Ohio Brush Creek is the West Fork,
really the parent stream, which takes its source near Bernard in Eagle
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4 mSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Township, Brown County, and flows southeasterly, entering Adams
County at the northwest, crossing Winchester and Scott Townships and
uniting with the East Fork at the village of Newport on the western border
of Meigs Township. It receives from the north the waters of Little West
Fork which drains ihe northern part of Winchester Township; and Buck
Run and Georges Creek which drain Scott Township. Frcwn the south-
west it receives Elk Run on the western border of Scott, and Cherry Fork,
a fine stream that drains Wayne and the western portion of Oliver Town-
ship. '
The East Fork takes its source at the junction of the "Three Forks,"
Baker's, Middle and West, in the northern portion of Bratton Township.
It is a beautiful stream nearly or quite' as large as the West Fork, but
differing from it in that its channel is cut in the flinty limestone while the
former is furrowed deep in the blue limestone. It flows from the north-
east across Bratton Township and the northwestern portion of Meigs, and
unites with West Fork at the village of Newport. Its principal tributary
from the east is Crooked Creek which rises in Franklin Township, while
from the west it receives the waters of Little East Fork, the source of
which is in the eastern portion of Scott Township.
Scioto Brush Creek, the waters of which drain the eastern portion
of the county, is a fine stream and one of the most picturesque It rises
in Jefferson Township near the center, flows north and then east entering
Scioto County and thence the Scioto River near Rushtown, a few miles
north of Portsmouth. The principal tributary of Scioto Brush Creek in
Adams County is Blue Creek which rises on the border of Greene Town-
ship within six miles of the Ohio River and flows- north receiving the
waters of Churn Creek near Blue Creek postofiice in Jefferson Township.
Near this point it unites with Burley's Run and forms Scioto Brush Creek.
Turkey Creek rises near Steam Furnace in Meigs Township, flows south-
east and unites with Scioto Brush Creek in Jefferson ToAynship, near
Wamsleyville.
The North Fork of Scioto Brush Creek rises in Franklin Township,
flows southeast receiving the waters of Cedar Fork and unites with Scioto
Brush Creek in Scioto County. Lower Twin Creek rises on the southern
border of Jefferson Township and flows south into the Ohio River near
Rockville. Stout's Run is a small stream that rises in the hills of Jeffer-
son Township and enters the Ohio at the village of Rcwne in Greene town-
ship. The west central portion of Adams County is drained by the East
Fork of Eagle Creek which rises near West Union and flows southwest
receiving from the north Hill's Fork and from the south Kite's Fork, in
Liberty Township, and thence crosses the Brown County line and unites
with the West Fork of Eagle Creek at Stevenson's Mill in Byrd Town-
ship. Big Three Mile and Little Three Mile each rise in Sprigg Township
and flow southwest into the Ohio River. Lick Fork of Ohio
Brush Creek rises near West Union and flows northeast uniting with the
latter near Dunkinsville. Beasley's Fork has its source near that of Lick
Fork, courses to the southeast across Monroe Township and enters Ohio
Brush Creek.
The surface of Adams County is diversified. In the west central and
northwest it is flat or gently undulating. In the central and northern
portions it is more broken, the hills are more lofty, their tops being gently
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OUTLINE SKETCH OF APAMS COUNTY 6
rounded or spread out in broad table lands. In the east the surface is very
broken,, there are high ridges and Ipfty hills, with many knobs reaching
an elevation of a thousand feet, and some nearly fourteen hundred feet
above the sea level, as for instance. Peach Mountain in the southeast comer
of Meigs Township and Greenbriar in Jefferson Township. Qn the top
of the former is a large farm in a fine state of cultivation. In the south
bordering the Ohio River is a range of beautiful hills, some almost attain-,
ing the altitude of mountains, affording a stretch of scenery far more beau-
tiful and picturesque than any vi^w along the highlands of the Hudson.
The valley of Ohio Brush Creek far surpasses in beauty, and equals in fer-
tility of soil that of either the Miami or Scioto^ while along its principal
tributaries are some of the finest farms in the state. Along Scioto Brush
Creek and its tributaries, the valleys are deep and narrow but very fertile ;
and the neat farms with cc«nfortable homes nestling under the shadow of.
the emerald-capped hills, present a most delightful picture of rural life.
Being in the sandstcwie region the water of the streams is soft and very
clear, appearing in the deeper pools to be a deep azure blue.
The lands of Adams Couhty, from an agricultural stand, are generally
considered poor by those unfamiliar with its soils. But this impression is
erroneous. While there is some poor or unproductive soil throughout the
county, and especially in the hilly portions, yet there is a very great deal
of good lands in every section. In pioneer days the eastern part of the
county lying within the Waverly sandstone section was considered as of no
value except for the timber and tanbark it afforded ; and the scattered in-
habitants were spoken of as a "vagrant class" of "coon hunters and bark
peelers" by an early historian of the state, whose statements are copied by
many of the succeeding writers of Ohio history down to the present time,
just as some geographers yet place the old town of Alexandria at the
mouth of the Scioto on their maps. But today this section contains many
fine farms. The valley lands are rich, and many of the hillsides produce
goods crops of hay and corn, while some of them grow crops of fine white
burley tobiacco. In fact this is the tobacco section of the county. And the
inhabitants instead of being a vagrant class of "coon hunters" are generally
an industrious, intelligent and prosperous people. It is true, ignorance
and poverty exist there, as in all communities. The western portion of
the county, including all of Winchester Township and a portion of Scott,
Wayne, Liberty and Sprigg, lies within the blue limestone belt and the
soil is fairly productive of crops of wheat, oats, com, and in the valleys,
tobacco ; and the entire section when properly cared for produces excellent
crops of timothy and clover hay. Some of the most productive farms of
the county are on the uplands in the cliff limestone section in the south
central part of the county, while the coves in Tiffin, Monroe, Wayne
and Scott Townships have long been celebrated for their productiveness.
The central portion of Adams County with its numerous streams and
never failing springs affords the finest grazing lands in southern Ohio,
and the sheep and cattle industry is the chief source of wealth in this
section.
The thickly grown virgin forest that once clothed the county
contained a great variety of the most valuable timber. In the west
there were extensive tracts of level lands heavily timbered with the finest
specimens of hickory, white oak, beech and white maple. Recently a
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6 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
white oak tree was felled in Liberty Township, which measured over seven
feet across the stump. In the southwest and along the Ohio River grew
the largest specimens of buckeye, red oak, black walnut, red elm and black
maple. In the cliff limestone region, especially about West Union in
Tiffin Township and on Gift Ridge in Monroe Township, grew the gigantic
yellow poplar, and the largest specimens of black maple, with areas in-
terspersed with hickory, white oak, ash and black walnut. Along the
waters of the West Fork of Ohio Brush Creek and its tributaries were
forests of black maple, red oak, dogwood, and in the coves and rich loams,
the largest growths of wild cherry and black walnut, while in the bottoms
on the borders of the streams grew enormous sycamores with their
whitened trunks resembling columns of Carrara marble. On the hillsides
and ridges in the section east of Ohio Brush Creek and extending to the
Waverly sandstone region of Scioto Brush Creek were forests of white
oak, chestnut oak, black oak, chestnut, spruce and cedar. The eastern
section on the hills and knobs grew spruce, cedar and chestnut ; and in the
coves and valleys beech, maple, oak and yellow poplar. There were many
specimens of yellow poplar in this region that measured over eight feet in
diameter. On the farm of Finley Wamsley near the Wamsleyville
bridge over Scioto Brush Creek was a yellow poplar tree which measured
ten feet in diameter. When felled and cut into eighteen-inch stove wood
it made thirty-eight cords, which would equal thirteen cords of wood of
one hundred and twenty-eight solid feet to the cord. On the farm of
Phillip Kratzer on Johnson's Run in Jefferson Township, stood an oak
tree which measured nearly seven feet in diameter and made three thou-
sand staves. A sycamore at the mouth of Cedar Run on the farm of
William Moore was large enough to drive a horse into and turn it around
within it.
Adams County has the best and most extensive system of macada-
mized roads of any county in Ohio. The beginning of this system was the
old road known as the Maysville and Zanesville Turnpike constructed in
the period of internal improvements by the States. President Jackson
vetoed a bill providing for the- construction of this road by the general
government in 1830. Afterwards the state of Ohio committed itself to a
system of internal improvements of its highways, under the provisions of
which the construction of the Maysville and Zanesville turnpike was
undertaken. The company was incorporated by act of the Legislature and
the county subscribed one-half of the capital stock. It was a toll road and
for many years paid large dividends to the stockholders. The length of
the part completed in Adams County was about thirteen miles, beginning
at the Brown County line and ending at the residence of the late Doddridge
Darlinton in West Union. John Leonard, of West Union, who came from
Belgium to Adams County in 1837 and Michael Warloumount, who then
kept a small store at Bradyville, completed the first mile of this road in
1838, beginning at the lower end of Brady^'ille and extending through
the village toward Bentonville. The next three miles were built by John
Brotherton; the next two miles by James and Peter McKee, beginning
near Union Church; the next two miles by Hugh Clarke; and the next
two by a Mr. Allison. John Schwallie built the first two miles below
Bradyville, and Michael Dietz the next mile ending at the Brown County
line. Abraham Hollingsworth was superintendent of construction, and
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OUTLINE SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY 7
John Sparks treasurer of the company. The contractors were paid in
part in county scrip, consisting of small bills about the size of the "Lincoln
shinplasters," in denominations of one, two, three, five and ten dollars.
These bore six per cent, interest. The r6ad was purchased by the county
about twenty-five years ago and made a free turnpike.
From the close of the Civil War to the present time there have been
over three hundred miles of macadamized roads constructed in the county ;
and the present system of free pikes reaches every hamlet, village and
town from its center at West Union to the remotest parts of the county.
This system of roads has done more than any other agency to develop the
resources of the county, and to add to the wealth and prosperity of the
people. In connection with this system of roads and as a part of it there
have been constructed hundreds of bridges across the numerous creeks
and streams, affording safe passage over them at all seasons of the year.
Many of these are wholly of iron and steel and are models of the best
ideas of American bridge work.
Of the natural resources of the county its timber is fast becoming
depleted. The portable saw-mill has hastened the destruction of the finest
forests in every section of the county. The iron industries on Brush
Creek have long since been abandoned, and there is no prospect of their
revival under existing conditions. But the county has millions of dollars
of wealth in the ledges of building and paving stone not surpassed in
durability and beauty in any of the quarries of the world. With cheap
transportation which will eventually be provided, the products of these
quarries will become the source of untold wealth to the county.
The population of the county is largely descendant from two principal
sources : the Virginia pioneers, and the Scotch-Irish who came at a later
period. There is a small German element whose ancestors came about
1850. In religion each of these elements is Protestant, the first two very
largely of the Presbyterian faith. There never has been but one Catholic
Church in the county and that is now abandoned for lack of membership.
Population of Adams Comity.
The following table shows the population of the county at the periods
stated :
Years.
1800
1810
1820
1830
1
1840
1860
Population
3,432
9,434
10,406
12,238
13,183
18,883
Years.
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
Population
20,309
20,760
24,006
26,093
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Population of Townships and Towns*
(Townships.
1820
1830
1840
1860
1860
1870
1880
1890
■
1900
Bratton
1,053
1,886
1,365
1,641
3,444
2,124
1,192
1,400
2,212
1,064
2,662
1,126
1,464
1,090
2,023
1,245
1,594
3,947
2,645
1,132
1,430
2,600
1,051
2,626
1.181
1,488
1,988
Greene
678
1,148
1,807
1,308
1,302
1,001
1,132
1,342
807
1,141
1,086
1,498
1,856
937
1,068
916
832
1,640
1,520
1,504
1,963
1,680
1,438
1,318
1,193
1,980
1,529
1,644
2,261
1,846
1,548
1,327
1,206
1,787
1,060
2,519
1,191
1,658
1,833
1,377
2,172
2,268
1.748
1,409
1,304
1,868
1,069
2,086
1,169
1,476
Liberty
Franklin
Jefferson
916
2,001
1,123
783
1.028
Meigs
Scott.....
Monroe
Tiffin
Oliver
SDrifiTfiT •
1,562
771
1,679
1,063
1,976
854
1,121
2,li8
1682
1,693
Xt**oo •
Wayne
Winchester
Manchester
Towns.
Manchester .......
160
434
834
982
1,493
1,988
368
720
826
Peebles
Winchester..
110
429
416
486
664
626
West Union
406
444
Statistics of tke Tear 1900.
Townships.
Horses.
No.
Value,
Cattle.
No.
Value*
Sheep
No. Value.
Hogs.
No. Value.
Bratton
Franklin
Greene —
Rome Precinct
Sandy Springs Precinct.
Jefferson —
Cedar Mills Precinct...
Churn Creek
Lynx
wamsleyville
Liberty
Manchester
Meigs—
Jacksonville Precinct.....
Mineral Springs Precin't
Monroe
Oliver
Scott
Sprigg—
Benton ville Precinct...
Brady viUe Precinct.....
Tiffin
Wayne
Winchester
216
206
112
73
220
166
85
116
368
116
280
182
263
260
315
202
263
526
373
410
$9,960
6,950
5,265
2,686
5,060
3,760
3,260
3,196
13,766
2,686
3,610
7,926
10,310
11,320
7,830
7,462
16,850
18,325
15,760
480
436
241
106
370
177
243
196
1220
71
686
260
502
413
660
608
1286
774
913
$13,116
9,346
4,000
1,766
4,920
1,792
4,130
3,286
21,160
1,676
2,696
6,170
8.440
14,580
10,160
8,647
21.440
12,760
16,010
468
436
21
193
217
70
1766
343
108
124
620
770
217
446
615
766
844
|1,496
1,250
40
626
660
84
170
176
6,806
280
490
1,695
2,828
1,600
1,640
1,830
2,330
3,526
703
280
220
8^
414
188
213
211
1209
63
794
362
372
631
1206
639
764
1271
2009
706
$3,405
1,120
620
285
1.246
370
602
426
704
1,116
1,946
2,940
2,016
2,038
2,642
4,560
3,046
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OUTLINE SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY
Iiands.
Townships.
Culti-
vated.
Pasture,
Wood-
land.
Waste.
Total.
Value.
Bratton
Franklin
Greene-
Rome Precinct
Sandy Springs
Jefferson —
CeHar Mills Precinct
Cham Creek Precint
L3mx Precinct
Wamslejrville Prec.
Liberty
Manchester
Meigs —
Jacksonville
Min. Springs
Monroe
Oliver...
Scott
Sprigg—
Bentonville Precinct
Bradyville Precinct
Tiffin
Wayne
Winchester
6,555
6,372
3,141
1,750
3,552
2.567
2,257
2,536
6,026
293
5,885
3,068
4,699
6,227
6,346
4,674
6,362
7,461
5,412
6,634
7,538
6,551
1.572
520
2,117
1,241
1,451
1,180
12,911
174
3.912
1,518
3,353
5,162
7,317
6,875
4,905
11.399
7,408
10,771
3,646
4,794
4,879
1,296
4,660
4,6V5
2.521
4,963
3,587
4.601
5.090
3,8:^8
4.864
3,494
1,376
1,054
7.427
2,833
2,498
91,817
97,875
72,118
1,798
2,625
1,692
5,863
1,041
1,920
1,638
796
18
1,212
949
3,186
887
672
241
362
2,329
393
325
27.947
19.537
20,342
11,284 \
9,429/
11,3701
10,423
7,867 •
9,475^
22,542
469
15,610 \
10,625/
15,076
17,140
17,829
13,166 \
12,683 /
28,616
16,046
20,228
$184,860
141,990
224,500
270,690
821,520
252,740
269,710
183,770
147,520
264,830
369,020
323,280
264,160
328,830
289,757
3,647,120
Soldiers of tke War of tke Rebellion.
TOWNSHIPS.
Bratton 32
Franklin 38
Greene—
^ Rome Precinct., 37
Sandy Springs 17
Jefferson —
Cedar Mills Precinct 16
Chum Creek Precinct 81
Lynx 12
Wamsleyville 26
Liberty 29
Manchester ' 114
Meigs—
Jacksonville » 57
Mineral Springs 32
Monroe , ; 25
Oliver 27
Scott 85
Sprigg—
Bentonville « 47
Bradyville« 33
Tiffin 77
Wayne 42
Winchester 53
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CHAPTER II.
* GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY
There has never been but one geological survey of Adams County,
and that was made by Prof. John Locke, Assistant State Geologist, in
1838. There is a more recent report but it does not at all cover the county.
Prof. Locke's report is so comprehensive and withal so plain that anyone
by reading it may acquire much valuable knowledge of the geological
formations of Adams County. It is however necessary to note some
changes in classification and nomenclature in accordance with present
usage. Reference to the map of the county in this volume will greatly
assist the reader in fixing the relative position of places and localities.
The rocks of Adams County are so well defined and so various as to
render it a model of stratification. It embraces a varied series, including
different strata, extending from the blue limestone [Cincinnati group]
to tlie fine-grained [Waverly] sandstone. The strata are of nearly a
uniform thickness, and nearly uniformly inclined east nine and one-half
degrees south, at the rate of about 37.4 feet per mile, or a little more than
100 feet in three miles. In the direction of north, nine and one-half de-
grees east, a line on the strata or layers of rocks is level just as the sloping
roof of a house is level in a line parallel to the ridge or eaves. This is
called the line of bearing, while the line at right angles to it is called the
line of dip. If the rocks of Adams County were continued onward as they
now lie, until they filled up the surface of the county to the height of 500
feet above the levd of low water of the Ohio River at Cincinnati, the
several layers of rocks running up a slope from the east, and cut off by
this level surface, would present at that surface, several belts of various
widths, running in the direction of the line of bearing. If the county were
sliced down by cutting off level horrizontal layers so as to reduce it in
height successively to 400, 300, 200, and 100 feet, it would still present
the same belts of surface having the same width, but removed each time a
little more that three miles to the east of the place which they formerly
occupied. [Place seven pennies one upon another on a level surface; then
push them over to the southeastward until their edges rest upon the plane,
with each penny covering about one-half the surface of the one next
beneath. Then the position of these pennies will fairly correspond to the
position of the seven layers of rocks in the county, beginning with the
blue limestone and ending with the fine-grained sandstone. — Ed.] The
several layers of rocks of Adams County are. beginning at the bottom :
* From Locke's Report, with notes and comments by the Editor.
(10)
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GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY U
First. Blue limestone of indefinite thickness.
Second. Blue marl . , 25 feet.
Third. Flinty limestone 51 feet.
Fourth. Blue marl 100 feet.
Fifth. Cliff limestone. 89 feet.
Sixth. Slate 251 feet.
Seventh. Fine-grained sandstone 343 feet.
[The more recent classification is, beginning at the bottom : Cincinnati
or Trenton, Clinton, Niagara, Water Lime, Comiferous, Erie Shale, and
Waverly. — Ed.] These sections lie over each other like shingles on the
roof of a house. We will now proceed to describe the belts or "out-
cropping" edges of the several strata, supposing the surface of the county
to be a plane 500 feet higher than low water of the Ohio.
First. The blue limestone would extend from the west into the
southwest comer of the county, only about one mile ; into the northwest
comer about four and a half miles, where it would disappear under the
marl and continue onward to the eastward, sloping deeper and deeper, no
one knows how far.
Second. The blue limestone would be succeeded eastwardly by a belt
of an outcropping of marl two-thirds of a mile wide.
Third. The belt of flinty limestone, one ane one-third miles wide.
Fourth. The belt of the great marl layers three miles wide.
Fifth. The belt of the cliff limestone two and one-half miles wide.
Sixth. The belt of slate six and two-thirds miles wide.
Seventh. The belt of sandstone occupying rest of county and about
ten miles wide.
Now as the surface of the county is not level, it does not actually
exhibit such belts but only such an approximation to them as the surface is
to a level. The westem part of the county consists of blue limestone about
500 feet high, as at Fairview. West Union and some hills to the west of it
shows the cliff limestone rising to 600 and 700 feet. The bed of Ohio
Bmsh Creek again is in the blue limestone, because it is excavated to
near the level of the base line, being only twenty or thirty feet above it.
Cherry Fork and nearly all of the branches about Winchester in the north-
west part of the county are also in the blue limestone, and seem to descend
on the rcjs^ular slope of the stratification. Above the Marble Furnace,
the bed of East Fork is in the flinty limestone [Clinton] and finally in
Highland County rises in the cliff [Niagara! limestone. It will be seen
that most of the tributaries of Ohio Brush Creek are on the west side of
it ; those from the east being short and few in number. This results from
the dip of the strata and the natural surface conforming to it. The slopes
to the east, on the inclined surface of the stratification, are broad and
gradual, but those to the west are abrupt and narrow, being over the
escarpments or upturned ends of the several layers. The cliff limestone,
the marl and the flint limestone at West Union, are what are called "out-
liers," a kind of geological island, as they are cut off on every side from
the main body of the same layer and stand out above. They are cut off
on the west by outcropping ; on the north by Cherry Fork ; on the east by
Ohio Bmsh Creek, and on the south by the Ohio River, all of which have
their beds in the blue limestone.
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12 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
West Union is over 600 feet above low water at Cincinnati, overlook-
ing the whole surrounding country except some outliers, Bald Hill and
Cave Hill, to the northwest, and the very elevated knobs of slate and isand-
stone east of Ohio Brush Creek. As the great marl stratum underlies the
cliff limestone, the descents from West Union over the cliff and marl are
very abrupt. The marl being soft, and, during wet weather, treading into
a bottomless mortar, requires the roads over it to be stoned.
From West Union to Treber's on Lick Fork, the following section
with thickness of strata is observed :
Cliff limestone 89 feet.
Marl 106 feet.
Flinty limestone 51 feet.
Marl . 25 feet.
Blue limestone 25 feet.
The cui^i^ umestone (86 feet thick) at West Union consists of
three layers partially blended into each other. The first or upper part is
a rough, porous, soft limestone, filled with cavities which have been oc-
cupied by fossil animals, and which have decayed out. These cavities are
lined with a dark colored bitumen. It produces good lime. The second
or middle portion of this cliff limestone, is aluminous and arenaceous, of
a slaty structure, dark gray color, and comparatively hard. The third and
bottom portion is more sandy. It is massive, light colored, rather free
to work and is quarried as a building stone. It has been opened in
Darlinton's Quarry at the head of Beasly's Fork in a stratum twenty feet
thick. Both this and the second or slaty layers effervesce but slightly with
acids, and on solution in acid, leave a fine sediment or mud consisting of
clay and fine sand and there rises on the surface of the sc4ution a film of
bitxmien. They contain about 60 per cent, of carbonate of lime, but do not
slake i>erfectly after burning. If pulverized after calcination, and mixed
with sand, they harden under water, and might be used for hydraulic
cement.
The great marl stratum (106 feet thick) forms the immediate
sharp descent of the various hills around West Union. When lying un-
disturbed it has the blue color common to clay, and is evidently stratified.
When decomposed by the frost and weather, it becomes lighter in color
and, dried, becomes almost white. It is earthy, higfhly effervescent, con-
tains a few fossils, and has thin layers of slaty limestone two or three
inches thick, traversing it at remote distances. The great marl deposit
forms, according to circumstances, three different sorts of soil.
First. When it forms a slope under the cliffs, as it does at West Union
and numerous other places, the water from above flows over it, and it
produces the sugar tree and becomes covered with a rich mold suitable
for wheat or com. If it lies in a steep declivity, it is liable, after the
trees are removed, to slip in large avalanches, blasting entirely the hopes of
the husbandman.
Second. When the natural level surface coincides with the great
marl stratum, as it does for some distance north of West Union, the soil
is rather inferior, and produces a forest of white oak. Such plains are
called white oak flats.
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aEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY 13
Third. When it is kft in conical mound-like "outliers," the marl
IS otten barren of trees, and produces some peculiar prairie-like plants, as
the prarie docks, wild sunflowers, etc. These places are called "bald hills"
and "buffalo beats." Several occur within a mile of West Union in a
northerly direction, and would be quite a paradise for the botanist.
The flinty limestone (51 feet thick), like the blue limestone, lies
in thin layers interstratified with marl, but it differs from the blue lime-
stone in color, in fossils, and especially in having certain layers which
abound in silicious matter, or are flinty. In the layers of stone the flinty
matter is intimately ccnnbined in a crystalline rock, and not in any degree
sedimentary or sand-like, as it is in the lower layers of the cliff stratum.
The upper layer of the flinty limestone is peculiarly marked. It is
about one foot thick, and contains so much silex that it has the sharp con-
choidal or flinty fracture, and gives fire with steel. In some places it is
"crackeled," or broken into small triangular and diamond-shaped blocks,
by vertical fractures or seams. In other places it occurs in large slabs and
would be useful as a building stone. It is hard, but breaks or "spalls"
easily. Nothing could be better fpr macadamizing than this rock. It is
harder than the blue limestone and contains lime enough to form a final
cement after packing. It is feebly effervescent, contains iron, is of a
reddish or brown color outside, but has a pale or opal-like blue when
freely fractured. No rock in our part of the country is more duable. In
the cliffs where it has been exposed for ages it is not in the least weathered,
but retains perfectly its sharp edges and angles. I have met with it at
every point where the channels have been deep enough to reach it. [On
the right bank of Lick Fork at the "old deer lick" nearly the whole of this
stratum is exposed. The salt at "the lick" is not table salt but an epsom
salt, sulphate of magnesia. — Ea]
Green burrh stone is a "calcareo-silicious rock," occurring in de-
tached semi-nodular masses, immediately on top of the flinty stratum, not
general, but only locally presented. It is compact and flinty, of an agree-
able apple-green color, rough and cellular, often containing liquid bitu-
men, white crystals of carbonate of lime and some fossils. It is to be
seen in the greatest perfection on the descent into Soldier's Run, just above
the site of Groom's old mill. It is said to equal the Raccoon burrh stone.
Inferior marl stratum (25 feet thick) is the common blue clay
marl, and has nothing peculiar, except at "the lick" it includes a thin
slaty layer of bluish limestone, similar to that in the great marl deposit,
except the stem-like bodies are on the under side of it, and two or three
inches in diameter.
The blue limestone, of indefinite thickness, with its characteristic
fossils, commences in the bed of Lick Fork, within a mile below "the lick."
Two peculiar subjects which occur in it below Treber's, and about fifty
feet below the top of its stratification, claim our attention. These are a
peculiar waved stratum, and a large species of trilobite. The waved strata
occur in the cliff,. the flinty and in the blue limestone; the under side is flat
and smooth; the upper is fluted in long troughs two to three feet wide,
called "ripple marks." The trilobite found was the isotelus maximus and
measured twenty-one inches in length.
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14 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Bald HiU aad CaTe HilL
These are "outliers" of the cliff limestCHie similar to that of West
Union, and lie to the north and west of it. In altitude, as they are in "a
direction from West Union directly opposite to the "dip," they are higher
than West Union; Bald Hill about fifty feet and Cave Hill one hundred
feet. Bald Hill is quite an insulated elevation and would be an excellent
observatory in a trigonometrical survey of the country. [Cave Hill was
the location of one of the stations in the late geodetic survey by the general
government. — Ed. ]
SpUt Book HiU.
This elevation is on Ohio Brush Greek near "Old Forge Dam,"
The ascent was made in company with Mr. John Fisher, and the section
was found to be almost identical with that at West Union except that the
little marl deposit seemed to be encroached upon by stone, and slate caps
the top of the hill as an outlier.
The following are the heights of the several points indicated by the
barometer :
Mr. Fisher's house [in bottom at the old forge] above
low water mark at Cincinnati 82 feet.
Top of the blue limestone 100 feet.
Top of the flinty limestone 189 feet.
Bottom of the cliff limestone 327 feet.
Top of cliff 465 feet.
Top of the hill 524 feet.
The great marl deposit here which seems to be thickened to 136 feet,
presents a broad slope of "coveland" on the hillside covered with a fine
growth of sugar trees. A narrow spur of the cliff about three-fourths of
a mile southeast of the forge forms an insulated and almost inaccessible
rock, which is quite a curiosity. It is fifty-three feet high, presenting a
level terrace on the top ninety-two feet by thirty-six feet. The upper
part of it is a tolerably pure limestone, the lower part is a loose
arenaceous limestone filled with large corallines, and disintegrating
by atmospheric agency, has been reduced ten to twenty feet in
width, leaving the upper portion standing like a head on a small
neck. Three sides of this are overhanging and inaccessible. At the fourth
side it has been split from the contiguous hill, and the cliff has opened
about two feet, from which circumstance I gave it the name "Split Rock."
It is remarkable that though thus insulated and scarcely covered with
soil, the flat top bears a great number of herbs and small trees. I made a
catalc^e of what I saw there : Red oak, black oak, chestnut oak, cedar,
pine, ash, sycamore, water maple, box-elder, red-bud, butternut, hazel,
hornbean, hydrangea, sumac, three-leaved sumac, Juneberry, mullein,
balm, sandwort, yellow flax, sassafras, grass — four species, soxifrage,
white plantain, columbine, eiipatonium, ferns — four species, hounds-
tounge, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, huckleberry, cinquefoil, thistle,
garlic. It is evident that Split Rock is concave and contains a reservoir
of water to which the roots of the plants descend. Immediately above
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GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY 16
Split Rock and beyond the cliff, commences a gradual swell of soil formed
by the disintegration of slate, and produces cedar, pine, and chestnut oak,
which last tree, in this vicinity, furnishes the tanner's bark.
Fiimaoe Hill Near Bmsh Creek Fvmaee.
In company with Mr. John Fisher and Mr. James K. Stewart, pro-
prietors of the furnace, we ascended to the southeast, and presently came
to the slate or shale formations. The rock does not crop out but exfoliated
masses of slate appear in the soil in scales one to two inches in diameter,
and perhaps an eighth of an inch in thickness. Undershrubs became
abundant. I was forcibly reminded of the origin of the name of the con-
tiguous stream [Brush Creek]. The huckleberry bushes with ripe fruit
abounded in the open places. Among other trees, the chestnut begins to
show itself, which is, I believe, scarcely seen to grow in the limestone
regions. After ascending several sharp acclivities, one of thirty degrees
and another of thirty-five, we came to the fine-grained [Waverly] sand-
stone, where it had been quarried for furnace hearthstones, in a stratum
three feet thick. This point is 707 feet above low water at Cincinnati.
Ascending still further, we came to the top of the hill, where the barometer
stood 28.596 inches and the thermometer registered 61 degrees F., a cool
place for 10 A. M., July 12. This would give a height of 797 feet. The
top of this hill is a level terrace of several acres having a deep rich soil, and
producing a heavy growth of timber. It divides the water between
Cedar Run and Scioto Brush Creek. On descending we saw abundance
of game, squirrels, rabbits, and wild turkeys, and I was told that deer were
not uncommon.
ObserTationsy NorthwesterA Part of the Connty.
From Sample's Tavern at the "crossing'' of Brush Creek, nine miles
from West Union, the ascent to Jacksonville presents a section almost
identical with that at West Union :
From the water to the bottom of the flint limestone is . . . 58 feet.
Flint limestone, 51 feet thick 109 feet.
Top of marl, 96 feet thick 205 feet.
Jacksonville 281 feet.
The bed of Brush Creek is then twenty -five to thirty feet in the blue
limestone, and Jacksonville near the top of the cliff limestone. The surface
of the country from Brush Creek Furnace to the Steam Furnace, and from
Jacksonville to Locust Grove, lies on the cliff limestone, is nearly level,
with a thin soil, often ash-colored or almost white, producing naturally
white oaks. With good management it produces wheat, but some of it
needs more nursing than it is likely to receive. The cliff stone in these
places is more porous and arenaceous than elsewhere, and at Locust
Grove it has disintegrated into a kind of sand and gravel through which
a plow may sometimes be driven. From Jacksonville to Locust Grove,
the stone, in its out-croppings, exhibits numerous nodules of sparry
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16 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
crystals which treasure hunters have christened "silver blossom," and have
wasted valuable time in useless and absurd explorations. These sparry
nodules sometimes graduate or blend into a black substance, which gives
opacity, and the spar adds luster till there is an appearance quite like
Galena or lead ore. This has served^ still further to excite the imagination
of dreamers.
Examination at the Steam Fnmaoe.
The stream on which .the furnace stands is small, but yet has cut a
deep channel in the rocks; and falling rapidly below the furnace, presents
within one- fourth of a mile vertical cliffs, seventy f ^t to one hundred feet
high. At the point where it has cut quite through the cliff and makes its
bed in the great marl stratum, the channel opens on the left into a slope
of thirty degrees, while the cliff is vertical or even overhanging on the
opposite side. The slope on the left is formed by the surface of the marl,
which having no other solid materials than the thin slaty limestone which
traverses it remotely, will not lie steeper than thirty degrees or five feet
of an elevation in ten. The continued rains of a ^et season had so softened
the soil on the slope, which does not permit the water to sink away, that
with all its load of trees, rocks and springs, it had slidden into the stream
below, leaving the grooved blue clay marl bald for loo feet in length up
and down the slope and 200 or 300 feet wide.
The Tnrh's Head.
As this marl stratum extends over the whole of the eastern and
middle parts of the county, it presents in the valleys of the streams
peculiar slopes commencing immediately under the cliffs, where they
abound with copious cool spring^; Having a lat^ge portion of Hme in its
composition, it communicates great fertility to the soil. It has already
been noticed thit such lands are called "coves lands." If this marl were
dug out and applied to the poor soil on the terrace of the cliff rocks, it
would undoubtedly fertilize it. The bluff opposite to this avalanche, is a
picturesque object, and its outline near the top resembles the profile of a
Turk, and is called the "Turk's Head."
The rocks through this ravine are all feebly effervescent. The lower
portion, about twenty feet thick, is a tolerably quarry stone, and works
like a sandstone. The middle portion, fifteen or twenty feet thick, is
slaty in structure, but still contains lime. The remainder, sixty or
seventy feet, is a ragged nodular rock, including the ore beds.
ikTmrnmy HilL
We made our approach to the hill one and one-half miles east of the
furnace over an old road, and first passed over the common oak terrace of
the cliff limestone. Gradually ascending we came to the huckleberry
bushes and the chestnut trees, sure signs of the slate region, and finally,
leaving the beaten path, we entered the "tangled thicket," to ascend the
sides of the terminal cone of the knob, where we learned practically the
origin of the name Brush Creek ; for the brush was not merely close set.
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TWIN KOCKS, CIDAR FOKK, MEIGS TOWNSHIP
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GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY 17
but numerous grapevines passing from one young chestnut to another,
horizontally, disputed every rod of our pass. On the slope sides was
abundance of a broad-leaved, cutting grass (andropogon) and a fern
(osmunda) both indicative of a wet soil. We finally arrived at the top,
which is a terrace 200 feet wide and 1,000 feet long, nearly destitute of
trees but covered with grass and copsewood. The height obtained,
barometically, was 735 feet above low water at Cincinnati. The top is
within the fine sandstone region, but that rock does not appear in place, or
in regular layers. Fragments of it are abundant, some of them bright
red, and so much rolled down the slopes that I was unable to determine
where the slate commences.
Valley of Seioto Brash Creek.
Ascending from the waters of Crooked Creek at Locust Grove, we
reached the summit between it and the waters of Scioto Brush Creek
within a half mile. From this point the knobs or slate hills, capped with
fine sandstone, are seen eastwardly ranging north and south to an in-
definite distance. Our first view of Scioto Brush Creek showed it in a
deep channel in the cliflE rock surmounted with cedars. So firm and thick
is that stone in this place that it sustains itself in overhanging clifts, pro-
jecting over the water in places twenty feet. On the slopes of the hills the
stones have the form of stairs, with an occasional rise of twenty inches.
At Smalley's, about six miles from Locust Grove, the cliflF limestone is
covered by a slate hill, and sinking still deeper and deeper as it proceeds
on its line of the dip, disappears altogether beneath the surface a short dis-
tance to the eastward. Even above or west of Smalley*s, on the north
side of the creek, the slate shows itself in a bald or perpendicular side or
mural escarpment of a knob.
Sulphur and Chalybeate Springs.
It is at the junction of the slate and limestone that the sulphurous and
chalybeate springs make their appearance. At Smalley's and just above
the level of the contiguous stream, and a few feet below the top of the lime-
stone, is a spring discharging about fifty gallons of water per minute, at
the temperature of fifty-four degrees, and known in the vicinity as the
"Big Spring." About \en feet above the spnng commences the slate and
rises into a mountain capped with sandstone, fragments of which have
rolled to the base. There is about ten feet of clay between the limestone
and the slate. Along the base of this hill and at the margin of the fork,
the sulphur springs appear for a quarter of a mile. They are highly im-
pregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen, having the foeted smell, the naus-
eous taste, the black mud and the milky precipitate on the waters.
The Slate on South Fork.
It Stands often in cliffs 100 feet in height. It is separable into very
fine plates and would seem to be fit for roofing but unfortunately on ex-
posure it crumbles. It is very bituminous, and when heated will bum
2ii
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18 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
with a bright flame. Sometimes the slate banks ignite and burn for sev-
eral days, but in general it will not support its own combustion. There
is no workable coal in the slate stratum, it contains sulphuret of iron
both in brassy and silver nodules, and imperceptibly blended with the slate
itself. This decomposing, forms copperas and alimi which effloresce in
the clefts of the rocks, and by solution, form chalybeate water. The
slate also includes septaria Indus helmontii, or large rounded masses of
impure blue limestone, often a little flattened and cleft, the interior being
filled with sparry crystals of carbonate of lime, or sulphate of baryta.
About one-fourth of a mile below John Williams', the nodules or sep-
taria of limestone assume the form of globes either perfect or a little flat-
tened, and are singularly marked with parallels and meridians, like the
lines of latitude and longitude on an artificial globe. One, three feet in
diameter, lies at the water's edge broken into two hemispheres ; another,
nine feet in circumference, lies in situs half raised above the water in the
middle of the stream, with its axis nearly perpendicular. The equatorial
part of this globe is raised like the rings of Saturn. Two others are in
the vertical bank twenty feet above the water, one of which is not a per-
fect globe, but a double conoid.
The Fine-Chained Sandstone at Boekville.
This is a fine building stone. It is procured from Waverly, Rockville,
and several localities. As a building stone it is not surpassed in the world.
The gjain is so exceedingly fine that it appears when smoothed almost
compact. Its color is a drab and very uniform, varied occasionally by iron
stains Its fracture is dull and earthy, but so fine and soft as to have a
peculiarly velvety appearance. It works freely and generally endures
atmospheric agencies with little change, except it blackens somewhat from
a decomposition of sulphuret of iron intimately blended with it. It en-
dures the fire and answers well for the hearthstones of furnaces. Its sub-
stance is chiefly an aluminous and silicious deposit almost wholly destitute
of any calcareous matter. It lies in layers or strata nearly horizontal and
varying in thickness from a few inches to three or four feet, separated
mostly by simple joints or seams, having a little clay in them ; sometimes
by a stratum of clay, and in two places traversed by a shale or soft slate
fifteen feet thick.
Heishte AboTe Low Water at CineinnatL
Top of the slate 261 feet.
White ledge 344 feet.
City ledge 410 feet.
Beautiful quarry 465 feet.
Iron stratum 517 feet.
Top of the hill 542 feet.
Vieinity of Loonst GroTO.
Locust Grove occupies the cliff limestone at a lower level than its top.
The region to the north and east of it seems to have simk from 200 to 400
feet, thus making the slate and sandstone occupy the level of the marl and
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GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY 1^
cliff limestone in the outlying region. The channel of Crooked Creek iiT
the vicinity of ♦Massie's Spring is not in the gjeat mari stratum. Its place
seems to be occupied by thin layers of limestone. Near the spring the level
of the cliff limestone is occupied by sandstone in large upturned and broken
masses, from which it is evident that a region of no small extent had sunk
down several hundred feet, producing faults, dislocations, and uptumings
of the layers of rocks. The spring is an excellent sulphuretted water ; on
the west side of it is a gjay limestone, the cliff rising about fifteen feet,
while on the opposite side of it is slate dipping thirty degrees to the east.
Sunken Mountain.
To the east of Massie's Spring lies a sandstone hill beyond and at the
foot of which is Mershon's sulphur spring. Here the slate again is exposed
but dips in a direction opposite to that at Massie's Spring. As the top of
the slate is found here more than 300 feet lower than in the strata in situs
in the surrounding knobs, and as these strata are broken and upturned, it
is evident that this mountain, at some ranote period of time, sank down
from its original place. At Mershon's Spring are found the Indus hel-
montii or septaria of the slate.
Pine HiU.
lies to the east of Locust Grove about two miles. Its top is capped with
sandstone, and its height above low water mark at Cincinnati is 679 feet.
Boeke and Eartks.
Blue limestone; clay marl; flinty limestone; sandy limestone; cal-
careous spar or clear, glass-like crystals of limestone ; hydraulic limestone,
being a compound lime, clay, fine sand and iron ; quartz crystals which will
scratch glass ; chert or flinty nodules, often broken into sharp fragments ;
sulphate of lime, gypsum ; sulphate of baryta ; slate or shale ; clay ; sand-
stone ; red ochre ; bright yellow ochre.
Ores.
Iron ore, limited.
Iron pyrites (fool's gold), abundant.
Solnble Salts.
Epsom salts.
Alum.
Copperas.
Common salt, very sparing.
Coubnstibles.
Petroleum, or rock oil.
Bitumen, in the rocks.
Sulphur in the sulphur springs.
Sulphuretted hydrogen.
* This spring was formerly the property of General Massie and be erreoted a bath houie
and other bulidlnn there in order to make It a convenient *' watering place." It was known
as the "Red Sulphur Spring."
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CHAPTER III.
THE MOUND BUILDERS
The Great Serpent Mound— Old Stone Fort— Explorations of the Valley
of Brush Creek.
V'
Scattered over the vast extent of territory stretching from the Alle-
ghanies on the east to the Rockies on the west, and extending from the
Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, are landmarks of an ancient people
once inhabitants of this region, and whom, we, for the want of a more
specific term, call the Mound Builders Whence they came is enveloped in
impenetrable mystery. Some have supposed them to be the lost tribes of
Israel, which hardly deserves passing notice. Others, and there is much to
sustain the theory, suppose them to be of Mexican origin, having pushed
gradually to the northward, where, in time, they were assailed by invaders
from the northwest, who perhaps came from Asia when that continent was
united in the region of Alaska to America, and who by reason of superior
numbers or more warlike natures swept these people in turn back to the
southward.
At what period of time these people flourished, or when they ceased
to be, is problematical. The Indians had no tradition concerning them,
In fact, it is very generally believed by those who have investigated the
matter, that there was at least one intervening race of inhabitants in the
Mississippi Valley prior to the advent of the Indians and following the dis-
appearance of the Mound Builders. We refer to "The Villagers" who
formed the "garden beds" found in northern Indiana, southern Michigan
and lower Missouri. These "beds" are laid out with great order and sym-
metry and do not belong to any recognized system of horticulture. They
are in the richest soils and occupy from ten acres to three hundred acres
each. That they are the work of a race succeeding the Mound Builders,
is evidenced by the fact, that some of these "garden beds" extend over
mounds which certainly would not have been permitted by their builders.
Again the formation of these "beds" cannot be ascribed to the Indians for
no such systoem of cultivating grain or plant foods was practiced by them.
And again, when the white man's attention was first called to the num-
erous mounds and enclosures in the Ohio Valley as being the work of an
extinct race, it was observed that forest growths over these works were of
the same species as those in the outlying regions, which would prove the
great antiquity of these structures. It is well known to persons skilled in
woodcraft that several generations of trees must come and go before bar-
ren soils will produce the variety and kinds of the virgin forest. As an il-
lustration, the writer observed that the "old coalings" in the vicinity of
Marble Furnace in Adams County, are covered with a dense growth of red
(20)
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THE MOUND BUILDERS 21
oak saplings while the virgin forest consisted of ash, white oak, chestnut
oak, hickory and black maple. On some of these mounds, as for instance,
one at Marietta, Ohio, stood trees showing eight hundred annual growths.
When Squier and Davis made their surveys of the mounds of Ohio, in
1846, it is noted that a chestnut tree measuring twenty-one feet in circum-
ference, and an oak twenty-three feet in circumference grew on the walls
of "Fort Hill" in Highland County, in the vicinity of Sinking Springs.
From calculations based on periodical deposits of sediment at the mouth
of the Mississippi, and the supposition that the mounds now existing along
its lower course were originally built near the mouth of the river, it is as-
certained that these works were erected from ten to thirty centuries ago.
But whatever time may have elapsed since ihe Mound Builders inhabited
this region, it is nevertheless an undisputed fact that such a people once
had their abodes here, and that they were a race distinct from the aborig-
ines of whom we know something definite. They have left no written
history to tell the story of their existence, but instead imperishable me-
mentos in the form of mounds, enclosures, effigies, stone implements, and
so forth.
In all the vast region inhabited by the Mound Builders, to the arch-
aeologist, the territory comprised within the state of Ohio is one of the
most interesting sections. Within the limits of the state there are not
fewer than ten thousand mound and one thousand five hundred circum-
vallations or enclosures. These works are found in three great groups:
the Muskingum, the Scioto, and the Miami Valleys respectively. Along
each of these are groups of mounds marking prominent settlements of this
prehistoric race. And it is a singular fact, and one of the strongest to
prove that these people were an agricultural race, that all the principal
cities and towns of this state are upon the veryj^ounds marked out as the
villages and towns of the Mound Builders. The same advantages as to
location from an agricultural and commercial point of view noted by the
present Anglo-Saxon inhabitants, were observed by the Mound Builders
centuries ago. Marietta, Portsmouth, Chillicothe, Circleville, Netwark,
Springfield, Hamilton, and Cincinnati are marked examples of this.
All the monimients of this people in this state, may be classed under
two gieneral heads, mounds and enclosures, with three marked exceptions,
viz.: the Whittlesey Effigy Mound, the Alligator Mound and the Great
Serpent Mound. It is to the last mentioned effig>' that the writer desires
to call special attention.
The Cfrreat Serpent Moiu&cL
Although the Serpent Mound is well known to archaeologists of both
the old and the new world, yet until very recently there were many intel-
ligent persons in the county wherein it is located who scarcely knew of its
existence. When the writer first visited the Serpent Mound in 1883, he
was astonished to learn from a gentleman of fair intelligence who had lived
in the vicinity from childhood, that he had not seen the mound for over
twenty years. This was the more surprising from the fact that scientific
gentlemen from Europe had but a short time previous, spent several weeks
in platting, photographing, and investigating this wonderful effigy; and
that Prof. F. W. Putnam, in behalf of the Peabody Museum, of Cam-
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22 HISTORV- OF ADAMS COUNTY
bridge, Massachusetts, was then, in company with other prominent arch-
aeologists, on the grounds studying the design and features of the mound
But this only confirms what is too often true, that familiarity destroys re-
spect and reverence for what is sacred or venerable.
The Great Serpent Mound is located on the east fork of Ohio Brush
Creek, in Bratton Township, in the extreme northern portion of Adams
County, within sight of the little hamlet of Loudon (Lovett P. O.) and
about seven miles from the town of Peebles on the line of the Cincinnati,
Portsmouth and Virginia Railroad It lies along the crest of a narrow
spur-like ridge rising in its highest part to an altitude of one hundred and
fifty feet above the level of the waters of Brush Creek which washes its
western base. On the east,* this ridge is cut by a narrow ravine which
deepens and widens as it nears the creek to the north of the serpent's head.
The ridge projects from the high table lands on the east of Brush Creek,
and slopes gently down to a narrow, projecting bluff, something more
than eighty feet high, overlooking the fertile bottom lands of the creek,
both up and down the valley, and giving a commanding view of a broad
expanse of country for miles in front and to the northward. The spur-like
ridge along the crest of which the Serpent lies, is crescent-shaped, its con-
cave side bordering on the creek. Along this western side of the ridge,
its entire length, as also to the front and right of the serpent's head, the
walls are almost vertical. About midway from where the ridge joins the
table lands at the south of the triple coil of the serpent's tail as shown in
the engraving, and the bluff at the north of its head, there is a considerable
depression extending across the ridge from east to west.
Beginning in a triple coil of the tail on the highest portion of this
ridge, the Great Serpent lies extended in beautiful folds down along the
crest ; curving gracefully over the depression in the ridge, it winds in nat-
ural folds up and along the narrow ledge, with head and neck stretched
out, serpent-like, on the high and precipitous bluff, overlooking the creek
and country beyond. Just to the north of the serpent's head, and partly
within its extended jaws, is an oval or egg-shaped figure, eighty-six feet
long and about thirty feet wide at its middle, surrounded by an embank-
ment from two to three feet high and about twenty feet wide. A little to
the north of the center of the egg-shaped figure is a pile of stones showing
plainly marks of fire ; and some have supposed here once to have been an
altar about which a benighted people performed the mystic rites of their
religion.
Prof. McLean, author of several popular works on archaeology, dis-
covered that there are two other crescent-shaped elevations between the
precipice and the north extremity of the egg-shaped figure, extending
nearly parallel with the curves forming the north extremity of the oval,
which he thinks are intended to represent the hind legs of a frog leaping
from the precipice to the creek below. It is his theory that the frog, the
oval, and the serpent are symbolical of the three forces in Nature: the
creative, the productive, and the destructive; the frog representative of
the first ; the oval, an egg emitted by it as it leaps from the precipice to the
creek below, the second ; and the serpent in the act of swallowing the egg,
the third.
The Great Serpent is the only effigy mound of its kind in North Amer-
ica. It differs in its structure, also, from the various effigies in Wisconsin,
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THE MOUND BUILDERS 23
its base being formed of stones, and the body of the work of clay and sur-
face soil. The entire length of the serpent, following its convolutions, is
thirteen hundred and thirty-five feet. Its width at the largest portion of the
body is twenty feet. At the tail the width is no more than four or five feet.
Here the height is from three to four feet which increases towards the
center of the body to a height of from five to six feet. The total length
of the entire work from the north end of the oval to the end of the tail
of the serpent following its convolutions, is fourteen hundred and fifteen
feet, and the average height is about four feet. A recent writer says :
"Persistent explorations of the mound and its immediate vicinity have
resulted in many important discoveries, which have opened the field to
conclusions of widespread interest. The mound is a voiceless evidence
of the fact that certain forms of worship in all parts of the world were
identical in prehistoric times, and from this some have come to the conclu-
sion that the human race was everywhere alike in its earlier forms of de-
velopment. Other scientists have reasoned, however, not that the race
was one great family, undivided into tribes in that distant age, but that the
different tribes touched elbows in some things. The form of the mound
and the discoveries made under the soil of modern formation have led to
the conclusion that the race known as the Mound Builders were addicted
to the terrible worship of the serpent, of which little is positively known,
and much is guessed. That human sacrifice formed a part of the rites of
this worship seams certain from the evidence gained by a study of the
mound.
"How many centuries ago it was built will never be known until the
great day when all earth's secrets are opened. The explorations have
shown, however, that there are three strata of soil. First comes the super-
imposed layer of black soil ccMnposed of vegetable mold, which has been
deposited since the erection of the mound. Second is the yellow clay of
which the mound was built^ and which was apparently carried from three
pits in the near vicinity. Third is the grayish clay of the foundation.
Evidently the soil, whatever there may have been at that time, had been
cleared away until this clay was reached. Upon it huge stones had been
carried with infinite labor from the bed of Brush Creek, far below, to form
a foundation. This preserved it against the wash of rains, and upon this
foundation the mound was built, of yellow clay, mixed in some places with
ashes. The egg-shaped mound within the jaws of the serpent, is an oval,
of which the walls are four feet high and eighteen feet wide. The oval
itself is 1 20 by 60 feet. In the pit, in the center of the eggy the ancient altar
was placed.
"Some of its fire-blackened stones are still there. Within the memory
of men still living it was quite an imposing structure. The myth that
treasure was buried in this ancient cairn had firm hold on the pioneers,
however, and years ago the altar was torn down, in a vain search for gold
and precious stones. So far as possible it has been restored.
"The mound itself is built as all other serpent mounds are, no matter
in what country. The head of the serpent, containing the altar, is on a
high bluff overlooking Brush Creek. The first rays of the Sun God fell
first upon this altar, and from it, far below, the priests of the ancient faith
could see the ♦three forks of the river. This trinity, whether it be three
•Baker'8, Middle and West. See Bratton Township.
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24 fflSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
rivers or three mountains, is always to be seen from an altar of the ser-
pent worshipers, and is always unmistakable. The alt^r is invariably
placed in the one spot from which the trinity may be seen. It is always
olaced where the first rays of the rising sun may fall upon it. From the
.-eighboring lands the awe-struck worshipers of old might see the priests
perform their fearsome rites and watch the victim of the stone knives
gasp out his last breath as the first tongue of flame licked at his still quiver-
ing flesh. Just what these rites were will never be known, in all prob-
ability. But that fire and knife played a part in them can hardly be doubted
from the mute witnesses found by modern searchers.
*'That the spot was revered as a shrine is certain from the character
of the remains found near it. Hardly a square yard of the surrounding
territory is there that did not at one time hold a grave. The interments
were evidently made with ceremonies of some nature. Ashes are fre-
quently found in the graves though this is not often an indication of cre-
mation. The human bones found are not calcined by fire. The ashes
are rather to be considered as the scrapings from the hearth desolated by
the death of its protector. In them are found stone and bone weapons
and ornaments and occasionally plates of native copper, rudely hammered
out, or crystals of lead ore fashioned into rude ornaments. Smelting was
not known then, and stone hammers took the place of the rolling mills of
today.
"From the position of these copper ornaments, they were evidently
head and breast plate, probably burnished. They are in very rare in-
stances of sufficient size to be considered as an early attempt at body armor.
Flint knives of considerable elegance and of presumable utility are to be
found in abundance, together with weapons :*n the process of making, and
the stone shapers and grinders by which the weapons were made. In one
or two instances these stone knives have been found in such position as to
inevitably lead to the conclusion that they were lodged in the body at the
time of interment. Whether they were placed there before or after death
is mere conjecture. In the ashes of the graves remains of rude pottery
are also to be found.
**From a careful inspection of the Sei:pent Mound, and an exploration
of the graves and mound itself, scientists have formed several interesting
conclusions. First, that the mound, corresponding as it does exactly in
type with similar serpent mounds found in Asia, Africa and Europe,
Central America, Peru and Mexico, points to the dissemination of serpent
worship at one time over the then habitable world. Whether these mounds
are of approximately the same date, or belong to different epochs, is yet
debatable. That they belong to the same form of worship is indisputable.
Human sacrifice is pointed at by the fire-blackened altars. The worship
of the snake still exists among the Zunis and Moquis of our own country,
though the more bloodthirsty portion of the rites is now omitted. All
evidence points to such sacrifice at no distant date among them, however.
"Structural peculiarities of the skulls point to a similarity of the
Mound Builders with the Hindoos of the present day and with the ancient
Peruvian races. The occasional presence of decapitated bodies in the
serpent mound graves, or a bodyless skull, indicates that head hunting,
even as it is now practiced among the Dyaks of Borneo, existed in those
earlier days. Traces of paints occasionally are found on the disinterred
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^ 7)
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o w
= X
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THE MOQND BUILDERS 26
skeletons together with lumps of the ochre used for such personal adorn-
ment, even as the American Indian does now where he has not come in con-
tact with tiie influence of civilization. Lastly, the skulls found are those
of men equal in brain capacity and muscular and bony structure to races in
existence at present."
In 1886 the trustees of the Peabody Fund of Harvard University,
through the efforts of Prof. F. W. Putnam, purchased the Serpent Mound
and several acres of the lands surrounding it from Hon. John T. Wilson.
Under the directions of Prof. Putnam, the Serpent was restored to its
original outlines, and the grounds surrounding were tastefully converted
into a beautiful park — now known as The Serpent Mound Park.
Recently the park has come into the possession of the Ohio State
Archaeological and Historical Society. It will be greatly improved and
made a place of resort for pleasure seekers as well as for the graver
students of the monuments of a lost race.
Old Stone Fort.
In the. northern part of Tiffin Township, about one mile to the north-
west of the now almost forgotten site of the old town of Waterford on
Lick Fork, on lands now owned by William Smith and William Crosby, is
"Old Stone Fort," an ancient structure, the work of the Mound Builders.
The form of the fort is circular. The walls are from twenty to thirty
feet at the base, and were when first observed by the early settlers from
three to five feet in height. They seem to have been constructed of clay
and surmounted with a heavy wall of stones. This theory is sustained
from the fact that portions of the stone superstructure seem to have top-
pled over where the bulk of the stones lie on the outer edge of the walls.
In other portions there are but few stones remaining, the walls having
been taken down and removed.
The site of the fort was well chosen. It is on the highlands border-
ing Lick Fork of Ohio Brush Creek, and commands a sweeping view of
the valley below and the country about and beyond. It is near enough the
rich valleys of Ohio Brush Creek to afford a place of safe retreat for those
engaged in cultivating the soil or fishing in its waters in case of attack.
A little rocky stream known as Mink Run flows across the enclosure
from west to east cutting it into two equal portions. From the outer limits
of each of these portions of the enclosure come little rivulets which enter
Mink Run within it thus dividing it by a series of narrow longitudinal val-
leys affording shelter from the missiles of an attacking party from without
the walls of the fort. Within the walls of the fort are three fine springs
of pure water. The one on the east of the center of the enclosure would
alone supply hundreds of persons and animals with abundance of water
at all seasons of the year. There seems to have been constructed across
Mink Run below this spring and near the eastern wall of the enclosure,
a dam which formed a great reserv(Mr of pure water in this portion of the
fort: The walls of the fort itself have been much heavier in the portion
tvhere Mink Run passes through them than elsewhere. There are three
gateways yet visible in the walls. One at the southwest, one at the west
where Mink Run enters the enclosure, and one to the northwest. Thi<5
last gateway is in a portion of the wall yet covered with forests and can
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26 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
readily be seen. At the western gateway where Mink Run enters the en-
closure are two circular structures, one on each side of the stream. These
are each about thirty feet in diameter and were erected for the protection
of this gate. Without the north and east walls of the fort are a number
of small mounds. Within the eastern wall of the enclosure there can yet
be seen a small mound about thirty feet in diameter, now about level with
the surrounding surface, which at one time was several feet in height.
This was opened many years ago by Samuel McClung who then owned the
lands on which the fort is situated, and it was found to contain charred
bones and some bits of earthenware. The walls of the fort proper enclose
about thirty acres of land.
* Explorations of the Valley of Brush Creek.
This region is well known because in its northern part is located the
faiiious Serpent Mound. The serpent itself has been the subject of much
literature and considerable has been published regarding Fort Hill, in the
edge of Highland County, but a few miles up Brush Creek from the ser-
pent. But no one seems to have examined the remains lying between the
serpent and the Ohio River. There are several branches of Ohio Brush
Creek which also have remains along their shores, so that altogether there
is about sixty miles of occupied territory along Brush Creek Valley.
On the farm of James McCullough, about four miles north of Youngs-
ville, a small mound was opened and a skeleton badly decayed found
near the center, with head toward the east. Several flint war points, some
bones, needles, and a few bear tusks were found near the shoulders.
In a small stone mound on the farm of James Montgomery was found
a cremated skeleton and one badly decayed. An earth mound three-
fourths of a mile northeast of Montgomery's was opened and a hammer
stone and decayed bones found.
On the McCullough farm five miles south of Youngsville, three stone
mounds, nine by eleven, seventeen by twenty-one, seven by ten, and each
about one foot high were explored. They occupy a high point of land over-
looking West Fork of Brush Creek. Bodies as in case of all stone graves
or mounds lay upon the surface, and had been covered with bark and stones
heaped on top. No relics accompanied the remains. On a spur of the
same hill, lower down, say loo feet above the valley is an earth mound,
two feet high and thirty-two feet in diameter. In. the center was found
a skeleton buried about five feet deep. The skeleton was surrounded by
large flat stones forming a kind of sarcophagus.
On the Swearinger farm two and a half miles below Newport on
Ohio Brush Creek is an earth mound.
On the Plummer farm just below Newport is a village site containing
twenty-five acres, and must have had 200 lodges. There are numerous
pottery fragments, flint chips, bones, and other remains scattered over the
surface. Skeletons in graves have been found here.
On the F'lorea farm at an elevation of 500 feet, commanding a view
of the country for ten miles about, is an earth mound.
* Extracts from Ohio Arohaeologioal Report, 1897.
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THE MOUND BUILDERS 27
On the Patton farm on Cherry Fork is a mound four feet high and
forty feet base. In it was a badly decayed skeleton and two rare spear-
heads. A layer of charcoal two inches thick covered the skeleton.
There are a number of stone graves on the farm of William McCor-
mick on West Fork of Brush Creek. On the Williams farm across West
Fork from McCormick's, on a hill 175 feet high is a moimd four feet high
and forty in diameter. In it was found burnt earth, charcoal, a cremated
skeleton and one spearhead.
On the Finley farm near North Liberty is a mound four feet high
and fifty feet broad. Two skeletons were found above which were much
charcoal and ashes and two fine spearheads of the "shouldered" pattern.
About one-half mile north of Winchester is a fine mound and three
circles, the walls of which were when first discovered about five feet high.
These circles are about 150 feet in diameter. One mile north of Win-
chester on a branch of. West Fork, Mr. James McNutt m 1896 found a
cache or pocket of eighteen spears of fine workmanship, and constitute
one of the finest deposits ever discovered.
Above and below the village of Rome six miles aboye the mouth of
Ohio Brush Creek are extensive village sites with refuse scattered over
the fields in great profusion. Just below Rome on the high bank of the
river, 200 yards from the water, is a mound two feet high and fifty feet
in diameter. In this mound were twenty-two skeletons.
To the above we add the following: On Ohio Brush Creek, on the
old Daniel Collier farm, there is a circular enclosure 200 feet in diameter
and three to four feet high. This is situated on the broad terrace on the
right bank of the creek about three-fourths of a mile below the Collier res-
idence, and just below the old ford of the creek. The banks of the creek
have been washed away until a portion of the circle is exposed, giving a
fine sectional view. There are fragments of human bones, shells, charcoal
and flint chips extending through a vertical section of two feet. There
are numerous stone graves on the high hills overlooking Brush Creek in
this region.
At the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek is a village site, and numerous,
kettle-shaped pockets of burnt earth, charcoal and other debris. On the
Ohio River just below Vineyard Hill was a fine mound perhaps fifteen feet
high and one hundred feet in diameter near which Israel Donalson was
captured by the Indians in April, 1791. When the writer visited this mound
in 1883, the river had cut it nearly all away. In the archaeological report
above quoted, the mound at Rome is said to be the place of Donalson^s
captivity. This is a gross error.
Below the mouth of Island Creek and near the upper island is a mound
and circle. And at the crossing of Seventh and Broadway in the town of
Manchester stood a most beautiful mound twenty or twenty-five feet high,
and perfect as a cone. It is said that the Ellison heirs who owned the land
had this beautiful tumulus dug down and carted away.
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CHAPTER IV.
THE INDIANS
Principal Tribes that Inhabited Ohio— Tbel^ Mode of Life-Pioneer Ex-
peditions Asainst the Tn d < nn ■— E»tingnishment of
Indian Titles,
That portion of the Northwest Territory comprised within the limits
of the state of Ohio, when first visited by white men, was occupied by
several powerful and warlike tribes of Indians. The first explorer of
this region was LaSalle who discovered the Ohio River in the year 1669,
but his account of the Indian tribes is meager and unreliable. In fact no
authentic account of the Indians in this region dates beyond the year
1750. About this period, some reliable information as to location, numbers,
manners and customs of these tribes was obtained from adventurers and
traders among them. In the year 1755 James Smith, of Bedford, Penn-
sylvania, was taken prisoner by some Delaware Indians and carried to one
of thear towns on the upper Muskingum, and adopted by one of their
families. Smith was then about eighteen years of age, and he remained
with this tribe, adopting their customs and manners, until his twenty-
third year. He afterwards became a resident of the state of Kentucky and
was elected a member of the Legislature of that state for several years.
His account of the Ohio Indians is accepted as reliable. In the year 1764,
Col. Boquet led an expedition overland frcmi Fort Pitt against the Mingos
and Delawares in the Muskingum country, and at the same time Col. Brad-
street invaded the lands of the Wyandots and Ottawas in the region of
the Sandusky and Maimiee, from the British post at Detroit. As a result
of these expeditions much valuable information was obtained concerning
the
Ohio Tribes of Indians.
At this period the Wyandotts occupied the valleys and plains bordering
the Sandusky River. They were, according to their traditions the oldest
of the northern tribes of Indians, and had at one time occupied' all the
country from Mackinaw down the Lakes to Quebec, west to the Great
Miami River, and northwest to Lake Michigan. They had spread the deer
skin for the Delawares and Shawnees and permitted them to occupy a por-
tion of their country. It is said of them that they were always a humane
and hospitable people who instead of torturing and killing their white pris-
oners, adopted them into their families and treated them as of their own
blood and kin. Rev. James B. Finley, a missionary to the Wyandotts for
many years, points to the fact that at that time this tribe was dominated by
descendants of the Armstrongs, Browns, Gibsons, Walkers, Zanes and
other white families prominent in Ohio pioneer historv.
(28)
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THE INDIANS 29
The Delawares who at one time occupied the country north of the
Potomac, and who sold to William Penn the state of Pennslyvania, after-
wards crossed the Alleghanies and took possession of the country drained
by the Muskingiun and its tributaries. The Delawares were largely
represented by warriors at the defeat of St. Clair.
The Mingos, a remnant of the Six Nations, were in greatest force
about the Mingo Bottoms on the Ohio River below Steubenville, and
occupied the country as far down the Ohio as the Scioto. In the early
history of the country they had dwelt in the lake region of the
state of New York and in the contest for supremacy between the British
and French, had taken sides with the English. The celebrated Logan,
whose speech at the treaty with Lord Dunmore, at Camp Charlotte, on the
Scioto, which was pronounced by Jefferson one of the masterpieces of the
world's oratory, was a chief of the Mingo nation.
The Miamis, a fearless and warlike people of whom the chief Little
Turle, was a representative type, resided in the region of the Great Miami
and the upper Maumee.
The Shawnees, the most relentless enemy of the early white? settlers,
were of southern origin, and occupied all the country between the Scioto
and the Little Miami northward to the territory of the Wyandotts and
Ottawas in the region of the Sandusky and Maumee. The celebrated
Chief Tecumseh was a Shawnee. The above mentioned were the principal
Indian tribes in what is now the state of Ohio, when the first white ad-
venturers began to explore this region.
Indian Mode of Lif e«
The first explorers of the region bordering the Ohio from the mouth
of the Muskingum to that of the Great Miami note the existence of but
one Indian town — Lower Old Town — ^a Shawnee village just below the
mouth of the Scioto, on the Ohio side. The village contained a numerous
population, but was destroyed by a great flood about the year 1765. After-
wards the whites laid out the old town of Alexandria near the same site,
which* in time was abandoned for reasons which caused the Indians to re-
move to another situation. The other Indian towns in this region were
those on the waters of Paint Creek, and near where the town of Xenia
now stands on waters of the Little Miami. There were camping sites oc-
cupied a portion of the year by Indian families on the larger tributaries
of the Scioto and the Miamis, but no permanent vills^es. In Adams
County, there were noted summer camps on Ohio Brush Creek near its
mouth, on the West Fork above the village of Newport, and above the
Marble Furnace on the East Fork. There was a well-known hunting
camp on Scioto Brush Creek near Smalleys. As late as the year 1800,
Indian families cultivated the bottom lands on West Fork above where
the Tranquillity pike crosses that stream. These families came from the
towns on Paint Creek to this region to gather their winter store*; the
women and children to make sugar in the fine groves of black maple that
bordered the waters of Brush Cr^ek, and to cultivate patches of maize
and beans, while the men fished in the well -stocked streams,- or fcJlowed
the chase in quest of the deer, elk and bear.
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30 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
When the first white adventurers penetrated this region they found the
Iildians well equipped with guns, axes, and knives supplied by the French
traders in the region of the Lakes. Only boys and squaws used the bow
and arrow in the pursuit of game. They were also supplied with iron ket-
tles for use in cooking and sugar-making. The men were experts in the
construction of bark canoes, and the women were unexcelled in the dress-
ing of skins and the making of moccasins for the feet. They also made ves-
sels from skins in which they stored the oil of tlie bear for future use. These
summer camps consisted of wigwams formed from poles set on end and
fastened together at the top, and covered usually with bark, occasionally
with skins, leaving a small entrance on one side, and an opening at the
top for the escape of smoke when a fire was made within. Their huts in
the villages were made of small round logs covered with bark or skins.
Old Chillicothe, near Xenia, was built up in the form of a hollow square,
with a log council house extending the length of the town.
The domestic animals of the Indian were the horse and the dog, and
the wealth of a brave was reckoned by the number of these in his posses-
sion. The Indian furnished shelter and food for his dog, but neither for
his horse. His dog could share his meal of venison or bear meat, and could
sleep in his wigwam — ^but the horse could do neither. His horse was ex-
pected to feast in summer and starve through the winter, when its only
subsistence was the fallen grass of the rich bottom lands and upland
prairies, or the "browse," or twigs of small bushes and und"ergrowth of the
forests.
Pioneer Expeditions Against the Indians.
The Ohio tribes of Indians guarded its .soil with jealous care against
the encroachments of the whites. They had carried on wars of extermina-
tion among themselves previous to the coming of the white settlers, but
upon the advent of the latter, the prc«ninent chiefs of the several tribes
counseled peace among their own people, and unrelenting warfare against
their common enemy, the whites. As a result, for a period of forty years
from Braddock's defeat to Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers, the most
relentness, the most cruel border warfare in the history of the world was
waged between the Ohio Indians and the white settlers of Western Penn-
sylvania, and Virginia, and the northeastern border of Kentucky. The
military organizations led into this region before the establishment of civil
government in the great Northwest, under Maj. Wilkins, in 1763; Col.
Bradstreet, in 1764; Col. Bowman, in 1779; Col. Clark, in 1780. Col.
Broadhead, in 1781, and that of Col. Crawford, in 1782, only served to
stimulate the Indians to greater eflForts to exterminate the white invaders.
Even the successful campaigns of Col. Boquet, in 1764; of Lord Dunmore,
1774, and of Gen. George Rogers Clark, in 1778, failed to give any per-
manent safety to the border settlers on the Ohio. After the treaty of peace
between the United States and England in 1783, when the Northwest
Territory came into the possession of our government, several minor
expeditions from the settlements in Kentucky were undertaken against
the Shawnee towns on the Little Miami and the waters of the Scioto, but
with no beneficial results to the whites.
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THE INDIANS 81
Tod's Ezpeditton.
One of these expeditions organized by Col. Robert Tod, of Paris, Ken-
tucky, and Simon Kenton, of Kenton's Station, near Washington, Ken-
tucky, took its route across Adams County, and blazed a line of travel
through the forest, that afterwards became a prominent landmark in this
region, known as Tod's Trace and Tod*s War Road. The Indians had
greatly harrassed the inhabitants around Kenton's Station, stealing their
horses, and killing the settlers or carrying them away in captivity. This
was in the summer of 1787, and Kenton sent word to Col. Tod to bring
what men he could raise and join his men at Washington from which place
their combined forces would march against the Shawnee town on the north
fork of Paint Creek in what is now Ross County, Ohio. The forces ren-
dezvoused at Washington, and Col. Tod was put in command. They
crossed the Ohio at Limestone and marched up the river to Little Three
Mile Creek and thence by the way of where Bentonville now stands to the
waters of Lick Fork, and thence to Ohio Brush Creek which they crossed
at the Old Indian Ford, afterwards called "Tod's Crossing," near the
Fristoe bridge, and thence by way of the Sinking Spring to Paint Creek.
McDonald says Kenton as usual commanded a company and piloted the
way to the Chillicothe town. On their route out, about five miles south of
tlie town, the advance guard, commanded by Kenton, met four Indians.
Kenton and one Helm fired, and killed two of the Indians. The other two
were taken prisoners. Kenton was surrounded by a set of young men of
his own training, and fearful was the doom of enemies of equal numbers
who came in their way. From the two prisoners they learned that there
was a large Indian encampment between them and old Chillicothe, and
about three miles from that place. On this intelligence the army was
halted, and Kenton and his company went cautiously forward to recon-
noiter the situation of the enemy. Kenton proceeded near the Indian
camp, and with a few chosen men reconnoitered the enemy. He
then sent an express to Col. Tod, informing him of their probable number
and situation. Before day Maj. Hinkston came on and joined Kenton.
Prompt measures were immediately, taken. The Indian camp was sur-
rounded, but the whites were too impatient for delay, and the attack was
made before it was light enough. Two Indians only were killed and seven
made prisoners. Many in the darkness made their escape. Col. Tod,
with the main body of the troops, lingered behind, and did not reach the
place where the Indians were defeated till the sun was at least two hours
high in the morning. The Indians who escaped alarmed the town. Their
men, women and children took naked to the woods, and by the time
Col. Tod reached the town, they had all fled. The town was burned and
everything about destroyed. The army camped that night on Paint Creek
and the next day made their way home, without the loss of a man killed or
wounded.
Scott's Expedition.
In the spring of the year 1790, Col. Charles Scott led an expedition of
230 mounted men from Limestone across Adams County to the waters of
Scioto Brush Creex in pursuit of a band of marauding Indians who had
been committing depredations against the settlement on Lee's Creek, Ken-
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32 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
tucky. At the Indian camp near Smalley's Spring, four Indians were sur-
prised and killed, the main body having abandoned the camp before the
arrival of Col. Scott's force.
A Battle Near Reeve's Crossins*
In 1793, a large party of Indians crossed the Ohio above the mouth of
Brush Creek and attacked the white settlements about Morgan's Station.
,Col. Kenton having been informed of the attack hastily collected a party
of about thirty of the choice spirits about his station and set off in hot haste
to intercept the Indians on their retreat to the Chillicothe towns on Paint
Creek. Taking Tod's trace opposite Limestone, he followed it to what is
known as Reeve's Crossing of Paint Creek near the present town of
Bainbridge. where he discovered a fresh trail of Indians going down the
creek. It was late in the evening and he cautiously followed the trail till
dark. Kenton then left his party, and in company with Michael Cassady,
went forward to make observations. They had not proceeded far when
they found the Indians encamped on the bank of Paint Creek. They had
thr-ee fires; some of them were singing and making other merry noises,
showing that they felt in perfect security. Kenton and Cassady returned
to their party, and it was concluded to lay still till daylight and then
surround and attack the Indians. Kenton's party were all on horseback.
Having secured their horses, they lay still till daylight when they moved
on for the Indian camp. When they got near the camp they haJted and
divided into three divisions. Capt. Baker, with one division, was directed
to proceed to the creek above the camp ; Cassady with another division was
ordered to make the creek below the camp; and Kenton with the re-
maining division was to attack the camp in front. Strict orders were
given that no attack should be made until it was light enough to draw
a clear bead. The divisions took their several stations promptly. Day-
light began to appear, the Indians had risen, and some were standing
about the fires. Capt. Baker, seeing the Indians, soon became impatient
to commence the action, and before it was light enough to see to draw
a clear sight, he began the attack. All the divisions then rushed upon the
Indian camp and fired. The Indians dashed across the creek and scattered
through the woods like a flock of young partridges. Tlwee Indians only,
and a white man narried Ward, were killed. Ward had been taken prisoner
by the Indians when young, and in every respect was an Indian. He had
two brothers, James and Charles, who were near neighbors to Kenton
and who were respectable men. James Ward was with Kenton in this
engagement. Kenton's party lost one man, Joseph Jones, in this engage-
ment. The party returned home without any further adventure.
To the reader in these days of advanced civilization these thrilling
stories of Indian depredations against the white, settlements on the Ken-
tucky border, and the prompt retaliatory incursions of the whites against
the Indian towns in the Northwest Territory, read like fiction. It seems
incredible that any considerable body of mounted troops could be collected
and carried over the Ohio River within the course of a few hours' time.
There were neither bridges nor ferries across the Ohio in those days, and
the rapid crossing of that broad stream by mounted troops would seem
a formidable undertaking.
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THE INDIANS 33
•
But the waters of the beautiful Ohio were no barrier to our hardy
pioneer fathers. Their horses were trained to swin and at the same time
carry their riders and their accoutrements. With a few well-trained
leaders, a troop of horsemen would dash into the waters of the Ohio, and
within the time it takes to relate the fact would be on the opposite shore
getting in order for the pursuit of a marauding band of Indians, or for a
dash against some of their towns. It will be remembered that when
Simon Kenton was captured by the "Indians in 1778, at the mouth of
Eagle Creek, now in Brown County, it was through delay in trying to get
the horses he and his companions had taken from the Indians on Paint
Creek, to enter the waters of the Ohio, a windstorm prevailing at the time
which dashed the waves so high as to frighten the animals.
Kenton's Attack on the Camp of Teeumseli.
Early in the spring of 1792, a small band of Indians under the
celebrated Tecumseh, made an incursion into the region about Limestone,
Kentucky, and stole a number of horses from the settlers. A party of
whites numbering thirty-six men, among whom was Simon Kenton,
Cornelius Washburn, Benjamin Whiteman, Alexander Mclntyre, Timothy
Downing, Charles Ward, and other experienced woodsmen, pur-
sued the enemy. It was found that the Indians had crossed
the Ohio at IwOgan's Gap near the mouth of Eagle Creek and
had followed the course of Logan's Trace toward the Indian
towns on the waters of the Little Miami. The pursuing party
crossed the Ohio the first evening and encamped for the night. Early
the next morning the trail of the Indians was taken up and followed in a
northerly course, through a flat swampy region. When fairly started on
the trail, a difference of opinion as to the best plan to pursue, arose among
the men, and twelve of them were granted liberty to return home. Kenton,
at the head of the twenty-four remaining, pushed on and encami>ed the
second night on the waters of White Oak Creek, now in Brown County.
On the afternoon of the following day, the tinkle of a bell was heard,
and the pursuing party believed they were in the vicinity of the Indian
Camp. After moving cautiously forward some distance, a solitary Indian
was seen approaching them. When within gur^hot he was fired upon
and killed. Then Kenton hastened his spies forward to reconnoiter the
Indian camp, being satisfied it was near by. A considerable body of
Indians was later found encamped on the waters of thr East Fork of the
Little Miami near the present boundary between Brown and Clermont
Counties. A hasty council was held and it was agreed to lay by until night-
fall, and then assault the camp. Spies were left to watch the camp, while
the men withdrew and kindled fires to dry themselves from a day's travel
through the cold March rain, and to put their guns in order. The party
was then divided into three detachments, Kenton commanding the right,
Mclntyre the center, and Downing the left. When Downing and his men
had approached near the camp, an Indian arose and began to stir the fire
which was but dimly burning. Fearing discovery, he was instantly shot
down. This was followed by a general fire from the other detachments,
upon the Indians who were sleeping under some marquees and bark tents
close upon the margin of the stream. When fired upon the Indians in-
3a
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34 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
•
stead of retreating as had been anticipated, boldly stood to their arms and
rushed upon their assailants. Kenton fearing that his men would be over-
powered, soon ordered a retreat which was continued through the night and
a part of the next day. Samuel Barr was killed in this action and Alexander
Mclntyre was captured the next day and tomahawked. The Kentuckians
were three days, during which they suffered from the wet and cold and
for want of food, in reaching the station near Washington.
After the treaty of peace at Greenville in 1795, Stephen Ruddle^ who
had been captured by the Indians in his youth and adopted by a Shawnee
family, stated that he was with Tecumseh in this engagement, and that
the number of Indians was much less than the force under Kenton. He
said that at the beginning of the attack, Tecumseh was lying by the fire
outside of the tents. When the first shot was fired, he sprang to his feet
and called to his warriors to charge their assailants. Tecumseh rushed
forward and killed Samuel Barr with his warclub. In the confusion, it being
quite dark, an Indian fell into the creek and made so much noise in getting
out, that Kenton supposed reinforcements were crossing the stream to aid
Tecumseh, and ordered his men to retreat. There were but two Indians
killed. Ruddle said Mclntyre was killed the next day, after having been
pursued and taken prisonier. He had caught the horse of the Indian who
had been shot by Kenton's men the afternoon before the attack and had
tied it some distance in the rear of the Indian Camp. When a retreat was
ordered he mounted this horse and rode away. The Indians pusued his
trail and overtook him the next day while he was encamped cooking some
meat. He was taken back to the battle-ground and in the temporary
absence of Tecumseh was tomahawked and scalped by some of his
warriors. At this act of cruelty to a prisoner, Tecumseh was exceedingly
indignant, and upbraided his men for such conduct, declaring it cowardly
to kill a man when tied and a prisoner. Says a writer : ''The conduct of
Tecumseh in this engagement, and in the events following, is creditable
alike to his courage and humanity. Resolutely brave in battle, his arm was
never uplifted against a prisoner, nor did he suffer violence to be inflicted
upon a captive without promptly rebuking it." More than twenty years
after the events related above, the brave and humane Tecumseh, saved the
lives of many helpless prisoners among whom was the grandfather of the
writer, taken at the defeat of Col. Dudley, while confined in the old block-
house at Maiden. In the absence of Tecumseh, the British Gen. Proctor
permitted some savages to enter this prison pen and seize, tomahawk and
scalp their helpless victims. Hearing of this cowardly slaughter, Tecumseh
hastened with the utmost speed of his pony to the block-house, and dis-
mounting seized two savages who were in the act of butchering a stalwart
Kentuckian, and threw them to the ground, where they lay trembling in
fear of their chief. Then turning to Gen. Proctor, he demanded why such
butchery had been permitted by him. The General replied that he could
not restrain the savages. With a look of withering scorn and contempt
Tecumseh told Proctor that he was not fit to command men and that he
ought "to go home, and put on petticoats." Although a savage chieftain
and the implacable foe of the whites, yet such was his magnanimity to-
wards his white captives, that many of our pioneer forefathers honored
his memory by naming a son Tecumseh. One of our most illustrious
generals, bore his name — William Tecumseh Sherman.
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THE INDIANS 35
Elsewhere in this volume it is stated that in a battle with some
Shawneies near Reeve's Crossing of Paint Creek, in 1793, that a white man
named Ward who was with the Indians, was killed. That was John Ward
who was with Tecumseh at the above mentioned fight on East Fork. He
had been captured by the Indians in 1758 when but three years old, and
had grown up in an Indian family and married a Shawnee woman. His
brother, Captain Charles Ward, of Washington, Kentucky, was one of
Kenton's men in this fight on East Fork, and afterwards related that while
he stood within rifle shot of the camp on the night of the engagement, an
Indian girl about fifteen ydars of age attracted his attention, and not
recognizing her sex he raised his gun to fire, when her open bosom dis-
closed her sex and her light complexion caused him to doubt whether she
was an Indian by birth. He afterwards learned it was his brother's child
whose wife and family were in the camp.
EztiiMPiisluiient of Indian Titles.
By the treaty of Fort Mcintosh in 1785 and that of Fort Harmar in
1789, the Indian titles to the lands in southern Ohio were partially trans-
ferred to the United States government. But the powerful tribes of west-
em and northwieistern Ohio refused to recognize the terms of these treaties,
because as they justly claimed they had been negotiated with only a few
of the weaker tribes, and had never been sanctioned by the real powers in
the so-called Indian confederacy. These tribes insisted that the boundary
line between the Indian possessions and the lands of the United States
should be the Ohio River. And it was mainly this contention that brought
about the horrible border warfare between the whites and the Indians of
the northwest which only terminated with Wayne's victory at Fallen
Timbers. They had up to this time defeated the arms of the United States
first under General Harmar in 1790, and again under General St. Clair
in 1791, and as has been truthfully said held the combined forces of the
United States and the Kentucky and Virginia militia at bay, and retarded
the settlement of the Northwest Territory for a period of seven years. But
with the crushing defeat of the allied Indian tribes at Fallen Timbers, the
spirit of their confederacy was broken, and all principal tribes con-
sented to the terms of the treaty of Greenville in 1795, which vested the
title of the southern three-fourths of the territory of Ohio, in the United
States, and gave permanent peace and safety to the hardy pioneers who
erected their homes therein.
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CHAPTER V.
THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT
First Surrey in the District— Deputy SnrTeyors— First Settlement-
Manner of Making Surreys— Some Incidents— Time for Making
Entries and Surveys— Massie's Surreying Party- An
Adventure with the Indians— Original Entries
and Surveys— Recorded Land Patents.
The Virginia Military lands or the Virginia Reservation in Ohio,
includes a vast portion of the State lying between the Scioto and the
Little Miami Rivers. In form it may be likened to an isosceles triangle
with the Ohio for the base, the Scioto and Little Miami respectively
forming the sides, and the old Wyandot reservation, the apex. This
region includes the fairest and richest lands within the State, and there
have been formed from its territory the counties of Adams, Brown,
Clermont, Highland, Clinton, Fayette, Madison and Union; and por-
tions of Scioto, Pike, Ross, Pickaway, Franklin, Delaware, Marion,
Hardin, Logan, Clark, Champaign, Green and Warren. It covers six
thousand five hundred and seventy square miles, and contains over four
million acres of land.
When Adams County was erected it embraced the larger portion of
the Virginia Military lands, and from the old stockade at the *'Three
Islands*' where the town of Manchester now sits, the intrepid Nathaniel
Massie, assisted by the Beasleys, the Washburns, the McDonalds, the
Leedoms, the Wades, and the Edgingtons, braving savage beascs and
more savage men, explored its remotest regions, surveying its richest
valleys and most fertile plains.
McDonald, in his "Sketches," says : "This fine portion of our State
known as the Virginia Military District, possesses from its situation and
soil many advantages. On the east and north its boundary is the
Scioto River; on the west, the Little Miami, while its entire southern
boundary is washed by the Ohio River for upwards of one hundred
miles. The soil of this tract of country presents a greater variety, prob-
ably, than any other region of like extent in the United States. In the
southeastern portion the uplands extending thirty or forty miles below
the mouth of the Scioto, and thirty miles north from the Ohio, are hilly
and the lands poor. Below the mouth of Brush Creek, the hills along
the Ohio, for a short distance from the river, are rich and heavily tim-
bered. Further down the Ohio the extent of rich land increases to the
mouth of the Little Miami. The bottoms of the Ohio, Scioto, Miami
and the large tributary streams, composed of a rich and dark loamy soil,
are celebr^ited for their fertility; and the heavy crops annually taken
(36)
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THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT 37
from them for a succession of upwards of thirty years, without rest or
renewal in any way, show that their celebrity is not without foundation.
"The middle portion of the district presents, however, the greatest
variety of soil. Although the extent of bottom land along the streams
is considerable, yet the greater portion is upland of good quality, on
which wheat is raised in great abundance. A portion of it is level land,
timbered with beech and sugar trees, and at the first settlement of the
country was considered rather too flat and wet for cultivation ; but since
it has been cleared and cultivated, it is justly considered very good land,
alone surpassed by the rich alluvial bottoms.
**A part of the middle portion consists also of prairie or barren land,
the value of which has been lately discovered to be greater than ever was
suspected, as it presented, at the first settlement of the country, a
marshy appearance, which, it was supposed, could not be overcome by
cultivation. The industry of our inhabitants has overcome this ob-
stacle, and the barrens are fast becoming very valuable lands. The
other part of the district consists of barrens, and also of wet, flat land,
timbered with beech and sugar trees, and is at this time quite unsettled.
[Now these are drained and are rated very fine farming and grazing
lands.] From this variety of soil great advantages arise. In our bot-
toms we raise corn in great abundance ; on our uplands, wheat and other
small grains; while our barrens or prairies furnish most desirable pas-
tures for grazing. Our quarries supply the finest building stone to be
obtained, and the Brush Creek hills contain ore from which a quality of
iron is obtained unsurpassed in the world."
The Virginia Military District is a product of the Revolution. It
grew out of the adjustment of the claims of Virginia to portions of the
Northwest Territory acquired by the United States from England under
the treaty of Paris in 1783. It will be remembered that the grants of
land from the English monarchs to the American Colonies, as set forth
in their charters, were "from ocean to ocean,*' and consequently, upon
the acquirement of the territory west of the Alleghenies at the close of
the Revolution, the States of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, each claimed
portions of the newly acquired territory within the alleged limits of their
respective colonial grants. The claim of New York, however, was lim-
ited to "all the territory northwest of the Ohio River belonging to the
Six Nations, or Iroquois Indians," from whom that State had acquired
title to their lands. The six other States in the Confederation whose
boundaries were fixed, and which were in consequence barred from
claiming, as individuals, any of the newly acquired territory under the
plea of extension of boundaries, contended that this territory acquired
irom Great Britain became the common property of all the States in the
Confederation, and should be disposed of for the benefit of all under the
authority of the Congress of the Confederation. And so it was, that
after the awful hardships and terrible conflicts of the war just closed,
in which the States vied with each other in their sacrifices of property
and lives to maintain their rights and to establish the principles of lib-
erty, one of the fruits of that victory — this newly acquired territory — '
very nearly brought on internecine war, and almost disrupted the Fed-
eral Union. It is truthfullv said that the history of the times of the
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38 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
Revolution shows that nothing except the war itself, so deeply agi-
tated the whole country as the question to whom properly belonged this
vast western domain, and no question so subjected the Confederation
to greater peril. All the States were greatly straitened for means of
bearing their respective portions of the expense of the war ; and all at-
tached a very great, and probably an undue, importance to these lands
as a source of revenue, or as a fund on which to obtain credit by their
hypothecation. Many distinguished men arrayed themselves on differ-
ent sides of this question. Mr. Hamilton, for example, held that the
Confederacy or nation at large had succeeded to the rights and property
of the Crown as a common fund, while Mr. Madison maintained that the
States respectively had succeeded to the Crown lands within their limits,
and thus the matter was carried into the Congress of the Confederation.
Congress appealed to the States to relinquish their claims to the
disputed territory, and to cede it to the Confederation for the benefit of
all the States. Under the powerful influence of Hamilton, New York,
whose claims were not so well established as those of the other States
above referred to, authorized her delegates in Congress to restrict her
western boundary by such limits as they might deem expedient. The
conciliatory course adopted by New York was followed by the other
States, and finally, under the Ordinance of 1787, this vexed question was
brought to a happy termination. But in their deeds of cession to the
Congress of the Confederation, Connecticut and Virginia each provided
for a large "reservation'* of lands in the territory northwest of the Ohio
River ; the former a large tract known as the "Western Reserve," for the
benefit of her citizens who suffered from Tory raids, and for the purpose
of establishing a common school fund; the latter for the purpose of
making good her promises of bounties in lands to her soldiers in the
Revolution.
The Commonwealth of Virginia during the Revolution had raised
two descriptions of troops — State and Continental — to the latter of
which she had promised large bounties of "good lands on the Cumber-
land, between the Green and Tennessee Rivers" in her territory south-
west of the Ohio River. But anticipating that there would be a defi-
ciency of good lands in that reservation, in order to provide against such
an emergency, when she deeded her interest in the Northwest Terri-
tory to Congress, she prudently reserved the tract between the Scioto
and the Little Miami, since known as the "Virginia Military Lands,"
to fulfill all her obligations to her soldiers of the Continental line.
The act of cession of Virginia was passed by the Legislature of that
State, October 20, 1783, and the ceded territory was adopted by act of
Congress March i, 1784. The reservation above refered to in the deed
of cession is as follows :
"That in case the quantity of good lands on the southeast side of
the Ohio, upon the Cumberland River, and between the Green River
and the Tennessee River, which have been reserved by law for the Vir-
ginia troops of the Continental establishment, should, from the North
Carolina line bearing in further upon the Cumberland lands than was
expected, prove insufficient for their legal bounties, the deficiency
should be made up to the said troops in good lands to be laid off between
the rivers Scioto and the Little Miami, on the northwest side of the
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THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT 39
river Ohio, in such proportions as have been engaged to them by the
laws of Virginia."
'^he "proportions as have been engaged to them" were as follows :
A Private, 200 acres; a Non-commissioned Officer, 400 acres; a Sub-
altern, 2,000 acres; a Captain, 3,000 acres; a Major, 4,000 acres; a
Lieutenant Colonel, 4,500 acres; a Colonel, 5,000 acres; a Brigadier
General, 10,000 acres; and a Major General, 15,000 acres.
August I, 1784, Gen. Robert C. Anderson, grandfather of Major
Anderson, of Fort Sumpter fame, who had been appointed principal sur-
veyor of these lands, opened an office in Louisville, Kentucky, for the
reception of entries and surveys upon warrants issued to the Virginia
soldiers of the Continental line. These warrants could be laid by the
original grantees or by some one to whom they had been legally as-
signed. And as many of the soldiers to whom these warrants were
granted had not the means or inclination to locate them, from the great
hardships to be endured and the risk and danger from Indian attacks
after crossing west of the AUeghenies, there sprung up a class of land
jobbers who bought these warrants and employed deputy surveyors to
locate them. The deputy surveyors themselves became speculators in
lands through the purchase of warrants or by taking an agreed portion of
the lands entered and surveyed by them. Sometimes they would get as
miich as one-half of a survey for their services. Or, if paid in money,
the usual terms were £10 Virginia currency for each 1,000 acres entered
and surveyed exclusive of chainmen's expenses.
At that period lands were abundant and cheap, and it was the prac-
tice to give "full measure" in the location of warrants ; and if the deputy
surveyor had a contract for one-fourth or one-half of the lands located,
the "measure would be full and overflowings" for a certainty, as he would
get, besides his agreed share, the surplus. It is said of General Lytle,
a famous frontiersman and a noted surveyor and land speculator of the
times, that he made many of his surveys on horseback, and never
troubled himself to thread thickets or to cross fallen timbers, but that he
would conveniently ride around such obstacles.
Previous to the year 1787, the warrants issued troops of the Conti-
nental line were laid on lands upon the Cumberland, between the Green
and Tennessee Rivers. But early in that year it became apparent to Gen-
eral Anderson, that there would be a deficiency of good lands in that
reservation, and he accordingly established in his office, August i, 1787,
a bureau for the reception of entries and surveys in the reservation
northwest of the Ohio. This region had been cautiously explored by
Kenton, Davis, Helm, Fox, O'Bannon and other frontiersmen, who
painted fine pictures of the beauty of rhe region, and related wonder-
ful stories of its abundance of game and great fertility of soil. This,
tog-ether vsrith the fact that Congress hai just enacted an ordinance pro-
viding for a most liberal and enlightened code of laws for the govern-
ment of the Territory in which the reservation was situated, caused hun-
dreds of holders of the military warrants to anxiously turn to this el-
dorado of the West. But the ever-vigilant and revengeful savages of
the Territory stood as a bar to its entrance. From their look-outs on
the Ohio, they scrutinized every pirogue that passed over its waters, and
reckoned the military strength of every armed foe that threatened their
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40 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
shores. None but the most experienced Indian fighters dared enter the
region with hope of returning alive. Under these difficulties the early
surveys in the Virginia Reservation were made, and it was not until after
the treaty of Greenville that the danger of assault from the savages was
removed.
First Surrey in tlie District.
The first survey made in the district was that of John O'Bannon of
lands upon which the village of Neville, in what is now Clermont
County, is situated. This was on the thirteenth day of November, 1787.
Two days later he made a number of surveys on Three Mile, in Sprigg
Township, and one of 1,000 acres for Philip Slaughter, opposite Lime-
stone, and on the 17th surveyed 1,000 acre^ at the mouth dE Eagle Creek
for M^.ce Clements. The entry of this survey is said to have been the first
made within the district, it having been recorded on the day of the open-
ing of the reservation, August i, 1787. The survey made by O'Bannon
opposite Limestone, and the one at the mouth of Eagle Creek, were of
lands within the limits of Adams County until the formation of Brown
County in 181 8.
On July 17, 1788, Congress, by resolution, declared all the entries
and surveys previously made in this district invalid for the reason that
General Anderson acted without authority of law in opening the reser-
vation, as it had not been officially ascertained that there was a defi-
ciency of lands in the Cumberland Reservation. This was a bitter dis-
appointment to those who had endured severest hardships and risked
life itself to lay the foundation of their future homes in this choice
region of the Northwest Territory. But this galling resolution was re-
pealed August 10, 1790, by an act of Congress which declared the Cum-
berland Reservation insufficient, and immediately thereafter entries and
surveys were made in the new reservation as rapidly as conditions would
permit.
Deputy SnrTeyors,
The principal deputy surveyors in this district, and most of whom
made surveys in Adams County, were John O'Bannon, Arthur Fox,
Nathaniel Massie, John Beasley, William Lytle, Cadwallader Wallace,
Allen Latham, Robert Tod, Benjamin Hough, Joseph Riggs, E. V. Kend-
rick, James Taylor, Joseph Kerr, James Poage, John Ellison, Jr., John
Barritt, William Robe and G. Vinsonhaler. Of all these Nathaniel Mas-
sie is probably the most distinguished.
First Settlement.
In the winter of 1790, after Congress had declared this reservation
open for entries and surveys upon proper warrants, Nathaniel Massie,
with a few brave spirits, made the first settlement in the district at the
"Three Islands," where Manchester, in Adams County, is now situated.
Here they erected rude cabins for shelter on the banks of the Ohio,oppo-
site the lower of the three islands, and enclosed them with strong pick-
ets driven into the ground, forming a rude kind of stockade as a
means of protection from attacks of the Indians.
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THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT 41
From this stockade, or Station, as it was called, Massie and his
chosen assistants ventured forth into the unbroken wilderness, carefully
exploring the principal water-courses, noting the most desirable situa-
tions and making surveys and entries of the best lands.
Manner of Mmking BurvejM*
These excursions were full of peril ; but the "plan adopted by Mas-
sie," says McDonald, **was such as to insure the greatest possible se-
curity. He usually had three assistant surveyors; each surveyor, in-
cluding himself, was accompanied by six men, which made a mess of
seven, and the whole party would amount to twenty-eight. Every man
had his prescribed duty to perform. Their operations were conducted
in this manner : In front went the hunter, who kept in advance of the
surveyor two or three hundred yards, looking for game and prepared to
give notice should any danger from Indians threaten. Then followed,
after the surveyor, the two chainmen, marker, and pack-horse man with
the baggage, who always kept near each other, to be prepared for de-
fense, in case of an attack. Lastly, two or three hundred yards in the
rear, came a man, called the spy, whose duty it was to keep on the back
trail and look out, lest the party in advance might be pursued and at-
tacked by surprise. Each man, the surveyor not excepted, carried his
rifle, his blanket, and such other articles as he might stand in need of.
On the pack-horse were carried the cooking utensils and such provisions
as could be most conveniently taken. Nothing like bread was thought
of. Some salt was taken, to be used sparingly. For subsistence, they de-
pended on the game which the woods afforded, procured by their un-
erring rifles.
— "When night came, four fires were made for cooking; that is, one
for each mess. Around these fires, till sleeping time arrived, the com-
pany spent their time in social glee, singing songs and telling stories.
When danger was not apparent or immediate, they were as merry a set
of men as ever assembled. Resting time arriving,Massie always g^ve the
signal, and the whole party would leave their comfortable fires, and car-
rying with them their blankets, their firearms, and their little baggage,
walking in perfect silence two or three hundred yards from their fires.
They would then scrape away the snow, and huddle down together for
the night. Each mess formed one bed ; they would spread down on the
ground one-half of the blankets, reserving the other half for covering.
The covering blankets were fastened together with skewers, to prevent
them from slipping apart. Thus prepared, the whole party crouched
down together with their rifles in their arms, and their pouches under
their heads for pillows ; lying "spoon-fashion," with three heads one way
and four the other, their feet extending to the middle of their bodies.
When one turned, the whole mess turned, or else the close range would
be broken, and the cold let in. In this way they lay till broad daylight,
no noise, and scarcely a whisper being uttered during the night,
When it was perfectly light, Massie would call up two of the men in
whom he had the most confidence and send them to reconnoiter, and
make a circuit around the fires, lest an ambuscade might be formed by
the Indians to destroy the party as they returned to the fires. This was
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42 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
an invariable custom in every variety of weather. Self-preservation re-
quired this circumspection.
'*If immortality is due to the names of heroes who have success-
fully labored in the field of battle, no less honors are due to such men as
Massie, who ran equal risk of life from danger with less prospect of eclat,
and produced more lasting benefit to his country."
Some Incidents.
"In the early part of the winter of 1791 Massie was engaged in lo-
cating and surveying lands on Ohio Brush Creek, as far up as the 'three
forks,' intending, as soon as there was less danger from the Indians, to
proceed on a larger scale. It was in the spring of this year that he was
engaged in surveying the bottoms of the Little Miami. He had ad-
vanced up the river as far as where the town of Xenia now stands with-
out molestation. Early one morning the party started out to perform
the labors of the day. Massie was walking in advance of the party,
when an Indian was perceived by General William Lytle, with his gun
pointed at Massie and in the act of firing. Lytle, with uncommon quick-
ness, fired and killed the Indian. After this occurrence they advanced
cautiously, and soon found themselves near an encampment of about
one hundred and fifty Indians. The party commenced a rapid retreat,
and were closely pursued by the Indians. The retreat and pursuit con-
tinued without relaxation until the party safely reached Manchester, or
Massie's Station, as it was then called.
"During the following winter Massie continued to locate and sur-
vey the best lands within a reasonable distance of the Station. As the
Indians were always more quiet during the winter, he employed two
men, Joseph Williams and one of the Wades, to accompany him to ex-
plore the valley of Paint Creek, and part of the Scioto country. He
found the bottoms rich beyond his expectations, and made entries of all
the good lands on that creek. During this expedition Kenton, Helm,
and others, who had accompanied the various detachments from Ken-
tucky, which had invaded the country, made a few entries, but the large
bulk of rich land was still vacant.
"In the month of October, the following year, some canoes were
procured, and Massie and his party set off by water. They proceeded
up the Ohio to the mouth of the Scioto, thence up the Scioto to the
mouth of Paint Creek. While meandering the Scioto they made some
surveys on the bottoms. After reaching the mouth of Paint Creek, the
surveyors went to work. Many surveys were made on the Scioto as far
up as Westfall. Some were made on Main and others on the Norch
Fork of Paint Creek, and the greater part of Ross and Pickaway Coun-
ties were well explored and partly surveyed at this time. Massie fin-
ished his intended work without meeting with any disturbance from the
Indians. But one Indian was seen during this expedition, and to him
they gave a hard chase. He, however, escaped. The party returned
home delighted with the rich Scioto valley which they had explored."
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THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT 43
Time for Maldrng Emtries and Bvarejm*
From the opening of this reservation in 1790 until 1871, the time
for making entries and surveys was repeatedly fixed by act of Congress
and then extended from time to time, as is shown by the following
epitome of laws bearing upon the subject :
1804. Such parts of reservation as remain unlocated for three years to
be released from claim under Virginia warrants.
1807. Time extended four years.
1810. Five years allowed for obtaining and locating warrants, and
seven years for returning surveys.
1814. Three years additional for locating warrants, and five years for
making returns.
1821. Time of location extended two years, and returns five years.
1823. Two years additional for locating warrants, and four returning
surveys.
1830. Time for issuing Virginia warrants extended to 1832. .
1838. Time extended.
1841. Time further extended.
1850. Time again extended.
1855. Time extended for returning survey.
1 87 1. Vacant lands ceded to the State of Ohio.
1872. State of Ohio ceded unsurveyed lands to Agricultural and Me-
chanical College [Ohio State University.]
As shown above, the unsurveyed and unappropriated lands in the
district were by Act of Congress, February 18, 1871, granted to the
State of Ohio with the provision that each settler on these lands should
have the privilege of pre-empting, under such restrictions as the Legisla-
ture might provide, any number of acres not in excess of one hundred
and sixty. This grant was accepted by the State in March, 1872, and
then conveyed to' the Agricultural and Mechanical College, since styled
the Ohio State University, at Columbus. At the following session of
the Legislature, it was enacted that the Trustees of the College should
survey, set off, and convey to each such settler forty acres at the cost of
the survey and deed only. And it was further provided that each such
settler might demand and require the said Trustees to set off and con-
vey to him one hundred and twenty acres additional or such proportion
of that amount as such settler might have in actual possession, at the
cost of one dollar per acre.
Under the act of 1872, the courts held that not only the title to "un-
surveyed" lands in the district, but to all "unpatented" lands where the
survey was not returned to the General Land Office before January i,
1852, passed to the College. This was remedied by the act of 1893,
which provided for proof of occupancy for more than twenty-one years,
and an exhibit of the deed under which such occupant claimed posses-
sion ; Board of Trustees to make deed, for which occupant should pay
two dollars.
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44 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
MaMie's SnrreyinB Party— An Adventure With tke Indiaiu.
In the winter of 1794-5, Nathaniel Massie and his assistant survey-
ors, Nathaniel Beasley, John Beasley and Peter Lee, together with
about twenty-five chainmen, markers, hunters and spies, set out from
Manchester to locate lands on Tod's fork of the Little Miami ^nd the
head waters of Paint Creek. After several weeks' work without inter-
ruption from the Indians, the party had turned from the waters of the
Miami and were slowly moving toward the waters of Paint Creek, mak-
ing choice locations and noting the topographical aspect of the region
lying between Caesar's Creek and Rattlesnake fork of Paint. Late one
evening the party discovered tracks of Indians in the snow. A hasty
reconnoiter of the vicinity was made, and a party of Indians was dis-
covered encamped a short distance away. As the Indians greatly out-
numbered the surveying party, it was deemed prudent to withdraw to-
ward Manchester as speedily as possible. The party traveled till ten or
eleven o'clock that night before going into camp. The next morning,
fearing pursuit if their trail should be discovered by the Indians, they
broke camp before daylight and hurriedly marched toward home.
About noon they struck a fresh trail made by Indians, some mounted
and others afoot. As they were evidently inferior in point of numbers,
to the surveying party, it was determined to follow the trail, as it led
in the direction of Brush Creek and the Ohio River. The trail was
cautiously followed until evening, when the Indians were discovered
making preparations for the night's encampment. This was on the
waters of Clear Creek, in what is now Highland County. In his "Life
of General Massie," in noting this expedition, Col. McDonald says : "It
was put to a vote whether the Indian camp should be attacked immedi-
ately, or whether they should postpone it till daylight. A majority were
for lying by and attacking them in daylight. Two or three men were
then sent to reconnoiter their camp and bring away their horses. The
horses were brought away, and preparations made to lie by for the night.
Massie, who was more thoughtful than the rest of the company, began
to reflect on the critical situation of the party. He told them he did not
approve of the idea of lying by until morning, as there was no doubt they
were rapidly pursued by the Indians from the head of Caesar's Creek,
and that by waiting until morning the pursuing Indians might come up
in the course of the night, and when daylight appeared they would find
themselves between two fires. He said it was true the Indians might
be more effectually destroyed in daylight, but it was dangerous to loiter
away their time on a retreat, and advised that whatever they did to the
Indians should be done quickly, and the march continued toward home.
It was resolved to follow his advice.
"It was about two hours in the night when this occurred. The day
had been warm, and had melted the snow, which was eight inches deep,
and quite soft on the top. At night it began to freeze rapidly, and by
this time there was a hard crust on the top. In this situation, the crust,
when broken by a man walking on a calm night, could be heard at a
distance of three hundred yards. Massie, under these circumstances,
prepared to attack the Indians forthwith. The men were formed in a
line, in single file, with their wiping sticks in their hands to steady them
when walking. They then commenced moving toward the Indian
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THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT 46
camp in the following manner : The foremost would walk about twenty
steps and halt ; then the next in the line would move on, stepping* in the
tracks of the foremost to prevent any noise when breaking the crust of
the snow. In this cautious and silent manner, they crept within about
twentyrfive yards of the Indian encampment, when an unexpected in-
terruption presented itself ; a deep ravine was found between Massie and
the camp, which was not perceived by the reconnoitering party. The
Indians had not yet lain down to rest, but were singing and amusing
themselves around their fires in the utmost self-security, not dreaming
of danger in their own country in the depth of winter. The bank of the
ravine concealed Massie and his men,who were on low ground, from the
light of the Indian fires. After halting for a few minutes on the bank
of the ravine, Massie discovered, a few paces above him, a large log
which had fallen across the ravine. On this log he determined to cross
the gully. Seven or eight of the men, on their hands and knees, had
crossed, and were within not more than twelve or fifteen paces of the
Indians, crouching low, and turning to the right and left, when too many
men at thfe same time got on the log; and as it was old and rotten, it
broke with a loud crash. This startled the Indians. The whites who had
crossed over before the log broke, immediately fired into the Indian
camp, shouting as they ran. The Indians fled, naked, and without their
arms. No Indian was killed in the camp, although their clothing and
blankets were found stained with bloqd. No attempt was made to
pursue them. Their camp was plundered of their horses and arms,
making altogether considerable booty. The party traveled that night
and until noon the next day, when they halted to cook some provisions
and rest their wearied limbs. After taking some refreshments, they
loitered about the fires a short time, and again commenced their mkrch
through snow and brush, and about midnight of the second day, arrived
at Manchester after a fatiguing march of two days and nights from the
head of Caesar's Creek.
"On the last day of their march, about a mile north of where West
Union now stands, one of the men who carried a bag of Indian plunder,
and rode one of the horses,dropped the bag and did not miss it until they
arrived at Manchester. Some time in the succeeding day, two of the
men took fresh horses and rode back on the trail to look for the bag.
They found the bag some distance south of the brow of the hill, and con-
cluded they would go to the brow and look over for deer. When they
reached it, they were astonished to find the spot where a large party of
Indians had followed the trail to the top of the hill, and then stopped to
eat their breakfast, leaving some bones and sinewy jerk that was too
hard to eat. Had the Indians pursued the trail one hundred yards fur-
ther, they would have found the bag and lain in ambush for the whites
to return, and would doubtless have killed or taken prisoners the men
who returned for the bag. This was truly a narrow escape."
The hill on which the Indians had encamped, and on which the
bag of lost plunder was recovered, referred to above, is the elevation on
the farm now owned by S. R. Stroman, about one mile to
the north of West Union, on the line of Tod's Trace, which was the
line of travel followed by the various expeditions from Maysville and
Manchester to the Paint Creek region prior to the location of Zane's
Trace in 1796.
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46
fflSTORY OF ADAMS CXDUNTY
Original Entries and Surveys.
We give herewith the principal original entries and surveys as
found in the land records of the county :
The largest entry and survey is No. 798 on Warrant No. 76, in the
name of Thomas Hill, in what is now Liberty Township, on Hill's Fork
of Eagle Creek. This survey contained 5,333 1-3 acres, and was made
by Arthur Fox in 1793.
The longest survey is Entry No. 491, in the name of Charles Scott,
in Green Township. It contains 2,000 acres, and extends from Sandy
Springs along the Ohio River bottom to the mouth of Ohio Brush
Creek. It is eight miles long and but one-half mile in average width.
Made by Massie, April 10, 1793.
The most irregular survey is No. 14,354, for Cadwallader Wallace,
on Warrant No. 8677. The survey was made by A. D. Kendrick in
1 85 1, and contains 2,000 acres. It is in Jefferson Township.
No. 1 581 was entered on February 2, 1788, by Robert Todd. It
covered 1,000 acres in what is now Tiffin Township, near West Union.
The Trotter land is embraced within this survey, and was originally the
finest and richest upland in Adams County. It was heavily timbered
with the largest yellow poplars and sugar trees. Some of the poplar
trees were over eight feet in diameter.
Warrant No. i was issued to Richard Askren, and is Entry No.
1426 for 100 acres on Eagle Creek, Sprigg Township, and was surveyed
by John O'Bannon, November 20, 1787.
Among the chainmen and "markers" for O'Bannon were John
Nealey, J. Britton, vSylvester Munroney, George Abed, William Hood,
William Christie, John Williams, Thomas Palmer and Josiah Stout.
For Arthur Fox were William Leedom, George Edgington, Rob-
ert Smith, Duncan McKenzie, James Thompson, Robert Walton, James
McCutlin and John Reed.
For Massie were John Mclntyre, Edward Walden, Zephaniah
Wade, William Colvin, William Campbell, Thomas Kirker, Duncan
McArthur, David Lovejoy, John Riggs, John Beasley, John Yochum
and Nathaniel Hart.
The following are among the early entries and surveys in the county :
No.
entry.
Quantity
in acres.
Water course.
No.
warrant.
For whom.
Date.
Surveyor.
148
ai
401
428
1.000
2.000
6669i
666«
1.666H
1.000
1.000
1.000
460
490
615
446
1,000
778
600
1.000
1,000
1.494
1.000
6.888H
1,000
Cherry Fork„
Brush Creek.
Mouth ThreeMile
Ohio River
610
1784-
2645
2888
128
748
John Winston
Richard Taylor...
Nathaniel Fox ...
Archdus Perkins
John T. Griffin
Mayo Carrington
Churchill Jones»
Calohlll Mlnnis ...
Charles Scott
Byrd Hendrlck !!!
John Steele
Albert GaUatln...
Francis Smith.....
Wm Holliday
Wm. LudlmHn.....
Timothy Peyton.
Thomas Hill
John McDowell »
Mar. 10, 1794...
Apr. 10, 1792...
Aug. 16. 1795„
Aug. 16, 1796..
Jan. 4, 1792.....
Nov. 16. 1787..
Nov. 17, 1787..
April 10, 1796..
Nov. 17, 1787 .7
Jan. 1, 1788.....
Mar. 10, 1794...
Mar. 6, 1794
Oct. 6. 1798....
May 27, 1794...
July 2. 1796
Nov. 2.1798...
Nov. 18,1787..
Arthur Fox.
JohnO'Bannon.
481
486
Brush Creek
(opp. Lick Fork)
Mouth Salt Lick.
Mouth of Br. Or..
Three Mile
Massie.
O'Bannon.
460
460
2811
2272
816
816
816
491
491
Long Lick Creek
Ohio River
Massie.
491
tt
491
It
816
2867
602
t(
496
Three Mile...,
O'Bannon.
648
Ohio River
661
660.
6W
684
794
798
Mouth Buck Run
Efkgle Creek..
Brush Creeks
Brjsh & Eagle Cr
Three MUe
1670
70
2088
1818
1297
76
Massie.
Fox.
Massie.
O'Bannon.
John Beasley.
Fox.
908
827
O'Banron.
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THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT
47
No.
entry.
Quantity
in aores.
Water oourse.
No.
warrant.
For whODL
Date.
Surveyor.
912
915
1.000
1.400
1.000
1,000
1.000
1,000
900
1,000
400
600
1,000
1,200
1.000
1.000
1.800X
1,000
1,000
1.000
1.000
1,883^
2.000«
1,000
1,777«
1,000
100
2.800H
200
2,000
950
240
600
l.OOO
2.000
100
1,000
150
1,000
847
400
400
1.100
2,000
400
1,888?^
1,000
1,000
700
1.000
1.000
2.000
1,000
1,000
2.000
2,000
200
400
200
1,200
1,800
1.500
1,000
1000
1.000
1.000
1.800
2,000
1,000
1.000
2,000
1.000
100
200
1,880
2800
200
1.000
l.2ro
800
000
Three MUe
Beasley'sForC::.:
Baker's Fork
Cherry Fork.."!!*.'.
Mouth Island Cr..
West Fork.
Ohio River-
Beasley 's Fork...
Three MUe
Ohio River
12062
088
A. Kirkpa trick...
CoL Sam Hopkins
Thomas Barber...
Abr'm Shepherd.
John Winston
Charles Scott ...
Thos. BlackweU.
H. Redmyer
BoUing Clark
James Williams.
Charles Harrison
Calvin Cocke
Henry Moss
Charles Harrison
John Cocke
Robt. Morrow.....
Thomas Belt
Thos. Edmonds...
Josiah TaneyhUl.
John Leigh
David MUler
JohnGreene.
Henry Heth
James Askren ....
Robert Rankin ...
John Barber
Robert Woodson
Lavln PoweU
And'w Woodson
Robt. Boggs.
Wm. Mountjoy...
Robt. Todd !!!
John Fitzgerald..
Wm. Bayles
Walter Davies. \
John O'Bannonj
John Armstrong
Robt Jewett
Massie
N O'Bannon
N
988
241
N Massie.
1010
890
O
1014
1024
1088
1048
1137
1149
1104
1248
290
010
815
1811
291
2107.
698
2800.
2828
014
M Fox.
D Massie.
N O'Bannon.
D Beasley.
D Massie.
N O'Bannon.
O Fox.
1288
1204
Brush Creek..
West Fork
Eagle Creek
West Fork
Brush Creek.".*!."
West Fork
M O'Bannon.
O John Beasley.
1275
1304.....
1806
2300.
2828
028
O Fox.
M O'Bannon.
M
1864
1858 ... .
805 „.
40
Ji Massie.
M O'Bannon.
1407
1412
Brush Creek
West Fork
284... .
188-8656.
810
D Massie.
M Fox.
1414
lU^t Fork
D Massie.
1419
Brush Creek.
Eagle Creek.
107
N Fox.
1428
1480
1894.
1
N O'Bannon.
N
1501
1516
1524
1682
1544)
1551
1507
1508 ....
1570
1581
1017
1021
Brush Creek..!!!!.!
E. Side Brush Cr
East Fork
Brush Creek.
Brush Creek
(steam furnace)
Brush Creek
Baker's Fork
(of East Fork)..
Eagle Creek
Brush Creek
Turkey Creek
Ohio River
Brush Creek.! .!!!!
Eagle Cr. & Br.Cr
Three Mile.
1485
8178.
180
8890
19ia-2548
8492-8496
8822
8222
8050
2808
8107
769
O Massie.
D
Ji
Ji
M JohnEUison.
Ji John Beasley
D Massie.
D
M John Beasley.
F Robt. Todd.
A John Beasley.
Ji Massie.
1023
1029
1080
8680.
2075.
2075.
408
4083
25-49
8123.
8038
3033
8494
3083
3083
8664.
1930
1980
1919.
2368
1000.
2047.
8990.
110
J] O'Bannon.
D Massie.
D
1088 .....
1083
1085
John JoweU
Nathan Lamme..
Richard Edwards
Isaac Hite
Humph'y Brooke
Samuel Brady
Humph'y Brooke
WlUiam Vance...
Reuben Taylor...
Edward Stevens
Major J. Monroe
Peter MaUory
Ezekiel Howard.
John Fristoe
And* w Gale wood
Walter Ashmore
Levin PoweU
Wm. Payne...!!!!!.
Francis Peyton...
Francis Taylor ...
John Jameson ...
George Mathins.
Aaron Denney....
John Fisher
N
O Fox.
A O'Bannon.
1080
1087
1088
1088
Ohio River
Thrfi^ Mii«...!!!!!!!!
M
A
A "
1090
Ohio River
M *•
1091
1098... {
1095... f
1720
Brush Creek
West Fork
A
M ••
O'Bannon.
1721
1751
1758
Ohio River.!!!!!!,'.
A
1769....
1700
1780
Brush Creek
East Fork
Lick Fork
D^v. .«. ..*...
Nov. 80, 1790 .
Sept. 80, 1800.
April 26. 1796..
AprU 23. 1796.
Jan. 2, 1797..!!
Jan. 2, 1792....
AprU 80, 17921
Feb. 20, 1791...
Mar. 28, 1792...
Mar. 29. 1792...
AprU 0. 1792...
June 22, 1792..
April 25, 1798..
April 25. 17B5..
June 29. 1795..
June 25, 1796.
Oot. 20. 1801..
June 25, 1815.
Mar. 14. 1797...
Aug. 28, 1821.
April 0, 1801...
Massie.
Massie.
John Beasley.
1787
FAgle Creek.
Cherry Fork
Lick Fork.....!!!! !
>•
1789 ...
110
><
1790
110
ti
1047
4087
8890.
8897.
8897.
817.
3285
1087.
8174.
1984.
1601.
1197.
4101
8234
3235.
280
4092
1418.
2024
0040
Massie.
1973
East Fork.
1974
1975
tt
,,
2018
2081
2048
Brush Creek
West Fork
•1
John Beasley.
O'Bannon.
2046. .
•t
2048
2197
Brush Creek
East Fork
Massie.
2274
2408
2861
2662
2051
2728
2726
7794
1277
Beasley's Fork...
Cherry Fork.
Eagle Greek
Scioto Brush Cr.
Donalson's Creek
Eagle Creek.
East Fork
Treber's Run
Nath. Massie
Francis Peyton.
Benjamin Goodiii
Nathaniel Massie
Abr'm Shepherd
James Craig
Reuben Stivers..
Beasley.
Joseph Kerr.
John Ellison, Jr
Beasley.
Cad. WaUace.
John Beasey.
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AS
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Recorded Land Patents.
The following list contains all the land patents on record in Adams
County, so far as can be learned from the record books in the Recorder's
office:
Name.
Date.
No. Acres
President.
Grimes, Noble
Taylor, Francis
October 28, 1799
March 16, 1798
April 20, 1792
1,000
5,333i
1,<00
200
1,000
150
1,000
50
50
50
490
85
63
50
1
30
16
50
25
20
10
15
15
10
20
147
30
15
10
45
18
10
20
5
20
30
50
14
33J
100
10
40
50
llOJ
189|
17
85
50
18J
20
John Adams,
do
Heth, Harvey
Henry Lee, Gov. of Va.
Thos. Jefferson,
do
LaflFerty, Cornelius
November 9, 1803....
November 7, 1803
September 30, 1800...
November 20, 1804...
November 15, 1834...
September 1, 1«31...
February 20, 1837
February 1, 180O
December 12, 1838...
December 6, 1838
January 9, 1839
May 16,1840
December 20, 1842...
June 20, 1842
December 20, 1842...
March 30. 1843
Todd, Robt
Fields, Simon
Tno. Adams.
Parker, Alexander
Thos. Jefferson.
Andrew Jackson.
do
do
Mowrer, Christian
MitcheU, Wm
Mowrer, Christian
Massie, Nath'l
Florea, Joshua
John Adams.
Martin Van Buren.
do
Steel, David
Darlington, Joseph
do
do
do
Brooks. Leonard
John Tyler,
do
Rothwell, John
Dillinger, Jacob
do
Baird, Harvey B
do
Johnson, William
June 29, 1839
Martin Van Buren.
do
June 20, 1842.
John Tyler,
do
Rothwell, Robt. J
October 3, 1843
October 3, 1843........
March 10, 1840
do
Wilman, James V...
do
Martin Van Buren.
Marvin, Ira
April 8, 1842
John Tyler,
do
Demint, Jas., et al
Tune 20. 1842
Cross. John
October 16, 1844
October 3, 1846
June 8, 1848
September 6, 1848...
August 16, 1849
April 3, 1848
do
Rothwell, Robt. J
Willman, James V
James K. Polk,
do
Mitchell, Wm
do
Scott, John
Johnson, William
Z. Taylor.
James K. Polk.
Z. Taylor,
do
Brooks, Leonard
Anril 1. 1860
Zinkhorn, Balsar
do
do
do
February 5, 1817
April 8, 1848
August 19, 1848
Tune 6. 1848
do
Hamilton. Robt
do
do
Anderson. Tames
James Madison.
James K. Polk.
do
do
Rothwell, Simon P
Murphy, R. S., et al
Tapp, Vinet
Johnson. Wm
December 26, 1849...
November 1, 1849.. ..
December 20. 1841...
August 31, 1849
do
May 1,1851
Z. Tavlor.
Blake, Millins
Wallace. Daniel
John Tyler.
Z. Taylor.
Millard Fillmore.
Tavlor. Tames
do
Gvans, Thos
Jenkins, Jno. S
Murohv. D W
September 26, 1853...
December 28, 1838...
March 13. 1843
Franklin Pierce.
Martin Van Buren.
Murohv. D. W. & T
John Tyler,
do
Calloway, John
December 20, 1841...
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THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT
Rbcordbd Land Patbnts— Concluded.
49
Name.
Date.
No. Acres
President.
Wallace, Augustus
June 20, 1863.
455
360
24
45
400
120
75
8
15
92
45
20
130
50
140
40
12
10
20
21
40
155 6-7
30
35
100
1,000
4
174
1,300
12
1,000
347
615
1,000
Abe Lincoln.
Wallace. Cadwallader
Massie, NathM
McLanahan, James
Callowav. Francis
do
October 29, 1861
May 11, 1848
do
do
James K. Polk.
Jno Tyler.
Andrew Johnson.
do
do
December 23, 1844...
July 10, 1866
October 17, 1866
September 4, 1867...
September 9, 1867...
November 8, 1867.....
September 5, 1867...,
do
June 20, 1863
September 6, 1867...
September 1, 1831...
May 15, 1840
January 21, 1865
November 15, 1861...
April 4, 1871
Thompson, James H
do
Coryell, James L
Bums, Isaiah................
do
McKinney, Wm. jf
do
Behm, Andrew...... ^
do
McGinnis M. W
do
do
Abe Lincoln.
Wamsley, Jesse
McCalt, David
Andrew Johnson.
Andrew Jackson.
Martin Van Bnren.
Lausrherv. John
Fitzgerald, Geo. R
Abe Liucoln.
Smith, James P
do
Baird, Jno. H
U. S. Grant.
Smith, James P«
March 30,1843
November 1, 1849„...
December 12, 1852...
April 8, 1842
John Tyler.
Z. Taylor.
Millard Fillmore.
John Tyler.
Andrew Johnson.
James K. Polk.
Jno. Adams.
Z. Taylor.
Martin Van Buren.
Baird, R. D..
Massie, Nath'l....
Baird, Jno. H
Humble, KHas
September 5, 1867...
December 10, 1848...
Tune 1. 1798
McGinnis, Jas. S
Shepherd, Abraham
Matheney, Blias
October 1, 1849
September 15, 1837...
March 7, 1804
September 5. 1850...
January 20, 1840
December 18, 1804...
March 3, 1793
Cook, Mathew S
Wright, Saml
Thomas Jefferson.
Z. Taylor.
Martin Van Buren.
Thomaft Jefferson.
Geo. Washington.
Thos. Jefferson.
Welsh, John
Edwards, Thomas
Allesou. Richard
Scott, Charles ««.
Lockhart, Robt
September 4, 1805...
4a
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CHAPTER VI.
*THE PIONEERS
I walk across the meadow in the balmy breath of spring;
The earliest flowers are blooming and the birds are all awing.
I see a little hillside where two humble stones arise,
And mark the spot where sleep the dead whose memories we prize.
Beneath their axes fell the trees, their rifles sought the^ deer,
They struggled with that fortitude known to the pi<meer;
They met the red-man face to face, as eagles they were free,
And owned allegiance to no king who ruled across the sea.
At liberty's Immortal shrine they worshipped day by day.
For empire's occidental course they bravely cleared the way;
With hearts of oak and nerves of steel and healthy brains, I know,
They made the forests blossom like a garden long ago.
No gilded cradles held the babes the mother loved to kiss.
Where howled the famished wolf at night, or rose the serpent's hiss.
And where she led them unto God with calm and tender brow
We follow, with no thought of her, the ever busy plow.
No longer on the hillock's side rings out the settler's steel.
No longer in the cabins old sings low the spinning wheel;
The pioneers have anlshed like the billows of the tide,
With here and there a stone or two to tell us where they died.
Sk>, when I cross the meadow in the balmy breeze of spring,
With flowers blooming round me and the merry birds awing.
It is to part the grass blades, each a tiny emerald spear.
And read upon a leaning stone: "Here sleeps a pioneer."
Then comes to me a vision of the brave, the true, the bold.
An era grander, greater than the fabled age of gold —
When the misty azure mountains 'twixt us and the eastern sea
Heard in the settlers' march the tread of nations yet to be.
From beyond the AHeghanies came that small, heroic band,
I see them cross the border of the death-invested land;
No obstacles retard their march and dangers lurk In vain.
They build within the forest and they rear upon the plain.
They carve a way for progress in the dark and lonely wood.
They hold the savage foe at bay, they triumph o'er the flood;
And commerce follows in their wake, as day succeeds the night,
And fairer beam the stars that shine upon our banner bright.
All honor to the pioneers whose race has passed away!
Their deeds have won a fame that lasts forever and a day;
And when I part the tender grass upon the hillside fair
I do it gently for I know the brave hearts resting there.
The homes they wrested from the wilds they left to you and me.
We drew from those heroic souls our love of liberty;
The rights that we enjoy today they battled to maintain,
And Ood, for them, has blessed us upon everyhill and plain.
*T. O. Harbaugh.
(50)
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GEN. NATHANIEL MASSIE
Founder of Mahchestbr in 1799, the Third
Skttlbmknt in Ohio
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THE PIONEERS 61
Mmwdm*m flettlemettt at Mameliester^-Cliaraeter of the Ptomewi Life l»
the Baehwoode ■ Early Marrlasee— Readaieeettees.
The present generation has but Kttle conception of the environments
of the pioneers of Adams county, and of the hardships and dangers en-
dured by them. When the first settlement was formed at the "Three
Islands," what is now Adams County, as in fact with two exceptions, all
of the present State of Ohio, was a vast wilderness, inhabited by tribes of
hostile savages, and filled with ferocious beasts and venomous serpents.
There was not a white man's domicile in all the Virginia Reservation,
and there was not a fort nor a single company of soldiers in all that vast
region to shelter the pioneer who ventured within its limits, or to stay
the course of the bands of murderous savages that roamed the forests.
For the most part the entire region was an unbroken forest, and the
stately monarchs of the woods, the oak leviathans, whose lofty tops to-
wered the heavens, formed a canopy of green that was but dimly pene-
trated by the summer's sun, and the creeks and streams were overhung
with foliage that shut out the sunHght and cast deep shadows over the
surface of the waters. There was not a road nor a path through this
wilderness except those made by the herds of buffaloes in their travels
from one feeding place to another. There were no means of travel
through this vast wilderness except on foot or on horseback and these
were fraught with the greatest dangers to life and limb. With such sur-
roundings and under such conditions was the first white settlement be-
gun in the Virginia Reservation.
M iuMie's Settlement at Maaekester.
In the year 1790, Nathaniel Massie, a young land surveyor, who was
interested in locating land warrants in the Virginia Reservation north-
west of the Ohio River, as an inducement to found a colony there, offered
to each of the first twenty-five persons who v.'ould join him in making a
settlement, one inlot and one outlot in a town he proposed to lay off,
and one hundred acres of land in the vicinity of the new town. In ac-
cordance with this proposal the following written agreement was drawn
up and signed by the parties interested :
Articles of agreement between Nathaniel Massie, of the one part,
and the several persons that have hereunto subscribed, of the other
part, witnesseth; that the subscribers hereof doth oblige themselves to
settle in the town laid off, on the northwest side of the Ohio, opposite the
lower part of the three islands ; and make said town or the neighborhood,
on the northwest side of the Ohio, their permanent seat of residence for
two years from the date hereof; no subscriber shall be absent for
more than two months at a time, and during such absence, he shall fur-
nish a strong able-bodied man sufficient to bear arms at least equal to
himself; no subscriber shall absent himself the time above mentioned,
in case of actual danger, nor shall such absence be but once a year;
no subscriber shall absent himself in case of actual danger, or if absent,
he shall return immediately. Each of the subscribers doth oblige him-
self to comply with the rules and regulations that shall be agreed on
by a majority thereof for the support of the settlement.
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62 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
In consideration whereof, Nathaniel Massie doth bind and oblige
himself, his heirs, etc., to make over and convey to such of the sub-
scribers, that comply with the above conditions, at the expiration of two
years, a good and sufficient title unto one inlot in said town, containing
five poles in front and eleven back, one outlet of four acres convenient
to said town, in the bottom, which the said Massie is to put them in im-
mediate possession of; also one hundred acres of land, which the said
Massie has shown to a part of the subscribers; the conveyance to be
made to each of the subscribers, their heirs or assigns.
In witness whereof each of the parties have hereunto set their hands
and seals this first day of December, 1790. (signed)
Nathaniel Massie. John Ellison,
John Lindsey, Allen Simmeral.
William Wade, John X McCutchen,
John Black, Andrew X Anderson,
Samuel X Smith, Mathew X Hart.
Jessie X Wethington, Henry X Nelson,
Josiah Wade, John Peter Christopher Shanks,
John Clark, Tames Allison,
Robert Ellison, Thomas Stout,
Zephaniah Wade, George Wade.
Done in the presence of John Beasley, James Tittle.
It has been said that this agreement was drafted and subscribed at
Kenton's Station near the town of Washington, Kentucky. It is
probable that it was drafted at Limestone and subscribed there. How-
ever, the settlement was begim immediately, the town was laid out into
lots and named Manchester, after Manchester in England, the home of
the ancestors of its founder. The new settlement was known for years
as Massie's Station.
"This little confederacy, with Massie at the helm (who was the whole
soul of it)," says McDonald, "went to work Avith spirit. Cabins were
raised, and by the middle of March, 1791, the whole town was enclosed
with strong pickets, firmly fixed in the ground, with block-houses at each
angle for defense. [The situation of the stockade was opposite the
lower end of the large island and extended to the river bank.] Al-
though this settlement was commenced in the hottest Indian war, it
suffered less from depredations and even interruption from the Indians,
than any settlement previously made en the Ohio River. This ^vas no
doubt owing to the watchful band of brave spirits who guarded the place,
men who weie reared in the midst of danger and inured to perils, and as
watchful as hawks. Here were the Beasleys, the Stouts, the Washbums,
the Leedoms, the Edgingtons, the Dinnings, the Ellisons, the Utts, the
McKenzies, the Wades and others who were equal to the Indians in all
the arts and stratagems of border war.
"As soon as Massie had completely prepared his station
for defense, the whole population went to work, and cleared
the lower of the three islands, and planted it in com. The
island was very rich and produced heavy crops. The woods,
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THE PIONEER3 63
with a little industry, supplied a variety of game. Deer, elk, buffalo,
bears and turkeys were abundant, while the river furnished a variety of
excellent fish. The wants of the mhabitants were few and easily gratified.
Luxuries were unknown except old Monongahela double distilled. This
article was in great demand in those days, and when obtained was freely
used. Coffee and tea were rare articles, not much prized nor sought
after, and were only used to celebrate the birth of a newcomer. The in-
habitants of the Station were as playful as kittens, and as happy in their
way as, their hearts could wish. The men spent most of their timfe in
hunting and fishing, and almost every evening the boys and girls footed
merrily to the tune of the fiddle. Thus was their time spent in that
happy state of indolence and ease, which none but the hunter or herds-
man state can enjoy. They had no civil officers to settle their disputes,
nor priests to direct their morals ; yet amongst them crimes were of rare
occurrence. Should any one who chanced to be amongst them, prove
troublesome, or disturb the harmony of the community his expulsion
forthwith would be the consequence? ; and woe be to him if he again at-
tempted to intrude himself upon them."
Okaraetar of the Pioneers.
The pioneers of Adams County as a class were honorable and moral
men and women. They represented some of the best families of Vir-
^nia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey and the Car-
olinas. They were a hardy, industrious, and frugal people, who had
come determined to make a. home for themselves and their generations
in the great Northwest. They were the daring, spirited and brave
element of the older settlements east of the Alleghenies. It is true
there were in the early settlements as there is in every community today,
a rough, immoral, indolent element ; but look into the history of any of
the early settlements in the county, and it will be seen that each was
dominated by moral, industrious, and intelligent families. The pioneers
were not, as is the popular opinion, giants in stature and of herculean
strength, but they were ha.rdy and vigorous as a result of plain living
and an active outdoor life. As a matter of necessity every man and boy
devoted a portion of his time to the chase. It afforded the principal
subsistence of the early settlers, and "wild meat without salt or bread
was often their only food for weeks." They were a generous-hearted
and hospitable people, whose welcome was plain and outspoken. There
was none of the deceit veiled in hollow formalities that prevails in society
today. "Our latch-string is always out" meant a genuine hearty wel-
come to the humble home of the pioneer.
Idf e in the Baekwood*.
Wc make the following extracts from "Life in the Backwoods," by
Rev. James B. Finley, a pioneer of Adams County:
"The first settlers could not have sustained themselves, had it not
been for the wild game that was in the countr}^ This was their principal
subsistence ; and this thev took at the peril of their Mves, and often many
erf them came near starving to death. Wild meat without bread or salt,
was often their food for weeks together. If they obtained bread, the
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54 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
meal was pounded in a mortar or ground in a handmill. Hominy was a
good substitute for bread, or parched com pounded and sifted, then
mixed with a Kttle maple sugar and eaten dry ; or, mixed with water was
a good beverage. On this coarse fare the people were remarkably
healthy and cheerful. No complaints were heard of dyspepsia ; I never
heard of this fashionable complaint till I was more than thirty years old ;
and if the emigrants had come to these backwoods with dyspepsia, they
would not have been troubled long with it ; for a few months living on
buffalo meat, venison, and good fat bear meat, with the oil of the raccoon
and opossum mixed with plenty of hominy, would soon have effected a
cure.
**Their children were fat and hearty, not having been fed with plum-
pudding, sweetmeats and pound-cake. A more hardy race of men and
women grew up in this wilderness than has ever been produced since ;
with more common sense and enterprise than is common to those who
sleep on beds of down, and feast on jellies and preserves ; and although
they had not the same advantages of obtaining learning that the present
generation have, yet they had this advantage; they were sooner thrown
upon the world, became acquainted with men and things, and entirely
dependent on their own resources for a living. A boy at the age of six-
teen was counted a man in labor and hunting, and was ready to go to
war; now, one of that age hardly knows the road to mill or market.
"Their attire was in perfect keeping with their fare. The men's
apparel was mostly made of the deer's skin. This, well dressed, was made
into hunting shirts, pantaloons, coats, waistcoats, leggins, and moccasins.
The women sometimes wore petticoats of this most common and useful
article ; and it supplied almost universally the place of shoes and boots.
If a man was blessed with a linsey hunting-shirt, and the ladies with lin-
sey dresses, and the children with the same, it was counted of the first
order, even if the linsey was made from the wool of the buffalo. On
some occasions the men could purchase a calico shirt ; this was thought
to be extra, for which they paid one dollar and fifty cents or two dollars
in skins or furs. And if a woman had one calico dress to go abroad in,
she was considered a finely dressed lady. Deer's hair or oak leaves
was generally put into the moccasins and worn in place of stockings or
socks. The household furniture consisted of stools, and bedsteads made
with forks driven into the ground and poles laid on these with the bark
of the trees, and on this beds made of oak leaves, or cattail stripped off
and dried in the sun. They rocked their children in a sugar trough or
pack-saddle. The cooking utensils consisted of a pot, dutch oven,
skillet, fryingpan, wooden trays and trenchers, and boards made smooth
and clean. The table was made of a broad wslab. And with these fixtures
there never was a heartier, happier, more hospitable or cheerful people.
Their interest were one, and their dependence on each other was in-
dispensable, and all things were common. Thus united they lived as
one family.
"They generally married early in life, the men from eighteen to
twenty-one, and the girb from sixteen to twenty. The difficulties of com-
mencing the world were not so great : and as both parties were con-
tented to begin with nothing, there was no looking out for fortunes, or
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THE PIONEERS 66
the expectations of living without labor. Their * affections were personal
and sincere, which constituted a chief part of their domestic happiness,
and endeared them to home. The sparkling log fire in the backwoods
cabin, the gambols of half a dozen cheerful, healthy children, and the
smiles of the happy wife and mother, made an earthly paradise.
"Nothing could produce more hilarity than a backwoods wedding.
Most generally all the neighborhood, for miles around were invited ; and
if it was in the winter, there would be a log-heap or two somewhere near
ihe cabin. Around these fires the men assembled with their rifles; the
women in the cabin ; and if there was a fiddler in the neighborhood he
must be present at an hour stated. The parson, if one could be had,
if not, the Justice of the Peace, called the assembly together, then the
couple to be married. After the ceremony was over, and all had wished
the happy pair much joy, then, if it could be had, the bottle passed
'round; the men then went, some to shooting at a mark, some to throw-
ing the tomahawk, others to hopping and jumping, throwing the rail or
shoulder stone, others to running foot races ; the women were employed
in cooking. When dinner was ready, the guests all partook of the very
best bear meat, venison, turkey, etc. This being over the dance com-
mences, and if there is no room in the cabin, the company repair to or
near one of the log fires ; there they dance till night, and then they mostly
return home ; yet many of the young people stay and perhaps dance all
night on a rough puncheon floor, till their moccasins are worn through.
The next diy is the infare; the same scenes are again enacted, when the
newly married pair single off to a cabin built for themselves, without
twenty dollars' worth of property to begin the world with, and live more
happily than those who roll in wealth and fortune.
"I recollect when a boy to have seen a pair of those backwoods
folks come to my father's to get married. The groom and bride had
a bell on each of their horses' necks, and a horse-collar made of corn-
husks on each horse to pay the marriage fee. The groom had a bottle
of whiskey in his hunting shirt bosom. When they had entered the
house, he asked if the parson was at home. My father replied that he
was the parson. '*Then" said the groom, "may it please you, Mary Mc-
Lain and I have come to get married. Will you do it for us?" "Yes,"
replied my father. "Well, then," said the groom, "we are in a hurry.*'
So the knot was tied, and the groom pulled out his bottle to treat the
company. He then went out. and took the collars off the horses' necks
and brought them in as the marriage fee ; and soon after they started for
home in Indian file, with the bells on their horses open, to keep the
younger colts which had followed them together.
"The chimneys of the cabins were built on the inside by throwing
on an extra log, three feet and a half from the wall. From this it was
carried up with sticks and clay to the roof and some two feet above it.
The whole width of the cabin was occupied for a fire-place, and wood
*The early records of Adams County contain but few divorce cases. In
commenting on this fact a Judge in this Judicial district once remarked that
there is not a case of divorce on the records where the courting was done in
a flax-patch or sugar camp ; at a quilting or apple cutting. And we might add
or "while bladin' cane/' according to the observation of Judge Mason.
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56 HISTORY OF ADAMS CXDUNTY
ten or twelve fcjct long could be laid on ; when burned in two in the mid-
dle, the ends could be pushed up, so as to keep a good fire through a
long winter's night. "When there was but one bed in the cabin, it was
no sign that you could not have a good night's rest, for after supper was
over, and the feats of the day about hunting were all talked over, the
skins were brought forth, bear, buffalo, or deer and spread down before
a sparkling fire, and a blanket or buffalo robe to cover with; and you
could sleep sweetly as the visions of the night roll over the senses, till the
morning dawn announced the approach of day. There were no win-
dows, and but one opening for a door; this was generally narrow, and
the door was made of two slabs, or a tree split in two and then hewed
to the thickness of six or eight inches, then set up endwise and made with
a bevel to lap over. The fastings consisted of three large bars fastened
to staples on the inside walls. The floor, if not of eari3i, was of hewn
slabs, and covered with clapboards. These cabins, if there was some
care taken in putting down the logs close together, and they were
scutched, would make the sweetest and healthiest habitations that man
can live in. They are much healthier than stone or brick houses ; and
I have no doubt there is a great deal more health and happiness enjoyed
by the inmates of the former than the latter.
"All the mills that the early settlers had was the hominy block, or a
hand mill. The horse-mills or water-mills were so far off that it was like
going on a pilgrimage to get a grist ; and besides the toll was so enor-
mously high, one-half, that they preferred doing their own milling.
"Almost every man and boy were hunters, and some of the women
of those times were experts in the chase. The game which was con-
sidered the most profitable and useful was the buffalo, the elk, the bear,
and the deer. The smaller game consisted of raccoon, turkey, opossum,
and ground-hog. The panther was sometimes used for food, and con-
sidered by some as good. The flesh of the wolf and wildcat was only
used when nothing else could be obtained.
"The backwoodsmen usually wore a hunting shirt and trousers
made of buckskin, and moccasins of same material. His cap was made
of coon-skin, and sometimes ornamented with a fox's tail. The ladies
dressed in linsey-woolsey, and sometimes buckskin.
"One great difficulty with the pioneers was to procure salt which
sold enormously high, at the rate of four dollars for fifty pounds. In
backwoods currency, it would require four buckskins, or a large bear
skin, or sixteen coon skins to make the purchase. Often it could not be
had at any price, and then the only way we had to procure it, was to
pack a load of kettles on our horses to the Scioto salt lick, and boil the
water ourselves. Otherwise we had to forego its use entirely. I have
known meat cured with strong hickory ashes.
"I imagine I hear the resLder saying this was hard living and hard
times. ^ So they would have been to the present race of men, but those
who lived at the time enjoyed life with a greater zest, and were more
healthy and happy than the present race. We had not then sickly
hysterical wives, with poor, puny, sickly dying children, and no dyspeptic
men constantly swallowing the nostrums of quacks. When we became
sick unto death, we died at once, and did not keep the neighborhood in
a constant state of alarm for several weeks, by daily bulletins of our
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THE PIONEERS 57
dying. Our young women were beautiful without rouge or cosmetics,
and blithesome without wine. There was then no curvature of the spine,
but the lassies were straight and fine-looking, without corsets. They
were neat in their appearance, and fresh as the morning in their home-
spun.
"We spun and wove our own fabrics for clothing; the law of kma-
ness governed our social walks ; and if such a disastrous thing as a
quarrel broke out, the difficulty was settled by a strong dish of fisticuffs.
No man was permitted to insult another without resentment ; and if an
insult was permitted to pass unrevenged, the insulted party lost his
standing and cast in society. It was seldom we had any preaching, but
if a traveling minister came along and made an appointment, all would
attend, the men in their hunting shirts with their guns."
Early Marriasea.
ITie first law regulating marriages in the Territory was published
in the fall of 1788, at Marietta.
Section i. Provided that males of the age of fourteen, and not
prohibited by the laws of God, might be joined in marriages.
Section 2. Provided that any of the Judges of the General Court
or Common Pleas or ministers of any religious society within the district
in which they resided, might solemnize marriages.
Section 3. Provided that before being joined in marriage, the
parties should give notice of their intentions by having them proclaimed
the preceding Sabbath in their congregation ; or notices in writing under
the hand and seal of one of the Judges before mentioned, or a Justice of
the Peace of the county, and posted in some public place in the town
where the parties respectively resided; or a license might be obtained
from the Governor, under his hand and seal, authorizing the marriage
without the publication aforesaid.
A supplementary act was passed August i, 1792, empowering every
Justice of the Peace to solemnize marriages in their respective counties,
after publication aforesaid, or upon license.
The following list embraces all the marriages that took place in
Adams County down to January i, t8oo. The records are missing
from that date down to May, 1803. We give a partial list of the mar-
riages for the subsequent ten years :
1798.
April 17 — ^James Scott and Elizabeth Kilgore, by James Scott.
April 17 — ^Joseph Lane and Mary Hastley, by James Scott.
June 5 — Thomas Harrod and Esther TempHn, by James Scott.
June 12 — Andrew Edgar and Nancy Brooks, by James Scott.
Aug. 7 — ^Turner Davis and Elizabeth Vance, by John Belli.
Aug. 7 — William Russell and Ruth Heneman, by John Belli.
Aug. 15 — ^John Stockham and Francis Kahn, by Moses Baird.
Oct. 31 — ^James Folsom and Elizabeth Martin, by John Russell
Oct. 31— Jacob Strickley and Martha Cox of Mason County, Kentucky,
by John Russell.
Nov. 26— Fred Baless and Nancy Erls, by Thomas Kirker.
Jan. 10 — ^John Davis and Nancy Aikens,-by Moses Baird.
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68 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
17M.
Jan. 3 — David Miller and Catharine Studebaker, by Moses Baird.
Jan. 22 — Peter Bible and Isabel Morrison, by Thomas Kirker.
Jan. 22 — George Noleman and Polly Edgington, by Thomas Kirker.
March 5 — ^Jesse Nelson and Martha Wilson, by Moses Baird.
April 4 — Thomas Foster and Jennie McGovney, by Rev. John Dunlavy.
May 16 — ^William Stout and Margaret Bennett, by John Russell.
May 16 — Isaac Stout and Ann Snodgrass, by John Russell.
June 14 — ^Joseph White and Elizabeth McHenry, by John Russell.
July 25— John Smith and Nancy Dennis, by Noble Grimes.
Aug. & — ^Abraham Thomas and Margaret Baker, by Rev. John Dunlavy.
Aug. 20 — Elijah Shepherd and Hannah Rodgers, by John Belli.
Aug. 25 — ^Alexander Barker and Beckey Dennis, by Noble Grimes.
Sept. 12 — ^Abraham Shepherd and Peggy Moore, by Rev. John Dunlavy.
Sept. 17 — ^Jonathan Liming and Jane Liming, by Rev. John Dunlavy.
Oct. 23 — ^Joseph Corns and Anna Truesdale, by John Belli.
Dec. 20— Alexander Burnside and Margaret Martin, by John Belli.
Dec. 30 — John Jones and Jane Mitchell, by John Belli.
1803.
May 12 — ^Wm. Morrison and Prudence Noleman, by Rev. John Dunlavy.
May 5 — Richard Woodworth and Sarah Roberson, by Rev. John Moore.
May 26 — William McClelland and Margaret Fink, by Israel Donalson.
June 2 — Robert Taylor and Sarah Palmer, by Mills Stephenson,
April 18 — Nathan Glaze and Nancy Creswell, by Mills Stephenson.
April 13 — William Bayne and Patty Bayne, by Mills Stephenson.
June 3 — Marcus Tolonge and Sara Bagger, by Mills Stephenson.
Sept. 15 — Coleiman As^rry and Amy Compton, by Nathan Ellis.
Sept. 9 — Henry Shaw and Nancy Rogers, by Joseph Newman.
Oct. 6- — Peter Parker and Mary Fele, by Joseph Newman.
Sept. 15 — ^James Mclntyre and Ann Roebuck, by John Baldwin.
May 14 — Michael Sloop and Mary Ann Gilsever, by John Russell.
Aug. 3 — ^William Frizel and Nancy Stolcup, by John Russell.
Sept. 22 — William Coole and Sara Stout, by John Russell.
Sept. 15 — George Campbell and Caty Noland, by Thos. Odell.
Aug. 18 — William Taylor and Millie Key, by Jas. Parker.
Aug. 30 — Daniel Kerr and Sarah Curry, by Jas. Parker.
Nov. I — Alex. Harover and Mary Stevenson, by Nathan Ellis.
Oct. 6— John Davidson and Isabel Pence, by William Leedom.
Sept. 29 — ^James Hunter and Hannah Gordon, by William Leedom.
Oct. 20— John Moore and Nancy Edwards, by Jos. Moore.
Nov. 21 — ^John Knots and Catharine Adams, by Rev. Thos. Odell.
Oct. 9 — Nicholas Washburn and I^ily Lacock, by Mills Stephenson.
Oct. 20— James King and Elizabeth Larwell, by Mills Stephenson.
Dec. 15 — ^John Davidson and Margaret Kincaid, by Rev. John Dunlavy.
1804.
Jan. 5 — Thomas Mullen and Ann Megonigle, by Philip Lewis.
Jan. 26 — William McCormick and Mary Charlton, by John Ellison.
Jan. 16 — ^John Shelton and Sarah Middleton, by Jas. Parker.
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THE PIONEERS 69
Jan. 15 — ^Thomas Lewis and Irene Smith, by Rev. T. W. Levimey.
Feb. 23 — ^James McComas and Esther Smith, by Noble Grimes.
Feb. 23 — ^James Horn and Elizabeth Miller, by Rev. John Dunlavy.
Feb. IS — Gilbert Hiett and Polly Gunnings, by William Leedom.
March i — ^John Abbott and Hannah Reynolds, by Jos. Newman.
Feb. 29 — ^Jonathan Wamsley and Sarah Odell, by Rev. Thomas Odell.
May 6-— JoseJph R^olds and Jane Abbott, by Joseph Newman.
May 23— George Fisher and Hannah Haden, by Joseph Newman.
May 17 — Solomon Shoemaker and Agnes Kerr, by Paul Kerr.
June 26 — ^Aquilla Denham and Harriet Thompson, by Hiram Currey.
June 30 — George Roebuck and Ann Bealtes, by Jas. Parker.
May 23 — ^Adam Morrow and Frankie Barley, by Mills Stephenson.
April 19 — Samuel Smith and Mary Peyton, by Philip Lewis.
Feb. 12 — Levi Sparks and Mildred Anderson, by Noble Grimes.
July 12 — ^Joseph Lovejoy and Priscilla Anderson, by Noble' Grimes.
July 12 — Stephen Clark and Rebecca Ogle, by Noble Grimes.
Aug. 9 — Lewis Coleman and Elizabeth Stalcup, by John Russell.
July 15 — Cornelius Cain and Elizabeth Newman, by Jas. Moore.
Aug. 14 — William King and Peggy Wright, by Samuel Wright.
Dec. 26 — Mathew Thompson and Mary Simral, by John Baldwin.
Dec. 29 — ^John Copas and Betsey Grooms, by James Carson.
Oct. 13 — ^William Dunbar and Rebecca Delaplane, by John Ellison.
1805.
Feb. 4, Isaac Edgington and Sarah Bryan, l»y William Leedom.
Jan. 20 — ^John Philips and Elizabeth Cole, by Paul Kerr.
Feb. 7 — ^James Moore and Peggy Wade, by Wm. Leedom.
March 25 — William Rolland and Sally Crawford, by John Russell.
March 25 — ^John Means and Sally Collier, by John Russell.
May 23 — Thomas Palmer and Ruth Noleman, by William Leedom.
July 4 — Philip Lewis, Jr., and Nancy Humble, by Rev. T. W. Levinney.
June 2^ — William Wills and Sara Shepherd, by Rev. James Gilleland.
Nov. 4 — ^John Baldridge and Lila Cole, by James Scott.
Dec. 2— Andrew Elliott and Martha McCreight, by Robt. Elliott.
1606.
June 23 — Isaac Edgington and Margaret Palmer, by James Scott.
June 20 — ^James Wilson and Sally Horn, by Robt. Dobbins, V. D. M.
June 26 — ^John Grooms and Deborah Sutterfield, by James Moore,
July 17 — Isaac Aerl and Jlebecca Collier, by P. Lewis, Jr.
July 21 — David Murphy and Catharine Williams, by P. Lewis, Jr.
June 25 — Hugh Montgomery and Polly Secrist, by Robt. Elliott.
June 25 — ^Jesse Stout and Sara Morrison, by John Russell.
June 19 — ^John Ailes and Rebecca Vires, by John Russell.
July 10 — ^John Bilyue and Grace Dunbar, by James Moore.
Oct. II — ^John Sellman and Nelly Parmer, by Wm. Leedom.
Aug. 7 — Philip Bourman and Mary Dragoo, by Jas. Parker.
Aug. 8 — Hezekiah Bellie and Sarah Stephenson, by Jc4in Russell.
Oct. 24 — ^John Hamilton and Isabella Smith, by Wm. Lee,
Dec. II — Reuben Pennywitt and Mar>'^ Lucas.by Wm. Williamson, V.D.M.
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60 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
1806.
Dec. 25 — George Washington Green Harroll and Sarah Askren, by Mills
Stef)henson.
Aug 3 — Robel Butler and Comfort Pettijohn, by Mills Stephenson.
1807.
Oct. 9 — Henry McGarah and Sarah Young, by James Moore.
May 27 — Dr. Joseph Keith and Sarah Beasley (relict Major John Beas-
ley), by Rev. Wm. Williamson.
Oct. 22 — ^John West and Barbara Platter, by Curliss Cannon.
Dec. 1 1 — Samuel Laremore and Catherine McGate, by Jas. Moore.
1808.
Jan. 14 — Hamilton Dunbar and Delilah Sparks, by James Scott
Jan. I — ^William McClanahan and Nancy Paull, by Adam Kirkpatrick.
Feb. 18 — Samuel Finley and Polly Glasgow, by James Scott.
Dec. 9 — ^Thomas Lockhart and Marry Grimes, by P. Lewis, Jr.
Nov. 10 — Davis Reynolds and Milley Dunn, by John Lindsey.
1809.
March 10— Jesse Grimes and Polly Meggitt (McGate), by John Ellison.
Feb. 28 — Moses Lockhart and Sarah Aldred, by John Russell.
March 23 — Cornelius Washburn and Susanna Dunn, by John Lindsey.
April 6— John Mannon and Sarah Washburn, by John Lindsey.
June 8 — ^James Wikoff and Rachel Ellis, by Rev. Robt. Dobbins.
June 8 — ^William Russell and Nancy Wood, by Rev. Abbott Goddard.
Aug. 17 — ^James Collier and Sarah Eyler, by Job Dinning.
Sept. 14 — Thomas Hayslip and Isabel Paul, by Wm. Williamson, V. D. M.
Sept. 13 — Robt. Glasgo and Rosanna Finley, by John W. Campbell.
Sq)t. 25 — Enos Johnson and Sally Sparks, by John W. Campbell.
Nov. 2 — Samuel Finley and Milley Sparks, by John W. Campbell.
Oct. 24 — Horace L. Palmer and "the amiable Miss Margeretia Campbell
of Kentucky," by Mills Stephenson, J. P.
Dec. II — "The Honorable John Ewing to the amiable Mrs. Hannah
Cutler, both of the county of Adams," by William Laycock, J. P.
1810.
March 2 — Mark Pennwitt and Nancy Naylor,by Wm. Williamson, V.D.M.
March 14— ^Thomas Dawson and Druzilla Palmer, by James Parker.
March 14 — Damascus Brooks and Priscilla Palmer, by James Parker.
April 3 — ^Ang^s McCoy and Agnes Horn, by Rev. James Gilliland.
April 26 — Thomas McGovney and Jenny Graham, by Samuel Young.
June 28 — Stout Pettit and Martha McDermott, by Jos. Westbrook.
1811.
Jan. 14 — ^John Dixon and Polly Middleswart, by Mills Stephenson.
Aug. 8 — ^Jacob Edgington and Mary Anne Dobbins, by Rev. RolH. Dobbins.
•JMD68 Parker oertifled that ** Arotaibald Ousler " was married on tbe Sth day of April, 1800.
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THE PIONEERS 61
1812.
March 26 — ^Joseph McKee to Peggy Eakins, by Joseph Westbrook.
1813.
Feb. II — Zachariah Grooms to Fanny Shanks, by Job Dinning.
REMINISOENOES.
Diseases of the Pioneers.
The first settlers were attacked with a skin disease which produced a
terrible itching. All newcomers to the settlement became afflicted with
this disease. It was attributed to the water. Sore eyes prevailed to a
very great extent, and influenza was a frequent scourge in the early
spring of each year. It was then believed to be caused by the melting
of the snow in the mountains. Fevers prevailed along the river bottom
and the valleys of the larger streams due to the use of creefc and river
water, there being no wells, and to the decay of vegetable matter in the
newly cleared lands. For this reason the highlands were occupied by
the pioneerc in preference to the rich bottoms which could be purchased
at the same price per acre, as the uplands. Tlie bloody flux prevailed at
frequent periods in the early settlement of the country, produced by bad
water and excessive use of green vegetables, and unripe fruit, especially
wild plums which grew in great abundance in the bottoms of all the
streams. The poorer classes of women went barefooted most of the year
to which was attributed cases of obstruction of calamenia and hysteria.
ICedieinal Herbs mud Roots.
There were few, if any physicians in the early settlement. In cases
of fractures .<iome one in the neighborhood more skilled than others did
the setting and bandaging. Cuts and bruises were simply bound up,
and nature did the rest. Cases of childbirth were attended by the elderly
women of the vicinity. The ills of children were colds, bowel complaint
and worms, and horehound, catnip and the worm-wood were the remedial
agencies. Among the other standard roots and herbs were sttma
serpentaria Virginia, tormentilla, stellae, valerian, podophillum
peltatum (may apple), percoon, sarsaparilla, yellow root, hydrastis
canadensis, rattleweed, gentian, ginseng, magnolia (wild cucumber),
prickley ash, spikenard, calamint, spearmint, pennyroyal, dogwood, wild
ginger (coltsfoot), sumach and beech drop.
Whiskey And Tobaeoo.
In the early days of the country all classes used whiskey as a medi-
cine and a beverage. "Old Monongahela double distilled" was a staple
article. Old and young, men and women drank it, and there was but
little drunkenness. After the settlements were made in the interior there
were hundreds of little copper stills set up along the spring branches, and
much of the grain grown was consumed ill making "Old Mononga-
hela" or something "just as good." The whiskey and brandy in those
days had one recommendation — they were not adulterated. But even
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«2 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
then "the appetite" pf some overcame their discretion, and they became
sots, and eyesores to the community. An early Methodist preacher gave
as his reason lor not becoming a member of a Seceder congregation, was
that he had seen one of the elders carried home drunk and the next
Sabbath he again saw him at the communion table. The preachers in
those days expected the black bottle with spikenard, dogwood buds, and
snakeroot, in the whiskey to be passed as an "appetizer^ before meals.
Many were not averse to taking it "straight." Of the early prominent
families, nearly all got a start in the world in the whiskey business, in
either its distillation, or by keeping "tavern" or "grocery" where the
chief source of profits was from the "liquor" sold. But then it was
"fashionable" and fashion rules the world.
Floods in the Ohio.
The first great flood in the Ohio, over thirty miles of which borders
Adams County, is that of 1765 which swept the Shawnee village "Lower
Old Town" from the high bottoms near the old site of Alexandria below
the mouth of the Scioto. In 1808 the Ohio in this region again became
higher than ever was known before, and the great flood in 1832 was
thought to be the limit. In 1847 there was a December flood that al-
most equalled that of 1832, In 1867 there was a June freshet that caused
great damage to crops, and swelled the Ohio to the "great flood" mark.
In the winter of 1883 the record was broken in the "great floods" of the
Ohio, 66 feet and 4 inches above low water mark at Cincinnati ; which
is 2 feet and 6 inches above bed of the channel. The flood of 1832
reached 64 feet and 3 inches at Cincinnati. But the greatest flood came
February 14, 1884 when the Ohio reached the height of 71 feet and
three-fourths of an inch above low water mark at Cincinnati. At
Manchester the waters reached the Hotel Brit, from which skiffs took
and returned guests. Backwater came up Brush Creek to the vicinity
of the Sproull bridge. In 1832 the backwater came up Brush Creek to
forge dam.
Great Gatherings of the People.
The first great gathering of the people, and one of the largest consider-
ing population and means of travel at that period was at the hanging of
Beckett at West Union in 1808, an account of which is recorded in this vol-
ume. It had been a noted trial in many respects and the crime committed
by Beckett had been discussed throughout southern Ohio, northern
Kentucky and western Virginia, from which regions people came in great
numbers to witness the execution. Among those from a distance was Capt.
William Wells, a noted frontiersman and the founder of the town of
Wellsville, Ohio.
The next great meeting of the people was at the great Vallandig-
ham rally at Locust Grove September 4, 1867. Political excitement was
at highest pitch and people from Brown, Highland, Pike and Scioto
counties, came in wagons, on horseback and some on foot to attend
this great rally. The roads leading to Lucus Grove were lined with
campers the night before, who had come from a distance to be at the
meeting the next day. It is said that fifteen thousand people, men,
women and children, attended this meeting.
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THE PIONEERS 68
The third and last, and greatest outpouring of the whole people of
Adams 0>unty, practically, was at the Centennial meeting at West
Union, July 4, 1876. The crowd has been conservatively estimated at
twenty thousand people, while others put it much higher. It took one
line two hours and forty-five minutes to pass the old toll-gate on the Man-
chester pike. There were present Maj. Joseph McKee, aged 87; Wil-
liam Jackson, aged 85 ; William Brooks, aged 79 ; James Umble, aged
85 ; James Little, aged 83 ; and Andrew B. Ellison, aged 81 ; survivors
of the War of 1812.
Thomas J. Mullen delivered the address of welcome. W. H. Penny-
witt, Rev. I. H. DeBruin, John W. McClung and others addressed the.
assembled people.
Tke Squirrel Plaipne.
In 1808 the crops of com were greatly injured and in many places
destroyed by m)rriads of gray squirrels. They seemed to be migrating
from the north to the south. Hundreds could be seen crossing the Ohio
River where it was nearly a mile wide. In this attempt thousands were
drowned. They were greatly emaciated and most of them were covered
with running ulcers made by worms of the grub kind. Bythefirst of Janu-
ary they had mostly disappeared. Afterwards woodmen in cutting into
hollow trees would find them filled with the bones and skins of squirrels,
some trees containing as many as forty or fifty. From this it would
seem that they died of disease and not of famine. This was the season
that fever and influenza ravaged the country. The Legislature passed an
act requiring each male over twenty-one years of age to produce to the
County Clerk 100 squirrel scalps or pay three dollars cash.
Flocks of PicooBfl.
In the early history of the county and as recently as 1865, great
flocks of wild pigeons came into the county in the seasons when there
was much mast. These would, fly in such numbers as to darken the sky
cverliead, and in lighting in the timber would crash the branches and
limbs like the force of a hurricane.
Tko Resvlators.
After the Civil War, a class of "refugees" came into the eastern
portion of Adams County and the western border of Scioto, and com-
mitted many petty crimes. Some of them were accused of horse-
stealing. A number of prominent citizen formed a kind of league,
known at the "Regulators" who punished and drove out the most offen-
sive of the "refugees." The "Regulators" held annual public re-unions
for years.
A Glen on Boaoley.
Many of the steep hillsides bordering the streams are covered with
dense thickets of "red brush" which in the early springtime when the
buds are fully blown, appear like clusters of Hlacs, or huge bouquets of
violets. They have a charm that never tires. On the headwaters of
Beasley's Fork, near West Union, is a glen noted for the beauty of its
redbud coves and the number of its redbird inhabitants. Years ago
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64 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNIT
Judge Mason, noting the particular charms of the locality and the num-
ber of its scarlet plumed dwellers, named it Redbird, which others (mis-
taking the name to refer to the thickets of **red brush") called Redbud.
Noting this fact, the writer spent a pleasant afternoon in the month of
May, in company with the Judge along this charming glen, to determine
which name should go down in history. The decision favored both.
And so it shall be "Redbud," "Redbird," and its charms shall be perpet-
uated in the following lines by an unknown author whose name deserves
to be enrolled among the immortals :
Tke Redbud And the Redbird.
The redbud thicket by yonder stream,
Shines forth with a roseate purple gleam ;
As if from the sky at even,
A sunset cloud had deserted the blue
To join with the green its brigher hue.
Brought down from the azure heaven.
And out and in, on his crimson wing,
With a note of love that he only can sing,
The redbird gaily is flitting;
As if a cluster of bloom from the tree
Had started to life and minstrelsy —
Its beauty to melody fitting.
Sweet tree — sweet bird ! Such a pair I ween.
In the month of beauty was never seen
Nor heard in so sweet a duetto ;
Where blossom and bird have ecjual part,
And where each raptured, listening heart
May furnish its own libretto.
One sings in color, one blooms in song,
Both making sweet harmony all day long
In the pleasant vernal weather —
A charming music, or seen or heard
For the redbud and the redbird
Ever blossom and sing together.
Redbud, ceHs canadensis.
Redbird, Tanagra aftira.
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CHAPTER VII.
CONFUCTS AND ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS
A Battle with the Indlang on Soloto Brush Oreeh— Captlrltj of Israel
Donalson^ Asahel Edslnston Killed by the Indiana
Capture of Andrew Ellison.
The last contest between any considerable number of whites and
Indians in the Virginia Military District took place on the waters of the
north fork of Scioto Brush Creek in the northern part of Adams
County, and within the present limits of Franklin Township. The site
is about two an one-half miles northeast of the village of Locust Grove,
on lands recently owned by the widow of John Moomaw. The place
is on the dividing ridge between the headwaters of the north fork of
Scioto Brush Creek and the tributaries of east fork of Ohio Brush
Creek, at what is known as Wethington's Spring, where Jesse Weth-
ing^on, one of the nineteen persons who signed the articles of agreement
with Nathaniel Massie to settle at his stockade at the Three Islands in
1790, finally settled, and where he died. His widow Betty, resided here
many years. This was also the last battle during the old Indian War
from Dunmore's expedition into the Northwest Territory to Wayne's
treaty at Greenville. In accounts of this expedition it is stated that
during the attack at Reeve's Crossing, a white prisoner escaped from the
Indians and returned with the exploring party to his home. That pris-
oner was John Wilcoxon who had early in the spring of that year come
out from Limestone over Tod's Trace to the "Sinking Spring," and
there built a rude hut in which he and his wife and child resided until
his capture by the Indians, while taking honey from a bee-tree, about
the time of this expedition.
Rev. James B. Finley, who wrote the first account of this expedi-
tion and the battles growing- out of it, and whose father was one of the
party of explorers, says: "While Gen. Wayne was treating with the
Indians at Greenville, in 1795, a company of forty persons met at Man-
chester, at the Three Islands, with the intention of exploring the Scioto
country.
"General Massie was the principal in this expedition. My father
and several of his congregation formed a part of the company. After
proceeding cautiously for a number of days in a northerly direction,
they reached Paint Creek near The Falls. Here they discovered fresh
traces of Indians, the signs being such as to indicate that they could
not be far off. They had not proceeded far till they heard the bells on
their horses. Some of the company were what was called "raw hands,"
and previous to this had been very anxious to smell Indian powder. One
5a (65)
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66 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
of the old hunters remarked, on witnessing their anxiety, "If you get
sight of the Indians you will run, or I am mistaken." A council was
called of the most experienced in Indian warfare, and the result of their
deliberations was, that it was too late to retreat with safety and with-
out great danger. They resolved, as the best possible course, to attack
the enemy by surprise. It was agreed that General Massie, Fellenash,
any my father should take the command and lead on the men, and Cap-
tain Petty was to bring up the rear.
"The Indians were encamped on the bank of Paint Creek pre-
cisely (?) where the turnpike now crosses it, at what was called Reeve's
old crossing. Out of the forty in company only about twenty engaged
in battle. Those who were so anxious to smell Indian powder retreated,
and Captain Petty reported them as having taken refuge between logs
and other defenses, trembling with fear. The remainder advanced
cautiously to within fifty yards when they fired and rushed into the
Indians' camp. Astounded by this attack, the Indians fled down the
bank and across the stream many of them leaving their guns. One of
the company — Mr. Robinson — ^was shot, and died in a few minutes.
The Indians were Shawnees, and would not go to the treaty. They had
a prisoner with then^who, in the fight, made his escape, and finally suc-
ceeded in reaching nh home. His name was Armstrong [Wilcoxon],
As soon as the company could bury the dead and gather up the horses
and plunder of the Indians, they directed their course to Manchester;
but night overtook them on Scioto (?) Brush Creek, and as they ex-
pected to be followed by the Indians, they stopped and made the
necessary preparations for defense. The next morning, an hour before
daylight, the Indians made their appearance, and opened upon them
a vigorous fire, which was promptly and vigorously returned. Those
who would not fight took shelter from the balls of the enemy in a large
sinkhole in the bounds of the encampment. After a hot contest, which
lasted an hour, the Indians were repulsed and fled."
McDonald says of this fight: "There was a sink-hole near, and
those bragging cowards got down into it, to prevent the balls from hit-
ting them. Several horses were killed, and one man, a Mr. Gillfillan,
was shot through the thigh. After an hour's contest the Indians re-
treated ; and the company arrived at the place they started from, having
lost one man, and one wounded."
This was in July, 1795, and was General Massie's first attempt to
found a settlement in the Paint Creek Valley which he hoped
to make the nucleus for the building up of a city to become the
capital of the first State erected out of the Northwest Territory. The next
year he led another expedition to that region and laid out the town of
Chillicothe which eventually did become the first capital of Ohio.
*0aptiTlt7 of Israel Domalson«
At the request of a number of friends, I attempt to give you a brief
account of my checkered life, which has been one full of incidents,
many of which it is not now in my power to relate, having kept no
journal. I write entirely from memory, which is every day growing
* Dated June 17, 1848.
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ISRAEIy DONALSON
Last Survivor of thk Constitutional Convention of 1802
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CONFLICTS AND ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS «?
more indistinct. I was bom in the county of Hunterdon, State of New
Jersey, on the second of February, 1767. While quite small, my father
moved to Cumberland County, in said State, where I was reared up and
received my education, and where we had perilous times during the
long revolutionary struggle. I was too young to take any part in it
myself, but quite capable of noticing passing events. I have known
two companies to leave the house of worship during the services of one
Sabbath to face the enemy. In the fall of 1787, I left my native State
to seek my fortune in western wilds. My first stop was in Ohio County,
State of Virginia, where I remained until the spring of 1790; part of the
time farming, part of the time teaching school, and a third part I was
among the rangers, stationed by the State of Virginia, at the old Mingo
town, about eighteen or twenty miles above Wheeling. In May, 1790,
I took passage on board of a flatboat for Kentucky, and arrived at Lime-
stone on the first night of June. I got into a public house, but was not
able to procure food, fire, or bed, or any other nourishment but whiskey,
and a number of us that had landed that evening, spent the night sitting
in the room, which was a grand one for those days. [Query? What
should we have done if the temperance cause had prevailed at that
time? ] There had during the spring been a great deal of mischief done
on the river, but we saw no Indians. There were however in company,
I think, nineteen boats. Major Parker, of Lexington, was our admiral
and pilot. During the summer of that year I taught school in what is
now called Maysville. During the winter of 1790-91, I became ac-
quainted with Nathaniel Massie, and in the spring of 1791, came to re-
side in his little fort, in the then county of Hamilton, Northwestern
Teritory. At this time there was very little law or gospel in the Terri-
tory, and the usual mode of settling disputes was by a game of fisticuffs ;
and at the close, sometimes a part of a nose, or ear, would be missing,
but a good stiff grog generally restored harmony and friendship.
I am not sure whether it was the last of March or first of April, I
came to the Territory to reside ; but on the night of the twenty-first of
April, 1791, Mr. Massie and myself were sleeping together in our blan-
kets, for beds we had none, on the loft of our cabin, to get out of the way
of the fleas and gnats. Soon after lying down, I began dreaming of
Indians, and continued to do so through the night. Sometime in the
night, however, whether Mr. Massie waked of himself, or whether I
wakened him, I cannot now say, but I observed to him I did not know
what was to be the consequence, for I had dreamed more about Indians
that night than in all the time I had been in the western country before.
As is common he made light of it, and we dropped again to sleep. He
asked me next morning if I would go with him up the river, about four
or five miles, to make a survey, and said that William Lytle, who was
then at the fort, was going along. We were both young surveyors, and
were glad of the opportunity to practice. Accordingly we three, and a
James Tittle, from Kentucky, who was about buying the land, got on
board of a canoe, and were a long time going up, the river being very
high at the time. We commenced at the mouth of a creek, which since
that day has be^ called Donalson Creek. We meandered up the river ;
Mr. Massie had the compass, Mr. Lytle and myself carried the chain.
We had progressed perhaps one hundred and forty or one hundred and
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68 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
fifty poles, when our chain broke, or parted, but with the aid of a toma-
hawk we soon repaired it. We were then close to a large f mound, and
were standing in a triangle, and Lytle and mysejf were amusing our-
selves pointing out to Tittle the g^eat convenience he would have by
building his house on that mound, when the one standing with his face
up the river, spoke and said, "Boys, there are Indians:" "No," replied
the other, "they are Frenchmen/' By this time I had caught a glimpse
of them ; I said they were Indians, and begged them to fire. I had no
gun, and from the advantage we had, did not think of running until they
started. The Indians were in two small bark canoes, and were close
into shore and discovered us just at the instant we saw them; and be-
fore I started to run I saw one jump on shore. We took out through
the bottom and, before getting to the hill, came to a spring branch. I
was in the rear, and as I went to jump, something caught my foot
and I fell over the opposite side. They were then so close I saw there
was no chance of escape, and did not offer to rise. Three war-
riors first came up, presented their guns all ready to fire, but as I made
no resistance they took them down, and one of them gave me his hand
to help me up. At this time Mr. Lytle was about a chain's length
before me, and threw away his hat ; one of the Indians went forward and
picked it up. They then took me back to the bank of the river, and set
me down while they put up their stuff:, and prepared for a march.
While sitting on the bank of the river, I could see the men walking
about the block-house on the Kentucky shore, but they heard nothing
of it. The Indians went on rapidly that evening, and camped, I think,
on the waters of Eagle Creek. We started next morning early, it rain-
ing hard, and one of them seeing my hat was somewhat convenient to
keep off the rain, came up and took it off my head and put it on his
own. By this time I had discovered some friendship in a very lusty
Indian, I think the one that first came up to me ; I made signs to him
that one had taken my hat ; he went and took it off the other Indian's
head and placed it again on mine, but had not gone far before it was
taken again. I complained as before, but my friend shook his head,
took down and opened his budget and took out a sort of blanket cap,
and put it on my head. We went on : it still rained hard, and the waters
were very much swollen, and when my friend discovered that I was
timerous, he would lock his arm in mine, and lead me through, and fre-
quently in open woods when I would get tired, I would do
the same thing with him and walk for miles. They did not make me
carry anything until vSunday or Monday. They got into a thicket of
game, and killed I think two bears and some deer, they then halted
and jerked their meat, eat a large portion, peeled some bark, made a
kind of box, filled it, and put it on me to carry. I soon got tired of it
and threw it down; they raised a great laugh, examined my back, ap-
plied some bear's oil to it, and put on the box again. I went on some
distance and threw it down ag^in ; my friend then took it up, threw it
over his head, and carried it. It weighed, I thought, at least fifty
pounds.
While resting one day one of the Indians broke up little sticks and
laid them up in the form of a fence, then took out a g^in of com, as
* The mound has sinoe been entirely destroyed by caving in of the river bank.
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CONFLICTS AND ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS 69
carefully wrapped up as people used to wrap up guineas in olden times ;
this he planted and called out "squaw," signifying to me that that
wouM be my employment with the squaws. But notwithstanding my
situation at the time, I thought thejy would not eat much com of my
raising. On Tuesday, as we were traveling along, there came to us a
\\^ite man and an Indian on horseback ; they had a long talk, and when
they rode off, the Indians I was with seemed considerably alarmed.
They immediately formed in Indian file, placed me in the center, and
shook a warclub over my head, and showed me by these gestures that
if I attempted to run away they would kill me. We soon afier arrived
at the Shawnee camp, where we continued until late in the afternoon
the next day. During our stay there they trained my hair to their own
fashion, put a jerwel of tin in my nose, etc, etc. The Indians met with
great formality when we came to the camp, which was very spacious.
One side was entirely cleared out for our use, and the party I was with
passed the camp to my great mortification, I thinking they were going
on ; but on getting to the further end they wheeled short around, came
into the camp, sat down — ^not a whisper. In a few minutes two of the
oldest got up, went around, shook hanfds, came and sat down again;
then the Shawnees rising simultaneously, came and shook hands with
them. A few of the first took me by the hand ; but one refused, and I
did not offer them my hand again, not considering it any great honor.
Soon after a kettle of bear'6 oil and some cracknels were set before us,
and we began eating, they first chewing the meat, then dipping it into
the bear's oil, which I tried to be excused from, but they compelled me
to it, which tried my stomach, although by this time hunger had com-
pelled me to eat many a dirty morsel. Early in the afternoon, an Indian
came to the camp, and was met by his party just outside, when they
formed a circle and he spoke, I thought, near an hour, and so profound
was the silence, that had they been on a board floor, I thought the fall
of a pin might have been heard. I rightly judged of the (Ksaster, for
the day before I was taken I was at Limestone, and was solicited to
join a party that was going down to the mouth of Snag Creek, where
some Indian canoes were discovered hid in the willows. The party
went and divided, some came over to the Indian shore, and some re-
mained in Kentucky, and they succeeded in killing nearly the whole
party.
There was at our camp two white men; one of them could swear
in English, but very imperfectly, having, I suppose, been taken young;
the other, who could speak good English, told me he was from South
Carolina. He then told me different names which I have forgotten,
except that of Ward ; asked if I knew the Wards that lived near Wash-
ington, Kentucky, I told him I did, and wanted him to leave the Indians
and go to his brother's, and take me with him. He told me he preferred
staying with the Indians, that he might nab the whites. He and I had
a great deal of chat, and disagreed in almost everything. He told me
they had taken a prisoner by the name of Towns, that had lived near
Washington, Kentucky, and that he had attempted to run away and
they had killed him. But the truth was, they had taken Tmiothy Down-
ing the day before I was taken, in the neighborhood of Blue Licks, and
had got within four or five miles of that camp, and night coming on, and
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70 BISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
it being very rainy, they concluded to camp. There were but two In-
dians, an old chief and his son ; Downing watched his opportunity, got
hold of a squaw-axe and gave the fatal blow. His object was to bring
the young Indian in a prisoner; he said he had been so kind to him he
could not think of killing him. But the instant he struck his father,
the young man sprung upon his back and confined him -so that it was
with difficulty he extricated himself from his grasp. Downing then made
for his horse and the Indian for the camp. The horse he caught and
mounted; but not being a woodsman, struck the Ohio a little below
Scioto, just as a boat was passing. They would not land for him until he
had ridden several miles and convinced them that he was no decoy, and
so close was the pursuit, that the boat had only gained the stream when
the enemy appeared on the shore. He had severly wounded the young
Indian in the scuffle, but did not know it until I told him. But to re-
turn to my own narrative ; two of the party, viz., my friend and another
Indian, turned back from this camp to do other mischief, and never
before had I parted with a friend with the same regret. We left the
Shawnee camp about the middle of the afternoon, they under g^eat ex-
citement. What detained them I know not, for they had a number of
their horses up, and their packs on, from early in the morning I tbink
they had at least one hundred of the best horses that at that time Ken-
tucky could afford. They calculated on being pursued ; and they were
right, for the next day, the twenty-eighth of April, Major Kenton, with
about ninety men, were at the camp before the fires were extinguished ;
and I have always viewed it as a providential circumstance thai the
enemy had departed, as a defeat on the part of the Kentuckians would
have been inevitable. I never could get the Indians in position to ascer-
tain their precise number, but concluded there were sixty or upward, as
sprightly looking men as I ever saw together, and as well equipped as
they could ask for. The Major himself agreed with me that it was a
happy circumstance that they were gone.
We traveled that evening, I thought, seven miles, and encamped
in the edge of a prairie, the water a short distance off. Our supper that
night consisted of raccoon roasted undressed. After this meal I became
thirsty, and an old warrior, to whom my friend had given me in charge,
directed another to go with me to the water; which made him ang^;
he struck me^ and my nose bled. I had a great mind to return the stroke
but did not. I then determined, be the result what it might, that I
would go no further with them. They tied me and laid me down as
usual> one of them lying on the rope on each side of me ; they went to
sleep, and I to work gnawing and picking the rope (made of bark) to
pieces, but did not get loose until day was breaking. I crawled off on
my hands and feet until I got into the edge of the prairie, and sat down
on a tussock to put on my moccasins, and had put on one and was pre-
paring to put on the other, when they raised the yell and took the back
tracks and I believe they made as much noise as twenty white men could
do. Had they been still they might have heard me as I was not more
than two chains' length from them at the time. But I started and ran,
carrying one moccasin in my hand ; and in order to evade them chose
the poorest ridges I could find; and when coming to logs lying cross-
wise, would run along one and then along the other. I continued on
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CX>NFLICTS AND ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS 71
that way until about ten o'clock, then ascending a very poor ridge,
crept between two logfs, and being very weary soon dropped to sleep,
and did not waken until the sun was almost down. I traveled on a short
distance and took lodging in a hollow tree. I think it was on Saturday
that 1 got to the Miami. I collected some logs, made a raft by peeling
bark and tying them together; but I soon found that too tedious and
abandoned it. I found a turkey's nest with two eggs in it, each one hav-
ing a double yelk ; they made two delicious meals for different days. I
followed down the Miami, until I struck Harmar's trace, made the pre-
vious fall, and continued on it until I came to Fc^rt Washington, now
Cincinnati. I think it was on Sabbath, the first day of May; I caught
a horse, tied a piece of bark around his under jaw, on which there
was a large tumor like a wart. The bark rubbed that and he became
restless and threw me, not hurting me much, however. I caught him
again, and he again threw me, hurting me badly. How long I lay in-
sensible I don't know, but when I revived he was a considerable dis-
tance from me. I then traveled on very slow, my feet entirely bare and
full of thorns and briars. On Wednesday, the day I got in, I was so far
gone that I thought it entirely useless to make any further exertion,
not knowing what distance I was from the river; I took my station at
the foot of a tree, but soon got into a state of sleeping, and eithefr dreamt
or thought that I should not be loitering away my time ; that I should
get in that day; which on reflection Ihad not the most distant idea.
However, the impression was so strong, that I got up and walked some
distance. I then took my station again as before, and the same thought
again occupied my mind. I got up and walked on. I had not traveled
far before I thought I could see an opening for the river; and getting
a little further on I heard the sound of a bell. I then started and ran (at
a slow speed undoubtedly) ; a little further on I began to perceive that I
was coming to the river hill ; and having got about half way down, I
heard the sound of an axe, which was the sweetest music I had heard
for many a day. It was in the extreme outlot; when I got to the lot
I crawled over the fence with difficulty, it being very hi|^h. I ap-
proached the person very cautiously till within about a cham's length,
undiscovered, I then stopped and spoke; the person I spoke to was
Mr. William Woodward, the founder of the Woodward High School.
Mr. Woodward looked up, hastily cast his eyes around and saw that I
had no deadly weapon; he then spoke, "In the name of God," said he,
"who are you?" I told him that I had been a prisoner and had mad^ my
escape from the Indians. After a few more questions he told me to come
to him. I did so. Seeing my situation his fears soon subsided; he told
me to sit down on a log, and he would go and catch a horse he had in
the lot, and take me in. He caught his horse, sat me on him, but kept
the bridle in his own hand. When we got into the road people began
to inquire of Mr, Woodward, "Who is he, an Indian?" I was not sur-
prised nor offended at the inquiries, for I was still in Indian uniformj
bareheaded, my hair cut off close, except the scalp and foretop, which
they had put up in a piece of tin, with a bunch of turkey feathers, which
I could not undo. They had also stripped off the feathers of about two
turkeys, and hung them to the hair of the scalp ; these I had taken off
the day I left them. Mr. Woodward took me to his house, where every
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72 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
kindness was shown me. They gave me other clothing; coming from
different persons^ it did not fit me very neatly, but there could not
be a pair of shoes got in the place that I could get on, my feet were so
much swollen. But what surprised me most was that when a pallet
was made down before the fire, Mr. Woodward condescended to sleep
with me. The next day soon after breakfast General Harmar sent for
me to come to the fort. I would not go. A second messenger came ; I
still refused. At length a Captain Shambrugh came ; he pleaded with
me, told me I might take my own time, and he would wait on me. At
length he told me if I would not go with him, the next day a file of men
would be sent, and I would then be compelled to go. I went with him,
he was as good as his word and treated me very kindly. When I was
ushered into the quarters of the commander, I found the room full of
people waiting my arrival. I knew none of them except Judlge Symmes,
and he did not know me, which was not surprising ccmsidering the fix
I was in. The General asked me a great many questions; and when
he got through he asked me to take a glass of liquor which was all the
aid he offered; meantime had a mind to keep me in custody as a spy,
which when I heard it, raised my indignation to think thait a commander
of an army should have no more judgment when his own eyes were
witnessing that I could scarce go alone, I went out by his permission
and met Col. Strong. He* asked me if I was such a person ; I answered
in the affirmative and passed oh. In going out of the gate I met his
son. He knew me at once, and after a few minutes chat he pulled a
dollar out of his pocket, offered it to me saying, it was all he had by
him, but when. I wanted more to call on him. I told him I did not think
I should stand in need, people generally appeared so kind; but he in-
sisted on my taking it ; and I believe I brought it home with me. In the
course of that day, I got down to the river, and went into the store of
Strong & Bartle, men that I had done business for previous to the cam-
paign. For three or four weeks I was busy in making out accounts
and settlements. My office was a smoke-'house about six or eight feet
square, built of boat materials, and stood, I think, a little above Main
Street.
In the course of the day, Mr. Collin Campbell came in. Bartle asked
him if he knew me. He viewed me a considerable time, and answered,
"No." He then told him, but Mr. Campbell could hardly believe him.
But when convinced, nothing would do but I must go home with him
to North Bend, that he might nurse me up and send me home. We got
down sometime in the night; he had all his family to get up, and see
what a queer man he had brought home. After sometime we got to bed,
and next morning, just after daylight, he came up into my chamber, or
rather loft, and wakened me up. I begged of him to let me lay a little;
no, I must get right up, and he would have in all who passed by to see
me. Wherever he went I had to go. I stayed there about two weeks,
gaining in health and strength everyday.
About this time there was a contractor's boat coming up the river.
He hailed it and made the* arrangements for me to go with them;
put up provision for the trip, and did everything that a near relative
could have been required to do. About the time I left the Bend, some
erf the citizens professed to believe me to be a spy, and said, that if I
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CX>NFLICTS AND ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS 78
did not leave there they would ; and that I was only waiting a fair op-
portunity of bringing the enemy in upon them. As I did not want to
break their peace, I thought best to leave them. When I got on the
boat, I found two persons on board that I was well acquainted with,
and was treated very friendly. Nothing particular occurred on the boat.
When we got up to Limestone, I was greeted by almost every man,
woman, and child, •particularly those that had been under my tuition.
The Captain Bartle above mentioned was among the first settlers of
Cincinnati^ I had not seen him for forty years, until we met on the
twenty-sixth of December, 1838, the time the pioneers were invited to
the half Centennial celebration of Cincinnati. We then met, and at his
request lodged in the same room. We parted the next day, never more
to meet in this world; he was then ninety-four years of age, and has
since paid his last debt.
Asahel Edsinston Killed hj the Trndlans.
The writer of this article finds the first printed matter of this story
in "McDonald's Sketches," published in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1838.
That account is copied in "Howe's History of Ohio" in both edi-
tions.
It is also copied in "Finley's Book on Indian Life." No written or
printed account is known earlier than that of McDonald, who was a
contemporary of Gen. Massie, Gen. Simon Kenton and other pioneers,
although he was very much younger than either of them. McDcMiald
visited Massie's Station, now Manchester, and spent some time there in
the winter of 1795, and was probably there several times before.
The facts as we give them were obtained of William Treber,
of Dunkinsville, Adams County, Ohio, who resides on the farm
on which Edgington was killed. William Treber's father, Jacob Treber
located th^e with his father, John Treber, in 1796, only three years after
the tragic death of Asahel Edgington. Jacob Treber was then a boy of
sixteen, having been bom in 1780, and he lived until 1875. William
Treber was bom in 1825, and had the account of the death of Edgington
from his grandfather, John Treber, who lived to a ripe old age, and from
bis father, Jacob Ti:eber, some years since a prominent merchant of
Cincinnati, but there the name is spelled Traber.
On the Treber farm, which lies in the valley of Lick Fork of Brush
Creek, on both sides of the creek, is a celebrated deer lick. Coming
along the turnpike from the south, in passing through the Ellison farm,
there is a wide bottom to the left with the creek to the right. The
hills form a semi-circle to the west of the Ellison stone house and they
approach the creek on the line between the Ellison and Treber farms,
and end in a low ridge dropping off to the level of the bottom, just east
of the turnpike. The north end of the semi-circular ridge is parallel to
the turnpike for two hundred feet and just to the right of it. The foot
of the ridge is a few feet inside Treber's field.
From the foot of the ridge, which is rocky and almost barren of tim-
ber, trickles a spring, which flows by the roots of a majestic elm, just
inside the fence, and empties into the ditch to the west of the turnpike.
The creek is not ten feet to the east of the turnpike at the point opposite
the spring, which in early times gave out brackish waters, but in 1793,
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74 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
the creek flowed thirty feet further east than it does now and there was
a little terrace between where th€ turnpike now is and the creek as it
then flowed. The sloping end of the ridge was as bare of timber in 1793
as it is now, but the bottoms were a dense forest.
John and Asahel Edgington were brothers, and young men not
over thirty-five years of age. They were noted deer hunters and Indian
fighters as were all of Massie's little confederacy, at his station,
now Manchester. John Edgington was quite tall and slender and of a
taciturn disposition.
While 1793 was a year of Indian depredations, the settlers at Man-
chester had no fear of them, when they could meet them on equal terms.
The Lick Fork of Brush Creek about ten miles frcMn Manchester, abounded
in wild game of all kinds. In December an incursion of Indians was not
apprehended and John and Asahel Edgington determined on a hunt.
They took with them a third party, whose name is not given by Mc-
Donald, but who was probably Cornelius Washburn, and they had a
three days' hunt. They camped near the famous deer lick, for there
the deer came to them. They killed several deer and two bears. Such
of the meat as they cared to save to take back to the station, thev hung
upon a scaffold; out of danger of the wolves and other wild animals and
returned to Manchester for horses upon which they could take the meat
to the station.
They left Manchester the morning after their return from the hunt,
each taking a pack horse. They approached their former camp which
was near the elm, coming over the hill from the southwest and came
direct to it without making an examination for Indian signs. Had they
left their horses to the south of the hill over which they came and made
an entire circle of their camp, as was customary with Gen. Massie in
such cases, the former story and this one would not have been written,
but instead they came right on through the creek and upon the little
bottom to the east of the turnpike, where, without any examination of
their surroundings, they alighted from their horses and beg^n to make
a fire. At this time, the Indians fired upon therti and Asahel
Edgington was instantly killed, but John and his companion were
unhurt. The Indians no doubt rose up frbm behind the ridge
to fire, and to this fact is due the escape of John Edgington. John
dashed through the creek, over the bottom on the other side and half
way up the long slope of the hill where he stopped behind a large white
oak tree, which was standing until quite recently. There he undertook
to take a view of the situation. The Indians were in possession of the
camp and two of them had started in pursuit. He undertook to fire on the
nearest Indian from behind the white oak, but the powder in the prim-
ing-pan of his gun had been moistened in dashing through the creek
and his gun would not go off. Then it was he turned to run and was
pursiled until the Indians discovered he was a swifter runner than aiiy
of them. There were seven Indians in the party. John Edgington came
back the next day with a party from the station. The horses and meat
were gone. His brother's body was found where it had fallen, but the
Indians had cut off the head and placed it on a small cedar tree near
by, and which has now grown to a considerable tree and is pointed out
to this day.
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CONFLICTS AND ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS 76
The party buried Edging^on's body in the small bottom to the left
of the creek. The creek began washing out the bottom, and in 1835,
Edgington's skull was exposed and was taken to the Treber tavern, near
by, where it remained some years, and finally was taken away by a Ken-
tucky visitor, who claimed to have been a relative of Asahel Edgington.
In a few years more the bones of his skeleton made their appear-
ance in the steep clay bank to the left of the creek. These were rev-
erently gathered up and reinterred in a field in front of the Treber
tavern.
Edgington's death was not unavenged. After the peace of 1795,
the Indians were frequent visitors to the white settlements. On one
occasion, soon after the Greenville treaty, a party of three Indians visited
Manchester. As was usual in those days, they were treated to fire water,
and one of them, in his cups, boasted of having been in the party which
killed Asahel Edgington. This c^me to the ears of John Edgington,.
his brother, then living in Manchester. The Indians remained several
days, and left one morning, going up the Ohio River on its right bank.
Island Creek empties into the Ohio about two miles above Manchester,
and at that time was crossed by a foot log at a place
where there was a g^eat deal of timber. The three Indians went
onto the foot-log together, but never walked off the other end. There
were three rifle reports and three bodies dropped into the waters of Island
Creek and floated out into the Ohio. Thus was the death of Asahel
Edgington revenged. Little was ever said of this tragedy while the
participants in it survived, and it has never appeared in print till the
writer published it, but as all the avengers have for sixty years been be-
yond the jurisdiction of the courts to try them for the murder, there is
now no longer any reason why the story should not be told. No stone
marks the place of the tragic death of Asahel Edgington. Cap-
tain Johnny, the Shawnee chief, who commanded the band of Indians
on the occasion of Asahel Edgington's death, was a scout for General
Harrison's army before the battle of the Thames.
Asahel Edgington was a young married man. He left a wife and
one daughter, then an infant. She lived to maturity, married, and has
left numerous descendants.
Capture of Andrew Ellison.
In the spring of the year 1793, the settlers at Manchester com-
menced clearing the outlots of the town ; and while so engaged, an inci-
dent of much interest and excitement occurred. Mr. Andrew Ellison,
one of the settlers, cleared a lot immediately adjoining the fort. He had
completed the cutting of the timber, rolled the logs together and set them
on fire. The next morning, a short time before daybreak,. Mr. Ellison
opened one of the g^tes of the fort and want out to throw his logs to-
gether. By the time he had finished this job, a number of the heaps
blazed up brightly, and as he was passing from one to the other, he ob-
served, by the light of the fires, three men walking briskly towards
him. This did not alarm him in the least, although, he said, they were
dark-skinned fellows; yet he concluded they were the Wades, whose
complexions were very dark, going to hunt. He continued to right his
log-heaps, until one of the fellows seized him by the arms, and called
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76 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
out in broken English, "How do? How do?" He instantly looked in
their faces, and toi his surprise and horror found himself in the clutches
of three Indians. To resist was useless. He therefore submitted to
his fate, without any resistance or an attempt to escape. The Indians
quickly moved off with him in the direction of Paint Creek. When
breakfast was ready, Mrs. Ellison sent one of her children to ask their
father home, but he could not be found at the log-heaps. His absence
created no immediate alarm, as it was thought he might have started
to hunt after the completion of his work. Dinner time arrived, and,
Ellison not returning, the family became uneasy, and began to suspect
some accident had happened to him.
His gun rack was examined, and there hung his rifle and his pouch
in their usual place. Massie raised a party and made a circuit around
the place and found, after some search, the trails of four men, one of
whom had on shoes; and as Ellison had shoes on, the truth that the In-
dians had made him a prisoner was unfolded. As it was almost night
at the time the trail was discovered, the party returned to their station.
Next morning early preparations were made by Massie and his party
to pursue the Indians. In doing this they found great difficulty, as it
was so early in the spring that the vegetation was not of sufficient
growth to show plainly the trail of the Indians, who took the precaution
to keep on hard and high land, where their feet could make little or no
impressions. Massie and his party, however, were as unerring as a pack
of well-trained hounds, and followed the trail to Paint Creek, where they
found the Jndians gained so fast on them that pursuit was vain. They
therefore abandoned it and returned to the station. The Indians took
their prisoner to Upper Sandusky, and compelled him to run the gaunt-
let. As Ellison was a large man and not very active, he received a se-
vere flogpng as lie passed along the line. From this place he was
taken to Lower Sandusky and was again compelled to run the guantlet,
and was then taken t» Detroit, where he was generously ransomed by a
British officer for onje hundred dollars. He was shortly afterwards sent
by his friend and officer to Montreal, from whence he returned home
before the close of the summer of the same year.
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CHAPTER VIII.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY
Establishmeitt of Ad*m« Covaty.
Under a provision of the Ordinance of 1787, the Governor of "The
Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio" was author-
zed to make proper division of said Territory, and directed to proceed
from time to time as circumstances might require to lay out counties
and townships, subject however to future alterations by the Territorial
Lepslature, in the parts of the Tenitory in which the Indian titles had
been or might be extinguished.
October 5, 1787, General Arthur St. Clair was appointed by the
Second Cwitinental Congress first Governor of the Northwest
Territory. In July following, the Governor arrived at Marietta, founded
the April previous, and on the twenty-seventh of that month proclaimed
the establishment of the county of Washington, the first erected in the
Territory. The Governor named the county in honor of his friend. Gen-
eral Washington, with whom he had served in the Revolution. St. Clair
was an aristocrat and a staunch Federalist, and it is worth noting that
he named the early counties formed in the Territory for leading spirits
of that party.
The boundaries of Washington County included most of that por-
tion of the State of Ohio lying east of the Scioto River. The seat of
justice was fixed at Marietta and from there the early laws of the Terri-
tory were promulgated. The first court in the Territory was convened
September 2, 1788. It was an impressive ceremony witnessed by a num-
ber of Indian Chiefs who had come to the Fort to make a treaty with the
commander. The citizens, military officers, the Governor, Judges of the
courts and members of the bar formed an imposing procession as they
moved through the forest to Campus Martius Hall, where the court,
after invocation of the Divine blessing by Rev. Dr. Cutler, was formally
opened by Colonel Sproat, the High Sheriff, who proclaimed with his
solenm "O, yes" that a "court is now opened for the administration of
even-handed justice to the poor and the rich, to the guilty and the in-
nocent without respect to persons ; none to be punished without a trial
by their peers, and then in pursuance of the law and evidence in the case."
January 2, 1790, the Governor proclaimed the erection of the county
of Hamilton, the second county formed in the Territory. This county
included the strip of territory lying between the Miamis, and extended
north to the Standing Stone fork of the Big Miami. Afterwards, on
February 17, 1792, the eastern boundary of the county was extended to
the Scioto River. The seat of justice for the county and the Territory
was fixed at Cincinnati.
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78 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
After the removal of the Governor and Supreme Judges of the Ter-
ritory from Marietta to Cincinnati, in 1790, the county of St. Clair was
erected in what is now the State of Illinois. This was done by proclama-
tion April 27, 1790.
The fourth county in the Territory was that of Knox, June 20, 1790.
The county included the present State of Indiana, and the place of hold-
xng the courts was the old French town of Vincennes.
Trouble with the Indians prevented the extension of civil growth
until after Wayne's Treaty when the county of Randolph was formed
from the southern portion of the county of St. Clair, October 15, 1795.
The sixth county formed in the Territory was Wayne, by proclama-
tion of the Governor, August 15, 1796. This was a very large county
and embraced all of northwestern Ohio, a portion of northeastern
Indiana, and all of the lower peninsula of Michigan.
The Establiihment of Adams Ooimty.
It was organized by proclamation of Governor St. Clair, July 10,
1797. This was the first county organized in the Virginia Military Dis-
trict, the third within the limits of the State of Ohio, and the seventh in the
Northwest Territory. It was formed from territory belonging to Hamil-
ton County and a strip east of the Scioto River within the jurisdictiction of
Washington County. ^At the time of its organization its northern line
extended across what is now territory included within the counties of
Logan, Union, Delaware, Morrow, and Knox.
Its eastern limit followed very nearly what is now the western
boundary of the counties of Licking, Fairfield, Hocking, Vinton, Jack-
son, and Lawrence.
Its southern boundary was the line of low water mark on the north
shore of the Ohio River. And its western limit extended across
Brown County, along the western border of Highland, and crossed the
counties of Clinton. Greene, Clark, and Champaign.
The original boundaries of Adams County as defined in Governor
St. Clair's proclamation, were as follows :
"Beginning upon the Ohio River, at the upper boundary of that
tract of twenty-four thousand acres of land, granted unto the French
inhabitants of Gallipolis, by act of the congress of the United States,
bearing date the third of March, 1975 ; thence down the said Ohio River,
to the mouth of Elk River, (generally known by the name of Eagle
Creek) and up with the principal water of the said Elk River or Eagle
Creek, to its source or head ; thence by a due north line to the southern
boundary of Wayne County and easterly along said boundary, so far that
a due south line shall meet the interior point of the upper boundary of
the aforesaid tract of land of twentv-four thousand acres, and with the
said boundary to the begining." The following year, 1798, by
proclamation August 20th, at the formation of Ross County, Governor
St. Clair changed the western boundary line of Adams County and made
it to be as follows :
"To begin on the bank of the Ohio, where Elk River or Eagle
Creek empties into the same, and run from thence due north, until it
interects the southern boundary of the county of Ross; and all and
singular the lands lying between the said north line and Elk River or
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CIVIL ORGANIZATION IN TECE NORTHWEST TERRITORY 79
Eagle Creek shall, after the said first day of September next, be separated
from the county of Hamilton, and added to the county of Adams." This
♦line remained the western boundary of Adams County until the date of
the erection of Brown County, March i, 1818. At this latter date the
western boundary of the county was made a "due north and south line
drawn through a point eight miles due west from the court house in
the town of West Union." A special act of the Legislature provided
that this line should be run by the compass without making any cor-
rections for the variation of the needle.
By the establishment of this last line, Adams County lost all that ter-
ritory comprised within Eagle, Jackson, Byrd and Huntington, the
greater portions of Union and JeflFerson, and a part of Franklin and
Washington Townships in Brown County. The northern boundary of
Adams County, as herein shown, originally extended to the south line of
Wayne County, which was in part a line extending from a pomt on the
portage between the waters of the Cuyahoga and the Tuscarawas Rivers,
near old Fort Laurens, westerly to the eastern boundary of Hamilton
County, which at that time was the Scioto River and a due north line to
Lake Erie, from the lower Shawnee town on the Scioto.
In 1798, Ross County was formed from the northern portion of
Adams, and the north line of Adams was then fixed as follows : "Begin-
ning at the forty-second mile tree, on the line of the original grant of
land by the United States to the Ohio Company, which line was run by
Israel Ludlow, and running from thence west, until it shall intersect a
line to be drawn due north from the mouth of Elk River on Eagle
Creek."
* A.t a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace held at Washington, in and for the
oounty of Adams in the Territory of the United States, Northwest of the river Ohio, before
John Beasley, Moses Baird, Noble Grimes, John Russell and Joseph Moore, Esquires, Justices as*
sffrned to keep the peace and to grant orders for highways, etc.. in the countyaforesaid. on the
thirteenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1801, appointed and ordered Thomas Middleton
to run measure and mark the west boundary line of Adams County, being in length twenty-two
miles from the Ohio, beginning at the mouth of Eagle Creek and the Ohio River and make return
to our June sessions. At which time, to-wit: at a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the
Peace, held at Washington, in and for the county of Adams, in the Territory of the United
States. Northwest of the river Ohio, before John Bellie, Noble Grimes, John Gutridge, John
Ruasell. Mills Stephenson. Samuel Wright and Kimber Barton, Esquires, justices assigned to keep
the peace and u» grant orders for the surveys, etc., on the ninth of June, 1801. agreeable to the
order of March sessions last past, Thomas Middleton returned the survey of the lower line of
the county, and it was read the first tim^, and on the tenth was read a second time, to-wlt: In
obedience to an order of the Honorable Court of Adams County, to me directed. I proceeded
on the twenty-fifth day of May. 1801, to run the west line of said county: Beginning at the mouth
of Eagle Creek on the Ohio River at a large elm, and running from thence north 8S0 poles to a
large beech. No. 1 mile ; thence crossing red oak at £40 poles ; thence 80 poles to a small hickory.
No. 2 miles ; thence 8S0 poles to a small buckeye. No. 8 miles; thence KO poles to a large white
walnut standing near James Priokett's house, no. 4 miles: thence 820 poles to a hackberry stand-
ing in Rodgers* field, No. 5 miles; thence 820 poles to an ash No. 0 miles; thence crossing the big
road leading from Thomas' Mill to Waters* Ferry at 240 poles ; thence 80 poles to an ash stand-
ing on a branch of the east fork of Straight Creek. No. 7 miles; thence 820 poles U> an ash stand-
ing near the east fork of Straight Creek, No. 8 miles; thence crossing the said east fork at 84
poles ; thence Itfl poles to the second crossing of Thomas's road ; thence 125 miles to a beech. No.
Omlles ; thence 880 poles to an elm. No. 10 miles; thence 820 to a beech. No. 11 poles; thence 880 to
a maple, No. 12 miles; thence 820 to a poplar. No. 18 miles: thence 820 to a large white oak. No.
14 mil^s; thence crossing Straight Creek at 210 poles ; thence 110 poles to a beech No. 15 miles ;
thence 820 poles to a red oak. No. 10 miles ; thence 880 poles to a red oak. No. 17 miles ; thence 180
poles to the crossing of Denham's trace leading from Denham's Town [Bethel] to Chillicothe at
a maple marked '*0 L;" thence 180 poles to a white oak. No. 18 miles; thence 880 poles to a
white oak. No. 10 miles; thence 820 poles to a white oak. No. 20 miles ; thence crossing the east
fork of White Oak Creek at the end of eighty poles; thence 240 poles to a beech. No. 21 miles ;
thence 880 poles to a beech marked " W. B.'* of "A. C," supposed to be three miles from the
forks of said White Oak Creek.
Thomas Middleton, Surveyor. Harry Bailey and Gideon Palmer, Chain Carriers. Thomas
Middleton. Marker. All being sworn.
Whereupon all and singular the premises being seen, and by the justice here fully under
stood, and due consideration thereon had, it is ordered the same be recorded.
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80 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
In 1805, at the formation of Highland County, the north line of
Adams was again removed to the southward, and defined as follows:
"Beginning at the twenty-mile tree, in the line between Adams and Cler-
mont Counties, which is run due north from the mouth of Eagle Creek,
on the Ohio River, and running thence east twelve miles ; thence north-
eastwardly until it intersects the line which was run between the counties
of Ross and Scioto and Adams, at the eighteen-mile tree from the Scioto
River."
Again at the time of the erection of Pike county in 181 5, a portion
of the northern line of Adams was changed from the "highlands between
the waters of Scioto Brush Creek and Sunfish southwardly with said
highlands so far that an east line will strike" the line between townships
three and four on the Scioto River, range twenty-two.
On May i, 1803, when Scioto County was formed, the eastern line
of Adams was altered so as to begin "on the Ohio, one mile on a straight
line below the mouth of Lower Twin Creek ; thence north to the Ross
County line ;" now the Pike County line since the erection of the latter
county.
The southern boundary is low water mark on the north shore of the
Ohio River. We have accurately traced so far, the restriction of the
boundary lines of the county from the period when it embraced nearly
one-fifth of the area of the State of Ohio, down to its present limits within
which are contained about 625 square miles.
The student of our territorial history will note the fact that during the
political conflict between Governor St. Clair, the Federalist, and Na-
thaniel Massie and his Democratic associates, over matters pertaining to
the government of the Territory, the line "due north from the mouth of
Elk River or Eagle Creek," so often mentioned by St. Clair in his gub-
ernatorial proclamations and in the acts of the Territorial and early State
Legislatures, was proposed at one time by the Governor as the proper
western boundary for the first of the five States to be erected out of the
Northwest Territory as provided for in the Ordinance of '87. An act
of the Territorial Legislature, passed January 23, 1802, provides that this
line should be run and completed before May i, 1802. Another curious
historical fact in connection with the civil organization of Adams County,
is that the territory within its limits at one time was under the jurisdiction
Botetourt County, Virginia, and that the county seat was thein the old
town of Fincastle in that county.
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CHAPTER IX.
THE EARLY COURTS
The Firit Oovrt of Quarter SeMione— The First Grand Jvry— Some Inter-
esting Proeeedinss of the Oonrt— Fees of Jnstioes and Constables^
Bemoval of the Oonnty Seat to Adamsrllle-^erry Bates^
Connty Seat A^itationp-First Indietnient*-First Trial Jnry
—The Oonnty Seat RemoTed to Washington— Sonte
Qnaint Indietments and Onrions Oases—
The Whipping Post.
The first court held in Adams County convened at Manchester,
Tuesday, September 12, 1797. It was the Court of General Quarter
Sessions of the Peace. This court was created under a law adopted from
the statutes of Pennsylvania, by Governor St. Clair and Territorial
Judges Parsons and Varnum, at Marietta, August 23, 1788. The law
provided that the Justices of the Peace commissioned in eiach county by
the Governor, should constitute this court, and- that any three of them
should be a quorum. Some one of the acting judges was designated
Presiding Justice. The court held four general sessions in each year,
and had jurisdiction of misdemeanors and crimes where the punishment
did not extend to life or limb, or imprisonment for a longer period than
one year. One or more of the Judges could hear ai\d determine petit
crimes and misdemeanors where the penalty was fine only and not ex-
ceeding three dollars; and in higher oflFenses could bind over to the
"Court in Course." When an offense was committed in presence pf a
Judge he could fine without examination of witnesses. Corporal pun-
ishment, even for minor offenses, was the usual penalty. One of the early
statutes of the Territory was "An act directing the building and estab-
lishment of a court house,county jail, pillory, whipping post and stocks in
every county." Each jail was to have two apartments, one for debtors
and one for persons charged with crime.
It is not known in what building this first court in the county was
held. It may have been held in the public house then kept by an Irishman
named John McGate, or "Megitt," as the Clerk of the Court spelled the
name ; or in the old blockhouse at the stockade which was then standing ;
or possibly at the house of Nathaniel Massie, the most prominent char-
acter in the town and coimty at that day, and who was greatly interested
in locating the county seat at Manchester. However, after the Clerk,
George Gordon, had read the commissions of the Judges present, the
Sheriff, David Edie, opened court with the usual proclamation, "O, yes I
a court is now opened for the administration of even-handed justice to the
poor and the rich," etc., etc. ; and the first Court of General Quarter Ses-
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82 fflSTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
sions of the Peace, for Adams County, was ccmvened and ready to hear
pleas and to determine causes, and to transact such matters of business
as might properly come before the court.
The Court, as then constituted, consisted of the following Judges:
Nathaniel Massie, John Beasley, John .Belli, Thomas Worthington,
Hugh Cochran, Benjamin Goodin, Thonias^ Scott, Thomas Kirker, and
Joseph Kerr.
Job Denning was Court Cryer, and Andrew ElMson had been ap-
pointed Coroner, an office next in rank to Sheriff, the Coroner perform-
ing the duties of th^ Sheriff on certain pccasions, and sucpeeding to the
office at the death of the Slimff while iu qffice.
NATHANiEt MASsm, the Presiding Justice of this first courty was the
founder of the town of Manchester in 17901 His influence with Governor
St. Clair, with whom he was, at this time, in great esteem^ had been such
as to secure the erection of Adams County as a civil division^f the Terri-
tory. He founded the town of Chillicotho in 1796, and four years later
succeeded in having it made the capital of "The Territory Northwest of
the river Ohio." In 1807 ^^ was a candidate for Governor of Ohio but
was defeated by a small majority by Return J. Meigs. . Massie contested
the election, and was declared by the Legislature the duly elected Gov-
ernor. He refused, from his fine sense of honor, to accept the office, and ,
Thomas Kirker, President of the Senate, became the Gk>vemor. He was
a Presidential Elector in 1804 and cast his ballot for Thomas Jeflfer^on.
Thomas Kirker, of Irish ancestry, was among the e^rly
settlers in Adams County. He was a man of fine presence,
but of limited talents. He was popular with his associates,
and a firm friend of Nathaniel Massie. He >Vas brie of that
coterie of Democrats that brought about the political overthrd-w of
Governor St. Clair in the Territory. He was fond of public dffice,
even filling in interims when a member of the Legislature, . as road
reviewer, foremian of a grand jury, or as a special court commissioner.
He was commissioned by St. Clair, a Justice of the Peace at the organ-
ization of Adams County, through the influence of his friend, Nathaniel
Massie, and as such became a Judge of the Court of Quarter Sessions.
He was a member, along with Darlinton and Donalsoh, of the first Con- .
stitutional Convention. He served many years in the Legislature, both
Senate and House, and became the second Governor of Ohio in 1807,
acting as such for the term, upon the refusal of Nathaniel Massie to
accept the office after his successful contest for it against Return J.
Meigs. Governor Kirker, while not a brilliant man, played strong
parts in the early history of the county and State. His fidelity to
friends and duty seems to have been his chief characteristic. He ap-
pears always to have been present to perform his official duties. The
early biographers and historians of Ohio were Federalists, and the
•'Virginia Democrats," as the adherents of Jefferson were termed, were
not accredited with the notice they deserved, and hence it is, that a
builder of a State, like Nathaniel Massie, is set down as a "surveyor and
land jobber." And so it is that the second Governor of Ohio, has not a
line of notice in such standard works Vs "Howe's Historical Collections,"
while an otherwise obscure lawyer somewhere in "Cheesedom" has
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GOV. THOMAS KIRKER
Second Govbrnor of Ohio 1807-S.
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THE EARLY COURTS 83
pages devoted to the delightful task of making him one of "the im-
mortals."
♦Thomas Worthington was a Virginian by birth and came
to Chillicothe the year of its founding, 1796. He was a
brother-in-law of Edward Tiffin, the first Governor of Ohio,
He was an ardent Democrat of the Jefferson school, and as
such became an intimate friend of Nathaniel Massie, who intro-
duced him to Governor St. Clair, and secured for him official recogni-
tion. When the rupture came between Massie and the Democrats on
the one side, and St. Clair and his Federalist adherents on the other,
over the question of statehood of Ohio, Worthington was selected as the
representative of the Democrats to look after their cause at the seat of
the Federatl Government, first at Philadelphia and afterwards at Wash-
ington, and he succeeded so well as to bring about the founding of the
new State of Ohio, and the crushing defeat of St. Clair and his adher-
ents. He became a member of the first Constitutional Convention, and
upon the admission of the State was made a Unitfd States Senator. He
was twice elected Governor, serving from 1814 to 1818. All his
measures were noted for their practical worth and honesty. No man did
more than he during his lifetime to develop the State and to advance
the general welfare of its people. He was one of the most distinguished
pioneers of Ohio.
John BtLU was a native of Holland and came to the United States
after the close of the Revolution. He stood in favor with President Wash-
ington and in 1793 was made Deputy Quartermaster General in Wayne's
Legion in the campaign against the Indians in the Northwest Territory.
He came to Adams County in 1796 and purchased a large tract of land at
the mouth of Turkey Creek, about six miles below Portsmouth, where
he resided when appointed a Justice of the Court of Quarter Sessions
for Adams County in 1797. He was a man of much learning and very
influential in Masonic circles. He was the first and only Recorder of
Adams County under the Territorial Government. He took an active
part in the early history of the county, being a man of broad intelli-
gence and of great influence.
Thomas Scott came from Kentucky to Chillicothe the latter part of
the year 1796. He was Secretary of the first Constitutional Convention,
and Clerk of the Senate from 1803 to 1809. Was a Judge of the Supreme
Court from 1809 to 181 5. He was painstaking in the preparation of his
decisions and ranks well as a jurist. During his active public life he held
bis charge as a local Methodist preacher. He was something of a par-
tisan in politics and was associated with the Democratic party until
about 1840 when he became a Whig.
Joseph Kerr was a pioneer of Adams County. He is prominently
identified with the early political history of the county, under his removal
^IntheRecordsof the Court of Quarter Sessloni, appears the name Thomas Wltherlnfrton*
or Wetherlngton. But after oareful research and Inyestlgatlon the writer is oonvlnced that it is
only a mis-spelliiiff of the name of Thomas Worthington, the friend and associate of Nathaniel
Massie. The clerk of that court spelled proper names at an Irishman or '*raw" Bnflrllshman
would pronounce them; thus, **Kerker,** ''Liedum," "Oyler." "Baslle,** and**Dunoan McOarter«"-
f or Kirker, Leedom, Byler. Beasley, and Duncan Mc Arthur. Massie sat at only three sessions
of this court, the first, and the June and September sessions of 1796. Worthington was present .
at the flmt two of these. Then Ross County was organized from the northern portion of Adams,
August 2f>, 1806, and his name does not appear again in the record.
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84 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
to Ross County about the year 1800. He served in the State Senate from
1804 to 1807, and was the only member of **The High Court of Impeach-
ment*' in the trial pf Judge William W. Irwin, of Fairfield County,
charged with "high misdemeanor and neglect of duties," who from first
to last voted in tlie negative. He was Speaker pro tern of the session of
1804-5. He afterwards served one term in the House of Representatives
irom Ross County.
John Beasley, bom in Virginia, came to the vicinity of Limestone,
Kentucky, in 1788. He was a surveyor under Massie, and a scout and
Indian fighter of great celebrity in the pioneer days about Limestone and
the Three Islands. He was a man of much natural talent, and was Pre-
siding Justice of the Court of Quarter Sessions for many terms of that
court. He was chosen the first State Senator from Adams County under
the old Constitution, but his seat was successfully contested by Joseph
Darlinton. This is perhaps explained by the statement that Beasley was
a Federalist in politics. He was a brother of Benjamin Beasley and
Nathaniel Beasley, prominent characters in the early history of Adams
County. John Btasley's remains lie buried in an unmarked *grave near
thie public school building in Manchester.
Tlie First Grand Jury.
The following named persons formed the first grand jury: James
January, foreman ; Thomas Massie, John Barritt, John Ellison, Duncan
McKinzie, Jesse Eastburn, Elisha Waldon, John Lodwick, Stephen
Baylis, Robert Ellison, William Mclntyre, Nathaniel Washburn,
Zephaniah Wade, James Naylor, Jacob Pi^tt.
After "being sworn and charged the court adjourned to four o'clock
this afternoon."
"The court met agreeable to adjournment," and the first matter be-
fore the court was a petition for a recommendation to the Governor to
grant Samuel Stoops a tavern license, which was granted. Following
the granting of the petition of Stoops, is this quaint and interesting entry :
"William McMillen and Jacob Burnett, Esquires, were admitted
and qualified as counsellors and attorneys." William McMillan became
a prominent member of the bar in Ohio, was the Territorial Delegate to
Congress, following William Henry Harrison, aften\'ards President of
the United States, and was ser\'ing as a member from Hamilton County
of the first Territorial Legislature at the time when he was made a Ter-
ritorial Delegate to Congress.
Jacob Burnett, better known as Judge Burnett, was at this time
about twenty-seven years of age, and had just graduated from Princeton
and came to the Territory to practice law. He rapidly rose in his pro-
fession and was Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio from 1821 to 1828
when he resigned to accept the position of United States Senator. He
was a Federalist and in after years, a Whig in politics. He was an able
lawyer, but not "the author of the first Constitution of Ohio," as his
*The true patriot cannot stay the Uush of shame that will flush his cheeks at mention of the
fact as aUeflred that the burial place of Jud^e Beasley is today pointed out to the visitor to th)
historic *' Three Islands ** an beinfr near the superstructure over the vaults on the public schoo«
ffrounds. If not the public spirited citizens of Manchester, then the *' Pioneer Society " of
Adams County shohld remove the ashes of the old pioneer to a public cemetery and erect a
suitable monument to his memory.
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THE EARLY COURTS 85
admirilig biographers have declared. lie was brought into early prom-
inence more through the influence of Governor St: Clair than from
natural or acquired abilities.. .
McMillan and Burnett were residents of Cincinnati but with other
members of the bar in those days attended the courts in the other counties
of the Territory. There were no public roads over which wheeled
vehicles could be moved for public conveyance, and all travel was afoot
or on horseback, except along some of the larger water courses where
canoes or pirogues were used. At this time Zane's Trace had just been
blazed through the forest from Wheeling to Limestone via Chillicothe,
and Bouquet's, Dunmore's, Harmar's, Lean's, Tod's, and Wayne's war
roads had been cut through the wilderness. These with some old Indian
trails were the pathways throughout the Territory to guide the pros-
pector and immigrant from the Ohio to the scattered settlements in the
mterior. The judges and attorneys in those days made the circuit of
the courts on horseback accompanied with servants and pack horses.
On these journeys, they were sometimes eight or ten days in the wilder-
ness, and as there \yere no bridges over the streams, "they were compel-
led, at all seasons of the year, to swim every water course in their way
which was too deep to be forded."
Some Intereitins Prooeedinsi of the Oonrt.
The first matter taken up by the court at the afternoon session of
this day, was the division of the county into townships, and the appoint-
ment of Supervisors and Constables in the subdivisions of the county, all
of which matter and proceedings will be found under another chapter in
this volume.
After forming and organizing the townships of the county, the
court next took up the matter oi petitions for public roads, (which matter
is also fullv noticed under another chapter herein) and then it was that
the recently admitted attorneys, McMillan and Burnett got their first
retainers, and began a proceeding before the court that occupied its at-
tention for many terms. Joseph Darlinton, who had recently come to
the vicinity of Manchester, had established a ferry across the Ohio, near
the mouth of Cabin Creek, in opposition to James Lawson who operated
a ferry at that point. Lawson had cut out a road from his ferry to Man-
chester, and in order to get benefit of the drift of travel, Darlinton con-
ceived the idea of changing the road so as to bring it past his landing.
So he employed Burnett to draft a proper petition and get favorable
action on it by the court then in session, which was done accordingly,
as the following record discloses : *'On the petition of Joseph Darlinton
the court grants the prayer of the petition on the following terms ; that
the said petitioner do not increase the distance of the present road by
his alteration in its direction more than forty or fifty poles and that the
said petitioner open and keep in repair the part of the road that shall
be turned from its present direction for the term of three years." But
then as now courts were subject to change of opinion, and McMillan
on behalf of his client, Lawson, sought to have the order of the court
modified and was successful notwithstanding the protests of attorney
Burnett.
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86 mSTOBY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
The next morning McMillan, who had in the meantime taken
a few nips of "Old Monongahela" with the court and entertained its
members with pleasing anecdotes to the disgust of the sallow and sedate
Burnett, succeeded in getting the following entered as a matter of record :
''Motion by ^yilllam McMillan in behalf of James Lawson to supersede
the order made yesterday in behalf of Joseph Darlinton. Motion
granted, and ordered that Hosea Moore, Andrew Ellison, and William
Leedom be appointed to examine and report to next court the most
. eligible plan for the road to run from the place where it first strikes
Joseph Darlinton's land to Lawson's Ferry, having reference to the
injury it may do to private property, at the cost of Joseph Darlinton."
This matter was contested before each session of the court until the
September term, 1798, when Darlinton having succeeded in getting a
majority of the resident freeholders in the vicinity of the proposed im-
OTovement to subscribe his petition, viz: R. Roundsavell, I. Donalson,
T. Massie, J. Collins, J. Megitt (McGate), L. Hawkins, J. Barritt, J.
Davidson, John Ellison, J. Beam, Jun., D. Edie, and John Thomas, the
court ordered the following entry to be made : '*The report of Hosea
Moore, Andrew Ellison, and William Leedom on the order for a road
from where the road strikes Darlinton's land to Lawson's Ferry be re-
ceived, and David Edie, Israel Donalson and John Ellison to survey and
make a return agreeable to report."
The history of this case discloses some facts for the consideration
of the present generation. It shows that our pioneer fathers had spirited
contests for supremacy in affairs of trade, even invoking the aid of the
courts in such matters. We learn from it that wily lawyers dallied with the
courts and that "even-handed justice," in those "good old times,^' was
very deliberate in adjusting the scale. And it discloses the traits of
character that made Burnett the renowned jurist that he later be-
carae — ^fidelity to clients even in trifling causes, persevering energy,
studious and temperate habits. Judge Burnett notes the fact that in 1796
' there were nine practicing attorneys in Qncinnati, all but two of whom
became confirmed drunkards, and descended to premature graved. At
this session of the court .the following order was made with reference to
fees of justices and constables:
Feei of Jnstioei and Oonitablei.
"The court order that the following fees be the standing fees for
justices of the county of Adams :
Summons or capias 18 cents.
Entering acticMi 7 cents.
. . Recognizance 25 cents.
Administering oath ; . . 12^ cents.
On issue joined ; \ 25 cents;
Judgment 25 cents.
Taxing co5ts 12^ cents.
Making up record 12^ cents.
Subpoena for witness 12I cents.
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THE EARLY CX)URTS 87
Execution , 25 cejftts.
Acknowledging deed 25 cents.
Issuing attachment 50 cents.
Bail 25 cents.
"The court order the following fees to the Constable for the county
of Adams :
Serving capias or summons 30 cents.
Mileage 6 cents per mile 6 cents.
Taking bail 15 cents.
Attendance, or return of precepts , 20 cents.
The time of the court was largely consumed at this sitting in con-
sidering petitions for roads, and in appointing reviewers and surveyors
for those granted. After appointing supervisors for portions of
Zane's road, the court adjourned on the evening of the second day of the
. session until "Courts in Course."
Removal of tho Oovnty Seat to AdamiviUe*
In the meantime the county seat contest was going merrily on he-
twee» M^sie and the Manchester contingent on the one hand, and the
settlers -up the river in the region from the mouth of Brush Creek to the
Scioto valley on the other. Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the Territory
assigned to hold the next term of court, a majority of Justices in favor
of tfie "iq) river" contestants, and the village of Adamsville, an "out
jOf the way" place where the town of Rome now stands, was designated
as the seat of justice for the county. There was a small log court house,
a log jail, and a few log dwellings at the point, but the accommodations
for the court, lawyers, and attendants, were sb poor that the place was
called in derision by the exponents of the site, "Scantville." The courts
were held here until the December session 1798. At the close of the
,- September session of that year the record states that "the Court adjourn
until Court in Course to meet at Washington agreeable to Ordinance."
The story of the removal to Adamsville as told by the record is: "The
Court of General Quarter Sessions met at Adamsville in the county of
'Adams- agreeable to charter, on the second Tuesday (r2th of De-
cember, 1797. Present : John Beasley, John Belli and Benjamin Goodin,
Esqaires."
It will be noticed that Nathaniel Massie, Thomas Worthingtdn,
Thomas Scott, Joseph Kerr, Hugh Cochran, and Thomas Kirker Were
. not meihbers of this court. It has been stated that these members of the
court met at Manchester to transact business this term, biit the record
does not disclose an)rthing with reference to any such transaction.
Francis Taylor was admitted to practice as an attorney before this
court, after taking "the oath prescribed by the statutes of this Territory."
Jacob Burnett was present, and qn his niotion,^ "the reviewers in the
case of Carlinton against Lawson have until next term to make their
report.^' .' .
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88 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Ferry Bates.
On motion of Benjamin Urmston, the Court ordered the following
rate for ferries across the Scioto River :
Man and horse 12^ cents.
Single 6J cents.
Wagon and team 75 cents.
Horned cattle each 6J cents.
The following rates were also established for ' ferriage across
the Ohio River:
Man and horse 18^ cents.
Single 9i centsi.
Wagon and team $1.15
Horned cattle 9^ cents.
At the March session, 1798, the court consisted of John Belli, John
Beasley, Benjamin Goodin, Thomas Kirker, Nathaniel Ellis, Hugh
Cochran and John Russell. After the convening of the court the fol-
lowing grand jurors appeared and were sworn and charged:
John Thomas, William Lucas, Peter Shoemaker, Jc^n McGate,
Stephen Beach, Alexander Warren, William Russell, Noble Grimes,
Jam/es Collins, Purges Moore, Thomas Dick, John Bryan, Robert Elli-
son, Joseph Lovejoy, Isaac Edgington, James Lawson, James Morrison
and Michael Thomas.
On the second day of this session of the court, March 14, 1798, James
Scott, Henry Massie and Joseph Darlinton were appointed Com-
missioners for the county. The Township Assessors, Overseers of the
Poor, Supervisors of Roads, Viewers of Inclosures, and Constables were
also appointed at this session of the court.
TTie next session of the court commenced at Adamsville, June 12,
1798, with the following justices present:
Nathaniel Massie, John Belli, Thomas Worthingfton, Benjamin
Goodin, Joseph Kerr, Nathaniel Ellis. John Russell and Thomas
Kirker.
The opponents of St. Clair sat at this court, and were present for the
purpose of securing aid in their contest to secure the location of the
county seat at Manchester.
The grand jurors impaneled and sworn were: Thomas Massie,
James Lawson, George Edgington. Benjamin Massie. John Chennowith,
John McDonald, John Ellison, John Hessler, William Stockham,
Nathaniel Collins, Duncan McKenzie, Moses Baird, James Morrison,
Nathaniel Washburn and Thomas Burkett.
Samuel Kincaid was appointed Court Constable.
Ooimty Seat Agitation.
On the second dav of the session, immediately after opening of the
court, the matter of location of the seat of justice in the county was
brought before the court, and after some delav the following entry was
made in the record : "Ordered that the court will receive by gift or other-
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THE EARLY CX)URTS 89
wise a piece of ground proper whereon to erect public buildings." It is
probable that Massie and his friends had what is known as a "cut and
dried" arrangement with the court in this proceeding, as it is their first
participation in the affairs erf the court since the removal of the county
seat from Manchester. Those opposing Massie were divided in their
choice of a site for the future capital of the county, as the following rec-
ord clearly discloses: "Whereupon the following offers were made:
Fifty acres at the mouth of Turkey Creek, by John Belli ; one acre in the
town of Manchester by Nathaniel Massie ; one acre in the town of Adams-
ville by John S. Willes; two acres near the mouth of Bnish Creek by
Noble Grimes; one acre in the town of Adamsburgh (Killinstown) by
James Collins, as proper places."
The discussion of the above propositions pro and con, occupied the
time erf the court the entire day, but when the decision of the court was
finally rendered it was "ordered that the public grounds in Manchester
be received;" whereupon the court adjourned, Massie and his friends
having triumphed in the contest.
The next session of the court was the last held in the town of Adams-
ville. The record reads :
"Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, Adams
County. The Court of General Quarter Sessions met agreeable to ad-
journment at Adamsville, September ii, 1798.
"Present : Nathaniel Massie, John Belli, John Beasley, and Thomas
Kirker, Esquires."
This was the last session of this court at which Nathaniel
Massie sat as a justice. Ross County had been erected by proc-
lamation of the Governor August 20th, and if Massie had not removed
from Buckeye Station to Chillicothe prior to the convening of this court,
he did so very soon thereafter. About thts^date, also, the opposition to
Massie in his efforts to fix the seat of justice at Manchester, succeeded
in having the order of the court removing the county seat from Adams-
ville to Manchester, revoked : and the town of Washington laid out by
Noble Grimes, at the mouth of Brush Creek, was made the seat of justice
for the county.
The g^and jurors for this session of the court were: Thomas
Aerls, Jonathan Boyd, Cornelius Williams, Joseph Lovejoy, John Mc-
Cutchen', David Lovejoy, William McClelland, William Markland, Zep-
haniah Wade, Hector Murphy, Joseph Evler, James Collins, Daniel
Robins, James Andrews, William Baker, Zedick Markland.
First Indiotment.
The first indictment returned before this court was filed at this ses-
sion and as a bit of quaint historical matter is given here in full :
"United States vs. Isaac Stout, Defendant.
"Be it remembered that at a Court of General Quarter Sessions held
{or the county of Adams, in the town of Adamsville, in the Territory of
the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, before Nathaniel Massie,
John Beasley, John Billie and Thomas Kirker, Esquires, Justices
assigned to hold Court of General Quarter Sessions, etc., on the twelfth
day of September, 1798, the plaintiff brought hereinto court their certain
bill in these words, to-wit :
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90 fflSTORY OF ADAMS CJOUNTY
"Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, Adams
County, to-wit: The grand inquest in and for the county aforesaid, on
their oaths present that Isaac Stout on or about the , thirteenth day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
ninety-eight, at and within the county aforesaid, did for the salce of lucre
and gain, vend and retail a less quantity than two gallons of a certain
fomented liquor commonly called cider, not being licensed or qualified
agreeable to law, for retailing and vending. And vending the same to
the evil example of all others in like way offending, and against the
form of the Act of the Territory aforesaid in such case lately adopted,
etc. William McMillan for Arthur St. Clair, Jun., Attorney General.
"Unto said bill the defendant pleads 'guilty.* It is therefore con-
sidered by the court that the plaintiff reco\'er against said defendant one
cent damage and costs taxed to dollars."
First Triftl Jury.
At this session of the court, the first trial jury was summoned to
sit in judgment in the case of the United States v. William ' Osbum
charged with the larceny of a hc^, the property of John Lihdsey.
This jury was coniposed of Daniel Collins, Archibald Morrison,
Obediah Stout, James Williams, Daniel Bailes, John White, David
Bradford, George Edwards, John Worley, William Dunbar, Joseph
Collier, and John Hamilton, "who being elected, tried, and sworn the
truth to speak upon issue joined do say that the defendant did not
.feloniously steal, take arid convey away a hog as in manner and form as
' the bill against him hath alleged, and do find he is not guilty."
"Whereupon the court discharged him the said William Osburn."
John S. Wiles prosecuted for Arthur St. Clair, Jun., Attorney
General of the Territory. Francis Taylor defended the accused.
The Oovnty Seat Removed to Waihlnston.
On December ii, 1798, the court met to hold its first session in the
new town of Washington. The Judges present were : John Bellie,
Moses Baird, Noble Grimes, David Bradford, dnd John Russell, Esquires.
The sheriff was not present at this session and no gjand jury being re-
turned the court adjourned on the T2th without having transacted any
business other than granting an application for a recommendation to the
Governor to grant John Hessler a tavern license. He was the father of
old Mike Hessler, who kept a famous inn at Piketon in antebellum days,
and .whose testimony is quoted in the trial of Edward Hughes for
treason, noticed in this volume.
The March session was held at Washington with John Beasley, John
Bellie, Moses Baird, Noble Grimes, David Bradford, Thomas Kirker,
and John Russell, present.
The grand jury at this term was composed of fhe following named
persons: David Edie, Joseph Collier, Joseph Washburn, Nathaniel
Washburn, Hardin Crouch, John Briggs, William McClaren, Allen
Simeral, John Crawford, Alexander Smith, Henry Edwards, Conrad
Hofman, William McGarry. Richard Davis, and Joseph Lucas.
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.THE EARLY COURTS 91
The court appointed George Gordon and James Edison commis-
sioners for the county. The time of the court was taken up. in the ap-
pointmenits of road supervisors and in hearing and granting petitions for
new roads.
The next session of the court convened at Washington, June ii,
1799, with Judges Bellie, Grimes, Bradford, Kerr, and Kirker present.
The grand jury was composed of John Ellison, Phillip Lewis, John
Leitch, Robert Foster, John Bryan, John Clark, David Decamp, Peter
Rankin, Zephaniah Wade, John Reed, John Cook, John Vastine, James
Brown, James Hemphill, William Wade> Alexander Vamer, and James
McGovney.
John Reed, one of the g^and jurors, charged that '^Noble Grimes,
gentleman, fdonously and forcibly took from the court house at Adams-
ville, a quantity of plank, the property of the county," and the grand jury
thereupon indicted Grimes, who was at that time sitting as a member
of the court. He was taken into custody by John Banitt, sheriff, and
recognized to appear at the December term. At that term the record
states that Grimes appeared "under the custody of John Bariltt, Esquire,
sheriff of the county aforesaid, whereupon Robert Slaughter, Esquire,
deputy for the Attorney General, who prosecutes for the United States,
in this behalf enters a nolle prosequi and the said Noble Grimes goes
without day."
At this sitting of the grand jury a great many indictments or "pre-
sentments" were returned to the court against divers persons, mostly for
assault and battery, selling whiskey in quantities less than one quart,
and for larceny of hogs and horses. These animals ran at large in the
forests, and sometimes would wahder many miles from the residence of
their owners. Frequently it is noted iti the early commissioners'
journals, of estrays from settlements on the Miami River, having been
taken up in the valley of Ohio Brush Creek. Sometimes the owner
never appeared to claim these estrays. And often it would be months
before they would be recovered. This led to a great deal of trouble and
annoyance, in case a horse had been held as an estray for a great while,
and afterwards disposed of without complying with the provisions of
the law in such cases, when the person found in possessi6n would often
be charged with horse stealtn^f. The following curious "presentment"
is an instance of such charge :
"The Jurors of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the
river Ohio, for the body of Adams County upon their oath present that
William Keith and Zedock Markland, yeomen, on the first day of June
in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-eight,
at the county aforesaid, with force and arms to- wit: with swords and
staves and knives, one mare of the goods and chattels 6f a certain per-
son to the jurors aforeisaid then and still unknown, then and there found,
and being feloniously stole, took and led away a^hst the peace, gov-
emnDent, and dignity of the United States and this their Territory."
"A true presentment. John Ellison and Fellows."
At this term of the court attachments were issued for Alexander
Smith, George Edgington, John McGitt, Peter MowTy, Nathan Rodgers,
Adam Pennywitt, Phillip *Roush, Henn/ Edwards, Jacob Beam,
Thomas Lewis, Isaac Wamsley, and Anthony Franklin for "contempt
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92 fflSTORY OF AOAMS COUNTY
of the court's precept issued to the sheriff for summoning a grand jury"
at the previous term of said court.
The September session of the court was held in the town of Wash-
ington beginning the tenth day of the month, with John Bellie, Moses
Baird, Noble Grimes, Thomas Kirk^r, Joseph Kerr^ John Russell, and
Nathan Ellis on the bench.
Grand Jury : John Ellison, Duncan McKensie, Robert Ellison,
William Hannah, Needham Perry, John McCutchin, Daniel Sherrard,
Alexander Smith, David Mitchell, William Russell, Jonathan Ralston,
Alexander Ratchford, John Briggs, John Harmomon, John Davidson,
and.John Pollock.
Joel Bailey appointed Court Cryer by order of the Court.
The attention of the court was directed for the most part to hearing
petitions for, and objections to the location of public roads.
Rebecca Earl was put under a peace bond for six months, with
Judge Ellis as surety. And John Evans was cited for contempt for not
surveying, as per order of the Court, the road leading to the Sinking
Spring. Thomas Aerl, prosecuting witness.
John Evans and Rachel Evans were before the grand jury to testify
against Rebecca Earl for harboring John Irwin charged with horse-
stealing. And "the court direct William McCord to be paid three dol-
lars and thirty-six cents for six days' attendance as a witness from
Kentucky against John Irwin, a criminal."
On the last day of this session, "Nathaniel Massie's Mike" appeared
in court to claim his freedom." "The court ordered him, Mike, home
and stay until next court, to be confronted by his master." (See Negro
Slavery, Fugitive Slave Law, and Underground Railroad.)
December session, 1799, at Washington. Present: John Bellie.
Noble Grimes, and John Russell, Esquires. Grand Jury : James January,
John Pence, Peter Pence, David Moore, John Beam, John Smith. John
Calloway, James Long, Ezekiel Moore, Benjamin Massie. Job Deming,
John Cook, Thomas Black, Henry Bowman, Thomas Grimes, and John
Killin.
At this term of court, John Reed, who had charged that Justice
Grimes had "feloniously taken plank from the court house in Adams-
ville to the value of five dollars," was tried for an assault on Justice
Russell, and mulcted to the amount of ten dollars and costs ; the imposi-
tion of which penalty was perhaps something like solace to members of
the court.
Stephen Davison, Thomas Ryan, and James Ryan under indictment
for letting John Irwin, charged with horse stealing, escape from the jail
in Washington, were tried by a jury and acquitted of the charge.
Noble Grimes was allowed by the court the sum of fifty dollars for
house room, firewood, etc., for use of the court for five terms and referred
to County Commissioners for a final settlement.
So far, the members of this court, the names of grand jurors, and
other characters connected with the administration of the court have
been given in order to preserve for the future historian the prominent
characters in the affairs of the county prior to the year 1800. The other
justices who sat as members of this court following that year until the
adoption of the first constitution, were Joseph Moore, Samuel Wright,
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THE EARLY COURTS 93
Mills Stephenson, .after whom Fort Stephenson,, the place of Colonel
Croghan's heroism, was named, Kimber Barton, John Gutridge, and
Joseph Van Meter. Some other matters of curious historical value to
the student of our early customs and laws, are here given from the
records of this court.
The table for use of the court was made by Henry Aldred for which
he received the sum of six dollars.
There is an entry made at the March term, 1801, stating that "The
clerk presented the account of William Jennings to the court for making
the county seals for the Court of Common Pleas, the Court of General
Quarter Sessions of the Peace, and for The Orphan's Court, and press
with a screw for the same, amounting to twenty-five dollars, which sura
was allowed by the Court, and the Clerk ordered to certify the same to
the Commissioners."
John Stephenson was appointed in 1800 the keeper of the "stray
pen," and was usually allowed two dollars a quarter for "his services
therein."
At the June sessions, 1800, "The Court allowed Samuel Pettit three
shillings and six pence per panncl for getting, hauling, and putting up
twenty-four panel of post and railing for a stray pen in Adams County."
Some Quaint iBcliotmeats and Oniloufl Oases.
In November, 1800. Mary Ailes, of Mason County, Kentucky, ap-
peared before Justice Grimes at Washington and stated that she had
been robbed at her home the August previous, relating a most wonder-
ful story in connection therewith, whereupon the Justice prepared an
affidavit, or as called "the deposition of Mary Ailes" in the language fol-
lowing, barring the heading, etc. : "That H. and she believes W. came
to her house 'one hour before cock crow' and 'pushed the door down
and they both came in and asked if there was not a horse thief there and
one met her at the room door and told her to surrender one thousand
dollars ; and it appeared to her he had a pistol in his hand and a club
and ordered her to open a chest which she did not,but he made the Negro
boy give him the key and he opened the chest and searched it and threw
out the clothes and there was some money in the chest which she believes
he took; and further the deponent saith he went into the room and
searched a trunk and threw the clothes out and took up a gun that stood
in a corner and took the flint out and spit in the pan and the man tha,t
<*-tood guard at the door told the man that searched to bring the gun
along and he told him she was good for nothing. And further the de-
ponent saith that the man that searched the house told the man at the
door to guard the window. And the man that guarded the door pointed
his gun at a Negro boy and a white boy that was at the fire and told
them if they would stir he would blow their brains out. And further
this deponent saith not."
The said H. and W. were duly arrested and gave bond in the sum of
$200 each for their appearance at next term of court. And Mary Ailes
who could neither read nor write, was put under bond in like amount for
her appearance to prosecute the action. But at the convening of the
court in December this entry was ordered made : "The Court ar^ of
the opinion and direct that H. and W. h>e sent to Kentucky there to
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94 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
appear before a proper tribunal for trial." And "J^^ob Frizell take H.
and W. and convey them to the first magistrate or any magistrate in
Mason County, Kentucky, which is accordingly done."
It is quite probable that the deponent was mistaken in her identity
of the persons accused, as they each were respectable citizens of Adams
County, and lived there liiatiy years thereafter esteemed by all who
knew them.
Another remarkable "deposition" deemed worthy of preservation
here, is that of Adam Highbarger made before Justice Kirker in Jan-
uary, 1802: "Adam Highbarger made oath that I was present at Pee
Pee when John Lyons spoke to Majot* John Mannon and asked him if
he would take a bag of salt down the river for Major Beasley for him ;
and Major Mannon agreed to do it ; and John Lyons asked me if I would
^o along round with him, tp-wit, the said Mannon, which I did; and
when we came to Manchester, Major Mannon told me to take it out of
the boat, to-wit, the said Lyons' salt, which I did and asked Mr. Massie
for leaye to put the bag of salt in his boat, and he said I might, and I
put it in his boat ; and the next morning I went to Major Beasley's for a
horse and got one, and came to the boat and asked Starling to assist
me in putting the bag on the horse, and he refused and said he would
not assist me nor touch it. And 1 think I asked Mr. Massie if I might
leave the bag in the bbat Until I w6uM^o ahd telt'Mr. Lyons, and he
said I might and I left a pack-saddle with it."
"Question. Did you leave the salt in Starling's care?
"Answer. No. I
''Question. Have you ever seen the bag since?
"Answer. Yes. I saw it in John McGate's cellar,
"Question. Was there as much salt in the bag as when you left it
in the boat?
"Answer. No, I think there was not by about two bushels.
"And further said depondent saith not."
The said Starling was indicted at the March term, and tried by a
jury composed of John Washburn, Phillip. Lewis, Joseph Barton, Cor-
nelius Lafferty, Daniel Collier, William Wade, J^mes Nicholson, John
Bryan, James Reed, Uriah Barton, Alexander Smith, and found guilty,
and sentenced to pay John Lyons eight dollars and thirty-four cents,
anld to be fined a like sum to the county, and pay the cost of prosecu-
tion. "And if he does not pay the fine, is to receive twenty Mripes on
his bare back well laid on, and is to be sold by the sheriff for the sum
to be paid to John Lyons, and cost of suit, etc. Whereupon the sheriff
is commanded that he take the said William Starling to satisfy costs,
etc."
The Whipping Post.
Under the Territorial laws a great many offenses and crimes were
punishable in whole or in part by whipping, on the bare back of the
offender, with a rawhide, or the "cat o' nine-tails." The spirit of these
laws was handed down under our first constitution and incorporated fn
our statute of crimes; many offenses being punishable in part by whip-,
ping. The sentence of the courts in such cases was carried out by the
sheriff who laid on the number of stripes .while the offender stood with
naked body and up-stretched arms tied to the public whipping post.
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THE EARLY COURTS 96
Arson, burglary, forgery, and perjury were punished in part by
laying on the naked back not exceeding thdrty-nine stripes. Larceny
to amount of one dollar and a half, punishment public whipping not ex-
ceeding fifteen lashes. Robbery punished with fifty-nine stripes.
Horse stealing fifty-nine stripes first offense and one hundred for second
and subsequent offenses. Children or servants for disobedience might
receive ten stripes.
The whipping post at Washington was a small buckeye tree that
stood in the southeast comer of the jail bounds near the bank of Brush
Creek. Many a poor fellow has bared his back to the lash tied with
up-stretched arms to that emblematic species of Ohio's forest trees.
In the many cases examined in the records of the courts of Adams
County the writer has failed to fine a single instance of a woman's hav- .
ing received punishment in this manner. But the poor and ignorant
class of male whites found guilty of petty offenses, and the offending
blacks of the cotmty, were punished under "Grimes' Buckeye" with
from five to fifty stripes according to the magnitude of the offense and the
humor of the Court.
A t)T)ical case is that of William McGinnis charged with stealing
a hunting shirt, a petticoat, two blankets and a part of a pair of stockings
from John Guthrey, who upon being arraigned before the Court, plead
guilty and "put himself on the mercy of the Court," and was sentenced
to receive "ten stripes on his bare back well laid on, and bound out to
service for the fees of prosecution."
It is said that a small poplar tree that stood near where the Chris-
tian Union Church is situated was utilized as the whipping post in the
early days of West Union. The records disclose the fact that the lash
and poplar tree were frequently resorted to under the decree of the
courts.
There is a case of a Negro receiving five stripes for the theft of a
pair of shoes worth $1.25 from Abraham Burkett. And a white boy
was given eight stripes for stealing a knife worth a shilling.
At the August term. Common Pleas, 1809, Jacob Coffman, who
had been indicted for larceny, plead guilty, and he was sentenced to pay
Nathan Reeves $52.62^ ; Stokes Anderson $30 ; a fine of $50 ; to receive
fifteen stripes on his naked bare back ; to be imprisoned one month and
stand committed until sentence of the court was performed. Reeves and
Anderson each remitted their fines, the property having been restored
by Coffman.
In 1812, George, a black man, was convicted of stealing a horse from
Mr. Watson, of Sprigg Township, and was .sentenced by the Court to be
whipped fifty stripes on his naked bare back, to pay a fine of $500 for
the use of the countv of Adams, to pay the costs of prosecution and to
stand committed until sentence of the Court was complied with. After-
wards the Board of County Commissioners, as then empowered by law,
remitted the fine as George's imprisonment was burdensome to the tax-
payers, he having no property from which the fine could be collected,
on the conditions that the cost of prosecution be paid or secured to be
paid. This would indicate that some one took George to service for a'
term in consideration of the payment of the costs of his prosecution.
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96 HISTORY QF ADAMS COUNTY
In the last year of the Territorial Governnaent, Robert Elliott and
Reuben Frazier, residents of the vicinity of the old Indian crossing of
Ohio Brush Creek (Tod's Crossing), who had been on bad terms for
some time and had embroigled the entire neighborhood in their
troubles, resorted to the Court of Quarter Sessions for a settlement of
their differences. One Hugh Montgomery was a principal witness
against Frazier who sought to impeach Montgomery's testimony before
the court by the following proceeding, made a part of the record in the
case :
"November 21, 1801. Whereas application hath been made by
Reuben Frazer unto us the subscribers for the character of a certain
Hugh Montgomery, whether we think that he ought to have the privi-
lege of an oath, and it is our unanimous opinion that he ought not to
have in any case, for he has been the disturber of the peace of our neigh-
borhood by lying so that there was not a night's lodging for him. He
also would not work and there is the strongest reason to believe that
he shot Mr. Chapman's ox. We think that he is not capable of swear-
ing.
"Henry Neff, Solomon Shoemaker, Peter Shoemaker, Simon Shoe-
maker, Paul Kirker, John Treber.
"This is to certify that we, the subscribers, have known Reuben
Frazer these several years, and he has lived on our plantations and has
always maintained a fair and unblemished character in every respect,
as witnessed by us.
"Peter Shoemaker, David Furgfuson, John Treber, Robert Smith."
Before closing the notes and comments on this court and its doings
it should be stated that it had concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of
Common Pleas to imprison for debt in the enforcement of its judgments
and to absolve the debtor upon his compliance with certain statutory
provisions.
A case in point is that of James Nicholson who had been imprisoned
for debt and kept for some time imder the care of John Stephenson, the
jailor, in the old town of. Washington. In order to procure his release
John S. Willes, attorney for Nicholson, prepared and presented to the
Court the following affidavit subscribed by the imprisoned debtor :
"I, James Nicholson, do in the presencfe of Almighty God, solemnly
swear that I have not any estate, real or personal, in possession, rever-
sion or remainder, sufficient to support myself in prison or to pay prison
charges ; and that I have not since the commencement of this suit against
me or at any time, directly or indirectly, sold, leased or otherwise con-
veyed or disposed of to or entrusted any person or persons whatsoever
with all, or any part of the estate, real or personal, whereof I have been
the lawful owner or possessor, with an intent or design to secure the
same, or to receive, or to expect any profit or advantage therefor, or
have caused or suffered to be done anything else whatsoever whereby
any of my creditors may be defrauded, so help me God."
Whereupon the Court ordered the following certificate to be made
out to the jailor, to-wit:
"To John Stephenson, jailor, in our said county of Adams, greeting:
You are hereby dulv authorized and commanded to release and dis-
charge James Nicholson from your prison for and on account of the
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THE EARLY COUllTS 97
following persons, to-vvit: Joseph Scott of Kentucky, Banjamin Tup-
per of Marietta, Samuel Van Hook of Adams, John Snider, Samuel Hall,
and William Stockham.
"Witness, John Beasley, Esquire, presiding justice of our said court
at Washington, the second Tuesday of December, 1801. George Gor-
don, Clerk/'
In addition to the above, Nicholson exhibited to the Court "a true
return'* of all his possessions, as set forth in the following exhibit, to-wit:
"Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, Adams
County.
"I do hereby make a true return of all my goods and chattels now
in my possession, to Yotif Honors, greeting:
"One bed, and the furnishings for a bed of the poorest description;
one pewter dish, six pewter plates, three rung chairs, two buckets, one
tin strainer, one spinning wheel, third rate : one small box, one meal
tub."
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CHAPTER X.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIPS
The Territorial Townehipe— Boater of Townehip Offleere— The Towm- .
■hips under the Oonstitntion— Places of holding Eleotioaa—
Erection of New Townships.
At the first session of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of
the Peace, which convened at Manchester, Tuseday September 12, 1797,
the county of Adams was divided into six original townships, by order
of the Court, as follows, towit :
Cedar Hill Township — ^To begin at the mouth of Eagle Creek on
the Ohio, nmning up the same to Lawson's Ferry opposite the mouth of
Cabin Creek ; thence north to the northern boundary of the county ; thence
with the north line to the northwest comer of the same ; thence with the
said west line to the place of beginning.
Jacob Boone was appointed Supervisor of Roads, and William
Rains, Constable.
Manchester Township — To beg^n at the upper comer of Cedar
Hill Township on the Ohio, running up the river to the mouth of Island
Creek; thence up the same to the main forks; thence up the said forks
keeping the high lands between Eagle Creek and Brush Creek to where
the road (Zane' Trace) leading from Limestone to Wheeling crosses;
thence north to the northern boundary of the county; thence with said
line to the east line of the former (Cedar Hill) township; thence with the
said line to the place of beginning.
Isaac Edgington, Aaron Moore, and Nathaniel Washbum were ap-
pointed Supervisors of Roads ; Job Denning and William Hannah were
appointed and sworn as Constables.
Iron Ridge Township — ^To begin at the upper comer of Manchester
Township, running up the Ohio to the mouth of the first large branch
running into the river above the mouth of Salt Cresek ; thence up the same
to the head ; thence on the high lands along the heads of the southeast
fork of the Scioto Bmsh Creek to the junction with the main creek;
thence up the same to the mouth of Rounding Fork; thence up in the
forks keeping the highlands to where the road (Zane's Trace) leading
from Limestone to Wheeling crosses the said ridge; thence north to the
northern boundary of the said county; thence with the said line to the
line of the before-mentioned (Manchester) township; thence with the
said line to the place of beginning. Thomas Grimes and James Collins
were appointed Supervisors of Roads, and Stephen Beach, Constable.
(98)
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ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIPS 99
Union Township — To begin at the upper comer on the Ohio o£
the above (Iron Ridge) township, running up the river to the mouth
of the Little Scioto; thence up the same to the first large fork coming in
on the lower side; thence north until it strikes the Salt Lick fork of
Scioto ; thence down the same to the mouth ; thence west to the highlands
between Paint Creek and Sunfish Creek and along the same until it
crosses the road leading from Limestone to Wheeling ; thence westwardly
along the said road to the line of the former township ; thence with the
said line to the place of beginning.
No road supervisors appointed at this session of the court. John
McBride was appointed Constable for the" township.
Scioto Township — ^To begin at the northeast comer of Union
Township, running westwardly with the north line of said township to
the east line of Iron Ridge Township; thence north with the said line,
to the north line of the county ; thence eastwardly with said line so far
that a line south will strike the place of beginning.
Samuel Harris was appointed Constable for the township and be-
ing present was sworn in open court.
Upper Township — ^To begin at the upper comer, on the Ohio, of
Union Township, running up the river to the upper boundary of the
county ; thence north with said line to the northeast comer ; thence with
the north line of the same to the line of Scioto Township; thence south
with said line to the southeast comer thereof; thence with the east line
of Union Township to the place of beginning. Thomas Kilmuth was
appointed Constable.
At the December session of this court, the first held at the new
county seat of Adamsville, or "Scantville," as it was derisively called,
John Shepherd was appointed supervisor of Iron Ridge Township in-
stead of Joseph Collins, and ordiered to oversee that portion of Zane's
road "beginning where it crosses the west line of Iron Ridge Township
and continuing to the residence of Shepherd on Ohio Brush Creek. And
that all the inhabitants on the waters of Brush Creek north of the road
leading from Manchester to Elijah Chapman's including all above Chap-
man's on the waters of Brush Creek" be under the supervision of Col-
lins.
Roster of Toiomship Officers.
At the March session, 1798, which convened at Adamsville on the
thirteenth of the month, the Court, with Maj. John Bellie presiding, ap-
pointed the following officers for 'the respective townships:
Cedar Hill — Assessor, Simon Reader.
Supervisors — John Mitchell, Jacob Boone, and Nathan Ellis.
Overseers of the Poor — Charles Osier and David Graham.
Reviewers of Inclosures — ^John West and Abraham Evans.
Constable — Williams Rains.
Manchester — Assessor, Aaron Moore.
Supervisors — Daniel Robbins, Isaac Edgington, John McGate.
Overseers of the Poor — John Thomas and Nathaniel Washburn.
Reviewers — William Leedom and John Cook.
Constables — Job Denning and Benjamin Gray.
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100 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Iron Ridge — ^Assessor, Noble Grimes.
Supervisors — Peter Heath, William Aekins and Joseph Williams.
Overseers — James Morrison and William Russell.
Reviewers — Noble Grimes and William Russell.
Constable — Josiah Stout.
Union — Assessor, James Edison.
Supervisors — William Saltsb'erry, William Stackham and Mit-
chell.
Overseer's— Joseph Woolsey and Mitchell.
Reviewers — William Saltsberry and Joseph Woolsey.
Constables — John Hessler.
At the March session the following year, James Edison and Joseph
Woolsey were appointed overseers for the township ; and John Collins
assessor, and Stephen Carey (on Carey's Run, now in Scioto County)
constable.
Scioto — Assessor, Thomas Dick.
Supervisors — Benjamin Urmston, Reuben Abrams, John Tharp.
Overseers — William traig, Samuel Rogers.
Reviewers — William Case, Samuel Henderson.
Upper — ^Assessor, John Watts.
At March session, 1799, William Montgomery was appointed con-
stable, and John Watts overseer.
Massie Township — The Court of Quarter Session at the June
session, 1800, created a new township in the county from territory be-
longing to Cedar Hill Township, which was named in honor of the
founder of the first settlement in the county, Massie Township. The
record is not complete in the description of the boundary of this town-
ship, the north line being omitted, as the following would disclose: "It
is ruled and ordered that a township be laid off called Massie Township:
Beginning on the east fork of Eagle Creek where the Manchester Town-
ship line crosses ; [that was a due north line from the Ohio River opposite
the mouth of . Cabin Creek] thence down the same to the main creek;
thence with the creek to the mouth ; thence north with the county line to
Manchester Township, and from said township line to the beginning." The
description should read "thence north with the county line to its upper
boundary; thence with the north Hne of the county to the Manchester
Township line, and thence south with said line to the place of beginning."
This made the beginning corner in the region to the souhtwest of Hill's
Fork postoffice in what is now Liberty Township, Adams County, and
the new township included all that portion of Brown County within
the present townships of Huntington, Byrd, JeflFerson, Jackson and
Eagle ; and a portion of Union, Franklin and Washington, as well as all
the northwestern portions of Adams County as it now is bounded, to-
gether with a portion of Highland and Ross Counties.
At the March session, 1801, the Court appointed the following
officers for Massie Township :
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ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIPS 101
Lister — Andrew Moore.
Supervisors — John Epsey, John Shreves, Jeptha Beasley.
Overseers — William Kincaid, John Espey.
Viewers — William Gregory, William Stephenson, Robert Moore.
Auditors of Supervisors Accounts — James Moore, Nathaniel Beas-
ley, David DeVore.
Appraisers of Town Lots — Jonas Shreves, Adam McPherson.
Constable — Neal LaflFerty.
Spring Hill Township — ^This township was formed at the March
session of the Court of Quarter Sessions, 1802 xAs the law providing for
the election of township officers took effect in April following, no appoint-
ments of township officers were made by the Court. The boundaries of
this township were as follows: "Beginning on the west line of Iron
Ridge Township at the road leading from January's to Killinstown,
[James January lived at foot of the hill west of West Union on what is
known as the Swearingen farml with said road on to Killinstown; and
frc^n thence with the trace to William Peterson's on Brush Creek ; thence
east to the highlands between Scioto Brush Creek and Ohio Brush Creek ;
thence with said highlands between Scioto Brush Creek and Ohio Brush
Creek to the east line of Iron Ridge Township." This cut Iron Ridge
Township into two divisions, the upper portion being called Spring Hill
Township.
The election of township officers was ordered to be held at the
house of Daniel Collier on Ohio Brush Creek.
The elections for township officers in the other townships were or-
dered to be held at the following places :
Upper Township, at the residence of Kimber Barton.
Union Township, at the house of John Collins, in the town of Alex-
andria.
Iron Ridge Township, at the court house in the town of Washing-
ton.
Manchester Township, at John McGate's in the town of Man-
chester.
Cedar Hill Township, at the residence of Nathan Ellis.
Massie Township, at the house of John Shepherd, proprietor of
Shepherd's horse mill on Red Oak.
The Townsliips under the Constitntion.
On December 2, 1806, the County Commissioners, Nathaniel Beas-
ley, Job Dinning, and Moses Baird proceeded to divide the county into
townships, as follows :
Huntington Township — Beginning on the Ohio River one and
one-half miles below, opposite to the mouth of Cabin Creek; thence
running down the river and binding thereon to the mouth of Eagle Creek ;
thence with the lower line of Adams County north to the south line of
James Williams' survey which Alexander Dunlap riow owns ; thence with
the said Dunlap's line east to the dividing corner between Jordan Harris'
two surveys; thence east to Eagle Creek; thence up the same with the
meanders thereof to the mouth of Suck Run ; thence east to the west line
of Sprigg Township; thence with the said line south to the beginning.
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102 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Sprigg Township — Beginning at the upper corner of Huntington
township (on the Ohio), thence running up the river with the? meanders
thereof and binding thereon to the mouth of Island Creek ; thence north
so far as that an east and west line will strike the north line of Thomas
Hill's tract of land (Hill's Fork) ; thence so far as that a south line will
strike the beginning.
Byrd Township — Beginning at the northwest comer of Huntington
Township ; thence with the north line thereof to the northeast comer of
the said township; thence north with the line of Sprigg and passing its
comer to the north line of Adams County ; thence with the said line west
to the northwest comer of the county, thence south to the beginning.
Wayne Township — Beginning at the notheast comer of Sprigg
Township ; thence east so far as that a north line will strike the mouth of
Cherry Fork of Brush Creek ; thence north to the north line of Adams
County ; thence with the said line to the northeast comer of Bjrrd Town-
ship ; thence south with the line of Bjrrd Township to the northwest comer
of Sprigg Township ; thence east with the line of the said township to the
place of beginning.
Tiffin Township — Beginning at the mouth of Island Credc (on
the Ohio River) ; thence up the Ohio River with the meanders thereof
and binding thereon, to the mouth of Brush Creek; thence up the said
creek and binding thereon to the mouth of the Lick Fork of Bmsh Creek ;
thence with the highlands between Brush Croek and the Lick Fork till it
strikes the east line of Wayne Township ; thence with the line of the said
township to the southeast corner thereof ; thence with another line of the
said township to the northeast comer of Sprigg Township; thence
south with the line of Sprigg Township to the beginning.
Green Township — Begfinning at the mouth of Brush Creek ; thence
up the creek and binding thereon to the mouth of Beasley's Fork ; thence
on a direct line to the head of Black's Run ; thence with the highlands be-
tween the waters of the Ohio River and Scioto Brush Creek to the east
line of Adams County ; thence south with the said line to the Ohio River ;
thence down the same and binding thereon to the place of beginning.
Jefferson Township — Beginning at the mouth of Beasley's Fork;
thence up Bmsh Creek to the mouth of the Lick Fork ; thence east to the
east line of Adams County ; thence south with the said line to the north-
east comer of Green Township ; thence with the north line to said town-
ship, to the beginning.
Meigs Township — Beginning at the mouth of the Lick Fork of
Brush Creek ; thence with the line of Tiffin Township, to the east line of
Wayne Township; thence with the said line north to the back line of
Adams County ; thence with said line, to the northeast comer of Adams
County; thence with the line of Adams County south to the northeast
comer of Jefferson Township; thence with the north line of said town-
ship to the banning.
Places of Holdii&K Elections.
On the next day, December 3, the Commissioners proceeded to ap-
point the places for holding the first elections in the several townships,
as follows :
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ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIPS 108
Huntington, at the house of John Housh, Sr.
Byrd, at the residence of James Moore.
Wayne, at the house of Nathaniel Patton.
Tiffin, at the Court House, West Union.
Green, at the house of Obediah Stout.
Jefferson, at the house of Phillip Lewis, Sr.
Meigs, at the residence of Peter Wickerham.
It was also ordered that the foregoing division of the townships
take effect and be in force on and after 3ie first Monday in March, 1807.
Eagle Township — ^At the June meeting of the Commissioners,
1807, Byrd Township was divided by a line running due west from a
point one mile north of the southwest corner of Wayne Township, and in
the west line tbelreof. The northern division was called Eagle Township,
and the first election was held at the residence of William Laycock, where
William Rhoten, in Eagle Township, in Brown County, now resides, one
mile south of South Fincastle.
OhasKe ia Name of Other Towiuiliips.
June 6, 1808, the line between Sprigg Township and Tiffin Town-
ship, was ordered altered as follows: "Beginning at the mouth of Is-
land Creek; thence up the creek to the place where the township line
ran by Andrew Woodrow crosses the same ; thence with said line to the
north part of said township. And that the name thereof be called Man-
chester, instead of Sprigg.
It was further ordered that the names of the different townships
in the county be altered and established as follows: That Tiffin be
called Union. Huntingdon be called Cedar Hill. Jefferson be called
Iron Ridge. Meigs be called Spring Hill. Byrd be called Liberty.
Green be called Ohio. Wayne be called Cherry.
The whole of the alterations to take effect July 4, 1808. The above
order was afterwards rescinded.
Monroe Township was established from territory cut off from Tiffin
June 23, 1817.
Liberty, cut off of the north end of Sprigg, December 2, 1817.
Scott, cut off of north end of Wayne, February 25, 1818.
Franklin, cut off of north side of Mdgs, March .10, 1828.
Winchester, cut off of Wayne and Scott, December 4, 1837.
Oliver, cut off of Wayne and Scott, March 8, 1853.
Manchester, cut off of Sprigg, composed of Manchester Corpora-
tion and Special School District, March 3, 1858.
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CHAPTER XL
COMMISSIONERS' EARLY PROCEEDINGS
Some Cnrloufl and laterestine Notes From the Journal of the Board o£
County ComnilMiioners.
The first Board of County Commissioners was appointed at the
March term of the Court of Quarter Sessions, held at Adamsville, 1798.
Two members of the first Board, Henry Massie and Joseph Dar-
linton, met at Adamsville, June thirteenth, and adjourned until the
twenty-seventh, on account of the absence of James Scott, the other
member.
At the meeting on the twenty-seventh, Mr. Scott still did not put
in an appearance. After appointing Mr. Darlinton Clerk of the Board,
Mr. Massie and he transacted some business for the county and ad-
journed on the tw^enty-eighth, to meet at Manchester August 9, 1788.
Mr. Scott took his seat at this meeting. The Board held its meetings
thereafter at Manchester until March session, 1799, when the Board met
at Washington, where it held its meetings until the location of the
county seat at West Union, in 1804.
First Entry on Journal.
Territory of the United States, Northwest Territory, Adams
County, S. P.
At the Court of General Quarter Sessions held for the county afore-
said, March term, 1798, the following appointments were made:
Con&niissioners.
James Scott, Henry Massie, and Joseph Darlinton.
Assessors.
Simon Reeder, Cedar Hill Township.
Aaron Moore, Manchester Township.
Noble Grimes, Iron Ridge Township.
James Edeson, Union Township.
Thomas Dick, Scioto Township.
John Watts, Upper Township.
Collectors.
Adamsville, June 27 y 1798.
Joseph Darlinton appointed Clerk to the Board of Commissioners.
The following persons were appointed Collectors for the several
townships in the county :
David Mitchell, Union TowTiship.
(104)
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COMMISSIONERS' EARLY PROCEEDINGS 105
John B. Genett, Upper Township.
Stephen Beach, Iron Ridge Township.
Samuel Smith, Scioto Township.
John Ellison, Manchester Township.
William Rains, Cedar Hill Township.
First lievy.
Having calculated the public debts and demands of this county,
we find it necessary for defraying the expenses of building the county
jail agreeable to the plan of the Court of Common Pleas at their last
session, as well as all other expenses which have or may be brought
against the county, to levy the sum of two thousand four hundred dol-
lars on the several townships in this county.
Manchester, Aug^ist 9, 1798.
James Scott, Esq., being appointed Commissioner by the Court of
General Quarter Sessions, held at March term, this day exhibited a cer-
tificate of his qualifications, and took his seat.
First Tax Refnnder.
Manchester, Sept. 7, 1798.
It appeared to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that John
Crawford, of Iron Ridge Township, who was taxed as a single man, is
married, and that his property is taxed to, and paid by his son, Moses
Crawford; ordered to refund the money.
Allowances of Aoeonnts.
Samuel Harris, Constable and guard, for taking Patrick
Creighton, prisoner, from Chillicothe to Manchester. . .$19 91 2-3
Ditto, for taking Jacob Folen as above 34 9^
Ditto, for taking Thomas Thompson as above 36 00
Thomas McDonald, Constable, for guarding Hugh McDill
from Chillicothe to Manchester 22 41
John Barrett, Sheriff and guard, for taking Hugh McDill to
Cincinnati , etc 38 50
Josiah Stout, Constable, for taking Peter Walker prisoner. . . 311
Sundry guards for keeping Hugh McDill , 20 25
William Morrison, John Davidson, and Jessie Wethering-
ton, for guarding Hugh McDill, each one day 2 19
Manchester, August 11, 1798.
Received the returns from the assessors of the different townships
as follows :
Scioto Township $412 87
Iron Ridge Township 179 10
Manchester Township 155 74
Union Township 147 36
Cedar Hill Township 52 69
Upper Township 17 18
$964 94
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106 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Sum appropriated on June 27, by the Commissioners and Assessors
to be levied on the county, $2400.00. Balance, $1435.06.
Court erf Appeals appointed to be held at Manchester on the sev-
enth day of September next.
Kotioe to AwMssors and Collectors.
Washington, March 30, 1799.
Drew advertisements to be set up in the most public places in each
township, requesting all persons who had business to transact with the
Board of Commissioners, to attend at Washington on the twenty-ninth
day of May next, and required the punctual attendance of each assessor
at that time and place. Also notified the collectors of '98, that if they
did not appear on that day and settle up their respective balances, they
could not expect any longer indulgence.
First Fee Fixed for SheHiT.
Sheriff's fee for serving each grand jury, established at three dollars
each court.
Jos. Darlinton received $36.99 for services as Clerk of Commis-
sioners, one year.
Washington, January 2, 1800.
The Commissioners thought proper to advertise the burning of
the jail on Friday night, the twenty-seventh of December last, and offer-
ing a reward of two hundred dollars in order to find out the incendiaries.
In consequence thereof, wrote five advertisements. James Edison,
Clerk of Board.
Joseph Kerr appointed Clerk of Board of Commissioners for one
year.
First Seals.
William Jennings presented his account for making seals and press
for the county, amounting to $25.00 for which sum an order is granted.
First Allowanee for Wolf Scalps.
George Harper presented the certificate of Thomas Kirker, Esq.,
for having killed an old wolf, agreeable to law, for which he is allowed
the sum Si $1.25.
Isaac Wamsley, 5 wolves $6 25
Jonathan Wamsley, i wolf i 25
Christopher Wamsley, i wolf i 25
Jacob Utt, I wolf I 25
John Polock, i wolf i 25
Daniel Bayless, i wolf i 25
Robt. Wright, 2 wolves 2 50
Jno. Wright, i wolf i 25
Jno. Beckman, i wolf i 25
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COMMISSIONERS' EARLY PROCEEDINGS 107
Bestgnation and Appoimtmemt. /
Washington, November 17, 1801.
Jos. Kerr, Secretary, and one of the Board of Commissioners, re-
signed on the seventeenth of November, 1801.
Jno. Beasley appointed Commissioner December 10, 1801.
George Gordon appointed Secretary to the Board.
Two Dollars Eaoh for Wolf Sealps.
Washington, December 18, 1801.
Jesse Cain presented the certificate of Jos. Moore that he killed
a grown wolf, and an order is issued for two dollars.
Cornelius Cain, i old wolf $2 00
Chris Beekman, i old wolf 2 00
Jno. Pollock, I old wolf 2 00
Robt. Bennett, 3 old wolves 6 00
Jno. Brewer, 3 old wolves 6 00
Wm. Creel, i old wolf 2 00
Jas Lawson, i young wolf i 25
Bent for Court Hovso.
Washington, March 8, 1802.
Noble Grimes ^ Co. presented an order of the Court for the house,
fuel and candles, attendance amounting to $6.00, and the Commission-
ers concluding the order did not come properly before the Board, re-
ferred the order again to the Court for their decision, being of the opin-
ion that it ought to be $10.00.
Slieriif Made CoUeetor.
Washington, September 11, 1801.
Nathan Ellis, Esq., was qualified as the Collector of the county
taxes, for the year 1801, and was furnished with a duplicate thereof,
which amounts to $1, 262.97 J/^.
First Order leeiied to Clerk of Oonrts.
Washington, March 15, 1800.
George Gordon obtained an order on the Treasurer for $43.37, for
his services as Clerk of the Court from September session, 1797, to Sep-
tember session, 1798, inclusive.
CoUeetor Ezomerated.
August II, 1800.
Stephen Cary, Collector of Union Township, has also made to ap-
pear that Joseph Darlinton is unable to pay his tax, he is therefore exon-
erated in the sum of twelve and one-half cents.
Court House Rent.
Noble Grimes, Esq., presented two accounts for his furnishing
house '"oom for four terms of court, also repairing court house, $40.00
aid $5-00.
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108 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Proseoutins Attorney Fees«
September 8, 1801.
William Creighton, Esq., presented the certificate of the Court that
he prosecuted the pleas for the county at September session, 1801, and
was allowed the sum of $15.00.
Francis Taylor, Esq., presented the certificate of the court that he
prosecuted the pleas of the county, at June sessions,. 1801, and was al-
lowed $15.00.
Jailor and Court Crier.
December 18, 1801.
John Stevenson, jailor, presented his account as Crier of the Court
at September term, four days, and attending the stray pen one day. Crier
of the Court at December term, one day, and attending on the stray
pen one day, amounting to $7.00.
Proseoutor's Fees.
June r, 1802.
Thomas Scott, Esq., presented the certificate of the court for prose-
cuting the pleas of the Uiited States in behalf of the county at March
term, amounting to $15.00.
Grimes' Rent.
June I, 1802.
The account of Noble Grimes & Co. was returned from the court
with a certificate that he was entitled to $10.00 for the use of his house,
etc., at the December sessions, 1801.
Surrey of Connty Lines.
June I, 1802.
James Stevenson presented an account for running the line between
Ross, Clermont and Adams Counties, amounting to $65.50.
Wolf scalps raised to $3.00 each in 1802.
SheHif Lodwick, Tax Collector.
July 6, 1802.
John Lodwick was appointed Collector of the count\^ rates and
levies for the year 1802, and at his own offer bid to collect at $5.47 per
$TOO.
Jailor's Fees.
John Stevenson presented the certificate of the Clerk of the Court
of General Quarter Sessions at June term, 1802, certifying that John
Stevenson was allowed $20.00 as jailor for the year last passed, which
certificate was protested, and appeal granted at the request of said John
Stevenson.
Dnplioates.
Washington, September, 16, 1802.
The Commissioners order the Secretary to immediately make out
the duplicate for the tax of 1802, in which duplicate he must put the tax
of the town property and Cedar Hill Township Agreeable to the rates of
1801, as the appraisers neglected to make a return of that year .and to
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COMMISSIONERS » EARLY PROCEEDINGS 109
take bond atnd security of the Collector for the true collection and pay-
ing over the same.
Peter Shoemaker presented an account for taking care of a poor
person farmed out to him, and was allowed $50.00, agreeable to his ac-
count as filed.
Peter Platter, for taking care of Moses Massie, a poor person,
while sick, was allowed $31.56.
Allowances for Wolf Scalps, March, 1803.
Edmund Wade, 2 wolf scalps $6 00
John Bailes, i wolf scalp 3 00
Andrew Clemmer, 3 wolf scalps 9 00
Daniel White, i wolf scalp 3 00
William Wade, i wolf scalp 3 00
Peter WycoflF, 1 wolf scalp 3 00
Joseph Shepherd, i wolf scalp 3 00
Daniel Collier, 2 wolf scalps 6 00
Isaac Smith, 5 young ones 7 50
George Hise, i wolf scalp . . ! 3 00
Thomas Tong,. i wolf scalp 3 00
William Pittinger, i wolf scalp 3 00
Jonathan Wamsley, i wolf scalp 3 00
Peter Shoemaker, i wolf scalp 3 00
John Strickler, 3 wolf scalps 9 00
William Russell, i wolf scalp 3 00
James Milligan, i wolf scalp 3 00
Soloman Froman, i wolf scalp 3 00
Peter Bakus, i wolf scalp 3 00
John Walling, i wolf scalp 3 00
Panther Scalps.
Phillip Lewis, Jr., 2 panther scalps $6 00
William ' Duduit, i panther scalp 3 00
Elijah Rinker, i panther scalp 3 00
Brandlns Irons.
William Jennings produced the certificate of the court allowing him
$14.00 for a set o^ branding irons for the use of the county.
Election Boxes.
John Mitchell presented a certificate from the court allowing him
for four election boxes, $14.70.
Estrays.
Four head of neat cattle taken up by me some time in January, 1801,
were claimed on the tenth of September ensuing by Thomas Young,
living in Hamilton County, waters of Little Miami, twentieth of Sep-
t'^niber. 1802. David Bradford.
These are to certify that a cow and calf taken up by me last Feb-
ruary have been claimed by and proven to be the property of Mary
Harrison, of Kentucky, August 26, 1802. David Edie.
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110 fflSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
I do certify that a bright bay mare taken up by me, is this day re-
stored to the owner, Henry Ancfrews. living in South Bend T'>wnship,
Hamilton County. Given under my hand this ninth day of August,
1802. Geo. Hutton.
John Lodwick, Sheriff, exhibited a receipt from the Treasurer for
$30.25, it being the net proceeds of an estray mare sold by the said Lod-
wick, which was taken up by Thos. Grimes.
Tax LeTy.
Ordered that the tax for the present year be laid to the extent of
the law.
John Lodwick appointed Collector for 1803 at a commission of
six per cent.
Court Proseoutor.
December 10, 1803.
Levin Belt, $15.00 for prosecuting on behalf of State at December
term.
County Seat Commissioners.
December it), 1803.
Isaac Davis, John Evans and James Menary, Commissioners, who,
in obedience to law, viewed the county in order to report to the Legis-
lature the most eligible situation for the seat of justice for this county,
had their amounts exhibited and were allowed $49.00.
First Meeting Held at West Union.
West Union, June 11, 1804.
Nathaniel Beasley, Moses Baird and Robt. Simpson this day pro-
duced certificates of their being duly elected Commissioners of Adams
County, and also of their being duly qualified according to law, and
took their seats. Jos. Darlinton appointed Clerk to Board.
Hew Townships Established.
June 23, 1817.
Monroe Township established.
December 2, 181 7.
Liberty Township cut oflf of the north end of Sprigg.
February 25, 1818.
Scott Township cut oflf of the north end of Wayne Township.
March 10, 1828.
Franklin Township cut oflf of the north side of Meigs Township.
County Strons Box.
January 6, 1830.
Ordered that the County Auditor and County Treasurer procure
a strong chest to be lined and bound with iron, for securing the funds
in the county treasury.
Sheriff's OAee.
October 3, 183 1.
Andrew Ellison allowed $12.00 for rent of house for Sheriflf's oflfice
one year.
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COMMISSIONERS' EARLY PROCEEDINGS 111
First Inflrmary.
March, 1837.
The Commissioners purchased the farm of G. L. Compton on Beas-
ley's Fork, of 211 acres, for $2,000.00, for a poor farm.
MaysTllle and Zanesvllle Turnpike Subscription.
November 10, 1838.
After weighing the subject, the Commissioners of Adams County
subscribe to the Zanesville & Maysville Turnpike Road Company
$8,000.00, which sum is to be obtained from the Bank of West Union
when called on at a rate of 6 per cent, per annum, and is not to be
called for until the year 1840.
Scrip iMmed*
December 8, 1840.
The Commissioners of Adams County have come to the conclusion
to issue Adams County scrip for the special benefit of the Zanesville and
Maysville Turnpike Road Company, to the amount of $8,000.00, in the
following manner: $1,500.00 in one year, $1,500.00 more in eighteen
months, $2,500.00 in two years, and $2,500.00 in three years, all bearing
legal interest from the issue until paid.
Old Market House.
March i, 1841.
The Commissioners have come to the conclusion to have the
market house of said county cleared out and kept clean and free hence-
forth from fodder, hay, oats, or straw of any kind and every kind.
June 6, 1844.
The Board then proceeded to assess the tax on the practicing at-
torneys and physicians in Adams County as follows, to-wit :
ATTORKETS— Tiian Township.
Geo. Collings, $4 ; James Armstrong, $1 ; Nelson Barrere, $5 ;
Joseph McCormick, $2.
PHTSIOIAKS— Tii&n Township.
Dr. T. M. Sprague, $2 ; Dr. Clark, $2 ; Dr. W. F. Wilson, $2.
Spriss Township.
Dr. W. R. Robinson, $2; Dr. Stableton, $2; Dr. D. McConaha, $1.
lleiipi Township.
Dr. Sever Little, $1 ; Dr. Eph Wheaton, $1.
Green Township.
Dr. T. M. Wood, $2 ; Dr. John Evans, $2 ; Dr. J. M. Tweed, $2.
Jefferson Township.
Dr. Daniel Burley, $0.50 ; Dr. Daniel Peggs, $2.
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112 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Franklin Township.
Dr. W. G. Johnson, $i ; Dr. William Shields, $2; Dr. Wm. Hoi-
derness, $2.
Winchester Township.
Dr. N. D. Thompson, $1.50; Dr. Abraham Baker, $1; Dr. A. C.
Lewis, $2.
Resolution of Oensnre.
March 4, 1850.
The Commissioners adopted the following resolution, to-wit:
Resolvedy that the County Commissioners of the county of Adams
are opposed to the enactment of the proposed law providing for the sale
of the Maysville and Zanesville Turnpike road, as a gross act of injustice
to the people of the county, and hereby respectfully but firmly remon-
strate against the same.
Resolved, that the Auditor be directed to forward an authenticated
copy of the foregoing resolution to our member of the House of Rep-
resentatives, to be by him presented to that body.
OliTer Township.
March 8, 1853.
Oliver Township established. Cut off of Wayne and Scott. First
election held at the house of W. B. Brown near Unity. Was named
in honor of John Oliver, of Meigs Township.
JaiL
March 3, 1858.
The stone work of the jail and Sheriffs residence was let to William
Killen for $994.50. The completion of the building to Rape & Moore
for $2,498.00.
Manchester Township.
March 3, 1858.
Manchester Township established from Sprigg Township. Com-
posed of Manchester Corporation and Manchester S. S. D.
November 16, 1858.
The Commissioners appointed William E. Hopkins Clerk of Courts
to fill vacancy occasioned by death of A. C. Robe.
Plans for Infirmary.
March 8, 1859.
A. W. Wood, of Aberdeen, paid $40.00 for making plans and speci-
fications of county infirmary.
West Union Incorporated.
December 5, 1859.
A petition to incorporate West Union was presented by J. K. Bil-
lings et al. Remonstrance presented by G. D. Darlinton et al.
December 6, 1859.
Petition to incorporate West Union granted.
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COMMISSIONERS' EARLY PROCEEDINGS 113
Armsy Etc., for First Resiment.
September 3, 1861.
E. P. Evans presented a bill for J. R. Cockerill and I. H. De Bruin
for $30.00 cash paid by them for transporting arms and acoutrements
from Columbus, Ohio, to this county for use of the First Regiment, First
Brigade, Fifth Division, O. V. M., which was allowed. Also a bill for
$63.00 for repairing old arms, which was not allowed.
Connty Lunatic Asylnm.
April 25, 1863.
The contract for building a county lunatic asylum was let to A. L.
Lloyd for $398.00, to be built on infirmary grounds.
Morsan Raid Claims.
September 7, 1863.
Allowed William E. Hopkins $50.00 and Mrs. Ann Marlatt $60.00
for boarding men and horses during the Morgan Raid.
Oonnnissioners' Contest.
December 7, 1863.
The Commissioners met pursuant to law. Present: Jos. R. Stev-
enson, John Pennywitt, and J. C. Milligan, the latter two claiming the
same seat. In consequence of the Commissioners being unable to agree
as to who constituted the Board, they adjourned until tomorrow.
[John Pennywitt obtained the seat as Commissioner, but the record
does not state how. — Ed.]
Army Substitute Brokers.
February 6, 1865.
This day the Commissioners of said county appointed L. E. Cox
and Smith Grimes to act as agents for the different townships of this
county, to procure substitutes, etc., in pursuance of an act of the General
Assembly, passed at the present session, restricting and legalizing sub-
stitute brokerage.
8a
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CHAPTER XII.
PUBUC ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
The First Pi&blio Hishway— The Kyte Fork Road— The Roads to Ellis'
Ferry— The Whiskey Road— Zane's Traee from Treber's
TaTom to Tod's Crossing.
The first public road sur/eyed and established in Adams County was
the old post road over that portion of Zane's Trace from opposite Lime-
stone or Maysville on the Ohio River to the north line of the county near
the Sinking Spring. This road,however,was established under authority of
Hamilton County, in 1796, the year preceding the organization of Adams
County. It was known by the name of Zane's road, the Limestone road,
and the Limestone and Chillicothe road, and is as variously designated
in the early road records of Adams County. Afterwards the "New State
Road," as it was called, was laid out over ehe same general line, but so
changed and altered in many parts as to form a new road. The most
notable change was that beginning at the old ford of Brush Creek where
the SprouU bridge now spans that stream. Here the new State road
crossed the creek and passed by the way of the Steam Furnace and in-
tersected the old Chillicothe road to the east of Locust Grove. In later
years the Maysville and Zanesville turnpike was constructed along the
general route of the old post road over Zane's Trace before mentioned,
passing through Bradyville, Bentonville, West Union, Dunkinsville,
Dunbarton, Palestine, Locust Grove, and Sinking Springs.
Under the Territorial Government the Court of Quarter Sessions
heard petitions, granted views, and ordered surveys for the location of
public roads; and upon proper hearing ordered or refused the estab-
lishment and record of such roads. The early records of this court dis-
close the fact that all roads petitioned for were granted without reference
to the number of petitioners or their place of residence in the county. But
after settlements began to dot the valleys of the water courses through-
out the county, and rivalry between them was aroused for improved
roads to the county seat or principal market points, the Court acted
with much formality and great deliberation in the establishment of these
public highways.
The first step in the establishment of a public road was the filing of
a proper petition praying for the granting of such improvement, sub-
scribed by more than twelve resident freeholders of the county. After
a second reading of the petition, if there was no remonstrance against the
proposed road, viewers were appointed and a surv'ey of the route or-
dered ; after the report of the viewers and surveyors, if favorable to the
petitioners, and there still being no remonstrance filed, the Court, after
due consideration, would order the establishm.ent of the road as a public
highway, and a record of the same made by the Clerk of the Court.
(114) "^
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PUBLIC ROADS AND fflGHWAYS 115
All the early roads in the county began at some one of the many
ferries across the Ohio River and extended into the interior to settle-
ments on Brush Creek, Eagle Creek, Red Oak, Scioto Brush Creek,,
the Scioto River, or to intersect 2^ne's Trace leading to the settlements
on Paint Creek. There was but one east and west road across the
county, other than the roads from Logan's Gap to Ellis' Ferry, and from
Manchester via Washington to Alexandria, at the mouth of the Scioto,
and that one was established in 1799 from Manchester to the settlement
made by Capt. Feagins near where Georgetown in Brown County is
now situated. There was a trail thence to Williamsburg and the settle-
ments on the Miami. This excepts the post route from ChilKcothe to
Cincinnati, which passed through the old town of New Market and ter-
ritory at that time within the limits of Adams County.
At the organization of the county in September, 1797, the following
orders with reference to public roads were made by the Court:
"Upon petition of sundry persons the Court admit and order a
road laid out from Manchester to the east fork of Eagle Creek (in the
vicinity of the Kirker settlement) and appoint Joseph Kerr, surveyor,
and William Hannah and Daniel Robbins, reviewers."
"On petition of sundry persons the Court admit and order a road
laid out from Manchester to the land opposite the mouth of Bull Creek,
to take the bottom from Lawson's road. Andrew Ellison, surveyor,
Adam Pennyweight and William McGarry, reviewers."
"On the petition of simdry persons the Court order a road laid out
from Manchester to the Lick Fork to where it meets the Limestone
road, from thence to the crossing of Brush Creek, and appoint Andrew
Ellison, surveyor, and Robert Ellison and Joseph Eyler, reviewers."
"The Court order a road laid out from Ohio Brush Creek where the
Limestone road crosses it to ChilHcothe. Duncan McArthur, surveyor
(afterwards Governor of Ohio), and Henry Abrams and William Carr,
reviewers."
"The Court order and allow a road laid out from Nathaniel
Massie's mill to Joseph Collier's on Scioto Brush Creek. Benjamin
Lewis, surveyor; James Williams and Hector Murphy, reviewers."
No more roads were granted until the June session of the court in
1798, when the following entry was ordered: "On petition of sundry
persons for a road from the mouth of Brush Creek to Adamsville,
granted."
At this session of the court' the road from Manchester to the Rock
House (Ellison's) on Lick Fork was established and made a matter of
record. This road began at a beech tree at the upper end of Manchester,
crossed Island Creek, continuing in a northerly course to Killinstown;
thence crossing Lick Fork at the to^^n of Waterford; whole distance,
twenty miles.
Parmenus Washburn, viewing, seven days.
Lazeleer Swim, viewing, five days.
Joseph Kerr, surveying and plotting, five days.
Caleb Wells and Edward Wells each, chain carriers, four days.
The Court appointed Joseph Collins and Simon Shoemaker, super-
visors of this road.
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lie HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The Court also ordered at this session a road laid out from Capt.
Brook's road (which began at the river five miles above Ellis* Ferry)
to Ellis' Ferry opposite Limestone, and also a road from Manchester
to Henry Moore's mill
Adams County at this date included what is now Ross County, and
the record shows that the Court ordered a road laid out from the Falls
of Paint Creek, afterwards known as "the Falls road," to *Ellis' road
near John Shepherd's on Brush Creek, and appointed Duncan McArthur,
surveyor, and Daniel Hare and John Brown, viewers.
At the December session, 1798, the return of the survey of the road
from Adamsville to the Scioto, whole distance from the court house
twenty-four miles, was made and the plat ordered recorded. William
Russell, surveyor.
The following quaint record was ordered at the March session,
1799:
"The Court order that the road leading from Manchester to Scioto
Brush Creek shall be altered around David Lovejoy's fence not to ex-
ceed ten rods until it intersects James Naylor's line, and then with his
h'ne until it intersects the old road."
John Edgington, brother of Asahel Edgington, who was killed by
tlie Indians on Lick Fork, and Edward Thomas were appointed view-
ers of a road from Osier's or Beasley's Ferry below Limestone to St.
Clairsville, now Decatur in Brown County.
A road was granted beginning at John Shepherd's crossing of
Brush Creek, extending along the Falls road (Falls of Paint Creek) to
the Sinking Spring. Simon Shoemaker and Thomas Aerl, viewers.
The Kyte Fork Road.
The following petition could not fail to bring the Court to its
senses and cause it to act immediately to relieve the "awful" condition
of affairs in the Kyte Fork "vicinitude."
"The petition of the inhabitants of the east fork of Eagle Creek
and the vicinitude thereof prayeth that Your Honors would grant us a
survey for a highway from Edwards' Ferry, opposite Maysville, on the
nearest and best ground, to the mouth of Kyte's Fork, of Eagle Creek
and thence to the junction of the State road at or near the fifteen-mile
tree from Maysville. Your petitioners being well aware of the necessity
of a public highway being laid out on that ground for the accommo-
dation of the public and neighborhood or settlement such highway will
pass through, and more especially as Mr. Edwards by the insinuations
of one or two of the inhabitants of this creek who for their own private
emoluments have persuaded him to decline having the survey made
agreeable to your order of the last session for laying out a highway
from his ferry to the State* road from the eleventh to the thirteenth
mile tree, and intend superseding it by a petition for a road from Lime-
stone to the mouth of Thomas' Run of the east fork under the head of
accommodating that settlement which will open a door for carrying it
on through an unknown tract of rough country and join the State road
• EUIb' road was that portion of Zane's trace wbich Nathan Ellis had Improved at h\n own ex-
pense from his ferry oppoNite Limestone to John Shepherd's on Ohio Brush Creek row known as
Fristoe's,
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PUBLIC ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 117
between Brush Creek and the Falls of Paint which if necessary would be
burthensome to our inhabitants; therefore, we pray that you would
grant us a survey, as we are sensible of its being the most eligible ground
for the benefit of the public and this settlement as it crosses the east
fork where Seth Foster is building a grist and saw mill, and also there
intersects the road from Manchester to New Market, which roads will
tully supply the present and future settlements, for which our most earn-
est desire is that you would grant our request, for which we in duty
bound will ever pray." Granted, and ordered that Thomas Middleton
be surveyor and Stephen Beach and R. Smith, reviewers. John Lod-
wick, security for costs.
At the March session, 1799, a petition was granted for a new road
"on better ground and nigher way from Manchester to Killinstown, to
intersect the old road near Robert Ellison's. John Barritt, surveyor ; Job
Dening and James Collins, reviewers. John Killin, for costs.
A road also granted from mouth of the Scioto to Lucas' Ferry
(Lucasville, Scioto County). Joseph Lucas, for costs.
The road from the mouth of Thomas' Run to Limestone so greatly
deplored by the "Kyteforkers" in a petition heretofore noticed, was
g-ranted at this session. John Thomas, for costs. Nathaniel Beasley,
surveyor, and John "Kingsawley" (Gunsaulus) and Ellis Palmer, re-
viewers.
A road was petitioned for at this session from John Stinson's
ferry opposite the mouth of Svcamore Creek to the town of Washington
at the mouth of Brush Creek. Hector, Murphy for costs : Joseph Kerr,
surveyor, and Richard Grimes and John Sherley, reviewers.
The Roads to EUia* Ferry.
The September term, 1799, was mostly consumed in considering pe-
titions for and remonstrances against proposed roads. James Edwards
had the year previous established a ferry opposite Limestone in oppo-
sition to Nathan Ellis who had, in 1796, settled where Aberdeen now
stands, and conducted a ferry and later a tavern for the accommodation
of prospectors and emigrants to this portion of the Northwest Territory.
After the opening of Zane's road, which terminated at Ellis', his ferry
became the source of immense revenue, and as he owned the landing
for some distance above and below the termination of the road, he
monopolized the ferry on the Ohio side of the river, to the envy of
James Edwards and John West, who owned lands fronting the
river below Ellis' possessions. So these two citizens conceived the idea
of gettting a public road located from a point on the river bank below
the lands of Ellis, and across his lands to intersect Zane's road in the
rear of Ellis' landing and residence. By this means they would not
only be enabled to maintain a ferry, but also to turn the traveling public
from toward Ellis' to their own ferry. The following petition had been
presented to the Court at the previous March session : "Your petition-
ers, inhabitants of Cedar Hill Township, and county aforesaid, most re-
spectfully showeth that the emigrants by the route of Limestone, Ken-
tucky, to the said township and county, labor under various inconven-
iences in landing below the road of Nathan Ellis, Esq., which being drove
down the Ohio by the current of the river as low as will be opposite to
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118 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
the southwest street that leads from the house of Benjamin Sutton who
occupies all the ferries in Limestone aforesaid ; and that a road may be
readily had from opposite said street (in Limestone) on the land of James
Edwards, to run about ninety poles in the same, thence through lands
of Nathan Ellis, Esq., along the hillside about twenty poles to where it
will intersect the road now established. Your petitioners therefore pray
that Your Worships will appoint suitable persons to view the above re-
cited desired road and make a return of their proceedings in the same
to Your Worships for confirmation, and your petitioners will ever be in
duty bound, etc. Granted and ordered that Philip Lewis be surveyor,
and Wm. Dunbar, and Stephen Be^h, reviewers. John West, security
for costs."
At this September session, as aforesaid. Judge Ellis sat as a mem-
ber of the Court, and through his attorney, William Creighton, first
Secretary of State of Ohio, moved the Court not to receive the return
of the viewers and surveyors then filed with the Clerk of the Court, John
S. Wills. But notwithstanding the protest of Judge Ellis, the Court
overruled the motion. Then his attorney moved for a review of the road,
which motion was granted, and Peter Shoemaker, Daniel Collier, and
John Collins were appointed reviewers.
At this time the celebrated Thomas* Run road, which was a matter
of contention between Ellis and Edwards and their respective adherents,
was before the Court for confirmation of the survey, and the Court or-
dered a review of that proposed thoroughfare. The remonstrances,
among other matters, allege that "there is no necessity for any such
road (to Edwards' Ferry) as there is a very good road established, sixty-
six feet wide, by the Court of Hamilton County, and is now opened at
least twenty feet wide and made commodious for travelers and on a^ good
ground as ever can be got through the same neighborhood and as near ;
and must run within a small distance of the above (Zane's) road the
whole length of the way, and can never serve the public if opened, but
if opened will just serve to draw the benefit of Capt. Ellis' public labor to
Edwards' Ferry, which we, your petitioners, conceive to be too hard and
unjust, and therefore object to the opening of the said survey, and pray
that Your Honors (the petitioners for the improvement addressed the
Court as "Your Worships") may appoint three disinterested men to re-
view the above survey and make report to your next Court of General
Quarter Session of the Peace whether the said survey is of public utility
or not, and your petitioners in duty* bound shall ever pray, etc."
Judge Ellis, or Capt. Ellis, as he was familiarly known, himself pe-
titioned the Court with reference to the Edwards Ferry road above no-
ticed as follows :
"To the Honorable John Beasley, John Belli and Joseph Kerr, members
of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for
the county of Adams, N. W. Territor}' :
"The petition of your petitioner humbly showeth that whereas Your
Honors were pleased to order a survey of a road beginning twenty rods
below opposite Ben vSutton's ferry at Limestone and to intersect Zane's
road at about 120 rods from the river which is at least twenty rods
further about than the other road, and will call for a great deal of labor
to. make said road, and when made will be very injurious to your peti-
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PUBLIC ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 119
tioner's farm as it will deprive him of all his woodbine pasture that he has
on his land that is watered, and will forever be injurious to him, and can-
not accommodate the public half as well as the road that your petitioner
has made through his own land and as far as twenty miles at one hun-
dred and seventy-two dollars expense (this portion of Zane's road was
also known as Ellis' road, and is frequently so referred to in the early
records of the county) ; that your petitioner has never received any sat-
isfaction more than the good-will of the public, and now it appears that
undermining men wish to draw the benefits of my labor to their coffers.
I must therefore object to the opening of the above road and pray that
Your Honors may appoint three disinterested men to review the above
survey and make report to your next court whether such road is of pub-
lic utility or not, and your petitioner in duty bound, etc.
Nathan Ellis."
These roads were finally opened under a compromise agreement
between Ellis and Edwards.
The survey of the Waterford and Killinstown road was confirmed
at this session, which was as follows : Agreeable to an order of the Gen-
eral Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for Adams County,at their June
term, 1799, surveyed the road from the town of Waterford on the Lick
Fork of Brush Creek (Old Stone Tavern) beginning at the lower street ;
thence south 85 east 40 poles; south 65 east 44 poles; south 51 east 52
poles ; east 28 poles ; south 64 east 30 poles ; south 5 east 66 poles ; south
10 east 120 poles ; one mile ; south 94 poles ; south 10 west 54 poles ; south
20 west 216 poles to the nine-mile tree on the Manchester road in Eyler's
lane and with said road 240 poles to Killinstown. John Beasley, sur-
veyor; John Shepherd and John Drake, assistants.
The foregoing established as a public road and ordered to be four
poles wide.
At this session was presented the petition of the inhabitants of the
Eagle Creek and Red Oak settlements for a road beginning at the
county line between Hamilton and Adams Counties within half a mile of
Poagne's Ferry at the mouth of Red Oak; thence to James Creswell's
mill on said creek ; thence the nearest and best way to John Shepherd's
horse mill; thence to a point near Indian Lick to intersect Orr's road
(from his ferry at Logan's Gap) leading to the Falls of Paint Creek
(passing near where the villages of Decatur and Tranquility are now sit-
uated). Abrajiam Shepherd, surveyor, and John Shepherd and William
Dunlap, reviewers.
A road from Washington up Brush Creek to intersect the Chilli-
cothe and Manchester road was granted upon the petition of Hosea
Moore, Thomas Berkett, William Peterson, Joseph Collier, Daniel Col-
lier, Christian Wood, Henry Moore, George Campbell, Simon Fields,
John Henderson, James Carson, Jacob Tanner, S. Rost, Isaac Wams-
ley, Jr., Isaac Wamsley, Sr., Cornelius Williamson, Samuel Smith, Zeke
Barber, Alex. Barber, Lazaleer Swim, Stephen Beach, Cyny Rusion.
Isaac Wamsley for costs. Philip Lewis, surveyor. Hosea Moore and
Henry Neave, assistants.
At the December session, 1799, the Court appointed Nathaniel
Beasley, surveyor and Samuel Shaw and John Baldwin, assistants, to
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120 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
locate a road from James Holmes' mill on the east fork of Eagle Creek
to the highway leading from the mouth of Thomas' Run to Edwards'
Ferry.
Tl&e Whiskey Road.
In early days the very necessary commodity, whiskey, was scarce,
and to secure plenty of it, in about 1807, a party from^ New Market
started out to cut a road through the woods to near Winchester, where
a German named *Hemphill had a still-house, the fame of which had
spread to the early settlers.
It was on New Year's day, 1807, that a party started from the tavern
of George W. Barrere, in New Market, headed by that gentleman with
his compass and Jacob-stafT to locate the route for the new road. He
was followed by thirty men with axes, and a barrel of Jacob Medsker's
best whiskey on a pole sled drawn by a horse. Several tin cups were
hung on one side of the sled and a side of bacon on the other. A boy
rode the horse and for a saddle sat on a bag, the ends of which were filled
with corn dodgers. A few of the force carried rifles, with which to pro-
cure any game which they should be fortunate enough to meet. Mike
Moore had charge of the barrel and provisions, and carried with him his
fiddle with which he made the camp lively during the evening. The
whiskey barrel was nearly empty in the morning, which proved an in-
centive to the force to be expeditious with their work and reach a new
base of supplies, where a fresh drink could be taken. On the return a
barrel of Hemphill's best was placed on the sled, and the speed being
greater, the larger portion of it returned to New Market. Thereafter
the New Marketers had a sure road for the transportation of their favor-
ite beverage.
At the June session, 1800, William Sprigg, for whom Sprigg Town-
ship was named, and who afterwards became a Supreme Judge of Ohio,
as attorney for Israel Donalson and others, presented to the Court a peti-
tion for a road from the crossing .of Elk Run to intersect the Limestone
road at or near the residence of George or Isaac Edgifigton (near Union
Church, south of Bentonville). This petition is subscribed by George
Rogers, Ezekiel Rogers, Peter Bilber, Richard Roundsavill, John
Rogers, Nathaniel Rogers, John Austin, Wm. L. Kenner, I. Donalson,
William Morrison. John Morrison, Joseph Morrison, John Goodin and
Daniel Henderson.
The following petition for a road from Shoemaker's Crossing of
Brush Creek to Zane's road discloses the fact that Zane's road was as
has heretofore been suggested, so "straightened and amended" as to lose
its identity within a few years after the trace was blazed through Adams
County. This accounts for the many conflicting claims as to its origi-
nal location, by the descendants of those who lived in the county about
the time of the opening of the trace, and who rely upon tradition as the
foundation of their knowledge. "Your petitioners pray that a road may
*The Hemphill farm was near the present village of Newport, on George's Creek, near Its
junction with west fork of Ohio Brush Creek.
The ahove is taken from Williams* History of Highland County, and the George W. Barrere
mentioned was the father of the late Nelson Barrere. a- notice of whom appears in this volume
under the chapter devoted to the Judiciary and Bar of Adams County.
James W. Finley. afterwards a noted divine and missionary to the Wyandotte Indians, was
an associate of Barrere and a frequenter of the har room in his tavern about the period men-
tioned, and was known throughout the settlement, as the *'New Market Devil/'
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PUBLIC ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 121
be established from Shoemaker's Crossing of Brush Creek (near
SprouU's) on the nearest and best course passing Mr. Chapman's, till it
•ntersects Zane's road and thence with the said road straightening it in
many places and making such amendments thereon as may be thought
necessary, to the county line. Your petitioners further pray that a road
may be established from the termination of a road established by the
county of Ross, leading from the Pee Pee town to the line of this county
to intersect the first road asked for at the most convenient place. James
Boyd, Jesse Weatherington, Abram Boyd, Joseph Van Meter, Absalom
Van Meter, Seth Van Meter, Peter Shoemaker, Simon Shoemaker, John
Sample, Jonathan Boyd, Samuel McDermitt, John Shirley, David Mc-
Dermitt, Daniel Collier, William Ogle, Enoch Ogle, Thomas Ogle,
Henry Moore, Jesse Eastburn, Joseph Collier, C. Williamson, Hosea
Moore, Thos. Kirker, William Peterson, Abraham Neff, John Chap-
man, Adam Hatfield, Robert Ellison, James Ellison, Job Denning.
Joseph Eyler, Daniel Collier and Peter Shoemaker, viewers.
This latter road, nine miles in length, was ordered opened two rods
wide at the March session, 1801, and the former, Shoemaker's ford road
fifteen miles in length and four poles v/ide.
At the September session, 1800, the road from the twenty-mile tree
to the Sinking Spring, was surveyed. The road leading from the court
house in Washington to intersect the Manchester and Chillicothe road
was surveyed by Hosea Moore and return thereof to court made and
same read a second lime. Whole distance sixteen miles, and road es-
tablished four poles wide.
At the Decem.ber session, 1800, the following petition was presented
to the Court praying for a road from crossing of Eagle Creek at Logan's
Gap to the Red Oak settlement :
"The Court of General Quarter Session of the Peace, at Washington,
in and for the county of Adams, Territory' of the United States northwest
of the river Ohio,before John Beasley,Moses Baird,Noble Grimes, Joseph
Kerr, Thomas Kirker and John Russell, Esquires, justices assigned to
keep the peace and to grant orders for highways, etc., in the county
aforesaid, we, the undernamed subscribers considering the disadvantages
attending those who travel through Massie Township, and the utility re-
sulting from a good road through said county and township, unanimously
solicit your approbiation and commands in appointing William Steph-
enson, James Espey, and Mills Stephenson, Esquires, to view and make
out from the crossing of Eagle Creek at Logan's Gap, the ground that
shall be thought best and nighest to pass over Red Oak as nigh the river
as high water wil) permit. Pass over our informality unnoticed. Our
country is young, therefore our petitions cannot be polished by the hand
of formality. December 5, 1800. Ignatius Mitchell, William Gregory,
Thos. Espey, Wm.. Stephenson, Gabriel Cox, Mills Stephenson, James
Cresswell, John Thomas, Robert McBride, George McKinney, Samuel
Creswell, John Redmond, Richard Roylston, Newell Redmond, Daniel
Redmond, James Stephenson, Elza Redmond. Survey granted. At
the June session, 1801, said survey was returned by John Smith, Sur-
veyor, and road ordered established from Eagle Creek at Logan's Gap
to crossing of Red Oak ; distance two and one-tenth miles.
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122 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
At this session was read the first time, survey of the road from
Holmes' Mill on the east fork of Eagle Creek to the eight-mile tree on
the highway from Thomas' Run to Edwards' Ferry.
There was also granted at this term of the court a road from George
Edwards' mill on Fishing Gut Creek, passing Col. Gutridge's settlement,
and intersecting Zane's road at a white ash marked three and one-fourth
miles to Ellis' Ferry. James Edvi'ards, Willim Rains, John West,
Francis Jacobs, John Gutridge, Sr., John Gutridge, Jr., Robert Miller,
William Hamilton, John Dillon, George Swisher, William Patterson,
Thomas Roberts, Asabel Brookover, George West, Thomas Justice,
Simon Reeder, John Simpson, William Cornell, William Gollshar, Na-
than Ellis.
A petition for a road to be laid out from Washington to intersect the
road from Manchester to Chillicothe, at or near Killinstown, was filed at
this term subscribed by the following petitioners: John Brown. John
Brown, Jr., Simon Shoemaker, Peter Shoemaker, Thomas Grimes, Laz'l
Swim, James Collins, Jesse Witherington, Stephen Bayless, Patrick Kil-
iin, Joseph Eyler, William Boldridge (Baldridge), Samuel Boldridge,
Ben Piatt, John Boldridge, James Allison, Davison C. Clary, Thomas
Mason, Job Denning, John Killin. Henry Smith, James Miller, Alex.
Barber, Thomas Brown, Laid Furguson.
At the March session, 1801, a petition was filed for alteration of road
from John Treber's to the twenty-seven mile tree on Zane's road.
December session, 1801. Road from Washington to William Dun-
bar's landing opposite Sycamore Creek. James Barritt, Surv^eyor;
James Nailor, David Lovejoy, and Hector Murphy, viewers ; John Barritt,
surveyor; David Bradford, John Ellison and David Leitch, security for
costs.
At same session the road from Ro1)ert Ellison's trace to John Tre-
ber's granted. "Beginning in the road already laid from Manchester
to Adamsville where Robert Ellison's trace leaves the said road at the
forks of Island Creek, thence through the western part of James Collins*
plantation to itersect the Limestone road (Zane's) three miles and fifty
poles from Treber's, the whole distance being five^miles and two hun-
dred and thirty-nine poles." John Beasley, surveyor.
Zane's Traoe front Treber's Tavern to Tod's Crossing*
Zane's road from John Treber's to top of Brush Creek hill was
changed as follows : from Treber's on the highlands to the old Indian
ford of Brush Creek, and thence on nearest and best grounds to intersect
oaain road at the twenty-seven-mile tree.
The survey of this road was granted upon the petition of Peter
Wickerham, John Treber, Joseph Horn, Nathan Ellis, Abraham Shep-
herd, Samuel Swan, William Murfin, James Boyd, Abraham Boyd, Jon-
athan Boyd, William Boyd, Peter Platter, David Honsell, John Milligan,
David Bunnell, James Bunnell, at September session, 1801.
The return of the survey was made on the eighth day of December,
1801, by John Beasley, surveyor; Jacob Treber and John Sample,
chainmen. The road began at the twenty-one-mile tree near Treber's
and thence as follows: North 60 east 60 poles; north 120 poles; north
20 east 734 poles ; north 47 east 66 poles ; north 82 east 60 poles ; north
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PUBLIC ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 123
42 east 106 poles ; north 54 west 34 poles at Tod's old crossing" of Brush
Creek ; north 34 east 194 poles ; north 69 east 46 .poles ; north 33 east
510 poles ; to the said road again at or near the twenty-seven-mile tree.
The whole length of the above mentioned road is six miles ; width estab-
lished, thirty feet.
The Court order and appoint David Edie, John Mehaifey and Ben-
jamin Grace, viewers, and Nathaniel Beasley, surveyor, of a road from
Limestone to county (Clermont) line. James Edwards, John West and
Seth Foster, for costs.
James Naylor, Zed. Markland and Zephaniah Wade, reviewers,
and John Barrett, surveyor, of road from Donalson's Creek to Wash-
burn's Mill. Adam Pennywait, David Lovejoy, and Zeph Wade, for
costs.
Charles Osier, Joseph Stewart, and William Middleton, viewers;
James Stephenson, surveyor, of road from opposite Sutton's Perry at
Limestone to the Buffalo crossings. James Edwards, John West and
George Edwards, for costs.
David Edie, Joseph Washburn, and Parmenus Washburn, viewers,
and Israel Donalson, surveyor, of a road from Manchester to New Mar-
ket. Joseph Darlinton, Nathaniel Beasley, and Needham Perry, secu-
rity for costs.
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CHAPTER XIII.
THE EARLY TAVERNS AND OLD INNS
Tlie First Tayerii at Manoliester— Pioneer Tavern Keepers— A Wayside
Inn— Observations of a Traveler.
There were no settlements made outside the stockade at the Three
Islands in the territory from which Adams County was formed before
the autumn of 1795. But early in the year following the tide of eftni-
gration set in so strong that cabins were erected and clearings were
made along all the principal streams in the interior. The mouth of the
Scioto, the vicinity of Brush Creek Island, Manchester, Ellis' Ferry,
opposite Maysville and Logan's Gap, near the mouth of Eagle Creek,
were the principal gateways through which the pioneers entered this
portion of the Territory. Of these, Manchester at the .Three Islands,
and Alexandria at the mouth of the Scioto were the principal entrance-
ways. And at these towns were opened the first taverns of the county.
They were rude log structures not arranged with the view of contribut-
ing to the comfort of guests, but only for the purpose of furnishing
shelter from the elements, and a simple fare to appease hunger. At
most of these early taverns whiskey was sold, and many of them be-
came the resort of the idlers and rowdies in the vicinity. George Sam-
ple, who settled on Ohio Brush Creek at the mouth of Soldier's Run,
in writing to the Western Pioneer in 1842, with reference to his first
visit to Adams County in 1797, among other things concerning Man-
chester, says:
Tlie First Tavern at Manohester.
"There were fifteen to twenty cabins at Manchester, one of which
was called a tavern. It was at least a grogshop. There were about a
dozen visitors at the tavern, and as the landlord was a heyday, well-met
tippler with the rest, they appointed me to assist the landlady in mak-
^^S ^SS^^S- I ^^s inexperienced in the art, but I made out to suit
them very well. I put about a dozen eggs in a large bowl, and after
beating, or rather stirring the eggs up a little, I added about a pound of
sugar and a little milk to this mass ; I then filled the bowl up with whis-
key, and set it on the table ; and they sat about the table and sipped it
with spoons. Tumblers or glasses of any sort had not then come in
fashion." This tavern was conducted by John McGate, an Irishman, who
with his good wife Katy were noted characters in the pioneer days of
Manchester. The early Court records tell the story of many broils and
fisticuffs at McGate's in which the landlord and landlady were par-
ticipants. One James Dunbar, school-master, seems to have given
much time to the "manly art," in and about this resort from the num-
(124)
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THE EARLY TAVERNS AND OLD INNS 125
ber of "mills" reported to the Court in which he is alleged to have taken
a principal part. In fact the g^and jury report of that day would be
incomplete without the familiar return: "We do present James Dun-
bar and William Hannah for beating and abusing John McGate and
wife." Or, "We do find a bill against Catherine McGate for a breach of
the peace on the body of James Dunbar."
Pioneer Tavern Keepers,
At the sitting of the first Court of Quarter Sessions at Manchester
in 1797, Samuel Stoops, John McGate and Job Denning each petitioned
the Court for a recommendation to the Governor for a tavern license,
and their petitions were granted, "to keep tavern in the town of Man-
chester." At the same time John Pollock was g^ven a recommendation
for a tavern license in the town of Alexandria at the mouth of the Scioto.
In June, 1798, William Keggs and Benjamin Goodin, and in September
of that year, Peter Mowry, were each licensed to keep tavern at Man-
chester. These and Daniel Robbins (residence not known) were the first
licensed tavern keepers in Adams County. As the settlements began to
dot the valleys in the interior, and traces were blazed and roads cut
through the forests to them, "the wayside inns" were opened for the
accommodation of the traveling public. The earliest of these was kept
by James January on the Limestone and Chillicothe road (Zane's Trace)
in the valley just to the west of where West Union now stands, on what
is known as the Swearingen farm. This house was opened in 1798, and
licensed early in 1800. In the latter part of the year, 1798, John Hessler
opened a tavern at Alexandria, and William Faulkner began to enter-
tain travelers at the mouth of Brush Creek. The next tavern in the
interior was that opened by John Trebar in the latter part of 1798 or
early in the year 1799. When George Sample made his first trip over
Zane's Trace in 1797, he noted the fact that but two houses were on the
trace from the vicinity of where West Union now stands to Chillicothe —
Trebar's on Lick Fork, and one at the Sinking Spring, Wilcoxon's. But
neither of these was at that time places of public entertainment. In
1800, David Bradford was licensed to keep a tavern at the town of
Washington, the new county seat; and about the same date Noble
Grimes opened a place of public entertainment there. In this year
George Edgington, father-in-law of William Leedom, who for many
years conducted the house, opened a tavern near Bentonville. Th's
afterwards became one of the noted old inns of the county. It is a
large two-story, hewed log structure, now weatherboarded, and in a
very good state of preservation. It is pleasantly situated among great
spreading elms and locusts, just to the south of Bentonville on the old
Limestone road, and is at present the private residence of Henry Gaffin
who married a granddaughter of William Leedom.
In 1801 a petition was presented to the Court recommending Peter
Wickerham as a "civil citizen and very worthy of the character of inn-
keeper," and that "he lives on such a part of the road as requires some
person to officiate in that capacity." "Granted at four dollars a year."
This was the old tavern so long kept by Mr. Wickerham at Palestine
between Locust Grove and Peebles on the Limestone road, or Zane's
Trace as it was first known. The old brick tavern, the first of the kind
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126 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
in the county, is still standing and is the residence of Jacob Wicker-
ham.
In this year, also, Richard Harrison, at the town of Waterford near
the mouth of Lick Fork, and Joseph Van Meter, at Zane's crossing of
Brush Creek, petitioned for and were granted license to keep houses
of public entertainment at their respective residences.
There was great rivalry among these tavern keepers in the new
towns like Manchester, Alexandria, Washington, Killinstown and
Waterford where two or more taverns were kept, and the landlords
each manifested much bitterness of spirit toward his rivals in business.
As one of many instances illustrative of this fact, the following is cited :
"To the Honorable Court of Adams County : Whereas, a certain
Christian Bottleman, of Alexandria, has for almost two years followed
the practice of selling spiritous liquors by the quart and pint, and of
late by the half pint, I had it in contemplation to inform on said Bottle-
man last court but was unable by sickness, and am so at this time, but I
thought it not improper to make this kind of information; and if the
Court think proper to bring the offender to justice, the fact can be
proved by calling on Joshua Parrish who will be at court, etc. I think
it hard that the said Bottleman should take away the privilege that I
purchased at the rate of seventeen and a half dollars per year." From
your humble servant, William Russell.
"Alexandria, December 5, 1801."
About this date John Scott was keeping tavern also at Alexandria,
and John Killin was licensed as a tavern keeper at Adamsburg, better
known as Killinstown. A few years later the Bradford Hotel at West
Union, The Stone House on Lick Fork, Horn's Hotel at Locust Grove,
and Ammen's near the county line on the "old trace," Sample's on
Brush Creek, Allen's (old stone house) and Treber's on Lick Fork,
became noted stopping places for travelers over the old stage route
from Maysville to Chillicothe. These and some others will be further
noticed in the township histories.
A Wayside Inn.
"As ancient is this hostelry
As anv in the land may be,
Built in the old Colonial day
When men lived in a gprander way,
With ample hospitality ;
A kind of old Bobgoblin Hall
Now somewhat fallen to decay
With weather Htains upon the wall,
And stairways worn, and crazy doors,
And creaking and uneven floors
And chimneys huge and tiled and tall."
"A region of repose it seems,
A place of slumber and of dreams
Hemote among the wooden hills I
For there no noisy railway speeds
Its torch-race scattering smoke and gleede,
But noon and night the panting teams
Stop under the great oaks, that throw
Tangles of shade and light below
On roofs and doors, and window sills*'
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BUll.T UN 25ANE*S TitACB IN 1798
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THE EARLY TAVERNS AND OLD INNS 127
The above view of the old Treber Inn built by John Treber, in
1798, was recently made for this volume. It stands on the left bank
of Lick Fork, fronting the Old Limestone road, about five miles to the
northeast of West Union. The main building is constructed of hewed
logs weatherboarded, while the large kitchen and dining room to the
rear is of stone quarried in the immediate vicinity. With the exception
of Bradford's in West Union, this is the most celebrated of the "old
inns" yet standing. Soon after the erection of this building, there was
swung from a huge post near the highway, the inviting sign — "Trav-
eler's Entertainment" — which swayed to and fro at the caprice of the
winds for more than half a century. This old inn sheltered many dis-
tinguished guests in the days of the old stage line from Maysville to
Wheeling. Here General Jackson and party warmed and refreshed
themselves when he was on his way to be inaugurated President after
his election in 1828. Here Thomas H. Benton, Henry Clay and scores
of prominent characters from the southwest have sipped and praised
"MotherTreber's most excellent coffee" while eating the "finest biscuits
ever baked." *"Mother Treber" as she was familiarly known, was very
proud of the reputation she had acquired of making the "best coffee"
and "finest biscuits" anywhere to be had. On one occasion some noted
guests were present at table, and had purposely refrained from praising
the coffee and biscuits to annoy Mother 'Treber who had bestowed ex-
tra care in the preparation of that portion of the meal. After waiting
for the accustomed word of praise and not having received it, she ven-
tured to remark that the meal was not to her liking and offered some
apology. A g^est more daring than the others replied that the meal
was very satisfactory with the exception of the coffee and biscuits;
whereupon came the impetuous retort "you never tasted finer coffee
nor eat better biscuits, for I prepared them myself."
A few rods to the southeast of this old inn, at the roadside, stands
an elm tree near which it is said Asahel Edging^on was killed by the
Indians in 1793, a full account of which occurrence appears elsewhere
under the chapter devoted to "Adventures and Conflicts with the In-
dians."
Some fifty or sixty rods to the northeast of the house, in a field
near the roadside, is the grave of Zachariah Moon, a member of a Ken-
tucky regiment in the war of 181 2, who died here and was buried by
tiis comrades when returning home after the close of the war.
In 1825 John Treber removed to a farm in the vicinity, and his
son Jacob 'Treber took charge of the old tavern and conducted it until
about the time of the Civil War. William Treber, his son, now resides
here.
Obserrations of a Traveler.
In August, 1807, Dr. F. Cumming, while touring the western
country, traveled afoot across Adams County along the old stage line
from Ellis' Ferry (Aberdeen) to the Sinking Springs; and thence to
Chillicothe. The following interesting notes are taken from his
"Sketches of a Tour :"
"ITiursday, Friday an<l Saturday, I was employed in rambling
about the woods, exploring and examining a tract of land, of a thou-
• wife of Jacob Treber, son of Jobn Treber, the pioneer.
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128 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
sand acres, in the State of Ohio, which I had purchased when in Europe
last year, and which had been the principal cause of my present tour.
As it was only six miles from Maysville, I crossed the Ohio and went
to it on foot. I had expected to find a mere wilderness, as soon as I
should quit the high road, but to my agreeable surprise, I found my
land surrounded on every side by fine farms, some of them ten years
settled, and the land itself, both in quality and situation, not exceeded by
any in this fine country. The population was also astonishing for the
time of the settlement, which a muster of the militia, while I was there,
gave me an opportunity of knowing — there being reviewed a battalion
of upwards of five hundred effective men, most expert in the use of the
rifle, belonging to the district of ten miles square.
"And now I experienced amongst these honest and friendly farmers
real hospitality, for they vied with each other in lodging me at their
houses, and in giving me a hearty and generous welcome to their best
fare. Robert Simpson, from New Hampshire, and Daniel Kerr and
Thomas Gibson, from Pennsylvania, shall ever be entitled to my grate-
ful remembrance. I had no letters of introduction to them, I had no
claims on their hospitality, other than what any other stranger ought
to have; but they were farmers, and had not acquired those contracted
habits, which I have observed to prevail very generally amongst the
traders in this part of the! world.
"On Saturday, I returned to Ellis' Ferry, opposite Maysville, to
give directions for my baggage being sent after me by stage to Chilli-
cothe.
"On the bank of the Ohio, I found Squire Ellis seated on a bench
under the shade of two locust trees, with a table, pen and ink, and sev-
eral papers, holding a Justice's Court, which he does every Saturday.
Seven or eight men were sitting on the bench with him, awaiting his
awards in their several cases. When he had finished, which was soon
after I had taken a seat under the same shade, one of the men invited
the Squire to drink with them, which he consenting to, some whiskey
was provided from Landlord Powers', in which all parties made a liba-
tion to peace and justice. There was something in the scene so primitive
and so simple, that I could not help enjoying it with much satisfaction.
"I took up my quarters for the night at Powers' who is an Irish-
man from Ballibay in the county of Monaghan. He pays Squire Ellis
eight hundred dollars per annum for his tavern, fine farm and ferry.
He and his wife were very civil, attentive, and reasonable in their
charges, and he insisted much on lending me a horse to carry me the
first six miles over a hilly part of the road to Robinson's tavern, but I
declined his kindness, and on Sunday morning, the ninth of August,
after taking a delightful bath in the Ohio, I quitted its banks. I walked
on towards the northeast along the main post and stage road seventeen
miles to West Union, — the country becoming gradually more level as
I receded from the river, but not quite so rich in soil and timber.
"The road was generally well settled, and the woods between the
settlements were alive with squirrels, and all the variety of woodpeckers
with their beautiful plumage, which in one species is little inferior to
that of the bird of Paradise, so much admired in the East Indies.
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THE EARLY TAVERNS AND OLD INNS 129
"I stopped at twelve miles at the house of Squire Leedom, an in-
telligent and agreeable man, who keeps a tavern, and is a justice of the
peace. I chose bread and butter, eggs and milk for breakfast, for which
I tendered a quarter of a dollar, the customary price, but he would re-
ceive only the half of that sum, saying, that even that amount was too
much. Such instances of modest and just honesty rarely occur.
"West Union is three years old since it was laid out for the county
town of Adams County. The lots of one-third of an acre in size, then
sold for about seventy dollars each. There were upwards of one hun-
dred lots, which brought the proprietor above three thousand dollars.
It is a healthy situation, on an elevated plain, and contains twenty
dwelling houses, including two taverns and three stores. It has also a
court house and a jail, in the former of which divine services was per-
forming when I arrived, to a numerous Presbyterian congregation. One
of the houses is well built with stone ; one of the taverns is a large frame
house, and all the rest are formed of square logs, some of which are two
stories high and very good.
"Having to get a deed recorded at the clerk's office of the county,
which could not be done till Monday morning, I stopped Sunday after-
noon and night at West Union, where my accommodation in either
eating or sleeping, could not boast of anything beyond mediocrity.
"Monday the tenth of August, having finished my business and
breakfasted, I resumed my journey through a country but indifferently
inhabited, and at four miles and a half from West Union I stopped for
a few minutes at Allen's tavern, at the request of a traveler on horse-
back, who had overtaken and accompanied me for the last three miles.
He was an elderly man named Alexander, a cotton planter in the south-
west extremity of North Carolina, where he owns sixty-four negro slaves
besides his plantations — all acquired by industry — he having emigrated
from Lame in Ireland in early life with no property. He was now going
to visit a brother-in-law at Chillicothe. He had traveled upwards of
five hundred miles within the last three weeks on the same mare. He
had crossed the Saluda Mountains, and the States of Tennessee and
Kentucky and had found houses of accommodation at convenient dis-
tances all along that remote road, but provender so dear, that he had to
pay in many places a dollar for a half bushel of oats.
"Allen's is a handsome, roomy, well finished stone house, for which,
with twenty acres of cleared land, he pays a yearly rent of one hundred
and ten dollars, to Andrew Ellison, near Manchester. He himself is four
years from Tanderagee, in the County Armagh, Ireland, from whence he
came with his family to inherit some property left him by a brother
who had resided in Washington, Kentucky; but two hundred acres of
land adjoining my tract near Maysville, was all he had been able to ob-
tain possession* of, although his brother had been reputed wealthy. I have
met many Europeans in the United States, who have exeprienced sim-
ilar disappointments.
"My equestrian companion finding that I did not walk fast enough
to keep up with him, parted from me soon after we left Allen's. At two
miles from thence I came to Brush Creek (at Sproull's), a beautiful river
about sixty yards wide. A new State road crosses the river here, but
9a
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130 fflSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
as I had been informed that there was no house on it for ten miles, I
preferred keeping up the bank of the river on the stage road, which led
through a beautiful but narrow unsettled bottom, with Brush Creek
on the right, and a steep, craggy precipice on the left, for a mile and a
half. I then ascended and descended a steep and barren ridge for a mile,
when I forded the creek to Jacob Platter's finely situated tavern and
farm on the opposite bank.
"Having rested and taken some refreshment the growling of dis-
tant thunder warned me to hasten my journey, as I had five miles
through the woods to the habitation. The road was fine and level — ^the
gust approached with terrific warning — one flash, of lightning succeed-
ing another in most rapid succession, so that the woods frequently ap-
peared as in a flame, and several trees were struck in every direction
around me, one being shattered within fifty paces on my right, while the
thunder without intermission of an instant was heard in every variety
of sound, from the deafening burst, shaking the whole atmosphere, to
the long solemn cadence always interrupted by a new and more heavy
peal before it had reached its pause. This elemental war would have
been sublimely awful to me, had I been in an open country, but the
frequent crash of the falling bolts on the surrounding trees, gave me
such incessant warnings of danger, that the sublimity was lost in the
awe. I had been accustomed to thunder storms in every climate, and
I had heard the roar of sixty ships in the line of battle, but I never be-
fore was witness to so tremendous an elemental uproar. I suppose the
heaviest part of the electric cloud was impelled upon the very spot I
was passing.
"I walked the five miles within an hour, but my speed did not avail
me to escape a torrent of rain which fell during the last mile, so that
long before I arrived at the hospitable dwelling of the Pennsylvania
hunter who occupied the next cabin, I was drenched and soaked. most
completely. I might have sheltered myself from some of the storm under
the lee side of a tree, had not the wind, which blew a hurricane, varied
every instant, but independent of that, I preferred moving along the
road to prevent a sudden chill; besides every tree being a conductor,
there is greater danger near the trunk of one, than in keeping in a road,
however, narrow, which has been marked by the trees being cut down.
"My host and his family had come here from the back part of Penn-
sylvania last May, and he had already a fine field of corn and a good
deal of hay. He had hitherto been more used to the chase than to
farming, and he boasted much of his rifle. He recommended his Penn-
sylvania whiskey as an antidote against the effects of my ducking, and
I took him at his word, though he was much surprised to see me use
more of it externally than internally which I did from experience that
bathing the feet, hands and head with spiritous liquor of any sort, has
a much better effect in preventing chill and fever, either after being
wet or after violent perspiration from exercise, than taking any quantity
into the stomach, which on the contrary rarely fails to bring on, or to
add to inflammatory symptoms. A little internally, however, I have
found to be a good aid to the external application.
"I found at my friendly Pennsylvanian's, a little old man named
Lashley, who had taken shelter at the beginning of the g^st, which be-
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THE EARLY TAVERNS AND OLD INNS 131
ing now over, he buckled on his knapsack, and we proceeded together.
He had traveled on foot from Tennessee River, through a part of the
State of Tennessee quite across Kentucky, and so far in Ohio in nine
days, at the rate of thirty-six miles a day. He had assisted in navigating
a boat from Indian Wheeling, where he lived, to Tennessee, for which
he got thirty dollars, ten of which he had already expended on his jour-
neysofarback, though using the utmost economy. He remarked to me,
that although he was upwards of sixty years of age, and apparently very
poor, he had not gotten gratuitously a single meal of victuals in all that
route. Are not hospitality and charity more nominal than real virtues?
"The country for the next five miles is tolerably well improved, and
there is a good brick house which is a *tavem owned by one Wicker-
ham at the first mile, and a mile further is Horn's tavern, where the
stage sleeps on its route to the oortheast to Chillicothe.
"Old Lashley complainingof fatigue, we stopped at Marshon's farm
house, ten miles from Brush Creek, where finding that we could be ac-
commodated for the night, we agreed to stay, and were regaled with
boiled corn, wheaten griddle cakes, butter and milk for supper, which
our exercise through the day g^ve us a good appetite for, but I did not
emjoy my bed so much as my supper, notwithstanding it was the sec-
ond best in the house, for besides it was not remarkable for its clean-
liness, I was obliged to share it with my old companion; fatigue, how-
ever, soon reconciled me to it, and I slept as well as if I had lain down
between lawn sheets.
"Marshon is from the Jerseys, he has a numerous family g^own up,
and is now building a large log house in which he means to keep a
tavern. Three of his sons play the violin by ear — they had two shocking
bad violins, one of which was of their own manufacture, on which they
scraped away without mercy to entertain us, which I would have most
gladly excused, though I attempted to seem pleased and believe I suc-
ceeded in making them think I was so.
The land here is the worst I had seen since I had left the banks
of the Ohio ; it had been gradually worse from about two miles behind
Squire Leedom's, and for the last two miles before we came to Mar-
shon's it had degenerated into natural prairies or savannas, with very
little wood, and none deserving the name of timber, but well clothed
with brush and low coarse vegetation.
"On Tuesday morning the eleventh of August, we arose with the
dawn, and notwithstanding there was a steady smsdl rain, we pursued
our journey having first paid Marshon fully as much for our simple and
coarse accommodations, as the best on the road would have cost, but
our host I suppose thought his stories and his son's music were equiv-
alent for all other deficiencies.
"The land was poor, and no house on the road until we arrived at
Heistand's tavern, four miles from Marshon's, where we met the Lex-
ingfton stage. Heistand is a Pennsylvania German, and has a good and
plentiful house, in a pleasant situation, called the Sinking Springs, from
♦ TtilB bouse Is yet standiog at PalestlDe, and is the present residence of Jacob Wicberbam. a
S*and8on of Jacob Wicberbam wbo erected it In 1800. It was tbe first plastered bulldinff in
dams County.
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132 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
a great natural curiosity near it. On the side of a low hill now in culti-
vation, are three large holes, each about twenty feet deep and twenty
feet in diameter, about sixty paces apart, with a subterranean communi-
cation by which the water is conveyed from one to the other, and issues
in a fine rivulet at a fourth operiing near the house, where Heistand's
milk house is placed very judiciously. The spring is copious and the
water very fine."
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CHAPTER XIV.
COUNTY AFTAIR3
The County BnildiiiS"— ^^o Wil«on Cliildren's Home— Roster of County
Offieial*— Jnstioes of tlie Peaoe of Adams County— Receipts and
Expenditures of the County for the Tear 1824.
There never were any county buildings erected at Manchester, al-
though it was the first seat of justice in Adams County, the first session
of the Court of Quarter Session having convened there September 12,
1797.
Court House and Jail at Adamsville.
At this time there was great rivalry among the new towns for the
location of the county seat, and the Adamsviile people, led by John S.
Wills, succeeded in having the seat of justice removed from Manchester
to that place, where the court convened at the following December ses-
sion. This place was near the site of the present village of Rome, and
renmined the seat of justice for Adams County just one year. There is
no record of there having been a court house built there, but that one
was provided from some source is shown by the fact that John Reed of
that vicinity had Noble Grimes indicted by the grand jury, June, 1799,
foi "wilfully and feloniously taking plank from the court house in
Adamsviile to the value of five dollars." The Court of Common Pleas
had approved plans for a jail there, and the Board of County Commis-
sioners on June 28, 1798, had made a levy on the county to raise funds
to put up the structure, but the county seat soon thereafter being re-
moved to Washington at the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek, the jail was
erected there. This was a log structure and was erected in the spring
of 1799. On the night of December 27, of that year, this jail was
burned by an incendiary. The Board of County Commissioners at their
March session, 1800, offered a rew^ard of $200 for the apprehension of
the person who committed this crime, but he was never discovered.
Public Buildings at Washington.
From the records it appears that Noble Grimes furnished a house for
the use of the Courts and the County Commissioners until the latter part of
the year 1802, when a log court house was erected on grounds after-
wards donated to the county by Thomas Grimes and his wife. We find
that "Noble Grimes was allowed $50 for house rent, wood, candles,
etc., for use of the Courts up to December 12, 1799/' a period of one
year. And as late as December 10, 1803, there is an entry on the
journal of the County Commissioners stating that "Noble Grimes is al-
(133)
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134 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
lowed $io for the use of a house for the court and jurors to sit in, for
firewood, candles, and a man to attend to supply the house with fire,
water, candles, etc."
It is stated in the Adams County atlas that there was a large hewed
log court house, at Washington, with a jail in the lower story. This
house could not have been built earlier than the autumn of 1802. There
is an entry on the court records approving an account of Richard Grimes
for one thousand feet of plank for the court house at Washington. And
another on commissioners' journal allowing an item of five dollars to
Noble Grimes for repairs on court house. It would appear from a
search of the records that the jail at Washington w^s a separate build-
ing from the court house and that the statement in the Adams County
atlas is erroneous. In 1806, after the removal of the county seat to
West Union, Thomas Grimes and his wife Polly deeded to the County
Commissioners "for the use and behoof of the county," inlots numbers
41, 42, 44, 45, 56, 57, 58, and 59, on which the public buildings in the
town of Washington stood. And the said Commissioners "ordered that
the aforesaid lots, the *court house, and the iron of the jail be sold at
public sale on the first Tuesday of August next, giving eighteen months'
credit. The lots probably included what was known as the "jail bounds"
on which the "stray pen" was situated and where certain classes of
prisoners had the privilege of exercising. At March session of the Court
of Quarter Sessions, the prison bounds were altered as follows : "Begin-
ning at the northeast corner of the public grounds ; thence with the said
public grounds and course west thirty-six poles; thence south to the
river Ohio at water's edge : thence up it to the bank of Brush Creek at
water's edge ; then from the beginning east forty poles ; thence south
to the bank of Brush Creek at water's edge and down it to the river bank
at water's edge." These bounds of the jail included several acres of
land lying in the angle formed bv the junction of Brush Creek with the
Ohio River, and besides the uses above named afforded a field of labor
for indigent prisoners.
County Bnildins> At "Wett Union.
West Union became the county seat in 1804. The town was laid
off the week beginning Monday, March igth. There was then but one
building, a log cabin, on the town plat. It had been erected by Robert
McClanahan but not occupied a short time before the platting of the
town. It stood on lot 46, afterwards known as the Lee corner on Main
Street.
The Board of County Commissioners met in this house June 11,
1804, and it is said the *courts met here until the erection of the log court
house in 1805.
The following entry on the commissioners' journal shows clearly
that there was a court house on the Public Square in West Union prior
* The journal of tbe County Oomlssloners contains the following: entries with referenc to
the sale of the public property at Washinfrton :
Auorust 5. 1800. Commissioners met and sold property. Old court house with two lots on which
It stood, and the other six lots in the public square. A.lso plank in the court house, four boxes of
glass, the Iron of the old jail, etc., etc.
September 2, 1806. Robert Simpson (one of the commissioners.) was allowed for cash paid
for whiskey for use of the sale of the public property at the mouth of Brush Creek, fifty cents.
[This was the price of one gallon.— Ed.]
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COUNTY AFi'AIRS 135
to the one erected by Poster and kno\^Ti as the "old log court house."
The order for Joseph Darlinton to sell court house could not have refer-
red to the one at Washington for the credit fixed for that sale was
eighteen months, and the "removal" of the building was for the purpose
of clearing the square for the structure erected by Mr. Foster. :
"West Union, July 2, 1805.
"Ordered that Joseph Darlinton sell to the highest bidder on the
thirteenth inst., the old court house, giving six months' credit, on the
purchaser giving bond and security. Ordered also that the purchaser
of the said court house shall remove the same off the public grounds in
thirty days from the purchase."
The First Court House was erected in 1805. The contract was let
to William Foster at his bid of $709, with Benjamin Sutton, Needham
Perry, and John Thomas as sureties on his bond. The struc-
ture was erected on lot 63 in the Public Square, with the side
facing Main Street five poles from it, and the east end adjoin-
ing Market Street. It was thirty feet long, twenty-four feet
wide and two stories high. It was specified that it should be
built of oak, poplar, walnut, or blue ash logs, eight inches thick and
none less than twelve inches on face. There was an outside stone
chimney with fireplace four and one-half feet wide below and above, on
the north side, and seven feet from the inside of northwest comer. The
lower story was twelve feet in the clear and the upper eight feet, with a
banistered stairway on the north side leading up to it. A door three
and one-half feet wide was in the east end fronting Market Street, and
the bench for the Court was on an elevated platform on the south side of
the lower room. In this room were four windows, two on the south side,
one of which was in the center between the bar and bench, and two in the
west end equal distance from each other. There were four windows
above, two in south side, one in the north side near northeast comer,
and one in the west end near northwest corner suiting the two rooms
in the upper stor>'. The lower windows each had twenty Hghts of glass
and the upper ones twelve each. The windows in court room had double
shutters fastened with iron bolts and bars. The contract specified that
the lower story should be finished by the twenty-fourth day of August,
and the upper one by the fourth of October, 1805. Some of the logs of
this building are now in a dwelling occupied by John Knox just south
of the Presbyterian Church in West Union, on the Beasley Fork pike.'
The First Jail at West Union stood on lot 67, now the site of the
brick dwelling of Miss Sarah Boyle. It stood three rods north from
Main Street with the end fronting Cherry Street and the old Bradford
Hotel. It was a most remarkable structure, of hewed logs, eighteen by
twenty-four feet, and two stories in height. It was 'constructed of two
walls, one within the other, and the space between was filled in with up-
right hewed logs each one foot square. Both the upper and the lower
floors were laid with hewed logs one foot thick, and the partitions be-
tween the rooms of which there were four, two above and two below,
were of logs of that dimension. The door in the east end was made
from two-inch oak plank with upright and cross-bars of heavy iron laid
over it. The windows, of which there were four, were each two feet
square and heavily screened with iron cross-bars. It was erected in
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136 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
1805 by James Brownfield, and cost $590. It was afterwards removed
to the northeast corner of the Public Square, by Morris McFadden, at
a cost of $378, where it stood till 1858.
In 1806 a jailor's house, eighteen feet square, of hewed logs, was
erected south of the jail fronting Main Street on corner of lot 67, and
adjoining the jail.
The Second Court House — In 181 1 the Commissioners of
Adams County let the contract for a new court house at West
Union to Thomas Metcalf, a stone mason, who afterwards be-
came Governor of the State of Kentucky. This* was a stone
structure forty feet wide and forty-eight feet long and two stories
high. It stood to the west and south of the old log court house with the
south side fronting Main Street. Jesse Eastbum and Hamilton Dunbar
were the contractors for the carpenter work, for which they received
$1,156.70. The total cost of the building was $2,830. This building
stood until the year 1876, when the present brick structure was com-
pleted.
The Second Jail was built in 1858 by Henry Rape and George
Moore at a cost of $2,400. It was a two-story structure of brick and
stone, the residence part being of brick, and stood on the Public Square
with the side and front on Cross Street facing the site of the present
Florentine Hotel. It was removed after the erection of the present com-
modious jail in 1895.
The Third Court House, the present brick building in the center of
the Public Square, was completed in 1876. Joseph W. Shinn, of West
Union, was the contractor, in the sum of $17,300. There had been a
renewal of the contest over the county seat question between the citi-
zens of Manchester and the people of West Union, beginning in 1870.
A newspaper called '*The Adams County Democrat" was started at Man-
chester to advocate the removal of the county seat to that place. In
1 87 1 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the voters of the county
to decide the question of removal by ballot. By a majority of 1064 votes
it was decided to retain the countv seat at West Union. On the twen-
tieth of May, 1873-, the commissioners let the contract for the new
building. The Manchester people filed an injunction which was made
perpetual on the grounds that the commissioners had no authority of
law to make contracts exceeding in amount $10,000. Then the citizens
of West Union raised by a corporation tax $3,000 and by private sub-
scription $4,400, which with $10,000 authorized by the County Commis-
sioners, was used to erect the present building. It contains a commo-
dious court room and offices for the county officials.
The Third J.ul — -This is a magnificent building of stone and brick,
costing $25,000, erected in 1895, on the southeast corner of Mulberry and
Cross Streets, fronting Mulberry Strett and the Public Square.
The First Infirmary — On March 5, 1839, the County
Commissioners bought 211 acres of land from George L. Camp-
ton on Poplar Ridge, in Tiffin Township, to be used as the
"County Poor Farm." There were some log buildings with a
frame addition which were used to quarter the county poor until
1859, when the farm was sold to William Morrison and fifty-two and
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COUNTY AFFAIRS 137
one-half acres were purchased for a new site frcMii James McClanahan
in Liberty Township. This Ideation not being satisfactory, the land
was exchanged with George S. Kirker for sixty-six and two-thirds
acres now ocupied by the infirmary buildings near West Union.
The infirmary building is of brick and in its day was substantial
and commodious." The building was completed in 1859 by A. W. Ram-
say, the contractor, at a cost of $7,833. ' William McNeilan was the first
superintendent here and William Shuster is the present incumbent.
George L. Campton was the superintendent from the establishment of
the Infirmary on Poplar Ridge till its location at the present site.
A story used to be related of McNeilan who was a Scotch-Irishman
with a deep brogue, that, at one of his settlements with the Board of Di-
rectors, some of his charges were objected to, one item of $5, in his account
not being clearly specified. After some reflection the superintendent ex-
plained that the item in question was for '*foive days seekin' hogs and
foindin' none."
Tlie 'Wilson Children's Home.
The Wilson Children's Home is located about one-half mile east
of the court house, on the corporation line of the town of West Union,
on the south side of the Cedar Mills turnpike, at its junction with the
West Union and Locust Grove turnpike. The site is a most pleasing
one, affording a fine view of the town of West Union, and of the sur-
rounding country. The- sanitary conditions arc unexcelled, the drain-
age being perfect, and abundance of pure water easily accessible. The
building constructed of brick and native limestone is of modern archi-
tecture and is supplied with every convenience as to heat, light and
ventilation. The grounds, consisting of twenty-five acres of fine farm
land, were donated by the citizens of the town of West Union. The
outbuildings in connection with the house are a laundry, workshop,
bam, ice house, and other domestic buildings pleasantly surrounded
by fine fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. The Home was erected
in the years 1883 and 1884 through the beneficence of Hon. John T.
Wilson, a wealthy citizen of the county, whose biography appears else-
where in this volume. The present value of the premises and appurte-
nances, $75,000. Number of inmates, 80.
History of the Home.
Tranquility, Ohio, March 6, 1882.
To the Commissioners of .A.dams County, Ohio :
Gentlemen : — It is sometimes better for a man to do in his lifetime
that which he may contemplate having done after his death. Hence,
for the purpose of establishing, or aiding the establishment and main-
tenance of a Childrens' Home, on a permanent basis, under the laws of
Ohio, I propose to give to the county of Adams, fifty thousand dollars,
less the sum I have already unjustly paid into the county treasury, under
protest, with interest thereon, together with any further sum I may yet
have to pay at the final termination of a suit now pending in the Su-
preme Court of Ohio, for taxes claimed on account of Indiana assets,
together with costs of attornex^s' fees and incidental expenses; thirty
thousand dollars, to be paid on the acceptance of this proposal, or as
soon thereafter as it mav be needed.
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188 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
The remaining twenty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may
be left to be paid, when I get through resisting the unjust, and, as I be^
lieve, illegal demands of former county officers. It is not my purpose
that any expense shall accrue to the county until the donation herein
named shall first be fully expended.
Very respectfully, J. T. Wilson.
On the tenth of March, W. S. Bottleman and J. R. Zile, members of
the Board of County Commissioners, together with Ex-Sheriff Capt.
John Taylor and J. W. Shinn, County Auditor, by agreement, went to
the little hamlet of Tranquillity for the purpose of consulting Mr. Wil-
son as to his proposed benefit for the orphan children of Adams County.
After fully discussing the matter, it was finally determined to accept and
use said proposed gift for the erection and support of an Orphan Asylum
and Children's Home.
In March of the year following, the Commissioners took up the
proposition to select a site for the Home. The chief competing points
were Winchester, West Union, and Manchester. Mr. W. S. Bottleman,
who resided near the village of Winchester, voted at each ballot for the
site to be near that village. Mr. J. R. Zile, whose residence was near
Locust Grove, in the northern portion of the county, voted as a mattei
of courtesy, at first ballot, for Manchester, and Mr. William McGovney,
whose home was in Sprigg Township, about. half way between West
Union and Manchester, voted at each ballot for West Union; so that
upon taking the second ballot, Zile and McGovney voted for West
Union, and thus fixed the location of the Home at that point.
At this meeting W. A. Blair, business associate of Mr. Wilson, was
appointed a Trustee of the Home for one year, from the first Monday in
March, 1883 ; John A. Laughridge for the term of two years, and Sam-
uel E. Pearson for three years from that date. The Commissioners then
adjourned to meet the Board of Trustees at the Auditor's office, March
iSth. On this day W. A. Blair and S. E. Pearson appeared and ac-
cepted their said trusteeships. John A. Laughridge failing to appear
in person or by letter, Hon. John P. Leedom was then selected as one of
the Board of Trustees.
On the eighth of May, 1883 ,the County Commissioners and Board
of Trustees of the Home adopted the plans submitted by J. W. Yost for
the construction of the Home, and Mr. Yost was employed as architect,
to receive $500 for the plans and draughts in detail, and twenty dollars
for each trip necessary from his office in Portsmouth, Ohio, to West
Union, during the building of the Home. About this time Captain
John Taylor and Auditor J. W. Shinn were appointed to collect the sub-
scriptions of the citizens of West Union for the purchase of the site of
the Home.
June 20, 1883, the bids for the entire structure,except the plumbing
and heating, were opened and found to be as follows :
E. A. Hanna & Alex. Hanna, Dover, Ky $38,000
W. J. Hayslip, West Union, Ohio Z7^777
Gallegher & McCafferty, Fayetteville, Ohio 38,500
Thomas F. Jones, Columbus, Ohio 39iioi
W. T. Wetmore,* Hillsboro, Ohio 29,910
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COUNTY AFFAIRS 139
W. T. Wetmore being the lowest responsible bidder was awarded
the contract. It was stipulated in the contract that the foundation of the
main walls of the structure should be bedded upon solid rock found at a
depth of from five to twelve feet below the surface at the site of the
Home.
On July 28, 1883, Mr. I. G. Brown was appointed by the Joint
Boards of Commissioners and Trustees, superintendent of the work of
building the Home, at a salary of three dollars per diem for actual time.
December 14, 1883, the contract for gas fittings and steam heating,
plumbing, etc., was let to Wetmore and Gallegher at $5,600, to be com-
pleted by November i, 1884.
The building complete was given in charge of the Trustees of the
Home by the County Commissioners, December 5, 1884, and on the fif-
teenth of February, 1885, Col. W. L. Shaw and his wife, Mrs. R. J.
Shaw, were appointed Superintendent and Matron, respectively, of the
Home, and on the ninth of March following, the first installment of chil-
dren was received from the County Infirmary.
Charles T. Downing and wife were elected Superintendent and
Matron, succeeding Col. Shaw, January 16, 1886, and took possession
March 9, of that year. They were re-elected January 5, 1887, for a term
of one year.
W. W. Baird and wife were employed as Superintendent and
Matron, February i, 1888, for the year beginning March 9, 1888. They
tendered their resignations October i, 1888, to take effect from that date,
and W. H. Jordan was appointed until further action thereon by the
Board of Trustees.
December 5, 1888, J. T. Little and wife were employed as Superin-
tendent and Matron, respectively, to fill the unexpired term made vacant
by the resignation of W. W. Baird and wife.
On March 6, 1889, Thomas W. Ellison and wife, of West Union,
were elected Superintendent and Matron for a term of one year, from
March 9, and they have been retained by the Board of Trustees to the
present time.
Besides the Superintendent and Matron, there are employed at the
Home one physician, one teacher, two governesses, one seamstress, two
cooks, one dining-room girl, one engineer, and one teamster.
Since the opening of the Home there have been 382 children ad-
mitted and cared for by the institution, and fifty-eight placed in private
homes, making a total of 440 children cared for by the institution.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
W. A. Blair, Tranquillity, appointed March, 1883.
John P. Leedom (vacancy). West Union, appointed March, 1883.
S. E. Pearson, West Union, appointed March, 1883.
Henry Scott (vacancy, Pearson deceased). West Union, appointed
March, 1884.
J. K. Pollard, West Union, appointed March, 1884.
John P. Leedom, West Union, appointed March 1885.
Dr. J. W. Bunn (Scott resigned), West Union, appointed May 11,
1885.
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140 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
G. W. Pettit (LeedcMTi resigned), West Union, appointed July 7,
1885.
Dr. R. A. Stephenson, Manchester, appointed March, 1886.
M. A. Scott (Pollard resigned), West Union, appointed March,
1886.
S. N. Bradford (Scott resigned), West Union, appointed September
9, 1886.
S. B. Wamsley (Pettit resigned), West Union, appointed March i,
1887.
Samuel McClanahan, West Union, appointed March i, 1887.
R. A. Leach (Stephenson resigned), West Union, appointed June 8,
1887.
Capt. D. W. Thomas, West Union, appointed March, 1888.
Judge I. N. Tolle, West Union, appointed March, 1889.
J. W. McClung (McClanahan resigned), West Union, appointed
March, 1889.
Henry McGovney, West Union, appointed March, 1890'.
Capt. D. W. Thomas, West Union, appointed March, 1891.
Judge I. N. Tolle, West Union, appointed March, 1892.
S. A. McCuUough (Thomas resigned), Tranquility, appointed
March. 1892.
Henry McGovney, West Union, appointed March, 1893.
C. W. Sutterfield, West Union, appointed March, 1893.
W. S. Kincaid, West Union, appointed March, 1894.
Judge I. N. Tolle, West Union, appointed March, 1895.
Grimes J. Nicholson, Manchester, appointed March, 1896.
S. A. McCullough (Sutterfield vacancy). Tranquility, appointed
April 7, 1896.
G. N. Crawford (Tolle vacancy), West Union, appointed April 7,
1896.
S. A. McCullough, Tranquility, appointed March, 1897.
W. S. Kincaid, West Union, appointed March, 1898.
John F. Plummer, West Union, appointed March, 1899.
C. E. Frame (McCullough resigned). West Union, appointed
March, 1899.
ROSTER OF COUNTY OFFICALS.
* Comiiiissionerji.
James Scott, Henry Massie, Joseph Darlinton, all appointed by
Court of Quarter Sessions, March, 1798. First Clerk of Board, Joseph
Darlinton. First meeting held at Adamsville, June 13, 1798.
George Gordon, appointed by court March 29, 1799. James Edi-
son, second Clerk of Board.
George Gordon, fourth and fifth Clerk of Board. James Edison,
appointed March 14, 1800.
Joseph Kerr, third Clerk of Board; resigned November 7, 1801.
Joseph Lucas, appointed March 7, 1801.
*The dates given herein are the dates of the first meetinsr at which the Commiraioners-elect
served. In two or three places the Commissioners-elect are not given every year for the reason
thatthe Journals give no entry of their taking their offloe by reason of their having been re-
elected and still serving continuonsly on the Board.
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COUNTY AFFAIRS 141
John Beasley, appointed December lo, 1801.
John Beasley, appointed June i, 1802.
Needham Perry, appointed March 25, 1803.
First Board elected and qualified June 11, 1804: Moses Baird, long
term ; Robert Simpson, two years ; Nathaniel Beasley, short term. Joseph
Darlinton appointed sixth clerk.
Nathaniel Beasley, appointed November 5, 1804.
Job Denning, appointed November 17, 1806; resigned March, 1814.
1814.
James Baird, appointed December 4, 1809.
James Parker, appointed December 4, 1810.
James Baird, appointed October 30, 1812.
Joseph Neilson, appointed by Court March 29, 1814, to fill vacancy
of Job Denning.
Joseph Moore, appointed December 5, 1814.
James Baird, appointed October 30, 1814.
James Parker, November 9, 1816, was struck off into Brown
County, created by Legislature, 1818. Gabe D. Darlinton appointed
seventh Clerk of Board.
Joseph Moore, October 30, 1817.
James Finley, appointed to fill vacancy of James Parker, June i,
1818, eighth Clerk of Board.
Joseph Curry, October, 181 8.
John Matthews, October 25, 1819. G. D. Darlinton appointed
ninth Clerk of Board.
John Fisher, October 26, 1819.
Aaron Moore, October 30, 1820.
John Means, November i, 1821. James R. Baldridge, Auditor,
became Clerk of Board in 1821 by virtue of office.
Andrew Mclntire, December 3, 1821.
John Sparks, December 2, 1822.
John Lodwick, December i, 1823.
John McClanahan, December 6, 1824.
Samuel R. Wood, William Kirker, both October 15, 1825.
Thomas Kincaid, October, 1827.
John Prather, October, 1828.
Henry Rape, October, 1829.
James Cole, October, 1830.
William Smith, December, 1831.
• Seth Van Metre, December, 1832.
William Kirker, October, 1823.
Jacob Treber, October, 1833.
Richard Noleman, December, 1835.
Elijah Leedom, December 5, 1836.
Asa Williamson, November 10, 1838.
William McVey, December 2, 1839.
R. H. Anderson, December 7, 1840.
William Smalley, December, 1842.
Daniel Burley, December 2, 1844. Died in office.
William T. Smith, December i, 1845.
James McNeil. December 7, 1846.
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142 H1S1X)RY OP ADAMS COUNTY
William Robe, appointed by Court to fill vacancy of D. Burley.
Jesse Wamsley, December 6, 1847. Resigned.
William T. Smith, December 4, 1848.
James McNeil, December 5, 1849.
David C. Vance, appointed February 9, 1850, to fill vacancy of
Jessee Wamsley, resigned.
Christian Bottleman, December 2, 1850.
John Oliver, December, 1851.
John McGovney, December 6, 1852.
Christian Bottleman, December, 1853.
William E. Grimes, December, 1854.
R. S. Daily, December 7, 1857.
Andrew MahafFey, December 6, 1858.
Joseph Spurgeon, February 20, i860.
J. C. Milligan, December i, i860.
Samuel S. Mason, December 2, 1861.
J. R. Stevenson, December i, 1862.
John Pennywitt, December 7, 1863.
Silas Marlatt, December 5, 1864.
John McClanahan, December 4, 1865.
Stephen Reynolds, December 2, 1867.
William B. Gregg, December 7, 1868.
Thomas R. Leedom, December 6, 1869.
Jesse Wamsley, Deceml>er 5, 1870.
John Williamson, December 4, 1871.
John B. Allison, December 2, 1872.
loah Tracy, December i, 1873.
William Treber, December 7, 1874.
Samuel P. Clark, December 6, 1875.
Jacob F .Weaver, December 4, 1876.
Richard Moore, December 3, 1877.
Dugald Thompson, December 2, 1878.
Alexander Stewart, December i, 1879.
W. S. Bottleman, December 6, 1880.
J. R. Zile, December 5, 1881.
W^illiam McGovney, December 4, 1882.
John Martin, December 3, 1883.
J. R. Zile, December, 1884.
Thomas J. Shelton, December 7, 1885.
J. H. Crissman, January 3, 1887.
Mahlon Urton, January 2, 1888.
S. B. Truitt, January 7, 1889.
Robert Collins, January 6, 1890.
P. M. Hughes, January 5, 1891.
Thomas J. Shelton, January 4, 1892.
Robert CoUins, January 2, 1893.
M. H. Newman, January 2, 1894.
F. M. Grimes, appointed January 6, 1896, to fill vacancy of Thomas
J. Shelton to September, 1896, by change in law.
W. D. Early, September, 1895.
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CX)UNTY AFFAIRS 143
R. H. Oursler, appointed January 6, 1896, to fill vacancy of Robert
Collins to September, 1896, by change in law.
J. F. Cornelius, September, 1896.
Darius Dryden, appointed January, 1897, to fill vacancy of M. H.
Newman to September, 1897, by change of law.
R. H. Oursler, appointed June, 1^8, to fill vacancy to November
election, 1898. By contest of election of M. H. Newman, Common
Pleas Court declared neither elected.
F. B. Roush, September, 1898.
Sanford McCullough, elected for Short Term by reason of contest
of Newman and Oursler, and became a member of the Board November,
1898.
J. F. Cornelius, September, 1899.
S. A. McCullough re-elected in 1899 for three years.
Clerks of the Courts.
The Clerks of the Courts under the Constitution of 1802, were ap-
pointed by the Courts for a term of seven years, but before his appoint-
ment, except pro tempore, the applicant was required to produce a
certificate from a majority of the Judges of the Supreme Court that he
was well qualified to execute the duties of the office. If a vacancy oc-
curred at any time, the appointment was made pro tempore until the
proper certificate could be procured and filed. The journals show that
Gen. Darlinton was appointed pro tempore several times. This was be-
cause when his term had expired, he had not secured the necessary cer-
tificate to be filed before his reappointment, and he could not receive the
appointment for the full term until the certificate was filed. As to the
clerkship of the Supreme Court of Adams County, Gen Joseph Darlinton
was the only one who ever held the office. He was appointed at the
first term of the Court in Adams County in 1803, 2i"d held it by successive
a:ppoinitments until his death on August 2, 1851. As the Court expired
September i, 1851, no one was appointed for the twenty-nine days
elapsing between his death and the time when the Constitution of 1851
took effect. As to the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, he was ap-
pointed its first clerk, August 5, 1803. At December term, 1810, he was
appointed pro tempore till the next term, but before the term dosed, his
certificate came to hand, and he was appointed for seven years. At the
December term, 1817, he was appointed pro tempore until March i, fol-
lowmg. At the March term, 1818, it is recited on the journal that he had
produced his certificate from all the Judges of the Supreme Court, and
that he was appointed for seven years. At April term, 1825, April 18, he
was reappointed for seven years. At March term, 1838, he did not have
his certificate ready and was appointed pro tempore. On August 7, 1832,
be was appointed for seven years. August 6, 1839, ^^ was appointed for
seven year^. On August 7, 1846, his time having expired, John M. Smith
was appointed pro tempore till the next term. At September term, 1846,
Joseph R. Cockerill was appointed pro tempore till the next term. On
February 3, 1847, Joseph R. Cockerill was appointed for the full term of
seven years and served until September 23, 185 1, when he rejsigned.
James N. Hook was appointed in his place and served until February
9, 1852, when he took the office by election. The roster is :
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144 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
1803-1846 Joseph Darlinton.
1846 John M. Smith.
1846-185 1 Joseph R. Cockerill.
1851-1854 James N. Hook.
1854-1857 George H. Puntenney.
1857-1859 A. C. Robe (died in office).
1859-1862 WilHam E. Hopkins.
1862-1865 L. E. Cox.
1865-1868 Charles N. Hall.
1868-1874 Joseph W. Shinn.
1874-1880 John P. Leedom.
1880-1886 George W. Pettit.
1886^1892 William R. MehaflFey.
1892-1898 Oscar C. Reynolds.
1898-1901 Oscar C. Reynolds.
Alexander Robe died November 14, 1858. His successor, Wm. E.
Hopkins, was appointed November 16, 1858, and served until December
5, 1859. He was elected in October, 1859, for a full term.
Territorial Clerks: George Gordon, 1797; John S. Wills; Joseph
Darlinton.
Proseontins Attorneys.
Arthur St. Clair, Jr., son of the Governor, who received his ap-
pointment from his father, was the first Territorial Prosecutor. Some-
one, as Jacob Burnett, William McMillan, Francis Taylor, or John S.
Wills, usually prosecuted the many petty oflfenses, for St. Clair, as the
records show. William Creighton, M. Baldwin, William Sprigg,
Thomas Scott, Levin Belt and others acted as prosecutors by appoint-
ment from the years 1800 to 1803, receiving for their services $15 per
term.
The Prosecuting Attorneys were afterwards appointed by the Court
of Common Pl^as. The appointments were made during the pleasure
of the Court. The law of April 13, 1803, gave the appointing power to
the Supreme Court. The act of February 21, 1805, restored it to the
Common Pleas. The law of December 29, 1825, gave the power of ap-
pointing the Prosecuting Attorney to the Common Pleas Court. The
act of January 29, 1833, made the office elective for a term of two years,
and that law continued in full force until t88t, when under the act of
April 20, Vol. 78, Ohio Laws, page 260, the term was changed to three
years. The incumbents, prior to 1833, can only be gathered from the
court journals, and these are in some places obscure. The first elected
Prosecuting Attorney was Samuel Brush, who was elected in October,
1833. As long as the office was appointive by the Court, the allowance
for services was made each term by the Court. Prior to 1808, the
duties of Prosecuting Attorney were in all probability discharged by
some attorney nonresident of the county who traveled the circuit follow-
ing the courts. At November term, 1808, John W. Campbell was allowed
$30 for services as Prosecuting Attorney. He continued to act until
December term, 1810, when Jessup M. Couch was allowed $25 for
services for prosecuting. With this exception John W. Campbell con-
tinued to discharge the duties of the office until the June term, 1817,
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COUNTY AFFAIRS 146
when Samuel Treat was appointed. Campbell was usually allowed
$25 per term for his services, sometimes it was more, but never over
$45. At this same term, June, 1817, John W. Thompson was allowed
$15 for prosecuting in the Supreme Courts. Samuel Treat was
usually allowed $45 per term for his services, there being three terms
each year as now. Treat served until August term, 1820, when Geo. R.
Fitzgerald was appointed. He resigned August term, 1820, and in 1821
Richard Collins was appointed in his place. August term, 1822, Richard
Collins resigned and Daniel P. Wilkins was appointed. He served until
June term, 1826, when George Collings was appointed, and the salary
made $100 per annum. So far as the record shows he continued to act
until 1833, when Samuel Brush was elected. The roster is:
1808-1817 John W. Campbell.
1817-1820 Samuel Treat.
1820-1821 George R. Fitzgerald.
1821-1822 Richard Collins.
1822-1826 Daniel P. Wilkins.
1826-1833 George Collings.
1833-1835 Samuel Brush.
1835-1837 James Keenan.
At October term, 1837, Nelson Barrere wao appointed special Prose-
cuting Attorney.
1837-1838 Nelson Barrere.
1838-1839 Joseph McCormick.
1839-1843 Shepherd F. Norris.
1843, March term, Joseph McCormick was appointed in place of
Norris who had removed to Clermont County. He served until 1845,
,vhen Thomas McClausen was elected.
1843-1845 Joseph McCormick.
1845-1851 Thomas McCauslen.
1851-1853 John K. Billings.
1853-1857 John W. McFerran.
1857-1861 Thomas J. Mullen.
1861-1863 John K. Billings.
1863-1865 Reason T. Naylor.
1865-1867 Thomas Downev.
1867-1869 David Thomas. '
1869-1873 Frank D. Bayless.
1873-1877 John K. Billings.
1877-1879 Henry Collings.
1879-1884 Wm. Anderson.
1884-1890 Philip Handrehan.
1890-1896 Cyrus F. Wikoff.
1896-1899 C. F. McCoy.
1899-1902 C. F. McCoy.
10a
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146 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Coroners.
Laws were passed under the Territorial Government, December 21,
1788, and July 16, 1795, creating the office of Coroner and defining his
duties. Andrew Ellison was the first Coroner of Adams County.
CORONERS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
This office was created by section i, Article VI, of the Constitu-
tion of 1802, and the office was elective for two years. Hence a Coro-
ner was elected every two years from 1803 to 1852. The list of Coroners
in Adams County since 185 1 is as follows:
1852-1856 William Killen.
1856-1858 John D. Hines.
1858-1859 William Leach.
1859-1863 John W. Nelson.
1863-1867 E. Kilpatrick.
1867-1875 John W. Nelson.
1875-1876 William Blake.
1876-1878 William Rvbolt.
1878-1880 William Wade.
1880-1886 John W. Nelson.
1886-1888 Dr. George W. Osborne.
1888-1891 Moses L. Wade.
1891-1893 R. W. Purdy, M. D.
1893-1895 O. W. Robe.
1895-1897 C. W. Edgington.
1897-1899 John M. Brooke.
Skerlffs.
1797-1798 David Edie.
1798-1800 John Barritt.
1800-1803 Nathan Ellis.
1803-1806 John Lodwick.
1806-1810 John Ellison.
1810-1812 John Lodwick.
1812- Samuel Bradford.
1813-1815 Mills Stephenson.
1815-1819 Thomas Mason.
1819-1821 I?*^" Lodwick.
1821-1823 Thomas Kincaid.
1823-1827 John McDaid.
1827-T829 Robert McDaid.
1829-1833 John McDaid.
1833-1837 James Cole.
1837-1841 Samuel Foster.
1841-1845 Fields Marlatt.
1845-1847 William Smith.
1847-1851 Jacob S. Rose.
1851-1855 J. V. Willman.
1855-1857 William Cochran.
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COUNTY AFFAIRS U7
1857-1861 David S. Eyler.
1861-1863 Hazlett Sproull.
1863-1867 John Taylor.
1867-1871 James Thoroman.
1871-1873 Lyman P. Stivers.
1873-1875 John Tavlor.
1875-1879 John K. Pollard.
1879-1883 Henry F. McGovney.
1883-1887 J. Matt Long.
1887-1889 W. Pierce Newman.
1889-1893 Green N. McMannis.
1893-1897 Marion Dunlap.
1897-1899 James W. McKee.
1899-1901 James G. Metz.
Treasurers.
Israel Donalson, 1797 to 1800.
David Bradford, appointed for a year each time from July 6, 1800,
to June 6, 1832. June 4, 1828, he took the office by election for the term
of two years.
James Hood, from June 6, 1832, to June 3, 1844.
Wilson Prather, from June 3, 1844, to September, 1858.
Andrew Small^, from September, 1850, to September, 1854.
George Moore, from September, 1854, to September, 1856.
Robert Buck, frcon September, 1856, to September, 1858.
Thomas Ellison, from September, 1858, to September, 1862.
George Moore, from September, 1862 to September, 1864.
W. R. Duffey, from September, 1864, to September, 1866.
John Duffey, from September, 1866, to September, 1868.
Elijah Leedom, from September, 1868, to September, 1872.
Henry Scott, from September, 1872, to September, 1876.
J. H. Connor, from September, 1876, to September, 1880.
W. B. Brown, from September, iSSo, to September, 1884.
C. W. Sutterfield, from September, 1884, to September, 1888.
W. B. Brown, from September, 1888, to September, 1890.
P. H. Wickerham, from September, 1890, to September, 1894.
John R. Fristoe, from September, 1894, to September, 1898.
H. B. Gaffin, Jr., from September, i898,'to September, 1902.
Auditors.
The office of Auditor was created in 1820.
James R. Baldridge, from March, 1820, to March i, 1824.
Joseph Riggs, from March i, 1824, to October 3, 1831 ; then resigned.
Leonard Cole, October 3, 1831, to March 6, 1832.
Leonard Cole, from March 6, 1832, to March 4, 1844.
A. Woodrow, from March 4, 1844, to March 2, 1846.
Francis Shinn, from March 2, 1846, to March 4, 1850.
Robert Buck, from March 4, 1850, to March 6, 1854.
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148 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Wm. E. Hopkins, from March 6, 1854, to March i, 1858.
Henry Oursler, from March i, 1858, to March 5, i860.
James L. Coryell, from March 5, i860, to March, 1864.
J. N. Hook, from March, 1864, to March 2, 1868.
John L. Swearingen, from March 2, 1868, to November, 1874.
John F. Ellis, from November, 1874, to December 2, 1878.
R. H. Ellison, from December 2, 1878, to November 14, 1887.
J. W. Shinn, from November 14, 1881, to November 14, 1887.
J. W. Jones, from November, 14, 1887, to September, 1888.
H. J. Thomas, from September, 1888, to September, 1894.
Dr. J. M. Wittenmeyer, from September, 1894, to October, 1900.
R. A. Stephenson, from 1900 to —
Probate Judges.
John M. Smith, from March 8, 1852, to February, 1855.
James McColm, from February, 1855, to February, 1858.
John M. Smith, February, 1858, to February, i8i54.
Henry Oursler, from February, 1864, to October, 1865, and resigned.
Joshua Gore, from October, 1865, ^^ November 14, 1866.
George Collings, November 14, 1866, to February 11, 1867.
George Collings, from February 11, 1867, to February 10, 1870.
James L. Coryell, February 10, 1870, to February 14, 1879.
R. W. McNeal, February 10, 1879, to February 13, 1882.
I. N. ToUe, February 13, 1882, to February 9, 1894.
W. R. Mahaffey, February 9, 1894, to February 9, 1897.
J. W. Mason, February 9, 1897, *o March 14, 1898.
J. O. McManis, March 14, 1898, to November 26, 1898.
J. W. Mason, November 26, 1898, to February 9, 1900.
J. W. Mason, from February 9, 1900, to February, 1903.
Recorders.
John Belli, from September, 1797, to October, 1803.
Joseph Darlinton, from October, 1803, to October, 1810.
Samuel Bradford, from October, 18 10, to September, 181 3.
Joseph Darlinton, from September, 1813, to January, 1831.
Joseph Darlinton, from 1831 to 1834.
James Smith, from July, 1836, to October, 1838.
Wilson Prather,' from October, 1838, to October, 1841.
John M. Smith, from 'October, 1841, to August, 1846. Resigned
August 8, 1846.
Robert Buck, from August 8, 1846, to October, 1849.
Henry Oursler, from October, 1849, to 1856.
John T. Treber, from January, 1856, to January, 1859.
W. W. Baird, from January, 1859, ^^ January, 1862.
James T. Thoroman, from January, 18(52, to January, 1865.
John C. Dragoo, from January, 1865, to January, 1868.
W. R. Thoroman, from 1868, to January, 1874. "
J. M. Ellison, from January, 1874, to January, 1877.
James R. Stevenson, from January, 1877, *<> January, 1883.
C. T. Downing, from January, 1883, to January, 1886.
Digitized by
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COUNTY AFFAIRS 149
Leonard Young, from January, 1886, to January, 1889.
William Cooper, Jr., from January, 1889, to January, 1892.
Leonard Young, from January, 1892, to January, 1895.
C. W. Murphy, from January, 1895, to September, 1895.
Leonard Young, from September, 1895, to September, 1898.
J. E. McCreight, from September, 1898, to September, 1901.
Snrreyors.
This office was created by act of April 15, 1803, Chase, Vol. i, Page
368, authorizing the Court of Common Pleas to appoint Surveyors.
This continued the law until March 7, 183 1, when the office became
elective, triennially. (Chase Statutes, Vol. iii, Page 863.) The list is
as follows :
1801-1805 James Stevenson.
1805-1807 • Nathaniel Beasley.
1807-1810 Richard Cross.
1810-1816 Andrew Woodrow.
1816-1818 James Pilson.
1818-1819 Joseph Wright.
1819-1820 Richard Cross.
1820-1822 Andrew Woodrow.
1822 James Criswell.
1823 John Russell.
1824-1826 Andrew Ellison.
1826-1829 Samuel McClanahan.
1829-1833 Richard Cross.
1834-1836 William Robe.
1836-1837 Richard Cross.
C837-1840 Jeremiah Bryan.
1840-1843 Joseph R. Cockerill.
1843-1846 Jeremiah Bryan.
1846-1851 James N. Hook.
1851-1854 Jesse Ellis.
1854-1857 Jeremiah Bryan.
1857-1863 Jesse Ellis.
1863-1869 R. Hamilton.
1869-1874 Jesse Ellis.
1874-1877 Jeremiah Ellis.
1877-1880 A. V. Hutson.
1880-1883 Jeremiah Ellis.
1883-1886 Crevton Re\'nolds.
1886-1887 Capt. Patterson.
1887-1893 A. V. Hutson.
1893-1899 A. S. Doak.
1899-1902 J. H. Butler.
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160
HISTORY- OF ADAMS COUNTY
JttfltieMi of ike Pem«e of Adaig Oovmtj*
JEI^FERSON TOWNSHIP.
James Williams
Hosea Moore
Joseph Collier
John Phillips
Joseph Freeman
Samuel Burkitt
James Williams
Samuel Burkitt
James Williams
Joseph Freeman
Thomas Williams
Joseph Freeman
James Williams
Joseph Freeman
James Williams
Daniel Burley
Joseph M. Walden
John Collier
Daniel Burley
Laban Parks
Aaron Moore
Daniel Burley
Aaron Moore
William K. Stewart
Aaron Moore
William K. Stewart
John Thompson
L. Parks
John Fisher
W. C. Ellis
Jesse Wamsley
Michael Freeman
John Fisher, N. P.
John Fisher
John Fisher
Abraham Forsythe
William Mclntire
W. F. Wamsley
Henry Scott
John Wamsley
Henry Scott
John B. Young
G. M. Freeman
John B. Young
George M. Freeman
John B. Young
George M. Freeman
WHBN qVAJAWlMD
May 22, 1809
WHflH BXPIBD
I812
October 12, 1812
I815
May II, 1815
I818
May 21, 1818
I82I
April, 1819
1822
April 15, 1821
1824
April 18, 1822
1825
March 20, 1824
1827
January 24, 1825
1828
April 22, 1826
1829
January 7, 1828
1830
April 6, 1824
1832
January 18, 1831
1834
April 10, 1832
1835
December 21, 1833
1836
April II, 1835
1838
December 23, 1836
1839
April 21, 1838
I84I
December 18, 1839
18^2
July 15, 1840
1843
October 20, 1841
1844
October 19, 1842
1845
April II, 1844
1847
October 23, 1845
1848
October 26, 1847
1850
April 17, 1848
I85I
October 20, 1849
1852
1851
1854
November 17, 1852
1855
November 6, 1854
1857
October 17, 1855
1858
April 28, 1856
1859
December 3, 1856
1859
October 19, 1857
i860
October 15, i860
1863
October 25, 1861
1864
April 13, 1863
1866
October 27, 1864
1867
October 15, 1866
1869
October 15, 1867
1870
October 18, 1869
1872
October 18, 1870
1873
October 18, 1872
1875
October 22, 1873
1876
October 18, 1875
1878
October 14, 1876
1879
October 14, 1878
I88I
Digitized by
Google
CX)UNTY AFFAIRS
161
Allen Easter
A. D. Singer
William Hill
A. D. Singer
Hosea M. Wamsley
William Hfll
John B. Young
William Hill
E. L. Ellis
William Hill
D. H. Woods
esse O. Grant
illiam H. Johnson
J. W. Webb
William H. Johnson
WamV QUALIVIBD
October 21, 1879
October 18, 1881
October 18, 1882
October 24, 1884
1882
1884
1885
1887
Wi
William Leedom
Aaron Moore
John Ellison
Aaron Moore
John Ellison
John Ellison
Samuel K. Stivers
George Bryan
George Bryan
Joseph McClain
George Bryan
Joseph McClain
John Fisher
Van S. Brady
Van S. Brady
William Dryden
Van S. Brady
! Robert Pence
bhn Bryan
bhn Fisher
ob S. Edgington
ohn Bryan
Henry Y. Copple
John P. Bloomhuff
John Bryan
Richard N. Edgington
David Beam
John Bryan
Michael Roush
William T. Brady
R. N. Edgfington
David Beam
William K. Stewart
October 22, 1885 Resigned, 1887
December, 1885
November 17, 1887
November 17, 1888
November 3, 1891
April 27, 1892
November 8, 1893
April II, 1895
April 30, 1896
April 14, 1898
April 28, 1899
SPRIGG TOWNSHIP.
April 24, 1809
July 21, 1809
July 24, 1809
June 23, 1812
July 20, 1812
May II, 1815
August 8, 1817
May 21, 1818
May 8, 1821
February 13, 1822
May 19, 1824
February 23, 1825
February 20, 1826
April 23, 1827
April 19, 1830
April 10, 1832
April 15, 1833
April II, 183s
November 14, 1835
April 13, 1836
November 7, 1838
November 4, 1839
November 10, 1841
April 9, 1842
October 19, 1842
October 15, 1844
April 19, 1845
November 15, 1845
April 21, 1846
August 17, 1846
November 20, 1847
April 17, 1848
October 20, 1849
n
1890
1891
189s
1895
1896
1898
1899
1901
1902
1812
1812
1812
1815
181S
1818
1820
1821
1824
1825
1827
1828
1829
1830
1833
1835
1836
1838
1838
1839
1841
1842
1844
1845
184s
1847
1848
1^48
1849
1849
1850
1851
1852
Digitized by
Google
162
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
SPRiGG TOWNSHIP — Concluded.
R. N. Edging^on
N. Kimble
James Truitt
L. L. Connor
James Hamer
Isaac Parker
James Truitt
William H. Bryan
Robert Tucker
James Hamer
Robert Tucker
Denton Tolle
Alfred Pence
M. A. Scott
Denton Tolle
Alfred Pence
S. J. Lawwill
Alexander Stewart
Denton Tolle
Harvey Connor
M. A. Scott
Alexander Stewart
Philip Howell
M. A. Scott
J. N. Case
Denton Tolle
M. A. Scott
J. N. Case
Denton Tolle
M. A. Scott
J. N. Case
A. V. Hutson
W. T. Warner
W. H. Vane
W. H. Vane
W. T. Warner
Joseph A. Stewart
Joseph A. Stewart
C. H. Thompson
F. M. Grimes
C. C. Ellis
J. N. Case
J. N. Case
J. N. Case
C J. J. Connell
Joseph Bowman
WHIH QUALOTHD
April 12, 1850
WHEN SZPI
1853
185 I
1854
February 3, 1853
1856
April 15, 1853
1856
October 27, 1853
1856
April 12, 1854
1857
January 26, 1856
1859
October 27, 1856
1859
January 31, 1859
1862
October 17, 1859
1862
January 24, 1862
1865
October 22, 1862
1865
April 10, 1865
1868
October 7, 1865
1868
April 9, 1868
1871
April 9, 1868
1871
October 20, 1868
1871
April 7, 1871
1874
April 7, 1871
1874
April 7, 1871
1874
April 10, 1874
1877
April 10, 1874
1877
April 10, 1874
1877
April 12, 1877
1880
April 12, 1877
1880
April 12, 1877
1880
April 15, 1880
1883
April 15, 1880
1883
April 15, 1880
1883
April 10, 1883
1886
April 10, 1883
1886
April 10, 1883
1886
April 10, 1889
1892
April 12, 1886
1889
April 10, 1895
1898
April 10, 1895
1892
April 10, 1889
1892
April 10, 1895
1898
April 28, 1899
1902
April 12, 1886
i88q
May 3, 1898
1901
April 12, 1886
1889
April 10, 1889
1892
May 3, 1898
1901
April 2, 1895
1898
April 13, 1892
1895
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COUNTY AFFAIRS
153
HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP.
MAMI
James Parker
Wm. Middleton
Mills Stephenson
Wm. Middleton
Mills Stephenson
William Gilbert
Thomas Shelton
Benjamin Sutton
George Edwards
Jeptha Beasley
Mills Stephenson
Jeptha Beasley
Alex. Jolly
James Moore
James Moore
Alex. Jolly
Jeptha Beasley
Nevil Redman
Barrett Ristine
Joseph Westbrook
Abner Ewing
Joseph Westbrook
Abner Ewing
Joseph Westbrook
Robert Baird
Abner Ewing
Joseph Westbrook
Joshua Truitt
Joseph Westbrook
James A. Baird
Joseph Westbrook
David W. Murphy
Joshua Truitt
David W. Murphy
Joseph McKee
Jonathan Kenyon
David W. Murphy
Joseph McKee
Joshua Truitt
Joseph McKee
Thomas G. Lewis
Elisha C. Stout
Joseph C. N. Baird
Archibald Oursler
David W. Murphy
WHBN QUAIilFIXD
August 29, 1809
WHBN BXPIBBD
I812
April 20, 1811
I8I4
August 4, 1812
I815
April 16, 1814
I817
August 26, 181 5
I818
October 19, 1815
I818
May 20, 1816
I8I9
BYRD TOWNSHIP.
September 15, 1809
I812
September 13, 1809
I812
September 19, 1809
I8I3
September 19, 1809
I813
August 4, 1812
I815
August 4, 1812
I815
August 4, 1812
I815
June 30, 181 5
I818
June 30, 181 5
I818
June 30, 181 5
I818
April 9, 1 816
I819
May 19, 1817
1820
GRREN TOWNSHIP.
«
June 14, 1810
1813
November 12, 1810
1813
June 13, 1813
1816
March 9, 1814
1817
March 20, 1816
1819
February 8, 1817
1820
March, 1819
1822
June 7, 181 7
1822
October 22, 182 1
1824
April 18, 1822
1825
October 27, 1823
1826
April 23, 1825
1828
October 20, 1826
1829
April 24, 1828
1831
October 23, 1829
1832
April 26, 1831
1834
October 17, 1832
1835
March i, 1833
1836
April 16, 1834
1837
March 7, 1836
1839
April 15, 1837
1840
April 21, 1838
1841
April 13, 1839
1842
March 10, 1840
1843
April 13, 1840
1843
October 19, 1842
184s
Digitized by
Google
154
HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Jacob S. Rose
John Wikoff
Jacrb S. Rose
Robert Y. Humphrey
John Wikoff
John Collier
John Wikoff
Hai-\ey Hall
A. J. Wikoff
Jacob Rose
A. T. Wikoff
Jacob S. Rose
Allen T. Wikoff
Jacob S. Rose
Luther Collier
James McKinlev
J. S. Rose
James McKinley
James S. Colvin
James McKinley
Elliot H. Collins
W. W. Ellison
F. J. Rideout
Elliot H. ColUns
W. B. Godfrey
Jonathan Tracy
W. W. Ellison
Elliot H. Collins
L. F. Adams
W. W. Ellison
Charles N. Hall
Elliot H. Collins
T. B. Manning
W. W. Ellison
Elliot H. Collins
John H. Rose
Henry Oursler
Elliot H. Collins
W. W. Ellison
F. J. Rideout
Wm. Furtwaugher
F. J. Rideout
F. M. Piatt
Wm. Furtwanger.
J. N. Patton
Wm. Tracy
Darius Dryden
Wm. Tracv
J. W. Drake
rNSHip — Concluded.
WHEN QUALinBD
WHiiif sxn
April lO, 1843
1846
November i, 1845
1848
April 21, 1846
1849
November 20, 1847
1850
October 21, 1848
1851
April 12, 1850
1853
1851
1854
November 17, 1852
1854
October 20, 1854
. 1857
October 17, 1855
1858
October 19, 1857
i860
October 27, 1857
1861
October 15, i860
1863
October 25, 1861
1864
April 13, 1863
1866
April II, 1864
1867
April 13, 1866
1870
April 9, 1867
1870
April 8, 1869
1869
April 18, 1870
1873
April 7, 1871
1874
October 20, 1871
1874
April 16, 1872
187s
April 15, 1874
1877
October 31, 1874
1877
April 9, 1875
1875
April 10, 1876
1879
December 12, 1877
1880
April 6, 1878
1881
April 10, 1879
1882
April 15, 1880
1883
April 9, 1 881
1884
April 14, 1882
1885
April 14, 1882
1885
April 14, 1884
1887
April 18, 1885
1888
December 12, 1885
1888
April 12, 1887
1890
November 17, 1887
1890
April II, 1888
189I
Apirl 10, 1889
1892
April 15, 1891
1894
April 13, 1892
189s
April 13, 1892
1895
April 14, 1894
1894
April 14, 1894
1897
April 10, 1895
i8q8
April 21, 1897
1900
Mav 3, 1898
1901
Digitized by
Google
CX)UNTY AFFAIRS
165
Michael Bevis
John Chapman
Michael Bever
Nathaniel Chapman
Curtiss Cannon
Joseph Carson
Curtiss Cannon
Joseph Carson
John Chapman
Seth Van Mater
Samuel R. Wood
Seth Van Mater
Samuel R. Wood
Seth Van Mater
Francis Warder
Samuel R. Wood
John Eakins
Samuel R. Wood
Samuel R. Wood
Samuel R. Wood
John Eakins
John Oliver
Eleven Phillips
John Oliver
Levin Little
John Oliver
Isaac Wittenmeyer
John Oliver
Isaac Wittenmeyer
Samuel Lewis
Job S. Edgington
Samud Lewis
Thomas Metz
George W. Nixon
Thomas Metz
Joseph Thoroman
George W. Nixon
Joseph Thoroman
George W. Nixon
Joseph Thoroman
G. W. Nixon
Wm. Nevil
Geo. W. Nixon
Joseph Thoroman
George Nixon
Joseph Thoroman
Samuel A. Chapman
David Nixon
Samuel A. Chapman
MEIGS TOWNSHIP.
WHVll QUAUFIBD
June 15, 1810
June 13, 181 1
May 26, 18 13
April 16, 1814
August 26, 1815
April l6, 1817
August 19, 1818
March 20, 1820
April 10, 1821
December 24, 1821
April 23, 1824
December 31, 1824
April 23, 1827
April 23, 1827
April 24, 1828
April 19, 1830
April 19, 1830
April 15, 1833
April 13, 1836
April 13, 1830
April 9, 1842
November 17, 1842
April 19, 1845
October 15, 1845
April 17, 1848
April 17, 1848
August 18, 1849
1851
1852
April 9, 1855
April 28, 1856
May I, 1858
April 12, 1859
April 5, 1861
April II, 1862
April II, 1865
April 9, 1867
April 9, 1868
April 8, 1870
April 7, 1 871
April 14, 1873
April 15, 1874
April 10, 1876
April 12, 1877
April 10, 1879
April 5, 1880
April 14, 1882
April TO, 1883
October 18, 1885
wmm sxpiRBD
813
815
816
814
818
820
821
823
824
823
827
827
830
830
831
833
834
836
839
843
845
84s
848
848
850
851
852
854
85s
858
859
861
862
864
865
868
870
871
873
874
876
877
879
880
882
882
885
886
Digitized by
Google
156
HISTORY OF ADA.MS COUNTY
Wm. P. Newman
J. W. Tillotson
S. A. Chapman ,
David Nixon
John Cline
S. A. Chapman
J. C. Chapman
S. A. Chapman
Dynes Tener
J. C. Foster
S. A. Chapman
Uriah Springer
Wm. Laycock
Peter Shaw
Wm. Laycock
Stephen Reynolds
Joshua Parrish
James Kendall
Adam Kirkpatrick
Adam Kirkpatrick
Robert Morrison
Adam Kirkpatrick
Robert Morrison
Adam Kirkpatrick
Philip Robbins
John Wright
Adam Kirkpatrick
John Wright
Adam Kirkpatrick
Daniel John
Adam Kirkpatrick
Daniel John
Wm. McVey
Wm. Eckman
Samuel Wright
Wm. Eckman
John Kirkpatrick
Silas Mariatt
John Kirkpatrick
Silas Mariatt
Edward Clark
Wm. Eckman
John Kirkpatrick
Wm. Eckman
MKiGS TOWNSHIP — Concluded.
WHSN QUALIFIBD
April 12, 1886
April II, 1888
April II, 1888
April 10, 1889
April 14, 1890.
April 5, 1891
April 13, 1892
November 12, 1894
April 10, 1895
April 21, 1897
April 14, 1898
EAGLE TOWNSHIP.
June 15, 1810
December 12, 1810
April 26, 1813
November 11, 1813
April 9, 1816
August 17, 1816
April 16, 1817
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
July 6, 1810
September 23, 181 3
October 19, 181 5
April 17, 1818
October 29, 1818
April 10, 1821
October 23, 1821
October 27, 1823
April 23, 1824
October 14, 1826
April 23, 1827
April 17, 1829
April 19, 1830
April 10, 1832
Apri! 15, 1833
Octobei 27, 1835
April 13, 1836
October 19, 1838
April 13, 1839
April 21, 1 841
April 9, 1842
April II, 1844
April 19, 1845
October 20, 1846
April 17, 1848
October 20. 1849
WBSN SXPIBB)
1889
1891
1891
1892
1896
1894
189s
1897
i&)8
1900
1901
1813
1813
i8t6
1816
1819
1819
1820
181 J
1816
1818
1821
l82t
1824
1824
1826
1827
1829
1830
1832
1833
1835
1836
1838
1839
1841
1842
1844
1845
1847
1848
1849
1851
1852
Digitized by
Google
COUNTY AFFAIRS
157
WHBN QUAIiDlSD
WHBN EXPIRED
Wm. Mclntire
April 12, 1850
1853
John C. Duffey
1852
1855
Samuel Smith
October 19, 1852
1855
James M. Young
April 15, 1853
1856
W. F. Kirkpatrick
December 21, 1853
Resigned
Samuel Alexander
April 9, 1855
1858
James Cross
April 28, 1856
1859
S. D. Mclntire
January 2, 1857
i860
Wm. Eckman
April 21, 1857
i860
J. C. Cooper
April 13, 1858
1861
S. D. Mclntire
January 9, i860
1863
John C. Cooper
April 5, 1861
1864
S. D. Mclntire
October 22, 1862
1865
Geo. G. Meneley
April 9, 1867
1870
J. C. Cooper
April 9, 1868
1871
A. Kirk
April 8, 1869
1872
David Curran
April 17, 1872
187s
N. S. Williams
April 17, 1872
187s
Craven E. Silcott
April 9, 1875
1878
N. S. Williams
April 9, 1875
1878
ames N. Taylor
April 12, 1877 Resigned
March '78
: . W. Young
April 6, 1878
1881
Restine Robe •
April 6, 1878
1881
Alexander Kirk
April 10, 1879
1882
Samuel J. Finley
April 15, 1880 Resigned Jan. 2, '82
John A. McNeil
January 19, 1882
1885
/ohn Plummer
April 10, 1883
1886
'bhn A. McNeil
April 10, 1885
1888
ohn A. McNeil
' 'hos. P. Kirkpatrick
April II, 1888
1891
April 12, 1886
1889
Thos. P. Kirkpatrick
April 10, 1889
i8Q2
John A. McNeil
April IS, 1891
1894
John A. McNeil
April 14, 18^
i8()7
G. G. Meneley
April 14, 1894
1897
John A. McNeil
April 21, 1897 Died
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
June, 1899
John Barritt
Thos. Lockhart
August 8, 1817
1820
September i, 1818
1822
Isaac Vorhes
May 21, 1820
1823
John Phillips
April 22, 1822
1825
Daniel Matheny
September 22, 1823
1826
John Phillips
April 23, 1825
1828
Charles Stephenson
September 30, 1826
1829
Moses Lockhart
May 19, 1828
1831
Wm. Smith
July 3, 1829
1832
Moses Lockhart
May 22 »83i
1834
John Pennywit
April 10, 1832
1835
Daniel Matheny
November 6, 1832
1835
Digitized by
Google
158
mSTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
MONROB TOWNSHIP — Concluded.
Moses Lockhart
Andrew Livingston
Wm. Stephenson
James Cole
Abraham Perry
James Cole
James V. Willman
John P. Drennan
Wm. Stevenson
Thos. J. Lockhart
James V. Willman
John Devine
Wm. Stevenson
Jacob M. Wells
John Devine
Wm. Stevenson
Caleb Francis
David Dunbar
Thomas Ellison
Elliot H. Collins
John Devine
Elliot H. Collins
David C. Vance
Wm. Evans
John Devine
Christian Mowrer
John Devine
Wm. Stevenson
Wm. Stevenson
James Gray
John Devine
Wm. Stevenson
John Devine
Isaac Stevenson
Leroy J. Smith
Wm. M. Smith
Joseph F. Mitchell
J. L. Howell
Wm. M. Smith
Henry Phillips
Wm. M. Smith
A. D. Fry
Joseph F. Mitchell
A. D. Fry
Wm. M. Smith
E. R. Cummings
A. D. Fry
John C. Baldwin
WHBH ^UALITIBD
May i6, 1831.
April 13, 1836
February 20, 1837
October 19, 1838
December 18, 1839
October 20, 1841
November 17, 1842
April II, 1844
December 11, 1845
August 17, 1846
November 25, 1848
April 12, 1849
1851
1852
October 22, 1853
April 9, 1855
August 30,* 1856
June 3, 1858
September 12, 1859
April 5, 1861
August 3, 1861
April 13, 1864
August 7, 1864
April 9, 1867
August 21, 1867
October 15, 1867
September i, 1870
November 17, 1870
November 14, 1873
November 14, 1873
April 10, 1876
November 11, 1876
April 10, 1879
October 21, 1879
April 15, 1880 Resigned
September 15, 1881
April 14, 1884
October 22, 1885
December 12, 1886
April 12, 1887
November 11, 1889
April 14, 1890
November 12, 1892
April 10, 1893
April 10, 189s
April 30, 189(5
April 14, 1898
April 28, 1899
WHBH BXPIBBD
1837
1839
1840
1841
1842
1844
1845
1847
1848
1849
1851
1852
1854
1855
1856
1858
1859
1861
1862
1864
1864
1867
1867
1870
1870
1870
1873
1873
1876
1876
1879
1879
1882
1882
in 1881
1884
1887
1888
1889
1890
1892
1893
1895
1895
1898
1899
1901
1902
Digitized by
Google
COUNTY AFFAIRS
159
I^IB^RtY TOWNSHIP.
John Kincaid
Wm. Robbins
Wm. Mehaffey
John Kincaid
Wm. Mehaffey
John Kincaid
Wm. Mehaffey
John Kincaid
Richard Noleman
Robert Patton
Robert Patton
Richard Noleman
Rob^t Patton
Thomas Foster
Robert Patton
Richard Noleman
Thomas Foster
John S. Patton
Richard Noleman
Thomas Perry
Thomas Foster
John S. Patton
Wm. P. Cluxton
John L. Francis
John S. Patton
Wm. P. Cluxton
Jos. Washburn
James McKee
James N. Hook
A. Mehaffey
Jas. McClanahan
Mills S. Stevenson
Andrew Mehaffey
Isaac Washburn
A. E. Robe
Wm. R. Frame
R. A. Kirtpatrick
Lias Washburn
A. H Mehaffey
J. R. Mehaffey
A. H. Mehaffey
J. R. Mehaffey
J. R. Mehaffey
"a. S. Brownfield
J. R. Mehaffey
R. M. Askren
Wm. P. Hannah
W. K. Frame
Isaac Washburn
WHBN QUAIilFiaD
April 17, i8i8
April 17, 18 18
October 29, 1819
April 10, 1821
November 5, 1822
April 24, 1828
October 24, 1825
April 23, 1827
April 24, 1828
May 19, 1828
OcCober 24, 1831
April 16, 1834
October 23, 1834
April 15, 1837
January 2, 1838
October 10, 1838
April 13, 1840
October 20, 1840
October 20, 1841
April 9, 1842
April 10, 1843
April 10, 1843
April 19, 1845
April 2, 1846
October 20, 1846
November 20, 1847
April 12, 1849
' October 20, 1849
April 12, 1850
1851
April 15, 1853
April 15, 1853
October 20, 1854
April 9, 1855
April 7, 1856
October 27, 1856
October 19, 1857
April 13, 1858
October 17, 1859
April 5, 1861
October 22, 1862
April II, 1864
April 9, 1867
October 7, 1R65
April 9. 1867
April 9, 1867
October 20, 1868
April 14, 1869
April 18, 1870
WHEH BZPIBXD
I82I
I82I
1822
1824
1825
I83I
1828
1830
I83I
I83I
1834
1837
1837
1840
I84I
I84I
1843
1843
1844
1845
1845
1846
1848
1849
1849
1850
1852
1852
1853
1854
1856
1856
1857
1858
1859
1859
i860
I86I
1862
1864
1865
1867
1870
1868
1870
1870
I87I
1872
1873
Digitized by
Google
160
HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
WBBRTY TOWNSHIP^ — Concluded.
Wm. E. Kirkpatrick
Isaac Washburn
Wm. H. Kirkpatrick
A. W. Kincaid
Isaac Washburn
Wm. H. Kirkpatrick
John R. Mehaffey
Samuel Jackson
Ezekial Pittenger
Isaac Washburn
J. R. Mehaffey
A. H. Mehaffey
John V. Kincaid
A. H. Mehaffey
H. D. Robuck
A. H. Mehaffey
H. D. Robuck
Carey Patton
A. H. Mehaffey
John V. Kincaid
Carey Patton
Jcflin V. Kincaid
G. A. McColm
Carev Patton
G. H. Emerv
WHBN QUALIFIISD
October 20, 1871
October 14, 1873
October 20, 1874
April 9, 1875
April 10, 1876
October 16, 1877
October 16, 1878
April 10, 1879
October 18, 1880
April 9, 183 1
April 9, 1831
April J4, 1884
April 14, 1884
April T2, 1887
April 12, 1887
April 14 1890
April T4 1890
April 18, 1892
April 10, 1893
April 10, 1893
November 12, 1894
April 30, 1896
April 30, 1896
April 14, 1898
April 28, 1899
WABN UCPIftU)
1874
1875
' 1877
1878
1879
1880
I88I
1882
1883
1884
1884
1887
1887
1890
1890
1893
1893
1895
1895
189s
1897
1899
1899
I9OI
1902
Aaron Moore
Thomas McClelland
Aaron Moore
Samuel Dryden
Aaron Moore
Wm. McCormick
Wm. McCormick
Aaron Moore
Wm. McCormick
Aaron Moore
Wm. McCormick
Aaron Moore
Asa Williamson
Lemuel Lindsey
Asa Williamson
Thomas Robbins
Moses Black
David McCreight
Joseph M. Glasgow
David McCreight
Henr>' Moore
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
April 17, 1818
April 17, i8t8
April 10, 1 82 1
April 10, 1821
April 23, 1824
April 23, 1824
May 23, 1825
April 23, 1827
April 24, 1828
April 15, 1830
April 26, 1 83 1
April T5, 1833
April T, 1834
April 15, 1834
April 15, 1837
April 15, 1837
April 21, 1838
April 13, 1840
April 21, 1841
April TO, 1843
April IT, 1844
1821
1821
1824
1824
1827
1827
1828
1830
*83i
1833
1834
1836
1837
1837
1840
1840
1841
1843
1844
1846
1847
Digitized by
Google
CX>UNTY AFFAIRS
161
David McCreight, Jr.
Joseph M. Glasgow
David McCreight
Joseph M. Glasgow
Wm. A. Aultman
Da\'id Gaston
T<rfii] Blair
David Gaston
H. C. Bryan
David Gaston
Wm. Mclntire
David Gaston
Wro. Mclntire
George Campbell
Wm. Mclntire
George Campbell
Wm. Mclntire
George Campbell
I. L. Dodds
I. L. Dodds
George Campbell
Absalom Day
M. V. Williamson
Absalom Day
Alex. McCreight
Absalom Day
M. V. Williamson
T. F. Jeffreys
W. O. Murphy
T. F. Jeffreys
W. S. Miller
L. W. Spargur
I. L. Dodds
WHBH QUAIiimU)
April 21, 1846
April 12, 1847
February 24, 1849
April 12, 1850
April 12, 1852
August 2, 1853
April 9, 1855
April 28, 1856
August 19, 1857
April 12, 1859
October 15, i860
April II, 1862
April 9, 1868
April 9, 1868
April 7, 1871
May 9, 1871
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
o, 1874
o, 1874
2, 1877
5, 1880
5, 1880
o, 1883
o, 1883
2, 1886
2, 1886
o, 1889
o, 1889
3, 1892
April 27, 1892
April 10, 1895
April 10, 1895
April 14, 1898
May 3, 1898
WHBN BXPXBBD
1849
1850
1852
1853
1855
1855
1858
1859
i860
1862
1863
1865
1871
1871
1874
1874
1877
1877
1880
1883
1883
1886
1886
1889
1889
1892
1892
1895
1895
1898
1898
1901
1901
Henry Y. Copple
Jas. N. Brittingham
i;. H. Thomas
James Mott
David Dunbar
David Dunbar
Thomas H. Crusan
David Dunbar
John D. Hines
James W. Bierly
.)a^^d Dunbar
I. C. Doddridge
'\ C. Montgomery
' ames E. Pangburn
lla
MANCHESTltR TOWNSHIP.
1851
1852
April 12, 1854
December 29, 1854
June 12, 1861
April 13, 1864
April 9, 1867
October 15, 1867
October 18, 1869
April 7, 1871
April 10, 1874
November 12, 1877
April 15, 1880
April 17, 1882
1854
1855
1857
1857
1864
1867
1870
1870
1872
1874
1877
1880
1883
1885
Digitized by
Google
162
mSTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP — Concluded.
HAMV
^red W. Bailey
WHBM QUALIFIHD WBBV BXPIKBO
April lo, 1885 1888
John K. Dunbar
May 16, 1885
1888
W. H. Cooley
August 20, 1887
1890
]'. E. Pangburn
November 10, 1890
1893
. M. Lovett
April 7, 1894
1897
T. W. Connolley
April 21, 1897
BRATTON TOWNSHIP.
1900
J. B. Gustin
October, 1883
1886
A. G. Getty
April 14, 1884
1887
J. B. Gustin
November 9, 1886
1889
G. W. Siders
December 8, 1887
1890
r'orter Jackson
November 11, 1889
1892
G. W. Siders
November 10, 1890
1893
. W. Mason
November 21, 1891
1894
; . B. Gustin
April 24, 1894
1897
ohn W. Mason
: . W. Zile
No^rember 24, 1894
1897
April 21, 1897
1900
OLU'ER TOWNSHIP.
James Ciisswell
April 12, 1854
1857
Newkirk Hull
October 20, 1854
1857
John Oliver
December 29, 1854
1857
James Milligan
April 9, 1855
1858
John Oliver
December 30, 1857
i860
J. C. Milligan
April 5, 1861
1864
Henrv Scott
April 13, 1863
1866
H. C: Viers
January 5, 1864
1867
J. C. Milligan
April 11, 1864
1867
John M. Plummer
April 0, 1867
1870
G. H. Viers
April 9, 1867
1870
John Carskaddon
April 8, 1869
1872
R. H. W. Peterson
April 25, 1870
1873
John Carshaddon
April 19, 1872
1875
J. W. :McClung
April 14, 1873
1876
J. T. Trebcr
April 9, 1S75
1878
J. W McClung
April 10, 1876
1879
Daniel Collier
November 16. TS76
1879
ohn Ellison
October 16. 1877
18S0
;. V/. McClung
April TO, TS79
1882
ohn Ellison
November 5, 1880 Res*d Mar.
7/83
T. W. McClung
April 14, T882
1885
C. F. Hall
April 10, 1883
1886
J. W. McClung
April 10, 1885
1888
Jas. C. Milligan
April 12, 1886
T889
J. C. Thompson
April 12, 1887
1889
J. C. Thompson
November 17, 1887
1890
Joseph Thoroman
April 10, 1R89
1892
J. C. Milligan
April 10, T889
1892
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Google
CJOUNTY AFFAIRS
163
NAMB
J, T. Ryan
R. S. Moore
T. P. Kirkpatrick
R. S. Moore
W. D. Colman
W. D. Coleman
R. S. Moore
H. S. McClelland
J. T. Ryan
Wni. McNeill
Samuel Holmes
Jacob Grooms
Rezin T. Fowler
Abraham Evans
Rezin T. Fowler
Thomas Robbins
Richard Ramsey
J. M. Wells
kichard Ramsey
Wm. Moore
Samuel McNeill
Richard Ramsey
Wm. R. Leedom
Richard Ramsey
R. McKune
Thomas Ramsey
R. McKune
Richard Ramsey
Richard Ramsey
W. G. Gilbert
Richard Ramsev
Wm. Albert
William Long
Reuben McKune
Turntr Osborne
Isaac Roberts
Reuben McKune
Richard Ramsey
Reuben McKune
Harrison Massie
George F. Palmer
George F. Palmer
F. M. Wells
Beniamin Hudson
H. T. Massie
John A. Gilbert
H. T. Masie
F. M. Wells
F. M. Wells
WHVH QUALinVD WHBH BZPIRH)
April 14, 1890 1893
April 27, 1892 1895
April 27, 1892 1895
April 10, 1893 1896
April 10, 1893 1896
May 9, 1896 1899
May 9, 1S96 1899
April 27, 1809 1902
April 27, 1899 1902
WINCHESTER TOWNSHIP.
June II, JS38 1841
April 13, 1839 1842
April 13, 1840 1843
April 9, 1842 1845
April 10, 1843 ^^46
April 29, 1845 1848
April 21, 1846 1849
July 18, 1846 1849
April 17, 1848 185 1
August 4, 1849 1852
August 4, 1849 1 85^
1852 1855
April 9, 1855 1858
April 12, 1855 1858
April !3, 1858 1861
April 13, 1858 1861
April 5, 1861 1864
April q, 1861 1864
March 18, 1862 1865
April 10, 1865 1868
April 10, 1865 1868
April 9, 1868 1871
April 9, 1862 1871
April 13, 1S71 1874
May 18, 1871 1874
April 10, 1874 1877
April 10, 1874 1877
December 18, 1876 1879
April 12, 1877 1880
December 17, 1879 • 1882
April IS, 1880 1883
December 18, 1882 1885
April TO, 1883 1886
April 12, 1886 1889
November 9, 1886 1889
April TO, 1889 1892
November 11, 1889 1892
April 13, 1892 1895
November T2, 1892 1895
April 10, T«Q5 1898
Digitized by
Google
164
HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
^RANKUN TOWNSHIP
Wm. Curry
Scth VanMater
George Vinsonhaler
Jonathan Turner
Geo. Vinsonhaler
Seth VanMater
E. U O. Lovett
Seth VanMater
Wm. M. Hays
Seth VanMater
Seth VanMater
Wm. M. Havs
Seth VanMater
R. D. Middleton
E. L. O. Lovett
Joshua Gore
John Copeland
Isaac Kelley
JosHua Gore
G. P. Tener
J. R." Copeland
I Rcid
T. E. Reid
Thomas Beavers
A. Turner
G. W. Nixon
Thomas Beavers
A. Turner
J. T. Copeland
G. W. Ciders
J. T. Copeland
John H. Guthrie
Jacob T. Copeland
M. H. Newman
David S. Eylar
Benjamin Suffran
James Copeland
Philip Leighley
D. S. Evlar .
James Copeland
Tames N. Hook
b. S. Eylar
Jonathan Tener
bavid S. Eylar
James Cooeland
Davis S. Eylar
James Copeland
WHSN QUALinU)
April 24, 1828
WBMvmxn]
1831
April 24, 1828
1831
January 18, 1831
1834
April 15, 1833
1836
February 13, 1834
1837
April 13, 1836
1839
April 15, 1837
1840
April 13, 1839
1842
February 20, 1840
April 13, 1840
1843
1843
December 13, 1842
1845
April 10, 1843
1846
February 4, 1846
1849
December 16, 1848
1852
April 12, 1850
1853
1851
1854
1851
1854
November 25, 1852
185s
April 12, 1854
1857
April 9, 1855
1858
April 21, 1857
i860
April 13, 1858
1862
April 5, t86i
1864
April 13, 1863
1866
A.pril II, 1864
1867
April II, 1864
1867
April 13, 1866
1869
April 0, 1867
1870
April 8, 1869
1872
April 8, 1869
1872
June 16, 1869
1872
April 16, 1872
1875
April 16, 1872
1875
April 10, 1874
1877
April 9, 1875
1878
April 12, 1877
1880
April 6, 1878
1881
April 6, 1878
1881
April 9, 1 88 1
1884
April 9, 1881
)SS4
April 14, 1884
1887
April 14, 1884
1887
October 22, 1885
1888
April 12, 1887
1890
November 7, 1888
1891
April 14, 1890
1893
November 13, 1891
1894
Digitized by
Google
COUNTY AFFAIRS 166
VAMV WHSN QUALIVUD WHBM MXPlKEa
D. S. Eylar April to, 1893 1896
J. P. Jackson April 18, 1894 1897
G. W. Moomaw May 9, 1896 1899
J. H. McCoy April 21, 1897 1900
Receipt* and Ezpenditnres of Adams County, from tl&e Bth. Day of Jnne,
g^ 1824, to tke 6th. Day of Jnne, 1825.
June 30. Received of Daniel Edtniston for tavern license $ 6 00
July 19. Received of William Armstrong for store license^ * 18 479
Joshua Woodrow for store license 10 OO
Peter Cooley for store license 11 2^
William Early for ferry license 2 2&
Sparks and Means for store license 13 479^
David Bradford for tavern license 7 863^
John Young for store license 10 00
William Leedom for tavern license „ 5 616
William Williamson for ferry license 2 00
Isaac Aerl for tavern license 5 616
Curtis Cannon for tavern license 6 616
Joseph Darlinton for ferrv license 2 26
Oct 18. Received of Willis Lee for store permit « 7 94&
20. James Paull & Co. for store license 10 OO
23. Joseph Darlinton, Bsc|., for fines paid to him 81 25
27. John Meek for store license 10 00
Dec 1. Received of Benjamin Bowman for tavern license 6 00
1826.
Jan. 5. Received of John Patterson, collector of the county levy for 1824,
in part of said collection 1,002 28
Jan. 6. Received of John Patterson, collector of the land tax for 1824, the
county's proportion of said tax 219 096
Jan. 6. Received the county's proportion of arrears taxes, and from the
sales of land for taxes, etc « 601 217
Mar. 7. Received of Thomas Kincaid, collector of the county levy for
1821, the balance of said collection 249 476
Mar. 7. Received of John Patterson, collector of the countv levy for
1824, the balance of said collection 261 769
Mar. 7. Received of justices of the peace for fines collected by them,
viz: John Patterson, Esq., $2.00— William Mehaffey, Esq.,
$3.92— Daniel Matheney, Esq., $2.00 7 92
Mar. 12. Received of James McCague for store license 6 068
April 13. Received of John Lodwick, late sheri£F, a fine on Josiah Edson. 1 00
16. Willis Lee for store license 10 00
18. William Russell for store license 17 00
Thomas McCague for store license 17 00
A. Ellison & Co. for store license 14 17
19. Jacob Cox for tavern license 6 00
Wesley Lee ior store license 17 00
Alexander Hemphill for tavern license 6 00
Jonathan Kenyan for ferry license 2 00
21. the securities of Thomas Kincaid, late sheriff, for
several fines collected by him 40 84
22. James Young for a store license 10 00
June 4. Received of Joseph Darlinton, Esq., for fines paid to him 17 00
Total receipts $2,661 41S
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Google
166 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
1 004 Expenditiires— Orders Allowed by tl&e ComatlMloners.
June 8. Paid Levi Smith, lister of Wajme township, for 1824 7 60
Peter Belles, lister of Monroe township, for 1824 7 50
Levi Mattison, lister of Greene township, for 1824 5 00
Lyman Taft, lister of Je£ferson township, for 1824. 8 126
Thomas Kirkpatrick, lister of Scott township, for 1824 12 60
John McClure, lister of Tiffin township, for 1824 16 626
Moses Connell, lister of Liberty township, for 1824..„ 8 75
David Kirkpatrick, lister of Meigs township, for 1814 16 25
Jesse Parham, lister of Sprigg township, for 1824. IS 76
Hamilton Dunbar, appraiser of Tiffin township 2 60
Samuel Dougherty, appraiser of Sprigg towns nip 1 26
the viewers, surveyor, etc., for laying out a road from the
county line on Lower Twin Creek to the Portsmouth
road near Joseph Williams* 9 876
the viewers, surveyor, etc., for laying out a road from the
mouth of Turkey creek to the steam furnace 7 60
John M. Hayslip for keeping court house one year 18 00
Samuel McClenahan for surveying a part of the township
lines 49 76
Oliver C. Collins for selling the contracts for public build-
ings at public auction 1 60
Benjamin Paull for a lock for the jail and sundries . 31 00
Joseph Riggs, for his services as county auditor, from the
Ist of March, 1824. to the 1st of March, 1825 243 667
for postage and stationery for auditor's office 7 75
The following orders were allowed by the County Auditor :
Paid John Long and Daniel Amen for assisting to take and guard
Daniel Mershon to prison $' 4 00
Paid Nashee, & Bailhache for publishing amount of road tax, etc., for
1821 „ 2 00
Paid witnesses in state cases 6 00
Paid Jury fees in state cases 18 00
Paid ProsecutingAttorney at July term, 1824 30 00
Paid Associated Judge at July term, 1824 37 60
Paid Associate Judges at October term, 1824 37 60
Paid Prosecuting Attorney at October term, 1824 33 00
Paid constables for attending on courts and juries „ 18 25
Paid James Miller under the act for his relief. 100 00
Paid Joseph Darlinton, Esq., by order of court, under the act regulating
fees of civil officers for services when the state fails, etc, at 60 dollars
per annum 60 00
Paid John McDaied, Esq., sheriff of Adams county under the act regulat-
ing the fees of civil officers, agreeable to an order of court, at 60 dol-
lars per annum, from the 11th of November, 1823, to the 1st ot June,
1825 93 16
Paid Associate Judges for April term, 1825, and for three called courts.... 67 50
Paid Prosecuting Attorney at April term, 1825 25 00
Paid County Commissioners 60 00
Paid Grand Juries at July and October terms, 1824 76 00
Paid Grand Jurors at April term, 1825 45 00
Paid John McDaied, shen£f, for summoning three grand juries and giving
notice to the township trustees to select jurors for 1825 13 00
Paid Sheriff McDaied for paper furnished the grand jury at July term,
1824 12 60
Paid Jailor's fees for boarding prisoners 19 076
Paid Joseph Darlinton for books and stationery bought by him for
clerks* office 42 376
Paid for books for auditor's office 8 50
Paid constable for returning a list of jurors to the clerks' office 1 925
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CX)DNTY AFFAIRS 167
Paid Ralph M. Voorhees for publiahing delinquent lands, receipts and
expenditures for 18:24, etc 61 25
Paid judges and clerks' for the annual election 38 75
Paid judges who delivered poll books of said election 7 45
Paid for wolf scalps, in conformity with a resolution of the commis-
sioners 87
Paid Curtis Cannon for delivering the poll book of the annual election
in 1823 for Meigs township ^ ^ 75
Paid judges who delivered the poll books of elections for justice of the
peace 6 00
Paid Mathew S. Cook for furnishing copies of surveys, making connec-
tions, and assisting to make map of Adams county ^ 51 68
Paid John Patterson, collector of the land tax and the county levy for 1824
for paper furnished by him to write receipts ^ 1 50
Paid Joseph Darlinton for a book case for the clerks' office purchased by
him ^ 6 75
Paid Joseph Darlinton for drawing a deed from the trustee of the town of
West Union, and for receiving and filing the sheriff's receipt to the
judges of the Presidential election and giving certificates therefor 1 00
Dunbar and Ross on account for repairing the cupola of the court house
and making cells in the jail 25 00
Total expenditures $1,537 572
The balance in the treasury on the eighth dav of June, 1824, was...^. 1.328 242
Amount received from that day to the sixth day of June, 1825, as above... 2,561 418
$ 3,889 66
The amount of orders redeemed at the county treasury in the same time,
including the treasurer's commission $1,974 981
Balance remaining in the treasury on the sixth day of June, 1825 *1,914 679
J. RiGGS, Auditor of Adams County.
West Union, June 13, 1825.
* A proportion of this sum, say 871 dollars, is depreciated bank paper, which has remained on
hand since the year 1810.
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CHAPTER XV.
THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION
Common Pleas Cirovit* and Districts— Common Pleas Jndses— The Cironit
Conrt— The Bar and Judiciary*
The constitution of 1802 divided the State into three districts, in
each of which there was a President Judge of the Common Pleas, elected
by the Legislature for seven years. Three circuits were established by
the Legislature, April 16, 1803, and were as follows:
First Circuit — Composed of the counties of Hamilton, Butler Mont-
gomery, Greene, Warren and Clermont.
Second Circuit — Composed of the counties of Adams, Scioto, Ross,
Franklin, Fairfield and Gallia.
Third Circuit — Composed of the counties of Washington, Belmont,
Jefferson, Columbia and Trumbull.
In 1810, four circuits were made, and the second was composed of
the counties of Ross, Pickaway, Madison, Fayette, Highland, Clermont,
Adams, Scioto atnd Gallia. The circuit so remained until 1816, when six
were created and the second circuit was composed of the counties of
Highland, Adams, Scioto, Gallia, Pike and Ross. This law was amended
in 1817, and Lawrence added to the second circuit. In 1818, seven cir-
cuits were provided for and the second was composed of Highland,
Adams, Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia, Jackson, Pike and Ross. In 1819,
nine circuits were made, and the second was composed of the counties
of Hocking, Pickaway, Fayette, Highland, Adams and Ross. This
remained, so far as Adams County was concerned, until 182 1, when the
second circuit was composed of Hocking, Fayette, Highland, Brown,
Adams and Ross, and so remained until 1825, when the seventh circuit
was constituted of the counties of Butler, Clermont, Brown, Adams,
Highland, Greene and Warren. In 1826, the seventh circuit was com-
posed of Preble, Butler, Adams, Highland, Clinton, Warren and
Greene.
In 1828, the seventh circuit was composed of Butler, Adams, High-
land, Clinton, Warren and Greene. This arrangement continued until
1834 as to Adams County, when the tenth circuit was composed of the
counties of Clermont, Brown, Adams, Highland and Fayette. In 1839,
thirteen circuits were made, but the tenth remained as before. In 1840,
there were fifteen circuits, and the tenth remained as before. This
tenth circuit remained composed of the same counties until 1852 when
the new constitution took effect. Under that, Adams County was placed
in the fifth judicial district. This district and the first subdivision re-
mained the same until April 21, 1896, when Adams County was trans-
(168)
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 16d
ferred to the second subdivision of the seventh judicial district^
composed, as changed, of the counties of Adams, Scioto, Pike, Jackson
and Lawrence.
Common Pleas Jndses in Adams County.
Its first judge under the constitution of 1802 was Willis Silliman^
of Fairfield County, elected April 15, 1803. He resigned some time in
1804, and Governor Tiffin appointed Levin Belt, of Chillicothe, in his
place.
On February 7, 1805, the Legislature elected Robert F. Slaughter^
of Fairfield County, in Belt's place, and on January 9, 1807, removed him
by impeachment. On February 7, 1807, the Legislature elected Levin
Belt. On or before February 10, 1810, Levin Belt gave up the office, but
whether by death or resignation, does not appear, and on that date, John
Thompson, of Ross County, was elected in his place. The next year
John Thompson was impeached on a lot of ridiculous and foolish charges
and was tried and acquitted, and on the eighteenth of January, 1817,
was re-elected by the Legislature.
In January, 1824, Joshua Collett was elected presiding judge of the
second circuit, and served till 1828, when he was succeeded by George
Smith. In 1834, John Winston Price was elected judge of the seventh
circuit and served one term.
In 1841, Owen J. Fishback, of Clermont, was elected judge of the
tenth circuit and served a full term. In 1848, George Collings, of
Adams, was elected and served until he resigned in 1851. The Legis-
lature elected Shepherd F. Norris to fill out the term.
The president judges under the old constitution received a salary
from the formation of the State until 1821 of $750 per annum. From
that until 1852, their salary was $1,000 per annum, paid quarterly.
Shepherd F. Norris was the first judge of the common pleas court
elected by the people, for a term of five years beginning February 9^
1852. He was re-elected in 1857, and served until February 9, 1862,
when he was succeeded by Thomas Q. Ashburh who was elected three
times and served until March, 1876, when he resigned to take the ap-
pointment of one of the Supreme Court Commission. Governor Hayes
appointed Thomas M. Lewis, of Batavia, to succeed him, and he served
until the October election, 1876, when Allen T. Cowen was elected to
serve out the term ending February 9, 1877, and David Tarbell was
elected to take the full term beginning February 9, 1877. In February^
1882, D. W. C. Loudon, having been elected the fall previous, took
Tarbeirs place. He was re-elected in 1887 and served until February
9, 1892, when he was succeeded by Henry Collings, who served until
February 9, 1897, when the constitutional judgeship of the first sub-
division of the fifth district went to John Markley, of Brown County.
On April 9, 1871 (Vol. 68, page 68), an act was passed to make an
additional judge in the three counties of Adams, Brown and Clermont.
There was a special election on the third Monday of May, 1871, and
David Tarbell was elected. He took the office the third Monday in
June, 1871, and served one term of five years.
In the fall of 1876 he was nominated for and elected to the consti-
tutional term as already stated.
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170 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
On April 28, 1877 (Vol. 74, page 483), an act was passed renew-
ing the additional judgeship, which the Supreme Court in State v.
Brown, 38 O. S., had held was but for the one term. In the fall of 1877,
Allen T. Co wen was elected to this office and served for five years from
February 9, 1878. On March 26, 1883 (Vol. 80, page 76), the Legis-
lature provided for an additional judge in the three counties to be elected
in October, 1883, and take his office October 15, 1883. ' Under this act
Allen T. Cowen was elected and served five years. In October, 1888,
he was succeeded by Frank Davis, who was re-elected and served ten
years and until Adams County ceased to be a part of the first subdivision
of the fifth district.
On April 21, 1896 (Vol. 92, page 214), an act was passed which
transferred Adams County from the fifth district and placed it in the
second subdivision of the seventh judicial district. This act took effect
September i, 1896, and from that date, the common pleas judges of
Adams County, were Henry Collings, W. D. James and Noah J.
Dever.
In the fall of 1896, Henry Collings was re-elected, and John C.
Milner elected to succeed Noah J. Dever. Their terms began February
9, 1897. The term of W. Dow James expired February 9, 1899, and
he was succeeded by William H. Middleton, so that at the publication of
this work, Henry Collings, Wm. H. Middleton and John C. Milner
are the common pleas judges of Adams County. A table of the common
pleas judges of Adams County from the foundation of the State to the
present time is as follows:
1803 to 1804 Willis Silliman
1804 to 1805 Levin Belt
1805 to 1807. Robert F. Slaughter
1807 to 1810 Levin Belt
1810 to 1824 John Thompson
1824 to 1828 Joshua Collett
1829 to 1833 George Smith
1834 to 1841 ". John Winston Price
1841 to 1848 Owen J. Fishback
1848 to 185 1 George Collings
1851 to 1852 Shepherd F.' Norris*
Under the constitution of 1851, fifth district, constitutional judges:
1852 to 1862.* Shepherd F. Norris
1862 to 1876 ; Thomas Q. Ashbum
1876 to Thomas W. Lewis
1876 to 1877 Allen T. Cowen
1877 to 1882 David Tarbell
1882 to 1892 D. W. C. Loudon
1892 to 1897 Henry Collings
Additional judges fifth district :
1871 to 1876 David Tarbell
1878 to 1888 Allen T. Cowen
1888 to 1898 Frank Davis
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 171
Seventh district since September i, 1896:
1896-1897 Noah J. Dever
£896-1899 W. D. James
1899-1906 W. H. Middleton
1897-1902 Henry Collings
1897-1902 John C. Milner
Wyliss Silliman
was the first presiding common pleas judge to sit in Adams County after
the State was organized. He occupied the bench from April 15, 1803,
to June, 1804. He was born in Stratford, Connecticut, October 8,
1777, and died in Zanesville, Ohio, November 13, 1842. His wife was
Dora Webster Cass, daughter of Major Cass, and sister of Gen. William
Lewis Cass. He was married to her July 14, 1802. When a young
man, he removed to western Virginia, and, in 1800, edited a paper there,
and was a strong Federalist in the contest between Jefferson and
Adams.
The struggle was too much for him, and he moved to Washington
County, Ohio. He was a member of the first Legislature of Ohio from
Washington County. In that body he was elected presiding judge
of the second circuit, composed of Adams, Scioto, Ross, Franklin, Fair-
field, and Gallia. It was too humdrum a place for him, and he re-
signed in 1804, and located at Zanesville, and was the first lawyer there,
and in the next year, Silliman, Cass, and Herrick were the only resident
lawyers. In 1805, he was appointed register of the Zanesville land
office, and held that until 181 1. In 181 1 he was in the commission to
select the State Capital.
In 1824 he was a candidate for United States Senator, and re-
ceived 44 votes, to 58 for General W. H. Harrison, who was elected.
In 1825 he was in the State Senate, from Muskingum County, and
served one term. In 1826 he was again a candidate for United States
Senator, and received 45 votes, to 54 for Benjamin Ruggles, who was
elected. He was a member of the House from Muskingum County
in 1828 and 1829. From 1832 to 1834 he was solicitor of the Treasury,
appointed by President Jackson.
He was a great natural orator, but his early education was de-
fective. His legal attainments were not of a high order. He was a
gjeat reader, and read everything which came in his way. He was of
no use in a case until it came to be argued. He did not examine wit-
nesses or prepare pleadings, but advocacy was his forte. He was in-
different to his pergonal appearance, and looked as though his clothes
had been pitched on him. He was as sportive and playful as a boy. In
all criminal cases, in breach of promise or seduction cases, he was uni-
formly retained, but it was in the great criminal cases where his power
as an advocate was demonstrated. He was stout and well formed,
above medium height. He had two sons, who came to the bar, and he
had a son-in-law, C. C. Gilbert, a lawyer in Zanesville. He was one
of the distinguished figures of his time.
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172 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
IiOTln Belt
was a practicing lawyer in Chillicothe, under the Territorial Govern-
ment. He was born in England, but the date of his birth has not been
preserved. He was admitted to practice law, and took the oath of
office at Washington, Adams County, March 2, 1802. He was the
first prosecuting attorney of Ross County, and was allowed from $15
to $50 per term for his services. In June, 1804, he was elected presid-
ing judge of the second circuit, in place of Wylliss Silliman, resigned.
He served until February, 1805, when Robert F. Slaughter was elected
to succeed him. On January 9, 1807, Robert F. Slaughter was re-
moved by impeachment, and Levin Belt was elected and succeeded him
February 7, 1807. He served until February 10, 1810, when he was
succeeded by John Thompson. It is said he was a reasonably good
and satisfactory judge of the common pleas, but that he failed as a
practitioner at the bar. From the bench he descended to the mayor-
alty of Chillicothe, and in that office and that of justice of the peace,
he served many years. While he was a justice of the peace, there was
a statute in force forbidding licensed attorneys to appear before justices
of the peace. Soon after this, Mr. Richard Douglas, an attorney of
Chillicothe, appeared before him to arg^e a motion to dismiss a case.
Squire Belt said, "Dick, Dick, don't you know the law? You must
not appear before me. Get behind me and make your speech."
Douglas complied with his order, and got behind the justice and made
his speech.
Mr. Belt was tall, broad-shoulderekl, muscular, without surplus
flesh, dark brown hair sprinkled only with gray, and somewhat ruddy
of complexion. His presence as a justice in the exercise of his office
was awe-inspiring. He removed from Chillicothe to Washington City
in 1828, and died there soon after. The first case submitted to him in
Muskingum County in 1804 was Samuel Connar, plaintiff, against
James Sprague, defendant, in slander. Damages claimed, $500. Ver-
dict for the plaintiff, $300.
Robert F. SlansHtev
was the third presiding judge of Adams County. He was born in Cul-
pepper County, Virginia, in 1770. Of his childhood nothing is known,
but, at the age of seventeen, he came to Kentucky and volunteered as
an Indian fighter. He went to Chillicothe as early as 1796, at the
founding of the city, and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in
Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1799, and began practice there. He seemed to
have traded and trafficked about considerable in lands, as everyone did
at that time, but was a poor manager. In 1800 he purchased a farm
about one and one-half miles south of Lancaster, and made his home
there until his death. He was a merchant at first, but gave up that
business and opened a law office in Chillicothe.
In 1802 he was a candidate from his county for the State Constitu-
tional Convention, but was third in the race.
He was careless about his obligations, and in 1803 and 1804 he was
sued for debts many times. He was elected presiding judge in 1805.
He was elected to the State Senate 1803-1805 from Fairfield County,
February 7, .in place of AVyliss Silliman, resigned. His circuit was
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 173
very large, and his salary very small. He had the second circuit and
had to ride horseback to his appointments. The salary was only $750,
and the creeks were without bridges. There were no ferries, and the
swimming was risky. The judge would miss his courts, and the Leg-
islature determined to make an object lesson of him. Legislatures are
fond of displaying their power, and the one of 1807 was no exception
to the rule. January 8, 1807, charges were filed against him in im-
peachment.
1. He failed to attend the March term, 1805, in Adams County.
2. Failing to attend same term in Scioto County.
3. Failing to attend spring term, 1805, in Gallia County.
4. Failing to attend July term, same year, in Franklin County.
5. Failing to attend fall term, 1805, in Scioto County.
6. Failing to attend fall term, 1805, in Athens County.
7. Failing to attend spring term, 1806, in Highland County.
8. Failing to punctually attend spring term, 1806, in Adams
County.
9. Failing to attend spring term, 1806, in Scioto County.
10. Failing to attend spring term, 1806, in Gallia County.
11. Failing to attend summer term, 1806, in Adams County.
12. Failing to attend summer term, 1806, in Athens County.
13. Failing to attend summer term, 1806, in Gallia County.
14. Failing to punctually attend the fall term of Fairfield County
in 1806.
15. Failing to attend the fall term, 1806, in Franklin County.
Abraham Shepherd, as Speaker of the House, signed the articles.
On January 9, 1807, Hough and McArthur were appointed a committee
to prepare rules to govern the trial. Slaughter appeared in person and
asked two or three days to prepare for the trial. He was granted to
the following Monday to answer. In answer he alleged he was not
charged with any misdemeanor and could not, by law, be bound to
answer. To the first three charges he pleaded ill health. He denied
the fourth, and said he did punctually attend. To the fifth, he said that
after attending court in Adams County, he went to Paris, Kentucky,
to attend to some business, and expected to reach Scioto in time to at-
tend court, but on returning to the Ohio River, at Brook's Ferry,
could not cross. That he went two miles below to be ferried, and, be-
ing impatient, rode into the corn field after the ferryman, and this un-
expected delay, against his will, prevented him from attending the court
until the second day, and there being little business to be done, court
was adjourned. In answer to the sixth, he said he was well acquainted
with the docket, and there was no civil case ready for trial, and not more
than one or two being imprisoned in the county for misdemeanors, and
the court would be obliged to pardon those rather than expose the
weakness of the laws, since their sentence could not be enforced. That
he had applied for a tract of land, for which he had the deposit money,
and was compelled by law to pay the fourth within forty days or forfeit
his application, and was compelled to attend to it. To the seventh, he
stated that he had started from Lancaster, his home, but that his horse
became foundered at Pickaway Plains, and his funds and his salary were
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174 mSTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
not sufficient to buy another. He finally borrowed a horse to ride to
Adams County. He answered the ninth charge that he had only bor-
rowed the horse to ride to Adams County, and could not procure an-
other to go to Scioto County. That he is afflicted with ill health in
the spring, and had the pleurisy, and did not attend the spring term
in Gallia for that reason. That the rivers were high, and he would be
compelled to swim some creeks and ford others, and his health would
not permit it. To the eleventh, he answered that while in Highland
County, his horse broke out of pasture, and he could not be found, and
he was obliged to return to Chillicothe, supposing his horse had gone
that way, but he did not, and he procured a horse of Joseph Kerr, to
ride to Scioto County, on conditional purchase, but the horse was not
able to carry him on to Gallia County if it were to save him from ruin,
and was compelled to trade horses, on which he made the balance of
the circuit. He denied the twelfth charge. His answer to the thir-
teenth was that his farm was advertised to sell, and not having the
money to save it, was obliged to raise it, which he did in time to save
it. He denied the fourteenth charge. To the fifteenth, he answered
that he attended the Franklin term two days, and then obtained the
Associates' consent to be absent the remainder of the term. He was
compelled to return to New Lancaster before going to Ross County in
order to take money to complete the payment for his land before the
court in Ross County would convene. He asked for a continuance
to the first Monday of December next to secure Joseph Kerr, Doctor
Spencer, and George Shoemaker, witnesses. Four only voted in favor
of this. Mr. Brush was admitted as counsel for respondent. Henry
Brush, Jessup M. Couch, Wm. Creighton, Joseph Foos, James Kil-
bourn, Wm. Irwin, and Lewis Cass, witnesses for the prosecution. Re-
spondent read the deposition of Samuel Wilson. Mr. Beecher was
oot-nsel fo the State. The trial began January 26, 1807, and lasted
until the twenty-eighth. On the question of his being guilty of neg-
lect of official duty, the yea vote was: Claypool, Corre, Hempstead,
Hough, Jewett, McArthur, McFarland, Sargeant, Smith, Wood, and
the Speaker, Thomas Kirker. Mr. Schofield alone voted he was not
guilty. On January 29, the respondent was called, but made no an-
swer, though three times solemnly called. The speaker delivered the
judgment of the court, that he had bten found guilty of neglect of duty
and should be removed irom office. His removal did not seem to affect
his health or spirits, Ci* his standing among the people of Fairfield
County, where he re.sided. He served four years as prosecuting attor-
ney. He was elected to the Senate in 1810, from Fairfield, Knox, and
Licking.
He was elected to the House from Fairfield County in 1817, 1819,
and 182T. In 1828 he was elected to the Senate, and re-elected in 1830.
While in the Legislature he voted for the School System and the
Canal System.
He was eccentric and absent-minded, and the story is told of him
that once when plowing, it became time for him to go to the Legisla-
ture. Leaving the plow in the middle of the field, mounting the
horse, with one of his own shoes on and the other off, he rode away. He
was of medium height, dressed plainly, and always wore his hair in a
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 176
queue. He was a Democrat of the old school, a man of great strength
of character, a bold speaker, and a natural orator, and in speaking was
capable of making deep impressions on his audience. His public
record was clear, notwithstanding the Legislature undertook to
blacken it. He once said, "The best rule in politics is to wait until the
other party declares itself, then take the opposite side."
He married a Miss Bond, who was devotedly attached to the
Methodist Church, but he was not a member of any church. Their
children were William, Terencia, Ann, Fields, and Frances, all de-
ceased, and two surviving, Mrs. Mariah Dennison, of Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia, and Thomas S. Slaughter, of Olanthe, Missouri. The judge
survived until October 24, 1846, when he died at the age of 76 years.
He is interred in the country cemetery near his home.
In view of the record of the Ohio Legislature in the matter of im-
peachments under the first Constitution of the State, we do not consider
it any reflection on Judge Slaughter that his impeachment was success-
ful, and had he lived in our day, his answer to the impeachment articles
would have been held good, and any Legislature presenting articles
of impeachment against him, such as are g^ven above, would be deemed
in the wrong.
John Thompson
was the presiding common pleas judge of Adams County, from April 9,
1810, to March 29, 1824. He was a resident of ChilHcothe, Ross County,
Ohio. He located there in 1806 from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
He was elected presiding judge in 1810, re-elected in 181 7, and served
until 1824. His circuit was composed of Fraklin, Madison, Fayette,
Highland, Adams, Scioto, Gallia and Ross. He was a member of the
Presbyterian Church and an elder in it. He was also a total abstainer
from alcoholic drinks. He was an acute lawyer, but narrow-minded,
firm to stubbornness, of considerable reading and of much readiness in
the application of learning, much influenced by his likes and dislikes.
In 1812, he was impeached by the House and tried by the Senate.
The following were the charges exhibited against him :
First. Because he allowed the attorneys but ten minutes to a side
in a larceny case in Highland County and when they objected, said that
if they did not take it, he would allow them but five minuies to a side.
Second. Because he refused to allow an attorney to testify for his
client in a case of usurpation in office, the attorney having offered to
testify.
Third. Because he ordered certain court constables to knock
down certain by-standers with their staves and gave no reason there-
for.
Fourth. Because he allowed a bill of exceptions contrary to the
facts.
Fifth. Because he declared in an assault and battery case that the
attorneys had no right to argue the facts to a jury except with the per-
mission of the Court, and the^ when overruled by his associates, im-
patiently told the jury to go on.
Sixth. Because in a larceny case when the jury came back into
court and wanted to re-examine the witnesses he refused them and sent
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176 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
them back telling them the case was too trifling to take up the time of
the Court.
Seventh. Because he ordered a jury to be sworn in a robbery case,
after they had all stood up and said they had made up their rolnds^ and
they found the defendant guilty without leaving the box.
Eighth. Because he said publicly the people were their own worst
enemies; that they were cursed brutes and worse than brutes.
Ninth. Because at Hillsboro, he had refused to sign a bill of ex-
ceptions and had refused to let an appeal be docketed.
Tenth. Because at a trial at Gallipolis, he had unjustly and arbi-
trarily allowed an attorney but twenty-five minutes for an argument to
the jury, and then when the limit of time was reached, ordered hun to sit
down saying the jury would do justice in the case.
Eleventh. Because at Gallipolis, he ordered the prosecuting attor-
ney not to let any testimony go before the grand jury until he knew
what it was.
Twelfth. Because he said to the grand jury at Circleville that our
government was the most corrupt and perfidious in the world and the
people were their own enemies. That they were devils in men's
clothing.
The trial on these charges took nine days and witnesses were
brought from each county where the transaction occurred. Henry
Baldwin and WylHss Silliman were attorneys for the State and Lewis
Cass, John McLean and Samuel Herrick, for the defense. He was
acquitted on all of the charges by a large majority and was re-elected
by the Legislature in 1817. In 1821 and 1823, billious fevers prevailed
at Chillicothe and many cases were fatal. Many thought the disease
was yellow fever. Judge Thompson had a large family and became
quite fearful of the disease attacking them. Thompson took up the
theory that ammonia destroyed the germs of this fever. Therefore, he
seriously proposed moving his whole family to and living in a tavern
stable, among the horses, during the sickly season. Vigorous protests
from Mrs. Thompson resulted in a compromise, by which the family re-
mained in the mansion, but were required to spend an hour each morn-
ing on the manure pile, to inhale the fumes which arose from it.
Soon after removing from the bench, Judge Thompson removed
to Louisiana, where he purchased a plantation and some negroes.
There he died in 1833. near Fort Adams, just over the line in Mississippi.
Josbna CoUett
was the presiding common pleas judge in Adams County, Ohio, from
March 24, 1824, to March 16, 1829.
He was born in Berkley' County, Virginia, November 20, 1781. He
obtained a good English education and studied law at Martinsburg, Vir-
ginia. At the age of twenty-one, he removed to the Northwest Terri-
tory. He stopped at Cincinnati where he remained a year. June, 1803,
he removed to Lebanon, Ohio. He was modest, diffident arid unassum-
ing, so much so that many predicted he would not succeed as a lawyer.
He traveled in Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Montgomery,
Miami, Greene and Champaign counties and practiced law in each of
them. His knowledge of the law and sound judgment made him a suc-
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 177
ccssful practitioner. In 1807, he was appointed prosecuting attorney in
the judicial circuit in which he resided, and held the office for ten years,
when he was succeeded by his pupil, Thomas Corwin. The diligence,
integrity and ability with which he discharged his office made him widely
known and universally respected. In 1817, he was elected presiding
judge of the common pleas and served for seven years and was re-
elected. In 1824, Adams County was placed in his district and so con-
tinued until he resigned in March, 1829, to accept an election to the
office of Supreme Judge. He served one term until April, 1836, and
then retired to a farm near Lebanon, where he resided until his death.
In 1836 and in 1840, he was on the Whig electoral ticket and voted
each time for General Harrison. He was for seventeen years a memr
ber of the Board of Trustees of Miami University and in that time man-
ifested a great interest in the welfare of that institution.
In 1808, he was married to Eliza Van Home. William R. Collett
was his only son and child.
Judge Collett was a member of the Baptist Church. He was be-
nevolent and kind hearted. His integrity was the crowning glory of his
life. He died August 25, 1855, and is interred at Lebanon, Ohio.
Oeorce J. Smltli.
was president common pleas judge for Adams County, March 16, 1829,
to March 17, 1834. He was bom near Newton', Hamilton County, May
22, 1799. His father came from Powhatan County, Virginia, in 1798,
and died in 1800, leaving his mother a widow with nine children of
which he was the youngest. He qualified himself as a school teacher
and followed that vocation. In April, 1818, he began the study of law
under Thomas Corwin, and was admitted to the bar June 20, 1820. He
began to practice at Lebanon where he always resided.
On April 9, 1822, he was married to Miss Hannah W. Freeman,
widow of Thomas Freeman, at one time a member of the Lebanon bar.
She died March 25 1866.
In 1825, he was elected to the Legislature from Warren County and
re-elected in 1826 and 1827. In 1827, he was defeated for the Legisla-
ture by Col. John Biggers, who sat in that body longer than any other
person since the organization of the State, twenty-two years, and Smith
was defeated by a scratch. In 1829, he was elected presiding judge to
succeed Joshua Collett. This honor was unsought and unexpected by
him. He served seven years, though Adams and Highland were de-
tached from his circuit after he had served five years. He was always
a Whig and was defeated for re-election by one vote. All the senators
and representatives from his judicial circuit, irrespective of party, voted
for him.
In 1836, he was elected State Senator and re-elected in 1838. In
1837, he was elected Speaker of the Senate. In 1850, he was elected to
the Constitutional Convention, and served in that body on the judiciary
comniittee. He was, however, opposed to the Constitution and voted
against its adoption. In 1850, his son, James M. Smith, who is now one
of the circuit judges in the first circuit and has been since 1884, became
J 2a
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178 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX3UNTY
his partner in the law practice. In 1858, he was elected a common
pleas judge and re-elected in 1863. He retired at the close of his sec-
ond term in 1869. He died in April, 1878.
John Winston Price,
was bom dn Hanover County, Virginia, in 1804. He was prepared for
college by a Rev. Blair. At seventeen years, he entered William and
Mary College and graduated with honors four years after. He studied
law in Richmond, Virginia, under the tuition of John Marshall, Chief
Justice of the United States, and was admitted to the bar in that city.
He came to Ohio in 1827 and located in Columbus for the practice of the
law.
In 1830, he married the eldest daughter of Judge John A. Mc-
Dowell, of Columbus. In 1831, he located in Hillsboro and practiced
law with the late Gen. Richard Collins until 1834, when he became pres-
ident judge of the common pleas district composed of Adams, Brown,
Clermont, Highland and Fayette, having been elected the winter pre-
vious. His work was laborious and arduous, but he was an honest and
faithful judge. He retired from the bench in 1841 and gave up the
practice of the law. He was a careful and prudent man in business and
accumulated a handsome fortune. He died March 4, 1865.
Owen T. Fishbaelc
was bom in Fauquier County, Virginia, in the year 1791. His father
was John Fishback who emigrated to Bracken County and settled on
the north fork of the Licking River, not far from Augusta. While rid-
ing one of his father's horses, it became unmanageable and threw him
oflF. The result was the compound fracture of the thigh bone, which
healed, stiffening the knee joint and shortening the leg. This unfitted
him for farm work and he took a position as writing clerk in the office
of Gen. Payne, clerk of Bracken County. By the advice of Martin Mar-
shall, he studied law and was admitted to the bar of Kentucky in about
1810. He then removed to the town of Williamsburg, which was at
that time the county seat of Clermont County, Ohio. Here he met and
married Caroline Huber, a daughter of Jacob and Phoebe Huber. He
was then elected to the Senate of Ohio, serving one term and was in-
strumental in procuring the passage of a law transferring the county
seat from Williamsburg to Batavia, and he moved there and remained
until his death in 1865. He was always an uncompromising Whig, and
was very much chagrined at the defeat of Clay in 1844. He was the
contemporary and personal friend of Senator Thomas Morris, Gen.
Thomas L. Hamer, Thomas Corwin, and practiced law in the circuit
composed of Adams, Brown, Fayette, Highland and Clermont counties.
In 1 84 1, he was appointed judge of that circuit by the Legislature of Ohio
and served seven years. At that time, the judges of the common pleas
court, over which he presided, had the power to grant or refuse licenses
for the retail of intoxicating liquors. He absolutely refused to grant a
license during the seven years he was presiding judge, and for this he
was severely criticised by the keepers of the leading hotels, where he
was compelled to stop while attending court. Things were mq|Ie so
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HON. GHORGK COLLINGS
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 179
unpleasant for him that he was compelled to board at the houses of
private citizens. At the expiration of his term of office in 1848, he was
succeeded on the bench by George W. CoUings, of Adams County. He
resumed the practice of law and in all was fifty years at the bar. He
reared a family of nine children. The eldest daughter married Col. John
W. Lowe, who was killed at Camifax Ferry, while commanding the
Twelfth Ohio Volunteers in the Brigade of Gen. Wilford B. Hager.
The daughter Mary was the wife of Judge Phillip B. Swing, who was
the United States JDistrict Judge for the southern district of Ohio, hav-
ing been appointed to that office by Gen. Grant. His son, George W.
Fishback, was editor and proprietor of the St. Louis Democrat for
twenty years.
John Fishback was, at one time, owner, of the Indianapolis
Sentinel His son, William P. Fishback, was his father's partner in
Ohio until 1857, when he removed to Indianapolis, where he now re-
sides. For some years, he was the partner of Gov. Porter and Gen.
Harrison, and since 1877, ^^^ been master in chancery in the United
States circuit court for the district of Indiana. His youngest son, Owen
T. Fishback, died from a disease contracted in the volunteer service dur-
ing the Civil War. Judge Fishback was one of the ablest lawyers of
his time and coped successfully with such antagonists as Gen. Hamer,
Sr., Thomas Morris, Hanson L. Penn, and David G. D^vore. He was
a model judge and fine advocate and his addresses to court were always
characterized by great earnestness. He was especially strong in cross-
examining an adversary witness. He loved his profession, worked dili-
gently, reared a large family and died poor.
GeoTce Oolllnss.
James Collings, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, was of Welsh ex-
traction, as was his wife, Christiana Davis, of Cecil County, whom he
married February 20, 1780. They began housekeeping in Maryland,
where they lived many years, and were the parents of a large family,
some of the children dying in childhood. They were members of the
Episcopal Church. Christian Davis belonged to the family of Henry
Winter Davis and David Davis, of Illinois, these being brothers* sons.
Their grandfather was Naylor Davis. "Naylor" runs through the family
as a baptismal name.
About the cloise of the century the Collingses, determining to
emigrate in company with several other families, started for their pro-
posed destination. Limestone (now Maysville, Ky.). When near Man-
chester, Ohio, a child of the party dying, they stopped to bury it, and
James Collings and family choosing to stay north of the river, by acci-
dent, became Ohioans.
Mr. Collings bought of Nathaniel Massie 400 acres of land one
mile south of West Union, his heirs adding 100 acres to the purchase.
He died at the early age of forty-eight years. His widow is said to
have been a person of remarkable energy and great force of character,
managing her affairs with ability.
As the years passed, several of the sons and a daughter married
and established homes of their own; Elijah living in Adams County,
William removing to Pike County, where he was afterward elected to
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180 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
the Legislature; James emigrating to Vermilion County, Ind., and
Nancy marrying Mr. James Cole and residing in Adams County. The
family circle was thus narrowed to the widow, two unmarried daugh-
ters, one of whom is remembered as a woman of commanding intellect,
and two sons, the elder, John, a promising young man, was taken off
suddenly by a fever.
George Collings, the youngest son of James and Christian Col-
lings, was bom near West Union, Adams County, Ohio, February 29,
1800. He was a boy whose mind was early awakened to the delights of
learning. His educational opportunities being only such as the county
afforded, he wias largely self-taught. He showed an unconquerable
-^^termination to make a place for himself, and his incessant study of
cooks, as well as of men and events, then beg^n, lasted throughout life.
He knew Latin, read and spoke German (among his books is the Ger-
man New Testament, which he often read in his last long illness), be-
came a practical surveyor (his surveying instruments are still in his sec-
retary), and applied himself closely to other branches of mathematics,
including astronomy. With his mathematical and legal studies, he
developed a talent for practical affairs. . His business ventures were
numerous. As a young man, he was part owner of a general store at West
Union. Later, with Mr. AUaniah Cole, he was interested in a furnace in
Eastern Kentucky; was a member of a queensware firm in Maysville,
Ky. ; a stockholder in an iron company in Cincinnati; a depositor for
years in the LaFayette Bank, in the same city ; was a shareholder in the
Maysville and Zanesville Turnpike Company. Besides several small
tracts of land in Adams County, Mr. Collings had a farm of 400 acres on
the Ohio River, lots in the town of Manchester, a farm of 342 acres in
Highland County, real estate in Hillsborough, Cincinnati, Covington,
Ky., Maysville, Ky., a tract of 1,000 acres in Iroquois County, Illinois,
and lots in Middleport, same county. He erected three substantial
houses — one in West Union, one seven miles east of Manchester, and
one in Manchester.
Mr. Collings studied law in West Union, probably with Daniel P.
Wilkins. He was admitted to practice at that place May ,25, 1824. He
afterward was appointed prosecuting attorney, and was elected to the
Legislature of his native county. In later years he was elected to the
Legislature from Highland County. About 1835 he became a resident
of the latter county, living at Hillsboro several years and practicing his
profession.
At this time of his life, Mr. Collings was a marked social figure.
In person he was five feet nine inches in height, very spare, with delicate
feet and hands, very dark hair, gray eyes, and a pale complexion. These
advantages, with a high-bred manner, exquisitely neat attire, and a
large reserve of keen, quiet humor, made him the center of a company.
He was extremely fond of music, singing by note, and when a young
man, playing the flute. From native gifts and systematic cultivation,
Mr. Collings possessed a style of writing, strong and clear, there be-
ing no superfluous words in his manuscripts. The mechanical part
was beautifully done. In looking over scores of papers signed by him,
one does not meet a blot, an erasure, an error in spelling "or in grammar,
a false capital, or anything to mar the production.
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 181
Mr. ColUngs was a charming letter writer. His keen insight, deli-
cate humor, and wide information, having here scope, made his letters
delightful.
The few chance letters remaining of his large correspondence are
full of quaint and superior touches. When young, addressing a friend
from New Orleans, he is shocked at the general wickedness of the city,.
by the slaves working on Sunday, etc., and opens by saying, "there are
doubts resting on my mind concerning two points : First, could three
righteous men save such a city? Second, could three righteous men be
found in this city?" and proceeds to describe the February sunshine
flooding the southern city, while it was bleak when he had left the north
a short time before. Among his effects are autograph letters from
those who were or subsequently became men of influence, as Philip B.
Swing, Durbin Ward, W. H. Wordsworth, John A. Smith, Richard Col-
lins, Nelson Barrere, Allen G. Thurman, J. H. Thompson, the Trimbles,
and others.
In January, 1848, Mr. Collings was elected by the Legislature
judge of the tenth judicial circuit, which included the counties of High-
land, Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Fayette, and remained in office
until June 30, 1851, when his resignation was accepted. He resigned
his office on account of domestic misfortunes. He was a member of
the convention to revise the State Constitution in 1851. Some time
before this, owing to the continued ill health of his family, he had taken
a resolution to remove to his Ohio River farm, which he did in 1852.
He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church about this time, and
built a chapel within a mile of his home, which the church gave him the
privilege of naming. He called it "Collins Chapel" for the Rev. John
Collins, a celebrated pioneer preacher and circuit rider of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and the father of his dear friend. Col. Richard Col-
lins, and Mrs. Nathaniel Massie, the latter of whom lived many years in
Adams County, and whom Judge Collings visited once a year as long as
his health permitted. The people of the community where he lived,
not distinguishing between the names of "Collings" and "Collins,"
thought that the judge had named the chapel for himself, which al-
ways amused him and caused him many a quiet smile. He was a lay
delegate to the general conference of his church in 1856, sitting in
Indianapolis. In 1857, at a quarterly conference, held at West Union,
he was granted a license to preach, the little certificate setting forth
that "George Collings is hereby authorized to exercise his gifts as a
local preacher, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, as long as his faith
and practice accord with the doctrines and discipline of said church'*
It was renewed statedly as long as he was able to speak in public.
Judge Collings was helpful in his community, bearing the perplex-
ities of the working people, and giving them aid and material advice
during the week, and being, for the most part, their spiritual director on
Sunday. He brought the same careful oversight to his farming opera-
tions that had characterized his every undertaking. His commonplace
books are full of notes as to the planting of fields, fence building, wood
chopping, harvesting, etc., with exact figures as to dates and the pay-
ment of the "hands." He w.as a great lover of trees, and wherever
living, a tireless planter of them. He had caused to be planted a large
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182 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
orchard of mixed fruits at his Ohio River home. He became a scien-
tific gardener — his manual on gardening being yet in his library — and
his vegetables and small fruits had a neighborhood fame.
In this ideal retreat, Judge CoUings was often appealed to to take
charge of lawsuits in his own and neighboring counties. These offers
he declined without exception, but to the last, gave private advice to
friends and acquaintances, who visited him for the purpose. After
several years of tranquil rural life, seeing himself surrounded with a
family of small children, William, Mary, Harry, Davis, Jane (his son
James had died in West Union), Judge Collings realized that he must
either have private teachers for their instruction or make his home near
public schools. In 1861 he began the erection of a dwelling at Man-
chester (still occupied by his youngest son and daughter), and during
the few months of life remaining to him, planned for the comfort of his
stricken family in a new situation. He died at his country place Jan-
uary 5, 1862. His remains rest in the family burial ground near
where he was bom. His career had been full of care, effort, and not-
able events.
Shepherd F. If orris
was born April 8, 1814, at Epping, Rockingham County, New Hamp-
shire, but removed when a young man to West Union, Ohio, where he
read law. He was admitted to the bar at Georgetown, and practiced in
Adams County, where he was elected prosecuting attorney in Octo-
ber, 1839. He served until March, 1843, when he removed to Batavia,
and Joseph McCormick was appointed in his place. He was a mem-
ber of the Legislature from Clermont County in 1847 ^"d 1848.
In 1 85 1 he was appointed presiding judge of the court of common
pleas of Adams County, Brown and Clermont, under the old Constitu-
tion, and served until the new Constitution took effect. He was elected
common pleas judge in the three counties in the fall of 1851, and again
in 1856, and served two full terms. He was a member of the Constitu-
tional Convention of 185 1, from Clermont County. He was a candidate
for Supreme Judge on the Democratic ticket in 1854, but was defeated.
The vote stood, 186,498 for Joseph R. Swan, and 109,025 for Shepherd
F. Norris.
The writer of this sketch, Mr. Evans, remembers when he sat upon
the bench as common pleas judge in Adams County. He wore a very
full and long brown beard, and was a snuff taker. He was constantly
taking snuff while sitting on the bench, and his beard was full of it. He
was considered a very good and fair judge by everybody but Judge
Owen T. Fishback, of Clermont County, who maintained a contrary
opinion, perhaps growing out of some personal matter. However, he
was kindly remembered by the people of his own county and the law-
yers of his subdivision. He died August 23, 1862. He was a Demo-
crat in politics.
Thomas Q. Ashbum.
was common pleas judge of Adams, Brown, and Clermont Counties
from 1861 to 1876, fifteen years. He resigned in February, 1876, to
accept an appointment on the Supreme Court commission, to which he
was appointed by Governor Hayes. He served on this until 1879. His
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 183
father was a native of Lancashire, England, though his son was bom
at Walnut Hills, near Cincinnati, February 9, 1820. When a boy, his
father removed to New Richmond, in Clermont County, where he was
reared. In 1838 he entered as a student of Miami University, and
afterward spent several years at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. After
his college course, he returned to Clermont County and taught school.
He studied law with Shields and Howard, and was admitted to the bar
April I, 1843. He practiced at New Richmond until 1846, when he
removed to Batavia. He was prosecuting attorney of Clermont County
from 1848 to 1852. He was a candidate for Supreme Judge of Ohio
in 1875 ^^ the Democratic ticket, and was defeated by a small majority.
He was married December 3, 1846, to Sarah W. Penn. She died
November 10, 1854, leaving four children, two of whom are Dr. A. W.
Ashbum, of Batavia, and Anna, now the wife of William R. Walker,
the well-known attorney.
He was remarried on May 27, 1856, to Miss Mary Ellen Griffith,
a first cousin of Gen. U. S. Grant. By this wife he had two children,
Albert I. and Mamie.
In February, 1879, he retired from the Supreme Court commission
and entered into partnership with George W. Hulick, of Batavia, with
whom he continued until his death. His opinions while on the Su-
preme Court commission are found in Volumes 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32,
and 33 of the Ohio State Reports. He was not a member of any church,
but his views accorded with those of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
As a judge, he was careful and painstaking. The controlling idea
of his life was duty — what is it? He was true to every obligation.
He was elected to the State Senate from the fourth district in Novem-
ber, 1889, on the Democratic ticket. At the time of the election of
Calvin S. Brice to the United States Senate, he was very sick at the
in Columbus, and had to be carried into the legislative hall to cast his
American Hotel in Columbus, and had to be carried into the legislative
hall to cast his vote for Mr. Brice, and he died within a few days afterward,
on the seventeenth of January, 1890.
Tlioma* M. Lewis
was common pleas judge in Adams, Brown, and Clermont Counties
from February, 1876, to October, 1876. He was admitted to the bar
April 2, 1842. He was appointed judge by Governor Hayes, to serve
to the next election. From 1846 to 185 1 he was deputy county clerk
of Clermont County. He was a captain in the 59th Ohio Volunteer
Infantry. He was a bachelor, and boarded at the Hamilton Hotel at
Batavia, Ohio, for over thirty-five years.
DaTld Tarbell,
was bom at Ripley, Ohio, December 3, 1836. His father was a seafar-
ing man, a native of Massachusetts. After following the sea many years,
he became an Indian trader and later located at Ripley. He was
a Whig. He accumulated considerable property. He died in
1852. He married Martha Stevenson, of Adams County.
David Tarbell was reared at Ripley and attended the
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184 fflSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. He read law with
Chambers Baird, of Ripley, and was admitted October 4, 1858. In
April, 1858, he was elected a justice of the peace of Union township.
In 1861, he was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney. In 1864, he
was elected probate judge of Brown County to fill a vacancy. In 1866,
he was re-elected for a full term. In 1871,'he was elected an additional
judge and re-elected in 1876. His rulings on points of law were seldom
reversed.
He was married June i, 1861, to Nancy Sallee and has five children.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopa'l Church, and a Democrat in
politics.
Be Witt Clinton London,
was born at Georgetown, Ohio, May 29, 1827, son of Gen. James Lou-
don. He graduated at the Ohio University in 1850. In 1846, he was
in the Mexican War, in the first Ohio Regiment, and was quartermaster
sergeant.
In 1832, he conducted the Democratic Union newspaper in George-
town for two years. He studied law with Lot Smith, of Athens, and
David G. Devore, of Georgetown, and was admitted to practice in No-
vember, 1851. In October 3, 1861, he went into the 70th O. V. 1. as
lieutenant colonel. He was promoted to colonel, April 26, 1864, and
resigned August 9, 1864.
In 1857, he was elected probate judge of Brown County, Ohio, to
fill a vacancy and resigned November, 1858. In 1881, he was elected
common pleas judge of Brown, Adams and Clermont counties. He was
re-elected in 1886. From 1861 to 1872, he acted with the Republicans.
Previous to the war he was a Democrat. He again acted with the Dem-
ocratic party in 1896 until his death, making speeches in the Bryan cam-
paign.
In 1852, he was married to Hannah W. Bowles and had five chil-
dren. He was a Presbyterian. He was an excellent lawyer. He died
suddenly about one year since.
Henry Oolllncs,
the son of the Hon. George CoUings and Harriet Conner, his wife, was
bom on his father's farm in Monroe Township, Alarch 15, 1853. He at-
tended school in Manchester and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Del-
aware in 1869, 1870 and 1871, when he gave up his course. Had be re-
mained, he would have graduated in the class of 1873. He took up the
study of law in the fall of 1872, with Col. Oscar F. Moore, of Ports-
mouth, and was admitted in April, 1874. He began the practice of law
in Manchester, where he has since continued to reside. He was elected
prosecuting attorney of Adams County, and served one term. In the fall
of 1891, he was a candidate for common pleas judge in the first sub-
division of the fifth common pleas district, composed of Adams, Brown
and Clermont counties, and while there was a nominal majority of 1500
against him, he was elected by a majority of about 500. He had 800
majority in Adams County. In his career as a judge in his first term
he made such a reputation for judicial ability that his friends determined
his service should not be lost to the public' In order that he might be
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 185
retained, his county, was by the Legislature, taken from the first sub-
division of the fifth district and placed in the second subdivision of the
seventh district, and in the latter he was nominated and elected common
pleas judge in 1896, and is now occupying that position. Judge CoUings
has always been a Republican in his political faith and practice, and is
a member of the Presbyterian Church.
He was married September 20, 1882, to Miss Alice Gibson, daughter
of Rev. Gibson. There are two children of this marriage, Henry
Davis and Mary King. Judge CoUings had a reputation as an able
lawyer before he went on the bench and has more than sustained it. He
is well trained as a lawyer, has a clear judicial mind and in his investi-
gations groups al! the essential points of a case and when he has deter-
mined it, the opposing party is satisfied that he has determined it im-
partially and according to his conception of the law.
In addition to his excellent qualities as a judge he has a fine sense
of humor, which is continually asserting itself and makes his intercourse
with the lawyers and his best friends have a spice which is most enter-
taining and delightful, but as he inherited this most entertaining qual-
ity from his distinguished father, we do not propose to hold him respon-
sible for it. Enjoying the confidence and respect of all the people whom
he serves, we hope he may not be gathered to his fathers till he has en-
joyed the good things of this world as long as his venerable neighbor and
friend, David Dunbar.
Frank Davis,
yi Batavia, Ohio, was bom in New Richmond, Ohio, October 21, 1846.
His father was Hon. Michael H. Davis, who was State Senator for a
number of years and was one of the most prominent Democrats in south-
em Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Mary E. Walker. She lived
io be a very old lady, remarkable for the vigor of her mind, her gentle-
ness and kindness and the extraordinary number of people, who, though
they were in no way related to her, yet loved her as a mother.
Judge Davis was educated in the public schools and attended Miami
University for a short time, but was compelled to leave before he fin-
ished his course on account of ill health. He afterward attended Cler-
mont County Academy. He studied law and graduated from the Cin-
cinnati Law School in April, 1867. Several months before he was of
age, he was admitted to the bar at New Richmond. In July, 1868, he
formed a partnership with Hon. Perry J. Nichols, which continued until
1879. In 1875, he was elected prosecuting attomey of Clermont County.
He filled this office for two terms, making a record that has never been
surpassed in this office. He finished his second term in 1879, and in this
year, his partnership with Judge Nichols also terminated, Judge Nichols
going to Batavia to fill the office of probate judge and Judge Davis re-
maining in New Richmond and continuing his practice there until 1888
when he was elected judge of the court of common pleas, taking his
office on October 14, 1888. He served in this office ten years. When
he ran for the second term, there was no one nominated against him on
the other ticket. His term as judge was filled with honor to himself,
and, to the position, he added both honor and dignity. He is regarded
as one of the best judges that Clermont County has ever produced.
After the expiration of his second term, he retired to resume the practice
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186 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
of law in Batavia, forming a partnership with John R. Woodlief, of
Batavia.
In 1872, Judge Davis was married to EHzabeth Short, of New Rich-
mond, Ohio. He has two children, a daughter Agnes, who is the wife
of Lieut. P. M. Ashburn, of the United States Army, and Frank Davis,
Jr., who is at present studying law. In politics, Judge Davis has been
a lifelong Democrat and has always been one of the mainstays of his party
in Clermont County. He has always been prominent in religious matters,
being a staunch Presbyterian, and taking always an active part in all the
affairs of the church. He belongs to the Masonic order, being a thirty-
third degree Mason. He is president of the First National Bank, of
New Richmond, Ohio ; vice president of the J. & H. Clasgens Company,
and vice president of the Fridman Lumber Company, of the same town.
One of his friends says of him : "He is certainly one of our best
business men. He has always been broad-minded and liberal. He is
a close thinker and has sometimes been thought critical to a certain
degree, but bis criticisms are only made and intended for the improve-
ment of his fellow men. He well knows the correct standard of true
manhood and measures his acquaintances thereby. His walk through
life from early manhood has been most commendable and exemplary, a
golden mark for others to follow. His attainments in law and literature
are admired by all who know him. He applies himself closely to law
and to business, but his interest in his fellow men, is not in the least
lessened by these pursuits. He has always fostered and encouraged
improvements and is among the first to give the people anything that
may add to their comfort and happiness. As a lawyer, he is well known
throughout southern Ohio as clear-minded, able and honest and has had
but few, if any, superiors as a common pleas judge.
Koah J. DeTer
was born August 17, 1850, in Madison Township; Scioto County, Ohio.
His father is William Dever, and his mother's maiden name was Louisa
McDowell. He is the only son of his parents and the first born, but has
eight sisters. His maternal great-grandfather, John Bennett, was a sol-
dier in the war of 181 2. His father was and is a farmer, and he was
reared on his father's farm, until the age of fifteen years, when he at-
tended the Jackson High School. In 1867, he began teaching in the
common schools, and taught and attended school at Lebanon alter-
nately until 1871. In that year he took a commercial course in the
Iron City Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In Octo-
ber, 1 87 1, he began the study of law in the office of Messrs. Harper and
Searl, in Portsmouth, and read law under their instructions until Judge
Harper assumed the duties of common pleas judge in February, 1872,
and then with Judge Searl until October, 1872, when he attended the
Cincinnati Law School that fall and winter, completing the senior year
and graduating in April, 1873, when he was admitted to the bar by the
district court of Hamilton County, and immediately began the practice
of law in Portsmouth, Ohio.
In May, 1873, he was appointed one of the school examiners of
Scioto County, Ohio, and held the office for twelve years. He was
prouder of this appointment than any with which he was ever
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CX)NSTITUTION 187
honored, because it was his first, and during the whole time he held the
office, he was associated with the reverend and venerable Dr. Burr, as
one of his colleagues on the same board. It was a gjeat honor for any
one to be associated, officially or otherwise, with Dr. Burr, and so
Judge Dever regarded it.
In April, 1873, he formed a law partnership with Judge F. C. Searl,
as Searl & Dever, which continued until January i, 1879. He then
formed a law partnership with the Hon. Dan J. Ryan, as Dever & Ryan,
which continued until February, 1881. In the fall of 1879, he was
elected prosecuting attorney of Scioto County, Ohio, for the period of
two years. He has always been a Republican in politics. At his first
election his majority was 144. During his first term as prosecuting
attorney, the term was made three years, by the law of April 20, 1881,
Volume 780, O. L., 260. In October, i8i8i, he was re-elected by a ma-
jority of 1252 for three years. He discharged the duties of the office
with ability and fideHty. In the fall of 1886, he was elected a common
pleas judge of the second subdivision of the seventh judicial district.
This election, in the fall of 1886, was the first state election held in
Ohio in November. In 1891, he. was renominated and re-elected
without opposition.
On April 21, 1896, the county of Adams was taken from the first
subdivision of the fifth common pleas judicial district and placed in
the second subdivision of the seventh common pleas judicial district.
This law took effect September i, 1896, and from that date until Feb-
ruary 9, 1897, he was one of the judges of the court of common pleas '
of Adams County, though he never held a court therein.
On February 8, 1897, Judge Dever retired from the bench at the
close of his second term, and was succeeded by the Hon. John C.
Milner. Judge Dever's record on the common pleas bench compares
favorably with his able and distinguished predecessors. He pos-
sessed great executive ability and, as a judge, kept all his business
well in hand. He never allowed his dockets to get behind. Since his
retirement from the bench, he has engaged in the practice of law with
great success. On January 16, 1899, he was appointed receiver of the
Farmers' National Bank of Portsmouth, Ohio, in place of David Arm-
strong, deceased, and is engaged in the administration of that trust.
On July 2y, 1876, he was married to Miss Lydia Austin, of Iron-
ton, Ohio. She lived but a short time, and on July 4, 1878, he married
Miss Mattie GiUiland, of Jackson County. Of this marriage, three
children have been born; Louisa, the eldest, attended the Ohio State
University from 1897 to 1899, and in September, 1899, she entered Mt.
Holyoke College, Massachusetts, as a junior; Martha, the second
daughter, is a student of the Portsmouth High School, and Alice, the
third daughter, is in the grammar schools.
Noah J. Dever as a boy was taught frugality and economy by his
father. It may be said to have been ingrained for generations. From
his mother he inherited his natural acumen, quick perception, his pur-
pose and will for thorough investigation. He has been taught to con-
serve all his physical and mental faculties for the serious objects of
life. He possesses a natural spirit of investigation, which made him a
diligent, earnest, and faithful student. Not only did he have a great
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188 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
love for the acquisition of knowledge, but happily he developed the
power of imparting it. As a school teacher he was able to interest
his pupils, and so instruct them that what he taught was never for-
gotten, but a possession for everyday u$e. As a teacher he was suc-
cessful.
The habit of imparting instruction followed him on the bench
and much enhanced his qualities as a judge. As a law student, he was
determined to master and understand every subject he took up. As
• prosecuting attorney, he did his duty thoroughly, faithfully, and effi-
ciently. As a judge, he was laborious, industrious, painstaking, and
thorourfi. He kept his business up, and his dockets never lagged be-
hind. He possesses the confidence of the business community; and
since his retirement from the bench, has developed the able business
lawyer that he is, and is recognized to be, by the public and his pro-
fession. He holds an enviable position . in the community.
In politics, he is and always has been a Republican, and has always
taken an active interest. In his personal habits, he is a model, never
using tobacco or spirits. While not a member of church, he attends
the Bigelow Methodist Episcopal, and has been a trustee of the church
many years. His family relations are most pleasant ; and he is a prom-
inent, well-respected, and useful citizen. He has obtained his high
position in the community by the practice of those principles which,
observed by the great body of our English-speaking people, have made
the United States and England the most powerful nations of the earth.
William Dow James
was bom near Piketon, December i, 1853. His father was David
James and his mother, Charlotte Beauchamp. His first ancestor in this
county came over from Germany in 1750, and located in Bedford
County, Virginia. His grandfather, grandson of the immigrant, wrs
born in 1785 and came to the Northwest Territory shortly after 1794
with his parents and located in Gallia County. He resided with his
parents in Gallia till 1805 when he moved to Pike County in the Beaver
Valley, ten miles from Piketon. He married a Miss Allison, and nine
sons and daughters were born to them. Among them was David,
father of our subject. He became a prominent and successful farmer.
Our subject remained at home attending school and receiv'ng in-
struction privately until he was about twenty years of age, when lu-
began the study of law under John T. Moore. This was continued until
Mr. Moore located in Jackson in 1875. He then prosecuted his law
studies with George D. Cole, teaching school of winters and reading
the text-books in summers. This course he followed until 1877, when
he was admitted to the bar and opened a law office in Piketon. Here
he remained four years. In 1879 ^^ ^^s elected mayor of Piketon
and held the office until he removed to Waverly. He continued to
practice in Pike and the adjoining counties until 1893 when he was
elected judge of the second subdivision of the seventh judicial district.
He made quite a reputation as a trial lawyer and advocate while at
the bar, and his reputation as a man and citizen is the highest. In
1882, he was married to Miss Terrena F. Vulgamore. At the close of
his first term on the bench, he could have been renominated and re-
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 189
elected without opposition, and it was much regretted by the lawyers
of his district that he did not so determine, but he felt that he had made
all the reputation he desired as a judge and he peremptorily declined a
renomination. Immediately on his retirement, he removed to Cincin-
nati, and opened a law office in the Blymyer Building, No. 514 Main
Street, where he is acquiring a large clientage. His wife died May
13. 1898, and he has since remarried to Miss Louise Adams, of Chicago,
Ills.
Judge James is affable in his manners, both on and off the bench.
He has a clear and logical mind. His mind, after a survey of the facts,
grasps the points in a case and his correct legal training enables him
quickly to make the application of the law to the facts. He is pain-
staking in the preparation and trial of his case. On the bench, he
was never hurried in making his decisions, but when announced, they
showed careful and thorough consideration of the questions involved.
He had the judicial quality to withhold judgment till he had fully con-
sidered the case and until he was satisfied as to the principles govern-
ing it. Once satisfied, his decision was made and usually sustained
in the higher court. As a lawyer he was always careful and thorough
and his client could be sure that the best course would be adopted and
the best results obtained.
A friend speaking of Judge James says he is able to perform and
does perform exacting labors. He is a patient reader and succeeds
in ascertaining the results of what he reads. He is affable as a man,
a citizen, lawyer and judge. As a lawyer he was connected with all
the important cases in his county. As a judge, he gave great con-
sideration to his cases and was without prejudice or partiality.
Another friend speaking of Judge James says he is a man of
affable, courteous and at the same time, dignified manners, and is very
popular among his associates by reason of his genial and social man-
ner. As a lawyer, he is a fluent speaker, with a clear, clean, logical
mind, .quick to grasp the points of a case and to use them to his ad-
vantage, and his power before a jury is widely recognized. As a judge,
he was noted for his fairness and keen love of justice, and with his
thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the law, administered the
complex and onerous duties of that position with the highest credit
to himself and to his profession.
William H. Bliddleton
was born at Locust Grove on the 19th day of July, 1864, son of Rev.
Wilder N. Middleton, of the Ohio M. E. Conference, and Cynthia
(Bailey) Middleton, daughter of Cornelius Bailey, one of the pioneer
residents of the Scioto Valley. His early life was a roving one, his
father's calling taking him to various towns in southern Ohio, in the
public schools of which he received his education, and later, at the
private school of Professor Poe, of Chillicothe, and the National Nor-
mal University at Lebanon, Ohio.
He began life for himself at fifteen years of age as a teacher and
followed that work for several years, teaching in the public schools
at Piketon, Waverly and other towns. His inclinations being directed
to the bar, in 1888, he entered the law office of Judge W. D. James, at
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190 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
Waverly. In 1889, he was appointed deputy collector of internal reve-
nues by M. Boggs, which office he held until his admission to the bar
in 1 89 1. After his admission to the bar, he continued with his pre-
ceptor until the latter was elected to the bench.
In 1896, he was nominated and after one of the hardest political
battles ever fought in the county, was elected prosecuting attorney*
receiving 192 votes above the head of the ticket. He continued in
this office until his election to the bench in 1898.
On the 24th day of June, 1897, he was married to Miss Minnie
Howard, and one child has blessed the union — ^Wilder Howard, aged
one year.
He is a member of the Orient Lodge, No. 321, F. & A. M., Wav-
erly, Ohio ; Chillicothe Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M. and Niobe Lodge, No.
370, K. of P.
Judge Middleton comes of a long line of ministers; hence, in his
moral and mental fibre, he is possessed of that conscious sensibility so
essential to an upright and just judge. It matters not how young and
inexperienced a judge may be, or how old or learned he may be, if he
is not possessed of natural, moral and innate honesty, he cannot make
a just judge. Honesty of purpose supplants all. Without it, he floats
a buoyant pestilence upon the great ocean of truth. A friend says of
him — "Having an intimate acquaintance with Hon. William H. Mid-
dleton from his youth up, from the country school-teacher, the student
of law, to the practitioner, I bear witness that the bright jewel of his
crown is honesty and integrity of purpose, a man of native modesty,
but possessed of a courage in the exercise of his moral and intellectual
convictions. Ever dignified, always genial and at all times agreeable.
We bespeak that his integrity and honesty and never failing common
sense and cautious sagacity, his powers of analysis, his quickness of
intuition to grasp the principles of law as well as the right and morality
of a controversy shall win for him the approval of the bench, the bar
and the people.
John Clinton Milner
was born July 12, 1856, at Morristown, Belmont County, Ohio. His
father was John Milner and his mother's maiden name, Esther Hogue.
His father and mother were both natives of Belmont County His
grandfather, Joseph Milner, and his maternal grandfather, Samuel
Hogue, were also from Belmont County. His great-grandfather, Ed-
ward Milner, and his maternal great-grandfather, Isaac Hogue, were
both born in Loudon County, Virginia. The ancestors of his mother
came from Scotland in 1729, and those of his father, from England^
about the same date.
Our subject attended the public schools of Morristown, and grad-
uated therefrom in 1872. In 1874 and 1875, he attended the National
Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating from there in 1875.
He then went to Hamden, Ohio, and taught school two years, during
1876 and 1877, having charge of four schools. In 1877 and 1878, he
taught at Wheelersburg, also having charge of four schools there.
He began the study of law in 1878, and attended the law college at
Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1878 and 1879. From 1879 to 1882, he was
at home in poor health. In 1882 and 1883, he attended Shoemaker^s
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 191
School of Oratory and Belles-Lettres, at Philadelphia. In the fall of
1883, he went to Topeka, Kansas, and while there was admitted to
the bar. He did not like the country and returned to Belmont County.
On June 9, 1884, he was admitted to the bar of Ohio, at Columbus, and
located at Portsmouth, Ohio, at once. He went in partnership with
F. C. Searl, in 1884, and the firm was Icnown as Searl and Milner.
The same year Judge Harper became a member of the firm, under
the name of Harper, Searl and Milner, which continued until 1891.
In the fall of 1890, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Scioto
County, and re-elected in 1893, serving until 1897. In the fall of 1897,
he was elected one of the common pleas judges of the second subdivi-
sion of the fifth district, and took his seat as such on the ninth of Feb-
ruary, 1897, and is still holding that position.
He was married November 19, 1897, to Miss Mollie E. Warwick.
He has always been a Republican.
As prosecuting attorney of Scioto County, Mr. Milner made an
honorable record. He was fearless, tireless and brought out of every
case all the merit in it. His work in that office was most satisfactory
to the public. As judge, he is very quick to grasp all the details in a
case, and to give his views as to the justice or equities. He is disposed
to dispatch business and to keep his work well in hand. As a lawyer,
he was energetic, industrious and able; as a business man, he has no
superior.
Tlie Circuit Court of Adams Countj.
The Constitution of 1802 provided that the Supreme Court should
be held in each county once a year. This proved to be a failure and a
disappointment. The holding of this court in the circuit was found
to be a disappointment to the judges, to the bar, and to the suitors.
It was a hardship on the judges to travel and on the bar to follow them
about. Suitable time was not given in the hearing and consideration
of the cases and under the circumstances, it could not be given. The
terms for the counties were often, therefore, omitted, or held in the
capital or some other county.
The Constitution of 185 1, in making provision for an intermediate
court between the common pleas and circuit court provided for a Dis-
trict Court to be held in each county at least once a year. It was to
be composed of one supreme judge and at least two common pleas
judges of the district. In practice, it worked badly. None of the com-
mon pleas judges liked to do district court work. The supreme judges
found themselves too busy at Columbus to attend and soon after the
constitution went into eflPect, ceased their attendance. In practice, the
district court was usually made up of the common pleas judges who
had h^eard the cases before and determined them, and to other common
pleas judges, judicial courtesy required them to affirm the former de-
cision, and judicial courtesy was not often violated. The system be-
cs^e so unsatisfactory to all concerned that in 1883, a constitutional
amendment was adopted providing for the present circuit court. These
courts were to have independent judges, not sitting in any other court,
and were to be held in each county once a year. Each judge could sit
in any circuit. The legislature acting on the amendment made nine cir-
cuits of which the fourth was composed of the sixteen counties of
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192 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
Monroe, Washington, Athens, Meigs, Hocking, Pickaway, Vinton,
Jackson, Gallia, Lawrence, Scioto, Pike, Ross, Adams, Highland and
Brown. Afterward Monroe was detached and attached to the Zanes-
ville circuit. The first election was in 1884 and the judges elected
were Thomas Cherrington, of Lawrence; Milton L. Clark, of Ross;
and Joseph P. Bradbury of Meigs. The judges met and drew lots for
terms. Judge Cherrington drew the two-year term; Judge Bradbury
the four-year term, and Judge Clark, the full or six-year term. The
court was opened for business on February 9, 1895. It has proven a
very satisfactory court. In the fourth circuit, there have been but
few changes. Judge Bradbury served out his term of four years in
1889 and was succeeded by Judge Daniel A. Russell, who was elected
m 1889, and re-elected in 1894. Judge Clark was re-elected in 1890,
and served until February 9, 1897. He was succeeded by Hiram L.
Sibley, of Marietta. The bench as now composed consists of Hon.
Daniel A. Russell, chief judge, and Honorables Thomas Cherrington
and Hiram L. Sibley, judges. The lawyers and people of the district are
well satisfied with these judges and hope they may serve as long as they
are willing to remain. Sketches of the several judges who have oc-
cupied the bench are as follows: —
MUton Lee Clark
was born April 21, 1817, in Ross County, son of Col. William Clark,
who held that rank in the war of 1812. His father was a farmer and
was for many years a justice of the peace. He died when his son, Mil-
ton L., was seven years of age. Young Clark was left dependent on
his own resources. He clerked in mercantile houses in Chillicothe and
Circleville and taught school. He went to Louisville in 1839 and be-
came a trusted employee in a wholesale business house until 1842 when
Jie returned to Chillicothe and became a law student with Col. Jona^^han
F. Woodside. He was admitted to the bar November 25, 1844, in the
twenty-eighth year of his age. In 1845, he was elected prosecuting
attorney of Ross County and held that office until 1849, discharging
its duties with marked ability. He represented Pickaway and Ross
Counties in the lower house of the Ohio legislature at the forty-eighth
legislative session from December 3, 1849, to March 25, 1850. October
II, 1849, he married Miss Jane Isabelle Woodside, eldest daughter of
his legal preceptor. He practiced law exclusively from the time he
left the legislature until 1873, when he became a member from Ros<5
County of the Ohio Constitutional Convention. Mr. Clark was first
a Whig and afterward a Republican and took an active part as speaker
in political campaigns. In 1884, when the first circuit judges for the
fourth district of Ohio were elected, he was one of the three elected
and in drawing for terms, he drew the six-year term. He was renom-
inated and re-elected in the fall of 1890 and served till February 9,
1897, when he was succeeded by the Hon. Hiram L. Sibley. He was
sixty-eight years old when he went on the bench and gave the circuit
twelve years of as able and faithful service as any judge who ever oc-
cupied a judgeship. He brought to it the experience of forty years
of assiduous study and diligent practice. He was a candidate for a third
term, and was most loyally supported by his county and the friends
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 198
he had made in other counties, but his renomination was defeated. This
disappointment wounded him mortally and he sickened and died June
II, 1897. He acheived great success and reputation as a lawyer, the
result of patient and thorough study. He was a fluent and ready
speaker as an advocate. As a judge he was thoroughly and well in-
formed in the law. He gave patient and careful investigation to all
cases and his decisions were clear elucidations of the law. Especially
was he thoroughly conversant with the land laws in the Virginia Mili-
tary District. In the history of our state jurisprudence, he will be
remembered as one of our best and ablest judges.
Hiram L. Sibley
was born May 4, 1836, in Trumbull County Ohio. His father removed
to Gallipolis in* 1841, and to Middleport, in 1847. He lived there until
1855 w,hen he removed to Racine, Ohio, where he remained until
i860. His father, Ezekial Sibley, was from Westfield Massachusetts.
His mother, Phoebe Simons, from Colebrook, Connecticut. He at-
tended school until thirteen years of age, when he began to learn the
trade of shoemaking. At sixteen, he attended a select school for six
months, and again another term of six months in 1856. April 22,
1858, he was married to Esther Ann Ellis. They had six children,
three of whom are living. The eldest, William Giddings, graduated
from Marietta College in 1881. In the fall of 1858, Mr. Sibley took up
the study of law, and continued it until i860 when he was elected clerk
of the common pleas court of Meigs County, and took the office Feb-
ruary 12, 1861. August 12, 1862, he entered the ii6th O. V. I. as
second lieutenant. Company B. He was promoted first lieutenant,
February i, 1864, resigned January 16, 1865. He was captured June
16, 1863, at the battle of Winchester and was a prisoner of war until
December 10, 1864. His health was so broken by his confinement that
he was compelled to and did resign. April 14, 1865, he was admitted
to the bar at Meigs County. In August, 1865, he removed to Marietta
and began the practice of law as one of the firm of Ewart, Shaw &
Sibley. He was defeated for prosecuting attorney of Washington
County,, with the Republican ticket in 1867. In the same year he
formed a partnership with R. L. Nye, which continued until 1869. In
1870, he returned to Pomeroy and began practice with Lewis Paine,
under the name of Paine & Sibley. In April, 1874, he removed to
Marietta to practice with Mr. Ewart under the firm name of Ewart &
Sibley. In 1882, he was elected common pleas judge in the second
subdivision of the seventh district and re-elected in 1887 ^^d in 1892,
the last time without opposition. In 1896, he was elected circuit judge
in the fourth circuit to succeed Milton L. Clark. Since 1856, he has
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for a number
of years has been a local preacher therein. He has attended many
of the principal conferences and councils of that church and has written
quite extensively on ecclesiastical law. In 1895, Claflin University of
South Carolina conferred on him the degree of LL. D. No more de-
voted or enthusiastic Methodist than he can be found in the county.
He is a great lover of music, especially of the violin, which he carries
13a
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194 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
with him over the circuit. He possesses strong analytical power com-
bined with a faculty of clear and lo^cal reasoning. He is an inde-
fatigable student and examines all authorities cited to him. He has
a good memory of all cases in the report which he has once examined
and has them at his command at all times. He is always fair, and on
the trial or hearing, he is always along with counsel conducting the
case and sometimes anticipates him. He conducts the investigation of
a case on lines suggested by himself and reaches his conclusions
quickly. He is habitually courteous to all before him and especially
considerate of the younger members of the profession. In the conduct
of a case, the vital points must be approached and reached directly. No
side issues are tolerated. Without the benefit of a classical education
or a law school training, he has become learned in law and literature
and has made a first-class lawyer and an able judge.
Daniel A. RuMell,
who succeeded Judge Joseph P. Bradbury in the circuit court of the
fourth circuit in 1889, was born on a farm in Athens County, September
2, 1840, and when three years old was taken into Meigs County. Un-
til the age of sixteen, he attended the district schools, when he spent
two years at the Ohio University at Athens, and two more years at
the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. In i860, he accepted
a position in the treasurer's office in Meigs County. July 16, 1861, he
enlisted in Co. E, 4th Virginia Infantry. He was promoted for bravery
to second lieutenant, August 22, 1861, first lieutenant in September,
1862, and captain, January 2, 1863. He was at Haine's Bluff and at
the siege of Vicksburg and was twice wounded. He was at the bat-
tles of Cherokee Station, Jackson, Miss., Missionary Ridge, and after-
wards at Piedmont, Lexington, Lynchburg, Winchester and other en-
gagements in the valley of Virginia. He was discharged September
II, 1864, and re-entered the service, February 3, 1865, as major of the
187th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served as such until
January 21, 1866, when he was mustered out. He at once entered
the Cincinnati Law School and remained there until April, 1866, when
he was admitted to the bar. He located at Pomeroy in the practice
of the law. In 1873, he was a member of the Constitutional Conven-
tion from Meigs County. He was city solicitor of Pomeroy from 1873
to 1879. From 1874, he was in partnership with his brother, Charles
F., until his election to the circuit bench in 1889. He was re-elected
in 1893, and is serving his second term. As a judge, he is careful and
painstaking, and aims to see each case in all its bearings. He seeks
to ascertain and apply every principle of law bearing on the matter in
hand, and after listening to one of his decisions, the bar fed that he
has exhausted the subject. As a lawyer, he stood high, as a judge, none
is more careful to apply the correct principles of law, and none has a
higher sense of honor and justice. His career as a judge has given gen-
eral satisfaction to the bar and to litigants.
Thomas Cherrinston
was born October 29, 1837, in Addison Township, Gallia County, Ohio,
on a farm where he lived with his parents until he was nearly eighteen
years of age, at which time he took a two-years' course in the academy
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THE CX^URTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 195
at Gallipolis, preparatory to entering the regular college course at the
Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he afterwards
entered, and for four years he attended that college and graduated
from it. He was a private soldier in Company E, 84th O. V. I. from
May 28, 1862, to September 20, 1862, and was afterwards a captain in
the I22d United States troops, and was mustered out of the service
at Corpus Christi, Texas, January, 1866. His service in the 84th Ohio
was in West Virginia, and in the I22d Regiment of Colored Infantry,
it was in Virginia, Louisiana and Texas. On his return from the army,
he read law with the Hon. S. W. Nash of Gallipolis, and was admitted
to the bar in the spring of 1867. In January, 1867, he located in Iron-
ton for the practice of law. He was twice elected city solicitor of
Ironton, and twice elected prosecuting attorney of Lawrence County,
and continued to .practice his profession there until February, 1885,
when he became a member of the circuit court of the fourth judicial
circuit. He drew the two-years' term when the court was organized
and was re-elected in 1886 and again in 1892 and ag^in in 1898.
Tlie Bar and Judiciary of Adams County.
Jacob Burnet and William McMillan, of Cincinnati, and Levin
Belt, of Chillicothe, were admitted to the bar in Adams County and
practiced in its courts under the Territory.
William Creighton, Henry Brush, Michael Baldwin and Thomas
Scott, afterward of Chillicothe, were practitioners in Adams County.
Francis Taylor and other lawyers of Maysville, Kentucky, attended the
courts of Adams County until in the forties.
The first Supreme Court held in Adams County of which a record
was found, was October term, 1804. It was held by Judges William
Sprigg and Samuel Huntingdon. There was but one term held in each
year.
General Darlinton was appointed clerk of this court. He was
the only clerk this court ever had, serving as such from 1803, until his
death, August 3, 1851. The cMirt passed out of v-xistence September
I, 185 1, but no clerk was reappointed after his death. In 1819 and
1820, no court was held. In 1821, Judges Pease and Couch held the
court, and in 1822, Judges McLean and Jacob Burnet held court.
In 1823, the court was held by Peter. Hitchcock and Charles R.
Sherman, father of the Senator. The May term, 1824, was held by
Judges Peter Hitchcock and Jacob Burnet. At this term, George Col-
lings and Kidder Meade Byrd were admitted to the bar. The latter
was drowned in the Potomac River in Washington, September 24,
1824.
At the May term, 1825, General Darlinton was reappointed clerk
for seven years and William H. Allen was admitted to the bar. Judges
Pease and Burnet held the term.
The May term, 1826, was held by Judges Hitchcock and Burnet.
Archibald Leggett, of Ripley, was admitted to the bar. Joseph D. Darl-
inton, son erf the General, was appointed deputy clerk.
At the May term, 1827, held by Judges Burnet and Sherman
George Lyon was admitted to the bar.
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196 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
In 1828, Judges Hitchcock and Burnet held the court. Allen D.
Beasley was admitted to the bar.
The May term, 1829, was held by Judges Pease and Sherman.
Henry Brush was one of the attorneys in attendance, and John H.
Haines was admitted to the bar.
The August term, 1830, was held by Judges Joshua Collett and
Ezekial Hayward.
At the April term, 1832, the judges were Joshua Collett and John
C. Wright. General Darlinton resigned as clerk because his term ex-
pired May 7, following, and he was reappointed for seven years. The
court also appointed him master in chancery for three years.
At the April term, 1834, the judges were the same as the previous
term.
At the August term, 1835, the judges were Collett and Lane.
Thomas J. Buchannan and Andrew Ellison were admitted to the bar.
The March term, 1836, was held by Judges Lane and Hitchcock.
The April term, 1837, was held by Judges Lane and Hitchcock.
General Darlinton was appointed master in chancery for three years.
At the March term, 1838, the judges were Wood and Grimke.
Joseph Darlinton was reappointed clerk for seven years, and Joseph
D. Darlinton, his deputy. No term was held in 1839. I^ 1840, Judges
Lane and Hitchcock held the term. Charles K. Smith was admitted
to the bar.
In 1 841, Judges Grimke and Hitchcock held the term. George
Nealy was admitted to the bar. In 1842, the judges were Lane and
Wood. In 1843, the court was composed of Judges Wood and
Birchard. John M. Smith was admitted to the bar.
In 1844, the judges were Lane and Wood, and James W. Arm-
strong was admitted to the bar.
In 1845, the judges were Wood and Birchard, and in 1846, Reed
and Birchard
On March 30, 1846, Gen. Darlinton was reappointed clerk for
seven years, his last appointment. In 1847, the court was held by Judges
Reed and Avery. In 1848, the same judges sat. James Clark and
Joseph Allen Wilson were admitted to the bar. The latter died the
following December.
In 1849, the court was held by Judges Avery and Spaulding. An-
drew W. McCauslen was admitted to the bar.
The April term, 1850, was held by Judges Hitchcock and Caldwell.
The April term, 1851, was the last Supreme Court held in Adams
County, and was held by Judges Spaulding and Ramsey. Joseph R.
Cockerill, John K. Billings and David B. Graham were admitted to
the bar at this term.
The District Court succeeded the Supreme Court and its first term
in Adams County was held October 17, 1852. Judge Allen W. Thur-
man of the Supreme Court, presided, and John F. Green and Shepherd
F. Norris were the common pleas judges.
The first court of common pleas held in Adams County was Decem-
ber 13, 1797. The judges of that court were John Beasley, John Belli
and Benjamin Goodwin, all lay judges. This court was held at Adams-
ville. The next was held at the same place in December, 1898. Benja-
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 197
min Goodwin had removed from the county and the court was com-
posed of Beasley, Belli and Nathaniel Massie.
The December term, 1799, was held at Washington. The court
was composed of John Beasley, president, John Belli, Moses Baird and
Noble Grimes, all lay judges. They held this court in September, 1800,
June and September, 1801, at Washington. There is no record for
1802.
In August, 1803, David Edie was presiding judge and Hosea
Moore and Needham Perry were associates. This was the first court
under statehood. John Lodwick was sheriff.
At the December term, 1803, Wyllis Silliman, a lawyer and pre-
siding judge, sat at Washington and his associates were Hosea Moore,
Needham Perry and David Edie.
Astothe lawyers who attended early courts, there is little of record.
John S.Wills was prosecuting attorney in 1804, James Scott in 1807, and
Jessup M. Couch, in 1808. Prior to that, the State used any attorney
who happened to attend as prosecutor. John W. Campbell located
in West Union in 1808 and was a leader there at the bar until 1826,
when he removed to Brown County. He was prosecuting attorney
from 1808 to 1817 under the magnificent salary of one hundred dol-
lars per year. In 1817, he was succeeded by Samuel Treat, whom ob-
livion has fully obscured. Even the writers of this work could not
resurrect him. Richard Collins practiced in Adams County in 182 1
and 1822. He was a son of the Rev. John Collins, of fragrant memory.
He afterwards went to Maysville and died there.
The first term at which the attendance of lawyers was noted was
November term, 1822. There were present at that term John W.
Campbell, Samuel Treat, Daniel P. Wilkins, Richard Collins, Benjamin
Leonard, Henry Brush of Chillicothe, and George R. Fitzgerald.
At the June term, 1823, the same attorneys were present, together,
with Taylor and Scott.
In 1824, John Thompson, of Chillicothe, attended. In 1825, the
Legislature passed a law placing a specific tax on lawyers and this re-
mained in force until 185 1. This law did not take effect until June,
1826, and the assessments were made by the associate judges until
1830, when the law required them to be made by the commissioners at
their June session; hence, the resident attorneys from 1830 to 185 1 can
be found in the commissioners' journal at every June meeting.
George CoUings first appeared as an attorney at the March term,
1824. In 1825, the lawyers were Samuel Brush, Geo. R. Fitzgerald,
Richard Collins, Daniel P. Wilkins, George Collings, Taylor and Ben-
jamin Leonard. The latter was considered a great lawyer and was em-
ployed in all great cases. He never resided in the county. Henry
Brush, of ChiUicothe, attended in 1826. In 1827, Garland B. Shelleday
appears. He was a Virginian, a protege of John W. Campbell. John
Thompson, of Chillicothe, attended regularly. At June term, 1828,
Beasley appears. In 1828, we note the first appearance of Archibald
Leggett. In 1829 Leggett, Beasley, and George W. King, of Brown
County attended. In 1832 the list of taxed lawyers were Samuel
Brush, George Collings, and Daniel P. Wilkins. Thomas L. Hamer,
of Brown, attended first that year.
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198 fflSTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
In 1834 Nelson Barrere first appears. In 1835 John P. Crapsey
attended. At this time James Keenan appears. He was an Irishman.
He married a sister of James Cole, and soon after located in Piketon.
In 1836 John Hanna attended, and three of the Brushes, J. T., Samuel,
and Henry. In 1837 David Devore, of Brown, and McDowell, of
Highland, attended ; also Shepherd F. Norris. In 1839, A. McClausen
first appears. We are uncertain whether this was Thomas A., or an
eldeir brother of his.
In 1840 O. F. Moore attended; Joseph McCormrck and Chambers
Baird, McCauslen, Devore, Barrere, arid Hamer were also present. In
1841 William V. Peck attended. At the October term, 1841, Henry
Massie, of Chillicothe, Chambers Baird, Hamer, Devore, J. S. Taylor,
John W. Price, of Hillsboro, and H. L. Penn, of Brown, were in attend-
ance. The same lawyers attended most of the terms for several years
after. At February term, 1845, Edward P. Evans appears for the first
time. He did not become a resident of the county till April, 1847.
At March term, 1846, John M. Smith appears for the first time.
At the June term, 1847, Willisun M. Meek made his bow to the
court. At the September term, 1847, there were present, John M.
Meek, Edward P. Evans, Hanson L. Penn, Joseph McCormick,
Thomas McCauslen, and James H. Thompson. Of all the above, the
latter only is living at a great age.
In 1849 and 1850 John W. Price attended. In 1851 the name of
Col. Cockerill first appears at September term. McCauslen, McCor-
mick, and Evans are named. George Collings was last named at June
term, 1847.
At the August term, 1852, there were present Evans, Penn, Mc-
Causlen, Cockerill, Billings, David B. Graham, James Lowery, William
M. Meek, William C. Buck, James H. Thompson, Chambers Baird, and
William H. Reed.
As this brings us within the memory of the present generation, we
do not mention the attendance. McFerran appeared on the stage the
next year. Jacob M. Wells located in West Union as a lawyer in 1854.
The same year, 1854, Thomas J. Mullen located in Adams County for
the practice of law. The ashes of Evans, Cockerill, Mullen, Wells, Bil-
lings, and McFerran all rest in the old South Cemetery.
David W. Thomas began the practice of law at West Union in
1864. He, too, has joined the silent majority.
Edward M. DeBruin was a lawyer at West Union in i860. He
went into the 33d Ohio Volunteer Infantry as an officer, and after the
war went to Hillsboro. He died at Columbus, Ohio, in October, 1899.
Colonel Cockerill practiced at West Union from 185 1 to 1875, and
was well and favorably known.
The present bar of Adams County is composed of Franklin D.
Bayless, George W. Pettit, A. Z. Blair, William R. Mehaffey, Cyrus F.
Wikoflf, C. F. McCoy, the prosecuting attorney ; Carey E. Robuck, M.
Scott, John W. Hook, J. W. McClung, all residents of West Union;
C. C. W. Naylor, William Anderson, S. N. Tucker, and W. E. Foster,
residents of Manchester; and Philip Handrehan and T. C. Downey,
of Winchester.
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THE CX^URTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 199
Separate sketches of all the prominent members of the bar, past
and present, will be found following this article, as well as separate
sketches of the judges in succession.
The practice of the law in Adams County was much more profitable
in the early history of the county than it is now. Then the people
thought they were rich ; now they know they are poor. At least, that
is the statement most of them made to the canvassers for this work.
Then the county was new; lands were taken up in large tracts, and
there was much litigation over disputed and conflicting lines. For
thirty years all the boundary questions have been settled, and the liti-
gation is made up chiefly of foreclosures, damage suits, and divorces.
The lawyers of this day have a better time than the early lawyers did,
but are not so much looked up to as the first lawyers, because the peo-
ple have other things to think of. In the early days all public interest
centered in the courts. Now it has many other objects. A number of
the older generation of lawyers were gay lotharios, and very fond of
corn whiskey, but the present generation have abandoned both proclivi-
ties. The older generation of lawyers rode the circuit. They passed
from county seat to county seat on horseback, with saddle pockets
across their saddles, and sherry vallies encasing their legs. They rode
in all weathers and on all kinds of roads. The present generation trav-
els only turnpikes in carriages, or travels on the cars. The older gen-
eration spent their evenings in inns, before blazing fires, and with can-
dle light. The present generation would not be found in a common
bar room, and enjoys all the comforts and conveniences of life. The
older lawyers depended much on oratory and effect ; the present gener-
ation are largely business agents with business methods. The older
lawyers may have enjoyed log cabins with puncheon floors and clap-
board roofs, but the present members of the fraternity enjoy all the
fruits of the intense civilization in the midst of which we live.
Law books are plenty now. In the early times they were scarce. While
the present lawyers have business away from home and attend to it, the
old plan of riding the circuit has gone, never to return. George Col-
lings, the father of Judge Henry Collings, rode the circuit, as did John
W. Campbell and their cotemporaries. Judge George Collings attended
the courts in Scioto, Highland, and Brown Counties. The fashion of
riding the circuit went out with the old Constitution. The old-fash-
ioned judges were not always strong men, nor were they all learned in
the law. Wylliss Silliman was an able lawyer, but Levin Belt was no
better qualified than a justice of the peace. Robert F. Slaughter was
not much of a lawyer, though quite an orator. John Thompson was
only passable, though of a very high temper and much natural dignity,
which shielded his lack of training as a lawyer. Joshua Collett and
George J. Smith were able judges. John W. Price was a fair lawyer.
Judge Fishback is described in a separate sketch. George Collings was
an able and successful lawyer, but his feelings were too sensitive for a
judge, and he would not remain on the bench. Shepherd F. Norris
was a fair lawyer and judge, but Judge Fishback would never concede
It. Thomas Q. Ashbum made an efficient judge, but was not bril-
liant. Tarbell was proficient in the law. Cowen, Collins, and Davis
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200 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
were able judges, above the average of judges before the present
constitution and their immediate predecessors. Loudon made a good
judge, though not of a judicial temperament. Of the nineteen
associate judges of Adams County, as we learn them, Robert
Morrison was the best informed on the law, and of the greatest natural
ability. Moses Baird was the next in ability, though we do not know
so much of him as of Morrison, but he was a man of excellent natural
ability and of great dignity.
The old courts and judges, however, believed in dignity. Colonel
John Lodwick, sheriff of the county, mustered the court with martial
music and a procession from their hotel to the courthouse on the
opening of every term. He wore a cocked hat and carried a sword.
Of all men, Colonel Lodwick was most efficient in a case of this kind.
At militia musters he made the finest appearance of any one on the par-
ade, and as sheriff, was capable of maintaining his own dignity and that
of the whole court. He was a model for every sheriff who has followed
him.
Riohard Collins,
son of Rev. John Collins, was born February 22, 1796, in New Jersey.
He was liberally educated, studied law with John McLean, was admitted
to practice in 1816, and settled in Hillsboro. He was appointed prose-
cuting attorney of Highland County in 1818 and resided there until 1832.
On August 7, 1821, he was appointed prosecuting attorney of Adams
County and on August 5, 1822, he resigned. He represented Highland
County in the House from 1821 to 1823. He removed to Maysville,
Kentucky, in 1833, and represented Mason County in the Kentucky Leg-
islature in 1834, 1844, 1847. Foi" fifteen years, he was president of the
city council of Maysville, Kentucky, and was the first president of the
Maysvile and Lexington Railroad. In 1853, he removed to his father's
old home in Clermont County, where he died May 12, 1855.
He had a keen and sparkling wit and was of high ability in bis pro-
fession.
Daniel Putman Wilkins,
one of the members of the bar of Adams County in its early history, was
born at Amherst, New Hampshire, in 1707, and died at West Union, July
II, 1835, one of the victims of Asiatic cholera. He was the son of An-
drew Wilkins and Lucy Lovell Blanchard, his wife. His grandfather,
Rev. Daniel Wilkins, entered the ministry of the Congregational Church
at Amherst, New Hampshire, in 1740, and died there at the age ol
eighty-five. Of him the record is preserved that "The people of Amherst
paid the highest respect to his memory and erected over his remains a
monument of respectable proportions commemorating his memorable
acts and intrinsic merits."
Daniel P. Wilkins came from a family eminent for services as states-
men and soldiers. Among them are named Daniel Wilkins, Major in
the Revolutionary War, who died of smallpox at Crown Point; Hon.
William Wilkins, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States Senator and
Secretary of War, 1841-1846; General John A. Dix, governor of New
York and minister to France; General Thomas Wilkins, of Amherst,
New Hampshire; George Wilkins Kendall, editor of the New Orleans
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 1:01
Picayune, and Hon. James McKean Williams, lawyer and lieutenant gov-
ernor of New Hampshire.
Daniel P. Wilkins was a brilliant, scholarly lawyer ; keen, bright and
pungent in his manner. It is said he made the following statement in
court in regard to a pleading of an opponent, "May it please the Court.
In the beginning the earth was without form and void, and the Spirit of
God moved upon the face of the waters and there was light. So, too,
may it please the Court, this pleading is without form and void, but it
lies in the power of no spirit to move upon its face and give it form or
light."
He married Susan A. Wood, a pioneer school teacher from Massa-
chusetts, and they had four children— Susan and Clara, who are now de-
ceased and who were married successively to Daniel Barker, of Red Oak
Junction, Iowa; Anna I., now deceased, married to John Eylar, of West
Union, and Mary, married to Charles B. Rustin, now living at Omaha,
Nebraska. Our subject's acquaintance with Miss Wood, whom he mar-
ried, was romantic. She had studied law and appeared in some cases in
the minor cc>urts. Mr. Wilkins was called before a trial justice and there
he found Miss Wood as counsel for the opposite party, and this was the
first time he had met her. She conducted the trial for her client and won
the case. Her management of defense so impressed young Wilkins that
he courted and married her.
He located as a young lawver in West Union, Adams County, in
1820. On the fifth of October, 1822, he was appointed prosecuting attor-
ney of Adams County and served as such until June 12, 1826, when he
was succeeded by George Collings. On the fourth of July, 1825, he de-
livered an oration at West Union, of which an account is given in the
Village Register. He was also a land agent and advertised lands sales in
that paper. There was a public library in West Union in 1825, and he
was librarian. In 1826, he was aid-de-camp in the militia and brigadier
general of the district. The children of his daughter, Anna A. Eylar,
are Joesph W. Eylar, editor of the Neu^s Democrat, of Georgetown ; Oli-
ver A. Eylar, of the Dallas Herald, of Dallas, Texas ; John A. Eylar, a
lawyer at Waverly; Albert A. Eylar, lawyer at El Paso, Texas, Louella
B. Eylar, a school teacher at West Union. Henry Rustin, a lawyer at
Omaha. Nebraska, is a son of his daughter, Mary.
George R. Fltsgerald
was born in Maryland, and came from there to Chillicothe, Ohio. From
the latter place, he came to West Union, probably about 1816. About
all we know of him, we learn from Col. Wm. E. Gilmore, of Chillicothe,
to whom we are indebted for many favors.
While in Adams County, Fitzgerald kept a fine horse, which he was
accustomed to loan 10 his friend, young Joseph Riggs, a bank clerk, to
ride to North Liberty to court Rebecca Baldridge, daughter of Rev. Wm.
Baldridge. In 1818, he was elected to the Legislature from Adams
County and had Gen. Robert Morrison for his colleague. In 1821 and
1822, he again represented Adams County in the lower House, having
no colleague. In 1822, he appears to have changed his residence to
Highland County, for he was prosecuting attorney there in 1824 and
again in 183 1 and 1833. From there he returned to Chillicothe, and was
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202 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
in partnership with Judge Henry Brush. Fitzgerald was a portly, good
looking man and of first-rate legal abilities and attainments. He was
studious and attentive to business. He was moral and temperate in his
habits, but at the same time, moody, often depressed in spirits, and mel-
ancholy. Whether this arose from love or dyspepsia, we do not know,
but he was madly enamored of one of the daughters of Wm. Creighton,
Jr., and his addresses were rejected. Upon Miss Creighton's marriage
to another suitor, he went to Washington, D. C, and soon after com-
mitted suicide.
Eheu ! amare simul et sapere, ipsi Jovi non datur
Garland B. Shelledy
was a young lawyer in West Union in 1824, 1825, to 1828. He is said to
have been a relative of John W. Campbell. His marriage is announced
in the Village Register, of November 14, 1826, as having occurred on the
thirty-first of November, to Miss Nancy Hutcheson, at Cannonsburg,
Pennsylvania, the Rev. Dr. Brown, President of Jefferson College, per-
forming the ceremony.
On March 27, 1827, he was president of the council of West Union
while Joseph Darlinton was recorder. At that time, the president of the
council was the mayor. In 1827, he was a candidate for county treas-
urer, but as usual, Gen David Bradford was elected. No one had any
show as against him. At the election for treasurer at that time, Octo-
ber 27, 1827, the vote stood as follows: David Bradford, 707; Joseph
D. Darlinton, 191 ; John M. Hayslip, 170; Garland B. Shelledy, 97; Wil-
liam McColm, 35.
He was born in Kentucky. His mother's maiden name was Brad-
ford. He was a graduate of Jefferson College of Cannonsburg, Penn-
sylvania. When he left Adams County he located in Edgar County,
Illinois. He was known as a fine speaker at the bar. In his political
views he was a Whig and in his religious views a Presbyterian. He
reared a family and has one daughter, Mrs. S. H. Magner, aged 64 years,
who resides at Paris, Edgar County, Illinois, where he died and is
buried. He died of consumption, as did most of his family.
Samuel Bmsb
was born January 13, 1809, in Chenango County, New York, where his
father resided until 181 5, when he removed to ChilHcothe, Ohio. His
lather, Piatt Brush, was a lawyer and practiced in ChilHcothe with his
son, Henry Brush. In 1820, he removed to Delaware, where he re-
mained until 1828, when he returned to ChilHcothe.
Samuel Brush was a clerk in his father's office. He received a clas-
sical education from three private tutors, one of whom was John A. Quit-
man. He read law with his father and was admitted to the bar at Tiffin,
Ohio, August 30, 1830. In the spring of 1831, he located at West Union,
Ohio, and was elected prosecuting attorney in 1833, the first one elected
in the county. He served two years and then went to Batavia, Ohio, and
practiced a short time when he remo\^ed to Columbus, Ohio. He ac-
quired the title of major in Columbus by being brigade inspector of the
militia. He was vice president of the agricultural society of Franklin
County when it was organized. In 1859, he retired from practice and
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CX^NSTETUTION 203
removed to Canandaigua, New York, and engaged in farming. He was
a Union man during the Civil War. It is said he never lost a case he
prepared or had it reversed. He had great powers of concentration and
was of great industry in his business, alwa>'s ready to try his cases. He
was true to his friends and very grateful to those who favored him, and
of an undoubted integrity.
He was married June 7, 1843, ^^ New York, to Cordelia A. Jenkins.
He had an only son, Henry, who died in 1879.
Samuel Bush was living in 1880 at Canandaigua, New York. He
was of a low stature, dark complexion and of medium size.
James Keenaa.
was born near Killala, County Down, in the Province of Ulster, Ireland,
December 30, 1800. He was the youngest of fourteen children, but four
of whom survived to maturity. His father was William Keenin, and his
mother Miss Deborah Gaugh. His ancestors were originally from
Scotland. His parents were well educated, and strict members
of the Presbyterian Church. His father died when he was but
eighteen years old; and with his mother, his brother William,
and one sister, he took passage on a sailing vessel to this country in
1 819. The ship was bound for New York, but it was chased by Al-
gerian pirates, and driven out of its course. After landing in this coun-
try, they went to Pittsburg.
Our subject received a good education. He read medicine; but on
account of his health and the advice of physicians, never practiced. He
then took up the legal profession ; and after being admitted to the bar,
located in Adams County for the practice of the profession. In 1832 he
married Miss Lucasta H Cole, a daughter of James M. Cole, who was
then the sheriff of Adams County. His wife died June 29, 1834, and is
buried in the Colling^ Cemetery at West Union. In 1835 he was elected
prosecuting attorney of Adams County, and served until 1837 ; when he
resigned and moved to Pike County. He removed from Piketon in the
same year, and went to Tennessee. He located at Camden, and prac-
ticed law there and at Paris.
In 1844 he removed to Mississippi and was admitted to the bar there.
On June 3, 1840, he was remarried to Mrs. Lucynthia W. Rucker Coun-
sulle, of Ripley, Mississippi. Of this marriage there were two daughters,
Mrs. Linnie A. Robertson and Susan Deborah, and one son, William
James. Soon after his marriage, he devoted himself to farming.
He was a natural born orator, and possessed much ability as a law-
>er. He was frequently called upon to act as a special judge. He was
a magistrate of hivS neighborhood for years. He died the eighteenth of
October, 1873, ^"^ ^s buried in Rucker Cemetery, near Ripley, Mississ-
ippi, and his wife died the first of September, 1875. His daughter
Linnie married Charles Alexander Robertson, son of Col. C. S. Robert-
son, a prominent lawyer of New Albany, Mississippi. His daughter
Susan Deborah is unmarried, as well as his son William James. They
reside in the old homestead. In his religions belief, he was a Univer-
salist ; but not a church member. In his political views, he was a Demo-
crat. He was of a kind disposition, gentle and affectionate to those
about him, and charitable to all.
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204 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Joseph MoCormlok,
the son of Adam McCormick and Margaret Ellison, Jiis wife, was born
in 1841 in Cincinnati. He was an only child. As a child, he lived a part
of the time in Cincinnati and a part of the time in West Union. He
is said to have attended college at Marietta. In 183 1 and 1832, he was
at Pine Grove Furnace, ostensibly as a store-keeper. He studied law
soon after this under Nelson Barrere and was admitted to the bar in
about 1835. Directly after his admission to the bar, he located in Ports-
mouth, where he remained for only a few months. He then went to
Cincinnati and remained there most of the time until 1838 when he be-
came prosecuting attorney of Adams County. In 1843 he was again
prosecuting attorney of Adams County, first by appointment and after-
wards by election, until 1845 * O^ May 20, 1840, he was married to
Elizabeth Smith, sister of Judge John M. Smith, of West Union., They
had three children, two sons and a daughter, born in Adams County,
but only one survived to maturity, Adam Ellison, born January 31, 1843.
He was a fine looking man, of magnificent physique, an Apollo
Belvidere, but the bane of his life was the drink habit. His father died
in July, 1849, of the Asiatic cholera and left a large estate, which was dis-
posed of by will. He gave a life estate in it to his son, Joseph, with the
remainder over to his grandchildren, Adam and Mary, the latter of
whom died at the age of ten years. He made Judge George Collings
trustee of his estate and directed him that in case his son should reform
his present unfortunate habit as to drinking, he was to turn the whole
estate over to him. That event, however, never occurred and the estate
was held by the trustee until his death, when it was turned over to his
son, Adam. He was elected to the Constitutional Convention in 1850
from Adams County, where he served with much distinction. On May
5, 185 1, he was appointed, by Governor Wood, attorney general for the
state of Ohio in place of Henry Stansberry, whose term had expired.
He served about seven months, until George E. Pugh, the first attorney
general under the new constitution was elected and qualified. At the
time of Mr. McCormick's appointment, the salary of the office was $750.
Henry Stansberry was the first attorney general appointed in 1846, and
Mr. McCormick was the second.
In about 1857, he left Adams County and went to the state of Cali-
fornia, where he remained until his death in 1879. His wife and son
continued to reside in Manchester from 1857 until 1872 when she died.
Joseph Allen Wilson
was born September 16, 181 6, in Logan County, Ohio. His father, John
Wilson, was born December 17, 1786, in Kentucky, and died October 5,
1824, in Logan County. His wife, IMargaret Darlinton, was born in
Winchester, Virginia. She was married to John Wilson In Adams
County, August 6, 1810, by Rev. William Williamson. She survived
until March 8, 1869. Her father was born March 24, 1754, and died
May 20, 1814, at Newark, Ohio. Her mother was born April 10, 1700,
and died December 14, 1832. John Wilson, grandfather of our subject,
moved to Maysville, Kentucky, about 1781, and bought land on the
Kentucky side of the river for twelve or fifteen miles. This land is all
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 206
divided up, and a part of it opposite Manchester is known as Wilson's
bottoms.
The father of our subject had fifteen children, all of whom lived to
maturity, married and had families. Our subject went to reside with
his uncle, General Joseph Darlinton. in Adams Coimty in 1823. He
was brought up in the Presbyterian church and had such education as
the loc^l schools afforded. At the age of sixteen, in 1832, he became
an assistant to his uncle in the clerk's office of the court of common
pleas and Supreme Court. In 1837, when he had attained his majority,
he started out for himself, with a certificate from J. Winston Price,
presiding judge of the common pleas that he was of correct and most
unexceptionable moral character and habits. Gen. Darlinton also gave
him a certificate that he was perfectly honest and of strict integrity;
that he was familiar with the duties of the clerk's office, that he had had
some experience in retailing goods from behind the counter and in
keeping merchant's books. Between 1837 ^^^ 1840, he was a clerk in
the Ohio Legislature at its annual sessions. In September, 1838, he was
employed in the county clerk office at Grecup County, Kentucky.
In November, 1838, he obtained a certificate from Peter Hitchcock,
Frederick Grimke, Ebenezer Lane, Supreme Judges, that he was well
qualified to discharge the duties of clerk of the court of common pleas
of Ac.ams County, or any other court of equal dignity in the State. In
November, 1840, he obtained employment in the office of Daniel Gano,
clerk of the courts of Hamilton County, as an assistant for four years
at $380 per year. He was married to Harriet Lafferty, sister of Joseph
West Lafferty, of West Union, April 14, 1839, by Rev. Dyer Burgess.
He formed a great friendship with Nelson Barrere, a young lawyer who
had located in West Union in 1834 and several of Barrere's letters to him
are in existence. To Barrere, he disclosed his inmost soul as to a father
confessor and Barrere held the trust most sacredly. He seems also to
have had the friendship of Samuel Brush, an eminent lawyer of that time,
who practiced in Adams County. In 1846, he was an applicant for the
clerkship of the Adams Court of Common Pleas, when Gen. Darlinton
resigned the office. He was recommended by George Collings, Nelson
Barrere, William M. Meek, Chambers Baird, John A. Smith, James H.
Thompson and Hanson L. Penn, but Joseph Randolph Cockerill was
appointed. However, on September 18, 1846, he entered into a written
contract with Joseph R. Cockerill, the clerk, to work in the office at $30
per month until the next spring, and in that period, to be deputy clerk,
in April, 1848, he was admitted to the bar at a term of the Supreme
Court held in Adams County, but it is not now known that he ever
practiced. He always had a delicate constitution and died of pulmonary
consumption December 16, 1848. His wife died August 12, 1850.
They had two children, a daughter, who died in infancy, and a son, John
O., who has a sketch herein.
David B. Grahaai
was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1826, the son of the
Rev. John Graham, D. D., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book,
and of Sarah Bonner, his wife. He resided in Washington, Pa., until the
age of four years when bis father moved to Greenfield, Highland, County,
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206 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Ohio. He resided at Greenfield and Chillicothe till 1840, when he went
to West Union, Ohio. In 1845, he attended Washington College at
Washington, Pennsylvania, and was a student there until the summer of
1848. At that time, he began the study of law at West Union, Ohio,
under the late Thomas McCauslen, and completed his studies in 1850,
when he was admitted to the bar. He resided at West Union and prac-
ticed law there from 1850 until 1853, when he removed to Xenia, Ohio,
and farmed a partnership with Mr. Beatty Stewart.
On the twelfth of February, 1857, he was married to Miss Cornelia
McCroskey. Of this marriage, there were three daughters, all now re-
siding in Cincinnati, Ohio. Miss Henrietta, the eldest, is a fine musician';
Mrs. Minnie Redd is a widow with a grown daughter, and the youngest
is the wife of Dr. Landis, of the Brittany Building.
David Graham removed to Delphi, Ind., in September, 1859, and
remained there till 1872. when he located in Logansport, where he spent
the remainder of his life. He died there in 1887. His wife, a lovely and
lovable woman, survived him but a short time, and side by side their
ashes repose in the beautiful cemetery at Logansport.
David B. Graham resided in West Union from his fourteenth year
until his twenty-seventh year, and as a youth and young man, he was the
soul and life of the society of the young people in West Union, and in his
young manhood, they had more social pleasures than any generation
since. He was genial, companionable and full of humor and fun. He
was fond of the society of young people and they were all fond of his
companionship. He was kind, loving and jolly, and always looking out
to do a kindness or a friendly favor, and among his accomplishments,
he was a fine musician. In his mature life, his genial spirit never forsook
him and he was very popular. He was a cholera sufferer in 1849 and
went through the scourge in 1851. He was of strong religious feelings
and was a member of his father's church in West Union. At Delphi,
Indiana, he connected with the Presbyterian Church and at Logansport,
he was connected with the Methodist Episcopal, and so remained until
his death. In politics, he was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican.
He will be remembered as a man with a great and generous soul, with a
heart for all humanity and a sympathy for all who knew him, which
made them love him in return.
Edward Patton Evans.
Edward Patton Evans was born May 31. 181 4, on Eagle Creek,
Jefferson Township, in Brown County, Ohio. He was the eldest son of
William Evans and his wife, Mary Patton, daughter of John Patton,
of Rockbridge County, Virginia. His mother was born in Rockbridge
County, Virginia, in 1789, and was married to Charles Kirkpatrick in
Virginia in 1806. She and her husband came to Ohio in that year, and
he bought the farm on Eagle Creek on which our subject was born. In
i8t8 Kirkpatrick obtained his deed to the farm of one hundred and
thirty-eight acres in Phillip Slaughter's Survey No. — , of i.ooo acres,
and paid $600. The deed was executed in 1812 before John W. Camp-
bell, justice of the peace, at West Union, Ohio, and afterwards U. S.
Judge for Ohio, and was witnessed by him and his wife, Eleanor Camp-
bell.
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EDWARD PATTON EVANS
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 207
The same year Charles Kirkpatrick went out in Captain Abraham
Shepherd's company, and on his way returning, was shot and wounded
by Indians, and died of his wounds at Chillicothe, Ohio, and was bur-
ied there. William Evans was his friend, and had to break the news to
his widow. Next year, August 13, 1813, he married her, and our sub-
ject was their first child. He had nine brothers and sisters, and on
March 22, 1830, his mother died at he early age of 41.
When our subject was bom, it was customary to name the first boy
for his two grandfathers, so he got Edward on account of his grand-
father Evans, and Patton, for his grandfather, John Patton. As his
father and mother had four other sons, they might have saved the name
of one grandfather for one of them. His grandfather, Edward Evans,
was bom in Cumberland County, Pa., in 1760, and was a member of
Col. Samuel Dawson's company, nth Pennsylvania Regiment, Col.
Richard Humpton, in the Revolutionary War, and was in the battles
of Germantown, Brandywine, and Monmouth, and spent the winter of
1777 at Valley Forge. His great-grandfather, Hugh Evans, was also
in the Revolutionary War, and before that had been a school teacher
in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and had had Mad Anthony Wayne
for a pupil, when the latter was only twelve years old. He was a very
unmly pupil and always at pranks. His four times great-grandfather,
Hugh Evans, came over with William Penn in 1682, and the family
were Quakers until the Revolution.
Edward Patton Evans worked on his father's farm and went to
school of winters until his eighteenth year. He went to school at Rip-
ley for awhile, and afterwards at Decatur. He became a school teacher
and law student, and May 20, 1839, he was married to Amanda J. King,
at Georgetown, Ohio. Subsequent to his marriage, he carried on a
general store at Hamersville, Ohio, and afterwards removed to Sardina,
and carried on a cooperage business there. In 1842 his eldest son was
born, and in 1844 he was admitted to the bar. He removed to West
Union, Adams County, Ohio, in April, 1847, ^"d continued to reside
there until his death. He was engaged in the active practice of the law
from his location in West Union in April, 1847, ""^'l 1877, when he re-
tired on account of failing health. He was a Whig until that party dis-
solved. When the Republican party was organized he identified him-
self with that, and was an enthusiastic Republican all his life. But at
all times he was an anti-slavery advocate. He was a very successful
lawyer, and made more money at the practice of his profession than any
lawyer who has ever been at the bar in Adams County. When he was
at his best, physically and mentally, he was on one side or the other
of every case of importance. When he brought a suit, he never failed
to gain it, unless he had been deceived by his client. The fact was, he
would not bring a suit unless he believed his client had the chance to
win largely in his favor. Once a farmer called on him to bring a suit
in ejectment. Mr. Evans heard his statement and informed him that if
he brought the suit he would lose it, and declined to bring it for him.
This made the farmer very ang^y, and he went away in a great passion.
He found a lawyer to bring his suit, and Mr. Evans was employed by
the defendant, and won the case. He was very positive in his judgment
about matters of law, but his judgment in such matters was almost in-
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208 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
variably correct. He was an excellent trial lawyer, and commanded the
confidence of the entire community. He never sought office, but in
1856 was presidential elector on the Fremont ticket, and, as such, can-
vassed his entire congressional district with Caleb R. Smith, R. W.
Clarke, and R. M. Corwine. From 1856 until after the war, he usually
attended all the State conventions of his party. In j86o he took part
in the canvass for the election of President Lincoln, and during the war
was chairman of the military committee of Adams County, which was
charged with raising all the troops required in the county. As such,
he did a great work in aiding the prosecution of the war. He also did a
great work in looking after the families of the soldiers. In the fall of
1864 he went out with the 6th Independent Infantry to guard rebel
prisoners at Johnson's Island. In 1862 he became a member of the
banking bouse of G. B. Grimes & Company, and continued in that busi-
ness until 1878. During and directly after the war for a time, he owned
and was concerned in operating the flour mill at Steam Furnace. In
the seventies he and three others for a time conducted a woolen mill
at West Union, but, it proving unprofitable, the business was closed
down. Up till 1877 he had apparently had an iron constitution, had
never been sick, but in that year his health began to fail, and continued
to grow worse until he gave up all business. He survived until April
I7» 1883, when death ended his sufferings. He was an honest man,
punctual about all his obligations. He was positive in his convictions
on every subject. He was devoted to the interests of the community
in which he lived, and in the county seat contest spent his money, time,
and labor freely for West Union. He was energetic and enthusiastic
in eyerything he undertook. He was always in favor of public im-
provements, and the West Union school house and new court house in
West Union were largely due to his efforts. 5
Major Chambem Baird.
Chambers Baird was born July 25, 181 1, at Sandy Springs, Adams
County, Ohio, and died at Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, March 20, 1887.
^g^<^ 75 years, 7 months, and 25 days. He was the son of Judge
Moses Baird, an Ohio pioneer, who came from Washington County,
Pennsylvania, and settled at Sandy Springs in 1790, and who has a
sketch herein.
Chambers Baird was reared on the home farm on the banks of the
Ohio River opposite Vanceburg, Kentucky, where he remained with his
parents until the age of nineteen, when he entered Ripley College in
1830. He entered Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, in
1832, in company with his cousin, Stephen R. Riggs, afterward noted
as a minister and missionary among the Dakota Indians. He was
graduated with him in the class of 1834 with second honors, having dis-
tinguished himself in Greek, Latin, English composition, and as a
speaker.
He returned to Ripley after his graduation and began the study of
law with Hon. Archibald Leggett and Col. Francis Taylor, formerly of
Kentucky. He was admitted to the bar in November, 1836, and he
was a regular practitioner in the courts of Adams County from 1837
during the whole time he was in the practice of the law. He was mar-
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THK COURTS JNDER THE CONSTITUTION 209
ried in 1837 to Miss Mary Ann Campbell, of Ripley. She died in 1844,
childless. He was again married May 6, 1845, to Miss Judith Anne
Leggett, only daughter of Mr. A. Leggett, who had married two
daughters of Col. Taylor. Mrs. Baird is still living in Ripley (1899).
To them were born five children, three daughters and two sons, of
whom three died in infancy. The surviving children are Florence C,
now Mrs. John W. Campbell, of Ironton, Ohio, and Chambers, Jr., the
youngest, an attorney of Ripley.
Mr. Baird's early years of manhood were spent in the active work
of his profession. He was a close student and a hard worker. His great
ability, perfect integrity, and high character secured for him recogni-
tion in his profession and in the county, and he became a prominent and
influential figure at the bar to the end of his long life. He was in all
the activities of life at home, and served several terms as mayor of Rip-
ley, and was also repeatedly a member of various elective and ap-
pointive local boards, in which positions he was an efficient and accept-
able officer.
Being a man of strong convictions and g^eat industry, Mr. Baird
early took an active part in political life. He was originally a Whig,
a follower of Henry Clay, and championed the cause of the party in the
great campaign of 1840 and many others following. As a strong anti-
slavery man, he was one of the organizers of the new and great Re-
publican party, to which he constantly adhered to the end of his life.
In 1855 he was elected State Senator from Brown and Clermont coun-
ties, and served with honor and distinction during the sessions of 1856
and 1857. In 1856 he was a delegate to the first National Republican
convention, held at Philadelphia, and assisted in the nomination of Fre-
mont for President. During the troublous and exciting years preced-
ing the war, some of the best work of his political life was given to the
cause of free speech, free men, and a free press. Here, as usual, his
courage, ability, and energy placed him in the front rank and won for
him the distinction which he ever after retained. He was only pre-
vented from attaining the highest political honors by his modesty and
lack of ambition. He rose to every occasion and contest, but the crisis
past, he returned to his profession, and left the gathering of public
laurels to others.
In the campaign of i860 he took a prominent part in the election of
Lincoln, and at the outbreak of the Civil War, which he always be-
lieved would and must come as the only settlement of the great question
of slavery, he was one of the first and foremost to speak for the Union,
to the maintainance of which he gave his highest and untiring energies.
His close personal and political relations with Senator Sherman, Secre-
tary Chase, Governor Dennison, and other statesmen, gave him g^eat
prominence in state affairs. His age, fifty years, prevented him from
entering active military service, but he was at once appointed Provost
Marshal by the Governor, and was intrusted with the responsible duty
of organizing a defense of the Ohio border against the inroads of disloyal
Kentuckians and raiders from the Confederate Army. This confidence
of the War Governor was not misplaced. With his accustomed energy,
he set about organizing minute men and military companies until the
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210 KISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
martial reputation of the people of Ripley and vicinity, already secured
by the many enlisted men in the active volunteer service, made them
well known as being thoroughly prepared to repulse any attack that
might be contemplated. Later in the war he desired more active ser-
vice, and having been offered the appointment of paymaster in the U. S.
Army, he accepted it. He was first assigned to the Army of the Cum-
berland, with headquarters at Louisville, Ky. But he was often with
the army in the field, and was present at several battles, having wit-
nessed the famous "battle above the clouds'' at Lookout Mountain, and
other engagements. Later on he was ordered to Washington, and
there remained on duty among the eastern armies until the close of the
war. He was living in Washington at the time of the assassination of
President Lincoln. At the close of the war he was sent to Annapolis
to pay the Union troops returned from Southern prisons, where he
witnessed many pitiful scenes. On the first day of July, 1866, after a
service of three hard years, he was at last, at his own request, honorably
mustered out of the U. S. service, after handling many millions of
money without the loss of one cent and without a blemish or spot upon
his integrity.
Leaving the army. Major Baird returned to Ripley, to his home
and family, and resumed the practice of his profession. In this work
he continued for a number of years, until the cares of it became a bur-
den, when he relinquished a lucrative practice and occupied himself only
with his private business and affairs, retiring finally with abundant hon-
ors and a competence. During the last decade of his life, however, he
continued his usual activities and expanded his interests. For many
years he was engaged in tht banking business as director of the First
National Bank of Ripley, Ohio, and later as president of the Farmers'
National Bank, and of its successor, the Citizens' National Bank. He
was president of the Ripley Gas Company from its organization in i860
until his death. He was an active member of the Ripley Fair Com-
pany, the Ripley Saw Mill and Lumber Company, of several turnpike
companies, and also an investor in other industries and enterprises at
home and abroad, always desiring to promote the welfare and pros-
perity of his town and its people. His handsome home was the seat of
a continuous and generous hospitality, and here he entertained many
of the distinguished men of the country. He possessed two of the
largest libraries of law books and miscellaneous books in southern
Ohio, and wrote many addresses and articles on subjects of general
interest. He also maintained a wide correspondence with friends and
public men, and obtained many tokens of their esteem and confidence.
In his active political life, which was continued for a number of
years after the war,he was a regular attendant of state and other conven-
tions of the Republican party, and had a wide acquaintance with public
men and politicians in the state. He was famous as a debater, and no
antagonist could easily annoy or ever discomfit him, for his quick, full
mind was always ready to reply with facts, arguments, stories and witti-
cisms. He usually had the best of every discussion, because from his
nature and conscience, he always took the best side of the question.
Thus he was in constant demand as a speaker, and during his long,
active life, made many thousands of addresses of all kinds, professional
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THE CX>URTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 211
and political, and on temperance and religious subjects. He was
never an office seeker, nor often a place holder. He declined many
nominations and appointments, which he felt would take him away from
his law practice and family life.
He was long and closely identified with the Presbyterian Church
of Ripley, which he truly loved and faithfully attended for more than
half a century. For more than forty years he was a trustee, and chair-
man of the board for many years. He also served several terms as
elder in his later years, and always took a deep interest and an active
part in the religious services. He was earnest and effective in all
church work and charities, and contributed largely of his time and
means to their support and furtherance. He was long connected with
the Sunday School in various capacities, and for some years was teacher
of a large Bible class. He served repeatedly as a delegate from the
church to the meetings of the Peshytery and Synod, and was once a del-
egate from the Presbytery of Portsmouth to the General Assembly.
Major Baird was of medium height, fine, regular features, a hand-
some man, possessing a sound mind in a sound body. From his mid-
dle life, he wore a full brown beard, later tinged with gray. His dispo-
sition was sunny and cheerful, and his manners were kindly and courte-
ous. He was friendly to every one, and had a great fondness for little
children, with whom he was a fast favorite. He was fond of men and
company, of books and of social pleasures, — the life of every assembly
with his vivacity, humor, and stories. His temper was easy and kindly.
In affairs of duty and honor, his courage was unaffected by opposition
or self-interest. He always saw the right clearly and instantly, and
took his stand upon it without any fear or wavering. He was gener-
ous to the poor and helpful to the deserving, always ready to assist per-
sons in distress and trouble. For years he maintained many private
charities and dependents, of which the world knew little or nothing.
His personal and professional life was clear, just, and consistent, and he
lived an earnest, devoted Christian gentleman. He lived long and
worked hard, rising from simple beginnings to the highest eminence
in his profession and in the consideration of his communiaty. In his
profession of the law, he attained the highest reputation; among men
of business and affairs, he was esteemed as a banker and financier; in
politics, he was the trusted Republican leader of his county, and pos-
sessed the unlimited confidence of the leaders of his party in the State ;
in the work and counsels of the Presbyterian Church, he was promi-
nent and useful as a trustee and an elder ; in slavery and temperance agi-
tatioh and in other moral reforms, he was ever active and eloquent ; and
in the general routine of life, he was helpful, sympathetic and generous,
a leader in all good works and deeds. He lived a long, full life, and the
world and humanity are the better for his efforts and example.
**Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in the dust."
WllUam M. Meek»
son of Rev. John and Anna Meek, was born November 22, 1818, in
Wrst Union, where he resided with his parents until 1836, when they re-
moved to Winchester. That same year he entered school at Hillsboro,
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212 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
and completed the Hillsboro schools. He then accepted a position
with the dry goods firm of Trimble & Barry, where he remained until
1838, when he returned to West Union, accepting a like position with
Edward Moore. In 1841 he began the study of law. He was the pupil of
the Hon. Nelson Barrere. In May, 1844, in the Supreme Court of
Hillsboro, he was admitted to practice. The Hon. Thomas L. Hamer,
of Brown County, wias one of the committee who examined him and
recommended his admission. He opened up a law office in West Union
and remained there for more than a year. In August, 1845, he was
married to Miss Hester DeBruin, of Winchester, daughter of H. I.
DeBruin, a well-known merchant. In October, 1845, he formed a
partnership with Hon. Nelson Barrere, in the practice of law at West
Union, and this continued until March, 1850, when he rejnoved to Win-
chester and entered into merchandising as a partner with the late I. H.
DeBruin in Winchester. Pie continued the practice of law at the same
time he was engaged in merchandising business, which he continued
until 1854, when he removed to Hillsboro, Ohio, where he resumed
practice. He was elected probate judge of Highland County first in
1863, re-elected in 1866, and again in 1869. In 1872 he resumed the
practice of law, and continued until his health broke down. In politics
he was a Republican. He was a member of and devotedly attached to
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was reared, and he was
twice a lay delegate to the general conference of that church, first at
Baltimore in 1876, and again in 1880 at Cincinnati. He was made a
Master Mason in 1849 ^" West Union. He was a Royal Arch Mason,
Hillsboro Chapter, in 1850, and was made a Knight Templar in the
Chillicothe Commandery in 185 1. He departed this life April 29, 1893.
John MitoheU Smitli. ,
Among those who were conltinuous residents of the village of
West Union for the greater number of years was Judge John Mitchell
Smith, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, June 29, 1819. He was of
Scotch-Irish extraction, his ancestors having emigrated from Argyl-
shire, Scotland, to the north of Ireland, and thence to the New Hamp-
shire Colony, America, in 1719. His grandfather, John Smith, was a
non-commissioned officer in the Revolutionary War, and was wounded
in the service of his country.
His father. Judge David Campbell Smith, a graduate of Dartmouth
College in the class of 181 3, came to Ohio from Francestown, New
Hampshire, where he was born October 2, 1785, and settled in Hrank-
lintown, now a part of the city of Columbus, in the year 181 5. He was
the first lawyer to locate permanently in Columbus, and was one of the
first associate judges of the common pleas court for Franklin County,
having been elected as *'David Smith" in 1817. Almost invariably after-
wards, he dropped his middle name. He was a member of the House
in the Twenty-first General Assembly and also in the Twenty-fifth Gen-
eral Assembly of the State. From 1816 to 1836 he was editor and pro-
prietor of the Ohio Monitor (afterwards in the Ohio Statesmen), the
third newspaper established in the county. He was State Printer in
1820 and again in 1822. From 1836 to 1845 he was chief clerk in the
"Dead Letter" office in the Postoffice Department. On August 17.
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THE CX)URTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 213
1814, David Smith was married to Miss Rhoda S. Mitchell, of Haver-
hill, Mass., and John M. was their third child. His mother died when
he was only six weeks old, and on June 5, 1820, his father ag^in married
— a sister of the fist wife, Miss Harriet Mitchell (born in Haverhill),
December 23, 1802. By this latter marriage, there were also three
childen. Mrs. Harriet Smith died of cholera, August 11, 1833. Judge
David Smith remained a citizen of Columbus until 1836, when he went
to Manchester, Adams County, Ohio, to reside with his daughter, Mrs.
Elizabeth McCormick. He died at her home February 4, 1865. His
remains, as also those of his wife, repose in Greenlawn Cemetery, at
Columbus.
Until seventeen years of age, John Mitchell Smith continued to live
with his father in Columbus, receiving such education as the public
schools and the severe training of his father's printing office afforded.
He then took three years' course of study in Blendon College. In the
spring of 1840 he removed to West Union. Here he studied law for
two years in the office of Jo^ph McCormick — afterwards ajttomey
general of the State, and was licensed to practice law by the Ohio Su-
preme Court in 1843, ^^ the meanwhile he had served as deputy
sheriff under Samuel Foster, and from 1841 to 1846 was recorder of
Adams County. In 1850, greatly to his surprise and against his wishes,
he was nominated and elected representative of Adams and Pike
Counties in the Fifty-ninth General Assembly, serving but one term.
In 1846 he was clerk of the courts for a short time to succeed General
Darlinton, whose term had expired. In December, 1846, he purchased
and for the next twelve years, successfully and ably edited and published
the Adams County Democrat Though a vigorous organ of the Demo-
cratic party, the paper was popular with all patrons, and is yet fre-
quently mentioned as one of the ablest journals ever published in the
county.
In 1851, upon the adoption of the present constitution of the State,
he was elected probate judge. In 1854, the year of the famous "Know-
Nothing" campaign, Judge Smith was defeated, along with the remain-
der of the Democratic ticket, as a candidate for re-election. In 1856
he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Cincin-
nati, and was a firm supporter of Lewis Cass, from first to last, as
against James Buchanan and Stephen A. Douglas. In 1857 ^^ ^^s
again nominated and elected probate judge, and, in i860, was for the
fourth time nominated and the third time elected to that office. Owing
to the declination of Judge Henry Oursler, in 1865, he continued to per-
form the duties of the position for a year longer — serving practically
for ten years.
In 1866 he was appointed United States deputy internal revenue
collector for Adams County, and served for a number of months under
Gen. Benjamin F. Coates, of Portsmouth, the collector for the district.
Afterwards, he served as deputy sheriff under Messrs. John Taylor,
John K. Pollard, James M. Long, and Greenleaf N. McManis, and at
the time of his death was deputy county clerk under Wm. R. Mahaffey.
As school director, he actively assisted in establishing the union
school in West Union, shortly before the Civil War, and for twenty
years prior to his death he was almost constantly clerk of the incor-
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214 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
porated village of West Union (generally by unanimous election), and
clerk of the school board of the special district, ever taking pride in
every movement for the advancement and progress of the people, and
especially of the youth of the village. In 1880 he was United States
census enumerator for Tiffin Township, by appointment of Henry A.
Towne, of Portsmouth. For years he was county school examiner,
and for a long time was the secretary of the old agricultural society of
the county. From the time of the adoption of the Australian ballot
system in Ohio, until his death, he was president of the county board of
elections, and his last official act was in connection with that office.
On the breaking out of the Rebellion, Judge Smith was what was
known as a "War Democrat,*' but, during or about the close of the
war, he became a Republican, and was as ardent in support of that party
as he was in earlier years of the Democratic party. However, he
was always fair and conservative in his political opinions, and inde-
pendent and conscientious in support of party candidates.
On November 30, 1842, John M. Smith was married to Miss Ma-
tilda A. Patterson, third child and oldest daughter of John and Mary
Finley Patterson, who were among the early settlers of Adams County.
The acquaintance of the families began in Columbus, where their
fathers served together in the Legislature. They were married in the
house on Main street (built by Mr. Patterson), in which they lived from
1848 to 1892, and in which eight of their eleven children were born.
Two of their children (John David and Thomas Edwin) died in infancy ;
Elizabeth, married to Rev. WilHam Coleman on May 18, 1864, died
April 26, 1873, at Pleasant Hill, Mo. ; Joseph P. died at Miami, Florida,
February 5, 1898. Those surviving (in the spring of 1899) are Mary
Celia (Mrs. Chandler J. Moulton), Lucasville, O. ; Virginia Gill (widow
of Luther Thompson), West Uniooi; Clarence Mitchell, Columbus;
Clifton Campbell, Columbus; Frederick Lewis, Cincinnati; Herbert
Clark, Hyattsville, Md; Sarah Lodwick (Mrs. Charles E. Frame),
West Union.
John M. Smith was never a church member, but he respected the
beliefs of others, and encourgaged his children to imitate their mother's
example as a humble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. His religious
convictions were in accord with those entertained by those persons
who are affiliated with the Universalist Church of the present day.
In his last days he said to his wife : "I have always considered religion
a matter of personal belief and concern. I have tried to lead an honor-
able and useful life, and am content to leave my future in the hands
of a merciful God." He died on November 17, 1892, after a sickness
of about a month.
In the "inner circle" — the home life, the wife and children of John
M. Smith knew him as an affectionate husband and loving father;
generous and thoughtful, tender and compassionate, indulgent and
self-sacrificing. What some others saw in his life is expressed in
their own language, as follows: — Judge Henry Collings said in part —
"The modesty of his disposition and the great antipathy to any-
thing like display, probably prevented his taking the rank he other-
\vise might have done at the bar, and certainly obscured his ability,
to an extent, among the common people. But lawyers and courts
knew and often attested that we had no profounder legal mind, no
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 216
man of sounder judgment, no one whose opinipn of the law was more
deferred to than Judge Smith."
Judge Frank Davis, of Batavia, said:
'*I learned to respect and honor him as a just, honest, true, in-
telligent man; one whom, had he desired to actively engage in the
practice of law, had rare ability and thorough knowledge, and, with
it all, an intimate insight into the motives of men."
Col. John A. Cockerill wrote from New York that "He was
the first man, outside of my own father, whom I learned to esteem
and honor ***** Judge Smith was indeed a very able man, and
I think in a wider field than Adams County afforded, would have
acliieved marked distinction."
Matilda A. Smith, wife of Judge John M. Smith, was born in the
house in which she was afterwards married, in which she made her
home for so many years, and in which she died. Her birthday was
October 4, 1823. Her mother died February 6, 1831, and as the eldest
daughter, three younger children were left for her to care for. Her
father married Miss Celia Prather on the ninth of the following No-
vember. Five children were bom to this union, previous to the death
of the mother at Columbus, O., February 22, 1840. Never freed from
the care of her own brothers and sisters, during the illness and after the
death of her step-mother, the additional care of her half-brothers de-
volved upon Matilda. She also assisted in caring for the children
of her second step-mother. (Mary Catherine McCrea,) married to John
Patterson at Columbus, November 12, 1840, until after her marriage in
1842.
These family cares deprived Matilda A. Smith to a great extent
of the educational facilities of her young days, and early privations
had their influence on her health. But while frail of body, she was
strong of mind and energetic will. Her younger brothers and sisters
looked up to her as a second mother. She had a great) loving, sympa-
thetic heart. In addition to caring for those mentioned, and for her
own eleven chlidren, she also took into her family and her affections,
treating him all his life as one of her own, John M. Chipps, a distant
relative.
In the retrospect of the life of our mother, we the children, stand
amazed at the duties assumed and wonder how it was possible for her
to accomplish so much. And yet, despite her own cares, she found
time to minister to the sorrowing and afflicted among her neighbors.
Her whole life was a continuous round of unselfish usefulness. Her
highest ambition was the success and happiness of her children; and
her greatest earthly joy, as she reached the twilight hours of her life's
journey, was that the members of her family were living in comfortable
circumstances. After the death of her husband, she resided for a time
with one of her sons in Columbus, but wanted to return to end her
days in the old homestead. For more than fifty years, she was a de-
vout member of the Presbyterian Church at West Union and died on
August 21, 189s, with the blessed hope of a blissful eternity. Together
the remains of Judge John M. and Matilda A. Smith are reposing in
the old cemetery south of West Union. Their children bless God for
such a father and such a mother. The world is better for their having
lived in it.
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216 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
Major John W* MoFerran
was born September 15, 1828, in Clermont Coimty, Ohio. He was the
architect of his own fortune — was dependent upon himself from child-
hood. He qualified himself to teach school and followed that occupation
for several years. When a young man he ran a threshing machine in
times of harvest. He came to West Union in about 1850, and began the
study of law under the late Edward P. Evans. He maintained himself
by teaching while a law student. He was admitted to the bar May 2,
1853, and began practice in West Union. That same fall he was a can-
didate for the nomination for prosecuting attorney before the Democratic
primary and defeated J. K. Billings, who had had the office but one term,
and by all precedents was entitled to his second term. McFerran, how-
ever, made an active canvass and being very popular secured the nomi-
nation. Before the people, E. M. DeBruin, now of Columbus, Ohio, was
his opponent, but McFerran was elected. He was renominated and re-
elected for a second term as prosecuting attorney. In the fall of 1857,
he determined to contest with Captain Moses J. Patterson for the place
of representative to the Legislature. Captain Patterson resided near
Winchester. He was highly esteemed by every one and had but one
term in the Legislature. McFerran, however, contested the nomination
v/ith him and won. McFerran had 679 votes and Patterson, 407. Be-
fore the people the Hon. George Collings was the Whig candidate. Mc-
Ferran had 1626 votes and Collings, 1282. Legislative honors did not
please McFerran. He said it was well enough to go to Legislature once,
but a man was a fool to go a second time. He declined a second term
and Moses J. Patterson succeeded him. McFerran then devoted himself
to the practice of law and was making a great success when the war
broke out. He could make pleasing and effective arguments before a
jury and he carried the old and young farmers of Adams County with
him. He was of a fiery temper and disposition. Whatever he under-
took, he did with great enthusiasm. It was just as natural that he
should be consumed by the war fever as that a duck should take to water.
When the war broke out, he gave his entire soul to the Union cause.
He aided in organizing the 70th O. V. I., and became its major, October
2, 1861. He was the idol of the men of his regiment and was willing to
do anything for them. However, he fell a victim to the southern cli-
mate and died of a fever at Camp Pickering, near Memphis, Tennessee,
October 6, 1862. His body was brought to Cairo, Illinois, and after-
wards to West Union, and reinterred among the people who admired and
loved him.
He was married to Miss Hannah A. Briggs, June 27, 1858, a most
estimable woman, and there were two children of the marriage, Minnie,
the wife of Dr. W. K. Coleman, of West Union ; John W., who died at
the age of four.
In the public offices he occupied, he faithfully and capably dis-
charged their duties. He was public spirited and always ready to aid any
worthy and good enterprise. In his private dealings, he was honest and
liberal. For his soldiers, he always had kind words and pleasant greet-
ings. There was nothing he would not do for them and they knew it
and felt it. He had the respect and esteem of his fellow officers. He
was always at his post, always cheerful and uncomplaining and ready
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GEORGK COI,I.INGS KVANS
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 217
to die at any time. He showed his bravery on the bloody field of Shiloh,
at Corinth, Chewalla, Holly Springs and Memphis.
He was worthy of the cause he fought for and his patriotic career
will be one which hws descendants can look back to with pride and it will
grow brighter as the years go by. It has been thirty-seven years since
he gave his life to his country, but to those who knew him and loved him,
and who survive, it seems but yesterday.
There were three officers of the Civil War who lost their lives in the
service whom Adanjg^ County will always remember, and they were Major
McFerran, Samuel K. Clark and Major Philip R. Rothrock.
Oeor^e O. Evaiuu
George Collings Evans was born February 20, 1858, the son of
Edward Patton Evans and Amanda Jane Evans, in the family home-
stead now owned and occupied by John P. Leonard. As a babe, he was
large, strong and healthy. He walked at the age of nine months. He
was always a sturdy boy. His father and the Hon. George Collings, of
Monroe Township, were close friends and the babe was named for the
latter. George attended the public schools in West Union until his six-
teenth year when he went to school in Portsmouth, Ohio, residing with
his elder brother, Nelson W. Evans. In September, 1874, he entered
the Academy at South Salem, Ross County, and remained there one year.
In September, 1875, he entered Marietta College in the freshman class.
He remained there until July, 1877. While in college he was a fair stu-
dent and was very fond of athletic sports and all those amusements dear
to college boys.
In the summer of 1877, he took up the study of the law with his
father and was admitted to the bar by the district court in Ironton, Ohio,
April, 1879. He formed a partnership with Luther Thompson, also now
deceased, under the. name of Thompson and Evans and practiced his pro-
fession at West Union until January, 1881, when he opened an office in
Columbus, Ohio, and began the practice of law there. From 1877, his
father's health had been failing and in i88t, it had so far failed that he
was confined to his home, a helpless invalid. About the first of Decem-
ber, 1881. George returned to West Union to make it his home during
the life of his father. On December 27, 1881, he was married to Miss
Josephine Cluxton and the two took up their home with his parents.
On September 25, 1882, in the forenoon, he was in as good health,
apparently, as any one could wish to enjov. He went to his office and
attended to his business. Conversing with some friends that morning,
in regard to the death of a young ladv, it was said to him, "You have
the phvsical powers to live to old age.'' George replied he believed he
would have a very long life. Tust before noon, he began to write out an
administrator's deed. He had it half finished and left it on his desk,
when he closed his office and went to dinner. He never was at his office
aierain. He ate a hearty dinner and rested awhile. Then he complained
of severe pain. He was attacked with hepatic calculi or gall stones.
From that time until his death, he was never free from pain, unless
under the influence of opiates. He continued suffering until it P. M.
October 2. when peritonitis set in and from that time until he breathed
his last at 9 A. M. October 3, he was in a mortal agony which opiates
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218 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
could not relieve. It is believed that at this hour, the gall stones rup-
tured the hepatic duct and let the contents of the gall bladder into the
cavity of the bowels. Ho>\'ever, all this time, he was in his full strength.
On the morning of October 3, at 6 A. M., a neighbor, David Thomas,
called and saw that George was dying, though not apparent to others.
He requested the physician in attendance to notify the family which
was done and they gathered about him. His aged father was carried
to his bedside to bid him a last farewell. His mother and his wife were
beside him. George said, "Father, I had expected to be your comfort
and stay in your old age, but I am called first." The word spread
through the village quickly, "George Evans is dying,'* and his friends
hurried to bid him farewell. He made his will; he prayed for himself
and bade his relations and friends all a touching farewell. He left
messages for his brother in Portsmouth and his sister in school at Ox-
ford. He left directions as to his wife, expecting soon to be a mother,
and expressed his willingness and readiness for the inevitable. Fifteen
minutes before he died, he was on his feet and was conscious almost
to the last moment. Those who were present say they never saw such
a death scene and hoped to be spared from a like one. He died at fif-
teen minutes past 9 A. M. October 3, 1882, and the court house bell
at once tolled the fact and the number of his years. The community
was never so shocked by the death of anyone since the cholera epi-
demic of 185 1. His funeral was held October 5th at his father's resi-
dence. It was a beautiful, ideal, October day and the attendance was
so numerous that the Services were held in the open air. The Masonic
Order had charge of the ceremonies and the West Union band, at its
own request, preceded the funeral procession playing dirges. No sadder
funeral was ever held in West Union than this and none in which more
profound sympathy was felt and expressed for his family friends.
The following was said by the Defender in respect to his sudden
death :
"He was just entering into the realities of life arid beginning to
assume the responsibilities of manhood. His star of hope shone bright
in the firmament of his ambition. The future to him was the fairest
of visions, and his life full of the enthusiasm of youth His most earnest
desires and aspirations seemed to be fast approaching a happy con-
summation. Young in years, buoyant in spirits, ardent in hope, his
light was dashed out at the beginning of a splendid and promising
career. The midnight of the grave drew its sable curtains at a time
when all things seemed fair. To say that his death caused universal
grief but illy expresses the universal feeling of sorrow at his sudden
demise."
The following was the expression of the bar of Adams County,
on the occasion of his death:
"George C. Evans, a highly esteemed and respected member of
the bar, having been suddenly removed by the casualty of death, his
late associates, in commemoration of his estimable qualities of head
and heart and as expressive of their unfeigned sorrow at his sudden
death, take this action :
"George C. Evans is taken away from us while yet in the vigor
of his early manhood, being only 24 years of age, having within three
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THE CX>URTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 219
years been admitted to practice, he had scarcely developed to the pub-
lic the large ability which his fellows at the bar knew him to possess.
Notwithstanding his brief career as a practitioner, he gave clear evidence
of the many qualities which form the able and successful lawyer.
"He possessed in the prosecution of his business almost untiring
energy. He was always prompt and persistent in attending to the
interests committed to his keeping. He manifested much more than
usual ability as an advocate and had a happy vien of humor, and a
pleasant faculty of expressing himself, which rendered him a pleasing
and forcible speaker. His unquestioned integrity rendered him at all
time a safe representative of the interests of clients and he was an
agreeable associate and respected and trusted opponent in the practice
His social qualities render particularly sad his untimely death. He had
an almost uninterrupted flow of good spirits — always a kindly disposi-
tion and a general warm heart with a hopeful view of the future. These
qualities made him a rare addition to any social occasion. Those of
this bar who have known him as a man and boy during his life, cordially
bear testimony by this tribute that no loss that could have been visited
upon us would have been more sadly deplored than the sudden death
of the brave, warm-hearted genial gentleman, and upright lawyer,
George C. Evans. Great as our sense of bereavement is, we can only
appreciate in a small way, the sorrow that has fallen upon his aged
parents and young wife. We tender them our heartfelt sympathies
in their great loss. In token of our respect of the deceased,
''Resolved, That the court be requested to enter upon its journal
the foregoing action, that the same be published in each of the several
papers of the county, and a copy furnished the wife, the parents, brother
and sister of the deceased.'*
The Masonic Fraternity also passed resolutions in respect to the
awful calamity. His Sunday School class, consisting of ten young
boys, all of whom are now men, and two of whom have since passed
beyond, expressed, by written resolutions, their feeling on the occasion
of the sudden demise. These resolutions were presented at a memorial
service held by the Presbyterian Sunday School. They spoke of him
as their able and beloved teacher, of his genial manners, his earnest
instruction, of his liberality and of the brave manner in which he sub-
mitted to the last enemy.
His office was opened the day after his funeral and his papers
were found just as he had left them at noon on Monday September
25. The administrator's deed lay on his desk half finished, just as he
had left it to go to his dinner.
His child, born after his death, is now (1900) almost a woman,
Georgia C. Evans, residing at Winchester, Ohio, with her widowed
mother.
When we reflect that in the disease of which George Evans died,
there is only one fatal case in every hundred, and that almost immed-
iately after his death, the medical profession began the practice of suc-
cessfully relieving such cases, by surgery, it seems a thousand pities
that this young man, so full of manly vigor, of courage and hope with
such happy prospects for a long life, and so full of the activities of this
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220 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTy
life, should be so suddenly called away, but until every one living in
West Union, who realized this startling event, has passed away, the
shock caused by his untimely demise will not be forgotten.
Lnther Thompsoi&t
who in his time was one of the prominent lawyers of the county, was
bom December lo, 1848, In Oliver Township, the only son and child
of Archibald and Sarah Ann (McKenzie) Thompson. He was reared
in the county. His education was in the public schools of the county
and at the Lebanon Normal School. As a boy, he was serious, con-
scientious and exemplary. He was strictly truthful and was ruever
known to use a profane or vulgar word. His moral character as boy
and man was perfect. He was ambitious and studious and always
honest and conscientious. He began the study of law with the Hon.
F. D. Bayless, in 1869, and continued it while engaged in teaching
until April 24, 1873, when he was admitted to the bar and began prac-
tice at West Union. It has been a custom in West Union to have a
lawyer, young or old, as justice of the peace, and in 1874, Mr. Thomp-
son was elected as such and served two terms.
On January 5, 1876, he was married to Miss Jennie Smith,
daughter of the Hon. John M. Smith. They had six children, but only
two survive — Charles L., born October 22, 1877, and Matilda, born
April I, 1883.
He was, at one time, a school examiner for the county. He had
no ambitions for political honors, but an intense ambition to succeed
as a lawyer. In his profession, he was thorough in all he did. He
never tired in his legal work. He had a love for his profession and
delighted in the performance of its duties. He had in his work that
most essential element of success, enthusiasm. The elements of his
character held for him the confidence of all who knew him. His at-
tainments and his conscientious discharge of his professional duties
gave him the respect of the court and his fellow lawyers, and secured'
him the devotion of his clients.
From 1879 ^^ i88t, he was in partnership with the late George
C. Evans, under the firm name of Thompson and Evans. From 1882,
until his death, he was in partnership with his father-in-law, Hon.
John M. Smith under the firm name of Thompson & Smith.
He was only thirteen years at the bar, but in that time he demon-
strated that had he been permitted to live, he would have made a noble
success in his profession, but consumption had marked him as its own,
and at thirty-eight years, when the world is brighest and fairest, he
was called away. For nine years he had been a member of the Pres-
byterian Church and lived up to his religious profession. Politically,
he was reared a Democrat and adhered to that party, but never was
a partisan and had as many friends in the other party as in his own.
In the testimonial the lawyers gave him, they said he was a good citizen,
an able lawyer and an honest man.
What greater tribute could he have earned or could have been
given him than this? All that is grand or good, all that is valuable is
character, and Luther Thompson left the memory of one, which his
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 221
widow, his children and his friends will be proud, and which will be a
beacon light to those who come after.
One of the editors of this work, Mr. Evans, knew Luther Thomp-
son well. He respected him for his high personal standard of life, for
his attainments and his work as a lawyer. He knew from his own lips
how bitter it was to him to turn his back on the world and face death
at the early age of thirty-eight, and he knows how bravely and well,
how like a philosopher and a Christian, he met the inevitable and sub-
mitted to it. No truer man, no more honorable and noble in his life
etver lived, and the passing of one so endowed, but illustrates that irony
of fate which takes those best qualified to live.
David W. Thomas,
lawyer and soldier, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, Augiist ii,
1833, the fourth child in a family of six. His father was Joseph Thomas
and his mother, SalHe Worthington. They were natives of Loudon
County, Virginia, whose male ancestors were soldiers in the Revolu-
tion. His father was a wagon and carriage maker. He removed to
Ohio in 1836, locating at Mt. Vernon, Knox County, and remained
there three years. He then removed to Adams County, near Mt.
Leigh, where he resided until his death in 1870. He was noted for
his ability as a master mechanic, and esteemed for his sterling integrity
of character.
Our subject's earlier years were passed in various employments,
in the carriage shop and on the farm. His early training was limited
to the common schools. In his twentieth year, he was so far advanced
by self-culture, that he became a teacher of the district schools and
engaged in that profession at Locust Grove, Adams County, where
he taught two winters, and labored on a farm in the summers. In this
period he began the study of law. In the winter of i860, he removed
to West Union and resumed his law studies under Col. Joseph R. Cock-
erill. In May. 1861, he enlisted in the immortal Co. D. of the 24th
Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment
the full period of three years. On the second day of the battle Shiloh,
he was wounded in the thigh and was incapacitated from service for
about two months. After the battle of Stone River, he was promoted
to first lieutenant and subsequently made captain of the company.
At the expiration of his term of service, he returned to West Union
and again resumed the study of law under the late E. P. Evans. He
was admitted to the bar on the first of October, 1864. Most of the
time during the remainder of his life, he resided at West Union, and ac-
quired a very extensive practice. In 1867, he was elected prosecuting
attorney of Adams County, and served until May, 1869, when desiring
to remove to Georgetown, Ohio, to practice his profession, he re-
signed that office and was succeeded by Franklin D. Bayless. Our
subject, however, resided at Georgetown but two years, and then re-
turned to West Union. He was elected mayor of West Union in 1873,
and re-elected in 1874, holding the office three years consecutively.
In his political faith, he was always a Democrat.
He was married on November 9, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Fritls,
a native of Loudon County, Virginia. Their children were: Nellie,
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222 HISTORY OP ADAMS CXDUNTY
married to Charles Q. LafFerty, and died in 1889; William T., David
Ammen, Joseph J., Alfred Tennyson, Hattie M., and Charles V.
Our subject died April 13, 1893, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He is buried
in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at West Union, Ohio. His widow,
daughter Hattie, and sons who are at home, reside at West Union.
David Thomas was a man of the most generous impulses. He
was always ready to do a kind act for an enemy or a friend. His patriot-
ism was of the unselfish, exalted kind, and it was his pride that he
had been able to serve his country as a soldier in the Civil War. As
a lawyer, when in the possession of good health, he was active, indus-
trious and devoted to the interests of his clients. He possessed more
than common ability in his profession and was successful, but his last
years were burdened by infirmities, resulting from his service in the
army, and he was compelled to relinquish the practice of his profession
for several years prior to his death. He was of that noble band of
patriots who offered their services to their country at the very outset
of the war, to whom the people of Adams County and of all the country
will be lastingly grateful. In politics he was always identified with
the Democratic party. He was identified with the Presbyterian Church
of West Union.
Franklin D. Bayless
was born February 2, 1839, on Brush Creek, at a time when the ther-
mometer stood fifteen degrees below zero. He was thus early thrown
upon the cold world, but this fact has never seemed to have had a
bad influence on his subsequent life. His parents were Elza Bayless
and Jane W. DeCamp, and from his mother, he received his second
name. He received his education principally in the West Union
schools. In 1858 and 1859, he taught school and in i860 and 1861, he
was a student. In the latter year he was in school, and just prior to
Major McFerran's departure with the 70th O. V. I., he enrolled him-
self as a law student under him.
On July 29, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 91st O. V. I. He
was appointed sergeant on the 22d of August, 1862. On July 20,
1864, he was severely wounded at an engagement at Stephenson*s
Depot; being shot in both thighs. He was appointed first sergeant,
December i, 1864, and was mustered out June 24, 1865. When he
returned from the war, he resumed the study of law, and was admitted
to the bar at Portsmouth, Ohio, April 23, 1866. The same fall, he was
a candidate on the Democratic ticket to represent Adams County in
the Legislature, but was defeated by Captain W. D. Burbage, now of
Washington, D. C, by a majority of twenty votes.
In 1869, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Adams County on
the Democratic ticket, and was re-elected in 1871. In 1873, ^^ was
again a candidate for the legislature on the Democratic ticket and was
defeated by Richard Ramsey, Republican.
In 1881, he was a candidate for common pleas judge in the counties
of Adams, Brown and Clermont, on the Democratic ticket, but was
defeated by Col. D. W. C. Loudon, of Brown County, by 41 votes. He
received the remarkable majority of over 600 votes in his own county,
but was defeated by his own party votes in the other two counties.
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 228
owing to the personal popularity of Col. Loudon, and the activity of
the latter's friends.
He has been twice married, first to Helen M. Young, on Novem-
ber 22, 1869. She died September 9, 1884. He entered into a second
marriage with Nora White Young, on October 8, 1885. Mr. Bay-
less has three daughters, two of his first marriage and one of his sec-
ond marriage. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in his religious views,
he is a Presbyterian. He is one of the ablest lawyers who ever prac-
ticed at the West Union bar.
George Wasl&inston Pettit*
It is a great responsibility for a father to name a son for the father
of his country, but in this case, Mr. Pettit's father assumed it. If a
boy or man having this prenomen, does not live up to the model set
by his immortal name, then it is always cast up to him, but in this
case, our subject has always done the best he could under all circum-
stances, and has never been reminded that he did not follow the model
of his patronymic.
Our subject was bom near Dukinsville, Adams County, April 5,
1856. His father was Isaac Pettit and his mother's maiden name was
Sarah Chambers. His father was a native of Greenup County, Ken-
tucky, and his mother of Washington County, Pennsylvania. His
father was a farmer and a blacksmith, and young George partially
learned the latter trade while a boy at home with his father. All the
education he received from others was in a log school house in Oliver
Township, known as the **Gulf District," and he had but three months
school in any one year, but George was ambitious and determined to
seek learning and did so. He acquired a sufficient knowledge of the
comon branches and began his career as a county school teacher, April
30, 1866, at Mt. Tabor, in Jefferson Township. The same year he
taught at Bentonville, and continued there until 1870. In 1871, he
began teaching at Rome, and taught there until 1874.
On May 20, 1874, he was married to Laura A. Adamson, daughter
of John Adamson, of Bentonville. In 1874 and 1875, he taught in Con-
cord, Kentucky. In 1875 and 1876, he taught again at Rome. In 1876
and 1877, he and his wife both taught at Buena Vista, in Scioto
County, and in 1877 and 1878, he taught again at Rome.
In April, 1878, he removed to Chenoa, Illinois, and was there five
months, when he returned to Adams County, and that same winter he
taught at Bentonville. He began the study of law under the Hon.
F. D. Bayless, of West Union, and continued it while he was teaching.
He was admitted to the bar in West Union in 1878, and began prac-
ticing in April, 1879, ^^ West Union. In October, i8i8o, he was elected
clerk of the courts of Adams County by a majority of 215 over L. J.
Fenton, afterward congressman. He was re-elected in 1883 over R. S.
Kirkpatrick by 420 majority and had 124 more votes than the Demo-
cratic state ticket.
He has three children — Horace G., who married Vida Sutteiiield,
daughter of D. R. Sutterfield, Ernest G., aged eighteen, and Helen,
aged II. He is a member of the board of elections of Adams Coimty,
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224 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
having been appointed August i, 1899. In his political views, he is
a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a
strong advocate of the cause of temperance. He is known ever} where
as a Christian gentleman. He is honest and honorable in all hi« rela-
tions of life. As a lawyer, he is active, energetic and industrious. He
always prepares his cases well, tries them thoroughly and excels as a
trial lawyer. At the great day, when all records are read and examined,
George Washington will have no occasion to blush for this namesake.
John W. Hook
was born August 26, 1854, at West Union, Ohio, in what was then
known as the "Dyer Burgess property," now the Palace Hotel. His
father, James N. Hook, was at that time, clerk of the courts of Adams
County. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Jane Baird, daughter
of Joshua Baird, a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and
her mother's name was Susan (Gibson) Baird. The last named was
left a widow early in life with a large family to care for. She is said
to have been a woman of great natural ability and force of character.
She was able to take care of a farm and raise and educate a large family
of children. She lived near Bentonville, and it is said of her that noth-
ing but serious sickness prevented her from attending the services of
the Presbyterian Church at West Union, of which she was a devoted
member, and of bringing her numerous family with her in an old buggy
over the worst roads in the world, every Sunday, rain or shine, winter
as wdl as summer.
John W. Hook passed the greater part of his boyhood on the farm
of his father, attending the village schools of his native town in the
winter and assisting with the farm work in the spring and summer. At
the age of eighteen years, he began teaching school, which occupied
him for a part of the time. During the remainder of the time, he either
attended school or pursued the study of the law, having determined
early in life to make tliat his calling.
In September, 1876, at a session of the district court of his county,
he was admitted to the bar, having had the firm of Bayless & Thomp-
son as his instructors. After teaching another year, he began the prac-
tice of his profession in his native town and has continued therein for
the greater portion of his time to the present.
In 1881, he was elected a member of the board of education of
the West Union village school district. He was mayor of his native
town in 1884 and was re-elected again in 1886.
On July I, 1889, he accepted the position of chief deputy under
the United States Marshal for the southern district of Ohio, which posi-
tion he held for four years. After leaving the marshal's office he re-
turned to the practice of law at West Union where he has since been
actively engaged in the courts of Adams and adjoining counties and in
the United States Courts.
In 1898, Congress having passed a national bankrupt law, Hon.
George R. Sage, United States District Judge, appointed him referee
in bankruptcy for Adams County, which position he now holds. In
politics, he has always been a Republican, and being a young man
located at the county seat in a Democratic county, he has been called
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 225
upon to act as chairman and secretary of the county executive com-
mittee a number of times, and has thereby been more or less prominent
in the local politics of his party for a number of years. At the Repub-
lican State Convention of 1880, without his knowledge or solicitation,
he was made an alternate delegate from his congressional district to
the National Convention at Chicago, where General James A. Gar-
field was made the Republican candidate for the presidency. In 1883,
be connected himself with the Presbyterian Church and has continued
a member of that church to the present time. He is one of the charter
members of Crystal Lodge, No. 114. He was its first presiding officer
and has remained an active member of that organization to the present
time. He is a member of the uniform rank of Central Division No.
37 and a present regent of Adams Council, No. 830, Royal Arcanum.
In November, 1884, at West Union, Ohio, he was married to
Miss Rachael, daughter of William and Rebecca Wilson, and at that
time, a member of the corps of teachers of the West Union schools.
They have' had five children, three of whom are living at this time.
A gentleman who knows Mr. Hook well and is capable of judging
says of him : "There is no better citizen than he ; his influence is always
for good citizenship ; that on every question of morals, he will be found
advocating that side which is for the best interests of society. Mr.
Hook is a man of excellent reasoning powers and a good lawyer. He
is one of the most sensitive men and this is against him as a lawyer as
the latter should have no feelings or sensibilities. He is not aggres-
sive, but that is owing to natural diffidence born with him. He is a
very companionable man and had he lived in the days of the Greek
philosophers, he would have been the chiefest among them. He is a
born counsellor and adviser, but he lacks just what John Alden lacked
— he does not always speak for himself when he ought to. He can al-
ways do better for a friend than for himself. He is an estimable citizen
and one who is always ready and willing to do his part in the com-
muni;y.
Riohard Watson MoNeal,
was bom in Erie County, New York, on the twentieth day of Novem-
ber, 1840. His father's name was Milo H. McNeal, and his mother
was Sarah P. Playter. Both were born in the province of Upper
Canada, and both families moved into Erie County, Western New
York, at the breaking out of the war of 1812. Milo H. McNeal was
a farmer and our subject grew up on a farm about two miles from
Williamsville. He received his education in the common schools and
the Academy at Williamsville. He taught school at Clarence, New
York, during the winter of 1861 and 1862, and in August of 1862, he
enlisted in the soth New York Volunteer Engineers, and served till
the close of the war, being discharged at Ft. Barry, Virginia, in June,
1865. On returning from the war, he taught school four more years,
one year in Michigan, one year in Indiana, and two years in Iowa.
He was married to Sarah M. Gardner, of Amsterdam, New York,
on the 26th of November, 1866.
He was admitted to the bar in Iowa, in May, 1867. He came to
Ohio in 1869, living in Cincinnati until the spring of 1870, when he
15a
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226 . HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
went to Brown County. In 1876, he went to Adams County, taking
charge of the farm of Captain C. W. Boyd, at West Union. In 1878,
he was elected to the office of probate judge, serving one term, from
February, 1879, to February, 1882. He then formed a law partnership
with J. M. Wells, which continued for two years. In the spring of
1884, he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, to take editorial charge of the
Indianapolis Republican, having purchased one-half interest in the paper.
In December, 1885, he sold his interest in that paper and moved to
Rarden, Scioto County, Ohio, where he resided for ten years, practi-
cing law in the courts of Adams and Scioto counties. In 1895, he left
Rarden, and removed to Cincinnati. He resides at Hartwell and
practices law in Hamilton County.
While a resident of Adams County, Judge McNeal was regarded
as an excellent citizen. He was courageous and able in his advocacy
of any principle or issue, which he believed to be right. He discharged
the duties of probate judge with marked ability and fidelity. Before his
election, he declared his hostility to the corrupt use of money in elec-
tions and on that idea, was elected by a good majority.
As a lawyer, Mr. McNeal is zealous in the interests of his clients
and is an advocate of more than ordinary ability.
Albion Z. Blair
was bom on Friday, December 31, 1861, but has no superstition as to
the concurrence of the two dates. His father was George Washington
Blair, and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Miller Frazier. The
place of his nativity was near Belfast, in Highland County. His grand-
father, John Blair, was a native of the Emerald Isle, but was caught
young, being brought from Ireland when but two years of age.
Our subject's father was a farmer, and he was reared on a farm.
He qualified himself for a teacher and took up that occupation in 1878
and followed it for twelve years. In this period of twelve years he has
taught in Jackson Township, Highland County. In 1880, he went to
Kansas and taught there one term. He had the highest certificate of
any teacher in the institute. He came back in 1881 and obtained a
school in Highland County in the district where he first taught. Wb^'e
in Highland County, he was township clerk from 1886 to 1890. He
taught in Highland County in 1888 when he began the study of en-
gineering and surveying, and at the same time begani studying law
with J. B. Worley, of Highland County. In June, 1886, he obtained a
ten years' certificate as a teacher. In 1888, he taught at Rome schools,
consisting of four departments, and in 1889, he was appointed county
engineer, with a salary of $5.00 a day, which amounted to about $1,000
a year. He held this position four years. He began practicing law in
1889, and while he was county engineer, he was a partner with Hon.
F. D. Bayless, under the firm name of Bayless & Blair. In the years
1 89 1, 1892 and 1893, h^ served as county engineer, to June, 1894. He is
a school director in West Union.
On March 5, 1898, he formed a partnership with W. R. MehaflFey,
as Blair & Mehaffey, which continues. He is attorney for the Farmer's
Bank of Manchester and the Peebles Bank. He is a Democrat. He
is a member of the Christian Church. He was married on the twenty-
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CYRUS W. WIKOFF
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CX)NSTITUT10N 227
first day of February, 1889, to Miss Alberdie Armacost. They have
four children — Guy Mallen, aged nine years ; George Benton, aged four
years; Gladys Inez, aged seven, and Albion, aged two years. He is
an active, energetic lawyer, a good pleader, a pleasant speaker and
tries his cases well. He is a power in the Democratic party in Adams
County, and a* number of the Presbyterian Church of West Union.
OjrvLM Franklin Wikoff»
attorney at law, West Union, was bom November 22, 1853, in Liberty
Township, Adams County, Ohio, son of Mahlon and Jemima (Melvin)
Wikoff. The Wikoff family is of German origin. The ancestor who
came to this county was Peter Claeson Wikoff. He emigrated in 1636.
Jacob Wikoflf, his son, was the father of Peter Wikoff, who, in about
1790, emigrated from Virginia to Washington, Kentucky, where he
bought one thousand acres of land. He, however, afterwards lost it
by defective title. He removed to Adams County, Ohio, and settled
on Scioto Brush Creek in Jefferson Township. Here he bought land
in the wilderness, cleared, farmed and lived on it until his death, James
Wikoff, the son of Peter Wikoff, was the grandfather of our subject.
He was born February 11, 1782. He resided with his father until 1810,
when he married Rachel Ellis. After his marriage, he resided on the
Brush Creek farm until his decease, September 18, 181 8. He left
four children, three sons and one daughter. One of the sons was the
father, our subject. He afterwards married a second time and young
Wikoff was left to look out for himself. He found a home with his
maternal uncle, John Ellis, who kept him until he was of age, when
he gave him the customary outfit, horse, saddle, bridle and a new suit
of clothes and he thus started out in life. John Ellis died in 1889. Our
subject's wife's grandfather was an Englishman, who emigrated to
Delaware, where he lived and died. He left seven children, four ot
whom were boys. George Andrew Melvin emigrated, at the a^^e of twen-
ty-eight, to Kentucky, and two years after, he married Sarah Huffman,
who was a native of Virginia. After thirty-five years of married life,
Mr. Melvin died, leaving a family of eleven children, of which Mrs.
Wikoff was the tenth. Mrs. Melvin, the mother of Mrs. Wikoff, who
was the mother of the subject of our sketch, died in 1887, at the ad-
vanced age of ninety-seven years. Jemima Melvin, at the time of her
marriage, was the owner of a spinning wheel and loom, which she knew
how to use. There were eight children of this marriage, — ^Wilham J.,
who died from a disease contracted while attending the Ohio Wesleyan
University, at Delaware, Ohio; George M., Cyrus F., subject of this
sketch: Sarah A., Lou R., Mary E., Lucinda M. and Laura L. Mrs.
Wikoff died in 1893.
Cyrus F. Wikoff, our subject, spent his boyhood on the farm and
received such education as could be obtained in the country schools
and in the higher-schools and normals in the county. He began teach-
ing at the age of eighteen and continued until 1880. In 1882, he be-
gan the study of law with S. E. Pearson who died, and he completed
his studies under Luther Thompson, and was admitted to the bar in
1884. In 1888, he was elected Mayor of West Union. In 1889, he was
elected prosecuting attorney of Adams County and was re-elected in
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228 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
1892, serving two terms. He has served as a member of the school
board of West Union, and also in various other offices. He is a Knight
Templar, member of Cavalry Commandary No. 13, Knights Templar,
Portsmouth; of Chapter No. 129, Manchester; and of Masonic Lodge
No. 43, West Union, Ohio. He is a member of the Presb)rterian
Church at West Union, and served as superintendent of. the C. U. Sun-
day School at that place for twelve years.
He was married on the twenty-fifth of December, 1881, to Jennie
E. Wikoff, daughter of H. B. and Eliza Wikoff, and granddaughter of
Judge James McColm. Their children are Cecil C, Lida J., and
Lester B.
Mr. Wikoff stands in the first rank as a lawyer, has fine qualities,
socially, and is regarded as an upright citizen.
James R. B. Kesler,
attorney at law, Peebles, Ohio, was bom August 22, 1863, near Mar-
shal. Highland Couniy, Ohio. His father's name was Andrew Ko.-l« 1
and his mother's maiden name was Christina Lewis. He received only
a common school education and studied law with the Hon. J. B. Wor-
ley, of Hillsboro, Ohio. After being admitted to the bar, he located
in Peebles, Ohio, for the practice of his profession, where he still re-
sides. He was elected Mayor of that thriving town three terms and
served by appointment for five months in addition. He is a Democrat
in politics, and was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Represen-
tative in the Pike-Adams district in ^1899, but was defeated by Joseph
A. Wilson, of Cynthiana, by the vote from Pike County.
He was married December 12, 1887, to Miss Kate M. Frost. They
have had two children, one living and one deceased.
Mr. Kesler is a gentleman who enjoys the confidence of his politi-
cal associates and of the people who know him, and is regarded as an
able lawyer and a correct busines man.
Charles Franklin MoCoy
was born December 5, 1862, at Pond Run, Scioto County, Ohio, where
his father, Charles A. McCoy, was then residing. His mother's
maiden name was Annette Thomas. They had six children; four died
in infancy and two survive. When our subject was two years of age
his father moved to near Dunbarton, Ohio, and bought the Moses
Buck farm on Brush Creek. Mr. McCoy had a common school educa-
tion. He spent the winter of 1881 at the Manchester high school, and
attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware from 1883 to
1886. At the close of the year, he left that institution and engaged in
work on his father's farm, on account of his father's ill health. In the
fall of 1887, he went to Bethany College, West Virginia, and graduated
there in the classical course in June, 1888. In the fall of 1888, he taught
school at Purtee's school house, and two winters at Jacksonville. In
1891 his health gave way and he went to farming. He began the study
of law in the same year with John W. Hook, and continued it with
Chas C. Swain and Wm. C. Coryell. He was admitted to the bar in
December, 1894. He located at West Union in March, 1895, and be-
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 229
gan the practice of law. He was elected prosecuting attorney on the
Republican ticket in the fall of 1896, by a majority of 115. He was re-
elected in 1899 by a majority of 107. In March, 1900, he entered into
a partnership with Hon. F. D. Bayless-5 under the firm of Bayless
& McCoy. He has always been a Republican, and is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. On March 9, 1892, he was married to
Miss Minnie A. Young, daughter of Leonard Young, a former recorder
of Adams County.
A friend gives this statement as to Mr. McCoy : "His moral char-
acter is above reproach. He is upright and honest in all his dealings
with his fellow men. His habits are correct and pure. He maintains a
high degree of character in the church of his choice, the Methodist Epis-
copal, of which he is a prominent and useful member. As a citizen he
looks to the best results for himself and the community. He is enter-
prising and ever ready and willing to do his full share of labor for the
advancement of the community in which he is a good and successful
lawyer. As such, he is painstaking and thorough ; and as a prosecuting
attorney, he does his duty thoroughly. It is believed he has filled that
office with as much credit as any predecessor he ever had. He comes
up to the full measure of a good man and citizen."
Carey E. Robuok
was born August 17, 1876, in Liberty Township, on the old Cave Hill
farm, the son of Johnson and Rachael J. (MehaflFey) Robuck. Aaron
Robuck, grandfather of the subject, was one of the pioneers of Liberty
Township. His maternal grandmother was Esther Ellison. He came
from Kentucky when young and settled on the farm now known as the
Evans farm. He married a McGovney.
Our subject was reared on the farm, attended the common schools
of Liberty Township until the age of sixteen, when he removed to West
Union with his parents. He began teaching in 1892 and taught in
Adams County until 1898. He began reading law under C. F. Wikoff
in 1894 and was admitted to the bar in March, 1899.
He was married to Miss Clara E. Brodt, daughter of Jacob Brodt,
of West Union, Ohio, September 3, 1897. They have one child, Ben-
jamin Franklin.
Mr. Robuck is a Republican. He is a self-made young man with
brilliant prospects. For several years he was one of the most promi-
nent school teachers of Adams County. He has an active and brilliant
mind. He is honest and upright in his transactions and bids fair to be
a leader in his profession.
Robert Cramer Vanoe
was born December 8, 1857, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. His
father was George Vance and his mother, Lydia A. Wilson. They re-
moved to Highland County, Ohio, in 1864. His father was a shoemaker.
He died in 1893. His mother resides in Hillsboro. Our subject was
educated in the common schools,quaHfied himself as a teacher and taught
eight years.
He studied law with DeBruin and Hogsett, of Hillsboro, and was
admitted to the bar on October 23, 1887. He was township clerk of
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280 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Newmarket Township, Highland County, Ohio, two terms and of Tiffin
Township, Adams County, from 1891 to 1897.
He removed to Adams County, April 2, 1890. He was deputy
auditor under Dr. J. M. Wittenmyer from 1894 to 1900. He was a can-
didate for auditor at the Democratic primary election in 1899, and was de-
feated by one vote by Dr. R. A. vStephenson, of Manchester. From 1890
till 1895 he practiced law in Adams County, but gave up the practice
when he became deputy auditor.
He was married October 23, 1881, to Miss Olive E. Gibler and has
six children, Myra M., Shirley S., Ethel E., Joseph, Louis G. and Otto
K. Their ages range from seventeen years to eighteen months.
Mr. Vance is a Democrat, a Mason and a Red Man. He is of a gen-
erous and genial disposition. He is reliable both as a friend and as an
enemy. While poor in earthly goods, he is rich in those qualities which
ennoble the soul.
He is well read in his profession, is a gentleman of pleasing presence
and address, popular with those who know him well, and whom he at-
taches to himself by the strongest bonds of friendship.
Chester C. W. Naylov
was born in Monroe Township, Adams County, October 20, 1849. His
great-grandfather was a native of England, and emigrated to Lexington,
Massachusetts. It is tradition in the family that he and five sons, of
whom the great-grandfather, James Naylor, was one, participated in the
Battle of Lexington. At the close of the war, James Naylor located
near Cumberland, Maryland, and later located forty miles west of Pitts-
burg, in Pennsylvania. He moved his wife and four children on two
horses over the Alleghanies. The wife and four children were on one
horse and he lead the other horse loaded with their goods. In 1792, he
and a neighbor named Mehaffey and a boy named David Young, built
a flat-boat and with their effects, floated down the Ohio River. They
landed at Limestone after a three days' voyage on high water, though it
usually took from six to nine days.
James Naylor located at Washington, Kentucky, and remained till
1796, when he removed to Gift Ridge, Adams County. Mrs. Naylor
brought with her from Pennsylvania, a number of apple seeds and planted
them in Kentucky. When she removed to Ohio, she dug up the young
sprouts and took them with her. She replanted them and from them
have come the famous "Naylor Apple." The trees grew from twenty-
four to thirty inches in diameter, and the apples were large and juicy.
James Naylor had two wives, the first was a Miss Brinket, and the sec-
ond, Margaret Packet. He had four sons and two daughters. Of the
sons, Samuel was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in
Washington, Kentucky He married Sallie Tucker and lived and died
in Monroe Township. The other brothers went west. One daughter
of James Naylor married Mark Pennywit, and the other married John
Washburn. Samuel Naylor married Sallie Tucker, and they had seven
sons and four daughters. Samuel Parker Naylor, father of our subject,
was born on the old homestead November 2, 1827. From 1856 to 1858,
he conducted a merchandise business at Wrightsville, and later ran a
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THE COURTS UNDER THE (?ONSTITUTION 231
small steamboat between Cincinnati and Manchester. On January i,
1849, ^^ was married to Elizabeth Jane. Taylor. They had nine children,
of whom our subject was the oldest. The latter obtained his education
in the schools of Monroe Township and at Manchester. At the age of
eleven, he began work at the Manchester pottery and worked there for
three years. At the age of seventeen, he began teaching school in Jef-
ferson Township. In 1869, he began the study of law with the late
Edward P. Evans, and on October 20, 1870, on his twenty-first birth-
day, he was admitted to the bar in the district court of Hamilton County.
In 1873, ^^ formed a partnership with his legal preceptor as Evans &
Naylor. On June i. 1875, he was married to Miss Nannie Irene
Coryell, daughter of the late Judge James * L. Coryell of
West Union, and is the father of two gifted, talented daughters,
both of whom graduated at the Manchester High School at the age of
sixteen, and each was the valedictorian of her class. Both became teach-
ers. Mary, the eldest, taught school at West Union and Manchester,
and was for two years assistant at the High School at the latter place.
She afterward married Charles B. Ford, and is living at New Richmond,
Ohio. Winona, the youngest, is teaching at Manchester and studying
law with her father.
In 1880 and 1881, Mr. Naylor was deputy count/ auditor of Adams
County. From 1882 to 1891, he was cashier of the Manchester Bank,
conducted by R. H. Ellison. Since 1891, he has applied himself exclu-
sively to the practice of law. He has always been a Republican and
taken an active interest in politics. He is not a member of any church,
but prefers the Presbyterian.
Willi am Anderson
was born March 11, 1847, '" Manchester. His father was Samuel An-
derson, and his mother, Mary Burket. His father was born in North-
umberland Coimty, Pennsylvania, and his mother in Adams County,
Ohio. Her father kept hotel in west TJnion where Lewis Johnson now
resides, and died there about 1828. His widow afterward married John
McDade, while his brother Robert married her daughter, Angeline, now
residing in the McDade Hotel in Manchester. Our subject was edu-
cated in the schools of Manchester, and began the study of law in 1869
with R. T. Naylor, and finished with Joseph R. Cockerill. He was ad-
mitted to the bar at Portsmouth, Ohio, April 26, 1872, and has practiced
law at Manchester ever since. He was elected prosecuting attornev of
Adams County twice, serving from 1879 -o 1884, and administered his
office with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. As a
lawyer, Mr. Anderson is careful, thorough and painstaking, and is a suc-
cessful advocate.
Henry Soott,
West Union, Ohio, was bom March 6, 1838, in Green Township,
Adams County. He lived in Jeflferson Township from 1840 till 1872, at
which latter date he located in West Union. His education was ac-
quired in the common schools of Jefferson Township, at the old acad-
emy at North Liberty, and in the West Union Hisrh School. He taught
in Green and Jefferson district schools for about ten years, and was a
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232 mSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
most careful and successful instructor. He was elected on the Dem-
ocratic ticket Treasurer of Adams County, which office he filled to the
satisfaction of his party for two terms, from 1872 to 1876, inclusive. He
also has served for nearly twenty years as Justice of the Peace in Jeffer-
son and Tiffin Townships. He was admitted to practice law in 1878,
and is recognized as one of the most careful and painstaking attorneys
at the Adams County Bar. On March 24, 1861, he married Miss Har-
riet Shively. They have no family.
The great-grandparents of Henry Scott were James and Cynthia
Scott. Their son, James Scott, who married Agnes Young, in Washing-
ton County, Pa., January 17, 1812, was his grandfather. They had nine
children, of whom John Scott, the oldest, bom December 18, 1812,
was the father of our subject. He came with his parents to Adams
County, in 1813, where he resided until his death, August 3, 1882. He
married Susanna McGary, a daughter of Henry McGary and Sallie
Young, his wife. Susanna was born in the house now occupied by Mrs.
Isaac Worstel, in West Union, January 14, 1814. She and her sister,
Elizabeth, who was born in Manchester April 6, 1808, and the widow
of George Young, are the oldest living sisters in Adams County. Henry
McGary was a son of William McGary, a Revolutionary soldier and a
pioneer of Adams County. He has a separate sketch in this volume.
Henry Scott had three brothers, Alexander, James and Whitney;
and two sisters, Sarah A. and Elizabeth A. Of these Alexander and
Whitney are now deceased.
Judse John Wesley Mason,
West Union, was born on the old Mason farm, four miles east of West
Union, September 29, 1845. His father, Samuel S. Mason, was a
farmer and shoemaker, and was a prominent character in political cir-
cles in Adams County in his time. He served for years as a Justice of
the Peace in Tiffin Township. Judge Mason worked on the farm in
summer and attended the district school in winter until he acquired suffi-
cient education to teach, which occupation he followed with marked
success for several years. Many young people were given financial and
professional aid by him that enabled them to make a beginning in the
world by teaching school. While teaching, he married Miss Addie
Moore, a daughter of Newton Moore, a pioneer of Adams County, April
16, 1872. In the meantime he had been reading law under the tuition
of Hon. Thomas J. Mullen, of West Union, and on April i, 1873, ^^ w^s
admitted to the bar, following the legal profession until 1888, at which
time he removed to his farm on East Fork of Ohio Brush Creek, in Brat-
ton Township. While residing there he was nominated and elected on
the Democratic ticket. Probate Judge of Adams County, in the autumn
of 1896. The legislature had enacted that "buncombe" statute that
year, known as the "Garfield Law,'' or "Corrupt Practice Act," and
under its provisions political dyspeptics invoked the aid of the courts and
had the Judge removed from office for alleged promises of remunera-
tion for aid in the campaign in which he had so gallantly carried the
banner of his party to victory. But the people were in sympathy with
the cause of justice, and took up the contest and elected the Judge a
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JUDGE JOHN W. MASON
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THE COURTS UNDER THE CX)NSTITUTION 233
second time, after his removal, to the office of Probate Judge, the last
time in 1899, the term for which he is now serving.
In politics the Judge is a Jeffersonian Democrat, having the larg-
est faith in the people. He is the original silver advocate in Adams
County, in the contest since the Civil War, between the money power
and the people. He wrote a pamphlet on the subject in 1878, when a
candidate for Congress. He led the fight on the minions of the money
power, and won the contest in the selection of delegates in Adams
County by the Democratic party in 1895 ; and again in 1897, when he de-
livered before the County Convention of delegates a most remarkable
speech on the subject of bi-metallism, in which, with reference to the 16
to I resolution of the Chicago platform, he declared : "That resplution
is the St. Peter of our political faith, and by the blessing of God and the
justice of our cause, we will maintain it."
The Judge is one of the most companionable of men, and reckons
his friends by the score. As a Judge of the Probate Court, his career
has been entirely satisfactory to the people.
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CHAPTER XVI.
POLITICS AND POUTICAL PARTIES
Vote for Governor 1803-1890— Adams County in the Iieslslatnre— Table
of Senators and Representatives— Adams Connty in Congress.
From the period of the organization of Adams County, politics,
local, state, and national, has been an absorbing theme with its citizens,
enlisting their time, talent, and best energies. It was here that the con-
test for supremacy in governmental affairs between Governor St. Clair
and his adherents on the one side, and Nathaniel Massie and the "Vir-
ginians" on the other, was begun and continued with unabating effort
to the final downfall of the former. This contest was purely a matter of
politics. It involved the question of republican government as opposed
to monarchial rule — the Democratic ideas of Jefferson versus the Fed-
eralistic plans of Hamilton.
It must be borne in mind that Manchester, at the "Three Islands,"
was the first settlement within the Virginia Military District,and became
the gateway to the settlements afterwards made in the interior of that
region. Massie with a few daring spirits had established a fortified sta-
tion there when there were but two other white settlements within the
limits of the present State of Ohio ; the one at Marietta, and the other at
Fort Washington, where Cincinnati now stands. The inhabitants of
Marietta, the seat of government for the Territory, were New England-
ers, whose political ideas were markedly Federalistic. The inhabitants
of Fort Washington were necessarily dominated by the military with all
the pomp and circumstance thereto attendant ; so that there was a sym-
pathetic political bond of union between the inhabitants of these first
two permanent settlements in the Territory. But the inhabitants of
Manchester and the settlments within the district contiguous thereto
were both from education and force of circumstance, most democratic
in their manners and customs and their ideas of government. They
were Virginians, and had been schooled under the teachings of Jeffer-
son ; and braving the dangers from savage foes, had sought a home on
the frontier, with no protection to life and limb, except such as could
be provided by themselves. They erected their own block-houses and
garrisoned them from among their own numbers. It is worthy of men-
tion that the Federal Government never erected a fort nor sent a com-
pany of soldiers for the protection of the settlers of the Virginia Mili-
tary District. And so it was, that these people with their ideas of re-
publican government, and with that strength of character that comes
from self-reliance, became the opposing element to the schemes of the
leaders of the Federalistic colonies in the Territory. Governor St.
(234)
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 236
Clair, the very embodiment of aristocracy, and the head of the Feder-
alists in the Territory, believed the people but ill qualified to decide
political questions for themselves. "He believed that a wise and good
man, provided like himself, by some far-away superior power, was much
better fitted to be intrusted with all such matters/*
St. Clair, in speaking of these people, had expressed the opinion
that a "multidude of indigent and ignorant people are but ill qualified
to form a government and constitution for themselves." And he had
further said that they were "too far removed from the seat of govern-
ment to be impressed with its powers," deploring the fact that if they
were permitted to form a government that "it would most probably be
democratic in form, oligarchic in its execution, and more troublesome
* * * than Kentucky."
It was the ambition of Massie to make Manchester the county town
and seat of justice of the new county which must of necessity be soon
erected in the Virginia Military District. It was a central point between
its eastern and western boundaries on the Ohio River, and the mass of
population in the district centered about it. With this in view, he had
selected for himself a fine plantation of one thousand acres, on which he
had erected a magnificent dwelling, which he named Buckeye Station,
situated on a high plateau, overlooking the green hills of Kentucky and
commanding a fine view of the Ohio River for miles up and down its
course (see Buckeye Station). This was to be his country seat and
future home, being about four miles by river to the eastward of Man-
chester. But the presumptious authority of St. Clair was interposed in
all matters of government in the Territory, even to the organization of
the new counties and. the fixing of the seats of justice for them. At the
organization of Adams County, in September, 1797, Massie succeeded
in having Manchester named as the county town. But the scheming
Federalists^ through a majority of the Court of Quarter Sessions ap-
pointed by the Governor, directly thereafter fixed the seat of justice at
an out-of-the-way point, where there were absolutely no accommoda-
tions for the public, at what was named Adamsville, in honor of John
Adams, the Federal President, but which was called in derision "Scant-
ville." Afterwards, while Massie's brother-in-law, Charles Willing
Byrd, was Secretary of the Territory, and in the absence of St. Clair,
who was at the seat of the Federal Government at Philadelphia, schem-
ing to thwart the plans of the "Virginians" to form a state government,
and thus rid themselves of the "old tyrant," as St. Clair was designated,
the seat of justice was removed to Manchester for one session of the
court, 'f'hen it was established by the opposition at a point named
Washington, at the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek, where it remained
until fixed at West Union, the present county seat, a name signifying
the burying of the hatchet. But this contest engendered by St. Clair
was carried down among the people to the year 1871, when a vote was
taken by authority of an act of the Legislature on the question of re-
moval of the county seat to Manchester.
While this contest between Massie and St. Clair was being
waged in Adams County, the Governor, by proclamation, erected
in 1798 the county of Ross from the northern portion of
Adams. This he named after his friend, Senator Ross, of
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236 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Pennsylvania, a rabid Federalist. This county contained the site of a
new town, Chillicothe, laid out by Massie, which was largely settled by
Virginians, many of whom were relatives and personal friends of its
founder. Among them none were more conspicuous than Thomas
Worthington, a brother-in-law of Edward Tiffin, the first Governor of
Ohio, and who himself became Governor of the State. Worthington
had served with Massie as a member of the first Court of Quarter Ses-
sions held at Manchester, and was Massie's confidential friend and po-
litical adviser. It was through his diplomacy as the political envoy of
the "Virginians" to the seat of the Federal Government when Jefferson
became President that St. Clair and the Federalists in the Northwest
Territory were so completely overthrown and Ohio made a State.
In 1799, the first Territorial Legislature convened at Cincinnati.
Nathaniel Massie and Joseph Darlinton represented Adams County.
Thomas Worthington was one of the members from Ross County. A
bill was passed fixing Manchester as the county seat of Adams County ;
and other bills were passed dividing other counties and creating new
ones. The Governor, at the close of the session, vetoed these bills,
holding that under the Ordinance of 1787, "the erection of new counties
was properly the business of the Executive," and not of the Legisla-
ture. However, Congress finally determined the right in favor of
the Legislature. Hostilities now between the Federalists, headed by
St. Clair, and the "Virginians," led by Massie and Worthington, opened
in a broader field. The questions at issue became political, extending
throughout the Territory. It was* "Democrats," as the Republican
admirers of Jeflerson were derisively styled, against the aristocratic
Federalists. The "Virginians" planned operations on a large scale: to
divide the Territory, form a State, and lay its foufidations on true re-
publican principles, the right of the people to govern themselves. Mas-
sie's idea to make Manchester the principal city was abandoned; he
disposed of his home at Buckeye Station, and plans were perfected to
make Chillicothe the chief city in the district, and the capital of the new
State.
The Federalists, in anticipation of this movement, sought to have
the Territory divided, but in such a manner as to prevent the erection of
a new State. The scheme, for scheme it was, was to make the eastern
division a Federalist territory, to so divide the "Virginians" as to place
them in a hopeless minority. This will be best shown by quoting from
St. Clair's letter to Senator Ross, of Pennsylvania, mention of whom has
heretofore been made. This letter can be found in St. Clair's published
correspondence in what is known as the "St. Clair Papers." On the
subject of dividing the Territory, he says : "But it is not every division
that would answer those purposes (to keep the 'Virginians from control
of the government — Ed.), but such a one as would probably keep them
in the colonial state for a good many years to come. In a letter which
I wrote to the Secretary of State by the last post, on this subject, I men-
tioned the proper boundaries to them (the dividing line then proposed
was from the mouth of the Scioto River north — Ed.), but on further re-
flection, I think it would not answer; that it would divide the present
inhabitants in such a manner as to make the upper or eastern division
surely Federal, and form a counterpoise from opposing local interests
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 237
in the western division to those who are unfriendly to the general gov-
ernment, I think is certain; but the eastern division is too thinly in-
habited, and the design would be too evident. A line drawn due north
from the mouth of Eagle Creek, where it empties itself into the Ohio,
would answer better. * * * The division of the Territory, I am
persuaded, will be pressed, and I believe it to be a part of Col. Worth-
ington's business in Philadelphia ; and the Great Miami, or a line drawn
from the mouth of it, will be set forth in the strongest manner as the
proper line. The people of Ross County are very desirous it should
take place. Their views are natural and innocent enough. They look
no further than giving consequence to Chillicothe. But I am very much
mistaken if their leaders have not another and more extensive view.
They think the division in that way would but little retard their becom-
ing a state, and, as almost all of them are Democrats, whatever they pre-
tend to the contrary, they expect that both the power and the influence
would come into their hands, and that they would be able to model it
as they please ; and it is my fixed belief it would be in a manner as un-
friendly to the United States as possible. This, however, is in strict
confidence, and I particularly request that my sentiments may not be
confided to Col. Worthington, who, I have discovered, not to be en-
tirely the candid man I once represented him to you, and who I now
think a very designing one."
It was a fortunate condition for the "Democrats" in the Territory
that the Territorial Representative in Congress,* William Henry Harri-
son, was a Virginian with Democratic ideas of government. He sympa-
thized with Massie and Worthington in their efforts to rid the Territory
of St. Clair and his advisers, and heartily assisted in carrying out their
plan to do so, which was to divide the Territory by the Greenville treaty
line, thus giving the "Virginians" the coveted right to demand that the
eastern division, by reason of sufficient population, be admitted a State
of the Union. In May, 1800, Congress passed an act dividing the Ter-
ritory as desired by Massie and Worthington. The eastern division
retained the name Northwest Territory, and the western division was
named Indiana Territory. Vincennes was made the capital of the lat-
ter, and Massie's new town, Chillicothe, became the capital of the for-
mer. This was a great victory for the "Virginians" or "Democrats,"
as the advocates of republican government were derisively called
by the Federalists. Party lines were now closely drawn, and Federalists
or "Tories" and Republicans or "Democrats" battled with fury for su-
premacy in the Territory. In this year, the "Father of Democracy,"
Thomas Jefferson, was elected President, and the hopes of the "Vir-
ginians" in the Territory for statehood ran high. But President Adams
reappointed St. Clair Governor, and the Senate confirmed his appoint-
ment a few days before the inauguration of the "Sage of Monticello."
St. Clair, enraged to desperation, set about to elect a Territorial
Legislature favorable to the Federalists and himself, which by a small
majority he succeeded in doing. His scheme was to make the Scioto
*The first Territorial Legislature which sat In ClDOlnnatlln 1709 elected Wflliam Henry Harri-
son then Secretary of the Northwest Territory, delegate In Gongrera. oyer Arthur St. Clair, Jr., by
two votes out of twenty-two cast. The votes of Nathaniel Massie and Joseph Darllnton. the
representatives from Adams countv In this Legislature decided the contest against young St.
Clair, a fortunate matter for the " Virginians" in their memorable contest with the Federalists
as above narrated.
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238 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
the western boundary of the Northwest Territory, and thus keep it in
its Territorial stage for years to come. The Legislature, which met at
Chillicothe in November, 1801, among other partisan acts, passed a
bill removing the capital from Chillicothe back to Cincinnati, and an-
other declaring the assent of the Territory necessary to a change of
boundaries of the States to be formed from the Territory as provided
in the Ordinance of 1787. St. Clair approved both these acts. At this
session of the Territorial Legislature, Joseph Darlinton represented
Adams County in the House, and was a warm supporter of Massie, as
opposed to St. Clair. Immediately upon the passage of these acts,
Massie dispatched Worthing^on and Michael Baldwin to Washington
to oppose the approval of the act changing the boundaries of the Ter-
ritory. Paul Fearing, the territorial delegate then in Congress, was a
Federalist, and favored making the Scioto the western boundary.
There was no trouble in preventing the proposed division of the
Territory, for Jefferson and his party supporters were anxious to help
their fellow "Democrats" triumph over the Federalists. Congress
passed an act authorizing a convention of delegates to be elected by the
people of the Territory to form a State government. The contest over
the selection of these delegates was one of the fiercest. The "Virgin-
ians" triumphed and statehood quickly followed, builded upon a consti-
tution most liberally "Democratic," and which, as a safeguard against
future tyrants, provided that the Governor should not have power to
veto acts of the Legislature, which provision is carried down in the
constitution of the State today. Adams County was carried over-
whelmingly by the Democrats at the election to select delegates, Jo-
seph Darlinton, Israel Donalson, and Thomas Kirker having been
chosen to represent the county.
"The constitutional convention," says a writer, "was the first fruits
of republican victory. It was their convention. The men who had
sided with Massie and his fellow Chillicotheans controlled it completely.
Edward Tiffin was its President, and a careful study of its committees
and proceedings will disclose what an iron grip they had on it, and how
fully they directed its work.
"For years these men had been contending for the right of the peo-
ple to govern themselves through their representatives, and had been
fighting the paternal policy of their Governor. It was but natural when
the opportunity came, for them to try to secure perpetually these princi-
ples, and to embody them in the Constitution. The Governor was
made a mere figure head, given no control whatever over the Legisla-
ture, by the right of vetoing its acts or otherwise ; he was not even re-
quired to sign its laws before they went into effect (provisions still in
force) ; was shorn of all patronage and allowed to name no officers ex-
cept an adjutant general. The Legislature made all the appointments
of state officers, including the judiciary; its powers were bounded
only by the constitution itself, which protects the people by a large and
liberal bill of rights, and provides an easy way of amending its provis-
ions. This constitution was the full and complete triumph of Democ-
racy, and is the crowning glory of those who brought it about ; for the
history of the Anglo-Saxon race in its broadest sense is a record of the
struggles of the people to assert themselves against their rulers.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 239
"The great trophies in this contest are the Magna Charta and the
Bill of Rights of 1689 won by our ancestors in their old homes across
the sea, and the Declaration of Independence, made good by our Rev-
olutionary forefathers in America. Each of these mark a long step
forward toward a ''government of the people, by the people, and for the
people," but none go quite so far as to claim for the people absolute
power, freed from all control by king or president or governor. The
first to reach that goal were the founders of Ohio, led by the Chillicothe
statesmen, who had been trained in their backwoods struggles with
savage men and rugged nature to rely upon themselves alone, and to
allow no man to dictate what was best for them and theirs."
Adams County remained steadfastly true to the principles of Democ-
racy and the party of Jefferson from the erection of the State until the
year 1826, when Allen Trimble, of Highland County, and a follower
of Henry Clay, carried it by a plurality of ninety-one votes over his
highest opponent, John Bigger. At this election Alexander Campbell
received ninety-two votes, Benjamin Tappan twenty-seven votes, and
there were scattering twelve votes. On the question of the war with
Great Britain in 1812, the people of the county were nearly unanimous
lor its vigorous prosecution. In the period from 1820 to 1830 the ques-
tions of public schools, public highways, and canals occupied the public
mind. In this period, the Presbyterians, who were dominant in the
county, were bitterly attacked by members of other sects jealous of their
power and wealth, as well as by some secularists, for their loyalty to the
cause of President Andrew Jackson. The Presbyterians in those days
were Jacksonian Democrats — ^Judge Morrison, a pillar of the Cherry
Fork congregation, being the Jackson presidential elector in 1824 from
the district to which Adams County belong^ed.
Some of the leading politicians of this period were John W. Camp-
bell, William Russell, Israel Donalson, Thomas Kirker, John Means,
John Lodwick, Joseph Riggs, Joseph Darlinton, John and Nathaniel
Beasley, John Fisher, Joseph Moctc, Robert Lucas (afterwards of Scioto
County), Col. Kincaid, Judge Morrison, Thomas Mason and Edward
Browning, of "Browning's Inn."
Although Colonel Trimble had in 1826 carried the State by an as-
tonishing majority, receiving nearly five-sixths of the vote cast, and had
swept Adams County from its Democratic moorings, yet in 1828 while
he was re-elected, Jackson carried the State, and John W. Campbell,
Trimble's opponent, carried Adams County by the decisive vote of 1065
to 216 with but one scattering vote.
Through all the years of bitter contention between the Whigs
and Democrats in the period from 1830 to i860, not even the
matchless oratory of the "Wagon Boy of the Miami Valley,"
although personally known to theJ citizens of Adams County,
could wrest it from the Democrats. They held steadfast and unfaltering
to the political teachings of Jefferson, Jackson and Benton. In 1840
with the brilliant military record of General Harrison and his hundreds
of personal admirers who had served under him in the last war with
England, as the presidential candidate on the Whig ticket, Corwin, as
the gubernatorial candidate on that ticket, failed to carry the county
over Wilson Shannon, his Democratic opponent, although Corwin car-
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240 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
ried the State. In 1842 Shannon again carried the county over Cor win
and defeated him in the State. In the memorable campaign of 1844,
David Tod, Democrat, received 1,605 votes as against 1,213 for Mor-
decai Hartley, Whig, and Leicester King, Free Soiler, 88, for Governor.
Ten years later William Medill, Democrat, received 1,314 votes;
Nelson Barrere, Whig, 861 votes, and Samuel Leyvis 304 votes for Gov-
ernor. In the campaign of 1857, Medill received 1,422; Allen Trimble,
207; and Salmon Chase, 1,130 votes. In 1859, Rufus P. Ranney, Dem-
ocrat, carried the county by 348 majority over William Dennison, Re-
publican, for Governor. * This was the beginning of the war period, when
old party lines were almost obliterated. In 1803, John Brough received
2,322 votes as against 1,798 for C. L. Vallandigham. This was the sec-
ond time in the history of the county, that it had been lost to the Dem-
ocrats. In 1865 Jacob D. Cox carried it over Geo. W. Morgan, Demo-
crat, but in 1867 after the return of the soldiers from the army, Allen G.
Thurman, Democrat, carried the county over R. B. Hayes, Republican, by
a vote of 2,300 to 1,982.
About the time the War of the Rebellion the old line Democratic
party became known as "Douglas" Democrats and "Breckenridge"
Democrats. The old time "Virginians," who had early come into the
county, for the most part took the southern view of the question of
Negro Slavery, and were classed as "Breckenridge" Democrats, as
favoring the presidential candidacy of John C. Breckenridge, of Ken-
tucky. They opposed as a class the extension of slavery and further
agitation of that question. The younger and more liberal element, how-
ever, dissented from the opinions of their fathers, and adopted the ideas
of Stephen A. Douglas, advocating "Squatter Sovereignty" a kind of
"local option" as to Negro Slavery. But when the War of the Re-
bellion came on, party opinions were laid aside and all were "War Dem-
ocrats" for the suppression of the rebellion. Adams County shows by
undisputed records that wshe sent to the front in that war more soldiers,
based upon her population, than any other county of the State. In round
numbers, from first to last, 2,000 of the flower of her manhood took up
arms in defense of the Union. The valiant 70th Regiment, O. V. I.,
was essentially made up of volunteer soldiers of the county.
The Covenanters, a respectable religious body in the northwestern
portion of the county, for years refused to take part in politics, but dur-
ing and since the war they have, as a body, been acting with the Re-
publican party.
The eastern portion of the county has a very large soldier element
scattered throughout the hilly section who are largely dependent upon
their pensions for a living. They contribute much strength to the Re-
publican party.
The sons of Adams County who have enrolled their names among
those prominent in political affairs of the State and nation are too nu-
merous to name individually here. The biographies of many of them
appear in this volume. Some of them, as will be seen, have molded the
policies of Governors and Presidents.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 241
In closing this sketch, we call attention of the reader who may have
high political aspirations, to the following parody on Holmes' "Last
Leaf," written by an Adams Countian, who went through the "whirl-
wind and flame" of the Buchanan campaign, 1856.
The Fourth of Maroh.
" Blessed are the; that expeot nothing, for they shall not be disappointed.'
16a
I saw hidi — he had come
Prom his far distant home
In the West.
A jingling purse he showed,
And in the latest mode
He was drest.
His face was all a smile,
And he talked all the while
How he took
Such an interest in the late
Election in bis State
Foi- old Buck.
He always felt the ties,
Of party — let it rise —
Let it fall.
'Twas not for reward
That he had worked so hard,
Not at all.
But oflfice he could bear
As the bravest soldier 'd wear
Epaulets,
Which fix his rank, you know—
And to the public show,
What he gets.
I saw him after that,
And he had a kinky hat
On his head;
His shoes were worn away
And his pockets seemed to say,
'* Nary redy
And loudly he declared,
That for party men he cared
Not a jot ;
He scorned their dirty tricks,
And as for politics,
'Twns a plot
Folks saw the sudden change,
And thought it wondrous strange
At least.
Our friend did not explain,
But took an early train,
For the West.
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242
mSTORY OP ADAJ^S CXDUNTY
Vote for GoTen&or, 1803—1899.
Since the War of the Rebellion and the reconstruction period fol-
lowing, the county has been very closely divided politically on both state
and national issues, while locally neither party has had any advantage
over the other, the county olficers within the entire period being about
equally divided.
The following is the vote for Governor with the exception of that
for Edward Tiffin, the first Governor, who practically had no opposi-
tion, from the organization of the State to the present time. It will be
observed, that prior to the new constitution of 1851, the vote was taken
in even years. Since then in odd years.
Year.
Candidate.
Political party.
Votes.
♦1806
1808..
1810..
1812..,
1814..,
1816...
1818«
1820...
1822..,
1824..,
1826...
1828...
Nathaniel Massie..
R.J. Meigs
Thomas Kirker
Thomas Worthington..
Samuel Huntington....
Thomas Worthington..
R.J. Meigs „
Thomas Scott
R. J. Meigs
Thomas Worthington.,
Othiel lyooker
Thomas Worthington..
James Dunlap
Ethan A. Brown
James Dunlap
Jeremiah Morrow
Ethan A. Brown
Wm. H. Harrison
Scattering
Jeremiah Morrow.,
Allen Trimble
Wm. W. Irvin
Jeremiah Morrow..
Allen Trimble
Allen Trimble
John Bigger
Alexander Campbell .
Benjamin Tappan
Scattering
John W. Campbell
Allen Trimble
Scattering
Democrat..
Democrat..
Democrat..
Democrat..
Democrat..
Democrat..
Democrat..
Democrat.,
Democrat..
Democrat.,
Democrat..
Democrat..
Democrat.,
Democrat.,
Democrat.
Democrat..
Democrat..
Democrat,,
Democrat
Clay Republican..
Democrat
CI ay Republican
Clay Republican....
Jackson Democrat.,
Jackson Democrat..
Clay Republican,.. .
Democrat .
Whig
441
114
390
176
5
487
167
580
7
629
300
627
400
627
496
606
85
10
4
408
344
10
734
368
556
465
92
27
12
1,065
216
1
■^The first vote for Qovernor, January 12. 1808, is not a matter of record that we have been
able to find. Neither is the second vote taken the following year. Edward Tiffin, the Democratic
candidate, had practically no opposition.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES
Vote for Govbrnor— Continued.
24a
Year.
Candidate.
Political Party.
Votes.
1830..
1832..
1834..
1836..
1838..
1840..
1842„
1844»
1846...
1848..,
I860..,
1851...
1853...
1856...
1857...
1869...
1861...
1863...
Robert Lucas
Duncan McArthur .
Scattering
Robert Lucas
Darius Lyman
Scattering
Robert Lucas
James Findley....
Bli Baldwin
Joseph Vance ,
Wilson Shannon.,
Joseph Vance
Wilson Shannon..
Thomas Corwin ..
David Tod
Mordecai Bartley .
Leicester King ....
David Tod
William Bebb
Samuel Lewis .....
Reuben Wood ,
William Johnson ...
Edward Smith ,
Reuben Wood
Samuel P. Vinton .
Samuel Lewis
William Medill
Nelson Barrere
Samuel Lewis
William Medill...
Salmon P. Chase.
Allen Trimble.....
Henry B. Payne .....
Salmon P. Chase ...
Philip Van Trump.
Rufus P. Ranney
William Dennison .
Hugh J. Jewett .
David Tod
Democrat .
Whig
Democrat .
Whig
Democrat .
Whig
Democrat .
Whig
Democrat .
Whig
Democrat .
Whig
Wilson Shannon Democrat.
Thomas Corwin Whig.
Leicester King Free Soiler.
Democrat .
Whig
Democrat .
Whig
John B. Weller Democrat .
Seabury Ford i Whig
John Brough
Clement L. Vallandigham..
Democrat ....
Whig
Free Soiler.,
Democrat .
Whig
Democrat .
Whig
Democrat
" Knownothing '*„
Old line Whig
Democrat
Whig-Republican..
Democrat...
Republican ,
Democrat ....
Republican ,
Republican .
Democrat ....
783
667
9
959
498
1
926
489
977
749
1,002
689
1,384
1,166
1,270
1,091
40
1,605
1,213
949
108
1,553
1,295
1,295
960
31
1,499
1,144
28
1,314
861
304
1,422
1,130
207
1,608
1,269
48
1,763
1,405
1,668
1,604
2,328
1,798
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244
mSTORY OP ADAJilS COUNTY
VoTB FOR Governor— Continued.
Year.
Candidate.
Political Party.
Votes.
1866...
1865..
1867...
1869...
1871..,
1S73...
1875...
1877...
1879...
1881„.
1888...
1885....
1887....
1889....
1891....
1893....
Jacob D. Cox |
{
George W. Morgan .
Alexander Long
Allen G. Thurman..
R. B. Hayes
George H. Pendleton .
R. B. Hayes
George W. McCook..
Edward F. Noyes.. ..
William Allen
Edward P. Noyes
Gideon T. Stewart...
Jacob Collins
William Allen.,
R.B. Hayes
JayOdell
Richard M. Bishop....
W. H. West
Henry A. Thompson.
Thomas Ewinsr
Charles Foster
Gideon T. Stewart.....
John W. Bookwalter .
Charles Foster
Abraham R. Ludlow .
John Seitz..
George Hoadley
J. B. Foraker
F. Schumaker
J. B. Foraker
George Hoadley.....
Thomas E. Powell.
J. B. Foraker
Morris Sharp
J. B. Foraker
James E. Campbell
John B. Helwig
William McKinley.,
James E. Campbell.
J.J. Ashenhurst
John Seitz
William McKinley..
Lawrence T. Neal....
G. P. Maclin
E.J. Bracken
Republican 1,966
Army 19
Democrat 1,769
Army
Democrat
Democrat ...
Republican .
Democrat ....
Republican .
Democrat...
Republican .
Democrat....
Republican .
Democrat ....
Republican .
Democrat ....
Republican .
Democrat ...,
Republican .
Democrat ....
Republican .
Democrat ....
Republican .
Prohibition .
Republican .
Democrat....
Democrat...
Republican .
Prohibition .
Republican .
Democrat ....
Prohibition .
Republican .
Democrat ....
Prohibition .
Labor
Republican .
Democrat ...,
Prohibition .
Labor ,
1,982
1.770
17
2,300
1,982
2,223
1,662
2,202
1,895
1,961
1,558
2,239
1.853
33
2,221
1,862
24
2,600
2,391
11
2,610
2,467
63
2
2,910
2,614
34
2,936
2,657
2,930
2,807
152
2,950
2,948
151
2,663
2,486
127
441
8,096
2,959
123
38
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES
VoTK FOR Governor— Concluded.
245
Year.
Candidate.
Political Party.
Votes.
1896
Asa S. Bnshnell
Republican
3,062
3,061
84
James B. Campbell
Democrat
Jacob Coxey
Labor
Seth Ellis
Populist
169
1897
A. S. Bushnell
Republican
3,046
H, h. Chapman
Democrat
2,987
J. C. HolMay
Prohibition
Labor
64
Jacob S. Coxey
14
Julius Dexter.......
Gold Democrat
2
Tohn Richardson
28
Samuel J. Lewis
Socialist
1
1899
George K. Nash
Republican
3,381
lohn R. McLean
Democrat
3,197
Seth Ellis
Union Reform
45
Samuel M. Jones
No party
35
Robert Bandlow
5^ocialiAt
1
Adams Connty in the Leg^islature.
By N. W. Evans.
By the provisions of the Constitution of 1802, Adams County had
one senator and three representatives. This instrument provided that
one year after the first meeting of the General Assembly and every four
years thereafter, there should be an enumeration of the white male in-
habitants above 21 years of age, and the Legislature should not have
over twenty-four senators and thirty-six representatives until the white
male inhabitants were more than 22,000 ; after that, there should not be
over thirty-six senators and seventy-two representatives. The repre-
sentatives were chosen annually on the second Tuesday of October, and
the senators were chosen biennially, and were divided into two
classes, one-half going out each year. Under this apportionment, Gen-
eral Joseph Darlinton was the senator for the first legislative session,
which met at Chillicothe, March i, 1803, and adjourned April 16, 1803.
Thomas Kirker, Joseph Lucas and WilHam Russell were the repre-
sentatives from Adams County.
The second legislative session was from December 5, 1803, to Feb-
ruary 17, 1804. The general assembly was the constitutional term for
the legislature, and met on the first Monday of December in each year.
At this session, Thomas Kirker represented Adams and Scioto in the
senate, and Daniel Collier, of Tiffin Township, John Wright, of Sprigg,
and Abraham Shepherd, of Byrd Township, represented Adams in the
lower house.
February 11, 1804, was the first apportionment. In that, Adams
and Scioto had one senator and three representatives. The enumera-
tion of Adams County was 906, and of Scioto was 249, and a total of the
entire state of 14,762.
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246 HISTORY OP ADAJdS COUNTY
The third legislative session was the first under this apportion-
ment, and Thomas Kirker was senator, and Philip Lewis, Abraham
Shepherd, and Thomas Waller, of Scioto, were the representatives.
Philip Lewis resided in Jefferson Township, Shepherd in Byrd, and
Waller at Alexandria, in Scioto County. This legislature remained in
session from December 3, 1804, until February 22, 1805.
The fourth legislative session under the second apportionment,
December 2, 1805, to January 27, 1806, Thomas Kirker was senator;
Philip Lewis, Daniel Collier. And Abraham Shepherd were representa-
tives.
At the fifth legislative session, Thomas Kirker was senator, Philip
Lewis, James Scott and Abraham Shepherd were representatives. This
legislature was in session from December i, 1806, to February 4, 1807.
At the sixth legislative session, December 7, 1807, to February 22,
1808, Thomas Kirker was senator, Alexander Campbell, of Hunting-
ton Township, Andrew Ellison, of Tiffin Township, and Philip Lewis,
of Jefferson Township, were representatives.
On February 11, 1807, the third apportionment was made. The
enumeration of the entire state was 31,308. Adams and Scioto coun-
ties were given two representatives and one senator. Under this,
Thomas Kirker was senator, Alexander Campbell and Andrew Ellison
were representatives. The seventh legislature was in session from De-
cember 5, 1808, to February 21, 1809.
At the eighth legislative se^^sion, December 4, 1809, to February
22, 1810, Thomas Kirker was senator, and Alexander Campbell and
William Russell were representatives.
At the ninth legislative session, December 3, 1810, to January 30,
181 1, Thomas Kirker was senator, and John W. Campbell and Abra-
ham Shepherd were representatives.
February 27, 1812, the fourth apportionment was made. Adams
County was given one senator and two representatives.
At the tenth legislative session, December 10, 181 1, to February
21, 1812, Thomas Kirker represented Adams County in the senate, and
John Ellison, Jr., and William Russell in the house.
At the eleventh legislative session, December 7, 1812, to February
9, 1813, which was under the fourth apportionment, Thomas Kirker
was senator and John Ellison and William Russell were representa-
tives.
At the twelfth legislative session, December 6, 1813, to February
II, 1814, Thomas Kirker was senator, John Ellison, Jr., and John W.
Campbell were representatives.
At the thirteenth legislative session, December 5, 1814, to Feb-
ruary 16, 1815, Thomas Kirker was senator and John Ellision Jr., and
Nathaniel Beasley were representatives.
At the fourteenth legislative session, December 4, 181 5, to Feb-
ruary 4, 1816, Abraham Shepherd was senator and John W. Campbell
and Josiah Lockhart were representatives.
At the fifteenth legislative session, December 2, 1816, to January
28, 1817, Abraham Shepherd was senator, John Ellison, Jr., and Thomas
Kirker were representatives. At this session, Shepherd was speaker of
the senate and Kirker speaker of the house.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 247
At the fifth legislative session, 1806 and 1807, Thomas Kirker had
been speaker of the senate and Abraham Shepherd speaker of the house.
At the sixteenth legislative session, December i, 1817, to January
30, 1818, Abraham Shepherd was speaker of the senate and represented
Adams County, while Robert Morrison, better known as "Judge Morri-
son" and William Middleton were representatives from Adams County.
At the seventeenth legislative session, December 7, 1818, to Feb-
ruary 9, 1819, Nathaniel Beasley represented Adams County in the
senate and George R. Fitzgerald and Robert Morriscm in the house.
At the eighteenth legislative session, December 6, 1819, to Feb-
ruary 26, 1820, the sixth legislative apportionment was made, and
Adams County was given one senator and one representative. The
enumeration of the state at that time was 98,780. At this session, Wil-
liam Russell was senator and Nathaniel Beasley and Robert Morrison
were representatives.
At the nineteenth legislative session, December 4, 1820, to Feb-
ruary 3, 1821, under this apportionment, William Russdl was senator
and Robert Morrison representative.
At the twentieth legislative session, December 3, 1821, to Feb-
ruary 4, 1822, Thomas Kirker was senator and George R. Fitzgerald
was representative.
At the twenty-first legislative session, December 2, 1822, to Jan-
uary 28, 1823, Thomas Kirker was senator and John Fisher, representa-
tive.
At the twenty-second legislative session, December i, 1823, to
February 26, 1824, Thomas Kirker was senator, and Henry Steece,
representative. At this session, the seventh apportionment was made.
Brown County was given two representatives and Adams one, and the
two counties were given one senator, but it was provided that one sen-
ator and one representative should be chosen from each county, and
the two representatives from the other, and this was to be done alter-
nately. Brown County was to have the senator first.
At the twenty-third legislative session, December 6, 1^24, to
February 8, 1825, Thomas Kirker appeared as senator again and John
Means was representative. This was the last appearance of Thomas
Kirker in public life.
At the twenty-fourth legislative session, December 5, 1825, to
February 5, 1826, Abraham Shepherd was senator from Adams and
Brown, and John Means and James Rogers were representatives from
Adams.
At the twenty-fifth legislative session, Abraham Shepherd, of
Brown, was senator and John Patterson and William Robbins of
Adams County were representatives.
At the twenty-sixth legislative session, December 3, 1827, to Feb-
ruary 12, 1828, John Fisher was senator from Adams and Brown coun-
ties and William Robbins was representative. At this session, the
eighth apportionment was made. Adams and Brown were together
givejn one senator and the two counties, one representative, and one
additional representative. Brown, having the office in 1828 and Adams
in 1829 and alternately thereafter during the period the apportionment
continued.
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248 HISTORY OP ADAJllS CXDUNTY
At the twenty-seventh legislative session, December i, 1828, to
February 12, 1829, John Fisher was senator and John Patterson repre-
sentative.
At the twenty-eighth legislative session, December 7, 1829, to Feb-
ruary 23, 1830, John Cochran of Brown County, was senator and Abra-
ham Moore and John Patterson were representatives.
At the twenty-ninth legislative session, December i, 1830, to
March 14, 183 1, John Cochran, of Brown County, was senator and John
Patterson, representative. George Edwards and Nathan Ellis repre-
sented Brown, the latter being the floater.
At the thirtieth legislative session, December 5, 1831, to February
13, 1832, Joseph Riggs represented Adams County and Brown C-^'unty
in the senate and William Robbins and George Collins represented
Adams County in the house.
On the thirteenth of June, 1832, at an adjourned session, tl.e ninth
apportionment was made, but heretofore, the enumeration had always
been made in August preceding the meeting of the legislature, but it
seems it was not completed before legislature met and that necessitated
an extra session. The enumeration was not completed until after the
regular legislature had adjourned. Adams and Brown were given one
senator and Adams one representative.
At the thirty-first legislative session, December 3, 1832, to Jan-
uary 25, 1833, under this apportionment, Joseph Riggs was senator
from Adams and Brown, and William Robbins was representative.
At the thirty-second legislative session, December 2, 1833, ^^
March 3, 1834, James Pilson, of Brown, was senator and John Patter-
son, representative from Adams. These same persons were senator
and representatives respectively at the thirty-third legislative session,
December 31, 1834, to March 9, 1835.
At the thirty-fourth l^slative session, December 5, 1835, to
March 14, 1836, John Patterson represented Adams and Brown coun-
ties in the senate and William Robbins represented Adams County in
the house. At this session, the tenth apportionment was made, and
Adams, Brown and Scioto were given one senator and two representa-
tives.
At the thirty-fifth legislative session, December 5, 1836, to April
3, 1837, under this apportionment, John Patterson was senator, John
Glover, of Scioto, and James Loudon, of Brown, were representatives.
At the thirty-sixth legislative session, December 4, 1837, to March
19, 1838, Charles White, of Brown, was senator and Nelson Barerre,
of Adams, and William Kendall, of Scioto, were representatives.
At the thirty-seventh legislative session, December 3, 1838, to
March 18, 1839, Charles White, of Brown, was senator, and John H.
Blair, of Brown, and John Leedom, of Adams, were representatives.
At the thirty-eighth legislative session, December 2, 1839, to
March 23, 1840, John Glover, of Scioto, was senator and John H.
Blair of Brown, and Joseph Leedom, of Adams, were representatives.
On March 23, 1840, the . eleventh apportionment was| made.
Adams, Highland and Fayette were made one legislative district with
one senator and two representatives and an additional repesentative in
1840.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 249
At the thirty-ninth legislative session, December 7, 1840, to
March 29, 1841, John Glover was held over and was senator from
Adams, Brown and Scioto, but the representatitves were elected under
the eleventh apportionment. James Carothers, of Fayeftte, David
Reese and James Smith, of Highland, were representatives.
At the fortieth legislative session, December 6, 1841, to March 7,
1842, William Robbins, of Adams County, was senator and Abraham
Lowman, of Fayette, and John A. Smith, of Highland, were represen-
tatives.
At the forty-first legislative session, December 5, 1842, to March
13, 1843, William Robbins, of Adams, was senator, and Robert Robin-
son, of Fayette, and John A. Smith, of Highland, were the representa-
tives.
At the forty-second legislative session, December 4, 1843, ^^
March 13, 1844, John M. Barrere, of Highland County, was senator,
and, Burnham Martin, of Fayette, and Hugh Means, of Adams County,
were the representatives.
At this session on March 12, 1844, the twelfth apportionment was
made. Highland, Adams and Pike were given one senator, and Adams
and Pike one representative.
At the forty-third legislative session, December 2, 1844, to March
13, 1845, John M. Barerre, of Highland, was senator, and Joshua M.
Britton of Pike, was representative.
At the forty-fourth legislative session, December i, 1845, to
March 2, 1846, Tilbery Reid, of Pike County, was senator and Daniel
Cockerill was representative.
At the forty-fifth legislative session, December 7, 1846, to Feb-
ruary 8, 1847, Tilbery Reid was senator and John P. Bloomhuff, of
Adams, was representative.
At the forty-sixth legislative session, December 6, 1847, ^^ Feb-
ruary 25, 1848, Jonas R. Emrie, of Highland County, was senator, and
Amos Corwine, of Pike, was representative. At this session, the thir-
teenth apportionment was made and Adams and Pike had one repre-
sentative and those two counties and Scioto and Lawrence, one senator,
elected in 1849 ^"^ 1851.
At the forty-seventh legislative session, December 4, 1848, to
March 26, 1849, Jonas R. Emrie, of Highland, held over as senator, and
Daniel Cockerill, of Adams, was the representative.
At the forty-eighth legislative session, December 3, 1849, to March
25, 1850, William Salter, of Scioto, was the senator and Jacob Taylor,
of Pike, the representative.
At the forty-ninth legislative session, December 2, 1850, to March
25, 1851, William Salter was senator and John M. Smith, of Adams,
the representative.
The fiftieth general assembly was elected under the apportionment
in the new constitution. Under this, Adams, Jackson, Pike and Scioto
constitute the seventh senatorial district, and have one senator, which
has been the case from 1852 until now; Adams had one representa-
tive until 1891 and since, Adams and Pike has had one representative, and
the table of senators and representatives is as follows : —
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250
HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
Senators.
Year.
Name.
County.
Party.
1852-1853
OscarF. Moore
Scioto
Whig.
Democrat.
1864-1855
Thoinas McCflMslin
Adams
1856-1858
Hezekiah S. Bundy
George Corwine
Jackson
Republican.
Republican.
1858-1860
Pike
1860-1862
William Newman
Scioto
Democrat.
1862-1864
Beniamin F. Coates
Adams
Democrat.
1864-1868
John T. Wilson
Adams
Republican.
Democrat.
1868-1872
James Emmitt
Tames W. Newman
Pike
1872-1876....
Scioto
Democrat.
1876-1878
I. T. Monham
Jackson
Democrat.
1878-1880
Irvine Duogan
Jackson
Democrat.
1880-1884
John K. Pollard
Adams
Republican.
Republican.
Republican.
Republican.
Republican.
Republican.
1884 1888 ...
lohn W. Gresr^
Adams
188«-1892
Amos B. Cole
Scioto
1892-18H6 ....
Dudley B. Phillips
Elias Crandall
Adams
1896-1900
Jackson
1900-1902
Samuel L. Patterson
Pike
The Representatives in the same period have been :
1852-1853.
1854-1856.
1856-1858.
1858-1860.
1860-1862.
1862-1864
1864-1866.
1866-1868.
1868-1872,
1872-1874.
1874-1876.
1876-1880,
1880-1884.
1884-1886.
1886-1888.
1888-1890.
1890-1892.
1892-1894.
1894-1896
1896-1900.
1900-1902
Joseph R. Cockerill
Jessie Ellis
Moses J. Patterson.
John W. McFerran
Moses J. Patterson
David C. Vance
William W. West
Heniy L. Philips (part)
William D. Burba^e (part) ..
Joseph R. Cockerill
Jesse Ellis
Richard Ramsey
Joseph W. Eylar
James L. Coryell
John B. Young
William A Blair
John W. Shinn
William A. Blair (contested)
R. H. Peterson (seated)
John W. Hayes, Pike
A. Bayhan, Pike
A. C. Smith, Adams
Joseph D.Wilson, Pike
Democrat.
Democrat.
Democrat.
Democrat.
Democrat.
Democrat
Democrat
Republican.
Republican.
Democrat
Democrat
Republican.
Democrat.
Democrat.
Democrat.
Republican.
Democrat.
Republican.
Democrat
Republican.
Democrat.
Republican.
Republican.
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GEN. JOSKPH DARUNTON
Memkek of thb FiKsr Territorial Lkgisi,ature
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 261
General Joseph Darlinton.
In this age of pessimism, agnosticism, materialism, skepticism and
other isms, it is refreshing to go in the past for two generations and
find a character whose faith in our Christian religion, was as pure, sin-
cere, true and genuine as the sunlight. We know of no such character
now and it elevates the soul to find one of a former generation and to
contemplate his life. Such was Joseph Darlinton. He was bom July
19, 1765, within four miles of Winchester, Va., on a plantation of
over four hundred acres, owned by his father, Meredith Darlinton.
It was a pleasant home with delightful surroundings, as the writer, who
has visited it, can testify. He was the fourth of seven children, six sons
and a daughter. He grew up on his father's plantation, receiving such
education as Winchester then afforded, and he went through all
the experiences of the average boy. He was too young to have
been a soldier in the Revolution, but old enough to imbibe the spirit
of the times. When he was twelve years old, in 1777, six hundred of the
prisoners, British and Hessians, taken at the surrender of Burgoyne
at Saratoga, were kept on his father's plantation from that time until
the close of the war. A part of them were lodged in his father's bam,
and for the remainder, barracks were built which they occupied. As
might be expected, young Darlinton spent much of his time with
them, trading knives and trinkets, and listening to their wonderful
stories of travel and adventure. He was, by their influence, filled with
a consuming desire to see the world, so much so that, when of age, he
begged his father to advance him his patrimony, which he did. Young
Darlinton went to Philadelphia, and from thence took a sea voyage
to New Orleans, and returned to his home by land. While seeing the
world, he spent his money freely, and lived extravagantly. Had he
lived in our day, he would have been called a dude or a dandy, but
those names were not then invented, and so he was a young gentleman
of fashion. He wore a queue, and as the young men of that day vied
with each other which could have the thickest and longest queue, he
had one as thick as an ordinary arm and very long. In his travels, he
found Miss Sarah Wilson, at Romney, W. Va. She \vas an heiress,
possessed of lands and slaves, and was the belle of the two counties of
Frederick and Hampshire. She had many suitors, among whom was
young Darlinton, and the future statesman, Albert Gallatin. Darl-
inton was the best looking and won the lady. He was married to her
at Romney, March 18, 1790. He was, at the ceremony, dressed in a
ruffled shirt, coat, waistcoat, knee breeches, silk stockings, great shoe
buckles, and with his abundant hair pomaded and powdered and with
his wonderful queue. He lived in Romney till about the close of 1790,
when he moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, on a farm which his
wife owned there. His oldest son, John Meredith, was bom there De-
cember 14, 1791, and his second son, George Wilson, was also born in
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1793. The same year
he and his wife united with the Presbvterian Church. While in
Fayette County, he began his long career of office holding, having been
chosen a county commissioner. It is told in the family that while living
in Pennsylvania, young Darlinton and his wife were much discour-
aged. They often talked and wept together and thought there was
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262 HISTORY OP ADAJilS COUNTY
nothing in the world for thexn. However, they concluded to try a new
country, and they, with their two children, in October, 1794, left 'Penn-
sylvania. They descended the Ohio, on a "broadhom" and landed at
Limestone, Kentucky, November 14, 1794. He went from there to the
mouth of Cabin Creek, where he kept a ferry. Tiring of this he bought
land just across the river in Ohio, and removed there. In the spring
of 1797, believing that the county seat would be at Washington, below
the mouth of Brush Creek, he moved there. When the county w^as
organized on July 10, 1797, he was, by Governor St. Clair, appointed
its judge of probate, and thus became Judge DarHnton. How long
he held this office has not been ascertained.
In March, 1798, at Adamsville, he was, by the Court of Quarter Ses-
sions, appointed one of the three first county commissioners of Adams
County and clerk of the board. James Scott and Henry Massie were
the other two. In this same year, he was made an elder in the Presby-
terian Church, which office he held for the remainder of his life. In
1803, he located lands east of the site of Weist Union and built a
double hewed log house on the same, on the hill opposite Cole's
spring. The house and spring have long since disappeared. He was
elected a representative from Adams to the first Territorial Legislature.
It sat from November 24, 1799, until January 29, 1801. He also repre-
sented Adams in the second Territorial Legislature, which sat from No-
vember 23, 1801, till January 23, 1802. He was one of the three mem-
bers from Adams in the first Constitutional Convention, which sat from
November i, 1802, until the twenty-ninth of the same year. As this
body transacted most of its business in the committee of the whole, its
record is meagre. He was on the committee on privileges and elec-
tions. On November 3, he voted against listening to a speech from
Gov. St. Clair. He was on the committee to report a preamble to the first
article of the constitution. On November 6, he was appointed on the
committee to prepare the second article of the constitution, atid on the
eighth of November, he presided over the committee of the whole. He
was also on the committee to prepare the third article on the judiciary.
He was also on the committee to print the journal of the convention.
He and his colleagues voted to retain the word "white" to the qualifica-
tions of electors. It is sufficient to say that he was present at every
session and voted on every question before the body. In the first Legis-
lature, of the state he was a member of the Senate and served from March
I, 1803, until April 16, following.
On the sixteenth of April, 1803, he was elected one ot the first
three associate judges of Adams County, but resigned February 16,
1804, and Needham Perry was appointed in his place. On September 10,
1804, he was commissioned by the Governor lieutenant colonel of the
1st Brigade, ist Regiment, 2nd Division, Ohio Militia, and thus he be-
came Colonel Darlinton. He was commissioned a brigadier general
of the militia March 17, 1806, and thus became General DarHnton, by
which title he was ever afterwards known. He was appointed clerk
of the court of common pleas of Adams County, August 3, 1802, and
continued to hold that position by successive appointments until Au-
gust, 1847, when he resigned, as he wrote to Judge Cutler, of Marietta,
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 253
"to prepare for that better country out of sight." *He served as re-
corder of Adams County from 1803 to 1810 and again from September,
1813, to 1834. Any one examining the old records in the recorder's
office and clerk's office of Adams County will find whole volumes
written out in his old-fashioned copper plate style. He never used any-
thing but a quill pen and used a soft piece ot buckskin for a pen wiper.
On February 20, 1810, he was appointed a member of the commis-
sion to locate the capital of the state. No doubt the General held many
other important offices and appointments, but as the writer has no
time to read over the entire records of the state kept during the Gen-
eral's life, he is unable to g^ve them, but the people interested and the
appointing powers wanted him to have these various offices and he
discharged the duties of every one of them, with the utpiost fidelity.
While he was the incumbent of the clerk's office, there was no law
as to the disposition of unclaimed costs. Whenever any costs were paid
in, he would put it in a package by itself, and label it with the name of
the party to whom it belonged and never disturb it until called for by
the party entitled to it. These packages he kept loose among his court
papers and with his office door only secured by an ordinary lock. In
all the years he kept the office it was never burglarized, and his -suc-
cessor, Col. J. R. Cockerill. found the unclaimed costs in the very money
in which it was paid in and much of it was worthless because the banks
which issued it had failed years before.
In 1805, he became an elder in the Presbyterian church at West
Union, and felt more proud and honored in that office than any he ever
held. He reared a family of eight: the two sons have been already
mentioned: John Meredith was married three times, while his second
son, George, who has a separate sketch herein, never married at all. His
third son, Gabriel Doddridge, well known to all the citizens of West
Union, was born February i, 1796, and married Sarah Edwards, his full
cousin, October 2, 1823. His fourth son, Carey A., was bom October
2, 1797, and married Eliza Holmes, May 5, 1829. His daughter. Sarah
was bom January 26, 1802, married the Rev. Henry Van Deman,
November 2, 1824, and two of her sons, John D. and Joseph H. have
sketches herein. She died July 23, 1888. The General's daughter
Eliza, born January 22, 1804, and died April 2, 1844, never married. She
was a woman of lovely character and was much esteemed in the society of
her time. The eighth and youngest child of Gen. Darlinton was
David N., born on December 10, 1806, and died in 1853, without issue.
On May 17, 1804, in the allotment of lots in West Union, he took
lot No. 84 at $17. This was just north of lot 57, which he afterwards
acquired, and on which he built his home. Just west of the home he
built a log office, which was afterwards weatherboarded. It was in this
Ic^ office he kept the postoffice in West Union from July i, 1804, until
October i, 181 1. His old residence is still standing, but its chief fea-
tures, three immense stone chimneys, have long since been taken away. In
this home, made pleasant and happy by the daily observance of all the
Christian virtues, General Darlinton dispensed a generous and bounte-
ous hospitality. No stranger of consequence and no public officer evef-
•He was the only clerk of the Supreme Court of Adams County from its organization
till his death.
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264 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
came to West Union without being his guest. In the first place, he
entertained all the Presbyterian ministers who came there ; in the second
place, all the statesmen who traveled that way, and many of them did,
and were not permitted to be entertained elsewhere. The associate
judges and prominent citizens of the county were entertained at his
home on the occasion of their visits to the county seat. In fact, in his
day, the General's home had as many guests as the hotds, or taverns as
they were called then, and but for the name of it, he might as well have
had a tavern license.
His personal appearance would have attracted notice anywhere.
He was about average height, somewhat corpulent, of full and slightly
elongated visage, fine regular features, clean shaven, dark brown eyes
with heavy brows, and a large head and forehead with his white hair
combed back from his forehead and behind his ears. He was quick of
movement and to the last walked with the firm step of youth. He had
a manly bearing which impressed all who knew him. The business of
his office was admirably systematized and all his habits of daily life were
regular and methodical. In the routine of life, it is said he did the same
thing every day and at the same hour and moment for fifty years. His
going to his office from his home in West Union and his returning were
with such exactness as to time that his neighbors along the route, used
him as a living town clock and did actually set their clocks by the time
of his passing. Among other instances of his regularity in all things
was the winding of his watch. While writing in the clerk's office,he would
lay it down beside him, and when the hands pointed to a certain hour, he
would take it up and wind it. The offices he held and his associations
with the lawyers and judges, gave him such a knowledge of the princi-
ples of the common law of the state, and his familiarity with the statute
law, having grown up with it, together with his excellent judgment,
qualified him for a local oracle, which he was, and grave matters of
domestic and legal concern were constantly referred to him, and when
he decided the matters, his disposition was acquiesced in as satisfactory
to all sides. In politics, in his last years, he was a Whig. He believed in
the state promoting religion, education and internal improvements. While
not anti-slavery in his views, he thought the war with Mexico was un-
righteous.
His day, as compared with our*, was that of beginning^, and of small
things. Everything was primitive but human character. That then
had its highest development. In his day, there were no steam rail-
roads, no macademized common roads, no luxurious vehicles, no tele-
graphs, or telephones, no typewriters and but few newspapers and books.
All services were then compensated in sums of money which would seem
insignificant to us in these days, and trade was largely carried on by bar-
ter, and exchange of goods and services.
General Darlinton always alluded to Winchester, Virginia, in af-
fectionate terms, and loved to converse about it, particularly with his
neighbors, Abraham Hollingsworth and Nicholas Burwell, who were
also natives of that place. He owned the site of Winchester in this
county, laid it out and named it in honor of his own loved Winchester,
Virginia, but strange to say, he never re-visited the latter, though he had
an interest in his father's estate until as late as 1817. But he never
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 256
visited much in or traveled over Adams county, yet he knew every one in
it and their circumstances. In his day, the clerk's office was the most
important in the county, for every one's property rights were registered
there.
What distinguished General Darlinton among men and above his
fellows was his unusual amount of good, hard, common sense, which
after all, is the most uncommon kind of sense. He was an entertaining
talker, and always had something useful and entertaining to say. He
had a wonderful natural dignity of which he seemed unconscious, and
which impressed itself on those with whom he came in contact. His
life was on a plane above the ordinary and the people who knew him well
felt they were looking up to it.
But what distinguished his life above everything else, what shone
out above all things, and what will be remembered of him when all else
is forgotten, was his remarkable Christian life and character. His re-
ligion was of the very highest and best type of the Puritanic. With
him, religion was not as now in many cases, a fashionable sentiment, but
it was a living, essential realitv, controlling every thought and action of
his life. His whole souJ. conscience, principles, opinions, worldly in-
terests and everything in his life was made subservient to his religion.
His life made all who knew him feel that there was truth and reality in the
Christian religion, and he lived it every day. In his judgment, his
crowning earthly honor was that he had serv'cd nearly fifty years as a
ruling elder in the Presbyterian church at West Union.
Four years before his death, he had retired from all public business
and was simply waiting the final summons. All his life he had had a
dread of the Asiatic cholera. When that pestilence visited West Union
in the summer of 185 1, the first victim died June 26. By some irony
of fate^ he was the last and died of the dread disease on the last day it
prevailed, August 2. He died in the morning about 7 o'clock after a
sickness of but a few hours and was buried before noon that day, and
there were but four persons present at his interment, when, had he died
of any ordinary disease, the whole county would have attended. Geo.
M. and William V. Laflferty, his son, Gabriel Darlinton and Rev. John
P. Van Dyke were the only persons to attend his funeral rites. Rev.
Van Dyke repeated a prayer at the grave.
The writer, at nine years, knew him at eighty-five. He was in his
sitting room. He had a wood fire in an old-fashioned fire place. The
floor was uncarpeted and a plain deal table stood out in the middle of the
room, at which the General sat and wrote. The table had a single drawer
with a wooden knob. On that was tied a piece of buckskin, which he used
to wipe his pen. A rocking chair was at each comer of the fire place, and
common split-bottomed chairs in the room. Grandmother Edwards, his
sister, with cap and spectacles, sat in one of the rocking chairs. The Gen-
eral's hair was then as white as snow, long and comlDed behind his ears.
He arose to meet and welcome me, only a child, and a more grave and
dignified man I never met. To me, a boy, his presence was awe-inspiring.
General Darlinton was and is a fair example of the good and true
men, who built well the foundations of the great State of Ohio. His
good works in church and state have borne and will bear fruit to many
generations of posterity. From the day West Union was laid out.
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266 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
for forty-seven years his figfiire was a familiar one, seen daily on its
streets, but for forty-eight years, it has been missed, but his memory is
as fresh and green as that summer day, forty-eight years past, when he
closed his books at the clerk's office for the last time and walked to his
home. The memory of his lovely and lovable Christian character is
the richest legacy he left his children, but they can give it to posterity,
and be none the poorer.
Got. Thoiiuis Klrkcr
was a native of Ireland. His father lived in Tyrone County, and was a
man of small means, but good standing. Thomas was one of a large
family, and was born in 1760. Until he was nineteen years old, he lived
with his parents in Ireland and endeavored with them to make a living
out of the poor soil and against the exactions of oppressive landlords.
His father concluded that was too much of an undertaking, and moved
to America, settling in Lancaster County, Penn. After a few years of
hard work in that county, the father died, leaving behind him a fragrant
memory and a wife and five or six children. By constant toil and good
management the family made a living and the children acquired some
education. From the death of his father in Lancaster County, until 1790
Thomas Kirker left no account of himself. At that time, being thirty
years of age and having acquired some little money and seeing a hope
for the future, he was married to Sarah Smith, a young woman of ex-
cellent family and great worth, eleven years his junior. They remained
in Pennsylvania for a short time when stories of great wealth to be made
in Kentucky came to them across the mountains, and the perilous jour-
ney of moving to the Blue Grass State was undertaken. Indians were
on the way, and they kept the small company in constant fear by oc-
casional arrow practice with them as targets. Kentucky proved a fail-
ure so far as they were concerned, and in 1794, Mr. Kirker and his wife
crossed the Ohio and settled in Manchester, this county. This marked
the beginning of his public career, and of his financial success.
In 1796, our subject changed his residence from Manchester to
Liberty township in the same county, and settled on a farm, which has
ever since been known as the Kirker farm, and on which he died in 1837,
and in the cemetery there the ashes of him and his wife now repose.
When he moved to Liberty township, his family consisted of himself,
wife and two children. They were the first settlers to locate in the
county outside the stockade in Manchester, but the county was speedily
covered with settlements. The site selected proved a happy choice and
soon blossomed with crops that yielded an abundant harvest. Within
the next few years. Liberty township was dotted with cabins and the
sturdy settlers were tilling the soil. He was a member of the first Court
of Quarter Sessions held in the county under the Territorial Government
at Manchester, in September, 1797. He was also a county commis-
sioner under the Territorial Government, but 'the record of his service
is lost. Mr. Kirker was the leading man in that settlement, and was
usually the foremost in all public matters. By common consent he set-
led quarrels among his neighbors and acted in the capacity of judge and
jury. All his neighbors respected him and looked to him for counsel.
His reputation for good judgment in his township spread throughout
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 267
the county, and when delegates were elected to the first Constitutional
Convention in 1802, he was sent as one of them, and at, once, on the open-
ing of the convention, Mr. Kirker took a prominent part in its deliber-
ations.
Thomas Kirker was a member of the lower house of the Legis-
lature from Adams County at the first legislative session March i, 1803,
to April 16, 1803, He entered the Ohio senate at the second legisla-
tive session, December 5, 1803, and served in that body continuously
until the thirteenth legislative session, closing February 16, 1815. In
that time he was Speaker in the Senate in the fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth,
tenth, eleventh and thirteenth sessions. From November 4, 1807, to
December 12, 1808, he was acting Governor of the State by reason of a
vacancy in the office of governor and his then being speaker of the
senate. At the fifteenth legislative session, December 15, 1816, to Jan-
uary 28. 1817, he was a member of the House and its speaker. Then
he took a rest from legislative honors for four years. At the twentieth
legislative session beginning December 3, 1821, he was again in the
senate from Adams and served in it continuously until February 8, 1825.
On January 17, 1821, he was appointed an associate judge from Adams
county, and served until October 30, 1821, when he resigned. In 1824,
he was presidential elector, and voted for Clay. From 1808 until his
aeath, he was a ruling elder m the Presb}i:erian Church at West Union,
and his son William was also an elder in the same church from 1826,
during his father's lifetime.
Mr. Kirker was not a brilliant man, but he was honest, conscien-
tious and possessed of sound judgment and integrity that was unselfish
and incorruptible. He was respected, esteemed, and exerted an in-
fluence that was felt in the entire circle of his acquaintance. No man
served his state better or with more credit than he. Called to high
places, he filled them well and went out of office carrying* with him the
respect of all who knew him. His wife died August 20, 1824. He died
February 20, 1837. He reared a family of thirteen children, and has
a host of descendants, who are scattered in different parts of the United
States. A number of them are residing in Adams County, but most of
them are in other localities.
He succeeded Gov. Tiffin, March 4, 1807, when he resigned to enter
the U. S. Senate and served to the end of his term. In December, 1807,
the election of governor having failed by reason of Return J. Meigs not
being qualified and N. Massie declining, he served as Governor one year
or to December 12, 1808, when Samuel Huntington succeeded him.
The vote stood Huntington 7,293 ; Worthington, 5,601 ; Kirker, 3,397.
Abraham Shepherd.
It is a pleasure to study the subject of this sketch, and the more we
study the more we find to admire. He came from Virginia's best blood.
His grandfather was Captain Thomas Shepherd, a title probably coming
from the French and Indian War, and his grandmother was Elizabeth
Van Meter, daughter of John Van Meter. His father, John Shepherd,
was born in 1749 and in 1773 was married to Martha Nelson, bom in
17a
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258 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
1750. To them were born seven children, six of whom were bom in
Shepherdstown, Va., and one at Wheeling Creek, Ohio. Capt. Thomas
Shepherd died in 1776, and among other property, left a new mill, which
fell to his son, John, father of our subject. John, however, was a Rev-
olutionary soldier. He was a private in Capt. Wm. Cherry's Company,
4th Virginia Infantry, from April, 1777, to March, 1778. The regiment
was commanded by Col. Thomas Elliott and Major Isaac Beall. John's
brother, Abraham, was a captain in the i ith Virginia Regulars. Cap-
tain Abraham Shepherd, on August 13, 1787, entered 1000 acres of land,
Entry No. ip6o, on Virginia Military Warrant, 290, for his own services,
at Red Oak, in Brown county. This was surveyed November 3, 1791,
by Nathaniel Massie deputy surveyor; Duncan McKenzie and Robert
Smith, being chain carriers and Thomas Stout, marker. He had an
uncle, David, who was a colonel in the Revolutionary War and so came
of good fighting stock. The subject of our sketch was bom August 13,
1776, at Shepherdstown, now Jefferson county, Va. He must have
drank in patriotism with his mother's milk. Next year his father was in
the service and so continued most of the time during the war. It seems
his father operated a flour mill from 1781 to 1787, and his son Abraham
learned something of the business. It is said Abraham received a
liberal education for his time and surroundings. The details of that
education we do not know, but do know that he learned the operations of
his father's mill and the art of land surveying. In 1787, John Shepherd,
with his family, moved to Wheeling Creek, Ohio, about eight miles from
"Wheeling, W. V. Here were already located two brothers and a mar-
ried sister of John Shepherd. In 1793 he removed to Limestone, Ky.,
where he remained two years. In 1795 he removed to what was then
Adams County, Ohio, but what is now Red Oak, in Brown County,
locating on the tract entered by his brother. Captain Abraham Shepherd.
In 1799, he married Margaret Moore and was at that time living at Red
Oak. Soon after this he bought a part of Capt. Phillip Slaughter's
survey 588 on Eagle Creek and built a brick house on it, now owned by
Baker Woods. Here he also built and operated the mill afterwards
known as Pilson's Mill. He also laid out and dedicated the cemetery
on his lands now known as Baird's cemetery. In October, 1803, he was
elected one of the three representatives of Adams County in the lower
house, and took his seat December 5, 1803. He continued to represent
Adams County in the house by successive re-elections till February 4,
1807. He remained out till December 4, 1809, when he again repre-
sented Adams County in the house and continued tc^o so until January
30, 181 1. At the session in December, 1809, he received two votes for
senator, but Alexander Campbell was elected. In the fifth legislative
session, December i, 1806, to February 4, 1807, he was speaker of the
house, while at the same session Thomas Kirker, also from Adams
County, was speaker of the senate. He seems to have dropped out of
the legislature from Januar}'^ 30. 181 1, until December 4, 1815, but in
the meantime he was not idle. He was in the war of 1812 as captain
of a company and had two of his men shot by Indians as they were re-
turning home in 1812. In 1813 he was out in the war again as captain
of a company in Major Edward's Battalion, ist Regiment, ist Brigade,
2d Division, Ohio Militia. In the fourteenth legislative session,
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 259*
December 4, 181 5, to February 27, 1816, he was a member of the senate
from Adams. In the fifteenth legislative session, December 2, 1816, ta
January 28, 181 7, he represented Adams County in the senate and was
speaker at the same time Ex-Gov. Kirker was speaker of the house, he
and Shepherd having exchanged offices from the fifth legislative session.
In 1816, he was one of the eight presidential electors of Ohio and cast
his vote for James Monroe. Brown County was set off from Adams
and Clermont by the legislature December 2^, 18 17, and Abraham Shep-
herd procured the passage of the act in the senate.
In 1818 the first court was held in Brown County, at Ripley, by
Josiah Collett, presiding Judge, with James Moore, William Anderson
and James Campbell, associate judges. At this term, Abraham Shep-
herd, was appointed clerk for a term of seven years, and served a full
term. In this period he was an active politician and practically con-
trolled affairs in Brown County.
In 1825, he was sent back to the senate from Adams County and
Brown. During this twenty-fourth legislative session, from December
8, 1825, to February 3, 1826. he was appointed a member of the state
board of equalization for the sixth district, the first state board appointed.
In the twenty-fifth legislative session, December 4, 1826, to January 31,
1827, he was again in the senate for Adams and Brown counties, and
again its speaker. This closed his active career in public office.
He was a Presbyterian in faith and practice, and long a ruling elder
in that church. The records of the Chillicothe Presbytery show that he
attended it as a delegate in 1823, 1830 and 1832. He was master of a
Masonic lodge at Ripley in 1818 and appears to have taken a great
interest in the order for a period of years. In private life Abraham
Shepherd was quite an energetic character. In 1815, he built and
operated Pilson's mills on Eagle Creek then in Adams County, now in
Jefferson township, Brov/n County. He held this until about 1817
when he sold it and went to Ripley. He built the Buckeye mill on Red
Oak and operated it with steam as early as 1825. While engaged in this
he was a pork packer.
He was of pleasing address, large and portly. No picture
of him was preserved or can be obtained. He was always
courteous and gentlemanly in his intercourse with others, and was pop-
ular with all sorts and conditions of his fellow men in his county. He
was possessed of unbounded energy and wonderful perseverance, and
naturally became a man of influence and importance in the community
in which he dwelt. As a legislator and as presiding officer of the two
houses, his services commanded the respect and commendation of his
constituents and his fellow members. In his farming, he excelled his
neighbors and made more improvements on his farm than any of them,
and did it more rapidly. As a miller, he did more business than his
competitors and the same is true of his pork packing. In 1834 it is
said he met with financial reverses, and in consequence removed to
Putnam County, Illinois, with his family. In that county he lived as a
farmer, a quiet retired Mfe, until his death on January 16, 1847.
He was the father of ten children by his first wife, who died in 18 18.
All his children by his first wife are deceased. -He married Miss Har-
riet Kincaid on October 19, 1819, and by her he had two children,
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260 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Andrew K., born November i8, 1820, and Martha Ann, March i, 1823,
and both of whom are now living at Crete, Neb. His second wife died
November 10, 1884, at the residence of her two children.
When the slavery question came to be agitated, he became strongly
anti-slavery. While acting with the Democratic party in his earlier career
on account of slavery he abandoned it and became an Abolitionist. His
convictions on every subject were positive and strong. His influence on
his comrnunity, either in politics or religion was great and it was always
on the side of humanity, right and justice.
John Fisher
was bom in Pennsylvania, May 4, 1789. He moved to Qncinnati.
Ohio, in 1807. He was married there at Fort Washington, July 12,
18 10. He went to Hillsboro and from there to Manchester. On June
13, 1815, he was made post master at Manchester, and served until 1822.
He resided at Manchester until 1836. He was a commissioner of
Adams County from 1819 to 1822. During his residence at Man-
chester he carried on the commission business most of the time. In 1822
and 1823 he was a member of the house of representatives. In 1827
and 1828 he was in the senate, representing Adams and Brown counties,
and also in the winter of 1828 and 1829. He was a Whig at all times. In
1836, he purchased the Brush Creek Forge Furnace and moved to Cedar
Mills, where he spent the remainder of his life. When the Whig party
ceased its organization, he became a Republican. He was a justice of
the peace in Sprigg and Jefferson townships seventeen years. He was
devoted to his party and very fond of contributing political articles to
the newspapers. JHe was an interesting writer aijd his articles were
terse and to the point. He was more a philosopher than a politician.
A number of his letters are in existence and they give much insight into
his life and thoughts.
A letter from him dated in 1859 to a friend in Scotland, gives some
account of himself. He states in this letter that his father lost his life
in the campaign of Gen. Anthony Wayne, against the Indians in 1793,
and that his mother died six months afterward, leaving him to find his
way alone, friendless and penniless, the best he could. He states that
he was never in a school house in his life as a pupil. He says when he
located in Cincinnati, he had but six cents left, and that he has never re-
ceived a penny since except what he earned by his own hands. That
his mental acquirements are what he obtained by his own creation as he
passed along. He states that ten years before, in 1849, he closed his
accounts with the world and owed no man a cent. That he has not
done a days work for ten years and don't ever intend to do one — that he
does just what seems right in his own eyes. He says four of his children
live in sight of his residence, that all erf his children are industrious and
doing well for themselves and their families. That he enjoys himself
at reading and writing far better than he did in his younger days, and
that he has no cares. That he has enough to keep him and his wife,
who has cheered him in adversity and prosperity for fifty years, and that
while he has but little, he considers himself richer than the Rothschilds.
Then he comments on the Russian War, and gives an account of a trip
to Iowa to visit a son located there. He gives a description of Iowa
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 261
as he found it, worthy of the pen of the best descriptive writer. He
speaks of the approaching political campaign and defines the position
erf the three parties, Republican, Democrat and Abolitionists. He
states that his friends, Thompson, (Peter) and Campbell and their fam-
ilies, as well as himself, and all connected with him were Republicans.
That the Abolitionists are right in the abstract, but as the constitution
recognized slavery dn the slave states, we must submit to slave states, but
are opposed to admitting any more in the Union.
John Fisher was fond of writing for the newspapers and enjoyed a
political controversy on paper. One or more of his political contro-
versies goX into the courts and cost him much expense and trouble,
owing to its personal character, but those matters are better now for-
gotten than remembered.
John Fisher was not a religious man. His philosophy largely took
the place of religion, but he believed in right and justice. With him, the
golden rule was the highest law. He believed in every man having a
full opportunity to do the best he could for himself in the world, and in
his doing right at all times. John Fisher's code of morality was the
highest and of the best order. He lived up to it himself, and had no
respect for the man who did not or could not live up to it. Had he lived
in the days of the Greek philosophers, he would have been one of them,
and the principal one among them. Probably he would have been a
Stoic. He aimed to do his part in the world^s work from his standpoint
as he saw it, and in view of what he accomplished from his slavery point.
We think his life and career was a credit to himself and to the com-
munity of which he was a member. His descendants are all honorable,
self-respecting and highly respected men and women, and the impress
he left upon them, they need not be ashamed of, and the world can con-
gratulate itself on the legacy he left it in his posterity. He died October
24, 1864.
Gen, John Cool&ran.
one of the most distinguished of the early citizens of Brown County, was
born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1781. His
father, William Cochran, was an early pioneer of Brown County, was a
native of Ireland and born in County Antrim in 1722. He was married
in his native country to Elizabeth Boothe, and about the middle of the
last century, emigrated to America. He served in the Revolutionary
War, and resided in Pennsylvania, afterward in Kentucky, and about
1795 or 1796, came to the Northwest Territory and settled on the east
fork of Eagle Creek, near the present eastern boundary of Brown
County. He died in March, 1814, aged ninety-two. His wife, Eliza-
beth, died October 21, 1823. John was about nine years old when his
father came to Kentucky. He lived for a few years in the vicinity of
the old settlement of Washington. When a small boy, he was at Fort
Washington, on the site of Cincinnati, and saw corn growing on what
is now Fourth Street of the Queen City. He was with his father on
his settlement north of the Ohio, as above stated, and when about eigh-
teen years old, became overseer of the Kanawha Salt Works, where he
continued about seven years. Salt was one of the necessaries of life
which it was most difficult for the pioneers of Kentucky and the North-
west Territory to obtain. John Cochran is said to have shipped the
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262 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
first boat load of salt down the Ohio River to Louisville, Kentucky.
He came to what is now Brown County in about 1805 or 1806. He
married Tamer Howard, daughter of Cyrus and Milly Howard, who was
bom in Montgomery County, Virginia. Her father for some years
kept the ferry between Aberdeen and Limestone. John Cochran pur-
chased a farm from Nathaniel Beasley, about six miles northeast of
Aberdeen, on the east fork of Eagle Creek, in what is now Huntington
township, on which he resided for the greater portion of the remaining
years of his life. He served in the War of 1812 as deputy sergeant in the
commissary department. He took much interest in the old militia musters
and passed through all the grades from captain to brigadier gerueral. He
was known as General Cochran. In the year T824, he was first elected rep-
resentative to the legislature as a Democrat, and was re-elected in
1826, 1827 and 1828. In 1829, he was elected senator from Brown and
Adams counties, and was re-elected in 1830, thus serving six full terms
in the general assembly. General Cochran had but little education
from books in his early Hfe, never attending school but three months in
his life. He was, however, self-educated. He was a man of strong
convictions and remarkable memory. In his recollection of dates, he
was seldom found to be in error. He carefully cultivated his memory
in his early business transactions by imprinting facts on his mind, and he
became marked for the tenacity with which he could retain everything
he heard or read.
General Cochran was the father of thirteen children, five sons and
eight daughters — ^Joseph, John, Milly, William, Mary, Elizabeth, James,
Tamer, Ellen, Thomas J.. Sarah J., Malinda and Lydia. Of them, ten
are now living. Mrs. Cochran died in 1855. She was an esteemed
member of the Christian Church. General Cochran was a Mason, and
assisted in organizing the first Masonic lodge in Brown County. In
his business pursuits, he miet with great success and died in possession
of considerable property. In his old age, he resided for a time in
Illinois, but he returned to Brown County and lived with his children.
His death occurred at the residence of his son-inrlaw, William Shelton,
in Adams County. He lived eighty-three years and died on his birth-
day, September 19, 1864. His remains, with those of his wife, repose
in the cemetery of Ebenezer Church. General Cochran left behind him
a high reputation for ability and judgment and patriotism, and his name
finds an honored place among the men of Brown County.
Joseph Risss.
was born near Amity, Washington County, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1796,
the eldest son of Stephen and Anne Baird Riggs. He had four brothers
and six sisters. His father removed to near Steubenville, Ohio, when
he was a child ; and later to Sardinia, Ohio, where both he and his wife
are buried. In August, 1817, our subject left his home near Steuben-
ville Ohio, to visit his uncles James and Moses Baird in the Irish Bot-
tom in Green Township, Adams County. While there he was offered
the position of clerk in the West Union Bank, kept by George Luckey.
This position he accepted on December 31, 1817; and in coming from
Steubenville to Manchester, travelled on a flat boat.
While living at West Union he was a great friend of lawyer George
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 263
Fitzgerald, and frequently borrowed his fine horse to ride to North
Liberty to court Miss Rebecca G. Baldridge, daughter of Rev. William
Baldridge. On January i, 1819, he was elected cashier of the West
Union Bank; and on December 8, 1819, he married Miss Rebecca Bald-
ridge, before named. Soon after, they joined the Associate Reformed
Church, at Cherry Fork. He served as cashier of the West Union
Bank until 1823. On March i, 1824, he was appointed auditor of
Adams County, Ohio, to serve an unexpired term. He was elected and
re-elected; and served from March i, 1824, until the fall of 1831. In
183 1 he was appointed a deputy surveyor of the Virginia Military Dis-
trict of Ohio, for Adams County. While holding that office, he made
a connected survey of all the lands in Adams County, and made
a map of the county which remained in the auditor's office till it fell to
pieces from age. Mr. Riggs was an accomplished surveyor, but when
or where he learned the science we are not advised. He resigned the office
of auditor on October 3, 183X, to accept the office of state senator from
Adams and Brown counties, to which he was elected as a Democrat in
183 1 and served until 1833. In the fall of that year he removed to Hang-
ing Rock, Ohio. He remained there until 1837, when he removed to Ports-
mouth, Ohio, where he resided the remainder of his life.
On reaching Portsmouth, in 1837, he and his wife connected with
the First Presbyterian Church, and he was ordained an elder in 1838.
.He served until February 9, 1875, when he connected with the Second
Presbyterian Church. He was at once made an elder in that Church,
and continued as such during his life.
In 1837 he opened a general store in the city of Portsmouth, and con-
tinued in that business, either alone or with partners, for many years.
He was a man of substance and of excellent business qualifications. In
March, 1838, he was elected to a township office in Wayne Township,
in which was located the town of Portsmouth. He was elected a member
of the city council of Portsmouth, March 3, 1838; and continued in it,
with intervals, until t868. He was elected recorder of Portsmouth, April
10, 1838, and served until March 15, 1844, and again from March 17,
1848, to March 16, 1849 He was county surveyor of Scioto County from
1839 ^^ 1841. On May 2 1, 1 838, he was appointed on a committee to secure
an armory at Portsmouth. He was surveyor of the town of Portsmouth
from November 7, 1845, to March 7, 1849, ^^"d again from 1S52 to 1854.
On December 4, 1846, he was appointed one of the first infirmary board
of Scioto County, Ohio, and served by subsequent elections till 1852,
and during that time he was clerk of the board. In i860, he engineered
the construction of the tow path from the city of Portsmouth to Union
Mills, and charged $70 for his entire services. In 1867, he was president
of the city council of Portsmoflth. He was usually on the committee of
ordinances, and was one of the most useful members of the council. He
was responsible for most of the city ordinances and general legislation
during his membership of council.
He was a public-spirited citizen, and was so recognized. When any
delegation was to be sent on a public mission by the city authorities, he
was usually one of it. In 1869 he retired from all business, and lived
quietly until his death on July 28, 1877, at the age of 81 years, 26 days.
He was a just man, a consistent Christian, and a most valuable citizen.
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264 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
General James Pilson
was born in April, 1796, in Augfusta County, Virginia, the son of Samuel
and Dorcas Pdlson. His parents emigrated to Adams County in 1807,
and settled on Eagle Creek. Dorcas Pilson died in 1840, and Samuel
Pilson in 1848. James taught school when a youth, and at the age of
twenty was appointed surveyor of Adams County, and held the office two
years. From the organization of Brown County, he was its county
surveyor until 1824. In 183 1 and 1832, he was a member of the house
from Brown County, defeating Jesse R. Grant, father of President Grant,
for that office.
He was for many years proprietor of Pilson's mill on Eagle Creek.
The mill was built by Abraham Shepherd. For many years he was a
brigadier general in the militia. From 1833 to 1835, he represented
Adams and Brown counties in the senate. He was a man of good busi-
ness capacity, of integrity and steady and reliable character. He married
a niece of Gen Joseph Darlinton, daughter of his sister, Mrs. Edwards.
She was a widow of George Sparks when he married her.
They had one son, Samuel Pilson, born March 7, 1843. Gen. James
Pilson died April 4, 1880. He was a Democrat and a Republican. The
writer remembers him very well and was a playmate of his son Samuel,
also now deceased.
Joluk Patterson.
John Patterson was born in Pendleton County, Virginia, Novem-
ber 23, 1793, and died in Wilkins, Union County, Ohio, February i,
1859. His parents were James Augustine Patterson, of English de-
scent, and Ann Elizabeth Hull (Patterson), of Dutch descent.
The family lived in that part of Virginia (now West Virginia)
known as the "Backbone of the Alleghanies," and owned large tracts of
land on the South Branch of the Potomac River. James A. Patterson
rendered the American cause important service during the War of the
Revolution, and for that reason became possessed of sufficient means
to purchase a large body of land in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania,
a part of which is now in the heart of the city of Pittsburg. Others
had preempted a part of the land before he reached it, and he did not
attempt to dispossess them.
John Patterson was but abo.ut eight years of age when his father
died, in 1801, and in 1804 he was apprenticed for a period of ten years
to Z. A. Tannehill to learn the trade of watchmaker and silversmith.
His employer died in 1813, leaving his apprentice on his own resources.
He then enlisted as a private soldier in a Pittsburg infantry regiment,
serving in Gen. Adamson TannehiH's Brigade in what is historically
known as the "War of 1812." He saw but little field service, but be-
fore the war ended he was made a corporal.
In 1815 he went to Alexandria, Va., expecting to go into business,
but his partner proved unworthy, and he returned to Pittsburg, enter-
ing the employ of Mr. John Thompson. In the autumn of 1817 he
emigrated to Ohio, making the journey down the Ohio River on a
keel boat to Manchester, and thence overland to West Union, then one
of the most promising settlements in the Buckeye State. Here he
opened a jewelry store, made and repaired watches and clocks and man-
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 266
ufactured articles of silverware. Some of the spoons and possibly other
utensils of his handiwork are still in existence. He afterwards estab-
lished a tannery, and then one of the first wool-carding and combing
tactories erected in southern Ohio. In the spring of 1819 he was
elected justice of the peace for Tiffin Township, and subsequently was
twice elected to the same position. For several years he held the office,
by appointment, of county collector of taxes. On January 27, 1827, the
system of tax collecting then in vogue was abolished by the act of the
legislature, which created the office of county treasurer, and the incum-
bent of that office was made the only tax collector.
In 1826 Mr, Patterson was elected as representative from Adams
County to the twenty-fifth general assembly of the state ; in 1828 to the
twenty-seventh ; in 1829 he was joint representative with Hosea Moore
in the twenty-eighth general assembly. He was then, as always
throughout his public career, an ardent Democrat. In 1833 and again
in 1834, he was for the fifth and sixth times elected as representative
in the legislature. He was elected as state senator from Adams and
Brown counties in 1835 to the thirty-fourth general assembly; and in
1836 was elected as state senator from Adams, Brown, and Scioto
counties to the thirty-fifth general assembly.
With the single exception of Hon. Thomas Kirker, Governor of
Ohio, in 1808, who served as senator and representative for seventeen
years prior to 1825, John Patterson was a member of the legislature
longer than any other citizen of the county. He took high rank as a
party leader and debater, and secured the passage of excellent laws. He
was a firm friend of all public improvements, and heartily supported the
"National Road" and all the various canal projects which were before
the legislature during his eight terms of service.
In 1834 John Patterson, of Adams; Uri Seeley, of Geauga, and
Jonathan Taylor, of Licking, were appointed by Governor Lucas as
commissioners for Ohio to settle the boundary between Ohio and
Michigan. The action of the commissioners was resisted by the Gover-
nor and inhabitants of Michigan Territory, and for a time there was
great excitement throughout the state, the militia was called out on
each side, and for a few weeks there was everv prospect of bloodshed.
Happily for all concerned this was averted. This, and subsequent pro-
ceedings relative to the disputed boundary line, are matters of record
and a part of the history of the state, too lengthy for repetition here.
Suffice it to say that the action of the commissioners was sustained by the
governor and legislature of the state, and by the president and congress
of the United States. The territory in dispute now includes the great
city of Toledo.
On March 21, 1838, President Van Bur en appointed Mr. Patter-
son United States Marshal for the state of Ohio, as the successor of
John Patterson, of Belmont County, who, though he bore the same
name, was not a relative. The United States courts then were all held
at Columbus, and thither Mr. Patterson removed his family, residing in
that city from the date of his appointment until the expiration of his
official term, Julv 10, 184T. His most important service was the taking
of the United States census, during the summer of 1840. This im-
mense and important task was solely in his charge, and it was per-
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266 HISTORY OP ADAMS CJOUNTY
formed in a manner creditable to himself and to the complete satisfac-
tion of the government.
Returning to Adams County, in 1841, Mr. Patterson resided in
West Union until the summer oi 1847, when he removed to York
Township, Union County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his
life on a farm in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and stock raising.
His remains were laid to rest in sight of his home, in the cemetery of
the York Presbyterian Church, with which he was identified during the
last twelve years of his life.
John Patterson was married three times. His first wife was Mary
Brown Finley, daughter of Major Joseph Lewis Finley and Jane Blair
Finley. They were married at her father's residence on Gift Ridge,
south of West Union, November 10, 1818, by Rev. Thomas Williamson.
Six children were born of this union, namely: Joseph Peter (died at
Butler, Pa., March 4, 1856), Lewis Augustine (died at West Union,
April 26, 1846), Matilda Ann (mameu John Smith, died at West Union,
August 23, 1895), Thomas R^ed (resides at Price Hill, Cincinnati,
Ohio), Hannah Finley (married Lewis C. Clark, died at Manhattan,
Kansas, April 23, 1884), and Mary Brown (married Jacob Dresback,
resides at Paris, 111.).' His first wife's remains were laid away in the old
village cemetery.
His second wife was Miss Celia Prather, daughter of Major John
Prather, of West Union, to whom he was married November 9, 1831,
by Rev. John Meek. To them the following children were born : Al-
gernon Sidney (died in infancy), Elizabeth Jane (married Benjamin F.
Coates, resides at Portsmouth, Ohio), Robert Emmet (died at Nash-
ville, Tenn., June 25, i860), John Prather (died at Chicago 111., Decem-
ber 17, 1889), and James Hamer (died in infancy at Columbus, Ohio)
Mrs. Celia Patterson died at Columbus, Ohio, February 22, 1840.
A number of years afterward her remains were removed to the West
Union cemetery
His third wife was Miss Mary Catherine McCrea, a relative of
Jane McCrea, whose tragic massacre by the Indians near Saratoga,
N. Y., is narrated in the annals of the Revolution. They were married
at Columbus, Ohio, on November 12, 1840, by Rev. James Hoge. All
of their four children were born in West Union ; three of them (James
McCrea, Stephen Henry, and Celia Ann) died in infancy. Charles
Moore, their youngest child, died in his seventeenth year (March 4,
1863), at Murfreesboro, Tenn., while in the service of his country as a
volunteer soldier during the War of the Rebellion.
Mrs. Catharine M. Patterson was married to Andrew McNeil, of
Union County, on June 16, 1862, who died December 31, 1889. She
died at her home near Richwood, Ohio, October 27, 1893.
CoL Osoar F. Moore,
who represented Adams County as a part of the seventh Ohio sena-
torial district in the fiftieth general assembly, and its first senator under
the constitution of 1851, was born January 27, 1817, near Steubenville,
the son of James H. Moore and his wife, Sarah Stull. His maternal
grandfather, Daniel Stull, was a captain in the Revolutionary War.
He graduated at Washington College, Pennsylvania, in the class of
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 267
1836. He began the study of law immediately, under D. L. Collier,
then mayor of Steubenville. He attended one session of the Cincinnati
Law School, and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court at
Steubenville, October, 1838.
In April, 1839, he located at Portsmouth, in the practice of the law,
nnd commued to reside there the remainder of his life. In 1850 he was
elected as a Whig to represent Lawrence and Scioto counties in the
house of representatives in the last session under the constitution of
t8o2. He participated in the senatorial election in which Benjamin F.
Wade was elected to the United States senate. In 185 1 he was elected
to the state senate, as stated at the opening of this sketch. He had as
associates in the house, Col. J. R. Cockerill, of Adams County, and
Hon. Wells A. Hutchins, of Scioto. In 1854 he was elected to the
thirty-fourth congress as a Whig, representing the tenth district, com-
posed of Scioto, Pike, Ross, Jackson, and Lawrence. On July 23,
1861, he entered the 33d O. V. L, as its lieutenant colonel. He was
promoted colonel of the regiment July 16, 1862. At the battle of Perry-
ville, October 8, 1862, he was wounded, captured, and paroled. He re-
mained at home until February, 1863, when he was exchanged. He
commanded his regiment in the two days' fight at Chickamauga, where
the regiment met with heavy loss in killed and wounded. He served on
court martials at Nashville, Tenn., in 1863 and in 1864, until July 20,
1864, when he resigned.
In politics he was a Whig until the dissolution of that party, when
he was a member of the American party during its existence. After
its dissolution, he went to the Democratic party, in which he remained
during his life.
On September 19, 1843, he was married to Martha B., daughter of
Hon. Thomas B. Scott, of Chillicothe. He had two daughters, the eld-
est of whom he named Clay for the idol of his party, Henry Clay, ^he
married Mr. George O. Newman in 1866. His second daughter, iCate,
is the wife of Hon. James W. Newman.
As was said of him by the leading member of the bar in his county,
and who practiced with him for over forty years :
"He was a man who had many warm friends, of liberal views, of a
kind, charitable nature, and who scarcely ever expressed a harsh re-
mark or used an unkind word to others. His life in this respect was
a lesson of the broadest charity. As a lawyer, he had a wide reputation,
and will long be remembered in southern Ohio. He was in active prac-
tice at the Portsmouth bar for over forty years, a period longer than any
other member has served ; his ability was of the very highest order, and
as adapted to the varied practice in the different courts, both state and
federal, whether before court or jury, and whether relating to cases
at law or in equity or to criminal practice, he had but few equals. He
seldom made mistakes in the management of a case. Perhaps the most
striking feature of his mind was the faculty of clear discrimination,
which enabled him, with care and facility, to sift authorities quoted
against him and explain the facts of a case so as to avoid legal princi-
ples, supposed by an opponent to be conclusive against him. He had
a keen relish for a "close case," full of surprises by the disclosure of un-
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268 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
expected evidence which tc»k the case out of the line of preparation
marked out by opposing counsel.
"No one could have passed through so many years with so large a
practice and sustained more friendly relations to other members of the
bar. He was never known to have a serious difficulty or misunder-
standing with any member of the bar. Being actuated by a high sense
of honor and courtesy toward his brethren of the profession, he was al-
ways able to reconcile matters of mistake or misunderstanding so as to
leave no ground of complaint. Through the kindness and generosity
of his nature, he was disposed to make large allowance for the errors
and infirmities of his fellow men, and always strongly — ^perhaps too
strongly^ — leaned to the side of mercy."
He died at Waverly, Ohio, June 24, 1885, i" active practice, and
while attending the circuit court at that place. He was seized with a
severe chill while in the court room, went to sleep the next night, feel-
ing better, but never awoke.
Hon. Thomas MoClauslen
was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a native of Jefferson County,
Ohio, born March 16, 1819, the eldest son of Hon. William McCauslen,
a congressman of Ohio. He attended the district schools of his home
and Scott's Academy at Steubenville. In the academy he was a good
student, and from there he went to the study of the law in the office
of Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, afterwards the great war secretary. In
1844 he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court in Warren
County, and located at West Union the same year. He was quite a
society man, while single, in West Union, and much devoted to the
ladies. He was liked very much by the young people, and was popular
with all classes. As a lawyer, he was diligent and attentive to business
and a fluent advocate. He filled the office of prosecuting attorney for
three terms from 1845 to 1851, and did it with great credit to himself.
In 1853 ^^ was elected to the Ohio senate from the seventh district,
composed of Adams, Scioto, Pike, and Jackson counties, and served
one term. He participated in the election of the Hon. Geo. E. Pugh
to the senate. During his term the superior court of Cincinnati was
created and the judges' salaries fixed at $1,500, and the circulation of
foreign bank bills of less than $10 was forbidden in the state. This leg-
islature must have had a sweet tooth, for, by joint resolution, it asked
congress to repeal the duty on sugar and molasses. It also favored the
construction of a Pacific Railway. He declined to be a candidate for
a second term. He was married in West Union on February 19, 1851,
to Miss Mary Jane Sparks, daughter of John Sparks, the banker of
West Union, and niece of David Sinton, of Cincinnati.
In 1856 he was one of the attorneys who defended William MilH-
gan, indicted for the murder in the first degree, and was undoubtedly
guilty as charged, but the jury brought in a verdict of murder in the
second degree, and Milligan died in the penitentiary. In 1857 Mr. Mc-
Causlen removed to Portsmouth, where he resided and practiced law
until 1865, when he removed to his native county, and located at Steu-
benville. He continued in the active practice of his profession in
Steubenville until 1883, when he retired. He, however, left his busi-
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HON. THOMAS MCCAUSLEN
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 269
ness to his eldest son, William, bom in West Union, and who has suc-
ceeded him.
At his pleasant home, within one-half mile of Steubenville, he spent
thirteen years of dignified and honorable retirement in the enjoyment of
the society of his family and of his old friends.
He died February lo, 1896. He had a family of four sons and
four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, and some of whom are
married.
As a young man, Mr. McCauslen was jolly, good natured, and fond
of outdoor sports. In politics he was a staunch Democrat, but with no
particular taste for party work. In religion he was a Presbyterian.
As a lawyer he was active and energetic and a fine speaker before a
jury. He enjoyed a legal contest, and would throw his whole soul into
it. He was an honorable gentleman, an excellent conversationalist,
and a delightful companion. His manners were uniformly cordial, and
it was always a pleasure to meet and converse with him. While he
grew old in years, he preserved the perennial spirit of youth.
* * In his years were seen
** A youtiiful vigor and an autumnal green.*'
WHliain Newman
vvas born at Salem, Ronaoke County, Virginia, on the nineteenth of
January, 1807, the son of William and Catherine Ott Newman, who had
removed from Virginia to Pennsylvania. His boyhood years were spent
at Harrisonburg, Virginia. He came to Ohio in 1827, and cast his first
vote at Newark, Ohio, for Andrew Jackson for President. He returned
to Virginia, and on the twentieth of February, 1834, was married to
Catherine Ott Williams, of Woodstock, Shenandoah County. They re-
sided at Staunton until 1838, where Anna M. (now Mrs. Joseph G. Reed)
and George O. were bom. In March of the latter year, they came to
Portsmouth, where they resided ever after with the exception of a brief
period of residence in Highland County in 1841. Five children were
born to them in Ohio — William H., James W., J. Rigdon,CharIes H.,
and Hervey C, who died in infancy. The others still live except Rev.
Charles H. Newman, who was an ordained minister of the Episcopal
Church. He was sent as a missionary to Japan in 1873. For years his
health was impaired-; he retired from the ministry and died in St.
Augustine, Florida, May 30, 1887, where he had gone with his wife to try
the effects of its mild climate.
William Newman was, by occupation, a contractor and builder, and
many of the larger and finer buildings erected in Portsmouth from 1840
to 1874 were his work, including churches and school houses. Among
these are the First Presbyterian Church, All Saints, the two Catholic
Churches, the Massie Block, the George Davis residence and many others,
others.
Mr. Newman served as a member of the Portsmouth board of educa-
tion several terms, and for a number of years, was an active member of
the city council. In 1847, he was the Democratic candidate for the state
legislature from the Lawrence-Scioto district, these two counties then
constituting one legislative district. In 1859, he was elected to the Ohio
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270 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
senate from the seventh senatorial district, composed of Adams, Scioto,
Pike and Jackson counties. He served in the same senate with Garfield,
who afterward became illustrious in the nation's annals, and although
differing radically in politics, a warm personal friendship sprang up be-
tween these two men, as a correspondence several years after, testified.
He died in Portsmouth on the twenty-third day of July, 1847, aged 67
years.
William Newman was a man of strong character and earnest con-
victions. To any cause that he espoused, he stood true to the end. He
believed in the principles of Jefferson. Madison and George Mason, of
his native state. He was a Virginian in all that the word implies, and
the doctrines sought by its early statesmen and leaders were implanted
deep in his heart. He was noted for his honesty. Integrity was the
very corner stone of his character. As his old friend, the well known
editor, Walter C. Hood, once wrote, "Williami Newman is an honest
man, a strong stocky man of the people. He would rather stand up,
assured with conscious pride alone, than err with millions on his side."
General Benjamin F. Coates
was born June 23, 1827, near Wilmington, in Clinton County, Ohio.
His father was Aquila Coates, born in 1799, in Chester County, Penn-
sylvania. His mother was Rachael Pidgeon, born in 1801, near Lynch-
burg, Virginia. His maternal grandfather, Isaac Pidgeon, was the
owner of 1,600 acres of land, about five miles north of Winchester
County, Virginia, which he divided among his children. General
Coates' father and mother, and his grandfather Pidgeon were Friends,
and were married according to the formula of that faith at Hopewell
Meeting House, near Winchester, Virginia. They came to Ohio in
1823. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters. Gen-
eral Coates was reared on his father's farm, and attended the common
school in Clinton County. He also attended an academy at Wilming-
ton, conducted by Oliver W. Nixon. He studied medicine with Dr.
Aquila Jones at Wilmington, and took his first course of lectures at the
Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati. His second course was taken
at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began
the practice of medicine at Mawrytown, in Highland County, in 1850,
and remained there two and one-half years. He located in West
Union, Ohio, in 1853. I" ^^57 he was married to Elizabeth J. Patter-
son, a daughter of John Patterson, a former resident of Adams County,
and a prominent politician. In Adams County General Coates was a
Democrat, and as such was elected to the Ohio senate in 1861, to rep-
resent the present seventh senatorial district. George A. Waller, of
Portsmouth, was his opponent, and Coates' majority was twenty-three.
In the legislature, he found himself at variance with his party, and acted
with the Republicans on all questions relating to the Civil War. On
August 10, 1862, after having attended the regular session of the fifty-
fifth general assembly from January 6 and May 6, 1862, he entered the
Volunteer Army as lieutenant colonel of the 91st Regiment, Ohio Vol-
unteer Infantry. From January 6th until April 14, 1863, he was granted
a leave of absence to attend the adjourned session of the fifty-fifth gen-
eral assembly. He was wounded August 24, 1864, at the battle of
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 271
Halltown, Virginia. He was promoted to the colonelcy of his regiment
December 9, 1864, and was brevetted brigadier general March 13, 1865.
He was mustered out of the service June 24, 1865. He made an excel-
lent officer, and was highly esteemed for his ability and bravery by his
superior officers. He located in Portsmouth, Ohio, July i, 1865, as a
physician. On July i, 1866, he was appointed deputy collector of in-
ternal revenue, under Colonel John Campbell, of Ironton, Ohio, and on
October i, 1866, was appointed collector in the eleventh district of
Ohio, in place of John Campbell, and held the office until July i, 1881,
when he resigned. He was a trustee of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors'
Orphans' Home from 1868 to 1871. He was receiver of the Cincinnati
& Eastern Railway Company from September i, 1885, until February
I, 1887, and as special master commissioner, sold the road to the Ohio
& Northwestern Company. He has served on the Portsmouth city
board of equalization one or more terms. In 1897 he was appointed a
member of the city board of elections for a term of four years.
Since 1862, General Coates has been a Republican. He left the
Democratic party on account of war questions. During the time he
held the collector's office, he was the leader of his party in the county
and congressional district. He had a wonderful insight of human
nature, and could tell beforehand how the public would form opinions
of men and measures. He had great executive ability, and always had
the courage of his opinions. He was a pleasant and agreeable com-
panion, and had hosts of friends. He had been unwell for some two
weeks prior to his death. On Saturday evening, May 6, 1899, he went
to the Republican primary meeting in his precinct and voted. On re-
turning, he lay down for a few moments, and then arose and undertook
to walk to his chair. He sank between the bed and chair, where he
breathed once or twice, and then died of heart failure. He leaves a
widow and three children — his son Joseph, and daughters Lilian and
Sarah. The latter was in Boston, Mass., at the time of her father's
death. General Coates made quite a reputation as an officer, and his
memory will be always cherished by the survivors of his regiment.
Hon. James W. Newman,
of Portsmouth, Ohio, was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 12,
J841, the son of William and Catharine Ott Newman. His father has a
separate sketch herein.
Soon after the birth of our subject, his parents removed to Ports-
mouth, Ohio, where he has since resided. He was educated in the
Portsmouth schools, graduating therefrom in the year 1855. After-
wards he attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, where he
graduated in July, 1861. In November of that year, when but twenty
years of age, he began the publication of "The Portsmouth Times,"
which he continued for thirty years, and his talents and ability, as dis-
played in its publication and management, brought him reputation and
fame. That newspaper is now one *of the most influential in the state,
and its columns in the thirty years he managed it show Mr. Newman's
ability as a journalist. In 1894, the "Times" property was turned into
a corporation, in which Mr. Newman still retains an interest.
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272 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
In 1867, Mr. Newman was elected on the Democratic ticket to rep-
resent Scioto County in the legislature, defeating Colonel John R.
Hurd, the Republican candidate for that office. In 1869 he was a can-
didate for re-election, but was defeated by Hon. Elijah Glover, by a
majority of twenty-three votes. In 1871 Mr. Newman was the candi-
date of his party for the state senate in the seventh senatorial district,
composed of Adams, Scioto, Pike, and Jackson counties, and was
elected, and re-elected over the late Benjamin B. Gaylord, to the same
office, in 1873. During his second term he was chairman of the com-
mittee on finance, and also of benevolent institutions, and conducted
the aflfa^rs of these committees with recognized ability. In 1882 hf*
was elected secretary of state on the Democratic ticket by a majority of
19,117 over Major Charles Townsend, of Athens County. In this
election he came within forty-one votes of carrying his own county,
strongly Republican, and carried Hamilton county by over 10,000 ma-
jority. In 1884 he was defeated for re-election as secretary of state
by Gen. James S. Robinson, by a majority of 11,242. It was the
memorable campaign year in which Grover Cleveland was first elected
president. Mr. Newman headed the state ticket in the October con-
test, and received the highest vote that has ever been cast for a Dem-
ocrat in Ohio. In his first annual report, as secretary of state, he rec-
ommended a system for taxing corporations, in the granting of articles
of incorporation, and drafted the bill carrying out his ideas. This meas-
ure was that winter enacted into a law by the legislature, and the sys-
tem has since developed until it now produces a very considerable rev-
enue to the state. On June 20, 1885, Mr. Newman was appointed col-
lector of internal revenue for the eleventh collection district of Ohio,
and held the office four years.
He has always been prominent in his party, has served on its state,
central, and executive committees, has aided it in its councils and on
the stump in every campaign for the past thirty-five years.
He is a prominent and active Elk, and served two terms as Exalted
Ruler of the Portsmouth Lodge. He has been called upon to deliver
addresses on numerous occasions in connection with that body. He
is a pubHc speaker of high order, and his addresses on these occasions,
as well as others, have been eloquent and well received.
In 1893 he aided in organizing and establishing the Central Sav-
ings Bank in Portsmouth, and has since been its president.
In all public enterprises in the city of Portsmouth, Mr. Newman
takes a leading and prominent part, and is known as a public-spirited
citizen. He is fond of good literature, and keeps well informed on all
current topics.
On October 24, 1871, he married Miss Kate Moore, daughter of
Colonel Oscar F. Moore, who has a separate sketch herein. They have
one son, Howard Ott Newman.
Hon. John William Grees,
one of the principal farmers of Pike County, was bom July 13, 1845, ^^
the farm where he now resides. His father, John Gregg, was bom
October 15, 1808, in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio in 1818. He
came to Ohio to make a fortune, and succeeded. He worked on the
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HON. JOHN K. POI.LARD
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 273
Ohio canal when it was made through Pike County. Our subject had
only a common school education, and was reared to the occupation of
farming and stock raising.
He was married November 8, 1866, to Miss Minnie C. Downing,
whose parents were among the first settlers of Pike County. They have
rive children, John W., aged 32, who is the recorder of Pike County;
George A., who is bookkeeper at Washington Court House ; Edgar M.,
who is bookkeeper in the Bank of Waverly, and two daughters, Ada
Belle and Minnie E., who are at home with their parents.
Mr. Gregg represented Adams County as a part of the seventh
senatorial district in the sixty-sixth and sixty-seventh general assem-
blies, from 1884 to 1888, and did it ably and wdl. Mr. Gregg was in
the dry goods business in Waverly from 1864 to 1866, and with that ex-
ception has always been a farmer. He resides in Seal Township, two
and a half miles east of Waverly. His two eldest sons are married and
have families. He has always been a Republican, served on the central
committee of his county many times, and has often been a delegate to
district and state conventions.
Mr. Gregg is a man of a generous and genial disposition. His
heart is full of kindness and sympathy. It is said of him that no deserv-
ing person ever applied to him in vain. To the poor he has always
been kind.
In politics he is the strongest of strong partisans. He never fails
in an opportunity to aid his own party, or advance its interests as he
sees them.
In business life he is a man of the highest integrity and honor, and
or those qualities he enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has had
any business relations. As a legislator, Mr. Gregg made a most
creditable and honorable record.
Hon. John Kilby Pollard
was brought up on a farm in Adams County, Ohio, and at the age of
eighteen enlisted as a private in Company G, 70th O. V. I., October 16,
1 861, serving therein until December 22, 1862, when he was honorably
discharged on account of general debility incurred in the service. He
re-enlisted in the spring of 1864 as a private in Company I, i82d O. V.
I., and was commissioned from the ranks as second lieutenant in the
same regiment, serving until the close of the war, participating in the
battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Nashville, and numerous skirmishes. Upon
his return home he attended school two years, taking an academic
course. He then resumed farming; and while engaged in that pursuit,
in the year 1867, was married to Miss Anna Watson, of Manchester,
Ohio, a daughter of Lawson Watson. Two children were born of this
union, Lucille E. and William S. Lucille was educated in the West
Union public schools and at the Ohio Wesleyan University, taking a
three years' course afterwards in piano at the Cincinnati Conservatory
of Music. She then traveled and studied two years in Berlin with
Moritz and Moszkowski. William also attended the Wesleyan Uni-
versity, studied pharmacy two years afterward, and has since held many
positions of trust and honor. In the fall of 1875, ]^^^ K. Pollard was
18a
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274 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
e^ected sheriflf of Adams County on the Republican ticket. He was re-
elected in 1877 by a large and increased majority. In the fall of 1879, he
was nominated and elected state senator from the seventh senatorial dis-
trict by a majority of one hundred and three votes, and was re-<lected in
1 881 by one thousand four hundred majority. In the fall of 1888, he was
a Harrison presidential elector from the eleventh congressional district of
Ohio. In 1892, he was appointed by Governor McKinley financial officer
of the institute for the deaf and dumb, at Columbus, Ohio, which place he
held until appointed by President McKinley counsul general of the
United States at Monterey, Mexico, one of the most important posts in
the service, so far as jurisdiction and trade are concerned, there being
within its compass nine consulates over which the consul general has
supervisory authority.
Among numerous other positions, he was elected lay delegate from
the Cincinnati conference to the general conference of the Methodist
Church, held in New York in 1888. He was a charter member of Mc-
Ferran Post, G. A. R., West Union, Ohio, and a member of the mili-
tary order of the Loyal Legion. He was also a member of the Masonic
Fraternity, Manchester, Adams County, Ohio. After years of patient
suffering, he died while in the consular service, October 22, 1899, and was
buried at Manchester, Ohio.
Dudley B. PhiUips
was bom at Clayton, Adams County, Ohio, August i, i860. His parents
removed to Manchester in 1864, where he has since resided. He gradu-
ated from Manchester High School in 1878, studied law with Judge
Henry Collings and was admitted to the bar in December, 1881, and
was three times elected Mayor of Manchester and elected to the Ohio
senate in 1891 and re-elected in 1893 and is now practicing his profession
in his native county.
He was "married to Fannie B. Adams in 1887 and they have three
children : Henry Lee, Dudley Collings and Helen C.
Hon* Samuel Lincoln Patterson,
who now represents Adams County as a part of the seventh senatorial
district, is a great-grandson of Judge Joseph Lucas, who represented
Adams County in the first legislature of Ohio and a sketch of whom is
found elsewhere.
He was bom September 7, i860, at Piketon, Ohio, son of William
Patterson and wife, Hannah Brown, who was a daughter of John R.
Brown and his wife Levisa Lucas, daughter of Judge Joseph Lucas.
Our subject's father was born near Philadelphia. His father,
Thomas, died when his son William was quite young. The father of
John R. Brown named was a captain in the Revolutionary War from
Virginia, as was Maj. William Lucas, father of Judge Joseph Lucas.
Mr. Patterson, the father of our subject, was a wagon maker and a black-
smith. His wife had a farm adjoining Piketon and he operated that in
connection with his trade. He died June 11, 1879, ^^^ his widow still
resides in Piketon. Our subject attended school in Piketon till 1879,
when he went to Lebanon. He began the occupation of school
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 275
teacher in 1881 and followed it until 1886. In Piketon he taught in
1884, i88<; and 1886, having the position next to the superintendent.
He was mayor in the village of Piketon from 1882 until 18^, and was a
justice of peace of Seal Township from 1883 to 1886. He was a member
of the school board in Piketon from 1889 to 1897. He was elected state
senator in the seventh senatorial district composed of Adams County,
Pike, Jackson and Scioto in the fall of 1899. At the organization of the
senate he was made chairman of finance and placed second on the judi-
ciary committees and on the committees on public works and insurance.
He was married May 18, 1882, to Miss Lizzie M. Bateman, daughter
of Rev. Samuel Bateman, of Piketon. They have six children, two
boys and four girls. In his political faith, Mr. Patterson is an earnest
Republican, and was chairman of the Republican Executive Committee
for the first three years Pike County went Republican.
He is a man of strong convictions, but cautious and conservative in
the expression of them. While amongst his friends, he is gentle and
reserved in his manner, at the same time, he is one of the most positive
men, and firm in his purposes. As a lawyer, the longer he devotes him-
self to a cause, the stronger he becomes in it. He has great reserve
force, he always appears to have something reserved for a denoument.
He has rare judgment and fine discrimination. He seldom reaches a
false conclusion. As a lawyer an untiring worker. In taking up a
case, he masters the facts and then the law, then he prepares his plead-
ings which are models of accuracy. He gives great promise as a law-
yer. As a member of the Ohio senate, he has already taken a high
position amongst his fellow senators. He bids fair to make an enviable
reputation as a legislator.
Joseph Lucas.
Joseph Lucas was born in Virginia in 1771. His father, William
Lucas, was born in 1742 and sensed throughout the Revolutionary War,
rising to the rank of captain. He belonged to one of the proud families
of Virginia. He owned extensive lands and negroes. His son, Joseph,
was married in Virginia in 1792, to Hannah Humphreys. He and his
brother William came to the Northwest Territory in 1797 to locate their
father's land warrants. They located at the mouth of Pond Creek in
what is now Rush Township, Scioto County, then Adams County.
In 1800, Capt. William Lucas, father of our subject, sold his possessions
in Virginia, and came to the Northwest Territory, and joined his sons.
He had a son, John, who laid out the town of Lucasville in Scioto
County, and his son, Robert, was representative and senator in the Ohio
legislature for nineteen vears; Governor of the State, 1832 to 1834, and
Territorial Governor of Iowa from 1838 to 1841.
Our subject was one of the three representatives from Adams
County in the first legislature of Ohio, which met in Chillicothe, March
I, 1803, and continued its sessions until April 15, 1803. This is the
legislature which met under a sycamore tree on the bank of the Scioto
River.
Our subject was well educated and took a prominent part in public
aflfairs. His colleagues from Adams County in the house were William
Russell and Thomas Kirker: in the senate, Geti. Joseph Darlinjton
At this session Scioto County was organized and Joseph Lucas was made
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276 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
one of its associate judges, in which office he continued until his death in
1808. In politics he was a follower of Thomas Jefferson, and in religion
he was a Presbyterian. Dying at the early age of thirty-seven, a most
promising career was cut short. He left three sons and three daughters.
His daughter, Rebecca, married Jacob Hibbs, Sr., and was the mother
of Gen. Joseph L. Hibbs and Jacob Hibbs, of Porstmouth, Ohio. His
daughter, Levisa married Jacob Brown, of Pike County, and became the
mother of several well known citizens of that county. His sons, Joseph
and Samuel, located in Muscatine, Iowa, and died there.
Harry Hibbs, of the firm of J. C, Hibbs and Company, of Ports-
mouth, Ohio, is a great-grandson.
The Honorable S. L. Patterson, of Waverly, senator for the seventh
district, is his great-grandson.
Judge Joseph Lucas was one of the active characters in Adams
County, but fell a victim to the untried climate which the pioneers found
in their first settlement.
ThovkaM Waller,
physician and legislator, was bom in Stafford County, Virginia, Septem-
ber 14, 1774. He was a descendant in a direct line, on his father's side,
from Edmund Waller, the great English poet, who was also for many
years a member of parliament; and on his mother's side from the English
patriot Hampden, whom the poet Gray has immortalized in his celebrat-
ed "Elegy in a Country Churchyard." A volume containing the life
of Mr. Edmund Waller, together with his poems, published in London in
171 1, is still preserved as a family relic by the son of our subject, Mr.
George A. Waller, of Portsmouth. The history of the Waller family in
this country has been closely interwoven with that of the Baptist denom-
ination during the past hundred years, especially in Kentucky and Vir-
ginia. Many of the Wallers were Baptist ministers, some of them of
decided note. Among these may be mentioned William Waller and
his brother, John Waller, the great leaders of the Kentucky and Vir-
ginia Baptists during the times of persecutions in those states. Amid
the trials, imprisonments, and universal hatred which the Baptists in
those days endured, these two brothers stood forth fearlessly, "steadfast
and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." The sons
of William Waller — Absalom, George and Edmund — ^were also minis-
ters, distinguished for their talents, eloquence, and profound acquain-
tance with the Scriptures. Untaught in the schools, they made them-
selves learned in the highest and truest sense of the term, and under God
were tlie architects of their own eminence and power. Those familiar
with the history of Kentucky Baptists will remember that it was
Edmund Waller who burned a revision of the New Testament, made by
Alexander Campbell, for the reason that he regarded Mr. Campbeirs
renderings of certain passages inimical to a true and pure Christianity.
Independence, boldness, firmness, energy and zeal have been, and con-
tinue to be, the characteristics of all members of this family. llr.
Thomas Waller was a second cousin of the Revs. John and William Wal-
ler, just noticed. He was educated in William and Mary College, Vir-
ginia, studied medicine and attended lectures under Dr. Rush, in Jef-
ferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He located in Bourbon County,
Kentucky, where, in 1800, he married Elizabeth McFarlane, and took his
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 277
bride on a wedding tour on horse back to visit her relatives in Penn-
sylvania. While sojourneying in that state, a daughter was born to
them, and in 1801, they returned to the West, bringing their baby on
horseback, over, perhaps as rough a road as man or beast ever traveled.
He settled at Alexandria; at the mouth of the Scioto River, and at once
entered upon the practice of his profession. Scioto County was organ-
ized in 1803, and Dn Waller was its iirst representative in the state legis-
lature. In 1805 he removed to Portsmouth, where he afterwards pur-
chased one hundred acres of land, adjoining the then incorix)rated limits
of the town, all of which territory is now embraced in the city ; and in
memory of him, one of the streets is called after his name, "Waller
Street." He also built the first postoffice and apothecary shop in the
city, and was the first f>ostmaster, remaining so all his life. He was for
several years president of the town council, and also of the Commercial
Bank of Scioto. In 1822 and 1823 a very fatal epidemic prevailed, at
which time his professional labors, extending over a very wide circuit,
induced the illness if which he died, on July 19, 1823. He was a very
active, energetic man, and a popular physician. It is said of him that
he had at the time of his death more friends and fewer enemies than any
other man in Scioto County. He had a family of nine children, only
one of them being now living, George A. Waller, of Portsmouth, Scioto
County, Ohio. He has a ring that once belonged to Mrs. Edmund
Waller, and which bears the family coat of arms.
Dr. Waller was in everv public enterprise in the town of Ports-
mouth, from the day he located there until his death.
Andrew Ellison.
Andrew Ellison was born in 1755. His father, John Ellison, a
native of Ireland, was born in 1730, and died in 1806. He is interred
in the Nixon graveyard, three miles south of West Union, Ohio.
Andrew Ellison came to Manchester, Ohio, from Kentucky, with Gen.
Nathaniel Massie, in the winter of 1790. He took up his residence in
the town of Manchester with his family. He located a farm on the
Ohio River bottoms about two miles east of Manchester, and proceeded
to clear and cultivate it.
The events in the history of the pioneers of Ohio, one hundred
years ago, are becoming more obscured every day. Many facts that
should have been preserved have been lost, and many more are now
liable to be lost, if not obtained from those now living, and preserved.
The story of Andrew Ellison's capture by the Indians, given in both
editions of Howe's Historical Collection of Ohio, is incorrect, and the
correct and true story is given here. The story by Howe given in his
edition of 1846 was copied bodily from McDonald's Sketches published
in 1838. Where McDonald got his information we do not know, but he
was contemporary with General Nathaniel Massie and Andrew Ellison,
though much younger.
Our sketch comes from a granddaughter of Andrew Ellison. She
obtained it from her mother, who was born in 1789, the daughter of
Samuel Barr, and the wife of John Ellison, Jr. Mrs. Anne Ellison ob-
tained it of her husband, and he of his father, who survived until 1830.
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278 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
For some time prior to his capture, Andrew Ellison had been going
to his farm, two miles east of Manchester, in the morning, and remaining
at work until evening. He took his noon-day meal along in a basket.
On the morning of the day of his capture, he had eaten his breakfast
with his family, and taken his noon-day limch and started to his farm.
While on his way, afoot, he was surprised by a band of Indians. The
first intimation he had of their presence was the rattling of their shot
pouches and in an instant they had him surrounded and seized. They
forced hdm to nm about half a mile to the top of a steep hill away from the
traveled paths. They then tied him with buffalo thongs to a tree, till
they scouted about to their own satisfaction. When ready to march,
they cut the buffalo thongs with a knife, took his hat and basket of pro-
visions, and compelled him to take off his shoes and march in moccasins.
They also compelled him to carry a heavy load. At night they fast-
ened him to a tree.
His failure to return home in the evening was the first intimation his
family had of his capture. Major Beasley was the commander of the
station at Manchester at that time, and not General Massie. When
Mr. Ellison failed to return at the usual time, his wife went to Major
Beasley and asked that a rescue party be sent out at once. The Major
fearing an ambuscade, did not deem it wise to move out in the evening,
but early next morning he took out a party in pursuit. They discovered
Mr. Ellison's hat and shoes, and the pieces of buffalo thongs, with which
he had been tied directly after his capture.
The party determined to pursue no farther, having come to the con-
clusion that the Indians desired to retain Mr. Ellison as a prisoner, and
that if they pursued and attacked them while on the retreat, the Indians
would probably kill him at once. They concluded that his chances for
his return alive would be better bv allowing him to escape, if he could
and so gave up the pursuit.
The Indians took him first to their Chillicothe towns, where they
compelled him to run the gauntlet, and in which ordeal he was severely
beaten, but he was not compelled to go through this punishment a
second time, or at any other place. The Indians took him to Detroit,
where a Mr. Brent, an Englishman, who heard his story and sympa-
thized with him, bought him from the Indian who claimed to own him.
for a blanket, and not for $ioo as stated by Howe. Mr. Brent furnished
him with suitable clothing, and with money for his trip home. He came
from Detroit to Cleveland by water, and thence by land, afoot, to Man-
chester, in September, 1793, and surprised his family by his appearance
among them. From his capture until his return, they had heard
nothing of him nor he of them.
Andrew Ellison and his wife, Mar}% were both born in County Ty-
rone, Ireland. About 1797, he took up a large tract of land on Lick
Fork of Brush Creek, four miles north of West Union, and there he built
a stone house, which was the pride of his time. It is said that upon its
completion, he and his wife went upon the hill opposite to have a view
of it, and upon the view they concluded that they had the grandest house
in the country. It was modeled after houses he had seen in Ireland.
It is said that Mr, Ellison selected this location on account of the
abundance of game in that vicinity. Within site of the old stone house
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SENATOR ALEXANDER CAMPBELL
United States Senate 1809-1814.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 279
is a celebrated deer lick, where, in December, 1793, Ashael Edgington
was waylaid and killed by a band of Indians under Captain Johnny.
Mr. Ellison's wife died in 1830 at the age of seventy-five. They
are buried on the farm on which the stone house is located. Mr.
Ellison was an extensive locator of lands, left great quantities of it to his
children, and gave each a list of surveys.
His daughter Margaret married Adam McCormack; his daughter
Isabel married Rev. Dyer Burgess, and his daughter Mary married
Thomas Houston. His son Andrew was one of the iron masters in the
Hanging Rock region, and died there. For some time his remains
were exposed in an iron coffin on the river bank, in pursuance of his
own request. His son John married Anna Barr, daughter of Samuel
Barr, who was killed by the Indians, near what is now Williamsburg, in
the spring of 1792. Mrs. David Sinton, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs.
Thomas W. Means, of Hanging Rock, Ohio, and the first Mrs. Hugh
Means, of Ashland, Kentucky, were daughters of John Ellison and Anna
Barr.
Andrew Ellison was thirty-eight years of age when captured, and
was one of the few pioneers who walked across the state twice, while it
was a virgin forest.
Andrew Ellison was a shrewd Irishman. Had all the land he
owned been preserved intact, without improvement and owned by a
single person to this day, that person would be fabulously wealthy.
But while Andrew Ellison could see as far into the future as any-
one, we can give one instance in which his judgment turned out wrong.
In May, 1796, congress authorized the location of a great highway be-
tween Maysville, Kentucky, and Wheeling, Virginia, by Ebenezer Zane.
In the spring of 1797 it was laid out, and as it was then a mere blazed
path through the woods, it was called Zane's Trace.
Everyone expected that trace to become a g^eat highway between
the South and East, and all the settlers were anxious to be near it.
Andrew Ellison located his lands on Uck Fork of Brush Creek, and
built his g^eat stone house to be along the national highway. He ex-
pected many advantages to accrue in the future from his location near
the national road. It was a great thoroughfare for travel from the
South to the East until the railroads began to be built and then its glory
departed forever. The great coaches, the horsemen, the freight
wagons, the droves of hogs, cattle and mules deserted it, and now it is
only a neighborhood road for its entire length. The last to desert it
v/ere the mules. Till the opening of the Civil War it was used for
driving mules from Kentucky to Zanesville or Pittsburg to be shipped
east, but since the Civil War this useful product of Kentucky is shipped
by railroad. Andrew Ellison, however, never dreamed and could not
anticipate that Zane's Trace would be superseded by railroads.
Dr. Alexander Campbell
was the only resident of Adams County who attained the position of
United States senator. He was born in Greenbriar County, Virginia,
in 1779. I^ childhood he lived in East Tennessee, and afterwards at
Crab Orchard, Kentucky. He lost his father, Alexander Campbell,
Sr., at the age of twelve years, and up to that time had not attended any
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280 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX>CJNTY
school. His mother purchased a small farm in Woodford County,
Kentucky, and here he first attended school. He went to Lexington
and studied medicine with Drs. Reighley and Brown, beginning in 1799.
In 1801 he began to practice medicine at Cynthiana, Kentucky. Here
he married a daughter of Col. Alexander Dunlap, and while here was
elected a member of the Kentucky legislature.
In 1804 he removed to that part of Adams County afterwards set
off to Brown County. In 1807 he was elected as a member of the leg-
islature from Adams County; and re-elected in 1808 and 1809. O"
December 12, 1809, he was elected speaker of the house. On the same
day Edward Tiffin resigned as United States senator, leaving four years
yet to serve, and Dr. Cambpell was elected to fill the vacancy. The
vote stood : Alexander Campbell, 38 ; Richard Thompson, of Lebanon,
29; Thomas Worthington, t ; James Pritchard, i, and David Findlay, i.
In the senate he voted against the declaration of war with Great Britain,
and against renewing the charter of the Utiited States Bank. During
the time he was United States senator, he rode horseback to Washing-
ton, D. C, and return, to attend the sessions of Congress. He was a
merchant from 1803 to 1815, and purchased his goods in Philadelphia.
He made the purchases personally twice each year, and rode from his
home to Philadelphia and back, on horseback, for that purpose.
He moved to Ripley in 181 5, and resided there until his death. In
1820 he was a presidential elector, and voted for James Monroe. After
the organization of Brown County, he was in the state senate In 1822
and 1823 ; and in the house from Brown County in 1832 and 1833. In
1826 he was a candidate for governor, and had 4,675 votes. In
1836, he was again a presidential elector, and voted for William Henry
Harrison. He was mayor of Ripley from 1838 to 1840. He died
November 5, 1857, and has an imposing monument in the new cemetery
at Ripley. He was one of the first physicians in Ripley, and was emi-
nent in his profession. He possessed the confidence of all who knew
him, and was a most popular citizen; not because he sought it, but be-
cause his character commanded public approbation. He was of anti-
slavery views and principles all his life.
John ElliBon, Jr.,
was born at Almah, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1779, soh of Andrew
Ellison who has a sketch herein. He came' to this county with his father
and mother when' he was eleven years of age and located at Manchester,
in the Stockade. He was elected sheriflf of Adams County in 1806,
and served until 1810, two terms. It was in Decelmber 8, 1808, while
he was sheriff that David Becket was hung, the only lefeal execution
which ever topk place in the county.
On February 6, 1808, he was married to Anna Barr, who was a
superior and most excellent woman. From December 10, 181 1, until
January 11, 1812, he served in the Ohio Legislature with William Rus-
sell as his colleague. Again from December 12, 1812, until February
9, 1813, he represented Adams County in the legislature with William
Russell. From December 6, 1813, until February 11, 1814, he was in
the legislature with John W. Campbell as his colleague. From De-
cember 5, 18x4, to February 16, 181 5, he represented Adams in the
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 281
legislature with Nathaniel Beasley as his colleague. In the fourteenth
legislative session, he was nc^t a member, but from December 2, 1816,
until January 28, 1817, he was a mdmber of the house of representa-
tives from Adams with Thomas Kirker as his colleague.
He bought the Buckeye Station farm in 1818 of Judge Charlete
Willing Byrd and paid $5,500 for it. At that time, there were 700 acres
of it. This was his home until his death on April 10, 1829, in the fiftieth
year of his age. His eldest son, Andrew Barr Ellison, was born in
Manchester, December 19, 1808.
JudiEe Robert Morrison
had quite a checkered career. He was born in County Antrim, Ire-
land, November 29, 1782. His father died while he was an infant, and
he was reared by his mother. She was a Presbyterian and her instruc-
tions and prayers followed him all his' life. But she did not only in-
struct and pray for him. She was a firm believer in King Solomon's
theories as to the rod and she carried them into practice. One day he
ran out of school without permission and started home. The teacher
pursued him and Robert threw a stone and lamed him. When he
reached home, his mother learned of his elscapade, and promised him a
whipping the next morning. He lay awake all night thinking about it,
but he received it and remembered it all his life. His education was
very meagre, and when a me*re boy he was put out to learn the trade
of a linen weaver. Before he was nineteen years of age, he was en-
gaged in manufacturing and selling linen cloth. Being of a very ad-
venturesome disposition, he joined the United Irishmen, and as re-
sult of it was he was compelled to flee from Ireland to save his life.
Lord Fitzgerald smuggled him out of Ireland. He came to this country
accompanied by his mother and an uncle. He landed at New York in
1801 in the nineteenth year of his age. He went to South Carolina with
his uncle and mother to visit two paternal uncles. South Carolina did
not impress young Morrison, and he went to Kentucky in 1802, and
located near Flemingsburg. While here, he connected himself with the
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and in 1803 married Miss
Mary Mitchell, sister of Judge Mitchell, of Preble County, and the day
after his marriage, he and his bride set out for Ohio. They settled on
Cherry Fork. He purchased a tract of land all in forest. Sometime
after his purchase, adverse claims being made, he went to Lexington,
Kentucky, and consulted the great Henry Clay as to his title. Clay
advised him that his title was good, but that he had better buy oflf the
claim than to litigate. Mr. Clay's fee was five dollars for the advice.
Young Morrison dug the first grave in the Cherry Fork burying ground,
and was one of those who organized the Cherry Fork A. R. Church
in 1805. The congregation then consisted of twelve or fifteen families.
He was naturalized at the April term of 1810 of the Adams Court of
Common Pleas. In 1813, he lost his wi^e. She left six children, one
only seven days old. He was almost immediately called into the war,
and went with an expedition to Fort Wayne. In this, -he was Captain
Morrison, commanding^ a company of dragoons. In the general call
in 1814, he served as captain of a company of infantry, and was part
of the time acting colonel of the regiment. During the campaign he
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282 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
formed a great friendship for Gen. William Henry Harrison, and the
latter offered him a captain's commission in the regular army, but he de-
clined. On June 28, 1814, he married Miss Phoebe McGowan, who
survived him. In 1816, he was made a ruling elder in the church at
North Liberty. In December, 181 7, he was elected to the legislature.
He was re-elected in. 1818, 1819 and 1820. While serving in the legis-
lature, he was elected a brigadier general of the militia. In the legis-
lature, he defeated a bill to abolish capital punishment. After serving
four terms in the legislature, he declined renomination. On February
21, 1 82 1, he had his friend, Thomas Kirker, elected an associate judge
of Adams County. Gov. Kirker did itot like the place and resigned in
October, 1821. The governor appointed Robert Morrison in his place.
On the fourth of February, 1822, he was elected to the full term of
seven years, re-elected in 1829 and served until 1836. In 1838, he
was reelected and served until the new constitution took effect on Sep-
tember I, 1851. One who knew him best has written the following
comments on his character:
"His early education was very limited, but in reality he educated
himself as a good practical lawyer while occupying the position of Asso-
ciate Judge in Adams County. He became remarkably familiar with
the principles of the common law. His friendly advice was frequently
sought in disputefe likely to go into the courts. His advice was always
against going to law. Often both parties to a controversy would come
to him for advice. If it were a matter of dodlars and cents merely, he
would advise a compromise. If t were a matter of principle, he was
as uncompromising as any other hard-headed Irishman. When it was
a matter of right and wrong, he always sought to have, the party in the
wrong concede the fact. The more hostile the parties were, the greater
efforts he would make to bring them together."
In his large family, his word was law, His children all understood
that. It was seldom he had to use Solomon's remedy among his. chil-
dren. The idea of neglecting or refusing to obey any command of his,
never, at any time, entered one of his children's minds. He had the
respect of all who knefw him, and as to those who did not know him, he
had a natural dignity which commanded their respect. Most of the
associate judges were content to be nobodies, but it was not so with
him. He was a force wherever he was. He was endowed with a won-
derful amount of common sense, possessed great tact, was overflowing
with kindly humor and was kind and courteous to all. As an officer of
the church, he kept down all difficulties. Had he liveld in the time of
the judges in Israel, he would have been one of them. In his early
days, he was a Jefferson Democrat, but he was anti-slavery, and that
took him away from that party, and placed him in opposition to it.
After retiring from the duties of associate judge in 1851, he re-
sided quietly on his farm till he was called hence on the tenth day of
February, 1863.
The following are the names of his children, with the dates of their
births :
Alexander, born 1804, married Elizabeth Ewing.
Sarah, bom October 25, 1805, married John S. Patton.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES £83
Mitchell, bom October 9, 1807, married Jane Wright, second time
a Ewing.
Nancy, born October 21, 1809, married W. D. Ewing.
James, born September 21, 18*11, married Rebecca Ewing, second
wife's name unknown.
Mary, January 21, 1816, married William .Eckman.
John, Aimnst 8, 1817, married Julia Ann Pittinger. He was the
merchant at Eckmansville for many years.
Robert, August 12, 1819, married Elizabeth Patton. He and his
wife are both living.
Marion, June 8, 1821, married Elizabeth T. Brown. He is living
at Mission Ridge, Neb.
Elizabeth, August 3, 1823,. married William McMillen.
William, July 20, 1828, married Emiline Allison.
Harvey, March 12, 1831, died in childhood.
Matilda, April 4, 1833, married first Mr. Glass, and second, Mr.
Pittinger.
Robert, July 12, 1813, died an infant.
Colonel John Means.
The people of Ohio are more indebted to this high-minded
southern gentleman than they are aware. He was the first to develop
the iron interests of southern Ohio. He was of old Scotch-Irish Pres-
byterian stock. The family name has been written MacMeans and it is
the same as Mayne or Maynes. William Means, his father, was born
in Ireland and was married to Nancy Simonton. He emigrated to
the United States and settled in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, about
1760. From there he removed to the Union District in South Carolina,
where he resided during the Revolution. He embraced the side of
the Colonies, and being confined to his home by disease, was subjected
to great annoyance by the Tories. A part of the time his family was
supported by a slave, Bob, a native of Africa, and at one time, they
were compelled to live on wheat boiled in water, not being able to pro-
cure other provisions. With all their privations, they had eight chil-
dren, James, Hugh, Margaret, Mary, William, Rachad, John and Jane.
The eldest, James, was born in Ireland. Mary married William Davitte
and moved with her husband to Adams County in 1802, and to Edgar
County in Illinois in 1812.
Our subject, John, the seventh child, was born March 14, 1770,
in South Carolina. He grew to manhood at the place of his birth,
and married Anne Williamson, the daughter of Thomas and Anne
Williamson, of Spartanburg District, on the tenth of April, 1798. Prior
to his marriage, he united with the Presbyterian Church. He lived in
Union District, South Carolina, with his mother until after her death in
1799. Soon after his mother's death, he moved to Spartanburg Dis-
trict, and engaged, in farming, merchandise and tanning. At the time
he removed to Spartanburg District, the only company of militia near
his home had for their captain, one Burton, whose father had beeai a
Tory in the Revolutionary War. John Means' dislike of the Tories
was so strong that, though the law required him to belong to the militia,
he would not join Bruton's company, but got up one of his own, rather
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284 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
than to serve under the son of one of those who had persecuted his
father during the war. During the War of 1812, he was commissioned
a colonel of the militia in South Carolina, but was never called into
active service. He was a member of the South Carolina legislature in
181 5 and 1816. He and his wife both believed that slaves had souls,
and that they should be taught to read the Bible. This was not law-
ful in South Carolina, Col. Means determined to remove to Ohio,
where his brother William had preceded him in 1802, and his brother-
in-law, the Rev. William Williamson, in 1805. He emigrated to Ohio
in 1819 and took with him twenty-four slaves to give them their free-
dom. On reaching Manchester, he purchased a farm one mile west of
Bentonville, now owned by A. V. Hutson. He erected a suitable dwell-
ing and buildings in 1824, and built quarters for his freedmen. In Oc-
tober, 1821, he was elected county commissioner of Adams County
and served one term. In 1824, he was elected a member of the legisla-
ture from Adams County and served at the ensuing session and that
of 1825. During his first session in legislature, the canal project oc-
cupied' very much attention, and at his first session, William Henry
Harrison was elected United States senator, in place of Ethan Allen
Brown, whose term had expired. He was re-elected to the twenty-
fourth legislative in the fall of 1825, which remained in session from
the fifth of December, 1825, until the fifth of February, 1826. During
this session, there were land assessors chosen, who made their returns
to the state auditor, and during this session, the first State Board of
Equalization was created, with fourteen members, one for each congres-
sional district.
Col. Means was in sentiment, anti-slavery, and an Abolitionist. He
always declared slavery to be a moral and political evil, though he was
not the same kind of an Abolitionist as the Rev. Dyer Burgess, who
afterwards married his daughter. He and Mr. Burgess often had
heated discussions on the subject of slavery, owing to their differences.
He watched over and cared for his former slaves as long as he lived,
and when nearing the end of his life, he often expressed himself grati-
fied with his action in freeing his slaves, and bringing his family into
a free state. He mined the first iron in Adams County. He built the
Brush Creek Forge Furnace and made iron there. He was one of the
partners who built Union Furnace, the first furnace built in Ohio in
the Hanging Rock Region. He was an elder in the Presbyterian
Church at Manchester. He died on the fifteenth of March, 1837, and
is interred in the Manchester cemeter>', adjoining the Presbyterian
Church. His wife survived him until November 30, 1840. He was a
sincere Christian, an honorable, upright and successful business man.
His wife was a remarkable woman. She was of the same views as
her husband on slavery, and noted for her piety and good works.
It is mainly through their children this eminent couple are known
to this generation. They had six children, Elizabeth Williamson, bom
in 1799, married Dr. Wm. M. Voris in 1827, and by him was the mother
of three daughters, one of whom was the wife of the Hon. William P.
Cutler, of Marietta, Ohio. Dr. Voris died of the cholera in Cincin-
nati, June 8, 1835. In 1842, she married the Rev. Dyer Burgess, and
became his widow in 1872, but lived until Februar\' 28, 1889, to the
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POLITICS AND Political parties 286
great age of ninety. A son, Thomas Williamson Means, was known to
all the business men of southern Ohio. He was born in South Carolina,
November 23, 1803, and came with his father to Ohio, in 1819. He
married Sarah Ellison, December 4, 1828. He has a separate sketch
in this book. Another son of Col. Means, the late Hugh Means, of Ash-
land, Kentucky, also has a separate sketch in this book.
Col. Means tells us of himself and his views and labor through
his children and grandchildren, who are foremost in the land, and
the memory of a man who had the conscience and moral courage to
be an Abolitionist in South Carolina in 1819, and to demonstrate his
faith by removing hundreds of miles into a new country to free his
slaves and to place his family in a free state, deserves to have a place
of remembrance in the hearts of this generation. Such moral heroism
should be inscribed in lasting tablets in the Treasure House of Fame.
General William KendalL
His father, Jeremiah Kendall, was a relative of General Anthony
Wayne. He was in the Revolutionary War for five years, entering
at the age of eighteen years. He was wounded at the battle of Brandy-
wine, and for two years afterward he was secretary to General Wash-
ington. His wife was Rhoda Mclntire of Scotch descent. Our sub-
ject was born on November 23, 1783. Directly after the Revolutionary
War, his father, Jeremiah Kendall, removed from Fauquier County,
Virginia, to a farm near old Red Stone Fort, Pennsylvania. In 1784,
he started with a flatboat to New Orleans, intending to take a cargp
of buffalo meat, vension and other game, expecting to obtain it on his
way down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Samuel Davis and Lewis
Wetzel were with him as skilled hunters. When below the falls of the
Ohio, they were attacked by six canoes filled with Indians. They fired
a blunderbuss loaded with thirty-six rifle balls among the Indian
canoes, and drove them off. After many adventures, they reached New
Orleans, sold their cargo and walked back to their homes. Jeremiah
Kendall served two years under General Anthony Wayne against the
Indians. He was in the battle of Fallen Timbers and at the Treaty
of Greenville, and was wounded several times in that campaign.
William Kendall was his oldest son, who first settled on Paint
Creek in Ross County, but afterward went to the site of Portsmouth,
Ohio, with Henry Massie before the town was laid out.
On May 29, 1806, William Kendall married Rachael Brown,
daughter of Captain John Brown. The Brown residence stood upon
the spot now occupied by the government building in Portsmouth,
Ohio. Captain John Brown had been a Revolutionary soldier and an
officer in the War of 1812. The old well was in the middle of Sixth
street. A mill, a garden and an orchard were north of this. The
farm covered what is now the Central Park of the city of Portsmouth.
Ohio. William Kendall built the first court house in Xenia, and cleared
the timber off the public square for that purpose. In 1809, he was
elected an associate judge of Scioto County, but it does not appear how
long he served, as the records during whatever time he served have
been lost or destroyed.
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286 mSTORY OP AOAMS CX>UNTY
In the War of 1812, he commanded a troop of cavalry under Gen-
eral William Henry Harrison, and the muster roll of his company is
preserved. The same fall he was elected to the Legislature to represent
Scioto County, and re-elected in 1 81 3.
In Portsmouth, Ohio, he resided on the first alley 6elow the Biggs
House, and kept a store there. In a room on the second floor, was
the Commercial Bank of which he was a director.
In 1816, he was treasurer of Scioto County, with a salary of $54.53.
In 1818, he built, at the mouth of Brush Creek, as a home, a two story
frame house, which is still standing, also a flouring mill, a store and
two saw mills, and was in partnership with George Herrod, who mar-
ried his sister, Elizabeth Kendall, while the family were still in Penn-
sylvania. The firm started a boat yard for the construction of steam-
boats and flatboats. In 1824 he built the first steamboat in Scioto County.
It was called the "Herald," and afterwards, the "Ohio." It ran on the
Ohio River many years. The "Belvidere" was built under the super-
vision of Captain Rogers and was owned by Lodwick & Company.
Kendall and Herrod afterward became contractors for the construc-
tion of the Ohio Canal. For fifteen years he was brigade inspector
of the Ohio militia. He was also on the staff of Gov. Robert Lucas,
who was his brother-in-law, and became a brigadier general of militia.
In 1820, he was auditor of Scioto County, but resigned in 1821.
In December, 1821, he was elected to the Legislature to represent
Scioto, Pike and Lawrence counties in the house. In December, 1822,
he was elected to represent the same counties in the senate, and served
until 1824. This same year he was a presidential elector and voted
for Henry Clay, and in the same year was appointed deputy surveyor
for the military districts of Scioto County, Ohio, and served until 1848.
In 1825, he was elected to represent Pike, Scioto and Lawrence
counties in the house. In 1828, William Kendall built Scioto Furnace
which was the first furnace in the southern Ohio iron field. He after-
ward built Clinton and Buckhorn furnaces. The lot for the court
house in Portsmouth, Ohio, was donated by Henry Brush. The con-
tract for erecting the court house was let to William Kendall for $12,-
650, and he built it in 1837. It was considered a fine building in that
day.
In 1828 and 1829, he represented Scioto, Pike, Jackson and Law-
rence counties in the senate.
In 1835 and 1836, he represented the same counties in the senate.
In 1836, he was presidential elector and voted for William Henry Har-
rison. In 1837 and 1838, he represented Adams, Brown and Scioto
counties in the house with Nelson Barrere, of Adams County, as his
colleague.
In 1842, he was appointed post master of Portsmouth, Ohio, and
served four years. He kept the post office on the comer of Second
and Market streets, where the Massie Block now stands.
He was elected to the Ohio senate in October, 1847, ^^^ served un-
til March 26, 1849. He served six terms in the house, and five terms in
the senate.
His first wife, Rachael Brown, died November 26, 1820, and he
was married to Christina Lawson, his second wife, on October 2, 1821.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 287
His son, Milton Kendall, married his wife's sister, consequently he was
a brother-in-law to his own son, he having married the eldest daughter
and his son the youngest. His second wife died August 2, 1840, and he
married for a third wife, Mrs. Ruth Claypool, of Chillicothe, who sur-
vived him a number of years. *
He was a Whig, and took an active part in politics on that side all
his life. During his entire life in Portsmouth there was no public en-
terprise went on unless he was connected with it in some way or other.
He took a prominent part in the affairs of the state. Whenever his
party was in doubt as to a candidate, it. was always suggested, "Let us
take Kendall ; he will make a safe and sure man," and he was. He had
a habit of getting there and being elected. This was because he was al-
ways popular. He was large-hearted and hospitable. He was candid,
but at the same time never sought to obtrude his views on any one, and
was tolerant. He was active in his habits, but his disposition was mild,
and he was always calm and deliberate. He was the father of fifteen
children, and left numerous descendants.
General Kendall came to Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1805, as a trader,
and for several years was engaged in mercantile and trading pursuits.
He was a faithful friend, a kind neighbor, and a public-spirited citizen.
No man was more universally beloved and respected. He possessed
uncommon equanimity; he was seldom disturbed in mind or conduct,
no matter what happened. He had a sound judgment. He died
August 2, 1849, o^ ^ lingering consumption, perfectly resigned, having
for a long time been expecting and desiring the final end. He was a
tall, spare man, nearly six feet high, complexion between light and
dark, blue eyes, and very active. He took hold of many enterprises
and was very popular. No more active or energetic citizen ever re-
sided in Scioto County, and none was ever more intimately connected
with public affairs.
Hiia:h Means
was born October 14, 1812, at Spartanburg, South Carolina, the son
of Colonel John Means, who has a separate sketch herein^ His mother
was Annie Williamson, sister of Rev.WilHam Williamson, also sketched
herein. His father and mother moved to Adams County when Hugh
was but seven years of age. He received his education mostly in Ohio
at West Union, Ripley, and other schools. He commenced his busi-
ness career at West Union, at about sixteen years of age, with his
brother, Thomas W. Means, who was engaged in merchandising there.
He remained with his brother, Thomas, about three years, and then
went to Union Furnace in 1831, first as a store-keeper, and afterwards
sold their iron.
In 183s he went to Greene County, Alabama, and engaged with
his brother, James W., in merchandising. In 1837 he returned to Ohio
on account of his father's death on November 15, 1837, and remained
on the home farm in Sprigg Township, until his mother's death, No-
vember 30, 1840. In that year he was married to Miss Ella Ellison,
who died in Catlettsburg in 1851.
In October, 1843, he was elected to the Legislature from Adams
County, and served one term. At that time, Adams, Fayette, and
Highland were in one legislative district, and had two representatives.
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28S HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Burnham Martin, of Fayette County, was his colleague. After this,
he was engaged at merchandising at Portsmouth, Ohio.
In 1847 he became one of the partners in building Buena Vista
Furnace in Boyd County, Kentucky, with James W. Means, John Cul-
bertson, and William Foster. In 1848 he built a residence in Catletts-
burg, Ky., and removed his home there.
In 1851 he was married to Miss Amanda Wilson. He resided in
Catlettsburg, Kentucky, until 1856, when he removed to Ashland, Ken-
tucky, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. He was
one of the charterers of the Bank of Ashland, and was its president
from its organization. He was one of the original owners of the town
plat of Ashland, and helped to organize the town, and as such, was one
of the original members in the Ashland Coal and Iron Company.
In 1872, when the Ashland National Bank was organized, he was
made its president, and continued such until his death.
Politically, he was a Whig so long as that party existed. At the
organization of the Republican party, he identified himself with that,
and continued affiliated with it all his life. During the Civil War he
was a staunch friend of the Union, and did all he could for its cause.
However, he never put himself forward in any political movement.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1849. He
was elected to the office of deacon, and was treasurer for many years.
In 1872 he was made a ruling elder in the church, and served as such
during his life. This was a position for which he was eminently fitted
in every way. He kept himself well informed on all current topics
of the day, and was deeply interested in all ethical questions. He,
however, had no taste for speaking in public assemblies, but when he
did speak, his character and life spoke for him. He was of polished
manners, refined in taste, exceptional in correct habits, of the strictest
integrity, and of great purity of life. He was respected, honored, and
loved by all who knew him. His deeds of charity were numerous, but
were done so unostentatiously that their extent could never be told.
He had an interest in every enterprise of the church. He was diligent
in his business and in his work for the church. In person, he was tall
and slender, with admirable bearing, but always of a delicate consti-
tution. He had no childem by his first marriage. By his second he
had four. His eldest, William, died in 1878. His son, Charles W.
Means, is cashier of the Ashland National Bank.
He died December 15, 1884. His widow and two daughters re-
side in Asheville, North Carolina.
Henry L. Phillips
was born in Highland County, Ohio, September 13, 1829, received a
common school education, studied medicine and began practicing in
Adams County. He was married to Martha A. Bloomhuff, September
10, 1856. Three children were lx)rn to them: Cora, now a teacher in
the public schools of IManchester; Dudley B. and Fannie, now the wife of
W. D. Vance. He entered the 70th O. V. T. in the fall of 1861, as first
lieutenant and adjutant. ?Ie was afterwards made captain in the same
regiment and detailed as acting assistant adjutant general. He was
next made a lieutenant .colonel, and continued in that grade and com-
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 289
manded the 70th Ohio until it w^as discharged August 14, 1865. He
was in all the important engagements in which his regiment participated
and went with Sherman to the sea. In 1865, while still in the service,
he was elected to the Legislature as the representative from Adams
County. He was a member of Manchester Lodge, No. 317, F. and
A. M., by which order he was buried July 27, 1866, having died of
malarial fever and a chronic disease contracted in the army.
Joseph Willdns Eylar
was bom in Carlisle, Brown County, Ohio, March 11, 1847. Before he was
a year old, his parents removed to Winchester, Ohio, where they resided
until 1856, when they removed to Youngsville, where they resided until
i860, when they removed to West Union. Our subject attended pub-
lic schools at Winv^hester. at Grace's Run near Youngsville, and at West
Union. While in West Union, between terms of school, he went into
the employment of Billings and Patterson, who were publishing the
Democratic Union, In 1862, he went to Georgetown where he worked
at the printer's trade under John G. Doran, publisher of the Southern
Ohio Argtis, In 1862, he went with his father in the army, acting as
teamster and forage master. He was with Burnside's Army in East
Tennessee in 1863. Just before the siege of Knoxville, Eylar was one
of a party sent with dispatches from General Bumside to the com-
mandant at Cumberland Gap, directing the forwarding of commissary
supplies. The party carrying the dispatches went from Knoxville to
the gap by a circuitous route and narrowly escaped capture by the rebels.
They, however, delivered the dispatches safely, and from there young
Eylar went home. That winter he spent in school and from there went
into the office of the Democratic Union, at West Union. He remained
there until the summer of 1865 when he went to Fayette County and
worked in a hub and spoke factory until September when he returned to
West Union and undertook to establish a Democratic newspaper in
Adams County. He walked over the county canvassing for subscribers
and on the nineteenth of January, 1866, he launched the Peoples' De-
fender on the troubled sea of journalism. As a newspaper, it was a suc-
cess from the start. Mr. Eylar seemed to have a talent for newspaper
work and was able to make the paper as good as it could be with the sup-
port he had in Adams County. The paper and its editor, Mr. Eylar,
prospered right along.
In March, 1889, he was married to Mary Ellen Oldson, daughter
of James R. Oldson, of West Union. He has had four children, Mar-
garet Ann, William Allen, James Norton and Lotta Sinclare.
In 1876, Mr. Eylar was elected to the Legislature from Adams
County as the representative of his party and re-elected in 1878. Dur-
ing his two terms, he secured the passage of more bills than any one who
had ever preceded him in the representation of Adams County. He
made a record as a most efficient legislator.
In 1890, after having published the Peoples' Defender successfully
for twenty-four years, he sold it to Edward A. Cra\vford and removed
to Georgetown, Ohio, where he purchased an interest in the Georgetown
News Democrat and has been its editor and publisher ever since.
19a
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290 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
Mr. Eylar is a Democrat in the intensest sense of the word. While
there may be, and doubtless are, Democrats whose faith in the tenets of
their party is only sentimental, that is not the case with Mr. Eylar. His
democracy is ei^fhteen carats fine. He not only believes it, but he
thinks, acts and lives it. The Defender under his management was an
able newspaper. Many thought at times he was too pungent and sar-
castic and sometimes too abusive, but his friends stood by him and he
succeeded.
Mr. Eylar is a good friend, a good neighbor, a bad enemy, and a
good citizen. He believes in the broad religion of humanity and prac-
tices it every day of his life. With the foundations he was able to lay
in his boyhood and youth, he has made a superstructure with which he
and his personal political friends can be well satisfied and of which they
can be proud.
James L« Coryell.
James L. Coryell was born near West Union, February 22, 1830.
His father was Salatbiel Coryell, and his mother, Nancy Holmes, daugh-
ter of James Holmes. His father was born in Mason County, Ky., and
located in Adams County in 1801. The Coryell family came from the
state of New Jersey. Up to twenty years of age, our subject worked on
his father's farm in the summer and attended school in the winter. At
twenty years, he became a teacher in the public schools, followed that
profession for about nine years, and in that time, was county school ex-
aminer for two years. In 1853, he removed to West Union and became
a teacher in the upper district, and when not engaged in teaching, was
employed in the county auditor's office. He was always a Democrat,
and in 1859, ^'^^ by that party elected to the office of county auditor and
re-elected in 1861. He filled the office with satisfaction to the public
and great credit to himself. In 1864, he was elected justice of the peace
for Tiffin Township and was re-elected in 1867, and served as such for
about six years. During this time, he also followed the occupation of a
surveyor. In the discharge of his duties as justice, he brought to his aid
a calm, judicial mind and temper. He was a most excellent surveyor.
In 1869 he was elected probate judge of Adams County and was re-
elected in 1872 and 1875. In 1879, he was elected Adams County's rep-
resentative in the Legislature and served two terms. In 1875 he was ad-
mitted to the bar of Ohio. In April, 1886, he was again elected a justice
of the peace in Tiffin Township, and continued to hold it by successive
re-elections until the time of his death. He was first married to Miss
Mary McGranagan, of Manchester, and by her was the father of three
children ; Lydia, the wife of Orlando Burwell, of Cincinnati ; Nancy, the
wife of C. C. W. Naylor, of Manchester ; W. C. Coryell, the well-known
attorney in West Union, and Julia, wife of Edward Hughes, of Man-
chester, but now deceased. His wife died in 1866 and in 1869 he mar-
ried Mrs. Hannah McFerran, widow of Major John W. McFerran, who
died in the service of his country in the Civil War. From 1867 to 1880
and from April, 1889, until his death, he served as a member of the
board of education of West Union. As a school teacher and surveyor,
he was most efficient. As a public officer, he discharged his duties with
promptness, thoroughly, and with satisfaction to all who had business
before him.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 291
In the probate office, he systematized the manner of transact-
mg its business and keeping its records. To all cases in that court he
gave a patient and calm hearing, and in their disposition displayed a
broad and sound judgment, which commanded the respect of all. As
a lawyer, he was a safe and prudent counselor. He was not an advocate
but in the management of estates, he had the confidence of all the people
in the county, and that confidence was well deserved, and never abused,
lie was of an even and calm temper, never excited or perturbed, and at
no time did he ever lose his mental balance. He had a taste for local
history and reminiscences from boyhood, and his mind was stored with
historical facts about the county and its citizens. Whenever he learned
a fact, he never forgot it. His reminiscences of Adams County would
have made a most interesting book. The writer has often suggested to
him that he ought to have written the histor>' of Adams County, and had
he done so, it would have been a most readable book, but he never could
be induced to write out and preserve the many interesting facts in the
past of the county with which his mind was stored. The writer never
would have taken an interest in the history of Adams County and this
book never would have been written, so far as he is concerned, had it
not been for the interest awakened in him by Judge Coryell, in his many
iiiter\'iews with him. On men and events in the past history of the
County, Judge Coryell was a most interesting conversationalist, and no
one could listen to him without becoming interested. Th« writer was
not only deeply interested in the many events narrated to him by Judge
Coryell, but also felt these events should be preserved in a printed book
and hence this history, the work of himself and his associate, Mr. Stivers.
And to Judge Coryell's wonderful faculty of remembering past
events and relating them in an interesting manner to his friends, the
patrons and readers of this work may largely attribute any pleasure they
may have in reading that portion of this work prepared by the writer
of this sketch.
Hon. John B. Tonns.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, Daniel Young, emi-
grated from the north of Ireland to the state of New Jersey prior to the
Revolution, in which he was a soldier in a New Jersey regiment. He
was a pensioner, and died in Adams County, Ohio, and is buried in the
Foster cemetery, in Greene Township. His son, Thomas W. Young,
was born in New Jersey, September 4, 1783, and died January 10, 1867.
He was the grandfather of our subject, and his wife was Mary Finney,
who was born in Ireland February 11, 1788, and died in 1870. She is
also buried in the Foster cemetery. Daniel Young, father of our subject,
was born October 27, 1813, in Pennsylvania; and died in Adams County
April 18, 1850. He married Clarinda Brooks, who was born in Che-
mung County, New York, March 9, i8tT, and died September 14, i860.
John B. Young was born Febniary 19, 1839, in Jefferson Township,
Adams County, Ohio, where he has ever since resided. When he was
eleven years old, his father died, and John B. was put under the charge
of a great uncle, George Young, with whom he made his home until his
sixteenth year. After working for a few months for Daniel Spurgeon,
he returned to his mother's home, where be remained until she married
John Scott. In April, 1859, he entered school in West Union under the
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292 fflSTORY OP ADAMS CX>UNTY
tutorship of the late Judge J. L. Corv^ell, and prepared himself to teach
in the country schools of Adams County, receiving his first certificate to
teach in the year 1859. While under the instruction of Judge Coryell,
the latter became a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the nomina-
tion for county auditor. He was anxious about the delegates from Jef-
ferson Township, and sent our subject there to try to secure the pledges
of ten delegates which were needed to insure the nomination for the
judge. After much political wire-pulling, eleven pledges were secured,
j-nd the judge was assured the coveted nomination. This was the first
political work of our subject beyond township affairs, and he had not
then attained his majority.
In September, 1859, he began teaching in Jefferson Township at
twenty-five dollars per month, paying five dollars per month for board-
ing. He continued teaching as a profession until he enlisted in the Civil
^Var, August 11, 1862, at Buena Vista, vScioto County, Ohio, under
Captain Henry, Company H, 8ist Regiment, O. V. I., Colonel Morton
in command. He served until mustered out at Louisville, July 13, 1865.
During his term of service, he was engaged in the following battles :
Tuscumbia, Town Creek, Lay's Ferry, Rome X Roads, Dallas, Siege of
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, Kennesaw Mountain, Sherman's
March to the Sea, the march through the Carolinas, and Bentonville.
Five days after his enlistment in the service, he was married to
Deidamia Thompson, who has borne him ten children — Isaac D., Edmund
Lee, Clement L., John H., Inda, Thomas M., Thomas E., Sarah, Mary
and Anna.
In 1883, he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for representa-
tive from Adams County in the Ohio Legislature; and after one of the
most stubbornly contested political battles, he was elected, his opponent
being Robert H. Ellison, of Manchester, a wealthy banker of that place.
His record in the legislature was eminentlv satisfactory to his party, and
he was nominated for a second term, but defeated by a few votes in a year
in which the entire Democratic ticket was overwhelmed in Adams
County. He has held many positions of trust and honor, and has long
been a leader of the Democratic party in his native county. He is a
member of the Christian Union Church, and has served for years as an
elder in that organization.
WilUam Alfred Blair,
a merchant of Tranquility, Adams County, Ohio, was born April 13,
1829, on a farm six miles northwest of Tranquility. His ancestors
were of Scotch-Irish stock. Joseph Wallace Blair, father of our sub-
ject, was bom in Tennessee, December 22, 1799. When thirteen years
of age, he accompanied his parents to Adams County, Ohio, and for a
number of years was engaged in farming. His father, being afflicted
with rheumatism, gave his attention to school teaching and merchan-
dising, first opening a small store at Belfast, Highland County, Ohio,
associated for a time with the Hon. John T. Wilson. The last twenty-
five years of his life were spent on a farm of 155 acres, located near
Russellville, Brown County, Ohio, where he died February 9, 1878. and
was buried in the Red Oak cemetery in that county. Polly Ann Blair,
mother of our subject, was born January 12, 1807, and died November
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HON. ANDREW CLKMMKR SMITH
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 293
12, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Blair were married in 1827, and were the par-
ents of twelve children, six of whom are still living.
W. A. Blair, the subject of this sketch, received his education in
the early days of his boyhood from his parents and in the district com-
mon schools of those days in Adams and Highland counties. He re-
mained with his parents until fifteen years of age, when he came to live
with the Hon. John T. Wilson, of Tranquility, and was employed to do
general work around the store. He remained with that gentleman
nine years, and acquired an interest in the store. In 1853 ^^ accepted
a position in the dry goods establishment of B. L. Jefferson, of Ports-
mouth, Ohio, and shortly afterward bought a half interest in the busi-
ness, which partnership continued for two years. Mr. Blair next spent
one year in merchandising at South Webster, Ohio, and in August,
1856, he returned to Tranquility and purchased the old Wilson store,
then owned by Silcott & Mathews, and located on the hill. Five years
later Mr. Blair built his present store room and dwelling, into which he
moved in January, 1862. He was married September 18, 1856, to
Mary Jane, daughter of John and Narcissa McCreight, of Adams
County. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have had the following children : Frank
Granville, born November 23, 1857, 's conducting the store at Tran-
quility, married Lulu America Wasson, by whom he had one child.
Earl Clyde; John Joseph, born September 24, 1859, ^s engaged in the
banking business at Peebles, Ohio, married Espy Jane Patton, and they
have one child, Charles Patton; Spencer Wilson, bom December 29,
1865, is employed in his father's store; Blanchard Grier, born January
18, 1869, is a clerk in the Ripley National Bank, Ripley, Ohio.
W. A. Blair is a man of considerable means, of great business ex-
perience and ability, and his probity of character and uprightness in all
business affairs, are unquestioned by those who come in contact with
him. He was in the Civil War, served as second lieutenant in Co. G,
I72d O. V. I. While never aspiring to public honors, he was elected
by the Republican party of Adams County, Ohio, in the fall of 1885,
as representative from said county to serve in the sixty-seventh General
Assembly of Ohio for the years 1886 and 1887. He also served the
township of Scott, in Adams County, Ohio, as its treasurer from 1862
to 1886, about twenty-four years. In politics he is a Republican; in
religion he is a Presbyterian. He was the intimate friend of the late
Hon. John T. Wilson ,having known him from childhood, and so thor-
oughly did he impress Mr. Wilson that he always placed the most im-
plicit confidence in him, and at the time of his death, Mr. Blair was
named as executor, without bond, of the Wilson estate, the largest es-
tate ever left for settlement in Adams County, and he has conducted the
administration of the estate with that care and fidelity Mr. Wilson an-
ticipated.
Hon. AndreiF OleBiater Bmltli
was born a musician. His father was a musician, a trait inherited from
generations back. Our subject was born on the seventeenth day of
September, 1836, at Mt. Leigh, in Adams County, Ohio. His father,
Samuel Smith, was a wool carder and an instructor in vocal music and
penmanship. His mother was Barbara Clemmer. Young Smith grew
up in a home of industry, song, and peace, until the age of nine, when
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294 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
his parents removed to North Liberty, where he began to learn the
wool carding trade. He spent his winters in the common schools, and
his summers at work at wool carding. As might be expected, young
Smith developed an extraordinary aptitude for instrumental music, and
when a band was organized at North Liberty, under the instructions of
Dr. L. D. Sheets, an eminent physician and musician from Baltimore,
Md., Andrew was given a position as bass drummer, but in less than six
months he was promoted to first B flat cornet. Much of his young
manhood was spent in the study and practice of music, arranging music
for bands, and instructing them throughout the counties near his home.
He went to school, some time at the North Liberty Academy when
the Revs. Fisher, Arbuthnot and Andrews presided, successively, over
that institution. At the age of seventeen he became a teacher of com-
mon schools, receiving a certificate of qualification to that effect from
the county board. Not being able to obtain a school, at that time, he
entered the wool carding mill of M. J. Patterson, of Winchester, and
remained until the season closed in 1853, when he entered the dry
goods store of George A. Dixon, of Winchester, as salesman. This
place he held until the fall of 1854, when he obtained a school. As a
teacher he was very successful, and held a prominent position among
the teachers of Adams County. For four years prior to the Civil War,
he was a teacher in the West Union schools. Two years of the time
he taught under the late James L. Coryell, and two years under Rev.
W. W. Williams. On July 18, 1861, he enlisted in the 24th* Regiment,
O. V. I., at the age of twenty-six, as leader of the regimental band.
On September 10, 1862, he was discharged.
He spent the time from September 10, 1862, until March t, 1863,
at his home in Winchester, Ohio. On the latter date he re-entered
the military service as a first-class musician in the brigade band, 3rd
Brigade, ist Division, 21st Army Corps. On April 5, 1863, he left
Adams County for Murfreesboro, Tenn., where on April 13, 1863, he
was a second time mustered into the U. S. military service. On March
II, 1864, he was made a leader of the band of the 3rd Brigade, ist Di*
vision, 4th Army Corps. He remained with this corps until, the first of
September, 1865, when he was discharged from the service of the
United States at Camp Stanley, Texas. He, however, remained as
leader of the band of the 21st Illinois, until that regiment was mustered
out in December, 1865. He did not reach home until January 25, 1866.
During his service in the Civil War he was present in the following
battles: Cheat Mountain, W. Va., Shiloh, Tenn., Murfreesboro,
Tejin., Smithville, Corinth, Dalton, Resaca, Atlanta, Chicamauga,
Jonesboro, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. For personal serv'ce
rendered Major General Thomas in front of Atlanta, Ga., in Septem-
ber, 1864, Mr. Smith was granted a furlough for thirty days. While at
home in this period, he was married to Miss Mary J. Puntenney,
daughter of Mr. James Puntenney. At the close of the war he took
up his residence at his wife's former home at Stout's Run, Greene
Township, and, with the exception of three years in West Union, as
a teacher, he has lived there ever since. There have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Smith five sons and two daughters, of which a daugh-
ter and a son died in infancy. Edgar P., the oldest, is a U. P. minister,
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 296
and lives in Huntsville, Ohio. Mary Maude married a Methodist Epis-
copal minister, Rev. William C. Mitchell, and lives in hynden, Wash-
ington ; Samuel James was born October 14, 1873, ^^d died March 20,
18^; George H. C. and Harry E. were born October 22, 1879, ^tnd De-
cember 28, 1883, respectively, and still live at home with their parents.
Mrs. Mary J. Smith, his wife, was bom November 16, 1842. In her
young womanhood she was a student under Miss Mary E. Urmston,
afterwards Mrs. E. P. Pratt, and under Jas. L. Coryell and Rev. W. W.
Williams. She became a teacher and obtained great proficiency in
music. For several years she was a teacher of piano music. Mr.
Smith and his entire family, with the exception of his married daughter,
are members of the United Presbyterian Church, living up to, and ac-
cording to the ethics of all that church teaches man as to his duty, and
the reasons for it. He especially loves to defend, bold and fearless,
the sublimity of "the Songs of the Bible."
In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican of the "most straightest
sect." He firmly believes that the principles of the Republican party
carried out by the government arc necessary to the welfare and contin-
uous prosperity of the nation.
He was elected to the Legislature for the district composed of the
counties of Adams and Pike in November, 1895, and re-elected in 1897.
This office came to him unsolicited, and he discharged his duties as he
has done everything in life, — on his conscience.
Mr. Smith is a man of the highest character. With every move-
ment for the betterment and elevation of mankind, he has been identi-
fied as an advocate. He has always been a man of generous and noble
impulses. In musical culture and education he has been a pioneer in
southern Ohio. Many persons owe to him the lifelong pleasures they
have found in the enjoyment of musical culture. His record as a
teacher, as a patriot, as a musician, as a citizen, a man, and a Christian
gentleman is without stain or blemish, and is one of which he, his
friends, and his posterity may feel justly proud.
Hon. Riohard Ramsay
was bom in Washington County, Ohio, but was from early child-
hood a resident of Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, where in 1885 he
died, at the age of seventy-four years and eleven months. He made the
most of the common schools in his day, and thus added to a mind of great
natural force much acquired ability. His mind was well stored with
useful information of which, owing to his mental discipline, he had
ready command. He was a natural logician, and reasoned well on ques-
tions of local and national importance. For thirty-one years he was a
Justice of the Peace, though he accomplished as much by his unofficial
counsels in reconciling the estranged as through the administration of
the law. And so wise were his decisions that through this long period
but few, if any, of his official rulings were reversed by the higher court.
In 1873, he represented Adams County in the State Legislature. He
was elected at a time when the opposing political party was in the as-
cendency, so fully did he share the confidence of his neighbors, without
distinction of party.
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296 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
In his early manhood, he united with the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which he was a useful and influential member till his death.
For thirty-seven years of this time, he was a local preacher; and for
thirty-one years, a local deacon. His sermons were both scriptural and
practical, and were very acceptable in the entire field of his labors.
In 183 1 he was married to Miss Priscilla Reese, daughter of Major
Jonathan Reese. In 1881 they celebrated their golden wedding, all
their nine children and several grandchildren being present.
His was a beautiful character. He was gentle and kind, faithful
and true. His disposition was even and winning. He had clear and
deep convictions on all questions, and never failed in his loyalty to what
he thought was right. His influence in the community was blessed, and
aided greatly in the promotion of every moral reform.
His body was the first in this large family to be borne to its last rest-
ing place in the cemetery of the village where so long he had resided.
Adams Coanty in Consress.
By N. W. Evans.
F^om the organization of the state until 1810, there was but one
congressman, Jeremiah Morrow, a member of the first constitutional
convention, and afterwards Governor. On February 14, 1892, the
State was divided into six congressional districts. The second district
was composed of Clermont, Highland, Fayette, Clinton, Greene, and
Adams. John Alexander, of Greene, was elected in this district in 1812
to the thirteenth congress. He was re-elected to the fourteenth con-
gress, and served from 1813 to 1817. He was bom in Spartanburg,
N. C, in 1777, where the family name was "Elchinor." He moved to
Ohio, where he became known as the "Buffalo of the West." He was
elected as a Democrat. He came to Ohio in 1802 with his family. He
was a member of the state senate, December, 1822, to February, 1824,
representing Greene and Clinton. He was a lawyer. He left two sons
and had a large estate.
The next representative from this district was John W. Campbell,
of Adams County. A sketch of him appears elsewhere. He was
elected to the fifteenth congress in 18 16, and served from March 4,
1817, till March 4, 1827, five terms. On May 20, 1822, the second ap-
portionment was made and the fourteen districts were made. The
fifth district was composed of Brown, Adams, Highland, and Clinton.
John W. Campbell represented this district for two terms, residing in
Adams County all the time. On March 4, 1827, he was succeeded by
William Russell in the twentieth congress. Russell served three con-
secutive terms, March 4, 1827, to March 4, 183 1, being a resident of
Adams County all the time. Thus Adams County had the first con-
gressman from the fifteenth to the twenty-second congress, both inclu-
sive, for sixteen consecutive years.
On June 14, 1832, the third apportionment was made, and nine-
teen districts were made. Brown, Highland, Clermont, and Adams
formed the fifth district, and Thomas L. Hamer was elected to the
twenty-third congress as a Democrat. A sketch of him appears else-
where. He was re-elected to the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth con-
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 297
grasses, and served until March 4, 1839. Judge Campbell might have
remained indefinitely, and so might Hamer, but each declined further
elections, the first after five terms, and the second after three.
Then Dr. William Doane, of Clermont County, was elected to the
twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh congresses. He will not have a sep-
arate sketch, and we will finish him right here. He was born in the
state of Maine. He removed to Clermont County and filled several
local office*. He was elected as a Democrat. July 15, 1842, at a spe-
cial session of the legislature, as in 1832, the fourth apportionment was
made and twenty-one districts created. Clermont, Brown, Highland,
and Adams were the seventh district. In this district. Gen. Joseph Mc-
Dowell, of Highland County, was elected to the twenty-eighth con-
gress, and served two terms, 1843 to 1847. He was born in Burke
County, North Carolina, November 13, 1800. He moved to Highland
County, Ohio, in 1824, and became a farmer. He was a merchant in
Hillsboro from 1829 to 1835. At that time he was admitted to the bar
by a special act of the legislature. Previous to his election to congress,
he was in the legislature, in the House in 1832 and 1833, and in the Sen-
ate from 1833 to 1835. He attained distinction as a lawyer, was an
earnest and eloquent man, true to his constituents, faithful in the dis-
charge of duty, and was noted for being a Christian gentleman. To
the thirtieth congress, in October, 1846, Thomas L. Hamer, of Brown
County, was elected, but never sat. He died in Mexico, December 21.
1846. Jonathan D. Morris, of Clermont County, was elected to suc-
ceed him. He was re-elected to the thirty-first congress, and served
till March 4, 1851. He had been clerk of the courts in Clermont
County from 183 1 to 1846, was a lawyer by profession, and was a faith-
ful, conscientious and popular official. For twenty-five years he was a
controlling factor in Clermont County politics. He had the respect
and confidence of the people of his county, and was a leader of public
opinion.
In the thirty-second congress, 1851 to 1853, Nelson Barrere, a
Whig, for the first time represented the district. He was a resident of
Highland County when elected, but had resided in Adams County from
1834 to 1845, ^"d while he had represented that county in the legisla-
ture in 1837 and 1838. In 1853, he was the Whig candidate for Gover-
nor, but was defeated by Mr. Medill. During the Civil War he was
a Republican, but at its close became a Democrat, and remained such
during his life. He was an able lawyer. He died August 20, 1883.
In 1852 the fifth congressional apportionment was made of twenty-
one districts. The sixth district was composed of Clermont, Brown,
Highland, and Adams. Andrew Ellison, a lawyer from Brown County,
represented the district in the thirty-third congress, 1853 to 1855.
Nothing is now remembered of him except that he was a lawyer from
Brown County. He was elected as a Democrat.
In the thirty-fourth congress, Jonas R. Emrie, of Highland County,
lepresented the district as a Republican in 1855 to 1857. He was
defeated for re-election to the thirty-fifth congress by Joseph R. Cock-
erill, of Adams County, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. Under
the plan by which the Democratic party was managing its affairs in the*
district at that time, Col. Cockerill was allowed but one term, and in the
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298 mSTORY OP ADAMS CX)UN1Y
thirty-sixth congress, 1859 ^^ 1861, was succeeded by Col. William How-
ard, of Clermont County. He was a distinguished citizen of that county,
whose memory is still fragrant. Like Campbell and Cockerill, he was a
native of Virginia. When a boy he learned the saddler trade. He was
prosecuting attorney of Clermont County from 1845 ^o 1849; state sena-
tor in 1849. He was a lieutenant in the Mexican War, and went into the
Civil War as major of the 59th O. V. I., and was promoted to lieutenant
colonel. He was a patriot, and so disclosed himself in congress, but the
Democracy of his district had at that time established a foolish custom
that no one should have but one term, so he retired at the close of his
term and gave place to Chilton A. White, of Brown County, who was
elected to the thirty-seventh congress, 1861 to 1863, as a Democrat. In
1862 the sixth apportionment for congress was made, and the Republi-
cans had the innings. There were nineteen districts, and the eleventh
congressional district was composed of Adams, Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia,
Jackson and Vinton. The district was Republican, but to the thirty-
eighth congress, Wells A. Hutchins, of Scioto County, was elected as a
War Democrat on a platform for the more vigorous prosecution of the
war. A sketch of Mr. Hutchins appears elsewhere. He was a candidate
to succ*eed himself, but was defeated by the Hon. Hezekiah H. Bundy, of
Jackson County, who represented the district in the thirty-ninth con-
gress, 1865 to 1867. A sketch of him appears herein.
In the fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second congresses, 1867 to
1873, John T. Wilson, of Adams County, represented the district. A
sketch of him will be found herein.
In 1872 the seventh apportionment was made. There were twenty-
one districts, and Highland, Brown, Adams, Pike, and Ross were made
the seventh district. And Lawrence T. Neal, of Ross County, repre-
sented it in the forty-third and forty-fourth congresses, 1873 to 1877.
Henry L. Dickey, of Highland County, was elected to the forty-fifth
congress from this district, 1877 to 1879.
In 1878 the eighth apportionment was made, and this was the first
not made at a decennial period. It was made by the Democrats, all
previous ones having been made by the Whigs or Republicans. There
were twenty-one districts, and the eleventh was composed of Clermont,
Brown, Adams, Highland, and Clinton. Under this apportionment,
Henry L. Dickey, of Highland, was re-elected and represented the dis-
trict, 1879 to 1881. In 1880 the Republicans controlled the Legislature
and re-enacted the apportionment of 1872, making the ninth, and in
this district, composed of Highland, Brown, Adams, Pike, and Ross,
John P. Leedom was elected to the forty-seventh congress and served
one term, 1881 to 1883.
In 1882, the decennial period, the tenth apportionment was made.
Under this there were twenty-one districts, and the eleventh was com-
posed of Lawrence, Adams, Scioto, Jackson, Gallia, and Vinton. In
this district John W. McCormick, of Gallia, was elected to the forty-
eighth congress, and served one term.
In 1884 the legislature was again Democratic, and that party took
a turn at the wheel of fortune. The eleventh apportionment was made,
and twenty-one districts were formed. The eleventh was composed of
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Ross, Browni, Adams, and Highland. W. W. EUsberry, of Brown, was
elected to the forty-ninth congress, and served one term, 1885 ^^ 1887.
In 1886 the Republicans controlled the legislature, and they made
the twelfth apportionment. Under this, Adams, Scioto, Lawrence,
Gallia, Jackson, and Vinton composed the eleventh district, and Judge
Albert C. Thompson was elected to the fiftieth congress, in 1887 to
1889. He was re-elected to the "fifty-first congress from the same dis-
trict, 1887 to 1889. A sketch of him will be found elsewhere. These
political changes are hard on the historian, but have to be borne.
In 1890 the Legislature, controlled by the Democrats, made the
thirteenth apportionment. Adams, Brown, Highland, Clermont, and
Pike were made the eleventh district, and John M. Pattison, as a Demo-
crat, of Clermont, represented it in the fifty-second congress, 1891 to
1893. In 1892 the Republicans made the regular decennial apportion-
ment, the fourteenth in number. There were twenty-one districts,
Adams, Scioto, Pike, Jackson, Gallia and Lawrence composed the tenth
district, and in this Gen. William H. Enochs was elected to the fifty-
third congress. He died July 13, 1893, after four months and nine days
of his term, and Hon. Hezekiah S. Bundy was elected his successor,
and served out his term.
To the fifty-fourth congress and to the fifty-fifth, Lucien J. Fenton,
of Adams, was elected, and served from 1895 to 1899. A sketch of him
appears herein. To the fifty-sixth congress Stephen Morgan, of Jack-
son, was elected, and is serving his first term.
A table of Adams County in congress is as follows :
Congress.
Years.
Name.
County.
Politics.
7-12
14-15
1803-1813...
1813-1815...
1817-1827...
1827-1833...
1833-1839...
1839-1843...
1843-1847...
1847-1851...
1851-1853...
1863-1855...
1855-1867...
1857-1859...
1859-1861...
1861-1863..
1863-1866...
1865-1867...
1867-1873...
1873-1877...
1877-1881...
1881-1883...
1883-1885...
1885-1887...
1887-1891...
1891-1893...
1893-1895...
1895-1899...
1897
Jeremiah Morrow
John Alexander
Hamilton
Greene
Adams
Democrat.
Democrat.
15-19
John W.Campbell
Democrat.
20-22
William Russell
Thomas L. Hamer
Adams
Democrat.
23-25
Brown
Democrat
26-27
William Doane
Clermont
Highland
Clermont
Highland
Brown
Democrat.
28-29
Jos. T. McDowell
Democrat.
30-31
Jonathan D. Morris
Democrat.
32
Nelson Barrere
Whig.
Democrat.
33
Andrew Kllison
34
Jonas R. Emrie
Highland
Adams
Republican.
Democrat.
35
Jos. R. Cockerill
36
William Howard
Clermont
Brown
Democrat
37
Chilton A. White
Wells A. Hutchins
Democrat
38
Scioto
Democrat.
39
Hezekiah S. Bundy...
Jackson
Adams
Republican.
Republican.
Democrat.
40-42
John T. Wilson
1/awrence T. Neal
43-44
Ross
45-46
Henry L. Dickey
Highland
Adams
Gallia.
Democrat.
47
John P. I/eedom .-.
Democrat.
48
John W. McCormick
Republican.
DetTifirrflt
49
W. W. EUsberry
Brown
50-51
Albert C. Thompson
John M. Pattison
Wm. H. Bnochs
Scioto
Republican.
Democrat.
52
Clermont
Lawrence
Jackson
53
Republican.
Republican.
Republican.
Republican.
H. S. Bundy
54-55
1/Ucien J. Fenton
Adams
56
Stenhen T. Moruran
Jackson
#
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3(»u HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
There have been fourteen apportionments made, when regularly
there should have been but nine. The first apportionment, other than
at a decennial period was in 1878 by the Democrats. The next was in
1880 by the- Republicans. The third was in 1874 by the Democrats,
and the fourth in 1886 by the Republicans. The fifth was in 1890 by
the Democrats. Exclusive of the present term, Adams County has
been represented in congress ninety-six years, thirty of which by its
own citizens. Of the ninety-six years, the Democrats have had sev-
enty-two years, and the Whigs and RepubHcans twenty-four years.
Jeremiah M.orro'w
was the first congressman from Ohio. He was born in Gettysburg,
Adams County, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1771. His father was a
farmer, and he was brought up on the farm. He attended a private
school at Gettysburg, and was especially bright in mathematics and
surveying, which were his favorite studies. In 1795 he emigrated to the
Northwest Territory, and settled at Columbia, near Cincinnati. At
Columbia he taught school, did surveying, and worked on the farm.
Having saved some money, he went to Warren County, bought a large
farm and erected a log house. In the spring of 1799 he married Miss
Mary Packhill, of Columbia.
In 1 801 he was elected to the territorial legislature. He was a
delegate to the constitutional convention in 1802. In March, 1803, he
was elected to the Ohio senate, and in June, 1803, he was elected to
congress, and re-elected ten times. While in congress he was chair-
man of the committee on public lands. In 181 3 he was elected to the
United States senate, and was made chairman of the committee on pub-
lic lands. In 1814 he was appointed Indian commissioner. At the
close of his term he retired to his farm.
In early life he became a member of the United Presbyterian
Church, and devoted himself to its welfare all his life.
In 1820 he was a candidate for governor, and received 9,476 votes,
to 34,836 for Ethan A. Brown, who was elected. In 1822 he was
elected governor by 26,059 votes, to 22,889 for Allen Trimble and 11,-
150 for William W. Irwin, and re-elected in 1824 by the following vote:
39,526 for him, and 37,108 for Allen Trimble. During his service as
governor, the canal system of Ohio was inaugurated, and Lafayette's
visit to the state took place. On the fourth of July, 1839, he laid the
corner stone of the capital at Columbus. In 1840 he was re-elected
to congress to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Thomas Corwin,
and was re-elected. He was a deep thinker, a delightful social com-
panion, had a wonderful retentive memory, boundless kindness of heart
and endowed with much vivacity and cheerfulness of spirit. He died
March 22, 1853.
Jolin Alezaiuler
represented Adams Count>^ in the thirteenth and fourteenth congresses,
18 1 3 to 18 1 4. He represented the second district, composed of Adams,
Clinton, Greene, Fayette, Highland, and Clermont counties. Brown
County was not then established. He was elected as a Democrat. He
appears to have been in the senate, twenty-second legislative session.
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JUDGE JOHN W. CAMPBELL
Unitkd States District Court.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 301
December 2, 1822, to January 28, 1823, and in the twenty-second legis-
lative session, December i, 1823, to February 26, 1824, representing
Greene and Clinton counties.
He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, about 1777, where
the family was called **Rlchinor." After receiving a common school
education he removed to Ohio, where he was known at the "Buffalo of the
West." He located in Greene County. He is said to have entered the war
of 1 812 as a private. He was a lawyer. He had a son, Washington, born
in South Carolina in 1800 who came with his parents to Greene County
in 1802. He was also a lawyer. He had a son, William J., bom June 10,
1827, who was admitted to the bar in i860. He died in 1897.
Jokn W. Campbell
was the third United States district judge for the district of Ohio. Like
his two predecessors, he was a Virginian. He was born February 23,
1782, near Miller's Iron Works in Augusta County, Va. He only
breathed the Virginia atmosphere tmtil his ninth year, for at that time
his father removed to Kentucky. He had no facilities for an education
except those of the common schools of that day, and they were about no
schools at all. He was not strong enough to perform farm labor, as his
father's circumstances required, and he went to Cincinnati, then an in-
significant village, where he began to learn the carpenter's trade. He
remained in Cincinnati for a few months and then returned home. His
parents soon afterward removed to that part of Adams County now in
Brown, where John studied Latin under Rev. Dunlavy. He afterward
studied under Rev. Robert Finley. His father was too poor to pay for
his maintenance and books, and he worked clearing ground in the morn-
ing and evening to maintain himself in school. He studied the lan-
guages under Mr. John Finley, and afterward pursued them himself.
He was then seized with a desire to study law, and went to Morgantown,
Virginia, and studied under his uncle, Thomas Wilson. He earned his
expenses while studying by teaching school. In 1808, he was admitted
to the bar in Ohio and fixed his residence at W^est Union. He delivered
an oration on the fourth of July, 1808, at West Union at a celebration
bn that day. He was a Jacksonian Democrat all his life. In July, 1809,
he was elected a justice of the peace of Tiffin Township, Adams County,
and served until June 5. 181 5, when he resigned. The same year, 1809,
he was appointed prosecuting attorney of Adams County by the common
pleas court, and was allowed from $25 to $30 a term for his services, there
being three terms in a year, and he served until January 23, 1817. He
was elected to represent Adams County in the Legislature in October,
1810, with Abraham Shepherd as his colleague. He represented the
county in the Legislature again in 181 5 and 1816 and had Josiah Lock-
hart as an associate. He was elected to the fifteenth congress in 1816,
and served continuously until March 4, 1827. He was succeeded by
William Russell. In 1828 he was a candidate for governor of the state
on the Democratic ticket and was defeated by the vote of 53,970 for
Allen Trimble and 51,051 for himself, majority in favor of Trimble,
2,019. In March, 1829, President Jackson appointed him United States
district judge for the district of Ohio, and he served until his death,
September 24, 1833. In January, 1833, he received in the legislature,
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302 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
49 votes for United States senator to 54 votes for Thomas Morris, at the
time Morris was elected. He was a candidate for congress in 1812, but
was defeated, but was elected four years later. He terminated his con-
gressional career at his own choice, was not choked off or killed off by
politicians as is the fashion in our days. In 1827, on his retirement from
congress, he removed from West Union to Brown County, Ohio, and
settled on a farm in what is now Jefferson Township on Eagle Creek.
His farm consisted of 250 acres. He lived there but two years after
his appointment as United States judge, when he removed to Columbus.
During the time of his residence in West Union, he resided in the house
in which Mr. James Hood died and where Mr. Cooper's family now re-
side. He resided there from t8o8 to 1827. He had a habit of rising
at four o'clock in the morning to study and he kept this up after his re-
moval to Columbus, although in his day there was but little for the
United Stated district judge to do but to maintain his dignity. In 1833,
his adopted daughter died after ten days' painful illness, during which
time the judge was a watcher night and day. After her death, Judge
Campbell and his wife, broken down with anxiety, concluded to visit
Delaware Springs for taxation and rest. On the way Judge Camp-
bell was taken with a chill, followed by a high fever. However, the next
day he proceeded to Delaware, but was taken worse and breathed his
last on the twenty-fourth of September, 1833. O^ the arrival of the
news of his death at Columbus, a great sensation was caused, as he was
highly respected. Several hundred people of Columbus met his funeral
procession at Worthington and accompained his remains to their last
resting place.
In 181 1, he was married to Miss Eleanor Doak, daughter of Robert
Doak, of Augusta County, Virginia. There was no issue of this mar-
riage. Judge Campbell was a man of great natural dignity and force
of character.
The source of our information is a book entitled "Biographical
Sketches with other Literary Remains of the late John W. Campbell.
Judge of the United States Court for the District of Ohio," compiled
by his widow. It was printed at Columbus, Ohio, in 1838, and pub-
lished by Scott & Gallagher. The biography was evidently written by
a lady because it is conspicuous in failing to tell, what, after a lapse of
Cfley-eight years, we would most like to know and by filling it up with
comments for which posterity is not thankful and does not appre-
ciate. What we would like to know as to Judge Campbell are the facts
of his life and then our own judgment as to the place he should occupy
in history.
He has been dead sixty-six years. All who knew him personally are
dead. We have to resort to his writings and to written accounts left
of him to make an estimate of his character. He was highly respected
by all who knew him. He was public spirited and patriotic. He was a
friend whom his friends valued most highly. As a public speaker, his
manners and style were pleasing. He investigated every subject pre-
sented to him with great care. He was of the strictest integrity. He
was a successful lawyer, never lost his self-poise or equanimity and his
judgment was never controlled by his emotions. His opinions were
carefully formed, but when formed, did not need to be revised. The
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HON. WM. RUSSELL, M. C.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 308
public welfare with him was paramount. He was very sympathetic in
cases of suffering or distress brought to his notice. He took a g^eat
interest in education. He favored the colonization of the Negroes, and
was president of the Ohio Colonization Society at the time of his death.
He was strictly moral in all his life and conduct and this, from high
principles, well considered and adopted, which served as guides to his
life. He was intensely religious. He was the strongest kind of a
Jacksonian Democrat, but yet was never oflfensive to his political op-
ponents and treated them with the greatest consideration. His was a
familiar figure on the streets of West Union from 1808 to 1826, during
all of which time he resided there, but there is no tradition of him what-
ever in the village. He was fond of composing verse, was no insignifi-
cant poet, and had fine literary tastes. Altogether he was a valuable
citizen of whose career present and future generations in Adams County
may be proud.
WlUiam RusseU
v/as born in Ireland in 1782. He was left an orphan at an early age.
He came to the United States alone in 1796 at the age of fourteen. He
remained a short time in Philadelphia and while there began to learn a
trade, that of hatter. He went from Philadelphia to Maysville, Ken-
tucky, took up hat making and followed it. While there, he married
Sarah Tribbey. They had one child but she and it died shortly after it
was born. He moved to Adams County, Ohio, in 1802. He repre-
sented Adams County in the first Legislature of the new state
which sat at Chillicothe, Ohio, March i, to April 16, 1803. Thomas
Kirker and Joseph Lucas were his colleagues. He was the first clerk
of the courts of Scioto County, having been appointed December. 1803.
It seems that the office did not suit his tastes and he resigned in June,
1804. In the eighth legislative session, December 4, 1809, to February
22, 1810, he was a member from Adams County at the munificent salary
of two dollars per day. He had Dr. Alexander Campbell afterward
United States senator as a colleague. On the fifteenth day of February,
1810, he was appointed an associate judge for Scioto County, Ohio.
This office did not suit his tastes and he resigned it in 1812.
At the tenth legislative session, December 10, 181 1, to February
21, 1812, he was a member of the house from Adams County, with John
Ellison as a colleague. This legislature sat at Zanesville, Ohio. The
house impeached John Thompson, a president judge of the common
pleas, but on trial in the senate, he was acquitted. At this session,
Columbus was made the capital of the state, and the legislature provided
for the military equipment of the Ohio militia. It also incorporated a
number of libraries in the state. At the eleventh legislative session,
December 7, 1812, to February 9, 1813, William Russell was a mem-
ber from Adams County with John Ellison as a colleague. This legisla-
ture provided for the care and maintenance of women who had been
abandoned by their husbands, (an epidemic in those days,) and made the
property of the absconder liable for the wife's maintenance. Strong
measures were adopted to require every able bodied man to respond to
the call to arms, but the letrislature, by special resolution, excused
Jacob Wooding, of Scioto County, Ohio, from military duty, because
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804 HISTORY OP ADAMS CXDUNTY
his father was blind, lame, absolutely helpless and had two blind children.
No one else was excused From 1813 to 1819, he dropped out of the
legislature, but not out of public employment.
At the eighteenth legislative session from December 5 1819, to Feb-
ruary 26, 1820, he was a member of the senate from Adams County.
The House amused itself by impeaching two judges on the ground of de-
ciding an election contest contrary to the evidence, but the senate unami-
mously acquitted them. The senate spent a great deal of time in dis-
cussing the Missouri Compromise and the question of slavery.
At the nineteenth legislative session, December 4, 1820, to Feb-
ruary 23, 1821, William Russell again represented Adams County in the
senate. The question of a canal system occupied much attention ; also
that of attacking branches of the United States Bank. This legislature
placed the United States Bank without Ohio's laws and forbade the
officers of the courts to recognize it in any way. Justices and judges
were forbidden to entertain any case for it ; sheriffs to arrest any one
at its instance, or notaries to protest notes for it, or take any acknowledg-
ment for it. Justices and judges were to be fined $500 if they entertained
a suit for it, and sheriffs $200 for putting any one in jail at its instance.
From this time, 1821 to 1829, William Russell was out of public employ-
ment. In the fall of 1826, he was elected to congress as a Democrat, and
re-elected for two succeeding terms. During all of this time he was a
resident of Adams County and a merchant at West Union. After his
third term in congress expired, March 4, 1833 he removed to near
Rushtown, Ohio, in Scioto County and engaged in forging bar iron.
In this enterprise, he was unsuccessful and is said to have lost $30,000.
He was elected to the twenty-seventh congress in 1841 as a Whig and
served one term. At the end of his first term, March 4, 1843, he re-
turned to his farm on Scioto Brush Creek, where he continued to re-
side until his death, September 28, 1845, at the age of 63. When at
Portsmouth in 1803, he was a Presbyterian but returning to West Union,
he became a Methodist. In 1809 to 1820, he was one of the trustees of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in West Union, Ohio, and aided in
the erection of the first church there, and all his life after, he was a faith-
ful, devoted and devout Methodist. He was a student and self-
educated. He was a fluent and pleasant speaker and had extensive
conversational powers. He was liked and respected by all who knew
him. He had a remarkable popularity, largely owing to his even temper.
As a merchant, he was strict and honorable in all his dealings, and main-
tained the highest credit. His public career began at the age of twenty-
one, when elected to the first legislature of Ohio. He was legislator,
clerk of court, state senator and congressman and filled each and every
office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
In private life, he was a successful merchant, an honored member of the
Methodist Church and an upright citizen. In this case, the office
sought the man. How many men have crowded into the space of
forty years so many activities? Comparing him with the men of his
time, we find he held office in two counties, and all he lacked was that
he was not made a militia general. Every legislator of prominence,
under the constitution of 1802, was either made an associate judge or
a major general of militia. William Russell obtained the judgeship but
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 306
missed the generalship. However, his career in congress gave him
more distinction than the military title could have done.
In 1808, he married Nancy Wood and had seven children, six sons
and a daughter. One of the sons Hved near Rushtown during his life.
Another, William B., married Rebecca Lucas and became the father
of six chidren, three sons and three daughters. A gp-andson, James
Russell, resides near Lucasville, Ohio, and another, George Russell, in
Portsmouth, Ohio.
Tl&omas I*. Hamer
Thomas Lyon Hamer, who died on the j)lains of Mexico on Decem-
ber 2, 1846, to-day is the most alive man in Brown County.
The worship of ancestors may be laughed down, or cried down, yet
it exists. Hero worship is decried too, but all the same it goes on.
Thomas L. Hamer lived in this world forty-six years. He has been dead
forty-eight years and yet no man in Brown County wields such an in-
fluence as he did at the time of his death and which has extended to the
present time. If you visit Georgetown you will see his lawyer's sign
in the lobby of the court house, a precious souvenir. His picture hangs
over the judge's seat in the court room.
In the village cemetery, bis tomb is reverently pointed out, and in
the village itself, his old home is shown, just as he had left it in the
spring of 1846 to go into the Mexican War. The day when hjs sacred
lemains, brought all the way from Mexico, were laid to their everlasting
rest was the greatest day ever known in the history of Brown County.
No such funeral honors were ever given any man in Ohio, and none will
ever again be given. It seemed as though the whole population of
Brown County had turned out to honor the great man. The particulars
are graven on the memory of every man present at that funeral in char-
acters never to be obliterated. Thomas L. Hamer was a man of middle
height, of slender physique, with a head covered with a shock of bushy
red hair, always neat and cleanly dressed, and with smoothly shaven face,
and with a personal magnetism which could be felt but not described.
No man could inspire greater personal devotion to himself, and no man
of his time ever did. He was everybody's friend, and his friendship
was not seeming but real. He was a most entertaining conversationalist
— brilliant, engaging, interesting — a delightful companion, and as a
public speaker, he carried his audience the way he wanted it to go.
Time and again he had cavassed his own county and district and all the
people knew him. They seemed to know him, all at once, on first ac-
quaintance, and they could not forget him. He moved to Georgetown,
Ohio, in August, 182 1, just after the town had been laid out,
and while it was yet in the virgin forest. His manners were
pleasing, his conversation charmed the hearer, and he won the respect
and esteem of every one. The law business was in its infancy then, and
he accepted the office of justice of the peace of Pleasant Township, and
also edited a newspaper in Georgetown. His written articles were as
happy as his speeches. His oratory was artless and natural. He carried
his hearers with him and had great success with juries. In 1825, he was
elected to the legislature. In 1828, he was an elector on the Jackson
20a
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a06 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX>UNTY
ticket, and was re-elected to the legislature in 1829. In December, 1829,
he was elected speaker of the house in the legislature. Mr. Hamer, as a
speaker, appointed a majority of his political opponents on seven com-
mittees out of eight. In the election of judges by the legislature, when
the Democrats held a caucus in 1830, Mr. Hamer opposed the motion to
be bound by this caucus and in the subsequent election he voted against
two of the nominees of the Democratic caucus on the ground that the
selection of the judiciary should have no connection with politics. Mr.
Hamer, in defending his votes against two of his own party, on this oc-
casion, made a noble speech, which anticipated all the doctrines of the
civil service reformers, and ghould go down to the ages. He defined his
oath as representative to vote according to the dictates of his judgment,
and that if his judgment told him that a candidate was not qualified, and
he voted for the man notwithstanding, because of his political affiliations,
that was not honest; it was not a faithful discharge of the duties he
owed to his constituents, and was a violation of his oath. He said, "I
think so, and if any other man thinks otherwise, let him
act accordingly. I never have and never will obey the dictates
of party principles, or party caucuses, when by so doing, I must
violate my oath as representative, betray my constituents or injure my
country." If nothing made Hamer great, his sentiments before ex-
pressed, and his acting up to them were sufficient. It seems that Mr.
Hamer's independence of action did not hurt him with his party, for, in
1832 he was elected to congress from his district, and, moreover, he was
elected as an indej)endent candidate against Thomas Morris, the regular
Democratic candidate, Owen T. Fishback, the Whig candidate, and Wil-
liam Russell the anti- Jackson Democratic candidate. The vote was,
Hamer, 2,069; Morris, 2,028, and Russell, 403. In Clermont County,
where Morris and Fishback lived, Hamer had only 209 votes and Rus-
sell 19, while Morris had 1,319 and Fishback 1,186. Hamer swept
Adams and Brown counties, simply by his eloquence. Thomas Morris
had been Hamer's preceptor in the study of law. Two months after this
Thomas Morris was elected United States senator from Ohio, and the
two took their seats at the same time, and each served six years. Both
were Democats, but diflfered widely as to their views on slavery. Gen-
eral Hamer was re-elected to congress from his district in 1834 and
1836. In the house Thomas Corwin and William Allen were among
his colleagues. In the house he voted that petitions for the abolition of
slavery should be laid on the table, and no further action taken on
them. He declined a re-election to congress in 1838, but did not
drop out of politics. His red hair and Corwin's swarthy complexion
were common objects of remark in political circles of that time. There
was a magic about Hamer which could be felt, but which could not be
described. Every man who came within the sound of Hamer's voice
could feel the spell of it, and ever afterward remember it, but could not
describe the phenomenon of it. When Hamer spoke every one listened,
and they gave him their exclusive and undivided attention, no matter
how long he spoke. Old and young alike listened to every word, en-
tranced by his voice and manner.
Not only was he a speaker, but he was a writer as well, furnishing
many articles for the press of his party, and at the same time he carried
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POLITICS AND POUTICAL PARTIES 807
on an extensive correspondence with the most distinguished mem of the
nation. He remained out of public life until March 4, 1839, simply
because he chose to, and not because it was the wish of his constitu-
ents and party friends. On October 3, 1845, President Polk tendered
him the office of commissioner of Indian affairs, but he declined it. In
the summer of 1846 he was renominated to congress by the district
composed of Clermont, Brown, and Highland counties. Wlien the
president called for 50,000 volunteers for the Mexican army, Hamer
rode over his district, addressed meetings, and, by his wonderful elo-
quence, aroused the war spirit. He himself volunteered as a private
soldier in the company of his son-in-law, Captain Johnson. When
the first Ohio regiment was organized at Camp Washington, he was
elected major. On June 29, 1846, President Polk appointed him a
brigadier general of volunteers, principally at the instigation of Con-
gressman J. T. McDowell, whom Hamer succeeded. The appointment
did not reach General Hamer until June 24, 1846, and his commission
did not reach him until August i, 1846, at Camp Belknap, Texas. Gen.
Taylor, in preparing* for the attack on Monterey, arranged to allow
none but southern volunteers and regular troops to participate. In a
council of war, when this was proposed, Gen. Hamer protested and in-
sisted that his brigade should have a part in the storming of Monterey,
where, it is said, it performed prodigies of valor and won immortal re-
nown. On the second Tuesday of October, 1846, Gen. Hamer was re-
elected to congress in his district without opposition. After Monterey,
he commanded a division : but there was one thing that he could not
endure. His constitution could not stand the trying climate of Mexico.
Every northern soldier had to go through the process of acclimatiza-
tion and have a spell of fever. G'^n. Hamer was unwell from the time
he landed in Mexico, but he was only dangerously ill a week previous
to his death. He died- on the night of December 21, 1846, near Monte-
rey. He was interred with all the honors of war in a cemetery
near the place of his death. At that time the Ohio Legislature met in
December, and on December 31, 1846,' Andrew Ellison, a lawyer of
Georgetown, and a member of the house from Brown County, intro-
duced resolutions as to the death of Gen. Hamer. This was on Wednes-
day. The resolutions provided that the speakers of the houses should
procure a suitable person to pronounce a eulogy on the life, character,
and public services of the deceased before the legislature ; that the body
of Gen. Hamer should be brought back and interred in Ohio soil at the
expense of the state, and both houses agreed to the resolutions and ad-
journed to the next Saturday out of respect to the memory of the de-
ceased. On January 6, 1847, the house resolved that Gen. John J.
Higg^ns, of Brown (a brother-in-law of Gen. Hamer), James H.
Thompson, of Highland, and James C. Kennedy, of Clermont, be ap-
pointed commissioners to carry the house resolutions into effect, and
they were to draw on the treasury for their expenses.* The senate con-
curred in the resolution at once. When Hamer's body reached
Georgetown, he was accorded the grandest funeral ever given to any
citizen, except our martyred president. Hon. David T. Disney pro-
nounced the oration at the funeral. Hon. James H. Thomp-
son, of Hillsboro, Ohio, one of the commissioners, was present at the
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308 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
funeral. He has been asked to describe it, but does not think he has
the eloquence or the pathos to do the subject justice. With the weight
of his years, he cannot command the inspiration he thinks the subject
demands. In several visits to Georgetown, I sought to obtain the
original documents, books and writings, which would have shed a won-
derful light on Hamer's career and life, but every avenue seemed closed
to me, and reluctant as I am to give up the subject, I am compelled
to let oblivion claim and hold many facts which it would have been well
for posterity to have preserved.
There is a parallel between the lives of General Hamer and Gen.
Franklin Pierce, president of the United States, that is more than re-
markable. Hamer was born in 1800, Pierce in 1804. Hamer was a
farmer's son and so was Pierce. The latter, however, secured a good
college education, which the former lacked. At the time, Hamer had
been two years in the Ohio legislature. Pierce was admitted to the
bar. In 1829, Pierce entered the legislature of New Hampshire as a
Jackson Democrat, and he served in the legislature four years, two of
which he was speaker of the house. In 1825, 1828, and 1829, Hamer was
in the Ohio legislature, the last two years of which he was speaker.
Hamer was in the lower house of congress from 1833 to 1839. Pierce en-
tered the lower house in 1833 and served four years. He spoke and voted
against receiving petitions for the abolition of slavery in the District
of Columbia, and so did Hamer. In 1833, Pierce entered the United
States senate from his state and retired from that in 1842. At this
point, there is contrast, and not comparison between the two. In the
National Legislature, the two stood alike on the slavery question.
When the Mexican war broke out in 1846, the same military spirit
was shown by Pierce as by Hamer. Pierce enlisted as a private, so
did Hamer, and, like the latter, went about everywhere making
war speeches. Pierce, Hke Hamer, was soon after elected to office, being
appointed colonel of the Ninth Regiment of Infantry of his state. Like
Hamer, Pierce was made a brigadier general, dated March 3, 1847.
He did not reach Mexico until June 28, 1847, and in the war displayed
the same personal bravery, the same spirit of self-sacrifice and the
same devotion to the men of his command as did General Hamer.
Both Hamer and Pierce were men of pleasant appearance, of excellent
address ; both were fond of neat and elegant apparel ; both had a charm
in social intercourse, and both were eloquent advocates. Each had a
clear, musical voice, graceful and impressive gesticulation, and each
could kindle the blood of his hearers, or melt them to tears by pathos.
Each had a natural oratory that had an inimitable charm of its own,
and each had a wonderful natural kindness of heart. Pierce's oratory
had more of the polish of education while Hamer's had the fire of
nature. Each had an intuitive knowledge of human nature, but Hamer
was a diligent student, while Pierce was not. Each had a wonderful
and remarkable popularity in his own district and state. Each could
attract, hold, move and sway audiences by the power of oratory.
Hamer's power of oratory had to be felt to be appreciated. It could
not be described in words, and the same was true of Pierce, though
there was more of nature and less of art in Hamer*s oratory. Had
Hamer lived and continued the promise of his life, as no doubt he
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 309
would, in 1852, he would have been the nominee of his party for presi-
dent, instead of General Pierce. Every one who knew Hamer has ex-
pressed that thought, and what every one felt would no doubt have
been carried out. In 1852, the conditions were such that the Demo-
crats were bound to nominate a northern man and one of a military
reputation. General Pierce barely filled the military requirements, but
had Hamer lived, he would before then have been governor of the
state or United States senator and would have filled the requirements of
his party better than General Pierce, and w^ould have been the nominee
of his party for president.
Thus death robbed Brow^n County, Ohio, of the opportunity of
furnishing a president, but by a singular coincidence, General Grant »
whom Hamer had appointed from Brown County, Ohio, as a cadet to
the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1838, became
president of the United States in 1869. Thus, while Hamer did not
live to become president of the United States, as surely he would have
been, yet he shaped the career of a boy of his own village, so that this
boy afterward became the president of the United States. Even in
the appointment of the boy Grant, as a cadet, Hamer showed himself
of noble mind.
Jesse R. Grant, young Grant's father, was not friendly to Hamer,
so much so that he could not and would not ask Hamer to make the
appointment, but got Gen. James Loudon, father of Col. D. W. C.
Loudon, of Georgetown, to obtain the appointment for him, which
General Loudon did. Hamer did not know young Grant's real name
but took it to be Ulysses Simpson, and sent it in that way, when really
it was Hiram Ulysses. When Grant found that he was appointed as
Ulysses Simpson Grant, he adopted that name and used it ever after.
William Doane
was bom in Maine. He received a public school education. He re-
moved to Ohio and filled sieveral local offices. He was elected to the
twenty-sixth Congress as a Democrat, and re-elected to the twen-
ty-seventh Congress. He served from December 2, 1839, to March 3,
1843. He represented the sixth district, composed of Highland, Brown,
Clermont and Adams counties. He was a resident of Clermont County,
and a physician.
General Joseph T. McDowell
was born in Burke County, North Carolina, November 13, 1800. He
removed to Ohio in 1824 and located on a farm about seven miles
north of Hillsboro. In 1829, he located in Hillsboro, and engaged in
the mercantile business until 1835, when he was admitted to the bar
by a special act of the legislature, and began the practice of his pro-
fession. In 1836, he formed a partnership with Col. William O. Col-
lins, and followed the profession until 1843.
He was a member of the thirty-first general assembly from
Highland County. In the thirty-second general assembly, December
2, 1833, to March 3, 1834, he was a member of the state senate
representing Highland and Fayette counties. He represented the
same constituency in the thirty-third general assembly in the senate
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810 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
from December i, 1834, to March 9, 1835. He represented the seventh
district of Ohio in the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth congresses.
This district was composed of Adams, Brown, Clermont and Highland
counties. He resumed his law practice after his return from congess,
and also engaged in farming. He died January 17, 1877.
He was an earnest and eloquent man, true to his instincts, faithful
in the discharge of duty, and was honored and respected by the com-
munity as a Christian gentleman, and died in the faith of which he was
in later life a defender.
Jonathan D. Morris
began the practice of law in Clermont Counity, Ohio, in 1828. In
1 83 1, he was appointed clerk of the courts, which position he held un-
♦il 1846, and in 1847 he was elected to congress to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of General Thomas L. Hamer, and was re-elected
in 1849.
He was a faithful, conscientious and popular official and for a quar-
ter of a century exerted a controlling influence in his county's history,
being a leader of political opinion and a man in whom the public re-
posed great confidence.
Nelson Barrere
was born near Newmarket, Highland County, Ohio, April i, 1808, and
was the seventh of twelve children. His father was George W. Bar-
rere, a very prominent citizen of Highland County. He was a deputy
surveyor, justice of the peace, member of the Ohio senate nine years,
and an associate judge of Highland County for fourteen years. He was
in the Indian War, 1791-1795. Was in St. Clair's defeat and Wayne's
victory. He was also in the War of 1812 at Hull's surrender, and was
in every public enterprise in Highland County until his death in 1839.
His son. Nelson, lived on the farm until eighteen years of age and at-
tended school in the winters. He spent a year in the Hillsboro High
School and in 1827 entered the freshman class at Augusta College.
He graduated from there in 1830, finishing a four years' course
in three and a half years.
In 1 83 1, he began the study of law in Hillsboro with Judge John
W. Price and was admitted to the bar on December 23, 1833. He
opened an office in Hillsboro and remained there nine months. He
located in West Union in 1834, forming a partnership with Samuel
Brush. This partnership continued for a year. He remained in West
Union eleven years altogether and had a large and lucrative practice.
He had the confidence of the people. He represented Adams County
in the lower house of the legislature at the thirty-sixth legislative ses-
sion from December 4, 1837, to March 4, 1838. In 1846, he removed
his residence to Highland County and continued there until his death.
In the thirty-seventh congress, he represented the sixth district, com-
posed of Adams, Clermont, Brown and Highland counties from March
4, 185 1, to March 4, 1853. In 1853, he was the Whig candidate for
governor, but was defeated, receiving 85,847 votes, while his competi-
tor, William Medill, received 147,663. When the Whig party dis-
solved, he went over to the Democratic party, in which he remained
during the remainder of his life, but during the Civil War, he sup-
ported the Republican administration. In 1870, he was a candidate
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GEN. JOSEPH R. COCKERII.L
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 811
for congress on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated. He was the
Democratic candidate from Highland County for member of the con-
stitutional convention in 1875 ^tnd was defeated by one vote. He never
married. He continued in the active practice of the law until his
death, which occurred August 20, 1883.
In Adams County, during his residence there, he was very pop-
ular. He was always conspicuous for his public spirit. As a lawyer
he was energetic and industrious. He was a safe and reliable counsellor
and an eloquent and successful advocate. He was always agreeable
and courteous in his manners. In West Union, he formed many warm
friendships, and he, Joseph Allen Wilson, Davis Darlinton and others
had a club at Darlinton's store, to which they resorted of evenings and
spent many pleasant hours. Joseph West Lafferty and John Fisher,
of Cedar Mills, were two of his most particular friends in Adams
County.
Joseph Randolph Gookerlll
was bom in Loudon County, Virginia, January 2, 1818. His father's
name was Daniel Cockerill, of whom there is a separate sketch in this
book, and his mother was Esther Craven. His father's family emi-
grated to Adams County, Ohio, in 1837, and located near Youngsville,
in Scott Township. After coming to Ohio, he taught school for a
while and afterwards in 1840 was elected county surveyor. In the
same year he was married to Ruth Eylar, daughter of Judge Joseph
Eylar, of Winchester, Ohio.
From 1840 to 1846, he was a school teacher and surveyor. In
1846, when Gen. Joseph Darlinton's term expired as clerk of the court
of common pleas, Joseph R. Cockerill was appointed his successor, and
as such served until the new^ constitution was adopted. He was elected
to the fiftieth general assembly of Ohio, the first held under the new
constitution? In this legislature, he was chairman of the committee
on corporations, and as such drew that part of our revised statutes on
corporations, which remains on the statute books today, substantially
as he drew it, a monument to his knowledge as a lawyer.
On returning from the legislature, he studied law, and was ad-
mitted to the bar. In 1856, he was elected a member of the thirty-fifth *
congress from the sixth district of Ohio, composed of Adams, High-
land, Brown and Clermont.
The writer remembers him as a lawyer prior to the Civil War.
As a boy, for the first time, he went into the court house to listen to
a trial. There was a party on trial for stealing watches. David Thomas
was prosecuting and Cockerill defending. After hearing Thomas*
opening argument, the writer concluded the defendant was guilty.
Then after hearing Cockeriirs argument, he was fully convinced that
the defendant was innocent and ought to be acquitted.
In i860, Mr. Cockerill was elected a delegate to the Charleston
convention and attended. E. P. Evans oflfered to pay his expenses if
he would take several copies of the New York Tribune and let it be
known he was carrying them, but the oflfer was not entertained. In
t^ie split which ensued, Mr. Cockerill adhered to the Douglas wing
of the party. When the war came on, Mr. Cockerill was fired with
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312 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
patriotism. He had no sympathy with the south, and thought the
rebellion should be suppressed in the most vigorous manner.
On October 2, 1861, he was commissioned by Gov. Todd to organ-
ize the 70th Ohio Infantry Regiment, as its colonel. The camp of
rendezvous was fixed at West Union, Ohio, and was called Camp
Hamer. The regiment was raised in the counties of Adams and
Brown. While it was organizing at West Union, Reuben Smith, from
Oliver Township, came to West Union, got enthused and expressed
treasonable sentiments. Col. Cockerill at once had him arrested and
sent under a g^ard of the soldiers to the probate court where he was
compelled to take the oath of allegiance. Once during the war, prob-
ably in 1862, Col. Cockerill was at home for a few days. During the
time, there was a Democratic county convention in the court house
and the war policy of the government was under discussion. Squire
Jacob Rose, of Green Township, was speaking. He favored peace, and
in his remarks, held out his right hand and said, "We must approach
our southern brethren with the olive branch in the right hand." Then
he extended his left hand and said, "We must also approach them with
the olive branch in the left hand." Col. Cockerill was sitting in the
audience in his full colonel's uniform and when Squire Rose extended
his left hand, the colonel sprang to his feet and extended both his arms,
shook his fists at Rose, and said in most emphatic tones, "No, we must
approach them with a sword in each hand." Col. Cockerill displayed
great bravery in the battle of Shiloh, and was a model officer. Most
of the time he commanded a brigade. His merits as officer entitled him
to have been made a brigadier general. Gen. Sherman said of him at
Shiloh that "he behaved with great gallantry and kept his men better
together than any colonel in my division and was with me from first
to last." His promotion was several times recommended by Generals
Grant and Sherman. They were prompted to do this from observation
of his conduct on the field of battle, but for some reasons not now
known to us, but not creditable to the authorities at Washington, his
promotion was not made, though so richly deserved. Congress how-
ever, afterwards, gave him the brevet of brigadier general in recogni-
tion of the merit which should have given him the office.
When Col. Cockerill saw that justice would not be done him, he
resigned and came home. He was always popular with his own soldiers
and with all soldiers who knew him and had the admiration and re-
spect of all his fellow officers. He never broke his political ties with
the Democratic party and in 1864, after returning home, continued
to act with that party, though he was never at any time a Peace Demo-
crat. He had many Republican friends who were of opinion that when
the war broke out, he should have gone over to the Republi-
can party. Had he done so, no doubt he would have been speedily
promoted and might have had any office in the gift of the Republi-
can party of his state. His Republican friends believed he would have
been governor of the state had he joined that party in 1862 or earlier.
His own party sent him to the legislature from 1868 to 1872, and he
had a most excellent record as a busy, useful and working member.
In 1871, he was a candidate for state auditor on the Democratic
ticket, but was defeated.
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 313
He was a man of independent, broad and liberal views. In public
affairs, he was always actuated by the principles of right and justice,
looking to the general welfare and not to any local advantage. Charity,
benevolence, and liberality were prominent traits in his character. He
was public spirited in all things.
His public and private life were each without reproach. As a
social companion, he was always agreeable and entertaining. He knew
every one in his county, knew all their faults and foibles and all their
good qualities. He had a fund of entertaining anecdotes which was
inexhaustible. As a conversationalist, he had no superior. A fact once
acquired by him was always ready for use and he knew more of the
history of Adams County than any man of his time. He should have
written the history and it is unfortunate for the county he did not.
By his death much valuable information about citizens and events in
the county has been lost. He was a born soldier. As a courtier and
diplomat, he would have been successful. As soldier, lawyer, states-
man, citizen, he was successful and merited the approbation of his co-
temporaries and will merit that of posterity. His family consisted of
three sons and two daughters. His eldest son was an officer in the
24th O. Y. I. and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He died at the
early age of twenty-eight, after the close of the war. His second son,
John, was also a soldier of the Civil War and became a journalist of
world wide fame. His. second daughter, Sallie, married Lieut. W. R.
Stewart of the 70th O. V. I., and both she and her husband are dead.
Their only son, a young man, was lost at sea, washed overboard off
Cape Horn. The eldest daughter, Esther, married John Campbell,
M. D., who was a captain in the 70th O. V. I. and is now in the em-
ployment of the Equitable Insurance Company at No. 328 Chestnut
Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She too, has drank the cup of sor-
row, in the loss of her only son, Joseph Randolph, an ensign in the
navy, who died in the service of his country, during the Spanish War,
a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. Surely the family erf Joseph R.
Cockerill have shown their love of country.
He departed this life on the twenty-third of August, 1875, at the
early age of fifty-seven, but his life was in deeds, not in years.
William Howard
was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, December 31, 181 7. His father
removed to Wheeling, West Virginia. He lived on a farm until the
age of fifteen. He learned the saddlery trade in West Virginia. In
1835, he removed to Augusta, Kentucky, where he entered Augusta
College, and graduated in 1839. He was very proficient in mathe-
matics and studied surveying. He supported himself while in Augusta
College by working five hours each day at his trade. He studied law
under Hon. Martin Marshall, and was admitted in 1840, and located at
Batavia. He was prosecuting attorney of Clermont County from 1845
to 1849. I" ^849 he was state senator from Brown and Clermont coun-
ties. In i858he waselected to congp-ess for the district for Adams, Brown
Clermont and Highland counties. He took strong grounds for the pre-
servation of the Union while in congress. He was elected as a Democrat.
He served as a lieutenant in the Mexican War, Co. C, 2d Ohio Regiment.
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314 mSTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
He went into the War of 1861 as major of the 59th O. V. I., and was
promoted to lieutenant colonel. He resigned in 1863 owing to ill
health. He was a zealous Methodist. He was married January 29*
1852, to Amaratha C. Botsford. He had a son, William Howard, who
died in his twenty-third year, and a son, John Joliffe Howard. His
wife died July 13, 1875, and he married November 27, 1877, Mrs. Har-
riet A. Broadwell. He died Sunday, June i, 1890.
Hon. Wells A» Hntohliui
represented Adams County as a part of the eleventh congressional dis-
trict in congress from March 4, 1863, until March 4, 1865. He was
born October 7, 1818; in Hartford, Trumbull County, Ohio. His father
Asa Hutchins, and his mother, Hannah Bushnell, were from Hartford,
Connecticut, so that Mr. Hutchins was a true blue Connecticut West-
ern Reserve Yankee. His father was colonel in the War of 1812, but
he died at the early age of forty-five, leaving his widow with eight
children, of whom our subject was one, at the age of twelve years.
The year following his father's death, he worked on a farm for $25 for
his entire services for a year, and from that time on, was dependent
upon himself for a livelihood. He had a quick, active mind and made the
best use of the opportunities of education about him. At the age of
eighteen he had qualified himself for a school teacher, and at that tin?e
went to Corydon, Indiana, where he taught a select school for eighteen
months. During this period he saved from his salary $900, took it
home, and with that he began the study of law. He read law with the
Honorables John Hutchins and John Crowell at Warren and was ad-
mitted in 1841. He immediately went to Portsmouth, where he was
an entire stranger, and set himself up to practice law. v He was instinct-
ively a lawyer. He loved the profession and naturally succeeded in it.
For a while after he came to Portsmouth, he edited a newspaper, or
spent part of his time at that.
On February 23, 1843, he married Cornelia Robinson, daughter
of Joshua Robinson, then and for many years afterward one of the
foremost citizens of Portsmouth. During the time of Mr. Robinson's
activities in business in Portsmouth, nothing in the way of public en-
terprise went on unless he was engaged in it. Naturally, such a father-
in-law was a great aid to a young lawyer, but Mr. Hutchins would
have succeeded without such aid. In his political views, at the time he
located in Portsmouth, he was a W^hig. He became a member of
the lower house of the legislature in 1852 and 1853 as such. When
the Whig party dissolved, he became a Democrat, which he remained
during his life. In 1862, he was a candidate for congress on the plat-
form, "a more vigorous prosecution of the war," being endorsed by
the Democratic party. He was elected on his platform, defeating Hon.
H. S. Bundy, but again in 1864, he and Bundy made the race, and the
latter was victorious. While Mr. Hutchins was a great success as a law-
yer he was not a success as a politician, and his party was very much
worried at its failure to make him over into one. He could never make up
his mind that he must be bound by a party caucus. He had the old-
fashioned idea that he must use his own judgment, and be controlled
by his own conclusions of right and wrong, and he was so constituted
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 315
that he could not do othen^'ise. In congress, he voted for the aboli-
tion of slavery in the District of Columbia, and he alone of his own
party voted for the thirteenth amendment to the federal constitution.
Whenever an opporunity offered, his old-fashioned anti-slavery aboli-
tionist ideas would come to the front. In 1867, he and one other of
his party were the only ones in Scioto County who voted in favor of
the amendment to the state constitution granting negro suffrage.
But Mr. Hutchins was old-fashioned in many things. Under the old
constitution, he traveled over the circuit and practiced law, and he
kept up the custom under the new constitution. He believed that there
was such a thing as justice and that it was administered in the courts.
He believed that a judge should not be approached about a matter in
his court unless he was on the bench and in the presence of opposing
counsel. There is no word in the English language, outside of slang,
which will express the qualities he displayed in the trial of ^ case. The
sporting man would have said he was the "gamest" man he had ever
seen. Whatever may have been his inward feelings while engaged in
a trial, he never expressed or betrayed the slightest surprise in its
conduct, no matter what occurred. If his client broke down, if a wit-
ness disappointed him, if the court ruled against him, or a jury verdict
was unexpected, he never gave a sign of emotion or disappointment
any more than an Indian would. If he had a case he expected to win,
but lost it, to the public, he accepted the result as expected. He was
calm and collected under all circumtances, and never lost his equipoise.
If Gabriel had blown his trumpet at any time, no matter when, Mr.
Hutchins would have lined up and said he was ready and he would have
been ready. His reputation as a lawyer was coextensive with the state,
and he was employed in many important cases. His cases for the
Furnaces against the old Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad were car-
ried on for twenty-one years and resulted in a victory for his clients.
It is said the fees in this case were $65,000, but the amounts involved
were large and covered freight overcharges for many years. No one
thought he would ultimately be successful, but he believed in the causes
and succeeded. In the Scioto Valley Railroad case, he took the claim
of C. P. Huntington for $750,000, when it was worthless, and he main-
tained a contest on it until it was paid in full with interest, dollar for
dollar. For thirty years prior to his death, he was considered one of
the ablest lawyers in Ohio, and his assistance was sought in weighty
and great causes.
In his arguments to the court, he always spoke clearly and with
great deliberation. In no part of the conduct of a case was he ever
in a hurry or ever perturbed. If he believed in his case, he usually
carried the court or jury with him from the outset. If he did not be-
lieve in his case, he aimed to take up and impress on the court or jury,
the one or two controlling principles, and let the others go. In this,
he was very successful. His arguments were all well arranged, logical,
forceful, clear, to the chief points, and brief.
In the case of Oliver Applegate v. W. Kinney .& Co., involving
some $200,000, and where it was sought to hold the defendants as
quasi partners, he represented, with numerous counsel, the plaintiff,
and Col. O. F. Moore, with numerous counsel, rerpesented the de-
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31(5 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
fendants. Col. Moore spoke three days. Mr. Hutchins closed for the
plaintiff in one hour and carried the jury with him from the opening of
the speech. While other lawyers had to work out by hard study the
principles governing a case, they came to Mr. Hutchins by instinct.
He could look into a case and almost immediately say what principles
would determine it.
Mr. Hutchins was a high-toned old-fashioned gentleman. He was
always tastefully and neatly dressed. He always paid the highest price
for his clothing and had the best. He always preferred walking to
riding in a carriage, and when past seventy, he walked with the spring-
ing step of a young man. Though he aged in years, he did not in ap-
pearance, or in manners. He always laughed at the idea of being called
old.
Mr. Hutchins' motto must have been nil desperandum for he was
always cheerful, always hopeful and always encouraging those about
him. For the last thirty years of his life, he traveled much of the time.
He always paid for the best accommodations on the train, always stop-
ped at the highest priced hotels, and always took the best rooms. When-
ever he was likely to arrive home late at night, he would wire the fact and
have a full meal ready for him on arrival. He uniformly preferred
to sleep on a full stomach, and said that was the way animals do
and thought that was best for mankind. A number of times in his
history, he was very sick and his life despaired of, but he never despaired,
and surprised his friends and physicians by recovering. He may be said
to have died in harness. While in the latter years of his life, he only
took employment in important cases, he worked hard until stricken
with his last sickness. In the earlier part of that, before the disease
assumed a fatal turn, he was anxious to get out and go to work in the
preparation of arguments for the Supreme Court, but when his disease
took a fatal turn, and the fact was announced to him, he was not taken
by surprise. He did not repine and grieve, and made no attempt to
transact or close any business, but met the inevitable with the utmost
calmness and composure. He died on the twenty-second of January,
1895, with a disease of the kidneys. He was the best illustration of a
self-contained, self-composed man ever known to the writer He passed
away in perfect peace, just as though he had been ready for the event
all his life. To those, who knew him, he was the most perfect type of
the true philosopher of modem times. He did not concern himself
why he came into the world or about his going out. He did not con-
cern himself what happened to him, good or bad, but simply undertook
to make the best of every situation when it presented itself and as it
presented itself.
The readers of this history would be happier and get more enjoy-
ment out of this life if they adopted his philosophy.
Hemeklali Sanf ord Bnndy
was born August 15, 181 7, in Marietta, Ohio. His father was Nathan
Bundy, a native of Hartford, Conn. His mother was Ada M. Nich-
olson, of Dutchess County, New York, where they were married. In
1816 they removed to Marietta, Ohio. Two years later, Mr. Bundy's
father settled near Athens where he leased college land and cleared and
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 317
improved it. His title, however, proved invalid. He was killed in 1832
by the falling of a tree. In 1880, his wife died at the age of eighty-one
years. Of their three children, our subject is the only one who reached
maturity. In 1834 he located in Mc Arthur and in 1837 went to Wilkes-
ville, where he married Lucinda, daughter of Zimri Wells. In 1839, he
moved back to McArthur, where his wife died in December, 1842,
leaving three children, William Sanford, Sarah A., wife of Major B.
F. Stearns, of Washington, D. C, and Lucy, now Mrs. J. C. H. Cobb,
of Jackson County.
From 1839 to 1846, Mr. Bundy was engaged in merchandising in
McArthur, Ohio. In 1844, he tnarried Caroline, daughter of Judge Paine,
of Jackson Coimty, and in 1846, moved to the old home of his father-
in-law, which he afterward purchased and where he continued to re-
side until his death. His second wife died in 1868, leaving two daughters,
Julia P., now the wife of U. S. Senator Joseph B. Foraker, of Ohio, and
Eliza M., wife of Harvey Wells, the founder of Wellston. Mr. Bundy
was again married in 1876 to Mary M. Miller, who survives and still
occupies the old home.
In his early life, he attended for a short time a private school under
the charge of David Pratt, of Athens, but his schooling ceased when he
was fourteen years of age. In 1846, he commenced the study of law
and was admitted to the bar in 1850. In the fall of 1848, he was elected
to the legislature from Jackson and Gallia counties and voted to re-
peal the black laws. In 1850, he was elected to represent Jackson,
Athens, Gallia and Meigs counties in the house. In 1855, he was
elected to the state senate to represent the present seventh senatorial
district. In i860, he was a presidential elector from his congressional
district and cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1862, he was the
Republican candidate for congress from the eleventh district of Ohio,
but was defeated by the Hon. Wells A. Hutchins by 1900 votes. Two
years later, he was again a candidate against Mr. Hutchins and de-
feated him by 4,000 majority, and was elected to the thirty-ninth con-
gress. In 1872, he was a candidate for the forty-third congress in the
same district and defeated Samuel A. Nash by a large majority. In
1874, he was again a candidate, but was defeated by Hon. John L.
Vance, of Gallipolis. In 1893, he was a candidate for congress to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Gen. Wm. H. Enochs, and was
elected. Upon Mr. Bundy*s retirement in March, 1895, he was ten-
dered a banquet and reception at Jackson, Ohio, which was attended
by Gov. McKinley, and state officers. Senator Foraker, Ex-Governor
Foster, General Keifer, General Grosvenor, and many others oi Na-
tional prominence; and to Mr. Bundy upon that occasion was given
one of the grandest tributes ever witnessed in Ohio. He represented
Adams County in the state senate and in his first and third terms in
congress.
In 1843, he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and was one of the two first lay delegates from Ohio to the General
Conference. In 1848, he bought the farm where he died and since
then was largely engaged in the iron and coal interests in Jackson
County, Ohio, and owned Latrobe and Keystone Furnaces. He also
at one time owned the Eliza Furnace.
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818 mSTORY OP ADAMS CXDUNTY
His son, William S. Bundy, served in the i8th O. V. I. during the
first three months of the Civil War. He then enlisted in Co. G. of
the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, September 20, 1862. He was severely
wounded December 14, 1863, ^^ Bean's Station in Tennessee. In Jan-
uary, 1864, he was sent home on account of his disability and on March
22, 1864, discharged for the same reason. After his return from the
army he married Kate Thompson, and had one child, the present Wil-
liam E. Bundy, United States attorney for the southern district of
Ohio. He died from the results of his wounds January 27, 1867, and
his wife was killed in December, 1868, by being thrown from a horse.
Hezekiah S. Bundy was always remarkably popular among the
furnace men of his own county. They were few Bundy for congress
at any time and at all times. He was an excellent campaigner. While
he was not trained and never sought to train himself in the arts of
oratory, yet he was an entertaining and effective public speaker. The
people came to hear him and were always pleased and instructed. Mr.
Bundy was well informed in every detail of public affairs, and had a
good memory. He had a most remarkable treasure of illustrative anec-
dotes from which he could draw at any time. His reminiscences were
always delightful. He thoroughly understood human nature, and al-
ways kept in close touch with the common people. On the floor of
the house, or in committee, he was familiar with the public business,
and always performed his duties creditably to himself and acceptably
to his constituents. On all public questions in congress while he was
a member, he was usually in advance of the march of public senti-
ment,— especially was this true of reconstruction measures. As a busi-
ii>ess man, he did much- to develop the iron and coal industries in
the region where he lived. He enjoyed to a remarkable extent the
confidence and esteem of all who knew him and was universally
mourned when he died at his home in Wellston, Ohio, December 12,
1895.
John T. Wilson.
The words of Miss Edna Dean Proctor's poem are ringing in my
ears. She inquires if the heroes are all dead ; if they only lived in the
times of Homer and if none of the race survive in these times ? The re-
frain of the poem is; "Mother Earth, are the heroes dead?" And then
she proceeds to answer it in her own way, and she answers it thus :
** Gone ? In a grander form they rise.
Dead ? We may clasp their hands in ours."
« « • • n
^* Whenever a noble deed is done
' Tis the pulse of a hero's heart is stirred. *'
Then comparing our modern heroes with those of Homeric days,
Jason, Orpheus, Hercules, Priam, Achilles, Hector, Theseus and Nestor,
she continues :
* ' Their armor rings on a fairer field
Than the Greek and the Trojan fiercely trod :
For freedom's sword is the blade they wield,
And the light above is the smile of God. "
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HON. JOHN T. WII^ON
Patriot and Philanthropist
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 319
We have heroes in these, our days, who will compare more than
favorably with those of the Homeric, or any subsequent times ; but hav-
ing known them as neighbors and friends, and having associated with
them from day to day, we do not appreciate them till death has sealed
their characters, and then as we study them it begins to dawn on< us that
they have done things to be canonized as heroes.
Till since his death, we believe the public has not fully appreciated
the character of the Hon. John T. Wilson, a former congressman of the
tenth (Ohio) district, though it is his record as a patriot, and not as a con-
gressman, we propose especially to discuss.
He was a hero of native growth. He was born April i6, 1811, in
Highland County, Ohio, and lived the most of his life and died within ten
miles of his birthplace. His span of life extended until the sixth of
October, 1891, eighty-five years, five months and twenty days, and in
that time, his manner of life was known to his neighbors like an open
book.
In that time, Jiving as a country store keeper and a farmer, and re-
sisting air temptation to be swallowed up in city Hfe, if such temptation
ever came to him, he accumulated a fortune of about half a million of
dollars, which, before and at his death, was devoted principally to char-
itable uses.
To attempt to sum up his life in the fewest words, it consisted in try-
ing to do the duty nearest him. He was never a resident of a city, ex-
cept when attending to public official duties, and to expect a hero to come
from the remote country region about Tranquility in Adams County,
Ohio, was as preposterous as looking for a prophet from the region of
Xazareth in the year one ; yet the unexpected happened in this instance.
Till the age of fifty, he had been a quiet unobtrusive citizen of his
remote country home, seeking only to follow his vocation as a country
merchant and to do his duty as a citizen ; but it was when the war broke
out that the soul which was in him was disclosed to the world. He
showed himself an ardent patriot. When government bonds were first
offered, there were great doubts as to whether the war would be suc-
cessful, and whether the government would ever pay them.
No doubt occurred to Mr. Wilson. He invested every dollar he
had in them, and advised his neighbors to do the same. He said if the
country went down, his property would go with it, and he did not care to
survive it ; and if the war was successful, the bonds would be all right.
As fast as he had any money to spare, he continued to invest it in govern-
ment securities. In the summer of t86i, he heard that Capt. E. M.
DeBruin, now of Hillsboro, Ohio, was organizing a company for the
Thirty-third Ohio Infantry Regiment, and he went over to Winchester
and arranged with the Rev. I. H. DeBruin, now of Hillsboro, Ohio,
that his only son and child, Spencer H. Wilson, then nineteen years of
age, should enlist in the company, which he did, and was made its first
sergeant, and died in the service at Louisville, Ky., March 4, 1862.
In the summer of i86t, Mr. Wilson determined that Adams County
should raise a regiment for the service. He did not want to undertake
it himself, but he believed that Col. Cockerill, of West Union, Ohio,
would lead the movement ; it could be done and he sent Dr. John Camp-
bell, now of Delhi, Ohio, to secure the co-operation of Col. Cockerill.
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820 HISTORY OF ADAMS CXDUNIY
That was not difficult to do, as Col. Cockerill felt about it as Mr. Wilson.
It was determined to ask Brown County to co-operate, and Col. D. W.
C. Loudon, of Brown, was taken into the plan, and the Seventieth Ohio
Infantry was organized in the fall of 1861. Mr. Wilson undertook to
raise a company for the regiment and did so, and it was mustered in as
Company E.
The captain, the Hon. John T. Wilson, was then fifty years of age,
and he had in the company three privates, each of the same age, and one
of the age of fifty-five, so that the ages of five members of that company
aggregated 225 years. Hugh J. McSurely was the private who was past
fifty-five years of age when he enlisted in Capt. Wilson's Company. He
is the father of the Rev. Wm. J. McSurely, D. D,, pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, Ohio, and has a separate sketch
herein.
Capt. Wilson's company was much like Cromwdl's troop of Iron-
sides. It was made up of staid old Scotch and Scotch-Irish Presby-
terians, who went in from a sense of duty. Col. Loudon, of the Seventieth
O. V. I. says that Capt. Wilson did more to raise and organize the Seven-
tieth Ohio Infantry than anyone else. At the time he went into the ser-
vice, he was physically unfit, and could not have passed medical exami-
nation as an enlisted man. He had an injury to his leg, from the kick
of a horse years before, that greatly disabled him, but he wanted to go
and felt he owed it to his friends and his country to go. He would not
consider his own ohvsical unfitness.
He led his company into the sanguinary battle of Shiloh. His per-
sonal coolness and self-possession inspired his company, and he held it
together during the entire two days' battle.
During the march to Corinth, after Shiloh, he was taken down with
the fever, and by order of the surgeon was sent north. At Ripley, Ohio,
he was taken much worse, and lay there for weeks, delirious and uncon-
scious, hovering between life and death. Owing to the most careful
nursing, he recovered. He was not able to rejoin his regiment until
September. 1862, at Memphis, Tenn.
Col. Cockerill was then in command of the brigade, and made him
brigade quartermaster, so he would not have to walk ; but it was apparent
that he was unfit for service; and was imperiling his life for naught.
Col. Cockerill and Lieut. Col. Loudon both told him he could serve his
country better at home than in the army, and insisted on his resigning and
going home. He resigned November 27, 1862. Col. Loudon says his
record was without a stain, and none were more loyal than he.
Capt. Wilson was married in 1841 to Miss Hadassah G. Drysden.
There was one son of this marriage, Spencer H. W^ilson, born September
13, 1842, and whom he gave to his country, as before stated. Capt.
Wilson's wife died March 23, 1849, and he never remarried.
Captain Wilson not only invested his fortune in the war securities
and sent his only son and child to the war, but went himself, and served
as long as he could. Could any one have done more?
In the summer of 1863, he was nominated by the Republicans of the
seventh senatorial district of Ohio, to the state senate without being a
candidate, and without his knowledge or consent he was elected. In
1865 he was renominated and re-elected to the same office, and served
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 321
his constituency with great credit and satisfaction. In 1866, he was
nominated by the Republicans of the Eleventh Ohio District for a mem-
ber of congress, and was renominated and re-elected in 1868 and in 1870;
though just before his congressional service, and just after it, the district
was carried by the democracy.
When Mr. Wilson was first nominated for congress, it was not sup-
posed that he was a speaker, or that he could canvass the district, but he
made appointments for speaking all over the dictrict, and filled them to
the satisfaction ot everv one. He made a most eflfective speaker, and
moreover, the farmers all over the district believed what he said, and
were justified in doing it. He was never present at a convention which
nominated or renominated him for office, and never in the slightest way
solicited a nomination or renomination.
He was the most satisfactory congressman ever sent from his dis-
trict. Every constituent who ever wrote him, got an answer in Mr.
Wilson's own handwriting, which was as uniform and as plain as cop-
perplate. The letter told the constituent just what he wanted to know,
and was a model of perspicuity and brevity. Those letters are now pre-
cious relics to anyone who has one of them, and they are models of what
letters should be.
If a constituent wrote for an office, he was sure to get an answer
which would tell him whether he could get an office or not, and if Mr.
Wilson told him he could get an office, and that he would assist him, he
was sure of it. Mr. Wilson had the confidence of the President and of
all the appointing officers, and if he asked for an office inside of the dis-
trict, he usually obtained it, because he made it a rule never to ask for an
office unless he thought he was entitled to it, and that it would be grant-
ed him.
Mr. Wilson retired from congress at the end of his third term with
the good will of his entire district, and with the feeling that he had served
to their entire satisfaction.
On March 6, 1882, he gave Adams County, Ohio, $46,667.03
towards the erection of a Children's Home. The gift was really $50,000,
but was subject to certain reductions, which netted it at the sum first
named. As the county built the Home, he issued his own checks in pay-
ment for it, until the entire gift was made. That Home is now one of the
best and finest built institutions of the kind in this state. By his last will
and testament, he gave to the Children's Home an endowment of $35,000
and $15,000 in farming lands. He also gave $5,000 towards the erection
of a soldier's monument to the memory of the Adams County soldiers
who had died or been killed during the Civil War. This momument
has been erected in the grounds of the Wilson Children's Home, and
occupies a site overlooking the surrounding country.
Mr. Wilson made many private bequests in his will, which it is not
within the scope of this article to mention ; but to show his kindly dis-
position we mention that he gave $1,000 to a church in which he was
reared and held his membership, and $1,000 to the church at Tranquility,
where he resided. His housekeeper, a faithful woman, he made inde-
pendent for life As a residuary bequest, he gave to the commissioners
of Adams County, $150,000 to be expended in the support of the worthy
poor.
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322 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
It is to the interest of the state that every citizen should be law abid-
ing; that he shall faithfully follow some occupation and support him-
self and those dependent upon him ; that he shall accumulate and hold
property to guarantee his own independence and that of his family, and
that he shall be able to contribute to the needs of the state.
It is also to the interest of the state that, in case of war, its citizens
shall place their entire property and their personal services fully at its
disposal. A citizen who performs all these obligations is said to be
patriotic, and the virtues of patriotism are more admired than any other,
because what is g^ven in that direction is given for the common good of
all the people of the country.
One may take the entire list of patriots, from Leonidas, the Spartan,
down to Lincoln, the great war president, or in our country, from Gen.
Warren down to the last man who fell at Appomattox, and none can be
found who did more work for his own country than the Hon. John T.
Wilson.
He periled his entire fortune; he gave the life of his only son, and
he freely offered his own. What miore could he have done?
Patriotism is and must be measured by the station in life which a
man occupies when his opportunity comes.
If each man does all he can, and offers or gives all he can, he is as
great a patriot as any one can be. Measured by this standard, Capt.
John. T. Wilson filled the full measure of patriotism.
When he came to the last of earth, he not only remembered those
upon whom the law would have cast his estate, but he devoted the
greater part of it to public benefactions and especially to the relief of the
innocent unfortunates who were not responsible for their own misfor-
tunes.
In his public duties as captain in the line, as brigade quartermaster,
and as a representative in congress, he performed every duty apparent
to him honestly and conscientiously, and in the very best manner in
which it could be done. His entire life consisted in the performance of
each and every duty as he saw it at the time. He never did anything
for effect, or for show, or to be spoken of and praised by his fellow men.
In size, he was like Saul, head and shoulders above his fellows, over
six feet high, but with a most kindly disposition. His features were at-
tractive and commanding. He was willing to meet every man, to esti-
mate him according to his manhood, and to bid him God-speed, if he
deserved it.
He never tried to do anything great, but his punctuality to every
duty before him, from day to day, made him known of all men. He
simply tried to do right, and, this simple devotion to duty in war and
peace, in public office and as a private citizen, cause his memory
to be revered as a perfect patriot so long as his good deeds shall be re-
membered.
Lawrenoe Talbot Neal
of Chillicothe, Ohio, was born at Parkersburg, Virginia (now West Vir-
ginia), September 24, 1844 ; was educated at the Asbury Academy at that
place; removed to Chillicothe in 1864; studied law there and was ad-
mitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio, in 1866; was solicitor
of the city of Chillicothe from April, 1867, to April, 1868, and declined
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 82
re-election ; was elected to the Ohio legislature in 1867 and served two
years and declined re-election ; was elected prosecuting attorney of Ross
County in 1870 and held that office until October, 1872, when he re-
signed and was elected to the forty-third congress as a Democrat, re-
ceiving 13,379 votes against i2,io(5 for Jcrfin T. Wilson, Republican.
He was re-elected in 1874. He was the Democratic candidate for gover-
nor in 1893 and defeated by about 80,000 plurality.
Mr. Neal is noted for his devotion to his party. He is a lawyer of
respectable attainments and is now residing at Columbus, Ohio. He
was not engaged in the Civil War and is unmarried.
Henry !<• Diokey
of Greenfield, Ohio, was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 29, 1832 ;
received an academic education; studied civil engineering, and, subse-
quently, the law, and is a Ir.wyer by profession; was a member of the
Ohio house of representatives in 1861, and of the Ohio senate in 1867
and 1868; was elected to the forty-fifth congress in 1876 as a Democrat,
receiving 14,859 votes against 13,518 votes for A. Brown. He was re-
elected to the forty-sixth congress in 1876, but in a different district.
His father resided in Washington C. H., until our subject was fifteen
years of age, when he removed to Greenfield, Ohio, where Mr. Dickey
has resided ever since. He was. as a youth, a civil engineer on the Mar-
ietta and Cincinnati Railroad during its construction. He resigned the
position in 1855 and began the study of law with his father, who was a
prominent lawyer and common pleas judge of ability. He was admitted
to the bar in 1857. He afterward attended law school in Cincinnati and
in 1859 he formed a partnership with Judge James H. Rothrock, after-
ward supreme judge of Iowa.
On January 2, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary L. Harper. He
was defeated for a second term in the lower house in 1863. From 1870
to 1872, he was chief engineer of Highland County in the construction of
its turnpikes.
John P. I«eedom
was born in Adams County on December 20, 1847, and received a com-
mon school education. He f^^raduated at the Smith Business College in
Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1863. He then taught in the public schools. He
was elected clerk of the courts in Adams Co., in '74, and re-elected in *TJ,
He was a member of the Democratic state committee in 1879 J was elected
to the forty-seventh congress as a Democrat, receiving 17,375 votes to
15,663 votes for the Republican candidate. In this congress, he served
on the committee on territories. He was a candidate for the forty-eighth
congress, but was defeated by John W. McCormick, of Gallia County,
by a vote of 15,288 to 13,037. He was elected sergeant-at-arms of the
forty-eighth congress ; also of the forty-ninth and fiftieth congresses.
The defalcation of a trusted subordinate broke him down financially, and
in health and spirits. He left Washington in October, 1890, and was
never well afterwards. He had suffered much before with acute attacks
of kidney trouble, and he died at Toledo, Ohio, March 18, 1895, and is
interred in the Odd Fellow's cemetery at Manchester. He was married
in 1869 to Ruth Hopkins, of Adams County. His children are Mrs.
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324 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Eva Bundy, wife of Col. W. E. Bundy, of Cincinnati, United States
attorney for the southern district of Ohio ; Mrs. Effie Dugan, widow of
the late Jesse Dugan, and a son, Wilbur H. Leedom, now a law student
at Manchester. Mr. Leedom was a man of fine appearance and pleasing
address, and was popular as a public officer. He made a good impres-
sion wherever he went. Ill health and misfortune— the misfortune of
trusting too much to others — cut short a most promising career.
John "W, MoOormiok
of Gallipolis, represented in the forty-eighth congress, the district con-
sisting of Adams, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto and Vinton counties.
He was born in Gallia County on December 20, 1831. He was brought
up on a farm and educated at the Ohio Wesleyan Universitv at Dela-
ware, Ohio, and at the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio. On leaving
school, he engaged in farming and was elected delegate to the Ohio con-
stitutional convention in 1873 and was elected to the forty-eighth con-
gress as a Republican, receiving 15,288 votes against 13,037 votes for
John P. Leedom, Democrat.
WiUimm W. EUsberry
represented the forty-ninth congress for the eleventh district, composed
of Adams, Brown, Highland and Ross counties. He was bom at Kew-
hope, Brown County, Ohio, December 18, 1833 ; received a good educa-
tion in the public schools of his native county, finishing at a private acad-
emy in Clermont County. After having taught school for two years, he
began the study of medicine with his father. Dr. E. M. Ellsberry^ a noted
physician of his time. He attended medical lectures at the Cincinnati
College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating there, and some years later
he attended a full course at the Ohio MedicaJ College, adding its diploma
to the former. He continued in the successful practice of his profession
until his election to Congress. He was appointed superintendent of the
Central Insane Asylum, of Columbus, Ohio, in 1878, but declined to
serve. He was three tjmes chosen county auditor. At the outbreak
of the war, he was one of the county military board. He was a
member of various medical societies, including the American Medical
Association. He was always a Democrat and was a delegate to the
national convention, which nominated Hancock in 1880, and he was
elected to the forty-ninth congress as a Democrat, receiving 15,251 votes
against 14,841 votes for Hart, Republican.
Hon. Albert C Thompson
On February 14, 1894, the legislature passed an act to apportion the
state of Ohio into congressional districts, and amended the act of April
17, 1882. Under this statute, Ross, Highland, Brown and Adams coun-
ties composed the eleventh district, and Vinton, Pike, Jackson, Lawrence
and Scioto counties composed the twelfth district. Under this law, in
the fall of 1884, Albert C. Thompson was elected congressman for the
twelfth district, and W. W. Ellsberry, of Brown, was dectcd for the
eleventh district. On May 18, 1886, by act of that date, congress was
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 325
reapportioned into congressional districts, and the eleventh district was
composed of Adams, Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia, JacKson and Vinton.
In this district A. C. Thompson was elected to the fiftieth congpress, and
re-elected to the fifty-first congress, and represented Adams County as
its Congressman.
Judge Thompson was born in Brookville, Jefferson County, state
of Pennsylvania, January 23, 1842. He was two years at Jefferson Col-
lege, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, his course ending with the freshman
year. He was a student at law when the Civil War broke out. On
April 23, 1 861, he enlisted in the Union Army, and served as second ser-
geant of Company I of the Eighth Pennsylvania, three months troops.
The regiment served in Maryland and Virginia under General Patterson.
On the twenty-seventh of August, 1861, he enlisted for three years in
Company B, 105th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was made orderly ser-
geant of the company, and in October, 1861, was promoted to second
lieutenant and on the twenty-eighth of November, 1861, he was transfer-
red to and promoted to the captaincy of Company K of that regiment.
On the thirty-first of May, 1862, he was severely wounded at the battle
of Fair Oaks, and was again wounded on the twenty-ninth of August,
1861, at the second battle of Bull Run. The last wound was a serious
one. A musket ball entered his right breast, fracturing his second and
third ribs, and lodging in the lungs where it remained. He was con-
fined to his bed by this wotmd for ten months. In June, 1863, he entered
the invalid corps, but resigned in December, 1863, and resumed the study
of law. He was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania on the thirteenth
of December, 1864. In 1865 he removed to Portsmouth, Ohio. In
1869 he was elected probate judge of Scioto County and served from
February 9, 1870, to February 9, 1873, and was not a candidate for re-
election. In the fall of 1881 he was elected one of the common pleas
judges of the second subdivision of the seventh judicial district of Ohio,
and served until September, 1884, when he resigned to accept the nom-
ination of his party as a candidate for congress to which he was elected
and served as above stated. After he retired from congress he was
appointed by Gov. McKinley, chairman of the Ohio Tax Commission
which made its repyort in December, 1893. He was chosen a delegate to
the Republican national convention at St. Louis in 1896. In January,
1897, he was appointed chairman of a commission created by congress
to revise and codify the criminal and penal laws of the United States, and
served as such until he was appointed by President McKinley, United
States district judge for the southern district of Ohio. He entered upon
the discharge of his duties as district judge on the twenty-second day of
September, 1898. After his appointment as United Sates district judge
he removed to Cincinnati, where he has resided since the first of Novem-
ber, 1898.
During Judge Thompson's first term in congress he was a member
of the committee on private land claims, of which committee he was a
valuable member. In the fiftieth congress he served upon the invalid
pension committee, and in the fifty-first congress upon two of the most
prominent and important committees, namely, judiciary and foreign
affairs. As a member of the first committee the judge was made chair-
man of the sub-committee to investigate the United States courts in
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326 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
various parts of the country. The report which he submitted to con-
gress as chairman of that sub-committee was among the most valuable of
the session. It was during the fifty-first congress that the famous Mc-
Kinley Tariff Bill was formed, and in the construction of that important
measiu-e Judge Thompson took no inconsiderable part, being frequently
called into the councils of his party. Judge Thompson's career 4n con-
gress was of material benefit to his adopted city, as it was through his
efforts that a public building was erected in Portsmouth costing $75,000.
The bill providing for this building was vetoed by President Cleveland
in the fiftieth congress, but became a law by the President's sufferance in
the fifty-first congress. A dike, known as the Bonanza dike, built in the
Ohio just about that time, was also provided for through the same in-
strumentality, at a cost of $75,000, and three ice piers built just below,
were added at a cost of $7,500, apiece. The city of Portsmouth also re-
ceived the boon of free mail delivery through the same source.
As a member of the Ohio Tax Commission he took a conspicuous
part in its labors, and its work is now bearing fruit in the legislation of the
state on this subject. The report of this committee received the highest
praise from contemporaneous journals of political science.
As a lawyer Judge Thompson was well read in his profession, and
was a diligent and constant student. He was painstaking, industrious,
and energetic. He brought out of a case all there was in it, both of fact
and law. His opponent in any case could expect to meet all the points
which could be made aginst him, and would not be disappointed in this
respect.
As a common pleas judge he gave general satisfaction to the bar
and public. He was one of the ablest who ever occupied the common
pleas bench in Ohio, and there was universal regret when he left the
bench for Congress. As a federal judge, he has received many compli-
ments, and it is believed by those who know him best, that he will make
a reputation as such equal to any who have occupied that position in our
state.
John M. Pattison
was born in Clermont County, Ohio, June 13, 1847. He entered the
army in 1864 2tt the age of sixteen. He was admitted to the bar in Ham-
ilton County, Ohio, in 1S72. He was elected to the state legislature
from Hamilton County in 1873. He was vice president and general
manager of the Union Central Life Insurance Company in 1881 and was
elected president in 1891. He was elected state senator in 1890 in the
Brown-Clermont District to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Thomas
Q. Ashburn. He was elected to the fifty-second congress on the Demo-
cratic ticket by 16,110 to 13,157 for D. W. C. Loudon. After his con-
gressional career, he resumed his connection with the Union Central Life
Insurance Company and is now its President.
Cton. Willimm H. Enoobs
represented the tenth Ohio district in the fifty-third congress, of which
Adams County was a part. While he was only Adams County's repre-
sentative from March 4, 1893, ^^'1 ^^s death, July 13, 1893, yet he was well
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GEN. \VM. H. ENOCHS
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 827
known in the county and had canvassed it for the nomination to congress
in 1890, when Judge Thompson obtained his third term. He is a good
example of what the ambitious American boy can make of himself. He
was born in Noble county, Ohio, March 29, 1842. His parents were
Henry and Jane Miller Enochs. They removed to Lawrence County
when he was a child.
He had the advantages of a common school education and was at-
tending the Ohio University at Athens when Fort Sumpter was fired on.
He at once enlisted in Co. B, 22d Ohio Volunteers and was made a ser-
geant. Col. Wm. E. Gilmore, of Chillicothe, was colonel of this regi-
ment. Hon. Thaddeus A. Minshall, now Supreme Judge of Ohio, was
its sergeant major. Judge Guthrie, of Athens, was captain of the com-
pany and W. H. H. Minton, of Gallipolis, the banker, its first sergeant.
This regiment was mustered in April 27, 1861, and mustered out August
19, 1861. Young Enochs was afraid the war would be over before he
could get in again, so he swam the Ohio River and enlisted in the Sth
Virginia Infantry. At that time he did not believe he could get into an
Ohio Regiment, so he enlisted in Virginia. In October, he was elected
captain of his company, but owing to his youth, his colonel refused to
issue the commission and made him a first lieutenant. He was recom-
mended to be major of the regiment in 1862, but owing to his youth, was
commissioned a captain. As such, he was in the battles of Moorfield
and McDowell and of Cross Keys. He was in Cedar Mountain and the
Second Manassas, and at the latter had command of his regiment,
although junior captain. He was also in the battle of Chantilly. In
1863, the regiment was transferred to West Virginia. On August 17,
1863, Captain Enochs was commissioned lieutenant colonel. His regi-
ment was in the Lynchburg Raid, which was a campaign of "marching,
starving and fighting." In 1864, his regiment was in the battles of Bun-
ker Hill, Carter's Farm and Winchester, Halltown and Berrjrville. At
the battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864, Colonel Enochs was
severely wounded by being struck on the head by a musket ball, and was
supposed at first to have been instantly killed. At Fisher's Hill, Sep-
tember 22, 1864, he displayed great bravery in leading his regiment to
the attack and for this, was brevetted brigadier general. His regiment
and the northwest Virginia were consolidated and made the ist West
Virginia Infantry. Near the close of the war, his regiment was sent to
Cumberland, Maryland, where he was assigned to the command of the
troops in that part of Maryland, and on March 13, 1865, was made a
brigadier general. In the fall and winter of 1865 and 1866, he studied
law in Ironton and was admitted to the bar in April, 1866. He located
at Ceredo, West Virginia. After remaining there a year or more he re-
moved to Ironton. He at once acquired a large and lucrative practice.
For a long time he was general counsel for the Scioto Valley Railway
Company.
In 1871 and 1872, he represented Lawrence County in the house of
representatives of the Ohio legislature. In 1875, he was married to Miss
Annis Hamilton, of Ironton. They had one son, Berkley, who was
educated at West Point and is now a first lieutenant in the 2Sth U. S.
Infantry and is with his regiment in the Philippines. During the Spanish
War, he served with his regiment in Cuba.
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328 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Gen. Enochs always had an ambition to represent his district in con-
gress. This desire was gratitied when, in 1890, he was elected to con-
gress from the twelftli district, composed of Athens, Meigs, Gallia,
Lawrence and Scioto. In 1892, he was re-elected to congress from the
tenth district composed of Adams, Pike, Scioto, Jackson, Lawrence and
Gallia. On the morning of July 13, 1893, he was found dead in his bed
from an attack of apoplexy. A most promising career was cut short.
He was the idol of the people of his county and respected, honored and
beloved by the people throughout his district.
In the spring of 1893, he was full of projects for the benefit of his
district and particularly for the improvement of the Ohio River. Had
he lived, he would doubtless have had as many terms in congress as he
desired and would likely have been governor of the state. He had the
happy faculty of making all whom he met feel that he was their friend.
He had some subtle unknown charm, of which he was unconscious, but
which made him friends everywhere and attached them to him by indis-
soivable bonds. His patriotism during the war was ardent, and never
failed. It was just as strong in peace. All he achieved, all he accom-
plished in his brief career was his own. He had no rich or powerful
family friends. He had no aid or assistance whatever and his friends
were all made on his o\\ti merits. He was generous beyond all pre-
cedents, and any one deserving sympathy received the greatest measure
from him. Once your friend, he was always such, and he made you feel
he could not do too much for you. He believed in the brotherhood of
man. His death at the time was a public calamity. He received a pub-
lic congressional funeral and persons attended from all parts of the sur-
rounding country. His funeral was the largest ever held in Ironton.
He left the memory of a career of which every young American can feel
proud and feel glad that a countryman of his had so distinguished him-
self in the Civil War, at the bar and in the National legislature.
Iiuoien J. Fenton
was born on his father's farm near Winchester, May 7, 1844. The fam-
ily were of English ancestry. Mr. Kenton's great- grandfather, Jere-
miah Fenton, emigrated from Yorkshire, England, in the early part of
the eighteenth century. He was a prominent and active patriot during
the Revolutionary period. His son, also named Jeremiah Fenton,
was born in Frederick County, Virginia, and died in Adams County, in
184 1, at the age of seventy-seven years. Benjamin Fenton, the father of
our subject, was born near V/inchester, August 31, 1810, and died Aug-
ust 13, 1870. His wife, Elizabeth Smith, was born in Pennsylvania,
December 19, 1813, and died at Winchester, Ohio, November 5, 1892.
Mr. Fenton was a student at Winchester when the war broke out.
On the eleventh of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, 91st Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment until September 19, 1864.
He was wounded at the battle of Opequan Creek, Virginia, the ball lodg-
ing in his shoulder. He was sent to the hospital at York, Pennsylvania,
and was not discharged until May, 1865. He returned home in the fall
and began a normal course at the Lebanon school, where he remained
for three terms. He taught school for several years. In 1869, he en-
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POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES 82»
tered the Ohio University at Athens, and took a Latin-Scientific course,
leaving that institution one year before he would have graduated in order
to accept the principalship of the Winchester schools, which position "he
held for two years. He then conducted the West Union schools for one
year and the Manchester schools for five years, but he resigned in 1880
and was appointed clerk in the custom house at New Orleans. He was
transferred, at his own request, from the custom house of New Orleans
to the treasury department in Washington, D. C, March 15, 1881, in the
office of the supervising architect. He remained in government service
until October 18, 1884, when he resigned and returned home. The Win-
chester Bank was organized at that time, and its original officers were as
follows: George Baird. president, J. W. Rothrock, vice president, and
L. J. Fenton, cashier. Mr. Fenton is still cashier of the bank.
Mr. Fenton is a trustee of the Ohio University at Athens. In 1892,
he was a delegate to the Republican national convention at Minneapolis.
In 1894, he was elected to the fifty-fourth congress and in 1896 was re-
elected to the fifty-fifth congress by over 10,000 plurality. He was a
member of the house committee on military affairs during the Spanish-
American War.
On May 22, 1872, he was married to Miss Sarah B. Manker. They
have three children. Alberta F., Clifton L., who was a captain in the
Spanish- American War, and Mary E.
He served on the staff of the Ohio Department Commander of the
G. A. R. in iSq'J, and on the staff of the National Commander of the G.
A. R. in 1896. ^ ^
As a soldier and patriot Mr. Fenton has an honorable record. As
a teacher he won and held the high esteem of all the teachers of this
county; as a banker and business man he has shown a high degree of
ability and has the confidence of the community ; as a citizen he has the
respect of all who know him. He is an excellent example or what the
ambitious young American may attain.
Hon. Stephen Morsan^ M. C,
a Republican, of Oak Hill, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, January
25, 1854; was reared on a farm and educated in the country schools and
at Worthington and Lebanon, Ohio; taught in the public schools of
Jackson County for a numbei of years; was school examiner for nine
years, and principal of the Oak Hill schools for fifteen years ; was elected
to the fifty-sixth congress, receiving 10,297 votes, to 13,769 for Alva
Crabtree, Democrat. On April 10, 1900, he was renominated by his party
for a second term.
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CHAPTER XVII.
MIUTARY HISTORY
ReTolutlonary Soldier*— Adams County in the Civil War— Morgan's Raid*
It has been a very great labor to secure the information given be-
low. In the state library is a list of the revolutionary soldiers of Adams
County, on continental line, who drew pensions. We also obtained
a list of those who served in the militia and drew pensions and the two
lists are combined. The ages are either at the death of the soldier
where his death is mentioned, or where it is not mentioned, the age is
given as in the year 1835. The date following the age, where tiiere
is a date given, is the date the soldiers were placed on the pension roll.
The following is the list:
Alexander, John, Pennsylvania Continental, 91.
Brewer, Henry, Congressional Regiment, 69, February 2, 1819.
Baldwin, John, private, Maryland Mliitia, June 22, 1833.
Breedlove, John, private, Virginia Militia, October 18, 1832.
Conner, William, ensign, Virginia Continental, May 11, 1819, July 22,
1819.
Costigan, Francis, lieutenant. New Jersey Continental, 84, July 21,
1821.
Copple, Daniel, Pennsylvania Continental, age 74, died February 7,
1832.
Cochran, John Gen.
Callahan, Dennis, Maryland Continental, 86.
Cole, Ephriara, Col. Wm. R. Lee's regiment.
Cross, Samuel, private, Pennsylvania Militia, June 11, 1832.
ColHngs, James, 5th Maryland Continental.
David, Zebediah, private, Pennsylvania MiHtia, May 22, 1833.
Erwin, James, lieutenant, Pennsylvania Continental, 65.
Edwards, Jesse, private, Pennsylvania Militia, August 8, 1833.
Falls, Wm.
Finley, J. L., major, Pennsylvania Continental, 73.
Flood, William, Virginia Continental, 94.
Faulker, William, Pennsylvania Continental, 79.
Fields, Simon, Virginia Continental, 77.
Foster, Nathaniel, private. New Jersey Militia, August 8, 1833.
Gates, William, Virginia Continental, 74, died October 29, 1879.
Gustin, Amos, Pennsylvania Continental, 68.
Gordon, John, Pennsylvania Continental, 76.
Grooms, Abraham, private, Virginia Militia, November 16, 1833.
Hamilton, Charles, corporal, Delaware, Continental.
(330)
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MILITARY mSTORY 381
Hull, Isaac, private, New Jersey Militia, January 3, 1834.
Jack, Thomas, sergeant, Pennsylvania Continental, 85, died August 8,
1831.
Laney, John, Virginia Militia, died in Huntington Township— buried
at Hickory Ridge.
McPike, John, private, Pennsylvania Militia, May 24, 1833.
McDaniel, Patrick, Pennsylvania Continental, 94.
Magin, Charles, Maryland Continental, 82, died December 23, 1827.
McMahan, Joseph, Virginia Continental, 73.
Middleswart, Jacob, Pennslyvania Continental.
Marlatt, Thomas, private and sergeant, Maryland Militia, June 26,
1833.
Miller, James, Cleutis Artillery Company.
Mehaffey, John, private. New Jersey Militia.
Piatt, Benjamin.
Richardson, James, Virginia Continental, 80, died January 16, 1833.
Rogers, William, New Jersey Continental, 66.
Rankin, Daniel, Maryland Continental, 80. .
Richards, James, Virginia Continental, 75.
Stivers, John, private, Virginia Militia, August 7, 1833.
Simpson, Robert, private, New Hampshire Continental, September 24,
1819.
Stevenson, Charles, private, Pennsylvania Militia, February 25, 1833.
Sams, Jonas, Virginia Militia.
Smith, Henry.
Thompson. John, private, Pennsylvania Militia, September 21, 1833.
Trotter, Christopher, Virginia Continental, 75, died May 6, 1828.
Trotter, John, Virginia Continental, 76, transferred from Kentucky.
Usman, Charles, private, Virginia Militia, February 12, 1833.
Waldson, Elizah, private, Virginia Continental.
Walker, James, private, Pennsylvania Militia, October 8, 1833.
Williamson, William, private, Pennsylvania Militia, October 8, 1833.
Waters, Thomas, sergeant, Virginia Continental, 87.
Woodworth, Richard, Pennsylvania Continental.
Walker, Peter, Pennsylvania Continental, 65.
Waters, Thomas, sergeant, Virginia Continental, 87, July 21, 1819.
Woodworth, Richard, Pennsylvania Continental, 79, October 28, 1819.
Walker, Peter, Pennsylvania Continental, 65, May 24, 1820.
Of this list Major Joseph Finley has a separate sketch herein. He
and John Killin, another revolutionary soldier, are the only ones
known to be buried in the old cemetery in West Union. The graves of
both are marked. Most of the revolutionary soldiers in Adams County
who. obtained pensions, did so through Wesley Lee, who acted as pen-
sion agent in West Union from about 1823, so long as pensions were
obtained.
Daniel Copple served as a private in the German battalion of the
continental troops, revolutionary army. He was a member of Capt.
Daniel Burchart's company, between October 4, 1776, and July, 1777.
He was on the rolls of Capt. Peter Boyer's company, from August,
1777, to June, 1779. His name appears as Daniel Kettle on the rolls
of Capt. Michael Boyer's company, from November, 1779, to De-
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332 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
cember, 1780. He was enlisted for the war. This battalion was raised
from the several colonies. There were four companies from Pennsyl-
vania and four from Maryland. Daniel Copple, a former resident of
Liberty Township, Adams County, Ohio, was his gfrandson and Mrs.
M. J. Earley, of Red Oak, Ohio, is his great-granddaughter. He is
buried in the Dutch graveyard, in Liberty Township, together with his
wife, and his grave is unmarked. He could speak only a few words of
English and that with great difficulty.
Thomas Kincaid was a sergeant in Capt. William Henderson's
company, colonel in Daniel Morgan's rifle regiment, in July, 1777, and
till after November, 1777. He was born December 13, 1755, near
Richmond, Virginia, and died in Adams County, Ohio, July 3, 1819.
His wife, Mary Patterson, was born in Virginia, September 20, 1757,
and died in Adams County, March 10, 1824. Both are buried at Win-
chester.
Henr>' Aldred was born in Germany.' He was one of the first settlers
on Brush Creek. He died in 1835, ^^^ ^s buried in the McColm Cemetery
on Brush Creek. He has descendants living in the county.
John Treber, father of Jacob Treber, who has a separate sketch
here under the Treber family, was a revolutionary soldier. He located
where William Treber now resides, in 1796, and there he died. He is
buried in the family cemetery on the farm.
Benjamin Yates, a soldier of the revolutionary war, died in Man-
chester on January 30. 1849, ^^^ ^s buried in the old graveyard there.
He is said to have been over one hundred and fourteen years old when
he died. He came from Meadville, Pennsylvania. He has no descend-
ants living, nearer than great-grandchildren. He enlisted March, 1778,
for one year as a private in Captain Pichett's company, from Mary-
land, colonel not stated. He re-enlisted May, 1781, in Captain Mur-
dock's company ; colonel not stated. He was wounded at the battle of
Yorktown by a piece of shell. He resided in Frederick County, Mary-
land, when he enlisted. He applied for a pension May 10, 1834, at
which time he was eighty-eight years of age. His claim was allowed. He
died January 30, 1849, leaving a widow, Sarah Robinson, whom he
married July 16, 1835. She obtained a pension as his widow.
Rev. Wm. Baldridge, pastor of the Cherry Fork U. P. Church,
1809 to 1830, was a revolutionary soldier. He has a separate sketch
herein. He enlisted from North Carolina in the cavalry and is said to
have served seven years. None of his numerous and distinguished
descendants could be interested in this work and hence we are unable
to give his official record. He and his first wife rest in unmarked
graves in the Cherry Fork Cemetery and the location of their graves
has been lost. He served longer than any of whom we have obtained
a record.
Rev. William Williamson, who has a separate sketch herein, was
a revolutionary soldier. Eight of his descendants are represented in
this work and hence we have a full account of him. He is buried at the
Manchester Old Cemetery and his grave marked.
Edward Evans was a revolutionary soldier, great-grandfather of
one of the editors of this work. He has a separate sketch herein, and
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MILITARY HISTORY 333
is buried in the village cemetery at Russelville and his grave is marked
as that of a revolutionary soldier.
John Killin was born, 1755 near Carlisle, Pa. He enlisted in
February 1776 for fourteen months in Captain Robert Adams' ccwnpany.
Col. Irwin's regiment. . In the fall of 1777, he enlisted for two months
in Capt. James Powers' company, Col. Watt's regiment. In the spring
of 1778 he served two months in Capt. Thomas Clark's company,
Col. Watt's regiment . July, 1778, he enlisted for two months in Capt.
Grimes' company, Col. Dunlap's regiment, and in the fall of 1778, he
served two •months in Capt. James Powers' company, Col. Dunlap's
regiment. In the winter of 1778, 1779, he served two months in Cap-
tain Thomas Clark's company, Col. Watt's regiment. All these were
* Pennsylvania organizations. In all these services he was enrolled as a
musician. He was in the battles of Three Rivers and Croofted Bil-
lett. He died September 10, 1844, aged eighty-seven years, and was
buried in W^est Union cemetery. He was a pensioner.
His wife, Rachael Harper, to whom he was married November 19,
1797, survived him and was pensioned. He owned a large tract of land
east of West Union, and laid out Killenstown. William and George
Killen were his sons and his daughter, Mary married William Cai-
penter.
William Falls, a revolutionary soldier, is buried near the Cedar
College school house on the hill just opposite the mouth of Beaslev
Fork.
Richard Woodworth was born in Ireland in 1758. He enlisted iu
1775 and served during the entire war. He married in Adams County,
in 1802, Sarah Ann Robinson. His children were: Laban, Mary,
wife of J. N. Timmonds; Wheeler; Nellie, wife of William Gilges:
William, James, Richard, Sarah, wife of Samuel Shaw; Rebecca, wife
of John Sparks. He has a grandson, George Sparks, at Rome, two
granddaughters at Little, Ky., Mrs. Harriet A. Little and Mrs. H. C.
McCoy, and others in Kansas and Illinois. He died in 1841 or JS42
and is buried on Blue Creek.
Peter Platter, the son of Joseph and Anna Barbara Platter, was
born in the town of Saarbruck, duchy of Nassau, Germany, on the
twenty-first of September, 1758. He was seven years old when his
parents came to America and settled in Frederick County, Md. He
was eighteen years of age when the struggle began between the col-
onies and the mother country. He enlisted as a soldier and served
during the war of the revolution, participating in the battle of Brandy-
wine and other engagements, and after seeing much service was hon-
orably discharged at the conclusion of the war. At or near the close
of the war his father, Joseph Platter, removed to Washington County,
Pa. In the archives of Pennsylvania, second series. Vol. 14, page 768,
is a record of Peter Platter, a private in Captain Robert Ramsey's com-
pany from Washington County, doing service on the frontiers fropi
1782 to 1785. In 1787, he was married to Sarah Crabs and in 1793, in
company with Peter Wickerham, who had married his sister Mary, he
emigrated to Kentucky, and from there came to Adams County, Ohio,
about the year 1800. He settled about a mile southwest of- Locust
Grove and lived there about ten years, removing in 181 1 to Twin
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384 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Township, Ross County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his
life. He died January 2, 1832, at the ripe age of seventy-three years,
and his remains now rest in the city cemetery at Chillicothe, Ohio.
He was a man of sterling integrity of character, and a devout Chris-
tian. He left behind him a memory highly cherished by his children
and his children's children.
Jesse Edwards was born April 3, 1754, in the state of Maryland.
When a boy he was bound out to a farmer by the name of Clulls, liv-
ing in West Virginia. He enlisted as a soldier of the revolutionary
war. May, 1776, for two months, as a private of Capt. William Mc-
Calla's company ; colonel not stated. At the time of this enlistment he
was from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted again from the state
of Pennsylvania, July, 1776, for six months, as a private in Capt.'
Thomas Craig's company, Col. Nathaniel Baxter. He enlisted a third
time from the state of Virginia, July 17, 1781, for two months, as a
private of Capt. Beaver's company; colonel not stated. He was en-
gaged in the battles of Staten Island and Fort Washington, at which
place he was made a prisoner. At the time of his first enlistment he
was a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and at the time of his
last enlistment a resident of Loudon County, Va. He applied for a
pension October 25, 1832, and at that time resided in Jefferson Town-
ship, Adams County, Ohio, being the age of seventy-six years. He
obtained a land warrant and exchanged it for land near New York City,
which he leased for ninety-nine years. After the Revolution he first
came to Kentucky and married a widow by the name of Skilman. She
was a slave holder and he and she separated and were divorced. He
then came to Adams County and married a Miss Beatman. He settled
on Scioto Brush Creek on the site of the village of Rarden in
Adams County, but a re-survey of the county put the place in
Scioto County. He reared a large family and his wife died in 1840
at Isma Freeman's near Otway. From that time until his death he
made his home with John Edwards, a grandson. His death occurred
the second day of November, 1856, at the great age of loi years, 7
months and 29 days. His descendants made an effort to recover his
New York property, but failed on account of being unable to estab-
lish their identity.
John R. Mehaffey was bom in Sussex County, New Jersey. Au-
gust 31, 1759. He removed to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in
1774, and to Westmoreland County in 1776 and to Adams County,
Ohio, in 1799. On July 3, 1778, he enlisted for four months as a pri«
vate in Captain James Moore's company. Col. John Shields' regiment
from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted again April i, 1779, for
seven months as a ranger ; captain and colonel not stated, but from the
state of Pennsylvania, He enlisted again April i, 1780, for seven
months from the state of Pennsylvania in a cpmpan} captain nU
stated, under Major James Wilson, from Westmoreland County. He
applied for pension October 5, 1832, then a resident of Adams County,
at the age of seventy-three years.
John Baldwin was bom in 17^6 in Frederick Countv. Maryland.
He enlisted in the militia July, 1776, for four months, as a private in
Captain Jacob Goode's company. Col. Griffin, from the state of Mary-
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MILITARY mSTORY 386
land. He enlisted again September 2, 1777, for two months, as a
private, in Captain W. Peppel's company, Col. Johnson, from Mary-
land. He was engaged in the battle of Germantown. He died October
4, 1848, in his ninety-second year and was buried in the Kirker Ceme-
tery in Liberty Township.
John Stivers was the grandfather of A. J. Stivers, of Ripley, and
great-grandfather of Frank Stivers, the banker, of Ripley, and also of
Emmons B. Stivers, one of the editors of this work. He enlisted May,
1780, at the age of fifteen, for five months, as a private, in Captain
Robert Daniel's company. Col. Spencer, from the state of Virginia.
He enlisted again June, 1781, for three months, as a private, in Robert
Harris's company. At the time of his enlistment he was a resident of
Spottsylvania County, Virginia. He applied for pension October 25,
1832, and resided at that time in Sprigg Township, Adams County,
Ohio. He died at the age of sixty-four years, and is buried at Decatur,
Brown County, Ohio.
William Pemberton was a private in Capt. Thomas Meriwether's
company, ist Virginia State Regiment, commanded by Col. George
Gibson. He enlisted for three years. His name is first on the roll
September i, 1777. He served to October i, 1777, sixteen days,
and la^ appears on the roll for March, 1778, without remark, but
it was known that he was in the siege of Yorktown. He was present
at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He is a great-grand-
father of Ezekiel Arnold, of Locust Grove, and an ancestor of all the
Pembertons of Franklin and Meigs townships.
Charles McManis was a private in Pennsylvania militia, company
and regiment not designated. His name appears among the official
pensioners of Pennsylvania, war of the revolution, Pennsylvania ar-
chives, third series, page 583. He was bom in 1754, and came from
Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1817. He died near Cherry Fork in 1840, in
his eighty-sixth year. He entered the revolutionary army in 1776.
After his location in Adams County, he was a farmer, and is buried
in the Cherry Fork Cemetery. He is an ancestor of Ex-Sheriflf Green-
leaf N. McManis.
James Williams was bom on the twenty-second day of February,
^759> ii^ Chester County, Pennsylvania. At the outbreak of the revolu-
tionary war he resided in Washington County, Maryland. In the fall
of 1777 he enlisted in Captain Jacob Louder's company of the state of
Maryland, for a term of four months. The colonel of this regiment is
not stated. In the year of 1778 he removed to Washington County,
Pennsylvania, and in October, 1780, he enlisted as a private for two
months in Captain Eleazer William^n's company; Col. David Wil-
liamson, from Pennsylvania. He enlisted a third time May, 1781, for
four months as a private in Captain Timothy Downing's company;
Col. William Crawford, state of Pennsylvania. He was with Crawford
against the Indians on the Sandusky River. This is the same Col.
Crawford who was bumed by the Indians at the stake, June, 1782. He
lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania, for three years, when he re-
moved to Ohio County, West Virgfinia, and resided there until 1793,
when he removed to Adams County, Ohio. He ai)pHed for pension
on the twenty-fifth of October, 1832, and it was granted the following
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336 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
year. He first settled on Ohio Brush Creek, nearly opposite the resi-
dence of Mr. Geprge Bayless. How long he lived here is not known,
but he sold or traded the land for the farm on Scioto Brush Creek,
where he lived until his death, in 1844. He is buried in the Copas
Cemetery, near the hotel of Charles Copas. He has many descend-
ants in the states of Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa. He is a great-grand-
father of James G. Metz, present sheriff of Adams County.
William Cochran came to the colonies as a British soldier with his
two brothers during the Revolutionary War. They deserted soon
after they came over, and joined the Revolutionary army, but we have
been unable to obtain the Revolutionary record of William Cochran.
There is no doubt, however, but what he served in the Revolutionary
War, but in what capacity we are unable to learn. The facts as to his
service are known through his family.
Richard Grimes. The records show that one Richard Grimes
served as a private in Captain Henry Darby's ccmipany of Col-
onel Hazlet's Delaware regiment, revolutionary war. He enlisted
January 31, 1776, and he was discharged January 31, 1777. He was
the uncle of the late Greer B. Grimes, of Monroe Township, Adams
County, Ohio.
Benjamin Piatt was born in 1763 in Virginia. He came to Adams
County in 1810, and bought land in Tiffin Township. He was a first
lieutenant under General McCullough. He marrired Polly Waddle in
Virginia, and was a pensioner. He died in 1851, at the age of ninety-
eight, and is buried near West Union, probably in the Trotter Ceme-
tery. No stone marks his grave. He has a son, Benjamin, who was
living in 1898, near West Union. A daughter, Margaret Denning,
lived near Stone Chapel in 1898. He had six children, three sons and
three daughters. His son Jacob married Polly Trotter. His son John
married Hester Black. Benjamin married Myra Bayless. Margaret
married Newton Denning. Elizabeth married Lewis Trotter. Polly
married John Black.
Thomas Jack enlisted March i, 1776, for ten months and was ser-
geant in Captain William Butler's company of Colonel Arthur St.
Clair's regiment from Pennsylvania. He enlisted again in January, 1777,
for four months, and was sergeant in Captain Thomas Butler's company
under Colonel Thomas Craig from Pennsylvania. He was engaged in
the battles of Short Hills, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth.
He was born in 1749, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. After
his colonel became a general, his regiment was commanded by Col.
Joseph Wood. He served under Generals Henry Knox and Danid
Morgan. He was married to Jane Kincaid, June 7, 1787, and he died
August 9, 1 83 1. He was a pensioner of the war of the revolution under
the act of March 18, 1818, and his widow also received a pension.
Henry Oldridge, or Aldred, is buried on Ohio Brush Creek, either in
the Foster or McColm Cemetery.
William Falkner and Thomas Waters are buried in Monroe Town-
ship.
Charles Fields, a revolutionary soldier, was bom in Ireland in
1739. He served during the entire war. He married Grizzel Hemp-
hill, and moved to Ohio in 1798, and was one of the first settlers on
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MILITARY HISTORY 337
Beasley's Fork. He never had any children. He died in 1822 at the
age of eighty-three. He never appHed for a pension, and could not
have obtained it for reasons hereinafter shown. His wife died the day
before he did, and both are buried on the Miller farm in Monroe Town-
ship.
James Miller was born in County Tyrone in Ireland, in 1740. He
emigrated to this country just before the revolutionary war, and served
throughout the whole of it. He was six feet two inches tall, without
shoes. He served in the artillery. He was never taken a prisoner or
wounded. He never applied for a pension. Said he fought for liberty
and obtained it, and that was all he wanted. He was married to Eliza-
beth Hemphill in New England. He located in Adams County, in
1798. He had been a sailor, and knew the business of milling. He
built the first mill in Monroe Township, and it is still standing. He
twice walked to Philadelphia and back, and one trip brought two flower
shrubs, which are growing and blooming yet. He had a large family
of children, but only three reached maturity. His son William mar-
ried Jane Morrison. His daughter Elizabeth married Christopher
Oppy, and resided on Scioto Brush Creek. His daughter Hannah
married William Stevenson, and lived on Beasley's Fork. Miller was a
prosperous man. He was a Presbyterian, and walked five miles to
church every Sunday. He died on Christmas day, 1830, at the age of
ninety years. Here is his official record : Member of Captain Thomas
Clark's artillery company, continental troop, commanded by Gen.
Henry Knox and Col. Thomas Lamb. He enlisted as a private De-
cember 25, 1776, for three years, was a driver, May, 1777, and was
Matross in June, 1777. The last record of him on the rolls is January
3, 1780. He is the great-grandfather of Miss Mary Stevenson, of Beas-
ley's Fork, who has taken more interest in preserving the memory of
the revolutionary soldiers who died in Adams County than any person
in the county. He is also the great-grandfather of Prof. James A.
Oppy, of Portsmouth, Ohio.
Charles Stevenson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on January i,
1759, and came to the United States in 1761. He enlisted May i,
1776, for two months, as a private in Capt. Savages' company, in Col.
Ross' regiment. He enUsted again July i, 1776, for six months, as a
private in Capt. William McCaskey's company and in Col. William
McCallister's regiment. He enlisted again July, 1778, fo two months,
as a private in Capt. McMaster's company, regiment not stated. All
these were Pennsylvania organizations. His residence was in York,
Pennsylvania, at his enlistment. He was in the battle of Staten Island.
He married Margaret Kain, September 24, 1791. He was captured at
Fort Washington, November, 1776, and was a prisoner until Novem-
ber, 1777. Ine British gave him bread with lime in it to eat, and he
picked out the lime and eat the bread. He spent the winter of 1777,
after released from prison, at Valley Forge. While a prisoner, the
British offered him money to renounce his allegiance and to enlist
in their army. He scorned it. After the war he purchased 300 acres
of land in Venango County, Pennsylvania, and resided there till 1818,
when he came to Ohio. He was a weaver by trade, and followed it in
22a
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338 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Pennsylvania. Margaret Kain went with some other girls to see him
weave. He fell in love with her on first sight, and afterwards married
her. He had four children, three sons and one daughter. His son
William married Hannah Miller and lived on Beasley Fork. His
daughter Elizabeth maried Charles Mashea and lived in West Union.
His son George married Nancy Hemphill and removed to Illinois. His
son Charles married Christina CoUings and lived on Beasley's Fork.
Our subject was a devoted Presbyterian, and would walk five miles
every Sunday to church. He died the thirteenth of April, 1841, and is
buried in the Ralston graveyard. He is the great-grandfather of Miss
Mary Stevenson, of Beasley Fork, of Adams County, who has furnished
the editors of this work more information in regard to the revolutionary
soldiers than any other person.
William Faulkner was born in Ireland. He was said to have been
a captain. He was married, and lived at the mouth of Brush Creek.
He was a Catholic, and is buried near his former residence.
William Floyd was born in Virginia in 1739. He was a recruit
under General Daniel Morgan, and was said to be his illegitimate son.
He was made a prisoner and confined in Quebec, but escaped. A hue
and cry was raised after him, and he joined in the chase, and cried out
"here he is." He made good his escape and followed the stars. He
went around Lake Champlain on foot. He married Elizabeth Goodie.
They had a daughter, who married a Taylor. Floyd located on Brush
Creek. He died December 9, 1833, and is buried on P. Young^s farm
near the Cedar College school house. A rail pen marks his grave.
Ephraim Cole, father of James M., Leonard, and AUaniah Cole,
and grandfather of George D., Alfred E., and Allaniah B. Cole, all of
whom have sketches herein, was bom in Maryland. He enlisted No-
vember 16, 1777, in Captain Jonathan Drown's company. Col. Wm.
Lee's regiment of Maryland troops, for three years. During his ser-
vice he undertook to act as a spy, and got inside the British lines.
He accomplished his errand and was leaving, when he was arrested.
He managed to create doubt in the minds of his captors as to his real
character, and showed up his masonry. There being Free Masons
among his captors, he was g^ven the benefit of the doubt, and he was re-
leased and sent out of the lines. So we are spared a Capt. Nathan
Hale's story, which, but for his masonry, Ephriam Cole's would have
been. He was buried in the CoUings Cemetery, south of West Union.
James CoUings was a private in Capt. John Lynch's company, 5th
Mar>'land regiment, commanded by Col. Wm. Richardson. He served
from January 18, 1777, until August 16, 1780. He removed to Adams
County in 1794, and is buried in the CoUings Cemetery, east of West
Union.
Nathaniel Foster was born February 7, 1760, in Morris County,
New York. He removed to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1776, and
thence to Hampshire County, Virginia, in 1780; thence to Bourbon
County, Kentucky, in 1791, and to Adams County, Ohio, in 1798. He
enlisted in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in August, 1776, in Capt.
Tom Broeck's company. In 1777 he enlisted in Capt. Bubonah's com-
pany. Col. Moore, from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In April, 1781,
he enUsted from Hampshire County, Virginia, and served six months
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MILITARY HIS1X)RY 339
in all ; two in Capt. Thos. Anderson's company, two in Capt. McCarty's
company, and two in Capt. Isaac Parson's company.
He applied for pension October 25, 1832, at the age of seventy-
two years. He died in 1842, and is buried on the banks of Brash
Creek, in the Foster graveyard. He was twice married. He had
three sons and two daughters by his first wife — Samuel, Isaac, and
Nathaniel, sons, and Mary and Anna, daughters. His daughter Mary
married Samuel Lockhart, and Anna married David Young.
His second wife's maiden name was Cleveland, a native of Con-
necticut. She first married HQtiry Smith, a revolutionary soldier; and
after his death, Nathaniel Foster. Of this marriage there were four
sons and one daughter. The sons were Nathan, Moses, Jedediah, and
Asa. We have not obtained the daughter's name.
Henry Smith was born in Connecticut, in 1760. He died in Adams
County in 1802. He was buried in a field near his home, and a stone
marks his grave, placed there by his son Oliver. He came to the
Northwest Territory in 1799, and bought 300 acres of land at the mouth
of Beasley Fork. After his death his widow became the second wife
of Nathaniel Foster above.
As to revolutionary pensions. The act of September 29, 1789, gave
to the wounded and disabled soldiers the pensions granted by the sev-
eral states, for a period of one year.
On July 16, 1790, congress provided that the pensions paid by thf
states to wounded and disabled soldiers should be paid by the United
States for one year.
The act of March 23, 1792, required the soldiers to go before a
court and produce a certificate from an officer of the regiment or com-
pany in which he served, that he was disabled, or he had to produce two
witnesses to that eflfect. Also he had to have the evidence of two free-
holders of his vicinity as to his mode of life and employment and means
of support for the twelve months preceding. The court was required
to examine and report his disability to the secretary of war.
The act of February 28, 1793, required two surgeons to examine
and report the disability. The judge of the court was required to make
a recommendation in each case.
The act of March 3, 1803, gave pensions to officers, soldiers, and
sailors disabled by wounds, and also who did not desert the service.
The district judge took the evidence and forwatded it. The act was
enlarged March 3, 1805. April 10, 1806, another act was passed for
those wounded in the service. The procedure was the same as under
the former acts, but expired in six years. The pension was $5.00 per
month to a private and half pay to an officer.
The act of March 18, 1818, gave to every officer and soldier who
served nine months or longer and who was in need of assistance from
his county. $8.00 per month for a private and $20.00 for an officer for
life. So many claims were made under this act that on May i, 1820,
congress passed the Alarm Act (a standing disgrace to our country), by
which each person receiving a pension under its provisions w^s re-
quired to go before a court and take an oath as to his estate and income,
and that he had not given away his property to bring himself within the
act of r8i8, and the pension was to be dropped, if this was not done.
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340 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
After the pensioner forwarded his evidence, the secretary of war was
required to revise the h'sts and drop all he did not deem indigent. This
did not apply to any who had been wounded. Major Finley elected not
to 'take the oath and was dropped, but was restored in 1828.
The act of June 7, 1832, granted pensions to all the officers and sol-
diers who had served for one or more terms, a period of two years,
whether in the continental line or militia. In the list herein given all
whose pension certificates were dated prior to June 7, 1832, were pen-
sioned under the act of March 18, 1818, and those who were placed on
the pension roll at a date subsequent to June 7, 1832, received pen-
sions under the law of that date
The celebrations of Independence Day for the first twenty-five
years after the revolutionary war were solemn and imposing affairs. At
these the survivors of the revolutionary war were honored by important
places in the parades, processions, and in the seats at the public dinners.
Whenever it was practicable, the soldiers of the revolution were
buried with military honors conducted by the nearest militia organiza-
tion. The last surviving revolutionary soldier of Adams County
passed away in 185 1. The last surviving in the whole country died in
1869.
The generations which knew them hardly appreciated their ser-
vice. Now that the last of them has been dead for fifty years, and that
we begin to understand the greatness of our countr}% we appreciate
their services. It is to be hoped the people of Adams County will see
that the grave of every one of them is properly marked, preserved, and
honored, once a year, on Memorial Day, so long as our Republic shall
continue.
ADAMS COUNTY IN THE CIVH. WAR.
Company J}, 24th O. V. I.
This was Adams County's first offering in the civil war. The com-
pany was mustered into service June 13, 1861. The original officers were :
Moses Patterson, captain ; Armstead T. M. Cockerill, first lieutenant ;
Lafayette Foster, second lieutenant. Patterson died September 2,
1861, and Cockerill succeeded him and became lieutenant colonel of the
regiment. Isaac N. Dryden, killed at the battle of Chickamauga, was the
third captain and Geoj-ge Collings was the fourth.
The following were the battles participated in by the company:
Great Mountain, W. Va., September 12-13, ^86t ; Greenbrier, West
Va., October 3, 1861 ; Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7, 1862; Corinth, Miss.,
May 30, 1862 ; Perrysville, Ky., October 8, 1862 ; Stone River, Tenn.,
December 31, 1862 and January 1-2, 1863; Woodbury, Tenn., January
24, 1863 ; Tullahoma Campaign, Tenn., June 23-30, 1863 ; Chickamauga,
Ga., September 19-20, 1863; Lookout Mountain, Tenn., November 24,
1863; Mission Ridge, Tenn., November 25, 1863; Ringgold, Ga. (Tay-
lor's Ridge), November 27, 1863; Buzzard Roost, Ga. (Rocky Face
Ridge), February 25-27, 1864; Nashville, Tenn., December 1-14, 1864;
Nashville, Tenn. (Battle of), December 15-16, 1864; Decatur, Ala. (Cap-
ture oO, December 27-28, 1864.
The following were killed in battle, or died in the service: Wil-
liam R. Adamson, September 25, 1863, died of wounds at Chickamauga;
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MILITARY HISTORY 341
William H. Bailey, April 7, 1862, killed at Shiloh; Isaac N. Dryden,
captain, was wounded September 20, 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga,
and died of the same some days later ; John K. Edgington, died July 28,
1861, at Camp Chase, Ohio; Allen Gutridge, was killed September 19,
i863,at Chickamauga ; Luther C. Hines, died May 2,1864, of a wound in
the foot received at Lookout Moimtain; William L. McConnell, Janu-
ary 16, 1862, of disease; Robert W. McClanaham, March 22, 1862, of
disease ; James Ogle, killed at Chickamauga ; David S. Potter, sergeant,
color bearer, while carrying the colors, was killed at Stone River. He
is buried at West Union. James R. Puntenney, sergeant, was killed at
Stone River; John W^ Rivers, died August 4, 1863, of disease; Wm. H.
Swanger, April 18, 1862, died of wounds received at Shiloh, interred
in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky; Henry M. Toll, was
killed at Chickamauga, and buried at Chattanooga; Alexander Thomp-
son, killed at Chickamauga; William S. Crawford, died December 29,
1864, of wounds received at the battle of Nashville ; buried at Nashville ;
Robert C. Hayslip died September 29, 1865, of disease; Sewell Poin-
ter, died January 20, 1865, of wounds received at Nashville. Wesley
Schultz, corporal, and Samuel W. Thomas, second lieutenant, were
killed at the battle of Nashville. None of the Adams County men have
records of wounds on the official roster. Those wounded all died of
their wounds, or else no record was made.
Most of the members of Company D have gone to the other side.
Daniel Emery is living in Colorado. Thomas E. DeBruin is the post-
master at Winchester. James Credit is living in Monroe Township.
William T. Hook is in Clinton County. John W. Lightbody is at Blue
Creek, as is also George W. Lewis. William H. Holdemess is living at
Vanceburg, Kentucky. No doubt others are living, but the editors of
this work are not advised of their whereabouts. This company saw as
hard service as any in the war. They were noble patriots, every one,
and reflected great credit on the patriotism of the people of the county,
whom they represented. William H. Holderness was first lieutenant
at muster, and Samuel B. Charles was second lieutenant, and George
Collings captain.
Company B, 33d O. V. I.
This company was raised in Adams County. It was mustered in
the service August 27, 1861, at Portsmouth, Ohio, to serve for three
years. The original officers were: Ephriam J. Ellis, captain; Edwin
M. DeBruin, first lieutenant; Ellis A. Ramsey, second lieutenant. Cap-
tain Ellis was promoted to major, January 16, 1863, and DeBruin to
captain at the same date. Ellis A. Ramsey was made first lieutenant
January 16, 1863, and William Baldwin was made second lieutenant
the same date. The regiment participated in the following battles :
Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862 ; Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-
20, 1863; Lookout Mountain, Tehn., November 24, 1863; Mission
Ridge, Tenn., November 25, 1863; Resaca, Ga., May 13-16, 1864;
Cassville, Ga., May 19-22, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 9-30,
1864; Peachtree Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864; Jonesboro, Ga., August 31
and September 2, 1864; Atlanta, Ga., July 28 to September 2, 1864;
Averysboro, N. C, March 16, 1865; Bentonville, N. C, March 19-21,
1865; Goldsboro, N. C, March 21, 1865.
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342 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The following were killed in battle or died in the service : Ephraim
J. Ellis, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863; Spencer H. Wilson,
the first sergeant, son of the Hon. John T. Wilson, died March 4, 1862,
at Louisville, Ky.; Samuel Anderson, sergeant, died July 9, 1864, at
Camp Dennison, Ohio; Corporal Samuel Pullin, died August 24, 1864,
a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. ; George A. Bryan, died a prisoner,
April 20, 1864, at Danville, Va. ; Luther Bentley, died June 4, 1862, at
Elizabethtown, Ky. ; Isaac Black, died December 26, 1861, at Louis-
ville, Ky. ; Henry C. Bryan, was killed May 14, 1864, at Resaca, Ga. ;
Ashbury Evans, was killed October 8, 1862, at Perryville, Ky. ; Charles
Fetters, December 31, 1862, at Stone River; Isaac Fretz, died of di-
sease, June 5, 1865, at Long Island, N. Y. ; Daniel H. Grimes, died
January 4, 1862, at home; Daniel Grimes, died August 9, 1864, of
wounds received at Atlanta, Ga. ; Richard Hagerman, died January 23,
1865, and died in prison; Ransom Hodges, died June 23, 1862, at
Himtsville, Ala.; Moses E. Hempleman, died February 19, 1863, at
Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Richard Hagerman, died January 23, 1865, in
prison at Andersonville, Ga. ; Isaac N. McNown, died March 4, 1862,
at Elizabethtown, Ky. ; Jacob W. E. McCormick, died May 4, 1864.
at Andersonville, Ga. ; Manley Bennett, died April 3, 1865, of wounc'.s
received at the battle of Bentonville; Henry Pierce, died October 23.
1863, of wounds received in action at Chattanooga, Tenn.; Joseph.
Parker, Jr., killed July 22, 1864, in battle at Atlanta, Ga. ; William H.
Richards, died June 20, 1864, in prison; William F. Rankins, died No-
vember 8, 1862, at Huntsville, Ala.; Moses Starrett, died January 7,
1865, at Louisville, Ky. ; John Thompson, died April 17, 1864, on flag
of trtice boat at Fortress Monroe, Va. ; John M. Vanderman, killed De-
cember 31, 1862, at Stone River; Ezra Whitees, died December 10,
1863, ^t Chattanooga, Tenn., of wounds; William Walker, died Janu-
ary 8, 1862, at Louisville, Ky. ; Henry C. Walker, died April 16, 1862,
at Huntsville, Ala.; Aaron Whaley, died December 24, 1862, at New
Albany, Ind.
There is no separate record of those wounded, who recovered.
Six of this company were captured at the battle of Chickamauga.
Of those who were captured and who survived are : Daniel R. Shriver,
first sergeant;. William F. Grierson,* sergeant; William E. Howell.
John B. Seeman was captured March 23, 1865, at Goldsboro, N. C.
Gen. Joshua W. Sill, killed at Stone River, was the first colonel of this
regiment, and Oscar F. Moore succeeded him.
F. B. Mussey was the original surgeon of the regiment. John
Wills Kendrick, the original adjutant of the regiment, is the Bishop of
Arizona of the Protej?tant Episcopal Church. Albert G. Byers was the
original chaplain. Capt. Ellis A. Ramsey is living at Washington C.
H., manager for southern Ohio of the Union Central Life Insurance
Company.
Company I, 30tli O. V. I.
This company was organized in August, 1861. Rev. David C.
Benjamin, a Methodist minister on the West Union circuit, was the
original captain, and Fletcher Hypes, another Methodist minister on
the same circuit, was first lieutenant. Nathan R. Thompson, of Win-
chester, was the second lieutenant. Most of the company enlisted on
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MILITARY HISTORY 343
the fourth day of July, 1861. This was the celebrated Groesbeck Regi-
ment of Cincinnati. John Groesbeck was the original colonel. Ed-
ward F. Noyes, afterwards general, was the second colonel, and Henry
T. McDowell, of Portsmouth, was the first lieutenant colonel. Benja-
min W. Chidlaw was chaplain till April i, 1862. Company A of this
regiment was from Portsmouth, Ohio. The following is the list of bat-
tles in which the regiment participated :
New Madrid, Mo., March 3-5, 1862; New Madrid, Mo., March 13,
1862; Island No. 10, Tenn., April 8, 1862; luka. Miss., September 19-
20, 1862; Corinth, Miss., October 3-4, 1862; Parker's Cross Roads,
Tenn., December 30, 1862; Atlanta Campaign, May 5 to September 8,
1864; Resaca, Ga.» May 13-16, 1864; Dallas, Ga., May 25 to June 4,
1864; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 9-30, 1864; Nickajack Creek, Ga.,
July 2-5, 1864; Chattahoochee River, Ga., July 6-10, 1864; Peach Tree
Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864; Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864; Jonesboro, Ga.,
August 31 to September i, 1864; Lovejoy Station, Ga., September
2-6, 1864; River's Bridge, S. C, February 3-9, 1865; Cheraw, S. C,
March 2-3, 1865; Bentonville, N. C, March 19-21, 1865.
The following were the causalities: George W. Hetherington,
died January 26, 1862, at Palmyra, Mo.; David Irwin, died July 18,
1862, at Corinth, Miss.; Samuel A. Kelley, corporal, died August 18,
1864, at the battle of Atlanta, Ga. ; Benjamin F. Kilgore, died July 22,
1864, at the battle of Atlanta, Ga. ; John M. McNeil, private, died Octo-
ber 16, 1862; John Massie, private, died September 18, 1862, at Jack-
son, Tenn.; Joseph P. Nesbit was killed in action near Savannah, Ga.,
December 11, 1864; John H. Parks, private, died July 7, 1864, of
wounds received at Nickajack, Ga.; James H. Stewart, private, died May
23, 1862, at his home in Manchester, Ohio; William K. Walker, private,
died March 16, 1863, of disease; George Gerhorn, corporal, was
wounded in service; William E. McNeil, corporal, wounded July 4,
1861, in the battle of Atlanta; John B. Douglas, private, captured near
Savannah ; Henry C. Foster, private, was wounded July 22, 1864, in the
battle of Atlanta, Ga.
Company B, GOtli O. V. I.
This company was organized at Gallipolis, Ohio, February 28,
1862, and served one year. It was mustered out November 10, 1862,
on order from the War Department. Company B was organized in
the northern edge of Adams Coimty and the southern part of High-
land County, with some men from Brown. The original captain was
Phillip Rothrock ; William O. Donohoo, first lieutenant ; 'A. S. Heth-
erington, second lieutenant. The regiment participated in the follow-
ing battles :
Strasburg, Va., June 1-2, 1862; Harrisburg, Va., June 6, 1862;
Cross Keys, Va., June 8, 1862; Harper's Ferry, Va., September 15,
1862.
The causalities of this company were as follows: Charles Hav-
ens, private, died June 5, 1862, in rebel prison ; H. B. Higgins, private,
died June 30, 1862, of wounds received at Winchester, Va. ; George W.
Nelson, private, died December 5, 1862, of disease; Joseph Nichols,
private, died July 2, 1862, of disease ; George Reedy, private, died June
I, 1862, at New Creek, Va., of disease ; Thomas A. Thompson, private,
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344 raSTORY OF ADAMS COUNIT
died September, 1862, of wounds at Harper's Ferry, Va., in battle; Wil-
liam C. Waits, private, died July 8, 1862, of disease. Stephen D. Paris,
private, was captured at Winchester, Va., also Roselle, captured at
Winchester, Va. ; Peter E. Ridings, died June 2, 1862, at Petersburg,
Va., while a prisoner of war ; Thomas A. Thompson, died of wounds re-
ceived at the battle of Harper's Ferry, September 15, 1862.
' The 70tli Resiment, Ohio Volnnteer Infantry.
This regiment was organized in 1861, at West Union, Ohio. It
had its rendezvous at the old fair grounds, lying on the Maysville and
Zanesville turnpike, named Camp Hamer, in honor of General Thomas
L. Hamer, of Georgetown, Ohio, who was in the Mexican war. The
regiment remained there during the months of October, November,
and December, 1861, and moved to Ripley, Ohio, December 25, 1861.
There it remained in camp until February 18, 1862. The regiment was
formed of Adams County men, except one company from Brown
County and two from Hamilton County.
The original field officers were: Joseph R. Cockerill, colonel;
Dewitt C. Loudon, lieutenant colonel; John W. McFerran, major;
Henry L. Phillips, first lieutenant and adjutant; Israel H. DeBruin,
quartermaster; John M. Sullivan, chaplain; Charles H. Swain, sur-
geon ; Thomas J. Ferrell, assistant surgeon ; Robert H. Von Harlinger
and Frederick Jaeger, assistant surgeons.
Col. Cockerill resigned April 13, 1864, and Lieutenant Colonel
Dewitt C. Loudon was promoted to colonel. He resigned August 9,
1864. Major McFerran died October 3, 1862, at Fort Pickering, near
Memphis, Tennessee. William B. Brown was the second major. He
was promoted to lieutenant colonel April 26, 1864, and was killed Aug-
ust 3, 1864, in battle near Atlantic. Thomas Brown was the third major,
promoted from captain of Company H.
Surgeon Charles H. Swain resigned August 3, 1863, and Robert
H. Von Harlinger was appointed in his place and served during the
remaining service of the regiment. Frederick Jaeger was an assist-
ant surgeon, appointed September 7, 1862, and resigned January 29,
1864. Andrew Urban was the second adjutant, and Linsdey L. Edg-
ington the third adjutant. Rev. H. I. DeBruin, quartermaster, re-
signed June 2, 1863, and John Heaton was appointed in his place, fol-
lowed by Charles A. Grimes and Francis Rickards. Joseph Blackburn,
captain of Company F, was the first chaplain. He resigned August 28,
1862, and was followed by John M. Sullivan, who resigned January 16,
1864.
The original officers of Company A were : W. B. Brown, captain ;
Lewis Love, first lieutenant; Brice Cooper, second lieutenant. This
company was raised about Winchester, Fincastle, and North Liberty.
The original officers of Company B were: James F. Summers,
captain; Samuel G. Richards, first lieutenant; William P. Spurgeon,
second lieutenant. This company was raised about Locust Grove and
in the northeastern part of the county.
The original officers of Company C were: Reason T. Naylor, cap-
tain; Valentine Zimmerman, first lieutenant; W. R. Stewart, second
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MILITARY HISTORY 345
lieutenant. This company was raised in Monroe Township and in the
vitinity of West Union.
The original officers of Company D were: Charles Johnson, cap-
tain; Samuel M. Woodruff, first lieutenant; Joseph W. Denham, sec-
ond lieutenant. This company was raised in Cincinnati, Hamilton
County.
The original officers of Company E were : John T. Wilson, cap-
tam; John Campbell, first lieutenant; Joseph Spurgeon, second lieuten-
ant. This company was raised in the vicinity of Tranquility, Eckmans-
VI lie, and North Liberty.
The original officers of Company F were : Joseph Blackburn, cap-
tain; James Drennen, first lieutenant; Isaac W. Adams, second lieu-
tenant. This company was raised in the western part of Adams
County and Brown County.
The original officers of Company G were: N. W. Foster, cap-
tain; John H. Truitt, first lieutenant; John Nelson, second lieutenant.
This company was raised around Manchester, Stout's Run, and Gift
Ridge.
Company H, Benjamin F. Wiles, captain; William H. Herbert,
first lieutenant; John Taylor, second lieutenant. This company was
raised in the western part of Adams County and the eastern part of
Brown County.
Company I, Daniel B. Carter, captain; Joinville Reiff, first lieu-
tenant : George A. Foster, second lieutenant. This company was
raised in Hamilton County.
Company K, Felix Slone, captain; William R. Harmon, first lieu-
tenant; Amos F. Ellis, second lieutenant. This company was from
Brown County.
The first soldier from Adams County killed in battle was William
J. Ellis from Company G, killed at Shiloh on April 6, 1862.
The first soldier of Adams County wounded was Henry Kress
from Manchester, wounded in the battle of Shiloh on the same morn-
ing.
The foltowing is a list of the battles in which the regiment partici-
pated :
Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7, 1862; Russell House, May 17, 1862;
Battle of Resaca, May 7 to May, 1864; siege of Corinth opening April
29, and closing with the capture of Corinth, May 30, 1862; capture of
Holly Springs, Miss., July i, 1862; captured cannon and ammunition at
Fort Randolph, Miss., October i, 1862; siege of Vicksburg from June
20 to July 4, 1863 ; Jackson, Miss., July 9-16, 1863 ; Black River, Miss.,
July 5, 1863; Chattanooga, Tenn., November 23, 1863; Battle of Mis-
sionary Ridge, November 25, 1863; Knoxville Raid during the month
of December. 1863, and driving Longstreet from Knoxville after the
battle of Missionary Ridge; Dallas, Ga., May 25, to June 4, 1864;
Champion Hills, May 16, 1863; New Hope Church, Ga., Jime 2, 1864:
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 30, 1864; Little Kenesaw Mountain, Ga.,
June 20, 1864; Big Shanty, June 8, 1864; Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864;
Ezra Church, Ga., July 28. 1864; Jonesboro, Ga., July 28 to September
2, 1864; Lovejoy Station, Ga., September 2-6, 1864; Statesboro, Ga.,
December 4, 1864; Fort McAllister, Ga., December 13, 1864; Rome,
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346 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UN1Y
Ga., October, 1864; Aversboro, N. C, March 16-20, 1865; Benton-
ville, N. C, March 19-21, 1865; Raliegh's March to the Sea; Little
Rock, Ark., August, 1865.
Two hundred and forty-four died of disease or were killed in bat-
tles. Of this number sixty-one were killed in battle or died of wounds.
The following is a list of the members of the regiment, except from
Companies D, I and K, who were killed in battle or died in the service.
Robt. B. Baird, Company A, died April 6, '65, of wounds; George
Baker, sergeant, May 21, '62; Charles S. Ball, killed in battle, April 7, '62;
George W. Bartholonew, November 19, 1861 ; Corwin Bell, June 4,
1865; Wm. H. H. Black, November 25, 1864; James M. Brady, July
II, 1864; Erwin A. Brattin, January 30, 1863; Jesse M. Breckenridge,
May 17, 1862; Austin Brewer, March 25, 1864; John W. Burba, April
1, 1862; Robert W. F. Carl, June 5, 1864; John H. Corbin, Febuary
28, 1862; Washington I. Foster, December i, 1863; Boon Funk, July
22, 1864, killed in battle; John A. Hamilton, January 10, 1863; Jack-
son Harvey, June 12, 1862; Edward Hasson, November 25, 1863;
Christian Holmes, March 23, 1865; Jonathan M. Howland, June 12,
1864, of wounds; Elias H. Kines, April 18, 1864; James B. Lamonda,
May 25, 1864; John P. Liggette, killed in battle of Ezra Church, Ga.,
July 28, 1864; Daniel Lyons, sergeant, September 19, 1864, of wounds;
Thomas McBride, killed in the battle of New Hope Church, Ga., June
2, 1864; Robert J. McKnight, killed in railroad accident March, 1864;
William H. Marlott, October 13, 1862; George E. Maun, December
10, 1864; William R. Maxwell, December 2, 1864; Andrew Morris,
killed in battle, April 7. 1862; Henry C. Morris, corporal, died Decem-
ber 14, 1864, of wounds; William W. Myers, November 24, 1864; John
H. Nevel, September 13, 1862; Francis A. Purdin, May 23, 1864; John
H. Ramsey, June 5, 1862: John Reed, January 12, 1862; Tarry W.
Reed, May 16. 1864; Hiram S. Reeves, June 10, 1864; John T. Rhodes,
February 11, 1864; Thomas Robinson, July 26, 1862; Isaac Shankel,
killed in battle of Ezra Church, Ga., July 28, 1864; Louis J. Skinner,
September 13, 1862; Henry L. Smith, corporal, September 11, 1863;
James M. Stultz, April 3, 1862; Byron Swisher, June 3, 1862; John M.
Thompson, captured December 4, 1864, at Statesboro, Ga., and died
in Rebel Prison, March 24, 1865; Samuel Thompson, March 10, 1865;
George W. Walker, December 3, 1863; Madison Walker, September
18, 1863; Nathaniel W. Williams, January 29, 1863.
Company B.
James Alexander, killed July 4, 1863 ; John Baggott, April 6, 1862 ;
William T. Buck, August 19, 1863; George Compton, June 13, 1862;
John D. Compton, killed December 13, 1864; William A. Cook, April
7, 1862; John L. Dillinger, killed August 15, 1864; Sylvester G.
Francis, April 7, 1862; Isaac Howsier, February 7, i8i53; Henry Jack-
son, July 5, 1862; Henry J. Jackson, May 15, 1862; Daniel Lighter,
October 8, 1863; John McMillen, July 28, 1864; Samuel M. Matthias,
September 20, 1863; John Moder, February 19, 1865, of wounds; John
Mooniaw, May 2, 1862; Samuel Newman, April 20, 1862; Alexander
Parker, May 2^, 1862, of wounds; Louis F. Shafer, June 29, 1864, of
wounds; James F. Summers, captain, killed July 28, 1864; John F.
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MILITARY HISTORY 347
Tarleton, corporal, May 21, 1862; Philip B. Taylor, August 28, 1862;
James Tener, corporal, March 13, 1862; John M. Thompson, corporal,
April 4, 1862; Jacob Wright, December 8, 1864; Milton Yanky, De-
cember 25, 1861 ; Thomas W. Young, April 14, 1863 ; John E. Zink-
hom. May 28, 1863,
Company C.
Benjamin Ayers, September 2, 1862 ; Hiram Carter, May 22, 1862
John H. Duffey died in Rebel prison ; Robert B. Fitch died of disease
Andrew J. Griffith, April 17, 1863; Henry Grooms, March 23, 1864
Uriah W. Irvin, corporal, September 10, 1862; Nathan Mahaffey, killed
December 13, 1864; Samuel S. Mahaffey, killed April 6, 1862; Elias
Matheny, June 29, 1864; Daniel Nicholas, March 25, 1864; William
Potts, died at Big Black River, Miss.; George Purtee, July 5, 1862;
John Purtee, August 25, 1863; William Roder, October 20, 1863; Davis
Roderick, sergeant, killed December 13, 1864; John Rathwell . died in
Rebel prison, May 17, 1862; Frederick Siberal, June 10, 1865; Abner
Smalley, killed August 14, 1864; Charles Taylor died at home; John
Thomburg, corporal, died of wounds; Jefferson Waldren, July 24,
1862; David Wales, May 29, 1862; David Wilmdth, July 3, i8i64.
Company E.
Cyrus Allison, first sergeant, June 25, 1862; Jacob T. Baldridge,
corporal, killed August 17, 1864; James F. Batson, killed August 17,
1864; Alexander Brown, corporal, September 6, 1863; Michael F.
Duffey, corporal, July 20, 1862, killed; Joseph L. Glasgow, October
28, 1862; James S. Hamilton, killed July 2, 1864; Samuel M. Hamilton,,
killed April 8, 1862; William M. Hamilton, May 24, 1862; Nathan P.
Harsha, October 9, 1863; John M. Humes, May 5, 1862; John C.
McClure, September 6, 1862; William W. McFadden, March 28, 1864;
George C. McGinness, June 7, 1862; Abrham Maxwell, killed April
6, 1862; William Mercer, July 3, 1862; Samuel H. Moore, January 13,
1863; Thomas Moore, July 17, 1863; Joseph A. Rodgers, April 16,
1862; of wounds; William S. Seaton, April 14, 1862; Joseph L. Shinn,
May 19, 1862; Thomas Sheffler, killed July 28, 1864; Louis V. Sreben-
thall, February 13, 1865; David W. Vance, May 2, 1862; Sharezer
Walt, August 13, 1864; Sampson Walker, June 2, 1864; David C.
Young, sergeant, March 15, 1862.
/ Company T.
Marion Brinker, December 15, 1864, of wounds; William B.
Brown, killed August 3, 1864; John S. Burbage, June i5, 1862; James
Cochran, September 27, 1864; Wilson M. Ellis, June 28, 1862; William
Gettis, July 14, 1863; Oliver Gray, June 22, 1862; Thomas E. Grier,
first sergeant, November 28, 1864, of wounds; Marquis D. L. Hare,
captain, killed March 21, 1865; Wilson Haysleet, October 6, 1864;
Benjamin F. Jacobs, June 10, 1862; Presley J. Lane, corporal, April
IQ, 1862, of wounds; Richard E. Lytle, May 10, 1862; John W. Mc-
Ferren, major, October 3, 1862; Alexander C. Neal, September 13,
1862; John L. Swisher, January 30, 1863; Nelson B. Thompson, ser-
geant, Ttine 12, 1863; Andrew Urban, adjutant, killed September 3,
1864; William H. Vaugh, Julv 18, 1862.
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348 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNIT
Company G.
Bryon Best, May 29, 1865; Samuel Bradford, October i, 1862;
Casper Dougal, June 2, 1862; William J. Ellis, killed April 6, 1862;
George Elrod, November 13, 1862; Thomas C. Elrod, corporal, Octo-
ber 30, 1862; James H. Fields, corporal, killed August 9, 1864; Henry
Hayslip, August 24, 1864, of wounds; James W. Hayslip, August 31,
1864; Nelson Hempleman, August 18, 1864, of wounds; Noah T. Jones,
musician, December 4, 1862; Alexander Little, corporal, April 22,
1862; of woimds; Joseph Little, October 25, 1863; James W. Mc-
Daniel, June i, 1862; Edwin C. Marsh, September 22, 1864; Alexander
Raisin, July 30, 1863; William Rape, May 18, 1862; Aaron Robuck,
January 23, 1863; Rerlemon Ryan, May 31, 1864; James Shelton, May
22, 1862; Joseph R. Shively, killed April 6, 1862; Matthew Tucker,
May 27, 1862; Abraham Watson, October 17, 1864; James Watson,
March 19, 1862 ; John Robuck, drowned in the Ohio River eighty miles
below Louisville, Ky.. August, 1865, while on the way home.
Company H.
Jacob Beam, September 9, 1862; Harrison Bowman, May 13, 1862;
Samuel Brady, September 30, 1864, of wounds; James Fryar, July
18, 1862; Augustus Gill, captured April 6, 1862; and died April 2y,
1862; Henry H. Gray, April 11, 1864; William H. Greenlee, March 31,
1862; Jesse L. Howland, May 24, 1862; Alexander Hudson, Decem-
ber 28, 1862; Michael Joyce, December 28, 1863; Charles Junnper,
sergeant, March i, 1864; James Kilgore, May 28, 1864, of wounds;
David King, Thomas Laughlin, October 16, 1862; Valen<:ine Miller,
October 17, 1863; William A. Ramsey, October 13, 1863, of wounds;
George R. Shafer, January 11, 1864; James Smith, October 31, 1862;
Martin Smith, May 9, 1863; William Sullivan, January 15, 1862; David
Thatcher, July 18, 1865; James O. Thoroman, September, 1863; Stephen
Tucker, May 20, 1862.
Of the officers and soldiers of this regiment, the following have
sketches in this work : Gen. Joseph R. Cockerill, Major John W. Mc-
Ferren, Lieutenant Colonel Henry L. Phillips, Captain L. L. Edging-
ton, Hon. John T. Wilson, John Campbell, Hugh McSurely, Thomas
W. Connelley and John K. Polland, deceased.
The Seventieth Ohio Infantry was organized by J. R. Cockerill,
of West Union. This regiment was formed October i, 1861. Its place
of rendezvous was situated on the old fair grounds at W«st Union, and
was named in honor of Gen. Thomas L. Hamer. The camp guard
lines followed the old fair ground fence and the tents stood about half-
way between where the late residence of Jacob Woods stands and the
entrance to the grounds on the east. The regiment drilled in the field
to the south of the present site of Shuster Bros'. Mills. During dress
parade, Col. Cockerill stood and gave command from a position about
midway between two large locust trees that stand along the street or
lane leading from near the present residence of Mrs. John Leonard
to the old fair ground gate. While the regiment was located at W^est
Union the patriotic citizens and relatives of the soldier boys visited
them daily and brought the soldiers clothing, food and furniture and
other camp comforts. The regiment did not have any guns until about
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MILITARY HISTORY 349
its departure from Paducah for the battle field at Shiloh. It had done
military duty of all kinds, except fighting, without arms. Each soldier
had a stick on the end of which was fastened an old bayonet. On
Christmas day, 1861, the regiment marched from Camp Hamer to Rip-
ley, one division going via Bentonville and Aberdeen and thence by
boat to Ripley; and the other division marching over the old state
road, via Decatur. Companies D and I of Cincinnati joined the regi-
ment at Ripley, where it remained until February 17, 1862, when it
boarded the old steamer Magnolia for Cincinnati. From Cincinnati
it was ordered to Paducah, where it went into camp, and remained
until the movement was begun up the Tennessee toward Shiloh. The
regiment as already stated participated in the battle of Shiloh and was
complimented by Gen. Sherman for valiant service rendered on that
bloody field. It is related that before the battle, the Confederates had
planned an assault on the Federal forces to be made on Saturday. The
regiment had taken position near the landing of Shiloh, had stacked arms
and begun preparations for dinner. Major McFerren with seven men
advanced, but he had not gone far, when suddenly came the challenge
**Halt! who comes there?" Quick as a flash, the doughty little major
answered, "The advanced guard of the army of the United States/'
"The hell you say." The Rebel picket discharged his musket aim-
lessly, and precipitately retreated toward the Confederate lines. This
incident delayed the Confederate advancement until Sunday morning,
and as seen in the light of history saved the Federal forces from certain
defeat. From the advance sheets of "A History of the Seventieth Regi-
ment" by T. W. Connolly, we glean the following, deemed worthy of a
place here :
"The first man of the regiment^ killed in battle was William J.
Ellis of Company H, at Shiloh, Sunday morning, April 6, 1862. The
second capture from the regiment was made near Shiloh on April 4,
1862, when Lieutenant W.. H. Herbert, Co. H, Jesse McKinley, George
Lowery, J. M. Sutton, Thomas^ Everton, Samuel Cox, WilHam Mc.
and Paul Gaddis were made prisoners on picket line. On May 9, 1862,
between Shiloh and Corinth, the regiment received its first pay in sil-
ver and gold.
At the storming of Fort McAllister on December 13, 1864, the
70th Ohio Regiment flag was the first placed on the fort and this was
done seven minutes after commencing. As a recognition of bravery,
this regiment had the honor of manning the fort for one month after-
ward.
On February 5, 1864, it was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark.
On August 14, 1865, about three hundred were still left to march from
Bufort to take part in the grand review at Washington at the close of
the war. It took part in thirty-five battles and skirmishes. The regi-
ment came to Camp Dennison after being mustered out and every man
received his discharge and last pay.
After the regiment was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas,
while coming up on the Ohio River from Cairo, on the steamer Argosa,
and eighty miles below Louisville, near Cave Rock, the mud drum of
the boat burst while a severe storm was raging, at which time twenty-
three members of the regiment were scalded severely and nine were
drowned in the river.
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5^ HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNIY
Companies F and H of the 81st O. V. I.
This regiment was organized from the state at large. Brevet
Brigadier General Robert N. Adams, now living at Minneapolis, Min-
nesota, was second colonel of the regiment.
The late John A. Tiirley, of Portsmouth, Ohio, afterwards colonel
of the 91st O. V. I. was the original lieutenant colonel of the regiment.
Frank Evans and William H. Chamberlin, both Miami University
students, were, in turn, majors of the regiment.
William Clay 'Henry, of Buena Vista, was also major of the regi-
ment. Cornelius C. Platter, of Ross County, was adjutant and after-
wards captain of Company D. Companies A, B, E, and G, were organ-
ized at Lima, Ohio. Companies C and I were organized at Greenfield,
Ohio. Company D was organized at Upper Sandusky. Company F
was organized at Cincinnati, but a number of the men were from
Adams and Scioto counties. Company H was organized from Adams
and Scioto counties. Company K was from Galion, Ohio.
The regiment was in the following battles: Shiloh, Tenn., April
6-7, 1862; Corinth, Miss., (siege of), April 30 to May JS, 1862; Corinth,
Miss., October 3-4, 1862; Tuscumbia, Ala., April 24, 1863; Town
Creek, Ala., April 28, 1863; Ley's Ferry, Ga., May 14-15, 1864; Rome
Cross Roads, Ga., May 16, 1864; Dallas, Ga., May 25 to June 4, 1864;
Atlanta, Ga. (Hood's First Sortie), July 22, 1864;' Atlanta, Ga. (Hood's
Second Sortie), July 28, 1864; Atlanta, Ga. (siege of), July 28 to Sep-
tember 2, 1864; Jonesboro, Ga., August 31 to September i, 1864; Love-
joy Station, Ga., September 2-6, 1864; Savannah, Ga. (siege of), De-
cember 10-21, 1864; Bentonville, N. C., March 19-21, 1865; Sherman's
March to the Sea.
The original officers of Company F were Ozro J. Dodds, captain ;
William Clay Henry, first lieutenant; Mahlin G. Bailey, second lieuten-
ant.
Benjamin P. Howell, a Miami Uni\ersity student, was at one time
captain of the company.
William M. Murphy, of Adams County, was the second lieutenant,
promoted from sergeant major. He died since the war.
The following members of the company were from Adams County :
Albert B. Baird, first serg^eant, resides in Cincinnati; David W. Mc-
Call, sergeant, died October 4, 1862, of wounds received in the battle of
Corinth the same day ; Samuel Devoss, sergeant ; Joshau B. Truitt, died
June 3, 1862, at Rome, Ohio; Abner McCall, corporal, killed October
3, 1862, at the battle of Corinth ; James Woodworth, corporal, wounded
July 22, 1864, at Corinth; John Hayslip; George W. Easter, corporal,
wounded October 3, 1862, at the battle of Corinth; Leonard Young,
wounded July 22, 1864, at Atlanta, Ga. ; Price J. Jones, corporal, after-
ward first lieutenant Co. H ; Charles H. Baird ; William M. Buck ; Wil-
liam M. Fumier; James T. Pitts; John D. Truitt, died July 28, 1864, at
Atlanta, Ga., of wounds received in the battle of Atlanta July 22, i8i54;
Joseph W. Britton, discharged July 16, 1862, for disability; Samuel M.
Hayward ; William McCandless, wounded October 3, 1862, at the battle
of Corinth ; Joseph W. Porter, wounded October 3, 1862, at the battle
of Corinth.
The original officers of Company H were:
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MILITARY HISTORY 361
Charles M. Hughes, captain; Robert E. Roney, first lieutenant;
William Pittman, second lieutenant. W. Clay Henry was the second
captain of the company and Cornelius C. Platter the second first lieuten-
ant Daniel Worley was first sergeant. Henry C. Doddridge was a
sergeant. He afterwards became a first lieutenant. He was wounded
and captured May i6, 1864. John R. Baird was a sergeant.
Captain David A. Murphy, who has a portrait and a sketch in this
work, was a private in this company. He was a soldier with a record
like that of Chevalier Bayard — "without fear and without reproach."
There were three brothers by the name of Monk in this company and six
private soldiers with the surname of Thompson.
Dr. Peter J. Kline, one of the most prominent physicians and sur-
geons in the state, residing at Portsmouth, Ohio, was a sergeant in Com-
pany I. Dr. Kline is well known to the people of Adams County, not
only for his high professional standing, but also for his love for the ex-
soldiers of the civil war and his devotions to their interests. He is con-
stantly in demand to speak at Soldiers' Reunions and on Memorial Days.
His record as a soldier was one of the best. He never failed in a single
duty and was always at the front. No surviving soldier of the civil war
stands higher in the public estimate than he.
The following were the casualties in Company H :
George Adkins, died September 2, 1862 ; Isaac P. Clark, died Febru-
ary 14, 1&3, at Corinth, Miss. : EHsha Decker, died August 5, 1864, at
Marietta, Ga. ; William H. Howard, corporal, died May 30, 1864, of
wounds; Thomas Hutchinson, died October 9, 1862, of disease; John
McGim, died April 4, 1863 of disease; James Maddox, killed July 22,
1864, near Atlanta, Ga. : John K. Manley, killed August 11, 1864, at At-
lanta, Ga. ; Samuel Morrison, died July 3, 1863, ^i^ Corinth, Miss., of
disease; John N. Murfin, died January 21, 1865, in hospital boat, of dis-
ease ; Christopher Oppy, died September 14, 1864, at Rome, Ga. ; Wil-
liam T. Oppy, died August 6, 1863, in hospital ; James Peyton, killed
July 22, 17864, at the battle of Atlanta; John Smiley, died April 14, 1865,
at Nashville, Tenn. ; Isaac O. Thompson, died August 31, 1863, oi dis-
ease; Francis M. Tumbleson, died March 5, 1863; Samuel T. Watts, died
May 25, 1864.
John B. Young, of Blue Creek, Adams County, was a member of
Company H. He wrote many interesting letters to the county newspapers
during his service. He has a separate sketch herein. Mr. Young was
a model soldier, and has reason to be proud of the services he rendered
his country.
Dr. Kline has kindly furnished the following:
The Eighty-first Ohio Regiment had its first experience on the firing
line when it carried its colors into the smoke of battle at Pittsburg Land-
ing on that memorable and bloody Sabbath morning, April 6, 1862.
Amid the crash and din of this fight, it was given a position in the Army
of Tennessee, remaining ever afterward in this gallant and historic army
until the close of the war, three years later, when with thinned ranks
and those colors so bright and new on that Sabbath morning, now tat-
tered and battle-scarred^ it stood at the battle of Bentonville, N. C, more
than one thousand miles from the scene of its first action. By its gal-
lantry in action and patient endurance on the march, it had added in no
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352 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNIY
small degree to the brilliant history of Gen. Sherman's favorite army
corps, led by his most beloved lieutenant-general James B. McPherson,
who fell while gallantly leading his men on the twenty-second day of July,
1864, 1^ front of Atlanta and only a short distance from the line erf the
Eighty-first Ohio. On the afternoon of the same day, together with the
rest of the brigade to which it belonged, it took part in a charge on the
left of the Fifteenth Army Corps, retaking the works out of which Mor-
gan L. Smith's Division had been driven, and at the same time recaptur-
ing the famous De Grasses Battery of four twenty-pound Parrots which
had fallen into the hands of the enemy. On this charge they were led
by Dr. C. P. Dennis, of Portsmouth, C)hio, then a member of Gen. Mor-
gan L. Smith's staff. Early in May, 1864, this regiment marched across
the little wooden bridge which spans Chickamauga Creek at Lee and
Gordon's Mills, with nine hundred bright muskets in its ranks.
Three months later only three hundred guns were stacked by this
command in the streets of Atlanta. This was the mute eloquence of the
gallantry of this regiment from Resaca to the Gate City of the South.
By a strange coincident, it furnished the first man killed in the army of
Tennessee, Thomas D. Crossbv, at Resaca ; and also the last one killed in
the campaign at Atlanta, John M. Cowman. After the capture of At-
lanta, together with its brigade, it was transferred to the Fourth Division
of the Fifteenth Army Corps; and became a part of General John M.
Corse's command, of Altona fame. It participated in Sherman's March
to the Sea; and was present at the capture of Savannali, Georgia, De-
cember 21, 1864.
Turning northward unflinchingly and uncomplainingly, it took up
that terrible five hundred miles march ; through swamps, across rivers,
and over all obstacles a determined and desperate enemy could place in
its way. Together with the rest of Sherman's army, it joined in the
Union cheer, carried the last earthworks, and for the last time met armed
lesistence to the Union cause at Gouldsborough, N. C, March 21, 1865.
From here it marched three hundred and fifty miles, reaching Washing-
ton City ; and together with the rest of Sherman's army passed in review
May 24, 1865, and then became citizen soldiers.
Companies E and I, 01st Resiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
The 91st Regiment was organized at Ironton, Ohio. September 7,
1862, to serve three years, and served until the twenty-fourth of June,
1865. John A. Turley, of Scioto County, was original colonel; Ben-
jamin F. Coates, of Adams County, was the original lieutenant colonel.
Company E, Captain Samuel E. Clark, and Company I, Captain Thomas
C. Downey, were raised and organized in Adams County. The regi-
ment participated in the following battles :
Buffalo, W. Va., September 26, 1862 ; Fayetteville, W. Va., May 19,
1863 ; Blake's Farm. W. Va., May 21, 1863 ; Cloyd's Mountain, Va., May
9, 1864; New River Bridge, Va., May to, 1864; Cow Pasture River, Va.,
June 5, 1864; Lynchburg, Va., June 17-18, 1864; Stevenson's Depot,
Va., July 20, 1864; Winchester, Va., July 24, 1864; Halltown, Va., Aug-
ust 25-26, 1864; Martinsburgh, Va., September 18, 1864; Opequaii, Va.,
September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Va., September 22, 1864; Cedar
Creek, Va., October 19, 1864; Myerstown, Va., November 18, 1864.
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MILITARY HISTORY 368
The following members of Company E died in service :
Capt. Samuel E. Clark, killed in the battle of Cloyd's Mountain,
Va. ; William Cruit, died June i, 1864, in Rebel prison; James A. Cruit,
died November 11, 1864, in. Rebel prison; Thomas M. Douglas, died
September 18, 1864, at Baltimore, Md., William L. Douglas, died June
28, 1864, at Leesburg, Va. ; William Edward, died March 20, 1864; Ira
W. Ellison, March 26, 1864, at Fayetteville, W. Va. ; William P. Jones,
died June 15, 1865. in Rebel prison; William A. Leatherwood, killed in
the battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Va. ; Samuel R. McColm died August
10, 1864, at Baltimore, Md. ; William Shreffler died August 19, 1862,
at Point Pleasant, W. Va. ; James J. Swanger, killed in battle of Lynch-
burg, Va. ; John Ward, died September 10, 1864, Antietam, Md.
The following members of Company E were wounded in the battle,
viz:
William Cruit, William P. Jones, Nathan A. Woodrow, James Bar-
ickman, James Wilson, John V. Kincaid in the battle of Cloyd's Moun-
tain, W. Va ; Thomas Thompson, Cow Pasture River, W. Va. ; Frank-
lin D. Bayless, William T. Knox, John Hagerty and Edward B. Shultz
in the battle of Stevenson's Depot ; Joseph N. Moore at Martinsburgh,
Va. ; James M. Boyles, George Foster, Joseph A. Stroman, Jacob Moore
and John H. Prather in the battle of Opcquan, Va. ; John Flemming,
.A.ilen Flemming and James P. McGovney in battle of Fisher's Hill, Va. ;
Robert S. Moore, Lalathia Coryell and Sidney Stroman in battle of
Lynchburg, Va.
The following members of Company I were wounded in the service :
Jesse M. Bond, Thomas A. Clemmer, Joseph V. Delaplane, Lucien
J. Fenton, R. St Clair Fulton, Joseph B. Gamel and Robert Kennedy,
wounded in the battle of Opequan ; x\aron T. Shriver, Lynchburg;
George W. Armstrong, Evan M. Hughes, and Robert Palmer in the
battle of Stevenson's Depot; William L. Albert, at Halltown.
Of Company I the following died in service :
William Dickey and Samuel L. MeKee were killed in the battle of
Lynchburg, Va. ; Silas Duncan died April 30, 1863, at Fayette Court
House, W. Va. ; Ira T. Hays, James B. Johnson, James H. McCoy,
James F. Steen, William Taylor and Garland Pulliam were all killed in
the battle of Opequan; John A. McNeil, died February 11, 1863, and
Samuel M. McNeil, died November 23, 1862, at Gauley Bridge; Samuel
Pursell died August 11, 1864, at Antietam, Md.; Algen Scott died July
13, 1863, at Winchester.
James Crawford succeeded Samud E. Clark as captain of Company
E and he was discharged the eleventh of October, 1864, and succeeded
by William D. Burbage, of Washington, D. C. Samuel P. Baldridge,
deceased, was lieutenant of Company E, as was also Milton Brown.
The second lieutenants were: James C. Freeman, John H. Moore and
Eugene B. Williard, of Hanging Rock, Ohio. Henry B. Woodrow, ser-
geant of Company E, was made second lieutenant of Company H, De-
cember 2, 1864.
Of the officers of Company I, Capt. Thomas C. Downey resigned
November 29, 1862, and was succeeded by Allen T. WickofF. Samuel
T. Baldridge was the original second lieutenant of this Company I.
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3W HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNIT
Hon. Lucien J. Fenton, former congressman, was a private in this com-
pany. Charles N. Hall was a second lieutenant of this company.
Of the regiment during the entire service 296 were killed and
wounded ; in the battle of Opequan, but 312 of the regiment were engaged
and 117 were killed or wounded. At Cloyd's Mountain, Capt. Samuel
E. Clark was killed as he was standing firing at the enemy with a re-
volver. William Leatherwood was here shot through the heart right
under the colors.
The sketches of the several members of the 91st O. V. I. in this book
will give more details of the history of the regiment. They are: Gen.
B. F. Coates, Gen. A. T. Wikoff, Hon. Lucien J. Fenton. Hon. William
D. Burbage, Hon. Franklin D. Bayless, John W. Kincaid and Charles
N. Hall.
Company G, 129th O. V. I.
This was a six months regiment. Adams County was not repre-
sented in the field or staff, but all of Company G was from Adams
County, except the second lieutenant and twenty-two men from Union
County. David Urie was captain; Nelson W. Evans, first lieutenant;
William H. Robinson, second lieutenant. The company was mustered
in August 10, 1863, and mustered out March 8, 1864. On August 10,
1863, it was sent to Camp Nelson, Ky. On August 20, 1863, it started
on the march to Cumberland Gap, where it arrived September 8, 1863.
On the ninth of September, 1863, Gen. Frazier surrendered the Gap with
2,400 prisoners and the 129th was relegated to garrison duty there with
scouting. December 2. 1863, it was sent to Black Fox Ford on the
Clinch River, where it had a skirmish with Longstreet's forces. It re-
mained on the flank of Longstreet's army, with occasional skirmishes un-
til he returned to Virginia. The regiment then returned to Cumber-
land Gap, whence it was sent home at the expiration of its service. The
following died in the service: Alexander Davidson, October 28, 1863,
at Cumberland Gap ; John H. Johnson, corporal, February 19, 1864, at
Marysville, Ohio; Henry D. Kirkpatrick, November 29, 1863, at Cum-
berland Gap; William S. McCreight, February 25, 1864, at Camp Nel-
son, Ky., Corporal Waite, October 28, 1863, at Cumberland Gap, Tenn.
This company did some hard marching, much starving, and was
under fire several times, but fortunately no one out of the company was
wounded or killed, though the rebels lost sixty-five killed or wounded in
making the charge at Black Fox Ford. Martin V. B. Kennedy, first
sergeant, resides at Zanesville ; James P. "W^asson is deceased ; James W.
Baldridge resides at Cherry Fork ; James T. Gaston and Sanford A. Mc-
Cullough at Tranquility; Martin F. Crissman at Manchester; James
A. Young at Seaman, and Napolean B. West, at Portsmouth, Ohio, and
all have sketches herein.
Companies I and B^ 141st O. V. I.
National guards were from Adams County. The commissioned
officers of Company K were : George Kirker, captain ; John N. Morris,
first lieutenant ; Ellis Washburn, second lieutenant.
Of Company K, the commissioned officers were: Simon M.
Fields, captain; Robert Parker, first lieutenant, and Thomas Hayslip,
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MILITARY HISTORY 866
second lieutenant. It was mustered into service May ii, 1864, and mus-
tered out September 3, 1864.
During its service it was stationed at Charleston, W. Va. There
were no casualties in either company.
Company G, 17£d O. V. I.
This was the highest numbered regiment of the hundred days troops.
It was organized at Gallipolis, Ohio, May 14, 1864. It had soldiers in
it from Guernsey, Brown, Adams and Jackson counties. It performed
guard duty at Gallipolis, Ohio, during its whole term of service. It was
mustered out September 3, 1864. Company G was from Adams County-
Samuel Laird, captain ; Robert P. McClure, first lieutenant ; William A.
Blair, second lieutenant. William P. Breckenridge was a sergeant in
this company. There were two members of this company died in service,
James H. Elliott, died July 12, 1864, at Gallipolis, Ohio; William Smith
died August 25, 1864, at Gallipolis, Ohio.
Company H, 173d O. V. I.
This was one of the year regiments, organized in the summer of
1864, at Gallipolis. Adams County was represented in the field and staff
by Nelson W. Evans, adjutant, and Stephen J. Lawell, sergeant major.
Company H had as captain, David Urie; first lieutenant, William Mc-
Intire, and second lieutenant, George G. Menley. Sanford A. McCul-
lough was a sergeant and Marion F. Crissman a corporal. James A.
Young, of Seaman, and N. B. West, of Portsmouth, were privates in this
company.
The regiment was mustered in at Gallipolis in September, 1864. It
was sent direct to Nashville, where it remained until after the battle as
a part of the garrison. It was placed in position during the battle in the
second line and was in plain sight of the fight in front of Fort Negley,
but was not called into action. After the battle it was sent to Columbia,
Tenn., and after two weeks was recalled and sent to Johnsonville, Tenn.,
where it remained until the war closed. It was mustered out June 26,
1865.
The following deaths occurred in the service:
Ellis Bogue, March 3, 1865; Eli Calvert, February 10, 1865; Wil-
liam H. Cameron, January 15, 1865; James L. Collings, February 14,
1865 ; Samuel T. S. Davis, February 2, 1865 ; William W. Dixon, Feb-
ruary 14, 1865 ; John W. Hughes, February 3, 1865; Samuel W. E. Mc-
Lean, March 28, 1865; John M. Russell, February 15, 1865; Denton G.
Sellman, July i, 1865; John Shaw, May 20, 1865.
Bogue, Dixon and Sellman are buried in the National Cemetery,
seven miles north of Nashville. Mr. McLean died at home, and the bod-
ies of the others were brought home.
Companies O, H, and I, 182d O. V. I.
The three above named companies of this regiment were from
Adams County. The regiment was organized from August 4, to Octo-
ber 27, 1864, to serve one year. William W. West, of Adams County,
was major of the regiment. He entered the service October 24, 1864,
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356 HISTORY OF ADAMS OOUNIT
and resigned January 24, 1865. Elijah D. Leedom was adjutant, mustered
out with the regiment July 7, 1865. William H. Cooley, of Company G,
was sergeant major and James W. Bumi was. hospital steward.
Company G was mainly from the vicinity of Manchester. Alex-
ander M. Land, captain ; Thomas Mitchell, first lieutenant ; Levi L. Con-
ner, second lieutenant. The regiment was sent to Nashville on the first
of November, 1864. It took part in the battle of Nashville and remained
performing guard and provost duty until July 7, 1865, when it was mus-
tered out.
James W. Bunn who has a separate sketch herein was a private in
this company. There were only two persons out of the company died.
They were: James C. Warren, died February 19, 1865, at Nashville,
Tenn. ; Nathan Holt, died Februar}'^ 12, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn.
Company H was also from the vicinity of Manchester. John Shel-
ton, captain, Henry Pence, first lieutenant; George W. Brittingham,
second lieutenant. Dr. Robt. W. Purdy was a private soldier of this
company. Of Company H, Nelson Beam died June 21, 1865 ; Silas Cad-
wallader died October 20, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn. ; Robert S. Little,
died April 14, 1865, ^^ Nashville, Tenn. ; Jeremiah Tomlin died Novem-
ber 9, 1864, at his home in Adams County.
Company I had for its officers, Williant H. Shriver, captain ; Elijah
D. Leedom, first lieutenant : John K. Pollard, second lieutenant, who has
a separate sketch herein. There were no deaths in Company I during
the service.
Coiupaiiy D, 191st Regiment Ohio Volnnteer Infantry.
This company was organized -in February, 1865, ^^ serve one year.
The regiment left Columbus, Ohio on the day of its organization, under
orders to proceed to Winchester, V^a., and report to Major-General Han-
cock. The regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Divis-
ion, Army of the Shenandoah. Its only di\ty was garrison duty in the
valley, marching as far south as Winchester, where it remained until
August 27. 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders
from the War Department The following are the casualities : George
E. Anderson, died March 13, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio; Francis Higgins,
died April 4, 1865, ^^ Cumberland, Md. ; William L. Higgins, died March
22, 1865, at Harper's Ferry, W. Va. ; Jesse W. Monroe, died February
18, 1863, at Camp Chase, Ohio; Marion M. Patton, died April 3, 1865,
at Harper's Ferry, W. Va. ; William Thoroman, died April 6, 1865, at
Harper's Ferry, W. Va.
Seventh Oldo Volnnteer Cavalry
was recruited from the counties in the southwestern part of the state
and was known as the "River Regiment." It was mustered into service
from September 12, 1862, to November 8, 1862, at Columbus, Camp
Ripley, Athens, Pomeroy and Gallipolis, Ohio, to serve three years.
At the time of its organization it numbered 1,204 men and at the time
of muster out 840 men. It was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn.,
July 4, 1865, and was paid and discharged at Camp Dennison, C»hio.
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MILITARY HISTORY 357
The regimental field officers were: Israel Garrard, colonel;
George G. Minor, lieutenant colonel; James Mclntire, major; Isaac
Train, surgeon, and Theodore F. Allen, adjutant.
Adams County contributed Company F to this regiment. This
company was recruited at Bentonville, Ohio by Allen G. Brownfield,
who was made captain of the company. Joseph R. Copeland and Oliver
H. Eylar were first and second lieutenants respectively. The non-com-
missioned officers were: Wm. E. Jennings, orderly; Samuel Dryden,
quartermasters sergeant; Samuel B. Truitt, commissary sergeant,
Thomas J. Robbins, James Froman, Jenkins Davis, Robert McNeil
and Argus McCall, sergeants.
The corporals were: Reuben O. Cropper, Henry Stableton, John
H. Starrett, John A. McCall, Andrew J. Phillips, James L. Park, Geo.
D. Cox and Wm. D. Rees.
The survivors of the 7th O. Y. L, residing in Adams County, are
all members of Company F. They are : Wm. H. Vane, first sergeant
and promoted to^ second lieutenant, assigned to Company E ; James
Froman, Samuel B. Truitt, promoted to Reg. Com. Sergeant; Robert
C. McNeil, Enoch McCall, Reuben O. Cropper, Benj. K. Swear-
ingen, Charles Bowman, Wm. Hooper, Stephen R. Bradford, John C.
Wright, Moses Brittingham, John Clinger, Wm. H. Rhinehart, Thomas
Swearingen, Peter P. Darnell, Richard M. J. Doggett, Charles Edging-,
ton, Albert Urton, Alexander Fleming, Samuel Grimes, Wilson AI.
Grooms, Elijah Hill, John F. Howell, John P. Levi, John A. Mc-
Call, Sylvester Moore, Wm. H. Park, John J. Kirts, John W. Hughes.
Those of Company F, who lost their lives in service are : James
M. Campbell, James Palmer, Argus McCall, John B. Smith, Ferdinand
Redinger, John A. Ross, Samuel Searse, Thomas Jackson, Albert
Jarvis, Edward Cunningham, John H. Starrett and Wm. R. Duzan, the
two latter losing their lives on the ill fated "Sultana."
The engagements that the Seventh Regiment took active part in
were: Dutton Hill, Ky., March 30, 1863; Cumberland Gap, Tenn.,
September 9, 1863; Blue Springs, Tenn., October 10, 1863: Franklin,
Tenn., November 30, 1864; Nashville, Term., December 15-16, 1864;
Plantersville, Ala., April i, 1865; Selma, Ala., April 2, 1865: Cynthiana,
Ky., Jime 11, 1864; Buffington's Island, Ohio, July 19, 1863.
The hardest fought battle ever participated in was Franklin, Tenn.
At Rogersville, Tenn., the regiment met its most serious losses by
rapture. The captured men suffered greatly in Libby and Anderson-
viile prisons. One of the most deplorable events which occurred dur-
ing the service of this regiment was the explosion of the steamer
"Sultana,'* April 27, 1865, ^" the Mississippi River near Memphis,
Tenn. Several members of this regiment had been paroled at Vicks-
burg and were on their way home when the explosion occurred in the
night and several hundred men lost their lives.
Major General Upton in General Order, No. 21, issued at Edge-
field, Tenn., in 1865, highly compliments this regiment for its bravery
and eminent service, rendered in the last campaign of the war, re-
citing the conduct of the division of which the seventh was a part, he
says: "In thirty days you have traveled 600 miles, crossing six rivers,
met and defeated the enemy at Montevalle, Ala., capturing 100 pris-
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368 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
oners; routed Forrest, Buford and Rhoddy in their chosen position at
Ebenezer, capturing two guns and 300 prisoners ; carried the works in
your front at Selma, capturing thirteen guns and 1,100 prisoners, five
battle flags, and finally crowned your success by a night assault on the
enemy's entrenchments at Columbus, Ga., where you captured 1500
prisoners, twenty-four guns, eight battle flags with vast ammunitions
of war; April 21, you arrived at Macon, Ga., having captured on your
march 300 prisoners, thirty-nine pieces of artillery and thirteen bat-
tle flags. Whether mounted with the saber or dismounted with car-
bines the brave men of the Third, Fourth, and Ffth Iowa; First and
Seventh Ohio and Tenth Missouri triumphed in every conflict."
Battery F, First Resiment Ohio Volunteer Lisht Artillery.
This company was mustered in December 2, 1861, at Camp Den-
nison, Ohio. Mustered out July 22, 1865.
The company was raised about Locust Grove in Adams County
and Ripley in Brown County.
The original officers were : Daniel T. Cockerill, captain, who was
promoted to major. July 24, 1864. Samuel M. Espey, first lieutenant,
resigned June 15, 1862. Giles J. Cockerill, first lieutenant, promoted
to captain of Company D, March 16, 1834. George W. Blair, second
lieutenant, resigned January 15, 1862. John Lynch, second lieutenant.
This battery participated in the following battles: Corinth, Miss.,
advanced on April t8 to May 30, 1862; Stone River, Tenn., December
31, 1862, to January 2, 1863; Chickamauga, Tenn., September 19 to 20,
1863.
The following were the causalities in the battery:
Leonard E. Barber died May 9, 1862, ten miles from the Tennes-
see River; William Barney died July 15, 1863, Louisville, Ky. ; Banford
Bell died March 31, 1862, at Columbia, Tenn.; Elias Briddle died Au-
gust 3. 1864, at Decatur, Ala.; Samuel Billingsley died May 2^, 1864;
Joseph E. Bratton died January 22, 1862, at Camp Chase, Ohio; Lewis
A. Brown died September 7, 1864, at Decatur, Ala. ; Orticle Bnmdege
died March 26, 1864; William T. Carter died June 16, 1862; George
W. Davidson died April 5, 1862; Josiah J. Downing died February 13,
1863, at Stone River; Hugh Frazier died August i, 1862, at Man-
chester, Tenn.; Harrison Frazier died February 13, 1863, near Ready-
ville, Tenn., of wounds; John A. Harsha died March 11, 1864; Lafay-
ette Joiner died June 30, 1864: Edwin M. Kinney died July 21, 1864,
at Wooster, Ohio; Alexander Lorenzo died May 29, 1865, at Hunts-
ville, Ala. ; John Lynch, second lieutenant, killed September 19, 1863,
at the battle of Chickamauga, Ga. ; Matthew McClollum died May
15, 1862; William McDonald died January 10, 1864, at Nashville,
Tenn.; James S. McKnitt died February 17, 1864, in Adams County,
Ohio; Thomas A. Nicholas, killed December 31, 1862, at the battle of
Stone River; Maxwell D. Parr died August i, 1864, at Decatur, Ala,;
William T. Savage died October 16,, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn.; Lorin
A. Steele died April 16, 1862, at Nashville, Tenn.; John Stevens died
March 14, 1863, at Murfreesboro, Tenn. ; William O. Suters died Jan-
uary 5, 1865, at Decatur, Ala.; Robert Vance died February 25, 1862,
at Paducah, Ky. ; David M. Waggoner died February 18, 1864, at
Nashville, Tenn.
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MILITARY HISTORY 369
Company E, First Reslmemt Ohio Volunteer HeaTj Artillery,
This regiment was mustered into the service as the One Hun-
dred and Seventeenth Regiment, O. V. I., in September, 1862, at Camp
Portsmouth, Ohio, its eight companies aggregating 796 men. In Oc-
tober, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Kentucky, where for the
succeeding seven months it was engaged in g^ard duty and expeditions
against guerrillas. In May, 1863, orders were issued by the War De-
partment changing the organization into the First Regiment Heavy
Artillery, Ohio Volunteers, and on August 2, 1863, it was so reorgan-
ized, with twelve full companies, aggregating 1,839 officers and men.
During reorganization it was stationed about Covington and Newport,
Ky. During the fall and winter of 1863-64 the regiment, in battalion
detachments, was engaged in guard duty at various points in Ken-
tucky. On Februay 19, 1864, it started through severe weather over
the mountains to Knoxville, Tenn., arriving there March 9. Until
September the regiment was engaged in guarding the railroads through
Tennessee, and subsequently participated in Burbridge and Stone-
man's raids against Saltville. During the winter of 1864 and 1865 it
was engaged in fighting guerrillas in East Tennessee and North Caro-
lina. It formed a part of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, in guard-
ing captured points and guarding mountain passes. After the sur-
ender of Lee and Johnson the regiment saw service in North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. On July 25, 1865, it was
mustered out of the service, at Knoxville, Tennessee. James A. Mur-
phy was captain at the organization and has a separate sketch in this
work; Jacob M. Tener, first lieutenant, resigned December 14, 1863;
James R. Oldson, first lieutenant; James W. Potts, second lieutenant;
Samuel R. Russell, second lieutnant.
The causalities were as follows: Andrew J. Beavers died Feb-
ruary 13, 1864, at Cincinnati, Ohio; Jacob Bobb died July 23, 1864, at
Knoxville, Tenn.; Noah Countryman died May 9, 1865, at Knoxville,
Tenn. ; Frank Elliott died February 6, 1864, at Covington, Ky. ; Sam-
uel Hayslip died September 16, 1863, at Covington, Ky. ; James M.
Hunter died July 14, 1864, at Knoxville, Tenn. ; Richard Mullis, March
21, 1864, at Cincinnati, Ohio; John W. Newland died March 10, 1864,
at Knoxville, Tenn.; William Rude died December 9, 1865, at Cov-
ington, Ky. ; Wesley Zile died July 19, 1863, at Covington, Ky.
Company B, Seoomd Regimemt Ohio Volunteer HeaTj Artillery,
This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, from June
to September, 1863, to serve three years. It was mustered out of the
service August 23, 1865. Company B of this regiment was mustered
in August 5, 1863, at Camp Dennison and sent to Covington Barracks,
Ky.; thence on the fifth of September to Bowling Green, Ky. It lay
here until May 26, 1864, when it moved to Charleston, Tenn. On the
third of August the company was at Cleveland, Tenn., and took part in
an engagement at that place on the 17th. On the nineteenth the com-
pany moved to Fort Saunders and Knoxville, and on the eighteenth of
November, 1864, moved to open communications with the Union forces
at Strawberry Plains. On the 20th of November 1844 it returned to
Knoxville, and on the seventh of December marched to Bean's Station,
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360 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Tenn. On the 29th of December, 1864, it again returned to Knoxville,
moving immediately thereafter to Camp Rothrock and Fort Byington.
It was mustered out August 23, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn.
The original officers were Phillip Rothrock, captain, died October
12, 1864, of wounds received August 17, 1864, in the battle of Cleve-
land, Tenn. He has a separate sketch herein. Isaac J. Vance was
first lieutenant; Emory Golden, first lieutenant; Corwin Wick, second
lieutenant; Francis Reichman, second lieutenant.
The following were the casualities in the company: Lewis Bunn
died October 3, 1863, at Bowling Green, Ky. ; Barnabas M. Coleman
died January 7, 1865, at Knoxville, Tenn.; John W. Corwin died De-
cember 7, 1864, at Knoxville, Tenn. ; Daniel Emrie died September 5,
1864, at Charleston, Tenn. ; John Evans died July 27, 1864, at Charles-
ton, Tenn.; Nathan Fassett died December 15, i8i55, at his home in
Ohio; John M. Hart died April 16, 1865, at Knoxville, Tenn.; David
R. Hoffman died September 2, 1864, at Cleveland, Tenn.; John Meis-
ter died September 7, 1864, at Cleveland Tenn.; Robert A. Naylor
died June 25, 1864, accidentally drowned at Charleston, Tenn. ; Samuel
C. Orr died March 8, 1864, at Bowling Green, Ky. ; Charles D. Per-
rine died July 25, 1864, at Charleston, Tenn. ; Phillip Rothrock, cap-
tain, died October 18, 1864, at Cleveland, Tenn.; David Ruble died
September 23, 1863, at Bowling Green, Ky. ; James F. Snook died July
II, 1865, at Knoxville, Ky. ; Silas M. Thomas died August 13, 1864, at
Cleveland, Tenn.; Charles Wood died January 14, 1864, at Bowling
Green, Ky., of accidental wounds.
Second Independent Battery Ohio Volunteer Lisbt Artillery^
The roster of the organization will be found on page 659 of Vol.
10, of the roster of the Ohio soldiers, published under the authority of
the state. This battery was organized for the shortest term of service
of any military organization which ever went out of Adams County,
and it has been said that the rebellion could not have been put down
had not it been for the assistance of this battery in the service. It was
made up Jargely of citizens past military age and some who had seen
soldiers' life before. The company was mustered into service on the
seventeenth day of October, 1864, for a period of sixty days and they
were mustered out on the nineteenth day of December, 1864, having
served sixty-three days.
The original commissioned officers of the company were: Samuel
M. Espy, captain, of Ripley, Ohio; James Tripp, first lieutenant, of
Jackson, Ohio; James H. Bradford, first lieutenant, of West Union,
Ohio; George H. Darling, second lieutenant, from West Union, Ohio;
William S. Beasley, second lieutenant, of Ripley, Ohio.
Those of the company from West Union or from Adams County,
are as follows : Joseph Hayslip, James Moore, Jacob M. Wells, Wil-
liam Allen, John Naylor, John A. Cockerill, Casper Disser, Robert
Baldridge, Samuel Bealey, Handy C. Burbage, Samuel Burwell, Gabriel
Crawford, Edward P. Evans, Wilson Hayslip. John Holmes, John A.
Hood, Joshua B. Hook, George N. Hagenback, Joseph LafTerty,
Robert Leach, Arthur L. Lloyd, Jesse A. Osborne, Addison Postle-
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MILITARY HISTORY 861
wait, Richard S. Postlewait, George W. Siberal, Levi Smith and Henry
Wilson.
The battery left West Union and went to Cincinnati and from
there to Sandusky and from Sandusky it went to Johnson's Island and
guarded the Rebel prisoners, officers of the Confederate army, placed
on the Island, until about December i, when it went to Cleveland and
was there about twenty-five days. At Johnson's Island it relieved the
Eighth Independent Battery. There were no casualties in the service,
but the weather was very severe while they were stationed at John-
son's Island, and being from southern Ohio and unaccustomed to the
climate near the lake, some of them came near freezing to death.
Moi^san'* Raid.
Of the many stirring scenes and thrilling accidents occasioned
by the Civil War, none so aroused the patriotic spirit of our people, or
produced so much excitement and spread such consternation in their
homes as did the raid of Morgan's Confederate Cavalry through this
county in July, 1863. This dashing cavalryman had crossed the Ohio
at Brandenburg, Kentucky, on the eighth, with a force of about 2500
all told, and entered upon "his most famous raid," through southern
Indiana and Ohio, which awakened the people of those regions to
the alarums, if not the horrors of war. This daring raid was under-
taken chiefly for the purpose of relieving General Bragg, then near
Tullahoma, Tennessee, from a threatened concentration of the forces
of Burnside, Judah, and Rosecrans, against him, and which would have
overpowered and destroyed his army as then situated. "General
Morgan urged, that the scare and the clamor in the states he proposed
to invade, would be so great, that the Administration would be com-
pelled to furnish the troops that would be called for," and, as these
would of necessity be supplied from Judah's or Burnside's forces, the
needed relief of Bragg's army would be immediately obtained. Gen-
eral Bragg dissented, and ordered Morgan to make the raid through
Kentucky, granting permission to go "anywhere north of the Tenn-
essee ;" but as Indiana and Ohio are north of that river, Morgan be-
gan perfecting plans to put in execution his long cherished desire to
invade the North. His plans, briefly, were to make a feint against
Louisville, then cross the Ohio, threaten Indianapolis, then Cincin-
nati, swing his forces round that city, and then raid the southern coun-
ties of Ohio to Buffington Island, then recross the Ohio and join Lee's
forces then threatening Pennsylvania. And, astounding as these plans
were, they would have been successfully executed but for an hour's
delay in reaching the ford on the upper Ohio, notwithstanding an un-
precedented rise in the Ohio, at that season of the year, which enabled
the transports to land troops at that point to contest the crossing. A
portion of his command did make the crossing, and escape through the
country to the Confederate lines. Morgan's command consisting of
the first and second brigades of cavalry, with a few pieces of light ar-
tillery, was but a little more than a "moimted guard" in military terms,
yet to our raw militia it was a great army, and drew after him from
first to last some 50,000 pursuers.
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362 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
To prepare the more timid of our people for a thorough fright,
it had been rumored for a year or more that General John H. Morgan's
cavalry in overwhelming force was preparing to invade Ohio. The
"home guards" had, time and again, been called out to defend the
towns along the Ohio River against contemplated assaults from Mor-
gan's forces. The little "tin-clad" gunboats kept constant patrol along
our river front, and frequent false alarms were sounded "just to steady
the nerves" of the expectant citizens. The bloody encounter of a
detacliment of Morgan's cavalry, under the fiery Colond Duke, with
a body of militia at Augusta, Kentucky, lent color to the rumor of
Morgan's contemplated invasion, and kept our people on the tiptoe
of expectancy for months before his actual coming. So when the in-
vading forces did cross the Ohio, and successfully pass Cincinnati where
was concentrated a large force under Burnside, and the head of the
marauding column pointed eastward up the river our people began to
realize something of the blight cast by an invading army, and to feel
their utter helplessness as to means to thwart the invaders in their
course. Again rumor with her many tongues and countless eyes, her-
alded in advance of the invaders, such awful scenes of fire, murder, and
rapine, as rumor only ever beholds.
Looking back now over the line of travel of the invaders, and
noting in the light of history the depredations really committed, it is
astonishing how insignificant was the injury done. There was one
dwelling, a few railroad bridges, and a park of government wagons
burned; and, one non-combatant killed, in the 300 miles raiding from
Corydon, Indiana, to Piketon, Ohio.
It is true that many village stores were pillaged, seemingly for
diversion, certainly not, in most instances, for gain. "Calico was the
staple article of appropriation," says Duke, "each man who could get
one, tied a bolt of it to his saddle, only to throw it away, and get a fresh
one at the first opportunity. They did not pillage with any sort of
method or reason; it seemed to be a mania, senseless and purposeless.
One man carried a bird cage with three canaries in it for two days.
Another rode with a chafing-dish, which looked like a small metallic
coffin, on the pommel of his saddle, until an officer made him throw
it away. Although the weather was intensely warm, another, still, slung
seven pairs of skates around his neck, and chuckled over his acquisi-
tion. I saw very few articles of real value taken. They pillaged like
boys robbing an orchard. I would not have believed that such a pas-
sion could have been developed, so ludicrously among civilized men.
At Piketon, Ohio, one man broke through the guard posted at a store,
rushed in trembling with excitement and avarice, and filled his pockets
with horn buttons! They would, with few exceptions, throw away
their plunder, after awhile, like children tired of their toys."
The most serious inconvenience occasioned our people by this
raid was the loss of their best horses. The raiders were hard pressed
by General Ilobson with three thousand cavalry, and in order to out-
distance their pursuers, picked up for the purpose, the best horses
along the route. And to add to this loss, the good horses that had
been secreted from the raiders, were seized the next day when brought
in from their hiding places, by Hobson's soldiers. In almost every in-
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MILITARY HISTORY 363
Stance where a horse was taken by either Morgan's or Hobsorfs nien,
one was left in its stead, sore-footed and worn down, but otherwise
generally a good horse. And the people would not have been greatly
dissatisfied with these exchanges, had they been permitted to retain
the horses left with them. But no sooner were the sore and tired-out
animals recruited by those in whose care they had been left, than the
ever officious, and too often unscrupulous, provost marshal came and
claimed all such horses as the property of the government, and took
them away. This act of injustice, for but few of these horses were
branded and really belonged to the government, left many a man in the
midst of harvest and with crops to cultivate, without a team or the
means of procuring one. In some few instances when the persons
stood for their rights against the cupidity of the provost marshal, they
were permitted to retain as their own the horses left with them. And,
some there were, who believing that the "greatest thief gets the most
booty," picked up the better horses abandoned by the armies, and
made off with them to distant localities beyond reach of the provost
marshal, and there disposed of them.
In his "History of Morgan's Cavalry," General Duke graphically
describes the panic the approach of the invaders produced in the com-
munities through which they passed. He says: "A great fear had
fallen upon the inhabitants. They had left their houses with doors
wide open and unlocked larders, and had fled to the thickets and caves
of the hills. At the house at which I stopped, everything was just in
the condition the fugitive owners had left it a few hours before. A
bright fire was blazing upon the kitchen hearth, bread half made up
was in the tray, and many indications convinced us we had interrupted
preparations for a meal. The chickens were strolling before the door
with a confidence that was touching but misplaced."
From Williamsburg in Clermont County, Colonel Dick Morgan
with about 500 men made a movement towards Ripley in Brown
County where the "home guards" were assembled from all the sur-
rounding country to repel the attack of Morgan and prevent his es-
cape across the river at that point. This was only a feint on the part
of the raiders, and served their purpose admirably, they meeting with
no opposition through Brown and Adams counties. Colonel Morg^
passed by the way of Georgetown, Russellville, and Decatur, entefing
Adams County at *Eckmansville. Here a sad occurrence took place.
A foolish, hot-headed resident of Eckmansville, Dr. Van Meter, fired at
a squad of the raiders and then hid himself from sight. An old man
named William Johnson was near the point from which the shot had
been fired, with an ax on his shoulder, which glistening in the sun
was mistaken by the raiders for a gun, and supposing him to be the
assailant, they fired upon him and instantly killed him. When the
raiders learned their mistake, they made dire threats against the little
village and its inhabitants, declaring they would bum every house in
it, unless their assailant was pointed out to them. Rev. David McDill,
^The author was iDformed by a Mr. Patton, a former resident of Eckmansville. that a lone
oavalrjman rode into the villafire on the RussellviUe road, and discovering Dr. Van Meter with a
musket in bis hands, ordered him to surrender, which Van Meter refused to do. Both fired at
the same moment and William Johnson, being within the range of their shots, was struck by a
baU and killed. It is doubtful which killed him.
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364 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
now of Xenia, was accused of knowing the offender and his hiding
place, and was threatened with death if he did not divulge his where-
abouts. But he steadfastly refused, was made prisoner, put astride a
"lonesome mule" and taken as far as Locust Grove, when the next
morning he was released and permitted to return to his home. Dr.
Van Meter escaped summary punishment through the Scotch stub-
bornness of his friend Rev. McDill.
From Eckmansville, the raiders passed to Cherry Fork, Youngs-
ville, Harshaville, Dunkinsville and Dunbartori, where they encamped
on the night of the 15th, and joined the main body under General Mor-
gan and Basil Duke, second in command, who had taken their forces
from Williamsburg through Mt. Orab, Sardinia, Winchester, Harsha-
ville, Unity, Dunbarton and Locust Grove. At Winchester, General
Morgan and his staff dined and spent some time resting in the town.
(See history of Winchester Township in this volume. Also, "Treason
Trial in Ohio" this volume.)
Our people were wrought up to a high pitch of excitement, and
many ridiculous things were done. At West Union a tree was felled
across the road at the foot of the hill below "Rock Spring," to pre%^ent
the raiders from entering the town, although their nearest approach to
the town was at Unity.
One excitable matron tied up some bed clothes in a feather bed
and deposited the bundle behind the gooseberry bushes in the garden.
Another fled to a near-by corn field with a Seth Thomas brass clock,
and hid it in a small ravine.
An over-anxious watcher of some horses hid in a thicket, thinking
he could get a better view of the surrounding country by climbing to
the top of a large growth sapling near by, who, observing some horse-
men at a distance, became panicky upon reflection that he might be
mistaken for a sharpshooter, let go his hold, and tumbled to the
ground, some thirty feet, nearly breaking his neck in the fall.
History records the fact that a terrified matron in a town forty miles
from the rebel route, in her husband's absence, resolved to protect the
family carriage horse at all hazards, and knowing no safe place, led him
into the house and stabled him in the parlor, locking and bolting doors
and windows, whence the noise of his dismal tramping on the resound-
ing floor sounded through the livelong night like distant peals of ar-
tillery, and kept half the citizens awake and watching for Morgan's en-
trance.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
MISCELLANEOUS
A Duel In Adams County— Fourth of July Celebration 1825— Soonrse of
Asiatic Cholera^-Tlie Oldest House in Ohio— Trial and Ezeontion
of David Beokett— Lynohine of Bosooe Parker— Treason
Trial in Ohio— Anecdote of Judge Thurman— The Iron
Industry— FugitiTe Slaves and the Underground
Railroad— A Blue Eyed Nisgor— Postoffloes
in Adanis County.
A Duel in Adams County.
By Dr. a. N. Ellis.
I have been requested to prepare a sketch of the only dud that was
ever fought on Adams County soil. To me it is a very interesting sub-
ject, for that fight took place on the farm where I was bom and in the
presence of a number of my blood-kin. From my earliest childhood I
have heard the affair discussed by all of the old people of our neighbor-
hood, especially by my father and mother, while away back yonder when
I was a wee small boy I often saw the two principals in the affair eating
and drinking and talking and enjoying themselves in my grandfather's
hospitable home. Before going any farther permit me to gratefully
acknowledge the assistance I have received from Mr. Hixson at the city
library in looking up names and dates and details, and the kindness of
my venerable friend Mr. John G. Hickman in placing in my hands a
long and very interesting letter sent to the Cincinnati Commercial more
than a score of years ago, by Col. Thomas M. Green, of Danville. Every-
body in this section knows what a charming and accomplished writer Col.
Green is. His former residence in Maysville and his long editorial con-
nection with The Eagle admirably fitted him to collect and preserve all
data connected with the Marshall family, for he is a blood kinsman of the
illustrious house.
The very spot where the encounter took place is hallowed by some
of the sweetest and saddest associations of my childhood years, for with-
in a stone's throw my brother Henry lost his life by drowning in the river,
while a few hundred yards across the field toward the hill is our family
cemetery where rest my beloved parents. The trees under which the
duel was fought have long since disappeared, and gone too is the river
bank, swept away by as remorseless current as that other tide that is
carrying us all away into the utter oblivion of death and forgetfulness !
Right here premit me to say that I am sorry that the task of putting the
record of this historical duel into permanent shape was not committed to
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366 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
an abler pen than mine. Once I heard Senator John Sherman say in a
public address before the old settlers of Southern Ohio, that there was
more of the heroic, the tragic, the poetic and of the melo-dramatic in the
history of this border land than in any of those old storied lands beyond
the sea.
The bill now pending in the Ohio State Legislature empowering the
commissioners of each county to spend as much as $500 in the matter
of the presevervation of public records and private memoirs for the use
of the future historian is a step in the right direction. By and by some
great and gifted ^Titer like Sir Walter Scott will arise in our midst and
taking these broken links of individual and family history, personal ex-
periences, records of daring deeds by flood and field, frayed out strands
of men's fortitude and women's patience and suffering, will blend them
all into one glorious warp and woof of authentic history — a book that
will be read by all men and find a place in every home and school room.
In looking over the strange and eventful lives of Tom Marshall and
Charley Mitchell it will be well to remember that their earlier years were
spent in a time when the code duello was looked upon as a christianizer
and civilizer, when there was a superabundance of whisky in every house,
when schools and churches were few and far between, when the rule of
might was the law of the road, when danger lurked in every fence comer,
when the courts were powerless to protect the helpless or to punish the
guilty, when the conditions of life were so hard that men and women
grew old and gray before their time and when the black flag of slavery
obstructed the sunshine and threw its ominous shadow across the path-
way of the Republic.
The Mitchell family came from Charles County, Maryland, and set-
tled in Mason County, just after the war of the revolution. Ignatius
Mitchell married a Bourbon County widow by the name of Mildred Mc-
Kee. They lived on a fine farm of 900 acres some six miles below Mays-
ville and directly across from Charleston bar. From this marriage came
eight children, five of whom reached maturity. The eldest son, Richard,
became a distinguished officer of the navy and served throughout the war
of 18 1 2 with credit. Unfortunately he killed a brother officer in a des-
perate duel, which led to his resignation from the service and cast' a deep
gloom over bis later years.
Charles Mitchell was born in 1792. From his earliest childhood he
gave indications of the traits which afterward developed into marked
characteristics. He could brook no restraint and rebelled at all author-
ity; defiant, proud, revengeful he struck at once at any and everyone
who impeded the path he had worked out for himself or who he fancied
assumed any superiority over him. For some imaginary slight he had
received at home at the age of thirteen years, he swam to a passing flat-
boat and worked his wav to Natchez, where lived an uncle with whom he
stayed three years. Becoming dissatisfied there he came back to Ken-
tucky, but too proud to go back to the home from whence he had fled he
sought and obtained the position of deputy in the office of the Clerk of
Bourbon County. Next we hear of him as working for a merchant in
Maysville, where he stayed till the breaking out of the war erf 181 2
brought him the opportunity he had always longed for — the career of a
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MISCELLANEOUS 367
soldier! He at once offered his services and was appointed an ensign
in the regular army.
Captain Thomas Marshall, youngest brother of Chief Justice John
Marshall, migrated from Virginia to Kentucky in 1790, settled in Mason
County and married the sister of Wm. Kennan, uncle of the late Griffin
Taylor of Cincinnati, and noted as one of the most intrepid of men of
blood and iron who offered their bodies as ramparts for the defense of
the white women against the tomahawk and scalping knife of the Indian!
Among Capt. Marshall's sons were Gen. Thomas Marshall of the Mex-
ican war and Col. Charles A. Marshall of the Sixteenth Kentucky Regi-
ment of the war of the Rebellion.
Young Tom Marshall was from his cradle a bom fighter and aristo-
crat and from the very beginning could not brook the thought that there
was his equal in blood, brains and prowess in all the country around.
Hence it will be readily seen that Mason County was too small for two
such men as himself and young Mitchell, both of whom aspiring to be
considered the *'cock of the wsJk," in any company in which they were
thrown.
Mitchell was about twenty years old, six feet high, raw boned, light
hair and great big gray eyes — eyes that looked you full in the face with
a gaze that told you plainly that here was a man who was bent on fight-
ing his way through the world, though an enemy should be found at
every step.
Marshall was about a year younger than Mitchell, black haired and
eyed, six feet in height, very small hands and feet and a model of
symmetry and manly beauty. Mitchell had long practiced with a pistol
to be in readiness for such emergencies as were almost certain to arise,
until he could at twenty paces hit a swinging grape vine an inch in
diameter two shots out of every three. Marshall was an expert with the
rifle.
They had eyed each other askance for some time, but neither cared
to give the other the choice of weapons. The ill feeling originated in
the assumption, as Mitchell fancied, of social superiority on the part of
Marshall, which he very bitterly resented. At length, on account of
some remark attributed to Marshall in reference to the commission in
the armygiven to Isaac Baker and Charles Mitchell the former challeng-
ed Marshall, sending the message by the hands of the latter, which was
promptly accepted and a meeting arranged. Baker's father and old
Tom Marshall, who had been fellow soldiers and intimate friends during
the war of the revolution soon put their heads together and resolved that
their children should not fight, and so, soon adjusted the whole trouble
in terms mutually honorable and satisfactory. But this termination was
a sore disappointment to Mitchell, who cherished an ardent desire to
figure in an affair of the kind, determined to balk the peace makers. It
was not long before he embraced an opportunity of using language ex-
ceedingly offensive concerning the younger Marshall, which, being re-
ported to the elder, disclosed to his mind a determination to force his son
into a duel or degrade him in public estimation. He at once took
proper steps to bring affairs to a focus. A challenge was at once ad-
dressed to Mitchell and delivered by the hand of James Alexander Pax-
ton, a first cousin of Alex. K. McClung, who afterwards figured in Miss-
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368 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
issippi. The challenge was immediately accepted, the next morning
named for the meeting, the weapons the old flintlock smoothbore duel-
mg pistols, the distance ten paces, the place on the Ohio side, three
miles above Aberdeen, on the farm of Washington Ellis. John Bickley
was the second of Mitchell, Isaac Baker declining to act on account of the
quarrel that had just been settled between him and Marshall. On the
field, in attendance of Mitchell, beside his second, were John Chambers,
afterwards aid to General Harrison and Governor of Iowa; James C.
Pickett, distinguished as a publicist. Secretary of State under Governor
Desha, Secretary of Legation to Columbia and Minister to Bolivia ; Isaac
Baker, distinguished for bravery at the River Raisin and other bloody
engagements in the war of 1812.
Everyone knew that Marshal was almost certain to fall. After the
ground was measured and all the details arranged Mitchell came canter-
ing up on a little bobtail pony, the last man on the ground. Telling his
second that he did not intend to kill, but only to wound his antagonist,
he took the position assigned to him as coolly as if sitting down to break-
fast. The word was given, both pistols were discharged, but Mitchell
was the quickest and Marshall fell with a shattered thigh, struck exactly
where Mitchell said he would send his ball. Marshall, finding that he
could not stand, asked to be placed in a chair and to be allowed another
chance, but the seconds would rfot agree to this and the affair ended.
The following is Ine formal announcement published by the seconds :
Maysville, Ky., April 19, 1812.
" Mr. Thomas Marshall and Mr. Chas. MitcheU met this day, agreeable to their
appointment in the State of Ohio, where the gentlemen took their stations and
exchanged a shot. Mr. Mitchell, when the word was given, being quicker than
Mr. Marshall, shot him in the hip, which extracted Mr. Marshall's fire.
" Both gentlemen acted with great firmness and bravery, as well as good conduct.
"James A. Paxton,
*'John Bickley."
Old Capt. Marshall had arranged for a signal to be given by the
party bringing his son, in case he should be hit, as every one expected,
and on hearing it turned to his wife and said : '*Fanny, they are bring-
ing Tom home!" which was the first intimation she had that her son
was in peril. In a few minutes he was brought to her, stretched upon
a board. He wrestled for some time with death, but lived to win a
commission in the war. His second, Paxton, was afterwards aid-de-
camp to both Gen. Harrison and Gen. Shelby. Marshall afterwards
became identified with the Democratic party, and represented Lewis
County twelve years in the Kentucky legislature, one term of which
he was speaker of the house. During the Mexican war he was a
brigadier general, and served with distinction and great address under
both Generals Scott and Taylor. He was a prominent factor that led
to the displacement of Gen. Scott by Gen. William O. Butler in the
presidential campaign of 1848, when Cass, of Michigan, headed the
ticket. He had a fine estate of 2,000 acres in Lewis County, where he
dispensed a royal and free-handed hospitality to all of his old friends
and visitors. Finally he was treacherously murdered by one of his
tenants by the name of Tyler, in 1853. His rertiains rest by the side of
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MISCELLANEOUS 369
his parents in the Washington Cemetery. Peace to his ashes! No
one that ever met him could forget him.
Ensign Mitchell was promoted for gallantry to a first lieutenancy
of rifles, and served with distinction during the war, during which time
he fought two duels, the first with a lieutenant by the name of Bayless,
the other with a captain whose name is unknown to the writer of these
lines. In both of these encounters he came off without a scratch, but
inflicted serious damage on both of his opponents.
In 1819, while in Cynthiana, Ky., he got into a fight with a Dr. Mc-
Millen, whom he left for dead in the street and fled to Texas. On his
way to that part of the country — on the gulf between New Orleans and
Galveston — the vessel was wrecked on an island, and almost all on
board perished. Mitchell was washed ashore and came near dying
from hunger and starvation. Little is known of his life in Texas, as
he would never talk about his ups and downs there. Hearing that Dr.
McMillen was not dead, he returned to Kentucky, and soon got into
trouble with his brother-in-law — a man by the name of Masterson.
They fought in a hotel in Ripley, in a room all to themselves — ^with
knives. When the thing was over, Mitchell had only a few cuts, while
Masterson was almost dead from the wounds he had received. The
floor and walls of the room looked like a slaughter pen. The next fight
he had was with a great big man by the name of Stephen Lee, who
quietly and quickly picked him up and threw him down a stairway — a
distance of some twelve or fifteen feet. He struck on his head and
was so badly hurt and stunned that he was not able to get out his favor-
ite pistol. This also tdok place at Ripley. Mitchell was chosen as sec-
ond by William H. McCardle, of Vicksburg, in the fight that did not
come off between him and the late R. H. Stanton, of Maysville.
Gen. Tom Marshall was "the friend" of the latter. This brought
the two old chaps together, and over a bottle of Madeira they made up,
and afterwards lived on terms of friendship.
In 1844 John M. Clay, of Lexington, the youngest son of the great
orator and statesman, was challenged by a Philidelphian named Hop-
kins, and both proceeded to Maysville to fight. Clay had a letter from
his father to Mitchell, who at once proceeded to put him in training.
The next morning Clay remarked to Mitchell that were it not for his
age and probable unwillingness to participate in such an affair, that he
would prefer him as a second to any one living.
"Oh, no,'* said Mitchell, firing under his left leg and peeling a two-
inch sapling at twenty yards, "By Gad, sir, not too old yet to enjoy life."
This idea of enjoying existence was quite a novel one to young Clay,
whose blood ran cold at the suggestion. Hopkins withdrew his chal-
lenge, and the fight did not come off.
In his later years he was sent to the legislature from Mason County
and served one term. He died in June, 1861, of heart disease. He
was a strong Union man, and his last days were spent in lamenting that
he was not at Port Sumter with Major Anderson and been buried be-
neath the ruins. He wanted to die amid the storm and whirlwind of
battle instead of on a bed of a painful and lingering disease.
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370 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Upon his return from Texas, Col. Mitchell married a lady by the
name of Fowke, by whom he had a number of children, and one of
whom, Richard — evidently a chip off the old block — got into trouble
with a man in Ripley by the name of Tomlinson, whom he killed on
the spot. Tomlinson was a prominent newspaper man, and a relative
of the Wylies, of Brown County. The bloody affair took place on the
very night that John Morgan escaped from the Ohio penitentiary.
Tomlinson's son, the Hon. Byers Tomlinson, late a member of the
Ohio state legislature from Lawence County, is now publishing the
Highland Register at Hillsboro.
Fourth of July Celebration, 1825.
The Village Register, then published by Ralph M. Voorhees, con-
tained the following account of the Fourth of July celebration held at
West Union, in 1825 :
The Fourth of July was celebrated in this place in a very handsome
and becoming manner by Captains McClain's and Cole's companies
and a large collection of the county and village.
The military, after going through the necessary forms and par-
ades, marched into the court house, where the Declaration of Independ-
ence was read, and a very appropriate oration delivered by D. P.
Wilkins, Esq. After which the procession marched to Browning^s
Inn, where they partook of an excellent dinner prepared for the occa-
sion. Major J. L. Finley, a revolutionary patriot, acted as president,
and Col. John Lodwick, as vice president of the day. After the cloth
was removed the following toasts were drank :
The Day We Celebrate.
The Constitution of the United States.
The Heroes and Patriots of the Revolution.
The Memory of Washington.
Literary Institutions.
The President of the United States.
The Congress of the United States.
The Army of the United States.
The Navy of the United States.
Agriculture.
Internal Improvements.
Domestic Manufactures.
The American Fair.
Volunteers.
By A. HoUingsworth — Ohio River and Lake Erie — May they soon
roll their floods together, inviting population to their banks, and cheer-
ing commerce to their crystal wharves.
By John McDaied — The memory of General Pike.
By James Rodgers — Bolivar — ^The champion of South American
Independence.
By Benjamin PauU — Gen. Andrew Jackson — The favorite of the
friends of American Independence — the terror of those who would de-
stroy the purity of our political institutions.
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MISCELLANEOUS 871
By D. P. Wilkins — Major J X. Finley, president of the day —
Among the last of the revolutionary patriots.
By John Lodwick — ^The brave Major Croghan and his compan-
ions in arms, 183, who defended Fort Stephenson against the British
and Indian army of 1,200 men, commanded by Gen. Proctor and CoL
Elliott.
By G. W. Sherrard — American Freemen — May they appreciate
their liberty and perpetuate their freedom.
By A. Mclntire — The Representatives in the next State Legisla-
ture— May they at the critical period discharge their important trust.
By H. K. Stewart — ^The Fiftieth Year of American Independence
— May this be a year of jubilee to the oppressed sons of Africa, and may
slavery be expelled from the nation before the next fourth of July.
By Robert McDaied — May the members of the West Union
Light Infantry feel that fire of patriotism, and that just pride and honor
which fills the bosom of every true republican.
By John Patterson— The Citizens of the United States— "Behold
how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity."
By A. Cole— D. P. Wilkins— The orator of the day.
By Henry Steece — The Goddess of Liberty — May the smile of her
countenance be the Polar Star, to direct the weary traveler to the man-
sion of rest.
By John Fisher — The Second Tuesday of October next — In the
election erf officers may the citizens of Adams County consult their best
judgments, and not be influenced by clerical, medical, or political
knaves and quacks.
8COUBGE OF ASIATIC CHOLERA.
Cholera in West Union in 1835.
June 28, 1899, was the sixty-fourth anniversary of that first awful
scourge of Asiatic cholera in West Union. At that time West Union
was an inland village of scarcely four hundred people. Then, as now,
it was the county seat.
To show the flight of time and the passage of events, we note the
public officers and some of the prominent citizens. Robert Lucas was
then governor of the state, and Thomas Morris, of Clermont, and
Thomas Ewing, of Fairfield, were the United States senators. Thomas
L. Hamer, of Brown, represented the county and district in congess.
Gen. James Pilson, of Brown, was state senator, and John Patterson
was a member of the house of representatives from Adams. Hon. John
W. Price was the presiding judge of the court of common pleas, and
Robert Morrison, Samuel McClannahan, and Joseph Eylar were the
associate judges. William Kirker, Jacob Treber, and Seth Van Meter
were the county commissioners. Gen. Joseph Darlinton was the clerk
of the courts. James Smith was county recorder. Leonard Cole was
county auditor, and James Hood county treasurer. Joseph W. Laf-
ferty was postmaster, and kept the office on the corner of Mulberry and
Cherry streets, where James Moore formerly resided. Rev. John P.
Vandyke was the minister of the Presbyterian Church; Rev. James
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372 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Caskey of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and Rev. John
A. Baughman and Maxwell P. Gaddis of the Methodist Church. Rev.
Dyer Burgess was residing in West Union at that time, in what is now
the Palace Hotel. The village had but one physician, Dr. William B.
Willson, who resided on the lot where Jacob Pflaummer now lives; but
he had a medical student, Dr. David M. McConaughy, lately of Man-
chester. Dr. T. P. Hamilton, a son-in-law of Mrs. Jane Armstrong,
was there as a physician, but left when the cholera appeared and went
to Ripley. The lawyers of the place were the Hon. Nelson Barrere,
later of Hillsboro; George CoUings, afterwards common pleas judge,
and father of the present Judge Henry CoUings ; James Keenin, whose
subsequent history is unknown to the writer; and Daniel P. Wilkins,
who was one of the victims.
Alexander Woodrow and William Carl were undertakers and
made coffins. The only newspaper published in the town was the Free
Press, owned by Recorder James Smith and Robert Jackman, and was
edited by James Carl. John Sparks was then conducting the West
Union Bank. The merchants of the village were Wesley Lee, Samuel
McCullough, and James Hood. The grave digger at that time was
Samuel Ross.
Of those named as citizens of West Union sixty years ago, all have
passed away. There are only nine persons now residing in West
Union who were living in 1835. These are Joseph Hayslip, Sam-
uel Burwell, Sarah Boyles, Margaret Darlinton, Louis and Mary O. John-
son, Mrs. Caroline Worstell, and William Allen and wife. Of those
there during the scourge, but now residing away, only one is surviving
at the date of this article, David Sinton, of Cincinnati, who is in his
ninety-first year.
The cholera had ravaged Maysville, Ky., in 1832, and had been in
Cincinnati. Many citizens of Maysville and Cincinnati had spent the
summer in West Union, and in the country, believing that the cholera
would not come there. While, therefore, the citizens dreaded the
cholera, and regarded it as a visitation of God, they hardly expected it
to appear in their village. The people, however, had cause to appre-
hend its visitation. In 1833 Miss Sallie Sparks (nee Sinton), wife of
John Sparks, the banker, had died at Union Landing. On the fourth
of June, 1835, Alexander Mitchell, father of R. A. Mitchell, of Ports-
mouth, Ohio, and of Mrs. Samuel Burwell, had died of it at Maysville,
Ky. His widow is now living at Portsmouth, Ohio, at the age of 93,
and is in good health. Mitchell was only thirty years of age, and left
four children. He was a miller on Brush Creek. He died at Mays-
ville, Ky., on his way to Cincinnati. Dr. William Voris, who was with
him when he died, a young man of 33 years, living at Brush Creek
Forge, went on to Cincinnati, and was there taken with the dread di-
sease, and died on June 7. He left a widow, the daughter of Col. John
Means, and three young children, daughters. Both Mitchell and Voris
were well known, and their tragic deaths created a profound impression
on the village of West Union. There were many sad forebodings.
The spring was backward and cold; there was much damp weather;
the weatherboarding of the houses collected an unusual amount of
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MISCELLANEOUS 378
green moss on the northern sides. The spring birds came as usual,
but the martins departed before the cholera came.
Thursday before it appeared — ^June 25, 1835 — ^there had been a
heavy rain, the hardest ever known. Heavy wintry looking clouds
hung in the sky. On Saturday afternoon Daniel P. Wilkins noticed an
ominous looking cloud, and on going home at evening remarked to his
wife that the cholera had come, and the strange cloud was its portent.
The Methodists had a quarterly meeting appointed for Saturday
and Sunday. They held their meeting on Saturday and Sunday morn-
ing, but after the morning meeting, all fled. In an ex-
perience meeting on Saturday, Mrs. Hughes, who lived on the
Robert Ellison farm, arose and stated that she did rtot fear man, cholera
or the devil — all of which those who knew her believed to be strictly
true. The connection in which she made this statement has not been
preserved. The inference is that she did fear God, and Him only. The
presence of the dread visitant was known on Saturday morning at 10
o'clock. It was known at that time that Mrs. Prudence Woodrow, a
young married woman, the wife of Alexander Woodrow, a cabinet
maker, as he was then called, had the disease. She was the first one to
be attacked. She suffered all night, and died the next day, the fateful
Sunday. She was buried at 5 P. M. Sunday. Mrs. Rebecca Moody
was the only woman who attended her interment.
Hamilton Dunbar, aged 53, the father of the now venerable David
Dunbar, of Manchester, Ohio, was taken sick late in the evening, and
died about 4 o'clock the next (Sunday) morning. He was buried that
afternoon in the Lovejoy graveyard. His body was taken out in a
wagon, and those who attended the funeral followed behind on foot.
This was the usual custom at that time, when hearses were unknown.
Hon. Nelson Barrere was one of those who followed the wagon con-
taining the body.
Hamilton Dunbar's was the first death that day, though Mrs.
Woodrow was the first one attacked. Mrs. Woodrow was the second
one to die. She left four young children, Henry, Edgar, Andrew, and
Prudence, all of whom lived to maturity, but the last three named have
passed away. Henry is still living in Cincinnati. Samuel McCullough,
aged sixty, who came from Rockbridge County, Virginia, about 1816,
was keeping a store in a frame building where Miller's and Burm's drug
store now stands. He had lost his wife the February previous, after a
long illness of consumption, and was lodging in the rear of the store-
room. He, too, was taken sick in the night. Cyrus Ellison, late of
Ironton, was with him all night, and ministered to his needs as well as
he could. Samuel McCullough was the father of the late Addison Mc-
Cullough, of Ironton, and William McCullough, of Sidney, Ohio. He
died at^ A. M. on June 28, and was taken for burial to Tranquility,
Ohio, the same day.
Jcrfin Seaman lived outside of West Union about two miles. On
the twenty-seventh he was at work for Abraham Hollingsworth, exca-
vating the cellar of the house where Miss Caroline Hollingsworth for-
merly resided. He went home Saturday afternoon, expecting to re-
sume work again Monday morning. He was in the prime of life, and
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374 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
the father of the late Franklin Seaman. He was attacked in the night,
and died on the twenty-eighth.
John Hyde was a young man from Maysville, Ky. He was visit-
ing in Adams County at different places. On Saturday afternoon, the
twenty-seventh, he went to the residence of his brother-in-law, the late
John Loughridge, four miles south of 'West Union, to spend Sunday.
He was in excellent health and spirits, and sat up late that evejning
talking with the family. He retired as well as any one .At 2 o'clock
on the morning of the twenty-eighth the cholera attacked him, and he
began vomiting and had the most severe cramps. The rice-water dis-
charges appeared at once, and he suffered until 10 o'clock in the morn-
ing, when he died. Tie was buried that evening on the Loughridge
farm. We have the account from the late John Loughridge, who re-
sided in Manchester, and who was with him on that memorable day.
John Sinton, the father of David Sinton, of Cincinnati, was 71 years
of age. He was taken with the disease and died on the twenty-eighth.
David Sinton, his son, was then at Union Landing. He was sent for by
a messenger overland, but did not reach West Union until two days
aftefr his father had been buried. John Sinton was buried on Sunday
evening in the village cemetefy.
Rebecca Cluxton was a young married woman, 19 years of age.
She was the wife of Jedediah Foster, and the handsomest woman in
the village. She was taken at noon on the twenty-eighth, and died
that day, and was buried in the village cemetery. Her husband was
engaged in the manufacture of chairs in the village. They were made
at that time principally by hand, and not by machinery. Mrs. Foster
was buried in an unstained poplar coffin at 9 A. M. on Monday morn-
ing, the twenty-eighth. Her body was hauled to the cemetery in David
Bradford's wagon. Mrs. Nancy Hollingsworth was with her from her
attack until she died. She left a seven months old baby, a daughter,
who grew to maturity and married Jedediah Foster. Her husband is
living at Chester, Ky.
John H. Thomason, a boy aged 14, was taken with the disease and
died on the 28th. The Thomason boy ate his dinner on Sunday and
was taken sick right away. He died towards evening and was buried
before dark on the same evening.
Thus, eight persons died that Sunday when the disease appeared,
and all within six or eight hours from the time they were attacked.
The village was at once shut up; no one went in and no one came out
except the Armstrong family, whose members went to Ripley. The
country people would not come to the village for their mail or any-
thing else. The citizens, as much as possible remained in their homes,
and did not go out, except to minister to the sick, or to bury the dead.
They would eat no fruits, believing if they did, they would be attacked
with the cholera. They lived chiefly on bread and milk. There was
one notable and noted exception; this was Rev. Dyer Burgess. He
went everywhere and told the people that slavery was worse than the
cholera. He circulated his abolition tracts right along, and wherever
he could nurse the sick, or pray with them, or minister to their needs
in any way, he would do so, and it made no difference whether the
persons ministered to were friends or enemies. He alone, of all the
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MISCELLANEOUS »76
people in the village, ate all the fruit he wished ; and to show his con-
tempt for current theories during the scourge, he sat in his front door
and ate publicly, a whole dish of sliced cucumbers, which, at that time,
were believed to be sure death. Rev. Burgess had defied public senti-
ment so long and so vigorously as to slavery and masonry, that it was
no difficulty with him, to defy it as to cholera.
On June 30th, Levi Rogers died. He was a farmer northwest of
the village. He had been a chair-maker in West Union. He was
buried in the Kirker Cemetery. On July ist William McGovney died:
On July 7th, Susan HoUingsworth, a girl of twelve years, the
daughter of' Abraham HoUingsworth, died. She was sick only eight
hours. During the pestilence, the father and mother visited all the
sufferers afid ministered to them.
On July nth, Daniel P. Wilkins died, aged thirty-seven. He was
one of the lawyers of the village, and the father of Mrs. John Eylar, and
the grandfather of Mr. John A. Eylar, of Waverly. He was attacked at
ten o'clock in the morning of July nth. Dr. Willson was called
but failed to arrest the course of the disease. Rev. Dyer Burgess
called at eleven o'clock, but did not remain because he saw no pros-
pect of a favorable termination of the case. The victim's pulse ceased
to bQ noted at the wrist one hour after he was attacked. At 3 P. M.
there were several standing around him and he remarked that "A
regiment of men could not console a dying man at such an hour as
this."
He continued to sink until 8 P. M. when he died.
On the following day, July 12, Roland Dyer died at the age of
thirty-two. He was a stage driver and a single man. On July 13th,
Col. John McDade died ; he was a well known citizen and had been
sheriff of the county.
Death then rested from his labors until July 29th, when he took
Mrs. Sarah Armstrong. At the beginning she had gone to Ripley to
escape the disease. After the death of Col. McDade, she came home,
opened her house and died.
On August 3rd, Captain John A'^ance died. He was the last vic-
tim, and the sixteenth one who died ; and at this point the scourge was
stayed.
Those were the primitive days. All of these victims were buried
with their feet to the east, in shrouds, made of white jaconet. Mrs.
Wm. Killin made the most of them. The family in which the death
occurred purchased the material, and the usual price of making was one
dollar, a great sum in those days. No person in West Union was
buried without a shroud, till in 1849. Wesley Lee was the first person
in West Union ever buried in a suit of clothes.
Alexander Woodrow, William Carl and Robert Wood were coffin
makers of that day. The coffins were all made to measure after death ;
were usually made of walnut, and plain, waxed or polished as parties
ordered.
Coffins were not lined and hearses were unknown at that time;
but even then the custom of carrying the corpse on a bier borne on
men's shoulders, had ceased. The dead were hauled to the cemeteries
in a common road wagon, and the mourners or friends, walked be-
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376 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
hind. The cholera funerals were attended only by a sufficient num-
ber to make the interment, — usually three to four, and there were no
religious exercises whatever.
There were two persons in the village, reckless dissipated men,
who at this time showed themselves heroes. They were David Brad-
ford and Samuel Ross. They went everywhere, ministered to the sick
and dying, and attended the funerals. They did not hesitate to ex-
pose themselves in any manner to the risk of the disease. They vied
with the Rev. Burgess in their good offices in every family which had
the disease. There were no paid or trained nurses in those days, and
the nursing and care of the sick was a voluntary matter. These three
persons came forward and made themselves the cholera nurses of that
time. Samuel Ross dug most of the graves. The latter has been for-
gotten but his good deeds are no doubt perserved by the Recording
Angel.
Oblivion is fast claiming the record of the time. No one contem-
poraneous wrote it up, and in searching for information, I have been
met on every hand by failure and disappointment. Most of the old
people, who could at one time, recollect it, have their faculties so af-
fected by the infirmities of age, that they cannot recall it; and those
who might have recollected, have forgotten, and the facts here pre-
sented, were obtained only after the most long continued and faithful
research.
The Cholera of 1849.
In this year, the cholera prevailed in three places in Adams County;
in West Union, in Jefferson Township and in Wayne Township. It had
been fourteen years since the epidemic of 1835, and the people felt safer.
In this case, as in that of 1835, ^^^ disease was brought from Cincinnati.
Adam McCormick was one of the most prominent citizens of Adams
County. He had married Margaret Ellison, the daugther of Andrew
Ellison. He resided in the brick house, now the Palace Hotel. He
owned numerous farms in Adams County and real estate in Cincinnati.
He was a member of the Baptist Church in West Union, the most prom-
inent layman in it, and superintendent of its Sunday school. He had
come from Ireland, a penniless youth and acquired a fortune. He had
been to Cincinnati to attend to business relating to his property there.
He came home about July ist. On the second he took the cholera, and
early on the morning of the third, he died and was buried the same day.
The Rev. AUgood, a Baptist minister, conducted his funeral services.
Dr. William F. Willson was then practicing medicine in West Union,
as was Dr. David Coleman, and they were in partnership. They at-
tended him. He was 65 years of age and his death was a great loss to
the community. Robert S. Willson attended his funeral on the third.
At 9 A. M. on the fourth, he was taken violently ill, and suffered ex-
tremely until 8 P. M., when he died. Dr. William F. Willson attended
him, but was unable to give any relief or save him. He was 61 years of
age and left a large family of sons and daughters. He was buried the
next day in the village cemetery, and Rev. John Graham, D. D., then
pastor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church attended the
funeral. On the 13th, Rev. Graham was taken sick with the cholera,
and died with it on the 15th. He had a very severe case and suffered in-
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MISCELLANEOUS 377
tensely. At the time he died, his son David, w'as lying seriously ill with
tlie disease too sick to know of his father's death. The son, however,
recovered. Rev. Graham had lived in West Union since 1841. He was
of the brightest type of Christian character and was much beloved. He
left a widow, two grown sons and three daughters. He received a pub-
lic funeral and was buried in the village cemetery. On July 17th, the
cholera broke out in Jefferson Township. James Scott, aged 61, died
that day. Mary A. Mason died July 21st, David Mason died July 26,
Margaret Mason died July 28, aged 27 and Samuel Mason died July
29th. These were in the eastern part of the township. John Edmin-
ston brought the disease from Cincinnati to Cedar Mills. He had an
attack of the disease as soon as he returned from the city and he re-
covered, but three of the members of his family died. Then the widow
Beatty and daughter had it. They both recovered. John Nichols and
his child then took it. He recovered and the child died. Then three
of Madison Bradney's children took it, but all recovered. Samuel Wal-
lace, his wife and child had it. He and his wife died. His child re-
covered. J. M. Fisher had an attack and recovered. There were two
cases in the same vicinity in 1852. Isaac Smith brought it from Cin-
cinnati and died July 19th. James N. Fisher, who recovered of it in
1849, died of it July 20, 1852. Dr. David Coleman attended all the cases
at Cedar Mills in 1849 and 1852 except that of Isaac Smith.
The epidemic was brought to the vicinity of North Liberty in the
summer of 1849. 'The germs were brought in the body of Samuel F.
Mclntire, who had visited Cincinnati. He was the son of Col. Andrew
Mclntire. He was 29 years of age. He took the disease and suc-
cumbed in a few hours. His father. Col. Andrew Mclntire, aged 63,
died of it the next day, and his mother, Elizabeth Mclntire, aged 62, died
of it within thirty minutes from the death of her husband. Three more
of the Mclntire family had it, but recovered. They were S. Dyer Mc-
lntire, Jane Mclntire and L. Lindsey Mclntire, two sons and a daughter
of Col. Andrew Mclntire.
John F. Wasson resided on an adjoining farm to that of Col. Mc-
lntire. He and his wife and sons and daughters attended the family of
Col. Mclntire during their sickness of cholera. Samuel H. Finley and
Margaret Wylie, a maiden lady, neighbors, were at the house of Col.
Mclntire during his sickness and on the occasion of his death. About
August 10, 1849, the two latter each took the cholera and died. Fin-
ley was aged 22 years and Miss Wylie, about 40. Samuel C. Wasson,
aged 45, a brother of John F., took the cholera and died August nth.
His wife, Jane, aged 42, died of it on the 14th. John F. Wasson and his
wife, Rebecca, both had it about August 10, 1849, ^^^ both recovered.
James Park, a neighbor, also had it and recovered.
The course of these cases would prove clearly that cholera was prop-
agfated by germs or bacilli, and that the period of incubation is from a
week to ten days. From F. Mclntire's visit to Cincinnati until his
attack, was about ten days, and those persons who took it from the
epidemic in the Mclntire family took it about ten days after their ex-
posure to the disease at Col. Mclntire's residence. No precautions were
taken at that time to destroy the germs or prevent the spread of the
disease. It is remarkable that there were not more cases in the vicinity
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378 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
of Cherry Fork. Had the facts upon the subject now known, been
known then, Col. Mclntire's family might have been saved and if that
could not have been done, the lives of all the others who died in that
vicinity, would certainly have been saved.
The cholera also prevailed at Jacksonville (Dunbarton P. O.) in
August, 1849. Dr. Cephas Little died of it. He was about the age of
60. Dr. Wheaton, about the same age, also died of it. Samuel Elli-
son, about the same age, died of it. Abraham Wisecup, an aged man,
also died of it: Samuel Thomas, aged about 60, died of it. William
Thoromon's wife died of it. These deaths all occurred within a period
of a few weeks. The victims were all buried within a few hours after
death. Dr. Andrew Barry Jones went to the village after the death of
persons above named. There were several cases after he came, but all
recovered.
The Cholera in West Union in 1851.
At that period, the pestilence was looked upon as the visitation of
God. People dreaded it as such and felt helpless before it. They felt
prepared to die when it attacked them and many died from fear of the
disease. Had the people in West Union known what we know novv,
tliey could not only have prevented the scourge, but have stayed it after
its outbreak. . In 1835, *" i^i9 ^"^ i" ^851, it was in each instance
brought from Cincinnati. West Union then, as now, had no sanitary
regulations. It was built on a hill and its entire soil^ below a few feet, is
underlaid with solid limestone. There is no way to drain the town ex-
cept by surface draining. The vaults are nowhere over three to four
leet deep and their contents can drain into the wells and may do so.
The writer believes that all cases of typhoid fever in the village might
be traced to this scource. Just before St. John's day in 1851, Francis
Shinn, then auditor of the county, and one of the most prominent and
popular men in the county, went to Cincinnati to procure supplies for a,
Masonic celebration which had been planned for that day. Wilson
Prather also went at the same time. The weather had been sultry and
rainy for some time before the outbreak and during the pestilence it
rained frequently and torrents poured down. The Masonic celebration
was held June 24, 1851 in the court house yard. Mr. Shinn had ex-
hausted himself in his trip to Cincinnati and in his work on the day of
celebration. He at that time resided at the southeast corner of Walnut
and Market streets in the property afterwards used by J. W. LafFerty for
carding machines. He went home on the evening of June 24th, tired
and worn out and that evening was attacked with cholera, the first case
in the village. A great many people rushed in to see him and to tender
their sympathies and services. This continued until his death, early
in the morning of June 26th and until after his death and funeral, the
people of the village flocked to his house. It was arranged that he
should have a public Masonic funeral on the 27th, which was given
him. Mrs. Margaret Buchanan remained in his home from the begin-
ing of his sickness until his funeral. Then she and her husband and child
drove overland to Chillicothe, Ohio, and remained there until July 9th,
when they returned home. There was no further case of the disease until
July 1st, when George Shinn, the father of Francis Shinn, who had been
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MISCELLANEOUS 879
at his son's house on a visit, when the latter was taken sick and had remain-
ed over until after his son died. The father was sick but a few hours and
died in the early morning hours of July 2d. On July 6th, Mrs. EKza-
beth Lytle, mother of Mrs. Frances Shinn, and who had been visiting
there, took sick and died. On the 7th, Francis A. G. Shinn, a son erf
Francis Shinn, took the disease and died. Thus four persons died in the
same house.
On July 9th, Horatio Cole, who lived at the foot of the hill on the
Decatur road, whose system had been weakened by the free use of liquor,
was attacked in the afternoon. He was taken to the Marlatt Tavern,
and died at 8 o'clock that evening and was buried that night. On the
evening of the 9th of July, Mrs. Margaret Lee Buchanan and her hus-
band, John Buchanan and their child returned from Chillicothe, Ohio,
where they had been staying for some days. All of them were feeling
quite well, but on that evening Mrs. Buchanan was attacked by the
disease in its worst form. She suffered the most extreme agony for a
few hours and then died Mrs. Minnick attended her as a nurse and
physician and said that no other case in West Union suffered as she did.
She was only sick about six hours. On the nth, Mrs. Mary Lafferty,
an aged lady, died, and on the 12th, John Buchanan, husband of Margaret
Buchanan, died. On the 13th of July, Thomas Prather, a boy, son of
Wilson Prather, died, and on the same day, Ann Olivia Prather, a
beautiful girl of fifteen years, his daughter, died. Thus deven had died
within fifteen days and in four families only, but many more had been sick
with bowel disease and what they believed to be cholera. The princi-
pal physician of the place, Dr. David Coleman, had been busy all the
time and was almost exhausted. He had attended nearly all the cases,
Dr. Sprague having left and gone to the house of his friend, Oliver
Tompkins, on Gift Ridge, just after the outbreak of the pestilence. Mrs.
Barbara Minnick acted as nurse and physician both during the epidemic
and did most unremitting work. Both Dr. David Coleman and she
earned their crowns and harps from Heaven, during the scourge, and
are doubtless enjoying them now. It is a great pity that they did not
each write out and leave behind them their experiences. During the
fifteen days the disease first prevailed, the volunteer nurses were David
Graham, Frank Hayslip, Porter Marlatt, Michael Mider, John and Wil-
liam Holmes. The undertakers were George M. Lafferty, Joseph Hay-
slip, Alexander Woodrow and William Carl. Lafferty and Hayslip
were partners. Alexander Woodrow and William Carl had separate
shops. They made all their coffins after receiving orders, except Mr.
Woodrow who aimed to keep seven or eight ahead, but all were made
of walnut by hand. Thomas H. Marshall and James R. Oldsen were
the grave diggers at that time. Nelson B. Lafferty then a boy of thir-
teen went everywhere, carrying messages keeping off flies, doing errands,
etc. He exposed himself everywhere among the sick and dying and
was untouched. It is largely due to his excellent memory that this
article is as full as it appears.
After the funeral of Francis Shinn, there were no more public
funerals of the cholera victims, and no religious exercises at them, ex-
cept in case of Gen. Darlinton when Rev. Vandyke repeated a prayer at
the grave. The only attendants at the funerals, subsequent to those of
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380 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Francis Shinn, were just sufficient to make interment. Many left the
town after the 14th. Edward P. Evans and his wife had both been sick,
and on the 15th, they took their son Wiley, and Mrs. Evans' mother,
Mrs. King, and went to Decatur, Ohio, where they remained till after
the plague was abated. When the disease broke out a second time on
July 24th, there was a general exodus of the inhabitants and this by the
advice of Dr. Coleman. About June 28th, David Graham went to
Chillicothe, when his sister Ellen (now Mrs. Gowdy of Des Moines,
Iowa) was teaching and remained a considerable time. Mrs. Minnick
went to Chillicothe about the 28th of June and returned at the same
time with Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan. David Graham told his sister, Ellen,
on his arrival at Chillicothe, that if he took sick with cholera to send for
Mrs. Minnick, then in the town, for she had been very successful with
her little pills. '
The family of Col. Cockerill went to his father's at Mt. Leigh. Mr.
and Mrs. McCauslen, just married the winter before, went to Aberdeen.
Judge Smith's family went to Yellow Bud, and many others went into
the country nea** by. Alex. Mitchell, then eighteen years of age, was an
apprentice working for Lafferty and Hayslip, and saw much of the
epidemic. Joseph W. Lafferty and his family did not leave, nor were
they attacked by the disease, though persons died all around them.
This can be attributed to the fact that as soon as the disease appeared,
Mr. Lafferty consulted Dr. Coleman, obtained a number of remedies and
kept them at hand He fixed a diet for his family and all lived up to it.
At the slightest appearance of any symptoms of bowel disease, he began
giving remedies and as a result, he and his family all came out unscathed
when their neighbors died. On July 24th, the cholera deaths began
again and continued for nine days. On that day, Mary B. Prather, a
daughter of Wilson Prather died. On the 26th, George Grant, her
mother's brother died. On the 27th, Miss Margaret McCauIey, Lewis
Sanders, William Santee and Miss Caroline McCauley all died, the
last three being young persons. On the 29th, Miss Caroline Lafferty
(whose grandmother had died on the nth) and Miss Alice Brooks
Prather died. On the 30th, there were four deaths, Mrs. Jane Crawford,
Mrs. Mary Kitchens, Francis M. Hayslip and his sister Margaret. The
two latter died within five minutes of each other.
On the 31st of July, Andrew Haines died. On the first of August,
Miss Cornelia Santee died. On the 2d day of August, Gen. Joseph
Darlinton, Mrs. John Sanders and Robert Jackman, the postmaster and
publisher of the West Union Intelligcficer died, and there the disease
stayed.
During the prevalence of the disease in the village, the following
persons died in the vicinity : Parker Young, Miss Mary Young, Miss Elt-
zannah Owen, Arthur McFarland and Wilson Crawford. After the burial
of Francis Shinn, all the victims were buried, within four hours after death.
Gen. Darlinton died about 7 A. M. and was interred at 11 A. M. But four
persons attended his funeral, Geo. M. Lafferty, the undertaker; his son,
Doddridge; his grandson, Edward, and the Rev. John P. Vandyke.
Four of the victims were buried by night; Horatio N. Cole, Mrs.
Kitchens, Jane Crawford and Robert Jackman. Mrs. Hitchens was
taken sick, in the morning and died in the evening. Between the 24th
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MISCELLANEOUS 881
of July and the 2d of August, all places of business were closed. The
most of the inhabitants had fled. The grass grew rank in the streets,
except certain spots where great fires had been built and tar barrels
burned for the purpose of purifying the air. The country people would
not come into the village for any purpose, but would open the fields ad-
joining and go around it. James Hood gave the key of his store to Dr.
Coleman and told him of a barrel of brandy in his cellar and of the con-
tents of the store and to help himself and others to any and all of it,
and then left the town. Doctors Shackelford of Maysville and Van-
meter of Ecksmansville, each spent one day among the cholera patients
in West Union. During the disease, fruit and vegetables were avoided
and the people subsisted on ham, bread, butter and tea. Mutton was
thought to be a suitable diet in that time and was freely used. Mr.
Abraham Hollingsworth undertook to and did supply mutton and
mutton broth to the families having cholera cases, and he was a minister-
ing angel during the disease. There was a feeling of gloom, of sadness
and awe pervaded the community during the epidemic. Men and
women moved about in silence. Each one lived every hour as though
he or she expected the next call from the Fell Destroyer. Business
was not thought of. In fact, there was no business except to attend
to the sick and dying and to bury the dead as quickly as possible.
The fact that Joseph W. LaflF?rty and his family of five persons,
breathed the same atmosphere and drank the same water as the cholera
patients and remained through the entire thirty-seven days of the epi-
demic without being attacked, speaks volumes for the virtue of pre-
caution. Dr. David Coleman has left the statement that there were
premonitory symptoms of the attack from 12 to 24 hours before the
disease could be pronounced cholera, and that if the patient sought
medical aid and relief at the very outset of the symptoms, he could be
relieved in nearly every case, but if he waited until he had a well de-
veloped case, the disease was more likely to prm^e fatal. The fact is that
most of the victims would not apply for medical assistance until the
disease was fully developed in them. Another fact was that many of
the patients, when attacked, gave up at once to die and then died. Had
every one taken precautions, there would have been but few deaths, but
in those days, cholera was looked upon as a deadly disease and those
attacked, at once gave up all hopes.
Gen. Darlinton had dreaded it since 1835. When attacked he
at once succumbed. His great age, however, was a factor against
him. However, while no age was spared, the young people furnished
the greater number of victims. Dr. David Coleman went everywhere
among the cholera patients. For ten days or longer of the plague,
he was the only physician. He was not attacked, neither were any
of his family. Mr. J. W. Lafferty, who took all the precautions sug-
gested by Dr. Coleman, prevented his family from any attack. There
is no doubt but that those who died, neglected precautions and prelimi-
nary s)rmptoms until the disease was fully developed in them and then
it was too late. We now know that cholera is a germ disease.
That by proper sanitary precautions both by the community and the
individual, its attacks can be prevented. It is a disease which can only
flourish where there is neglect of the proper preventives. No com-
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382 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
munity in the state ever suffered with cholera as did West Union. For
a long time after the epidemic of 185 1, the whole town was depressed.
It was thought that if cholera ever again visited the United States,
West Union would be first to be scourged. Real estate, for several
years after the cholera, was sold remarkably cheap, and it took years to
bring the values back.
But we now know that the experience of the town of 1851 need
never be repeated and that cholera can never scourge the community
again, unless the people fail and refuse to take the precautions which
will surely keep the disease at bay. That they will do, and so the
story of the cholera in 185 1 will go down to posterity as a chapter that
will never be repeated in the history of the town. There is no doubt
the cholera germs were brought there by Francis Shinn and Wilson
Prather from Cincinnati. There is no doubt but that the whole town
was infected by the attendance at the house of Francis Shinn during
his sickness and after his death, until his funeral, and by neglect to burn
the dejections from the cholera patients. It was also fostered and
helped* by neglect of those taken sick to be treated in the earliest symp-
toms of the disease, and many died of fear, believing the disease, once
fully developed, was necessarily fatal. It will be noted that of the vol-
unteer cholera nurses who devoted themselves without stint to the
sick and dying, only one died, Fiank W. Hayslip, and none but he
took the disease,
If ever West Union should erect a monument to the memory of
the victims of the scourges of 1835, 1849 and 1851, there beside the
names of the victims should appear the names of Dr. David Coleman,
Mrs. Barbara Minnick and the volunteer nurses, David B. Graham,
William Holmes, Porter Marlatt, John Holmes and Michael Mider.
None of them considered their lives in their labor. No greater heroism
was ever shown anywhere than by these persons. When most of the
population left, they remained and did their work regardless of the
consequences to themselves.
And may their heroic services be remembered as long as the town
exists.
The Oldest Hoiuie in Ol&io.
There is a spot on the Ohio River four miles above Manchester
whose natural beauty attracted the admiration of the untutored sav-
ages who roamed the primitive forests before they had ever met the
white men. There they visited and there they maintained an outlook
up and down the Ohio River and over the adjacent country. There
they buried their distinguished dead, whose graves are known to this
day. But the Indians were not the only ones whom the spot impressed
with its beauty. The first white man who ever visited it was so
charmed by the natural beauty of the situation and surroundings that
he immediately took steps to and did secure it as his own.
Gen. Nathaniel Massie visited this place in 1791, and so de-
lighted was he with it that he proceeded to locate it as his own. It
is a high, almost level plateau of land, even with the tops of the river
hills around it, bounded on the south for a half mile by the Ohio River,
on the east and west by the valleys of two small tributaries of the
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MISCELLANEOUS 888
Ohio River, Donaldson's Creek, and Ellison's Run, and connecting
at the north with Gift Ridge, a long and wide stretch of table land,
parallel with the Ohio River for some miles. The southeast corner of
this plateau affords a most magnificent view up the Ohio River, and
valley for ten miles and over the fertile farms in Kentucky opposite.
The view is much finer now than it was in 1791. Then there was
nothing but forests everywhere, with the sparkling waters of the Ohio,
like a silver thread amid the solid emerald ; but besides the view up and
down the river and across into the rich valley lands in Kentucky, there
is now a view of the ridges, table lands, and forest covered hills to the
north that is as entrancing as the views to the east, to the south and
to the west.
Gen. Massie built a cabin of buckeye logs here on the southeast
corner of the plateau and called it Buckeye Station. Here he came
to hunt, to enjoy the grand views, to rest and recuperate himself. To
secure his choice location from the Indians he took up the entire Gift
Ridge to the north of it for four or five miles, with military warrants,
and gave the land to those who would settle on it and thus placed a
cordon between him and the hostiles. Massie was a brave man but
he liked company when the Indians were expected. So captivated
with his place was he that, notwithstanding the fact that he laid out
Chillicothe in 1796, and then took up a fine body of land on Paint
Creek, in Ross County, in the summer of 1797, he proceeded to erect
a frame house on this place, when the erection of a frame house
was a remarkable undertaking. The house is located about ten
rods back of the cliff on the south, overlooking the Ohio River and
about five rods from the bluffs on the east overlooking Donaldson's
Creek, where on April 22, 1791, Israel Donalson was captured by a
band of Indians. The timbers and boards for the inside and out, and
for the floors were sawed out by hand with whip saws, and every nail
in it was made by a blacksmith on an anvil. The house is but one
story, but has two marvelously fine chimneys, one single and one
double. Those chimneys were built most substantially. They stand
today as perfect as when, one hundred and three years ago, the mason
gave them the last stroke of his hammer and trowel.
The front of the house is to the south, with a side front to the
east. Two rooms face the east, looking up the Ohio, and between
them is the great double chimney. To the west is a wing with a hall
and one large room, with the other stone chimney at the west end.
The hall fronts the south, and besides the door on each side are two
windows to enable the inmates to inspect a guest before his admission
After entering the hall, there is a door on each side, entering the east
and west rooms. Entering the east room from the hall, we find a win-
dow to the south and another to the east, with very small panes of
glass. The walls of this room and the other two were lined with wide,
primitive boards and ceilings only were plastered. The floors were
made of Wide old-fashioned boards, such as are now no longer seen.
The fife-place, in the east room is a feature. It is four feet high from
the hearth to the arch and eight feet wide. To the left of this fire-
place, as one stands before it, is a closet under the stairway from the
north room. To the right is a door leading into the north room.
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384 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Entering that we find a door and window to the east and a door
and window to the west, the latter opening into a porch in the rear
of the hall and west room. The fire place in this room was as capacious
as that in the room north of it. The right of the chimney in the north
room was a stairway leading to two attic rooms, sided and ceiled with
boards over the north and south rooms. These rooms were quite
small and no doubt had been used as sleeping rooms for guests. The
porch to the north of the west room extended along it and the south
end of the hall. The west room had the long stone single chimney,
and over it an old-fashioned wooden-mantle of walnut, carved and
figured, which, when the home was built, was the pride of the pro-
prietor and the envy of his neighbors. The spaces between the outer
weather boarding and the inner ceilings of the room had been filled
with mortar. The floor boards, though very wide, were tongued and
grooved and the weather boards were put on pointed instead of over-
lapped. It is probable there had been additions to the house, but they
were gone when we visited it. The grounds about the house were at
one time tastefully laid out, and traces of the vanished beauty were
still apparent. Two locust trees, the largest the writer ever saw, stand
in front of the house to the south. They are each at least ten feet
in circumference and not less than loo years old. Between them had
stood a monster cherry, and the trunk, prone on the earth, spoke of the
grandeur when alive. At the northwest of the house, about ten yards
distance, stands a living black heart cherry tree which measures thir-
teen feet, six inches in girth. Its spreading limbs, projecting hori-
zontally, are as large as ordinary trees of its kind.
While this house overlooks the one great highway, the Ohio
River, and the other great highway, the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail-
road, with all boats and trains in view for miles, it is now one of the
most inaccessible spots in the state. The hills in front descend sheer
into the Ohio River without any shelf or bottom land within nearly
a mile on either side of the property. It is only approachable by a
road coming through farms from Gift Ridge in the rear and
it is two miles from the station over the roughest and
most primitive of roads, over stones and up and down hills to the
nearest turnpike, or public highway. In early days when roads were
of no consequence, it had a direct road to and from Manchester. The
fact that the home is so out of the way has perserved it. Had it been
upon a public highway, it would have been destroyed by fire, or torn
down years ago. There are seven fine springs flowing from the hill-
sides near the residence.
In a military point of view it is strategic. A fort on this property
would command the Ohio valley up and down for mile^, would com-
mand the Kentucky hills to the south and the Ohio hills to the north.
Fort Thomas, near Newport, Kentucky, should have been located here,
and whenever it becomes necessary to have forts along the Ohio
border, there will be one here.
At this place. Gen. Massie dwelt occasionally for the five years,
from 1797 till 1802, but the shades of oblivion are so fast darkening
the history of this hardy pioneer that little can be learned of his resi-
dence at that time. Gen. Massie's wife was Susan Meade, of Chau-
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MISCELLANEOUS ' 886
merie, Kentucky, formerly of Maycox, Prince George County, Va.
Her sister married Charles Willing Byrd, Secretary of t&e
Northwesit Territojry, succeeding Winthrop Sergeant and United
States District Judge for Ohio from March 3, 1803, until August 11,
1828. Judge Byrd bought this property, 600 acres, in 1807, of his
brother-in-law. Gen. Massie, for $3,100, and moved there in June,
1807. He was then thirty-seven, and his wife was thirty-two, and his
children were Mary, aged nine; Powell, aged 6; Kidder Meade, aged
five; William Silonwee, aged two; and his daughter Evelyn, was bom
there in August, 1807. Judge Byrd had been born and reared at the
princely estate of Westover, seven miles from Williamsburg, Va., and
his wife on the large estate of her father,^ Col. David Meade, at Maycox,
right opposite Westover. Both had been reared in all the luxury that
the times of their childhood knew. From 1799 to 1807 they had re-
sided in Cincinnati, then an insignificant village, and why Judge Byrd
wanted to bring his young wife and babies to this wilderness, no one
can now conjecture. Here he and his family saw the first steamboat
descend the Ohio in 181 1, and here his patient wife went to her ever-
lasting reward on the 31st day of February, 1815, and was buried under
a walnut tree some 200 yards from the house. Her grave is shown to
this day.
That must have been a mournful procession of the Judge and his
family, he then forty-five, Mary seventeen, Powell sixteen, Kidder
twelve, William ten, and Evelyn eight, accompanied by his neighbors,
bearing the fair daughter of Virginia, who had graced its best society
and seen and known as the father's friend, the immortal Washington,
to her last resting place, in the then primitive Ohio forest. There
her remains have reposed for seventy-nine years, and though, in that
time, the whole face of nature about the spot has changed, and wilder-
ness and forest have yielded to plains and fertile fields and pleasant
homes, yet if it is aught to the dead as to the scenery about the place
of their last repose, there are no finer views anywhere on earth, horizon
or sky, than surrounds this hallowed earth, and no fairer place for
the fulfillment of the decree of **earth to earth" on the mortal part,
could have been selected.
After this, the place being intolerable to Judge Byrd, and craving
human society, he moved with his sons to the village of West Union,
which had been laid out in 1804, and sent his daughters to Chamerie,
Ky., to be reared by their grandfather. Col. David Meade. He sold
the station to John Ellison, son of Andrew Ellison, of Lick Fork, for
$4,000. John Ellison resided there from 1818 to 1829, the time of his
death, and here most of his large family was born. His wife was
Annie Barr, whose father, Samuel Barr, had been killed in a battle be-
tween Kentuckians under Maj. Simon Kenton, and Indians under
Tecumseh in March, 1792. Here all but the two eldest of John Elli-
son's children were bom. Andrew was born in 1808, in Manchester,
and spent a long life there. Sarah, the second child, was born in 1818
in Manchester, but was married at the station to the late Thomas W.
Means, of Hanging Rock. There John Ellison's daughter, Mary K.,
was married to William Ellison, her distant cousin, and there her sis-
ter Esther was married to the late Hugh Means, of Ashland, Ky.
25a
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386 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Jane Ellison, another daughter was the wife of David Sinton, of Cin-
cinnati. She was bom there, but was married to Mr. Sinton at the
home of Thomas Means, at IJnion Landing. She died in Manchester,
Ohio, in 1853, and is buried there in the Presbyterian churchyard. Her
daughter is the wife of Hon. Charles P. Taft, editor of the Times Star.
Here the late John Ellison, the banker of Manchester, was bom,
and here he spent a happy childhood and boyhood, whose joys he
never tired of recounting among his friends. While the Ellisons re-
sided there, the Station had many distinguished visitors from Cincin-
nati, Maysville, Hanging Rock and other points. Among others, Mrs.
John F. Keyes, nee Margaret Barr, a daughter of Samuel Barr, before
mentioned, spent the summer of 1832 here and remained till after the
frost to escape the dread pestilence, the Asiatic Cholera, then preva-
lent. She returned to Cincinnati after the first frost in the fall of 1832,
and was at once taken with the cholera and died within a few hours.
The pioneers who knew this place, who had many joyous meetings
here, and their natural foes, the Indians, are all gone to the shadow
land, but the beauties of the land'scape and of the natural scenery,
which charmed the untutored savage, the hardy pioneer and the deer
hunter, the early settlers, still remains to produce, like sentiments in those
who choose to look upon it.
THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF DAVID BECKETT.
The most noted case in the annals of crimes in Adams County,
is that of The State v. Beckett. This is so, not from the fact alone
that it records the first homicide committed within the county after its
organization, nor from the fact that the trial resulted in the only legal
execution of the death penalty ever imposed in the county; but, the
circumstances under which the crime was committed, the brutality of
the act itself, the inexplicable conduct of Beckett after committing
the deed, the momentous questions of law raised by the attorneys for
the accused qn his trial, and the scenes and incidents attending the
execution of the condemned, all conspire to make it the most inter-
esting and sensational criminal case in the history of the county.
History of the Crime.
In the autumn of 1807, David Beckett in company with John
Lightfoot, started down the Ohio River in a craft called a pirogue, for
the purpose of trafficking with the settlers and hunters along the way,
exchanging salt, some primitive articles of household, powder and lead,
for grain, whiskey and pelts. The trip promised to be a prosperous
one, and the prospect of gain so aroused Beckett's covetousness, that
he determined to kill his companion and possess himself of the craft
and its cargo. On the evening of the 5th day of October, the pirogue
was moored to the Ohio shore at "Cook Jennie" bar at mouth of Aleck's
Run, on the farm now owned by A. G. Lockhart, in Green Township,
and after partaking of a hearty meal of broiled vension, and indulging
frequent draughts from a demijohn of whiskey set aside from the stock
for the occasion, the traders retired to the boat for the night. Beckett
had designedly urged Lightfoot, his companion, to drink copiously
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MISCELLANEOUS 887
of the whiskey in order to stupefy him before making the contemplated
assault. In the night while Lightfoot lay in a drunken stupor, Beckett
arose, seized an ax, or large tomahawk conveniently near at hand,,
and dealt Lightfoot a murderous blow with the sharp edge of the in-
strument on the side of the head, sinking it into the brain up to the
eye. Then seizing the limp and bleeding form of his victim, he dragged
it to the side of the boat and rolled it overboard into the river. Hav-
ing disposed of the body of his victim and whatever articles there were
bearing evidence of the bloody deed, in and about the boat, Beckett
determined to go to Limestone some miles below, at that time one of
the principal landings and marts on the Ohio for western emigrants,,
and there sell the boat and cargo and flee the country. However the
following day, while on the way to Limestone, he stopped at the resi-
dence of William Faulkner who kept a sort of inn and trading estab-
lishment near the mouth of Brush Creek. To him Beckett disposed
of his possessions taking as part pay a horse which he immediately
mounted and rode away. Shortly after this, the body of Lightfoot
having been discovered, and Faulkner being found in possession of the
boat and cargo, he was accused of murdering the traders, arrested
and thrown into jail, although protesting his innocence of the crime.
About this time, the horse which Beckett had ridden away, escaped
from him, and he supposing that it had returned to its former owner,
came back to the vicinity in search of the missing animal. He was
accused of being implicated in the murder of Lightfoot, placed under
arrest and taken to the jail at West Union, then recently made the
permanent seat of justice of the county. This was in the latter part
of October, 1807, and at the sitting of the grand jury of the county, the
following month of November, an indidttnent was returned against
Beckett for murder in the first degree.
The Indlotn&ent.
As fully illustrating the form and character of such legal docu-
ments of that day and age,\ the indictment is here given in full, verbatim
et literatum.
State of Ohio, Adams County, Court of Common Pleas, Novem-
ber Term, 1807, Adams County, ss.
The grand jurors empaneled and sworn to enquire for the body
of the county aforesaid, in the name and by the authority of the State
of Ohio, upon their oath present, that David Beckett, late of -Green
Township, in the county of Adams, aforesaid, Yeoman, not having
the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the
instigation of the devil on the fifth day of October, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seven, with force and arms, at
Green Township, aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, in and upon one
John Lightfoot, in the peace of God and of the said state, then and
there being, feloniously, wilfully, and of his malice aforethought did
make an assault; and that he, the said David Beckett, with a certain
ax, of the value of fifty cents, which he the said David Beckett, in both
his hands then and there had and held, the said John Lightfoot, in and
upon the left side of the head of him, the said John Lightfoot, then
and there feloniously, wilfully and of his malice aforethought, did
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388 HISTORY^ OP ADAMS COUNTY
Strike, giving^ to the said John Lightfoot, then and there with the ax
aforesaid, in and upon the above said left side of the head of him, the
said John Lightfoot, one mortal wound of the breadth of three inches,
and of the depth of two inches, of which said mortal wound, the said
John Lightfoot then and there instantly died, and so the jurors afore-
said, upon their oath aforesaid, do say, that the said David Beckett,
the said John Lightfoot, in manner and form aforesaid, feloniously,
wilfully, and of his malice aforethought, did kill and murder, against
the form of the statute in such case made and provided, and against the
peace and dignity of the state of Ohio.
James Scott,
Prosecuting Attorney, A. C.
His ArraiKnn&ent and Plea.
Stdte of Ohio, Adams County,
Court of Common Pleas,
November Term, 1807.
The grand jury having returned to the court an indictment against
David Beckett, for the murder of John Lightfoot, the said David
Beckett was set to the Barr and having heard the indictment aforesaid
read, and it being demanded of him whether he was guilty of the mur-
der aforesaid or not guilty, he said he was not guilty, and made his
election to be tried by the Supreme Court next to be hodden within
and for the county aforesaid. Whereupon the said David Beckett was
remanded back to the jail of Adams County.
Joseph Darlinton,
Clerk Adams County.
Delay of the Trial.
Through the efforts of his counsel, Henry Brush and William
Creighton, Esquires, the trial of Beckett was delayed for one year
from the finding of the indictment. The most important question
raised by the defense for the consideration of the court, was whether
the court had jurisdiction over the place where the crime was com-
mitted. Since Lightfoot was killed on a boat upon the Ohio River,
the learned counsel for the accused contended that the place of the
crime was not within the jurisdiction of the State of Ohio, basing their
argument in support of the contention on the language of the deed of
cession of the Northwest Territory by the State of Virginia to the
United States: "The territory situate, lying, and being to the north-
west of the river Ohio." This raised the question of what constitutes
the southern boundary Hne of Ohio; whether the bank on the north
shore of the river, low water-mark on that shore, or the middle of the
current of the Ohio? As the question had not been judicially deter-
mined till that time, the court took the question under consideration
for future decision. [This question was again raised by counsel for
the defendants and fully discussed by Hon. Samuel Vinton in the case
of the Commonwealth of Virginia v. Peter M. Gamer et al, before the
General Court of Virginia in 1845.] At the next sitting of the court, it
was announced by the court, that inasmuch as the evidence disclosed
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MISCELLANEOUS 389
the fact that the boat upon which the crime in question was com-
mitted, was fastened by means of a rope to a tree on the Ohio bank
of the river, the place of the crime was within the State of Ohio, and
that the court had lawful jurisdiction of the offense, and would pro-
ceed to the trial of the accused. So accordingly at the October term,
1808, the Supreme Court of Ohio, western division, held in the town
of West Undon, the Hon. Samuel Huntington and the Hon. William
Sprigg sitting, David Beckett was put on his trial for the murder of
John Lightfoot, as the following record will show:
State of Ohio, Adams County, ss. The state of Ohio to the sheriff
of Adams County: You are hereby commanded to summon thirty
good and lawful men of the county aforesaid (in addition to the stand-
ing jury of the present term) forthwith to appear before the Supreme
Court now sitting within and for the county aforesaid, to make a jury
well and truly to try the prosecution now depending in the said court
against David Beckett, and have there this writ. Witness the Hon.
Samuel Huntington, Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of the State
of Ohio, this seventeenth day of October, 1808.
Joseph Dariinton, Clerk S. C. A. C.
The above named persons I have summoned to attend as within
directed.
Serving $2.00. John Ellison Jr., Sheriff, A. C.
The Venire for Tliirty Jurors.
Needham Perry, David Robe, Joseph Keith, John ElHson, Sr.,
Moses Baird, Job Dinning, Eli Reeves, David Means, John McColm,
Neal Lafferty, William Armstrong, John Finley, George Harper,
David Bradford, Andrew Boyd, Daniel Collier, Alexander Campbell,
James Allen, Samuel Milligan, David Hannah, Robert Anderson,
David Thomas, Levin Wheeler, John Kincaid, Thomas Lewis, Joseph
Currey, Simon Fields, Simon Shoemaker, William Mclntyre, Isaac
Edgingfton.
From the above venire and the standing jury for the term, the fol-
lowing named persons were selected as
The Trial Jury.
David Means, John Wickoff, Daniel Collier, Job Dinning, Andrew
Boyd, Eli Reeves, Samuel Milligan, George Harper, David Robe, John
Campbell, David Thomas, David Bradford.
The TriaL
The prosecuting attorney, James Scott, himself an able and pains-
taking lawyer, assisted by John W. Campbell, a bright young attor-
ney who had recently located in West Union, and who afterwards be-
came a United States judge, convinced of the guilt of Beckett, spared
no effort to bring about his conviction. On the other hand, the attor-
neys for the accused, Henry Brush, one of the learned members of the
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390 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
bar at that day, and afterwards judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio,
and the brilliant young advocate, William Creighton, the first Secre-
tary of State of Ohio, believing the earnest protestations of innocence
made by the accused to be true, and urged on by the hope of victory
in a contest so. widely observed by the people, and in which the stake
was not alone fame and reputation — but a human life — met every as-
sault of the prosecution during the trial, steel clashing with steel.
Scores of witnesses were called and examined ; and the many sin-
gle subpoenas that were issued during the progress of the trial indicate
the earnestness with which the contest was waged. A theory of the
defense was that William Faulkner was implicated in the muder of
Lightfoot to the extent at least of guilty knowledge of the crime. And
public opinion was divided as to the guilt or innocence of Faulkner,
even up to the day of the execution of Beckett. After consuming
nearly a week in the trial of the case, it was given the jury, which after
due deliberation, reported the verdict through its foreman, David Brad-
ford, "Guilty in manner and form as charged."
Thereupon the court pronounced the death penalty to be imposed
upon the prisoner at the bar. His attorneys filed a motion in arrest
of judgment and for a new trial, which on consideration by the court
was overruled, whereupon the following order was directed to the
sheriff having the prisoner in charge :
October term of the Supeme Court sitting in and for the County
of Adams, in the State of Ohio, in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and eight.
State of Ohio, Adams County, ss.
The state of Ohio, to the sheriff of Adams County ; whereas at the
aforesaid term of our Supreme Court, sitting in and for the county
aforesaid, David Beckett was convicted of the murder of John Light-
foot and thereupon received judgment to- wit; that he be taken to the
place from whence he came and from thence on the tenth day of De-
cember next to the place of execution, and that he be then and there
hanged by the neck until he be dead. Execution of which said judg-
ment yet remains to be done. We therefore require and by these
presents strictly command you that on Saturday, the tenth day of De-
cember, next, you convey the said David Beckett now in your custody
in the jail of Adams County, to the place of execution and that you
do cause execution to be done upon the said David Beckett in your
custody so being in all things according to the said judgment. And
this you are by no means to omit at your peril. Witness the honor-
able Samuel Huntington, Chief Judge of our said court, this twenty-
second day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight
hundred and eight, and of the State of Ohio, the sixth.
Joseph Darlinton, Clerk S. C. A. C.
The above bears the following indorsement: "Executed, John
Ellison, Jr., Sheriff, Adams County."
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MISCELLANEOUS 391
Scenes and laeldeats at the Execution.
On Saturday, December lo, 1808, at the town of West Union,
gathered the first of the three notably large assemblages of the people
in the history of the county. They came in wagons, on horseback, and
afoot, from .every section of this county and those adjoining, and from
the region of Kentucky opposite along the Ohio River. It was a won-
derful, outpouring of the people, not only to witness the execution of
the condemned, but to see and hear that eccentric and sensational
itinerant preacher, Lorenzo Dow, who it was said, would be present to
try his wonderful powers on the doomed man to elicit from him the
facts as to the guilt or innocence of William Faulkner, accused of
complicity in the murder of John Lightfoot. By noon of that mem-
orable day the straggHng village of West Union was literally swal-
lowed up by as motley a crowd as ever gathered in the state. Back- '
woodsmen, boatmen, traders, merchants, mechanics,* lawyers, preachers,
women and children, all formed a surging mass, now crowding through
the court house; and now engulfing the jail in which Beckett, in irons,
was being prepared for his last hour on earth ; now scrutinizing the rude
and barbarous gibbet from which the condemned would soon swing
by the neck; and now listening with bated breath to the words of his
awful confession as they fell from the lips of the doomed man.
The gibbet, consisting of two huge upright timbers firmly planted
in the ground, with strong connecting cross-beam at the top, stood to
the north of the northeast corner of the public square, near the present
site of the Christian Union Church. Here was erected a rough plat-
form from which Lorenzo Dow, Rev. William Williamson, then in
charge of the West Union Presbyterian Church, Rev. Abbott Godard,
and Rev. Robert Dobbins, then residing in Adams County, addressed
the people preceding the execution. In the biography of Rev. Robert
Dobbins, it is stated that he and Rev. Dow on the morning of the
day of the execution went to the cell of the condemned man to elicit
the truth from him as to another being implicated in the crime for
which he was about to suffer. "Rev. Dow first interrogated the priso-
ner, and being dissatisfied with his answers, left the cell. Rev. Dobbins
then conversed with the prisoner and urged him to tell the truth, and
spoke of the awful consequences of appearing before his Judge with a
falsehood upon his soul. He finally succeeded in eliciting from the
prisoner the fact that the implicated man was not guity."
The condemned was then made ready, bound, and placed in a vehi-
cle bearing his coffin, and driven to the place of execution. Here the
Rev. Williamson preached a sermon from the text, "Oh I Israel, thou
hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help."
Rev. Dow then delivered an address from the words, "Rejoice,
young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of
thy youth, etc.,*' after which Rev. Abbott Godard delivered an ex-
hortation, and then Rev. Dobbins addressed the people.
"The prisoner then made a confession three-quarters of an hour
long, and exhorted the young people to avoid the paths of vice. He
said that intemperance,, gambling, and base company had been the
cause of his downfall."
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892 HISTORY OF ADAMS (X)UNTY
Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Mercury of January 5, 1809, contained
the following : "On Saturday, the tenth ult., was executed in the town
of West Union, Ohio, between the hours of two and three o'clock, in
the presence of about fifteen thousand (?) people, David Beckett, for
the murder of William (John) Lightfoot.
'* Season return ; but not to me return.
*• Day on the sweet approach of even or morn."
"At twelve o'clock he was conducted by a strong guard to the place
of execution, where a solemn address was delivered by Lorenzo Dow.
He was succeeded by two other gentlemen, after which the culprit arose
and addressed himself to the surrounding multitude for the space of
twenty minutes. His countenance was mild; his manner and speech
free and unembarrassed. He appeared about the age of twenty-five;
the flower of youth glowed in his face, even to the last moment. Dur-
ing his address he made the following confession : "I can not say I am
innocent. I am guilty of the crime laid to my charge ; these hands de-
prived William (John) Lightfoot of his life. 'These are stained with his
blood, for which I freely resign my life, and hope in a few minutes to
meet him in a happy eternity." He also said that George (William)
Faulkner was innocent of all charges laid to him respecting said mur-
der."
At the close of his thrilling appeal, the noose dangling from the
gibbet was- adjusted about the neck of the condemned, the black cap
was drawn over his eyes, the cart in which he was standing beside his
coffin was driven from under him, and the murder of John Lightfoot
was avenged.
Lewis Johnson says that his mother, then a girl, told him that she
stood with others of her family on the high porch that used to front the
house where he yet resides, and saw Beckett hanged, and that the gal-
lows stood near where the old log jail used to stand, at the northeast
corner of the present court house yard.
Beckett was buried in the Lovejoy graveyard near West Union.
The following are some of the items of cost in this celebrated case :
John and William Russell, assisting to commit Beckett $ i 28
Charles O'Connell, attending jury 25
Gaurds for jail 130 00
Witnesses in Beckett case 142 00
Jury in same 48 00
Bolts made by McComas 25
Samuel Smith and David Kendall, guarding Beckett to jail . . 2 00
John M. Wallace, smith work on jail 6 00
David Bradford, boarding Beckett loi 25
John M. Wallace, making bolts for Beckett's hands 50
Rope, cap, and digging grave i 62J4
Coffin 5 00
Execution 8 00
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MISCELLANEOUS 8»3
Lynohims of Boscoe Parker.
On the waters of Elk Run something more than a mile to the south-
east of the town of Winchester, in Windiester Township, in 1893, lived
Luther P. Rhine, or "Pitt" Rhine, as he was generally known and his
wife Mary, whose maiden name was Mary J. Farquer. They had re-
sided on a little farm, their home, for many years, and had reared a
family there. They were at this time old and feeble, the husband past
eighty and the wife upwards of seventy, and were living alone. With
the help of a man or boy occasionally, these old people managed to grow
enough on the farm to keep them in fairly comfortable surroundings,
and to save enough to pay taxes and their dues to the church at Cherry
Fork of which they had been faithful members all their lives.
Living in the vicinitv of the Rhine home was a family of colored
people named Parker, 'f he family consisted of the mother and several
children, the eldest of whom was a boy, Roscoe, at this time about six-
teen years of age. He and his mother often assisted the Rhines at odd
jobs of work, and were familiar with the affairs and surroundings of the
old couple. About the middle of December in the year above named,
this boy Roscoe, assisted Mr. Rhine to drive a calf to Winchester where
it had been sold to a butcher, for thirteen dollars. Roscoe saw the
money paid to Mr. Rhine, and spoke of the amount as he accompanied
the old man home. On the Sunday following, December 17th, the old
people were seen about their premises alive the last time. On Tuesday,
the 19th, they were found by a neighbor in their home brutally mur-
dered. They had been assaulted while asleep with bludgeons, and then
with the family butcher knife, having their throats cut from ear to ear.
The motive had been robbery. The person or persons had been dis-
covered in the act. A struggle followed, and to avoid exposure of the
attempt to rob, brutal murder had been committed.
Upon discovery of the crime, the greatest excitement prevailed
among the citizens. The Parkers were suspected and a search of their
premises was made. Some stockings, the property of the Rhines, were
found. A five dollar bill was discovered hidden in a bed. Roscoe's
clothing had blood stains on them. He was arrested and a preliminary
examination had before Squire Gilbert, of Winchester Township, in the
town hall at Winchester. The people clamored for young Parker's life.
He was secretly taken from the hsJl and placed in a closed carriage by
Constable Bayless, who drove with all speed to West Union, pursued by
a mob where the accused was placed in jail.
Sheriff Greene N. McMannis learned that on a certain night a mob
would come from Winchester and vicinity and take the prisoner from
the jail. He gave out the word that the prisoner would be removed to
Georgeton, but instead of going there, he drove overland to Portsmouth,
and confined the prisoner in the jail at that place. In the meantime, the
newly elected sheriff, Marion Dunlap, had been inducted into office, and
it being near the time of the sitting of the grand jury, on the loth of
January, 1894, he brought Roscoe Parker from Portsmouth and con-
fined him in the West tJnion jail. That very night a large mob over-
powered the sheriff and his deputy, James McKee, hammered down the
doors of the old jail, and removed Roscoe Parker to the vicinity of his
home and hanged him to the limb of a tree.
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394
HISTORY OP ADA.MS (X)UNTY
Parker fought in his cell like an infuriated beast, and disfigured the
countenances of several of the mob before he was overpowered. It was
a stinging cold night, and he was driven in his underclothes, from West
Union to a point a half mile beyond North Liberty toward Winchester,
a distance of ten miles, where he was hanged, yet it is said he perspired
as in the heat of summer, such was his mental agony. He was swung
up twice and then let down, in hope that he would make a confession,
but he refused. He was sullen and stolidly met his fate. On the
morning of the nth of January, the body of Roscoe Parker, riddled
with buUetS; was discovered hanging from the limb of an ash tree that
stands in the corner of a piece of woodland just on the right of the Win-
chester pike, just across the little wooden bridge beyond North Liberty.
The curious have about stripped the tree of its branches.
After an inquest had been held by Coroner Robe, there was much
dispute among the authorities as to the disposition of the body, but
finally on the 13th, it was buried in the northwest comer of the old
cemetery at Cherry Fork. It was probably exhunued that night by
medical students, and it is said Parker's cranium is in the possession of
a well known physician of Adams County.
The place where Roscoe Parker \vas hanged is almost directly
opposite the old Patton homestead at a point where a path from the
colored settlement northeast of North Liberty leads down to the pike
to Winchester. Before daylight on the morning of the lynching of
Parker, old Leonard Johnson, a former slave, ignorant and super-
stitious, who does chores for the villagers of North Liberty, came from
his home in "the settlement" along this path and passed directly under
the body of Roscoe Parker hanging from a limb above. A grain sack
that had been placed over Parker's head by the mob lay in the path
beneath his lifeless body, and Johnson picked this up and carried it to
North Liberty before he learned of the lynching of Parker and the pur-
pose for which the sack had been used. Then he feared the dreaded
*'hoodoo,*' and never since has he traveled that portion of the path to his
home. And the other persons of "the settlement" no longer climb the
fence at the bridge and take the path through Patton's woods, but very
prudently avoid the "hoodoo" by traveling the public highway, and in the
daytime.
TBEASOir TBIAIi TN OHIO.
By James H. Thompson, Hlllsboro, O.
Edward L. Hughes, the defendant, was an Irishman, of large size
and great bodily strength, of marked character in his mental and normal
endowments, characterized by bravery and common sense, and self-con-
fidence in his control over men, and who, after a long experience in
contracts and jobs on the public works of Ohio, had settled down and
purchased a valuable farm near Locust Grove, in Adams County, Ohio,
on which he had resided for many years, and brought up a large and
highly respected family, and which homestead was well stocked at the
time of John Morgan's raid, v;ith good horses.
The news of the approach of the invaders, having carried on the
wings of the wind eastward to the neighborhood of the accused, he af-
fected great indifference, on the ground that, being a man of high repute
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MISCELLANEOUS 396
and a warm opponent of the war, his property would not be disturbed ;
but on the morning of the T6th of July, 1863, John Morgan and his
hosts were heard in the distance moving northward from Jacktown
over the old Limestone road, and suddenly they arrived and halted at
Locust Grove for breakfast, and while the General and his soldiers were
enjoying all the good things prepared by the frightened people for their
repast, the squad of scouts constantly out by the orders of Basil Duke as
the wings of a bird, closed in also to the main body for lunch, and along
with the detachment they led two very fine horses, the property of Mr.
Hughes. He made an appeal to Gen. Morgan for the return of his
horses; but he soon found out that the General was no respecter of
persons in an enemy's country, and thereupon he instantly concluded he
would join in and pilot Morgan, and thereby induce him to give up his
horses. Accordingly Hughes installed himself as one of the command-
ers'chief of staff, and from his knowledge of the country, became Gen-
eral Morgan's efficient aid-de-camp, and led the front van down Sunfish
Valley, across the Scioto River, through Piketon on to Jackson Court
House, where becoming boisterous and unruly from drink, he was
cashiered by his high captain and left to the mercy of the enraged pop-
ulace and the pursuers of Morg^ under General Hobson, who, coming
up in close pursuit, had Hughes arrested for treason, and immediately
sent to the jail of Hamilton County, Ohio, there to await an examina-
tion by the proper authorities, into the charge for the high crime.
The son and the son-in-law of Mr. Hughes hearing that he was im-
prisoned in Cincinnati, visited me at once and retained me as his long-
trusted counsel without any stipulated fee, to extricate him from his
peril of apprehended loss of iife by the civil tribunals or a military court-
martial, and immediately I went to Cincinnati and visited the prisoner
in the jail.
As soon as we met, he, realizing his situation, exclaimed : "Thomp-
son, I am in a bad fix — likely to be hung for the loss of two horses, and
this all my crime. You know all I wanted was to get my horses back,
and that d — d rebel has taken them and left me to suffer the possible
forfeiture of life and property." I calmed him down by the statement
that the chances of the future were in every man's favor, and the un-
certainties of the law were the dew-drops of mercy in behalf of a criminal ;
and that he must stand up manfully, and when I had heard the witnesses
as he knew we might possibly find out some way of escape.
Immediately after this consultation, the prisoner was brought out
before Hugh Carey, U. S. Commissioner, for an examination into the
charge, and the testimony of the witnesses of the government having
been partially heard, the case was continued for further examination
until August 27, 1863, and the accused was admitted to bail for his ap-
pearance at that time.
On the partial examination, one Mike Nessler was examined as a
witness in behalf of the government, and as his testimony is a sample of
what was expected to be proved, I give it from memory, after a lapse
of twenty years, accurately as if on yesterday it had been heard, because
of its indelible impression on my memory, then heated by my anxious
attention.
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3»6 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Uncle Mike Nessler as the whole bar of this region of country called
him, was a facetious, kind hearted, thrifty old German landlord, whose
pleasant, varied and patient manners hsid been moulded and finished
by his long association with and his attention to the distinguished mem-
bers of the bar of Jackson, Portsmouth and Chillicothe, and occasionally
others from the country around who attended the courts at Piketon ; and
he also was gifted with a twinkling eye, beaming from a jolly face.and a
tongue with pleasant, soft speech ; and, thus eminently qualified, he
kept the chief tavern in the center of that village at the interesction of its
main streets, in a large two story frame house, with its porches over the
pavement, which was always stored with good things to eat and good
liquors to cheer, and Hughes knew it. The commissioner asked Mr.
Nessler to tell him what he knew about the charges against the prisoner
for piloting John Morgan and his army through the country.
"Veil, I was just standing in the front door of my tavern in Piketon,
looking out for Gen. 'Morgan, who was coming, as our scouts said, and
I sees a man whooping and galloping down the street, and he never stop
until he was on my pavement with his horse's head inside my front door,
and then he hollow out: 'Surrender, you d — d old Hessian!' Says
I, 'Who is you, Ned Hughes?' Til let you know I am Major Ned
Hughes, chief aid of Gen. John Morgan, who has been installed Gov-
ernor of Ohio, and is now crossing the Scioto River and commands to
have your house prepared for his headquarters during his tarry in your
village. So unlock your cellar, roll out your barrels of the best, get him
a splendid dinner, open up your parlors, send after mint and ice, call all
the servants and have julips ready for him and his staff, count out all
your money on his table, and if you are lively, I will try to keep him from
carrying you a prisoner of war into the Confederate States." Says I,
'Anything more?' and just as I said them words, here they come in a
cloud of dust, and a tall, fine-looking fellow on a sorrel mare, and a little
man on a bay, ride up to my house and light on my pavement ; and Ned
Hughes ran up to them, catching me by the arm and dragging me along
and say: 'Governor Morgan, this is Mr. Nessler, the landlord, who
has his orders and will have all things ready.' He then turn me 'round
and say : Mr. Nessler, this is Mr. Basil Duke, the immortal Captain of
cavalry!' Says I, with a bow and a smile, and a big lie on my lips,
"Governor Morgan, you ^nd Captain Duke are heartily welcome to
my house. T am honored by your call, and will serve your every order.
Please walk into my parlor as your headquarters, and order.' 'As we
walked in, the governor said he would take a little somethii^, and
having seated them, I hurried out and come back with ice and mint, and
the best in the cellar, and say : *Merry times to you gentlemen. Will
you have your dinner in the judge's room, or in the public dining room?"
And one of the aids say: 'Dinner for the governor and his staff in
private, and let that Hughes shift with the boys.' And I tell you he
was shifting like a lord in tapping my barrels and handing 'round the
drinks to the boys. Call me here, call there, call me everywhere. I
say to myself : 'Biggest court day I ever see :' but I takes care that the
governor and his party are served the best beef, chicken and pie, and
didn't care for anybody else, but the old wom.an say that she fed all that
called, with Major Hughes at the head of the table. After dinner the
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MISCELLANEOUS 397
governor say to me: 'Is this fellow Hughes to be trusted?* 'Oh, yes/
say I, 'he is on your side and one of your best friends. I tell you the
truth/ 'I believe you, old man/ says that little Basil Devil — you call
Basil Duke — and he says: 'You shall not be hurt, old man, and we
will remember your tavern and call again when in these parts/ 'Thank
you,' says I, 'and I hope next time to be better prepared/
"And with that I goes out into the back yard, and as I passed along
one young fellow says to me : 'This chap talking to me wants to pull up
all the old Dutchman's cabbage, and throw them around for fun; but
as all the wine, beer, and whiskey about the house is drunk up, I tell
him if you will give us your private bottle he shall not do it/ Says I,
'Go around the chimney corner there, and I fetch him/ I run in the
house and turn up the bed tick of the old woman's bed, draw out my
quart bottle, and take it to the young chaps. They takes what they
called a stirrup drink, makes me take a taste, then they jumps ovef the
fence, mounts their horses, sounds the bugle, and I hear Major Hughes
parading and hallooing up and down the streets, 'To arms, boys, to
arms ! and now for Jackson Court House !' And away they all go over
the hill, and them two young chaps with my bottle. But I fool 'em
already. All my money was hid around under the cabbages in the
patch, and I find him all right when they left, and hand the bags to the
old woman, and this is all I know about Ned Hughes."
Cross-examined — "Was Mr. Hughes drunk?"
"No; not when he came, but he rode away with from a quart to a
half gallon of my whiskey under his sword belt, with his sword in hand
as big as a general, and you can judge."
"Nothing more, Mr. Nessler."
After the continuance, Mr. Hughes, his bail, and other friends, with
myself, boarded the train for Hillsboro, through which travel leads to
Locust Grove, and on the way held a consultation and made out a list
of our witnesses, and all ageed to be present again on the twenty-
seventh of August next ensuing, then and there to hear what further the
government would prove, and to determine on our future policy.
That day afterwards came and went, but not the accused. He had
taken his own defense, without my knowledge or consent, into his own
hands, assisted by his feet, and having conveyed all his property to his
bail to indemnify them (in the interim), he had fled the country and
taken up his abode at Montreal, under Queen Victoria's flag.
On the receipt of the information I indulged for the first time since
the continuance in sound sleep, and did not think or care for old Mike
Nessler, or the constant nightmare of his testimony. But my rest was
soon afterwards disturbed by the call of his only son, who informed me
that it had become so hot around his father's, at Locust Grove, that he
had concluded it was safer to seek a colder climate, and that all his
property was left in my care to do the best I could for my protection,
and that of his bail and family, against all confiscation proceedings.
Not appearing, the bail bond was forfeited by the commissioner, and thus
matters rested until the October term, 1863, when suit was commenced
to recover the amount of the forfeited bail bond, and the witnesses hav-
ing been summoned and sworn and sent before the grand jury, and by
them examined, an indictment for treason against Edward L. Hughes
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398 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
was found and returned into court at that term with two counts. And
so in October, 1863, I found myself confronted with a suit on the bail
bond, threatened proceedings for confiscation of property, and this for-
midable indictment pending- against my client, a fugitive from justice, and
bitter excitement against him in all the belt of country through which
John Morgan's army had passed; without one ray of hope or light as
to my future professional course in the case, although I sincerely be-
lieved that the accused was not morally guilty of the crime charged
against him.
I demurred to the declaration on the forfeited bail bond for various
good reasons, and walked out of court in black darkness, why I could
never tell. My whole duty had been performed, and my client, without
my advice, having chosen his own mode of defense, and thereby, for the
moment at least, having secured his life and liberty, I could not con-
scientiously tell why I should fret so much, until one night Professional
Fame, attired in glittering costume, appeared to me in a dream and said
at my bed side: "You will win me still." And when I awakened in
the morning I asked of the Goddess: "How?" No statutes, no forms
of law> no teachings of books, could tell me, but some weeks there-
after having passed away, on one bright winter day the mail brought
the publication in one of the newspapers of the amnesty proclamation
of President Lincoln, of December 8, 1863. I read it with general in-
terest, then re-read it with special interest in its bearings on my case,
and clasified the persons who could claim its benefits, and at last my
dream changed into reality, and the thought flashed upon me that my
friend Hughes could avail himself of the pardon by a plea in bar of
puis dariem continuance, having carefully examined all the authori-
ties, advised his friends of my convictions, and that they might write
to him to come home, and if I did not acquit him, we would go to the
gallows together and be hung from the same scaffold. After consider-
able correspondence and explanation, Mr. Hughes, trusting to my
opinion, returned to his home, and thereupon, on the first day of March,
1864, we appeared in open court and took and subscribed the oath re-
quired in the proclamation, and filed the same in the court, and Judge
Leavitt, holding the Circuit Court of the United States, than whom
there was no purer or more patriotic minister of justice, and Mr. F.
Ball, the district attorney, than whom there had been none more com-
petent, seeing Hughes present in court, and hearing from me that he
had come to rest under the shadow of the wing of the Presidents pro-
claimed pardon or be hung, consented to set aside the forfeiture of the
recognizance, and respite the same for our appearance at the October
term, 1864. At this term we promptly appeared, after having been on
good behavior and patriotic conduct during the spring and summer,
and filed the ordinary plea of not guilty, and this novel and original
special plea: (Being very lengthy, it is here omitted. — Ed.)
To this special plea, on which I had staked the liberty and life of
my client, a demurrer was filed by the district attorney, and thereupon
an animated argument was had, bristling throughout with vivid objec-
tions as to whether the proclamation was to be construed as operating
northo f Mason and Dixon's line, whether it was not merely the act of
the president in his military capacity as commander-in-chief, and there-
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MISCELIiANBOUS 399
fore could not be intended to operate in civil proceedings ; whether the
accused before conviction could claim its benefits, and whether he was
among the class of persons who were entitled to its protection ; which,
on being concluded, the judge very blandly remarked, "that inasmuch
as Mr. Hughes had taken the oath of allegiance, and had in fact by sub-
mitting himself to trial, showed a disposition to return to and assume
the discharge of all his duties as a loyal citizen, he felt inclined to sug-
gest to counsel to impart and agree to some liberal settlement,'' and
thereupon after several imparlances under the sanction of the judge,
it was agreed for the public peace, safety, and good example that the
demurrer pro forma should be sustained, and that Mr. Hughes should
give his own recognizance for future fidelity to the government, which
he then and there did, and the record states: "Thereupon (on the
twenty-first day of November, 1864,) came the attorney for theUmted
States for the district on behalf of the plaintiff, and made known to the
court that he is unwilling further to prosecute the indictment herein
against said defendant. It is therefore considered by the court that as
to said indictment said defendant go hence without day.'*
Thus terminated the treason trial Mr Hughes returned to his
home, and lived many years the life of a patriotic citizen, and died sev-
eral years past in the west.
The outcome of this memorable case as to fees and compensation
for professional services rendered as stated on the quantum mercuit
principle, will interest the profession, if the report of the case be of any
interest. Being at the termination of the case engaged in agricultural
pursuits, and being vigorously engaged in professional labors from the
same motive which impelled the distinguished Ben Hardin, of Ken-
tucky, after three score years and ten of age, to continue his practice, as
he said to me when I remarked to him that I supposed he had accumu-
lated enough to retire, "Why," he scornfully answered, "I have a
farm, an old saw ipill, and forty niggers, and I am compelled to work
harder than I ever did in my life to pay expenses and support them all.*'
Just so I was situated, except free labor was employed. Meeting Mr.
Hughes one day (between whom and myself nothing had been said
as to my fee), he addressed me : "I am told you are farming and have
plenty of corn." "Yes, sir, that is my condition." "Well, I have
seven mules, and if you will take them and square the docket between
us, you may send after them. Feed them up awhile, and they will
bring you $700." "Agreed," said I, and the mules were driven to my
farm, fed until my fences would not keep them at home, and I sold them
to an army contractor for the Potomsic service, and the best and last ac-
count I had of them was that they were in the battle of the Wilderness.
Aneodote of Judge Thumtan.
"Colonel"William T. Moore, whose figure has been silhouetted
thousands of times on the walls of the composing rooms of every news-
paper office in West Union, since "way befoh the wah," relates with un-
feigned pride the fact that he once drove Judge Allen G. Thurman, at
that time a United States senator of Ohio, from West Union to Ports-
mouth, via Cedar Mills, Wamsley, and Red Bridge, over the old Ports-
mouth road, in landlord Crawford's carriage, drawn by the famous match
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400 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
black ponies "Doc" and *Tomp." It was in the campaign of 1879, and
Judge Thurman had spoken at West Union, and had to meet an ap-
pointment at Portsmouth, and the river being low and boats uncertain,
he chose to make the trip overland. This was before the building of
the C. P. & V. Railway through the county. After getting beyond
Cedar Mills and beginning the descent to the valley of Turkey Creek,
the judge spoke of the fact that at a certain point beyond there was a
spring by the side of the road at which he desired to stop and get a
drink of cool water. He seemed familiar with the country through
which he passed from Cedar Mills to Bear Creek, and would frequently
stop the carriage to view the country from advantageous points, and
would comment on the beauty of the hills covered with forests in their
gorgeous dress of an October day. Upon inquiry as to the source of
his knowledge of this region, the judge said he had carried on horse-
back from Chillicothe the tickets down into that region of country for
the election in Jackson's campaign in 1832.
THE IRON INDUSTRY.
The early land surveyors discovered iron ore in the region com-
posing Adams County, and at its organization in September, 1797, one
of the six townships into which the county was divided was named Iron
Ridge. This township included the ore fields of the present territory
of the county. But nothing was done in the manufacture of iron in
these fields until about the year 181 1, when our relations with Great
Britain became such as to foreshadow war with that country. This
greatly stimulated the iron industry in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio,
as elsewhere throughout the country, and set on foot the movement
to work the ore in the Adams County fields. The first furnace built
was what was called Brush Creek Furnace on Cedar Run, about two
miles from its mouth, in what is now Jefferson Township, and at a point
now known as Cedar Mills. This furnace was erected by Paul and
McNichol in 1811. It was later operated by James Rodgers & Com-
pany; they were succeeded by the Brush Creek Furnace Company, and
they by James T. Claypool & Company, who were succeeded by James K.
Stewart & Company, the last operators of the furnace.
The second furnace erected was the old Steam Furnace, near the
present village of Peebles, in what is now Meigs Township. It was
erected by James Rodgers, Andrew Ellison, and the Pittsburg Steam
Engine Company. This furnace was named "Steam Furnace" from
the fact that up to that time the power to propel the machinery of fur-
naces and forges west of the Alkghanies was derived from water by
means of dams and races. The machinery of this furnace was propelled
by means of a stean\ engine, and hence the name. Steam Furnace. In
later years a man by the name of Benner became the proprietor of this
furnace.
The third furnace was erected on the east fork of Ohio Brush
Creek, south of the Great Serpent Mound, in what is now Bratton
Township, and named the Marble Furnace, from the beautiful white
limestone from which it was constructed. This was in the year 1816,
and Governor Duncan McArthur and Thomas James, of Chillicothe,
were the original poprietors. Henry Massie, the founder of the town
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MISCELLANEOUS 401
of New Market, in Highland County, and a brother of General Nathan-
iel Massie, was also interested in this furnace. There was a foundry
at the Marble Furnace, and quite an extensive industry in connection
with the furnace was carried on here until 1834, when the furnace and
1,200 acres of the furnace lands was purchased by Jacob Sommers, who
^abandoned the furnace in 1835.
There was a small furnace in connection with old "Bull" Forge, on
the lower waters of Ohio Brush Creek, which was erected and managed
by a Mr. Kendrick about the year 1818.
There was a forge at old Steam Furnace, and one, Brush Creek
Forge, on Ohio Brush Creek, near where the Forge Dam Bridge now
spans that stream at Satterfields'. (See Brush Creek Forge.)
These all were what is known as the cold-blast, charcoal furnace,
with water power, except the Steam Furnace, and produced from one
to two tons each of iron per day. They were kept in blast from seven
to ten months in the year, and gave employment to hundreds of men
in the various divisions of the industry. Competition in the Hanging
Rock, Youngstown, and Pittsburg fields, with better means of trans-
portation of the product, together with more extensive ore beds, and
the use of coke and coal in place of the more expensive charcoal to
make the blast, caused the abandonment of the Brush Creek iron fields.
It is said that the quality of iron made here was of the very best.
The ores lie in basins of limited extent, and irregular form, in the
cliflf limestone capping the hills in the region of Brush Creek. The
natives speak of the "top hills" as being the place of deposit of the
ore. "The ore seems originally," says Locke, "to have been pyrites
in huge nodules, and collections of nodules in the rock. Where these
became uncovered and exposed to the influence of water, and the lime,
which is more or less intermingled, a decomposition ensued, the sul-
phur was abstracted, and the hydrated peroxide of iron remained.
Wh^^ever the ore is covered by stone and the agency of water ex-
cluded it is still nodular pyrites, somewhat decomposed. In one in-
stance a drift was made into an ore bed, under the rock at Brush Creek
furnace, and plenty of heavy, beautiful, gold-like ore procured, but so
full of sulphur that it could not be worked.
Marble Furnace.
The valley of the east fork of Ohio Brush Creek has long been
celebrated for its beauty of scenery and fertility of soil. In the early
pioneer days, Massie, Lytle, O'Bannon, and others risked life and limb
to make entries and surveys of these very valuable lands. The Shaw-
nees, who had wrested the region from savage rivals long before the
coming of the whites, held this valley as one of the richest fields for the
chase, while the stream now known as East Fork afforded an abund-
ance of fish of the finest and gamest kinds, as it does to this day, even
against all the destructive influences and cunning inventions of civiliza-
tion. In the bottom to the north of the site of the old furnace there
was a Shawnee village, and there the land had been cleared ; there under
the rude cultivation of the patient and industrious squaw, the lazy war-
rior saw the broad acres of maize to supply the wants of hunger, flour-
26a
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402 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
ish and grow as of magic. While along the narrow valleys and up the
broad hillsides the sugar maple {a4:er sacharinum), grew native mon-
archs of the soil. This was in every sense of the term the Indian's par-
adise. He esteemed it as such, and defended it against the encroach-
ments of civilization to his utmost endeavor. Here, as late as 1805,
remnants of Shawnee families, whose ancestors had resided in the val-
ley, came to fish and himt and take a last farewell at the graves of their
forefathers. The white man's ax had even then so marred the for-
ests as to make scenes once familiar unknown. It may properly here
be remarked that in this valley a race of people, nothing of whom was
known to the Indians, once flourished, who builded enduring monu-
ments to the memory of their rulers, and constructed as an altar of
worship to the Great Being that most remarkable effigy, the study and
wonder of civilized man, the Great Serpent Mound.
While surveying in this valley, Massie discovered iron ore of very
fine quality on the bordering hills, and later Thomas James and Duncan
McArthur, afterwards governor, built the furnace known as Marble
Furnace, and began a great industry, which was carried on for years.
This was in the year 1816, and the furnace was in full operation in that
year. The name "Marble" was given to the furnace from the fact that
the stack was built from a fine white limestone quarried near by, which,
when dressed and bush-hammered, had, at a distance, the appearance
of white marble.
The stack of the furnace stood on the lot now owned by Charles
Miller. It was so located that from the cliflf to the rear a kind of trestle
bridge was constructed, over which trucks were propelled carrying
charcoal, limestone, and iron ore to the top of the stack. The power to
supply the blast was furnished by a canal or race leading from the creek
above.
There were here at times from 400 to 600 men employed in the
various divisions of the work, including wood-choppers, colliers, fur-
nace men, ore diggers, teamsters, and so forth.' The pig-iron w^as
hauled overland to Benner's forge on Paint Creek, to Chillicothe, or to
the Ohio River at Manchester, via West Union. While the hollow
ware made at the foundry was distributed throughout the settlements
for miles about. One of the prominent characters at the furnace for
many years was Robert Ivers, a kettle moulder. Afterwards Peter
Andrews and others built the cupola and molded stoves, kettles, pots,
and dog-irons. Among the wood choppers Fred Griffith, Mathew Gor-
man and Abraham Wisecup were unequaled. It is said that either of
these persons could cut seven and one-half cords per day, a feat never
performed by any other person of the hundreds of choppers who
worked at the "coalings." Twenty-five cents a cord was the price paid
in those days. David Gardner was overseer of the ore diggers, who
received from thirty to forty cents per day in "Furnace Scrip." There
was a double log cabin on the lot where the old frame building now
stands, which was in early days a famous boarding house. Just across
the creek from it stood Joseph Thompson's cabin, where whiskey was
sold, and many a foot race, wrestle, or fight has taken place on the his-
toric spot for a quart of Thompson's "old Monongahela," made up
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MISCELLANEOUS 405
some one of the spring branches that flow into Brush Creek. Labels
were a deception then, as now.
About the year 1830 work at the furnace ceased, from the fact that
charcoal can not compete with stone coal, that ox teams can not com-
pete with more modern means of transportation, and limited supply of
ore can not compete with supplies almost inexhaustible. In 1834
*Henry Massie, one of the proprietors of the furnace, sold his interest
to McArthur and James, and they disposed of 1,200 acres of furnace
land, including the old furnace, to Jacob Sommers, then a resident of
Middlebury, Loudon County, Virginia. Here in December, 1835, he
came with his family and moved into the old brick house built by Henry
Massie, where now resides Captain Urton, a son-in-law of Mr. Som-
mers.
Brash Creek Furnaoe.
This furnace stood on Cedar Run, about two miles from its con-
fluence with Ohio Brush Creek. It was erected in the year 181 1 hy
Paul and McNichol, of Pittsburg, and furnished employment to several
hundred men for a period of twenty years. Paul and McNichol were
succeeded by James Rodgers & Co., and they by the Brush Creek Fur-
nace Company, who conducted the business until 1826, when James T.
Claypool & Co. became the proprietors. In November of this year
the company advertised for fifty or sixty wood choppers, "to whom
prompt and liberal wages will be given.'' "Also ox drivers and ore
diggers. Ox drivers will be given $28 a month, $5 of it in cash." The
company advertised "Hollo-ware, pig-metal and castings of every de-
scription, suitable to the wants of the country." This company con-
ducted a general store at the furnace, at which the furnace hands and
their families were compelled to purchase their goods and groceries.
Corn, oats, wheat, and farm products were taken in exchange for goods
from the store, or for the products of the furnace and forge conducted
in connection therewith.
Claypool & Co. were succeeded by William K. Stewart & Co., in
1834-5. At this time the supply of ore in the vicinity was thought to be
exhausted, and operations at the furnace had ceased. But the new pro-
prietors opened new beds of ore and carried on a profitable business for
several years thereafter, until competition in other fields became too
great to realize profits in the Brush Creek fields. In the year 1838
Mr. Stewart, with twelve laborers, in a period of 120 days made a blast
which produced over 200 tons of pig-iron.
Brush Creek Forge stood on the west side of Brush Creek, near
the present "Forge Dam" bridge, at Satterfield's. The old dam across
the creek was constructed to furnish power to propel the machinery at
the forge. The pig-iron from the furnace was here made into wrought-
iron blooms. John Fisher, a prominent character of the county in
those days, was proprietor of the forge and a member of the furnace
company. During the flood of 1832 the back-water from the Ohio
River rose in Mr. Fisher's dwelling, which stood in the bottom, back
from the forge.
«It is said that the only son of Henry Massie Is burled near the old briok residence built by
him in 1825. and now occupied by Captain Urion. Mr. Massie 's wife died here, but was interred
at ChiUicothe. The stone from which the sarcophagus over her grare was built, wa.s quarried at
Marble Furnace and hauled by ox teams to Chllllcothe.
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HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
"Bull Forge/' so called from the fact that the power to drive its
machinery was had from a g^eat tread-wheel forty feet in diameter,
propelled by oxen, or '*bulls." This forge was on Ohio Brush Creek,
near its mouth, on what was known as the Wilson farm. It was owned by
a Mr. Kendrick, from Chillicothe. A small furnace was also built and
operated here — the ore being dug on the creek hills in the vicinity.
FUGITIVE SLAVES AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
The ordinance of '87 contains among other things the well-known
provision with reference to Negro slavery: "There shall be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said (Northwest) territory,
otherwise than for the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted." This forever prohibited slavery in Ohio
and the other states carved out of the territory for the government of
which the ordinance was framed by the second continental congress,
but it contained a provision recognizing the institution of slavery in the
other states and territories, providing "that any person escaping into
the same (Northwest Temtory), from whom labor or service is lawfully
claimed in one of the original states, such fugitive may be claimed and
conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or services as afore-
said. And the constitution of the United States afterwards adopted
contained the provision that "no person held to service or labor in any
one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in conse-
quence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such ser-
vice or labor, but shall be delivered upon claim of the party to whom
such service or labor may be due."
Upon these basic principles of our organic law, the owners of
slaves pursued such of them as escaped into free territory, and if ap-
prehended carried them back into slavery. There were persons and
communities in the free states that lent assistance in secreting fugitives
and in assisting them to escape from their pursuers to the English
provinces — particularly the Dominion of Canada. In these days such
violators of law would be condemned as "Anarchists," and perhaps "en-
joined" by the federal courts from such acts of violence, and in cases
of bloodshed, as often occurred, would be hanged, as was Parsons and
his associates in Chicago in recent years.
The Virginia Military District in Ohio, including Adams County,
was largely settled by persons from the slave-holding states, particu-
larly Virginia and Kentucky; yet a. majority of these opposed Negro
slavery — or at least the extension of it — and all opposed for a period of
years the agitation of the questions on social, religious, and constitu-
tional grounds. Many of the early settlers of Adams County had
freed their slaves in the south, but brought with them Negro servants,
who remained here in about the same status with reference to their
former masters as while in slave territory.
In the old records of the Court of Quarter Sessions, September
term, 1799, we find that "Nathaniel Massie's Mike appeared in court
to claim his freedom. The court ordered him (Mike) home and stay
until next court, to be confronted by his master."
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MISCELLANEOUS 406
Mike seems to have obeyed the court and stayed at home until the
December term, 1800, when it appears on the record of the court that
"On the motion of Mike, a Negro man, the court rule he shall be heard
after the prisoner, McGinnis." And, later, "Mike came before the
court and pleads for his freedom, whereupon the court rule and order
him to have his trial at the next term, and that the sheriflf give Nathan-
iel Massie due notice thereof/' Said notice was, "that, whereas, Mike,
a Negro man, has been repeatedly before the court in making com-
plaint of his being held in bondage contrary to law ; and the court has
ordered him on to trial at our next Court of General Quarter Sessions
at Washington in and for said county in March next." John Beasley
was presiding judge of this court, Nathan Ellis sheriff, and George Gor-
don clerk. The court also directed the sheriff to "summon Thomas
McDonald, if he may be found in your bailiwick, to personally appear
before the court * * * on the second Tuesday of March next,
then and there in our said court to give evidence and the truth to say
on the behalf of Mike v. Nathaniel Massie, in a Plea of Freedom."
Joel Bailey was also summoned as a witness for Mike.
A the March ste-sion, 1801, ;ie case was dispos'^d oi as shown by
the records, and closed with the following entry: "The rule of the
court in this suit is to proceed no further therein, and order said suit
dismissed from the docket, which is accordingly done."
It is said that many of the wealthier families in the early days of the
county held Negro servants practically in bondage. The Early family
had three Negros, brought from Kentucky as slaves, one of whom, a
little boy, remained in the family until he became of age. The Means
family had a number of Negro servants, as late as 1835.
Jeremiah Pittinger came to Adams County from the State of
Maryland, in 1825, and brought as a servant in the family, Dinah, a
negro woman, who lived with the family during his lifetime. She then
went with a daughter, Julia, the wife of John Morrison, of Eckmans-
ville, and served in his family until her death in 1878, at the age of
106 years. The old cherry chest in which she brought her worldly be-
longings from Maryland, is now in the possession of Mrs. Alexander,
a daughter of Mr. Morrison.
The following certificate of manumission given Dinah by John
Schley, father of the popular admiral, the hero of Santiago, is worth
preserving. State of Maryland, Frederick County, ss. I hereby cer-
tify that the person to whom this is given, named Dinah, a black-
woman, about thirty years of age, five feet eight inches tall, has a
scar on lower part of the left ear, and has a mole o(n left side of her
face near the nose, and has a scar on her left cheek and is the identical
negro woman heretofore manumitted by John Campbell and Eliza-
beth Campbell on or about the eleventh day of April, 1805, as appears
by said manumission on record in my office, and the affidavit of John
Pittinger on file in my off.ce.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed the seal of my office this twentieth day of June 1824.
John Schley, Clerk of Frederick County.
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HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The newspapers of that period carried advertisements like the fol-
lowing, from The Village Register, West Union, Ohio, April 27, 1824:
100 DOLLARS REWARD
RAN AWAY from the Kenhawa Salt Works, on or about the twen-
ty-eighth of December, last, a bright mullato man, about three-fourths
white, named William, the property of William Brooks, of Franklin
County, Virginia. He is about twenty-nine years old, nearly six feet
high, his head woolly, and inclined to be yellow; he is a raw boned
stout fellow, tolerably thin visage, straight built, the middle finger of
his right hand is cut oflf at the first joint ; very fond of spiritous liquors,
and when drunk, inclined to misbehave. The above reward will be
given to any person who will return him to the subscriber at the Ken-
hawa Saline; or fifty-dollars if secured in any jail so that I get him
again. Joel Shrewsbury.
There was but little abolition sentiment in Adams County until about
1840. The Covenanters about Cherry Fork and the Brush Creek settle-
ments were, from principle, opposed to Negro slavery. At this time a few
"agitators" like Rev. Dyer Burgess who had stirred up dissensions
among the people of the county over the question of Free Masonry,
began to discuss publicly the question of Negro slavery. These "agi-
tators" were very abusive of those who counseled obedience to the
law, and denounced the "government as a covenant with hell.' The
passage of the Fugitive Slave Law gave the "agitators" renewed oppor-
tunity for vituperation, and the slave hunters legal sanction to their
many revolting acts of cruelty toward captives taken in free territory.
There were, as there would be today, men in every community without
reference to creed or political affiliations, who for the sake of reward,
would at the risk of life, pursue the fugitives to captivity for the hope
of gain. A party of these pursuers from the vicinity of Clayton, headed
by James Taylor, Godard Pence, and Harvey Beasley, in 1851, caught
sixteen negroes near Thornton Shelton's, in Sprigg Township. Tay-
lor, a powerful man himself, knocked one negro down time and again
with a handspike before Pence a desperate character could secure him
with ropes.
William Gilbert was shot and killed by a fugitive whom he had
pursued over the county line into Brown County, at the crossing of
Brushy Fork near the old store . The negro was captured the next
day near Clayton by some of the Martins and a posse from Maysville.
This was in 1850, and John Laney informed the writer that he and
old Dr. Norton, of near Decatur, who was accompanying Laney to
answer a sick call, as they approach the crossing at the creek, heard
the shot, and the sound of voices. On near approach, William Paul
and others were stooping over Gilbert wh© was mortally wounded.
Dr. Norton whose house was an "under ground station" refused to
attend Gilbert but rode on to Laney's house. Gilbert survived three
days after removal to his home.
On the other hand, there were individuals in every community
who from "broadness of mind and bigness of heart" would render as-
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MISCELLANEOUS 407
sistance to the fleeing slave and help him on to a place of security from
cruel pursuers.
A powerful negro named Ned Abney had by working overtime
purchased his freedom from his master in the south : He came to
Adams County in the vicinity of Cherry Fork and labored at any kind
of work to secure money to purchase the freedom of his wife and child
left behind. In time he had accomplished the task of freeing his wife
who joined him where he had secured a domicile in the vicinity of
Red Ook, in Brown County. .But there lay before them the task of now
accumulating enough to purchase their child in the far south land of
slavery.
"Pony" Joe Patton, as he was familiarly known from the fact that
he imported and bred Canadian ponies, learning the story of Abne/s
life, resolved to secure the child and deliver it to its parents. He ac-
cordingly fitted up a light wagon and started south to sell lightning
rods. He traveled into Tennessee, found the master who held Abney's
child, became intimate with his household, and after due preparation
stole the child out at night, and drove until daylight directly south.
Then he rested his pony and while so doing cut down the bed of his
wagon and covered the '*boot" of it with canvas. Under this he
stowed away the child, and then by a circuitous route turned to the
northward to the point of his destination in Ohio, which he reached
in safety after three weeks travel, where he delivered his protege to its
delighted parents. The old gray pony made many a trip over the under-
ground route from Red Oak to stations across Adams County carrying
fugitive mothers and children to safety and freedom, but this "incur-
sion into the enemy's country," as Patton termed it, was the greatest and
most trying of all.
After the passage of the Fugitive Slave Laws it became necessary
for the sympathizers with the runaway slaves to use the utmost pre-
caution in assisting them to places of safety. The runaways who crossed
the river in the vicinity of Ripley would be piloted by some one after
night to Red Oak or Decatur in Brown County. From. there some con-
ductor, "Pony" Patton, old Johnny Thompson, of Cherry Fork, or
old Jim Caskey, of Grace's Run, would take them to Daniel Copples in
Liberty Township, Adams County, known as "Station Number 2" or to
Gen. William Mclntyre's, on Grace's Run, in Wayne Township, known
as "Station Number 3" : and thence to the vicinity of Sinking Springs in
Highland County, "Station Number 4."
This was the so-called "underground railroad" across Adams
County, although other persons besides those above named frequently
sheltered and fed the weary fugitives.
On Grace's Run about midway between Cherry Fork and Young-
viUe was the residence of Gen. William Mclntyre whose wife was Martha
Patton, familiarly known as "Patsey" Mclntyre. She was a large
strong-minded woman, and from her observations and experience in
Virginia where she and her husband had been reared, she had learned to
detest the institution of slavery, and had allied herself with those active
in assisting fugitive slaves across the border. The home of Gen. Mc-
lntyre was known as Station Number 3," as above recited, and many a
fugitive has found shelter and protection under the roof of the old red
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fflSTORY OF ADAMS CXDUNTY
brick known as the abode of "Patsey" Mclntyre. Tradition says, and
the fertile imaginations of unscrupulous writers have added largely to
tradition,that upon one occasion "Patsey" met a party of slave hunters
from Kentucky at her door who had sworn with terrible oaths that they
would enter and search the house for runaways, with a teakettle of
boiling water and stood them off tmtil a pitchfork from the loft could
be procured for her, when she defied the pursuers and drove them from
the premises.
The widow of the late George Patton, of Harshaville, a daughter of
"Patsey" Mclntyre, related to the writer that many slaves had been
sheltered in her father's house, and that persons had made inquiry for
them, but never threatened such violence as above narrated. She said
that once a party of Kentuckians among whom was a Col. Marshall,
a brother of the learned barrister Judge James H. Marshall,
of Hillsboro, from whose facile pen the story "Treason Trial in Ohio,"
in this volume comes, came to her father's house and inquired for run-
away slaves. They had been in the neighborhood a day or two search-
ing for fugitives and it had been noised about that the negroes were
secreted in her father's house, and neighbors and friends anticipating
that there would be an attempt to search the premises, gathered in soon
after the coming of the Kentuckians. Gen. Mclntyre assured the
hunters that no fugitives were in the house, and the Kentuckians insist-
ing that there were, "Patsey" Mclntyre told them that if they did not
leave, she would scald them. — the parties then being near the spring
back of the house, where Mrs. Patton, then a girl, and her sister were
washing clothes. The Kentuckians then went to West Union and got
out a warrant to search the premises for "clothing secreted," but
neither the "clothing" nor any fugitives were found.
A Preaoher that Didn't BCaterialize.
It must not be imagined that all the "sympathizers" were of the
"Pony" Joe Patton class — for they were not as a body different from
other men. They perhaps did sympathize with the fugitive blacks and
would give shelter, raiment and food in exchange for much hard labor.
Illustrative of this, the writer was informed by an intelligent old negro
who ran away from slavery, that when he came to the vicinity of Cherry
Fork he was sheltered by a good man in sympathy with the movement
to free the blacks, who at the end of a hard year's work, dressed him
up in an old pigeon-tailed coat and a bell-crowned fur hat and insisted
that the object of his sympathy and charity receive them in consideration
of services rendered, assuring him that with such an outfit hje might
cease manual labor, and live in elegance and ease as a minister come to
lead the fallen of his race in the way of glory and righteousness. "But,"
said the old negro, "When I look in de glass and sees de tail of that coat,
and that hat only held off'n my shoulders by my ears, I said, 'No,' I can't
preach — you may pay me de cash !"
'<The Blue Eyed NigKer."
Typical of the times in the days of the Fugitive Slave Law, and
the "underground railroad," the following anecdote was related to the
writer by Mr. Zedekiah Hook, proprietor of the village hotel in Cherry
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MISCELLANEOUS 409
Fork. Mr. Hook was Iwng at the time of the occurrence on a farm
near Clayton in Adams County. There resided in that vicinity at the
time a man nemed Lindsey and another by the name of Ambus who
with their families had recently come into the neighborhood from some
place in Kentucky. Dave Dunbar, now of Manchester, as that genial
gentleman is familiarly called,, was at that time a young man working
at the harness trade in Vincent Cropper's shop in Clayton. A few days
before the incident herein narrated, I/indsey and Ambus had caught
a runaway slave and returned him to his master across the Ohio, and re-
ceived for their services the sum of fifty dollars each, as a reward. This
created quite a sensation in and about Clavton, and the loungers who
congpregated nightly in Cropper's harness shop, grew enthusiastic on the
subject of "Nigger Catching" and awarded themselves large sums in
the near future from that pursuit. Dave Dunbar listened in silence
and resolved to have some sport at the expense of these would-be slave
hunters.
One evening after supper he dressed himself in a ragged old suit
of clothes, and having carefully blacked his face and hands, made his
appearance in the village in the guise of a runaway slave. He hurried
along the road leading toward Decatur, one of the undergpround stations,
some miles away, seeming to avoid contact with those who saw him.
In a few minutes the word was passed around that a fugitive slave had
just gone down the Decatur road, and soon the would-be catchers set
out in hot pursuit. They were accompanied by a great Newfoundland
dog that now and then would scent the fugitive's track and bark encour-
agingly as the pursuers urged him on. Coming to a turn in the road,
they saw beyond, the object of their pursuit hastily climbing a rail fence,
and then making off with all his speed across a pasture field toward a.
piece of woodland some distance away. Now the chase began in earnest,
over fences, through fields, across hollows, down hill and up hill, the
pursuers shouting and clapping their hands to urge forward the dog
to overtake and seize the fugitive, who, when near the crest of a hill he
was ascending, from sheer exhaustion came to a halt and threw himself
down upon the ground. The pursuers seeing this tried to recall the dog
then close upon the fugitive, fearful that he would be torn to pieces by
the savage brute before they could interpose. But to their astonish-
ment the dog ran up to where the fugitive lay, wagged his tail in a
friendly manner and sat down upon his haunches to await the coming of
the pursuing party. To their disappointment and great chargin upon
approaching, they found the supposed runaway slave to be Dave Dun-
bar, rolling upon the ground convulsed with laughter at the sport he had
had at their expense.
Now the whole party entered into the spirit of the affair, and it was
agreed that Dunbar should make his way alone across the fields to the
residence of Lindsey and inquire the way to Dr. Norton's, an *'under-
ground" station, near Decafcur some miles distant. He did so, and
Lindsey fearing to seize him single handed, in order to get the aid of
Ambus, told the supposed fugitive that he could not direct him as re-
quested, but that a neighbor near by could, and he would accompany the
inquirer there to obtain the desired information. They found Ambus at
home and were invited into the house, but no sooner had they entered
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410
HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
than Lindsey locked the door, and he and Ambus seized the supposed
runaway, and informed him that they would return him to his master in
Kentucky. The wife of Ambus threw the bed upon the floor in order
to get the cord off the bedstead to secure the fugitive. While this was
taking place, Ivindsey's wife, who had put in an appearance, got into a
serious altercation with the Ambus woman as to the share of the re-
ward each should have, the one accusing the other of getting a silk dress
out of the last reward, while she got but a calico gown.
After the fugitive had been securely bound he was taken before old
'Squire Bryan for identification. Lindsey testified that he knew the
captive to be the property of a Mr. McKee near Washington, Kentucky.
That he had worked as a laborer for McKee the year previous, and saw
this negro daily. That his name was William, and that he was positive
this was the same person for he was the only "blue-eyed nigger he had
ever seen."
Then Dunbar, to the amazement of the court and witness, dis-
closed his identity, and was speedily unbound and discharged. Lindsey
and Ambus took their departure amid the jeers and shouts of the spec-
tators, and soon afterward removed from the county.
*PostoflLoes in Adams Coiu&ty,
Beasley Fork 6
Beaver Pond 23
Benton vi He 5
Blue Creek 15
Bradyville 10
Buck Run 20
Cedar MiUs 10
Cherry Fork 10
Dunbarton 11
Dunkinsville 6
Eckmanaville 16
Emerald 18
Fawcett 10
Grimes 12
Harshaville 10
Hills Fork 7
Jaybird 22
Locust Grove 16
Lovett 21
Lynx 10
McCuUough 15
Maddox 10
Manchester 10
May Hill
Mineral Springs 18
Osman 5
Peebles 13
Seaman 15
Selig 20
Stephens 14
Stout 27
Tranquillity 17
Tulip
Vineyard Hill 8
Waggoners Ripple 10
Wamsley 20
West Union
Wheat 8
Wilson 14
Winchester 14
Youngsville 14
* Names in black letter are Money Order offloes. Figures following, indicate distance from
West Union.
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PART II.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES
By EMMONS B. STIVERS
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CHAPTER I.
BRATTON TOWNSHIP
This township lies in the central north part of the county bordering
Highland. It was organized by the Board of County Commissioners, Sep-
tember 4, 1877, from territory cut off the west side of Franklin Township
and was named in honor of John Bratton, an old and respected citizen of
the township.
Snrfaoe,
The surface is undulating and hilly, with deep and narrow valleys
formed by erosion of numerous small streams that flow into the East Fork
of Ohio Brush Creek. This beautiful stream rises from the"Three Forks"
on the northern limit of the township, and flows in a deep channel south
across it, uniting with the West Fork at Newport in Meigs Township. On
its upper course and within sight of the "Three Forks" is the Great Ser-
pent Mound, a description of which will be found under another chapter.
The valley along the East Fork is narrow but very fertile, and the top hills
along its middle and lower courses contain a fine quality of iron ore.
Early Settlers.
John Shepherd, a brother of Abraham Shepherd, of Eagle Creek, who
represented Adams County in the State Senate several terms, was among
the first settlers of this township. He located in 1801, on the East Fork,
on lands recently owned by Peter Andrews. "Shepherd's Crossing" of
Brush Creek is on the "Trace" made by John Shepherd from Orr's Ferry,
below Aberdeen, to his settlement on the East Fork. Following Shep-
herd, came William Armstrong, who settled on the East Fork above the
present village of Loudon in 1802; and about this date, Benjamin, Joseph,
and John West came from Pennsylvania and settled on lands bought in the
Abraham Shepherd survey on upper East Fork. These Wests were rel-
atives of Benjamin West, the celebrated painter. Samuel Shoemaker,
Jacob Wisecup, Adam Keller and Michael Beaver were among the early
settlers.
Villages and PostoflLoes.
Loudon, near the Great Serpent Mound, is a little hamlet that was
begun about Lovett's store in 1839. It was never regularly laid out, but E.
G. Lovett sold small parcels of land for residences and shops to suit the con-
venience of purchasers. The place was called Loudon because that portion
of the township was settled by families from Loudon County, Virginia.
The postoffice is named Lovett's, and was established in 1844 with E. G.
Lovett as postmaster.
MARBI.E Furnace — There was built up about the old Marble Furnace
a little settlement of mechanics, tradesmen, and furnace men, which became
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414
mSTORY OP ADAMS CXDUNTY
known as the village of Marble Furnace, and was a flourishing place in
early days ; but after the abandonment of the furnace in 1834, the village
rapidly declined, anl now nothing remains but a few buildings and a mill.
Marble Furnace postoffice was established here in 1822. It is now discon-
tinued.
Lomsvii.1.^ — This was laid out by Dr. John Gustin, December 3, 1838,
on a plat of eleven acres of land, divided into forty lots. Lacey Peyton
started the first store in the village. A postoffice was established named
Gustin, with James McAdow as postmaster. It has long since been an-
nulled, and the village site turned into farm lands.
Clmrehes.
Methodist Episcopal at Louisville, Dunkard at Marble Furnace,
Methodist Episcopal at Loudon, and Dunkard at May Hill.
Sohools.
It is said that the first school in this township was taught in 1815 by
an old teacher named Vinsonhaler, in a house belonging to James Trimble,
afterwards Governor of Ohio, on lands recently owned by Alfred Fulton.
But this is questionable, as Samuel McCoUister taught in the Brush Creek
settlements as early as 1809. There are at present nine sub-districts with
an enrollment in the present year of 337 pupils distributed as follows :
No.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Females
I
18
17
6
25
15
2
14
21
7
27
14
3
33
27
8
17
15
4
15
18
9
23
16
5
12
10
BEMnaSCEKGES.
Resone of John and Katy DaTls from the Indians.
Just above old Marble Furnace was once the site of an Indian village,
and here after the whites had settled in this vicinity and along Ohio Brush
Creek, Indian families would come and camp to hunt and fish. While
Thomas Davis, who resided on Brush Creek just above the Fristoe bridge,
was away from home, an Indian squaw stole John and Katy Davis, two
of his small children, and carried them to the camp on East Fork. The
mother of the children gave the alarm, the squaw was followed to the camp,
and the children were rescued.
Jaoob Wise and the Bear.
In the cliff on the Sommer's farm near Marble Furnace in 1801, Jacob
Wise discovered two cub bears in a den in the rocks. Fearing an attack
from the mother, Wise got old Peter Platter to help secure the cubs.
When Wise went into the den after the cubs, and while securing them, the
old she-bear rushed past Platter and started in after Wise, piatter seized
her by the hinder parts and held her until Wise crawled out at an opening
in the side of the den. He and Platter then attacked the old bear and
killed her, securing the cubs for pets. These soon grew so large and
became so unruly that they had to be killed.
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CHAPTER II.
FRANKUN TOWNSHIP
Franklin Township was organized February 25, 1828, from territory
taken irom Meigs Township, and at the time of its organization included
what is now Bratton Township. It takes its name from America's wisest
patriot, Benjamin Franklin.
Snrfaoe and Soil.
The western portion of this township is comparatively level, except
bordering the narrow streams which have cut deep furrows in the surface.
This section is drained into the East Fork of Ohio Brush Creek. The east-
ern portion of the township is hilly and in places mountainous, and the soil
is poor and unproductive except along the narrow valleys of the streams.
This section is drained to the southeastward by the tributaries of the North
Fork of Scioto Brush Creek. A large scope of territory in the vicinity of
Locust Grove and to the northward of it, at one time in the geological past
sunk so as to put the shale and Waverly sandstone in the geological plane of
the cliff limestone. Hence shale and sandstone outcrops in the channels of
the tributaries of Crooked Creek, while a short distance to the eastward
these strata occupy a plane from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet
higher.
Early Settlers.
Peter Platter, Peter Wickerham, James Horn, James Boyd, Aaron
Freeman, Robert Earl, William Pemberton, William Ogle, George Heller,
Jesse Wetherington, John Evans, and John Chapman were among the pio-
neers of this region. Platter and Wickerham came in iyig7 or g§ and the
following year Wickerham opened a tavern at what is now known as
Palestine then on the line of Zane's Trace. Afterwards James Horn, who
lived a mile north of Wickerham's on the Trace, opened a tavern where a
public house was kept for many years. Wickerham built the first brick
house in this region in 1805. It is now used as a dwelling by one of his
descendants.
VillaKcs and PostoflLoes.
Locust Grove is the only village in the township. Curtis Cannon in
1805 kept a tavern on the site of the residence of the late Jesse Kendall.
He also carried on a tannery, the first in this region. Afterwards, in 1830,
his son Urban W. Cannon built a hotel and planted a grove of locusts
opposite the hotel recently conducted by D. S. Eylar, where he had a
flourishing trade in the days of the old stage coach line from Maysville to
Chillicothe. In 1835 he laid out a town about the site of his hotel, which he
named Locust Grove, and a postoffice was established bearing the same
name.
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416 HISTORY OP ADA.MS (X)UNTY
Churolies.
The first church organized in this towTiship was the old Covenanter
at Palestine, a history of which we give below from the pen of Rev. W. M.
Glasgow, of Beaver Falls, Pa. The old log house stood on the old Wick-
arham farm now belonging to the heirs of Stephen Reynolds. It was
afterwards removed to Palestine and used for a blacksmith shop. This
congregation was known as Brush Creek church, and originally worshiped
on West Fork near the bridge over that stream on the Tranquillity pike
and opposite the residence of W. O. McCreight.
Brusli Creek Reformed Presbyterian CongreKation«
The Reformed Presbyterian, or Scotch Covenanter Church, is the
lineal descendant and true representative of the Presbyterian Church of
Scotland in her purest days. This church has never been guilty of schism,
but holds tenaciously to all the attainments of that historic body. Because
the Covenanters held to the Word of God, and to the belief that it taught
the "moral personality and accountability of nations to God, thousands of
these pious Christians were martyred in Scotland in the seventeenth century
under the bloody house of the Stewarts. Many were banished to the Col-
onies, and others found a welcome asylum on these American shores. The
first society was formed near Harrisburg, Pa., in 1720. In 1743, led by the
Rev. Alexander Craighead, they rene^ived their ancient covenants ; and, with
uplifted swords, declared their civil and ecclesiastical independence of
Great Britain. In 1774, they received an organization as a distinct body of
Christians in this country, and have come down to the present day as the
sole church of the Scottish Reformation.
Applying their Scriptural principles to the Constitution of the United
States, in 1789, and not finding in this creed of the nation any reference to
the supreme authority of God in civil government, or to Jesus Christ as
the King of Kings and the Governor among, the nations ; or to the word
of God as the higher and supreme law for nations as well as men, Cove-
nanters have uniformly dissented from the civil establishments, and for the
honor of their Savior-King forego the priviliges and emoluments of office-
holding in this land. But they are not traitors or revolutionists. They
dissent and separate from that which is wrong in civil government, and
encourage by way of reformation all that tends to bring our national life to
Jesus Christ and his law as fundamentally necessary to a rightly constituted
government. They are peaceable citizens, pay their taxes cheerfully as a
moral obligation, and bear arms heroically in every national contest.
Ae early as 1801, a few families of these Covenanters had come from
Scotland and Ireland, and some from Kentucky, and settled along Brush
Creek. Among these was James Reid, the grandfather of Hon. White-
law Reid, who came from Kentucky in 1804. Others settled further north
on Paint Creek, and in Highland and Ross Counties, even as far as Chilli-
cothe. They at once established the "Society," which was a meeting for
prayer and conference. Between the yeara of 1 809 and 1814 they were fre-
quently visited by the Rev. John Kell, and other itinerate missionaries.
After 1814 they were supplied by the Rev. Robert Wallace. They were
organized into a congregation called "Chillicothe" (because that was the
nearest postoffice), October 11, 1815. The first bench of ruling elders
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FRANKLIN TOWNSHI
consisted of John French, Hugh Hardy and Jo
years after their organization Mr. Wallace cont
casionally with preaching.
Rev. Charles Brown McKee became their fi
and installed on August 7, 1821. He resigned tl
10, 1822, to accept a call to Cincinnati. For fi>
was vacant, although frequently supplied and inc
fluence. In 1822, William Milligan; and, in 182
inducted into the office of ruling elder.
• Rev. James Blackwood was installed as the
1827, but he only remained two years. In 1828,
Ham Glasgow were ordained elders. On July
congregation was changed to "Brush Creek,'' ai
resided along this stream and in Adams County,
ward continued to bear.
Rev. David Steele was ordained and installe<
24, 183 1. He had several places of preaching,
in Kentucky. During his pastorate (in 1833)
through a division on the question of their civil r
congregation was little affected by this trouble.
In 1840, Mr. Steele regarded his church a
nanted engagements, and he, with elders Williai
Ralston and some of the members, withdrew to c
tion called the "Reformed Presbytery." The elc
original congregation were Andrew Bums, V
Thompson, John Wickerham and Samuel Wrigh
On September 29, 1842, Rev. Robert Hutch
fourth pastor of Brush Creek congregation. Ii
suspended licentiate of the church, led away so
organization of his own called the "Safety Leag
defectionists were elders Joseph Thompson ani
the session had been strengthened in 1842 by
Bayles, Henry George, John Mclntire and J. Th
congregation did not lose its organization and
By emigration and death the congregation became
that Mr. Hutcheson resigned the pastorate May
gation was declared disorganized October 11,
years it continued in this condition, although a fe
to reside in that vicinity, and to hold occasional sc
The Brush Creek congregation was reorgar
Lakes Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyteriai
1 881. There were thirty-three members enrollec
Daniel Sharp were chosen elders. In 1883, Willi
to the session. They never possessed a settled
stated labors of Revs. R. J. Sharpe, William M
C. Sproull, and others. The membership is now
Sharp and W. C. Ralston are the elders ; and tl
fast to the principles and usages of their mai
the most prominent families which have compos
gregation of Covenanters might be perpetuated tl
27a
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418
mSTORY OP ADAJ^S COUNTY
Glasgow, Milligan, Stevenson, Hemphill, Montgomery, Wright, Thomp-
son, Wickerham, McKinley, Torrence, Foster, Mitchell, Copeland, Bayles,
George, Ralston, Fulton, Mclntire and many other worthies.
The following is a register of the pastors and office-bearers of this his-
toric congregation of Covenanters :
Register of tl&e SeMdon.
Pastors.
Installed.
Released.
Robert WaUace (S. S.)
July 10, 1814
August 7. 1821
May 10, 1821.
September 10, 1822.
April 9, 1829.
September 18, 1840.
May 21, 1866.
October 1. 1888.
Charles Brown McKee
James Blackwood
April 12, 1827
Tune 24, 1831
David Steele^
Robert Hutcheson.»
September 29, 1842
January 1. 1882
Robert James Sharpe (S. S.)
Wmiam McKinney (S. S.)
Robert Cameron Allen (S. S.)
November 1, 1883
May 1, 1884.
November 1, 1886.
June 1,1886
Thomas Cargill SproU (S. S.)
October 1. 1888
April 1, 1803.
Year
ordained.
Elders.
Year
released.
Cause of disjunction.
1816
John Fulton
1830
1824
1846
1838
1846
1867
1853
1840
1840
1841
1862
1857
1861
1853
1888
Removed to Sparta, 111.
Removed to Philadelphia, Pa.
Withdrew to *' Safety League."
Removed to Morning Sun, Ohio.
Withdrew to " Safety League."
Disorganization.
Died, January 13, 1863, aged 64.
Withdrew to " Reformed Presbytery."
Withdrew to " Reformed Presbytery."
Died, May 23, 1841, aged 73.
Removed to Northwood, Ohio.
Removed to Rushsylvania, Ohio.
Removed to Linton, Iowa.
1816
Hugh Hardv
1816
John Wickerham
1822
William Milligan
1826
1828
Joseph Thompson..
Andrew Burns
1828
William Glasgo
1834
Thomas Ralston
1837
1838
William McKinley
Samuel Wright
1842
1842
Stephen Bayles
Henrv Georsre
1842.
John Mclntire
1842
1881
J. Thom's'n M'tgomery.
Thomas Davis
Removed to Limton, Iowa.
"Died, January 30, 1888, aged 61.
1881
Daniel f>hara
1888
William C- Ralston
The following is the register of the dates of death and ages of those
elders whose decease is not noted already, viz. :
John Fulton died near Sparta, 111., in 1859.
Hugh Hardy died in Philadelphia, in 1839.
John Wickerham died near Locust Grove, Ohio, April 4, 1865, aged 76.
William Milligan died at Fair Haven, Ohio, Dec. 4, 1839, aged &.
Joseph Thompson died at Coulterville, 111., July 2, 1852, aged 68.
Andrew Burns died near Locust Grove, Ohio, Nov. 17 1872, aged 90.
Thomas Ralston died near May Hill, Ohio, Jan 11, 1850, aged 47.
William McKinley died at Northwood, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1868, aged 83.
Stephen Bayles died at Morning Sun, Iowa, March 2, 1879, aged 78.
Henry George died at Rushsylvania, Ohio, March 13, 1875, aged 75.
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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
John Mclntire died at Morning Sun, Iowa, Dec. 21, 1890
J. Thompson Montgomery is still living at Washington, !<
eighty-five years of age.
Thus the banner for "Christ's Crown and Covenan
played, and His royal prerogatives have been advocated
tury in Adams County.
Locust Qvore M. E. Churoli.
This church was organized about 1825. The first cla
of Jacob Newland, Anna Newland, Peter Andrews, Marg
Cornelius Kane, David Newman, William Hamilton, El
and Catharine Tener. Meetings were held at the house
until 1828 when a log house was erected. In 1854 a fra
erected at "the Grove."
liodces*
Locust Grove F. & A. M. was chartered by the Grand
at Toledo, October 17, 1866. Charter members: James
M. ; David Thomas, S. W. ; D. S. Eylar, J. W. ; Jesse
Newton Richards, Sec. ; J. W. Tarlton, S. D. ; Isaac Earl
Collins, Tiler; J. R. Copeland and W. C. Elliott, Ste
Parker, Geo. W. Reddick, James T. Holliday.
Schools.
The village school of Locust Grove in which two ins
ployed has the following enrollment: Males 31, female
districts are as follows:
No.
Males.
Females.
I
25
23
2
15
15
3
24
28
4
II
8
5
23
33
No.
MaU
6
25
7
12
8
30
9
9
10
28
REMINISCENCES.
As late as 1820, bears, catamounts, wolves and wild
ful in this region. One day in the autumn of 1817 the c
Platter while playing about their home discovered a large c
eyeing them from a branch of a tree in the dooryard. The
the alarm and James Horn was sent for who shot the f
and upon inspection pronounced it one of the largest of
There is yet standing in this township the old log cat
John A. Cockerill, the "Drummer Boy of Shiloh," and ;
aging editor of the New York World, was bom. And aln
of the old Cockerill home is that of the ancestors of White
of the New York Tribune.
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420 fflSTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
Hassle's Springs.
It was in this township that General Nathaniel Massie in 1802 built
the health resort known as Massie's Springs, at the sulphur spring which
yet bears his name. The place was expected to rival the celebrated resort
in his native state Virginia, but his expectations were never realized, and
now all traces of the former buildings are obliterated.
Mershon's TaTern.
On the old Trace north of Locust Grove in pioneer days stood a huge
log building known as Mershon's tavern. When Dr. Cuming traveled over
the Trace from Limestone to Wheeling, in .1807, he stopped over night at
Mershon's and in his "notes" comments on the "fiddling" talent of the
landlord's sons, and their entertainment of guests with music. He also
mentions the fact that at Cannon's tavern "the stage coach sleeps on its
way from Limestone to Chillicothe."
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H
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CHAPTER III.
GREENE TOWNSHIP
In the latter part of the eighteenth century, in the dj
government in Ohio, what is now Greene Township wa
Ridge Township. It was not until December, 1806, tl
sioners of Adams County gave the township its present r
General Greene, of Revolutionary fame. The township i
lows: Beginning on the left bank at the mouth of 0\
where it empties into the Ohio River; thence up the en
of Beasley's Fork ; thence on a straight line to the headi
Run ; thence on the highlands of Ohio and Scioto Brush
line of Adams County ; thence south along said county
River; thence down said river to the beginning. Greer
fourteen miles of river frontage.
Snrfaoe.
After leaving the river bottom lands a very large f
surface is high, hilly and rough. The highest point of lai
Ohio is said to be within the limits of Greene Township
on the Ohio River. These high, rocky cliffs are compose
is known as Waverly sandstone, and, consequently, ar
Immense quantities have been gotten out, and shipped t(
state and the United States for building purposes. M
finest buildings in the country were built from materi
Greene Township.
Streams.
Stouts Run is the principal stream within the limits
It empties its waters into the Ohio River one-half mile
of Rome. About one mile above its mouth, Stouts Ru;
two forks, one known as the East, and the other as the W
are supplied with water from smaller tributaries, such '<
and springs coming down from the hills and mountain
other stream of any importance is Long Lick, which empti
the Ohio River a few miles above Rome.
Soil.
The soil of Greene Township is, in the main, very fei
this true of the soil of the river bottoms, and of the smal
along the streams above mentioned, and Ohio Brush Cr
addition to this, the tillable land on the hills, for the mo
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mSTORY OP ADAJWIS COtJNTY
most excellent crops of corn and tobacco. The principal crops produced
in the township are wheat, oats, com, and tobacco ; also potatoes are grown
in considerable quantities. Perhaps no township in the county grows
more, or better quality of tobacco than Greene. Fruit and especially
apples are produced in large quantities on the fertile hills. A little mcM^
than a score of years ago Greene Township was the greatest peach pro-
ducing locality in the state. Hundreds of thousands of bushels of this
fruit were grown and shipped to foreign markets ; but of late years com-
paratively little of this fruit has been grown; most of the old peach
orchards having died out, being much shorter lived than the apple trees.
The celebrated Rome Beauty apple originated at Rome in this township.
First Settlers of Greene Townsliip.
The following are a few of the first settlers of Greene Township as
obtained from the meager source to which we have had access. The first
white settler was Obadiah Stout, who was a native of New Jersey, and
served through the Revolutionary War. Mr. Stout had ten children, the
youngest two, named Obadiah and John, were scalped by the Indians while
he lived at Graham's Station, Kentucky. He moved to Greene Township
in the year 1796, and settled on the east, or Puntenney's Fork of Stouts
Run. In 1796 Obadiah Stout, Jr., grandson of Obadiah Stout, Sen., was
born, being the first white child born in Greene Township. Soon after
this settlement, several other families came into the neighborhood, amcMig
whom were the Colvins, Pettits, Montgomerys, Samuels, Russells, and Geo.
H. Puntenney and his father-in-law, William Hamilton, who taught the
first school in the township.
After this, in 1804, there were four distilleries, one school house, and
no church. Now there are six church buildings, three others having
recently been destroyed by fire and fourteen school houses, and no dis-
tillery.
George Hollingsworth Puntenney moved to Greene Township, March,
1800, and settled on the East Fork of Stouts Run on the farm now owned
by A. C. Smith. His son, James Puntenney, was born September i, 1800,
being the second white child bom in the township. Geo. H. Puntenney
and wife, Margaret, were among the most prominent citizens of the town-
ship. They are interred in the Ptmtenney cemetery on the home farm.
James Puntenney, whose birth is referred to above, was married in the
year 1823 to Miss Martha Waite, of Blue Creek. His whole life was spent
on Stouts Run. His death occurred May 7, 1890, when he was nearly
ninety years of age. His wife was five years younger than he, and her
death was five years prior to his. Mr. Puntenney was a man of most ex-
cellent character. He was honored and respected by everybody who knew
him, but especially by the poor in his community, to whose needs he
always stood ready to contribute. Away back in the dark days of human
bondage, before the Civil War, the home of Mr. Puntenney was known
as a resting place for those who were fleeing from the cruel slavery of our
neighbor state, Kentucky. Very many, no doubt have thus partaken of his
generous bounty, and have been spirited on towards the farther North,
where they hoped to breathe the pure air of freedom, without the fear of
being recaptured and carried back into bondage at the cruel hand of the
master.
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GREENE TOWNSHIP
423
llovmds.
While there are several mounds within the limits of Greene Township,
very few are of sufficient importance to find a place in this history.
In Volume V, Ohio Archaeological Reports, we find the following in
reference to Greene Township mounds : "Just below Rome, on the high
bank of the river, two hundred yards from the water, is a mound two feet
high and fifty feet in diameter. In this small structure were found no
less than twenty-two skeletons, some of which appeared to have been bur-
ied in part only. There were many fragments of pottery in the mound, but
we think the presence of these is due to the fact that the earth immediately
around the village was scooped up to form the mound, consequently much
of the village site debris was gathered into baskets, and dumped upon the
structure. Perforated mussel shells were with many of the bodies, a bone
awl, and a slate ceft polished at both ends. There were three arrow heads,
three war points, and three worked pieces of shell. Some twenty per-
forated humeri were secured, but no whole skulls, as every one was broken,
as were most of the long bones. The vertebral columns of some of the
skeletons were only half present, which led us to believe that some of the
bodies had been gathered when the flesh was denuded from the bones.
Possibly from a battle field, possibly from a charnel house — who can tell ?
The most important find was the bones of an exceedingly large in-
dividual. These bones were very badly decayed, but the tibia was re-
moved in fair shape. The width of this bone was nearly two inches, being
very massiye, and somewhat bent. The femora were very large and more
curved than is usual. Many pipes and ornaments have been found around
this mound."
Villases and Postoffioes.
Rome, on the Ohio River near the site of the old town of Adamsville,
is the largest village in the township. It was laid out by William Stout in
1835. The postoffice here is named Stout.
CoMMERCiALTOWN, on the Ohio about six miles above Rome, was
laid out in 1832 by S. B. McCall.
RocKViLLE, adjoining Commercialtown, was laid out in 1830. Both
these villages are shipping points for the stone quarries in the vicinity.
Waggoners Ripple is a postoffice established in 1842 at the crossing
of Ohio Brush Creek on the western l»order of the township.
Mills and Mannf aotories.
There are at present the following mills in the township. A flouring
mill and a planing mill at Rome, operated by W. D. Pennywitt ; a flouring
mill owned and operated by Abraham Wamsley ; a flouring mill owned by
Richard Moore and a grist mill owned and operated by James Harper.
Chorolies.
Stouts Run U. P., organized in 1862.
Stouts Run Christian, organized by Mathew Gardner in 1830.
Rome Presbyterian, organized, November 25, 1844.
Rome M. E., organized about 1838.
Sandy Springs, M. E.
Sandy Springs, Baptist.
Sandy Springs Presbyterian.
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HISTORY OP ADAJ^S COUNTY
Schools.
There are two special school districts in the township, one at the vil-
lage of Rome and the other at Sandy Springs. The enumeration in the
Rome Special District is : Males, 69; females, 90. Sandy Springs : Males,
38 ; females, 24.
There are also eleven sub-district schools with the following en-
umeration :
Mo.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Female
I
33
14
7
32
39
2
33
29
8
22
17
3
22
29
9
^5
19
4
9
7
10
36
24
5
6
3
II
35
25
6
31
29
REMINISCENCES.
In the year 1809. a young woman named Elizabeth Catt was charged
with infanticide, having, as charged, strangled her day-old infant to death.
She was arrested and given a preliminary hearing before a jury of twelve
women, residents of Greene Township, whose names were as follows:
Elizabeth Eakins, Elizabeth Stout, Margaret Puntenney, Margaret Mont-
gomery, Hannah Eakins, Charity Hubbard, Frances Russell, Nancy Wood,
Margaret Stout, Sen., Margaret Stout, Jun., Sarah Cole, and Mary Colvin.
The accused was bound over to the Court of Common Pleas and upon
trial before a jury was acquitted of the charge.
The Hannted Cave.
Among the lofty crags near the headwaters of Black's Run on the
nolhwestern border of Greene Township, is a remarkable cavern known
as "The Haunted Cave." In pioneer days it was the dwelling place of
desperadoes who preyed on the fleets of emigrant boats as they floated
down the Ohio to the gateway of the Virginia Reservation and the North-
west Territory. It is a tradition that the notorious James Girty, a brother
of Simon Girty, made this cavern the place of rendezvous of this band of
savages and desperadoes prior to the settlement of the whites in that region.
The murder of Greathouse who was captured with his companions on a
pirogue near the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek in 1790, and tied to a tree and
whipped to death, is attributed to Girty and his followers. Mysterious
murders at the mouth of Long Lick, and the vicinity of Brush Creek
Island are said to have been committed by dwellers in the "Haunted Cave."
The cavern, which consists of numerous large rooms in one of which is
a sparkling stream of water, is entered by means of a ladder down to the
outer chamber, and was accidentally discovered by old Jonathan Waite
while exploring the crags and crevices of the region for a traditional lead
mine in the early part of the last century.
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GREENE TOWNS aiP
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Murder of James H. Rice.
The widowed mother of Frank Hardy, a young man of about eighteen
years of age, had married James H. Rice and the three were living two
miles above Rome in 1869. O" the twenty-third day of February of that
year, while assisting Rice with some work about the stable, Hardy killed
him with an ax, and placing the body on a sled covered it with cornstalks
and stable manure and hauled it down to the river bank where he had
already dug a pit, and threw the body of Rice into it. He then filled up
the pit, covering the surface with cornstalks and stable refuse, hastened to
his home, changed his clothing and fled the country. He was finally
arrested at Cairo, 111., and at the September term of the Court of Common
Pleas was found guilty of murder in the first degree and sentenced to be
hanged on the second Friday in February, 1870. The Supreme Court sus-
pended the execution until the case could be reviewed, and then sustained
the court below and fixed the day of execution for May 6, 1870. On April
2T, Governor Hayes commuted the sentence to imprisonment for life, and
in 1874, Governor Bishop pardoned Hardy. Frank Hardy was the second
and last person to receive the death sentence in the courts of the county.
The Longhry Lands.
They lie in Greene Township, Adams County, and in Nile Township,
Scioto County, Ohio. They embrace 745 acres in one body, perhaps the
largest tract in Adams County under the one ownership. The tract is made
up of twelve surveys and parts of surveys. The entire tract fronts on the
Ohio River one mile from the western boundary at Buena Vista in Scioto
County to the town plat of Commercial in Adams County. The steam-
boat landings at Buena Vista and at Rockville are in this tract. There is
deep water along the entire front. Fifty-five acres are in the river bottoms,
which varies from six to twenty rods wide. Three small streams flow into
th eriver from this tract. Flat Run, Gregg Run and Rock Run. The
latter is a canyon and the scenery along it is picturesque.
The main residence on these lands is in the village of Rockville, where
Mrs. Sallie B. Loughry resides, and where she keeps summer boarders.
It is located on the river bank with a delightful lawn and surroundings.
It has fine old trees and commands pleasant views up and down the valley
of the Ohio opposite, and the Kentucky hills in the background. The home
is an old-fashioned one with many outbuildings for stock. There are five
dwelling houses on the property outside of the main residence. There is
one in the yard with the main dwelling house, two up Rock Run and in
the bottom midway between Buena Vista and Rockville is a stone house
built by Joseph Moore in 1814 of the Waverly sandstone taken from the
hills adjacent. At the foot of the hills near Buena Vista are two other
farm houses in good repair and occupied by tenants. Good barns are at
different points on the tract.
The bottom lands produce excellent crops of corn, wheat and gfrass.
The soil in the hills is adapted to tobacco and to pasturage. In years gone
by, extensive peach orchards grew and yielded luscious crops successive
seasons. No finer peaches were ever produced in the United States than
were grown on these lands.
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HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
General Nathaniel Massie, who located almost all the lands on the
Ohio River from Aberdeen to Portsmouth, located the surveys bordering
the river as early as 1791. The late Judge Joseph Moore, who in early
life was a stone cutter, purchased two of the tracts from Massie prior to
1814, and in the latter year built the stone house already mentioned. He
resided there until 1830. Between 1814 and 1830, he made rafts of dead-
ened poplar trees, loaded them with blocks of sandstone from the foot of
the hills and shipped them to Cincinnati for building stone, where there
was then a good market for this stone and has been ever since. From
1814 to the present time, building stone has been shipped from these lands,
or those in the vicinity, to Cincinnati. In 1830, Judge Moore retired to
his farm above Buena Vista, and the late John Loughry took the tract. He
had a contract to furnish stone for the Miami Canal. Judge Moore got
all of his stone from the foot of the hills, but Loughry began his work at
the top. The canal locks in and about Cincinnati, built with this stone, have
stood over sixty years and today are as good as when furnished. The
foundation of the main residence on the tract was put in from this stone
sixty-seven years ago and is as good as at first. The marks of the hammer
are as fresh as if made but yesterday. Cincinnati is full of business houses
and dwelling fronts made from these quarries. It is also constantly used
in brick houses for window caps and sills.
John Loughry at first dragged the stone to the river with ox teams,
but afterwards built chutes in the hillsides and slid the stone down, and
lastly he made good roads and hauled the stone down on wagons. In more
recent years an inclined railroad was used for the purpose, and locomotives
hauled the stone to the top of the hill and from there it was lowered by
endless cables to the wharfs. The stone was first loaded on decked scows
by means of rollers and crowbars, but later hoisting machinery was used,
capably of lifting the largest blocks. The decked barge was a great stride
from the log raft of Jude Moore, every one of which went ultimately to
the New Orleans market. When tow boats came into use, the barges were
no longer sold but returned and kept in the business.
"The City Ledge," so named by John Loughry, proved to be the most
popular stone in Cincinnati. It is a light drab or gray in color. For special
orders, blocks containing three hundred cubic feet and weighing twenty-
four tons have been quarried and shipped. The stone above and below the
"City Ledge" was quarried. The Trust Ccwnpany Bank at the southwest
corner of Third and Main Streets in Cincinnati was built with stone from
a particular ledge named the "Trust Company Ledge." The Canal locks
were built of Yellow ledge near the top of the hill, but all ledges have stood
the test of time.
John Loughry retired from the business of quarrying stone on the lands
in 1856, but his son, John C. Loughry, conducted it from that date until
1861, when the quarrying ceased. He resumed it from 1863 to 1865, when
he got out the stone used for the piers of the suspension bridge at Cincin-
nati, Ohio. In 1865, he sold out to the Caden Brothers, who conducted
the business on an extensive scale till 1873, when Mr. John C. Loughry
bought the tract back. For a long time he sold the stone to John M.
Mueller, at a royalty of three to four cents per cubic foot in the quarry.
The stone business is an extensive one at Buena Vista, and in Lewis
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GREENE TOWNSHIP
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County, Kentucky, nearly opposite. The village of Buena Vista is de-
voted wholly to the stone trade, and Garrison and Quincy on the opposite
side are also devoted to it.
"The City Ledge" is still unquarried for more than a mile and a half.
In the city of Portsmouth, sixteen miles from Buena Vista, the saw mills
are running constantly, sawing the same quality of stone, but the stone near
Portsmouth is not so excellent as that at Buena Vista for many purposes.
In Portsmouth and Buena Vista many pavements are laid with this
sawed Waverly sandstone. Front steps are made from it, but it is most
extensively used for trimmings and for window caps and sills. This same
stone has been largely used in N^W York, Chicago, and Washington, D.
C. The beauty of the stone, the ease with which it works under the chisel
or the saw, makes it very popular in a wide range of territory, and for
house steps, window caps and sills, cornices, etc., it has no equal. Bridges,
piers, arch culverts and heavy foundations are made of it constantly.
The piers of the suspension bridge and of the L. & N. R. R. bridge
at Cincinnati, of the N. & W. Bridge, at Kenova, West Virginia, and the
culvert and bridge piers on the N. & W. R. R. between Columbus and
Ironton, and on the C. & O. R. R. between Huntington and Cincinnati, are
made of it. Many business blocks in Cincinnati are faced with it, and it
is now largely quarried on the C. P. & V. R. R. and on the C. & O. opposite
the same place. There are sixty ledges of this stone on the tract. Twenty-
two of them are below the "City Ledge" and the lowest of them is two
hundred feet above the level of the bottom land. None of these ledges can
be worked about Portsmouth for there they are below the level of the river.
On this tract they can be worked for a mile on the Ohio River front and on
both sides of Rock Run for two or three miles up that stream the canyon
of that stream affording good dumping ground. But stone is not the only
mineral wealth on this tract. The clays are most valuable. The two
hundred feet of shale extending from the level of the bottom land to the
first ledge contains much oil. Before the discovery of petroleum, it was
distilled for lubricating and illuminating oils. Lying in the "City Ledge'*
is a blue clay which bums to the color of the famous Milwaukee brick, and
just below it, is a stratum which will make the best of sewer pipe. Sixteen
feet above the "City Ledge" is a red clay, which has been used by the
Rockwood Pottery at Cincinnati. Beautiful building brick has been made
from it. This clay is well adapted to art pottery, and for bricks for house
fronts. Several articles of pottery made from this clay were decorated by
Mrs. Bellamy Storer, and took distinguished prizes at the latest Paris Ex-
position.
As a summer resort, this place has many attractions. All the passenger
boats land directly in front of the main residence. The Chesapeake &
Ohio Railroad is directly across the river and persons can get off at either
Garland or Buena Vista Stations. There are chalybeate springs on the
property like the Adams County Mineral Springs, or Esculapia in Ken-
tucky. The canyon of Rock Run is always cool. The scenery around and
below the tract is as fine as any in the Ohio Valley. There is good driving
up and down the river valley, fine fishing in the river and it is an excellent
locality for those fond of rowing.
The property is owned by H. D. Mirick, of No. 1302 N St., N. W.,
Washington, D. C, and controlled by N. W. Evans, of Portsmouth, Ohio.
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CHAPTER TV.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
Jefferson Township, named for President Jefferson, was organized in
1806, as will be seen by reference to the chapter on "Organization of the
Townships," from territory formerly included in Iron Ridge Township.
Its boundaries as then defined were : Beginning at the moiith of Beasle/s
Fork; thence up Brush Creek to the mouth of Lick Fork; thence east to
the Scioto County line ; thence south along said line to the northeast comer
of Greene Township; thence west along the north line of said township
to the place of beginning.
It is the largest township, both in area and population, in the county.
It contains 50,450 acres of land, and has a voting population of over one
thousand. It is now divided into four voting precincts: Wamsleyville,
Cedar Mills, Lynx, and Churn Creek.
Snrfaoe and Soil.
The township lies in the shale and Waverly sandstone region, and
is rough and hilly, and in places mountainous. Greenbriar Mountain in
the south central part of the township, is one of the high points in the
county. A lonely tree on top of this knob can be seen on a clear day from
the Odd Fellows' Cemetery at West Union, a distance of nearly ten miles.
The highest point in the township is a slate and sandstone knob in the ex-
treme southeastern part of the township, about two miles east of the Geod-
etic Station ; it is nearly 1,200 feet above sea level. From its summit Ports-
mouth, West Union and all the elevated points in the county can be seen.
There are several other knobs almost as lofty as this in the township.
These knobs are capped with sandstone and fringed about with pine, cedar
and chestnut trees.
The soil in the valleys is very fertile, producing bountiful crops of
corn, wheat, oats, clover, timothy and tobacco. This latter has become a
staple crop in Jefferson Township, many of the hillsides on which the
accumulation of decaying vegetation has gathered for centuries, where
sheltered from winds, producing a fine quality of white hurley leaf. Upon
the discovery of this fact, a great influx of population to this region, from
the hurley tobacco districts of Brown and Clermont Counties took place
in the period from 1875 ^o 1885. The "coon-hunter, the ginseng digger,
and the bark peeler,'* have given place to intelligent and industrious hus-
bandmen, whose neat farms and comfortable homes, rank with those in the
more fertile regions of the county. There is not a more picturesque region
nor a happier, more comfortable class of people, in what constitutes real
happiness and comfort, than Blue Creek Valley and its denizens.
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
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First Settlers.
It is not possible now to learn who was the first white inhabitant of
this region. It was the hunter's paradise — buffaloes, elks, deer, bears, wild
turkeys and other game being found in great abundance. And the streams,
whose waters are so soft, so clear and sparkling, teemed with the finest bass
and pickerel. It was to this region then that the more daring hunters
came and made their abode before the husbandman seeking a farm built
his cabm and cleared away the forests Among the first settlers were
James and Joseph Williams. They came about 1796, and James Williams
erected a cabin on the east side of Ohio Brush Creek near where the Cedar
Mills Pike crosses that stream, or about sixteen rods above the crossing of
the old Cincinnati and Portsmouth Ro?d.
Isaac Wamsley, Sr., about this date settled a little further down the
creek in the vicinity of the Old Forge Dam.
Then Jonathan Waite settled on the Peter Wycoff farm, and Philip
Lewis built a cabin near the mouth of Blue Creek. Among the early settlers
may be mentioned Jesse Edwards, John Newman, Lazalel Swim, David
Newman, John Prather, John Beckman, George Sample, at the mouth of
Soldier's Run and Thomas Lewis.
William Lewis, a son of Philip Lewis, in writing of the early settlers
in Jefferson Township in 1879, said: "My father, Philip Lewis, came to
Jefferson Township in 1797 [the land records show that he was here in
1796], and settled on Blue Creek near where it empties into Scioto Brush
Creek. He built a saw and grist mill the same year. James and Joseph
Williams were here when father came. They had come the year before.
They were squatters, followed hunting and lived in shanties without floors.
Old man Foster, also, was a squatter and settled where Wash. McGinn
now lives. Jesse Edwards, who killed the big bear, came the same year
father did. He was a Revolutionary soldier and lived where David Collings
now does. He died at the age of 1 10 years.
The bear referred to was killed on our place on an ash tree that stood
on the left of the run as you go up it, right opposite where Clark Compton
lives. It weighed something over three hundred pounds."
Cemeteries.
In the old cemetery at Moore's Chapel, are buried many of the pioneers
of that portion of the township. Few of them have grave stones, and some
of these are so defaced by time as to obscure the names and dates. Hon
John B. Young furnished us the following: Jesse Williams, bom 1759, ^^^^
December 2, 1808; Andrew Jones, born 1768, died July 19, 1841 ; James
Cain, born 1739, ^^^^ Febraury i, 1836; John Williams, born in Maryland,
1776, died February 21, 1854; Mary Williams, his wife, bom 1766, died
August 12, 1838; Michael Freeman, born 1765, died April 14, 1835; Eliza-
beth Freeman, born 1766, died April 23, 185 1 ; John Wikoff, born 1774,
died December 16, 1849; Katharine Wikoff, bom 1779, died October 5,
1852; Hiram Jones, bom 1796, died October 26, 1843; Malinda Pendil,
born 1765, died 1833; Conrad Cook, born 1774, died June 26, 1833;
Elizabeth Cook, born 1781, died January 30, 1840.
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430 HISTORY OP AD^UIS COUNTY
Caraway Cemetery — Henry Caraway, bom Greenbriar County,
Virginia, 1765, died June 3, 1835; Margaret Caraway, born 1764, died
October, 1819; Samuel Newman, born at Alexandria, Virginia, 1768, died
February 20, 1855; Nancy Newman, born 1771, died July 21, 1848.
Chnrobes.
Liberty Chapel, M. P., was organized in 1837. It is in the south-
western portion of township near Lynx postoffice and is known as "Green-
briar."
Cedar Grove, Baptist, organized in 1871, is about one mile north of
Liberty on Greenbriar.
Hill's Chapel, known as "Hell's Kitchen," on Randall's Run, formerly
U. B., not now occupied.
"Mahogany," "Hackworth" Baptist, in western part of the township,
in the Taylor settlement.
Christian Union, Wamsleyville, organized 1870.
M. E. Church, Wamsleyville, organized 1820.
White Oak M. E., organized 1820.
Christian Union, near White Oak Chapel, organized 1865.
Mount Unger, Baptist, organized 1872, near Scioto County line.
Christian Union, Blue Creek, formerly Grange Hall.
Union Grove, near residence of Hon. John B. Young, built as a union
house for religious and literary purposes, in 1880. Occupied by the
Christian Union Church since 1883, but is free to all denominations of "in-
telligence and piety."
Moore's Chapel, on Breedlove Run, near Blue Creek postoffice, was
the first Methodist Episcopal organization in the Northwest Territory and
here was erected the
First M. E. Meetins House in Ohio.
The first Methodist Society organized in the Northwest Territory
was at the humble cabin of Joseph Moore on Scioto Brush Creek in Adams
County. Writers more enthusiastic than accurate have stated that this was
in the year 1793 when Joseph Moore settled on the farm recently owned
by Oliver Jones in Jefferson Township near Blue Creek postoffice. But
this is too early a date. There were no settlements made outside the stock-
ade at Three Islands, or Manchester, previous to 1795 ; and this date is
probably the year that Moore's cabin was erected on Scioto Brush Creek,
although it may have been a year later. But in 1797, there was quite a num-
ber of settlers in the vicinity of Moore's cabin, and it was here, and in this
year that the Pioneer Methodist Society in Ohio, and the Northwest Terri-
tory, was organized. It is stated that Dr. Edward Tiffin, the first Gov-
ernor of the State of Ohio, visited the class at Moore's in the year 1797,
which is altogether probable, as he located in the town of Chillicothe about
the time of its founding in 1796 ; Adamsville near the present site of Rome
on the Ohio, was in 1797 made the seat of justice for Adams. County
which then included what is now Ross County. Moore's was conveniently
near the line of travel from Chillicothe to the place of meeting of the courts
of Adams County. About this time there was a society of Methodists in
the vicinity of Simon Field's which met at Wamsley's on Ohio Brush
Creek, and it is said that Dr. Tiffin frequently preached there, also.
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
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Rev. Philip Gatch, Rev. Lewis Hunt and Rev. Henry Smith preached
to these societies before the year 1800. Rev. Henry Smith, who organized
the Scioto Circuit in 1799, says that "on the sixth of August, 1800, we
proposed building a meeting house at Scioto Brush Creek, for a private
house would not hold our week-day congregation ; but we met with some
who opposed it. We however succeeded in building a small log house,
large enough for the neighborhood." It was named Salem Chapel, but
afterwards called Moore's Meeting House.
This rude log structure erected by the pioneer settlers for the beauti-
ful Scioto Brush Creek valley was the first Methodist Meeting House in
the State of Ohio. It was begun in the winter of 1800 and completed the
summer following. The first services held in it by the circuit preachers
was the quarterly meetings in August, 1801. There stands upon the old
site today a neat frame building erected through the untiring energy of
Rev. A. D. Singer, who vowed that this spot so dear to every true Meth-
odist should be marked by a comfortable church building in which the
members might gather to worship Him who had guided their forefathers
to this "refuge in the wilderness." The pulpit is a beautiful piece of work-
manship constructed by Rev. Singer from sixteen kinds of native woods.
The front panel is inlaid with dark colored woods so as to form the figures
1 800- 1 880, the dates respectively of the building of the first church and
the dedication of the present structure.
A writer has truthfully said that there should be no more sacred spot
to Ohio Methodists than this, and that there should be erected on the site
of Moore's Meeting House, a handsome stone chapel adorned with beau-
tiful memorial windows bearing the names of the pioneer ministers who
founded Methodism in Ohio there. The building is surrounded by a bury-
ing ground where sleep many of the pioneers of Scioto Brush Creek valley.
Villases and PostolRces.
Wamsi^Eyvili^B, a pretty little village on Scioto Brush Creek in the
northeastern part of the township and about one mile from the Scioto
County line, was laid out in 1874 by William Wamsley of that place. The
postoffice there, named Wamsley, was established in 1869, with William
Wamsley as the first postmaster.
Blue Creek, a little hamlet lying along the valley at the junction of
Blue Creek with Scioto Brush Creek, including the lower valley of Mill
Creek, is a most charming locality. Blue Creek postoffice was established
in 1844 with Isaac N. Wamsley first postmaster. There is a good Hotel
near this place conducted by John W. Lightbody.
Cedar Mili^ is on Cedar Run where old Brush Creek Furnace was
located. The postoffice was established in 1868, John V. Claxton, first post-
master.
Lynx Postoffice, on Greenbriar, was established in 1879 with E. L.
Ellis as postmaster. It is named from the wild animals of that name that
once infested that region.
Seug^ hamlet and postoffice, is in the southern part of the township,
named for Hugo Selig, once a merchant at that point.
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482 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
Schools.
No. I. White Oak — Males 51, females 31.
No. 2. Randall's Run — Males 40, females 36.
No. 3. Red House — Males 49, females 41.
No. 4. Cedar Mills — Males 29, females 36.
No. 5. Fears — Males 23, females 21.
No. 6. Hamilton's — Males 32, females 32.
No. 7. Caraways — Males 17, females 20.
No. 8. Blue Creek — Males 29, females 24.
No. 9. Woodworth's — Males 44, females 40.
No. 10. Wamsley's — Males 28, females 26.
Nos. II and 12. Fractional — Controlled by Greene Township Board.
No. 13. Mill Creek — Males 27, females 33.
No. 14. High Hill — Males 24, females 24.
No. 15. Mt. Unger — Males 47, females 32.
No. 16. Turkey Run — Males 31, females 19.
No. 17. Upper Churn Creek — Males 36, females 45.
No. 18. Shawnee — Males 14, females 21.
No. 19. Johnson's Run — Males 28, females 19.
No. 20. Cassel's Run — Males 48, females 27.
No. 21. Star — Males 32, females 24.
No. 22. Sunshine — Males 24, females 25.
No. 23. Winterstein's Run — Males 20, females 17.
REMINISCENCES.
An. Old Meado'w.
On the home farm of the late Newton Moore on Ohio Brush Creek,
between the house and the creek, is a field of several acres which has been
in meadow continuously for ninety-six years, having never been plowed but
once, at the time of clearing, and which yields annually from two to three
tons of timothy to the acre.
Churn Creek
is a peculiar name for a beautiful stream. It is said that a party of pio-
neer surveyors while in this vicinity resolved to procure some "Old Monon-
gahela" from Graham's Station across the Ohio in Kentucky, and sent
one, Armstrong, to fetch it. He made his way to the Station and secured
the "old double distilled,*' but had no vessel to carry it in. Finally, a
cedar churn was procured and in it the refreshment was put and carried
back to the camp in the wilds of Iron Ridge. From this circumstance it
is said the stream was immediately named Churn Creek.
A Marvelous Incident.
In July, 1817, there was a "cloud burst" in the region of Churn Creek,
and the waters of that stream, it is said, rose to a height of twenty feet,
destroying crops, and otherwise doing great damage along that stream.
Scioto Brush Creek suddenly rose from the flood in Churn Creek and
vicinity, and soon overflowed its banks. Lazaleer Swim, grandfather of
Samuel B. Wamsley, was then living on the farm recently owned by the
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
433
latter on Scioto Brush Creek. Seeing an approaching storm, he sent his
two little boys to pen the sheep in a building in the bottom below the house.
It was in the evening and growing quite dark. Suddenly the waters burst
in a swift current between the house and the pen in which the children
were securing the sheep, and the horrified father saw they could not be
rescued. He called to them to climb on top of the sheep pen, which they
did, taking up a favorite dog with them. The flood continued to rise, and
soon swept the pen with the boys and dog on its roof down the creek where
it lodged in a drift of rails and logs against some large sycamore trees near
where Wamsleyville is now situated. Here the children remained until
the waters began to subside, when they were rescued, almost dead from
fright and exposure, by their parents and the neighbors who had been
aroused by the frantic cries for help and the pitiful howling of the dog.
A Pioneer Family.
Hosea Moore, whose name is frequently mentioned in the early his-
tory of Adams County, had a sister, Ruhama Moore, the wife of James
Kendall, of Winchester Township, who was the mother of twenty-four
children, eighteen of whom were yet living in 1879.
28a
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CHAPTER V,
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
Liberty Township was organized December 6, 1817, from territory
taken from the north end of Sprigg Township. Under the territorial
organization what is now Liberty was included mostly in Manchester
Township, the western portion however was within the limits of Cedar Hill.
The first election in Liberty Township was held at the house of David
Robe in April, 1818.
Earlj Settlers.
It is said that Governor Thomas Kirker was the first settler, but it
is more accurate to say he was among the first of the pioneers of this re-
gion. His cabin was erected on Zane's Trace on what is 'known as the
old Kirker farm in the southeastern part of the township. James Jan-
uary came as early as 1796 and one year later opened a tavern on the Trace
at the foot of the hill west of West Union on the Swearengen farm. About
this date also came Needham Perry, Alexander Meharry, Richard Askren,
John Mahaffey, Rev. Thomas Odell, David Robe, George Dillinger, Bez-
ebel Gordon, Col. John Lodwick, Daniel Marlatt, James Wade and Joseph
Wade. And later, James McGovney, John Stivers^Conrad Foster, and
Lewis Coryell. These were mostly Revolutionary soldiers from Virginia,
and to perpetuate among their descendants the memory of the cause for
which they had struggled, the name Liberty was given to this township
when formed. Land warrant number one issued to Richard Askren, was
laid in this township.
As indicative of the frugality and integrity of the citizens of Liberty
Township, a chronicler of local history in the year 1880 noted the fact that
there had never been an assignment made by any of its citizens.
Surface and SolL
The surface is rolling and in localities bordering the streams somewhat
hilly. Bald Hill and Cave Hill, in the northeastern part of the township,
are remarkable elevations, the first about 650 and the second over 700 feet
above low water at Cincinnati. They have the same geological position
as the elevations on which West Union stands and are "outliers" of the
cliff limestone. Cave Hill is one hundred feet higher than West Union,
and was one of the stations in the United States Geodetic Survey. The
western portion of the township is in the Cincinnati or blue limestone
belt and the soil is generally fertile, producing good crops of com, to-
bacco, wheat, oats and clover. The surface is furrowed by numerous
streams, tributaries of Eagle Creek, the largest of which is East Fork
which receives the waters of Hill's and Kyte*s Forks in this township.
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LIBERTY township;
485
VillacMi and Postofices.
Fairvi^w, near the Brown County line on the old Cincinnati turn-
pike, was laid out by William Mahaffey, March 15, 1844, on a plot of nine
lots. Benjamin Whiteman kept a store there previous to that time, and
a postoffice named Hill's Fork had been established with Robert Patton as
first postmaster. The village contains one store, one church, a black-
smith shop and a few residences.
Maddox Postoffice, established in 1890, is in the southwestern part
of the township.
Chnrobes.
The first church in the township was a log structure erected by the
Christian Association or "New Lights" near the old Kirker Cemetery in
1800; but the Associate Reformed Presbyterian congregation held meet-
ings at the house of James January as early as 1797. See history of U.
P. Church under Wayne Township.
Briar Ridge M. E. Church. This is one of the pioneer churches
of the township and county. A log house was erected there in 1804, and
afterwards a small brick, which was replaced by the present frame build-
ing. Near here on the creek, Rev. Odell and Rev. Robert Dobbins
founded the first Methodist class in, this part of Adams County. Peter
Cartright, afterwards a celebrated Methodist divine, used to preach at
Odell's in this locality.
Christian Union Church. About 1868 a division in the M. E.
Church at Briar Ridge took place over questions of politics growing out
of the Civil War, and many members joined the new Christian Union
Association, and about 1873 erected a comfortable frame church house near
the site of the Methodist edifice.
German M. E.' Church. Some years before the Civil War, a small
colony of German families settled in the vicinity of Hill's Fork. In 1853
they built a house of worship at Fairview where services have been held,
with slight interruptions, to the present time, but not as formerly in the
German tongue.
Liberty Chapel, M. E. This church is on the North Liberty and
Manchester pike at the crossing of the old Cincinnati road. It is a frame
erected in 1879, at a cost of eight hundred dollars.
Schools.
It is said that the first schoolhouse in this township stood on the
Kleinknecht farm and that an English woman, Mrs. Dodson, was the
first teacher in 1803. There was a schoolhouse on East Fork near Jan-
uary's tavern as early as 1805. We are inclined to the belief that William
Dobbins, a son of Rev. Robert Dobbins, was one of the first schoolmasters
in this township.
The following is the enumeration in each of the sub-districts of the
present year:
No.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Females
I
27
20
6
II
24
2
15
18
7
17
17
3
17
II
8
21
40
4
5
19
18
21
18
9
19
13
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436 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
REMINISCENCES.
CampmeetiiLKB.
The old campmeeting ground on the Noleman farm was a favorite
retreat for the Methodists in early days. There such famous pulpit ora-
tors as John Collins, Henry Bascom, Peter Cartright and William Mc-
Kendree preached in "God's first temples" and led repentant sinners to
the "house of the Lord/'
Crawford*! Stable.
There were many Indians in this region when the first settlers came,
after the treaty of Greenville, and they annoyed the pioneers greatly by
begging and pilfering, and occasionally stealing horses. William Craw-
ford, in order to protect a valuable horse from being stolen, built a stable
in one end of his cabin in which he secured the animal at night.
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MRS. MARY TRUITT SAMUF.L B. TRTITT
MRS. ADALINE WILI^SON WILLIAM K. WILLSOX, M. D.
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CHAPTER VI.
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP
Manchester was the name of one of the territorial townships formed
at the organization of Adams County, September, 1797. It included a
part of what is now Tiffin, Oliver, and Scott; all of Winchester,
Wayne and Liberty; and, most of Sprigg Township as now constituted,
including the present township of Manchester. Its northern limit ex-
tended to the Wayne County line north of the site of the city of Columbus.
In the year 1806, the Board of County Commissioners reorganized
the townships of the county, and Manchester was subdivided into town-
ships and parts of townships bearing new names, that of Manchester
being dropped from the record.
In 1858 a new township named Manchester was formed from Sprigg
Township including the town of Manchester. With slight alterations the
present township is now as then formed. It includes the incorporated
village of Manchester and Manchester Special School District.
Early Settlers.
Under another chapter in this volume is an account of the first settle-
ment in Adams County, which was made in what is now Manchester
Township. Nathanial Massie and his little band of pioneers, whose names
are recorded in the narrative above mentioned, were the first settlers.
Their cabins were built within the Stockade which occupied a plot of
about three acres of ground opposite the west end of the lower, or as now
called, Manchester Island. This island, which contains about one
hundred acres, was cleared by the residents within the Stockade in the
spring of 1791, and the years following down to 1795, and afforded the
grain fields for the little colony. In the years 1795 and 1796, many
families living in cabins four and five miles back in the woods came to
Manchester to cultivate patches of corn on the island. A grand-daughter
of Michael Roush, the pioneer, has often related to the writer that her
mother, a daughter of Michael Roush, told her that she and others of the
family used to walk from their home in the ''Dutch Settlement" in Sprigg
Township to Manchester Island to hoe corn the first year they came to
Adams County, which was in 1796. It is said that the first cabins built in
Manchester outside the Stockade, were those of Nathaniel Massie, Israel
Donalson, Isaac Edgington, Job Denning, Andrew Boyd, Andrew Ellison,
John Ellison, John McGate, John Kyte, Seth Foster, Joseph Edgington
and John Beasley. These were all in the vicinity of the Stockade ; most of
the terrace where the present site of the town is, was then too swampy for
settlement. John McGate or "Megitt," as written in the court records,
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438 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
was the first tavern keeper in Manchester, and his house was the meeting
place for the officials of the township. (See chapter on Early Taverns
and Old Inns.) In the year 1799 Andrew Boyd opened the first store in
Manchester.
Vlllases and Postofices.
Manchester, as has been stated, occupies the whole of Manchester
Township. As originally laid out, it contained 108 lots, to which have
been made the following additions: West Manchester in 1839, fc>rty-
eight lots; Yate's Addition in 1843, sixteen lots; Donalson's Addition to
West Manchester in 1849, twenty- three lots; Improvement Cctfnpany's
Addition, in 1855, 452 lots; Hill's Addition, 1858, four lots, making in all
651 lots. The town was incoporated in the year 1850. Abraham Perry
was the first mayor and Joseph Shriver, the 'first town marshal. At the
time of its incorporation it had a population of 434 inhabitants. In ten
years it doubled its population ; and now it enumerates over 2,500 souls.
The first mail route in Ohio crossed Adams County. This was over
Zane's Trace from Wheeling to Limestone at which latter place the resi-
dents within the present limits of Adams County received their mail. In
1 80 1, a postoffice, the first in the county, was ^tablished at Manchester
with Israel Donalson postmaster. He served for twelve years when he
was succeeded by John Ellison, Jr., the old sheriff of the county who
hanged Beckett.
Chnrohes.
Presbyterian — This organization was formed in 1805 from the
Eagle Creek congregation near West Union. The church was incorpo-
rated in January, 1814, with Rev. William Williamson, Israel Donalson,
William Means, Richard Rounsaville, and John Ellison, Sr., as incor-
porators. The first church building was erected, it is said, in 1807, and
was a log structure which stood on the site of the old cemetery in Man-
chester. The present brick church was erected in 1845.
Metnodist Protestant — This church was organized in 1869 with
twenty-six members. David Pennywitt, leader, and W. H. Pownall, as-
sistant. Stewards: Reuben Pennywitt, L. L. Connor, Joseph Stableton.
Trustees: Joseph Council, Edwin Butler, Isaac Hill.
Methodist Episcopal — Brick church. No history of organization.
Roman Catholic — About the year 1889, Michael O'Neil, of Man-
chester, succeeded after many years of unceasing effort, in having built
at Manchester a frame structure dedicated to the use of the Catholic
church of which he was a devout member. This is the only church of
that denomination ever organized in Adams County, and as there are but
few members of that denomination in Manchester and vicinity, there has
never been a resident priest in charge of the church.
De Kalb Lodge, No. 138, T. O. O. F. — This lodge was instituted at
West Union, October 13, 1849, with the following charter members:
David Greenlee, John Harsha, Joseph Hayslip, William M. Meek, and
Francis Shinn. In 1855, it was removed by order of the Grand Lodge to
Manchester, and was instituted there July 31, 1856, with nineteen
members removed from West Union. The officers elected were: Henr}^
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MANCHESTER TOWNSfflP 439
Ousler, N. G. ; Joseph W. Hayslip, V. G. ; Isaac Eakin$, Secretary ; C. C.
Cooley, Treasurer.
Manchester Encampment, No. 203, I. O. O. F. — Charter granted
May 3, 1876, to George Lowery, D. R. Shriver, J. W. Ebrite, I. K. Russell,
John McCutcheon, Washburn Trenary, J. H. Conner, J. W. Eylar, J. H.
Stevenson, S. J. Lawwill, J. W. Bunn and Washington Kimble.
Manchester Lodge, No. 317, F. & A. M. Manchester Lodge, No.
317, was organized under a dispensation granted by Horace M. Stokes,
Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, dated May
7, 1859, duly empowering the lodge to work the three symbolic degrees.
The work of the lodge was conducted by authority of this dispensa-
tion until the annual session of the Grand Lodge which convened in the
dty of Columbus on the twentieth day of October of that year when a
charter was granted bearing the names of Henry Y. Copple, James N,
Brittingham, Benjamin Bowman, David Dunbar, George W. Sample,
William A. Shriver, Perry T. Connelly, William McCalla, and others
(as reads the charter), dated as above and covering all acts of said lodge
from May 7th.
The brethren feeling justly proud of their new charge and realizing
the responsibility seized their working tools and went to work with will-
ing hands, and as subsequent proceedings show their efforts were not in
vain, but on the contrary have been crowned with a success seldom at-
tained in the annals of Masonry in this State.
The first petition for initiation was that of Andrew B. Ellison, who
will be remembered by many of our readers as one of the principal mer-
chants of Manchester at that time, and who long since laid down the
working tools of life after a long, honorable and praiseworthy career.
The second petition was from Captain William Kirker.
The first death among the members was that of Benjamin Bowman,
which occurred April i, i860, and he was buried by the Order in the old
cemetery at Manchester.
The records of the lodge show that the good old custom of visiting
was practiced to a great extent during the early years of its existence.
West Union, Aberdeen, Ripley, Winchester, Locust Grove, and Concord,
Ky., often being represented at the same communication. And this same
custom is, we are happy to note, like Masonic landmarks, kept regularly
and is one of the social ties of Free Masonry which has ever characterized
Manchester Lodge.
Among the bright Masonic lights who have sat under the sound of
the gavel in Manchester Lodge, are noticed the names of Cornelius
Moore, who so ably edited the Masonic Reviezv for so many years at Cin-
cinnati. Also, John M. Barrere, one of the best informed Masons in the
State in his day, and many others of prominence and note in the councils
of the Order, each of whom in his own peculiar way contributed to the
edification of the brethren.
The lodge when first organized met in the J. N. Kirker building at
the comer of Second and Pike Streets. It afterward moved to the frame
building on West Front Street, now owned by James Taylor. The first
meeting of the lodge in its present quarters, the Ellison Building, at the
southwest corner of Second and Pike Streets was held on the evening
of December 22, 1866, and the records show that on February 23, 1867,
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440 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
the hall was formally dedicated under the personal direction of Howard
Mathews, then Most Worshipful Grand Master of Ohio, ably assisted by
Robert Gwynn, of Kentucky, an eminent Mason and Masonic author.
Alfred Pennywitt had the honor to be Master of the lodge on this inter-
esting occasion. At the time of the breaking out of the war of the Re-
bellion, the lodge was in its infancy and when the call for troops was her-
alded over the land, many of its members not forgetting one of the first
charges to a Free Mason upon his initiation to be a good and true man,
obeyed the teachings of the Order, laid down the implements of a peace-
ful life, and the Masonic working tools, and went forth to battle and in
some cases to die for the country they loved, reflecting high honor upon
themselves and their mother lodge. Among those of the members of this
lodge who served the country most gallantly in her hour of peril were
Maj. Ephriam J. Ellis of th^ 33rd O. V. I., who fell at Stone River; Capt.
D. R. Shriver; Capt. N. W. Foster; Capt. Wilson Foster; Col. Henry L.
Phillips ; Capt. John Taylor ; Gen. A. T. Wikoff ; Capt. Lafayette Foster ;
John W. Pownall and J. W. Rogers. The names of all the members of
Manchester Lodge who served in the army were published in the Masonic
Review of Cincinnati. The brethren of the lodge appreciating their
services remitted all their dues during their term of services. After the
war closed and the boys came home crowned with honors, they received a
royal welcome from their brethren.
Who can best work and best agree is a virtue which has always act-
uated the members of Manchester Lodge, and their labors were not in
vain, as the records show there have been one hundred and eighty-three
initiations, to say nothing of those who affiliated from other lodges ; and.
after deducting all who have died, been suspended, and expelled or with-
drawn, the report to the Grand Lodge in the fall of 1898 showed a mem-
bership of one hundred and two in good and regular standing. Man-
chester Lodge is up to date in every particular. The work is placed on
the floor in a masterly manner which is evidenced by the large number of
visiting brethren from other lodges who always find a cordial welcome
and much favorable comment is expressed on the number of skilled work-
men among the membership of Manchester Lodge. Of the original
charter members only four are living: George W. Sample, aged 92;
James N. Brittingham, 80; David Dunbar, 79 and William A. Shriver, 72
yeai;i The following is a list of Past Masters: Henry W. Copple,
Jair>es N. Brittingham, E. J. Ellis. Thomas D. Parker, A. B. Ellison. J.
W.- Pownall, Alfred Pennywitt, David Dunbar, Lafayette Fo^er, John
F. Games, Henry Collings, John K. Dunbar. S. N. Greenlee, J. W. Jones,
W. N. Watson, A. J. Mclntire and Frank E. Reynolds ; James E. Mott,
now presiding. All of the above are living at this writing except Copple,
Parker, Ellis, Ellison and Foster.
The first regular communication under its charter was held on the
evening of November 7, 1859, whereupon an election of officers was had
and the following named brethren were elected as the first regular officers :
James N. Brittingham, W. M. ; George W. Sample, S. W. ; Andrew B.
Ellison, J. W. ; William A. Shriver, Treas. ; David Dunbar, Secy. ; John
W. Pownall, S. D. ; Thomas D. Parker, J. D. ; Perry T. Connelly, Tiler.
The first visiting brother named in the records was Rev. John C.
Maddy who ably filled the pulpit of the M. E. Church in Manchester at
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MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP
441
that time. Nathaniel Massie was also a frequent visitor. He was the
son of Nathaniel Massie, the founder of Manchester. Manchester Lodge
made a handsome contribution to the Masonic Home at Springfield and a
private contribution was raised among the members sufficient to furnish a
room in elegant style and the room named in honor of the lodge ; and, one
of the oldest members of Manchester Lodge, Jason McDermod, is now
one of the inmates of the Masonic Home. The foregoing history of Man-
chester Lodge though brief should cause the present members to feel that
loyal pride with which its excellent founders were imbued when
" Each felt a weight of care
A solemn charge overspread,
Each toiled in earnest there
With busy hand and head."
MANCHESTER CHAPTER, NO. I29, ROYAI. ARCH MASONS.
By John K. Dunbab.
During the spring of 1871 an effort was made by a number of Royal
Arch Masons in and around Manchester to further the growth of Capit-
ular ^lasonry, whereupon a formal application was made for a dispensation
to institute a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Manchester, signed by the
following named companions hailing from different Chapters, to-wit : A.
T. Wikoff, W. B. Cole, R. A. Stephenson, A. P. Pownall, Harrison
Warner, E. C. Pollard, R. S. Daily, Thomas P, Foster, Jno. P. Bloom-
huff, G. G. Games, John Sparks, John M. Freeman, M. S. Jeffries, R. M.
Owens, Thomas M. Games, Nathaniel Massie. The application was for-
warded to the Most Excellent High Priest together with maps showing
location and distances of Blue Lodges in the jurisdiction. The applica-
tion received favorable consideration and on the twenty-ninth day of
June, 1871, a dispensation was granted by Charles C. Keifer, Grand High
Priest, empowering them to open a Chapter and confer the degrees of
Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch.
Being now fully empowered to work, the first regular convocation
was held on the evening of July 12, 1871, and on the ^ame evening five
petitions were received, namely : Junius N. Higgins, David Dunbar, L. L.
Edgington, William Kirker and H. B. Gaffin.
The first three officers appointed by the Grand High Priest were
Thomas P. Foster, High Priest; Thomas M. Games, King; and Robert
A. Stephenson, Scribe.
Under their dispensation the companions worked along until the con-
vocation of the Grand Chapter on the twenty-sixth day of September,
1 87 1, at which convocation they were regularly granted a charter. The
companions of Manchester Chapter worked with fervency and zeal and as
a reward have the satisfaction to know that Manchester Chapter No. 129
sends the names of more members in their annual report to the Grand
Chapter than any other Chapter between Cincinnati and Portsmouth.
David Dunbar has been the Secretary of Manchester Chapter for twenty-
eight consecutive years.
Hawkeye Tribe No. 117 Imp. O. R. M. — This lodge was instituted
May 27, 1887, with W. V. Cooley. Sachem: J. H. Brawner, Prophet: J.
W. Guthridge, Senior Sagamore : D. B. Phillips, Junior Sagamore ; H. C.
Doddridge, Chief of Record ; and William Charles, Keeper of Wampum.
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442 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
Manohester Public Schools.
It is said that the first schoolhouse stood near the southeast corner
of the plat of ground now known as the old cemetery, and that Israel
Donalson, a pioneer schoolmaster, accountant and surveyor, was the first
teacher. The date of this building has been fixed by some writers as early
as 1794, but the writer is of the opinion that the first school building was
not erected before 1796. Mr. Donalson wielded the rod there for several
terms when he was succeeded by John Barritt, ^another pioneer school-
master and once Sheriff of Adams County. He was followed by William
Dobbins, a son of Rev. Robert Dobbins, whose biography appears else-
where in this volume.
This house was constructed of logs with one door and two windows,
the latter made by cutting out a log from each side of the building. One
of the spaces was filled with a row of glass and the other with oiled paper.
There was an old-fashioned fire-place in one end of the room, where fire-
wood, six feet in length, could be used. The floor and seats were of
puncheons. In that time, there was a practice of having **loud" schools.
All study and any communication were aloud, and the lessons were some-
times sung in concert. The text books used in that building were Web-
ster's Spelling Book, the English Reader and Pike's Arithmetic. Gram-
mar was not introduced until 1818 when Lindley Murray's celebrated
work was used. Geography was never taught in the log schoolhouse.
In 1828, the log schoolhouse was replaced by a brick building. The
furniture consisted of a few long desks adjoining the walls for the use of
the larger pupils, while the seats of the smaller ones were made of rough
slabs without any backs. James Smith, afterward a member of the Ohio
Legislature, taught the first term in the new building. He was succeeded
by J. T. Crapsey who had edited an Anti -Masonic newspaper at West
Union, and he by William Robe, afterward a noted surveyor in the Vir-
ginia Military District. The following are among the persons said to
have taught in this building: Jane Dickinson, Jane Williamson, Andrew
Crawford. George Burgess, Robert Buck, David and John Pennywitt,
Edward Burbage, Thomas Hayslip, R. R. Case, Andrew Mannon, Wil-
liam McCalla and Parker Douglas. Judge James L. Coryell, Jesse and
Jeremiah Ellis obtained their first lessons in surveying from Willian Mc-
Calla. The use of the rod as a means of discipline was general. It was
used indiscriminately without regard to age or sex, and yet the discipline
was not good.
On October 17, 1853, it was determined by the School Board of Man-
chester to have two schools. At that time there were two hundred and
eighty-three pupils and William McCalla was the teacher.
On the fourth of May, 1855, the Board, having purchased the west
end of out-lot nuntber eighteen, contracted to place a schoolhouse thereon,
of brick, fifty feet long by twenty-four feet wide, two stories high, and it
was estimated to cost eight hundred dollars. It was opened at the be-
ginning of the year 1856.
The question of a graded school was voted on at a special election
held August 11, 1856, under the Act of February i, 1849, known as the
Akron Law. The proposition of graded schools carried by a majority of
thirty-nine votes. John B. Enness, Lacy Payton, David Gillespie, Dr.
Joseph Stableton, David Dunbar and John Parks were elected to carry
out the determination of the voters. John McClung was the first teacher
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MANCHESTER T
employed by this Board at fifty dollars
a graded school, in name, and tiot in reali
termined by the teachers. From 1856 1
fifteen principals, during which the aver
one and one-third school years. The :
cipals: John McClung, M. J. Lewis, \
J. Gregg, J. L. Craig, G. W. Herrick, ^
T. Kenyon, J. P. Norris, A. N. Stowell,
J. H. Compton, J. F. McColm and Willis
it was determined by the Board of Edu
graded in fact as well as in name, and t
of the Schools, was authorized to outlii
adopted, and the course was made twelve
High School. In the year 1877, the first
High School and graduating exercises w*
at the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1880, the citizens decided to ere
menced in July and the work was finishe
ger, 1880. In December of that year,
tendent, and was succeeded by Mr. W.
H. G. Pollock was Superintendent in i8<
rey was elected Superintendent. On tl
Jones was elected Superintendent and s<
tion markd a new era in the history (
course of study was modified to meet th«
out neglecting the required branches, he
and infused a new spirit into the modes (
and Franklin E. Reynolds, who had serv(
during the last three years of Mr. J
Superintendent. Mr. Reynolds was we
charged his duties most admirably. Hn
ceeded by Prof. D. S. dinger, the prese
Mr. dinger, in his work, has kept it up
Jones, and the school has been fully r
Jones.
The present Board of Education c
Mclntire, R. A. Stephenson, M. D., F.
John G. Lindsey.
The teachers are as follows: D. S
Dening, Principal of High School; M
cipal High School ; Nannie Kimball,
Naylor, Third Intermediate ; Edna Lee ]
abeth Walden, First Intermediate; Luc;
Maud Pownall, Third Primary; Cora
Puntenney, First Primary, male; AUie
From 1880 until the present time,
to twelve departments. There are now
ings, well equipped with apparatus, and
the commodious building shown in the
The following is the enumeratior
for the current year: White males, 33
II ; females 13.
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444 mSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
REMINISCENCES.
The first mill erected in the county was a little ''tub-wheel" built by
Nathaniel Massie on Island Creek about two miles from Manchester,
Before the completion of this mill, the settlers at Manchester went to
Limestone to have their grinding done, or used a small hand-mill at the
Stockade. Some of the pioneers pounded their corn into a coarse meal
on a block, sifting the larger particles out for hominy. The younger
members of the family were kept busy shelling, drying, and pounding, or
sometimes grating on the cob, corn for meal, as both processes were slow
and laborious.
EUison's Brick «Hoose."
In 1807 John Ellison built the first brick house in Manchester down
near the river bank where the old St. Charles Hotel used to stand. It was
the wonder and admiration of all the country round, and Mr. Ellison, re-
cently from the "Emerald Isle," was so pleased with his new dwelling that
he took his wife, Mary, in a canoe and paddled over to the Kentucky
shore to get the enchantment that distance lends ; and the view was so sat-
isfactory that he exclaimed : "Mollie, it looks more like a palace than a
hoose !''
The First Steamboat on the Ohio.
The first steamboat to ply the waters of the Ohio, was the "New
Orleans" built at Pittsburgh, and which came down past Manchester in
December, 181 1. The next was the "Aetna," early in the spring of 1812.
Before- this date pirogues and flatboats were "cordelled" on the waters
of the Ohio when ascending the stream. It took four weeks to go by one
of these pirogues from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh. Jacob Myers, who
owned a fleet of four pirogues, advertised in The Centinel of the North-
west Territory, in 1793, that he would insure passengers on his boats
against harm from the Indians, as his crafts were armored and pro-
vided with portholes.
Lynching of Old Bill Terry.
On Saturday- morning, November 22, 1856, a negro named William
Terry, committed an outrage on Mrs. Morrison, of Manchester, whose
husband at the time was absent. Terry was promptly arrested and lodged
in jail at West Union. Whea Mr. Morrison returned and learned the
facts as to the conduct of the black fiend, the better citizens of the town
decided that summary punishment ought to be inflicted on the offender,
and on Tuesday the 25th, arrangements were completed to go to West
Union to secure Terry to mete out to him deserv^ed punishment. Citizens
to the number of over one hundred on horseback accompanied several
persons in a wagon to the county seat where court was in session trying
Milligan for the murder of the Senter family. They broke down the jail
door and secured Terr}' and returned to Manchester by 3 o'clock in the
afternoon. After giving the offender a little time to arrange his worldly
affairs, he was taken over to Manchester Island, which is under the juris-
diction of. the State of Kentucky, and hanged him to a limb of a large
sycamore that stood at the west end near the water's edge next the Ohio
shore. His body was cut down and buried at the foot of the tree from
which he was hanged, but it is said the remains were exhumed by med-
ical students that night.
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CHAPTER VII.
MEIGS TOWNSHIP
As will be seen in the chapter devoted to Reorganization of the Ter-
ritorial Townships, Meigs Township was formed at the December session
of the Board of County Commissioners, in the year 1806, and was named
for Return Jonathan Meigs, the second Governor of Ohio. The elections
were ordered to be held at the house of Peter Wickerham who then con-
ducted a tavern in the present brick residence of Jacob Wickerham at
Palestine.
Svrfaoe and 8oiL
The surface in the west is undulating with here and there compara-
tively level tracts of poor white oak land. In the east and southeast it
is rough and hilly, and in places mountainous, as southeast of the old
Steam Furnace and in the vicinity of Mineral Springs. Here as is stated
in the chapter on Geology and Mineralogy, are some of the most elevated
knobs in the county. The soil varies from the rich alluvial bottoms of
Ohio Brush Creek and its tributaries to the barren shales of the slate and
^sandstone capped knobs. The ferruginous soil of the cliff limestone
'stratum is very productive, as also the covelands in the marl stratum.
Villages and Postottoes.
Jacksonville, on the Limestone and Chillicothe turnpike at the top
of Brush Creek hill, was laid out by William Thomas in 1815, and named
in honor of "Old Hickory," then the military hero of the country. A
postoffice was established there about the above date with James Dun-
bar as postmaster. The postoffice was discontinued in 1827, but after-
ward re-established and called Dunbarton. The village is now rapidly
dieclining in population and commercial importance frc^n its proximity to
the new town of Peebles, on the C. P. & V. Railroad.
Newport, at the junction of the West Fork and the East Fork of
Ohio Brush Creek, was laid out by James Kirkpatrick in 1819. At that
time the Marble Furnace, a few nliles from Newport, was flourishing and
the postoffice for the locality was located there. In 1869 a postoffice
named Wilson, in honor of Hon. John T. Wilson, then in Congress from
Adams County, was established at Newport with William R. Rodgers
as postmaster. The commercial importance of the village has improved
with the building of the C. P. & V. Railroad.
Mineral Springs is a postoffice and health resort in the southeast-
em pc«tion of the township, four miles frc^n Mineral Springs Station on
the C. P. & V. Railroad. A postoffice was established there in 1872 with
B. Salisbury as postmaster.
<446)
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446
HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Peebles, in the north part of the township on the Cincinnati, Ports-
mouth and Virginia Railroad, sprang up with the completion of this rail-
road through Meigs Township, in 1881. It was named, at the sugges-
tion of N. W. Evans, for John G. Peebles, of Portsmouth, who sub-
scribed liberally toward the completion of the railroad from Winchester
to Portsmouth. It is now one of the thriving, bustling, villages of the
county with a population of about 1,000 inhabitants.
Sol&ools.
The village school at Peebles is the largest in the township. The
enumeration for the present year is: Males, 107; females, 122. There
are four departments sustained and the schools are in a flourishing con-
dition. There are fourteen sub-districts in the township with the follow-
ing enumeration of pupils :
<o.
Males.
Femal
I
25
32
2
26
27
3
34
15
4
25
14
5
34
38
6
27
19
7
10
5
No.
Males.
Females
8
24
17
9
27
3^
10
30
28
II
31
28
12
19
18
13
28
36
14
31
34
The Mineral Sprins**
These celebrated Springs are situated nineteen miles north from
Rome on the Ohio River, and four miles south from Mineral Spring Sta-
tion on the Cincinnati, Portsmouth and Virginia Railroad, in a delight-
ful valley, and flow from the base of a mountain, surrounded by scenery
the most picturesque and beautiful.
The chemical analysis of these waters show them to be veiy highly
charged with gas, and to contain 205.35 grains of solids to the gallon.
These are ccnnposed of chloride of magnesia, sulphate of lime, carbonate
of lime, chloride of calcium, chloride of sodium, oxide of iron and iodine.
There is a large and commodious hotel with hot and cold baths, and
numerous rustic cottages for the accommodation of guests. These
Springs afford a sequestered retreat to those seeking respite from the cares
of business, or in need of the refreshing influence of mountain scenery and
climate. The buildings are located with a view to the health and cwnfort
of visitors, at the base of Peach Mountain or "Grassy Hill," which casts
a shadow over them at four o'clock in the evening, making the nights
cool and pleasant, so that when it is too warm to sleep elsewhere, the
tired and careworn can enjoy a refreshing night's rest at this resort.
There is a beautiful chapel on the grounds for the church-going
guests, and a commodious amusement hall for the entertainment of those
seeking diversion in bowling, billiards, dancing and such recreation.
There are telegraph and telephone connections with the hotel. The
present proprietor, S. R. Grimes, a scion of one of the prominent pioneer
families of Adams County, is a most affable and accommodating host.
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MEIGS TOWNSHIP
447
BEMIHI8CEHCE8.
*In the vicinity of the SprouU bridge over Ohio Brush Creek in this
township was the pioneer home of Peter Shoemaker, a brother of Simon
Shoemaker, a pioneer, also, of that vicinity. In the summer of 1796, a
daughtei- of Peter Shoemaker's was stolen by a band of Indians and car-
ried away to their village on the Little Miami in the vicinity of the present
town of Xenia. In after years this daughter, who had grown up and mar-
ried an Indian, was discovered by some whites and returned to her kin-
dred on Brush Creek, where she afterwards married and reared a family.
V. S. MaU Robbed.
In May, 1827, in the palmy days of the old stage coach line from
Maysville to Chillicothe, the mail was robbed between West Union and
Sinking Springs. As the bag was never recovered it was supposed that
it had been thrown into Ohio Brush Creek after being rifled of its con-
tents. Suspicion pointed to a prominent resident of Jacksonville as be-
ing concerned in the robbery, and who fled the country, and William Mc-
Colm, then postmaster at West Union, offered a reward of fifty dollars
for his apprehension and confinement in any jail in the United States so
that he might be brought to answer to the charge. The robber was never
apprehended.
Aneodote of an old Stase Driver.
David Bradford, who immortalized his name during the scourge of
Asiatic cholera in West Union, was one of the daredevil jehus who drove
a stage coach from Maysville to Chillicothe before the days of canals and
railroads in this region. The Fristoe hill at the crossing of Ohio Brush
Creek was the longest and steepest on the route, and was considered then
a very dangerous place of descent, with a loaded coach or wagon.
On one occasion, when there had been a heavy fall of sleet and the
road was covered with a thick coat of ice, people in the vicinity wondered
how Dave Bradford would get down Brush Creek hill ; and, when finally
he dismounted from the box at the village postoffice, at Jacksonville, he
was admonished of the great risk of attempting to descend the hill with
*There is a version of this incident that Peter Shoemaker was shot in his
cabin door by the Indians, and his wife and two children made captives. The
wife becoming fatigued carrying her infant boy, she was tomahawked, and
the child seized by the ankles and its brains dashed out against a tree. The
girl was adopted by an Indian family and grew up and married an Indian by
whom she had a girl child. She was afterwards discovered and returned to
her relatives on Brush Creek.
After investigating all the known facts, the writer concludes that the cap-
tivity of the Shoemaker children must have occurred before the family came
to the Northwest Territory, for Peter Shoemaker, of Brush Greek, died in
1809, and left a will in Adams county. His wife may have been the girl cap-
tured by the Indians: but if so it did not occur in Adams Ck>unty. for he setp
tied on 'brush Creek in 1796. Or. it is probable that the version of the inci-
dent is true that his daughter was captured in 1796, on Brush Creek and that
she afterwards returned and married Samuel Bradford, in 1811. It is at least
certain that the individual in question was no^ captured on Brush Creek in
1796, when a girl, then returned to her relatives and married to Peter Shoe-
maker by whom she had a daughter who became the wife of Samuel Bradford
In 1811. and who after his deaths married Col. S. R. Wood. See sketch of
Samuel G. Bradford in this volume.
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448 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
his coach. But David seemed little concerned about the matter; however
it was observed that his drinks of "old double distilled" were larger than
usual, and that at his departure he had taken an extra "bumper" with
Malt Bradney, who had come to town the night before and was "weather-
bound" at the village tavern. But the "bumper" with Bradney meant
mora than a nerve stimulant to Bradford. It was the seal of a solemn
vow to Bradney that he would not again permit his "nigger," "Black Joe"
Lof^an, to butt the life out of him as he had nearly done at the Noleman
Camp Meeting the summer previous, when Bradney and "Big Dow"
Woods had attempted to drive Logan from the camp grounds while he
was peaceably caring for Bradford's team and carriage.
So, seating himself on the box of his stage, he cracked his whip and
set out on a swinging trot for Brush Creek hill. On arriving at the point
where begins the descent down to the valley of Brush Creek, he halted his
team and unhitched it from the coach. Then he hitched a favorite horse
to the end of the tongue, and mounting the animal began to ply the whip,
and yell like an Indian, making the descent of the long and steep grade
without a single mishap ; remarking that it was "a d— k1 poor horse that
could not outrun a stage coach."
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CHAPTER VIII.
MONROE TOWNSHIP
This township was organized from territory belonging to Tiffin
Township, June 23, 1817. It was named in honor of President James
Monroe. Its boundaries are: Beginning on Brush Creek at the upper
comer of William Stout's farm ; thence on a line to three mile tree below
Kirker mill ; thence on a divide line to Clark's Meeting House ; keeping
on a direct course to Sprigs Township; being bounded on the west by
Sprigg Township line and Island Creek to its mouth ; on the south by the
Ohio River; and on the east by Brush Creek. The first election was
held at the house of Arthur Ellison, the last Saturday in July, 1817.
Early Settlers.
John Yochum, whose name appears in the early land records as an
assistant to Massie and other surveyors, settled on Gift Ridge in 1795.
He cleared the first patch of ground on the Fenton farm, and while do-
ing so lived under the shelter of two huge rocks, that are pointed out to
visitors to this day as "Yochum's Hermitage." Following Yochum
came the Utts, the Wades, the Naylors, the Washbums, and many other
of the pioneer families of Adams County.
Zephaniah Wade, an associate of John Yochum in the frontier days,
located on Gift Ridge and erected a cabin in the latter part of the year
1795, and there his daughter Christiana, the late Mrs. Trenary, of Man-
diester, was bom November 20, 1795. She was probably the first white
child bom in the county outside tbd Stockade at Manchester.
Nathaniel Washburn settled at the head of Donalson Creek, in 1796
and soon thereafter built a small mill, known as Washburn's mill for
many years. Daniel Sherwood settled at the mouth of Ohio Bmsh Creek
about 1795.
James Hemphill settled on Beasley's Fork in 1797 and it is said
cleared the first ground on that stream where Newton Wamsley now
lives.
The Grimes family settled at the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek in
1796, where Noble Grimes, in 1798, laid out the old town of Washing-
ton, for several years the seat of justice of Adams County. Here also
were the Stephensons, the Bradfords, the Sherards, Faulkners, and many
other early pioneer families.
CMf t Rtdce.
This is the name given to that portion of the highlands of Monroe
Township where the first settlers of Manchester located their one hun-
dred acre tracts of land given them by Nathaniel Massie after a residence
29a (449)
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450
HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
of two years at Manchester in accordance with the terms of the agree-
ment made between him and them on December 29, 1790. Massie re-
served one thousand acres on the high table-lands overlooking the Ohio
River about one mile below Wrightsville, Here was built Buckeye Sta-
tion in 1796, for a full description of which see this volume under the
heading, "The Oldest House in Ohio."
Sol&ools.
It is said that the first schoolhouse in the township was on the old
Lewis Bible farm and was built in 1802. James Lane was the first
teacher. The second one was on the farm of Arthur Ellison, where the
first election was held, John Barritt, teacher. The township business for
years was transacted here, and hence the name "State House" was ap-
plied to it. There are now ten sub-districts with the following enroll^
ment the present year:
No.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Females.
I
19
15
6
19
28
2
20
20
7
35
32
3
24
24
8
28
19
4
^5
20
9
30
21
S
26
19
10
29
25
Villages and Postottces.
Wrightsville lies on the right bank ot the Ohio River about six
miles above Manchester. It was laid out by James Hobson, April 22,
1847, on a plat of 144 lots. The situation is pleasant and there is ample
room for a city, but the place seems never to have flourished although
it is the nearest shipping point from West Union to the Ohio River.
For many years during the bitter contest between West Union and
Manchester over the county seat question, the West Union merchants
shipped and received their goods via Wrightsville; and it would have
beoDme the permanent depot for West Union merchandise, but for the
fact that in the location of the turnpike from West Union to Wrights-
ville the Manchester people controlled the engineer and commissioners
and succeeded in having the road made over a very long and high hill
near Wrightsville which precludes the hauling of full loads over the road.
Mules and bicycle riders have discovered what civil engineers of our pub-
lic roads seem to be unable to comprehend : that it is nearer to go two
miles round, than one mile over a grade.
The name of the postoffice at Wrightsville is Vineyard Hill. It was
formerly called Mahala, in honor of a sister of Captain William Wade,
an old resident of the vicinity and a son of Zephaniah Wade above men-
tioned. It was established in 1848.
Grimes is the name of a postoffice recently established at the mouth
of Ohio Brush Creek, at the site of the almost forgotten town of Wash-
ington once the county seat.
Beasley's Fork is the only other postoffice in the township; it was
established in 1857 with James Miller as the first postmaster.
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MONROE TOWNSHIP
Quinn's Chapel, Methodist Episcopal, is said
church organization in the township, dating irom i8<
were held by Rev. James Quinn at the house of Willia
Ridge. The first house of worship was a hewed log strt
Fenton farm. Afterwards a frame was erected on the i
nywitt and called Quinn's Chapel, in memory of the pio
Rev. James Quinn.
Union Chapel, Methodist Episcopal, on Ohio I
mouth of Beasley's Fork, was organized in 1856.
Beasley's Fork Chapel, Christian Union, organi
the present frame building was erected in 1871.
BEMnflSCEHCES.
Monroe Township was the home of many old soldic
tion. Among them was Henry Aldred who is buried in
on the McColm farm. 'He was wounded at the siege
the British, which lamed him for life. He had an em
everything English. Living in the vicinity of Aldred
roe Townshp was John Pike who had been in the En^
log rolling at old Edward Hemphill's, Pike was relatii
in the navy, and asked Aldred if he remembered wha
had as they marched into Charleston after its surren<
furiated Aldred, that, crippled as he was, it took several
to keep him from striking Pike with a handspike.
Old Donald Sherwood, a relative of the wife of !
pioneer on Bush Creek, was known as the "foolish \
other things related of him is that while living in a cabi
of Brush Creek, before a settlement was made there, h
bear into a cave in the hills, and, Putnam like, with to
tered it and shot the bear which weighed over three hun
Captain William Faulkner, or Falconer, a soldier (
and also of the War of 181 2, was an early settler at the
Creek. He is buried in the old orchard on the Grime
a Catholic, and it is related of him that when his wife
buried at the chimney of his house. He then built a I
and laid the hearthstone over her grave. He would e
sprinkle water over the hearthstone and exclaim : "Yoi
of this hell's kitchen, my dear."
Henry Malone, who was bom at Pleasant Bottoms
farm near the mouth of Brush Creek, Monroe Townj
181 5, related to the writer recently that it was said by al
tionary soldiers in the vicinity that William Floyd, or "]
scMnetimes called, was an illegitimate son of General
Floyd is buried on the hillside near Cedar College school
Mr. Malone said that when he was about eight
Methodists held a meeting at the home of Stephen Beac
on the opposite side of Brush Creek. One Monday i
man in company with Mr. John Brooks came to the ford
to bring his father's canoe and ferry them over the creek
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452 HISTORY OP ADAMS CXDUNTY
the young man gave him a six and one-quarter cents silver piece, which
was the first money he ever earned. That young man was Henry Bas-
com then preaching his first sermons in the pioneer settlements in Adams
County. Mr. Malone said he gave that piece of silver to his mother to
help keep old Abraham Jones from being sold as a pauper as was the law
in those days, and remarked that although now eighty-five years old, he
had been "keeping paupers'* ever since.
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CHAPTER IX.
OUVER TOWNSHIP
This township lies in the north central portion of the county and was
organized from territory taken off Wayne, Scott and Tiffin, March 8,
1853. It is one of the two inland townships of the county, and its figure
is that of an irregular oval. It was named in honor of John Oliver, a
highly respected citizen, who was at the time a member of the Board of
County Commissioners.
Early Settlers.
John Clark, who settled on the old Clark farm west of the present
village of Harshaville in 1805, is said to be one of the first settlers of the
township. Samuel Wright settled in 1806 where Harshaville now
stands, and Robert Finley located on the Nathaniel Patton farm in the
same year. James Hemphill settled near the mouth of George's Creek
about the same date and operated a small mill and a still-house where a
good quality of whiskey was made. The celebrated "Whiskey road*'
was cut from New Market to HemphiU's, as is told in the chapter on
Roads and Highways in this volume^
Villages and PostoAeee.
DuNKiNSViLLE, near the mouth of Lick Fork on the West Union and
Peebles turnpike, is the oldest village in the township. It was laid out
December 14, 1841. Postoifice same name.
Harshaville is a little hamlet g^own up about the celebrated Harsha
Flouring Mills on Cherry Fork in the northwestern portion of the town-
ship. The postoffice was established June 30, 1864, with George A. Pat-
ton postmaster. ,
Unity is a hamlet on the Harshaville and Dunkinsville pike near the
center of the township. The name of the postoffice is Wheat, formerly
Wheat Ridge, and was established in Januaiy, 185 1, William B. Brown,,
postmaster.
Chnrelies.
The U. p. Church at Unity was organized at the house of George
Clark in 1846. The church building, a frame, was erected in 1847. The
present frame edifice is a very comfortable building.
Lick Fork Baptist Church was organized in 1840. The first
building was a log structure which stood on the site of the present frame
building which was erected in 1857.
There is an M. E. Church in Dunkinsville.
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454
mSTORY OP ADAMS OOUNTl
Soliools.
>^o.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Females
I
15
IS
5
24
9
2
15
23
6
14
14
3
17
23
7
28
20
4
21
9
8
20
12
REHnnSOEHOES.
Murder of ike Senior Family.
Near the little hamlet of Unity, there resided in 1855, William H.
Senter and Nancy, his wife, a daughter of Aaron Roebuck, in a little
round-log cabin on the farm now owned by the widow of William Davis-
In the autumn of that year, Clinton Dixon, of Brown County, a rela-
tive of the Senters, introduced to them Alexander Milligan, a native of
England, who had lived, so he said, several years in Pennsylvania prior
to his coming to Ohio. He had been employed as a farm laborer by
Dixon for some months, and at this time said he desired to purchase a
small farm, such as Dixon represented the Senter premises to be, and
which had been offered for sale. This was about the first of November,
and while at Senter's, Milligan bargained for the farm in the sum of
$1,000 to be paid on the first day of December following, when the deed
was to be delivered to him. The contract for the sale of the farm was
drawn up by Willam B. Brown, then a merchant at Unity, and it was wit-
nessed by him and Dixon.
It was agreed that Milligan should take with the farm the live stock,
farming implements, and of the household goods and utehsils such as
would be necessary for his use in keeping a rude sort of "bachelor's hall ;"
and that he should be permitted to make his home with the Senters until
he could make some collections due him to comply with the terms of the
agreement for the sale of the farm.
During his stay with the Senter family, Mlligan familiarized him-
self with the farm and its surroundings, formed acquaintances in the com-
munity, and took a part in the social and friendly gatherings, such as
choppings and huskings, occurring in the neighborhood. It is said of
him that he was of rather pleasing personality. He is described as being
of good stature, fair complexioned with blue eyes, sociable, but quiet in
his manners, with a broad Yorkshire accent in his speech, and seemingly
intelligent in the ordinary affairs of life. He was at this time about
twenty-five years of age, and had borne among the people with whom he
had been associated in Brown County for the year and a half prior to his
coming to Senter's, the reputation of being a quiet, hardworking jroung
man. Nothing of his former life was ever learned excepting what has
already been stated.
The fact of the sale of Senter's farm and chattels to Milligan soon
became noised over the neighborhood, and George A. Patton, then a
merchant in Harshaville, whom Senter owed a sum of money, upon in-
quiry was told by Senter that the report of the sale was correct, and that
on the first of December he would settle his account with him when he
received the cash for his farm.
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OLIVER TOWNSHIP 466
Within a few days following this conversation with Senter, Patton
learned that Selnter and his wife had gone from the neighborhood without
informing their relatives and friends of their intentions to leave. Ac-
cordingly, Patton, somewhat annoyed about his claim, rode over to Sen-
ter's place to make inquiry concerning the rimior of their departure. He
found no one at the Senter residence but Milligan who said Senter and
his wife had gone away without making him a deed for the farm; but,
that he expected them to return the next day, December first, to comply
with their agreement, as he had been to Ironton to collect his money and
was ready now to make the payment for the farm and chattels.
Mr. Patton returned to the Senter residence the next day and found
Aaron Roebuck and wife, parents of Mrs. Senter, there whom Milligan
informed that Senter and his wife had gone "out among their friends
some days before" and had not yet returned.
Two days later Patton went to West Union to take legal advice
about his claim. Learning that Milligan had been to Squire William
Stevenson's, of Monroe Township, a few days prior, he, on the next day,
December fourth, went there and learned that Milligan had been to Stev-
enson's and had represented himself as William Senter, and had had a
deed written for his farm to Alexander Milligan. On the next day Pat-
ton again went to the Senter home and saw Milligan, who informed him
that Senter and wife had returned with the deed, that he paid them the
purchase money, after which they again went away to visit some friends
up the river. On being requested to produce the deed, Milligan said he
had lodged it with James B. McClellan, and after much persuasion went
there with Patton and others, when it was discovered that the alleged deed
had not been acknowledged. Squire Stevenson having refused to certify
the acknowledgment until Mrs. Senter came before him as he afterwards
stated at the trial of Milligan for murder.
Strange as it seems, Patton, Brown, and McClelland all of whom
Senter owed money, and whose claims Milligan agreed to secure, came to
West Union that day with Milligan, where he gave notes and mortgages
to the amount of $250 on the farm to secure the several amounts owed
them by Senter. But when Brown returned to his home in Unity that
ni^t he found his shop and store crowded with people of the neighbor-
hood who demanded that Milligan be put under arrest for murder. A.
J. Roebuck, a brother-in-law of Senter, was sent for, but he refused to
make the affidavit until Brown brought Patton who related the facts in
the case to Roebuck as he knew them. Squire J. C. Milligan, of Oliver
Township, was then aroused frcmi his slumbers, and the affidavit was
made and a warrant was issued to old Johnny Moore, the constable, to
arrest Milligan on a charge of murder. Milligan was found eating his
breakfast and refused to go with the officers until be finished his meal.
By this time, a search of the premises was begun. Blood spots on the
pillows and bed-clothing in the cabin were discovered. Then, s<»ne
bloody clothing was found in some wheat barrels in the smokehouse.
And finally the bodies of the murdered couple were discovered buried
under some logs and brush in the spring branch below the cabin. They
had been killed with an ax while asleep in bed, and then dragged to the
spring branch, their hair being matted with blood, burrs and leaves.
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mSTORY OP ADAJiiS COUNTY
Upon closer inspection, the poll of the ax yet had traces of blood on
it, and bits of hair from the beads of the murdered pair, and there were
marks on the joists of the cabin over the bed where the blade of th6 ax
had struck when uplifted to crush the skulls of the victims. Yet in face
of all this, Milligan declared his innocence of the murder, even when taken
into the room where the deed had been committed and placed before the
bodies of his victims with their ghastly wounds exposed to his view.
He had committed this horrible crime on Sunday night the twenty-
sixth of November, and had slept in the bed in which he had murdered
Senter and his wife, every night until their bodies were discovered on the
sixth of December. And he had, in the meantime, entertained visitors
at the cabin, and one young man, William Johnson, had stayed all night
with him cm December fourth.
Milligan was indicted for murder in first degree and was tried before
Judge S. F. Norris and a jury in November, 1856. He was defended
by James H. Thompson, J. R. Cockerill, Thomas McCauslen, and J. M.
Wells. The attorneys for the state were J. W. McFerren, Jose^ Mc-
Cormick and T. J. Mullen. The trial consumed a week and after a day
and night's deliberation the jury returned a verdict of murder in the
second degree. Milligan was sentenced to the penitentiary for life where
he died in a few years after his confinement.
The following named persons constituted the Trial Jury : George W.
McGinn, Daniel Kenyon, Starling Robinson, Michael Roush, Simon
Dunn, James Abbott, Samuel Phillips, James Vandegrift, John Scott,
John Plummer, James Middleswart, and Joseph McKee.
While in the jail at West Union, Milligan attempted to escape Octo-
ber 22, 1856. As the jailor opened the door of the cell in which he was
confined, he rushed out past him, made his way through the house, got
into the street, and was making oflF as fast as possible. The jailor pur-
sued him, and aft?er running a few rods, Milligan fell and he was secured
and returned to the jail. He had been hobbled, but had cut his irons in
two near one leg, and had fastened the long end of the chain up so as to
enable him to run, but this came down and be tripped and fell. John
Cochran was sheriflF at that time.
While Milligan was being tried for murder, "Old Bill" Terry, a
negro who had outraged Mrs. Morrison, of Manchester, was taken from
the jail by a mob from that town, and hanged on the lower island. See
Manchester Township.
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CHAPTER X.
SCOTT TOWNSHIP
It lies in the northern tier of townships bordering Highland County.
It was formed from the north part of Wayne Township, February 25,
1818. Since then Manchester and a portion of Oliver Townships have
been taken from its original territory. It was named Jn honor of Edwin
Scott, an old and respected citizen.
Svrfaoe and SoiL
The western portion of the township is undulating and comprises
some of the best farm lands within it. Along West Fork are very fertile
alluvial bottoms, and bordering this stream are moderately high hills anJ
table lands of marked fertility of soil. The northeastern portion is hilly
and the soil for the most part is improductive.
Streams.
The principal stream is West Fork which flows across the southern
part of the township from the northwest. It is a beautiful stream and
receives in the west. Buck Run which rises in Highland County, and in
the southeast, George's Cre»ek which rises in the east central portion of
the township. This tributary was named from a family by the name of
George, members of which settled below the present site of Tranquility
in early days.
Flat Run, in the northeastern part of the township, flows east and is a
tributary of East Fork of Ohio Brush Creek.
First Settlers.
John Mclntyre and Willian Mclntyre who settled on the lands re-
cently owned by Hon. J. T. Wilson at Tranquility; Robert Elliott who
settled on the A. C. McCullough farm ; John Hamilton who settled west
of Tranquility; Reuben Smith, James Montgomery, George Secrist, and
John Oliver on George's Creek were among the first settlers, who came
about the year 1800. Joseph Gaston, David McCreight, Mathew Mc-
Creight, James McCreight and their families came from South Carolina
to George's Creek in the year 1802. The Williamsons, the Simmondses,
the Martins, and the McCulloughs came a few years later to the same
vicinity.
MiUs.
The first mill was built by Peter Simmonds on George's Creek. Of
the other early mills, were Smith's and McCormick's on West Fork, and
Campbell's on Buck Run.
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HISTORY OB ADAMS COUNTY
Tranquility, a hamlet on George's Creek in the central portion of
the township, was founded by Hon. John T. Wilson. In 1832, Mr. Wil-
son opened a small store on George's Creek at the house of John Smiley
about a half mile abov>e the present vill^e, where he sold dry goods,
groceries and whiskey, as was the custom in those days. Afterwards
the store was conducted at his late residence. In 1861, W. A. Blair built
a store room on the present site of Blair's store where the Wilson and
Blair business has been conducted ever since. In the meantime a niunber
of families built homes near Wilson & Blair's store and the place took
the name, Tranquility, as suggested by Mr. Wilson to the postoffice de-
partment when the office was established there in 1848. John McCreight
was the first postmaster.
May Hill — 'This is not a regularly laid out village, but like Tran-
quility grew up round a country store. It is located in the northeastern
portion of the township on the border of Bratton Township, on high roll-
ing land, and is surrounded by a poor hilly country. A postoffice was
established there in 1850 with John A. Williamson as postmaster.
Seaman— This village was laid out after the extension of the Cin-
cinnati and Eastern, now called the Cincinnati, Portsmouth and Virginia
Railroad, from Winchester to Portsmouth. It is one of the new and
thriving villages that have sprung up along the line of that railroad. It
was laid out on the lands of Mrs. Ann Mower in 1888. A postc^ce was
established in 1880 with A. Day first postmaster. The first stone in the
place was kept by J. Q. Roads. It now contains two dry goods stores,
one hardware and implement store, one millinery shop, two blacksmith
shops, one saw-mill, two hotels, two livery ilables, aiKi has a population
of 175 inhabitants. It is one of the pretty, thriving villages of Adams
County.
Buck Run — ^This postoffice was formerly located at Campbell's Mills
on Buck Run, but in recent years has been kept at a private house. It is
in the western portion of the township.
Sel&ools.
The first schoolhouse was a round-lc^ cabin erected in 1807 on the
hill near the site of the U. P. Church at 'Tranquility. Here the children
of the McCreights, the Glasgows, the Miliigans, the Elliotts, the Mc-
Culloughs, the Montgomerys, the Williamsons and thej Beards were
taught to read, write and cipher, by Samuel McCoUister and James Mc-
Gill.
The township at present is divided into nine sub-districts with the
following enumeration of school youth:
No.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Females,
I
13
12
6
22
14
2
18
15
7
14
13
3
20
25
8
35
29
4
19
21
9
23
19
5
19
17
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JAMES N. HOOK
REV W. T. QUARRY
RKV. JOHN P. VAJ^ DYKE
WILLIAM ELLISON
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP 45»
Ckurolies.
Tranquility U. P. Church — This is the oldest church organization
in the township, and was formed in 1807, with John Milligan, John Mc-
Cullough, James Montgomery, Alexander McCuUou^h, Robert Elliott,
James Wright, David McCreight, Sr., David McCreight, Jr., Robert
Glasgow and Joseph Glasgow and their families as members. The first
church building, called **Hopewell Metting House," was a Ic^ structure,
erected about 18 10, and was used for a church house for this congrega-
tion for fortv years, when in 1853 it was supplanted by the present frame
building. The congregation is a very large and wealthy oiie, and was
originally known as West Fork Association. See history of U. P. Church
under Wayne Township.
Mount Zion M. E. Church — The congregation was organized in
1 866.* In 1868 a frame church building was erected on lands purchased
from John Martin in the northeast corner of the township. After the
village of Seaman began to grow, the building was removed from its
former site to that village where it now stands.
Mount Leigh Presbyterian Church — This is one of the oldest
congregations in the township. The site of the church building, a com-
modious frame, is on the Buck Run Pike about one mile north of the
village of Seaman.
Flat Run M. E. Church is situated in the northeastern portion
of the township on Flat Run near the Highland County line.
BEMUflSOEHCES.
On the Criswell farm on West Fork at what is known as
"Indian bottoms" was a village site of a tribe of Shawnee In-
dians. Families of these Indians came here to camp as late as 1803.
While in camp at this place a son of James McMitgomery, a lad about six-
teen years old, became acquainted with the Indian boys and joined them
in their sports. He became so attached to his Indian friends and their
mode of life that he ran away from his home and accompanied them to
their villages on Mad River. He could never be induced to return to the
home of his parents.
A Fioneer Kwserymaift.
One of the most welcome comers to a pioneer settlement was the old-
time nurseryman with his stock of apple, peach, and cherry trees. These
he grew from the seed and grafted and budded the young trees himself
and warranted each tree to be true to name. Under his methods apple
trees lived and bore fniit for fifty or seventy-five years.
In the pioneer days of the township, David McCreight conducted a
small nuVsery on his farm on West Fork near "Hopewell Meeting
House" where he grew "ingrafted fruit trees," and warranted as genuine,
such delicious old varieties as Belle Flower, Warner's Russet, Golden
Pippin, Vendiver, Romenite, Cannon Permain, Nutt's Large Early and
Butter apple.
An Objeot IieMon In Polltios.
Near the village of Seaman in this township is the old homestead of
the Silcott family where Craven Edward Silcott, once a prominent
character in local aflFairs and county politics, was bom and reared. He
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4d0 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
resided for many years at the village of Youngsville near his old home
where he was engaged in merchandising and conducted a general store.
While here he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for county
auditor, in 1878, but was defeated at the election following, that campaign
being r^^rded as the bitterest contest in the history of partisan politics
in the county. In the campaign mentioned, one of his staunchest sup-
porters was John P. Leedom, afterwards a member of Congress from
Adams County. Silcott and Leedom became very close personal friends
and when the lattdr was chosen Sergeant-at-Arms of the House after the
expiration of his term as a member of that body, he persuaded Silcott to
leave his business and took him to Washington and made him his cashier
and chief accountant, a very responsible position. It was then the custom
for the Sergeant to draw the salaries of members upon their vouchers,
who checked on his cashier for funds. . In this manner hundreds of
thousands of dollars came into the hands of the cashier for temporary care*
But life at Washington under the baneful influence of "the lobby""
had begun to tell on "the statesman from Adams" and soon it dragged
down the "genial merchant irom Youngsville."
They frequented the races, and, it is said, lost large sums of money.
They became involved, and the cashier in 1889, fled the country, a de-
faulter, or embe^zeler rather, to the amount of $75,000. Many of Mr.
Leedom's friends in Adams County had gladly gone on his bond when he
was first chosen Setrgeant-at-Arms of the House, and the news of Silcott's
embezzlement and flight, brought anxious days and sleepless nights to
them, until an investigation revealed the welcome fact that upc«i his
selection as Sergeant-at-Arms, for a second term, Mr. Leedom had not
given a new bond, and the first was invalid.
Silcott fled to Mexico where afterwards his family joined him and
where recently he died a dishonored, broken-hearted man. Leedom lost
caste with his former friends and associates, separated from his wife, and'
died penniless among strangers.
It has been said by some that Silcott assumed the disgrace and fled
to shield his bosom friend Leedom. Others assert that Leedom was
basely betrayed by Silcott whom he had so implicity trusted. Be that as it
may, the awful fact retaiains that two bright and useful citizens of the
county sacrificed home, family, friends, honor, all through the allurements-
of modem politics.
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CHAPTER XI.
SPRIGG TOWNSHIP
This township was organized in 1806, and named in honor of Judge
William Sprigg, one of the pioneer lawyers of Adams County, and after-
wards a Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. Sprigg Township lies
in the southwest comer of Adams County, bordering the Ohio River on
the south and Huntington Township in Brown County, on the west. It
is in the blue limestone belt and its soil is mostly productive of com,
wheat, and tobacco. Its surface is undulating, in places hilly, and it is
well watered both from natural springs and with flowing rivulets and
creeks.
Streams.
In the northwest portion. Suck Run, a rapid, rough little stream
flows to the west and enters Eagle Creek near Neel's Store just over the
Brown County line.
Rising in the northern portion and flowing to the southwest across
it, is Big Three Mite, the largest stream in the township. Little
Three Mile rises near the center of the township and flows to
the southwest into the Ohio River. Isaac Creek, named from the first
settler on it, Isaac Edgington, takes its beginning near Benton ville and
flows south into the Ohio to the west of Manchester. And Island Creek,
a small stream, named from The Three Islands at its mouth, forms a
portion of the eastern boundary of the township, entering the Ohio a short
distance above Manchester.
First Settlements*
The first settlers in what is now Sprigg Township were Isaac
Edgington, George Edgington, William Leedom, son-in-law of George
Edgington, who settled near Bentonville in 1796; Peter Connor, and
Willam Robinson who kept a tavern on the old Zane Trace, settled on
land purchased from Andrew Ellison, near Bradyville, the same year ; and
the "Dutch Settlement" on Dutch Run was made by Michael Roush,
Philip Roush, John Bryan, Peter Pence, John Pence, and George Cook,
at this date ; the Roush and Pence families lived in Manchester and raised
a crop of corn on the Lower Island in 1795. Van S. Brady, a son of
Capt. Brady, the noted Indian scout; Joseph Beam, Peter Rankin, John
Stivers, Samuel Sterritt, Daniel Henderson, John McColm, Ellis Palmer
and Thomas Palmer were among the pioneers of this portion of Adams
County.
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462 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The first mill constructed outside the Stockade at Manchester was
Massie's Mill on Island Creek. Then Michael Roush built a horse-mill
on Dutch Run. And later what is known as Grime's Mill on Little Three
Mile, a tub-mill, propelled by water, was erected. This latter was re-
built and made one of the best mills in the township, for many years.
E«rly TaTenuu
George Edgington, father-in-law of William Leedom, entertained
travelers at his residence just south of Bentonville on Zane's Trace, as
early as 1797. Further down the Trace below Brad)rville, William Robm-
son opened a tavern about 1800. Joseph Beam kept a tavern near the
Brown County line on the Tomlin farm ; The Little tavern, in later years,
was near BradyviHe; Ballard's tavern was on the Thomas farm near
Liberty Township line, and the Brittingham tavern was on the C. E. Hook
farm.
Ckurelies.
The first church in what is now Sprigg Township was old Hope-
well which stood near the present site of Hopewell Cemetery and School-
house. It was a log structure and was erected about the year 1810. Rev.
Abbott Godard, Rev. Robert Dobbins, and Rev. John Meek were the
pioneer preachers at Hopewell. Rev. John Meek, in fine weather, would
leave the church building, and take his position in the "bull pen," as
some irreverent wag termed it, a natural ampitheater in the grove near
the church, where he would preach to the multitude assembled about him.
This remarkable natural amphitheater is pointed out to the passerby to
this day, as the scene of the greatest religious revivals of pioneer days.
The old log church was burned about the >'ear 1840. A new building
was erected but afterwards moved to the cross-roads about a mile north
from its former site. Dissensions arose in the church, and the building
was sold and removed for use as a barn. The cemetery at old Hopewell
is well kept, and is the resting place of many of the pioneers of Adams
County.
Union Church, near Bentonville, was organized in the year 183a
by Rev. Alexander McClain, a celebrated "New light" preacher for many
years in southern Ohio. * There were but eight or ten members in the
first organization, but the membership increased rapidly under Elder Mc-
Clain's ministry, and the next year a brick church was Greeted. At the
dedication of this church Elijah Leedom and William Leedom were ap-
pointed deacons, and James Lang, clerk, which position he retained until
his decease, when Barton S. Lang was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Henry Hutson was appointed deacon to succeed William Leedom, removed,
which position he held for over forty years. In 1854 the old brick build-
ing was replaced by the present frame structure, the lot occupied by the
church and cemetery being at that time deeded to the organization by
Asa and Mary Leedom, the consideration being "love and aflfection for
the church."
In 1878 the organization! was incorporated under the laws of Ohio,,
with Henry Hutson, Mahlon^ Wykoflf, Aaron S. Wood, James Froman
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SPRIGG TOWNSHIP 463
and William McKinley as trustees, and Elder J. P. Daugherty as chair-
man.
The Southern Ohio Christian Conference met at Union in 1895,
Elder Garroutte, presiding.
The pastors since the days of Elder McClainhave been: Elder Mathew
Gardner, Elder Garroutte, Melissa Timmons, C. W. Wait, William Pang-
bum, J. P. Daugherty, B. F. Rapp, Naaman Dawson, G. W. Brittingham,
A. J. Abbott, A. S. Henderson, T. J. Bowman, Rufus McDaniel, L. M.
Shinkle, C. C. Lawwill, and James Melvin.
This is the oldest organization of the Christian Church in Adams
County, and a year older than Fellowship Church, on Hickory Ridge,
just over the Brown County line.
Elder McClain's influence is yet felt in this community. The older
residents love to relate how, on a Sunday morning, he would enter the
pulpit, lay aside his hat, then take off his coat and roll up his shirt
sleeves, and preach one of those remarkable sermons that left an impres-
sion for life. He removed to the State of Illinois and died some years
ago.
The officers of the church at present «'ire Dr. John Gaskins, C. H.
Thompson, and Thomas Shipley, deacons; William Roush, James Fro-
man, and William Naylor, trustees; Mrs. H. A. Gaskins, treasurer;
Isaiah Shipley, clerk, and Rev. James Melvm, pastor.
McColm's Chapei* is situated on Cabin Creek road, three miles west
of Manchester, and was named for Mathew McColm, an old and esteemed
citizen who deeded to the organization the lot on which the chapel stands.
The organization is Methodist Protestant, and was formed in 1871.
Ravencraft's Chapel stands in the southwest portion of the town-
ship on the Manchester and Aberdeen road. Methodist Protestant, for-
merly Furgeson's Chapel, Methodist Episcopal. Present house erected
in 1873.
The Brittingham Camp Ground — Rev. T. S. Arthur, of the Cin-
cinnati M. E. Conference, and his wife were the organizers of the Brit-
tingham Camp Meeting near Bentonville. The meeting was held one
year (1869) in the Wykoff grove west of Bentonville; and for thirteen
years following at the Brittingham Camp Ground on the Maysville pike
two miles south of Bentonville.
The first meeting had been long advertised, but when the time for it
drew near, the weather was so dry and water so scarce that the directors
thought it best to postpone or abandon the meeting; but Rev. Arthur
called a meeting at the old M. E. Church in Bentonville the Sunday before
the opening day of the camp meeting and announced that he was going to
pray for rain ; and while all indications were unfavorable for rain, before
the people could get home there came one of the greatest downpours seen
for years. This gave Rev. Arthur and the camp meeting great popularity
which lasted for years, hundreds of people coming from a distance to see
the man who was looked upon as a worker of miracks.
In 1870 the Camp Ground was leased for ten years and afterward
bought by a company from Joseph Brittingham. The directors of the
company were Joseph Shrivers, John P. Bloomhuff, Henry Gaffin, Samuel
B. Truitt, and William Simpson. M. A. Scott, secretary.
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HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The meeting was conducted by Revs. T. S. Arthur, Granville Moody,
Fee and Marsh during the time each was Presiding Elder.
Many other eminent divines took part in the meetings and families
from Manchester, Aberdeen, Ripley, Winchester, West Union and other
places came and camped for ten days or two weeks in temporary build-
ings erected by the directors for that purpose.
The expenses of conducting the meetings were paid chiefly by charg-
ing an admittance fee at the gate. When Col. Moody was in charge, he
ordered the directors not to collect money at the gate on Sunday, that
being the decision of Conference. As the company had been to so much
expense they moved the treasurer's office down the road a htmdred yards
from the entrance and collected there within hearing of Moody's powerful
voice and everything was thus made satisfactory. The last meeting was
held in 1883 when the grounds were sold to A. V. Hutson.
There have been several attempts to organize other camp meetings
tliere since, but it seems that Elder Arthur and Col. Moody did not leave
their "mantles" as did Elijah of old, and the result so far has been a
failure.
Three Old RoacU.
The "Old Dutch Road" led from Ellis' ferry, up Big Three Mile to
Nauvoo, thence over the hill to the Cropper farm, then out the ridge to
Jeptha Shelton's and Alfred Pence's, and to Hopefell Church.
"Cabin Creek Road" wound up Little Three Mile past Grimes' mill,
up the hill to Ginger Ridge, following the ridge for four miles past Mc-
Colm's Chapel, crossing Manchester and Bradyville pike at Lafe Lang's;
thence out past Brookovet's, crossing the pike at Roush's schoolhouse,
thence to old Union Church.
"Zane's Trace" entered Sprigg Township at the Tomlin farm, follow-
ing the ridge to Little's; thence over the hill to Three Mile Creek at
Nathan Ellis'; thence up Three Mile to Bentonville.
A Mysterious Murder.
In the autumn of 1867, Sanford Phillips, a notorious and dissolute
character, about forty-five years of age, was murdered in broad daylight,
within a few rods of the old schoolhouse in the north part of Bentonville,
while school was in session, and persons were passing up and down the
street ; and yet the crime was not discovered until hours after it had been
committed.
Phillips had gained control over Lydia Purdin, a young girl of sev-
enteen years, daughter of a widow named Susan Purdin, and paid visits
to her home when Mrs. Purdin and her son, a boy in his teens, were ab-
sent. But Lydia Purdin at heart despised Phillips, and on occasions be-
stowed her smiles upon a young man named Burbage, living in the vicin-
ity. This so enraged Phillips, who was insanely jealous, that he at on«
time gave young Burbage a severe beating, and threatened vengeance on
the entire Burbage family.
One December morning, Phillips rode into the village, hitched his
horse at the Purdin residence, and entered the house. It is said that Mrs.
Purdin and her son were not at home at the time and that Lydia left the
house about noon for an hour or more to call on a neighbor. In the mid-
dle of the afternoon she came running from toward her home screaming
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SPRIGG TOWNSHIP 4«6
**Tbere is a man in the house with his head nearly cut off." People soon
gathered about the house and found Phillips lying in a pool of blood
murdered. He had been struck two fatal blows with an ax, one with the
blade across the forehead, and the other on his neck, half severing the
head from the body. He had seemingly been sitting in a chair when
assaulted, and when discovered had been dead several hours.
Lydia Purdin was arrested for the crime, and although circum-
stantial evidence was against her, yet popular feeling in the commimity
was so bitter against Phillips, that she was not convicted.
A Murder Hear Clayton.
In the days of flatboating on the Ohio, the locality known as Clayton
had an unsavory reputation. It was the headquarters of many river char-
acters, and drinking, card playing, and cocWighting was their pastime
white awaiting a trip to "Orleans."
A pack-peddler, who made regular trips to this community, very
mysteriously disappeared. As he had no fixed place of domicile known
to the people, the matter of his sudden disappearance from the ni^hbor-
hood was discussed and then almost forgotten when a rough character
named Goddard Pence displayed some laces and other articles such as car-
ried by the peddler, and offered them in exchange for whiskey and tobacco
at the little grocery store and saloon at Clayton. Suspicion at once pointed
to him as having something to do with the disappearance of the peddler.
He was watched and was seen to go to a lioUow tree and take from it
other articles such as the peddler had carried. Pence was not arrested
but search was made for the body of the peddler, but it was never found.
Another character nam^d "Bill" Cook was suspected of having some-
thing to do with the affair, and he afterwards said that he "played drunk"
and watched Pence bum the body of a man in an old cabin on the Pence
farm. After some investigation by the authorities, thd matter was for-
ever dropped, and Goddard Pence, whether guilty or innocent, lived to
be a very old man, dying a few years ago in the Brown County Infirmary.
The writer knew him in his last days. He was gray and stooped, suffer-
ing with rheumatism and the infirmities of old age. He had been a most
powerful man, over six feet tall, raw boned and muscular, and with a
"fist like a maul." Few men were his match in a fight. It is a tradition
that he and old Aaron Bowman cradled, bound, and shocked ten acres of
wheat in one day, and drank two gallons of whiskey while doing it.
Murder of Katkan Bowmam.
In 1.839 there was living in Sprigg Township a man named Lemuel
Glascock who belonged to the class of rowdies that infested the vicinity
of Clayton. He married a daughter of Samuel Swearengen with
whom he lived a stormy life. Nathan Bowman, a well-to-do farmer liv-
ing just over the Brown County line in the Early neighborhood, was a
brother-in-law to Glascock, they having married sisters. At a log-rolling
some time previous to the killing of Bowman, he and Glascock had fought
over some trivial affair as was the custom in those days, and Bowman in
the contest put out or "gouged out" one of Glascock's eyes, although
Bowman claimed it was accidental, that Glascock had fallen on his, Bow-
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466 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
man's, thumb in the struggle, and Glascock bit away a portion of Bow-
man's lip. Ever after this affair Glascock when drinking would threaten
to take Bowman's life, yet at other times they were apparently on good
terms.
In June, 1839, Bowman went to Glascock's to get him to repair a
grain cradle for him as wheat harvest was near at hand. While there
he and Glascock procured a jug of whiskey from one of the Croppers
who kept it for sale, and while under its influence renewed their old
grudge. Bowman, instead of returning home, stayed at Glascock's for
the night. He was given a bed on the floor, and in the night was attacked
by Glascock with a large bowie knife and stabbed in the bowels, his en-
trails protruding through the wounds.
Bowman's cries aroused Perry Connolly, a little timid shoemaker liv-
ing near, who feared Glascock would kill him if he interfered. Finally
assistance came and Dr. Hubbard after examination pronounced Bow-
man's wounds fatal. Joseph Darlinton and Thomas McCauslin, of West
Union, were sent for to take the dying statement of Bowman before
Squire Connor, of Sprigg Township. He lived until the next day.
Glascock fled the country. A reward of $300 was offered by Bow-
man's widow and relatives for his apprehension and return. Glascock
was found and agreed to return for trial without further delay if one hun-
dred dollars of the reward were given to him. This was agreed to. and
he took that amount and employed Hon. Thomas Hamer, of Georgetown,
to defend him. He was sentenced to the Ohio penitentiary for life, but
after the lapse of a few years was pardoned out. He went West and died
some years ago.
Marsliall-Mitoliell Dnel In Sprigs Townsliip.
Elsewhere in this volume there is an account of a duel fought in
Sprigg Township in 181 2, between Thomas Marshall and Charles Mitchell.
The same story was given the writer by Zilpha Reynolds, wife of Oliver
Reynolds, of Brown County, and who was a daughter of Jacob Middle-
swart, a Revolutionary soldier who settled at Logan's Gap then within
the bounds of Adams County, in the year 1808. His daughter, Zilpha,
was bom on Yankee Run in Mercer Coimty, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and
was twelve years of age when the duel between Marshall and Mitchell
was fought. Her father was living on lands at Logan's Gap owned by
Ignatius Mitchell, father of Charles Mitchell, at the time, and her state-
ment to the writer fixed the place of the duel on Charleston Bar near
Logan's Gap. The writer remembers Mrs. Reynolds' statement that a
son of Ignatius Mitchell used to say that ** Brother Dick killed a man in
'Orleans, and brother Charles hipped Tom Marshall on the bar, but for
himself he would do his fighting fisticuffs."
Ellis Palmer Killed an Indian.
Ellis Palmer, a pioneer of Adams County, came from Pennsylvania
to Limestone, Kentucky, about 1790. He and John Gunsaulus, or as he
was called, and the name so written in many of the old land and road sur-
veys of Adams County, **King Sawley," were noted hunters. They spent
most of their time hunting in the region including what is now Adams
and Brown Counties, Ohio, before any permanent settlements were made
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SPRIGG TOWNSHIP
467
there. Both were active, strong men, and loved the chase as well as any
Indian. They never owned any lands but "squatted" on choice spots near
the haunts of the bear and deer. Palmer when a lad had seen an elder
brother of his cruelly scalped by the savages, and when he grew large
enough to handle a rifle, he pushed to the frontier to seek revenge and
many a red man has passed to the "happy hunting grounds" through the
unerring aim of his rifle. It is related that after peace had been declared,
and the whites were beginning to rear their cabins on the north bank of
the Ohio, an Indian came to the vicinity of Ellis' Lick, named for Palmer,
and he learning of the presence of the Indian, lay in wait for him and
killed him with his rifle. Descendants of Palmer and Gunsaulus are
scattered throughout Adams and Brown Counties.
Benton viLLE — Laid out by Joseph Leedom in 1839, and named for
Senator Thomas Benton, of Missouri, is the largest village in the town-
ship, with a population of about 250.
Bradysville — ^This is a sriiall village of perhaps 75 inhabitants and
was named for its founder. Van S. Brady, who laid out a few lots there
in 1839.
Schools.
Benton Special District was established in 1871. There is a two
story frame building, in poor condition, standing on a bare, neglected lot
at the south of the village. There are four rooms, and at one time this
school was the pride of the village. The first superintendent was Judge
Isaac N. Tolle. Thie present enrollment is 56 males and 41 females.
Snb-DUtriota
Xo.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Fema
I
31
16
9
9
II
2
13
8
JO
27
26
3
24
15
II
14
18
4
20
17
12
22
13
5
23
13
13
6
8
6
22
23
14
29
21
7
13
II
15
23
10
8
27
22
16
'15
12
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CHAPTER Xll.
TimN TOWNSHIP
Tiffin Township was organized in 1806, as will be seen by referring
to the chapter devoted to the "Organization of the Townships." It was
named in honor of Edward Tiffin, Ohio's first and one of her wisest
Governors.
First Settlers.
Joseph Eyler built the first cabin in this township where he after-
wards made his home near Killinstown, in the winter of 1795. The Ey-
ler farm of 300 acres is now owned by John Crawford, Samuel Mc-
Feeters and Sandy Craigmile. When Rev. James B. Finky passed over
Tod's Trace from Limestone to Chillicothe with his father's cattle and
"niggers" in 1796, he noted the fact that there was a cabin near where
the town of West Union now stands, built by Mr. Oiler, but no one lived
in it. Daniel Collier, about this time, selected a site for his future
home on one of the most beautiful terraces along Ohio Brush Creek,
known to this day as the "Collier farm." Just below him on the creek
was Duncan McKenzie. Andrew Ellison took up his residence on Lick
Fork near the old stone house which he built in 1798, where the town
©f Waterford was laid out. Richard Harrison about the same time lo-
cated at Waterford and kept a tavern there. John Treber built a cabin
in 1796 a half mile further down Lick Fork where the old tavern building
yet stands, and Peter Shoemaker, Simon Shoemaker, John Shepherd, and
Thomas Davis located near by on Ohio Brush Creek. Job Dinning, John
Killin, Jacob Piatt, James Ralston, and Adam Hempleman located in the
vicinity of Killinstown. Simon Fields settled further east on Brush
Creek. George Harper, James Collins, James January and Robert Mc-
Clanahan located near West Union.
Snrfaoe and SoiL
Being diversified with hill and dale, rivulet and creek, ridge and
plane, the township has within it some of the richest and some of the poor-
est lands in the county. The soil, highly impregnated with iron on the
"red ridges," is fertile. The marl flats are thin soils, and the bald marl .
hillsides are barren. But the sugar tree coves and the bottom loams
along the streams are very fertile.
Streams.
Ohio Brush Creek, a beautiful little river, forms the northeastern
and eastern boundary of the township. Lick Fork is. its longest tributary
in the township. It rises at a spring near West Union and flows north-
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TIFFIN TOWNSHIP 469
east uniting with Ohio Brush Creek at the SprouU bridge. Beasley's
Fork also takes its source from a spring in West Union, flows southeast
and unites with Ohio Brush Creek opposite the Nathan Foster farm in
Greene Township. A branch of the East Fork of Eagle Creek rises in
the western part of the township and flows south along its western
border.
Churehes.
Among the early churches of the county, the Baptist organization
on Soldier's Run, in this township should have due notice. This church
was organized at the house of James Carson in June, 1802, by Rev.
Thomas EUrod, with the following named membership: Jameis Carson,
Elizabeth Carson, David Thomas, Patrick Killeft, Nathaniel Foster, Pris-
cilia Lovejoy and Eve Ellrod. For years meetings were held at Car-
son's or at Osman's schoolhouse. In 1836 a frame meeting house was
erected on a lot purchased from Abraham Newkirk.
The pastors of the church have been r Thomas Ellrod, John Harover,
Jacob layman, David Spohn, Hiram Burnett, Lyman Whitney, David
Vance, Hugh Kelle^', Henry Dinkleman, and Frances Fear. Of the
early deacons, there were : James Carson, Nathaniel Foster, John Hamil-
ton, Samuel Mason, F. C. Fear, Alpheus Humble and John Osman.
Clerks: David Briggs, Bartholomew Anderson, William F. James, Wil-
liam Parks and F. C. Fear. The old church building has long since been
abandoned, and the organization united with West Union congregation.
Oak Grove — The Christian, or "New Light," Church known as Oak
Grove, about three miles from West Union, in the northwestern part of
the township was organized by Elders Davidson, Garroutte and Pang-
bum, in 1867, with the following membership: Hester Lowe, Sarah
Postlewaite, Margaret Russell, Elizabeth Hovvland, Jonathan Postlewaite,
Huldah Lewis, Levi C. Howland, Andrew Gillespie, Sarah Russell, Sarah
L. Gillespie, and Matilda Billiter.
Stone Chapel — The society from which this church sprung was
nearly contemporaneous with that at Moore's on Scioto Brush Creek. In
1797 Joseph Moore organized a class in Methodism at Isaac Wamsley's
on Ohio Brush Creek with Simon Fields as leader. The first meeting
house, constructed from logs in 1802, was known as Fields'. It was after-
wards known as Burkett's, and later upon the erection of the present
structure, "Stone Chapel." There is a graveyard there, but owing to
a thick ledge of stone lying near the surface of the ground, it is not used
much as a place of burial.
This church is on the West Union and Cedar Mills turnpike, about
five miles to the east of West Union, and two miles from the crossing of
Ohio Brush Creek. It is built of dressed limestone and is in a very good
state of preservation.
Sattkrfield's Chapel is on the Cedar Mills pike about four miles
east of West Union. It is a Christian Union organization and the
church building, a comfortable frame, was erected in 1875 by Wesley Sat-
terfield, a wealthy farmer of that vicinity. Archie Craigmile, Van R.
McCarty, John B. Denning, John Steele, Asbury Beard and their wives
formed the first organization in 1868, at Compton's schoolhouse.
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470 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Schools.
The township has nine sub-districts and one Village Special.
No.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Females.
I
i8
16
6
37
28
2
2T
19
7
25
27
3
i8
19
8
22
22
4
26
25
9
16
20
5
26
30
West Union, the present county seat of Adams County, was estab-
lished by act of the Legislature, April 13, 1803. The act named Isa^ic
Davis, John Evans, and James Metiary, G^mmissioners to select a site
for the new seat of justice. They were required to make their report
in duplicate, one to the Si>eaker of the Senate, Nathaniel Massie, and one
to the Court of Common Reas which latter were prohibited from ex-
pending any more money for public buildings until the seat of justice
should be permanently located.
January 16, 1804, the Commissioners having made their report, rec-
ommending a site about one-half mile south of Zane*s Trace, on lands
owned by Robert McClanahan, and near the central portion of the county,
an act was passed to locate the county seat there permanently. The act
provided for the purchase of the lands of McClanahan and others ad-
joining to an amount not exceeding 150 acres at eight dollars per acre,
by the Associate Judges of the county and to be paid for out of the county
treasury on their order ; the title to said lands to be vested in a Board of
Trustees, composed of Nathaniel Beasley, William Marshall, Salathiel
Sparks, Aaron Moore, Benjamin Wood, William Collings and John
Briggs. This board was required to appoint a Clerk and a Surveyor, and
to proceed to lay off lots with convenient streets for the new town to be
named West Union, and to make and record a plat of the same. Notice
of the sale of lots was required to be published for thirty days in the
Scioto Gazette, of Chillicothe. The County Commissioners were em-
powered to dispose of county property at Washington. When the num-
ber of lot owners reached thirty, they were required to meet and elect a
new Board of Trustees to succeed the board appointed by the act. Mem-
bers of the Board were elected annually thereafter.
The town proper stands upon one hundred acres purchased from
Robert McClanahan for seven hundred and sixty dollars. What is
known as Harper's Addition consisted of five acres north of Mulberry
Street for which was paid the sum of one dollar. Priscilla Anderson sold
five acres adjoining McClanahan's for forty dollars, so that the original
plat of West Union cost $801. It sold at the public sale of lots for $2,985.
From the record book kept by the Board, now in the possession of
William C. Coryell, of West Union, we glean the following:
Monday, March 19, 1804. Trustees chose William Collings, Clerk,
and Nathaniel Beasley, Surveyor.
Tuesday, March 20. The Trustees met at nine o'clock A. M. and
proceeded to survey and stake oflF the inlots, until six o'clock P. M., and
then adjourned.
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73
05 Q
o *•
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TIFFIN TOWNSfflP
471
Wednesday, March 21. The Trustees met at half -past nine o'clock
A. M. and proceeded to survey and stake off the inlots until half-past
twelve o'clock and then adjourned.
Friday, March 30. Appeared A. Moore, B. Wood, N. Beasley, S.
Sparks, William Marshall and William Collings, half-past ten o'clock
A. M., and employed Robert McClanahan to assist them and then pro-
ceeded to survey and stake off the inlots until half-past five o'clock P. M.,
and then adjourned.
March 31, 1804. The Trustees met at nine o'clock A. M. and pro-
ceeded to lay out and stake off inlots until half-past five o'clock P. M., in
whoch time Henry Rape came and made application for the house [log
house that stood near the springs where the public well is, on Main
Street] that is on said lots, and the said Trustees gave their obligation
to keep said Rape in peaceable possession of said house from the ninth
day of April next until the first day of the sale of said lots, in considera-
tion of said Rape giving his obligation to said Trustees for eight dollars
payable the first day of May next.
Monday, April 30, 1804. Appeared A. Moore, B. Wood, N. Beas-
ley, S. Sparks, J. Briggs, and William Collings at one o'clock P. M. and
proceeded to survey and stake off the inlots until six o'clock P. M., and
delivered a plat of the town of West Union unto Joseph Darlinton, Re-
corder of the County of Adams, and then adjourned.
Friday, May i, 1804. Appeared B. Wood, J. Briggs, N. Beasley,
S. Sparks, and William Collings at half-past eight o'clock A. M. and pro-
ceeded to survey and stake off the outlots until six o'clock P. M., and then
adjourned.
There were one hundred and eleven inlots and twenty outlots on the
plat.
Thursday, May 17, 1804. The Trustees of the town of West Union
met in said town for the purpose of selling the lots in said town at public
sale, and chose John Lodwick to vendue said sale, who sold as follows,
viz.:
Out-
lots.
Purchaser.
Price.
Out-
lots.
Purchaser.
Price.
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
Thomas Nicholson.
Clairburn Fox
Clairbnrn Fox
Peter Schultz
Peter Schultz
Leonard Cole
Jesse Eastburn
William Robertson.
Benjamin Wood....
David Bradford
$15
18
31
43
36
34
29
23
30
38
11
12
13
14
16
16
17
18
19
20
David Bradford..,
John Little
John Armstrong,
John Briggs
John Brown ,
John Brown
John Brown
David Bradford .,
David Bradford.
John Brown
$82
28
27
28
20
30
. 23
33
20
25
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272
HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Ill-
lots.
Purchaser.
Price.
In-
lots.
Purchaser.
1
2
3
4
6
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
28
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
81
82
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
Isaac Foster ,
Joseph Irovejoy...
James Anderson.
Wm. Morrison... .
Daniel Rob bins..
Elijah Rinker
Andrew Ellison..
Daniel Marlatt.....
David Decamp...
David Decamp
David Edie
Jeseph Beam..
John Shirley
ohn Briggs
John Briggs
John Davi dson..
Paul Larsh
Andrew Ellison ..
Andrew Ellison
Peter Shultz „
Peter Shultz
Pete Shultz
Peter Shultz
John Shirley..
John Shirley..
John Killin
Jacob Treber
Josiah Wade
Charles Larsh
John Killin
Enoch Ogle
Wm. Armstrong
Wm. Armstrong
Peter Shultz ,
Benjamin Wood
Leonard Cole
Wm. Steen
John Rodgers
Thomas Mason
W. Hannah
W. Hannah
Paul Larsh
Leonard Cole
Henry Rape
Reserved
Wm. Collings
John Armstrong
Benjamin Wood
Leonard Cole
Johnston Armstrong..
John S. Little
Thomas Nicholson
Peter-Grant ,
Jacob Treber ,
Joseph Darlinton
$6
6
6
8
6
7
6
12
6
5
4
4
6
t
13
15
18
14
10
21
51
31
31
9
11
6
5
6
7
25
27
31
27
45
40
45
25
9
11
11
27
70
65
59
61
56
63
67
37
37
17
16
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
90
91
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
Joseph Darlinton...
Joseph Darlinton...
James Chambers....
Alexander Meek....
Jesse Bastburn
Jacob Sample
Reserved for
Court House
David Bradford
Thos. James
Reserved for Jail....
John Kincaid.
Thomas Kirker
Job Denning
Robert Anderson...
Ed. McLoughlin....
Wm. Robertson
James Chambers....
David Bradford
Leonard Cole
Reserved for
Court House
Elijah Rinker
John Brown
John Rodgers
John Brown
Aquilla Smith
foseph Darlinton ...
Job Denning.. ,
Lydia Roberts
James McComas....,
Arthur McParland.
Joseph Curry-
John Bfown' ,
Clairborne Fox
Elijah Walden
Arthur McParland.
Benjamin Wood
Isaac Earl ,
Enoch Ogle ,
Jacob Treber
Isaac Foster
Isaac Foster
Joseph Loveioy
Thomas Kirker
Thomas Palmer
George Harper
Aaron Moore
James William8„
Bartholomew Anderson..
S. Sparks
Thomas Kincaid
Josiah Wade
Josiah Wade
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TIFFIN TOWNSHIP 478
Saturday, May 19, 1804. Trustees met and took up obligations, and
gave certificates to purchasers. Certificates were given John Brown for
lots purchased by Claiburn Fox.
All lots are laid off north and south, east by west, six poles by nine
poles, except lot No. 14 is four poles at the south end, and five at the
north end and nine poles long. Lot No. 15 is five poles at the south end
and six poles at the north end. Lot No. 85 is six poles by four and one-
quarter poles. All streets running through the inlots and outlots are
four poles wide. The street between the inlots and outlots is three poles
wide, and lots are twenty-three poles long and fourteen wide except lot
No. I is fifteen and two-thirds pedes at the south end, and fourteten and
one-half poles long. Lot No. 14 is fourteen and two-thirds poles at the
north end and sixteen and one-half poles at the south end and twenty-
three long. No. 15 is sixteen and one-half poles at the north end and
seventeen and two-thirds at the south end and twenty-six poles long.
No. 8 is nine and seven-eighths poles at the north end and eight and one-
quarter poles at the south end and twenty-three poles long. No. 7 is
nine and seven-eighths poles at the south end and eleven and three-
quarters poles at the north end and twenty-three poles long. And
Nos. 16, 17, 18 and 19 are twenty-six poles long. The street on the north
side of the town is three poles wide ; and on the east and west of the in-
lots the streets are one and one-half poles wide and on the east, west and
south of the outlots the streets are two poles wide.
April 30, 1804. N. Beasley,
Salathiel Sparks,
Benjamin Wood,
John Briggs,
Aaron Moore,
William Collings,
Trustees of the Town of West Union.
State of Ohio, Adams County, ss.
I do certify that this day the within named John Briggs, Benjamin
Wood, Salathiel Sparks, William Collings and Aaron Moore personally
appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the
county aforesaid and acknowledged the within plat of West Union and
their signing the same to be their voluntary act and deed for the purposes
therein laid down.
In tjestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this
thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord 1804.
[seal.] N. Beasley.
In conformity to the act entitled, "An Act to establish the Permanent
Seat of Justice in the County of Adams," we the undersigned do reserve
the following inlots in the town of West Union for the following pur-
poses, to-wit : Lots numbers 63, 64, yy and 78 for a Courthouse, etc. No.
67 for a Public Jail, and lot number 46 for a Public Spring and School-
house. Given undietr our hands this sixteenth day of May, 1804.
Hosea Moore,
David Edie,
Needham Parry,
Associate Judges of Adams County.
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474 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
First House and First Stores.
Henry Rape built the first house, a hewed log building, on lot No. 45
He was a hatter and in this house he lived and made hats for many years.
A room ten by twelve, in this house.William Armstrong used for a store
until he erected the building known as the Mullen corner in 1810, south-
west corner Main and Cross Streets. On the northeast comer of Main
and Market Streets, William Russell, afterwards Congressman from
Adams District, built a two story log-house and opened a small store in
1806. The same year John Hood opened a store in a large hewed log
building belonging to Peter Shultz on the northwest corner of the old
mill lot. Mr. Hood afterwards erected a building on the southeast cor-
ner of Main and Cross Streets.
Early Taverns.
The: Old Bradford Tavern, northeast comer of Main and Cherry
Streets, since known as the Marlatt House, Crawford House, and Down-
ing House, was erected by David Bradford who had kept a tavern at
Washington while the county seat, in 1806, and was opened to the public
in 1807. ^t is an historic old hostelry, having sheltered President Jackson,
Thomas Benton, Henry Clay, General Santa Anna, and hosts of lesser
lights in the days of the old stage line from Maysville to Chillicothe, and
on to Washington City.
Wood's Tavern, southeast corner Main and Market Streets, was
opened in 1807 also. The house was built by John Lodwick, and used by
him as a private residence from 1804 to 1807. In later years Edmund
Browning kept there "Browning's Inn at the sign of the Goddess of
Liberty."
The Bell Tavern, on Main Street west of the Public Spring, was
kept by John Hayslip for many years in the early days of West Union
and was a popular hostelry for the old settlers' Fourth of July banquets.
Tannery.
The first tannery in West Union was operated by Peter Shultz in
1805. It was on the old mill lot.
Tinshop.
The first tinshop opened in West Union was in 1820 by Daniel Boyle,
a sketch of whose life is in this volume.
liodffes.
The oldest lodge in West Union, and the parent Masonic lodge of
Adams County, is West Union Lodge, No. 43, F. and A. M., whose char-
ter was granted by the Grand Ivodge at Columbus. Ohio, January 15, 1820.
The charter members were: Abraham Hollingsworth, W. M. ; Samuel
Treat, S. W. ; John Kincaid, J. W. ; John Fisher, Secretary ; James Ross.
George Bryan and Aaron Wilson.
In a recent communication to the West Union Scion, the venerable
David Dunbar, of Manchester, states some interesting facts with refer-
ence to the Masonic lodge at West Union which should be preserved for
future generations. It was a like spirit of political prejudice and religious
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TIFFIN TOWNSfflP 476
bigotry that prevented the location of the Western Theological Seminary
from being located in West Union, because it was argued that the Pres-
byterians, who were then Jeffersonian Democrats, were conspiring with
Andrew Jackson to overthrow the government of the United States.
General Jackson was then in 1825 chairman of the Board of G^mmis-
sioners, selected by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to
locate the above named seminary in the district composed of Pennsyl-
vania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana, and he and the Hon. John
Thompson, of Ghillicothe, and Dr. Blackburn, of Lexington, Ky., a ma-
jority of the committee, favored West Union. But the radicals and fa-
natics of the community would not have it for the reasons named. And
unfortunately for West Union, it failed to secure, years afterwards, the
site of a state institution — the Asylum for the Insane, now at Athens — ^be-
cause the Virginia blood of Adams County's member of the Legislature
at the time chilled at the thought of having "the crazy people" of the State
domiciled in "Old Adams.'' Mr. Dunbar says:
"Following the abduction and death of Morgan, excitement was in-
tense, and soon it had extended to all parts of the country. So strong,
too, was the feeling engendered, that for a time the system of national
government seemed imperiled. A new, and in some states very powerful
political party was formed, its general object being to war against secret
societies, especially Masons, and more specifically still to prevent the elec-
tion of Masons to public office. The most absurd and ridiculous reports
of the secret work and conduct of Masons were circulatel and found ready
belief. The strife invadea and divided churches, communities were dis-
turbed by angry disputes between neighbors, and friends became embit-
tered against friends.
**It was during these memorable times that I was living in West
Union, the place of my birth, and though a youth of scarcely more than
ten years of age, I was a deeply interested observer and student of the
situation. The excitement in West Union rose to a high pitch, and soon
involved all conditions of society — religious, political and social — in the
tempest of passion and out of which soon were formed two antagonistic
parties. Masonic and Anti-Masonic. Each party had its newspaper, the
Anti-Masonic being published by my brother-in-law, David Murray, with
Rev. Dyer Burgess as assistant, while the Masonic organ was issued by a
gentleman named Patterson, who, I think came from Clermont County.
"Here it was that I received my first impression and formed my first
conclusions regarding Ancient Craft Masonry, and young as I was I
perceived that the better citizens within and around the town were either
Masons or in sympathy with their cause. I give here the names of some
of them that I recollect : Abraham Hollingsworth, William Allen, Daniel
P. Wilkins, James RoflF, John Kincaid, Adam McGovney, Thomas Thoro-
man. Rev. William Page, John McDaid, Robert McDaid, Nicholas Bur-
well, Wesley Lee. It was after observing that men like these stood firmly
together on the question then being agitated that I resolved if I should
reach the age of manhood, and be found worthy, I would become a Mason.
"As I now remember, the last work done in West Union Lodge after
the fierce opposition to the Order overspread the country was about
1 83 1, and about 1835 *he persecution became so intensely hostile that the
lodge surrendered its charter and jewels. In consequence of this action
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476 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
no lodge work was done until 1846. During this interval I had g^own
to manhood, and in the year 1845, trusting that I had the necessary quali-
fications, I petitioned Confidence Lodge No. 52, of Maysville, Ky., and
was found worthy of membership. My reason for petitioning a Kentucky
lodge was that there was none working in my own state jurisdiction
nearer than Cincinnati. Consequently I received the Entered Apprentice,
Fellow Craft and Master degrees, as before stated, in Confidence Lodge,
of Maysville. By this time a number of others of the younger men of
the vicinity had elsewhere received the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry
and they, with some of the elder brethren, whose names I have already
given, met (June, 1846) in what is now known as the Old Bank Build-
ing to take steps to repossess the surrendered lodge charter and jewels,
in order that work might be resumed. Among those were the following:
Isaac Foster, M. V. Cooper, D. W. Stableton, Henry Y. Copple, John C.
Scott, Benjamin Bowman, William Adams, Edwa.rd Townley, David
Dunbar and Benjamin Pinney. Of these I am now the only one living.
Other meetings were held monthly until October, when the lodge charter
and jewels were restored, upon which, having received a dimit from Con-
fidence Lodge, I became a member.
''After resumption of regular work by West Union lodge the first
candidate to be initiated was the late L H. DeBruin, and following his ad-
mission, I remember the names of these: William M. Meek, James N.
Hook, Joseph F. Eylar, James Sparks, Abner Sparks, Oliver Sparks.
*1 remained affiliated with West Union I^ge No. 43 for thirteen
years, at the expiration of which time Manchester Lodge, No. 317, was
instituted (1859) and I became a charter member and have been identified
with it ever since.
In 1 871 I received the Royal Arch Chapter degrees in Manchester
Chapter, No. 129, and in 1873 was invested with the order of the Red
Cross, Knights Templar and Knights of Malta degrees in Calvary Com-
mandery. No. 13, of Portsmouth, but am now a member of Maysville
Commandery, No. 10.
"1 presume I am the oldest Mason within Adams County, and al-
though the infirmities of age creep on apace my zeal for our ancient and
honorable institution has not abated.
"This being written solely from memory may contain mistakes,
which would not be remarkable considering the lapse of years, but it is in
the main correct."
West Union Lodge, No. 510, I. O. O. F., was instituted on the
evening of June 11, 1874. The charter /nembers were: J. W. Eyler,
William Hood, J. W. Bunn, L. P. Stivers, F. J. Miller and E. R. Wells.
Crystal Lodge, No. 114, K. of P., was instituted June 12, 1878,
with the following charter members: C. E. Irwin, F. D. Bayless, John
A. Eylar, J. H. Connor, Willis Ellison, W. F. Kilpatrick, G. F. Thomas.
John W. Hook, S. N. Bradford, M. R. Brittingham, W. F. Lloyd, A. E.
McCormick, C. Frederick Mair, Oliver Smeltzer and Frank Hayslip.
F. D. Bayliss was P. C. and first representative; John Hook, C. C. ; G.
F. Thomas, V. C. ; John A. Eylar, Prelate ; W. F. Lloyd, M. of F. ; J. H.
Connor, M. of E. ; Frank Havslip, K. of R. and S. : C. E. Irwin, M. A. :
Oliver Smeltzer, I. G. ; Willis Ellison, O. G.
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TIFFIN TOWNSfflP 477
The oldest church organization in West Union is the Presbyterian.
This church was formerly organized on East Fork of Eagle Creek fcy
Rev. John Dunlevy and Rev. Richard McNemar about the year 1800.
The great Shaker revival in Kentucky had its effect here, and finally re-
sulted in the expulsion of Dunlevy from the Eagle Creek Congregation,
whereupon he joined the Shakers in Warren County in 1805. About this
date Rev. William Williamson, who was then in the vicinity of Cabin
Creek, Kentucky-, held occasional services with the remnant of the Eagle
Creek Congregation.
In 1809 ^ movement was set on foot to build a church house in West
Union. The congregation was weakened from dissensions and divisions,
many members having joined the Cherry Fork Church, and had only been
held together by the patient care of Joseph Darlinton, William Marshall,
and James Baird, ruling elders. A subscription list headed by Thomas
Kirker, Joseph Darlinton and Joseph Nelson, was circulated and enough
subscribed in labor, linen, cattle, wheat, and cash to- warrant the letting
of the contract for the church building. It was to be a stone structure,
the present building in the main, and Thomas Metcalf. afterwards Gov-
ernor of Kentucky, was awarded the contract for the stone work, all ma-
terial to be on the ground, at $250, May 26, 18 10.
Hamilton Dunbar had the contract for the carpenter work, and Job
Denning the contract for hauling the stone from the quarry to the ground
where they were to be used.
The M. E. Church — The nucleus of this congregation was formed
at the residence of Peter Shultz, in 1807, by Rev. John Collins, of the
Scioto Circuit. The members of the first class were William Russell,
leader, Mrs. Russell, William Armstrong and wife, Peter Shultz and
wife, Mary Rape, Mary Woodward, Mrs. Nancy Cole and Mrs. Hannah
Hood. It was at the house of Peter Shultz that Rev. James B. Finley,
who had been known as the "New Market Devil,'* attempted to preach one
of his first sermons.
In 1819 the present site of the church was secured and in 1820 a
brick building was erected on it. In 1868 it was removed and the present
brick edifice erected. Rev. Greenbery R. Jones, while Presiding Elder,
built the frame house on Main Street near the Public well, recently oc-
cupied by Mrs. Stewart, where he resided for several years.
The Baptist Church — ^At the house of William MahaflFey, north-
west of West Union, in 1833, this association was organized by Elder
J. Layman. The society struggled along until 1846, when a building was
erected in West Unon. This was destroyed by the great tornado of May,
i860, and in 1861 the present structure at the west end of Main Street
was erected.
The Christian Union Church — The organization of this church
was formed directly following the Civil War, when dissensions in the
Methodist Church over politics brought about the organization of the
Christian Union Society. The Christian Union Church building is a neat
frame located at the northwest comer of Mulberry and Market Streets.
The leading spirits in the organization of this church in West Union were
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478 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
General J. R. Cockerill, John K. BUlings, Dr. F. J. Miller, and John
Laughridge. The church was dedicated March i, 1869, by Rev. A. S.
Biddison, editor of the Christian Witness, Columbus, Ohio.
The West Union Band.
The "famous" West Union Band was organized March 18, 1850, by
Prof. R. P. Robbins, with the following named members: David B.
Graham, E^ clarionet; James R. Oldson, Eb clarionet; James Moore, Bb
clarionet; Samuel Burwell comet; Joseph W. Hayslip, valve post horn;
Henry Woodrow, Bb bugte; Joseph Killin, valve trumpet; Thomas N.
Allen, tenor trombone; W. W. Killin, bass trombone; Dr. W. C. Hay-
slip, ophicleide; Henry Ousler, bass drum and cymbals. Prof. Robbins
is at this writing at Cairo, 111. While in West Union he boarded at. the
Marlatt Hotel, a famous hostelry a half century ago.
newspapers.
PouTiCAL Censor — The first newspapei* printed in Adams County
was the Political Censor, a small sheet issued from an old Ramage press
by James Finley, at West Union, in 1815. The office was in the late
Uriah Upp property. ,
The Village Register, the next niewspaper, was first issued in 1823
by Vorheese and Wood. It was afterwards controlled by Beasley and
Murray, and called The Register and Advocate. Its last issue was in
1 83 1, the office then being in the lower story of the house where Caroline
Worstell now resides on Mulberry Street. Files of this paper are now
well preserved in the possession of O. E. Hood, of West Union, whose
father when eleven years of age entered the Register office as an appren-
tice under the publishers Nashee and Bailhatchee.
The Courier of Liberty, an Anti-Masonic organ, was printed by
a ''Yankee*' named Jacob Crapsey, from 1831 to 1833, when for lack of
patronage it expired. Crapsey taught school at Manchester and read
law in West Union, from which place he went to Cincinnati to practice
in the legal profession.
The West Union Register, Jacksonian Democrat, succeeded the
Courier, and was edited by the first real live newspaper man in the county,
George Memary, a brother of the celebrated Samuel Menary, of The Ohio
Statesman, Menary left West Union and went to Clermont County in
1835, where he published a newspaper.
The Free Press was published a short time from the Courier office
as an Anti-Masonic and Whig newspaper, by Jackman and Carl. In
183s the material was sold to James H. Smith, then County Recorder,
who published it as a Whig advocate until 1839.
The Adams County Democrat was first issued in 1844 by Lewis
A. Patterson. Then it was 'controlled by Joseph P. Patterson and W.
N. Clarke, who in turn were succeeded by the late Judge John M. Smith,
father of Joseph P. Smith, whose biography appears in this volume, who
made the paper one of the most radical Democratic organs in the State.
R. P. Brown succeedled Judge Smith in 1849, and continued the publica-
tion until i860.
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TIFFIN TOWNSHIP 479
The Democratic Union was issued in i860 by T. J. Mullen and J.
K. Billings in opposition to The Adams County Democrat. In 1861,
John P. Patterson became proprietor, who was succeeded in 1863 by John
A. Cockerill and S. E. Pearson. This was the beginning of the brilliant
newspaper career of Jdin A. Cockerill. See biography in this volume.
William K. Billings succeeded Cockerill in 1865, when shortly thereafter
the paper suspended.
The Scion — This newspaper first made its appearance February 17,
1853, as The Scion of Temperance, Samuel Burwell, editor and pro-
prietor. In May, 1865, the name was changed to The West Union Scion
which it still retains. It is the oldest newspaper published in the county,
and its venerable eiditor and proprietor is the oldest newspaper man in
the State. The engraving showing the Scion office, represents Mr. Bur-
well at his "case" setting an editorial or a local as he has done for a half
century. The Scion is Republican in politics, and has the largest circula-
tion of any newspaper in the county except, perhaps, The Defender.
The People's Defender was first issued Friday, January 16, 1866,
by Joseph W. Eyler, now of the News-Democrat, Georgetown, Ohio.
The Defender is a radical Democratic organ and is ably edited by Edward
A. Crawford, who succeeded Mr. Eyler in 1890. It has a very large cir-
culation and its editorials are quoted by the Democratic press throughout
southern Ohio.
The Adams County New Era was issued by a joint-stock company
of disgruntled Republicans in opposition to The Scion in 1877, with C. E.
Irwin, editor. Irwin was an "importation" and camie heralded as the de-
stroyer of The Scion and the modern Moses of the Republican party in
Adams County. He was a forceful writer, but bitter and resentful, and
he sadly failed in his mission, dying from disease incurred through worry
and disappointment, in 1887. The Nezi; Era is now conducted by Samuel
E. Davidson, and is Republican in politics.
Pnblio Schools.
The present public school system was inaugurated by adopting the
"Akron Law" in 1856. A vote to adopt the provisions of that act gave
twenty-seven majority, old Dodge Darlinton, one of the "fossil'* clogs
of the wheels of progress in West Union, leading the opposition. John
M. Smith, J. R. Cockerill, J. W. Lafferty, E. P. Evans, Henry Ousler
and J. P. Hood constituted the first Board of Directors. A two story
brick building of four rooms was erected on the site of the present com-
modius building, at a cost of $2,500.
The present building was erected in 1886. The present enrollment
is: White males, 158 females, 162. Colored males, 2; females, 3. Num-
ber of teachers employed, 5.
Previous to the inauguration of the graded schools under the Akron
Law, the village of West Union, with contiguous territory, was divided
into two school districts. One of the schoolhouses was a log structure
and stood south of the old Presbyterian Church. The other schoolhouse
was brick, now the residence of Mrs. Lina Lawler on North Cherry
Street.
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480 mSTORY OP ADAJdS COUNTY
The WiUoik Soldiers' Monument.
Hon. John T. Wilson, of Tranquility, left a bequest of $5,000 to the
Commissioners of Adams Count)' to eitect a momument at West Union,
in memory of the soldiers of Adams County who were killed or died in
the War of the Rebellion. County Commissioners, Philip Hughes,
Robert Collins and Thomas Shelton, June 10, 1892, let the contract for
the erection of said monument to Staniland, Merkle and Staniland, of
Dayton, Ohio. The monument complete to be 10 feet 4 inches square
at base and 50 feet 5 inches in height, containing 904 cubic feet, to be
completed by September, 1892. However, a strike in the granite quarries
in the East prevented the completing of the work until June 10, 1893.
The monument stands on the right of the front entrance to the grounds
of the Wilson Children's Home, a very poor location, being over-
shadowed by the massive and imposing Home building.
The monument was unveiled Saturday, June 10, 1893, in the pres-
ence of more than 10,000 of the citizens of Adams County. Judge D.
C. W. Loudon, of Georgetown, Ohio, Colonel of the 70th Regiment, was
chairman of the meeting, and Judge Samuel F. Hunt, one of the most
polished orators of the State, delivered the oration. Col. John A. Cock-
erill, known as the "Drummer Boy of Shiloh," a native of Adams County,
and a son of Col. J. R. Cockerill, who organized the 70th Regiment O.
V. I., was present and at the conclusion of Judge Hunt's oration unveiled
the monument.
In the parade preceding the oration and unveiling ceremonies, were
600 white haired Adams County veterans of the War of the Rebellion.
The donor, Hon. John T. Wilson, was Captain of Company E of
the 70th Regiment, under Col. J. R. Cockerill.
REMINISCENCES.
Jaoob Treber's Bear Hunt.
About the year 1799, Jacob Treber, son of John Treber, had an ex-
perience he did not forget during his long life.,One morning in winter,
after a heavy snow fall, he found the fresh tracks of a full g^own bear.
They led up the hollow to the north of his father's house. He followed
them a short distance and returned for an ax and a gun. Then he re-
turned to the trail of the bear. It led to the cabin of a neighbor named
Simms, who with ax and gun followed it. They tracked the bear to
the mouth of a cavern in a hillside two miles north of the Treber tavern.
Young Treber tried Gen. Putman's device of smoking the bear out, but
it would not answer. Then he determined to follow the bear into the
cavern. Simms undertook to dissuade him, but it was useless. Treber
made a block of wood and cut a cup or depression in it. This he filled
with grease from a small box in the side of the gun-stock where it was
carried and used for greasing bullet patches and took part of his shirt to
make a wick for his improvised lamp. When his torch was completed, he
entered the cavern. He could distinguish the eves of the bear and fired
at them. He then made for the entrance and in tfie narrow passage, a bear
crashed by him and almost squeezed the life out of him. The bear got
out first, however, only to meet its death from Simms' gun on the outside.
When Treber got out, he felt convinced that the bear Sinmis killed was
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TIFFIN TOWNSHIP 481
the mate of the one he had shot. He entered the cavern a second time
and found his bear dead. The problem was to get the bear out. Treber
tried to pull it out, but it was too large and heavy. He tried to roll it
over and force it through the passage, but the body got fast in that place
with Treber behind it in the cavern. With main streingth, he pulled it
back and went out to devise a new plan. He and Simnis cut hickory
withes, secured them about the bear's shoulders and pulled it out. Thus
Treber and Simms secured two bears for their morning's sport and the
guests of Treber s tavern had bear meat for a nimiber of days.
''Bloody Bridse."
In 1876 the present wooden bridge over Ohio Brush Creek at Satter-
field's on the Rome pike was erected, and its completion was celebrated
with a picnic and dance in the new structure, which then was known as
the Forge Dam bridge. During the day Simon Osman and his two sons,
who rcisided near by, and James Easter and his son, also residents of the
vicinity, between whose families there had been ill feeling for years, got
into a fight in which Simon Osman was stabbed to death by James Easter
and he injured for life by one of Osman's sons. John Easter, the son,
was severely stabbed by one of the Osman boys. There was so much
blood spilled in and about this bridge in this conflict between the Osmans
and the Easters on that September day that it has ever since been known as
"bloody bridge."
Killing of Samuel Groenlee.
Parti^-an politics and its debauching influences caused the killing of
Samuel Greenlee by Albert Adamson on the day following the presi-
dential election in 1888. West Union was crowded with Republicans
rejoicing over Harrison's election, and Samuel Greenlee, who had re-
cently before joined their organization, and who had been drinking
heavily for some days, was among the joUifiers. Albert Adamson, son
of John Adamson, then a leader in the Republican party in the county,
had allied himself with the Democratic organization, although a mere
lad of sixteen or seventeen years, and he and Greenlee had had some
controversy on the day of the election over matters connected with poli-
tics, and Greenlee had been ordered out of the Adamson House, now the
Florentine Hotel. About 10 o'clock on the day of the killing, Greenlee
and Young Adamson applied insulting epithets to each other in a crowd
of jollifiers near the old Crawford Hotel on Main Street, and as Adamson
turned away walking in the middle of the street east toward the public
square, Greenlee followed him, intending to go, as was claimed, across the
street to the barber shop then conducted by Sylvanus Edgington, a prom-
inent Republican in local politics. When Greelilee had reached the mid-
dle of the street, Adamson turned and fired several shots in quick suc-
cession, wounding him mortally. He was helped into Dr. Coleman's
office adjommg the Crawford Hotel on Main Street, where he died in a
short time. Young Adamson was arrested, mdicted and tried for murder,
but was cleared of the charge through the efforts of his counsel, chief of
whom was Ulric Sloanc, then a noted crimmal lawvet in southwestern
Ohio.
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482 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
BeminlscenLoes of West Union.
The first settler at West Union was James Collings. He built the
log cabin near the fine spring directly in the rear of the present residence
of Robert Kincaid, on the old Manchester road. The residence overlooks
Beasky's Fork Valley and the spring is a noble one, 'but every vestige
of the house has disappeared and there has been no house there for more
than sixty years. At the time this house was built his nearest neighbor
was General John McClanahan, who resided on the farm on the Pan
Handle road formerly occupied by Judge Samuel McClanahan. There
was a trace through the forest between the two houses. The trace was
indicated by blazes on the trees. James Collings made his settlement
directly after the peace with the Indians in 1795. He purchased a tract
of four hundred acres of land directly south of West Union, the northern
boundary of which is the street just north of the Village Cemetery.
Robert McClanahan took up a tract of one hundred acres which em-
braces the town plat of West Union, lying in the shape of a square,
bounded about as follows: The south line was the street north of the
cemetery, the western line was through the alley near A. Z. Blair's res-
idence, the north line was North Street and the western line ran on the
street in front of Samuel Burwell's residence. Robert McClanahan pur-
chased this tract for three hundred dollars of Richard Woods and sold it
to the trustees of the town for seven hundred and fifty dollars. They
sold it in lots for two thousand nine hundred and eighty-five dollars.
He built his log house where now stands Mrs. John Moss's millinery
shop, directly west of the public well, which was then a fine spring.
General Darlinton built a story and a half log house on the ridge east of
the Beasley Fork turnpike, just above the public watering-trough and
across Beasley's Valley from James Collings. General Darlinton owned
700 to 800 acres of land east of West Union.
Ephraim Cole built a residence near the present Trotter residence
on a one hundred and forty acre tract of land he purchased of General
Darlinton. He also owned one hundred acres north of the town which
he purchased in the Ashmore Survey, from Richard Wood. His deeds
are dated 1802.
Salathiel Sparks, grandfather of the present Salathiel Sparks, owned
one hundred acres where the new addition to West Union was laid out
His residence was the former Thomas Huston residence. Huston was
connected with the old West Union Bank, on Cherry Street, just south of
the "Lee Comer," and it is said that just before the bank failed, an ox-cart
of specie was taken from the old stone vault of the bank to his house and
tlience to Cincinnati. Ephraim Cole's one hundred acres of land lay to
the west of Sparks', and between him and George Harper, who had about
seventy-five acres north of the town, now owned by Salathiel Sparks.
Harper's residence was on the site of the present Sparks residence.
The nearest settlement on the west was that of General John Mc-
Clanahan already mentior.ed. Thus the original proprietors of West
Union and vicinity before the town was laid out were: Ephriam Cole,
Joseph Darlinton, Salathiel Sparks, George Harper and Robert McClan*
ahan.
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TIFFIN TOWNSHIP 48S
Henry Rape purchased the lot on which was built McClanahan's house
west of the public well. He occupied it for a hatter's shop and residence
for a long time.
Ephriam Cole died about 1833, at the age of eighty-four, in the
house now occupied by Jabez Eagle. He was a tall, spare man and of a
taciturn disposition. It is said that he was a widower at the time of his
death. The place of his burial is not known, but it is supposed to be in
the CoIHngs burying ground or the Village Cemetery.
The Village Cemetery was dedicated 1834, by deed from Robert
Wood and wife to certain persons who had friends buried there before
1834. The spot was used as a cemetery as early as 1816. The first
interment was one Miles, who died a stranger, in 1816, in West Union.
The deed of the original dedication calls for three-fourths of an acre.
Miles was buried near the old gate, where a walnut tree stood for many
years. Nicholas Burwell was present at Miles' intennent and gave the
account of it to his son Samuel, who gave it to the writer.
The Love joy graveyard was dedicated in 1840, but it had been occu-
pied for a cemetery long before then.
The house now occupied by Wm. Lafferty, where he conducts his
furniture business, was built by Hon. William Russell, who owned
through to the next street south, and included the spring situate in the rear.
Mr. Russell built the present frame front of the house and the addition
and wing to the south, which was afterwards changed by Wesley Lee and
remains to this day as Wesley Lee changed it.
The Bradford Hotel, formerly the Marlatt House, was built in 1806,
by David Bradford and occupied by him from that date until the day of
his death in 1834. After his death is was occupied by his grandson,
Samuel G. Bradford till about 1840.
The Florentine Hotel was first used as such by David Bradford^
Jr., who conducted a hotel there for some ten years, probably from 1836.
The Miller and Bunn corner was known as the McCollough comer,
and it was occupied as a store room by Samuel McCollough for many
years.
The present Mullen comer was known as the Armstrong comer.
The building was erected by William Armstrong and occupied by him for
many years. Satterfield's drug store was originally a stone building and
was known as the Hood comer and there John Hood, the father of
James Hood, who was known as "Ahiezer," built the original building
and occupied it as a storeroom. William Russell's store stood on tlie
ground now occupied by the east end of W. V. Lafferty's furniture store.
The log house built by General Darlinton and overlooking Beasley's Fork
Valley was tom down and used to build the east end of his residence on
Main Street, east of Dr. Miller's residence.
The Siamese Twins were exhibited in West Union for two or three
weeks in the east end of the building just east of Joseph Hayslip's resi-
dence.
John Sparks kept a store in the building now occupied as the post
office.
An Irishman named McKorkle conducted a small brewery just north
of the present jail where John Clark now resides, in 1820.
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484 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The late Judge Joseph Moore, of Portsmouth, Ohio, helped to build
the old stone business house and dwelling in 1814, that stood on the Sat-
terfield corner where James Hood once sold goods.
About that date the first "Windsor Chair" maker located in West
Union. His name was Thomas Bereman, and he had an apprentice who
caused him great annoyance by his "impudent manners" towards his cus-
tomers. When this apprentice finally ran away from Bereman and the
chairmaking business, as was required by law, Beteman offered a reward
for his return, which was published in the county newspapers :
One Cent Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, on the 16th inst., George Welch, an
indented apprentice to the Windsor Chair Making and Painting business ;
twelve years old, light complexion. He had on when he went away a
new suit of brown jeans, fur hat and new shirt and shoes; being some-
what better clad than he deserved, or is used for apprentices to be — ^very
forward garrulous and impudent. Whoever returns said George, will
be coldly treated and receive no thanks ; but shall have the above reward
without charge. All persons are cautioned about harboring him, as I
believe he was persuaded away.
April 23, 1824. Thomas Bereman, West Union, Ohio.
The old town of West Union is the only county seat in the State
of Ohio without steam railroad or electric traction line. Since "time
when the memory of man runneth not to the contrary," steam railroads
have been building on paper, to West Union, the present "Black Dia-
mond" route being the latest enterprise of the kind.
Smith's Tannery.
It is said that the tanyard and leather store of Lewis Smith, in West
Union, is the only establishment in southern Ohio, where raw hides are
tanned and dressed under the processes of "the good old days when
honest men made honest wares and sold them at honest prices."
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W. W. KAMSKY, D. D. CROCKKTT MC roVXKY
JUDGK \VM. MCKKNDKKK AIJJKKT D. KIKK
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CHAPTER XIII.
WAYNE TOWI^HIP
Wayne Township takes its name from "Mad Anthony" Wayne, the
hero of Story Point and the conquerer of the Indians at "Fallen Timbers"
in 1794. It was formed in 1806, and was one of the six townships into
which the county was at that time reorganized. It originally included the
territory now occupied by Oliver, Scott and Winchester Townships.
Snrfaoe.
The surface is undulating. In the east central portion it is broken
by low hills, and deeply furrowed by the water courses. The soil is a
heavy clay, highly impregnated with iron and for the most part produces
fine crops of com, wheat and clover. The narrow valleys are very fertile
and grow an excellent quality of tobacco. In the western part of the
township the soil is a compact boulder clay, and is rated as "thin land."
The valley of Cherry Fork, a tributary of the West Fork of Ohio Brush
Creek, embraces some of the prettiest farms and most fertile lands in
Adams County.
Creeks.
Three small branches from the northwest, west and southwest por-
tions of the townsihip respectively, unite a little to the west of the village
of North Liberty and form Cherry Fork of the West Fork of Ohio
Brush Creek. It is a narrow and rapid stream and in its lower course
attains considerable size. From the great number of large wild cherry
trees that formerly grew in the valley of this stream it derives its name.
At Harshaville it receives the waters of Grace's Run, a pretty little stream
that flows through the north part of the townshrp and which is augmented
in its course by Martin's Run near the Oliver Township line.
Early Settlers.
Samuel Wright, who came from Kentucky to Cherry Fork and
erected a cabin where the brick dwelling now stands on the Allison farm,
just to the west of the present village of North Liberty, was perhaps the
first settler within the" present limits of the township. This was in
March, 1799. Here he lived and died, having reared a large family, of
which a son, William, was the father of A. M. Wright, the gunsmith of
Cherry Fork, now in his eighty-fifth year, yet working at his trade like
a man of forty. He has in his possession a pair of doe-skin gloves made
by a sister of his father, Margaret McKittrick, as a wedding gift and
which was worn by him at his marriage. A pair of silk stockings, worn
by his father when he was married, and kept as "wedding" stockings
(4S5)
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486 mSTORy OP ADAMS COUNTY
and worn by each of his seven sons and four daughters at their marriages,
is also carefully treasured away by Mr. Wright.
In the year 1800, Adam Kirkpatrick came from Bourbon County,
Kentucky, and settled on the farm now owned by Catharine Liggett on
Grace's Run. He married Rosanna Patton. In this year, also, Joseph
McNeil and liis brother James built cabins on Cherry Fork about a mile
southeast of the village of North Liberty. The next year Francis Mc-
Clellan settled near the McNeils. Then came James and William Mc-
Kittrick and located where John Widney now resides on lands then
owned by Samuel Wright. In 1801, Robert Morrison settled on the farm
now owned by William Morrison near Eckmansville. James Smith came
to the Nathan Plummer farm in 1802, and Robert Foster located on the
the Fosteii- farm two miles southeast of North Liberty. In this year, also,
James Young settled at Youngsville, and William Finley, James Finley.
John Mclntire and James Caskey located in the eastern portion of the
township. Thomas Wasson, in 1805, built a cabin on the farm recently
owned by Campbell Wasson. Daniel Marlatt, in 1804, settled on the old
Marlatt farm west of North Liberty, and William and Daniel John, and
James Ross came to the township about the time of its organization.
The Cherry Forh Cemetery
at the village of North Liberty is the oldest burial place in the township.
General Robert Morrison has stated that he dug the grave for the first in-
terment here, the little son of William Davidson killed by lightning in the
year of 1802. The negro, Roscoe Parker, who was lynched by a mob
for the murder of old Mr. and Mrs. Rhine,, was buried in the northwest
part of the old cemetery in the "pauper's corner," by old Sam Bradley,
an ex-slave, who for many years was a familiar figure about the village
of North Liberty.
The new cemetery south of the present U. P. Church is a prettily ar-
ranged and beautifully ornamented "city of the dead."
Churches.
There are four churches in the township:- The U. P. (see sketch
of) at North Liberty; the M. E. at same place; the Presbyterian, at Eck-
mansville, and "Peoples," at Youngsville.
Schools.
North Liberty Academy — The village of North Liberty in day«
gone by was a widely known educational center. "The Old Academy on
the hill," with its broad, green lawn ornamented with shrubs, vines and
evergreens, is held in the memory of hundreds of fathers and mothers
as a beautiful oasis in the schooldays of their youth.
The beginning of the North Liberty Academy was a Select School
taught by Rev. Jacob Fisher at his own home in the winter of 1848-9. In
185 1 the old Associate Reformed Church building, one-half mile east of
North Liberty, was moved to the village and fitted up for an academy
tuilding, where Rev. Fisher taught several terms. In the summer of
1852, Rev. James Arbuthnot taught a select school in the old brick
church south of the village. In 1852-3, Rev. Arbuthnot and Rev. W H.
Anderson conducted a class in the old Associate building. In 1854, Rev.
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WAINE TOWNSHIP. 487
Arbuthnot, James Wright and D. H. Harsha conducted the school.
Then came Rev. Gilbert Small and Rev. N. R. Kirkpatrick. About this
date a joint stock company was organized, and the present building was
erected. It is a massive frame of the old academic style of architecture,
with great dome rising from the center, and is after the lapse of nearly a
half century, in good condition.
The following advertisement from an old newspaper points clearly
to the beginning of the North Liberty Academy : "Efficient means hav-
ing been taken permanently to establish an Academy at North Liberty,
a suitable room has been provided for temporary occupancy, and arrange-
ments have been made for opening a School on Wednesday, April i, 1857,
to be taught by the Rev. N. R. Kirkpatrick assisted by Rev. Gilbert
Small. Tuition for languages, Algebra, etc., $5.50; English lower
branches, $3.25 ; Boarding, $2.00."
The Academy was conducted by teachers of more or less ability and
with varjnng success financially, until 1868, when the academy was sold
to Rev. Joseph Smith, a Baptist minister. He and his wife, a most ex-
cellent lady and teacher of marked ability, built up the school, improved
the grounds, and did much to make the school prosperous". But Prof.
Smith, a robust and strong-minded gentleman, with very pronounced
views on the questions of temperance, politics and social affairs, was a
thorn in the side of a little coterie of individuals such as may be found in
all isolated communities, who assume to be social, religious and political
autocrats. The community in and about North Liberty was mainly
Abolitionist and radically Republican in politics, and Associated Reform
(United Presbyterians) and Covenanters in religion, the very imper-
sonation of "holier than thou." Prof. Smith was a Democrat, a Baptist,
and an advocate of temperance who declared the secret indulgence in
alcoholic drink, a greater evil than the moderate open use of the same.
These differences of opinion between Prof. Smith and the would-be
autocrats soon led to bitter personalities, with the result that his school
was tabooed and he ostracised in the community. In 1882, Prof E. B.
Stivers, of the Higginsport, Ohio, public schools, leased the Academy
from Prof. Smith and opened a Normal and Training School for teach-
ers. From the first the new school was a success. In the Spring and
Summer terms of 1883 there were nearly 100 students enrolled and four
teachers were employed. In September of this year, Prof^ Stivers took
charge of the West Union public schools, and the Academy having been
purchased by the U. P. Church was again put under sectarian control.
After two years of disappointment, the management leased the buildings
to Prof. Jones, now Superintendent of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum.
Columbus, O., and Prof. Dodge, an eminent instructor, who again built
the school up to its former standard. Profs. Jones and Dodge were suc-
ceeded by adventurers in academic and normal school work, with the
result that the building and grounds were sold to the Board of Education
of Wayne Township and converted into a public school building in 1893.
If many of the energetic and liberal minded men who at various
periods attempted to foimd a permanent institution for the instruction and
training of young men and womfen at the old academy had been unsel-
fishly supported by the community, there would be there today a school
with hundreds of students and an institution, a credit to the community.
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488 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
8nb-Distrlot Schools.
The first schoolhouse in the township was a log structure on the
Baidridge faim, in which WiHiam Patton was the first teacher
There are eight sub-districts in the township, and in each there is a
plain, cheap frame schoolhouse by the dusty roadside with neither shade
nor lawn excepting the town school in the old academy building.
Teachers are paid from $25 to $35 per month, and the schools are in
session from six months to eight months in the year. The following is
the enrollment in each district in the year 1899:
Sio.
Males.
Females.
No.
Males.
Females,
I
16
29
••5
28
45
2
15
19
6
8
16
3
33
20
7
16
13
4
26
14
8
29
17
Sainuel Wright, the first settler at Cherry Fork, built the first mill,
a tub-wheel, about the year 1802, on the creek near where Hunter's
steam mill now stands. Afterwards, Robert Thomas erected a horse mill
at this point which was in later years supplanted by a water mill and
this in turn by a steam mill. At the present steam mill in 1879, ^^ P^^
prietor, Stewart McCormick, was mangled and killed by his clothing
becoming entangled in the belting of the machinery. David Potts, his
brother-in-law, succeeded Mr. McCormick, and conducted the business for
some years. The present proprietor's name is Hunter.
North Liberty (or Cherry Fork)PosTOFFiCE was laid out in 1848 by
Col. William McVey He was a radical Abolitionist and named the
village North Liberty, as the new village plat lay north of Cherry Fork,
and his residence and store to the south of that stream, opposite the old
water mill. The village now contains two general stores, one drug store,
hardware store, furniture store, and merchant tailor shop, A. D. Kirk,
proprietor, and one hotel. There are two resident physicians, two
churches, and one Lodge, L O. O. F. Population about 300. It is nine
miles from West Union and five miles from Winchester and fourteen
miles from Manchester on the Ohio River.
YouNGSviLLE is situated two miles to the southward from the town
of Seaman on the C. P. & V Ry. It was founded by David Young
who opened a small store there in 1840. C. E. Silcott & Company did
a flourishing business there for many years. J. F. Young and others
also, were merchants in the village*. It has one church — ^The Peoples — in
which any denomination may hold service. Population about 75.
EcKMANSVii^LK — This is a little cluster of buildings two miles
southwest of North Liberty, among which there is one store, one black-
smith shop and two churches — one M. E. and one Presbyterian. The
village was laid out by Henry Eckman, a blacksmith, who first settled
here in 1824. In the period from 1870 to 1885, John Morrison and son,
and later A. B. Morrison & Company did a flourishing mercantile and
banking business at this village.
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP 489
Tlie United Presbyterian Ckureh.
About the year 1797-8 several familie*s, members of the Associate
Reformed Presbyterian Church, came from Virginia, Pennsylvania and
Kentucky to the East Fork of Eagle Creek, Adams County, in the vicinity
of the present town of West Union. These families petitioned the Pres-
bytery of Kentucky, and Rev. Adam Rankin was the first supply sent by
that body. He preached at the house of James January who then kept a
tavern at the foot of the hill west of West Union on the old Cincinnati
road, in the autunm of 1799.
In the autumn of 1802 four ruling elders, Joseph McNeil, Stephen
Bayless, John Leach and Paul Kerr, were elected, and ordained by Rev.
A. Craig. This was the first organization of the A. R. Presbyterian
Church in Adams County The first Lord's supper was administered in
the congregation by Revs. Rankin, Craig and Steele in the autumn of
1803. About this time Rev. Robert H. Bishop (afterwards President
of Miami University) and Rev. David Risk, both recently from Scotland,
came within the bounds of the congregation. Rev. Bishop continued as a
stated supply until 'the summer of 1804. At this time Rev. Bishop re-
fused a call as pastor of the congregation at a salary of $400, one-half his
time to be devoted to preaching to members on Cherry Fork (at North
Liberty) of Brush Creek. The Rev. Risk was then called He accepted
and was duly installed as pastor of the congregation In the spring of
1805 the members living at Cherry Fork were organized into a separate
congregation, and John Wright, Samuel Wright, and John Mclntire were
ordained ruling elders who, with Joseph McNeil, ordained at Eagle
Creek, constituted the first session of the Cherry Fork congregation. The
church house was built of logs, the cracks chinked with blocks and
daubed with clay. There was neither fire-place nor stove, and no floor.
The congregation sat on slabs of timber supported on pegs. Rev. Risk
continued in charge of the congregation about two years, dividing his
time equally between it and the Eagle Creek congregation nine miles
away. Rev. Risk demitted his charge in August, 1806, and until the
autumn of 1809 these congr^ations were without a pastor. In the
meantime the members residing on W^est Fork of Brush Creek and
George's. Creek (Tranquility) organized at the West Fork congregation
and erected Hopewell Meeting House. In the summer of 1808 Rev.
William Baldridge, of Big Springs, Virginia, preached to these con-
gregations. On the twentieth of November he took charge of the con-
gregation here, having removed with his family from Virginia. His time
was divided one-half being devoted to Cherry Fork. For this latter
service he was to receive $165, one-half of this in articles of merchandise
at the following prices as fixed by a committee from the congregation of
which Judge Robert Morrison was chairman:
Beef and Pork, per cwt $2.50
Wheat, per bushel 58
Rye, per bushel ^ 42
Com, per bushel 25
Oats, per bushel • 25
Whiskey, per gal 50
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490 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
Seven hundred linen, per yard 50
Clean swingled flax, per yard 125^
Maple sugar, per pound I2j/i
At the beginning of Rev. Baldridge's pastorate the old log church at
Cherry Fork was enlarged by taking down one side and adding a room by
making ofT-sets where the extension began. One of these ofT-sets was
arranged for a pulpit which placed it at the middle of one side of the
building enlarged to 35x55 feet. Stoves were not provided until ten or
twelve years later.
Rev. Baldridge was not installed as pastor, regularly, until the year
1820. The reason of this delay was that Rev. Baldridge was supposed
to sympathize with Dr. Mason in his deviating course. In 1829 West
Union, Cherry Fork, West Fork and Russellville (North Fork of Eagle
Creek) united in calling Samuel C. Baldridge to be colleague to his
father in a joint pastorate over these four congregations. Rev. Wil-
iam Baldridge died in 1830. The congregation was vacant for two years.
In the spring of 1832, the Lord's Supper was administered by Rev. D.
McDill.
On the first of November, 1832, Rev. Robert Stewart took charge of
the congregation at Cherry Fork and West Fork. He wes ordained and
installed in the following December. He received as one-half his salary
from the Cherry Fork cong^gation $219.35. I^ ^833 a new brick church
house 50x50 feet was erected containing fifty-eight pev/s.
In 1837 the question of Negro slavery and the temperance move-
ment, divided the Cherry Fork congregation, and Col. William McVey
with others formed the "-Associate Congregation of North Liberty." In
1846 the Unity congregation was formed. Rev. Stewart died in the year
1 85 1, having been born near Wheeling, Virginia, in 1796. In September,
1853, Rev. D. McDill was ordained and installed as pastor of the congre-
gation. In 1855 the present commodious brick church was erected. It
is 50x70 feet with a 22-foot ceiling. After Rev. McDill's resignation,
John S. Martin was called and accepted, and was installed in October,
1877, which place he filled with marked ability until the date of his death,
April 6, 1889. Rev. Martin received a salary of $1,000.
On September 30, 1890, the present pastor, J. A. C. McQuiston, was
installed over the congregation, at a salary of $1,000. Rev. McQuiston is
a native of Illinois.
The church is in a fairly prosperous condition — ^the membership
being composed generally of prosperous farmers and merchants. The
"clanish'* spirit yet manifests itself among those of limited education and
of little experience in the world, but the younger element is inclined to be
liberal and broad-minded.
In fine weather the Sabbath service is largely attended, each member
turning out in his best carriage drawn by his most spirited team — ^and it
is a sight never to be forgotten, this line of carriages — a line not exceded
in length or numbers at any place of worship in the State.
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP 491
REMINISCENCES.
The last black bear ever seen in this portion of Adams County was
caught in a trap by Samuel Wright's boys about the year 1835, near the
mouth of Grace's Run on Cherry Fork. It weighed nearly two hundred
pounds after being skinned and dressed. At that time deer were plentiful
in this region.
A Remarkable Centenarian.
In 1883 there was living near Youngsvilks in this township, a pioneer
of the western country, by name of Joseph Smittle. In August of that
year, the writer attended a basket dinner given at the residetnce of the
old pioneer celebrating his 104th birthday. He was then in full posses-
sion of his faculties, excepting his sight which was somewhat impaired.
His hair was but slightly streaked with gray, and he had the general ap-
pearance of a well-preserved man of not more than seventy-five years of
age. He lived to be 106 years old.
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CHAPTER XIV.
WINCHESTER TOWNSHIP
This is the northwestern township of Adams County. It borders
Jackson Township, Brown County, on the west, and Concord Township,
Highland County, on the north. It is one of the more recently formed
townships of the county, having been organized January 2, 1838, from
territory four by six miles, off the west side of Scott, and a strip two by
four miles off the north end of Wayne Township. It contains something
more than thirty-two square miles or about 20,000 acres of land.
Snrfaoe.
The western part of the township is undulating, with low marshy
areas at the head of the small streams whose waters reach the North Fork
of Eagle Creek to the southwest or one of the forks of Ohio Brush Creek
that flow across the northern portion of the township to the eastward.
The eastern part of the township is more hilly and the land rougher,
than the western portion. The soil in the western part is chiefly the white
clay^ or boulder drift. These clay soils are rich in all the material of
vegetable growth except organic matter, which being supplied by in-
telligent crop rotation, will gradually improve in productiveness. On
the other hand, where the virgin soil has been sapped of its organic
matter and not restored by intelligent cultivation, the lands have become
cold and barren. It is remarkable that in traveling along the highways
through this section, an observer will see on the one side fine fields of
corn, oats, wheat, or grass, the products of intelligent farming; and on
the other dreary fields of running-briers, poverty grass, and sedge, the
harvest of ignorance and sloth.
The eastern part of the township along the numerous small streams
and creeks possesses a good limestone soil — the uplands, however, are the
yellow and white boulder clays. Under proper care and cultivation the up-
lands of this township would afford abundant pasturage for large flocks
of sheep and herds of cattle. While the valleys Wt>uld grow fine crops of
clover, corn, wheat and tobacco.
Springs and Water Conrses.
Every portion of Winchester Township aflfords fine springs of pure
limestone water. These springs are found at the heads and along the
courses of the numerous small creeks that flow through the township.
Just below the site of every pioneer cabin in this township is a fine spring
of water. These are factors which, when properly utilized, will make the
township a grand pasturage area.
(492)
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WINCHESTER TOWNSHIP 498
Three branches of the West Fork of Ohio Brush Creek traverse this
township. From the northwest flows Little West Fork; from the west,
arising in Eagle Township, in Brown County, flows West Fork prefer;
and from the southwest flows Elk Run, a wicked, rapid stream, in whose
waters many a life has gone out in attempting to ford it when swollen.
These three creeks unite on the eastern border of the township and
form what is known as West Fork of Ohio Brush Creek, one of the most
beautiful streams in the State. These streams have cut deep channels
through the blue limestone underlying the surface, and in the deep pools
along their courses, sheltered in these shelving layers of limestone, are
found the gamest black bass that ever spun the reel of a sportsman's rod.
Early Settlers.
Among the first settlers in what is now Winchester Township was
Joel Bailey. As early as 1799 he had come to Adams County and was
one of the first court constables when Washington, at the mouth of Ohio
Brush Creek, was the seat of justice of the county. He afterwards,
perhaps about 1805, settled on what is now the? Roush farm at the junction
of the Buck Run and Seaman pikes east of Winchester. Here he built a
stillhouse and a horse mill. He reared a numerous family, decendants of
which are scattered from the Alleghenies to the Pacific coast.
John Mclntyre, Andrew Clemmer and Israel Rhodes were early
settlers on lands about one and a half miles south of Winchester.
Early Sokools.
It is said that the first shoolhouse in this township was a log structure
which stood near the present cemetery at Winchester. Richard Cross, a
relative of the Alexander family, which settled about 1805 in that portion
of Adams County now included in Eagle Township in Brown County,
was the first teacher. When Joel Bailey resided near Elk Run his older
children attended a school held in a little log cabin on the old Aid farm
in the eastern portion of Jackson Township, Brown County. This was
about the year 181 1. Spencer Records was one of the first schoolmasters
in the township.
Clmrokee.
The churches in the township are Calvary M. P. Chttrch in the
Kennedy neighborhood in the northeast part of the township, and
Centenary M. E. Church about three miles north of the village of Win-
chester. In the village of Winchester, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian,
and Baptist organizations are maintained. Of these latter the M. E.
Church was organized in 1830 and the Baptist in 183 1. In 1887 the
Presbyterians erected a very handsome frame church at «a cost of five
thousand dollars. The Baptist organization was formed at the house of
Spencer Records on West Fork, on the farm now owned by George
Baker, in 1813. Elder Charles B. Smith was the first pastor, and had
charge of the congregation until about the year 1820.
Arokaeolosy*
In the northern part of the township are a number of small mounds,
the work of the pre-historic inhabitants of this region. Some of the
larger ones have been partially explored by treasure-hunters but without
success, only some fragments of human skeletons, and trifling trinkets
of stone and shells having been found.
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494 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The first mill in the township is said to have been erected in 1809
on the site of Winchester by Richard Cross. It was an old-fashioned
clumsy horse mill. About this date Spencer Records, who then resided
on the farm now owned by George Baker, built a mill on Brush Creek
near where the county line between Adams and Brown Counties crosses
that creek. It was a treadmill. Afterwards Records built a "tub-wheel"
mill on the site of what was later known as the old McCormick mill now
in Eagle Township, Brown County. This mill was patronized for miles
about as being the best mill in that region at that time. It had but one
pair of buhrs, and Records dressed the stones himself from a kind of
quartz found in the Sunfish hills.
In 1820, Ezra Sparks owned the treadmill where Winchester now
stands. About this date Joseph Marlatt erected a water mill on Brush
Creek at the mouth of Horner's Run, and a little later Stephen Tolle built
one on Elk Run.
The first sawmill was built by Joel Baily on Elk Run in 1820.
SOME BEMIKISCENCES.
'<AboUtionists Mobbed."
In Howe's History of Ohio there appears some "reminiscences" of
"Abolition Mobs," written by R. C. Rankin, of Ripley, Ohio. The scene
of one of those "terrible^* mobs is laid in a grove near Winchester.
Being interested in this matter of recording "pioneer scenes and
incidents" the writer was greatly surprised to learn of this "scoop"
having been made by a rival chronicler in the vicinity of the writer's own
"vine and figtree." With a view of gathering some additional facts
relative to the matter, the writer sought among others an interview with
Mr. O. R. Smith, or "Reece" Smith, as he is familiarily known, to nearly
every person in Adams County. Mr. Smith has resided in Winchester
from his boyhood to the present day, and knows personally more of the
history of the village and township of Winchester, perhaps, than any
other person living. He is a prominent Mason, a Methodist, and a sub-
stantial business man.
Referring to the "mobbing" of Rev. John Rankin at Winchester as
recited in the volume above named, Mr. Smith said: "I remember the
incident as well as if it had occurred yesterday. It was in 1837, or per-
haps 1838. Rev. John Rankin, Rev. Dyer Burgess, a gentleman named
Weed, and John Mahan and some of the Hugginses from the neighbor-
hood of Sardinia had announced an Abolition meeting to be held here in
town (Winchester), but from some cause they were not permitted to speak
in any of the churches, and so were obliged to hold their meeting in the
grove out near where Dr. Noble's residence now stands. There were
in Winchester at that time a few sympathizers with the movement among
whom I may mention Dr. A. C. Lewis, Milton Colter and Rev. Hiram
Burnett, a Baptist minister. But the majcH-ity of our citizens looked upon
the movement at that time with disfavor, yet they made no attempt at its
suppression. It was a matter in which men took sides in argument, which
sometimes ended in bad feeling, as so often do political wrangles.
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WINCHESTER TOWNSHIP 495
On this occasion there were a great many people in town from the
surrounding country and as usual in those days there was some drunken-
ness and a great deal of loud and boisterous talk, but not at the place of
meeting.
William Stockwell, an old sea captain and author of "Stockwell's
Narratives," who then livd^d on Brush Creek near McCormick's mill, and
some others, with a fife and drum corps, marched about the streets ; and
I remember that while here in town John Boone Fenton, Barney Mullen
and Andrew Swearengen were about to get into an encounter with James
Huggins and some of his friends, but they were kept apart by old Joel
Bailey and others with cooler heads. There were no clubs or canes
drawn at the meeting, and no personal encounters during its progress.
I remember that Robert Patton was present, but he neither threw nor
had he occasion to throw anyone off the speakers' stand.
The story in Howe's History is purely a fiction of the imagination.
I might add that the opponents to the Abolition movement were not con-
fined to any one political party — they were in the ranks of both Democrats
and Whigs. Barney Mullen and Andrew Swearenger before mentioned
were Democrats, while John Boone Fenton and Captain Stockwell were
Whigs."
Morgan's Raid.
General Morgan and his staflF arrived in Winchester about nine
o'clock in the morning, and took up their headquarters in the hotel then
kept by Nicholas Bunn on Main Street. There were no telegraph lines
nor railroads in Adams County. The people depended upon the mails for
their news from the outside world. The Cincinnati newspapers were
carried from Maysville and Ripley on the Ohio Riv-er by the way of
Cherry Fork and Winchester through to Hillsboro in Highland County.
General Morgan was anxious to see the Cincinnati newspapers, and
remained in Winchester until four o'clock in the afternoon in order to
capture the mail when it arrived. Becoming impatient he sent a detail
of soldiers to meet the carrier, Gibson Paul, who was relieved of the
pouches near the old Howard Alexander farm on the Cherry Fork pike.
Old Johny Frow was then postmaster and when Morgan's men took
the captured pouches to their commander's room at the village hotel, the
obliging postmaster hurried thither with the keys and proffered his as-
sistance in opening the pouches and assorting the mail. General Morgan
was staggered at the proposition for the moment, but quickly recovering
himself, he replied that he would "assist the obliging postmaster down
stairs," if he did not betake himself that way at once. The General as-
sorted the mail himself.
After scanning the dispatches in the latest newspapers. General
Morgan rode out to the old cemetery and delivered an address to his men
there in camp, in which he advised them of their perilous situation. They
then began to prepare in great haste for a renewal of the march, and left
in great excitement, taking the Grace's Run route for Harshaville, Wheat
Ridge, Dunkinsville and Locust Grove near where the army encamped
that night. In the hurry and excitement an officer left his horse saddled
and bolstered in Bunn's stable.
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496 fflSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Tlie Esoape of Captain Hines.
The following from Anna Meek McKee, of Chillicothe, graphically
describes the exciting scenes in Winchester during the stay of the famous
cavalr}^ commander and his "raiders." Capt. Hines was under guard in
the house of Norvalle Osburn and made his escape from there. He was
directed to the cellar under the house of Hiram Israel De Bruin where
a portion of the wall was taken out through the opening in which Hines
crawled back under the kitchen floor. The wall was then carefully re-
placed, and Hines remained under the floor until after the departure of
Morgan and his men. Then he was helped from his place of hiding as re-
lated below by Mrs. McKee:
"The summer of '63 I spent in Winchester, Adams County, Ohio,
with my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H. I. De Bruin. When we learned
that General Morgan had crossed the river and was in Ohio the conster-
nation was terrible. On the morning of July 15, I think it was Monday,
a rumor of his coming into Winchester was spread abroad, and before we
could gather our wits he was in the town about 8 o'clock A. M. The
whole army came and most of it stayed all day. Morgan with his
body guard rode up to the old Sparks (then Bunn's) tavern and took
possession of it. The men began to raid and rifle the homes and stores.
A number of men called at the hcmie of I. H. De Bruin, who was in the
army, and asked his wife for the key to the dry. goods store which had
been locked on hearing the news of their coming into town. Mrs. De
Bruin promptly gave them the key, and after being in the store a short
time they locked it up and returned the key, and paid in confederate
money for what they had taken saying to her that the store would not
be disturbed again, which proved to be true. (It was thought by some
that such was the case because they must have found in his desk evidence
of the fact that the proprietor was a Free Mason and that over the store
was the Masonic Lodge Room, General Morgan himself being a Mason.)
Not so with the store directly across the way, for they rifled it of every-
thing, and what they could not carry away, they tried to destroy, tying
their horses's and mules' tails and manes with ribbons and destroying many
things before our eyes, scattering pins, needles and small things over the
floor of the store and in the street. Never will I forget what a sight that
store was, belonging to Mr. Dick Thompson.
"One of the chaplains, Charles Price, of Nicholasville, Kentucky,
spent quite a whild on the piazza of my grandfather's home. He came
to ask some questions about Hillsboro, knowing that they were not far
from that town, especially of Dr. Samuel Steel, who was the Prebyterian
minister in Hillsboro, who many said favored in looks H. I. De Bruin,
and we thought he was under the same impression for he came up asking
if we knew Rev. Samuel Steel. My grandfather referred him to me as
being a resident of Hillsboro. He was a relative of Dr. Steel's wife and
I had a pleasant chat with him because he knew many in Hillsboro who
had visited in Kentucky. He was very interesting and very courteous.
"At three o'clock P. M. a great stir and commotion occurred on Main
Street where the house of H. I. De Bruin stood just a half block from
where they had entered the town, and here they had in a carriage a
prisoner. Captain Hines, of Winchester, Ky. The commotion was caused
by the escape of this prisoner. They rode up and down this street swear-
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WINCHESTER TOWNSHIP 497
ing that they would bum to the ground the house in which he might be
concealed. We were all unconcerned and innocent when, had the fact
been known, our horrified faces might have told the secret, for my dear
grandmother, then sitting on the piazza as calm as any of us, had secreted
him. He had run into the back part of Mr. Jerome De Bruin's home, who
lived just south of grandfather's, and Jerome had brought him to grand-
father's house, and had quietly taken grandmother back to him. Oh,
what a woman was she ! I can hear her yet saying to the prisoner, 'Are
you deceiving me ?' and his reply, 'God knows I am not, for His sake pro-
tect me." And she who had given three of her sons to her country was
brave enough to protect him. He was hidden in such a place that he
could hear all of the soldiers' ravings over his loss.
"About four o'clock the raiders began to leave the town, and it did
not take long for all to get out, they seemed to be in a hurry. General
Basil Duke, of Confederate fame was with them. I remember him well.
After they had gone, Captain Hines was brought from his hiding place,
and after having his supper was sent out north of town where some
militia from Hillsboro were stopping.
That same evening word came of Hobson's approach with his seven
thousand men. The night was spent in preparing sandwiches and other
things for his great army which began to arrive early the next morning.
Only the General and his staff stopped for a few hours, he having his
headquarters in the best rooms of the De Bruin home. The army passed
on in pursuit of Morgan, but not before they had a cup of coffee and a
sandwich, which most of them took while on their horses, and they were
a tired looking set. Captain Hines was brought in to see General Hobson
who gave him a pass to Hillsboro and a horse to ride there and a pass
to return to his home. He was wounded and at home on a furlough and
this was how he came to be captured. He went to Hillsboro and spent a
night at the home of Judge W. M. Meek before going on his journey
home.
"After General Hobson and his staff had dined and he had finished
his official business, they followed after the army. There was no time
lost. Expedition seemed to be his watchword. All the time I was
almost paralyzed with fear, but I have always been glad for the personal
experiences of those memorable days."
Public Scboolfl.
The school eniuneration outside the village of Winchester is 297.
The average wages paid teachers is thirty dollars per month. There are
six subdistricts and each is provided with a frame schoolhouse twenty-
four by thirty feet, one story high. The surroundings of these "colleges
of the people" are uninviting. The play-gounds are bare of shade trees
or ornamental shrubs, and present a picture of neglect.
In the village of Winchester there is a graded school attended by the
pupils of school age within the special district. The present school build-
ing is a plain brick structure with four rooms and was erected in 1871.
The estimated value of buildings, grounds, furniture and apparatus is
$2,000. The school term is seven months; the principal receives sixty
dollars per month and the under teachers from thirty to forty dollars each
per month. The school enumeration is 232. This special district was
organized in 1865.
32a
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498 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The WlAokester Fair.
The Indepei^Ktent Agricultural and Mechanical Association of
Adams, Brown and Highland Counties, was organized under the laws
of the State in 1859. The first fair was held October 2, 3, 4, and 5, i860.
Moses Patterson was the first President and I. H. De Bruin, Secretary.
The grounds of the Association occupied a beautiful tract of twenty acres
south of the village about one-half mile. From its organization until
about the year 1882 this was one of the most popular fairs in southern
Ohio. Prom 6,000 to 10,000 persons attended here annually, and the
Association paid dividends of from ten to twenty per cent to stockholders.
But from bad management about the date last above mentioned the at-
tendance began to grow smaller each succeeding year until 1897, when
exhibitions ceased to be held. In 1899, the grounds were disposed of by
the stockholders, and will be subdivided into lots for building purposes.
Postoffloes.
There are but two postoffices in the township, Emerald, and Win-
chester, formerly called Scott.
Emerau) — Is situated in the northern part of the township and
was established in 1868. Sanford Burba was the first postmaster.
Scott PostoFFice was established in 1820 and Judge Joseph Eyler
was the first postmaster. On the first day of April, 1880, the name was
changed to Winchester. It is a money order office.
The Cinoinnatiy Portsmoutli and Virginia Railroad.
The first railroad built in Adams County, the present C. P. & V. was
a narrow gauge from Batavia Junction, called the Cincinnati and Eastern.
The first passenger train entered Winchester, August 7, 1877. It was an
excursion train of flat cars, and carried a motley crowd of enthusiasts
from along the line to the terminus of the road. Here the train was
engulfed on its arrival in a struggling mass of humanity seeking a first
view of a locomotive and train of cars.
The Village of WlAokester
was laid out November 8, 1815, by Joseph Darlinton, and named by him
for Winchester, Virginia, near which he was born and reared to man's
estate. The original plat contained seventy lots. Afterwards Joel Bailey
laid off an addition of eighty-two lots, known as south Winchester. The
village was incorporated in 1865, ^^^ has about 800 inhabitants. Joseph
Eyler kept the first hotel on the northwest comer of South Street. James
and Joseph Baily opened the first store in a log building that stood on lot
forty-four, in 1819. Dr. A. C. Lewis was the first resident physician.
The first tannery in the village was owned by Joseph Eylar ; and the first
oil mill was built by Levi Sparks in 1830. Moses Patterson operated a
carding mill and a steam flouring mill frcmi 1851 to 1863. These together
with the tannery adjoining were burned in the fall of that year.
R. A. McMillan is the prc^rieor of a fine roller mill in the village at
this time. The village contains two hotels, three dry goods stores, three
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WINCHESTER TOWNSHIP 49^
drug stores, two family groceries, and one sawmill. The Masons, Odd
Fellows and Knights of Pythias each maintain lodges. The Winchester
Bank was organised in 1885 with Hon. L. J. Fenton as cashier.
In the present year, 1900, the citizens seem to have awakened some-
what from a lethargy of tiie "Sleepy Hollow" sort, and with some en-
terprising "newcomers," such as Messrs. Mecklin, McMillan and others,
have succeeded in building in the town a bent wood works, canning
factory, and a shoe factory.
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PART III.
PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES
By NELSON W. EVANS
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES
John Amen
was born April 9, 1799, in Botetourt County, Virginia. He was the oldest
son of Daniel and Katherine (Heistand) Amen. He, with his parents,
came to Ohio about the year 1808. Thety traveled in a four-horse wagon.
They settled in Highland County, near East Monroe. They lived there a
few years when his father bought some land a mile south of Sinking
Springs in Adams County, and built the stone house that still stands
there, and removed to it in about 181 2. There the boy, John, lived until
he was grown. He attended district school in winter time. His was a
rather hard and uneventful life. When twelve years of age, he drove a
team of four horses and sometimes oxen, hauling pig iron from Marble
Furnace to the Rapids Forge, a foundry owned by John Benner, near
Bainbridge, a distance of twenty miles, starting at four o'clock in the
morning and returning the same day or night. His life was all work, no
play. When twenty-one years old, he left home to work in the store of
his brother-in-law, David Johnson, at Georgetown, for the sum of four
dollars a month and his board. He saved his earnings and when twenty-
four years old, he married Melinda Craighead, the daughter of a well-
to-do farmer living two miles from Georgetown. Mr. Craighead was a
Kentuckian with aristrocratic notions. He thought the young clerk was
no match for his daughter, but the young people were married, making
the trip to the ministePs, both riding horseback on one horse. Soon after
their marriage, they went to the old stone house, making their home with
his parents for several months, until a cabin was built for them on a
farm owned by Daniel Amen, two miles north of Sinking Springs, where
they lived and worked about six years, when, on account of failing health,
he and family came to Sinking Springs, where he engaged in business
for more than thirty years, enjoying the quiet village life. He was a
great reader. Though very economical, he did not stint himself or family
in reading matter. In politics, he felt a great interest, but had no desire
for office. He was an Abolitionist when it was dangerous to own being
a friend to the slave people. His house was a station on the underground
railroad from which no slave was ever caught. He was fearless when he
knew he was right. On one occasion, a family of seven slaves were brought
into the community. A large reward was offered, and the pursuers or
slave catchers were close behind them. Fearing to trust his son or
any young person to carry them on, he had two fiery horses hitched to a
covered wagon, and although he was a small man, and alone, drove away
(508)
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604 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
ju«t after dark, loaded the family in th? wagon and hurriedly drove them
to Marshall, eight miles north, when another party took charge of them.
He used to boast he had helped more slaves to liberty than any one else
n^ar, and that he never had one captured in his charge. He was a
member of the Presbyterian Church and held ,the office of deacon for
sixty years. In the year 1865, his wife died. After her death, he sold his
old home and went to reside with his three married daughters, all of
whom lived in Portsmouth, Ohio. He had one son, Daniel, who died,
when thirty years of age, leaving two sons. The oldest, Harlan P. Amen,
is president of Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, and the
younger son, J. J. Amen, is a prosperous business man in Missouri Valley,
Iowa.
The last four years of John Amends life were spent at South Salem,
Ohio, at the home of his eldest daughter, Mrs. E. McColm, who had re-
moved from Portsmouth. He died at the age of eighty-eight, on De-
cember 27, 1887. Unto the last week of his life, he read the daily papers
with all the interest of a young person. His last vote was for Governor
Foraker. The fall before he died, he was taken to the election by a grand-
daughter. He was proud he had helped to elect the Highland County boy
for Governor. His daughters are all living, Mrs. McColm in Norfolk,
Nebraska; Mrs. P. J. Ree'd, in Cody, Neb., and Mrs. C. Gillilan at Sink-
ing Springs, Highland County, Ohio.
James Anderson.
Of all the men who have lived in Adams County, none has enjoyed
this life more or made it more pleasing to those around him than the sub-
ject of this sketch. James Anderson may have had fits of bad temper,
but the writer never saw him in one or ever heard of him having one.
He was always brimful and running over with good humor. He always
persisted in looking at the bright and cheerful side of things and was
always ready to laugh and to make those about him laugh. Trouble
rolled away from him like water rolls away from a duck's feathers. The
writer never knew him until he was between fifty and sixty years of age
and the foregoing describes him then. His acquaintance from twenty-
five to fifty would have been precious and valuable. He was a man to
drive away despondency and to lift the world up. He had the keenest
sense of humor of any man of his time in the county and yet he met and
performed all the serious duties of life as a man and Christian should.
Nature endowed him with great natural and physicial vigor and he never
wasted any of it, but expended it in proper channels.
He was bom in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, March i, 1796.
His parents brought him to Adams County m 1807.^ They took up their
residence one mile north of west Union and there he resided until 1866
when he removed to Sardinia where he made his home until his death.
May II, 1886. His father was Robert Anderson and his mother was
Elizabeth Dickey, both from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. His
father and mother died in Adams County and are buried in the old Trotter
graveyard near the Wilson Children's Home.
Mr. Anderson was married June 2, 183 1, to Mary Baird, sister of
Robinson Baird, and daughter of James Baird, a brother of Judge Moses
Baird. She only survived until May 7, 1840. By his wife, Mr. Ander-
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 606
son had the following children: George Washington, who married a
daughter of Wade Baldridge; James Newton, William Henry, John,
Elizabeth, and Mary. Washington is deceased. His widow and family
reside at Webb City, Missouri. James Newton resides in Tulare, Cali-
fornia; Elizabeth is the wife of Dr. Theo. Smith, of the same place.
Mary is deceased. She died at Santa Cruz, Cal. Col. William H. died
at McLean County, Illinois.
On November 7, 1844, he was married to Isabella Bryan Huggins,
widow of Zimri Huggins. She had the following children by her first
marriage : Nelson A., and 'Herman W.
To the last marriage were born the following children : Irwin M. ;
Benjamin Dickey, bom June 8, 1847, residing at Santa Cruz, Cal.; and
Martha Caroline, bom February 12, 1850. She married J. Porter Mc-
Govney. He died and she married Frank Major. They reside at Sal-
mon City, Idaho.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson reared the three sets of children without a
jar. They all got along happily together. Mrs. Anderson had the same
happy and genial disposition as her husband. When the furnaces were
opened in Adams County, Mr. Anderson did a great deal of work for
them in hauling iron to the river and supplies to the furnaces. He was
a man never ambitious for public honors or offices, but he had a prominent
place in the militia because his talents deserved it.
On June 26, 1838, he was commissioned by Governor Vance as Major
of the First Cavalry Regiment, First Brigade, Eighth Division of the
Ohio Militia, and on August i, 1839, he was commissioned by Governor
Shannon as Lieutenant-Colonel of the same regiment. When it is re-
membered that he was elected to those positions by those who knew him
best, the honor will be more appreciated.
In 1862, he was selected as Captain of the '^Squirrel Hunters" and
took his company to Aberdeen to repel Morgan's Raid. James Anderson
had a wonderful memory. He could remember every incident of his life
and everything which had ever been told him. He was fond of telling of
David Bradford's celebrated drive down the Dunbarton Hill. Bradford,
who had a coach at Dunbarton, just repaired, wanted it down at the
Sample Tavern at the foot of the hill. It was winter and the hill was
covered with ice. He hitched two horses to the coach in
front of the tongue and drove them from Dunbarton down the
hill to the Sample Tavern. Bradford said it was a poor horse
that could not keep out of the way of a coach. While Mr.
Anderson was fond of telling humorous stories, yet he was a most earnest
and conscientious man. He was anti-slavery. He was first a
Whig and afterward a Republican. He was brought up an Associate
Reform Presbyterian and adhered to that faith all his life. He was an
elder for over thirty years. As a farmer, he lived comfortably and easy.
He was not the man to worry himself to make money. He was honest
and honorable in all his dealings. His life was a more valuable lesson
than that taught by the Greek Philosophers, for he was up to their ideas
and was a Christian beside. In August, 1886, his widow removed to
California, where her son, Benjamin D., resides. She was bom July 2,
1806, and died May 6, 1896.
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606 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Rev. James Arbuthnot
was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, December i, 1796. His
father, James Arbuthnot, came from Scotland when quite young and mar-
ried Mary White, whose parents came from North Ireland. James Ar-
buthnot grew up to manhood on a farm in Ohio County^, West Virginia,
graduated from Jefferson College in 1820; attended the Theological Sem-
inary at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was licensed to preach by the U. P.
Presbytery of St. Clairsville, Ohio, in 1823. He commenced his minis-
terial work at New Athens, Harrison County, Ohio, the same year and
organized the academy at that place which in a short time grew into a
college. In 1827, he moved to Savannah, now in Ashland County, Ohio,
where he preached until 1840 when he moved to Greenfield, Ohio, and
preached half the time there and the balance of the time at Fall Creek
until 185 1 when he moved to North Liberty, Adams County, where he
founded the North Liberty Academy. He remained at North Liberty
until 1854, when he moved to Unity in the same county and was pastor
of the U. P. Church there for twenty years until compelled to quit preach-
ing on account of old age. He was married December 30, 1823, to Eliza
Armstrong, who died April 23, 1846. To this union there were bom ten
children, nine daughters and one son, namely: Nancy, Frances M., after-
wards married to George M. Thurman; Ann E., afterwards married to
Dr. W. P. Spurgen ; Maria, Clara N., Ada, afterwards wife of Rev. J. G.
McKee ; Mary, Celia, afterwards wife of A. R. Clark ; Sarah J. and James
A. The daughters are all dead and his only surviving child is Col. James
A. Arbuthnot, of Brookfieldy Mo.
Rev. James Arbuthnot died at his home at Unity, April 18, 1880, in
his eighty-fourth year. He was a man of strong convictions and would
never consent to compromise anything which he felt to be right. He was
one of the original Free Soilers and voted for Binney and Hale as the Free
Soil candidates for President. Rev. D. McDill, D. D., said of him:
"He was a wise, good, unassuming, godly man. He made no claims to
oratory, but in preaching, spoke plainly and deliberately. His sermons
were instructive and edifying. All who knew him recognized his sin-
cerity and goodness."
. Rev. James Arbuthnot married for a second wife Mrs. Mary Watt,
in 1848, who died in 1876. She had a daughter who married Rev. N. R.
Kirkpatrick at Ada, Ohio, and another who married R. P. Finley, of
Youngsville, Ohio.
Rev. William Baldrid^e.
The Reverend William Baldridge was born in Lancaster County,
Penn., February 26, 1761. His parents were from Ireland and members
of the Irish Covenanter Church. The year after his birth they removed
to tlie banks of the Catawba River in Lincoln County, N. C, where he re-
sided until 1776, when he joined a cavalry company and served as a sol-
dier during the Revolutionary War. Of this pyetiod of his life, the most
interesting of all, we have no record, but from the course of his after life,
we know that he did his duty as a soldier, conscientiously, and faithfully.
He did not consider that in his seven years' service to his country, he had
done more than his duty or that he deserved any special commenda-
tion therefor. After returning from the war, he prepared for college under
the instructions of Rev. Robert Finley, and attended Dickinson College
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 507
in Carlisle, Penn., where he graduated in 1790 at the head of a class of
twelve. Immediately after his graduation, he took up the study of theol-
ogy, privately, with the Rev. Alexander Dobbins and studied under him
one year. The second year of his theological' studies he pursued under
the Reverend Doctor Nesbit, of Carlisle, Pa. He was licensed to preach
by the Presbytery of Pennsylvania, Associate Reformed, in 1792, and
ordained by the same Presbytery in 1793. On July 17, 1792, he was
married to Rebecca Agnew. She was born December 12, 1772.
On October 18, 1793, he accepted a call to two churches in Rock-
bridge County, Virginia. One of them was a mile from the Natural
Bridge. It has long since disappeared, the building destroyed and the
congregation dissolved. His other church was Ebenezer, about five
miles northeast of Lexington. He labored as regular pastor of these two
churches, both Associate Reformed, until 1803 when his pastoral rela-
tion to them was dissolved, but what was an anomaly in Presbyterian
practice, he remained their stated supply until 1809, when he removed to
Adams County, Ohio, to accept a call as pastor to the Cherry Fork and
West Fork congregations. In 1797, he was moderator of his synod and
delivered an important judicial decision in a case before that body. During
his residence in Virginia, he was twice offered the presidency of Washing-
ton College, now Washington and Lee University, but declined each time
on the ground that it was his duty, as he saw it, to remain in the pastoral
work. From 1803 to 1809, n^any of his congregation had emigrated
from Virginia and located in Adams County, Ohio, at either Cherry Fork
or West Fork. These former parishoners of his secured his call- to the
two churches of the two localities. During his residence in Virginia, he
had been a faithful and acceptable pastor and had endeared himself to his
people, and while there, the following children were born to him and his
devoted wife: James R., May 22, 1793; Alexander H., January 13, 1795;
John Y., December 20, 1796; William S., May i, 1799; Samuel C., and
Rebecca G., twins, February 18, 1801 ; David A., May 25, 1803; Wade,
August 25, 1805 f Agnew, December 5, 1807. With these eight boys and
one girl and his wife, he made the journey overland to Ohio, in June,
1809, 2uid locating at Cherry Fork at the age of 49. He spent the remainder
of his life there. The following children were born to him and his wife
Rebecca, in Ohio: Joseph G., June 16, 1810; Ebenezer W., August i,
1812; William, August 17, 1814; Mary Jane, October 26, 1817, at whose
birth the mother died. This daughter, Mrs. Mary Jane Waller, a widow,
is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Julia Tappan, at Avondale, Ohio,
the last survivor of her brothers and sisters.
On May 16, 1820, Rev. William Baldridge married Mrs. Mary
Logan Anderson, a widow, and by her became the father of two children,
Benjamin L., bom February 9, 1821, and Nancy M., October 18, 1822.
His daughter, Rebecca, married Joseph Riggs, December 8, 1819, a very
prominent citizen of southern Ohio, and by him became the mother of a
numerous family of sons and daughters, the former of whom and their
descendants have distinguished themselves in financial circles, in the min-
istry, at the bar and on the bench. Of the Reverend Baldridge's sons,
Samuel C. and Benjamin L. became ministers and Alexander H., Agnew
and Ebenezer W. became physicians. Of the literary works of the Rev.
Baldridge, we have but three sermons which were published in the As-
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508 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
sociate Reformed Pulpit. These indicate that he was a fine sermonizer.
But he especially excelled in pastoral work. He knew all the members
of his congregation, and all their children by name, and knew their pe-
culiarities. He made his pastoral visits regularly in eaCh family and gave
religious instructions in such manner as to make it attractive, and to fas-
ten it to remain in the minds of those he visited. The Rev. Marion Mor-
rison, now residing at Mission Creek, Nebraska, relates an incident of one
of his visits to his father's, Judge Morrison's house, in which he heard a
conversation between an older brother and the Rev. Baldridge, in which
the latter sought to induce his brother to take a college education with a
view of entering the ministry. This conversation so impressed young
Morrison, then eight years of age, that he, in consequence thereof, took
a college education and entered the ministry where he has labored suc-
cessfully all his life. The Rev. Baldridge died in the midst of his labors
on October 26, 1830.
Sixty-nine years having elapsed since his death, oblivion has claimed
much that we would like to know of him, but the fact that he held but
two pastorates in his lifetime; that he resigned the first and that death
alone removed him from the other, speaks well of him as a minister.
Sixteen years in the same churches in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and
twenty-one in Adams County, Ohio, covered his ministerial work. He
preached well in the pulpit and cared well and effectually for his peo-
ple in their homes. The fact that Cherry Fork church grew and pros-
pered during and after his labors in it speaks well for his work. The
fact that for years past and that today the church at Cherry Fork is large
and prosperous ; that its influence is well recognized in the county and in
its Presbytery and Synod; that it has sent out so many grand men and
women to other parts of the country, is largely due to the labors of the
Rev. William Baldridge between 1809 and 1830. He took the church four
years after its organization and builded it for twenty-one years.
But while he was an efficient pastor, teacher and g^ide in the churches
for thirty-seven years, he did something even greater than that. He
reared a family of twelve sons and two daughters to be godly men and
women, to be good citizens and to take honorable and prominent places
in the world's work. Moreover, he laid the foundations of character in
his sons and daughters, so deep, so wide, so strong in piety and moral
truth that after seventy years, his descendants are men and wcwnen of
the same stamp of moral worth, high character and sterling piety that he
bore himself. Could he have done better as a life work than herein re-
lated ? We think not. He performed his work so well and so thoroughly
that it will last so long as descendants of his survive to illustrate and ex-
emplify it. He sleeps in an unknown and unmarked grave in the Cherry
Fork Cemetery.
Michael Baldwin
was a very marked and memorable member of our earliest bar. He came
of a Connecticut family of note. One brother, Henry Baldwin, of Penn-
sylvania, was one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the
United States ; another, a wealthy planter of Tennessee ; a third lived in
Connecticut.
Michael was admitted to practice here in 1799, and at onoe forced
recognition of his energy, learning and sparkling intellectual gifts; and
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 509
almost as speedily developed his uncontrollable love of liquor, fun and
frolic. He soon distanced all competitors for legal business save William
Creighton, Jr., whose patient industry still retained him the larger and by
far more lucrative practice. As between the two, it was the race between
the hare and the tortoise again, and with the same inevitable result. One
of the malicious stories of that day was, that certain other lawyers became
so jealous of Baldwin's popularity and business success, that they e»ncour-
aged the latter's passion for drink, so that his career might be shortened
as much as possible.
In 1803, '4, '5, and '6, Baldwin, notwithstanding his dissipation, did
a large amount of work. But from the latter date, there is a rapid de-
cadence of his practice apparent in the records of the Court, and, by 1808,
his name but rarely appears, save only as defendant in suits for tavern
bills, borrowed money, and applications for the benefit of the insolvent
law. We learn from Saflford's "Life of Herman Blennerhasset" that
Baldwin had been the irnited States Marshal for the State of Ohio, and
that he was much embittered against President Jefferson for depriving
him of that office. Aaron Burr advised Blennerhasset to retain Judge
Jacob Burnett, of Cincinnati, and Baldwin, for the defense of both them-
selves in the trials for high treason, which they expected to undergo be-
fore the courts of Ohio, but which trials never took place. In a letter
written to his wife, under date of December 17, 1807, Blennerhasset says:
"I have retained Baldwin and Burnett. The latter will be a host with
the decent part of the citizens of Ohio ; and the former a giant of influence
with the rabble, whom he properly styles his 'bloodhounds.' "
It is very suggestive of the character of Baldwin, that at almost every
term of his practice we find this entry upon the journal: "Ordered that
Michaiel Baldwin, one of the attorneys of this Court, be fined ten dollars
for contempt of Court, and be committed to jail until the fine be paid."
Poor, brilliant, boisterous, drunken, rollicking Mike ! By reason of com-
mitments for contempt of court and capiases for debt, he became familiar
indeed, with the inside of the old jail which stood at the northwest corner
of Second and Walnut Streets.
He was a member of the Constitutional Convention and tradition
asserts that he wrote almost the entirety of the first Constitution of Ohio
in the bar-room of William Keys' tavern, using a wine keg for his seat,
and the head of a barrel of whiskey for his desk. A queer origination,
truly, for the organic law of such an empire as Ohio grew to be, before
that Constitution was superseded!
He was Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1803, 1804 and
1805. Fond of gambling, of course, for he seems to have had all the
modem accomplishments. It is told that he opened a game of vingt et un
for the benefit of such members as craved excitement. Baldwin, being
banker and dealer, of course, won all their money and most of their
watches. The party broke up and went to their several rooms', drunk,
long after the "wee sma' hours" of the night.
Mike, used to such life, was in the Speaker's chair, on time, next
morning, rapped the House to order, and proceeded with business. A call
of the House was soon demanded, and the fact made officially apparent
that there was no quorum present. The Speaker sent out the Sergeant-
at-Arms for absentees, and that officer, in the course of an hour or two.
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510 raSTORY OP ADAMS COUNl'Y
filed into the hall and in front of the Speaker's chair, some dozen or more
of the half-asteep, and only partially sobered, gamesters of the night be-
fore. Thereupon Baldwin rose, and with dignified severity of manner,
began to reprimand them for their negligence of the trusts reposed in
them by their constituents, and reminded them of the great cost per diem
to the infant State, of the sessions of the General Assenibly, etc., until
one of the party of culprits broke abruptly in upon the harrangue, with
the exclamation, "Hold on now, Mr. Speaker ! how the hell can we know
what time it is, when you have got all our watches !"
At the June Term, 1804, the tavern-keeper, William Keys, sued
Baldwin upon an account which aggregated twenty-five pounds, thirteen
shillings, ten pence, a copy of which account is filed. Every item in it,
save three, was for drinks in one form or another — ^brandy, spirits raw,
bowls of toddy, punch, treats to the club, etc. The three exceptional
items were suppers for himself, for which he was charged one shilling
and six pence for each. But with each supper there appears a charge
of three shillings for a pint and a half of brandy — a proportion of drink
to meat which strongly reminds one of the bill rendered by Dame Quick-
ley to Sir John Falstaflf.
"Drinks for the Club" were undoubtedly Mike's treats to the "Blood-
hounds," an organization of the rough and fighting men of that day,
which Baldwin had gotten up and which he controlled. The "Blood-
hounds" did his electioneering and fighting for him ; and more than once
delivered him from the jail by breaking in the door, or tearing an end out
of that structure.
His brothers twice attempted to relieve him from the embarrass-
ments of his debts, and for that purpose, sent him bags of coin amounting
to a considerable sum. On these occasions, it is said he hired a negro
for porter of the money, and went around to his creditors seriatim, allow-
ing each one, irrespective of the amount of his account, to have one grab
into the open-mouthed bag until it was gone.
His name appears in the records of the court for the last time in the
early part of 181 1, and he undoubtedly died soon thereafter.
His widow survived him for many years, and when not less than
seventy years old, contracted a second marriage with Adam Stewart, of
this county. An old citizen, speaking to us of "Kitty Baldwin" in her
prime, remarked, "I tell you, she was the proudest widow that ever
walked the streets of Chillicothe."
Robinson Baird
was born in Pennsylvania, October 6, 1792. He was the son of a farmer.
His father had twelve children, of whom our subject was the eldest. His
Christian name was his mother's maiden name. He obtained his educa-
tion partly in Pennsylvania and partly in Ohio. His parents were born
in Pennsylvania, but they came to Adams County and occupied rented
farms for awhile. As soon as could be done, our subject's father bought
a farm five miles from West Union and two miles from Bentonville, where
Robinson Baird was reared to manhood. He always felt the want of a
more complete education, and for this reason he took a great interest in
the public schools. He very frequently served as local school director of
his district.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 611
Robinson Baird was a very strict Presbyterian. He was brought
up that way and never wandered from it. He believed in the strict ob-
servance of the Sabbath and practiced it. He was a soldier of the War
of 1812, was out both winters of 1812 and 1813, and endured many hard-
ships. His Colonel was John Bryan. In politics, he was a Whig so long
as that party existed. As a Whig, he voted for Jphn Quincy Adams,
when he was a candidate for President. There were only two others in
his township who voted for Adams. He was a member of the American
party when it was in existence, and afterwards of the Republican party.
He was married to Elizabeth Williamson, the third daughter of Rev.
William Williamson, on June 13, 1815. She was bom in South Carolina,
on July 14, 1795. There were bom to them ten children, two of whom
died in infancy. Their oldest son, James T^ was bom March 18, 1816.
He married Elizabeth Parker, July i, 1842. He was a millwright by
occupation, and was killed in St. Louis while working in a steam mill by
the bursting of a boikt. He had two sons who were in the Civil War
from 1861 to 1865. Nancy M. was bom October 31, 1820. She mar-
ried James Mclntire, April 26, 1842. Major Mclntire served in the Sev-
enth Ohio Cavalry during the Civil War. He is now deceased. His
widow survives him with a large family of children. Another daughter,
Jane W. Baird, was born March 25, 1823, and married A. H. MehaflFey,
September 2, 1846. Her daughter, Catherine, boro March 20, 1825, was
married to Jacob Mosier, May 27, 1846. A son, Thomas W. Baird, was
bom May 4, 1827. Joshua M. Baird, bom October 5, 1829, married
Margaret Graham, June 24, 1852. Harriet N. Baird, bora November 7,
1833, married John L. Summers, Febmary 28, 1855. Elizabeth V. Baird,
bom May 7, 1836, married Charles Fitch.
Robinson Baird died March 26, 1870. His wife survived him until
August 17, 1876. Mr. Baird never sought public office, but was content
to live the simple life of a farmer. He has numerous descendants, scat-
tered over the United States, and from those known, we would say that
he impressed upon them the same serious, honest, upright character which
he bore all his life.
Samuel Chrlmes Bradford
was bom in West Union, December 3, 1813. His father was Samuel
Bradford and his mother, Ruth Shoemaker. They were married August
II, 181 1, by Job Dinning. Her father was Peter Shoemaker, who lived
below the iron bridge, and whose will was recorded in 1799. Samuel
Grimes Bradford was Sheriff of Adams County in 1812 and 181 3.
In October, 1810, he was appointed Recorder of Adams County to
succeed General Darlinton. On the seventh of July, 1813, he was Cap-
tain of a militia company. He left a deed partly recorded and started
with his ccMnpany for the war. He never returned. He died August
13, 1813, in the army and is buried at Urbana. His widow was married
June I, 181 5, to Col. Samuel R. Wood, by whom she had five children,
Mrs. S. P. Kilpatrick, of Dunbarton ; Mrs. George Sample, of Cincinnati ;
Mrs. Rev. Lock, of Illinois; Mrs. Herdman, of Iowa; E)avid Wood, of
Newport, Ky., and Frank Wood, of Urbana, Ohio. David, the brother
of our subject, who married a daughter of Rev. John Meek, lived and died
in West Union. He, his father, General Bradford and his mother, Bar-
bara Grimes, are buried in the stone enclosure in Branson's field just
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512 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
north of the village cemetery at West Union. General David Bradford
was one of the most important factors in the early settlement of Adams
County. He owned a number of lots in the town of Washington and re-
sided there while it flourished, and when it collapsed he went to West
Union. When West Union was located he bought lots lo, ii, i8, 19, 65
and 75 at the opening sale. He built the Bradford House in 1804 and,
from that time until his death, kept tavern there. He was County Treas-
urer of Adams County from June 6, 1800, until June 6, 1832. As he
died in 1834 at the age of sixty-nine, he very nearly had the treasurer's
office for life. In 1804, he was made a Quartermaster General of the
militia. He was a very popular man, and from holding the County
Treasurership so long without any complaint, must have been a very
honest one, but we must get back to our subject, his grand-son, Samuel
G. Bradford. He clerked in an iron store in Cincinnati when he was about
nineteen years of age for James M. Baldridge. When he was twenty
years of age, he returned to West Union. He was married here on
November 6, 1834, to Amanda M. T. Tapp. By her, he had six children,
Francis A., wife of Henry B. Woodrow, of Cincinnati ; James H. Brad-
ford, of Winchester; Jennie, the wife of Gabriel McClatchy; Matilda*
who died a young woman; Harriet, widow of Capt. George Collings,
of Indianola, Iowa, and Samuel N. Bradford, who lives in West Union.
In the same year, he succeeded to the management of Bradford's Tavern,
now the Downing House. He conducted it until 1840, when he leased it.
He contributed $200 to the erection of the Maysville and Zanesville
Turnpike. In 1835, he took a drove of horses to Mississippi and sold
them. On his return, he purchased the George Darling farm, formerly
owned by Major Finley and moved there. His wife died May 2, 1847.
In 1849, ^^ returned to West Union and engaged in the tannery business
with Edwards Darlinton.
On Ootober 29, 1850, he was married to Miss Sarah W. Smashea,
who survives him. He continued the tannery business until 1851, when
he drove a notion wagon through the country until 1853. From that
date until 1863, he traveled and sold tinware for A. F. Shriver at Man-
chester. In i8i54, he went into the sutler business with Thomas Ellison
and remained with him until the end of the war. Then he went to
Mississippi and raised cotton until 1868. After that, he engaged in the
grocery business at West Union with his son, Samuel N. Bradford. After
continuing that business for a short time, he took the mail contract
between West Union and Winchester and drove a hack on it for four
years. After that he conducted a livery stable in West Union until his
death which occurred November 29, 1890.
In politics, he was a Whig and afterward a Republican. He was
a large, fine looking man in old age, and in youth, he was handsome.
He was genial and companionable. He was always ready to do a kind
act for a friend. He was esteemed highly by all who knew him as a
good man and upright citizen. What characterized him above his fellow
men was his love of children and of horses. When surrounded by child-
ren and encouraging their amusement, he was never happier. He was
always pleased to have good horses and to be looking after them. He
was in his feelings and in his thoughts a relic of the older time in which
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 513
he was always delighted to dwell. He passed away in peaceful sleep—
"as one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to
pleasant dreams."
Moses Baird
was born near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, January 3, 1762. His father,
James Baird, came from near Londonderry, in the north of Ireland. His
mother was a Miss Brown, also from Ireland.
Moses Baird married Mary Adams, July 5, 1787, at Lancaster, Penn-
sylvania, a woman of remarkable natural endowments and of distin-
guished and cultivated ability. They had one son, Robert, bom in
Pennsylvania, in 1788.
They located in Adams County in the rich Irish Bottoms, at Sandy
Springs, on the Ohio River, and took up a tract about a mile square.
Those who located with them were Joshua Truitt, William Early,J[ona-
than Kenyon, Abner Ewing, above, and John Adams, and Simeon Truitt,
bdow.
They had in all thirteen children, twelve being thereafter born in
Adams County, as follows: Margaret, 1781; Alexander, 1792; Eliza-
beth, 1794; Polly, 1796; Newton, 1799; James A., 1801 ; John A., 1803;
Joseph C. v., 1805; Harvey, 1807; Harriet A., 1809; Chambers, 181 1;
Susan A., 1814.
Moses Baird was one of the Justices of the Peace of Adams County
and one of its Common Pleas Judges under the Territory. He was
elected a Commissioner of the County in 1803 and served three years.
He was elected an Associate Judge of the County February 10, 1810, and
served until April 10, 1821. He died November i, 1841, and is buried
in the Sandy Springs cemetery. He was tall, slender and active. He
had a light complexion, brown hair, blue eyes, was nearly six feet tall,
wore side whiskers and shaved the rest of his face. He was an easy,
fluent talker, clear and concise in his expressions. He was an excellent
judge of human nature and could judge a man on sight. He had easy
manners, was pleasant and approachable. He was a good farmer and
manager. He lived like a lord on his mile square of land. He raised all
the crops he required and had five orchards of apples, peaches, plums
and cherries. He had a great lot of stock, horses, cattle, hogs and sheep.
He had all manner of fowls. He grew his own flax and sheared his own
wool and made it into cloth on his own farm. His wife was a woman
of great social attractiveness. She was one of the pioneer doctresses
and a noted mid-wife, and died April 13, 1835, of a putrid sore throat,
(diphtheria?) which came of attending a child which had the same disease.
She and her husband were members of the Sandy Springs Church, and
her religion was such that its influence could be felt by all who associated
with them. Susan A., their youngest daughter, was the wife of James
McMaster, who is still livmg (1899) at Sandy Springs, aged eighty-four.
Their youngest son. Chambers, has a separate sketch herein. Their first
three children, Robert, Elizabeth Adams and James A., made themselves
homes within the original tract taken .up by their father. The others
went els€^vhere into the Great West, and the descendants of Moses Baird
are a great multitude, whom the census taker could enumerate, but it
would take him a long time and a great deal of labor.
33a
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5H HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Rev. Dyer BnrseM.
In writing a sketch of a person, in order to understand his life fully,
it is sometimes well to begin several generations before he was bom.
Dyer Burgess traced his ancestry to Thomas Burgess, who came
from England to Salem, Mass., in 1630, but who settled at Sandwich,
in Plymouth Colony. This Thomas Burgess is recorded by Dr. Savage
as being a chief among them. In the church organized at Sandwich,
Mass., in 1638, he was an original member, and he served the town in
every office, humble or honorable, from land surveyor to deputy at the
Court at Plymouth. He became a large landholder, and his patriarchial
estate was still held by a lineal descendant in the sixth generation, in 1863.
Thomas Burgess died February 13, 1665, aged eighty-two years.
His graye was honored by a monumental slab, imported from England.
Aaron Otis says that this was the first monument set up for any pilgrim
of the first generation. So that while Dyer Burgess' ancestor did not
cc«ne over in the Mayflower, he was only ten years behind the first settle-
ment, and of the same stock as the Pilgrim Fathers, and it is easy to see
where he got his obstinacy and firmness of purpose.
The genealogy of the Burgess family was published in 1865, by the
Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, of Dedham, Mass. From this, it appears that
Thc«nas Burgess, who came from England, had a third son, Jacob. He
married a Miss Nye, and had a son, Ebenezer, bom October 2, 1673, who
married Mary Lombard. Ebenezer had six children, all baptized Sep-
tember 23, 171 1. Among them was a son Samuel, married to Jedidah
Gibbs, March 30, 1732, and they had eight children. His wife died
March 10, 1732, and he married Deborah Berse, November 7, 1754, and
had four children by her. Jabez Burgess, one of the eight children by
the first marriage, married Hannah Lathrop, May 3, 1754, and removed
to Tolland, Conn., in 1783.
Jabez had nine children, among whom was a son, Nathaniel, bom
March 4, 1758, and married to Lucretia Scott in 1781. They had six
children, of whom the subject of our sketch. Dyer Burgess, was bom
December 27, 1784, at Springfield, Vermont, to which place his parents
had removed in 178 1. So that our hero had a long line of fine old Pur-
itan ancestors, with Scripture names, and all of whom lived godly lives,
and died full of years, in the hope of the gospel.
Dyer Burgess completed a scientific course at Dartmouth College,
to which he afterwards added a knowledge of Latin and Greek, and med-
icine. He became interested in religion, and was ordained a minister
at Cloveraook, Vermont.
At the age of sixteen years, he began to preach as a Methodist min-
ister, but finding his views more in accordance with Congregationalism he
joined that church and studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Wines. He
came to Ohio in 1816, and was received in the Miami Presbytery from
the Nortem Association of Vermont, September 2, 1817. At Piqua,
he organized a Presbyterian Church in the latter part of 1816. In the
following year, it united with Ti:oy to secure Mr. Burgess' services as a
missionary. Presbytery met in Springfield the first Tuesday in Sep-
tember, 121 7, and the two churches, Piqua and Troy, wanted the Rev.
Dyer Burgess to preach for them, which he agreed to do for six months,
at a salary of one hundred dollars. At the end of the six months, the
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REV. DYER BXTRGESS
Anti«Masonic and anti-Slavery Agitator
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 615
two churches gave him a call as a regular pastor. In his old age, the last
journey he took was to attend, at Kqua, the fiftieth anniversary of the
organization of the church there. From there he went to the Presby-
terian Church at West Union, Ohio. While in charge of the church at
West Union, during a period of nine years, from 1820 to 1829, he resided
across the street from the church in a frame house, directly east of that
occupied by J. M. Wells, Esq., and while there, he did his own cooking,
except the baking of his bread, which was done by the ladies of his con-
gregation and brought to his house.
In Adams County he was brought into contact with the Rev. Wm.
Williamson, with Rev. James Gillilan and Rev. John Rankin; with Mr.
Carothers and Mr. Dickey, and with Col. John Means. These gentlemen
were bom and educated in South Carolina, and most of them had been
slaveholders, but having conscientious scruples as to the wrong of slavery^
they left their native state and came to Ohio.
In 1823, he organized the Auxiliary Bible Society of Adams County.
Rev. Wm. Williamson was its first president, and Mr. Burgess was its cor-
responding secretary. The society is still in existence.
He was a very earnest man, and not only was he a strong opponent
of human slavery, but he was a very g^eat advocate of total abstinence
from intoxicating liquors, and opposed to secret societies. He was also
opposed to the use of tobacco in any form.
He thought and felt so intensely that his expressions in public speak-
ing and in preaching had a wonderful effect on his hearers. He was a
man of much more than ordinary intellect and was an excellent preacher.
He first preached for seven years in West Union, Ohio, but it seems
that his doctrine was too radical for the people there, and he ceased to be
their pastor, and was succeeded by the Rev. John P. VanJyke, after
which he preached in Manchester, Ohio.
One of Mr. Burgess' elders was Gen. Joseph Darlinton, the Clerk
of the Courts, of Adams County. Darlinton when a young man in Vir-
ginia had owned slaves. He had one, Dick, who was a refractory and
ugly fellow. He sold him and kept the mone}'. Mr. Burgess got to hear
of this, and said at one time, in a sermon that in his congregation was
one who had the price of blood in his chest. It wa5^ supposed that Mr.
Burgess* strictures bore hard on General Darlinton, who was not a pro-
nounced anti-slavery man. Some one asked Mr. Burgess how General
Darlinton stood his anti-slavery doctrine. "Oh," said Mr. Burgess, "he
stands it like an ox.''
About this time the Rev. Burgess formed an attachment for Miss
Elizabeth Means, the daughter of Col. John Means. His suit was dis-
couraged by the brothers and the family, as they thought she ought to
do better than to marry a poor minister. The matter never came to a
proposal, but on the twenty-seventh day of April, 1827, Miss Means
married Dr. William M. Voris. This event was entirely unexpected
to Mr. Burgess, and struck him like a bolt of lightning out of a clear sky.
At a solemn ccMnmunion service season the Sunday following, he
preached from the text : "Little children, keep yourselves from idols," and
he preached with such pathos and depth of feeling that his hearers could
not but believe that his idol had been shattered when Miss Means married
Dr. Voris.
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616 HISTOllY OF ADAMS COUNTY
On March 19, 1831, he married Miss Isabella Ellison, the daughter
of Andrew Ellison. She was a maiden lady of about his own age, and
be married her in Cincinnati, where she was making her home with her
brother-in-law, Adam McCormick.
The Rev. Burgess was very much opposed to secret societies. On
June 5, 1 83 1, he began the publication of a semi-monthly periodical at
Cincinnati, Ohio, entitled, "Infidelity Unmasked."
There were twenty- four numbers of it; the last number appeared
April 22, 1832. Mr. Burgess was the editor. It does not appear that
he wrote any editorials of any consequence, but the periodical is made up
chiefly of extracts from other periodicals of like character and from lec-
tures and addresses against Masonry and slavery. The burden of the
periodical is against Masonry, with an occasional article against slavery.
In his prospectus, the editor states that he does not expect much patron-
age, that his object is that his work might appear in the Day of Judgment,
and bear witness that he has not shunned the whole counsel of God, and
that under the influence of the Spirit, he has undertaken to lift up the
standard when the enemy comes in as a flood. He also stated in the
prospectus, that, firmly believing that Masonry and slavery are identified,
and that slavery is practical heresy of a damning character, he has, after
deliberately counting the cost, dared to undertake the difficult and re-
sponsible duties of editor of a periodical paper, the leading object of
which is .to clear the sanctuary of both of these abominations. He pro-
ceeds to say that he does not charge that all persons are infidels ; but he
does say, and will undertake to prove, if God permits him to succeed with
the work, that Masonry is infidelity, organized and masked. He further
declared that the paper would consist principally of extracts from other
works which have been published in Europe and America, in which the
principles of Masonry have been fully discovered and exposed.
Short communications on the subject of Masonry and slavery were
thankfully invited, and would be inserted. The price of the periodical
was $1.00 in advance. $1.25 in six months, and $1.50 at the end of the
year. The bound volume consists of 384 pages.
At the close of the work on April 21, 1832, the editor states: "I
have now finished what I have steadily resolved on for more than twenty
years. I have published my sentiments against the worst institution that
ever subsisted ; and I hope God will smile upon my poor labors, and make
them a blessing to my acquaintances, and graciously accept of me, for
Christ's sake.
"1 have written but little for the paper, because I have always found
abundantly more material ready prepared, in a style much superior to
what I could produce myself. I have published but a small part indeed,
of what I intend on the subject of slavery ; and shall, if encouraged, con-
tinue to issue my paper in West Union, Adams County, Ohio, and to that
place, I invite my correspondents to make their future communications."
It appears from the periodical, that in April, 183 1, the Editor secured
the Chillicothe Presbytery to declare that it was unlawful and inexpe'dient
to have its members connected with the Masonic fraternity. By his like
influence, in October, 183 1, the Synod of Connecticut declared that a
connection with Masonry was inconsistent with Christianity.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 617
On page 266, of his "Infidelity Unmasked," Mr. Burgess has a letter
of nearly two pages, addressed to Oliver M. Spencer, a prominent Metho-
dist minister of Cincinnati, Ohio, on Masonry. It seems that Mr. Bur-
gess had attended a Masonic funeral at Cincinnati, at which Mr. Spencer
was present as a Mason, and Mr. Spencer's appearance raised the choler
of Mr. Burgess.
On page 26, Jime 26, 1831, he states that the Presb)rtery of Chilli-
cothe has made Masonry a term of communion, and that one person had
argued to him that Jesus Christ was a Mason. He says that Christ
declared openly in th-e Court of Pontus Pilot (so printed in the news-
paper), "In secret have I said nothing."
On Jime i, 1830, Mr. Burgess delivered an address at the court house
at West Union, Ohio, on the subject "Solomon's Temple Haunted, or
Free Masonry, the Man of Sin in the Temple of God." His lecture was
delivered at an anti-Masonic meeting. He took the ground that Masonry
was (i) treason against the Government, (2) treason against God. He
stated in his address that Washington in his youth took three degrees in
Masonry, and then in his farewell address, raised his voice against all
secret societies, and went to the Invisible World. He said that on the
strength of Washington's Masonry, thousands have been tumbled into
the imaginary grave of Hiram Abiff, for the sake of stooping to folly, like
Washington. He states that Masonry was first instituted June 24, 1717,
and that the Masons filled almost every office in the Republic. He spoke
of the* Masonic celebration of St. John's Day, as a "Gobbler's Strut."
It seems, from this periodical, that on thfe twenty-eighth of Sep-
tember, T831, William Wirt, of Maryland, and Amos EllmaJcer, of Penn-
sylvania, were nominated as anti-Masonic candidates for President and
Vice President of the United States.
The book is largely filled up with letters from a Rev. Henry Jones,
who signs himself a dissented Royal Arch Mason.
This Rev. Jones was expelled from King Hiram's Lodge in Waits-
field, Vermont, on September 24, 1828, for unworthy and unmasonic con-
duct. On October 8, 1828, his church at Cabot, Vermont, had a meeting
and highly approved of his conduct in leaving the Masons, and in their
judgment, stated that the oaths and obligations of Masonry were no more
binding on its members than the oath of Herod to slay John the Baptist,
or that of the forty Jews who banded together to kill Paul. This Rev.
Jones furnished no less than ten different papers for Mr. Burgess' peri-
odical.
Rev. Burgess fought Masonr}'^ as a greater evil than slavery. He
has been dead twenty-two years, and he survived slavery by ten years, but
Masonry still exists in a renewed vigor. The Rev. Burgess was mis-
taken as to Masonry.
He wasted a great deal of superfluous energy on Masonry which had
better have been doubled up on slavery and tobacco. On the subject of
Masonry, Mr. Burgess was a fanatic; but upon alcoholism, the use of
tobacco and slavery, he was simply a thinker years ahead of his time.
His favorite text against secret societies was the language of the
Lord Jesus Christ, in the eighteenth chapter and twentieth verse of St.
John's Gospel in His answer to the High Priest : "I spake openly to the
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^18 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNIY
world and in secret I said nothing," and upon this text, he preached a
most powerful semion, which his hearers never forgot. •
1 he Manchester Presbyterian Church took a Mason into full mem-
"bership. Mr. Burgess remarked to Mrs. A. B. Ellison, that after that,
he would never again visit Manchester Church, or commune with it —
and he never did.
To illustrate how strongly Mr. Burgess thought and felt on the
subject of secret societies — when Abraham Lincoln was first a candidate
for President, Mr. Burgess wished to support him, but would not do so
until he had written to Mrs. Lincoln and received an answer to the effect
that Mr. Lincoln did not belong to any secret society. Then he sup-
ported Mr. Lincoln's candidacy most heartily.
Directly after his marriage to Miss Ellison, which entirely revolu-
tionized his finances, as she was wealthy an<i willing to spend her money
for their joint enjoyment, he returned to West Union, and there built
the property now occupied and known as the Palace Hotel, and im-
mediately took possession of it. From that lime on, until the death of his
wife, the Rev. Burgess had no particular charge, but preached when and
where he pleased. He and his wife lived in great state in their then ele-
gant home — as, when completed, it was the finest house in the county.
They kept two pews in the Presbyterian Church at West Union, and these
they had filled every Sunday. They entertained a great many visitors —
usually had their house full of visitors, and especially Mrs. Burgess'
relations. These she invited from far and wide and entertained them for
a long period of time.
While living in this property, Mr. Burgess took it upon him to study
Greek, which he had never studied before; and while engaged in that
study, he was so intent upon it, as he was upon everything else which he
undertook, that he invited every minister far and near to make him a visit;
and when the visitor arrived at Dr. Burgess' residence, he found that he
was expected to read Greek with him and to instruct him in that language.
At one time, when he was preaching in West Union, Rosanna, a
colored nurse of Mrs. Ann Wilson's, had one of Mrs. Wilson's children
there, as it was customary in those days to take the babies to church.
This particular baby began to cry very loudly. Mr. Burgess paused in
the midst of his sermon, and said in a commanding voice, "Rosanna, take
that child out !" and out it went.
As before stated, he was a frequent visitor in the family of Col. John
Means, and there he met, at one time, Maj. Barry, a young gentleman
from Mississippi, who was a neph^ of Col. Means, and who was
making a protracted visit at his uncle's. Maj. Barry's father was an ex-
tensive slaveholder, and Mr. Burgess took pains to impress his views upon
Maj. Barry, claiming that he was a mild Abolitionist. Maj. Barry was
so impressed with Mr. Burgess' arguments, that he was almost willing
to adopt the Abolitionist views himself.
Col. Means lived about three miles back of Manchester, and one
Sunday, he and his family with Maj. Barry rode to Manchester to attend
the Presbyterian Church there, and hear the Rev. Burgess preach. Dur-
ing his sermon, he remarked that a slaveholder was worse than a horse
thief. This statement aroused Maj. Barry's ire, as his father, a most
estimable man, was a slaveholder, and he arose and left the church.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 519
When he was about half-way out, Mr. Burgess thought he would empha-
size the statement, and he said that a slaveholder was worse than ten
thousand horse theives!
Maj. Barry wrote him a note the next day, and told him that if that
was his mild Abolitionism he wanted none of it, and that he would be
gratified to see him in purgatory.
The Rev. Burgess took his note, and called upon Mrs. Dr. Willson,
Sr., and expressed himself horrified that one human being could wish
another in torment, and said to Mrs. Wilson, "He might as well have
wished me in hell." Maj. Barry afterwards told Dr. Wilson that he
could see Burgess' throat cut from ear to ear and feel gratified at the
sight.
Mr. Burgess was a most companionable man, and had a wonderful
fund of humor. He had a happy faculty of clothing his thoughts in ap-
propriate language, and his acrimonious denunciations were confined to
his lectures and sermons.
When he was about to marry Miss Ellison, Aunt Ann Wilson, at
whose house he was very intimate, rallied him about it, and wondered that
he had not selected a younger and more handsome lady. Mr. Burgess
replied that he loved youth and beauty as well as ever.
His wife died in their home, now the Palace Hotel, in West
Union, November 3, 1839. She disposed of her property by last will
and testament drawn by Hon. George Collings, father of Judge Henry
Collings, of Manchester, Ohio. The will made no provision for Mr.
Burgess except to give him two rooms in her house for life, but she had
already g^ven him a number of claims which she deemed a suitable pro-
vision for him.
In 1830, it was the custom everywhere in Adams County for the
farmers to furnish whiskey for their harvest hands, and to distribute
it freely among them. In that year, Mr. Burgess made a temperance ad-
dress at Fenton's schoolhouse, on Gift Ridge, and his speech on that
occasion was so powerful that it induced all the farmers on Gift Ridge
to abstain from having whiskey in the fields during harvest, and since
then it has never been used in harvest in that locality.
On one occasion when Mr. Burgess was going from Manchester to
Cincinnati on a steamboat, "The Huntress," accompanied by his wife, a
number of Kentuckians were traveling on the boat, and the Rev. Bur-
gess took occasion to air his views on Masonry and slavery.
The Kentuckians, who were both Masons and slaveholders, proposed
to hang him right there on the boat, and went so far as to secure a rope for
the purpose and suspended it from the pilot house. Charles Stevenson^
from Manchester, and John Sparks, of West Union, were on the boat,
and the former was a Mason. Both of these and the Hon. John Rowan,
of Louisville, interceded with the angry Kentuckians, and the captain
of the boat saw that it would ruin his boat if a man were to be hung on
it. The Kentuckians asked the price of his boat and wanted to pay it
for the privilege of hanging Mr. Burgess. His wife went on her knees
and begged for his life. But Mr. Burgess himself asked for no quarter
or mercy, and would not apologize a whit, or stop his denunciations.
Had he lived in Joshua's time, he would have preferred a position upon
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620 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Mount Ebal, rather than upon Mount Gerizim, for he was a master-hand
at denunciation, when it suited his purpose.
The story is that the Kentuckians were the ones most to blame in the
matter, but in truth the ones on the boat, who insisted most strenuously
on the hanging of Burgess on that occasion were natives of Connecticut
and of Ohio. Hon. John Rowan, himself a slaveholder, told Mr. Bur-
gess on the "Huntress," that if he went below Cincinnati, it would be
impossible for him to protect him. This incident occurred late in the
thirties in this county. The friends of Mr. Burgess had him get off the
boat at Ripley and give up his trip to Cincinnati.
His home in West Union, during the lifetime of his first wife, was
called "Anti-Slavery Palace." The Abolitionists from far and wide vis-
ited him, and were always made welcome. The Rev. Stephen Riggs,
Rev. Caskey and Mr. Longley were often at his hcttne and studied with
him.
In 1840, he left Adams County, and went to Washington County.
He made his home there, and for a long time preached to the churches
in Warren, Belpre and Watertown. In his sermons he always came out
strong in his denunciatory parts. He was clear and pointed in his state-
ments, and at times waxed eloquent. One thing is certain, no one could
go to sleep under his preaching.
On August 31, 1842, Mr. Burgess was married to Mrs. Elizabeth W.
Voris, widow of Dr. William M. Voris, and the daughter of Col. John
Means, and who was Mr. Burgess' first love. They were married at
the home of her brother, Hugh Means, the former residence of her
father in Adams County, Ohio. She was bom in South Carolina in 1799
and came to Ohio in 18 19 when her father came to this State to free his
slaves. She was a noble Christian woman and liyed a long life of sincere
piety and good deeds. One of her daughters by her first marriage was
the wife of the Hon. Wm. P. Cutler, of Marietta, Ohio. Mrs. Burgess
died February 28, 1889, in her ninetieth year, having lived with Mr. Bur-
gess thirty years, and survived him nearly seventeten years.
In person, he was tall, over six feet high, straight as an Indian, with
a haughty courage. He was slightly inclined to corpulency. He had a
large head, a high forehead, with heavy arched brows, and a square face,
with a great deal of determination expressed in it.
He was as fully opposed to the u^ of liquors and tobacco, as he was to
Masonry and slavery.
At the age of eighty-three, in 1868, he had a severe attack of what
he considered typhus fever. He was sick twelve weeks, and delirous most
of the time. He regarded his recovery as wonderful, and writing to a
friend, he said: "I seem a wonder to myself. Under Providence, I
ascribe my recovery to Mrs. Burgess. It is astonishing that she did not
break down, but is still busy with domestic affairs. South Carolinians
who could free their slaves and do their own work are most efficient
laborers.'*
This last sentence refers to her father. Col. John Means, bringing
his family and twenty-four slaves frcttn South Carolina, in 1819, when
Mrs. Burgess was twenty years old.
He says that the Abolition movement originated in Ohio, and that the
two Mr. Dickeys of Tennessee, and himself, were the first projectors of
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 521
the scheme, which at last succeeded. He also states that Rev. James GilH-
land, Rev. Robert G. Wilson, and Rev. Samuel Carothers, were their earliest
coadjutors. That they commenced operating in about 1817; that in 1818,
he introduced a paper into the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church at Philadelphia, which passed that body, and came near destroy-
ing him. He wrote to his cousin that those v/ho would not speak to him
then, would now willingly pass as having been friendly to the measure.
In 1857, he addressed an open letter to the Free Presbyterian, when
it was proposed that they should return to the old church. He said:
"It is proposed that we return to Egypt. Some of us, at least, have no
hankering after garlic. We pledged ourselves, in the name of Christ, not
only not to sustain human slavery, but also not to sustain secret con-
spiracies; either the curse-bound Danites of the Mormons or any other
conspiracy so bound. We pledged ourselves, also, not to sustain at the
Lord's table, self-destroyers ; whether the instrument of destruction was
the pistol, alcohol or that specific poison, filthy tobacco. Shall we violate
that pledge "
Until the age of eighty-three, his faculties retained their vigor. In
1867, he attended the semi-centennial of the church at Piqua, Ohio, and
there he contracted a severe sickness, which affected his mental faculties,
but did not affect his general health.
His memory of passing and recent events was gone on his recovery,
but he could repeat whole chapters of the Bible, and page after page of
favorite old authors. He could give a rational and clear exposition of
almost any scriptural passage. His power m prayer was unaffected to
the last. Thus while in the last five years of his life, his communications
with earth were cut off; his connection with Heaven was clear to the
last. He died in 1872 at the age of eighty-eight.
• Why have we brought forward anew the memory of this man of
God? Because in his time and in his place, he was the First Apostle of
Personal and Social Purity. Because when the use of whisky and tobacco
were almost universal, he had the courage to preach against them and
depict their evils. Because when the national conscience was debauched
and demoralized by that great curse of slavery, he had the discernment
to see the evil of it, and to be the first to denounce it. Because he was a
man of enlightened conscience, and had the courage to preach according
to its dictates. Because he lived as he preached, and exemplified his ideas
in a long and useful life. Such men should not be forgotten. The record
of their good lives should be graven in living characters on the memory
of each generation following them, and so long as the record is re-
membered, our people will seek the right, and try to follow it as Dyer
Burgess did in his eighty-four years.
Nioholas Bnrwell
was bom near Winchester, Virginia, September 11, 1794. He learned
the shoemaker's trade as a youth at Winchester, and while residing there
was in the War of 1812. In 1815, he and Murtaugh Kehoe, also a young
shoemaker, came to the West from Winchester, Virginia. They floated
down the Ohio River and landed at Portsmouth, Ohio. Kehoe was
favorably impressed with the place and resolved to remain and did so.
Burwell thought two of the same trade should not locate in the same
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622 fflSTORY OF ADAMS COUNIT
town, and he went on to Limestone, now Maysville. There he heard of
West Unions then a new town, only eleven years old, and he went there
and set up in the business of shoemaking. He lived there five years when
he was married to Sarah Fenton, daughter of Samuel Fenton, of Gift
Ridge, one of Adams County's pioneers. They were married April 19,
1820. She was born September 22, 1802. The minister who performed
the ceremony was Rev. Greenbury Jones, one of the pioneer Methodist
preachers. On this occasion, Rev. Jones alluded to them as children,
owing to their youthful appearance.
Nicholas Burwell and his wife went to housekeeping in West Union
and lived there all their lives. Their oldest child was Elizabeth, bom
May 5, 1 82 1, and married Joseph West Lafferty, May 24, 1838. Their
oldest son, Samuel, was bom November 20, 1822. He is the veteran
editor of the Scion and was married to Margaret Mitchell, March 30, 1848.
William Burwell, the second son, was bom October 20, 1826. He married
a Miss Murphy of Buena Vista and is now deceased ; Martha Ann, bom
January 16, 1830, married Ellis Bottleman, April 12, 1854; Edward was
born January 26, 1834; Michael Henry was born February 26, 1839, ^^^
is now deceased. Mary, the youngest daughter, married Smiley Lock-
wood, May 23, i860. She is now a widow residing at Winchester.
Nicholas Burwell conducted a shoe shop in West Union all his life.
He was contemporary with Judge Byrd and knew him well. The Judge
took a fancy to Mr. Burwell's cow at one time and gave him $50 for her,
an extravagant price at that time. Nicholas Burwell was one of the
pillars in the Methodist Church at West Union. He always attended all
its services week days and Sundays and never missed one. He was
particularly punctual at the Wednesday evening prayer meetings. The
other pillars in the church whom the writer remembers, were Abraham
Hollingsworth, Adam McGovney, William R. Rape and William Allen.
They were always present as well as Burwell. The latter always felt well
assured of his eternal salvation. At many of the meetings, he would get
very happy. He was enthusiastic in his devotion to the church. With
him, it was always first. Everything else was secondary. He was a thin,
spare man, wore a silk hat and went along the street with his head slightly
bowed as if in a deep study. He was cordial with and genial to every
one. His likes and dislikes were very strong, a trait inherited by all of
his descendants. He was often given to hyperbole in common conversa-
tion, another family trait, but he was honest and an honorable man, a
good citizen and a good Christian. He feared the Lord but nothing else.
He was active and energetic, very fond of physical exercise. Within a
few months prior to his death, he walked from Manchester to West
Union. In his old age, he was as good a walker as any boy. He entered
into rest in all the triumph of his faith, July i, 1879. His wife followed
him, January 14, 1885. They rest side by side in the old cemetery at West
Union, waiting the sound of Gabriel's trumpet.
John BelU
was a citizen of the world. His father was a Frenchman, his mother a
native of Holland, and he was born in Liverpool, England, in 1760. He
received a good education in England in a military school. When he
came of age, he was in Amsterdam, Holland, and received his coming of
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MAJOR JOHN BELI^I
OF Watnb's Ligion. and First Rbcordir
OF ADAM8 County, O.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 623
age papers from the estates of Holland and West Friesland. When he
undertook to start to the United States, it was from Paris, France, and he
had a letter of recommendation from John Jay. He came over with a
Mr. Francis Bowiers, of Ostend, a merchant who was bringing over goods.
His letters of introduction were to Mr. Josiali Watson, of Alexandria, Va.
He had been studying about the United States and had become filled with
the extreme Republican notions of that time. In theory of government,
he was a rabid republican; in his own personal relations, he was an
aristocrat, though he was hardly conscious of the fact. Mr. Jay, in his
letter, described him as a young man worthy of trust. He came alone,
without any members of his family. He landed at Alexandria, Va., in
May, 1783. That was then an important seaport. He engaged in busi-
ness there as a clerk at first, and afterwards as a merchant, and remained
there until the spring of 1791, a period of eight years. Of his life in
Alexandria, we have no account, but he formed. a number of valuable
and important acquaintances in that time, among whom were Col.
Alexander Parker and Gen. George Washington.
In October, 1791, Gen. Knox, then Secretary of War, sent him to
the Northwest Territory on public business. What his functions were
does now clearly appear, but it was of a confidential character.
On April 18, 1792. when he was in the Northwest Territory, Presi-
dent George Washington sent him a commission as Deputy Quarter-
master on the General Staff of Wayne's Legion. This commission is in
the hands of John Belli Gregory, his grandson, at Fontana, Kentucky. It
is on parchment, illustrated, and bears the original signature of President
Washington and Secretary of War, Henry Knox. The commission does
not state his rank, but it was that of Major, hence his title. He went by
way of Pittsburg, then called Fort Pitt and down the Ohio River to Fort
Washington. Gen. Knox gave him a letter dated September 30, 1791,
directed to the Deputy Quartermaster at Fort Pitt, stating that he was to
have transportation down the Ohio River as he was on public business of
great importance. He went direct to Fort Washington, where it appears
he was stationed until the time of Wayne's expedition against the Indians.
There is preserved a list of the Quartermaster's stores he had on
hand at Fort Washington, November i, 1783. Mr. Gregory also has in
his possession a letter addressed to Major John Belli from Gen. Anthony
Wayne, in answer to one of May 30, preceding. He tells the Major that
he is glad he has been successful in purchasing cattle ; that 300 per month
will be required independent of accident ; that he must forward those on
hand by first escort. That he has three weeks' supply for the Legion, nor
can be think of advancing with less than 600 or Six) cattle, which would
not be more than ten weeks' supply, should they all arrive safe. He stated
that the wagons would set out from Fort Jefferson the next morning for
Fort Washington under a good escort, commanded by Major Hughes,
and they were not to be delayed at Fort Washington more than forty-
eight hours, to be loaded with tents, intrenching tools and axes. Also
he was to send such hospital or ordinance stores as he had been provided
with, together with all the hunting shirts, or shirts and tools that were in
his possession. Also, that his own private stores were to be forwarded
under a select guard, which he will request Major Hughes to furnish
from his department.
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^24 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
He was directed to use as many private teams as could be obtained
which, with the use of the water transport, when a favorable rise may
happen in the Miami, would enable him to forward the grain to Fort
Hamilton, which the Quartermaster General had required. He was not to
lose a moment in mounting the dragoons and furnishing all the necessary
accoutrements. He was also to be furnished with $2,000 in specie, and
$8,000 in good bank bills to be replaced by his department. He was told
that every arrangement would be made by his department for a forward
move by the first of July. He wished the Major every success in his
purchases and supplies of every nature in the line of his department and
signed himself, "I am sir, your most ob'dt humble serv't., Ant'y Wayne."
As soon as the expedition was successful, Major Belli, went east
and settled his accounts with the department. He returned with some
$5,000 and bought 1,000 acres of land at the mouth of Turkey Creek and
placed a man named Wright upon it, who cleared up a part of it, built a
log house and planted an orchard. This was the first settlement in Scioto
County, though the historian, James Keyes, disputes it, and says the first
settlement was near Sciotoville, by the Bousers and Burts.
He laid out the town of Alexandria, at the mouth of the Scioto River,
and gave it its name for Alexandria, Virginia, where he had first landed
in this country, and had spent eight years. He spent considerable time
in and about Alexandria as the agent of Col. Wm. Parker, for whom he
located much land in Scioto County. In September, 1797, he was ap-
pointed Recorder of. Adams County and held the office until October. 1803.
He was a Justice of the Peace for Adams County, appointed by the
Judges of the General Court, April 28, 1801, and his commission is in
existence.
It seems he spent a great part of his time in Kentucky. He evidently
did not and could .not attend personally to the duties of the office of
Recorder of Adams County.
On the twenty-first of March, 1800, he concluded some ver}' im-
portant business in Kentucky, for on that date, he was married to Miss
Cynthia Harrison, a cousin of Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison. Her father,
Samuel Harrison, was a very prominent man in Kentucky, and a large
slaveholder. He owned the site of the town of Cynthiana, Ky., and laid
it out. He named it for his twin daughters, Cynthia and Anna, bom just
before the town was platted. On his marriage, Major John Belli moved
to his land at the mouth of Turkey Creek. He named his home, "Bel-
videre,** and he kept a carriage and horses and traveled in style. In every
county of the territory, there was a Colonel of the Militia and a Major.
Nathaniel Massie was the Colonel of the Adams County Militia and
John Belli, the Major.
On August 29, 1804, he was commissioned by Edward Tiffin, Gov-
ernor of Ohio, Major of the Second Battalion, 2nd Regiment, ist Brigade,
2nd Division, Ohio Militia.
During the time that the town of Washington was flourishing as the
county seat of Adams County, Major Belli was there much of the time.
When he was absent, I do not know who attended to the duties of his
office as Recorder, but have an idea it was General Darlinton, who was
always ready to do anything to accommodate his neighbors.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 626
Major Belli had five children, four daughters and a son. His
daughter Eliza was bom December 3, 1809. She married Moses Gregory,
October 20, 1826. Her son, John Belli Gregory, who was a citizen of
Scioto County for many years, at one time, member of the Board of Public
Works in this State, and afterwards its Engineer, resides at Fontana, Ky.,
and has kindly loaned the editor of this work the papers of Major Belli.
His son, Hiram D. Gregory, is a lawyer at Covington, Ky.
Major Belli, after 1803, devoted his whole time to the improvement
of his land on Turkey Creek, though he was a land owner in many places.
He at one time owned a large tract near New Hope in Brown County.
In 1806, he built him a large two-story frame house on his land at the
mouth of Turkey Creek, but did not live to enjoy it. In October, 1809,
he was taken with one of those fevers against which it seems the pioneers
could not contend, and he died and was buried on the river bank near his
home. His widow continued to reside there until 1838, when her home,
built by the Major in 1806, was accidentally destroyed by fire. She re-
moved to Illinois where she died in 1848. In 1865, the Major's gjave
was washed by the river and Mr. Gregory had his remains exhumed, and
reinterred in the cemetery at Friendship. A picture of the Major is in
the possession of Mr. Gregory. It represents him with powdered wig
and a continental coat, faced with red.
Major Belli was a gentleman of the old school. He never changed
his dress from the style during the Revolunon. While he lived among
backwoodsmen, he always had his wig and queue, wore a cocked hat, coat
with facings, waist coat, knee breeches, stockings and shoe buckles. His
queue was carefully braided and tied with a ribbon, and this was his style
of dress at all times.
While he believed himself to be a Republican, as the term was under-
stood in his time, he had pride enough for all the aristocrats in the neigh-
borhood. He was a disbeliever in slavery and it is thought his location in
the Northwest Territory and his maintainance of his residence here, was
on account of his repugnance to that peculiar institution. His wife's
slaves were brought to Ohio and freed, and this through his influence.
Daniel Boyle.
John Boyle, father of our subject, was bom on the banks of the
river Boyne. in Ireland, a Roman Catholic. His wife, Sarah Wilson, was
reared a Presbyterian. Her father was a linen merchant, a wealthy man
for his time. He never forgave his daughter for her marriage, but she
adhered to her religion and converted her husband to it.
Our subject was born on the banks of the river Boyne in 1787, and
emigrated to this country with his father, mother, brothers and sisters
when he was eight years of age. The family located first at Shippens-
burg, Pa., and afterwards moved to Greensburg, in the same state, where
the father died. John Boyle reared a family of nine children. Daniel
had a common school education and was apprenticed to the tin and
coppersmith trade in Pittsburg. His master's name was Hampshire.
At the close of his apprenticeship, in 1817, he married Margaret Cox,
then residing in Pittsburg, but a native of Carlisle, Pa. Daniel Boyle
worked at his trade in Pittsburg and in New York and Philadelphia. He
walked from Pittsburg to Philadelphia no less than seven times. In 1819
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626 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
he came down the Ohio River from Pittsburg in a flatboat with his wife
and household goods. Mr. Boyle left the boat at Manchester and came
to West Union when the town was fifteen years old. He opened out the
tinning business and carried it on there with the exception of a short time
until near his death.
He bought a part of lot 67 on the corner of Main and Cherry Streets
where he resided until his death. In 1829, he rented his premises and re-
moved to Cincinnati where he and John Sparks kept an iron store. David
Sinton was a clerk for them at a small salary. This venture was not
profitable, and he returned to West Union after one year, where he con-
tinued his tinning business until 1872. When a young man, he made
general trading trips to the South as was common at that time. While
on one of these trips, he was an eye witness to the New Madrid earth-
quake in 181 1.
He was a Justice of the Peace of Tiffin Township from January 10,
1835, until 1838, and one term was sufficient for him. He possessed the
strictest integrity. He was frugal and unostentatious in his manner.
He always tried to do his duty by his neighbors, and in the several cholera
scourges he and his family remained in the village and did all in their
power to minister to the sick and dying and to aid the families of the
victims. There were born to him and his wife nine children, three sons
and six daughters. Of these, Sarah, the eldest, daughter, resides in the
old homestead. She bears the burden of years with grace and honor.
She possesses that stering character of her father, hers by birthright, and
is respected and honored by all who know her.
Daniel Boyle had excellent tastes. He was fond of music, being a
player on the flute and clarionet. He was also a great reader and par-
ticularly of historical subjects. He took the Cincinnati Gazette frcxn its
first issue until his death. In politics, he was a Whig and a Republican.
In his religious attachments, he was a member of the United Brethren
Church. His faith was strong and he was devotedly attached to his re-
ligious principles. He departed this life in the peace of God, May 29^
1874. His aged wife followed him August 26^ 1876. He was a just man,
who loved to render to every one his just dues. He left a memory of
which his family can be proud and which posterity would do well to hold
in lasting remembrance.
Cl&arles WillinK Byrd
was born in Westover, Charles City County, Virginia, on Monday, the
twenty-sixth day of July, 1770, at one o'clock in the morning, so reads
the record in the old Westover Bible. He was the second son and the
seventh child of the third Colonel William Byrd, of Westover, Charles
City County. His mother, Mary Willing, was born in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania on the tenth of September, 1740, and was the daughter of
Charles Willing, and his wife, Ann Shippen, of that city. His father
was a Colonel under General Washington in the early part of the Revolu-
tion, but died when his son was but seven years of age. Thus left in
his mother's care, she sent him at an early age to her brother-in-law,
Thomas Powell. Mr. Powell, who married Mrs. Byrd's sister, was a
member of the Society of Friends, and from whom Judge Byrd imbibed
many of his views in regard to slavery, temperance, physical, moral and
religious culture, for which views he was noted in his day. Thus we have
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 627
the Friends' ideas grafted on the old cavalier, fox hunting and rollicking,
Virginia stock. One of the reasons his pious mother gave for putting her
son under this influence to be educated -was on account of the skepticism
and infidelity that had crept into the old college of William and Mary, at
Williamsburg, Virginia, where all the preceding Byrds who had not been
educated in England, had attended college.
Judge Byrd received his entire academic and legal education in the
city of Philadelphia, and was a finished scholar and a gentleman of rare
polish and elegance. He pursued his law studies in Philadelphia with
Gouvemeur Morris. He knew intimately, through his mother's family,
the Hon. Robert Morris, the financier of the Revolution. Directly after
his admission to the bar in 1794, he went to Westover to spend the
stunmer. There his brother-in-law, Benj. Harrison, wrote him that
Robert Morris wanted an agent to go to Kentucky and take charge of his
lands there and bring them into the market ; and to any one who would
do so, he would give him a salary of one thousand dollars a year, and he
urged young Byrd to take the appointment and go to Kentucky at once.
He did so and Robert Morris gave him a power of attorney, the original of
which is in the hands of the Judge's descendants. He went to Lexington,
Kentucky, and there met the family of Col. David Meade of Chaumiere,
who had removed from the estate of Maycox, Prince George County,
Virginia, opposite Westover and whose family were intimate friends of
the Byrds. Col. Meade had four young daughters, and it was very
natural that young Byrd should fall in love with one of them, which he
proceeded very promptly to do, and on the sixth day of April, 1797, which
was Easter Sunday, and which Judge Byrd, in his quaint way, called the
"Day of his Resurrection," he was married to Sarah Waters Meade, the
second daughter of Col. David Meade. Her eldest sister married General
Nathaniel Massie, the founder of Manchester. After his marriage, he
returned to Philadelphia and remained there until he was appointed by
President Adams, Secretary of the Northwest Territory, which appoint-
ment was made in January, 1799. He held this munificent office at a
salary of $400 a year, until he succeeded General Arthur St. Clair as
Territorial Governor, and retained that position until 1802, when the
State was organized and Governor Tiffin took charge on March 4, 1803.
His commission as Secretary of the Territory in which he was sworn in
as Secretary by Arthur St. Clair is in the possession of his family. On the
third of March, 1803, he was appointed by President Jeflferson, United
States Judge for Ohio and held that position until his death on the
eleventh day of August, 1828. During the time he was Secretary of the
Northwest Territory and Federal Judge, up to June, 1807, his residence
was on Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, which was then known as Byrd
Street. The Presbyterian Church now. stands on what was part of his
home. Judge Burnet, Nicholas Longworth and George Hunt were among
his many friends. The father of the late Vice President Hendricks
kept a school in his vicinity. On June 8, 1807, he bought from his
brother-in-law. Gen. Nathaniel Massie, a tract of six hundred acres in
Monroe Township, Adams County, Ohio, being known as Buckeye
Station and Hurricane Hill. He took up his residence there at once, at
a point on the ridge overlooking the Ohio River, a romantic spot where
there is a fine view of the Ohio both up and down stream, and under
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528 raSTORY OF ADAMS COUNIT
which the river almost directly flows. He held this property until August
15, 1817, when he conveyed it to John Ellison, Jr. In 181 1, Nathaniel
Massie, of Hillsboro, Ohio, lately deceased, then a boy of six years, in
company with his father and mother, visited his uncle Judge Byrd at
Buckeye Station. Mrs. Byrd, nee Sarah Meade, died February 21, 1815,
and was buried at the Station. Judge Byrd removed to Chillicothe and
lived there one year. He went to West Union in 1816 and resided there
until March 16, 1823, when he removed to Sinking Spring, in Highland
County, where he had bought a large tract of land and built a brick house.
He resided there until his death.
While residing in West Union, on March 8, 1818, he was married
to Hannah Miles, a widow with four children. He believed the water of
the "Sinking Spring" in Highland County, to possess remarkable medic-
inal properties, conducive to health and longevity, and so persuaded was
he of this, that he bought the property having the spring thereon and
built a fine brick mansion there, which is standing to-day. It seems that
notwithstanding he had been reared in the elegant home in Westover and
moved in the highest circles at Philadelphia, he had a strong taste for the
primitive and quiet life he found at Buckeye Station at West Union and
in the wild country of Highland County. He was very strict in the
observance of Sabbath and would tiot, on that day, ride to church on
horseback. He had a very strong liking for the principles and teachings
of the Shakers, as appears by his will.
Unlike the typical Virginian, he was a total abstainer from all kinds
of liquor, in an age when whiskey was pure and temperance societies
unknown. He was very temperate in his eating, and guarded the diges-
tion of his children in a manner unknown to the mothers and fathers of
this day. He kept small silver scales by his plate, upon which he weighed
every article of food which tliey ate, allowing a certain quantity of fat,
sugar, and phosphates, with each portion. He had peculiar ideas as to
the preservation of life to longevity, and yet, died suddenly at the com-
paratively early age of fifty-eight, when he had never been seriously sick
in his life. He was engaged in the trial of a mail robbery case when he
took his final sickness. His associate, Judge Todd, of Kentucky, took
sick at the same time and they both died within an hour of each other.
The cause of the death of these two judges is a mystery to this day. The
children of his first marriage were all bom between 1798 and 1810, and
were Mary Powell, Kidder Meade. William Silonwee and Evalyn
Harrison. His daughter Evalyn married her cousin and raised a family.
She has two daughters now living at Nicholasville, Mrs. Anna Letcher
and Miss Jane Woodson. The children of his second marriage were Jane
and Samuel Otway, both deceased. Samuel Otway died at the age of
forty-five, and left a son, William O. Byrd, who died a few years since at
the age of forty-one.
While a resident of West Union, Judge Byrd lived in the property
opposite where Mrs. Sarah W. Bradford lives, and afterward in the
Judge Mason property on Mulberry street, where Mr. Riley Mehaffey
now lives.
Judge Byrd kept a diary from 1812 to 1827. He writes nothing
about his doings in the courts, the lawyers he met, or the judges with
whom he sat, but a gjeat deal about his diet. It appears that he was a
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 629
dyspeptic, and suffered with a disordered stomach, and that his private
thoughts were largely about his diet and the better preservation of his
health. He was constantly making experiments in dieting on himself and
his children. He notes Judge Todd's opinion as to medicines. Had he
lived in our day, he would have been called a crank. At one time, he
thought river water was the best and had three barrels of it hauled to his
house for his use. At another time, he thought McClure's we'll in West
Union was the proper water to use. At another time, he thought the
water at Yellow Springs was the best, and when he became convinced
that the Sinking Spring water was the best, he bought property there and
made it his home. He refers to Judge John W. Campbell in his diary on
the subject of grape culture only. He refers to the Rev. Dyer Burgess on
Free Masonry. He speaks of his horses which he named Dolly, Paddy and
Paul. The latter was named after a blacksmith who shod them all, and
who was probably an ancestor of the Pauls of Bloom Furnace. At one
time, when he was riding to Chillicothe, Dolly shied at a black hog along
the roadside. He then had black hogs painted on his barn door where
she could shy at them at her pleasure. He, at another time, became of the
opinion that ammonia was healthful, and he had a seat fixed in his barn and
spent a great deal of time there where he could inhale the fumes of it
from the stable.
The Judge w^s very fond of sauer kraut and made frequent mention
of it. Another vanity of his was boiled pullet. He had a horror of bile
on the stomach, of jaundice and of epilepsy, and frequently writes of
these, though it does not appear that he was ever afflicted with the latter.
Occasionally, he wrote about the Erie Canal and of canals projected in
Ohio, and frequently gave figures and statistics.
In November, 1826, he gave an item of seventeen dollars, travelling
expenses from Philadelphia to Maysville, Kentucky; five dollars for
tavern bills irom Pittsburg to Maysville, and eight days allowed for the
trip. At times he contemplated joining the Shakers and would sit down
and write in his journal his reasons pro and con. One of his reasons, con,
was the weakly state of his health, which would or might render it in-
jurious to him to take such a diet as they use, and to rise hours before
day as they used to do and sit by their stoves. Evidently the Judge liked
good things to eat and to lie abed of mornings. Another reason, con, was
that if he joined the Shakers, Hannah could get a divorce from him
under the laws of Kentucky, and could marry again and probably would,
and that would be sinful in her. Evidently he did not consider the sin
of leaving Hannah and his family. His son, Samuel, said that his whole
idea of the Shakers arose from a disordered stomach, which was no
doubt true. Here is a tribute to his wife: "Mrs. Byrd. this morning after
sunrise and before ten o'clock in the morning, April 23, 1827, after dress-
ing and washing herself, got breakfast, consisting of excellent coffee,
with hot bread and butter, milked three cows, disposing of the milk in the
usual way : washed up the breakfast things ; made three pies ; dressed and
washed the little boy (Samuel) ; made up other bread, working it over a
great deal, setting it away to rise a first and second time; and churned
our butter; all these nine several things after she was dressed and had
washed her face and hands, between sunrise end ten o'clock in the morn-
34a
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630 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
ing, and without any help from Catherine or any one else." We pause to
inquire where the Judge was and what he was doing all the time he was
msiking these observations. We very much suspect he was in bed.
August 22, 1822, he writes that he has put $1,400 in the hands of
William Russell, to trade in, to be invested in merchandise, the profits of
which he was to account for on fair and just principles and the money
was to remain in his hands for four years. He writes that Mr. Russell
had purchased $4,000 worth of merchandise and expected it on in one
week's time. The same day he wrote that Mr. Sparks stated that in two
months last past, he had sold $3,000 worth of goods. On February 26,
1822, he wrote that he had bought 39J4 pounds of beet sugar at 2'jy2,
cents per pound.
On December 19, 1822, he made an estimate that a single man
may dress decently for thirty-three dollars per annum, including
washing, mending, shoes, handkerchiefs and a hat, and for thirty-seven
dollars, he may, if he lives in a rented room, with another, get his whole
living in addition, his rented room, his washing, his bedding, and his
bread and water, included, full total, seventy dollars. What a thing for
our young men to look back to, that the young man of 1827 could live
for seventy dollars a year. On February 26, 1823, he was living on
venison at two cents a pound. Mutton, at the same time, was four and a
half cents a pound. It was then fifteen days' passage to Maysville from
New Orleans, and that it cost fifteen dollars to go from Maysville to
Pittsburg. On June 10, 1822, he devotes two full pages to General
Darlinton's, Mr. William Russell's, and Judge Campbell's culture of
grapes. In June, 1822, he writes that it takes Paul, the smith, an hour to
make nails and fit a pair of shoes and put them on, the shoes being
made previously. He devoted a great deal of space in his journals
to his children. His objection to a frame house, he wrote, was that it was
an ice house in winter and an oven in summer, which has a tendency to
produce derangement of the bowels. The Judge had the house at Buck-
eye Station in view when he wrote that. He gives a great deal of good ad-
vice to his children, but it is so much like what has been stated that we
leave it out.
I have endeavored from the light afforded me, which is meager, to
form an estimate of the character of Charles Willing Byrd, first United
States Judge in Ohio. There are some strange contradictions in it. Had
his father lived, there is no doubt he would have been reared a typical
Virginian of the first families, But his father dying at the age of forty-
nine, when he was but seven years of age, and his mother being a PhilA-
delphian and having brothers and sisters living there, he was sent to
Philadelphia and placed under the care and mstruction of a Quaker who
it seems had sufficient influence to mould his character. It was there he
received his ideas against the use of liquors and against human slavery.
His ideas of Republican simplicity were partly his own and partly from
Mr. Jefferson, his personal friend and friend of his father and mother.
I have not been able to secure any of his writings except his will, and
some of his journals.
That he was a gentleman in the fullest, highest and the purest sense
of the term, there can be no doubt. A tinge of sadness was no doubt cast
upon his life by the death of his father, and the extraordinary and almost
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 631
inconsolable grief of his mother, which he was compelled to witness. His
habits of prudent economy can be attributed to the fact that his father's
estate was largely impaired by debts made by a course of liberal and reck-
less living incident to his day.
He had been a witness to the curse of slavery in Virginia, of its
wastefulness and destruction of fine estates and that embittered him against
the institution. Then his instruction in Philadelphia was that the institu-
tion was a positive sin. His mother was compelled to live in a less ex-
pensive house in order to extinguish the debts of his father and that in-
tended to impress upon him the importance of economy and simplicity
in Uving.
When he went to Kentucky, a young man of twenty-seven years, it
was natural that he should visit the friend and neighbor of his father, on
James River, Virginia, Col. David Meade, then living at Chaumiei^e
Du Prairie, nine miles from Lexington. It was quite natural that he
should be well received there and that he should fall in love with and
marry the daughter of Col. Meade, whose social standing and his own
were equal.
It was natural that he should receive the appointment of Secretary
of the Northwest Territory from President John Adams. From one of
the best families of Virginia and protege of Robert Morris, the financier
of the Revolution, that followed.
It was natural that he should receive the appointment of United
States Judge from JeflFerson, for the latter knew him as a scion of one of
the most prominent families of Virginia, and in sympathy with his
Republican notions of simplicity, which he had imported from France
and which were much in vogue in those days.
There is, however, one feature of his character I cannot understand.
He had been residing in Cincinnati on Fifth Street from 1798 till 1807.
His eldest child was but nine years of age and he had five younger. He
bought a tract of 700 acres of land in the then wilderness of Adams
County and moved there, where he resided till 1815, or about that time.
Why he should want to take his wife and young children into this wilder-
ness, when he had a life position, which required him to discharge his
duties in the large cities, seems strange.
Judge Campbell, one of his successors, when appointed, resided in
Adams County but moved to Columbus where he was required to hold
court. On the other hand. Judge Byrd, after having occupied his office
for four years, removed to the country and continued to reside there for
the remaining twenty-one years for which he held the office of Judge.
At Buckeye Station, he could see all the steamboats or craft which passed
up and down the river and could take boats to Cincinnati or points up
the river. Being a Virginian he loved the country, as the English, their
ancestors do, and have always done. At that day, few, if any, Virginian
gentlemen would live in cities or towns, who could live in the country.
Why he removed to West Union in 1815, we cannot conjecture, un-
less on account of the death of his wife, he desired to see more of society.
He resided in Chillicothe for one year, but did not seem to like that place
and returned to West Union. In traveling from his home to hold his
courts, he went from West Union through Dunbarton, Locust Grove and
Bainbridge to Chillicothe. Sinking Springs was on his route, and hav-
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532 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX>UNTy
ing tasted the water there, he became satisfied there were some wonderful
qualities in it, though it was not considered peculiar before, nor has any-
one since Judge Byrd's time regarded it as anything extraordinary. He,
however, had the water brought to him at West Union for some time and
finally purchased the property on which the spring is located, built a
home there, which was an extraordinary one for his day, and resided there
until his death.
The home is still standing and till lately was occupied by his grand-
son, William Otway Byrd. The neigborhood of Sinking Springs was,
in 1825, much more remote from haunts of men than Buckeye Station,
and why Judge Byrd, who had been reared in the most elegant society,
and in his youth and young manhood had moved in the best circles of
Virginia and in the city of Philadelphia, then the metropolis of the United
States, who had moved in the best society in Cincinnati, should want to
seclude hmself and family in the wilds of Highland County, seems un-
accountable.
His childish and youthful ideas of religion were derived from two
sources, that of his father and mother who were attached to the Episcopal
Church, and from his uncle, Mr. Powell, of Philadelphia, who was a
Quaker.
It seemed the Quaker ideas predominated with him, and at the time
he wrote his will he appeared to think the Shakers had the true id^as of
religion.
None of his decisions have been reported. McLean's Reports do
not begin until 1829, the year after his death, and no reports on his cir-
cuit were published during this time.
He sat in the celebrated case of Jackson vs. Clark, ist Peters, page
666, when it was tried in Columbus, Ohio, in July, 1826, and the decision
of the Circuit Court was affirmed in the Supreme Court.
The generation which knew Judge Byrd personally and that which
followed him has passed away and thus the avenues to a knowledge of his
character are closed. Had any of his decisions been reported, or had we
any of his writings, or were there extant any of the books he had written,
we could judge of him, but as it is, our judgment of him is very meagre
and narrow. Tradition tells us that he was learned in the law and had
the training of a complete and thorough education. He was evidently a
good judge, or we should have heard to the contrary. He must have
had a large capacity for business, or Robert Morris would never have
entrusted him with an important mission on his own private business in
Kentucky. President John Adams had a good opinion of him and his
abilities or he would not have appointed him Secretary of the Northwest
Territory. President Thomas Jefferson must have had a good opinion of
him or he would not have made him United States Judge.
Stephen Wilson Oompton
was bom September 25, 1800, in Harrison County, Kentucky. He was
the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Harper) Compton. His parents em-
igrated from Virginia in 1790. His mother's (Elizabeth Harper) father
was the original proprietor of Harper's Ferry in Jefferson County, Vir-
ginia. Samuel Compton settled in Adams County where Dunkinsville
now stands in about 1806. When old enough to be apprenticed, he was
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 633
indentured to William Roff, of West Union, to learn the saddler's trade
and served out his indenture. At the end of his apprenticeship, he trav-
eled about and worked at different places, including Newport, Kentucky,
and Cincinnati, Ohio, which then had a population of only 20,000 people.
When in Cincinnati, he worked on Main Street when there was only one
building on it, on the west side of the street between Fourth and Fifth
Streets, the old Presbyterian Church.
He married Harriet Donalson at Manchester in 1826 and settled in
that town. He engaged in the saddler's business there in all its branches
and carried it on there until 1844. He was a rapid an J expert workman
in his business. Owing to the sparsely settled condition of the country,
he sometimes made more work than he sold, and then he would travel
about and dispose of it by barter, trading with the merchants and taking
their goods in exchange for his work, as much of the business of that time
was transacted in that way, owing to the scarcity of money.
In 1844 he bought a farm near Winchester and removed to it and
remained there until 1857 when he removed to the vicinity of Hillsboro.
He resided in Highland County until i860 when he removed to a small
farm in Harveysburg, Warren County, Ohio. He had seven children, all
of whom lived to maturity. His oldest son was named Israel Donalson,
after his wife's father. He entered the service of his country on the
fourteenth of August, 1862, in the 79th O. V. I. as First Lieutenant of
Co. H, at the age of 33. He died at Gallatin, Tennessee, December 31.
1862.
His daughter, Ann E., married William Crissman and lives near
Eckmansville, Ohio.
Samuel W. lives at Fayette, Fulton County, Ohio. He enlisted at
the age of 28, on the nineteenth of April, 1861, in Co. F, 2d O. V. I., for
three months' service, and was mustered out June 19, 1861. On the same
day, he enlisted for three years in Co. F, 12th O. V. I., and served until
the first day of July, 1864.
A daughter, Mary J., unmarried, lives at Stout's P. O., Ohio.
Another daughter, Carrie, married J. N. Patton, and lived in Wash-
ington, D. C. She died some three years ago.
A son, Joseph \Villiam, now a clerk in the Postoffice Department in
Washington, D. C, enlisted in Co. F, 12th O. V. I., for three months'
service, on June 19, 1861, at the age of twenty-one. He was mustered
out July II, 1864.
The youngest son, John Donalson Compton, who is Deputy United
States Marshal at Covington, Kentucky, living at Dayton, Kentucky, en-
listed in Co. F, I2th O. V. I., January 28, 1861, for three years and was
transferred to Co. H, 23rd O. V. I., July i. 1864. In July, 1864, the
I2th O. V. I. was consolidated with the 23rd O. V. I. and the new organ-
ization called the 23rd O. V. I. He was discharged from this service
August 8, 1865. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Compton's four sons all
served in the army in the Civil War.
In 1866, he sold his farm in Warren County and removed to Stout's
P. O. in Adams County, and engaged in the grocery business. He was
postmaster and resided there until his death in 1882, at the age of eighty-
two. He is buried at Manchester, Ohio. His widow survived him until
i8g3, when she died at the age of eighty.
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534 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
He always tok an active interest in politics, but never sought or held
any pubHc office with the single exception of school trustee. He felt a
great interest in education, desiring to provide the advantages which were
denied him in his childhood. He had no school education but was able
to keep his accounts and correspondence very creditably. He was first
a Whig and afterward a Republican when the latter party was formed.
He was very loyal during the war and had no toleration for those who
were not. He was anxious that all his sons should serve their country and
while he could not go in the service himself, he did all he could to pro-
mote the comfort of those in the field and to aid and encourage them in
their services. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and lived
up to all that implies. He^' was a man of strict integrity, hcmorable in all his
dealings and in his intercourse with his fellow men. He had the respect
and good will of the entire community in which he resided. He was a
useful citizen and his life's work is best exemplified in his sons and
daughters, who are all honorable and useful members in the community.
Jobn CampbelL
The earliest ancestor of which we have any account was Duncan
Campbell, of Argyleshire, Scotland. He married Mary McCoy in 1612,
and removed to Londonerry in Ireland the same year. He had a son,
John Campbell, who married in 1655, Grace Hay, daughter of Patrick
Hay, Esq., of Londonderry. They had three sons, one of whom was
Robert, born in 1665, and who, with his sons, John, Hugh and Charles
Campbell, emigrated to Virginia in 1696, and settled in that part of
Orange County afterward incorporated in Augusta. The son, Charles
Campbell, was born in 1704, and died in 1778. In 1739, he was married
to Mary Trotter. He had seven sons and three daughters. He was the
historian of Virginia. His son, William, born in 1754, and died in 1822,
was a soldier of the Revolution, and as such had a distinguished record
as a General at King's Mountain and elsewhere. He married Elizabeth
Willson, of Rockbridge County, Virginia, a member of the distinguished
Willson family. They had eleven children. Their son, Charles, was
born December 28, 1779, and died September 26, 1871. He was married
September 20, 1803, to Elizabeth Tweed, in Adams County. He had
five sons. The third was John Campbell, of Ironton, bom January 14,
1808, in Adams County, Ohio.
The Willson family intermarried with the Campbell family, who also
have a distinguished record. Colonel John Willson, bom in 1702, and
died in 1773, settled near Fairfield, then Augusta County, Virginia, and
was a Burgess of that county for twenty-seven years. He once held his
court where Pittsburgh now stands. His wife, Martha, died in 1755,
and both are buried in the Glebe burying ground in Augusta County, Vir-
ginia. His brother, Thomas, had a daughter, Rebekah, born in 1728, and
died in 1820, who married James Willson, born in 1715 and died in 1809.
This James Willson, with his brother, Moses, was found when a very
young boy in an open boat in the Atlantic Ocean. They were accom-
panied by their mother and a maid. The mother died at the moment of
rescue and the maid a few moments after. The captain of the rescuing
ship brought the boys to this country where they grew up, married and
spent their lives.
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JOHX CAMPBELL
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 636
James Willson had a large family of sons and daughters. His
daughter, Elizabeth, bom in 1758 and died February 27, 1832, married
William Campbell, the Revolutionary General. Her brother, Moses, was
the father of Dr. William B. Willson, of Adams County, who has a
sketch in this work, and also of James S. Willson, the father of Dr. William
Finley Willson, who also has a sketch herein. Judge John W. Campbell,
United States District Judge, who has a sketch herein was a son of the
Revolutionary General, William Campbell, who removed from Virginia
to Kentucky in 1790 and from Kentucky to Adams County, Ohio, in 1798.
Our subject was a resident of Adams County from his birth until 1857,
when that portion of Adams County where he resided was placed in
Brown County. He was reared on his father's farm and received what
education he could obtain at home. He clerked for his uncle, Wiliam
Humphreys, who had married his father's sister, Elizabeth, at Ripley, in
1828. After learnmg enough of the business, as he thought, he induced
his uncle to go in partnership with him and they started a store at Rus-
sellville, Ohio. Here John was" popular with every one and would have
succeeded, but the place and business was too slow for him. He had $600
saved up and he sold out the business and put his capital in the steamboat,
"Banner," of which he became clerk. The boat was in the Cincinnati
and Pittsburg trade. After his second trip on the steamboat, he made up
his mind that was not his vocation. While coming down the river on
this trip he met Robert Hamilton, the pioneer master of the Hanging
Rock iron region and made inquiries for any opening in the iron business.
Mr. Hamilton invited him to get off at Hanging Rock. He left the boat
and accepted a clerkship at Pine Grove Furnace. This was in 1832. Mr.
Campbell was anxious to stand well in the estimation of Mr. Hamilton.
Shortly before his steamboat venture, he had met in Ripley, a young lady
named Elizabeth Clarke, niece of Mr. Hamilton's wife. He fell in love
with her. She made her home with her aunt, Mrs. Hamilton, who was
a daughter of John Ellison and a sister of William Ellison, of Manchester.
Naturally, Mr. Campbell would accept an invitation to go to Pine Grove
Furnace. He was ambitious to succeed as a business man and he believed
he could do so under Mr. Hamilton's teaching. He wanted to marry his
niece who stood to Mr. Hamilton as a daughter. He succeeded in both
purposes. The next year, 1833, he took an interest with Mr. Hamilton
in building the Hanging Rock Forge at Hanging Rock. The same year
he and Andrew Ellison built Lawrence Furnace for the firm of
J. Riggs & Co. This year was formed the celebrated partnership of
Campbell, Ellison & Company, of which he was a partner and which con-
tinued in existence until 1865. In 1834, he and Robert Hamilton built
Mt. Vernon Furnace and he moved there and became its manager. The
furnace was the property of Campbell, Ellison & Company for thirty
years, and largely the source of the fortunes made by the members of that
firm. It was at this furnace Mr. Campbell made the change of placing
the boilers and hot blast over the tunnel head, thus utilizing the waste
gases, a method after generally adopted by all the charcoal furnaces of
that region and in the IJnited States.
On March 16, 1837, he was married at Pine Grove Furnace to Miss
Elizabeth Caldwell Clarke, already mentioned, and they began housekeep-
ing at Mt. Vernon Furnace.
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536 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
In 1837, he had an interest at Vesuvius Furnace, and he induced the
other owners to test the hot blast principle. This was the first hot blast
put up in this country and though it met with srong opposition through
expectation of bad results, the experiment proved satisfactory in produc-
ing an increased quantity />f iron for foundry use. Mr. Camptfell was
always among the first to project any useful enterprise. He was largely
concerned in the first geological survey of the State, and by reason of his
study of local geology he purchased lands extensively in the Hanging
Rock region with a view to future development of their mineral resources.
In 1845, he left Mt. Vernon Furnace and todc up his residence at
Hanging Rock.
In 1846, he and Mr.. John Peters built Greenup Furnace in Ken-
tucky, and in 1846, Olive Furnace, Ohio, to which was added Buckhorn.
In 1847, he built Gallia Furnace, and in 1848, he and others built Key-
stone Furnace. In 1849, while residing at Hanging Rock, he evolved
the project of establishing the town of 1 ronton. The Ohio Iron and Coal
Company, composed of twenty-four persons, was formed. Twenty of
the organizers were iron masters. He became the president of the com-
pany and was its soul, so far as a corporation is capable of having a soul.
The company purchased forty acres of land, three miles above Hanging
Rock, and undertook to form a model town and succeeded as near as any-
one has ever succeeded. Mr. Campbell gave the town its name, "Iron-
ton." He was one of the projectors of the Iron Railroad which was de-
signed to make the furnace, north and east of I ronton, tributary to the
town. In 1850, Mr. Campbell moved to the city of Ironton which there-
after was his home during his lifetime. The same year he purchased La
Grange Furnace. The same year was built in Ironton the foundry of
the firm of Campbell, Ellison & Co. In 1851, Mr. Campbell became one
of the founders of the Iron Bank of Ironton, afterwards changed to the
First National Bank. In 1852, he was one of the organizers of the Iron-
ton Rolling Mill, afterward the New York and Ohio Iron and Steel
Works. The same year he took half the stock in the Olive Furnace and
Machine Shops. The same year he purchased the celebrated Hecla Cold
Blast Furnace. In 1853, he became one of the largest stockholders in the
Kentucky Iron, Coal and Manufacturing Company, which founded the
town of Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1854, he, D. T. Woodrow and others, built Howard Furnace. The
same year he built a large establishment to manufacture an iron beam
plow, and also built Madison Furnace. This year he took stock in the
Star Nail Mill, one of the largest in the country and now known as the
Belfont Iron Works. In 1855, he, with V. B. Horton, of Pomeroy, or-
ganized a company and built a telegraph line from Pomeroy to Cincinnati.
In 1866 he organized the Union Iron Company, owners of Washington
and Monroe Furnaces, and was its president for many years. From his
majority he had been opposed to the institution of slavery, and was an
Abolitionist. His opinions on the subject of slavery were no doubt
largely formed by his associations with Rev. John Rankin and men of his
views, but as he grew older, his views against the institution intensified.
His home was one of the stations on the Underground Railroad, and there
the poor, black fugitive was sure of a friendly meeting and all needed
assistance.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 687
Mr. Campbell acted with the Whig party, and after its death, with
the Republican party. He was a delegate to the State Republican Con-
vention in 1855. He never sought or held any public office until 1862,
when, in recognition of his great and valuable services to the Republi-
can party and to his country, President LinccJn appointed him the first
Internal Revenue Collector for the Eleventh Collection District of Ohio,
and he served in the office with great fidelity and honor until October i,
1866, when he was succeeded by Gen. B. F. Coates.
In 1872, Mr. Campbell reached the height of his fortune. He was
then worth over a million of dollars. Up t3 that time he had invested
in and promoted almost every enterprise projected inside the circle of his
acquaintance. He had not done this recklessly or extravagantly, but from
natural disposition to promote prosperity.
In 1873, the Cooke panic overtook the country and from that time
until 1883, there was a steady contraction in every enterprise with which
Mr. Campbell was connected. In 1880, it v/as largely through the in-
fluence and work of John Campbell that the Scioto Valley Railroad was
completed to Ironton and eastward.
In 1883, the Union Iron Company failed. For years Mr. Campbell
had sustained it, and for some time had been endorsing for it personally,
hoping to sustain its waning fortunes, but its failure was too much for
him and he was compelled to make an assignment in his old age, but he
w^nt down with that grand and noble courage, which in his youth and
middle life had caused him to go into every business venture. No one
who knew Mr. Campbell ever thought any less of him on account of his
failure, bu^ he had the sympathy and good will of every man who had
known him in a business way. His changed financial condition never af-
fected the esteem in which he had been held or lessened, in any way, the
great influence he held in the community. He survived until August 30.
1891, but owing to the condition of business affairs and his advanced
age, was never able to retrieve his lost fortunes.
In the case of Mr. Campbell, it is most difficult to make a just and
true character estimate which will truly display the man. He had so
many excellent qualities that there is danger that all may not be men-
tioned. He had a wonderful faculty of looking forward and determining
in advance what business enterprises would succeed The writer does
not know a proper term by which to desigiiate this feature of his char-
acter. He could and would predict the success of a proposed business
venture when all others were incredulous. He lived to see his business
judgment verified. He never hesitated to act on his judgment of the
future, and personally, he was never mistaken or wrong. He had a won-
derful influence over his fellow men. He could bring them to his views
and induce them to carry them out. He was never haughty or proud.
He was approachable to all. • He took a personal interest in all men of
his acquaintance who tried to* do anything for themselves. He was al-
ways the friend of the unfortunate. The colored people all loved him.
In the slavery days no fugitive ever called on him in vain. He was sure
of aid, relief and comfort in Mr. Campbell. His judgment was incisive.
He examined a matter carefully and made up his mind, and when once
made up, he was immovable. He possessed a most equable temper. He
never got impatient or angry. Under the most trying circumstances, he
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638 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
was calm and gentle. He was, in his time, by far, the most conspicuous
figure in the Hanging Rock iron region. He was identified with every
public enterprise in Ironton from the foundation of the town. Many of
the important industries in Ironton owe their success to his excellent judg-
ment. No one went to him to enlist him in a worthy public enterprise
who did not succeed. No meritorious appeal for aid was ever made to
him and refused by him. He was always ready to aid any deserving
man or association of men, either in business or charity. The universal
sorrow expressed on the occasion of his death and funeral show how he
stood among his fellow citizens. There was a public meeting called to
prepare resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the community. The
bar of the county met and passed resolutions, though he was never a
member of that body. The city council also met and made public record
of its sentiments. He had the confidence, the respect, the esteem and
love of the entire community. The attendance at his funeral of itself
demonstrated the regard in which he was held. No greater funeral was
ever held in Ironton. The city police were mounted, the city and county
officials and the bar attended as bodies. All the church bells were tolled
and all business suspended. It was well that the whole city mourned,
because to John Campbell, more than to anyone else, was it indebted for
its existence and its prosperity. In the space allotted in this book, justice
cannot be done to the career of Mr. Campbell. We have given and can
give but a partial view of his career and ciiaracter. His wife survived
him. They had five children, three daughters and two sons, who grew to
maturity. His eldest daughter was Mrs. Henry S. Neal, who died be-
fore her father. His second daughter is Mrs. William Means, of Yellow
Springs, Ohio. His daughters Emma and Clara are both now deceased.
His son, Albert, resides at Washington, D. C, and his son, Charles, at
Hecla Furnace. His wife died November 19, 1893.
Col. Daniel Collier
was one of the pioneers of Adams County who came to the Northwest
Territory in 1794. He was born in January, 1764, and died on his mag-
nificent farm on Ohio Brush Creek, where he is buried, April 17, 1835.
His wife was' Elizabeth Prather, born December 9, 1768, and who died
August 4, 1835. She bore him twelve children: James, John, Thomas,
Daniel, Joseph, Richard, Isaac, Sarah, Elizabeth, Katharine, Luther and
Harriet. The latter was born September 17, 1815, and married Andrew
Ellison, a son of James Ellison, a native of Ireland.
Col. Collier selected the site of his future home on Ohio Brush Creek
while with Nathaniel Massieand others survey ing in that region. The lands,
five hundred acres, were purchased from Gen. William Lytle, who held
military warrants of Jonathan Tinsley, John Shaver and George Shaver.
Virginia Line, Continental Establishment. The site of the homestead is
on an elevated terrace some forty acres in extent formed in the geological
past by a drift of conglomerate in Ohio Brush Creek. The general level
of this terrace is about twenty-five feet above the bottom lands along the
creek, and from it a fine view of the valley presents itself for miles up
and down the stream. At the base of this drift several fine springs of
most excellent water w^lls forth. The one across the public road oppo-
site the Collier residence aflforded the water supply 'for the old still-house
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PIONEER CHAKACTER SKETCHES 639
owned by Col. Collier. There was a fine young poplar sapling near it
which young Tom Collier climbed and bent over while the Colonel and
his wife were temporarily absent from home. On his return Thomas
received a "grubbing" for the supposed destruction of the young poplar.
That sapling is now a most beautiful and stately tree.
Col. Collier was prominently identified with public affairs of Adams
County in his time. He was commissioned Colonel of the Third Regi-
ment, First Brigade, Second Division, of Militia by Governor Samuel
Huntington, December 29, 1809. He served in the War of 1812 and was
in the engagement at Sandusky. On May 2, 1814, Acting Governor
Thomas Looker, endorsed Colonel Collier's resignation as follows: "The
resignation of this commission accepted on account of long service, ad-
vanced age and bodily infirmities."
Among Col. Collier's old tax receipts in possession of one of his
grandchildren, is one dated September 8, 1801, for one hundred and
seventy-five cents, his land tax for that year. Subscribed by John Lod-
wick, Collector for Adams County. In 181 1, the tax on the same land
was nine dollars as shown by the receipt of Thomas Massie, Collector.
Rev. James Caskey.
Rev. James Caskey was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. March
8, 1807. His father, James Caskey, was born in County Derry, Ireland,
February 21, 1773. He married, in Ireland, Peggy Anderson, born Feb-
ruary 21, 1770, emigrated to this country and located in Rockbridge
County, Virginia, about 1787. He re-immigrated to Ohio and located at
Cherry Fork in 181 1, where he spent the remainder of his life. Our sub-
ject attended Miami University and graduated there in 1831. He studied
theology part of the time at the Associate Reformed Theological Sem-
inary at Oxford, Ohio, and afterwards at the seminary of the same church
at Alleghany. April 30, 1835, he was licensed to preach by the First
Presbytery of Ohio and was ordained and installed as pastor of the West
Union and Russellville churches the same year. During his residence
in West Union, he was quite intimate with the Rev. Dyer Burgess, and
held the same views as did the latter in regard to slavery. He resigned
the church at West Union in 1838 and moved to Ripley, in Brown County.
He resigned the church at Russellville in 1851. He was the pastor of
the Ujiited Presbyterian Church in Ripley, Ohio, frcmi 1838 until his
death, February 9, 1854. He was married May 21, 1839, to Isabel
Wallas, a daughter of Judge Wallas, of Urbana, (Dhio, and left two chil-
dren, Mrs. Margaret C. Roberts, of 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, Mass.,
and James D. Caskey, of No. 2715 Twenty-second St., Minneapolis, Minn.
He was a very fine preacher, preparing his sermons with care. For
years he was Clerk of the Presbytery, and his records were always pre-
pared and recorded in a very neat style. He was a pleasant speaker.
His style of sermonizing was attractive ; his language was comprehensive
and his reasoning always logical. As a man, he was exemplary and he
commanded the respect of all who knew him. He was but forty-seven
years of age when he died and his career of usefulnesis was cut short by
the "Last Enemy." His ashes repose in the old cemetery at Ripley.
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640 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Leonard Cole
was born in Harford County, Maryland, in 1788, the son of Ephriani
Cole and his wife, Ada Mitchell. In 1793, his parents moved to Mason
County, Kentucky, and in 1794 they joined Massie's colony at Man-
chester, and in 1795 his father located just south of West Union and
built a home near Cole's Spring. The house is gone and the spring has
been forgotten, but both were on the slope of the hill to the east of the
Collings graveyard, looking down into the valley of Beasley's Fork. Here
Leonard Cole grew to manhood. He was one of the early schoolteachers
in West Union and instituted the reprehensible custom of flogging every
boy in school if any mischief was done by a single one. He w^as a firm
believer in King Solomon's rule as to the use of the rod and applied it
to both boys and girls. As to the custom of flogging all the boys when
any mischief was done, that was kept up by the successors of Mr. Cole,
and the writer suffered from that custom with the other boys of his time.
Mr. Cole always thought a boy never got a lick amiss, and if he did not
deserve it at the time he received it, he would very soon afterward and
he might as well have it in advance. Aside from his whipping procliv-
ities, Mr. Cole was a very good teacher. He was a follower and disciple
of Gen. Jackson. He was a Justice of the Peace of Tiffin Township from
1829 to 1832. He was a candidate for Auditor in 1825 and received 478
votes. Ralph McClure received 130 and Joseph Riggs 715,- and was
elected. In 1827, he was again a candidate for Auditor, and received 303
votes to 876 for Joseph Riggs. He persevered in seeking the Auditor's
office, and when Joseph Riggs resigned in 1831, he was appointed and
served five months, October 3, 1831, to March 6, 1832. He was elected
and served from March 6, 1832. to March 4, 1844, twelve years.
Mr. Cole was first married to a Miss McDonald, by whom he was the
father of a large family of children. When first married, he was em-
phatically an ungodly man. He was opposed to his wife attending
church, and she went secretly. Mr. Cole was at this time a fighting and
drinking man. At one time he was indicted for seven assaults and bat-
teries, all charged in one week. He got so dreadful that his wife could
not live with him and left him. He did tlien what all prodigals did.
shipped on a flatboat to New Orleans. He came back by steamboat and
when the latter was a short distance below Memphis, in the night, it ran
into a snag and sunk immediately. Cole swam to a snag. In the dark-
ness, he feared he would not be discovered and would be left there to die.
He vowed to the Lord that if rescued, he would devote the remainder of
his life to His service. Soon after he was rescued, Mr. Cole went home,
hunted tip his wife, and was reconciled to her. He joined the Methodist
Church and lived a member of it the remainder of his life. He main-
tained family worship, but would interrupt ir to drive the pigs out of the
yard, to drive the dog out of the kitchen, to serve a neighbor with milk,
or for any other necessary work, and many tales are told of this pecu-
liarity of his. When James Moore was courting Caroline Killen, he did
it at the house of Leonard Cole, as he was forbidden at William Killen's
home. On one occasion, when Caroline Killen and James Moore were
at Mr. Cole's, they were present during family worship in the evening.
Mr. Cole prayed for those who were going to bed and for those who were
going to sit up — Caroline Killen and James Moore.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 641
Mr. Cole acquired the confidence of the entire community after he
joined the Methodist Church, and lived the life of a model citizen. His
first wife died in 1838, and in 1839, he married her niece of the same
name. There were no children of this marriage. In 1850, he removed
to Brookville. Kentucky, where he died in 1857, and where he is buried.
Mr. Cole was an intensely earnest man in all he did. When he was a
drinking and fighting young man, he went into it with all the force of his
nature. When he reformed, his devotion to the church and to good cit-
izenship was as earnest as human eflfort could make it. He left many
descendants, but none of them are known to the writer.
Allaniak Oole.
Ephriam Cole, a man of good English descent, married, in 1773,
Sophia Mitchell, of Maryland. It is said of them that as boy and girl,
they lived on adjoining plantations, on the Susquehanna River, near the
Chesapeake Bay.
When the accounts of the adventurous conduct of Daniel Boone, in
Kentucky, inspired the husband to follow that intrepid hero, the brave
young wife was ready to leave a refined home, where her mother, although
the proud descendant of the English Kents, had taught her daughters
those homely virtues, which fitted the women of those times for the perils
and hardships of pioneer life. It is needless to follow this resolute couple
through the pathless forests, inhabited by red men, whose savage nature
had been justly roused by the white men, v/lio came to steal their lands
and drive them from their homes.
At Williamsburg, Ky., where they made their home, Mrs. Cole was
ever the ruling spirit of the family of three boys and five daughters.
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 Al-
laniah, that the parents felt that better times awaited them in Ohio. They
■located 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 advant-
age 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 bright-
est 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 bring-
ing 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
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542 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
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 mar-
ketable 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 busi-
ness, before he risked his precious, hard-earned five thousand.
In the beginning of the year 1828 he made his best and most suc-
cessful venture, when he married the "Dewey's Grammar School" stu-
dent, 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 dis-
tinguished "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 ap-
preciated 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 daugh-
ter. 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, wood-
choppers, ore diggers, lime diggers, lime burners, stone-coal miners.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 643
charcoal burners, besides the many employed on the immediate furnace
grounds.
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 privi-
leges 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 refine-
ment, good judgment and common sense, who did what she could for
the children of her adoption. After years of prosperity in the iron bus-
iness 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.
ReT. Jo]i» Collins
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 Black-
man, 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 be-
came 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
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544 HISTORY OF ADAJdS COUNTY
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 re-
mained 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 Chilli-
cothe, 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.
He died on the twenty— first of August, 1845, i" his seventy-sixth
year, in the city of Maysville, Kentucky.
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 con-
versation, 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 sus-
picion of affection in his nature. He was always earnest, always sym-
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 645
pathetic, and the tones of his voice were captivating. He never preached
without shedding tears and nearly always he caused weeping in his con-
gregation. 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 counte-
nance which was always pleasing and impressive. His eyes at o noe at-
tracted 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.
A daughter of his was the wife of Nathaniel Massie, Jr. She is buried
beside her husband at the old South Cemetery at West Union.
James Mitoliell Cole
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 ob-
tained 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 six-
teenth 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
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646 mSTORY OP ADAJdS CX)UNTy
lose her self poise. They reared a large family of sons and daughters.
The sons have largely followed professional pursuits and have distin-
guished themselves. As most of them are sketdied in this work, they are
not further noticed here.
Georse Campbell
was bom in New Jersey, January 3, 1778. His father was in the Revo-
lutionary 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.
GeoriT® W. Darlinton
was bom November 18, 1793, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and died
November 8, 1881, in Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, while on a tem-
porary visit there and had therefore, reached the grand old age of eighty-
eight 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 North-
west Territory, settling in 1797 near the present town of West Union.
Here George remained with his father until he g^rew to manhood, gather-
ing 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
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 647
fath^er, supplemented by the instructions of a mother of more than ordi-
nary 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 partner-
ship 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 dis-
covery 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 them-
selves, 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 in-
tentional 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 conver-
sationalist, 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 tem-
perance 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.
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MS HISTORY OP ADAJ^IS COUNTY
Hyman Israel De Brain,
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 secur-
ing a position as bookkeeper in a large commission house owned by Mr.
Andrew M. January, who accepted the obligation, which had been as-
sumed 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 pen-
man 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 thirty-
four 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 Republi-
can parties. His first vote cast, on becoming a legalized citizen of the
United States, was for James Monroe, for President. He was an ardent
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 54&
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 Gen-
eral 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.
Israel Donalson
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 Revo-
lutionary 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 ac-
quaintance 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.
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■560 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTy
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 mem-
ber 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 Con-
vention of 1802 living. Ephriam Cutler, of Washington County; Jere-
miah 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 integ-
rity, honorable in all his dealings and highly respected by every one.
In his political views he was a Democrat and later a Whig.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 661
Hamilton Dniibar.
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 ad-
joining counties. He entered the land east of West Union, on the Ports-
mouth road, where John Spohn formerly resided. He was married Jan-
uary 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 for-
merly 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. Kan-
sas; 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 re-
marry. Hamilton Dunbar did work for Judge Byrd, while the latter
was a resident at West Union. He built the manager's house at Union Fur-
nace in Lawrence County. He built a dwelling house at Union Landing for
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562 HISTORY OF ADAJtfS COUNTY
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 after-
wards^ 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 Brad-
ford 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. Hut-
son. 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 de-
votedly 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 com-
munity then only thirty-one years old, which has not been entirely for-
gotten after a lapse of sixty-three years.
ReT. Robert Dobbins,
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
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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 pur-
suasive 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 him-
self with the Methodist Protestant Church because the office of Bishop in
the M. E. Church had become repulsive to his democratic ideas of gov-
ernment.
In 1829, he removed to Sugar Creek, Fayette County, where he owned
a large farm and where he spent the remainder of his eventful life.
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.
Andrew Barr Ellison
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
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564 HISTORY OP ADA.MS CK)UNTY
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 be-
came 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 Man-
chester 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 un-
derlying 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 in-
dividuality 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.
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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 op-
portunity 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 Man-
chester, 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.
Cynii Elliion
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 Steven-
son, 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
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566 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
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 stock-
holders 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 con-
versationalist, 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 Re-
publican 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 in-
terests 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 them-
selves in the late Spanish War. His third daughter, Rosa, is the wife
of Charles Brunell McQuigg, son of the late Colonel McQuigg, of Ironton.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 557
He was an officer in the Ironton Regiment, 8th O. V. L, during the Spanish
War.
Cyrus Ellison's first wife died in 1864, and 1870, he was married to
Miss Josephine Glidden, who survived him.
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.
William ElUson
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 Ire-
land, 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 ex-
tensive 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 com-
mission, shipping and forwarding business at Manchester, Ohio, in con-
nection 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 south-
em 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
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668 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX3UNTY
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 Re-
publican National Convention at Baltimore in 1864. He kept up all the
activities of life as long as his health permitted. He joined the Pres-
byterian Church at the age of twenty and lived up to its teachings faith-
fully 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-
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 669
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.
Edward EvaiM.
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 Pennsyl-
vania. 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 neces-
sary 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
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560 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
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 Wash-
ington, where he rented land of a Presbyterian minister. While re-
siding 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 dis-
tilling 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 Revo-
lutionary 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 Penn-
sylvania, and from there to Corydon, Indiana, where he died at the ripe
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f^IONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 561
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.
Josepli Eyler,
the pioneer, was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, Sep-
tember 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 Rose-
miller, 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. How-
ever, 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 Bed-
ford, Pennsylvania, then a frontier town from which goods were dis-
tributed 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 Kill-
instown. 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
36a
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562 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
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 re-
sided there a few years and then bought a farm near Berryville, in High-
land 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 pos-
sible 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."
William Evans
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 Chilli-
cothe, September 26, 1812, and his young friend, William Evans, re-
mained 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 Aber-
deen. 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
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 56^
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.
Josepli Evans
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 be-
come 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 ac-
cordance 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
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664 mSTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
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 disposi-
tion ; 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 fifty-
eight 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 com-
plaint. 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.
Simon Fields.
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 re-
tained 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 to-
gether, 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
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 666
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 Revo-
lutionary War."
Simon Fields had a son, Wesley, who died under peculiar circum-
stances. 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.
Capt. William Hannali.
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 Sep-
tember 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 re-
main 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 con-
ducted 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 Man-
chester, 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.
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566 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
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 Sep-
tember 10, 1849, and is buried at Kirker's cemetery, where several of his
children are buried.
Tlionias Holmes.
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 cabinet-
maker'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 es-
caped 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, mar-
ried 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 resid-
ing 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.
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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 grand-
children surviving him, all of whom are honorable men and women, striv-
ing 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.
Jolin Hood.
The Hood family is among the oldest families in Adams County, hav-
ing 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 moun-
tains in wagons. He built a two-story stone house on the comer now oc-
cupied 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.
James Hood.
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
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668 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
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. Pflaum-
mer. 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 De-
cember 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, Caro-
line, 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 Abolition-
ist 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 pos-
sessed the faculty of rhyming to an uncommon degree and often used it
against his enemies to their no small discomfiture.
Mr. Hood had a common school education and was quite efficient in
mathematics. For several years he served as one of the County School
Examiners of Adams County. He was the first man to introduce the sale
of patent medicines in Adams County, from which fact he derived the
title of Doctor. Mr. Hood departed this life January 9. 1890, and was
laid to rest in the large vault he had erected for this purpose in his private
cemetery in West Union, Ohio. It may truly be said of him that he lived
in another age and with other people, for in his biography he says: "I
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 569
can look back to the time when West Union, Adams County, and even the
State of Ohio, was a dense forest. I can recollect the stately oaks, tall
poplars, lofty walnuts and sugar trees and the thick undergrowth of paw-
paws that covered the ground over which West Union is now built. At
that time, we could hear the wolves howling around our cabins at night
and see droves of deer passing through our town by day."
John P. Hood.
John Page Hood, the youngest child of John and Hannah Hood, was
bom at West Union, Adams County, Ohio, December 6, 1813. His
father dying when he was less than one year old, it became necessary for
him to look out for himself as soon as possible. When about ten years
old, he became connected with the Village Register, edited by Ralph M.
Voorhees, where he learned the printing trade. He afterwards learned
the cabinet making trade, at which he worked for several years. Later
he clerked in the store of his brother, James. Then he engaged in the
mercantile business for himself. He was postmaster of West Union dur-
ing Lincoln's administration, 1861 to 1865. A few years after the close
of the Civil War, he sold his store and was employed as book-keeper of
the West Union woolen factory, which was then in a flourishing condi-
tion. He was cashier of the bank of G. B. Grimes & Company, when
death overtook him. After a short illness, he died from heart failure,
October 8, 1879, aged sixty-six years, leaving a widow and nine children,
all of whom except the youngest were grown to manhood and woman-
hood, and all are still living.
On December 5, 1837, John P. Hood was married to Sarah Jane Mc-
Farland, at the home of Rev. Dyer Burgess in West Union, Ohio, where,
being a relative of Mrs. Burgess, she had been making her home for several
years for the purpose of receiving the best educational advantages of the
times. She was the eldest daughter of Duncan and Nancy McFarland,
whose maiden name was Nancy J. Forsythe. Duncan McFarland, when
eighteen years old, came from Ireland to this country with his uncle, Andrew
Ellison of the Stone House, and settled in Meigs Township. The issue
of the union of John P. Hood and Sarah J. McFarland was eleven chil-
dren. Martha, the eldest, died at the age of thirteen years; Angeline
married Andrew Kohler; Nancy J. married William H. Wright; Ellen
married George N. Crawford; Anna E. married Dr. J. W. Bunn and
Sarah B. married John M. Willson. There were five boys, John A.,
William, Albert C, and Oscar F. All except two of the children taught
school. In Mrs. Hood's young days, the teachers of the county were
mostly from the New England States, and it was her ambition to make
teachers of her daughters.
In politics, Mr. Hood in his younger days, was a Whig. At the
organization of the Republican party, he became a member of it, and so
remained until his death. He was an active member of the United Pres-
byterian Church, in which he held the most important offices.
John P. Hood received a good education for the times in which he
lived. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, possessing
strong force of character and much native ability, and was known far
and wide for his upright dealings and honesty. He was a kind husband
and an indulgent father and found more pleasure in his home than any-
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570 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
where else. Born of Puritan stock and trained under the rigid discipline
of the advocates of this doctrine, he became very methodical in all his
manners and customs, and had the complete confidence of his fellow men.
Rev. Oreenberry R. Jones
was born April 7, 1784, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. His father,
John Jones, emigrated from Maryland in 1768, and settled near Browns-
ville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Our subject was brought up in the
Church of England, but had never given any serious attention to religion
until he listened to the preaching of Rev. Robert Wooster, who preached
near Uniontown. There young Jones became a convert to Methodism.
He had received a good education, and as a youth, he evinced a great
deal of sensibility, and had a very equable disposition. He was the favor-
ite of the family of children to which he belonged. He married Miss
Rebecca Connell, daughter of Zachariah Connell.
He was licensed as a local preacher in the Methodist Church in 1810,
and preached in the vicinity of his home until 1815, when he removed to
Adams County, Ohio, and settled near West Union. He was admitted
as a travelling minister in 1818, and removed to Hillsboro. He preached
on the Salt Creek Circuit for two years. For two years after that, he
was appointed on the Scioto Circuit. After four years* service as an itin-
erant minister, he was made a Presiding Elder. He had a strong, lively,
and discriminating judgment. He came to the quarterly meetings with
everything to learn and nothing to impart. He possessed a strong mind,
and was bold and enterprising. He never stopped to calculate conse-
quences.
From the Scioto County Circuit, he went to the White Oak Circuit
two years as a minister. In 1828, he was made a Presiding Elder in the
Miami District for four years. Cincinnati was in his district. He was
accessible to and agreeable in the social circle. He was always ardent
and decided in his work. His conversation was plain and to the point.
He uttered his thoughts with simplicity and great correctness.
In 1832 he was appointed an itinerant on the Hamilton Circuit, and
moved to Hamilton, in that circuit. Here he lost his wife, and was mar-
ried in 1833 to Mrs. Ross, of Hamilton, Ohio. He disposed of all his
property in Adams County, and moved to Bethel, Clermont County, where
he became superannuated. However, a vacancy occurred in the West
Union Circuit, and he filled it. In 1839 ^^s health was despaired of, and
he was sick for a long time. He recovered, and accepted service on the
New Richmond Circuit, then at Batavia, and afterwards at White Oak.
He was a good penman, and several times was Secretary of the Ohio
Conference. As a business man, he was safe and reliable. He was
twice a delegate to the General Conference. He attended the Annual
Conference at Marietta, in September, 1834, and while there was attacked
with a colic, with which he frequently suffered. He was ill six days
and died September 20, 1844, and was buried at Marietta. His death
illustrated the faith in which he had lived.
Major Josepli li. Finley.
There is an old brown head-stone in the center of the little village
cemetery at West l^nion, which recites — "Joseph L. Finley was bom
February 20, 1753, and died May 23, 1839." Most of the people of West
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 571
Union and of those who have visited the cemetery or passed by have ob-
served the stone, but do not know the story of him who reposes beneath,
but we propose now to tell it so that hereafter so long as tfiis History is
preserved, the head-stone will suggest its own history.
Major Joseph L. Finley was bom on the date already given, near
Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate
of Princeton College in the class of 1775. He entered the Revolutionary
War on the first day of April, 1776, as a Second Lieutenant in Captain
Moorehead's Company, of Miles' Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, organized
under a resolution of Congress on July 15, 1776. He was made a Captain
on the twentieth day of October, 1777, and his regiment was designated
as the 13th Pennsylvania. He was transferred to the 8th Pennsylvania,
July I, 1778, and was made a Major July 20, 1780. He served until No-
vember, 1783, more than two years after the surrender of Comwallis, and
he was seven years and seven months in service in defense of his country.
He was in the battle of Long Island on the twenty-seventh of August,
1776, and that of White Plains, the September following. He was at the
battle of Brandy wine in September, 1777; at Germantown, in October
of the same year, and he was in the battle of Monmouth on that memorable
hot Sunday, June 28, 1778. After that, he was sent with Gen. Broad-
head to the western part of Pennsylvania in his expedition against the
Indians. He subsequently saw much hard fighting. He lost his left eye
in the service and was otherwise much disabled.
He emigrated to Adams County in 1815 and settled, first on Gift
Ridge, and afterwards moved to the foot of the hill west of West Union,
and died there. His wife was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Blair, a noted
Presbyterian minister in the early part of the history of that church in
this country. She was a woman of much beauty of person and nobility
of character, and their daughters were likewise well educated and hand-
some. She was an aunt of Francis P. Blair, the famous editor of the
Globe, of Washington, D. C. She was a sprightly woman, full of energy,
and while small, was considered very handsome. She had the blackest of
black eyes ; she wrote poetry for the newspapers, and wrote several touch-
ing tributes to the memory of deceased friends. She has been particularly
described to me and if I were to choose one of her descendants who re-
sembled her as a young woman, I would choose Mrs. Dudley B. Hutch-
ins, of Portsmouth, Ohio, her great-granddaughter.
Major Finley and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian
Church of West Union. He was a man of small stature, and in his old
age his hair was silvery white. When he and his wife attended church at
West Union, during the sermon he always sat on the pulpit steps, as he
was somewhat deaf.
He had three daughters and two sons. His daughter, Hannah Fin-
ley, was the second wife of Col. John Lodwick, and the mother of a numer-
ous family. Among her sons were Captain John N., Joseph, Pressley
and Lyle Lodwick, and among her daughters were Mrs. Nancy McCabe,
Mrs. Eli Kinney and Mrs. J. Scott Peebles. She died in 1827, twelve
years before her father.
Another daughter, Mary Finley, married John Patterson, once
United States Marshal of Ohio, and the father of Mrs. Benjamin F.
Coates, of Portsmouth, Ohio. She wa» the mother of seven children.
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672 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
She was married in 1818 and died in 1831. The Hon. Joseph P. Smith,
late Secretary of the American Bureau of Republics, was her grandson.
Margaret Finley married John Chipps and died young. She left
a son, John Chipps, who died before his manhood and is buried in the
West Union cemetery.
James Finley married a Rothwell. He died young and left several
children. His wife contracted a second marriage with Samuel Clark,
formerly a well known farmer south of West Union on the old Man-
chester Road.
John Finley, another son, married down South. No further account
of him is known. A daughter of Mr. James Finley, Mrs. John Kincaid,
resides at Hamersville, in Brown County, and another daughter resides
in Dayton, Ohio.
Major Finley is described in an edition of the "Ohio Statesmen" of
May 28, 1838, as one of the truest of patriots and best of men.
Rev. Jolin Graham, D. D.
The ashes of this eminent servant of God repose in the village cem-
etery south of West Union oVi a hilltop which overlooks a wide expanse
of plain in Liberty Township to the southwest, the rough hills of Jeffer-
son Township to the east and the Kentucky hills to the southeast. To the
north lies the village overshadowed by the Willson home to the north-
east. No lovelier spot in the world for the respose of God's chosen ones
and their ashes are all about him.
The generation now living in West Union do not know the story of
the life represented on the modest stone, which reads as follows:
Rev. John Graham, D. D.,
died
July 15th, 1849,
In the 60th year of his age.
But to those who read this history and remember it, that stone shall
hereafter speak and tell the noble life it represents.
John Graham was bom in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in 1798.
His parents were Scotch-Irish. He was educated at the Philadelphia
Academy under Doctors Wylie and Gray. He studied theology in the
U. P. Theological Seminary in New York City, and one of his instructors
in the seminary was the Rev. John K. Mason, D. D. His training in the.
languages was most complete. He read Latin, Greek and Hebrew as
readily as English. He was licensed to preach in the United Presbyterian
Church in 1819 and ordained August 30, 1820. From August 20, 1820,
until October 8, 1829, he was pastor of the Washington and Cross Roads
Churches in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and at the same time he
was Professor of Languages in Washington College.
In 1 82 1, he made a trip to Ohio and, among other places, preached
at Greenfield, Ohio. Here he met Miss Sarah Bonner and fell in love
with her. The next year he returned and married her. She survived
him until January 15, 1866, when in her sixty-sixth year, she was called
away.
Rev. Graham was called to the churches of Sycamore and Hopkins-
ville, in Warren County, in 1830, and remained there until 1834. While
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 573
there, Jeremiah Morrow, a former Governor of Ohio, was one of his
elders. Mrs. Ellen J. Gowdy, his eldest daughter, who furnished many
of the facts for this sketch, speaks of the many pleasant hours she and
her brothers and sisters spent in the comfortable and cheerful home of
the Governor. Mrs. Gowdy's parents, when the children were at the
Governor's, would sometimes seek to curb their festiviti-es, but he always
insisted on their being permitted to enjoy themselves.
From 1834 to 1837, the Rev. Graham Vvas in charge of the Green-
field and Fall Creek Churches and lived in Greenfield, Ohio. From 1837
to 1 841, he resided in Chillicothe, Ohio, and was in charge of a boys'
academy there.
In 1840, he accepted a call to the churches of West Union and West
Fork, in Adams County. Here he made his home in the dwelling now
occupied by Salathiel Sparks. It was an attractive place on the hill north
of the village and adjoining his church. His family circle here was un-
broken until 1845 when his son John, aged nine, died. They called their
home "Pleasant Hill," and it was an ideal home, as all their former neigh-
bors and friends remember.
The home of the Rev. Graham, with his two sons grown to manhood,
and three daughters, attractive young women, and all fond of society, was
one of the places where the young people of West Union of that day met
most frequently and enjoyed each other's society. Henry Graham, a son,
was at that time studying for the ministry, «ind his brother, David Gra-
ham, was a law student. His eldest daughter, Ellen J., afterwards mar-
ried Rev. Gowdy of the same church, and now has a son a minister. But
the home of the Rev. Graham had other visitors than the young people
of the village. It was a station on the Underground Railroad and Black
Joe Logan was one of the conductors. Rev. Graham kept horses and
carriages and they were ever at the disposal of Joe Logan to carry fugi-
tives further north. The writer remembers on one occasion when the
horses of the Rev. Graham were taken out of his stable and turned loose
and his carriage thrown over the cliff near his home by negro hunters,
because they knew to what uses the horses and carriages had often been
put.
Mrs. Gowdy speaks of her father's family occupying a part of the
house of the Rev. Dyer Burgess (now the Palace Hotel) soon after they
came to West Union. Rev. Dyer Burgess and Rev. John Graham were
kindred spirits on the question of slavery. Mrs. Gowdy says that while
in Mr. Burgess' house the younger children were in fear and trembling,
for the house had been treated to unsavory eggs and heavy missiles by
the friends of human slavery. The children all stood in awe of the Rev.
Burgess.
One would think, naturally, that a minister's home would be a sol-
emn place, but his daughter Ellen says of her father's home, "It was a
jolly place, if it was a minister's house." The young men and women of
West Union all thought so, for they spent a great deal of time there. One
young lawyer in the town was there so often that one night some of the
mischievous boys took down his sign and put it up on the Rev. Graham's
premises. The daughters, however, were agreeable and attractive and the
young men were perfectly justifiable in their partiality for the minister's
home. Mr. Graham was fond of vocal and instrumental music and often
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574 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
played the violin. His family were all taught to cultivate music and to-
gether could and did carry all the parts.
If there is any point in the character of Mr. Graham on which more
emphasis could be laid than another, it was conscience. He preferred
to obey the law of God, shield and rescue the fugitive slave, even if thereby
he violated the law of man and was compelled to suffer for it. He never
failed to keep an appointment.
On July I, 1849, he was in good health and in the full enjoyment of
all his physical powers. Apparently, he had many years of usefulness
before him. But the Dread Destroyer, the Asiatic cholera, was abroad
in the land. On the fourth day of July, he had officiated at the funeral
of Robert Wilson, who died of the cholera, and when he came home, he
remarked that he had a singular dread of the disease. On the morning
of July 13, both he and his son David were attacked with the disease. At
that time, there was no particular fear of it and the neighbors came in
numbers and tendered their ministrations. David, the son, though very
near death's door, recovered, but the disease was too powerful for his
father and on the fifteenth of July he passed away. He left two sons and
three daughters.
The Rev. Henry Graham, his eldest son, is a minister at Indiana,
Pennsylvania, and the father of eight children. ,
David Graham, a lawyer at Logansport, Indiana, died in 1887. He
left three daughters who reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mrs. Ellen J. Gowdy, widow of Rev. G. W. Gowdy, resides at Des
Moines, Iowa. She has one son living, a minister, and three daughters,
one a teacher at Des Moines, one with her and one Mrs. D. B. Baker,
whose husband is in the shoe business in New York City. This daughter
is an artist as well as the one residing with her mother. .
Mrs. Elizabeth F. Stewart, widow of R. E. Stewart, resides at Al-
bany, New York. She has four sons, all in the ministry, and two de-
ceased.
Mrs. Sallie M. Gordon, the youngest daughter of Rev. Graham, is
also a widow. She has one daughter and tv/o sons, both ministers. All
three of Rev. Graham's daughters' husbands were ministers, and of their
sons, seven are ministers.
Abraham HollinKS'«irort]&«
In taking a review of early settlers of Adams County, the above
name is not to be forgotten.
Near historic Winchester, Virginia, not a mile out of town, there
stands a grand old stone house, surrounded on three sides by a clear,
limpid, spring-fed creek, bordered by large shade trees. The stream is
called Abraham's Creek, and was so named by Abraham Hollings worth,
who built the house before the Revolution. Across the stream to the
left of the house is a stone flour mill as old as the stone mansion. The
estate originally consisted of some four hundred acres, and was taken up
by the Hollingsworth family about the time of Lord Fairfax's grant from
Charles the Second. Lord Fairfax claimed his right to be prior, but the
Hollingsworth of that day held out stoutly for his rights, and compelled
a quitclaim from the English lord, who, though a lord by title, was a boor
in his manners and style of living, and there have been Hollingsworths
at Winchester from that day to this.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 576
Here on the twentieth of August, A. D. 1782, the subject of our
sketch was born. His father's name was Robert, bom in 1744, and died
in 1799. His mother was Susanna Rice, born August 24, 1751, and died
in 1833. Abraham was the seventh child of his parents; he had eight
brothers and five sisters. The eldest son and child was bom December
25, 1770, and the youngest December 13, 1796. These were the days
when people believed in large families and had them.
The family to which Abraham HoUingsworth belonged, originated
in the county of Cheshire in England, in the eltventh century. The name
was originally Holly'sworth. There were abundance of holly trees grown
on the original HoUingsworth manor, in Cheshire, England, and "worth"
in original Saxon meant farm or fief, and "Hollyworth" meant Holly
manor or farm, and the family took its name from the manor. The family
had and has a coat of arms in the Herald's College; the shield contains
three holly leaves vert, and the crest a stag's head. The motto is *'Disce
Ferindi Patienter" — Leam to endure patiently.
The stone house was started to be built by Abraham HoUingsworth,
the great-grandfather of our Abraham. He made his will in September,
and died in November. He must have owned an immense quantity of
land, for he gave one son 250 acres, part of a tract of 1,050 acres which
he owned on Opequan Creek. He willed to his son Isaac the stone house
then unfinished, with the materials to finish it, and the lands which were
with it. Isaac's son Robert was the grandfather of the subject of this
sketch. In England the family can be traced back to 1022, and in this
country to 1682, when Valentine HoUingsworth, in England, came over
with William Penn. There was a John HoUingsworth in England in
1559, who was a gentleman and occupied HoUingsworth Hall. He was
an officer of the Herald's College. The Valentine HoUingsworth who
came over with William Penn was the founder of the family in America.
He was a Quaker as most of the Hollingsworths have since been. It
seems he had a son Thomas married in 1692 in the form the Quakers
used, and a certificate of the marriage, with the names of the subscribing
witnesses, has been preserved and the following is a copy of it:
Whereas, That Thomas HoUingsworth, of ye county of New Castle and manor
of Rockland, and Grace Cook of ye connty of Chester, township of Concord,
having declared their intentions of marriage before several monthly meetings of
ye people called Quakers, held 12, 8, and 1, 14, 1691-2, at Concord in ye county of
Chester, whose proceedings were allowed by said meetings.
Now these are to certify, all whom it may concern for ye full accomplishment
of their said intentions, this 31 day of the first month, one thousand six hundred
and ninety two.
Ye said Thomas HoUingsworth and Grace Cook appeared in an assembly of
people, at a meeting for ye purpose, appointed at ye house of Nathaniel Park in
Concord, and ye said Thomas HoUingsworth taking ye said Grace Cook by ye
hand, did, in a solemn manner, openly declare that he took her to be his wife,
promising through ye Lord*s assistance, to be to her a loving and faithful husband
until death should separate them. And then and there in ye said assembly Grace
Cook did in like declare ye that she took said Thomas HoUingsworth to be her hus-
band, promising through ye Lord^s assistance, to be unto him a loving and faithful
wife until death should separate them. And moreover, ye said Thomas HoUings-
worth and Grace Cook, (she according to ye custom of marriage assuming the
name of her husband) as a further confirmation thereof, did then and there to these
presents set their hands, and we, whose names are hereunder written, being
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576 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
amongst others present at the solemnization of their said marriage, and subscrip-
tion in manner aforesaid as witnesses thereunto, have hereunto set our hands the
day and year above written.
Valentine Hollingsworth. Henry Holliugsworth.
Nathaniel Park. Jacob Chandler.
Lydia Hollingsworth. Richard Hilaria.
Samuel Hollingsworth. Thomas Moor.
George Robinson. William Britton.
William Powell. Robert Hutchinson.
Robert Pile. Nathaniel Newland.
Nathaniel Cartmell. Mary Conoway.
Thorn. Hollingsworth. Grace Hollingsworth.
Thomas Cox. Ann Hollingsworth.
Eliza Park.
Abraham Hollingsworth grew up at Winchester, Virginia, with the
usual education that was then afforded in that locality. He learned the
tanner's trade at Charlestown, Virginia, and went from there to Louis-
ville, Ky., where he made a tanyard, and after living there a few years
returned to Connellsville, Pennsylvania, where he was married to Miss
Nancy Connel in 1814 and soon went back to Louisville, Ky., to reside.
He remained there about three years, when he removed to West Union,
Ohio, where he engaged in the business of tanning and currying, which he
carried on until 1834, at the yard now owned by Louis Smith, when he
retired from all' business and lived a life of ease and comfort until his
death on March 7, 1864. Directly after his marriage he started back to
Louisville with his wife. At Pittsburg they took a flatboat to Louisville,
which was then a small place — so small that he personally knew everyone
living there.
He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from
1820, and faithful in attendance on all the public services of his own
church. At the weekly prayer meeting, he nas always present and took
part. The writer thinks he would have been more at home in the Pres-
byterian Church. He did not like the revival meeting of his own church,
though he attended them until after the sermon, when he would get up
and leave. The scenes about the mourners' bench were distasteful to
him, and he would not witness them; and he certainly believed in the
Presbyterian doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints for he prac-
ticed it.
His religion was the same yesterday, today and forever and he was
always in grace.
At many of the Methodist revival meetings I have seen him, at the
close of the sermon take his grandson, Pat Lockhart, and retire in the
most dignified manner. He was a thin, spare man, tall and straight as
an Indian and he always walked with a dignified carriage.
In politics he was a Whig, and afterwards a Republican. He was
a great admirer and follower of both Daniei Webster and Henry Clay.
In the year 1824, when Adams. Clay and Jackson were candidates
for the Presidency, there was a light hors»* militia company in Adams
County of which Mr. Hollingsworth was a menlber. At one of their
muster days, after the drill and muster was over, and the company was
dismounted, the commanding officer drew a line on the groimd for his
sword in front of the muster and requested nil who favorcvl Henry Clay
for the Presidency to step out of the muster and cross the line. Mr. Hoi-
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PIONEER OBARACTER SKETCHES 677
lings wort, Gen. Joseph Darlinton and John W. Kincaid promptly came
out of the ranks and stepped across the line.
Though not an Abolitionist at the outset, he did not like to live in
a slave state and for that reason left Kentucky. He first undertook to
be in favor of the removal of the blacks from this country by coloniza-
tion, but finding that impracticable, he became an ardent Abolitionist, and
in his dying hours, he was greatly comforted by the fact that President
Lincoln had freed the slaves.
He never held any public offices, except those of School Director and
Justice of the Peace, two terms.
His home in West Union he owned from the time he came there in
1817, and the present Hollingsworth home, built on the plan of "Abra-
ham's delight" at Winchester, Virginia, was built in 1836, in place of his
former home taken down to make place for the new one.
The Maysville and Zanesville Turnpike was built between 1838 and
1840, and he superintended its construction between Maysville and West
Union. He had three daughters. The first married a Mr. Lockhart.
and reared a large family. She died three ^ears ago at the home of one
of her sons in Kansas.
Another daughter, Susan M., was one of the victims of the awful
scourge of Asiatic cholera, and died July 7, 2895, aged twelve years.
Mr. Hollingsworth's wife survived him several years and died at
the ripe age of eighty-six.
Mr. Hollingsworth's daughter, Caroline, never married. She lived
in West Union all her life and was most highly esteemed. She furnished
the data for this sketch in 1894 and since then she has joined the silent
majority.
Col. William Kirker.
William Kirker was born January 24, 1791, in the vicinity of Pitts-
burg, Penn., the son of Governor Thomas Kirker and Sarah Smith, his
wife. He was the eldest son and child of a family of thirteen. He mar-
ried Esther Williamson and died February to, 1857. His father moved
to Manchester in 1792 and lived there until 1794 when he located on the
well known Kirker farm in Liberty Township. In the War of 1812, he
was a First Lieutenant and after the war, he was made a Colonel of the
Militia, which position he held until near the time of his death. He was
County Commissioner in 1825 and again in 1832. He was made an elder
in the Presbyterian Church at West Union in 1826, his father being an
elder in the same church. He was a delegate to the Presbytery from his
church from September 29, 1826, many times, until April 5, 1854. He
was always courteous and kind to everyone and was noted for his phil-
anthropy. Judge J. C. Coryell said of him that he was the most useful
man in his community, and that the poor, the widow and the orphan lost
their best friend when he died.
His wife, Esther Williamson, was born on June 4, 1797, and died
January 4, 1880. He had a large family of children whose descendants
are scattered throughout the United States.
37a
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678 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Nathaniel Kirkpatrick,
late of Wayne Township, Adams County, was bom May 29, 1816. By
the time he attained manhood he began work for himself on a farm near
Harshaville. He was married in i&j.! to Margaret A. Patton, daughter
of John Patton of Cherry Fork, bom on the sixteenth of April, 1824.
They had four scmis, three of whom are now living. John Patton Kirk-
patrick resides at Kansas City, born June 23, 1843. He married a daugh-
ter of William L. McVey. Adams Anderson Kirkpatrick, who has a
separate sketch herein, was bom November 14, 1847, and Robert Stewart
Kirkpatrick. His wife died soon after the birth of her youngest son, and
he was married the following year to Mrs. America Kerr, widow of Rob-
ert Kerr. They had one child, Oscar Bennett Kirkpatrick, bom December
6, 1856, now a physician at North Liberty.
Nathaniel Kirkpatrick lived near Harshaville when he was first mar-
ried. He then removed to the old home, now the property of Huston
Harsha, occupied by a man by the name of Beekly, just before his first
wife died, and he resided there until 1882, when he removed to North
Liberty. While residing at Harshaville, he was one of the first elders
in the U. P. Church at Unity, and after his removal to his home on
Grace's Run, he was a member of the Cherry Fork Church. He was a
trustee of Wayne Township for many years, but never sought or held
any public offices, but he usually attended all the political conventions,
either as a delegate or spectator.
Mr. Kirkpatrick was a man of wide and extensive reading, well in-
formed on all current topics of Church and State. He was a man of very
decided opinions, and was fond of giving expression to them. His opin-
ions on religious and political subjects were well considered, and he was
a leader among men. He exercised a great deal of influence in the circles
of his own acquaintance. To him is entitled the suggestion which made
the Hon. John T. Wilson first State Senator and afterwards Congressman,
and many of the political results in his county and district were due to
his suggestions. He was a very ardent Republican and always anti-
slavery. He was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, from the
station at Gen. William Mclntire's to the house of Joseph W. Rothrock
at Mt. Leigh, and has conducted many a fugitive over this route. No
fugitive applied to him in vain, and no bondsman ever placed himself
under his care and was retumed to slavery. He was an AboHtionist al-
ways, but prior to the war, thought it best to go into the Republican party
and did so, but never acted as a third party man. Prior to the Republi-
can party he was a Whig. He was a most agreeable companion, a good
neighbor and a good citizen. He was always cheerful and genial, and it
was always pleasant to meet him and converse with him. He appeared
to be built on the plan of which there are very few models, and in this
generation which has succeeded him there seems to be fewer. His pass-
ing was a loss to the community and to all who knew him. He died June
20, 1886.
Col. John Klnoaid
was born June 22, 1779, near Richmond, Virginia. He came with his
father, Thomas Kincaid, to Limestone (Maysville, Kentucky) about 1788.
In 1797, he came to the settlement at Manchester and remained there un-
til 1800, when he married Sallie Hannah, March 27, 1800, and moved to
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 679
near the Kirker graveyard. Here he and his wife lived for a few years
and then moved to what is now the old Kincaid homestead, where they
died. They raised a family of eleven children, seven boys and four girls,
The boys were Thomas J., John H., Dr. William P., Dr. Samuel W. and
Dr. W. P. Kincaid, who was Senator four years from the Clermont
County District. John Kincaid was one of the first Justices of the Peace
of Liberty Township and served from 1818 to 1830. He was commis-
sioned Captain of the First Company in the First Batallion, Third Regi-
ment, First Brigade and Second Division of the Militia of this State by
Gov. Thomas Worthington, May 19, 181 5. He was commissioned Lieu-
tenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment in the First Brigade and Second
Division of the Militia of Ohio by Thomas Worthington. Governor, Oc-
tober 20, 1818. He was commissioned Associate Judge for a term of
seven years by Governor Allen Trimble, January 18, 1828, which he held
at the time of his death, which occurred April 3, 1834. The letters and
papers he left behind are living witnesses of a broad and well-balanced
mind. He did as much for Adams County from 1800 to 1834 as any man
who lived in it. In 181 2, he raised a company at West Union for the war
and was appointed Colcmel of a regiment.
John Kincaid was a Presbyterian and helped to build and organize the
stone church at West Union in 1809. But in 1830, the Presbyterian
Church denounced Free Masonry and he was asked to renounce the order,
which he positively refused to do, left the Presbyterian Church and joined
the old Union Church at Bentonville.
John Kincaid was one of the charter members Of the West Union
Lodge, No. 43, Free and Accepted Masons, which was issued in 1817.
He was the first Junior Warden and afterward Master several times. He
was a Knight Templar Mason and his Royal Arch apron, sash and
Knight Templar jewel are still preserved. The jewel is solid silver and
finely engraved. They are all in fine condition and are nearing the cen-
tury mark. The possessor, his grandson, W. S. Kincaid, prizes them
highly. Money could not buy them. Sallie Kincaid, wife of John Kin-
caid, died October 22, 1824, and on January 19, 1826, he married Dorcas
Alexander.
On the morning of April i, 1834, John Kincaid walked down across
his farm to look at some calves and came in about ten o'clock, sick, and
on the morning of the third, he was a corpse. He died at the age of
fifty-five, yet he got in more than a good many men would in one hun-
dred years. At the time of his death, he was the nominee of the Whig
party for Congress and would have been elected had he lived.
Joseph W«st Itafforty.
Joseph West Lafferty was born in Connelsville, Fayette County,
Pennsylvania, October 2y, 1809. In the year 1814 his parents emigrated
to Ohio, settled on a farm three miles east of West Union and his father
took up the business of wool carding and carried it on for more than thirty
years.
From his majority until 1848, he was a Democrat. From November
15, 1834, until December 15, 1841, he was the postmaster at West Union.
In 1848, he supported V'an Buren on the Free Soil ticket. When the Re-
pubHcan party was organized in 1856, he identified himself with that and
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^80 HISTORY OP ADAJ^S COUNTY
supported it until his death. He was an ardent supporter of the war for
the Union and two of his sons were in the service.
When the Internal Revenue Act went into effect in 1862, Mr. Lafferty
was appointed a Deputy Assessor for his county and served as such for
several years. He took great interest in the advancement of the com-
munity in which he lived and served on the Board of Education for a num-
ber of years. He was a member of the Board when the separate dis-
tricts were united and a schoolhouse for graded schools built. There was
bitter opposition to the new districts and house, but Mr. Lafferty and
others stood for the advanced ideas and they prevailed.
In March, 1839, ^^ ^^^^ married to Elizabeth Burwell, daughter of
Nicholas Burwell, who survived him. His children were Sarah Rebecca,
wife of Smith Grimes of Mineral Springs; Dr. Nelson B. Lafferty. of
Hillsboro, Charles L. Lafferty, of Pittsburg, Penn., and Joseph and Julia
E. Lafferty, of West Union. Mr. Lafferty was a student of men and
affairs. He was a good reader and a careful thinker. He had pro-
nounced views on all public questions and his views were all made and
expressed after mature deliberation. It was always agreeable and profitable
to listen to his discussion of any subject, because he would not express his
views until after much study and after careful deliberation. His views
were advanced on all subjects and they were earnest and conscientious.
All evil and wrong was abhorrent to him. The emotions of his soul were
always generous.
He had the dignity and air of a Chesterfield and it was inborn
in him. He always wore a silk hat and wore a standing collar with stock.
He was neat and careful of his personal appearance; he had a pleasinji^
address and was always courteous to every one he met. No more of a
gentleman in his manners and address could be found anywhere. He
was a most useful and valuable citizen, always leading public opinion on
all matters of public concern, general or local.
He died August 27, 1867, respected by all who knew him.
Andreiir LiTingstone
was an early settler of Adams County. He was born November 3, 1769,
and must have located in Adams County about 1800. On February 10,
1 8 10, he was appointed an Associate Judge of Adams County, and was
reappointed twice, serving continuously in the office until February, 1832.
From April 13, 1836, for three years, he was a Justice of the Peace
for Adams County. From July 10, 1841, to November 4, 1846, he was
the postmaster at Manchester, Ohio. He died July 4, 1847, and is in-
terred in the old cemetery at Manchester. His wife, Margaret, died
August 17, 1826, at the age of forty- four years and he never remarried.
He had two sons and two daughters. His sons were Samuel and Lucien.
Samuel married Elizabeth Ellison. They lived on the Williamson farm
near Manchester, but went to Minneapolis and died there. The daught-
ers were Nancy and Lucinda Jane. Lucinda married David Ellison, a
brother of William Ellison and lived and died in Manchester. She has
a daughter, Mrs. David Stableton, residing in Manchester.
Judge Livingstone was a Democrat and a Presbyterian. He was a
man of the highest integrity and often chosen as guardian and admin-
istrator of estates. He enjoyed the confidence of the public all his life.
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COL. JOHN LODWrCK
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 681
P«t«r I<ee
was one of Massie's surveyors and was a native of Mason County, Ken •
tucky. He possessed a large fortune and was reported a liberal and
honest man. He was unostentatious in his manner and respected by all
who knew him. He was nevier married.
Peter Lee was one of Col. Robert Todd's expedition in June, 1787,
which marked out Todd's Trace. He was still living in 1826 and testified
in May of that year at Georgetown, Ohio, in a case of Martin v. Boone
and McDowell, 2 Ohio, 237.
Colon«l John LodiHok
was bom in Winchester, Va., March 24, 1767. There he was reared and
there he married Elizabeth Cooley, a widow with one child in June, 1790.
She was born in 1760. His eldest child, Sarah, married first to Robert
Hood and for a second marriage to Alexander Woodrow, was born July
13, 1791, in Winchester, Virginia. With lliis child, his wife and step-
child, he emigrated to Kentucky in 1792, and in 1794 took up his res-
idence in the Stockade at Manchester, Ohio. He was one of the first
grand jurors of Adams County, serving at a Court of Quarter Sessions
held at Manchester, September, 1797. He purchased the Col. John
Means farm, where A. V. Hutson now resides, directly after the treaty
of Greenville, and moved there. His son, William, was bom in Man-
chester, January 14, 1794. Ludlow was born March 11, 1796, and his
son James, long a resident of Portsmouth, was born on the Means farm,
March 15, 1798, and here on July 6, 1800, his wife, Elizabeth, died and was
buried on the farm.
In June, 1802, he married Hannah Finley, daughter of Major
Joseph L. Finley, and by her became the father of the following children,
all born in Adams County: Kennedy, Lylc, Joseph, Michael, Preston,
John N., Jane E., married to Jacob McCabe, and the only one now living;
Martha Scott, afterAvards married to Eli Kinney; Nancy Finley, after-
wards married to J. Scott Peebles. In 1803, he was elected Sheriff of the
County, and served until 1807. O" ^^y ^7» 1804, be auctioned off the
lots in the new town of West Union, and forty-nine years afterwards,
on a visit to West Union, could point out each lot and the name of the
person to whom he sold it. In 1810, he was again elected sheriff and
served one term. In 1812, though fifty-five years'of age, he went into
the war at the head of a regiment and performed distinguished ser-
vices. He was an excellent disciplinarian and one of the bravest of
men. Gen. Harrison, under whom he served, gave great meed of praise
to his soldierly qualities. In 18 19, he was a fourth time elected Sheriff
of the County and served one term. While he held the office, at the
opening of the term, he formed a procession and marched the judges from
the hotel to the court room with martial music. On these occasions he
wore a cocked hat and carried a sword. No one sustained the dignity of
the office as fully as he did. He was very fond of musters, and on these
occasions he was much admired for his soldierly bearing.
In 1815, he moved to West Union, and built the house afterwards
known as the Benjamin Woods tavern, and where Lewis Johnston now
resides. In 1819, he sold his farm in Sprigg Township to Col. John
Means and purchased the McDade farm west of West Union in Liberty
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682 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
Township. He was County Commissioner from December i, 1823, for
three years. He removed to the McDade farm after his retirement from
the Sheriff's office. On July 28, 1827, his second wife, Hannah Finley,
died, agped forty-four years.
In October, 1828, he married his third wife, Eliza B. Elliot, a widow,
who died October 2, 1857, in Hamilton County, Ohio, and is buried at
Spring Grove, Cincinnati. In 1832, Col. John Lodwick sold all his pos-
sessions in Adams County and purchased a farm in Storrs Township,
Hamilton County, where he spent the remainder of his days. This farm
fronted the Ohio River, and he sold off part after part for suburban
residences until finally he sold the last part of it and moved on to Pike
Street in Cincinnati, where he died.
Many of the prominent families of Cincinnati have suburban homes
on the land he bought in 1832. While residing in Storrs Township, he
connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, and was a faithful
member for the remainder of his days. In 1840, he had the remains of
his two wives, Elizabeth and Hannah, taken up and re-buried in the West
Union Cemetery. He placed over them a slab tomb, giving the usual
data as to birth and death, followed by this :
"Their languishing heads are at rest,
Their thinking and aching are o'er,
Their quiet, immovable breasts
Are heaved by affection no more."
From that time, during the remainder of his life, as long as able
to travel, every summer, he would visit West Union for the purpose of
looking after this tomb. His daughter, Sarah, resided in West Union
and he would visit her. He always brought her many household gifts
and would sometimes remain several weeks. On one of these visits the
writer met and conversed with him. He had the most remarkable physi-
cal powers. He survived until the age of ninety-four and was then car-
ried off by a cancer of the face. Had it not been for this, he would easily
have lived beyond a century. Think of one dying prematurely at ninety-
four, but such was the case of Col. Lodwick. Not one in 100,000 had
such vitality as he had. He was always full of animal spirits, of humor
and fun. No one enjoyed a humorous story more than he did, and but
few had such a repertoire of them.
He was always an entertaining and agreeable companion, as well for
the young as for the old, and he retained all his faculties and his great
flow of spirits to the last. At ninety-four, he was as cheerful, humor-
ous and urbane as at any part of his life.
In politics, he was always a Democrat and never wavered from that
faith. He trained all his sons in that party and they adhered to it during
their lives. In religion, he was a Presbyterian and greatly devoted to
the church.
No descendants of his are now living in Adams County. A number
of them reside in Cincinnati and a few still remain in Portsmouth. It
seems remarkiable to reflect that one who at twenty-four years of age had
resided in the Stockade at Manchester should survive till the day of
President Lincoln's first inauguration, March 4, 1861.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 588
''Blaok Joe** I^ocon*
Joseph Logan was bom a slave in the State of North Carolina, about
1797 or 1798. He was, of course, kept in ignorance of reading or writ-
ing, and was brought up as slaves were at that time. He belonged to
the Smith family, then a prominent family in North Carolina, and a
daughter of which had married the Reverend William Williamson. He
resided in Rutherford County. In about 1817, he contracted a slave
marriage with Jemima, a black girl of about seventeen years of age, the
property of another branch of the Smith family. Logan was then called
Smith, after the family name of his master, John Smith. He was of or-
dinary height, weight about one hundred and forty pounds, and was a
V-shaped man, with broad shoulders, and muscular in every fibre of his
frame.
He was as black as a coal, and slave as he was, he was a man, in the
full sense of the term, and would take no affront, either for himself, or for
any of his friends. While of ordinary size, he was more powerful and
muscular than most of the men of his race, and would not hesitate to
use his great strength when occasion required.
He was a favorite servant of his master, and usually travelled with
him on all of his journeys. In 1803, his master's sister, Mrs. Jane
Smith Williamson, emigrated to Ohio with her husband, and they had
taken twenty-seven of his race with them, to set them free.
Joseph had accompanied his master to Ohio on a visit to his master's
sister, between 1806 and 1816, and had some idea of a free State, and
the condition of the freemen of his race. In 18 19, by the death of the
owner of his wife, she was willing to pay a legacy of $300 to Jane Smith
Williamson, his master's niece, and he knew that she was liable to be sold
to pay the legacy, and to be sent to the slave market in New Orleans,
and this probable event was freely talked of in the family. His feelings,
while such an event was impending, cannot be told. Fortunately for him,
Miss Jane Williamson would not permit his wife to be sold, but elected to
take her and her two children in satisfaction of the legacy. He heard
of this, but did not know what it meant, imtil Miss Williamson came
from Ohio, and stated that she would take Jemima and her two children.
In the meantime, one of Jemima's children died, leaving her with but one.
Logan begged Miss Williamson to buy him, and take him to Ohio with
his wife ; but she was unable to do so, for want of means.
It was the tenth of March, 1821, when Miss Williamson and her
brother, afterward the Reverend Thomas Smith Williamson, started
North. Each of them rode horseback, and the third horse carried
Jemima and her child. Logan was not permitted to bid his wife and
child good-bye, nor did he know they were started until after they had
gone, and it was some time after they left before he learned of their des-
tination. He simply knew that Miss Williamson intended to take Je-
mima away with her when she went. That same summer his master vis-
ited Ohio and took Logan with him. John Smith visited his sister, Mrs.
Williamson, and Logan got to see his wife and spent some time with her,
and it was there that he told her that he intended to be a free man, and a
slave no longer.
Logan's master had been uniformly kind to him, and had promised
that he would, at some future time, give him his freedom. After spend-
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584 mSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
ing several months in Ohio, John Smith took his slave Logan, and went
back to North Carolina. Logan took note of the entire route of their
return, and determined to escape at the first opportunity.
He made friends with the slaves on his route, returning, so that they
would remember him, and aid him. As a precautionary measure to
his escape, he privately beat and whipped all the slave-hunting dogs in
the vicinity of his home, so that they would refuse to follow him.
He started in the summer of 1822, the next summer after his return
from Ohio. While his master would not follow him, knowing that he
would never be taken alive, other slave hunters of the vicinity undertook
to recapture him, but the dogs refused their accustomed duties. When
they found the trail of Logan, they sneaked back to their masters, and
thus, the hunt had to be abandoned. But Logan was pursued at several
points along his route by strange dogs. At one time he killed two dogs
with a hatchet, which he carried with him, and wounded two others so
badly that they had to be killed. At another time, he plunged into a river
to escape the dogs. Two of them swam into the river after him, and he
seized them, one at a time, and held their heads under the water until
they were drowned. He could not be taken by dogs, as he either fright-
ened them so badly they would not follow him, or he would fight and kill
them before the hunters could come up to them. At one time, he was so
closely pushed that he was forced to abandon Ihe clothing which he carried,
and which was of the best quality, the gift of his master. At another time he
was so closely pursued by two men on horseback, that they were within a
few feet of him. They ordered him to halt, but he refused, whereupon,
they shot at him, but missed him. He traveled mostly by night, and fol-
lowed the North Star. Wherever he could, he walked in the streams to
cut off the scent of the dogs, for these often followed him a short distance.
He knew the general course of the mountains and streams he had crossed
before, and kept to the' North all the time.
He went from North Carolina to the Poage settlement In Tennessee,
where he was acquainted. There he learned that Colonel James Poage
had taken his slaves North, and set them free. At this point he came very
.near being being recaptured by professional slave hunters. His master
had not pursued him, and would not. He knew, and had been told, that
Logan would not be recaptured, and would die rather than suffer such a
thing. He was, therefore, willing to suffer his loss; but this did not
prevent slave hunters anywhere along his route from seeking to re-
capture him.
The rivers on his route he swam, where he could not wade them:
but he swam none, until he had first inspected them by daylight, and then
swam them at night. Most of his travelling was done between midnight
and morning, and on clear nights. He made his inquiries for the route,
of slaves, of children, or of white men, whom he met alone. He would
inquire for a route, but would never take the one he inquired for, but
would travel parallel with it and away from it.
Occasionally, he ventured to travel by daylight. He swam the Ohio
River near Ashland, Kentucky, and started westward, inquiring for the
Reverend William Williamson, w^ho was well known in Ohio. He
thought it safe to travel by daylight in a free State. Not far east of
Portsmouth, he met two men, wiio were willing to be man hunters.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 586
They recognized him as a fugitive from labor, and told him they be-
lieved they would take him and remand him to slavery. He picked one
of them up, and threw him over an adjoining fence. Then the next one con-
cluded that Logan was too powerful a darkey for him to tamper with.
They gave him directions, however, to find the Reverend William Wil-
liamson, and he took a detour, miles to the north. Near Bentonville, he
met a stone cutter who attempted to arrest him. Logan told him he
could not take him South unless he killed him first. He then hid him-
self until the next morning.
"The Beeches," where Rev. Williamson resided, was about a mile
and a half from Bentonville, and his wife resided there. Next morning,
after his adventure with the "Stone cutter, his wife was the first person he
met, and that must have been a joyful meeting for two poor, black
people, who felt that they had no friends on tarth but each other.
Jemima had been looking anxiously for her husband, as he had told
her, when on the visit the year before, that he intended to come to her,
or die in the attempt.
Logan's master knew very well where he was. In fact, several slave
hunters wrote him, offering to take Logan back to slavery for a suitable
reward, but the master declined to give any reward. He knew that
Logan would not be taken alive, and dead, he had no value.
Logan made enemies, who wrote his master where he was, and to
come and take him; but the master declined to attempt to recapture
him. Logan gave it out freely that if any attempt were made to re-
capture him, he would kill as many of his captors as he could, and would
die himself, before he would be retaken. He had demonstrated his
physical prowess on many occasions, and his statement was strictly be-
lieved.
In Ohio, Logan was a part of the Underground Railroad system, and
he helped every runaway slave he could, to freedom. At one time,
twelve slave catchers had surrounded his cabin, but he and his friends
got away from them. Once, he accompanied the late Thomas Means to
Bentonville. Some of the citizens expressed surprise that a fugitive slave
should go abroad so boldly. Mr. Means told them that if any of them
were fools enough to get killed trying to recapture Logan, the commu-
nity could very well spare them. It was a common thing- in West Union,
Ohio, after Logan removed there, for anyone who got angry with Logan,
to write to his master to come and take him back ; but the master, having
promised to free him, and Logan having freed himself, declined to take
any steps or to offer any reward to reclaim him.
Logan, like Hercules, was in the habit of carrying a great club with
him wherever he went, and it was well known that he would use it on
dogs or men, as occasion required. Once, he was caught without his
club, and was attacked by three men. Thev were all armed, and he was
not. They attempted to seize him, but before they could do anything, he
knocked them all three down, disarmed all of them, and then told them
that he was glad he had forgotten his club that day, as otherwise, no
doubt he would have killed them.
Barney Mullen lived near West Union, and would come to the
village, get drunk and over-awe every one by his prowess. ' He had the
common Irish prejudice against a negro, and one day struck Logan with his
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686 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
fist. Logan staggered for several yards, but did not fall. As he re-
covered, he came back at Mullen with a rush, and butted him over. He
then pounded him well, and filled his e>'«s with sand from the* highway
It took Barney two hours to wash the sand from his eyes. Soon after, he
left the country in disgust, emigrating to Illinios. He declared he would
not live in a country where a negro could whip a white man.
Logan was fond of being about the hotels and public stables in
West Union, and handling horses. He was a follower and attendant of
some of the fast young men of West Union, notably, of Bill Lee. One
day in 1849, Lee was drunk, and handling a revolveir in his right hand.
He dropped it on the floor, and it was discharged, the ball lodging in
Logan's great toe. The wound brought on lockjaw, of which Logan
died. He was thus carried off in his prime, with a constitution, which,
in the ordinary course of nature, would have lasted him to the age of
ninety.
Logan learned to read after he came to Ohio, and there is a story
that his freedom was purchased of his master for $200, of which he
contributed $100 himsdf, and $100 was contributed by his friends. I
am led to believe that this story is not true; but it was current in his
lifetime for many years before his death. Logan, no doubt, gave it
countenance, for it served as a protection against the man hunters. It
is said that Logan's master visited Ohio several times after Logan's es-
cape and always saw him and conversed with him on those occasions.
On the first visit after Logan's escape, the master asked Logan to
return to North Carolina, urging the kind treatment he had always
received. Logan admitted that, but said that he had escaped to be with
his wife, and preferred to remain in Ohio. The master told him that
he would never send for him, and gave him $10, assuring him of his good
wishes.
Jemima, the wife of Logan, survived until September 25, 1885, when
she died at the supposed age of eighty-five. Logan left several children.
Joseph Logan, his son, at the age of sixty-one, is a resident of West
Union. He is a quiet, peaceable citizen, respected by all. Logan also
left a daughter, who is married and has a family of children ; one girl of
which is a music teacher, and has a class of white pupils.
Jane Williamson, who set Jemima free, at a great sacrifice to herself,
survived until the twenty-fourth of March, 1895, when she passed away
at the great age of ninety-three. The history of the world contains no
nobler act than the freeing of Jemima by Jane Williamson, and no more
daring adventure than that of the escape of Logan.
John liongl&ry, Sr.,
was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1786. He was
married to Margaret Black, of Ohio, January 3, 1809. In 1812, he was
a Captain in the Voluntaer Service, and was stationed at Buffalo, and
then called to the frontier. He was there until Christmas and then went
home. He went to Columbus, Ohio, in 1817, and was Mayor of the town
in 1823. On locating in Columbus, he connected with the First Presby-
terian Church and soon after was made one of its ruling elders. While
in Columbus, he followed the business of contracting on public works,
as such he never worked on Sunday or permitted the men in his employ
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 587
to do so. His wife died in 1827, and in 1829 he was married to Miss
Elizabeth K. Cunning. He remained in Columbus until 183 1,. when he
went to Rockville to get stone to build the canal locks at Cincinnati to lead
the canal into the river. That took three years. He then went into the
business of building steamboats and built the "Columbia," the "Atlanta"
and others. He built a large saw and grist mill at Rockville and carried
on a large business. He also went into the culture of peaches and pears.
He had great success in the peach culture. He retired from business in
1855, turning it over to his son, John C. Loughry, except the fruit busi-
ness, which he retained until his death. He to6k a great interest in the
Presbyterian Church at Sandy Springs and had the church and parson-
age rebuilt. He was an elder in Dr. Hayes' Church in Columbus while
a resident there and also in the Sandy Springs Church. He was liberal
in all things, kind and generous. He was the build of men which keeps
the world going and preserves all that is good in it. He was an enter-
prising, loyal citizen, a good man, a pleasant neighbor and a devoted
Christian.
, He died August 6, 1862, leaving a son, John C. Loughry, who has a
sketch herein, and two daughters, Mrs. Dr. Awl, of Columbus, Ohio, and
Mrs. Dr. Marshall, of Blairsville, Pennsylvania.
General Nathaniel Ma««ie,
the founder of Manchester and the leader in the third settlement in Ohio,
was born December 28, 1763, in Goochland (.'ounty, Virginia His grand-
father, Charles Massie, with two brothers, had emigrated to Virginia
from Chester in England in 1680. His son, Nathaniel Massie, was
married to Elizabeth Watkins in 1760 and our subject was their eldest
child. He had two brothers and a sister. His brother Henry was the
original proprietor and founder of the city of Portsmouth, Scioto County.
When he was eleven years of age, his mother died, and two years later
his father married again. Nathaniel Massie had a good education and
learned the science of surveying. In 1780 and 1781, he served with the
Virginia Militia in the War of the Revolution.
In 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary War, at the age of
twenty, young Massie set out for Kentucky. He was a surveyor. His
father had already located lands in Kentucky and he had excellent letters
of introduction. He adapted himself to the conditions of life he found
in Kentucky and made a most expert woodsman, hunter and Indian
fighter. He had courage, endurance, and a happy temperament. He
would endure any hardships incident to his life without complaint. He
was a trader in salt in 1788 and made money in the business. He estab-
lished a reputation as a land locator which brought him business and made
him money. He was a tall and uncommonly fine looking young man.
His form was slender and well made. He was muscular, very active, and
his countenance expressed energy and good w«ense. During his residence
in Kentucky, he made several expeditions into that part of the North-
west Territory now Ohio, and in 1790, formed the determination to
establish a settlement at Manchester. He offered an inlot, an outlot and
one hundred acres of land to the first twenty-five who would accompany
him. His offers were accepted by nineteen persons, and a written con-
tract entered into December i, 1790. Of those who signed, the de-
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588 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
scendants of the Lindseys, Wades, Clarks Ellisons, Simerals, McCutch-
eons and Stouts are well known to the present generation.
In the winter of 1790, in pursuance of this agreement, a settlement
was made at Manchester, composed of Virginians, the third in Ohio.
A block house and stockade were built. While the first people of
Manchester lived in daily dread of the Indians, and while two of their
number were carried off by them, yet they enjoyed themselves more than
the present inhabitants. Massie was not, however, content to remain
at the Station at Manchester. He located the land on Gift Ridge in
Monroe Township in order to give each of his settlers the one hundred
acres of land he had promised and he located one thousand acres of the
finest upland for himself, being the tract afterward known as Buckeye
Station. This he sold to his brother-in-law. Judge Byrd, in 1807.
Massie began his explorations of the Scioto country soon after his location
at Manchester and explored Paint Valley. Here, two miles west of
Bainbridge, he located one thousand acres of land on which he after-
ward made his home. It is today the finest body of land in Ohio, and
the writer would rather own it than any rract of the same quantity in
the state. Massie must have had a wonderful faculty of judging land in
the virgin forest, for he never failed to select excellent land. In 1796,
he located the city of Chillicothe. In 1799, he represented Adams
County in the first Territorial Legislaure with Joseph Darlinton as his
colleague.
In December, 1797, though a layman, he was a Common Pleas Judge
of Adams County, and a Colonel of the Militia. He was married to Miss
Susan Everad Meade, daughter of Colonel David Meade, of Chaumiere.
Kentucky, in 1800, and thereby became the brother-in-law of Charles Wil-
ling Byrd, then Secretary of the Northwest Territory, and of William
Creighton, the first Secretary of the State of Ohio. He was a member of
the second Territorial Legislature from Ross County, where he had
taken up his residence. He was a member of the first Constitutional
Convention from that county. He was a member of the State Senate
from Ross County at its first and second sessions.
On January 11, 1804, he was commissioned as Major General of
the Second Division of the Ohio Militia, having been elected to that of-
fice by the Legislature. It is from this appointment he derived the title
of General. At the same time his friend, David Bradford of Adams
County, was commissioned as Quartermaster General of the same divi-
sion. He was a member of the House from Ross County in 1806 and
1807, and a candidate for Governor in 1807 and received 4,757 votes to
6,050 votes for Return J. Meigs, who was declared ineligible to the
office. Massie declined to take the office when Meigs was declared in-
eligible and it was filled by his friend, Thomas Kirker, Speaker of the
Senate. To show how he was estimated among those who knew him
best we give the vote for Governor in the following counties: Ross —
Massie, 1032: Meigs, 62; Adams — Massie, 441; Meigs, 114; Franklin —
Massie, 332 ; Meigs, 30.
On the question of the ineligibility of Meigs for the office of Gov-
ernor, the vote of the General Assembly stood twenty-four in favor to
twenty against. Thomas Kirker, the Senator from Adams and Scioto
and Speaker, did not vote. Of the representatives from Adams and
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PIONE2R CHARA(rrER SKETCHES 589
Scioto, Dr. Alexander Campbell, Andrew Ellison and Phillip Lewis, Jr.,
voted the ineligibility of Meigs. That vote made Thomas Kirker Gov-
ernor from December 8, 1807, for another year. Massie might have had
the honor himself, but preferred that it should go to Thomas Kirker, who
was Governor of the State almost two years without having been elected
to the office, by filling two successive vacancies.
General Massie's activity in public affairs largely ceased after his race
for Governor. He had a national reputation and was known as well in
Kejntucky and Virginia as in Ohio. He resided in the Virginia Military
District and was better acquainted with it both as to the manner of locat-
ing lands and the lands in it that any man of his time. He was employed
in locating warrants wherever he could or would accept employment. Of
course he could not serve all and had to refuse many, but his friends
were numerous and some he could not deny. Besides, he had a large
private business of his own. The large tracts of real estate which he
owned required most of his time. He made sales, subdivisions for pur-
chasers, perfected titles, made deeds, paid taxes and made leases. He
built saw and grist mills, paper mills, and, at the time of his death, was
making ready to build an iron furnace.
He was full of the activities of this life, but his career was cut short.
In the fall of 18 13, he was attacked by pneumonia, the result of exposure.
The doctors of that day believed in heroic treatment and the result was
that he was bled profusely and the disease carried him off. He died
November 3, 181 3, at his pleasant home and was buried there in a field in
front of the house, between it and Paint Creek. His wife survived him
until 1837, when she died and was buried at his side. There their re-
mains rested until June, 1870, when, by request of the citizens of Chilli-
cothe, they were removed to the beautiful cemetery of Chillicothe and
rcinterred on a lot which overlooks the entire city.
General Massie was a lover of fine scenery. He enjoyed the view
from Buckeye Station many times, in all its primitive wilderness. He en-
joyed the view from his home in the picturesque Paint Valley, and in life
he has stood on the spot where his ashes are laid and viewed the beautiful
Scioto Valley, and could his spirit visit the scene of the last resting place
of his body, it would no doubt be satisfied with the honor shown his
memory by the people of Chillicothe.
His son, Nathaniel Massie, was for the greater part of his life a
citizen of Adams County. He was born February 16, 1805, in Ross
County. He married a daughter of the Rev. John Collins and reared a
large family. He made his home in Adams County from 1854 until 1874,
when his wife died. He removed to Hillsboro in 1880 and resided there
until his death in March, 1894. He and his wife are interred in the old
South Cemetery at West Union in a spot which has as fine an outlook as
the spot where his distinguished father reposes.
We have refrained from giving a more extensive account of General
Nathaniel Massie because his life has recently (1896) been published
by his distinguished grandson, the Hon. David Meade Massie, of Chilli-
cothe, Ohio, and we could only copy from that most interesting work.
To all who desire to read up the founding of our State, we recommend
the persual of this work. General Massie was the founder of Adams
County and of its largest town, Manchester, and his memory should be
held in affectionate remembrance by every citizen of the county.
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590 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Tl&omas IVilliamson Meams,
iron manufax:turer, son of John and Anne (Williamson) Means, was born
November 3, 1803, in Spartansburg, South Carolina. He spent six years
in a select school established by his father, which was chiefly for the
education of his own children, and he acquired, not only a fine English
education, but also a respectable knowledge of the classics. His father
moved to Ohio in 1819, when he was sixteen years of age. He labored
upon his father's farm and clerked in a store for several years in which
hife father was interested in West Union, and in 1826 he took a flat-
boat loaded with produce to New Orleans. In the same year he became
storekeeper at Union Furnace which his father and others were then
building four miles from Hanging Rock. This was the first blast furnace
built in Ohio in the Hanging Rock region, and he had the pleasure of first
"firing" it. The old Steam, Hopewell, Pactolus and Argillite w^ere the
only furnaces previous in existence in that region and they were in Ken-
tucky. Since 1885, the old Union has not been in operation, but the lands
belonging to it are yet, in part, owned by his heirs. In 1837, he and
David Sinton became the owners of Union Furnace and rebuilt it in 1844.
In 1845, they built Ohio Furnace. In 1847, he became interested in, and
helped build Buena Vista Furnace in Kentucky. In 1852, he bought
Belief onte Furnace in Kentucky. In 1854, he became interested in and
helped build Vinton Furnace in Ohio; in 1863, in connection with others,
bought Pine Grove Furnace in Kentucky, and the Hanging Rock coal
works, and in the following year, with others, bought Amanda Furnace
in Kentucky. In 1845, he and David Sinton built a tram-road to Ohio
Furnace, one of the first roads of its kind built in Ohio, and now a rail-
road five miles in length runs from the river to Pine Grove Furnace. The
Ohio was the first charcoal furnace in the country which made as high as
ten tons a day and was the first that averaged over fifteen tons. This
furnace also produced iron with less expense to the ton than had then
been achieved in any other. In 1832, when the Union had been worked
up to six tons a day, the Pennsylvania furnaces were averaging but two
tons. He, in connection with the Culbertsons, built the Princess, a stone-
coal furnace, ten miles from Ashland, in Kentucky, and also, later with
Capt. John Kyle and E. B. Willard, built another at Hanging Rock. In
the first year of Union Furnace, three hundred tons of iron were pro-
duced; in the last year, 1855, it reached twenty-five hundred. Three
hundred in 1837 was as large a yearly production as had been reached
in the United States, and this rate was fully up to that of England. The
largest furnaces now reach fifteen thousand tons a month in this country.
Under the superintendence of himself and David Sinton, the ex-
periments for introducing the hot blast were first made, and at their
Union Furnace they put up the second hot blast in the United States, only
a few years after its introduction in 1828. This was probably the greatest
step forward that had yet been made in the manufacture of iron. Always
favoring the advance in improvements, many changes were made by him
in the form of furnaces and in the modes of operating them. Under his
patronage, in i860, at Ohio Furnace, was introduced the Davis hot blast,
which greatly improved and modified the charcoal furnaces of the
country. He was longer engaged and doubtless more extensively and
directly concerned in the growth and prosperity of the iron business than
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 591
any other man in the Ohio Valley. Besides his large interests in the
various furnaces, he had a very considerable interest in eighteen thousand
acres of iron ore, coal and farm lands in Ohio, and nearly fifty thousand
acres in Kentucky. He was one of the originators of the Cincinnati and
Big Sandy Packet Company and was its leading stockholder ; was one of
the incorporators of the Norton Iron Works of Ashland, Kentucky, and
one of its largest stockholders ; helped lay out the town of Ashland, was a
large stockholder in the Ironton "Ohio Iron Railroad Company;" was
one of the originators of the Second National Bank of Ironton, and its
president at the organization in 1864, and was also a stockholder of the
Ashland Naticmal Bank.
In 1865, he purchased a farm near Hanging Rock and resided there
several years. He cast his first Presidential vote for John Quincy Adams,
and was indentified with the Whig party while it lasted. At its dissolu-
tion, he became a Republican, and during the Civil War was an ardent
supporter of the National Government. In his religious views, he was a
Presbyterian, but not a member of any church. After the organization
of the Congregational Church in Ironton, he attended that. ,
He was a man of fine personal appearance and correct business
habits; of a strong constitution, able to sustain a long life of incessant
activity; with a high sense of social and business integrity, his great
fortune was the legitimate result of uncommon business ability an-d
judgment. He possesed a pleasing address, was agrdeable in manners and
wholly void of ostentation. He had a peculiarly retentive memory as to
historical and statistical facts. He could give names, dates of election
and length of terms of State and National officers — Presidents, Congress-
men, U. S. Justices, etc. Could give dates and other facts as to tariflf
legislation, and as to treaties with foreign countries; also could give in
millions, tons, bushels, dollars, values of the imports and exports and
production by the United States, and of many of the States, for instance,
of cotton, corn, wheat, hay, iron, wines, etc. He was fond of discussion,
and often in argument about protection, etc., surprised hearers at his
accurate knowledge of matters. He had always a good general knowl-
edge of his business affairs, was good at planning, but poor in detail. Was
fearless of man or beast, but careless as to his dress.
Mr. Means was married December 4, 1828, to Sarah Ellison,
daughter of John Ellison, Jr., of Buckeye Station, Adams County. She
died in 1871 at the age of sixty-one in their home at Hanging Rock.
Their children now living are John, of Ashland, William and Margaret.
In December, 1881, he bought a residence in Ashland, Kentucky, where
he lived until his death, June 8, 1890. No man did more for the de-
velopment of the Hanging Rock iron region that he, and in that respect
he was a gjeat public benefactor.
Rev. Marion Morrison
was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 2, 1821. He received his common
school education in a log schoolhouse near his father's home. He taught
school three winters, continuing to work on the farm in the summer.
In 1842, he started to college at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio,
graduated in 1846, and was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Chilli-
cothe Presbytery, April, 1849, ^^^ was ordained by the same August 21,
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692 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
1858. He was Pastor of Tranquility congregation for six years. He was
elected as Professor of Mathematics in -Monmouth College, Illinois, in
1856 and served in that capacity until the autumn of 1862. He was
Chaplain of the 9th Illinois Regiment from August, 1863, until August,
1864. He published the Western Presbyterian for several years at Mon-
mouth, Illinois; was pastor of Fairfield, Illinois, congregation from
January i, 1866, until December, 1870; of Amity, Iowa, from March i,
1871, until August 30, 1876. He was appointed general missionary by
the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church for Nebraska
and Kansas and served in that capacity for one year. He was pastor of
Mission Creek Church from April i, 1878. 'mtil December i, 1889; was
pastor of the U. P. congregation at Starkville, Miss., for about one and a
half years. When there, he broke down with nervous prostration and had
to abandon the active work of the ministry. He returned to Mission Creek,
Nebraska, and has made his home with his only daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth
Barr, ever since, preaching only occasionally when able.
He received the degree of D. D. from Monmouth College. He is
the author of the "Life of the Rev. David MacDill, D. D.,'' and of the
'^History of the Ninth Regiment of the Illinois Volunteers."
Dr. Morrison has been a whole-souled, industrious, active and earnest
preacher.
Reoompense Mnrpl&y.
Recompense Murphy was born in Pitts' Grove, Salem County, New
Jersey, in 1774. He emigrated to Ohio in 1805, coming down the river
in a flat-boat. He had been married in New Jersey to Catherine Newkirk.
Her grandfather was David Whittaker, and he and his wife followed
Recompense Murphy to Ohio.
Our subject located the first summer on the Ohio River, at the
mouth of Turkey Creek, in Scioto County. After that, he went to Sandy
Springs, Adams County, where he bought land and farmed. He built a
brick house on his land near the river front, which has long since dis-
appeared, having been destroyed by the encroachments of the Ohio River.
He had a brother William who came with him from New Jersey, but
removed to Illinois, were he died. Samuel Murphy, another brother,
located near Franklin, Ohio. Mary, a sister, married Samuel Swing,
whose son David, was the father of the celebrated Professor Swing, of
Chicago. Our subjec^t had a brJother, John, who remained in New
Jersey. Another sister, Elizabeth, married a Mr. Ogden and lived at
Fairmount, near Cincinnati.
The children of Recompense Murphy were David Whittaker
Murphy, born in 1800, of whom a separate sketch appears, Jacob
Murphy, who located in Whiteside County, Illinois, and retaining the
Presbyterian faith of his mother, became an dder in the church there;
Recompense Sherry Murphy, who lived and died at Sandy Springs;
Samuel M. Murphy, of Garrison's, Kentucky, now deceased; John
Murphy, who resides near Quincy, Kentucky; William, who emigrated
to California ; Robert, who died at the age of eighteen ; Rebecca, wife of
Simon Truitt, who resides at Agricola, Coffey County, Kansas, at the
age of eighty-seven; Rachel Warring, who removed to Posey County,
Indiana; Catherine Cox, widow of Martin Cox, who resides at Rome,
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 593
Ohio, and is the mother of Mrs. Rev. J. W. Dillon, of Portsmouth, Ohio,
and Mary Ann Baird, wife of Harvey Baird, who removed to Illinois.
Recompense Murphy's first wife was a Presbyterian, a member of
the Sandy Springs Church from 1826 until her death, June 30, 1832.
Recompense Murphy was married a second time to Matilda Ives, a widow,
whose maiden name was Fuller, a native of Broome County, New York.
Her father was at one time a member of the General Assembly of that
State. She was a shrewd, keen Yankee. Some time in the sixties, she
removed to her homt in New York and died there.
ReccMnpense Murphy died November 18, 1844. He made his will
February 25, 1837. It was witnessed by Socrates Holbrook, Robert W.
Robb, Isaac Carr and J. D. Redden. It was proven December 20, 1844,
in Adams County. He gave his mansion house and one-third of his farm
to his wife. He mentioned all of his children, but having already pro-
vided for four of his sons, he provided in the will for the remaining sons
and two daughters. The document indicates that he was a just man. He
was a member of the Sandy Springs Baptist Church, joining the same after
his second marriage, and died in that faith. He was an excellent citizen and
aimed to do his part in every respect in his place in the world and his
cotemporaries have left the record that accomplished what he undertook.
His ddscendants are living witnesses that his training produced the best
results.
David Whittaker Murphy.
David Whittaker Murphy, son of Recompense Murphy and Catherine
Newkirk, his wife, was bom in Salem County, New Jersey, in 1800. He
was brought by his parents to Adams County when five years of age.
This incident occurred when our subject was about twelve years of
age. He and another boy near his own age were crossing the Ohio River
in a canoe, one sitting at either end. When they had gotton far into the
current, they noticed a large animal swimming toward them. It proved
to be a bear, nearly grown, and was almost exhausted by its efforts. See-
ing them, it made for their canoe and climbel in. The boys, of course,
were very much frightened, but nevertheless, continued paddling their
canoe to the landing. The moment they touched the shore, bruin sprang
out and disappeared. The boys were as glad to be rid of their shaggy
companion as he was of their company.
Our subjelct grew to manhood in Sandy Sprinjgs neighborhoodt,
having the advantages of such schools as were there, and having the fun
and sports that boys of his time were privileged to have. His first wife
was a Miss Julia Ann Tumelr, whom he married in Bracken County,
Kentucky. By this marriage there were two sons and a daughter ; James,
William and Anna Maria. The sons both went South before the Civil
War, and were soldiers in the Confederate Army. William was Lieuten-
ant of a Mississippi Battery.
David Murphy's second wife was Cynthia Givens, a widow, whose
maiden name was McCall. The children of this marriage were David
A., married to Jennie M. Ball, of Portsmouth, Ohio, now living at Oxford.
Ella M. Evans, wife of Mitchell Evans, a prominent citizens of Scioto
County, residing at Friendship, Ohio; Leonidas Hamline, a partner in
the well known wholesale shoe house of C. P. Tracy & Company, of
38a
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594 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Portsmouth ; John Fletcher Murphy, a clerk in the Auditor's Office of the
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway Company, in Cincinnati, and
Miss Tillie M. Murphy, residing at Valparaiso, Indiana. Our subject
and his second wife, Cynthia Givens, were earnest members of the
Methodist Church all their days. Until 1848, he was a farmer, residing
in Adams County, Ohio. In that year he left Adams County and re-
moved to Buena Vista, just over the line of Adams County, in Scioto
County, where he kept a hotel for awhile. He was postmaster at Buena .
Vista from 1868 until 1873. His home in Buena Vista was a delightful
on«e where it was always pleasant to visit. After the death of his second
wife, in 1873, he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Evans, of Friend-
ship, Ohio, until his death in 1892. Mr. Murphy had a great deal of dry
humor and could express himself so as to entertain his hearers and amuse
them at th«e same time. He was always anti-slavery, and once, a long
time before the war, being asked if he would help execute the Fugitive
Slave Law, he said, "Yes, if called by the United States Marshal to be
part of a posse to catch fugitives, I would help, as I must obey
the law, but I would be very lame." He served as a Justice of the
Peace in the two counties of Adams and Scioto, for a period of fifty years,
and his decisions gave general satisfaction. He could draw an ordinary
deed as well as any lawyer. In politics, he was a Whig, until the Republi-
can party was organized, when, after 1856, he went into that party and
remained a member of it during his life. However, he voted for Fillmore
for President in 1856, because he fdt that his election would better pre-
serve the Union. In i860, he voted for Lincoln and for ev«ry Republican
presidential candidate from that time until 1888, his last presidential vote,
which was for Benjamin Harrison. He died in February, 1892.
Reoompense Sherry Mnrpl&y
was a son of Recompense and Catherine (Newkirk) Murphy, who came
from New Jersey and settled at the mouth of Turkey Creek, Scioto
County, Ohio, in 1805, where the subject of this sketch was bom May 12,
1806. Recompense Murphy, Senior, soon after moved to the Irish
Bottoms in Adams County, and located on a farm.
Recompense Sherry Murphy spent his early life working on the
farm. He was married to Rachel Kelley, August 4, 1831. They liv^ed
together in happy wedlock for fifty-three years. To them were born nine
children, four boys and five girls, of whom the following are living: Mary
Burwell, Troy, Ohio ; Emman McCall, Agricola, Kansas ; John R., Wells-
ville, Kansas ; Abram K., of Rushtown, Ohio, and Lucy Givens, of Buena
Vista, Ohio.
He united with the Baptist Church about 1835 and remained a de-
voted member until his death. In politics, he was an unwavering Re-
publican. His wife died May 28, 1883, and he followed her January 5,
1 89 1, aged eighty-five years.
Adam MoConniok,
died July 3, 1849, aged sixty-five years. His wife, Margaret, daughter
of Andrew and Mary Ellison, died March 6, 1845, in the fifty-fifth year
of her age. Their only son, Joseph McConnick, was born in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in 1814.
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PIONEER CHARA.CTER SKETCHES 696
He was a plain common Irshman, with the strongest emphasis on-
Irish, as it shone out all about him. He lived on Brush Creek awhile, then
moved to West Union. He was a member of the Baptist Church in West
Union. He was a strong Whig. He owned a large tract of land near
Jacksonville, in Meigs Township. He purchased the Palace Hotel prop-
erty of the estate of his sister, Isabella Burgess, and died there. He lived
in Cincinnati a good part of his time. He was living there in 1814 when
his son Joseph was bom. He was also living there in 1831 when his
sister married Rev. Dyer Burgess. He was a strong Baptist. He donated
the ground where the Baptist Church in West Union stands and built the
church. He had considerable improved property in Cincinnati and was
at that city to collect his rents in June, 1849, ^"^ when he returned to
West Union, was taken sick and died. At the time of his death, he was
Superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School in West Union.
It is said he came from Ireland a lad and worked about the furnaces
in Adams County. He was the architect of his own fortune. He made
money, but how, is now buried in oblivion, but he made it honestly and
was highly esteemed as a citizen. He was a carpenter by trade, and was
the contractor and builder of the first bridge built in Adams County where
the iron bridge now stands. James Anderson crossed it with a team and
wagcm loaded with pig iron from Steam Furnace, and that was the only
team which ever, crossed it. There was a sudden rise in Brush Creek
which undermined one of the piers and the bridge fell. Adam Mc-
Cormick lived on the farm on which George A. Thomas now resides. He
removed to West Union and purchased the Dyer Burgess property and
lived there from 1842 until his death, in 1849.
He was married to Margaret Ellison, April 6, 1813. Andrew Ellison
was running Steam Furnace and Adam McCormick was a patttern maker
and made patterns at the furnace while his father-in-law run it. James
Anderson teamed between Steam Furnace and the river, hauling pig iron,
supplies, etc. When the furnace shut down, Adam McCormick went to
farming.
Samuel MoCoUonsli.
We have eight letters written by him to his friend, Robert Shaw, in
Virginia. The first is dated Raleigh, Buckingham County, June i, 1809.
He acknowledges his of the 20th, in which he finds that his friend had a
tedious passage (by water) from Richmond to Baltimore and was sea-
sick. He says he has enjoyed a good estate of health since his friend left.
He was a merchant and complains that collections were slow. He desires
his friend to bring him a Beed plane that will work one-eighth .of an inch
and one-half dozen of two- foot rules.
On December 28, 1812, he writes from* Raleigh, N. C. He asks how
his business with the negroes of Anthony Jones is settled. He says he
has been tossed on the wheel of fortune since he saw him. It seems he
went to Baltimore and purchased goods, and shipped them to Richmond,
intending to take them to Nelson C. H., Virginia. At Baltimore, he met
a Mr. Callam, who had purchased goods in Philadelphia, and induced him
to go to Raleigh where they put the two stocks together and sold as much
as $500. He wants to know if there is any store at Raleigh C. H., Va.
It seems they w^nt to Raleigh while the Legislature was in session, and
s( Id goo<ls rapidly until it adjourned.
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596 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
His next letter is dated January lo, 1813, acknowledging one of the
4th. He says he boards in the family of Mrs. Burch, a very decent, pious
old lady, who has a daughter equally pious as herself and possessing con-
siderable accomplishments, having resided in Philadelphia with a Rev.
Burch, her brother. Of Raleigh, he says its people are principally emi-
grants from Scotland, orderly and sober, but possessing strong prej-
udices. He says, that with but few exceptions, they are Federalists. He
speaks of the schools in Raleigh and their influence in improving the
manners and, in some instances, the morals of the people. He says they
are the means of circulating a great deal of money. He further says that
the country is poor and the planters have nothing which suits the markets
but pork, tobacco and cotton.
He wants to know if he thinks his friend, John Randolph, will be re-
elected in his district in Virginia and whether there is any change in
political sentiments there — whethier the people are pleased with the war,
and the manner in which it has been conducted. Also his opinion re-
specting the combination of the non-importation lav/. On January 24,
1 81 3, he is still at Rakigh, but complains of the war affecting the busi-
ness. He says there is no demand for cotton or tobacco, and pork is the
only article that commands money and that at a low price. He says there
are twenty stores in Raleigh, and he intends to remove early in the Spring,
probably to Virginia. He says in that country, where wheat is cultivated,
is the best place to do business during the war, because it will sell high.
He wishes to be informed what effect the war has had in that part of the
country, where his correspondent resides, as to sale of goods and the
circulation t)f money.
February 8, 1813, he writes his friend. Robert, that he intends to
leave Raleigh in the Spring and wants to come to Nelson C. H., if his
friend thinks best. He is afraid the war is not pushed with energy and
that the spirit of the nation has never been up to war pitch. He thinks
there will be great difficulty in raising men and money and that the op-
position to the war is so strong, and from the way in which the war was
managed it will end in a separation of the Union and the destruction of
our most excellent Constitution, though he will hope for better things.
February 24, 1813, he writes thanking his friend for full information
as to the political situation. He doubts about purchasing spring goods,
as the times are precarious. He thinks the Government will be com-
pelled to repeal the non-importation law in order to get revenue, or
otherwise levy taxes which will make it unpopular. He thinks in case
of a repeal, goods would come in plenty through the neutrals. He thinks
our privateers will not bring in many trips Ix'cause the Brittish fleets will
blockade Hampton Roads and other bays. He relates a duel between
Thomas Stanley, of Newbem, and a Mr. Henry, of the same place, in
which the former was killed by the latter. The cause of the duel was that
Henry had paid attentions to Stanley's sister, and then dropped her.
May 20, 1813, he writes from Cecil County, Maryland, that he had
made money by his venture in RaleSgh. He went to Petersburg, Va.,
to change the State notes of North Carolina for Virginia as they would
not pass to the north of that place and could not be changed at par, at
atiy other place. He says goods were too high in Baltimore to purchase
with any safety as the war might stop and drop prices. He informs his
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 597
cousin that he has changed his state of life and married his cousin,
Mary McVey ; that she is the only child and daughter of his Uncle McVey,
who owns a fine farm on the main stage road from Philadelphia to Balti-
more with some negroes and other property. "As to her qualities, you
will no doubt think me a partial judge." He says her qualities justified
his choice and her appearance pleased his fancy.
He says the injury done there by the British caused nothing but
alarm and since the British went dovm the bay, politics have been more
tranquil, but they are so divided on politics, they are continually on the
jar.
He says the epithet '*Tory,'' is brandished on all occasions and that all
the entire party seems to be aiming at military despotism, if they could
obtain it. He asks his friend's views of the political situation and to tell
him how the elections have terminated in Virginia and how his specula-
tion in flour has turned out, in view of the blockade.
The last letter is April 12, 181 5. He writes that since the peace,
prices of grain have fallen instead of raised and the public was disap-
pointed. That wheat was only one dollar per bushel and other grain
correspondingly low. He ccmiplained that times were dull. He wants
his friend to secure him house and store-room at Nelson C. H. He de-
sired to be informed as to the election and the result of the contest between
Epps and Randolph. In every letter, he sends his regards to his wife
and family, and his friends, and all the letters are written on plain paper,
now yellow with age, and folded, sealed with a wafer seal and addressed
on the fourth page. They are addressed to Robert Shaw, at Buckingham
C. H., Virginia, and are marked "free." They mark the writer as a
student of the times, deeply interested in political matters and a Federalist.
His friend, Robert Shaw, no doubt, was of the same political faith. The
letters of Robert Shaw to Samuel McCuUough have not been preserved.
McCullough emigrated to Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1815,
and from there to Adams County, Ohio, in 1816, where he followed the
business of merchandising during the remainder of his life. His wife
died February 6, 1835, at the age of forty-three, at West Union, Ohio, of
consumption, after a long illness. He died on the eighth of June, 1835, of
Asiatic cholera in his store in West Union on the spot where Miller and
Bunn's drug store now stands. He was born May 5, 1775, and she was
seventeen years his junior. They were the parents of Addison McCullough,
deceased, and of William McCullough, of Sidney, Ohio.
Samuel McCullough, for the nineteen years he resided in Adams
County, was a just and good man and respected by every one. He was
quiet and unobtrusive in his views, but a reader and thinker who kept him-
self well informed on all public questions. He was by instinct and train-
ing a merchant. He knew the right time to buy and the right time to sell.
He was a successful merchant — always made money. He was
trained to the business from boyhood and seemed to have a natural
faculty for it. His son, John, died at Catlettsburg, Ky., in 185 1. Addison
died at Point Pleasant, W. Va., November 16, 1876. A son, George W.,
died in infancy. Mr. McCullough lost his wife February 6, 1835, just a
few months before his own tragic death of Asiatic cholera. The ashes
of both repose in the cemetery at Tranquility, Ohio.
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698 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Addison MoCallousli
was born in Adams County, April 25, 1817. His parents were Samuel
McCullough and his wife, Mary McVey, both from Cecil County, Mary-
land. His childhood and boyhood were spent in West Union, where his
father was a prominent and successful merchant. He was attending col-
lege at Augusta, Kentucky, in June, 1835, when he was called home by the
death of his father. He did not return to school but took charge of his
father's business which he continued successfully in West Union, until
1847, when he closed it out and invested the proceeds in Star Furnace in
Carter County, Kentucky. He was married in West Union on June 27,
1837, to Eliza Ann Willson, eldest daughter of Dr. Wm. B. Willson. He
left West Union in the winter of 1847 and 1848 and removed to Catletts-
burg, Kentucky. He was the financial agent of Lampton, McCullough &
Company, of Star Furnace, until 1854, when he sold a portion of his in-
terest in the concern and purchased an interest in Hecla Furnace. At
this time, he removed to Ironton, which contimted his residence until his
death. He continued his connection with Hecla Furnace until his death.
His wife died December 16, 1868, at Ironton, and he died at the resi-
dence of his daughter, Mrs. Ella Capehart, at Point Pleasant, West Vir-
ginia, November 16, 1876. Both are interred at Woodlawn near Ironton
Addison McCullough was of a thoughtful and serious mind ; he was
religious by nature and instinct. In West Union, he lived in an atmos-
phere of earnest and sincere religious influence. He joined the Presby-
terian Church at West Union at an early age, and when there was a
division in the church there* on account of slavery, he. with the family
of Dr. William B. Willson and others, went into a new church organiza-
tion in which he and Dr. William B. Willson were made elders. He was
highly respected and much loved by the people of West Union, and when
he left there in 1848 there was universal regret and heartfelt grief.
He- was a loving and lovable man, and his practical charity while in
West Union had endeared him to all. Soon after he located in Ironton,
he was made an elder in the church there and filled that office until
his death. Though a thorough business man, the church held his affec-
tions and he was always present at all its services and social meetings.
He was of a quiet disposition and spoke ill of no one. In the church
meeting, he was earnest and fervent, eloquent in speech and prayer. He
was a diligekit biblical student and was faithful in his attendance in the
teacher's meetings for the study of the Bible.
He was respected and esteemed by every one in Ironton as a model
citizen and a true Christian gentleman. His death was like his life. His
last illness continued eight weeks and he suflFered much, but no com-
plaint escaped him. The consolations of his religion made his final
hours full of mental joy.
His children are Mr. Samuel McCullough, born in West Union, now
a resident of Washington, D. C, where he holds a government position;
Mrs. Julia Sechler, wife of Thomas M. Sechier, of Moline, Illinois; Mrs.
Ella Capehart, wife of Hon. James Capehart, formerly a Congressman
from West Virginia.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 699
WUllam MoColm
was bom November i8, 1796, in Allegheny County, Maryland, and emi-
grated to Adams County, Ohio, with his father, John McColm and family,
about the year 1800, and settled on Gift Ridge. His brothers John,
Malcolm, Matthew and David were all prosperous farmers, lived to
a ripe old age, and have passed to their reward, excepting David, who lives
near Bentonville.
William McColm married Lucy Turner, July 17, 1827, at New Rich-
mond, Ohio. Their children were John T., Sarah, William S., the latter
only of the three surviving and who resides at Portsmouth, Ohio. Mrs.
Lucy McColm died at Clinton Furnace, December 24, 1833. The sub-
ject of our sketch was married again June 24, 1835, at Buckhom Furnace,
to Martha McLaughlin, to whom were born James A., Mary, Henry A.,
Matthew and Clay F., all of whom are deceased except Henry A., a resi-
dent of New Comer, Delaware County, Indiana.
William McColm was the! descendant of Scotch-Irish parents and
showed their characteristics in all his walks of life ; was a Whig in poli-
tics; a Methodist Prostestant in religion and a square man in all his
dealings. He was a clerk and afterwards a store-keeper in West Union
from 1824 to 1833, when he was induced by the late William Salter and
other owners of Clinton Furnace to take an interest in the furnace arid
act as store-keeper and furnace clerk. His investment in Clinton Furnace
proving unprofitable, he moved to Buckhorn and later to Amanda Furnace,
where he was employed in the same capacity as at Clinton.
On June i, 1840, he was appointed Treasurer of Scioto County in
place of John Waller, who refused to qualify. He was elected to that
office in 1841 and re-elected in 1843, ^845, 1847 and 1849. He quali-
fied for liis sixth term, June 3, 1850. He died on his farm in Washington
Township, September 7, 1850, while an incumbent of the office of County
Treasurer. His wife died in Portsmouth, Ohio, April 9, 1890, and both
are interred at Greenlawn, at that place.
Mr. McColm was a member of the Methodist Prostestant Church of
Portsmouth, Ohio, during his entire reside^rice in that city. His congrega-
tion met at the house of Mrs. Sill, on Fourth Street, before the church
on Fifth Street in the rear of Connolly's store was erected. He was always
a Whig and anti-slavery. He was a strong advocate of temperance, being
a member of the order of the Sons of Temperance, which flourished in his
day.
Major Joseph MoKoe
was born at McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in the year of 1789 and remained
with his parents until 1807, at which time he emigrated to Cabin Creek,
Kentucky, where he resided for four years, when he removed near the
mouth of Brush Creek in Greene Township in Ohio. He was in the War of
1812, in which he served until December 24, 1814. On returning from the
war he engaged in keel-boating salt down the Ohio River from the
Kanawha Saline to Louisville, Ky. In 1828, he was made Major in the
Second Regiment, First Brigade, Eighth Division of the Ohio Militia. He
was married in 181 2 to Miss Margaret Eakins, who resided near the mouth
of Brush Creek. There were thirteen children bom of this marriage,
nine boys and four girls, Elizabeth, Susan, James, Mary, John, Joseph,
William, Priscilla, David, George, Wilson, Rebecca, and Richard. Seven
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600 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
of these sons served in the Union army in the late Civil War. Our sub-
ject shouldered his gun in 1864 to assist in resisting General John Mor-
gan's Raid, at which time he was seventy-five years of age. He served
nine years successively as Justice of the Peace in Greene Township, dur-
ing which time he solemnized numerous marriages. Mr. McKee was
an elder in the Christian Church, and lived up to his profession. He was
regarded as a good neighbor and citizen, and ever ready to help the poor
and needy. He died near Waggoner's Ripple, at the age of ninety-two
years and twenty-nine days. His wife, Margaret McKee, died seven
years earlier. He was the grandfather of the Sheriff, James W. McKee,
who was the son of David McKee, now residing at Wichita, Kansas,
having removed there from Adams County in 1882. Joseph McKee was
a Jeffersonian Democrat of the strictest sort, and his grandson. Sheriff
James W. McK^e, is recognized as one of the most reliable leaders pf the
Democrat party in Adams County.
Mary Barbara Mlmiok.
Our subject was bom May 29, 1795, between Spires and Manheim,
in Bavaria, Germany. Her maiden name was Foerst. We are not advised
as to her parents or early history, but she was bom and reared a Protes-
tant, and in 1826 identified herself with a division of the Prostestants, a
branch of the Lutheran Church, believing in a deeper and more exalted
piety. This branch or division of the German Prostestants were of sim-
ilar views to thle followers of John Welsey as compared to the Church of
England. They had many meetings for prayer and conference, and Mrs.
Minick was one of their most enthusiastic adherents. She was married
in 1815 to John Peter Minick, or Miinch, as it is properly written. We
believe a correct translation in English would be Menken. Her husband
was bom April 9, 1792. They had two children bom in German]^ Peter
Minick was a soldier under the first Napoleon for a short time, in the
campaigns where the Germans last su|^)orted his standard. He and our
subject lived in Germany and kept house until 1830, when she was thirty-
five years of age and he! thirty-eight. It was while she was living in Ger-
many that she had an experience given to none since the days of Elijah.
When she was a young married woman, aged thirty-one, and in a time
whefn she had been attending meetings of the pietists faithfully for some
weeks, she fell down in her own house with a hemorrhage, and was found
in an unconscious condition by her husband. She was put to bed and lay
in an apparently unconscious state for six weeks, though, as she afterwards
told, she was conscious towards the last, but was unable to move or speak.
At the end of six weeks, she died, or apparently died. Her physi-
cians, her nurses and her friends thought she v;as dead, and she was dressed
for burial. At that time, in her neighborhood, it was customary to keep the
dead three days where circumstances permitted it, and this was done in
her case. At the end of that time, some of her friends thought they saw
signs of life, and she was kept a day longer. On the fourth day, her
funeral was set. and the bells rung for that purpose. Her friends as-
sembled and the funeral services were held. When the funeral proces-
sion was about to start, she came to life and was taken out of her coffin
and put to bed. She was very weak and feeble for a long time, but finally
recovered her health entirely, and when she did, she related this wonderful
experience :
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 601
While apparently unconscious in her six weeks' sickness, she was con-
scious most of the time, and knew what was going on about her. She
could hear what was said, but could not communicate. She felt the ap-
proach of d-dath ; she noticed the cessation of circulation in her extremities,
and the approach of it to her heart. Then she became unconscious. Then,
the first thing she knew, an angel approached her and took her in charge.
She had no sense of thei time she traveled with him through space, but
found herself in an outer court of a great pleasure garden or park. There
was like lattice work before her, and beyond that, were a great company
of happy people, surrounding a loved object. She could hear the most
rapturous music and singing of the multitudes. At another place within
the inner court, she saw a company sitting about a table. Their faces
shone so she could not look upon them, and was ccwnpelled to take her eyes
from them. Among those she saw in the inner court was the face of a
young woman friend of hers, who had attended the pietist meetings with
her. She made a request of her guide to be admitted to the inner court,
but he said, "No, you must return to earth and preach Christ a period
longer before you can be admitted." She then seemed to be spirited away
by four angels and let down to earth as it were in a sheet.
As soon as she was able, after her return, she told her vision. People
came from all the surrounding country to sae her and converse with her.
In relating her vision, she predicted the death of her friend, whose face she
had seen in Paradise, and it took place within a year, but she! died in the
triumph of faith. Mrs. Minick believed in this heavenly vision as much
as she believed in her own existence. To her it was as real as anything
which tYtr occurred to her, and it influenced her entire life. The angel's
message was ever as fresh to her and ever as important as the day she re-
ceived it, and she followed it to the last of her life.
She and her husband had heard of the United States and longed
to go there. His experience with the service under the great Napoleon
satisfied him and made him wish for America. So he and his wife and two
children came to the United States in 1830. They located at Piketon,
Ohio, where they lived several years. Then they moved to West Union,
Ohio, where they spent all of his life and most of hers. She lived in the
little brick house just opposite the Pflaummer residence, then Dr. Wm.
B. Willson'^ residence. She believed that cleanliness preceded godliness,
and her home was always scrupulously neat and clean. She and her
husband had and kept a most wonderful garden. A self-respecting weed
would not grow in it, and none were ever seen in it, and all of the vege-
tables grew just as though they thought it their duty to do so to please
her. One room in her house she had fitted up for religious meetings, and
many were held there, the services being conducted in her mother tongue.
She* had an occupation. She was a doctress and nurse and followed her
profession most faithfully. In the cholera of 185 1, she went among the
patients everywhere, and her services were thought equal to those of the
rc^lar physicians.
She was the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters,
the youngest born in this country. She was a woman of the most earnest
and devoted piety. She believed in her reGigion, and she lived it every day.
Her whole life, day by day, was a sermon and an argument in favor of
her faith. While she never mastered the English language fully, she
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602 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
would attend the Methodist revival meetings, and she enjoyed them ven-
much. She could not expretes herself to her satisfaction in English, and
was often, at these meetings, requested to sing in German. She was
always pleased to do so, and everyone felt the spirit of her hymns. She
was always reluctant to tell the Heavenly Vision, as she knew many were
skeptical about it, and only related it whete it was appreciated, but to her
it was real. She had all the faith and love of St. John, and the zeal and
enthusiasm of St. Paul. She was respected and loved by all who knew her.
Her husband died August 19, 1870, and her pleasant home in West Union
was broken up. After that she lived with her grandchildren until the tenth
of April, 1883, when heir Heavenly Vision was realized. She and her
husband rest in the old South cemetery at West Union, waiting the sound
of Gabriers trumpet. Her life was full of usefulness, of good deeds, and
she was a minister to the souls of all who knew her.
DaTid Morrison
was born September 16, 1807, in Pennsylvania. He was a nephew of
John Loughry. He went irom Pennsylvania direct to Rockville to engage
in business under Mr. Loughry. He* was married to Martha Mitchell, the
daughter of Associate Judge David Mitchell, on the twenty-eighth day
of November, 1835, by Rev. Elcazor Brainard, and they went to house-
keeping in Rockville. He remained with John Loughry from about 1831
to 1841 as a superintendent of the business of quarrying and shipping stone.
From 1841 to 1847, he was engaged in boating on the Ohio River. He
owned a tow-boat and a number of barges and engaged in transporting
heavy goods on the Ohio River. He would load them on barges and tow
the barges. From 1851 to 1859, he resided in Covington, Kentucky. He
bought the Judge Mitchell farm, now owned by his sons, Albert R. and
James H. Morrison, and removed there in 1859, ^"^ resided there until his
death, though he never was at any time a farmer, but was always engaged
on the river. He was a large man, weighing over two hundred and fifty
pounds and was always active and energetic. He died suddenly March
23, 1863, irom the eflfects of an operation on his eyes. His wife survived
him until March 18, 1886. They both rest in the Mitchell cemetery on
the hill overlooking the home of Judge David Mitchell, her father. They
had the following children: Mary, wife of Loyal Wilcox, residing" in
Kansas. She has a large family and a son and daughter married.
Armour Morrison resides in Chicago and is engaged in the life insurance
business; Albert R. Morrison married Elizabeth McMasters, and resides
in the old home in Nile Township, Scioto County ; James H. Morrison, the
second son, resides in Portsmouth, Ohio; Charles W. Morrison, the young-
est son, is a teacher of music in the conservatory of music at Oberlin Col-
lege, and has been so engaged for twenty-three years. He went there
a? a young man to study music and after he had completed his studies there
and in Europe, he was engaged to teach there and has remained ever since.
The sons are all like their father — active, energetic and industrious men.
Jndse Samuel MoGlanahan.
Robert McClanahan and Isabelle, his wife, came from Ireland and
purchased land on which West Union is now located and while it was still
a part of the Northwest Territory, they donated or sold the land for public
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 608
buildings to the county. Their son, Samuel, was born on the fifteenth of
February, 1797. Hei was married to Mary Armstrong, December 14, 1815,
and located on the farm west of West Union, where he lived until 1864
when be removed to North Liberty, Ohio, and died March 5, 1882.
Isabelle, his daughter, married William McGovney, May 9, 1839. He was
elected Associate Judge of Adams County in 1831 and served one term.
He was a practical surveyor and did a great deal of work in the way of
land surveying. He was also a school teacher and County Examiner and
was one of the first School Examiners in the county. He died November
5, 1881.
In politics he was a Whig, an Abolitionist and a Republican. He was
a strong temperance advocate. He set the example of total abstinence
by refusing to use liquor at a bam raising or in harvest, and to show his
harvest hands it was not to save money, he offered to pay each one the
amount ebctra for the cost of the whiskey they had formerly been furnished.
He was a Presbyterian, a ruling elder in the church for many years,
the Associate Reformed and afterwards the United Presbyterian. He
was liberal in his views and spiritually minded. In the last few years
of his life, there was but one book to him — the Bible. He read it four
times in four years, and said that each time he re-read it there was some-
thing new. 'His mind was clear to the last. In his final illness, he spoke
calmly of his approaching end, and passed away in the confidence of Chris-
tian faith.
In his personal appearance Judge McClanahan was a remarkable
figure, and in his old age he was one of the best types of the patriarch,
with his long flowmg beard and dignifieJd bearing. He was a man among
men and respected by the entire community for his sterling virtues.
William MoOarry
was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1757, and emigrated to Virginia
in the Spring of 1777. He enlisted the same spring as a private in
Captain Wood Jones' Company and served afterward in Captain Benjamin
Hoomes' Company, Second Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. Wil-
liam Febiger, in the Revolutionary War. His enlistment was for a period
of three years.
He was in the battles which occurred during the time of his services
in New Jersey and about Philadelphia, but a large part of the time his
duties consisted in hauling supplies to the army.
He came to Ohio in 1795, directly after the peace of Greenville, and
bought two hundred and twenty-five acres of ground on Poplar Ridge, in
Tiffin Township. This land is now owned by W. J. and B. Grooms, Caleb
Malone and Mr. Defitz. He left the blockhouse at Manchester and lo-
cated on land in Tiffin Township when there had not been a single tree cut
down in the township and none outside of Manchester. He cleared oflF a
patch of ground and built a pole cabin and moved his family into it. There
were plenty of wolves, bears, wild turkeys and deer in the forest at that
time, and a great many roving Indians.
His daughter has told a lady now living near West Union that she had
been at that place many times when all was forest, not a house in the
vicinity, and had drank out of the spring where the public well now stands.
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604 HISTORY OP ADAMS OOUNIY
When he made a clearing, the first thing he did was to plant peach trees
and engage in the manufacture of whiskey and brandy.
The squirrels and wild turkeys were so plenty that when he planted
his com, it was necessary to stand gaurd over it until it was grown too
high for them to disturb. After it was planted he made paw-paw whistles
and had his children march around the com fields at the edge of the forests
during the day, blowing these whistles so that the squirrels and turkeys
would not bother thej com.
Some time after building his pole cabin, be built a log house with
large fire-places, and he was considered a rich man for his time.
He was one of the first members of the" Presbyterian Church at West
Union. He was not a pensioner of the Revolutionary War, because he
owned considerable land and could not obtain a pension.
He married his first wife, Elizabeth Walker, in Washington County,
Pennsylvania, and she was the mother of five children.
William McGarry had a second wife, Mary McKee, and she was the
mother of three children. He was esteemed as a useful and valuable
citizen. He did what could not be done in our day ; he was a very pious
man and a consistent member of the Presb)rterian Church, and raised his
family in the same manner as himself, and at the same time made and drank
whiskey all the time when it was no disgrace either to make it or drink it.
He died in 1845 and was buried on the farm which he cleared and
owned.
Balph MoGlnre
was one of the old-time characters in West Union. He owned and oc-
cupied the property where Mrs. Sarah W. Bradford now resides, and dug
the well there which was famous in his time and which is known as Ralph
McClure's well to this day. Judge Byrd extolled the properties of the
water in his diary.
Our subject was a north of Ireland Irishman with a rich brogue. He
was a schoolteacher in West Union before public schools were organized.
He taught many years in the home where he resided and all his schools
were subscription schools. The first school David Dunbar, of Manchester,
ever attended was at Ralph McClure's. The latter offered young David
six and one-fourth cents if he> would learn the alphabet in three days and
David accomplished the task. McClure once had a horse-mill on the rear
of Mrs. Bradford's lot, opposite the Lawler residence, and at one time he
had a distillery just south of his residence, but it was burned. He was a
bachelor and never attended church. He was of medium stature and had
a sharp face. He was very fond of smoking and raised his own tobacco
and made his own cigars. His neighbors seemed to have a g^eat deal of
confidence in him for they elected him Justice of the Peace in 1820, 1826,
1829, 1838, 1841 and in 1844. He and Nelson Barrere were great friends,
The latter would often state a suppositious case to him and get his opinion.
If the opinion pleased Barrere, he would immediately bring the real case
before the Justice and win it, as McClure was never known to go back on
any opinion he ever expressed.
He died April 24, 1846, while holding the oflSce of Justice of the Peace.
We do not know the place of his interment or whether he left any relatives.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 605
Adaat MeOoTmej
was born in County Down, Ireland, December 14, 1789, of Protestant Pres-
byterian parents. He receiveld a fair education, became a Free Mason and
was advanced in that order to the degrees of Christian Knighthood, before
leaving that country. While there he united with the Presbyterian Church.
In 1 81 8, he came to this country and located in Adams County. He
was married to Miss Mary McGovney, in Adams County, on the twenty-
eighth day of January, 1819. They had one child, Thomas, and she died
January 14, 1820, at thef age of 28 years. Her surviving husband never
remarried. In West Union, Mr. McGovney kept a general store and part
of the time conducted a tannery. In 1840, he became a member of the
Methodist Church and from that time until his death there was no more
devout or consistent Christian than he*. Always in his place at every
church service, and every prayer and class meeting, he was a bright and
shining light. He lived his religion every day of his life, and in his dying
hours it was his comfort and solace. He* was always at the Wednesday
evening prayer meetings which the writer attended when a small boy.
Uncle Adam, as all the boys knew him, had a fixed and certain prayer and
the writer at one time knew it all and could repeat it from memory. He
regards it as his loss that he cannot remember it and repeat it, until this
day. One phrase in it was "Knit us. Oh Lord, closer to thy bleeding side."
He, Abraham Hollingsworth, Nicholas Burwell, William R. Rape and
William Allen could always be depended on to attemd and be found at the
weekly prayer meetings.
Next to his religion, Mr. McGovney was attached to Masonry. He
was as faithful a Mason, as he was a church member. The writer re-
membered seeing him in many Masonic parades and he usually wore the
crossed silver keys of the lodge jewels. He was treasurer of the lodge
many years. As a neighbor and a friend he was liked by all who knew
him. He" published the country of his birth whenever he spoke, as he had
the broadest of Irish accent, but it was a pleasure to listen to it.
He was very fond of the little people, the children. He knew how to
please them, to cater to their pleasures, which he was very fond of doing.
They weire always his friends, and he, theirs.
He promised to bring the writer up to the tanner's trade and took
great pleasure in explaining it all to him. Mr. McGovney was over six
feet and slender. He had a very firm expression when his countenance
was in repose, but when animated or in a laughing mood, no one was more
agreeable. He was always ready to sympathize with those who deserved
it and to aid those who needed it. On his death bed he expressed his com-
plete confidence in the religion he professed in life. He required no re-
ligious consolation and, when approached on that subject, said, "I have
long placed my confidence in my Savior."
His funeral was conducted with Masonic honors by the West Union
Lodge and members of other lodges in the same county. The services
were at the Presbyterian Church and the interment was in the Kirker
Cemetery where he was laid beside, his wife who had been buried there
lorty years before.
Adam McGovney was a just man and a modal citizen. His activities
were confined to his business, Masonry and the church. In his political
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606 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
views he was a Democrat. His memory stands as that of a good and true
man, a credit to the generation to which he belonged.
He had no taste for politics and never was a candidate for office, but
he believed in doing every duty before him, and lived his belief.
Hngli MoSnrely
was born at Lexington, Kentucky, July 14, 1806. His father came from
the north of Ireland, and was a soldier under General Harrison in the War
of 1812. He came to Adams County when a child and his whole life was
spent there. In 1828, he was married to Mary Clark by the Rev. William
Baldridge of Cherry Fork congregation. Of this church, he and his wife
were members until the Unity Church was organized in 1846, when they
transferred their membership there. He was an elder in the United Pres-
byterian Church at thirty years and held the office for fifty years. He was
a man of decided convictions on all subjects. He was a Jacksonian Demo-
crat from 1827 to 1836. Hei became a Whig in 1836, two years after the
organization of that party. When the Whig party dissolved, he formed
no other political ties until the formation of the Republican party, when he
joined that party and continued in it all his life. He took a great interest
in the church, in all public questions and in the welfare of his country.
When the war broke out, he was fifty-five years of age, ten years over the
limit of age for military duty. But he determined to enter the military
service and did so. Here is his record : "Hugh McSurely, Private, Com-
pany E, 70th O. V. I. Captain, John T. Wilson. Enlisted November i,
1861, for three years; aged 55. Discharged December 8, 1862, on Sur-
geon's Certificate of disability." Of course, he ought not to have gone and
the Government should not have accepted him, but he did so and the in-
evitable followed. His age was against him and he broke down and was
sent home. When he returned he sent his son, George A., now a resident
of Oxford, Ohio, who took his place in the same company and regiment
and served until July 28, 1865. His son, Samuel A., served in the First
Ohio Heavy Artillery.
Hugh McSurely's wife died August 19, 1865. He contracted a sec-
ond marriage with Ann McClanahan, who survives him. He had five chil-
dren, the! sons above named. Rev. William J. McSurely, D. D., of Hills-
boro, Ohio, and Sarah A. McSurely, who resides on the home farm with
his widow. Hugh McSurely always took an active interest in politics,
though he was never a candidate for office. In the campaign of 1896. he
took as much interest in the election of President McKinley as though he
had forty years of life before him. He was honest and industrious: he
was a public-spirited, honored and useful citizen and a cheerful Christian.
He died December 5, 1896, in his ninety-first year.
Rev. John Meek
was the son of Isaac and Mary Meek, born in Short Creek, Carroll County.
Virginia, January 7, 1781. His father was a descendant of a Scotch
family who came to Ohio early in the century and located in Jefferson
County. Our subject very early in life was impressed with the notion that
he was divinely called to the ministry, and yielding to these convictions,
he was licensed to preach when only nineteen years of age. In September,
1803, he was appointed by the Baltimore Conference to the Scioto Circuit.
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RKV. ROHHKT DOBIUXS AARON STKKN
RKV. JOHN COLLINS REV. JOHN MEEK
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 607
and came to Ohio with Rev. William Burke, his presiding elder, and by
him was introduced to Governor Tiffin, a local preacher.
His first circuit had its extreme! southwest point on Eagle Creek, a
few miles from what is now known as Fitch's Chapel. Then by Bryan's,
on Three Mile Creek, to George Rodgers, near the mouth of Cabin Creek,
up to Manchester, thence to Peterson's on Ohio Brush Creek, Joseph
Moore's, then at the mouth of Turkey Creek ; then up the Scioto River to
Pee Pee Prairie to Snowden Sargeants ; then to Thomas Foster's at Big
Bottom; them from Foster's to Chillicothe; from Chillicothe to Bowdles,
at Hay Run ; then to White Brown's on Deer Creek ; from there to West
Fall on the Scioto River ; to Walnut Creek through the wilderness to old
Brother Stevenson's; then to John Robbins' on Buckskin Creek; then to
Hare's at the Falls of Paint Creek ; then to Braughter's Tavern ; up over
a blind Indian trail to Benjamin Graces' near New Market in Highland
County ; then to Odell's, near Briar Ridge), thirty miles distant, and from
Odell's to the place of beginning, near mouth of Eagle Creek, or Elk River.
In 1805, he was appointed to Hocking Circuit with the Rev. James
Quinn as senior preacher. He was here for a time and then returned to
the East. Before Mr. Meek returned again to Ohio, he was married to
Miss Ann Jones, daughter of John and Ann Jones, and sister of the Rever-
end Greenbury R. Jones, who was very well known in Adams County in
the early days. His wife was a clear-headed woman who appreciated
fully her posititon as the wife of an itinerant preacher, and she was during
her lifetime a true helpmeet. She died in the triumph of the great field in
February, 1855.
John Meek was ordained deacon in October, 1805. His certificate is
dated October 3, 1805, and signed by Richard What coat. In March, he
was ordained as elder. His certificate of ordination is dated March 16,
1810, and signed by William McKendree. Rev. Meek's son, William
McKendree Meek, was named for and baptized by Bishop McKendree.
.Our subject was a man of fine presence and possessed a noble bearing,
unflinching courage, and polished manners. He was intellectually a strong
man and ever ready to ckfend the doctrines and policies of the. church of
his choice. He was a camp meeting preacher of wonderful powefr. He
had a very fine voice, clear as a bell, and it rang out quite a distance. Rev-
erend Maxwell P. Gaddis says: "I shall never forget a sermon which I
heard him preach more than forty-five years ago at the old camp ground in
Adams County, Ohio, from these words: 'He that rejecteth me and re-
ceivcfth not my words hath one that judgeth him. The words that I have
spoken the same shall judge him in the last day.' (John 12 : 48.) It would
be impossible to describe the scene at the close of that eloquent effort. I
felt that I was fully compe<nsated for the long and dusty ride even to hear
him read the opening hymn, *That awful day will surely come.' "
John Meek was always in sentiment and feeling an anti-slavery man.
He was earnest in the support and advocacy of colonization, the then best
remedy for the evils of slavery. He closed his sixty years in the ministry
in August, i860, and on the thirtieth day of December, i860, at his home in
Felicity, in Clermont County, Ohio, he passed quietly away. His death
was peaceful and quiet, signalizing a patient confidence in Christ, a fitting
close to the long life in the ministry. His remains rest in the cemetery at
West Union.
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HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Johm Patton, of Virsinla.
H« is so designated to distinguish him from his son, John Patton, who
emigrated to Ohio. We find he was from the north of Ireland. He was
one of eight brothers. We do not know what time he located in Virginia,
but it was not later than 1774. He was bom about 1754. He was mar-
ried in about 1775. His eldest child, Nathaniel Patton, bom February 22,
1776; was married m Rockbridge County, Virginia, 1797. Nathaniel Pat-
ton located in Adams County in 181 4, on the farm wl^re Ramsey Duffey
now lives. He went to Rush County, Indiana, 1824. His wife's name
was Polly Robinson. He was the father of fourteen children, all of whom
but the eldest, John S. Patton, followed him to Decatur County, Indiana.
He died there in 1844. The second child of John Patton, of Virginia, was
Martha Campbell. She married James Campbell, in Rockbridge County,
Virginia. They came to Adams County and settled near Decatur, Brown
County. She left a large number of descendants, among whom are the
Wassons of Cherry Fork. Thomas Patton, a son, lived and died on West
Fork. The wife of Gen. William Mclntire was his daughter. His other
children removed to Peoria, Illinois, in the forties. Nathan Patton owned
the Sam McNown place in Brown County. He was a money maker and
Adams County was too slow for him. He left after a feJw years' residence
with his entire family and located in Iowa. All trace of him and his family
have been lost to the other Pattons. John Patton, the youngest son, Mras
bom in Virginia in 1787, a notice of whom is elsewhere herein. A daugh-
ter, Jane Patton, died in middle age, unmarried. Mary Patton was bora in
Virginia in 1789, and was married to Charles Kirkpatrick in 1806. They
came to Ohio and located on Eagle Creek. Three children were born to
them, and Kirkpatrick died in the War of 1812. In 1813, she married
William Evans, and ten children were born of this union, the eldest of
which was Edward Patton Evans, of West Union, father of one of the
editors of this work. She died March 22, 1830, at the age of forty-one.
Nancy Milligan, the fourth daughter of John Patton, of Virginia, was bom
in Rockbridge County, Virginia, about 1791. She married William Mil-
ligan, and they located near Unity in Adams County. She was the mother
of a large family. J. C. Milligan, her son, was a County Commissioner
of Adams County from i860 to 1863. Her son, John Milligan, is living
near Decatur, Brown County.
John Patton, of Virginia, died in 1809 in Rockbridge County. He
made his will in July, 1809, and it was probated in October, 1809. From
the tone of his will, it is judged he was a very pious. God-fearing man.
The inventory of his estate on file indicates he was an ordinary Virginia
farmer. He owned 278 acres of land in one body, about five and three-
fourths miles from Lexington, on the upper Natural Bridge road. Two
hundred acres of his land lay in Burden's Grant, and the remainder, sev-
enty-eight acres, just outside of it.
The original grant of the Burden tract was from George, the Second,
by the Grace of Ck>d of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King and De-*
fender of the Faith, etc., and on condition that one family for eveiry thou-
sand acres be settled on it within two years. There were 92,100 acres in
the g^nt. The land was to be held in free and commwi socage and not in
capiie or by knight service, and to pay a rent of one shilling for every fifty
acres, to be paid yearly in the Feast of St. Michael, the Archangel (Sep-
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 609
tember 29). Three acres out of every fifty were to be improved within
three years. All these conditions were abolished by the Virginia Legisla-
ture during the Revolution.
John Patton bought his two hundred acres in Burden's Grant, Decem-
ber 3, 1782. That is the date of his deed, but he probably had it con-
tracted for long before that. He purchased of James Grigsby, who died
April 7, 1794, and was the first person buried in the Falling Spring
cemetery.
John Patton hated the institution of slavery, and had intended to re-
move from Virginia had he lived, but he charged his children to remove
from a slave state, which they did. His descendants are very much the
same type of man that he was himself; strong, prudent, economical, honest,
careful, despising all sham and pretense, and hating oppression and in-
justice in every form.
John Patton, of Ohio,
so designated to distinguish him from his father, having the same name,
but who never resided in Ohio, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia,
June 9, 1787. His mother was Martha Sharp, the daughter of a Presby-
terian minister of Glasgow, Scotland. He was married to Phoebe Taylor
in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1813. While he was courting her, he
used to visit her about every ninety days, riding over the Natural Bridge,
his home being on the opposite side of the bridge from her. He resided
in Rockbridge County until 1816, when he moved to Wayne Township,
Adams County, where he purchased a farm, His wife was aunt of Bishop
Taylor, of the M. E. Church, so long a missionary in Africa. She was born
February 2, 1794. They joined the Associate Reformed Church in North
Liberty as soon as they came from Virginia and attended it all theSr lives.
They had ten children bom to them, four sons and six daughters. Martha,
the eJdest, was born in Virginia. She married the Rev. Robert Stewart,
who was pastor of the church at Cherry Fork for nineteen years. She
died in 1852, His second son, James T., born October 25, 1815, died in
1835. He had been attending Miami University, and was expecting to
become a minister of the Gospel. Another son, John Elder, lived many
years near North Liberty on the Winchester :oad. Nathaniel C. Patton,
one of the principal farmers of the county, lives near Harshaville. Henry
Patton died unmarried. Of the daughters, Larissa married Alexander
Caskey and had a large family. One of her sons is John P. Caskey, of the
firm of Harsha & Caskey, at Portsmouth, Ohio. A daughter, Elizabeth,
married Robert Morrison, of Eckmansville ; Phoebe Caroline married S.
D. Mclntire, and Nancy and Margaret each married a Kirkpatrick. They
also had an adopted child, Phoebe C. Finley.
John Patton died October 7, 1853, aged sixty-five years. His wife
died October 7, 1863. aged sixty-nine years.
John Patton and his wife were the very strictest Presbyterians. There
was family worship morning and evening, grace before meals, and a return-
ing of thanks after, and Sunday was devoted entirely to public and private
worship, including the catechism. When anyone visited their house, he
was not asked if he were a member of any church, but he was called 6n to
say g^ace or take part in worship, and if he was not in a condition to do
so he was put in the position to be asked to be excused. In those days
39a
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610 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
religion was a severe and awful matter, and they made it a part of their
every day life. Sunday was a day when only public or private worship,
reading of the scriptures or catechising, and nothing else, was to be thought
of. They believed that the promises were for them and their children, and
acted on their belietf. Their lives were models for all the world, but alas,
how the world has changed since that time. The severity of the religion of
the Pilgrim Fathers was no greater than that of Rockbridge County, Vir-
ginia, Presbyterians, but with all their religious severity, they did not for-
get to make and save money and had all that thrift which belonged alike
to the New England Puritan and the north of Ireland Protestant Irishman.
John Pennywitt
was born on Gift Ridge, Monroe Township, October 28, 1810, and died
at Washington, D. C, May 4, 1882.
In 1740 there landed at the port of New York a young immigrant
from Alsace-Lorraine. His name was John Pennywitt, or Pennwitt.
(The name was afterwards variously spelled Penniwitt, Petnnywit. Benny-
witt, etc.) He was a Huguenot; his family had been well-nigh exterm-
inated and he had been persecuted and driven from his native land because
of his religious faith. He was by occupation a miller, and found employ-
ment at his trade at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He married his employer's
daughter, and with his bridei started to join the Huguenot colony in South
Carolina. On the way thither they passed up the Shenandoah Valley and
were so impressed by the beauty of the scenery and the fertility of the soil
that they decided to locate there. He built the first mill in the valley, the
foundation of which is still standing near Mount Jackson. He had two
sons and several daughters. One son, John, emigrated to the West and
camei to Adams County. He was a giant in stature and his strength was
remarkable. He could carry two barrels of flour at once, one under each
arm. His remains now lie in the cemetery at Qiiinn Chapel. He had four
sons, one of whom, Mark, succeeded to the home farm on Gift Ridge.
Mark had six sons, one of whom, Samuel, was accidentally killed when a
youth. The five surviving brothers, John, James, Reuben, David and
Mark, lived to ripe old age. They were all large and muscular. Their
aggregate weight was more than a thousand pounds, and their combined
strength doubtless exceeded that of any other family of equal numbers in
southern Ohio. As to their physical development they constituted per-
haps the most remarkable family that Adams County has ever produced.
And they were equally noted for their sterling integrity and irreproachable
character.
The eldest of these brothers, John (the subject of this sketch), was
married in early manhood to Ann Wade, a schoolmate of his boyhood days,
the daughter of a near neighbor. They reared a family of four sons and
four daughters, all of whom are living at the date of this writing ( Septem-
ber, 1899). At the age of nineteen he became a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Naylor's Meeting House. To that deaicwnination he
continued faithful to the end. He organized a class made up of his im-
mediate neighbors, donated the ground and was the chief contributor to
the fund for erecting Quinn Chai>el, and the main support for many years
of the society that worshipped there. During a considerable portion of
his life he was one of the stewards of West Union circuit in which was
embraced Quinn Chapel.
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PIONEEK CHARACTKR SKETCHES 611
In his younger days he served as Justice of the Peace and as Captain
of Militia. He was an old-line Whig. When the Republican party came
into existence he identified himself with that political organization. To the
principles of that party he was firmly attached. To the institution of
slavery he was always a relentless enemy. His party honored him with
a nomination to the State Legislature and elected him County Commis-
sioner. While serving in the latter capacity he was largely instrumental
in securing the construction of improved roads throughout the county.
He was Chairman of the Republican Executive Committee for several
years, during which period his party was generally successful at the polls ;
but for his right arm he would not have used a single dollar to corrupt
an American voter.
The panic of 1875 brought financial ruin to him. He gave up his home
and his last dollar, and in 1874, with his wife and one unmarried daughter,
removed to Washington, D. C, to accept a home proffered them by one of
his sons. In May, 1876, he received an appointment to a clerkship in the
United States Treasury Department, which position he held during the
remaining six years of his life.
The distinguishing features of John Pennywitt's character were un-
swerving honesty, absolute integrity of purpose and unflinching adherence
to the truth. He never told a lie. He was an absolute stranger to de-
ceit. A near neighbor, Peter Thompson, saw him grow from infancy to
manhood and clearly recognized this trait in his character. Once upon a
time this old gentleman had occasion to repeat a statement made by him,
and a bystander expressed some doubts of its truth. This aroused his
Scotch ire and he burst out in tones of indignation, "I know it's true, for
John Pennywitt himself told me.'' From this incident he became gener-
ally known as "J^^^ Pennywitt himself." Higher tribute than this can
not be paid to human character. Those who knew him well never doubted
a word that he uttered.
He was self-educated and his education was thorough and practical.
Notwithstanding his limited opportunities for attending school he became
familiar with all the common branches of learning, and in mathematics he
was superior to many college-bred meai. He taught many terms in the
public schools. Algebra, geometry and surveying he mastered without a
teacher. He became widely known as a land surveyor, and in contested
cases his surveys were accepted by the courts as thoroughly reliable.
His remains rest in Odd Fellow's Cemetery in Manchester. His fun-
eral was one of the largest ever witnessed in the county. By his side
sleeps the partner of his life's joys and sorrows. Adams County may
justly be proud of such a son.
Reuben Pennyirit
was bom May 31, 181 7, the fourth child of Mark Penny wit, who reared his
family on Gift Ridge in Adams County. He had six brothers and each of
them was more than six feet tall. In youth, he delighted in feats of
strength. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church ' at Quinn
Chapel at its dedication, December 20, 1842, a church built on the old Pen-
nywit home, and largely by the contributions of the family.
On April 3, 1839, he married Miss Jane Cooper, of Brown County,
Ohio, who survived him. They had nine children, eight of whom were
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612 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
living at the time of the death of their father. They were Captains WyHe
and Alfred ; George and Mary of Manchester ; Captain Samuel Pennywit,
of Natchez, Mississippi; Mrs. Edward McMillan and Mrs. J. P. Duffey,
of Cincinnati, and Joseph W. Pennywit.
He died February lo, 1892. In his Christian charatcer, he was pre-
eminent.
Colonel James Poage.
This Ucune is identical with the Scotch Pollock, or American Polk or
Pogue.
Robert Poage landed in Philadelphia in 1738 with his wife, Elizabeth,
and nine children, Margaret, John, Martha, Sarah, George, Mary, Eliza-
beth, William and Robert. A tenth child, Thomas, was bom to them the
next year. The second son, John, above named, married Mary Blair, who
was a sister of the Rev. John Blair and Rev. Samuel Blair, of Pennsylvania,
and William Lawrence Blair, a lawyer of Kentucky. Robert Poage located
his family within three miles of Staunton, Virginia. John Poage, Robert's
son, had six sons and two daughters. The subject of our sketch, the fifth
son, was bom March 17, 1760, near Staunton, Virginia. All the sons were
eminent men, surveyors, and counted wealthy for their time.
Martha, the third child of Robert Poage. the emigrant, married
Michael Woods, who located in the Valley of Virginia, in 1734, She was
bom in Ireland in 1728, and died in Ripley, Ohio, in 1818. She was the
mother of eight children, all of whom grew lo maturity, married and had
families. Mary, her daughter, born Febmary 18, 1760, was married to
Col. James Poage, March 10, 1787, and died at Ripley, Ohio, in April, 1830
Ann, daughter of John Poage and Mary Blair, married Andrew Kin-
caid. She and her husband died about the same time, leaving six young
children, three of them daughters, whom Col. Poage took and reared as his
own. They grew to womanhood in Ripley and all three of them married.
Robert Poage, grandfather of Col. James Poage, established his resi-
dence within three miles of Staunton, Virginia, on a tract of 772 acres, and
he acquired much larger tracts afterward. He and his wife were well ed-
ucated and strong Presbyterians. He led his family in Bible reading,
sacred song and prayer, every morning and evening, never permitting an^-
press of business to interfere. Sunday afternoons, his wife led all the chil-
dren of the family, visitors and callers in the study of the Bible and of the
shorter catechism, while he attended to the chores. This Sunday afternoon
study was made very interesting and was kept up in the family of his son,
John Poage, and his son-in-law, Rev. Woods.
Robert Poage was one of the first Magistrates of Augusta County, and
on several occasions entertained General George Washington. His son,
John, father of James, the founder of Ripley, accompanied Col. Washing-
ton on the Braddock campaign and became much attached to him. Robert,
the emigrant, died about March 6, 1774, and his will was probated that year
in Augusta County.
John Poage was County Surveyor of Augusta County, Virginia, about
thirty years and was Sheriff in 1778. He was a strong Presbyterian and
died in the faith. He gave each of his children a large family Bible, sev-
eral of which are still in existence. His will was proven in Augusta
County, Vrginia, April 22. 1789. General Washington himself requested
the Poages to aid in securing the Ohio Valley to the people of the United
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 613
Colonies. In accordance with the request, William Poage, uncle of Col.
James Poage, moved to Kentucky in 1778, and there lost his life in an
Indian campaign, leaving seven children.
Col. James Poage went to Kentucky in 1778, but there is no authentic
account of his movements from that time until his marriage in 1789, except
that he was engaged with surveying parties, and in protecting the families
of his relatives from the incursion of the Indians. Sometime in this
period, he was at the head of a surveying party and sometimes he com-
manded several. His work was fraught with great dangers. No men
were permitted to accompany his parties except those expert in the use of
a rifle. A number of hunters accompanied the parties to provide food.
The furs of the animals were carefully preserved and packed. The most
efficient scouts were obtained to guard against Indian attacks which could
be expected at any tinre. Danger often compelled several surveying par-
ties to keep together. The head of a single party would be called a Captain.
When several parties worked together, their chief was called a Colonel, and
James Poage often commanded consolidated parties, and it was in this way
in which he obtained his title of Colonel. Few Western surveyors did
more work in dangerous localities than Colonel James Poage and yet he was
never involved in any serious encounter with the Indians. He was always
on the lookout for them and Indians will rarely attack an enemy except by
surprise. Col. Poage could not be surprised by any of them. Whenever
he encamped his party or parties, he took such precautions that he could
not be surprised, and his men had implicit confidence in him as a com-
mander. When he met the Indians openly and peaceably he always treated
them fairly and with justice and kindness, and he had their respect. He
did work with surveying parties in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky,
Indiana and Illinois. Considerable of this work was done after his mar-
riage. When at home he devoted himself j.o farming and stock raising.
He could get more work and more willing work out of his farm hands and
slaves than any man of his times, except his brothers, George, William and
Robert, who had the same traits. Another feature of those who worked
for him, whether free or slaves, was that they would be as faithful in his
long absence from his home as during his presence. He took an interest in
everyone who worked for him, and whenever occasion required he would
turn to and perform manual labor in that perfect manner he expected it
to be done for him. He had a tact with his servants that could be imitated
by no one and which cannot be described. ^
He first resided in Clarke County, Kentucky, and represented that
county in the Legislature of 1796, but most of his time in Kentucky he was
a resident of Mason County. He disliked and was opposed to human
slavery. In 1804, he took up one thousand acres of Survey No. 418 in
Ohio, along the Ohio River, the center of which contains the town of Rip-
ley, and here he made his home and laid cut a town, which he named
Staunton, for Staunton in Virginia. He located this tract because he
wanted to free his slaves, and to do it, had to remove to a free state. Dur-
ing his residence in Ripley, he was distinguished for his liberality and
hospitality, but he always lacked ready money. However, that was the case
with everyone in that time, but was the hardest on those disposed to be
liberal. He always entertained all the visiting ministers. All dis-
tinguished visitors were his guests. It was rarely his family sat down to
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614 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
a meal without gfuests. Every Virginian passing that way felt in duty
bound to visit him, and he felt in duty bound to entertain
everyone from his native State. Frequently he had so many
visitors at one time, that his daughters all occupied one room and
his sons all occupied the hay loft. So lavish was his hospitality that often
tea, coffee and sugar were lacking at his table, but neither he nor his wife
ever apologized for these deficiencies or were kss cordial to their guests for
the want of them. His daughters and his wife, from flax, wool and cot-
ton, made nearly all of the clothing for the entire family and fitted it as
neatly as a modern tailor.
For his services in surveying Virginia and General Government, he
was granted 40,000 acres of land, half near Point Pleasant, West Virginia,
and half that quantity near Cairo, Illinois. On this he paid out a large
amount of taxes, and his executors abandoned this land after his death for
want of funds to pay taxes and bring it into the market.
As a husband and father, he was kind and affectionate^ He was a
magnetic kind of man and his family obeyed him implicitly. He exer-
cised a wonderful influence among those around him, securing their con-
currence in his judgment and direction about matters. But above all
things, he was distinguished by his robust, cheerful piety. His life and
example tended to make other men believe and embrace his faith. A num-
ber of his letters breathing that earnest spirit of piety, his chief charac-
teristic, are still in existence.
His children were as follows: Martha, bom in Virginia, February
17, 1788, married George Poage, son of Gen. George Poage, her uncle.
Died in Brown County, Ohio, between 1855 and i860. No descendants.
John C. Poage, born in Virginia, April 19, 1779, married Mary Hopkins.
No children. Andrew Woods Poage married Jane Gray, died April 19,
1840, at Yellow Spring, Ohio. Mary and James, twins, born March 25,
1793. She died in Ripley in 1821 and he in 1820. Robert Poage, bom
February 4, 1797, married Sarah Kirker, had children. Died in Illinois,
February, 1874. His oldest son, James Smith Poage, is a minister of the
Gospel. Elizabeth Poage, born April, 1798, married Isaac Shepherd, a
minister, died in Ripley, Ohio, July 30, 1832. No children. Ann bom
May 5, 1800, married Alexander Mooney. Died near Russellville, Ohio.
Margaret, bom September 10, 1803. Married Rev. Thomas S. William-
son, died at St. Peter, Minn., July 21, 1872. Had ten children, the thre^
eldest died in childhood and 'are buried in the old cemetery at Ripley.
Three sons of the remaining seven survive. Rev. John Poage William-
son, D. D., Missionary to Dakota; A. W. Williamson, Ph. D., Professor of
Mathematics, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois; H. M. William-
son, Editor of the Rural North West, Portland, Oregon. Also, one
daughter survives, Sarah, born March 4, 1805, married Rev. Gideon H.
Pond, died at Bloomington, Minn., 1854. Had seven children, of whom
six survMve. Thomas, born at Ripley. Ohio, June i, 1808, died there
August, 1 83 1.
Rev. George Poage, bom June 18, 1809, married Jane Riggs, died in
Colorado in 1807. Had six children, of whom only one survives, but had
a number of grandchildren, all surviving.
As a farmer and stock raiser. Col. Poage had no superior and was suc-
cessful in obtaining the best crops and the finest cattle and horses.
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HON. JAMES H. ROTHROCK
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 616
In what proved to be Col. Poage's last sickness, he was prevailed upon
to go security for a large sum for a woolen mill in which he had invested
money. After his death, the mill failed and his estate was called on to
pay the debt. Want of capacity to make the note might have been suc-
cessfully pleaded, and his executor and legatees were so advised, but his
children declined and the debt was paid by his estate. However, it was
this that made the executor abandon the lands owned by him in West Vir-
ginia and in Illinois. Finally enough was saved out of his estate to give
each one of his children a fine farm.
This is the story of the founder of Ripley, and the materials were
accessible to have made it more elaborate in details which would have been
as interesting as any given. His ashes repose in the old abandoned cem-
etery of Ripley.
James H. Rothrock
was bom at Milroy, Pa., in 1829. In 1838, his father removed to Mt.
Leigh in Adams County, where he took up wild woodland. Our subject
attended schools three months each winter and the remainder of the year
he spent in aiding his father subdue the wilderness. Thus he spent ten
years, but in that time was schooled in humanity. His father was a Binny
Abolitionist and his home was a station on the Underground Railroad.
The next station north was Flat Run in Highland County, and in the ten
years, from his ninth to- his nineteenth year, our subject piloted not less
than three hundred slaves between the stations on their road to freedom.
That work was a good lesson for the boy and helped make the man. From
1848 to 1850, he attended an academy at Felicity and taught school. From
1850 to 1852, he attended Franklin College at New Athens, Ohio. In
1852, he went to West Union and began the study of the law under the
late Edward P. Evans, father of the writer of this sketch. During the
time he was studying law, he taught school to earn his living. In the
spring of 1852, he and Alexander Woodrow were the only two persons in
West Union who cast their votes for John P. Hale for President. In the
spring of 1854, he and his preceptor went to Columbus, where he was ad-
mitted to the bar. He at once located in Greenfield, in Highland County,
where he began the practice of law. Here, on the fifteenth of October,
1855, he was married to Miss Austie Foote. That same fall he was elected
to the office of Prosecuting Attorney of Highland County and served one
term. He was a candidate for re-election in 1857, but was defeated. He
removed to Hillsboro in 1858 and remained there until t86o, when he re-
moved to and located in Tipton, the county seat of Cedar County, Iowa.
In 1861, he was elected to the Iowa Legislature and served part of the
time as Speaker, pro tern. In July, 1862, he was appointed Lieutenant-
Colonel of the 35th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and in that organization dis-
tinguished himself by signal bravery in battle. General William L. Davis,
in speaking of the attack on the rebel works at Vicksburg, in which the
35th Iowa participated, said: "Lieutenant-Colonel Rothrock sprang to
the front, ordered the regiment to charge, and, taking the lead, with hat
in one hand and sword in the other, the Thirty-fifth went into that awful
shower of lead and iron. The line was repulsed everywhere with fearful
slaughter. No braver man than he ever drew a sword or held the affec-
tion of his soldiers more strongly." However, his constitution was broken
down by the hardships of the service, and he was compelled to resign in
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. 616 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
the fall of 1863. I" 1S66, he was nominated and elected District Judge.
He served as such nine years, when the Governor of the State appointed
him to the Supreme Bench to fill a vacancy. He was elected for the suc-
ceeding term and re-elected until he voluntarily retired after twenty-one
years' service. His opinions are found from the 41 to the loi Iowa
Reports.
When he retired from the Supreme Judgeship, Judge H. E. Deemer.
one of his associates, on the Supreme Bench, said of him : "He is a man
of good, common, hard sense, who took his diploma from the school of ex-
perience, and has risen to his present proud position through honest and
earnest endeavor. A man who has the best judgment upon important
questions of any man with whom I ever came into contact, a man who is
king among men. He gave thirty years of continuous judicial service to
his State, seven years in the District and twenty-one years on the Supreme
Bench. His work as a jurist was painstaking and thorough. He never
wrote an opinion without the most conscientious research. He did his
best every time."
The strength of his decisions were not only recognized in Iowa, but
in Ohio as well. In the latter State, his old friends of the bar always
sought out his decisions and were proud to cite and rely on them as the best
law. To the Hon. N. M. Hubbard, his fellow townsman, we are indebted
for an estimate of his character, which is most accurate. He said of Judge
Rothrock: "His chief characteristics are probity, common sense and an
unbiased judgment. His opinions were the result of reasoning, never of
feeling. His decisions not only convinced the successful party that they
were the law, but convinced the losing parties that their causes had been
decided rightfully. His opinions are contained in sixty-one volumes of
the Iowa Reports. They are models of compact statements, and clear
analysis, which lead to irresistible conclusions. His language is plain,
simple and terse Saxon. He was not a great scholar, nor of any consider-
able literary attainments, but he had the remarkable faculty of expressing
himself in plain English so as to be clearly understood and to convince the
reader by his forceful reasonings. He is a good talker, a better listener,
and of rare judicial talent. The people of Iowa, without dissent, honor
him as one of its first citizens and most eminent jurists."
The wife of his youth died April 9, 1893. He has three sons, Edward
E., born in 1850; James H., in 1869. and George L., in 1873. The writer,
as a boy, went to school to him in West Union while he was a law student.
He was then a boarder at the home of his preceptor, and there the writer
became acquainted with him. When this history was projected, he opened
a correspondence with the Judge and several pleasant letters were ex-
changed. The Judge looked forward with pleasure to the time when he
could read of his Ohio friends, those of his childhood and youth in this
history, but alas ! that was never to be ! Those years of leisure to which
he and his family looked forward with pleasure were never to be lived by
him. November 17, 1898, he wrote : "My race is nearly run. After three
score and ten, there is little left but to wait the end." When he wrote
those words, he little realized how near he was to the end. He died
on the fifteenth of January, 1899. His funeral was honored by the at-
tendance of the Governor and Supreme Judges of the State and by numer-
ous distinguished citizens as well as by his townsmen. He has left a grand
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 617
and noble memory, and those who knew him in Ohio in his boyhood and
young manhood, cherish it equally with the citizens of Iowa, who knew
him so well. Adams County is proud of the history of his life.
PhiUp Rothrook
was bom October 12, 1801, in Pennsylvania. His father moved to Mt.
Leigh when he was eleven years of age. He went to school in the district
school of the neighborhood and afterward at the North Liberty Academy.
When the war broke out he raised a company for the 60th O. V. L for one
year and was appointed Captain, November 26, 1861. He served in the
organization until November 10, 1862, and while in it was in several bat-
tles and skirmishes, and was taken prisoner of war at Harper's Ferry in
the surrender there. He remained at home until June, 1863, when he
raised Company B, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. While he was recruit-
ing that, he and his brother, Joseph, and John Van Deman attended the
North Liberty United Presbyterian Church and took communion. Philip
said it v/ould be the last time he would be with them and so it proved to
be. His regiment was sent for service in Last Tennessee. On August
18, 1863, he was wounded by an explosion of one of our old cannon at
Cleveland, Tennessee, then used to repel an attack by the Rebel General
Wheeler. The next day he was appointed Major but was never mustered.
He was sent to the hospital where he remained until October 12, 1864,
when he died. In November, his remains were brought to Mt. Leigh and
reinterred.
He was married August 18, 1857, to Rebecca E. Shaw. There were
two sons of this marriage, Joseph Lewis, born June 11, 1858, who is mar-
ried and now resides at* Washington C. H. He has two children. An-
other son, Philip E., resides at Washington C. H., and is married. He is
the father of four children, and is engaged in the hardware business there.
Philip Rothrock was a Presbyterian, and much devoted to his faith.
He was a man of generous impulses, intensely patriotic, and had he sur-
vived, he would have been a most valuable citizen in any community. His
untimely death was much deplored by all who knew him.
Jolm Stivers,
a son of William Stivers and Elizabeth King, was bom n^ar the city of
New York in the year 1765. He had six brothers, Edward, William,
Reuben, Peter, James and Richard, and three sisters, one of whom, Sarah,
married Richard Bergin of Bourbon County, Ky., who afterwards settled
near Columbus, Ohio. In 1775, in order to escape the Tory allies of
George HI, in and about New York, William Stivers moved to Spottsyl-
vania County, Virginia. There he was comparatively safe from Tory per-
secutions, and during the Revolution he sent six sons to battle for the cause
of Liberty, his seventh son, Richard, being too young to bear arms. John
Stivers, the sixth son, volunteered in May. 1780, in Captain Robert Dan-
iel's Company of Colonel Spencer's Regiment. Virginia Volunteers, when
but little past fifteen years of age, for a period of service of five months. At
the expiration of the term of his first enlistment, he again volunteered for
a term of three months under Captain Robert Harris, of Colonel
Regiment. At the expiration of his second term of enlistment the war
was practically over. Virginia was cleared of marauding bands of Tories.
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618 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
and Comwallis and his British and Hessian forces were shut up in York-
town to stay until they marched out to the tune of "The World's Upside
Down/* and he surrendered his sword to Washington.
In the year 1786, John Stivers married Miss Martha Neel, a daughter
of John Neel, a Scotch emigrant, and settled in the forks of the Yough-
iogheny and the Monongahela Rivers, in Westmoreland County, Penn-
sylvania. There his family of eight children were born : Samuel K., Rob-
ert, James, John, Matilda, who married Isaac Teachenor ; Lydia, who mar-
ried William Shaw; Washington, and Nancy, who married Enoch
Moore. In 1799, he moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky, and soon there-
after came to Sprigjg: Township, Adams County, Ohio, and settled on
Brier Ridge within sight of the old Methodist Church in what is now Lib-
erty Township, where he continued to reside until his death in 1839. B^"
fore coming to Ohio he and his oldest brother, Reuben, who settled in Bour-
bon County, Kentucky, laid military warrants Nos. 6640, 6642 and 6643
covering 630 acres of land lying on Treber's Run, and on the East Fork of
Eagle Creek in Adams County. The youngest brother, Richard, after-
wards came to Kentucky and settled near Louisville, where he became one
of the most prominent planters of that region. John Stivers was an active,
vigorous man, both in body and mind, and took a deep interest in his day
in affairs of county and state. He was a radical Jeffersonian Democrat
in his political opinions, and he was a faithful member of the Baptist
Church for nearly fifty years. In personal appearance he was a little be-
low the medium in height, but very compactly built, and weighed in full
and vigorous manhood about 165 pounds. He had dark hair, steel-blue
eyes and regular features, and was of a buoyant disposition and pleasing
turn of mind ; yet he was not slow to resent wrong or a personal affront.
It is related of him that soon after his first enlistment in the Revolution,
that while resting with his company at a spring, a bumptious militia officer
rode up and addressing him as "Bud," requested a drink of water. This
so enraged the youthful soldier that he seized the officer and dragged him
from his saddle and gave him a deserved pummelling for his impertinence.
He and his faithful wife are buried in the old cemetery at Decatur, in
Brown County, Ohio.
David Sinton.
•
The name is Anglo-Saxon, and in the early history of the family the
Sintons were found settled near the border of Scotland. The ancestors of
this subject went to the north of Ireland with one of Cromwell's colonies.
His father and mother were Quakers. His mother's name was McDonald.
John Sinton, father of David Sinton, was married in Ireland. He resided
in County Armagh, and was a linen manufacturer at the city of Armagh.
David Sinton was bom January 26, 1808. and in 181 1, his father and
mother came to the United States in a sailing vessel, which occupied nine
weeks in the voyage.
John Sinton located at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and went to mer-
chandising with his brother-in-law, McDonald. In one year the partner-
ship was dissolved, and Sinton removed to West Union, Ohio, where he
sold goods from 1812 until 1825, at which time he closed out his business
at auction.
David Sinton had two sisters and one brother; the brother, William,
died at West Union, and is buried in the village cemetery there. He had
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DAVID SINTON
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 619
studied medicine with Dr. William B. Willson, and had qualified himself
for a physician, when death cut him off in his early manhood. He had
just begun the practice of medicine at the time of his death. One of
David Sinton's sisters never left Ireland, but married there. His other
sister, who came with the remainder of the family to this country, married
John Sparks, the banker, and died at Union Landing of the cholera, in
1833. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks had three children: Mary Jane, who married
a McCauslen and resides near Steubenville, Ohio, and George Sparks, who
resides at Clinton, Indiana. The third child died an infant at West Union,
Ohio.
John Sparks was bom near West Union, Ohio, in 1800, and reared
there. He lived awhile in Hillsboro, when a young man, and then began
merchandising in West Union, Ohio, on the corner now occupied by Miller
& Bunn's drug store, and was in business there from 1820- until 1830. He
went to Union Landing in 1830, and remained until 1833. He then re-
turned to West Union, Ohio, and went into the banking business, where
he remained until his death in April, 1847. Bates & Surtees founded the
bank at West Union, Ohio. They were both from Cincinnati. The bank was
an unsound concern, and when it collapsed Thomas Huston lost $13,000
by its failure.
David Sinton had the cholera at Union Landing in 1833. at the time
his sister died of it, and he came very near dying of it himself.
He left West Union in his fourteenth year, and went to Sinking
Springs, in Highland County, Ohio, where he went into the employment
of James McCague, who kept a tavern and a country store there, and re-
mained at that place two years. McCague had a branch store at Dunbar-
ton, Ohio, three miles south of Peebles. David Sinton was in his six-
teenth year when he kept store at Dunbarton, for three or four months.
McCague was a dnnking man, and his wife and Sinton attended to all the
business. Sinton says tliat the sales in the branch store at Dunbarton were
principally whiskey. On Saturday, the furnace hands from the Brush
Creek Forge, Steam Furnace and Marble Furnace, gathered at Dunbarton,
and got gloriously drunk. Whiskey was then about six and one-fourth
cents a quart, and drunks were consequently gotten up very cheap.
David Sinton went to Cincinnati in 1824 and waited there four months
before he could get any employment. In that time he improved his mind
by reading Hume's History of England, and other works. Mr. Sinton
thought he could have gotten employment, had he made himself "a hail
fellow well met," with the young men of his own age with whom he became
acquainted, and had he participated in their dissipations, but this he refused
to do. He says those young men have been dead and forgotten for years.
While trying to get work, he answered all advertisements, but with no
success. He applied for the position of bookkeeper at Adams' Commis-
sion House on Main Street, but found, on looking at their books, he could
not keep them. He then went to work as a porter or laborer. He put up
twenty tons of bar iron from Pittsburg, and placed barrels of sugar in the
loft. He had a difficulty with a fellow-laborer in the same house, and
says : "I went to Mr. Adams, and asked him to discharge the other man.
He refused to do so, and I discharged myself."
He was disgusted with Cincinnati, and concluded to go home. He
went to Manchester on a steamboat, and from there he walked to West
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620 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Union. There he) received letters, asking him to return to Sinking
Springs. He went there and remained wilii his former employer, Mc-
Cague, at eight dollars per month, for two years. Then he concluded he
wanted to be a capitalist. He went into partnership with a Methodist
preacher, and bought a still-house for one hundred and fifty dollars. He
ran the still until he paid his debts, and then being ashamed of the busi-
ness, he sold out. He guarded a prisoner for nine days in 1826 and got
twenty dollars for it, and then concluded to go to Cincinnati.
There he opened out a commission house for John Sparks, his brother-
in-law, and Daniel Boyle, of West Union, but the venture was not success-
ful, and the house was closed in six months. He then went to Washing-
ton C. H., in the employ of Dr. Boyd, to take charge of a store. He re-
mained there six months at twenty-five dollars per month. Then he re-
ceived an oflFer to go to Hanging Rock at four hundred dollars per year.
He left Washington C. H., and w^ent to West Union to consult his brother-
in-law, John Sparks. He offered Sparks to go to Union Furnace for two
hundred dollars per year, and his board. The offer was accepted, and he
went to Union Furnace Landing, where he kept store, and sold pig iron.
He was there three years. The firm was James Rogers & Co. Rogers
soon sold out, and the firm became John Sparks & Co., and Sinton became
manager of the furnace at four hundred dollars per year, when other fur-
naces were paying one thousand dollars per year for the same service.
Union Furnace had cost seven thousand dollars, but was much in debt.
Sinton made the furnace put out five hundred tons of iron per year, and
made it pay dividends. The output was mostly hollow-ware. Sinton
wanted to push the business. He leased the furnace at a rental of five
thousand dollars per year for five years. The stack fell down, and the
bars gave out. While rebuilding the stack, he bought great quantities of
wood, and had it stored about the furnace. Before the stack w^as rebuilded,
the wood caught fire, and was all consumed. Sinton was then twenty-
eight years of age, and financially broken up. He had been up three days
and nights fighting fire, and was utterly discouraged. He thought he
would go to Mexico, but lay down and slept eighteen consecutive hours.
Twice before he had lost all he had, and he concluded he would try it again.
The men who had brought in the wood, and worked at the furnace, wanted
their money. Sinton professed his ability to pay, and the men were paid
as they came up, in as small bills and change as could be used so as to
consume as much time as possible in settling and making payment. He
had one thousand dollars in small bills and change, and managed it so that
he only paid out one hundred dollars on the first day of the run. The run
continued until the third day, when one of the men put a stop to it by tell-
ing the others they were all fools, and then they brought tlieir money back.
After the furnace started up, Sinton sold iron at thirty-five dollars
per ton, which he made at a cost of ten dollars per ton. At that time the
furnace made six tons per day. David Sinton built Ohio Furnace during
his lease on Union Furnace. Tt made ten tons per day, and Sinton ran it
a year before his lease terminated on Union Furnace. Union Furnace was
then put up and sold in partition, and David Sinton and Thomas W. Means
bought it. They then owned and ran both Ohio and Union Furnace.
David Sinton went to Cincinnati in 1849, where he has resided ever
since. He was married at Union Landing to Jane Ellison, daughter of
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 621
John Ellison, of Adams County, Ohio, and sister to the wife of his partner,
Thomas W. Means. There were two children of this marriage, Edward,
who died, unmarried, at the age of twenty-one, and the wife of the Hon,
Charles P. Taft, of the Times-Star, of Cincinnati. Mrs. Jane Sinton died
in 1853, at Manchester, Ohio, and is buried there. David Sinton never
remarried.
Mr. Sinton's father died at West Union, Ohio, Sunday, June 28, 1835,
at the age of seventy-one, of that dread scourge, the Asiatic cholera. There
were seven other deaths that day at the same place, and of the same dis-
ease, and it was the first day of the outbreak of the pestilence at West
Union. David Sinton was then at Union Landing, and was notified by
messenger, but, as was the custom at that time in cholera cases, John Sin-
ton was buried the same day he died, and when Mr. Sinton reached West
Union, his father had been buried two days. Mr. Sinton's mother sur-
vived until 1866, when she died at the ripe age of eighty-five.
When the War of 1 861 broke out, pig-iron was eighteen dollars per
ton, and David Sinton had seven thousand tons oh hand. Many thought
he was ruined, but he held on to that iron until it went up to seventy-five
dollars per ton, when he sold it. When iron rose in price, he continued
making it, and selling it for cash. In 1863, he began putting his money
in Cincinnati real estate. That real estate, bought with the proceeds of
iron sold at seventy-five dollars per ton, advanced until it made its owner
one hundred and twenty-five dollars per ton for all the iron he sold at
seventy-five dollars per ton.
During the war, his two furnaces made thirty tons of iron per day for
every day they ran.
Mr. Sinton attributes his great fortune to judicious investments of
the money he made in the manufacture and «ale of pig-iron, at the begin-
ning of, and during the late Civil War.
In Cincinnati, he has taken an active interest in many of the leading
enterprises, and he has erected many substantial and elegant buildings
there. He has made a number of munificent public gifts. He presented
$100,000 to the Union fkthel and $33,000 to the Young Men's Christian
Association. ,He is entirely a self-made man. He is noted for his strong
common sense and self-reliance. In business matters, his litigations, his
conclusions and his manner of execution are his own. He may be said
to be self-educated. His readings on all topics have been extensive. In
literature, science and history he is well Informed, retaining all of any
value he ever read, and being able to converse on all subjects with great
interest to his listeners.
Mr. Sinton was a Whig and has been a Republican in his political
views, but never took any active interest in political matters. During the
war, he was a strong Union man and did all he could with his influence
and means to sustain the Government. His practical religion is justice,
charity and good will to all men. In private relations, he is characterized
by his kindness and benevolence.
Since the above was written Mr. Sinton made the princely gift of
$100,000 unconditionally to the University of Cincinnati. He died August
31, 1900.
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622 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
CoL Samnel Kins Stivers,
eldest son of John Stivers, the pioneer, and Martha Neel, was bom near
the junction of the Youghiogheny and the Monongahela Rivers, Westmore-
land County, Pennsylvania February i8, 1787. In 1799, he came with his
parents first to Bourbon County, Kentucky, and afterwards to Adams
County, Ohio, settling on Brier Ridge. Here he helped his father to
"clear out" a farm, earning some money himself by teaching school. At
the beginning of the War of 1812, he volunteered as a Private in Captain
Josiah Lockhart's Company of Colonel James Trimble's Regiment under
General Duncan McArthur, and was surrendered to the British by General
Hull, at Detroit, August 16, 1812. After his parole, he came home; but
learning that his brother, James, had volunteered in a Kentucky regiment,
he at once hastened to Maysville and re-enlisted in Captain Simmons' Com-
pany of Colonel William E. Boswell's Regiment. He served under Gen-
eral Greene Clay in Harrison's Campaign, and commanded a "Spy Com-
pany" in Colonel Boswell's Regiment of Kentucky Militia at the battle of
the "Rapids of the Maamee," May 5, 1813. He took part in the action
under Colonel Dudley, and was made a prisoner of war after the lat-
teir's defeat and death. Knowing his certain fate should he be recognized
by his former captors, he assumed the name of "Samuel Bradford'' and
was under that name discharged. He was one of the number that es-
caped the tomahawks of the Indians through the timely arrival of Tecum-
seh, while confined in the blockhouse at Maiden. After his release by the
British, he returned to Adams County, and soon afterwards married Miss
Mary Creed, a daughter of Mathew Creed, who had come from Monroe
County, Virginia, to Rocky Fork, Highland County, Ohio, in 1804. About
the time of his marriage he was elected a Justice of the Peace in Sprigg
Township, which position he held until his removal from the county in
181 8. He lived for a time on a farm near the residence of his father-in-
law, and then removed to Russellville, Brown County, where he followed
surveying and school teaching until 1829, when he settled on a farm of
three hundred and fifty acres one mile north of the present village of Fin-
castle. Here he resided until his death, August 7, 1864. His widow sur-
vived until November, 1867, having been bom in 1790. Samuel K. Stivers
was widely known as a surveyor and civil engineer. He held the rank of
Colonel, in the old State Militia, and had a large circle of warm political
friends, among whom was Hon. Thomas L. Hamer, the peer of Tom Cor-
win in the field of political oratory. He was a Democrat of the old school,
a Breckenridge Democrat in i860, and lived and died a member of the
"New Light" or Christian Church.
Among his warm personal friends were Gen. Nathaniel Beasley,
Judge George Barrere, Colonel James Trimble and Dr. Lilly, and he named
the four sons of his family, Beasley, Barrere, Trimble and Lilly. And
his wife named the three daughters for her best friends, Amanda Carlisle,
her cousin; Elizabeth Brockway, and Mary Creed, herself. He and his
wife are buried in the old Earl Cemetery near Fincastle, Ohio.
Thonias Soott
was bom on the thirty-first day of September. 1772, at Old Town or Skip-
ton, at the junction of the north and south branches of the Potomac River.
He came of that sturdy Scotch-Irish stock which has furnished very many
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES (528
remarkable and valuable men to the bar, army, navy and legislature of Amer-
ica. His grandparents emigrated to the United States very soon after the
battle of the Boyne and settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania, from
whence the father of Judge Scott removed to and settled in Virginia.
In May, 1796, Mr. Scott married Catherine, daughter of Robert and
Catherine Dorsey Wood. He very early connected himself with the
Methodist Episcopal Church throughout his long life. He was licensed
a preacher when only seventeen years of age by Bishop Asbury, and was
ordained at eighteen. At this period of life, Mr. Scott fully intended to
devote himself to the ministry, and he prudently learned the tailoring trade
so as to be sure of the necessaries of life while in charge of the then very
poor and scattered flocks of the Methodist Church.
In 1793, he was placed in charge of the Ohio Circuit, and in 1794, was
sent as delegate to a conference held in Lexington, Kentucky. By this
time he had resolved to study law, and he began reading under the aus-
pics of James Brown, of Lexington. But he was so poor that he was com-
pelled to labor at tailoring much the preater portion of the time. In this
strait, his wife (who, beside possessing in an eminent degree, all the noble
attributes of womanhood, was an unusually well educated and intellectual
lady) sat beside his work and read to him "Blackstone," "Coke upon Little-
ton," and the other law books usually put into the hands of law students
in those days. Whether licensed to practice or not, and it does not appear
that he was, he certainly appeared as a lawyer in the courts of Flemings-
burg, Kentucky, and even prosecuted for the State in 1799 ^^^ 1800.
Early in 1801, he came to Chillicothe, Ohio, and there was licensed to prac-
tice law in June, 1801. In the following winter, he was Clerk of the Ter-
ritorial Legislature. In November (from the first to the twenty-ninth),
he was the Secretary of the Constitutional Convention. In January, 1803,
he was commissioned Prothonotary of Common Pleas, which he held until
the reorganization of the Courts, and in April of that year, he was Clerk of
the Common Pleas, pro tempore, and candidate for the permanent clerk-
ship, but was defeated for the position by John McDougal. He was then
commissioned the first Justice of the Peace of the county and continued in
that positioa for three or four years, although, meanwhile, he practiced
in Common Pleas, and was also Prosecuting Attorney in 1803 ^"^ 1804.
In the Fall of 1805, ^^ was chosen Clerk of the Ohio Senate, and con-
tinued such, by successive annual elections until 1809, when he was elected
to the Supreme Bench of the State, upon which he remained with good
credit, until 1815. He was then Register of Public Lands from 1829 to
1845. When, after the "era of good feeling'' which existed during Mon-
roe's administration, men began to divide up again on political questions,
Judge Scott took his place with the Republican party. But President
Adams, having made him the promise to appoint him District Judge of the
United States for Ohio and this having been prevented by the interference
of Clay, who obtained the place for another. Judge Scott immediately be-
came a zealous and active Jackson Democrat. He continued his affiliation
with the Democracy until 1840, when he went over again to his old partisan
friends, then called Whigs, and supported General Harrison's candidacy.
He remained a Whig during the remainder of his life, but strongly sym-
pathized with the anti-slavery movement which gave birth to the present
Republican party. We must not forget to mention that in all the vicis-
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624 HISTORY OP ADAMS COCTNTY
situdes of his long and busy life, he continued to fill the pulpit of the
Methodist Church whenever called to supply it as a "local preacher."
He died February 13, 1856, at the age of eighty-three, and at that time
had been longer in the active practice of law than any other person in
Ohio, and probably, longer a preacher of tlie Gospel than any minister
in the United States. His excellent wife survived him about two years.
As a lawyer, Judge Scott was painstaking, laborious and precise to a
remarkable degree. Some of his briefs are marvels of patient research
and also of prolixity. He had a wide reputation for learning, in the laws
of realty especially, and was employed abroad in some very important
cases, and for his services, received a few large fees.
It will be noticed that in the foregoing sketch of his Hfe, that, true
to the instincts of the Virginian, Judge Scott loved official distinction.
No position was too high for his solicitation, and none too humble for
his acceptance. As a husband and a father, never was mortal man more
gentle, affectionate and provident.
Peter Solmlts
was one of the first citizens of West Union. He was first in a double
sense. He was on the ground when the town was organized, and he was
first in enterprise and public spirit while he remained a citizen of the
town. He was born in New Jersey in 1779. In t8oo, he removed with
his parents to Pennsylvania. In 1804, he was married to Elizabeth Jones,
in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and immediately emigrated to Adams
County. He attended the sale of lots in West Union, May 17, 1804, ^^^
bought lots 4, 5, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and paid $244.00 for them. On lots
21 and 22, in 1805, he built a tannery and operated it until about 1826.
He was one of the foremost business men of West Union. He was not
only content to buy hides, tan them and sell leather, but he started up
a saddle and harness factory. He made his leather into saddles, harness
and shoes, and kept a number of men employed in manufacturing these
articles.
Rev. James B. Finley preached the first sermon ever delivered in
West Union by a Methodist minister, at the home of Peter Schultz.
John W. Campbell was present and took notes in shorthand.
In 1807, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church under the min-
istry of the Rev. John Collins, and from that time until the day of his
death was a most zealous, earnest Christian. He organized the first
Methodist Society in West Union, and for the want of a church, it met at
his house. He took a very active part in promoting the interest of the
village, the county and of the Methodist Church. He accumulated con-
siderable property while in West Union, and reared a large family. His
children were Charlotte, John, Lucy, Joseph, David, William, Abbott,
Ellen, Robert, Asbury and John Wilson Campbell. Four of them were
married in Adams County. Charlotte married William Compton; John
married Rhoda Burdage and Lucy married Charles Mick. Joseph mar-
ried Elizabeth Mick. Ellen died in childhood. Having so large a family,
he detennined to move to Indiana, where he could purchase more land
and better than hie could obtain in Adams County. He gained quite a
good-sized fortune, but lost a good part of it by security debts. But with
his wonderful energy and by industry and economy, he accumulated
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 625
another fortune. In Indiana, as in Ohio, he made a church of his home,
and was as zealous a worker in the church in Indiana as he had been in
Ohio. He died October 24, 1848. After his death, his widow refused
$25,000 for the farm in which she resided, and there was much other prop-
erty beside.
Peter Schultz was a man of energy and industry. He was the soul
of integrity and honor. He was generous to every good cause and was
lovied by all who knew him. He never took any part in politics, but de-
voted his whole time to business and to good works in the church and
commtmity.
ReT. David Steele, D. D.
Among the early settlers of Adams County, Ohio, Rev. David Steele,
D. D., occupies a prominent place. He was bom near Londonderry, Ire-
land, on the second day of November, 1803, and was of Scotch-Irish
ancestry. He was the youngest of six brothers, whose father, David
Steele, was the fourth generation from Captain John Steele of Lismahago,
near Glasgow, Scotland, and who fought on the side of the Covenanters
in the battle of Drumclog, June 22^ 1679. Descended from such stock,
as might be expected, he was trained up according to the strict order
observant in Covenanting families. He received his academical education
on the old wall of Londonderry, famous in histor>' because of its siege
in 1688 and 1689. When about twenty years of age, he emigrated to the
United States, arriving in Philadelphia, June 7, 1824. After spending a
short time with an uncle in Pennsylvania, he taught school in the first
academy erected in Edinsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the meantime pursuing
his classical and other studies. Entering the Western University of
Pennsylvania as a Senior, he graduated from that institution in 1826.
After studying theology with the late Dr. John Black, of Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, he was licensed to preach the Gospel, April, 1830. The
following year, on May 4th, he was married to Miss Eliza Johnston, of
Chillicothe, Ohio, and one month afterward, he was ordained and installed
Pastor of the Reformed Congregation of Brush Creek by the Ohio Pres-
bytery at a salary of four hundred dollars a year. When he settled on
Brush Creek, the place was a wilderness, and he and his young wife found
everything primitive and uncongenial to educated and refined Hving.
Thousands of miles he traveled on horseback yearly, having often to
ford rivers when he had to get on his knees on the saddle to keep from
being saturated with water as there were few bridges in those days. For
twenty-nine years, he labored in this congregation upon a salary that
was hardly sufficient to procure the necessaries of life. Although a little
below medium in stature, he was possessed of an excellent constitution
and this enabled him* to bear up under difficulties which would have been
too great for others. As a scholar, he was far above most of his compeers,
particularly in the ancient classics, as he could read the most difficult
Latin and Greek authors at sight. He was thoroughly versed in theology
and his "Notes on the Apocalypse" show that he was a master in the
exposition of the Bible truth. He was instrumental in training quite a
number of young men for the Gospel Ministry. His home was the re-
sort of all educated people, who came to the neighborhood, and hospitality
was a marked feature of his house. It is but proper to state that his wife
40a
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626 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
co-operated heartily with him in all his plans for the elevation and culture
of all who dwelt in the vicinity of Brush Creek. His influence for sound
morality, godly living and consistent Christianity was felt far and wide and
left its impress upon the whole community. Brush Creek owes much in
culture and refinement to the early settlement of him and his wife. As
an orator, Rev. Steele was concise, clear and frequently eloquent and im-
passioned, and his discrimination in the use of words showed his mastery
of the English language. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity
from his Alma Mater a few years before his death.
After leaving Ohio, he spent several years in Illinois near Sparta.
The remainder of his life was spent in Philadelphia, and he died in the
fifty-fourth year of his ministry at the age of eighty-four. His remains
lie in the cemetery of Petersburg, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
Jolm Sparkt, the Banker,
was born in 1790 in Pennsylvania. He came to Adams County with his
parents when a child and they located just east of where West Union was
afterwards located. When a young man, he lived in Hillsboro. He began
the business of merchandising in West Union on the corner now occupied
by the present post office building, northeast corner of Main and Market
Streets, in about 1820, and continued in that business until 1830, when he
went to Union Landing, where he remained until the death of his wife in
1833. He returned to West Union in that year and went into the banking
business and continued his residence in West Union until the thirty-first
of July, 1847, when he died, and was buried in Lovejoy Cemetery. He
was twice married. His first wife was Johanna Kelvey. She died Sep-
tember 26, 1823, aged twenty-three. She left a daughter who survived to
the age of thirteen years. He was married to Sarah Sinton, sister of
David Sinton, of Cincinnati, October 2, 1828, by the Rev. Dyer Burgess,
who signed his name to the marriage record, "V. D. M."
While in the dry-goods business at West Union, he was in partnership
at one time with Thomas W. Means, under the name of Sparks & Means.
They were also the owners of Union Furnace. George CoUings, the
father of Judge Henry Collings, and John Sparks once owned and con-
ducted a queensware store at Maysville, Kentucky. Mr. Sparks afterward
sold his interest to a Mr. Pemberton.
Mr. vSparks had been a banker in West Union but a short time when
he became a merchant. He was a man c^f great personal popularity in
the county, and although often solicited, he would never consent to run
for public office at a time when almost everybody did run for crffice.
He loaned money and helped a great many men. John Fisher remarked
of him that he was the best friend he ever had. John I^oughry, of Rock-
ville, said the same thing. Most of his life was spent in merchandising
pursuits in Adams County. There were three children of this second mar-
riage— one died in infancy, another is Mrs. Mary J. McCauslen, widow of
Hon. Thomas McCauslen, of Steuben ville, who has a separate sketch
herein, and the third is George B. Sparks, a farmer, of Clinton, Indiana.
The esteem in which he was held by the citizens of Adams County
was expressed at the time of his funeral. He is said to have had the
largest funeral ever held in the county. Everybody turned out to show
respect to his memory.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKirTCHES 627
ReT. Robert Stewart
was bom January 6, 1797, in Ohio County, West Virginia, but when he
was six years old the family removed to Belmont County, Ohio. He was
educated in the Grammar School of Steele & McMillan in Xenia, Ohio,
then in the Classical School at New Athens, which afterward became
Franklin College. He also studied in the academy at New Washington,
which grew into Madison College. He studied theology in the Western
Theological Seminary two years under Dr. Herr and one year with Rev.
Mingo Dick, Professor pro tern. He was licensed to preach May 26. 1830,
by the Second Ohio Presbytery (United Presb)rterian Church), and was or-
dained in December, 1832. At the time of his ordination ( by the first
Ohio Presbytery) he was installed pastor of the Cherry Fork and West
Fork Churches in Adams County, Ohio. In 1838, he resigned the West
Fork Branch of his charge and gave all his time to Cherry Fork. He died
November 24. 1851.
Rev. Marion Morrison, of Mission Creek, Nebraska, says of him:
"It was my privilege to have been a member of his congregation for
several years, in my youth. While he was a very instructive preacher,
he excelled in his work as a pastor among his people. As a companion,
he could not be excelled. He was always cheerful and lively, but was
never in the company of old or young for any length of time without im-
parting some word of instruction that would help in the journey heaven-
ward. He was always ready for a joke, but carefully avoided offending
in such pleasantries. He looked upon the pastoral relation with the same
sacredness as the marriage relation." Cherry Fork was his first and his
only pastoral charge. There he married Martha, the eldest daughter and
child of John Patton. There his children were born and there he took his
departure to the church triumphant. It is said of him that it never occur-
red to him to change his pastoral relations from Cherry Fork.
Aaron F. Steen.
Aaron Faris Steen was a grandson of Robert Steen, who was born
near Coleraine, Ireland, about 1735, removed to the British Colony of
Pennsylvania, in America, about 1758; was married to Elizabeth Boyd
about 1760, secured a farm and established his home near Chestnut Level,
in Lancaster County, Pa., not far from the Susquehanna River, where he
brought up in comfortable circumstances a family of five children, three
sons and two daughters, whose names were Samuel, Robert, Mary, Eliza-
beth, and Alexander Steen. The grandfather, Robert Steen, was a patri-
otic citizen opposed to British oppression or Toryism, and espoused the
cause of American Independence, at the time of the Revolutionary War.
He was a thorough Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, an earnest Christian, a
successful farmer, especially fond of music and good society, and lived
to an old age.
Alexander Steen, the father of Aaron F. Steen, was the youngest child
of Robert and Elizabeth Boyd Steen, and was born near Chestnut Level.
Pa., February 14, 1773, and brought up on his father's farm. He early
removed to Berkley County, Va., and was married at Martinsburg, Va.,
February 2, 1803, to Agnes Nancy Faris, she having been born at that
place March 2, 1777, and died at the home of her son, Aaron F. Steen, in
Adams County, Ohio, November 17, 1852, when she was seventy-six
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628 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
years of age. In 1805, Alexander Steen removed with his family and
located near Flemingsburg, Ky., where he resided nearly fifteen years,
and where all his children except the eldest were bom. In 1820, he re-
moved to Adams County, Ohio, and located upon a farm two miles north-
east of Winchester, now on the turnpike road to Buck Run. He after-
wards purchased a large farm one mile north of the Mt. Leigh Presby-
terian Church where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a man of
strong character, a zealous Presbyterian, and an enterprising farmer, a
successful music teacher, and maintained a wide influence. He died at his
home near Mt. Leigh, April 30, 1837, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. He
was the father of nine children, all of whom except the eldest were married
and brought up families in Adams County, Ohio.
Aaron Paris Steen, the subject of this sketch, was the third child and
eldest son of Alexander and Agnes Nancy Paris Steen. He was bom on
his father's farm two miles north of Flemingsburg, Ky., August 23, 1807.
and died at his home near Xenia, Ohio, Tuesday morning, February 15.
1 88 1, in the seventy- fourth year of his age. He spent a happy childhood
in the "Old Kentucky home,*' and was brought to Adams County, Ohio, by
his parents when a mere lad of thirteen years. Here he grew up to man-
hood upon his father's farm, attending school in winter. When a young
man, he taught school. He devoted most of his time and attention to
music and became an efficient and very popular teacher, having classes in
various parts of the county. For many years he was the leader of music
in the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church. His social nature and genial dis-
position made him a general favorite in the society of both old and young.
Aaron F. Steen was married at the residence of Michael Freeman on
Scioto Bmsh Creek, ten miles east of West Union, March 25, 1830, to
Miss ^lary Freeman, the youngest daughter of Michael and Elizabeth
Freeman, she having been bom in the same house in which she w^as
married, October 7, 1810, and died at the home of her son in Knoxville,
Tenn., July 27, 1895, ^^ the eighty-fifth year of her age. Soon after his
marriage, Aaron F. and Mary Steen located on a farm on Brush Creek
two miles east of Winchester, and united with the Mt. Leigh Phesbyterian
Church of which they were for many years active and useful members.
In the Fall of 1834, Michael Freeman, now growing old, requested Mr.
and Mrs. Steen to come and take charge of his farm and property on
Scioto Brush Creek, which they accordingly did, residing there about
fourteen years. But on the thirty-first of August, 1848, they removed
again with their family to a farm near Mt. Leigh, three miles east of Win-
chester, near where he had been brought up. Here the whole family were
regular attendants of the Mt. Leigh Church. Aaron F. Steen was or-
dained an elder, December i, 1849, which office lie continued to hold so
long as he remained in that locality, and frequently represented that
church in the meetings of the Presbytery of Chillicothe. In the autumn
of 1865, he sold his farm near Mt. Leigh and purchased a tract of land ad-
joining Xenia, Ohio, to which he removed and spent the remaining sixteen
years of his life. Here, himself and wife united with the First Presby-
terian Church of which Rev. Wm. T. Findley, D. D., was at that time
pastor. He cultivated his little farm, and with his eldest son kept a pro-
vision store in Xenia. In 1874, a delightful family reunion was held
at his home near Xenia, at which all his living descendants were present.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 629
Old associates were revived and many incidents connected with every life
recalled. Before they separated religious services were held in which all
joined heartily, every member and descendant of the family over ten years
of age being consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. The fiftieth
anniversary, or golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Steen, also duly
celebrated at their home March 25, 1880, was largely attended, and all
present, concurred in the opinion that it was one of the most delightful
occasions of the kind ever witnessed. Only a few months later Mr. Steen
died.
Aaron F. Steen was a man of sterling character and energy, highly
respected and beloved by those who knew him. He was the father of
nine children as follows : Wilson Freeman, Eli Watson, Samuel Martin,
John Freeman, Moses Duncan Alexander, Josiah James, Sarah Catharine,
Isaac Brit and William Wirt Steen, only three of whom are now living,
Prof. E. Watson Steen, Knoxville, Tenn^, Rev. Moses D. A. Steen, D. D.,
Woodridge, Colo., and Mrs. Kate Steen Coil, Marietta, Ohio.
Jamet Baldwin Thomas
was born on a farm two miles east of Winchester, May 16, 181 1. He was
the seventh child of Abraham and Margaret (Barker) Thomas. His
great-grandfather, Reese Thomas, was bom in Wales, June 5, 1690. This
ancestor was the father of a large family which he brought to America and
settled in Virginia during the first part of the eighteenth century. Sub-
sequently, some of the stock moved to Maryland and some to Kentucky,
where numerous individuals of the same lineage now reside.
The subject of this sketch obtained such education as he could at the
schools of Winchester. They were subscription schools, and were not in
session more than three or four months in a year. He had to walk over
two miles through woods to attend school, frequently running the gauntlet
of wolves.
In 1832, he went to the State of Arkansas with the intention of
making that his future home. He spent but one year there. During that
time he became so thoroughly disgusted with southern institutions as to
create within him an intense antagonism to the system of human slavery
and the practice of duelling, which remained dominant principles with him
through life. In 1833, he bought a farm near where he was bom, and he
and his brother, Silas, erected a cabin in the woods — a bachelor's hall — and
commenced clearing away the timber preparatory to cultivation. Here
he worked and lived until December 29, 1836, when he married Mis's
Esther A., daughter of John and Esther Archer Moore, pioneer settlers of
Wheat Ridge, in Oliver Township. This marriage was solemnized by Rev.
Dyer Burgess. There were eight children : Francis Marion, married to
Annette Holmes, and practicing medicine at Samantha, O. ; Margaret, re-
siding at Winchester; Sarah Jane, died in 1861 ; Wilson Chester, died in
i860; Silas Newton, died in the U. S. Military service in 1864; Albert
Luther, resides with his two sisters at the old homestead; John Wesley
married to Roberta Butler, and is a physician at Lyle, Kansas, and Lily
Belle, residing at Winchester, Ohio.
Mr. Thomas was a man of decided convictions. He voted for Jack- ^
son in 1832, but after that he voted uniformly the Whig ticket until the*
election of 1852, when he supported John P. Hale. He united with the
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630 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Republican party at its organization, supporting Chase for Governor in
1855 and Fremont for President in 1856, and continued a member of that
party until his death. For some fifteen years preceding the Civil War, he
was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and scores of fugitive
slaves have shared his hospitality and received his assistance on their way
to freedom. While he was under surveillance frcMn the slave hunters,
not a single fugitive whom he took in charge was ever reclaimed and sent
back to slavery. During the Civil War he was a strong Union man. He
offered two sons to the service of his country and no one rejoiced more than
he when peace, liberty and union were established. He was honest in
all his dealings. He was a good conversationalist and could tell a story
in good form. He always had a host of warm friends. He never united
with any church but believed in the doctrines of the Baptist Church. He
was a strong temperance man, practicing total abstinence, and in his early
years as a farmer it was sometimes hard for him to get help in the harvest
fields, because he would not treat to some kind of liquor, as was customary
during the time referred to. He died March 17, 1892, in his eighty-first
year. He is interred with his wife in the cemetery at Mt. Leigh.
Dr. W. M. Vorit.
In considering the pioneers of Adams County, Ohio, there is none
whose memory deserves more to be praised. It has been sixty-four years
past since his life here terminated, and his death amounted to almost a
tragedy; yet, in his time, he was of the most highly esteemed, and most
deserving of it. Like most of the pioneers of Adams County, he had an
ancestry which could be traced back over two hundred years. The family
was Dutch.
Stephen Coerte Van Voris emigrated from Holland in April, 1660.
and settled at Flat Lands, Long Island, where, on the twenty-ninth of
November, 1660, he purchased corn land, plain land and salt meadow, with
house and lot, for three thousand guilders. He was a prominent and use-
ful man, a member of the Dutch Church, and a magistrate. He died at
Flat Lands, February 16, 1684. Of his numerous descendants, Rolyff Van
Vorhees, born in 1742, and married to Elizabeth Nevins, was the first to
drop the Van and write the name Voris. Roloff's son, Ralph, bom
'August 5, 1775, married in Pennsylvania, near Conewago, Margaret Mc-
Creary, of Scotch parentage. This Ralph Voris removed to Paris, Ken-
tucky, but not liking it there, moved to Red Oak, in Brown County, Ohio,
where he was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church from 1807 until
his death in 1840.
This Ralph Voris was the father of Dr. William McCreary Voris, the
subject of our sketch, who was bom in Kentucky, August 5, 1801. When
he grew up he studied medicine and gfraduated as a physician at the Med-
ical College, at Lexington, Kentucky.
He located at West Union, Ohio, to practice his profession, about
1824, and joined the Presbyterian Church there. On April 24, 1827, he
married the only daughter of Col. John Means, Elizabeth Williamson
Means, and they went to housekeeping in West Union, Ohio, on the south-
east comer of Main and Market Streets, in what is known as the James
Hood property, and there they resided until January, 1832, when they re-
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JAMES BALDWIN THOMAS
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 631
moved to the old Brush Creek Forge. There the Doctor was engaged in
making iron and hollow ware, till the fourth of June, 1835.
In 1830, he was made an elder in the Presbyterian Church at West
Union, Ohio, in which capacity he continued to serve until his death.
In May, 1835, Alex. Mitchell, aged thirty, the father of Mrs. Samuel
Burwell, was living on Ohio Brush Creek between the Forge and the
mouth of the creek. He was operating a saw mill and a grist mill. He
and Dr. Voris, then aged thirty-four, arranged it between them to load
a flat-boat, half with iron and hollow ware, and half with. lumber, and
float it down to Cincinnati, and sell the cargo. They did so and floated
the boat from the Forge to Mitchell's mill, where the lumber was put
in, and thence they floated it to the Ohio River. Dr. Voris and Alex.
Mitchell went in the boat as far as Maysville, Kentucky, where they
landed for repairs to the boat. There Alexander Mitchell was taken
down with the dread Asiatic cholera, and died and was buried.
Dr. Voris left the boat and went on to Cincinnati by a steamboat,
and had scarcely arrived there, when he, too, was stricken with the Asiatic
cholera, and died within a few hours.
In those days, such was the fear of the dread scourge, that when a
person died of it, there was none of the usual funeral ceremonies, but
the body was buried within a few hours after death, and at the most con-
venient spot to where death had overtaken the victim. Such was the case
with Alexander Mitchell, but not with Dr. Voris. When the news of the
latter's death was brought to his wife, she was so overwhelmed with grief,
that she sat as one dumb for six weeks.
The attachment between her and her husband was of the most devoted
character. Aside from the estimate of Dr. Voris by his family and friends,
he was most highly esteemed by the community in which he resided.
Like St. Luke, he was, in his social circle, the "Beloved physician," and
his death produced a shock which is remembered to this day by those who
were living at that time.
The pleasant home at the Forge was broken up, and, with her two
little girls, his wife returned to the home of her father. Col. John Means,
where A. V. Hutson now lives, on the Maysville Turnpike, just west of
Bentonville, where she resided during her widowhood. Mrs. Voris was
a woman of lovely Christian character, and was one of the saints upon
earth. She belonged to families, both on her father's and mother's side,
which could boast of a long line of honorable ancestry, distinguished for
their adherence to high principles. Her father left South Carolina with
twenty-four slaves in order to give them their freedom in Ohio, and her
uncle, the Rev. William Williamson, her mother's brother, brought twenty-
sev^en slaves from South Carolina to Ohio, in 1803, in order to give them
their freedom. She was of the material of which the martyrs are made,
and had she been condemned to have gone to the stake for conscience' sake,
she would have gone with a smile on her face, and perfect peace in her
heart.
In 1842, she married the Rev. Dyer Burgess, and he and she removed
to Washington County, and for twenty years they lived together at War-
ren, six miles from Marietta. Rev. Burgess died September 2, 1872, at
the age of eighty-eight. After his death she spent the remaining seventeen
years of her life in Marietta, Ohio, with her daughter, Mrs. Wm. P. Cutler.
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632 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
She fell asleep February 28, 1889, in the ninetieth year of her age, having
survived the husband of her youth fifty-four years. In a memorial of her,
it was said she united with the Presbyterian Church in youth, and as the
years passed, her character and life developed into the rarest beauty and
symmetry. She gave liberally to all good subjects, from the promptings
of a heart overflowing with sympathy and love. She was always active in
doing good. She was charitable in her judgments, and her amiability
and cheerfulness and childish faith scattered sunbeams wherever she was.
Her life was a blessing to all who knew her. Doctor Voris left three
children. The eldest was Anne Eliza, bom February 26, 1828, married to
the Rev. James S. Poage and deceased in 1848, leaving a daughter of
tender years, who was reared by her grandmother, Mrs. Burgess. The
second daughter, Elizabeth Williamson, was bom July 25, 1832. She
married the Hon. Wm. P. Cutler, of Marietta, one of the most prominent
citizens of the State. He was a member of three Legislatures in this State
and Speaker of the House in one. He was a member of the Thirty- seventh
Congress and was mainly instrumental in the construction of the Marietta
and Cincinnati Railroad. To his daughter. Miss, Sarah J. Cutler, we are
mainly indebted for the facts of this sketch.
The third daughter of Dr. Voris, Margaret Jane Williamson, was
posthumous, born August i, 1835. She married Mr. Henry Humiston.
and lives in Chicago. She has two sons. One of the Sparks boys of
West Union was with Dr. Voris when he died. His body was brought
to Manchester, Ohio and there interred.
Ralph M. Voorhees.
This young man came to West Union, June 17, 1823, and began the
publication of the Village^ Register, He continued to publish it until hjs
sudden and unexpected death on March 6, 1828, at the age of twenty-eight.
He was sick but nine days of a congestive bilious fever. He is buried in the
Kirker Cemetery. He had married Mary Kirker (the daughter of Gov-
ernor Kirker) in 1825, and had two children. One of these, Thomas
Voorhees, was a steamboat captain on the upper Mississippi River for al-
most twenty years. His widow married Hayden Thompson, of Ripley,
and was living in 1880.
Mr. Vorhees conducted his ^ paper according to his best lights but
it had no local news. In that day, local news was not thought worthy of
publication. There were plenty of legal ads, sheriff's sales, auditor's
notices, tax collector*s notices, many estray notices — nearly all horses,
a number of runaway apprentices, occasionally the notice of a reward for
a runaway slave with fifty to a hundred dollars reward. The merchants
used the paper to advertise their goods and dun their customers. These
files, which have come to us, were preserved by the late John P. Hood,
who worked in the office, when a boy. The proceedings of Congfress and
of the State Legislature were given very fully; also the Governor's and
President's messages. Foreign news in plenty was given, but local news
was absolutely tabooed. The very facts we would like to know now are
suppressed. The people then knew all the local news. It passed from
mouth to mouth, and it was thought idle folly to repeat it in a newspaper.
The paper aimed to be neutral in politics, but the editor was a Democrat-
Republican. It was largely filled with literary extracts from magazines
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 633
and books which we would not at all look at now, but to tell us what
people of the time thought, their political and religious views, what inter-
ested them most, or at all, there is not a word. The local news of that day
is lost except from tradition.
It is difficult to write of a subject after the mists of seventy-one years
have obscured him. There is some light on the life and character of
Ralph M. Vorhees to be gathered from the old and yellow files of the
Village Register. What it is, is clear and distinct, and the picture it
reveals is as clear as yesterday. The parts that are left out are, however,
forever lost. His widow is long dead. His son is either dead or cannot
be traced, and we must rest content with those few fragments which have
been handed down to us.
Ralph Voorhees was a man much loved by those who knew him. He
was a young man who had but few enemies and they found much in him to
admire. He was true and loyal to his friends and treated those who did
not like his course with great consideration. He undertook to conduct an
independent local paper, an impossibility, and the only enemies he ever
made was in this attempt. He offended some because he favored his
father-in-law, Governor Kirker, for office, but had he not favored the
Governor, he would not have been human. Had he lived, he would, no
doubt, have succeeded with his paper and made a respectable citizen, but
alas, that fate which none can control, took him from his young wife and
infants, from the society and companionship of his friends and cut shon a
career of great promise.
Thomas Campbell Wasson
was a grandson of John Wasson, a native of Ireland, and with his wife
emigrated to Rockbridge County, Virginia, rearing a large family there.
Among his children was a son, Thomas, who married Rebecca Cowen
and moved to Ohio in 1804. He located within four miles of Winchester
in what was then Wayne Township. He lived there a year or more and
then moved onto the farm near Cherry Fork occupied by our subject
during his lifetime. Thomas Wasson and wife connected with the U. P.
Church at Cherry Fork soon after its organization in 1805 and remained
members thereof during their lives.
Thomas Wasson's wife died August 5, 1838, and he survived until
December 3, 1851, when he departed this life in his seventy-fourth year.
They reared a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom
lived to maturity and married.
Mr. Thomas Wasson contracted a second marriage with Elkiah
Spencer, by whom he had one son, William F., born August 29, 1845,
and who died in the military service of the United States in the War of
1861.
The subject of our sketch was bom May 20, 1812, and was reared on
his father's farm in Wayne Township. He married Martha Patton
Campbell February 9, 1832. Of this marriage there were eight children,
five of whom, three sons and two daughters, grew to maturity and married.
His eldest son, Thomas Stewart Wasson, is a retired farmer living at
Seaman, Ohio. His second son, James P., now deceased, has a sketch in
this book. His third son, Samuel Y., also has a sketch in this book. His
daughter, Matilda J., widow of B. F. Pittinger, now resides at Min-
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634 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
neapolis, Kansas. His youngest daughter, Martha, married to Steele
Glasgow, resides at North Liberty. Thomas Campbell Wasson was a man
of the strictest integrity and of remarkable energy and industry. He was
of strong prejudices every way. If he loved one, there was nothing too
much he could do for him. If he hated one, he did it with all the powers
of his soul. Once his friend, he was attracted to you by hooks of steel ;
once your enemy, he was likely to remain so. He believed in the religion
taught in the doctrines and practice of the United Presbyterian Church,
and all the powers of Hell could not have moved him from his faith.
When the right and wrongfulness of human slavery began to be
discussed, he became convinced that that institution was a monstrous sin
against both God and man, and from that hour until the war destroyed it,
he was its most inveterate enemy. He would tolerate no political party
which would excuse or apolc^ize for it, and by word and deed, he did all
he could to destroy it. No poor hunted fugitive ever applied to him in
vain, and his home was a well-known station on the Underground Railroad.
He was an excellent farmer and by great industry and economy, with
the best of management, he acquired a competence and spent his latter
years in ease and comfort. He did eeverything in life most ernestly. He
was not one of the meek and lowly Christians but one of the fighting
kind who believed in taking the Kingdom of Heaven by storm. He be-
lieved in struggling and fighting for the right, both in Church and State.
His life is best illustrated in the character of his three sons, two of
whom are men of influence and importance in their respective communities,
and a third son, now deceased, held a like position in the State of Kansas
where he died recently. These three sons, like their father, have been
able to manage their own affairs successfully and to accumulate com-
petencies.
Campbell Wasson, the name by which he was best known, never
sought or held public office, but he always believed in taking an active part
in the counsels of his own party and did so. He was a Whig first and a
Republican afterwards, but all the time he was anti-slavery and believed
in the abolition of that institution. He believed in making his views on
all subjects felt, and as a consequence he was a man of positive influence
both in Church and State. He was never the one to drift with the current,
or follow the lead of others, but sought to make all men within his in-
fluence feel and think as he did. His influence was always on the side of
good order, religion, right and justice. That part of the world which he
knew and which kneiw him was better that he had lived.
The wife of this subject died May 13, 1871, and in 1872, he contracted
a second marriage with Mrs. Eliza J. McNeil, who survived him. He died
the eighth day of January, 1888.
Tbe ReT. William Williamson.
Sometimes a man's career can be judged by his ancestors and some-
times by his posterity, and sometimes we can look to both, to give a fair
estimate of him after his life work has been done. The subject of this
sketch will bear favorable investigation in both ways.
The Rev. William Williamson was born September 23, 1762, near
Greenville, N. C. He was the eldest of six children. His father, Thomas,
was born in 1736 and his mother, Anne Newton, related to the family of
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 635
Sir Isaac Newton and Rev. John Newton, was bom in March, 1738. Her
father emigfrated from England with his wife and family. He and they
were thirteen weeks crossing the ocean, contending with storms and sick-
ness, and buried two children at sea. Anne and Elizabeth survived and
married brothers. Thomas and Anne settled at Greenville, N. C, where
all of their children were bom.
During the Revolutionary War, William entered the Revolutionary
army and served under General Gates in the hard campaign in the summer
of 1780. His command saw very severe service and he has often related
of forced marches in the great heat, when the soldiers were not allowed
even to stop and drink at the roadside, and that often the soldiers were
half starved.
Young Williamson was small for his age and not strong, and he and
two hundred of his command were captured at the battle of Camden, S. C.,
August 10, 1780. During young Williamson's service, his mother would
would often stay up all night, and, assisted by her servants, cook food for
the soldiers, which his father would carry to them in his wagon the day
following. When the war was over, Thomas Williamson, with his family,
moved to uie Spartansburg District, S. C. He purchased a cotton planta-
tion there, un which the county seat was afterwards located. After this
event, he sought a place a few miles distant from the courthouse, on which
he lived until his death in 1813.
Young William Williamson, after the Revolutionary War, was sent to
Hampden Sidney College in Virginia, where he received a liberal education
and was graduated. He studied theology and was installed as pastor of
the Fair Forest Presbyterian Church in April, 1793.
The Rev. William Williamson believed in the married state. His
first wife was a Miss Catherine Buford, of Abbeville, S. C. By her, he had
four daughters, Anne Newton, who married Dr. William B. Willson in
1 818; Mary married James Ellison; Elizabeth married Robinson Baird,
and Esther married William Kirker.
His second wife was Jane Simth, of North Carolina, by whom he had
two children, the Rev. Thomas Smith Williamson, missionary to the
Dakotahs, and Jane Smith Williamson, who never married, but has always
been known as Aunt Jane. He also had a third wife in his old age, Hannah
Johnson, a widow.
The Rev. William Williamson had a brother, Thomas, sixteen years
younger than himself. They were devotedly attached to each other and
both espoused strong anti-slavery notions. Thomas became an accom-
plished physician.
William Williamson and his second wife regarded slavery as a gfreat
evil. While they owned slaves, they believed it wrong to sell them. Mrs.
Williamson felt the condition of the slaves so strongly that she undertook
to teach them to read. This, of course, came to the ears of her slave-
holding neighbors and she was remonstrated with time and again to no
purpose. Finally the patrol visited her and told her if she did not stop,
she would be prosecuted under the stringent laws of South Carolina, for-
bidding slaves to be taught to read. Mrs. Williamson had high notions of
right and wrong and was a Southern woman of great spirit. Her husband
warmly sympathized with her and both thought they might do as they
chose with their own property. The authorities, however, were as firm
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636 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
as Mrs. Williamson, and she and her husband resolved to take their slaves
to a state where they could teach them to read without let or hinderance.
They took their slaves and emigrated to Ohio in 1805. His father dying
in 1813, by his will gave his slaves to his son William, but with directions
to set them free. To accomplish this, his mother left South Carolina soon
after the death of his father and brought her slaves to Ohio and set them
free. She continued to live with her sons in Adams County till her death
in 1820.
Our subject's mother was a superior woman, a sincere Christian and
a philanthropist. She gave a liberal education to two of her slaves — Rev.
Benjamin Templeton, who became a Presbyterian minister in Philadelphia,
and John N. Templeton, who graduated at the Ohio University and became
a successful teacher in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
William Williamson took up lands not far from Manchester and made
a home there during his life. His lands were near those of his brother-
in-law, Col. John Means, who married his sister Anne, bom August 17,
1760. This sister had been married to Col. Means in South Carolina, April
10, 1778. Col. Means, however, did not move to Ohio till 1819.
The home of Rev. William Williamson in Adams County was called
"The Beeches." It is now the property of John Meek Leedom. Our sub-
ject accepted a church at Cabin Creek, Kentucky, on the Ohio River, and
about four miles from his home, on the sixteenth of May, 1805, ^tnd con-
tinued to minister to that church until 1820. His record there was that the
church grew and prospered and he was esteemed one of the most devoted,
pious and popular ministers of his day. He was also minister to the
Presbyterian Church in West Union, Ohio, from May, 1805, till 1819,
when he was succeeded by the Rev. Dyer Burgess. His religion must have
seen sincere and deep, for in 1809, when the stone church was to be built
at West Union, he subscribed one-half of his salary towards it. He was re-
ceived into the Chillicothe Presbytery from the Second Presbytery of
South Carolina, on August 28, 1805, along with the Rev. Robert G. Wilson
and the Rev. Gilliland. They became the fathers of Presbyterian ism
in southern Ohio, and to him and his associates is due the strength and
power of the Presbyterian Church in southern Ohio to-day. They laid
the foundations upon which others built. Rev. Williamson was many times
Moderator and often Clerk of the Chillicothe Presbytery. He was in-
fluential, active and useful in the church and as a citizen. When the Rev.
Dyer Burgess took charge of the West Union Church in 1829, Rev.
Williamson thereafter devoted his labors to the Manchester Church,
so long as he was able to perform ministeral duties.
He died at "The Beeches," near Manchester, Ohio, November 29,
1839, aged seventy-seven years.
If, before becoming acquainted with his history, we had learned that
of his patriotic father and heroic mother, and had learned that of his son.
Rev. Thomas S. Williamson, and his daughter, Jane Williamson, we could
outline his character and point out his place and power, just as the astron-
omer can find a new star and state its magnitude and give its orbit from
those which surround it. We reason forward from Thomas Williamson
and Anne Newton, his wife, that persons of such noble character must
produce a like son. From the daughters and son reared by the Rev.
William Williamson, we see the characters he has molded and sent forth to
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 637
bless the world. No hero ever did nobler or better work than the Rev.
Thomas Smith Williamson, the missionary to the Dakotas. No woman
showed a greater spirit of devotion to the church and to humanity, than
his sister, Jane Williamson, coadjutor in the work of evangelizing the
Red Men. If they were Thomas Williamson^s children, what must have
been the father, to whom they owed the missionary spirit? His four
daughters, by his first wife, were godly, pious mothers, who reared large
families of sons and daughters and taught them the love of God and the
devotion to right and justice, which characterized their father and mother
before them.
The descendants of Rev. William Williamson were wonderfully
numerous. They, in their several generations obeyed the eleventh com-
mandment to multiply and replenish the earth, and they to-day, wherever
found, are the same God-fearing, God-loving people — pious and devoted
to the right as they undelrstand the right, as their progenitor was before
them.
The memory of these pioneers in the Church of God should be care-
fully preserved and treasured. This generation should know every detail
of their labors and sacrifices.
Where a man could break up a pleasant home, bid adieu to all he
had ever known and travel eight hundred miles through a wilderness that
he might live in a free State and might give the blacks he owned, the bless-
ings of freedom — such a man was a hero and he deserves to be remembered
by posterity.
This generation should be proud of such a man and revere his memory,
and regfret that it has no such opportunity to demonstrate its devotion to
right and principle.
Jane Smith Williaiasoau
This lady, eminent for her piety, her good works and her missionary
labors among the Dakota Indians, was born at Fair Forest, South Carolina,
March 8, 1803. Her father, the Rev. Williamson, a Presbyterian minister
and a Revolutionar}^ patriot, and her mother, Jane Smith Williamson,
brought her to Ohio, an infant, in 1804. Her father and mother believed
slaves had souls, and brought their twenty-seven slaves to Ohio, and set
them free. Her mother had been fined in South Carolina for teaching her
own slaves to read the Bible, and she and her husband removed to Ohio
to free their slaves, and to be able to teach them to read and write. She
was brought up in an atmosphere of sincere and deep piety and of devotion
to Christian teachings. For early educational advantages in a new country
were necessarily limited, but she made the most of them. She studied
gframmar and syntax practically, and mastered all the branches open to her
study while she was a girl.
She was accurate in the use of language, both spoken and written.
She wrote a hand like copper-plate, mnd was thorough in everything she
studied. She read all the good and useful books which were accessible to
her. She had an excellent memory and a lively imagination, and with a
wide reading, she early acquired the art of writing most interesting letters.
From her parents and grandparents, she inherited that marked
sympathy for the colored race which was an eminent characteristic of her
entire life. At all times and on all occasions, she stood up for the colored
people. In her young and mature womanhood, when there were no public
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638 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
schools in her county — or none worth the name — she taught subscription
schools both in West Union and Manchester. In West Union, the ven-
erable David Dunbar, now of Manchester, was one of her pupils, and in
Manchester, Mrs. David Dunbar and Mrs. D. B. Hempstead, of Hanging
Rock, were" among her pupils. She never excluded a pupil because his or
her parents or friends were unable to pay tuition. She sought out the poor
and invited them to attend her school. She accepted colored pupils as well
as whites.
Her teaching the colored people aroused bitter feeling in the com-
munity, but she was such an excellent teacher that it did not decrease the
number of her white pupils, and her control of her pupils was so perfett
that the bringing of the colored pupils into the school did not affect the
government of her school. The progress made by her pupils was rapid,
and her teaching so thorough that the presence of the colored pupils did
not drive the white ones away. There were many threats of violence to
her school, but she was not alarmed. On more than one occasion, friends
of hers, dreading the attempt to forcibly break up her school, took their
rifles and went to her schoolhouse to defend her. Some of these men were
rough characters, and hard drinkers, and some of them were pro-slavery,
but they were determined her school should not be disturbed. They re-
garded her as a fanatic in her views, but, as they regarded her as an
efficient teacher, they did not propose that hei work should be interfered
with.
She was always a volunteer in houses where there was sickness. At
the age of twenty-six, she went to General Darlinton's and nursed the
mother of Mrs. Rev. E. P. Pratt through a spell of sickness. Mrs. Urmston
was then a young married woman, just come to Ohio from Connecticut.
On June 8, 1835, she was teaching near "The Beeches," in Adams
County. The next day she learned of the death of Dr. William M. Verbis,
of cholera, at Cincinnati, and it became her painful duty to inform her
cousin (his wife) of the fact. At first, she told her that Dr. Vorhis had
been very sick in Cincinniati. As cholera was prevalent there, the wife
at once divined the truth, and swooned away. She went from one swoon
into another, and Miss Williamson, in order to terminate her swoons, went
out and brought in her two little girls, one seven and the other three
years of age, and, leading one by each hand, asked her if there were not
two good reasons for her to live and to work for.
Her love for children was a distinguishing trait of her character. She
won their affections entirely, and thus ruled them without any apparent
effort.
The missionary spirit was a part of her life, bom with her, and a
heritage from several generations. When her brother, Thwnas S.
Williamson, went as a missionary to the Dakota Indians in 1835, she wanted
to go with him, but felt that she must remain at home and care for her
aged father, who survived until 1839, and died at the age of seventy-seven ;
but she did not get to go to her brother until 1843, when she had reached
the age of forty. Her life, prior to this, had been a preparation for
missionary work. For years she had been an active worker in Sunday
Schools, prayer meetings and missionary societies. In her day school, she
had made public religious worship a prominent feature.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 6»9
When she reached Minnesota, she went to work directly and worked
with great energy, and with an untiring industry greatly beyond her
strength. She had an unusual familiarity witli the Bible. She taught several
hundred Indians to read the Word of God, and, the greater part of them,
to write well enough to write letters. She ministered to all the sick within
her reach, and devoted a great deal of time to instructing Indian women
in domestic duties. She led the women in prayer meetings, and spent much
time conversing with the women as to their souls. The privations of the
missionaries, at that time, were great. White bread was then as much of
a luxury as cake would now be considered.
Lac-que-Parle, her first missionary home, was two hundred miles
west of St. Paul. It was more than a year from the time she kift Adams
County before a single: letter could reach her. She was out in the Indian
village when the first mail reached there. She heard of its arrival, and was
so eager for new.s from her old home that she ran to her brother's house
as swiftly as a young girl. She saw no signs of the mail, and asked where
it was. They told her it was in the stove-oven. The mail carrier had brought
it through the ice, and it had to be thawed out The mail contained over
fifty letters for her, and the postage on them was over five dollars. This
in 1844.
She moved to Kaposia, now South St. Paul, in 1846, and to Pajutazee,
thirty-two miles below Lac-que-Parle, in 1852. The Dakotas called her
"Dowan Dootanin," which means "Red Song Woman."
She gathered the young Indians together, and taught them, as op-
portunity offered. •
In the great outbreak of 1862, when it seemed as though the work of
the missionaries had failed, she nevet lost hope or faith.
In the Fall of 1894, when nearly two thousand converted Dakota
Indians were gathered together, to plan for religious work among their
people, she was the only survivor of the first missionaries.
In the Fall of 1881, she saw a poor Indian woman suffering with the
cold. She took off her own warm skirt and gave it to the woman, and
from this she took a cold and a spell of sickness followed, resulting in her
total blindness.
After the Indian outbreak of 1862, the way never opened for her to
resume her residence among the Dakotas, but she was given health and
strength for nineteen years* more labor for the Master. Her home con-
tinued to be with her brother, at or near St. Peter, until her death in 1879,
and in his old home two years longer. In that time she did much for the
Indians who lived with her brother, toward their education. She kept
up an extensive and helpful correspondence with native Christian workers.
As a Sunday School teacher, she labored with untiring patiefnce for
the conversion of her pupils, and to train them as Christian workers.
She was active in female prayer meetings and missionary societies. She
lost most of her patrimony in lending to those most needing money, instead
of to those most certain to pay. Her friends, kowever, were liberal in their
donations to her work, and she was able to relieve most of those under her
observation in serious want.
Here is the story of a modest, unassuming heroine. Without husband
or children, alone in the world, she did not repine but made herself useful,
wherever she was, in teaching secular learning and religious truth, and
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640 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
in ministering to the sick and afflicted, the downtrodden and oppressed.
She never sought to do any g^eat or wonderful thing, but only to do good
as the opportunity offered. It ha.s been thirty-two years since she left
Ohio, and most of her friends there are dead, but those living, who re-
member her, recall her with g^eat love. So long as she can reflect on the
record of her life, she cannot recall any opportunity slighted, any duty
left undone.
She died March 24, 1895, ^^ ^^^ home of her brother, Rev. John P.
Williamson, at Greenwood, South Dakota.
Rev. Thomai Smith Williamion, M. D.
He was the only son of Rev. William Williamson and Mary Webb
Smith, his second wife ; was bom in Union District, South Carolina, March
6, 1800, and removed with his parents to Mason County, Kentucky, in the
Fall of 1802, and to "The Beeches," two miles from Manchester, Adams
County, Ohio, probably in the Spring of 1805.
He prepared for colkge at home, went on horseback to Jefferson Col-
lege, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, where he received the degree of A. B.
in 1819. He read medicine with his brother-in-law. Dr. William B. Willson,
of West Union, Ohio, and was for two years principal of an academy at
Ripley, Ohio, where he prepared a large number of young men for col-
lege. He studied medicine in Philadelphia and New Haven, and received
the degree of M. D. from Yale College in 1824.
He settled in Ripley, OJiio, and built up a large practice. He married
Margaret Poage, daughter of the town proprietor, a lady of high Christian
character, and most admirably adapted in all respects to be his helpmeet.
Settled in a pleasant town, surrounded by warm friends, in the house he
regarded thia most pleasant in the place, he had everything he could desire
to make life happy. But he felt a voice within him, which, to his death,
he never for one moment doubted, was the voice of God calling him to
leave all these comforts, and endure hardships in bringing to Christ the
wanderers of our Western wilderness. His wife was in full accord with
him. In the spring of 1832, he placed himself under the care of the Chilli-
cothe Presbytery. August 21, he left his pleasant home, removed with
his family to Walnut Hills, and entered Lane Theological Seminary. In
April, he was licensed to preach, and May 2. he left Cincinnati to make a
tour of the West, and to select a suitable field of labor under the care of
the A. B. C. F. M. He decided to begin work at Fort Snelling. Return-
ing, he was ordained by the same Presbytery that licens-ed him, September
18.
Early in the spring of 1835, he started with his family, and reached
Fort Snelling May 16. Here, June 11, he organized the first Presbyterian
Church within the present limits of Minnesota — ^the first Presbyterian
Church of Minneapolis. Finding other laborers at Fort Snelling and be-
lieving that more could be accomplished by a division of the forces, he
pushed on to Lac-qui-Parle, two hundred miles farther west; this last
journey then requiring over three weeks.
He worked with indefatigable zeal to acquire the Dakota language,
and also the Canadian French, and was soon able to preach in both lan-
guages.
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PIONEER CHARAC'l'EH SKETCHES 641
Practicing medicine to relieve their bodies, earnestly sympathizing
with those in distress, undauntedly courageous in danger, he soon won
the respect of the Indians, of the traders and of the Government officers.
He often made long journeys to visit the sick, and was unceasing in his
labors to win the savages to Christ. He entertained a great number of
travelers and Government officials. He kept up his studies, and in his
later years, he could translate from Latin, Greek, or Hebrew, with the same
facility with which he read English. He kept up with the progress of
improvement in medicine. He made himself familiar with the botany of
the region, thoroughly studied the history of the Northwest, contributing
many valuable papers to the Historical Society and the magazines. He
was untiring in his efforts to secure the Indians their rights, involving a
large correspondence with Indian Commissioners, with leading Senators
and Representatives, and made several trips to Washington. His
thorough good sense, and his reputation for absolute accuracy in the state-
ment of facts, almost always secured him at least a respectful hearing.
His whole heart was in the work of winnmg soiils to Christ. All his
studies were subordinated to this end. In 1836, he organized a small native
church at La-qui-Parle, the second Protestant church in the present State.
He prepared a Dakota reader with the aid of the Ponds, and a part of the
Bible with the aid of Mr. Henville
By 1846, he and his helpers had built up a church of nearly fifty native
members. It was his decided personal preference to remain, but he felt the
call of duty in a request from the Kaposia band, and removed there, to where
South St. Paul now is. This move probably hindered his work for the
Indians, but it made him an influential factor in building up work among
the whites. He preached the first Protestant sermon in the English lan-
guage, and also in the French language, within the present limits of St.
Paul, and secured for that place its first teacher. Miss Harriet Bishop, and
its first minister of the Gospel, Rev. E. D. UsilU D. D.
The Indians having sold their land, he removed to Pajutazee, on the
Minnesota, nearly thirty miles below Lac qui-Parle, in 1852. Here he
labored until 1862. On August 18, the terrible outbreak occurred at day-
break, thirty-eight miles nearer the white settlements. On Tuesday, the
Doctor sent away his family, except his wife and sister, who were unwilling
to leave him, hoping that by remaining, he might check the spread of the
outbreak. The Christian Indians rallied around him, but it became evi-
dent by night, that if they remained, they would be attacked by the hostiles,
causing much bloodshed. Aided by Christian Indians, he escaped in the
night, overtook his family, came near Fort Ridgely just after the second
attack on it, and escaped safely to St. Peter.
Many were ready to cry that the mission work was a failure. All the
other missionaries began to talk of leaving, but the Doctor and his son did
not, for one moment yield to hesitation, but pushed their work with re-
doubled zeal. However much the Christian Indians might be abused by
excited whites, he knew that they had done all in their power to diminish
the massacres, had aided hundreds in escaping, and had held the hostiles
in check, diminishing, by more than one-half, the size of the war. Had
every Christian Indian now gone back to heathenism, the effect of the work
in diminishing this blow, would have saved to our country at least fifty
times the cost of the mission.
4Ia
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642 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
The Doctor lived to see more than one thousand communicants, mem-
bers in the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches, the direct result
of the mission of himself and his coadjutors. The Episcopalians, build-
ing on the foundation they had laid, gathered about as many more. In
September, 1894, at a meeting of the Presbyterian and Congregational
Dakotas, nearly two thousand were gathered together, earnestly planning
for the spread of the Redeeimer's KingdcMn in their tribe.
The Doctor never removed his family from St. Peter. He spent his
summers in missionary tours, his winters partly in correspondence with
native pastors and other Dakota workers, and the various labors already
alluded to, but chiefly in translating the Word of God. He was extremely
anxious that the exact meaning of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures should
be rendered into idiomatic Dakota. To this end, he spent almost as much
time in revising the translation of Dr. Riggs, as in making his own. Dr.
Riggs also revised his, and Prof. J. P. Williamson, son of Dr. Williamson,
also revised nearly all. As a result, very few languages have as good a
translation of the Bible.
The Dakota Dictionary, regarded as the best of any Indian language
and originally prepared by the Messrs. Pond, owed very much to the pains-
taking scholarship of Dr. Williamson, though it bears the name of its ed-
itor. Dr. Riggs.
Mrs. Williamson died July 21, 1872. No couple were ever happier in
each other, or mutually more helpful. Still cheerful, he did not, after this
time, show the overflowing spirit of calm rejoicing, which, to his family,
had always seemed to characterize him, even in the most troublous times.
He completed his translation of the Bible in 1878. There was other work
he would have liked to do, but the strain of work without his loved com-
panion to solace him had worn him out. His great work was done, and
the earnestness in this no longer sustaining him, he gradually failed, and
June 24, 1879, fell asleep in Jesus, in his eightieth year. Four children
survive him: Rev. John P. Williamson, of Greenwood, South Dakota,
since i860, a missionary to the Dakotas ; Andrew W. Williamson^ Profes-
sor of Mathematics, Augustans College, Rock Island, Illinois ; Mrs. Martha
Stout, Portland, Oregon, and Henry M. Williamson, editor of the Rural
Northwest, Portland, Oregon. His daughter, Nancy Jane, was a mission-
ary from 1869 to her death in 1878, performing a grand work. His grand-
daughter, Nancy Hunter, having lost her mother in infancy, was adopted
and soon after his death began the same work, in which she is still engaged,
the last three years as the wife of Rev. E. J. Lindsay, Poplar, Montana.
Dr. WUliam B. Willion.
Dr. Willson was bom in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1789. He
studied medicine there and received his diploma from Jeffefson Medical
College, Philadelphia. He located at West Union in the summer of 1816,
and the same year he was married to Ann Newton, daughter of Rev. Wil-
liam Williamson. It must have been a case of love at first sight, as he was
married soon after locating at West Union. He continued to practice med-
icine at West Union until his death, July 21, 1840. Dr. Willson was an
old-fashioned Virginia gentleman in every sense of the term. He stood
high in his profession and as a citizen, and was a devout and faithful mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church. His home in West Union was on the lot
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 643
now occupied by the miller, Plummer. As ?. man, Dr. Willson was in-
clined to take the world easy. He did not trouble people with his opinions
and did not desire to be inflicted with theirs. He was conscientious and
worked hard. There were no drug stores in his day, and he compounded
all of his medicines and consequently had to keep a stock of those on hand.
He was the only practicing physician in West Union between 1816 and
1840, except Dr. William Voris, who was in West Union a short time. He
would go at the call of a patient the coldest night in the year and would
often ride eighteen or twenty miles in the most inclement weather, and it
was to this exposure! that he owed his early death. He usually had several
yoimg men students at his home, and among them were Dr. William F.
Willson, his nephew, who has a separate sketch herein ; Dr. Thomas Smith
Williamson, also sketched herein ; Dr. Hamilton ; Dr. David McConaghy,
and Dr. Henry Loughridge. His son was also a student with him.
When he was out on professional business, his wife could compound a pre-
scription as well as he. He often boarded a number of students in order
to have them under his direct care. In that day, people did not send for
a physician for every little ache and pain. They made it a rule not to send
for one unless desperately sick, and then the physician was expected to ride
furiously to reach the patient and to give him heroic treatment when he did
reach him.
During the cholera epidemic in 1835, Dr. Willson was called away to
attend a cholera case at some distance. A brother of the patient had come
tor him and was waiting to accompany the doctor. While waiting, the
brother was attacked by the dread disease. It became a question what to
do. In the dilemma, the Doctor consulted his wife. She at once proposed
that she should take care of the case of the messenger, and would carry
out the Doctor's directions, while he should visit the brother. This was
done and her patient recovered.
Mrs. Ann Newton Willson, wife of Dr. William B. Willson, was born
in South Carolina in 1793. Her father, already mentioned, is sketched
elsewhere. After her husband's death, in 1840, she resided in West Union
until 185 1, when she took up her residence in Catlettsburg, and later, with
her daughter, Mrs. Hugh Means, at Ashland, Kentucky, with whom she
resided until her death. She had three full sisters and one half sister. Her
full sisters were Mrs. Esther Kirker, Mrs. Robinson Baird and Mrs. James
Ellison. Her half sister was Jane Williamson, who has a sketch herein.
Mrs. Willson had much more will power than any of her full sisters. Her
step-sister, Jane, was more like her than her full sisters in respect to will
power. She might be said to have been an imperious woman, yet she had
her own way without creating great antagonisms. Her great force of
character she derived from her mother, who was a woman of the strongest
convictions and great will power. Her mother's convictions on the sub-
ject of teaching the Bible to her slaves caused her to defy the laws of
South Carolina against teaching slaves to read, and when she could do it
no longer, to take those slaves through the wilderness eight hundred miles
and locate in another wilderness where she would be free to carry out what
she believed to be right. The same spirit animated her daughter, Mrs.
Willson, and she would stop at nothing to carry out what she deemed to
be right. No sacrifice would be considered for a moment in deterring her
from any course she deemed to be right and duty. She had unflinching
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644 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
nerve, great self-reliance and most excellent judgment. These qualities
stood her in good use in aiding her husband in the practice of medicine.
In the cholera scourge of 1835, she went from house to house, caring for
the sick with untiring energy. She had no fear of the disease, and her
great will thrice armed her against it, but unlike the Rev. Burgess, she did
not defy the dietary of cholera times. In assisting her husband, she ac-
quired an unusual knowledge of remedies, and never hesitated to apply or
use them in emergencies when her husband was absent.
She was an ardent Abolitionist, outspoken on all occasions. Her
earliest impressions of the institution of slavety set her against it. She
was a born reformer and had she lived in the days of the martyrs, she un-
doubtedly would have been one of the principal ones among them. While
she was chiefly self-educated, she was always an earnest, eager learner
and desired to impart to others those truths so dear to her and the con-
templation of which filled her soul. It was her delight to share with others
whatever she possessed of material or spiritual good. She had no pride
or vanity. She was free from self-consciousness and was never troubled
for an instant as to what the world thought of her opinions. She was
guided by her own conscience and reason, enlightened by her strong re-
ligious faith. She was aggressive at all times for what she believed was
right. Her stern faith took the practical form. She was always desirous
of doing good for others. As old age came on, the strong-willed woman
became the* indulgent grandmother. The old earnestness and zeal never
abated but they were tempered by a large tolerance, a wider sympathy and
a gentler spirit. She was always ambitious to be doing good herself, and
wanted to see her friends about her, and particularly her young friends,
doing something in the service of religion. That spirit within her never
abated with her years, but continued until her demise. The writer, as a
child, knew her as an aged woman, but he always felt that she carried sun-
shine with her and had that feeling whenever in her presence, and she
made this same strong impression on others which she made on children.
Of all women who have lived in Adams County, there are none who have
done more good or have been more useful in their day and generation.
WilUam F. Willion, M. D.
William F. Willson, M. D., was a citizen of Adams County from 1836
to 185 1. He was born near Fairfield, Rockbridge County, Virginia, Sep-
tember 9, 1815, of staunch Presbyterian, Scotch-Irish stock. His father
was James A. Willson and his mother, Tirzah Humphreys. He was edu-
cated in the schools of his native county. When he was twelve years of
age, an event took place which determined the whole course of his life.
About twenty-five or thirty years prior to this, a farmer named Steele in
Rockbridge County had died leaving a few negroes and a large sum of
debts. By an agreement between the Widow Steele and her husband's
creditors, they agreed to wait until the increase of the negroes would pay
their debts. Among the Steele negroes at the time of his death was a likely
young woman. She contracted a slave* marriage with a negro, Harry
Moore, the property of a neighbor, and had given birth to sixteen children
before the time came for the sale required by the creditors of Steele. The
wife of Harry Moore and his sixteen children from a babe in arms to grown
youths were put on the block, with twenty-three other negroes, and sold.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 646
Harry Moore was compelled by his master to be present and to hold his
small children in his arms while they were roughly handled by the brutal
traders and to s€e the persons of his daughters, women grown, indecently
exposed on the block. Young Willson knew all of Harry Moore*s chil-
dren and had played with them many a time. He was a great friend of
Harry's as a boy is often friendly to his inferiors. Young Willson came
to the scene first as Harry was holding in his arms a four-year-old child,
which was being auctioned oflF. The great tears were streaming down
Harry's cheeks, and the child seeming to understand the situation, was
weeping also. Willson looked on the scene and the flood gate of his tears
was opened. He being free to go where he chose returned and hid himself
to conceal his sympathy and grief. As soon as he could dry his tears, he
came back to the scene, but could not contain himself and wept afresh.
He had been brought up to believe slavery was a divine institution or-
daineid of God and sanctioned by Holy W^rit, but he then and there resolved
it was a wicked and cruel institution and that he would never live in a state
which tolerated it, after he was free from his father's dominion. He so
informed the latter, and though the father tried to dissuade him and per-
suade him to remain in Virginia as the support of his old age, he would
not give up his resolution. It was strengthened by a subsequent private
interview with his friend, Harry, who told him God would bottle up his
tears against his old mistress who sold his wife and children away. Wil-
liam Williamson at that time became an Abolitionist and anti-slavery and
remained such till his views were carried out m the midst of the Civil War.
He had an uncle who had located in W^st I'nion, Ohio, in 1816, and to
him he determined to go as soon as he was of age.
In December, 1836, he started for Ohio, traveling to Charleston, West
Virginia, by stage; thence down the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers by boat
to Manchester, where he landed January 3, 1837. He walked from Man-
chester to West Union by the old road up Isaac's Creek and over Gift
Ridge. At the Nixon place, he sought refuge from a heavy rain, but ran
into the small-pox and retreated in an undignified manner, the only time
in all his life he did anything unbecoming the dignity of a Virginia gentle-
man. At West Union, he was welcomed at the house of his uncle, Dr.
William B. Willson, who had married Ann Newton, a daughter of the
Rev. William Williamson. Here he found sympathy with hi§ views on
the institution of slavery, for both his uncle and aunt were pronounced in
their anti-slavery sentiments. He taught school in West Union in the old
stone schoolhouse, which stood where John Knox now resides, for twenty-
two dollars per month. He read medicine with his uncle who was then
tbe only physician in the place and who resided in a dwelling formerly
standing on the site of the present residence of Jacob Plummer. In May,
1839, he located in Russellville, Brown County, to practice medicine, but
in July, 1839, he witnessed a brutal fight on the streets, which the bystand-
ers seemed to enjoy, and he concluded that that was no place for him and
left. In August, 1839, he located at Rockville, Ohio, and remained there
until August, 1840, and some of the most pleasant hours of his life were
spent there. He enjoyed the society of James and John I^oughry, James
McMasters, Judge ^Ioses Baird, Rev. Chester and their families. At that
time, Rockville was more prosperous than it ever was before or has been
since, because at that time there was a great deal of boat building going
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646 fflSTORy OF ADAMS COUNTY
on there and the stone business was flourishing. In May, 1840, his uncle,
Dr. William B. Willson, of West Union, was suflFering from quick con-
simiption and was compelled to give up his practice. At his request, Dr.
William F. Willson came to West Union and located to take up his prac-
tice. His uncle died July 21, 1840, in the fifty-first year of his age. When
he came to West Union, Dr. Willson brought with him his letter from the
Presbyterian Church at New Providence, in Rockbridge County, Va., and
lodged it with the church in West Union, where he attended regularly.
Among the worshipers was a niece of Gen. Joseph Darlinton, Adaline
Willson, with black hair and black eyes and very comely to look upon. The
Doctor fell in love with the young lady and on the twenty-eighth day of
October, 1840, he was married at the residence of General Darlintcm by
the Rev. John P. Vandyke, then the minister of the Presbyterian Church at
West Union. There were present at this marriage Gen. Joseph Darlinton,
his sister, Mrs Margaret Edwards, Mrs. Ann Willson, the Doctor's aunt,
and her daughters, Eliza McCullogh and husband, Addison McCullogh,
Miss Amanda Willson (since Mrs. Hugh Means), Miss Sophronia Will-
son, Davis Darlinton and wife, Newton Darlinton, Doddridge Darlinton
and wife and Mrs. Salathiel Sparks, then a widow, and directly after the
wife of Gen. James Pilson. Of that company but one survives, Mrs. Hugh
Means, of Ashland, Ky.
In 1845, Dr. Willson and his wife, Mrs. Ann Willson, his aunt, Ad-
dison McCullogh and wife and Mrs. Noble Grimes withdrew from the Pres-
byterian Church at West Union and joined the New School. A church
was organized at West Union and Doctor Willson and Addison McCullogh
were made elders. From December, 1848, until April, 1849, E)^- Willson
conducted a drug business at Pomeroy, Ohio, but with the exception of
that period from May, 1840, until April, 185 r, he practiced medicine at
West Union. From the spring of 1849 till April, 185 1, he was associated
with Dr. David Coleman in the practice, under the name of Willson and
Coleman. In the spring of 1851, the Doctor's health broke down, and he
retired to Grimes' Well to recuperate, and was there during the cholera
epidemic of 1851 in West Union.
In the fall of 185 1, he located at Ironton, Ohio, where he continued
to reside the remainder of his life. In Ironton, he connected with the
Presbyterian Church in 1852, and the same year was made an elder which
office he held until his death. He represented his Presbytery in four dif-
ferent synods. He attended four general assemblies as a delegate and four
more as a visitor.
While Doctor Willson would not live in Virginia and while he and
his people there differed about slavery, yet he loved to visit his old home
in that state. In April, 1843, he took his wife there and they remained
till June. They traveled the whole way in a carriage.
In 1846, he and his wife again visited his childhood home in Virginia,
traveling the entire distance upon horseback.
In 1853, he was called to Virginia by the sickness of his mother, trav-
eling by river to Guyandotte and thence by stage the remainder of the way.
He had hoped to see his mother alive, but when he reachd there she was
dead and buried. There were a number of young negroes about the place
and the Doctor asked that one be given him and he selected a boy of nine
named Sam and took him with him to Ohio, solely for the purpose of giv-
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 647
ing him his freedom. Sam was as full of fun and glee as a young healthy
animal and had a natural genius for cookery. Notwithstanding the Doc-
tor's abhorrence of slavery, he consented to be a slaveholder for a week in
order to get Sam out of Virginia. He kept Sam for seven years and taught
him to read and write and cipher and gave him such further instruction as
he could. In i860, he sent him to Cincinnati to learn the carpenter's
trade. Sam could sew and do any housework as well as any woman. He
always kept himself neat, clean and well dressed. Whenever the Doctor
visited Cincinnati, Sam would buy a number of things for "Miss Adaline,"
as he called Mrs. Willson. Those articles were usually ladies' clothing or
apparel and he could always select them with consummate taste and antic-
ipate Mrs. Willson's wants. Sam always took good care of himself. He
never married and is now living in New Orleans.
The Doctor, on the occasion of the last visit to his father in Virginia
prior to the Civil War, had a great argument with his father, who was
strongly pro slavery in his views and in favor of the Rebellion of the South.
In this discussion, the Doctor predicted the Civil War and all its dire con-
sequences to the South, including the abolition of slavery, but his father
could not be convinced. They separated never to me^t on earth, as James
Willson died in 1864, but the Doctor lived to see all his predictions verified.
During the war he was very kind to his Southern male relatives who, with
• the exception of his father, were all in the Confederate army and several
of them prisoners at Camp Chase. To those who were prisoners, he sent
money, clothing and necessaries, but at the same time no one was more
loyal or devoted to the Union cause than he.
After the war he practiced his profession in Ironton until the infirm-
ities of age compelled him to desist.
The Doctor and his wife were loved by the entire community, but es-
pecially was their church devoted to them. On the twenty-eighth of Oc-
tober, 1890, the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage was celebrated by
the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church in Ironton, and it was
a most notable occasion which would require an article as long.as this. Of
those present at their marriage, all had passed away except Mrs. Hugh
Means, Miss Sophronia Willson and Rev. Newton Darlinton. The two
former were present on the fiftieth anniversary.
From 1890 until 1898, the health of the Doctor gradually failed. He
was subject to vertigo and was liable to fall at any time and he had to
give up his profession, but all the time he was the same cheerful, agree-
able person he ever had been. He always welcomd his friends and made
them feel refreshed and rejoiced that they had called. He loved to speak
of those dear friends who had gone before, but never repined. On the
eleventh of February, 1898, his wife passed away and he survived until
the twenty-ninth of May, when he, too, received the final summons and an-
swered it. After the death of his wife, an invalid in bed most of his time,
imable to walk or stand alone, requiring an attendant all the time, he never
complained. He often spoke of the great change which he felt was com-
ing, but to him it was but passing from one room to another. He was
ready at the Master's call and it came silently and gently. He passed from
sleep to its twin. Death, and the chapter of his life was closed. He was a
fine example of the old-fashioned Virginia gentleman, kind and courteous
to everyone and quick to appreciate what would please those about him
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648 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
and gratify them. In Ironton, when the good men of the city were named,
Dr. Willson's name was always first. Everyone felt that he was a sincere
and fine Christian gentleman. The world is better that he lived. His
life was a most excellent sermon, preached every day, and felt by those
with whom he associated.
His old friends in Adams County have all passed over to the majority,
but his memory among the younger is like a blessed halo, pictured about
the Saints, of which he is undoubtedly one.
Jeniilia Adallne Willson.
It is seldom we have biographies of women in works of this character.
It is certainly not because they are not deserving of them, as what is said of
them is usually said in sketches of their husbands, but the subject of this
sketch is deserving of an entire volume, and had her recollections of
Adams County been written down, they would make a more interesting
volume than this.
She was born December 20, 1820. Her father died when she was
but seven years of age and she was taken by Gen. Joseph Darlinton. of
West Union, Ohio, her great-uncle, and was reared by him. Her home
was with the General and his family from her seventh year until her mar-
riage. The General, whose sketch and portrait appear elsewhere in this
book, was a most devout Presbyterian, and as our subject has expressed it
herself, she was reared on the Bible and the Missionary Herald. If her
life is to be deemed a success, she attributed it to the careful training she
received in her uncle's home. From her seventh to her ninth year, she
listened to the Gospel expounded by the Rev. Dyer Burgess in the stone
church at West Union. From her ninth year until she left West Union,
in 1 85 1, she was taught in the same church by the Rev. J. P. Vandyke. As
his great efforts were always in preaching doctrines, she was well grounded
in the Presbyterian faith.
The General's house in West Union was the visiting place of all prom-
inent persons who visited the village. In this way she met and associated
with the best people of her time. When she was a girl, educational ad-
vantages were limited, but she had wonderful natural ability, and she took
advantage of all opportunities for information and intellectual improve-
ment. On October 2S, 1840, she was married in her uncle's home to Wil-
liam B. Willson, a young physician, who, in the May before, had located
in West Union, and there she went to housekeeping, and resided till the
fall of 185 1, when she removed to Ironton, Ohio. In West Union, she
was the center of a delightful circle of friends of her own sex, who, in their
old-fashioned way, took turn in spending the day at each other's houses.
She read much, traveled much, and she was delighted in visiting the most
noted historical places in our own country and never tired of telling of
them. She had fine conversational powers, and that, with her wonderful
memory, made her a most desirable companion or guest.
In the church was her great and chosen work, and she took great in-
terest in the Women's Missionary Societies. In 1897, she wrote a fine
paper for the Presbyterian Society, giving an account of the organization
of the Women's Board of Foreign Missions, which she attended in 1870
at Philadelphia, and of five subsequent meetings at which she was present.
She often dwelt on the advantages the young people had in the present day.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 649
In her day, she said it was just a privilege for the young to live; that then
the young people had nothing to do but to look on and listen to their elders ;
that in her youth, nothing but obedience and industry was expected of the
young.
This tribute is from the pen of Editor WiUson of the Ironton Register:
"Mrs. Willson was a woman of strong character. Her mind was bright
and aggressive. She studied the thoughts of today and kept informed on
those subjects which are of real progress. She was a great reader and ap-
preciated the best literature. Her interests lay deeply in religious themes,
and on them she was entertaining and instructive. Her great delight was
in the deep and solid orthodoxy of the Presbyterian Church, whose great
doctrines were a part of h€r life and thought. This gave her a setenity
that was always beautiful and a seriousness that was always helpful, but
through it all, her joys shone like an evening star through the twilight."
In the last five years of het life, she was afflicted, but not a great suf-
ferer. July 29, 1897, she had a stroke of paralysis which thereafter confined
her to her bed. She survived till February 11, 1898, when the end came.
In all her sickness, she exemplified her religious belief and die^d with all
its comforts sustaming her soul.
Captain Samuel R. Wood
was born September 6, 1788. He died September 23, 1867. Ruth Shoe-
maker, whom he married as the widow of Samuel Bradford, was born
August 18, 1793. She died August 25, 1879. The following children were
born to them: James Hervey, born April 7, 1816; died March 18, 1844;
Angeline, now the wife of George Sample, was born January 2, 1818: Car-
oline, now Mrs. S. P. Kirkpatrick, was born December 26, 1819; John
Nelson was born May 11, 1822; David, born December 27, 1824; Matilda,
bom April 20, 1829, afterward married a Mr. Locke, and is now deceased ;
Ann Elizabeth, born March 25, 1830, married a Henderson; George W.,
born February 24, 1833, deceased; Joseph William, born December 12.
1834, now deceased ; and Francis Marion, born June 27, 1840.
Ruth Shoemaker is said to have been stolen by the Indians in 1796
while residing on Ohio Thrush Creek at Shoemaker's Crossing, in the vicin-
ity of the mouth of Lick Fork. See history of Meigs Township and also
biography of Samuel Grimes Bradford in this volume.
Joiepli Allen Wilion
was born September 16, 18 16. in Logan County, Ohio. His father, John
Wilson, was born December 17, 1776, in Kentucky, and died October 5,
1824. in Logan County. His wife, Margaret Darlinton, was born in Win-
chester, Virginia. She was married to John Wilson, in Adams County,
August 6, 1 810. by Rev. William Williamson. She survived until March
8, 1869. Her father was born March 24, 1754, and died May 20, 1 814, at
X'ewark, Ohio. Her mother was born April to, 1700, and died December
14. 1832. John Wilson, grandfather of our subject, moved to Maysville,
Ky., about 1781, and bought land on the Kentucky side of the river for
twelve or fifteen miles along its course. This land is all divided up, and
a part of it, opposite Manchester, is known as Wilson's Bottoms.
The father of our subject had fifteen children, all of whom lived to
maturity, married and had families. Our subject went to reside with his
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650 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
uncle, General Joseph Darlinton, in Adams County, in 1823. He was
brought up in the Presbyterian Church and had such education as the local
schools afforded. At the age of sixteen, in 1832, he became an assistant
to his uncle in the Clerk's office of the Court of Common Pleas and Supreme
Court. In 1837, when he had attained his majority, he started out for
himself, with a certificate from J. Winston Price, Presiding Judge of the
Common Pleas, that he was of correct and most unexceptionable moral
character and habits. Gen. Darlinton also gave him a certificate that he
was perfectly honest and of strict integrity ; that he was familiar with the
duties of the Clerk's office, and that he had had some experience in retail-
ing goods from behind the counter and in keeping merchant's books. Be-
tween 1837 and 1840, he was a clerk in the Ohio Legislature at its annual
sessions. In September, 1838, he was employed in the County Clerk's
office in Greenup County, Kentucky. In November, 1838, he obtained a
certificate from Peter Hitchcock, Frederick Grinke and Ebenezer Lane,
Supreme Judges, that he was well qualified to discharge the duties of
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County, or any other
Court of equal dignity in the State. In November, 1840, he obtained em-
ployment in the office of Daniel Gano, Clerk of the Courts of Hamilton
County, as an assistant for four years, at $380.00 per year. He was mar-
ried to Harriet Lafferty, sister of Joseph West Lafferty, of West Union,
April 14, 1839, by Rev. Dyer Burgess. He formed a great friendship
with Nelson Barrere, a young lawyer who had located in West Union in
1834, and several of Barrere's letters to him are in existence. To Barrere,
he disclosed his inmost soul, as to a father confessor, and Barrere held the
trust most sacredly. He seemed also to have had the friendship of Samuel
Brush, an eminent lawyer of that time, who practiced in Adams County.
In 1846, he was an applicant for the Clerkship of Adams Court of Com-
ihon Pleas, when General Darlinton's term expired. He was recommended
by George Collings, Nelson Barrere, William M. Meek, Chambers Baird,
John A. Smith, James H. Thompson and Hanson L. Penn, but Joseph
Randolph Cockerill was appointed. However, on September 18, 1846, he
entered into a written contract with Joseph R. Cockerill, the Clerk, to work
in the office at $30.00 per month until the next spring and in that period
to be Deputy Clerk. In April, 1848, he was admitted to the bar at a term
of the Supreme Court held in Adams County, but it is not now known that
he ever practiced. He always had a delicate constitution and died of
pulmonary consumption, December 16, 1848. His wife died August 12,
1850. They had two children, a daughter, who died in infancy, and a son,
John O., who has a separate sketch herein.
Andrew Woodrow
was born in 1757, in Pennsylvania. He was married to Mary Stevenson,
March 8, 1791. She was born March 5, 1765. In 1796, he went to Lime-
stone, now Maysville, Kentucky. In 1803, he moved to Aberdeen, Ohio,
then in Adams County. In 1805, he removed to West Union. His wife
died there August 19, 1825, in her sixty-second year, and he died there
April 2. 1834, in his seventy-seventh year. He was appointed County
Surveyor by the Court of Common Pleas, at the April term. 1810, and as
such laid off the town plat of Aberdeen, Ohio, and laid out Darlinton's
Addition to West Union. He was also a school teacher. His sons were
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 651
Alexander and John. Alexander learned the trade of a cabinet maker and
John learned that of a printer first and afterward the trade of a cabinet
maker. John Woodrow was bom October 5, 1805, and married Jane
Crawford in 1831, and removed to Lynchburg, Ohio, in 1832. He died
in 1873. Andrew Woodrow's daughter, Milly Ann, married and is the
mother of Mrs. Caroline Worstell, of West Union. James Woodrow, a
son, died at the age of nineteen and is buried in the Harper cemetery, on
Salathiel Sparks' place.
Andrew Woodrow's wife related to Mrs. Caroline Wortsell that when
they went to West Union, it was almost all forest and the wolves often
went howling through the town at night.
Andrew Woodrow was very fond of music. He had a violin and could
draw a crowd at any time and sing and play his hearers into tears or
laughter. One of his favorite pieces was the "Battle of Boyne Water.''
Robert S. Wilion
was bom in Virginia, November 20, 1788. He removed to Adams County
in 181 1. He was a farmer. He first resided near North Liberty, after-
ward near West Union. He had a good common school education. He
was married in the fall of 1810 to Hester Keyes Wasson, an aunt of
Thomas Campbell Wasson.
Robert Wilson died in West Union July 4, 1849, in the Naylor House,
opposite the brick schoolhouse, of the Asiatic cholera. His wife died in
1867 of paralysis, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Crawford, near West
Union. Their children were Nathaniel, born July 12, 1812; John H.,
born November 22, 1813; Robert A., born August 17, 1816; Aquilla Jane,
born November 22, 1821 ; Thomas W., born July 12, 1818; Hetty Ann,
born September 22, 1822; Patton, born July 23, 1828; David Finley, born
June 5, 1827. He learned to be a shoemaker under Abraham Lafferty
and afterwards taught school. He married Eva Campbell, October 19,
1854; William McVey, bom October 10, 1823; Nathaniel Steele, whoVas
married three times, first to Margaret Chipps, second to Miss Mary Smith
and third, to Miss Bromfield. No children by either marriage. John H.
Wilson married Rebecca Bayless ; Robert A. married Margaret Markland ;
Thomas Wasson married Margaret Schultz ; Aquilla Jane married Harper
Crawford; Hettie Ann married Edward Lawler; William McVey mar-
ried Rebecca Lovejoy; Patton married Susannah Newman; David Fin-
ley married Eva Campbell.
Robert Wilson belonged to the United Brethren Church and his wife
to the Methodist. Both are buried in the old cemetery at West Union. He
was taken violently ill about nine o'clock in the morning and died at eight
in the evening. He sujffered intensely and was conscious throughout.
He had attended the funeral of Adam McCormick and it was thought he
got the disease from that. In politics he was an old time Whig.
ReT. John P. Vandyke
was bom in Adams County, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1803, and grad-
uated at Miami University in the class of 1826, which was the first class
to graduate from that institution. For a time after his graduation he was
master of the grammar school in that institution. We are not advised
when or where he studied theology. October i, 1829, he was taken in the
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652 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Presbytery of Chillicothe in a session at West Union, moderated at that
time by the Rev. Dyer Burgess. The Presbytery gave him a text to preach
from at his ordination on call from the church at West Union. St. John,
6:37-40.
At a meeting of Presbytery at West Union on April 6 and 8, 1830, Rev.
Vandyke was installed. Rev. John Rankin preached on this occasion. At
this meeting, Israel Donalson, Abraham Shepherd, Thomas Kirker and
Moses Baird were present. In 1836, he had a call to Georgetown, but de-
clmed it. On September 8, 1856, Presbytery dissolved the relation of
pastor and people between him and the West Union Church and he became
stated supply at Red Oak.
At a Presbytery held at Greenfield, April 5 and 6, 1853, he accepted
a call from Red Oak Church, and on the third Sabbath of May following,
he was installed. His pastoral relation to that church was dissolved April
5, 1854, at Hillsboro, Ohio. On September 5 and 6, 1854, he was dis-
missed to the Presbytery at Crawfordsville, Ind.
After leaving Chillicothe Phesbyter}% he labored as stated supply at
Frankfort, Ind., until 1856, when he accepted a call from the Pleasant
Ridge Church, in the Prebytery of Cincinnati. There he preached as
often as his health would permit him, until the summer of 1862, when he
removed to Reading. He labored faithfully until his last sickness. Here
he died August 13, 1862, of pulmonary consumption.
Soon after his location at West Union, he married Nancy, the daughter
of Gov. Thomas Kirker and had a family of children, one son, Lyman B.,
and several daughters. He was an active, useful minister, distinguished
for preaching doctrinal sermons, and dwelling much on the decrees of God.
He was very tall and slender. He was always delighted to have an argu-
ment and would stop on the street with friends and acquaintances and
talk any length of time. He was very fond of conversing on scientific
questions. Mrs. Sarah Bradford said of him he was a stronger Calvinist
than John Calvin himself. He was always pleased to present the doctrine
of election in his sermons. He was noted for his profound scholarship
and his willingness to impart his knowledge.
He preached 3,893 sermons in his lifetime of which 2,990 were
preached in West Union. I tremble when 1 think of the accounts the
members of his West Union Church and congregation will have to give
at the Judgment Day of the manner in which they listened to those ser-
mons.
In his last illness. Rev. Vandyke enjoyed to a high degree, the hopes
and consolations of the religion he so long preached. He bore his suffer-
ings patiently and spoke of his future prospects with unwavering confi-
dence.
Rev. Bnrronghi Weitlake
was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1792. He
connected with the Methodist Church in 1812, and commenced as a minister
in 1 8 14 in the Baltimore Conference. He was transferred to the Pitts-
burg Conference, and thence to the Ohio Conference, and afterwards to
the Indiana Conference. During his membership of the Ohio Conference,
he was stationed at West Union, in Adams County, and white there lost
his wife, Hannah Westlake, who died in 1826, and is the first interment
in the West Union Cemeterv which had a monument.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 663
He is well remembered by a few of the oldest surviving citizens of
Adams County as a strong minister. He served some nine years in the
Conference of Indiana, and while stationed at Logansport fell a victim to
an epidemic of erysipelas. He was taken in the morning with a swelling
of the throat. His breathing was protracted a few hours by an incision
in his throat and the yse of a tube. He died at six o'clock in the evening.
He was speechless for some time before his death ; but arose, and knelt by
his bedside and prayed. He was a rigid disciplinarian and a strong theo-
logian. He was deeply pious. His wife, Ruth Westlake, survived him
but seven days, and died of the same disease.
Alexander Woodroiv,
son of Andrew W'oodrow, was born in Maysville, Kentucky, October 22,
1798. When about seven years of age, he came to West Union with his
father and lived there until his death, March 2, 1872, aged seventy-three
years. He learned the trade of a cabinet maker. He was married three
times, first to Mary Wallace, on June 12, 1823. She died on June 19.
1825, in the twenty-ninth year of her age, leaving a son, James, who grew
to manhood. His second marriage was to Prudence Stevenson, in Mason
County, Kentucky, on January 25, 1827. She was a daughter of Nathan
Stevenson, an early settler in Mason County, Kentucky, having emigrated
from the State of Maryland, and was her husband's full cousin. She was
bom May i, 1800, and died of cholera in W^est Union, June 28, 1835, aged
thirty-five "years. His third marriage was to Mrs. Sarah Wood, of West
Union, widow of Robert Wood. Mrs. Wood was a daughter of Col. John
Lqdwick, one of the pioneers of Adams County.
The children of Alexander Woodrow's second marriage were Henry
B., Edgar, Nathan, Andrew and Mary Prudence, all of whom are de-
ceased but Henry B., the second son, who resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Alexander Woodrow was originally a Methodist Episcopal He
afterward joined the Methodist Prostestant Church with his second wife.
After his marriage to Mrs. Sarah Wood, he became a Presb^-terian and re-
mained such during the remainder of his life. He was an elder in the Pres-
byterian Church at West Union for many years. He was elected Auditor of
the County in 1843, ^" the Whig ticket, and served one term.
The Wamsley Family.
Isaac Wamsley, the great-grandfather of the present race of Wams-
leys, was bom in North Germany sometime in the seventeenth century.
He was a seafaring man, the captain of a vessel whose appearance in
American waters, about the year 1770, is the beginning of the Wamsley
history in this country.
His vessel seemed to be of a warlike character and took part in the
early struggle of America upon the high seas. It is not definitely known
tmder which flag he sailed, whether English or American, and the tradition
is that he was a kind of free lance, sailing upon his own hook and doubt-
less exacting tribute from any and all the parties engaged in those early
days, when privateers and bucaneers sailed the seas, some with, but more
without, letters of marque from organized forms of government.
After the loss of his vessel by wreck or capture, Isaac Wamsley
settled in Mar>'land or Delaware. After the close of the War of the
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664 fflSTORY OF ADAMS (X)UNTY
Revolution he removed with his family to what was then known as the
Northwest Territory, and located on Ohio Brush Creek, at Forge Dam in
JeflFerson Township. His family consisted of wife and four stalwart boys,
Isaac, Jr., Jonathan, Christopher and William. The three last named set-
tled within the present boundaries of Adams County. Isaac, however,
went farther west and became a **wild man," as he was called by the rest
of the family, because of his roving disposition, and his fondness for hunt-
ing and the wild sports of the trackless forest. His descendants have been
traced to California and the isles of the sea.
William Wamsley was the youngest son of Isaac Wamsley and the
grandfather of the extensive family of that name scattered over the State
of Ohio. He settled upon the fertile banks of Scioto Brush Creek, right at
the Mouth of Scioto Turkey Creek, and purchased all the bottom land upon
both sides of this creek from its mouth five miles up the stream, being care-
ful to follow, in his line of survey, the base of the mighty hills which en-
close this valley upon both sides of this stream.
This land was entered for him by William Bayless. William Wams-
ley was married to Sarah Wikoflf about the year 1798. Of this union
nine children were bom, eight boys and one girl. Leah, the daughter,
died at an early age. In the naming of their children the strong religious
sentiment seemed to prevail, for all were given Bible names save two. as
follows: Peter, Isaac, William, John, Samuel and Christc^her (twins).
Leah, Amos and Jesse. All these men were devoutly religious and
members of the M. E. Church, and every one of them uncompromising
Democrats of the "Old Hickory" stripe.
William Wamsley and his sons built the M. E. Church which was
called **Wamsley Chapel." This church was the third meeting house
erected within the boundaries of Adams County. It was erected as a
matter of convenience for these God-loving men and women who were
thus saved a weary journey of seven miles to Moore's Chapel, which was
the first meeting house in the county.
How little do the present generation understand how precious the
Word of Ivife was to these toil-worn sons and daughters of men, who, in
the almost unbroken forest, with ax, plow, and gun, were laying the
foundation to a mighty superstructure whose towering proportions would
aflFord shelter and safety to the weary and oppressed of every land.
William Wamsley died September 26, 1845, ^^ ^^^ seventieth year
of his age, and was followed by his wife, April 27, 1850, in her seventy-
ninth year. They are sleeping side by side in the Wamsley graveyard.
Isaac and Jesse Wamsley were ordained ministers of the Methodist
Church. John and Samuel were exhorters in the same church, and all
the rest were class leaders and earnest, devout workers in the interest of
that church.
It would be interesting to follow the history of each member of this
family of eight boys ; we must, however, content ourselves with but tw^o of
the fathers of the present living race of Wamsleys residing in Adams
County.
Rev. Jesse Wamsley was the youngest son in this family. He was
bom July 11, 1813, and was married to Mary McCormack, December 15,
1831. Of this union two children were born, James Pilcher, who is still
living upon the old homestead where he was bom, and William Finley,
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WILLIAM M. WAMSLEY
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 666
who crossed the silent river but a few years ago. Pilcher Wamsley was
bom March 30, 1833, and was married October 23, 1856, to Miss Eliza-
beth A. Graham. Jesse Wamsley, Jr., the only child living of this family,
is a young man of fine personal appearance, cultured and refined, a pleasant
gentleman, and an honest man.
Jesse, the father of Pilcher and.Finley Wamsley, spent his life in
the Christian ministry, being converted and licensed to preach in his four-
teenth year. He was admitted to the Conference and ordained as a
preacher at Chillicothe, Ohio, when about twenty-eight years of age. His
first circuit was on the home work which extended hundreds of miles,
taking him two weeks of constant travel to get around. After years of
travel upon horseback, Rev. Wamsley concluded that it would rest him in
his work to ride in a buggy, so he bought one costing him $110.00. This
purchase came very near destroying his career as a Methodist preacher,
th^ people seeing in this buggy the sjrmbol of pride, and a worldly spirit
refused to hear him preach ; and when he was compelled to buy a set of
false teeth, in order to talk plainly, the climax was reached and his best
friends withdrew their support. But as the years went by, and buggies
and false teeth became common, his friends returned and enjoyed many a
hearty laugh at their own expense over the foolish prejudice of those early
years. Rev. Wamsley was compelled to travel to Cincinnati for his teeth,
which cost, at that time, one hundred and thirty-five dollars. In 1864,
Rev. Jesse Wamsley's name was diopped from the Conference roll of the
M. E. Church, the charges brought against him being that he had sub-
scribed for and was reading the Christian Witness ^ a paper published in
the city of Columbus by one Rev. J. F. Givens, the founder and leader of
the Christian Union of Ohio.
In 1865, Rev. Wamsley attended the Annual Council of Christian
Union at Edenton, Ohio, where his venerable appearance and his high
preaching ability at once advanced him to the front ranks of those early
workers in the cause of liberty and fraternity.
Returning home he organized a local church with nine charter mem-
bers, and became their pastor, serving them faithfully for many years.
Many local churches were organized by him in the years that followed his
identification with the Christian Union cause. He died February 18, 1887.
William Wamsley, the father of Rev. Wm. Wamsley, now residing in
Wamsleyville, was bom in 1804, and died October 12, 1868. He was
married to Elizabeth Bolton in 1825. Of this union eight children were
bom, five sons and three daughters.
Rev. William Wamsley, the subject proper of this sketch, was born
August 3, 1843, ^" the old Wamsley homestead at the mouth of Scioto
Turkey Creek. When he was six years of age, his own dear mother de-
parted this life. Deprived thus early of a mother's love and care, the
resolution was formed in his young mind to accomplish something for him-
self, to build a town that should bear his name, and surround himself with
friends and neighbors in whom his heart delighted. As the years went
by Young Wamsley attended school some little, but the most of the time
was engaged in financial ventures which in every instance proved success-
ful, drawing the attention of the people to his giant struggles. At the
age of twenty, he had achieved his fortune, and in 1864 began to put in
execution the dream of his young life, to build a town. Before this,
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666 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
however, he had purchased the home farm containing 210 acres. He laid
off the streets of his village through this beautiful farm and began the
building of a large mill, blacksmith shop, storerooms and dwelling houses.
This town grew in size and importance and was called by the people
"Bill's town." About this time young Wamsley concluded that he needed
a helpmate to share his joys and sorrows, and on the twenty-third day of
May, 1867, he was joined in wedlock to Sarah W. Wamsley. One child
was born to bless this union, a son, Milton Bina, now grown to manhood,
married, and with wife and children resides in Wamsleyville, aiding his
father in his busy life of toil and ventures.
So prodigous were the efforts of Rev. Wamsley that the attention of
the leading men of the county was directed to this rising town, the only
one in Jefferson Township. So great was the excitement over his achieve-
ments, that Horu John T. Wilson and Col. Cockerill came to visit Wm.
Wamsley and to talk over the situation. After an excellent dinner they
visited the steam mill, the shops and stores, had a review of the two
hundred men then in the employ of William Wamsley, and expressed their
pleasure and interest with all they saw. When about to depart, Mr. Wil-
son asked Wamsley if they could aid him in any way, and was told that
a postoffice was the pressing need of the town. Mr. Wilson then and there
promised that an office should be established, and Col. Cockerill declared
its name should be Wamsley. The mail route established was from West
Union through Wamsley and on to Mineral Springs with mail twice each
week. Now, however, it is twice each day. Other visitors came to see
and find out all about this wonderful little town. Among the number were
bankers R. H. Ellison, Crocket McGovney, and John A. Murry, who at
once opened a bank account with young Wamsley which was a benefit and
profit to all parties.
Finding that it would be impossible to transport the manufactured
articles of this busy town without better roads, Hon T. J. Mullen, of West
Union, was called upon and drew up a petition for a free turnpike from
Rome, on the Ohio River, to Mineral Springs. Young Wamsley was
the promoter of this enterprise, aided by Mr. Salisbury, of Mineral
Springs ; A. J. Jones, of Wamsley ; Dr. D. H. Woods, George A. Lafferty.
of Rome, and others. The struggle was made, and the road granted
under the Two Mile Law. Eventually, other roads were opened to the
town.
On the evening of November 28. 1879, the fire demon visited this
enterprising town and the large mill, the lumber yard, stores, and all the
property in touch with it, were entirely destroyed, entailing a loss of scMne
twenty thousand dollars from the hard earnings of William Wamsley.
But this disaster did not daunt the courage of Young Wamsley. In a few
hours the ashes were cleared away and work began in the building of a
larger and better mill. Five years afterward, fire again destroyed nearly
the entire town, burning every house, store and barn upon the east side of
Main Street, entailing a loss of sixty thousand dollars, ten thousand of
which fell to the lot of William Wamsley. But again the courage of
this tireless worker rose above the ruin of all his hopes, and he determined
that the town should be rebuilt, and at once began work upon his own
home, which had perished in the flames, and the town arose, phcenix-like,
from the ashes of its own destruction.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 657
The third time fire broke out, and on the sixth of February, 1892,
the great and famous mill was consumed, bringing a loss of twelve thou-
sand dollars upon the aching head of its owner. But still over these losses
this man moves onward ; his mill is in process of erection, and backed up
by the fertile acres of his valley farm, he still stands erect, his hair streaked
with gray, but his mind and heart young as ever full of vigor and courage
to battle on. It is proper to mention that the town of Wamsleyville
was laid out, surveyed and plotted, January 15, 1874, and put on record
January 30, same year. There has been added to the town a beautiful Fair
Park owned and controlled by Rev. Wamsley, whose management of the
Wamsleyville Fair is a noted event in the history of the county. This
ground furnishes a pleasant and convenient place for celebrations, Sunday
School gatherings, as well as other purposes for which it can be used.
Rev. Wamsley's home life is an ideal one. Between himself and wife
love reigns supreme, and f>eace and plenty crown their board.
Big-hearted, big-bodied and generous, his home door stands open
night and day to all comers and his table filled with the food that delights
the eye and pleases the palate.
Himself and wife are earnestly religious and devout members of the
Christian Union in whose ranks he has been an efficient minister for many
years.
His only son, with his interesting family, live near the happy father
and mother and the words "grandpa" and "grandma'' from childish lips
gladden the heart and home of this happy pair.
The Bnrbase Fainily.
In the year 1555, John Burbage was the Bailiflf and, ex officio, Chief
Magfistrate of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birth-place of William Shakes-
peare. Subsequently, this office was held by Francis Burbage, and later
on by John Shakespeare, the father of the great poet.
The record of this Court has shown that, during John Burbage*s
term of office, he presided over a trial in which John Shakespeare was
sued for a sum of money. These facts appear in William Shakespeare's
biography as published in George L. Duyckinck's edition of his works,
by Porter & Coates, Philadelphia, Pa.
The next point of interest is the intimate association of Shakespeare
with James Burbage and his son, Richard, in the dramatic profession, in
London. Under the title "Shakespeare," in the ninth edition of the
Encyclopaedia Britannica, it is stated that James Burbage had been a
fellow townsman of Shakespeare ; and a transcript of a letter written by
Lord Southampton, introducing and commending William Shakespeare
and Richard Burbage, was found among Lord Elsmere's papers filed
while he was Lord Chancellor, in which it is said that Shakespeare and
Richard Burbage were from the same county " and almost the same town."
That the advent of the two Burbages in London preceded that of
Shakespeare by some years, is the concurrent testimony of all writers on
the subject. James Burbage had been an actor in a company of players
organized by the Earl of Leicester, sometimes called Burbage's players,
which gave performances in London and elsewhere, long before the
erection of any building in England, specially designed for such a purpose.
42a
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668 mSTORY OP ADA.MS CX)UNTY
To James Burbage belongs the distinction of having erected in London,
in 1575, the original Black Friars Theater, the first theater built in
England.
In an article in Scribner's Magazine for May, 1891, Alexander Car-
gill says: "This place (the Curtain Theater) and *The Theater' as
Burbage's place was distinctively known, were the only two theaters in
the city proper, when young Shakespeare first arrived in London." From
the facts already stated, Shakespeare's connection with the Burbages,
in London, is quite natural, on the assumption that he went there to enter
the dramatic profession. Accordingly, the writer of the article in the
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Dr. Baynes, referring to Shakespeare's early
career in London, says: "But from his first coming up (to London), it
seems clear that he was more identified with the Earl of Leicester's players
of whom he was more identified with the Earl of Leicester's players of
of whom his energetic fellow townsman, James Burbage, was the head,
than any other group of actors."
It is further stated by the same writer, on documentary evidence,
that the Burbages originally introduced Shakespeare to the Blackfriars
Company and gave him an interest as part proprietor in the Blackfriar's
property. Knight, in his biography of Shakespeare, says there is no
reason to doubt that Shakespeare first went to London accompanied by
Richard Burbage, who, at the time of his death, owned the Blackfriar's
Theater, and an interest in several others. He had beccmfie the greatest
tragedian of his time, was the first actor to perform the part of Hamlet
in the great play of that name, as well as the part of the Moor in Othello.
He is often spoken of as the "Garrick of the Elizabethan Stage," and Lord
Southampton calls him "Our English Roscius," one who fitteth the action
to the word and the word to the action most admirably. Some writers
contend that Shakespeare wrote the part of Hamlet expressly for Richard
Burbage, and the wTite, in Scribner's Magazine, says : "There can be no
question that it was by the histrionic excellence of Burbage that Shakespeare
was influenced and encouraged in the writing of more than one of his
great plays." Thus it appears that the Burbages were efficient in pre-
paring and cultivating the field from which Shakespeare was to reap an
immortal fame which, in its turn, has served to perpetuate their names
in history.
It now remains to indicate, briefly, the lines along which the genealogy
of the Burbage family in Adams County may be traced back to the London
Burbages should any one have opportunity and an inclination to do so.
It is well known that the English colony established at Jamestown, Vir-
ginia, in 1607, was the result of a commercial enterprise undertaken by a
company organized in London.
In a large work recently published by Alexander Brown entitled
"The Genesis of the United States," he shows from records in England that
Richard Burbage was a member of this company. He died in London in
1618, leaving a son, William. The land records of Virginia show that,
in 1636, a William Burbage and also Captain Thomas Burbage resided
in the colony at Jamestown. From 1636 to 1638, the authorities at James-
town granted patents to Thomas Burbage for several tracts of land in Vir-
ginia, among which was a tract of 1,250 acres located in Accomac County,
Virginia, adjoining Worcester County, Maryland. The Record of Wills
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES (569
in Worcester County shows that Burbage died there as far back as 1726.
In this record the names of both Thomas and William Burbage recur in
successive generations. This fact, together with the close proximity of
the locality to the land owned by Thomas Burbage in the adjoining county
of AcccMnac, creates a strong presumption of relationship between the
Maryland and Virginia Burbages, especially when considered in con-
nection with the well known historical fact that many of the Jamestown
people emigrated to the eastern shore of Maryland soon after Jamestown
was settled.
Thomas Burbage's death is accounted for in Henning's Virginia
Statutes, Volume i, page 405, wherein the order of the Court is shown
directing a division of his lands so that his widow could choose her
dower. In this order, William Burbage is to have the remainder as heir
at law, but in some of the records he is mentioned as **head right" in con-
nection with these lands. But in none of the records at Jamestown, thus
far discovered, is any evidence found indicating that William Burbage died
in that vicinity. This strengthens the presumption that he crossed the
bay, settled on the land in Accomac County, and thus became the head
of the various branches of the Burbage family in Maryland. Their
presence there can be accounted for in no other way from the present state
of facts. It is to be regretted that opportunity to confirm this view of the
matter by examination of the records of Accomac County has not been had.
Thomas Burbage, who died in Worcester County, Maryland, in 1722,
aged ninety-six years, was the ancestor of the Adams County Burbages.
One of his sons, the Rev. Edward Burbage, who also died in Worcester
County, Maryland, in 181 2, was the father of Levin Duncan Burbage who
settled near the present site of Bradysville; of Thomas Burbage, near
Bentonville; of Dolly Burbage (Mrs. Smashea), of West Union; of
Elizabeth Burbage, full brothers and sisters, and of Joel Burbage, a half
brother, whio lived near Decatur, together with his three sisters, Ann,
Sarah, Rhoda, (Mrs. Schultz) and Mary. They emigrated together, via
Pittsburg and the Ohio River, and landed at Manchester in the Spring of
1816. Two years later. Levin D. Burbage went to Maryland and back,
traveling alone on horseback, through what was then almost a continuous
wilderness. ,
All of these people were devout Christians and members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, as was their father before them, and his
sincerity was evinced in his refusal to accept from his father a proffered
gift of some slaves, on the ground that slavery was contrary to the spirit
of Christianity. This brings the history of the Burbage family down
to a time within the memory of its oldest surviving members, and of these
we have space for only a brief sketch of the career of one, who having
represented the county in a public capacity, should be mentioned along
with others sustaining similiar relations to the public. We refer to Cap-
tain William D. Burbage, who was the youngest of the nine children born
to Levin Duncan Burbage and his wife, Sarah H. Cropper, daughter of
John Cropper.
Captain Burbage was born on his father's farm near Brady ville,
December 31, 1835.
The father having died in 1840, and the mother in 1841, the boy was
left in the care of Edward, his only brother and guardian, who resided
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660 HISTORY OB ADAMS COUNTY
at the parental homestead until 1846, when he moved to a farm which he
had purchased, located about two miles from West Union on Beasley's
Fork. At that time much of the land in this neighborhood was covered
by primeval forests and the business of farming consisted largely of work
in the woods, especially during the time when the planting, cultivating or
harvesting of crops did not require attention. In such a community,
physical labor is respectable and young men and boys have no fear that
hard work will degrade them in the general estimate of individual worth.
Thus stimulated by environment and blessed with health and strength,
young Burbage grew to be an efficient "farm hand," a fact of much impor-
tance in his first efforts to acquire an education.
Naturally, educational facilities in the country were quite limited —
the usual annual term in the public schools consisting of three months.
Yet the boy who could be spared to attend the entire term was exception-
ally favored. During one of these years the subject of this sketch was in
school but seventeen days, and up to the year 185^, he had scarcely contem-
plated the possibility of ever acquiring more than the mere rudiments of
learning.
But about this time, Wm. M. Scott came into the neighborhood and
engaged to teach for a term of three months in the Ellison school house,
as it was called, and to this fact, more than any other, Captain Burbage
attributes a change in his career which has resulted in his becoming a
student for life.
Scott was an excellent teacher and possessed the rare faculty of in-
spiring in his pupils a feeling of self-reliance whereby almost any one
may largely educate himself.
This idea of self-culture took practical form in i860, when Scott,
Burbage and Robert S. Cruzan — all teachers at the time — rented a double
log cabin on Moore's Run and started what they called "Trinity Institute."
In this they were soon joined by other teachers, and several students who
had not yet engaged in teaching.
The plan was for each teacher to conduct recitations in those studies
in which he was farther advanced than the others, while they served in
like manner in respect to such studies as they were severally best fitted
to conduct, as determined by experience and mutual agreement, until the
curriculum of an ordinary college course should be mastered.
What the ultimate development of this enterprise might have been,
had not the war of 1861 broken it up, can never be known; but it was the
unanimous judgment of all — ^teachers and pupils alike, that they had never
made more rapid progress — even in studies none of them had previously
pursued, than they made in that school during its life of two summers.
Captain Burbage was the principal teacher of the public schools in
Winchester in 1861, and finished his career as an educator by completing
a term as Superintendent of the Public Schools of Manchester in 1869, ^
the room, in which ten years before, he had ceased to attend the public
schools as a student. In 1862, he entered the Army as Second Lieutenant
of Company E, 91st O. V. I., in which he served till the close of the war,
receiving promotions, meanwhile, to the rank of First Lieutenant and
Captain, in succession, according to the rule of seniority. During the
summer of 1866, a vacancy was created in the lower House of the Ohio
Legislature by the death of the lamented Col. H. L. Phillips, and Capt.
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Burbage was elected to fill the vacancy, having as a competitor for the
place, his old friend and comrade in the army, Mr. F. D. Bayless, who was
the Democratic candidate. Captain Burbage regards his efforts to secure
the enactment of the law under which the public turnpikes of Adams
County were -established, as the most important of his services in the
Legislature.
•He was elected Mayor of Manchester soon after returning from
Columbus, and while serving in this capacity, was very much puzzled on
one occasion as to how he ought to decide a question of law argued before
him by the distinguished attorney E. P. Evans, father of one of the two
editors of this history.
Experience in the Legislature and the Mayor's office intensified a long
felt desire on the part of the Captain, to know more about the laws and
institutions of our country.
Accordingly, after moving his family to Kansas, where his father-
in-law, the late George Pettit then resided, and after looking over the West
for a while to discover ways and means to support his family and pursue
his studies, he finally received, in September, 1869, an appointment in the
Treasury Department in Washington where he has remained for thirty
years, graduating, meanwhile, in the Law Department of Columbian Uni-
versity, and employing his leisure time thereafter in the study of scientific
and philosophical literature touching the great problems of individual and
social life, with a view to contributing, in some small degree at least, to
the well-being of mankind.
The Caden Family.
The Caden family, so far as is known, originated in Penig, Saxony,
Germany. In the latter part of the seventeenth century, there lived there
three brothers by the name of Caden of noble lineage. Two of them
were military men, one of whom served in the Russian army and the other
in the Austrian army. The grandfather of William C^den, who resides at
Buena Vista, died when his father was but three years old. His grand-
father was a forge owner. In those days there were no rolling mills,
consequently all iron was necessarily forged under the hammer for all
mercantile purposes. Carl W. Caden continued in that business until
his wife died in 1848. In 1850, he emigrated to America with a family of
six children, one daughter and five sons. He had suffered from a throat
disease and emigrated, hoping to be benefited by making the trip across the
ocean. The family staid a while in New York City, and from there went
to Philadelphia, where he remained a month under a physician's treatment.
Frcmfi there he went to Pittsburg and was thoroughly cured of his throat
trouble. He then took his family to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he
was unsuccessful in obtaining employment. From Wheeling, he went to
Parkersburg, where he bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in
Wood County, forty miles from Parkersburg. Unfortunately for him, he
was not acquainted with the title, and it proVed worthless and he lost
his farm and all he had invested in it. In 1853, he moved to Greenup
County, Kentucky, at one of the iron furnaces, where he remained until
1857, w:hen he rented George Bruce's stone saw mill on the waters of
Kmnikinick. He continued that until i860, when he removed to Buena
Vista, where he continued in the sawed stone business, obtaining stone
in both Adams and Scioto Counties, but principally in Adams County. In
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662 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
1885, the firm of W. L. Caden & Bros, was the successor to Carl W. Caden.
In 1875, ^^^ Buena Vista Freestone Company v/as organized by William L.
Caden, Adolph Caden, Gustav Caden and Gustav A. Klein. A daughter
of Carl Caden died in Tell City, Indiana, in 1881. He died in 1885, as did
his son, Gustav. Adolph died in 1897 and Lewis in 1899. William re-
sides at Buena Vista and another brother lives at Evansville, Indiana,
engaged in the quarrying and mill business.
The Ellis Family.
Nathan, Jeremiah, Samuel, Hezekiah, James and Jesse, all sons of
James Ellis and Mary Veatch, his wife, came to this section from the
neighborhood of Brownsville on the Monongahela River, some sixty miles
above Pittsburg, in 1795. Mr. and Mrs. James Ellis came from Wales
early in the eighteenth century and settled first im Maryland, where
after spending a few years, they emigrated to Western Pennsylvania,
where Mr. Ellis died some time after the Revolutionary. War. There is
nothing to show that there were any daughters in the family.
Religiously, the ElHses were Quakers of the strictest sect and were
identified with the Colonists in the French and Indian Wars, and later
on in the Revolutionary struggle, several of the name holding commissions
in the Continental army. In the Spring of 1795, Captain Nathan Ellis and
his five brothers embarked on boats at Brownsville and floated on down
past Pittsburg into the Ohio, looking for homes in the mighty forests and
fertile lands of the then almost unknown Northwest Territory. The Ohio
was the great highway over which came much of the tide of emigration
which have peopled this section of the Union, a mighty stream hemmed in
by a continent of gloomy shade and wierd solitude, rolling its unbroken
length for a thousand miles, a beautiful stretch of restless, heaving water
which realized to the voyager the "ocean river of Homeric song."
Landing at Limestone, the Ellis brothers were so charmed with the
romantic beauty of the region and the productiveness of the soil, that they
determined at once to go no further. At thai time, with the exception of a
few isolated settlements at Marietta, Manchester, Gallipolis, and Cincin-
nati, there were but few settlers on the north bank of the river, while upon
the south side of the country, it was swarming with emigrants seeking out
and appropriating the richest lands and most eligible town sites. Like the
Jordan of old, the Ohio was the great boundary line. It stayed the in-
cursions of the Indians, and north of its immediate banks the wave of
immigration had not rolled. The very day, April 27, 1795. that Nathan
Ellis landed at Limestone, five hundred red men were encamped right
across the river. Finding that the most valuable lands were taken up, the
Ellis brothers determined to push on into the Northwest Territory. Nathan
Ellis built the first home in what is known as Aberdeen, and twenty-one
years after, laid out the town, naming it for the old University town of
Aberdeen, Scotland, in honor of one of his fellow townsmen who was a
native of the place.
Samuel Ellis settled at Higginsport, eighteen miles below. James
opened up a farm near the present site of Georgetown. Jeremiah Ellis
bought lands near Bentonville. Hezekiah Ellis founded a home on the
waters of Eagle Creek, and Jesse Ellis entered a tract on what is now known
as Brooks Bar; three miles east of Aberdeen. More than a centurv has
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 663
passed, yet such have been the staying qualities of the name that many of
the original entries remain in the possession of the family. As a connec-
tion, they have ever been blessed with the good things of life and inherit
many of the sterling qualities which distinguished their Quaker ancestors.
Nathan Ellis was bom November lo, 1749, and Mary Walker, his
wife, August 31, 1752. They were married in 1770. Nathan Ellis assisted
Jonathan Zane and John Mclntire in marking out the Zane Trace in 1797
and 1798. He became quite a large landowner, holding at one time eight
thousand acres. Aberdeen was first known as "Ellis Ferry." Nathan
Ellis became the first Justice of the Peace, an office he held until his death
in 1819. In a very readable and interesting volume, "A Tour in the
Western Country," published in 1808 by Fortescue Gumming, we find the
following: "On Saturday, I returned to Ellis Ferry, opposite Maysville,
on the banks of the Ohio. I found 'Squire Ellis seated on a bench under
the shade of two locust trees, with a bottle, pen, ink, and several papers,
holding a Justice Court which he does every Saturday. Seven or eight
men were sitting on the bench with him, awaiting his award in their
several cases. After he had finished, which v/as soon, after I had taken a
seat under the same shade, one of the men invited the 'Squire to drink
with him, which he consented to do. Some whiskey was procured from
Landlord Powers in which all parties made a libation to peace and justice.
There was something in the scene so primitive and so simple that I could not
help enjoying it with much satisfaction. I took up my quarters for the
night with Landlord Powers, who is an Irshnian from the Ballinbay in the
County of Monaghan. He pays 'Squire Ellis eight hundred dollars per
annum for his tavern, fine farm and ferry."
Nathan Ellis and his wife were a couple of untiring energy and great
force of character, fit represoitatives of the heroic men and women who
settled in the Ohio Valley and laid the corner stone of the empire in the
wilderness. Ten children were born to them: Margaret (Mrs. Scicily) ;
Mary (Mrs. Campbell), 1773; John, 1777; Jeremiah, 1779; Jesse, 1782;
Samuel, 1784; Nancy (Mrs. Grimes), 1786; Nathan, 1789; Hetty, 1792;
she became the wife of Capt. John Campbell, a distinguished officer under
General McArthur, in the War of 18 12. Jesse was in his company and
took part in many engagements. Elender, bom 1795, married James Hig-
gins and emigrated many years ago to Johnson County, Missouri, where
she died November 10, 1882. „
Jeremiah Ellis married Anna Underwood, daughter of a well-known
and prominent Virginia gentleman in 1803. His son, Washington, was
bom in 1804, and in 1832 married Miss Aris Parker, of Mason County,
Kentucky. Jesse Ellis married Sabina. a daughter of Captain Thomas
Brooks, of Mason County, Ky., a warm friend and contemporary of Daniel
Boone and Simon Kenton, and one of the founders of Maysville (1787) ;
Major John Ellis married Keziah, a daughter of William Brooks, who,
with his brother, Thomas, was captured at the battle of Blue Licks and held
a prisoner by the Indians for five years. Major Ellis served in an Ohio
regiment in the War of 1812, and had quite a noted career as a soldier.
Jesse Ellis died in 1877 ^^ ^^^ ninety-fifth year. His wife passed away five
years later in her ninetieth year. Nathan Ellis died in 1819 and is buried
on the hill overlooking Aberdeen. His mother, Mary Veatch, who died
in 1799, rests in the Aberdeen cemetery. John died in 1829. Jeremiah died
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664 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX>UNTY
in 1857 ; Washington, in 1873 ; his wife in 1891. They all rest in the Ellis
family cemetery at Ellis Landing in Sprigg Township, four miles east of
Aberdeen. Jeremiah Ellis and Anna Underwood became the parents of
ten children, five sons and five daughters, the best known of whom are the
Hon. Jesse Ellis, of Aberdeen, Ohio, who has represented Adams County in
the Legislature a number of times, and Samuel Ellis, deceased, formerly a
sheriflF of Lewis County, Kentucky.
Jesse Ellis, although now a resident of Brown County, was bom in
Adams County, December 19; 1833. He has always been a farmer, teacher
and surveyor, and was at/ one time surveyor of Adams County for twelve
consecutive years. He is a man of charming personality and has many
devoted friends. In connection, it is but right that we should men-
tion the record of the sons of the family in the war for the preservation of
the Union. Many of them bore commissions but a far greater number were
in the ranks. So far as the present writer is informed, the following bore
commissions: Lieutenant Coloned Edward Ellis, 15th Illinois, killed at
Shiloh; Major Ephriam J. Ellis, 33d Ohio; Lieutenant Jesse Ellis', 59th
Ohio, and Captain Isaac Dryden, 24th Ohio, grandson of Samuel Ellis,
fell at Chickamauga; Private William J. Ellis, Company G, 70th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, was the first man of that regiment killed at Shiloh.
His head was carried away by a cannon ball. Drs. Samuel and Lewis Ellis
were medical officers ; Dryden Ellis, Captain 6th Ohio Cavalry ; Amos Ellis,
Lieutenant 70tli Ohio; Anderson V. Ellis, Lieutenant 49th Ohio; William
Ellis, Captain i6th Kentucky ; Joseph Ellis, Lieutenant 175th Ohio. Major
Ellis was the Captain of the Manchester Company in the 33d Ohio at the
time he enlisted in 1861. He commanded his regiment at the battle of
Stone River and had a horse killed under him. He was a most gallant and
beloved officer, and had he lived, would have been put in command of one
of the new Ohio regiments then organizing for the field. Of the private
soldiers of the Ellis family, it is impossible to speak in detail. Quite a
number of them lost their lives on the field of battle : some of them died in
rebel prisons; others perished from wounds and diseases, and many of
them lived to get back home to the: green hills of the old Buckeye State
and to rejoice that peace had come to our land, and that we were a reunited
nation sovereign, great and free.
Anderson Nejson Ellis, A. M., M. D., son of Washington and Aris
Ellis, was bom at Ellis Landing, Sprigg Township, Adams County, Ohio
December 19, 1840. In his twelfth year, he entered the public schools of
Ripley where he remained six years, and during which times, those schools
maintained a very high standard of excellence under such well known
efficient instructors as Captain F. W. Hurth, Rev. W. H. Andrews, Prof.
Ulysses Thompson and Gen. Jacob Ammen. He then entered the Fresh-
man class at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he
remained until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when he
went to the front as a volunteer aide-de-camp on the staff of the late Major
General William Nelson, and remained with him until his death. Sub-
sequently, he was attached to the staff of his old teacher, Gen. Ammen,
then commanding the fourth division of the Army of the Ohio under Gen.
Don Carlos Buell. On the eighteenth of March, 1862, he was appointed
Second Lieutenant of the 49th Ohio Regiment, Colonel William H. Gibson,
which commission he resigned September 28, 1863, on account of failing
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 665
health. Returning home, he at once entered Miami University and grad-
uated the following year. In 1885, his Alma Mater conferred upon him the
degree of Master of Arts. ,
In the Spring of 1865, he began the study of medicine in the office
of Dr. A. G. Goodrich, of Oxford, Ohio, and afterward attended medical
lectures at Ann Arbor, Michigan; Pittsfield, Mass.; New York City and
Cincinnati. At the Berkshire Medical College, he was assistant to the chair
of Chemistry and graduated with the valedictory. Subsequently the board
of trustees of that institution elected him Demonstrator of Anatomy. In
March, 1868, the Ohio Medical College gave him an addendum degree.
After some little private practice in Ohio and Kansas, Dr. Ellis entered the
Ohio Regular Army as a medical officer, and spent five years on the plains
and mountains of the Southwest. To one who had as yet known nothing be-
yond the haunts of civilization, the nomadic life of an army officer presented
many attractions. While in New Mexico and Arizona, the Doctor becafme
much interested in the history of the Pueblo Indians — that last remnant
of the Aztec population of the days of the Spanish conquest, who present
the pathetic spectacle of a civilization j>erishing without a historian to re-
count its rise, ruin and fall, its art, poetry, sorrow and suffering — a
repetition of the silent death of the Mound Builders. He spent much of his
time while off duty in exploring those ancient ruins that lie all over that
interesting land. After leaving the service, he delivered many lectures and
published a number of magazine articles on "The Land of the Aztec."
From the very day of his graduation in medicine, Dr. Ellis had cast longing
eyes at the admirable teaching and superior clinical advantages of the great
European hospitals. In 1878, he resolved to realize this day dream of his
life. He then went abroad and spent eighteen months in Hiidelberg,
Vienna and London, and afterward made p. journey through Italy and
France. While absent from the United States, he published many letters
in the press, of his observations and travels in those countries, the most
notable of which was "Pen and Ink Pictures of Venice. Florence, Rome,
Naples, Pompeii, Leghorn and Genoa." Shortly after his return home to
Cincinnati, he received the appointment of Assistant Physician at Long-
view Asylum, a position which he soon found irksome, but which led to an
intimate acquaintance with nervous diseases and his appearance in many of
the Courts of the State as a medical expert in insanity cases. In Sep-
tember, 1882, he was called to the chair of Laryngology in the Cincinnati
College of Medicine and Surgery, which position he took and held until the
close of the session 1890, and found himself to be an efficient and popular
teacher. On December 10, 1893, Gov. Charles Foster appointed him
Captain and Assistant Surgeon of the First Regiment, Ohio National
Guards, Col. Charles B. Hunt, commanding, and on the thirty-first day of
July, 1888, Gov. J. B. Foraker promoted him to the surgeoncy with the
rznk of Major, the vacancy being made by the promotion of the lamented
Dr. E. A. Jones, to the position of Surgeon General of the State of Ohio.
In the Spring of 1894, Dr. Ellis determined, on account of failin^f
health, to leave Cincinnati and go to his ancestral acres at Ellis Landing
and devote his entire time and energy to the calling of the farmer. He
had scarcely settled himself in the old homestead before patients came to
his door in great numbers. Not wishing to return to Cincinnati, he has
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666 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
removed to Maysville, Kentucky, where he is actively engaged in the
practice of his profession.
On the thirtieth of December, 1891, Dr. Ellis was married to Miss
Laura Murphy, daughter of James Murphy, a prominent farmer and stock-
raiser of Butler County, Ohio. She is a graduate of the Oxford Female
College of the class of 1873, and was for many years the Lady President
of the Alumnae Association of that institution. One child, a boy now in
his fifth year, has blessed their union, who bears the name of William
Nelson, in honor of one of the heroes of the war.
The Grimes Family
came f .om Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of Brush
Creek, in Adams County, between 1795 and 1797. So far as we can learn
now, the family was composed of the mother, Elizabeth Grimes, and her
children, as follows : Sons, Noble, Thomas, and Richard ; and daughters,
Hannah, Barbara, Mary, and Effa. Noble Grimes appears to have been
the most prominent among the sons, and was probably the oldest of the
children. The family is said to have come from Ireland prior to the Rev-
olutionary War. Noble Grimes procured a patent to one thousand acres
of land on the Ohio River, just west of the mouth of Brush Creek. The
patent to his survey was dated October 28, 1799. Noble Grimes never
married. He was appointed by Gov. St. Clair one of the Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas of Adams County in December, 1799, and served
until 1801. He was evidently a Federalist of pronounced type. In 1800,
he laid out the town of Washington at the mouth of Brush Creek. It was
composed of eighty-four lots, eight of which were reserved for public
buildings. He expected it to be the county seat and become a great city.
A log courthouse and jail were erected there and were used from March,
1798, until West Union was selected as the county seat. Among the
persons residing in the town of Washington were Gen. David Bradford,
Major John Belli, William Faulkner and Henry Aldred. All three of the
last named were Revolutionary soldiers. After the selection of West
Union as the county seat, Washington began to go down, and not a vestige
remains. The Grimes family purchased all the lots.
Noble Grimes was one of the assessors of Iron Ridge Township in
Adams County. He died in 1805, and was buried on the river hill on the
Grimes farm. By his last will and testament he provided for his mother,
Elizabeth, and his sister Hannah, who never married, and gave all his
other estate, real and personal, to his brother Thomas. He seems to have
been a successful man for his time. Richard Grimes, his brother, never
married. Thomas Grimes, a brother of Noble Grimes, married Miss Mary
Brown, February 10, 1801, and had three sons, Noble, Greer Brown, and
Richard C. He died shortly prior to September 28, 1807.
Barbara Grimes, the sister of the first Noble Grimes, married Gen.
David Bradford about 1790. They had two sons. Samuel and David.
Samuel lost his life in the War of 181 2, and David was at one time famous
about West Union. Mary Grimes, sister of the first Noble Grimes, married
Moses Smith, of Kentucky, as her second husband. Her daughter Sarah
married Governor Thomas Kirker, and her daughter Mary married John
Briggs. She had a daughter Betsey who maried Samuel Davis, and a
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 667
daughter Rebecca who married Robert Edrniston. They had two sons,
Jarret and Charles.
Effa Grimes, a sister of the first Noble, married John Crawford, a
brother of Col. William Crawford, November 30, 1797. This is the same
William Crawford who was burned by the Indians at Tymochtee. John
Crawford had four sons and two daughters.
Noble Grimes, the son of Thomas Qrimes, was born July 7, 1805, and
died May 31, 1868. He married Harriet Briggs, a daughter of John
Briggs, above mentioned. She was bom September 6, 1806, and died
February 8, 1874, without issue. Richard Grimes married Charity Grimes
of another family, but a distant kinswoman, and died without issue. Greer
Brown Grimes, the son of Thomas, was born October 23, 1803. He was
married in 1827 to Miss Sophia Smith, of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Her
father, John Smith, was from Maryland, and was a farmer and surveyor.
Mrs. Sophia Grimes was bom April 7, 1805. Greer B. Grimes died on the
eighteenth of February, 1888, and his wife, April 18, 1893. Greer B.
Grimes owned four hundred acres of fine land at the mouth of Brush
Creek. He was a successful farmer, and made and saved a great deal of
money. He was in the banking business at West Union with his son Smith
and the late Edward P. Evans from 1865 to 1878, but gave it no personal
attention. He lived a quiet and retired life on his farm devoted to his
family. He and his wife had the following children who lived to maturity :
Ann, who married Hensley; Harriet, who married John McKay;
Smith Grimes ; Louis A. Grimes ; Sophia, who married Frank C. Williams ;
Adelaide, who died unmarried ; Byron Grimes ; Blanche, who married John
Perry, and Grace Grimes.
Dr. Louis A. Grimes was bom November 6, 1839, the sixth child of
his parents, the two preceding him having died in infancy. He attended
school at the Ohio University, at Athens, Ohio, in 1855 and 1856, and in
1857 and 1858 he attended the Indiana University at Bloomington, Ind.
He studied medicine under Dr. David Noble at Sugar Tree Ridge, in
Highland County. He attended lectures and graduated at the Starling
Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, in 1863, and at the Jefferson Medical
College at Philadelphia in 1864. He began the practice of medicine at
Rome, in Adams County, in 1864 ^^<^ 1865. I" 1866, he located at Con-
cord, Kentucky, where he has since resided. He was married October 10,
1866, to Miss Amanda T. Stout, daughter of James A. Stout, of Kentucky.
There were two children of this marriage ; a son, Claude B., lately engaged
in gold mining, and a daughter, Mary. The mother of these children died
September 14, 1879.
Dr. Grimes married a second time, June 27, 1883, Miss Mary Ma-
gruder, of Baltimore, Maryland, a daughter of Dr. Archibald Magmder.
There is one son of this mariage, Archibald Greer Magruder, aged fifteen
years. Dr. Grimes was a pension examining surgeon in Lewis County
from 1884 to 1894. He has been a surgeon on the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad for three years. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. In
politics he has always been Democratic.
He was a friend of the late Govemor Goebel, of Kentucky, who re-
ferred to him in all matters relating to Lewis County. He is a member of
the Board of Election Commissioners for his county, and of the County
Board of Health.
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668 mSTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
After the death of his father, he bought out the other Grimes heirs,
and is the owner of 282 acres of fine land at the mouth of Brush Creek, in
Monroe Township. He has established a reputation as an able physician
and surgeon, and as such commands the confidence of the community.
A brother physician says of Dr. Grimes : "He is a man of ability and
research, and occupies the first rank in his profession. He has been a
general practitioner of medicine in the full sense of the term, and has suc-
cessfully taken care of all kinds of cases both medical and surgical. He
is a gentleman of cultivated tastes, and his home is a social and intellectual
center. He is an Odd Fellow, Knight Templar, Mason, and a member of
the Elks. He is a member of the American Medical Association, State
Medical Society, and International Railway Surgeons' Society."
The Puntenney Family.
George Hollingsworth Puntenney, was a son of Joseph Puntenney,
whose father was a French Protestant, and was compelled to leave his na-
tive home in France on account of his religion. George H. Puntenney
brought his family to the West Indies to an island called Eustatia, intending
to make that his home, but being dissatisfied with this place, he embarked
for Ghent in Holland, and from there went to Oxford, England, where his
son, Joseph Puntenney, married Mary Hollingsworth. After remaining
some years in England, the whole family emigrated to America, and settled
at Little Gunpowder Falls, in Maryland. At the breaking out of the
Revolutionary War, George Puntenney was fourteen years old. His father
died in the second year of the war, and his property was sold by the ad-
ministrator for $22,000.00, which was paid in Continental money, which
soon became worthless. The family then moved to Braddock's old battle-
field in Pennsylvania, and George H. Puntenney became an Indian scout
and a trader with the Delaware Indians, and subsequently he was engaged
with a surveying party in the Green River country, Kentucky. In going
down the Ohio River he passed the present site of Cincinnati twice be-
fore the virgin timber on that site had been touched by the white man.
He subsequently married Margaret Hamilton and settled in Bourbon
County, Kentucky. In March, 1800, he removed to Greene Township,
Adams County, (Dhio, and settled at Stout's Run, where he lived until his
death in 1853. On this farm, his son, James Puntenney, was born Sep-
tember I, 1800. and resided there all his life, until his death on May 7,
1890. James Puntenney was the second white child born in Greene Town-
ship, and he was a man who was loved, honored, and respected by all who
knew him.
James Puntenney was a Whig and Republican, but at all times he was
anti-slaver\' in sentiment and might be called a downright Abolitionist.
He never failed to aid the fugitive slaves who called on him on the way
to freedom.
He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in the latter part
of his life, and prior to that, was a member of and a ruling elder in the
Reformed Presbyterian Church for a number of years.
He was married April 10, 1823, to Miss Martha Wait, a woman of
remarkable character. There were seven children of this marriage, but
only four survived. Their children were John, Elizabeth. Mary Jane and
James Hollingsworth Puntenney. John, the eldest child, carried on a tan-
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 669
nery for a number of years on Stout's Run. He went ta G>loraclo in 1886
and died there in 1899, in his seventy-seventh year. Mary J. was married
October 4, 1864, to Hon. Andrew C. Smith. She and her husband own
and reside on the James Punteamey estate on Stout's Run. Elizabeth
married Henry Ousler, November 7, 1850, and died at her home on Stout's
Run, May 15, 1891, in her seventy-first year. James H. Puntenney, the
youngest of the family, was born October 10, 1848. In his childhood, he
showed great fondness for music, and as a youth, he became a violoncellist
in a string band. As he grew older, he became a skilled pianist, and culti-
vated his voice to a great extent. He was bright, quick, and disposed to
study and learn all within reach of him. Until fourteen years of age, he
attended the district schools, and at the age of fifteen, he attended the
North Liberty Academy, then under the supervision of the Rev. D. Mac-
Dill, D. D. He spent two years at this academy, and in the Fall of 1886,
entered Miami University and graduated in June, 1871. It was his father's
idea that he should study for the ministry, but the son preferred a busi-
ness career.
In the Fall of 1871, he located in Cincinnati. He obtained a position
in the music store of D. H. Baldwin & Co., and in the course of time, he
became the book-keeper of the firm and held that position for ten years. In
the year of 1882, the firm of D. S. Johnson & Co. was organized and Mr.
Puntenney became a member until the business was closed. At that time,
he located in Columbus, where he has been engaged in the piano business
ever since. Mr. Puntenney is now the senior member of the well-known
house of Puntenney & Eutsler, of Columbus. They have built up a large
and prosperous business, in their line, in the center of the State.
On April 25, 1876, Mr. Puntenney was married to Miss Eliza Love.
To them were born two children : Harry, who died at the age of four years,
and Mary Martha, who resides with her father in Columbus. His first wife
lived but four years. JHe was married to Miss Belle Love on December 21,
1882, and to them two children have been bom: Belle, aged sixteen, and
James HoUingsworth, aged twelve years.
In politics, Mr. Puntenney is a Republican. He and his family are
members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is an elder in the Neil
Avenue U. P. Church. He is a genial, courteous gentleman of the strictest
integrity, and highly esteemed for his sterling qualities as a business man.
He is firm in his attachments and conscientious in all his dealings. He
has always identified himself with any and every movement for the up-
lifting and betterment of mankind. He is known as a liberal-minded, large-
hearted citizen, whose soul is concerned in the welfare of humanity. He
is not devoted solely to his own affairs, but is known as thoroughly un-
selfish, with the disposition of a true philanthropist.
The Treber Family.
The ancestors of the Trebers v/ere Hollanders who emigrated to this
country early in the eighteenth century and settled in Maryland.
John Treber, one of their descendants, moved from Maryland to
Lancaster County, Pa., where he married a Miss Campbell. In 1784, he
moved to Alleghany County, Pa., and located on the Monongahela River,
at or near the mouth of Peters Creek, where he remained working at his
trade, that of a gunsmith. In 1794, he, with his family, descended the
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670 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Ohio River in a flat-boat in company with Christopher Rowine and others,
and after some adventures with the Indians along the shores, arrived at
Limestone (now Maysville), Ky. At that time the landing at Maysville
was so overcrowded with flat-boats that it often became necessary to set
many of them adrift. Soon after the arrival of the Treber family at
Limestone, Mrs. Treber died and was buried in the cemetery at that
place.
In 1797, he married the widow Earle, and soon afterward moved with
his family to what is now known as Adams County, Ohio. He purchased
one hundred and thirty-six acres of land about twelve miles east of Mays-
ville. In 1798, he built a two-story, hewed log house, which in later years
was weatherboarded and a stone foundation built. It stands to-day in a
good, habitable condition and is occupied by one of his grandsons. About
the same time, Mr. Treber built a gunsmith shop, where he made from the
raw material, every part of a gun, ancf did such smith work as was needed
on the farm.
This house being located on Zane's Trace, the only thoroughfare be-
tween Wheeling, Va., and Limestone, Ky., and being large and com-
modious for that day, many travelers found food and shelter there, and
the place soon became known as "Travelers' Rest.*'
All the noted politicians of the day from the Southwest traveled over
this road on their way to aiid from Washington; the Wickcliflfs, the
Shelbys, Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson were often patrons, and many
times for brief seasons, sojourners and guests at the noted place, where
they were always sure to find the best entertamment for man and beast the
country afforded. The principal meats were venison and turkey.
There were no children by his second marriage, and after the death of
the second Mrs. Treber, Mr. Treber married Miss Katherine Williams.
The children of his first marriage were Jacob ; Elizabeth, who married
Simon Wood, of Scioto County, Ohio ; John, who located in Butler County,
Ohio, and married Elizabeth Crawford; Marion, who died unmarried;
Anna, who married Oliver Thoroman, of Adams County, Ohio ; Sarah, who
married Isaac Fisher, of Butler County, Ohio; Henry, who located in
Butler County, and Joseph, who located in Pike County, Ohio.
The children by the third marriage were Joel, who married Anna Mc-
Feeters, and Benjamin, who died in infancy.
In John Treber were embodied all the characteristics of his Holland
ancestors in a marked degree. His complexion was fair, his eyes blue, and
his hair brown. He was strong of stature and physically very powerful.
He could hold at arms* length a forty-five pound weight suspended on his
little finger, and at the same time, with a piece of chalk in his hand, write
his name on the wall with perfect ease.
In 1825, he exchanged his home chi Zan"p/s Trace with his son Jacob
for another farm about two miles west where he died a few years later.
Jacob Treber, the eldest of thie family of John Treber, was born
near Lancaster City, Lancaster County, Pa., September 18, 1779, and was
the only one of the sons who continued to reside in Adams County. In
1810, he married Jane Thorc»nan, who died in 1829, and to them were bom
the following children : John, Oliver, Henry, Jacob, Mary Ann, Samuel,
Joseph, Sarah, Elizabeth, William, Minerva and Thomas Jeflferson.
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PIONEER CHARACTER SKETCHES 671
In 1833, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Jesse and Rachel Free-
land, of Adams County, and of this marriage there were three children,
LaFayette, Wilson and Louisa J.
Shortly after he became the owner of the homestead, he added to it
another one hundred acres by purchase. Here he continued to live until
the date of his death, January 4, 1875, leaving surviving him, his widow,
twelve children, sixty-four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
His widow died at Manchester, Ohio, October 30, 1892. In 181 1, Mr.
Treber, with George Sample, made a trip to New Orleans on a fiat-boat
loaded with produce for that market. On their way, they, with others,
bound on a like voyage, tied their boats at New Madrid, Mo. At this time
occurred the terrible earthquake at that place, a short description of which
is here given in Mrs. Treher's own langfuage :
"The first shock took place while the boat was lying at the shore, in
company with several others. At this period there was danger appre-
hended frctfn the Southern Indians, it being soon after the battle of
Tippecanoe, and for safety several boats kept in company for mutual de-
fense in case of attack. In the middle of the night there was a terrible
shock and a jamming of the boats so that the crew were all awakened and
hurried on deck with their weapons of defense in their hands thinking the
Indians were rushing on board. The ducks, geese, swans and various other
aquatic birds, whose numberless flocks were quietly resting in the eddies
of the river, were thrown into the greatest tumult, and with loud screams
expressed their alarm and terror. The noise and commotion was soon
hushed, and nothing could be discovered to excite apprehension, so that
the boatmen concluded that the shock was occasioned by the falling in of a
large mass of the bank near them. As soon as it was light enough to dis-
tinguish objects the crew were all up making ready to depart.
"Directly a loud roaring and hissing was heard, like the escape of
steam from a boiler, accompanied by the most violent agitation of the shore
and tremendous boiling up of the waters of the Mississippi in hugh swells,
rolling the waters below back on the descending stream and tossing the
boats about so violently, that the men with difficulty could keep on their
feet. The sand-bars and points of islands gave way, swallowed up in the
tremendous bosom of the river, carrying down with them the cottonwood
trees, cracking and crashing, tossing their arms to and fro, as if sensible
of their danger, while they disappeared beneath the flood. The water of
the river which the day before was tolerably clear, being rather low, was
now changed to a reddish hue and became thick with mud thrown up from
its bottom, while the surface, lashed violently by the agitation of the earth
beneath, was covered with foam, which gathering in masses the size of
a barrel, floated along on the trembling surface. The earth along the shore
opened in wide fissures, and, closing again, threw the water, sand and mud
in huge jets higher than the tops of the trees.
"The atmosphere was filled with thick vapors or gas, to which the
lig^ imparted a purple tinge, altogether different in appearance from the
autumnal hues of Indian summer or that of smoke. From the temporary
check to the current, by the heaving up of the bottom, the sinking of the
sand-bar and banks into the bed of the river, it rose in a few minutes five
or six feet ; and as if impatient of the restraint, again rushing forward with
redoubled impetuosity, hurried along the boats now set loose by the
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672 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
horror-stricken boatmen, as in less danger on the water than at the shore,
where the falling banks threatened at every mcmient to destroy them, or
carry them down in the vortex of the sinking masses."
They reached New Orleans in safety, and after disposing of the boat
and cargo they returned home on foot, going by the way of Lake Pont-
chartrain, Mussel Shoals,Nashville and Limestone,
Mr. Treber was a private soldier in the War of 1812, enlisting in a
company commanded by Captain Dan Collier, recruited at Chillicothe,
Ohio. He was Justice of the Peace of Tiffin Township from 1828 to
183 1, and County Commissioner from 1833 to 1836. He was a man of un-
impeachable character and integrity, universally respected and esteemed
by his neighbors, who not infrequently sought his advice on questiwis of
public and private import. He was an extensive reader, and probably no
one in the county was better versed in history or the topics of the time.
He was a lifelong, active and earnest Democrat of the Jefferson school, and
for that statesman cast his first vote for President. While he was never
a member of any church, yet he observed the Sabbath and often attended
religious services, and while he was well versed in Scriptures, he disputed
with no one on questions of faith or belief.
He was a man of remarkable personal appearance and vigor — ^more
than six feet in height, slender and lithe — features sharp and angular, eyes
blue and piercing, nose slightly Roman. He always stood erect, even in old
age.
After a long and useful life he rests in the family cemetery beneath
the shades of the old homestead.
Sometime after the removal of the brothers to other parts of the
country, they changed their names to Traber, but how or under what cir-
cumstances is not known. It is supposed that the "a" was substituted for
the "e,*' because the German "e" is pronounced in German "a" as in "day;"
hence, a German would pronounce "Treber,*' "Traber," and so they came
to spell it as it was pronounced.
Several of Jacob's children after leaving Adams County went to But-
ler County, and engaged in business in the neighborhood of their uncles,
and to avoid explanation and confusion they wrote their names "Traber,"
like their uncles and their cousins, and it would seem that in no distant
time that must become the family name, however, much it may be regretted
by many members of the family.
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PART IV.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
By EMMONS B. STIVERS
and
NELSON W. EVANS
43*
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
James Allison,
of Seaman, Adams County, Ohio, is one of the most progressive and suc-
cessful farmers of Scott Township. He is a man whose excellent judg-
ment, strong common sense and good business qualities are recognized
by all. He comes of an old and prominent Pennsylvania family, and was
bom in that State on the second of October, 1831. His father, David
Allison, as well as his mother, whose maiden name was Lucette Andre
McKibben, were natives of Pennsylvania. They reared eight children,
five sons and three daughters, of whom our subject was the third. David
Allison was a farmer all his life 'and lived to a ripe old age.
James Allison received his early education in the district school in
the primitivie school building at Cedar Springs, Clinton County, Pennsyl-
vania. He early turned his attention to farming which he had determined
should be his life work, and ever since, he has been active and energetic
in this occupation, -except two years in which he was engaged in the mer-
cantile business.
On October 14, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, as a Private, and was afterwards pro-
moted to Second Sergeant of his company, and in May, 1862, was pro-
moted to First Lieutenant. He served with distinction and participated
in the battles of Lebanon, Tennessee, and of Stone River, at Murfrees-
boro. In the latter battle in the cavalry, his horse fell and disabled him
so he was sent to the hospital, and while there, was stricken with typhoid
pneumonia, and as a consequence, was discharged for disability. May 3,
1863. In one of the charges made by his regiment there was captured a
Confederate flag, which Mr. Allison obtained and keeps as a trophy.
He has always been a Republican in his political views, but has never
sought or held any office, either in township or county. He is an earnest
thinker, however, on political questions, a strong advocate of advanced
political thought, and is alive to the interests and welfare of his county
and community.
On the twdnty-eighth of November, 1865, he was married to Miss
Sarah E. McDowell, of Centre County, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Allison is
a woman of many fine qualities and ably performs her duties as wife and
mother. She is an earnest, consistent. Christian woman, and a faithful
worker in the Presbyterian Church of Seaman. Sbei was bom in Mifflin
County, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1845, ^^^ second daughter of P. W. and
Kathrene McDowell, the latter of whom died November 5, 1897, at the
age of sevetnty-eight. Her father is living and well at the age of eighty-
(675)
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676 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
two, is active and energetic, an old-fashioned Jacksonian Democrat and
one of Central Pennsylvania's most substantial citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Allison resided in Pennsylvania ior three years after
their marriage, and then removed to Adams Coimty in 1869, where he
purchased a farm on the West Fork of Brush Creek in Scott Township,
which is the very best in the township. It is bountifully supplied with run-
ning water and everything about the place indicates that the owner is a
man of enteirprise and progress. They lived on this farm from 1869 until
1896, when they purchased a home in the village of Seaman, which they
remodeled and beautified and reside there in great comfort Mr. Allison
owns another farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Oliver Township.
Their children are Kate Conley, wife of Dr. John S. Montgomery, of
Himtsville, Logan County, Ohio; David M., who is in the hardware and
implement business at Seaman, a very industrious and energetic young
man ; Nettie Andre, wife of Oscar McCreight. They reside on the
home farm. Mrs. Montgomery has two sons, Willard Allison, and John
McDowell.
Mr. Allison is highly esteemed in the community and is honored and
respected by all.
Rev. Eli Puroluis Adams,
bom June 24, 1814, in Washingfton County, is a son of Isaac and Dorcas
Adams. He graduated at Marietta College in 1842. For two years after
this he engaged in teaching school. In 1844, he entered Lane Seminary,
then under tlie presidency of Rev. Lyman Beecher. He studied here two
years, but was unable to complete his course on account of poor health.
In 1846, he went to Helena, Kentucky, fifteen miles from Maysville, and
taught a school there until 1859. On July 2, 1846, he was married to
Martha Slack, daughter of Col. Jacob Slack, of Mason County, Ky. He
had two children of this marriage, one died August 20, 1853, and its
mother ten days later. The remaining child died January 15, 1858. He
was ordained by Harmony Presbytery in Kentucky in 1853. On March
19, 1856, he was married to Miss Lucy A. Bartlett, of Marietta, Ohio, the
daughter of a prominent Congregational minister, a lady eminently fitted
for the difficult position of a minister's wife. Of this marriage there
were eight children, six sons and two daughters. One son, William N.,
died in childhood. The others are living. Francis Bartlett Adams is
a druggist in Perry, Rolls County, Mo., and Isaac Watts Adams is a farmer
in the same place. Gilbert Purchas Adams is a farmer near Vanceburg,
Ky., and Charles Baird Adams, a physician at the same place. Elizabeth
Loughry Adams, a daughter, was a teacher at Vanceburg, Ky. She was
married November 5, 1^6, to Scott McGovney Foster, of Sandy Springs,
Adams County. Alfred Hamilton Adams, a son, lost both his feet alight-
ing from a freight train. Rev. Adams' daughter, Margaret Alice, lived
until June 6, 1886, when 3he was drowned in the Ohio River by ifalling
from a steamboat. She was then in her twenty-eighth year. She had
a lovely Christian character and was her father's right hand in church and
Sabbath school work. She had been a teacher of music for several years
and was most highly esteemed by all who knew her.
In May, 1859, Rev. Adams was called to the churches of Rome and
Sandy Springs. Here his life work was done. He was pastor of these
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 677
churches until 1873, when he was called to Hanging Rock for two years,
-and for three years he resided on his farm below Vanceburg, Ky, He re-
turned to Sandy Springs in 1878 and continued his work there until 1895
when the infirmities of age compelled him to retire. In January, 18^,
he was taken with what proved to be his last illness. He survived till
March 15, 1899, when he passed away in peace. He realized that this
sickness was his last. He said his work was done and only regretted that
it was not better done. His faith was firm and his hope assured. He was
beyond all troubles and his last hours were in the Peace of God. 'His life
had been one of trial and privation, of many disappointments, and of much
affliction and sorrow, but in the midst of all of them, his Christian virtues
shone out with a resplendence which called forth the admiration of all
who knew him. The memory of his labors should be preserved to all who
follow him, and while remembered, will be a Beacon Light pointing to the
Savior of Mett as his Guide and Master.
One who was his pupil for two and a half years, and who is a man
well adavnced in life, says of him that he had a fine tact for instructing
others, occupied the first rank as an educator, and as the principal of an
academy of Kentucky, did much to fit young persons for a college course
and impress his own well rounded Christian character upon their minds.
A clergyman who knew him, says he was of a quiet and retiring dis-
position, but under pressure of duty and in behalf of right, was persistent
and unflinching. He was a Christian man, well versed in the Bible. His
piety was scriptural, enlightened and stable. His life was pure and honest,
characterizied by uniform gentleness and kindness. As a preacher, he
was thoroughly orthodox and his sermons were instructive.
Irwin M. Anderson,
a resident of Clyde, Ohio, was bom August 7, 1845, at West Union. His
father was James Anderson^ who has a separate sketch herein. Irwin
Anderson went to school at West Union in the old stone schoolhouse which
stood where the house occupied by John Knox now stands.
In June, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, 129th O. V- I., and served
until the eighth of March following. He enlisted August 25, 1864, in the
Seventh Ohio Cavalry, and was mustered out with the company, July i,
1865. In both services he was in the campaigns about East Tennessee,
He was in the affair at Cumberland Gap on September 9, 1863 ; in Bum-
side's campaign against Longstreet that fall and winter. He was engaged
in the siege of Knoxville in the Fall of 1864, and was in the battles of
Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee; Pulaski, Tennessee; Plantersville
and Selma, Alabama, in 1865. After the war was over, he went to school
in Xenia, Ohio, in 1865 and 1866. He then located in Mexico, Missouri,
and was in the \vest and southwest from 1866 to 1870. In the latter year,
he located in Camden, Ohio. He was married October 14, 1873, ^o Miss
Emma J. Smith, of Oxford, Ohio. He resided there until 1877. In that
year, he located in Mansfield, Ohio, and worked for the Aultman-Taylor
Company. He resided in Marion from 1880 to 1883, when he located in
Clyde, Ohio, which has since been his home. His wife died May 10, 1895.
He has six children, five sons and a daughter. His son, Carl J., is an art-
ist in Springfield, Ohio, and illustrates the "Woman's Home Ccmipanion."
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•78 HISTORY OP ADAMS OOUNTTt
His daughter, Stella, lives in Chicago with her brothers. Sherwood is a
bookkeeper in Chicago, as is his son Irwin. His son, Ray, is a student,
and his son, Earl, is in an art school there. They all reside at No. 1036
Adams Street, and the sister keeps house for them.
Mr. Anderson takes a great interest in army organizations. For four
years he has been engaged in preparing entertainments for various Grand
Army Posts. He possesses considerable dramatic talent, and has been
very successful in his work.
Carey C. Alexander,
of Eckmansville, was born cm the farm where he now resides, June i, 1852.
His father was Samuel Alexander, a son of James Alexander, a native of
Fincastle, Virginia, who first came to Lexingfton, Kentucky, in the early
days and afterwards to Adams County. He married Mary John, a mem-
ber of an old Virginia family. James Alexander was born June 22, 1791,
and died March 3, 1871. His wife was born January 10, 1792, and died
March 12, 1852. Their son, Samuel, was born in Virginia, April 3, 1815,
and came to Adams County with his parents making the trip overland in
wagons. He married Miss Elizabeth Robe daughter of David Robe, of
Scotch ancestry, of Hills Fork. ' She was born February 14, 1819.
Carey C. Alexander was reared on a farm, but having a natural talent
for music has given much time to the cultivation of that faculty. He has
taught vocal and instrumental music for many years with great success.
He is particularly successful as a bandmaster and leader of choirs. He
married Miss Mary Allison, a daughter of John Allison, of Cherry Fork,
February 26, 1877. Their children inherit musical talent, and with their
father maintain a fine orchestra. They are Roscoe, Bessie, Ralph, Flor-
ence, Charles, Delbert and Lester.
Mr. Alexander is a member of the Presbyt?erian Church and an elder
in that organization. He is Sunday school superintendent and choir
leader at Eckmansville. He is also a member of Sunbeam Lodge, No.
631, K. of P., at Cherry Fork.
CoL James ArbutHnot
was born at Greenfield, Ohio, September 3, 1841. He served seventeen
months as an enlisted man in Company E, 91st O. V. I. He was made Sec-
ond Lieutenant of the 19th U. S. Infantry, December 18, 1863, and was
afterwards promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant of his regiment. He
was badly wounded at the battle of the "Mine" in front of Petersburg, Vir-
ginia, July 30, 1864. He resigned January 23, 1866, and at once moved
to Brookfield, Missouri, and engaged in farming. He studied law in the
office of Judge W. H. Bromler and Hon. S. P. Huston, of Brookfield,
Missouri, and since his admission has been engaged in the practice of his
profession except from 1883 to 1885, when he was postmaster at Brook-
field. He was elected Representative from Linn County, in the. Thirty-
fourth General Assembly of Missouri in 1866 as a Republican when the
county was strongly Democratic. He served three terms as City Attorney
of Brookfield, at the time the city was establishing electric lights and water-
works. In 1882, he organized a company of National Guards at Brook-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 079
field, Missouri, and was Captain for several years. His company com-
pleted in a number of prize drills and never failed to take the prize.
In 1891, in the organization of the Fourth Regiment of Missouri Na-
tional Guards, he was elected Colonel and held that position until he re-
signed. The regiment he organized went into the service of the United
States during the Spanish War.
On the third of July, 1867, he was married to Sarah E. Beemer. He
has been for thirty-two years a member of the Presbyterian Church at
Brookfield, Missouri, in which his wife and five children are all members.
He is an intelligent and high-minded man of unusual attainments and
breadth of knowledge. He has taken, and takes, an active interest in pub*
lie affairs and is a walking encyclopedia of political and military informa-
tion. He was the most perfect type of an officer and soldier in the Civil
War. He was never known to use an improper or profane word. He
was always ready for any emergency. In the presence of the enemy, he
was as brave as the best soldier or officer who ever adorned the pages of
history. With the battle once over, he was as tender and symapthetic with
the wounded, friend or foe, as any woman. He was honorable in all his
dealings with his fellow officers and scorned all intrigues and subterfuges
so common in the army. He never failed in the performance of any duty
assigned to him. He was gallant, brave and honorable, with emphasis
on all the terms. The qualities of his soul were tested severely and many
times in his army service and the qualities ascribed to him always appeared.
As he was in the army, so he has been ever since, and the people of Adams
County can always feel proud of the life record Colonel Arbuthnot has
made.
Eiekiel Arnold,
farmer, of Locust Grove, was born December 23, 1833, near Locust Grove,
in Adams County, Ohio, the son of Josephus Arnold and Kate Pemberton,
his wife. Josephus Arnold was bom in 1788, on Long Island, in the state
of New York. He learned the trade of shoemaking. He was in the War
of 1812, having enlisted from New York City. He served there, and di-
rectly after the war came to Adams County. He married Kate Pemberton
on July 16, 1828, the daughter of William Pemberton, who was bom in
1750, in Culpeper County, Virginia. Josephus Arnold and wife had three
children, Ezekiel and Mansfield, sons, and Indiana, a daughter, all of
whom are living at or near Locust Grove. Ezekiel, our subject, was bom
December 23, 1833, near Locust Grove, and has resided there ever since.
His mother was bom January 10, 1795, and died September 30, 1889.
He attended the common schools, and was trained to be a farmer,
which occupation he has followed all his life. His father, Josephus Arn-
old, died on April 10, 1858, at the age of sixty-nine years. On August
30, 1862, our subject enlisfced, at the age of thirty, in Company E, 117th
O. V. I., Captain James A. Murphy, and served until the twentieth of
July, 1865. June 10, 1885, he was married to Miss Mary Tarlton, and has
two sons, Josephus A., aged eleven years, and Jehu, aged nine years. His
first wife died and he married Miss Cynthia Garmon, June 10, 1896. She
was bom June 5, 1859. ^^- Amold has a tasteful and pleasant home in
Locust Grove. He takes great pride in the fact that he was a soldier of
the Civil War ; also, that his father was in the War of 1812 ; but most of all
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680 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
that his grandfather, William Pemberton, was in the War of the Revolu-
tion. The latter was bom in 1750, in Culpeper County, Virginia, on
Stanton River. He served in the Revolutionary War in Captain Thomas
Meriwether's Company, First Virginia State Regiment, Colonel George
Gibson. He enlisted in September, 1777, for throe years, and was at the
siege of Yorktown, where he had part of an ear shot away by a shell. He
was a successful hunter and farmer. He married Rhoda Luck, bom Oc-
tober 24, 1755, and had a family of nine children, five sons and four daugh-
ters. His sons were William, Nathaniel, Fountain, James, and Ezekiel.
His daughters were Anna, married Thomas Murfin; Joyce, married Isaac
East; and Kate, born January 10, 1795, married Joscphus Arnold.
William Pemberton came to Kentucky just at the time of the Indian
massacre at Crab Orchard, and reached Boonesboro the next day after
that ev^nt. Kate Pemberton was then a small girl, but remembered see-
ing the bodies of the victims of the massacre. Her father remained at
Boonesboro nearly two years. In that time he was lost in the forest for
several days. He shot and wounded a buffalo and it rushed at him. His
dog seized it by the nose and saved Pemberton's life, but the dog lost his.
Pemberton killed the buffalo and subsisted on its meat for several days.
His friemds had given him up as killed or captured by Indians. He re-
turned to Virginia, but soon came back to Ohio and settled in Adams
County, near Locust Grove, in 1808. He died, about 1823, of rheumatism.
He is interred on the farm where Miss Indiana Arnold now resides. The
spot is known, and will soon have a suitable mark. His wife died Jan-
uary I, 1845, at the age of ninety, and is buried beside her husband. A
prominent characteristic of Mr. Arnold is his industry and frugality. He
made his start in life by traveling and selling clocks. He is the owner of
about eight hundred acres of land, and has acquired a competence. He
is noted for his integrity, and for living up to any obligations which he
may assume. He is a free thinker of the Robert IngersoU school. He
is a Republican and a good citizen.
John Bratton Allison
is a native of Meigs Township, in Adams County. He was bom March
30, 1837. His father was Samuel Allison, a native of Hancock County,
Pennsylvania. He came to Carmel, in Highland County, and located
there. His mother was Elizabeth Bratton, a sister of John Bratton, for
whom Bratton Township was named. Her father, Jacob Bratton, was
one of the first settlers of Adams County. His widow, Elizabeth, died
April 19, 1836, in the ninety-fourth year of her age. Samuel Allison had
six children: on« son, our subject, and five daughters, who lived to ma-
turity. Two children died in infancy. R. H. W. Peterson married Eliz-
abeth Allison, the youngest one of the daughters. Dick Thompson mar-
ried Mary Jane, another daughter; and Susan, the third daughter, mar-
ried Joseph Andrews. AngieJine, the second daughter, married Jacob
Ogle, of Illinois. Evaline, the eldest daughter, married Jeremiah M.
Hibbs, and moved to Missouri im 1852.
Our subject received a common school education, and none other.
In 1849, he began to leam the tanner's trade with Townshend Enos Reed,
and remained with him until March, 1855, at Marble Fumace. In 1855,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 681
he went upon the ffarm which he now owns and on which he now lives,
and worked for his uncle, John Bratton, who then owned the farm, as a
hand at thirteen dollars per month, until 1859. I" ^^^ Y^^* ^^ November
3, he married Miss Hannah S. Hughes, daughter of Peter Hughes, and
continued to reside on the farm of his uncle, John Bratton. In 1876 he pur-
chased the farm, 260 acres of the estate of John Bratton, for $6,860, and
has resided there ever since. From 1859 to 1876, he had the farm rented.
There have been three sons of this marriage. John F., the eldest,
attended the St. Louis University in 1878 and 1879. He afterwards en-
gaged in the hardware business at Hillsboro from 1888 to 1892. Since the
latter date he has been a farmer in Hardin County, Ohio. He married
Miss Lizzie Kennedy, of New York. Charles C, the secc«id son, grad-
uated in thf college course in St. Mary's school, in Kansas City, in 1884,
and taught in the vicinity of his home for two years. 'He read medicine
with Dr. Berry, at Locust Grove, who pronounced him one of the best
students he had ever known. He graduated from the Louisville Medical
College in 1888, with highest honors. He won several medals, notably
the gold medal in surgery. He took a post-graduate course at the Belle-
vue Medical College. He then took employment on the steamer Obdam,
plying between New York and Amsterdam, and made several voyages.
He, however, resigned this in a short time, and located as a physician and
surgeon at Omaha, and has attained a high position in his profession.
He fills two chairs at the Omaha Medical College ; he also has a chair and
is a lecturer at Creighton Medical College. He has had charge of the
Presbyterian Hospital there; and has been connected with St. Joseph's
Hospital, in the same place. He married Miss Catharine Creighton and
is now one of the leading physicians and surgeons in Nebraska.
James B., the third son, graduated at St. Mary's School, in Kansas
City, in 1888; after that, he was in the clothing business in Hillsboro from
1889 to 1891. In the latter year, he went to Helena, Montana, and en-
gaged in the same business. While here, he acted as Deputy United
States Marshal part of the time ; and on one occasion took seven Chinese
prisoners to California. He settled in the year 1894 at Chinook, Mon-
tana, and from there went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he now resides
and is engaged in the mercantile business. Tie married Miss Mary Ingle-
brand, of Hillsboro.
Mr. Allison, our subject, was County Commissioner of Adams County
from 1872 to 1875, during the famous county seat contest, and stood for
West Union as against Manchester. He has been a township trustee and
a school trustee for many years. He has one of the best cared for and
most valuable farms in Adams County. It is a delight to look upon. Mr.
Allison is a man agreeable to meet. He is very tall, with a large frame
and commanding presence. He carries his years lightly, and looks sev-
eral years younger that he is.
Samuel Turner Baldridse
was born February 17, 1824, in Wayne Township, Adams County, Ohio,
and lived there all his life with the exception of a year and a half in
Brown County. His father was bom in Westmoreland County, Penn^
sylvania, in 1783, and his mother, Mary McGary, was a daughter of Wil-
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682 fflSTORY OP ADAMS CX^UNTY
Ham McGary, a Revolutionary soldier, and one of the first settlers of
Adams County.
He was married October 23, 1845, first, to Phoebe Patton, a daughter
of Thomas Patton, a native of Rockbridge County, Virginia, who settled
on the West Fork of Brush Creek. Of this marriage there were three
children: Mrs. Mary J. Foutts, of Elsmere, Missouri; Thcmias Albert,
who died at the age of two years, and an infant. His first wife died
August 3, 1850. He married for a second wife, in 1861, Sarah Russel.
Her mother was a Puntenney, of Stout's Run. His son, Taylor R., is a
well known physician and surgeon in Dayton. His second son, by his
second marriage. Talma E., after having completed his studies as a phy-
sician and married, died suddenly in the year 1896.
Our subject has been an elder in the U. P. Church at Cherry Fork
for thirty years and has been Clerk of Wayne Township for twenty-four
years. He was a Free Soiler during the existence of that party and after-
wards a Republican. He died the eighth of June, A. D. 1899.
Mr. Baldridge had taken quite an interest in this work and had an-
ticipated much pleasure in its publication, but he was never to read its
pages. Those who knew him best say that his passing was the beautiful
completion of a finished work. His hold on this world was greatly
loosened by the sorrow on account of the untimely death of his son. Talma.
His life was a finished example of purity, fidelity and piety. He was a
true friend, a wise counsellor, an unselfish man, and a noble citizen. He
left a memory which his family, his church, and his community can re-
flect upon with pleasure and pride.
Jacob Newton Brown,
son of James and Maria Brown, was born in Adams County, Ohio, on the
banks of the Cherry Fork about two miles eastwardly from the town of
North Liberty, on October 19, 1828.
He received a common school education and for a while taught in the
county schools. He afterward embarked in the mercantile business in
North Liberty in a small building adjoining the site now occupied by
Kleinknecht Bros. In i860 he erected the commodious building now oc-
cupied by this firm. He was doing business in this house during the Civil
War and at the time when the Confederate General, John Morgan, and
his troops passed through on their famous raid. They broke into his
store, robbed and despoiled his goods, stole his horses, etc. He formed a
partnership with Wm. McVey,and after continuing same for several years,
he sold his interest in the store arid bought the North Liberty Flour Mills.
He successfully operated these mills until 1876, when he exchanged them,
together with his handsome brick residence and a farm lying northeast of
the town, for a large tract of Arkansas land. He then became connected
with the Southern Immigration business and as agent of the Little Rock
& Ft. Smith R. R.. and afterward as Immigration Agent of the Cincinnati
Southern R. R., which place he held at the time of his death. In 1881,
in connection with J. Frank, in Cincinnati, he established an office in
Chattanooga, Tenn., which he afterward sold to his son C. V. Brown and
S. W. Divine, but retained his office in Cincinnati in connection with the
Cincinnati Southern R. R. He was one of the pioneers in Southern Im-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 68S
migration work, and hundreds of Northern families now living in the
South were located through his influence. He was indefatigable in his
efforts to promote Southern immigration.
He retained his residence at North Liberty until about 1883, when
he removed his family to Cincinnati and there resided until his death, Jan-
uary 27, 1892. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church
and a man of strong convictions, always on the side of right, and an up-
right and worthy citizen in every way.
In 1852, he married Sarah McCutcheon of near Manchester in this
county and seven children were bom to them, to-wit: Nancy J., now the
wife of Dr. E. M. Gaston, of Tranquility; Maria M., wife of S. G. Glas-
gow, of North Liberty; Ella, wife of William Kennedy, living near
Youngsville; Mary E., deceased; Ida V., wife of William Kleinknecht,
of North Liberty, and C. V. and B. G. Brown, of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
His widow, Sarah Brown, died in North Liberty on August 3, 1899.
Jacob N. Brown was in many respects a remarkable man, but the
world never knew of it from him, and what he had achieved would never
have been known except the writer of these lines discovered it in a busi-
ness way. When Mr. Brown left North Liberty, he had a mountain of
debt which he was carrying and of which the public or the world had no
idea. To the world he was and had been a success, but to retrieve his
losses, he went away from the home of his lifetime, went into a new and
untried business and made large sums of money. He paid off his entire
indebtedness with interest and died without the world ever knowing that
he had almost been overtaken by financial disaster. There is not one
man in a thousand who would have undertaken, and not one man in ten
thousand who would have succeeded in paying the immense debt he owed,
but he did it and the world never knew and has not known it until the pub-
lication of this book, and it would not now be made public but that the
lesson of his life was most valuable and might encourage some one over-
whelmed with adversity to bear it without murmuring and to conquer it
with that power of will and tireless energy which overcomes all difficulties.
Mr. Brown never knew that the writer was informed of his financial con-
dition, but the writer knew why he left North Liberty and went elsewhere
to work with that remarkable application which characterized him and the
end he had in view, and therefore takes pleasure in making this tribute
to his manly qualities. In all the years in which he was working to dis-
charge his great debt, he supported and educated his large family, lived
honorably in the world and took prompt care of every current obligation.
In all that time, he never complained of or alluded to his burden, and to
the world he was the same as if he had not owed a dollar and had thou-
sands ahead. How many men can do that? How many men have done
that? It is the aggregate of such lives as that of Jacob N. Brown which
makes our people the most energetic on the face of the earth.
James W. Baldrldce*
merchant tailor, of Manchester, Ohio, and ihe subject of this sketch, is
a descendant of pioneer ancestry in Adams County. The family name
on the old records is Boldridge, and its members were here at the time of
the organization of the county.
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684 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Oui subject was born August 12, 1857, in the village of Youngsville,
Wayne Township. 'He is a son of William S., and a great-grandson of
Rev. William Baldridge, the first pastor of the U. P. congregation at
Cherry Fork. His mother is Margaret Jane ICane, a member of an old
and respected family of the county.
He spent his boyhood days on a farm and attended the District schools
until his eighteenth year, when he studied at West Union and in the old
academy at Cherry Fork. In 1880, he went to Jackson, Ohio, and there
followed coal mining for two years.
In 1882, he began working at his present trade, and in 1883 worked
with the well known tailor, A. D. Kirk. He next worked at his trade in
Kansas City, and then at Augusta, Ky. Returning to Cherry Fork in
1892, he remained a short time and then located at his present place in
Manchester, where he has a flourishing business, his patrons being the
best dressers of the town and surrounding country. December 12, 1891,
he married Miss Mary Alexander, by whom he has three children, Ada,
Roy and William. He is a Methodist and a Prohibitionist.
M<Mes Ronsh Brittinsl&*>n,
proprietor Hotel Britt, Manchester, was born near the old Campmeeting
Grounds in Sprigg Township, September 11, 1837. He is a son of Pymel
Brittingham and Mary Bryan, whose maiden name was Cartwright, a
daughter of Rev. Andrew Cartwright, a celebrated divine in early days
in Adams County. Pumel Brittingham was of Scotch descent, born 1782,
and died in 1872. He was a soldier in the War of 1812.
The subject of our sketch worked as a farm hand in Ross County,
Ohio, in his youth, and in 1862, volunteered in the Seventh Ohio Cavalry,
Col. Israel Garrard, and served until the close of the war, taking part in
every important battle in which his regiment engaged.
In 1859, he was married to Mary E. Trotter, daughter of James
Trotter, of near West Union. After the war, he kept a small store at
Killinstown, and in 1868 conducted a general store at Clayton, moving to
Manchester in 1870, where for twenty years he has been in the hotel busi-
ness. During this time he has handled live stock and produce, and for
six seasons sold lightning rods throughout the country. He is at present
interested in the buying and shipping of leaf tobacco.
In 1884, he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the office of
Sheriff of Adams County, but was defeated by a few votes through the
treachery of some persons who should have been his staunch supporters
if fidelity to party and party principles count for aught. By his energy
and integrity he has acquired a competency to support himself and wife in
their declining years.
George Elmer Bratten, D. D. 8.,
of Manchester, Ohio, was born April 18, 1873, at Edgerton, Williams
County, Ohio. His father was John A. Bratten, and his mother's maiden
name was Elizabeth Shambaugh. His grandfather, John Bratten, came
from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He removed to Edgerton and
was one of the pioneers of Williams County. His great-grandfather,
Robert Bratten, was a native of England. His father, John U. Bratten,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 585
was a private soldier in Company A, 38th O. V. I. He enlisted August
26, 1861, and served until September 13, 1864.
Our subject attended the District school at Edgerton, and graduated
in the High School there in 1892. He taught school for four Wintec;
terms in Williams County, and in the same period attended the Ohio
Normal University at Ada for two years. In May, 1894, he began the
study of dentistry at the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, and pursued
his studies until 1899. In April, 1899, he graduated, and from that time
until March, 1900, he was located in Edgerton. He was married on the
tenth of March, 1900, to Miss Nina Miarshall, daughter of John Marshall,
Esq., of Edgerton. He located in Manchester on the twentieth of March,
1900, having purchased the dental practice and business of Dr. R. M*
Prather.
Dr. Bratten is a young man of high character. He is a great student
in his profession, and is very ambitious to succeed. He has already won
the confidence and esteem of the citizens of Manchester and vicinity, and
has shown that he has rare skill in his profession. In his political views
he is a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Man-
chester, Ohio. His wife is an attractive and accomplished woman and is
highly esteemed in society. She possesses remarkable talent as a public
reader.
James 8. Berry, M. D.
The grandfather of our subject was Thomas Berry, of the city of
Baltimore, Maryland. He was married there in 1812 and was one of the
famous defenders of Baltimore in the War of 1812. He was in the fight
at Bladensburg and about Washington City. After the War of 181 2, he
went to Rockingham County, Virginia, and from there, in 1818, he re-
moved to near Greenfield, in Highland County, Ohio. In 1832, his wife
died, and in 1840, he removed to Delaware County, Indiana, and married
a second time. He died there at the age of eighty years. By his first wife,
he had six children, four sons and two daughters. He had a daughter
by his second marriage. John, his eldest son, born in Baltimore in 1816,
was the father of our subject. When at the age of sixteen years, he
learned the tanner's trade at Leesburg, Ohio. He was married at Lees-
burg, Ohio, to Miss Mary E. Stewart, daughter of James and Phoebe
Stewart. Soon after this he bought a farm on Sugar Tree Ridge in
Highland County, and resided there, carrying on a farm and tanning until
his death, April 4, 1888. In his religious faith, he was a Friend.
His son, James S., one of the eight sons and daughters, was bom
April 26, 1844. He learned the tannePs trade of his father, and worked
at it until he was eighteen years of age. Then he taught school five or
six years. He began the study of medicine in 1867 at Sugar Tree Ridge
under Dr. Hcmry Whisler. He graduated at Starling Medical College
in 1870 and began the practice of medicine at Locust Grove the same year.
He practiced there until 1888, when he removed to Peebles, where he
has since resided and practiced medicine.
On October 7, 1873, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Murphy, of
Locust Grove. He has five children : Charles, bom September 25, 1875 ;
Amma, born March 29, 1877 ; Mary E., Thomas Alfred and Beatrice. In
pcditics, he is a Democrat. He was Township Clerk for seven years and
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«86 mSTORY OP AD/IMS COUNTY
Treasurer of Franklin Township four years. He has also been a member
of the Town Council and Board of Educaticm in Peebles. He has never
sought office, but in 1895, he was the candidate of his party for Represen-
tative to the Legislature, but was defeated by the Hon. A. C. Smith. After
removing to Peebles, he was associated with Dr. J. M. Wittenmeyer.
When the latter was elected Auditor in 1893, he formed a partnership
with Dr. George F. Thomas, which still continues.
Dr. Berry perhaps is the most unique character living in Adams
County today. As a professional man, busines character and student in
almost all branches of learning, he has few equals in this part of the State.
Senator Brice once speaking of him declared that he was qualified to fill
almost any position involving business transactions. He is a many-sided
man. His inquisitive disposition has given him an insight into almost
everything. Besides his thorough medical education, he possesses much
legal knowledge and is frequently consulted by men in all professions in-
volving matters of great importance. His judgment is unerring and is fol-
lowed whenever he is called upon to decide. He is modeled sc«newhat after
Benjamin Franklin. When a subject is presented to him, he at once be-
comes interested whether in nature or in the affairs of men. As a
physician, he stands high. He is temperate in habits, abstaining entirely
from the use of intoxicating liquors and tobacco. Possessing a strong
mind, in early life, he mastered the science of medicine and from the day
that he began to practice in the village of Locust Grove, the people about
him have recognized his worth and have trusted him implicitly. Unlike
most men, he interests himself in other things besides his profession. He
is engaged in the banking business, solicits pensions, oversees a large
farm, deals in stock, is interested in the sale of farming inplements, and
gives much attention to educational matters. If he has nothing else to
do, he will engage his mind in solving some abstruse mathematical prob-
lem. A great mind, like a healthy body, requires food. He engages in
all these lines of business and study seemingly to satisfy his wonderful
active mind. While other men are day-dreaming, he will be found think-
ing about several things at the same time. Although a man of dignified
bearing, and serious while engaged in business, he possesses the faculty of
seeing the humorous side of a situation. He is a good story teller and can
make a dying man laugh. He is always found in a good humor and self-
possessed. He attracts people to him and has few if any enemies. He
has acquired a great deal of property, yet he believes in living well. His
home is not exclusive. Guests are always welcome. He has a good wife
and an interesting family.
The BentonTille Schools.
In 1870, the people of Bentonville and vicinity, feeling the need of
better educational advantages than the township schools afforded, peti-
tioned for a special district to be organized from sub-districts No. 13, No.
9 and No. 16. Sprigg Township, No. 13, schoolhouse stood at Union;
No. 9, near the northern limit of Bentonville, near where William West
now resides, and No. 16 stood on the land of Dr. John Gaskins, east of
Bentonville, now the farm of Mrs. N. G. Foster, of Manchester, Ohio.
The petition being granted. Dr. John Gaskins, William T. Leedom and
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
687
John V. Adamson were elected directors. These gentlemen remained in
office for several years and the success of the school from the first was
largely due to their efforts in organizing and conducting it. The con-
tractors who erected the building were Rev. B. F. Rapp and Rev. J. F,
McColm. The present building, a substantial four-room schoolhouse,
was completed in the Winter of 1870, and on January i, 1871, school
began with Rev. J. F. McColm, Principal ; I. N. Tolle, Intermediate, and
Miss West, Primary, teachers. There were nearly two hundred pupils
in attendance at that time. The following is a list of teachers since the
organization of the school ; the first name for each year being the Prin-
cipal, the second the Intermediate, and the last, the primary teachers:
VBAR,
Principal.
Intermediate.
Primary.
1871-1872.,...
J. P. McColm
I. N. Tolle
Mrs. G. W. Pettit.
1872-1873
John M. McColm
W. H. Vane
A. V. Hutson..
J. P. Leedom.
Laura Adamson.
1873-1874«...
J. P. Leedom
f. N. Tolle
M. Zercher
1874-1876.....
W. H. Vane
Warren Jones.
Burnett Howell.
1875-1876
I. N. Tolle
I. N. Tolle
1876-1877
M.Zercher
I. N. ToUe
Maggie DeCamp.
Maggie DeCamp.
Maggie DeCamp.
Chas. Lafferty.
Thomas Turnipseed.
Emma DeCamp.
Emma DeCamp.
Maggie DeCamp.
Maggie DeCamp.
Bmma Stewart.
1877-1878
John Compton
John Compton
1878-1879
I. N. Tolle«
1879-1880
I. N. ToUe
A. V. Hutson..
1880-1881
I. N. Tollc„
Chas. Irafferty..
1881-1882
A. V. Hutson
CF. Wikoff
1882-1883
A. V. Hutton
Prank Gaffin
1883-1884
John Rea
CM. Smith
1884-1885
John Rea
A. D. Poster
1885-1886.. ..
A. V. Hutson
Dorcas Thomas. ........
1886-1887
A. C.Hood..
Dorcas Thomas...
Mary Carl.
Mary Carl.
Mary Carl.
Lulu Ashen hurst.
1887-1888
J. B. Dodds
Anna Wood
1888-1889
John Rea
Bmma Stewart
1889-1890
J. D. Darling
Laura Mefford
1890-1891
S. P. Robuck
Hmma Watson....
Lulu Ashenhurst.
1891-1892
J. D. Darling
Laura Mefford.
Lulu Ashenhurst.
1892-1893
John Slye
Thomas P. Poster
W. H. Vane
Laura Mefford
Bmma Watson.
1893-1894-...
1894-1895
Cornelia Hoagland
Maggie DeCamp
MagKie DeCamp
Pearl Mefford
Maggie DeCamp.
Pearl Mefford.
1895-1896
189e-1897
John W. Mehaffey
A.O. fiowman
Sallie Stivers.
Pearl Mefford.
1897-1898
A. O.Bowman
Hattie Vane.
1898-1899....
A. 0. Bowman
May Vane.
May Vane.
1899
W. S. Camobell
T/Sura Mefford
The present Board of Directors is composed of J. H. Waldron, Isaiah
Shipley and J. A. Hahn. The course of study adopted in 1896 includes
three years' work in the Primary department, three. years in the Inter-
mediate, and the Principal doing the two years' in the Grammar grades
and one year of High School work.
Charlea H. Braitcn
was bom in Newcastle County, Delaware, on the bank of Brandywinc
Creek, near the Dupont mills, on the seventeenth of April, 1833. His
father was Robert Bratten, whose grandparents came from the North of
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688 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Ireland. His mother was Hannah Marid Carr, a descendant of the early
Irish and Swedish settlers in Delaware. Some of her near relatives in the
ancestral line fought in the Revolutionary War. His parents removed
to Philadelphia when he was but two years old, and at the age of eight
years, he went to work in the woolen mills and worked there until he was
fifteen. At that time, his parents moved to a farm on the Schuylkill,
which is now a part of the city of Philadelphia. • The son accepted a
position as toll-gate tender near the city limits where he worked for a
year. During the time from his eighth to his sixteenth year, the only
schooling he received was when the mills in which he was engaged had
to close for repairs, and during this time he attended school. He was
taught to read by his mother l^fore he attended school. His father, at
this time, took the Western fever, and emigrated to Highland County,
Ohio, in 1850, locating near Sugar Tree Ridge.
Our subject located in Adams County in 1854 in Locust Grove and
served a four years' apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, at which he
has worked ever since at the same place.
In 1859, he married Caroline Leedom, daughter of Thomas Leedom,
who at that time kept the old tavern which stood in the north end of
Locust Grove. They have four sons and three daughters, all of whom are
living and have reached maturity.
When the Civil War began, our subject joined the home guard, and
on September 15, 1861, he enlisted in Battery F, First Ohio Volunteer
Light Artillery. He remained with the battery until July 22, 1865.
This battery was engaged in the battles of Corinth. Stone River, Perry*
ville and Chickamauga and Shiloh. After the war, he returned to Locust
Grove, which has been his home ever since.
Mr. Bratten is a voluminous reader, and in that way has acquired
a great deal of information. He is a radical Republican, and has been
since the founding of the party, but never sought office. He is an ex-
cellent mechanic and possesses no small amount of inventive genius
Three or four years before the Civil War, he and James McCrum, the old
gunsmith of Locust Grove, conceived the idea of putting rifles in cannons
to increase their effectiveness. Having some doubt as to the success of
their proposed invention, Mr. McCrum suggested that they write to Gen.
Scott for his opinion of its probable success. They did this and Gen.
Scott expressed the opinion that it would not work, so they dropped it.
But to their surprise, they learned that in a short time that Hotchkiss had
patented the very thing they were at work on. They sometimes
thought that General Scott had given the idea to Hotchkiss. They
claim that the idea was original with them, though an European had in-
vented a cast iron breech-loading rifled cannon in 1846.
Mr. Bratten is noted for his integrity and is adverse to going into
debt It has been his aim to g^ve his children what was denied to him
in his childhood, a common school education. In his early manhood, he
was a g^ant in strength, being five feet ten and a half inches high, and
weighing over two hundred pounds, with a symmetrical build. He has
no tolerance for dishonesty. He is a man highly respected for his ster-
ling qualities.
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BIOGRAPfllCAL SKETCHES
WUUmmBmkmT
was born March 21, 1824, in Wayne Township. His father was James
Brown, who came from Pennsylvania, as well as his grandfather of the
same name. The latter was the second person interred in the Cherry
Fork U. P. Cemetery. Our subject had two brothers and cme sister.
Jacob N. Brown was his brother. His other brother, Jamies Reed Brown^
died in Illinois at the age of thirty. His sister, Jane, married Samuel Mc-
Clanahan, a nephew of the Judge. Our subject's mother's maiden name
was Baker. Her father, Frederick Baker, came from Germany.
Mr. Brown obtained his education in the Public schools. As a boy,
ho was apprenticed to Samuel Clark to learn the tannery trade, and he
worked at it for three years. He completed his apprdnticesbip and
worked four years at the trade, between West Union and Unity, on the
Samuel Clark place.
He was married on the twelfth of April, 1848, to Ellen Ralston, the
adopted daughter of Thomas Huston. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had
seven children, of which six grew to maturity. Hermas C, the youngest,
died in infancy. His children are as follows : James W. Brown, luird-
ware merchant, residing at Washington C. H.; Henry H., a travelingf
salesman of the same place ; Louis R., who resides in Starkville, Miss. ;
Newton Monroe, who resides at Unity; Margaret, who resides with her
father, and Carey H., who resides in Kansas. City, Mo. Mrs. Ellen
Brown died January 29, 1883.
Mr. Brown went to Unity and started a store in 1850, also operated
a grist and saw mill. In 1870, he left the store to his sons, James and
Henry. He operated the mill till 1880, when he removed to West Union.
His son, Carey H., is interested in a gold mine in New Mexico, but resides
in Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Brown was elected Treasurer of Adams
County in 1879, defeating Lily Robbins. In 1881, he was elected to the
same office, defeating John Cluxton. In 1887, he was elected to the same
office, defeating Stewart Alexander. He was renominated in 1889, but
withdrew and P. N. Wickerham was elected. Mr. Wickerham, though of
opposite politics, had Mr. Brown appointed Deputy Treasurer and he
served as such under him from 1890 to 1894. From 1894 to 1897, he
served as Deputy Treasurer under John Fristoe. In 1898,- he was em-
ployed in the Auditor's c^ce, and in September, 1899, he became Deputy
Treasurer under H. B. Gaffin. He was Treasurer of Oliver Township
from 1853 to 1876, continuously. He was a member of the United
Presbyterian Church at Unity from 1850 and was made an elder in 1880,
He has always been a Democrat. Mr. Brown is a man of the very highest
integrity and enjoys the confidence, esteem and respect of all who know
him.
James W. Browm,
son of William Baker Brown, was born October 6, 1849, ^^^r Unity.
He obtained his education in the District schools and at the North Lib-
erty Academy. He was raised in the store at Unity. He and his brother
Henry took the store in 1870, under the firm name of J. W. and H. H.
Brown, and continued it until 1881. At that time he went to Georjgetown
44a
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no mSTORT OF ADAMS OOUNTY
and engaged in the hardware business for three years with his brother
Henry. They went to Washington C. H., in 1884, the day of the cyclone.
They were in partnership there in the hardware business imtil 1899, when
Henry retired from that business.
James W. Brown was married to Mary Dill, whose home was near
Bainbridge. They have one daughter, Mabel, twelve years of age. Mr.
Brown is a Democrat politically, and a Presbyterian in his religious faith.
He is one of the vary best business men of Washington C. H. As a boy,
he was honest and straightforward and upright in all his dealings, and
the same qualities are intensified in him as a man. There is no man who
stands higher in the business community»where he is known than he^
Dr. James W. Bmiu^
physician and pharmacist, Weist Union, was bom at Sugar Tree Ridge,
Ohio, February 11, 1842. His father, John Bunn, who married Miss Jane
Thompson, a native of Ireland, came from the State of Pennsylvania to
Concord Township, Highland County, Ohio, in 1829, where he purchased
220 acres of land and laid out the town of Sugar Tree Ridge, naming it
from its elevated position and the forest growth upon the plat. Our
subject in youth was a diligent student. He attended the country schools,
and later the old North Liberty Academy and the High Sthools at
Georgetown and Winchester, Ohio. ' He taught school from his seven-
teenth year until after his majority, when he began the study of medicine
^with his brother-in-law. Dr. F. J. Miller, of West Union. He attended
Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1865-6, and in the latter
year located at Rard'en, Scioto County, where he practiced his profession
until 1868, when he removed to Latham in Pike County, at which place
he remained until 1870, when he formed a partnership with his brother,
Dr. John Bunti, at Jacksonville, Adams County. In 1872-3, he again
attended Starling College, where he graduated with high honors, after
which he came to West Union and entered into a partnership with Dr.
Miller, where he is now actively engaged in practice.
He enlisted in the i82d O. V. L during the Civil War, and served as
Hospital Steward of the regiment with much credit. He had full control
of the Medical Dispensary, and looked after the wounded and sick. His
brothers Joseph and Dr. John were also members of that regiment. His
youngast brother, Lewis, died at Bowling Green, Ky., while a member of
the Second Ohio Battery.
Dr. Bunn married Miss Annie Hood, a daughter of John P. Hood,
of West Union, September 19, 1877. They have two children living:
Miss Iretie, an intelligent young lady, a graduate of the West Union
High School, and at present a Sophomore at Oxford College, and
Eugene H., a lad now a member of the West Union High School. A son
died in infancy.
Dr. Bunn is one of the most prominent physicians of Adams Coimty.
He served with marked ability as a member of the United States Pension
Board, at West Union, for a period of ten years, being Secretary of the
Board. He recently resigned, with the respect and confidence of all with
whom he came in contact.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 691
In politics, Dr. Bunn is a staunch Democrat of the Jacksonian type,
although he has never sought political honors. He is a pr<Hninent member
of the Christian Union Church at West Union.
y..
Jaeob F. BlMtac^v*
merchant, Hills Fork, was bom in Neiderhofen, Germany, July 4, 1824.
His father, Jacob F. Bissinger, and his ancestors had resided on the same
place, and followed farming back in "time when the memory of man run-
neth not to the contrary." The subject of this sketch attended the
public schools from the age of six to fourteen years, completing the
regular common school course. A Mr. Hull, the schoolmaster, had been
the teacher of his father and mother before him. From fourteen to six-
teen years of age, he was free from obligations of the Government; but
upon arriving at the age of sixteen^ he, as was the law, took the oath of
allegiance. At the age of twentyH)ne, he luckily drew a number that freed
him from entering the army, and he immediately embarked for the United
States of America. He was accompanied by Christian Helmley,. John
Wagner and Christian Stahl, each of whom brought his family and sdt-
tled in Adams County, Ohio. They were forty-five days on the ocean,
a passage that is now made in less than six days. When Mr. Bissinger
embarked for America, he had forty-five five-franc pieces in money in a belt
in a chest. When he arrived in New York thirty of those had been
stolen. His destination was West Union, where his cousin, Conrad
Pflaumer, then resided. He came to Philadelphia by water, and to Pitts-
burgh by rail and the Harrisburg Canal. While boarding the canal boat
at Johnstown, Pa., he discovered something in the water between the
wharf and the boat, which on investigation proved to be a little g^rl about
ten years of age, apparently drowned, ^^he was a daughter of a member
o£ his party, and was resuscitated and made the voyage to Adams County,
At Pittsburg, he took steamboat for Manchester. He was told that there
was no such town on the Ohio between there and Cincinnati. That if
there was any such town it was below Cincinnati. So he took passage for
the latter place. The river was low, it being in the month of July, and
near Maysville the boat grounded on a bar. The emig^nts were ordered
to carry the coal on the boat to a barge to lighten the craft so it could
be floated oflr the bar. Some refused, and the crew tied ropes about
their bodies and threw them into the river. Mr. Bissinger concluded to
carry coal in prcJference to being ducked, when a well dressed young
woman remonstrated with the officers of the boat and the emigrants were
relieved of the duty imposed upon them, and at Cincinnati the officers and
crew were put under arr€*st. Upon arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Bissinger
and his companions, while going up street, heard some perscMis singing
songs with which he was familiar, and on entering the place found
some of his country people who directed him to West Union. He and his
fellow emigrants again took a boat for Manchester, and arriving there
in the night, they were put off on the bar, and when morning came, they
looked about for the town.
This was August i, 1846. All there was of Manchester was Andrew
Ellison's little frame store, and about a dozen log houses. When Mr.
Bissinger and his party landed at Manchester they were without a cent
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602 mSTORY OP ADAMS CJOUNTY
of money and very hungry. He, Helmlcy, and Schuster startdd afoot
to see if they could find 3ie way to West Union. They met an old man
who they afterwards learned was William Ellison, who, when they spcke
the words "West Union," pointed the way which put them on the Island
Creek road. About two miles from West Union, on the old Manchester
road, a man gave them a crock of milk and some early apples, the first food
they had tasted since they left Cincinnati, a period of thirty-six hotirs.
Mr. Bissinger's uncle had left word with Marlatt, the tavern keeper
at West Union, to be on the lookout for him and his companions, and
he took them to Frederick Pflaummer's, on the farm now owned by Jacob
Brodt, on the Unity road.
Since then Mr. Bissinger has become one of the prominent citizens of
Adams County. He has been engaged in the general merchandising
business at Hills Fork for a great many years, where he has accumulated
a competency for himself and family. He is the postmaster there, which
position he has held for many years.
Jaeob BviT,
farmer, of West Union, was bom February 6, 1856, on the old Burr
homestead near CeJdar Mills in Jefferson Township. He is a son of
Frederick Burr and Caroline Bieber. Frederick Burr was a native of
Alsace-Lorraine, France, and was bom in 1816. He emigrated to
Pennsylvania when a young man, where he married Caroline Bieber, a
native of Germany. In 1850, he came to Adams County and settled on the
farm above mentioned, where he reared a family of six sons and one
daughter. Jacob, the* subject of this sketch, married Jennie M. Piatt,
daughter of James Piatt, of neaf the Stone Chapel, in Tiffin Township.
One son, Stanley, was bom to them. After her death, he married Mrs.
Lizzie McKenzie, widow of Peter McKenzie and daughter of John
Crummie and Hannah Collier, his wife, of Cedar Mills. Peter McKenzie
was killed in West Union by his horse running away with him. He left
four interesting children: Susie, a bright and talented Miss of fifteen
years; Henry D., twelve years; MaryE., nine, and Frank P., six. Peter
McKenzie was a son of Peter McKenzie, Sr., who married Susan Bayless,
and whose father was Duncan McKenzie, a native of Scotland and a
pioneer of Adams County contemporaneous with Massie, Donalson and
Leedom. He married Jane Ellison, a daughter of John Ellison, Sr.
He died on the farm selected by him as bis future home while the Indians
yet laid claim to the country on September 19, 1832, in his seventy-eighth
year. His wife died February 10, 1855, in her eighty-third ydar. Their
son, Peter McKenzie, was born January 14, 181 1, and died May 4, 1881.
Susan, his wife, was born January 11, 1815, and died in July, 1895. Pet^
McKenzie, son of Peter McKenzie, Sr,, was bom August 16, 1849, and
died December 31, 1896.
The subject of this sketch, Jacob Burr, is a prominent farmer and
stock raiser. He resided on the old Duncan McKenzie farm. He is a
member of the Independent Order of Red Metn, of West Union.
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BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCHB8 (M
Saatttel Bmrwellt
the veteran editor and publisher of the West Union Scion, was bom in
West Union, November 20, 1822, the son of Nicholas Burwell and Sarah
Fenton, his wifei. His father has a separate sketch, and no notice of his
ancestry will be given herein. Samuel Burwell was bom with a good
constitution, the ^st capital which can be given a boy for a start in this
life. He attended the schools of his district and was just as mischievous
and devilish as most boys are, only a little more so. His boyhood was
under Leonard Cole and Ralph McClure as teachers. They were firm
believers in the doctrine of King Solomon as to the use of the rod, and
they practiced their belief with emphasis, and Sam and the other boys of
his time got the full benefit of it. Sam was one of the early suffeters
from that custom instituted by Leonard Cole, of whipping every boy in
school whenever one or more (always more) were detected in any mis-
chief. The writer was one of the later sufferers from that same custom,
though under different tefeichers from those who administered the birch
to Sam. Both Sam and the writer attribute the regularity of their lives
to their early discipline in the West Union schools.
Sam Burwell was a boy left much to his own devices. He was very
inquisitive and very fond of the society of those older than himself. He
very naturally drifted into a printing office as early as the age of thirteen^
and the year of 1835 found him at work in the Free Press office in West
Union. When the Free Press suspended, he went to Hillsboro and
worked in the News office, and while there attended the Hillsboro Acad-
emy, but his real work in learning the trade of a printer was with Robert
Jackman in the office of the Intelligencer, from 1844 to 1846.
In 1848, Sam, while working for Judge John M. Smith, committed
the very rash act of marriage. His bride was Miss Margaret Mitchell,
-daughter 0/ Alexander Mitchell, who had died of cholera in 1835. How-
ever, much of a risk it was for the }'oung printer to get married, (and the
risk was entirely on the wife's part, for Sam was a Mark Tapley kind of a
young man who could have gotten on anywhere,) the marriage turned out
happily.
On the seventeenth of February, 1853, the Scion was born. The writer
remembers one evening shortly before that date, when he was a boy of
ten, Samuel Burwell, a young man of thirty, came to his father's house to
consult about starting a newspaper. In the same evening, the enterprise
was determined on and it was named. E. P. Evans suggested the name,
the Scion of Temperance, It was thought best to start it as a Temper-
ance paper, and heince its name. The "of Temperance" was dropped after
two years, and it became a purely political newspaper. From its first
issue, February 17, 1853, until the present time, the history of the paper
and that of Sam Burwell have been identical. From that date the history
of the Scion is a sketch of Mr. Burwell, and a sketch of Mr. Burwell is
the histor}' of the Scion. Not only that, but from 1853, the history of the
Scion is an account of Sam Burwell's family. When he first began,
he was full of enthusiasm, and he made the Scion a success from the start.
Even his wife helped him on the paper in the early years of the enterprise.
But he brought his family up on the paper and he brought others up.
On the SciOfi he taught Henry Shupert and made him a printer. He died
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«M fflSTORY OF" ADAltfS COUNTY
in Cincinnati six years ago and left a handsome estate. Sam Burwell
taught Col. John A. Cockerill the printer's art and the latter became the
most distinguished journalist in the United States. Orlando Burwell,
Mr. Burwell's eldest son, was brought up a printer in the Scion oflSce.
He has been employed on the Times Star, as one of the best workmen,
for twenty-seven years, and is one of the best printers in Cincinnati.
Clay, his fourth son, has been employed on the Neiv York World for nine
years. He learned his trade in the Scion office. His son, Bickham Bur-
well, was employed in the same New York office for four years and might
have continued, but became tired of the work and secured an appdnt:
ment in Washington. His son, Samuel Burwell, who died in 1891, aged
thirty-six years, learned the trade in the Scion office and did his faAer
good service for many years before his untimely death. His sc«i, Cas-
sius M., is with him in the businelss. He too was brought up and reared
in the Scion office and has been a partner since 1887. When friend Sam
"shuffles off this mortal coil'* and takes up his residence in the old South
Cemetery, doubtless "Cash," as he is best known, will continue the busi-
ness. But the boys of the Burwell family are not the only ones who have
been brought up in the Scion. Mr. Burwell's daughter, Ella, is the mail-
ing clerk of the office and keieps the books. His daughter, Mafarget, is
an expert compositor and has worked in the office for fourteen years.
Bickman Burwell, his son, is also a compositor in the office and foreman.
So that the Scion is strictly a family newspaper edited and published by the
Burwell family. The Scion never published less than 720 copies and its cir-
culation is now 1,104. From the time the paper started, until the present
time, it has been true blue Republican, and will so continue so long as the
Republican party and the Burwell family survive.
The writer proposes to tell the truth about Sam Burwell. This
article is not written for the present generation in Adams County. They
have not taken much interest in this book, but this article and this book is
written for posterity. In fifty or seventy-five years from now, the people
living in Adams County will prize this work as a precious relic, and they
will want to know all about the man who could publish the same news-
paper for forty-six years. Sam Burwell's career will be a wonder in a
hundred years from now, and hence it is important that the truth be now
told and recorded for the benefit of unborn posterity. So here goes.
Sam Burwell is a bom exaggerator. Some uncharitable people have
accused him of plain lying, but as that charge has been laid to every editor
from King Solomon to the present time, we shall not notice it, and the
most remarkable thing is that Mr. Burwell is not conscious of the fault
He will know it for the first time when he reads this book. But under-
stand, Sam Burwell nevdr told a lie in his life, either in the Scion or out
of it, but he can no more help exaggeration than water can help running
down hill. It was born in him, inherited, and could not be eradicated.
With him, everything is the very best or the very worst. The village
statesmen whom he admires are all Websters and Clays. His enemies
are the worst people in the world. The Devil himself, with his cloven
feet, his dart tail and spouting brimstone, is a saint compared to them.
The writer has fully tested Sam Burwell on this and knows whereof he
speaks. Once he rode twelve miles with him and Sam began telling him
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ifS
what a wonderful young man his brother, then living, but since deceased,
was. The writer undertook to disparage his brewer and tell what an
ordinary young man he was, but it was of no use. Mr^ Burwell had
fixed his standards and no argument could avail. The young man, in his
estimation, >Vas the brightest and most talented who had ever lived, and no
disparagements affected Mr. Bunvdl in the least. But, after all, this
habit of thought and expression is valuable in a newspaper man. People
like condiments in the columns of a newspaper as well as in their food.
It may be Mr. Burwell's peculiar traits have made the Scion what it is and
kept it up.
Mr. Burwell is not a religious man, nor is he irreligious. From his
father's standpoint, he is not religious, but, in sentiment, he respects
religion, and has as much of it as is safe for a newspaper man to have.
The writer has always held the view that a newspaper man is not capable
of being religious to any extent, and Mr. Burwell is much better than the
average of them. Mr. Burwell has always made money but never saved
it to any great extent He has kept the Scion going as a newspaper for
forty-six years. He has kept it to a high standard of journalism. He
has kept his political faith all the time. He has reared a large family
and has done it creditably. He has always paid his debts. There are
people who say of him that if he had a million dollars income each year,
he would spend a little more, but at the same time, there is no one who
would do more good with the money than he. He has lived so long in
Adams County that he has become one of its institutions and we do not
know of another newspaper in the State which has remained for forty-six
years under one management, nor do we know of an editor in the State
who has conducted the same newspaper over forty-six years. He stands
as a remarkable instance of a man who has followed! the printer's trade
for sixty-three years and yet is hale and hearty ; who has written editorials
for forty-six yiears and yet can tell the truth, and does it once every week.
Mr. Burwell's friends are almost all in the cemetery south of town,
but the younger generation respect him for his sterling qualities. He has
been industrious and energetic. He has persevered and made his chosen
occupation a success. He has kept ahead of the Sheriff at all times and
been honest and honorable in all his dealings, and when Gabriel foots
up his account in the ledger of life,he will find the good qualities will over-
balance all those faults and sins his enemies attribute him, and he will
receive his pass which St. Peter will honor at the wicket gate, and all we
wish is that it may be a long time before he will have to apply for it.
CoL William S. Bvmdy.
William Edgar Bundy was bom in Jackson County, Ohio, on the
site now occupied by the city of Wellston, October 4, 1866. His father,
William Sanford Bundy, was wounded while in the service of his country,
near Bean Station, Tennessee, as a private soldier, and died from the
effects of his wound, January 4, 18(67. His mother, Kate Thompson
Bundy, was killed in an accident two years later, and their young son was
raised and educated by his grandfather, Hon H. S. Bundy.
The subject of this sketch was gfraduated from the Ohio University
in 1890 (of which institution he is now a Trustee) as a Bachelor of Arts,
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••6 HISTORY OP ADAMS C50UNTY
and has since attained the degree of Master of Arts. For two years he
was editor of the Wellston Argus, and then came to Cincinnati, attended
the Ivaw School, and was graduated therefrom in 1890. During the years
1890 and 1891 he was Secretary of the Board of Elections of Hamilton
County. He has been four times elected Solicitor of Norwood, and has
a beautiful home in that thriving suburb. He was married May 8, 1890,
to Miss Eva E. Leedom, daughter of the late Ex-Congressman, Jc4in P.
Leedoni, of Adams County, and they hiave one? son, William Sanford
Bundy (named after the child's martyred g^ndfather).
Mr. Bundy was Commander of the Ohio Division, Sons of Veterans,
in 1890, and was Commander-in-Chief of that order for the United States
in 1894-5. He has always taken an active and practical interest in poli-
tics. In 1898, he was President of the Ohio Republican League, and
during that year was appointed United States Attorney for the Southern
District of Ohio, for a term of four years. Through his own efforts
and industry he has attained a lefesiding position at the Hamilton County
1[)ar.
Ambrose O. Bownuim
was born in Huntington Township, Brown County, Ohio, April 6, 1863,
on the farm now occupied by Rev. T, J. Bowman. G^rge Bowman,
great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came
down the river in the old keel-boating times, settled on the same farm,
which, in turn, has been occupied by Benjamin Bowman, grandfather,
and Patrick Bowman, father of our subject. Benjamin Bowman mar-
ried Mary McElwee, a woman of more than ordinary intelligence, and a
lifelong advocate of the cause of temperance. His mother's name is
Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Rachael (Housh) Senteny, of Vir-
ginia stock.
Our subject attended school until he was fifteen years of age, then
went to the Lebanon University. In 1880, he began teaching in Lewis
and Mason Counties, Kentucky. He attended the Southwestern Normal
School at Georgetown, in 1883, and 1884, and taught in Brown County,
Ohio, till 1894, when he located at Youngsvillc, and taught at that place
in 1894 and 1895. From 1896 to 1899, he occupied the position of Prin-
cipal oif the Bentonville schools.
Mr. Bowman is a natural bom musician and has been successful as
a teacher of vocal music and conductor of orchestra, band and choir.
He was married March 21, 1887, to Laura E. Johnson, daughter of
William and Cindora (Shaw) Johnson, and great-granddaughter of Rus-
sell Shaw, the founder of Russellville, Brown County, Ohio. They hav^
had four children. Frank died at the age of two years ; William, aged
seven years ; George, aged four years, and Idella, the baby.
From April, 1899, to October of the same year, he was engaged in
canvassing for and writing sketches for this work, the History of Adams
County, Ohio. He is highly esteemed as a citizen, and is regarded in
music and the common branches, as a teacher of more than ordinary
ability, and he has brought the Bentonville schools into a high standing
in the period in which he has had charge of them.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES WJ
Newtom Dvmlap Baldiids*
was bom December 24, 1855, in the same house in which he now resides.
His father was James Wilson Baldridge, and his mother, Margaret
McVey, For further information as to his ancestry, we refer to the
sketch herein of his brother, James W. Balbridge.
Our subject spent his boyhood on his father's farm, (now his,) and
received a common school education. On November 3, 1881, he was
married to Mary Emma, daughter of James and Elizabeth McCutcheon,
of Manchester, Ohio. They have five children : Delos, Delva, Florence,
Blanchard, and John, all of great promise. In his political views, Mr.
Baldridge is a Republican, He is one of the thoroughly reliable men of
Wayne Township. He is observant of everything in the community and
is remarkably energetic. He is prompt in. all his engagements and honest
in all his dealings with others. He has never sought a place in, and
would not become a part of, the administration of public affairs, but he
exerts a strong and beneficial interest in his community. He is deeply
interested in public education and is an earnest advocate and supporter
of whatever is for the good of the public. He is a niember of the United
Presbyterian Church of Cherry Fork, and a ruling elder therein. He
performs his duty in that office with the same zeal and earnestness which
he gives to all he does. As a farmer, he is a model for all of the name.
He makes farming an honor, a pleasure, and a success. He is always
ready to give any good cause a helping hand. He is a man of strong
convictions and of the strictest fidelity in every relation of life. He is
respected as a man, esteemed as a citizen, admired as a farmer, and relied
upon as a true Christian. No one in his community stands any higher
than he, and no one is more deserving of such estimation.
James W. Baldridge
was bom October 14, 1833, at the old Baldridge homestead. He is a
son of James W. and Margaret (McVey) Baldridge. His father was
boin in 1807, and died in 1890. His mother was bom in i8ti and died
about 1881. She was a daughter of Col. William McVey. His grand-
father was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Adams County in 1807,
and settled first at Killenstown, where our subject was bom. 'f hey lived
at Killenstown for about fifteen years and then removed to Cherry Fork.
His matemal grandfather (McVey) came from Virginia. The mother of
our subject was born in Virginia. Col. McVey settled on the land on
which North Liberty is built.
Our subject received a common school education,and such instruction
as he could obtain from the North Liberty Academy. He was brought
up a farmer. He enlisted in Company G, 129th O. V. L, in July, 1863, and
served until the following March. He was married to Mary Stewart,
October 12, 1861. The children of this marriage are as follows; R. S
Baldiidge, of Butte City, Montana; Finsher Wilson, in the Klondike
gold region ; Anna Jane, wife of Wylie McKee, of Milroy, Ohio ; John
Isaac, of Milroy, Ohio; Eva Leore; James Roscoe, who lives at Butte
City, Montana, and Margaret. Mr. Baldridge was married to Miss Mar-
garet Jane Crawford, daughter of Robert Crawford, December 28, 1887,
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69d HISTORY OF AD/IMS COUNTY
He has always been a Republican, and was elected Land Af^raiser of
Wayne Township in 1890. He is a member of the U. P. Church at
Cherry Fork. He owns a farm on the YoungsviUe turnpike, but lives in
the village of North Liberty.
He is an active, energetic, industrious citizen, fully alive to all the
questions of the day. Socially, he is a pleasant and agreeable companioa
and is the soul and life of any circle in which he is present. Men like he
make life tolerable and agreeable.
TkoanAs If Bratt«m
was bom in Locust Grove, Ohio, December 17, 1874, the son of Charles
H. Bratten and Caroline Leedom, his wife. He has an intermingling
of Scotch, Irish, English and Swedish blood in his veins. He is one of
seven children. As a boy, he was honest and good-natured, but would al-
ways fight if necessary. He was content to have but one friend among
the boys, and would attach himself greatly to that one. He was vety fond,
when a boy, of working about his father's shop, on any kind of machinery
where he was permitted to do so. He was always very fond of the woods
and fields, and nothing pleased him more than the privilege of strolling
through them. Ezekiel Arnold gave him the name of **The World's
Wanderer," for this trait.
He attended the village schools of Locust Grove until he was eighteen
years of age. He then began teaching. His first school was at Palestine,
Franklin Township, Adams County. The next year he was engaged as
Principal of the Rarden schools in Scioto County. He has been engaged
in Scioto County for six years with good success.
At school, he always ranked first in his classes. He has attended
the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and expects to graduate there
soon. What education he has, has been obtained through his own eflforts.
Mr. Bratten is a young man of the highest character. When he be-
lieves in a thing, he believes in it with all the force and power that is in
him, and when he has formed a purpose, he carries it out. He inherited
a disposition for information and study and is very fond of reading the
best literature. He is a very successful teacher, as is shown by the fact
that he has been employed in the same school year after year.
William P. BrMkiaHdce,
of Scott Township, Adams County, Ohio, was bom October 7, 1831. He
is the son of William and Martha McKmley (McCreight) Breckinridge.
His grandfather. Judge Breckinridge, canie from Paris, Kentucky, to
Fincastle, in Brown County, in 1804. J"^§f Breckinridge married a Miss
Wright, of Bourbon County, Kentucky. They had thirteen children, six
daughters and seven sons. William, the third son, is the father of our
subject. Judge Breckinridge bought a thousand acres of land near Fin-
castle, which he afterward sold and removed to Pontiac, Illinois, some
time in the forties. In 1834, William Breckinridge, the father of the sub-
ject of our sketch, with four other families, moved from Brown County
to Livingston County, Illinois, but not being satisfied, he returned after
a few days' stay in Illinois, to Clinton County, Indiana, where he died on
the fifteenth of August, 1846.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHB8 OW
Judge Robert Breckinridge was bom September 27, 1774, in Rock-
bridge County, Virginia. His wife (Mary Wright), was bom September
17, 1774, in the same county. They removed to Bourbon Gxinty, Ken-
tucky, where eight of their children were bom. He moved to Eagle
Township in 1808, and while there served one terra as Associate Judge.
In distributing his land, he gave elach of his sons one hundred acres, and
each of his daughters fifty acres, and sold the remainder of his land to
Isaac Earles, when he emigrated to Illinois in the Spring of 1836. He
served as Associate Judge of Brown County from 1825 to 1836. He died
September 23, 1838. He was Captain of a company in the War of 1812.
The mother of our subject was a daughter of David McCreight. He, with
three other brothers, emigrated from South Carolina and settled in Scott
Township, near Tranquility.
William P. Breckinridge, our subject, married Eliza N. Campbell,
daughter of Major Robert Campbell, one of the pioneers of Buck Run,
He, with five brothers, emigrated from Buck Run, Rockbridge County,
Virginia, and all settled in Scott Township. Their descendants are
scattered through the West. Our subject came to Ohio in the Fall of
1848 to Brown County, and went to school to John Eadinfield, who is still
living. He came to Scott Township, Adams County, March i, 1849, ^^^
he was married on the twenty-fifth of December, 1872. They have seven
sons and two daughters. His father and grandfather were Democrats
in their political associations, but all the family were members of the As-
sociate Reform Church at Cherry Fork. Our subject is a Republican
and a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Tranquility.
He enlisted in Company G, 172nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on the
second of May, 1864, and served until the third of September, 1864.
Samuel Laird was the Captain of the company and William A. Blair was
Second Lieutenant.
A friend that has known him for thirty years says that he is beyond
reproach as a man, a citizen, a neighbor and Christian gentleman. He
has been an elder of the United Presbyterian Church at Tranquility for
forty years.
I4irlrf» N. CoTerty
of Wamsley, was bom in Brown County, Ohio, January 19, 1832. His
father was Tillman Covert and his mother, Mary A. Riley. October 15,
1854, he married Martha A. Dalton, daughter of George W. Dalton, of
Brown County, by whom he has had the following children : Nancy A.,
Arthur N., Mary P., Sarah M., Martha E., and Samuel L. In 1861, he
enlisted as a Private in Company G, 70th R^ment, O. V. I., and par-
ticipated in the many battles in which that regiment was engaged, from
Shiloh till his honorable discharge at Fort McAlister, Decem^r 31, 1864.
Mr. Covert is a farmer, and affiliates with the Republican party. He
is not a member of any church.
William O. Oampbell,
of Peebles, was born at Locust Grove, in Adams County, August 10,
1873. His father was James Q. Campbell and his mother's maiden name
was Catherine J. Manahan. She was married May 28. 1849, to Charles
Wilford Young. He died May 7, 1856, and she married James Q. Camp-
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700 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
bell, November 17, i860. As the name implies, Mr. Campbell is de-
scended from Scottish Highlanders. His father's parents were bora in
Maryland and removed, when yoimg, to Butler County, Pennsylvania,
where they resided until his father's death. His grandj^ents located in
Maryland about 1765. James Q. Campbell was a member of the State
Militia of Pennsylvania for five years. He was a member of the Militia
of Ohio for five years, and served as a Private in Company K, 141st O.
V. 1., m 1864. Our subject's mother was bora in Adams County in 1830
and reared there. She is of the Tener and Porter families who settled in
Maryland in 1700, emigrating from Holland and Wales. These two
families located in Ohio in 1802, part settling in Adams County and a
part in Ross County.
Our subject was educated in the Public schools of his home and
began teaching in 1890 at Jaybird. He taught thereafter in the Winters
and attended Normal Schools in the Summers of 1890, 1891 and 1892.
From 1892 to 1894, he attended school and completed his studies in Cleve-
land, in 1894. From that time till 1898, he followed the profession of
school teacher.
In 1898, he quit thei profession of teaching and took up that of travel-
ing salesman for art works and has made his business a great success. In
politics, he is, and has always been, a Republican. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. At present he is pushing a patent, No.
633,503, known as the C. & M. self-adjusting gig saddle for all kinds of
haraess. In this enterprise, he is associated with William Mickey, of
Peebles, and they are making arrangements for the manufacture of their
patented device. Their invention seems to have great merit and it is to
he hoped they will make their fortunes by it.
Our subject is an ambitious young man. He early qualified himself
as a teacher and showed himself very efficient and competent in that pro-
fession. Everywhere he taught, he won the good-will and friendship of
his pupils and their parents. His success prompted further efforts and
he attended a number of Normal schools and took up the study of higher
branches. He also took a business course. He has successfully carried on
an extensive work for a publishing house. He is of a genial and social
nature and is fond of music. He has good conversational qualities. He
is free from the use of spirits, liquors and narcotics. He is very energetic
and industrious, and is disposed to lead in everything he undertakes.
Mr. Campbell has all those qualities which promise for him great
success in life.
Jokm Pattern Oaskey
was born January i, 1849. His father was Alexander Caskey and his
mother was Larissa Patton, born in Wayne Township. He attended the
District school and the North Liberty Academy, and labored on his father's
farm until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he became a trader.
On November 9, 1872, he was married to Tina Patton, daughter of George
Patton, of Harshaville, and in 1873, he located at Harshaville, and re-
mained there until 1889, farming and merchandising. In December, 1889.
he went to Portsmouth, where he is the junior partner in the firm of Harsl^
& Caskey. They built a mill in 1889, in Portsmouth, and have been en-
gaged in milling ever since. He had one son by his first wife, George,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 70t
born January i, 1874. He is now a student at the Ohio State University,
taking a mechanical and engineering course. His first wife died on the
seventh of Septeniber, 1876, and in November, 1889, he was married to
Miss Alma Fulton, of Bratton Township, Adams County.
Mr. Caskey has never sought or held public office. He has always
been a Republican and thinks he always will be, in any event, so long as
that party holds to its present tenets. He is regarded as one of the best
business men in the city of Portsmouth.
I>r. Jokm CaaiplMll
is, on his father's Side, of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather, William
Campbell, came to this country shortly after the Revolutionary War, and
settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a section of the country
largely populated by Presbyterians from the North of Ireland and Scot-
land. They have been commonly known as "Scotch-Irsh," presumably
from the fact that their ancestry, and it may also be added, their Presby-
terianism, both were derived from Scotland. William Campbell
was a member of Chartier's Presbyterian Church, the pastor of
which was Dr. John McMillan, a very celebrated divine of those
days and the founder of Jefferson College. The father of Dr. John
Campbell, named John Campbell, lived on the old farm until 1846,
when he moved with his family to Adams County, Ohio, near
Youngsville, where one son, Richard Campbell, and two daughters
now reside. Dr. John Campbell was bom in Washington County,
Pennsylvania, February 9, 1828, entered Jefferson College in 1843
and graduated in 1847, receiving the degree of A. B.., and later the
degree of M. A. He then came to Adams County, taught school and
studied medicine with Dr. Coleman in West Union in 185 1 and 1852. He
practiced medicine at Tranquility until the commencement of the Civil
War. In 1861, he united with Captain John T. Wilson in recruiting
Company E, of the 70th Regiment and was commissioned as First Lieu-
tenant of the company, becoming, in process of time. Captain of Com-
pany I, of the same regiment, serving irom October i, 1861, to November
4, 1864. He afterwards practiced medicine at West Union until 1870,
when he removed to Delhi, Ohio, where he continued in the practice of
his profession until 1885. He was then appointed Medical Referee in the
Bureau of Pensions, and removed to Washington, D. C. On the change
of administration in 1889, he resigned and obtained an appointment as
Inspector of the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York. This
he continues to liold and has charge of the district composed of the States
of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the
District of Columbia, with headquarters at Philadelphia, Pennslyvania,
where he now lives. The maternal granfdfathcr of Dr. Campbell was
James Perry, of Shenandoah County, Virgmia, who was bom in that state
and whose family had been settled there in Colonial times. The history
of the family on this side of the house is very incomplete, but we know
that some members of his maternal grandmother's family (Feeley) served
in the Revolutionary War, and one of them, Captain Timothy Feeley, re-
ceived from the Government a large grant of land in what afterwards be-
came Highland County, Ohio, for his services.
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702 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY .
Dr. Campbell was first married to Hattie Whitacre, daughter of Amos
Whitacre, of Loudon County, Virginia, who at her death left a scm, Amos
Campbell, now a respected citizen living near YoungsvilleL On October
13, 1869, he was married to Esther A. Cockerill, daughter of General J. R.
Cockerill. They have had one s<mi and two daughters. One of the
daughters, Mabel, died in infancy. The other, Helen M. Campbell, is
their only child. The son, Joseph Randolph Campbell, an Ensign in the
United States Navy, died of typhoid fever during the recent War with
Spain. A separate sketch of him will be found herein.
Dr. John Campbell might have gone into the Civil War as a surgeon,
but this he declined to do, and went in as a line officer in the famous com-
pany raised by the Hon. John T. Wilson. The record of the 70th O. V. I.
will show what valiant service he perfwmed for his country. Dr. Camp-
bell has always been noted for his modest and unassuming nianners and
his diffident disposition, but he never failed in any duty before him and
has always filled the important public positions held by him with the
highest credit to himself and with great satisfaction to all concerned. He
is a man of the highest integrity and commands the confidence and en-
joys the highest respect of all who know him.
Tkomas W. OoanoUey,
of Manchester, Ohio, was born near Brady ville, Ohio, September 21,
1839. His parents were Perry T. and Nancy (Burbage) Connolley. His
mother was a daughter of Eleven and Sarah Burbage. Perry T. Con-
nolley, his father, was bom near Hagerstown, Maryland, February 7,
1810. His mother was born near Bradyville, Ohio, August 26, 1822.
His grandfather Burbage came from Maryland and settled near Brady-
ville. (See sketch of Burbage family in this book.)
Our subject was educated in the Public schools of Manchester under
William L. McCalla, th«e celebrated school teacher. His first school days
were spent at the old Cropper schoolhouse in Sprigg Township and at the
Horton Chapel in Bradyville. He entered the army on the fourteenth of
October, 1861, at Camp Hamer, in West Union, and served as a member
of Company F, 70th O. V. I., until discharged August 14, 1865. He was
present and took part in the following battles: Shiloh, Russell House,
Corinth, Holly Springs, Memphis, Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Missionary
Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope, Big Shanty, Kenesaw, July 22, 1864,
near Atlanta; July 28, 1864, near Atlanta ; Jonesboro, Statesboro, Lovejoy
Station, Averysboro, Trenton, Atlanta, Bentonville, Columbia and Fort
McAlister. He was in Sherman's March to the Sea and in the march to
Washington, D. C. At the battle of Mississippi, he saved two wounded
soldiers of the 90th Illinois from death by exposure to the chilly atmos-
phere. For twenty-five years past, he has held the offices of Marshal,
Deputy Marshal and Constable of Manch tester. In April, 1897, he was
elected Justice of the Peace of Manchester Township, which office he
still holds. He has been a Notary Public for sixteen years. In politics, he
is a Republican and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln
in i860. He was a member of the County Republican Executive Com-
mittee for six years, and was a delegate to the Republican State Convention
three times.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 708
His religious views are expressed in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
of which he is a member at Manchester, and he has been connected with
the Sunday School of that church for fifty years. He has been an active
and earnest member of the Grand Army of the Republic since 1867, and
has held the following official positions in said organization: Adjutant of
the Post, Chaplain, Sergeant, Major Post Commander, Post Ccmimander
' Inspector, Installing Officer, Delegate, Commander of Battalion. He was
a member of the Department Staff for five years and a member of the
National Staff for three years. He was a member of the National Con>
mittee in 1892. He was Chairman of the Battle of Shiloh Association at
Indianapolis one year.
On June 4, 1872, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Ramsey, by
Rev. J. R. Gibson. They have one daughter, Cora E. Connolley.
Our subject enjoys the enviable distinction of having saved four
people from' drowning. He is life Secretary of the 70th O. V. I. Regi-
mental Association, and is always found in the front rank in any G. A. R.
Reunion, and in all patriotic work.
#ohm DoBalsom Oomptom
was bom in Manchester, Ohio, in 1844. The same year his father re-
moved to the vicinity of Winchester, where he spent his boyhood until
1857, when his father removed to near Hillsboro, Ohio, and in i860, he
removed to Harveysburg, Warren County, Ohio. While residing there
with his father, he enlisted in Company F, 12th O. V. I., January 28, 1861,
for three years, and was transferred to Company H, 23d O. V. L, July i,
1864. The 1 2th O. V. 1. was in eleven battles and engagements from
July 21, 1861, to June 17, 1864, as follows: Scarey Creek, Gauley Bridge,
Camifix Ferry, West Virginia; Bull Run Bridge, Virginia; Frederick,
South Mountain and Antietam, Maryland; Cloyd Mountain and Lynch-
burg, Virg^niia, and Fayetteville, West Virgfinia. His captain was Harri-
son Gray Otis, who is a Bragadier General in the Army in the Philippines.
It will be remembered that the famous 23d O. V. I. was President
McKinleys rc^fimiOit. The President was FHrst Lieutjenant of^ Com-
panies E, A, and K in that regiment and Second Lieutenant of Cc«i-
pany D.
After his return ivom the war, our subject attended school at
Harveysburg the following winter, and from 1866 to 1869, he was en-
gaged in business with his father at Rome. In the latter year he went to
Portsmouth, Ohio, where he was employed in the dry goods house of
Rumsey, Roads & Reed, and later with . H. Wait & Son, in the furniture
business.
In 1874, he was married to Miss Mattie W. Mathews, of Cincinnati,
They had two children : William M., who died in 1898, and a daughter
now in the High School.
In 1872 and 1873. he was employed astravcHng salesman for the
Sheboygan Chair Company ; in 1878, he removed to Cincinnati and was
employed as bookkeeper, first, with Butterworth & Company, and for
twelve years with F. I. Billings & Company, furniture dealers.
He has lived at Dayton. Kentucky, since 1883, and served on the
Board of Education and on the Board of Health of that city. He is now
Deputy United States Marshal at Covington, Kentucky.
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704 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Adolpk GAdett*
Adolph Caden was bom in the Province of Saxe-Weimar, Germany^
April 22, 1844. His father, Carl W. Caden, was a descendant of the
family of Von Caden, and the last of that name, which is correctly spelled
"Kaden." His father was extensively interested in the iron indusfay,
operating a large mill or "Hammer-werk," but he disposed of a pOTtioa
of his property and came to the United States in 1849, bringing with him"
six children. He settled first in Virginia, and afterwards came to Ken-
tucky, where he farmed near the headwaters of Kinnikinnick. From
there he moved to Buena Vista, Scioto County, Ohio, where he purchased
an interest in the stone quarries lying in Adams and Scioto Counties. The
subject of this sketch was sixteen years of age when his father moved to
Buena Vista. He entered the business college in Cincinnati and assisted
in the office of the stone quarry and in the stone mill until 1862, when he
enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to duty on the
gunboat, "Clara Dalton," which then lay at the mouth of the Ohio.
During this service, he became disabled permanently.
In 1 87 1, he was married to Miss Josephine Sturm, daughter of Julius
Sturm, a prcMninent professor of music of Philadelphia, and later of
Cincinnati. The stone company in which he was interested was quarrying
stone in both Adams and Scioto Counties. When the present Buena Vista
Freestone Company was organized, he became a stockholder in it and
they leased the land of Wm. Flagg, which extended north of Buena Vista
in Adams and Scioto Counties, but the principal part of which is in
Adams. The quarrying of stone, selecting of sites for quarrying and
operation of the same, were under the immediate superintendence of
Adolph Caden, who possessed a thorough knowledge of such work.
He was much interested in geology and was a true lover of nature.
During this time, he lived at Rockville in Adams County. Afterwards he
removed to Buena Vista and later to Portsmouth, where he connected
himself with the Otway and Carey's Run quarries. He died at Ports-
mouth, Ohio, on the seventh day of January, 1897, after a severe attack
of pneumonia. He hSad been able to obtain but few educational ad-
vantages, but was a general reader and kept in touch with the evenfs of
his times. He was a great believer in education and an educational quali-
fication for the right of the ballot. He was a member of the Republican
party, but always studied every view of political questions. As an em-
plo)rer, he had the personal interest of his men at heart and did what he
could for their comfort and happiness.
Mr. Caden, if noted for any one trait of character more than another,
was noted for his human sympathy. He felt for all those about him who
had any claim to his sympathy and he expressed it in a practical way
which won the hearts of those who received such expressions. His soul
was full of charity for all men, and he was always willing to take his
acquaintances at their own estimate of themselves. In judging of his
fellows, he always aimed to leave oqt all selfish views. When he saw a
course, which, in his careful judgment, he deemed right, no adverse
criticism prevented his following it. While a German by birth, he was
an ardent and loyal American in his feelings. He was a valuable and
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 705
usetful citizen, and though his life was apparently uneventful, yet in its
own course he managed to perform a great number of good deeds.
He was a Master Mason and a member of the First Presbyterian
Church of Portsmouth, Ohio. His wife survives him and an only child
and daughter, the wife of John H. Jenkins, of Portsmouth, Ohio.
Oaptaiii G«orse Gollimss
was bom in Highland County, Ohio, September 28, 1839. He attended
school at West Union from his sixth year until the opening of the Civil
War. He enlisted in Company D, 24th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, June 13,
1 861, and was made Second Sergeant at the organization of the company.
He was made Second Lieutenant on October 7, 1862, and First Lieutenant
on April 21, 1864, and was transferred to Company D, i8th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, April 27, 1864. He was made Captain, December 21,
1864. He was placed on detached duty as Acting Commissary 6i
Musters, May 13, 1865. and stationed at Chattanooga until October 9,
1865, when he was mustered out. He participated in the following battles :
Cheat Mountain, West Virginia: Greenbrier, West Virginia; Shilo,h,
Tennessee; Corinth, Miss.: Peryville, Kentucky; Stone River, Tennessee;
Woodbury, Tennessee; Tullahoma Campaign; Chickamauga. Georgia;
Lookout Mountain, Tenn. : Mission Ridge, Tennessee ; Ringgold. Georgia ;
Buzzard Roost, Georgia : Nashville, Tenn. ; and Decatur, Alabama. At
the battle of Murfreesboro, he was shot by a musket ball which plowed a
groove across the top of his head from front to rear. He fell and was left
on the field for dead. His own command was driven back and a burying
party found him and was about to bury him. One of the party claimed he
was not dead and he was given the benefit of the doubt and sent to the
hospital He did not become conscious for three weeks, and in the mean-
time, his companions reported him dead and buried. A. C. Smith wrote
his obituary and it was published in the West Union Scion, Captain
Collings had the pleasure of reading it after he recovered sufficiently, and
he is the only man who ever lived in Adams County who has read his own
obituary.
After the war, he returned to Adams County and studied law under
the tuition of E. P. Evans. He was admitted to the practice in the Fall
of 1866. In the same Fall, he was elected Probate Judge of Adams
County to fill an unexpired term to February, 1867, and also the Fall Tefrm
from February, 1867, to February, 1870.
On February 25, 1867, he was married to Miss Harriet A. Brad-
ford (as Probate Judge, issuing the license himself). He remained at
West Union in thel practice of the law until October, 1871, when he re-
moved to Marengo, Iowa. When he reached there, he found the county
in the threes of a county seat contest, and as he had just passed through one
in Adams County, he fled and located at Indianola, Iowa, where he spent
the remainder of his life. At Infdianola, he held the office of Justice of the
Peace and County Attorney. The hardships of his military life brought
on pulmonary consumption of which he died on July 24, 1882. He' died
while holding the position of County Attorney. He was of a quiet and
retiring disposition. While he showed himself fully competent for all the
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706 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
offices he ever held, yet he was not a man to push himslf forward. He had
a great deal of dry humor and was a very pleasant and agreeable com-
panion.
Politically, he was always a Republican. His death was due as much
to his army service as if he had died in battle. He had one son who died an
infant. Ralph, his second son, resides with his mother in Indianola, Iowa.
a native of Adams County, bom August i8, 1834, made a career of which
every citizen of the county may be proud. He was bom at West Union
while his father, James Mitchell Cole, was the Sheriflf of the county. His
father, who has a sketch elsewhere herein, was a man of strong and sterl-
ing character and of wonderful physique. His mother was Nancy Collings,
sister of Judge George Collings, a woman of like great force of character.
The first fifteen years of his life were spent on the Ohio River farm
in Monroe Township, where he attended the District school. He then
went to school at Manchester, Ohio, to William McCauky, a famous in-
stmctor of his time. After he left McCauley's school, he assisted his
brother, Collings Cole, in the management of a furnace in Kentucky until
the age of twenty, when he b^;an the study of law in Portsmouth under
the instmction erf his kinsman, Col. James W. Davis, then a member of
the Portsmouth bar. He was admitted to the bar in 1856 and located in
Piketon, then the county seat of Pike County. He remained there until
after the removal of the county seat, when he removed to Waverly. The
next year after locating in Pike County, he was elected to the office of
Prosecuting Attorney, which office he held by successive elections for
twelve consecutive years. In the administration of his public duties, he
ccwnmanded the respect and confidence of all the people of the community.
He soon rose to be the leader of the bar, and his reputation as an able
lawyer was well known in the surrounding counties. He had a natural
talent for management. His judgment was correct in all matters in
which it was exercised. His neighbors, acquaintances and friends sought
his advice in business matters, and never in a single instance, did it fail. He
never made a losing venture, and never advised any which proved dis-
astrous. The same remarkable judgment which he exercised in the
aflfairs of others, he exercised in his own, and never made a mistake in the
management of his own business. Going to the county with only his
wonWerful natural abilities, he accumulated a fortune and never en-
countered a disaster.
In 1858, he was married to Miss Finetta Jane Jones, eldest daughter
of James Jones, a prominent citizen of the county. Their only child, Adah
D., is the wife of Wells S. Jones, Jr., conducting the Hayes, Jones & Com-
pany Bank in Waverly. While Mr. Cole loved the association of his
fellow citizens, he had no taste for politics. Up to 1872, he was a Demo-
crat. In 1873, he indentified himself with the Republican party and the
same year was a candidate for the nomination of Common Pleas Judge.
From this date, he acted independently in politics, but on financial ques-
tions, the Republican party represented his views. In 1873, he became a
member of the banking firm of Hayes, Jones & Co., and here his peculiar
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 707
talents found exercise. He had a natural adaptation for the banking busi-^
ncss, and he was a tower of strength in the institution. Every one fdt
and knew that he would make no mistake in the management of the bank
and permit none to be made. His bank enjoyed the confidence of the
community, and was estimated as strong and safer than the National
banks. Gradually the banking business absorbed all his time and atten*
tion, and he gave up the practice of the law little by little until in 1885 ho
abandoned it altogether. He was a naural bom financier. He never made
a promise but it was fulfilled with exactitude, and his integrity was of the
very highest order.
While he was always prompt to decide on any situation presented to
him, his judgment always stood the test of trial and proved the best course.
At the time of his death, he had the confidence of the people of his county
in financial matjf rs to a greater degree than any other man who ever lived
in it. Without exception, they would and did trust him (without limi-
tation).
He was a man of fine and commanding presence, six feet tall and
well proportioned. He was positive, emphatic and earnest in all his views,
1)ut at the same time an agreeable and pleasant companion. He became
so absorbed in business and there were so many demands on his time, that,
while naturally a robust man, he neglected those details of recreation and
exercise necessary to good health and was stricken with paralysis and died
February 9, 1899. ^t is believed by his friends that had he taken relaxa-
tion, recreation and exercise, he might have prolonged his life twenty
years, but the cares of business were so exacting and his constitution
naturally so good, that he neglected those details which would have saved
him many years. He died in the height of his powers, physicial and
mental, and in the midst of a busy career, but he left his banking business
one of the best and strongest in the country.
His wife was in feeble health at the time of his death and survived
him but little over two months.
Of the many sons of Adams County who have located elsewhere and
had successful careers, none was more marked than that of our subject,
and to his ancestors and to his instruction in his early years, he owed
it all.
Mrs. Hamnmb Amanda Oorjell.
Hannah A. Briggs was born December 26, 1839, in Adams County.
She was the youngest daughter of George Briggs and Rachael Blake, his
wife. Her father was a farmer residing two miles east of West Union.
As a girl, she was bright and quick and readily acquired all the educaticMi
her opportunities offered. Her aunt, Mrs. Harriet A. Grimes, wife of
Noble Grimes, resided in West Union, and our subject spent much of her
childhood and girlhood at the home of her aunt who bestowed on her that
wealth of affection and guiding care which she would have bestowed on
her own child had she been blessed with one. Aunt Harriet Grimes was
a mother to Hannah Briggs, more to her than her own mother, because
she spent most of her time with her aunt. She attended school in West
Union and soon qualified herself for a teacher in the Public schools, an
avocation which she began as early as the age of sixteen. Her elder sister
Mary went to Minnesota in 1852 and became a missionary there.
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708 HISTORY OP ADAMS OOUlnY
George Briggs, his wife and daughter Harriet went to Minnesota in
1858 and afterward made that their heme. From that time until her death
on February 8, 1874, Aunt Harriet Grimes took the place of Miss Briggs'
mother. Miss Briggs was born with a faculty of pleasing those about her.
As a young girl, she obtained and held the affection of all who knew her.
Placed in any situation, no matter how trying or perplexing, she knew
what to do at once and did it without any ostentation or display of any
kind. When young, she intinctively knew the best and most pleasing
service she" could render her women friends of mature age and she always
rendered it voluntarily and without ever being requested. Hence, she was
always popular with and loved by those of her own sex of mature age.
As a young woman, she had all those charms of character, those virtues
of ideal wc«nanhood that most attract the other sex. She had admirers
and suitors, but she gave her hand and heart to John Wrley McFerran,
who had been her teacher in the Public school at West Union, and who
was a practicing lawyer at the West Union bar They were married June
27> 1858, while she was on a visit to her parents in Minnesota. They took
up their home in West Union where they spent nearly four years of ideal
happy married life. In this period tbexe were bom to them three
children — ^a boy who died in infancy ; Minnie, the wife of Dr. William K.
Coleman, and John W., who died at the age of seven years. But the
happiness of her early married life! was rudely disturbed by the Civil
War. In December, 1861, her husband went to the front as Major of the
70th O. V. I., and was destined to lay down his life for his country which
he did on the third day of October, 1862. Thus Mrs. McFerran was left
alone with two young children to fight the battle of life, and here the noble
qualities of her mind and heart came out. Every one sympathized with
her and every one respected and loved her She, of course, received her
proper pension at once and on the twenty-seventh day of September, 1866,
she was appointed postmistress at West Union, and held that office until
October 26, 1869, when she resigned.
On the twdnty-fourth of November, 1869, she was married to Judge
James L. Coryell. He was a widower with three grown children, and to
his son, who always resided with them, she was a mother in every sense of
the term. She and the Judge lived happily together until his death. January
7, 1892. Thereafter, until her last illness, she and her step-son, William
Coryell, resided in the Coryell home. She departed this life, November
3, 1898. She made her home a place of delight for those who belonged in
it and a pleiisure for those who visited it. Her friends were all those who
knew her. If she had an enemy, he or she would be ashamed to own it.
No one ever did own to harboring unfriendly or unkindly feelings toward
her. She carried sunlight with her wherever she went. But her strong
point was the house of affliction and sorrow. There all her great qualities
shone to the best advantage. She was a woman of very few words, hardly
any words at all, but she did not need words to express her sympathy.
Her acts were more expressive, more eloquent and more appreciated by
the recipients of them. If she went into a sick room and there was any-
thing she saw could be done, she did not ask permission to do it, she
simply did it and did it in such a way as to make those about her feel that
the doing of it came from her heart. If she went to the house of moum-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 709
ing and thought of anything she could do, she did it without words. She
had this faculty from a girl. It may be said to have been born with her.
All of her good works were done without self-consciousness. They came
from the goodness of her own heart and they went to the hearts of those
who observed them.
Martin Cos
was one of the solid men of the Irish Bottoms in Greene Township. He
was born August 6, 1811, in Sussex County, Nejw Jersey At the age of
four years, his parents brought him to Ohio and settled near Sandy
Springs. Here Mr. Cox resided nearly all his life. On April 18, 1834,
he married Catherine Murphy, daughter of Recompense Murphy. Our
subject raised to manhood and womanhood, eight children, six daughters
and two sons. Mary C, the eldest daughter, is the wife of the Rev. J. W.
Dillori, Presiding Elder of the M. E. Church in the Portsmouth District.
They have a family of sons and daughters, grown up and married. Anna
M. married George M. Laflferty, of Rome, and they have three sons and a
daughter. She died in August, 1874. Matilda J. married Race Wikoff,
of Rome. Rebecca Emily married Jonathan Tracy, son of Noah Tracy,
long a resident of Adams County. They reside in Columbus, Ohio.
Juliette is the wife of Nelson Fisher, a prominent business man of Vance-
burg, Ky. Amy White married Capt. Bruce Redden. They now reside
in Columbus. James Alonzo married a daughter of John Elliot. He died
in 1889. leaving her with three small children, two daughters and a son.
They reside in West Union. John M., the youngest, is a prosperous busi-
ness man of Vanceburg, Ky. His wife is a daughter of Captain John
Bruce.
Martin Cox was an honest, industrious man. In early life, he fol-
lowed the business of boat building and gave employment to a number
of men. He owned the farm now occupied by Mr. Dryden in the Irish
'Bottoms. Here he reared his family and spent most of his life. In 1880,
he sold his farm and moved to Rome, where he resided until his death,
which occurred in 1888. He was gentle and kind to his family, a good
neighbor, honorable in all his dealings, loyal to his country, and was a
Christian gentleman. He read much and kept himself well informed on
public affairs. He was a good and acceptable member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church for many years and died in its communion. His widow
survives at the age of eighty-five and is quite active. She resides in
Rome, Ohio. Mr. Cox raised a family of sons and daughters, all fine
looking and all good men and women.
Among his grandsons and granddaughters are some of the finest
specimens of manhood and wcwnanhood. While his life was an unevefntful
one, yet his family and descendants speak well for their training. All are
doing well in the activities of this life.
Samuel Onlbertson
was born June 15, 1802. in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, of a long line
of honorable and distinguished ancestors, as appears in the genealogy of
the Culbertson family, published by a member thereof. His father, Colonel
John Culbertson, was Brigade Inspector of Militia in Pennsylvania. His
mother's maiden name was Mary Angeer. He had a good common school
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710 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
education, and wh«tn a youth of seventeen, he became a clerk in the mer-
cantile establishment of A. W. Chambers, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania,
When of age, he entered into the mercantile business for himself at Green-
wood, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1834.
On September 16, 1834, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Kennedy,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Directly after his marriage, he removed
to West Union, Adams County, Ohio, and there engaged in the mercantile
business. He remained there but two years, when he went to Knights-
town, Indiana, where he engaged in the same business with C. S. Camp-
bell and S. Chambers. While there the panic of 1837 struck them and
they were financially ruined. They took four thousand dollars of the
best of commercial paper to Cincinnati and could raise but fifteen hundred
dollars on it. However, Mr. Culbertson was not discouraged. In 1838,
he removed to Washington, Washington County, Iowa, and engaged in
the mercantile business there, selling goods to the Indians under the pro-
tection of the United States troops. He was made a County Judge of that
county and served four years. In 1844, he returned with his family to
Greenup County, Kentucky, and took charge of the Greenup Furnace. In
1850, feeling that his health was failing, he removed to West Union, Ohio,
where he purchased Mount Pleasant, the former home of Rev. John Gra-
ham, D. D., and here he spent the remainder of his life. After his removal
to West Union, he purchased and held an interest in the Vinton Furnace.
Mr. Culbertson was always of an intensely religious temperament-
He was brought up a Presb)rterian, and was a member of that church from
early manhood. He was an elder in the church at Washington, Iowa, and
was ordained an elder in the church at West Union, Ohio, June 17, 1853.
He filled the office with great credit, both to himself and to the church.
In his political views, he was a Whig. He was always opposed to
the institution of slavery, and was in favor of a protective tariff and of in-
ternal improvements. He was a man of judicial temperament, of strict
integrity, and of the highest character. He was refspected by all who
knew him, and in ever}^ relation of life he lived up to his ideals. He pos-
sessed a great dignity of character which was never at any time lowered or
relaxed. As it was, he lived a life which any man might envy, but had
he possessed a robust constitution, he would have accomplished much
more.
He had a family of four sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Wil-
liam Wirt Culbertson, bom in 1836, was a Captain of Company F, 27th
O. V. I. He entered the service August i, 1861, and resigned March 28,
1864. He became a resident of Ashland, Kentucky, and married the
daughter of Thomas W. Means, Esq., by whom ha has a family. He was
at one time a member of Congress from the Ashland, Kentucky, district.
He IS not retired from all business, and is a resident of the State of
Florida.
His second son, Kennedy R. Culbertson, born in 1840, was Captain
of Company F, 91st O. V. I. He enlisted July 28, 1862, and was dis-
charged September 19, 1864. He died soon after the war.
His son, Samuel B. Culbertson, is still living. His youngest son,
John Janeway Culbertson, died soon after attaining his majority. His
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 711
daughter, Mary E., also died of consumption in early womanhood. His
wife died at West Union.
Mr. Culbtfrtson died in April, 1865, and both he and his wife are
buried in the old South Cemetery at West Union, Ohio. 'He was a just
man, whose memory is still fragrant among his old neighbors who still
survive.
Dr. David Colei
was bom in Washington County, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1822. He
was the fifth child in a family of six. His ancestors had been in this
country prior to the Revolution. His parents removeJd to Ohio, and at
twenty-three years of age, he began the study of medicine. In 1849, he
graduated at Western Reserve College at Cleveland, Ohio. The same
year he located in West Union as a physician. Here he remained all of
his life except two years' residence in Ironton, prior to the war, and a
short time during the war, he resided in Ironton, exercising the office of
Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment. He was married November 5,
1 85 1, to Miss Elizabeth Campbell Kirker, daughter of William Kirker and
his wife, Esther Williamson.
Dr. Coleman soon became the leading physician in his community
and so remained during his life. He was the only physician who re-
mained in West Union during the entire epidemic of cholera in 1851. His
practice was a hatid one, requiring so much riding on horseback in all
kinds of weather, but he never hesitated at any hardship in the line of his
profession.
In his political views, Dr. Coleman was always anti-slavery and was
a Whig and Republican. He never sought or held public office nor would
his professional business permit it. He became! a member of the Presby-
terian Church in West Union in 1853 and was faithfully devoted to it all
his life. He was made a ruling elder and served in that capacity the re-
mainder of his life. Physically and mentally, he was a large man. He
made a fine appearance anywhere and had a most dignified presence and
character. His heart was large and his sympathies active and easily
touched. He was courageous, conscientious and self-den)ring. He was
of a social nature, very fond of the society of his friends and greatly ap-
preciated by them. He was hospitable and generous, benevolent to the
poor and deserving. He was a pillar in his church, among his professional
brethren, in his party, and in the community. Dr. Coleman was naturally
a leader wherever he was placed. He has three sons, Dr. William K., his
eldest son, who has succeeded him in West Union and is filling his place
in the medical profession, church and state; Dr. Claude Coleman, a phy-
sician in Nebraska, his second son ; his third son, Clement, died in young
manhood.
Dr. Coleman died suddenly on Sunday afternoon, Decelnber 11, 1887,
of an apoplectic stroke, in his sixty-sixth year. His wife survived him.
Dr. David Coleman believed in the high principles of religion and
morality which he professed and lived. He earned and deserved the con-
fidence of the community and held it. He was respected and esteemed in
every relation of life. He aimed to conscientiously perform every simple
duty which presented itself to him and he did so. This made a good man
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712 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
and a great man of him, and were all men like him, there would be no
crime in the world and we would have a model republic.
His memory is fragrant to all who knew him and he should never be
forgotten in that community where his life's work was done.
Joseph Randolph Campbell.
Joseph Randolph Campbell, son of Dr. John and Esther C. Campbell,
was born in Delhi, Ohio, March 12, 1872. His education was commenced
in the Homel City and Delhi public schools and continued at Washington,
D. C, until September 29, 1888, when he entered the U. S. Naval Academy
at Annapolis, Md., as a Naval Cadet, under appointment by the Secretary
of the Navy to fill a vacancy from Wyoming Territory. He graduated
from the academy, June, 1892, with honor, and was assigned to the New-
ark, then about to sail for European waters as the representative of the
U. S. Navy in the Spanish and Italian Columbian celebrations. About
a year later he was transferred to the San Francisco, and was in the harbor
of Rio Janiero during the exciting times of the Brazilian revolt of '93 and
'94. In June, 1894, he returned to the Naval Academy for final examina-
tion, preceding his commission as Ensign. He came through this ordeal
with distinction, standing at the head of the line division of his class, and
was duly commissioned as an Ensign to date from July i, 1894. He was
assigned to duty on the New York, then the finest cruiser in the new Navy
and about to sail as our Nation's representative in the grand marine
pageant of the opening of the Kiel Canal. While at Kiel, he commanded
the boat of the New York which gained one of the races g^ven by tTie
German Emperor's Yacht Club, and received as the prize two silver cups
from Kaiser William. After serving on the New York the usual term,
he was transferred to the Alliance, a training ship for Naval apprentices,
for two cruises across the Atlantic and through the West Indies. Then
followed duty at the War College and Torpedo Station at Newport. R. I.,
until he was transferred to the Katahdin at the commencement of the re^
cent war with Spain. In April, 1898, while at Hampton Roads, he was
attacked by a sickness which later developed into an exceedingly severe
typhoid fever. His reluctance to be off his post under the war excitement,
until absolutely prostrated, added greatly to the intensity of the disease,
and possibly the overtaxation of his constitution by the efforts of continued
duty, gave the disease its fatal direction. However, after his impaired
health had lasted nearly a month under great strain, his ship having
reached Boston, he was taken to the Naval Hospital on May 4, and died
May 30, 1898, at noon, while a company of marines were decorating the
graves of departed heroes in the cemetery in the hospital grounds adjacent.
He came of a military and patriotic family. His great-grandfather,
Gemeral Daniel Cockerill, was a Lieutenant from Virginia in the War of
1812 and a Major General in the Ohio Militia. His grandfather, Joseph
Randolph Cockerill, was Colonel of the 70th Ohio Infantry in the Civil
War, and brevetted Brigadier General for bravery on the battlefield. His
uncle, Armstead Cocke^rill, Lieutenant Colonel of the 24th Ohio Infantry
in the Civil War, rose to that rank from private by sheer merit.
His classmates in the Naval Academy give unanimous testimony that
he was endowed with high and noble qualities of which he made the best
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ENSIGN JOSEPH RANDOLPH CAMPBELL
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKBTCHES 718
use. As an officer, he was admired by his juniors and esteemed by his
superiors for his sterling worth. At his final examinations he entered
the Naval service as the Senior Ensign of his class. Under circumstances
of great provocation, his self-control was admirable, and yet his modesty
was his most distinguishing characteristic. By his death, his classmates
lost a valued member and the Navy lost one of its brightest and most
promising officers.
Ensign Campbell was elected a Companion of the first class by in-
heritance from his grandfather. Brevet Brigadier General J. R. Cockerill,
in the Ohio Commandery of the Loyal Legion, on October 7, 1896, the
number of his insignia being 1 1 ,572. He was pure, high-minded and hon-
orable. During his brief career in the Navy, he had manifested talent and
ability of a very high order. The nobility of his character, his amiable
qualities, his efficiency and devotion to duty, had made for him friends of
all the officers with whom he served. The many letters of condolence
from them to his father and mother express their estimate of him and their
sense of their personal loss. A few are as follows: Captain Wilde, of
the Katahdin, says: *'I have seen many young men enter the Navy, but
never a better one than your son." Lieutenant Potter writes: "I learned
to like him sincerely, and recognized his unusual ability and high standard
of professional and personal conduct In his taking away, we are all be-
reaved, and my best wish for myself woufd be that when I shall go, my
character and my record shall be as stainless as his."
A classmate at Annapolis says: **As time progressecf, I learned to
like him more and more. He was one of the best men I ever knew or ever
care to know."
He was taken for burial to his father^s and mother's old home at
West Union, Ohio, where the people showed the greatest respect for his
memory by their attendance on his obsequies. He rests near his grand-
father and uncle (Cockerill), who so distinguished themselves for military
valor in the War of 1861.
** Sleep on, brave Son, where grandsire sleeps,
A nation still thy memory keeps,
And all her sons on land or sea.
Shall sacred in her memory be.'*
John A. Oookerill,
also known as Joseph Daniel Albert Cockerill, was born December 4, 1845,
at Locust Grove, Ohio, and died April 10. i8c/>. at Cairo, Egypt.
His grandfather, Daniel Cockerill, was a Lieutenant of Artillery in
the War of 1812, and was engaged at Craney Island. His brother. Arm-
stead Thompson Mason Cockerill, was First Lieutenant, Captain, Lieu-
tenant Colonel, and Colonel of the 24th O. \^. I. His uncle, Daniel T.
Cockerill, was Captain of Battalion F, First Ohio Light Artillery, and
was promoted to Captain of Battalion D, March 16, 1864. He was must-
ered out March 16, 1864.
His father, Joseph Randolph Cockerill, was Colonel, 70th O. V. L,
October 2, 1861, and resigned April 23, 1864. He was brevetted Brig-
adier General for gallantry on the field.
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714 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
John received such education as the common schools afforded but
his tastes ran to geography and history. He enlisted in the 24tn O. V. L
as a member of the band at the age of sixteen, on July i8, 1861, and was
mustered out Se^ptember 10, 1862, by order of the War Department, for
discharge of Regimental bands. He fought in the battle of Shiloh with
a musket. He was Colonel on the Staff of Governor William Allen in
1872. He learned to set type in the office of the Scion, at West Union.
He was Journal Clerk in the Legislature from 1868 to 1871, and srfter that
was an editor in Dayton and Hamilton. He accepted a reportorial posi-
tion under J. B. McCuIlough on the Cincinnati Enquirer, and latet became
its managing editor. He was special correspondent from the scenes of
the Russo-Turkish War in 1877. He was editor of the Washington Post,
Baltimore Gazette, and St. Louis Post Dispatch, Then he assumed the
place of managing editor of the New York World and built that paper
up. He next became editor of the New York Morning Advertiser and
the Commercial Advertiser, and afterwards accepted the position of special
war correspondent for the New York Herald to report the Chinese-
Japanese War in 1895, ^"^ ^^^ engaged in the service of the Herald at
the time of his de!ath. He was stricken with apc^lexy April 10, 1896, at
Shepherd's Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, and died in two hours, without regain-
ing consciousness. His body was brought home and buried in St. Louis,
Missouri.
He was a man of unusually kind disposition. No appeal by a friend
was ever made to him in vain. His goodness of heart and generosity of
nature are attested by innumerable acts of kindness, which keep him in
loving remembrance by all who knew him in friendly intimacy.
His sterling qualities as a man, as an editor, and as a friend, secured
his election as President 'of the New York Press Club four times succes-
sively.
He was a writer of great force and vigor, keen, witty, and an adept
in the use of argument or satire. No opening in the mail of an adversary
escaped the polished shaft of his wit.
His keen perception of character in others was so accurate that he
was always sustained by an editorial staff of unusual ability.
His letters from Japan are among the finest examples of English com-
position. The character of the people, their civilization, the genius of
their institutions and gov-efrnment, are so accurately set forth as to be al-
most a revelation to the people of the Western world. While there he
undertook a hazardous mission to Corea, on behalf of the Japanese Gov-
ernment. On his return from which, in recognition of that service, and of
the high esteem he had gained among that people, as a faithful historian
and journalist, the Emperor conferred on him "The Order of the Sacred
Treasure." Only two other men, other than Japanese noblemen, had ever
received this mark of distinction. The name of the first one is unknown
to the writer. Sir Edwin Arnold was the seccmd, and John A. Cockerill
the third.
He had been a Democrat until the administration of Prefsident Har-
rison, when he became a Republican and continued devoted to that party
during his life.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 715
Arauite»d Tkoatpson BlAson Coek^Hll*
son of Josq)h Randolph and Ruth Eylar Cockerill, was bom in Locust
Grove, Adams County, Ohio, in 1841. He was educated in the West
Union schools. At the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion, he was
twenty years old and had just commenced the study of law in his father's
office. He, however, took up the cause of the Union with great enthus-
iasm and began at once to enlist men for Captain Moses J. Patterson's
Company D, 24th O. V. I., for three months' service in which he was com-
missioned First Lieutenant, June 13, 1861. His company and regiment
re-efnlisted for three years, and on November 16, 1861, he was made Cap-
tain. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, December 31, 1862; to
Colonel, October 23, 1863. He was mustered out June 24, 1864. The
regiment was part of the Army of the Cumberland and took part in the
battles of Cheat Mountain, Greenbrier, West Virginia; Shiloh, Corinth,
Perryville, Woodbury, Tennessee; Tullahoma Campaign, Chickamauga,
Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Tennessee ; Ringgold, Buzzard Roost,
Georgia. He was a soldier of great gallantry, as his promotion would
indicate, and as Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded the regiment.
After the war, he lived in Hamilton, Ohio, but his health was im-
paired by long and arduous service, and he returned to West Union, Ohio,
where he died in 1870, and is buried beside his father. He left a son
named for himself and who is now residing in Hamilton, Ohio.
EUiot BL Collins
IS of English ancestry. His grandfather, John Collins, was born in Mary-
land in 1754. His wife was Sallie Henthom He had three sons and
four daughters. In 1800, he brought his family to Washington County,
Ohio. His son, Henry, was bom in 1779, and married Frances Ewart,
who was bom in County Armagh, Ireland. Our subject was their eldest
son, bom in Grandview Township in Washington County, April 23, 1812.
He married Elizabeth Rinard, March 19, 1835. They reared a family of
one son and three daughters, Lycurgus Benton Allen, Cleopatra Minerva,
Elizabeth Rebecca and Roxana Samantha. His wife died October 6, 1854,
and on March 28, 1858, he married Nancy McKay. She was bom in West
Virginia, January 15, 1824. Of Mrs. Collins* children, Cleopatra
Minerva married William Wikoff , and resides in McLean County, Illinois ;
Elizabeth Rebecca died August 24, 1868, at the age of twenty-seven years;
Roxana Samantha married Joseph Nagel, and resides in Morris County,
Kansas. His son lives in Wellington, Kansas, and is a farmer.
Mr. Collins came to Adams County in 1850, and located first in
Monroe Township and afterwards in the Irish Bottoms, where he now
resides. He was a man of great public spirit, and was always in the front
of any movement for the public good. He has been a Justice of the
Peace for forty-nine years, his first commission being signed by Govemor
Vance, March 31, 1838. In that time, he never committed a person to jail,
never had an appeal taken from any decision of his, never had a case from
his docket taken up on error, never had a bond he took forfeited. He has
married over seven hundred couples and always presented the bride with
the wedding fee the groom gave him, He has often gone twenty miles
to perform a marriage ceremony and has had parties come twenty-five
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716 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
miles to him to be married. He has married more than fifty couples at
night at his own home. He had an arrangement with the County Judge
of Lewis County, Ky., to obtain licenses and has married more than fifty
couples from Kentucky. He has often performed three marriages in one
day, and it was a common thing for two couples to come together to get
married. Of the years he was Justice of the Peace, twelve years were in
Washington County, six in Monroe Township, in Adams County, and the
remaining eighteen in Green Township, Adams County. He has been a
Democrat all his life, never missed a political convention when he could
get to it, never missed an election and never scratched a ticket. He is a
member of the Christian Union Church on Beasley's Fork. He is one of
the best farmers in the Irish Bottoms, where he lives in ease and comfort.
He is a good friend, a kind neighbor, and a citizen proud of his country.
He and his wife are enjoying the days of their old age. For his years,
he has the most powerful lungs and a remarkable constitution. He bears
up under the infirmities of age, though they were but temporary, and when
he is called, he will answer "ready,'* and go, ready to give an account of
the deeds done in the body. No man enjoys the company of his friends
better than he, and no one is ever happier to have them visit him. Since
the preparation of this sketch his wife died in December, 1899.
WilUam C. CoryeU.
William C. Coryell was born in West Union, February 18, 1859, the
son of Judge James L. Coryell. He attended the West Union schools un-
til he completed their course and attended the Ohio University at Athens
for one year, 1875 and 1876. He also attended the Ohio Wesleyan Uni-
versity at Delaware, 1876- 1878, till he was compelled to leave on account
of sickness. He studied surveying with his father from 1878 to 1883,
read law with F. D. Bayless of the West Union bar, and was admitted to
practice October 5, 1886. He served as Deputy Clerk and Deputy Sheriflf
and also as Clerk in the Probate, Auditor's and Treasurer's office of Adams
County at different times and has more familiarity with the administration
of all the county offices than any person now living in the county. From
1878 to 1886, he was principally engaged in the county offices, and in that
time did a great deal of surveying, and prepared himself for admission to
the bar. He has also served as a councilman for the village and followed
his father as a member of the School Board.
Mr. Coryell is a modest man, as it behooves all bachelors to be, but
he is a well read man, both in law and in the current topics of the time.
As a lawyer, his tastes lead him to prefer the duties of a counsellor, and
his counsel is always safe. He enjoys the confidence, esteem and respect
of all who know him, and in the management of large and important es-
tates and trusts he has shown himself most efficient and trustworthy. Xo
lawyer enjoys a greater measure of the confidence of the people of Adams
County than he, and he has demonstrated that such confidence is well de-
served. While he does not possess his father's taste as to historical mat-
ters, much to the regret of the writer, he is a much abler business rnan
than his father was, and bids by the time he is sixty to stand with the
people of Adams County as George D. Cole, of Waverly, did with the
people of Pike County at the time of his death, and for information on that
subject, consult the sketch of Mr. Cole in this book.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKFTCHE8 717
Jiunes Harrey Oonmor,
of West Union, Ohio, was bom December 27, 1842, on the old Connor
farm in Sprigg Township. He is of Irish lineage, his father, James
Connor, being a son of Peter O'Connor, who emigrated from the South
of Ireland to America in 1786, and shortly thereafter came West to the
"dark and bloody ground," stopping in the vicinity of Kenton's Station
near the old town of Washington. Peter O'Connor had been reared in
the Catholic Church, and upon his leaving for America the Parish Priest
gave him a certificate of character, of which the following is a copy of the
original now in the possession of our subject, J. H. Connor:
*' I do hereby certify that Peter O'Connor, the bearer hereof, is a parishioner of
mine in the parish of Clone these some years — is a young man descended of hon-
est parents, and has behaved virtnousty, soberly and regularly, and from every*
thing I could learn his character has been irreproachable. Given under my hand
this third day of April, 1786. "David Cullum» P.P."
In May, Peter O'Connor sailed from Dublin for America, as the fol-
lowing receipt for his passage aboard the Tristam shows :
" Received from Peter Connor four guineas in full for steerage passage in the
Tristam to America. Dublin, May 13, 1786. *' Gborgk Crawford."
'* This is to certify that Peter Connor comes as passenger on board of the Tris-
tam, and this is his final discharge from the ship. Dated this first day of August,
1786. " Gko. Crawford, Com'r.*'^
" We hereby certify that Peter Connor came passenger in the ship Tristam,
Capt. Crawford, from Dublin ; he paid his passage an<| is a free man and at liberty
to go about his lawful business. '* Ci*arkb & Mann, Assng.
" Aug. 2. 1786."
Peter O'Connor, or Connor as he was now called, arrived in Baltimore
in August, 1786, and after getting from the proper authorities a permit
to travel across the State, went to New York City and thence tO Phil-
adelphia. Afterwards he went on a prospecting trip over the mountains
to the frontier of Kentucky, and in 1796 bought of Andrew Ellison, "two
hundred acres of land lying between Big Three Mile Creek and the Ohio
River, it being a part of a tract of five hundred acres entered in the name
of said Andrew Ellison and adjoining a tract now belonging to William
Brady on the North/' This title bond gives the place of residence of
Andrew Ellison as Hamilton County, Territory Northwest of the River
Ohio (this was a year previous to the organization of Adams County), and
the place of residence of Peter Connor, as Washington, Mason Coimty,
Kentucky.
The date of his marriage to Elizabeth Roebuck is not known, but it
is presumed to be about the time of the purchase of this tract of land in
1796. It is also supposed that it was previous to his marriage that he
paid a visit to his old home in Ireland, as disclosed by the following:
"March 11, received from Peter Connor the sum of four guineas, passage
money on board the Hamburg from Philadelphia to Cork.
'^Strphbn Moors."
The father of the subject of this sketch was James Connor, son of
Peter Connor, and was bom November 2, 1802. He was christened in
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718 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
the Catholic faith, although his mother was a Protestant. James Ccrnnor
married Margaret Boyle, a daughter of Tliomas Boyle, for many years
an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Manchester. James Connor died
May 4, 1896.
Our subject, James H. Connor, attended the common schools and the
academy at North Liberty under Prof. Chase. He resided on the farm
till 1874, when he moved to Manchester and entered the dry goods store
of W. L. Vance as a clerk. The following year he was elected on the
Democratic ticket Treasurer of Adams County, and re-elected in 1877.
In 1881, he became a member of the dry goods establishment of Connor,
Boyles and Pollard, in West Union, which firm was changed to Connor
and Boyles in 1889. In 1895, on the retirement of Mr. Boyles, the firm
name was changed to J. H. Connor. The first six years in business, the
firm of Connor, Boyles & Pollard handled annually over $50,000 worth of
goods. With close competition, the house now does a business of over
$30,000 annually.
In 1891, Mr. Connor was nominated by the Democrats in the Adams-
Pike District for Representative in the Ohio Legislature, and although the
district is largely Republican, was defeated by cMily thirty-nine votes.
July 21, 1893, President Cleveland commissioned him postmaster of West
Union, which position he held to the entire satisfaction of the community
for four years and six months.
Mr. Connor is a member of West Union Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 43;
of DeKalb Lodge, I. O. O. F., Manchester; Crystal Lodge, K. of P., West
Union, and a charter member of Royal Arcanum, Adams Council, No.
830. He is also a member of the M. E. Church, West Union.
He married Jennie Frame, daughter of James and Nancy Frame, July
22, 1868. To this union has been bSrn William Allen, May i, 1871 ; Katie
B., November 5, 1875, now married to Harley Dunlap; and Charles E.,
bom June 7, 1877, died August, 1878.
In 1864, July 27, Mr. Connor enlisted in tlie i82d O. V. I., and was
honorably discharged July 7, 1865, under Col. Lewis Butler. And it is
a fact worthy of notice that not until every other man of his company had
applied for and received a pension did our subject do so.
In all matters pertaining to the public good, Harvey Connor, as he is
familiarly known, is always found in the foremost ranks. He has done
well, accumulated a competency, not from parsimony, but from liberal and
honest dealing with his fellow men.
John Edsar Collins
was bom April 9, 1871, two miles south of Peebles. His father's name
is John R. Collins, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Wright. He
has a brother, the Rev. H. O. Collins, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which he is also a member. His only sister is Mrs. Robert
Jackman. His training was such as the country school affords until he
became a teacher at the age of eighteen. Teaching during the Winter and
spending his Summers in study at the National Normal Universit}', he was
graduated from the Scientific Department of that institution in 1892 in a
class of seventy-seven. The next year he was elected to the superintend-
ency of the Peebles schools, which position he resigned in 1896 to accept
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 719
a similar position in the West Union schools. He was four times unan-
imously elected to this position. At the time of his last re-electicm, in 1899,
he was also elected to the superintendency of the Batavia schools, which
place he accepted. This school has nine departments and one of the best
High schools in Southern Ohio. Both when at Peebles and at West Union,
Mr. Collins conducted a Summer Training School for Teachers, "The
Tri-County Normal." As Principal of the schools for seven years, 1893
to 1899, he did much to advance the educational interests in Adams County.
The total enrollment of the Tri-County Normal school under his manage-
ment was over eight hundred, and more than eighty per cent, of Bie
teachers actively engaged in' school work in this county at this time (1900)
received their training in his school. Kentucky sent a number of students
to this school as did the several counties of Southern Ohio. Since grad-
uating from the University, his one aim has been successful school work.
For some time he has been doing post-graduate work at the Ohio Wesleyan
University, and in 1896 and 1897, respectively, he received common and
high school certificates from the Ohio State Board.
One of his most intimate friends and classmates in the Public schools
speaks of him as follows : "'John Edgar Collins possesses some strong ele-
ments of character among which is his indomitable will and steadiness
of purpose. Every undertaking in which he is interested is carefully
Planned beforehand. With him, there is no pensive 'It might have been.'
^bought precedes action with him. He knows the end at the beginning.
His school work is planned with such accuracy that he sees the result as
he leads his pupils to it. By nature he is a teacher, and it is in the school
that he is most at home. Another extraordinary feature which he pos-
sesses is his power to meet exigencies. At the most critical moment, he
exercises the most deliberate judgment and meets opposition with the
earnestness that brings the spoils into his hands. He is a man of re-
sources. What he has beccxne in the educational world is much the re-
sult of his own effort. A constant student, he has shown his power for
mastery of thought best when studying for examinations or for special
work. He acquires knowledge with but little effort and has proved him-
self a thoughtful, careful student, not only of books, but of men as well.
In all his educational efforts, he has had the support of the best and most
conscientious men. His powers as an educator and as an organizer have
been proved not only by his public school work but by his successful train-
ing of hundreds of teachers in Normal school, as well. His aim is high
and he will leave a record which will be characterized by earnestness and
many brilliant acts."
He was married to Ina E. Treber, daughter of R. W. Treber, West
Union, August 15, 1900. She is a graduate in music, elocution, and mod-
em languages, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
James F. Oomelius,
of Seaman, Ohio, is a native of Scott Township, in which he resides, and
was bom November 11, 1863, son of William and Mary (McCormick)
Comelius. His grandfather, James Cornelius, was a native of Ireland.
Also, his matemal grandfather, Enoch McCormick, was a native of Ire-
land, and both grandfathers were early settlers in Scott Township. James,
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720 fflSTORY OP ADAMS CX>UNTY
our subject, spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He continued to fol-
low that occupation until 1896, when he located in Seaman, Ohio, in the
undertaking business, where he has continued ever since.
On the sixteenth of February, 1890, he was married to Miss Belle
Williams, daughter of W. S. and Keziah Williams, of Irvington, Ohio.
They have one daughter, aged eight years, Mary Dryden. He is a Dem-
ocrat in his political faith. In i?^5, he was elected County Commissioner
on the Democratic ticket, and in 1898, was re-elected, by a majority of
nearly eight hundred in a county nominally Republican by one hundred
and fifty, on the head of the ticket, and is holding the office at the date
of the preparation of this sketch. Mr. Cornelius is one of the prompt and
reliable business men of Adams County and is highly esteemed by all who
know him.
William Kirker Coleman, M. D^
was born at West Union, October 2T, 1853, the son of David and Eliza-
beth Kirker Coleman. His father, David Coleman, M. D., has a sketch
herein. His mother was a daughter of William Kirker, also sketched
herein, and his wife, Esther Williamson, daughter of the Rev. Williamson.
He is a great-grandson of Governor Thomas Kirker, and has had illus-
trious examples before him in the careers of his ancestors. He was the
eldest of three sons. He received his common school education in West
Union and studied medicine with his father. He graduated at the Ohio
Medical College at Cincinnati in 1881. He at once began the practice of
medicine with his father and continued it until his death.
He was married June 25, 1879, to Miss Mary Minnesota McFerran.
only daughter of Major John W. McFerran, who lost his life in the Civil
War in 1862. There are three children of this marriage, John McFerran,
a student at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; David C, and May L.,
both at home.
Dr. Coleman is fond of Masonry and is a member of West Union
Lodge, No. 43, of the Chapter of Manchester, and the Commandery at
Portsmouth, Ohio. He has served six years as Master of the Blue Lodge.
He has been President of the Adams County Medical Society and is a
member of the Ohio State Medical Society. He is a member of the Pres-
byterian Church at West Union and a ruling elder therein, and he fills
the office to the satisfaction of his church and presbytery. In politics, he
is a Republican and has always taken an active part in political contests.'
He is President of the Adams County Bank, located at West Union, and
under his management and that of Mr. Dickinson, that institution has been
admirably managed. In his profession, no one stands higher and no one
has to any greater extent, the confidence of the public. Dr. Coleman is
a man of fine personal physique and of pleasing address. He fulfills the
duties of every position he holds with honor to himself and with great
satisfaction to his constituents. His distinguished ancestors can look
down upon him from their high places and smile approval on his career,
and he has no ground to be ashamed to compare his career with theirs.
He has well performed his duties in every relation of life and has earned
the commendation of all who know him, and who can do more ?
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 721
Jolka 01imcer» Jr^
farmer, of Manchester, was born February 20, 1844. His father was
John and his mother Mary (Mowrar) dinger. His grandfather, Abra-
ham Clinger, was bom in Pennsylvania. Ilis father, John dinger, was
bom in Pennsylvania, February 19, 1815, and located in Adams County in
1832, coming down the Ohio River on a keel-boat. He landed at Man-
chester, and settled on a farm in Monroe Township, where he now resides.
He married Mary Mowrar, daughter of Christian Mowrar, one of the first
settlers of Adams County. Christian Mowrar came from Pennsylvania
in 1792 and joined the Massie colony in the Stockade, where he remained
till the treaty of Greenville. He and his wife lived to an extreme age.
John Clinger, Senior, raised a family of three sons and three daughters,
and after the death of his first wife in 1854, he married Susan Tucker.
John Clinger, Jr., the subject of this sketch, received his education in the
common schools of the county. He enlisted September 18, 1862, at the
age of eighteen, in Company F, of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry
and served in that organization until the first of July, 1865 On the first
of October, 1868, he married a daughter of Oliver Ashenhurst. Her
father was bom on the ocean on the passage from Ireland to America.
Oliver Ashenhurst married Susan Parker, and located in Manchester,
where he engaged in the milling business until his death, March 28, 1898.
Mrs. Clinger is the only child of his first wife. Oliver Ashenhurst mar-
ried for his second wife, Amy Phibbs, by whom he reared a family of
nine children.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Clinger are : May Etta, wife of Stephen
Thompson, of Manchester, Ohio : Leora Belle, in the employ of the Lang-
don Grocery Company at Maysville, Ky. , William Oliver, who served
in the war with Spain and is at present in the Philippines. Frank Arthur
is a member of Company L, 22nd U. S. Infantry ; Bertha Florence is the
wife of Frank Fulton Foster, of Manchester, Ohio; Amy A., is at Mid-
dletown, Ohio, and Marguarite Lucretia is at home with her parents.
Mr. Clinger is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church at Is-
land Creek. He is a Republican in his political views and as a citizen
highly respected by all who know him.
Edward A. Crawford
was born December 28, 1861, near West Union, the son of Harper and
Jane Willson Crawford. His father, Harper Crawford, enlisted in Com-
pany K, 70th O. V. I., January 6, 1862. He died in 1885 at the age of
forty-five. His eldest brother, William S. Crawford, enlisted June 13,
1864, in Company D, 24th O. V. I., Adams County's first company in the
war, and was transferred to Company D, i8th O. V. I., June 12, 1864.
This company was in sixteen battles and Crawford was mortally wounded
at the battle of Nashville, December 15, 1864, and died December 29,
1864. He is interred in the Nashville cemetery at Nashville, Tennessee.
He had a brother Gabriel who served in the Second Independent Battery
of Ohio Light Artillery, enlisting at the age of nineteen.
Our subject attended school at West Union until he completed all
which could be taught him there. He attended the Normal school at Leb-
46a
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722 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
ancm in 1878 and 1880 and taught school in parts of the same year and
was engaged in teaching school thereafter until 1890. From 1881 to
1885, he taught school at Waggoner's Ripple, Sandy Springs, Bradyvillc,
and Quinn Chapel. From 1886 to 1888, he taught at Rome; from 1888
to 1889, he was engaged in the grocery business at West Union, and in the
Summer of 1890, he taught a Normal school at Moscow, Ohio. In the
Pall of 1890, he bought the People's Defender from Joseph W. Eylar, and
has conducted that newspaper, a weekly, at West Union, ever since. In
1897, he bought out the Democratic Index, edited by D. W. P. Eylar, and
consolidated it with the Defender.
He was married August 13, 1883, to Miss Mattie J. Pennywit,
daughter of Mark Pennywit and his wife, Sallie Cox. He is a member
of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he has always been a Democrat
In 1887, he was the candidate of that party for Clerk of the Court, but
was defeated by W. R. Mehaffey, by seventy-three votes. He was a dele-
gate to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago from the Tenth
Ohio District in 1896. His paper has been well and ably conducted since
he has controlled it and is one of the best in Southern Ohio.
Mr. Crawford is a self-made man. He has made his business a suc-
cess. He is known for his strict fidelity to his party. He is public
spirited and takes an active part in church and social matters as well as
political. He was elected Secretary of the Democratic State Executive
Committee of Ohio in September, 1900.
BCarion Franois CrlMman
was born in Wayne Township, Adams County, Ohio, June 12, 1842. His
father was Adam Crissman and his mother, Nancy Riley. They came
from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, in 1841, with five children. Mr. Criss-
man enjoys the distinction of being the sixth of a family of seven brothers,
no sisters having been bom to his parents. He enjoys the further distinc-
tion of having two of his six brothers ministers in the Presbyterian Church,
both of them Doctors of Divinity. He enjoys the further distinction of
being the great-grandson of General Thomas Mifflin, bom in 1744, first
Aide-de-camp to General Washington, member of the Continental Con-
gress, Quartermaster General of the Revolutionary Army, Brigadier and
Major General, member of the Convention which framed our Federal
Constitution, Governor of Pennsylvania and one of the orators of the Rev-
olution, and the best drill master in the Revolutionary Army.
Our subject attended school in the vicinity of his residence and at
North Liberty Academy. He varied that, with labor on his father's farm
until his majority. On the fourteenth of July, 1863, he enlisted in Com-
pany G, 129th O. V. I., and was in the Cumberland Gap and Longstreet
campaign in Middle Tennessee that Fall and Winter. He was discharged
with that regiment in March, 1864, and re-entered the service August 31,
1864, in Company H, 173d O. V. I. In that he served until the war was
over in East Tennessee. He participated in the celebrated campaign
against General Hood and was in the final culmination at Nashville.
In 1866, he went into the business of a general store at North Liberty
with William Caskey, under the name of Crissman & Caskey, and con-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 728
ducted that for about five years, at which time his partner retired. He
conducted the business alone for about two years and then sold out to
William Finney in 1872.
On March i, 1867, he was married to Miss Isabella Caskey, who died
in 1873. On January, 1875, he located in Manchester in the grain and
seed business and has continued it ever since. In 1881, he and Nathaniel
Greene Foster bought the Bentonville flour mill and they operated it to-
gether until 1891, when he purchased the interest of his partner and has
since conducted it alone.
In 1883, the firm of Crissman & Foster built the first telephone line
constructed in Adams County, connecting West Union and Bentonville at
Manchester with the Western Union Telegraph Company's lines, and
have continued the same in successful operation until 1891, when Mr.
Foster retired from the firm and the line has been continued since by Mr.
Crissman.
In politics, Mr. Crissman is a Republican, but has never sought any
prominence in his party. In his religious faith, he is a Presbyterian, and
is a ruling elder in that church at Manchester. On the sixteenth of July,
1874, he married Miss Anna C. Dunbar, daughter of David Dunbar, of
Manchester, Ohio. They have two children, Carl, who has qualified him-
self for a business career, and Augusta Belle, a young girl in school. Mr.
Crissman has the highest character for business integrity and ability and
has the confidence of the entire community, of which he is a part. He is
a member of the Village Council and of the School Board. He has pros-
pered in his business and is regarded as one of the best business men in
the county. He has the most attractive home in Manchester, and is sur-
rounded with all those outward conditions which make this life agreeable
and pleasant.
CJkarles Cralsmiles
was bom at Franklin Furnace in Scioto County, Ohio, June 17, 1849.
His father, of the same name, was a native of Ireland as was his mother,
Rebecca Hamilton. His father and mother were married in Ireland and
emigrated to America in 1848. They located in Adams County near
Vaughn Chapel, but his father, being an iron founder, moved to Franklin
Furnace shortly before his son Charles' birth. Our subject was reared at
Franklin, Junior and Ohio Furnaces, as his father was employed at all
three. The son went to school until he was ten years of age, when he
went to work pounding lime at Empire Furnace. In i860, his father
removed to Adams County and lived there two years on the Ellison place,
near Stone Chapel. In 1862, the father removed to Junior Furnace and
resided there until 1865, when he removed to Marion County, Illinois.
From there he went to Brownsport Furnace, Tennessee. The family came
back to Ohio and located at Ohio Furnace in 1867. Our subject remained
at Ohio Furnace until 18^8. In 1877, he was married to Medora A. Fos-
ter, daughter of James Foster, of Killenstown, Adams County. In 1878,
he located in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he has since resided. When he first
went to Portsmouth, he drove a horse-car for five months. He then
went into the employment of the Portsmouth Transfer Company for three
years, at the end of which time he took an interest in the business. He
and Mr. Frank B. Kehoe conducted the business under the name of The
Portsmouth Transfer Company, for eleven years. In 1894, he bought
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724 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Mr. Kehoe's interest and since has conducted the business alcme. He
keeps moving vans and transfers all kinds of goods and merchandise. He
has twelve teams and his place of business is on Washington Street in the
city of Portsmouth, Ohio. He has seven children, five ckughters and two
sons.
He has always been a Republican. From April, 1897, to April, 1899,
he was Street Commissioner of Portsmouth, Ohioj and never has held any
other office. He is known to and respected by every one in Portsmouth
as an honorable man and a good citizen. He has always prospered and it
is because he conducts his business on right principles. He is a public
spirited citizen, always ready to do his part in any matter for the public
good.
Robert MoGovney Cobl&ran
was bom May i, 1846, at Manchester, Ohio. His father was Robert A.
Cochran and his mother's maiden name was Elvira Bailey, daughter of
John Bailey, of Winchester, Ohio. His father was a native of Adams
County, Pennsylvania. They were married at Winchester, Ohio. They
had twelve children, of whom Robert M. was the sixth. Our subject went
to school at Belfast, Highland County, Ohio, his parents having moved
there in 1848. His father was a cabinet maker and be followed that trade
in Manchester, with L. L. Conner. Our subject lived in Belfast until
1861. In 1859, he began to learn the blacksmith trade with George Sailor,
of Highland County. He continued that until June 24, 1861, when he
enlisted in Company I, 24th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
for a period of three years as a private. He was appointed Corporal, May
9, 1862. He was afterwards appointed Sergeant, September 19,
1863. He was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga in the right ankle
and was laid up for six months. This wound produced tendo achilles and
anchylosis. He was wounded in the shouldfer at Sto«e River by a
spent buckshot. He was in all the engagements and battles during the
time of his service. He was discharged June 23, 1864, by reason of ex-
piration of term of service. He enlisted as a Private of Company H, 175th
Ohio Regiment, for one year's service, on vSeptember 2y, 1864. He was
mustered out with the Company, June 27, 1865. He was with this regi-
ment at the battle of Franklin, and after the war he traveled for the
Franklin Nursery at Loveland, Ohio, and was engaged in that until 1872.
He traveled in Virginia and in Meigs, Lawrence, Gallia and Vinton
Counties, in Ohio.
He was married March, i, 1870, to Miss Madeline Oliver, daughter
of John Oliver, of Adams County, and located at Dunbarton, Ohio, where
he resided until 1880. In 1872, he began to farm two miles east of
Peebles and has carried on a farm there ever since. On the first of Oc-
tober, 1897, he was appointed Postmaster at Peebles, Ohio.
He then removed to Peebles and he has resided there ever since. He
has one child, a son, Edwin, who married Miss Jessie Budd and resides
on the farm near Peebles, where he resided prior to his removal to the
village. He was Census Enumerator in 1890, but has held no other public
offices than above mentioned. He has always been a Republican and be-
lieves in that faith and is an active member of that party.
He is a citizen of high character and an efficient public officer.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 72^
Jolka ColeaiaM9
of Youngsville, Ohio, was born November 7, 1816, near Cannonsburg,
Pa., and resided there until March 2^, 1831. His father, William Cole-
man, was bom June 17, 1791, and died July 15, 1864. His mother was
Jane Boyce, born August 10, 1787. They were married October i, 181 1.
She died September 6, 1858. In March, 1831, William Coleman moved
with his family to Carroll County, Ohio, where be remained until 1846,
when he removed to near Youngsville, Adams County, where our sub-
ject now resides. When the war broke out, Robert* Coleman, John's
younger brother, who was married and had a family and with wh(Mn John
resided, wanted to go into the army. John insisted that he should not and
that he, John, should go, as he was unmarried, and if he were to fall, it
would make but little difference. The result was Robert yielded to John's
insistence and John enlisted in Company E, 91st O. V. I., on August 11,
1862, for three years. His age was given at forty-five, though he was
nearer forty-six. He served until June 24, 1865, and was mustered out
with the regiment. He was in good health and right with the regiment
all the time. He required no favors of any kind. He was one of the
very few of those who enlisted above the age of forty that was able to
endure the hardships of the service for the period of his enlistment.
John Coleman is noted for his sterling integrity of character. With
him a security debt is equal with that of any other, as he regards it as
sacred as one the consideration of which came directly to him. He is not
a member of any church, but is a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian
Church at Mt Leigh. He was a Whig in the time of the Whig party and
from the formation of the Republican party has been a Republican. From
the time he came to Adams County, until the death of his brother, Robert,
in 1881, he made his home with him. Since his brother's death he made
his home with his brother's children. He and his brother Robert had but
one pocketbook. They always lived together and what was John's was
Robert's and vice versa. This harmony between the brothers was never
disturbed during Robert's life and has continued between John and
his brother Robert's children. There never was a word of friction be-
tween the brothers, or between the uncle and his brother's children.
John Coleman, all his life, has been a lover of and a breeder of fine
horses. Whether it was profitable to him or not, he must always have
fine horses. He now has several in his stables and he would keep them
if they were a positive loss to him, because he is a lover of animals ; and as
to horses, the finer bred, the more he likes them.
John Coleman holds the thirty-third degree in Patriotism and he is
and ever was a good citizen, in the superlative degree.
Samuel Paul Clark
was born April 7, 1827, in what is now Oliver Township, then a part of
Wayne Township, on the farm now owned by the Rev. Thomas Mercer.
His great-grandfather was born in Wales and emigrated to Ireland. His
grandfather Clark was married in Ireljmd to Sarah Lama, and emigrated
to Virginia about 1785 with his wife and two children, John and Mary.
There were afterwards bom to them in this country, Fanny, Sarah, James,
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726 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Samuel, father of the subject of our sketch, Jane, Andrew, and Edward.
They located in Adams County in 1806, on the Steck farm in Tiflin Town-
ship. All of these children lived to maturity. Andrew, the youngest, died
at the age of fifty-one.
Samuel Clark, father of our subject, was bom in Rockbridge County,
Virginian 1792. He learned the trade of tanning with his brother Jhoni,
who had a tanyard at Cherry Fork, one mile south of Harshaville. He
married Kancy Brown, December 20, 1821, and settled six miles north of
West Union, on tne West Union and Unity road, where he continued the
business of tanning and farming until his death, March 22, 1869. He and
his wife were devoted members of the Associate Reform Church at Cherry
Fork, and he and Archa Leach were instrumental in organizing the United
Presbyterian Church at Unity, of which he was a ruling elder from the
time of organization until his death. His oldest son, James, remained at
the old homestead, and continued the business of tanning in connection
with farming. He married Margaret Holmes, who has been dead about
ten years. He is now in his seventy-eighth year. Sarah, the second
child, died in infancy. Samuel Paul, the third child, and our subject, is
now in his seventy-fourth year.
He married Sarah Clark in 185 1. To them was born one son, Marion
M. His wife died in 1854, and he married Margaret Gibbony. To them
were born four children. His son Marion married Mary Crawford, and
resides on Wheat Ridge; Ora A., his second schild, is now the wife of
Richard Fristoe, a prosperous farmer and stock dealer of Meigs Town-
ship. They reside in the old Fristoe homestead at the bridge crossing
Brush Creek. Mary Nancy was born July 15, i860, and died December
16, 1895, unmarried. Carey V. was born September 7, 1865, and married
Nora E. Hilling, and resides in the old homestead in Oliver Township.
The following are brothers and sisters of our subject: Mary, the
fourth child, born April 16, 1830, was married to Cyrus Black, who died
in 1864. She was again married to Rankin Leach and resides at Cherry
Fork. Margaret, the fifth child, was bom May 3, 1833, ^"d died in 1891,
unmarried. John was bom November 18, 1835, ^^d married Nancy Cole-
man. His daughter, Martha L., was born September 4, 1838, and was
married to George A. McSurely in 1869. They reside at Oxford, Ohia
Nancy A., twin sister of the daughter last mentioned, was married to J.
W. McClung in 1859. He is an attorney at West Union, where they now
reside. Andrew R. was born October 21, 1841. He married Celia
Arbuthnot, daughter of- the Rev. James Arbuthnot. He removed to
Nebraska, where his wife died, and he married a Miss Foster. They re-
side at Pawnee City, Nebraska. He was a soldier in the War of the
Rebellion.
Mr. Clark and his family are all members of the Presbyterian Church.
He is a ruling elder in the Wheat Ridge Chapel. He has always been a
Democrat in his political views. He was a Commissioner of Adams
County from 1875 ^^ 1878. He began life in very narrow circumstances,
but by industry coupled with a firm determination to succeed, he has
obtained a position in which he can spend the remainder of his days com-
fortably. He is loved, respected, and honored by all who know him.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 727
iivel Xi. Okmrles, .
of Vineyard Hill, is a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Monroe Town-
ship. He was bom September 3, 1844, near West Union, and is a son of
Henry Charles, who married Susannah Cline. Joseph Charles, grand-
father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of the Republic of
Switzerland, and emigrated to America about the beginning of the Revo-
lution, in which he was a soldier. He settled in Lancaster County, Pa.,
where his son Henry was bom Aug^ist 16, 1803, and who after his
marriage to Susannah Cline came to Adams County in 1830, first settling
on Eagle Creek. Of his children, Elizabeth married David Potts ; Jeffer-
son lives in Scioto County ; Catherine married Wayne Mahaflfey ; Fannie
married John Symmonds ; Eliza married G. Edgington ; Joseph, a soldier
of the 70th O. V. I., lives in Hillsboro; Mary married Leroy Smith;
Susannah married Meredith Osman ; Martha married Eli Pulliam ; Ben-
jamin, and Samuel, the subject of this sketch. He was a member of
Company D, 191st O. V. I., and was mustered into service at Portsmouth,
Ohio; served in the Shenandoah Valley, and was discharged August 27,
1865, at Winchester. Va. He has been a member of church since he was
seventeen years of age, and at different times has been class leader. Sup-
erintendent of Sunday School and Trustee of the church. Holds his mem-
bership in the M. E. Church at Manchester. He married Margaret De
Atley, daughter of James H. and Sarah Mousar De Atley, November 11,
1869. Mr. Charles has a family of twelve children. He owns 228 acres of
land on Donalson Creek and is one of the prominent citizens of the com-
munity in which he resides. He is an old-fashioned Democrat of the
straightest sect.
Martin. Tu Cox, of Hills Fork.
Isaac Cox, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of
the State of Maryland and came from that State to Adams County in 1801,
settling on the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch. He
married a lady by the name of Austin, by whom he had two sons, William
and Thomas, the latter father of our subject. Thomas married first a Miss
McKnight who bore him two sons, one dying in youth, and the other,
Mr. John Cox, who now resides at Washington C. H. He, after the death
of his first wife, married Miss Deborah Odell, daughter of the Rev.
Thomas Odell, a pioneer Methodist minister of Adams County. Thomas
Cox was a soldier of the War of 1812, and served at Sandusky. His
second wife, Deborah Odell, bore him nine children, all boys: Isaac N.,
who died in Missouri; Lewis E., once Clerk of the Court of Adams
County; Frank and Greenleaf, now in Nebraska; George W., of Man-
chester ; Jasper, deceased ; Robert M., of Kansas ; and our subject, Martin
L., who was born in Liberty Township, Adams County, April 25, 1841.
He now resides on the old farm and occupies the old stone house built by
Henry Young in 1829. It is remarkable that there has never been a death
in this house. At the time it was built. Judge Needham Perry resided
on the creek just above the Cox residence and the Meharry family, men-
tioned elsewhere, just below Abraham Washburn joined on the south
and William Mahaffey northeast on the Jacob Bissinger farm. At that
time there were sixteen stillhouses within a radius of two miles, one at
every good spring. Then the old log church was standing at Briar Ridge
where the present M. E. and C. U. Churches stand.
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728 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Captain Saatiiel E. Clark
entered the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, July 28, 1862, at the age of
thirty-eight, for a period of three years. He was killed May 9, 1864, at
the battle of Cloyds Mountain. His body was brought home and is in-
terred in the village cemetery at West Union. He engaged in the battle
with good health, and with zeal and energy. He had worked hard to make
himself an efficient officer. He was beloved by his men and respected by
his fellow officers, and they regarded him as one of the ablest among them.
He lived long enough after struck to learn the result of the battle, and
almost with his last breath, he thanked God that victory was soon to
be ours.
Hon. Alfred E. Cole,
of Maysville, Ky., was born at West Union, Adams County, Ohio, March
15, 1839. His father, James M. Cole, has a separate sketch herein. His
grandfather Ephraim Cole, married Sophia Mitchell, the daughter of a
large slave owner in Maryland. His father-in-law offered his son-in-law
a gift of slaves which was declined. His grandfather, James Collings,
r**«arned Miss Christiana Davis, who was an aunt of Hon. Henry Winter
Davis, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Both of his grandfathers, Cole and Collings, were soldiers in the
Revolutionary War. Ephriam Cole located m Mason County, Kentucky,
in 1794, and resided there till 1806, when he removed to Adams County,
near West Union. James Collings moved to Adams County from Cecil
County, Md., in 1794. Our subject is the youngest son and child of his
parents. His twin brother, Allaniah B. Cole, resides in Chillicothe, Ohio.
His parents had fifteen children, eight boys and seven girls. The sons
made honorable careers in their professions and in business, and the
daughters were all women of strong character, and married men who were
successful in life. Our subject resided on his father's farm and attended
the common schools until he was seventeen years of age. He then was
sent to the High school at Manchester and afterwards attended the Normal
school at Lebanon, Ohio. He followed the profession of teaching for
several years, and then began reading law with the Hon. R. H. Stanton,
of Maysville, Ky., and afterwards read with his brother, the late George
D. Cole, of Waverly, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar at Waverly, Ohio,
at the District Court in April, 1864. The court was then composed of
Judge Wilde, of the Supreme Court and Judges John Welch and Phila-
delph Van Trump, of the Common Pleas. After his admission, Mr. Cole
located at Vanceburg, Ky., to practice law, but remained there only till
May, 1865, when he removed to Flemingsburg, Ky. He was elected
County Attorney of Fleming County, August, 1866, and re-elected to the
same office in 1870.
In 1874, he was elected Commonwealth Attorney for the Sixteenth
Judicial District. In 1880, he was elected Circuit Judge of the same dis-
trict, defeating the Hon. George M. Thomas, of Vanceburg, after one of
the most exciting contests ever made in the district.
In August, 1886, he was re-elected without opposition. After his
retirement from the bench in November, 1886, he changed his residence
from Flemingsburg to Maysville. In 1892, after his retirement from the
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 7»
bench, he began the practice of his profession with his son, A. E. Cole,
under the name of A. E. Cole & Son.
Mr. Cole is a Democrat, as were his father and grandfather. It is a
family trait that they should be attached to the Democratic party, and
they have been firm in that political faith ever since the party was orgah-
izcd. Mr. Cole is a member of the Methodist Church as were his fore-
fathers and foremothers ever since the existence of Methodism.
Mr. Cole was married May 26, 1864, to Miss Abbie T. Throop. She
was a daughter of Dr. Throop and a niece of Hon. R. H. Stanton. His
wife died April 18, 1894, and on the twentieth of November, 1898, he was
married to Miss L. B. Newman, of Hardin County, Ky., one of Kentucky's
most beautiful and accomplished women. Mr. Cole had six children,
three of whom died in infancy and three of whom are now living. His
oldest son, Allaniah D. Cole, graduated at the Kentucky Wesleyan College
in 1883, 2it the age of seventeen. He then entered the Harvard Univer-
sity, in the Academic Department, and graduated at the age of nineteen.
He Rad law with the Hon. William H. Wadsworth at Maysville, Ky. His
seconi son, William T. Cole, resides in Greenupsburg, and is a practic-
ing lawyer. He graduated from the Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1888
and then entered the Vanderbilt University Law School and graduated
in two years. Mr. Cole's youngest son, Henry W., is now a student of the
High school at Maysville, Ky. His two oldest sons, Allaniah and William,
are making their mark and stand high in their profession. As a lawyer,
Mr. Cole stands high in his profession. As a judge, he made an excellent
record. As a citizen, he is most highly esteemed.
Hiram Walter Diokinson
was bom in Whitehall, Washington County, New York, October 15, 1851,
and was reared there. His father was Hiram Dickinson and his
mother, Huldah Merrill. He attended school at the Vermont Episcopal
Institute at Burlington, Vermont, from October, 1868, to August, 1870.
He then went into the Merchants' National Bank of Whitehall, New York,
and served as teller for nine years. In 1882 to 1883, he was a book-
keeper in Ithaca, New York.
From 1883 to 1885, he was traveling in the West. On October 16,
1889, he was married to Miss Anna M. Juliand. Her ancestors came from
Guilford, Connecticut, and her seventh great- grandfather was one of the
founders of Yale College. They have two daughters, Margaret Huldah,
aged tight years, and Dorothy, aged six years.
On June i, 1890, he located in West Union and opened a private
bank, and has lived there ever since. He first located in the G. B. Grimes
& Company building, but afterwards removed to the Leach building, where
he now is. Coming directly, as he did, after the failure of G. B. Grimes
& Company, it took a long time to establish confidence, but that has come.
On September i, 1898, Dr. William K. Coleman took an interest in the
business under the name of Coleman & Dickinson. It now has all the
patronage it could expect and carries a line of $50,000 deposits, but pays
no interest on them.
Mr. Dickinson is a gentleman of excellent taste. He is a man of the
highest standard of integrity and morality and is deeply religious. He
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730 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is greatly de-
voted to its interests. He is a careful business man. Coming to Adams
County, a total stranger, his life and course of business has secured tiie
confidence of the entire community.
AlTah Sigler Doah
was born March 15, 1848, on Buck Run in Adams County. His father
was David Franklin Doak, born in Bracken County, Kentucky. His
grandfather, David Doak, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, and
emigrated to Ohio. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, from Virginia,
in a troop of horse, in which he furnished his own horse. His grand-
father and father located at Mt. Leigh in 183 1. They were all Presby-
terians. His grandfather owned slaves in Kentucky and set them free be-
cause he was an anti-slavery man. He was a Whig during the existence
of that party. He was a nephew of Dr. Samuel Doak, the founder of
Marysville College, in Tennessee, and a cousin of the wife of Rev. John
Rankin, the famous Abolitionist.
Our subject has lived in Adams County all his life. He has been
County Surveyor for six years, has resided in Winchester for sixteen
years, and has followed the occupation of surveyor for twenty-seven
years. He attended North Liberty Academy in 1869 and 1870 and the
Normal school at Lebanon in 1871 and 1872. He has always been a Re-
publican as his father and grandfather were. He is a ruling elder in the
Presbyterian Church of Winchester. He has carried on a drug business
there for the past sixteen years. He followed the occupation of school
teacher from 1869 to 1883. He was in charge of the Russellville schools
in 1876, Principal of the North Liberty Academy in 1880 and Superin-
tendent of the Winchester schools in 1881.
On May^2S, 1875, he was married to Eunice Fox, of Vincennes, In-
diana. They h^ve a daughter Ruby. She took a two years' course at the
College of Music in Cincinnati and afterward attended Glendale school
for two years and graduated there in 1899.
Mr. Doak was elected County Surveyor of Adams County in 1893,
when he had forty-two majority, and in 1896, when he had forty-seven
majority.
Mr. Doak is a man of high character, and has the respect and con-
fidence of all who know him. He is just and upright in every relation of
life and is admired for his qualities as a Christian gentleman.
DaTid Duaibar.
The writer of this sketch having been personally acquainted with this
subject for forty years, takes great pleasure in this labor. The history
of Adams County and of Manclrcster could not be written without mention
of David Dunbar. From 1820, until the present time, he has been identified
with the county and has been an important factor in all of its aflfairs since
his majority, and in all that time he has been the same honest, honorable
citizen and consistent Christian that we find him to-day. His name dis-
closes the country of his ancestors, and he has the good qualities of his
Scotch forbearer with all their faults and weaknesses left out.
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DAVID DUNBAR
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 781
Diogenes could have thrown away his latern in looking about for
an honest man, if David Dunbar had been around. Over six feet tall,
with a patriarchial beard and a commanding appearance, his person would
have attracted attention everywhere.
He was bom in West Union in the house just west of the old stone
church where \'ene Edgington now lives, on the fourth of February,
1829, when the village was but sixteen years old. The howling of the
wolves in the vicinity of the new town of log houses was among his
lullabies.
His father was Hamilton Dunbar, a sketch of whom is given else-
where, and his mother, Delilah Sparks, daughter of Salathiel Sparks, one
of the pioneers of Adams County. His father was born in Winchester,
Virginia, in 1782, and his mother in Pennsylvania in 1792. They were
married in West Union in 1808. He was one of the nine children bom
between 1809 and 1827. His mother died August 14, 1828, and he was
left to the care of his older sisters. He had such schooling as the period
afforded and on January 28, 1825, at the age of fifteen, was left a double
orphan by the death of his father of the dread pestilence, the Asiatic
cholera.
In A. D. 1832, the sentiment in Adams County as to the necessity of a
boy leaming a trade was about the same as it was in A. D. 32, at Tarsus,
when St. Paul as a boy, set out to leam tent,making. Accordingly, David
Dunbar, the boy of twelve, was sent to Pine Grove Fumace to leam to
mould tea-kettles and hollow ware. He commenced work with Solomon
Isaminger at a stipulated sum. He only remained with Isaminger but
fix months, but he followed the business of moulding at Pine Grove,
Aetna, Union, Vesuvius, Bloom and Franklin Furnaces for four yearg,
but he did not like the business nor the associations and he determined to
leave and leam another business. As everyone rode horseback in those
days, and as horses were then equivalent to a legal tender, he concluded
to learn the saddlery business and begun at Aberdeen, Ohio, in February,
1837. He worked at this business at various places and under different
places until he became of age in 1841 when he located at Clayton, Ohio,
and set up in the saddlery business for himself. Here he held his first
office, that of Constable, but achieved no particular distinction in it. At
this place, he connencted himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church in
Febmary, 1842. When he removed to Manchester in 1844, he connected
himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church until 1869. In that year
he transferred his membership to the Methodist Protestant Church on
account of its form of church government, dispensing with Bishops and
giving representations in the annual conferences. He has retained his
memtnership in the Methodist Protestant Church ever since, that body
having been organized in Manchester, January 23, 1869.
In September, 1844, Mr. Dunbar entered into partnership with his
brother, John, in the saddlery business at West Union, Ohio, but not
liking it, on December 5, 1844, he dissolved partnership with his
brother, and went to Manchester and formed a partnership with John W.
Coppell, under the name of Coppell & Dunbar, in the saddlery business,
which was continued until February, 1846, when the firm dissolved and
our subject retired. At the same time, he formed a partnership with
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732 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
Major Vinson Cropper, under the name of Cropper & Dunbar, and the
two built and conducted the first wharfboat ever located in Manchester.
This formed a new departure in business at Manchester and made it quite
a shipping point. The firm received goods for West Union, Jacksonville,
Locust Grove, and as far north as Sinking Springs in Highland County.
During the time this firm conducted the wharfboat, John Buchannan had
the contract to furnish oats for the U. S. Army in Mexico and they did
not have room to store away on the wharfboat, the many thousands of
sacks of oats which he delivered to them from West Union. Smith and
Davis owned and ran a packet line at that time between Portsmouth and
Cincinnati. Their boats were the Ashland and Belle Aire, one up, one
down each day. In low water, the same company ran the Mingo Chief
and the Planet. The same firm built the Scioto and the Scioto No. 2.
There was a daily packet line from Cincinnati to Portsmouth at that time,
and their boats were the Alleghany, New England, Buckeye State, Cin-
cinnati, Brilliant, Messenger, and De Witt Clinton. All of these landed
regularly at Cropper & Dunbar's wharf and transacted a great deal of
business. In 1849, ^^' Dunbar disposed of his interest in the wharf-
boat and returned to the saddlery business, which he continued until 1852,
when he went into the grocery trade, which he has remained in until the
present time.
It will be observed that Mr. Dunbar had a penchant for forming
partnerships, but on September 12, 1848, he formed the most important
partnership of his life and one that has continued to the present time. On
that day he was married to Miss Nancy J. Dougherty. For over fifty years,
he and his wife have trod the pathway of life side by side, hand in hand.
They have shared many blessings together and have had their portion
cTf sorrows, among which was the loss of a bright son, at the age of seven
years, in 1877.
Mr. Dunbar was an ardent and enthusiastic Whig during the exist-
ence of that party. When that party dissolved after the Presidential
election of 1852, he cast his political fortunes with the Democratic part
and from it he received the appointment of Postmaster at Manchester
in 1855, which he continued to hold until 1866.
In i860, Mr. Dunbar became a Republican, and in 1861 there was an
election held by the patrons of the Manchester postoffice to determine who
should be recommended for the appointment. Mr. Dunbar received the
endorsement of a large majority of both Democrats and Republicans and
he was reappointed by the Republican administration. In 1866, he re-
fused to Johnsonize and was removed, and Wm. L. Vance appointed in his
place.
Since i860, Mr. Dunbar has remained firm in his attachment to the
Republican party and has enjoyed the fullest confidence of its leaders in
this State.
He has a son, John K. Dunbar, one of the foremost men of Man-
chester, and three daughters, Anna, the wife of Marion Crissman, who
carries on one of the most extensive businesses in the county, and Misses
Minnie and Emma, residing at home.
Mr. Dunbar has a delightful home on the ridge. His son John re-
sides in the same yard to the southwest, in a new dwelling just completed,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 78S
and his daughter, Mrs. Crissman, resides just across the street north in
one of the most attractive homes in Manchester.
Just in all his dealings, he has acquired a ccmipetence to comfort him
and sustain him in independence in his old age. A successful business man,
an honest and just citizen, a consistent Christian, he has made out of this
life all there is in it. Surrounded by his children and gradchildren, re-
spected and venerated by all, he is a living epistle, read and known of all
men, showing that the practice of the cardinal virtues is the reward of the
righteous, a good old age, and when "Finis" is written at the close of his
record by the Recording Angel, it will be one he will not be ashamed to
meet on the Judgment Day and it will be one of which his children and
grandchildren may be proud.
Israel Hyinaa DeBmim,
son of Hyman Israel DeBruin and Rebecca Easton DeBruin, was the
oldest of a family of twelve children. His father, Hyman Israel DeBruin,
was bom of Jewish parents in Amsterdam, Holland, December 24, 1796.
He came to America in 18 16, locating in Maysville, Ky. His motiier,
Rebecca Easton, was bom in Lincolnshire, England, March 28, 1804.
Israel Hyman, the subject of this sketch, was born in Maysville,
Kentucky, April 23, 1823. When he was ten years old, in 1833, he, with
his parents removed to Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, where after
attending school one year, at the age of eleven, he entered his father's
stoie as a clerk in which position he remained seventeen years. He then
with his brother-in-law, Judge Wm. M. Meek, purchased the business
from his father, and in two years later he bought his brother-in-lafw's
interest and took control of the entire business and conducted it until 1879.
He united with the M. E. Church, January, 1844, and was an earnest,
zealous member of the same, exemplifying in his life the faith he pro-
fessed, for many years serving as a licensed minister of the church. He
served in the army of the rebellion as Quartermaster of the Seventieth
Regiment, O. V. I., joining the regiment of Camp Hamer, West Union,
October 12, 1861. On account of failing health, he tendered his resigfna-
tion from the service, which was accepted June 2, 1863.
In 1880, he was appointed Clerk of the Ohio Penitentiary, removing
with his family to Columbus, Ohio, and some months later was appointed
Chaplain of that institution, under the administration of Gov. Foster,
serving four years. He was again appointed Chaplain under Gov. For-
aker's administration, and served four years. For about eight years he
filled the position of Clerk in the Board of Education in the city of
Columbus, which position he occupied at the time of his death.
He was married to Elizabeth Middletown, September 21, 1847. To
them were bom ten children, five of whom are still living. She died
January 23, 1866. He was married to Elizabeth Howard, July 23, 1867,
and to this union were bom nine children, seven of whom are still living.
He was a man of the most noble and generous impulses. His conscience
was as tender as that of an innocent child and he always aimed to follow
its voice. He was truly and sincerely pious and religious and convinced
all who knew him of the fact by his daily life. He aimed to do all the
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734 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
good he could and avoid all evil. All who knew him well loved him for
his qualities of character. Were the world made up of men of his stamp,
the millenium would not have to be looked for, it would be here.
Leaiiiel LtmcUey Edsinctoa
was born in Sprigg Township, Adams County, Ohio, October lo, 1836,
son of Richard M. and Margaret (Lytle) Edgingtcn. His father and his
grandfather were both bom in Sprigg Township. His grandmother's
(Phoebe Edgington) maiden name was Noleman. His great-grand-
father, George Edgington, located in Adams County among the first
settlers. He was from Virginia. He settled at Bentonvilla and one of
his daughters married William Leedom, who kept a famous tavern on
Zane's Trace as early as 1807. The Edgingtons were Baptists frcwn the
first settlers. They at first kept their membership in the diurch at West
Union. Afterwards they removed it to the church at Bentonville.
Richard Edgington, father of Captain Edgington, built the first
tavern in Bentonville in 1848. It is now occupied by a Mr. Easter.
Lindsey Edgington spent his childhood and boyhood at Bentonville
and attended school theire. He also attended a select school there from
1848 to 1 85 1, taught by Prof. Miller. In 1855, he took up the profes-
sion of school teacher and taught for five years, two years in Coles
County, Illinois. In 1857 and 1858, he taught in Ohio, and in 1859, in
Missouri. He returned to Ohio in i860 and October 19, 1861, he enlisted
in Company B, 70th O. V. I. He was made Second Sergeant when the
company was organized. On March i, 1862, he was made Sergeant
Major of the Regiment, and on October 6, 1864, was made First Lieu-
tenant and Adjutant.
On December i, 1864, he was made a Captain and assigned to Com-
pany B. On April 9, 1865, he was detailed as Aid-decamp on the staff of
Major General William B. Hazen and served as such until August 14,
1865. Any soldier reading this record will understand from it that Captain
Edgington made an excellent soldier and was a most efficient officer.
A history of his service would be a history of the 70th O. V. I., which
is found elsewhere. He was in no less than fifteen battles, was in the
March to the Sea, and in the assault on Fort McCallister, and was in the
Great Review at Washington, D. C, May 24, 1865.
From 1865 to 1867, he was in the mercantile business at Bentonville,
Ohio. From 1867 to 1883, he was employed as a traveling salesman for
mercantile houses in Portsmouth and in Cincinnati, Ohio. He located
in West Union in 1883 in the grocery and hardware business and has been
engaged in it ever since.
He was married April 17, 1867, to Miss Eliza Jane Hook and has
two sons and a daughter. His sons, Sherman R., and Eustace B., are
engaged in business with him. His daughter Elizabeth is the wife of
James O. McMannis, late Probate Judge of Adams County. He is a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion, Ohio Commandery of Manchester Lodge of Free and Ac-
cepted Masons of Manchester Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He is a
Republican in politics but never has taken any active part in political work.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 735
Mr. Edgington is a man who has made no mistakes in life. He is
capable and enterprising in business, a valuable and valued citizen. He
is always ready to contribute of his means and influence toward any object
calculated for the good of the community. His record as a teacher, a
soldier, an officer and a citizen is without reproach.
SyWaniui V. Edsimctoii»
of West Union, Ohio, was bom at Aberdeen, Ohio, October i6, 1853. He
was the son of William and Mary A. (Gaffin) Edgington. His grand-
father, Absalom! Edgington, was a native of Sprigg Township, Adams
County. He spent his boyhood at Bentonville attending the public schools
at that place, receiving a limited education. He learned the shoemaker's
trade with his father and worked at that until 1876. In 1878, he removed
to West Union and engaged in the barber business, in which he is still
engaged.
He married Retta Clark, daughter of William Clark, of Fayette
County, Ohio, in 1874. The children of this marriage are Bertha, de-
ceased; Francis, wife of Sherman Daulton; Kilby Blaine, seventeen years
of age; Blanche, fourteen years of age; Albert, eleven years of age;
Myrtle, three years of age.
He is a Republican and takes an active part in local politics. He
is a member of West Union Council and School Board, a member of
Crystal Lodge, No. 114, Knights of Phythias, and of No. 43, Free and
Accepted Masons, of West Union.
Mr. Edgington is an honest and upright citizen. He takes a very
active interest in the fraternal orders of which he is a member. He is
a zealous and earnest worker in his party.
Robert Haatiltoa EUisoa
was born in Manchester, April 21, 1845, the son of William and Mary
Ellison. He received his education in the public schools at Manchester
and has resided there all his life. He was married October 7, 1868, to
Isabella Harris, of Greene County, Ohio, and has two children, a son and
a daughter. He has given most of his attention to farming and stock
raising. In May, 1872, he became cashier of the Manchester National
Bank and continued such for four years.
In 1879, ^^ was elected Auditor of Adams County and held the office
one term, three years. Then he went into the banking business on his
own account, and to dealing in leaf tobacco. In 1889, he closed out his
banking busmess and since then he has been exclusively engaged in farm-
ing. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Phythias.
He has been a Republican all his life.
Johm EUison,
son of John Ellison, Jr., Sheriff of Adams County, 1806-10, and grandson
of Andrew Ellison, of "stone house" celebrity, whose father was John
Ellison, the emigrant, was born at old Buckeye Station, March 24. 1821,
and died in Manchester, April 5, 1872. His mother was Ann Barr, a
native of Adams County, and his grandmother was Mary McFarland, a
native of the Emerald Isle, who was married to Andrew Ellison previous
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736 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
to his coining to America. John Ellison, the subject of this sketch, re-
ceived the rudiments of an English education in the schools such as were
afforded in Adams County in his early youth. He afterwards spent some
time at old Marietta College, one of the early educational institutions of
Ohio. He early engaged in mercantile pursuits in which he was actively
and successfully engaged until the time of his demise. While never
robust, yet he undertook and carried forward enterprises of business which
required the greatest mental and physical exertion. He was an alert,
public spirited citizen, ever ready to lend assistance to promote and ad-
vance the interests of the community in which he made his home and the
county of his birth. He was one of the first advocates of the free turn-
pike road system of the State. He established the first bank in Man-
chester in the building which Thomas O'Neill now occupies on Water
Street.
In 1866, hei, in connection with Peter Shiras and Robert H. Ellison,
organized the banking house of John Ellison & Company. And just pre-
vious to his decease, established the First National Bank of Manchester
in the building now occupied by the Manchester Bank. At the time of
Morgan's Raid in 1863, he, assisted by his wife, sealed up the bonds and
species of the bank amounting to $100,000, in fruit jars, and buried- them
in Keith's hollow back of Manchester, where they remained undisturbed
until after all danger from Morgan's marauders had passed.
Mr. Ellison was a consistent and honored member of the Presby-
terian Church during his lifetime, serving for many years as one of its
edders and Sunday School Superintendent. In politics he adhered to the
principles of the Republican party after its organization, although his
grandfather and father were supporters of the doctrines of Jefferson and
Jackson. In early manhood he wedded Miss Helena Baldwin, a daughter
of Elijah Baldwin, a wealthy werchant and trader of Manchester, of whom
is is said that he sent more keel-boats loaded with bacon and flour from
Manchester to New Orleans than any other merchant of his day. On
one occasion, when delayed at New Orleans for means of transportation
home by water, he set out on foot and walked the entire distance across the
country home, at a time when it was worth a man's life to undertake such
a journey through a sparsely settled region infested with bandits of the
most daring class. After the death of his first wife, he married Miss Car-
oline, her sister, with whom he resided until his decease. The fruits of
the first marriage were Andrew, Anna, and John Prescott, the latter of
whom yet survive. Of the second marriage, the children are Helena, who
died in infancy; Esther, who married Stewart Alexander, a prominent
business man of Adams County, and Louvica, a bright and interesting
woman, recognized as a leader in social, church, and charitable affairs
in her native community, now married to J. G. Nicholson, of Manchester.
DaTid Shaf er Eylar.
He was born July 10, 1831, in Manchester, Adams County, the ninth
of ten children of the first marriage of Judge Joseph Eylar. He was
taught what the District school could give him. His father was a tanner
and he learned the trade under him. In 1832 to 1857, he conducted a
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCBES 737
tannery in Locust Grove. In the Fall of 1857, he was elected Sheriff on
the Democratic ticket and re-elected in 1859.
On May 30, 1858, he-was married to Miss Martha Cannon and began
housekeeping in West Union. He moved to Locust Grove from West
Union in i860 and has resided there ever since. From i860 to 1865, he
kept hotel in the: property formerly occupied by Mrs. Jeremiah Cannon.
In 1865, he took the present Eylar Hotel and conducted it until his death.
For some time after returning to Locust Grove he carried on farming.
He was Justice of the Peace of Franklin Township from 1875 to
1878 and from 1881 to 1896. He was the father of nine children, as fol-
lows: Jennie, married James C. Copeland and resides in Locust Grove;
Oliver Rodney, physician, located at Cynthiana, Pike County, Ohio. He
graduated as M. D., April 12, 1900, from Starling Medical College,
Columbus, Ohio. He was married to Miss Lilly B. Newland in 1885.
The second daughter, Hettie, married R. D. McClure and died in 1890,
leaving one child. Elizabeth married Jacob Randolph Zile, Ex-Commis-
sioner of Adams County, and a prosperous farmer. Oscar Coleman mar-
ried Laura Rearick and is a farmer near Locust Grove. Ella and Ruth
reside with their mother. Alverda died at the age of four years. John
Randolph, the youngest, resides with his mother in the old home.
In politics, Mr. Eylar was always a Democrat. He took an active
part in all the contests in which his party was engaged. He usually at-
tended all the conventions and was active in the caucuses and at the polls.
He had a fascination and love for political contests. He was not religious
in the sense of church membership, but aimed to deal fairly with all men.
He was a heavy set man, over the medium height, of a dark complexion,
dark hair and broad, with a saturnine expression. While he could laugh
and enjoy humor, his usual mood was serious and earnest to an unusual
degree. He was kind to his family and loyal to his friends. For his
enemies he cared l)tit little. He aimed to do the best he could for those
dependent on him and that is the l>est any one can do. He died March
II, 1897.
Thomas William Ellison
was born at West Union, Ohio, .August 11, 1859, the son of Thomas and
Mary McNeiian Ellison. His grandfather, James Ellison, was born near
Dublin, Ireland, December 25, 1776. and died September 5, 1865. He was
a member of the royal bodyguard of the king of England for sixteen
years. He was married to Mary Stewart in 1806.
Thomas Ellison, father of our subject, was born in Adams County in
1822. He followed farming in his early life, eventually engaged in mer-
chandising. He was a man of fine appearance, pleasing address, and very
much liked by his acqtiaintances and friends. He was very popular, was
a Democrat, and as such was elected Treasurer of Adams County, and
served from to When the war broke out, he went with the
70th O. V. I. as sutler. Later he located in Tunica County, Mississippi,
where he engaged in cotton raising. He was also interested in the
steamer Natonia, which plied on the Mississippi River. He died July 16,
1868, at West Union, Ohio.
47a
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788 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Mary McNeilan Ellison was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March
6, 1820. She was married to Thomas Ellison, May 29, 1843, ^^ ^^
Union, Ohio. They had five children, Arthur Stewart, who died August
22, 1867; Jennie, deceased wife of Isaac Boatman, of Gallia County,Ohio;
Annie, widow of H. R. Bradbury, of Gallipolis, Ohio; Thomas W., the
subject of this sketch, and Sarah Matilda, who died September 24, 1882.
Mrs. Mary Ellison died September 16, 1898.
Our subject was reared in West Union, and received his education in
the village schools. He began business life as a clerk, having charge of
the dry goods store of Mauck & Bradbury, at Cheshire, Ohio, for two
years. After that firm closed out, he returned to West Union and clerked
for R. W. Treber for three years. In April, 1882, in company with J. W.
Hook, he engaged in the real estate and insurance business at West Union
under the firm name of Ellison & Hook. Some time after, he disposed
of his interest in that firm to John W. McClung, and accepted the super-
intendency of the Wilson Chifdren's Home, March 8, 1889, and still holds
that position.
He was married at Bloomington, August 30, 1882, to Elizabeth Kir-
ker, a native of Hamilton, Hancock County, Illinios, and a member of the
well known Kirker family of Adams County. She is a daughter of
.George and Mary Elizabeth Baird Kirker, and a grandniece of Ae Hon«
Thomas Kirker, once Governor of Ohio. Mrs. Ellison's parents were
born, reared, and married in Adams Coimty, but moved to Hamilton
County, Illinois, and then to Kendall Cotmty, in the same State. Mrs.
Ellison has served as Matron of the Wilson Children's Home since her
husband's employment as Superintendent, and it is greatly due to her
labors that the institution has reached the high standard it has among
the children's homes in the country. She is a member of the West Union
Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Ellison has served as a member of the West Union Council and
School Board, and always has taken an active interest in public aflfairs.
In his political views, he is a Democrat. In 1888, he took a prominent
part in the organization of the Adams County Agricultural Society. He
was elected its Secretary, and has held that [>osition since its organization.
It is due to his labors that the society has been so well managed and suc-
cessful. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at West Union, and the
Masonic Chapter at Manchester. He is a member of the Calvary Com-
mandery. Knights Templar, at Portsmouth, Ohio. He is a member of
the Knights of Pythias at West Union. He is not a member of any
church, but is a believer in the Presbyterian doctrines. Mr. Ellison
is a public spirited citizen, and is highly esteemed in his entire circle of ac-
quaintances.
Johm A. Eylar.
One of the prominent members of the bar of Waverly, Ohio, is a
native of Adams County, having been born at Youngsville, February 16,
1855. He was the fourth son of John Eylar and Ann A. Wilkins, his
wife. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Eylar, of Winchester, was an
Associate Judge of Adams County from 1835 to 1842. His maternal
grandfather, Daniel Putnam Wilkins, was a lawyer of West Union, Ohio,
but was bom and reared in New Hampshire, the bluest of New England
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BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCffi» 73^
blue blood Yankees. Our subject graduated from the West Union
schools, and afterwards took a course in the Adams County Normal
schools. He taught for a time in the West Union schools and read law
under the late John K. Billings. He was admitted to practice law at
Portsmouth, April 20, 1876. He located in Waverly for the practice of
the law and ever since has resided there.
In politics, he has always been a Democrat. In 1880, he was elected
Prosecuting Attorney of Pike County, and was re-elected in 1883, serving
six years in th^t office, in which he acquired a reputation for industry,
zeal and ability in his profession. In the time he held the office, he drew
no less than four hundred indictments, only one of which was ever hdd
defective. In the same time,he collected and paid into the county treasury
more forfeited recognizances than any of his predecessors. Since he re-
tired from the Prosecutor's office, he has been actively engaged in the
practice of his profession and is retained in all the important litigation of
his county. He was one of the attorneys for the defense in the famous
case of the State against Isaac Smith, indicted for murder in the first
degree, of Stephen Skidmore, and distinguished himself in the conduct
of that case. He was married February 16, 1887 ^o Lucy, daughter of
John R. Douglas, and has three children.
In his practice, he first obtains a full knowledge of the facts of the
case, both from his client's and his opponents* standpoints. He then in-
vestigates the law applicable to each and all theories the court might as-
sume. He goes into court with all his cases thoroughly prepared as to
law and facts, and will not file a case for a client unless he believes the
chances for success are largely in his favor. Like the famous Luther
Martin, of Maryland, he is "always sure of his evidence." He is naturally
eloquent and one of his cotemporaries says be is the most eloquent member
of the Waverly bar. In his arguments to the jury, he is magnetic. In
his arguments to the court, no point escapes him. He brings them all out.
He always understands his case fully before bringing it to trial. He
is as zealous for a poor client as a rich one. He is of a benevolent dis-
position and very charitable. He is a brilliant cross-examiner. He con-
ducts a cross-examination rapidly and pleasantly, but always with a de-
nouement in view. FoHowing these principles, he has already established
a reputation as a lawyer and bids fair in the course of a ripe experience
to be as able as any in the State.
Sheratmm Rlohard EdsAacton,
of West Union, son of L. L. Edgington and Eliza J. Hook, was bom at
Bentonville, Adams County, June 24, 1869. In his boyhood he clerked
during school vacation in the general grocery store of Edgington & Mc-
Govney, in West Union. After the dissolution of that firm he became
a partner with his father, succeeding to the business of the old firm,
where he is yet successfully engaged. June 15, 1898, he married Miss
Hattie, the estimable daughter of J. W. Hedrick, of Russellville, Ohio,
Our subject is one of the substantial young business men of Adams
County and stands high in the community in which he resides. He is a
member of the Presbyterian Church, and Treasurer and Secretary of the
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740 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Presbyterian Sabbath School. He is a member of West Union Lodge,
No. 43, F. & A. M., and holds the responsible position of Treasurer of the
Lodge.
Dr. Cliarles W. Eds^nston,
of Blue Creek, is one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of Adams
County. He is a son of Dr. T. C. Edgington and Levina Stewart,
daughter of Joseph Stewart, of Sprigg Township, a soldier of the War
of 1 812, who died at the ripe old age of ninety-two years.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Winchester,
where he was born Xovember 16, 1867, and the public schools of Benton-
ville. He attended the North Liberty Academy when in charge of Prof.
E. B. Stivers, and afterwards the Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio.
He was a successful teacher in Adams County for several years. He took
a course in Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, graduating in
1895. He opened an office in Rome, Adams County, that year, where he
remained until 1898. After graduating in the New York Polyclinic, he
located at Blue Creek, where he has a large and lucrative practice.
He is a Democrat, and served from 1889 to 1891 as Clerk of Jef-
ferson Township, and as Coronor of Adams County from 1896 to 1898.
March 15, 1893, he married Miss Anna Case, the estimable daughter
of Martin Case and Christiana Hdzer. To this union have been bom
Claude B., August 28, 1894, who died in infancy; Harry W. December 2,
1895, died December 4, i89i6: Paul J., April 29. 1898.
Rev. L. G. Evans, of Blue Creek,
The ancestors of Rev. Evans, Thomas Evans and Elizal)eth Greene,
came from North Carolina to Virginia, and thence to Fleming County,
Kentucky, where he was born June 18, 1838. His ancestors all lived to
a ripe old age, his great-grandmother Hunt dying at the extreme age of
112 years. In 1846, he came to Adams County and remained until 1858.
when he returned to Kentucky, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion he
enlisted from Rowan County, Xovember 20, 1861, and was mustered
into the service at Lexington in the following December for three years as
a private in Company F, Capt. Blue, 24th K. V. I., Col. Hurt. He was
at Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Knoxville, Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Peach-
tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro. and was made Third Sergeant at
Shiloh. Was honorably discharged at Coviiigton, Ky.. January 31, 1865.
April I, i860, he married Miss Nancy E. Markwell, daughter of Joel and
Esther Rice Markwell, of Rowan County, Kentucky. Two daughters
were the fruit of that union, Rozella and Saliie.
Rev. Evans is a regularly ordained minister of the regular Baptist
Church, but from throat trouble has not had a regular charge for some
years. He is Chaplain of Bailey Post, G. A. R.. No. 610, at Blue Creek.
Andrew Henry Ellison,
of West Union, is one of the best known men in Adams County. He has
been in public life since his majority and enjoys a wide circle of friends
and acquaintances. He is the son of Andrew Ellison, of Brush Creek,
who married Harriet Collier, a daughter of Colonel Daniel Collier, a pio-
neer of Adams County. Our subject was bom May 3, 1843, on the old
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C. W. EDGINCTON M. D.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 741
Collier farm settled by Col. Daniel Collier in 1795, and selected by him
as one of the prettiest situations on Ohio Brush Creek. He obtained a
good education in the common schools, and worked on his father's farm
until the breaking out of the Civil War. When Company D of the 24th
Regiment was forming he attempted to enlist but was rejected on account
of age and size. He then drove team in the service until he attained his
majority, when he enlisted in Company D, 121st Ohio, and served till the
close of the war. After the close of the war, he became a merchant, first
at Dunkinsville and afterwards at Russellville, Brown County. He sold
his store, and became Deputy Sheriff under Henry McGovney, which
position he held for four years. He then clerked for Connor, Boyles and
Pollard at West Union imtil appointed postmaster there in 1887, which
position he creditably filled for four years. He then took charge of the
new Palace Hotel, where he yet presides, and no landlord has more warm
personal friends among the Knights of the grip, than Andy Ellison.
"Once his guest, always his friend," the}' say.
In January, 1872, he married Lydia Truitt, by whom he has had two
daughters, Kate, a beautiful and lovely child who died in 1887, and Roena,
wife of Michael J. Thomas, son of Hon. H. J. Thomas of Manchester.
In politics, Mr. Ellison is a Democrat of the old school, and one of the
very staunchest supporters of William Jennings Bryan. He takes a
humanitarian view of life and no man will go further to relieve the dis-
tressed than he. He is a member of the U. R. K. of P. at West Union.
Daniel P. W. Eylar,
of West Union, son of John Eylar and Ann Wilkins, was born at Youngs-
ville, Adams County, July 2, 1858. His father was a son of Joseph Eylar,
Associate Judge of Adams County, and his mother was a daughter of
Daniel P. Wilkins. once a prominent lawyer at the West Union Bar. The
parents of Dur subject moved to West Union when he was a mere lad and
there has been his home ever since. He was educated in the West Union
public schools, and in his seventeenth year took up the profession of
teacher in the common schools. Like many boys in a town where there
IS a newspaper office, he early learned the printer's art, and after teaching
several years, he with E. B. Stivers and W. F. Trotter began the pub-
lication of The ludc.w afterwards The Democrat Inde.w at West Union,
in 1889. ^^ became the editor and proprietor of the last named news-
paper in 1891, and continued its publication until 1896, when it was
disposed of to the publishers of The Defender.
In politics, Mr. Eylar is as he puts it "independently Democratic with-
out any aspirations for official preferment." He does his own thinking
on matters of religion as well as in politics. He was reared strictly or-
thodox, but after reading and careful investigation along historical and
scientific lines, he became inclined to infidelity in his religious opmions,
and finally agnostic with very materialistic inclinations. He was one of
the ''pioneers" in the world of free thought in Adams County. He is an
active worker and one of the best informed members of Crystal Lodge,
No. 114, K. of P., West Union.
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742 raSTORY OF ADAMS COUNITT
D. C. Eylar
was born at Locust Grove, Adams County, September 26, 1846. His
father's name was Alfred A. Eylar, a son of Judge Eylar, one of the
Associate Judges of Adams County. His mother's maiden name was
Rebecca A. Cockerill, daughter of Gen. Daniel Cockerill, who formerly
resided at what is now Seaman Station, on the C. P. & V. Railroad. She
was a sister of Col. Joseph Randolph Cockerill, whose portrait and sketch
appears in this work. His parents removed to Illinois in the Fall of 1856,
and settled on a farm near Pontiac. Our subject had the advantages of
a common school education until he was about twenty years of age, when
he attended a commercial college at Peoria, Illinois, and graduated from
there. On his return to Pontiac, he was employed by Duff & Cowen,
bankers, and remained in their employ about a year. He was then tend-
ered the position of Deputy County Clerk of Livingstone County, which
position he accepted and served for about two years, when he again re-
turned to the employment of Duff & Cowen, bankers, and remained with
them until the Fall of 1870. In 1871, the Livingstone County National
Bank was organized, and he remained with that institution for over seven-
teen years. His health becoming poor, he resigned as cashier of the Bank
in October, 1878, and went to the Pacific coast, locating at Fair Haven,
about one hundred miles north of Seattle on Puget Sound. While there
he was engaged in the mortgage loan business. He remained there three
years and returned to Pontiac, his old position as cashier of the bank
having been previously tendered him, and he at once assumed it on his
return. The former president of the bank, J. M. Greenbaum, having died
in February, 1887, he was soon afterwards elected president, which posi-
tion he has continued to hold. This bank has been very successful.
It has weathered all financial storms in times of depression. It has at all
times enjoyed the confidence of the people of the community in which i^
IS located.
Our subject was one of four children, three boys and one girl. The
eldest, a son, died in infancy, before his parents left Ohio; a brother A.
W. Eylar, a resident of Arizona, died about thirteen years ago; a sister,
Alverda, was married to Mr. Filmore, formerly of Pontiac. They re-
moved to California and for several years have resided at Los Angeles.
He was married to Miss Alice Hombeys, of Pontiac, Illinois, in 1870.
They had one child, a daughter, who died at the age of six months in June,
1873, and in May, 1874, his wife died of consumption. He has never re-
married. A friend thus writes of him :
"Mr. Eylar is a man of the strictest integrity, a warm and sympa-
thetic friend, a good citizen, having decided political opinions, but seldom
expressing them and with no desire for office, a capital business man as
attested by his long connection with and now at the head of one of our
strongest financial institutions, the Livingstone County National Bank.
He is highly respected by our people and loved by his intimates."
Geors® Washiaston Edslnctoa
was bom December 23, 1849, o^ Donalson Creek, in Monroe Township,
Adams County, Ohio. His father, Morris Edgington, was bom in
Adams CoHnty, near Manchester, in 1825. His mother's maiden name
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BIOGRAPmCAX. SKETCHES 74S
was Nancy Bradford, a daughter of Jacob Bradford, of Kentucky. His
father and mother were bom in 1845, ^^d his grandfather, Absalcxn Edg-
ington, bom in Pennsylvania in 1776, located in Adams County early in
ifoo, and died in 1853.
Our subject was reared in Manchester, and went to school there until
1863, when his parents removed to Portsmouth and he attended school
there a short time. His father retumed to Manchester in 1864, and in
1866, George W. Edgington left school to begin work. He learned the
stoneware business with Pettit & Burbage and afterwards with John
Parks. Pettit & Burbage were succeeded in business by Arch Means, and
in 1870, our subject bought out Arch Means, and conducted the business
until 1876, when he sold out to Mark Pennywit, and from that time to the
present, has been a steamboatman. His first venture was with the Handy
No. I in the Maysville trade. He ran her a year and then she was de-
stroyed in the ice. This discouraged him somewhat and he sold the wreck
of the Handy No. i and went to farming for two years in Kentucky, at
the end of which he sold his farm for thirty acres of land in the west end
of Manchester and lived on it. However, the career of farming was too
sk)w for him, and in 1878, he went on the Fleetwood as watchman and
second mate. He remained on her for two years, when he bought a third
interest of the steamboat John Kyle and put her in the Vanceburg and
Portsmouth trade for one season. He sold his interest in her in the Fall
and went on the New Handy No. i as pilot. He was on her and along
the side of the Phaeton when it blew up in June, 1881, in which explosion
eight persons were killed and he was one of the injured. Afterwards, he
went on the steamboat Retum, in the Manchester and Portsmouth trade,
as pilot, in 1881. He also piloted the Maysville ferry-boat for a few
months, and then went as pilot of the Clipper, and ran her from Ripley
to New Richmond for a short time. He then bought the Katy Prather
frcMn James Foster, and made her a packet, and ran her from Maysville to
Manchester from 1883 to 1888. In 1888, he built the Silver Wave. That
was a prosperous year for him. He sold the Silver Wave to Captain
Webb for seven thousand dollars, having made four thousand dollars in
fourteen months. In 1890, he bought the M. P. Wells for $8,300, and
rebuilt her in 1897, and now runs her from Portsmouth to Cincinnati,
leaving Portsmouth every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10:30 A.
M., and leaving Cincinnati every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5
P. M. In 1894, he bought the Reliance of Captain A. W. Williamson,
and ran her in the Portsmouth and Rome trade. She was sunk at Hig-
ginsport on the twenty-fifth of July, 1895. In 1892, he bought the Belle-
vuc, and made her a tow-boat between Buena Vista and Cincinnati until
1895. He sold her for the Silver Wave, rebuilt her and kept her in the
Vanceburg and Maysville trade until July, 1897, when she was burned
up, lying at the bank for repairs. The M. P. Wells ran from Augusta
to Maysville and connected with the Silver Wave. From the wreck of the
Silver Wave he built the William Duffie, and sold her to Michael Dufiie,
at Marietta, for the Rob Roy. He bought the Charles B. Pearce in 1899
and rebuilt her. She is now engaged in the Portsmouth and Cincinnati
trade, leaving Portsmouth at 10:30 A. M. on each Monday, Wednesday
and Friday,andCincinnati each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5 P.M.
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744 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Our subject is master of the Charles B. Fearce. He was married
December 20, 1869, to Nannie E. Scott, daughter of Andrejw Scott. His
eldest son, John Emery, is the master of the steamboat M. P. Wells; his
son. Arch D., is pilot of the M. P. Wells and his son, Robert W., is clerk.
His son, Andrew Morris, is pilot on the Charles B. Pearce; his daughter,
Edna Mary, is the wife of Edwin §mith, of a\ugusta, Kentucky, who is
clerk on the steamer Pearce ; his daughter, Estella, is the wife of Robert
Hedges, clerk on the M. P. Wells. His two youngest sons. Earnest, aged
nine years, and Roy, aged six, are at the family home in Augusta,
Kentucky.
In politics. Captain Edgington is a Republican. He is one of the
most energetic, industrious men, anywhere in the river trade. He has
operated independent lines of boats between Portsmouth and Cincinnati
since 1876. He has been able to obtain the good will of all the people
along the river and make money, in face of the great opposition of the
White Collar Line. As a steamboatman, he has been very successful and
his career will compare favorably with that of Captain WilHam McClain,
who, in his day, was designated as the prince of all steamboatmen of his
time, or any other time, since the first steamboat went down the Ohio in
181 1. Captain Edgington will not, however, be content with the title
given Captain McClain, or with a reputation equal to his. H he lives
and has even fair luck, he will go down to posterity as the most famous
steamboatman of his time, or any other time, and he will have his whole
family and his posterity in the same business.
Edward Frederick William Erdbrialu
liveryman and transfer agent at Manchester, Ohio, was bom in Bal-
timore, Maryland, September 23, 1864. 'His father, Herman Erdbrink,
was born in Hanover, Germany, as well as his mother, Caroline Schnit-
ker. They were married in Germany in 1865, and came directly to the
United States on their wedding trip. They located in Baltimore, Mary-
land. Mr. Erdbrink's father was an exporter of tobacco for the German
government. Just before leaving Germany, he obtained a contract from
the imperial government for furnishing the government with tobacco for
five years ; and came to this country to purchase and send it to Germany.
His contract was by the potmd, and he shippyed over five thousand hogs-
heads of tobacco each year. He retained the contract by renewals, until
his death in 1871, in New York City, where he dropped dead on the
street, suddenly. His family were residing in Baltimore at that time, and
the mother of our subject is still living in that city.
Our subject was the fifth child of six children. He was educated
in the German Lutheran schools of Baltimore, Maryland, until the age
of thirteen. He attended the Public schools for one year and then left
school. At the age of fifteen he went to clerking in Baltimore, and
remained in that work until 1884. He then undertook to travel over
the western part of the United States as a salesman of rubber goods, and
remained in that business for fourteen years. He came to Manchester
on business in 1891, and made that his home thereafter. He was mar-
ried in Manchester, on the thirtieth of January, 1892, to Miss Tcie
Stivers, daughter of Lyman P. Stivers, a former sheriff of the county.
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NEI<SON W. EVANS
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 746
He bought out the Trent Brothers* livery business, and from that
time gave his attention exchisively to the livery business. He bought out
the Perry and Swearingen stables in December, 1899, and consolidated
Iheir business with bis own. He now has what is known as the Lang
Stable, with the most complete livery in town. He has the transfer
agency for the C. & O. Railroad, and%takes passengers and baggage to
and from the station in Kentucky. He has two children, Lorena Matilda,
aged seven ; and Carl Wayne, aged four. In his political views, he is a
Republican. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church. He
is a Knight of Pythias in the subordinate lodge and in the uniform rank.
Daniel EbHte
was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on the twentieth of July,
1816. His father was John Ebrite, a German, and bis mother was Cath-
erine McElroy, of Irish descent. He emigrated to Adams County
when a young man. He received a comjnon school education. He
was born and reared a Democrat but identified himself with the old
Abolition party, and after the abolition of slavery, he beecame a Repub-
lican. He has been a Trustee of his Township for a number of years.
He has been a member of the Methodist Church since 1840 and has been
a steward nearly all of that time.
He married Rachel Cooper on December 23, 1841. He has three
sons and four daughters. His sons are John W., Albert Q., William T.,
and one daughter, Effie Sydney, who resides at home.
Nelson Wiley Evanst
one of the editors of this work, came into the present world June 4, 1842,
at Sardinia, Brown County, Ohio. His father was Edward Patton
Evans, who was then a lawyer practicing in Brown and Highland Coun-
ties. His mother was Amanda Jane King, born June 20, 1824. His
father resided in Sardinia until April, 1847, when he removed to West
Union, Adams County, to practice his profession. Our subject resided
in West Union from that time until the Fall of i860. He went through
the usual experiences of boyhood, enjoyed all its pleasures and endured
its sorrows. As a schoolboy, he showed a disposition to take life
seriously, which has followed him all his life.
In the Fal' of i860, he attended North Liberty Academy, and in
January, i86t, he entered the Freshman class of Miami University, half
advanced. He remained in that school until June, 1863, when he enlisted
in the 129th O. V. I. He was made First Lieutenant of Company G in
that regiment, and with it marched to Cumberland Gap, which was
taken by capitulation from the Rebel General Frazier on September 9,
1863. His regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, Second Di-
vision, Ninth Army Corps, under General Ambrose E. Burnside. He
participated in the campaign in East Tennessee against Longstreet. On
March 8, 1864, the regiment was mustered out, and he returned to Miami
University, where he graduated in June, 1864. On the eighteenth of
September, 1864, he was appointed Adjutant of the 173rd O. V. I., and
joined his regiment at Nashville, Tenn. The regiment performed duty
about Nashville until the time of the battle, when it was placed in the
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746 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
second line for the attack on Montgomery Hill. Owing to the first line
moving the rebels, his command was only exposed to a dropping fire.
Prior to the battle of Nashville, Mr. Evans was promoted to a captaincy
of his regiment, and during the siege of Nashville by Gen, Hood, and
during the battle, was adjutant of a brigade. After the battle of Nash-
ville, his regiment was sent to Columbia, Tennessee, and from there to
Johnsonville, Tennessee, where it perfomed the duty of gathering strag-
glers from the Rebel army, and took them to Nashville as prisoners of
war. During the tin^ the regiment was at Johnsonville, Captain Evans
was detailed as Acting Assistant Adjutant General. At the dose of the
war, he resumed the studies of the law and on October, 1865, he entered
the Cincinnati Law School. He remained there until April, 1866, when
he was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Hamilton County.
He located in Portsmouth, Ohio, on August i, 1866, and has remained
there ever since.
On September 9, 1868, he was married to Miss Lizzie Henderson,
of Middletown, Ohio. He was a School Examiner of the county for two
and a half years. He was City Solicitor of Portsmouth, Ohio,
from 1871 to 1875, Register in Bankruptcy of the Eleventh District of
Ohio from 1870 to 1878, and a member oi the Board of Education of
the city of Portsmouth for ten years. He is one of the Trustees of Miami
University, and a vestryman of All Saints Episcopal Church. For nine
years he has been a Trustee of the Children's Hospital of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, at Cincinnati. He has two daughters, Gladys and
Muriel. In politics, he is and always has been a Republican.
A friend who had known Mr. Evans since 1871 speaks of him as
follows : "Captain Evans is one of the foremost attorneys at the Ports-
mouth bar, and has a large and lucrative practice. He is an indefati-
gable worker and in the preparation of his cases for trial, makes himself
thoroughly familiar with every detail and fights to the last in the interest
of those he represents. He is a good counsellor, a safe and a careful busi-
ness and commercial lawyer. In his intercourse with his fellow men he
is frank, open, courteous, accommodating and always true to his friends.
His intimate associates are those who like him best. Socially he stands
high, and his honesty and integrity make him respected by all."
Joka W. Fristoe
was born July 13, 185 1, at the old homestead in the great bend of Brush
Creek. His father was Richard Fristoe, and his mother, Anna Sample.
His grandfather, Richard Fristoe, was a native of Virginia, but emi-
grated to Mason County, Kentucky, where he spent his life. His
son, Richard Fristoe, was bom in Virginia in 1802, and was about five
years old when his father moved to Kentucky.
Richard Fristoe, father of our subject, settled in Adams County, in
1832, and resided on the Fristoe place until within four years of his
death on the eighth of January, 1881. Before he located in Adams
County, he was a tobacco dealer and traveled the road from Maysvillc
to Chiliicothe, and on one of these trips, he became acquainted with his
wife. He bought the Sample farm, where Sample's Tavern had been
kept and went to farming in 1833, and continued that occupation until,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 747
on account of age. he retired from all business. The Samples were of
German nationality. Our subject was the youngest of five children. He
was reared on his father's farm and outside of the District schools, at-
tended school at Lebanon, Ohio. At sixteen years, he began the career
of a teacher of District schools and followed tt for sixteen years.
On November 8, 1877, he was married to Miss Media HalUday, and
there were two children of this marriage, Annabelle and Mack. His
wife died November 14, 1889, and in i^i, he married Miss Mertie M.
Hooper, who, with three children, survives him.
He was located at Dunkinsville from 1877 to 1886 in the business of
selling farm Implements, fertilizers, etc. In 1886, he removed to Peebles,
where he was a member of the Village Council for two terms. He con-
tinued to reside in Peebles until he took the office of Treasurer of Adams
County, which he held from September, 1894, to September, 1898, being
the nineteenth person who had held that office between 1800 smd 1894.
After leaving the Treasurer's office in 1898, he continued to reside in
West Union until his death, which occurred Saturday, September 10,
1899.
Mr. Fristoe was one of the most popular men of Adams County.
As a public officer, he was accommodating, prompt and efficient. In
his political views, he was a Democrat and took a prominent part in the
councils of his party. He was an Odd Fellow and a Mason. In his
last sickness, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and died
in that faith. He was a man universally liked and respected for all those
qualities of character which make up true manhood.
Simom M. Fields
retired farmer and trader. Dunkinsville, was bom on the old Fields
homestead, on Ohio Brush Creek, in Jefferson Township, April i, 1833.
He is a son of Samuel R. Fields and Hannah Evans, his wife, a daughter
of Thomas Evans, who lived in Adams County until 1852, when he
moved to Iowa, where he died. He was a soldier of the War of 1812
and received a land warrant for his services which he located in Iowa.
Samuet R. Fields was born August 13, 1803, and died August 15, 1870.
He was a son of Simon Fields, the pioneer, who has a separate sketch
herein. Simon M. Fields, the subject of this sketch, was reared to man^s
estate in Jefferson Township, where he received the benefits of a good
common school ducation. February 28, 1853, he married Miss Maria
C. Osman, a daughter of James Osman, of Tiffin Township. To them
have been born Henry C, David H., Thomas W., James P., and Ruth,
wife of William Wade. In i86t, Simon M. Fields enlisted at Camp
Hamer in the famous 70th Regiment, O. V. I., and continued in the
service until discharged for disability, June 28, 1862. He was at
Shiloh and in other engagements of his regiment until his discharge.
He came home and afterwards recruited a company in the National
Guards, which he commanded as Captain in the hundred days' service
at Fort Hurricane, W. Va. He was honorably discharged September
2, 1864.
Mr. Fields cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and remained
with the Republican party till it demonetized silver in 1873, when he
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748 HISTORY OP ADAMS CXDUNTY
cast his vote for the Greenback ticket. He afterwards became a Pop-
uHst, and is now a firm beHever in the principles of the Chicago plat-
form of the Democratic party of 1896. He is an enthusiastic admirer
of that great apostle of Democracy, William J. Bryan. He was a mem-
ber of the M. E. Church for forty years, in which he was steward and
class leader. He is now a member of the Christian Union Church
at Jacksonville. He has been successful in life, and now resides in a
modem constucted dwelling, on the site of the ''Old Stone House" on
the Andrew EMison farm on Lick Fork, once the site of the town of
Waterford.
Jorden L. Foster,
of Manchester, was born December i, 1824, in Greene Township,
Adams County. He is a son of Nathaniel Foster and Martha Hayslip,
his wife, a daughter of Richard Hayslip. The grandfather of our sub-
ject was Nathaniel Foster, Sr., who emigrated from New Jersey in 1796,
and settled in Greene Township on Ohio Brush Creek, opposite the
mouth of Beasley's Fork. He was a Revolutionary soldier and his
record as such is given in this volume under that title.
Jorden L. Foster was brought up on a farm in Sprigg Township,
where he resided until his marriage to Elizabeth J. Campbell, daughter
of Alexander Campbell and Mary Keith, February 2, 1854. Ma/y
Keith Campbell was a daughter of Dr. Joseph D. Keith, a pioneer phy-
sician of Adams County, and whose practice extended from Chillicothe
to Cincinnati. He was a Revolutionary soldier and a surgeon in a
Virginia Regiment.
The children of our subject are Sarah, married to Wilson A. Russell ;
Alexander C, who married Iva Osman, and Hannah, who resides at
home.
Our subject enlisted as a private in Company E, 91st O. V. I.,
August 9, 1862, and served under Sheridan and Cook in the Shen-
andoah Valley. He was at New River Bridge, Stephenson's Depot,
Winchester, (Dpequan, Cedar Creek, and many other important engage-
ments. He was honorably discharged June 27, 1865.
He is an ardent Republican, and a member of the M. E. Church.
He now resides on his farm near Manchester.
Samuel R. Fieldst
of Wamsley, was lx>rn at Sugar Tree Ridge, Highland County, Ohio
April 17, 1845. He is a son of Richard Fields and Janes Williams. His
boyhood days were spent on Scioto Brush Creek, attending school in the
Winter, and helping on the farm the remainder of the year. He enlisted
at Camp Hamer, at West Union, in the service of the United States for a
term of three years, October, 1861, in Company B, Capt. Summers, 70th
Regiment O. V. I., Col. Cockerill. At the expiration of his term he re-
enlisted in Company B, O. V. I., Capt. Edgington, and served till the close
of the war. He was at Shiloh and all the important engagements in which
his regiment participated. Was honorably discharged June 13, 1885,
having never made application until that time.
August 3, 1865, he was united in wedlock to Miss Annie E. Williams,
a descendant of a pioneer family of Adams County. She has borne him
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHES 749
fourteen children, of which there are two pairs of twins. Each child's
name begins with the letter E. They are: Elmer, Ettie, Evalena, Effie,
Esther and Ezra, twins, Eska, Etvil, Esla, Elgar, Edna. Edgar and Edith,
twins, and Elry. ,
Mr. Fields is a Methodist and an ardent Republican. He has held
many local offices, and is a man of prominence in the community in which
he resides. He belongs to Bailey Post, G. A. R.. at Blue Creek.
Charles Emery- Frame,
of West Union. Ohio, was born on a farm near Bradyville. in Sprigg
Township, August i, 1866.
After leaving the Public schools, in 1883. he entered the dry goods
store of Connor, Pollard & Boyhes in West Union, as a clerk, and re-
mained with that house until March 1. 1898. when he was appointed post-
master at West I'nion. which position he now holds. This is the most
important postoffice in Adams County, and it is due the present in-
cumbent to state that his management has been most satisfactory to the
patrons of this office.
Mr. Frame was married August 25, 1886, to Miss Sarah Lodwick
Smith youngest daughter of the late Judge John M. Smith, of West
Union. In politics. Mr. Frame, while never a partisan, has always affi-
liated with the Republican party. Mr, Frame's parents were James and
Nancy Frame, long residents of Sprigg Township. James Frame was
lx)rn in Union Township, Brown County, May 30, 1818, and married
Nancy Maddox, October 24, 1841. He followed school teaching for a
number of years, and afterwards located on a farm near Bradyville, Adams
County, and conducted a general store in that village. He was a man
greatly respected and held many positions of trust in Sprigg Township.
He died September 21, 1872.
Isaae Trimble Foster,
grocer, of Manchester. Ohio, was lx)rn on Gift Ridge, in Monroe Town-
ship, March 6, 1857. His father was Nathaniel and mother. Martha
(Kelley) Foster. His grandfather. Isaac Foster, was one of the first
settlers on Island Creek, where he built the old *'Foster Mill,'* which stood
within a few rods of where the Island Creek Church now stands. His son,
Nathaniel Foster, operated the mill for many years after his father's death.
Our subject was reared a farmer's son and obtained his education in the
District school on Gift Ridge. He was the only child of Nathaniel Foster,
and worked on a farm until 1894, when he removed to Manchester, where
he engaged in the grovery business in partnership with Samuel B. Truitt.
The latter retired in 18c/) and since that time our subject has conducted
the busines alone in the Stevenson building on Second Street.
Mr. Foster has been three times married, first, to Agnes Leedom,
daughter of Daniel Leedom, by whom he has had three children ; Ora M.,
May. and William E. His second wife was Ida Belle Carr.of Lewis County,
Ky. She left one child, Lena Belle. His present wife is Nettie, daughter
of John Truitt. She had been twice married before sh^ married Mr.
Foster; first, to Fred. r»ailey, by whom she has one son, Frank B. Bailey:
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7W felSTOBY OP ADAMS COUNTY
second, to John McDaniel, by whom she has one son, Truitt McDaniel.
Both sets of children are at home.
Mr. Foster is a lifelong Republican. He and his wife are active
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Manchester. He is a
Mason. As a man, he is remarked for his quiet and unassumming manners
and strict integrity. He enjoys the favorable consideration of all who
know him, either socially, or in a business way.
Blekmrd C. Trmnm
was bom June 17, 1870, at Stout, in Adams County, Ohio. His father
was Conrad Franz. His mother's maiden name was Dora Fink. They
were natives of Wurtemburg, in Germany. They emigrated to this
country in 1850, shortly after Conrad Franz became of age. Our subject
spent his summers on his father's farm at diligent and hard work. He
attended the District schools a few months each Winter, but his studies
were desultory and very much according to liis own inclination. He did
not take up the study of English grammar until he was seventeen years of
age. He was very fond of books, and while a great reader, never had any
one, properly qualified, to direct his reading. Until the age of twenty, he
had attended but three Summer Normal schools. At that age, he became
a teacher of common schools, and continued in that profession, from the
Winters of 1890 to 1893, inclusive.
In the Spring of 1893, he attended the National Normal School, at
Lebanon, Ohio, from which he graduated in the Scientifiec course in 1894.
He studied during the Summer of 1894, and was Superintendent of the
Public Schools at Rome, Ohio, and Stout Postoffice, in the Winters of 1894,
1895, and 1896. In the Summer of 1895, he taught a Normal school at
Peebles, and in the Summer of 1896, at Stout. In the Fall of 1896, he
entered the Classical Course at Lebanon, Ohio, and left, after eight months'
study, in April, 1897, to teach a Normal school at Stout. He spent the
winter of 1897 ^^ his home in Stout and studied. In the Spring and
Summer of 1898, he taught a Normal school at West Union.
He was elected in the Spring of 1898 for the Winter term at Rome,
but resigned to accept the Hannibal schools in Monroe County, Ohio,
where he taught in the Winter of 1898 and 1899. He was re-elected unani-
mously to the same position, but declined, and accepted the superin-
tendency of the West Union schools, succeeding Prof. J. E. Collins, now of
Batavia. He holds a life certificate from the State Board of School Ex-
aminers of Ohio. In his religious views, he is a Presbyterian. In his
political views he is a Republican, but has never taken any prominent part
in politics.
What Prof. Franz is to-day, is the result of his own ambition and
efforts. He undertook to make a teacher of himself, and by his untiring in-
dustry, energy and application, he succeeded. He was conscientious and
earnest — two prominent features of his character. He believed in
thoroughness from the very commencement of his preparation for teach-
ing. He has been devoted to his profession with that constant en-
thusiasm which is characteristic ofi every successful teacher. He is
strong in all of the moralities. His sense of justice is the most refined
and his judgment is always the result of deliberate reflection and of a
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N. B. LAPFERTY, M. D. F. J. MILLER, M. D.
JAMES W. BUNN, M. D., WEST UNION, OHIO JOSEPH "WEST LAFFKRTY
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 7M
course of reasoning. He has made his profession a success because he
loved it, and because he is enthusiastic in following it. His success as a
teacher and superintendent is unquestioned, but above all that, he is re-
spected, admired and loved by all those who know him for his ideal and
perfect character as a man.
Alfred Rust Fvltom
was born in FrankHn Township, Adams County, November 28, 1834. His
father, David Fulton, and his mother, Phoebe Gibson, were both natives
of Loudon County, Virginia, and resided near Upperville. They came to
Ohio in 1833. At that time they had four children, sons. They had five
children born in Ohio, our subject and two daughters. He obtained his
education in the common schools and was brought up to be a farmer. He
was one of the few young men of Adams County who never taught schools.
He enlisted in Company E, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, August 22, 1862, at
the age of twenty-nine years and served until the twentieth of June, 1865.
This service was upon his conscience, as has been everything in his life.
On November 7, 1867, he was maried to Miss Lydia Potts, of Marble
Furnace, a daughter of Samuel Potts.
They have three children, sons, Thomas, Clarence, who married Miss
Jennie Williams and resides in Loudon ; Charles Gibson, formerly a teacher,
but now a clerk in an iron ore establishment at Sparta, Minn. ; Homer
Clayton, a lawyer in Duluth, Minn.
Mr. Fulton's father was a Whig and Republican and he has always
been a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Church in Loudon
and lives his faith every day.
He owns and cultivates over five hundred acres of good land, and
everything about him has an air of care and thrift. His word is as good
as his bond and the latter is redeemable in gold on demand at any time.
Mr. Fulton has acquired a competence and knows how to enjoy it. He has
a pleasant home where he is surrounded by all the comforts of life and
can spend the days of his old age in peace. No man stands higher in the
esteem of his neighbors and the public, and his life and character entitle
him to this estimate. If good works would send any one to Heaven, Mr.
Fulton is sure of it, but his good works all proceed from principle and
from a sense of Christian duty and obligation.
Willi«m Stewart Foster,
attorney and Mayor of Manchester, was born in the old Buckeye Station
residence, October 19, 1868. Attention is called to the article on "Buckeye
Station" for the historical character of his birthplace. His father was
Charles Wilson Foster, bom January 13, 1839. His wife was Miss Laura
Jane Stewart, daughter of William K. Stewart. Charles Wilson Foster
enlisted in Company G, 70th O. V. L, October 17, 1861. He was pro-
moted to Corf)oral, Sergeant, First Lieutenant and Captain. He veteran-
ized, and at muster out, August 14, 1865, was Captain of the company he
had entered as a private.
In 1867, he bought the Buckeye Station farm, and the same year, on
November 21, 1867, he was married. He has our subject and another
son, Charles Damarin, born September 20, 1877. Charles Wilson Foster
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752 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
lived OH the Buckeye Station farm for nine years. He then conducted a
store at Soldier's Run for two years. From 1878 to 1883, he was a mer-
chant at VVrightsville. Since October, 1883, he has resided at Manches-
ter.
Our subject began the study of law in 1886, with Dudley B. Phillips
in Manchester. In 1887 and 1888, he attended the Cincinnati Xaw School,
and completed the course. On Octol>er 21, 1889, he was admitted to prac-
tice law. He opened an office in Manchester, where he has since resided.
In 1890, he was the Republican candidate for prosecuting attorney of the
county, but was defeated by Cyrus F. Wikoff. In x\pril, 1891, he formed
a law partnership with his preceptor, Mr. Dudley R. Phillips. In the Fall
of 1891, when Mr. Phillips was elected to the State Senate, Mr. Foster
was elected Mayor of the village to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Phillips'
resignation to take the office of Senator. He was married December 4,
1892, to Miss Grace Hundley, daughter of James P. Hundley.
In 1894, he was elected Solicitor of the village of Manchester, and
served one term. In iqoo, he was elected Mayor of Manchester on a
straight Republican ticket over an Independent Republican on a reform
ticket, of which office he is the incumbent.
Rev. Emile Grand-Girard
was born at Hericourt. France, June 4, 1816. He was of Huguenpt
.parentage. His ancestors, firm in' the Protestant faith, fled to Switzer-
land at the time of the St. Bartholomew massacre in 1572.
When about fourteen years of age, Mr. Grand-Girard went to Stras-
burg, where he pursued his studies under private instructors, preparatory
ta entering the Polytechnic School (one of the French Government
Schools) of Applied Sciences.
He came with his family to the United States in 1833, landing in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. For a few years he followed his profession of architectural
designer in Cincinnati, Xew Orleans, and other cities in the South.
On December 31. 1840. he was married to Miss Georgiana Herdman.
at Bowling Green, Kentucky, who was descended from Francis McKarr\',
the first Presbyterian minister settled in the. Colonies. From this mar-
riage were born two sons and two daughters.
In 1844, Mr. Grand-Girard decided to enter the ministry and studied
theology under Rev. Samuel Steel, D. D., of Hillsboro, Ohio. 'He was
licensed in 1846 and ordained to the full work of the ministry the year
following by the IVesbytery of Chillicothe. He preached at diflFerent
times to the French Church at Mowrystown, Marshall, Rocky Spring and
Red Oak, preaching in the latter place in connection with Mowrystown
for a little more than eleven years.
In 1866, he removed to Hillslx>ro, Ohio, where, in connection with
his sister, Emilie L. Grand-Girard, he engaged in the management of
Highland Institute, a ladies' seminary and boarding school. The institute
was very successful, and from it were graduated large classes of young
ladies who have since filled places of nuich usefulness in many homes and
circles of society.
In 1875, he became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Kingston,
Ohio, where he labored for six years.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 763
In i88i, he took charge of the Presbyterian Church of Eckmansville,
Adams County, where he remained until his decease in December, 1887,
rounding out his active service of over forty-one years in the Gospel
ministry. During the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Grand-Girard, having
learned military tactics in the old country, drilled several companies for
the Union Army. At the time of the Morgan Raid through Ohio, a regi-
ment was made up from Brown and adjoining counties and Mr. Grand-
Girard was appointed by the Governor, Colonel of the same.
He was a man of unblemished character. Firm in his adherence to
the right as became a son of the Huguenots, he was at the same time,
gentle and charitable. Possessed of all the grace and suavity of his
native people, he was a perfect gentleman and most agreeable companion.
He was an earnest preacher of the Gospel, a faithful and beloved pastor.
He filled an honorable and useful place in the world and earned the reward
of the loved and faithful.
H. AUen Gaskins,
of Manchester, Ohio, was born at Sardinia, Brown County, Ohio, January
19, 1857, the son of Dr. John and Marv (Woods) Gaskins, of Bentonville,
Ohio. Thomas Gaskins, his grandfather, was a native of West Virginia,
and when a young man, started "out West," coming down the river in a
keel boat. He was taken suddenly ill and put ashore at Nine Mile, in
Clermont County. On recovering his health, he became so favorably im-
presed with the neighborhood that he decided to stay. The chief at-
traction, however, was doubtless. Miss Phoebe Ward, whom he married.
John Gaskins, their son and father of our subject, studied medicine and
located at Sardinia, where he practiced his profession until 1859, when
he removed to Youngsville, Adams County, where he remained until 1861,
finally settling at Bentonville, where he continued the practice of medicine
until recently, when he retired and went to his farm in Sprigg Township.
Our subject attended the Bentonville schools until the age of twenty-
one. On March 14, 1877, he was married to Mary C. Roush, daughter of
William Roush, of Sprigg Township. Their children are William, a
graduate of the Manchester High School, Class of 1899, ^^^ Carrie and
Aaron, all at home. Mr. Gaskins served as School Director in Benton-
ville for nine years, and has held the offices of Treasurer and Assessor
in Sprigg Township. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has served as
delegate to the State and County Conventions on several occasions. He
is a member of the Knights of Phythias at Manchester, Ohio, of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 570, at West Union, and of Ko. 43,
Free and Accepted Masons, of West Union. He united with the Christian
Church at Union in 1887, and in 1893, began studying for the ministry.
He was admitted to the Southern Ohio Christian Conference as a
I icentiate minister in October, 1896, and was regularly ordajned by the
same Conference, March 25, 1899. At present he is pastor of the churches
at Eagle Creek and Stout's Run and is Vice-President of the Ministerial
and Sabbath School Institute. Since 1897, he has given his entire atten-
tion to the ministry. He is an untiring student, and, by earnest applica-
tion, has won for himself a place among the ablest men of the Southern
Ohio Christian Conference, of which he is a member.
48a
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754 rasrORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
James Taylor Qastom.
The origin of the name is French. In that language, it is properly
spelled "Gastineau." The ancestors of our subject came from France
and located in South Carolina. They were French Protestants or
Huguenots. His father was James Gaston and his mother's maiden name
was Margaret Patton, who was a daughter of Thomas Patton, a native
of Rockbridge County, Virginia, though he emigrated to Ohio, settled oo
West Fork and died there. His grandfather Gaston was from Charleston,
South Carolina. His grandmother Gaston was a McCreight, bom in
South Carolina. His paternal grandfather came to Ohio in 1800 on ac-
count of his antagonism to the institution of slavery. He settled on a
farm near Tranquility, now owned by our subject. His grandfather,
father, and himself were all members of the United Presbyterian Church
of Tranquility, and he has lived near that place all his life. He went to
the District schools until he went in the army. He enlisted in Company
G, of the 129th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at the age of eighteen, on the
eighteenth of July, 1863, and served until the eighth of March, i8iS4. On
the fourth of February, 1865, he enlisted in Company K, of the i88th
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was made a Corporal. He was mustered
out in September, 1865. After the war, he attended the North Liberty
Academy until 18(57, 2i"d in the Fall of 1868, he engaged in the profession
of school teaching and has followed that consecutively for twenty-eight
years, having only given up the profession in 1896.
He was married on March 21, 1871, to Sarah Wallace. They have
four sons: Roscoe, bom in 1873, is principal of the schools at Donavan,
Illinois ; Carey, born in 1875, a teacher in the Weaver Academy at Media,
Illinois; John M., bom in 1876, attending school at Danville, Illinois^ and
Homer, bom in 1882, at home with his parents.
Mr. Gaston was clerk of his township for eight years and Township
Trustee for three years. He was elected Infirmary Director in 1867 and
still holds that office. He is a man of the highest character and un-
iversally respected.
Erastns Monteitli Gaston, M. D^
of Tranquility, Ohio, was born November 10, 1849, ^^ *hat place. His
father's name was Daniel Gaston and his mother's maiden name was
Mary Kirker Kane. His father was a Justice of the Peace of Scott Town-
ship from 1853 to 1865. The lx)yhood and youth of our subject was spent
on his father's farm. He worked in Summer and studied in Winter. At
the age of fourteen, he attended the North Liberty Academy under Dr.
David McDill, for three years. He taught school one term and then be-
gan the study of medicine with David McBride, M. D.. and continued with
him for three years. He attended lectures at the Cincinnati College of
Medicine in 1869 and 1870, and in 1871 he attended the Miami Medical
College, and graduated in 1871. He began the practice of medicine at
Staunton, in Fayette County, Ohio, and remained there one year. He
then located in Trahquility, where he has remained ever since and has en-
joyed a large and lucrative practice all that time. He has always had the
confidence and patronage of the leading citizens of his community.
In politics he has always been a Republican and taken an active" in-
terest. In 1891, he was appointed one of the Pension Examining Sur-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHE8 756
geons of Adams County, and served until the close of President Harrison's,
administration. In 1899, he was reappointed to the saYne office, which he
is now holding. In 1899, he was the Republican candidate for Treasurer
of Adams County and was beaten by only nineteen votes by Henry Gaffin.
At the age of fourteen, he united with the United Presbyterian Church in
Tranquility, and in 1874 was made a ruling elder. He was married to
Nancy J. Brown, daughter of Jacob N. Brown, late of Cincinnati. Their
children are David N. Gaston, of Eden, Illinois ; John J. Gaston, of Roddy»
Tennessee ; Charles O. Gaston, of Tranquility, and Mary Edna Gaston.
As a physician, I>octor Gaston has great ability, recognized both by
his medical brethren and by the public. He possesses the highest character
for morality and integrity and enjoys the esteem and respect of all who
know him. We asked a Republican friend of his to give us a character
estimate of him and we give the answer verbatim, as follows :
"Dr. Gaston is a Christian gentleman in the highest and truest mean-
ing of the term. His personal conduct is above reproach. In his dealings
with his fellow men he is most kind and considerate. There is no favor
he would withhold from a friend and he would scorn to do even an enemy
an injustice." Being all the above, he could be nothing else than a good
citizens, fearless and conscientious in the discharge of every public and
private duty. All he would seek to know would be which is the right
side of any question affecting public or private interests, and he would
take that side without hesitation. He is a thorough believer in the
principles and traditions of the Republican party and there is no right
sacrifice he would not make to promote its success. In 1899, without his
knowledge, he was nominated by his party for a most responsible county
office, that of County Treasurer. His better judgment and inclination
was to decline the nomination. Feeling that he owed it to his party to do
otherwise, at great sacrifice of private interests and suffering at the time
greatly on account of a broken limb, he accepted the trust, and had hit
party that high apprehension it should have liad of the many and valuable
sacrifices he was making for it, he would have been triumphantly elected.
He is a most successful physician, having a large practice in one o£
the best communities of his county. He is possessed of a most happy,
cheerful disposition, which he takes with him into the sick room. This
is almost an inspiration in itself, and in many cases it is the best medicine
a physician can have for his patients. In conclusion, we believe him to be
as "good an all around man" as there is in the county, and our people
would be vastly better off if we had many more like him.
Robert Artlivr Glascow,
of Cherry Fork, was bom on the farm now owned by his brother, J. G.
Glasgow, near Seaman, Ohio, May 28, 1861. He is a son of Robert A.
Glasgow and Jane Smiley, both natives of Adams County. Robert Arthur
Glasgow, our subject, was reared on a farm and received his education
in the District schools. He was married by Rev. John S. Martin, of the
U. P. Church, at Cherry' Fork, October 6, 1881, to Miss Lurissa^ Jane
Caskey, who has borne him five children, four daughters and one son. He
and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Cherry
Fork. Mr. Glasgow owns a fine farm and is one of the most intelligent
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766 HISTORY OF ADAJilS COUNTY
farmers of Wayne Township. His wife is a most estimable woman and
is a descendant of one of the old and well known families of Adams
County.
Hemry Basoom GaIRn
ivas born September 25, 1862, at Bentonville, in Adams County. His
father was Sylvanus N. Gaffin, and his mother was Jane McDaniel. His
father came from N«w York. He attended the District schools as a boy.
He began the huckstering business when but twelve years of age, and
continued it for two years. He then went into the grocery business at
Bentonville, clerking for William Gaffin for three years. He removed to
Mineral Springs Station in 1884, and conducted a general store there for
nearly ten years, at which time he moved his business to Peebles, and has
conducted a general store there ever since. He is also in the livery busi-
ness at Peebles, with John Sparks, under the name of Gaffin & Sparks.
He went into it at the same time he opened the general store in Peebles.
In 1896, he was elected County Treasurer of Adams County over
F. M. Harover, of Manchester, by 68 majority, and has been elected to a
second term. He has always been a Democrat. He has been a member
of the School Board and Council of Peebles. He took up his residence
in 1894 in Peebles, and removed to West l7nion in 1898. He was married
January 7, 1884, to Lilly B. Sparks, daughter of Salathiel Sparks. They
have two children, Jessie, aged thirteen years and Henry Earl, aged five.
He is a member of the Methodist Church of Peebles.
Mr. Gaffin is a man of unimpeachable moral character, a public
spirited citizen and progressive in all his ideas. He enjoys the confi-
dence of all those with whom he has business relations. He is actively
engaged in politics, and as County Treasurer, he is regarded as one of the
best who has ever held that office, old General Bradford, who held it for
thirty-two years, not excepted.
Valentine H. Hafer,
of Blue Creek, was born in Crawford County, Pa., June 28, 1832. His
father was John Hafer and his mother Elizabeth Blackburn. Our sub-
ject was reared on a farm, and when twelve years of age came to Clayton,
Adams County, Ohio. July 2^, 1853, he married Miss Nancy Webb,
daughter of Thomas and Jane Cook Webb, to whom has been borne three
sons and five daughters: George F., John W., Mary J., Sarah E.,
Elatha E. L., Nancy A., James A., and Ida D. A.
August 8, 1862, he enlisted for three years at Buena Vista, Scioto
County, and was mustered into the U. S. service as a private at Lima,
Ohio, Company H, Capt. Henr>', 81 st Regiment O. V. I. He was pro-
moted to Corporal and then joined his regiment under Col. Morton, at
Corinth, Miss. He was in many battles of the war among which may be
mentioned Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro. Sher-
man's March to the Sea, Siege of Savannah, and Kenesaw Mountain.
Was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, July 13, 1865.
Valentine Hafer is one of the prominent men of Jefferson Township.
He is an ardent Democrat in politics, and a Universalist in religion. He
is now badly crippled with rheumatism contracted in the service of his
country, for which disability he draws a pension.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 767
Joseph Warrem Hajsllp,
of West Union, Ohio, was bom May 17, 1826. His father was John
Hayslip, who was born near Winchester, Virginia, in 1781, and came
to West Union, Adams Coimty, Ohio, in the year iSoiS. His first wife was
Margaret Lockhart, who bore him five sons : Isaac N., Thomas J., John
J., James L., and William L., and one daughter, Mary Ann. After coming
to Adams County, John Hayslip married for his second wife Lettie Camp-
bell, a daughter of Frank Campbell. She was bom at Kenton's Station,
Kentucky, and was married in 1825. John Hayslip was a tailor by trade
and for seven years kept the old Browning Inn, where Lew Johnson now
resides. He afterwards kept hotel on Main Street, near the old public
well. He was an ardent Whig, and on the day of the great Whig
meeting in West Union, in 1840, he asked to be raised in his bed so as to
get a view of the procession passing down Main Street, headed by Tom
Corwin, the orator of the day. He died June 9, 1840. He commanded a
company in the War of 1812.
Joseph W.» the subject of this sketch, was a son of John Hayslip and
Lettie Campbell. He was born in West Union, May 17, 1826, and received
the rudiments of a common school education, the most of his teaching
coming from old 'Squire Ralph McClure. He served an apprenticeship
with Peter B. Jones, of Maysville, at cabinet making, which, together
with that of millwright, has been his occupation through life.
On December 25, 1849, he married Lemira E. Montgomery, daughter
of Nathaniel Montgomery and Priscilla Rounsavell. July 18, 1861, he
enlisted in the 24th Regiment, O, V. I., Col Jacob Ammen, as member of
the Regimental Band, for three years. Was at Cheat Mountain, Green-
brier, Shiloh and Corinth. Organized Second Independent Battery, Light
Artillery, in 1864, and was stationed at Johnson Island, Ohio. Was charter
member of De Kalb Lodge, Xo. 138, I. O. O. F., West L'nion. First vote
cast for Zachariah Taylor as a Whig. Was a Republican from organiza-
tion of that party.
Charles Napoleon Hall
was born December 2, 1839. His father was James H. Hall and his
mother, Louisa Shelton. His father was born in Brown County, near
Logan's Gap. His mother was also born in Brown County. His grand-
father, Elisha Hall, came from Philadelphia and settled in Mason County,
Kentucky, in 1798, and removed into Brown County in 1800. He was
lost on a keel boat on the way to New Orleans in 181 5. His father moved
to Adams County in 1838 and engaged in farming and trading. His
surviving children are, our subject; William S., residing at Fredonia,
Kansas ; Elisha, residing at Langdon, Mo. ; Phoeba, the wife of Benjamin
Johnson, of Rarden, Ohio; Susan, wife of George Shively, of Aspinwall,
Neb.; Mary, wife of Newton Robinson, of Rarden, Ohio; James H., of
St. Deroin, Neb. ; George H., of Camp Creek, Pike County, Ohio.
The father of our subject was Trustee of Green Township, and of
Jefferson Township for many years. He was a Whig and afterward a
Republican. He was born February 22, 1815, and died May 6, 1899, at
St. Deroin, Neb. His wife was born July 8, 1818, and died December 23,
1870. They were married March 31, 1836. Their family was born and
raised near Rome, Adams County, where their mother died.
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758 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNl'Y
Oui subject was married January 24, 1861, to Calista A. Wikoff,
daughter of John Wikoff. Their children are John W., of McGaw, Ohio;
Eldora, wife of Philip Moore, of Vanceburg, Ky. ; William A., of Lang-
don, Mo. ; Charles N., of McGaw ; Margaret, wife of Henry Conner, of
Zarah, Kansas. She died May 24, 1899, leaving four children.
Charles N. Hall enlisted in Company I, 91st O. V. I., August 9, 1862,
and was made Sargeant of the company. He was appointed First Sergeant,
October 28, 1862; promoted to Second Lieutenant on the second of Feb-
ruary, 1864, and to First Lieutenant cm November 3, 1864, and was dis-
charged March 21, 1865. He was wounded at the battle of Opequan,
September 19. 1864. He was shot through the hip and reported mortally
wounded.
He served as Clerk of the Courts of Adams County from 1866 to
1869, and was a Justice of the Peace for Greene Township, one term, 1880
to 1883.
Mr. Hall has been a Republican all his life. He is a man of gen-
erous impulses and very much devoted to his friends, a jolly and com-
panionable man. His army record is not given because it is a part of the
history of the 91st O. V. L, but it is such that he is proud of it and that his
posterity will be.
Paul Howard Harsha
was bom August 19, 1859, '^ Harshaville, Adams County. His father was
William Buchannan Harsha and his mother, Rachel Mclntire, daughter
of General William Mclntire. He was the second son of his parents.
He attended the District school in the vicinity of his home and at one
time attended the Normal school at West Union, taught by Prof. W. A.
Clarke. He learned the practical business of milling from his father.
From the time he arrived at the age of twenty-one years, until 1884, he
was employed in his father's mill at Harshaville, and had charge of the
entire milling operations. In 1884, he took an interest with his father,
under the firm name of W. B. Harsha & Son, which has continued to the
present time.
On January 11, 1884, he was married to Miss Ada Barnard, of Cin-
cinnati. He resided at Harshaville from 1884 until 1892, when he re-
moved to the city of Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1889, he formed a partnership
with John P. Caskey, under the firm name of Harsha & Caskey, and built
a mill in the east end of the city of Portsmouth, and that business has con-
tinued to the present time. He was in Portsmouth from August, 1889,
but did not remove his family there until April, 1892. He is the father of
four children : Edith Armstrong, aged fourteen years ; Elizabeth Lucille,
aged twelve years ; William Howard, aged ten years, and Philip Barnard,
aged eight years.
He and his wife are members of the Second Prebyterian Church in
the city of Portsmouth. He has always been a Republican. He has never
held any public office except that of member of the City Council of Ports-
mouth, Ohio.
Daniel Hmstom Harsl&a
was bom in Washington County, Pa., May 9, 1837. He came with his
father to Adams County, in 1846. In 1853 and 1854, Rev. James
Arbuthnot, James Wright and he conducted the North Liberty Academy.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 7M
From 1854 to 1857, he attended Jefferson College at Carinonsburg, Pa.,
and graduated from that institution in the latter. year. From 1859 to i860,
he again conducted the North Liberty Academy. Since the latter date he
has carried on farming on the farm originally the property of his father.
Mr. Harsha has shown himself a successful farmer and business man. He
IS prudent, careful and conservative in all business transactions and his
excellent judgment has enabled him at most times to be on the safe side
Qjf the market.
While a Republican in his political sentiments, he has never sought
or held public office. His tastes are those of a diligent student of literature.
While he has decided views on all the subjects he has studied, he has been
content with the pleasures of rural life and has never sought to obtrude
his views on others.
He has, perhaps, obtained as much enjoyment out of this life as those
who have made it their mission to antagonize others. Had he lived in the
days of the Greek Philosophers, he would undoubtedly have founded a
school whose teachings wouid have be^n for each to do the best for him-
self and leave others to their own enjoyment, but as he did not and does
not live in the days in which every kind of philosophy was in fashion, he
simply lives up to the principles without giving it a name or public
notoriety. The principles he has lived by have made him a useful, honored
and honorable citizen, a valuable unit of our great country and whose
record, when sealed by death, will demonstrate that the world was better
by his ministry in it and to it.
Iiouis D. Holmes,
the eldest son of John and Elizabeth (Traber) Holmes, was born July 24,
1847, one mile north of West Union, Adams County, Ohio. Until he
reached his nineteenth year, he resided with his father, attending school
and assisting the latter in farming and carrying on a saw mill. He
attended school in the old stone schoolhouse in the lower district of West
Union. He early displayed a taste for books and learning, and made
rapid advances in every study he undertook. In 1866, he left the com-
mon schools and entered the Sophomore class at Miami University, from
which institution he graduated in 1868. While in the common sdiools,
he commenced the study of engineering and surveying and assisted in
laying about the first macadamized road in Adams County built by the
county. At the age of sixteen years, he obtained a certificate of equal-
ification as a teacher in the common schools and acted as a County
School Examiner when only eighteen years of age.
After his graduation from Miami University, he taught two terms
of school at Red Oak, Brown County, Ohio, where he met and became
acquainted with Miss Callie Campbell, whom he afterwards married and
who was the youngest daughter of the Hon. Alexander Campbell, one
of the most prominent citizens of Brown County. Mr. Holmes had
determined to study law before he entered Miami University, and con-
ducted his reading with reference to that. In April, 1869, Ws father
moved to Mercer County, Illinois, near Aledo. H^e he completed
his law studies with the Hon. I. N. Barrett, and was admitted to the
bar of Illinois in August, 1871. He begun the practice of his profession
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760 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
at Aledo, and in May, 1872, was married to Miss Callie Campbell, before
mentioned. They went to housekeeping in Aledo, and continued their
residence there twelve years.
Mr. Holmes was appointed Master in Chancery in Mercer County
and held the office three terms. He devoted his whole time, after that,
to his profession, but he also found time to interest himself in public
affairs. He was identified with the village government and a member
of the School Board of Aledo. Under his advice, the whole plan of the
management of the public schools was changed and the schools of
Aledo were, under such plan, reputed to be the best in the State.
In May, 1884, ^^r. Holmes located in Omaha, Nebraska, and en-
gaged in his profession there. His specialties are equity and real estate
law. He has published a series of articles on *'lis pendens/' and another
upon "Nebraska Mortgages." He has also published a work on "Real
Estate Mortgages and their Foreclosure." Mr. Holmes has four chil-
dren. Mrs. Holmes possesses an artistic talent and has produced several
drawings and paintings of merit. Mr. Holmes and his family are ardent
Baptists and have always led in the activities of that church. For two
years he was President of the Nebraska Baptist Convention, and also Pres-
ident of the Educational Convention. He is now President of the Omaha
Baptists Social Mission and of the Nebraska Children's Home Society,
a large and prosperous organization. Mr. Holmes is now in the prime of
life and enjoys the promises of many years of activity, which he hopes to
spend for the betterment of his fellow men.
A gentleman of high standing, in Mercer County, says of him that
he is held in high esteem by the people of Mercer County ; that he was
a pillar in the Baptist Church and a leader of all church charitable
enterprises. Mr. Holmes was always a student and up-to-date in his
practice, zealous to his client and faithful in the discharge of all his
duties, officially and otherwise. He held an excellent practice in Mer-
cer County and especially in chancery cases. A friend of his in Omaha
says that he is a lawyer of ability and has a reputation as an agreeable
and painstaking member of his profession. That he has been engaged
in a number of lawsuits of more than ordinary importance. He is a
close student of the law and is ver}'^ much devoted to his profession.
Besides this, he has, for years, taken a great interest in philanthropic
and humanitarian work, especially in regard to the Children* Home
Society of Nebraska, of which he is president. His will, energ}% disposi-
tion and talents make his a leader in any community in which he
m.akes his home.
Thomas Jefferson Holmes
was born in Adams County, Ohio. February 9, i860, and resided there
until his ninth year when his father removed to Aledo, Illinois. He
acquired a thorough education in the common schools of Ohio and
Illinois and in the University of Illinois. He began the study of law in
1883 and graduated from the Union Law College of Chicago, in 1885,
with high honors. He began the practice of his profession at once in
the city of Chicago, and by his thorough legal qualifications, honesty
and integrity, he has acquired a lucrative practice and enjoys the respect
and confidence of all' those who know him. He was Assistant Corpora-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 7«1
ton Counsel of Chicago from May i, 1895, to May i, 1897, and was
assigned to the duty of trying special assessment and condemnation
cases, .and while so engaged had many other important cases. He
served on the Finance Committee of the Chicago Law Institute for several
years, and, in 1899, was made its president. He was elected Treasurer
of the Chicago Bar Association in 1896 and since then has been twice
elected to the same office. During his incumbency of this office, the
debt of the association has been largely reduced, and through his skill-
ful financial management, the institution is in a prosperous condition.
Mr. Holmes is active in a number of political, social and fraternal
organizations of Chicago, notable among which are the Hamilton Club
and the Midlothian County Club. He is a thirty-second degree Mason.
In politics he is a staunch Republican, and has always been an active
worker and leader in his party.
In 1892, he was married to Miss Grace Blood, of Santa Cruz, Cali-
fornia. They have one daughter, Devoe.
Mr. Holmes is a thorough business lawyer and has a large practice
in real estate and chancery cases. His offices are at No. 512 Ashland
Block, Chicago.
OMar E. Hood.
Oscar Elmer Hood, son of John P. and Sarah J. Hood, was born
September 14, 1861, at West Union, Adams County, Ohio. He re-
ceived his education in the West Union Public schools and Normal
schools. W^hile in his teens he learned the printing trade with C. E.
Irwin, editor of the Adams County New Era, After working at this
tiade for several years, he began teaching in the country schools of
Adams County; he afterwards taught for several years in the graded
schools of West Union. He held a five years' teacher's certificate, the
highest county certificate granted at that time. In the Fall of 1893,
he retired from the teachers' profession to go into the business of pho-
tography in West Union. He has reached the highest eminence in
his chosen profession and is recognized as being among the best photog-
raphers in the State. He was married at West Union, Adams County,
Ohio. February 19, 1896, to Mrs. Sallie D. Woodworth, nee Hilebronner,
whose father came to this country from Germany in 1835. One child,
Hubert Harold, has been born to them. Mr. Hood started a milliner
store in September, 1897, in West Union, and is now engaged in both
photography and millinery.
He is quite an active worker fn the lodges. He is a member of
Dart Encampment, No. 219, at West Union, of which order he has
passed through all the chair?. He has been a prominent member of
West Union Lodge. I. O. O. F., for several years and has held all the
offices of the order. He is also a member of Wamsutta Tribe, No. 162,
T. O. R. M., at West Union, Ohio, in which he has held all the offices.
He has been twice elected representative to the State Great Council
of this order. He is a member of the Christian Union Church, and in
this, as in everything else in which he has been engaged, he is an active
worker.
As a citizen, Mr. Hood takes an active part in local affairs. He
is a man of decided c^inions, and having once made up his mind on
any subject, does not change his opinions for frivolous reasons.
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762 mSTORY OP ADAJdS CJOUNTY
Jaa&efl N. Hook
was born on a farm near the Ebenezer Church on the line between
Adams and Brown Counties, November 22, 1882. His father's name
was William, who. with his father, James, and two brothers of his
father, John and Zaddock, their families and worldly belongings, left
Snow Hill on the eastern shore of Maryland, in the Spring of 1809,
and crossing the Chesapeake Bay and the Appalachian Mountains, came
to Pittsburg. From that point, they passed down the OhioRiver and
landed at Maysville, where they crossed over to the Ohio side and settled
near the place above mentioned. Here they purchased land and began
the building of houses and bams, and in time were able to surround
themselves with the comforts and conveniences of the farmers of the
country districts of Southern Ohio. These people could all read, write
and cipher, but knew nothing erf the nativity of their ancestors, and it
is probable that they had lived for generations near the place from
whence they emigrated. William Hook married Elizabeth Neal, and
the subject of this sketch was the eldest of a number of children bom
to them. His education was obtained in the country school of the dis-
trict where they lived, except for a term or two, when he was a pupil
of William McCalla, who taught a select school at Manchester, and
who, in his day, was one of the leading educators of this part of Ohio.
From Mr. McCalla, he learned surveying, which he followed, more or
less, all his life.
When quite young, he commenced teaching school which occupied
a part of his time for a number of years until his marriage to Sarah J.
Baird, a daughter of Joshua and Susan Baird, which occurred Novem-
ber 5, 1846, near BentonviUe, Ohio, the Rev. John P. Van Dyke per-
forming the ceremony. Seven children were born of this marriage,
Joshua B., who died in the service of his country, in the War of the
Rebellion, December 25, 1864; Robert N., William H., Elizabeth Susan,
John W., Benjamin F., and Sarah Jane. But two of these survive, Wil-
liam H., and Jfohn W. Hook. After his marriage, he followed farming
most of the remainder of his life.
In 1846, he was elected Surveyor of Adams County, which office
he held for three years. In 185 1, he was elected Clerk of the Courts,
holding that office for one term. During this time he was admitted to
the bar but was never an active practitioner. He was a candidate for
re-election on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated, this being the
Know-nothing year of 1854, when that party swept everything before it.
While living on his farm, one mile west of West Union, on January
19, i860, his wife died, and on September 3, i860, he married Martha
Jane Brawner, of West Union. Eight children were born of the mar-
riage, five of whom are now living, James N., Joseph, May, Sara and
Anna Lou.
In 1864, he was elected County Auditor on the Republican ticket
and re-elected in 1866, after which he again resumed the business of
farming, having purchased the James Anderson farm, one mile east of
West Union. He died on his farm in Franklin Township, September
15, 1885, and at that timie was a Justice of the Peace of the Township.
His wife survived him three years, having died Septembcfr 6, 1888.
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JOHN HOLMES
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 768
James N. Hook was a shrewd politician. He could anticipate what
would please the public better than ?iny man of .his time. Had his ambi-
tion been equal to his sagacity and foresight, he might have held some
of the best offices in the land. There was no better judge of human
nature than he, but while he could tell all his friends what was best to
do, he was unwilling to avail himself of his own knowledge. He was
one of the most sociable and companionable of men, and was universally
liked by his neighbors.
Joha Holmes
was born in Adams County, November 30, 1820, the son of Thomas
Holmes and Margaret McClannahan, his wife, and was one of a large
family of sons and daughters. His father was a stem man with much
of the iron bound New England Puritan in his make up, and hence the
son John was indoctrinated in that school. He was taught economy and
was born with a wonderful energy inherited from a long line of ances-
tors and the same trait was also cultivated in him by his father. He
was taught the dignity and importance of labor, and no man ever lived
in Adams County who worked harder, more hours in the twenty-four,
or with more energy than John Holmes. He believed for himself and
those who worked for him in securing more results in the same time than
any of his neighbors. He was born with a thirst for knowledge, which
was never quenched in his long life. Whatever about him, which could
be learned, whether from books or from men, he learned it. In boy-
hood, he travelled six miles to a school, morning and evening and
thought nothing of it. He soon qualified himself as a teacher and taught
Winter terms after becoming of age. His salary was sixteen dollars per
month and board. July 22, 1846, he was married to Elizabeth Treber,
daughter of Jacob Treber, one of the pioneers of the county. She
brought into the life partnership the same sterling qualities he possessed,
energy, economy, and a determination to succeed. They located on a
farm on Lick Fork, known as the "Hilling Race," which he had bought
for $1.60 per acre. Here their two eldest children were bom. In 1851,
they moved two miles east of West Union on the Peebles road, and here
Mr. Holmes carried on a saw mill and a farm. They resided in this
home eighteen years, and here eight more children were born to them.
Mr. Holmes was an ambitious man, not only for himself but for his
children, and he felt there were greater rewards for him and them in
the fertile prairies of Illinois, and in the Spring of 1869, ^^ removed
with his family to a farm in Mercer County, Illinois. Mr. Holmes and
his wife, while residing in Adams County, were faithful members of the
regular Baptist Church and trained their children in the same. Mr.
Holmes was a citizen respected by all who knew him and performed
every duty he ow^ed society, or any part of it. He was very fond of
argument and discussion, for the reason that in that way he learned
to look at all sides of a question. If he could add anything to his
store of knowledge, it pleased him just as much as though he had secured
a sum of money.
He was a good conversationalist, and all who spent any time in his
companionship were benefited. He was a close student of politics and
of business and desired to be completely informed about them. From
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764 fflSTORY OF ADAMS COUNl'Y
his majority in 1841 until 1856, he was a Whig and became a Repub-
lican when that party was formed and adhered to it the remainder of
his life. He was anti-slaverj' from the time he was of age. He helped
fugitives on their way from their bonds in obedience to the "higher
law," and in defiance of human law. In Illinois, he was a prosperous
farmer and stock raiser and lived the same useful life he had lived in
Adams County.
John Holmes was a successful man, made money and accumulated
property. Living according to the principles he did, it could not have
been otherwise. He never forgot his old friends in Adams County and
was always delighted to visit the home of his childhood, youth and man-
hood. He died on the sixth day of January, 1896, beloved and respected
by all who knew him. His wife, born March 12, 1824, died March 24,
1897. The best commentary on the life of John Holmes and that of his
wife is in their children, eight, of whom five sons and three daughters
survive them. The eldest son, Louis D., is a distinguished lawyer in
Omaha, Neb. ; Thomas J., is an active and prominent lawyer in Chicago,
111. ; John F., Charles E., and William H., are prosperous farmers in
Mercer County, 111. The three daughters are married to excellent hus-
bands and are women of great force of character.
John Holmes impressed the ideals of his own life on those of his
sons and daughters, and in that way has conferred great blessings on
posterity. At the time of his death, he had twenty-two grandchildren,
all of whom are being taught the same high principles which actuated
and governed his life and made him a useful and model citizen.
Paul "ELmrmhtL
was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, April i, 1800. He
was the second of a family of nine children of James Harsha and Jane
White, his wife. James Harsha was a farmer and resided two miles
west of Cannonsburg, from the time of his marriage. When his family
became large, he removed to Westmoreland County, where he resided
until his father's old homestead came to be divided among his heirs,
when he purchased it and occupied it until his death. He was out in the
War of 18 1 2. Paul, his son, learned the trade of briklaying, followed it
some time, and while so doing built eighteen houses in Allegheny City for
one person, Squire Wright.
On May 22, 1831, he was married to Martha, a daughter of Wi)W»m
Buchanan and his wife, Hannah Houston. Her father William and
his brother John were the only children of a ship owner and Captain,
whose wife was a Lady Campbell, of Glasgow, Scotland. These two
boys were sent to school in Philadelphia, while their fathers, with a ship,
carried on merchandising between that city and points in the Mediterra-
nean. He sailed on one voyage to the Mediterranean from which he
never returned. It is believed his vessel and crew were captured by
Algerian pirates. William Buchanan carried on paper making and
book binding, in or near Philadelphia, and manufactured paper on
which was printed the currency used by the United States, wWch was
made from bolts of silk bandanna handkerchiefs.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 765
He removed to Chambersburg*, Pa., where his daughter, Martha,
was born, March 22, 1810. In 1812, he moved to Washington County,
Pa., and engaged in farming, wool and silk raising. It is related that
his daughter, Martha, at one time, chiefly tended the flock of three
hundred sheep. Paul Harsha, soon after his marriage, settled on a part
of the Harsha homestead, and gave his whole attention to farming.
In 1846, he came to Adams County, and purchased lands at Harsha-
ville of Gen. Samuel Wright and son-in-law, John McCullough. There
was a water grist-mill on the land and Paul Harsha added a saw-mill,
both of which were kept busy while the water supply lasted. A few
years after steam power was placed in the mill. In i860, the mill was
torn down and rebuilt with the best machinery obtainable at the time.
Paul Harsha carried on farming, milling, and stock raising successfully
up to his death, April i, 1876.
His wife died March 22, 1884. Paul Harsha had eight children,
two of whom died m infancy. They were William Buchanna, Jane,
Daniel Houston, James White, Nathan Patterson and Lizzie H.
James W. died at the age of seventeen. Nathan Patterson enlisted at
the age of eighteen, September 15, 1862, in Capt. John T. Wilson's Com-
pany E of the 70th Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died Octo-
ber 9, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn. Lizzie H. is the wife of Carey Patton,
of Denver, Colorado and has a son Paul and two daughters, Mabel
and Myrtle. Paul Harsha was noted for his honesty and plain dealing.
He aimed to keep and control his business entirely, and in this way
was very successful.
He was possessed of a practical mind and had a wonderful sagacity
to predetermine the results from any business venture. He was not a
member of any church, btit was a Presbyterian in his views.
William Holmes^
William Holmes was born in T^iberty Township, in Adams County,
on April 29, 1802, and resided there all his life. When he was a boy and
a young man he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it in the
vicinity of West Union up till 1870. He built many of the residences
of West Union. He was married at the age of twenty, to Nancy N.
Chaney, of Highland County. They located west of West Union on
the hill overlooking the Eagle Creek valky, where they resided during
their joint lives. Their children were James, Mary J.. John, Cyrena,
William, George. Margaret and Nathan. Three died in infancy. There
are two sons, William and Nathan, three daughters, Mary J., Cyrena and
Margaret, still surviving, all of whom reside in Adams County except
Cyrena, who resides in Highland County. William Holmes was a
man of powerful physique and nerve. The following instance is related
of him:
He was suffering from a felon on the index figer of the right hand.
Dr. Wilson, who was attending him, advised amputation and the patient
consented. The Doctor was nervous and could not saw the bone
steadilv. William Holmes took the same and separated the bone him-
self.
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766 mSTORY OP ADA.MS CX>UNTY
He followed his occupation of carpenter until two years before his
death, September 19^ 1872, when he died suddenly of apoplexy. He
was a law abiding, useful citizen, who commanded iJie respect of every-
one. His wife, who was born October 15, 1886, died February 14, 1890.
His daughter Nancy married Alex. McGovney and Cyrena married John
Willit ; Margaret married George W. Crawford and resides at Wrights-
ville, Adams County.
William Holmes, son of our subject, married three times: first, to
Isabelle Satterfield, daughter of Wesley Satterfield; second, to Miss
Trefts, by whom there are two children, Mrs. E. E. Crawford, of Ash-
land, Ky., and George Holmes, of Shear Fork, South Dakota. His
last wife was a Miss Piatt. There are six Hving children of this marriage.
Allem Vane Hntsoa,
of Bentonville, was born July 12, 1848, in Sprigg Township, on the
farm adjoining the one on which he now resides. His parents were
Henry and Maragaret (Vane) Hutson. Major Hutson, grandfather of
our subject, was a native of Ireland. He located in Kentucky in 1804
on the old Daisy Plantation near Millersburg. Here he reared a family
of children, five of whom lived to maturity. They were Henry, father
of our subject ; Henna, who married James Bishop, of Falmouth, Ken-
tucky; Rachel', the wife of Hon. John P. Bloomhuff ; Elizabeth, wife ol
William Stevenson, and the wife of William Hurd. The last named is
the only survivor. Major Hutson removed to Adams County in 1812.
He located on what is known as the Bloomhuff farm, and resided there
until his death, at the age of ninety, in the year 1852. Henry Hutson,
father of our subject, married Margaret Vane, who was also a native of
Maryland. His daughter Margaret was born in 1804 and her father left
Maryland for Ohio in 1807. Henry Hutson resided, for the greater por-
tion of his life, on the farm in Sprigg Township, now occupied by
James Froman. He reared a family of five sons and two daughters,
John, of West Union ; Handy, deceased ; Henna, married first to George
Brittingham and afterward to James M. Froman; Allen V., our sub-
ject, and Thomas Hamer, of Hillsdale, Kansas. Henry Hutson was a
man of the strictest integrity and of more than ordinary ability. He
was a recognized leader in his community in social, church and public
affairs. He was deacon, clerk and trustee of Union Church at Benton-
ville, for about forty years.
Our subject attended the common schools until the age of nineteen,
when he became a teacher and followed that profession for ten years.
He studied surveying under Nathaniel Massie and Jeremiah Bryan. He
has Massie's old compass which belonged to Gen. Nathaniel Massie. It
was brought to this country by Lord Baltimore. Mr. Hutson has
an extensive knowledge of French and German and is able to enjoy
the best works in each of those tongues. He was County Surveyor of
Adams County from 1877 to 1880, and again from 1887 ^^ 1893. He
made a most efficient officer. Mr. Hutson is a Democrat in his political
views.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ?«?
Willi«m Bnekaaam H*ra]i»
is the eldest son of Paul Harsha and Martha Buchanan. Paul Harsha
was born April i, 1800, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. His
wife was born in Chambersburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
March 22, 1810. Hex parents removed to Washington County, Pa., in
1812, and there she was married to Paul Harsha on May 22, 1831. In
1841, they located near Harshaville in Adams County. The mill at
Harshaville was then owned by Samuel Wright, but was soon after
purchased by Paul Harsha. Our subject was born in Washington
County, Pa., in 1832, and came to Adams County with his parents. The
Harshaville mill was the first built in Oliver Township, in 181 7, by Gen.
Samuel Wright, who, in 1846, sold it to Paul Harsha. Our subject
beg^n work in this mill under Ws father in 1844, and has been there ever
since. The mill had been refitted in 1847. O^r subject operated the
mill until 1859, when he reconstructed it and operated it until 1882, when
it was refitted with new machinery. It was destroyed by fire in the
Fall of 1891, and rebuilt the next Spring. It has continued in successful
operation ever since.
Paul Harsha, his father, died on his birthday, April i, 1876. Our
subject conducted the mill alone until 1884, when his son, Paul Howard
Harsha, became a partner and has continued as such ever since. The
business is conducted under the name of W. B. Harsha & Son. At the
age of twenty-one, our subject was married to Rachel, third daughter
of Gen. William Mclntire. Of this marriage there were two sons, Dr.
William Mclntire, of Chicago, Ills., and P. Howard Harsha, of Ports-
mouth, and two daugthers, Mrs. Anna McCalmont and Mrs. Minnie Mc-
Quiston, wife of Rev. J. A. C. McQuiston, of Cherry Fork, Ohio. Our
subject's wife died in 1865, and he was married in 1871 to Miss Alma
Mclntire, daughter of Capt. William Mclntire. Of this marriage there
was born four children, three sons and a daughter, Carey Mclntire,
Oscar, John W. and Florence. Our subject has been a Republican all
his life. At the age of seventeen, he joined the United Presbyterian
Church and has lived in that faith ever since. Mr. Harsha is noted for
his Christian character and his business integrity. He is a model citizen
and business man and is useful and helpful in all his relations to society.
PkilUp Miehael Hughes
was born in Adams County, Franklin Township, February 22, 1844.
His father was Peter L. Hughes and his mother, Mary Carrigan. His
father was born in Ireland in 1790 and came to this country in 1798 at
the age of eight years. His mother was bom in Franklin Township,
Adams County. Her father, Andrew Carrigan, was a native of Ire-
land. Peter L. Hughes, father of our subject, had four sons and two
daughters who grew to maturity. His daughter Hannah married John
B. Allison, who has a separate sketch herein. A son, Frank O., and
his wife, a daughter of Hugh Breslin, are both deceased. Mary Hughes,
the second daughter, married Joshua Hatcher. Tobias Hughes married
Flora Cannon, a daughter of Eleven Cannon and granddaughter of Gen-
eral Daniel Cockerill. He died at the early age of thirty-two, leaving
his widow and three children. Another son, John W. Hughes, died in
young manhood.
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768 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Our subject obtained his education in the common schools. He
attended a commercial school in Cincinnati in 1863 and 1864, and directly
atter that began farming on his own account. About 1870, Jacob
Weaver and his sister had a delightful home just south of the Ser-
pent Mound. Our subject was a visitor there and soon found out what
a good housekeeper and what an attractive young woman Miss Mary L.
Weaver was. and he deliberately broke up that pleasant home, by mar-
rying Miss Weaver on the fifth of October, 1871. Jacob Weaver then
went to live with his sister and brother-in-law for a year, and his observ-
ance of married life was such, that he went and obtained a wife for him-
self.
Of the children of our subject, Hannah A., married John E.
Swearingen. They reside at Clintonburg, Miami County, Ohio. John
J. Hughes, a son, aged twenty-two, resides at home. Our subject's
daughter, Kate Mary» is a young woman at home; Ferris L., aged
fifteen, and Rosa Belle and Mary Grace, younger, are with their parents.
Mr. Hughes has six hundred acres of land in one body in Bratton Town-
ship lying between the Baker Fork and the Middle Fork of Ohio Brush
Creek. A more pleasant location was never found by man.
Mr. Hughes has a large and commodious residence. The sugges-
tion of thrift shows everywhere over his broad acres. Talk of the
pastoral lives of the Patriarchs. They weren't in it compared with Phil
Hughes. His farm and home are more desirable than the whole belong-
ings of the Patriarch Jacob after he had done up his father-in-law,
Laban. If any one desires to take lessons in thrift and how to care for
farms to make them productive, and a delight to every one who has
any appreciation of nature, and of the improvements of it by cultivation,
let him visit Bratton Township and call on Phillip M. Hughes, John B.
Allison and Alfred R. Fulton, and if he does not come away pleased and
with a whole swarm of new ideas, then the writer has not told the truth
and is incapable of it. All three named are model farmers and have the
finest of farms, but, Mr. Hughes has the advantage in situation.
In his political faith, Mr. Hughes is a Democrat. In his religion
he is a communicant of the Mother Church of all, the Roman Catholic.
His wife and children are Methodists. Mr. Hughes possesses the confi-
dence of all his neighbors and well deserves it. One of the best evi-
dences of it is, that he was President of the School Board of the Town-
ship for twelve consecutive years. He was a Commissioner of the
county from 1890 to 1893. He is strictly honest, honorable, and up-
right. He attends strictly to his own business, and does unto others
as he wishes to be done by. As a public officer, he was capable, honest,
and efficient. He is an honor to himself, to his family, and to the com-
munity, and his character estimate was furnished by one of his neigh-
bors who knows him so well that he could not possibly be mistaken
about him.
The writer regards him as one of those magnetic men whom it is a
pleasure to meet, and would like to live neighbor to him.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 7(59
Albert Clintom Hood.
Albert Clinton Hood, the ninth child of John P. and Sarah J. Hood,
was bom in West Union, Adams County, Ohio, February 28, 1858.
He attended the Public schools of West Union until the age of seventeen,
at which tinje, 1875, he began teaching in the country schools of Adams
County. He followed this business for several years, teaching in the
Winter and going to school in the Summer. He afterward attended the
National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and later the Ohio
Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and besides, he has accom-
plished much by home study.
He filled the following positions in Adams County : Superintendent
of Rome schools, Principal of Manchester High School, Superintendent
of Bentonville schools, of Peebles schools, and of the West Union schools.
Besides, within this period, he taught several Normal schools during the
Summer months. He was County School Examiner from September I,
1888, to August 31. 1891, having been appointed to the position by Judge
I. N. ToUe.
Since leaving Adams county in 1892, he has superintended the
schools of Aberdeen, Brown, County, Ohio; Shiloh, Richland County,
Ohio; New London, Huron County, Ohio, and Reynoldsburg, Franklin
County, Ohio. On retiring from the New London schools in '98 he was
invited back to take charge of the Shiloh schools, but declined the offer
to accept the superintendency of the schools at Reynoldsburg. At this
place he also conducted a Summer school for the especial training of
teachers. In the year jqoo he accepted an appointment as teacher in the
Central High School, Cleveland, Ohio.
Albert C. Hood was married November 28, 1889, at Peebles, Adams
County, Ohio, to Susan Annabel Nixon, daughter of David and Mary
Ann Nixon of that place. Three children, two boys, Edwin Nixon and
Glenn Mack, and one girl, Pauline, have been born to them, all of whom
are living. He has been somewhat active in lodge work, having become
a member of the L O. O. F. Subordinate, Encampment, and Rebekah
Lodges, and of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter, and Order of Eastern
Star.
In June, 1893, Mr. Hood obtained a High School Life Certificate
from the State Board of School Examiners of Ohio. The degree of Doc-
tor of Philosophy, and also that of Master of Arts, was conferred upon
him in 1899, by Mount Hope College.
Mr. Hood is truly a school man. He entered the profession of teach-
ing when quite young. He began in the country schools and has ad-
hered to the work, being gradually promoted until he has held several
responsible positions as Principal and Superintendent. As a teacher, he
is rigid in discipline and thorough in instruction. He has high ideals and
strives to bring his pupils up to them both in education and in conduct.
He has made a careful study of the art of teaching, having given much
time to educational associations and is able to discern the best points of
the work. He does not like sham in any sense nor those who try to
practice it. After leaving the High school as a pupil, he steadily ad-
vanced in education until he was qualified for the degree of Doctor 02
49a
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770 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Philosophy. In addition to the Public school work, he has been con-
nected with private Normal schools where teachers have been trained for
examinations and for better work as teachers. His influence is toward
the elevation of the lives of the pupils who come to his schools and in this
way his work has been especially successful. He is industrious, pains-
taking and careful in whatever he endeavors to do, and this makes him
a most useful teacher, inspiring his pupils to be careful in thought and
neat in execution. Even people who do not like him say that he is a
good teacher. As a man, he is thoroughly honest and upright and his
character is above reproach. He belongs to the conservative class. Of
a nervous, sanguine temperament, he is quick to judge and strong in his
convictions. He is not the "first to lay down the old nor the last to take
up the new." His strong point is in counsel and he is a steadfast friend
to those whom he chooses as friends. As a citizen, he takes a quiet but
positive interest in public affairs, makes up his own opinions on public
questions and exercises the right of franchise in accordance with free
convictions.
Samuel Jones
is one of the earnest settlers of Meigs Township, having resided there for
sixty-four years. He is the son of Matthew and Sarah Jones, and was
born December 2, 1825, in Tiffin Township. His father was one of the
early farmers of Adams County, and raised a family of seventeen children
of whom Samuel was the tenth child. His parents being poor and hav-
ing so large a family, it was necessary for the children to "work out."
His father sold the farm- of two hundred acres when Samuel was ten years
old and moved to Meigs Township where he bought another. Samuel
remained with his parents until he was seventeen years old. He then
hired himself to Wm. Metz, a thrifty farmer on the Ohio River, and
worked for him a year at eight dollars ^ ei nonth. Later he was em-
ployed by Samuel Breadwell on a farm at thirteen dollars per month,
by James Moore at sixteen dollars per month, and by John Gorman at
eighteen dollars per month. In each case his earnings went to his
parents, except what was necessary to buy clothing, which was never
expensive.
The iron furnaces of Lawrence and Gallia Counties, and the coal
pits necessary to supply them, offered better wages to young men and
Samuel sought employment at Mt. Vernon Furnace, where he received
twenty dollars per month cutting wood, hauling wood and working in the
coal pits. Here he saved his money and purchased forty-nine acres of
land on Turkey Creek, Meigs Township. He gradually added to this
until he owns two hundred and fifty acres, and on this farm he has reared
a large family.
His education was limited to the country schools of that day, although
his good judgment and general information made what learning he had
very useful to him. His school teachers, as he remembers them, were
Hannah Irvin, Dorcas Taylor, L. D. Page, Benjamin Black, Samud
Thoroman, Henry Williamson, John Williamson, and he says they were
all good teachers. His mother was Sarah Thoroman, who was a daughter
of Samuel Thoroman and Ann Crawford. The latter was a relative of Col.
Crawford, who was burned at the stake by the Indians. The Thoromans
are of Scotch ancestry.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 771
In 185 1, he married Sophia Clark, daughter of James and Jane
Clark, residents of Meigs Township. They settled on the land spoken
above, and there reared a family of eight children, five sons and three
daughters, all of whom, with the exception of one daughter, are living.
In 1868, his wife died of typhoid fever, leaving him a baby ten months
old, Edward, who is now Superintendent of the Public schools at Nelson-
ville, Ohio. In 1869, he married Mrs. Margaret Callaway, who had four
sons. Six children, two sons and four daughters, were bom to the new
marriage and all are living.
Mr. Jones has always taken a deep interest in public aflFairs. In poli-
tics, he has been a Republican since the organization of that party. Dur-
ing the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the 141st O. V. I., and was
a member of Company K.
In church matters he holds liberal views and is a member of the U.
B. church. He has never united with any secret orders except the G.
A. R.
For the past twenty years his health has been impaired and he has
left off the hard manual labor necessary for a successful farmer and has
devoted his time to the duties of a notary public, giving special attention
to pension claims in which he has met with great success.
The leading traits in the character of the subject of this sketch are
his sturdy honesty, sympathy and liberality. He believes in his own
rights and will contend for them, but he recog^zes the rights of others.
He loves frankness and practices it. He despises deception of any kind.
The writer of this sketch knows from an every-day intimacy with him
for twenty years that he would not practice a fraud nor cheat a neighbor
even though he knew the wrong would never be discovered. The latch-
string has always been on the outside of his door. Neighbors, friends
and relatives have been welcomed and urged to remain. He loves
friends and companions. His conversational powers are good and he is
always a welcome visitor among his neighbors. He has lived an exem-
plary life before his large family of children. Owing to lack of means,
he could not offer more than a common school education to his children.
Three of his first family became teachers ; two of these have attained suc-
cess as superintendents of schools. One has already been referred to>
and the other now holds the responsible position of Superintendent of the
Ohio Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, at Columbus.
John William Jones
was bom January 25, 1861, near Mineral Springs, Adams County, Ohio.
He was reared on a farm and attended the Public Schools in Winter until
seventeen years of age, when he began his career as an educator. After
having taught five terms in the country school and having raised his grade
0* certificate to the first class, he was elected Principal of the Village
schools of Rome, Ohio. After serving here for one year, he relinquished
his position in order to enter the Normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. In
1885, he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and in
the Fall of the same year, was elected Superintendent of the Manchester
schools, where he remained for ten years, being elected each successive
time without ever having a vote cast against him. During the tenure of his
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772 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
position as superintendent of these schools, Prof. Jones spent his vacations
teaching Normal schools, preparing teachers for their work, and fitting
pupils for college. These schools were first conducted at North Liberty,
and afterwards at Manchester. He also spent a portion of his vacation
instructing in the Teachers' Institute. In 1888, he went before the Ohio
State Board of School Examiners and was granted a high school life certi-
ficate, having successfully passed in twenty-three branches of study. In
1893, ^^ received the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy from the Ohio Uni-
versity at Athens, at which institution he had taken a post-graduate course.
Prof. Jones was re-elected, in 1895, to the Superintendency of the Man-
chester schools for a period of three years, hut before entering upon this
term, he was called to his present position. Superintendent of the Ohio In-
stitution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, assuming the duties
of his office in September, 1895.
Prof. Jones was a man of high standing and influence in school
circles, being recognized as one of the progressive educators of the State.
He has been untiring in his devotion to the interests of the institution
since assuming the reins of authority, and has given much prominence to
the work being accomplished by the Ohio School for the Deaf. Being of
a sympathetic disposition, he is well qualified for his present position. He
is a member of the First Presbvterian Church, of the Order of Free and
Accepted Masons, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In
1885, he was married to Miss Cora A. McPherson, of Mineral Springs.
They have three daughters, Marjorie McFerran, Carrie Louise and Rela
Pauline.
Panl K. Jones
was the son of Mathew and Sarah Jones, born September 4, 1819. His
youth was spent on the farm. At the age of nineteen, he began teaching
in the Public schools of Adams and Scioto Counties. He traveled ex-
tensively through the West, over the greater part of Illinois, Missouri and
Iowa. He returned to Ohio and married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of
James Clark, of Jefferson Township, Adams County. They located neat
Des Moines, Iowa, where he was engaged in teaching, but after a residence
of five years in that State, they returned to Adams County. He after-
ward purchased a farm just across the line in Scioto County, on which he
continued to reside until his death.
Mr. Jones was a man of very strong convictions. Early in life he
became an Abolitionist, his attention being first called to the subject by a
party of slave hunters passing through, where he was teaching. They
returned with the fugitives manacled and driven before them. This ob-
ject lesson made him the strongest kind of an Abolitionist. He engaged
in many prominent debates on the slavery question. At the breaking out
of the war, he felt that the result would be the abolition of slavery and that
it was his duty to do all that he could to bring it about. He therefore en-
listed in Company B, of the 70th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, en the fifteenth
A'^^r of C)ctober, 1861, for a period of three years, at the age of forty-three,
within three years of the limit. He served his three years and served ^is
a veteran, and was discharged August 14, 1865. He was in all the battle-
and engagements of his company, and during that time acted also as a
corresi)ondent for several Northern newspapers. His stories of army life
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 773
were read with great interest by all those within the circulation of the
journals he represented. At the end of his military service he resumed
the occupation of teaching. He was a man of high moral principles, of the
strictest integrity, honorable in all his dealings with his fellow men, and
he was respected by all who knew him. He was a model citizen in every
respect. He died in March, 1S74, and is buried in the cemetery near
Wamsleysville, Ohio. His son, Lafayette Jones, the present Surveyor of
Scioto County, is sketched in this work.
Robert Caraway Jones
was born on Blue Creek, December i, 1858. His father was Oliver Jones ;
his mother, Elizabeth Caraway. Our subject was the second child. He
has a sister, Annaleva, wife of John Calvin, and a brother, Albert. He
attended the District school in his vicinity and lived on his farm until he
was twenty-four years of age. He engaged in the merchandise business
in 1882 at Blue Creek and remained in that until 1885. He then went to
Meade County, Kansas. He remained there a year. He then went to
Colorado. He married Miss Isa McCall, daughter of Henry McCall.
Coming from Colorado, he went to Blue Creek and engaged in farming.
In 1898, he moved to McGaw and engaged in the merchandising business
for a few months. He then returned to Blue Creek and went to farming.
In politics, he is a Democrat. He is a Mason and a member of the West
Union Lodge.
John H. Kinoaid
was born October 13, 1813, son of John and Sarah Kincaid. He worked
on his father's farm and attended the Public schools in his vicinity. He
was twenty-one years of age when his father, Judge John Kincaid, died,
and was one of ten surviving children, yet he bought out his brothers and
sisters and paid them $1,100 for their interests. He was married August
7, 1834, to Barbara Lawrence, a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
He began his married life without a dollar of money, but he had a capital
of energy, will and industry that served him well. He became one of the
principal farmers of the county. January 10, 1865, his wife died, and on
December 23, 1867, he was married to Jane McNeil, who survived him.
He took an active interest in politics, was a Whig and Republican and very
strongly anti-slavery. He always attended the county conventions of his
party, usually as a delegate and so often was this done that the wags gave
him the name, in sport, ^'Liberty Township." What they said in sport
was sober reality, for, in many respects, he was "Liberty Township." In
his interest in political affairs, he was a model citizen. He believed every
man should take a continuing interest in political affairs, and, as a con-
sequence, he never missed a primary or political convention. He often
attended the District and State Conventions of his party. In political
affairs he was always consulted and great weight given to his advice. He
was a man of fine personal appearance, very tall and very erect in his car-
riage. His physical appearance would attract attention in any company or
public assemblage. No man enjoyed a hearty laugh more than he, and he
was full of fun and humor, but whenever he undertook to do anything, no
man was more fixed or set in his purpose. He had an expression of firmness
about his mouth when his lips were closed that was emphatic and im-
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774 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
pressive. It dominated all other expressions of his features. It was a
pleasure to hear him converse and he enjoyed the company of good con-
versationalists and could carry his part among that kind of social com-
panions. He was a great friend of the lawyers and physicians of West
Union of his own age, and especially of E. P. Evans, J. R. Cockerill, J.
M. Wells and Dr. David Coleqian.
When the underground railroad was in operation, he was one of the
directors and conductors. As his name indicates, he was of Scotch de-
scent and by birthright a Presbyterian, and a believer in that faith, but
never became a member of the church. This was largely due to the
breach between his father and the Rev. Dyei Burgess on the subject of
Masonry in 1830. In 1868, he united with the M. E. Church and died in
that faith on October 10, 1887. His life was full of good deeds and acts
of charity. He was a good citizen, a good neighbor, and undertook to and
performed all his duties as man, citizen, husband and father as he under-
stood them. He has gone to his reward and the world is better that he
lived. He left the memory of an example of \^hich his children, his
township and county may be proud. His children were: George Law-
rence, born May 15, 1835; John Williamson, bom March 29, 1837; Wil-
ham Nelson, born March 20, 1839, died December 3, 1852; Sarah Mar-
garet, bom May 16, 1842; Mary Anne, bom January 27, 1847; Adaline
Jane, bom May 2, 1849; Martha Alice, bom October 29, 1851 ; Thomas,
born November 12, 1854; Quincy Adams, bom December 15, 1858; Win-
field Scott, born July 9, 1861.
Sarah M. married Joseph B. Matthews, and lives near Eckmansville,
Ohio. They have two children. Adaline Jane married John G. Klein-
knecht, and resides at Hills Fork, Ohio, and she has four children.
Captain George 8. Kirker.
Captain George S. Kirker, the youngest son of Gov. Thomas Kirker,
was born on the old Kirker homestead in Liberty Township, Adams
County, Ohio, February 7, 1813. He was married in 1840 to Mary M.
Cunningham, daughter of William and Ellen Doak Cunningham, of Vir-
ginia descent. Their children living are Sarah Ellen, unmarried and re-
siding at the old home; Charles E., Mary F., wife of A. P. Mclntire;
William C. who resides on the old homestead ; Ora, wife of Edwin Mor-
rison, of Pawnee City, Neb., and India A., residing at Axtell, Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirker lost six children in infancy. Mary M. Kirker was
born March 17, 181 7, and died at Manchester, Ohio, April 13, 1887.
George S. Kirker lived his entire life on the farm in Liberty Township
except the last four years, in which he made his residence in Manchester.
He died September 15, 1879. He was highly respected wherever he was
known. He was a man of great public spirit. If any measure was pro-
posed or projected for the public benefit, he was always favorable to it
and always supported, it with great enthusiasm. He was a manly man.
Whatever was just, whatever was upright, whatever was for good, he
was for. He was the means of having the pike from Cherry Fork to Ben-
tonville built, and but for his influence, its constmction would have been
delayed for years.
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From 1863 to 1871, he, Crockett McGovney and Dr. D. M. McCon-
augh engaged in the pork packing business at Manchester. It required
a great deal of nerve and capital to go into that business and carry it on,
but Kirker had both. It was the largest and most important business car-
ried on in Adams County while it lasted, and its being carried on was a
great public benefit to the county. True, the partners lost money, but the
people who dealt with them did not.
George S. Kirker was a prosperous and successful farmer and stock
raiser. No man in the county took more pride in fine stock than he did
and those who knew him in his prime knew that he never was happier than
when riding a fine horse. He was always fond of horseback riding and
usually had a saddle horse with a fancy gait. At fifty years, he was a
large man, with very black hair and a full black beard. He had a fine
presence and impressed strangers as a man of importance. In his busi-
ness dealings, he was direct and straight to the point and was the soul of
integrity and fair dealing. His industry and energy were untiring.
When there was any business to be done, Mr. Kirker never rested
until it was done. He was a most jovial, agreeable companion. He was
full of humor and liked to give it play. He was fond of a good story.
He was one of those whom others like to ask to take the lead and when
his judgment approved, he never hesitated to take it. When he did take
it, the business went forward to a conclusion and usually to a successful
one. He was always in good spirits and his presence and manner put
those about him in good spirits. He was always inclined to take a cheer-
ful view of things and to believe that a poor or bad condition of affairs
could be bettered. He was plain in his dress, in his speech and in his
manners, but he believed in getting at the substance of things. He was a
man of strong will power and great tenacity of purpose. He would not
undertake any matter or enterprise unless it was within reason that it
could be carried through and that he could bring it to a successful issue.
He had excellent judgment, and if it ever failed him, it was because of the
influence of matters upon which he had not calculated.
In the period of his business activity, he was a most valuable element
in the community. If any one was to lead in any project, he was usually
selected as the one, and he never failed, when called upon, either to under-
take the work placed upon him or to bring it to a fortunate conclusion.
He was a natural leader in the circle of his acquaintances. It was this
fact which made him a Captain in the 141st O. V. I. He was a strong
Republican in his political views and could not have been anything else.
He, however, unlike his distinguished father, had no taste for political
office, and he never held any but that of Infirmary Director from 1863 to
1866. He accepted this because his name added strength to the ticket on
which he was and because he lived in the same township in which the in-
firmary was located. His known sympathy for the poor and needy urged
his candidacy and induced him to accept the office. Then again, his con-
test was made in the middle of the war when patriots were discouraged
and when strong men needed to come forward and encourage the war.
There is no man risen up in Mr. Kirker 's place with all his sterling qual-
ities. He set the world an example of life and character which ought to
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776 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
be remembered and perpetuated, and an example which, if followed,
would increase the sum total of pleasure and contentment here, and hap-
piness and hope for the future.
Philip Kratzer,
of Blue Creek, was born near Arnheim, Brown County, Ohio, October
7, 1839. I^is father was Simon Kratzer, whose ancestors came from
Pennsylvania, and his mother was Elizabeth Lindsey, a descendant of an
old and respectable family of Brown County. Our subject was reared on
a farm and had the advantages of the country schools. He enlisted from
Georgetown, Ohio, August 18, 1862, and was mustered into the service of
the United States at Camp Dennison as a Private, Company D, Captain
Higgins, 59th Regiment, O. V. I., Colonel Fyffe, for three years. Joined
regiment at Cave City, Ky., and there promoted to Corporal. Served in
Nelson's Brigade, Wood's Division, Fourth Corps, Army of the Cumber-
land, and took part in all the battles in which his regiment participated,
including Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain,
Siege of Atlanta, and was wounded at Mission Ridge. He was trans-
ferred to Company K, October 24, 1864, and served balance of time, and
was honorably discharged June 28, 1865.
Our subject was first married January 18, 1865, to Miss Mahala
Sta)i:on, of Brown County, by whom he had four sons and four daughters:
Robert, Rosetta, Jesse Lee, Stella, John F., George E., Emma and Nellie.
Mr. Kratzer's second wife was Matilda J., daughter of Levi and Cynthia
Lafara.
Philip Kratzer is one of the substantial citizens of Churn Creek Val-
ley. He is a faithful member of the Christian Union Church, and in
politics an old-fashioned Democrat, and is an ardent admirer of that leader
of Democracy, William J. Bryan.
Frederick Knavlf,
of Blue Creek, was born May 14, 1848. His ancestors were among the
first of the pioneers in Blue Creek Valley, settling there when the region
abounded with bear and deer, and when bands of marauding Indians paid
occasional visits to the settlements along Scioto Brush Creek. The parents
of Mr. Knauff, Michael and Mary Wolfe KnauflF, came from Germany to
Butler County, Pa., where Frederick was bom, and thence to Adams
County. Mary Knauf? died April 7, 1892, and is buried at Liberty cem-
etery. Michael Knauff is yet living at the age of eighty-three years.
Our subject was educated in the country schools in which .he has al-
ways taken much interest, being at present a member of the Board of Edu-
cation of Jefferson Township.
He was married March 30, 1869, to Elizabeth Lamb, a daughter of
John and Elizabeth Boehm Lamb, by whom he has had eight children:
John H., Luella A., William D., Wylie C, Anna R., Mary A., Harry J., and
Roy A. He is a Republican in his political opinions, but very tolerant in
his views. He was raised in the Lutheran Church, but is not a member
of any denomination at present.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 777
Albert De Witt Kirk,
of Cherry Fork, is a son of Alexander Kirk, who was bom in Clarion
County, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and Mary Reighle, of German descent,
from the same State. Alexander Kirk was a son of John Kirk and Jane
McKinney, natives of Scotland. In 1845, Alexander Kirk came from
Cincinnati to Youngsville, Adams County, where he followed the trade of
tailor. In 1850, he removed his shop to Cherry Fork, where he resided
until his death. He was a jovial, lighthearted man, a fine performer on the
violin, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. Albert D.
Kirk, the subject of this sketch, was bom in Youngsville, in 1848, and
was brought up to be a tailor in his father's shop. He was educated in
the common schools, and in the old academy at Cherry Fork, under Profs.
McClung and Chase. When a lad, he was a member of the old militia,
and in 1864 was called in the service of the United States, Company G,
I72d O. V. I. In 1865, he again volunteered as a member of Company D,
191st Regiment, O. V. I., and was honorably discharged at the close of
the war.
April 13, 1869, he was married to Phoebe Mclntire, a daughter of
General William Mclntire, who bore him four children : William O., Luna
E., Blanche and Grace. March 23, 1884, she died, and December 25,
1890, he married Minnie Wickerham, a daughter of Jacob Wickerham, of
Peebles, Ohio, a most estimable woman, by whom he has had born to him
three children: Albert DeWitt, Kathleen and James. Besides his repu-
tation as a fashionable tailor, Mr. Kirk is a fine musician and was the or-
ganizer of "Kirk's Band," in 1870, a reed and cornet organization, the old-
est in the county, and one of the most excellent.
William Franklin Kenyon
was bom October 23, 1841, in Greene Township, Adams County. His
maternal great-grandfather, Aaron Stratton, was a native of New Jersey,
where he grew to manhood and married. About 1790, he removed to
Lewis County, Kentucky, and settled near Vanceburg. He was a man
of enterprise and engaged in the manufacture of salt, which he followed
for a number of years, and by which he made a considerable fortune.
He owned many slaves. He bought Steele's Survey, a body of some
seven hundred acres of land on the Ohio side of the river, known then
and now as Irish Bottoms. He reared a family of ten children, one son
and nine daughters. He made it a rule, upon the marriage of each child,
to present him or her, among other things, two negro slaves, a man and
a woman. His second daughter, Sarah, married Jonathan Kenyon, a
native of Vermont. This daughter declined any present of slaves, and
her father gave her instead one hundred and thirty acres of Irish Bottom
land, now known as Sandy Springs. She and her husband settled on it,
cleared it, and lived and died there. Mr. Kenyon was a regularly admit-
ted lawyer, though he did not practice his profession. He was able to
properly draw instruments of writing and discouraged litigation. He
reared a family of seven children, all sons, namely, Aaron, Samuel,
Thompson, Daniel, James, William and Benjamin. These sons all grew
to manhood, married and reared families. James and Benjamin went to
California, where they engaged in farming, and now reside there. Wil-
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778 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Ham lived and died near Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio. Samuel and
Thompson removed to Andrew County, Missouri, where they died.
Daniel, the fourth son, was born October ii, 1811, and departed this life
November 5, 1885. He became the owner of the old homestead in 1834,
to which he added one hundred acres, part of the Carrington Survey ad-
joining.
In 1832, he married Miss Rebecca Zorns, born August 18, 181 1, in
Lewis County, Kentucky, and who departed this life January 4, 1895.
They reared a family of seven children : Martha Jane, Artemisia, Cyn-
thiana, James R., William Franklin, Samuel F., and Mary Olive. The
parents were members of the Methodist Church for over thirty-five years.
William Franklin, the second son, and subject of this sketch, was
educated in the Public schools and at the Ohio Wesleyan University at
Delaware, Ohio. He graduated at the Nelson Business College at Cin-
cinnati. He served as Township Trustee from 1893 to 1899; as School
Trustee for twenty years, and as Voluntary Meteorological Observer,
U. S. Weather Bureau, for seven years. His political views are Re-
publican.
At the age of twenty, he became a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church at Sandy Springs, and has served it as steward for twenty years,
and also as a trustee. He was married April 5, 1864, to Miss Louise
McCall, who was born in Scioto County, Ohio, December 7, 1845. Her
parents were early settlers near Buena Vista, Ohio, and dealt in lumber
and stone.
Our subject has reared a family of seven children, two sons and five
daughters. Lena, Theresa, Peninah, Mary Olive, Rosa Blanche, Daniel
Austin, and Earl Franklin. Lena married Dr. D. E. Sample, of Vance-
burg, Ky., and is now residing at Huntington, West Virginia ; Theresa,
Peninah and Earl F., are at home with their parents ; Mary O., married
Mr. E. L. Fulkerson, of St. Clara, Missouri, and. they now reside at
Texarkana, Ark.; Rosa B. died December i, 1890; Daniel A. married
Miss Mary M. Lawill, of Manchester, Ohio. They reside on the home
farm.
Soon after Mr. Kenyon's marriage, he purchased a part of his
father's farm on the banks of the Ohio River at Sandy Springs. Since
then he has added many acres, principally hill land which is used for
orchards. After his education was finished, he engaged in the nursery
business with his father under the style of "Daniel Kenyon & Son's Ohio
River Nursery and Fruit Farm." He continued in the business for
twenty years. His farm is neatly cultivated and tastefully adorned, and
surrounded by all the comforts man can desire. Mr. Kenyon and wife
are now quietlv living on their beautiful fruit farm and enjoying the
fruits of industrious and well spent lives.
Osoar Bennett Kirkpatriok
was born December 18, 1856, in Wayne Township. He wen*: to school
in the District schools and the North Liberty Academy. He began the
study of medicine in 1883 under the instructions of Dr. Carboy, of Win-
chester. He attended Miami Medical College from 1884 to 1886 and
graduated in the latter year. He took a post-graduate course at New
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 779
York in 1896 at the Polyclinic Hospital. He located to practice medi-
cine at North Liberty in 1886 and has been there ever since. He was
married November 13, 1886, to Miss Mary Bell Patton, daughter of the
late George A. Patton, of Harshaville.
He is a man of high character and an excellent citizen and a very
successful physician. He is very highly esteemed in the community
in which he resides and wherever he is known.
Robert Stewart Kirkpatriek
was born December 31, 185 1, and named after his maternal uncle, Rev.
Robert Stewart, for nineteen years pastor of the U. P. Church at North
Liberty. He attended the District schools and the North Liberty
Academy, and finished his education at the latter place in 1871. He went
to clerking in 1868 for George A. Patton, at Harshaville, and worked for
him for about three months. Then he clerked at North Liberty for his
brother, John P. ICirkpatrick, in 1870. He went to Illinois in March,
1871, and staid there a few months, and was engaged in farming. He
returned to Wayne Township in the Fall of 1861, and then clerked for
George A. Patton until February 26, 1873, when he was married to Sarah
Agnes Laird, daughter of Captain Samuel Laird. After his marriage,
he farmed his father's farm until August, 1873, ^^^ then removed to
North Liberty, and engaged in the produce trade until March, 1875, and
in that year and for about two months afterwards, he clerked for his
brother, John P. Kirkpatriek. Then he removed to Mattoon, 111., and
lived there until 1876, but came back that Fall to North Liberty, and
went to clerking again for George A. Patton, and staid there until March
3, 1882. Then he removed to North Liberty and ran a huckstering
wagon until December, 1882, when he started the general store where
he is now and has been ever since.
Mr. Kirkpatriek has always been a Republican, and in 1883, was
a candidate for Clerk of the Courts of Adams County, but was defeated
b> George W. Pettit. He is a member of the U. P. Church at Cherry
Fork. He has a son, Charles E.. who conducts a store at Harshaville,
under the name of Charles E. Kirkpatriek & Co., composed of his father
and himself. That store was opened May 19, 1897. His daughter
Mayme married P. K. Phillips, who works for her father. His second
son, Earle, is at home and assists in running the store. His daughter,
June Bell, is a student of Monmouth College, one of the brightest girls
of her community, and bids fair to accomplish much in the school she
attends.
John W. Kineald.
John Williamson Kincaid was born March 29, 1837, in Sprigg
Township, near the Col. Hugh Means residence. He received his first
Christian name for his grandfather. Col. John Kincaid, Associate Judge
and the second for the Reverend William Williamson, who died in
the same year in which he was bom. His father, John H. Kincaid, was at
that time a staunch Presbyterian. When he was but three years of age,
his father removed to the home in Liberty Township where he resided
until his death.
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780 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Our subject obtained such schooling as the District schools afforded
and has been a farmer all his Hfe. On the twenty-eighth of March, i860,
he was married to Esther J. McConnell, daughter of Alexander McCon-
nell. The writer remembers the marriage. They began life together
with great hopes and enthusiasm and with a world erf love, and their
happy relations continued until her death on April 24, 1891.
John W. Kincaid volunteered in the service of his country on the
eleventh day of August, 1862, in Company E, 91st O. V. I. He was
made a Corporal of his company August 12, 1862. He is proud of his
record as a soldier and has every reason to be. The regiment was in
fifteen battles and engagements with the enemy and he was in every one
of them. The first was October 26, 1862, and the last November 18,
1864. Men were wounded and killed by his side but he escaped un-
scathed, and was able at all times to keep right along with his command.
This is a remarkable record for a service which continued almost three
years. He was honorably discharged June 24, 1865. The children of
his marriage are Oscar B., a farmer living in Greene County, Ohio;
Sarah H., married to John Beheimer, and residing in Bethel, Clermont
County, Ohio ; Hattie M., married to Franklin Robe, and residing near
Hills Pork in Liberty Township, and Minnie Bell, who married Walter
Riffle, and keeps the home for her father and her own family.
Our subject has always been a Republican. He has held the office
of Assessor and Trustee of his Township, and in 1891 was elected In-
firmary Director for three years. In 1894, he was re-elected and served
the full term. Of all the votes he ever cast (and he never failed to vote),
he is proudest of that cast in 1864 for Abraham Lincoln for President,
which was cast in front of Gen. Tubal Early's arm. Mr. Kincaid is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of a long line of ancestry
noted for their interest in public affairs and in the welfare of the country,
he has aimed, in all his life, to act well his part, and it is the vedict of all
who know him that he has succeeded. He is respected by all as a
model citizen and an honorable and upright man.
Winfleld Soott Kinoald,
son of John H. Kincaid and Barbara Lawrence, his wife, was born in
Liberty Township, Adams County, on the ninth of July, 1861. He was
the youngest of his father's family. He had the opportunity to become
a physician, but preferred to be a farm.er. He was married August 12,
1882, to Miss Mary L. Robe, daughter of David L. Robe, Jr., of Liberty
Township. The Robes were among the first settlers in Liberty Town-
ship. The first election in Liberty Township was held at the house of
David Robe, Sr., his wife's grandfather, in April, 1818. He resides on
the old homestead, which has been in the same familv over one hundred
years. Mr. Kincaid was elected Clerk of Liberty Township in April,
1S84, and served one year. He was appointed a Trustee of the Wilson
Children's Home, March 7, 1898, for a term of four years, and was re-
appointed for a like term March 7, 1898. For three years past, he has
been President of the Board. He is a member of the West Union Lodge,
No. 43, Free and Accepted Masons, and was Master of that lodge in
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 781
1894. His grandfather, Col. John Kincaid, was Master of the same
lodge from 1818 to 1822.
Mr. Kincaid is an enthusiastic Mason and is much attached to the
order. He is one of the founders of the Adams County Argicultural
Society and has been one of its twelve directors since its organization.
He is now President of the Board of Directors of the Society. He is a
Republican and has been active in politics since his sixteenth year. He
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Liberty Chapel and a
class leader. Mr. Kincaid is an honorable and useful citizen. He
possesses the confidence and esteem of all his neighbors. He is active,
energetic, and enthusiastic in anything he undertakes to do and is re-
garded as a model farmer and citizen.
Henry Kress, •
farmer, residing near Manchester, was bom March 24, 1831, near
Russellville, Brown County, Ohio. His father, George Adam Kress,
was bom in Bamasants, Rhine, Bavaria. His mother, Katherine Miller,
was born in the same place. There they were married, and five of their
children were born in Germany. In 1828, they came to the United
States and located near Russellville, Brown County. They had seven
more children in this country, four of whom died in infancy.
Our subject was the sixth child of his parents and the first born in
this country. When he was of an age to attend school, the nearest
school was so very far awa}*^ and held such a short time, and the need
of the boy's work was so strong that he was not sent to school, and he ob-
tained no education. He worked on his father's land until he was twenty-
one years of age ; and from the age of twenty-one to twenty-seven, he
worked out as a farmer. From 1854 to 1858, he worked for Luther
Pierce on his farm; and on February 17, 1858, he was miarried to Miss
Mary Jane Colbert, at Manchester. He went to housekeeping in Sprigg
Township, where he still resides.
He remained working on the farm until the seventeenth of October,
1861, when he enlisted in Company G of the 70th Ohio Regiment. At
the battle of Shiloh, he was the first one of his regiment wounded. He
was shot through the left shoulder, and was so disabled that he was dis-
charged on the twenty-sixth of September, 1862. He was unable to
work any for two years after his wound; and for seven years after his
return from the army, he kept toll-gate near Manchester.
He and his wife have had sixteen children born to them; five of
whom died in infancy or early childhood, and eleven of whom are still
living. His eldest daughter, Kate Kress, was born March 15, 1859, and
is the wife of N. B. Francis, at Mt. Sterling, Nebraska. They have one
child. His daughter, Margaret A., was born December 30, 1863, ^^d is
the wife of E M. Burnett, a watchman at Manchester. They have three
children. Linnie J., his third daughter, was born November 30, 1865, and
is married to Mack Pence, a farmer near Manchester. His fourth daugh-
ter, Sarah B., born March 28, 1867, was married to Thomas Dawley in
1890. They live near Seaman, Ohio, and have one child. His fifth
daughter, Lida E., was born September 21, 1868, and was married to C.
A. Leedom. She resides with her parents. Josephine Irene Kress was
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782 HISTORY OP ADAMS CXDUNTY
born January 25, 1872, and is married to L. J. Kuntz, a farmer residing
near Bentonville, Ohio. They have one child. Julia E., was born Oc-
tober 29, 1873, and was married to Will H. Lang, a farmer, in 1893.
They have one child. His son, Fred N., born August 16, 1875, is
single and lives in Nebraska. His son, Harvey Garfield, bom May 10,
18&), and daughters, Cora A., born April 26, 1882, and Louella, bom
June II, 1886, are still at home with their parents.
Mr. Kress was raised in the Lutheran Church. He has always, been
a Republican. While he is always very prompt in the payment of his
obligations, unlike the typical German he is not afraid of being in debt.
No more honorable citizen lives in the country, nor any more patriotic.
While Mr. Kress never obtained any learning, he has a great deal of
philosophy, which serves as a substitute for the learning. At the same
time, he insists that his children should be educated, and all of them have
a good common school education.
Martin Van Bnren Kennedy,
farmer, student, teacher, soldier and merchant, was bom near Georgetown,
Brown County, Ohio, February 24, 1843. His mother, Drusilla Davis
Smashea, was born in Maryland. His father, William Kennedy, was bom
in Pennsylvania, but removed to Brown County when a child and spent
the remainder of his life there as a teacher and a farmer. He was a Jus-
tice of the Peace for many years and never had a decision appealed from.
He died in 1864.
As his name would indicate, Mr. Kennedy is of Scotch-Irish descent
on the paternal side; on the maternal side, he traces his ancestry to the
Burbage family, a sketch of which is found in this work. His grand-
mother, Dolly Smashea, was a Burbage from Maryland. Mr. Kennedy's
mother died when he was but two years old, and he was brought up by
his aunts, Mrs. Sarah W. Bradford and Mrs. Mary M. Williams, of West
Union. He attended the Public schools of West Union and the North
Liberty Academy, spent two years as a teacher and about the same period
as a student at Miami University. In June, 1863, he assisted in recruit-
ing Company G, 129th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at its organization
was appointed its First Sergeant, which office he held during his term of
service with the company. In the Summer of 1864, he attended Military
school ^t Philadelphia, and was afterwards commissioned a First Lieuten-
ant of colored troops and assigned to the Eighth Regiment, United States
Heavy Artillery, then stationed at Paducah, Kentucky. He was given
command of Company I, and held that position until the mustering out
of his regiment in April, 1866, having seen service in Kentucky, about
Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, and lastly in Texas. His regiment
was in Washingtcm at the time of President Lincoln's funeral and was at
the station as part of an honorary guard at the time the body of the la-
mented President left Washington.
After leaving the army, he took a course in Nelson's Commercial Col-
lege at Cincinnati, and engaged in the book and stationery business at
Gallipolis, Ohio, with the Hon. S. Y. Wasson, now of Hamilton, Ohio.
He continued in this partnership for six years, when he removed to Zanes-
ville, where he has been engaged in the same business to the present time.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 783
He was married September 13, 1871, to Miss Emma Caroline Hart-
well, of Groton, Massachusetts. They have only one child, a son, Harris
Hart well Kennedy, born September 29, 1873, a graduate of Kenyon Col-
lege at Gambier, and is at present a bookkeeper of the American Encaustic
Tiling Company, of Zanesville, Ohio.
Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
has been Post Commander at GallipoHs and Zanesville. At the latter
place, during his administration, the membership of the Post increased
from 140 to 444, and its finances were increased from nothing to over five
thousand dollars. He has been a delegate for both State and National
Encampments of the order.
He has always been a Republican in his political views. He was
brought up in the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a member of it,
but is broad and liberal in his views. In personal appearance, he is tall
slender, and of elderly bearing, and is courteous and cordial in his man-
ners. He is devoted and constant to his friends and charitable and con-
siderate for the rights and prejudices of others.
Mr. Kennedy has a remarkable vein of humor, which makes him an
entertaining companion to all with whom he associates. He has a fund of
humorous stories which would do credit to Artemus Ward, Mark Twain,
or any other of our celebrated humorists, and it is to be hoped that his
collection will be preserved and published. He takes life easy, and while
he has his troubles, as all persons in active business have, he does not let
them worry him to any great extent, but takes it for granted that he must
endure, suffer, and make the most of them. His career as a student and
teacher, soldier and merchant, has been creditable in every way, and when
he is called to give an account of the deeds done in the body, he hopes he
will not be required to make any apologies, but that his record will com-
mend itself.
Nelson B. Lafferty, BI. D.
Nelson Barrere Lafferty, M. D., was born in West Union, "Ohio, Jan-
uary 6, 1840. He was the son of Joseph West Lafferty and Elizabeth
Burwell Lafferty. Nelson Barrere was at that time a practicing lawyer
in West Union and the father of the Doctor was an admirer and friend.
Hence the Doctor received the name of the distinguished lawyer, after-
wards Congressman, and Whig candidate for Governor of Ohio.
The writer became acquainted with Dr. Lafferty when he was seven
years of age, and if he was ever a boy after that date, the writer has no
recollection of it. The Doctor always wanted to be with men, to listen
to their conversation and to learn all he could. While he enjoyed the
sports of boyhood, his consuming ambition, and one which was always
gratified, was to be with men and learn of them. He received a common
school education prior to 1858, and in that year began to read medicine in
the offices of Drs. Coleman and Coates, in West Union, Ohio. He read
for two years and a half and attended his first course of lectures at Star-
ling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in the Winter of i860 and 1861.
When he returned home in the Spring of 1861, the tocsin of war had
sounded and he enlisted in Company D, 24th O. V. L, on May 27, 1861,
and on the twenty-seventh of June, 1861, was mustered into the U. S. serv-
ice for three years. As the result afterward demonstrated. Dr. Lafferty
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784 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
could not stand the hardships of the service, but he never stopped to con-
sider this. It was a question of patriotism only with him. If the Gov-
ernment would take him, he was bound to go, He did go, but was physi-
cally unable to stand the strain of the service and was discharged October
13, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability. Company D, 24th O. V.
I., was the first oflFering of Adams County in the Civil War, and to have
been a member of that company is, in Adams bounty, better than a patent
of nobility. Of all the heroes of the Civil War, the members of Company
D were and are always the foremost. But because he was sent home from
the army, Dr. Laflferty did not repine. He resumed his medical studies,
took his second course of lectures at Starling Medical College and grad-
uated in the Spring of 1863. He at once determined to re-enter the army
as a medical officer as soon as his health would admit. In August, 1863,
he passed the necessary medical examination required for a Surgeon in
the Volunteers. November 10, 1863, he was commissioned Assistant Sur-
geon of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery for three years and served as such
until January 9, 1865, when he resigned owing to ill health and started for
home. On his way home, he stopped at Nashville, Tenn., where he un-
expectedly met the Medical Director of the Army of the Cumberland, who
insisted on him entering the Hospital Service, and on February 3, 1865,
he ag-ain entered the service as an Acting Assistant Surgeon of the Army
and continued as such to the close of the war. In May, 1865, he returned
home and located at North Liberty, Ohio, in the practice of his profession,
and here he continued to practice for twenty-one years. On February
4, 1880, he was married to Miss Kate Holmes, of Hillsboro, Ohio. There
are three children of this marriage, Louise, Fred and Alice.
During his residence at North Liberty, Ohio, he was U. S. Examining
Surgeon for a period of fourteen years. In politics, he has always been
a Republican. In 1886, he removed from North Liberty to Hillsboro,
Ohio, where he continued the practice of medicine until 1895, when he
voluntarily retired on account of physical infirmities.
As a physician. Dr. Laflferty is thoroughly read and informed and
is among the leaders of his profession. In medical ethics, he was the
most fully informed, and believed in and maintained the highest standing
for his profession. In whatever he undertakes, he is an enthusiast and
is bound to his friends by hooks of steel. He is in favor of high standing
in every avocation of life ; his interest in the aflfairs of the county and State
are as intense now as that May day when as a youth he went into the army,
and he still believes in that pure and good manhood to which he so early
aspired in childhood.
John Meek Leedoiu.
His grandfather, William Leedom, emigrated from the State of Vir-
ginia in company with Israel Donalson, Isaac, Asahel and John Edgingtcm.
who were with the first white mem who located at Manchester. They as-
sisted in making all the surveys between 1790 and 1795, when they might
expect the crack of an Indian rifle at any time. They fought the Indians
so long as the Indian w^ar lasted and Asahel Edgington was one of their
victims.
In 1795, William Leedom married Tacy Edgington, daughter of
George Edgington. When Zane's Trace was marked out in 1797, William
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 786
Lcodom left Manchester and located on the Trace just below Bentonville.
There he built the Leedom Tavern, which became a celebrated hostelry in
its time. The innkeepers were the aristocrats of those days. They ob-
tained about all the silver and gold in circulation and the old time taverns
were the headquarters for all news and for the consummation of all im-
portant trades. William Leedom enjoyed an extensive acquainance up
and down the river and throughout the country. He traded on the river
with keel-boats much of his time, and made a number of trips to New Or-
leans. In his day it was fashionable to have large families and William
was in the fashion. His wife died in 1824. He had twelve children, eight
sons and four daughters. His sons were: John, Elijah, Joseph, Asa,
Aaron, Thomas, William and George Washington. His daughters were :
Tacy, Sarah, Nancy and Mary. His first wife died and he married in
1826, a second time, to Mary Rogers. Of this marriage there was a
daughter, Telitha, now the wife of John Watson, of Bentonville, and she
is the only survivor of the twelve.
William Leedom prospered in his trading and tavern keeping. He
gave each one of his children one hundred acres of land, or the equivalent
of that in money. He had 275 acres of land left after the distribution
among his children and he died seized of this in 1849 ^t the ripe age of
eighty-eight. His second wife died in 1865. He was a man among men,
a natural leader, and his characteristics were improved in some of his
children.
His son Joseph was born in 1797. When the latter was eighteen
years of age, his father put his in charge of the old Andrew Ellison home
on Lick Fork to run it as a tavern, and, assisted by his sister, Nancy, con-
ducted it until 1817. Joseph and his sister, Nancy, then conducted the
Rose Hotel at the foot of the hill, west of West Union, on the old Mays-
ville road, for some time. Joseph Leedon was born a politician, but
somehow he mistook his calling and became a Methodist minister. He
was a circuit rider for five years. Two years of this time he was a preacher
.in the State of Virginia and while there his son, John Meek Leedom, was
bom November 3, 1827, and was named for that famous Methodist min-
ister, John Meek. Joseph lycedom was not pleased with Virginia and
returned to Ohio to become a farmer. He would preach from time to
time as opportunity oflFered. He was a great traveller. He made twenty-
six trips to New Orleans, eight of which were with horses and nuiles driven
through by land. His son, John Meek, went with him in 1840, when
only thirteen years of age, and rode all the way on horseback. Joseph
Leedom represented Adams, Brown and Scioto Counties in the House of
Representatives in the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth General As-
semblies, 1838 to 1840. During his first session, Benjamin Tappan was
elected United States Senator, and the celebrated Ohio Fugitive Slave
Law was enacted and he voted for it.
Joseph Leedom was fond of young men. and he took a fancy to Joseph
McCormick and made him Prosecuting Attorney of the county. He
formed a friendship for Joseph Randolph Cockerill and made him Surveyor
of the county. Col. Cockerill laid out the town of Bentonville for Jesoph
Leedom in 1841. In 1847, Joseph Leedom went to Carroll County, Mis-
50a
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786 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
souri, and died there in July, 1867. He was married four times. His
first wife was Ann, daughter of David Cox. He married her in 1822.
She had two children and died. In 1825, he was married to Elizabeth
Hopkins, a native of Snow Hill, Maryland. She had four sons and two
daughters. The sons were John Meek, William Thompson, Greenbury
Jones and Martin Herri ford, and the daughters were Elizabeth Ann and
Virginia H. His third marriage was in November, 185 1, to Nancy Math-
eny, daughter of. Rev. Charles Matheny. In 1853, he was married to Mary
Burgess, in Ray County, Mo., and two children were bom of this marriage,
Sallie B. and Samuel B. Sallie B. and John Meek are the only ones of
Joseph Leedom's family surviving, and she resides in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Joseph Leedom was a man of public spirit. He gave the ground for
the Methodist Church in Bentonville and donated the material for the first
building in 1841. The home was logs replaced by a frame in 1851 and
which stood till 1899. In his later life, in 1852, Joseph Leedom left the
Methodist Church and connected with the Cumberland Presbyterians.
John Meek Leedom was bom in Kanawha County, Va., was reared in
Ohio, and resided in the State till 1847, when he accompanied his father
to the State of Missouri. He returned to Ohio in 1853 and drove a stage
from Maysville to Chillicbthe. He went to Kentucky and drove a stage
from Maysville to Paris for four years. During the cold Winter of 1856,
he drove the round trip from Maysville to Paris every day for two weeks.
He afterwards drove on other routes in Kentucky and then returned
to Bentonville and opened up a general store. September 17, 1861, he
married Jane L. Francis, and in 1863 he bought a half interest in the Ben-
tonville Mill. In 1865, he bought the John D. Francis farm in Liberty
Township. His wife died April, 1866, leaving one child, Margaret, now
Mrs. James Dunkin. November 15, 1866, he married Mary A. Brook-
over, daughter of John Brookover, and of this marriage there is a son,
Shilton A. White. In 1885, lie bought the flour mill at Manchester and
conducted it for a short time. In 1890, he purchased the farm originally
located by the Rev. William Williamson and by him named "The Beeches,"
and since 1892, he has resided on \t. Mr. Leedom is a Democrat in his
political faith. He is not a member of any church.
Jolin CuiminK "LoxtfgihTj
was the son of John Loiighry and Elizabeth (Cunning) Loughr>% bora at
Circleville, on May 2, 183 1, When he was nine months of age, his father
removed to Rockville, Adams County, where he spent his subsequent life.
In the forties, he attended Carey's Academy at Cincinnati. Afterward,
he engaged in steamboating, owning and commanding the steamer **Jeffer-
son,'' in 1852. In the Fall of 1855, he assumed his father's business. He
was married to Miss Sallie Brown, daughter of Captain Wash Brown, in
November, 1857. They took up their residence at the present home-
stead in Rockville, where he resided until his death on the ninth of October,
1894. He united with the Sandy Springs Presbyterian Church, Septem-
ber 20, 1873. He was a trustee of the church for many years, and was an
elder in 1887. From 1891, until his death he was Superintendent of the
Sunday School of Sandy Springs Church.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 78T
In his political views, he was a Democrat, but never sought or held
any public office or took any part in politics.
He was a good neighbor, an ideal gentleman, generous, gentle, hos-
pitable, and refined. He was a constant and generous friend, and in his
4)assing away the community lost a man faithful to every duty.
Robert E. LocUiart,
farmer and President of Manchester Farmers' Bank, was bom in Greene
Township, Adams County, Ohio, June 23, 1833. His father, Robert E.
Lockhart, came to Adams County from Kentucky when a young man and
married Sarah Hemphill, a daughter of Edward Hemphill, of Pleasant
Bottoms, and settled on Ohio Brush Creek, where Albert G. Lockhart now
resides. The children of the family are: Andrew and Elisha, deceased;
Elizabeth, who married Samuel Stevenson; Sarah, who married John
Campbell ; Irene, who married Reuben McKay ; Albert, living on home
farm ; Ann, who married William McCormick, and Robert E., our subject,
who married Alice A. Stevenson. His family consists of Sarah, who mar-
ried T. F. Norris, of Irish Bottoms ; Miss Flora, and Albert G., remaining ^
at home with their parents.
Robert E. Lockhart is one of the leading Democrats of Adams County.
He was elected Decennial Appraiser for Greene Township in 1880, and
has held the office of Township Treasurer almost continuously from the
period of his majority. He is a Past Chancellor of Triangle Lodge, No.
477, Knights of Pythias, at Rome, Adams County.
As a farmer and financier, Mr. Lockhart has been very successful.
He owns twelve hundred acres of land in Greene Township, a large part
of which lies along the fertile valley of the Ohio River. He has been a
stockholder in the Farmers* National Bank at Manchester since its organi-
zation, -and President of that institution since 1896.
John W. LiKhtbody,
of Blue Creek, was born July 31, 1842, at Wilmington, Indiana. His
parents were Hugh S. and Sarah J. Lightbody, the former having come
from Ireland to the United States in t8i6. He lived in New York until
1835, when he located in Georgetown, Ohio, where he clerked in a store.
Later he peddled clocks throughout the country for Pittinger & Eckman.
Then he went to Wilmington, Indiana, where he married Miss Sarah J.
Wright, by whom he had thirteen children, John W. being the oldest.
John W. Lightbody enlisted at Manchester, Ohio, where his father
then resided as a Private in Company D, Captain Patterson, 24th Regi-
ment, O. V. I., Colonel Ammon, for three vears. May 3, 1861, and was
mustered into service at Camp Jackson, June 13, 1861. He re-enlisted
as a veteran at Whitesides Station, and was transferred to Company D,
18th Regiment, O. V. I., June 12, 1864, to serve balance of term. He
was captured twenty miles below Florence, Ala., on the Tennessee River,
September 9, 1864, and held a prisoner at Anderson ville and Cahaba
prisons for ten months and twenty-two days. Was sent North on the
steamer Autocrat, just six hours in advance of the ill-fated Sultana. He
was at Cheat Mountain, Greenbrier, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stone
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788 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Atlanta Cam-
paign, Nashville, and Decatur, Ala.
He is a Republican and is at present Postmaster at Blue Creek, where
he conducts a good hotel and livery stable. On June 5, 1875, he mar-
ried Miss Mary F. Bascom, daughter of G. W. and Elmira Bascom, of
Henderson, Kentucky.
Oeorse W. Lewis,
of Blue Creek, is a son of William Ivewis and Nancy Ann Lanthom, and
was bom on Scioto Brush Creek in Adams County, March 22, 1841. His
grandfather was Philip Lewis, who came to Scioto Brush Creek Valley
in 1795. He was a wagon-master in the Revolutionary War. He first
married Betsey Wasson, by whom he had two sons, Philip and Thomas.
His second wife was a widow McBride nee Anderson, a native of Ireland.
By his second wife, Philip Lewis had four sons: William, bom 1804; Lot,
in 1806; Elijah, 181 1, and Enoch, 1813. Of these, William, the father
of our subject, had eleven children, six sons and five daughters, George
W., our subject, being the seventh child. He married February 28, 1864,
while at home on a furlough, Miss Martha A. Brooks, daughter of Leonard
and Jane Ousler Brooks, who has borne him ten children; Rosa B.,
Sewell E., Alvie T., Myrta E., Arvada A., William R., Arville, dying in
irtfancy ; G. Blaine, Iva V., and Harriet J. George W. Lewis enlisted in
Company D, 24th O. V. L, at West Union, May 27, 1861, and also be-
longed afterwards to Company D, i8th O. V. L He was mustered out
at Augusta, Ga., October 9, 1865. He was wounded at Shiloh, and took
part in the great battles of the war, such as Cheat Mountain, Perryville,
Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and
others. He is a staunch Republican, while his father was a Whig. He
was for many years the leader of his party in Jefferson Township. He is
not a member of any church, but leans toward Methodism.
John Gardner Lindsey
was born near Russellville, Brown County, Ohio, December 28, 1852, son
of William Johnson Lindsey and Lucinda Eliza (Gardner) Lindsey. The
grandfather of our subject came from Scotland in about 1810 and settled
in Kentucky near the \'irginia line. In a few years afterward he returned
to Mason County, Kentucky, where William Johnson, the father of our
subject, was born October 14, 1821, William Johnson Lindsey married
Lucinda Eliza, daughter of the Rev. Mathew Gardner. She was bora
^t Red Oak in Brown County, March 23, 1823. The children bom to
them are Barton B., of Portsmouth, Ohio ; George, living somewhere in the
South ; Charles, deceased ; Frank, of Cincinnati, Ohio ; Sarah Belle, wife
of Nathan Fo^er, of Clarence, Illinois, and John Gardner, the subject of
this sketch.
John G. Lindsey obtained a common school education in Manchester,
Ohio, and engaged in farming until 1893, when he engaged in the liver>'
busmess in Manchester and continued in that business until September.
1899, when he sold out to Messrs. Perry and Swearingen. He now gives
his entire attention to the fertilizer business, being employed by the Ohio
Farmers' Fertilizer Company, of Columbus, Ohio.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 789
He was married March 25. 1880, to Dora Amelia, daughter of James
and Morello Holmes. James Holmes was bom December 22, 1814, and
Morello, his wife, was born March 12, 1823, both in Adams County. The
children of Mr. and Mrs, Lindsey are Byrdie Pearl, bom October 2, 1882,
and Bruce Emerson, bom May 22, 1886.
Mr. Lindsey is a member of Hawkeye Tribe, Red Men, No. 117, and
I. O. O. F., No. 827, of Manchester, Ohio. He is a Republican from
principle, but takes no active part in political affairs. He is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is Superintendent of the Sabbath
School in Manchester. As a member of the Board of Education, he takes
an active part in educational affairs. Mr. Lindsey is a successful busi-
ness man and renders valuable service to the company which employs
him. As a citizen, he stands high in the esteem of his fellow townsmen,
and is known for his integrity and his interest in church and educational
affairs.
Franois Marion I^ang
was born April 25, 1850, in Sprigg Township, on the old Lang homestead,
the son of Barton S. and Melinda (Parks) Lang.
James Lang, grandfather of our subject, came to Manchester in 1793,
and joined Massie's colony. He had a land warrant which he placed on
Isaac's Creek, the farm still owned by our subject, but owing to the hos-
tility of the Indians at that time, he was compelled to remain under the
protection of the Stockade at Manchester until peace was declared in
I795» ^t which time he removed to his farm, where he reared a family of
four sons : James, John, Thomas and Barton S.
Barton S. Lang, the father of our subject, was born September 22,
1815. Melinda Parks, his wife, was born February 27, 1814. They were
married December 15, 1836. Their family record of births is as follows:
James M., May i, 1838; Jeremiah, October 5, 1839; Lucinda, March 14,
1841 ; Margaret Jane, November 23, 1842; Martha Ann, October 8, 1844;
M. Lafayette, October 7, 1846; Amanda Melvina, October 29, 1848; Fran-
cis Marion, April 25, 1850; Columbus Clay, April 2, 1852, and Walter
Corwin, March 26, 1854. Barton S. Lang died August 8, 1879; his wife
died in 1855.
Francis Marion Lang, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his
father's farm, receiving such education as the common schools of Sprigg
Township afforded. He remained with his father until the age of twenty-
three, at which time he assumed control of the home farm and resided there
with the exception of part of one year, till 1891, when he removed to Man-
chester to take advantage of the educational advantages for his children
and to look after his business interests at that place. While on the farm,
he engaged in the dairy business for eighteen months. From 1885 to
1895, he was engaged in the livery business in Manchester, now conducted
by Mr. Erdbrink. For several years he handled leaf tobacco on an ex-
tensive scale, and at the same time engaged in packing pork in partner-
ship with S. R. Monteeth.
From 1884 to 1886, he was President of the Ohio Valley Fumiture
Company at Manchester, and is now Vice-President of the same concern.
In 1891, he was engaged in the coal business, which business he conducted
till 1897, when Charles Lang, his son, was taken in as a partner. The
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71K) HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
firm is now styled F. M. Lang & Son. In 1897, the firm of Lang Bros.,
stoves, hardware, machinery and farm implements, was organized by
Charles, Walter and Aultman Lang, sons of F. M. Lang. Charles with-
drew from the firm shortly after to give his entire attention to the coal
business.
Mr. Lang was married January 24, 1872, to Miss Mary Lou Sin-
niger, daughter of Augustus Sinniger, of Sprigg Township. She was
born March 30, 1856. Their children are Charles W. S., born November
27, 1872; Harry, bom October 15, 1874, died November 22, 1874; Morta
B., born December 18, 1878, died December 16, 1879; James Walter, bom
September 1, 1877; Lee Aultman, bom September 10, 1879; William
Kirker, bom May 5, 1882; Esta Kate, born April 14, 1884; Francis Pierce,
August 21, 1886: Lulu Claire, bom September 13, 1889, d^^d August 30.
1891 ; Alice Louise, born January 19, 1892, and Helen Augusta, bom
July 23, 1896. ♦
Mr. Lang is a business man of more than ordinary ability. Although
he has engaged in several diflferent kinds of business, he has always been
successful and at present is the owner of more real estate than any other
person in Manchester. His success is due to his honorable dealings, to-
gether with good judgment and strict attention to business.
Jonah Mason I«OTett,
of Manchester, Ohio, was bom March 3, 183 1, at Parkersburg, West
Virginia, son of Daniel C, and Emiline (Lockhart) Lovett. Daniel
Lovett, his grandfather, was a native of Loudon County, Virginia. His
son emigrated to Adams County in 1835, and engaged in teaching until
1838. In that year he returned to Virginia and married Emeline Lock-
hart, daughter of Jonah Lockhart, and sister of Judge T. J. Lockhart. He
and his wife located at Parkersburg, where they reared a family of seven
children, to-wit: our subject and his twin sister Nannie, who married
Mathew H. Hale, of Point Pleasant, West Virginia; Lucy, deceased;
Daniel C, Jr., of Point Pleasant, West Virginia; Harry, deceased;
Gertrude, deceased, and Emma C, wife of E. M. Lockhart, of Neodesha,
Kansas. Daniel C. Lovett was a miller in Parkersburg, and in 1848 was
elected County Surveyor of Wood County, West Virginia. He held
that office continuously until his death, February 22, 1859.
Our subject received his education in the academy at Parkersburg,
conducted by John C. Nash. At the age of sixteen, he entered the
drug store of A. N. Williams, and remained there until his majority.
From 1862 till 1881, he was a steamboat clerk on the Ohio River. From
1881 until 1888, he was a clerk in the Kanawha Valley Bank in Charles-
ton, West Virginia. In 1888, he removed to a farm in Monroe Town-
ship, Adams County, and remained there until 1891. While a resident
of Monroe Township, he served as Township Clerk a number of terms.
In 1891, he removed to Manchester, where he has resided ever since. He
is now bookkeeper for the C. Roush Flour Mill.
He was married to Miss Jane Stevenson, November 3, 1872, daugh-
ter of David and Elizabeth (Halbert) Stevenson, of Monroe Township
(See sketch of Capt. Samuel C. Stevenson). The children of this mar-
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riage are David, in the mercantile business in the Indian Territory;
Gordon Dickey, clerk in the Farmers* Bank of Manchester; Richard
Stevenson, Lewis Riiffner, Harry Putney and Edward Craig.
Wesley B. I«amc,
of Manchester, is a son of James Lang and Sarah McHenry, his wife, and
was born at the old homestead in Sprigg Township, January 9, 1854.
He spent his youth on the farm and was educated in the common schools
and in the graded school at Bentonville. He has always taken an active
part in county and township political affairs, and is recognized as one
of the shrewdest politicans in the Republican party in Adams county.
The success of the Republican county ticket in the very close county of
Adams has frequently hinged on the clever work of Mr. Lang. Recog-
nizing this fact. President McKinley, February 15, 1899, appointed Mr.
Lang Postmaster at Manchester, the highest salaried office in Adams
County, although he was a resident of Sprigg Township at the time, and
there were many prominent applicants for the position, residents of Man-
chester. On February 6, 1889, Mr. Lang was united in marriage to Miss
Lena Kirschner, a daughter of Godfried Kirschner, of Vineyard Hill,
and there has been born to them two daughters, Martha and Lillie.
Dr. William Bruce I^oney,
physician and surgeon, West Union, Ohio, was born on a farm near
North Liberty, Knox county, Ohio» June 25, 1864. In early manhood,
Dr. Loney came with his parents, J. J. Loney and Ethalinda Loney,
to West Union, where they conducted a hotel, now the Downing House,
and formerly the Crawford House, for several years. During this period
our subject was variously engaged to earn the means to assist him in
attaining the ambition of his life. He clerked in his father's hotel, solicited
for a publishing house, conducted a livery stable, and performed any
kind of physical labor that would earn him money. Finally he acquired
means sufficient to take a course in Starling Medical College, Columbus,
Ohio, from whence he graduated in 1892. He practiced his profession
first at Cedar Mills, and afterwards at Dunkinsville, where he was most
successful. In 1897, he gave up his office and entered the Chicagx)
Polyclinic, where he took a post-graduate course. He then returned to
Adams County, locating at West Union, where he enjoys a large and
lucrative practice. Dr. Loney is recognized as one of the best read
physicians of the county. In politics, he is a staunch Democrat,, and has
often been requested by the leaders of that party in Adams County to
stand as a candidate for the Legislature or other county office, but he
is too closely wedded to his profession to give his time to the duties of
political office. In his religious views, the Doctor is strictly orthodox,
yet he has never been connected with any church organization. He is
a member of several fraternal societies.
George Me*Adow Itaiferty
was born March 27, 1824, at West Union. His father was Absalom
Lafferty and his mother's maiden name was Margaret McDaid, a sister
of Col. John McDaid. Her father was Robert McDaid. Absalom
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792 HISTORY OP ADAJMS COUNTY
Laflferty was a native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, and settled at West
Union prior to 1820. He had the trade of shoemaker, which he carried
on for a lonj^ time in West Union. While a resident of West Union, he
manufactured shoes for Ohio and Union Furnaces. He also conducted
a general store at West Union. He died July 13, 1848, aged fifty-four
years. His wife, Margaret I^fferty, died September 9, 1859, aged fifty-
four years. Our subject was the eldest son. He attended school at
West Union under Ralph McClure, Leonard Cole and Thomas Hayslip.
He was apprenticj^d to the trade of cabinet maker under Peter B. Jones ;
of Maysville, Ky., in the years 1838 to 1840. In the latter year he went
into partnership with Joseph Hayslip, of W^est Union, in the cabinet mak-
ing business, under the firm name of Lafferty & Hayslip, which con-
tinued several years. In 1852, he removed to Rome, Ohio, where he en-
gaged in the mercantile business and continued in that until 1897. Since
that time he has made his home with his children.
He was married first to Jerusha Jones, widow of Hamlin Jones, in
1852. She died in 1854. He was married in 1856 to Miss Ann M. Cox,
daughter of Martin Cox, and she died in 1875.
His son, Charles M. Lafferty, engaged in buying ties at Rome. His
second son, George W., was formerly a buyer of tobacco but is now
engaged in conducting the New Commercial Hotel at West Unicm.
His son, Henry B., resides at Carrollton, Ky. His daughter Anna is the
wife of George Carey, residing near Washington, Pa. Two of his
children died in infancy.
Mr. Lafferty has always been a Whig and a Republican. He is a
member of the Methodist Church and is highly respected by all who
know him.
Albert Gallatin Lookhart,
of Greene Township, was born September 19, 1839, ^^ the farm on which
he now resides. His father, Robert E. Lockhart, was born in Kentucky,
October 18, 1793, and was a private soldier in the War of 1812. He was
married to Sarah Hemphill, a native of Pennsylvania, on September 17,
1818. They had ten children, five of whom are living and five deceased.
The living children are our subject, his brother, Robert E. Lockhart,
Ann, wife of W. F. McCormick; Irene, wife of Reuben McKay, of Port-
land, Ohio, and Sarah, wife of John Campbell, of Cedar Mills, Ohio.
Our subject's father died August 31, 1858, and was buried on his farm,
Robert E. Lockhart was a prosperous farmer, and owned six
hundred acres of land east of the mouth of Brush Creek in the Ohio
Valley. His wife was born September 17, 1795;, and died September 18,
1873-
Our subject was reared a farmer and never had any other occupa-
tion. He had a common school education. He was married October
20, 1897, to Miss Ida Stephenson, daughter of Isaac Stephenson. She
was bom August 26, 1872. They have two children. Alberta, aged two
years, and Albert G., Jr., aged five months.
Mr. Lockhart owns eight hundred acres of land, the patent to which
was signed by President George Washington. His valley land is very
productive under his excellent management. He is not a member of any
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 793
church, but his religious belief is expressed in the doctrines of the Presby-
terian Church. In his political views he is a Democrat. He has always
been active in his party, but has never sought any public office.
Elijali Darius I<eedoni.
William Leedom, the grandfather of our subject, came from Vir-
ginia. He landed at Manchester in 1795, and settled near Bentonville,
where the old Leedom Tavern now stands. He was the father of twelve
children, six boys and six girls. He erected the celebrated Leedom
Hotel, a portion of which is still standing, tailed the Farmer's Inn. He
was a very popular landlord, as he fed well and charged moderately. He
entertained Gen. Jackson when he was on his way to accept the Presi-
dency. Joseph Leedom is sketched under the title of John Meek Lee-
dom in this work. William Leedom*s son George was a minister in the
Methodist Protestant Church. His other sons were farmers.
His son Aaron was the father of our subject, and located north of
where Bentonville now stands. Aaron Leedom was a large dealer in
horses and mules, taking many droves to New Orleans by land. He was
quarantined in New Orleans seven months on account of yellow fever
and cholera, in 1832. He also loaded may flatboats with flour and bacon,
floated them to Natchez, and sold them to the planters. He was bom
in Sprigg Township in 1803, and married Miss Henrietta House in 1824.
To this union were born five sons and seven daughters. There are three
sons and four daughters living. David C, the oldest son, settled in
Thayer County, Nebraska, where his sons are representative members
of society; two of them having been elected to county offices several
times, while another owns and edits the leading journd of the county.
Shannon W., went to Pike's Peak during the gold excitement, and has
been in the mining business ever since. He is at present part owner and
manager of a silver mining company near Monterey, Mexico. Their son,
Elijah D. Leedon, our subject, was born near where Bentonville now
stands, in 1832. He was educated in the common schools until he was
seventeen years of age, when he attended the select school of Prof.
Miller for two years. He then began teaching and taught five years.
In 1854, he was married to Miss Eveline Watson, by Rev. W. J.
Quarry, then Methodist minister on the West Union Circuit. He had
th^-ee daughters and one son. His son, William A. Leedon, died at
Osgood, Indiana, in 1874. Frances, the oldest daughter, married W.
L. Yates, a real estate dealer of Cincinnati. His daughter, Nora A.,
married H. B. Andrews, a hardware dealer of Osgood, Ind. His third
daughter, Ella B., is still single. She studied music at the Cincinnati
College of Music.
Our subject was elected Township Trustee of Sprigg Township
for four terms, and Township Treasurer for two terms. He was Post-
master of Bentonville, Ohio, under President Buchanan from 1857 to
1861. On September 20, 1864, he was appointed First Lieutenant of
Company I, i82d O. V. I. He was appointed Adjutant of the Regi-
ment November 29, 1864, and mustered out July 7, 1865. He was elected
County Treasurer of Adams County in 1867 for two years, and re-elected
in 1869. His term expired in 1872, and he removed to Osgood, Ind.,
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794 • HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
in November, 1872. He was in the mercantile business there for ten
years. He removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was in the wholesale boot
and shoe business there under the firm name of Butterworth & Company
for three years. At that time his health failed to such an extent that he
withdrew as a partner and took a position as travelling agent for the
firm until 1891, at which time he entered into business at Young's Sta-
tion, Scioto County, Ohio. He was appointed Postmaster at Young's
under President Harrison in 1891, which position he still holds.
He has always been a Democrat, prominent and influential in the
councils of his party. He h^s been a member of the Christian Dis-
ciples Church since 1867, and has been a consistent member and hard
worker in the church. He holds the position of elder in the church.
J. W. MoConniok,
of Wamsleyville, son of Charles McCormick and Rebecca McCali, was
born in Lewis County, Kentucky, November i, 1847, and afterwards
came with his parents to White Oak, Adams County, Ohio. In 1862,
his father removed to Scioto County and resided there until 1874, when
he returned to Adams County.
Our subject taught school in Scioto and Adams Counties from 1869
until 1878, and then clerked for S. B. Wamsley at Wamsleyville, in the
building which he now occupies. In 1881, he formed a partnership with
George and Shannon Freeman and carried on a general store. In
1887, he disposed of his interest and began the same business with his
brother, Dr. G. W. McCormick, which they continued until the Sum-
mer of 1898. He is now engaged in the bicycle trade at Wamsleyville.
He married Miss Mary Weaver, daughter of Henry Weaver, of
Scioto County, April 6, 1871, by whom he has had four children:
Clarence E., Icie Florence, James C, and Charles, who died October 3,
1891. Mr. McCormick is an active, prosperous business man with the
confidence and respect of patrons and acquaintances. He is a member
of the Christian Union Church, but was reared a Methodist. He also
belongs to Wamsleyville Lodge, No. 653, I. O. O. F. He has always
affiliated with the Democratic party.
Alfred B. Myers, (deceased,)
a son of James Myers and Salina Howard, his wife, was born in Union
Township, Brown'County, Ohio, March 25, 1855. The paternal grand-
father of our subject, John Myers, came from Pennsylvania to Brown
County in pioneer days and settled on the old McClain farm near Ripley.
Here James Myers was born in August, 1819. He grew to man's estate
and married Salina, a daughter of Abner Howard, a prominent farmer
of Union Township. James Myers was an industrious and frugal hus-
bandman, and became one of the wealthy men of his community. He
died July 2, 1892, his faithful wife having gone before, April 11, 1890.
On January 24, 1876, Alfred B. Myers was united in marriage to
Miss Melissa Tumbleson, daughter of Abel and Mary Higgins Tum-
bleson, of Sprigg Township, Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Tumbleson
were devout and earnest members of the Christian or "New Light"
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 795
Church, and their home was the stopping place for Elder Mathew
Gardner, Rev. William Pan^burn, and other fathers of the church.
To Alfred B. Myers and his wife were bom James W., deceased,
a son who died in infancy, and Clifton G., a bright young man now at
home with his mother, the father having died in Brown County, No-
vember I4» 1883. In 1886, his widow removed to Sprigg Township,
Adams County, where she now resides.
John Riley Mehaif ey,
of West Union, was born March 6, 1824, near Belfast, Highland
County, Ohio, son of William and Esther (Ellison) Mehaffey. The father
of our subject was born December 12, 1797, in Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania. On February 9, 1820, he married Esther Ellison,
daughter of Arthur Ellison, of Gift Ridge. She was born July 8, 1801,
and died February 2, 1885. William Mehaffey came with his parents
from Pennsylvania to Adams County in 1799. They settled at Hills
Fork on the farm now occupied by Frank Williams. John Mehaffey,
grandfather of our subject, was a native of Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania. His wife was Rachel Gordon, of the same place. He
was born August 31, 1757. Rachel Gordon was born August 30, 1763.
John Mehaffey died in Highland County, August 20, 1848, and is buried
in Ebenezer Cemetery near Mowrystown. Rachel, his wife, died May 30,
1844. John Mehaffey was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His
record as such will be found in the Revolutionary War article in this
work, entitled "Revolutionary Soldiers." He served four years as a
scout and Government spy among the Indians on the frontier in Western
Pennsylvania and along the Ohio River. He was a personal friend of
General Anthony Wayne and was detailed by him on many perilous
and important undertakings. In the War of 1812, being too old to
enlist, he went as a substitute for William Pilson. He was a Private
in Lieut. Banet Ristine's Company, Col. Edwards' Regiment, First Ohio
Militia. He enlisted July 29, 1813, and served until August 22, 1813.
He was also a Private in Captain Robert Morrison's Company of Keys'
Regiment, Ohio Militia. In this organization he served as a substitute
for William Mclntire until September 8, 1813. He took part in the
campaign at Lower Sandusky. He served as a guard for the wagon
train in the expedition to Upper Sandusky and was delayed on duty six
weeks after the principal would have been discharged from service.
The children of John and Rachel (Gordon) Mehaffev are Robert,
who died in Vigo County, Illinois: Joseph, who died in Peoria, III.;
Samuel, who died in Wapello, Iowa; William, father of our subject;
John, who died in Highland County, Ohio; James, who died at Unity,
Ohio ; Nain, who died at Peoria, Illinois ; Nancy, who married a Sterling,
of Illinois, and Jane, who married Hiram Silcott, of Peoria, Illinois.
Two sons and daughters died young.
Our subject lived in Highland County, Ohio, until 1830, when he
removed with his parents to Hills Fork. He attended school under
the teaching of the Hon. John T. Wilson, in Highland County, at the
age of five years (in 1829). He resided on the farm at Hills Fork from
1830 until 1844, when he began teaching, which occupation he followed
until 1872. On February 9, i860, he was married to Mary L. Saylor,
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796 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
daughter of Jacob Savior, who was a veteran in the War of 1812, being
a member of the Seventeenth Regulars, serving under General Scott
at Lundy's Lane. The children of John Riley and Mary L. MehaflPey
are Ann Eliza; wife of W. J. Shuster ; Esther Elizabeth ; Laura Ella,
w^ife of John S. Patton ; Mary Bell and William Saylor, who live on the
farm.
Mr. Mehaffey enlisted in Company I, 141 st O. V. I., and was made
a Sergeant. He served five months, stationed at Barboursville, West
Virginia. He lived on his farm until 1893, when he removed to West
Union. He is a member of the regular Baptist Church at West Union,
becoming such at the organization of that church, April, 1840. He and
Mrs. Mosier, his sister, are the only two living of the original number.
He served as Township Clerk two terms; as Township Trustee for
several years, and as Justice of the Peace for five terms, 1861 to 1870
and 18;^ to 1884, in Liberty Township.
Mr. Mehaffey is regarded as a model citizen, sober, honest and
industrious, and in pttblic affairs is a man above the average in judg-
ment. The foregoing sketch was written, submitted to Mr. Mehaffey,
and approved as to the facts. He died on the twentieth of February,
1900, of a stroke of paralysis. He believed that every duty in life should
be well done and lived up to that principle. As a result he has left a
memory of a life well spent.
James Alexander Mnrpliy
was born June 11, 1828, at Buford, in Highland County. His father
was Andrew Murphy and his mother, Mary Chapman. His father
died when he was only two years of age. At the age of ten years he was
apprenticed to a blacksmith. Jack McQuitty, at Buford. and served
until he was eighteen years of age. At that age, he went to High school
at Greenfield, Ohio. He studied medicine with Dr. Higgins, in Buford,
and completed his medical course in 1850. He located in Rarden, Scioto
County, and practiced medicine there until 1852. He then gave up the
practice of medicine and began keeping a store at Locust Grove. Jan-
uary 19, 1854, he married Miss Eliza Ann Crabb, at her father's
(Alexander Crabb) home, near Locust Grove. Her mother's maiden
name was Sarah McCutcheon. Our subject and his wife began house-
keeping in the Grove and resided there until 1857, when they renx)ved
on the Crabb farm row occupied by George Murphy.
In November, t86i, Mr. Murphy returned to merchandising in
Locus Grove and continued it until August 19, 1862, when he became
Captain of Company E, it 7th O. V. I., afterwards Company E. First
Ohio Heavy Artillerv, and served with this company until) the twenty-
fifth of July, 1865. Captain Murphy was a brave and a patriotic citizen
and he induced his neighbors and friends very generally to enter the
service. He certainly did his full share by influence and example in
the suppression of the Rebellion. Wlien he returned from the army,
he resumed the business of merchandising and conducted it until 1872,
when he sold out his stock of goods and purchased the Platter farm,
to which he removed, and on which he continued to reside until his
death. He conducted his farm from 1872 until 1884. In the latter
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year his health g^ave way and he was unable thereafter to farm or attend
to any active business. From that time until his death on September
2, 1893, he was an invalid. He died of pulmonary consumption brought
on by the hardships and exposures of his service in the Civil War. His
life was undoubtedly shortened many years on account of his army serv-
ice, and of him it may be truly said his life was a sacrifice to his country.
Captain Murphy was a large man of powerful physique and commanding
presence. His personal appearance would attract attention anywhere.
He was of a pleasant and courteous disposition and very well liked by
his neighbors. In his own business he was a good manager and he
v/as a forceful man in the community. He was a Whig and a Repub-
lican. At one time he was a Trustee of his Township. He was a
candidate for County Treasurer on the Republican Ticket, in 1869, but
was defeated. He was a member of the Masonic order and was always
a good citizen. His widow still survives. His eldest daughter, Sarah
Ann, is the wife of Dr. James S. Berry, of Peebles. His second daughter,
Mary A., is the wife of William Custer, of Peebles. His son, John
Andrew, is at home with his mother. His son, Canova Vandexter,
resides in Clinton County and is a farmer. His son. George Washing-
ton, lives on the home farm north of Locust Grove. His son, William
David, is a physician in Fayette, Fulton County, Ohio.
John William Morrison.
His birth was November 12, 1853. He was the son of James Mor-
rison and Mary J. Cobler. his wife. His grandfather, William Mor-
rison, married a daughter of Ralph Peterson. Our subject was educated
in the common schools and was a farmer all his life. His father was a
member of Company K.. i8rst O. V. I. He enlisted October 7, 1864,
and died March 16. 1865, while home on furlough, from the results of
the service, when his son, our subject, was but twelve years of age. He
was left the eldest of seven children, with his widowed mother, to face
the world and hold the family together, and right nobly did he bear his
burden. These children ranged from twelve to one year of age, three
brothers and three sisters, whose care, support and education devolved
almost wholly on him. That they have taken their places in the world
in honorable positions is largely due to the example and force of char-
acter of their elder brother.
Our subject was married October 29, 1884, to Miss Margaret E.
Carson, daughter of James Carson and Eleanor Greathouse, his wife,
a woman of a most lovely and lovable disposition. The marriage was
a very happy one. He and his wife located near Peebles. His domestic
happiness was not, however, to last long. In June, 1896, he was taken
with a catarrh of the bowels and the disease steadily progressed till the
sixth of July, 1897, when he passed from Earth to Heaven.
During the thirteen years of his married life he was blessed with
four children ; two of these died in infancy and twb, a daughter, Mary
Ellen, and a son, Alfred Alonzo, survive.
In his political views he was a Democrat. He was not a member
of any fraternal organization. He was a member of the Chrisian Dis-
ciple Church and lived up to its teachings. In all his tastes he was
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798 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
domestic. He felt that he belonged to his wife and children as well as
they to him, and for this reason was not a fraternity man. He believed
in doing the duty nearest to him and pursued it. Dying in the prime
and high noon of life, he was not permitted to demonstrate what his
energies, his mind and heart could accomplish, but his career to its
ending gave promise of a life full of usefulness and honor. He was
reserved in his intercourse with his fellows, unassuming and even tem-
pered. He was honoraWe, just and obliging. He was most sym-
pathetic with those in sickness or affliction, and they could and did most
gratefully appreciate his ministrations.
He left a record of human sympathy, of religious feeling and ex-
perience, of affection in his family and among his friends, of industry,
economy, which will yield a sweet smelling incense so long as it shall
remain. He did not live in vain and his memory is a benediction
speaking blessed words to those who feel his loss.
Henry F. MoGovney.
Henry Francis McGovney was, for twenty years, a prominent char-
acter and moving spirit in the fierce political contests for which Adams
County is conspicuously notorious. He was a Democrat of the Jack-
son school. He believed in the principles and party doctrines as laid
down and exemplified by that saint of Democracy, and by his works he
proved his faith. The death of Henry F. McGovney lost to the Democ-
racy of Adams County a faithful adherent and one of its safest coun-
sellors. He served his party as a soldier in the rank and file as faith-
fully as when a leader of its hosts. He gave to it, in financial support,
more than he ever heceived from it. His party adherence sprang from
love of principle, not from hope of gain. His party elected him Sheriff
of Adams County in 1879, and again in 1882. In 1891, he received the
nomination for the office of County Treasurer, but was defeated with
others on the ticket through the efforts of the Populists, a i>oHtical
organization which drew largely from the Democratic party in Adams
County. In 1893, he was endorsed by Senator Calvin S. Brice for the
United States Marshalship for the Southern District of Ohio, but through
the efforts of Ex. Gov. James E. Campbell, chiefly, it is said, betweeti
whom and leaders of Democracy in Adams County there existed great
political animosity. President Cleveland was persuaded to ignore Sen-
ator Brice's recommendation, and he appointed another instead.
Henry F. McGovney was above the average in stature, of good per-
sonal appearance, had an open, pleasing countenance, and was social and
kind in his intercourse with friends and acquaintances.
Quiet and unobtrusive in his relations with men, yet he had courage
when aroused such as made him no mean antagonist. An only son,
reared to years beyond man's estate imder the guidance of a loving but
judicious father, surrounded with the comforts, but free from the foibles
of life, he began his career as farmer, merchant, and politician, evenly
poised and well equipped for the work which afterwards distinguished
him in those respective spheres. He was the son of Scott McGovney and
Hannah Fear, and was horn and reared on the old homestead on Brush
Creek in Jefferson Township, near the Osman bridge. He received the
rudiments of an English education in the county schools of that vicinity.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 799
In his twenty-seventh year, he married Sophia Phillips, a daughter
of Henry Phillips, at the lime one of the largest landholders in Adams
County. She died in October, 1896, and her loss saddened the remainder
of his life. He had no children. He was prominent in Masonic circles
and had served as Master of West Union Lodge, F & A. M., and was
at the time of his death a member of Calvary Commandery, at Portsmouth,
Ohio.
On Thursday, December i, 1898, he died at the Good Samaritan
Hospital in Cincinnati, from the effects of an operation performed there
for cancer of the stomach. His remains were brought to his home in
^yest Union and interred in the new Old Fellows Cemetery. He was in
his forty-eighth year at the time of his death, having been bom February
10, 1850.
Oeorse 8. MoCom&iok.
George S. McCormick was born March 2*j, 1822, near Steam Furnace,
in Adams County. His father, James McCormick, was a native of Penn-
sylvania, and his mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Hawk, was a
Virginian. They were married in Pennsylvania, and very soon thereafter
loaded their household goods upon a flatboat at Pittsburg and floated
down the Ohio, landing at some point near Wrightsville in the year 1808
James McCormick was a collier and molder, and soon found employ-
ment among the furnaces which were then the principal industry in Adams
County. He made his permanent home near Old Steam Furnace, where
the subject of this sketch was bom, never leaving the county except during
the War of 1812, when he served with Gen. Wm. H. Harrison at Fort
Wayne.
To him and his wife were born nine children, in the order named:
Mrs. Jane Page, Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman, Mrs. Mary Wamsley, William,
James, Charles, Mrs. Hannah Mitchell and George. Of these only Mrs.
Margaret Freeman is living at this time ( 1898).
James McCormick was a man of magnificent physique, broad-chested,
strong of limb and active. He had a firm set jaw, with a double row of
teeth above and below, and soon became known as ^'Uurr'' McCormick,
a name given him because of the fact that his hair, which was usually
cropped close, stuck straight out. and was of a reddish hue, about the
color of a ripened chestnut burr.
His advent among the fumace men of course created considerable
speculation as to whether or not he was what they termed a "good man."
He had hardly taken his place in the foundry before he was challenged
by the **bully" of the furnace to a test at fisticuffs. McCormick was a
strict Presbyterian, and did not believe in fighting, but when it come to
a question of whether he should fight or be whipped, he chose the former,
and soon made short work of his adversary.
This established his reputation at that fumace, but it did not end
his troubles. Knowledge of his ability soon sped to rival fumaces, each
of whom boasted their best man, and since he would not leave his home,
pilgrimages w^re made to the furnace in which he found employment in
order that he might be challenged, and the question of which had the
best **bullv" be thus settled. It is said that he never met defeat. He was
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800 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
regarded a strong man, not only physically, but mentally and morally, and
many of his good qualities were inherited by the subject of this sketch.
In the early days of Adams County the opportunities of securing
even a common school education were very meager. Three months of the
year, George Smedley McCormick walked miles through mud and rain
to the little log school house, for it was only in the dead of Winter, when
all labor was at a standstill, that time could be given to the development
of the mind. By sturdy perseverance and close application, at the age of
eighteen, he found himself competent to teach, and took charge of his first
school on the West Fork of Scioto Brush Creek. He followed this pro-
fession for six years, teaching in both Adams and Scioto Counties. One
of his first schools was in Nile Township, Scioto County, and the building
is still standing. It is a log structure about fifteen by twenty feet, with
one log left out of the side for a window. This crevice w^as closed by
means of window glass and greased paper. Just under it, running the
entire length of the building, was a desk, called the writing desk, at which
the entire school were obliged to seat themselves when taking instructions
in that branch. *
His salary was seldom more than $12.50 per month, from which he
saved until he was enabled to attend through two terms of the Ohio
Wesleyan University, then in its infancy. He was a man of frugal habits,
and of good business judgment. He never speculated, but was content
to see his worldly store increase through the legitimate profit of trade. The
first piece of money he ever earned was a **fi' penny bit," which he received
from his brother-in-law, ]Moses Freeman, for ploughing corn one day on
hillside ground prolific of stones and roots. As the value of the coin was
but six and one-fourth cents, the reader will understand how well it was
earned. With characteristic thrift he placed this money at interest, an
elder brother being the borrower, and to the latter's surprise on the day of
settlement the piece had doubled itself.
He began his career as a merchant in 1846 at the little village of
Commercial, ane mile and a half below Buena Vista and just within the
borders of Adams County. His capital consisted of one hundred and fifty
dollars, saved from his earnings as a school teacher, and five hundred
dollars borrowed from his brother-in-law, the Rev. Jesse Wamsley, of
"Bill Town,'' now Wamsleysville.
In 1848, he built for Mr. Wamsley the first house erected in Buena
Vista, after it was platted as a town, and placed in it the first stock of
goods ever sold in that village. The site selected was the spot on which
stands the family residence, in which he passed his last days. This house
came into his possession about ten years before his death, though removed
to another site, and is still in use for residence purposes.
In the Spring of 1850, he removed to Rome, this county, where he
conducted a successful business for nine years. His health becoming im-
paired, he purchased a farm in Nile Township, Scioto County, to which
place he removed his family in 1859. In '62 and '63, he was engaged in
merchandising for the second time in Rome, having for a partner George
Laflferty, during which time his family remained on the farm.
After five years spent in farming he removed to Portsmouth in 1868,
where he engaged in the grocery business. In 1870, he returned to his
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farm, and in 1875 the second time went to Buena Vista, where he remained
constantly engaged in business until within a year of his death.
He began life with empty hands, a strong will and a clear intellect,
and succeeded in leaving behind him ample provision for the wants of
those nearest and dearest to him. He loved an honest man, and if there
be added to his honesty intelligence, he always strove to make of such an
one a friend. It was an impossibility for him to be anything but charitable,
and the readiness with which he forgave those who dealt with him un-
justly was often a source of annoyance to his friends and business as-
sociates. This forgiving spirit cost him many a dollar, but amply were
he and his frends repaid when, during his last illness, he rejoiced that he
could leave the world bearing malice towards no man.
He was a man of many strong friendships, and especially did he like
at all times the company of the young.
In those early days Masonry meant much, and he took a very great
interest in the work, being at one time an officer in the lodge at West
Union, although he lived as far away as Rome. He was also an Odd Fel-
low, and a member of the Methodist Church. In politics, he was an en-
thusiastic Democrat but was broadminded enough to recognize merit in
any party and often voted for those of opposite party affiliations. He held
a nimibcr of Township offices as a matter of duty imposed by good citizen-
ship, but declined many honors proffered by his party which would have
carried him into the arena of active party politics.
He was married in 1847 ^^ Nancy Fleak, of Cincinnati. Seven chil-
dren were born to them, only two of whom are now living. Charles A., a
merchant at Bucna \'ista, and A. F. McCorniick. an attorney at Ports-
mouth. Ohio.
Crookett MoGovney
was born June 19. 1823. in Liberty Township, Adams County. Ohio. His
father was Thomas McGovney and his mother's maiden name was Jane
Graham. He attended the common schools in Liberty Township, and near
his uncle, John Graham, on Ohio Brush Creek. He also took a course
of bookkeeping at West Union. His wife was Sarah Holmes, the daugh-
ter of Thomas Holmes. She was born November 28, 1824. They were
married December 20. 1849. Directly after his marriage, he and his wife
went to Olive Furnace in Lawrence County, where he was the furnace
storekeeper for two years. From 1851 to 1854, he was storekeeper for
Robert Scott & Company at Mt. Vernon Furnace in Lawrence County.
In September, 1854, he made what now appears as a business mistake.
He left the furnace region and returned to Adams County. He went into
the dry goods business at Bentonville, but only remained in it for six
months. At the end of that time, he built the flour mill in Bentonville in
connection with Thomas Fpster. He remained in this business until the
Spring of 1857, when he sold out and went to Missouri. By August, 1857,
he tired of that experiment and returned to Adams County. He estab-
lished a dry goods business at North Liberty and continued in it six
months, when he sold out to William L. McVey. He bought the flour
mill at the same place and operated it until August, 1858, when he sold
out. He removed to Manchester and bought the flour mill on Front
51a
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802 mSTORY OP ADAMS CJOUNTY
Street. He conducted this business and a coal yard in connection with it
until March, 1866, when he disposed of it.
In 1863, he, David McConaughy and George S. Kirker, went into the
pork packing business as Kirker, McGovney & Company. It proved dis-
astrous and he sunk $4,000. From 1866 to 1872, he and William Hender-
son, his son-in-law, conducted the dry goods business at Manchester. In
1872. he went into the planing mill business in Manchester and continued
it until his death. This business was quite profitable and successful. He
had two children, a son and daughter. His son, Lafayette, is a farmer
near Aberdeen. His daughter, Caroline, was married to William Hender-
son,.November 16, 1868.
Mr.McGovney had a natural taste and aptitude for business. He
would have had success in any business he undertook unless he labored
against conditions he could not control. Had he remained in the furnace
region, he would have been one of the principal iron masters of the dis-
trict. He succeeded in everything he undertook but pork packing, and
would have succeeded in that were it not he was subject to conditions he
could not control. The chief features of his character were industry and
energy. When in a given situation where others were ready to g^ve up
and die, he began to work. He was always cheerful. While he was losing
money m the pork packing business, he never ccmiplained. He worked for
years under a business adversity which would have discouraged most
men and soured them. He gave no outward sign of his losses, but went
right along, just as agreeable to the public as though he were making
money. He carried a mountain of debt and paid it off, principal and in-
terest. While he lost money in the pork packing business, he made it
back in the. furniture business.
In politics, he was a Democrat and acted with that party until the
second election of President Lincoln, when he became a Republican and
remained such all his life. He was a very strong Union man and loyal
to the Government in the Civil War. He never held any office but that
of Village Councilman and never belonged to any secret society. He was
never a member of any church, but inclined to the doctrines of the regular
Baptist Church. He was frequently chosen Councilman of Manchester
and fulfilled his duties most acceptably. He dignified the office and was
the best one the village ever had. He had a good judgment of all kinds
of property. He was relentless and untiring in the pursuit of business.
He was the leading spirit among the business men of Manchester for years.
His integrity was as fixed as adamant. He took sick and died at a time
when his life was as fidl of business cares and responsibilities as it had
ever been, but he met the final call with the utmost calmness and phil-
osophy. He took sick August 27, and died September 2, 1890, of Bright's
disease. Ten men like him would have made a city of Manchester.
Slims Dyer Molntlre
w^as born December 31, 1824, and was reared a farmer's son. He was
married first to Caroline Patton, daughter of John and Phoebe Patton, on
the third of March, 1852. The children of this marriage were Ambrose
Patton, now living at Lima, Ohio ; Ruth, wife of Henry Brown, of Wash-
ington C. H. ; Lizzie, wife of J. G. Glasgow ; Mary, wife of J. H. Morrison,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 803
of Book waiter, Neb. His first wife died October 28, 1865, and on August
I, 1867, he was married to Sarah Marlatt, daughter of Silas and Jane
(Cane) Marlatt, of Eckmansville. The children of this second marriage
were Pearl, wife of Dr. E. F. Downey, of Peebles ; Jane Faye, Anna L.,
Wilber, and Andrew Homer, residing at home.
While a young man, S. D. Mclntire taught school until his marriage,
and after that was a farmer in Wayne Township the remainder of his life.
He was a mem1)er of the U. P. Church at Cherry Fork, Ohio, and a ruling
elder for many years. He was Justice of the Peace for Wayne Township,
1857 to 1865, eight years. In politics, he was a Republican and anti-
slavery man. His father. Col. Andrew Mclntire, has a separate sketch
herein, and is also referred to in the article under the title of "The Cholera
of 1849."
'Squire Mclntire, as he was familiarly known, was a man of high
character, honest and honorable in all his dealings, and highly respected.
He enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. His widow survives him
and resides with her four younger children on the old farm on which he
lived and died.
Henry Harrison Meohlin,
manufacturer and dealer in lumber, of Winchester, Ohio, was bom April
i3» 1854, at Jasper, Pike County, Ohio, son of H. H. and Nancy (Coulter)
Mechlin. William Mechlin, his grandfather, was one of the early settlers
of Pike County, having emigrated from Butler County, Pennsylvania, in
the twenties. His mother was a daughter of James Coulter, of Irish
descent.
Our subject spent his boyhood on a farm in Pike County. He had
such schooling as the t)istrict school of his vicinity afforded. As soon
as he became of age, he became a traveler, visiting nearly every state
and Territory in the United States. In 1879, he returned to Pike County,
and engaged in the mercantile business for a period of three years and
was quite successful. He then traveled through the South and Southwest
until 1885, when he returned to Pike County.
He was married at Waverly, Ohio, to Miss Anna Burns, daughter
of Robert Burns, April 18, 1886. After this, he settled at Coopersvillc,
Pike County, and engaged, in the timber business. He remained here
until 1893. when he removed to Winchester, Adams County, where he en-
gaged in the same business, and has since continued it. He owns and
controls the most extensive lumber and sawmill business in the county,
using more timber than any mill in the county. Since his location, he has
cut and removed more timber than any like plant in the county. His mills
are near the depot and are equipped with the most modem machinery.
He uses electric lights, having a dynamo, which furnishes light to his
plant and offices. He has six children, five boys and one g^rl, Rexford
K., James C, H. Mark. Russell P., Marjory, and Colin N.
He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He is
a member of the Knights of Pythias*, Lo<lge No. 484, at Winchester.
WilUam I.. MiUnr
was born January 19. 1857, at North Liberty, son of John W. and Mary
(Foster) Miller. John Miller, his grandfather, was a native of Wash-
ington County, Pennsylvania, and emigrated to this county in 1846, and
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804 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
settled near West Union. He married Mary Hamilton, of Pennsylvania,
of Scotch descent, a sister of the Rev. James Hamilton, a noted Presby-
terian minister. John W. Miller, the father of our subject, was the sec-
ond son. He was born April 23, 1829, in Washington County, Pennsyl-
vania, where he was a playmate of the Hon. James G. Blaine, in his boy-
hood. He married Mary A. Foster, daughter of Col. Samuel Foster.
Col. Foster's wife was Elizabeth McNeill, bom July, 1829. He was Col-
onel of the Militia and Sheriff of Adams County from 1837 to 1841.
Our subject spent his boyhood on the farm, received a common school
education, and pursued his studies further at the Normal school at West
Union. He engaged in teaching for several years, and for four years
he traveled as an agent for a publishing house in Cincinnati. He was ap-
pointed School Examiner of Adams County in September, 1895, and
served thre'e years during the same period he was a teacher.
In 1898, he removed to a farm in Wayne Township, and now gives
his entire attention to the same, being the Gen. William Mclntire farm,
a noted "Station** in the days of the Underground Railroad.
He was married on September 19, 1887, to Kate R. Ellis, daughter
of Hon. Jesse Ellis, of Aberdeen. Ohio. They have two children, Ulric
Allen, aged eight, bright beyond his years. He could read the news-
papers and write legibly at the age of four years, and is at present fore-
most in his classes in the first year of the High school. Their second child,
Jesse Loretus, is aged four years.
Mr. Miller's public career has been along lines perfectly satisfactory
to his many friends throughout the county, although political demagogues
tried without avail for a time to rob him of well-earned honors. He is one
of the progressive men of the community in which he resides.
Robert A. Mitohell
was born October 26. 1833. His father was Alexander Mitchell and his
mother was Eleanor Foster. They were married in Adams County and
had six children. Of those living beside our subject are Mrs. Margaret
Burwell, wife of Samuel lUirwell, of West Union ; Mrs. Sarah Barber and
Mrs. Martha Mackay, of Portsmouth. Mr. Mitchell was born on Beas-
ley*s Fork of Brusli Creek, where his father had a saw and grist mill.
His father died on June 4, 1835. of Asiatic cholera, as related in another
place in this work. After his father's death, William Kirker settled the
estate and the family moved to the William Kirker farm, where our sub-
ject lived until 1852. At seventeen, he served a two years' apprenticeship
at the cabinet making trade with George Lafferty and Joseph Hayslip.
In 1852, he went to Ironton and engaged in pattern making for the Olive
Foundr}' and Machine Works. In 1854, he returned to Portsmouth and
engaged in the same occupation with Ward, Murray & Stephenson, and
remained in this business all the time until 1870. At that time, he went
into the brick business at Sciotoville under the firm name of McCormick,
Porter & Co. He took the management of it and remained there for two
years, when the business was changed into a corporation under the name
of the Scioto Fire Brick Company. He became the manager of that and
remained there until July, 1872, when they sold that and built the Star
Brick Works below Sciotoville, under the name of McConnel, Towne &
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 805
Co. It continued under that for five years, when it became the Scioto
Star Fire Brick Works. He was manager and stockholder. In 1882, he
went to Logan with W. Q. Adams, and built a fire brick works. He re-
moved from there to Columbus and engaged in pattern making with the
Scioto Valley Railroad Company and the Columbus Machine Company.
In 1884. he removed to Portsmouth and was manager of the Portsmouth
Fire Brick Company. In 1886, he went with the Star Brick Works and
remained until 1897, and then went into the Portsmouth Planing Mill and
was there one year. Since Februar)', 1899, he has been with the Star,
below Sciotoville.
He was first married in 1886 to Jane Miller. The children of this
marriage were Frank, of Columbus, lately deceased ; Mary, married Frank
Brown and lives in Clay City, Kentucky, and William C, who lives in
Dayton, Ky. His first wife died on February 11, 1866, and on February
II, 1868, he was married in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Miss Maggie Wylie.
The children of this marriage are Wylie T., a physician, practicing at
Greenfield, Ohio, and married to Miss Minnie Eberhardt, of Portsmouth,
Ohio; a daughter, Etta, married to William Mathews; Nellie, Anna
Laurie and Robert. There are three children deceased, Maggie, died at
the age of eighteen, and the other two in childhood. His mother is still
living, past ninety-three years of age, and is remarkably well preserved
for her years.
Mr. Mitchell is a man of strict integrity and business honor. He is
a Republican in politics. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church
of Portsmouth, Ohio, and has been an elder in that church for five or six
years past.
ReT. Wilder K. Middleton,
one of the oldest living members of the Ohio Methodist Episcopal Con-
ference, was born at Rapid Forge, Ross County, Ohio, September 22,
1835, and is the son of William and Mary (Himiller) Middleton, two of
the pioneers of the Paint Valley. A year after his birth, his parents
moved to a farm, where the village of Fruitdale now stands, and where
they spent their lives. When seventeen years of age, he entered the old
South Salem Academy, and after graduation there, spent three years at
the Ohio Wesleyan University. In the Fall of 1858, he was examined by
the late Dr. George C. Crum and was licensed to preach. On September
21, 1859, he left his home as an itinerant minister, having successfully
passed the examination and being admitted in the Ohio Conference. In
the years that followed, he was assigned to various fields of labor, among
which were Dunbarton, Hanging Rock, Beaver, Waverly, Webster,
Hilliards, West JeflFerson, Rome and Wellston, at which last place, his
throat became affected and he was compelled to give up his life's work
and its ambitions.
On the twenty-eighth day of August, 1861, he was united in marriage
to Cynthia E. Bailey, daughter of Cornelius W. Bailey, late of Piketon,
Ohio. Two children have been born of this union, William H, and Arthur
B. Since our subject retired from the ministry he resides on a farm in
Pike County, enjoying the leisure he has so well earned. His son, Arthur
B., resides with him, and his son, William H., is one of the Common Pleas
Judges of the Second subdivision of the Seventh District.
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806 fflSTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
Rev. Middleton is of a quiet and retiring disposition. He is diffident
and unostentatious. He prefers being seen, rather than to be heard, but
in support of his convictions will maintain them in face 6f the fiercest op-
position. He is a student of men as well as of books. In the forty years
he has spent in the active ministry, he has maintained a most elevated
Christian character. He is held in the highest regard, not only by the
ministry of his church, but by all who know him.
James H. Morrison,
the second son of David and Martha (Mitchell) Morrison, was bom at
Covington, Kentucky, June i8, 185 1. When he was six years old the
family returned to the old Mitchell home in Nile Township, Scioto County,
He attended school at Elm Tree schoolhouse and obtained his education
there. He is a traveling salesman, and began as such in 1880 for J. L.
Hibbs & Company, of Portsmouth, Ohio. He traveled for them two
years, then with McFarland, Sanford & Company, of Portsmouth, Ohio;
for Vorheis, Miller & Rupel. of Cincinnati, Ohio; for Jacobs & Sachs,
of Cincinnati, Ohio, and for Sanford, Storrs & Varner.
Our subject is a Republican, but takes no active part in political
affairs.
On November 3, 1874, he was married to Miss Ora D. McCall, daugli-
ter of Henry McCall. of Nile Township. Scioto County, Ohio. He has
two children living, Louise, aged fourteen and James Hines, aged ten.
His son, Henry McCall, volunteered in the Spanish War in April, 1898.
in Company H, Fourth O. V. I. The regiment was sent to Porto Rico,
and when about to return, he was taken sick and died on shipboard Oc-
tober 26, 1898, and was buried at sea. He was but nineteen years old at
the time of his death.
Benjamin. Montgomery,
of Seaman, was born February 4, 1829, in Adams County, and has resided
at his birthplace ever since. His father's name was John Montgomery
and his mother's maiden name, Jane Haines. His maternal grand-
parents came from Ireland in about 1790. and settled in Ross County,
Ohio. They were strict Covenanters. His mother died May 29, 1849,
aged sixty-two years, and is interred at Tranquility. His mother was a
very hard worker and a woman of extraordinary industry and energy
and an expert spinner and weaver. In her younger days, she made all
the clothing for her father's family, and for her own, after marriage. His
father died June 16, 1863, at the age of seventy-three years, and is also
buried at Tranquility. He was born in Kentucky and removed to Adams
County in 1800 with his parents, and settled on the West Fork of Brush
Creek. He was one of five brothers, and four sisters. When a young
man, he purchased a tract of land in the old Peyton survey, cleared it off,
built a cabin, and then married. He resided there until his death. He
raised five children, Hadassah, John Harvey, Andrew H., Benjamin and
James B. Andrew H.. and Benjamin are the only ones now living. His
father was one of the foremost men of his neighborhood in the erection
of the pioneer log houses and barns, and in the making of rails. His
paternal grandfather came from England at an early date.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 807
Our subject is a farmer by occupation and resides on the same farm
that his father cleared. His education was received in the log* school-
house in the district in which he resided.
Benjamin Montgomery was married to Margaret H. Seaton, Jan-
uary 15, 1859, and to them were bom three children, Elmer E., Mary
Edith and Charles W. Elmer E., resides with his father and has charge
of the farm. Mary Edith married H. R. Clarke, a miller employed at
Harsha & Caskey's flour mills at Portsmouth, Ohio. They have one
son, Frederick Benjamin Clarke. Charles W., is a physician and is con-
ductii^ a pharmacy at Bethel, Clermont County, Ohio. He.is married
and has one son, Benjamin Brooks Montgomery.
Our subject's wife died in June 7, 1897. She was a member of the
Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church for thirty years. She has a brother,
John Seaton, living at Kingf's Creek, Champaign County, Ohio, also, a
sister, Eliza Clark, living at Harshaville, Ohio.
Mr. Montgomery was a Democrat from the time he became of age
until General Morgan with his raiders went through Adams County. He
was then converted to the Republican party by that raid and has con-
tinued identified with that political organization. We give this state-
ment in his own language. He was raised a Covenanter, but for the last
twenty-five years he has been a member of the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian
Church. He has a brother, Andrew H., now living in Kansas, a farmer,
who, in his younger days, was a tanner and had control of the old tan-
yard at Rarden, Ohio, with Orville Grant, a brother of Gen. U. S. Grant,
as a partner.
Mr. Montgomery is regarded as one of the best citizens of the
county and a most excellent neighbor. He is honest and honorable in
all his dealings. He is a model farmer. He is one of the best judges of
horses in the county and a great lover of them. He is a man of strong
sympathies with those in distress and is ever ready to express his
sympathies in the manner in which they will be most appreciated. No
man stands higher in his community in public esteem.
Samnel Sterlins Mason, (deoeased,)
of Tiffin Township, was born at Old Kitanning, Armstrong County,
Pennsylvania, April 30, 1806. Came with his parents to Adams County
in 1814. Was a farmer and shoemaker. His father died when Samuel
was nine years old, he being the oldest child, and with his mother and
five younger children, without any means, raised the family. He cleared
one hundred acres of leases before he ever owned a foot of land. He
married Lucinda Smith, and of this union the following children were
bom: Mary Ann, Almira, Samuel Smith, William Henry, George Rich-
ardson, Sarah Jane, John Wesley and Lewis Hamer. The subject of this
sketch was of a military turn of mind. Was for years Captain and Colonel
of the Adams County Mflitia. Raised a Company for the Mexican War,
but did not get in. Belonged to the home guards in 1862-3 and was
Drum Major. Politically a Jackson Democrat and never voted any
other ticket. Had a genial disposition, and was an honest man.
Served the people for twenty-four years as Justice of the Peace and one
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808 HISTORY OP ADAMS COCTXTY
term as County Commissioner. Was a War Democrat, but was defeated
by the soldier vote by twenty for a second term as Commissioner^ when
the county went six hundred Republican. He died April 28, 18;^.
Dr. FlaTims J. BCiUer,
physcian and pharmacist, West Union, was born near Sugartree Ridge,
Ohio, November 18, 1824. He is a son of Hon. William Miller, who
represented Highland County in the Ohio Legislature before the Civil
War, and who was one of the leaders of the Democratic party in his
county for many years. He died recently at Hillsboro at the age of
ninety-one years. His wife was Mary Igo, of Highland County.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the Public schools and
when a young man taught several terms. In 1845, ^^ began the study of
medicine with Dr. David Noble, of Sugartree Ridge, and attended Ohio
Medical College in 1848-9. He practiced his profession in Scioto county,
Ohio, then in the State of 111., and lastly in Adams County, Ohio, for a
period of thirty years, since which he has beeii engaged in pharmacy and
the real estate business. He married Miss Eliza Buim, January 12, 1851*
She was born at Sugartree Ridge, October I4» 1831. Mr. and Mrs.
Miller have no family. Dr. Miller, while not a member of any church
organization, has done much to help the Christian Union Church at West
Union, where he has Hved many years. He is a moralist in the fullest
and best sense of the term. In politics, he is an "old-fashioned Demo-
crat," following the footsteps of his illustrious father. He has accumu-
lated a handsome fortune and is, with his life companion, enjoying in de-
clining years the fruits of early industry and economy.
Saaf ord Alezander MoCullonsh,
of Tranquility, was born on his father's farm near the above mentioned
village, March 11, 1842. He is a descendant of a fine old Scotch-Irish
family of which John McCullough, of Virginia, is the progenitor of the
Ohio branch. He was a nephew of Major Samuel McCullough, who
made the daring horseback leap into Wheeling Creek from the bluffs
above it near Fort Henry at the time of its investment by the Indians in
1 771. John McCullough spent the latter part of his life in Adams county.
His son, Alexander McCullough, grandfather of the subject of this biog-
raphy, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, where he married
Nancy McCroskey, shortly after which event, he came to Adams county.
He and his wife are buried in the old cemetery at Tranquility, or as
formerly known. Hopewell Meeting House. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and was in the engagement at Sandusky. He had a family
of five children; Sarah, James, Tilford, Samuel B., who married Rebecca
Cumings, and Archibald, father of our subject, who was bom- September
10, 18 1 7. He was a carpenter by trade and lived on a farm. January i,
1841. he married Sarah Elliott, daughter of Robert Elliott, who mar-
ried SalHe Mclntire. Archibald McCullough's children were, Sanford,
Robert, Samuel, Nancy. James, Sarah, Addison, Willison, and Steele.
Sanford A., our subject, received a good common school education
and improved his leisure hours in general reading which has added
largely to his scholastic attainments. He enlisted as a Private in Com-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKE'l'CHES 809
pany G, 129th O. V. I., July 23, 1863, and was honorably discharged
March 8, 1864. In August of that year, he re-enlisted in Company H,
173d O. V. I., in which he was made Sergeant, and served until his hon-
orable discharge at Nashville. June 26, 1^5. October 11, 1865, he mar-
ried Miss Orlena A. McCreight, daughter of Major John McCreight,
whose wife was Nicassa Dryden, of Tranquility. Mr. and Mrs. Mc-
Cullough have had bom to them three children : Spencer E., now de-
ceased ; John E., of Peoria, UK ; and Miss Myrtle May, living with her
parents.
Sanford A. McCullough is one of the most prominent business men,
and among the best known citizens of Adams County. Being in-
dustrious and frugal, and a man whose integrity has never been ques-
tioned, he has accumulated a large estate, and is rated among the most
substantial business men of the county. He served for a number of
years as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Wilson Children's
Home, at West Union, and was selected by the late Hon. John T. Wilson,
one of the executors of his vast estate. He has been twice elected a
member of the Board of County Commissioners of Adams County on
the Republican ticket when the rest of the ticket was overwhelmingly
defeated, and is at present a member of that board. He is a member
of the United Presbyterian Church of Tranquility in which he has held
the office of Clerk for many years.
8«mnel A. MeClanahan,
of West Union, is a scion of a pioneer family of Adams County. He was
born at the old McClanahan homestead in Liberty Township, now oc-
cupied by J. A. McClanahan, June 27, 1846. His great-grandfather,
John McClanahan, emigrated from Tyrone County, Ireland, in 1785,
and with his family settled on the James River in the Old Dominion, after
which he removed to Kentucky, settling near Lexington in that State.
Being opposed to human slavery, as it then existed in the South, he re-
moved to Adams County, Ohio, and located on the headwaters of the
East Fork of Eagle Creek on lands still in possession of his descendants.
By his second wife, Elizabeth Thompson, he had four children : William,
Martha, Rebecca, and Margaret. William was the grandfather of our
subject and was married to Nancv Paul, January 15, 1809. On Septem-
ber 28, 18 1 4. his father deeded William fifty acres of a tract of one hun-
dred acres bought from General Massie, and which is yet owned by his
son, John McClanahan, born there October 20, 1820. William Mc-
Clanahan lived there until his decease in 1858. He is buried at Cherry
Fork. His son, James McClanahan, father of our subject, was bom
September 25, 181 4. He received a good common school education,
and when a young man taught school for several years. He became
one of the prominent business men of Adams County, and at his death
had amassed quite a fortune. April ii, 1843, he married Miss S>ophia
Baldridge, a daughter of John Baldridge and Ada Cole, his wife, of Lick
Fork. They reared a family of seven children.
Samuel A. McClanahan, the subject of this sketch, is a son and
second child of James McClanahan and Sophia Baldridge. He received
a good education, but has devoted his time to farming and stock raising
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810 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
for many years. At the age of eighteen years, he enlisted as a private
in the 141st Regiment O. V. I., and served in the Army of West Virginia
until his honorable discharge with his regiment in 1864. He is a mem-
ber of John W. McFerren Post, G. A. R., West Union, Ohio.
He was married October 6, 1870, to Miss Sarah M. Zercher, a
daughter of Jacob and Katharine (Ebrite) Zercher, of Adams County.
To them have been bom eight children : Laura E., deceased ; J. Frank,
Albert A. ; Robert P. : Nora Helen, deceased ; John B. ; Ralph H., and
Margaret May.
Mr. McClanahan owns a fine farm on the Maysville and Zanesville
pike two miles southwest of West Union, and is rated among the most
substantial citizens of the county. In politics, he is a Republican, and in
religious affairs he adheres to the church of his fathers, the Presb)rterian,
in which he is an elder.
John O. Moss,
of West Union, Ohio, was bom January 23, 1864, in Dover. Mason
County, Ky. His father is Charles H. Moss, a native of West Virginia.
His mother was Ellen D. Byant. His father removed to Kentucky in
185 1, and his parents were married there, December 6. i860. They re-
sided there until our subject was fourteen years of age, when they removed
to Ohio. He was educated in the common schools. He was married
September 29, 1889, to Miss Sophia M. Woods, daughter of Dr. D. H.
Woods. He has been engaged in business in West Union since 1890, first
in dry goods, and since 1893, in the livery business. He is regarded as
a good business man and well esteemed by all who know him. His wife
conducts one of the most fashionable milliner>' emporiums in Adams
County.
RsT. Abr«m BL Mnirphy
was born October 2, 1849. He went to school at Granville from 1879 to
1882. This included his theological and academical course. In 1872,
he was made a minister in the Baptist Church. He was ordained at Rome,
in Adams County. He has preached at Winchester, West Union, Hills-
boro, New Market, Wheelersburg, and is now in Ashland, Kentucky.
On March 27, 1883, he was married to Miss Fannie Kirkendall.
They have three children living, Sarah Kelley, Charles F. and Lou W.
He lost one son at the age of eight years, Hered, who was drowned in the
Ohio Canal. He has always been a Republican in his political views. For
the past eleven vears, he has been a resident of Rushtown. Scioto Countv,
Ohio.
He is highly esteemed as a citizen in his community, and as a minister,
holds a high and influential position in his church.
At the time of the writing of this sketch, he is engaged as minister of
a Baptist Church in Ashland, Ky.
Iieoaidas H. Mju^hj
was born in Greene Township, Adams County, October 16, 1847. son of
David Whittaker Murphy and his wife, Cynthia McCall. In 1849, ^'s
father moved to Buena Vista, in Scioto County. He attended the District
school until he was fifteen years of age, and had the advantage of the
township librar}% kept at his father's home, and all its books he read. In
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 811
185 1, he took his first lessons in merchandising in the store of Major W.
C. Henry. In 1862, he worked on a farm for six months. In 1863, he
was employed as a foreman by Caden Brothers for six months. On Sep-
tember 16, 1863, he came to Portsmouth and entered the house of C. P.
Tracy & Company, wholesale shoe merchants, and for thirty-six years,
from that time to the present, has been connected, and since 1868, he has
been a partner in the same house.
Mr. Murphy has always been a Republican in his political views, but
has steadily declined to be a candidate for any office. He never served
in a public appointment, but that of Jury Commissioner of his county from
1894 to 1897. He has been a member of Bigelow M. E. Church since
his residence in Portsmouth. He has been a steward of that church for
thirty years and Superintendent of its Sunday School for four years. He
was married February 2, 1870, to Mary Katherine, daughter of Daniel
Mclntire, who in former years was a prominent contractor and builder
in Portsmouth. He has three children, I^aura, wife of Louis D. McCall,
of Chicago; Dr. Charles T. Murphy of the same place; Arthur Lee, a
student at Pennington Seminary, N. J., and Julia Alice, residing at home.
Mr. Murphy, while confined closely to his adopted city by his busi-
ness, yet finds time to read much and keep thoroughly abreast with the
times. He is a steady and hard worker in his business and in the activities
of his church, but every Summer he takes a vacation of two to four weeks
in which he rests himself by following the pursuit of fishing. He is an
enthusiastic disciple of Isaac Walton.
Mr. Murphy believes that the highest duty to man is to perform well,
every day, and from day to day, the obligations before him in business, in
society, in the church and in municipal and State affairs. In following this
guiding principle for over thirty years, he has aided in building up one
of the most substantial business houses in the State.
In following up this principle in the church, he has been an important
factor in maintaing one of the most flourishing Methodist Episcopal
Churches in the country, and for himself has established a character in
business circles and in the State of which both he and his associates in
business, his friends in the church and his fellow citizens may well be
proud. In all matters, his word is as good as his bond and the latter is
equal to the gold standard all the time.
William F. MehalTey
was born April i. 1849, in Liberty Township, Adams County, Ohio, near
Fairview, on the farm now owned by Jacob Bissinger. In 1855, his father
removed to near Decatur, but in the same township.
His father was Andrew Mehaffey and his mother's maiden name was
Martha A. Flowers. She was from Muskingum County, Ohio. The
Mehaffeys were originally from Ireland. The childhood and youth of our
subject were spent in his native township. He attended the District school
and the academy at Decatur, in Brown County. Mr. Mehaffey was Town-
ship Clerk from 1875 to 1878, Township Treasurer from 1880 to 1883, and
a Trustee of the Township from 1886 to 1891 and again from 1893 to
1896.
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812 fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
He has always been a Republican and it would be a strange matter
to find a Mehaifey in Adams County who was not one. He was married
November 15, 1877, to Miss Melissa A. Weeks. Her mother was a Mc-
Govney. The Weeks family came from New Jersey. He and his wife
are both members of the United Presbyterian Church, at Cherry Fork.
Oapt. David Asburj ll«rpli7,
of Oxford, Ohio, the oldest son of David W. and Cynthia A. Murphy, was
bom on a farm at Shamrock, Adams County, Ohio, April 3, 1842. He
was married at Portsmouth, Ohio, September 18, 1865, ^^ Miss Jennie
M. Ball.
Army Record: Private, Company H, 81st Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
1862-4; First Lieutenant and Adjutant, 184th Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
1865; Acting Assistant Adjutant General on Staff of Brevet Brigadier
General Henry S. Commager, at Bridgeport, Alabama, 1865.
Editor: The Kentucky and Ohio Union, Portsmouth, Ohio, 1861-2;
The Danville, Kentucky, Tribune, 1880-6; The Findlay, Ohio, Tribune,
1887-8.
Superintendent of Construction of U. S. Public Buildings: Frank-
fort, Kentucky, 1883-5; Jefferson, Texas, 1889-90; Clarksville, Tennessee,
1887.8.
Author of: "My Mother's Bible," "Serenade to McKinley," and
"God-given Republic."
The God-GiTen Republic.
I
The modern Republic, salubrious its clime,
Its domain extends from sea unto sea ;
Its valle3rs are fruitful and its mountains sublime.
As merry sone-hirds, its children are free.
Happy are the thrifty beneath its flag unfurled,
America, God's land, the garden of the world !
II
The mighty Republic, intelligence its goal,
The people their will by ballots decree ;
* Justice ana good laws the masses guard and control,
Freedom, man's birthright, brooks no tyranny.
Homesteads for the homeless beneath its flag unfurled,
America, God's land, the refuge of the world !
Ill
The matchless Republic, fraternity its sun,
All may worship God as conscience dictates ;
Equal rights unto all, special grants unto none,
The Federal Union holds forty- five States.
Brotherhood and free speech beneath its flag unfurled,
America, God's land, the Canaan of the world !
James G. Mets
was born August 3, 1846, at Dunbarton, Ohio. His father, William Mctz^
was bom in Kentucky, May 6, 1806. Jacob Metz, the father of William
Metz, emigrated first to Kentucky from Germany, and afterwards to the
State of Ohio. Jacob Metz, the emigrant, by his first marriage had four
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CAPT. DAVID A. MIRPHY
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 813
children, William, Thomas, Elizabeth, and Martha; all bom in the State
of Kentucky. Elizabeth married David Sprinkle, and Martha married
George Killen. Jacob Metz was married a second time. There were seven
children of this marriage, George, Jacob, Frank, Edward, and Michael,
sons; and two daughters, Amanda and Margaret. William Metz, the
father of our subject, was reared in Adams County. He married Kath-
erine Thomas, February ii, 1826, and she died February 10, 1845. The
children of this marriage were Sarah A., married William Anderson;
Susan, married Joseph McFarland; George, married Amanda Warren;
Thomas, married Elizabeth Francis; Margaret, married James McGov-
ney ; also William J., married Delia Gregory ; and Samuel, two sons. The
second wife of William Metz was Hannah Williams. She was a grand-
daughter of James Williams, a Revolutionary soldier from Washington
County, Maryland, born February 22, 1759, in Chester County, Pennsyl-
vania, and served ten months ; four months in the Maryland Militia and
six months in the Pennsylvania Militia: the last four being under Col.
William Crawford, who was afterwards burned at the stake by the Indians
June II, 1792.
There were seven sons of the marriage of William Metz and Hannah
Williams, and no daughters; James G., David H., Jacob P., Lewis T., Ed-
ward C, Frank C, and Uriah H., of whom three are living, James G.,
David H., and Edward C. Hannah Williams, the second wife of William
Metz, died August 25, 1888, at the age of seventy years. Her father,
James Williams, died September 8, 1873. ^^ ^^^ great age of ninety-five
years. His wife, Sarah Williams, died March 11, 1862, aged seventy-
four years.
William Metz, father of our subject, was a resident of the vicinity of
Dunbarton, Ohio, until 1856, when he removed to Rome, and continued
to reside there the remainder of his life. He held township offices in
Meigs and Greene Townships. He was a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. He was a Whig and Republican in his political views. He
was an expert in the buvnng and selling of live stock. In Rome, he was
engaged in the merchandising business with his son William, but gave no
personal attention to the business. He was a steward in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and a prominent man for years. He died August 7,
1879.
Our subject was educated in the common schools and brought up on
the farm. He enlisted in the Civil War in Company D, 173d O. V. I., on
September i, i8f>4, at the age of eighteen years, and he served with the
regiment until the twenty-sixth of June, 1865. He learned the trade of
wagon making with J. W. Pettit, at Rockville, Adams. County, Ohio. He
began as an apprentice in 1865, ^^^ bought out Pettit and carried on the
business at Rockville until 1873. He then went to Calloway County,
Missouri. He remained there nine months, came back to Rockville, and
resumed his former business of wagon making. He removed to Rome in
1875, and went to farming, and continued that for a period of four years.
In 1879, ^^ went into the butchering business; and in 1881. he engaged as
a clerk for W. T. McCormick, and remained in that business until the Fall
of 1899, when he was nominated by the Republican party of Adams County
for Sheriff and elected.
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814 mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
He was married November 7, 1865, to Mary Devoss, daughter of
David and Rachel Devoss. They have had eight children, five of whom
are living and three deceased. His living children are Frank C, married
Ann Gray, living in Rome and engaged in the timber business. His
daughter, Addie Belle, is the wife of E. A. Scott, Superintendent of the
Schools at Augusta, Ky. His sons, James F. and George, and his daughter
Bertha reside at home. He was elected Sheriff in 1899 by a majority of
ninety-one over J. W. McKee, who had been elected on the Democratic
ticket two years before.
Mr. Metz has been a Republican in his political views all his life.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was Superintend-
ent of the M. E. Sabbath School in Rome foi fourteen years prior to his
becoming Sheriff. He is a Mason, Odd Fellow, and Knight of Pythias.
He is a public-spirited citizen, a Christian gentleman, and an able, careful,
and painstaking public official.
Eaooh MeCall
was born December ir, 1826, on the farm in Greene Township, Adams
County, where he now resides. He is a son of Dimcan and Mary (Smith)
McCall, who were the parents of twelve children, four . boys and eight
girls: Lydia, married Mr. Woodworth; Elizabeth, married Mr. Gregory;
Charlotte, died in childhood; Samuel, died young; Rebecca, married Mr.
McCormick; Abijah, Enoch, our subject; Harriet, married Mr. Trickier;
Melvina, died young; Abner, killed at the battle of Corinth, Mississippi;
Melinda, married Mr. Hayslip ; Francis, married Mr. Wikoff.
The father, Duncan McCall, was born August 8. 1791, at Jacob's
Creek, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the son of Solomon McCall,
who had run away from his Scotland home in boyhood, and who, after
serving for five years the philanthropist who paid the stowaway's fare to
America, settled in Pennsylvania, married there, and two of his sons,
Duncan and John, were born there. The others were born in the neigh-
borhood on the line between Adams and Scioto Counties, where he had
moved late in the eighteenth century. The other children of the senior
Solomon McCall were David, William, Moses, Solomon, Millie (Wil-
liams), Mary (Anderson), Sallie, and Martha (Tucker), in all, ten.
Solomon McCall, Senior, and his boys, with other pioneers, were engaged,
during the first twenty years after settling here, in clearing the bottoms
of the great forests which covered them from above where Buena Vista
now is, to below Sandy Springs. Solomon McCall had early purchased
the farm on which our subject resides, which he sold to his son, Duncan,
in 1817, and it was sold to Enoch McCall by his father in 1871. The Mc-
Calls built the first stone houses in their neighborhood, two of which are
still occupied, one east of Buena Vista, Scioto County, and the other at
Commercial, in Adams County. Solomon McCall, Senior, died in the
latter.
Mary Smith McCall, mother of the subject of this sketch, was bom in
New Jersey on September 9, 1795. She and Duncan McCall were mar-
ried October 7, 181 7, at Sandy Springs. Enoch McCall learned cerpenter-
ing and worked at that trade until he entered the service of his country
in the Civil War. He was mustered into service September 18, 1862, as
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 816
a Private in Company F, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry ; made Corporal,
August I, 1863, and Sergeant, June 26, 1865, of his regiment, and was in
twenty-four engagements including the battles of Atlanta, Nashville, and
Franklin, but was never wounded or captured. He was mustered out at
Nashville on July i, 1865. Mr. McCall returned to Adams County, took
up farming and shortly thereafter, purcliased his father's farm and on
April 16, 1874, was married to Martha A. Pownall, daughter of Joseph
C. Pownall and Mary McColm Pownall, of Manchester, Ohio. Their
children are Mark P., bom March 7, 1875 ; Mar>' S., born June 30, 1877 ;
Leeds, bom January i, 1882, and Eamest, born May 23, 1884.
Mr, McCall is a Republican politically, but has never held any office.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His memory goes
back to the days when wild animals were common in the woods about his
early home, but he says even more vivid is his recollection of the hard
work incident to clearing the land of the heavy timbers. It is worthy of
mention here that m the orchard on his farm are apple trees which were
set out by his father in 181 7, and which are thrifty and bearing fmit every
year. The trunk of one, a bell-flower, measures three feet in diameter at
height of a man's head above the ground. There are remains on the farm
of the work of the mound builders, and many implements fashioned from
flint stone are found there.
Jesse Ellswortk MoOreislit,
Recorder of Adams County, was born March 4, 1864, on the Secrists
farm near Tranquility, Ohio, where his grandfather, Jesse McCreight,
settled in 1844. Jesse McCreight, grandfather of our subject, was a native
of South Carolina, of Scotch-Irish descent. He married a Miss McCul-
!ough and emigrated to Adams County in 1830. He was a farmer by oc-
cupation and follower! it all his life. He lived on rented farms until he
purchased the Secrists farm in 1844, which had not been occupied for
thirty years on account of its reputation of being haunted. Mr. Mc-
Creight. however, was free from superstitions. He removed into the
house and it has been occupied ever since, first by him, and to the present
time, by the mother of our subject, and not an evil spirit has ever disturbed
the tranquillity of the family. Jesse McCreight died in 1879 and is buried
in the Tranquility cemetery. Alexander McCreight was the only son of
Jesse McCreight, and the father of our subject. He received such edu-
cation as could be obtained in the Public schools. He learned the cabinet
maker's trade and later, mechanical ^gineering and pattern making. He
became the inventor of several useful articles, taking out eight diflferent
patents, the most important of which was his horizontal portable saw-mill,
which patent brought him about $8,000. He was twice married, first to
Rebecca Smith, and to them were bom four daughters, Sarah, Jennie,
Anna and Irena C. He afterward married Ellen Snedaker, of Decatur,
Ohio, whose children were Jesse E., our subject; Frank S., Minnie O.,
wife of E. F. Elmore, of Tranquility; Maggie M., wife of R. W. Mc-
Creight, of Tranquility, and Ella R., who is single and resides with her
mother.
Alexander McCreight was one of the leading menibers of the U. P.
Church at Tranquility and one of the foremost in promoting the building
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816 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX>UNTY
of the present church. The fine pulpit is his gift to the church and a
sample of his handiwork. In politics, he was a lifelong Republican and
always took an active part in local and national affairs. He was often
one of the speakers of his party in the county canvasses. He was a Justice
of the Peace of Scott Township from 1886 to 1889. Prior to the Civil
War, his house was one of the stations on the Underground Railroad and
many a fugitive slave found shelter and safe conduct to freedom through
his friendship for the cause. He enlisted May 2» 1864, in Company G,
I72d O. V. I., and was discharged September 3, 1864. He died December
25, 1891, and is buried at Tranquility.
Jesse E. McCreight, the subject of this sketch, received a good edu-
cation at home under the tuition of his father. A stroke of paralysis at
the age of six years, disabled him from attending the Public schools and
while it left him crippled in body, his mind was very active. He realized
that that would have to be his means of support, and he became a diligent
student. While he never attended college or school for a single day. at the
age of sixteen, he was prepared to enter on business. He learned the watch
making trade, at which he worked until 1883. and from 1883 to i886,he was
in the employ of the Cincinnati & Eastern Railroad Co. in the capacity of
agent and operator, which position he was forced to resign on account of
his health, and he then engaged in the watch making business at North
Liberty until 1887, when he was elected by the Republican party as Re-
corder of Adams County, which position he occupies at present with great
credit to himself and to his party.
He was married April 25. 1889, to Ida M. Brooks, daughter of Jesse
Brooks, of Decatur. Ohio. They have two children. Forrest Leland, aged
nine, and Mabel Carryl, aged seven. Mr. and Mrs. McCreight are mem-
bers of the U. P. Church of Tranquility.
As an officer, Mr. McCreight is industrious and painstaking, and
tries to do his duty to the best of his ability. He gives his entire atten-
tion to his office.
Hon. A. Floyd MoOormiok
was born October 5, 1861, in Nile Tov/nship, Scioto County, Ohio, son
of George S. McCormick, who has a sketch herein. When old enough
to be sent away to school, he spent two years at the National Nonnal
University at Lebanon, Ohio, and afterwards four years at the Ohio
Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. After the completion of his
college course, he became a law student of the Hon. Thomas E. Powell,
of Delaware, Ohio, and graduated horn the Cincinnati Law School in
1886. While studying in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was in the office of Cowen
and Ferris, Attorneys, the Ferris being Judge Howard Ferris, of the
Probate Court of Hamilton County.
Mr. McCormick was admitted to practice in 1886, and removed to
Indianapolis, Indiana, where he became manager of the R. G. Dun & Co.,
Commercial Agency. He continued his employment and resided there
seven years. He removed to Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, in Jan-
uary, 1895. He was elected, as a Republican, to represent Scioto County
in the House of Representatives in the Fall of 1897, and re-elected in
1899. In the House, he has served on the Committees on Municipal
Affairs, Corporations, Military Affairs, and Public Works.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 8l7
He was married to Miss Anne Corrille Scarlett, daughter of Joseph
A. Scarlett, manager of R. G. Dun's Commercial Agency in Cincinnati,
on the thirty-first of December, 1885. They have one daughter, Corrille,
a girl of thirteen years, now a student in Columbus.
Mr. McCormick had been a Democrat until 1897, but now is a Re-
publican of the stalwart type. He is a man of liberal views and ideas.
He is an excellent lawyer and his friends think he ought to eschew
politics and confine himself to the law. However, as a politician, he has
been quite successful, and bids fair to be one of the prominent men of the
Slate, if an ordinary lifetime shall be allotted to him.
Frank C. McColm
was born Atigust 8» 1863, at Muscatine, Iowa. His father was John
D. McColm and his mother, Lida Edg^ngton, both from Adams County.
His grandfather was James McColm, at one time Probate Judge of
Adams County. His grandfather, on his mother's side was Oliver Edg-
ington, who resided near Manchester. ' His mother died when he was
but eleven months old. He was taken by his grandfather, Oliver Edg-
ington, and reared in Adams County. He went to school at Manchester.
He engaged in the marble business at Manchester when he was but seven-
teen years of age, and has been there in the same business ever since.
He has $10,000 invested in it and employs twenty-five men, including
salesmen. He has the largest establishment of the kind between Cin-
cinnati and Pittsburg, and, in his business, he has the latest tools and
the most modern and very latest inventions. He sells monuments in the
three States of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
In 1887, he was married to Ida Varner, of Mason County, Ken-
tucky, and they have three children, two boys and a girl. In politics
he is a Republican.
He deserves a great deal of credit for having built up the wonderful
business he has, and it is demonstrated that he is one of the best business
men who ever resided in Adams County. Mr. McColm has the con-
fidence of all his neighbors and acquaintances.
Greenleaf Norton MoMannls
was bom near Cross Plains, Ripley County, Indiana, July i, 1841. In a
family of seven children he was the second son. His father was Robin-
son McMannis, formerly of Winchester, Adams County, Ohio. His
grandfather was Charles McMannis, a Revolutionary soldier. He was
a private in the regiment of the Pennsylvania Militia. He was a pen-
sioner of the State of Pennsylvania. He was bom in 1754 and emigrated
to Ohio in 1817, settled in Adams County, and died at Cherry Fork in
1840, in his eighty-sixth year, and is buried in the Cherry Fork cemetery.
His wife's maiden name was Ellen Spears. He had been a farmer in
Pennsylvania and had followed the same occupation in Ohio.
Our subject's mother's m.aiden name was Filner Shaw, a daughter
of Russell Shaw, for whom Russellville, Brown County, Ohio, was
named. Her mother's name was Reynolds, an aunt of the late Stephen
Reynolds, of Peebles, Ohio. The parents of our subject both died within
52a
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818 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
a week of each other when he was not yet six years old. At the age of
ten years, he made his home with a family named Duffey, of Winchester,
and he remained there until he enlisted in Company C of the 70th 0. V.
I., as a private, November i, 1861. He was made a Corporal and after-
ward a Sergeant, February 25, 1863. He was wounded in the right leg
at the battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862. He verteranized January i,
1864, and was wounded in both arms in the attack on Fort McAllister,
December 13, 1864 barely escaping amputation of the right arm by a
reduction of a radius of five inches. He was discharged from the service
June 23, 1865, after serving about three years and eight months. After
returning home, he served as Deputy Treasurer under J. C. Duffey for
two years. He was married January 3, 1867, to Elizabeth Waite, of
Blue Creek, Ohio. In the Fall of 1867, he was a candidate on the Re-
publican ticket for County Treasurer, but was defeated by Elijah Leedom
on the Democratic ticket. In December, 1867, he removed from West
Union to Blue Creek, where he engaged in farming and milling. In the
Fall of 1884, he was appointed Deputy Treasurer of Adams County
and served two years. In 1886, he was appointed Deputy Clerk under
W. R. Mahaffey and served two years. In 1889, he was elected Sheriff
of Adams County by a majority of thirteen, determined after a contest
with W. P. Newman, the opposing candidate. He was re-elected in
1891 and served until 1894. The same year he removed to Peebles,
where he now resides.
Mr. McMannis is a quiet, modest citizen, very diffident, but pos-
sessed of those sterling qualities which make one appreciated. He is
noted for his integrity and honor in all the relations of life. His children
are James O. McMannis, lately Probate Judge of Adams County, mar-
ried to the daughter of Captain L. L. Edgington, and residing at West
Union ; Herbert W. McMannis, in the Eleventh Regimental Band in
the Regular Army, now at vSan [uan, Porto Rico; Onania, the wife of
P. A. Wickerham, now Chief Clerk to Gen. Howard, in Manilla; Charles
N. McMannis, a graduate of Park College, Parkville, Mo., and now
studying for the Presbyterian ministry at Auburn, New York, in the
Theological Seminary there ; Allen N. McMannis, in the mercantile bus-
iness at Greeley, Colorado; Jay Wilbur McMannis, a student at Park-
ville, Mo., and Stella May McMannis, a student at Parkville, Mo. He
lost a son, William, at eighteen months and a daughter, Edna, at eight
years of age. All of his children are bright, intelligent and studious ; all
are ambitious, sought honorable and responsible positions in life, and
none are more promising. He has great reason to be proud of them,
and they have just reason to be proud of his record as a patriot, a public
officer and a citizen.
ReT. Wm. J. MoSurely, D. D.,
was born at Unity (near Wheat P. O.), September i, 1834, the son of
Hugh McSurely and Mary Clark, his wife. He resided on his father's
farm, attending school in the Winter and performing farm work in the
Summer until 1850. As a child, he was set aside for the ministry. He
was always seriously and deeply religious. In his farm work, he was
always honest and conscientious, as he has been in everything he has
done since. In the common schools, he was a diligent and earnest stu-
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RBV. WM. J. MCSUREI^Y, D. D.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 819
dent and excelkd in spelling. In the county spelling matches, he was
always chosen first. In 1850, he entered North Liberty Academy at
its opening, and spent two years there preparing for college. In 1852^
he entered Miami University and graduated there in the dass of 1856.
During his college course, he was a lover of books. He maintained a
high standing in his class at college. He was a diligent student. Im-
mediately after his graduation, he took up the study of theology at the
U. P. Seminary at Oxford and was licensed to preach in 1858 and or-
dained in 1859. He already evinced talents of a high order, as his first
call in 1858 was to succeed the very eloquent and learned Dr. Claybaugh
of the United Presbyterian Church at Oxford. On November 12, i860,
he was married to Hulda Taylor, of Sparta, Illinois, daughter of John
K. Taylor and Sarah Wylie, his wife.
Rev. McSurely remained at Oxford until 1866. He was minister
to a church at Kirkwood, 111., in 1867 and 1868, and then for a short
time was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Loveland, Ohio. In 1869,
he was called to the First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, which call
he accepted and where he has remained ever since, and where he will
remain until he either resigns or dies. His pastorate there will never
be given up on account of his congregation, or any of them. He has
been a Trustee of Miami University since 1887, and in the discharge of
the duties of that office, he has been most conscientious and faithful. He
has been President of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of
Hillsboro for over twenty years. He has three children, William Harvey,
a lawyer of Chicago, who has a separate sketch in this work ; Ella Glenn,
a graduate of Oxford College, and a son, James Edwin, who is now a
law student in Cincinnati.
Dr. McSurely's distinguishing characteristic as a preacher is his
profound scholarship. The deep study bestowed on the preparation of
his sermons make them a delight to his cultivated congregation.
For thirty years, his Hillsboro Church has looked forward with
assured anticip>ation of pleasure and profit to his Sunday morning
sermons. He is naturally reserved and retiring, perhaps somewhat
timid, in many directions, but in what he believes to be his duty, he is
uncompromising, bold and determined. While he has made some antag-
onisms, he has the respect, esteem and aflfection of his church and of the
community. This tribute is from a layman in his own town.
A clergyman says of him, "that his thirty years' pastorate has proven
his wisdom and ability. He is clear in his theological thinking. He is
highlv charitable to those who diflfer from him. His loveliness of char-
acter is most appreciated among his parishioners. His pulpit ministra-
tions are clear, spiritual, and well calculated to strengthen the faith and
life of his hearers. His fellow ministers estimate him most highly, both
as a preacher and a presbyter. They regard him as able, safe and wise.
As a student and scholar, he is above the average. His education was
not finished at the college or seminary, but having their learned to study
he has continued the habit ever since. In his preaching, he is always in-
structive and edifying. Endowed with a clear and musical voice, his
sermons and addresses are all well delivered. When Moderator of the
Synod of Cincinnati, he showed himself well equipped for the place."
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820 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
The Interior of Chicago, Ihe leading publication of the Presbyterian
Church, in a recent number, said of him : "He has had numerous calls
to important churches, but his idea was the old one of a life work in one
place. No one who has heard him preach doubts that, if he had been
desirous of a change to a metropolitan congregation, he could readily
have effected it." On the front page of the same numiber appeared
a fine, full page portrait of Dr. McSurely.
In public reading and in the delivery of his sermons, he has a degree
of ability and power almost remarkable. With a sure understanding of
the thought to be imparted, he has a correct and sensitive taste in gesture,
and especially in tone color of voice, which conveys the meaning in an im-
pressive and often striking manner. He has the gift of intuitive elocution
in its best sense; and with a resonant and flexible voice he commands
and holds the attention of his hearers.
He is a man of the utmost sincerity. His words are carefully
weighed and full of purpose. He has strong convictions of the right and
truth, and has the courage of his convictions. At the same time, his
manner is mild and conciliatory. One friend says of him, that he re-
minds him very much of the character of the beloved disciple, St. John.
While tenacious of the truth, as he sees it, he is liberal of those who see
it differently. His life has been full of good works, and in all respects
it is an exemplification of his teaching and preaching.
William H. MoSurely
was born January 27, 1865, in Oxford, Ohio. He went with his parents
to Kirkwood, Illinois, in 1867, and returned to Loveland, Ohio, in 1868,
and in 1869 went to Hillsboro, Ohio. His boyhood was passed there.
He attended the Pubhc schools there. In January, 1880, he attended
the South Salem Academy and in the Fall of 1881 entered the Freshman
class at Wooster University. He graduated in 1886. After that, he
read law in Hillsboro for one year under Hon. Frank Steele. He went
to Chicago in 1887 and went into the office of Norton, Burley and Howell,
and completed his law studies with them, and was admitted to practice
in 1888. He became a member of the firm of Norton & Burley on Jan-
uary I, 1893.
He was married October 18, 1892, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Cadman,
whose father, now deceased, had been one of the most brilliant lawyers
in Chicago. On the death of Mr. James S. Norton, the senior member
of the firm of which Mr. McSurely was the junior member, the firm was
and has since been reorganized and took the firm name of Burley & Mc-
Surely. Mr. and Mrs. McSurely have one daughter, and one deceased.
Those who know him best say of him, he is a Christian gentleman,
a man graced with dignity and elevation of spirit, of dear and quick
perceptions, of manners frank and aflFable, of cheerful spirit and benevo-
lent disposition. In his profession, he is prompt, decisive, upright and
successful. When but a beginner in the law, he was chosen for merit
by the distinguished late James Sage Norton to be a partner with himself
and the talented Mr. Clarence A. Burley, in their firm, and he has won
by work and has obtained an honorable standing among that class of
lawyers known to be rtie beat in their profession.
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REV. DAVID MCDILI., D. D.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 821
Jndce J. O. MoManis,
of West Union, was born in that town, September 6, 1867. He re-
ceived a good common school education, and when C. W. Sutterfield be-
came Postmaster at West Union, tinder President Harrison, he was
appointed Deputy, which position he held until appointed Deputy Sheriff
during his father's second term as Sheriff of Adams County. He
studied surveying under A. V. Hutson, and is an accomplished surveyor
and civil engineer. On December 12, 1894, he was united in marriage
to Miss Elizabeth Edgington, the only daughter of Capt. L. L. Edg-
ington, of West Union. In January following his marriage, he entered
the firm of L. L. Edgington & Sons as bookkeeper. In 1897, he was
nominated on the Republican ticket for Sheriff of Adams County but was
defeated by a small majority. In March, 1898, he was appointed by
Governor Bushnell to fill a vacancy in the Probate Judge's Office, occas-^
loned by the removal of Judge John W. Mason from that office, on
charges under the so-called Garfield law. He served until the re-election
of Judge Mason. He is now with the firm of L. L. Edgington & Sons as
bookkeeper. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Rev. David MoDlU, D. O. LI.. D.
A summary of the dates and facts connected with the life of Dr. Mc-
Dill is first presented and compiled mainly from Dr. Scouller's "Manual
of the United Presbyterian Church."
"Dr. David McDill was born August 26y 1826, in Preble County,
Ohio ; was graduated at Centre College, Kentucky, in 1849, ^^^ studied
theology at Oxford and Allegheny ; was licensed April 7, 1852, by First
Ohio Presbytery, and ordained September 8, 1853, by Chillicothe; was
pastor at Cherry Fork, Ohio, September, i8S3-June i, 1876, and pastor
of Henderson, 111., March 3, 1877- July i» 1884; was Professor of Phil-
osophy in Monmouth College September i, 1876- 1885; ^^^ b^^" P^O"
fessor of Apologetics and Momiletics in Xenia Theological Seminary
since September, 1885. Publications : "Life of Judge Morrison," 1863^
"Secret Societies," 1881, "The Bible a Miracle." Recently also Dr. Mc-
Dill has published two other works, one on the "Mosaic Authorship of the
Pentateuch," the other entitled, "Pre-Millenialism Discussed."
From the above sketch it will be seen how difficult it is to compress
all that ought to be said concerning Dr. McDill within the limits pre-
scribed by the publishers of this work. A life so long, useful, and honor-
able, certainly deserves more than passing notice. In writing of the
man one cannot but feel that he would like to be wholly untrammeled
both as to space and time, and that this life, so rich in material, is worthy
of full biography instead of a brief sketch which must seem too much
like dry chronology.
The older citizens of Adams County will remember Dr. McDill as
a man of force and endowed with rare qualities of leadership. He was
one that "blazed the way" among them, and took the lead then, as he
does now, in many lines of reform. He was a pioneer, in his denomina-
tion, in the matter of conducting a series of meetings to win men to the
church and to Christ. He thought, and rightly, too, that some such
preparation was necessary before a pentecost could come. In the days
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822 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
when public debates on religious questions were in vogue, he did his
full share of that work and while never seeking a contest of that kind,
neither did he run to cover from any adversary. Logic, or clear reason-
ing, if you will, is one of the Doctor's strong points and that many an
opponent living far beyond tlie limits of Adams County has discovered
to his sorrow. In an argument the writer has never known him to be
worsted, and yet he never stoops to the tricks of the pettifogger; in all
such contests he would rather honorably lose than unfairly win.
In the dark days of the Civil War, Dr. McDill had more than one
opportunity to show his loyalty and courage. True, he was not actually
on the fieid, but in another sense he was in the forefront oi the battle.
He spoke for the Union when it had enemies north of the Ohio River ;
he denounced slavery when the system had its advocates and apologists
north as well as south of Mason and Dixon's line. When invasion by
Southern troops was threatened, he was made Lieutenant of the "home
guards" in his community, and when the famous "Morgan Raid"
actually occurred. Dr. McDill was taken prisoner and saved the life of
a friend and neighbor at that time by resolutely refusing to disclose his
hiding place. The man in question had fired on the advance guard of
Morgan's men and if caue^ht would no doubt have been shot without
trial or ceremony. But neither threates nor cajoling could induce Dr.
McDill, while a prisoner, to betray his friend, and "Dick" Morgan
found that there was at least one man in Adams County who could
keep a secret though that man had never belonged to a lodge. Truth
telling is an eld and a fixed habit with the Doctor ; but he felt that there
were certain questions which he had no right to answer before that court
of inquiry. Release followed before he had been long a prisoner and the
Doctor came back, with honor unsullied, to gladden the hearts of anxious
friends and parishioners.
But the time came ere long when the people of his community real-
ized that Dr. McDill belonged to the whole church and to the country
as well as to Adams County. A man with his gifts could not long keep
in hiding even if he desired it ; he found it impossible to burry his talent
even in a country pastorate. So, after more than a score of years
spent in his quiet country home and in close application to study,
there came, naturally enough, a call to occupy the Chair of Philosophy
in Monmouth College. From that intellectual center his fame spread,
through his work, and the unassuming "country parson" was by no
means a lesser light in the faculty of that justly celebrated school. In
that honorable position at Monmouth he served till once more, in 1885,
the church said, "come up higher," and he was called to the Chair of
Homiletics and Apologetics in Xenia Theological Seminary. Here he
has busied himself in giving seed to the future sowers. The place fits
the man, and it is needless to say that the man in every way adorns the
place. In his present position his business chiefly is to defend the Bible,
and in that sphere, as all his acquaintances know, the Doctor is quite
at home. Not only does he give the students the benefit of his excellent
lectures upon the subject, but he has lately entered the field of author-
ship along that line and we are looking eagerly for other books to follow
those already published. His book on the "Mosaic Authorship of the
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GEORGE D. MCCORMICK, M. D.
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BIOGRAPaiCAL SKETCHES 828
Pentateuch" must be a terror to the higher critics, and when one reads
his latest work, "Pre-Millenialism Discussed," he is bound to feel that the
time of Christ's appearing is not yet at hand. He is a theologian in every
sense of the word and therefore the initial letters that follow his name are
more than mere ornaments or props for a reputation which could not
well stand without them.
Yet it is as a man, no doubt, rather than as scholar or churchman,
that Dr. McDill is best beloved and most honored by those who know
him. His character is even above his talent, remarkable as the latter
may be. There never was a truer friend. His presence is as sunshine
in any home. His disposition is and ever has been not to seek his own
but the good of others, and that is why his admirers have become an host
and some among them hardly dare say or write all they think of the man,
lest they seem to indulge in fulsome praise. Although at the time of this
writing Dr. McCall has passed the three score and ten, he still possesses
full vigor of mind and body. To those near him the sun of his life appears
more glorious in setting than in its rising, and when at last, full of years
and honors, he is gathered unto the fathers, there will be many to miss
him and to feel more deeply than ever that without the inspiration of his
personal presence they must fail of reaching that high mark which in his
life he set them. Dr. McDill married Miss Martha E. Gordon, of Xcnia,
Ohio, in 1853.
Dr. Oeorse Dnnkin MoCormlok,
of Wamsleyville, is of Scotch-Irish descent, his maternal grandfather
having been born in Scotland and his paternal grandfather, Hugh McCor-
mick, in Ireland. He is a son of Charles McCormick and Rebecca Mc-
Call, and was born October 5, 1845, ^^ White Oak, Adams County. His
parents located afterwards at Locust Grove, where our subject attended
the Public schools, and ground tanbark at the old tannery there during
vacation. He attended Miami Medical College and afterwards Ohio Med-
ical College, at Cincinnati, and began the practice of medicine at Wams-
leyville, where he has since been located, in 1872. In 1876, March 3, he
was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Wamsley, daughter of S. B. and
Anna Freeman Wamsley, and there was born to this union a son, Edgar
E. McCormick, March 22, 1878. He is now one of the bright and active
teachers of Adams County.
Dr. McCormick stands in the foremost ranks among the physicians
of Adams County, and as a citizen is held in the highest esteem by all who
know him. He is a member of the Christian Union Church, and of
Wamsle}'ville Lodge, No. 653, I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Democrat
of the Jeffersonian type, believing in a "government of the people, by the
people and for the people." One who has known the Doctor intimately
for years says of him: **A more refined and courteous gentleman than
Dr. McCormick would be hard to find."
Renben Artliar MoMUlan,
of Winchester, Ohio, son of Edwin and Rachel (Pennywitt) McMillan,
was born April 19, 1869, at 302 Linn Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. He was
educated in the Public schools of the "Queen City," and began his active
business career with J. H. Bromwell & Co., of the city of his birth. He
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824 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
was for a time with Joseph R. Peebles, and later, for ten years, traveling
salesman in Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky for Andrews, Bates
& Company, of Cincinnati.
On the twenty-second day of November, 1894, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Lulu Reese, daughter of James M. Reese, a prominent busi-
ness man of Adams County, who built the first steam flouring mill at
Peebles, Ohio, as well as flouring mills at Buck Run and Winchester. Mr.
Reese's wife was Miss Harriet Horner, a member of one of the old and
prominent families of Adams County.
In 1897, after the death of his father-in-law, Mr. McMillan took
charge of the flouring mill at Winchester, and two years later be-
came sole manager. This is one of the finest and best equipped roller
mills in the county with a capacity of one hundred barrels a day. Mr.
McMillan, in connection with the milling business, handles all kinds of
grains and farm seeds. To him is due the credit of introducing to the
farmers of Adams County that valuable forage and food plant, the cow-
pea.
Mr. McMillan, by his energy and strict integrity, has succeeded in
building up a fine business at Winchester, and is looked upon as one of the
most substantial business men of the town.
George Anderson MoSnrely
was bom October 21, 1842, near Unity, in Oliver Township, Adams
County, Ohio. There is a separate sketch of his father, Hugh McSurely,
among the pioneers in this work. Our subject was reared on his father's
farm and attended the Public schools of his vicinity until 1859. He at-
tended Miami University in 1859 and i860, and was ready for the Fresh-
man class when he gave up school and went to farming.
When the war broke out, he wanted to enter the service, but his
father would not hear to it, and he enlisted himself on November i, 1861,
at the age of fifty-five, in Company E, 70th O. V. I. What might have
been expected happened, and Hugh McSurely could not stand the hard-
ships of the service. He was discharged December 18, 1862, for physical
disability. He went home, and the following Summer, his son, our sub-
ject, enlisted in the same company and regiment for three years from
June 8, 1863. He served until July 28, 1865. He was never in the hos-
pital until after the close of the war. He never missed an hour from duty
in the Atlanta campaign.
After returning from the war, he taught school eight years. On
April 20, 1869, he married Miss Martha Clark, daughter of Samuel Clark,
a neighbor. From 1865 until 1873, he taught school and farmed; and
from 1873 until 1886, he was a farmer in Adams County. He then re-
moved to Oxford, Ohio. For two years after his removal, he had no par-
ticular occupation. In 1888, he opened a grocery in Oxford, and has car-
ried on that business ever since.
He is regarded as one of the foremost business men of that place. He
has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church since boyhood. Di-
rectly after coming to Oxford, he was made an elder in the United Pres-
byterian Church there, and has served in that office most acceptably ever
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 826
since. For the past nine years he has been Clerk of the Session of that
church. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
He has had two daughters: Lora, who died at the age of nineteen,
and Mary, who is a graduate of the Oxford High School and of the Ox-
ford College. She also took a post-graduate course at Miami University,
and taught in the Oxford College in 1899 and 1900.
Mr. McSurely is a Republican, and has always been one. In the
contest for the postoffice at Oxford under President McKinley, in 1897,
he was supported by the several institutions of learning and by the old
soldiers, as well as by a large portion of the citizens. He is a man of
quiet manners, kind, gentle, and very faithful to his friends. In all rela-
tions as a business man, a citizen, and an officer in his church, he is trust-
worthy and conscientious. As a soldier, he was faithful, reliable, and
efficient. He is a man of clear head and warm heart, and he is true to
his convictions of duty.
William Sinton MoCanslen,
son of the late Hon. Thomas McCauslen, of Steubenville, was bom Jan-
uary 26, 1857, at West Union, Adams County. In the same year, his
father removed to Portsmouth, where he resided till 1865. In that year,
his father removed to Steubenville, which has since been his home. He
attended the Public schools in Steubenville and graduated from them in
June, 1877. He studied law with his father and was admitted to practice
June 17, 1879. H^ practiced in connection with his father at Steuben-
ville until the latter retired in 1883. Since then he has been in partnership
with Dio Rogers, under the firm name of Rogers & McCauslen. He was
married December i, 1892, to Miss Winona K. Lowe. He is a Democrat
in his political views, but has never sought or held office. He is active
in his profession and has a vigorous mind. He is a gentleman of fine
presence and is quick and active in the conduct of a case. He is method-
ical in the transaction of business. As a gentleman, he keeps to the high-
est standard. He is prompt in the fulfillment of all his obligations. He
belongs to a number of fraternal societies, and is popular in all of them.
He has a prosperous business.
Oscar William Ne^rman
son of George O. and Mrs. Clay B. Newman, was born at Portsmouth,
Ohio, June 14, 1867. He attended the Portsmouth schools for the course
of twelve years and graduated from the High school, June, 1884. He
then attended Kenyon College and remaind till the close of his junior
year in 1887. He began the study of law in the Fall of 1889 under his
father and was admitted to the bar in October, 1891. He began the prac-
tice of the law in Portsmouth, Ohio, alone and so continued it until Sep-
tember, 1893, when he formed a law partnership with the Hon. A. C
Thompson. This continued until November, 1898, when it was dissolved
by the appointment of Judge Thompson as Judge of the United States
District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Since then, he has
continued his law practice in Portsmouth alone.
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826 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
On June i8, 1894, he was married to Judge Thompson's eldest daugh-
ter, Charl. In politics, Mr. Newman is a Democrat, and in religion, an
Episcopalian. He is highly esteemed as an excellent young lawyer and
bids fair to establish a distinguished reputation in his profession.
JoKn Newman,
was born near Peebles, in Adams County, June 10, 1863. His father
was Harrison Newman, and his mother, Mary Mitchell. They had six
sons and five daughters, and our subject was the fifth child. In 1874, his
father left Adams County and located in the Black Oak Bottoms in Lewis
County, Kentucky, opposite Buena Vista. After residing there a year, he
returned to Adams County and remained three years. Then he tried
Kansas for eight months in 1878, but concluded Ohio was better than Kan-
sas and returned to Scioto County. There our subject began life on his
own account. He began work for John Williams on his farm west of
Rarden, and so well did he and Mr. Williams get along that on September
29, 1887, he married his daughter, Eliza C, and lived on the same farm
until Mr. Williams* death in July, 1891. When the farm was sold in the
course of administration, he bid it in and continued to reside there until
all the buildings were destroyed by fire. After that, he purchased prop-
erty in Rarden, where he now resides. He has four children living, all
sons, Walter C, William, Alty Denver, and Hershel.
Mr. Newman has one of the best farms in the Scioto Brush Creek
Valley and is an excellent farmer. He is a Democrat by birthright and
on his own account. He is fearless in the discharge of any duty and is a
good citizen, self-respecting, and respected by his neighbors.
David Nixon,
proprietor of the Nixon Hotel, at Peebles, was born October 12, 1842, in
Meigs Township, Adams County, two and a half miles south of Peebles.
His parents were married in Loudon County, Virginia, May 26, 1831.
Their names were James Nixon and Susan Potts. They came to Adams
County in 1837.
Our subject's grandfather, George Nixon, was bom in Loudon
County, Virginia, August 12, 1799, ^"^ resided there all his life. David
Nixon was reared a farmer's son, and had the usual common school train-
ing. He enlisted in Company E, of the 70th O. V. I., November i, 1861,
at the age of nineteen. He was made a Corporal, July 14, i8i64, and a
Sergeant, January 24, 1865. He veteranized in 1864, and was mustered
out August 14, 1865. To have been a Corporal and Sergeant in this
company was a greater honor than a commission in many other com-
panies. John T. Wilson was the first Captain of this company. Dr. John
Campbell, its First Lieutenant and Joseph Spurgeon, its Second Lieuten-
ant. This company was as near a successor to Cromwell's Ironsides as
any company could be. The Captain was fifty years of age when he was
enrolled.. There were four others in the company over fifty years old.
There were four over forty, and a number of them discounted their ages
to get in. The regiment was in fifteen battles and numerous skirmishes.
Nixon was found at the front all the time and made a first-class reputation
as a soldier. When he returned from the war, he engaged in farming.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 827
On February 21, 1867, he was married to Mary Ann Eakins, daughter
of Joseph and Mary (McNeill) Eakins. Joseph Eakins was a son of
'Squire John Eakins. When the town of Peebles was established in April,
1882, David Nixon was the first to build a house, the present Nixon Hotel,
and the best in the place. It will always be the best as long as Nixon is in
the business. There is an old adage, "He knows how to keep hotel."
Whoever is the author of that must have had David Nixon in his mind
In politics, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He has been several times Justice of the Peace of his
township and was Mayor of Peebles for three years. He was elected
Township Treasurer in 1897. His children are James Nelson, partner
in the furniture store of Davis & Nixon. He was married to Florence
Custer. Our subject's daughter, Susan AnaDel, is the wife of Prof. Al-
bert C. Hood, of Re>Tioldsburg, Ohio. His daughter, Cora Elizabeth, is
the wife of Ira A. King, of Peebles. He has three daughters. Pearl
Merrila, Ora Alice and Mary Josephine, and one son, Albert Valie, at
home. David Nixon believes in doing the duty nearest him. He is a
quiet, inoffensive citizen and a good neighbor. He is of easy temper
and disposition, but when required to act is as firm and determined.
When the Recording Angel has his record made up, we venture it
will compare favorably with the best.
Samnel X. Nesblt,
school teacher, and farmer. Vineyard Hill, was born December 12, 1840,
on the farm now owned and occupied by him on Gift Ridge, Monroe
Township. His father was Alexandria S. Nesbit, who married Miss Mary
Peden, a native of Clermont County, Ohio. The Pedens were Penn-
sylvania Quakers, most of the family now living in West Virginia in the
vicinity of Peden Island. The paternal ancestor, John Nesbit, came from
Scotland to York County, Pa., in 1732. His son, William Nesbit, the
grandfather of Samuel X., had a brother Alexander, who was a Captain
in a Pennsylvania Regiment in the War of the Revolution. He also com-
manded a company in the Whiskey Rebellion.
William Nesbit married Mary Sanderson, a sister of William Sander-
son, who commanded a battalion under General Wayne at Brandywine.
Samuel X. Nesbit, the subject of this sketch, inherited a taste for literature
and general reading which he has cultivated as opportunity would permit
all his life. When eighteen years of age, his father died and upon him fell
the burden of caring for his mother and six little children, and this greatly
interfered with the plans of his future life. Shortly after the death of
his father, the War of the Rebellion broke out, and in December, 1861, he
enlisted as a private in the famous 70th Regiment, O. V. I., at Camp
Hamer. He was at Shiloh, storming of the Russell House, Siege of
Corinth, and was in every skirmish line of battle formed by the regiment
excepting two, and although touched by balls on several occasions, was
never seriously wounded. On the night before the battle of Missionary
Ridge, William Hornbeck, a vidette, was charged by three cavalrymen
and driven in. Samuel X. Nesbit, John Love and Sergeant Mathew Mc-
Colm volunteered to assist Hornbeck to retake the post, which they did
after killing one of the Rebel cavalrymen. After the war, Mr. Nesbit
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828 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
engaged in teaching school, which profession he followed until 1886. In
1894, his home was burned and with it his fine library, the acquisition of
many years' toil. He now resides in happy bachelorhood on the old home-
stead in Monroe Township. He has always been a Republican in politics
and a Liberal in religion.
Reason B. Haylor,
of Vineyard Hill, was bom in Fall County, Texas, June 24, 1852. His
father was Benjamin Naylor, who married Victoria Lucas, and was born
and reared on the old Naylor farm on Gift Ridge. Soon after his mar-
riage, he removed to Cincinnati, where he engaged in the mercantile
business. Then he removed to the State of Iowa, and later to Texas,
where he died, leaving a widow and two young sons, Clayton, and Reason
B., the subject of this sketch. It was the last request of Benjamin Naylor
that his widow remove to Adams County, Ohio, which she did, traveling
via New Orleans. Our subject married Miss Irene Wade, daughter of
LaFayette Wade, of Monroe Township, September 20, 1876. They have
had born to them Quincy, Carrie, Cora, Ethel, Granville, Rosa, Izella,
Benjamin, Mary and Clinton, two of whom, Carrie and Clinton, are
deceased.
Reason B. Naylor now resides on the old LaFayette Wade farm near
Wrightsville on the Ohio River. It was on this farm that Israel Donalson
was captured by the Indians in 1792, an account of which is given in this
volume. In politics, our subject has always been a Republican, and takes
an active part in the affairs of his party in local matters, but he has never
sought official recognition, though often requested to be a candidate on
his party's ticket.
He is a zealous member of the U. B. Church at Mullhollen, on
Moore's Run, in Monroe Township, where his family hold membership.
MesHeok Herdman Newman
was born near Rardin, in Adams County, September 18, 1840, the eldest
son of John and Ann Newman. His middle name is his mother's maiden
name. He was brought up to the life of a farmer on his father's farm.
He received only a common school education. He was married on the
twenty-eighth of November, A. D. 1861, to Miss Sarah Johnson. To them
have been born ten children, all of whom are living except one daughter,
who died in April, 1899. Mr. Newman owns a large farm and is a fanner
and a stock raiser. He was a Justice of the Peace of Franklin Township
from 1874 to 1877, and served one year as Treasurer of the Township.
He was a County Commissioner of Adams County for three years from
January 2, 1894.
In politics, Mr. Newman has always been a Democrat. He is not a
member of any church, but a liberal contributor to the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. He is a man who attracts many friends to him and
holds them. He is much given to hospitality and makes all his friends
thrice welcome. He is regarded by all who know him as an excellent
citizen.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 829
W. H. Orebansk,
farmer and stcx:k dealer, of Cherry Fork, Ohio, was bom, September i6,
1864, in Eagle Township, Brown County, Ohio, son of Henry and Hannah
(Sprinkle) Orebaugh, of Brown County, Ohio. Jacob Orebaugh, grand-
father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, where he married Rachel
Fry. They belonged to the Lutheran Church and were of German origin.
They came to Ohio in 1829. Peter Snider, maternal great-grandfather
of our subject, came from Germany in 1746. He served in the Revolu-
tionary War for seven years. He married Christina Sewmalt, of Ken-
tucky. She was born in 1746, and died at the age of one hundt-ed and
three years in 1849.
Solomon Sprinkle, maternal grandfather of our subject, married
Elizabeth Snider, daughter of Peter Snider. She was bom in 1799, and
died in 1895. In religious belief, the Sprinkles were Dunkards.
W. H. Orebaugh, the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood on the
farm, obtaining a common school education. In 1882, at the age of
eighteen, he went to Missouri, Kansas and Illinois, where he remained
for three years.
He was married March 13, 1889, to Lizzie Plummer, daughter of
Levi Plummer, a prominent farmer of Cherry Fork, Ohio. Their children
are Blanche Marie, Grace Maude, Anna Ethel, Nellie Rosetta and John
Williard.
Mr. and Mrs. Orebaugh are members of the United Presbyterian
Church at Cherry Fork. Our subject is a Democrat and has taken some
part in local politics. He owns two good farms in Wayne Township,
where he is engaged principally in handling stock. He is a heavy buyer
and shipper of cattle, buying for the Cincinnati and Northern markets
He is an affable gentleman, and highly esteemed by all who know him.
George WUllam Osborne, M. D.,
was bom at I^ocust Grove, Adams County, Ohio, October 3, 1853. His
grandfather Enoch Osborne was a native of Loudon County, Va., and
emigrated from there to Adams County. He was a soldier of the War of
1812. His father was George P. Osborne, who served his country faith-
fully during the Civil War. His mother was Elizabeth Early. His
parents were married at Locust Grove in 1850. There were but two children
of this marriage, our subject and a daughter, Emily, who married Peter
Carter, but is now deceased. Dr. Osborne attended the common schools
of the county and the High school at Hillsboro. He also pursued a special
course in the Portsmouth High School from 1873 to 1875. He began the
study of medicine with Dr. James S. Berry, at Locust Grove, in 1870, and
continued it from time to time until 1878, teaching school and attending
school in the meantime. He attended lectures at the Cincinnati College
of Medicine in 1877, and in the Summer of that year began the practice
of medicine with his preceptor, Dr. J. S. Berry, at Locust Grove, and con-
tinued with him one year. On April 14, 1878, he was married to Margaret
E. Briggs, daughter of John K. Briggs, of Dry Run, Scioto County, Ohio.
In February, 1879, he located at Cedar Mills* in the practice of medicine.
In May, 1889, he was appointed one of the three Pension Examining Sur-
geons of Adams County, and served as such till July, 1893. Dr. Osborne
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830 HISTOHY OP ADAMS COUNTY
has always been a Republican. In the Fall of 1893 he was nominated by
his party unaminously for Auditor of Adams County and made the race
against Dr. J. M. Wittenmyer. It was a campaign of money on both
sides and he was beaten by sixty-eight votes. On January i, 1896, the
Doctor removed to Dry Run, in Scioto County, where he has resided ever
since and devoted himself exclusively to the practice of his profession. He
is a member of the Adams County Medical Society and of the Hempstead
Academy of Medicine of Scioto County. He is an Odd Fellow and a Red
Man. Dr. Osborne is highly esteemed as an excellent physician and a
good citizen.
Alfred Pence.
One of the first settlements in Adams County outside of the Stockade
at Manchester was made by Michael Pence, his son Peter Pence, and their
kinsmen, the Roush family, together with the Bryans and Cooks, in 1796,
at the * 'Dutch Settlement" in what is now Sprigg Township. These
families were "Pennsylvania Dutch" and had originally settled in the
Shenandoah Valley, and in the year 1795 came to the Three Islands, at
Manchester, to make their future homes in the Northwest Territory. The
first year of their coming to the Three Islands, they cultivated a crop of
com on the lower island which was then partially cleared.
Michael Pence, the pioneer, was drowned in the Ohio River in 1807
while attempting to cross with his team at the lower ferry. He had pur-
chased one thousand four hundred acres of land in the Hopkins Survey
in Sprigg Township and was a wealthy farmer for his day in Adams
County. He is buried in Hopewell Cemetery. His son, Peter Pence,
who married Susan Roush in the Shenandoah Valley previous to his
coming to Adams County in 1795, had among other children, a son, Aaron,
bom in 1798, who married Elizabeth Moore, and who was the father of
the following named children: Nathan, David, Daniel, Jacob, Francis
S., Peter, Harriet, w^ho married Dyas Gilbert, and our subject. Alfred
Pence, the oldest child, who was bom May 17, 1823, on the old Michael
Pence homestead, which he now owns and where he resides, near Maddox
Postoffice. He married Hannah Evans in 1847, ^^^ ^^^ reared the follow-
ing children : Elizabeth, who married Zenous Roush ; Ruth, who married
Robert Brookover; Dyas, who married Ada Parr; Rufus; Mahala, who
married Lafayette Roush ; and Ida, married to Rev. A. D. Foster.
Nathaniel C. Patton,
son of John Patton and Phoebe Taylor, his wife, was born February 2,
1826, in Wayne Township, Adams County. He attended the Public
schools of his vicinity and was reared a farmer. He was married March
17, 1847, to Mary Ann Thompson, who was born February 28, 1827.
Soon after he was married, he moved on the farm where he now resides.
It was then a wilderness. It is now one of the most attractive places in the
county. Mr. Patton and his wife have had six children: Marion M.
Patton, born January 21, 1848. He died in the service of his country in
the Civil War at Harper's Ferry, April 23, 1865, while a member of
Company D, 191st O. V. I. His remains were brought home, and rest in
the Cherry Fork Cemetery. A second son, J. Monroe Patton, was bom
October 13, 1850. He has a separate sketch herein. A daughter, Mary
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCEIES 831
Alberta, bom January 8, 1853, died July 22, 1857; another daughter,
Annabel, bom December 18, 1855, was married to John J. Cisco, No-
vember 2, t88i. They reside at Xenia, Ohio. Another daughter, Eliza-
beth P., bom July 11, 1858, married J. A. Renwick, January 13, 1883.
He was pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Tranquility, about
four years, but is now pastor of a church at Biggsville, 111., where he has
been for eleven years. The youngest daughter, Emma Z., bom January
13, 1862, was married to the Rev. J. Knox Montgomery, December 25,
1889. He was pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Unity, and
pastor at Sparta, 111., for about four years. For several years past he has
been pastor of the United Presbyterian Church on Walnut Hills, Cin-
cinnati.
Mr. Patton and all his family have their membership in the U. P.
Church. He and his sons-in- law are all Republicans except the Rev.
Montgomery, who is a Prohibitionist. Mr. Patton has always sought to
live an upright life, fulfilling all his duties to God, to man and to his
country, and that he has succeeded is testified to by all who know him.
He is of the strictest integrity in all his dealings, and he is a model farmer,
reading all that relates to his occupation, and putting in practice that
which he deems practicable. He has been prosperous and he is prospered.
He is alive to all the questions of the day affecting his occupation and the
interests of the country, and with all that, has had time to take an interest
in this History more than any of his neighbors. While he is related to
one of the editors of this work (Mr. Evans), that has not caused that
same editor, who has written this sketch, to overdraw the just public
estimate of Mr. Pattons character. He deserves a great desJ of credit
for remaining in Adams County, and doing what he has done for himself,
his family, for the church and for the community, for he might have done
like most of the other Pattons, gone West and taken up the rich prairies
of Indiana, Illinois and Kansas, and been a much richer man than he is
to-day, but then Adams County would have lost a citizen who has done
much to elevate the community, and of whom it can be justly proud. All
honor is due those men who are content to live in the places of their birth,
and who labor to elevate the community and uphold the good in church
and state in the homes of their childhood.
Mr. Patton is one of the best illustrations of what a citizen, who fore-
goes all public office and employment, may do for himself by industry,
economy, diligence, and the strictest attention to agriculture, his chosen
occupation, even though it is the commonest of all.
Henry Pennywitt,
third son of John Pennywitt, was born on the old homestead on Gift Ridge,
Adams County, Ohio, on December 13, 1851. He attended the common
schools and assisted his father on the farm until he was a young man,
when he left his home and went to Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio,
to leam the trade of printer. In 1872, he went to Washington, D. C, and
worked at his trade until the Spring of 1874, when he entered the United
States Weather Service, and has remained almost constantly with that
service until the present time. He served as observer of the weather at
Leavenworth, Kans.; Burlington, Iowa; Pittsburg, Pa.; Buffalo, N. Y.;
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832 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNIY
Norfolk, Va. ; Sanford, Fla. ; Titusville, Fla. ; Jupiter, Fla. (at which
place he superintended the construction of an observatory) ; Knoxville,
Tenn. ; New Orleans, La., and Washington, D. C. He now holds a re-
sponsible position in the Climate and Crop Division of the Weather Bureau
at Washington, having charge of the statistical work of temperature and
rainfall data and the collection of reports pertaining to the condition of
the different crops of the country. He has always taken a deep interest
in scientific investigations, particularly the study of meteorology and
kindred subjects.
On November 12, 1890, in Knoxville, Tenn., he was married to Miss
Jennie L. Hessee, of Abingdon, Va. He has one boy, John Edward, six
years of age, and one g^rl, Louise Mary, now nearly three years old.
Wm. Clinton Pennywitt,
the eldest son of John Pennywitt, was bom on the bank of the Ohio River
opposite the head of Manchester Island, July 11, 1839. CHe has recently
adopted the spelling of the family name here given, having been convinced
that such was the original and proper method.) He received all his
schooling in a log schoolhouse on the old homestead near the present site
of Quinn Chapel. At the age of eighteen, he began teaching in the Public
schools. At twenty-one, he "went West." When Fort Sumpter was
fired upon and President Lincoln made his first call for defenders of the
flag, he was one of the first to respond. He enlisted in April, 1861, at New-
ton, Iowa, in Company B, Fifth Infantry Regiment of Iowa Volunteers.
His command was in action at New Madrid, Mo., the siege of Corinth,
the battle of Corinth, Luka, Jackson, Clinton, Champion's Hill and Vicks-
burg, Miss., Missionary Ridge, Tenn., the Atlantic Campaign, and in
many minor engagements. During his entire army service he was never
in the hospital, never absent from his command, and he never missed a
tour of duty. On the battle-field in front of Vicksburg his comrades chose
him by an almost unanimous vote to be their company commander. This
action of the men was ratified by all the field officers of his regiment, and
Governor Kirkwood commissioned him Captain over the heads of both
Lieutenants and the First Sergeant of his company. This is the only in-
stance of this kind in the history of the war. He remained with his
command until it was mustered out.
In civil life he has been at different times bookkeeper for a large
manufacturing establishment in Cincinnati and for one of the largest
lumber companies in Chicago; clerk in the U. S. Treasury, Interior and
Postoffice Departments; Chief of Division of Railroad Statistics of the
Tenth Census ; rate clerk of the C. B. and Q. Railroad ; statistical clerk of
the Chicago Fire Department; editor of the Manchester Gazette, the
Maysville (Ky.) Republican and Round's Printers' Cabinet, Chicago; and
Washington correspondent of a large number of newspapers. At the
present time he is serving as law clerk of the Department of Agriculture.
He was married August 28, 1878, to Anna Rebecca Frow, of Win-
chester, youngest daughter of Archibald and Eliza Frow. They have
two children and reside in their pleasant home, "Seven Gables," at Glen-
carlyn, Va., a beautiful suburb of Washington.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 833
For several years, Captain Pennywitt has been devoting very special
attention to the subject of a great national institution of learning to be
located in the immediate vicinity of the National capital, a movement
originated and earnestly advocated by the immortal Washington. He is
the author of a memorial to Congress, presented in the Senate, February
28, 1899, by Senator Cullom, that has attracted much attention. This
memorial offers the following suggestions :
(i.) The restoration to National jurisdiction of that portion of the
District of Columbia (ten miles square) which lies south of the Potomac
River.
(2. ) The founding of a city upon this reacquired territory, to be ded-
icated to the cause of learning and to be known as the city of Lincoln.
(3.) The establishment within this city of a great National in-
stitution of learning to be known as the University of Washington and
Lincoln.
He expects to devote the remainder of his life to the development
of this great project which has been described as "the fitting climax to
all that has been done for education during the Nineteenth Century/' and
as "an undertaking worthy of the foremost nation on earth, and of the
most progressive age of human history."
George W. Pennywitt,
liveryman, of Manchester, was born February iq, 1856, on a farm about
three miles above Manchester, and is a son of Reuben ' Pennywitt and
Jane Cooper, his wife. He was educated in the Public schools of Man-
chester, and was engaged in the lumber trade with his father until 1882,
when he engaged in the feed and livery business, which he has since
followed with success. April 24, 1881, he married Miss Laura Kimble,
daughter of Henry Kimble. He has a son, Reuben Roy, bom January 19,
1882, a graduate of the Class of '99 of the Manchester High School, and a
daughter, Mary Roxana, bom December 17, 1895.
In politics, Mr. Pennywitt is a Republican, and is a member of the
Methodist Church. He has held many local offices, and is one of the sub-
stantial business men of Manchester.
Wiley Daniel Pennywit
was born September 26, 1861, three miles above Manchester, in Adams
County. His father was Mark Pennywit, and his mother's maiden name
was Sarah Cooper. He was educated in the Public schools of the county.
Politically, he has always been a Republican. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Rome. He came with his father, Mark
Pennywit, to Rome on September 18, 1880, where he engaged in business
with him until the death of the latter on June 18, 1885, after which he
conducted the business himself, which was a saw, planing and grist mill.
In April, 1888, Mr. Pennywit's mill and all its contents were burned.
There was no insurance whatever and the loss was quite heavy. Mr.
Pennywit, with characteristic energy, built the same year on a some-
what larger scale. He manufactures flour, meal, and dressed and un-
dressed lumber of every description.
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834 fflSTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
He lives in the parental home with his only unmarried sister, Eugenic
Pennywit. His other sisters are Artemesia Godfrey, Mary H. Roberts,
and Martha J., the wife of E. A. Crawford, editor of the W^st Union
Defender.
Mr. Pennywit is a gentleman of the highest character and integrity,
and scrupulously exact in all his dealings with his fellow men, and has the
highest respect and esteem of all with whom he cames in contact. He is
one of the foremost business men of the county. He and his sister have a
delightful home, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of life,
where it is a pleasure for their friends to meet them.
Alfred Pennywitt
was born January 8, 1840, on Gift Ridge, Monroe Township, Adams
County, Ohio. His father was Reuben Pennywitt, who has a separate
sketch herein, and his mother's maiden name was Jane Cooper. His
mother was born in September, 1816, and is still living. Reuben Penny-
witt and wife had nine children, eight of whom are living. One died in
infancy. Our subject is the eldest child of his father's family. He at-
tended school on Gift Ridge, and his entire education was obtained in the
common schools. His father was a builder of boats and a lumberman.
Mr. Pennywitt began steamboating at the age of eighteen. He continued
in steamboating for a short time, and was engaged in the lumber business
until the fourth of July, 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, 39th 0.
V. I., for three years. He served until the twenty-fourth of August, 1864,
when he was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service. He
was never in the hospital and was never disabled while in the service. He
was in every battle in which his regiment was engaged and never re-
ceived a scratch.
On returning from the army, he folowed the lumber business in Man-
chester for two or three years. In 1867, he re-engaged in steamboating,
beginning as a watchman on the steamboat Robert Moore. He has con-
tinued in the same occupation ever since, and has served as second mate,
mate, pilot, and master. He was master on steamboats in the Southern
trade, notably the Courier and the Stella Wild, and others, for over ten
years. He has resided in Manchester ever since the War. Since 1877,
he has been engaged on the Ohio River on the Pomeroy and Pittsburg
boats. For the last five years he has been a mate on the Pittsburg and
Cincinnati line, on the Hudson and the Virginia. He has been engaged on
not fewer that two hundred different steamboats during his career as a
steamboatman.
He has always been a Republican, and has been a member of the
Methodist Protestant Church at Manchester for the last eight years. He
was married June 21, 1869, to Miss Matilda C. Fleming, daughter of
Alexander Fleming and granddaughter of James M. Cole. He has had
three children: Edith C, born May 31, 1870, the wife of F. A. Mc-
Cormick of Manchester; Rufus C, bom June 5, 1872, a physician in
the city of Dayton, located at 134 South Ludlow Street, where he has
been four years. He had a daughter, Pearl C, bom July 8, 1878, who died
September 7, 1891. Our subject has but one grandchild, Rufus, son of F.
A. and Edith McCormick, born December 9, 1891.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 836
Captain Pennywitt is noted for his modesty and his substantial worth.
One always knows just where to find him ; and when found, he can be de-
pended upon. He is as different from the traditional old-time steamboat
mate or master, as day is from night. His friend David Dunbar says that
one can ascribe all good qualities to him, and then fall short of his real
merits. He maintains the high character for honor and integrity set by
his ancestors ever since they have been known to Adams County. They
would have died for conscience' sake and counted it glory, and our sub-
ject is not a whit behind them.
John D. Platter
was bom on Brush Creek in Adams County just below Jacksonville,
near Pristoe's, April 7, 1846. His father was John Platter, and his
mother, Mary Davis, a daughter of John Davis. When he was six years
of age, his father moved one and one-fourth miles east of Peebles, where
our subject resided until he was twenty-five years of age. He obtained
a common school education, and in 1871 he engaged in the mercantile
business at Locust Grove. He resided there in the same business until
1881, and then he moved to the location of the town of Peebles. He
built the first business house in Peebles, being the warehouse now occu-
pied by J. F. Wickerham. After locating in Peebles, he engaged in the
grain business for four years, and then took up the hardware business,
which he has followed ever since. For several years he was in this busi-
ness with his brother-in-law, James C. Copeland, but now Mr. Platter
has the business alone. He has one of the largest business houses in
Peebles and does very extensive business in hardware, farm machin-
ery, wagons, etc. He enlisted in Company I, 141st Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry, May 2, 1864, and was discharged September 3, 1864. He is a
Republican, and as such was a candidate for Auditor on that ticket in
1874, but was defeated. He was a member of the School Board of
Franklin Township for several years. He has served as a member of the
Peebles Council for three vears, and of the village School Board for four
terms. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Peebles,
and has been an elder in it since its organization.
He was married to Mary Copeland, daughter of Chambers Cope-
land, in 1867. Her father emigrated from Ireland, and was among the
first settlers in Adams County. His widow, Salome Tener Copeland, is
stillliving. Our subject has five children, two sons and three daughters;
Raymond, Winifred, Anna, Susan, and Blanche, all living.
Mr. Platter is a man of the highest character, a Christian gentleman,
honorable in all the affairs of life, and successful in his business.
Samuel Pf elf er, (deceased,)
son of Philip and Hermena Pfeifer, was born in Buda-Pesth, Hungary,
October 12, 1824, and died Febmary 28, 1899, ^^ Blue Creek, Ohio. In
boyhood, he clerked in a dry goods store in his native city, and when the
Rebellion of 1847 came on, he enlisted as a soldier in the Army of Free-
dom. After this he fled to Germany to save his head, and joined the
German army. In 1849, he came to the United States and took out
naturalization papers in 1856. He enlisted in the service of the United
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836 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
States, October 30, 1861, First Ohio Light Artillery, Sergeant of Battery
L, and was honorably discharged October 31, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Va.
He married Laura Jane Freeland, daughter of Edward and Sarah
Wales Freeland, January 25, 1859. She was born July 8, 1841, and died
March 30, 1887. There were born to this union Edward W., Minnie,
James A., Fannie B.» Frank, who died in infancy, and Clara F.
James A. Pfeifer, born September 5, 1865, son of Samuel Pfeifer, is
now in the general merchandising business with his brother-in-law, Al-
bert Jones, at Blue Creek. He is an active, thorough going business
man, and the firm is doing a thriving business.
Samuel Pfeifer and wife are buried at Moore's Chapel.
J. Monroe Patton,
of Cherry Fork, is a lineal descendant of John Patton, of Virginia. His
father was Nathaniel Patton, of Hanshaville, who married Ann Thomp-
son, daughter of Daniel Thompson, of Adams County. The subject of
this sketch was born on the old Patton homestead at Harshaville, Octo-
ber 13, 1850. Being of strong and robust frame during his boyhood
days, and for over tv/enty years after his majority and marriage, he lived
the busy and toilsome life of a farmer. He received the rudiments of
an English education, the best it afforded, in his home district country
school, and later he attended the old academy at Cherry Fork, in its
better days, under the tuition of Professors Coleman and Smith.
October 8, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Allison,
daughter of David Allison, of Spring Mill, Center County, Pa. This
marriage was a happy one, uniting as it did two old and respectable
families, many of whose descendants are scattered throughout the Ohio
Valley, and recognized as active, honorable men and women.
In the Spring of 1893, Mr. Patton purchased the farm implement
and hardware business (and drug store) of Morrison Bros., of Cherry
Fork, and removed there with his family, where he now conducts the
above named business. From his well known integrity and upright
dealing with men, he has built up a business interest reaching into the
country for miles about him.
His family consists of Mary Maud, who married Frank E. Kirkpat-
rick ; Maggie Anna, who married Charles H. Morrison ; Clyde, a prom-
ising young man engaged in business with his father; and Lorena and
Sarah Helen, yet at home.
In politics, Mr. Patton is a Republican, having held many offices
of trust in his native township. He and his family are earnest supporters
of the U. P. Congregation at Cherry Fork.
John Frederick Plumnier,
liveryman, of West Union, born December 28, 1857, is a son of Fred-
erick Pflaumer, as the name was originally written, who was a native of
Wurtemburg, Germany, and who came to America at the age of eighteen
years. He first worked as a blacksmith and afterwards became a pros-
perous farmer near the Mt. Leigh Church in Scott Township, this
county.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 837
John F. Plummer is one of the best and most widely known citi-
zens of Adams County. He was reared on a farni, where he was taught
industry and frugality, and after attaining his manhood, he followed the
occupation of farmer till his thirty-fourth year, when he disposed of his
farmmg interest, and removed to Winchester, at which point he con-
ducted the well known hostelry — the Plummer House — formerly the
old Parker House. In November, 1895, he took up his residence in
West Union, where he conducts a large livery and feed stable. In
1898, he also engaged in the undertaking business with O. C. Robuck.
He is at present a trustee of the Wilson Children's Home. In poHtics,
he is a Democrat of the old Jeflferson school, in accordance with his
ideas of simplicity, frugality and honesty. He and his accomplished
wife, formerly Miss Nettie E. Custer, a near relative of the gallant Gen.
George Custer, are both devout members of the Presbyterian Church
of West Union, Mrs. Plummer began teaching school at the remark-
ably early age of thirteen, and was one of the first in her profession
until her marriage, December 28, 1887. She is one of the brightest
mathematicians in the county. Mr. Plummer is a member of Adams
Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 484., of Winchester. He has one son,
Harry C, born September 12, 1897.
William Wilson Prather
was born December 16, 1844, near Buena Vista, in Scioto County, Ohio,
the son of Henry Prather and Mary Rape, his wife. His mother was a
sister of the late William R. Rape, of West Union.
Our subject was the second child of their marriage. His father
removed to West Union, when he was about two years old, and resided
there until the year 1865. In that year his father, Henry Prather,
removed to Manchester, Ohio, and started the daily omnibus line from
Manchester to West Union, the first that was ever run, going to West
Union every morning and returning in the afternoon to connect with
the evening boats. William attended the schools in Manchester until the
twenty-fourth of October, 1863, when he enlisted in Company E, 91st
Regiment, O. V. I., at the age of eighteen years, for a period of three
years. He was promoted on June i, 1865, to the office of Quartermaster
Sergeant of the regiment which he held until he was mustered out on
the twenty-fourth of June following. At the time he enlisted he left
the school room to become a soldier. He was a conductor on the street
car line in Louisville, Ky., from 1865 to 1867. In that year, he married
Miss Rebecca Shriver, daughter of Joseph M. Shriver, of Manchester.
He located there and engaged in the stove and tinware business. He
continued in that business at Manchester until 1894, when he removed
to Portsmouth and engaged in the wholesale tinware and crockery busi-
ness under the name of the "Portsmouth Tinware Company," with John
K. Peyton, Charles H. Zeigler and James W. Queary, his partners. He
continued in that business in Portsm.outh until 1898, when he returned
to Manchester. Since 1898, he has been a traveling saleman for The
James McDonald & Son's Company tinware and metal house of Cin-
cinnati. He has a family of seven children, all living, as follows:
Robert M., a dentist at Fort Worth, Texas ; William Byron, city sales-
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888 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
man, in Cincinnati ; Mary, the wife of Frank Gilfillen, a contractor, liv-
ing in Northside, Ohio; Kate, the wife of A. F. McColm, a telegraph
operator for the C. H. & D. Railroad at Carthage, Ohio; Mabel, the
wife of Frank Cady, of Maysville, Ky. ; Grace, the wife of Charles C.
Burt, a traveling salesman for the Drew-Selby Shoe Company, of Ports-
mouth, Ohio, and Nellie, who is at home.
Mr. Prather is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Royal
Arch Mason. He has always been a Republican. He is a good citizen,
respected and highly esteemed by all who know him.
Robert W. Purdy, M. D^
was born in Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1831, a son of Thomas E. Purdy and
Eliza Wilson, his wife. Robert Purdy's grandfather was one of the
first settlers of New Market, and was a native of Sharon Valley, Penn-
sylvania. He died in 1888 at the age of eighty.
He received a common school education, and at the age of seven-
teen began the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Washburn, of New
Market, Ohio, with whom he studied for five years, and in that period
attended lectures at Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, from
which he graduated in 1858.
In the same year he was married to Ella Santee, daughter of Samuel
Santee and Margaret Browne, his wife, and after the lapse of all these
years, her hair is still as black as a raven's wing, as it was when the
Doctor married her, and she is as young in spirit as forty-one years ago.
In 1859, ^^ practiced one year in connection with his preceptor, and in
i860 located in Bradyville. On August 11, 1862, he enlisted as a Private
in Company E, 91st O. V. I., and served until February 18, 1863, when
he was discharged by order of the War Department. He need not have
enlisted as a private, and could have served as a surgeon, but he gave
his services to the country as an ordinary soldier, though for a part of
his service he acted as a hospital steward, being detailed for that service.
On his discharge from the Ninety-first, he returned to his home and
practice. On August 21, 1864, he enlisted as a Private in Company H,
i82d O. V. I., for one year, and served until July 7, 1865. Ag^in he
might have gone as a physician, but went as a private. We take it his
reasons were purely patriotic.
He practiced medicine in Bradyville from i860 until 1880, when
he removed to Ellsberry in Brown County, where he remained for three
years. In 1883, he located in Mowrystown, Highland County, and re-
mained a year. He then returned to Bradyville, where he has since
resided and where he expects to remain till, to use a nautical phrase,
after Admiral Dewey, "he is sunk by Death's superior weight of
metal."
Dr. Purdy has had nine children, six of whom survive : Margaret,
wife of Philip Flaugher, of Lexington, Ky. ; Mary E., wife of Oscar
Clark, of Kokomo, 111.; Thomas, Letha, Ed^ar and Clifton. He is a
Republican and is proud of it. lie was Coroner of Adams County from
1891 to 1893. He is proud also of his record as a soldier and well he
may be for he is the only man we have found in Adams County who
was content to serve his country twice as a private when he might have
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 889
served it as a surgeon. He is a member of George Bailey Post, G. A,
R., at Aberdeen, Ohio, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
at Bradyville.
The Doctor takes life easy. His record is about made up and he
has found nothing in it to be ashamed of. He has been a very useful
man; always ready to respond to every professional call, regardless of
color, race, or previous condition of servitude, or otherwise. He has
done a great deal of good in his community. He rests his religious
faith in the grand old Methodist Church, his political faith in the Re-
publican party, and having done his duty as patriot and citizen, with the
philosophy of Marcus Aurelius and the faith of St. Paul, he is ready to
meet the Last Enemy whenever required.
James Thomas Pitts
was born April 4, 1846, in Greene Township, Adams County, Ohio.
His father was James Pitts, a native of Lewis County, Kentucky. His
mother was Keziah Tucker, a native- of Ohio. He was the youngest of
four children. He was reared on a farm, and attended the District
school. His father died when he was but ten years of age and he was
thrown on his own resources. As a youth, he worked on a farm and
drov6 teams for farmers in Scioto and Adams Counties in the vicinity
of Buena Vista.
When the war broke out, he was fifteen years of age, but he was
wild to go in. He was too young, but he gave his age as sixteen, and
was accepted. He served until September 11, 1364, when he was dis-
charged by reason of expiration of term of service. He left much
broken in health, and on reaching home had pneumonia, typhoid, and
remittent fever successively, and was given up to die. He ran away
from his doctor as soon as he was able to travel, and on February 17,
1865, he re-enlisted in Company C of the 81 st O. V. I., his former
regiment, and was made company wagoner. He served until July 13,
1865, when he was mustered out, as the war v/as over. He came home
a second time much broken in health, and it took him some time to
regain his strength. As soon as he was able, he went to teaming.
On May 29, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary A. Young, daughter
of Thomas Young, of Greene Township, Adams County. He and his
wife went to housekeeping in Buena Vista, and resided there a year.
Mr. Pitts was bom a trader, and moved to near Rome, Adams County,
where he resided for two years, and then moved back to Buena Vista
and engaged in teaming and farming. He bought the Flagg farm near
Buena Vista, and lived on it until 1878, when he sold it to William J.
Flagg.
He then bought the Lorey Adams farm, consisting of one hundred
and seventy acres, two miles north of Rome, on the Mineral Springs
road, and resided there until 1882, when he sold it and purchased the
Solomon B. McCall farm near Buena Vista. He resided there until 1886,
when he sold it to Richard Young and bought two farms from Judge
Ousler, in Greene Township, in Adams County. He moved on to the
one where Judg-e Ousler had had his residence, and residled there until
February, 1890, when he traded his farms for lots in the city of Ports-
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840 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
mouth and moved there. He purchased a home at 1439 Grandview Ave-
nue, on Lawson Heights, and resides there at the present time.
He enjoys the distinction of being almost the only man who went
into the army at the age of fifteen, and came out at the age of nineteen,
in July, 1865, having served nearly four years. He has two children:
Elya Eleanor, former wife of Henry Kept, who has a daughter Myrtie,
aged six years; and William, his son, aged fifteen years.
Mr. Pitts has always maintained the most amicable relations with all
his neighbors wherever he has dwelt, and could go back and live
pleasantly at any of his former homes. He is of an agreeable and oblig-
ing disposition, but he cannot refuse a trade when it is offered; and
yet, with all his trading, he has made and saved money ; and he is an
exception to the rolling stone adage, if moss therein means money. In
his political faith, he is a Democrat, but he has never sought or held
office, nor has it sought him. He is a teamster by occupation, and fol-
lows it diligently. He is not a member of any church, but believes in the
religion of humanity. He tries to meet every duty in life with a cheer-
ful disposition, and so far has succeeded. He hopes to continue his
bravery of spirit till he shall be called hence.
Robert Miller Peterson,
farmer, residing near Peebles, Ohio, was born July 5, 1854, near New-
port, in Adams County. His father was Ralph Peterson, a native of
Brown Couty, whose father, Ralph Peterson, came from the State of
New Jersey. The name is Swedish, and Ralph Peterson's ancestors came
to this country originally from Sweden.
Our subject's mother was Drusilla A. Wilson. Her father, Ralph
Wilson, born in Pennsylvania, was in the War of 1812, and had nine
brothers, all of whom were soldiers in the same war. He had five
sisters. Our subject attended the common schools of his vicinity and
early displayed a thirst for learning. He attended several Normal
schools in the county, began the work of teaching in 1873, ^md con-
tinued it for ten years, working on the farm in the Summer months.
From 1883 to 1885, he was engaged in merchandising at Dunbarton,
Ohio, with J. W. Rogers, under the firm name of Rogers & Peterson.
In 1885, he went to farming on the farm where he now resides, and has
followed that occupation ever since. He was Clerk of Meigs Township
from 1892 to 1896.
He was married September 19, 1883, to Miss Ellen M. Rogers,
daughter of John Wilson Rogers. They have two children, Nellie B.
and Ralph.
Mr. Peterson is not a member of any church, but believes in the
broad religion of humanity. He is one of those with whom it is pleas-
ant to meet and converse, and after meeting him one feels that he has
met a fellow man whom it is a pleasure to know. He possesses much
magnetism and he aims to do good to all with whom he associates and
makes those persons feel he has benefited them. He is always ready
tc learn and equally ready to impart his information in a way to give
pleasure to his hearers. In his political beliefs, he is a Democrat. He
is a citizen, honest, industrious and upright, whose life can always be
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 841
cited for good and whose place in the community is for usefukiess. He
is a prudent and safe counselor, an obliging and considerate neighbor.
As a friend, he is faithful and true. His convictions on any subject are
strong and not easily changed. With all these good qualities fully known
and understood, he is highly esteemed among his neighbors and in the
circle of his associates.
Rev. William J. Quarry
was born at Mossgrove, County Cork, Ireland, November, 1816, where
his family had resided for generations. His father, James Quarry, was
a descendant of one of Cromwell's officers. His mother's maiden name
was Jane Shorten. Her home was at PuUerwick, and often visited by the
Wesleys in their visits to Ireland. Rev. Quarry was raised an Epis-
copalian and was baptized and confirmed in that church. In his boy-
hood, he enjoyed the advantages of the common school system in Ire-
land, but later on, when it entered his mind to preach, he was sent to
Bandon, where he devoted himself to studying and teaching for eight
years. In 1843, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and
was licensed to preach. In 1844, after the death of his father, he con-
cluded to emigrate to America, and he left Ireland on the fifth day of
May, 1845, in the sailing ship "Virginia," with his sister. They were
five weeks on their voyage to New York City. They came direct to
Cincinnati, arriving there on the eighth of July. The following Decem-
ber, Bishop Hamlin sent Mr. Quarry to Patriot Circuit. In September,
1846, he was admitted on trial to the Ohio Conference, and from that time
on he labored in the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church until
1879, when he retired from active work. In this period, he was preacher
and pastor in twenty-one circuits and stations, first in the Ohio Con-
ference, and afterwards in the Cincinnati Conference, and that without
vacation or intermission. In 1852, while on the Lockland charge, on the
ninth of September, he was married to Miss Harriet Elizabeth Bagby,
who was a true helpmate and co-worker in all his ministerial labors,
but especially in the Sunday School, where her natural talents found
their best adaptation and the greatest success crowned her efforts.
To this union, one child was bom. Miss Kate J. Quarry, who now
resides at Felicity, and is Postmistress there.
In 185 1, and again in 1873, he was located at West Union, the last
time remaining there until 1876, when he located at Felicity, in Cler-
mont County.
April 7, 1890, Mrs. Quarry was stricken with paralysis, and, after a
short illness, died. The years of Rev. Quarry's life after this event
were years of great physical suffering, but filled with hope and rejoic-
ing. His home was one where his hosts of friends loved to go with
words of comfort and encouragement. On February 9, he passed
away after twelve days' sickness, with La Grippe.
Rev. Quarry was a man who was loved by all who knew him. He
was a true Irishman and one of the best types of his countrymen. In
his preaching, he was enthusiastic and earnest, and very successful.
He and his wife are lovingly remembered by all their old friends in
Adams County.
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842 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Prof. Franklin Ensene Reynolds,
of Waverly, Ohio, is one of the foremost educators and one of the best
teachers in Southern Ohio. He was born on the twenty-fourth of Jan-
uary, 1870, the sixth son and eighth child of Stephen Re)molds and
Maria Moore, his wife, near where the town of Peebles is, on the old
Dunbar farm. His mother was a daughter of Newton Moore, one of
the most successful of the Brush Creek farmers. His father was an
extensive farmer and stock raiser and was very successful in each of those
occupations. Our subject attended the common schools near his home
until 1887, when he attended the school at Lebanon, Ohio, and grad-
uated in the Scientific course in 1889. He began his career as a teacher
in the Fall of 1889, ^^^ f^w have accomplished as much as he in ten
years. From 1889 until 1892, he taught District schools in the Fall
and Winter in Adams and Scioto Counties.
In the Summer of 1890 and 1891, he taught a Normal school at
North Liberty,Ohio,in connection with Prof. J. W. Jones. In the Summer
of 1892, he read medicine with Dr. George F. Thomas, at Peebles.
From the Fall of 1892 until June, 1895, ^^ was principal of the High
school in Manchester. In the Summers of 1893, 1894 and 1895, he
taught Summer schools at Manchester in connection with Prof. J. W.
Jones. In the Fall of 1895, he was elected Superintedent of the schools
at Manchester, and served until June, 1899. I" ^^^ Summer of 1896,
he taught a Normal school at Manchester. In the Summer of 1898, he
taught a Normal school at West Union in connection with Prof. J. E.
Collins. In the Sum.mer of 1899, he attended the Summer post-
graduate course at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio.
In the Fall of 1899, he accepted the position of Superintendent of the
schools at Waverly, Ohio.
In December, 1895, he was granted by the State Board of School
Examiners a Common School Life Certificate. In December, 1898, the
same Board granted him a High School Life Certificate. Eighty per
cent, of the teachers who taught in Adams County in the years 1898
and 1899 had been pupils of his in the County Normals, or Summer
schools. In 1897, he was one of the County School Examiners of
Adams County. Mr. Reynolds is a Free Mason. He is a member of
the Blue Lodge and Chapter of Manchester, and of the Commandery
in Portsmouth. He is also an Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias and
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Prof. Reynolds is a man of strong personality and exceptional at-
tainments in the branches of learning he has studied. His perceptions
are quick and keen. He is a disciplinarian and an organizer of rare
ability. His influence for good, wherever he has taught, has been
remarkable. His administration of the Manchester schools has been the
brightest in their history. While the work in the common branches
under his supervision was well carried on, he introduced new subjects
of study and infused in his pupils a love of them and enthusiasm in the
pursuit of them. Since his location at Waverly, he has become largely
instrumental in the founding of the Riverside Tri-County Teachers'
Association and is its President.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHES 843
He has tireless zeal and energy in his chosen profession. He puts
his whole soul into his work, and makes the tedious pursuit of learn-
ing attractive, delightful and interesting. He possesses strong will,
wonderful energy and is full of confidence in his plans and projects.
He has a fine constitution and excellent health. He has a sound mind
in a sound body and conserves all his mental and physical forces. His
carreer as a teacher fairly begun will be one of the best and most brilliant.
He is a Democrat in his political principles, believing in "government
of the people, by the people and for the people."
Walter EtUwortli Roberts.
" All are architects of fate
Working in thjese walls of time ;
Some with massive deeds and great,
Some with ornaments of rh3rme ;
For the structure that we raise,
Time is with material filled ;
Our to-days and yesterdays
Are the blocks with which we build."
It was upon the twenty-fourth day of February, 1870, that Walter
Ellsworth Roberts received the first block from Time with which to build
the structure of his life. He has not yet built with "massive deeds and
great," nor with "ornaments of rhyme." Though fully as well has he
built with the high prize of life, that crowning fortune of a man, which
is to be born with a bias to some pursuit which ever finds him in em-
ployment and happiness.
He was the youngest son of a family of eleven children, born to
Isaac and Lucinda E. Roberts. His ancestry will be found in the sketch
of Lincoln J. Roberts, his brother. His parents, with two children, came
from Virginia to Adams County, Ohio, in 1851. They purchased land
in the northern part of Winchester Township, where the subject of this
sketch was born and where he still resides. His childhood days were
spent much the same as those of most boys upon a farm, where many
people think that what boys do on a farm is of no consequence. A
careful observer would see, as Charles Dudley Warner has so well ex-
pressed in his book, "Being a Boy/' that "a farm without a boy would
very soon come to grief."
His education was received in the District school which he attended
until seventeen year? of age. He then attended the North Liberty
Academy and the Garret Biblical Institute of Evanston, Illinois, where
his standing in his classes was always good, having never received a
grade under ninety per cent, in anv study.
He united with the Seaman Methodist Episcopal Church on Feb-
ruary 23, 1893, and v/as licensed a local preacher by the Quarterly Con-
ference of Winchester charge in January, 1894. He has twice been
chosen to represent liis local church in the Lay Electoral Conferences,
the first in 1895, at Hamilton, Ohio, and the next in 1899, ^^ Dayton,
Ohio. He has taken an active part in the Farmers' Institutes of the
county, having been elected President of one session of the Institute at
North Liberty, Ohio. Since 1895, he has been prominently identified
with the Sabbath School work of the county, having charge of the
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844 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Normal Department, and was the first Normal Secretary elected in the
county. In November, 1898, at Russellville, Ohio, he assisted in organiz-
ing a Normal Department in the Sabbath School work in Brown county,
and enrolled the first student in that county, Mrs. Sallie Webster, a mis-
sionary to Santiago, Chili, S. A.
Mr. Roberts is actively engaged in farming, having an attractive
and delightful home on a farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres.
He is a constant reader and a great lover of books. His library is one of
the largest and best in the county, and all who call at Greenway Farm
will be most hospitably received and entertained and find in Mr. Roberts
a gentleman of delightful social qualities.
Joseph W. Rothrock,
of Washington C. H., Ohio, was born June 7, 1839, at Mt. Leigh, in
Adams County. His father was Joseph Rothrock, and his mother, Sarah
McKinney. They were from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. He grew
up on his father's farm, and after learning out at the District schools,
attended the North Liberty Academy, and afterwards at Lebanon,
Ohio.
For nine years, while a boy and a youth, he was a conductor on
the Underground Railroad, and helped two hundred slaves to freedom.
He entered the service of his country October 6, 1861, as a Private in
Company B, 60th O. V. I., a year regiment. His brother, Philip, was
Captain of the company. . He was in the battle of Cross Keys and at
Harper's Ferry. On June 25, 1863, he enlisted in the Second Ohio
Heavy Artillery, Company B, and was made a Sergeant of the com-
pany, August 5, 1863. He was promoted Second Lieutenant and
assigned to Company I, December 28, 1864. He was mustered out
August 23, 1865. He took up his residence at Winchester, Ohio, and
began to trade in cattle.
On the seventeenth of August, 1867, he was married to Miss Effie
J. Davis. He has a son, Frank, who is married and. has one child. He
is conducting a steam laundry at Washington C. H. He has a daughter,
Anna, who resides with her father.
In 1884, he removed from Winchester, Ohio, to Washington C.
H., where he has ever since resided. He is a Republican. He was
born a Presbyterian and is a member of the church at Washington C.
H., and a ruling elder therein.
He is genial and cordial in his disposition, ready to make friends
and able to hold them. He is always interested in young people and
desirous that they shall enjoy themselves. He is a man of strong busi-
ness integrity and great fairness, honest and reliable in all his dealings.
Those who know him best, admire him for his strong Christian char-
acter, his devotion to religious convictions and to his church. He is
wise in counsel, gentle in manner, devoted to duty and lived his faith
every day.
James Polk Roush,
merchant, of Bentonville, was born in Sprigg Township, December 29,
1842, on the farm now occupied by Michael Smith. His grandparents,
Michael and Mary Frye Roush, were married in Shenandoah County,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 846
Virginia, in 1794, and removed to Adams County, in 1796, settling on the
above mentioned farm. Michael Roush was a millwright and he built
and ran a "horse mill," common in early times. It is remarkable that
when Mr. Roush came to Adams County that stone was so scarce that
he drove all the way down Suck Run without finding a wagon load for
pillars for his house and used locust blocks instead, some of which may
be seen under the old house to this day. Robert S. Roush, the father
of our subject, was born September 6, 1814, at the old place. He married
Mary Ann Hook, in 1837, the fruits of which union were Dobbins, Eliz-
abeth, James Polk, Michael, Thomas H., John H., Franklin P., Wil-
liam W. and George W. Mr. Roush, the subject of this sketch,
received a limited education in the common schools of the township, and
has given his attention mostly to farming until the last three years
since which tim^ he has been engaged in the dry goods and grocery busi-
ness in Bentonville. He was married October 15, 1863, to Caroline B.
McNulty, daughter of Asa McNulty, of Brown County.
The children born to them are Ida M., married to Thos. Sinniger,
of Bentonville; Anna, married to James Sinniger, of Aberdeen, Ohio;
Eh'za Jane, married to W. J. Plaugher, merchant, of Bentonville;
George C, married to Bertha Shipley (deceased), daughter of Milton
Shipley, and Frank, married to Identic Smith. Mr. Roush is a Dem-
ocrat of the old school, although he has never taken any active part
in politics, preferring to give his whole attention to his business, at which
he has been moderately successfully. He was elected Treasurer of
Sprigg Township in i8i99 without any solicitation on his part. Mr.
Roush is known far and wide as a man upright in all his dealings and is
rated "good" as a merchant in Bradstreet's.
Dr. W. L. Robinson,
of Blue Creek, was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1835. His
mother's maiden name was Emaline Whittelsey, of the well-known family
of that name in the days of Robert Bruce. In 1840, he came with his
parents to the Territory of Michigan, and grew to manhood on a farm
in that State. He studied at the University of Michigan, and at the be-
ginning of the Civil War entered the Union Army with the Barry Guards
of Ann Arbor. He was with McCIellan in the Peninsular Campaign, and
received his first wound at Malvern Hill. He had his horse shot under
him at Antietam while bearing dispatches from Gen. Bumside to Griffin's
Park of Artillery. He was wounded a second time at the first battle of
Fredericksburg, and again under Hooker at the same place. In the
Summer of 1863, ^^ ^^as on detached duty at Louisville, Kentucky, being
no longer fit for field service on account of wounds. Was discharged in
the Fall of 1863, and settled in Kenton County, Kentucky, and resumed
the practice of medicine. In 1875, he came to Jefferson Township, Adams
County, Ohio, where he still resides and has a large and lucrative practice
in his profession. He married Mary J. Taylor, a very intelligent and
estimable woman. They have no children.
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846 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Frank B. Ronsli,
of Brady ville, was born September ii, 1852, and is a son of William
Roush and Margaret Edgington, his wife, of Sprigg Township.
He received a good common school education and worked on his
father's farm until his marriage with Miss Ella Jackson, in 1876, a
daughter of Samuel Jackson and his wife, Catherine Kirker, of Liberty
Township. He has, since his marriage, been engaged in farming and
stock raising and is one of the wealthy farmers of Sprigg Township, own-
ing one of the finest farms in that region. ' In 1897, he was nominated as
the unanimous choice of his party, on the Democratic ticket for Com-
missioner, and was elected in November of that year, which position he is
now filling to the satisfaction of his political friends, and the tax payers
of the county in general. Mr. Roush is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Bradyville and is trustee and steward of that organ-
ization; and also of Brady Lodge No. 624, Knights of Pythias. He is
descended from the Roush family of the old "Dutch Settlement" in Sprigg
Township, one of the pioneer families of Adams County.
^ W. H. R. Rowley,
of Blue Creek, better known as "Buck'' Rowley, the "Bard of Blue Creek
Valley," is a native Buckeye, having been born at Syracuse, Meigs County,
Ohio, May i, 1858. He spent his boyhood days in Middleport, and when
in his teens removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he took up the occupation
of steamboatman on the Ohio, and later made round trips from Pitts-
burg to New Orleans. Here he developed that free and easy manner so
characteristic of "Buck" Rowley. Here he learned to take care of himself
when men became turbulent, and here he learned to love nature, and to
appreciate her grandeur, when all was silent, save the plashing of the
wheels, as the boat cut the surface of the mighty Father of Waters. In
December, 1877, he came to the beautiful Blue Creek Valley in Adams
County to visit a brother residing there, and he was so impressed with
the region that he determined to make it his future home. A year later
he married Miss O'Ella Waters, who shared his joys and sorrows till her
decease in March, 1899. She bore him four children, two boys and two
girls.
While not learned in books, nor skilled in art, the stronger natural
ability of "Buck" Rowley asserts itself in many ways. He has accumu-
lated a competence, is a power in local politics, and has earned scMne
prominence in a literary way.
He is recognized in the volume titled "National Poets of America,"
by giving space to some of his compositions, and terming him in a
biographical sketch, "The Soldier Poet."
Lincoln Johnson Roberts,
of Seaman, Scott Township, Adams County, was bom June i, 1865, in
Winchester Towniship. His great-grandfather, Stephen Roberts, was
born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1762. He moved into
Fairfax County, Virginia, when a child. There he married Deborah
Williams, who was a member of the Society of Friends. They had eight
children, six sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 847
married and reared families. John Roberts, the third child, was the grand-
father of our subject. He was bom August 29, 1772. On the thirteenth
of April, 181 3, he enlisted in Captain Loudon Osborne's Company of the
Fifth Regiment, Virginia Militia, and served for six months in the vicinity '
of Norfolk, Virginia. In the general call of 1814, he was again in the
service and saw the British fires in the conflagration of Washington. He
staid one month in the vicinity of Baltimore, and was one of the defenders,
and had he remained in that vicinity, would, no doubt, have been one of
the famous Society Defenders. He came to Adams County in 1835 and
died there.
Isaac Roberts, the father of our subject, was born in Loudon County,
Virginia, August 16, 1818. He was taught the necessity and dignity of
manual labor. As a boy, he was apprenticed to a millwright in Washington
County, Maryland, for three years and learned that trade. He afterwards
worked at it for years and made money.
On October 18, 1846, he was married to Lucinda E. Wince, of
Loudon County, Virginia, the daughter of Philip and Catherine Shaffer
Wince. Mr. Roberts came to Adams County in 1850. He had eleven
children, but he lost two sons and a daughter in childhood. He died in
1885.
Our subject attended the District schools, and attended the Normal
school at Lebanon in 1881, 1884 and 1885. He began his career as a
teacher in Adams County, and taught, when not attending school, until
1897. He was a resident of the city of Portsmouth in 1896 and 1897 and
engaged in the grocery business in the Kendall Building. The business
was not suited to his taste and he gave it up. From 1897 to 1899, he has
been a teacher. He owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres on
Buck Run in Scott Township, where he resides, and the writer having
seen it, wonders why he ever left it for the city of Portsmouth, but does
not wonder that he left city life and went back to the farm. He has as
fine a farm and well equipped as any one would care to look upon. He
owns another farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Winchester
Township.
He was married May 11, 1887, to Miss Irene Chaney, of Hillsboro,
Ohio, daughter of Adam L. Chaney. He has three children, Irving, aged
ten years ; Ralph W., aged four years, and Virginia, aged two years. His
name indicates his politics. He was named for the two Presidents, Lincoln
and Johnson. He is a member of the Methodist Church at Seaman, and is
surrounded by everything which could make life agreeable and happy, and
if he is not happy, it is not on account of outward conditions. He is a
man of the highest character and principles. He was and is a successful
teacher, a loyal citizen, and a prosperous farmer.
Alexander Ronsh,
miller, of Manchester, Ohio, was bom June 2y, 1847, in Sprigg Town-
ship, Adams county, Ohio, son of William and Margaret (Edgington)
Roush. Michael Roush, great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of
Pennsylvania, and came in 1796 with the Pence and Bowman families to
established the '*Dutch Settlement," in Sprigg Township. Parmenus, son
Michael Roush, married Catherine Smith and raised a family of nine
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848 HJSTORY OF ADAMS COUr^TY
children: William, Michael, John, Squire, Samuel, Rachel, Cassander,
Mary Ann and Elizabeth.
William, the eldest of these, is the father of our subject. He was
born April i6, 1824, and was married to Margaret Edgington, in 1849.
She was the daughter of Azariah Edgington, of Sprigg Township.
William Roush has been a very prosperous farmer, and is noted for his
liberality in contributing toward the support of the church. He and his
wife are members at Union, near Bentonville. The children of William
and Margaret Roush are : Laura Ann, wife of D. C. Beam, of Bentonville,
Ohio ; Nancy Jane, wife of Hiram E. Pence, of Manchester, Ohio ; Mary
Catherine, wife of Rev. H. Allen Gaskins, of Manchester, Ohio; Alex-
ander, the subject of this sketch; Frank, of Bradyville, Ohio, Commis-
sioner, of Adams County ; Pangbum, of Coyville, Kansas ; Aaron, of Man-
chester, Ohio ; Robert, of Bradyville, Ohio ; and Sherman, of Manchester,
Ohio.
Alexander Roush, subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and
received a common school education. He was married on November 16.
187 1, to Olivine Pence, daughter of David Pence. David Pence was
drowned while bathing in the Ohio River at the mouth of Crooked Creek.
By this marriage were bom two children: Harvey, bom September 16,
1872, cashier, of the Burnet House, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lillie, who
married Walter Wilson. Mr. Wilson has charge of the coal office of Mr.
Roush. Mrs. Roush died July 15, 1878, and on October 21, 1879, Mr.
Roush married Mrs. Caroline Ellison, widow of John Ellison, of Man-
chester, Ohio.
Our subject remained on the farm until 1872, when he removed to
Manchester, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business. In 1882, he
entered the milling firm of Oliver Ashenhurst & Son, and since 1888 has
had the entire control of the mill. Besides the mill, he carries on an ex-
tensive business in coal and salt.
Mr. Roush is one of the most enterprising citizens of Manchester,
and is always found taking an active part in any project calculated to'
build up the business interests of the community. He is a member of
Hawkeye Tribe 117, Improved Order of Red Men, at Manchester, Ohio.
Also a member of 827 I. O. O? F., Encampment, No. 203, at Manchester,
Ohio. In his political views he is a Democrat
Osoar Coleman Robuok
was bom April 28, i860, near West Union, Ohio. His father was Thomas
Robuck and his mother Margaret Haines. He was educated in the com-
mon schools. He is by occupation a carpenter and undertaker.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Republican in
politics. He was married to Miss Margaret Simeral, October 30, 1884.
He has been a member of the Town Council, and is at present a member of
the West Union School Board. He is a young man, energetic in business
and well thought of by his neighbors. He is at present engaged in the
undertaking business with John F. Plummer, and has by careful and up-
right business methods established a reputation that reaches far beyond
the limits of his native county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 849
Orim Wmrwt Bobe^ K. D^
was born at Berea, Kentucky, December 26, 1868. His father, William
Robe, was a native of Ohio, born August 10, 1847. He enlisted in Com-
pany F, 59th O. V. I., on the sixteenth of September, 1861, and was dis-
charged on August 15, 1862, by an order from the War Department. He
enlisted again, December 18, 1863, in Battery F, First R^ment, Ohio
Volunteer Light Artillery, and was mustered out July 27, 1865. Our sub-
ject's mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Burdette, born in Berea, Ken-
tucky, in 1848. He was educated in the common schools and began the
study of medicine with Dr. O. B. Kirpatrick, of Cherry Fork, Ohio, at
the age of eighteen. He attended the Miami Medical College of Cincin-
nati, in the Winters of 1889 and 1890, and at the Starling Medical Col-
lege, Columbus, Ohio, in the Winters of 1890 and 1891. He graduated
from the latter in the Spring of 1891. He began the practice of medicine
with Dr. E. M. Gaston, at Tranquility, on the first of April, 1891. On the
first of June, 1891, he located at Youngsvilie, Ohio, where he remained
until the first of April, 1897, and that Spring he took a post-graduate
course at the Miami Medical College. He located at Peebles on the first
of November, 1897, where he has remained in practice ever since. He
was Coroner of Adams County, Ohio, from 1894 to 1897, and was ap-
pointed one of the Pension Examining Surgeons of the county in Novem-
ber, 1898, which office he still holds.
He is a member of the Baptist Church. He was married May 10,
1893, to Mary Martin. They have one child, Ada E., bom May 18; 1895.
As a boy and man he p)ossessed and possesses a love of good horses.
This taste was acquired while a resident of Kentucky. He has a high sense
of honor and justice. In this he much resembles his grandfather Burdette
and his kinsman, Sir Francis Burdette, of England, who preferred rather
to go to the Tower tlan to make any compromise with wrong.
What success Dr. Robe has obtained has been based upon a course
of right and duty and not upon diplomacy. His motto has been "not ex-
pediency, but right,'' and he has lived up to it all his life.
Johm KelTey Riobards,
Solicitor General of the United States, son 6i Samuel and Sarah Ann
(Kelvey) Richards, was bom at Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio, March
I5» 1856. His father, Samuel Richards, was bom near Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania, February 6, 1814, and died at Ironton, Ohio, June 30, 1891.
He was of Welsh-Quaker descent, being a great-great-grandson of Row-
land Richards, who was bom February 9, 1660, settled in Fredyffrin
Township, Chester County, f Pennsylvania, about 1686, and died in 1720.
In 1824, Samuel Richards came overland with his parents to Mt. Pleasant,
Jefferson County, Ohio, and in the forties moved to Lawrence County,
where he lived the rest of his life. He was one of the founders of Ironton,
being for nearly thirty years the Secretary and General Manager of the
Ohio Iron and Coal Company and the Iron Railroad Company and the
two corporations which laid out and built up that town. Sarah Ann Kel-
vey was bom in West Union, Adams County, Ohio, October 9, 1827. She
married Samuel Richards at Burlington, Ohio, September 15, 1852, and
Ma
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850 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UN1T
died at Ironton, Ohio, September r, 1863. She was the granddaughter of
Thomas Kelvey, who was born October i, 1763, married (July 18, 1785)
Ann Seeker, said to be a niece of Thomas Seeker, Archbishop of Canter-
bury, and came to America about 1801. Thomas Kelvey was of Scottish
origin, the name being originally McKelvey. Thomas Kelvey was a man of
education and means. Coming down the Ohio, he stopped awhile with Blen-
nerhasset, then proceeded to Maysville. Afterwards he moved to Highland
County, Ohio, then to West Union, Adams County, where his wife died
(March 7, 1831,) and was buried, and finally to Burlington, where he died
(April 18, 1838,) at the home of his son, John. He was a watch and
clock maker. Mr. John Means, of Ashland, Kentucky, has one of Thomas
Kelvey 's clocks. Some interesting heirlooms are in existence. Among
others a miniature painted of him, probably in !:« ranee, when a young man,
in the costume of that day, with powdered hair, lace, ruffles, etc. Also a
parchment certificate of his membership in a French Lodge of Masons,
"La Lodge de L Epperance," issued May 2, 1791. In this certificate he is
described as being twenty-seven years of age and a native of Canterbury,
Kent County, England. Thomas Kelvey had four children. John
Seeker, born January 21, 1796: Johanna, born November 22, 1798;
Thomas, born August i, 1801, and Henry, born October 3, 1805. Johanna
Kelvey married John Sparks, December 21. 1820, and died September 15,
1823, at West Union. Thomas Kelvey died June 11, 1831, unmarried,
and was buried at Burlington. Henry Kelvey was married, and died May
8, 1834, leaving a son, who is still residing at Granville, Ohio. John
Seeker Kelvey married Kerenhappuch Hussey, in Highland County, Sep-
tember 7, 1825, came to West Union, where he lived for several years and
where his daughter Sarah was bom and then with many Adams County
people, moved to Lawrence County. He was a man of superior attain-
ments for those days, was for years the Recorder of the county and died
at Burlington, July 2^, 1851. His wife, who was born July 28, 1809, sur-
vived him many years, finally passing away at Columbus, January' 2, 1896.
She lies by his side in the Burlington graveyard. Grandmother Kelvey
was in many ways a remarkable woman. She was married at sixteen,
raised a large family, endured many trials, and died at eighty-six, with
mental faculties unimpaired and with scarcely a gray hair in her head.
She was a direct descendent of Christopher Hussey (1598-1685). one of
the early settlers of New England, who with Tristram Coffin and Thomas
Macey, were among the original owners of Nantucket Island. Kerren-
happuch was also a descendant of the Rev. Stephen Bachiler (1561-1600
Whittier's **The wreck of Rivemiouth" ) , who left England for Holland,
and after a short residence there, came to America in the year 1632. He
went first to Lynn, Massachusetts, where his daughter, Theodate, who
married Christopher Hussey, preceded him. From Lynn, he went to Ips-
wich, thence to Newbury, where he lived until 1638, when he settled at
Hampton, where he was installed first pastor of the Congregational
Church there. For an interesting account of this Puritan divine, the
reader is referred to the life of John G. Whittier, by Prichard. He men-
tions the "Bachiler eyes'' as being dark, deep-set and lustrous, with a ten-
dency to repeat themselves from generation to generations. Daniel Web-
ster and John G. Whittier, who were both descendants of Bachiler, had
these eyes.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 861
The leading events in Solicitor General Richards' life may be thus
summarized: Graduated at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, 1875:
graduated at Harvard College, 1877; studied law ^nd admitted to the bar,
October, 1879; Prosecuting Attorney of Lawrence County, 1880 to 1882;
City Solicitor of Ironton, 1885 to iSSg: Master Commissioner in the Cin-
cinnati and Easter Railway case, 1885; State Senator from the Eighth
Ohio District (Lawrence, Gallia. Meigs and Vinton Counties) irom 189a
to 1892; Attorney General of Ohio during McKinley's administration,.
1892 to 1896; member of the Commission to Codify the Insurance Laws
of Ohio, 1895 to 1896; of the Second General Assembly of Ohio, 1896;
Special Counsel of the State Board of Appraisers and Assessors of Ohio,
1896 to 1898: General Counsel of the State Board of Medical Registra-
tions and Examination of Ohio, 1896 to 1898; Solicitor General of the
United States from July i, 1897. to the present time. Mr. Richards was
married June 12, 1890, to Anna Williard Steece, of Ironton, Ohio. Two
children have blessed this union, John Kelvey, Jr.. bom at Ironton, April
20, 1891, and Anna Christine, born at Columbus, September 29, 1894.
"Jack" Richards is an ardent Republican and has taken an active
part in politics since leaving college. He has been a member of Ward,
City. District and State Committees engaged in the active organization
and conduct of campaigns. He has been a delegate to City, County, Dis-
trict, State and National Conventions. He has spoken for the Republi-
can party on the stump throughout Ohio and in other States. On be-
coming State Senator, he made a study of taxation in Ohio with special
reference to constitutional limitations. The accepted opinion was then
that, under the Constitution of Ohio, as it stood, nothing but property
could be taxed for general revenue. Accordingly when several unsuc-
cessful attempts, at great expense, had been made to amend the Constitu-
tion and enlarge the taxing power, he took the position that no amendment
was required, that rights, privileges, franchises and occupations could be
taxed under the Constitution as it stood. These views have since been
embodied in our tax laws, which have added largely to the revenues of
the State and have been sustained by the highest courts. Among these
are the laws levying taxes upon foreign corporations, upon telegraph,
telephone and express companies, upon railroad, street railway, electric
light, gas, water, pipe line and similar corporations, upon sleeping car
companies, upon freight line and equipment companies, in fact practically
upon all corporations, foreign and domestic, of a quasi public nature, en-
. joying peculiar franchises. In addition to drafting and sustaining these
laws, Mr. Richards drafted the present election law of Ohio, a modifica-
tion of the Australian ballot system and sustained it in the court. He
drew the present law relating to the practice of medicine in Ohio, and as
the counsel of the State ^ledical Board maintained its validity in the
courts. He sustained the constitutionality of the Compulsory Education
law of Ohio in the Supreme Court, and subsequently redrafted the law,
putting it in its present form. As Solicitor General, he is the representa-
tive of the Government before the Supreme Court of the United States
and has argued the more important cases which have been submitted to
that court during the present administration. In doing this, he has had
to meet the leaders of the bar from everv section of the countrv, but has
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862 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
been no less fortunate in the results than he was as Attorney General of
Ohio. Notable among the cases now are the Joint Traffic Association
case (171 U. S., 505) argued for the railroad by Mr. Carter, the leader
of the New York bar, Mr. Phelps, Ex-Minister to England, and Ex-
Senator Edmunds, of Vermont; the case of Nichol v. Anns (173 U. S.,
509), involving the validity of the Federal Tax on sales at exchange and
board of trade in which Ex-Secretary Carlisle and Mr. Robbins, of
Chicago, presented the opposition to the law and the Addyston pipe case
in December, 1899, in which the Sherman anti-trust law was first applied
to an industrial combination.
I Major WiUiaa LewU Shaw,
the subject of this sketch, was bom near Lexington, Ky., on the twenty-
seventh day of September, 1832. His father, Joseph Russell Shaw, was
a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and his mother, Rachel Corns,
was a native of Pike County, Ohio. They were married in Pike County,
June 20, 1830.
His boyhood and youth, to manhood, were spent mainly on a farm
in Adams County, and his advantages for an education were limited to the
opportunities offered in those days by the Public schools.
By special diligence and good use of the time usually allowed the
farmer's boy for attending school, he prepared himself to teach in the
Public schools. He received his first certificate from J. M. Wells (after
ward a prominent attorney of West Union), and taught his first school
in what was known as Gilbert's District, in the northwestern part of
the county in the Winter of 1852 and 1853. He followed the occupation
of a teacher of Public schools and in attending school until 1861. At the
breaking out of the Civil War, he was a member of the junior class of
Antioch College, then under the presidency of Horace Mann. He left
his studies in the early Spring of 1862 and raised a company in Greene
County, Ohio. The company was assigned to the iioth O. V. I., and he
was chosen the First Lieutenant of it. On August 7, 1862, he was de-
tailed as Aide-de-camp on eGn. Elliot's Staff, Third Division, Third Armv
Corps, on November 14, 1863 ; he was promoted Captain of Company E,
December 9, 1864. On April 2, 1865, he was brevetted Major for gallant
and meritoriou»conduct on the field. This was Gen. J. Warren Kdfer's
regiment, and it was in no less than twenty-four battles and engagements,
beginning with Union Mills, June 13, 1863, and ending with Appomattox,
April 9, 1865. He was discharged June 26, 1865, and returned to Yellow
Springs, Ohio, and received his college degree of A. B. From this time
until April, 1876, he was engaged in Public school work as a teacher or
superintendent till April. 1876, when he was appointed Superintendent
of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors* Orphans' Home, at Xenia, Ohio. He
remained in this position for two years, until the Summer of 1884, when
he was displaced by a change of the State administration. In the Spring
of 1885, he was employed by the Commissioners of Adams County to
superintend the finishing and opening of the Children's Home, which
he did to their entire satisfaction. He is now and has been for some
time past the lessee and manager of the Cherry Hotel at Washington
C. H., one of the most popular hotels in the State. In all matters for tlje
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 86S
public good, he is one of the foremost of his city, and is most highly
esteemed as a successful business man and an enterprising and public
spirited citizen. His political views from boyhood were always very
positive and unswerving. His father belonged to the anti-slavery wing
of the Whig party. This fact, supplemented by personal observation of
the evil effect of slavery on the social conditions of both races, the in-
justice to the colored man and injury to the material prosperity of the
South, confirmed him in his opposition to the institution. At the disrup-
tion of the Whig party, he allied himself with the RepubUcan party and
has always strenuously advocated its principles. He never sought nor
held a political office.
The theological and religious views were Unitarian, and formed
along the line of the teachings of Theodore Parker, Edward Everett
Hale, Horace Mann, Thomas Hill, and others of like views.
On the twelth day of August, 1852, he was married to Rachel Jane
Gutridge, daughter of James Gutridge, a citizen of Concord Township,
Highland County, Ohio.
The Hon. John Little, of Greene County, says of him: "There
is no better citizen than Major W. L. Shaw. He served his country
faithfully and well in the Civil War. As a business man, he ranks among
the first."
Gen. J. Warren Keifer, with whom he served, says of him: "He
was devoted to his duties as Adjutant General and Inspector General
while serving on my staff in the Civil War. He was efficient, intelligent
and tireless. There was no better officer of his rank in the Volunteer
Army."
Hon. Jaa&es Bloane
was born Februar}' 22, 1822, in Richmond, Virginia. His parents were
from near Belfast, in Ireland, and were Presbyterians. They had located
in Richmond, Va., but a short time prior to the birth of their son, James.
In 1827, they removed to Cincinnati, and in 1828, to a farm near Fayette-
ville. Brown County, Ohio.
James Sloane was raised a typical farmer's son. He worked hard
all Summer and attended District school in Winter. At seventeen, he
received a severe injury, caused by a log rolling on his side and fractur-
ing his ribs, from which he never fully recovered. In 1839 and 1840, he
taught school in Brown and Clinton Counties. In 1840, he began the
study of law with Judge Barclay Harlan, in Wilmington, Ohio, and
graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1844. In 1845, he located
in Hillsboro and began practice. In 1845, he was married to Miss Kate
White, of Ross County, who bore him two sons, one of whom is Ulric
Sloane, the eloquent advocate, now a resident of the city of Columbus,
but well known to all the people of Adams County. In 1856, James
Sloane was elected a Common Pleas Judge in the Fifth Judicial District
on the Democratic ticket, but resigned after one year's service. He felt
that he was made for the bar and not for the bench, and whik his fellow
members of the bar were of the opinion that he made an excellent Judge,
he felt that the bar suited him better. He practiced law in Highland,
Ross, Fayette, Brown, Clinton and Adams Counties. When the war
broke out he organized Company K, 12th O. V. L, three months service.
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854 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
and went out as its Captain. He was wounded April 20, 1861, and
mustered out July 6, 1861, to accept appointment as Captain in Com-
pany K, I2th O. V. L, three years* service. He was severely wounded
in the West Virgina campaign, at Scary Creek, July 17, 1861. His
health broke down and he resigned November 25, 1861. He soon
learned, after going into the army, that the injury received at the age
of seventeen prevented him from performing the duty of a soldier and
hence his enforced retirement. He practiced law in Hitlsboro until 1868,
when he opened an office in Cincinnati, where he remained until 1871,
when he returned to Hillsboro. He died September 17, 1873, of conges-
tion of the brain. He possessed high degree of natural talent. His
mind was always clear and he possessed great analytic power. He was
capable of great and continued mental effort and seemed to take pleasure
in it.
He had a remarkable memory and a fertile imagination. In his
temperament he was warm and impetuous. He was an eloquent and
powerful advocate. His success was brillant, but with it all, he was
a misanthrope and given to fits of melancholy. He could be a delight-
fid companion if he chose, but did not often so choose. His last days
were clouded by his fits of melancholy and he stood aloof from most of
his friends. He is remembered by the bar in the counties before men-
tioned as a lawyer of wonderful power and application.
Hon. En&B&ons B. StiTers.
Emmons Buchanan Stivers, a son of Lilley Stivers and his wife,
Barbara Reynolds, was born in Fincastle, Brown County, Ohio, May
6, 1857. When in his fourth year his parents removed to a farm near
Ash Ridge, Jackson Township, Brown County, where he was reared
and where he received the rudiments of an English -education in the Dis-
trict schools. In 1876, he began teaching school as a profession and
followed it with remarkable success for fifteen years, having in the mean
time taken a course in the Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio, then under
the control of President Alfred Holbrook.
In 1882-3, he had charge of the academy at North Liberty, Adams
County, and in the Autumn of the latter year was elected Superintendent
of Schools at West Union, receiving the highest salary ever paid in that
position. On December 2y, 1883, he was married to Miss Ida Mc-
Cormick, a daughter of William McCormick, near Tranquility, Adams
County. While a resident of West Union, Mr. Stivers edited and pub-
lished The Index, afterwards merged into The Democratic Index, a news-
paper of wide circulation. He also, in 1885, published his "Outlines of
United States History," and a hand-book for teachers, titled "Recreations
in School Studies," which has reached its tenth edition.
Having undertaken the study of the law in the office of Hon F. D.
Bayless, while residing in West Union, in the Autumn of 1887, Mr.
Stivers removed to Cincinnati to complete his course, and in 1888 he was
admitted to practice by the Supreme Court at Columbus, Ohio.
In 1890, his healtii failing, he removed to his farm near his boy-
hood home in Brown County, where he now resides, looldng after his
farming interests, his publications, and his legal practice.
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HON. EMMONS B. STIVERS
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 866
In 1895, Mr. Stivers was elected by the Democratic party to repre-
sent Brown County in the Ohio Legislature, and he was re-elected to that
position in 1897. In 1899, he was elected to the Ohio Senate from
the 2d-4th District, composed of the counties of Brown, Clermont, Butler
and Warren, which position he is now holding. From 1897 to 1899, he
represented the Sixth Congressional District as a member of the Demo-
cratic State Central Committee. While a member of the Legislature,
Mr. Stivers was placed on the most important committees such as the
Judiciary, Railroads and Telegraphs, Insurance, Fees and Salaries, and
Municipal Affairs.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the K. of P. His
domestic relations are most happy, and he has four bright and interesting
children. His son, Ulric Stivers, was a Page in the 73rd Session of the
Ohio Senate, at the age of nine years, being the youngest lad ever
chosen to that position. He was chosen by the unanimous vote of the
Senate regardless of politics, after the customary minority party Page
had been appointed by the President of the Senate.
Joseph Patterson Smith.
Among the sons of Adams County, Ohio, who attained to position
of prominence, perhaps the subject of this sketch was most widely known.
Joseph Patterson Smith, son of John M. and Matilda A. (Patterson)
Smith, was born in West Union, August 7, 1856, and received the prin-
cipal part of his education in the Public schools of his native place. He
had a retentive mind and was especially proficient in mathematics and
history. From his father, he inherited a splendid memory and a love
of statistics, and from his mother an energy and ambition that were
characteristic of the man in later years. Like many of his companions,
during the Summer months in his youth, he learned the only trade for
which an opportunity was offered in West Union — that of a printer. At
about the age of sixteen, he was employed for a few months in a nail
mill at Bellaire, Ohio, but his constitution was too delicate for such an
occupation, and it was abandoned. For a time, he attended the Un-
iversity at Greencastle, Ind., supporting himself by labor at the printing
case during the evening hours. Subsequently he taught for a few terms
in the District schools of Ohio and Illinois.
From early boyhood, beginning with the "Reconstruction Period,"
Mr. Smith evinced a strong love for politics, and was noted among his
townsmen for his knowkdge and understanding of the questions at issue,
and for his ardent Republicanism, long before he attained his majority.
As an occasional local correspondent, he attracted the attention of the
editor of the Cincinnati Commercial, and was employed by him as a
"special" to travel over the State, in 1876, and write up the political
outlook in each of the Congressional Districts. In this manner he be-
came acquainted with the leading Ohio Republicans (of whom Major
McKinley was one) and formed lasting friendships with many of those
who afterwards became noted in history of the State and Nation. From
that time, until the date of his death, Joseph P. Smith was a prominent
factor in Ohio politics. Almost wholly through his own exertions, Mr.
Smith was successful in becoming the Republican caucus nominee and
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«5« HISTORY OP ADAJtfS COUNTY
was elected Journal Clerk of the vSenate in the Sixty-fifth General As-
sembly. He was also for a time a Clerk in the Roster Department of the
State Adjutant General's Office.
At diflerent times during the years covering and immediately fol-
lowing these periods, he edited the Western Star at Lebanon, the Cler-
mont Courier at Batavia, and the Nnv Era at West Union. In 1888, he
became part owner and edit'>r of the Daily Citisen, of Urbana, which
gained a reputation under hts management extending beyond the con-
fines of the State. The Citizen was the first newspaper to advocate the
selection of Wiliam McKinley as the Gubernatorial candidate of the Re-
publican party, and his name was kept at the head of its editorial col-
umns from the day following Major McKinley's defeat for Congress in
the famous gerrymandered district, in 1890, until his triumphant elec-
tion for Governor of Ohio, in 1891. A number of the campaign docu-
ments used by the Republican State Committee that year (as were a
number in subsequent years and also in the National campaign of 1896)
v/ere prepared by Joseph P. Smith. Throughout the period of his con-
trol of the Citizen its editorials were widely quoted.
In 1891, the late John A. Cockerill, then editor-in-chief of the New
York World, tendered Mr. Smith a position on the editorial staff of that
paper; but the flattering offer, while appreciated as a gracious com-
pliment, was declined, as he did not want to leave the State. A tender
of the editorship of the Toledo, Ohio, Daily Commercial was accepted
in Dec, of that year. While serving on the latter paper (in 1892), Gover-
nor McKinley appointed him State Librarian. Many useful, rare and
valuable works were added to the library during his incumbency of the
office. Especially is this true as to works of reference. In May, 1896,
he resigned the librarianship to take a confidential position with Major
McKinley, remaining with him throughout the Presidential campaign
and until after the latter's inaguration as President of the United States,
March 4, 1897.
It is a fact, which none acquainted with the circumstances will dis-
pute, that no other individual in the State did more to bring about the
nomination of Major McKinley to the Presidency than Joseph P. Smith.
Such was his love and esteem for the man that his every energy was
exerted to the end that his friend might become the head of the Nation.
His private papers, covering the years 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1896, now in
possession of Mrs. Smith's executor and held as a legacy for his children,
show that he was in correspondence and close touch with leading Re-
publicans in every State and Territory in the Union during these years.
No young man had a more extensive acquaintance,and none ever made
more strenuous efforts to redeem all political promises. He was a
thorough organizer and could see further into the eflfects of a political
move than almost any other person engaged therein. And yet no one
ever heard him boast of his influence, or personally claim to have done
anything superior to that of the ordinary party worker. His mind was
a veritable encylopedia of political information and a magazine of re-
minisences of the politics and the politicians of the past and present.
On March 29, 1897, the President tendered Mr. Smith the position
of Director of the Bureau of the American Republics, and his action
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HON. JOSEPH P. SMITH
DIRKCTOK OP THK BUKVAU OP AlllRICAN REPUBLICS.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 867
was approved by the Executive Committee of the Bureau. As the official
head of this department, he was making its influence felt throughout
the fiineteen Republics included in its organization, and, had his life
been spared, he undoubtedly would have been instrumental in more
firmly uniting them to their mutual commercial benefit, and thus have
more effectually carried out the original conception of the late James G.
Blaine, as he outlined it at the Pan-American Congress in 1889- 1890.
During his brief life, and aside from his other duties, Joseph P.
Smith edited several works, including "The Speeches erf William Mc-
Kinley," which attained a wide circulation. He wrote numerous short
articles of a political and historical nature, a biography of the President
:or Appleton's Annual Cyclopedia for 1897, and a "History of the Re-
publican Party of Ohio." Several contemplated works in various states
of preparation were among his papers at the time of his death.
Never of the most robust health, but kept up for years by a wonder-
ful will power, Mr. Smith was compelled to seek for rest and restoration
of health in October, 1897. After battling bravely against a combina-
tion of diseases, and after seemingly having conquered them, death came
suddenly on the morning of February 5, 1898, at Miami, Florida, where
he had been taken by friends during the previous December.
On April 14, 1886, Joseph P. Smith and Miss Maryneal Hutches, of
Galveston, Texas, were married at the home of the bride's parents.
Several children were born to this union, namely, Frank Hutches, at
Galveston, Texas; Virginia Patterson, at Batavia, Ohio; Antoinette
Barker, Mary Stow, John Michell, William McKinley, and Joseph Pat-
terson, at Urbana. The last named was but five months old when his
father died.
Maryneal Hutches Smith was bom at Galveston, Texas, March i,
i860. She was educated at Abbott Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts,
graduating in June, 1878. After her marriage, she resided for a time in
Columbus, then in Batavia, and for the last ten years of her life in
Urbana. Under the terms of her husband's will, she was left sole execu-
trix of his estate and guardian of her children. Being a woman of brilliant
mind and attainments, and endowed with a wonderful ambition, she ac-
cepted the trust, and planned to make the futures of her children all that
was anticipated and contemplated by her deceased husband. In June,
1898, without solicitation on her part. President McKinley appointed
Mrs. Smith to the position of Postmistress of the city of Urbana, Ohio.
She was performing the duties of this office with credit and ability, as Mras
evidenced by the improvements in the office and the increase in its re-
ceipts, when the death summons came immediately and almost without
warning. She died at her home in Urbana of apoplexy on the after-
noon of September 12, 1898, or but a little more than seven months after
the death of her husband. Thus, within that short space of time, the
several children were deprived of the care of the parents who were gener-
ous and indulgent to a fault. Together the earthly forms of their parents
are resting in a beautiful plat in lovely Oakdale cemetery at Urbana.
At the time of his death the whole press of Ohio, and all the leading
newspapers of the Nation, regardless of party, for he was recognized
by the Democrats as an honorable opponent, and had warm personal
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868 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNnf
friendships among them, spoke only in praise of Joseph P. Smith. Of
the expressions used, no more candid and truthful portrayal of his life
and character can be found than is contained in this extract from the
Canton, Ohio Repository, of February 5, 1898 :
"Supremely faithful and loving* to his family, combined with his
beautiful qualities of heart and brighest of bright intellects, his greatest
virtue was his unfaltering loyalty to the cause of which were enshrined
his brightest earthly hopes and ambitions.
"Had his physical body possessed the strength to support his in-
domitable energy in the assiduous application of his remarkable intellect,
few men would have equalled him in possibilities of attainment.
**His fertile head was a vertiable store house. History, ancient and
modern, were constant and living pictures in his always lively memory.
His brain seemed incandescent with the knowledge almost of the world,
when ripe occasion made its demands on his resourceful mind. When
v/orking in the cause he loved the most, he knew no night or day. Sleep
could only come when utter physical exhaustion forced tired nature to
assert herself. * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
"He was firm in the faith of Everlasting Peace to come. In Canton,
in his tribute to a friend who had gone from earth, he wrote in par-
aphrase : {
*' Tears for the living.
Love ior the dead."
"And yet, many is the heart that grieves, and myriad are the eyes
that glisten today upon receiving the news from Florida at the taking
away of an intellect so bright and a character so lovely, just as fame and
fortune were at his feet in recognition of eminently patriotic service."
Andrew Jaokson StiTers
was the second son of Robert Stivers, and Jane Meharry. Until his eight-
eenth year, he lived on his father's farm. Here under the prayerful
guidance of his pious mother, many lessons of patience and economy
were learned ; and the foundation for his future successful business career
was laid. In 1836, he removed to Ripley, where his faithfulness and
uprightness of character soon established for him a permanent place as a
business man and a citizen. In 1847, he began his long and successful
career as a banker; at that time the first bank in Ripley was founded,
and for almost fifty years he was intimately associated with the Farmers'
National Bank and Citizens' National Bank.
Mr. Stivers was married in 1845 ^^ Miss Harriet Newall McClain.
After six years of married life, Mrs. Stivers died in August, 1851. Mr.
Stivers was united in marriage a second time, December 13, 1859, ^^ Miss
Catherine Maddox, who proved a faithful and loving wife through years
of unusual happiness and prosperity, and who still survives him. The
mantle of Mr. Stivers' unselfishness and prosperity has fallen upon his
two surviving sons, John Robert and Frank Alexander Stivers, who are
substantial business men of Ripley, Ohio, the latter being now President
of the Citizens' National Bank, with which his father was connected for
so many years. As a loving and devoted husband, a kind and generous
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 869
father, a broad and honest business man and a loyal Christian gentleman,
no words of eulogy are sufficient to express the nobility of character of
Andrew Jackson Stivers, the subject of this sketch.
Andrew Jackson Stivers came from a long line of Virginia patriots
and sturdy Irish ancestors. His grandfather, John Stivers, a native of
Virginia, was born in 1764. He served his country in the Revolutionary
War, as a member of the Virginia Militia, before he was sixteen years
of age. Robert Stivers, father of A. J. Stivers, was bom March 26, 1789,
in Westmoreland County, Pa. He served as a Volunteer in the War of
1812, as an Ensign of Lieutenant Daniel Coe's Company, First Regfi-
ment, Col. Edward's Ohio Militia, on a general call to Sandusky.
At the time of enlistment, he was a resident of Adams County, hav-
ing come with his parents from Virginia to Brownsville (then Redstone),
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio, and settled near Man-
chester. It was here that Robert Stivers met Jane Meharry, and in 1815
they were married in Liberty Township.
Jane Meharry was a native of Ireland, bom February 3, 1790, and
came to this country in May, 1794, with her father, Alexander Meharry,
and her stepmother, Jane Meharry. The family settled at Connellsvillc,
Pennsylvania, in July, 1794, and in April, 1799, removed to Kentucky
and shortly afterwards to Adams County, Ohio.
To Robert and Jane Stivers were born four sons and four daughters.
Robert Stivers died July 12, 1855, and Jane Stivers died April 10, 1870.
Both are buried in Briar Ridge cemetery, this county.
Isaao Siiialley
was born August 4, 1825, the youngest son of Willian and Esther Smalley,
near Jaybird, in Adams County, on the same farm on which he died, De-
cember 21, 1899. He was a farmer all his life and had no ambition for
public office. He was a prominent Free Mason. He was married Jan-
uary 24, 1848, to Miss Hannah Parks, who survived him. She was a
daughter of John and Eliza Parks, both of Hillsboro, Highland County-
He and his wife lived on the same farm for fifty-two years.
They had four children, three daughters and a son, Ora, who resides
with his mother. As a farmer, Mr. Smalley was very successful and ac-
cumulated a competence. He was very fond of rearing live stock and
especially horses, He was an excellent judge of horseflesh. He never
held any office except that of Trustee of his Township. He was conserva-
tive in all his views and actions.
He was strong in his feelings of either love or hate, but was highly
respected in the entire circle of his acquaintances. He could have had
a summer resort and village on his home farm on account of its remark-
able medicinal and pure water springs, located on it, but preferred to dis-
pense with those improvements and to be undisturbed on his farm sur-
rounded by some of the finest scenery in Adams County.
Alexander B. Steen.
Alexander Boyd Steen, the fourth son and seventh child of Alexander
and Agnes Nancy Steen, a twin brother of John W. Steen, was bom near
Flemingsburg, Ky., May 5, 1813. He was brought by his parents to Ohio in
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wo mSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
1820, and resided in the same locality, three miles northeast of Win-
chester, Adams County, Ohio, almost seventy-five years. He was a child
of the Covenant, descended from a long line of staunch Scotch-Irish
Presbyterian ancestors, who had endured persecution and suffered impris-
onment for their religious faith. He was a most saintly man, greatly be-
loved by all who knew him, and his gentle manner, sweet devotion and
absorbing zeal reminded one of the Apostle Saint John. He occupied
comparatively a humble sphere in life, but no man in all that region ex-
tended a wider religious influence than he. In private ccwiversation, his
spiritual insight and heavenly-mindedness was elevating to the soul. His
faith in God's Word was unbounded, and the Divine prcxnises were to
him, living realities. He was no mere dreamer, thinking of future glory,
but insisted upon the faithful performance of the practical duties of every
day. He was not a learned man, but was more familiar with the English
Bible than many professors of theology. He would quote from memory
the verse and chapter of the Bible to substantiate his position upon any
subject of conversation. By a fail, some years before his death, he was
severely injured in the hips, which largely confined him to the house. He
spoke of this afterwards as a special blessing, inasmuch as it gave him a
better opportunity to study the Scriptures. He brought up his family
of eight children in the fear of the Lord and all became members of the
Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church with which he was connected for more
than fifty years. He died at his home near Winchester, Ohio, March 8,
1895, aged eighty-one years, ten months and three days. His body rests
in the cemetery at Mt. Leigh. Alexander B. Steen was married by the
Rev. Robert Stewart, March 29, 1838, to Miss Nancy Jane McClure, a
daughter of Michael and Elizabeth McClure. She was bom in Hillsboro,
Highland County, Ohio, September 11, 1821, and died March 18, 1893,
aged seventy-one years, five months and seven days.
Samuel CnmmiBK* SteTensoii«
of Grimes Postoffice, was born March 11, 1838, in the old double log
cabin at the mouth of Bayou Manyoupper, below the mouth of Ohio
Brush Creek, the last bayou on the trip from New Orleans to Pittsburgh.
His father was Richard Stevenson, a son of John Stevenson, a native of
Donegal, Ireland, who made his escape to America at the time of the
Emmett Rebellion, and built the double log cabin on the site of the old
stone house at Pleasant Bottoms, at mouth of Ohio Brush Creek. Richard
Stevenson was bom October 11, 1798, in the old cabin above mentioned
on the old Stevenson farm. He married Sarah Cummings, a daughter of
Captain Samuel Cummings, of Lewis County, Kentucky, opposite the
Stevenson home on the Ohio. He was a boat carpenter, and for years
built flatboats at the mouth of Brush Creek and cordelled them to Ken-
hawah Licks, where they were loaded with salt for New Orleans. He
lived at the mouth of the bayou till 1838, when he built the present brick
residence, now the home of the subject of this sketch. He died July 7,
1855.
Samuel C. Stevenson, the subject of this sketch, followed steamboat-
ing on the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and was a captain of vessels
for many years. He first married Miss Maggie Lovell, of Lewis County,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 861
Kentucky, January 31, 1866. She died September 2,^ 1871, and after-
wards, October 15, 1873, he married Miss Joanna B. Shumaker, daughter
of the late Captain J. H. Shumaker, of Mason City, W. Va., who was
killed by an explosion on the steamer Brilliant, at Gallipolis Island, August
22, 1878. Captain Stevenson has "hove anchor*' from Pittsburgh to the
Gulf of Mexico, experiencing thrilling adventures that would fill a volume.
He is now retired from tlie river, and enjoys life at his home on the beau-
tiful Ohio at Pleasant Bottoms. He is the owner of Wilson's or Brush
Creek Island, where persons from the surrounding towns and villages
spend the heated season outing and fishing under the direction of the
genial Captain.
A few years ago. a party of young men from Winchester camped at
Brush Creek Island to spend some time fishing in Brush Creek and the
Ohio River. Nicholas Lockwood, a member of the party, was drowned
in the Ohio while bathing, and his companions made futile efforts to re-
cover the body. Captain Stevenson was called on to assist in the search
and he discovered the body of young Lockwood rolling on the bottom of
the river in several feet of water — ^the river being low and the water clear.
He dived and secured a hold on the body and by almost superhuman ef-
forts conveyed it to the shore unassisted.
The Captain is one of the best known citizens of the county and niun-
bers his friends by the score. In politics, he is a Democrat of the Jeffer-
son type.
Franoifl M, Spear,
of Manchester, was bom August 2t. 1843, on Eagle Creek, in Union
Township, Brown County, Ohio. When one year of age, his parents,
Spencer Spear and Harriet Cobum, moved to Huntingdon Township in
that county, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. He was f#r
years engaged in the white burley leaf tobacco trade and was one of the
most prominent dealers in the Ohio white burley district. In 1893, he
removed to Manchester, where he purchases and handles white burley
leaf. Since residing there he has been elected Trustee of Manchester
Township and Mayor of the town of Manchester. While serving as
Mayor, he instituted and maintained a rigid warfare against the evil doers
of that town with the result of a decided change in favor of morality and
good order. Some of his decisions and rulings caused much comment at
the time but he was sustained in the higher courts.
In politics, Mr. Spear is a Republican, having cast his first vote*for
Lincoln, in 1864. He served in the 26th O. V. C, and took part in the
pursuit and capture of the famous raider, General John Morgan, in his
invasion of the North in 1863, an account of which is in this volume.
While not a member of any church, Mr. Spear leans toward the Disciples
organization, and is a firm supporter of the principles of morality and
temperance.
Robert Aatasa Stepkeason
IS a prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Manchester. He
was bom near Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, August 11, 1838, and comes
of a family of Irish origin, which was established in America about 1750,
its representatives settling in Sussex County, Delaware. Captain John
Stephenson, the great-grandfather of our subject, commanded a sailinff
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«62 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
vessel which made trips between the Emerald Isle and Atlantic ports in
the United States. His family lived in this country, and his son William,
when a youth of seventeen years, ran away from home to avoid going on
a sea voyage with his father.
William Stephenson afterwards settled in Pennsylvania, near the
town of York, where he married. At the breaking out of the Revolution,
he joined the Colonial army and served until American independence was
achieved, after which he removed with his family to Fort Duquesne. now
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he resided for several years. About
1793, he joined a party of emigrants destined for Limestone, now Mays-
ville, Kentucky. Among the number was a Mr. Kilpatrick with his two
motherless little girls. During the trip Kilpatrick was killed by an attack-
ing party of Indians, and William Stephenson took charge of and cared
for the orphans. One of them afterwards became the wife of his son,
Colonel Mills Stephenson. The party proceeded to the town of Washing-
ton, founded by the noted Indian scout of that day, Simon Kenton. Wil-
liam Stephenson remained in Kentucky until 1798, when he crossed the
Ohio and located his land warrant for services in the Revolution, on Eagle
Creek, in Adams, now Brown County, where he erected a cabin and
passed the remainder of his eventful career.
On reaching manhood, Colonel Mills Stephenson married Miss Kil-
patrick, as above stated, and settled on a farm near his father. He was
a leading spirit in Southern Ohio in affairs of business and politics, and
in the second war with England served with the rank of Colonel, and
built old Fort Stephenson, named in his honor, the post so heroically de-
fended afterwards by young Croghan, where now stands the town of Fre-
mont, Ohio. Colonel Stephenson was one of the early Sheriffs of Adams
County before the formation of Brown County. He afterwards became
interested in the milling business near Ripley, and built and ran flatboats
from that point to New Orleans. On one of these trips he contracted a
fever and died at X'icksburg, Mississippi, in 1823. Colonel Stephenson
and his first wife had born to them the following children ; Ephriam, who
died in childhood ; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Wallace, of Ottawa, Il-
linois ; Charlotte, who died at the age of twenty years ; Young, who became
a steamboat captain on the Ohio, and who, during the Mexican War,
was in the employ of the Government, transporting supplies from New
Orleans to Matamoras, Mexico, where he died in 1847 ; and Lemuel, a
steamboat engineer, who followed the river for years. In 1857, he quit
the river and opened a hotel in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, where he died in
1862.
Robert Prettyman Stephenson, the father of our subject, v^^s born in
Ripley, Ohio, June 22, 1801, and died February 23, 1884. His wife {nee
Mary Wallace) passed away August 13, 1883. They were married Sep-
tember 23, 1819, and had seven children.
Robert A. Stephenson, whose name heads this record, spent his child-
hood days at the old homestead, and in September, i86r, entered the
United States Army as a medical cadet. He was then stationed at George-
town. D. C, where he remained until September, 1862, when he entered
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating from that institution
in 1S63. He soon after was made Assistant Surgeon, and was assigned
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKBTCBES 86S
to duty with the Sixty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, then at Mur-
freesboro, Tennessee. He thus served until May, 1865, when he was com-
missioned Surgeon and almost immediately afterwards appointed Brig-
adier Surgeon by General George P. Buell. At the close of the war, he
was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 25, 1865. While in front
of Atlanta, on the twelfth of Augiist, 1864, he was severely wounded in
the head by a piece of shell, and yet suflFers from the injury. He was
present at all the engagements in which the Sixty-ninth Regiment partici-
pated after x\pril 20, 1863, ^"^^ ^^^ much good service in healing the
wounds and allaying the pains of those that rebel lead had injured. At
the close of the war. Dr. Stephenson returned to the private practice of his
profession, locating in Bentonville, Adams County, where he remained
until 1873. In that year he removed to Manchester, where he has resided
ever since, engaged in the successful labors of his chosen profession.
In politics the Doctor has always been a Jeflfersonian Democrat, and
when Cleveland became President, was appointed by him United States
Examining Surgeon on the Hoard of Pension Examiners for Adams
County, serving until 1889. He was again appointed to the position in
1893, during President Cleveland's second administration. On November
7, 1899, he was elected Auditor of Adams County on the Democratic
ticket, and now holds that responsible position.
The Doctor was married October 27, 1867, to Miss Arcada Hopkins,
daughter of William E. and Eliza (Brittingham) Hopkins. They had
bom to them William Prettyman, July 31, 1868; Mary, August 26, 1872;
Robert Ellison, July 17, 1879, ^^ho was accidentally killed while duck
hunting on Brush Creek Island, December 29, 1897 > ^"^^ Ralph, born May
16, 1884.
The Doctor is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias
Lodges, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of George Collings
Post, No. 432, G. A. R. He is a close student of his profession, an un-
tiring worker, and his abilities, both natural and acquired, have placed
him in the front rank among his professional nrethren in Adams County.
In stature, he is above the medium, strongly knit frame, inclined to cor-
pulency, of vital-sanguine temperament, a rather strong face, and withal
good personal appearance. He is sociable and courteous in his daily inter-
course with his fellow men, and active and earnest in all matters pertaining
to the advancement of the community in which he resides.
WiUiam Jeptha Shelton
was born in Brown County, Ohio, August 29, 1842. He is the son of
William Shelton. At the age of three years, his father moved into Adams
County. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the District
school.
On the sixteenth of October, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, 70th
O. V. I. He was apix)inted Corporal, October 31, 1862, and Sergeant.
April 30, 1864, He re-enlisted as a veteran, and was mustered out of the
service August 14, 1865. He was wounded in the left shoulder at the
battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. He was first duty Sergeant after his ap-
pointment, and in the last year of the war often had command of the com-
pany. He was with Major William B. Brown when he was killed, August
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8«4 HISTOUy OF ADAMS CX^UNTY
3, 1864, before Atlanta, Georgia. For a list of the battles in which he
participated see the article on the 70th O. V. I., in this work.
He has always been a Republican. He cast his first vote, while in
the service, for John Brough for Governor of Ohio. He connected with
the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1865. He was elected Recording
Secretary of his Quarterly Conference, and has held that office ever since.
He was elected Treasurer of Sprigg Township on the Republican ticket
in 1895, and served two years.
On October 28, 1865, ^^ was married to Miss Lucinda Lawrence,
daughter of Jacob G. Lawrence. He has four children. His eldest
daughter, Mary, is at home. His second daughter, Edith, is the wife of
Henry Scott. His third daughter, Bertha, is the wife of Charles Little.
His son, William L., married a Miss Games, and is a farmer. Both his
sons-in-law are farmers. Mr. Shelton is one of the best farmers in the
county, stands well in the estimation of all who know him, and is a citizen
of the highest standing.
Lairrenee M. Sparser
was bom at Marshal. Highland County, Ohio, July 19, 1854, the son of
Alfred and Catherine (Elliot) Spargur. His grandfather, Henry W.
Spargur, was from North Carolina. He came to Ohio in 1833, locating
near Spargur's Mills in Highland County. He married Susan Roberts.
Alfred Spargur, their third son, is the father of our subject. He had a
family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom Law-
rence W., above, is the eldest. He was reared on a farm and received a
common school education. He labored on the farm and taught school
until he was twenty-four years of age. Then he married Miss Ella E.
Pulse. There were three children of this manage, Jane C, Inez and Fred.
Inez is deceased. The wife died October 16. 1889. From 1878 to 1889,
he was engaged in farming. At the latter date, he sold his farm and lo-
cated at Seaman, Ohio, when there were but nine dwellings in the place.
At Seaman, he entered into partnership in the mercantile business with
John I. Rhoads, and this continued until 1893, when he purchased Mr.
Rhoad's interest and since has been conducting the business alone.
On May 19, 1892, he was married to Miss Nettie Foster, daughter
of Robert and Susan Grigg Foster, of Irvington, Since July i, 1897, he
has been conducting the "Spargur House," hotel and livery stable in
connection therewith. In February, 1898, he engaged in the saw-mill and
lumber business in partnership with William Crissman under the name
of Spargur & Crissman. He was elected a Justice of the Peace in Scott
Township in 1898. In politics, he is a Republican. He is connected with
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Seaman and is a steward and trustee.
He is Superintendent of the Sunday School of the church.
He is a man full of industry, energy and pluck. In everything for
the good of the community, he is at the front. His traits of character are
all the very best. He is a valuable man in the church, in' business, and
as a citizen, and moreover, every man who knows him, regards him just
as we have stated.
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CHARLKS S. SPARKS
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 865
Charles 8. Sparks
was born in West Union, Ohio, June lo, 1868. His father was Salathiel
Sparks, born November 20, 1829, and his mother was Clara Post, born
June 6, 1849. His grandfather. George Sparks, was born in Virginia,
May 16, 1794, and died at West Union, December 30, 1839. H^s great-
grandfather, Salathiel Sparks, was bom in 1756, and died at West Unioi%
July 20, 1823. The latter located at West Union in 1804 and purchasqd
from Robert Wood one hundred acres of land, now known as "Byrd's
Addition to West Union." Salathiel Sparks had a son John, the well
known banker of West Union in its early days. This John, who has a
sketch elsewhere, married Sarah Sinton, sister of David Sinton, of Cin-
cinnati.
Our subject was educated in the Public schools in West Union and
graduated there in 1888. In the Summer of that year and of 1889, he
attended Normal school at West Union. In the Summer of 1889, he be-
gan the study of law in the office of Captain David Thomas, and in the
Winters of 1888 and 1889, attended the law school of Cincinnati and
graduated on May 28, 1890. The next day he was admitted to practice
law by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He located in Cincinnati for the
practice of law, June 20, 1890. He has served as Acting Prosecutor in
the Police Court and as Acting Judge of the same court.
In politics, Mr. Sparks is a strong and active Republican. He has
been a speaker in the State and National campaigns and has been a dele-
gate to the State Convention of his party for five years in succession. He
is a member of the Blaine Club of Cincinnati and of the Stamina League
oi the same city, and was at one time President of the Board of Directors
in the latter.
On November 2r, 1896, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Barclay,
of Brooklyn, New York. She was born December 17, 1879, in the city of
Oldham, England. They have one child, a daughter, Dorothy Grace,
bom April 15, 1898. His wife's great-uncles were members of the House
of Lords of the British Parliament.
He is a man of high mental capacity, self-educated. 'He is studious,
generous, and pronounced in his likes and dislikes. As a citizen, he is
broadminded and liberal, ever regardful of the rights of others and prompt
in the performance of all duties. As a lawyer, he is quick, persevering,
bold, aggressive, and makes the interest of his clients his own. He is
well read in the law, eloquent, and sometimes sarcastic. Without friends,
influence or social advantages, he attempted to practice law in Cincinnati,
and by his own personality has built up a good practice.
OliTer Thoroman SprouU, M. D.,
of Bentonville, Ohio, was born January 5, 1863, near Dunkinsville. Ohio,
on the farm now occupied by his parents, Robert C. and Sarah (Thoro-
man) Sprouli.
William SprouU, great-grandfather of our subject, was a Scotchman
by birth, but emigrated to County Tyrone, Ireland, from whence he em-
barked for America, August i. 1793. on the Brig "Cunningham," sailing
for North Carolina. The brig was twice overhauled on the voyage by
55ft
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W6 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
pirates sailing under the colors of French Men-of-War. The passengers
lost all of their belongings except a few pieces of gold that Mrs. SprouU
had concealed in her hat. One of these "pirate" vessels proved to be an
American privateersman from Baltimore, where the Sproulls and their
confiscated goods were brought to instead of North Carolina, the destina-
tion of the "Cunningham." Mr. Sproull, being a Free Mason and finding
friends in Baltimore, was enabled to recover that part of his property, con-
sisting of Irish linen. They landed in Baltimore, October 3, 1793, and
settled at Elliot's Mills, near Baltimore, where they remained a few
years, and then moved to Wythe County, Virginia. Their family were
Hazlet, who married Elizabeth Fergus, and after his death, she married
Joseph Montgomery, Jr., brother of Robert's wife; Robert, grandfather
of our subject; Rosa, married William Russell; Margaret, married a
Hines ; Mary, married William Crissman.
Robert Sproull, grandfather of our subject, was born in County Ty-
rone, Ireland, March 17, 1777, and came to America with his parents. He
married Anna Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Montgomery, Sr., and
Rachel (Ramsey) Montgomery, of Wythe County, Virginia. Rhoda
Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Montgomery, Sr., married William
Glasgow, and removed to George's Creek, Adams County, Ohio. Some
time prior to 1822, the Sproull family came and settled in the same neigh-
borhood in order to be near their relatives. Robert Sproull resided there
until 1826, when he removed to Brush Creek on the farm where Robert
C. Sproull, his son, and father of our subject, still resides.
Robert C. Sproull was born on George's Creek, in 1824. He mar-
ried Sarah Thoroman and lK>th are still living on the old Sproull farm near
Dunkinsville, Ohio.
Dr. Sproull, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farnn, re-
ceiving a common school education until the age of eighteen. He at-
tended the Normal school of West Union, Ohio, and the National Normal
University at Lebanon, Ohio. He began teaching in 1881 and continued
for theree years. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Dan Ellison,
of Dunkinsville, and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at
Baltimore, Maryland, graduating March 15, 1886. After practicing with
Dr. Ellison, at Dunkinsville, until September of the same year, he located
at Bentonville, Ohio, where he is still engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession.
He was married August 22, 1888, to Agnes B., daughter of William
and Melissa (Thoroman) Traber, of the Traber Tavern on Lick Fork.
They have two children living, Clarence Traber, aged seven years, and
Hazel, a babe.
The Doctor is a Democrat in politics and wields considerable influence
in local political affairs. He was elected Clerk of Sprigg Township in
1896, and again elected in 1898. As a physician, he is rapidly rising in
his profession, being an earnest student and tireless worker, while his
integrity and moral principles make him a valued citizen.
ThonuM J. Skelton
was born July 25, 1840, on Eagle Creek, in Brown County, where
Spencer Spears now resides. He is a son of William and Betsy
(Cochran) Shelton. His mother was a daughter of Gen. John Cochran^
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HON. JOSEPH A. SHRIVER
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 86r
whose sketch appears elsewhere. Thomas Shelton, his grandfather, was
a native of Maryland, and when a young man, eloped with a neighbor
girl, Sarah Kline, whom he married and brought to Charleston Bottom^
Kentucky, where there was already a settlement of Maryland people.
The entire journey was made on horseback. After remaining in Ken-
tucky a few years, they removed just across the river into Ohio, in Adams
County. William, their only son and father of our subject, was but five
years of age at this time, and as he grew to manhood, he began to de-
velop at once the successful business man he became. He engaged in
fiatboating on the Ohio River, and in this way getting a start in business
and saved enough money to provide his parents a home, buying the Ben
Sowers farm above Ripley, and afterward the Spears farm on Eagle
Creek, and in 1845, he purchased the farm in Sprigg Township, where
our subject now resides. He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-three.
The children of William and Betsy (Cochran) Shelton are Tamer, wife
of Samuel Brookovcr, of Eureka, Kansas ; Thomas J., our subject ; Wil-
liam J., of Bradyville, Ohio ; Sarah E., wife of George Dragoo, of
Philipsay, Mo. ; Margaret, wife of Samuel Evans, of Hiett, Ohio; Joseph
W., of Catlin, 111.; Lillie, wife of Charles Griffith, of Paola, Kansas, and
Hettie, wife of Samuel Olaso. of Manchester, Ohio.
Thomas J. Shelton, our subject, was reared on the farm and obtained
a common school education. He married Mary S. Dragoo, daughter
of Samuel Dragoo. Their children are Samuel, married to Fannie Gil-
bert; William; Cora, wife of Robert Roush; Grace, wife of Asbury
Mains : Ernst, married Mary Lang ; Thomas J., married Icy Gray ; Han-
son P., married Mary Powers ; Amenda, married Charles Lang ; Richard,
Chase, Robert and Fay. The last four are at home. Our subject, like
his father, has been a successful business man. He is engaged exten-
sively in farming and gives considerable attention to political and public
affairs. He is a Republican and has served* as Commissioner of Adams
County for two terms, from 1885 to 1888, and from 1891 to 1894. He was
a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1892. He is a mem-
ber of the Knights of Pythias of Manchester, and also a member of the
Masonic order at the same place.
Joseph Arnold ShriTor
belongs to an old German family which can be traced to 1688 at AI-
tenbom, Germany. The family came to America prior to the Revolu-
tion ; and David Shriver, an ancestor, before the opening of that war and
for a period of thirty years, was a member of the Legislature. As such
he rendered distinguished services in behalf of the patriots. Admiral
Schley is identified with the 'amily in the female line. Joseph Mitchell
Shriver, father of our subject, was born June 18, 1816. His mother,
Catherine Cuppel, daughter of Daniel Cuppel. was bom April 30, 181 5,
at Decatur, Ohio. His grandfather, Petter Shriver, was bom March 6,
J 766, in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Lading Shriver, was born Oc-
tober 14, 1709, at Altenboni, Germany. There have been many dis-
tinguished members of the family in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Our subject was born July 27, 1853, at Manchester, Ohio. He was
educated in the common schools of Adams County until he was seventeen
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868 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
years of age, when he began to learn the tinner's trade with his father.
He followed that until 1898, when he sold out to Charles Prather. Since
then he has been a dealer in real estate. On May 9, 1876, he married
Miss Mary I. Vandeventer, of Versailles, Ills. He has one child, a
daughter Minnie, wife of Granville Boyer, telegraph operator at Man-
chester. They have one child, Burnace Boyer, a son, aged fifteen
months.
If there is any one thing Mr. Shriver is noted for, it is for his de-
votion to the principles and success of the Republican party. For more
than twenty years he has been one of the leaders of the county. He has
been a Committeeman of his township for many years, and has often been
County Committeeman. He has many times been delegate to the County
and District conventions of his party, and in these has been conspicuous
for his work. He conducted the campaign in his county when President
McKinley was first elected Governor of Ohio, and his party was success-
ful in the county. In 1896, he was Sergeant-at-arms of the National
Republican Convention at St. Louis. On April 18, 1900, Mr. Shriver
was nominated by the Republican Congressional Convention of the
Tenth Congressional District for presidential elector.
In business, Mr. Shriver was noted for his industry, honesty of
purpose, and strict integrity. He is regarded as progressive and ener-
getic. He has been President of the Manchester Stove Works and
Treasurer of the Manchester Fair Association. He is well esteemed by
his neighbors, and is regarded as reliable in all the undertakes. He has
done as much for his party as any member of it in the county.
ReT. M. D. A. Steen, D. D.
Moses Duncan Alexander Steen, the fifth son of Aaron F. Steen,
a sketch of whom appears elsewhere, was born at the homestead of his
maternal grandfather, Michael Freeman, ten miles east of West Union,
April 24, 1841, where he spent his childhood. In 1848, his parents
moved to Mt. Leigh. He united with the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian
Church, June 8, 1858, and that Fall became a student at the North Lib-
erty Academy, with the ministry in view. He spent three years at the
South Salem Academy under the late Rev. J. A. I. Lowes, D. D., and one
year in Hanover College, Indiana. He graduated at Miami University
in 1866. In the "Autumn of the same year, he took up the study of
theolog\' at the U. P. Seminary at Xenia, and remained one term. He
continued the study of theology at the Seminary of the Northwest at Chi-
cago, until April 8, 1868, when he was licensed to preach by the Pres-
bytery of Chillicothe, and in the Summer preached at Mt. Sterling and
Sharpsburg, Ky. In the Fall of 1868, he spent one term at the theolog-
ical seminary at Princeton, N. J., and April i, 1869, was graduated from
the Northwest Seminary at Chicago.
Directly after his graduation, in 1869, he took charge of the Pres-
byterian Church at Worthing^on. Ohio, where he was married on June
22, 1870, to Mary Foster. On September 8, 1870, he was ordained by
the Presbytery of New Albany, Indiana, having previously accepted a
call to Vevay, Indiana. In 1872, he was called to Solon, near Cleve-
land^ thence to Conneatville and Waterford, Pennsylvania; thence he
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REV. M. D. H. STKEN, D. D. L.L. D.
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TiI(X;iiAPHlCAL SKKTCHKS 869
was called to Ludlow, Kentucky, where he remained seven years ; thence
to Pleasant Ridge, Ohio. He was afterwards located at Troy and Ed-
wardsville. 111., Gunnison and Black Hawk, Col., and Snohomish, Wash-
ington. At Conneatville, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1873. Ws only child, Lulu
Grace, was born, and she died July 3, 1876. On September i, 1886, he
located at Woodbridge, Cal., where he still remains as pastor. He made
a tour of Europe in 1877 and has travelled in every State and Territory
in the United States, in Canada and Mexico. His degree of Doctor of
Divinity was given him by the San Joaquin VaUey College, California,
in 1888, and in 1889, Wooster University conferred on him the degree
of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. Since 1893, he has been
stated Clerk and Treasurer of the Presbytery of Stockton, a district as
large as Ohio. He was a Commissioner to the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in 1880, 1887 and 1894. In 1895, the General
Assembly sent him as delegate to '^ITie Council of the Reformed
Churches throughout the world, holding to the Presbyterian system,"
which met in Glasgow, Scotland. June, 1896. He attended this with his
wife and made a tour of British and Continental Europe. He is the
author of the following works: ''Scriptural Sanctification," "How to
be Saved," "The Human Soul," and numerous magazine articles.
His wife is a true helpmate in his sacred profession, cultivated,
amiable, and devout. Since 1887, she has been the Presbyterial Secre-
tary of the Woman's Occidental Board of Foreign Missions. Dr. Steen
is a man of fine culture, deep scholarship, and unusual ability. His
Christianity is profound. In many particulars, he has been like John
Elliot or Jonathan Edwards, in that he has lavished upon his congrega-
tions, in remote places, an amount of learning that would shame many
a metropolitan pulpit. He has a warmth of religious aflfection that
woitld satiiify a Baxter. He cheers the sorrowing, and the poor are
helped by his tender consolation. He has lived a noble and useful life
and holds the ailection of all his people, men, women and children. He
is true to all obligations. He believes in, and cultivates in himself and
others, those virtues which make true Christian manhood and woman-
hood. His life is a true exemplification of his teachings.
liyman P. StiTers
was born in Bentonville, Adams County, on July 25, 1839. His father
was William Stivers, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Downey.
She was born at East Liberty, Pennsylvania. Her father was a soldier
in the War of 1812, and killed at Sandusky, Ohio. She was brought
to Adams County, Ohio, when she was but two years old, in a flatboat
on the Ohio River, in a party with the Rev. John Meek, the celebrated
Methodist minister. The party landed at Manchester, Ohio, and Aaron
Pence reared her. She made her home with him until she was married.
She died in 1878 and her husband in 1884. Our subject received a
common school education.
He was married September 10, 1861, to Mary I. Fitch, daughter
of the Hon. E. M. Fitch, of Brown County, who was a member of the
Legislature from that county for four years. Mrs. Fitch was a daughter
of Col. Mills Stephenson, of Brown County, Ohio. He was killed in the
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870 HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
War of i8i2 at Fort Stephenson, which was named for him. Our subject
is the father of five children, four daughters and one son. His daughter,
Ida B. Stivers, born September 17, 1862, is the widow of Prank Gaffin.
Cora B. Stivers, his second daughter, was bom and died in 1868. Icic
W. Stivers, his third daughter, bom November 13, 1866, is the wife of
E. W. Erdbrink, formerly of Baltimore, Md., now a resident of Man-
chester, Ohio. Our subject's son, Joseph Randolph Stivers, bom July
23, 1874, who received his Christian names in honor of the late CoL
Joseph Cockerill, graduated in the Manchester schools, and is now a
traveling salesman.
His daughter, Sallie B. Stivers, was bom October 6, 1878. She
is married to Samuel A. Walker, formerly of Point Pleasant, W.
Va., but now foreman of the Ohio Valley Fumiture Company at
Manchester. Our subject was reared at Bentonville, Ohio. When
quite young he engaged in the mercantile business at that place, where
he remained till he was elected Sheriff in 1871. He served as Sheriff
one term after which he moved back to Bentonville, where he kept hotd
till 1880. He then removed to Manchester, Ohio, and engaged as agent
tor buggies and farm implements. He has been the salesman for the S.
P. Tucker Buggy Co., of Manchester, Ohio, for several years and is at
present employed by the Piano Manufacturing Company of Pullman,
Illinois.
Elisha Plakney Stout,
Vice-President and Acting President of the Cincinnati Savings Society,
located at Nos. 43 and 45 East Fifth Street, in the city of Cincinnati, was
born in Greene Township, Adams County, April 5, 1834. His mother
was a daughter of Jonathan Wait, and was torn on Blue Creek in the
same county, in i8tt. His father, William Stout, was bom on Stout's
Run, in Greene Township, in 1806. He was the foimder of the village
of Rome and sold goods there until his death in 1859. He was the first
Postmaster at Stout, the name of the postoffice of the village of Rome.
Our subject received such education as the common schools afforded and
in 1854 went West. He went to Fort Riley, Kansas, but left there when
the Border Ruffian troubles began. He went to Council Bluffs, Iowa,
in October, 1854, and took part in locating and establishing the city of
Omaha. In 1856, he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature
of Nebraska, and took his seat therein January 3, 1857.
One Winter's legislative experience was sufficient and in the Fall of
1858, like Jo, in "Bleak House," he "moved on" with six others to Pike's
Peak, on the discovery of gold there, and with them laid out and started
the city of Denver. In i86t, he returned to Ohio. From the organiza-
tion of the 91st O. V. I., he was Sutler of that regiment during its service.
In 1865, he entered into the manufacture of fine cut tobacco in Cin-
cinnati, as one of the firm of Barber & Stout, and caried on an extensive
business until 1882, when he retired from active business. In 1887, he
became interested in the manufacture of linseed oil, but gave but little
personal attention to the business. He still owns the plant located at Win-
ton Junction. He was also interested in the manufacture of wooden-
ware in Paulding County, Ohio, with offices in Cincinnati. The busi-
ness was conducted under the name of J. P. Gay & Co. Mr. Stout estab-
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BICXJRAPmCAL SKETCHES 871
lished a reputation in Cincinnati, and wherever his business relations ex-
tended, for integrity and ability. For this reason he was invited to be-
come a Trustee of the Cincinnati Savings Society in 1892. For two years,
though nominally its Vice-President, on account of the sickness and ab-
sence of the President, he has been its head and chief executive officer.
No one could have been found to have managed it with greater ability and
success. Mr. Stout has a high sense of honor and is strictly correct in all
his dealings. He has great administrative and executive ability and has
been successful in all his undertakings. He would succeed in any financial
enterprise, because he would not undertake anywhere he could not com-
mand the conditions of success. He is a man of forceful character, and
would lead in any vocation he might adopt. He has sound judgment, is
discreet and prudent, and is unswerving in any course his judgment im-
proves. He investigates any subject he considers, thoroughly, and when
his mind is once made up to a course, he is fearless in its execution. He
has no guide in politics or business, but his high sense of duty. When he
has once determined on a course in any matter, no one can turn him from
it, and this is true of him in every relaticm of life, in banking, in com-
mercial business, or in politics. He was one of the Trustees who built
the waterworks of Wyoming, and is a Director of the Electric Lighting
Company, which lights Wyoming and several of the surrounding villages.
Whenever anything was required to be done for the public, and he was
called upon to do it, his services have been eminently successful and satis-
factory to his constituents. He is respected and honored by all who know
him.
In November 22, 1859, he was married to Miss Margaret Kirk,
daughter of A. D. Kirk, of North Liberty, Adams County. He has four
daughters, Mrs. William S. Steams, whose husband is one of the firm of
Steams, Foster & Co., cotton manufactures of Cincinnati, Ohio, and
Paducah, Kentucky, another daughter, Mrs. E. E. Moore, whose husband
is a cotton broker in New York City, but who resides in Hackensack, New
Jersey. He has two daughters at home, Misses Edna and Florence. He
lost his only son at the age of fourteen, some six years since. He re-
sides in the most attractive home in Wyoming, a suburb of Cincinnati,
having thirty acres of ground attached to it in which trees and flowers do
their best to make it like the original Eden.
In politics, Mr. Stout has always been a Republican, but has never
hesitated to be independent when he thought a duty to the public re-
quired it. Enjoying that high position in business life which his talents
have commanded, with an interesting family, and surrounded by the most
delightful social relations, it is the hearty wish of his friends that his
health and life may be spared many years to enjoy these conditions.
Judge !• N. Tolle»
of West Union, was bom on Elk Run, in what is now Winchester
Township, April 2, 1839. His parents, Denton and Nancy Waldron
Tolle, were well known residents of Adams County for many years.
Stephen Tolle, the grandparent, was a Virginian by birth and was a
pioneer of Adams County. He was a miller by trade and built one of
ihe first mills on Elk Run. The Tolle family is of Welsh descent, and
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872 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
displays down to the present generaticm the strong characteristics of that'
race.
Judge Tolle was reared in Adams County, and lived from boyhood
until about his fortieth year at Benton ville. Here he attended the Pub-
lic schools and later became a pupil in the select school of Prof. Miller,
an Eastern educator, who made Bentonville an educational center for
several years. Prof. Bums, the author of Burns* English Grammar, was
a teacher in this school. Samuel McKinley, a relative of the ancestors
of President McKinley, was one of the eminent tutors of our subject So
that upon attaining his majority, Judge Tolle was equipped with a good
common school education supplemented with a knowledge of the
sciences, that enabled him to take a position among the foremost edu-
cators of his portion of the State. He was engaged in his chosen pro-
fession from 1862 till his election as Probate Judge, in 1881, and during
a good deal of that time he was a member of the Board of School Ex-
aminers of the county. On the twelfth day of June, 1862, he was
united in marriage to Miss Esther A. Edgington, daughter of William
L. and Mary A. Payne Edgington. Her grandparents were Virgin-
tans and came to Adams County in pioneer days. The grandfather,
William Edgington, was a cousin of Asahel and John Edgington,
whose biographies appear in this volume, and who were celebrated
pioneers of Adams County.
While engaged in the profession of teaching, Judge Tolle read law
under the guidance of Hon. Thomas J. Mullen, an eminent lawyer of
Adams County for many years. But after some experience in the
courts, he took an aversion to the practice of law as observed by him,
and laid aside his Chitty forever.
The Judge has been a prominent factor in Adams County politics
for over forty years, never having missed voting at but one election,
April, 1863, when very sick, in all that time. He was elected
Clerk of Sprigg Township in 1861 and re-elected in 1862.
Refused the nomination in 1863, but in 1864 the Democratic
party, of which he has always been an active member, took
him up and elected him Clerk of the Township the two suc-
ceeding years. In 187 1, he was appointed School Examiner by Judge
Coryell, and he served continuously in that capacity until 1881, when
he was elected on the Democratic ticket Probate Judge of Adams
County. He was re-elected three times in succession to this oflBce, so
that he served in the office a term of twelve years. He was nominated
for a fifth term and defeated by a plurality of twenty-nine votes. His
defeat was caused mainly from the fact that being Chairman of the
Democratic County Executive Committee the first year of President
Cleveland's second term, the disappointed applicants for postmasterships
put the blame on the Judge,while in reality Senator Brice controlled this
patronage. The Judge has been a member of the West Union School
Board, City Council, Trustee of Wilson Children's Home, County Board
of Elections, and of the Democratic State Central Committee. He has
always been feared from his safe counsel to his party, more than any
Democrat of the county, by Republican politicians. He has but one
child, Hallam V., who was his Deputy while Probate Judge, and who
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHKS 873
made most of the records of the office except the journal, which records
are not excelled in any Probate office of the State. Hallam- married
Mary Robuck, a daugfhter of Thomas Robuck, of West Union, and is
now the business associate of his father.
Judge Tolle is a member of West Union Lodge, No. 43, F. & A.
M., and of Manchester Chapter, No. 129, R. A. M. Also, of West
Union Lodge, No. 570, L O. O. F., and of West Union Encampment,
No. 219. He and his wife were members of the Disciples Church at
Bentonville until it ceased to exist in 1880. Mrs. Tolle is now a con-
sistent member of the Baptist Church, of West Union.
Isaac Frederick Tbarp
was born on the David Stevenson farm in Monroe Township, Adams
County, Ohio, on the twenty-fifth day of September, 1875, *he son of
Isaac Tharp. He showed a taste for learning and books at the age of
five years, and acquired knowledge from them as rapidly as his circum-
stances and surroundings would permit. His mother died when he was
eighteen years of age. He determined to qualify himself as a teacher,
and did so at a great sacrifice. He sold his last horse in 1898 to obtain
money to attend a Nonnal school at West Union. In 1899, he obtained
a certificate to teach in the Public schools in Adams County; and was
so favorably known in the district of his own home that he was employed
to teach the Public school there. He began it in the Fall, and con-
tinued it until the ninth of January, 1900, when he was taken sick with
what proved to be typhoid pneumonia. His disease baffled all medical
skill, and he died on the seventeenth of January, 1900. On the day fol-
lowing, he was buried beside his mother in the Nesbit cemetery.
He had subscribed for this work at the first opportunity, and looked
forward with great pleasure to its forthcoming. He was one of the
eight subscribers to the work who were called away after ordering it
and before its publication. He was a model young man in every
respect, and it seems a great pity that he could not have been spared to
complete what promised to be a most useful life. He left a precious
memory to his friends and a bright example to the world.
W^iUlam Treber,
of Dunkinsville, was born at the old Treber Tavern, on Lick Fork, in
which he now resides, August 10, 1825. He is a son of Jacob Treber,
whose father, John Treber, was a pioneer of Adams County, and opened
the old tavern on Lick Fork in 1798. Jacob Treber married Jane
Thoroman.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and after reaching
man's estate, married Miss Melissa Thoroman, daughter of Samuel Thor-
oman and Rachel Florea, January to, 1856. His children are Anna:
Agnes, married to Doctor O. T. Sproull ; Sallie, Lizzie, Clara, married
to Cameron Tucker; Jacob, who married Margaret Chapman; Lucy,
married to Ola Thoroman ; Stella, married to Dr. Treber Crawford, and
Lyman, who married Lulu Gaffin.
Mr. Treber is one of the most prominent citizens of Adams
County, and is honored and respected by all who know him. He is a
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874 HISTORY OB ADAMS COUNTY
Democrat of the Jackson school and has often been honored by his
party with official recognition. He served as a member of the Board
of County Commissioners, and was on the Board of Trustees of Tifin
Township for fifteen years. His father was a soldier in the War of
1812, and his grandfather, was a soldier, in the Revolution from the
State of New York.
IXrilllam T. Thoroaum,
of Wheat, was born on Wheat Ridge, February 15, 1844. He is a son
of John THoroman and his wife, Rosanna Hamilton. He was brought
up on his father's farm working in Summer and attending the District
school in Winter, in which he received a good common school edu-
cation. He enlisted as a Private in Company G, i82d O. V. I., and
was mustered into service at Cincinnati, September 28, 1864, and hon-
orably discharged at Nashville, July 7, 1865. This regiment belonged to
the Engineering Corps of the Army of the Cumberland, and took part in
the battle of Nashville, December 15-16, 1864. Returning to Adams
County after the war, he married Miss Harriet C. Elliott, Feburary 29,
1872, daughter of John Elliott, who married Mary Collier, a daughter
of Colonel Daniel Collier, whose sketch appears elsewhere. The chil-
dren of William T. Thoroman and wife are: Ola C, Lloyd A., and
Laura B., deceased. Mr. Thoroman is a Republican and was Census
Enumerator for Oliver Township in 1890. He is a member of the M.
E. Church at Dunkinsville.
The Thoromans came originally from Delaware. There were two
brothers. Thomas and Samuel, who married sisters. Thomas married
Hester Crawford and Samuel her sister Anna, in the State of Pennsyl-
vania. From there they came to Ohio.
J. "Wesley Tl&oromaa, (deceased,)
son of Oliver Thoroman, was bom March 21, 1828, on the old homestead
farm one mile north of Dunkinsville, Ohio. He was reared on the farm,
and followed that occupation through life. He attained a good com-
mon school education, and was well qualified to fill any position in the
ordinary affairs of life. March 3, 1853, he married Almira Mason, a
daughter of Squire Samuel S. Mason, of Tiffin Township, Adams
County. To this union there were born Lyman O., Theodore M.,
Sallie J., Wesley H., Anna, and L J., the fourth son, now residing on the
old home farm. The subject of this sketch was a man very highly es-
teemed in the community in which he lived. He was a member of the
Odd Fellows fraternity in good standing at the time of his decease,
November 28, 1890. In politics, he was a Democrat of the JefFersonian
type.
HarTey James Thompsom,
pharmacist, of West Union, was bom on Island Creek, Adams County,
January 10, 1871. His father was John Thompson, and his mother,
Dorcas Jane Vance. He was educated in the common schools, Man-
chester High school and the Normal University, Lebannon, Ohio. He
taught in the Public schools of Adams County from 1891 to 1893, and
then took a course in pharmacy at Ada, Ohio, where he graduated in
that science. February 19, 1895, he married Eva Prather, and they have
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BKXJRAPHICAL SKETCHES 876
one interesting little daughter, Anna Thelma, as fruit of that union. Mr.
Thompson is a successful business man and is repected in the commu-
nity where he resides. He is a member of the Klnigbts of Pythias and
Improved Order of Red Men, and belongs to the uniformed rank of each
of these orders. He was left an orphan at the age of nine years and by
energy and economy, under the watchful care of his mother, acquired
a good education and has now a good business and a pleasant home.
Dr. Titus SteTenson,
of Cherry Fork, is recognized as one erf the most accomplished physicians
and surgeons of Adams County. He acquired a good English educa-
tion including a course in the sciences, a thorough knowledge of which
is so necessary to the successful practitioner. In his seventeenth year,
he began the study of medicine under the tutorship of Dr. L. C. Lay-
cock, then of Decatur, Ohio, and after a preparatory course, entered
Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, for the term 1886-7. ^^
1887-8, he was a student in the Ohio M[edical College, Cincinnati, from
which he graduated with high honors in March, 1888. After graduation,
he opened an office in Youngsville, this coimty, and in October of that
year married Miss Mary E. Williams, daughter of W. P. Williams, a
descendant of an old and respected family of Adams County.
In 1890, Dr. Stevenson removed to Aberdeen, Ohio, where he had
a large and lucrative practice till 1893, whon at the solicitation of friends
and old patrons who recognized his great ability and skill as a physician
and surgeon, he was induced to return to Adams County, and located
in the beautiful and thriving little village of Cherry Pork. Here he
enjoys not only a lucrative practice, but the esteem and friendship of all
who come in contact with him.
Dr. Stevenson comes of good old Scotch ancestry, his paternal
great-grandfather. Col. Mills W. Stephenson, being a direct descend-
ant of one of the four "Stinson" or Stevenson brothers, who came to
America from Scotland in the Seventeenth Century. His maternal
grandmother was a descendant of Governor General Joseph Waters, of
3ie West Indies, under British rule.
Col. Mills W. Stevenson cleared and improved the farm now known
as the W. A. Montgomery farm in Liberty township, Adams County.
Dr. Stevenson is a son of John M. Stevenson, of Decatur, Ohio,
who married Mary Jane Geeslin, daughter of Acklass Geeslin, of Brown
County. The Doctor is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men,
and of North Liberty Lodge, No. 613, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows. In politics, he is a believer in the teachings of Jefferson, Jackson
and Bryan.
The family of Dr. Stevenson consists of Miss L. Grace, Augustus
D., Guy A., and L. Preston. The Doctor and his family are connected
with the M. E. Church, he having been reared in that faith.
Jolin Sliiuiutker,
of West Union, Ohio, was bom in Harrisburgh, Pa., September 22,
1837. His father was Jos. H. Shumaker and mother, Susan Shumaker,
whose maiden name was Susan Walton. He emigrated to Fairfield
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876 mSTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
County, Ohio, with his father's family at the age of eight years, where
he attended the common schools, and at the age of seventeen was
granted a one year certificate by the Board of School Examiners of
Fairfield County, Ohio. At about this time he, with his parents, moved
and settled on a farm in Morrow County, Ohio, where his time was
occupied on his father's farm during the Summer and teaching during
the Winter months.
At the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted July, 1862. in the
4Sth O. V. I., but was not mustered into the service on account of being
disabled by sickness. On July 20, 1864, he re-enlisted in the i;^th 0.
V. I., and served as First Sergeant of Company K, until the regiment
was mustered out at Charlotte, N. C, July i, 1865.
He then returned to his father's farm and was engaged in fanning,
teaching, and clerking. He was connected with the Adams Express
Company from 1877 to 1880, as Express Messenger between Pittsburgh
and Chicago, on the P., F. W. & C. R. R. From 1881 to 1883, he was en-
gaged in teaching in Scott County, Ills. He returned to Ohio and was
engaged in various occupations until May, 1893, when he settled in West
Union and conducted a restaurant in the Mullen Building. September
21, 1893, he married Miss Cedora F. Caraway, of Adams County. At
the November election, 1894, he was elected a Justice of the Peace of
Tiffin Township. At the April election, 1896, he was elected Mayor
of the incorporated village of West Union. April, 1897, he was re-
elected as Justice of the Peace, and in April, 1898, was re-elected
Mayor, which offices he now holds.
'WiUiam Jaoob Sinister.
William Jacob Shuster is the son of Frederick and Jacobina Shus-
ter. His mother's maiden name was Jacobina Kohler. They came
from Germany in the year 1831. William. Jacob Shuster was bom May
5, 1856, and married Anna Mahaffey, March 9, 1881.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Republican.
He was elected Assessor of Liberty Township three time, and is at pres-
ent Superintendent of the Adams County Infirmary.
John Sparks,
liveryman, of Piketon, Pike County, Ohio, was born August 12, 1870,
the son of Salathiel and Clara Sparks, in West Union, Ohio, and resided
there until May 4, 1894, when he removed to Peebles, where he resided
and was engaged in the livery business until 1899, when he removed to
Piketon, where he conducts a first-class livery.
Mr. Sparks was married December 3, 1896, to Elsie Williamson,
and they have one child, Salathiel, born February 4, 1898. He is a mem-
ber of the Order of Red Men, of Peebles, Ohio, and is also a member of
the Volunteer Fire Company at Piketon. Mr. Sparks is a Republican,
and as such is a leader in local politics.
Clftarles liUtl&er Swain
was bom August 19. 1866, in Fincastle, Brown County, Ohio. His
father was Samuel L. Swain, now a resident of West Union. His mother
was Agnes N. C. Heberling. He attended the District schools of his
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHES 877
home until he was thirteen years of age, when his father moved to West
Union. There he attended the Public schools three years. Then he at-
tended the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, from 1883 to 1886. He
begun his career as a teacher of Public schools in 1886, when he taught
a Summer school at Harshaville, and in the Fall he taught one term at
Island Creek and two terms in the Ellison district in Monroe Township.
In 1889 and 1890, he taught in the Whippoorwill district, east of West
Union. From i8qo to 1892, he had charge of the schools at Peebles.
He taught a Summer school at Locust Grove in 1891. He was a County
School Examiner from 1889 ^^ 1893, when he resigned. He was Pres-
ident of the Teachers' Institute of Adams County from 1890 to 1892,
and in that period there was a larger attendance than ever before or
since. Mr. Swain distinguished himself and made quite a reputation
as an educator in Adams County from 1886 to 1892. He became a law
student in 1890 under George W. Pettit, of West Union. In the Fall
of 1892, he entered the Cincmnati Law School and attended there that
Fall and Winter. On March 30, 1893, he was admitted to the bar. He
began practice in West Union and remained there eighteen months. He
located in Cincinnati as a practicing lawyer on September 4, 1894, and
has been there ever since. His office is No. 57 Atlas Bank Building.
In 1897, he was elected a member of the Lower House of the Ohio Leg-
islature. In 1898, he was nominated by the Democrats as their candi-
date for Congress in the Second District of Ohio and defeated by Jacob
H. Bromwel!, the Republican candidate, by five thousand majority, the
normal Republican majority being twice that number. He was married
August 23, 1894, to Miss Anna X. Burkett, of Hartwell, Ohio. He is
a member of the Fifth Presbyterian Church. »
A gentleman who has been acquainted with Mr. Swain for a number
of years says that he is remarkable for his sound judgment of men and
affairs. He is honest, energetic, enterprising and useful ; he was an
excellent teacher. He is quite a reader, a fair talker, and always ready
to make a speech. He has a good opinion of himself and one of those
men who seem to he destined to gain great distinction. He keeps
himself well informed on the current events of the day. He is always
a very pleasant and agreeable companion. He has been re-elected to
a second term in the Legislature from Hamilton County.
Dr. Jolin Alexander Steen,
the subject of this sketch, was born at Mt. Leigh, Ohio, March 26,
1841. He was the second child of Alexander B. Steen and Nancy J.
Steen, whose maiden name was Nancy J. McClure. She was born in
Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, October 16, 1820. Alexander R.
Steen was born at Flemingsburg, Kentucky, May 5, 1813. Our subject
was reared on his father's farm on Brush Creek, Adams County, Ohio,
working in the Summer time and attending school in the Winter, where
he obtained a common school education.
August II, 1862, he enlisted in the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
Company L and served until June 24. 1865. At the battle of Winchester,
Virginia, September 19, 1864, he was severely wounded through the
throat and arm, after which he was transferred to the hospital at Phil-
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878 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
adelphia, where he remained for ten months. He subsequently re-
turned to the field at Winchester to look after the remains of his brother,
James F. Steen, and his uncle, Ira T. Hayes, who were killed in action
September 19, 1864. He identified their remains and saw their honored
bodies laid to rest in the Winchester Cemetery having helped to dig their
graves himself. At the close of the war, he was mustered out with his
regiment at Cumberland, Maryland, and returned to Camp Dennison,
Ohio, where they were paid off.
On return to peaceful pursuits, he attended school in the Fall and
Winter of 1865 in his home district; and in the following Spring entered
the dental office of Dr. J. N. McClung, at Cincinnati, Ohio, who after-
wards moved to North Liberty, Ohio, and with whom he studied eighteen
months. He formed a partnership with his preceptor which was main^
tained for some time. In the Fall of 1868, he removed to Manchester,
Adams County, Ohio, where he opened an office for the practice of his
profession. In the Winter of 1869, Dr. McClung giving up the practice
of dentistry, he removed back to North Liberty and resumed his for-
mer practice.
On December 30, 1869, he was married at Eckmansville, Adams
County, to Miss Jane M. Reighley, a native erf Lockes Mills, Mifflin
County, Pa., and a daughter of Henry and Nancy Reig^ley, whose fam-
ily settled in Adams County. Of this union there were four children,
Minnie M., the wife of Mr. Howard C. Green, residing at No. 6745
Emerald Avenue, Englewood, Illinois; Lulu E., the wife of Mr. Espy
Higgins, residing at No. 3391 Hajrward Place, Denver, Colorado ; and
Harry W. and Merta, who are still at home. Harry W. studied den-
tistry with Jiis father and attended dental college at the Ohio College
of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating there in 1900. In
1875, o^r subject removed to Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, where he
still resides and enjoys a lucrative practice in his profession.
His wife died January 13, 1894, and is buried in Maplewood ceme-
tery at Ripley, Ohio. On March 17, 1896, he was married to Miss Sadie
J. Lawwill. Of this union there is one child, John A., Junior.
Dr. Steen has served on the Board of Education at Ripley, Ohio.
His political views are Republican, and his first vote was for U. S. Grant
for President for his first term. His religious views are Presbvterian,
and he joined that denomination when a boy. He has served as elder
of the church. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Grand Army of
the Republic. He is one of the substantial citizens of Ripley, well known
and highly respected for his sterling virtues.
SicUiey R. Stromaii
was born in the County of Beaver, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1844. The
place of his birth is now in Lawrence County, near New Castle. His
father, Henry Stroman, was bom in Philadelphia, in 1804. His mother's
maiden name was Staple, born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa., in
1805. H^s grandfather, John Stroman, was born in Switzerland. His
wife, whose maiden name was Snider, was also from Switzerland. On
coming to this country, they located in the city of Philadelphia. Henry
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 879
Stroman had four sons and four daughters, all of them living at the
writing of this sketch. The eldest is Sarah, now the widow of John
Teets, of Douglass County, Kansas ; the second daughter is Elizabeth,
wife of Philip Teets, of Hebron, Indiana; the third daughter is Mary,
wife of David Foreman, of West Union; the fourth daughter is Car-
oline, widow of Wilson S. Burbage, of West Union. The eldest son is
Levi B. Stroman ; Joseph A., the second son, Henry C, the third, and
the fourth is our subject, all of West Union.
Sidney R. Stroman attended school in Butler County, Pennsylvania,
until 1856, when his father removed to Venango County, where his
father followed his trade, that of a carpenter. In March, 1861, the
entire family, excepting Henry C, located in Adams County. The
father bought the farm where his widowed daughter, Mrs. Burbage,
resides, and remained there until his death in 1886. Sidney R. worked
on his father's farm one year. On August 9, 1862, at the age of
eighteen, he enlisted in Company E, 91st O. V. I., for the period of three
years and served till June 24, 1865. In this same company were his
brother, Joseph A., and his brother-in-law, Wilson S. Burbage. He was
wounded June 17, 1864, at the battle of Lynchburg, Virginia, in the left
groin and thigh, and was laid up a month and three days. With the
exception of this period, he was never disabled from duty a single day.
He was in every skirmish, or battle, in which his regiment participated,
and was always in the front rank if he could get there. He never missed
his rations, or a fight, except while disabled by a wound.
Soon after his return from the war in February, 1866, he returned
to Venango County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in work as a carpenter.
He returned to Adams County in September, 1868, to be married to Miss
Elizabeth McColm. They were married September 8, 1868, and he took
his bride to Venango County, Pennsylvania. He remained in Pennsyl-
vania till 1874, when he returned to Adams County and purchased one
hundred acres of land, part of his preserit farm. He began north of
West Union in the poorest part of Adams County, with a stout heart,
good health, an abundanuce of energy and determination to succeed. By
hard work, economy, prudent and careful management, he has now a
body of land of three hundred and fifty-two arcres, all paid for, has good
buildings and barns, has all the implements and tools he needs and has
his farm well stocked. His buildings are all in good order and well kept ;
his fences are all well built and kept in perfect repair ; no weeds or briars
are allowed to grow, and his entire farm has an appearance of neatness
and care. He always has good crops and he knows how to produce
them. His hay and corn are just a shade better than the average, and
he knows it and is proud of it. The writer knew his farm long before
Mr. Stroman purchased it and has seen it just before writing this sketch.
The change is but little short of a miracle. The desert of forty years ago
has been changed into fertile fields, pleasing to the eye. Most men
would starve to death where our subject has prospered. What Aladdin
could do with his lamp is not a circumstance to what Sid Stroman has
done for the land he purchased. Beginning with nothing, he has a fine,
large farm, highly improved, completely stocked, with everything on it
in perfect order and repair ; with all the horses, cattle and hogs he could
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880 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
wish, all well cared for, and money beside. But in addition to this,
Sidney R. Stroman has done something more creditable, he has reared
six children to be honest and honorable men and women and to oc-
cupy important stations in life. His eldest daughter, Mary A., is the
wife of M. D. Shoemaker, Principal of the schools of North Liberty;
his second daughter, Flora R., is the wife of E. L. Haggerty, a farmer
near Eckmansville ; his third daughter, Anna M., is the wife of Brice
McClellan, a farmer residing near Cherry Fork ; his son, Wilson C, has
charge of the farm of his aunt, Mrs. Burbage ; Charles D., aged twenty
years, and his youngest daughter, Nettie E., reside at home.
In politics, Mr. Stroman has always been a Republican. In his re-
ligious faith and profession, he is a Presbyterian.
It is just such men as Mr. Stroman that makes our country great
and powerful. When the call to arms came, he went cheerfully and
quickly, just as he would have performed the most usual duty. He gave
three of the best years of his life to his country and has the spirit to do
it again on a moment's notice. When he returned to Adams County,
he determined to succeed in farming in the least attractive part of the
county. In twenty-six years, he has made his home and his lands a de-
light to look upon. He has been a public benefactor. The lesson of his
life and career has been a most excellent one. He has, of course, had
more than ordinary good, common, hard sen^e, and has had a talent for
accumulation. He is a model farmer. He has natural business ability
superior to the average ; he has energy and thrift. Our national wealth
counts not in dollars and cents, but in just such citizense as Sidney R.
Stroman. When we find one like him who has made a success in life,
it is a pleasure to recount the fact and hand him down to posterity with all
that immortality a work like this can give him. Histories seldom record
failures. It is best we should forget them and remember only those
whose activities entitle them to remembrance. Historians have many
unpleasant tasks, but of their pleasures, one is the contemplation of a
character like our subject and the recording of his life and career.
Josepli Arnold Stroman
wah born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1836. His
father and mother are mentioned in the sketch of Sidney A. Stroman
herein and reference to that sketch is hereby made for any information
as to them and his remote ancestors. His father removed to Venango
Count, Pennsylvania, in 185 1, and to Adams County in March
i86i. As a boy, Joseph A. Stroman was educated in the
essentials of reading, writing and artithmetic, but was taught hard work.
As a youth, in Summer he worked on his father's farm and in the Winters
he drove team from Franklin to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In the Spring
of the year he would be engaged in rafting timber on the Allegheny
River. Before he came to Adams County, he learned the carpenter
trade. On coming to Adams County, he determined to take up the life
of a farmer. He worked on his father's farm from that time until the
war broke out. He purchased sixiy-six acres of land of his brother, Levi
Stroman. lu 1888, he purchased seventy-two acres of William Greenley
north of West Union. He purchased seventy-five acres of Samuel
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REV. JOHN W. SPRING
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BIOGKAPBICAL SKETCHES 881
Wright in 1875. H^ purchased twenty-two acres more, in 1897, of Wil-
liam R. Mehaffey. He boujSfht one hundred and ten acres in 1899,
known as the James Demint farm. He had but just got to Adams
County, when the call to arms came. He did not respond at fint, but in
the Summer of 1862, when the war had became a serious business and
the real condition of the country was understood, he enlisted in Com-
pany £, 91st O. V. I. He went from a sense of duty and from purely
patriotic motives. He served as a Private until February 25, 1^3, when
he was made a Corporal. He was wounded September 19, 1864, in the
head, by a piece of shell, at the battle of Opecquan, Va., and was sent
to the Brick Hospital at Winchester, Va. This wound has disabled him
up to the present time. He was mustered out June 25, 1865. The
Government had value received in all the service it had from our subject.
He served his country with his soul and spirit. He also gave it his
bodily strength. Except for the time disabled by his wound, he never
missed a ration or a duty. He was with his company all the time, on
every march, in every skirmish, and in every battle. He was earnest
m every duty as a soldier and when he had laid his arms aside for the
quiet walks of peace, he took up life as earnestly as he had begun it be-
fore his military service. He has studied ecomony, frugality and the
acquisition of property to a good advantage. Now he is the owner of
330 acres of well improved land in Adams County, all in one body. He
was married September 28, 1873, to Miss Sarah McDaniel, daughter of
Hiram and Caroline McDaniel, of Brown County, Ohio. His land is all
well cultivated and farmed, with suitable buildings, is well stocked with
animals and improvements, and it shows that i.t has been handled so as
to produce the best results. His farm is as clean and neat as a well kept
garden and is a delight to look upon. It is a pleasure to drive along the
road and look at it as it declares that its owner is active and energetic
and keeping everything in order. He owes no man anything but good
will.
Joseph A. Stroman believes that every duty is sacred and should
be well done. He believes in continuance in well doing. He became a
member of the Oak Grove Christian Church, February 28, 1869, and has
continued in its faith and practice ever since. In October, 1898, he at-
tended the Quadrennial Convention of that church at New Market in the
District of Ontario as a lay delegate.
ReT. John William Spiimst
of Ridgeway, Hardin County, Ohio, was bom August 13, 1842, near
Hamilton, in Butler County, Ohio. His father was Charles R. Spring,
born in Pennsylvania. His mother, Nancy P., was born in Ohio. They
had four sons and two daughters. Our subject was the eldest. When
he was about three years of age, his parents moved to Brown County,
Ohio, where they resided for five years. When he was eight years of
age, his parents moved on a farm near West Union. At the age of ten,
he went to work for himself on a carding machine in West Union. He
worked there in Summers for nine years, and attended the District
schools for a few months each Winter.
66a
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882 mSTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
On the Fourth of July, t86i, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in
Company I, 39th O. V. L, as a Private. This was the celebrated Gros-
beck Regiment. He was made a Corporal soon after his enlistment,
and made a Sergeant November 16, 1861. He was in all the battles in
which his regiment participated ; and for further information on that
point, reference is had to the article on "Adams County in the Civil
War," in this work. It is sufficient to say here that no Ohio regiment
saw more active service or participated in more engagements than the
39th O. V. I. In February, 1864, he re-enlisted and obtained his veteran
furlough. At this time, he married Miss Carmillie Kendall. He re-
turned to the war, and on March 8, 1865, was discharged to accept the
captaincy of Company D, 191st O. V. I. For this position he was rec-
omniended by his Colonel, Edward F. Noyes, afterwards brevetted
Brigadier General. This is what Colonel Noyes said of him in recom-
mending him to the Adjutant General of Ohio :
"January 24, 1865.
"Sergeant Spring has been three years and a half in the service,
and is one of the best soldiers in the regiment. He is competent for
almost any position in the regiment, and is a man of spotless character.
It was my intention to have him promoted in my command had I re-
mained on the field. I most earnestly and heartily endorse him."
For this position he was also recommended by Edward P. Evans,
then Chairman of the Military Committee of Adams County. Here
is what Mr. Evans said for the Committee :
"January 28, 1865.
"We concur in the recommendation of Col. Noyes as to his services
and capacity.
"E. P. Evans, Chairman.
"J. N. Hook, Secy."
As Captain of the iQist O. V. I., our subject was Provost Marshal
at Winchester, Virginia, in May, June, and July, 1865. He served until
August 27, 1865, when he was discharged. The Government never had
ai.y more faithful soldier or officer than he, nor did it ever have any from
whom it obtained more service, nor did it have a more patriotic soul in its
gisnd army. John W. Spring served his country on his conscience. He
gave it all he had to give, and gave it with all his soul. In the four
years, one month, and twenty-three days he was in the service, the Cov-
et nment never lost a day's service from him.
In Sep<^t^ml)er, 1865, he became a minister of the Methodist Protes-
tant Church, and has been engaged in that work ever since. From the
army of his countrv he was transferred to the army of the Lord, and has
been a faithful soldier all his life. He has been President of his Con-
ference, and has been stationed at Cincimiati, Bainbridge, West Middle-
burg, vSpringfield, vSabina, Manchester, Waynesfield. Dayton, Middle-
town, Richm.ond, Forest, and Ridgeway. He served as a missionary in
Kansas from September, 1883, to August, 1890. His wife died June
25, 1883 ; and while in Kansas, on June i, 1893, ^^ was married to Mrs.
Harriet Moore, and returned to Ohio. He has one son, Charles Alva
Spring.
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BKXmAPHlCAI^ SKKTCBES 88S
James Richard Tillotson
was born November 26, 1877, at Dunbarton, Adams County. His
father is John W. Tillotson, and his mother, Lucinda D. Jobe. He at-
tended the District school in Dunbarton. He began teaching at the
age of sixteen, and attended the Normal school at Peebles in 1893, con-
ducted by Prof. J. E. Collins, now of Batavia, Ohio, and James S. TTiomas
of Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1894, he attended Normal school at Manchester,
conducted by Prof. J. W. Jones. In the Summer of 1895 and 1896,
he attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and
took a scientific course. His first year of teaching, 1894 and 1895, was
at Colon, in Meigs Township. His second schocJ, 1895 and 1896, was
at Steam Furnace. In 1896 and 1897, he taught at Sugar Grove, in
Washington Township, Scioto County. In 1897 and 1898, he taught
at Hy.s^ienc in the same township. In 1898 and 1899. he taught at Lower
Carey's Run, and at the time of writing this sketch, he is engaged in
teaching at the same place. He holds a three years' certificate in Scioto
County and a five years' certificate in Adams County.
He has been very successful as a teacher and has always given the
nio.<?t perfect satisfaction to the school boards and patrons of the several
schools where he has taught. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has
but few equals of his age in scholarship. He is true to every trust con-
fided in him, and thorough in every duty or work he assumes.
He has those elements of character which will secure him success
in any profession or business he may undertake.
Samuel B. Trnltt
was born in Sprigg Township, Adams County, Ohio, February 21, 1839,
a son of Henry P. and Caroline (Bloomhuflf) Truitt.
In 1760, three brothers of the name of Truitt emigrated from Eng-
land to America. Benjamin, the voungest of these and great-grand-
father of our subject, located on the eastern shore of Maryland, where he
married Margaret Kellum and settled on a farm near Snow Hill, in
Worcester County. They were parents of four sons : Benjamin, Samuel,
John K.. and William. The latter was born in 1778. He married
Elizabeth Gootee, of Accomack County, Virginia, on March 17, 1817,
and was the grandfather of our subject.
W^illiam Truitt, with five other families, left their native State to
seek a new home in the West and arrived at Manchester, April 24, 1817.
They settled near Clayton, in Sprigg Township, where he lived until
his death in 1847. They reared a family of five children, viz., James,
Henry P., the father of our subject, Margaret, Mary and Elizabeth.
Henry P. Trnitt, the father of Samuel B. Truitt, was born November 16,
ifkK). He was married to Caroline Bloomhuff, daughter of Abrahant
BloomhuflF and sister of T<ev. John P. Bloomhuff, January 24, 1832. She
was born October 26, 1808. Henry P. Truitt died October 18, 1847,
and was buried in the Ebenezer cemetery in Brown County, Ohio.
Caroline, his wife, died November 9, 1878. and was buried in the Odd
Fellows cemetery at New Haven, Ind.
Their children were Eliza Jane, who married George W. Taylor;
vSarsh P., who married Samuel Starrett; John W., Samuel B., subject
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884 fflSTORY OP ADAMS CJOUNTY
of this sketch ; James H., deceased ; Tliomas S., and Maria B., deceased,
who married Harvey Steneman.
Samuel B. Truitt was three years of age when his parents removed^
to Bradyirille. At the age of eight, he went to Forth Wayne, Indiana/
and liv«l on the farm of his uncle, Sidney C. BloomhuflF, for six years.
He then returned to his native county and worked on the farm till his
marriage. Mr. Truitt enlisted in Company F, Seventh Ohio Volunteer
Cavalry, September 8, 1862, and was made Commissary Sergeant of the
company. He was promoted to Regimental Commissary Sergeant* May
18, 1865, and mustered out on July 4, 1865. He was with the regi-
ment in all its battles and campaigns. For further information as to his
service in Company F, of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, reference
is had to the sketch of that company. On returning from the army, he
bought a farm in Sprigg Township, on which he lived from 1867 to 1883.
He was known as a model farmer and handled fine stock on a large scale.
In 1888, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of
Commissioner of Adams County in which he served one term with much
honor to himself and credit to his constituents. He was one of the
Trustees of Brittingham Camp Meeting, which was conducted for several
years. He was married December 16, 1858, to Miss Mary Starrett, a
daughter of John and Emily (Hudson) Starrett. Mr. and Mrs. Truitt
have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since their mar-
riage. He has been. trustee and steward in the Manchester Church for
many years.
He is a member of Manchester Lodge, No. 254, Knights of P3rthias,
and also a member of the Hawkeye Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Adams County
Agricultural Association, and one of the most prominent Democrats
of the county.
He removed to Manchester in 1883, and in 1895 engaged in the
grocery business in partnership with I. T. Foster. He is now engaged in
the buggy and carriage trade.
Major Truitt is well known and universally respected throughout
Adams County, where most of his life has been spent and where he ranks
as one of her foremost citizens. By industry and good judgment he has
acquired plenty of this world's goods for comfort and he and his good
wife contribute liberally of their influence and means to the cause of
Christianity and humanity.
James Sheridan Thomai
was born in Meigs Township, Adams County, one of the youngest sons of
George A. Thomas and Sarah J. Wittenmeyer, his wife. He has a twin
brother. Prof. Stephen S. Thomas, of Bloomfield, Mo. He attended
school in the district of his home and labored on his father's farm until
he was seventeen years of age, when he attended North Liberty Academy
for one year. In 1889 and 1890, he attended the National Normal Uni-
versity at Lebanon, Ohio, where he graduated in the Scientific course in
1890. From the Fall of 1890 until Spring of 1892, he taught school
at Otway, Ohio. From the Fall of 1892 until the Spring of i^, he had
charge of the schools at Sciotoville. In 1893, he taught a Summer
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JAMES S. THOMAS
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 886
school at Wheelersbtirg. He began the study of the law with the Hon.
XJlric Sloane at Winchester in the Summer of 1892, and kept it tip until
the Fall of 1894, when he entered the Cincinnati Law School, and at-
tended that during the Fall, Winter and Spring of 1894 and 1895. He
stood fifth in a class of one hundred and fifteen in his studies. He was
admitted to the bar, May 31, 1895, o" his twenty-fifth birthday. On
July I, 1895, he began the practice of' law in the city of Portsmouth,
where he has since resided. In politics, he is and always has been a
Democrat, and has taken an active interest in his party. In 1895, ^^ ^^is
the candidate of his party for State Senator in the Seventh Senatorial Dis-
trict, but was defeated by Elias Crandall, the Republican candidate. He
canvassed the district in the interest of his party.
In the Spring of 1899, there was a special election to vote on the
adoption of a new charter for the city of Portsmouth. This occurred
aboiit three weeks before the regular municipal election. He took
strong grounds against the charter, arid spoke against it in public meet-
ings. The charter was defeated and its defeat resulted in his election to
the office of City Solicitor in the strong Republican city of Portsmouth,
where a Democratic City Solicitor had not been elected since 1875. ^^
defeated one of the very best young Republicans of the city — Harry W.
Miller, who was a candidate for re-election.
As a lawyer, Mr. Thomas is very active and industrious. He is
careful and painstaking, and bids fair to make his mark high up in his
profession.
George Andrexv Tlioiiias
was born November 25, 1832, at Jacksonville, Ohio. He is the son of
William and Margaret Mitchell Thomas. His grandfather, William
Thomas, was a native of Pennsylvania. His wife was a Miss Randolph.
He settled in Adams County in 1797. He located land where Jackson-
ville now stands and laid out the town. He was a great admirer of Gen-
eral Jackson and named the town for him. He afterward entertained
General Jackson over one Sunday on his way to Washington. When
the public highway was laid out on Todd's Trace, he assisted in opening
and clearing that part of it between Brush Creek and Locust Grove.
The stage route established on this road, about 1820, was continued until
1842. William Thomas. Senior, removed to Marion County, Ohio,
where he died. His children were Isaac, Phillip, Samuel, who died of
the cholera in 1840, William, George W., and John. The children of
William Thomas, father of our subject^ were John, George A., Susan,
who married William Green; Mary, married to N. McKinney; Nancy,
died in womanhood ; Margaret, married John McMillen ; Samuel married
Sarah McCoy, and Josephine. William, father of our subject, was bom
February, 1803, at Jacksonville, Ohio, and died there in 1894.
George A., our subject, married Sarah Jane Wittenmeyer, March
27, 1863, ^^^ daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Thoroman) Wittenmeyer.
Their children are Isaac W., married to tevica C. Thoroman ; George F.,
a physician at Peebles, married to Agnes Reynolds ; John R., married to
Ellen Mathias; Daniel B., a farmer residing on the home farm, and
married to Ida Jackman ; Perry Odle, residing in California, who was a
soldier in the Philippines in the late Spanish War, and who married Lucy
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880 HISTORY OF AD4MS COUNTY
Hildebrand; Stephen S., a teacher at Bloomfield, Mo., married to
Christina Chloe ; Tilla B., residing at home, and James S., a lawyer in
Portsmouth, Ohio.
George A. Thomas enlisted in Company i, i82d Ohio Volunteer
infantry, on September 28, 1864, and served until July 7, 1865 He took
part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee.
Mr. Thomas is a successful farmer. He owns four hundred acres
of land at Old Steam Furnace. He is noted for his sterling honesty and
integrity. He has reared seven sons, all of whom are active factors in
the world and doing well for themselves. They are all men of the highest
integrity.
Mr. Thomas has always adhered to the Democratic party and has
taken quite an interest in political affiairs, though he has never held
office. He has acquired a comptence, and as the burden of years are
falimg on him, he is taking things easy. He is a thorough patriot, and
during the war did all he could for his country, both at home and at the
front. He is a member of Frazer Post, G. A. R., near his home, and a
charter member of the Lodge of Odd Fellows at Jacksonville. He is a
useful and valuable citizen. He has been able to hold his own all his
life, and has beside accumulated considerable property. He has al-
ways aimed to do the best he could for himself and those dependent on
him, at all times, and has succeded far better than most men in the race
of life. He has been ambitious for his sons. He educated them to the
best of his ability and is proud of their careers. The writer, who has
known him all his life, believes that George A. Thomas has accomplished
much more than the average citizen and that he is a credit and honor to
his community. If all our people were as patriotic and as faithful to
their duties as he has been and is, we would have a republic, the model
for the whole earth.
John Wesley Thomas, M. D.,
fifth son of James B., and Esther A. Thomas, was born near Winchester,
Ohio, September 16, 1850. He was educated in the common schools
of Adams County, and in 1871 he entered upon the profession of teaching
in the Public schools.
After having been engaged in that business for several years, he
began the study of medicine, with his brother, Dr. P. M. Thomas. In
1878, he attended his first course of lectures in the College of Physicians
and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa. His second course of lectures was
taken in the Ketucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, Ky., graduating
from the latter institution in the class of 1879.
In March, t88o, he emigrated to the State of Kansas, locating at
Clayton, Norton County, where he at once began the practice of med-
icine. He was a member of the Board of Pension Examining Surgeons
of his county from 1888 to 1892. He belongs to the Masonic fatemity,
is a member of the J. O. O. F., and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
In politics, he is a Republican, But has never been a candidate for any
political office.
In May, 1895, the Doctor was married to Miss Roberta Butler,
daughter of Amon and Phoebe E. Butler. Their children are Irene
Eleanor, Francis Marion and James Baldwin. In 1897, he removed to
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BIOGRAPiUCAL SKETCHES 887
Lyle, Kansas, his present location, where he has a large and lucrative
practice.
Dr. Thomas is a man who is widely and well known in his profession
and one who lends lustre to it. He is a thorough physician, a skillful
surgeon, and a superior business man. He is modest and unassuming in
his demeanor, has a large and lucrative practice and occupies an enviable
position, both professionally and socially, being a gentleman of rare per-
sonal qualities and of thorough general culture. He is inflexible, though
not dogmatic in his opinions, generous and warmhearted, liberal, the
very personification of integrity, and he enjoys, to a marked degree, the
respect and confidence of a large circle of acquaintances.
Francis Marion Tliomas, M. D.,
is a native of Adams County, born near Winchester July 9, 1838, a son
of James Baldwin Thomas and Esther Thomas, his wife, and grandson
of Abraham and Margaret Barker Thomas, who emigrated from Buck-
ingham County, Virginia, about the clase of the eighteenth century. He
traces his ancestry to Reese Thomas, bom in Pembroke, in the principal-
ity of Wales, June 16, 1690, and whose family Bible, printed in the Welsh
language in 171 7, is now in his possession.
He was educated in the common schools of Adams County at the
Ohio Valley Academy, Decatur, and the North Liberty Academy, Cherry
Fork. In 1859, he began the career of a teacher in the Public schools
and continued this untfl 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, of the
6oth O. V. I. That regiment was captured at Harper's Ferry, Septem-
ber 15, 1862, and he was paroled and sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago,
Illinois, where he rem.ained until the term of his enlistment expired. He
re-enlisted on July 4, 1863, in Company B, Fourth O. V. I. Heavy
Artillery, serving as Private, Guard, Regimental Commissary Sergeant,
Second Lieutenant, Quartermaster and Commissary of Subsistence at the
post of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, until several months after the
close of the war. When discharged from the army, he resumed the
profession of school teaching, taking up with it the study of medicine,
the latter of which soon after took his entire attention. He attended
lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery and was
graduated from that institution in the class of 1869. He immediately
commenced the practice of medicine at Samantha, Ohio, where he still
resides. He was married March 15, 1871, to Miss Annette Holmes,
daughter of Gilbert and Ann (Hussey) Holmes.
He is a member of several medical associations. He has served quite
a number of years as Secretary of the Ohio Medical Association and
was its President in the years t88i and 1882. He has contributed num-
erous articles upon medical subjects to the periodicals published for the
profession. He is a Republican and takes an active part in the affairs of
his county, but has never been a candidate for office. He is a member of
the U. P. Presbyterian Church and has been a ruling elder for about
twenty years.
Dr. Thomas is firm in all his opinions, methodical in. all his pro-
fessional and social duties, and inflexible in his integrity. He is a learned
physician and a great lover of books, of which he is a diligent collector.
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888 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
He is very fond of the society of children, and delights in entertaining
them. He is very much devoted to his church. He is a good financier
and has accummulated a competency. He is public-spirited, lives well
and is a liberal contributor to charitable objects. He is highly esteemed
by all who know him.
George Franklin Tliomas, M. D^
was born Januar>' 23, 1857, at Steam Furnace. Meigs Township, Adams
County, Ohio, and was reared on the farm where he was born. He at-
tended the District sch6oI in the Winter and worked on the farm in Sum-
mer. During the Civil War, he, with his older brothers, had the entire
management of the farm while their father was in the army. At the age
of seventeen, he had acquired sufficient education to become a teacher of
common schools. His career as teacher began in 1875 and ended 1885,
with marked success. While a teacher he took an active part in edu-
cational affiairs, serving one term as School Examiner in his county.
Shortly after he began teaching, he invested in a farm adjoining his
father's, which required several years of hard work to pay for.
In 1883, he was married to Miss Sallie Graham, a most popular
and loveable woman, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Graham, of
near Dunkinsville. This happy marriage was not to continue long for
she died on May 12, 1884. In the following year Mr. Thomas began the
study of medicine under the tutelage of Dr. J. M. Wittenmyer, of Peebles,
and on March 9, 188S, he received the degree of M. D. from the Ohio
Medical College of Cincinnati After his graduation he located at Ot-
way, where he remained for four years in the practice of his profession.
He then removed to Peebles, where he has since resided, practicing
medicine in partnership with Dr. J. S. Berry. In the Winter of 1898 and
1899. he took a post-graduate course at New York. In the year 1894,
he was married to Miss Agnes Reynolds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Stephen J. Reynolds, who resided one mile north of Peebles.
The Doctor and his wife have an elegant home in Peebles. Mrs
Thomas is a charming and accomplished woman. She has had a most
complete education and has fine literary taste. The Doctor has been
remarkably successful in his profession. He might be called a natural
born physician. His power to diagnose seems to be intuitive, rather
than acquired, and his judgment is unerring.
His prominent characteristics are sterling honesty, fearlessness and
frankness. The deception so often found in men in public
positions is a trait that never entered his moral composition. In his
dealings he knows no equivocation or compromise. He is loyal to his
friends and quick to resent an injury or redress a wrong. In politics, he
is a dyed-in-wool Jacksonian Democrat. He has taken much in-
terest in his party's welfare, believing that in the Democratic party are
to be found the principles that are nearest to the interests of the great
mass of the people. In religion he is liberal. He believes that the Ten
Commandments and the Golden Rule are comprehensive enough to en-
able everybody to live a correct life. He is a member of several secret
societies.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 889
By economical habits and f^ood management he has accumulated
considerable property and is in easy circumstances financially. He con-
serves all his forces moral and physical. As a man and as a physician
he is surely obtaining the very highest standing in the community where
he resides.
Willlaaa M. Tncnum.
There are many sketched in this work, the incidents of whose careers
in the strictest truth are more remakable than romance, but the story
of our present subject is the most remarkable of all. How many boys
born in the North Carolina Mountains, without any advantages what-
ever, would come North amongst strangers and without the slighest aid,
except with the encouragement of newly made friends, educate them-
selves and gain a high position at the Cincinnati bar, yet this was ac-
complished by William M. Tugraan. 'He was born in Wilks County,
North Carolina, October 21, 1850. His parents were James L. Tugman
and Susana (McGrady) Tugman. He was born with a thirst for knowl-
edge which has never been quenched. There were no common schools
worthy of the name in his native county. For a short time he had a
private instructor in a Baptist minister. He was brought up on Weem's
"Life of Washington," Benjamin Franklin's Autobigraphy, Baxter's
"Saint's Rest/' "Pilgrim's Progress," and the Bible. His father was a
Confederate soldier, and his mother died about the close of the war. His
father was financially ruined and there seemed no ray of hope for the
youth, the eldest of five children. He and his brothers and two sisters
were distributed among relatives and his father went sixty miles away
to work. William did not like the uncle to whom he had been assigned,
and, after three months, ran away and joined his father, who .was engaged
in lumbering to rebuild a cotton factoiy, destroyed by the invading army
in the collapse of the Confederacy. He worked with his father in the
lumber camps in 1865 ^^^ "P ^^ ^^^ F^'^ oi t866. In the Winter of 1866,
and 1867, he went to school. In the Spring of 1867, he began to work
for a farmer who had announced his intention of removing to Missouri
and had promised to take our subject with him. Young Tugman had
fully resolved to leave his native State and seek' his fortune in a better
country. He saved up twenty-five dollars, and the self-sacrifice in-
\olved in that can better be imagined than expressed. His farmer
friend having determined to remain in North Carolina, young Tugman
concluded to go on his own account. He went as far as Marion,
Virginia, with a young friend. There the latter was offered employment
as a blacksmith and accepted it. The same work was offered Tugman,
but he concluded to go farther on. At Marion, Virginia, he saw the
first railroad train. Leaving Marion, he undertook to cross the Clinch
Mouhtains and succeeded in losing himself. When he found a habita-
tion, it was occupied by an old man, the first Republican he ever saw and
who possessed a remarkable vocabulary of expletives and oaths. This
acquaintance assumed the lad was a rebel in sentiment and informed him
if he disclosed his sentiments, when he got further North, the Republi-
cans would surely kill him. His Republican friend lived on the head-
waters of the Big Sandy. At Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky, he
stopped three weeks and carried a hod, working on a new courthouse
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8W) HISTORY OP ADAMS CJOUNTY
there in process of erection. From there he walked to Maysville, Ken-
tucky, which he reached September i, 1867. There he saw, for the first
time, street lamps and paved streets, and here he received his first in-
troduction to American civilization. He crossed the ferry to Aberdeen
and learned of a pike being built from Bentonville to North Liberty, and
he went there to get work. This was his first introduction to Adams
County. When he reached CNeill's cabin, near the Kirker place, he
had exhausted all his capital but twenty-five cents. He met John HufF,
who, looking for angels unawares, took him to his home. Huff recom-
mended him to Thomas McGovney, to whom he went and who agreed
to board him for his work outside of school hours. He went to school
that Fall and Winter at "Jericho School" taught by T. P. Kirkpatrick.
At the close of school, he worked six months for McGovney and then
went to live with James Alexander, near Cherry Fork, an4 attended
school while residing with him. In the Spring of 1869, he applied for
and obtained a teacher's certificate in Adams County. The same Spring
he taught in the Buckeye schoolhouse east of North Liberty. That FaU
he taught again near Jacksonville. In the Spring of 1870, he attended
the North Liberty Academy, and in the Summer, a Normal school at
West Union, and that Fall, taught near Manchester, in the Clinger dis-
trict.
In the Summer of 1871, he studied Latin and geometry in a school
taught by Rev. James McColm. In the Fall of that year, he took charge
of the schools at Germantown, Kentucky, and taught there until Febru-
ary, 1872, going from that place direct to Athens, entering the Senior
Class of the Preparatory Department of the University. In the Fall of
1872, he entered the Freshman Class of the Ohio University, and con-
tinued there until June, 1873. From the Fall of 1873 until June, 1874,
he taught at Murphysville, Kentucky. In the Fall of 1874, he was
elected Superintendent of the Schools at Aberdeen, Ohio. In the Fall
of 1875, he returned to the Ohio University and remained there until
he graduated in June, 1877. He was re-employed at Aberdeen, as Sup-
erintendent, in the Fall of 1877, and taught there until June, 1879. I^
the meantime, he was reading law with Messrs Barbour & Cochran, of
Maysville, Kentucky. In September, 1879, he went to Georgetown,
Ohio, and was admitted to the bar. He located in Cincinnati and taught
night schools for two years. He attended law school at the same time,
and was in the office of the Hon. John W. Herron. In the Spring of
j88i, he opened an office for himself, with Charles Bird, comer of Third
and Walnut. He has been engaged in the practice of the law ever since,
but for a long time has been located at No. 309 Johnson Building, as-
sociated with Edward H. Baker, a college classmate.
He was married November 2j, 1888, to Miss Alice CamerOn, of
Boston. They have two children, a boy and a girl, aged respectively
nine and six years, and reside at Mt. Washington.
The particluars of Mr. Tugman's career as a boy and a young man
have been gone into detail in the hope of encouragement to some other
young American, who may conclude to become the architect of his own
fortune. How many boys in the country have the ambition, the energy,
and perseverance to educate themselves and to step into a profession
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 891
which more and more is becoming the field for the sons of rich and pow-
eriul men? It is safe to say not many would have undertaken what
Mr. Tugman did and succeeed in. As may be surmised, he is a man
possessed of a fine physique and by his great industry, is capable of a
wonderful amount of work. He is temperate in his habits, prompt in
all business matters, and possessed of the highest integrity. He is re-
garded by the bench and bar of Cincinnati as a man of ability in his pro-
fession, and has frequently been mentioned for a seat on the bench, but
being affiliated with the minority party in Hamilton County, his op-
portunities for political preferment have been meagre. The writer, who
is a personal friend, once in a bantering way suggested that the gjeat mis-
take of his life had been his politics. He replied seriously that if a young
man longed for political distinction, he ought either choose a community
suited to his poUtics, or politics suited to his community. But after all,
he reflected that even under such circumstances, there were perhaps more
strangled hopes and shipwrecks of fortune in the flotsam and jetsam
of the political sea, than in all the great ocean of other objects in human
endeavor. The observation seems just ; and while the above narrative is
a stimulus to ambition and perserverance, it is also a reminder that it is
the man that dignifies the calling, and not the calling the man. Such is
the philosophy of the character herein sketched, one that believes that in-
dustry like virtue brings its own reward and that we should find —
*• Books ill the runnmjj brooks
Sermons in stones and good in everything."
Albert CHven Tnmlpseed
was born at Rocky Fork, near Hillsboro, December 2, 1865. His father's
name was Jacob and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Ellen Williams,
daughter of Thomas Williams, one of the pioneers of Highland County.
His grandfather emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the forties. He
originally came from Virginia, near Jamestown. The family name was
Oerman, **Ribasame." which, translated, was Turnipseed, and some of his
ancestors in Virginia, saw fit to change it and use the name accordingtly.
This was done about one hundred years ago. Jacob was his grandfather's
name and that of his great-grandfather. He attended the common schools
of Highland County until he was eleven years of age, when he removed
to West l^nion and entered the High school there under the instructions
of Prof. K. P». Stivers. He qualified himself for a teacher and commenced
teaching at the age of sixteen. He taugtit for three years in Adams
County. At the age of nineteen, he was married to Miss Clara V. Holmes,
daughter of Thomas F. Holmes. He attended the National University at
Lebanon and graduated there in 1885. He was elected Superintendent
of the Schools of West iJnion and held that place from September, 1885,
until June, 1887. He was afterward Superintendent of the Moscow
Schools until 1891. He attended the Law University of Michigan for
three years, graduating in t8(}3. In 1892, he was admitted to practice law
in Michigan, and in 1893 in Ohio. He located in Cincinnati, and has an
office at No. 308 Johnson Building. He is the senior member of the firm
of Turnipseed & Morgan. His home is on Mt. Auburn. Politically, he
is a Democrat. He is a member of the Christian Union Church.
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W2 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Senator Foraker says of him : "He is a young man of high character
and fine ability. He is in the best sense of the word, a self-made man.
By his own efforts, he has secured an education and has attained an en-
viable reputation for a man of his age, in the legal profession, in one of
the most important cities of the country. His friends predict for him a
great success."
I«e Grand Byinston Tkompson
was born on Blue Creek, in Adams County, September 24, 1846. His
father was Thomas W. Thompson and his mother, Elizabeth Wilson
Broomfield, both bom in 1818. His maternal great-grandfather was John
Williams, an Englishman and a carpenter. He located at the mouth of
Brush Creek in 1794. He was known as Captain Jack Williams. He
built the first house at the mouth ®f Blue Creek. It was a frame of two
stories, ceiled, weatherboarded, and filled inside with timber and clay.
It was known as the shop. John Williams died in 1853, and is buried at
Union Chapel. His wife was Mary Duncan, who died in 1832. Our
subject's grandfather, Isaac Thompson, and his wife, Mary Williams,
were married in i8t6. His father, Thomas W., was bom in April. 1818,
near the mouth of Blue Creek. His grandfather and grandmother Thtxnp-
son moved to Indiana in 1821, near the present site of Muncie, and died
there within a few days of each other of the fever and ague, leaving two
sons, Thomas W. and Duncan. Their nearest white neighbors were forty
miles distant. There were Indians near them who were kind to them.
Their uncles, Thomas and Jesse Williams, leamed of their condition and
traveled overland from Adams County to take them home. They brought
the two boys back to Adams County to their grandfather at the mouth of
Blue Creek, where they both remained till ihey were married. Thomas
W. Thompson was a prominent Methodist, and a soldier of the Civil War,
He enlisted October 21, 1861, in Company B, 70th O. V. I., at the age
of forty-four, for three years, and was discharged for disability on Sep-
tember 22, 1862. He died in 1875.
Our subject was educated in the common schools. On September
23, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, i82d O. V. I., and served until July
7, 1865. He was Trustee of Jefferson Township in 1878 and 1879, ^^^
Clerk of the Township in 1880. He is a member of the Methodist Church
and a Republican. He is one of the Tmstees of Morris Chapel. He ^vas
married November 5, 1869, to. Miss Margaret E. Thacher, daughter of
Elisha and Rebecca A. Thacher.
Mr. Thompson is noted for his truthfulness, honesty and energy. He
gives his word and promise carefully and considerately and then is never
satisfied till he lives up to it. He never tires in any work he undertakes,
and whatever he tries to do he does it with all the strong force of his nature.
He is noted for his intelligence and for his .strictly moral life. His qualities
of character have endeared him to all of his acquaintance.
James M. Tkorman
was bom May 26, 1844, in Tiffin Township, Adams County, Ohio. His
father was Samuel Thoroman and his mother's maiden name was Jane
McNeilan. She was bom near Omagh, in Ireland. His paternal great-
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grandmother was a sister of Col. William Crawford, who was burned
by the Indians at Tymochtec on June ii, 1782. His maternal grand-
father was an adventurous Orangeman in Ireland. Our subject re-
ceived a common school education. Afterwards he took a complete mer-
cantile course at Bacon's Mercantile Cdlege in Cincinnati. In the Fall
of 1864, he began as school teacher and taught one term. , He entered
Company D, 191st O. V. I., February 12, 1865, and was made a Cor-
poraL He served until August 27, 1865, when he was discharged.
. After his return from the army he taught schocri, at intervals, for eighteen
years.
In 1885, he was a Township Trustee of Tiffin Township. In 1866,
he was elected Treasurer of the Township and served in that capacity
continuously for eleven years. He was a clerk and bookkeeper in the
banking house of G. B. Grimes & Co., at West Union, from February
28, 1882, to September 20, 1889. He was retained by the assignees erf
the bank and held the ftmds until the bank paid sixty per cent, in settle-
ment.
On September 19, 1889, ^^ was nominated by his party for Clerk
of the Courts, but the banking house of Grimes & Co., failed the fol-
lowing day and he declined to stand for the office. Since 1868, he has
been a member of the Christian Union Church and served as Record-
ing elder and Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years.
He was married to Miss Mary M. McCormick, November 3, 1869.
There are two sons of this marriage, William Mc. Thoroman, of West
Union, and Floyd E. Thoroman, of Portsmouth, Ohio. The mother
of these sons died March 21, 1880. His son, Floyd E. Thoroman, was
a member of Company H, Fourth O. V. I., in the Spanish War.
Our subject was married a second time to Miss Mary Eliza Cun-
ningham, November 14, 1883. She died November 14, 1886. On July
17, 1889, he was married to Miss Emma F. Baird. Of this marriage
there were three children: Arthur, a son, deceased, and two daughters,
May and Olga.
Mr. Thoroman is a man of high character, and of correct life. He
possesses the confidence of all who have ever known him and is re-
spected by the entire community.
J. H. Van Deman, A. M^ M. D.,
is a native of Ohio, born in Delaware County, October 7, 1829. He is
a fair example of a self-made man, of an ambitious young American,
who, without inherited wealth, overcame obstacles, conquered difficulties
and achieved success. While a student, he worked hard for the means
necessary to obtain and complete his- education. He graduated in June,
1849, i" the classical course of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Dela-
ware. In the Spring of 1852, he graduated from the Cleveland Med-
ical College. He began the practice of medicine at Delaware under
difficulties, being in debt for his medical education and outfit, but he
persevered and continued in practice, at Delaware, until 1857, when he
was elected Clerk of the Ohio Senate and served at two sessions, from
1857 to 1859, during the term of the Hon. Salmon P. Chase, as Governor
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894 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
of Ohio. From the money obtained from this source, he paid his debts
and continued to practice at Delaware until i86i. When the Rebellion
broke out, he espoused the cause of the Union and became Captain of
Company K, 66th O. V. I., which company he raised. He participated
in the battles at Winchester, Port Republic and Cedar Mountain, Vir-
ginia. In the latter engagement, he was wounded and captured while
leading a reconnoisance at night. He was taken to Libby Prison, kept
there for five months and was exchanged January lo, 1863, when he
resigned his commission as Captain and went into the Medical Depart-
ment of the Army of the Cumberland. He was assigned to duty as
Assistant Surgeon, and joined the loth O. V. L, May 5, 1863. He re-
mained with that regiment one year, when he was promoted to Chief
Surgeon with seven assistants and Medical Purveyor of the United
States Military Railroad, Division of the Mississippi, and remained in that
capacity at Chattanooga until 1865. I" December of that year, he took
charge, at Chattanooga, as Surgeon of the Refugee and Freedmen's De-
partment under the United States Government, of which he remained
in charge until the following July, when that division of the department
was abolished. A short time after this, he was made Post Surgeon in
charge of the Regulars, stationed at Chattanooga, and acted as such most
of the time until 1878, when the post was discontinued.
During his residence in Chattanooga, now over thirty-five years,
he passed through three epidemics of smallpox, two of cholera, and one
of yellow fever, remaining at his post during the continuance of each.
He was elected President of the Tennessee Medical Society in 1873,
and presided over that body two years. For twenty-five years, he has
been a member of the American Medical Association, and was for three
years, 1867 to 1869, a member of the Judicial Council of that body. He
has been a member of the American Public Health Association since
1874. He was appointed Pension Examining Surgeon in September,
1865, and served as such twelve years. He has frequently contributed
to medical literature, notably two articles— one on the cholera of 1873
and one on the yellow fever epidemic in 1878, published in the reports
and papers of the American Public Health Association. He retired
from active practice in 1883, except as surgeon, which he continued
until 1890. when he retired absolutely from the practice of both med-
icine and surgery. He is of a social disposition, belongfing to the Ma-
sonic Order, Knights of Pythias, and G. A. R. His first political vote
was cast for the Whig ticket in 1852, but when the Whig party was fol-
lowed by the Republican party, he went with the Democratic party and
has remained with it since.
Dr. Van Deman has one of the finest medical libraries in Tennessee.
He was married in his native town. May 29, 1855, to Miss Rebecca Nor-
ris, a daughter of the Hon. Wm. G. Norris. Dr. Van Deman's father
was Rev. H. D. Van Deman, a Presbyterian minister, born and raised
in Ohio. Our subject's paternal grandfather, John Van Deman, was a
native of Holland. His mother was Sarah Darlinton, a daughter of
Gen. Joseph Darlinton, of West Union. She was married to the Rev.
Henry Van Deman in West Union in 1824, and soon afterwards moved
to Delaware, Ohio, where the remaining portion of her life was spent.
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Dr. Van Deman prides himself on his financial standing, never hav-
ing a note of his go to protest and being prompt with every obligation.
He is a man of considerablie property, all made by his own efforts. He
is a member of the Ohio Commandery of the Loyal Legion, elected
May 6, 1866, insignia number 4744. He enjoys a respected and honored
position in the city of his residence and calmly awaits old age, with a
sense of duties well done.
William Nelson Watson
was born July i. 1849, on the Watson homestead four miles above Man-
chester on the Ohio River. His great-grandfather, Michatl Watson, was
born on the eastern shore of Maryland and went to Mason County, Ken-
tucky, in 1790. His children were Aaron, Michael, Mrs. Simeon Strode,
Mrs. Aaron Moore, Mrs. Solomon Shepherd, Mrs. .McConaughy, an-
other daughter, and Abraham, grandfather of our subject.
Abraham Watson was born in Maryland, October 25, 1773. In
1804, he removed to Adams County and purchased the present Watson
homestead. In 18 19, he purchased the brick house which is still stand-
ing and occupied by James D. Mott. Abraham Watson's wife was Mary
Moore, daughter of Joseph Moore, one of the earliest and most prom-
inent pioneers of Adams County. He was a native of New Jersey, born
June 9, 1854. He emigrated to Virginia in 1780, and in 1790 to Ken-
tucky. In 1800, he emigrated to Blue Creek in Adams County, where
he organized a congregation among his old New Jersey neighbors and
built MooreV Chapel, the first meeting house in Adams County, and it
is claimed by old settlers to be the oldest in the State. He afterward
bought the Elijah Kimball farm on the Ohio River, where he resided
until his death in 1822. The children of Abraham and Mary (Moore)
Watson were twelve in number, six daughters and six sons, the youngest
of whom was Enoch Lawson Watson, father of our subject. Abraham
Watson died November 7, 1847. His wife died February to, 1864, at
the age of eighly-four. Enoch Lawson Watson remained on the home
farm until after his father's death, buying out the interest of the other
heirs. He conducted the farm until 1892, when he removed to Man-
chester. On November t8, 1846, he married Miss Lucinda Boyles,
daughter of Thomas and Anna (Bonner) Bovles. She was born May
22, 1824. Thomas Boyles resided where Nathan Ellis now resides,
near Bentonville. The children of Enoch Lawson and Lucinda (Boyles)
Watson are Anna Wiley, wife of the late Hon. John K. Pollard ; Wil-
liam. Nelson, subject of this sketch: Mary, wife of Robert K. Moore, of
Buena Vista, Ohio; Eliza Arabella, wife of W. A. Underwood, deceased;
Alice Cora, wife of James D. Mott, and Emma Florence, wife of Wil-
Ham McNaley, of Orlinda, Tennessee.
Enoch L. Watson was a man of great force of character. He was
a lifelong advocate of the temperance cause and when the Prohibition
party was organized, he gave it his support and influence, believing it
the best means of bringing about a reform for good in the cause he up-
held. He died on November 8, 1895. His widow survives.
William Nelson Watson conducted his father's farm for some time,
and began teaching in 1873. He continued teaching for three years,
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8W fflSTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
and took a commercial course in the National Normal University at
Lebanon, Ohio, and on May 3, 1887, entered the Farmers' Bank in Man-
chester in the capacity of clerk. He was soon promoted to cashier,
which position he still occupies. In 1893, he entered the firm of Ruggles,
Shumate & Company, a leading dry goods house of Manchester, Ohio,
and in 1897, Mr. Shumate retiring from the firm, he became an equal
partner with Mr. Ruggles, linder the name of Ruggles & Watson.
Mr. Watson was married February 9, 1898, to Hattie Mercer,
daughter of James Mercer, of Youngstown, Ohio. They have one child,
Eva Mercer, born April 13, 1899.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Methodist Protestant
Church at Manchester. Mr. Watson is a member of the Masonic Blue
Lodge of Manchester. He was reared a Democrat, but cast his lot with
the Prohibition party with his father, and at present prefers the plat-
form of the Union Reform party. As a business man, his services in the
bank have made that institution many friends, and as a banker, he enjoys
the confidence of the entire community. Whilst kind and courteous to
all, he has the manhood to do the right at all times regardliess of the
consequences. He is a gentleman of the highest type and a man who
tries to square his life by the **Golden Rule."
Samuel Tonas IXTasson
was bom November 5, 1841, at Cherry Fork, the son of Thomas Camp-
bell Wasson and Martha Campbell, his wife. He was reared on his father's
larm. He attended the commqn schools of his district and the North
Liberty Academy. He entered Miami University in the Fall of 1861, and
graduated in 1866. The same Summer he went to Gallipolis and he and
Capt. M. V. R. Kennedy, now of Zanesville. Ohio, purchased the Onder-
donk book store and continued the business under the firm name of Wasson
& Kennedy. On September 3, 1867, he was married to Miss Jennie
Henderson, of Middletown, Butler County. In 1872, he dissolved partner-
ship with Capt. Kennedy and continued the business alone. In the Fall of
1877, he was elected a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from
Gallia County, as a Republican and served one term. He declined a re-
nomination and election, as he had changed his residence to near Middle-
town, Butler County, where he engaged in farming and where he continued
to reside there until 1889, when he removed to Hamilton, Ohio, where he
has resided ever since.
He has always been a staunch Presbyterian and was an elder in the
church at Gallipolis. On his removal to the city of Hamilton, he and his
family connected with the United Presbyterian Church in which he is a
ruling elder.
Mr. Wasson has a son, Clarence C, a physician in Hamilton, and a
daughter, wife of Joseph L. Blair, purchasmg agent of the Niles Tool
Works of Hamilton. Mr. Wasson is fond of reading and study, and keeps
abreast of the times. While he would not like to be styled a gentleman of
leisure, he has the full command of his own tune and devotes himself very
largely to work in his church. He is a gentleman of the highest character
and enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him. His wife died
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 897
July 3, 1899. She was a woman of the most estimable character, devoted
to her family and good works. Since that time he has made his home with
his daughter, Mrs. Blair.
Napoleon Bonaparte West
was born September 13, 1846, in Highland County, Ohio. His mother's
maiden name was Hannali Amanda Crawford and his father's name was
Isaac Newton West. His father and mother were married in West Union,
September 28, 1845. ^^s father was bom in Highland County, Ohio. His
grandfather, James West, was from Virginia. His father died in Buford,
Highland County, in 1852, of that "Fell Destroyer," consiunption, leaving
his mother with him and a sister, Josephine, bom in 1848. His mother
took her two children and went to the home of her mother, Mrs. Daniel
Matlieny, in West Union. Here she fell a victim of the same disease in
1854. James McClanahan was appointed guardian of the two children and
he placed them with Thomas Reighley, of North Liberty, who reared them.
Our subject enlisted in Company G, 129th O. V. I., July 14, 1863, and
served in that regiment until March 8, 1864. He re-enlisted in Company
H, 173d O. V; I., August 31, 1864^ and served until June 26, 1865. At the
date of his first enlistment, he was of the right age to make a good soldier
and did make an excellent one. He knew what was most important to a
soldier — he knew how to take care of himself, and for that quality he sur-
vived the service to this day. After his return from the army, he removed
to Peoria, Illinois, where he resided until 1868, when he went to Man-
chester and resided there until 1871. December 31, 1870, he was united
in marriage to Louisa A. Little, sister of Capt. W. W. Little, at Manchester.
He removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, in March, 1871, where he has since re-
sided. He worked for his brother-in-law, Capt. Little, until 1877, when he
went into the Burgess mill and worked there until 1886, when he went to
draying and carting. In politics, he has always been a Republican. He
has had five children : James P. and Claude, electricians ; Anna, George
and William. His son Otto died in the Regular Army, a member of the
Sixth Infantry.
He prides himself on his honesty and fair dealing, and is highly
respected by all his acquaintances. He belongs to no organization but the
Grand Army. His wife died suddenly on December 7, 1888. He tries to
do his part according to the best of his information and ability, and when
death calls hinr, he will have no regrets.
West Union Lodse, No, 43, Free and Aooepted M atont.
I'his lodge was organized Januarty 6, 1817. The charter members
were Abraham Hollingsworth, Master; Samuel Treat, Senior Warden;
John Kincaid, Junior Warden ; James Roff , John Fisher, George Bryan
and Aaron Wilson. The jewels were purchased June 24, 1819, and cost
thirty-five dollars. They are Past Master, Master, Senior Warden, Junior
Warden, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Treasurer, Secretary and Tyler.
They are of silver and engraved. No. 43. The first return to the Grand
Lodge was June 24, 1817, to June 24, 1818, shows that Henry Young,
Willis Lee, Samuel McClelland, Isaac Foster, James R. Baldridge, James
57a
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898 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
Rogers and George R. Fitzgerald were made Masons, and Nicholas Black
and Edwin Browning admitted as members. The records show that very
many prominent men were members. Gov. Thomas Kirker was a member
at one time and was Grand Junior Deacon.
The lodge met from its organization in 1817 until 1835, when it sus-
pended until advised by the Grand Lodge, and elected Abraham HoUings-
worth to represent them in the Grand Lodge. The crusade against
Masonry caused the lodge to remain suspended until October 22, 1846,
when it resumed. That year Mr. Holling^worih attended the Grand Lodge
at Dayton. On June 5. 1846, the members of the old lodge met at their
hall and agreed to reorganize. Then it was the grand Lodge issued a dis-
pensation by William Thrall, Grand Master, to A. Hollingsworth, William
Allen, E. S. Moor^, Adam McGovney, D. W. Stableton, Joseph Sprague,
William Records and John C. Scott, empowering them to begin work. The
following officers were appointed by the Grand Master: Abraham Hol-
lingsworth, Worshipful Master; William Allen. Senior Warden; E. S.
Moore, Junior Warden; M. V. Cropper, Senior Deacon; Isaac Foster,
Junior E)eacon ; Adam McGovney, Treasurer ; Joseph Sprague, Secretary ;
Nicholas Burwell, Tiler. The first meeting was held June 13, 1846. The
first candidate for degrees was I. H. DeBruin, October 30, 1846, and he re-
ceived the first degree, November 2^, 1846.
In 1880, the lodge built a Masonic Hall and occupied it until 1889.
January 11, 1889, ^^ lodge met there for the last time. Through financial
losses, they were compelled to give it up. They moved to the Miller &
Bunn Building and remained there until December 18, 1885, when they
moved to the Tolle Building. The hall is thirty by sixty feet with two ante
rooms, ten by fifteen feet.
In the Ohio Masonic Home, at Springfield, West Union Lodge. Xo.
43, furnished one room at a cost of seventy-five dollars. The lodge has
two old relics worthy of notice. One is the lambskin apron, which be-
longed to its first Master, Abraham Hollingsworth, presented to the lodge
in 1898 by the estate of his daughter. The other is the Royal Arch Apron,
which belonged to Col. John Kincaid, the first Junior Warden. The latter
was presented by W. S. Kincaid. It is a white silk satin with a silk border,
worked with blue silk. It is not less than ninety years old. The Masters
and Secretaries of the lodge have been as follows :
Masters — 1817 and 1847. Abraham Hollingsworth; 1818 and 1822,
John Kincaid; 1819, Thornby L. White; 1820, 1823, 1831, 1833 ^tnd 1834,
John Fisher: 1821, George R. Fitzgerald; 1824-1826, 1829, 1830 and 1832,
Daniel P. Wilkins; 1827, John Rodgers; 1848, H. Y. Copple; 1849, I- H.
DeBruin; 1850-1853, William M. Meek: 1853-1860 and 1864, Andrew
Mehaflfey; 1861-1873, James N. Hook; 1862, J. L. Summers; 1863, 1865,
1866, 1867, 1874-1877, 1880, Jacob M. Wells; 1868, 1869, Henry B. Wood-
row; 1870, George Collings; 187 1, Franklin D. Bayless: 1872, Joseph W.
Shinn; 1878, A. P. Kirkpatrick; 1881, 1882, Henry F. McGovney; 1883-
1886, 1890-1892, Dr. William K. Coleman; 1887-1889, William C. Coryell;
1893, J. A. Trotter; 1894, W. S. Kincaid; 1895-189(5, E. B. Edgington;
1897- 1898, E. A. Crawford.
Secretaries — 1817-1819, John Fisher: 1820, John Patterson; 1821
and 1825, Edward Browning; 1822, James Patterson; 1823, John Rodgers;
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 89f
1824, Thoriiley White ; 1826-1828, 1832, John Hayslip; 1829-1830, Andrew
Woodtow; 1831, John Woodrow; 1833-1834, 1848, William Allen; 1847,
Joseph Spragiie; 1849-1855, Abraham HolHngsworth ; 1856, Edward M.
DeBruin; 1857-1858, Jacob M. Wells; 1859, Henry B. Weodrow; i860,
1866-1872, 1877, 1879-1883, John K. Billings; 1861, 1863, Reason A.
Wells; i8i52, Lafayette Foster; 1864, James N. Hook; 1865, Frank M.
Wells; 1873, 1884-1885, Franklin D. Bayless; 1874-1876, 1878, Joseph W.
Shinn; 1886-1888, Isaac N. Tolle; 1889. 1890, John M. Boyles; 1891, 1892,
Thomas W. Ellison ; 1893, James O. McMannis ; 1894, Oscar C. Reynolds ;
1895, Robert C. Vance; 1896-1898, Don C. Mullen.
OrrUle C. Wills,
proprietor of the Palace Hotel, at Benton ville, was born March 8, 1863,
on Eagle Creek, in Brown County, Ohio. He is a son of Richard and
Nancy ( Edwards ) Wills. Thomas Edwards, grandfather of our subject,
came from Scotland to Virginia, where he married Sarah Jacobs in 1786.
He soon afterwards removed to Ohio. He purchased a thousand acres of
land where Aberdeen now stands. His second son, James, grandfather of
our subject, was born in January. 1800. In 1806, he removed with his
parents to Byrd Township, on Eagle Creek, and settled on the farm now
known as the William Edwards farm. In August 1 821, he married Nancy
Jacobs, and they reared a family of thirteen children, all of whom grew to
maturity and married. James Edwards was a Justice of the Peace for a
number of years. His wife died February 26, 1848, and in the Spring of
1850, he sold his farm and removed to Russell ville, where he engaged in
tanning for fifteen years. On December i, 1.859, h^ was married to Rachel
Linton. Nancy A., a daughter by the first marriage, was bom January i,
1837, a"^l married Richard Wills. She died March 26, 1898.
Our subject received but a limited education in the Public schools.
He chose the occupation of blacksmith and served for three years in the
S. P. Tucker shops at Manchester, at the expiration of which time he en-
gaged in the same business for himself.
On January 15, 1885, he was married to Florence Myrtle Roush,
daughter of Michael Roush. of this county. They have two children,
Flossie, aged nine years, and Dean. Mr. and Mrs. Wills are members of
the L^nion Church at Bentonville. Mr. Wills moved to Bentonville in 1896
and opened a livery and feed stable in addition to his blacksmith shop,
and in i8c;8 opened the Palace Hotel.
By industry and strict attention to business, he has built up quite a
large hotel ancl livery business at Bentonville. He is a very excellent
(itizcn and a g(X)d business man, enterprising, and an important factor in
rhe community.
Andrew Woods Williamson
was born at Lac Oui Parle, Minnesota, January 31, 1838. He graduated
at Monilta College in 1857 and was a resident graduate of Yale University
in 1858 and 1859. He served during the Civil War in the Fifth Minnesota,
anvl 70th L'nited States Cavalry more than four years. In skirmishing at
one tiem, a bullet drew blood from his forehead, and at other tiems three
bullets passed through his clothes, but he was not wounded. At the close
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»00 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
of lirs services, his health was so broken by swamp fever that he was com-
pelled to give up his chosen profession and he followed mecantile pursuits
and farming, making several changes in his location. For the past nineteen
year?, he has been Professor of Mathematics at Augustana (jollege, Rock
Island, Illinois. He has always been an active church worker and especially
in the Sunday School. He was never married.
Georse Mmrion WlkoiP
was born December 31, 1837, on Scioto Brush Creek, in Adams County,
ten miles north of Rome. His father was James Wikoff and his mother,
Rachel Prather, a daughter of John Prather, one of the old citizens of
Adams County. Her brother, Henry Prather, is the one who started the
West Union and Manchester Hack Line, and maintained it all his life.
His parents had ten children and he was the fifth. He was reared near
Blue Creek Postofficc and attended school there. He learned the vocation
of a farmer, and when of age, purchased a farm in the vicinity of his birth-
place. He was married October 8, 1863, at Otway, Ohio, to Miss Sarah
Freeman, daughter of Isma Freeman.
In 1867, our subject sold his farm and moved to Rarden, Scioto
County, Ohio, where he carried on the business of merchandising with the
exception of three years, until 1888, since which time he has been engaged
in farming and trading. His wife died on October 22, 1887. In 1894 and
1895, he was Mayor of the village of Rarden. He has had four children.
His son James, his daughter Minnie, wife of John R. Davis, and his son
John W., all reside in Rarden. His son, William, reached the age of twenty,
a young man of the finest health and physique. In the Spring of 1898, he
accepted employment in the C. P. & V. R. R., and on July 6, 1898, died of
a blow received while riding on the top of a freight car while passing
through the tunnel at Arion. Thus was this most promising young life
cut off.
Our subject is a Democrat in his political views and a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wikoff tries to live according to the
Golden Rule to the best of his ability, and comes as near to it as the average
of humanity.
Gen. Allen T. Wlko«
was born in Adams County, Ohio, on November 15, 1825, the son of John
and Nancy (Jones) Wikoff, and was reared on his father's farm. He re-
ceived such education as the common schools afforded and afterwards im-
proved liimself by private study. He began life as a farmerand continued
it until July 25, 1862, when he enlisted in the gist O. V. I., as First Lieu-
tenant of Company I. He was promoted Captain of the company, No-
vember 20, 1862, and served until the twenty- fourth of June, 1865. After
his return from the army, he resided in Columbus and studied law.
In 1867, he was admitted to the bar but never actively engaged in the
practice of law. In 1871, he was appointed Chief Clerk in the office of the
Secretary of State, which position he held until he was elected Secretar}'
of State in 1872. In 1874, he was renominated for that office by his party,
but was defeated with the State ticket In 1874, he was made Chairman of
the Republican State Executive Committee, and served as such until 1876,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 901
when he was appointed Adjutant General of Ohio by Governor Hayes, and
was also elected as the Ohio member of the Republican National Com-
mittee. He resigned both last named positions in order to give his entire
attention to the duties of Chairman of the Republican State Executive
Committee in the campaign of 1876.
In February, 1877, he was appointed United States Pensicm Agent at
Columbus, Ohio, by President Grant. He was reapix)inted to the same
office by President Hayes in 1881, and reappointed by President Arthur in
1885, holding the office until July i, 1885, when President Cleveland ap-
pointed one of his own party in his place.
In December, 1885, he was appointed by the United States Circuit
Court at Columbus, Ohio, Receiver of the Cleveland & Marietta Rail-
road and sold it under order of the Court, July i, 1886. On the reorgani-
zation of the road, he was made President, Director and General Manager,
and as such had charge of the road until the close of 1893.
In April, 1896, he was appointed by Governor Bushnell as a member
of the Ohio Canal Commission.
In December, 1852, Gen. Wikoff was married to Angeline Collier,
daughter of John Collier, of Adams County, Ohio. They have four sons
living, Wheeler R., John B., James E., and Charles A. Since 1872, his
residence has been in Columbus. He is a man of high character, esteemed
by all who know him. His record as a business man, an army officer, and a
public official, is without a stain or blemish.
Peter Noah WlokeFham,
son of Jacob and Eve (Ammen) Wickerhain, and whose grandparents on
both sides were pioneers of Adams County, was bom January 31, 1832,
near Sinking Springs, Highland County, Ohio, and lived in Highland
County until the Civil War. He was postmaster at Sinking Springs in the
fifties. During the Civil War, he kept a general store at Locust Grove,
which was looted by Morgan's raiders in 1863. He afterwards enlisted
as a Private in Company I, 141st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served from
May 2 to September 3, 1864, under Captain George S. Kirker. He served
Highland County as its Representative in the Sixtieth General Assembly,
1872-1873, and was in that time admitted to the bar. In 1880, he returned
to Adams County and has resided there ever since and is now conducting a
general store in Peebles. Mr. Wickerham is a Republican in politics and
was the successful candidate of that party for County Treasurer, being
elected to that office in 1889 and 1891, and serving four years, from 1890
to 1894.
Mr. Wickerham was married May 15, 1856, to Elvira, daughter of
George P. Tener, of Locust Grove, Ohio, and their children are Oliver C.
who owns and resides in the house at Sinking Springs once owned and
occupied by Charles Willing Byrd ; Nancy E., wife of Theodore Getchell,
Secretary of the R.R. Y.M.C. A., of Philadelphia, Pa. ; Sarah Jane, wife of
E. E. Neary, a dentist at Delaware, Ohio ; Martha J., residing with her
parents ; Peter Ammen, who served in the war with Spain in 1858 with the
Second U. S. Engineers and was Clerk in the Quartermaster Department
under Col. Guy Howard, at Augusta, Georgia, until the Cuban Volunteers
were mustered out. In June, 1899, he accompanied his chief to Manilla,
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W2 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
where Howard was killed October 21. Aminen remains there on duty.
Philip Sheridan is in school at Delaware, Ohio.
Mr. Wickerham is a member of the G. A. R. ; is a Mason and Knight
of Pythias and a member of the Peebles Methodist Episcopal Church.
Socially, he has few, if any, equals in the circle in which he moves. He
is the soul and life of any assemblage where he is known. To him more
than to any one else is due the success of the Annual Pi<meers' Reunion
of Sinking Springs. He loves to tell humorous stories occurring among
his friends, and it is reported that he occasionally tells them of himself,
although the writer had not the time and was not able to make the research
necessary to verify this statement. Mr. Wickerham has the happy faculty
of being able to make an interesting speech on any occasion. In the forum
he is at home ami is always able to please, to amuse and instruct an
audience. He ridicules the idea of being old or growing old, and claims
he will always be young. He never has any tales of woe to tell and is never
discouraged. He always looks at the bright side of things and it naturally
reflects itself in him. He is of a very happy disposition, and without
seeming to do so, is always seeking to make others happy. With such a
disix)sition and such faculties, he is a very remarkable man to the commu-
nity.
Peter Wickerham, Senior, was a soldier of the War of the Revolution
and settled near Locust Grove about 1799.
James Oscar Wlokerhaia, M. D.,
was born near Locust Grove, Ohio, October 12, 1864. His father was Peter
Wickerham and his mother was Martha F. Tener. His grandfather and
g^eat-grandfather Wickerham were each named Peter. His great-grand-
father, Peter Wickerham, came down the Ohio River in a flatboat in 1800.
He settled near the site of the town of Peebles. In 1824, he devised to his
son, Peter, the two hundred and seventy-five acres now owned by Jacob
and Robert Wickerham. His grandfather, Joshua Tener, came to Locust
Grove in 1816 with his father, Jacob Tener. His great-grandfather, Peter
Wickerham, emigrated from Germany, and was among the first settlers
of Adams County. Jacob Tener, his maternal great-grandfather, emi-
grated from Baltimore.
Our subject grew up on his father's farm and had the benefit of the
District .schools until he was nineteen years of age. He spent one year at
Lebanon and attended the County Normals. At Lebanon, he took the
teacher's course together with special branches. From 1889 to 1894, he
taught school. In 1894, he began the study of medicine with Dr. O. W.
Robe, of Youngsville. He entered Starling Medical College in 1894 and
graduated in 1897. He located at Youngsville, succeeding his preceptor
and has practiced his profession there ever since.
In politics, he has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Seaman. He was married in 1895 to Miss
W. E. Jeffries, a daughter of Thornton F. Jeffries, of West Virginia.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES W)8
WUllui H. West
was bom August 26, 1866, near Decatur, Ohio, son of George H. and
Abigail (Pointer) West. Samuel West, his grandfather, was a native of
Bracken County, Kentucky. He married Nancy J. Story, and they re-
moved to Adams County in the forties. They reared a family of seven
children. George H., the eldest son, was the father of our subject. He
was married August 26, 1865, to Abigail Pointer, daughter of James
and Susan Pointer, nee Armstrong, of the eastern shore of Maryland.
George H. West was a mem^r of the i82d O. V. I., in the Civil War,
The Pointer family and the Armstrong family emig^ted together to Ohio
in 1801. Both families settled in the river bottoms below Manchester.
Our subject spent his boyhood in Bentonville and received such
education as the Bentonville schools afforded. He attended the Ohio
Wesleyan University in the years 1888 and 1889. He also attended Normal
schools at North Liberty, West Union and Bentonville. He has been
engaged in teaching for several years. He has always been a Democrat,
taking an active part in politics. He was a delegate to the Democratic
State Convention in 1889, ^"^ ^^s served on the Election Board of the
county for several years, and on the Central Committee of his party. He
was nominated in August, 1899, by the Democratic party of his county for
Surveyor.
He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bentonville on
November 17, 1887, and was licensed by the Quarterly Conference as a
local preacher in June, 1896. He is a graduate in the "Legion of Honor."
He is a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 1 14, West Union Knights of Pythias ;
a member of the Independent Order of Red Men, No. 13J, of Bentonville,
and a metpber of West Union Camp, No. 547, Modem Woodmen of
America.
He was married August 27, 1890, to Hattie B. Mefford, daughter of
Joseph N. and Minerva (Woodruff) Mefford, of Bentonville. Their
children are Nellie P., Talma, Bessie M., and Opal M.
Mr. West is always foremost in local politics and educational affairs,
and is respected by all for his high standards in morals and religion.
William Mmrion Wamslej,
the founder and original proprietor of the village of Wamsleyville, was
bom August 3, 1843, on the site of the village, the son of William Wamsl^
and Elizabeth Bolton, his wife, both natives of Adams County. His grand-
father, William Wamsley, was a great hunter and loved that calling better
than any other, though he was both a farmer and a tanner. He was one
of three brothers, the original settlers on Scioto Brush Creek, and came
from the State of Pennsylvania. The Indians were frequent visitors, to
the new home of William Wamsley, the first in the wildemess. From them
he leamed that what is now Jefferson Township, had been a favorite
hunting ground with them and that the site of Wamsleyville was one of
their camping grounds. William Wamsley, the first, was a lover of nature
and there was much to attract him to his location on Scioto Bmsh Creek.
He was a successful hunter of bear and deer all his life, and the vicinity
of his home was the last habitat of those animals in Adams County. He
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904 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
might have selected a fertile savannah or prairie and made his descendants
rich, but the pleasures of the chase governed his selection. The original
ancestor of the Wamsley family in this country came from Germany and
the industry, energy, honesty and thrift of the German has displayed itself
in each generation. Our subject left his father's home at the age of
fourteen and set up in business for himself. He bought and sold stock
from the age of fourteen, till the age of twenty, when he bought three
hundred acres of land, including the town site of Wamsleyville. In that
same year he built a grist mill and sawmill and soon after laid out the
town. Mr. Wamsley is not and never was a practical miller, but he has
conducted the milling business since 1863. He has added to his posses-
sions until now he owns five hundred acres of land at and in the vicinity
of Wamsleyville. While Mr. Wamsley does not profess to be a salamander,
he has had a remarkable experience in the way of fires. Since originally
erected, his mill has been destroyed by fire twice, and his bams twice. In
April, 1888, his town was nearly destroyed by fire, but Phcenix-like, has
risen from its ashes. He has had fine dwellings on the real estate owned
by him, consumed by the flames, and yet notwithstanding all these losses,
he has prospered and is prosperous.
Mr. Wamsley was married May 2y, 1867, to his full cousin, Sarah W.
Wamsley. They have one child, Milton Bina, bom May 19, 1870. He
resides in the town of Wamsleyville. He married Miss Amanda Thomp-
son in 1896 and has two sons, William Klise and Butler Flack. He assists
his father in his extensive business.
Mr. Wamsley, our subject, is six feet, tall, broad-shouldered and of a
heavy frame. He weighs two hundred pounds. He has black piercing
eyes and wears a full beard, now turned gray. He is a pleasant and
agreeable man to meet and enjoys the society vA his friends. Like his father
and grandfather, he is a Democrat. He has been a member of the Christian
Union Church for twenty-tw^o years. He is a local minister in that church
and as such exerts a great influence for good. He is a sucessful farmer
and miller and w^ould succeed in anything he would undertake. His energy
and force of character so predominate his village, that it is better known as
"Bill Town," than the proper name of Wamsleyville. He impresses all
who meet him as a true man, and a more intimate acquaintance confirms
the impression. He has been and is a power for good among his people,
and his life has been a great benefit to those about him and dependent on
him. Nature gave him the stamp of true manhood, and time and ex-
perience have improved those elements of character which are the jewels
of American citizenship.
Dr. James M. Wlttenn&yer,
physician, was born December i, 1848, in the thriving village of Buford,
Highland County, Ohio. He is a son of Daniel G. and Rebecca Murphy
Wittenmyer, and a grandson of Daniel W. Mittenmyer, who, with his
wife Sarah, came from Pennsylvania in early dacys and settled in the village
of Jacksonville, Adams County, where he was a well-known grocer and
storekeeper for a number of years. He died in his seventy-seventh year.
Dr. Wittenmyer attended the Public schools at Buford, and after-
wards removed to Jacksonville with his parents in 1867. He taught school
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 906
for a time and read medicme with Drs. John and J. W. Bunn, of Jackson-
ville, and in 1872-4, attended lectures at the Cincinnati Colltge of Medicine
and Surgery, where he graduated in the Spring of 1874. Returning to his
home, after graduation, he formed a partnership with Dr. John Bunn, one
of his preceptors at Jacksonville, and continued with him until 1879, when
he took an office to himself. In 1885, he married Lizzie Graham, the ac-
complished daughter of John Graham, a prosperous farmer near Dunkins-
ville, and located at the new town of Peebles, near his former home, where
he practiced his profession until elected Auditor of Adams County in 1893,
when he removed to West Union. He was re-elected in 1896, and is the
present Auditor of the county. He is a lifelong Democrat, and perhaps no
man stands higher in the estimation of his party adherents than Dr.
Wittenmyer. He has been a power in his party councils for years. In the
Winter of 1898, his health failing he was compelled to give up the arduous
duties of his office and seek relief on the coast of Florida, whence he has
recently returned much invigorated, to the delight of his family and
friends. He has a family of three bright sons, James G., Daniel L., and
John E.
Rev, William Flnley Wanuiley, (deoeased,)
was born May 21, 1839, ^" Turkey Creek, Adams County, Ohio. He was
a son of Rev. Jesse Wamsley, and Mary McCormick. Rev. Jesse Wamsley
was a minister in the Methodist Church for ihirty years, but when dissen-
sions arose over questions growing out of the Civil War, he joined the
Christian Union, and served as a minister in that church for over thirty
years.
Our subject was reared on a farm and also worked at the tanning
business when a young man. He also taught school, and at the age of
twenty-one years went into the general merchandising business, which he
carried on at Wamsley ville until his death, May 5, 1889.
October 19, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Collins,
daughter of D. S. and Maria Moore Collins. This union was a very
happy one, and there were born to them two daughters, Mary Maria, who
died March 8. 1868, and Julia Ellen, who married Hiram V. Jones.
Mr. Wamsley became a wealthy and prominent citizen of Adams
County. He was a minister in the Christian Union Church, and a Justice
of the Peace for years in Jefferson Township. He was one of the most
prominent Democrats of the region in which he resided.
James Albert Tonns
is not a native Buckeye, but was caught young and has made as good a
citizen as though born in the great State of Ohio. He is a native of Mifflin
County, Pa., and was bom June 7, 1844. His parents came to Ohio when
he was but eighteen months old and located at Mt. Leigh, the nursery of
many distinguished citizens. He has three sisters and one brother. His
father was born in 1806. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church at
Mt. Leigh and died in 1873. His mother died in Seaman in 1893. He re-
ceived a common school education and labored on his father's farm until
July 14, 1863, when he enlisted in Company G., 129th O. V. L He was at
the capture of Cumberland Gap. September 9, 1863. He was in the army of
Gen. Burnside in the Longstreet campaign in East Tennessee in the Fall of
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M6 HISTORY OP ADA.MS COUNTY
1863, and marched, starved, fed graybacks and fought with the rest of
them. He was in the noted encoimter at Black Fox Ferry on Clinch River,
December 2, 1863. He was mustered out March 8, 1864. He concluded
to try military life again, and on August 31, 1864, enlisted in Company H,
173d O. V. I., and served until June 26, 1865. He^was always ready for
duty and rations and the Government had no more faithful soldier. After
the war, he came back to the farm on which he was reared, and which he
now owns, the Jonah Steen farm. He married Dorcas Glasgow, daughter
of Andrew Glasgow. June 20, 1873, and has a son Frank, a bright young
merchant and Deputy Postmaster at Seaman, Ohio. His wife died Feb-
ruary 23, 1874. From 1873 to 1878, our subject traveled for D. H.
Baldwin & Co., of Cincinnati, 0„ in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. While
traveling, be became acquainted with Miss Sallie Plauch, of Elizaville,
Fleming County, Ky., and as James always had winning ways, he married
her January 24, 1878. They have two bright intelligent boys, Lucien
Baldwin and Clarence Plauch, aged fifteen and twelve.
Mr. Young farmed from 1878 to 1888, when he moved to Seaman
and built a hotel and livery stable, both of which he has conducted ever
since. He has been a trustee of his township and was appointed Post-
master at Seaman in 1897. He is a Republican and a member of the
Presbyterian Church at Mt. Leigh. He works hard all week, and when
Sunday comes he is always an attendant at the services, and has led the
choir since 1865. ^^ owns and manages, with profit, two other farms than
the one already mentioned — ^the Aaron Steen farm and the Joseph Roth-
rock farm.
Surrounded by an interesting family, prospered and prosperous, with
the esteem and respect of all his neighbors, Mr. Young ought to be con-
tented and happy, arKl we believe he is. It is a pleasure to meet him and
spend some time with him in his pleasant hostelry, and no man more enjoys
the company of his old friends than he. When be is called, he will be
ready, but we hope he may not be wanted on the other shore for many
years, as he is a most valuable citizen here.
He is energetic and enterprising and has made his business a suc-
cess, and his good wife has largely contributed to the latter.
Newton Wesley Zile
was born near Locust Grove, Adams County, Ohio, December 8, 1863.
His father, Lewis Zile, was born in Maryland, August 5, 1821. His father,
Jacob Zile, bom in Carroll County, Maryland, brought his family to Ohio
in 1824. Jacob Zile was a soldier in the War of 1812. Our subject's
mother was Caroline Cannon, daughter of Byas N. Cannon, a native of
Delaware. His wife, Julia Ann Hem, was also from Delaware.
Our subject attended the common schools until the age of eighteen,
when he became a teacher and followed that profession until the Spring
of 1833, when he entered the Normal University of Danville, Indiana, and
studied Civil Engineering and Surveying. In 1884, he attended the
Normal School at Lebanon for two terms. In 1887, he was nominated by
the Republicans for Sheriff of Adams County, but was defeated by a small
majority. In 1887, he was appointed Deputy Auditor under Prof. J. W.
Jones, who had been appointed by the County Commissioners for ten
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BIOGUAPHICAL SKETCHES 907
months. In 1889. ^^ attended the Normal School at Ada, Ohio, and while
there was appointed Postal Clerk in the United States Railway Mail Service.
He entered on the duties of that position April 17, 1889, and remained in
tlie mail service ten years. He was promoted rapidly until he was made
a clerk in charge of a car in 1896, and served in that capacity until the
twentieth of May. 1899, when he resigned on account of the impairment of
his health.
In the Spring of 1894, he and J. R. Davis entered into a partnership
in general merchandising at Locust Grove, at the stand formerly occupied
by L. M. Davis. Since retiring from the Postal Service, Mr. Zile has de-
voted his time to this business. He owns the farm upon which the town
|>lat of Palestine was made by Peter Wickerham in 1837.
Mr. Zile has always taken a great interest in educational work and
is possessed of one of the most extensive and best collection of books in
the county. One who knows Mr. Zile best says of him : "He possesses all
the sterling virtues which make a man respected by his fellows. By in-
dustr>'. economy and temperance, he has acquired a competence. He is
always ready to aid and contribute to worthy objects, either charitable or
of public benefit. He is uniformly courteous to others, tolerant of their
opinions and disposed to give due consideration to all their rights and
claims. He is always willing to aid those who are ambitious to do well
for themselves. While holding public office, Mr. Zile showed a wonderful
administrative ability and earned the highest commendations for himself
from those who supervised the work. He is one of the most earnest and
enthusiastic members of his party, the Republican, and with some others
like himself, properly di.stributed over the County and working as he does,
Adams County would uniformly be a Republican county.
Mml&lon Urton,
one of the best known citizens of Adams County, is a native of Loudon
County, Va. There he was bom August 9» 1824, near Leesburg. His
father was William Urton and his mother, Jane Pursel, both natives of
Loudon County, Va., His father emigrated to Ohio in 1830, first stopping
near Columbus, but soon after he located in Adams County near Youngs-
ville. He brought with him seven children of whom our subject was the
second. Our subject attended the common schools and among his teachers
were Joseph Randolph Cockerill, afterwards Colonel of the Seventieth
O. V. I. He was brough up to be a farmer and was another of the young
men of Adams County who never taught a Public school. He began farm-
ing on his own account, in 1848, near Louisville, in Adams County, and
continued if for five years. On November i, 1853, he was married to Miss
Susan Frances Summers, a very attractive young woman of great force of
character. They were married at Marble Furnace, by the Rev. David
McDill, D. D., who has a sketch and portrait in this work. His wife was
the daughter of Jacob Summers, a native of Loudon County, Virginia,
bom June 13, 1791. His wife, Elizabeth Elmore, was bom May 11, 1789.
They were married Febmary 29, 1816. Elizabeth Elmore was the
daughter of John Elmore, a soldier of the Revolution in the Continental
line from Virginia, who served in that war seven years. As a lad he was
in the French and Indian War throughout the whole of it. He was a native
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W8 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
of Ireland. He lived to be 103 years old aiid when he died was buried
with honors of War. His wife survived him some two years and died at
the age of eighty-three. He received a land warrant for his revolutionary
services, and it was located in Kentucky.
Jacob Summers, father of Mrs. Urton, was a farmer from Loudon
County, Va. He was also a slave holder, but believed the institution was
injurious to the States permitting it. In 1835, he sold his slaves and came
to Ohio. He sold most of his personal effects and brought his family out
in a two-horse carriage. His goods, such as he brought, followed in a
four-horse wagon. He bought twelve hundred acres of land at Marble
Furnace, at the time the furnace was abandoned, and owned it until his
death, July 19, 1852. His wife died in 1874. He was a Whig all his life
Jacob Summers brought to Ohio four daughters and one son. He and
his wife buried two infant sons in Virginia. Of the five children who
grew to maturity, Mahala Elizabeth, born May 2, 1821, marired Hector
Urton ; the next, Susan F.. wife of Mahlon Urton, was bom June 23, 1823 :
Ruhama Ann, born July '27, 1825, married Townshend Enos Reed; James
F., the only son, who was born January 15, 1830, and as Captain of Com-
pany B, 70th O. V. T., was killed in battle before Atlanta, July 28, 1864;
Mary Ellen, born January 19, 1834, married Isaac Hannah.
Returning to our subject, Mahlon Urton, the farm on which he now
resides was set apart to Capt. j. F. Summers in the division of Jacob
Summers' estate. Mr. Urton purchased it of him and moved on it the
fourth of January, 1859. The home, a one-story brick, was built by James
and McArthur, proprietors of Marble Furnace. In front of it a long lawn
has two rows of locust trees, the bodies of which have attained great pro-
portions, and the surroundings proclaim that the builder of the home was
a Virginian.
Mr. and Mrs. ITrton have had five children born to them. Thomas
Clayton, their only son, was born October 20, 1854, and died at the age
of twenty-one, in 1876. Their daughter, Anna Belle, is the wife of William
Snedaker, a farmer, residing near Tranquility. Their daughters Frances
Lillian and Rosalie Jane are residing with their parents. Their daughter,
Emma Florence, is the wife of Charles E. Miller, of Marble Furnace.
Since the creation of Bratton Township from Franklin, Mr. Urton*s home
is in Bratton Township. Mr. Urton was a Whig during the existence of
the Whig party and since then has been a Republican. As such he was a
Commissioner of Adams County from 1888 to 1891, and he has been a
Trustee of Franklin Township.
He was a member of Company K, 141st O. V. I., and served from
May 2 to September 3, 1864. Mr. Urton possesses all the cardinal virtues
and his life has been an illustrating of them. He is respected and esteemed
by all who know him. If any one can get to heaven by living an honorable
life, Mr. Urton needs to give himself no further concern on that subject.
All who know cannot help liking him, and would not, if that were a
matter of will. Mr. Urton's neighbors think that when the books are
opened on the "Great Day," his account will be all balanced on the credit
side. Such citizens as he are a credit to any community which they honor
with their lives. ,
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Edward K. Walsk
was born at Comstock, Scioto County, Ohio, on the fourth day of April,
1864. His father was Edward Walsh and his mother's maiden name was
Margaret O'Brien. His parents were natives of County Clare, Ireland,
and were married there. They immigrated to the United States in 1848,
and settled in Bath, Maine. They came to Ohio in 1852 ajid located at
Portsmouth, where they remained for a few years. They then removed
to Comstock, in Scioto County, near the line of Adams County. They
had five children, four sons and on^ daughter.
Our subject was reared as a farmer's son. He attended school at
Wamsley, in Adams County, under the instruction of Professor J. W.
Jones, now Superintendent of the Ohio State Institution for the Deaf
and Dumb. He also attended a Normal school at Mt. Joy, under Pro-
fessor Aaron Grady. He was a student at Lebanon, Ohio, under Pro-
fessor William A. Clark, formerly of Adams County. He began the
study of law at Lebanon in 1890, and continued it under the tutorship
of the Hon. James W. Bannon, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and afterwards
with the Hon. Theodore K. Funk, of the same place. He was admitted
to the bar in December, 1894, and located at Otway, Ohio, where he
was Mayor of the village for two years. He located at Portsmouth,
Ohio, in 1897, for the practice of law, and formed a partnership with the
Hon. Noah J. Dever, formerly Common Pleas Judge, who has a separate
sketch herein. The style of the firm was Dever & Walsh.
He was elected City Clerk of Portsmouth on April 13, 1899, for
two years, and is now holding that office. He was married January 4,
1900, to Miss Katharine Lehman, daughter of Theodore Lehman, de-
ceased.
In politics, he is a Democrat of the straighest sect. In his religion,
he is a communicant of the Church of the Holy Redeemer (Roman
Catholic), of Portsmouth, Ohio. Mf. Walsh is a young man fond of
social pleasures, and well liked by the general public. He maintains his
law offices with the Hon. Noah J. Dever and Harry W. Miller, and
practices his profession as well as attends to the duties of City Clerk. He
is an industrious, hard-working and painstaking young lawyer who aims
to do his full duty to his clients, and is regarded with great favor by the
general public. Among his brethren of the bar and those who know him,
he is considered as one who is bound to attain distinction in his pro-
fession.
John Orlando Wilson
was born in Cincinnati, September 22, 1842, the son of Joseph Allen and
Harriet Lafferty Wilson. He was an only son, His father, at the time
of his birth, was Deputy Clerk of the Courts of Hamilton County, and
resided in Cincinnati until 1844. His father died December 16, 1848,
of consumption. His mother died August 12, 1850. He was then taken
by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Wm. F. WiMson, and resided
with them in West Union until 185 1, when they removed to Ironton,
Ohio and took him with them. He attended the Public schools in Iron-
ton till about x86i, when he went to Illinois and engaged in school
teaching. On August 15. 1862, at Morton, Illinois, he enlisted in Com-
pany G, of the 86th Illinois Regiment and served until June 6, 1865, when
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wo HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
he was discharged. He returned at once to Ironton, and from there
went' to West Union, Ohio, where he became a law student under the
late Edward P. Evans. He remained here during the Summer and
Fall and in the Winter attended the Cincinnati- Law School. He was
admitted to the bar at Pwtsmouth, Ohio, April 23, 1866. He then went
to Cincinnati, where, on October 9, 1866, he was married to Pauline H.
Weber, daughter of Prof. John Weber. There were two sons of this
marriage, William F., born September 13, 1867, and Charles O., bom
May 26, 1873. They reside with their mother at Cincinnati. John O.
Wilson first located at Elizabethtown, Illinois, as a lawyer and remained
there one year. He then returned to Cincinnati and engaged in the
drug business for eighteen months. He then located at Greensburg,
Ind., but remained only a few months. He then went to St. Louis, Mo.,
where he took up the practice of law with Judge Powers. He resided
at St. Louis during the remainder of his life. In August, 1878, he
went to Memphis. Tenn., on legal business. It was during the prevalence
of yellow fever. His business required him to remain in Memphis some
time. After he had been there eight days, he was attacked with yellow
fever. He was sick some five or six days, when he died, alone, among
strangers, and without the presence of a single friend. He was buried
in the common grave with numerous other victims. His life was a sad
one in the loss of his parents and in his own tragic death at the early
age of thirty-six. His widow removed to Cincinnati, where she has
since resided. Her sons are excellent young men with good positions
and are doing their best for themselves and for her.
James P. Wasson.
James P. Wasson was one of those men for whom the world is better
for his having lived in it. He was born in Wayne Township, Decem-
ber 18, 1837, the son of Thomas Campbell Wasson and Martha Patton
Campbell, his wife. His childhood and youth were spent at Cherry
Fork and he received such education as the schools of his vicinity
afforded. His religious training was careful and thorough by his father
and mother and he was brought up in the Ignited Presbyterian Church at
Cherry Fork. Any one familiar with that denomination knows just
what that means, and that training dictated and governed the whole
course of his life. He was trained to the strictest habits of industry and
economy and taught the art of farming. His father was one of the
most industrious and energetic farmers in .Adams County and our sub-
ject was like him. It was always a maxim in the life of James P. Was-
son to make the best and the most out of every situation which con-
fronted him, and in this he never failed.
On September i, 1859, he was marrierl to Martha Ann Mclntire,
his third cousin, daughter of Gen. William Mclntire and Martha Patton,
his wife, so that both he and his wife were great-grandchildren of John
Patton, of Rockbridge County, \'irginia. Directly after their marriage,
they went to housekeeping on a farm of his father's south of North Lib-
erty. In i863,July 10, he enlisted in Capt. David Urie's Company G,i29th
O. V. I., and here the writer, who served with him, knew him best.
He was appointed a Corporal and discharged all his duties as a soldier
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UIOGKAFHICAL SK^rTCHES 911
with the utmost fidelity. He marched over five hundred miles in the
Summer heat and in the Winter's snow, and aften went hungry. He
endured all the hardships of a severe campaign and never uttered a word
of complaint. He seemed to think that he had enlisted to do and suffer
these things for his country and he served the latter as he did his God,
faithfully, and upon his conscience. In this service, the writer was his
intimate friend and was with him every day. Had he lived in Cromwell's
day, he would easily have been one of his "Ironside." With an army
made up of soldiers Hke he, the United States could have subdued the
world, if the war had been for a just cause, for he would have fought
in no other. When he returned from his service in the army, he re-
sumed his vocation as a farmer and resided on the same farm until 1869,
when he took the Gen. William Mclntire farm, where he continued to
reside until March, 1877. I" ^^1 ^ this time he and his wife were faith-
ful members of the Cherry Fork church. Mr. Wasson was one of the
most active and energetic men. This was his heritage, both from his
father and mother, and their traits were intensified in him. For a long
time he had felt that the rewards for farming in Adams County were
inadequate, and he det^miined to remove to the fertile prairies of Kan-
sas. Therefore, in March, 1877. he located in Douj2:lass County, Kan-
sas. Here he ami his wife and family entered the United Presbyterian
Church at Edgerton, in which he was made a ruling elder and held the
office during his life. He was a faithful teachers in the Sabbath School.
In the church, as in the community, he was always consulted and his
advice taken and followed. He was of most excellent judgment in
things, both temporal and spiritual. He was a wise counsellor and al-
ways maintained the highest Christian character. In all things for the
good of his church or community, he was foremost. He was taken
with his mortal illness on the tenth of January, 1898, and died on the
seventeenth, following. His death was a great loss to his family, his
church and the community. His wife survives, and he left the follow-
ing children : Cora Esther, the wife of Frank Wilson ; Nora, the wife of
Tweed Patton, formerly of Cherry Fork: Albertina, the wife of Clar-
ence Wasson, also from Cherry Fork, and James Ormand, a son. He
had a son, William Campbell, born in 1868, and who died in 1885. His
daughters, sons-in-law and son all reside near the home in which he
died. It is a gratification to the writer that this testimonial is in the
History of his native county, where those who knew him for forty years
in his childhood, youth and manhood, may recall his correct life and
many virtues.
ReT. Nathaniel Hassle Urmston
was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, April 12, 1799. He was the first child
born there after the founding of the town by Gen. Nathaniel Massie,
and was named for him. His father, Benjamin Urmston, was a com-
panion of Gen. Massie in laying out the town. He asked for the priv-
ilege of felling the first tree in marking out the town, and the privilege
was granted him by Gen. Massie. Benjamin Urmston built a home in
the new town, and it had glass windows and a shingle roof. However,
he did not reside long in Chillicothe, but soon removed to a farm, and
died in a short time after that.
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912 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Nathaniel studied theology at Princeton, New Jersey. He had a
school friend who resided in Danbury, Connecticut, and visited him
there. He became acquainted with Miss Evaline Comstock there, and
married her in 1826. He returned to Ohio and became a missionary
for Ohio and Kentucky. His wife's health failed in this work, and he
went to Connecticut, and there connected with the Congregational
Church. In 1844, he located at Bainbridge, Ohio, in the ministry, and
^mained there until 1853.
He was then called to the Old Stone Church in West Union, Adams
County, Ohio, to whch he ministered until 1857. While there he taught
a select school which the writer of this sketch attended, and he can cer-
tify that Mr. Urmston was a most thorough teacher. What Rev. Urm-
ston taught, the writer learned and has never forgotten. In this place,
in 1855, Rev. Urmston lost his wife. She rests in the Old South Ceme-
tery at West Union.
His daughter. Miss Mary E. Urmston, also taught a select school
for girls at West Union, and she was regarded as a most excellent
teacher. She afterwards taught in the Young Ladies' Seminary at Ports-
mouth, Ohio, for several years. She married the Rev. E. P. Pratt, D.
P^, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and is now his widow.
In 1857, our subject went to Missouri and preached there until the
breaking out of the war. He then returned to the vicinity of Hillsboro,
where he remained Until his death on August 2Ty 1884. He married
for a second wife. Miss S. Johnson, of Cornwall, Connecticut. His
third wife was Miss Melissa A. Stover, of Highland County, Ohio, who
survived him.
He had seven children of his first marriage. His son, Lieutenant
Thomas A. Urmston, of the Regular Army, was killed in one of the
battles in Virginia. His son Comstock died in young manhood. At the
time of his death. Rev. Urmston left two surviving children, Mrs. E.
P. Pratt and Philander Urmston, of Muscatine, Iowa. Rev. Urmston
was a man of strong conscience, and lived up to his belief. He believed
in doing thoroughly everything he found to do, and followed that belief
both in preaching and teaching.
Robert Hatohiiuion Wood
was born June 13, 1794. Stephen Wood, an ancestor, came from Eng-
land and located in Hempstead, Queens County, New York. His
youngest son, Benjamin, married Leah Robbins, in Hempstead. Joseph,
the only son of Benjamin, was born in 1742, and was the father of seven
children. His oldest son was Benjamin, bom in July, 1769. Our sub-
ject was the third son and sixth child. He was born in Mason County,
Kentucky, where his father had removed. His eldest brother, Ben-
jamin, moved to West Union in 1804 and resided there until 1815, when
he removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, and afterwards to Portsmouth, Ohio,
in 1823, where he died in 1824. Benjamin Wood kept a tavern in West
Union where Lewis Johnson now resides, and was a Captain in the Mi-
litia. The wife of Benjamin was Sarah Huston, born August 30, 1774.
She died April 2, 1844, at Troy, Indiana.
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ROBERT HAMILTON
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 913
Robert Hutchinson Wood was married to Sarah Lodwick, Septem-
ber 29, 1818. She was the eldest child of Col. John Lodwick. Their
daughter, Nancy Jane, married Dr. Hiram G. Jones, and was the mother
of two children, a son and a daughter.
Robert H. Wood, our subject, followed the trade of a cabinet
maker in West Union for many years. He had a shop in a building re-
cently removed, just south of the residence of Dr. B. F. Slye, and resided
in the house now owned by Dr. Slye. Mr. Wood was a highly esteemed
citizen of West Union. He believed in advertising, and had a standing
advertisement of his business in the Free Press, with a picture of a side-
board as a part of his card. He was prosperous in his business and
was the undertaker for the village. Many of the pieces of furniture
made by his own hands are still in existence.
He died of consumption, July 30, 1835, and is buried in the Old
South Cemetery at West l^nion. He was a member erf, and an elder in,
the Presbyterian Church there. He owned the ground occupied by the
Old South Cemetery until 1834, when he conveyed it to parties having
friends buried there, to be used for burial purposes.
Robert Hamilton
was born November 28, 1795, at Connellsville, Fayette County, Penn-
sylvania. He was trained to the strictest belief and observances of the
Westminster Confession, and it remained with him as the best part of
himself all. his life. He came to Adams County in 1817, in a flatboat.
He landed at the mouth of Brush Creek and walked up the creek to
Biiish Creek Furnace, where he engaged as a clerk under Archibald
Paul, who was then running the furnace. At that time the furnace
only ran on Sundays. On week days the forge ran to make hollow-
ware, pots, kettles, stoves, andirons and all kinds of castings. Then a
ton of iron was 2268 pounds and twenty-eight pounds allowed for
sandage. The furnace at that time was run by water alone. When the
water was low, they had to tramp a wheel to blow off, and the best they
could do was to make two or three tons of iron a day. On the twentieth
of July, 1825, Mr. Hamilton was married to Nancy Ellison, daughter
of John Ellison. She was the sister of the late William Ellison, of Man-
chester. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. William
Williamson, who signed his name to the certificate, V. D. M., {Verbi
Dei Minister), which was the fashion at that time, which translated is
"Of the Word of God, Minister."
Robert Hamilton was a resident of Adams County until 1828. In
that time he laid the foundation of a successful business career. He
was diligent in business, and of the highest integrity.
At that time it was thought a furnace must run on Sundays or the
entire charge would be ruined, but Mr. Hamilton induced Mr. Paul to
try the experiment of a change. It was found the iron produced was
just as good. Mr. Hamilton was the first furnaceman in the country
who stopped his furnace on Sunday.
The old Brush Creek Furnace was owned by the Ellisons and the
Meanses. In 1828, Robert Hamilton and Andrew Ellison, son of the
Andrew Ellison who was captured by the Indians in 1793, under the
58a
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914 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
name of Ellison & Hamilton, built Pine Grove Furnace in Lawrence
County. Robert Hamilton fired it on January i, 1829. Four tons a
day was its capacity at starting.
After he located at Pine Grove Furnace, he became one of the
founders of the church at Hanging Rock, and was a ruling elder in it
from its organization to his death.
His first wife died June 23, 1838, and on February 20, 1839, h^
was married to Miss Rachel R. Peebles, a daughter of John Peebles
and a sister of John G. Peebles, of Portsmouth.
Our subject's judgment was excellent and he was wonderfully suc-
cessful in business. He amassed a large fortune of which his widow was
largely the almoner. He was respected and esteemed by all who knew
him as a man who Hved right up to his standard, both in business and in
religion.
He died September 11, 1856, in his sixty-first year, of a dysentery.
His death was a great loss to the business community and to the church.
It was almost a calamity, as his influence and methods were of an in-
calculable benefit to those about him. His ashes repose in the beau-
tiful Greenlawn Cemeter}% at Portsmouth, Ohio. His widow, Mrs.
Rachel Hamilton, survived until August 27, 1883, when she died, aged
eighty-seven years and one month. She was noted for her pious life
and good deeds. Her g*ifts to charities were many, large and continuous,
during her whole life, but her gifts by will were also many, large and
praiseworthy. She stated in h^r will, she feared she had .not given
enough for charitable purposes and therefore she gave her executor,
her brother, John G. Peebles. $r 0,000 for charitable objects to be be-
stowed in his discretion. Her memory is revered in the entire circle of
her acquaintance. The Peebles-Hamilton Reading Rooms at Ports-
mouth, Ohio, are a monument to her memory.
General Daniel Cookerill
was born in IvOudon County, Virginia, in 1792. He resided there until
1837, when he removed to near Mt. Leigh, in Adams County, Ohio, where
he spent the remainder of his life. In 1713, John Cockerill, of Westmore-
land County, Virginia, purchased two hundred acres of land, for which he
gave sixty-five hundred pounds of tobacco. At that time he owned other
lands in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Thomas Cockerill, his son, re-
moved to Loudon County, Virginia, in 1739. His will was recorded in
1777, and discloses the fact that he had a large family of sons and daugh-
ters. One of his sons, Sanford Cockerill, was the father of Daniel Cock-
erill, our subject.
Daniel Cockerill was in the War of 1812, and was a Sergeant. His
services were rendered in the vicinity of Baltimore and Washington. He
was brought up to the trade of carpenter. Just before the War of 1812,
he built a meeting house for the Quakers, called "Goose Creek." Owing
to the embargo act at the commencement of the war and the rise in
prices after he made the contract, he lost one thousand dollars in ccnn-
pleting the meeting house. The congregation, on hearing of his loss,
made it up to him.
He had four sons and two daughters. His sons were, Joseph Ran-
dolph, who has a separate sketch herein, Giles Jackson, Daniel Talmage,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 915
and John Craven Calhoun. Daniel T. was Captain and Major in the First
Ohio Light Artillery, and is now at the State Soldiers' Home at San-
dusky. Giles J. was First Lieutenant and Captain in the same regiment,
and is now residing at Wynwood, Indian Territory. His wife was Belle
Dunbar, daughter of James Dunbar, who formerly ofwned the Stephen
Reynolds place near Peebles, Ohio. He has a son, Ceran D. Cockerill,
now a resident of Portsmouth, Ohio.
John C. C. married a daughter of Isaac Martin, of Mt. Leigh. He
died about five years since at Metropolis, 111. A daughter, Rebecca, mar-
ried Alfred Eylar, and moved to Pontiac, Illinois, where she and her hus-
band died, leaving two sons and one daughter. One son, D. C. Eylar,
has a separate sketch herein.
General Daniel Cockerill's daughter, Lydia Jane, married Levin Can-
non, and both are deceased. They had five childretn, Daniel Cannon, of
Lovett*s Postofiice; Urban Cannon; Mrs. Anna Hamilton, of Locust
Grove ; Mrs. Flora Hughes, of Lovett's Postoffice ; and Mrs. J. F. Wick-
erham, of Peebles.
General Cockerill devoted himself entirely to agricultural pur-suits
after removing to Adams County. He was not a member of any church.
He was an old-time Democrat until Fort Sumter was fired upon. The
jar of that firing displaced all the Democracy in him, as he stated, and
from that time until his death on May lo, 1864, he was an enthusiastic
Repiiblican and a most ardent supporter of the war measures. He
thought the Southern States were not justified in secession, and he wanted
to see thehi thoroughly whipped into submission.
He was a citizen of great public spirit, and believed in doing his full
part in public affairs. He represented Adams and Pike Counties in
the lower bouse of the Le^c^islature in 1845 and 1846. In 1848 and 1849
he again represented the same counties in the lower house of the Legis-
lature. At this session, by a joint resolution, he was made a Major-
General of the Eighth Division of the Ohio Militia.
From the time of his location in Adams County, he was a man of
influence^ and was always held in public esteem. Among his virtues,
charity and hospitality were the most prominent. In the practical exercise
of these virtues he found great delight. He cherished great love for his
native state, Virginia, but lost all patience with her when she seceded from
the Union. It was his pride and pleasure to maintain hospitality as his
Virginia ancestors had done before him. Everything he undertook to
do, he endeavored to do with the best of his ability. He was for this
reason a model farmer.
If any one characteristic of his* should be emphasized, it was his
loyalty and patriotism. Three of his sons went into the federal army,
and his youngest son would have gone had not his defective eyesight pre-
vented. He would have gone himself had not his age and infirmities pre-
vented. As it was, he was an ardent friend of the Union, and gave its
cause all the support possible for his circumstances and condition. His
wife survived him until 1873. He and she lie side by side in the Mt.
Leigh Cemetery. Of him it may be said that no more loy^l heart ever
beat in human breast, and he transmitted these qualities to his descendants,
as the pages of this work will abundantly testify.
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»16 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
James Henvj M0C07,
farmer was born in Bratton Township, May 17, i860. His father,
William McCoy, was a soldier of the Civil War. He enlisted in Co. B,
x75th O. V. I., on August 23, 1864, at the age of thirty-four years, and
was mustered out of the service June 2^, 1865. ^^ ^^as a native of Pike
County. His wife, Elizabeth A. Hamilton, mother of our subject, was
a daughter of Henry Hamilton. Our subject's grandfather, James
McCoy, was from the Green Isle, beyond the seas.
William A. McCoy married Susannah Tones, from Pike County;
and moved to Sinking Springs, Highland Cfounty, in the fall of i860.
Our subject lived in Sinking Springs until 1871, when he moved onto
the farm where he now resides. His mother died January 16, 1898. He
was the eldest of three children. His brother, George G. McCoy, re-
sides at Bainbridge, in Ross County. He married Ruth A. Summers,
daughter of Daniel Summers, of Locust Grove. His sister Anna mar-
ried William W. Dimbar, who died September 4, 1895. She resides with
and makes a home for her brother, our subject, who is unmarried. He
is a Democrat in his political views, ^nd a very strong one at that.
He is outspoken in all his views, political or otherwise. He is a
Master of the Peebles Masonic Lodge, No. 581 ; and is also a member
of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 203, at Peebles. He has a com-
mon school education, but never taught. He was elected a Justice of
the Peace of Franklin Township, in 1807, ^"d re-elected in 1900. He is
one of those forceful young men who believe in candor; and whose
views are an open book ; and who are not deterred by policy or caution
from expressing their well-considered thoughts. He is a man of fine
physique and physical presence, which at once impress those who meet
him. If he lives and has health, he will be heard from further on.
William Wallaoe Little
was born December 13, 1825, in Lewis County, Kentucky, opposite the
village of Manchester, in Adams County, O. : but during his childhood,
boyhood and young manhood, his home was in Manchester. His father,
James Little, one of the pioneers of Adams County, Ohio, was born De-
cember 4, 1793, near Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and he was married to
Miss Charlotte Davis, January 10, 1825. There were thirteen children
of this marriage, of whom our subject was the eldest. His grandfather,
Thomas Little, was a native of Ireland. He came to this country in 1774
or 1775. He was a Revolutionary soldier. He enlisted on December
22, 1777, in Captain Fauntleroy's troop, Fourth Regiment of Dra-
goons, commanded by Col. Stephen Moylan, to serve during the war.
His regiment was from New Jersev. His wife, who had been Miss Mary
Neiper, came from County Antrim, Ireland, in 1768 or 1769. in the ship
"Prosperity." Her parents settled finst in Lancaster County, Pennsyl-
vania, and afterwards moved to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
She and her husband came to Manchester, Ohio, in 1803 where both
died and are buried. They had eight children. Their son. James re-
sided in Manchester until his death, August 11, 1887, at the age of ninety-
four years. He was a soldier in the War of 181 2, and was pensioned
for his services therein. Our subject's great-grandfather, John Little,
was born and lived in Ireland in County Tvrone, four miles from Market
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BIOGRAPHICAL, SKETCHES 917
Hill. He was a farmer. His wife's name was Mary McCuUy. His
son Thomas was the only child of a numerous family who came to the
United States.
The education of William W. Little, our subject, though meagre,
was obtained at Manchester, Ohio. His childhood, boyhood, and youth
were filled with hardships, but he took them good-naturedly and cheer-
fully, trying to make the best of every condition he was compelled to
meet. He went on the river at an early age, and by his energy and
sheer force of character soon rose to the position of mate. He served
as a boy on Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Memphis packets from deck
sweep up. He was on the steamboats United States, two or more of
the Soiotos, and the Boston. He was also a* pilot and master ; and was
known everywhere as Captain Little, the usual title given to steamboat
masters. He knew every man connected with the river trade from
Portsmouth to Cincinnati, and had an extensive acquaintance on the
Southern rivers. He made Portsmouth his home from 1855 ^^ 1882.
On January 29, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary A. J. Timmonds,
who was born April 27, 1827, and who died October 20, 1855. Her twin
djaughters died in infancy. Mr. Little was married a second time to
Miss Harriet A. Tin^monds, sister of his first wife, who resides at the
family homestead with her only surviving child. Miss Mary J. Both
of Mr. Little^s wives were granddaughters of Richard Woodworth, a
soldier of the Revolutionary War, who enlisted in February, 1777, in
Captain William Gray's Company, of Col. William Butler's regiment,
Pennsylvania, and served four years. He was in the battles of Brandy-
wine, Germantown, and Monmouth, and was pensioned May 9, 1818.
Mr. LitMe and his second wife have had seven chiliiren. Their
eldest son, William H., born in 1857, died in 1888, leaving a wife and
child. Their sons Carey E., aged eighteen, and Frank C, aged sixteen,
both died of that fell disease consumption. The others died in infancy.
Mr. Little went into the coal business in Portsmouth Ohio, in 1858,
and continued in it until 1879. He was first alone and then in partner-
ship with James Hamilton, as Little & Hamilton, in 1862. From that
time he continued the business alone until t866, when he formed a part-
nership with E. N. Hope, the firm being known as W. W. Little & Com-
pany. In advertising this business in 1865, he adopted the motto of
Capt. William McLain, "We have come to stay," and placed it at the
head of his advertisement and kept it there. While engaged in the coal
business, he also had other activities. He owned the steamboats Pike,
Boskirk, Viola, Gaylord, Brilliant Eldorado and not fewer than three
ferry boats ; and he commanded all of them at times, as he always had
master's papers. He operated the ferry between Portsmouth, Ohio, and
Springville, Kentucky, for many years. He built the River City Ferry
Boat in 1874, and ran her until September 28, 1881, when he sold the
ferry to Capt. Samuel Brown for a farm of two hundred acres at Little,
in Greenup County, Kentucky, to which he removed in 1882. spending;
the remainder of his life as a farmer. During the Morgan raid in 1863
he commanded a fleet of boats in the Ohio River, and thereby acquired
the title of "Commodore."
Mr. Little always resided in the second ward during his life in Ports-
mouth. He became a Councilman from that ward in 1867, and served as
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918 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNIY
such during most of the time thereafter until he removed to Kentucky.
He was president of the City Council of Portsmouth from 1870 to 1874,
and in 1877 ^"d 1878. He was president pro tcm, in 1876. Mr. Little
was a most enthusiastic Republican, and a power in city politics. He
knew the second ward thoroiifj^hlv, and he could always carry it when-
ever he undertook to do so. It was never any trouble to induce him to
do political work.
He was a director of the Farmers' National Bank for several years
in its early history, and always took a prominent part in every public
measure for the advancement of the city. He took a leading part in in-
troducing the Holly waterworks into the city of Portsmouth. He was
a member of Rev. E. P. Pratt's church in Portsmouth, and Hved up to
his professions as closely as any one could who had been a steamboat-
man.
Mr. Little went through not only many family afflictions, but several
financial disasters, but he never lost courage or hope. He always re-
tained his good spirits and his energy. From 1866 to 1882, he resided
on the northeast corner of Front and Court Streets, Portsmouth, Ohio,
in what has since been known as the Morton Club property, where he
was known to all. As a public spirited citizen, he was a model, — always
ready to do his part and mo^e, tcx) : and was always readjy and willing
to help every good cause. When he became a farmer, which every
steaniboatman has an ambition to be, he kept his interest in public affairs
as before. He died July 18, 1897, and is interred in Greenlawn Ceme-
tery, in Portsmouth. When called in judgment on the last day he will
cheerfully face his record, anc^ will have nothing to explain or apologize
for. He did the best he could every day of his life, and who can do
more ?
Albion Z. Blair.
On pages 226 and 22y of this work, we have given a sketch of the
above named gentleman as a member of the bar of Adams County. In
that sketch w^e mentioned Mr. Blair as a power in the Democratic party.
Since that sketch was completed and laid aside, about September i, 1900,
Mr. Blair changed his party relations, and has become an active Republican,
making many public speeches favoring the re-election of President Mc-
Kinley. It is due to Mr. Blair that he should go down to posterity as of
the political faith he professed when this book was closed. Therefore we
have noted the change of political faith made by him, and give him credit
for honesty of purpose in the change. Mr. Blair will always be found
where his honest convictions take him, and will be a power to any organiza-
tion to which he attaches himself. We bid him godspeed in his new de-
parture, as we would had the case been reversed.
Tbe Namine of the West Union Scion,
In February, 1853, Samuel Burwell, the aged publisher of the Scion,
was then a young man just starting in life. Mr. Evans, one of the edi-
tors of this work, remembers Mr. Burwell's coming to the Evans home
to ask about the propriety of starting a newspaper, and a name for it.
Mr. Edward P. Evans, the father of the editor of this work, advised him
to start the newspaper, and suggested the name of "The Scion of Tem-
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MISCELLANEOUS 919
perance," which was adopted, as it was determined at the time to start
it as a temperance paper. The writer was eleven years old at the time,
and was present at the conference when the launching of the Scicm was
determined upon. He remembers what was said at the conference as
distinctly as though it had occurred but yesterday.
West Union Intellieenoer.
The publication of this weekly was begun in 1841 by Stephen P.
Drake. He continued its publication until the summer of 1845, when
he sold out to Robert Jackman, who continued it until his death in
August, 1851. Durmg Mr. Jackman's ownership, the paper was sus-
pended for a few months in the year 1849; ^"^ when he resumed its pub-
lication, the name was changed to The People's Intelligencer, and it was
continued under that name during its existence iii West Union. After
Mr. Jackman's death in 185 1 (see page 2>7^ ^^ this book), Henry B.
Woodrow, now living at 421 West Seventh Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, con-
tinued the publication of the newspaper for Mr. Jackman's widow, Mrs.
Elizabeth Jackman, until Februarv, 1852, when he purchased the plant
and took it to Manchester and continued its publication there about two
years.
The paper was Whig in politics during its entire existence. At the
time Mr. Drake began the publication of the Intelligencer , West Union
had been without a newspaper for a number of years, the Free Press being
the last. When Mr. Drake sold out in West Union, he went to Ports-
mouth, Ohio, and started a paper called the Portsmouth Clipper, which he
published several years. He was afterwards engaged in the newspaper
business in Ironton. During the Civil War, he was a member of the
Second West Virginia Cavalry, and died in the army. He was a brother
of the late Samuel P. Drake, of Portsmouth.
Associate Jndses of Adams Gonnty, 1803 to 1852.
Jcseph Darlinton, from April 6, 1803, to February 16, 1804.
Needham Perry, from February 16, 1804, to September 20, 1813.
Hovea Moore from April 6, r8o3, to September 20, 1813.
David Kdie, from April 6. 1803. to September 20, 1813.
Moses Baird, from February 15, 1810, to April 10, 1821.
Andrew Livingston, from F^ebruary 15, 1810, to August i, 1831.
William Lcedom from September 20, 1813, to March 28, 1814.
Job Dinning, from February 5, 18 r4, to March 17, 1828.
Tliomas Kirkcr, from February 15, 1821, to October 30, 1821.
Robert- Morrison from February 14, 1822, to March 21, 1836.
John Kincaid from February 4, 1828, to July 28, 1834.
Samuel McClannhan, from August i, 183T, to April 23, 1838.
William Robbins. from July 28, 1834, to March 19, 1835.
Joseph Eylar, from February 4, 1835, to May i, 1849.
David C. Vance, from March 21, 1836, to July 19, 1843. '
Robert Morrison, from April 23, 1838, to April i, 1851.
William Robbins, from July 18, 1843, to May i, 1849.
Thomas Foster, from February 28, 1849, to April i, 1852.
Thomas Lockhart, from February 28, 1849, to April i, 1852.
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wo HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
List of tlie Jostioes of tlie Poaoo of Tlttn Towaaliip.
Names.
When qualified.
Remarks.
Jatnes Moore
August 26. 1808
James Scott
August 26, 1808
Resigned.
Samuel Young
July 26, 1809
Job Dinning
July 26, 1809
Two terms. Mar. 8. 1815
John W. Campbell
July 25. 1809
Two terms, resigned.
June 6, 1816.
Three terms, died Mar. 2, 1819.
Samuel Moore
September 30, 1811
JuW 17, 1812
Joseph Neilson
John Wood
April 16. 1814
James Finlev
June 30, 1816 ^...
April 16. 1817
Abraham HoUingsworth
Samuel Treat .•.,.
July 13, 1818
Henry Young ,
April 27, 1819
Three terms, 1828.
Three terms 1828
John Patterson
April J3, 1820
Re-elected
December 6. 1831
May 1, 1826
January 2,1838
Served two terms.
Ralph McClure
Two terms. resig*d Feb. 16, *31.
Three terms, died Apr. 24, 1846.
Two terms.
Re-elected
Jacob Treber
April 24, 1828
I^eonard Cole
April 17,1829
Two terms.
Joseph Darlinton
April 21, 1831
Resigned Nov. 12, 1831.
Two terms
Tob Dinninfir. Tr.
April 10. 1832
Re-elected
April 9, 1842
Served two terms
John Hempleman
April 16, 1834
Two terms.
Daniel Boyle
January 10, 1836
Two terms.
Jacob Hempleman
April 15, 18>i7
Two terms.
John Morrison
April 21, 1838
Two terms. Left the state.
William A.Lee
June 2, 1846
Oliver Treber
April 17, 1848
Daniel Matheny...
Hosea Moore, Jr
April 12, 1849
July 12, 1849
Two terms.
John Treber
April 7, 1851
Henry Prather
April 26, 1861
Thomas J. Mullen
April 9. 1855
Re-elected
October 26. 1861
Re-elected
April 13, 1892
Samuel S. Mason
April 28, 1866
Three terms.
Edward M. De Bruin
April 13, 1868
Two terms.
James L. Coryell
October 27, 1864
Two terms.
Re-elected
April 12, 1886
Two terms.
S**muel Or^^msr-.T.rt.tt t
April 9, 1868
Two teim V
Re-elected
April 12, 1877
Re-elected ,.
April 19,1883
Eli R. Wells
April 18, 1870
April 10, 1874
Two terms.
Luther Thompson
Two terms.
Henry Scott
John W. Masoii
April 16, 1880
Two terms.
November 21, 1891
April 12, 1886
Two terms.
F M. Piatt
Three terms.
C. A. Wade
April 13, 1892
Two terms.
John Shoemaker
November 12, 1^95
Two terms.
Census of 1900.
Population of Adams County.., 26,328
Population of Village of Manchester 2,003
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GENERAL INDEX
PAGE.
•A," Co.. 70th O. V. 1 346
Abney, Ned 407
Abolitionists Mobbed 494
A Battle near Reeves Crossing 32
Adamsburg 89, 126
Adams County Formed 3, 77
Adams County in Legislature 245
Adams County in Congress 296
Adams County in Civil War 340
Adamsville, County Seat 183, 89, 87
Adams, Rev. Eli P 676
A Duel in Adams County 365
Adventure with Indians 44
Agreement, Massie's 51
"Ahlezer" 568
Ailes, Mary 93
Aldred, Henry 886, 450, 332
Alexander, Hon. John ; 296, 299, 300
Alexander, John 330
Alexander, Carey C 678
Alexandria 115, 124, 125, 126
Allen's Tavern 125, 129
Allison, John B 142, 680
Allison, james 675
Altitude of West Union 12
Amends Hotel 126
Amen, John 503
Amen, Prof Harlan P 504
A Marvelous Incident 432
A Mysterious Murder 464
A Murder near Clayton 465
Anderson, Benjamin D 505
Anderson, Gen. Robert C 39
Anderson. William 145, 198, 231
Anderson, James 48, 677, 504
xVnderson, Irwin M 505, 677
Anecdote of Capt. Faulkner 451
Anecdote of a Revolutionary Soldier 451
Anecdote of an Old Stage Driver 447
Anecdote of Judge Thurman 399
An Object Lesson in Politics : 459
An Old Meadow 432
A Pioneer Nurseryman 459
Arbuthnot, Col. James 506, 678
Arbuthnot, Rev. James 486, 606
A Remarkable Centenarian 491
Armstrong Comer '. 483
Ai-mstrong, James Ill
Armstrong, William 472, 474, 477, 413
(921)
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922 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
PAOIL
Army Substitute Brokers 113
Arnold, Ezekiel 679
Ashbum, Judge Thomas Q 169, 170, 182
Asiatic Cholera 371
Assessors, Allowance to 105
Assessors, Return of ... * 105
Associate Judges of Adams County, 1803 to 1852 919
Attorneys Taxed Ill
Auditors, Roster of 147
"B," Co., O. H. A 359
"B," Co., 33d O. V. 1 341, 342
' B," Co., 60th O. V. i 343, 344
Backwoods, Life In , 53
Bailhache and Nashee 166
Bailey, Joel 92, 493
Baird, James 140
Baird, Judge Moses 88, 92. 110, 197, 260, 389, 645, 513, 121, 919
Baird, Maj. Chambers 198, 513, 208
Baird, Robinson 510
Bakus, Peter 109
Bald Hill 14, 434
Baldridge, James R 147, 897
Baldridge, Rev. Willian 489, 490, 332, 506
Baldridge, Samuel T 681
Baldridge, James 697
Baldridge, Newton D 697
Baldridge, James W 354, 683
Baldwin, Michael 144, 195, 508
Baldwin, John 334
Bannon, Hon. James W 909
Bar and Judiciary 195
Barr, Samuel 34, 385
Barrere, Judge George 120
Barrere, Hon. Nelson Ill, 145, 197, 198, 286, 297, 120, 310
Barrett, John 123, 146, 157
Barry, Major. 518
Bartle, Captain 72, 73
Barton, Judge Kimber 93
Bascom, Rev. Henry 436, 452
Battleman, Christian 126
Battle near Reeves Crossing 32
Battle on Scioto Brush Creek 65
Bayless, Franklin D 145, 198, 353, 222, 898, 899
Beasley, Gen. Nathaniel. . . . 141, 110, 149, 247, 262, 354, 470, 473, 476, 44, 101, 123
Beasley, Jeptha 101, 152, 153
Beasley, Judge John 141, 96, 196, 197, 107, 118, 121, 44, 82, 84, 122, 123
Beasley Fork Postofflce 450
"Beeches," The 585, 636
Beckett. David, Execution of 386
Bed of Ohio Brush Creek 15
Bentonville 467
Bentonville, School^ 686
Bell Tavern * 474
Belli, Maj. John 118. 87, 57, 148, 196, 197, 88, 89, 91, 82, 83, 522, 92, 99
Bolt, Judge Levin 169, 170, 196, 110, 144, 172
Berry, Dr. James S 685, 888
Bible, Lewis 450
Bigger, Col. John 177
Billings, John K 196
"Bill Town" 904
Bishop, Rev. Robert H 489
Bissinger, Jacob F 691
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GENERAL INDEX 923
PAGE.
"Black George." 95
Black Sam 646, 647
Blair. Albion Z 198, 918, 226
Blair, Joseph L 896
Blair, Hon. William A 250, 355, 468, 139, 292
"Bloody Bridge." 481
Bloom Furnace 529, 543
Bine Limestone 13
"Blue-Eyed Nigger." The 408
Blue Creek Postoffice 431
Boggs, Marcus 190
Boone, Jacob 98
Bottleman, Christian 126
Boundaries of Adams County 78
Boundaries of Adams Co.. Original 78
Bowman, Ambrose 0 696
Boyle, Daniel 447, 474, 620, 525, 920
Boyles, Sarah 372, 135
Bradbury, Hon. Joseph P 192
Bradford, Samuel G 511
Bradford, David 125, 147, 165, 202, 376, 389, 392, 471, 472, 90, 447. 109. 122
Bradford, Mrs. Sarah W 652
Bradford's Drive, David 505
Bradford, Samuel 146, 148
Bradford Tavern 474, 483, 512, 126,127
Bradyvllle 467
Branding Irons 109
Bratton Township 162. 413
Bratten. Charles H 687
Bratten. Thomas L 698
Bratten, Dr. George E 684
Breckenridge. William P 355, 698
Breedlove, John 330
Brewer. Henry 330
Brice, Calvin S 180
Briggs. John 92, 96, 471, 472. 473
Brittingham, Moses R 357, 684
Brittingham Camp Grounds 463
Brown, Capt. John 285
Brown, Jacob N 682
Brown, John 122
Brown, John, Jr 122
Brown, William B 145, 689
Brown, James W 689
Browning's Inn 474
Brush, Henry 174, 197, 286, 388, 389, 195
Brush, Samuel 144, 145, 202
Brush Creek Covenanter Church 416
Brush Creek Forge '. 403
Brush Creek Furnace 400, 403
Brush Creek Furnace Company 400
Buchanan, John 379
Buchanan, Margaret Lee 379
Bmk Run Postoffice 458
Buck, William C 198
Buckeye Station 235, 382
Bull Forge 403
Bundy, Col. William E 324, 695
Bundy, Hon. Hezekiah S 250, 298. 316
Bundy, William E 695
Bunn, Dr. James W 366, 439, 476, 139, 690
Burbage, Capt. Thomas 658, 659
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924 mSTORY OP ADA^S COUNTY
PAGE.
Burbage, Capt. W. D 222, 250. 353, 354, 659, 661
Burbage Family 657
Burbage, James 657
Burbage, John 657
Burbage, Levin Duncan 659
Burbage, Richard 657
Burgess, Rev. Dyer 284, 374, 375, 475, 494, 631, 514
Burnett, Judge Jacob 85, 144, 84, 196
Burr, Jacob * 692
Burrhstone 13
Burwell. Nicholas 264, 475. 483, 521
Burwell, Samuel 360, 478, 917, 693
Butler, Joseph H 149
Byrd, Judge Charles W 3, 522, 385, 526, 901
Byrd Township 102, 153
Byrd, Kidder Meade 196
"C," Co., 70th O. V. I 347
Caden, Adolph 662, 704
Caden, Carl W 661
Caden Family 661
Camp Hamer 344, 348
Campbell. Charles 538
Campbell, Colin 72
Campbell, Judge John W 145, 246, 296, 389, 535, 144, 301, 920
Campbell, John 634
Campbell, George 58, 161, 119, 546
Campbell. William 0 699
Campbell, Dr. John 345, 348, 701
Campbell, Joseph R 712
Campbell, Hon. Alexander 246. 279
Campbell, Mrs. Esther 313
Campmeetings 436
Captivity of Israel Donalson 66
Capture of Andrew Ellison 75 , 277
Carey, Stephen 107
Cartright, Rev. Peter 436
Caskey, Rev. James 539
Caskey, John P 609, 700
Cassady, Michael 32
Catt, Elizabeth 424
Cavalry, 7th O. V 356. 379
Cave Hill 14, 434
Cedar Hill Township. 101, 98, 99, 103
Cedar Mills 431
Census of 1900 920
Centenarian 491
Centennial Meeting 63
Centenarian 491
Chalybeate Springs 17
Change in Names of Townships 103
Character of The Pioneers 53
Charles, Samuel B 341
Charles, Samuel L 727
Cherry Fork Postofflce 488
Cherry Township 103
Cherrington, Judge Thomas 192, 194
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad •. . . 384, 427
Cholera, Asiatic 371
Cholera in West Union. 1835 371
Cholera in 1849 876, 877, 378
Cholera in 1851 378, 379, 382
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GENERAL INDEX 92o
Churn Creek 432
Circuit Court 191
Clark, James, Judge 198
Clark, John 453
Clark, Judge Milton D 192
Clark, Samuel P 142, 725
Clark, Samuel E 352, 353, 354, 728
Clemmer, Andrew 109
Clerk of Courts, Roster of 143
Clay, Henry .• 281
Clay. John M 369
Claypool and Company, James T 400, 403
Cliff Limestone 12
Cllnger, John 721
Coates, Gen. B. P 250, 352, 354, 571, 270
Cochran, Judge Hugh 82
Cochran, Gen. John 248, 261
Cochran, William .^ 146, 336
Cochran, Robert M 724
Cockerlll. Armstead 715
Cockerill, Col. John A 313, 419, 713
Cockerill, Gen Joseph R..142, 144. 149, 19S, 250, 299, 344, 311, 196. 380, 456, 479,
907.
Cockerill, Gen. Daniel 249, 914, 915
Cocksrill. Giles J.. Capt 358, 915
Cockerill, Major Daniel T 358, 915
Coftman. Jacob , . 95
Cole, Hon. Alfred E 338, 728
Cole, George Davis 338, 716, 706
Cole, Ephriam 482, 483, 338
Cole, James M 141. 145, 158. 180, 198, 146, 545
Cole. Allaniah 180, 371, 541
Cole, Allaniah B 338
Cole, Leonard 147. 471, 540, 920
Cole, Horatio 379
Cole, Mrs. Nancy 477
College Lands 48
Collett. Judge Joshua 162. 170. 196, 176
Collier, Col. Daniel 245, 246, 389, 101, 109, 118, 119, 121, 538
Collins, Rev. John 200, 436, 543
Collins, Elliot H 154, 158, 715
Collins, John B 718, 883
Collins, Richard 145, 200
Collings, Capt. George 148, 340, 341, 512, 706, 898
Collings. Judge George 110, 111, 145, 167, 170» 195, 197, 199, 204, 179, 519
Collings. Judge Henry 145, 169, 170, 171. 199, 440, 519, 184
Collings, James 88, 89, 117, 122, 338
Collings, William 471. 472
Coleman, John 725
Coleman. Dr. William K 216, 720, 898
Coleman, Dr. David 376. 379, 380, 711
Combustibles 1^
Commercialtown 423
Commissioners, Roster of 140
Common Pleas Judges 169
Common Pleas Circuits and Districts 168
Commissioners' Proceedings 104
Compton, Stephen W 532
Compton, John D 533, 703
Compton, Joseph William 523
Congressional Apportionments 296, 300
Connor. James H 145. 476, 717
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926 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNIT
PAGE.
Connolly, Thomas W 161, 348, 349, 162, 702
Copple, Daniel 407, 331
Cornelius. James F 143, 719
Coroners. Roster of 146
Cowen, Allen T 169, 170
Coryell, Judge James L 148, 250, 442, 290, 920
Coryell, Hannah A 707
Coryell, Lewis 434
Coryell, William C 470, 716, 898
Couch, Jessup N ; 174, 195, 197, 144
County Buildings, West Union 134
County Seat Commissioners 110
County Strong Box 110
County Scrip 110
bounty Seat, Washington 90
County Seat Agitation 88
Courier of Liberty •. 378
Courthouse and Jail, Adamsville 133
Court House. First. W. Union 135
Court House. Second. W. Union 136
Court House, Third, W. Union 136
Court of Quarter Sessions 81
Covert, Larkin N 699
Covenanter Congregation 416
Cox, Martin 709
Cox, Martin L. 727
Craigmiles, Charles 723
Crapsey, John 0 198
Crawford, Col. William 893
Crawford, Edward A 721, 898
Crawford's Stable 436
Creighton, William 108, 174, 195, 202, 388. 389, 118, 144
Crissman, Marion F 354, 355, 722
Crown Lands 38
Culbertson, Samuel 709
Cumberland Reservation 38
Cuming, Dr. F 663, 128 to 132, 127
Cutler, Ephraim 252, 550
CuUer, Hon. William P 632
•D," Co.. 20th O. V. 1 340
"D," Co., 19l8t O. V. 1 356
Darlinton, Gen. Joseph.. 123, 107, 143, 144, 148. 166. 167, 195, 196, 197, 239, 135.
251. 275, 472, 476, 482. 498, 515, 550, 919. 920.
Darlinton, George W '. . 546
Darlinton's Road Petition 85
Davis, Henry Winter 179
Davis, Hon. David 179
Davis, Judge Frank 170, 185
Davis, John and Katy 414
De Bruin, Edwin M 198, 341, 920
De Bruin, Hyman 1 496. 548
De Bruin, Israel H 733, 898
De Bruin, Judge Noah 909
Defender, People s 289, 290, 479, 722
Democrat, Adams County 478
Democratic Union 289
Denning, Job 02, 99, 101, 117. 121, 122, 125, 437, 468, 82, 919, 920
Dennis, Dr. C. P 352
Deputy Surveyors 40
Dever, Judge Noah 170, 171, 186, 909
Devine, John 158
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GENERAL INDEX 927
PAGE.
Devore, David 198, 101
Dewey's Grammar School 541, 542
Dickey, Judge Henry L 298, 323
Dickinson, Hiram W 729
Diseases of the Pioneers 61
Doak, Alvah S : 149, 730
Doane, Hon. William 297, 309
Dobbins, Rev. Robert 435, 462, 391, 552
Dobbins, William 442
Donalson, Israel 239, 363, 437, 438, 442, 120, 123, 66. 549
Donalson's Mound 27 , 68
Douglas, Richard 172
Dow, Rev. Lorenzo 391
Downing, Timothy 33, 70
Drake, Stephen P 917, 918
Drennan, Mrs. Susan B 555
"Drummer Boy of Shiloh" 419, 713
Duduit, William 109
Duel in Adams County 365
Dunoar, Andrew 551
Dunbar, David 158. 161, 373, 439, 440, 441, 442, 474, 409, 730, 476, 551, 604
Dunbar, James 125, 124
Dunbar, John K 161, 441, 162
Dunbar, Hamilton 60, 166, 373, 477, 551
Dunbar, William 96, 118, 122
Dunkinsville 453
Dunlap, Marion 147
*'E," Co., 1st O. H. A 359, 665
"E," Co.. 9l8t O. V. 1 352, 358
**E," Co., 70th O. V. 1 347
Eagle Township 103, 156
Early Marriages 57
Earthquake, 1811 671
East Fork 4
Ebritc. Daniel 745
Eckmansville 488
Edgington, Asahel, Killed by Indians 74, 73
Edgington, George 461, 462
Edgington. Isaac 389, 436, 437, 461, 99
Edington, John 116. 74. 146
Edgington, Capt. Lemuel L 348, 441, 734
Edgington, Sylvanus V 735
Edgington, Sherman R 739
Edgington. Dr. Charles W 145, 740
Edgington, George W 742
Edie. David 86. 96, 197, 473, 90, 83, 109, 123. 146, 919
Edwards, Jesse 330, 429. 334
Eighty-first O. V. 1 350, 351, 352
Election of Township Officers 101
Election Boxes ' 109
Ellis, C. C 152
Ellis, Dr. A. N 664
Ellis. Ephraim J., Major 440
Ellis Family 662
Ellis Ferry 115, 116, 117, 122, 124, 127, 128
Ellis, Jeremiah 669, 149
Ellis. Jesse 663, 664. 149
Ellis. Lieut. Amos F 345
Ellis, Nathan 107, 145, 248, 663, 99, 101, 107, 117, 119, 122, 128
Ellis, Nathaniel 88
Ellis, Samuel 662
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»28 HISTORY OP ADAMS CX)UNTY
PAAB.
Ellis. William J 345, 34»
Ellison, Andrew, Capture of 75. 277
Ellison, Hon. John 145, 246. 385, 390, 391. 47, 280
Ellison, Andrew. . 149, 196, 246, 277. 297. 400, 437, 468, 472, 525, 110, 115, 129, 146
Ellison, Andrew B 439. 440, 553
Ellison. Andrew H 740
Ellison Cyrus 373 555 .
Ellison, John 151, 389. 438. 555, 105. 122, 474, 483, 512, 735, 913
Ellison. John, Banker 386
Ellison. Robert 84, 88, 121. 122
Ellison, Robert 655, 115
Ellison, Robert H 148, 735
Ellison Thomas 145
Ellison, Thomas W 139, 737. 899
Ellison. William 385, 535, 557
Ellison's Brick "Hoose.". 444
Bllsberry, Hon. William W 299, 324
Elmore, John, Revolutionary Soldier. . . , 907
Emerald .• 498
Emrle, Jonas R.. M. C 297, 299
Enochs, Berkeley 327
Enochs, Gen. William H 299. 317. 326
Entries and Surveys,^ Original 46
Entries and Surveys,* Time of Making 43
Erdbrink, Edward F 744, 870
Escape of Capt. Hines 496
Escape, Remarkable, of a Fugitive Slave 583, 586
Estrays 108
Establishment of Adams County 78
Evans, Dr. Johr T 564
Evans, Edward P 113. 198, 216, 311, 360, 389. 479, 563, 917. 206. 615, 882, 910
Evans, George C 220. 217
Evans. Nelson W 354, 355. 380, 427, 446, 745
Evans, William 562
Evans, Joseph 663
Evans, Rev. L. G 740
Evans, Edward 332, 559
Expenditures and Receipts 165
Explorations. Valley of Ohio Brush Creek 26
Extinguishment of Indian Titles 35
Eylar. Joseph W 201. 250. 476. 289
Eylar. David S 146. 161. 415, 419, 439, 147,-742, 164
Eylar, John A 201, 416, 738
Eylar. Daniel P. W 201, 741
Eylar. Daniel C 742
Eylar, Oliver A 201
Eyler. Joseph : 468, 89. 115. 122. 561,919
"F" Battery, 1st O. Light Artillery 358
"F," Co., 7th O. V. C 356. 358
"F," Co.. 81st O. V. 1 350. 351. 352
"F," Co., 70th O. V. 1 347
Fairfax, Lord 574
Falls, William 333
Fairview 435
Faulkner. Capt. William 389, 451, 125, 336, 338
Fees of Prosecutors 108
Fees of Justices and Constables 87
Fenton, Hon. Lucien J 299, 354, 443, 499, 353, 328
Ferry Rates 88
Fields, Charles 336
Fields. Simon 330, 389 468. 564
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GENERAL INDEX 929
Fields. Simon M 354, 747
Fields, Samuel R 748
Flnley, Maj. Joseph L 266, 330, 331, 370, 670
Finley. Rev. James B 53, 65, 477
Fires at Wamsleyville 656, 657
First Board of Commissioners 104
First Constitutional Convention 550
First Court 81, 110
First Court House, West Union 135
First Entry on Journal 104
First Grand Jury 84
First Indictment 89
First Jail, West Union 135
First I^evy 105
First Meeting House (M. E.) in Ohio 430
First Mill in Adams County 444
First Ohio Heavy Artillery 359
First Ohio Light Artillery 358
First Settlement 40, 51
First Steamboat on the Ohio 444
First Survey in Virginia Reeervation 40 .
First Tavern 122
Fifst Tax Refunder 105
First Trial Jury 90
Fishback, Judge Owen T 169, 170, 180, 247, 178
Fishback, William P 179
Fisher, Hon. John 141, 149, 151, 239, 247, 248, 371, 403, 474, 260, 140, 898
Fitzgerald, Hon. George R 145, 201, 898
Flint Limestone 13
Flood, William 338, 388
Flobds in the Ohio 62
Floyd, William 338, 451
Foraker, Joseph B.. Senator 317 892
Fort Hill 21 /
Foster, Jedediah 374
Foster, Jorden L 198, 748
Foster, Nathaniel 330, 339, 338
Foster. Samuel .' . . . 145
Foster, Seth 437, 117, 123
Foster, Thomas 159, 919
Foster, William 135
Foster, William S 751
Foster, Isaac T. 749, 897, 898
Fourth of July Celebration 370
"Fourth of March, The" 241
Fox, Arthur 40
Frame, C. E 140
Frame, Charles E 139, 749
Frame, W. K 159
Franklin Township 103, 164, 415
Franz, Richard C 750
Frazier, Reuben t 96
Fristoe, John R 147. 746
Fugitive Slave, Escape of 583
Fugitive Slaves 404
Fulton, Alfred R 751
Furnaces, The Iron 400
Furnace Hill 15
••a." Co., 70th O. V. 1 348
"O," Co.. 129th O. V. 1 354
69a
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930 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
PAGE.
"G/ Co., 172nd O. V. 1 355
"G," Co., 182nd O. V. 1 356, 366
Gaffln, Henry B 147, 441, 125, 756
Gallatin, Albert 251
Gaskins, Rev. Allen 753
Gaeton, David 161
Gaston, Dr. Brastus M 754
Gaston, James T 354, 764
Ga&ton, Joseph 467
Genet. John B 106
Geology and Mineralogy 10
Geology, Vicinity of Locust Grove, 18
Geology of Scioto Brush Creek 17
Gift Ridge 449
Gilbert, William, Killing of 406
Gilliland. Capt. Coleman 504
Gilmore, Coi, William B 201
Glrty, James 424
Glasgow, Robert A 756
Glen on Beasley 63
Godard, Rev. Abbott 391, 462
"God-Given Republic, The" 812
Goodwin Judge Benjamin 196, 197, 87, 88, 125, * 82
Gordon George 140, 88, 107, 81, 91
GiTivdy, Mfa. Ellen J 573
Graham. David B 380, 478, 205
Graham, Rev. John 376, 377. 672
Graham's Station 422
Grand-Girard, Rev Bmile , 752
Grand Jury, The First 84
Grant, Gen. U.S 183, 309
Grant, Jesse R 309
Grassy Hill 16
Great Gatherings 62
Great Serpent Mound 21
Greenbrier Mountain 5
Greece Township 103, 102, 163, 421
Gregg, Hon. John W 272
Gregory, Hiram D 525
Gregory. John E , 623
Grimes' Buckeye 96
Grimes. Dr. Louis A 667. 668
Grlnyes Family 666
Grimes. F. M 162
Grimes, Greer B 667
Grimes, Judge Noble. 197, 667, 449, 92,93, 100, 104, 107, 108, 121, 91, 666, 133, 134
Grimes, Mrs. Sarah U 446
Grimes Postoffice 456
Grimes, Richard 117, 386
Grimes, Smith 667
Grimes, Thomas , 92, 122, 133, 134
Gunsaulus, John 466
Guthrey, John 96
Gutrldge, John 93
"H," Co.. 70th O. V. 1 348
"H," Co., 81st O. V. 1 360
"H," Co., 182nd O. V. 1 365
Hafer, Valentine H 756
Hall, Charles N 154, 364, 144, 767
Hamer, Catiip 344, 348
Hamer, Gen. Thomas L 197, 198, 296, 297, 305
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GENERAL INDEX 981
PAGE.
Hamilton, Mrs. Rachael 914
Hamilton, Robert 48, 535, 918
Hanna, John 198
Hannah, William 115, 125. 665
Hannah, William P 169
Harmar, (Jen 72
Harper. Georice 107, 468, 472, 482
Harrison, Gen. William H 237
Harsha, Paul 764
Harsha, William B 767
Harsha, Daniel H 487, 768
Harsha, Paul H 758
Harshaville 458
Haunted Cave, The 424
HaysUp, Frank M 379, 380, 382
Hayslip, John 474, 899
Hayslip, Joseph W. . . . , 360, 872, 379, 439, 478, 767
Hayslip, Margaret 380
Hayslip, Thomas 60
Heavenly Vision of Mrs. Minnick 600
Heistand's Tavern 130, 131
Herbs, Medicinal 61
Hessler, John 125
Hessler's Tavern 125
Hlbbs. Harry 276
Hibbs, Jacob 276
Hitchcock Judse Peter 195
HoUingsworth, Abraham'.'.'.'.*.*.*.*.*.*.'.*.* '2*54. 3*70/ 373*. * 474,* *475,* '674,' '897." '898*, 920
Hollingsworth, Susan 375
Holmes, John 763
Holmes, Louis D 759
Holmes. William 766
Holmes, Thomas J 760
Holmes, Thomas 566
Home, Wilson Children's 137
Home, Trustees of 139
Hood, Albert C 569, 769
Hood. James 147, 483, 567
Hood, John 860, 474, 483, 667
Hood, John A 360
Hood, John P 479, 569
Hood, Oscar E 569. 761
Hook, James N 143, 144, 149, 169, 476, 164, 762, 898, 899
Hook, John W 198, 476, 224
Hook, Joshua B 360
Hook. Zaddock 408
Hopewell Church , 462
Horn's Tavern 131
Howard, Hon. William 298, 318
Hughes, Edward L 394
Hughes, Phillip M 142, 767
Hulick, George W 183
Huntington, Judge Samuel 196
Huntington Township 101 , 153
Huston, Thomas 482
Hutchins. Hon. Wells A 267, 298, 317, 314
Hutchlns, Mrs. Dudley B 571
Hutson, Allen V 149, 162, 766
•*I." Co., 39th O. V. I. 342, 843
'*!." Co.. 91st O. V. 1 352. 363
"I," Co., 182nd O. V. 1 365
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932 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
PAGE.
Incidents, Pioneer Surveyors 42
Index, Democratic 722, 741, 853
Indian Adventures 73
Indians, Mode of Life 29
Indians, Ohio Tribes 28
Indians, Pioneer Expeaitions Against 30
Indian Bottoms 459
Indictment, The First 89
Indictment by Mary Alles 93
Indictment of William Starling 94
"Infidelity Unmasked" 516, 517
Infirmary. The First Ill, 112. 136
Intelligencer, People's 917, 918
Intelligencer, West Union 380. 917
Iron Industry. The 400
Iron Ridge Township 105. 101, 98, 100, 103
Ironton 536
Isaac's Creek 461
Jack, Thomas 331, 336
Jackman, Robert 380, 917
Jacksonville 445
.Tail 135, 136, 112, 133
Jail Bounds, The 134
James, Judge William D 170. 171, 188
J&mes, Thomas 402
January, James 469, 125
January's Tavern 125
Jefferson Township 102, 150, 428
Jennings, William 93
Johnson. Lewis 392
Jones, Rev. Henry 517
Jones, Rev. Greenberry R 477, 570
Jones, Dr. Andrew Barry 378
Jones. John W 440. 487. 148, 771, 883
Jones, Paul K v72
Jones, Rooert C 773
Jones, Samuel 770
Jury of Women 424
Justices of The Peace, Rostei of 150
Justices of the Peace, Tiffin Township 920
Keenan, James 145, 198, 203
Kell, Rev. John 416
Kendall, Gen. William 248, 285
Kendall, Jeremiah 285
Kennedy, Martin V. B...r • 354, 782, 896
Kenton, Gen. Simon 32, 33, 73
Kenton's Attack on Tecumseh 33, 70
Kenyon, Jonathan 153
Kenyon, William F 777
Kerr. Judge Joseph 84, 87, 107, 115, 118, 121, 140, 83
Kessler, James R. B 228
Keyes, James 522
Killin. John 368, 472. 122. 126. 333
Killing of Samuel Greenlee 481
Klllinstown, 89, 101, 117. 119
Kincaid, Col. John 159. 239, 389, 472, 474, 578, 897, 898. 919
• Klncald, John H , 778
Klncald, John W 364. 779
Klncald, Samuel 88
Klncald, Thomas 141, 146, 161, 332
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GENERAL INDEX 933
PAGE.
Kincaid, Winfleld S 140, 139, 780, 898
King, George W 197
Kinney, Mrs. Eli 571, 581
Kirk, Albert D. W 777
Kirk, Alexander 157, 871
Kirker, Gov. Thomas.. 83, 239, 245, 247, 275, 472, 87, 121, 82, 256, 92, 425, 898, 919
Kirker, Col. William 141, 577
Kirker, Capt. George S 354, 774
Kirkpatrick. Adam 156, 486
Kirkpatrick, Nathaniel 578
Kirkpatrick. Robert S 779
Kirkpatrick. Dr. Oscar B 778
Killin, William 375, 146
Kline, Dr. Peter J 351
Knauff. Frederick 776
Kratzer. Philip 776
Kress, Henry 345, 781
Kyte Fork Road, The 116
Lafferty, Dr. Nelson B 379, 783
Lafferty, Joseph W 371. 380, 479, 579
Lafferty, George M 255. 379, 380, 791
Land, Patents ^r^ 49
Lang, Francis M 789
Lang, Wesley B 791
Last Battle with Indians ^ 65
Lawson, James 85
Lawson's Perry 86
Lee, Bill 586
Lee, Peter 44. 581
Lee, Wesley 483
Leedom, William 151, 165, 461, 462, 86, 99, 128, 125, 129, 919
Leedom, John M 784
Leedom, Elijah 141
Leedom, Elijah D 145, 356, 1-47, 793
Leedom, Hon. John P 139, 323, 460
Leedom. Hon. Joseph 248, 467
Leggett, Archibald ... 195. 197. 208
Leonard, Benjamin 197
Lewis. Thomas M 169. 170. 183
Lewis, George W 341, 788
Lewis. Hon. Philip 429, 109, 118, 119, 246
Liberty Hall Gazette 392
Liberty Township 103. 159, 434
Life in the Backwoods 53
Lightbody, John W , 341, 787
Limestone Rock 13
Lindsey, John G 788
LitUe, William W 916, 917, 918, 897
Livingstone Andrew 158, 580, 919
Locke's Report 10
Lockhart, Albert G 792
Lockhart, Moses 157, 158
Lockhart, Robert E 787
Lockhart, Thomas 157, 158, 919
Lockhart, Thomas J 158
Locust Grove 415
Lodwick, Col. John 117, 140. 147. 110. 141, 145. 197, 200. 239. 370, 371. 434,
581, 571, 84. 108, 913.
Logan, "Black Joe." 683
Logan's Gap 115, 124. 121
Logan's Trace 33
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i^34 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
PAGE.
Loney, Dr. WiUiam B 791
Loudon, Judge DeWltt C 169, 184
Loudon, Village of 413
Loughridge, John S74
Loughry, John 426. 643, 686
Loughry, John C 426, 786
Loughry Lands, The 426
Loughry, Mrs. Sallle B 426
LoulBYille 414
Lovejoy David , 90, 122, 122
Lovejoy Graveyard 483
Lovejoy, Joseph 88, 89
Lovett, John M 161, 162, 790
Lovett Postoffice 418
Lowes, Rev. J. A. I., D. D 868
Lowrey, James 198
Lucasville 117
Lucas Ferry 117
Lucas, Joseph 140, 245, 274, 117, 275
Lucas, William 88, 274
Lunatic Asylum 113
Lynching of Terry 444
Lynching of Parker 393
Lynx Postoffice 431
Lytle, Gen. William 39, 42, 67
Maddox Postoffice 435
Mail Route, First in Ohio 438
Malone, Henry 451
Manchester Township 105, 101, 98, 99, 112, 161, 437
Manchester 438
Manchester Chapter R. A M 441
Manchester Public School 442
Marble Furnace, The 400, 402, 401, 413
Marietta C<rtle»e 217, 736
Markley, John 169
Marlatt Hotel 478
Marl Stratum 12
Marriages. Early 67
Marshall. Hon. Thomas 367, 466
Marshall-Mitchell Duel 466
Mason, Samuel S 142, 807, 874, 920
Mason, Judge John W 148, 161, 162, 56, 63. 920
Massie, Benjamin 88, 92
Massie, G^. Nathaniel 384, 401, 402, 420, 437, 444, 470, 627, 179. 197, 222, 382
36, 41, 42. 44, 82, 284, 385, 587, 51, 62. 46, 65, 48, 49, 911.
Massie, Henry, 104, 252, 88, 140, 400, 403
Massie, Hon. David Meade 689
Massie, Moses 109
Massie, Nathaniel. Jr 441, 442
Massie's Settlement at Manchester 61
Massie's Station 42
Massie's Springs 19, 420
Massie's Surveying Party 44
Massie Township 101, 100
Matheny, Daniel 897
May Hill 458
Maysville and ZanesviUe Pike 6, 111, 112
McArthur, Duncan 402
McCall, Enoch 357. 814
McCallB, William 442
McOauslen, William S 826
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GENERAL INDEX 935
PAGE.
McCauslen, Hon. Thomas 146, 198» 250, S80, 456, 268
McClanalian, Qeneral John 482
McClanahan, Judge Samuel 149, 602, 919
McClanahan, Robert 468, 470, 482, 184
McClanahan, Samuel A 140, 139, 809
McClanahan. William S 826
McClure, Ralph 604, 920
McClure's Well 529
McColm, Frank C 817
McColm, John 817
McColm, William 202. 599
McCormick, Adam 376, 594
McCormick, Hon. Joseph Ill, 145, 204
McCormick, Dr. Qeorge D 823
McCormick, J. W 299, 794
McCormick. George S 799
McCormick, Hon. A. Floyd 816
McCormick, Hon. John W 324
McCoy, Charles F 146, 198, 228
McCoy, James H 165, 916
McCoy, James Henry 916
McCreight, Jesse E 149, 815
McCullough, A. C
Mr»Cullough. Addison 598
McCullough Comer 483
McCullough, Samuel 872, 596
McCullough, Sanford A 140, 148, 354, 366, 139. 808
McDill, Rev. David 363, 364, 490, 692, 821, 907
McDonald. Col. John 86, 88
McDowell, Hon. Joseph T 178, 297, 309
McFarland, Arthur 472
McFerran, MaJ. John W. 145, 198, 844, 348, 216
McGarry, William 96, 115, 603
McGate, John 94, 124, 125
McGate, John and Katy 83, 124
McGinnis. William 95
McGovney, Adam 475, 605, 898
McGovney, Crockett 801
McGovney, Henry F 145, 189, 789, 898
McGovney, William 142
Mclntire, Col. Andrew 141, 377
Mclntire, John 489
Mclntire, Gen. William 355, 889, 407, 457, 910, 911
Mclntyre, Patsey 407
Mclntyre. Silas D 157, 377. 802
McKee, James W 146
McKee, Maj. Joseph 153,599
McKee. Mrs. Anna Meek 496
McKendree. Rev. William 436
McKenzie, Duncan 692
McKlnley, William 418
McManis. Charles 835
McManis, Greenleaf N 147. 817
McManls. Judg« Jamee 0 148, 821, 899
McMillan. Reuben A. 499, 828
McMillan, Hon. WiUiam 86, 144, 96, 84, 196
McNeal, Judge Richard W 148, 226
McNellan. WllUam 137
McPherson, Adam 101
McQulgg. Mrs. Rosa 666
McQulston, Rev. J. A 490
McSurely, William H 820
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936 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
PAGE.
McSurely, George A 824
McSurely, Rev. William J 818
McSurely, Hugh 398, 606
McVey, Col. William 488, 490
Meade, Col. David 385, 527
Means, Charles W 288
Means, Col. John 141, 239, 247, 515, 518, 552, 581, 631, 636, 283, 140
Means, Hon. Hugh 249, 285, 385, 287
Means, Hon. Thomas W 385, 551. 552, 590
Means, William 438
Mechlin, Henry H 499, 803
Medicinal Herbs 61
Meek, Rev. John 165, 462, 606, 869
Meek, Judge William M 198, 438, 476, 497, 211, 898
Mehaffey, John R 159, 160, 334, 795
Mehaffey, William F 811
Mehaffey, John 123, 331, 434
Mehaffey, William 159, 477
Mehaffey, William R 144, 148
Meharry, Alexander 434
Meigs Township 102, 103, 155.' 445
Menary, James 110, 470
Mercury, Cincinnati 392
Mershon's Tavern 131, 420
Metcalf. Thomas 477
Metz, James G 145, 146, 812
Metz, Thomas 154
Miami University 177. 186, 350. 489, 539, 651. 745. 759, 868, 896
Middleton, Rev. Wilder N 805
Middleton. Judge William H 170. 171. 189
Mifflin, Gen. Thomas 722
Miles, Mrs. Hannah 528
Miller, Harry W 885, 909
Miller, James S31, 122, 337
Miller, Dr. Flavlus J 808
Miller, William L 803
Milligan. J. C 455, 142. 162
Military History 330
Milner, John C 170, 171, 186. 190
Mineralogy 10
Mineral Springs 445. 446
Mlnnlck, Mary Barbara i 379, 608
Mlrick, H. D 427
Mitchell, Alexander 372. 631
Mitchell, Charles 366, 466
Mitchell, David 104
Mitchell. Robert A 372, 804
Mitchell Ignatius 121
Monroe Township 103, 110, 157 449
Montgomery, Benjamin 806
Montgomery, Hugh 96
Moore, Hon. Oscar F 198, 250, 315, 316. 342, 266
Moore, Hosea 84, 86, 119, 121, 151, 197, 473. 919
Moore, Judge Joseph 425, 426, 420, 484
Moore's Meeting House 430
Morgan, General Daniel 451
Morgan, Hon. Stephen 299, 329
Morgan's Raid 496, 497, 361. 394, 495
Morgan's Raid Claims 113
Morris, Jonathan D 297, 299, 310
Morris, Robert 527
Morris. Thomas 806
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GENERAL INDEX 937
PAGE.
Morrisan, Judge Robert 200, 201, 239, 486, 281, 919
Morrison, Rev. Marion 508, 591
Morrison, David 602
Morrison. John W 797
Morrison, James H 806
Morrison, WiUiam 120, 283
Morrow. Gov. Jeremiah 296, 299, 550, 300
Moss, John G 810
Motlier of Twenty-four Children 433
Mound Builders 20
Mullen, Barney 585
Mullen, Thomas J 198, 872, 920
Murder of the^ Rhine Family 393
Murder of James Rice 425
Murder of the Senter Family 454
Murder of Nathan Bowman 465
Murder of John Lightfoot 386
Murder of Sanford Phillips 464
Murphy, Recompense 592
Murphy, David W 48, 59, 153, 593
Murphy, Recompense S 594
Murphy. Capt David A 351, 812
Murphy, Charles W 149
Murphy, James A 359, 419, 796
Murphy, Lieut. William M 350
Murphy, Rev. Abram K 810
Murphy, Leonidas 810
Murray, David .- 475
Myors, Alfred B 794
Nashee and Bailhachee 166, 165
Naylor, Chester C. W 198, 230
Naylor, James 123
Naylor, Reason B 828
Naylor, Winona 443
Neal, Hon. Lawrence T 298. 299, 322
Nessler, Mike 90, " 396
Nesbit. Samuel X 827
Newman, George 0 267
Newman. Hon. James W 250, 267, 271
Newman, John 826
Newman, Mesheck H 142, 161, 164, 828
Newman, Oscar W 825
Newman, Witliam 250, 269
New State Road 129
Newport 445
Newspapers, West Union 478
Nichols, Perry J 186
Nicholson, James 96
Ninety-first O. V. T 352, 354
Nixon, David 155, 156, 826
Norris, Judge Shepherd F 169, 170, 182
Norton, Dr. Greenleaf 406
North Liberty 488
North Liberty Academy 486
Nye, R. L 193
O'Bannon, John 47, 40, 46
Observations of a Traveler 127
Ohio Brush Creek 3
Ohio State University 43
Ohio Township 103
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»38 HISTORY OB ADAMS COUNTY
PAGE.
Ohia University ! X84, 194, 82S, 890
Ohio Wesleyan University 184, 194, 898
Old Stone Fort 25
Old Indian Ford, The 122
Oldest House in Ohio 382
Oldridge, Henry 336
Oldson, James R 359^ 379, 478
Oliver Township 108. 112, 162, 453
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth O. V. 1 364
One Hundred and Seventy-second O. V. 1 355
One Hundred and Eighty-second O. V. 1 356, 356
One Hundred and Ninety-first O. V. 1 856
Oppy, Christopher 361
Orebaugh, William H ; 829
Ores of Adams County 19
Original Entries and Surveys 46
Osborne, Dr. George W 145, 146, 829
Oursler, Henry 154, 148, 478
Paine, Lewis 193
Palmer, Ellis 466
Panther Scalps 109
Parker, Alexander 48
Parker, Roscoe, Limched 393
Parrish, Joshua 126
Parry, Needham 473
Patents, Land, Recorded 49
Patterson, Hon. John....; 165, 247, 248, 871, 671, 264, 920, 898
Patterson, Hon. Samuel L 250, 276, 274
Pattison, Hon. John M 299, 326
Patton. "Pony Joe" 407
Patton, George A 408, 454, 465
Patton, John, of Virginia 608
Patton, John of Ohio 609
Patton, John S 159
Patton, Monroe 886
Patton, Nathaniel 103
Patton, Nathaniel C 463., 830
Patton, Thomas 682
Paul and Company, James 165
Paul and McNichol 403
Peach Mountain 5
Peebles, John 914
Peebles, John G i 446, 914
Peebles, Mrs. J. Scott 671, 681
Peebles. Village of 446
Pemberton, William 835
Pemberton, WiUiam 680
Pence, Alfred 461. 152, 880
Pence, John 461
Pence, Peter 461
Pennywit, Adam 91, 123
Pennywit, David 438, 442
Pennywitt, Henry 831
Pennywit, John 442
Pennywit, Mark 60
Pennywitt, William C 832
Pennywitt, George W 833
Pennywitt, Wiley D 833
Pennywitt, Alfred 440. 884
Pennywitt, John 113, 142. 167. 442, 610
Pennywitt, Reuben 69, 488, 611
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GENERAL INDEX 939
PAGE.
Pensions, Revolutionary 389, 840
Perry, Needham 92, 123, 185, 919
Peterson, Robert M 840
Peterson, William 101
Pettit, George W 140, 139, 144, 223, 877
Pfeifer, James A 836
Pfeifer, Samuel 835
Phillips, Col. Henry L 288
Philips. Hon. Dudley B 274
Physicians Taxed Ill
Piatt, Benjamin 122, 336
Pigeons, Flocks of 63
PJerce, Pre©. Franklin 38
Pike County 80
Pilson, Gen. James 149, 264
Pine Hill 19
Pioneers. The 50, 53
Pioneer Dress 54, 56
Pioneer Wedding 55
Pioneer Tavern Keepers 125
Pioneer Expeditions against the Indians 30
Pioneer Family, A 433
Pittenger, Jeremiah 405
Pitts, James T 350, 839
Pittsburg Steam Engine Co 400
Places of Holding Elections 102
Platter. John D 835
Platter, Peter 109, 414. 415, 419, 333
Platter's Tavwn 130
"Pleasant HiU" 573
Plummer, John F 836
Poage, Col. James 584, 612
Poage's Ferry 119
Politics and Political Parties 234
Pollard, Hon. John K 145, 250, 348, 356, 273
Pollock, John 125
Population of Adams County 7, 920
Population of Village of Manchester 920
Populations of Towns and Townships 8
Portsmouth PostofRce Building , 326
Postoffice, First in Adams County 438
Postoffices in Adams County 410
Power, Squire James 128
Prather, Henry 920
Prather, John 141
Prather William W 837
Pratt, Mrs. E. P 638, 912
Presbytery, The Chillicothe 516
Press, Free^ The 478
Price, Judge John W 167, 170, 178
Probate Judges, Roster of 148
Prosecuting Attorneys, Roster of 144
Public Buildings at Washington 133
Public Roads 114
Puntenney, George H 638, 422
Puntonney, George HolUngsw<Hth 668
Puntenney, James 422, 668, 669
Puntenney, James H 669
Puntenney Family 688
Purdy, Dr. Robert W ; 145, 356, 838
Putman, Frederick W 21, 25
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940 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
PAGE.
Quaint Indictments 93
Quarries 7
Quarry, Miss Kate J 841
Quarry, Rev. William J 841
Ramsey, Hon. Richard 163, 295
Ramsey, Rev. William W 485
Rankin, Rev. Adam 489
Rankin, Rev. John 494, 615
Rape, Henry 471
Receipts and Expenditures 165
Recorded Land Patents 49
Recorders. Roster of 148
Redbud and Redbird, The 64
Reed, John 91, 92
Reed, William H 198
Register, Village 478
Register, West Union 478
Regulators. The 63
Reid, James 416
Reid, Hon. Whitelaw 416, 419
Reilly, John 550
Reminiscences of West Unloi; 482
Rent for Court House 107, 108
Representatives, Roster of 250
Rescue of John and Katy Davis 414
Reeves Crossing, Battle of 32
Revolutionary Pensions 339, 340
Revolutionary Soldiers, Roster of * . . . 330
Reynolds, Franklin E 842
Rhine, Luther P., Murder of .* 393
Richards, Hon. John K 849
Riggs, Joseph 147, 166, 167, 201, 239, 248, 507, 525, 40, 262
Ripley, Ohio, Founder of 612 to 615
Roads to Ellis' Ferry 117
Robe, Dr. Orin W 145, 146, 849
Kobe, William 141
Robuck, Oscar C 848
Roberts. Walter E 843
Roberts, Lincoln J ' 846
Robbery of U. S. Mail 447
Robinson, Dr. W. L 845
Robbins, Daniel 125
Robbins, Prof. R. P 478
Robbins, William, Associate Judge 919
Robinson's Tavern 128
Robuck, Carey E 198, 229
Rocks and Earths 19
Rocks of Adams County , . . . 10
Rockville 423
Rogers and Co., James 400
Rogers, James 247, 403, 400, 897,898
Rome. Village of 423
Ross County 78, 79
Ross, Samuel 372, 876
Roster of County Officers 140
Roster of Township Officers 99
Rothrock, James H.. Jr 616
Rothrock, Judge James H 615
Rothrock, Philip 348, 360, 617
Rothrock, Joseph W 844
Roush, Alexander 847
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GENEUAL INDEX 941
PAGE.
Roush, Frank B 143, 846
Roush, James P 844
Roush, Michael 461, 899
Roush, Phillip ; 461, 91
Rowley, W. H. R 846
Russell. Daniel A 192, 194
RusselU Gteorge 305
Russell, Hon. William .88, 116, 306. 392, 474, 477, 296, 483, 51, 60, 165, 239, 245,
246, 275, 299. 303, 92, 100, 109.
Russell, Jamee ■ 305
Russell, John 88, 92. 96, 121
Russell. William B 305
Ryan, Daniel J 186
Sam. Black 646, 647
Sample, George 124, 125
Sandstone at RockvlUe 18
Sargeant, Winthrop 87
Schultz Peter 471, 472, 474, 624
Schley, John 405
Scion, The '. 479. 694, 917
Scioto Brush Creek 4
Scioto Furnace 286
Scioto Township 105, 99, 100
Scott's Expedition 31
Scott Township 103, 160, 457
Scott, John C 989
Scott. James 389. 104
Scott. Henry 149, 198, 139, 231, 920
Scott. Judge Thomas 108, 195, 267, 87, 144, 83. 622
Scott, John 48, 126
S' ott. Mrs. Mary A 556
Seals for the Courts .• 93, 106
Seaman, Village of '. 458
Searl, Judge F. C 187
Second Courthouse. West Union .* 136
Second Ohio Heavy Artillery 359, 360
Second O. Independent Battery 360
Selig Postoffice •. 431
Senators, Table of 250
Settlement at Manchester 51
Seventieth O. V. 1 344, 349
Seventieth O. V. Cavalry 356
Seventieth Regiment O. V. 1 344. 348
Shakespere, William 657, 658
Shaw, Maj. William L 139, 852
Shelton,. Thomas ] 52
Shelton, Thomas J : 142, 866
Shelledy, Garland B 197, 202
Shepherd. John 99. 116. 119. 413
Shepherd. Hon. Abraham 58, 173, 245, 246. 119, 257, 413
Sheriffs, Roster of 146
Sherman, Judge Charles R 195, 177
Shinn, Francis 378, 379
Shriver, Joseph A 867
Shumaker, John 875
Shumaker, Peter 109, 418, 496, 121, 122, 447
Shumaker, Simon 121, 122
Shuster Bros. Mills 348
Shuster, William J 137, 876
Siamese Twins 483
Sibley, Judge Hiram L 192, 193
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942 HISTORY OP ADAMS COUNTY
PAGE.
SUcott, Craven B 469
Sill, General Joshua W 342
Silllman, Judge Wylls 169, 170, 171
Simpson, Robert / 110, 141, 128
SInton, David 268, 372, 374, 886, 660, 590, 618, 865
Sinton, John 374, 618
SInton, Mrs. Jane 621
Slaughter, Judge Robert P 167, 170, 172
Slate on South Fork 17
Slave, Fugitive. Escape of 683, 586
Sloane, Judge James 853
Sloane, Ulric 886
Small, Rev. Gilbert 487
Smalley, Isaac . f 869
Smashea, Miss Sarah W 512
Smith, George 170, 177
Smith, Henry 122, 339
Smith, Hon. James M 148, 478
Smith, Judge John M 143, 144, 148, 249, 380, 196, 198, 212
Smith, Hon. Andrew C 250, 298
Smith, James 442, 28
Smith, Joseph P 866
Smittle, Joseph 491
Soldiers of War of Rebellion 9
Soluble Salts 19
Sparks, John 876
Sparks, Charles S 866
Sparks, John. The Banker 141, 268, 483, 619, 661, 619, 626, 866
Sparks, Salathiel 470, 473, 482
Spargur, Lawrence M 161, 864
Spear, Francis M 861
Sprigg, Judge William 196, 461, 120. 144
Sprigg Township 102, 161, 461
Spring Hill Township 101, 108
Spring. Rev. John W 881
Sproull, Dr. Oliver T 865, 87S
Squirrel Plague 63
Stanton, Hon. Edwin M 268
Starling, William 94
Station, Massie's 51
Station, Buckeye 236. 882
Station. Graham's 422
SUtlstlcs. Year of 1900 8
Steam Furnace , 400
Steam Furnace, Geology at .' 16
St Clair. Gov. Arthur 77, 78, 83, 236. 527
Steece, Henry 247
Steele, Rev. David 417, 625
Steen, Aaron F 627
Steen, Alexander B 859
Steen, Dr. John A 877
Steen, James F 363, 878
Steen, Rev. Moses D. A 868
Stephenson, Dr. Robert A 140, 441, 139, 148, 861
Stephenson. Col. Mills 93
Stephenson, John 93, 96
Stevenson, Capt Samuel C 860
Stevenson, Charles 157, 519, 556, 337
Stevenson, Dr. Titus 876
Stevenson, James 108
Stevenson, John 108
Stevenson, William 168
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GENERAL INDEX M3
PAGE.
Stewart. Rev. Robert 490, 627
Stivers, John 331, 434, 335^ ^17
Stivers. Col. Samuel K 151, 622
SUvers. I.yman P 147,, 476, 869
Stivers, Hon. Emmons B 487, 854, 891
Stivers, Andrew J 858
Stockade, The, at Manchester 40
Stockwell, Capt. William 495
Stockweirs Narratives 495
Stout, Blisha P 870
Stout, Isaac 90
Stout, Josiah [[ 105
Stout, Obadiah , 96, 422
Stout Postofflce .'423
Stroman, Sidney 353, 45, 878
Stroman. Joseph A 353, 880
Sulphur Springs 17
Summers. Jacob 401, 403, 908
Summers, Capt J. F 908
Sunken Mountain 19
Surveyors, Roster of 149
Surveys, Manner of Making. 41
Sur\ jvor. Last of Ohio Const Conven, 1802 660
Swain, Hon*. Charles L 876
Swim, Lazaleel 432
Table of Senators and Representatives 250
Table of Members of Congress 299
Taft Hon. Charles P 621
Tarbell, Judge David : 169, 170, 188
Taverns and Inns, The Early 124
Tavern Keepers 125
Tax on lawyers and Physicians Ill
Taylor. Francis 144, 48, 108, 195, 208. 87
Tecumseh 34
Territorial Townships 98
Tharp, Isaac F "878
"The Fourth of March," 241
The Iron Industry 400
The Naming qf the West Union Scion 918
The Whiskey Road 120
Thirty-ninth O. V. I.. 342, 848
Thirty-third O. V. 1 341, 342
Three Forks, The 4, 23, 42
Three Islands % 40, 51
Three Old Roads 464
Thomas, David W 140. 145. 198. 419, 189. 221, 865
Thomas, James B 629, 886, 887
Thomas^ Jamen S 884. 883. 886
Thomas, George A 885
Thomas, Dr. John W 886
Thomas, Dr. Francis M 887
Thomas, Dr. George F 88, 885
Thomason, John H 374
Thompson, James H 198, 894
Thompson, Dugald *. 142
Thompson. LeGrand B 892
Thompson, Judge Albert C 299, 324
Thompson, Luther 217. 220, 920
Thompson, Judge John 167, 170, 475, 176
Thompson, Harvey J 874
Thoroman, Floyd E 898
Thoroman. William T 874
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HISTORY OF ADAMS CX)UNTY
PAGE.
Thoroman, James M 892
Thoroman, John W 874
Thurman, Judge Allen G 399
Tiffin Township 102, 468
Tiffin Twp. Justices of the Peace 920
Tiffin, Gov. Edward 430
Tillotson, James R 883
Tillotson, J. W 156
Times, Portsmouth 269
1 obacco 61
Tod's Expedition 31
Tod's Crossing 96, 123, 31, 132
Tod's Trace 32, 65, 45, 885
Tolle, George A 884
Tolle, Denton 152
Tolle, Judge Isaac N 140, 148, 139, 871, 899
Tomlinson, Byers 370
Township Officers 99
Townships Under the Constitution 101
Townships, The Territorial 98
Trace, Tod's 32, 45
Trace, Zane's 45. 114, 122
Tranquility 45
Treason Trial • 394
Treasurers, Roster of 147
Treat, Samuel 479, 197, 145, 920, 897
Treber's Inn 127, 126
Treber's Bear Hunt 480
Treber Family, The 669
Treber, Mother 127
Treber, Oliver 920
Treber, William 873, 142, 73, 127
Treber, John 96, 468, 669, 73, 122, 125, 127, 322, 873, 920
Treber, Jacob 141, 472, 670, 672, 73, 127, 480, 920, 873
Trees, Large 6
Tri^l, Treason 394
Trial Jury. The First • 90
Trial of Elizabeth Catt 424
Trultt, MaJ. Samuel B.. 142. 357, 463, 883
Trustees of the Wilson Home 139
Tugman. William M 443, 889
Turnipseed, Albert G 891
Turk's Head, The 16
Twenty-fourth O. V. 1 340, 341
Underground Railroad, Tne 404
Union, Democratic 479
Unity, Village of 453
United Presbyterian Church 489
Union Church. History of 462
Union Township 101, 99, 100, 103
Upper Township 101, 105, 99, 100
Urbana CiUzen ; .856
Urmston, Benjamin 100, 911
Urton, Capt Mahlon 142, 403, 907
Vallandigham Meeting 62
Vance, David C. Associate Judge 919
Vance, Robert C 229, 899
Van Deman. Dr. J. H 253, 893
VanDeman, John D 894
VanDeman, Joseph H 893
VanDeman, Mrs. Sarah ^ 894
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GENERAL INDEX «46
PAGE.
VanDeman, Rev. Henry 894
Van Dyke, Rev. John P.*. 255, 371, 379, 380, 651
Van Meter, Judge Joseph 93 .
Village Register 569
"Villagers," The 20
Vineyard Hill 450
Vinton, Samuel F 388
Virginia Military District 36
Vision of Heaven, Mrs. Mlnnick 600
Vote For Governor 242
Vorhees, Ralph M 370, 632
Vorls, Dr. William M ^ 284, 372, 515, 630
Waggoner's Ripple 423
Waite, Henry 354
Waite, Jonathan 424, 429
Waller, George A 277
Waller, Hon. Thomas 246, 276
Walsh, Edward K 909
Wamsleyville 431, 904
Wamsley Family, The 653
Warasley, Isaac 653, 106, 119
Wamsley, Jonathan 1 06, 109
Wamsley, Rev. Jesse 654, 655
Wamsley, William 654, 656
Wamsley, Rev. William 655
Wamsley, Rev. William M 903
Wamsley, Rev. William F 905
Ward, James 32
Ward, Capt. Charles 32
Ward, John 35
Washburn, Cornelius 33, 60, 74
Washmgton, County Seat 470, 134, 90, 133
Washington, General 612
Washington, Town of 524
WajBSon, Dr. Clarence C 896
Wasson, John F 277
Wasson, Thomas C 633, 910
Wasson. Samuel Y 633, 896
Wasson, James P 354, 633, 910
Waterford 919
Waters, Thomas 336
Watson, William N 440, 895
Wayne, Gen. Anthony 523
Wayne, General Anthony 523, 524, 569
Wayne Township 103, 163, 492
Wells, Jacob M 198, 158, 898, 899
West, Benjamin 413
West Union 470
West, William W 355
West, Napoleon B 354, 355, 897
West, William H 903
West Union, First Court 110
West Union Bank : 478
West Union Incorporated 112
West Union Lodge F. and A. M 474, 897
West Union, Altitude of 12
West Union Intelligence '. 919
Westlake, Rev. Burroughs 652
Whiskey Road, The 120
Whiskey and Tobacco 61
Whipping Post, The 95, 94
*60a
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94« HISTOJIY OP ADAMS COUNTY
PAflE.
White, Chiltou A.. M. C 299
WIckerham Tavern 131, 126
. WIckerham, Hon. Peter N * 147, 901
Wickerham, Dr. James 0 902
Wickerham, John 417. 418
Wickerham, Peter 415, 103
Wikoff, Gen. Allen T 154, 354, 441, 353, 900
Wikoff, Cyrus F 145, 198, 227
Wikoff, George M 900
Wikoff, Peter 109
Wllkins, Hon. Daniel P 145, 180, 197, 371, 372, 373. 375, 475, 200, 898
Williams, Joseph , 42
Williams, James 150, 429, 115, 335. 429
Williamson, Rev. William 165, 284, 286, 331, 332, 391, 439. 515, 33, 634, 476
Williamson. Jane S 442, 583. 586. 637
Williamson, Rev. Thomas S 583, 640
Williamson, Andrew W 899
Wills, John S 197, 98, 118, 144. 89
Wills, OrviUe C 898
Willson. John 0 909
Willson, Dr. William B 372, 535, 642
Willson, Jerusha A 648
Willson, Dr. William F.. .' 376. 535, 644, 909
Willson, Charles 0 910
Wilson Children's Home 137
Wilson, Joseph A 196, 649
Wilson, Hon. John T 293, 298. 299, 345. 457, 458, 318
Wilson, Mrs. Ann N 518, 643, 644
Wilson, Robert S 574, 651
Wilson Soldiers' Monument 480
Wilson, Spencer H 319
Winchester 498
Winchester Township 103, 163, 492
Wisecup and the Bear 414
Wittenmeyer, Isaac 155
Wittenmyer, Dr. Jamea M 148, 904
Wolf Scalps 108, 106, 107, 109
Woman Jury 424
Wood, Benjamin 470, 471, 912
Wood, Capt. Samuel R 141, 155, 511, 649
Wood, Robert H 375, 483, 912
Woodrow, Alexander 147, 372, 375, 379. 653
Woodrow, Andrew 147, 149, 103, 650, 899
Woodrow, Henry B 353, 373, 478, 512, 917, 898. 899
Woodrow, Nathan A 353
Wood's Tavern 474. 581
Woodward. Prof. William 71
Woodworth. Richard 58, 331. 333. 917
Worthington, Gov. Thomas 87. 88. 83. 236
Wright, Judge John C 196
Wright, Samuel 485, 488, 156
Wrightsville 450
Yates, Benjamin . : 332
Yochum, John 449
Young, Hon. John B 149, 150, 250, 351. 151. 291
Young, James A 354, 355, 429, 905
Youngsville .• 488
Zane's Trace 85, 115, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 45, 114, 125
Zile, J. R 142
Zi)e, J. W.... 161
Zile, Newton W -906
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNH, OHIO
By N. W. €VANS AND E. B. STIVERS
CORRIGENDA
Adams County in Consr^My P* 296.
On February 14, 1892, the State was divided into six Congressional
Districts.— For "1892'' read "1812/'
Ezekiel Arnold, p. 679.
In sixth Hne from bottom of page read "Miss Nora TarUon" for
''Miss Mary Tarlton."
For "Garmon" in the fifth line from bottom of same page read
"Garman."
Present Members of Bar, bottom page 198.
"M. Scott" in line thirty-eight should read "Henry Scott."
"S. N. Tucker" in fifth line should read "Arthur Tucker."^
"W. E. Foster" in same line should read "W. S. Foster.'" To this
list of names should be added R. C. Vance and W. C. Coryell at West
Union; Dudley B. Phillips and William P. Stephenson at Manchester;
and J. R. B. Kessler at Peebles.
David Beckett, p. 392.
The poetry at the head of the page should read,
"Seasons return, but not to me return"
"Day, or the sweet approach of even or mom."
Albion Z. Blair, p. 226.
On p. 227 where it reads, "he is a member of the Presbyterian
Church," read "he is an attendant of the Presbyterian Church."
Bmsh Creek Fnmace, p. 403.
This Henry Massie was not the brother of General Nathaniel Massie.
Major Henry Massie, brother of General Massie, never resided at Marble
Furnace and never had any children. He died in 1830 and his widow sur-
vived till 1871. She is buried at Oxmore, eight miles from Louisville,
Kentucky.
Bnrbase Family, p. 657.
Page 658, paragraph 2, last sentence : Strike out the repeated
words, "of whom he was more identified with the Earl of Leicester's
players of ;" so that the sentence will read as follows :
"But from his first coming up (to London) it seems clear that he was
more identified with the Earl of Leicester's players of whom his energetic
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2 HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
fellow townsman, James Burbage, was the head, than any other group of
actors."
Page 659, first line at top of the page, for *' Burbage," read "Bur-
bages."
Page 659, paragraph 3, first line: — For "1722" read "1822."
Thomas W. ConnoUey, p. 702.
Paragraph one, line three. For "Eleven and Sarah Burbage," read
"Levin Duncan and Sarah H. Burbage," so as to agree with the two
names as they appear in the article on page 657 — "The Burbage Family."
John Campbell, p. 534.
Charles Campbell, the Historian of Virginia, and his son William,
the Revolutionary General, were not in the direct line of the ancestors of
the subject, but were collaterals. The above named Charles Campbell,
and Charles C, grandfather of the subject (each, married a Mary Trot-
ter. Charles Campbell, grandfather of the subject, settled near Staunton,
Virginia, about Fort Defiance in or before 1738. He came from the north
of Ireland and was a descendant of Duncan Campbell, mentioned at the
opening of the sketch. His son, William Campbell, located in Bourbon
county in the state of Kentucky, in 1790. In 1798, he located in the
Northwest Territory in what was afterwards Adams County, and is now
in Brown County. Pie married Elizabeth Willson. sister of William Will-
son, one of the first ministers in the old Stone Church, at Fort Defiance,
near Staunton, Virginia. His uncle, Burgess Willson, was prominent in
pditics, being Burgess for twenty-seven years.
Charles Campbell, one of William Campbell's sons, and grandfather
of the subject of this sketch, in later years moved to Illinois and died leav-
ing a valuable estate. He married Elizabeth Tweed and he and his wife
lived until about 1871, when they died at the age of about 93 years.
David Dunbar, p. 730.
For "1820," read "1840." On page 731, in second paragraph for
"1829," date of his birth, read "1820."
Edward Frederick Vriliiam Erdbrink, p. 744.
For the date of his parents' marriage read "1855," instead of "1863."
Date of his marriage should read "June 29, 1892" instead of '']2inu2iTy,
1892."
Edward Evans, p. 560.
In the last paragraph on the page the year "1862" should read "1682."
D. C. Eylar, p. 742.
He resigned his position as cashier of the bank in "1888" not in
"1878."
J. M. Greenbaum died in 'February. ''1898" not in "1887."
A. W. Evlar in second line of second paragraph should read, "A. R.
Eylar."
*'Miss Alice Hombeys" in first line of third paragraph should read
"Miss Alice Hornberger." Second line of same paragraph "six months"
should read "sixteen months."
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CORRIGENDA 3
DaTid Shafer Eylar, p. 736.
For ** Manchester" in first liqe, read "Winchester." In bottom Hne
on same page read *'i852". for "1832/' ;
John W. Fristoe, p. 746.
This name should read John R. Fristoe.
James Hood, p. 568.
For '*acted" in the second paragraph read **had been."
General William Kendall, p. 285.
For-**Central Park" in fifth line from bottom read "central part."
W. B. Lans, p. 791.
"Two daughters, Martha and Lillie" in the last Hne should read, "one
son and one daughter — Martin A., born January 3, 1890, and Lillie, bom
May 30, 1894."
Hon. Thomas McCanslen, p. 268.
The title to this sketch reads "McClauslen." The name correctly
reads "McCauslen."
Judse Samnel MoClanahan, p. 603.
Leave out the phrase "and died ^larch 5, 1882," in line four on this
page.
James H. MoCoy, p. 916.
Was born '*May 27th" instead of "May 17th." ''William McCoy"
in second line should read **Wilham A. McCoy."
James McCoy, grandfather of the subject, served in the War of 1812.
The eighth line of this sketch should read, "James McCoy married
Susannah Jones of Pike County.'*
The ninth line should read, "William A. McCoy moved to Sinking
Spring" etc.
Subject's father, Wm. A. McCoy, died June 13, 1867, at the age of
thirty-seven.
Subject is a Past Master in the Peebles, Ohio, Masonic Lodge.
Samuel MoCullough, p. 597.
Before coming to Adams County, and after leaving Rockbridge
County, Virginia, Mr. McCullough did business in what is now Point
Pleasant, West Virginia, so he must have come from Point Pleasant, West
Virginia, to Adams County.
Silas Dyer Molntyre, p. 802.
The children of his second marriage were Pearl, aged 28, wife of Dr.
E. F. Do\yning. of Peebles, Ohio; Jennie Fay, aged 26; Anna L., aged 24;
Carl Herbert, aged 23; Wilber Andrew, aged 21 ; and Homer Marlatte,
aged 20. The last five reside at home.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY
Judse Wm. McKendree Meek.
The name *'JudgQ Wni. McKendree/' under the portrait opposite
page 485, should be 'Judge Wm. McKendree Meek."
Henry Harrison Meohlin, p. 803.
He traveled through the South and Southwest until 1882 instead of
"1885." He was married April 18, 1882, instead of "1886."
John Clinton Milner, p. 190.
In the next to the last line of the third paragraph, "fifth district"
should read "seventh district."
Misoellaneons, page 408.
In the second paragraph for Col. "Marshall" read "Thompson." For
Judge James H. "Marshall," read "Thompson."
Oldest Honse in Ohio, p. 386.
In second line from bottom of first paragraph read "February 21,
1815," instead of February 31/1815.
George W^asMngton Pettit, p. 223.
In the second paragraph read "Dunkinsville" for "Dukinsville."
Joseph Riggs, p. 262.
At the opening of the sketch the name of the wife of Stephen Riggs
is given as "Annie." On her tombstone in Sardinia cemetery it is
"EHzabeth."
Rot. M. D. A. Steen.
The title under portrait opposite page 868 should read, "Rev. M. D.
A. Steen."
Charles Lnther Swain, p. 876.
For "Agnes N. C. Heberling," third line, read "Agnes W. C. Her-
berling." For "Miss Anna N. Burkett," in next to last line of first para-
graph, read "Miss Anna M. Burkett."
Subject was admitted to bar on "May 30, 1893," instead of "March
30."
Jane Smith WilUamson, p. 638.
In fourth line from the top read, Mrs. S. B. Hempstead, for Mrs. D.
B. Hempstead.
John T. Wilson, p. 318.
The last line of the first couplet quoted should read: "Dead? we
may clasp their hands in awe."
James A. Yonng, p. 908.
In thirteenth line from top of the page, read Miss Sallie Planck for
Planch, as printed. For Clarence Planch in the last line of the first para-
graph on page 908, read Planck.
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