HISTORY OF
GALLIA COUNTY
A Condensed History of the County;
Biographical Sketches; General Statistics;
Miscellaneous Matters, &c
MAP OF GALLIA COUNTY
H. H. HARDESTY & CO., PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO AND TOLEDO.
1882.
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
BY JAMES AVERILL.
GALLIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE, GALLLIPOLIS, OHIO
TRY THE NEW SEARCH ENGINE AND LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS
When you reach the page you have been referred to by the search engine, search this page by going to the top of your browser, click Edit and then click find on this page. Type in the desired search word and click. This will take you to the places on the page where this word is found. It will take you through all of the places that this word is found on this page
HELP SUSTAIN THIS SITE
This site has been open to all users free of cost for the past four years. The cost of maintaining the site has increased as the size of the site has grown over the years.The cost to puchase materials to include on the site has also increased. The hope is that this site can remain open for free access to all users. Users who have found this site helpful in your family research are asked to help support the site's continued growth and free access. Please make contributions payable to Allen L. Potts and mail to: Allen L. Potts, 4366 So. Winder Farm Pl., Salt Lake City, Utah 84124.
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY
More than a century had elapsed after Columbus had discovered the Western Continent before any permanent settlement was made in North America. The first was the colony of Virginia, in 1607, by the English ; and in the next year the French planted their first colony in Canada. The English settlements were confined for some time to the coast; while the French gradually extended theirs up the St. Lawrence, and up on the lakes.
It was not known that any white man had ever explored what was called the western country, until the year 1673, when a French missionary named Marquette, accompanied by M. Joliet, of Quebec, and five boatmen, set out on a mission from Mackinaw, at which place his countrymen had established it post two years before, and passed thence down the lake to Green Bay, and thence from Fox river they passed over to the Wisconsin, and down that river to its junction with the Mississippi. After having descended to the mouth of the Arkansas, and being satisfied from its course that the Mississippi discharged itself into the gulf of Mexico, they thought it imprudent to proceed further, and returned to the mouth of the Illinois, which they ascended, and passed over to Lake Michigan.
After Marquette's return he resided among the Indians until his death, in 1675. His discoveries were lost sight of, until La Salle, in 1679, built a vessel on Lake Erie which he named the Griffon, and in August embarked with his expedition. He sailed through Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron and Michigan to Green Bay. He then collected furs and sent back a load by the Griffon, which was never heard of afterward. His party then proceeded in canoes to the mouth of the St. Joseph river, where he established a trading-house called Fort Miami. He then ascended the St. Joseph, crossed to the Kankakee, and sailed down till he reached an Illinois village. In January, 1680, he formed an alliance with the tribe, and established a post near the present Peoria. After having sent father Hennepin on an exploring expedition to the mouth of the Illinois, he returned to Canada. After organizing another expedition he returned to Fort Miami, and on the 21st of December, 1681, he started from thence with his expedition, ascended the Chicago, crossed to the Illinois and descended to the Mississippi. Sailing down, he explored the three channels to the Gulf, and on April 9, 1682, set up a column with the French arms, at the mouth, and took formal possession of the country watered by that river. In November, 1683, he reached Quebec on his return. In August, 1684, he set sail from France, with an expedition consisting of 280 persons, in four ships, for the purpose of beginning a settlement at the mouth of the Mississippi. They entered the Gulf of Mexico, but miscalculating distances, passed their destined port, and anchored at the entrance of Matagorda Bay, where they disembarked. Here they undertook to cultivate the soil, but after two years, in January, 1687, the whole party was reduced to fewer than forty. La Salle, with half of these, set out to make his way to the Illinois, but was murdered by some of his own party, March 19, 1687, on the Trinity, Texas. It is probable he saw nothing of what now constitutes the State of Ohio, except, perhaps, some occasional landings on the shore of Lake Erie, in the begrnning of his expeditions. It is said, however, that in 1669 he reached the Ohio from the country of the Iroquois, and descended it to the falls where Louisville now stands.
Soon after La Salle's expedition, French missionaries began to traverse the country through which he had passed, and the government established military posts on the lakes. Several settlements were made on the Mississippi, above the mouth of the Ohio, and in the year 1702, a mission was established on the Wabash, at Vincennes, and a few years later a fort was built there.
Very little notice was taken of the country on the headwaters of the Ohio, by either the French or English governments, until about the middle of the last century. Both parties claimed it, but neither took any steps to occupy it. The French considered themselves as having the best right to it, because they had been the first to explore it; but they took no further measures to establish their claims, and made no other settlements in addition to those on the Mississippi and Wabash. The English claim to the country was founded upon the royal charters to the different colonial governments, which included in their grants all the country westward of the settlements on the Atlantic, within the same parallels of latitude, to the Pacific ; but this claim, like that of the French, was not carried into effect by any measures of formal occupation of the territory. About the year 1709, however, both nations began to be impressed with the importance of the country, and to prepare to establish their respective claims by sending out traders and surveying parties. A company under a grant from the crown of England, of six hundred thousand acres of land, on the waters of the Ohio, established a post on one of the branches of the Great Miami river, which was the first known establishment made by white men within the bounds of Ohio. This fort was taken by the French in 1752. The French, afterward, in 1754, build Fort DuQuesne, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela, where Pittsburg now stands. Washington was sent by the governor of Virginia with a letter to the French commandant remonstrating against these proceedings as an infringement of the rights of Great Britain; but neither Washington’s abiltities nor the operations of a powerful force under Geneal Bradcock, could overcome the French, who kept possession of the country until Canada and the whole country east of the Mississippi was surrendered by the treaty of 1763.
After the peace of 1763, and before the war of the revolution, the settlements were extended across the mountains into the western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, but none were made in Ohio. After the war, disputes arose between several of the States respecting the right to the soil of this territory, which was only allayed by Virginia ceding to the United States, in 1784, jurisdiction over the country northwest of the Ohio, retaining the right to the soil in the district between the Little Miami and Scioto rivers, for the remuneration of her own troops. In 1786 Connecticut surrendered all her rights of jurisdiction and soil to the general government, with the exception of the district known as the Western Reserve, the jurisdiction of which was also ceded, in 1800, the right to the soil being retained. The Indian titles to the rest of the State were bought up by the General Government. In this manner the territory became the property and care of the United States, and in 1787 Congress undertook its government. But many and bloody were the conflicts with the Indians until the signal victory over them of the army of General Wayne, in 1794, resulting in the treaty of Greenville, August, 1795.
The first permanent settlement in Ohio having been made in Marietta, April 7, 1788, it became the duty of Congress to provide civil government for its new and extensive territory. Accordingly the celebrated ordinance of 1787 was adopted on the 13th day of July, of that year, and was entitled, "An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio." This ordinance became the fundamental law of the Great Northwest, and to its wise statesmanship we may attribute much of our greatness and prosperity.
Congress, in October, 1787, appointed General Arthur St. Clair, Governor; Major Winthrop Sargent, Secretary, and James M. Varnum, Samuel H. Parsons and John Armstrong, Judges of the Territory ; the latter declining the appointment, John Cleves Symmes was appointed in his stead. On the 9th of July, 1788, Governor St. Clair arrived at Marietta, and finding the secretary and a majority of the judges present, proceeded to organize the Territory. The Governor and judges, or a majority of them, were the sole legislative power, until the Territory should contain an actual adult male population of five thousand. Such laws were adopted, some seventy-five in number, as the necessities of the inhabitants demanded. In 1798, it having been ascertained that the Territory contained the requisite population, a Territorial Legislature was elected, and held its first session in Cincinnati, January 22, 1799 ; its second session at Chillicothe, on the first Monday of November, 1800, and its third session in Chillicothe, November 24, 1801.
On the 27th of July, 1788, Governor St. Clair issued a proclamation, establishing the county of Washington, which included all the territory east of the Scioto river to which the Indian title had been extinguished, reach northward to Lake Erie, the Ohio river and the Pennsylvania line being its eastern boundary, Marietta, the seat of the Territorial Government, also becoming the county seat of Washington county. Ten counties were organized within the limits of Ohio, before being admitted into the Union as a State. Belmont county was organized September 7, 1801, being the last before the admission of the State. The other counties organized before that time were Hamilton, Wayne, Adams, Jefferson, Ross, Trumbull, Clermont and Fairfield.
On the 30th of April, 1802, Congress passed "An act to enable the people of the eastern division of the territory northwest of the river Ohio, to form a constitution and State government, and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States, and for other purposes." An election was held for members of a constitutional convention, who met at Chillicothe November 1, 1802, and completed their labors and adjourned on the 29th of the same mouth. The members of the convention from the part of the State embracing the territory from which Gallia county was formed, were James Caldwell and Elijah Woods, of Belmont county, and Ephraim Cutler, Benjamin Ives Gilman, Rufus Putnam, and John McIntyre, of Washington county.
The Territorial Government was ended by the organization of the State Government March 1, 1803, pursuant to the provisions of the constitution framed at Chillicothe.
ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY.
On March 1st, 1803, the First General Assembly of the State of Ohio met at Chillicothe, about three months after the State was admitted into the Union. One of the first acts of the new legislature was the creation of eight new counties, of which Gallia was one of the first, from a vast territory known as Washington county, "Territory of the United States, North-west of the river Ohio," which then comprised a tract covering nearly half of the present area of the State, and including what is now divided into nearly forty separate counties.
“Gallia,” the ancient name of France, was given it in honor of the French settlers, who for nearly thirteen years had been located at Gallipolis, within its borders, and it was made a separate and distinct county April 30, 1803. It originally included the lands comprising the present
II - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
counties of Gallia, Jackson, the greater part of Lawrence, about three fourths of Meigs and a part of Vinton county, which tract was covered partly by the "Congress lands" and the balance by the "Ohio Company" purchase, the western limit of the latter being a line running north and south through Gallia county, a short distance west of Gallipolis. All the titles of real estate in the city and the eastern part of the county came form this company, and it will be a matter of interest to introduce here an account of its origin, etc., copied from its original records.
OHIO COMPANY.
"On the 1st day of March, 1786, convened at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, in Boston, as delegates from several of the commonwealths of Massachusetts, to consider of the expediency of forming an association or company to purchase lands and make a settlement in the western country the gentlemen whose names are underwritten."
Then follows the list of signatures of the members of the company, eleven in all, who elected General Rufus Putnam, chairman and Major Winthrop Sargent, clerk. The articles of agreement of the company decided that the " design of this association is to raise a fund in continental certificates for the sole purpose, and to be appropriated to the entire use of purchasing lands in the western territory (belonging to the United States), for the benefit of the company, and to promote a settlement in that country."
They soon after purchased the lands of Congress, as indicated, and opened their office at Marietta.
The price paid to the United States for the land was one dollar per acre, from which one-third of a dollar was to be deducted for bad lands, expense of surveying, etc.
After giving the boundaries of the land purchased by the company, it is recorded that " This tract to be extended so far northerly as to comprehend in its limits one section, of 640 acres, exclusive of above purchase in each township for the purposes of religion; one section for schools and two townships of 23,040 acres each, for a University, to be in the centre of the whole tract." The above lots were thus given by Congress, and appropriated for the above uses forever.
The agent of the Company, Reverend Menasseh Cutler, was the one who has the credit of securing this desirable arrangement from Congress. Whether he labored for this object from an unselfish desire to benefit the cause of religion and education, or solely to facilitate the sale of lands made b3, the company, is rather a doubtful question ; but as he was a good man as well as shrewd, he was probably influenced by both motives. In any event, the result has been beneficial to all parties. Section 29 in each township in the tract was set aside for religious, and section 16 for school purposes.
" December 9th, 1795, upon the petition of the French people at Gallipolis, unanimously resolved that the fractional miles square number twenty-eight and thirty-four of the third township of the fourteenth range be offered to them at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre.
December 17th, 1795.—Whereas the agents and proprietors of the Ohio Company, on the 9th day of December last, did resolve that they would sell two fractional miles square lots, being numbered twenty-eight (28) and thirty-four (34), lying in township number three (3) and in the fourteenth range, to the inhabitants of Gallipolis ; and whereas the inhabitants of Gallipolis aforesaid, have agreed upon certain principles for the division of said lands, and for raising the money necessary to pay for the same,
Be it therefore unanimously resolved, that the two lots aforesaid, lying within a certain tract of land which has heretofore been considered as forfeited to the Ohio Company, be sold and released to certain persons in trust for the inhabitants of Gallipolis, according to the principles which have been adopted by them.
Resolved, that Paul Fearing and Return J. Meigs, Esquires, be a committee to whom the conveyance shall be made hi trust, and who shall execute conveyances of the like tenor to the several inhabitants of Gallipolis, they paying the trustees for the execution of their trust."
The following paper, found in the Recorder's office, written in French, and translated by 1). W. Jones, Esq., exhibits what was meant by the " principles" referred to in the above, and
THE PRICE AND DISTRIBUTION OF LOTS IN GALLIPOLIS.
Gallipolis, this, the 14th day of December, 1795. P. Bureau and J, M. Berthelot have published and given notice that Monday next they will render account to the French inhabitants of their mission as agents to treat with the Ohio Company.
To-day, Monday, the assembled inhabitants, after haying agreed to purchase the land of the Ohio Company, have proceeded to choose, by secret ballot, commissioners to examine the rights of pre-emption of the inhabitants to the city lots, and of four acres of cultivated land, and also to fix the price of city lots and of the four acres according to what they were worth before they were occupied. Whereupon the inhabitants have unanimously named for Commissioners: Marin Dupont, Mathieu Berthelot, Jean Parmentier, Christopher Etienne, Francis DeVacht, Jean Baptist, Le Tailleur, Jean Pierre, Roman Bureau.
Today, Monday, 6 o’clock P.M. The commissioners have unanimously appointed Marin DePort, moderator, and Christopher Etienne, secretary of the Committee. It has been resolved that Mr. Anzelm Tupper, surveyor, be chosen for any operations of surveying that may be found necessary.
Resolved, That Mr. Tupper, accompanied by Mr. Bureau, shall go to examine the line which separates the lands proposed to be bought from the reserved lands and from those belonging to the Ohio Company, in order to proceed immediately to such operations as they shall judge to be proper.
[NOTE.—By the reserved lands are meant those lands reserved for schools and ministerial purposes, being sections 16 and 29. Section 29 joins the lands proposed to be bought, on the north side.]
It has been resolved that the public be warned by notices to repair to the house of Messrs. Saugrain and Bureau, in order to make known their rights and claims to the property of Gallipolis.
Le Tailleur, Parmentier, M. Berthelot, J. G. DeVacht, M. DuPort, P. Bureau.
December 16th. The committee, after having been occupied during the entire day in receiving the claims of proprietors, have resolved to give new notice to those who have not yet presented their claims, to come to-morrow in order to finish the work.
December 16th. Resolved, That this plan shall hereafter be placed before the eyes of the people as the only one which appears proper in order to conciliate the different interests of the proprietors considering the position of the different pieces of land, in order that those persons who have few lots, and of which the situation is not advantageous, be not overcharged.
PLAN.
The banks of the river and the Commons not having been surveyed, and never having been regarded as property, we have thought it right that they be placed at a price proportioned to their importance by reason of their position. Lots on the bank of the river and of the Square [Public Square] being a source of wealth by reason of their position, we have thought that they should be placed at a price higher than the others. The lots on the banks of the river, more remote, have been placed at a price lower than the preceding, but higher than those which are remote from the river. The lands which remain to be divided, being for the greater part mountainous or hilly, have been in consequence placed at a low price.
BANKS OF THE RIVER.
From No. 1 to No. 73, inclusive, 1040 feet front, estimated at 2d per ft. From No. 73 to the lot reserved for the Square, making 240 ft., 9d " Fronting the reserved lots of the Square, making 160 ft., at 2d per ft. From 139 to 169 inclusive, making 480 ft., at is per ft Facing the 1. c. Square, 194 to 219 inclusive, making 640 ft. at 6d per ft. [NOTE.—The Square referred to here is not the Public Square, but a C Square, or that space lying between Locust and Cedar, and between Front street and the river.] Facing the Square, 244 to 273, making 640 ft. at 6d per ft From No. 300 to 331, forming 640 ft. at 2d per ft |
|
|
|
LOTS OF THE SQUARE RESERVED.
Eight lots divided into 18, each division being on the Square or on the
river, each division estimated af $4 72 0 0
Resolved, That the above lots shall be drawn by lot and that for each division the estimated price shall be paid. That the banks of the river shall be sold for the estimated price, givrng preference to the occupant.
LOTS ON RIVER AND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SQUARE.
From No. 100 to 117, at $3 each lot, 6 lots Ten river lots on the two sides of Public Square, at $3 Six river lots, from No. 1 to 37, at $2 16 lots, from 206 to 331, at $0 12 lots, from 362 to 447, at $2 352 lots remaining, at $1 each |
|
|
|
LOTS OF FOUR ACRES, CULTIVATED.
21 lots at 7s 6d per acre A piece of land occupied by Madame LaForge, adjoining the lands of Autran, estimated at $6 Piece of land occupied by the late Mr. Pradel, valued as two cify lots Piece of land occupied by Mr. Ferrau, the younger, 2 One occupied by Mr. Piton One occupied by Mr. Slcnager, adjoining his four acres For the remaining lands, at the rate of four dollars per purchaser, the total number of purchasers amounting to eighty |
|
|
|
Resolved, For the public good, and for the interests of the inhabitants, the streets and the Public Square shall remain free, without being closed on the bank of the river by any building, or being sold.
Resolved, That the public be notified to meet to-morrow, to receive the report of the work of the committee.
Resolved, That the banks of the river shall remain open, facing each street, that lines shall be drawn in the direction of the streets without trespassing thereupon.
Plna accepted.
Etienne, Sec.
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - III
December 17th. Resolved, That the secretary be ordered by the committee to go to the house of Mr. Dhebercourt, to request him to declare if it is his intention to join himself with us for the acquisition of our property, as his partner, Dr. Petit, has done; and to say to him that the execution of the plan adopted by the inhabitants rewires a positive answer.
ETIENNE, Sec.
Mr. Dhebercourt has replied that he is disposed to agree to the acquisition of the lands of Gallipolis, paying for his property seven shillings sixpence per acre, and that he will not conform to the plan adopted until he has taken such steps as he believes his interests require.
ETIENNE, Sec.
Resolved, That Messrs. Berthelot and DuPort, whom we have appointed collectors, go to the houses of the inhabitants to receive the sums set down in the list made between us, according to the plan agreed on by the inhabitants,'December 17th, 1795.
Resolved, That Mr. DuPort is by us appointed cashier, and in this capacity the money remain in his hands until the time of payment for the lands.
December 19, 1795. According to the resolutions of the committee, on the 16th of this month, agreed to by the assembled inhabitants, reserved lots near the square, divided into eighteen equal portions, have been drawn by lot in the presence of the 'assembled inhabitants, and fell to Messrs. Vandenbemden, Chandiver, father, Chandiver, son, Vonschriltz, Gervais, Ferrare, jr., LaCour, Davoux, Villerain, Muqui, Quarleron, Michau, Brunier, Bureau, Lafillard, child of Vonschriltz, sr., Francis Valodin, and Pierre Richon.
December 22d. By virtue of the resolution of the committee of the 18th, Messrs. Marin DuPort and Mathieu Berthelot have been engaged in receiving the sums to be given by each proprietor, which sums have amounted to $594 5s 6d in money, and orders on Mr. Sproat for the appointments of spies, of which sum the money amounted to $91 3s 2d.
Bills, on different persons $203. Orders of spies on the current appointments $553, which sums form a total of $1042 2s 8d.
Resolved, That Messrs. Mathieu Berthelot, Romain Bureau, and Marin DuPort, DeVacht and Jean LeTailletur go to Marietta in the name of the committee of the inhabitants of Gallipolis, to conclude with the Ohio Company the acquisition of the two squares (of land) indicated in the plan Which has been given us by the agents of the Ohio Company.
ETIENNE, Sec.
PARMENTIER.
This was acknowledged before E. W. Tupper, Justice of the Peace, April 9, 1817. Recorded May 25, 1824.
"John Paul alias Jones," Commodore U. S. N. during the Revolutionary War, was one of the purchasers of five of the original shares in the Ohio Company's purchase. Part of his land was located near the northeastern line of the corporation, now owned by Mrs. Sarah Mott and the Gallia County Infirmary, and the T., C. & H. V. R. R. Co. has a gravel pit upon part of it, where Camp Carrington was located in 1861, and where a military hospital was subsequently built.
Soon after the establishment of the county a record was made, of which the following is a copy
DIVISION OF GALLIA COUNTY INTO TOWNSHIPS BY THE ASSOCIATE
JUDGES.
At a meeting of the associate judges of the county of Gallia, held at Gallipolis, on Tuesday, the 10th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three, for the purpose of dividing the said county of Gallia into townships, and to apportion to each township a proper number of justices of the peace, and for other purposes. Present, Robert Safford and George W. Putnam.
The county was then divided into three separate townships : Le Tarts, Kyger and Gallipolis. The latter was divided as follows:
" Gallipolis township, beginning at the mouth of Campaign creek, and thence down the river Ohio to the county of Scioto, thence north with said county line to Ross county line, thence with said Ross line to the northwest corner of the seventh townships in the seventeenth range, thence east to where Campaign creek intersects the line between the sixth and seventh townships in the fifteenth range, thence down said creek with the meanders to the place of beginning. And that two justices is the proper number to be elected in said township, and that the election for said township be held at the house of John Bing."
The county and townships were afterward many times sub-divided and changed, and the present boundaries are indicated by the accompanying maps. The county, as now defined, is situated in that geological division designated as Coal pleasures; bounded on the north by Meigs, Vinton and Jackson, east by the Ohio river, south by Lawrence and the Ohio river and west by Lawrence and Jackson. The river margin in the county is 36.40 miles in length, divided as follows: Guyan township, 204 chains ; Ohio, 876 ; Clay, 498 ; Gallipolis, 666 ; Addison, 501, and Cheshire, 167.
Its area is about 430 square miles; surface, hilly, excepting a tract bordering upon the Ohio River and bottom lands along various other streams, where it is more level, and soil fertile. A great part of the county is covered with a black, sandy loam, well adapted to the growth of wheat, corn, which are quite extensively raised. The staple corps are wheat, corn, oats, rye, buck-wheat, and recently the cultivation of tobacco has been assuming prominence. Much of the land is excellent
for grazing purposes, and a great deal of attention is paid to the raising of cattle, sheep and hogs, and much interest is being developed in the introduction of blooded stock. The northern, western and southern parts of the county are underlaid with valuable, easily worked veins of iron ore, coal, limestone and fire clay which, since the advent of the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad, in the spring of 1880, is being rapidly developed. This railroad has an incline side track to the river at Gallipolis for the convenient transfer of freight with the Ohio river boats.
The principal streams are Raccoon, Symmes', Chickamauga, Campaign, Swan and Kyger, all of which flow into the Ohio.
The population of the county in 1810 was 4,181 ; in 1820, 7,098; in 1830, 9,733; in 1840, 13,444; in 1850, 17,063; in 1860, 22,043; in 1870, 25,545, and in 1880, 28,124. The territory of the county was diminished, in 1849, by the formation of the new county, Vinton, on the north, by which Gallia lost Wilksville township, which went to the new county, and two tiers of sections off the west part of Raccoon township, and one tier off the north part of Greenfield township, which were ceeded to Jackson county, leaving fifteen townships. The following was the
POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS IN 1870 AND 1880.
Balance of increase in ten years (about ten per cent) 2,579
STATISTICAL ITEMS.
Gallia county contains 286,108 acres of land, the agricultural portions of which are divided as follows: 72,771 cultivated ; 85,135 pasture, 61,982 wood-land; 10,447 waste. The number of acres sown to wheat for the crop of 1882 is 32,043. During the year 1881 there was produced 298,896 bushels wheat, 616,866 bushels corn, 34,254 bushels oats, 1,805 bushels buckwheat, 651 bushels rye, 226 bushels clover seed, 84,872 bushels potatoes, 11,095 tons hay, 189,690 pounds tobacco, 4,5,253 pounds wool, and a large quantity of fruits and dairy products. These figures, although taken from the Ohio Statistics for 1881, are probably not entirely correct, but they serve to give an idea of the staple agricultural products of the county. The total valuation of horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs is $545,466. During 1881, 3,500 tons of iron and 92,948 bushels of coal were also produced.
The 286,108 acres of land in the county is valued on the tax duplicate at an average of $12.23 per acre, or $3,499,531, and the buildings thereon at $354,564. Total, $3,854,095. The valuation of property outside of Gallipolis exempt from taxation for college purposes, is $31,270; common school, $34,434; churches, $20,071; charitable institutions, $7,665; others, $854. Total, $96,329.
During the year ending March 31, 1881, there were 318 marriages, 224 deaths and 616 births. The county had in charge 105 paupers, at a cost of 14 cents per day each, $8,752.61. The only railroad in the county is the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo, which has a main track 30.91 miles in length, valued upon the duplicate at $168,880. The total duplicate for 1881 is $7,441,848, and the tax assessment $120,303.95.
GLEANINGS FROM THE COUNTY RECORDS.
The opening pages of the records of Gallia County Commissioners are lost, and the first item found of especial interest is the settlement with the first treasurer, Nicholas Thevenin, July 2, 1804, for the preceding year :
IV - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
Commissioners present : Charles Mills, Charles Buck. J. P. R. Bureau, clerk.
July 7th, 1804.-Among other settlements made were the following : Robert Safford, salary as Associate Judge, $25.75; as appraiser of houses, $1.25. George W. Putnam, salary as Associate Judge, $12.93 ; Brewster Higley, salary as Associate Judge, $6.20. Joel Smith, for rent of house for Court of Common Pleas, July term 1804, $4.00.
July 17th, 1804, the duplicate amounted to $366.33, and was given to John- Robinson, collector. Bond, two sureties for $732.66. July 26th Nicholas Thevenin resigned as treasurer and Francis Le Clercq was appointed ; J. P. R. Bureau, Clerk Common Pleas Court, Orapha Strong, Commissioner.
June 10th, 1805.-The price of tavern license fixed for the county was : Gallipolis, $10; State road to county line, $6 ; on the road to the salt works, $6 ; other roads, $4. June 11th, the sheriff of Gallia county appeared and rendered his account for the taxes he collected for the year 1803, which being compared with the duplicates given him by the Associate Judges, and the receipts of the county treasurer, proved that said sheriff owes the county, for that year, six cents and one-half. Ferry license across the Ohio river : At Gallipolis, $4; Fair Haven to Point Pleasant, $6 ; any other place in the county, $2. Across the mouth of Campaign creek, or any other creek in the county, $1. Rates of ferriage across the Ohio : Foot, 8k cents ; man and horse, 16 2/3 cents ; loaded wagon and team, $1 ; four-wheeled carriage or empty wagon and team, 75 cents ; loaded cart and team, 50 cents ; empty cart, sled or sleigh and team, 37 1/2 cents ; horse, mare, mule, ass, head of neat cattle, 8k cents ; sheep or hog, 3 cents. Rates of Campaign Creek were somewhat less, and for Raccoon less than Campaign. June 29th, 1805, Francis Le Clercq re-appointed county treasurer and surveyor.
September 25, 1805, John Noland, contractor, turned over the gaol building to the commissioners for their acceptance. The contract price. was $400. September 3d, 1805, Robert Allen was given the contract to build an outside chimney on the northeast end of the gaoler's room for $30. The tax duplicate of Gallipolis township, amounting to $210.94, was given to Francis Le Clercq, collector ; C. Etienne, his "surety. November 5th, 1805, Joseph Fletcher became sheriff.
First Monday in June, 1806, Joseph Fletcher re-appointed sheriff and collector; Francis Le Clercq re-appointed treasurer; C. R. Menager, clerk. September 1st, 1806, the first order given for a wolf scalp was to James Burford, $3; the second one, the same day, to Andrew Friend, three scalps, $9.
December 14th, 1809, an order was given to J. Bodot for fifty cents in payment for a whipping post.
The cost to the county for wolf and panther scalps from September 1st, 1806, to April, 1817, was $829 ; for prosecuting expenses, 1805 to 1817, $1,672 ; for grand jury expenses, 1805 to 1817, $1,311.50 ; election expenses, July, 1804 to December, 1817, $1,087.25 ; contingent expenses, July, 1804, to April, 1817, $559.86 ; salary of common pleas judges, 1804 to 1817, $1,740.57; Esters and appraisers, 1804 to 1816, $991.85 ; board of commissioners, 1804 to 1817, $2,753.24.
The receipts of the county treasurer for 1804 were $320.81, 1805, $490.78 ; 1806, $753.43 ; 1807, $1,243.88 ; 1808, $1,199.26; 1809, $1,454.97; 1810, $1,626.77 ; 1811, $1,561.60 ; 1812, $1,153.13; 1813, $1,282.15; 1814, $1,491.57 ; 1815, $1,602.06 ; 1816, $1,986.39.
GALLIA COUNTY OFFICERS 1803 TO 1882.
Associate Judges-1803-8, George W. Putnam, Robert Safford, Brewster Hiegley ; 1809, Judges, Safford, Hiegley, Kerr; 1810, Robert Safford, Fulton Elliott, Joseph Fletcher ; 1811-13, John Thompson, President ; F. Elliott, Joseph Fletcher, Edward W. Tupper ; 1814-15, J. Thompson, President ; J. I letcher, F. Elliott, Thomas Rodgers ; 1816-19, J. Thompson, President ; F. Elliott, T. Rodgers, R. Safford ; 1819-23, Ezra Osborn, President; J. Fletcher, T. Rodgers, R. Safford ; 1823-26, Ezra Osborn, President; John Holcomb, T. Rodgers, R. Safford; 1826-29, Thomas Irwin, President ; J. Holcomb, T. Rodgers, R. Safford ; 1829-33, T. Irwin, President ; J. Holcomb, T, Rodgers, David Boggs ; 1833-37, T. Irwin, President; J. Holcomb, T. Rodgers, J. Fletcher ; 1837-40, T. Irwin, President ; Anderson H. Hughes, T. Rodgers, Robert Armstrong ; 1840-42, John E. Hanna, President ; A. H. Hughes; T. Rodgers, R. Armstrong ; 184244, J. E. Hanna, President; A. H. Hughes, Joseph W. Ross, R. Armstrong ; 1844-47, J. E. Hanna, President ; Daniel G. Whiton, J. W. Ross, Moses R. Mathews ; 1847-48, Arius Nye, President ; D. G. Whiton, J. W. Ross, M. R. Mathews ; 1848-49, William V. Peck, President; D. G. Whiton, J. W. Ross, M. R. Mathews; 1849-51, W. V. Peck, President ; D. G. Whiton, M. R. Mathews, Franklin Carel ; 1851, W. V. Peck, President ; Robert Carter, M. R. Mathews, Franklin Carel. The new constitution went into effect February, 1852, abolishing the office of associate judge, and establishing the court of probate.
Probate Judge-Samuel B. Rathburn, elected in the fall of 1852, served until 1858 ; William H. Morehead, 1858 to 1861 ; Alexander Logue, 1861 to 1870 ; Henry A. Kent, 1870 to 1879 ; S. D. Cowden, 1879, now in office.
Common Pleas Judges, for the Third subdivision of the Seventh Judicial district, including the counties of Gallia, Meigs, Washington and Athens, under the State institution that went into effect in 1752, 1852 to 1862, Simeon Nash; 1862-67, John Welch; 1867-74, E. A. Guthrie, after which date the following were elected or appointed, in the order named: W. B. Loomis, T. A. Plants, D. B. Hebard, John Cartright, S. S. Knowles and J. B. Bradbury-the latter two being the present judges.
Board of Commissioners-1803 to fall of 1805, Charles Mills, Charles Buck, Picket Marvin ; 1805-9, C. Mills, C. Buck, Orapha Strong; 1809-12, O. Strong, John Bing, S. W. Blagg ; 1812-14, inclusive, O. Strong, Samuel W. Blagg, Joel Hiegley, junior ; 1815, S. W. Blagg, O. Strong, Nehemiah Wood; 1816, O. Strong, N. Wood, John Kerr ; 1817, N. Wood, J. Kerr, J. P. R. Bureau ; 1818-21, J. Kerr, J. P. R. Bureau, Samuel Barlow ; 1821, J. Kerr, S. Barlow, John Bing; 1822, Edward McMillen, S. Barlow ; 1826, J. Kerr. S. Barlow, John Bing ; 1827, J. Kerr, J. Bing, John Cherington ; 1828-30, inclusive, J. Cherington, J. Bing, John Newton ; 1831, J. Cherington, J. Bing, David Lasley ; 1832, D. Lasley, George Eagle, J. Cherington ; 1833, D. Lasley, G. Eagle, Patrick Napier ; 1834, G. Eagles, P. Napier, John Kerr ; 1835, John Kerr, Patrick Napier, John Newton ; 1836, John Kerr, J. Newton, John Cherington; 1837, J. Cherington, David Lasley, J. Newton; 1838-40, inclusive, D. Lasley, J. Cherington, David Boggs; 1841, J. Cherington, Alexander Logue, D. Lasley; 1842, D. Lasley, A. Logue, John N. Kerr ; 1843, J. N. Kerr, A. Logue, Cyrus D. Green; 1844-5, J. N. Kerr, Nehemiah Atwood, Hiram Wilcox ; 1846, J. N. Kerr, N. Atwood, Samuel H. Gates; 1847-48, J. N. Kerr, S. Gates, John Roadarmour. [Alexander Logue appointed, vice S. Gates, deceased, March 26th, 1847]. 1849, J. Roadarmour, A. Logue, Henry Hannan; 1850-51, J. Kerr, H.. Hannan, Reuben Graham ; 1852, J. Kerr, R. Graham, Isaac Carter ; 1853, J. Kerr, I. Carter, Joseph Mauck, junior; 1854, J. Mauck, junior, J. Carter, J. T. Smith ; 1855, J. Mauck, J. T. Smith, Andrew Edminston ; 1856, A. Edminston, J. T. Smith, A. P. Rodgers; 1857, A. P. Rodgers, A. Edminston, Jacob Kerns ; 1858, J. Kerns, Nehemiah Hall, A. P. Rodgers ; 1859, J. Kerns, N. Hall, Valentine Switzer ; 1860, J. Kerns, R. P. Porter, V. Switzer; 1861-2, V. Switzer, R. P. Porter, Robert Carter ; 1863-67, R. Carter, V. Switzer, A. Barton ; 1868, A. Barton, R. Carter, A. J. Powell ; 1869, R. Carter, A. J. Powell, J. M. Clark ; 1870, A. J. Powell, J. M. Clark, R. P. Porter; 1871-2, A. J. Powell, R. P. Porter, S. McDaniel ; 1873, A. J. Powell, S. McDaniel, H. C. Niday ; 1874, S. McDaniel, H. C. Niday, John E. Mills ; 1875-77, H. C. Niday ; J. E. Mills, L. M. Beman; 1878, H. C. Niday, J. E. Mills, Jacob Coughenour ; 1879-80, J. E. Mills, Jacob Coughenour, Jacob Riggs ; 1881-82, J. E. Mills, Joseph Howard, Jacob Riggs, now in office.
Commissioner's Clerk and Auditor.-1803-11, J. P. R. Bureau ; 1811 to fall of 1820, Nathaniel Gates; fall of 1820, Robert Safford elected " Auditor " to fall of 1821; Nathaniel Gates to 1840, inclusive; Alexander Vance to 1842, inclusive ; Joshua N. Parker, to 1850, inclusive; David B. Hebard, to October, 1853, when Alexander Vance was appointed, ad interim; David B. Hebard, fall of 1854 to 1856, inclusive; E. A. Jackson, to fall of 1858; William Nash, to fall of 1866 ; John H. Evans, to fall of 1877 ; Joseph Stafford, 1877, now in office.
Treasurer.-1803, Nicholas Thevenin, who resigned July 26, 1804, and the Board of Commissioners appointed Francis LeClercq, who continued in office until ,1827, inclusive ; Joseph Drouillard, 1828-43 ; Robert Black, 1844-51 , Isaac Calohan, 1852-56 ; William Nash, 1856-58 ; John Sanns, Jr., 1858-62; Daniel H. Gates, 1862-64 ; Jacob Kerns, 1864-66; Daniel H. Gates, 1866-68 ; William H. H. Sisson, 1868-72; John L. Guy, 1872-76; William W. Martindale, 1876-80; William Cherington, 1880, now in office.
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas.-1803-6, inclusive, J. P. R. Bureau; 1807-35, inclusive, Francis LeClercq; in the July term of Court, 1836, J. Drouillard, appointed Clerk pro tem., to fill unexpired term, then elected and served until 1858, when he retired, and James M. Campbell (Dem.) was elected ; Joseph Hunt, appointed vice J. M. Campbell, deceased, Sept. 8, 1850, who continued in office until 1875, when Wm. H. H. Sisson succeeded him; John L. Guy, appointed Jan. 4, 1877, vice Mr. Sisson, deceased, and continued until 1881 ; 1881-4, Horace R. Bradbury.
Recorder.-The first deed recorded is Weld to Mathew, December 12, 1803, Robert Safford, Recorder, who continued until September 4, 1807; Nathaniel Gates from that time until June 19, 1848 ; S. B. Rathburn to Oct. 20, 1848 ; S. B. Drouillard, to Oct. 23, 1854 ; Samuel Jolley, to Jan. 6, 1858 ; James Mossman, to May 31, 1862, when John Entsminger was appointed for his unexpired term, to Jan. 4, 1863; Caleb W. Cherington, to Jan. 4, 1870; Ira W. Booton, to Jan. 2, 1882; I. F. Chapman took the office Jan. 2, 1882, which he now occupies.
Sheriff.-1803-5, John Robinson; 1806-7, Joseph Fletcher; 1808-9, Nicholas Thevenin; 1810-13, John Robinson ; 1814-15, D. Ridgeway; 1816-19, Samuel R. Holcomb; 1820-2, James Jones; S. R. Holcomb, 1823-5 ; B. Curtis, 1826-7; Aaron M. Barlow, 1828-9; S. R. Holcomb, 1830-31 ; S. H. Coleman, 1832-33 ; D. Ripley, 1834 to fall of 1838 ; John White, 1838-41 ; Wm. G. Sisson, fall of 1841-43; James Mineare, fall of 1843-45 ; David Ripley, fall of 1845-53 ; Daniel H. Rose, 1858- 55 ; Aaron Rife, 855-57 ; Lewis Berthe, 1857-60 ; James Campbell, 1860-64; William Waddell, 1864-68 ; Richard Blazer, 1868-72 ; Amos Ripley, 1872-76; Charles Stuart, 1876-80; Cincinnatus B. Blake, 1880- 82-re-elected and present incumbent.
Prosecuting Attorneys were at first appointed by the Associate Judges at each term of court ; 1805, Mathew Backus ; 1806-9, Joseph N. Couch ; 1810-11, Nathaniel Gates’ 1812-16, Levin Belt; 1816-19, Richard Douglas, 1819-25, Samuel F. Vinton; 1825-26, Edward King; 1926-33, J. T. Brasee; 1833-35, Simeon Nash; 1835-38, A. Cushing; 1838-39, Simeon Nash; 1839-41, J. J. Coombs, 1841-43, Anselm T. Holcomb; 1843-44, Lemuel Petty; 1844-45, Anselm T. Holcomb; 1845-47, Lem-
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - V
uel Perry ; 1847-49, A. Cushing ; 1849-54, L. Perry ; 1854-56, Samuel A. Nash ; 1858-60, Joshua Lewis ; 1860-62, David B. Hebard ; 1862-64, Alonzo Cushing ; 1864-66, Samuel A. Nash ; 1866-68, Taylor W. Hamptow ; 1868-70, D. B. Hebard ; 1870-76, T. W. Hampton, 1876-78, Lemuel Perry ; 1878-82, Charles W. White ; 1882, W. H. C. Ecker, present incumbent.
Surveyor-1805 to 1810, Francis LeClercq ; 1813-18, Joseph Fletcher; 1818-24,. Wm. Preston ; 1824-30, Joseph Fletcher ; 1830-35, William Preston ; 1835-36, David Fletcher ; 1836-37, William Preston; 1837-40, Joseph Fletcher ; 1840-42, Samuel Miller; 1842-43, Joseph Fletcher; 1843-47, George House ; 1847-52, Reuben Rothgeb; 1852-55, Henry Grayum; 1855-58, Alexander Vance; 1858-61, Henry Grayum; 1861-65, E. T. Shepard ; 1865-72, James W. Gardner ; 1872-75, W. R. White; 1875-76, Henry Grayum ; 1876-77, W. R. White ; 1877-78, James W. Gardner ; 1878-82, W. R. White, present incumbent..
Infirmary Directors-A. 0. Shepard, Charles C. Wood, Alexander McDaniel, appointed by the Commissioners March 4th, 1861, and qualified March 25th, 1861 ; September, 1861, A. 0. Shepard, William Clark, C. C. Wood; fall of 1864, C. C. Wood, William Clark, A. S. Guthrie ; August, 1865, D. Y. Smithers, appointed vice A. S. Guthrie, deceased; December 5th, 1865, William Clark, J J. Pool, Samuel Cole ; December, 1866, Rufus Beman, J. J. Pool, Samuel Cole; December, 1867, James Mullineaux, Rufus Bemen, J. J. Pool ; December, 1868, Amos Ripley, J. Mullineaux, J. J. Pool; December, 1869, Aaron Rife, J. Mullineaux, J. J. Pool; Samuel Rothgeb, appointed March, 1871, vice Aaron Rife, resigned ; December, 1872, J. J. Pool, Andrew Watts, J. Mullineaux ; December, 1873, Jacob Kerns, Andrew Watts, J. J. Pool ; December, 1874, Alex. Logue, J. Kerns, A. Watts; December, 1875, Stephen G. Keller, A. Logue, J. Kerns ; December, 1876, Jacob Kerns, A. Logue, S. G. Keller; December, 1877, Andrew Watts, S. G. Keller, J. Kerns; December, 1878, J. Kerns, A. Watts, S. G. Keller; December, 1879, Thomas Wetherholt, S. G. Keller, A. Watts; December, 1880, J. J. Pool, Thomas Wetherholt, Pleasant Gills; 1881, J. J. Pool, Thomas Wetherholt, Pleasant Gills, the present board.
The present member of Congress from this district is Henry S. Neal ; State Senator, John H. Evans; representative, L. M. Beman ; Common Pleas Judges, S. S. Knowles and J. P. Bradbury ; County Auditor, Joseph Stafford; Treasurer, William Cherington ; Probate Judge, S. D. Cowden; Clerk Common Pleas Court, H. R. Bradbury ; Sheriff; C. B. Blake ; Prosecuting Attorney, W. H. C. Ecker; Recorder, I. F. Chapman ; Surveyor, W. R. White ; Coroner, J. T. Hanson ; Commissioners, Jacob Riggs, John E. Mills and Joseph Howard ; Infirmary Directors, John J. Pool, Thomas Wetherholt and Pleasant Gills.
GALLIPOLIS TOWNSHIP.
As a matter of peculiar interest in the history of this township, the following is copied from its original records, which are still in existence. It will be observed by a comparison of dates, that the township was organized and officers elected over a year before Gallia county was formed, and about a year before the meeting of the first general assembly of the State, (March 1,1803) :
OLD TOWNSHIP RECORDS.
" Records of the Township of Gallipolis, A. D. 1802. Territory of the United States, Northwest of the river Ohio, Washington county. At a township meeting begun and held for the township of Gallipolis, at the house of John Bing, in the township of Gallipolis on the first Monday of March, A. D. 1802. [This was the old Baxter House on Front street, the first frame building erected in the town, and now standing]. The electors of that township assembled and proceeded to elect as follows, to- wit:
" Robert Stafford, chairman; John Robinson, township clerk ; John P. R. Bureau, Hamilton Kerr, and Robert Safford, trustees or managers ; James Wearly and John Bing, overseers of the poor; Joshua Chitwood, Abraham Lessley and Michael Hammond, fence viewers; John P. R. Bureau and Joseph Devacht, appraisers of houses ; N. Thevenin, lister of property ; Joseph Fletcher, John Entsminger, John Bing, Nicholas Thevenin and James Smith, supervisors of roads; Peter Marret, Andrew Armstrong, and William McDonald, constables.
" Voted that the next annual meeting be at the house of John Bing, in the town of Gallipolis. Test., John Robinson, T. Clerk.
"The first day of May, 1802, the aforesaid constables were duly qualified according to law. Test., John Robinson, T. Clerk.
" May 3d, 1802, Nicholas-Thevenin ordered the ear-mark of his cattle, sheep, and hogs to be recorded, to-wit: Two swallow forks and his brand N. T. Test., John Robinson, T. Clerk."
Next follows the record of the qualification of officers and a long list of notices of the ear-marks of stock. Those giving the latter during the year 1802, are recorded as follows, in addition to the one above given : John Bing, Norman McCloud, Patrick Reed, Joshua Chitwood, Michael Ale- shire, John Duret, Abraham Lessly, Jacob Rousch, Edward McMillan, John Robinson, John Entsminger, David Rees, Samuel Rees, Andrew Irwin, Hamilton Kerr, Joseph Rife, Robert Safford, Shadrack Stillwell, Richard Brians, Hugh Daniels, Benson Jones and Alexander Armstrong.
Among the township officers elected in 1803 was Francis LeClercq, clerk, the subject of one of the following sketches. James Burford, who gained a national reputation as a most wonderful, story-teller, was chairman of the board of fence-viewers. There is no doubt but that he made
business lively for his associates, and was placed in the rail fence department as the one best adapted to his style of making reports.
On the first Monday of April, 1808, it is recorded that "the electors of the township assembled to the number of fifteen, and proceeded to elect."
J. P. R. Bureau is first mentioned as justice of the peace in 1808 ; Robert Safford, however, occupied that position in 1798. In 1808 Lewis Newsom was appointed clerk.
April 14th, 1812, it is again recorded that Mr. Bureau qualified as justice of the peace, giving Edward W. Tupper and Christopher Etienne as bondsmen. May 2d, of that year, the township was laid off into road districts.
March 1st, 1813, the trustees met at the court-house "pursuant to the 7th section of a law entitled An act for the incorporation of townships.'"
April 19th, 1823, the trustees met and passed the following resolution :
" Resolved, That from and after the first day of May next, no black or mulatto person be permitted to settle or reside within the bounds of the township of Gallipolis, unless he, she or they shall have fully complied with the statute entitled 'An act to regulate black and mulatto persons,' passed the 5th day of January, 1804, and the amendments thereto."
April 4th, 1831, the trustees appointed William Preston and J. W. Devacht a committee to defend the rights of the township in certain real estate, which they considered as " having escheated to this township for the use of the poor therein, by act of the legislature January 25th, 1816, against a claim made by the trustees of the Gallia Academy. W. Allen, afterward United States senator and governor of Ohio, was appointed their attorney on the 22d, who was to have been paid seventy-five dollars if he gained the suit, and nothing if he failed. As the matter was neglected by him he was discharged, and Mr. Murphy (who died while serving an appointment as minister to Mexico), was appointed upon the same terms.
This old book of records of Gallipolis township, dates from the first Monday in March, 1802, to May 28th, 1839, covering a period of over thirty-seven years.
By referring to the preceding history of the county, a statement can be found of the organizing and formation of the township, under the State government, May 10th, 1803. The officers of the township in 1882 are as follows: Trustees, J. M. Alexander, P. B. Pritchett, Samuel Kerr; treasurer, Captain John A. Hamilton ; clerk, George W. Heaton ; justices of the peace, William W. Martindale, Alexander Vance, J. G. Damron ; constables, L. J. Langley, Thomas Guyn.
The principal point of interest in the township and county is the old town of Gallipolis, and considerable space will be devoted to a detailed history of its settlement.
HISTORY OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF GALLIPOLIS-INTRODUCTORY.
After the close of the revolutionary war, and the return of General Lafayette and his troops to France, in 1783, the French officers and soldiers discoursed freely upon the blessings in store for the citizens of the free and independent nation, which had won for itself the right to self-government in the New World. The French people, smarting under the misrule of Louis XVI., and influenced by the eloquence of the ambitious and talented Mirabeau, and of Robespierre, Danton, Marat, and other wild enthusiasts, were aroused into efforts to revolutionize that country and establish a similar form of government in France. Each succeeding year added supporters to the cause, and in 1787 the revolution was at its height, destroying all civil institutions and rearing upon their ruins the self-styled National Assembly. In 1788 the members of the late parliament were exiled. In 1789 the bastile was destroyed, the gospel was trampled under foot, Louis XVI. and his royal consort were brought to the scaffold, and infidelity and misrule seemed to control the destinies of France.
While this reign of terror existed, and the best blood of the nation was being sacrificed to the cruel passions of the lawless and misguided people, all who could left their native country for foreign lands.
At this time an office was opened on the streets of Paris, for the sale of lands owned by the "Scioto Company," "on the northwestern bank of the Ohio river, above the confluence of the Big Scioto river with the Ohio, in the Northwestern Territory of the United States, in North America."
The company alleged the ownership of three millions of acres of land, and in a general prospectus, set forth in glowing colors, the unparalleled advantages of an ownership in this new El Dorado-fine mill sites, with never-failing water power, banks of bituminous coal, iron, lead, gold and silver mines and a climate and soil unsurpassed. The price demanded was a French crown per acre. None questioned the validity of the title, as the office seemed to be under the supervision of Joel Barlow, the American Minister to France.
EMBARKATON OF THE EMIGRANTS.
In February, 1790, emigrants numbering over six hundred set sail from Havre de Grace. Five ships were chartered to take them to Alexandria, Virginia, and owing to adverse winds and a lack of nautical skill, many of them did not arrive until the following May.
They were cordially received by the people, as the valuable assistance which France had recently rendered them, in their struggle for independence had engendered a warm feeling of fraternity. With their title deeds in their possession, and with feelings of exultation and jovful anticipations, this adventurous bank landed, only to learn that they had been deceived and defrauded. The lands describe in their deed of conveyance were located far westward, in an unbroken wilderness, infested by savage
VI - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
tribes of Indians, and their titles were worthless, the tract designated being owned by the Ohio Company, by purchase from the United States, the Scioto Company having failed to make payment, as per their contract with the government and therefore gained no title—a fact that must have been known to Joel Barlow, our Minister to France, although he afterward claimed that he supposed the title had been secured by the Scioto Company.
Earnest and well-directed efforts were made to compel the Scioto Company to reimbUrse these emigrants or establish them in their rights, and during the pending of the negotiations many became discouraged, some find' ing their way to New York and Philadelphia, others remained in Alexandria, while a few returned to France.
President Washington also interested himself personally in the matter, and the final agreement made with Colonel Duer, the company's agent at New York, was that the company, as far as the means tinder his control would enable it, should find ways and means, and transport and establish them upon the Ohio river, opposite the mouth of the Big Kanawha, where they expected their town to be located, erect suitable block-houses, for defence against the attack of hostile Indians, and to survey and lay out 'a town, to be divided among them in proportion to cash paid in Paris, by each individual, on their lands. A written agreement to this effect was made, and from that day the emigrants abandoned all claims upon the lands for which they held deeds.
As soon as wagons and supplies could be obtained, the remaining portion departed from Alexandria, taking the route by Winchester to Brownsville, on the Monongahela river. The roads proved to be almost impassable, supplies were short, the journey was prolonged far beyond their expectations, and they suffered untold privations before reaching Brownsville.
The Scioto Company had contracted with Colonel Rufus Putnam to erect buildings and furnish the settlers with provisions. The contract was filled by him, but the company failed in payment, by which he lost about two thousand dollars. He sent Major Burnham, with about forty men, for that purpose, among whom was Colonel Robert Safford, a companion and friend of Daniel Boone, the famous Kentuckian. These two men, with James Burford, were the first white men on the site of Gallipolis.
The first town, under the name of Fair Haven, had been laid out by the company, opposite the mouth of the Kanawha, and was intended as the point for the location of the French settlers, but as the ground was considered low there and liable to overflow, Major Burnham and party proceeded to a point four miles below, where the banks are well elevated above high water mark.
ARRIVAL OF THE SETTLERS.
On June 8th, 1790, Major Burnham and party landed at the site of Gallipolis, and Colonel Robert Safford sprang ashore with his ax and had the honor of felling the first tree. They soon cleared the ground and erected forts and cabins, and most of the colonists arrived during the last week in October, 1790, and took possession of the ones assigned to them.
Imagine five hundred emigrants from the thickly-populated districts of France, composed entirely of those who were in perfect ignorance of what would be required of them in a new country—physicians, lawyers, jewelers and other artisans, a few mechanics, servants to the exiled 'nobility, and many with no trade or profession—suddenly placed in a wilderness of this kind, infested by ferocious wild beasts, and still more murderous bands of lawless Indians. Great credit for pluck and energy must be given them for remaining, under the circumstances, when, at the time they purchased their lands in France, the country for which they were destined was represented in the most glowing terms, as a paradise abounding in beauty and all-that tends to make life a blessing.
At an early meeting of the settlers the town was named Gallipolis (town of the French.) On what is now' the Public Square, had been erected eighty log cabins, twenty in a row. At each of the corners were blockhouses, two stories in height. In front of the cabins, close by the river bank, was a small log breastwork, erected for defence while building the cabins. Above the cabins, on the square; were two other parallel rows of cabins, which, with a high stockade fence and block-houses at each of the upper corners, formed a sufficient fortification in times of danger. These upper cabins were a story-and-a-half in height, built of hewn logs and furnished in better style than those below, being intended for the wealthier class, and for those appointed to superintend and manage the interests of the colony. In one of these was a room used fbr a council chamber and a ball-room, in which balls, soirees, etc., were regularly given, at which the etiquette of St. Cloud was observed.
LEARNING TO FELL TREES.
A description of their early attempt to adapt themselves to the new life would be amusing, but doubtless was no joke to them. A number were seriously wounded and some lost their lives in learning to fell trees. Having no knowledge of the use of the ax, some two or three would tackle sonie huge monster of the finest from as many different sides, girdling the tree and giving the death blow at the heart; as can be readily seen, the tree would oftentimes slip from the stump upon the workmen, Or more frequently they (or the admiring group who were watching the proces), not being able to tell the direction in which the tree would fall, would be crushed to the ground under the heavy branches. A short experience of this kind sharpened their wits, and by placing strong men at the ends of two ropes, the other end being fastened to the tree, they found that they could guide it in its fall, and this operation thereafter became less dangerous. This fact is related to show that, although they were courageous and enterprising and willing to work, and mainly very intelligent, as a class, they were obliged to suffer by practical experience before they were able to adapt themselves to the new mode of living, or make much progress in rendering their situation comfortable.
As long as provisions lasted, life went comparatively smooth, and a determination prevailed to make the best of the circumstances. Early every Sunday morning all adult males were required to be on parade and practice tactical evolutions ; this was regularly followed by mass and other services of the church, and the afternoon was given to recreation. Their two great holiday's were the Fourth of July and the date of the destruction of the Bastile, both of which they celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm. Being cut off from the advantages of a court of justice, they called a general meeting, made laws and municipal regulations and appointed local officers or managers. Order and good government were by this method preserved, until superseded by laws emanating from higher authority.
Although the colonists were willing to work, yet this experience in the wilderness was so entirely new and unexpected, and their former pursuits were so entirely different from what they were required to do here, that for a time they were greatly bewildered, and many were discouraged. The Americans and hunters were paid to cut the timber and prepare the garden ground which was to receive the seeds brought from France, the immigrants assisting to the best of their ability, and with their natural intelligence and enterprise, rapidly adapting themselves to the situation, and thus the colony began to improve, and the surroundings assume an air of civilization and comfort.
GREAT SUFFERING AND PRIVATIONS.
It now became apparent that the Scioto Company could never obtain for them any further remuneration for the impositions that had been practiced upon them. The company had fulfilled nearly all their engagements during the first six months, after which they ceased their supply of provisions to the colonists, and it was given as a reason that one or two of their agents, who had received the funds in France for the purchased lands, had run off with the money to England, and the company were defrauded of the whole, without having purchased or gained title to any of the tract which they had sold to the deceived colonists. Winter had set in with uncommon severity ; the Ohio was frozen over, so that flat-boats could not come down with flour from above; the. hunters no longer had meat to sell ; they were destitute of almost everything excepting a scanty supply of vegetables, and almost a famine was produced in the settlement. The money and clothes they had brought with them were nearly gone ; they knew not to whom to apply to get their lands, and their utter wretchedness can better be imagined than described.
FINAL SETTLEMENT OF LAND TITLES.
Judge Ephraim Cutler, of Washington county, son of Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, who was the agent for the New England Ohio Company, in making contract with Congress for their lands, is probably the best authority that can be had upon the subject of the action of the Ohio and Scioto companies, and the French colonists in settling the final title of the latter in the lands at Gallipolis. He says that 'William Duer, Royal Flint and Andrew Cragie, styling themselves " Trustees to the proprietors of the Scioto lands," applied to General Rufus Putnam and Dr. Manasseh Cutler, two of the directors of the Ohio Company, and bargained with them for the purchase of 148 "forfeited shares." The 8, 3 and 160 acre lots and the town lots had been already allotted and drawn. The undrawn portions—equal to 100, 262, and 640 acres to each share, were to be located in a body in the southwest corner of the purchase, in all 196,544 acres. This contract was ratified by the company. The lands of the French settlement of Gallipolis were located and occupied in consequence of this arrangement. General Putnam, as agent for Duer & Co., provided, at some $2,000 expense, for the accommodation of the French emigrants there, and lost most all of it by their failure.
The Scioto Company not only failed in securing the large purchase contemplated, but did not succeed in obtaining the interest for which they stipulated in the lands of the Ohio Company. They did not pay, and the contract with Putnam and Cutler became a nullity. All that was required by the contract was that the Scioto Company associates should pay as much proportionately as the Ohio Company were to pay to Congress, and relinquish to the Ohio Company the pre-emption right which the Scioto Company was understood to have in reference to lands lying north of the Ohio Company's location. All was failure on the part of the Scioto Company, but the French emigrants were planted at Gallipolis, and they secured the title to their lands in and about there by purchase from the Ohio Company at $1.25 per acre. Severe criticism has been made of this act of the company in thus demanding this price from the much-deceived and grossly defrauded people, but it was, in truth, an act of favor and courtesy in deference to their misfortunes. The Ohio Company were under no obligations to them, and had no agency in inviting or deceiving them. How much blame there was in the case, and to whom it belonged, it is now impossible to decide. Barlow was an enthusiast, but it is not known that he was intentionally false. Most probably the emigrants were greatly beguiled by their own vivid imaginations, and it is easy to
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - VII
suppose that there was more poetry than truth in the whole transaction.
Many of the colonists at this time, went off and settled elsewhere with the means that remained to them, and resumed their trades in more populous parts of the country, and others followed the pursuit of hunting and dealing in skins.
The occasional loss of cattle was about all the colonists suffered at the hands of the Indians, excepting the killing of one French settler, and one man and woman made prisoners, who had ventured some distance from town, although there were frequent losses sustained by the American troops in their frequent encounters with them in the vicinity.
ORGANIZATION FOR DEFENCE..
In 1791 flat-boats, loaded with troops, descended the Ohio river in an expedition against the Indians, commanded by General St. Clair, which met with signal defeat. The Indians were encouraged to greater depredations by their success in this encounter, but their efforts were directed mostly against the American settlements, and the Gallipolis colony was nearly free from their depredations, for the reason, no doubt, that being almost wholly French, the hostile tribes fortunately imagined them to be from the French settlers of Canada, with whom they held the most friendly relations. Immediately after St. Clair's defeat, Colonel Sproat, of Marietta, appointed four spies for Gallipolis, who were released after the treaty of Greenville, in 1795.
Honorable Rufus Putnam, at Marietta, was the acknowledged head of all the settlements in Washington county, which then embraced a territory now covered by nearly forty counties, and to him an application was made and steps were taken to organize a defensive force. By his orders Colonel Ebenezer Sproat appointed Captain Dr. Francis Hebecourt, a man of distinguished qualifications, to take command; a Frenchman named Malden was appointed lieutenant and C: R. Menager, ensign. A company of ninety colonists offered their services, who were sub-divided into squads of ten, and on each succeeding day, one squad, or patrol company, was to start out in the morning to act in conjunction with the scouts or spies, whose duty it was to return every night and report the presence or absence of Indians. In this way a defence was kept up until General Wayne defeated the Indians, at the battle of "Fallen Timbers," on the Maumee Rapids, five miles above Perrysburg, Ohio, August 20th, 1794, and the treaty of peace at Greenville with all the western tribes. After peace was declared, a free intercourse took place between them and the colonists from Massachusetts and other New England States, at Marietta and Belpre, and with settlements at Point Pleasant and Charleston, Virginia.
SECURING OF THE "FRENCH GRANT."
Six years had elapsed between the time of their embarkation at Havre de Grace, and the purchase of their land, and an enumeration showed that only about three hundred were left. These, however, resolved in a general assembly to make a memorial of their grievances and send it to Congress. The memorial claimed no rights from that body, but was a detail of their wrongs and sufferings, together with an appeal to their generosity, and they did not appeal in vain. Monsieur Jean G. Gervais started with the petition, and at Philadelphia met with a lawyer, M. Duponceau, through whose aid he obtained from Congress a grant of 24,000 acres of land, known by the name of the "French Grant," located opposite Little Sandy, for these people, who were still residents at Gallipolis. The act annexed the condition of settling on the lands for three years before the deed of gift would be given. M. Gervais received 4,000 acres of this land for his services in the matter, by previous agreement.
Each inhabitant had thus a tract of 217 1/2 acres of land ; but before the surveys and other arrangements could be made some time elapsed, during which those who had reclaimed the wilderness and improved Gallipolis, being reluctant to lose all their labor, and finding that a company, owning the lands of' Marietta, had met to divide lands which they had purchased in a common stock, the colonists sent a deputation with a proposal to sell to them the tract where Gallipolis is situated, and to be valued and paid for in proportion to the improvements made, which was accepted.
When at last the distribution of the lots of the French grant was achieved, some sold their share, others went to settle on it, while many sent tenants, and either remained at Gallipolis or went elsewhere. In fact, but comparatively few of them had the courage and hardihood to enter again into the trials, difficulties and dangers, after their previous sad experience, attending the establishment 'of a new home in the wilderness; but few, also, of the original settlers remained at Gallipolis.
Colonel Robert Safford, heretofore mentioned, was present at the drawing of these lots, and has thus related the circumstances: General Putnam appointed Mr. Martin to survey the grant, and after this was done and the lots numbered, Messrs. Manney, Putnam and Talmadge appointed a day when all who were to get land were to meet in the public square. The day came and all assembled. The names of those having an interest were written upon square pieces of paper, and as many like pieces were numbered. The papers were placed in two small boxes, two clerks were appointed and two disinterested men were selected, to each of whom one of the above boxes was given. When all was ready the boxes were shaken and then opened. Colonel Safford was selected to draw out the papers which were numbered. As he drew out one and announced the number the clerk took it down; then from the other box a name was drawn which, being announced, was taken down, as the owner of the number just drawn. They proceeded thus until the whole number was drawn which, being announced, was taken down, as the owner of the number just drawn. They proceeded thus until the whole number was distributed.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
The history of the township would be incomplete and unsatisfactory without a brief sketch of the lives of a few of those early settlers, many of whose descendants are now living at Gallipolis and vicinity, and a large portion of them occupying prominent positions throughout the country. It is regretted that they must be mentioned thus briefly, and that it is impossible to obtain the facts connected with the eventful lives of many whose history should be recorded. A volume exceedingly interesting to the general reader, might be compiled from a detailed account of facts which can here be but briefly mentioned.
COLONEL ROBERT SAFFORD.
There is no one more early identified with the history of Gallipolis than the subject of this sketch. He belonged to that sturdy, courageous and enterprising class of pioneers who formed the advance guard of civilization, and who have now nearly all passed away. As will be seen by reference to the history of the early settlement of Gallipolis, he was a member of Major Burnham's party, who came on June 8th, 1790, in advance of the French settlers, and cleared the ground and erected block-houses, stockades and log-cabins upon what is now the public square, ready for the colonists, who came and occupied them over four months later.
After the selection of the site and landing, with that spirit to take the lead which characterized him through life, he sprang ashore with ax in hand and felled the first tree. As provisions were dear and game plentiful, he joined a band of thirty hunters, who were employed to furnish meat to the settlement, of which McMann, afterwards killed at Fort Recovery, was captain. Besides the wages paid; each man, as a stimulous to his industry was allowed the valuable skins and furs of the animals they killed. It was customary with the band to observe the Sabbath by resting froth the exciting chase, and spending the day in cleaning their guns, repairing their moccasins, and stretching and dressing their skins. Colonel Safford, while hunting on one occasion, killed a panther ten feet long. He was also one of the regularly appointed scouts, and has experienced many exciting adventures with the Indians. While on one of his scouting expeditions on Raccoon creek, in the winter of 1790-1, he discovered a cave near which were the remains of an old log-cabin, almost entirely decayed with age. It was a matter of wonderment to him all his lifetime as to who the builder and occupant could have been, and it remains a mystery still. In his first trapping expedition up the creek with Daniel Boone, he took him to this cave, and they occupied it together for some time. The smoke stains of their camp fires can be seen upon its roof to this day.
Daniel Boone, the famous Kentuckian, James Burford, the celebrated story-teller, and Colonel Safford were firm friends, and trapped together in 1792 on Raccoon creek, near Adamsville, where they caught one hundred beavers ; also at Beaver Dam, on the creek, near Vinton. When Boone took leave of his friend Safford, he presented him with the largest of his traps, which he had named " Old Isaac," also a tomahawk and a small ax. These Colonel Safford kept until his death, when they passed into the hands of his son, T. C. Safford, and they are now exhibited as very interesting relics. James Burford, mentioned above, gained a national reputation for relating remarkable stories in a bland, suave and impressive style that carried conviction with them, notwithstanding their absurdity. Many of these are related, not only at Gallipolis, but in all parts of the country. An attempt was made at one time to impeach his testimony on the ground of this remarkable characteristic, and Colonel Safford was called upon, who testified that he was a strictly truthful man and only told these stories for amusement. As an evidence of the confidence the people placed in him, the township records show that he was elected to the responsible position of Fence Viewer, in 1803, but there is no record of his ever being elected again to office. Mr. Burford, although unquestionably an honest man in all matters pertaining to business, and was never known to deceive a man to injure him, was, nevertheless, the most notorious sensation-yarner on the frontier. He claimed the championship in this, and well earned it, and when a Yankee named Jacobs came down from "Varmount" and beat him at it so palpably that he was forced to acknowledge his defeat, he became completely chagrined and dejected, and it so worked upon his feelings that he sold out his farm in Raccoon township and went to Indiana, where he soon after died.
Colonel Safford was chairman of the first board of township trustees, in 1802 ; was the first jilnior warden of the Free Mason Lodge No. 7, of Gallipolis; was a soldier in the war of 1812, and history informs us that he was a magistrate here in 1798, and officiated in several marriage ceremonies at that early date. He was a member of the Ninth General Assembly, in 1810, and was elected State Senator in 1828 to 1831, inclusive, when members were elected annually. Nearly all his lifetime he held positions of honor and responsibility, and his name appears as often as that of any other man in the history of this section.
On the second Tuesday of September, 1817, Jim Lane was hung—the only man ever executed in the county. Judge Thompson, of Chillicothe, presided at the trial,' but he managed to evade the painful duty of pronouncing the death sentence, and it devolved upon Associate Judge Safford, who did it in his characteristically prompt style. Samuel Holcomb was sheriff, and it is said that Rev. Gould, the Presbyterian minister, preached a sermon two hours long upon the occasion.
He was a remarkably active man in his old age, and when over eighty used a rifle with an accuracy and skill to be envied by the keenest-eye
VIII - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
backwoodsman. In 1852, when eighty-six years of age, he eagerly accepted an invitation from Charles Creuzet to accompany him to Philadelphia to "see the elephant." Everything was new and full of interest to theoold gentleman. He tired out his young companion the first day, who tried to follow him in his sight-seeing. Arising in the morning at daylight, he perambulated until night, day after day, during their stay, attended the theatre at night and kept Mr. Creuzet up until midnight relating the wonderful things he had witnessed about town.
He died July 26th, 1863, in his ninety-eighth year, and his remains were buried in the family burial ground upon his farm, a few miles from Gallipolis. His descendants are numbered among some of the most prominent families in this part of the country.
JOHN PETER ROMAINE BUREAU
was born at Beton Bazoche, France, Province of Brie, March 21st, 1770. He embarked for this country February 19th, 1790, and arriving at Gallipolis, cast his lot with the French emigrants, the victims of the Scioto Company. He was unable to find employment, and went back to Marietta the following spring. The Indian war of 1791 had broken out, and the inhabitants were compelled to retire to their garrisons. Edward W. Tupper (about the age of young Bureau), sympathizing in the misfortunes of the young emigrant, invited him to his father's house, in Campus Martins, to stay until he could find something to do.
Horace Nye, esquire, an intimate friend from boyhood, writes of him, that in December, 1792, Mr. Bureau returned to Vrallipolis and was coinissary of troops there. After the close of the war, a little trade along the river and among the few scattered settlers around the village, was all that offered inducement to any other enterprise than cultivating the soil and hunting. His ill health unfitting him for the former, and having no taste for the latter, his natural talent soon caused him to be singled out for other and more responsible positions. He early obtained and ever afterward retained the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, and very few men had so many offices conferred upon them, who have filled them with so much credit to themselves and satisfaction to their constituents. He was postmaster, justice of the peace, clerk of the supreme and common pleas courts, member of the legislature and also held other responsible positions. He was elected member of the House of the Sixth General Assembly (the first in which Gallia county had a representation), in 1807; re-elected in 1808; member of the Senate in 1809; re-elected to the Senate in 1810 and 1811 ; re-elected member of the House in the Fourteenth General Assembly, 1815, and again of the Thirty-Third in 1834. He was a member of the first board of trustees, and appraiser of houses, in Gallipolis township, in 1802, and for many years his name appears in the old records of the township in connection with positions of honor and trust.
The latter part of his life, for thirty years, he devoted to successful mercantile pursuits, until advanced years, and the death of his only son, rendered the task too arduous. Mr. Bureau had some knowledge of law, and his advice was much sought after in early times. He was also a good surveyor, and his business extended over a large extent of territory in this section of the State and in West Virginia. He always rode in a side-saddle, because of injuries he had received and a lameness in one knee.
February 19th, 1799, he was married to Madelaine Francoise Charlotte Marret. At that time there was no justice of the peace in this part of Ohio, and they were obliged to obtain one from Point. Pleasant, Virginia, and the ceremony was performed in a boat on the river, in order to be in the jurisdiction of Virginia. Mad. Bureau was the third daughter of Peter and Madelaine Marret, of the early French emigrants. She was but seven years of age when her father emigrated, and sixteen when she married. She was noted as a woman of great spirit, vivacity and wit, a fine swimmer and an excellent housekeeper. She died June 22, 1834, aged 51 years.
The children of this marriage were as follows: Madelaine Romaine, born Novemher 20, 1799, died 1873; Romaine Madelaine, born 1802, died 1831 ; Mary, born 1820, died in infancy; Charles Louis Valcoulon, born August 25, 1812, died March 20, 1848. Madelaine Romaine married Dr. Le Moyne, of Washington, Pennsylvania, a gentleman of distinction, education and wealth, the first candidate for Vice-President on the abolition ticket, and the founder of Le Moyne University, at Nashville, Tennessee, for the education of colored youth. Romaine Madelaine married Hon. Samuel F. Vinton, of Gallipolis, a member of Congress. She was a talented lady and a leader in society, and her early death was much lamented. Only one child survived her, Sarah, who married D. Converse Goddard, esquire, of Zanesville, and sometime after his death she was united to the late Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. N.
Hon. J. P. R. Bureau did more probably to build up the interests ot the town and county, and is more closely identified with them than any one else. He died at his home in Gallipolis, December 31, 1851, at the advanced age of 81 years and 7 months, and in the cemetery stands, a monument to the memory of himself and family.
CLAUDIUS CADOT
was born February 17th, 1793, in Gallipolis. He was probably the first male child born in Gallia county, and at the time of his death was the oldest male child born of the French colonists of Gallipolis. His parents Claudius Cadot and Jane Bastine, were married in Paris, Franch, in 1790, shortly previous to the emigration of the French colonists, with whom they embarked, arriving with them in the fall of that year at Gallipolis. On January 28th, 1791, Maria Louise Cadot was born, the first child born in Gallipolis; about two years later, as stated above, was born her brother Claudius, the subject of this sketch ; two years later a younger brother, Lemuel. For a time all went well with the young married pair, but Mons. Cadot early fell a victim to the malaria of the climate, leaving his wife with three helpless babes to struggle for an existence in this wild country, a life for which she was wholly unprepared, except with the energy inspired by a brave spirit. Within about three months she married a young Frenchman of the colony named Charles Francis Dutiel, who immediately made preparations and removed his family to their lots on the grant in the fall of 1797, being among the first families that went down. He was accompanied by Mons. Bureau, the subject of a former sketch.
Young Claudius was employed for a number of years in working on the farm in the summer, and in his father's distillery in the winter; distilling wines and liquors being a very general business among the early settlers of the grant. He had the advantage of eleven months of schooling at that time, which was all he ever obtained. In October, 1809, his sister Marie Louise married Mons. Francis Le Clercq, the subject of a following sketch.
In the spring of 1812 Governor Meigs issued a call for volunteers in defence of the frontiers from the depredations of the Indians, and war was then imminent with Great Britain. Two companies went from Scioto county, and Claudius, being at that time eighteen years of age, enlisted in one of them, commanded by Captain John Lucas, for one year. They received their arms at Chillicothe, from whence they marched to Dayton, where they were joined by volunteers from Cincinnati and the Miami Valley, and formed the 1st Ohio Regiment, under Duncan McArthur. They went to Urbana, which was the frontier town, and joined a detachment of United States regulars, under Colonel Miller. Here was organized that little army, which, under command of General Hull, marched through the wilderness to Detroit. While on this march war was declared by Congress against England. The dispatches notifying Hull, never reached him, as the messenger fell into the hands of the enemy. On the 16th of August Mons. Cadot was taken prisoner, being among the troops surrendered to the enemy by the traitorous Hull at Detroit. The prisoners were taken to Malden and paroled, and on transports sent to the mouth of the Cuyahoga river, the present site of Cleveland, and left to find their way home as best they might. Mots. Cadot, with some of his companions, walked across to the Ohio river at Georgetown, below Pittsburgh, and started down the river in canoes, the ordinary mode of traveling in that day. When they arrived at Gallipolis, Mons. Cadot stayed at the house of his sister, Mad. Le Clercq.
As his parole of honor had been given, and he was not exchanged, he soon went back to work upon the farm. When the war was over he followed keel-boating upon the river for four years, accumulating means with which he purchased a farm in Vinton township, paying the government therefor four dollars an acre. He was married in 1818 to Nancy Ball, and two years later moved onto his farm, and commenced the real business of his life. His first wife died in 1836, and he afterwards married Cynthia Stockham, who also died in a few years, and he then gave up the farm to his son Claudius, and lived with his oldest daughter, Mrs. Mary Hayward, at the grant. He afterwards purchased a home and lived at Wheelersburg, where he spent the remainder of his days.
He was noted as being the first male child horn at Gallipolis. He was among the last of the keel-boatmen, that peculiar class that was once very numerous, now nearly extinct. He drew a pension fin. his services in the war, and was the last of his company to survive. He had a family burial ground upon his farm where his remains were placed.
MONS. ANTOINE CLAUDE VINCENT
was one who came with the first settlers in 1791. With him came M. Antionme, with whom he joined himself, upon his arrival, in the jewelry business ; but the trade not being especially adapted to a new country, Antionme started in a boat for New Orleans, with all their combined stuck in trade, to establish business, whither his partner was soon to follow. When near the Big Sandy he was killed and all the goods were lost. Mons. Vincent, upon learning the fate of his companion and the loss of all his worldly goods, with pluck and energy, started to carve his fortune anew. He had studied and nearly learned the English language on his passage across the ocean, and commenced teaching school, raised chickens and gardened. He went to Marietta to study, after a time, and married in 1799. In a passage from Marietta to Belpre, in a canoe, he nearly lost his life by falling overboard and freezing, but recovered under the care of physicians at Gallipolis, although he was left in a crippled condition. He moved to the grant in 1801, where he continued to reside, although he made frequent trips to Gallipolis to visit friends, always going on foot.
His life was full of incidents. While at Marietta, and still unmarried, Louis Phillippe, then Duke of Orleans, came to this country incognito, and stopping at Marietta, became strongly attached to Mons. Vincent, and urged him to accompany him to New Orleans and share his fortunes, but he could not be prevailed upon to go. When, in 1830, Louis Phillippe was seated upon the throne of France, Mons. Vincent regretted that he had not been more easily influenced. He was a gentleman of culture, refinement and education, and was greatly respected here. A sketch of his life would make an interesting volume. He died August 22d, 1846, aged nearly 74 years.
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - IX
MONS. DUDUIT
was born near Paris, in 1770, and came to Gallipolis in 1790, one of the victims of the Scioto Company fraud, and with him his wife, a lady of a very wealthy and refined family. He lived seven years in Gallipolis, and while there. was variously employed. He was a great hunter, and known as the best marksman among the French settlers. He was also one of the four spies, heretofore mentioned, who scoured the country around Gallipolis on the watch for Indians, serving in this capacity about three years, Coronel Robert Safford, for a time, being his companion. M. Duduit went to the grant in 1796, being one of the first there, and assisted in erecting the log houses for the families, who came March 21st, 1797. He became busily engaged in improving his land, and soon had a fine place. His wife died July 11th, 1811, and he re-married July 3d, 1817. He was in the war of 1812, where he rendered efficient service, and died April 5th, 1836.
MONS. FRANCIS LE CLERCQ
was a man of fine educated and born in Annis, France, January 8th, 1773; came with the first colonists; taught school at Gallipolis, and married Eulalie C. Marret, about 1808, who died January 12th, 1809. Nine months afterward he married Marie Louise Cadot, a young lady whom he met at the Grant while engaged in surveying town lots of what was then Burrsburg, now Haverhill. For more than twenty-five years he was clerk of the court in Gallia county, and postmaster at Gallipolis for the same length of time. He was a Whig in politics and a .member of the order of Free Masons. He was a highly respected citizen during his active life, and died November 17th, 1837, in his 64th year, and with his first wife, is buried in the Gallipolis cemetery.
MONS. JOSEPH GUILLAUME DEVACHT
was born in the year 1761, in Ipres, Flanders. With other French he embarked from Havre de Grace in the ship " La Patrie," February 3d, 1790, arriving in due time at Gallipolis, where he worked at the silversmith business, and being a man of intellect and ability, he soon attained a position of high standing in the community, and considerable wealth. In March, 1798, he married
Madame Parmantier, a widow lady of good education, Robert Safford, esquire, officiating. He was well skilled in his business, and his reputation was widely extended. Orders for delicate workmanship were received by him from Cincinnati, Louisville, New Orleans, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Richmond. M. Devacht died May 12th, 1844, in his eighty-fourth year.
MADAME DEVACHT-was born in Paris, France, January 15th, 1775, and died January 17th, 1856, aged 81.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH W. DEVACHT-a son of the subjects of the above sketch, was born in Gallipolis, July 28th, 1803, where he has always resided, and is still living, in his 80th year, unmarried, a most social and agreeable gentleman, widely known and respected. It has long been a custon for Roman Menager and Franklin Card to meet at the house of Joseph Devacht on every Sunday afternoon, and after a pleasant hour, spent in recalling early scenes and incidents, start out together for a stroll. To one who is fortunate enough to be allowed to enter and listen, it is an hour of unalloyed pleasure, and seems a wonderful chapter of romance.
MONS. JEAN GABRIEL GERVAIS
was born in 1764 in Paris. His first visit was to the island of Cuba, and returning to France after accumulating considerable wealth, he came to this country, in 1790, with the French emigrants. The terrible disappointment which they experienced at the deception which had been practiced upon them discouraged him, and he soon went back, but returned again in 1792. From this time until the autumn of 1796, he was variously engaged, remaining most of the time at Gallipolis.
He was fond of hunting, a man of excellent culture, and gained some reputation as a poet. He was present at the wedding of General Newsom, an old resident of Gallipolis, and the next morning composed and presented to the town a poem, written in answer to a question which came up the previous evening, which was long sung and admired by the French, and is yet extant.
He was one who was most influential in procuring the 25,200 acres from Congress for the French settlers ; was the bearer of the petition, and his valuable and efficient services were recognized by an award of 4,000 acres in addition to the 2171 acres which were allotted to each. As the grant was awarded upon the condition that a settlement should be made within a specified time, M. Gervais settled upon his land for that purpose, erecting shanties in the fall of 1796, for the reception of his effects the following March, when he started for his new home, in company with Mons. Duduit, Bertrand, Lacroix and Duteil, landing at the grant on the 21st. He was at Gallipolis when the news of the proclamation of peace arrived, and celebrated the occasion by a grand display of sky-rockets of his own manufacture. He was fond of music and dancing, and a fiddle for which he paid fifty dollars, brought from Paris, and used by him for many years, is exhibited by the descendants of General Newsom.
The village of Burrsburg, now Haverhill, was laid out as a town in 1806. by M. Gervais, who employed M. LeClercu, the subject of a preceding sketch, as surveyor. He sold his lot of 4,000 acres in two parcels - 200 acres to P. S. Duponceau, the lawyer employed by him at Philadelphia in obtaining the grant, for $600, September 23, 1805 ; the balance, 3,800 acres, May 26th, 1806, to a Yankee named Samuel Hunt, for two dollars per acre, and also his grant of 2171 acres. The land for which he received about $8,750, is now worth over a quarter of a million.
After selling his land he spent the remainder of his sojourn in America at Gallipolis, in the society of his old friends. He deposited his money with Mr. Menager, a merchant, for safe-keeping, receiving his board for the use of it, and agreeing to give six months' notice when it would be required. He continued to reside here until June, 1817, when he returned to the land of his birth. Before leaving he presented his horse, which he loved and valued very highly to E. S. Menager. He died, unmarried, at Paris, in 1824, aged 60 years.
MONS. PETER SEROT
was a French sailor until he arrived at Alexandria with the emigrants. There, in 1790, he married Mary Catherine Avaline, a Parisian lady of education, after a courtship of five days. Mons. and Mad. Serot resided at Gallipolis, and by their industry received the respect of the community and gained considerable property. September 30th, 1796, M. Serot died, leaving four children : Mary, Leonard, John and Peter, and was buried in the public square at Gallipolis, six years after his arrival. February 12th, 1797, Mad. Serot married Andrew La Croix, a settler of the French grant.
JOSEPH VANDEN,
whose correct name is Vanden-bemden, was born in Amsterdam, Holland, April 1st, 1787. When four years of age he came to Philadelphia, and after a two years' residence in that moral city, he landed in the aggregation of log-cabins known then as Gallipolis. The heavy primeval forest. encircled the clearing, and the new Dutch arrivals found themselves among French, who had deserted their trans-continental homes for the same reasons-political unpleasantness.
The little colony was not quite three years of age when he came, and he lived to see the iron rail wind down the beautiful valley of the Chicamauga, and the iron horse puff and blow where the deer had lived a retired life in its sylvan home, and the Indian held undisputed sway. Three of his father's brothers had leaned on the block, and their gory heads been carried off in baskets, and here he had cast his lot in a country where the law has never claimed but one neck in its whole history, that of James Lane in 1817.
In the, war of 1812, Joseph Vanden placed himself at the head of the first company of patriots that volunteered in defence of liberty and independence. Not until the last clash of arms had echoed did the active young Dutchman come home and hang up his rifle and pouch over the broad mantlepiece. June 15, 1815, he wedded Mary Randall, the lassie of his choice, and merry flew the feet over the puncheon floor in honor of the occasion ; and it was the day when Blucher and Wellington became heroes and Napoleon met his defeat at Waterloo.
His life fro m this time was peaceful in the pursuit of home comforts. He was an intimate friend of Col. Robert Safford, the subject of a former sketch. He stood upon the bank and hailed the first steamboat that appeared upon the Ohio river, with gaping wonder. He was deputy- sheriff in 1817, at the time when James Lane, the only man ever executed in the county, was hung. The first president who obtained his vote was James Madison, and the last was the lamented James A. Garfield. He died Monday evening, May 16th, 1881, aged 94 years, and left a large family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
MRS. ADELAIDE MAGUET
is, at the present writing, (1882), the only living representative of the original French settlers of Gallipolis. She was born in Havre de Grace, France, March 26th, 1787. Her father, Louis Le Clercq, was one of the first settlers of Gallipolis, arriving here in 1791, and was followed by his family one year later. Miss Adelaide was at that time nearly five years of age, and has continued to reside here ever since, with the exception of a short time when she was a captive among the Indians.
On January 27th, 1806, she was married to Anthony Rene Maguet, who was born in Paris, France, in 1788, by whom she was the mother of seven children. Mr. Maguet came here in 1792, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in January, 1829.
She is the surviving head of four generations, which are at present rep resented among the most respectable residents of Gallipolis.
Mrs. Maguet is very active, and retains her faculties in a remarkable degree. In 1882, at the age of 95, she is engaged in piecing a quilt for a great-grandchild, which is a very fine sample of needle-work. She has as beautiful a set of pearly teeth, and as keen eye-sight as any maiden of "sweet sixteen" would desire; is enjoying excellent health, and her descendants delight in doing her honor, frequently gathering about her with earnest congratulations and words of good cheer.
MONS. FRANCIS VALODIN.
The subject of this sketch was one who, despite an entire want of education, struggled successfully in the pursuit of wealth, until he was one of the most extensive land-owners, and by far the wealthiest man in the French grant.
He was born in 1765, and at the age of twenty-six, secreted himself on
X - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
one of the American-bound vessels which brought the French emigrants from Havre de Grace. On their arrival at Alexandria he was sold to a hotel proprietor for one year, to pay his passage, at the end of which time he Arne to Gallipolis. He remained here until the distribution of lands at the French grant, when he accepted his portion about one mile below Haverhill, where he continued to reside, accumulating a large amount of property. He was a shrewd man of enterprise, and died August 8th, 1826, in the sixty-first year of his age.
MONS. JEAN BAPTISTE BERTRAND
was a fine Latin and French scholar, and came with the emigrants to Gallipolis, in 1791. He was occupied for some time as a miller in a mill near the village. One day, while absent, he procured a substitute, who, while occupied in the mill, was killed and scalped by a hostile band of Indians. He obtained a tract in the grant, and by his genial disposition became very popular. He died at his residence in French Grant, March 21st, 1855, aged' 94 years, the last man to survive of the original French of Southern Ohio.
RENE CAREL
was horn in Paris, France, and came to Gallipolis in the spring of 1803, accompanied by his wife and two children, Franklin and Virgil. On the way from Pittsburgh to Gallipolis, by river, he stopped to visit Blennerhassett at his island, and he was in after years fond of mentioning the cordial courtesy with which he was received ; the elegance, amounting to grandeur, of the palatial residence of Blennerhassett, its rich furniture and art embellishments, and the beauty of the grounds, the more remarkable from the fact that this section then was an almost unbroken wilderness. Mr. Carel immediately engaged in business pursuits after his arrival, establishing what was probably the first salt works in the State, the salt works being located just below Chicamauga creek, and the ground upon which it was situated is now within the corporate limits of the city. He lived a respected citizen, and died March 27th, 1843.
COLONEL LUTHER SHEPARD
was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, July 31st, 1777. He came with his father's family to Marietta, in 1790, and, in company with his brother Calvin (who is mentioned herein in connection with the history of the Methodist Episcopal church), arrived at Gallipolis shortly after the year 1800. In 1809 he married Margaret, a daughter of John Entsminger (whose name will be found in the extract published of the early records of the township, among its list of original officers, in 1802, and who came to Gallia county, from Virginia, in 1795.)
Colonel Shepard served as captain of a company in the war of 1812, during a portion of which service he was post commandant at Chillicothe, whither he was accompanied by his wife. He had under his charge at that point a large number of British prisoners, among whom was an artist of considerable repute, who, while there, painted finely executed portraits of himself and wife, on wood, which are now in the possession of one of his descendants, and highly prized, not only as interesting relics, but as valuable works of art. As a matter of interest, in this connection, a copy will be given of an old document which is found among the papers of Colonel Shepard, and now in the possession of one of his descendants. In contrasting the appearance of it with military papers of like import of the present day, one is impressed with the lack of modern red-tape and its business-like language:
CHILLICOTHE, April, 4th, 1814.
Sir: On receipt of this you will take charge of Camp Scioto, in which the British prisoners are confined. You will put all the prisoners in close confinement who have been concerned in the mutinous conduct to-day, in rejecting their provisions after they were passed as good by their own noncommissioned officers. You will keep them under guard for twenty-four hours, without suffering them to cook or eat. You will order out the one- half of your effective force on guard, this day and to-morrow, and have the guard well supplied with ammunition. If any of the prisoners become refractory, or insolent, you will order them to be tied.
Yours, with respect,
JOHN MILLER,
Colonel of 19th Regiment, Infantry.
CAPTAIN SHEPARD,
Commanding Ohio Militia.
Colonel Shepard, after the war, continued to reside at Gallipolis, an honored citizen, leading an active business life until his death, which occurred in 1852. Four of his children are vet living, viz. : Mrs. Alexander Vance, Mrs. Margaret Aleshire, Miss .Julia Shepard and Edward T. Shepard.
GENERAL LEWIS NEWSOM
was born in New London, Campbell county, Virginia, in October, 1785. He came to Gallipolis in April, 1807, where he continued to reside, a man of education and refinement, and one whose good qualities endeared him to those with whom he came in contact. The labor of this history is greatly indebted to him for many facts obtained from his published sketches of the lives of early settlers. His name will be found I connection with the history of many offices and institutions of the city and county. He was much interested in the success of the Gallia Academy, as will be found by reference to its history in the following pages.
He married a daughter of C. R. Menager, who was born in 1792, among the first children born in Gallipolis. Her mother, Mrs. Menager, outlived all but three of the original French settlers. Mr. Newsom has met Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and had the good fortune to listen to some of the celebrated speeches of the eloquent Patrick Henry. He died March 17th, 1872. His wife died in 1868.
JUNIUS L. NEWSOM—a son of General Newsom, was born in Gallipolis in 1810, and has always resided in Gallia county, and is now a resident of the city, where he is well known and universally respected.
CHARLES CREUZET
was born in the city of Lyons, France, May 15th, 1793, and came to this country in 1803, at ten years of age, landing in New York. In the same ship, and of the same party, came Genevieve Pistor, who afterward became his wife. From 1803 to 1817 he lived in New York and Baltimore, and made several trips to the West Indies, where his mother was then living. He volunteered and served in the defence of Baltimore, when that city was threatened by the British during the war of 1812. In 1817 he was married in New York city, and at once started for the West, accompanied by his wife and her mother and family. Of the latter was the sister of Mrs. Creuzet, Mrs. Margaret Menager, who is still an honored resident of Gallipolis—the last one of those who crossed the ocean together and sought a home here. At Pittsburgh he embarked in a flatboat, and landing at Gallipolis, was induced to remain.
Here he lived all his life, and from 1825 in the same house. He engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he prospered. Later-he became interested in manufacturing, and by careful and skillful management built up a large business, retiring from active life in 1863. He was enterprising and liberal, sympathetic and kind to the unfortunate, and rich in all those qualities which are the elements of complete manhood.
It was probably not until after his death that the great charity and unostentatious benevolence of the man was fully appreciated. He was never known to bestow anything for the sake of personal aggrandizement, or for gaining popularity. His favors were granted in a manner such that the recipients knew not whence they came, until by after investigation conclusive evidence was, without his knowledge, gained of their source. A score or more of men in this vicinity who are now enjoying the comforts of an ample fortune, testify to the fact that they owe it all to the unexampled and disinterested kindness of Mr. Creuzet, who was a friend in time of need.
It is sufficient to say of his wife, that, in all those noble benevolent attributes for which he was distinguished, she was fully his equal. Mr. Creuzet died at Gallipolis, on Saturday evening, July 31st, 1880, aged 87 years. His wife died February 17th, 1870, aged 77 years.
OTHER PROMINENT GALLIPOLISIANS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST.
Of the many others who have been closely identified with the interests of the city, a few will be here mentioned, and the attention of the reader is called to the personal histories of Gallia township families in the following pages.
HON. SIMEON NASH was born at South Hadley, Massachusetts, September 21st, 1804. His father was a millwright, and his mother a woman of more than ordinary mind and strength of character. He received his early education at the district school, near his home, and early developed an eagerness and thirst for knowledge, in which he was greatly encouraged by his mother. He spared no efforts nor wasted time in improving his mind, digesting and placing on paper whatever impressed him as being of value, which plan he pursued through life. The good results of this method became apparent in after life, during his career as a lawyer. It enabled him to become widely known as a ready and effective speaker, always prepared when called upon, to talk intelligently and impressively upon any subject of public interest, his extemporaneous speeches containing all the elements of one that might have been carefully written and the subject of long and intense study.
At the age of seventeen years he went to Hopkins' Academy, in Old Hadley, where he remained six months, beginning his preparation for college. In 1825 he entered Amherst college, and not having the means to meet all expenses, he taught school during the winters while there. After graduating, in 1829, he returned to South Hadley, where he remained for two years, studying law with the late Edward Hooker, and teaching a school for boys. Having finished his law course, he accepted an invitation from the late Honorable S. F. Vinton, a native of South Hadley, and came to Gallipolis, by stage, January 9th, 1832, where he continued to reside the balance of his life.
It was necessary to reside one year in Ohio before he could be admitted to the bar, and this time he passed with Mr. Vinton, who proved a wise friend and counselor. He was admitted to practice in 1833. For a time business was dull, but it steadily progressed, as he became better known, until he attained an extensive and lucrative practice.
He served as State Senator in the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st General Assemblies-1839 to 1842 ; nearly two years he was upon the State Investigation Commission ; a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1851, and for ten years occupied the bench as judge of the common pleas court, where he presided with ability and becoming dignity, commanding the respect which the position required, and in the disposition of many vexed questions his decisions were generally acquiesced in
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - XI
To his ability we are tc-day largely indebted for the systematic practice, which came out of the void produced by the abrogation of the most scientific system of pleading known to the world. He was the author of several literary works of ability. His work on pleading and practice has grown by revision into two octavo volumes, and is to be found in all the States of the Union having a Code practice. His Ohio Digest is also an excellent work.
Judge Nash died at his residence, in Gallipolis, Sunday noon, January 18th, 1879, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and his memory was honored by resolutions of respect from the legal fraternity and other bodies.
HON. SAMUEL FINLEY VINTON
was born at South Hadley, September 2:5, 1792. In 1814 he graduated at Williams' College, and commenced studying law with Hon. Stephen T. Hosmer, of Connecticut. He was admitted to the bar in 1816, and soon proceeded to the young and growing State of Ohio, establishing himself in the practice of law at Gallipolis, where, at the end of a year, he was enjoying an extensive business. He soon became well and favorably known as a man of unusual ability and integrity, and without solicitation or effort of his own, became nominated by the Whig party for Congress, in the autumn of 1822, and elected by a flattering majority. He remained member of Congress until, in 1837, when he voluntarily withdrew from public life. During this long period of fourteen years' service, several important measures were originated and carried through by him, and he was looked upon as a leader of his party in the House.
After a retirement of six years, he was again, in 1843, chosen a member of Congress, where he remained until 1851, when he again voluntarily withdrew from active public life. Mr. Vinton was Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, where he rendered his country most excellent service. He proved himself a patriot in the broadest sense-caring far more that the many measures which he originated and perfected should be of value to the country than that his own name should be known or mentioned in their connection.
In September, 1846, the venerable ex-President, John Quincy Adams, said of Hon. S. F. Vinton, that he "knew him well; he was a man of decided ability ; very few, if any, in Congress, were his superiors ; when he spoke, it was to good effect; he was a maxi-not only of talents, but of integrity."
The Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, in a speech in the House of Representatives, March 3, 1880, thus speaks of him: "Samuel F. Vinton, of Ohio, whose acquaintance with the rules, great prudence and sound judgment, rendered him, perhaps, the most prominent leader on the Whig side."
After retirement from public life, Mr. Vinton resided continually (with the exception of one year, when he was chosen the first President of the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad), in Washington, where he died May 11, 1862, after a few days' illness.
In June, 1824, Mr. Vinton married Romaine Madeleine Bureau, who died the last of May, 1831. They had two children : John, who died when very young, and Madeleine Sarah, who still survives, the widow of the late Admiral Dahlgren. Mr. Vinton's last request was that his remains might rest beside those of his beloved wife, in Gallipolis cemetery, where they now lie, and on the lot is a granite monument, placed there by his fond daughter, Mrs. Dahlgren, bearing the inscription, " Bureau-Vinton."
JUDGE SAMUEL B. RATHBURN
was born in Granby, Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1803, his father and family coming to Rutland township, now a part of Meigs county, while he was yet a boy. A half century ago he came to Gallipolis and engaged as clerk with Beebe Le Clercq, and later with Messrs. Damarin, Bureau & Regnier, all of whom he served faithfully in that capacity. Still later in life he formed a business connection with H. H. Neal, of this city, which was sustained for some time. He afterwards engaged in business for himself in what is known as the Devacht building, on Front street. After retiring from mercantile pursuits, he was called upon to serve his fellow citizens in many important and responsible capacities. He was county assessor for many years, and appraiser of real estate before it was the custom to elect township assessors. He was the first to fill the probate judge's office, under the law creating that court. He has also creditably filled the office of mayor, justice of the peace, etc. He died October 3, 1877, in the 75th year of his age.
FRANKLIN CAREL,
son of Rene Carel, was born in Paris, France, in 1795, and arrived with his father's family in 1803, at Gallipolis. At an early age he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and afterward in manufacturing. He was engaged for a time with his father in the manufacture of salt, which gained a wide reputation for its excellent quality, and with others erected and put in operation the first steam saw mill in Gallia county and the first foundry. He was successful in business and retired from active pursuits many years ago. Mr. Carel has, during his life, held many important public positions. He was justice of the peace for twenty-one years, a long time city recorder, township clerk, etc., and also associate judge for Gallia county, being upon the bench when the new constitution took effect, abolishing the office. He has been trustee of Gallia Academy for near fifty years past, and was treasurer of the board over thirty years. Although 87 years of age, Mr. Carel is still living, comparatively robust and healthy.
ALEXANDER VANCE
was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, January 21, 1812, coming to Ohio in 1815 with his father's family. He came to Gallipolis in 1832, where he has ever since continued to reside. He served as mayor in 1845, 1847 and 1849, for several years as county auditor, and for a time county surveyor. For the past nine years he has been a magistrate, in which position he still continues. His only two sons entered the army in 1861. He also volunteered his services, organizing Company I, 4th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, of which he was appointed captain. During the spring and summer of 1862 he held the important position of provost marshal of the Kanawha River Division, with headquarters at Charleston, West Virginia. In 1834 he married a daughter of Colonel Luther Shepard, the subject of a former sketch, who is also still living.
WILLIAM NASH
has long been identified with the newspaper interests of the city, and is the present proprietor of the Gallipolis Journal, and his name will be seen frequently mentioned in the history of that paper, herein published. He is the brother of Hon. Simeon Nash (the subject of a former sketch), has always been an earnest and consistent republican and was elected to the State Senate of the Sixtieth General Assembly in 1872. A more complete sketch of his life will be found among the personal histories of Gallipolis township.
ROMAN MENAGER
is the oldest native born citizen now living in the city, being 82 years of age, and honored and respected.
HENRY MILLER,
a well-known citizen of Gallipolis, came here about 1814 from Shenandoah county, West Virginia. He was long identified with its early history, and many of his descendants are now living in the city and vicinity.
HON. JOHN L. VANCE
was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, July 19, 1839; was educated in the common schools and at the Gallia Academy. At an early age he learned the art of printing ; studied law and graduated at the Law School of the Cincinnati college in April, 1861, where he was admitted to the bar. During the month of June, 1861, he entered the Union army as captain of Company B, 4th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and served in West Virginia, being in command of the troops at Charleston during part of the summer of 1861. He participated, with the regiment, in engagements of the Vicksburg campaign, Mission Ridge and the march to Knoxville, Tennessee, to General Burnside's relief; and returning, was promoted to the command of his regiment, in 1864, at which time they took part in General Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. He was appointed a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore. In January, 1867, he established The Gallipolis Bulletin, and has since been managing editor and proprietor. During the year 1870, and part of 1871, he was also engaged in the practice of law. In the fall of 1864 he was elected a member of the Forty-Fourth Congress from the Eleventh district, composed of the counties of Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto and Vinton. He has always been an earnest and consistent advocate of democratic principles, has served his party faithfully, and by his social qualities and genial disposition, gained popularity among all classes.
HON. WILLIAM ALLEN,
who afterward became governor of Ohio and a member of Congress, was admitted to the bar at Gallipolis and practiced law before the courts of Gallia county, at an early day, when he had the reputation of being a wild and reckless youth. The hotel building still stands on Front street, where he stopped when in the city. Many interesting stories are told by old citizens of the adventures of the young man when at court here, and one will be recorded, which goes to illustrate the determination and pluck that afterwards made him a great man.
A remarkably vicious and uncontrolable horse was owned in the town, and while Allen was standing on the front porch of his hotel, the animal was being, with difficulty, led along the street. He ordered a halt, and, seizing the horse by the bits, against the earnest protest of the bystanders, leaped upon the back of the infuriated animal, who sprang like an arrow from the bow up the river road, Allen belaboring him at every jump. For a number of miles the horse and rider flew up the road, when, turning about, he came back at the same pace, watched by the anxious crowd, who hastened to the right and left as he came dashing up, and leaped the horse up the steps into the door of the hotel to the bar, where he halted the subdued and panting steed, and quietly reaching over the counter, ordered a glass of-buttermilk (l)
LOUIS PHILLIPPE
King of France, (then Duke of Orleans, and in exile), when on his way down the Ohio river, arrived at Gallipolis in an open boat,
XII - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
accompanied by two officers and a retinue of servants, landing near Peter Marret's bakery, on the river bank, where a supply of provisions was obtained. The Duke spent the night in a log house, which was located upon the property afterward owned by Francis Deletombe, now fronting on Fourth street, opposite the Gallia Academy. The property is now in possession of his son Edward, president of the First National bank, and they intend that it shall never go out of the family.
GENERAL LAFAYETTE
visited Gallipolis in 1824. He was met at the landing by Nicholas Thevenin, an old and honored citizen of the county, who accompanied him to the Our House, on Front street, where he stopped. Mr. Thevenin had formed the general's acquaintance while in France, and was immediately recognized and cordially greeted by the latter.
INCORPORATION OF GALLIPOLIS.
The first act of the Legislature to incorporate Gallipolis was passed February 17, 1804, which vested the corporate powers in five trustees, a president and recorder. In 1838 the office of " president" was changed to " mayor." Having a population exceeding five thousand inhabitants, it was, on February 10, 1865, advanced to a city of the second class, and elected a mayor and council. In 1873 they elected as additional officers, auditor, marshal, treasurer, commissioner, civil engineer and solicitor.
The officers elected for the incorporated village, in 1808, were J. P. R. Bureau, president; Francis Le Clercq, recorder; Thomas Rodgers, John Miller, Christopher Etienne, Joseph Devacht and C. R. Menager, trustees. The following is a list of city officials in 1882 : Mayor, W. W. Martindale ; marshal, Thomas Guyn ; auditor, John T. Hampton; city commissioner, William H. McCormick; civil engineer, William R. White; solicitor, R. E. Dunn ; city clerk, John T Hampton ; councilmen, Samuel A. Dunbar, Charles Simon, John A. Hamilton (president), John J. Maxon, Samuel B. Lasley, E. Betz, W. M. Ridenour and Charles A. Clendinen.
The tax duplicate of the city for the year 1820 was $64,954, and the tax collected thereon was $162.43., being at the rate of one-fourth of one per cent. Robert Worth and George House were assessors, and Alfred S. Oakes was marshal of the town and ordered to collect the taxes. The duplicate for 1881 shows a valuation of $2,007,003; the tax to be collected thereon is $47,766.67 and the rate twenty-three and eight-tenths mills
The original boundaries of the village comprised the territory of sections twenty-eight and thirty-four of town three, range fourteen, and about the year 1844, Hon. J. J. Coombs, member of the legislature from Gallia county, through action of that body, had the boundaries reduced, and they were then defined as follows : Commencing at the northeast corner of section twenty-eight, on the bank of the Ohio river; thence west on the north line of said section twenty-eight to the northwest corner of seven-acre lot number ten and the northeast corner of seven-acre lot number forty-one; thence due south to the southeast corner of seven-acre tract number twenty-one ; thence north, about forty-seven degrees east, following the meanderings of the river, to the place of beginning. Since that time the boundaries have been several times changed until they have assumed those as published in the accompanying map.
The city is located in latitude 38̊ 48' 5" north ; longitude 5̊ 11' 39" west from Washington. The length of the river margin from the centre of the town to Meigs county is 11.93 miles; to Lawrence county, 24.47 miles. The direction of the long streets is north 47̊ east; cross streets, north 43̊ west. The public square is 701 feet front on the river, extending back to Second street.
The population of the city, by the census of 1880, was as follows: First ward, 1,164; Second ward, 1,091; Third ward, 1,270; Fourth ward, 875; total, 4,400.
An interesting statement, taken from the records of the Ohio Company, followed by an account of the price and distribution of lots in the city, is given in the preceding pages.
THE NEWSPAPERS OF GALLIA COUNTY.
In 1818, a movement set on fbot for the establishment of a newspaper at Gallipolis, resulted in the founding of the Gallia Gazette, of which Joshua Cushing was managing editor. Those who aided in this object were Edward W. Tupper, Jacob Kittredge, John P. R. Bureau, Robert Worth, Nathaniel Gates, John Santis, C. R. Menager, N. L. Cushim, George House, Luther and Calvin Shepard, Thomas Rodgers, Francis be Clercq, J. W. Devacht, Lewis Newsom, C. Etienne, Samuel F. Vinton and Rene Carel, all of Whom are now (lead.
The paper was first issued in November, 1818, and from that time to the present, under different names, it has been a weekly visitor to its subscribers, with but few interruptions. The office was first located upon the lower side of the public square, on the lot now occupied by the brick house of Franklin Carel. The first press was home-made, built under the superintendence of Joshua Cushing, and the from wood. With slight alterations and improvements, it was kept in the office and used up to 1833. The first poatent lever press was brought into use in 1839, which was used until one of Well’s cylinder presses was brought to take its place. The first issue was small, and printed upon the very inferior paper of that. day, brown and rough, but its improvement in size and mechanical execution has kept pace with the advancement of the country, until it is now one of the largest country papers in Southern Ohio.
In 1825 its publication was continued as the Gallia Free Press, by Joseph Tingley, who died the same year, when it was taken by James Harper, senior, and published until 1831, when J. J. Coombs became proprietor, and its name was changed to the Gallia Phoenix. In 1832, it was enlarged and improved, H. Maxon being associated in its publication, and the name was changed to the Gallipolis Journal. In 1834 William Casey Jones purchased the office and changed the name to the Buckeye and Journal. In 1835 J. J. Coombs again took charge of it, and gave it the old name of Gallipolis Journal, by which it has since been known.
The same year, Alexander Vance succeeded to the management, and continued its publication until 1838, when William Nash purchased a half interest in the office, and in 1839 purchased the other half. James Harper, junior, afterwards securing an interest, Nash & Harper became the publishers; then James Harper, junior, followed by R. L. Stewart ; he by William Nash, then Nash and Harper ; then by William Nash, who is the present publisher and proprietor.
The second paper established was the Gallia Mirror, the publication of which was commenced in the spring of 1845, by C. W. Hoy, and continued about one year.
The third paper was the Gallia Courier, established in 1850 by Alexander Vance and J. Q. Gibson, and its publication was continued about four years, by A. Vance and E. T. Shepard.
The fourth paper was the Gallipolis Dispatch, commenced in 1857 by Benjamin R. Harrison, who was succeeded in a few months by J. L. Waller; he by G. D. Hebard, then H. M. Onderdonk, then Alexander Vance, followed by William H. Morehead, by whose death the publica tion ceased in 1868.
The fifth paper was the Gallipolis Bulletin, established in 1867, by John L. Vance, and it has been published regularly ever since. With the exception of a few months it has been under the control of its founder, and still continues so. It is also one of the largest weeklies in Southern Ohio.
The sixth paper, called The Locomotive, was established in 1871, by George D. Hebard, who, after a time, changed it to the Gallipolis Ledger. He was succeeded by James E. Hebard, and he by J. D. & S. H. Olmsted, who changed it to the Gallia Tribune, under which name it is now being published.
The last paper established and yet being published, is the Gallipolis. District News, a monthly paper in the interest of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first issue was dated January, 1882. Revs Z. W. Fagan and C. F. Creighton are the editors.
In 1856, Anselm G. Holcomb established a paper in the village of Vinton, called the Gallia Republican, and continued its publication a little over a year, when it was suspended.
THE GALLIA ACADEMY.
This institution of learning is among the oldest in the State, at which not only nearly all the older residents of Gallipolis and Gallia county received their education, but many who afterwards became men of great prominence throughout the country, here took the first steps in learning which led them on to fame. The following statement of .its organization and history, compiled from the secretary's records, will therefore be read with exceeding interest:
At a meeting of a number of the citizens of Gallipolis and vicinity, on Tuesday, February 8th, 1810, for the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency of erecting a building in Gallipolis, to be appropriated to the instruction of the youth, and such other purposes as may be deemed of public utility, Robert Safford was chosen chairman and Nathaniel Gates clerk. A series of resolutions was passed at this meeting, the substance of which was as follows:
That the movement was expedient and proper ; that a subscription should be raised for shares at ten dollars each ; that the building when erected should be devoted to academical and other useful purposes for the benefit of the proprietors ; and that as soon as one hundred and twenty shares were subscribed, a meeting of subscribers should be called to fix upon a plan of structure and. its location, and to elect trustees, form by- laws, and for other necessary matters ; that all votes for the election of officers and the appropriation of moneys be by shares, each shareholder being entitled to one vote for each sare UD to ten shares ; twelve shares entitled to eleven votes, fifteen shares to twelve votes, and every two shares above that number one vote. That every shareholder may vote by himself or by proxy; that subscribers shall be suffered to make payments in materials suitable for the building—in carpenters' and joiners' work, beef, cattle, pork, hemp, flour and salt—excepting $1.50 to each share, which shall be paid in money ; and that Edward W. Tupper, Thomas Rodgers and Frani:is be Clercq be it committee to open subscriptions and circulate the same, and give notice of a meeting of subscribers so soon as one hundred and twenty shares should be taken.
Among the principal subscribers to this stock was C. R. Menager, fifty- five shares, $400 in county orders, and $150 in glass and nails : J. G. Devacht, five shares in carpenter and joiner work; Edward W. Tupper, ten shares in cash or lime and plastering, at the trustees’ option; Luther Shepard, five in brick and mason work; Calvin Shepard, five in brick and mason work; Elnathan Barlow, two in blacksmith work; Francis Le Clereq, one in cash; Phineas Matthews, two in pork; Lewis Newsom,
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - XIII
two in coarse upper and sole-leather ; Peter Ferrard, three in liquor or cattle; Charles Clendinen, one in pork or cash ; John Entsminger, two in labor, salt and pork ; Andrew Johnson, two in salt ; V. Bureau, six in salt and 'beef cat& ; Spencer E. Gibson, one in whisky; W. Clendinen, one in pork and hemp ; David Ridgeway, one in beef; C. Etienne, one in peach brandy and salt ; Samuel Logue, one in hemp ; Joseph Fletcher, one in salt. The balance were in cash, David Rees taking six shares; Robert Safford, three; David Irvin, twelve ; Nathaniel Gates, ten ; Alonzo Cushing, three; Andrew Johnson, eight ; John B. Ferrard, three ; Lewis Summers, two; Henry Cushing, one ; Junius Newsom, one; Augustin Le Clercq, one ; Madelaine Bureau, one ; John Kerr, two ; Peter Steenberger, two; N. S. Cushing, four John Hannan, one ; Matthew Buell, one; Thomas Rodgers, six ; A. Hutsinpiller, one ; S. F. Vinton, one. The foregoing are all remembered as being the progenitors of many of the present old citizens of Gallipolis.
The next meeting of which there is any record occurred March 6th, 1811, at which Nathaniel Gates was made collector of the corporation, to serve until the next May, or until his successor be elected and qualified; Lewis Newsom, treasurer for same term, and both bound by one or more securities; J. P. R. Bureau, clerk. The treasurer was ordered to pay over, as fast as he received, $150 to John Gabriel Gervais, and demand and receive from him a deed for the lot on which the house was to be built.
March 19, 1811, the trustees again met. Present, Andrew Lewis, William Clendinen, Edward W. Tupper and J. P. R. Bureau. It was made to appear that John Savary and Lewis Vimont, of Kentucky, had offered to convey to the corporation three town lots, to adjoin the one on which the building was to be erected, on the condition that they be allowed to hold six shares in said corporation. It was ordered that their proposition be accepted, and the lots taken for the six shares; that the lots remain an appendage to the academy, and not be disposed of separately, but if ever, with the lot on which the building is erected.
On the first Monday in May, 1811, an election was held for trustees, which resulted in Edward W. Tupper, Lewis Summers, Andrew Lewis, John Savary, Francis Le Clercq, Christopher Etienne and J. P. R. Bureau being chosen. June 7th, following, they were qualified and proceeded to organize. J. P. R. Bureau was elected president ; Nathaniel Gates, collector, with bond $1,500; Lewis Newsom, treasurer, with bond $1,500; Dr. Matthew Buell, secretary. Ordered that the president call on Thomas Rodgers, Adam Morrow, Peter H. Steenbergen, John Henderson, and Matthew Buell, or any three of them, to examine the building erected by Calvin H. and Luther Shepard, and to report their opinion thereon after comparing the same with the contract. At a meeting of the trustees, August 9th, 1811, the above committee reported in substance, that they had found the building to contain 80,512 brick, which, at $10 per thousand, amounted to $805.12, which was allowed, together with extras, amounting to $117, making the whole cost of erection $922.12.
At a meeting of the board, March 30th, 1812, it was resolved that Edward W. Tupper, Lewis Summers and Dr. Jonas Saffbrd be appointed a committee, on behalf of the board, to make contracts and superintend the completion of the academy, so far as the funds would warrant.
The board met April 28th, 1812, at which time John S. Miller conveyed the lot on which the building was erected to the corporation, and was given five shares, to be deducted from the purchase money. Henry Safford was elected secretary. May 4th, 1812, Lewis Newsom, Peter Steenbergen, John Savary, J. P. R. Bureau, C. Etienne, L. Summers and E. W. Tupper were elected trustees. Mr. Bureau was made president, which position he held until a meeting of the board, July 6th, 1815, when Edward W. Tupper was elected president; Wm. Preston, secretary, and Lewis Newsom, treasurer. At this meeting a letter was read from Claudius J. Menager, proposing to furnish, gratis, a seventy-five pound bell, so.soon as the institution was completed and furnished. This was highly complimented by the board as an act of great liberality. The lodge of Masons also made application for a portion of the building, in which to hold their meetings.
In 1816 it was resolved to open a subscription paper for a loan not exceeding $200. Also decided to allow the "Morning Dawn" lodge of Masons to use a portion of the building, and accept from them a loan of $100.
In August, 1818, steps were taken to ascertain what permanent support would be given a teacher of desirable qualifications, to take charge of the academy at a salary not exceeding $600. The price of teaching the dead languages not to exceed $30 per year, nor be less than $20; the number of students in that branch not to exceed thirty, and a committee to be appointed to take subscriptions and get the work started.
In October, 1818, the committee reported the following plan : First- One or more rooms to be opened as the " Senior School in which not more than thirty students would be allowed, unless by order of trustees; the tuition to be not less than $25, or more than $30; one instructed in any branch of English education shall pay not less than $20, or more than $25 per annum ; the teacher of this school to be paid exclusively from funds accumulating therefrom, and his pay shall not exceed $600 per year. Second-There shall be a "Junior Class," kept in a separate room, placed under the immediate charge of another teacher, employed by the trustees, and whose qualifications shall be sufficient to teach reading, writing, English grammar and arithmetic ; the manner of classing and instructing the school to be determined by the senior teacher; the price for teaching I this school to be not less than $250 per year, and if any funds should accumulate, without increase of tuition, it should be applied to repairs and improvements; all moneys for tuition, etc., to be paid to the trustees quarterly, who were to become bound for payment of teachers and all other obligations. About $400 was subscribed to this plan, and the first session was opened May 24th, 1819, the senior school under charge of Samuel Burrill, and the junior school under charge of Rev. Wm. R. Gould, the former (a graduate of Cambridge College), at a salary of $500, and the latter at $300.
July 3d, 1820, Peter Menager was appointed ,.ollector of the funds due the institution. October 7th, 1820, Edward W. Tupper was elected President, and the upper room of the academy was rented to the "Morning Dawn " lodge.
July 2d, 1821, the academy opened under Rev. Wm. R. Gould, as principal teacher, being the commencement of the fifth session, and rates of tuition as follows: Reading and writing, for session of five months, $4.00; same, with arithmetic and grammar, $5.00; same with arithmetic, grammar and geography, $7.50; Latin scholars, $10.00. June 22d, 1822, leave was given Mr. Preston to teach a common school in the academy.
March 26th, 1823, S. F. Vinton was elected president, and N. S. Cushing, secretary. At this meeting a committee on behalf of the " First Religious Society of Gallipolis," made application for a lease of land belonging to the institution, for the purpose of erecting a place of worship. The board decided to let them have one-half of lot one hundred and twenty, on State street, the improvements reverting to the institution.
July 2d, 1824, the last mentioned president and secretary were re-elected and Miss Howard was permitted to open a school for young ladies in one of the rooms. May 12th, 1827, Lewis Newsom received the appointment of trustee, vice Nathaniel S. Cushing, deceased. At the same meeting of the board the application of the First Religious Society, signed by Luther Shepard, Solomon Hayward and John Cating was presented. The board, in reply, agreed to sell lot No. 119 to the society for $100, in order to obtain money to repair the academy.
June 14th, 1828, S. F. Vinton was again made president and Nathaniel Gates, secretary. June 18th, 1829, Charles Damarin was made secretary, and C. Etienne, treasurer. At this meeting it was resolved that it was expedient to proceed to carry out the law respecting escheated lands, and Mr. Gates was appointed a committee to wait upon Messrs. Vinton and Brazee to engage them as counsel for the board. In October, 1830, it was resolved to begin suit immediately to obtain possession of escheated lands. The suit seems to have been successful, for May 27th, 1833, Lewis Newsom and Thomas Rodgers made a report to the board of the sale of escheated lands, which took place one week previous to this meeting of the board. Charles Creuzet was the auctioneer of the lots. The following bought lots at this sale: Matthew Walker, Lewis Menager, Nicholas Mahew, Luther Shepard, Edward Reynolds, Levi Booth, Wm. Shane, Isaac Browner, John Cating, Peter Menager, Elisha Barnes, John Givens, Robert Worth, John Miller, George House, Henry Miller, Moses Gates, and James Sprague. The proceeds amounted to above $800.
May 4th, 1835, a deed was ordered given to the First Religious Society, and the two academy lots adjacent to the Public Square divided into fbur or more lots and sold. May 15, 1835, it was ordered that the principal and interest of the academy fund arising from the sale of escheated lands, amounting to $1,235, be loaned to the corporation of Gallipolis, at the rate of six per cent., for a term of fifteen years.
May 15th, 1837, lots number 117 and 118 were ordered divided into six equal parts and sold. Lot number six was the only one sold, Wm. H. Langley, purchaser, at $600. Alexander Vance was allowed $1.87 for advertising a notice of the sale four weeks in the Gallipolis Journal. January 23d, 1838, Joseph Fletcher was employed to survey academy lots one and five, which were ordered sold, the former at not less than $1,000, and the latter at not less than $600. April 26th, 183 Lewis Newsom and Lewis B. Menager were employed to change the academy building so that the two lower rooms could be used for business purposes.
September 19th, 1838, Benjamin Gould, a graduate of the University of Vermont, made application for use of academy, and such other aid as the board could give, to establish a regular academy. It was leased to him at $75 per year. October 31st, 1838, Franklin Carel, now living, was made treasurer, which position he retained for over thirty years. November 4th, 1839, Benjamin Gould rented for another year, and his sister, Lydia Gould, became his assistant. Six hundred dollars was guaranteed to Mr. Gould, and Miss Gould was to have what she could make, although in 1841 the board gave her $25 additional, and one room for twenty-two weeks, free of charge. February 15th, 1843, J. C. Robinson, then teacher, leased the academy for another year on the same terms as the preceding year. In July, 1843, John H. Pratt was given all the room in the building not already occupied by said Robinson. In September, 1843, Julius Regnier bought lot number five for $600, and John H. Pratt took entire charge of the school.
September 25th, 1846, Charles J. Menager and J. C. Robinson were employed to take charge of the academy for one year. Sometime this year the academy was burned down. There is no record, but at a meeting September 28th, 1847, the brick and stone which composed the building were ordered to be sold on the public square, at not less than $125. Alexander Shepard afterwards bought the same for $80, and James Mullineaux bought two iron mantles for $1.45. This year E. S. Menager was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Nathaniel Gates, as a member of the board.
Simeon Nash was made president, December 20th, 1852. At this meeting it was resolved to sell the academy lots on the square. Regnier and Hutsinpiller were made a committee to superintend the sale. S. Nash was instructed to correspond with J. V. Cushing, concerning the purchase
XIV - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
of lots on Fourth street. One condition of the sale of lots on the square, was that no wood buildings be erected thereon; they fronted on the square from tilt corner of State street to the Regnier building. They were purchased by S. T. & R. Langley, William C. Miller, L. B. Menager, and W.. H. Langley, and brought $9,195. May 9th, 1853, it was decided to accept a proposition from John Sanns for the purchase of his lot, at which time Julius Regnier was made president and R. Aleshire secretary.
May 27th, 1853, a meeting was held at the court-house, at which Simeon Nash presented the importance of erecting an academy building, and a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions of stock, and proposals for erecting said building were advertised. The accepted proposals for carpenter work, plastering, painting, glazing, brick and stone work footed $2,685.41. Julius Regnier, John Hutsinpiller and R. Aleshire were appointed a building committee, June 6th, 1853.
May 3d, 1854, Simeon Nash, who had previously been appointed a committee for the purpose, reported that he had employed Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Sears to take charge of the academy, the building to be furnished them free of charge, and they to look to the scholars for their pay, and to furnish other teachers if necessary.
School opened in the present structure, May 17th, 1854, and at a meeting held July 29th following, it was decided that the academical year should commence the next 6th of September, and continue for twenty- two weeks ; then a vacation of two weeks, followed by another twenty-two weeks' term. The president was also authorized to buy maps and other supplies, which made the total cost of the building, furnished complete, exclusive of grounds, $3,685.50. During the next few years very much was added in the way of books, apparatus, etc.
In 1858, an arrangement was made that for the first six months after the union school went into operation, if the receipts to Mr. Sears fell below $900 per year, the trustees should make that amount up to him. It was decided that Mrs. Bethia S. Tupper intended in her legacy that Mr. Sears should receive $900 per year after all other teachers were paid.
Mr. Sears withdrew December 10th, 1862, and Bev. George B. Sturgis filled the vacancy for three months, when ill-health compelled him to resign, and James Henry Nash was appointed for one term. This year the lot opposite the Langley mill was sold to W. H. Langley for $3,000. In 1863 the lots were subdivided and sold for $1,907, and the surplus funds of the academy were invested in government bonds, the amount so invested in 1864, amounted to $6,300.
In 1863 the military took possession of the academy, throwing Mr. Nash out. In 1864, Mr. Sears was again employed. In 1866, $7,187.12 was expended upon an addition to the building, and July 11th, it was insured for $9,000. April 9, 1867, Mr. Sears was given leave of absence until fall, and Mr. Maxwell engaged for the interim. October 11th, 1867, Mr. Mills was employed as principal, who continued until July 19th, 1869, when Sidney T. Skidmore was appointed. March 29th, 1870, the old bell was sold, and a new one bought. August 23, 1870, E. A. Cooley was employed. April 3d, 1872, the death of General Lewis Newsom was anno need. He was aged eighty-seven years, having been a member of the board since its organization.. S. Y. Wasson was appointed in his place.
Mr. Cooley continued as principal until July 28th, 1873, when E. W. Chase, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was employed. March 27th, 1874, E. Deletombe was elected treasurer, Franklin Carel resigning after over thirty years of faithful service. Mr. Chase was superseded as principal, August 22d, 1876, by Rev. D. W. Cox, who resigned February 28th, 1877, and W. H. Mitchell was employed, who also resigned December 9th, 1878. February 27th, 1879, R. Aleshire was elected president and still continues to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Simeon Nash. The same day, Henry Collins, of Felton, Delaware, was appointed principal. A. Baird, the present principal, was appointed in January, 1880, and is assisted by his wife.
The academy is at present in a prosperous condition, and a credit to its founders. An outline of its interesting history has been given from which a fair conception can be formed of its small beginnings and gradual growth through a term of seventy-two years.
CHURCH SOCIETIES OF GALLIPOLIS.
There are ten church Organizations in the town, viz: Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, German Lutheran, Catholic, Episcopal, Universalist, African Methodist Episcopal, Methodist church (colored), and Baptist (colored). The Baptist and also the colored Methodist societies have not at present church buildings of their own.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church of Gallipolis is an outgrowth of the "First Religious Society of the Township of Gallipolis," formed on the 15th day of March, 1815. Prominent among the founders of this society were General Edward W. Tupper, Dr. Jonas Saffbrd, Lewis Newsom, Nathaniel Gates, Thomas Rodgers and Nathaniel S. Cushing:.
No doubt these honored men and their associates felt the need of religious worship in the wild region of the west, to which they had emigrated.
They chose by ballot (mark the method) three trustees, to manage the fiscal concerns of the society, but limited their powers by one of the first articles adopted, as follows: “No rules or by-laws shall be made to levy any tax on the members: nor shall any regulation be made to levy any tax on the members; nor shall any regulation he made to effect or infringe the rights of conscience.” Thus carefully were their rights guarded in the early days, when freedom was better understood and appreciated.
The object of the society, as set forth in its constitution, was "to maintain the preaching of the Gospel in the town of Gallipolis." To aid them in this sacred duty, they were allowed the rent of one section of land in Gallipolis township, called the Ministerial Section. This section (twenty- nine) was set apart by congress for the support of religion in the Ohio Company's purchase. This grant by congress of one section for religion and one section for school, was largely due to the influence of Dr. Manasseh Cutler, agent of the Ohio Company.
Rev. William R. Gould was the first minister employed by the society, at a salary not to exceed two hundred dollars a year. A subscription was made in addition to the rents from the ministerial section for the pastor's support. General Edward W. Tupper acted as agent for the society from its organization until his death, in 1823. The old academy that stood near the present site of the Presbyterian church was the place of meeting.
In December, 1825, an agreement was made to divide the rent of section twenty-nine equally between the First Religious Society and the First Methodist Episcopal society of Gallipolis, to put a stop to any abuse "in the mode of procuring adherents to each society."
In 1827, Rev. James H. Brook was employed to preach part of the time, having been previously engaged to preach at Point Pleasant.
In 1828, at a meetinc, called for that purpose, the society was incorporated under the name of the "First Presbyterian Society of Gallipolis," according to the rules of the Presbyterian church of the United States. The Hon. S. F. Vinton presided at this meeting, and John T. Brasee was chosen secretary. A church lot was bought for one hundred dollars from the trustees of the Gallia academy in 1828. On September 16, 1828, the corner stone of the Presbyterian church was laid with appropriate ceremonies. Rev. A. Pomeroy was the laboring minister. At this time Gallipolis had a population of about seven hundred, and John P. R. Bureau was the mayor.
In 1829, Rev. Nathaniel W. Fisher began to preach, and continued two years. Rev. Ebenezer Hebard preached during the year 1832. Rev. P. S. McAboy was engaged to preach from 1833 to 1837, when Rev. William Baccus preached for one year.
In 1839, the first organ was bought from N. Gates. During the latter part of this year Rev. W. R. Gould again became the minister, and continued to preach until the autumn of 1846, when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph B. Adams for one year, and he, in turn, by Rev. Sylvanus Warren. In May, 1849, Rev. C. B. Maday was engaged and continued until September, 1850. In May, 1852, Rev. Andrew Huntington was engaged and served for two years.
There were sixty-nine members in 1854. On the 5th of November, of that year, Rev. Warren Taylor became the minister, and during the year 1855 twenty-two members seceded and formed an old school branch. This division seriously interfered with the growth and usefulness of the church. Here began the schism between the old and new school bodies in Gallipolis that caused a division and kept the members in agitation for many weary years.
We find the following on the record: "June 15, 1855. Whereas, John Cating, with others, forcibly entered and took possession of the church building; Resolved, That the trustees repair to said church, open said building, and fit it for worship on Sunday next, if not forcibly resisted." They were not allowed to ‘!fit it" (unless they fought), evidently, for they had preaching at the Baptist church the next Sabbath. Surely the church was passing through a season of trial.
In 1857, Rev. A. A. Jimeson was called to the church and continued his labors until 1861, during which time twenty-five members were added to the church, when Rev. R. D. Van Dusen began to preach. He resigned, however, in August of that year to become the chaplain of the 12th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Thus the war made its demands upon the pulpit as it did upon every department of human activity. Rev. R. D. Van Dusen returned to his people late in 1862 and remained with them until the spring of 1867. In December, 1867, the Rev. Walter Mitchell was called to preach to this church, and during his ministry of eight years the church grew in numbers until in April, 1873, there were one hundred and ten members. Great improvements were made in the church edifice. A new tower was constructed, new sittings furnished, new windows put in, and the interior changed, for which Rev. W. Mitchell is entitled to great credit.
In January, 1876, the Rev. E. Muse was engaged, and he remained until May, 1879. In the Centennial year (1876) the old schism that began in 1855, and was followed by a long suit in the courts, was settled upon terms mutually honorable to the representatives of the two parties to the contest-the old and new school bodies. By this union the church property and the Tupper legacy of two thousand dollars, bequeathed to the Presbyterian society by Bethia S. Tupper, widow of General Edward W. Tupper, was given to the present body. Mrs. Tupper was a most devoted woman, of large charity and broad sympathy, as her many bequests attest. A legacy of one thousand dollars was left to the Presbyterian Sunday-school, about this time, by one of the active workers in the church-Captain John B. Smithers, whose name is prominently mentioned in the records, and whose benevolence was often manifested in its behalf.
In July, 1879, the Rev. Maurice B. Wilson, a young graduate of the Western Theological Seminary, was employed for four months on trail, and at the end of that time he was called to become the pastor of this church. His labors were highly esteemed, and during his pastorate the
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - XV
church increased in numbers and power, and extensive improvements were again made to the building. In the fall of 1881, Rev. Mr. Wilson resigned, much to the regret of his flock, who had become warmly attached to him, and wit̊ rejoiced in his success as a minister in this, his first field of labor.
Rev. George J. E. Richards, the present pastor, was called February 8th, 1882; and continues to labor for this church that was founded in the wilderness and has outlived all its early adherents except Elder Solomon Hayward, whose name appears among its trustees as far back as 1825, and who is still to be seen, reverently engaged in worship, nearly every Sabbath morning, his bowed head and silver locks ripening for the glorious harvest, for which he patiently waits.
The church now (July, 1882), has a membership of two hundred. The present trustees are W. G. Fuller, Dr. W. S. Newton, E. L. Menager, Martin Brown and John L. Guy. The elders are Solomon Hayward, W. G. Fuller, H. A. McGonagle, D. S. Ford and W. T. Minturn. The prospects of the church are the best they have ever been, with flourishing Sabbath-school and prayer meeting and excellent harmony among the members and officers. The present enrollment of the Sabbath-school is two hundred and twenty-five.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
An historical memoir of this society is given in the following extract from their committee's report, read before them at their jubilee held May 28th, 1882:
The first Methodist preaching in this vicinity was by the Rev. Henry Baker, about the year 1817, at the residence of Ahaz S. Morehouse-a log house located at the mouth of Mill creek, then outside the corporation. The reception of the Methodist itinerant was through the instrumentality of his wife, Lucinda Sisson Morehouse, the sister of Stephen Sisson, who is now living at Gallipolis, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. A letter from Luther Shepard informs us that the rowdies were so troublesome that the minister stated that Mr. M. could not have services there any longer, and unless some one else would open their house he would not come again. Calvin Shepard was present, and although not then a member, gave them an invitation to hold services at his house, and from that time they continued to hold regular services. The persecutions of those times were infamous, and many of the incidents are too foul and revolting to find a place in this record. The perpetrators were not all rowdies, and Satan himself seemed' to control public sentiment from those high in religious as well as in civil authority, down to the lowest in society, against the despised Methodists. It was considered fatal to every good to become a Methodist, and these opinions were enforced by stones and eggs and filth. Vehicles were thrown over the river bank, harness and saddles cut and smeared, and persons passing to and from the meetings were subjected to every annoyance. There are men and women living that, when children, were dubbed with the execrable title of " little Methodists." When Mr. Calvin Shepard opened his house to Methodism he invited annoyances and abuse, and he deserves an everlasting monument for the firmness with which he braved the storm and stuck to the ship. The largest memorial window in the church is deservedly decorated to his memory. His house was not only the home of Methodism for many years, but a welcome rest for God's embassadors. His name is found conspicuously in all the old records, and it is said that at one time he mortgaged his house to pay urgent claims against the church. The original class consisted of "John Knapp and wife, Calvin Shepard, Mahala Shepard, Chris. Randall and wife, Stephen Sisson, Mary Varian, and her two daughters, Abigail and Matilda ;" and of these only one is living, viz: Stephen Sisson. The society was speedily strengthened by the addition of James Hanson, Sarah Drouillard, Father Smithers of precious memory, and others. In 1820, under the labors of John and William Kent, a revival added twenty-five or thirty more. When the growing congregation could not be accommodated in the house, he applied for the school house, but a leading spirit in one of the churches opposed his petition, and it was denied. He then applied for the courthouse, but a leading official of the State stood up against him and that was denied. He then turned his attention to his barn, and hauled plank from his brick yard and made seats, and with plenty of room and a pure gospel, the little church prayed and prospered. At that time there was but one Methodist church in the county, a log house at Bethel. Now there are forty-six.
The circuit, of which this was but one appointment, extended from Letart Falls, thirty-six miles above us, to Wheelersburg, eighty miles below, embracing large territory on both sides of the river. Just what was its boundary, if it had any, we are unable to determine.
In 1821 the first church was built. It stood on ground now occupied by the parsonage, and the deed for the lot dates from May 7, 1793, from George Washingtonby Thomas Jefferson to Rufus Putnam, Rev. Manassah Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green, for Ohio Company. Rufus Putnam and others to Return Jonathan Meigs, in trust for French inhabitants ; December 26, 1796, Fearing and Meigs to Lewis Le Clercq ; July 30, 1811, Lewis Le Clercq and wife to Anthony Magnet ; June 2, 1821, Anthony Maguet and wife to trustees of Methodist Episcopal church, viz : Calvin Shepard, Daniel Cowls, Christopher Randall, Moses Brown and John Knapp. For which was paid a consideration of $150 in specie.
Beginning with January 18, 1821, we have the record of the trustees carefully written un to July. 1849. The first entry contains a list of the members and adherents of the Methodist church, and the list comprises fifty-one names. The second entry is a copy of notice given for a meeting of the members of the church, "on Monday, the 5th day of February, at 9 o'clock A. M., then and there to elect trustees for said society." Rev. James Gilruth presided, and Calvin Shepard was elected secretary. His minutes, both in penmanship, neatness and care show that he made a good one. The trustees elected were Calvin Shepard, John Knapp, Moses Brown, Daniel Cowls and Christopher Randall.
The first church edifice, built in 1821, was 44 by 50 feet, one story, brick, and ceiling 12 feet high. After occupying this building about twenty-eight years, a storm blew the roof off, and otherwise damaged the property. The trustees resolved to repair, but it was found that it would cost $350 to make the necessary repairs, and the idea was abandoned. At a meeting held April 16, 1849, it was resolved to build a new church, and after canvassing the community the soliciting committee reported $1,398.50 subscribed. A committee of ladies was appointed, and at a subsequent meeting "it was found," says the record, " that they had enlarged our subscription over $200." The record contains a list of the subscribers, with the several amounts marked as in modern times, paid or not paid, as the case was. The building was of brick, 40 by 60 feet, inside measurement, two stories high, basement 9 feet high, upper story 16 feet, vestibule 8 feet wide ; 4 class-rooms 12 feet square ; lecture room 23 by 40 feet. The cost of this building, as near as we can ascertain, was $1,675. The pastor was Rev. W. T. Hand. The presiding elder was Rev. John Stewart.
LIST OF MINISTERS FROM 1817 TO 1882-LETART FALLS CIRCUIT.
1817, William Cunningham, to January, 1818; 1818, Abner Bowman; Henry Baker, September, 1819 ; John P. Kent, William Kent, July, 1820 ; James Gilruth ; 1821, Ebenezer Webster, January; - Taylor; 1823, James Gilruth ; 1824, John P. Kent ; 1825, Francis Wilson; 1826, Francis Wilson; 1827, Henry and Stephen Rathbun ; 1828, Jacob. Delay. [Gallipolis Circuit then was formed.] 1829, Jacob Delay and Ebenezer Webster ; 1830, John Ulen and - Callohan ; 1831, William Herr ; 1832, James Armstrong; 1832, David Whitcomb, February to June ; 1833, Elijah Field and Adam Miller, Benjamin Ellis and Abraham Miller ; 1834, Charles R. Baldwin, whose life is written by M. P. Gaddis, under the title, " Conversion of a Skeptic," a Member of the Bar; 1835, James Parcells and Benjamin L. Jefferson ; 1836, William P. Stricklen and - Martin ; 1837, Jacob Delay and Elijah Filcher. [In March, 1837, Gallipolis city became a station.] 1837, Elijah Filcher; 1838-39, W. P. Stricklen ; 1840, A. M. Alexander ; 1841-42, E. V. Bing; 1843-44, E. M. Boring; 1845, A. I. Lida ; 1846, C. C. Lybrand ; 1847-48, W T. Hand ; 1849-50, Samuel Bateman ; 1851-52, Andrew Carrell ; 1853-54, E. V. Bing ; 1855-56, T. J. N. Simmons; 1857-58, H. Z. Adams ; 1859-60, E. P. Hall ; 1861-62, I. T. Miller ; 1863-64-65, Joseph F. Williams, under whose pastorate the present parsonage was built, valued at from $3,500 to $4,000; 1866-67, Levi Cunningham; 1868, William Glenn ; 1869-70, F. S. Davis ; 1871-72-73, J. E. Moore; 1874-75, C. D. Battelle ; 1876, E. H. Hegler ; 1877-78, J. W. Dillon ; 1879, T. M. Leslie, 1880-81-82, C. F. Creighton.
NAMES OF PRESIDING ELDERS FROM 1816 TO 1882.
1816 to 1822, Jacob Young; 1822 to 1824, John Waterman ; 1824 to 1829, Zachariah Connell ; 1829 to 1833, Isaac C. Hunter; 1833 to 1835, Robert 0. Spencer ; 1835 to 1837, John Feree ; 1837 to 1841, Samuel Hamilton ; 1841 to 1842, Isaac C. Hunter, died June 18, 1842 ; 1842 to 1845, John Feree, died 1845; 184,5 to 1846, J. M. Jameson ; 1846 to 1850, John Stewart ; 1850 to 1853, Robert 0. Spencer, 1853 to 1854, Andrew Carroll; 1854 to 1856, N. Westerman ; 1856 to 1860, John Stewart ; 1860 to 1864, A. M. Alexander ; 1864 to 1868, H. Z. Adams ; 1868 to 1871, I. T. Miller; 1871 to 1875, John Dillon ; 1875 to 1877, J. W. Dillon ; 1877 to 1881, T. H. Monroe ; 1881 to -, Z. W. Fagan.
The new church which is now occupied was begun in the summer of 1875, under the pastorate of Rev. C. D. Battelle, with Rev. J. W. Dillon presiding elder. The building committee was D. Y. Smithers, John T. Halliday, and J. W. Gardner. The records of the time are accessible, and will give full information concerning members of the official board, and of the church, subscribers to the church, and all the items necessary to be preserved. During the interim between the destruction of the old church and the occupancy of the new, the congregation worshipped in the court-house, which was secured from the commissioners by the clerk of the court, W. H. H. Sisson.
January 1, 1876, the membership and friends of the church, headed by the board and the pastor, marched into the completed basement of the new church, Brother Battelle leading the congregation, with the long metre doxology. The audience room was completed, and June 25, 1876, the church was dedicated by Bishop R. S. Foster.
The measurement of the church is 70x86 feet, with a lecture room 45x50, six class rooms and a vestibule below. The upper room is equal to about 70 feet square; comfbrtable seating capacity, 700, with a gallery seating 150. Steeple, 150 feet high, and the bell hangs 80 feet from the pavement. The church speaks for itself. Brother T. S. Ford was the architect. Its value is estimated at about $25,000. In April, 1882, the society was free from debt.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1840-41, Rev. James B. Goodwin, a missionary of the Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Virginia, held occasional services in the Court
XVI - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
House. The first parish organization was effected December 22d, 1841. On that day the following persons were chosen as members of the vestry: Charles Creuzet, Darius Maxon, Peter Menager, A. Cushing, A. C. Farrington, E. Naret, James E. Eaton, Wm. Clendinen, E. Morgan, Augustine Le Clercq, Joseph Drouillard and Robert Black.
At a meeting of the vestry, held December 29th, 1841, Rev. J. B. Goodwin was chosen rector. On the 13th of January, 1842, a committee -of three was appointed by the vestry to procure a lot and erect a church thereon. Messrs. Wm. Clendinen, Elisha Morgan and Alonzo Cushing were appointed said committee. A lot was procured on Second street, and a building erected thereon, but it was never completed.
The next election for vestrymen, as appears by the record, was held April 8th, 1844, resulting in the election of J. B. H. Beal, A. Cushing, A. Vance, Julius Regnier and Thomas L. Perry. The vestry having failed to perfect the title to the lot upon which the church was erected, a compromise was effected with the person holding the legal title, and the church building was surrendered.
In May, 1858, the vestry purchased of the board of education city lot No. 217, with the old school house thereon, paying therefor the sum of $700. A building committee was appointed to erect a church edifice on said lot, which was accordingly done, and the new church building was opened for public worship Sunday, December 19th, 1858, Rev. A. B. Sturgess; rector of the parish, officiating. The church was consecrated April 12th, 1859, by Bishop. Chas. P. Mcllvaine. The total cost of lot and building was $2,341.
At a meeting of the vestry, held in the church, September 2d, 1868, the following communicgtion was received from an unknown source :
To the Vestry of St. Peter's Parish, Gallipolis, Ohio :
GENTLEMEN : There now stands in the vestibule of the church, a bell, weighing 632 pounds, with hangings complete, weighing 328 pounds, in the Sunday School room, from the foundry of the Marruley's, at West Troy, N. Y., and with the following inscription :
"Presented to St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Gallipolis, Ohio, July 1st, 1868. In Memoriam.
" Come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob."-Isa. 2-3.
The conditions of the donor are as follows: That the bell is to be rung upon the occasion or celebration of no military, civil or political successes or defeats ; nor upon the celebration of the 4th of July, or other national holidays, nor as an alarm fire bell. In brief, its use is to be confined exclusively and strictly to religious services, under the auspices and direction of the rector and wardens of the parish. This donation, with its conditions, and with all charges paid so far, now awaits the action of the vestry."
At the same meeting, a motion of G. W. Jackson, that the donation be thankfully received, was carried.
The following persons are the present vestrymen : A. Vance, senior warden ; Wm. Cherington, junior warden ; W. R. Morgan, secretary ; William Cherington, treasurer ; S. A. Nash, E. S. Aleshire, A. L. Langley, Samuel Roberts.
The following ministers have officiated in the parish, in the following order, since its organization: Revs. James B. Goodwin, T. B. Dooley, A. Edwards, G. B. Sturgess, William Thompson, H. Judd, Mr. Johnson, John Gribble, H. E. Hayden, D. W. Cox, A. J. Yeater, W. T. Bowen, C. D. Barbour.
At the present writing the parish is without a rector.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SOCIETY.
By reference to the preceding history of the settlement of Gallipolis, it will be seen that the Catholic religion was the first observed. One or more priests came with the first settlers from France, arriving with them in October, 1790, and mass was held on every Sunday morning in the council room within the stockade upon the public square.
There are no early records of this church in existence, but the statements handed clown from that early (lay are to the effect that the form of religion was so intimately associated with the troubles that drove them from "La Belle France," and landed them in this strange, wild region with such feelings of sorrow, homesickness and regret, that they nearly all turned from it, neglected the duties incumbent upon them as good Catholics, and in a manner became alienated. The result was that the priests soon stood almost alone in their fealty to their church-" their occupation gone"-and they met with so little sympathy and support that they were almost reduced to the point of starvation and obliged to abandon their zealous effigts and depart. About the year 1812, a bishop was sent from Detroit to try to awaken an interest in the community in the cause, who held services in a log house on the bank of the river, nearly three squares above the public square, immediately below the present incline railroad side track to the river. He met with little encouragement or success and soon abandoned the field.
After that time nothing substantial seems to have been attempted until in 1852, when Bishop Purcell came here and purchased a site on Grape street, between Second and Third, of Mrs. J. G. Devacht, paying therefor the sum of five hundred dollars, fifty dollars of which was bestowed upon the church by Mrs. Devacht as a donation. A neat and pretyy edifice was erected on this lot, which they have since occupied. The contract was taken by James Mullineaux at a cost of about twelve hundred dollars, which was raised by subscription.
Father Allbrich was the first priest appointed to the charge, who divided his services between this point and Pomeroy, as did also all but two, who were afterward sent. He remained for four or five years and was followed by Father Gells; next came Father John Kallenberg, Father Jesseng, Father Loedig, Father Kramer, Father Quirk, Father Dorsey and Father Hartney. Those who devoted their entire services to this point were Father John McKernan and Father John Gamber.
Since about the first of January last no regular services have been held. The society is formed of sufficient numbers to sustain a flourishing church, but they are not blessed with sufficient means to enable them to do so, and they have never been self-sustaining.
BAPTIST CHURCH SOCIETY.
About the year 1852 the first society of Baptists was organized in the city. They erected a neat church on Third street, and for a time they grew and prospered, when, owing to some mismanagement, their building was sold to the German Lutherans and they ceased to exist as an organization. March 7th, 1871, a meeting was called at the German Lutheran church, and through the instrumentality of Revs. R. W. Davis and B. Cade, of West Virginia, another church was started, and the latter gentleman was called to the pastorate, but sufficient interest was not created and it lasted but about six months. In 1874 they inaugurated weekly prayer-meetings, which were held alternately at private residences, until 1878, when arrangements were made and they were continued in the basement of the Lutheran church. January 3d, 1879, a meeting was held and through the efforts of a number of zealous members, aided by Rev. W. L. Gear, secretary of the Baptist State Convention, a new society was formed, which met in the academy building, where every two or three weeks the pulpit was occupied by different ministers. The following October, Rev. W. E. Lyon was called, who remained pastor for two years, and the membership increased to thirty-eight.
February 1st,.1882, Rev. Charles Davis became the pastor, who still continues with them. The membership has increased to over fifty, the interest in the church is increasing, and the prospects for the future are bright. There is a prosperous Sabbath school connected with the church, which has an average attendance of eighty-five. They still continue to hold their services in the academy building, and receive liberal aid from the Baptist State Mission society.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
Universalism was preached in Gallipolis as early as 1830, by Revs. Mr. Sweet, Waldo, and others, services being held at the Court House, which then stood in the Public Square. This was continued until 1850, when funds were raised by public subscription Mainly through the generosity and energy of the late Charles Creuzet, who also donated a lot for the purpose, a commodious church was erected, which was dedicated in October, 1860. The friends of the cause maintained preaching at regular intervals, and Ambers were received into fellowship with the denomination, although no church organization was in existence.
In April, 1877, Rev. Andrew Wilson, agent for the State Universalist Convention, visited Gallipolis, and a regular church organization was effected and officers elected, since which time the church has grown and prospered. The membership, although not large, includes some of the best and most cultivated people of the town and county.
THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH SOCIETY,
of the Ohio Conference, was organized about the year 1822, Henry Bell, William Napper, Thomas Scott, John Gee and - Paxton being the first trustees. Their first meetings were held in a school house, located upon Pine street, between Second and Third streets, every four weeks, the services being conducted by a circuit preacher. Their first regularly appointed pastor, of whom a record can be obtained, was John Gibbons, about 1840, who occupied the pulpit two years. The list of pastors from that date to the present is as follows : Rev. Coleman, one year ; Jeremiah Lewis, two years ; Rev. Williams, one year; John Gibbons, three years ; Arthur Howell, two years; Rev. Gellespie, one year; John Gibbons, three years. For a time, commencing at about the beginning of the late war, in 1861, they were without a pastor, and in 1863, Rev. Peters was appointed, who continued with them for two years ; Rev. Mortimer, nine months ; Rev. Morgan, one year ; Geo. W. Mason, nine months ; Rev. Lee, one year ; Rev. Hurley, one year; one year no pastor ; Rev. Smith, one year ; Rev. Cumberland, two years; Rev. Bell, three years. The present pastor, Rev, J. W. Barber, has been with them since 1880.
Their first church was built on the opposite side of the street from the school house on Pine street, first occupied by them, and completed in 1849. This building was torn down in 1868, and the neat little church edifice erected, under the supervision of their pastor, Rev. George W. Mason, which they have since owned and occupied.
The present church membership is about 150.
BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED).
The society was organized in Isaac Lewis’ house, a short distance from the city, about the year 1833, and was called Paint Creek Church, taking its name from the small stream that empties into the Chickamauga, a short distance from its month. It was instituted by Elder James B. Stewart,
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - XVII
assisted by Elders Gabriel Hurgo and Conn. Among its original members were Gabriel Hurgo, Henry Howard, Isaac Lewis, Susan Ward, Judah Ward, Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Lewis.
Rev. J. B. Stewart served as pastor, and kept the records of the church as clerk until 1838, when Fielding Spears was elected clerk, who served in that capacity for fifteen years. Gabriel Hurgo served as deacon, and Henry Howard, Isaac Lewis and Gabriel Hurgo as trustees.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, (COLORED).
This society was organized in 1872, with George W. Mason, Henry Bell and Amos Black, trustees. Rev. George W. Mason was appointed pastor, who continued with them for four years.
They purchased a church edifice formerly owned by the colored Baptist society, on Third street, between Spruce and Pine streets. Rev. Daley was their second pastor, who continued in the pulpit for one year, when Rev. Thomas Owens was appointed, who remained in that capacity until 1878, when, the society failing to meet their obligations for the purchase money, their church building was sold.
They still exist as an organization, but have no regular pastor. The society belongs to the Washington conference, the largest in the United States, including the states of Ohio, Maryland, and East and West Virginia, and has a membership of about 30,000.
THE GALLIA COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
The first court house erected in Gallia county was upon the public square, below the centre and fronting on Second street. The following, in relation to the matter, is taken from the county records:
"November 9th, 1806. Ordered, That two thousand dollars be appropriated for the building of a brick court house; to use six hundred dollars out of the revenue of the present year, eight hundred out of the revenue of 1807, six hundred out of the revenue of 1808. Ordered, That the house will be forty feet long and thirty feet wide ; that the foundation, be of stones ; the stones to be hewed, and to be two feet above the ground; the remaining in brick. That from the ground to the first floor, two feet nine inches ; from the first floor to the joices of the second floor, seventeen feet. There shall be a chimney in the building of the foundation and of the walls of brick. It shall be let to the lowest bidder, and the making of the window frames."
The stone and brick work was offered to the lowest bidder, December 30th, 1806. The bidders were Robert Allen, J. P. R. Bureau, Levi Stedman and Charles Mills (one of the commissioners). The former opened with a bid of $1,800, and, after lively competition, it was awarded to Charles Mills for $1,325-the lowest bid. The balance of the work was then offered, William Bridges, Levi Stedman, Thomas Rodgers and Charles Mills competing for the contract. The highest bid was $1,800, and it was also finally given to Charles Mills for $825.
"July 12th, 1807. Ordered, that one dollar be paid to Samuel Barlow for whiskey to bidders, house room, &c., the day the court house was adjudged."
" February 13th, 1807. Ordered, that the commissioners of the county think that the court house undertaker [contractor] can have liberty to digg and make his brick on the publick square, and that for the purpose of filling up the holes twenty dollars is appropriated. Ordered, that order for two dollars be given to Francis Le Clercq for making the draft of the court house."
"September 2d, 1812. Orapha Strong, commissioner, attended three days to superintend finishing the court house."
The total cost of this building was $2,417.23, and it was several years afterward torn down and rebuilt upon the lots donated by J. P. R. Bureau and S. F. Vinton for that purpose, on the north side of Locust street, between Front and Second-the present site. On the night following the first day of the fall term of court, in November, 1858, this building was burned by incendiaries, who were apprehended, tried and convicted, at the same term of court, and sentenced to the penitentiary-two for fifteen years each and one for ten years. The court house was rebuilt in its old style and occupied the ensuing year, the county, in the meantime, using for a court room, and for the accommodation of the several officers, the building now known as the Sherman house. May 3d, 1877, this building was burned by incendiaries, who were arrested and sent to the penitentiary -one for twelve years, one for ten and one for eight years-the ten-year man having since been pardoned out.
The present magnificent structure cost the county forty thousand dollars, and was completed and occupied in the summer of 1879. During its erection the county officers were distributed about in various buildings in its immediate neighborhood and court was held in the German Lutheran church, on Third street. In the belfry of the new building has been placed, at considerable expense, a town clock of excellent workmanship.
MORNING DAWN LODGE NO. 7, F. & A. M.,
was chartered January 5th, 1810, by Lewis Cass, Grand Master. Charter members-Edward White Tupper, Andrew Lewis, Robert Safford, William Clendinen, Francis Le Clercq, Nathaniel Gates, Lewis Summers, Robert Hereford, Robert McKee, Joseph McMullin and William Jones.
Henry Brush, secretary of the Grand Lodge, duly deputed Deputy Grand Master for the work, did, on April 27, A.D. 1810, duly constitute, consecrate and install the said lodge. Andrew Lews was first Worshipful Master of the lodge ; Edward W. Tupper, S. W., and Robert Safford, J. W., and which was done at the house of J. B. Ferrard, on city lot No. 186, in Gallipolis, Ohio, which was a two-story brick house ; and the lodge continued to hold its meetings in the second story of said house for some time, until a room for the meetings was had in the Gallia Academy building, situated on lot No. 117, where the lodge met until it ceased active work, for prudential causes, owing to the anti-Masonic excitement, say about 1828. -Active work was resumed in 1848, in a second-story room on lot No. 101, and the lodge has continued its active work ever since, though having several times changed its room of meeting. Its name hints to spirit truth upon the event thereby mystically expressed and understood by the Master Mason.
The lodge has in its possession a fine likeness of Robert Safford, the first Junior Warden.
ARIEL LODGE, NO. 156, I. O. O. F.
The date of the charter of this society is January 17th, 1850, and the following is a list of its charter members: V. M. Firor, James McCromley, Samuel Bateman, James Harper, Henry Venier. It was instituted May 17th, 1850, when the following officers were elected : James Harper, Noble Grand ; Henry Venier, Vice Grand ; James McCromley, Secretary ; V. M. Firor, Treasurer.
The lodge is at present in a very prosperous condition, and has a membership of ninety-seven. They occupy a fine hall on Front street opposite the public square, and their regular time of meeting is Tuesday evening of each week. The following are the present officers: M. R. Gross, Noble Grand ; M. S. Hum, Vice Grand ; Charles T. Brown, Secretary ; John A. Hamilton, Treasurer.
NAOMI LODGE NO. 55 KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Naomi Lodge, No. 55, Knights of Pythias, was organized June 14th, 1873, by Chancellor Emerson, assisted by several brethren of Myrtle Lodge, No. 27, of Ironton, who instituted and installed the following members and officers : Charter members-George Alexander, James P. Hott, Peter B. Pritchett, E. L. Gills, J. R. Safford, John Mullineux, Ira W. Booton, William Gatewood, R. Ceiphy, E. S. Tippens. James Gills, J. F. Jenkins, S. Goetz, Joseph Kinghorn, Frank Souverain, A. D. Summers, H. H. Bolles, G. W. Heaton, S. A. Rathburn, S. S. Pritchett, Clarence Phelps. Officers-R. M. Cochran, C. C.; W. T. Minturn, V. C.; John T. Hampton, K. of R. and S.; C. H. McCormick, F. S.;. John C. Vanden, B.; John A. Vanden, V. P.; John L. Williams, P.
Since its first organization the lodge has had a healthy increase, and is now in a prosperous condition. The following are the officers for the current term : J. P. Hott, P. C.; G. W. Schenk, C. C.; Harry Gibbard, V. C.; W. G. Brading, Prel.; H. H. Bolles, K. of R. and S.; -L. Billings, M. of T.; M. Z. Cadot, M. of E.; J. F. Martin, M. at A.; Charles Martin, I. G.; A. C. Hughes, 0. G.
COURT HOPE, U. 0. FORRESTERS, NO. 74.
This order was organized under the name of Court Hope, I. 0. F., No. 7, in Gallipolis, January 12th, 1876. The names of the charter members were : A. Newton, F. M. Holloway, A. D. Summers, E. Skees, N. P. Fenner, Moses Mock, Hugh Thorn, James Bashaw, W. K. S. Hall, Daniel Williams, Thomas Ramsey, John Lupton, N. S. Angel, Dr. John Sanns, A. T. Brown, W. R. Morgan, Dr. J. A. Vanvleck. First officers-E. Skees, C. R.; A. D. Summers, V. C. R.; N. P. Fenner, R. Sec.; Moses Mock, Treasurer.
The order was reorganized September 1st, 1881, under the name of Court Hope, U. 0. F., No. 74. The charter members in the new order are as follows: F. M. Holloway, E. Skees, A. D. Summers, T. Ramsey, J. Lupton, J. Sanns, J. A. Vanvleck, A. T. Brown, J. Hamilton, M. Mock, T. Guyn, W. R. Morgan, F. Kessler, E. Ward, H. Selfredge, C. Watson, W. K. S. Hall, and P. A. Sanns. Present officers: T. Ramsey, C. R.; T. Guyn, V. C. R.; A. D. Summers, R. Secretary ; J. Sanns, Treasurer ; A. T. Brown, F. Secretary ; J. Hamilton, Chaplain ; J. Lindle, S. W.; W. S. K. Hall, J. W.; F. Kessler, S. B.; S. Black, J. B.; J. Sanns, J. Lupton, T. Ranney, Trustees. The present membership numbers about fifty, and the order is flourishing and successful.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Gallipolis Knights of Honor, Lodge No. 535, was instituted March 23, 1877. The charter members Were : W. T. Minturn, A. M. White, L. F. Maguet, H. N. Ford, S. F. Neal, E. S. Campbell, W. H. Hutchinson, J. M. Alexander, J. R. Safford, W. W. Mills, D. W. Davies, E. S. Ale- shire, T. L. Bell, G. W. Clark, E. H. Neal, J. L. Guy, E. E. Spaulding, A. F. Moore, J. G. Cherington, and F. M. Boyle. Its first officers were as follows: E. S. Aleshire, P. D.; W. T. Minturn, D.; E. E. Spaul- ding, V. D.; D. W. Davies, A. D.; W. W. Mills, C.; J. M. Alexander, G.; A. M. White, R.; S. F. Neal, F. R.; J. L. Guy, Treasurer; J. R. Safford, Guardian ; J. G. Cherington, S.
Present officer: E. L. Gills, P.D.; T. W. Prose, D.: E. G. Alcorn, V. D.; A. F. Morre, A. D.; H. N. Ford, R.; J. T. Hanson, F. R,; S. H. Brossius, Treasurer; J. C. Schenk, G.; F. M. Holloway, C.; J. W. Cubbage, Guardian; D. H. Baldridge, S. The lodge was a present membership of fifty, and meets the first an third Fridays of each month, in
XVIII - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
their hall, at the corner of Second and State streets. No deaths have occurred since its organization.
BLESSING POST NO. 126, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
This post of the Grand Army was organized in August, 1881, the charter members numbering twenty-five. The time for their regular meetings is the first and third Mondays of each month, at the Knights of Pythias rooms, corner of Second and State streets. The present officers of the order are J. L. Guy, Post Commander; L. Z. Cadot, Senior Vice Commander; J. R. Safford, Junior Vice Commander; H. R. Bradbury, Adjutant; A. F. Moore, Quartermaster; W. B. Trump, Officer of the Day; Charles Stuart, Officer of the Guard; I. F. Chapman, Sergeant Major; C. B. Blake, Inner Guard, and D. S. Trobridge, Outer Guard.
A great deal of interest has recently been awakened among the ex-soldiers of the vicinity and the post is now in a flourishing condition and has a membership of seventy-one. They have recently undertaken, with the assistance of the patriotic citizens of the county, the erection of an appropriate monument to the memory of deceased soldiers. It is the intention of placing it upon the public square, near the center, and fronting on Second street, and the estimated cost is about four thousand dollars.
THE GALLIPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The first fire company was organized in 1843, of which Alexander Vance was president, and D. B. Hebard, secretary. They held their first meeting at the Gallia Academy, and afterwards at Magnet's (now Regnier & Company's) drug store. It was called "The Ceres Fire Company," and they used an ordinary rotary force pump engine, with hose attached, which is now in the possession of John B. Clendinen. Their last meeting was held in 1845. About 1861, a breakdown engine was obtained, of which Hobson McClurg had charge, and a company was formed but no officers elected. During the time this engine was being used, the old courthouse was burned. In 1871, another engine called the Washington, was purchased ; J. C. Reeves acted as chief, and William Kling as captain. The only fire of importance which occurred, at which it was used, was the burning of the Le Clercq woolen mills.
In December, 1871, the city purchased a number two Silsby steamer, with two horses. This was in use at the largest fires the city ever had: the court-house, Waddell, Blazer & Company's warehouse, filled with manufactured goods and wool, and Henking, Allemong & Company's warehouse, filled with heavy groceries ; all of which fires occurred by incendiarism within a space of thirty days. The services of the fire department on these occasions were so well appreciated that the ladies raised $436 among the citizens by subscription and donated it to the department. Soon afterward the city purchased an Ahrens engine, which is still in use.
The fire department now owns two steamers and two hose carts, and, including the hook and ladder company, has fifty-five members. The present officers are as follows: P. B. Pritchett, chief; T. L. Bell, assistant ; T. W. Prose, secretary; T. F. Hott, treasurer; E. Geissler, engineer ; E. P. Ralph, assistant. Hose Company No. 1—E. McConnell, foreman ; M. Hern, assistant. Hose Company No. 2—C. S. Friend, foreman ; G. W. Shenk, assistant. Hook and Ladder Company—Frederick Kuhn, foreman ; Thomas Blackburn, assistant.
GALLIPOLIS MAILS AND GALLIA COUNTY POST-OFFICES.
The first regular mails to the city were brought in a canoe from Marietta. Joseph Fletcher, who was afterward employed to survey the government lands about Detroit, was the mail agent. He continued in this service for quite a long time, and was frequently obliged to cross the river to escape from the Indians. About the year 1830, or earlier, a daily mail was established, via Jackson, from Gallipolis to Chillicothe. Although the post coach was drawn by four horses, with plenty of relays, the mail, during the season of bad roads, was frequently delayed for two or three days. The difficulties and delays of overland travel in these days are well remembered by many who have experienced them. After the completion of the Portsmouth branch of the Marietta and Cincinnati railroad, mail was obtained daily and regularly via Oak Hill.
Since the completion of the Toledo, Columbus and Hocking Valley railroad, two years since, two mails are received daily from the north and two from. Pomeroy. There is also a daily mail by boat from Charleston and one from Huntington, West Virginia; one tri-weekly overland mail to Ironton, Ohio ; one semi-weekly to Quaker Bottom, Ohio, and one semiweekly to Rio Grande. The present postmaster is Samuel F. Neal, who has held the position nearly four years.
The following is a list of Gallia county post-offices:
Addison, Alice, Boggs, Bulaville, Bush's Mill, Chapman's Mills, Cheshire, Chestnut Grove, Clipper Mills, Cora, Crown City, Eno, Evergreen, Eureka, Ewington, Gallia Furnace, Gallipolis, Harris, Heatley, Kerr, Kyger, Leaper, Lincoln, McDaniels, Malaby, Mercerville, Moody, Northup, Patriot, Pine Grove, Rio Grande, Rodney, Rowlesville, Sand Fork, Saundersville, Sprinkle's Mills, Swan Creek, Thivenir, Thurman, Tycoon, Vinton, Wales and Yaho. Total, 43. Gallia county has mail facilities unexcelled in the State.
THE GALLIPOLIS GAS COMPANY
An ordinance was passed by the city council of Gallipolis, September 3d, 1869, and the gas company was incorporated on the 18th of the same month. The incorporators were Roman Menager, Peter A. Sanns, Wrn Shober, E. S. Aleshire and William Nash. The officers of the organization were, William Nash, president; E. S. Aleshire, secretary; P. A. Sanns, treasurer ; A. W. Allemong, William Shober, directors.
The works are located at the south end of Second street, and the city was first lighted by gas August 8th, 1870. The gas is of an excellent quality, and furnished to consumers at a less price than any other town in the State, in proportion to the inhabitants. The company is now paying dividends on the stock. Their present officers are : A. W. Allemong, president ; C. W. Henking, secretary ; William Shober, treasurer; A. Henking, John Sanns, directors.
YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1878.
Gallipolis has passed through many seasons of local excitement, that, given in detail, would make volumes of interesting history. Of particular note among them was the yellow fever visitation of 1878—the only severe epidemic that ever occurred in the city—when Charleston, Huntington, Ironton, Middleport, and other towns in the vicinity ware quarantined against her.
On July 18th, of that year, the tow-boat John Porter left New Orleans with eighteen barges and a crew of thirty-five men. The boat was one of the finest on the river, valued at $40,000, and her barges $30,000, all belonging to the Cumberland Tow Boat Company. Soon after starting, one of the firemen was taken with yellow fever, followed by two other cases. All that were supposed to be afflicted were put off at Vicksburg, but the epidemic again broke out, and the patients were continually sent ashore. Upon reaching Cincinnati, (which was quarantined), two young physicians, (Drs. Carr and Slough), came on board. After this the fever spread rapidly, and upon their arrival at Gallipolis, Saturday evening, August 17th, at 8 o'clock, ten were laid up with it, among whom was the commander, Captain Bickerstaff
The hardships up to this point were beyond description. People along shore avoided the boat as they would a wild beast—not permitting her to land for supplies, and threatening the crew with direful punishment whenever the attempt was made. Great blame was attached to the health officers at Cincinnati for allowing the boat to proceed up the river, knowing her condition, with the patients in charge of two inexperienced young physicians. Seventeen deaths occurred among those who were on the boat. On her arrival at the marine docks, one mile below Gallipolis, the authorities of the town were informed, and steps were immediately taken by Dr. Needham to have her quarantined by authority of the board of health. A committee was appointed to visit the Porter, and the crew was given every possible assistance, but notified that they must go out of the reach. of the city, which they agreed to do next morning, claiming they could not pass a difficult place in the channel, opposite Gallipolis island, that night, where lay the sunken wreck of the exploded steamer Brilliant.
The Porter started next morning, but her cylinder packing blew out and she fell back. This was soon repaired, and, starting again, she broke her shaft, and came drifting back in a helpless condition. Enos, Will & Co's large foundry was immediately put in blast, by order of the authorities, and a new shaft completed by twelve o'clock Sunday night. Two or three of her crew, however, died during the night, and when Monday morning arrived, all energy among them had given way to a hopeless state of demoralization, and they declared they could go no farther. Captain Porter, (one of the owners), was telegraphed to, and sent $1,000 for their relief. As soon as the crew obtained money, they began deserting until none were left but the helpless ones who could not get away. Captain Bickerstaff, Dr. Slough, and the mate, Andy Armstrong, who remained until the arrival of John T. Case, sent by the company to take command, when he was taken sick, but afterward recovered.
The Porter lay here for some time, in charge of Case, who guarded her by night, while a watchman on the bank, in a hut, guarded her by day. She was an object of great interest and curiosity, and, after having been disinfected, was visited by many who thought there was no danger, and in a very short time a number of these persons were taken with the yellow fever. The first to die in the city were two men who had been employed to clean the boat. The fever also commenced spreading among other families living near where the boat was anchored. The following is a list of the victims of the dread disease: Shepard Sheldon and James T. Myers, (the two first cases) ; Wellington Blazer, Mrs. J. J. Blazer, William Walker, Grant 'Walker, Laing Walker, Alice Walker, C. J. Brothers, Mrs. C. J. Brothers, James Brown, Mrs. Charles Forth, Mrs. Samuel H. Morton, Clay-tort Coffman, Charles Dehlman, William Buck, Joseph Martin, Hugh Plymale, senior, Mrs. Elizabeth Brothers, Simon Gibson, Richard Blazer, Max Harger, Mrs. Max Harger, William Hull, Mrs. Margaret Beard, Caroline Davis, W. J. Holcomb, J. W. Skinner, Sarah Kerns, 'S. B. Curry, George D. Curry, Margaret Brown, Thomas Gibson, Mrs. Claudius Roberts and Mrs. Captain A. M. Halliday —thirty-five in all. Besides these there were many other cases that recovered.
During this reign of terror, that occupied but a few weeks, there was an almost total suspension of business—hotels were closed, hundreds fled from the town, the streets were almost deserted, and the only chance of egress ws by private conveyance. Fires of coal tar were kept burning night and day at the corners of all the principal streets, and at each of the roads entering into the town, and all people from the afflicted region were compelled to submit to fumigation. Happily, several brisk frosts occurred early, which broke the epidemic.
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - XIX
In the meantime, until September 13th, the Porter and barges remained anchored two or three miles below. On this morning, a heavy rise in the river, accompanied by a heavy drift, broke all loose. Drs. Needham and Vance were on the steamer at the time, disinfecting her, and they succeeded in fastening her, but the barges were carried away. The Porter, now being declared freed from all taint of fever, a new crew was advertised for, and at Gallipolis and Mid dleport one was obtained! and the boat was supplied at Gallipolis warf. Crowds went to see the ill-fated steamer that had brought such desolation, but few ventured on board. As soon as possible she started down the river after the barges, securing all but three. The barge Mingo, which cost the company $5,000, was so badly infected that it was impossible to purify it, and it was burned by Captain Porter, just above Cincinnati. The two other lost barges were destroyed by the frightened people along the shores.
Thus ended the first and only visitation of yellow fever at Gallipolis, and it Will long be remembered. It cost the town and county thousands of dollars, carried away, almost entire, some of the most respected families, and for a period of about six weeks, put a stop to all business.
OHIO TOWNSHIP.
This township has the longest river frontage of any in the county, the Ohio river margin extending nearly eleven miles—the entire extent of its eastern and southern boundary. The soil is fertile, and well adapted to the growth of most all kinds of grain, which is raised to considerable extent.
There are sixteen full sections, and eleven fractional sections of land, the latter bordering upon the Ohio river. The hills fronting the river contain a fine stratum of coal, which is being quite extensively mined in the vicinity of Samples Landing, on the river. At onetime considerable iron ore was manufactured, but no attention has been given to this for many years. Charles Small, who owns and works one of the coal banks, has recently discovered a valuable vein of fire clay, two miles below the village of Bladensburg, which is soon to be developed.
The township was organized November 6th, 1804, and the first meeting held at the house of Captain Joseph Miller, February 18th, 1805, for election purposes. By the census of 1880 it had a population of 1,429.
The most important of its small streams is Swan creek, which rises in the northwest part of the township, in the north part of section five; its length is about eight miles, running some distance east, then almost directly south, emptying into the Ohio river. Horse creek, Sugar creek, Double creek and Big creek are small streams within the township.
In the year 1800, George and John Waugh first came, and settled at the mouth of Swan creek. The names of Timothy Hobbs, E. Belomy, David Blake and Daniel Campbell, are also given as among the early settlers. A man named Yount built the first cabin, but the first house of any note was built by John Sloan. The first marriage was that of Jane, a daughter of George Waugh, to Cornelius Cannady. The first child born was Ephraim, a son of Timothy Hobbs. An election was held at an early day in the Hobbs school house, near the mouth of Swan creek, and Timothy Hobbs and John Swindler were the first elected justices of the peace.
In 1803 Thomas Hannan erected a grist mill on Swan creek, built of logs, and containing one run of stones.
The first school was taught by a man named Richardson, in what was known as the Hobbs school house, near the mouth of Swan creek. The building was erected in 1802, of round logs, and they used slab benches for seats. They now have eight well appointed school buildings in the township, and each school has a good attendance.
The first postoffices established in the township were Swan Creek,•Alexander Campbell, postmaster, and South Newcastle, kept by George House. The present offices are Bush's Mill and Swan Creek.
At Hobbs school house, before mentioned, in an early day, Elder John Lee, of the Baptist church, held services. The first church organization was the Methodist Episcopal, which was established in 1831, Rev. Webster, a circuit minister,' officiating. Among the first members were Mrs. Henry Hannan, James Guthrie, Mrs. George Campbell, J. King and wife, E. King and wife, and Mrs. Henry Campbell.
THOMAS HANNAN AND "THE HANNAN TRACE."
Thomas Hannan (grandfather of Dr. William F. Hannan, now living in Ohio township, at the mouth of Swan creek), was born in Shenandoah county, West Virginia, about the year 1759. With a party of young men from that section he came to the mouth of the Kanawha river and joined the forces under General Lewis, engaging in the battle with the Indians at Point Pleasant in 1774. He remained in the fort at the latter point for a time, experiencing a number 'of encounters with the Indians, and entered the service of the United States, as a volunteer, in the revolutionary war, when about seventeen years of age. Being a skillful boatman, he entered what was known as the "row-galley" service—doing duty by water of about the same nature as was assigned to couriers or messengers by land— carrying despatches and messages, and engaged in secret service. He was stationed most of the time during the war at Hampton Roads, and other points in Virginia, and his position was a responsible and dangerous one.
Soon after the close of the war he married, and a few years afterward returned to the Ohio river, accompanied by his family, and lived in the fort at Point Pleasant for a number of years. While here he rendered valuable service against the Indians, and soon celebrated as a scout and hunter. He became a companion and warm friend of Daniel Boone, and they, in company with Robert Safford, James Burford, Andrew Friend, Vanbibber and others hunted game and trapped on Raccoon creek and other streams, and became a terror to the Indians of the vicinity. The scenes of their early adventures extend over southeastern Ohio, West Virginia, the Kanawha Valley, and for miles along the Ohio river and its confluent streams. Hannan's oldest son (a mere lad at that time), accompanied them on many of their expeditions, and his courage and good judgment so impressed Boone that he prevailed upon the father to allow young Hannan to accompany him to Kentucky, where he remained for two or three years, during which time he became his constant companion, and was with him in his celebrated scouting expeditions throughout Southern Ohio, and up to Lake Erie, an account of which is given in histories of the State.
His family, becoming tired of life in the fort, in the spring of 1786 he came to the head of Green Bottoms, on the West Virginia side of the Ohio, nearly opposite the mouth of Swan creek, where he erected a strong log cabin, and planted a field of corn. While building the cabin and planting his corn his family continued to live at the fort, whither he frequently went in his canoe and remained over night. He had two white men and two negroes in his employ—two to keep guard against a surprise from the Indians while the others labored, planting the corn with a mattock and grub hoe. In the fall of that year, when the corn was sufficiently ripened to admit of grinding, by use of the tin grater (an old fashioned contrivance made of tin, perforated with holes, over which the corn on the cob was rubbed into meal—the only available "grist mill" at that time), Mr. Hannan went to gather it, moving his family into the house, which was then ready for them.
Their house was well protected against Indian attacks, and they met with little trouble from that source, probably for the reason that Mr. Hannan's skill as an Indian fighter and marksman was well known to them. At this time he was the only settler on that side of the Ohio, from Point Pleasant to the present town of Greenupsburgh, Kentucky—Daniel Boone being his nearest neighbor in that direction. His freedom from any disastrous attacks from the Indians encouraged others to venture out from the forts and make the same attempt, as life there had become terribly tedious to them. Thus, a number of families, in the spring and fall of 1787, settled along the river, as far as Greenupsburgh, Kentucky, but they suffered greatly at the hands of the Indians, and many families were annihilated by them. This checked the settlement df the country somewhat, but in 1798 the emigrants from the east came and settled in such great numbers that roads and ferries soon became a necessity.
In answer to this demand Thomas Hannan, who, from his thorough knowledge of the country, was the man best fitted for the duty, in the summer of 1800 proceeded to the block-house on the Kanawha river, near the mouth of Coal river, and marked out what was afterward known as the " Hannan Trace " through the wilderness to Chillicothe, Ohio. The trace was made by blazing or marking the trees with the deep cut of an ax, and, starting at the mouth of Coal river, on the Kanawha, it went to the head of Green Bottoms, on the Ohio. By crossing the country in this manner, instead of proceeding down the Kanawha, several miles travel was saved. Taking up the trace at a point just below the mouth of Swan creek, opposite the point at which he struck the Ohio, he continued it, via Jackson, Jackson county, to Chillicothe. After completing the labor of making the trace, Mr. Hannan established a ferry across the Ohio at the mouth of Swan creek—the first one located between Greenupsburgh, Kentucky, and many miles above Point Pleasant It was started in 1802, and he continued to run it until about 1832, when he turned it over to his son Henry, who had located upon Swan creek in 1819. For many years this trace, and the ferry, was a part of the traveled route from Eastern Virginia to the interior of Ohio, and the ferry business became very lively. This continued until the turnpike was built down the Kanawha to Point Pleasant, when the route was changed via the latter place and Gallipolis, to Jackson.
Much of the old trace is now a well-traveled road, but where it went over some of the steep hills, especially near the Ohio river, the route was changed to avoid them. Along some of the high ridges, where the timber still remains undisturbed, can be seen the marks of the ax in the trees, cut eighty-two years since. The ferry was discontinued many years ago.
GUYAN TOWNSHIP.
This is the extreme southern township of the county. It has twenty- eight full and two fractional sections of land—the Ohio river cutting off the southeast corner of the township. Its population in 1880 was 2,277, being an increase of 998 during the preceding ten years. It was organized December 4th, 1826, and the first election was held at the house of John Swindler, on section sixteen, the first Monday in April, 1827, at which eleven votes were cast. Among the first officers elected were Elijah Fowler and John Swindler, justices of the peace ; Henry Swindler, constable and trustee ; Samuel Holley, trustee, and Guy Fry, one of the ministerial trustees.
The surface is very broken, some of the hills being quite high. The soil is very productive, and mostly a black loam, adapted for grazing purposes and raising all kinds of grain, and the cultivation of tobacco is recently receiving great attention. Iron ore and limestone are found in considerable quantities in the hills, but it has not yet been developed. Fine strata of
XX -HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
coal are also found, and in the neighborhood of Saundersville, a small village near the Lawrence county line, a vein four feet thick is being successfully worked for home consumption. Fine farms and farm buildings are seen all over the township, presenting a neat, tidy and thrifty appearance.
The first cabin was erected in 1814, by William Garlick and E. Hobbs, who settled at the present site of Crown City. A settlement was also made at an early date on Indian Guyan creek, at the mouth of Little creek.
Among the early settlers were William Sheets, James Brumfield, William Johnson, John Williams, John Brumfield, Elijah Fowler, William Fowler, John and Brice Henry, John Sheets, J. Johnson, Samuel Holley, Henry Radford, A. Chapman, John Swindler, Humphrey Brumfield, John Bay, Hugh Clark and Frances Blake. The latter was born in the block-house at Marietta, and had the honor of being the first female child born in the state, and married Mr. Wheeler.
The first child born in the township was supposed to be Mr. Blankenship. The first marriage was that of Seth Chase to Anna Garlick, the ceremony being performed by Elijah Fowler, justice of the peace. In those days they advertised, in lieu of obtaining a license.
Big Indian Guyan creek takes its rise in Harrison, and enters this township from the north, runs west of south, and passes out at section twenty- five. Williams creek, Georges creek, Rocky Fork and Johns creek, are small streams within the township.
In 1816 William Janson built a grist-mill, of logs, on Indian Guyan creek, which contained one set of stones and was run by water. In 1820 he attached to it a saw-mill.
The first school was taught at an early day by Elijah Fowler, in a small log 'cabin which stood one-half mile west of Crown City. The first building erected for school purposes was built of logs, in 1816, near the mouth of Georges creek. There are now twelve good frame school houses in the township, and the schools are well attended.
Mercersville was the first post-office, kept by Joseph N. Larry. There are now five in the township—Mercersville, Crown City, Saundersville, Chapman's Mill and Yaho.
Rev. John Lee, a Baptist minister, preached at the house of John Swindler at an early day, and a religious society (Baptist), was formed on Indian Guyan creek in 1832; among the first members were Elijah Fowler and John Henry. There are now nine church organizations in the township—three Missionary Baptists, with two houses of worship ; two regular Baptist organizations, one of which owns a church building; one Methodist Episcopal, with frame church edifice, at Crown City; the United Brethren have two organizations, and two buildings, one of which is in Mercerville. One of the Baptist churches is also Situated here, and one Camelite organizati6n, with church building. There was a Sabbath school organized in 1840, by Mr. Holley, and one at Mercerville in 1849, by John Clark and H. R. Jones. There are now four Sunday schools in the township.
The village of Crown City is located in the southeastern part of the township, upon the Ohio river. It was laid out by Hiram Rankins, assisted by Vincent Daley. In 1880 it had a population of
248.
Mercerville is a small village, located in section twelve, in the northeastern part of .the township.
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
This township is situated near the southeastern part of the county. It contains sixteen full sections and nine fractional sections, which latter are located along the Ohio river, the margin of which stream, through the township, is 498 chains. The surface is generally rough and hilly, but the soil is fertile, and fine farms are found in every part of the township, especially along the Ohio river and Raccoon creek. The 'township is noted for the large quantity and excellence of the fruit grown. Its timber is -different varieties of oak, hickory and poplar, with some pine. -
Raccoon creek enters front the west, takes a crooked course south of east, emptying into the Ohio river at a point a little north of the center of its margin in the township, just below Raccoon island. Long Run has a southeast course, across the north part of the township, emptying into the Ohio. Fullers Run, Darrells Run and Teens Run are small streams which rise within the township, and, running eastward, empty into the Ohio. Swan creek enters from the south, and, taking a crooked course to the southwest corner of the township, makes its exit again into Ohio township.
Among the first who came to settle in the township were Harley Sage, Joseph Hazelett, John Day, Phillip Cubbage, Ruben Hay and B. Angel, and a settlement was finmed on Raccoon bottom, Harley Sage taking the lead, \rho built a cabin in 1797, and shortly afterward pursued his trade as a blacksmith.
The township was organized December 6th, 1830, and the first election was held at the house of Edward Cottrell, on Raccoon creek. In 1880 it had a population of 1,507.
The first marriage of which there is any record, was that of Solomon Johnson to Mrs. Miller (a widow), in 1818. David Trotter, justice of the peace, also solemnized the marriage of David Lasky and Nancy Cottrell, at ail early (late.
John Ward, John Davis, N. Davis, James Riggs, Edward and Elijah Cottrell, John Nisbett, Henry Angel, George Northup, Giles Herrington, Ephraim Earwood, William Littleton, Samuel Cole and Henry Kinder were among the early settlers of the township.
The following is a list of the first township officers: Nehemiah Davis and David Trotter, justices of the peace ; William Golden, clerk ; John Gibson, George Northup, Melvin Lowrey, trustees; John D. Williams, constable.
A grist-mill was erected in 1820 by Dooner and Booth, and soon afterward, one by Edward Cottrell. They were both frame buildings, and contained one run of stone. Samuel Campbell built a saw-mill in 1815, to which the first mentioned grist mill was attached.
There was a school, taught by E. Patton, in a hewed log building which was erected near the mouth of Raccoon creek in 1815. This was the first attempt at school teaching in the township. There are now ten fine frame school buildings scattered through the township, where good teachers are conducting well-attended schools, and much interest is manifested in the subject of education.
A postoffice was established, at a very early date, upon Raccoon island, situated in the Ohio river, at the mouth of Raccoon creek, kept by John Davis. There are at present three in the township, viz : Eureka, Thivenir and Clipper Mills.
Religious services were held as early as the year 1817, and in 1833 a Methodist Episcopal society was formed, at the house of James Riggs, on Raccoon bottoms, by Rev. Elijah Fields. Among its first members were Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Cubbage, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, H. Kinder, J. Riggs and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Welsh. The first Methodist Episcopal society occupied a brick building, which they erected in 1834, 20x40 feet in size, unplastered, with two fire places, and seated with slab benches. A Baptist society was formed at the house of Ruben Hayes, on Raccoon bottoms, in the year 1828, and the first sermon was preached by Rev. John Lee. The following were among the first members : Mrs. Margaret Hay, Mrs. John Day, George Waugh and wife, John Davis and wife, and Daniel Beck and wife.
There are now three Methodist Episcopal societies in the township, all occupying good church buildings. Also one Baptist society and one Christian church, owning and occupying comfortable buildings. There is also a Camelite society, which has no church edifice.
A Sabbath school was established in 1835, by Melvin Lowrey, and Cecelia Davis was one of the first teachers.
CHAMBERSBURG.
This is a thriving village, situated upon the Ohio river. It was laid out in 1852, by John Chambers, and in 1880 had a population of 202. There are several saw-mills and planing-mills in the village, but the principal business is boat-building, which is carried on to quite an extent. It has a flourishing Methodist Episcopal church society, and a well-conducted school, also a Masonic lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows society, and Independent Lodge of Forresters.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
This township was first laid out December 10th, 1812, and organized March 6th, 1816. It contains thirty full sections of land, which have a broken and hilly surface. The soil is generally black loam, which is very productive, and grain of all kinds is raised in considerable qtiantities; much of the land is also excellent for grazing purposes. The township- is covered with well-improved farms, which have neat and commodious buildings. The citizens are industrious and enterprising and greatly interested in educational matters. The timber is sugar maple, white oak, beech, hickory, black walnut, black locust, poplar and lynn. .Coal is found in the hills, which is mined to some extent, but entirely for home consumption. Iron ore, limestone and sandstone also crop out, but no attempt is being made to develop it. The population, in 1880, was 1,426.
Big Raccoon creek runs through the northeast corner, southeasterly, through section twelve. Big Bull Skin creek rises in the extreme northern part of Guyan township, and running north, through the easterly part of Harrison township, turns east into Clay, and empties into the. Big Raccoon. Little Bull Skin rises in the southwest part of the township,. and running -nearly northeast, joins with Big Bull Skin. Big Clay Lick rises in section twenty-six, runs nearly north, and empties into Big Raccoon. Little Clay Lick rises near the center of the township, runs nearly north, then west, and empties into Big Clay Lick. There are a number of smaller streams that take their rise in the township. Along Big Clay Lick are excellent bottom lands of great width, and some along Big Bull Skin.
The first settlement was made in 1806. Among the early settlers were Frederick Bickel, Benjamin Williams, William Littleton, John Roadarmour, Henry Trion, Isaac Dewitt, William Carter, Jacob Laucks, Vernon Northup, James McCall, Elijah Howell, William Trotter, Jefferson Porter, George Waugh, John Day, William Smith, George Little, Charles Ward, Gilbert Gibson, John Dewitt, Solomon Baster, John Baster, Daniel Baster, Jonathan Baster, Stephen Martin, and Elkanah Cremeens. The first child born in the township was Haiinah,- a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Dewitt. Among the first township officers elected was William Trotter, a justice-of the peace.
About the year 1845, c4eorge Waugh erected the first grist-mill. It was built on Raccoon creek, and run by water power. Ten years later the first saw-mill was built by Cornelius Waugh, which was also run by water, upon Big Bull Skin creek.
In 1835 James McCall taught a school composed of about twenty-five scholars, in an old house owned by him, and from which he had recently removed his family to a better residence. It was located on
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - XXI
Clay Lick, and furnished with seats made of small logs split in halves, and legs inserted in the ends. The first building erected for school purposes was the Smith school house, in 1830, built on Martin's branch, of round logs, containing a five foot fire-place, and split logs for seats, and the windows were small openings covered with oiled paper. There are now nine neat frame school houses in the township, painted white, and comfortably furnished. The attendance is as follows : District No. 1, 91 ; No. 2, 45; No. 3, 77 ; No. 4, 65 ; No. 5, 43 ; No. 6, 86 ; No. 7, 50; No. 8, 43 ; No. 9, 39.
The first postoffice was located on Big Bull Skin creek, and was kept by Cornelius Holley, postmaster. The present offices within the township are: Leaper postoffice, on Big Bull Skin creek ; Moody, on Little Bull Skin ; and Lincoln, situated on the Ironton and Gallipolis mail route; mail three times per week.
In 1831 Rev. John Strait, a Baptist minister, preached the Gospel at the houses of different citizens along Clay Lick creek. He was a man who accomplished great good, and was very highly respected in the community. Reverend Strait died at the advanced age of 104 years and 3 Months. His habits through life were such that he was quite vigorous in his old age. Upon his one-hundredth birthday he preached a sermon at the McCall school house, on Clay Lick, which made a lasting impression on the minds of the large number who assembled to listen to him. His chosen text was, " I am the way." In 1833 he organized a Baptist society at the residence of John Baster, on Big Bull Skin creek. Among the first members were Abigail Phelps, Ledocia Strait, Martha McCall, Hiram Dewitt, Barney Dewitt, Andrew Kerr, Henry Tillinger, and Moses Cremeens. Soon afterward a Missionary Baptist church and a Methodist Episcopal were organized. There are now four churches established in the township, viz : the Mount Carmel Methodist Episcopal, Macedonian Disciple Baptist, Hopewell Missionary Baptist, and Mount Pleasant United Brethren church. There is a flourishing Sunday-school connected with each of them.
On the farm of Charles Stuart, in section thirty-three, is located a poplar tree twenty-three and one-half feet in circumference. There is a sulphur spring upon the place whose water contains valuable medi?inal qualities, and which never runs dry.
ANN BAILEY
So interesting and romantic was the life of the subject of this sketch (a resident of Harrison township), many of whose descendants are now living here, that a brief reference to it can very appropriately be introduced. Her maiden name was Hennis. She was born at Liverpool, England, married Richard Trotter, at the age of thirty, and came with him to the American colonies ; both, on account of poverty, being " sold out" to service, according to custom, for the payment of the passage money, to a gentleman in Augusta county, Virginia. Having served him for the stipulated time, they became settlers. In the summer of 1774, Richard Trotter was a volunteer among the forces of Lord Dunmore, governor of Virginia, and accompanied the division under General Lewis, who was ordered to march to the junction of the Great Kanawha with the Ohio river, now the town of Point Pleasant. Before they could prepare proper defenses they were attacked by the Indians in large force, and, although they succeeded in repulsing the enemy, it was at the sacrifice of many lives, among them Richard Trotter. From the time of her husband's death, a strange, wild spirit seemed to possess the widow, who frequently expressed her hatred of the Indians, and her determination for revenge. She immediately abandoned the natural pursuits of a woman, but practiced with the rifle and tomahawk, rode about the country attending every muster of soldiers, and dressed in a hunting shirt, moccasins and leggins. She married a man by the name of Bailey, and several years afterward followed a party of soldiers sent to garrison a fort on the Great Kanawha, where Charleston is now located. Here she soon became renowned foi her skill with the rifle, and frequently acted as messenger between the fort and Point Pleasant. Her almost constant companion was her well-trained horse, which she named " Liverpool." Upon one of these excursions, being hotly pursued by the Indians, and in danger of capture, she slipped off her steed and sought refuge in a hollow sycamore log, the horse pursuing his onward course. The enemy soon came, leaping over the log in which she was concealed, and continued on the track of the horse, upon whose back they supposed she was still riding. When darkness approached, she in turn followed the Indians, and coming upon them while wrapped in slumber, took possession of her horse, which they had captured, and, leaping upon his back, sped on her way, arousing the enemy as she disappeared in the darkness with a triumphant shout.
The commander of the fort at Charleston received the news one day of a meditated attack from the Indians in force. This caused an examination of their stock of supplies, and to their consternation it was discovered that they were nearly out of powder. To obtain a supply necessitated a journey of many miles, through a country infested by cruel savages, and not a man in the fort could be 'found who was willing to risk his life in the venture. As soon as the facts became known to Mrs. Bailey, she fitted herself out in appropriate style, and mounting her faithful " Liverpool," rode boldly forth from the fort, and started upon the perilous mission without a moment's hesitation or a tremor of fear. She was seen by the Indians near the fort, but skillfully evaded them, and when darkness overtook her was many miles upon her iournev. To avoid the danger of an attack from wild beasts or venomous serpents, which were numerous, she
constructed a bed of poles placed in the ground, with forked ends, well elevated in which she laid cross-pieces, and on them placed green boughs. Reclining upon this rudely constructed, but luxurious couch, she was lulled to sleep by the savage cries of the denizens of the forest. One hundred and forty miles she rode, swimming streams and skillfully avoiding straggling bands of Indians, arriving safely at Camp Union, now Lewisburg, when, making known her errand, she was provided with an extra horse, fully laden; then she hastened on her return, arriving, after an exceedingly perilous journey, with her supplies to Charleston. The fort could not have been saved without the timely arrival of the ammunition, as the attack was made the next day, and the Indians were repulsed.
After the trouble with the Indians was over, Mrs. Bailey still retained her singular habits, spending much of her time hunting wild game and fishing. She received the name of " Mad Ann Bailey," on account of her eccentricities, which were regarded with great indulgence by the people, on account of the valuable services she had rendered during the war. Mad Ann" and her horse "Liverpool" were known far and wide, and wherever they went were greeted with gifts and smiles of welcome.
When her son came to Ohio, where he owned a large body of land, she came with him, and lived in Harrison township. She enjoyed solitude, and spent most of her time alone, but the neighbors would frequently gather about her and induce her to relate the story of her adventures. Her death occurred in 1825, when she was aged nearly 120 years. Her burial place is on a hill near her son's residence. She should have a monument of enduring granite erected in some appropriate spot.
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
This township is situated in the geological formation belonging to the carboniferous age. It contains thirty-eight full sections of land and is the largest township in the county. The land is very rough, but, for the most part, fertile, and it is cultivated by a thrifty and industrious class of people. The central part is settled largely by a class of Germans who are noted for their skill in farming. The timber is of fine quality, but growing scarce. Sandstone rock abounds along the streams, and immense quantities of limestone and iron ore is found in the hills, but yet undeveloped, excepting in the quarrying of stone to a limited extent. Veins five to seven feet thick, of the best hard coal in the State, (according to the report of the State Geologist,) are found, underlying thousands of acres. It is being quite extensively worked in the southwest part of the township, in the vicinity of Waterloo, Lawrence county, A new railroad is surveyed and soon to be built, from Portsmouth to Gallipolis, through this rich coal country, which will probably be extended from Cincinnati to Pittsburg. In 1880, the township had a population of 1,892.
The first actual settler in the township was Henry McDaniel, who came in 1808, and built a cabin in section six, on Symmes creek, near the mouth of Camp creek. His son, Ephraim McDaniel, was the first child born in the township. Among other early settlers were John Louis, Giles Herrington, John Carter, Thomas Clark, Walter Neal, John Peoples, J. McDaniel, Charles Neal, John Lounds, William Williams, William Null, W. Long, Samuel Boggs and Alexander McDaniel.
The township was organized April 13, 1819, and the first election was held on Sand Fork creek, when Henry McDaniel and Thomas Clark were elected justices of the peace.
Symmes creek is a large stream, averaging fifty yards in width, in the township. It enters section five from Perry township at the north, takes a crooked course southwesterly, across the northwest corner of the township, through section twelve, into Lawrence county, emptying into the Ohio river. Very fertile bottom lands exist along this stream, which are in a high state of cultivation. Sand Fork enters the southeast part of the township, in section thirty-five, runs sluggishly northward, through the eastern part, enters Perry township from section three and empties into Symmes creek. This stream also contains very rich, well cultivated bottom lands, and is noted for being the creek on which most of the old settlers located.
In 1812, John Cornton erected a grist mill, built of logs, containing one run of stone, which was located upon Symmes creek and run by water. In 1818, he added to it a saw mill.
Robert Armstrong, Mr. Petty, Thomas Ray and Jacob Bosworth taught school, commencing in 1818, in a round log building near Henry Mc- Daniel's place. In 1822, the first building was erected for school purposes, about one mile south of where Sylvester McDaniel now lives. It was made of round logs, with a puncheon floor and oiled paper windows. There are at present twelve substantial frame school buildings in the township, and the schools are well attended.
The first postoffice established was Flag Springs office, kept by Charles Neal. There are now four located in the township, viz : McDaniels, Boggs, Sand Fork and Sprinkle's Mills.
In 1817, religious services were held at the residence of Walter Neal, on Symmes creek, conducted by William Kent, a Methodist minister. Also, the same year, at the residence of Charles Neal, sermons were delivered by Rev. John Lee, a Baptist minister. The first religious society organized was a Methodist Episcopal, at the residence of Benjamin Smith Among its first members were Benjamin McDaniel and wife, Benjamin Smith and wife, James McDaniel and wife, and John Ray and wife. The second society was organized at Flag Springs. There are now eight church buildings in the township, which are nearly all frame and in good condition; Methodist, Baptist and the Christian orders perdominate.
XXII - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
The first Sabbath-school in the township was organized in 1825, by John McDaniels. There are now seven, viz: Flag Springs, Sand Fork, Olive, Bethesda, Mount Zion, Pleasant Valley and Fairview.
Flag Springs is noted for being the nucleus of the early population, and the center from which they extended to every part of the township. Representatives from this point are to be found in nearly every State in the Union.
John Lewis, one of the early settlers, made the first saltpetre, and sold it as an article of merchandise.
CHOLERA EPIDEMIC OF 1849.
As a matter of historical interest, it is proper to give an account of the terrible visitation of cholera which occurred in 1849. In the summer of that year, William Martt, of Walnut township, assisted in moving a family in Lawrence county, and returning home was taken sick early in July. He lingered in his illness for over a week, and his friends and neighbors kindly assisted in the care of him. It was not until it had spread to the families of all those who had been exposed, that the disease was discovered to be cholera of the most malignant type. The first victim to the dread disease was William Clark, who died after an illness of about four hours. The death of his wife and daughter quickly followed. The local physicians were inexperienced and unable to cope with the fearful epidemic, which spread rapidly.
To Mr. Middleswarth, a farmer of Clay township, is due the credit of checking and finally subduing the terrible scourge. Although unskilled in medicine, he had previously obtained a recipe for the cure of the cholera from a physician at New Orleans, and being a skillful nurse, he volunteered and did good service among the sick.
At one time, eight of Mr. Martt's family, including himself, were lying dead in the house, and five of them were buried in one grave, as assistance could not be obtained to dig a sufficient number. Owing to the inability to obtain coffins, many were buried without them. An excitement such as is seldom witnessed in any community fora time prevailed, and all who had been exposed expected to die. During the space of two weeks there were about one hundred cases in Walnut and the adjoining township of Harrison, thirty-seven of which were fatal, and the agonizing anxiety for the safety of the lives of dear ones in the minds of the people of the little community can be better imagined than described.
The epidemic was confined to a radius of about four miles. There is nothing in the locality that should have caused its appearance, only in the manner described, as it is exceedingly healthy, and nothing of the kind had ever occurred before or has been experienced since.
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
This township contains thirty-six full sections of land, and was set off from Gallipolis township and organized June 12th, 1809. September 4th, the same year, a part of Raccoon township was added to Green. The surface in the southern and eastern parts is hilly, and the center and northwestern parts are quite level. The soil is mostly very productive, and well improved farms are seen in all parts of the township. Considerable attention has been given to the raising of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs—more than in any other part of the county. The timber is oak, pine, poplar, hickory, walnut, chestnut, sugar-maple, and cherry.
Raccoon creek is the principal stream, which takes a very erratic course across the southwest corner of the township. Clear Fork rises in section five, runs west of- south and empties into Raccoon. The west branch of Chickamauga creek rises in section twenty-tour, and runs east, through the northeastern part. North and south 'branches, Mud creek, are small streams which rise and run westward, through the west part of the township, into Perry, emptying into Raccoon.
The history of this township is closely allied to that of Gallipolis, from the territory of which it was taken, and a full sketch of the early settlement of the latter is given in these pages. The first actual settler in Green township was Frederick Kerns, who located upon what is now known as the Warren Hulbert titin, and erected a cabin there at an early date. John, a son of Frederick and Susannah Kerns, was the first child born in the township. Among the early settlers may also be mentioned Alexander, John, and James Waddell, Samuel Boggs, Abraham Hutsinpiller, Abraham and John Rader, and Abraham Blessing. The first election was held at the house of Nicholas Thevenin, June 24th, 1809, who was at that time elected a justice of the peace.
In 1810 Robert Saffimd built the first grist mill; it was a frame building and run by horsepower. Nicholas Thevenin, in 1816, erected the first saw-mill on the banks of Big Raccoon creek.
In 1816 a school was taught in a log cabin located upon the banks of Little Chickamauga creek. It is a matter of uncertainty whether Johannah Safibrd or Matthew Waddell was the first teacher. The schoolhouse was built in the most primitive style; the door was constructed of riven boards, the cleats were of half-round poles, an extension of which formed the hinges, and wooden pills were substituted fbr nails; the windows were openings in the bars covered with oiled paper. There are now thirteen school-houses within the township - eleven fine frame buildings for white scholars, and one frame and one log building for colored - and the schools are all well attended, illustrating the interest the citizens take in the subject of education.
There are two postoffices now established in the township—Rodney, which was the first one located, and Northup.
Religious services were first held in the house of one of the Waddells, in 1818, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Jacob Delay, a Methodist minister He formed a Methodist society at that time, of which Alexander, James, and John Waddell and Benjamin Mills were among the first members. Alexander Waddell, here spoken of, was the one for whom the church was named—" Alexander Church." Mr. Waddell was a man of considerable celebrity, and a brief sketch of his life is given in this history. The second church was organized in what is now called the McCormick settlement. The third is called the Centenary Church, located about three and one-half miles west from Gallipolis. There are now six Methodist Episcopal church societies in the township; five of them occupying substantial frame buildings, and one, located at Rodney, a brick. The ministers are Rev. A. O. Ebright, who resides at Rodney, and Rev. W. H. Gibbins. There are also two colored Baptist societies in the township. All the churches are in a very flourishing condition.
In 1828 Jacob Bosworth organized and superintendefl a Sabbath school. He was a man who was widely known and respected, and accomplished great good in the township. There are now ten flourishing Sabbath schools, all Methodist.
VILLAGES.
The village of Rodney was laid out in 1830, by Henry Coverstone, on section 30, in the northwest part of the township. It is not yet incorporated, and contains one store, blacksmith shop, wagon shop, Methodist Episcopal church, school house, and postoffice. Its population is about 100. The village of Northup is located in the south part of the township, on Raccoon creek. It was laid out by John S. Northup, and the village took the family name.
ALEXANDER WADDELL.
The subject of this brief sketch was born in Scotland, in 1732, and held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church for seventy-two years. He was one of those sturdy, sterling men of the class especially provided by Providence for the country in its time of need. He fought under George Washington, in the war of the revolution, and was also a soldier in the war of 1812. The battle at Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in October, 1774, is acknowledged in fact to be the first one fought in the Revolutionary War, for the reason that England had secured the Indians as allies, and incited them to this action against the American colonists, to distract them from the troubles arising between them, anticipating their defeat, consequent discouragement, and easy subjugation. The result was very different, however, as history records.. In this battle- Alexander Waddell was a participant, and did good service. His descendants in Green township exhibit, with just pride, a powder-horn which he carried upon the above occasion. He died in 1834, and consequently lived one hundred and two years. His remains were placed in a family burial-ground, which was located upon what is now the farm of Warren Hulbert. Upon his tombstone is the following inscription: "A man that fought for liberty, but now his soul doth rest in peace."
JOHN WATTS MCCORMICK
was born in Gallia county, December 20, 1831, and brought up on his father's farm, a part of which he now owns and resides upon ; the farm being situated five miles from Gallipolis, on what is known as the Chillicothe road. He was educated at the universities at Delaware and Athens, Ohio, being considered a close, practical student. He was licensed to preach by the Methodist Conference, in 1860; and was elected elder a few years ago. He was a member of the last Constitutional Convention of Ohio, and has for a number of years taken an active interest in public affairs. July 14, 1882, Mr. McCormick received the nomination for member of Congress from the Republicans of the Eleventh Congressional District, and, as that party has an acknowledged majority, he has a reasonable assurance of being elected.
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
This township contains thirty-six full sections of land. The surface is somewhat hilly, soil clay, which is quite fertile. The farms throughout the township, which are thoroughly cultivated, and contain good farm buildings, give evidence of the thrift of the proprietors, a large portion of whom are Welsh. An interesting sketch of the early settlement of the Welsh in the county will be found in the accompanying history of Raccoon township. The timber of Perry township is white oak, hickory, pine, sugar maple, black walnut, and considerable buckeye along the streams. There are some thin veins of coal found in the hills in the vicinity of Poplar Knob, which is mined for home consumption to a limited extent.
In 1803, Andrew Friend came to this township and built a cabin on Big Raccoon creek, three miles from the present village of Patriot. He was a squatter and roving hunter, and in the winter of 1814 he killed three hundred and sixty deer and five bears. He drew the second county order for scalps - nine dollars for three, on September 1st, 1806 - his companion, James Burford, the same day drawing three dollars for the first Friend occupied a cave on Dirty Face Creek, at an early date, in Greenfield township, which is called “Friend’s Rock House,” and another in
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - XXIII
Walnut township. This noted hunter made all his own powder by burning sumack into charcoal, then adding saltpetre and brimstone and grinding them in a mortar. In early times, he supplied a large portion of the settlers with game. Andrew Friend married Elizabeth Peragen, and their daughter, Mary, (who married Anthony Boggs) was the first child born in the township. The first marriage was that of Hannah Friend (Miss Mary's elder sister) to Samuel Allison.
The following were among the earliest settlers of the township : Alexander Boggs, Abraham Beaver, John Smith (1812); Robert Armstrong (1811) ; Elijah Carter, Jacob Prose (1811) ; Samuel Allison, Jacob Road- amour, Stephen Gates, John Prose, (1811) ; Leonard Weis, Jonathan Danner, Michael Danner, James Porter, Paul Prose (father to Jacob and John), Joshua Ripley (1810) ; Daniel Prose, George Smith and John Campbell. Stephen Gates (mentioned above) was a recruiting officer during the war of 1812, for soldiers to go to Lake Erie, under Oliver H. Perry.
Perry township was organized March 4th, 1816, and in 1880 had a population of 1,329. The first election was held at the house of Stephen Gates, April 1st, 1816, and from the township records it is found that Norman McLeod was appointed chairman ; Stephen Gates and Andrew E. Boggs, judges, and Robert Armstrong, clerk, who severally took the oath of office, according to the laws in such cases made and provided, and after the ballots were counted out, the undernamed persons were declared truly elected to the different offices Supervisors, John Bradburn, Stephen Gates, Jacob Roadamour, Henry McDaniel, Isham Garrison, John Lewis ; constables, Ignatius Bradburn, Benjamin Harborn ; treasurer, Samuel Boggs ; appraisers of property, Stephen Gates, Ignatius Bradburn ; fence viewers, Andrew E. Boggs, Elijah Carter ; justice of the peace, Stephen Gates. The number of votes cast at this election was twenty-four.
Big Raccoon creek enters the north line of this township from Perry, in the center of section two, runs south, through sections eleven, fourteen and twenty-three, thence east, through twenty-four, whence it flows through Green, Harrison and Clay townships, emptying into the Ohio river. Symmes creek enters this township from Greenfield in section eighteen, takes a crooked southeasterly course, across the southwest part of the township into Walnut, thence southwesterly into Lawrence county, emptying into the Ohio river. Sand Fork enters the south line of the township in section thirty-four, from Walnut, runs northwesterly and empties into Symmes creek. Beaver creek enters the township in section four, from Raccoon, takes a southeast course and empties into the Big Raccoon. Fork creek takes its rise in section nine, runs a southeasterly course and empties into the Big Raccoon. North Branch Mud creek enters the east line of the township on section thirteen, from Green, runs southwest, emptying into Big Raccoon. Rocky Fork rises in section thirty-five, runs northeast, across the southeast corner of the township into Green, emptying into Big Raccoon. Trace creek rises in Greenfield township, runs southwest through sections thirty, thirty-one and thirty- two of Perry, emptying into Symmes creek •near its south line.
In 1806, Nehemiah Wood erected a grist mill on Big Raccoon creek, which was built of logs and contained one set of stones, run by water and used for grinding corn. The first miller was William Cheeseman, widely known as a jovial, jolly good fellow. In 1814, the first saw mill was erected by Samuel Rawson. It was a frame building, made of hewn timber and lumber cut with a whip-saw and located on Big Raccoon creek.
At an early day, Robert Armstrong taught a school of about fifteen scholars in a small log cabin located on what is now the farm of Robert Carter. The building had openings covered with oil paper for windows. Wooden pins were used instead of nails, in the construction of the rude furniture used. The first building erected for school purposes was in 1818, upon, what is now the farm of Isaac Fry. It was made of logs and when school was first taught there, no floor had been laid ; the scholars sat upon the stringers, and a pole placed in the chinks between the logs in the corner was the seat of honor, occupied by the teacher. There are now eleven good frame school houses, well furnished, scattered over the township, with schools aggregating a membership of over six hundred.
The first postoffice in the township was called Greenville, but there being another of that name in the State, it was changed to Patriot, by which it is now known. There are three offices now in the township, viz : Patriot, in the southeast part of the township ; Wales, in the northwest part of the township, on section six, and Cora, situated on Big Raccoon creek, near Davies' mills, in section eleven.
The first religious services were held at the house of Andrew Friend, by Elder Fueston, a Missionary Baptist, who was the first minister in Perry township. A society was formed, among the first members of which were the following named persons, and their wives : John Carter, E. Boggs, Abram Brewer, Joshua Ripley, Samuel Boggs, Robert Armstrong, Jacob Prose and John Prose.
The second society organized was at Patriot, and was called Sand Fork church. It was afterward moved to McDaniel's settlement, and is still known by the original name. The denomination is Baptist, and their first minister was Elder Levi McDaniel.
The Welsh church was organized in 1841, by Rev. J. A. Davis. Their church building was erected in 1838. The members of the society were John Jones and Daniel Place, deacons; Mrs. Rodgers, Isaac Jones and wife, Evan Jones and wife, Evan Evans and wife, David Jones, his wife and two children, David Samuel, L. Evans and wife, and Mrs. Richards.
There are six religious societies now organized in the township, all occupying good frame church buildings, viz,: The Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, United Brethren and three Congregational.
The first Sabbath-school was organized by Elder Whitfield, at the houseof Stephen Gates. There is now a flourishing school attached to each of the church organizations in the township, six in all.
THE VILLAGE OF PATRIOT
was organized September 12th, 1827. It is situated about the center, north and south, of the dividing line between sections thirty-four and thirty-five—one-third in the former and two-thirds in the latter—in the southeast part of the township. It was surveyed and laid out by Joseph Fletcher, under the name of Greenville, for Jacob Roadamour and John McDaniel, proprietors, August 29th and 30th, 1827 ; plat recorded September 12th following. The name was changed to Patriot, for the reason that there was another postoffice in the State named Greenville. In 1832, it was incorporated, and Joseph Waddell was the first mayor ; Perry Gates, marshal. The village now has a population of 125, and contains three stores, three blacksmith and wagon shops, two hotels, two shoe shops, two physicians, I. 0. 0. F., Lodge of Free Masons, a fine school house and a flourishing Methodist church. The present village officers are as follows : Samuel Langley, mayor ; Mathew Payne, marshal ; George W. Eochus, clerk ; Marion Carter, street commissioner ; H P Simmerman, treasurer ; Dr. J. Eakins, Dr. Luban Bootor, H. C. Carter, Thomas Davis, John Davis and H. J. Carter, councilmen.
Wales, sometimes called Center Point, is a small village located on section six, in the northwestern corner of the township. It contains one store, one wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, a fine Baptist church and a well appointed school building. There is one physician and one justice of the peace in the village.
The highest hill in Southern Ohio is located a mile northeast of Patriot, and is called Poplar Knob. It is owned by John Bryan, and has a vein of coal six feet in depth which covers an area of forty acres. Banks have been opened in three different places from which is produced an excellent quality of coal, used only for home consumption.
GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.
This is the extreme western township of the county, bounded north by Jackson county, east by Perry township, south by Lawrence county, and west by Lawrence and Jackson counties. It contains thirty full sections, five north and south by six east and west. The surface is somewhat hilly, and the soil is clay and sandy loam ; all good grain land. There is an abundance of iron ore, bituminous coal and limestone in the hills, which is being quite extensively worked. The principal timber is oak, hickory, beech and maple.
Symmes creek, the principal stream, enters the northern part of this township, from Jackson county, runs southwest into Perry township, thence south through Lawrence county, emptying into the Ohio river. Dirty Face creek rises in the southeast part of the township, runs northwest, and empties into Symmes creek. Grassy fork enters the township from Jackson county, runs southwest three-quarters of a mile, and empties into Symmes creek. Black fork also enters from the north, running south about one-half mile, then east, emptying into Dirty Face.
The first to settle in the township were Daniel Faulkner, James Rice (who died at the advanced age of one hundred and twenty years), and Andrew Faulkner. On the 22d of June, 1882, the latter gave an account of his early pioneer recollections to the one appointed to collect and record them for this work, and four days later he had "passed beyond the river," dying suddenly June 26th, 1882. The pioneers first settled at the forks of Symmes creek, Daniel Faulkner building the first cabin, in 1806.
Miss Jennie Faulkner was the first child born in the township; her parents were Daniel Faulkner, a native of Ireland, and Nancy (Dunlap) Faulkner, a native of Scotland. John Kershatt's marriage to Miss Elizabeth Faulkner, at the house of .the bride's parents, was the first in the township.
Among the first of the early settlers, the following names are given, in addition to those above recorded: Philip Lambert, Jerry Lambert, John Shelton, John Acord, Hamilton Harper, John McKenzie, James McMertry, P. Lambert, Vincent Bruce, John Symmes, George Chapman, Obediah Lee, S. Rose, and Thomas Johnson.
The township was organized March 20th, 1818; the first election was held at the house of Michael Shaffer, which then stood one-half mile east of what is now known as Gallia Furnace, and the number of votes polled was eight. Samuel Mertry was first elected a justice of the peace, and Ebenezer Donaldson, constable.
A grist-mill, erected in 1822 by Daniel Faulkner, was the first in the township. It was built of logs, and had one run of stone. In the year 1832 Samuel Hempenstall built a dam across Symmes creek, upon the Hempenstall farm, and erected a saw mill, which he run by water. The building was made of square timber, framed together, and the saw, which was an upright one, was attached to the same shaft as the water-wheel.
Joseph Price taught a school composed of twenty scholars, at an early day, in a building which stood upon what is now known as the James Norman farm. The school house was made of round logs, and oiled paper was pasted over an opening for windows. In 1824 was erected the first building for school purposes, near Center Point, on John Symmes place. There are now ten comfortably appointed school houses, and the schools conducted in each are all well attended.
For a number of years after the township was first settled, the nearest
XXIV - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
postoffice at which mail could be obtained was located in Raccoon township. There is now a postoffice established at Gallia Furnace.
Religious services were first held in a log building, upon Daniel Faulkner's farm, for which object he donated one acre. A colored Baptist, Rev. James Stuart, was the first minister, and he is remembered with feelings of respect, as a thorough Christian, who labored earnestly for the good of the early settlers. Among the original members were Philip Lambert and wife, Mrs. C. Shelton, Minerva Crump, Hannah Shaffer, Michael Shaffer, William Faulkner, Sarah Faulkner, John Symmes and wife, and Mrs. Obediah Lee.
The second church building was erected of round logs, and located on Dirty Face creek, by a party of colored people who came from Tennessee. The third was also a log building, erected in the lower settlement, near John Symmes' farm.
There are now three churches in Greenfield township. The United Brethren church is a hewn log building, situated upon the Shaffer farm. 'The Baptist church building is also of logs, and stands upon the Souder farm, on the Day ridge, about two miles from Gallia Furnace. Its Calvinistic church is a frame building, situated on David Davis' farm, on Dirty Face creek.
Claiborn Shelton first established a Sabbath school in 1833. There are now two union schools established, one still superintended by Claiborn Shelton.
GALLIA FURNACE
is situated upon Dirty Face creek. It was established in 1847, and owned by a stock company which was organized the same year. Its present officers are John Campbell, A. L. Norton, and Joseph Stafford.
The company owns 6,000 aces of land, in which are extensive coal fields, and immense deposits of iron ore and limestone. Their furnace produces iron suitable for car wheels and machinery, and their capacity is three thousand tons a year. The Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Narrow Gauge Railroad runs through the immense coal fields belonging to the company, which have a vein of superior iron smelting coal running through them of four feet in depth. They are preparing to erect a new furnace of larger capacity at an early day, and intend to engage extensively in the shipment of stone coal, iron and limestone. Gallia Furnace is an excellent shipping point, and well located for the establishment of works for the manufacture of agricultural implements, which will probably soon be done. The village was laid out in 1846, and in 1880 had a population of 136.
ADDISON TOWNSHIP.
This township, next north of Gallipolis, contains twenty-two full and eight fractional sections of land. In 1880 it had a population of 1,440, an increase of 100 during the preceding ten years. Its eastern border rests upon the Ohio river, whose margin within the township is six and a-quarter miles. .The surface is very hilly, but there is a large extent of bottom land along Campaign and Little Chickamauga creeks. The soil is a black loam and clay, very productive, and well adapted to grain and grass. Excellent farms, with good buildings, extend throughout the township, evidencing the thrift and industry of the farming community. The principal timber is oak, sugar-maple, pine, beech and hickory.
The first cabin was built about 1795, by Hezekiah Frazer, and the first settlement was on Little Chickamauga creek, near where the Bethel church now stands. Among the earliest settlers were Samuel Rees, who came in 1797; John and William Bing, 1800; John Trackler, 1802; William Charrington, 1805; James Maddy, 1814; McKay Ralston, born in 1815; James W. Maddy and Aaron W. George, 1817; James Martin, 1818; Augustus S. Guthrie, 1832 ; and Samuel H. Gates, 1834. The first child born in the township was William Frazer.-
The township was organized March 3d, 1811. The first election was held at A. Darot's mill, on Campaign creek, at which time Charles Buck was made justice of the peace. William Bing was elected justice of the peace in 1821, receiving twenty-one votes—the total number cast at the election.
Campaign creek rises in Springfield township, runs east, then southeast in a crooked course across Addison township, and empties into the Ohio immediately below the village of Addison. Georges creek rises in the southern part of the township, runs southeast, then northeast, emptying into the Ohio. Kyger creek enters from Cheshire township, at the north, runs south and empties into the Ohio a short distance above the village of Addison. Chickamauga creek rises in the western part of the township, in section 33, runs directly south, emptying into the Ohio at the southern part of the city of Gallipolis. Bryans run and Mill creek are small streams within the township.
The first grist mill was erected in 1808, by Joseph Rife. It was located on Campaign creek, in section 28, and run by water. In 1820 Robert Guy built the first saw mill, which was located on the same section, and run by water from Campaign creek.
In 1810 John Cherrington taught a school in a cabin, which was built in 1800, of round logs, containing oiled paper windows, located where the Bethel church now stands. Educational matters are now receiving great attention. Eleven school houses are scattered over the township - nine frames, one brick, and one log - all substantial buidlings, with comfortable appointments.
In 1837 the first postoffice, called Addison, was established at that village, of which J. W. Parker was postmaster. Orie additional office-las since been established, named Bulaville postoffice.
The first sermon delivered in the township was by John Bing, a Baptist. The first religious society was the Methodist Episcopal, organized at the house of William Charrington, near the present site of the Bethel church, in 1806. Among its original members were William Charrington and wife, Abraham Knapp and wife, James Jones and wife, and James Martindale and wife. There are now two church societies organized in the township. In 1817 Alexander Miller taught the first Sabbath-school. There are now four of them established.
THE VILLAGE OF ADDISON.
This village was laid out by Reuben Rothgeb, upon land owned by Robert Reynolds, John Lanks and William Watson. It is located eight miles north of Gallipolis, on the Ohio river, and the Pomeroy branch of the Toledo, Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad passes through it. It is not incorporated, and its population in 1880 was seventy-nine.
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
This township is composed of thirty-six full sections, six each way. The surface is somewhat hilly; the soil is a sandy loam and red clay, well adapted to the growth of wheat, and grain of nearly all kinds is raised.
Chickamauga creek rises in the township and runs southeast, through the town of Gallipolis, emptying into the Ohio river at the lower part of town. Campaign creek runs for a short distance southeast, through the northeast part of the township, and empties into the Ohio river just below Addison. Barren creek rises near the center of the township, runs nearly west, and empties into the Big Raccoon. Trace creek enters from the north, runs southwest across the northwest part of the township, and finds an outlet in the Big Raccoon.
By petition of the early settlers, the township was laid out and organized June 2, 1812. About nineteen votes were cast at the first election, which was held at the house of Charles Buck, the last week in September following, when Patrick Reed was elected a justice of the peace.
In the year 1800 Charles Mills came to the township ; Michael Womeldorff in 1801 ; David D. Varian in 1807; and Stephen Sisson in 1819. Thomas Sawyer erected a cabin in 1803, and the same year a settlement was begun on section thirty-five. David, a son of John and Mary (Richardson) Glassburn, was the first child born in the township. Among the early settlers, besides those above mentioned, were John Glassburn, 1804; David Glassburn, born in 1805 ; William Watkins, 1811; James D. Sprague, 1812; Lewis Denney, 1814; Jacob Fee, born in 1822; Peter Jarsan, 1824; John Cherrington, 1825; Andrew Watts, 1834; and Daniel Coverstone, 1835.
In 1815 Samuel Denney built a log grist mill, upon Barren creek, on section twenty-seven, which was run by water, and contained one run of stone. Moses Fee, at an early date, erected a frame saw mill upon the same creek, on section thirty-four, and run an upright saw by water power.
In 1810 a school was taught by Miss Barker, in a log cabin sixteen feet square, which had an opening in the walls, covered over with oiled paper, to admit light. This was the only school in the township at that time. Now there are thirteen comfortable school buildings—nine for white pupils, who have an enrollment of 459, and four for colored children, with 145 in attendance.
Pine Grove postoffice was the first one established, located in the village of Porter, of which George J. Paine was postmaster. There are now four within the township—Pine Grove, Heatly, Evergreen, and Kerr's postoffice.
In 1815 the first religious services were held, and a sermon delivered at the residence of William Miller. At that time there was no organized religious society. Now there are seven churches—three Methodist Episcopal, two Baptist, and two colored Baptist.
The village of Porter was laid out on March 1st, 1830, by Joseph Fletcher, surveyor, and it is not yet incorporated. Charles Russell was the proprietor. It is located on section twenty-four, one mile northeast of the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad, and in 1880 had a population of 172.
The village of Evergreen was laid out in 1855, by Henry Graham, surveyor, and John Cherrington, original proprietor. It is located on section fifteen, on the Columbus, Hocking &ley & Toledo Railroad, and is not yet incorporated.
RACCOON TOWNSHIP.
This township was laid out March 24th, 1805, and fina!ly organized, June 12th, 1812. It contains thirty-six full sections of kn.1, surface generally hilly, excepting about Centreville, and along margin of the streams where there are broad bottom lands. The soil is a black loam and clay well adapted to grain and grass culture, and the timber is oak of different species, sugar maple, black walnut, poplar and buckeye. There are thin veins of coal in the hills, and there is some mining done for home consumption; there are also surface indications of iron ore and limestone in considerable quantities. The township is settled by a thrifty farming
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY- XXV
community, largely Welsh, of whom a brief sketch is given in these pages.
Big Raccoon creek enters the northeastern part, and taking rather a crooked course runs across the township from north to south. Big Indian creek enters the northwestern part of the township, runs a southeasterly course and empties into the Big Raccoon. Little Indian, Big Deer, Little Deer and Beaver creeks are small streams within the township.
The first election was held at the house of Adam Rickabaugh, on the third Monday of April, 1805. Among the first settlers were Henry and John Rickabaugh, who came in 1800; David Ridgeway, 1803; Adam Rickabaugh, Patrick Reed ; Nehemiah Woods, 1805; W. M. Wood, 1805; William Ridgeway, 1804; Elnathan Barlow, 1803; Harrison Wood, 1805; William Steel, senior and junior, 1815; Jane Ridgeway, 1817; and Rufus Jacobs, 1819.
The first settlement was made on section one. In 1803, James Burford and Isaac Tyler settled and built a cabin on the banks of Big Raccoon creek. Daniel Boone, James Burford and Col. Robert Safford came to this township together as early as 1792, and engaged in trapping for two years, during which time they caught one hundred bears in the neighborhood of the present village of Adamsville, on this creek. In parting with Safford, shortly afterward, Boone presented him with his traps and other articles, which are now in the hands of the family of one of his descendants, the late Cameron Safford. As a matter of interest connected with the life of James Burford and the history of this township, the reader's attention is called to a sketch of the life of Robert Safford, published in the preceding pages.
In the year 1803, Adam Rickabaugh built a grist mill on the bank of the Big Raccoon, in what is now seetion twenty-six, the present village of Adamsville.- In 1805, this mill was purchased by Nehemiah Woods, who attached to it-a, saw mill, and also a carding and fulling mill for dressing cloth—the first mills in the township.
School was first taught by a man named Monday, in a little log building, with an opening covered with oiled paper for windows. There are now fifteen neat, school buildings—twelve for white and three for colored scholars—which are well supplied with modern school furniture and attended by about seven hundred scholars.
Nehemiah Woods was postmaster of the Woods Mills postoffice, the first in the township, which stood on the site of the present village of Adamsville. There are now four within the township : Thurman, Rio Grande, Harris and Lycoon offices.
Religious services were held at a very early date, at the house of Adam Rickabaugh, near the before mentioned mill. The township is now scattered over with neat churches of different denominations.
THE WELSH SETTLEMENT IN GALLIA COUNTY.
The first Welsh emigrants (Cymry) landed at Gallipolis, Ohio, in September, 1818. The men of the party, were John Jones, (father of Timothy Jones, who was the best known) John Evans, Evan Evans and Lewis Davis, who were called " old settlers" by those who came after them. They came down the Ohio river from Pittsburg in push boats, built for , moving families, sometimes one large family filling an entire boat. Their destination was Paddy's Run, near Cincinnati, but they went ashore at Gallipolis to get provisions, and being kindly treated by the inhabitants, and finding that, like themselves, they had come across the Atlantic, they soon became attached to the French settlers and were more easily persuaded to remain.
The men went out to where Rodney now stands and got work on the State road then being built from Chillicothe to Gallipolis, under David Varian. While thus employed they were told of a fertile and healthy region a few miles further west, and were thus led to settle near the present village of Centreville, now a part of Jackson county, but then within the limits of Gallia county. These original Welsh went into the forests and hewed out homes for their families, and had become almost like the natives before any of their countrymen followed, the first of whom came after them in about 1834, or sixteen years later. Prominent among these was Thomas Evans, whose house at Gallipolis was the headquarters for all the new arrivals.
For the next ten years, the Welsh poured into Gallia county and overflowed into Jackson county in such numbers as to form a large colony, and soon Welsh churches were built and Welsh preaching heard throughout the settlement. They proved to be industrious and frugal—soon owned farms and stock, and their community was noted for its prosperity. The iron furnaces afforded them opportunities to earn a little money by their labor, although the pay was mostly in goods, at high prices, and the salt wells of the Kanawha attracted some to that field of labor.
The Welsh added much to the general prosperity of the county, and were found to be less clannish and more readily Americanized than many other classes of foreigners. They appreciated the value of education ; strived to obtain it, and urged their children to seek it. They were taught religious truth from infancy, and became stout defenders of the church. Rarely is one of their descendants to be found in prison, or in the poor house, while their enterprise and activity have added much to the general welfare of the people.
As a matter of interest connected with the history of this township, the following sketch of one who was early and long identified with it will be given. Attention is also called to other sketches which are given in the following pages:
THOMAS EVANS,
of Centreville, was born April 14, 1809, on the seashore, near the village of Llanon, in Cardiganshire, South Wales. His school-days were spent in close application, and he soon became a fine scholar. He emigrated to this country at the age of twenty-five, came by canal from New York to Buffalo, by schooner across Lake Erie, thence to Chillicothe by canal, and on foot to a little Welsh settlement, about two miles west of Centreville, where he found his brother-in-law, Evan Evans, and John Evans "Rock." The whole settlement could only produce two wheels, and these were owned by John Hunt, who kindly loaned them to Mr. Evans, and with them he went back through the wilderness to Chilli, cothe, and returned with his wife and worldly effects to his new home. His first winter was spent in teaching, his scholars being composed principally of young men, among whom were William, James and Joseph Hunt. He then began the business of selling goods at Dr. Marvin's, now Winchester, in Jackson county, Ohio. Remaining there about two years, he removed to Gallipolis, where he sold goods for F. & A. Le Clercq, for six years, on the old corner on the square. Returning again to the country, he went into business for himself with Francis Sanns, who met his death by the explosion of the steamer Blue Ridge, on the Ohio river, almost within sight of home and friends.
He continued in business, at Centreville, from 1845 until the day of his death, which occurred January 22d, 1873, in his 64th year. During his long life he was an energetic Christian man, widely known and respected, and was a recognized leader in the church for over thirty years. He was an ardent Whig, voted for Harrison, and since the demise of that party has always been a Republican. A number of his descendants have occupied prominent positions in the vicinity.
CENTREVILLE
is located in section nineteen, about the center of the western line of the township, its western boundary being the line between Gallia and Jackson counties. It was laid out May 6th, 1835, by Reuben Rambo and Timothy Jones ; William Preston acting as surveyor. In 1880 it had a population of 272. John McColester was the first mayor. The present village officers are John J. Thomas, mayor; Thomas W. Williams, clerk ; David M. Evans, treasurer; L. D. Hutchinson, marshal; councilmen, John Morgan, Edward S. Jones, John E. Rosser, Lemuel Thomas, M. E. Beman and John S. Thomas.
The village contains a fine school building, two churches (one Baptist and one Methodist), a national bank, a number of good stores, two hotels and a large flour mill. It had considerable importance for many years, when it was located on the mail route from Gallipolis to Oak Hill, before the advent of the railroad into the former town.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT CENTREVILLE.
Until the year 1868 this society was known as New Zion, and worshiped in a house about one-half mile west of the village. It was organized October 12, 1820, by the Rev. James Gilruth, the preacher in charge. Thomas Buck was appointed class leader. The names of the first members of the society were Thomas Buck, Nathan Perkins, Sallie Perkins, Barbary Hepingstall, Jane Buck, William Williams, Abraham Spencer, Susan Smith and William Cherrington. The society worshiped in the house of Thomas Buck, until in 1832, when the church was erected as above stated. Thomas Buck, Evan Evans and Josiah Cherrington were appointed trustees. The society continued to worship in that house until 1867, when a new house, now occupied by the society, was erected in the village of Centreville. Since the organization of this church there have been eighty-eight regularly appointed pastors from the conference, besides the "supplies," the writer of this, Rev. J. Q. Larkins, being the last appointee. The church now numbers about one hundred members and worships in a good house. It is what we call a half station, and in connection with Thurman circuit, Gallipolis district, Ohio Annual Conference.
ADAMSVILLE
is located upon the west bank of Big Raccoon creek, in section twenty- six, eleven miles west from Gallipolis. It was laid out by Adam and William Rickabaugh, November 20th, 1837, and has never been incorporated.
HARRISBURG
is located in section thirteen, on the eastern bank of Big Raccoon creek, twelve miles northwest of Gallipolis. It was laid out in 1837, by Samuel McCarley and Charles Tappin; Joseph Fletcher, county surveyor, and has never been incorporated.
THE HARRISBURG FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized April 4, 1862, by a council consisting of Rev. H. J. Carr, J. Sherritt, Samuel T. Koons, J. C. Nye and R. P. Porter. Rev. J. C. Nye, I. Z. Haning, W. J. Fulton, Simeon Weed and T. E. Peden have successively filled the office of pastor. The church numbers sixty resident and thirty non-resident members. The society has never owned a meeting house, but is now engaged in building one.
XXVI - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
GILBOA FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
was instituted in 1882, Rev. R. M. Cloud, O. H. Denney and T. E. Peden acting as council. Number of members, twenty ; Rev. R. M. Cloud, pastor.
RIO GRANDE VILLAGE
This village is located on section twenty-seven, and its principal object of interest is
RIO GRANDE COLLEGE.
This institution was founded by Deacon Nehemiah Atwood, born in 1792 in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and his wife, Permelia Atwood (later Wood), born in 1802. By their industry and good management they saved a considerable fortune by farming and keeping a tavern. They were baptized by the late Rev. I. Z. Haning, January 26th, 1851. Soon after this the desire became strong in Deacon Atwood's mind to use his property for some, worthy Christian purpose, and thus, after due deliberation and consultation with Rev. I. Z. Haning, the determination to build a college was formed.
Deacon Atwood died, in 1869, intestate, but his wife proceeded to carry out his wishes, by the erection of college buildings on a site previously selected by him.
The builders were Mullineux, Lawson & Co. of Gallipolis. The main building was erected in 1875. The boarding hall on the west side was completed in 1877. The first building was formally dedicated August 29, 1876, and school was opened on the 13th of September following. The faculty for the first year was as follows : Rev. Ransom Dunn, D. D., president and professor of mental and moral philosophy ; Albanus A. Moulton, A.M., professor of mathematics and instructor in Greek ; Rufus D. Jacobs, M. D., professor of chemistry ; Miss Nellie M. Phillips, B. S., preceptress and instructor in English and modern languages; Miss Ida B. Haning, teacher of instrumental music ; T. Jay Morgan, assistant teacher in mathematics. Of these Rev. R. Dunn and Dr. Jacobs gave instruction only occasionally in the form of lectures. Miss Nellie Phillips subsequently became a missionary to India. Dr. Dunn resigned the presidency in 1877, and in 1878 A. A. Moulton was elected to fill the vacancy. The following have been connected with the faculty in addition to the foregoing: Rev. J. M. Davis, A. M., Rev. Thomas E. Peden, Miss Helen A. Dunn, B. S. (later Mrs. Gates), Miss Gertrude W. Coplin, Ph. B., and H. A. Brandyberry.
The enrollment for the year ending June, 1882, was 130. The college has a well-sustained literary society and a strong Young Men's Christian Association organization, a library of a few hundred volumes, and about $100 worth of apparatus ; also a small geological and zoological collection. Additions are made to the library, apparatus and collections each year.
In accordance with the wishes of the donor, the institution is under the auspices of the Free-Will Baptist denomination—a clause in the constitution requiring that at least two-thirds of the trustees be members in good standing of the denomination. The constitution also provides that at least five of the trustees shall be citizens of Gallia county.
THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH AT RIO GRANDE.
This church was organized in 1850, at a Presbyterian church called The Sanctuary, and was called the First Free-will Baptist church in Raccoon township.
The number of members at the organization was about thirty. About 1853 the church building now in use was erected, near the present village of Rio Grande. Some time afterwards Deacon Nehemiah Atwood gave the church an endowment fund of two thousand dollars, to secure preaching once a month, continually. Rev. Ira Z. Haning was pastor of the church from its organization until his death in September, 1878. Rev. John M. Davis has been pastor since October, 1879, with Rev. Thomas E. Peden as associate. The deacons are A. A. Moulton and D. W. Rickabaugh. There are at present eighty-one resident and thirty-nine non-resident members. A. A. Moulton is superintendent of the Sabbath school, which numbers seventy-five.
CHESHIRE TOWNSHIP.
This township was formed from Kyger township, March 3d, 1811. It contains twenty-eight full and two fractional sections of land—sections one and two, in the southeast corner of the township, being cut off by the Ohio river. The surface is generally level, excepting in the southwestern part, which is hilly. The soil is mostly a rich, black loam, exceedingly productive, and splendid crops of grain and vegetables are raised. It is especially noted for the large amount of potatoes raised every year especially in the eastern portion, the other portion being more devoted to grain, grass, and stock. The timber is oak, hickory, black walnut, poplar, ash, sugar-maple, and buckeye. There are extensive veins of limestone, sandstone and coal in the hills, and surface indications of iron ore and lead. The coal is principally mined for home consumption, but in the northeastern corner of the township it is being extensively mined and shipped both by railroad and river, and is found to be a good quality for fuel. The whole township is covered with well cultivated farms, fine farm buildings, churches and school houses. The Ohio river margin within the township is about two miles, The population in 1880 was 2,030.
Among the early settlers of the township were Abram Darst, who came in 1794; Samuel Wise, John Coughenour and George W. Putnam, about 1795; Adam Rousch and George Swisher, 1797; Joseph Rife, fall of 1800; Phineas Mathews, Joseph Mauck, Samuel R. Holcomb and Jacob Rothgeb in 1811. About the year 1794 a settlement was made upon the bank of the Ohio river, near the present village of Cheshire, land having been purchased of the Ohio Company's agent, P. Mathews. Three cabins were built about the same time by Paul and Abram Darst, Adam Rousch and Edward McMullen. Jonas McCarty, Christ. Coughenour, Samuel Wise, the Van Zant and Reynolds families, Peter Knopp, Jacob Halfhill, Joseph Bradbuiy, Sabert Scott and Jeremiah Hacket also settled here at a very early date.
An election was held on September 4th, 1814, at which there were fifteen votes cast. It was held at the house of John Shuler, and resulted in the election of the following officers: Joel Higley, chairman; George Swisher and D. Rathburn, judges; D. Rathburn, clerk of election; Daniel Rathburn, Charles Scott and Phineas Mathews, trustees; Benjamin Williams, treasurer. This was not the first election in the township, but the first of which any record has been preserved. The present township officers are as follows: Washington Thomas, John Evans and P. W. Swisher, trustees; Robert Mauck, treasurer; William Tate, clerk; W. S. Jenkins and M. R. Mathews, justices of the peace; A. Semly and. J. Blackburn, constables.
Kyger creek enters the northwestern part of the township, and taking a course south of east to section nine, runs south into Addison township, emptying into the Ohio river. Little Kyger, Turkey run, Jesse creek, Story s run, Silver run and Scott's run are small streams emptying into Kyger creek. Sunfish, salmon, pike, bass, suckers and yellow catfish are caught in these creeks.
One of the principal features of interest in this township is
THE OHIO BLUE SULPHUR SPRINGS.
For over half a century these springs have been regarded in the neighborhood of their locality as possessed of valuable medicinal qualities, but their peculiar value and adaptation to certain classes of disease has never been known until shownly recent analysis and opinion by Professor Wayne, whose reputation as a scientist is sufficient guarantee of scientific certainty, and no words of the writer could strengthen the confidence of the public in his utterances. After giving an analysis of springs numbers one and two, Professor Wayne, says:
" The water of number one, unquestionably is of medicinal value and well suited in the treatment of rheumatic affections, chronic affections of the bowels and affections of the stomach. It is a mild,. pleasant, sparkling water and may be used freely without any unpleasant consequences. The water of number two is very different from that of number one. The quantity of sulphate of lime and carbonate of lime is much larger, and the oxide of iron more than double and may be classed as a chalybeate medicinal water. It has a large quantity of iron, and this alone is sufficient to give it a value to the intelligent physician." The springs are highly recommended by James Johnson, M. D., and other physicians who have tested them.
February 5th, 1800, Benjamin, a son of Jonas and Catherine (Circle) McCarty, was born—the first birth in the township; about 1801, occurred the first marriage—that of Abram Darst to Kate Rife.
In 1815, Abram Rousch put up a horse-power mill for grinding grain, but the first grist mill building was erected in 1850, by Asa Bradbury, W. S. Jenkins and Isaac Patridge. L. C. Guthrie commenced building one the same year at Cheshire. The little grist mill built by Bradbury & Co. has since been enlarged fifty per cent. For the past twelve years it has been owned by J. C. Tate, and is now doing a fine business, principally custom work. Mr. T. is engaged in adding a spoke and felloe sawing machine of his own invention, which has proved a success.
David Tate built a water-power saw mill at an early date. The first steam saw-mill was erected in Cheshire by J. D. & William Coughenour. In 1848, G. W. Swisher built one near Blue Sulphur Springs.
At an early day, Mr. Slaughter and Francis Norwood taught a school of thirty to forty scholars who came for miles around. The school was located upon Joseph Mauck's farm—an 18 by 20 foot log building, with stick and mud chimney built outside, and a fire place for burning logs ten feet long. The door had wooden latch and hinges, and at the end was a row of window glass and oiled paper to admit light. It contained a puncheon floor, made of saplings split and hewed upon the upper side. One of the old scholars of the school relates that when the rules were broken, the offender was punished by being made to take up one of these planks and go under the floor, where he remained in " durance vile" fbr a length of time in proportion to the character of the offense. The tedium of this solitary confinement was relieved by poking sticks through the cracks, to the amusement as well as frequent consternation of some of the well- behaved pupils.
The first building erected for school purposes was in 1835, one-half' mile below the village of Cheshire. The township is now divided into ten school districts, in which are located twelve fine school houses, costing from five hundred to seven hundred dollars each. They are all frame buildings, excepting one in Cheshire village, which is a two-story brick, more particularly described in the following history of the that village. One of the township schools is for colored pupils. The total number of scholars is as follows: Male, 270; female, 238; male (colored) 12; female (colored), 5; attached school district, 11. Total, 536.
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY- XXVII
There are two postoffices in the township—Cheshire and Kyger; the former being the first one established, with Phineas Mathews, postmaster.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first religious services were held at the residences of Jonas McCarty and Paul Darst, and the first church society (the Free-will Baptist) was organized at the house of the latter, December 15th, 1805, with Rev. Eli Stedman, pastor, and Edward McMillan, clerk. The following is a list of pastors to date ; Revs. Asa Stearns, William McDowell, Abijah Hubbell, Selah Barrett, Elisha Rathburn, James Shurlliff, Osborn Miles, D. C. Topping, S. S. Branch, Lem. Thorn, G. E. Stebbins, Jeremiah Carpenter, I. Z. Henning, P. W. Perry, 0. E. Barker, George Baker, A. D. Williams, William Stone, Goodwin Evans, G. W. Martin, W. J. Fulton, T. E. Peden and R. J. Norton, the latter being the present pastor. The following is a list of its members: Joseph and Margaret Rife, Daniel and Anna Romine, Paul and Sarah Darst, William and Taccy Butler, Esquire Bullock, Sarah Bullock, Henry Jones, David McCarty, Jessie and Rachel Fleshman, Anthony Van Sickle, Joseph Higgins, William McDowell, Jesse Carpenter, Timothy Smith, Sabert Scott, Jonas McCarty, Charles Shepard, George W. Putnam, Phineas Mathews, Elizabeth Aleshire, Catharine McCarty, Alsie Gray, Mrs. Eblin, Elizabeth Wright, Nancy Scott, Esther McCarty, Polly Smith, Rebecca Van Meeter and Polly Mathews.
The first church was a log building located upon the hill on Asa Bradbury's farm, erected by the Methodists, about 1820. No records of this church are to be found, but one of those who attended services there at an early date, says that the girls would go to church on Sunday, wearing calfskin moccasins on their feet in order to preserve their shoes, which they carried in their hands and put on their feet before entering. The Sunday uniform of the men and boys was a shirt and pair of pants.
THE FREE-WILL NEW BAPTIST CHURCH
is a brick building, thirty by fifty feet, erected in 1880, and cost about two thousand dollars. The society is entirely free from debt, and in a very prosperous condition. Since 1841 drinking to excess has been prohibited by the rules of the church, and the penalty of dismissal for the offense is rigidly enforced. The present pastor is Rev. R. J. Poston; David Coughenour, clerk. Membership, 163 resident and 95 non-resident; total, 258.
THE KYGER FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized April 2d, 1843, by Elder D. C. Toping. The original membership numbered five, viz : Samuel 'Swisher, Sarah A. Swisher, Jacob Coughenour, Annie Coughenour, Jacob Swisher; with J. Coughenour, clerk. A list of pastors is as follows : 1845, S. S. Barrett, who served seven years; 1852, George Stebbins, six years; 1858, R. J. Poston, four years; 1862, O. E. Parker, one year ; 1863, R. J. Poston, seven years; 1870, J. W. Martin, two years; 1872, R. J. Poston, one year ; 1873, I. Z. Haning, six years; 1879, W. J. Fulton, two years; 1881,
J. W. Martin, present pastor. John Malaby, the present clerk, has held that position since 1866. The present membership is 223. The society has a nice church edifice, pleasantly located on Poplar Ridge, at a cost of one thousand. It is out of debt, having money out at interest, and in a prosperous condition.
There are five church buildings in the township, the Presbyterians of Cheshire village using the academy building there. In 1840 a union Sabbath school was established by Jacob Mauck, with about sixty scholars.
THE VILLAGE OF CHESHIRE
is located upon the banks of the Ohio river, eight miles below Pomeroy and twelve miles above Gallipolis. It has a fine brick academy building, now used by the Presbyterian Society for church purposes. It is two stories high, and was built in 1860, at a cost of six thousand dollars. Over seven hundred dollars have been expended in furnishing an excellent collection of astronomical and philosophical instruments, and anatomical, botanical and geographical maps. The village contains one hotel, several stores, flour mill and barrel factory, and not one saloon. In 1880 it had a population of 195.
KYGER VILLAGE
was laid out in 1842 by Asa Bradbury. It is situated four and one-half miles northwest of Cheshire, near the center of the township, on Kyger creek. Its population in 1880 was 199.
MORGAN TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized March 8th, 1818, and the first cabin was built by Dr. Ryan in 1800. Among the early settlers were William Denney, Hiram Wilcox, Francis Irwin, Abraham Darst, David Anderson, William Clark, John McGarland, Isaac Hill, John Grimes, William Miller, Kinsey Robinson, Jonas Robinson, Leonard Titus, Benjamin Stone, Samuel Logue, James Watkins, Thomas Graves, Jacob Colwell, James Asa, William Eblin, Thomas McLaskey, Thomas Vance, Samuel Rowley, I. Russell, William Clark and Jonathan Rife.
The township contains thirty full sections of land, surface hilly, with a limestone, sandy loam, red clay and some gravelly soil; some good farms, principally along Campaign creek. The timber is white oak, pine, poplar, beech, sugar tree, sycamore, hickory, elm, white and black ash, and some walnut and chestnut. Its population in 1880 was 1,465.
Campaign creek enters the township near the center of its north line, runs east of south, through the center of the township, and empties into the Ohio river, just below the village of Addison. White Oak creek rises and runs south, through the eastern part, and enters Campaign creek near the south line of the township. Other smaller streams are Little White Oak and Shepards White Oak, all running nearly south.
The first saw mill in the township was erected by William Ward, in 1847, and run by water power. A steam mill was several years after erected by Sherman, Parker & Stevens, at Morgan Center.
The first school house was built in the fall of 1839, but there was teaching in the township as early as 1828. This school-house was located in section number seven, and built of logs, with a board roof. The seats were made of slabs split from logs; holes were bored in the ends in which the legs were inserted. There was a large fireplace for heating the room, and the chimney was built of sticks and clay. There are now nine good frame buildings in the township, and the enrollment of scholars is as follows: district No. one, 53; No. two, 72; No. three, 76; No. four, 38; No. five, 51 ; No. six, 52; No. seven, 55; No. eight, 62; No. nine (colored), 63; total, 522.
Anselm postoffice was the first established in the township—kept by Obediah Ralph, on section nine. There are now three, viz : Eno post- office, Malaby and Rowlesville.
In 1840 was organized the Free-will Baptist church, by Elder Topping, the first church society in the township. Its original members were Abram Darst and wife, Jonathan Rife and wife, Thomas Armstrong and wife, Joseph Rife and wife, John Yeager and wife, Nancy Malaby, P. Erwin, Francis Erwin, Edward Erwin and wife, Abner Logue and wife, and Martin Logue.
The second church organized was the Methodist Pine Grove, by Rev. Francis Guthrie, in 1844, on section number twenty-three. Its members were Hiram Wilcox and wife, William Hutchinson and wife, Thomas Vance and wife, Joseph McFarland and wife, William Wilcox and wife, Jesse Denny and wife, Jacob Vance and wife, Samuel Rowley and wife, Isaac Rowley and Thomas Rowley.
In 1848, was established the Christian Order by William McDale and Mrs. McDaniel. Members of the society : George Palmer and wife, Asa Eblen and wife, Nehemiah Grover and wife, Nehemiah Grover, Jr., and wife, Thomas George and wife, and Mrs. Harris.
At present the township contains one Methodist church and three of the Christian Order, whose pastors are Revs. M. D. Vaughn, J. V. Smith, L. W. Eblen and J. W. Denny.
In 1850, a Sabbath-school was organized by Rev. John Elliot, which had an attendance of thirty scholars. There are now five in the township —the White Oak, Morgan Center, Pine Grove, Clark's and Union schools..
HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP.
This is the extreme northwestern township of the county ; it was formed from Raccoon township, June 5th, 1810 ; organized June 2d, 1812, and the first meeting for election purposes was held at the house of Stephen Holcomb, on the last Saturday in July, 1810. The number of votes cast was about eighteen, and the following is a list of the voters : Stephen Holcomb, Phillip Shintaffer, John Robinson, George Tyler, Isaac Tyler, William Glenn, Joseph McKnight, William Ewing, Enoch McNeal, William Burrett, Benjamin Mills, William Woods, William Huax, Matthew Edmonson, Hugh Poor, William Traylor, Thomas Ewing and Samuel R. Holcomb.
The first settlement within the township was made on Raccoon creek, near the present village of Vinton, the first cabin being built by Joseph McKnight ; George Tyler, however, is said to be the first se tler. The first child born within the township, was John, a son to David and Elizabeth (McCarley) Daniels, and the first wedding was that of James Glenn and wife, in 1811.
The township is composed of thirty-six sections, the surface quite hilly, with the exception of the broad bottom lands along the creek, and the soil a sandy loam. Timber, white oak, hickory, pine, beech, sycamore, elm and some walnut. Veins of coal, limestone and iron ore crop out in the hills, but they are not being quarried to any extent.
The Big Raccoon creek takes its source in Hocking county, runs southeast through Athens and Vinton counties, strikes Gallia county in Huntington township and thence through the county, emptying into the Ohio river.
The Little Raccoon creek rises in Vinton county, runs nearly southeast through Jackson county and Huntington township, emptying into the Big Raccoon, one mile south of the village of Vinton.
Spring Run rises in the hills of Huntington township, runs southeast, about three miles, and empties into the Little Raccoon. Strong Run heads in Meigs county, runs west of south about six miles through this township and empties in the Big Raccoon. Durgan creek rises and runs five miles through the township, and empties into the Big Raccoon. Deer creek has its source in Raccoon township, runs northeast four miles, and empties into the Little Raccoon. Keaton’s Run heads in Jackson county, runs three miles east, and empties into the Little Raccoon.
XXVIII - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
The first grist-mill was erected by Enoch McNeal, about the year 1815 ; it was built of logs and contained but one run pf small stones, which were used only for corn grinding. It was located on Big Raccoon creek, and run by water power. In 1819, Stephen and Samuel R. Holcomb erected the first saw mill for John Adney, at the village of Vinton, upon Big Raccoon creek. It was run by Mr. A. for a number of years and sold to James McGee for three thousand dollars.
In the year 1806, Ezra Barker taught a school composed of ten scholars, in a little log cabin with a board roof, located about one and one-half miles southwest of the present village of Vinton. It was seated with benches, had a wide board around the wall for a writing desk, and an opening in the wall covered with oiled paper for windows. This was the introduction of education into the township. They now have twelve comfortable school-houses, at each one of which there is a fair attendance.
There are now four postoffices within the township, vii: Vinton, (the first—established in 1835) Ewington, Alice and Chestnut Grove.
There was preaching in section twenty-four in 1811, about the time the township was first organized. In 1812, the Halcyon church society was formed, with Rev. Able M. Sargeant as pastor, among the original members of which were Matthias Gray and Christina Roop. The following are now the church organizations:
The Methodist Episcopal, at Ewington was established about the year 1856. They occupy a church building about twenty-five by thirty-five feet, and Rev. Jacob Hathaway presides as pastor. The Baptist society occupy a frame church at Ewington, about twenty by thirty feet. The Free- Will Baptists established themselves in the Brush settlement in 1873 ; and also have a small church building. The Christian church, in the west part of the township, is presided over by Rev. Jacob Smith, pastor. Rev. Thomas Ferguson preaches to the Free-Will Baptists, (colored) upon Little Raccoon creek. The Christian Antioch church was lo,ated near the center of the township in 1877; they own a neat little church building, thirty by forty feet, and their pastor is Rev. Joseph Sprague.
The citizens, in 1819, organized a Sabbath-school, all denominations uniting. In 1830, a Presbyterian Sabbath-school was organized by James Glenn.
William Glenn and Samuel R. Holcomb owned the first two yokes of oxen brought into the township ; Mr. Holcomb also built the first frame barn and owned the first two-horse wagon. Samuel Peden raised the first crop of wheat, which proved a failure on account of mildew.
Abel M. Sargeant, at an early day, surveyed the bottom land east of Temple Hill, and laid it out into city lots, many of which he sold, giving the name of " Leatyenia" to the new metropolis.
Joseph Fletcher first surveyed the township, and William Glenn made the first purchase of land. Bears, wolves, deer and turkey were plenty at an early date.
THE VILLAGE OF VINTON
was laid out in 1832, by Samuel R. Holcomb. It is located upon the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo railroad, about sixteen miles northwest of Gallipolis, and has a population of two hundred. It contains a flour mill, a factory for carding and spinning wool, two stores, two hotels, and a neat church building has recently been completed by the Methodist Episcopal church society of the place.
EWINGTON
is a village located about two and one7half miles north of Vinton. It was laid out in 1852 by George Ewing, and had a population in 1880 of eighty-five. The great attraction here is the
SALT WELL,
which was discovered in 1866, during the oil excitement in the county, by parties who were boring for oil. After reaching a depth of seven hundred feet, they came to this medical water, which rushed up so violently that the idea of trying for oil had to be abandoned. The dryest season has no effect upon it, but it continues to flow just as rapidly as when it first commenced. The water of this well is very cold and contains gas, salt and iron, with so much of the former that it burns like oil by touching a lighted match to it. Many strangers visit it through curiosity, and it is believed that it will become one of the celebrated watering-places of the State, on account of the valuable medical properties of the water.
THE EWINGTON FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized December 5th, 1870, with only eight members, by a council consisting of Rev. J. W. Martin and T. E. Peden. It now numbers nineteen. Pastors, T. E. Peden, B. V. Tewksbury, S. J. Weed, R. M. Cloud and M. L. Huntley. It does not own a church building.
HUNTINGTON FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized by Rev. I. Z. Haning in 1851. It had been blessed with a great many revivials. Numbers at last report, 210 members. Pastors, Revs. I. Z. Haning, B. V. Tewksbury, J. M. Kayser, J. W. Martin, S. J. Weed, W. J. Fulton and T. E. Peden.
SECOND HUNTINGTON FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
was instituted in 1867, by T. E. Peden, A. Huntley, and A. Holcomb, Present number of members, thirty. Pastors, T. E. Peden, J. W. Stewart, J. Sherrett and T. J. Ferguson.
MT. TABOR FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized by Prof. J. M. Davis, T. E. Peden and M. L. Huntley, in 1882. Number of members, thirty-five. Pastor, Rev. W. J. Fulton.
THE GALLIPOLIS SCHOOLS.
BY PROFESSOR M. E. HARD.
In September, 1849, a call was issued, by those interested in public education, to the qualified voters of the town of Gallipolis, to assemble and vote by ballot for or against the adoption of an act for the better regulation of the public schools, etc.—the act passed by the General Assembly of Ohio on the 27th of February, 1849.
In pursuance to this call an election was held, the result of which was in favor of the school law, whereupon the act of the General Assembly was declared adopted for the town of Gallipolis; but the opposition to public schools was so strong that the friends of the cause did not ask an appropriation for building a suitable house until the benefits arising from a system of well graded schools might become more thoroughly understood and appreciated by the people.
In 1857 it was put to a vote of the people as to whether a tax should be levied to buy a suitable lot and build a central building. The vote was in favor of the levy. The result of this election was very gratifying to the enlightened and public spirited men, who, for years, had endeavored to establish in Gallipolis as excellent a system of graded schools as existed anywhere in the State.
In the spring of the same year, Captain Alexander Vance was commissioned by the Board of Education to visit Marietta, Zanesville, Newark, Columbus, etc., for the purpose of examining school houses, and any and all matter connected therewith. Captain Vance returned from his tour of the cities full of enthusiasm in behalf of the plan of the present union school buildings.
July 8, 1857, the Board of Education, consisting of Thomas Wilkinson, A. W. Wood, L. J. Langley, Alexander Vance, Samuel Jolley, and D. B. Hebard, bought of Nicholas Mahew the lot where the union school building now stands, and the following year the building was completed— a fine and well built two story brick.
Heretofore the schools of the town were graded only so far as to give the older and more advanced pupils to men teachers, and the less advanced and younger to women teachers. Without school houses, with indifferent teachers, and with the influence of the largest number of the prosperous and more cultivated citizens against the public schools, these earnest and early friends of popular education struggled to raise the standard of the qualifications of teachers, and procure suitable accommodations for the children.
The union school building having been finished; the board saw that to make the schools efficient personal attention was needed. Not being able to give this themselves, they determined to create the office of superintendent, and selected for this place Stillman Rice. His efforts, under the direction of the board, were given to the classification of the schools and the arrangement of a course of study. He also taught some of the higher branches. The schools were divided into three general departments— primary, grammar, and high. But on account of the extreme apathy of the people toward public schools, the higher departments filled up slowly and came very tardily into that public favor which is so essential to their efficiency.
In 1872 all the subdistricts in Gallipolis township were attached to the city district. This gives six outer schools which are in session the same length of time as the city schools. Those pupils in these subdistricts who have reached the grammar school grade attend the- city schools. In the same year the board put a third story on the main building, to make room for the increased number of scholars. This is now divided in thirteqn rooms, and a large hall which will seat 600 persons comfortably. The building is heated by steam, generated in a boiler placed forty feet from the building, so that the entire building is comfortable and comparatively safe from any accident.
The following points of interest are condensed from Superintendent Hard's report for 1881: Number of schools—high school, 1; grammar, 4; primary, 7; district, 6; colored, 4 ; total, 22; total seating capacity, 1,162. Number of teachers—high school, 2; grammar, 4; primary, 7; district, 6; colored, 4; music teacher, 1 ; total, 24. Number of pupils registered—high school, 98; grammar, 181; primary,.477; district, 191; colored, 236; total, 1,183. During the year the schools received from the superintendent 1,787 visits; there were 1,312 visits from citizens, and 338 from strangers.
The present condition of the schools, as we gather from the interesting address of President Bailey, is highly prosperous. The efforts of the more advanced and public spirited of the citizens of Gallipolis have been crowned with deserved success. Her schools are the pride of parents, the
HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY - XXIX
admiration of strangers, and a sure and lasting foundation for future usefulness to' the rising generation of the day ; and to those that shall come after us they will be, we may hope, a guide marking the way to yet higher and greater things.
The following is a complete list of the members of the Board of Education, giving their term of service, since the organization of the schools : Thomas Wilkinson, 11 years; A. W. Wood, 10 years; L. J. Langley, 9 years; Alexander Vance, 3 years ; Samuel Jolley, 3 years; D. B. Hebard, 11 years; James Vanden, 21 years; Henry Graham, 1 year ; H. R. Bell, 5 years; S. B. Rathburn, 6 years; A. Cole, 2 years ; George W. Jackson, 2 years; W. G. Fuller, 3 years; J. C. Vanden, 8 years. J. T. Halliday. 3 years; L. Z. Cadot, 12 years ; James Priestly, 3 years; T. W. Hampton, 1 year; C. H. McCormick, 3 years; W. T. Minturn, 10 years ; L. Perry, 4 years ; James Gatewood, 3 years ; C. D. Bailey, 5 years; A. W. Allemong, 4 years; W. W. Martindale, 3 years; Charles Stuart, 2 years.
The organization of the present board: C. D. Bailey, president ; Charles Stuart, vice-president; L. Z. Cadot, clerk ; W. T. Minturn, treasurer; A. W. Allemong, J. M. Kerr.
The following is a list of the superintendents since the organization of the schools: 1858-60, Stillman Rice ; 1860-3, H. C. Howland ; 1863-4, J. A. Smith ; 1864-6, W. B. Putney ; 1866-71, H. J. Caldwell ; 1871-5, J. S. Wilson ; 1875-9, E. E. Spalding; 1879-81, M. E. Hard.
GALLIA COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The first men who enlisted in Gallia county, at the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, were for the three months' service. One company was organized at Gallipolis during the latter part of April, and formed a part of the 18th Regiment Ohio Infantry, winch was sent to Parkersburg, and thence to the interior of West Virginia. , During May, 1861, application was made to Governor Denison for authority to raise another company, but the one making the application was told by the governor that applications were already on file, tendering more men than the State could ever expect to use in crushing the rebellion. At the suggestion of the Governor, who gave a strong letter upon the subject, an interview was had with General George B. McClellan, then stationed at Cincinnati. General McClellan, after listening to the representations made, gave authority for the organization of loyal Virginians. Under this authority the enlistment of men for three years was begun, with headquarters at Mason City, Virginia. Gallia county supplied many men for this service before Ohio began organizing three years' regiments. Three hundred of them were probably mustered into the 4th Virginia Infantry, under command of officers from Gallia county. During the spring and summer of 1861, an equal number entered other than Ohio regiments.
The location of Gallipolis had much to do with the early enlistments of her sons in the Union army. For many years before the war, the town had been the depot of supplies for the entire-Kanawha (Virginia) Valley, and at the inception of the rebellion the Confederates looked upon the possession of this valley with a jealous eye, and at an early day Governor Henry A. Wise, of Virginia, was sent as the commandant of the rebel troops, with his headquarters at Charleston. Officers and troops from his command were sent to Buffalo, twenty miles up the Kanawha from Gallipolis, and steamboats were in daily communication between Gallipolis and Charleston, passing Buffalo. Arms and munitions of war were purchased by Confederate emissaries in Cincinnati and brought to the Kanawha, passing, unheeded on steamboats and by private conveyance. Early in the history of the war, extensive rifle-pits were constructed upon the hills surrounding Gallipolis, and every road entering the town was properly defended. During the seasons of greatest excitement, messengers would be sent throughout the country and the citizens would respond, promptly assembling at Gallipolis by hundreds, armed with rifles. A constant guard was kept, and the citizens, old and young, each had thus more or less experience in the pleasing pastime of lying in the rifle-pits, during all kinds of weather, waiting for some one to shoot at.
Soon after the opening of hostilities, Hon. Albert Gallatin Jenkins, a member of Congress and a popular man, engaged in the organization of troops for service in the rebel army, at a point a few miles below Gallipolis. Among his recruits were many who had attended school at Gallipolis, and were familiar with every avenue of approach ; hence the people looked with alarm upon the probable events of the future, and Gallipolis became one of the prominent points upon which the accumulating storm clouds that were enveloping the country were expected to burst.
The Gallia. Guards, a compony of 77 men, were organized in April, 1861, for home duty. Henry Graham, captain ; James Harper, firt lieutenant; H. N. Ford, second lieutenant. Captain Graham soon entered the United States service, and James Harper became captain. This company rendered valuable service to the city during the war.
THE FIRST TROOPS AT GALLIPOLIS.
About the 23d of May, 1861, Companies A and F, of the 21st Ohio Infantry, (three months' service) came to Gallipolis, and were received by the citizens with unbounded applause. The were fed at the old market house on the evening of their arrival, and afterward until the arrival of the remainder of the command, on the old wharf boat. At five o’clock P. M., on the 27th of the same mouth, the balance of the regiment arrived under command of Colonel Jesse S. Norton, of Perrysburg, Ohio, (now a resident of Toledo.) Their reception was an ovation long to be remembered. The troops marched to the public square and stacked arms, and were immediately surrounded by hundreds of the citizens, who received them with thanksgiving. The memory of that eventful day is yet cherished by all the people of Gallipolis. Colonel Norton, Lieutenant Colonel Neibling, and many others of the officers and privates of that regiment, gained friends while stationed here who have never forgotten them.
On the 29th of May, the 21st Regiment went into camp in a wheat field, on the Barlow farm, at the upper end of the city, naming it " Camp Carrington." The government afterward erected a general hospital upon this lot, which was maintained until the close of the war. At one time there were fully four thousand patients in this hospital, and the exertions of the brave men and self-sacrificing women of Gallipolis, in behalf of the sick, wounded and suffering, is part of the history of our country.
The regiment remained here, doing guard duty, until about the first of July, when a portion of them, under command of the Colonel, made a reconnaissance up the Kanawha, and captured about thirty prominent rebel citizens, as hostages for the good treatment and safe return of some loyal Virginians previously captured by General Jenkins. These latter prisoners were released as speedily as possible after this act of retaliation, and the rebel victims of this little unpleasantness, after a trip to Camp Chase, under guard of a squad of the Gallia Guards, in command of Captain McGowan, of the 21st Ohio Regiment, were allowed to return to their homes. This little episod'e of .the war has since been frequently related by many of the victims with considerable mirth, but at the time of its occurrence it was considered quite a serious affair. On the 3d and 4th of July, the regiment made a forced March to Ripley, Virginia, intending to surprise the enemy who were stationed there, but they fled before the town was reached, and the regiment returned to Gallipolis. On the 11th of July, the 21st Regiment with the 11th and 12th Ohio, and 2d Kentucky Infantry, and Captain C. S. Cotter's Battery A, of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, of two guns, was formed into a brigade, under command of General J. D. Cox, and commenced the march up the Kanawha river, with the intention of driving the enemy, in command of General H. A. Wise, from the valley.
On the morning of the 17th, a battle was fought at Scarey creek, in which, although the enemy were repulsed, Colonel Norton was wounded and made prisoner, and Captain Allen and Lieutenant Pomeroy, of Company D, were killed. This was noted as being among the first battles of the war. At this time, also; Colonel DeVilliers, of the 11th Ohio, Colonel Woodruff, of the 2d Kentucky, and Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Neff; of the 1st Kentucky, approaching the battle-field, and mistaking their enemies for their friends, were captured. The brigade proceeded up the valley, driving-the Confederate forces, the 21st accompanying them as far as Charleston, where they remained a few days and then returned to Gallipolis. They remained here a few days beyond their term of enlistment, and then returned home to reorganize for three years. Captain Cotter, who was very popular with the regiment named them the " TwentyOnesters." by which they were known through the service. The balance of the brigade proceeded up the valley and overtook and defeated the troops of General H. A. Wise at Gauley bridge.
In the fall of 1861, Companies A and B, of the 31st Ohio, under command of Major Leffingwell, came to Gallipolis, and were superseded by the Trumbull Guards, a company enlisted in Trumbull county, especially for the purpose of serving at Gallipolis. They came in the spring of 1862, and were commanded by Captain C. W. Smith.
Gallipolis was early made a general depot for the quartermaster and commissary supplies for the army of West Virginia, and during the progress of the war, became one of the most important points in the country. Knowing this to be the case the Confederates endeavored, on many occasions, to capture and destroy the supplies. The Union troops continued to occupy Charleston, Virginia, headquarters having been established there, but the valley between that point and the Ohio for a long time, continued to be occupied more or less by detached bands of Confederate troops. Between Point Pleasant and Charleston, the boats in the United States service, transporting supplies to the latter point, were constantly threatened and frequently attacked by the enemy—the object of the Confederates being not only to capture supplies, but to obtain possession of a boat for the transportation of troops to Gallipolis, before any alarm could be given. After the capture of this city and the immense amount of government stores there, the evident intention was to make a general raid through the State. Nothing could have prevented this if they had succeeded in the design of capturing a boat, as Gallipolis at this time was almost devoid of defense. The danger of the service on the Kanawha river boats at this time, can be readily understood. The services of many Gallia county men on the Kanawha and other river boats, and in the naval and gunboat service, deserve particular mention, but it would take a volume to record them and do the subject justice. A large number of experienced steamboat men resided in the city, who entered this branch of the service, and by reason of this knowledge of the rivers, and familiarity with the duties, as well as their eminent courage and good judgment in times. of danger, rendered invaluable service.
BURNING OF THE GOVERNMENT STEAMER B. C. LEVI.
On February 1st, 1863, Captain Charles Regnier, commander of the government steamer B. C. Levi, received a dispatch from General Scammon, ordering him to report with his steamer at Point Pleasant, for the
XXX - HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY.
purpose of transporting himself and staff to Charleston. The order was immediately obeyed, and on the evening of the 2d, General S. and staff arrived from Wheeling and got aboard Captain R.'s boat, which immediately started on its trip up the Kanawha. They arrived at the Red House chute about one o'clock A. M., and, owing to the darkness, they were unable to pass. General S. informed the captain that his scouts had reported that the enemy were nowhere in the neighborhood, and consequently there was no danger to be apprehended. He therefore laid at Red House, intending to await the approach of daylight to enable him to proceed. Between four and five o'clock, on the morning of the 3d, a band of twenty-eight rebels, under command of Major James Knowning, attacked and drove in the few sentinels who had been placed on guard and took possession of the steamer without resistance, as there was no one to oppose them. The general and staff, thirteen unarmed soldiers (who were on their way to Charleston to rejoin their regiment after a furlough), and the officers of the boat were all taken prisoners, and a few boxes of hospital supplies (all the merchandise there was on board) were secured. Placing the officers of the boat under guard, she was run over to Winfield, where a few more rebel troops were taken on board, when she proceeded about four or five miles below, to Vintroux Landing. Upon arriving here, all but General S. and staff were released and given five minutes to leave the steamer, when she was burned. General S. and staff were placed on bare-backed horses and conducted, via the Hurricane road en route for Richmond. The furloughed soldiers found their way to Charleston, and the boat's crew proceeded to the village of Buffalo, where they remained until a steamer, which they telegraphed to Gallipolis for, arrived and took them to that city. Captain R., as soon as possible, reported the affair to Colonel R. B. Hayes, then in command at Charleston, with the 23d Ohio Infantry, and was fully exonerated in the matter. He immediately entered the transport service at Mobile, Alabama, and rendered valuable aid during the entire war.
SKIRMISH AT POINT PLEASANT.
On the 29th of March, 1863, General Jenkins, with a brigade of troops, established a'blockade on the Kanawha river, for the purpose of capturing the steamer Victor No. 2, in command of Captain Fred. Fold, on which was Paymaster B. R. Cowen,,with a large supply of government funds. After a severe encounter, the boat eluded the enemy and found its way to Point Pleasant, which was then occupied by a company of Union troops, under command of Captain J. D. Carter. Captain Ford reported the approach of the enemy, and Captain C. made the best preparation that he could, with his small force, to receive them, occupying the court house.
On the 30th, the Confederates entered the town and took possession of it, as little opposition could be offered them, the Union troops still occupying the court house, from which they were not dislodged. An attempt was at once made to obtain possevion of the wharf-boat, where were stowed an immense amount of government supplies, but Captain Ford ran his boat in, and, under a heavy fire from the enemy, succeeded in detaching it and towing it safely to Gallipolis. Here he obtained a battery of guns from the steamer General Meigs, and, with what reinforcements he could hastily obtain, returned to the assistance of Carter. The Gallia and Trumbull Guards, under command of Captain James Harper, marched up the river and were ferried across to Point Pleasant, but as they entered the town, the enemy were fleeing over the hills. A number of the citizens of Gallipolis accompanied the Guards. The artillery opened fire upon the enemy from the boat, and, with the assistance of the land forces, succeeded in soon driving them from their position. In their retreat, they left behind them twenty-four of their number as prisoners. The steamer, after the battle; was found to be completely riddled with bullets, and its appearance spoke eloquently of the severity of the strife and the courage of those participating in it. Thus was Gallipolis saved from capture and probable pillage, and a general raid throughout the State prevented by the prompt action of a few courageous men.
Colonel A. G. Jenkins was killed in a skirmish at Cloyd Mountain, by the 9th West Virginia Infantry in command of Colonel I. A. Duval, May 9th, 1864.
MORGAN'S RAID.
John Morgan and his " merry men " paid Gallia county a visit while on their raiding 'expedition through the State in 1863. July 23d, of that year, they came through Raccoon township, thence across Huntington, Morgan and Cheshire townships to the Ohio river, where an attempt was mad to cross, but seeing a tow-boat lying above Eight Mile Island, and supposing it to be a gunboat, the raiders turned down the river, and were overtaken by Union forces who were in pursuit of them. Over two hundred of their number were captured in the upper end of Addison township. Morgan, with the main body of his troops, passed up Campaign creek, through Addison, Morgan and Huntington townships, going through Ewington early in the morning of the 24th, where he captured a company of militia from Portsmouth and took their ammunition, which at that time he was badly in need of. After obtaining this, the prisoners were released and he proceeded rapidly north, by a circuitous route, until he reached Columbiana county, where he was captured by Union forces in command of Major Way. Morgan was confined in the Ohio penitentiary, from which he escaped by tunneling out, and was subsequently killed in Tennessee.
On his first entrance into this county, on the evening of July 23d, the principal body of his troops passed through Vinton, where a large number took supper, paying for the same with goods taken from the various stores. On leaving this village, they burned the bridge over Raccoon creek. This includes the principal damage done in the county. They made a great number of horse trades, invariably obtaining the best of the bargain. The horses they left were afterward gathered up by government officials. By this means, the farming community, who were forced into the trade, were readily enabled to compute their profits in the transaction, as the government agents did not go through the formality of leaving anything in place of them.
Upon the approach of Morgan, the militia from all parts was called to Gallipolis, where a vast amount of quartermaster and commissary goods were stored, and which it was thought he would undertake to destroy. It was astonishing with what alacrity the call was responded to. Before Morgan set foot in the county, nearly all the men and boys capable of bearing arms reported for duty, in command of their newly elected officers, who were ready and willing to throw themselves into the breach. At the time, there were several officers in Gallipolis, who had seen service in the field, and they were assigned to duty. By the time the men would have been needed, they were sufficiently well drilled for all practical purposes, and would doubtless have given Morgan a warm reception. There is no event in the history of our country which so fully and practically illustrates its vast resources and the patriotism of its people, as that of the Morgan Raid through Southern Ohio.
After Morgan had left the county, those of his troops that had been captured, numbering two hundred and nine, were sent to Cincinnati on the steamer Bertha. The companies of Captains Meikle and Clark, numbering eighty to one hundred men, were detailed as guard, under command of Alexander Vance, an ex-army officer. In the passage down the river, when the boat would pass near the Kentucky shore, the temptation was strong among the prisoners to attempt an escape. The water was low, and at Portsmouth the boat was obliged to lay to on account of fog. While here, three more Morgan men were taken prisoners and placed with the others. Arriving at Cincinnati at three o'clock P. M., the landing of the prisoners was delayed until the next day, and the boat was anchored in the middle of the stream. During the night one man escaped by climbing through the wheel and swimming to the Kentucky shore, where he was recaptured, and one was drowned in making the attempt. The balance-211 in all—were turned over to United States officials at Cincinnati.
It is impossible to give a full account of the adventures of Morgan and his men in Gallia county in a brief space. Some of the details will be found among the personal histories of the county, herein published. Many of them were encountered in detached squads, a number gave themselves up, and some escaped by crossing the river. Citizens of the county were pressed in as guides to conduct them to the Ohio river. A squad of them entered Crown City, where several were killed and a number drowned in attempting to cross.
GALLIA COUNTY AND VIRGINIA.
There is probably no point upon the Ohio river, from Pittsburg to Cairo, where the intercourse of the inhabitants upon both sides of the stream— the dividing line between slavery and freedom—had been so free and friendly as between Gallia county and the opposite territory in Virginia, before the breaking out of hostilities in the war of the rebellion. There were .close ties of kinship, as well as friendship, extensive business connections, and all those elements existed which tend, in the greatest degree, to draw communities together by the closest bonds of fraternity. For this reason, the difference which grew up between them at this time, (when each was obliged to take a decided stand upon the important issues then agitating the country,) rendered the antagonistic feeling between individuals on opposite sides all the more bitter. Yet much of this friendly feeling existed during the entire war, and when it closed, to the great relief of all, they were prepared, with few individual exceptions, to return to their old allegiance to each other, and to-day the warmest hearted fraternity exists between them, even in a greater degree than ever before.
It has been impossible to ascertain the names of the various commands in which the men of Gallia county served. Many of them enlisted in Virginia and Kentucky, as well as Ohio regiments, and all branches of the service were represented. Many individual cases might be mentioned of men and regiments, in which the county was largely represented, that rendered signal service to their country, to which a volume ought to be especially devoted. The records show that Gallia county responded promptly to all calls for troops; she furnished as ninny men as any county in the State, in proportion to population, and the conduct of her soldiers, upon the battle-fields of the war, was unsurpassed for bravery and devotion to country.
PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT OF GALLIA COUNTY,
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
SAMUEL J. BLAKE -a farmer and carpenter of this township, was born in this county May 5, 1838. His parents are Samuel and Nancy (Switzer) Blake. He was united in marriage with Ahnira H., daughter of James and Barbara A. (Fry) Philips, in Gallia county, May 8, 1860. She was born in the same county January 8, 1839. She is the mother of eight children, namely : William E., born' April 14, 1861 ; Mary A., October 3, 1864; Areus S., July 30, 1866; Effie B., April 3, 1868; George H., January 7, 1872; Hattie M., February 3, 1874; Lottie E., December 17, 1877 ; Bertha 0., August 29, 1880; all at home. Mr. Blake enlisted in the late war in 1861 in the 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was sergeant of Company A, served three years and received an honorable discharge at New Orleans, October 27, 1864. He had two brothers who were in the war also, Philip S., enlisted in 1865 in the 185th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war. Areus L. enlisted in 1861 in the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years. He was wounded in the siege of Vicksburg, and died in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, July 11, 1863. Mrs. Blake's father enlisted in the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861, served to the close of the war and received an honorable discharge. Her brother, John R., enlisted in the 23d Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served to the close of the war. Address, Mr. S. J. Blake, Kerr postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
JEAN FRANCIS JULES BLANC -was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 29, 1822, and is the son of Sebastian Jean and Jeanne Marie (Schnider) Blanc. He has been married twice. His first wife, Marguerite, daughter of Jean Emanuel and Marie.Madelaine (Jaguerod) Echenard, was born in Aigle, Switzerland, November 10, 1824. They were married in Lausanne county, Switzerland, January 23, 1843. They have had six children : Julius Augustus Francis Henry, born September 25, 1843, lives in Gallia county; Louisa Henrietta, November 6, 1845, resides in Gallia. county ; Mary Louisa Alice, March 8, 1849, resides in Gallia county ; Eliza, May 3, 1853, died January 8, 1855; Edward, January 19, 1857, resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Laura C., April 26, 1861, at home. Mr. Blanc is a resident of Springfield township, and settled here with his wife and four oldest children in 1855. His wife died November 16, 1863. He was united in marriage with his second wife, Francis Fanny Soupine, April, 1864, in this county. She was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1846, and died April 30, 1876. The following are the children of this marriage : Emma, born May 27, 1865; Lewis, August 29, 1867; Nora, May 15, 1869; all at home. Julius A. F. H., son of Mr. Blanc, served in the late war, enlisting in Gallipolis October 10, 1862, in Company M of the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He was taken prisoner November 19, 1864, at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. He remained a prisoner in different Southern prisons until the close of the war, and was discharged June 10, 1865, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Business, farmer and carpenter. Address, Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio.
WILLIAM BRAY -resident and farmer of this township, has been married twice. His first wife, Clarinda, daughter of Thomas and Charlotte (Hale) Barton, was married to him in Jackson county, Ohio, November 7, 1848. She was born in 1823, and died May 8, 1850. One child was the result of this marriage, Wilson S., born October 1, 1849, and residing in California. His second wife, Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah (Hill) Denney, who settled here in 1812, was united in marriage with him in Gallia county, April 28, 1853. She was born in the same county, September 22, 1815. She has had four children, namely : Sarah E., born March 4, 1854, died February 7, 1862; Martha L., April 23, 1856, died December 3, 1859; Theodosia E. (Jackson), May 27, 1858, lives in Gallia county; Mary L. (Langdon, later Hecker), died May 24, 1882. Mr. Bray was born in Gallia county, January 10, 1817, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Denney) Bray. His father, son of Little Berry Bray, was born in Surry county, North Carolina, in 1777. He was married to Elizabeth Denhey in 1801, and came to this county, and landed in Gallinolis, October 17, 1811. The following year he was drafted into the army, and while in service was taken with camp fever and nearly lost his life. He was taken home in 1813, where he recovered from his sickness. He bought and cleared a large farm in Springfield township, where Mr. Bray, the subject of this sketch, now lives. He joined the Springfield Missionary Baptist church in 1850, and lived a devoted christian until his death, April 20, 1861. Address Mrs. William Bray, Heatly postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN W. BLOSSER, Junior-died December 17, 1864. He served as a private in the late war with the 100-day men, and received an honorable discharge at the expiration of his time. He was born in Gallia county April 11, 1831, and was a son of John and Catherine (Strichler) Blosser, who settled here in 1830, being among the earliest settlers, and are still living with their grandson, David M., a son of John W. Blosser, junior, on the same farm on which he settled when he came to this county. His father was a wagon-maker by trade, and probably made the first wagon in Gallia county. His wife, Louisa, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, October 27, 1836, and was married to him in the same county, December 15, 1857. She is the mother of four children : David 51., born November 16, 18 , residence, Gallia county, Ohio ; Julia R., January 9, 18 , died July 30, 1862 ; George L., December 12, 18 , died July 3, 1862; Margaret J., June 11, 1863, lives in Gallia county, Ohio. John W. Blosser’s wife’s parents are Hiram D. and Julia A. (Fulton) George, who settled in this county in 1818. Her brother Archibald served in the late war, and was killed in the battle of Champion Hill, May 16, 1863. He enlisted in 1861 in the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Blosser's son, David, was united in marriage with Laura V. Mauck in Gallia county, April 20, 1881, and is the father of one child, Nanna, born May 9, 1882. His wife was horn in this county, September 21, 1858. Her parents are James and Barbara (Rothgeb) Mauck, the father dying May 4, 1881. Mr. Blosser was a resident of Pine Grove, Springfield township, Gallia county, Ohio. His business was farming and wagon- making. David M. was a merchant, but is now living on and farming the old farm. Address, Pine Grove, Gallia county, Ohio.
JULIUS AUGUSTUS FRANCIS HENRY BLANC -a resident and farmer of Springfield township, was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, September 25, 1843. He settled in this county with his parents, Julius and Marguerite (Echenard) Blanc in .1854. His wife, Maria Dorothee, was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1850. She came to this county with her parents, John Henry and Margaret (Ecker) Bolte, in 1866, and was married to Mr. Blanc in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, Juns,, 17, 1872. Mr. Blanc enlisted in the late war in Gallipolis, in Company M of the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, October 10, 1862, and remained in his company until captured by the enemy, November 19, 1864, at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. He was kept in different Southern prisons until the close of the war, when he was discharged June 10, 1865, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Address, Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio.
WILLIAM JEFFERSON CARRELL -a resident and farmer of Springfield township, was born in Point Pleasant, Mason county, West Virginia, September 9, 1825, and settled in this county in 1845. His parents, William F. and Elizabeth Ann (Steed) Carrell, came to this county June 10, 1837. Elizabeth A. deceased. He was united in marriage with Hannah B., daughter of John and Caroline (Bishop) Smith, in Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio, December 7, 1847. She was born in Warren township, Washington county, Ohio, July 5, 1832, and came to this county with her parents in April, 1835. She is the mother of five children : John W., born December 12, 1848; Emma C., May 3, 1852; Lizzie C., May 26, 1862 ; Samuel C., February 10, 1865; George R., August 17, 1870, all of whom except George, who is at home, reside in Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio. John Smith died September 15,1840. Mr. Carrell served as pilot on a government transport in the United States service from May 12, 1861, to the close of the war in 1865, on the Great Kanawha, Ohio and Cumberland rivers. He was at the battle of Scary Creek, in July, 1861, under command of General J. D. Cox, and at the battle of Fort Donelson, in a fleet of 153 steamboats, laden with troops. Postoffice, Pine Grove, Gallia county, Ohio.
DANIEL COVERSTON -a farmer and miller of Springfield township, was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, October 2, 1805, and came to this county with his wife and three oldest children in 1835. His parents are Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Coverston. Elizabeth, his wife, was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, November 7, 1811, and is a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Hisey) Niswander. They were married in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1828. Eight children are the result of this union : Franklin, born January 25, 1830, died April 5, 1848 ; Silas, March 9, 1832, lives in Gallia county ; Samuel A., March 3, 1834, died April 19, 1864; Lucy A. (Frederick), August 13, 1836, resides in Gallia county ; Mary E. (Davis) January 5, 1839, lives in Gallia county ; Caroline J., March 19, 1841, died April 29, 1844; William H., June 7, 1843, died March 31, 1844; Rebecca L., August 16, 1846, resides at home. His wife died August 31, 187,7. Mr. Coverston's son, Samuel A., served in the late war, enlisting in 1863, in the Trumbull Guards. They were stationed at Gallipolis and engaged in provost duty. He took sick while in service and returned home on a sick furlough, and died April 19, 1864. Address Mr. David Coverston at Rodney postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOSEPH DELILLE -a resident of Springfield township, was a soldier in the late civil conflict. He enlisted in 1862 in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and serving till the close of the war, received an honorable discharge. His brother John enlisted in the 4th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, in 1861. He was given the office of second lieutenant, and in 1863 was promoted to captain and transferred and put in command of a battery of artillery. Mr. Delille is a on of Antwine and Sarah (Snyder) Delille, and was borne in Brooke county, West Virginia, February 20, 1827, settling in this county in 1838. His wife, Isabella, daughter of George and Helen (Johnston) Martin, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, May 28, 1823. They were married in this county, March 5, 1845, and have had nine children : Andrew, born May 17, 1846, resides in this county ; Sarah L., February 10, 1848, resides at home ; James L., January 31, 1850, died February 8, 1850; Helen (Philips), February 3, 1851, lives in Vinton county, Ohio; George W., June 29, 1853, died October 27, 1854; George W., October 17, 1855, died October 24, 1873; Margaret E., October 31, 1857, resides at home ; James J., October 2, 1860, died May 7, 1872; Mary B., September 24, 1862, resides at home. Business of Mr. Delille is farming. Address, Evergreen postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
LEWIS DENNEY -son of James and Rebecca (Vanderpool) Denney, was born in Surry county, North Carolina, December 26, 1797. He was united in marriage with Felicia, daughter of Lewis and Constance Lecklare, in Gallia county, May 23, 1821. She was born in the same county August 14, 1803. Twelve children are the result of this union, namely William a., born -March 18, 1822, lives in this county; Ira A., March 8, 1824, lives in Jay county, Indiana; Mary J. (Russel), December 10, 1825, deceased; Sophoia, August 28, 1827, resides in Jay
2 - PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY.
county, Indiana; Melisia, March 21, 1829, died August, 1851; Angeline, March 5, 1831, died in Jay county, Indiana; Royel, March 1, 1833, lives in Jay county, Indiana ; Daniel, January 8, 1835, resides in California; Margaret, February 26, 1837, deceased; Sarah (Glassburn), March 26, 1839, lives in Gallia county ; Senith E. (Glassburn), August 25,1843, lives in Gallia county; Elizabeth C. (Glassburn), May 27, 1847, resides in Nebraska. Mr. Denney came to this county with his parents in 1814. They were among the earliest settlers in the county, and settled on section twenty-nine, where they lived until their death. Mr. Denney still lives on the homestead. His wife's parents emigrated from France to this county with the French colony that settled in Gallipolis in 1792, it being the first settlement in the county. Mr. Denney is a resident and farmer of Springfield township, and has held the office of supervisor for several terms. Address, Heatly postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOSEPH S. DYER, Senior-son of Stephen and Esther (Spaulding) Dyer, was born in Waldo county, Maine, January 20, 1823, and settled in this county in 1855. His wife, Sophronia J., was born in this county January 22, 1833, her parents, Melvin and Harty (Cole) Lawry, settling in this county in 1820. Joseph S. and Sophronia were married in Gallia county, November 22,1855. They have had ten children, namely: Melvin L., born February 9, 1857, died August 18, 1858; Joseph S., August 16, 1858, resides at home; William C., May 11, 1860, resides at home ; Leonidas B., March 12, 1862, resides at home ; Daniel M., January 8, 1864, died June 30, 1865; Benjamin F., December 19, 1865, resides at home; Laura S., August 31, 1867, died October 11, 1867; Orpha J., October 11, 1868, resides at home ; Amos O., April 5, 1871, resides at home; Libbens C., Septembe-r 13, 1876, resides at home. Mrs. Dyer had three brothers in the late war. Oscar enlisted in 1861, in the Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted sergeant of his company. He reenlisted in the same company, and was appointed first lieutenant; and served to the close of the war, when he resigned, having received one wound in the war in the battle of Winchester. Alonzo enlisted in 1863 in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served to the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge. William W. enlisted in 1863, in the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served to the close of the war, and received an honorable discharge. Both grandfathers of Mr. Dyer were in the war of the revolution. Mr. Dyer is a resident of Springfield township. His occupation is farming; his address, Evergreen, Gallia county, Ohio.
SILAS DANIELS -son of John and Delilah (Estel) Daniels, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1829, and came to this county with his parents in 1842. He was united in marriage with Mary P. Bing, in Gallia county, April 13, 1854. She was born in Gallia county, October 24, 1838, and is the daughter of Samuel R. and Lydia (Sawyer) Bing, who came to this county in 1805. They have had five children, namely: Mary S. (Minx), born February 18, 1855, lives in this county ; John S., May 14, 1856, resides in this county; Laura E. (Blake), April 10, 1858, lives in Gallia county; Margaret E., October 9, 1860, died March 11, 1866; Alice M. (Shaffer), December 18, 1861. Mr. Daniels served in the late war, enlisting in 1864, in the 179th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving till the close of the war, was honorably discharged. He also had three brothers in the war. Abraham H. and Madison enlisted in 1864 in the 173d Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Both served till the close of the war and were honorably discharged. John Q. A. enlisted in 1861, in the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was taken prisoner in the battle of Vicksburg, and returned home at the close of the war. Mr. Daniels was one of the pioneer gold-seekers, going to California in 1852, in a wagon drawn by oxen. He met with many hardships during his stay, and returned home by water. He has bought a farm and settled on it, and is now a farmer in good circumstances. Address, Pine Greve, Springfield township, Gallia county, Ohio.
GEORGE B. EWING -was born in Gallia county, August 17, 1829. He took part in the late civil strife, enlisting August 16, 1863, in the 107th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was taken sick at Nashville, Tennessee, and (lied in the hospital, January 12, 1864, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss. His brother, Joseph H., enlisted in Company B, 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 11, 1861, was taken sick and (lied in the hospital at Summersville, West Virginia, December 12, 1861, at the age of twenty-one years, six months and two days. Mrs. Ewing's brother, George, also served in the war; enlisting in 1862 in Company L, of the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, for three years. He was captured in the. latter part of 1863, and confined in Andersonville prison about seven months. He was then taken to Libby prison, Richmond, Virginia, where he died in 1864 of starvation. Mr. Ewing's father, Abraham M. Ewing, came to this county, in 1810, from Bath county, Virginia, and settled near what is now the village of Ewington in this county. It is said he built the first hewed log house in the county, also built the first stone chimney. The house yet stands on the old Ewing homestead, near Ewington. His mother, Elizabeth (Bowman) Ewing, came to this county, in 1816, from Shenandoah county, Virginia, and settled near the town of Vinton, on Raccoon creek. She was married to his father October 31, 1828. Mr. Ewing's wife, Lucinda H., daughter of Nathan and Sarah (May) Shields, was born in this county May 16, 1827, and was married to him in Evergreen, Gallia county, December 27, 1856. She has had four children, namely : John H., born October 27, 1857, lives in Evergreen, Gallia county; Frank E., March 16, 1859, died April 4, 1882; Rufus A., February 14, 1861, died February 15, 1882; Sallie H., March 4, 1864, at home. Her oldest son, John H., is township clerk, having been elected in the April election in 1881 and 1882. Mr. Ewing was a carpenter and joiner. Address of J. H. Ewing is Evergreen Gallia county
DAVID FREDERICK -and Mary E. Young were married in Gallia county September 23, 1856. He is a farmer in Springfield township, and was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 21, 1835, moving to this county the following year-with his parents, Henry and Hannah (Ewens) Frederick. His wife was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, June 14, 1832, and came to this county with her parents, Richard and Sarah (Bard) Young, in 1844. She is the mother of four children : William H. H., born June 21, 1857, lives in Gallia county; Sarah E. (Kelly), February 8, 1860, resides in Gallia county; John M., March9, 1865, at home; Dora M., February 8, 1872, at home. Mr. Frederick formerly held the office of school director for twelve years. He is at present supervisor, which office he has held for several years. Address, Heatly postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
DAVID GLASSBURN -was born in this county January 28, 1805, and was the first white child born in Springfield township. His parents, John and Mary (Richerdson) Glassburn, were among the first settlers in the county, settling here in 1804, and possessing. one horse, a cow and gun. David Glassburn was united in marriage with Polly, daughter of Phineas and Catherine (Lasley) Sawyer, in Gallia county, June 2, 1831. She was born in this county, December 2, 1810, and died December 26, 1853. Her parents settled in this county in 1803. Their family consisted of seven children: Mary C. (Prefftzs), born August 29, 1832, lives in this county; Lewis, March 14, 1834, resides in Illinois ; Daniel, June 24, 1837, lives in Gallia county ; Nathanial, January 10, 1839, lives in Gallia county; Arius and Alonzo, twins, March 27, 1842, the former residing in Nebraska, the latter died August 8, 1864; L., March 11, 1844, resides in this county. Mr. Glassburn held the office of supervisor for about twenty-eight years. He is now occupied at farming. Address, Heatly postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
HENRY GRAYUM -deceased January 26, 1877. He was united in marriage to Mary E. Day in this county, June 12, 1854. She was born in the same county June 8, 1835, and her parents are Hamilton and Cynthia A. (Hall) Day. The former was born in this county in 1810, and the latter in Mason county, West Virginia, in 1812. Mr. Grayum, son of Joseph and Mary (Entsminger) Grayum, was born in this county November 14, 1818. He is the father of eight children, namely: Cynthia E. (Cherrington), born August 31, 1856, resides in Gallia county; Joseph E., February 10, 1857, resides at home ; Esther M., December 12, 1859, resides at home; Mattie A. M., August 20, 1861, resides at home ; Harry U., May 30, 1864, resides at home; William G., November 14, 1867, resides at home; Howard R., October 18, 1872, died July 3, 1873 ; Edna E., July 19, 1874, resides at home. Mr. Grayum and his brother William were in the late war, William enlisting in Gallipolis, Gallia county, in Company G, 4th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, 1861, Mr. Grayum being captain of this company, which he formed at Mason, West Virginia. He was wounded at the battle of Vicksburg, May 19, 1863, and returned home on a furlough, remaining about two months, when he joined his regiment again, and was appointed major to fill the vacancy of the former major who had been killed in battle. He served as major about fourteen months, when he was compelled to resign and return home on account of the wound he received in the battle of Vicksburg. William, soon after enlisting, was appointed lieutenant of Company G, and after the battle of Vicksburg was appointed captain, serving to the close of the war, when he resigned and returned home. Mr. Grayum has held the following offices : township trustee, United States revenue collector one term ; county surveyor, three terms, until his death. He also held several other offices. His occupation was that of a civil engineer. His widow, Mary Grayum's postoffice address is Kerr, Gallia county, Ohio.
HENRY F. HILL -is a son of Edward Wiley Hill and Sarah (Coverston) Hill. He was born in this township June 25, 1848, and at Rodney, this county, on April 7, 1874, was married to Percy A. Tracy, who was born in Jackson county, Ohio, May 17, 1852, being a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Keck) Tracy. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have the following children : Charles W., born May 17, 1875, resides at Porter, this township; Anna Maud, November 7, 1877, resides at Porter. Mr. Hill is a physician and surgeon residing in Springfield township. He came to Porter in the spring of 1877 ; graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, the spring of 1878, and has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery ever since. The postoffice address of Mr. Hill is Pine Grove, Gallia county, Ohio.
SAMUEL HALLIDAY -settled in this county in 1818. He was born at Auchencairn, Parish of
Kerkmahoe, county Dumfries, Scotland, October 17,1799, and died August 25, 1880. He was a son of Alexander and Jean (Halliday) Halliday. He was married twice. His second wife, Jennie S., daughter of Thomas and Jean (McMaster) McKnight, was born in New Brunswick, British America, December 9, 1831, and was married to him in Salem township, Meigs county, Ohio, April 29, 1866. Their only child, Anna J., was born January 6, 1868, and is at home. His first wife, Eliza, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wyatt) Parker, was born April 7, 1805, in Rutland township, Meigs county, Ohio, and was married to him in Meigs county, April 7, 1822. She died February 18, 1861. The following children are the result of this union : Alexander W., born February 2, 1825, died August 24, 1830; William P., July 21, 1827, resides in Cairo, Illinois ; Jane, January 29, 1830, resides in Cairo, Illinois; Samuel B., July 19, 1832, died December 1, 1868; Edwin W., Slay 11, 1836, lives in Cairo, Illinois; Eliza S., August 2, 1839, resides in St. Louis, Missouri ; henry L., March 7, 1842, lives in Cairo, Illinois; Thomas W., June 10, 1844, lives in Cairo, Illinois; Mary C., April 2, 1847, resides in Athens county, Ohio. Mr. Halliday’s second wife was formerly married to James E., son of Ruel and Scynthia (Rathburn) Braley, in Rutland township, Meigs county, Ohio. He was born in the same place, December 10,
PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT - GALLIA COUNTY - 3
1828, and died April 4, 1864. The following children are the result of this marriage: Emma Braley, born October 31, 1848, resides in Fayette county, West Virginia; Willis M., October 29, 1851, died January 31, 1852; Willie, November 16, 1854, died August 10,1872; Sarah A., January 13, 1857, died March 9, 1859; James E. and John B., July 22, 1861, reside in Gallia county, Ohio. Mrs. Halliday's brother, William McKnight, served in the late war, enlisting as orderly sergeant, in 1862, in Company K of the Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He was soon promoted to first lieutenant, and afterwards (the captain of the company being killed in battle), was appointed captain. While in command of his company he was killed at the battle of Scynthiana, Kentucky. Mr. Halliday held the office of auditor in Meigs county, Ohio, for twenty-three years in succession. His business was farming and teaching. His widow, Jennie Halliday's address, is Rio Grande postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN IRWIN -was born in this county August 8, 1819. His parents were David and Mary (Fletcher) Irwin ; the former was born in county of Tyrone, Ireland, and emigrated from there and came to Pennsylvania in 1794. He then moved and settled in this county in 1809. He married Mary Fletcher at Marietta, Washington county, Ohio. They were among the earliest settlers, settling first in Gallipolis, then in this township in 1827. He then bought section five, which is now owned by his children, Mary J., Lucinda, James F., John, David and Edward S. John Irwin's wife, Mary, is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sheppard) Clark, who were both born in England, and married in St. Paul's Chapel in the city of London, in 1817, and came to New York, where they remained about two years, and settled in this county in 1820. She was born July 19, 1826. She was married to Mr. Irwin June 30, 1844, in this county. They have had eleven children. They are : Agnes A. (Thaxton), born June 8, 1846 ; Daniel, September 10, 1847; Lucinda M. (Martindal), October 3, 1849; Mary E. (Rees), September 3, 1852; Alice, July 19, 1855, died September 3, 1855; Laura A. (Berry), August 28, 1856, John H, October 31, 1858 ; Kate G., February 5, 1861 ; Lizzie B., March 27, 1863; Edward S., Octobar 9, 1863; Irena I., December 23, 1870. All living resides in this county. Mr. Irwin is at present township trustee; he was elected land appraiser in the fall of 1880, served as justice of the peace from October 19, 1867, to October 19, 1879, twelve years in' all, and is now notary public. Mrs. Irwin had a brother, Daniel Clark, who served in the late war. Business of Mr. John Irwin is farming. Address, Pine Grove, Gallia county, Ohio.
SAMUEL J. KERR -has been twice married. His first wife, Sarah E., daughter of Benjamin F. and Agnes Mills, was born November 6, 1845, and died October 21, 1872. Two children were the result of this marriage : Benjamin F., born March 6, 1868, resides at home ; Anna B., May 20, 1871, died April 12, 1873. His second wife, Margaret A., daughter of Ross S. and Susan (Bunger) Watts, was born in this county, May 23, 1853. Her parents came to the county in 1852. She was married to him in Gallia county, Ohio, November 10, 1874. They have three children, all residing at home : Nellie M., born March 27, 1876 ; Augustus P., December 26, 1878; Ibbie, July 7, 1880. Mr. Kerr was born in this county, January.25, 1843. He is a son of John and Isabella (Morrison) Kerr, who were born in this county in 1804. He served in the late war, enlisting in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, August 28, 1862. He was taken prisoner at Rogersville, Tennessee, November 6, 1863, and confined in the following Southern prisons : First, at Belle Island, Virginia, where he remained four months. He was then taken to Andersonville, where he was kept about seven months ; thence to Savannah, Georgia, from there to Millen Station, at Camp Kotton, then again to Savannah, where he was paroled, November 26, 1864; returned home, remaining there until exchanged, when he returned to his regiment, and served to the close of the war receiving an honorable discharge July 7, 1865. Mr. Kerr is a resident of Springfield
township, and his occupation is farming. Address, Kerr postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
CHARLES W. KERR -a resident of Springfield township, is a son of John N. and Caroline (Cherington) Kerr, and was born in this county April 22, 1851. His wife, Ibbie J., daughter of Ross S. and Susan (Bunger) Watts, was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, April 2, 1855, and married to him in this county November 6, 1873. They have four children, all of whom are at home : Frank, born August 20, 1874; Homer, April 24, 1876; Ross, February 5, 1879; Merrill, November 16,1881. Mrs. Kerr's parents settled in this county in 1852. Mr. Kerr has a grocery and provision store at Kerr Station, on the Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad. He is employed by that railroad company as ticket and freight agent, and is also postmaster at that station, is an active and honorable business man and is liked by all who know and deal with him. Address, Kerr postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN NISEWANGER KERR -a resident of this township, has been married twice. He married his first wife, Isabella Morrison, in this county, April 11, 1827. She was born in Gallia county, Ohio, and died September 16, 1845. Her parents, William and Ann (Ireland) Morrison, are both deceased. The following are his children by this marriage : Mary A. (Powell), born January 23, 1828, resides in Gallia county, Ohio ; Augustus P., August 12, 1829, died April 8, 1878; John R., April 25, 1831, died February 13, 1841; Maria C. (Walker), September 27, 1833 ; James M., December 15, 1835; Susan C. (Blake), August 6, 1838, resides in Gallia county ; William M., July 22, 1840; Samuel J., January 25, 1843, lives in Gallia county. His 'second wife, Caroline, daughter of John and Ruth (Knox) Cherrington, was married to him in this county August 25, 1846. She was born in Gallia county, October 6, 1821. Seven children are the result of this union, namely : Charles W., born July 15, 1847, died July 8, 1848 ; Harriet I. (Mills), July 10, 1849, resides in this county ; Charles Warren, April 22, 1851, lives in this county; Fannie H. (Hutsinpillar), February 4, 1853, resides in Ironton, Lawrence county, Ohio; Edward E., March 16, 1855, lives in Gallia county ; Cassius C., April 15, 1857, residence in this county ; Aleri M., January 27, 1860, died August 15, 1865. Mr. Kerr's son Samuel, enlisted as a private in the late civil conflict, August 28, 1862, in the 7th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He was taken prisoner at Rogersville, Tennessee, November 6, 1863, and was confined in the following Southern prisons : First, at Belle Island, Virginia, where he remained four months. He was then taken to Andersonville, where he was kept about seven months ; thence to Savannah, Georgia ; from there to Millen Station, at Camp Kotton ; then again to Savannah; there he was paroled, November 26, 1864, returned home, remaining there until exchanged, when he returned to his regiment and served to the close of the war. He was honorably discharged July, 1866. Mr. Kerr is a son of John and Christina (Nisewanger) Kerr, and was born in this county December 15, 1804. Both his and his wife's parents settled here in 1802. His father is one of the earliest settlers in this county, and cut the first tree in Green township on the farm where he lived. John N. Kerr held the office of county commissioner for twelve years. Business, farming. Address, Kerr post- office, Gallia county, Ohio.
FREDERICK H. J. KEYE -son of Henry and Frederica (Nierenberg) Keye, was born in Hasselfeld, Brunswick, Germany, February 10, 1824. His wife, Christina F. W., daughter of and Wilhelmiena Kroter, was born in Rothzithe, Warningerrode, Germany, 1828. They were married in Hasselfeld, Brunswick, Germany, June, 1852. She died in 1867 in Germany. Their children are : Frederick G. T., born March 19, 1855, at home ; Charley T. F., March 22, 1857, at home ; Frederica J. W., March 8, 1859, died June 13, 1859; Wilhelmiena A. J. (Rose), April 27, 1860, lives in Gallia county; Dora W. K., June 10, 1863, at home. Mr. Keye removed his family (all of his children having been born in Germany), from Germany to Gallipolis in 1868, living there four years, when he bought a farm in Springfield township, and has been farming ever since. His son, Charles T. F., was elected supervisor in Springfield township, in 1879, for one year, and was again elected in 1882. Address, Heatly postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
ELZA F. MILLS -a resident of this township, was united in marriage with Sarah E. Titus, in this county, May 6, 1856, and is the father of seven children, namely: Henry W., born February 14, 1857, resides in Green township, Gallia county, Ohio; Hattie M., August 6, 1862, at home; Mary B., August 12, 1864, at home; Bert F., October 31, 1867, at home ; Fannie W., January 6, 1870, died April 12, 1878; Fred K., August 23, 1873, at home ; Helen, March 29, 1876, at home. Mr. Mills was born in Gallia county, Ohio, February 16, 1833, and is the son of John N. and Mary A. (Waddell) Mills. His father was born in this county in 1800, and his mother in 1806. His wife's parents, Leonard and Maria V. (Becker) Titus, settled in this county in 1835. His wife was born in Onondagua county, New York, February 8, 1835. Her brother, Richard L. Titus, served a short time in the late war. He was discharged on account of sickness and disability. Business, farming. Address, Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN E MILLS -has held the office of commissioner in this county for nine years. He was born in this county February 23, 1840, and is the son of John N. and Mary A. (Waddell) Mills, who were born in this county in 1800, and 1806 respectively. He married Lydia Hutsinpiller in Gallia county, April 3, 1861. They have had five children : Anna B., born March 3, 1862, died September 17, 1863; Ross H., September 7, 1864, died November 9, 1864; Frank H., April 27, 1866, at home ; Charles S., June 6, 1869, died May 3, 1870; William C., June 10, 1872, at home. Mr. Mills' wife is a daughter of David and Maria (Windsor) Hutsinpiller, and was born in this county November 16, 1843. Mr. Mills' brother, Dr. W. W. Mills, was the surgeon of the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the war of the rebellion. His wife's brother, Reuben L. Hutsinpiller, enlisted in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, 1862, and was taken prisoner at Rogersville, Tennessee, thence taken to Belle Island, and from there to Andersonville prison, where he was confined until he died of starvation. Business of Mr. Mills is farming. Address, Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio.
DANIEL W. MOREHOUSE -a farmer and resident of Springfield township, was born in Gallia county, November 18, 1835, and is a son of Charles S. and Lucinda (Sisson) Morehouse, who settled here in 1812. He married Letitia E., daughter of Letitia (Laughlin) and Edward Owen, in Gallia county, Ohio, June 28, 1859. Two children were the result of this marriage : Ida B. (Kerr), born July 29, 1860, residence Gallia county, Ohio ; Edward A., 'May 18, 1864, resides at home. His wife was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1837, and moved to this county with her parents in 1846. Mr. Morehouse has held the office of township assessor for two years. Address, Pine Grove, Gallia county, Ohio.
THOMAS MOSSMAN -was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, January 25, 1823. He is the son of John and Grace (Oddell) Mossman, who settled in this county in 1828. His marriage with Sarah B. Womeldorff, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Bing) Womeldorff, took place in this county September 12, 1860. His wife's parents came to this county in 1801 and 1799, respectively, and she was born December 28, 1827. They have three children, all at home : Edgar J., born November 2, 1862; Daniel E., December 2, 1864; and Thomas B., March 12, 1868. Mr. Mossman had two brothers in the late war, John and Andrew J., both of whom served and were honorably discharged. John Mossman, the father of Thomas, was born in Ireland in 1790, and came to America in 1811. He enlisted in the war of 1812 as a private, serving until the close, and receiving an honorable discharge. He first settled in New Jersey, then moved to Rockingham county, Virginia, remaining there several years, and then moved to Spring-
4 - PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY.
field township, Gallia county, where he resided at the time of his death, October 20, 1842. His wife died in December, 1860. Mrs. Mossman's father, Colonel Daniel Womeldorff, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1781, and with his father removed to Augusta county, Virginia, remaining there until grown, when he moved to Springfield township, Gallia county, in 1801, where he resided until his death, April 15, 1847. His age was 66 years. In the war of 1812, he was captain of the Light Horse Company, and was promoted to major. He aided Governor Meigs in defense of the Northwestern frontier, and after three months' service received an honorable discharge. In 1814 he was elected colonel of the militia in his own county, which position he held for many years. He and Miss Sarah. Bing were married June 7, 1821. She was born in Augusta county, Virginia, September 6, 1793, and moved to Gallia county with her parents in 1799, and is still living, at the advanced age of 89. Colonel Womeldorff was a member of the house of representatives of Ohio in 1819 and 1826; also a member,of the senate in 1820, 1824 and 1825, and held many other positions of honor and trust. Mr. Thomas Mossman is a farmer and stock-raiser, and his address is Rodney, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOIIN J. TREFFTZS -a resident of Springfield township, was born in Wertenberg, Germany, October 24, 1829. He came to this county with his parents, Gabriel and Mary (Fadderer) Trefftzs, in 1837. He was united in marriage with Mary C. Glassburn, in Gallia county, September 22, 1853. She was born in the same county August 29, 1832, and is the daughter of David and Polly (Sawyers) Glassburn. Their only child is Mary C. (Dyer), born December 3, 1854, lives in Gallia county. His brother, Lewis Trefftzs, served in the late war, enlisting in an Illinois regiment. He was wounded in the battle of Champion Hill, Tennessee. He was a prisoner in the Rebel prison, but was finally exchanged, and returning to his regiment, served till the close of the war and received an honorable discharge. Mr. Trefftzs has held the offices of assessor, supervisor and school director. Business, farming, stock-raising and carpenter. Address, Heatly postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
JAMES SHAVER -a resident of Springfield township, was born in this county December 27, 1816. His parents, Thomas and Susan (Clark) Shaver, came to this county in 1815. His wife, Mary A., daughter of William and Mary A. (Kerr) Edwards, was born in Dumfarland, Scotland, June 17, 1813, and settled in this county with her parents in 1836. She was married to Mr. Shaver in Gallipolis, April 27, 1841, and is the mother of six children, who are: William E., born February 10, 1842, resides in this county; Abraham C., July 21, 1843, lives in Kanawha county, West Virginia; Mary J., May 8, 1845, at home; Susan (Fergason), June 18, 1847, lives in this county ; James L., February 20, 1850, resides in Kanawha county, West Virginia; Thomas J., October 12, 1857, at home. Mr. Shaver had two sons, William E. and Abraham C., who enlisted in the late war. William enlisted in 1861, in the 19th United States Regulars, served to the close of the war and received an honorable discharge. He was wounded twice during his service, once in the battle of Chickamauga and again in the battle of Bull Run. Abraham enlisted in 1865 in the 194th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was first sergeant of Company C, but was taken sick and never went out in the service. Mr. Shaver has held several public offices, and is now engaged in farming. Address, Pine Grove, Gallia county, Ohio.
JAMES D. SPRAGUE -has been married three times. He was united in marriage with his first wife, Jane, in Gallia county, October, 1836. She was the daughter of John and Grace (Oddell) Mossman, born March 14, 1817, and died March 14, 1839. She had one child, John E., burn October 6, 1838, resides in this county. His second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John and Margaret (Short) Denney, was married to him in this county in 1849. She was born in thimi county, and died March 25, 1868. She had eight children : George; Margaret, born December 9, 1859, died in 1869; Lawrence ; Augustius, October 7, 1856, lives in Gallia county; James, Charley ; Ruth, February 8, 1864, reside at home; Joseph, April 24, 1867, resides at home. He was united in marriage with his third wife, Nancy Murray, in Gallia county, October, 1870. She was born in Columbiana county, Pennsylvania, and is the daughter of Peter and Nancy (McBride) Murray. Mr. Sprague is a resident of Springfield township, and was born in Sidney, Maine, December 18, 1806. He came to this county with his father in 1812. His mother was Louisa (Davis) Sprague. He and his father were among the earliest settlers in the county settling first in Gallipolis township. When he was twenty-one years old he bought a farm of eighty-eight acres in that township, and in 1842 bought land in Springfield township, and now owns two hundred and eighty-eight acres in that township. His son, John E., enlisted in the late war, in 1863, in the 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months. He realisted in 1864, in the 179th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge. Mr. Sprague is a a stone-mason and brick-layer by trade, but is now occupied at farming. Address, Evergreen, Gallia county, Ohio.
DR. NELSON B. SISSON -was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, July 17, 1820. His parents were Stephen Sisson, born in New York State in 1795, and Matilda (Varian) Sisson, who (lied in May, 1828, aged 28 years. The former came to this county in 1818, the latter in 1807. At Porter, Springfield township, on July 4, 1849, Lucevia Blakely became time wife of Dr. Sisson, she being a daughter of Zerah Blakely who died at Rising Sun, Indiana, in 1865, and Laura (Wells) Blakely, who died at Wilkesville, Ohio, in 1841. The two last named came from Pennsylvania in 1832. Mrs. Lucevia Sisson was born in Conneaut village, Crawford county. Pennsylvania. Mav 14. 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson's children are: Mary Jane, born April 19, 1852, died January 28, 1853; Charles H., December 18, 1855, died at Marietta, Ohio, October 18, 1870; Caroline M., August 24, 1859; Nelson E., February 2, 1863. The two latter reside in Porter, Gallia county, Ohio. Mr. Nelson B. Sisson, who resides in Springfield township, is a merchant, physician and farmer by occupation. William H. H., a brother of the doctor, enlisted in 1861, in the 4th Virginia, was promoted to first lieutenant, wounded at the battle of Winchester in 1864, and died in Gallipolis, December 24, 1877. Benjamin W. enlisted in 1864 in the 173d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, contracted disease, and is now permanently disabled. The subject of this sketch, Nelson B. Sisson, M. D., was also a participant in the war of the rebellion. He was commissioned as assistant surgeon, August 14, 1862, in the 92d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, resigned at Atlanta, Georgia, August 15, 1864, on account of dangerous domestic affliction, and returned home, suffering from partial deafness. He was one of the succsseful electors of President James A. Garfield in the year 1880. Studied medicine and graduated at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1846. The first wife of Dr. N. B. Sisson was Mary Jane Cable, who died April 28, 1848, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine Cable, both of whom died in Louisville, Kentucky. They were married in Louisville, Kentucky, October 30, 1846, being the place of her birth, and the date August 13, 1829. They had one child by this marriage, Samuel Stephen, born April 24, 1848, resides at Harper, Harper county, Kansas. Samuel Stephen Sisson graduated at Marietta College in 1870, and was a tutor in the same for two years, studied law and was admitted to the bar at Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio, in the year 1876, moved to Kansas and engaged in the practice of law where he still resides. The postoffice address of Dr. Nelson B. Sisson is Pine Grove.
GEORGE SIDERS -and Nancy Wolfinberger were married in this county August 5, 1832. They have had five children, namely : Mary J., born February 7, 1834, lives in Leavenworth county, Kansas; Noah. February 25, 1837, resides in Butler county, Kansas ; Julia A., October 8, 1839, died June 17, 1840; Davis, June 1, 1841, died in Georgia, 1864; Kate, December 2, 1844, lives in Butler county, Kansas. Mr. Siders is the son of Henry and Catherine (Motherspaugh) Siders, and was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, February 14, 1812, settling in this county with his parents in 1828. His wife was born in this county December 2, 1814, and her parents, John and Mary (Shoemaker) Wolfenberger, settled in the county in 1812. Mr. Siders' two sons, Noah and Davis, were in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry in the late civil conflict. Noah, after serving three years, received an honorable discharge and returned home. Davis was taken prisoner at Rogersville, Tennessee, November 6, 1863, and confined in the prison at Belle Island, Virginia, where he remained for four months. He was then taken to Andersonville priso't and kept seven months ; finally he was taken to Savannah, Georgia, where he died from disease in 1864. Mr. Siders has held the office of township trustee for three terms; he has also been postmaster at Morgan Center, Gallia county. Business, farmer and cooper. Address, Evergreen, Gallia county, Ohio.
ROSS S. WATTS -and Elizabeth Cherington were united in marriage in this county December 8, 1859. His children by this marriage are : William R., born September 25, 1860 ; Mary C., May 10, 1862 ; Jefferson C., January 4, 1864; Martha H., September 3, 1866 ; Frank, July 31, 1869; Millie J., January 19, 1873; Artie L., June 20, 1875; all live at home. Mr. Watts is a resident of this township, and was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, January 10, 1828. He settled in this county with his parents, John and Isabell (Waddell) Watts, in 1852. His wife, daughter of Jefferson and Mary (Hank) Cherington, was born in this county, November 22, 1837. Her father was also born in this county, in 1806. Mr. Watts was formerly united in marriage with Susan Buller, in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, June 8, 1.852. She was born in the same place June 7, 1833, and died September 2, 1858. Her parents are Michael and Margaret (Hutsinpiller) Runger. Two children were the result of this marriage : Margaret A., born May 23, 1853, resides in this county ; Isabella J., April 2, 1855, also resides in this county. David C. Watts, a brother of Mr. Watts, served in the late war, enlisting in 1862, in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war. Mrs. Watts had two brothers in the war. Caleb enlisted in the ninety-day service in 1861, then reenlisted and served till the close of the war, and received an honorable discharge. Charles served until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge. He was wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia. Business of Mr. Watts is farming and stock- raising. Address, Kerr postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
DAVID WATTS -was a soldier in the late war. He enlisted in the 141st Ohio National Guards, 1864, and served' about five months, when he was honorably discharged. Mr. Watts is a son of Andrew and Mary A. (Thompson) Watts, his father settling in this county in 1817. He was born in Gallia county, March 27, 1845. He is a resident of this township, and was united in marriage with Eliza Cherrington in this county March 19, 1867, and is the father of five children : William A., born December 28, 1867 ; George H., May 22, 1870 ; Charles E., February 20, 1872; Perly A., July 6, 1876; David A., March 6, 1882, all residing at home. his wife was born in this county December 7, 1843, and is the daughter of William M. and Jeannette (Martin) Cherrington. Business, farming. Address, Kerr postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
ANDREW WATTS -son of David and Elizabeth (Morrison) Watts, was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, June 7, 1807, settling in this county with his parents in 1817. His first wife, Martha G., daughter of William and Mary (Ross) Waddell, was married to him in Gallia county, Ohio, October 3, 1833. She was burn in Gallia county June 25, 1814, and died March 12, 1841. Their children were : Mary E., burn November 3, 1835, died December 21, 1856 ; Sarah E., June 2, 1837, resides in Karnes county, Texas; William W., March 29, 1839, resides in Gallia county. His second wife, Mary A., was married to him in Gallia county, Ohio, September 12, 1841. She was born in this county March 6, 1819, and is a daughter of John and Miriam (Waddell) Thompson, who settled in the
PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY - 5
county in 1801. The following are the children of this marriage : John A., born October 1, 1843, lives in Dewitt county, Texas ; David, March 27, 1845, resides in Gallia county; Martha E. (Ramsey), April 4, 1847, lives in this county ; Miram M. (Hott), August 6, 1848, lives in Gallipolis; James A., January 20, 1851, died December 16, 1854; Charles E., January 26, 1853, died May 9, 1854; Charles A., December 5, 1857, resides in Gallia county. Mr. Watts had three sons in the late war. William W. enlisted in 1862, in the 117th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served till the close of the war and received an honorable discharge. John A. enlisted in 1862, in the State Guards, doing State duty. He served till the close of the war. David enlisted in 1864, and served about five months, when he was honorably discharged. Mr. Watts has held a number of public offices, among which were infirmary director for six years, justice of the peace twelve years, and township treasurer for several years. Business, farming and stock-raising. Address, Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio.
J. A. C. WATTS -was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, July 28, 1839. He settled in this county with his parents, John and Isabella (Waddell) Watts, in 1852. He is a resident of Springfield township and follows the occupation of farming. He was united in marriage in this county, October 31, 1860, with Margaret A., daughter of James and Diantha (Chamberlain) Donnally, who came to Gallia county in 1801. She was born in this county, August 10, 1840, and is the mother of six children: Anna D., born December 15, 1861, at home; Homer F., April 2, 1863, died March 11, 1882 ; Clara D., June 4, 1867, at home ; Ibbie J., October 30, 1874, at home; Sally M., August 23, 1876, at home; Myrtie I., April 19, 1880, died February 14, 18 . David C., brother of Mr. Watts, enlisted in the late war in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in 1862, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mrs. Watts had four brothers in the war. James L. enlisted in 1862 in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was taken prisoner at Rfigersville and confined in Andersonville prison, where he died August 11, 1864. John P. enlisted in 1861 in Company F, 33d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was taken prisoner at Chickamauga September 19, 1863, and died in Danville prison, April 11, 1864, aged twenty-one years. Charles W. enlisted in 1864 in the 179th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and was taken sick in camp and soon died at Nashville, Tennessee, December 14, 1864, aged eighteen years and four months. Joseph A. enlisted in 1862 in Company L, 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry ; was captured in September, 1863, on a raid and lodged in Castle Thunder, at Richmond, from whence he escaped by tunneling, and joined his regiment. Few, if any, families in this county can give greater evidence of loyalty and devotion to the cause of their country. Address J. A. C. Watts at Kerr post- office, Gallia county, Ohio.
JAMES W. WATTS -a physician and surgeon of Springfield township, studied medicine under the instruction of his father in Webster, Scioto county, Ohio, for eight years. He then attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, in Cincinnati, for three winter terms ; also about half a term at Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated at the Ohio Medical College, March 4, 1880, and located at Rio Grande, Gallia county. He afterwards moved to Rodney, this county, where he is now practicing medicine. Mr. Watts was born in Rodney, Gallia county, January 19, 1851. His parents are Dr. W. M. Watts and Mary (Campbell) Watts. His wife, Euphernia S., daughter of Wiley and Sarah E. (Coverston) Hill, was born in Green township, Gallia county, March 3, 1856, and was there married to him September 22, 1878. Their only child, Mary, was born May 6, 1881, at home. Mr. Watts' brother, H. W. Watts, enlisted in the late war in the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 1863. He was appointed orderly sergeant of his company, and soon after was promoted to first lieutenant. He served as such till the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge and returned home. Mrs. Watts' brother, George Hill, also served in the late war to the close, and received an honorable discharge. Address Dr. J. W. Watts at Kerr postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
WILLIAM WATKINS -formerly a farmer and resident of Heatly, Springfield township, this county, died May 18, 1871. He was born in Surry county, North Carolina, September 4, 1790, and came to this county with his wife, Mary, in 1811. They were married in Surrey county, North Carolina, in 1810. His parents, James and Lydia (Vincet) Watkins, and her parents, Presley and Anna (Harrison) Lawles, came to this county in 1811 also. His wife died April 25, 1877. She was the mother of twelve children, namely : Jefferson, born July 11, 1811, died November 19, 1844; Lucinda (Hayes), June 17, 1813, lives in Meigs county, Ohio ; Sarah (Radikius), February 27, 1815, lives in Nebraska; Mary (Sprauge), March 9, 1817, deceased in Illinois ; Johnson V., March 9, 1819, lives in Gallia county, Ohio ; Jane, April, 1821, died in 1830; Presley, 1823, died August, 1830; Francis ("Sprauge), lives in Illinois ; Alvy H.. August 13, 1827, died in 1862; Eliza, September 20, 1829, died in 1830; Junius L., May 7, 1831, lives at the old homestead in Gallia county ; Anna (Young), March 11, 1833, died November, 1855. Junius L., the youngest son of Mr. Watkins, married Olive Randolph, in this county, June 7, 1855. She is the daughter of James F. and Lettes Randolph, and was born in this county October 8, 1838. They have had six children : 0. J., born July 8, 1856, died March 18, 1857 ; E., October 20, 1857, died same day; India, April 19, 1857, at home; James J., October 30, 1861, at home ; Edward, May 11, 1865, at home; Willie D., July 20, 1872, and Nettie (Randolph), adopted, July 25, 1875, both at home. Mrs. Watkins, wife of Junius, had two brothers who were in the late war. Job F. Randolph enlisted in 1862 in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was taken prisoner at Rogersville, Tennessee, and confined in Libby prison, Richmond, Virginia; he was then taken to Andersonville prison, where he was kept about nine months, when he was exchanged and returned home. He was so reduced in health that he could not join the army again. James Randoph enlisted in 1861 and served till the cloe of the war. He was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, but was immediately exchanged. William Watkins, while living, held the office of justice of the peace about twelve years. The postoffice address of J. L. Watkins is Heatly, Gallia county, Ohio.
FRANCIS M. WOMELDORFF -farmer and railroad contractor, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, January 12, 1838, and is the son of Michael and Jane (Waddell) Womeldorff. His wife, Silvina V., daughter of William and Lousia C. (Pilcher) Morrison, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, May 23, 1836, and was married to him in the same county March 16, 1859. They have had eight children : Lulu B., (Cushman), born December 24, 1859, resides in Gallipolis; Lewis M., February 1, 1861, died March 27, 1862; Carrie D., March 25, 1863, at home; Harry M., September 29, 1864, at home; Lue A., September 26, 1866, died August 24, 1867; Fred M., September 18, 1868, at home ; George E., May 16, 1871, at home; Osie V., August 20, 1879. Mr. Womeldorff's father came to this county in 1801, and married Jane Waddell in 1812, and had twelve children, seven boys and five girls, of whom three girls and two boys are deceased. Address, Mr. Womeldorff, Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio.
RACCOON TOWNSHIP.
GEORGE BANDY -is the son of Andrew and Rebecca ( Wooldridge) Bandy, and was born in Boditot county, Virginia, December 26, 1818. His parents came to Gallia county in 1828; his father died in 1867, and his mother in March, 1879. Mr. Bandy has been twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Caully, born in Greenup county, Kentucky, in 1819, and married in Lawrence county, Ohio, in 1839. Her parents were Allen and Mary (Siner) Caully. She was the mother of the following children : Lafayette, born in 1840, died in 1871; Julia A., in 1842, resides in Gallia county ; Malinda A., in 1844, resides in Lawrence county, Ohio. Mr. Bandy's son, Lafayette, was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in 1861 in the 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, after which he received his discharge and returned home. In 1871 he was killed by a tree, which he was cutting, falling on him. Mr. Bandy was married the second time in Lawrence county, November 16, 1876, to Emma Stein, who was born in Gallia county in 1854. Her father, Henry Stein, died in 1875, and her mother in 1857. Mr. Bandy has held the office of justice of the peace for twelve years at different times. He is a farmer, merchant, and also a charcoal manufacturer. He resides in Raccoon township, having come to this county in 1878. His postoffice address is Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
MOSES W. DAVIS -and Sarah Buck were married in Gallia county July 27, 1839. He is a native of Cabel county, West Virginia, born January 17, 1810. His wife was born in this county January 3. 1817. Mr. Davis is a retired farmer residing in Raccoon township. His father, Paul Davis, died May 9, 1851, and his mother, Mary (Gilkeson) Davis, died August 15, 1879. The parents of Mrs. Davis are Thomas and Susannah (Cherrington) Buck, who settled in this county in 1800. Her father died May 14, 1855, and her mother April 8, 1840. Mr. Davis settled in this county before he was married. In 1852 he removed to Lawrence county, remained there 24 years, and returned to Gallia county. Mr. Davis has held the following offices in Lawrence county : coroner for nine years, deputy sheriff for eight years, also, supervisor, assessor, and street commissioner of Ironton. He was appointed deputy United States marshal and held the office for seven years. Mr. Davis had a brother in the late war. William G. Davis enlisted for three years and served to the close of the war. After returning home he was taken sick, and his death ensued. Mr. Davis came to Gallia county in 1832. His postoffice address is Thurman, Gallia county, Ohio.
WILLIAM CLENDENIN EAGLE -is the son of George and Susanna (Williams) Eagle, settlers of this county in 1813. His father died July 4, 1869, having been born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, October 15, 1789. His mother, Susanna, was also born in the same county July 20, 1788, and died July 23, 1864. William C. Eagle, the subject of this sketch, was born in Gallia county November 24, 1830. His first marriage was to Anna Jones, which took place in this county October 4, 1865. She was a daughter of Evan and Ann (James) Jones, and was born November 9, 1840, and died June 30, 1875. She was the mother of two children : Elmer E., born August 14, 1866, died August 21,1867 ; and Ajestia, March 4, 1868. Mr. Eagle was married to Flora E. Williams, in this county, June 11, 1878. She was born inWapello county, Iowa, October 31,1856. She is the daughter of William J. and Rachel J. (Morgan) Williams. She is the mother of Ethel, born April 18, 1882. Mr. Eagle is at present school director in this township, and has held the same office for two years. He is also trustee.of the Rio Grande College. He is engaged in farming in Raccoon township. His addres is Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
GEORGE W. EAGLE, Senior -is a farmer and stock-raiser of Raccoon township. He is a native of this county, born December 15, 1821. His father, Henry Eagle, was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, in 1787, and came to this county in 1813, locating on the farm where the subject of this sketch now lives. He was married in this county to Elenor Lewis in October, 1817. They were parents of four boys and two girls. Two of the boys live in this county, two are deceased, and the two girls live in Illinois. He died July 30, 1842, in his fifty-sixth year, and his wife died July 3, 1869. George W. was married in this county December 31, 1845, to Leantha Glenn, who is a native of Gallia county, born August 8, 1830. She is a daughter of Hugh T. and Seneth (Pruit) Glenn. Her father died in January. 1862. and her mother still resides in this county. Mrs. Eagle had three brothers in the late war. Gilbert W. Glenn and Meredith P.
6 - PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY.
Glenn were members of the 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They were both taken prisoners at Harper's Ferry, and shortly after being exchanged they got their discharge. George W. Glenn enlisted in 1864 in the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Eagle are : Marietta (Cole), born April 27, 1847, resides in this county ; William H., January 5, 1849, resides in this county; Permilla E., December 24, 1852, died November 22, 1864; John F., June 11, 1855, resides in Gallia county, Ohio; Hortense (Welker) July 15, 1858, resides in Gallia county ; Sarah, Aetober 8, 1862, resides at home; Luella, March 11, 1866, resides at home; Adalate, December 18, 1867, resides at home ; George W., junior, July 13, 1870, resides at home. The address of Mr. Eagle is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
DAVID MILTON EVANS -was born in Gallipoli. in 1843. He commenced business in February, 1873. On the 17th of March following the great fire occurred in Centreville, by which his dwelling and store were burned, but he saved a portion of his stock. He rebuilt in a few years, and has been in business ever since, keeping a general country store, and dealing in all lomds of country produce. He was appointed postmaster of Thurman in 1876, and still holds the office; he is also treasurer of the village of Centreville. He was married in Centreville September 22, 1874, to Amelia, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Evans) Jones, who was born in Pittsburgh, September 8, 1848. They have the following children : Daniel Gilbert, born October 20, 1875, died June 22, 1876; Edward, April 10, 1877 ; Charlotte, February 14,1.879 ; Margaret, March 26, 1881. Mr. Evans had a brother in the late war, named John H. Evans. He enlisted in 1862, in the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. Two brothers of Mrs. Evans also served in the war. Thomas J. Jones was a member of the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and John S. Jones in the 179th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The father of Mr. Evans died in February, 1873. Mr. Evans should be addressed at Thurman, Gallia county, Ohio.
JAMES GLASSBURN -is a native of this county, born February 6,1818. He is a son of David and Rachel (Fox) Glassburn, who settled in Gallia county in 1816. Mr. Glassburn's first marriage was to Rebecca Russell, in this county, October 28, 1841. She was a daughter of William and Susan (Denney) Russell, and was born March 10, 1817, and died June 29, 1874, leaving her husband and the following children : Charles L., born August 19, 1842, died October 12, 1868 ; Louisa E., October 28, 1843, died July 2, 1863; Lemuel P., June 4, 1845, resides in the State of Nebraska ; Emily C., February 5, 1847, resides in Pike county, Ohio ; Lucretia J., August 10, 1849, died August 3, 1850; Amos B., June 21, 1851, resides in Mason county, Virginia; Amanda M., October 2, 1853, died July 14, 1854: Silvanus D., July 11, 1856, died June 20, 1882; Sarah A., July 19, 1860, died May 23, 1869 ;. Rosa D., an adopted child, May 12, 1865, resides at home. The second wife of Mr. Glassburn is Asenith E. Denney, who was born in this county August 25, 1843. They were married by the Reverend Hiram Howe, in this county, September 24, 1874. She is a daughter of Lewis and Philisty (Lachlair) Denney, settlers of this county in 1814. She is the mother of the following children: Clara P., born July 7, 1875; Laura I., September 7, 1877, died September 28, 1877 ; Arthur J., September 16, 187$. Mr. Glassburn is a resident of Raccoon township, and is a farmer. His address is Harris, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN COLBY GROSS -and Catherine J. Fulton were married in Gallia county, Ohio, June 1, 1854. They are both natives of this county ; he was born November 20, 1832, and his wife July 20, 1833. He is engaged in merchandising and is also a farmer. His parents, Jacob and Lydia (Rife) Gross, were among the early settlers of this county, settling here in 1812. The parents of Mrs. Gross also came here when the county was a wilderness, in 1805. Their names are James and Esther (Sawyer) Fulton. The following are the children of Mr. Gross: Alphius A., born December 3, 1855, died September 15, 1856; Laura E. (Smith), July 23, 1857, resides in Rio Grande; John Charles, December 12, 1858; Lewis E., October 31, 1861; Howard F., July 25, 1869; Lydia S., July 27, 1872. The last four reside at home. Mr. Gross was a soldier in the late war. He enlisted in 1861 in the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and reenlisted in the same regiment in 1864; he was promoted to commissary sergeant of his regiment in 1863; he served four years and three months, and participated in the following battles : Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth, in the White River and Yazoo Pass expeditions, battles of Jackson, Champion Hill, and the siege of Vicksburg under General Grant. He was also in the Red river expedition under Banks, and in other engagements. Two of his brothers also served in the war; Abner Gross enlisted in 1861 in the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged for disability January 17, 1863 ; Martin Gross was a member of the 2d Ohio Heavy Artillery, and served three years. Mr. Gross has been a republican since he has been old enough to vote, and he is also a member of the Temperance, Law and Order party, having attended the meeting held at Columbus, Ohio, in March,1882, in the interest of that party. Both himself and wife have been members of the Freewill Baptist church since 1854. The postoffice address of Mr. Gross is Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
RUFUS D. JACOBS, M. D. -is the son of Rufus and Mary (Dupre) Jacobs, settlers of this county in 1819. The doctor was born in Gallia county, Ohio, August 6, 1832. He commenced the study of medicine in 1853, and in 1856 he started practicing; he is a graduate of Charity Hospital Medical College of Cleveland, in the year 1869 ; he also received a diploma from the Medical Department of the University of Wooster, in the year 1871. He has been practicing his profession continuously for twenty-six years. He first located in this county in 1856, and removed to Vinton, Gallia county, in 11860, and remained there until the year 1877, at which time he removed to Rio Grands, where he still resides. His first marriage was to Jemima, daughter of Willima C. and Elizabeth (Trotter) Iron. She was born December 27, 1837, and died May 24, 1864. She was the mother of the following children : Mary E., born December 20, 1857, died in 1881; Ira W., February 6, 1860, resides at home ; Eliza E., January 12, 1862, died June 2, 1864; infant son, May 9, 1864, deceased. The doctor's present wife is Mary J. Dupre, who is a native of this county, born October 8, 1836 ; her parents are Abraham and Mary (Deckard) Dupre. The children of this marriage are: Charles S., born December 20, 1865, and Sarah A., February 22, 1868, both reside at home. The postoffice address of Doctor Jacobs is Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
RUFUS JACOBS -was born in Barnadstown, Franklin county, Massachusetts, April 27, 1804. His parents settled in this county when it was sparsely settled, in 1819. His father, Abel Jacobs, died in 1864, and his mother, Asenath (Briggs) Jacobs, in 1866. In 1829 Mr. Jacobs bought the farm he now lives on. In 1830, March 13th, he was married in this county to Mary Dupry; she was a daughter of Abraham And Mary Dupry, and vgas born on the Island of Jersey, England, November, 1811 ; she died June 22, 1835. She was the mother of the following children Abraham, born July 13, 1831, died August 6, 1831; Rufus D., August 6, 1832, is a physician in Rio Grande; Abel A., August 7, 1834, died February 3, 1842. The second marriage of Mr. Jacobs was to Gottleaben Federar, who is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born January 17, 1813; they were married in this county, July 28, 1839. They have the following children : Lewis, born February 4, 1841, died February 11, 1841; Joseph F., December 5, 1843, resides at home; Mary L. (Woodruf), December 2, 1851, resides in this county; was married to Ira Woodruf, August 15, 1874; George W., August 15, 1854, was married to Mary Sannar, January 24 1877, died June 27, 1882; Sarah C. (Sannar) March 27, 1857, resides in this county. The parents of Mrs. Jacobs were Mathias and Mary A. (Black) Federar; her father is deceased, and her mother died in Germany in 1826. Joseph F., one of Mr. Jacobs' sons, was married in Jackson county, Ohio, April 9, 1867, to Elizabeth J. Turner. She was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wilmore) Turner, and was born in Jackson county, Ohio. Only one child was born to them, Albert E., born February 13, 1868, and who resides at home. Joseph F. is living on the farm with his father. Joseph Jacobs, an uncle of Rufus Jacobs, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died while in service, nine days before the battle of Plattsburg. Mr. Jacobs held the office of school examiner in 1832, and several other offices at different times. Mr. Jacobs' address is Tycoon, Gallia county, Ohio.
REVEREND JAMES Q. LAKIN -was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 29, 1815; is a son of Daniel and Theadosia (Shreves) Lakin; his father died March 2, 1839, and his mother July 6, 1824. The first marriage of Mr. Lakin occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, June 22, 1836, to Eliza White, a daughter of Jesse and Sarah White; she was born December 11, 1813, and died, June 22, 1846. She was mother of the following children: Jesse W., born March 12, 1837, resides in Terre Haute, Indiapa ; Mary J. H., January 6, 1839, died January 13, 1862; William H. S., August 19, 1840, died November 4, 1840; Francis A., October 12, 1841, died January 22, 1847; Sarah A., December 30, 1843, died July 9, 1849; Catherine, June 7, 1846, died June 10, 1846. The second marriage of Mr. Lakin was to Martha A. VermillionrFebruary 23, 1847; she died August 27, 1862. She had the following children ; Delay F., born November 25, 1847, died March 7, 1848; Cyrus B., February 20, 1849, resides at Des Moines, Iowa ; Karleen, July 29, 1850, resides at Dresden, Ohio ; Ann Jennet, May 15, 1852, resides at Columbus, Ohio; James E., November 27, 1853, resides at Independence, Missouri; Alice Grant, September 7, 1856, resides in Franklin county, Ohio; Uriah H., June 16, 1858, resides in Columbus, Ohio; Eddie C., June 25, 1860, resides in Columbus, Ohio. The present wife of Mr. Lakin is Martha A. Black, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, June 15, 1827; they were married in that county, January 28, 1864. She is a daughter of Charles and Anna (Rittenhouse) Black ; her father died May 3, 1836, and her mother, March 25, 1844. Two of the sons of Mr. Lakin were soldiers in the late war. Francis A. served as first lieutenant, and was in duty during the whole of the war ; he was taken prisoner, and confined at Libby prison eighteen months. Cyrus B. served about eighteen months ; they both got their honorable discharge at the close of the war. Mr. Lakin came to this county in 1881, and has charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Centreville, Ohio, with his postoffice address at Thurman, Gallia county, Ohio.
BENJAMIN LEWIS -was born in Cardiganshire, Wales, where he was married to Esther Jones, who is also a native of that shire. His parents are Evan and Elizabeth Lewis, both of whom died in Wales. John Jones, the father of Mrs. Lewis, died in New Jersey, and her mother, Mary Jones, in Wales. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are as follows: Evan, deceased March 31, 1876; John, resides in Clinton county, Missouri; David, deceased February 19, 1859; Mary (Davis), died in Jackson county, Ohio, August 1, 1866; Daniel, died in Clinton county, Missouri, March 16, 1860; Elizabeth (Davis), resides in Gallia county, Ohio ; Margaret (Garland), resides in St. Louis, Missouri ; Sarah, deceased October 15, 1861; Benjamin B. and Anna reside on the homestead where their parents settled in 1841. Their niece, Sarah Jane Davis, also resides with them. She is the youngest child living of William W. and Mary Davis, the latter of whom died August 1, 1866. Benjamin Lewis, the subject of this sketch, died June 10, 1866, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife died March 26, 1882, at the age of seventy- nine years. They were both thorough Christians, and members of the Congregational church. as were both thorough Christians, and members of the Congregational church, as were parents before them and children after them. The postoffice address of Benjamin B. Lewis is Thurman, Gallia county, Ohio.
ALBANUS A. MOULTON - was born in Roxbury ( now included in Boston, Massachusetts), March 23, 1848. His parents are Albanus K. and Julia A. (Hall) Moulton. Mr. Moulton graduated from Yale College in 1871, havig
PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY - 7
entered the junior class two years before. He then studied engineering in the Michigan University. He did service in the employ of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. He was elected professor of mathematics in Rio Gr'ande College at its opening in 1876, and was elected president in 1879. He was appointed county examiner in Gallia county in 1878, and re-appointed in 1879. He was also a notary public. His father was connected with the Christian Commission during the war. Mr. Moulton and Laura L. Allen were married in North Linndale, Ohio, September 11, 1876. She is a daughter of Walter J. and Laura A. (Hoyt) Allen, and was born in Amherst, Ohio, July 16, 1852. They have the following children : Harold Hoyt, born August 1, 1877; Hugh Kimbal, August 1, 1877; Ernest Phillips, January 2, 1879, and Gertrude Evelyn, June 5, 1880. Mr. Moulton came to this county in 1876. His address is Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
THOMAS E. PEDEN -is a son of John and Elizabeth (Ewing) Peden. He was born in this county September 13, 1832. His father came to this county in 1811, and his mother was born here. Mr. Peden is a minister and teacher, residing in Rio Grande. He was married in Albany, Athens county, Ohio, February 27, 1858, to Loueasy Martin, who was born in Monroe county, Ohio, February 28, 1837. Her parents are James H. and Tacy (Triplet) Martin. M-. Peden was a soldier in the war of the rebellion. He enlisted in August, 1864, becoming a member of Company I, 173d Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he served till the close of the war. His brothers, Henry and Jordan Peden served in Company B, 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; they were in the following engagements: South Mountain, Antietam, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and others. They were both wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge. They received their discharge at the close of the war. Address Mr. Peden at Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
JAMES ROSE -was born in Monroe county, Virginia, April 8, 1840. His parents are Jackson and Ruth M. (Woolf) Rose. At the breaking out of the war Mr. Rose still resided in his native county, and, being a thorough Union man, was arrested by the rebel authorities in February, 1862. They took him to South Carolina, where they forced him to join the army, and on March 9, 1862, he was sent to the 60th Virginia Infantry. He remained with his regiment until the 17th of October.1862, when he escaped to the Union lines, and came to this county, his family following him. After working for a short time on the Ohio river boats he engaged in farming, which lie has followed ever since. His brother, Joseph, was also forced into the rebel army, but made his escape after staying a short time. Jackson Rose, theiather of James, was also arrested in 1862 and sent to prison at Richmond, and from there to Saulsbury, North Carolina, and died there I:cember 5, 1862. He was a native of Allegheny county, Virginia, born December 17, 1815. Mrs. Rose had two brothers who were also forced to enlist in the Southern army. W. C. Newman served about one year and was taken prisoner by the Union forces and died in prison in 1863. William Newman served in the rebel army a short time and made his escape. James Rose and Elvira A. Newman were married in Uniontown, Monroe county, Virginia, August 11, 1857. She is a daughter of William H. and Elizabeth F. (Arthur) Newman. They have the following children : Martha V., born June 20, 1858; William J., July 26, 1860 ; James W., August 22, 1833; Viola A., March 22, 1468 ; Marion U., April 16, 1870 ; Everette G., June 12, 1878. The first three were born in Monroe county, Virginia, and the last three in this county. Mr. Rose has held the office of supervisor one year and school director three years. His postoffice address is Tycoon, Gallia, county, Ohio.
WILLIAM RIDGWAY -was born near the Indian Nation, in the State of Georgia, June 1, 1800. He is a son of David and Elizabeth (Wagoner) Ridgway. William came to this county with his parents at the very early date of 1803 Mr. Ridgway was married in Gallia county, Ohio, November 7, 1825, to Jane Dougherty, who is a native of Monroe county, West Virginia, born June 28, 1801. She is a daughter of John and Hadasie (Alder) Dougherty, and settled in this county with her parents, in 1818. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ridgway are : David A., born May 15, 1828, died April 28, 1853; Augustus W., March 7, 1830, resides in Harrisburg, Gallia county, Ohio ; John J., January 22, 1832, resides in Gallipolis ; Edward N., November 6, 1833, resides in Fayette county, Ohio ; Junius N., April 26, 1835, resides in Harrisburg, this county ; William H., March 19, 1837, deceased; Permelia J., December 22, 1838, deceased; Mary J., May 16, 1840, deceased. Mrs. Ridgway was married previous to her marriage with Mr. Ridgway to Mr. Nehemiah Wood, junior, which occurred in this county, August 11, 1821. He was d son of Nehemiah Wood, senior, and was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in the year 1770, and died in 1824, leaving his wife and two children : Nancy, born June 20, 1822, resides in Gallia county, and Magnitia, December 2, 1824, died September 6, 1873. Mr. Ridgway held the office of justice of the peace for two years in this township. His death took place March 3, 1882. His son, Augustus W., served in the war of 1861 ; he enlisted in 1863 in the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery, Company G. He was appointed regimental commissary sergeant, and served as such eight months, after which he was promoted to second lieutenant and assigned to Company H, same regiment. He served as lieutenant until July 1, 1865, when he received his discharge. The address of Mrs. Ridgway is Harris postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
HENRY RICKABAUGH -was one of the earliest settlers of Gallia county, coming here in 1800, with his parents, when he was only thirteen years old. He was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, December 13, 1786. His parents are John and Elizabeth (Griffith) Rickabaugh. Henry was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his death occurred in this county April 1, 1869, at the age of
eighty-three years. The wife of Mr. Rickabaugh was Elizabeth Dammer, who was born in Pennsylvania, February 16, 1810. They were married in Gallia County, September 20, 1828. They have the following children : John J., born September 20, 1829, resides in this county ; David W., July 2, 1832, resides in this county; Henry, April 25, 1824, resides in Jackson county, Ohio ; Elizabeth, October 28, 1836, died October 10, 1845; Margaret M., January 8, 1844, died October 2, 1862; Julia A. (Edwards) July 16, 1846, resides in Gallia county ; Wesley A., January 26, 1850, resides on the farm with his mother, who is seventy-two years of age. The parents of Mr. Rickabaugh are Jonathan and Elizabeth (Moyer) Danner, settlers of this county in 1819. Henry Rickabaugh was a soldier in the late war. He enlisted in 1862 in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served three years. The postoffice address of Wesley Rickabaugh is Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
BENJAMIN F. SWANSON -came to this county with his parents in 1818. He was born in Augusta county, Virginia, June 10, 1814. His father, Dennis Swanson, died in 1861. His mother, Sarah (Freeholder) Swanson, died November 18, 1842. Mr. Swanson was the first township assessor elected in Raccoon township. He has held the office of township trustee several terms. Mr. Swanson and Hannah Kyre were married in this county in April, 1836. She was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, April 27, 1814. They have the following children : Henry C., born January 17, 1837, resides in Gallia county, Ohio ; Martha J., October 21, 1839, died July 5, 1841 ; John W., November 17, 1842, died May 29, 1863; Margaret A., November. 17, 1844, died December, 1844; Catherine R. (Decard), February 17, 1848, resides in this county ; David, A., April 28, 1851, resides in Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio ; Jordan N., June 16, 1853, died July 16, 1860. Mr. Swanson had two sons in the late war. Henry C. enlisted in 1863 in the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close. John W. enlisted in 1862, in the 7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry,. but was taken sick at Somerset, Kentucky, and died there May 29, 1863, and he .was buried at Bethel Church in Somerset, Pulaski county, Kentucky. Two of Mr. Swanson's brothers were also soldiers in this war. John W. Swanson enlisted in 1861, in the 56th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served about five months, and was discharged for disability. Ami Swanson served in the same regiment, and was also discharged on account of disability. They both died of disease contracted in the army. The parents of Mrs. Swanson are Nicholas and Sarah (McMillan) Kyre. They cameo this co nty in 1818, and died in 1856 and 1861, respectively. Mr. Swanson is a farmer and bricklayer. His address is Rio Grande postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
WILLIAM STEEL -is a native of Augusta county, Virginia, born October, 1808. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Hanger) Steel, settlers of this county in 1815. They are both deceased. Mr. Steel was married in this county in October; 1835, to Sarah Barlow, who was born in Gallia county February 27, 1808. She is a daughter of Elnathan and Anna (Morehouse) Barlow, who were among the very early settlers of this county, coming here in 1803. Her father died in 1814, and her mother is also deceased. They came here from Connecticut, and her father served in the war of 1812, and died while in the service. Aaron Barlow, grandfather of Mrs. Steel, was a colonel in the revolutionary war, and his brother, Joel Barlow, was one of. the land agents of Ohio. He was a poet, philosopher, politician, and a chaplain in one of the regiments in the revolutionary war. After the war he was sent as United States Minister to France, and he was one of the persons who induced the French colony to settle at Gallipolis. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Steel are Leander C., Sylvester B., deceased; Sarah V., Henry C., Augustus W., and Alonzo C., deceased. Henry C. Steal is keeping a general store in the village of Centreville, and is doing a good business. He was married in Delaware county, Ohio, November 5, 1879, to Mattie C. Holmes. She is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Bixler) Holmes. She was born in Delaware county, December 14, 1850. Her father was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, and died in Delaware county, Ohio, February 10, 1863. Her mother was born in Perry county, Ohio, and died in Allen county, Ohio, December 1, 1872. Mr. Steel, the subject of this sketch, came to Gallia county in 1815, and was engaged as a merchant and hotel-keeper in Centreville. He died January 14, 1861. The address of Mrs. Steel is Thurman postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
WESLEY TOBIN -was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, May 3, 1831. He is a son of Isaac and Matilda A. (Benton) Tobin. Isaac Tobin was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, July, 1800, and died on the 9th day of October, 1881. His loss was mourned by all who knew him. He was married to Matilda A. Benton in 183,4. Wesley was married in this county March 4, 1854, to Mary A. Danner, who is a native of Gallia county, born June 12, 1832. They have the following children : Sonorah (Swanson), born November 4, 1854, resides in Jackson county, Ohio ; John W., June 5, 1856, resides in this county ; Wesley R., April 4, 1858, resides at home ; Mary A., February 2, 1860, resides at home ; Lolia C., February 5, 1862, resides at home. The parents of Mrs. Tobin are Jacob and Sarah A. (Gaskin) Danner, natives of this county. Mr. Tobin's brother, Robert, enlisted in an Illinois regiment and served to the close of the war. Mr. Tobin has six brothers and one sister, namely : William, deceased ; Edward W., James, John, Elizabeth E., Isaac R. and Samuel. Two brothers of Mrs. Tobin were also soldiers in the late war ; James and John Danner. They both died in the service in the State of Tennessee, after serving about one year. Mr. Tobin came to this county in 1851, settling in Raccoon township, where he was engaged in merchandising and also as a farmer. His postoffice address is Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
JACOB VAUGHN -was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1814. His father, Thomas Vaughn, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, September 2, 1787, and died at his home in Jackson county, Ohio, March 7, 1871, aged 83 years, 6 months and 5 days. He volunteered as a private soldier in the war of 1812, under the command of General Harrison, and he was in the charge
8- PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY.
at Fort Meigs under the command of Colonel Dudley. He continued with the command until the British and Indians were reinforced, surrounding and overpowering Colonel Dudley, and capturing him and nearly all of his men. Mr. Vaughn was present when the great Indian chief, Tecumseh, was killed. After his return to his native State he married Rebecca Dunham, a native of the same State, and moved to Jackson county, Ohio, in 1822. He there bought the farm which he occupied the remainder of his life. He was one of the associate judges of Jackson county for about seventeen years, and filled various offices of trust for nearly forty years, always attending to their duties with promptness and accuracy. His wife died November 29, 1846. They were parents of ten children, seven boys and three girls, all, with one exception, Samuel, who died December 4, 1849, are now living. Judge Vaughn was a strong believer in the Christian religion, a good citizen,.a kind neighbor, and a very affectionate father, and in his death the family and the community lost a true friend. Jacob Vaughn was married, in Jackson county, Ohio, February 19, 1839, to Julia A. Fowler, who is a native of Monongahela county, West Virginia, born March 24, 1820. She is mother of the following children : Thomas, born November 27, 1839, died September 26, 1863; Mary A. (Ratekin), February 3, 1843, resides in Richardson county, Nebraska; John F., February 23, 1846, resides in this county ; James W., April 2, 1849, resides in this county; Margaret J. (Wilcox), August 17, 1852, resides in this county; Susan C. (Hanger), March 9; 1854, resides in this county ; Sarah M. (Glassburn), September 5, 1857, resides in this county; Amanda C. (Kelly), November 29, 1859, resides in this county; Phebe J., July 14, 1862, resides at home ; Cynthia A., October 1, 1863, resides at home. The parents of Mrs. Vaughn are Nehemiah and Mary (Thomson) Fowler, settlers of Gallia county in 1864. Mr. Vaughn had two sons in the late war. John F. enlisted in 1863, in the 79th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. Thomas was a member of a militia regiment, and was called into service at the time of Morgan's raid into Ohio. Mr. Vaughn is a farmer residing in Raccoon township. His address is Tycoon postoffice, Gallia county, Ohio.
AUTH1UR WELLESLEY WARNER -was born in Washington county, Ohio, September 27, 1813; is a son of Anaximander and Lucretia (Porter) Warner. His father died May 31, 1843, and his mother in 1859. Mr. Warner was married in Harrisburg; this county, March 1, 1837, to Mary J. McCarley, who is a native of Harrisburg, Gallia county. Her parents are Samuel and Elizabeth (Boggs) McCarley, both of whom were born in this county. Mr. McCarley died March 11, 1841, and his wife is also deceased. Mr. McCarley was one of the proprietors of the land where Harrisburg now stands. The town was laid out by him and Charles Topping, the survey being made by Joseph Fletcher, who was county surveyor at that time. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Warner are : Virginia, born January 29, 1841, died September 13, 1841; Francis E. (Kerr), September 13, 1842, resides in this county; Emma L. (Howe), June 19, 1845, resides in Athens county, Ohio ; Florence J. (Cerr), February 27, 1848, resides in Gallia county, Ohio; Cyrus IS., June 8, 1851, resides in Harrisburg, this county ; Mary B. (Weed), January 11, 1856, resides in this county. The wife of Mr. Warner died July 7, 1878. Mr. Warner's son, Cyrus I)., was married August 9, 18 , in this county, to Malinda A. Frederick, who was born in this county in 1847. She is a daughter of henry and Hannah (Ewing) Frederick, and is mother of the following children : Lulu L., born May 27, 18 , died September 2, 1876; Bennie A., February 26, 18 ; Howard E., June 28, 18 ; Lorena E., March 12, 1881. Warner has been postmaster of Harrisburg since 1856, and is at present the oldest postmaster in this county. He has been a notary public for nine terms ; also justice of the peace and other offices, at different times. By trade Mr. Warner is a blacksmith, and also a farmer. Address bins at Harris, Gallia county, ()him
DAVID B. WILLIAMS -was born in Canarvonshire, Wales, June 14, 1828. His parents are William Williams and Elizabeth (Thomas) Williams. A remarkable fact in connection with this couple is that they were born on the same date and year, both joined the Presbyterian church at the same time, both died the same day, in October, 1862, and they were Loth buried in the same grave at Oakhill, Jackson county, Ohio. Anna .1. James became the wife of Mr Williams in Gallia county, December 28, 1860. She is a daughter of William and Amelia (Meredith) James, and was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1838. Her father settled in this county in 1854, and remained until 1870, when he moved to Nebraska, where be (lied in 1872. Two brothers of Sirs. Williams were soldiers in the late war. David W. James enlisted in 1861, in the 56111 Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and reenlisted as a veteran in 1864 in the same regiment, serving until the close of the war. John M. James enlisted in 1861 in the :Plot Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years. William M. James was in the employ of the government as a teamster during the war. He was taken prisoner, and was sent to Andersonville prison, where he was kept three months, when he died of general debility in 1863. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Williams are as follows : Wellington W., born September 17, 1861; William M., October 6 1885 ; Ellie A., November 28, 1869; Charles E., October 9, 1875:, ; Nellie M., May 8, 1879 - they all reside at home. Sir. Williams resides in hiatus oil township, where he is engaged in farming. His postoffice address is Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
HARRISON WOOD -was born in Charleston, West Virginia, September 7, 1802, and came to this county with his parents in 1805. Ilk father, Nehemiah Wood, died September 21, 1824, and his mother, Eva ( Buttner) Wood, on January 29, 1821. Mr. Wood has been married three times. His first wife was Mary Rickabaugh, who was born Gallia County, February 9, 1806. Her parents, Adam and Mary (Koontz) Rickabaugh, came to this county in 1800. She was married in this county, September 18, 1825, and was mother of the following children: Bethsama, born January 2, 1827, resides at home; Andrew J., December 30, 1829, died February 1, 1863; John H., February 18, 1831, resides in Gallia county; Caroline, December 30, 1832, resides in Gallia county; David R., January 12, 1835, died February 20, 1871. Mrs. Wood died July 15, 1835. Mr. Wood's second marriage was to Mary (Mauck) Bing, which occurred in this county April 6, 1840. She was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Buzwell) Mauck, who was born April 19, 1806, and died February' 9, 1868. She had been formerly married to William Bing, by whom she had two children : Nancy, born July 13, 1828, resides in Gallia county ; and Elizabeth, February 14, 1830, deceased. The third wife of Mr. Wood was Permelia Ridgway (Atwood), who was born, in this county in 1802. She is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Wagoner) Ridgway. Their marriage occurred November 1, 1870. She had been previously married to Nehemia Atwood, who died in December, 1869. She had no children by either marriage. She still resides in this county. John H. Wood, a son of the subject of this sketch, was married in this county April 8, 1868, to Amantha S. Roach, a daughter of Simeon and Diana (Koontz) Roach, and was born in this county June 2, 1839. Her father came to this county from Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1828. She is mother of the following children : Harry A., born May 5, 1869; Mary D., July 27, 1872; Carrie E., April 21, 1877; Nellie A., August 28, 1879. Andrew J. Wood, a brother of John H., was a soldier in the war of 1861, and was killed at Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Wood died February 12, 1877. The address of his widow is. Rio Grande, Gallia county, Ohio.
LEWIS R. WOOD -and Elizabeth Brandbury were married in Gallia county, Ohio, April 17, 1856. He is a native of this county, born May 17, 1833 ; his wife is also a native of Gallia county. The parents of Mr. Wood are William M. Wood, who died January 2, 1880, and Mary (Koontz) Wood, who died April 5, 1857. They were among the early settlers of this county, coining in 1805. The parents of Mrs. Wood are Henry and Mary (Blagg) Brandbury. William M. Wood, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the State of Virginia, August 7, 1804, and was married to Mary Koontz, March 29, 1827, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and removed from there to Gallia county, where they had four boys and three girls born to them, of whom the three daughters and the youngest son died here; the rest of the family still live here. William M. Wood was married the second time to Sarah Shiers, December 16, 1858; she was the mother of two children, Winifield S., born October 10, 1859, died in childhood; Julia W., June 28, 1861, resides in this county. The father of Lewis R. served as justice of the peace in Raccoon township for twenty-seven years, and in Green township, this county, for three years. Lewis R. Wood is engaged as a general merchant and also as a farmer. He has the following children : William P., born January 19, 1857, died February 28, 1877 ; Harrison H., March 7, 1859; Laura E. and Flora M., twins, October 30, 1866; Charles E., February 11, 1869. The postoffice address of Mr. Wood is Harris postoffice, Gallia county.
SYLVESTER P. WOOD -is the son of William M. Wood, who was born in the state of Virginia, August 7, 1804, and married to Mary Koontz March 29, 1827, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and settled in this county where they had a family of seven children, four boys and three girls; the three girls and the youngest son died in this county ; the remainder still reside here. Mr. William M. Wood's wife died April 5, 1857. His second wife was Sarah Shiers; they were married December 16, 1858; she is the mother of the following children: Winfield S., born October 10, 1859, died in childhood, and Julia W., July 28, 1861, resides in this county. William M. Wood died January 2, 1880. Sylvester P. Wood has been twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Bing, who was born in this county, February 14, 1830. 'They were married September 22, 1852. She was a daughter of William and Mary (Mauck) Bing, and died July 7, 1869. She was mother of the followin,g, children: Mary A., born June 28, 1854, resides at home; Will i:nu L., November 5, 1856, resides at home; Margaret E., January 24, 1859,. died March 26, 18(i7; Nanny P., August 11, 1861, died January 3, 1880; Elinor E, July 3, 1864, resides at home; Ida. B., July 2, 1868, resides at home. The second wife of Mr. Wood is Lucretia Cahoon. She is a daughter of William C. and Evaline (Wood) Cahoon, and was born in this county, February 18, 1843. Their marriage took place in Gallia county, May 14, 1871. The parents of Mrs. Wood came to (1allia county in 1808; her father died June 5, 1860, and her mother November 22, 1870. Mr. Wood has held the office of postmaster at Rio Grande for nine years, and he is at present postmaster at Tycoon. He has also held several public offices ever since he was twenty years old. He is engaged as a farmer and also as a miller and dealer in grain and flour. His postoffice address is Tycoon, I :Alia county, Ohio.
HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP.
JOHN HENRY BARD -and Sarah Jane Turner were married in Huntington township, tiallia comity, Ohio, April 12, 1868. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohl(), August 8, 1838, and his wife was born in this township, January 31, 1832. The parents of Mr. Bard were Henry and Winfred (Hueston) Bard, settlers of this county in 1847, and who are both deceased. The subject of this sketch is engaged in farming in Huntington township. He has three children: Emily Margaret, born June 21, 1876; William Allen, September 1, 1872; Mary Ellen, April 13, 1876, deceased. The parents of Mrs. Bard were Jonathan and Mary Dawson (Collins) Turner. They settled in this county in 1828, and are both deceased. Jonathan Turner was in the service of the United States during the war of 1812, serving one year. The postoffice address of Mr. Bard is Ewington, Gallia county, Ohio.
PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY - 9
WILLIAM FRANCIS BUTLER -is a native of this county, born January 13, 1838. He is a son of Fleming and Elizabeth (Eagle) Butler, who came to this county in 1816, when it was nothing but a wilderness. Fleming Butler was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving till its close. William was married to Anna Jane Kerr, in Gallia county, November 28, 1866 ; she was born in this county September 6, 1845. They have the following children : Maggie, born November 8, 1867; Nellie, December 1, 1877 ; Howard Kerr, April 4, 1879. Mrs. Butler's parents are Richard and Nancy (Wood) Kerr ; they were both born and raised in Gallia county. Mr. Butler was elected trustee in 1863, and served three years; in 1871 he was reelected, and served seven years. Mr. Butler had one brother in the late war ; he was a lieutenant, and enlisted in Missouri in 1862. Mr. Butler makes a specialty of raising cattle in Huntington township. His address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN BERNHARD BUCK -was born in Germany, May 6, 1844. His parents are John Bernhard and Agnes (Steinhilber) Buck. Mr. Buck was married, in Vinton, July 18, 1872, to Agnes Jane Holcum, who was born in Huntington township September 28, 1843. They have the following children : Agnes B., born July 26, 1873; Samuel H., December 28, 1875, deceased; Edward B., December 10, 1878 ; Mary B., September 15, 1881. The parents of Mrs. Buck are Abner J. and Ann S. Holcum, who were among the pioneers of this county, settling here in 1817. By trade Mr. Buck is a stone-mason. He is a resident of Huntington township. His post office address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
JAMES CALHOON -is the son of James and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Calhoon, both of whom are deceased. He was born in Huntington township, March 4, 1852. He still resides in the township, where he is engaged in farming. He was married to Esther A. Deckard, in this township, April 13, 1879; she is also a native of Huntington township, born February 20, 1859. Her parents are Julius N. and Eliza (Price) Deckard, settlers of this county, May 13, 1853. Mr. Calhoun was elected supervisor in this township for one year in 1877, and school director for one year in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoon have one child, Pearly, born January 25, 1880. Mr. Calhoon is engaged in farming; his postoffice address is Thurman, Gallia county, Ohio.
CLEM W. CHERINGTON -is a son of John M. and Lydia (Waddell) Cherington, both of whom are natives of Gallia county, and who still reside here. The former was born August 5, 1820, and the latter, August 4, 1820. Clem is also a native of this county, born in the year 1851. He is now engaged in farming in Huntington township, and teaching. In this township, on the 22d of May, 1878, he was married to Carrie McGrath, who was born in Berlin, Jackson county, Ohio, in 1857. She is a daughter of Martin and Lucinda (Soule) McGrath, who settled in this county in 1870. The children of Mr. Cherington are : Lola L., born January 22, 1880, and Grace, June 4, 1881. The postoffice address of Mr. Cherington is Ewington, Gallia county, Ohio.
RICHARD DECKARD -is a farmer residing in Huntington township, Gallia county, Ohio. He was born in the township, November 6,1816. His parents are Richard and Hannah (Eagle) Deckard, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Deckard was married in Huntington township, May 9, 1839, to Jane Woods, who is also a native of this township, born May 18, 1819. They have the following children: Sarah Hulda, born February 25, 1840, resides in this township ; Carm - bell, October 1, 1841, deceased; Polly E. (Hull), March 2, 1844, resides in Jackson county; Susan H. (Macomber), January 4, 1848, resides in Huntington township ; Kent Jacob., February 5, 1850, resides at home. The parents of Mrs. Deckard were William and Rebecca (Edmanson) Woods, both deceased ; they came to this county about the year 1812. Campbell Deckard, one of the sons of Mr. Deckard, was a soldier in the late war ; he enlisted in 1864, in Company I, 173d Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He died with the small-pox in Tennessee. The address of Mr. Deckard is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
ENOCH R. DICKERSON -is the son of John and Mary (Russell) Dickerson, both of whom are deceased. Enoch was born in Jackson county, September 5, 1822. Mahettable Holcomb became the wife of Mr. Dickerson in Huntington township, August 15, 1840. She was born in this county March 5, 1822. They have the following children : Reuben H., born November 17, 1841, deceased; John W., February 14, 1844, deceased; Thomas A., May 31, 1849, resides in Hamdon, Ohio ; Niles N., April 22, 1851, deceased; Riley R., August 22, 1853, deceased; Rebecca, March 22, 1857, resides in Hamdon, Ohio ; Enoch R., April 9, 1860, resides in this county ; Sarah Ann, July 10, 1863, resides at home. The parents of Mrs. Dickerson are Reuben W. and Rebecca (Niles) Holcomb, settlers of this county in 1811. The oldest son of Mr. Dickerson, Reuben H., enlisted in Company II, 27th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. He served about six months, and was discharged for disability. He reenlisted in 1864, was taken sick at Nashville, and died the same year.;, John W., another son, enlisted January 23, 1864, and was discharged April 17, 1865, at Camp Dennison. He was wounded, July 4, at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. He was sent to the hospital, but he was afterward sent home, where the wound caused his death. Mr. Dickerson was elected school director in 1855 for three years. He is a resident of Huntington township, where he is engaged in farming. His postoffice address is Alice, Gallia county, Ohio.
WILLIAM H. EAGLE, Junior -and Elizabeth M. Allen were married in Ross county, Ohio, December 28, 1871, and are both natives of Gallia county. He was born January 5, 1849, and his wife March 9, 1849. They have two children: namely. Jessie Bernice. born November 20. 1872. and Wilbertia. November 23, 1875. The parents of the subject of this sketch are George W. And Leantha (Glenn) Eagle, who are both natives of Gallia county, and who still reside here.
William and Ellen (Dupra) Allen, both of whom are deceased, were the parents of Mrs. Eagle. Farming is the occupation of Mr. Eagle, and his farm is located in Huntington township. His postoffice address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
FRANCIS M. EDMISTON -was born in Huntington township, May 29, 1837. He is a son of William and Margaret (McGhee) Edmiston. His father was born in 1808, and came to this county in 1810. His mother was born in 1818. Mr. Edmiston was married June 3, 1869, to Catherine Cherington, who was born in Gallia county, Ohio, January 17, 1845. She is a daughter of John M. and Lydia (Waddell) Cherington. Her father and mother were both born in 1821, and still reside in this county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Edmiston are : William Eddie, born April 25, 1870; Virginia Margaret, August 23, 1872; Elbert E., February 9, 1874; Mira M., August 24, 1875; Lydia Ellen, May 12, 1879. Mr. Edmiston served as trustee from 1872 for nine years. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting, August, 1862, in the Independent Company of Trumbull Guards, and was discharged July 2, 1865. He is a resident of the township of Huntington, where he is engaged in farming. His postoffice address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
RICHARD D. EDWARDS -was born in Wales, England, December 12, 1836. He is a son of David and Hannah (Evans) Edwards, the former of whom is deceased. Mr. Edwards and Sarah H. Macomber were married in Gallia county December 19, 1861. She was born in Vinton county, Ohio, January 18, 1843. They have the following children : Hannah N., born December 10, 1862, resides in Ewington ; Lindsay A., April 25, 1864 ; Calphurnia A., May 18, 1866 ; William D., March 8, 1868; Sarah B., September 22, 1869; David B., May 3, 1872, deceased; Richard C., September 27, 1873 ; Otho E., May 20, 1876 ; Elizabeth H., September 29, 1878. The parents of Mrs. Edwards are Lindsay A. and Calphurnia (Holcomb) Macomber. Her father came to this county in 1852, and her mother is deceased. Mr. Edwards has filled the offices of supervisor, trustee and assessor. Mr. Edwards enlisted in the 173d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, September 13, 1864. He was sergeant of Company I. He received his honorable discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 26th of June, 1865. He came to this county in 1838, settling in Ewington, where he is at present engaged in building and contracting. His postoffice address is Ewington, Gallia county, Ohio.
ASHER B. HAMILTON -was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, September 21, 1833. His parents are James C. and Eliza (McGhee) Hamilton, who settled in this county in 1834. Mr. Hamilton is engaged in the mill and woolen manufactory business. He was married in this county June 10, 1860, to Emily Kent, who is a native of Gallia county, born November 22, 1835. She is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Stebbins) Kent, who were among the early settlers of this county, coming here in 1815; her father is deceased. The children of Mr. Hamilton are : Ella, born January 1, 1861, deceased; Frank K., May 11, 1863, deceased; Edwin A., November 28, 1865; Homer M., July 27, 1868; Emma, August 30, 1872. The postoffice address of Mr. Hamilton is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
EDWARD T. HOLCOMB -was born in Vinton, Gallia county, January 4, 1822. His father, Samuel R. Holcomb, moved into Huntington township in April, 1805, carrying all his household goods on a horse behind him. He lived in a tent until they erected a log cabin ; in the same year he started a settlement on the very ground where Vinton now stands. He continued to reside in the neighborhood until his death, which took place in the year 1867, at the age of 90 years. He was a native of Columbia county, New York. He was representative several terms in the Ohio legislature ; was also sheriff of the county for eighteen years, besides holding several other county offices, among them county commissioner and treasurer. He was a brigadier-general in the late war, and he was also elected a presidential elector. During his life he accumulated considerable property, gave his children a good schooling, and he enjoyed a good reputation in Huntington township. He raised a family of ten children ; two died in early life. A. T. Holcomb, the eldest of the family, died in his seventy-seventh year ; he was also a man of some note, having been elected to the legislature of his native State three terms ; he was a legal gentleman ; both himself and wife were of the hardy pioneer class. Sarah (Ewing) Holcomb, the mother of Edward, died in 1850, aged 68 years. Edward Holcomb and Elizabeth Mitchell were married in Vinton, February 23, 1847. She is a native of England, a daughter of John and Mary Mitchell, both of whom are deceased. The children of this union are : Victoria, born December 12, 1847; Chauncey, September 4, 1849; Elizabeth, August 17, 1853; Walter, March 20, 1856; they all reside in Vinton. Mr. Holcomb was elected trustee of Huntington township in 1862. His son-in-law, C. Fogg, was a soldier in the late war; he enlisted in the 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864, and he died from the effect of his wound, April 26, 1882; he was an invalid pensioner. He leaves a wife and two children. Mr. Holcomb is engaged in farming in Huntington township. His address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
SAMUEL R. HOLCOMB -and Catherine Dickey were married in Vinton, April 15, 1842. He is a native of this township, born September 7, 1820. Mrs. Holcomb was born in the State of Pennsylvania, May 7, 1820. The parents of Mr. Holcomb were among the pioneers of this county, settling here at the early date of 1817. Their names are Abner J. and Ann S. Holcomb. Samuel Dickey is the father of Mrs. Holcomb. To show the respect and confidence in which the subject of this sketch is held in this township, it is only necessary to say that he has held the office of constable two years, township trustee one year, and township clerk from 1872, for six years. He is engaged in farming in Huntington township. His address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
10 - PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT GALLIA COUNTY.
WILLIAM LEWIS -is a native of the township of Huntington, born December 30, 1835. His father, Samuel Lewis, came to this county in 1834. He is still living, and during Morgan's raid into Ohio in 1864, he served his country by joining the force organized to drive him out. The grandfather of William Lewis was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving about one year. He died September 9, 1855, aged 82 years and 5 months. Hannah Lewis died March 23, 1853, aged 79 years. Electa (Wilcox) Lewis, the mother of William, is deceased. William Lewis was married in this township January 1, 1857, to Sarah Jane Cardwell, who is also a native of Huntington township, born May 17, 1836. She is a daughter of James D. and Mary (Wood) Cardwell, who settled in this county in 1831. The grandfather of Mrs. Lewis was in the war of 1812, and three of her brothers enlisted in the Ohio Guards at the time of Morgan's raid in 1864. Mr. Lewis was also a soldier in the war of the rebellion. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company H, 27th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and reenlisted as a veteran December 28, 1863. He received his discharge at Louisville, Kentucky, July 11, 1865. Captain Stephen Attison was his commanding officer. Mr. Lewis was trustee of Raccoon township one year, and school director three years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are : Mary Ellen, born January 11, 1858, resides near Rodney ; Almira Malance, May 11, 1860, resides in this township ; Nancy Cora, August 4, 1866, resides at home ; Eric Samuel, October 17,'1868, deceased, November 29, 1870 ; Thomas Simeon, September 8, 1871, resides at home ; Isadora, November 21, 1875, resides at hone; Charles Dixon, January 5, 1879, died October 12, 1880; Carrie Arminta, April 2, 1880. Mr. Lewis' brothers, Hovey died September 19,1858, aged 3 years and 9 months, and Aaron died June 12, 1855, aged 6 years and 6 months. Mr. Lewis' brothers, Perry and Alfred, were in the late war. Perry enlisted in the 27th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served about eighteen months, and reenlisted in the same company and regiment, and served to the close of the war. Alfred enlisted in the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, and was held about one month, when he was exchanged. He was then discharged. Mr. Lewis is a farmer of Huntington township. His postoffice address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
ANDREW C. McCARLEY -is a son of William and. Sarah (Boggs) McCarley, both of whom are deceased. He was born in Jackson county, Ohio, February 27, 1823. His marriage to Susanna C. Woods took place in Gallia county, April 18, 1852. She is a native of this county, born February 28, 1822. She is a daughter of William and Rebecca (Edminston) Woods, both deceased. The following comprise the children of Mr. and Mrs. McCarley : William W., born July 25, 1853, resides in Huntington township ; Mary, September 7, 1855 ; Jennie, September 5, 18:57, deceased; Ella, January 30, 1861, deceased; Franklin E., 'April 1, 1867. Mr. McCarley came to this county in 1836, where he is engaged in merchandising in Ewington, where he should be addressed.
A. E. McCARLEY & SON,
DEALERS IN
GENERAL MERCHANDISE,
EWINGTON,OHIO.
JONAS MACOMBER -and Sarah McMillin were married in Gallia county, September 24, 1859, where they were both born. The date of leis birth is January 13, 1840, and his wife's, January 17,1834. They have the following family: Myra E., born October 19, 1860; Samuel M., February 23, 1863; Edward L., May 29, 1865; Linna C., June 19, 1868; Jonas T., September 2:3, 1871. The subject of this sketch is a son of Lindsay A. and Calphurnia (iiolcomb) Macomber. His mother is deceased. His father came to this county in 1852. The parents of Mrs. Macomber are Edward J. and Laura (Holcomb) McMillin, both of whom are residents of Gallia county. Mr. Macomber was a soldier in the late war. lie enlisted in the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1862, in Company E. He served one year in that regiment, and then reenlisted in the 195th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D, in 1864. Ile served to the close of the war. lie was corporal in Company G, and sergeant in Company I); was mustered out December 20, 1865, at Alexandria, Virginia, and received his honorable discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, December 24, 1865. He is a resident of Huntington township, and is engaged as a sawyer. His postoffice address is Ewington, Gallia county, Ohio.
ALVIN R. MARTLNDALE -is a native of Gallia county, born .January 16, 1814. Ike is a son of John and Sarah (McMillen) Martindale. The former was born in North Carolina and the latter in Virginia, both of whom are deceased. John Martindale was a soldier in the war of 1812. his father, James Martindale, was a lieutenant-colonel in the revolutionary war, and drew a pension during leis life. Julia Ann Howell became the wife of Alvin R. Martindale April 12, 1838, in Huntington township. She was born in Jackson county November 5, 1819, and is a daughter of Levi and jannett (Ewing) I Iowan, both of whom are deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Martindale are: John A., bore, March 21, 1833, resides in Springfield township; William W., May 26, 1841, is at present mayor of Gallipolis: Niles Q., October 7, 1844, resides in Vinton county, Ohio ; Mary, December 24, 1847, resides in Vinton county, Ohio ; Virgil C., October 4, 1850, resides in Jackson county, Ohio. Three of the sons were soldiers in the late war. William W. Enlisted in 1861, in Company E, 53d Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served three years and lost one of his eyes in the service. John enlisted in 1862 in Company A in the 194th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. Mr. Martindale has filled the following offices: Constable in 1847 and 1848 ; township clerk one year; township assessor one year ; justice of the peace three years ; township trustee one year. He is engaged in farming in Huntington township. His address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
JAMES McNEAL -was born in West Virginia, April 18, 1811, and came to this county in 1814. He is a son of Enoc and Jane (Moore) McNeal, both of whom are deceased. He was married to Sarah Dodrill in Huntington township, April 3, 1835; she is a native of this township, born October 11, 1816. They have the following family : Eliza, born January 29, 1837, deceased ; Mary M., January 18, 1839, deceased; Elizabeth J., January 20, 1841, deceased; James F., July 28, 1844, deceased; Charlotte, May 6, 1846, deceased; Martha, July 21, 1848, resides at home ; Alvira, October 16, 1850, deceased; Almira, June 14, 1852, resides in Vinton county ; Ellen, June 18, 1855, deceased; Margaret, November 9, 1857, resides at home ; Emma, June 27, 1859, resides at home. The parents of Mrs. McNeal were George and Elizabeth (Ewing) Dodrill, both of whom are deceased. Mr. McNeal is a farmer, residing in Huntington township. His postoffice address is Alice, Gallia county, Ohio.
JAMES OILER -is a son of Samuel and Polly (Caldwell) Oiler, who came to this county from Virginia in 1811, when it was a wilderness. James was born in this county December 13, 1828. He was married to Eva Shiveley in Huntington township, September 18, 1853; she is a daughter of John and Hannah (Woollem) Shiveley, both deceased. Mrs. Oiler had been previously married, and the mother of five children, namely : Debora, born July 5, 1838, lives in Iowa; Hannah, September 19, 1840, lives in Vinton county ; Henry, May 7, 1843, resides in Perry county; Jeremiah, February 1, 1845, resides in Kansas ; Eliza Jane, June 16, 1848, resides in Gallia county. The name of her husband was Jacob Bard. Mr. Oiler enlisted March 7, 1864, in Company A, 27th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until July 11, 1865. He was wounded in the jaw by a minnie ball at the battle of Atlanta, and after staying in the hospital only thirteen days he returned to his regiment, and served the remainder of his term. Mrs. Oiler is a native of Columbiana county, born September 3, 1814. Mr. Oiler is engaged in farming in Huntington township. His postoffice address is Chestnut Grove, Gallia county, Ohio.
RUFUS P. PORTER -and Mary A. Butler were married in Gallia county, July 28, 1864. He was born in Athens county, March 22, 1821, and his wife is a native of this county, born June 13, 1840. Their children are : Carrie E., born May 11, 1865; William P., December 28, 1866; Luther E. B., June 20, 1876; Kate, October 18, 1878; they all reside at home. The parents of Mr. Porter are Solomon C. and Phebe K. (Burnham) Porter ; his father was born in 1798, and came to Gallia county in 1836; the mother of Rufus was born in the year 1801. The first wife of Mr. Porter was Elizabeth Heaton, who died December 10, 1863. To show the respect in which Mr. Porter is held by the residents of this township, it is only necessary to say that he served as county commissioner six years ; justice of the peace, nine years; school director, fifteen years; and township treasurer, five years. The parents of Mrs. Porter are Fleming and Elizabeth (Eagle) Butler, settlers of this county in 1816. Mr. Butler was a soldier in the war of 1812, and drew a pension during his life. Mr. Porter is a fanner, residing in Huntington township. His postoffice address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
REUBEN A. RUSSELL -is the son of Randal and Martha, (Graham) Russell, and was born in
Jackson county in the year 1840. He was kicked by a horse June 14, and died June 16, 1882. Both of his parents are deceased. Mr. Russell was a resident of the township of Huntington, where his widow is engaged in fanning. He was married in Gallia county, Ohio, October 1, 1871, to Elizabeth R. Wilcox, who is a native of this county, born in the year 1843. Site is a daughter of Stephen and Rebecca W. (Butler) Wilcox, who was married in this county on a very patriotic day, July 4, 1840. Mr. Russell was elected township trustee for one term in 1879. Mrs. Russell's postoffice address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
GEO. W. SHACK. / A. B. HAMILTON.
SHACK & HAMILTON,
Manufacturers of and Dealers in
FLOUR, FEED AND GRAIN OF ALL KINDS.
Also Manufacturers of Woolen Yarns of Every Description.
VINTON, OHIO.
GEORGE W. SHACK -was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, May 11, 1832. Ile is a son of John I). and Mary Ann (Met dice) Shack, who settled in this county in 1832. The former was born in Baltimore, Maryland, he 1807, the latter in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1803. The first wife of Mr. Shack was Hannah Shivly, to whom the following children were born : Virginia, born February 8, 1857 ; George E., August 17, 1858 ; John D., September 23, 1860 they all reside in Vinton. The second wife of Mr. Shack is Catherine Robinson. She is a daughter of Kinsey and Hannah (March) Robinson. Her was born in Columbiana county, May 6, 1835. There is one child by this union: Sarah M., born October 2, 1865. Mr. Shack is engaged in the mill and woolen manufacturing business. His postoffice address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY - 11
JOHN SHIVELY -was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, April 18, 1818. His parents, both of whom are deceased, were John and Hannah (Wallum) Shively. The subject of this sketch was married in Columbiana county, Ohio, November 15, 1838, to Elizabeth Bard, who is also a native of Columbiana county, born March 15, 1821. They have the following children : Henry, born December 28, 1842, resides in section 22 of this township ; Jeremiah, August 22, 1845, deceased; George, May 1, 1851, resides at Vinton ; Richard Campbell, November 22, 1855, resides in Pickaway county ; Mary Elizabeth, June 12, 1858, deceased; Daniel Devore, December 3, 1860, resides in Pickaway county ; John J., July 23, 1863, deceased. The parents of Mrs. Shively were Henry and Winford (Hueston) Bard, both deceased. Mr. Shively is a farmer of Huntington township. Address, Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
SHACK & TANNERY,
VINTON, OHIO.
Cash Paid for Hides and Bark.
WILLIAM HENRY TURNER -is a native of the county of Gallia, born July 4, 1829. He is a son of Jonathan and Mary D. (Collins) Turner, who settled in this county in 1828, and who are both deceased. Jonathan Turner was a soldier in the war of 1812. Annis Thompson, daughter of Elizabeth (Beeson) and Pierce Thompson, became the wife of William Henry Turner in Meigs county, Ohio, April 24, 1861. She is mother of one child, viz : Luther B., born May 4, 1862. She was born in Meigs county, February 22, 1838, and is deceased. Mr. Turner was elected justice of the peace in 1870 for three years ; in 1861 he served as constable for one year ; and he was elected as trustee in 1873, which office he has filled for nine years. He is a resident of Huntington township, where he is engaged in farming. His postoffice address is Ewington, Gallia county, Ohio.
ABNER JOHNSON HOLCOMB TYLER -is a native of Huntington township, born August 24, 1844. He is a son of George and Olive (Holcomb) Tyler, who were both raised in Gallia county. Abner Tyler was married in Huntington township, November 18, 1866, to Sarah Elizabeth Bard, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, July 20, 1848. They have two children, namely : Eve Abagail, born November 13,1870, and George Elmer, March 31, 1874. The parents of Mit. Tyler, George and Levina Jane (Pancake) Bard, came to Gallia county in 1853. Mr. Tyler was a soldier in the war of the rebellion. He enlisted in Company D, 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and served until July, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge. He was elected school director in 1879. He is by occupation a farmer. His address is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.
OHIO TOWNSHIP.
ROBERT BARKER -a resi dent of Ohio township, settled in this county in 1828, and was born in Indiana, September 3, 1823. He is a son of Thomas W. Barker, born in Berkshire, England, in 1782, died February 5, 1854, and Dannah (Weece) Barker, born in Hardy county, Virginia, in 1786, who came to this county in 1828. William Thompson, born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, in 1808, and Elizabeth Campbell, born in Jackson county, Ohio, in 1807, and coming to this county in 1840,,were the parents of Mary A. Thompson, born in Ross county, Ohio, December 13, 1827, who became the wife of Mr. Robert Barker in Ohio township, April 22, 1847. They have the following children : Sarah A., born January 22, 1848, resides in Ohio township ; William T., March 18, 1849, in Mason county, West Virginia; John R., Febritary 25, 1851, in Chambers- burg, this county; Luella J., July 6, 1852, in Kentucky; Isaac, January 31, 1854, died April 28, 1855; Elizabeth, June 1, 1855, in West Virginia; Mary, November 27, 1856, at home; Louisa, August 15, 1858, in Ohio township ; Charles, February 18, 1860, died February 21, 1861 ; Ella, May 1, 1861, died September 5, 1866; James, June 23, 1866, at home; Nora, February 10, 1870, died April 5, 1878. David Campbell was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Robert Barker is engaged in merchandising and farming, with postoffice address at Bush's Mills, Gallia county, Ohio.
HORACE C. BARGER -was born in Gallia county, Ohio, November 21, 1827. He is a son of Adam and Anna (Clark) Barger, settlers of this county in 1815. They died October 23, 1856, and July 31, 1880, respectively. His father was among the first settlers in the township ; they had to go about twenty-four miles to a mill, which took two days; they grated and pounded their corn ; their meat was mostly deer and wild turkey; they had no roads except blazed paths ; the school was two or three miles distant. Mr. Barger was married in Lawrence county, Ohio, January 6, 1859, to Ruhama Tull, who was born in Cabell county, West Virginia, March 7, 1828. Her parents were William and Hannah (Coyle) Tull. Her father died August 18, 1875, and her mother October 31, 1874. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Barger are: John born April 29, 1861; Ellen, July 22, 1863; William, July 9, 1866; Martha, October 8, 1870; they all reside at home, Mr. Barger is a farmer, and also a shoemaker. He is a resident of Ohio township, and his postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
ANSELM T. BLAKE -was born in Washington county, Ohio, October 23, 1801, and came to this county with his parents, David and Martha (Dagett) Blake, in the year 1817. He located in Ohio township, where he is engaged in farming. Mr. Blake was married in Athens county, Ohio, December 10, 1826, to Hannah P. Trobridge, who was born in Fairhaven, Rutland county, Vermont, July 6, 1802. She is a daughter of Levi and Hannah (Smith) Trobridge. The following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Blake : William D., born November 2, 1827, resides in Louisiana ; Cincinnatus B., January 8, 1830, resides in Gallipolis ; Harriet N., August 7, 1833, died May 14, 1858; Julia A.., August 17, 1836, resides in Lawrence county, Ohio ; Hannah D., June 29, 1839; resides in Gallipolis ; Martha, June 2, 1846, resides in Gallipolis. Mr. Blake has held the office of township trustee for a number of years. He had two sons in the late war. Cincinnatus served two years and was discharged for disability. William enlisted for three years and was discharged on account of disability. The postoffice address of Mr. Blake is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
GEORGE CAMPBELL -was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, April 7, 1806. He is a son of Daniel and Ellen (Ross) Campbell, who settled in this county in 1806. His father was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, and died in this county in 1851. His mother died in 1813. During the war of 1812 the family of Mr. Campbell were in great danger from the Indians, and his mother has often hid the children through the day under a drift at the bank of the river. They had to do their trading at Gallipolis, and their mill was twenty-seven miles distant ; the corn for their bread they ground by hand ; their meat consisted of deer and wild turkeys ; the bears would not allow them to raise any hogs, and the wolves used to destroy all their sheep. Whenever they went to church or to visit a neighbor they had to carry their rifles. The father of Mr. Campbell was drafted in the war of 1812. George Campbell and Cassey Campbell were married in Ohio township May 27, 1830 ; she was born in Mason county, West Virginia, September 11, 1813. She is the mother of the following children: Thomas J., born January 19, 1832, resides in Cincinnati ; Elias, January 24, 1836, resides in Ohio township ; Charles, April 24, 1839, died October 31, 1844 ; Francis M., May 26, 1841, died July 10, 1852; Chloe E., December 27, 1843, died August 18, 1869; George A., June 22, 1851, resides at home. The parents of Mrs. Campbell are Elias and Chloe (Swindler) Campbell, settlers of this county in 1814. Mr, Campbell is a cooper and also a farmer. His postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN CAMPBELL -was born in Gallia county, Ohio township, on the farm where he now lives, November 20, 1823. His father, Henry Campbell, was born January 1, 1796, and died September 24, 1865. His mother, Nancy (Swindler) Campbell, was born January 31, 1804, and died April 25, 1879. When the subject of this sketch was a boy, he and his father would row a boat up the river two and a-half miles with two sacks of corn and take them on their backs and carry them half a mile to a horse-mill, where they would get it cracked ; they pounded and grated their corn to make bread ; the children had to go to school two miles by blazed paths through the woods ; their house was made of round log slabs; schools were held three months in the year, and were supported by subscription; preaching was had occasionally at neighbors' houses and at Hobbs' school house ; their wagons were made entirely of wood, the wheels being blocks sawed off a round log; all their clothing was home-made and the material raised on the farm ; all their plows were wholly wood. John Campbell was married to Juliet Kennedy in this county May 7, 1856. She is a native of this county, born November 13, 1833, the same night in which occurred the great meteoric shower. The following are the children by this marriage : Lewis E., born February 23, 1857, resides in Oregon ; Willie F., November 7, 1861, resides at home; Jennie N., December 21, 1864, at home ; Mary E., June 10, 1869, at home. The parents of Mrs. Campbell are Cornelius and Jane (Waugh) Kennedy. The father was born in 1790, and the mother October 8, 1795. Mr. Campbell has held the office of township treasurer three years, and also filled the office of township clerk. Mr. Campbell served his country during the Morgan raid in 1864. The postoffice address of Mr. Campbell is Bush's Mill, Gallia county, Ohio.
ELIAS CAMPBELL -and Rachel Wellington were married at Bladensburg, Ohio, July 9, 1864. He is a native of Gallia county, born January 24, 1836; his wife was born July 11, 1846, in Jefferson county, Ohio. They have two children: James, born June 10, 1865, and Ella, November 22, 1869. Elias Campbell is a son of George and Cassa Campbell, settlers of this county in 1806. The parents of Mrs. Campbell are John and Mary E. (Jarvis) Wellington, who came to this county in 1858. Mr. Campbell is a cooper and farmer, his farm being located in Ohio township. His postoffice address is Eureka, Gallia county, Ohio.
CHARLES E. FRY -was born in Gallia county, Ohio, March 21, 1840. He is a son of Guy and Sarah (Holley) Fry, settlers of this county in 1823. Mr. Fry was a soldier in the late war, serving two and a-half years, being disabled, and was discharged ; but he reenlisted and served to the close of the war. Ile enlisted as a private in the 33d Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was promoted to sergeant. He has held the office of constable in Guyan township for seven years, and was elected trustee of Ohio township in 1882. Mr. Fry was married to Ida M. Martin in this county. She was born in Meigs county, Ohio, January 25. 1859. Her parents are Daniel and Mary (Postlewait) Martin, settlers of this county in 1866, She is the mother of one child, Emma E., born November 27, 1878. Mr. Fry is a farmer, his land being located in Ohio township. His postoffice address is Eureka, Gallia county, Ohio.
12 - PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN HANNAN -is a native of Ohio township, born October 30, 1827. He is a son of Henry and Catherine M. (Madison) Hannan, who settled in this county in 1819. His father was born March 4, 1796, and died October 16, 1852. William F. Hannan was married in Gallipolis, May 4, 1857, to Matilda Caroline Grayum, who is a native of Meigs county, Ohio, born October 28, 1828. She is a daughter of Charles and Martha E. (Vanzandt) Grayum. Mr. Hannan has been township trustee for a number of years, and his father was one of the first to hold that office in the township. The children of Mr. Hannan are : Mary F., born March 3, 1858, resides in Ohio township ; Emma J., July 30, 1860, resides at home; Flora E., March 24, 1863, resides at home; Laura K., March 6, 1865, resides at home. Mr. Hannan is a physician and is also engaged in farming. His postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
HENRY H. HANNAN -and Sarah Arbuckle were married near Lewisburg, Greenbrier county, West Virginia, June 2, 1868. He was a native of this county, born February 7, 1844 ; and his wife was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, January 4, 1845. They have the following children : Mary M., born September 13, 1869; Kate A., July 2, 1871 ; James H., March 5, 1873; John C., December 25, 1875; Rosa M., April 15, 1878. The parents of Mr. Hannan were Henry and Rhoda (Henderson) Hannan, settlers of this county in 1819. His father died October 16, 1852, and his mother April 2, 1879. The parents of Mrs. Hannan are James H. and Mahala F. (McPherson) Arbuckle, who are residents of West Virginia. Mr. Hannan held the office of justice of the peace two years, and was holding theoffice at the time of his death, which took place January 18, 1879. His wife is managing the farm, which is located in Ohio township. Her postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
HENRY HOLLEY -is a son of Samuel and Letta (Thomas) Holley, who settled in this county in 1820, enduring all the privations of a pioneer life. His father was born May 11, 1799, and died March 24, 1882; his mother was born in 1804, and died in January, 1869. Henry Holley and Anna Sheets were married in this county August 3, 1852. They are both natives of Gallia county; he born April 11, 1827, and his wife September 9, 1829. Mrs. Holley is a daughter of John and Susan (Henry) Sheets. The children of Mr. Holley are: Lavanna, born April 13, 1853, died March 20, 1858; Thomas J., June 10, 1854; Elizabeth J., December 17, 1856 ; James B., October 26, 1858 ; Emily F., November 30, 1861 ; Eliza A., July 14, 1864; John S., -April 28, 1866; William H., August 7, 1869. Mr. Holley had five brothers in the late war, serving from four months to over one year; their names are William, James T., Samuel, Benjamin F., and Cornelius E. Mr. Holley is a physician and farmer, residing in Ohio township. Eureka, Gallia county, Ohio, is where he should be addressed.
CORNELIUS W. KENNEDY -is a native of Gallia county, born February 1, 1826. His father, Cornelius Kennedy, was born in 1790, and died July 3, 1833. His mother, Jane (Waugh) Kennedy; was born October 8, 1795, and died-September 2, 1865. They were among the veryearliest settlers of this county, coming here in 1800. In the boyhood days of the subject of this sketch; they had to go to Raccoon creek, a distance of fifteen miles, on horseback, to have their corn ground ; through the woods they had to mark their path by blazing. The grandparents of Mr. Kennedy had to pound corn for bread, and when the corn was soft they had to grate it on a tin grater made from some old pan. All their clothing was made from flax wool, and when they threshed wheat they laid it on the ground and had their horses tramp it out, and cleaned it with a linen sheet. Mr. Kennedy was about twenty-one years old before he saw a cook stove, his mother becoming the possessor of the first in the neighborhood. The house in which Mr. Kennedy saw his early days was constructed of hewed logs, was 16 by 18 feet, and still stands on his farm. It was the best house in the neighborhood at that time. Their principal food was corn bread and venison. They would chase deer with dogs into the river and there capture them. All their trading was done at Gallipolls and Guyandotte, West Virginia, seventeen and twenty miles distant. The first physician in the neighborhood was Joseph Shallcross, and his first patient the father of Mr. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy was married in Harrison township, this county, November 14, 1850, to Frances E. Smith, who is a native of this county, born August 31, 1831. Her father, William Smith, was born August 15, 1786, and died November 26, 1849. her mother, Margaret (Waugh) Smith, was born December 22, 1794, and died June 6, 1860. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are: Sallemma A., born October 18, 1851, resides in this township ; Franklin M., December 27, 1853, resides in this township ; Charles D., March 25, 1856, resides in Oregon ; Andrew J., December 29, 1858, resides in this township ; Elizabeth F., January 8, 1865, resides at home; Emma F., November 12, 1867, resides at home; Leslie W., March 12, 1872, resides at home; Fannie M., August 11, 1875, died May 18, 1877. The grandfather of Mr. Kennedy, George Waugh, died March 8, 1858, aged 88 years, and Susan, his wife, May 10, 1855, aged 93 years. The father of Mr. Kennedy was a soldier in the war of 1812, and the subject of this sketch was a soldier during Morgan's raid in Ohio. He is a farmer, with his address at Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN T. MOONEY- and May R. Wetherholt were married in Gallia county, Ohio, July 4, 1878. Ile is a son of Matthew and Susan (NVaugh) Mooney, settlers of this county in 1825. Mr. and MN. Mooney are natives of Gallia county. He was born October 9, 1855, and his wife June 4, 1856. They have one child, Bertie V., born April 12, 1879. The parents of Mrs. Mooney are Jacob and Sarah (McKean) Wetherholt, who came to this county in 1845. The subject of this sketch has filled the office of clerk of the township of Ohio since 1880. He is still filling the office. Mr. Mooney is a farmer and he is also engaged in teaching. His postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
MATHEW MOONEY -is a son of John and Elizabeth (Norman) Mooney, settlers of this county in 1824. He was born in this township September 5, 1825. He is engaged in farming. He has held the office of clerk of the school board for over twenty years. Mr. Mooney married Susan Waugh March 14, 1848. She was born in Gallia county, November 14, 1830. She is a daughter of John T. and Anna (Sloan) Waugh, who settled in this county in 1800. Mrs. Mooney died July 20, 1882. The children of this marriage are as follows : Elizabeth A., born December 22, 1848, died July 14, 1854; Missouri E., February 18, 1850, resides in this township; Mary J., December 11, 1852, resides in this township ; John T., October 9, 1855, resides in this township ; Lora A., June 14, 1858, resides at home ; Thomas J., June 10, 1860, resides at home; Emily, March 24, 1863, died May 9, 1866; James M., February 17, 1866, resides at home; Charles W. and Etta, October 18, 1868, both reside at home ; Walter J., May 15, 1872; Clarence, June 1, 1875. J. W. Mooney, a brother of Mathew, was a soldier in the. Mexican war, and also in the late war. Mrs. Mooney had two brothers who served in the late war. The address of Mr. Mooney is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
WILLIAM G. PARMLEY -and Margaret J. Small were married in Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio, October 3, 1864. He was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1838, and his wife in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the same year. They have one child, Annie L, born September 22, 1865, resides at home. The parents of Mr. Parmley were George and Ann (Watson) Parmley, who came to- this county in 1833. His father died in 1856, and his mother in 1840. The parents of Mrs. Parmley are Richard and Mary (Edwards) Small, settlers of this county in 1847. Her father died in May, 1854. Mr. Parmley has held the offices of postmaster, justice of the peace, assessor and supervisor. The first postoffice in this neighborhood was South Newcastle, and the postmaster George House. Mr. Parmley is a farmer and stock-raiser. His farm is located in Ohio township. His postoffice address is Bush's Mill, Gallia county, Ohio.
STEPHEN POLLOCK -was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, February 11, 1822. He came to Gallia county in 1843. His parents were Stephen and (Dunham) Pollock. His father was born February 26, 1790, and died July 28, 1862. His mother was born December 28, 1793, and died December 5, 1875. Barbary Hay became the wife of Stephen Pollock, in Gallia county, May 25, 1847. She is a native of this county, born April 4, 1828. Her parents were Rubin.and Margaret (Aleshire) Hay. Her father was born June 22,1793, and died April 16, 1875. Her mother was born in 1790, and died May 12, 1861. They came to Gallia county in 1817. They have the following children: Hamilton, born March 15, 1848; John W., April 16, 1851; Ruben H., February 14, 1853; Ann D., November 2, 1855 ; Stephen K., August 27, 1857 ; Maggie J., March 28, 1860; Thomas M., March 23, 1865. Mr. Pollock has held the office of trustee for several years. He did service for the government during the Morgan raid in 1864. Mr. Pollock is a resident of the township of Ohio, where he is engaged as a farmer. His trade is that of a moulder. He receives his mail at Bush's Mill, Gallia county, Ohio.
THOMAS A. POLLOCK -is a son of Stephen and Ann (Dunham) Pollock, and was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1815. His father was born February 26, 1790, and died July 28, 1862. His mother was born December 28, 1793, and died December 5, 1875. They settled in Gallia county in 1843, Mr. Pollock was married to Elizabeth A. Kennedy, in this county, February 16, 1847 She is a native of this county, born August 14,1828. Her parents were Cornelius and Jane (Waugh) Kennedy. Her father died July 3, 1833, and her mother September 2, 1860. They came to this county in the year 1800. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Pollock are : Mary F., born October 4, 1847, resides et home ; Hortense A., March 20, 1849; Thomas A., February 25, 1851, at home; Edgar S., September 12, 1853, resides in Illinois ; Norman, November 24, 1855, at home; Emma, March 27, 1858, at home; John S., November 21,1860, at home ; Elizabeth, November 3, 1864, at home; Charles, November 24, 1867, at home ; Salemma, April 10, 1870, at home ; Ernest G., June 1, 1872, at home. Mr. Pollock has held the office of justice of the peace for six years, and has been a trustee for a number of years. Ile is by occupation a farmer, and aMo a moulder. His postoffice address is Bush's Mill, Gallia county, Ohio.
DANIEL PORTER -a son of Thomas and Ann (Topas) Porter, who came to this county in 1837, was born in Cabell county, West Virginia, in 1824, and settled in this county the same year his parents came, residing in Ohio township. He was married in Ohio township, in 1853, to Nancy Wilson, who was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, in 1833, a daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth (Van Zhandt) Wilson, who came to this county in 1836. The following are their children: Thomas, born in 18 , resides in Nelsonville, Ohio; Alonzo, in 18 , in West Virginia; Emma, in 18 , died 1879; Daniel, in 18 ; Melissa, in 1858; Walter, in 1860; John, in 1861 ; William, in 1864; Elizabeth, in 1866; James, in 1872; Robert, in 1874---the eight last named reside at home. Mr. Daniel Porter is a miner by occupation. Postoffice address, Mercer bottom, Mason county, West Virginia.
CALVIN EDWARD ROACH -is a son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Shelenbarger) Roach. Ile was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, June 25, 1855. Ile is a farmer of Ohio township. Ile was married in this township March 12, 1875, to Elizabeth Halley, who is a native of this township, born December 17, 1856. She is a daughter of Henry and Ann (Sheets) Halley, who settled in this county in 1826. Mr. Roach has one son, Samuel born November 4, 1876. The subject of this sketch has held the office of constable and assessor in this township; the first office he filled for two years, and the last for one year. Mr. Roach came to this county in 1872. His postoffice address is Eureka, Gallia county, Ohio.
PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT - GALLIA COUNTY - 13
BENJAMIN SIBLEY -was born in Tolland county, Connecticut, March 28, 1812. He came to this county in 1838, and settled in this township in 1839, and since that time there has been a great change ; there are but two families here now who were residents at that time; real estate has advanced since he came here about 500 per cent.; the number of schools have doubled. Mr. Sibley was married to Mary Reynolds in Cabell county, West Virginia, January 25, 1839. She was born in Washington county, Ohio, October 19, 1819. She died March 28, 1879. She is mother of the following children : Marshall L., born December 13, 1839, resides in this township ; Joseph A., October 23, 1841, died June 6, 1869; Charles W., twin, October 23, 1841, died in infancy ; Charles W., August 6, 1843, died June 6, 1869 ; Zuba L., November 17, 1845, died June 6, 1869; Benjamin F., April 6, 1848, resides at home ; Lorongo D., April 9, 1850, resides in Scott county, Missouri ; Ira E., January 10, 1853, resides in Wappello county, Iowa ; Harvey F., September 30, 1854, resides at home ; Mary E. (Crum), September 25, 1856, resides in this township; Tryphena I., February 11, 1859, at home ; Sarah C., May 6,1861, died March 26, 1867; Julia G., August 20, 1863, resides at home. Three of the above named children, viz.: Joseph A., Charles W., and Zuba L., were drowned while boat-riding on the Ohio river, with four others, who also were drowned. The parents of Mr. Sibley are Aaron and Tryphena (Agard) Sibley. Mrs. Sibley's parents are Luke and Isabel (Bar) Reynolds, settlers of this county in 1839. Mr. Sibley has been justice of the peace three years, and township trustee for a number of years. He is engaged in farming. His postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
RICHARD SMALL -was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and came to this county in 1848. He is a son of Simon and Margaret (Smith) Small. Mary Edwards became the wife of Richard Small in Pittsburgh, October 26, 1828. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Jones) Edwards, and was born in South Wales, England, August 17, 1810. Her parents came to this county in 1833. Mr. Charles Small is a coal dealer and a farmer. They have discovered what is supposed to be good furnace clay on their farm, which is located one mile south of Bladensburg, and there is also coal located there. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Small are as follows : John E., born July 17, 1829, resides in Indiana ; Richard H., April 10, 1831, drowned in the Ohio river March 24, 1849 ; Simon S., January 10, 1833, resides in Urbana, Illinois ; Finley E., December 6, 1834, resides in Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Mary A., December 21, 1836, resides in Crown City; Margaret J., December 15, 1838, resides in this township ; Virginia H., March 27, 1841, resides in Stark county, Ohio ; Elizabeth, January 12, 1843, resides in Meigs county, Ohio ; Henry C., December 26, 1845, died April 3, 1854; William P., October 26, 1846, resides in Gallipolis; Winfield S., July 21, 1848, resides in Ohio township ; Charles R., February 25, 1850, resides at home ; Catherine, February 15, 1852, died March 30, 1861. Mr. Small had two sons in the late war. Finley and William served three years in the 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I. William was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, on the 18th of September, 1863. Richard Small died in 1854. His widow is now on the old homestead. The postoffice address of Mr. Charles Small is Bush's Mill, Gallia county, Ohio.
GEORGE R. SMITH -was born in Gallia county, Ohio, May 10, 1848. He is a son of Brice H. and Nancy E. (Dickey) Smith, who were both born in this county in 1821 and 1825, respectively. Mr. Smith was married to Belle L. Kinder in Chambersburg, this county, November 4, 1873. She is a native of this county, born September 22, 1854. The following comprise their children: Ninna, born August 31, 1874 ; Tenny, May 7, 1876 ; Levie, December 11, 1878; Twelvy, August 2, 1881. The parents of Mrs. Smith are Noah R. and Elizabeth (Overall) Kinder. Her father was born September 18, 1819 ; came here when he was seven years old, and his death took place February 28, 1882. Her mother was born in this county in 1832. Mr. Smith keeps a general merchandise store in Bladensburg. He has filled the office of clerk in Ohio township for five years and treasurer three years. His postoffice address is Eureka, Gallia county, Ohio.
THOMAS URWIN -was born in Falling Rock, West Virginia, July 15, 1850. His parents are John and Elner (Baker) Urwin, who came to this county in 1815. The subject of this sketch is engaged in mining and a general laborer. He came to this county in 1852. His postoffice address is Bush's Mills, Gallia county, Ohio.
THEODORE WAUGH -was born in Gallia county, Ohio, November 19, 1847. He is a son of Amos and Mariah J. (Ross) Waugh, settlers in this county in 1814. His father was born March 10, 1814, and died September 16, 1868. His mother was born July 2, 1820. Mr. Waugh is by trade a stone-mason and also a blacksmith. He was married to Mary Sowards, in this county, April 1, 1869. She is a daughter of George and Rachel (Burchem) Sowards, and was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, April 3, 1844. They have the following family : Eza R., born January 13, 1870 ; Mamie M., July 28, 1872 ; George A., December 20, 1873; Wilbert H., June 28, 1876; they all reside at home. Mr. Waugh held the office of justice of the peace three years, constable one year and school director two years. His postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
CHARLES L. WAUGH -and Elvira Gillmore were married in Gallia county, Ohio, April 21, 1867. They are both natives of this county. He was born July 21,1845, and his wife September 20, 1842. The parents of Mr. Waugh are Amos and Mariah J. (Roos) Waugh. His father was born March 10, 1814, and died September 16, 1868. His mother was born July 2, 1820. The parents of Mrs. Waugh are John and Sarah (Trotter) Gillmore. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Waugh are: Elmer E., born October 30. 1869, resides at home ; Emma J., October 15, 1871, at home; John L., September 15, 1873, at home; Levi R., May 7, 1875, died July 3, 1876 ; Sarah E., November 27, 1878, died August 3, 1879 ; Edith, January 1, 1879; Albert F., July 24, 1881. Mrs. Waugh's great-grandmother was a great Indian fighter, carrying ammunition to the white's into fort when not a man in the company would venture out. She rode her horse " LiN:erpool," through showers of shot fired by the savage red men. She was determined to have revenge for the murder of her husband. A biography of her life, which was full of romantic incident, written and published under the title of "Mad Ann Bailey," (a name given her at an early date), and a brief sketch is given in connection with the preceding history of the township. Mr. Waugh has held the office of trustee in Ohio township. He is engaged in smithing and farming. His postoffice address is Bush's Mill, Gallia county, Ohio.
THOMAS WAUGH -was born in Gallia county, May 27, 1807. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Brown) Waugh, settlers of this county in 1801. At that date the county was a perfect wilderness, and they had to endure many privations ; they had to go up the Guyan 27 miles to a mill ; most of their corn for bread was ground by hand, and grated on a tin grater. They had lots of wild game, mostly deer and turkeys. They had no churches on the Ohio side of the river, and they attended church in Virginia, at what was called the Green Bottom Baptist church. The house in which Mr. Waugh lived was burned in 1840, in the middle of winter, destroying all of their clothing, and they were left in the deep snow destitute. Their next house was a small cabin, in which they had to put boards on the top of benches for a table and make their beds on the floor. Mrs. Waugh has shed many a tear thinking of their destitute condition, but they now have one of the finest residences in the township, and plenty of this world's goods. Thomas Waugh was married in this county August 1, 1833, to Miriam Slone, who is a native of this county, born March 3, 1815. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Henry) Slone, settlers of this county in 1802. Her father was born October 31, 1778, and died February 5, 1831. Her mother was born September 13, 1780, and died October 17, 1838. The children of Mr. Waugh number eleven, as follows: March C., born June 21, 1834, resides in Ohio township ; Sarah J., April 8, 1836, died June 10, 1858; William S., March 19, 1838, died January 15, 1840; George E., February 22, 1840, died May 18, 1841; John H., May 23, 1842, resides in this township ; Elizabeth S., March 5, 1845, resides in Kansas ; James T., March 5, 1845, died September 12, 1865; Matilda A., January 5, 1848, resides in Walnut township ; Mary F., October 21, 1849, resides at home ; Thomas J., February 8, 1851, resides at home ; Eliza A., May 29, 1854, died October 27, 1865. Mr. Waugh was elected representative in 1857, and served two years. He has held the offices of township treasurer, clerk, trustee, and assessor for a number of years each. The house where Mrs. Waugh was born is still standing on their farm. It was built in the year 1811, and was known as the first house of any note in Ohio township. The farm of Mr. Waugh is located in Ohio township. His postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOHN H. WAUGH -is a native of the county of Mason, West Virginia, born May 23, 1842. He is a son of Thomas and Miriam (Slone) Waugh, who came to this county in 1843. Mr. Waugh was seven months old when he came to this township. Wealthy Lusher became the wife of Mr. Waugh in Gallia county March 10, 1870. She was born in this county July 27, 1847. She is mother of the following children : Sebert L., born April 22, 1871; Minnie F., August 28, 1873 ; Carrie A., August 1, 1878. The parents of Mrs. Waugh are John L. and Elizabeth J. (Smith) Lusher, who settled in this county in 1830. Mr. Waugh is a resident of the township of Ohio, where he is engaged in farming. His postoffice address is Swan Creek, Gallia county, Ohio.
JOSEPH WILKENSON -was born in Durham county, England, March 19, 1814. He emigrated with his father to Gallia county in 1842. His parents are Matthew and Elizabeth Wilkenson. She came to this county in 1832. Matthew Wilkenson discovered the first coal on the farm where the family now reside in 1832. Mary Workman became the wife of Joseph Wilkenson in Westmoreland county, England, January 6, 1842. She was born in that county June 12, 1816. Her parents ait George and Jane (Decker) Workman. The children of Mr. Wilkenson are : George W., born November 24, 1842, resides in New Mexico ; Thomas C., May 28, 1845, died September 4, 1878; Joseph, February 24, 1848, died September 5, 1880 ; William W., December 28, 1851, resides in Arkansas; Mary J., December 4, 1854, resides in Indiana ; Coradelia, October 12, 1857, resides in Middleport ; Matthew D., May 13, 1860, resides at home. Mr. Wilkenson has filled the office of United States-assessor in this township. Previous to the war he published a paper for fourteen years in New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio. George Wilkenson, a son of the subject of this sketch, served four years in the war of the rebellion, and had some very narrow escapes, but did not receive a scratch ; he participated in twenty-two battles. Thomas, another son, served eight months; was detailed as a printer at Washington. Mr. Wilkenson is a coal dealer and a printer. His address is Eureka, Gallia county, Ohio.
CHESHIRE TOWNSHIP.
THOMAS ASHWORTH -is a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Cheshire township. He was born in Meigs county, Ohio, June 15, 1821. His parents were David and Frances (Dixon) Ashworth. His father died November 16, 1846, and his mother April 5, 1854. Catherine Mauck became the wife of Mr. Ashworth in this township December 25, 1848. She was born in Cheshire, June 14, 1823. The following are their children : Isaac D., born June 26, 1853, deceased;
14 - PERSONAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT-GALLIA COUNTY.
The parents of Mrs. Ashworth were Joseph and Elizabeth (Buswell) Mauck, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Ashwo