800 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. where he has since resided. He now has a large stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc. He was married Sept. 27, 1865, to Rebecca H. Sanders, a native of Carroll County, Ohio. They have two children—Harriet Jane and George A. Mr. Coe is a member of the Presbyterian church. David Cowan, son of John and Mary (Means) Cowan, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., Oct. 28, 1828. When he was eighteen months old his parents came to Ohio, locating in Guernsey County, where he was reared and educated. In 1856 he came to Athens County and located on the farm where he still resides. He has 200 acres of well-improved land on section 33, Lodi Township. He was married Jan. 16, 1859, to Mary E., daughter of Jacob Hank, of Lodi. Seven children have been born to them, five now living—Martha, Eva E., Sarah M., Cora E. and John. Mary and Fannie are deceased. Mr. Cowan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican. Joseph Creamer, deceased, was a native of Somerset County, Penn., born in May, 1805. When eighteen years of age he commenced to learn the tanner's trade, at which he worked the most of his life. When twenty-three years old he married Mary Morrison, also a native of Pennsylvania. They had a family of nine children—Asbury, Frank I., Norman (deceased), Belinda C., Sarah L., Mary A.., S. M., Ella, Charles L. Mr. Creamer came to Athens County, locating in Lodi Township, in 1838. He held most of the township offices to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was. a liberal supporter of the Methodist church, and it was mostly through his efforts that the church at Jerseyville was built. He was also largely instrumental in the building of the Jerseyville seminary. He died May 5, 1877, after a long and useful life. S. M. Creamer is a native of Athens County, Ohio, born Aug. 9, 1843. He received a common-school education, being reared a farmer. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio. Infantry, and served three years and three months. He was in the battles of Stone River, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Pulaski and Chattanooga. He married Hannah McClurg, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn. Six children have been born to them—Norman A., John L., Augustus B., V. May, Lulu B. and an infant. Mr. Creamer has a fine farm of 200 acres, and is extensively engaged in raising fine merino sheep. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Creamer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 801 Joseph Creesy, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Eastman) Creesy, was born in New Hampshire, Aug. 1, 1824, and came to Athens County, Ohio, in 1852. He is by trade a wheelwright, and for several years after coming here worked at his trade. He now owns a farm of 100 acres, all under a good state of cultivation, with a comfortable house and farm buildings. He has held the offices of Township Trustee and Land Appraiser, and by his fair-dealing has secured the confidence of all who know him. He was married Jan. 2, 1848, to Matilda Reynolds, a native of Athens County. They have two children—George and Anna. E. E. Curtis, son of Joseph Curtis, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, April 1, 1840. When three years of age his parents removed to Tupper's Plains, where he was reared and educated. Aug. 5, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Virginia Cavalry, and served till June 3, 1865, taking an active part in several hard-fought battles, among them Cedar Creek, where he was wounded in the shoulder, and his horse shot from under him. Oct. 10, 1866, he married Susan Bean, of Lodi Township. They have three children—Mary E., Addie and James K. Mr. Curtis is by trade it wagon-maker. He is well-patronized, and has earned for himself and family a good home. J. W. Dillenger, son of Charles and Amanda J. Dillenger, was born in Lodi Township, May 14, 1849. His early life was spent on the farm and in attending the schools of his township and Athens. In January, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and served till the fall of 1865. In September, 1874, he married Harriet, daughter of S. D. Miles, of Lodi. They have one child—Herbert F., born March 14, 1876. Mr. Dillenger has a good farm of 135 acres which he intends to have well improved. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His father, Charles Dillenger, was a native of New Jersey, and an early settler of Lodi Township. His mother, Amanda J. Simms, was a native of Virginia. They had a family of seven children—Sarah C., J. W., T. J., W.. H., C. F., E. J. and Nancy E. Mr. Dillenger died in 1865. Lorenzo Dow Evans, son of Dr. John and Eleanor (Day) Evans, was born in Sussex County, Del., Jan. 3, 1815. He was married Feb. 8, 1838, to Ann Wine, also a native of Delaware. Five children have been born to them, only three now living—William A., John L. and Elizabeth J. S. W. and Mary are deceased. S. W. - 51 - 802 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and through the exposures of army life lost his health, though he lived till May 5, 1876. Mr. Evans enlisted in June, 1862, in the Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, Company I, and was discharged as First Lieutenant in August, 1863. He has been Justice of the Peace about thirty years, and has also served as Constable and Clerk. Politically he is a Republican. He has a farm of 250 acres, and makes a specialty of stock-raising. He is a member of the Methodist church, and has been a temperance man fifty years. Abner Frost, son of Samuel and Esther Frost, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1821. He received but a limited education, his early life being mostly spent in helping to clear a timbered farm. When he first moved on his present farm it was wild land, but he has brought it under a good state of cultivation and now has one of the finest farms in the township. He has 184 acres, all well improved, with a nice residence, and the largest barn in the township. In June, 1869, he went to Iowa and remained fourteen months, but returned again to his old home. He was married March 18, 1865, to Mary A., daughter of John and Ruth (Cass) Secoy. They have two children—Lucy, born March 30, 1867, and Minnie H., born Aug. 12, 1878. Samuel Frost, deceased, son of Benjamin Frost, of English descent, was born Nov. 14, 1791. He was married Jan. 12, 1812, in Allegany County, N. Y., to Esther Miles, a native of Vermont. They came to Ohio in 1816, first settling in Meigs County. In 1825 they came to Athens County where he lived till. his death. They had a family of eight children—Hiram, Miles, William, Abner, Luther, Rosannah, Elizabeth and Eunice. Mr. Frost was killed Dec. 14, 1855, by falling through the hatchway of a steamboat at Cincinnati. Esther Frost remained with her son Abner until her death, May 7, 1882, she being nearly eighty-six years old. She was born May 22, 1796. Zimri Hoge, born Aug. 15, 1816, was the eldest of eleven children of John and Mary (Workman) Hoge, of Fayette County, Pa. His early life was spent on the farm and in attending school. When seventeen years of age he commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, following that occupation twenty years: In 1855 he moved on to the farm where he now lives, consisting of 150 acres under a good state of cultivation. He has a fine residence, furnished in accordance with the taste of a refined and cultured fam- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 803 ily. He was married March 24, 1842, to Margaret Brill, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio. They have five children—Melissa, Mary, Emeline, Eunice and Rosa. William Howard, born in Holmes County, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1820, a son of Zadock Howard, a native of Greene County, Pa. When seventeen years of age he went to Morgan County and resided there about nine years. He was married April 14, 1840, to Sarah Ann Hutchinson, daughter of Richard Hutchinson. From this union there were six children—Nancy Jane, Fanny, McDonald, William Jasper, Mary Ellen and Sarah Elizabeth. They are all alive but Mary Ellen. He came to Athens County in 1846, and located on the farm where he still resides. He has 262 acres of well-improved land and a good residence. By industry and good management he has gained a comfortable home. His wife died June 30, 1859. He was married to Elizabeth Gaston, Oct. 17, 1861. From this union were two children—Elmer Elsworth and Annie May. Elmer is dead. Hiram L. Hull, son of S. T. Hull, was born in Lodi Township, Athens County, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1848, and was reared and educated in his native township, residing at home until he arrived at man.. hood. March 24, 1866, he married Mary E. Smith. Seven children have been born to them, five living—Florence, Samuel, Charles, Lucy and Hattie. Allie and Absalom are deceased. Mr. Hull has a farm of 120 acres, under a good Mate of cultivation. S. T. Hull, born in Delaware County, N. Y., July 16, 1819, was the youngest of ten children of Samuel and Rachel (Bostick) Hull. When he was four years of age, his parents moved to Ulster County, N. Y., where he was reared and educated, living there till he was twenty years of age. In 1839 he came to Athens County, locating in Lodi Township. He was married March 10, 1842, to Maria Witham. Five children were born to them, only four living—Augusta, Hiram S., Adaline and Jessie B. Samuel is deceased. S. T. Hull enlisted in November, 1861, in Company K, Seventy-third Ohio Infantry. He was in the battles of Cross Keys, Gettysburg, Lookout Valley, Mission Ridge, Chancellorsville, Resaca and Dallas. At the latter place he was wounded May 27, 1861, losing an arm. He was discharged Aug. 1, 1865, being mustered out as Sergeant. He lived eight years in Washington County, Ohio, and one year in Kansas, then returned to Lodi, where he still resides. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace five years. 804 - HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. Stephen W. Hull, son of Wakeman and Jane (Stewart) Hull, was born in Meredith, Delaware Co., N. Y., Jan. 13, 1818. May 29, 1836, he started for Athens County with a team, and arrived at Lodi Township, June 19. In 1836 he settled on the farm where he now resides. He has eighty-two acres of land, and a good residence. He has held several township offices, and was Postmaster one month under Buchanan and Lincoln's administrations. He has been married three times: the first time Oct. 19, 1839, to Mary P. Masters. They had two children—W. B. and N. N. Aug. 1, 1849, he married Nancy Wilmarth. One child was born to them—Edgar E. Aug. 20, 1874, he married Mary Elizabeth Jennings. They have two children—Nora Ann Elizabeth and Phoebe Lucinda Jane. Mr. Hull is an Elder in the Presbyterian church. George Jeffers, son of 'Squire William Jeffers, was born in Lodi Township, Oct. 21, 1842. His early life was spent on the farm and in attending school. In August, 1860, he went to Mississippi and remained till the breaking out of the Rebellion. The day after the firing on Fort Sumter he took passage on the steamer West Moreland for the North, having agreed to volunteer in the Southern army in order to get away. In June, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry, for six months, but served nine months, being discharged in March, 1864. He returned home and remained on the farm with his father till Aug. 4, 1864, when lee again enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio, and served eleven months. He was in the Nashville campaign under General Thomas, and participated in many hard-fought battles. He was discharged July 28, 1865, as Sergeant. Mr. Jeffers was married Jan. 18, 1868, to Elizabeth M. Burley, of this township. They have four children —Florence. Ida M., Mary M. and P. J. Mr. Jeffers owns a farm of 181 acres of well-improved land and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is one of the most successful farmers of his age in the township. Politically he is a Republican. George W. Jeffers was born in Carthage Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Jan. 19, 1825. When he was a child his parents moved to Lodi Township. His father died when he was small and he was obliged to rely on his own resources. He never had shoes to wear till he was eight years old. When nine years old he left home and lived with strangers three years. He then returned to live with his mother, and when only twelve years old commenced clearing heavily timbered land for the purpose of setting out an HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 805 orchard and raising grain. In 1838 hard times came on, and the money could not be raised to pay the taxes, so the land was sold, but he afterward redeemed it. He chopped wood at 25 cents a cord and offered to make rails at 25 cents a hundred. He made hundreds of pounds of maple sugar, and sold it for 6 cents a pound, taking it in trade. When but fourteen years old he could do as much work in the harvest field as a man, and when fifteen could cut and split 200 rails a day. When twenty years old he was married to Mary Ann Kirgan. In 1849 he went to Henry County, Iowa, driving through with a team in nineteen days; had only 62 1/2 cents left when he got there. He went to Marion and Clark counties and entered 160 acres in each county. He improved his land and afterward sold it for a good price. Feb. 23, 1857, he started for Cass County, Neb., and after a journey of fifteen days crossed the Missouri River on the ice, with three yokes of oxen and a heavily loaded wagon. He bought 320 acres of choice land for $1,700. He lived there fifteen years and had the privilege of helping to make Nebraska a State. In 1872 his family ties were broken, and he returned to Ohio. In 1876 he married Maggie Burson and settled in Pleasant Valley. He was a member of the Methodist church forty years, but in 1878 joined the Christian church, of which he is now an Elder. Mr. Jeffers has always assisted liberally in the building of churches and school-houses. In an early day he was called the strongest man at log-rollings and house-raisings, and was always ready to assist his neighbors in settling up the Hocking Valley. Mrs. Jeffers's father, James C. Burson, was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1801, and died in 1870. He came to Athens County, Ohio, in 1839. March 10, 1822, he married Hannah Powell. They had eight children—Elizabeth, William, Catherine, John, Esther, J ames, Margaret and Hannah. Mr. Burson was an Elder in the Christian church the greater part of his Christian life, and strove to build up good society, and worked for the interest of his county. He cleared and got under cultivation seventy-five acres of land in the Hocking Valley, and saw very hard times as an early settler in raising his family. His widow still survives, and is in her eighty-fourth year. Lewis H. Jeffers, born Dec. 4, 1838, in Athens County, is a son of William Jeffers. July 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry; was at the last battle of Bull Run, Champion Hill, siege of. Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., and was discharged Aug. 27, 1864. Sept. 30, 1864, he married Olive Brooks, of Alexan- 806 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. der Township. They had nine children, seven of whom are living—Stella, Mary L., Wade E., George H., Emma M., Rodolph and Clyde Oottis. William and an infant son are deceased. Mr. Jeffers has 300 acres of land under a good state of cultivation, with a good residence and farm buildings. William Jeffers, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Athens County, Ohio, April 24, 1819. His father, George Jeffers, was a native of Pennsylvania, of English parentage. In 1826 he moved to the farm where the subject of our sketch still resides. William Jeffers was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1838 he married Mary Daily. Eight children were born to them, only six now living—L. H., George, William, S. C., C. F. and Elizabeth J. Winfield S. and Mary are deceased. Four sons were in the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Jeffers has been Justice of the Peace six years. He has a fine stock farm, making a specialty of Spanish merino sheep. He is a member of the Christian church. He is an enterprising man, and always takes an interest in anything that tends to the advancement of his county. John Kelly, son of J. L. and Joanna Kelly, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, in November, 1824, and came to this township with his parents when an infant. He was married July 28, 1844, to Matilda Price. They have nine children—John L., Ivy, Adaline, Joseph, Joanna, Levi, Harriet, Charles and Effie. Mr. Kelly has served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and as Township Trustee. He is a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Kelly's grandmother, Margaret Snowdon, was the first white woman in Athens County. J. L. Kelly, deceased, son of E. and Silence (Edmunds) Kelly, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y. His father came to Athens County, Ohio, with his family, and was one of the first settlers of Carthage Township. There was a family of four sons and two daughters. J. L. resided at home till nineteen years of age. When twenty-four he was married to Joanna Price, who was born in the block house at Marietta, Ohio. He lived in Meigs County two years, and in 1825 located in Lodi Township. He had a family of eleven children—John, Louisa, Perilla, L. E., Louis, Silence, Lucinda (deceased), Jane, Olive, William and Joanna. John L. Kelly, son of John and Matilda (Price) Kelly, was born June 18, 1845, in Lodi Township, where he was reared and educated. June 20, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and served a year. He was married Dec. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 807 21, 1868, to Lydia Burley, who died leaving one child—Rosa. Dec. 25, 1876, he married Sarah Tower. They have three children—Maud, Lucas and Dessie. Mr. Kelly owns a farm of eighty acres, well improved. John Kincade was born in 1815 in Clarksburg, Pa., a son of Joseph and Sarah Kincade. His parents came to Athens County when he was small, first settling in Guysville. He worked with his father in the mill and on the farm till manhood, then worked three years in the Coolville Mill. He then moved on the farm now called the Chalker farm; lived there a while and then went to Guysville and worked in the mills there three years; then moved one mile above Guysville and built the Kincade Mill, where he lived about thirty years. In 1881 he rented the Shade Valley Mills two years. He now is in Harmony. He was married April 1, 1840, to Harriet Hale. They had four children, only two now living—James Edwin and Justina. Mrs. Kincade died July 22, 1851. Jan. 1, 1852, he married S. E. Kelley. They have had eight children born to them—Mary Irena, John William, Laura A., Charles Ellsworth, Melville, Izetta May, Emma Dell and Edna Matilda. Politically Mr. Kincade is a Democrat. He has been a member of the Baptist church thirty-four years. James Kyle, son of John Kyle, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1825. He was reared and educated in his native county, and when twenty-six years of age came to Lodi Township, locating at Garden, where he was engaged in the mercantile business eleven years. He is numbered among the best business men of Lodi Township and is always alive to the interests of the community. He was married when twenty years of age to Mary Jane Dean, a native of Marion County, Ohio. They have two children —Rachel Rebecca and Stephen W. Samuel Poston, son of John and Isabel Poston, was born. in Canaan Township, Athens Co., Ohio, June 7, 1837. He was married Nov. 15, 1857, to Elizabeth Ross, of Carthage Township. They have six children—Elsie D., Alice G., Effie J., Nettie F. Herbert and Elmer. The first four years after his marriage Mr. Poston resided in Canaan Township. He then moved to Lodi Township, living on the farm now owned by William Poston three years. He then returned to Canaan Township and resided wo years, when he went to Bedford Township, Meigs County, and remained three years. In the spring of 1872 he came to Lodi Township and located on section 24, where he still resides. He 808 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. has 287 acres, well improved, with a good residence and farm buildings. Politically Mr. Poston is a Prohibitionist. He has held the offices of Township Trustee and Assessor. William Poston, born in Hampshire County, W. Va., Nov. 7, 1826, is a son of John and Isabella (McVicker) Poston, of English descent. In 1833 his parents came to Athens County, Ohio, and settled on Sugar Creek, where they lived two years and then moved to Canaan Township. William's early life was spent in assisting to clear wild timbered land. He attended the common schools, and by close study and observation has acquired a good practical education. When eighteen years of age he commenced life for himself by working by the month. Oct. 13, 1849, he married Miss T. Osborn, daughter of Ezra Osborn. In 1867 Mr. Poston came to Lodi Township and settled on the farm where he still resides. He has 175 acres mostly improved, with a good house well furnished. He has read law to some extent, and has been very successful in the profession. In politics he is an independent Democrat. He is no aspirant for office, but has served as Township Trustee. He is a firm believer in the Christian religion, and is always ready to do anything to advance its cause. Mr. and Mrs. Poston have six children—Mary Jane, Lydia Frances, John, Laura Elizabeth, Margaret Adaline and Cora Belle. He has given his children the advantage of a good education, so that they may be fitted for any position that they may be called upon to fill. Isaac Sargent, a native of Washington County, Penn., was born June 1, 1817, and was a son of George and Sarah (Parkhurst) Sargent. He spent his youth on a farm, receiving but a limited education in the subscription schools. In 1836 he came to Athens County, settling in Lodi Township, where he has since resided with the exception of seven years spent in Meigs County. Mr. Sargent is by trade a shoemaker, but has worked at his trade only about twenty winters, the rest of his time being spent in farming. He now owns a farm of 200 acres, good, well-improved land, where he has all the comforts a good home can provide for his declining years. He was married Jan. 10, 1839, to Charlotte Davis, daughter of Calvin P. and Jane (Sloan) Davis. They have three children—Sarah Jane, Margaret Jane and E. L. Wendell Slott, son of John and Catharine (Learnes) Shott, was born in Prussia, Dec. 16, 1818, and was the fourth of a family of ten children. When he was eighteen years of age his parents came to America, landed at Baltimore after a voyage of seventy- HISTORY OF HOCKING VOLLEY - 809 three days: They went to Pittsburg, Penn., and remained three months; then came to Ohio, locating in Monroe County. Two months later Windell went to Belmont, where he lived about four years, when he went to Guernsey County and remained two years. He then returned to Monroe County, and in 1842 came to Athens County. He first lived on the old Beard farm a year, and then bought eighty acres where he now lives. He his by industry and frugality acquired a good property, owning at present 50) acres of well-improved land. In May, 1841, he married Catharine Timothy, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Timothy. They have ten children—Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine, John, Nicholas, William, Andrew, Sarah, Alice, Margaret. Mr. Shott was Postmaster a number of years, and it was through his influence that the mail-route from Guysville to Hull and Lottridge was established. David G. Steuart, son of John Steuart, was born in Bath County, Va., Nov. 4, 1813. His grandfather, Wm. Steuart, was a native of Scotland, but educated at Belfast, Ireland. David G. was reared on a farm and received but a limited education. He came to Athens County, Ohio, in 1852, first settling in Athens Township. In 1876 he bought the farm where he now resides on section 17, Lodi Township, containing 120 acres of well-improved land, and makes a specialty of sheep-raising. He was married Nov. 18, 1844, to Rachel Calahan, of Virginia. They have two children—Charles H. and Elizabeth V. Politically Mr. Steuart is a Republican. James K. Watkins, a native of Ohio, was born Sept. 26, 1833, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth Watkins, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio. He was married Sept. 4, 1856, to Sarah A., daughter of Richard Angell, a prominent pioneer of Lodi Township. In 1864 Mr. Watkins bought the farm where he now resides. He has 100 acres of good land, well cultivated, and good farm buildings. Politically he is a Democrat. Abraham M. Williams, deceased, was a native of New Jersey, born July 16, 1798, of German parentage. He was married to Margaret Force, a native of Rahway, N. J., born April 8, 1796, of French descent. In 1829 they came to Lodi Township, being among the first settlers, and located near Jerseyville, on what is known as the Burson farm. They reared a family of nine children —S. T., Henry C., Jeremiah M., Waldron S., Mary E. , Margaret T., Harriet S , Wilbur M., William H. Margaret and Jeremiah are deceased, the latter dying a prisoner of war in 1862. Mr. Will- 810 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY: iams was a strong Union man; four of his sons. were soldiers in the late war. He was a member of the Baptist church. He died in November, 1881. Mrs. Williams died May 29, 1869. Wilbur M. Williams, son of Abraham M. Williams, was born in Lodi Township, March 6, 1837. He received a common-school education, residing on his father's farm till twenty-four years of age. Sept. 18, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and was in the service three years and two months, never being off duty during the time. He was in the battles of Stone River, Pulaski, and a number of others. He had his clothes torn by bullets, but was never wounded. He was discharged in November, 1864. Dec. 24, 1865, he married Belinda C. Cramer. Six children have been born to them—Stella M., Joseph E., Gladius, Mary M., Bertha B. and Anna. Mr. Williams has a, fine farm of 340 acres, and is engaged in general farming, giving considerable attention to the raising of sheep. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist church. Hiram G. Withers, M. D., a native of Ohio, was born Dec. 26, 1818, a son of Jonathan and Martha (Sarting) Withers, natives of Massachusetts. He was the second of a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. His early life was spent in attending school and assisting on the farm, where hie remained till twenty-two years of age. He then removed to Western Ohio. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Benj. Alworth, and finished with Dr. David McCune, receiving his certificate from the latter. He came to Athens County in 1860, and has built up a large practice. He has a good residence and is very pleasantly located in Jerseyville. Nov. 27, 1848, he married Ellen Stevenson. Six children have been born to them—William H., Mary E., Henry S., Agnes, Edward and Lucy N. William, Zinn, son of Moses. and Theresa (Tharp) Zinn, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1857. He was the fifth of six children. His early life was spent at Grove Point, where he received his education. When eighteen years of age he went to Columbus and engaged in the grocery business three years. He then went to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and remained eighteen months. He then returned to Columbus and engaged in the wholesale flour business two years, when he came to Athens County and located at Canaanville, Ohio. February, 1883, he came to Hull's and bought out W. Shott. He keeps a large stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc. and is laying the foundation of a good trade and successful business life. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 811 William Blackstone, M. D., eldest son of John and Jemima Blackstone, came of English-Welsh ancestry. He was born in otetourt County, Va., May 24., 1796. John Blackstone was a native of Kent County, Md., born March 9, 1772, and Jemima (King) Blackstone was a native of Virginia, born Sept. 19, 1773. When but a few years old William Blackstone was brought by his parents to Pickaway County, Ohio. Remaining there but a short time, the Blackstone's removed to Ross County, where they settled and made a farm near Bainbridge. On this farm the early years of William Blackstone were passed- Few indeed were the advantages offered the youth for obtaining an education, but young William's innate thirst for learning conquered adversity, and when he arrived at an age when he began teaching he was the most thorough scholar of any teacher in the pioneer schools of Southern Ohio. His first teacher was White Morgan, who taught in a log school-house in the Demitts Bottom, some two miles from the Blackstone cabin. When William had arrived at the age of about twenty-four his literary attainments and exemplary habits attracted the notice and admiration of Dr. Benjamin Doddridge, of Bainbridge, Ohio, himself a classical scholar, who taught him Greek and Latin and gave him a very fair education in the classics. During this time he also read medicine with Dr. Dodd ridge, from whom he obtained sufficient knowledge of the science of medicine to engage in the practice. Having received an offer from Dr. Luckey, of Circleville, Ohio, he went to that place and formed a partnership with him. He continued with Dr. Luckey about a year when he removed to Bloomingburg, Fayette County, and began the practice of medicine alone. About one year later he attended a course of lectures at Transylvania Medical College, at Louisville. On his return from Louisville he stopped at Bainbridge, Ohio, to participate in the most important and happy event in any man's life, his own marriage. On the 28th day of April, 1824, he was united in marriage with Julia M. Doddridge, eldest daughter of Benjamin and Sophia Doddridge, of Bainbridge, Ohio. She was born in Brook County, Va., Nov. 16, 1806. Her father, Dr. Doddridge, was a fine classical scholar, and graduate of Yale College. He came to Ohio as early as 1810, and was widely known and highly. esteemed as an able physician and scholarly gentleman. Ohio at so early a period in its settlement as 1810 contained few such men of letters and polished physicians as Benjamin Doddridge. After their marriage Doctor and Mrs. 812 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Blackstone went direct to Bloomingburg where the Doctor resumed the practice of medicine. About. two years later they removed to Clarksville, Ohio; from there they removed to Piketon, Pike County, thence to Richmondale, Ross County; from there they went to the then new town of Waverly. In none of these places did they remain but two or three years at most, the Doctor all the time continuing the practice of medicine. During their stay at Waverly the Doctor attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated with honors in 1834. In 1839 Dr. Blackstone came to Athens, fresh from his graduation at Cincinnati, and being a fine literary scholar and learned in medicine he took rank at once among the very best physicians in all the Hocking Valley region. Of the eight children resulting from the union of William Blackstone and Julia Doddridge, but two survive—Doctor Benjamin Doddridge Blackstone, a practicing physician of Martinsville, Ind., and Doctor John King Blackstone, practicing at Hebron, Ind. The deceased were Julia M., wife of Dr. W. P. Johnson, of the Surgical Institute at Indianapolis, Ind.; Adaline 0., died in infancy; William, Sophia Adela, Elizabeth Lillian and William Victor. In the pure moral life of Dr. Blackstone there is much to admire, much that is worthy of emulation. His professional life extended over about a half century, and during all these years of devotion to his profession he practiced medicine, not for the attainment of mercenary ends, but for the relief of suffering, humanity. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, he was ever willing to lend his name or his influence to every moral enterprise. Doctor Blackstone died suddenly in his office at Athens, March 17, 1879. Mrs. Blackstone resides in her own quiet home in Athens, in the enjoyment of many devoted friends. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which she is an earnest, enthusiastic worker for the advancement of every worthy Christian en terprise. CHAPTER XXIX. HISTORY OF HOCKING COUNTY—TEE HOCKING VALLEY—THE WHITE MAN'S ADVENT AND RED MAN'S EXIT. THOSE WHO LED THE VAN OF CIVILIZATION—THE FIRST PIONEERS —THE COUNTY ORGANIZATION ACT—EARLY RECORDS—EAGLE AND SALT CREEK—COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FIRST MEETING—FIRST GRAND JURY—GREEN AND LAUREL—TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZED AND NUMBERED— ITEMS—FALLS -GORE AND JACKSON—MARION—BENTON—JAIL AND COURT -HOUSE—MINERAL TALK—PROGRESS—POPULATION, 1840—TAXATION— EXTRACTS F ROM SENTINEL, 1842—SOMETHING OF EARLY DAYS—SOMETHING ABOUT A NAME—TYPOGRAPHY—METES AND BOUNDS. THOSE WHO LED THE VAN OF CIVILIZATION. When the first white man trod the soil of Hocking, it was as an armed foe of the then possessors of the soil. This was the march of Governor Dunmore in his war against the Indians of 1774. His line of March led him over part of the soil of this county. On his return it seems that some of his men deserted, and established them selves as squatter sovereigns of the soil. The Indians complained of this in later years, and a treaty was held in abeyance for nearly a year until the squatters were driven from the land. It cannot be positively told whether any of these men were located within the limits of Hocking County as now formed, but Athens County was known to have had a few, and relics of their abodes have been found. The treaty of Lord Dunmore with the Indians proved a temporary affair, for after the war of the Revolution was closed Dunsmore's work had to be done over again, and the same means used. When peace found a home on the soil of the Northwest Territory, it did not take long to people it with a race of hardy pioneers, whose courage nothing could daunt, whose energies never relaxed, whose labor and endurance caused the wilderness to disappear, and prosperity to drape the fields with promises of a golden harvest. It is not necessary here to repeat the advent, purchase and settlement of the Ohio Company; that has been fully recorded - (813) - 814 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. in the preceding pages. What is to be given here is the history of Hocking when the first permanent white settler chose the beautiful valley of the Hocking as his home. THE FIRST PIONEER. Christian Westenhaver, a resident of Maryland, left his home in that State in 1796, with the intention of finding a home within the limits of the Northwest Territory. Wintering at Fort Belpre, he, in the spring of 1797, removed his family to the Little Hocking and not being suited, the following year, 1798, he settled in this county on Oldtown Creek, on land subsequently owned by Homer Wright. The old log cabin—or remnants of it—was still standing as late as 1870. In a short time a house was reared, and in the meantime his family followed him in a canoe, worming themselves up the Hocking River. His stock of provisions was small, but game was plenty, which drove the haggard face of starvation far into the backgrounds. Mr. Westenhaver was a type of the early pioneer, strong, rugged and enduring, and for twenty-two years lived the life of an upright man, and a neighbor whose services were ever at the command of those who needed them. He died on his farm in 1830. Mr. Westenhaver settled on his place in March, 1798, and he was followed the next two months by John Pence and Conrad Brian, brothers-in-law, locating their families in a log cabin where Andrew Kern's house now stands. They entered two eighty-acre lots east of the town, not far from Westenhaver's, on section 12, and on land now within the limits of the city of Logan. John Pence took the lower eighty acres, since known as Braggtown, and Conrad Brian the upper eighty acres, erecting his cabin on the ground afterward occupied by Dr. Bishop, since deceased. This land included the lower part of the town, from Goose Creek to the Rochester Corner. A few years later this tract so pleased the eye of Thomas Worthington that he gave Brian $1,000 for it. Worthington a few years afterward, in 1814, became Governor of the State. John Pence lived to the age of sixty-eight years, and proved himself an honorable man and kind neighbor. He left a family of twelve children. His third and fourth, Joseph and Rebecca, were the first white children born in }locking County. His brother-in law, Conrad Brian, lived to the age of eighty years, dying in 1856, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 815 on his farm, a large one purchased with the money arising from his sale to Governor Worthington of his first eighty acres. Pence and Brian were followed in a very short time by several pioneers, which formed quite a neighborhood. They were Israel Francois and family, Jacob Fruheart and family, Michael Beard, Patrick Beard, two daughters and a granddaughter. They made quite an opening on the river, since known as the Iles farm, raising quite a crop of corn and vegetables, especially potatoes. This constituted the population of flocking County up to the following spring, 1799, which made the county's population at that date twenty-two, being nine men, five married women, three young women and eight children. In this latter year came William Brian, John Kent and Watts, also two families locating near Scotch Creek. In 1800 several families came in, dotting here and there, making an opening for more permanent settlers. In 1801 two families located near the falls, clearing quite a spot directly on top of the high land west of McCarthy's house. Between the years of 1802 and 1805 large numbers of floating emigrants flocked in. Some made permanent establishments; many others after squatting down and making small openings became dissatisfied and left the diggings. Subsequent to 1805 came in a family by the name of Myers, locating and clearing quite a portion of the land now known as the Stiers farm, at the same time the Young and Smith families, also Moses Starr, entering a farming tract-about four miles east of Logan, then a dense wilderness. Three years later, in 1808, Benj. Biddle and family located on part of the land since owned by John Westenhaver. He was one of the prominent citizens of that early day; was one of the Associate Judges, and his son, Judge Biddle, of Indiana, occupied a proud position on the bench of that State. Judge Benj. Biddle died at his residence and was buried near the home on the river, and on a spot he loved so well, since marked by a handsome monument, the act of his son. There was a steady influx of settlers to nearly all parts of the county, especially up and down the valley of the Hocking and on Raccoon Creek. In the years from 1809 to 1814 quite a number of new settlers arrived. Henry O'Neill and his two sons, James and Thomas, came in the spring of 1810. They settled on southeast quarter section 25, on the south Lank of Raccoon Creek. They found pioneer life full of incidents, for wild game and snakes were plentiful. Henry O'Neill was a Justice of the Peace of Starr Township. James Lee settled in the 816 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. same township in 1816, and Jos. Ludlow in 1817. The frights, Pattons, Smiths, Dysons, Youngs and Moores came during the years between 1809 and 1811, and they were followed a few years later by the Joneses, Wallaces, Peters, Lanes, and Bowens. These all settled in the county up to and within the year 1815. George Ballou settled on Laurel Creek in 1807, but little was known of him as he left in 1808 or 1809. Samuel Friend, John Morse, and George White settled in the year 1808; they settled also on Laurel Creek, on sections 22 and 23, of what is now Perry Township. There was a German settlement up the river in 1815 or 1816, among whom were Benj. Beougher, Abraham Pitcher, Andrew Crockett and others. The two brothers Koons and a man by the name of Smith settled in 1812, on sections 21 and 22, followed in the same neighborhood by Geo. Kinzer, Josiah Cantrel, John Fox and others, which was the nucleus of the founding of Gibisonville some years later. It was about this time that a few venturesome spirits settled on the banks of Queer Creek, around which linger, even to this day, wild legends of Indian deviltry, the belief in the existence of silver and lead, and, as tradition states, the veritable " road to hell," Back many years before this David Dratcher used to preach in all this section of country. The first heard of him was in 1808 or 1809, but he was a pioneer preacher, if not the pioneer in that work in the county. Christian Eby settled on the very ground now occupied by Bloomingville, and he had within reasonable distances for neighbors George Starkey and Moses Dolson. Then, over on Monday Creek a settlement was made in 1814, the noted Dew farm being settled in that year. Christian Beery settled section 7 on Rush Creek, now within Marion Township, in 1808; in 1809 came George Engle and some others, and in 1810—'11 Abraham and George Beery and Jacob Miller, while in 1813 came Jacob Good. They formed a neighborhood, all settling on the banks of Rush Creek on sections 6, 7 and 8. These pioneers and many others, who will be found mentioned in the township history embodied in this work, have verified their faith in Hocking County, for they lived and died here and their descendants are true to their native heath. Hocking County can claim, without discussion, a greater love from her sons and daughters than any other county in the State. This steady settlement caused the county to have in the year 1820 a population of 2,080 souls. The progress of the pioneer was measurably slow, for outside their own wants there was little market for sur- HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY - 817 plus stock and produce. This want of a market was a serious drawback to the rapid development of the country. In good weather work had to be done, and in bad the roads were such as to make long hauls impossible. Home prices, therefore, were merely nominal. Wheat was sold at 37 1/2 cents per bushel, and corn at 12 1/2 cents. Horses could be purchased from $20 to $40, cows ranged all the way from $7.50 to $12.50, while a fair yoke of oxen brought from $20 to $25. These, too, were in most cases barter prices, for money was a scarce article. Anything and everything that had an intrinsic value was received and paid out. In the meantime while the county was settling up in all sections Logan, which had been platted by Governor Worthington, was growing and prospering. A Mr. Mullenhour had started a tavern and a kind of a store, the former the first in the county. In 1817 came John Jonas, William Wallace and Gasham Peters. Jonas put up a small tenement on Gimbel's site. Wallace erected a small log cabin, now covered with weather-boards, property of James Brown, deceased. In this or Peters's establishment the first County Court was held. In the same summer of 1817 came Robert Long, first brick-maker, R Spencer, Abner Hitchcock and Andrew Stewart, clearing small spots of trees and underbrush arid putting up some log tenements. In the same season, 1817, came Dutton Lane, the first gunsmith, and subsequently appointed first Postmaster, and among others came also Meade Bowen, Esq., the first cabinet and house joiner. Mr. Bowen was born in the State of Maryland, 1782, and located in Logan in his twenty-fifth year. But the history of the rise and progress of Logan will be found in a separate chapter. In the year 1818 the County of Hocking was organized, and subsequently Logan became the seat of justice, and in the fall of 1818 the first court was held in one of the two small buildings spoken of heretofore. Judge Wilson was the first presiding officer; Benjamin Biddle, Thomas Pullen and Abraham Peters were appointed first Associate Judges; Joseph Westenhaver, first Sheriff, and William Wallace, first Clerk. The following is the act creating the county of Hocking: An Act to erect the county of Hocking and to attach part of the county of Ross to the county of Jackson. SECTION 1. Be it enacted, etc., That all those parts of the counties of Ross, Athens and Fairfield as are comprised in the following bounds, to-wit: Beginning at the northeast quarter of section twen- - 52 - 818 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. ty-five, township fourteen, and range sixteen; thence south to the southeast corner of the thirteenth township in the same range; thence west three sections to the southwest corner of section thirteen in the same township and range; thence south to the southeast corner of section nineteen, township eleven, and range sixteen; thence west to the southwest corner of section thirty-one, township twelve, and range seventeen; thence south to the southeast corner of section thirty-six in township ten, range eighteen; thence west to the southwest corner of section thirty-one in township ten, range nineteen; thence north to the northwest corner of section thirty, in township twelve, and range nineteen; thence east to the southeast corner of section twenty-four in said township and range; thence north to the northwest corner of section eighteen, in township thirteen, and range eighteen; thence east to the southeast corner of section twelve, same township and range; thence north to the northwest corner of section eighteen, township fifteen, range seventeen; thence east to the northeast corner of section thirteen, in same township and range; thence south two sections to the southeast corner of the twenty-fourth section in the same range; thence east to the place of beginning, be, and the same is, hereby erected into a separate and distinct county by the name of the county of Hocking. SEC. 2. That all suits or actions, whether of a civil or criminal nature, which shall be pending, and all crimes which shall have been committed within said counties of Ross, Athens and Fairfield, previous to the organization of the said county of Hocking, shall be prosecuted to final judgment and execution within the counties in which such suits shall be pending, or such crimes shall have been committed, in the same manner as they would have been if no division had taken place; and the sheriff, coroner and constables of the counties of Athens, Ross and Fairfield shall execute within such parts of the county of Hocking as belonged to their respective counties previous to the taking effect of this act, such process as shall be necessary to carry into effect such suits, prosecutions and judgments; and the collectors of taxes for the counties of Ross, Athens and Fairfield shall collect all such taxes as shall have been levied and imposed within such parts of the county of Hocking as belonged to their respective counties previous to the taking effect of this act. SEC. 3. That all justices of the peace and constables within those parts of the counties of Ross, Athens and Fairfield, which by this HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 819 act are erected into a new county, shall continue to exercise the duties of their offices until their terms of service expires, in the same manner as if no division of said counties had taken place. SEC. 4. That on the first Monday in April next the legal voters residing within said county of Hocking shall assemble within their respective townships, at the usual place of holding township elections, and elect their several county officers, who shall hold their offices until the next annual election: Provided, That when any township shall be divided in consequence of establishing the county of Hocking in such manner that the place of holding township elections shall fall within the counties of Ross, Athens and Fairfield, then and in that case the electors of such fractional townships shall elect in the next adjoining township or townships in said county of Hocking. SEC. 5. That the courts of the said county of Hocking shall be holden at the house of Thomas Pullen in township No. 14, range No. 17, until the permanent seat of justice' for said county shall be established. Passed Jan. 3, 1818. SEC. 6 was attached to this act which gave to Jackson County township 9, ranges 18 and 19, from Ross County, both afterward taken from Jackson and given to Vinton County. The organization of the county gave it a slight notoriety, and quite an influx of settlers made it their homes during the next few years. Logan received many of these immigrants who came from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The principal trouble with the new comers was the chills and fever which was prevalent in those early days, and which discouraged many from remaining, for in most cases those not acclimated had to go through a course of this debilitating sickness. EARLY RECORDS. The first deed recorded is in Book A, Folio 1, and is from John and Phoebe Pence to Robert Long. It conveyed one acre of land for and in the consideration of $20, and was dated April 15, 1818. Dutton Lane placed it upon record. This gentleman was also the first Justice of the Peace for the township, and had something like two cases a year. 820 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. The first marriage of record reads as follows. STATE OF OHIO, SS. HOCKING COUNTY. I hereby certify that on the 4th day of May, A. D. 1818, I joined together in the holy state of matrimony Thomas O'Neil and Nancy Lee, of lawful age. [SEAL.] Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of May, A. D. 1818. - DUTTON LANE, J. This was not the first marriage in the county, however. A brother of the above, James O'Neil, was married several years before the organization of the county, and several others are mentioned in the township histories. This being the first of record it is given, and the following, which was the second one placed on the book, was by Squire Lane also, who married Benjamin Stimson and Eve Matthias Dec. 16, 1818, and Samuel Fetherolf, J. P., united David Strawser and Rhoda Starkey, Dec. 22, 1818. EAGLE AND SALT CREEK. The first meeting of the County Commissioners was held April 25, 1818, and their names were Dutton Lane, David Johnston and Benjamin F. Smith. Their first act was to appoint Royal Converse, Clerk. Business then opened and petitions were received from the inhabitants of township 10, ranges 18 and 19, praying to be incorporated into an election district. This was granted and the township named " Eagle." These are the present townships of Eagle and Jackson in Vinton County. The election ordered at the same time was to be held on May 9, 1818, at the house of Moses Dawson. The next business was also for an election precinct, and this time it was township 11, ranges 18 and 19, whose inhabitants wanted a township organization. It was granted, and named " Salt Creek." This includes the present townships of Salt Creek and Benton. The election was also ordered for May 9, 1818, and at the house of Bastian Fousts. Elections were held that year in Eagle, Salt Creek, Starr and Fall (now Falls) townships. The election resulted in favor of Peter Haynes for Sheriff; Isaac Peterson, Coroner, and for John Rat-cliff, Jacob Straus and Dutton Lane, Commissioners. The Sheriff gave a bond in the sum of $4,000, signed by George Goul and Daniel Karshner as securities. The Commissioners appointed John A. Peters Collector. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 821 PROCEEDINGS FIRST REGULAR MEETING. It seems that the first regular meeting of the County Commissioners was June 1, 1818. The following was the first order of record: "Ordered at the first regular meeting of the Commissioners of Hocking County, June 1, 1818, That ferry license for the ensuing year be assessed at two dollars. " That the rates of ferriage across the Hockhocking River is established as follows: For man and horse, 12 1-2 cents; for footman, 61-4 cents; for four-horse wagon, loaded, 50 cents; for four-horse wagon not loaded, 37 1-2 cents; for two-horse wagon, loaded, 37 1-2 cents; for two-horse wagon, not loaded, 25 cents; for one-horse cart or wagon, loaded, 18 3-4 cents. " That the rate of tavern license be assessed $6 for the ensuing year. " Retail merchants and peddlers, $10." At this meeting the Commissioners went into a written contract with Gasham M. Peters to build a county jail, to be placed on the northeast corner of lot 1, in the town of Logan. This lot was situated on the corner of Walnut and Hunter streets. This contract was afterward withdrawn, June 20, and a part of Samuel Smith's house, in the language of the court, was "to be considered the county jail, except in State cases, which commitments shall be in Fairfield County." The cause of the withdrawal of jail contract may be found in the following order, at another meeting, July 26, 1818, which read: " Ordered, That the jail in Logan be accepted from the Hon. Thomas Worthington in accordance with his proposition." At this meeting, June 1, 1818, it was ordered, that the petition for a road from west of Main street in Logan, in a westerly direction, to intersect the old county road near the Falls be granted." Also, that Benj. Webb, Andrew Crocket and Joseph Johnson be appointed viewers of the proposed road from the east end of Main street in Logan, to intersect the old county road at or near the upper bridge across Oldtown Creek; $105 damage was paid to John Pence, Sr., in the locating of this road. GRAND JURY. There were one or two other meetings of the Commissioners that year, but nothing, of importance transpired, being road business and some other matters of purely local affairs. The first 822 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Grand Jury called for in Hocking County was composed as follows: Aaron Young, Foreman; Robert Watts, John Zellows, Fred. Bitcher, David Dutcher, Chas. Westenhaver, Michael Warren, Chas. Wright, Watson Peterson, George Hansel, Isaac Peterson, Samuel Moore, Geo. Randebaugh, Coon Bryan, Cornelius Shoemaker. The first session of the Court Commissioners held in January, 1819, was at the house of Joseph Whipple, which was designated as the court-house, at the session Dec. 19, 1818. At that session a petition was presented*by the inhabitants of township 12, range 18, original survey, asking for the privilege of electing their own trustees, which was granted. This township is the present Laurel, which comprises the above township and range. ROADS AND TOWNSHIPS. At the regular June meeting, 1819, the road from Logan to the Jackson County line, which had been viewed previously and report of the viewers received, was ordered by the County Court to be opened upon, the line marked ,out to be thirty-three feet wide. March 13, 1820, a road was laid out from Logan to Sunday Creek, toward Marietta; another, Oct. 2, 1820, from Logan to the county line toward Chillicothe; and still another from David Johnston's to Logan, March 14, 1821. These were the main roads opened. They were all to be forty feet wide. Jan. 21, 1819, Samuel Tannehill, Christopher Westenhaver and Samuel Moore were appointed appraisers to lay off the sixteenth section of township 12,of range 18 (Laurel), into convenient lots, and to value the same on the application of the trustees of said township. This was the first sixteenth section laid off. On the 20th of the next September another petition was filed for the same purpose in connection with a petition by the inhabitants, township 12, range 17, to organize into an independent precinct, which was granted in both cases, and an election was ordered to be held at the house of David Johnston, Oct. 18, 1819. This was the present Swan Township, which lay in that township and range. At this time, and apparently for the year 1819, Wm. Wallace was Clerk of the Board of Commissioners. In the following year, 1820, he was appointed Auditor, or probably appointed the fall before, but gave his bond March. 13, 1820. He was appointed in 1821 and 1822. Congressional township 13, of range 16, was the next to organize. and elect trustees. This was a part HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 823 of the present Green Township and all of Falls-Gore. Its election was held April 29, 1820, at the house of Samuel Tannehill. G. M. Peters, who was the first Treasurer, was reappointed in June, 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1823. The tax levy for the year 1820 was 50 cents on the $100 valuation on real property, and 30 cents on horses and 10 cents on cattle. The road tax on real estate in 1819 amounted to $87 dollars, and this was divided among the four townships, as follows: Falls, $31; Starr, $30; Eagle $11.37 1/2 and Salt Creek, $18.37 1/2. In 1821 Salt Creek Township asked to vote for trustees for its sixteenth section, and the same year, and at the June term, Good Hope Township is first spoken of. Its first election was held at the house of John Francisco, Sept. 29, 1821. It was a part of congressional township 13, range 18. A road was ordered opened to Connelsville in 1826, and another to Fairfield County line, along the river, in December, 1823, both not to exceed forty feet in width. GREEN AND LAUREL. Green Township was organized in 1823, the following order being made June 2 of that year: " Ordered, That so much of township 13, of range 16, as lies north of Hocking River, and so much of township 14 as lies in Hocking County, be laid out into a separate township, to be known by the name of Green Township." At the same date the north four tiers of sections, now Marion Township, and two 'tiers of sections, each in Starr and Green, were added to Falls Township for voting purposes, though this order slightly interferes with the lines as given to Green Township above. Laurel was not organized as such until March 2, 1824, although she had been a separate voting precinct since 1820. The order was as follows: " Ordered, That the original survey of township 12, range 18, be organized under the name of Laurel Township." There were numerous changes in those early days in township and also county lines. For instance, Green Township took in north of the river and Falls-Gore, which was so much of township 14, range 16, as lay in Hocking County. Falls was also changed several times. Good Hope and Marion, which belonged to Falls Township, was petitioned to be set apart, June 7, 1824, as a separate township. This was done the following December, and an election ordered on the first Monday of April, 1825, 824 - HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. at what was then called the paper-mill. The township was to be called Good Hope. John Brown was County Treasurer in the year 1824. TOWNSHIPS NUMBERED. The County Commissioners seemed to have divided their time between laying out roads and changing township lines, and in mixing up congressional townships and ranges as to make it almost impossible to find out just where the lines of a municipal township were to be found. At the June term, 1825, being the regular term, the Commissioners set to work to overhaul the entire municipal divisions of the county, arrange their boundaries and give them numbers as well as names. TOWNSHIP AND RANGE LINES. This action of the County Commissioners makes it necessary to more clearly understand them—that the incongruity of the congressional township lines of the State and that of the Ohio Purchase should be explained. From the north and south line of the Ohio Company's purchase west, the congressional townships are regular, but crossing that line the congressional township changes, and even the Ohio Company failed to run theirs the same; its first tier of congressional townships, on the west side, being one number more and different from the one adjoining. There will be found that the State congressional township 12 is opposite township 14 of the Ohio Purchase, 'and the next township east, in the purchase, is No. 13; then it seems to run regular enough for two ranges when it again changes, and the Ohio Purchase is in very bad shape. This was caused by making the Ohio River its base line and numbering accordingly, starting at every range as No. 1. The river running northwest, cut the number of townships down from fifteen to seven; that is, range 17 had fifteen congressional townships, while range 13 had but seven, and they also numbered their sections from the southeast corner of their township instead of the northeast. Dr. Cutler, General Putnam and their followers seemed to have had level heads upon the subject of education a trifle superior to some of a later day, but their surveying parties were indifferent as to whether they could square the circle, or that a triangle was not just as good as a right angle for a base line. The congressional townships of the Ohio Purchase