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and enterprise have given him a place among the eminent men of Southern Ohio. Soon after locating on the farm, in 1846, he commenced the study of law at home, and in October, 1850, was admitted to the bar. In 1848 he was elected to the State Legislature to represent the counties of Gallia and Jackson; dnring the term voted to repeal the " Black Laws." In 1850 he was a candidate to represent the counties of Jackson, Athens and Meigs, and was elected by an overwhelming majority. In 1855 he was elected to the State Senate from the district composed of Jackson, Pike, Scioto and Adams counties, where the Democratic majority of his predecessor was 1,800, and Buchanan's majority in 1.856 was 2,500, and Mr. Bundy as a Republican was favored with a majority of 376. In 1860 he was a Presidential elector from his congressional district, and stumped the entire district. In 1862 he was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated by the Hon. W. A. Hutchins by a majority of 1,900. Two years later they were both again candidates in the same district, and Bundy received a majority of 4,000 to the Thirty-ninth Congress. During this Congress he voted for colored suffrage in the "District of Columbia" and the reconstruction measure adopted by that Congress which seemed to make it improper to be a candidate for re-election. In 1872 he was again a candidate from the same district for the Forty-third Congress, against the Hon. Samuel A. Nash, and received a large majority; while in this Congress he supported and voted for the " Civil Rights Bill," and was unanimously renominated for the Forty-fourth Congress, and was defeated by a majority of 1,900 by Colonel Vance. In 1842 he became a member of the Methodist church, and in 1872 was one of the first two lay delegates for the Ohio Annual Conference that convened at Brooklyn, N. Y. He was again a delegate to the General Conference that met at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1848 he bought his

40 present farm, and has since been extensively engaged in the furnace and mineral interest of his county, now owning the Latrobe and Keystone Charcoal Furnace with 10,000 acres of land; also owns the Eliza Furnace with over 300 acres of the best coal and ore lands. His son William E. first served three months in the late war; then in 1862 re-enlisted in the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, and on Dec. 14, 1863, was severely wounded near Bean's Station, Tenn. In January, 1864, he returned home, and after a severe illness he rallied and married. He became engaged in business, but Jan. 4, 1867, hedied, leaving a wife and one child. The former was killed by being thrown from a horse in 1868, and the child, William E., is now a bright student at Athens.


J. A. Calhoun, son of Benjamin Calhoun, a native of Maryland, was born Jan. 13, 1847, In Harford County, Md. He was reared to bard work such as chopping cord-wood, burning charcoal and farming during the summers, and attending school in the winter months. When twenty-one years of age he began to teach school. During the summers of 1871 and '72 he was engaged in the lumber business in Pennsylvania and in 1873 was bookkeeper for the McCullough Iron Company in the town of Northeast, Md. He then resumed teaching and taught in Maryland till 1881, with the exception of teaching one year in Delaware. He came to Ohio, July 4, 1881, and taught one year in the Wellston public schools, having taught altogether about fourteen years. He is at present en gaged as bookkeeper for the Comet Coal Company at Wellston.


Henry Camink, son of John and Gertrude Camink, was born March 23, 1830, in Holland and when seventeen years old came to America with his parents. He lived in Pennsylvania seven or eight years when he came to Vinton County, Ohio, remaining there about ten years, and since then has resided in Mid-


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dleton, Ohio. He came to this country a poor boy, but by industry and economy has accumulated some property. He has 240 acres of land on which are found large quantities of fine iron ore. Mr. Camink was married Dec. 13, 1860, to Frances, daughter of John and Sarah Toy who were natives of Pennsylvania but now reside in Jackson County. Of their eleven children eight are living—John, William, Charles, Frederick, Carl, Mary, Sarah and Louella K. Those deceased are—Laura, who died Oct. 21, 1866; Nora, who died May 17, 1870, and Nettie who died Oct. 10, 1879.


J. C. H. Cobb, son of Nathan and Lucy (Hascall) Cobb, was born Jan. 26, 1830. He was reared on the farm and educated at the common schools, and at the Ohio University. In 1859 be was married to Miss L. J., daughter of Hon. H. S. Bundy. This union was blessed with eight children, of whom six are living—L. Jennie, Callie M., Edward H., Ellena E., Nellie and Howard. Minnie died in November; 1874, and John died in March, 1875. Mr. Cobb enlisted in the late war in 1862, and was elected Lieutanant of Company G, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry. While in the army he and his wife were taken prisoners two or three times but a] ways managed to escape. He was discharged in July,1865,at Richmond, Va., and returned home. He was a partner with H. S. Bundy in the Latrobe Furnace and has also been connected with other furnaces of Jackson County, and is at present engaged in farming and in operating the Meadow Run coal mine. He has done much toward building p the town of Wellston. He is a Master Mason and member of Orphans Friend Lodge, No. 275, at Wilkesville, Ohio.


W. L. Evans was born in Jackson County, Ohio, Aug. 20, 1854, and is a son of David D. Evans, who was also born in Jackson County, Nov. 19, 1818, and of Welsh descent. Our subject spent his early life in farming and going to school, and began teaching when very young and taught five years. During the years of 1877, '78 and '79 he read law with .Judge Tripp, of Jackson, and was admitted to the bar Sept. 19, 1879, at McArthur, Ohio. Immediately afterward he located at Le Mars, Iowa, where he practiced his profession in connection with Hon. H. C. Curtis. In 1880 he was admitted to the Supreme Court. During the winter of 1880-'81 he was afflicted with bronchial trouble to such an extent 'that he deemed it best to return East and give up the practice of law until he fully ..regained his health. Accordingly in the fall, of 1881 he returned to Jackson County, Ohio, where with his brother Ed. E. Evans he engaged in mercantile business, under the firm name of Evans Brothers. They have just completed one of the finest business houses in the county and are adding much to the beauty and wealfh of their town.


Robert Fitzpatrick, son of John and Ruth Fitzpatrick, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 5, 1824. In 1839 he moved with his parents to Jackson County where they resided till their death. He was married Aug. 22, 1847, to Rebecca, daughter of Thomas and Mary Huston, who were natives of Ohio. They have six children—John, residing in Vinton County, Ohio; Mary J., wife of Lewis Long; Ruth A., wife of James Goddard; Maria L., wife of Thomas Finley; Robert A., and Ella, wife of Conrad Kessler. Mr. Fitzpatrick has 620 acres of land which is underlaid with three heavy veins of coal and an inexhaustible field of iron ore. He takes great pains in raising good stock, now owning some fine Spanish merino sheep, Durham cattle and Poland hogs. He has served six years as Township Treasurer. He and his family are members of the United Brethren church.


Theodore Fluhart was born Dec. 22, 1850, at Dayton, Ohio, a son of John W. and Anna M. Fluhart, who are yet living at Dayton. At the age of twenty-one years he began


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keeping books for the Wayne & Fifth Street R. R. Co., at Dayton, Ohio, where he remained one year, and the following year was bookkeeper for the Ogemaw Lumber Co. He then lived in Union City, Ind., two years when he moved to Wellston and was Secretary of the Wellston Coal and Iron Co. for six years, after which he organized the Theo. Fluhart & Co. Coal Company, in 1881, and has since been operating in coal. He is at present running a store in connection with his coal bank, carrying a stock of about $2,500, the sales amounting to about $25,000 per annum. He was married Dec. 31, 1880, to Florence E., daughter of John and Ellen E. Strong, of Wilkesville, Ohio. Mr. Fluhart is a member of the First Reform Church at Dayton.


John Glanville was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1840. He was reared on a farm, following that occupation till 1870, when, having an innate love of music, he turned his attention to giving instructions in the cultivation of the voice and is well and favorably known in Jackson County as a vocal instructor. In the spring of 1883 he took charge of the Bundy House and with characteristic energy has refitted and refurnished it, making it a first-class hotel in every respect. He is truly a public-spirited man and is ever ready to do all in his power for the furtherance of any good work.


Joseph Gooding, one of the proprietors of the Wellston Planing Mills, was born June 28, 1845, in Morgan County, Ohio, and is the son of William and Susannah Gooding, who were among the first settlers of Ohio. He was reared on a farm and attended public schools during the winter months, being engaged on the farm the remainder of the year. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, under Lieutenant Stewart, and participated in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesborough, Bentonsville and a number of others of less importance. He was mustered out July 18, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., and returned to his home. He was married Oct. 26, 1875, to Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Burns, of Wellston, Ohio. Three children have blessed this union—Jane C., Harley B., and Tillie C. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Wellston Lodge, No. 701. He is one of the founders of Coalton, he having, in partnership with J. H. Wilson, bought a piece of land, and in November, 1879, laid out the town.


Rev. C. L. Haddox was born Nov. 24, 18491 in Tyler County, W. Va., and is a son of B. H. and N. E. Haddox, of English descent. His father was born Sept. 18, 1820, and during the war was Postmaster. His mother was born March 10, 1830. They came to America in an early day and settled in Virginia, and are still living. Our subject's educational advantages were limited, but through industry he has become an excellent preacher, filling the pulpit of the Methodist Episcopal church of Wellston with credit. In 1868 he entered the preparatory department of the college at Marietta, Ohio, attending about eighteen months, when he entered the collegiate department and graduated July 2, 1873. He then taught two years in the public schools of Virginia, and in the fall of 1875 united with the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Portsmouth, Ohio, since which time he has been in the ministry. In the summers of 1866–'67 Mr. Haddox traveled as agent for the American Tract Society. Oct. 4, 1876, he was married to Carrie B., daughter of Alexander and Mary M. Ireland, of Morrow County, Ohio. They have had three children—Corydon H., Louis H. and Lillie L.


Wilson Hawk was born Sept. 9, 1829, the son of Reuben and Nancy Hawk. His father was a native of Virginia, though of German descent, and was born March 23, 1798. He was a hard-working boy and is now reaping the benefits of an industrious early life. He


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was married in 1828 and had five children born to him. He was one of eleven brothers, five of whom married five sisters, the smallest of the women weighing 165 pounds. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, having but limited educational advantages. He was married Dec. 26, 1850, to Samantha, daughter of James. and Olive Squires. Four children have ,been born to them, only three now living—Olive L., Charles W. and Effie V. Mr. arid Mrs. Hawk are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a strict prohibitionist, never having even tasted whisky.


S. W. Henry, M. D., was born Jan. 31, 1847, where Ironton now stands and is a son of Brice and Elizabeth A. (Sheets) Henry. He worked on the farm at Ironton till 1857, when his father moved to Olive Furnace, where he still resides. After coming to Ohio our subject worked around furnaces in summers and attended school during the winters till his sixteenth year, when he engaged in hawking iron, charcoal, etc., until he was twenty-two years old. He then went to school a year at Centerville, Ohio, where he obtained a certificate and taught school four winters, attending school during the summer. In 1872 he began reading medicine under Dr. John S. Henry, of Lawrence County, Ohio, continuing with him at intervals till 1878. In the fall of 1874 he entered Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, which he attended during the winter terms till he graduated Feb. 26, 1878, taking the degree of M. D. May 10, 1878, he began to practice at Keystone Furnace, and in November, 1879, came to Berlin, where he has since practiced his profession and he takes rank with the leading physicians of the country. March 8, 1879, he was married to Sarah M., daughter of Phelix and Melinda (Russel) Graham. They have one daughter—Edith V.


John Hollingshead was born July 12, 1826, in Jackson County, a son of James and

Nancy Hollingshead, who were of French and Irish descent respectively. Our subject has followed agricultural pursuits through life and, by his own industry, he now owns 105 acres of land in Milton Township, which is underlaid with the Wellston vein of coal. He was married March 10, 1862, to Margaret, daughter of Peter Slusser. Their family consists of eight children—Amanda, Ellen, Ida, Iva, Harriet, James F., John and Troy. Mr. Hollingshead enlisted in the late Rebellion in Company A, Forty-third Ohio Infantry, and was in the battle of Nashville, and several others of less importance. He remained in the service till he was mustered out June 28, 1865.


Robert Hoop was born Jan. 30, 1832, at Steam Furnace, Adams Co., 0. He has been continuously employed at blast furnaces. During his boyhood days he worked during the summer months and attended district school during the winter months, acquiring a good practical education. His labor at the furnaces consisted in keeping the books and managing. He has sperintended the erection of three blast furnaces. In the spring of 1882 he became associated with others under the corporation laws of Ohio, and formed the Meadow Run Coal and Iron Company, for the purpose of manufacturing pig iron and mining and shipping coal. He was elected one of the Directors by the stockholders and elected by the Board of Directors General Superintendent to erect coal works. Although the work was entirely novel to him, he succeeded to the entire satisfaction of all the stockholders, and in the spring of the present year, at a general meeting of the stockholders, was re-elected Director, and the Board of Directors elected him Secretary and General Manager.


William J. Jones, M. D., was born April 18, 1841, in Wales. He was left an orphan at an early age, and in December, 1852, came with his brothers to America, settling in


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Alleghany County, Md., where he lived till the spring of 1861. He then went to Pennsylvania and enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth United States Infantry, and was soon after commissioned to act as Quartermaster-Sergeant, holding that position until he was mustered out of the service May 5, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn. He went to Nelsonville, Ohio, in 1864, and moved to Charleston, W. Va., in 1865, where he began" the study of medicine under Dr. Dow. He returned to Nelsonville in 1866, where he practiced dentistry and studied medicine under Drs. Primrose and Sheppard, and graduated in medicine at the Medical College of Ohio, in Cincinnati, March, 1873. He practiced medicine the following year at Chauncey, Ohio, and moved to New Straitsville in 18 74, where he was engaged in active practice about nine years. He then, in connection with his professional duties, engaged in the drug business at Wellston, Ohio, where he now resides. In 1867 he was married to Louisa, daughter of John and Caroline Bowers, at Nelsonville. They have had a family of five children: Willie I., Sylvanus, Allison, Sylvia, and an infant (deceased). Mr. Jones has been a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity, Lodge 503, New Straitsville, about eight years.


William J. Kirkendall, son of Daniel and Lydia Kirkendall, was born Aug. 15, 1829, in Jackson County, Ohio. After he was fourteen years of age he went to school during the winters and worked on the farm in summers till he was nineteen years of age, when he attended the academy at Albany two years and completed his education at the Ohio University at Athens. He then bought an interest in the Iron Valley Furnace, with which he was connected till 1861. He was engaged some time as bookkeeper and general clerk at an iron furnace, but at the breaking out of the late war he aided in raising Company G, Second Ohio Cavalry, of which he was chosen Lieutenant, and held that posi tion till he was mustered out July 6, 1865. He then returned home and engaged in farming and teaching. He has taught in all sixty-nine terms, having begun when a young man and followed that profession until within the past few years. He is still engaged in farming and owns a splendid farm of 500 acres at Middleton, Ohio. He also takes great interest in the improvement of stock, and now owns some fine Durhams and other stock. He was married Dec. 30, 1854, to Alvira E., daughter of Lansen and Frances Smith. They have seven children—Lansen B. C., who graduated from the Ohio University in 1880; Charles R. S. and Julia M., who graduated in the 'class of 1883, at the Ohio University; James A. and Ella M., will graduate in the class of 1886; Esther F. and Fred E. Mr. Kirkendall is a member of Mineral Lodge, No. 56, A. F. & A. M., and is a Master Mason and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.


H. G. Lasley, son of Stewart and Cynthia Lasley, was born Jan. 20, 1833, in Wilkesville, Vinton Co., Ohio. He attended the common schools till he was sixteen years old, when he entered the Ohio University at Athens, remaining there one year, after which he attended the college at Marietta, Ohio, about two years. After leaving school he engaged in the mercantile trade, in which he continued eight years. He then followed the furnace business at Buckeye Furnace, Ohio, eight years, after which he bought a farm near Wellston, and followed farming three years. In 1873 he, as one of the members of the Milton Furnace and Coal Company, began to build the Milton Furnace. He is still a member of the firm, and has the general superintendency of the store. He was one of the four men who found the first shaft coal in Milton Township, boring for it in 1870. He was married Feb. 8, 1856, to Jane, daughter of Benjamin and Fannie Radcliff. Five children have been born to them, one, an infant,


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being deceased. Those living are—Nellie, Cynthia, Mattie and Frank. Mrs. Lasley died Oct. 20, 1871, and Mr. Lasley was again married Oct. 15, 1873, to Kate, daughter of B. F. and Martha Scott. This union has been blessed with one child—Harry. Mr. Lasley is a Master Mason, and a member of Wilkesville Lodge, No. 275, A. F. & A. M. His father was engaged in the mercantile trade for thirty years, but at present, and since then, has been interested in furnaces, and is also carrying on a bank at Chattanooga, Tenn.


J. M. Lively, son of L. D. and Eleanor (Russell) Lively, was born Oct. 29, 1852, in Jackson County. His father's ancestors came from Northern France, and settled in Virginia before the days of the Revolution, and became leading citizens of that section, while his mother's people are of English descent. In the year 1828 John Lively, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, moved his family from Virginia, and settled in the wild woods of what is now Lick Township, Jackson County. L. D. Lively and Eleanor Russell were married Dec. 31, 1848, and are the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, all arriving to maturity except one daughter, who died in infancy. J. M. is the second child, and the oldest son of the family. He attended the public schools till he was seventeen years of age, when he began teaching. He taught fbr ten years, the last three of which he was Superintendent of the Wellston public schools. While teaching he engaged in literary work, writing for different papers under assumed names. In the spring of 1880 he accepted the position of weigh master and stock-receiver of Milton Furnace and Coal Company. Jan. 1, 1882, he went into the store of the same company as assistant storekeeper, which position he still holds. Dec. 24, 1873, he was married to Louisa B. Bachus, daughter of Rev. R. J. and Isabella (Carrick) Bachus. They have two sons—Carl V. and Harry A., aged respectively eight and six years. In politics Mr. Lively is a Republican. In 1882 he was a delegate to the Eleventh Congressional District Convention that met at Portsmouth, Ohio. Mr. Bachus, father of Mrs. Lively, was born in Cincinnatus, N. Y., Dee. 21, 1823, and died in Chautauqua County, Kan., Sept. 26, 1880. He was one of the old pioneer preachers, and laid the foundation of the Christian church in Southern Ohio. He built up the church in Jackson and other places, and was an earnest minister of the gospel for forty years.


John. S. McGhee was born Oct. 21, 1823, in Jackson County, Ohio, a son of John McGhee, a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio among the early settlers. Our subject worked on the farm till twenty-one years of age, when he went to the salt works in Virginia, where he worked one year. He then returned and was engaged as a teamster three years; then was employed on the railroad one year, after which he worked at furnaces ten years, seven years of which he was Superintendent of the Cornelia Furnace. He has since followed farming pursuits on the farm where he now resides. He owns 760 acres of land, of which 520 lie in the great coal field of Wellston. He was married in December, 1850, to Eliza Bun, by whom he had two children—an infant (deceased), and Viola, wife of Gaston Stuffier. Mr. McGhee was again married in October, 1856, to Electa, daughter of Henry and Phcebe Phillips. They have had nine children—Henry P., Eliza, Susan, Ophelia, Lincoln (who died in 1879, aged fifteen years), Carrie B., -Sallie, Grant and Willie. Mr. McGhee has served as County Commissioner for the past six years, and is still holding that office. He is a Master Mason and a member of Mineral Lodge, No. 701, A. F. & A. M.


E, B. Merrill, M. D., son of James S. and Elizabeth Merrill, was born in Warren Township, Grafton Co., N. 13., March 31, 1850. He attended the public schools during the


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winters and worked on the farm till he was seventeen years old. He then began clerking, etc., attending school about four months out of the year. In the spring of 1871 he went to the Conference Seminary and Female College at Tilton, N. H., and also attended one fall term. Duriug the winter of 1871–'72 he taught in the public schools of New Hampshire, after which he read medicine under F. L. Gerald, of Nashua, N. H., over three years, and in the meantime was employed in different places. He attended the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati four months during the second year of his study and also the winter term of 1874-'75, and graduated Jan. 26, 1875. He then began to practice at McArthur, Ohio, in partnership with Dr. J. C. Coleman, but at the end of four months moved to Allenville, where he followed his profession till January, 1880, when he went to Nebraska to regain his health, remaining there tilt July, 1881. Since December, 1881, he has practiced his profession in Wellston. April 22, 1877, he was married to Elizabeth J., daughter of A. N. and Annie Cozad. They have three children—Matley J., Bertha and an infant.


G. L. Monahan, M. D., was born July 22, 1849, in Belmont County, Ohio. His parents, James and Maria Monahan, were natives of Maryland, from which State they moved to Ohio in 1829, where they spent the rest of their lives. His father died in 1874, at the age of seventy-seven years, and Mrs. Monahan died in 1882, aged seventy-eight years. Our subject spent his boyhood days in attending school during the winter and farming in Belmont and Athens till he was fourteen years old, when he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, under Captain Smith. He served ten months, when he was discharged for physical disability. After returning home he attended school in Coolville one year, and in 1866 entered the Ohio University at Athens. He soon after began teaching which he followed till 1873, after which he spent a year at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. He then practiced medicine in Pike County about six months, when he removed to Wellston. He again entered the school in 1877, from which he graduated the following year, after which he began the practice of medicine in Wellston, where he has a large practice. He was married June 9, 1875, to Sadie Liston, daughter of Wilson and Hannah Liston. They are the parents of two children—Charlie C. and Addie. Mr. Monahan is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has belonged ten years to the I. 0. 0. F. fraternity, and is a Past Grand. He was Mayor of Wellston two years and Clerk for the same length of time. He was also County Coroner two years.


J. O. Patridge, jeweler, Wellston, is a son ofJ. W. Patridge, of Milton Township, Jackson County, Ohio. He has had a varied business experience, and is especially fitted for the business in which he is at present engaged. His brother, J. M. Patridge, is associated with him. They are located on Liston street, one door north of the postoffice. They keep a full line of gold and plated jewelry, silverware, clocks, watches, etc. They have all the standard movements, with Dueber's gold and silver cases, and Boss patent filled cases. Mr. Patridge has filled various local offices of trust in his township, and is a man of influence in the community.


J. W. Patridge, son of John and Elizabeth (Huston) Patridge, was born in Beaver County, Pa., March 8, 1826. He came to Jackson County, Ohio, in 1846, where he has since lived, and has followed agricultural pursuits through life. He now owns 120 acres of land underlaid with a vein of Wellston coal. He was married to Caroline, daughter of Daniel and Sidney Clark. They have had six children—Elizabeth (wife of Eli Persons), James 0., Daniel T., John M. and Edmond L., and one who died in infancy. Mr. Patridge was Township Trustee fifteen years.


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William A. Persons was born in New York. He came to Jackson County in 1850, and has since been a liberal and energetic supporter of her enterprises. He received a good education, and has always made the most of his advantages. All offices of trust to which he has been called have been filled with a conscientious integrity worthy the man.


Adam Scott, son of B. F. and Martha Scott, was born Nov. 4, 1851, in Jackson County. He worked on the farm and attended the public schools till he was twenty-one years old, after which he taught school four years and afterward took a commercial and scientific course at the Lebanon College. Mr. Scott laid out the town of Eureka, now Coal-ton, in Jackson County. He opened the Thornhill and Molar mines and afterward discovered and opened the Jackson County Cannel Coal Mine, in which he yet has an interest. Since 1880 he has been operating in coal. He has an interest in the Comet and Meadow Run coal companies, being traveling salesman for the latter. He was married in 1880 to Dora, daughter of Robert and Amena Hoop. They have two children — Arthur Dwight and Edith C.


F. M. Smallwood, editor of the Argus, at Wellston, was born May 20, 1857, in Marion County, Ohio. His parents, J. M. and Margaret Smallwood, came to La Rue, Ohio, from the East many years ago, and are now living in Kenton, Ohio. Our subject lived in La Rue till he was eight years of age when he went to Iowa, where he attended public schools and academy till fifteen years old, after which he attended school at Cardington. During his vacation he was employed in learning the printer's trade, and after leaving school he entered the office of the Mirror, at Marion. Ohio, but after a short time took a trip West, during which time he was connected with several different papers. At La Rue he edited a paper for the Citizen Printing Company about one year, and in the spring of 1883 severed his connection with the Hamden Enterprise and took charge of the Wellston Argus. July 3, 1877, he was married to Amelia L. J., daughter of William and Augusta Miller, of Hamden, Ohio. They have had two children—Pearl and Carlos W., the latter of whom died Oct. 2, 1881, aged three years, five months and eighteen days.


John Stanton, a native of Ireland, was born May 1, 1840. He came to America with his parents, John and Catherine Stanton, in 1848, landing in New Orleans and coming direct to Scioto County, where they stayed only a short time, after which they lived one year in Xenia, Ohio. They then lived in Springfield, Ohio, two years, after which they returned to Scioto County, where they were employed in building the M. & C. R. R. They then lived a short time in Maysville, Ky., when they moved to Jackson County, Ohio. At the end of .a year they moved to Vinton County. They soon after moved to Berlin, Jackson County, where our subject is engaged in the mercantile business. His father died in 1857 or '58, aged fifty-six years, and his mother died at the age of fifty-six I in 1862. In February, 1865, our subject enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, under Captain Kendals. Soon after he was taken with the measles, which unfitted him for duty, and he was mustered out May 13, 1865. He returned home and was engaged in the saloon business one year and a half. He engaged in his present business in 1867, arid carries a stock of nearly $6,000, with an average sale of $20,000 per year. Nov. 14, 1866, he was married to Ellen, daughter of Edward and Mary Gallaghar, natives of County Donegal, Ireland. They have had nine children, of whom five are living—W. E., John, Mary, Ellen and R. E. Catherine, Michael, H. H. and an infant son are deceased.


William Sylvester, physician and surgeon, was born Oct. 8, 1826, in Rutland, Meigs Co.,


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Ohio. His educational advantages during his boyhood were limited, but he afterward attended academy at Albany for a time. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school, and taught altogether four years, principally dnring the winter months. At the age of twenty-six he commenced the study of medicine, and two years later he began to practice at Middleton, Jackson County, where he remained ten years. He then practiced in Berlin till 1883, when he moved to Wellston, where he has had a large practice twenty-seven years. He is a member of the Ohio Valley Medical Association which meets twice a year and has a membership of 140. He enlisted in the three months' service June 1, 1862, but was afterward detailed to serve as Wardmaster in the hospital. He was at the battle of Harper's Ferry, and was there taken prisoner by Stonewall Jackson, but was paroled the next day and returned home. April 30, 1851, he was married to Rachel Salmans. They have had six children, of whom four are living—Sarah F., John E. (a physician in McArthur), William W. and Emily P. Two infants are deceased. His father came to Ohio in an early day and did much toward converting his wild land to good farms. He also took an active part in the Revolutionary war.


J. G. Vandevot was born June 30, 1847, and is a son of James and Eleanor Vandevot, natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to Jackson County in 1861. Our subject's youth was spent on a farm and in attending the public schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1870 he entered the store of L. W. French, of Jackson, where he clerked fonr or five years. He afterward entered into partnership with James French, under the firm name of French & Vandevot, and at the end of two years sold out, and the next six years was engaged as salesman for the Milton Furnace Company, after which he engaged in the business for himself under the firm name of Vandevot & Dempsey. At present the firm is J. G. & J. M. Vandevot, the stock being about $6,000, with an average sale of about $20,000. He was married in March, 1875, to Annie, daughter of David and Elizabeth Roberts, of Jackson County. They have two children —Bertha and Arthur. Mr. Vandevot is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. fraternity. He has been Clerk and Treasurer of Milton Township a number of times.


N. T Vanpelt, son of Jonathan and Polly (Singer) Vanpelt, was born in Highland County, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1848. His mother died when he was two years of age. His father was born in 1800, and was one of the first instigators of the underground railroad of Highland County. He died in 1879. Oar subject attended school during the summer and worked on the farm the remainder of the year till he was thirteen years old. Being very large for his age he managed to get into the army, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company H, First Ohio Cavalry, under Major Buck, of Hillsboro, Ohio. He was in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and others, being in no less than 125 engagements. He had several very narrow escapes, having had four horses shot from under him. HQ was mustered out in September, 1865, and returned home without a wound. In the winter of 1866–'67 he attended the Ohio University at Athens, after which he spent two years at the Northwestern University at Indianapolis, Ind. He then engaged in teaching, after which he traveled West for two or three years. He was married Sept.18, 1876, to Kate McCoppin, daughter of John and Lucy McCoppin, of Highland County, who died Jan. 11, 1878. Mr. Vanpelt began the study of law in 1876, under Charles Townsend, ex-Secretary of State, of Ohio, and Mr. Golden, of Athens, and completed his studies under ex-Senator Shepherd and Cyrus Newby, of Hillsboro, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1880, and began the practice of his profes-


634 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY


on in Wellston, and is at present Solicitor of the town. In politics he is a staunch Republican.


Harvey Wells, founder of Wellston, Ohio, was born May 29, 1846, in Wilkesville, Vinton Co., Ohio, and is a son of Agrippa and Hannah Wells. He began learning the carpenter's trade when eleven years old, at which he worked till 1862, when he enlisted as messenger in the army. He was placed in the harness-making department where he soon learned the trade, and became foreman of the whole department. He afterward enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry, under Captain Gillian, and was mustered out in October, 1865, at Washington, D.C. He then attended the High School in Gallia County, Ohio, and the Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pa. He was then employed by H. S. Bundy as bookkeeper and general manager of the Latrobe Furnace store one year, after which he attended the Ohio University at Athens two terms, and then spent one term at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1867 he became the author of a book entitled Wells's New System of Rapid Calculation. He had previously published several books under the same title, and spent part of three years traveling through the States and sold about 60,000 copies. He then engaged in the real estate business very successfully for six or eight months. In 1873 he was nominated a candidate for a member of the Constitutional Convention, and was elected by the Republican party by a majority of 472 votes. He bought 1,000 acres of land from Hon. H. S. Bundy, in Jackson County, for $100,000, and in 1874 laid out Wellston, and afterward organized a joint stock company and sold the land for $150,000. He also built the Eliza Furnace. June 22, 1875, he was married to Eliza M., youngest daughter of Hon. H. S. Bundy. They have one son—Harvey B. , born May 30, 1877.


H S. Willard, son of Henry S. and Lavinia Willard, was born Aug. 31, 1849, in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1864 he went to Grand River Institute at Austinburg, where he remained three years, after which he attended the Technological School in Boston two years. In the summer of 1870 he went to Kansas, where he was engaged in business till 1873, when he came to Wellston and became manager of the Milton Furnace, and in 1878 was elected President of the furnace.


W H Williams, carpenter and undertaker, was born July 1, 1836, in Meigs County, Ohio, and is a son of John-and Jane Williams, who came to Ohio from Virginia in a very early day. He was reared on a farm and attended the common schools until eighteen years of age, after which he devoted his time to farming. He enlisted in September, 1862, in Company I, Fifty-third Ohio Infantry, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and a number of others. While at Vicksburg he was taken ill, and came home July, 1864. He remained a couple of months. He then went to Cincinnati and enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and was mustered out September, 1865. He was then employed by Hon. H. S. Bundy as superintendent of his farms for a few years, when he moved to Wellston, where he engaged in his present business. He was married in 1857 to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Huff. They have five children — Alonzo, Benjamin F., Waldo F., Edward B. and Dora B. Mr. Williams has been a member of the Town Council four years and a member of the School Board two years.


COAL TOWNSHIP.


The rapidly growing mining interests or this part of the county suggested the formation of a new township. In the fall of 1882 requisite measures were taken, and in the following winter the new township was established. The two northern rows of sections from Lick Township, and the southern row


HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY- 635


with the two western from the next, of Washington—twenty in all—make up the new township, which, from the great object of its intrinsic wealth, was appropriately named "Coal." The mining of the coal is the all-absorbing industry of the inhabitants, and is also largely entered into by capitalists from abroad.


The topography of the township is very rough and furrowed by numerous little streams, bnt none of any size, the largest being what is known as Pigeon Fork of Salt Creek. The water in many of the streams is slightly mineral. The rough surface renders it unsuitable for agriculture, which is followed only meagerly.



ton, the metropolis of this mineral township, the first is Altoona, laid out by M. D. Jones the next is Glen Roy, laid out by Hon. Andrew Roy in May, 1883. Goldsrow was also laid out in the spring of 1883, and the last, Comet, was laid out by Adam Scott about the same time.


COALTON.


SETTLEMENT.


The territory now forming Coal Township was, like the remainder of the county, settled by emigrants from Virginia and Pennsylvania, in about 1810 to 1816. Among the first was the Starr family, to which Andrew Starr, for many years a well-known citizen, belonged. The Starr family sfarted from Virginia in a wagon in 1809. On the way the father died and was buried by his children in the unbroken forest. After this sad halt the family again took up their journey through the boundless wild, frequented on every hand by treacherous Indians and wild beasts. The first stopping place was at a place known as " Buffalo Skull." They afterward moved to Middle Fork, and from there to the old Starr farm, in Coal Township. The Winfaugh and Darling families were also among the first settlers.


Two railroads pass through the township—the T., C. & St. L. and Ohio Southern. On the line of these roads, between Wellston and Coalton,only four miles apart, are situated four small villages, which come nearly making one continuous town. They are crude mining towns, and, outside of their mining interests, of but little importance. Beginning at Coalton, the metropolis of this mineral township, the first is Altoona, laid out by M. D. Jones; the next is Glen Roy, laid out by Hon. Andrew Roy in May, 1883. Goldsrow was also laid out in the spring of 1883, and the the last, Comet, was laid out by Adam Scott about the same time.


COALTON


In 1877 John F. Shook and Adam Scott laid out a town on the southern border of Washington Township which they called Eurekaville. The site chosen was on the line of the Ohio Southern Railroad, which was then being constructed, and was also one favorable to the operation of coal mines. The first train passed over the new road at this point Oct. 7, 1878. Very soon after its founding Eurekaville became an active mining town, and is now one of the most important mining centers in Southern Ohio. Mining was the chief industry from the start.


The limit of this town extended to the line of Lick Township opposite section 4 of the latter. A portion of this township was purchased by J. H. Wilson and Joseph Gooding, in 1879, who laid out a town plat also bordering on the township line and the southern line of the town plat of Eurekaville. They insisted on calling their town Coalton, and as there was another postoffice in the State the name of which resembled Eurekaville, the name of the office was changed to Coalton, and as the two towns have merged into one the name of Eurekaville has been abandoned. Aug. 11, 1880, the entire village was incorporated under the name of Coalton.


As incorporated the town includes 560 acres, bounded as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner of section 33, in Washington Township, running thence three-fourths of a mile south, thence one-half mile east, thence one fourth mile south, thence one-half mile east, thence one mile north, thence one mile west. It has about 1,500 inhabitants, the majority of


636 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.


whom are laborers connected with the mines, and their families. There are eight mines within the town limits. Since the town was incorporated, Darling's Addition was laid out in the southeastern part, and is now the most presentable portion of the town.


The development of the mines at Coalton was greatly accelerated in 1879 by the extension of the T., C. & St. L. Railroad through the place.


THE BUSINESS.


Besides mining, which is the all-absorbing interest of Coalton, there is one planing-mill, which stands alone as a manufacturing enterprise. It is the Coalton Planing-Mill, built in June, 1881, by A. B. Leach. The mill has been added to and improved, and the business of the proprietor, which includes a lumberyard and a stock of sash, shingles, etc., greatly increased.


The stores are as follows: S. D. Morgan, general store; Miners' Supply Company, general store; Robert Harper, general store; Thornhill Bros., general store; W. M. Lockwood, general store; Stevenson & Clare, general store; J. M. Waterman, notions; Stenmetz Bros., groceries; John F. Friedland, drugs; C. W. Haslett, restaurant; Peter Phrank, bakery. Besides these most of the operators run supply establishments, from which their miners are paid. The leading operators are J. H. Wilson & Sons, The Kelly Coal Co., Pimlot & Hale, Jones & Morgan, Sterling Coal Co., and The Western Coal Co.


There are three physicians in the town: Drs. R. M. Steele, W. M. Drake and Hays.


THE SCHOOLS.


The village school district was formed May 4, 1882. A graded school was formed and R. U. Wilson, a graduate of the Ohio University, was employed as Superintendent. Mr. Wilson has remained constantly in charge of the schools with a corps of assistant teachers, the school being divided into four departments. The number of ppils is 490; the attendance in 1882 was about 135.


The school building, 26 x 72 feet, two stories high, was built in 1883 at a cost of $2,687, including grounds.


POSTOFFICE.


The postoffice, established in 1877, was called Eureka P. 0. until 1879, when it was changed to Coalton. Adam Winfaugh was appointed Postmaster at the establishment of the office, holding it until 1879, when he resigned. J. H. Wilson was then appointed, and still holds the position. It was made a money-order office July 1, 1883.


VALUATION.


The valuation of the special school district real estate is $12,453, and the chattel property at $16,809, for the year 1882. The landed area of the village is 675 acres, with a chattel property valuation of $52,363, and a real estate valuation of $30,920 for the above named year.


CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.


The Methodist Episcopal Church was established at this place as early as 1823, or thereabout. The meetings at that time and for many years were held in an old log schoolhouse which stood near the cannel coal bank. Among the first members were the Antonys, Steeles, Winfaughs, Darlings and a few others. Mr. Jacob Antony was one of the first preachers. The church building which had succeeded the log school-house was replaced in 1871 by the present edifice. The membership is about eighty. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. McGhee; Trustees, B. F. Scott,W. Scott, J. K. Darling and Adam Winfaugh.


The Free-Will Baptist Church was organized here Sept. 7, 1882, by the General Conference with thirty initial members. Half of the old school building was bought for $254.25,


HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 637


to be used as a place of worship. Rev. H. J. Carr was employed as pastor, who has been succeeded by Rev. John A. Oiler. The membership has increased to about forty; Trustees, Jno. G. Farrar, J. A. Oiler and Taylor Branschum.


The Missionary Baptist Church was founded here in January, 1882, by Rev. J. E. Thomas. Their church is the other half of the old school-house, for which they paid $254.25. At first there were eleven members; now there are forty-nine, which shows good work on the part of the beginners. The present pastor is Rev. C. A. Price.


The Welsh Methodist Church was established by Rev. David Jenkins, Sept. 25, 1881. The organization consisted of twenty-five persons from the Welsh settlement. In 1882 they built A meeting-house, 28 x 36 feet in size, costing about $1,100. A good Sabbath-school is conducted in connection with the church, the attendance of which is about fifty-five. The church membership is about thirty-six. Preaching is held every Sabbath, generally furnished by some member of the congregation. The Trustees are S. Llewellyn and George Rodgers, who are also Elders.


Colonel Dove Post, No. 301, G. A. B.—This organization was formed. March 9, 1883, with thirty charter members. Regular meetings are held in the Baptist church. The officers elected at the organization were as follows: Samuel Llewellyn, P. C.; T. J. Evans, S. V. C.; Newton Kessinger, J. V. C. ; Calvin Courtney, 0. D.; Job Davis, 0. G.; R. Griffith, Q. M.; Joseph Smith, Adjutant; J. Dunningberger, S. M.; Daniel Darling, Q.-M. S. ; Nicholas Oaks, Chaplain; A. J. Lamed, P. S.


On section 30 is situated Evergreen church. It was founded in 1855 by Rev. H. Adams. The building was erected in 1867 at a cost of $1,200. It has a membership of about eighty-five. Pastor, Rev. C. A. Price.


The township is thickly settled, but as no census has been taken since its organization no number can be given. At the first election Allen McGhee, George Reese and Marion Walters were chosen Trustees. The township is Republican by about 100 majority.


The leading mining corporations are: Pimlot & Hall, Western Coal Company, Garfield Coal Company (successors to Rittenhouse & Co.), Southern Ohio Coal and Iron Company, J. H. Wilson & Sons, Sterling Coal Company (successors to Thornhill Coal Company), Mohler & Kessinger Coal Company, Jones & Morgan Coal Company and the McKittrick Brothers. All these companies have begun operating within the last few years. The hill mines are principally worked, although the shaft vein is thicker. The coal is of first-class quality.


The township is bounded on the north by Washington, east by Milton, south by Lick and west by Liberty and Jackson townships. Its landed area is 12,800 acres. Since its organization, the first assessment of its property has been made. Of this the real estate is valued at $180,717 and its personal or chattel property $117,475; total $298,192.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


J. K. Darling, an old resident of Jackson County, was born Nov. 17, 1838, on the old Darling farm, near Coalton. He is a son of William and Sarah Darling, who came to Ohio in an early day. He lived at the home farm till eighteen years of age, when he began farming for himself, which he followed about three years, when he returned to what is now Coalton, and when about twenty-three he began dealing in stock, continuing in the business some twelve years. April 19, 1860, he was married to Jennet, daughter of William and Margaret Richards. She died Aug. 9, 1867, leaving her husband and two children—Alice M. and Philona S.—to mourn her loss.


W. M. Drake, M. D., son of D. B. and Elizabeth Drake, was born June 22, 1853, in Morgan County, Ohio, and when two years


638 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.


old moved to Iowa, where he went to school most of the time till he reached the age of fourteen years. He then returned to Ohio and attended school till he was twenty years of age, after which he followed farming two years, when he was engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store one year. At this time he began the study of medicine under Drs. Warden and Colston, of Pennsville, Ohio. After reading under these one year, he came to Jackson County and studied under Dr. C. H. Burgess some time, after which he attended three terms of lectures at the Columbus Medical College, from which he graduated March 2, 1881, receiving his degree of M. D. Since graduating he has practiced his profession at Coalton with the exception of having attended the lectures at the Miami Medical College one term in 1881–'82. He was married Sept. 20, 1882, to Ella, daughter of D. B. and Mary Thomas.


C. Dungan was born in Beaver County, Pa., in April, 1824, and is a son of Margaret and Levi Dungan, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1824, where they remained the rest of their lives. Our subject's youth was spent on his father's farm in Pennsylvania, and in attending school during the winters till he was about twenty years of age. In 1855 or '56 he embarked in the mercantile business, but two years later sold out and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and now owns 240 acres of fine farming land which is underlaid with a vein of Jackson Hill coal four feet thick. He was married Aug. 28, 1856, to Mary, daughter of William and Mary Findley, who were natives of Ohio. They have eight children—William F., James M., Levi M., Delia, Blanche, Harry, Herbert and Homer.


Rev. D. .E. Evans was born March 1, 1855, in Oshkosh, Wis., and lived on the home farm till thirteen years of age. He then attended the Oshkosh High School two years after which he entered the Ripon College, at Ripon, Wis., from which he graduated in June, 1877. He then taught school two years, when he entered the Theological Seminary at Cincinnati and graduated from that institution May 25, 1882, since which he has had charge of the Presbyterian church at Coalton. He was married Oct. 11, 1882, to Maggie, daughter of David D., and Margaret Evans, both of Welsh descent.


Captain T. J. Evans, son of Evan and Mary B. Evans, was born Nov. 10, 1841, in Jackson County. He attended the common schools till twenty years of age when he entered the Ohio University, which he attended till September, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, as a private. He served till April 9, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. He returned home and engaged in farming and teaching till May14, 1863, when he was elected Captain of Company I, Ohio National Guards. In 1867 he and his brother opened a store in Portsmouth, but in about a year sold out, after which he was variously engaged till 1871. He then had charge of the mercantile department of Eagle Furnace four years, when he was engaged at Keystone Furnace in the same capacity until April, 1882. He then took chargeot the miners' supply store at Coalton, Ohio. While at Keystone Furnace he was Postmaster and Township Treasurer three years, and is now Township Treasurer of Coal Township. He is a Master Mason, and is Senior Vice Commander in Colonel Dove Post, No. 301, Grand Army of the Republic, at Coalton. June 11, 1867, he was married to Ella J. Jones, who is of Welsh descent. They have had three children—Edgar T., Grace M. and Alice, who died when eighteen months old.


John Hipple, son of Henry and Emma Hippie, natives of Germany, was born Nov, 29,1838. He was educated in Germany till he was fourteen years old, after which he


HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 639


served an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith's trade and became one of the best smiths in the county. In 1858 he emigrated to the United States, and after remaining a short time in Baltimore he came to Cross Roads, Jackson County, and carried on blacksmithing in that vicinity for twenty-one years. In 1879 he moved to Coalton, where he has 165 acres of coal land. He was married Dec. 1, 1860, to Mary C., daughter of Christian Rau, of German descent. They have had a. family of seven children, of whom six are living—John, Caroline, William, Jacob, Annie E. and Margaret. Louis died in 1862, aged ten months.


John F. Hull was born in England in October, 1826, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Hull, both now deceased. In 1854 he came to America, landing at Philadelphia, where he remained one year. He then came to Jackson County, Ohio, where he has since made his home. He has been operating in coal since 1858, and now runs three extensive mines, and owns one-fifth interest in 600 acres of coal land. He was married in 1857 to Amanda, daughter of Isaac Stevenson. They have been blessed with six children—Isaac, Ellsworth, William, Charles, Frank and Nettie.


Thomas Johns, son of William and Margaret Johns, was born in Wales, in November, 1827. His boyhood days were spent mostly in coal mines. He was married in 1853 to Hannah, daughter of William and Hannah Davis, natives of Wales. They have been blessed with two children—Mary and Margaret. In 1858 he came to America, landing in Philadelphia, where he remained till 1868. He then came to Ohio and commenced mining ore. He came to Coalton, Ohio, in January, 1882, and took charge of the Western Coal Works, and in the following March bought a share in the mines, which has proved very successful. Mr. Johns belongs to the Congregational denomination, and is a mem ber of the Masonic fraternity, and has passed

through the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch.


Beverly Keenan was born Sept. 10, 1810, in Greenbrier County, Va., and is a son of John and Mary (Williams) Keenan, who settled on the farm where our subject now resides in 1820. John Keenan was a native of Ireland, and was brought to America when four years old. He received a liberal education, and afterward engaged in teaching, which he followed many years. After coming to Ohio he still followed his profession, and was long known as one of the leading educators of Southern Ohio. Beverly spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, and was educated by his father while at home. At the age of fifteen years he was placed in school under Prof. 0. L. Crookham, where he remained two years, and when seventeen years old began learning surveying. In 1832 he was elected County Surveyor for a term of three years, after which he acted as Deputy Surveyor a number of years. In 1859 he was reelected Surveyor, and served in that capacity, with the exception of one term, until 1871, when he refused to accept the office again. He was the father of seven children—John H., Charles C., Mary, Miriam, Margaret, Milton, now County Treasurer of Jackson County, and Douglas, who died April 7, 1871. Mrs. Keenan died May 16, 1876. Mr. Keenan belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is now in his seventy-fourth year, and has retired from active life.


A. B. Leach, proprietor of the Coalton Planing-Mill, was born March 1, 1850, in Wood County, W. Va., a son of G. A. and Mary A. Leach, who were also natives of Virginia. At the age of eight years he came with his parents to Hamden,Ohio. He attended school till he was eighteen years of age,and obtaining a good education. After leaving school he engaged in saw-milling, which he followed) with the exception of six months, when he was employed on the Marietta and


640 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY


Cincinnati Railroad) until 1881. He then built his planing-mill, which he has since operated. He was married Oct. 28, 1875, to Mary A., daughter of George W. and Matilda Brohard. Four children were born to them, two of whom are living-Iva M. and Oscar J. Florence and Cora B. are deceased. Mr. Leach is a Master Mason, and member of Mineral Lodge, No. 259, A. F. & A. M., at Hamden, Ohio.


Lorenzo D. Lively, son of John H. and Mary (Parker) Lively, was born July 29, 1827, in Monroe County, W. Va. He was reared on his father's farm, and received a limited education at the country school,which he attended till he grew to manhood. He was married Jan. 1, 1850, to Ellen, daughter of Randal and Martha Russel. They have seven children living-Martha (wife of John Humphries), James M., Mary E. (wife of Charles Parmer), Randal R., John E., Lorenzo D., Jr., and Alonzo. Minerva J. died April 25, 1857. Mr. Lively has followed farming through life, and now owns 222 acres of fine land which is underlaid with a heavy vein of coal, which he is having mined. In his political views he is a Republican. Randal Russel, father of Mrs. Lively, was a native of North Carolina, and came to Ohio in 1806, he being then ten years of age, and he became a prominent farmer of Southern Ohio. His wife, who still survives him, was born May. 12, 1800, in Shenandoah County, Va., and has lived in Ohio since twelve years of age.


Robert C. Lucas, one of Jackson County's wealthiest citizens, was born Dec. 1, 1822, in Jackson County, Ohio. His father was one of the leading farmers in his day, and at his death left a splendid farm for his children, which our subject now owns, and has always made it his home. He spent his boyhood years by working on the farm, attending school three months out of the year. April 1, 1849, he was married to Mary Leach, by whom he had one child, who died in infancy. Sept. 3, 1857, he was married to Catherine Musgroves, and to this union were born two children, one of whom died at the age of three months. His third wife was Mary McGhee, whom he married Nov. 23, 1865. The result of this marriage was one child, who died in infancy. He was married to his last wife, Mary Keenan, Jan. 28, 1873. This union was blessed with one child-Blanch. Mr. Lucas has one of the most beautiful farms in Southern Ohio, containing 718 acres of land, on which is found a great deal of coal and iron ore.


Allen McGhee was born Sept. 25, 1835, in Jackson County, Ohio, and is a son of Augustus and Mary McGhee, who were natives of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent. They came to Ohio in 1816, where the father died in 1870, and the mother, Feb. 29, 1874. Allen was reared a farmer, and attended the common schools till he was twenty-one years old, where he obtained a good common-school. education. He has made farming his principal occupation through life. He was married Sept. 5, 1861, to Lydia, daughter of John H. and Mary Lively. Their children are-Mary A., John A., James E., Martha J., Allen G., Joseph and Charles E. Mr. McGhee held the office of Justice of the Peace from 1867 till 1870. He is a Royal Arch Mason and member of Trowel Lodge, No. 132, A. F. & A. M. He belongs to Knights Templar Commandery, No. 8, Chillicothe, Ohio.


Granville McKinniss, son of Charles and Martha (Craver) McKinniss, was born Sepf. 23, 1823, in the house where he now resides. He was reared on the farm and received a limited education in the subscription schools, which he attended part of the winter season till he was seventeen or eighteen years old. He has pursued farming through life and has about 300 acres of land, of which 115 acres contain the best quality of Jackson Hill coal. He was married July 2, 1846, to Mary P. Cassidy, whose parents, Asa R.. and Nancy


HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 641


Cassidy, died Sept. 8, 1872, and June, 1874, respectively. Granville and Mary P. McKinuiss have been blessed with ten children-- Charles, a merchant at Swiftsville, Ohio ; Martha, clerking in her brother's store; Nancy, wife of John F. Shook; Asa, farming in the West; Sabrina, widow of Quiller Scott; Alfred, farming his brother Charles's farm; Clara, a teacher; Ida and Ada, twins, the former the wife of Joseph W. Thornhill, and the latter the wife of Truman Jenks; Frank D., at home with his parents. His father, Charles McKinniss, moved from Pennsylvania fo Chillicothe, Ohio, about the year 1808, and about four years afterward moved to Jackson County and entered the old home farm, he having been about one of the first settlers of that part of the country. He lived on the farm till March 29, 1837, when he died, aged over fifty-six years. His wife died Aug. 24, 1864, being eighty-six years old.


Milton McKinnies, son of Charles and Sophia McKinniss, was born Oct. 16, 1844, on fhe home farm, where he still resides. He attended the public schools during the winter, till he reached the age of sixteen years, after which he spent six months at the Jackson High School. Sept. 10, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, Second West Virginia Cavalry, and participated in the battle of Wainsboro, Five Forks, Deep Creek, siege of Petersburg, and a number of others, and was present at Lee's surrender. He was mustered out June 10, 1865, at Washington, D. C. He was married March 14, 1866, to Martha J., daughter of John and Jane Forster, natives of Jackson County. They have had four children —John F., Edward, Effie and Callie. Mr. MeKinniss has served as Assessor and Trustee of Lick Township. He is a member of Salt Lick Lodge, No. 417, I. 0. 0. F. His father was born May 10, 1803, in Pennsylvania, and has resided in Ohio since 1808. He had six children of whom five are living—Granville,


- 41 -


Ellen, Nannie, Milton, our subject, and Sophia E. Charles died Feb. 11, 1883.


Captain S. D. Morgan was born in Jefferson Township, Jackson Co., Ohio, Feb. 26, 1843. His parents, David D. and Rachel Morgan, came from Wales in 1835, and lived in Pomeroy, Ohio, seven years when they moved to Jackson County, where Mr. Morgan died in 1868. His widow is yet living at Oak Hill, Jackson County. They were the parents of five sons—Daniel D., died at the age of forty-two years, of lung disease; David, died of typhoid fever, aged twenty-two years; S. D., our subject; Evan D. L., a physician, and lives with his family at Galena, Scioto Co., Ohio, and John, died when ten years of age of throat disease. Our subject lived on the farm till he was eighteen years old and in the spring of 1862 enlisted as a private in Company D, Seventy-Sixth Ohio Infantry, at Newark, Ohio. After serving two years he was discharged on account of disability, having contracted a disease of the lungs, caused by exposure. While in the war he participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and a number of others. After resting about six months he raised a company of men in Jackson County, known as Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-Ninth Ohio Infantry. He was commissioned Captain of the company by Governor Brough. He served till the war closed and was in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., and a number of skirmishes. He was mustered out in the fall of 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. After the war he engaged in the mercantile trade at Cincinnati, under the firm name of Price, Morgan & Co. 14 sold out in about a year and took charge of his father's farm in Jackson County. He continued to run the farm, at the same time being connected with furnaces about two years, when he sold the farm and became store-keeper, and afterward assistant manager of the Cambria Furnace about two years.


642 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.


He then was employed in the Gallia Furnace as clerk until it was closed. He then supplied the Thomas Iron Works with ore, but after a short time sold his ore contract and became clerk for the same company. He was engaged in the furnaces of the Hocking Valley three or four years when he resigned and took the position of general superintendent of the Nelson Furnace or Iron Works in Indiana, where he remained nearly a year. He then returned to Jackson County and bought property; built a business-house, and established a general store and lumber yard at Coal-ton, where he has an average sale of $40,000 a year, and carries a stock of goods worth $8,000. He was married Sept. 20, 1877, to Ellen, daughter of Rev. John Rogers, who came from Wales about 1840. They have had three children, only one living—Nellie. Annie, the eldest, died at the age of eight months, and Willard died at the age of fourteen months. Mr. Morgan is a charter member of Colonel Dove Post, No. 301, G. A. R., at Coalton, Ohio. In politics he has always been a Republican. He is a staunch Union man, and believes that the reins of Government ought to be in the hands of those who fought for it and saved it.


James Newport, coal operator, was born Dec. 13, 1824, in Ireland, where he received a good education, having attended school till he was sixteen years old. He was then employed most of the time till 1850 as weigh-master in a mercantile house, when he came to America. Shortly after coining he went to Virginia, but is now living in Jackson County, Ohio, where he owns forty acres of fine land which is underlaid with the best quality of Jackson Hill coal. He has been operating his own mines for a number of years. He was married in 1849 to Miss Simpson. They have had nine children—Mary (who is married and has five children), Ellen (wife of John Cline), Kate, Eliza (wife of John O'Brien), Willie, John, Simpson, Edward and Maggie.


Rev. John A. Oiler, son of E. B. and Charlotte Oiler, was born June 26, 1843, in Monroe County, Va. In 1861 he enlisted in the Southern army, and after serving for some time was taken prisoner. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, Sixty-fourth Virginia Cavalry, and did service for the Union till the war closed. He was under General Custer and participated in all the engagements of the Shenandoah Valley, and was mustered out at Wheeling, W. Va., July 4, 1865. He was married Aug. 24, 1865, to Catherine A., daughter of James Dew, and in March, 1866, moved to Jackson County, where they have since lived. In 1883 Mr. Oiler was ordained a minister of the Free-Will Baptist church, and now has charge of that denomination at Coalton. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity at Jackson and is also Justice of the Peace.


Henry Peters, deceased, was born June 22, 1825, in Brunswick, Germany. He attended school there till he was fourteen years old, and when twenty-four years of age came to America, landing in New York, where he remained a short time. He then lived in Carroll County, Ohio, till 1853, wheu he moved to Jackson County. March 20, 1851, he was married to Catherine Rose, born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1825, and daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Kent) Rose. Seven children were sent to bless this union—A. B., W. A, C. H., F. B., J. A., J. N. and C. D. Mr. Peters and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. At his death he owned a good farm of 280 acres, under which there is a heavy vein of coal known as Jackson Hill coal. He I also owned some fine Merino sheep and was classed among the best farmers of the county. His death occurred Aug. 10, 1883, caused by a kick from a horse. His parents, August and Christina (Braschner) Peters, were natives of Germany and died in that country. Mr. Rose, father of Mrs. Peters, was born in 1796,


HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 643


and died July 16, 1876. Her mother, Mrs. Rose, was born in Washington County, Pa., May 29, 1800. Their ancestors came from the old country in a very early day and took part in the inter-colonial wars and the war of the Revolution, one of whom carried the message from General Yates to, Washington when Burgoyne surrendered.


D. D. Phillips was born July 4, 1820, in Carmarthen, South Wales, and came to America with David Phillips, his father, in October, 1832. They lived four years in Carbondale, Luzerne Co., Pa., and then lived nine months in Maryland, when they again returned to Pennsylvania. Our subject was married in Pomeroy, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1843, to Jane Price, who died March 19, 1855, leaving three children-William J., who is dealing in coal in Jackson, Mich.; Mary J., who died March 26, 1882, and John W., who died March 23, 1855. Mr. Phillips went to Gallia County, Ohio, .about 1855, where he remained about twenty; seven years, and was there married to Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, May 9, 1855. They have had five children, only one living-Alice M., wife of M. K. Glenn; Elizabeth A., died June 19, 1880; Charles W., died in September, 1857; Martha E. and David G. died in infancy. Mr. Phillips has resided in Coal-ton since Dec. 3, 1878, and since October, 1880, he has served as Justice of the Peace, and in April, 1882, was elected Mayor, and is still holding that position. He is a member of Good Hope Lodge, No. 1,416, Knights of Labor, at Coalton. He owns a farm of seventy-five acres in Gallia County.


W. B. Rice was born Dec. 6, 1819, in Virginia, and when one year old his parents, James and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Rice, moved to Jackson County, Ohio, where his mother died in 1834 or 1835 and his father in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He was reared on the farm and attended the common schools. Oct. 15, 1840, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of R. C. and Susan Lucas. They have been blessed with nine children-Robert B., Susannah, James A., William L., Richard, Mary E., B. F., Cynthia J., and one who died in infancy. Mr. Rice owns 120 acres of land, which is underlaid with an excellent quality of coal three and one-half feet in thickness. He has served his township as Trustee a number of years. He has belonged to the Christian church for thirty years.


J. S. Rittenhouse is a son of Judge Rittenhouse, who was Judge of the courts of Ross County, Ohio, for many years. He died in October, 1866, and his wife, Susan, died April 27, 1880. Our subject was born Feb. 26, 1846, in Ross County, where he was reared on his father's farm, and attended the public schools till he was seventeen years old, after which he entered college. He was employed in the Treasurer's office for a time, and in the spring of 1864 he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry. He participated in several battles, when he was taken sick and lay in the hospital many weeks. He was mustered out in October, 1864, and after regaining his health began dealing in stock, which he followed successfully several years, but is at present keeping a hotel and operating a saw-mill at Coalton, Ohio. He was married April 3, 1870, to Eliza Day, a descendant of Captain William Day, of Revolutionary fame.


Christian Row was born May 12, 1835, in Germany,a son of Christian and Margaret(Oul) Row, natives of Germany. In 1857 he came to America, and after staying two weeks in Portsmouth came to Cross Roads, Ohio, where he worked at ore digging one year, after which he was employed on the railroad in different capacities for twelve years. He was married Aug. 28, 1859, to Caroline Baker, by whom he has had eight children-John, Philip, Mary, Kate, Caroline, Margaret, Ida and William. In 1872 he moved to his present farm near Coalton, where he has eighty acres of good land, of which seventy-five acres are


644 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.


supplied with a vein of coal about three feet in thickness. Mr. Row has served as School Director four years, and is a member of the Grange at Sterling School-house.


Andrew Roy, son of David and Mary Roy, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, July 19, 1834. His father came to America in 1849, and in 1850 Andrew followed him and landed in Maryland, where he remained till 1859, when he went to Arkansas. In 1861 he enlisted in the Tenth Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, being engaged in many of the battles of the war. He was wounded at the battle of Gaines Hill, from which he has never fully re-covered, and was left for dead on the battle field. He was then kept in Libby Prison some time when he was exchanged and discharged in the fall of 1863. July 21, 1864, he was married to Janet Watson. Seven children have been born to them—Maggie, D. Y., Flora, William, Dock, Charles and James. In 1874 he was appointed State Mine Inspector by Governor Allen, which position he still holds. In 1878 he was nominated on the Greenback ticket for Secretary of State, but was not elected, although he came out ahead of his ticket. He owns 125 acres of land where he resides, and in May, 1883, laid out on his farm the town of Glen Roy, consisting of 200 lots. Mr. Roy is a member of Colonel Dove Post, G. A. R., at Coalton, Ohio.


B. F. Scott, one of the prominent citizens of Coalton, was born Dec. 3, 1820, near Parkersburg, W. Va., and came to Ohio in 1824 with his parents, B. F. and Celia (Leach) Scott. . They settled near Hamden, his parents living there and in the adjoining settlement till their death. Mr. Scott died April 8, 1873, and his wife Feb. 4, 1868. Our subject was reared on the home farm and worked with his father until he was twenty-one years old. Like all pioneer boys his educational advantages were limited. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church at an early age,to which he has belonged over forty years. May 20, 1847, he was married to Martha Sell, who was born July 12, 1823, daughter of Adam and Catherine Sell, of German descent. Mr. Sell has been a member of the Methodist church since childhood. Six children have been born to this union, four of whom are living—Winfield, Kate, wife of H. G. Lasley,of Wellston; Adam, a coal operator, and Hamie. Quillen died Dec. 29, 1881, aged thirty-one years, and Edith died at the age of twenty years, July 13, 1880. In the fall of 1854 Mr. Scott was drafted into the army, but not feeling able to go he hired a substitute, paying him $1,000.


Jacob A. Sell, son of Adam and Catherine Sell, was born in Ross County, Ohio, about 1818, and in 1822 moved foth his parents. to Jackson County, where he still resides on the old home place. He has followed farming through life with the exception of teaching school two terms, and now owns a large tract of land in this county which is underlaid with a fine quality of J ackson Hill coal. Nov. 4, 1851, he was married to Jane E., daughter of David and Ellen Mitchell, who are both deceased. They have had ten children, of whom nine are living—Adam C., George W., Alice O. (wife of C. N. Thornhill), David N., Harmon E., Elmer E., Martha, Mary and Oliver C. Charles D. died Aug 27, 1879, aged three years. Mr. Sell served as Justice of the Peace of Washington Township a number of years, and held the office of County Commissioner, by re-election, from 1859 till 1868, attl during his administration the courthouse and jail were built.

He is well versed in several of the sciences, and lately has made a specialty of the study of geology. His father was an early pioneer of Ross County, and served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Sells father was one of the Representatives of Southern Ohio, and Associate Judge a number of years. He was also a member of the Ohio State Senate and a soldier in the war of 1812.


John F. Shook, one of the Coal-


HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 645


ton, was born Dec. 1, 1848, in West Virginia, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Shook. They moved from West Virginia in 1866 to Ohio, and settled where Coalton now stands. John F. worked on the farm and attended the public schools in the winter till he was about twenty-one years of age, after which he taught school several terms. In 1874 he entered the Ohio State Normal School, taking a commercial course, and graduating in June, 1875, when he again engaged in teaching, and has followed that profession in all about eight years. He was married Sept. 5, 1877, to Nannie E., daughter of Granville McKinniss. They have two children—Mabel P. and Howard. In 1880 Mr. Shook was appointed census enumerator, and in September, 1881, he engaged in the mercantile business at Coalton, where he mow carries a stock of about $6,000, with a sale of about $24,000 per annum.


R. M. Steele, M. D., son of R. M. and Caroline (Lebreck) Steele, was born July 12, 1848, in Lawrence County, Ohio. His father moved from Pennsylvania in 1846 or 1847 and located in Lawrence County, Ohio, but shortly after settled in Jackson County, where he still lives. He was reared on a farm, and received an education at the common schools, and at the age of twenty years began teaching school. He taught two years, after which he was Superintendent of the Hamden public schools until he entered the medical college. In 1872 he began the study of medicine under Dr. G. L. Gorslene, of Athens, and afterward attended the State medical college at Columbus, Ohio, where he remained till his health failed. In 1880 he again entered college and graduated with high honors in 1881. He has practiced some in Athens County but mostly in Jackson County, and now has a large practice at Coalton. He enlisted in the late war in 1863 as a teamster, and the following summer volunteered in Company G, under Sheridan and Custer. He was in the battles of Five Forks, Deep Creek, Sailor Creek and all the engagements with Lee until his surrender, and served till the war closed. He was married in 1872 to Mary, daughter of Isaac Funk, who is of German descent. They have three children—James H., Clara L. and Earl C. Dr. Steele is President of the Jackson County Medical Society, and is a charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Coalton.


Isaac V. Stevison, son of William and Catherine Stevison, was born in 1797 in New Jersey. At an early age he was apprenticed for seven years at the tailor's trade, and was one of the best tailors in the country. He was married in 1818 to Annie Wilson. Of the twelve children born to them seven are living—Daniel, John, Vorus, Catherine, Rebecca, Lavina and Amanda J. Sophia died at the age of five years, William at eighteen months, Robert when three years, Nancy S. when fifteen years, and Lewis died in 1862, aged forty years. Our subject's father died in 1803 or '4 and his mother in 1861.


Charles N. Thornhill, son of G. D. and Gertrude Thornhill, was born May 15, 1858, in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he spent the first seven years of his life. He then went to Xenia and attended the public and high schools till he was fourteen years old. He then went to Cincinnati and entered a shop,where he was engaged in granite cutting for five years. He was then engaged for the next three years in raising cotton in the South, after which he came to Jackson County. He then purchased what is now known as the Sterling Coal Company, in which business he is still engaged, and meeting with good success. On Dec. 27, 1881, he was married to Alice Sell, daughter of J. A. and Jane Sell, residents of Jackson County. They have one child—Gertrude E., born Dec. 26, 1882. His father is at present extensively engaged in the planing-mill business at Xenia.


J. A. Whetzel was born July 19, 1842, in Jackson County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob


646 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.


Whetzel, who is a second cousin of Lewis Whetzel, the well-known Indian hunter. He came to Jackson County, Ohio, in 1817, and is still living near Jackson, aged seventy-five years. His wife is still living, and is seventy-two years of age. Our subject at the age of thirteen went West with his parents, and remained about four years. He then returned and attended the public schools in the winter till he was twenty-one years old, when he attended the Ewington Academy three terms. He then enlisted in Company G-, Second West Virginia Cavalry, and participated in the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, and in the spring of 1865 moved to Petersburg and participated in the engagements there until Lee's surrender of March 31. At Dinwiddie C.-H. he was wounded in the thigh; was mustered out of the service July 12, 1865, at Washington. He then went to school and taught until the winter of 1867, when he was married to Miss S. C. Neal, daughter of Anderson and Levina Neal, of Gallia County, Ohio. They have seven children—Lucy B., Albert G., Dora L., Nellie G., Ada C., Mary E. and James A. Garfield. Mr. Whetzel has taught ten years, but is now engaged in farming and gardening, and owns seventy-eight acres.of fine land underlaid with a large vein of Jackson shaft coal. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is now living at Glen Roy, Jackson Co., Ohio.


J. H. Wilson, coal operator at ,Coalton, was born Dec. 10, 1835, in Pittsburg, Pa., a son of Robert and Rebecca (Holmes) Wilson. His boyhood was spent about the Coal Hill Coal Works, near Pittsburg, and in attending school till his sixteenth year, when his father engaged in the mill business at Murdocksville, Pa., and he attended the Murdocksville Academy and graduated in the spring of 1854. In the spring of 1855 the family moved to Jackson County, Ohio, and in the following fall our subject went to Pittsburg and graduated from the Commercial College of that place in the spring of 1856. He then entered the em ploy of J. D. Clare, at Cross Roads, Ohio, as bookkeeper and general clerk. After remaining with them three years he engaged in teaching, following that profession till 1864, when he was nominated for Sheriff and elected by a majority of 750. He served two years when he was re-elected by a majority of 900 votes, holding the office till his term expired. He then moved to his farm where he resided nearly twelve years, during which time he was engaged as general agent for the Wilson Sewing Machine Co. In 1878 he embarked in the mercantile business, and is also operating extensively in coal. Dec. 25, 1855, he was married to Martha J., daughter of Uriah and Sarah Titus, natives of Ohio. Seven children have been born to them, five of whom are living—Robert U.; Lede T., wife of William Darling; Sidney G. and Rachel (twins), the latter being deceased; John S.; Effie M., wife of William Pratt, and Eugene, who died at the age of ten years. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Town Council.


T. J. Williams was born Nov. 30, 1840, in Weston, Oneida Co., N. Y., a son of John T. and Elizabeth Williams, who came from Wales about 1830. He attended school in his native town till 1854, when he moved with his parents to Jackson County, Ohio, where he worked about furnaces in summer and attended school during the winter till he was twenty-one years old. He then enlisted in Company C, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, as a private, but was soon promoted to Corporal, Quartermaster-Sergeant, then to Second Lieutenant and then to First Lieutenant, which position he held till he was mustered out May 1, 1866, at New Orleans. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Vicksburg, siege of Corinth, Red River and a number of others. After the war he clerked in Portsmouth till Feb. 12, 1868, since which time he has been a partner in the Buckeye Furnace. He was married


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Jan.15, 1867, to Annie E., daughter of D. M. and Mary Davis, of Portsmouth. They have had six children—Grace, Elmer, Harlan, Bertha, Annie and Laura, who died in infancy. Mrs. Williams died Aug. 5, 1880, aged thirty-four years. Mr. Williams has been Clerk of the township for two years, Justice of the Peace one term, Trustee of township one year, and a member of the School Board a number of years. He is a Master Mason and belongs to Orphans' Friend Lodge, No. 275, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.


Adam Winfough, an old resident of Coal-ton, was born Nov. 5, 1821, in Ross County, Ohio, a son of Frederick and Mary (Adams) Winfough, the former of German and the latter of English descent. His father came to America before the Revolution and was a soldier in the war of 1812. The family came to Jackson County in 1823 and settled one and a half miles from what is now Coalton. Our subject was reared on a farm and received such an education as the schools of that day afforded. In 1862 he was appointed enrolling officer of Washington Township by the Marshal of Jackson County. He also acted as Deputy Sheriff two years while W. H. Wilson was Sheriff. In 1876–'77 he was operating in coal—supplying the surrounding country and shipping about twenty wagon loads per day. He lived on the home farm fill 1878 when he moved to Coalton where he was appointed Postmaster. In 1878 he engaged in the mercantile business which he followed about five. years. After selling out he began speculating in real estate, his present business. June 8, 1842, he was married to Matilda, daughter of Jacob and Mary Anthony. They had three children, one living —Nancy C., wife of David Nunnemaker. Those deceased are—Martha J., who was married to William Evans, died May 17, 1883, and an infant, Mr. Winfough has been a. member of the Methodist Episcopal church about forty years.


WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.


Washington Township was formed from Jackson and Lick townships in September, 1821. The original townships, as described in the petition, were bounded about as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of the Scioto Salt Reservation, running on the north line of the same to the southeast corner of section 7, Lick Township; thence northwest so as to include a coal bank in section 5, Lick Township; thence northwest so as to intersect with the old coal road at or near the top of a hill known by the name of Bunker's Hill, near the head of Mooney's Run, including all on said coal road; thence east to the range line between ranges 17 and 18 so as to include William Ray's place on section 7, Jackson Township; thence south with said range line to the place of beginning. These boundaries made the township about twice as large as at present. The township was afterward reduced to less than congressional size. The top row of sections of township 8, range 18, of which Washington Township is composed, being across the line in Vinton County, and so remained until the fall of 1882, when eight sections were taken off from the southern part to help form the new township of Coal. This leaves Washington only twenty-two townships, the smallest but one in the county, or 14,080 acres of land.


TOPOGRAPHY.


This is one of the rough townships of the county, being greatly diversified by small streams, and many of the hills are too rough for cultivation. A branch of Salt Creek passes through the township from southeast to northwest, having its exit very near the northwest corner of the township. The


648 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.


stream is sometimes designated as Pigeon Fork.


Although coal abounds in these hills and beneath the surface, no mining is done except for local use, the leading occupation being farming and grazing. But even in this the township does not excel, as only a small proportion of the land lies well enough to be cultivated successfully.


SCHOOLS.


The schools of this township are perhaps above the average in the county. There are eight schools and 480 pupils in the township. The average price paid to teachers is $40 a month. There is one graded school in the township at Ellsworth.


At the last Presidential election 307 votes were polled in the township. The first colored vote was that of David James in 1874.


The minerals of this township consist of several veins of coal in the hills, ranging from twenty-seven to thirty-eight inches in thickness; iron ore, red and block, and a strata of sand rock, which furnishes excellent building material. A coal shaft is being sunk on the farm of J. G. Ray, already over 150 feet deep, in search of the four-foot vein, but at last reports it had not been reached. The iron ore has been more extensively worked, but yet to a small extent compared with other localities in the county. On the farm of W. R. Hamilton, where a splendid quality of block ore abounds, the mining has recently been quite extensive.


ELLSWORTH.


Ellsworth is a small village of about 175 inhabitants, located in the northwest corner of the township, at the crossing of the C., W. & B. and T., C. & St. L. railroads. It was first laid out in 1869 by John Skully, and afterward added to by a plat made by Charles Rawlin. The village has two general stores, kept by. C. H. McCormick and W. W. Kennedy (the latter of whom officiates as Postmaster and railroad agent), a graded school and one church.


The Schools were graded in 1880, and T. Ray secured as Principal. A good school building was erected in 1880 at a cost of $1,000. There are about ninety pupils.


The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the spring of 1875 and the building put p the same year. The house cost about $800. The membership at the present time is about twenty-four. Pastor, Rev. Mr. Bell.


Finley Chapel, Methodist Episcopal, is situated on section 27. It was built in 1855, although the society had held meetings for some time in private houses and a schoolhouse. The building is peculiar for its shape, being hexagonal in form. Among the first members were the Forster families and the family of John Simmons. Membership about sixty; pastor, E. B. Finney.


Population in 1840 was 481; 1850, 756; 1860, 1,050; 1870, 1,133; 1880, 1,403. The valuation in 1882 was: Land, $165,371; personal property, $186,666; total, $352,037.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


James Forster, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1814. His father, James Forster, came from Ireland and was one of the first settlers of Southern Ohio, having come to Jefferson County in 1812, where he resided till 1848, when he died at the age of seventy-three years. Martha Forster, mother of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania. She died in 1862 aged seventy-seven years. Our subject has followed farming all his life and has 194 acres of good land, which is underlaid with the Wellston vein of coal. He was married Feb. 21, 1839, to Eliza Foster, by whom he had five children, of whom two are living—John, born June 17, 1845, living in Iowa, and Isabella, born Feb. 14, 1852, now Mrs. James Hamil-


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lin. Those deceased are-George, born Jan. 22, 1840, and died at the age of four years and four months; Elizabeth, born Jan. 22, 1843, died when sixteen months old; Martha J., born Aug. 18, 1848, and died Dec. 11, 1852. Mrs. Forster died July 27, 1853, and he was again married, March 30, 1854, to Nancy Pittenger, born Feb. 3, 1823. They have two children-William H., born April 2, 1855, and Jennie M., born Sept. 9, 1862, wife of J. H. Dixon.


Isaac Fry, son of George Fry, was born July 11, 1812, in Chillicothe, and at the age of sixteen years began to work on the Ohio Canal where he worked three years, since which time he has been variously engaged, such as making shoes, burning lime, working at the carpenter's trade and farming. Aug. 21, 1831, he was married to Hannah Wyatt. They have had a family of eleven children-Rachel, wife of Adam Like, was born July 24, 1832, and died April 11, 1872; Catharine, wife of Daniel Shepherd; Amanda, wife of Samuel Eisenawgle; George W.; Rebecca, wife of William Kruger; Andrew W., who was born Oct. 26, 1840, and died Oct. 3, 1842; Joseph W., William G., Isaac H., Thomas W. and James E. Our subject's parents on the one side were of German descent, and came from Pennsylvania to Ohio prior to the war of 1812. His father, George Fry, was a soldier of the war of 1812, under General Harrison. In the year 1816 he moved to McArthur, this being about the time the village was laid out. He died in 1847. On the other side they were of English descent, and came from North Carolina to Ohio in 1800 and settled in the western part of Vinton County. Her father, Joseph Wyatt, was born in North Carolina, in October, 1879, and died near Marengo, Iowa, Nov. 3, 1881, having lived under every administration. George W., son of our subject, was born Jan. 8, 1838. His early educational advantages were limited to usually three months in a year. At one time there was no school in the sub-district in which he resided and he applied for admission in an adjoining sub-district where the school was small, but was denied admission. He did not yield to disappointment, but went to an adjoining school and was admitted. The tuition for the three months was $2.30, and he had saved $2.25 from his meager earnings. He attended this school the next winter and his tuition was $2.25 and he had saved $2.30, so the remaining five cents was paid. These were some of the difficulties of obtaining a common-school education thirty years ago. He now owns the farm on which the first mentioned school-house stood, and where a new one now stands, and he is one of the local Directors. When not at school he worked on a farm. He received his first certificate in December, 1857, and taught school one term. In 1858-'59-'60 he attended the Jackson Academy, M. Gilinor being Principal. During the winters he taught school to get means to pay his way at the Academy. He was twice elected Clerk of Milton Township and was commissioned First Lieutenant of the militia by Governor Tod. He served as private the greater part of the last year of the war in Company K, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being mustered out at Augusta, Ga., Oct. 9, 1865. He then resumed teaching again. He was married March 8, 1866, to Minerva Phillips, and has one child-Charles, who was born Jan. 19, 1867. Mrs. Fry died April 25, 1868, After teaching in the public schools of his own county quite a while, he was elected Principal of the Hamden schools, and from there he took charge of the grammar school of McArthur, Prof. M. R. Barnes, Superintendent. In a short time he was elected Superintendent of the Zaleski public schools where he stayed three years, visiting the Centennial Exposition during the time. In 1872 be was appointed School Examiner of Jackson County and was re-appointed, but resigned before his time had expired.