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CHAPTER XXIII.
SENECA.
ORGANIZATION IN 1851 — SENECA AS A TOWNSHIP OF GUERNSEY COUNTY RICHLAND TOWNSHIP — REAL ESTATE OWNERS IN 1830 — PIONEER SETTLERS— TIMOTHY BATES — His MILL AND DISTILLERY — How THE DISTILLERY SERVED AS A MEETING - HOUSE — REMINISCENCES — KILLING BEARS—AN EARLY SCHOOL—HOW A WHEAT FIELD WAS HARVESTED BY MOONLIGHT — WOLF SCALPS — SCHOOL SECTION — FIRST STORE—SKETCHES OF THE PIONEERS— HUNTING AND GOING TO MILL — FIRST POST-OFFICES - ADVENTURES OF ABRAHAM RICH—FAMILY SKETCHES—MOUNT EPHRAIM — FIRST HOUSE, THE "MOSS TAVERN " — EARLY STORES AND INDUSTRIES — CHURCHES OF THE TOWNSHIP.
THE county commissioners, May 1, 1851, made the following order relative to this township:
" Seneca Township altered so as to include and be composed of the following territory, to wit : Commencing for the same at the southeast corner of section 36, in township number 8, range number 8 ; thence north along the seventh range line to the northeast corner of section 13 in said township and range ; thence west along section lines to the northwest corner of section 18 in said township and range ; thence south along the range line to the southwest corner of section 31, in said township and range to the place of beginning, containing 24 sections."
Seneca was one of the five original townships of Guernsey County, erected by act of the county commissioners, April 23, 1810. No description of its original boundaries can now be found, but it was doubtless very large in territory, including a considerable portion of the present counties of Noble and Guernsey. The township was not in existence many years, new ones being organized from its territory under various names. It does not appear on the tax duplicate for 1830, but afterward a township called Seneca was organized, which appears on the tax duplicate for 1843. Richland Township, Guernsey County, was erected July 9, 1810, and an election for two justices of the peace and other township officers was ordered to be held at the house of Samuel Leath, on Saturday, the 28th of the month. What the township originally included is not known, owing to the absence of any record. In 1830, Richland embraced township 8, in range 8, and parts of township 1, range 1, and township 1, range 2, of the military lands.
The owners of real estate in that portion of Richland Township now embraced in Seneca were as follows in 1830, as shown in the tax duplicate for that year :
Abraham Rich, section 30, 178 acres, value $230 ; same, section 31, 89 acres, $100, and 89 acres, $90 ;
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Julius Rucker, section 23, 157 acres, $214; Timothy Bates, section 24, 160 acres, $291; same, section 13, 80 acres, $146 ; Ephraim Bates, section 14, in acres, $106; John Casner, section 14, 79 acres, $100; Daniel Craft, section 30, 178 acres, $243 ; Thomas Campbell, section 24, 158 acres, $179 ; Moses Campbell, section 24, 79 acres, $80 ; George B. Craft, section 13, 80 acres, $100; David Craft, Sr., section 29, 79 acres, $80; Samuel Danford, section 25, 80 acres, $91 ; Hiram Danford (still living), section 25, 80 acres, $91; James Findley, section 18, 160 acres, $218; same, section 17, 320 acres, $437; James Harris, section 13, 160 acres, $291; David D. Jennings, section 31, 89 acres, $90 ; same, 89 acres, $90 ; George Keller, section 28, 158 acres, $179 ; John Kelly, section 21, 80 acres, $100 ; James Law, Jr., section 13, 80 acres, $146; John Mill-horn, section 14, 159 acres, $200 ; same, section 15, 79 acres, $98 ; Cable Murray, section 36, 80 acres, $100; Aaron Morris, section 32, 79 acres, $120 ; Jonathan Morris, section 21, 159 acres, $217 ; John Miley, section 21, 159 acres, $200 ; Henry. Morris, section 31, 89 acres, $90 ; Margaret Nicholson, section 25, 160 acres, $291 ; same, section 30, 162 acres, $221 ; George Secrest, section 19, 177 acres, $202; William Stranathan, Jr., section 13, 160 acres, $182 ; William Stranathan, Sr., section 25, 160 acres, $218; John Stevens, section 19, SS acres, $118 ; Joseph Torrence, section 13, 160 acres, $182 ; John Timony, section 20, 79 acres, $91 ; Jacob Thompson, section 17, 320 acres, $437 ; same, section 18, 176 acres, $200 ; Dennis Timony, section 20, 79 acres, $91; Jacob Thompson, section 16, 80 acres, $100; Aaron Vorhies, section 28, 158 acres, $180 ; Benjamin Wilson, section 13, 160 acres, $218.
One of the earliest settlers and most prominent men was Timothy Bates. He located in what is now Seneca Township about 1805, and was probably the earliest permanent settler of the township. His father, Ephraim Bates, and several of Timothy's brothers were pioneers in other parts of the county, and are elsewhere mentioned. Timothy Bates and his brother Isaac came from Captina Creek, near the Ohio River, as soon as they dared venture into the wilderness, on account of the Indians, and entered land on section 24. They were probably here with their families in the year mentioned. Timothy Bates was born in Pennsylvania in 1778, and from his earliest years was famihar with the scenes of pioneer life. He built a mill soon after he came, in what is now Wayne Township, which was among the earliest in the county. He also had a distillery and did a thriving business. He lived to see the country, which he entered when it was a wilderness, well peopled and prosperous, and departed this life June 15, 1869. His wife's maiden name was 'Ruth Moore, a native. of Pennsylvania. They reared a large family. The names of their children were Susan (Rucker), living; Polly (Rucker), living; Abigail (Stotts), deceased; Bethel, living ; Lovina (Danford),
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Luana (Kent), Barua, deceased ; Anna (Moore), living ; Ruth (Bowersock), deceased ; Timothy, living, and Lafayette, Elizabeth and Nancy (Hague), deceased. Timothy Bates, Sr., was an enterprising and successful business man, and by his industry accumulated a good property. In addition to farming, milling and distilling, he bought hogs, which he drove to Baltimore, making them swim across the Ohio River. He was a member of the Christian church and sometimes preached. His distillery was a large building, and in the loft among the whisky barrels, early religious meetings were held, the barrels of whisky serving in place of pews and pulpit. A strange place for divine services it would be in these days, but then the people saw no impropriety in bringing whisky and religion near together.
Hon. Bethel Bates, son of Timothy Bates, is one of the oldest native residents of Noble County. He was born March' 12, 1809, on the same section of land where he still resides, and was brought up in the then thinly settled country after the manner of the children of the early settlers, wearing buckskin breeches, his feet covered by moccasins in winter and bare in summer. In early life he assisted his father upon the farm and in the distillery. Since becoming of age he has followed farming and dealing in stock, and has been very successful in his various undertakings. In 1831 he married Mary Ann Meighen, daughter of John Meighen, an early settler who came from Fayette County, Pa., and lived and died in Seneca Township. They have reared twelve children : Abraham, Hugh, Rebecca, Harriet, Simeon, Lewis, Patrick, Herman, Rosaline, Luana, Susannah and Bethel. All are living except Lewis, who was killed by a boiler explosion in a saw-mill at Sarahsville, in the spring of 1886. Four of the sons were in the service in the late war— Abraham, Lewis, Patrick and Herman. The descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Bates are very numerous. They have 111 grand and great- grand children. Mr. Bates is well and favorably known throughout the county. He served as township treasurer and member of the school board many years. He was elected to the legislature in the fall of 1870 and served two winters. He was formerly a Whig and is now an earnest Republican.
When Bethel Bates was a boy he went with his father, his uncle Ephraim and Benjamin Farley, who had discovered some bears in a hollow tree and wished to secure them. Bethel was assigned to the duty Of holding a big dog by a strap while the others cut down the tree. The dog was very anxious to get away and when the tree fell the boy let him go. As soon as the tree fell a bear jumped out ; the dog attacked it, but the bear soon put an end to his annoyance, striking him a vigorous blow with his paw and knocking him over into a hollow. Ephraim Bates then shot the bear. By the time he had his gun reloaded another bear crawled out of the trunk of the tree
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and he also shot it. This took place near Mr. Bates' present home.
The earliest school-house in the Bates neighborhood was on the creek north of the present residence of Bethel Bates. James Tuttle was an early teacher there.
Timothy Bates' mill and distillery were visited by the early settlers for many miles around. The mill was in operation as early as 1815. People came twenty and thirty miles to get whisky from the distillery. The method of hauling it was to harness a horse between two poles, or "skids," one end of which rested on the ground. The barrel of 'Whisky was then rolled upon the poles, and held in place by wooden pins placed in auger-holes bored through the poles. This improvised vehicle was dignified by the name of ears.
To show the difference between then and now in 1830, 160 acres of land belonging to Timothy Bates had an assessed valuation of $291. In 1886, 305 acres belonging to Bethel Bates, in the same section, wore valued at $6,200; and thirty-six acres in an adjoining section of Marion Township, with the same owner, were valued at $1,020.
Daniel Meade and his wife Hannah were among the early settlers of the township. They were Methodists, and were opposed to whisky drinking. Temperance men were rare in those days. Meade resolved one year that he would have his wheat harvested without the aid of whisky. He therefore invited his friends to come on Monday morning and assist him in the work. Some of his neighbors, hearing of his intention, got together on Sunday night, and by the aid of whisky, and the light of the moon, harvested the entire field before morning.
In 1811 the commissioners of Guernsey County voted to allow $2 for every scalp of a wolf over six months old. Many of the pioneers derived considerable money from the killing of wolves.
March 6, 1815, William Thompson presented a petition from residents of township 8, range 8, for the election of trustees for the school section. The petition was granted, "there being twenty electors in said township. " This shows that the townships of Wayne and Seneca were considerably settled as early as 1815.
Prior to 1838 a small store was kept on Abraham Rich's farm by Abraham Brown. This was the first mercantile establishment in the township, and it was but a small affair.
Seneca Township abounds in good farms and comfortable homes. The land is well improved and productive. In 1870 the population was 982 ; in 1880, 1,004.
The State Road was cut out through this township by the Carpenters of Monroe County. Opossum Run was named by them from the fact that they killed an opossum on that stream.
Barnesville was the nearest trading point in early years. Later the people went to Cambridge and Washington to trade.
James Finley, a Pennsylvanian,
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was an early settler. He was an honest and worthy citizen. His grandson, Milton, lives on the old homestead.
An early school was taught in the house of Abraham Rich by Enoch Marpole. Levi Keller taught school when a young man on the west line of the township. On the present Craft farm was an early school-house. Another was built early on Opossum Run, in the present limits of Wayne Township. Enos Reinhart, Isaac Q. Morris, Moses Morris, Jeremiah De- bolt and James Mellon were early teachers.
There were several early horse- mills in the settlement. Abraham Rich and Jacob Thompson had sawmills early.
Jacob Thompson carne to the township about 1815. His children were Robert, John, Elijah, Abraham, Jacob, David, Polly (Frame) and Annie, wife of Abraham Rich. Jacob Thompson, Jr., settled and died in Seneca Township. The others lived in the vicinity.
Jonathan Morris, a pioneer of Seneca Township, was born in Greene County, Pa. He married Miss Ann Richards, and in the spring of 1817 settled in what is now Seneca Township. He was largely identified with the early history of that section, and for twelve years was a magistrate. lie had a family of seven sons and three daughters—Jonathan, Henry, Aaron, Moses, David, James, Isaac Q., Sarah (Moreland), Jane (Stevens) and Hannah (Moser), all of whom are dead except Isaac. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1816. He acquired the trade of a tailor, but afterward turned his attention to teaching. He married Miss Catherine Kackley. They had a family of seven children. Mr. Morris was appointed the first clerk of courts of Noble County, and was subsequently elected to the position, serving three years. He was engaged in merchandising for eighteen years. He served as justice of the peace for twenty-one years. For a time he was heavily engaged in the tobacco trade. He has been a busy and enterprising man and a valuable citizen.
Abraham Rich erected a frame house in 1826. It was then the only building of the kind for miles. It is still standing, and is now occupied by his widow.
Soon after Abraham Rich came into the township a fat hog belonging to him wandered from home, and in the evening, attracted by its squealing, he went out and found it in a ravine, with a part of its fore- shoulder eaten off, but still living. Near the hog stood a large black bear. Mr. Rich had no gun, but he approached near to the bear; the two looked steadily at each other ; then Mr. Rich moved off in one direction and the bear in another. The next morning he got the hog part way home, and the next evening, on going to the place, found the bear again. This time he was prepared for him, and as the bear was rearing to spring over a fallen tree, he shot him. 'The bear rolled over into a hole where a tree had been uprooted. Rich fired another shot, and on approaching found the bear dead.
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On another occasion, late in the fall, Mr. Rich tracked a bear into a hollow poplar tree, where the bear took up his quarters for the winter. Leaving the bear there till Christmas he went with. Levi Keller and John Rich to secure him. They cut the tree, the bear sprang out unexpectedly, and in their excitement all three fired at him without injuring him. Abraham Rich reloaded and fired a shot which injured the bear's back, and after a considerable fight the animal was killed.
The first postoffice (Batesville by name) was established at Timothy Bates' mill prior to 1830. There was a weekly mail carried between Barnesville and McConnelsville. The only paper taken in the vicinity of Mount Ephraim was the St. Clairsville Gazette, of which Levi Keller was a subscriber. He had a box nailed on a tree, into which the carrier dropped his paper. William Van Meter was the first postmaster at Mount Ephraim.
Jacob Thompson, James Finley and the Morrises were among the earliest settlers. There were several families located on Opossum Run at an early date.
Levi Keller, one of the few pioneers of Noble County who are still living, was born on Wheeling Creek, about ten miles from Wheeling, in 1795, on the 16th of September. At the age of five years he came to Ohio, his father, George Keller, settling in Belmont County. He learned the blacksmith's trade in that county, and in 1820 came to what is now Noble County and en- gaged in teaching school in Buffalo Township. In 1821 he erected a house on the Smoky Fork of Buffalo Creek, in Center Township. In 1827 he removed to the vicinity of Mount Ephraim, where he still lives. He has followed farming and blacksmithing. At the age of twenty he married, in Guernsey County, Elizabeth Shafer, a native of Loudoun County, Va., who is still living. Mr. Keller was the first clerk of Seneca Township, and has held other offices, including that of justice of the peace for six years. He reared a large family — Mary Ann (deceased), Dr. John Keller,* Jane (Vorhies) (dead), George, Isaac, William (died in the army at Cairo, Ill.), Margaret (Kackley), Caroline (deceased), Elizabeth, Levi, Simon (deceased).
Benjamin and John Keller, brothers of Levi, also settled in Noble County, the former in Seneca Township and the latter in Center. They removed to the West.
A glance at the township records of the school section shows that in 1819 William Morrison, James Finley and William Lowry were sworn into office as trustees of the school section in township 8 of range 8. The same records show the names of Archibald McVicker, 1820; Matthew Scott, 1821; Richard Coen, 1821; John Vorhies, 1822 (a brother of Ephraim and Aaron); Jonathan J. Morris, 1823; Jacob Thompson, 1825, and others. Some of those named resided in what is now Wayne Township.
*See medical chapter.
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In 1821 Matthew Scott, John Meighen, Richard Coen and Jonathan Morris were the lessees of the school section.
The Rich family are among the early and prominent families of the township. For their history the reader is referred to the family history in this chapter.
David Watson and family came from Fayette County, Pa., and settled in Noble County about 1810. Their children were Ann, James, John, Rebecca (Delaney), Sarah (Williams), Ann T. (Morris), Rachel (Yoho), Cynthia (Wilson), all of whom are deceased.
John, second son of David Watson, was born in Pennsylvania in 1791, and settled in Seneca Township with his parents. He married Ellen Yoho, and died in 1873. Children : David, Margaret (first married Wilson and then Yoho), Yoho, Rebecca (deceased), Mary, Rachel (Pethtel), Barbara (Rockdale) and Nancy (deceased).
David, oldest son of John Watson, was born in Seneca Township, August 15, 1815. In 1834 he married Charlotte Skinner, of Monroe County. Their children are John, Angelina, Emily J., Justus F., William, Clark M., George, Caroline, James R., Alonzo II. and Ulysses G. The family settled in 1852, on the farm which they now occupy. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Republicans. Justus F. Watson enlisted November 11, 1862, in Company D, Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, July 20, 1865, serving in the Atlanta campaign, the march to the sea, and all the campaigns of the regiment. Mrs. David Watson died in 1881, and in 1882 Mr. Watson married Mary E. Steward, and by this union has had three children, two of whom are living— Cora and Garfield B.
John V. Watson, a leading farmer, was born in Seneca Township, in 1836. In 1857 he married Jane Mosser. Children : Jane A. (Murphy), Martha A. and Savannah J.
Aaron Vorhies, the oldest son of John Vorhies, the pioneer of Wayne Township, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1791, and came to Ohio with his parents about 1805. He served in the War of 1812, and served in the quartermaster's department, and in 1814 married Polly Dailey, a native of Virginia. Their children were John, Phebe and. Eli, dead ; Stephen, Keziah (Hook), Aaron, Peter, Josiah, Nathan and William, living ; Polly, deceased. Mrs. Vorhies died in 1840 and in 1841 he married Polly hafer, who died in 1845. He afterward married Margaret Gordon, who bore four children: .Nancy J. (Matheney), Sarah E., Eliza and Martha (Shafer). Aaron Vorhies died in 1861; his widow in 1875. The family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Aaron Vorhies, fourth son of Aaron and Polly (Vorhies), was born April 24, 1827. He .remained at home until twenty-one years of _ age. He went to Iowa and remained a year, and in 1850 went with others to California, by way of the isthmus,
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there embarking in the first boat that -Commodbre Vanderbilt ran between the isthmus and the " Golden Gate." He returned to Ohio in 1854, and in 1856 was married to Miss Rebecca Salada. They had one child, Lily J., who died in infancy. Mrs. Vorhies (lied in 1860, and in 1862 Mr. Vorhies married Emily Miley. To them were born seven children, five of whom are living: Riley S., Annie, Mary Elizabeth, Joanna and Aaron D. The family belong to the Methodist church. Mr. Vorhies has been very successful as a farmer and stock-raiser and is one of the influential men of his township.
Stephen P. Vorhies, third son of Aaron Vorhies, was born in this township in 1822. In 1845 he married Jane Keller. Their children -living are Vincent, John W., Mary (Williams), Seth and Sadie M. Mrs. Vorhies died in 1878, and in 1879 he married Mary Yoh̊. Mr. Vorhies has lived in the county nearly all his life and has followed fanning.
Ephraim Vorhies, a brother of Aaron, was the first settler in the vicinity of Mount Ephraim and was the founder of the village, which was named after him, also a mound-shaped elevation near the town. His brother Aaron located about a mile northeast, on the farm which his son Aaron still occupies, about 1815. They were worthy men and good citizens.
Peter Vorhies, one of the prominent farmers of Center Township, was born on the old homestead in 1829; his early life was spent upon the farm. lie received a good common- school education and for some years was engaged in teaching; farming, however, has been his occupation. lie removed from Seneca to Center in 1870. He married, in 1851, Miss Mary, daughter of Rev. Jonathan Williams; they have two children: William L. and Elmer E. He is a Republican and a Methodist, and one of the board of Infirmary directors.
Prominent among the early settlers were the Finleys, from Fayette County, Pa. In 1814 James Finley entered nearly five hundred acres of land in this township. His grandson, Milton, now lives on the old homestead. He was the father of John, Eliza (Atwell), Jane (Riggs), Ebenezer, Rachel (Dennison); William, James, Mary A. (McCune), Rebecca (Sawyer), by his first wife. His second wife was Mary McKibben. He died in 1861 and she in 1879. John Finley, oldest son of James, was born in 1808. He married Emma Stout. Three of their children are living—Cynthia (Gregg), Milton and Elizabeth (Crossen). John Finley died in 1872. Milton Finley enlisted in 1864 in Company B, First Ohio Cavalry, and served until mustered out September 13, 1865.
Isaac Wilson settled in this township in 1818. His descendants still remain in the county, in Seneca and Center Townships.
Among the early settlers were the Coen family. William Coen came from Pennsylvania at a very early date and was one of the pioneer shoemakers of this region. His son William, born in Pennsylvania in 1797, was among the early settlers
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of Seneca Township. He married Elizabeth Brooks in 1818 and was the father of Wilham; James, Martha, Joshua, Rachel, Samuel, Mary (Miley), Richard, Benjamin, Elisha, Jacob and Sarah J. (Meighen). He afterward married Martha Johnson for his second wife, and was the father of Elizabeth (Miley), deceased, Nancy, Letitia, Rebecca (Snyder), and John, deceased. William Coen, the father, died in 1875.
George Secrest and family came from Frederick county, Va., about 1821. He entered land in section 19. His children were Joseph, Henry, Sarah (Gather), Annie (Salida), Spade and Mary (Cline). Henry Secrest, the second son, was born in Virginia in 1796, and came to Ohio when about twenty-four years of age. He died in May, 1882, and his wife in June, 1882. Their children were Henry, John, William, Elizabeth (deceased), Ann (Strong, deceased), Sarah (Laughlin), Eliza (Murphy), Amy (Moorehead), Catharine (Thomas), Maria (Steel), Rachel (Hellyer).
William Secrest, born in 1829, married Willeann Wood, a native of Pennsylvania, in 1851. Children : John H., Frederick, William, Catharine,. Sarah (Sawyer), Jacob N., Anna E. and James E. The family belong to the Christian and Methodist Episcopal churches. John C. Sawyer, of Wayne Township, married Sarah Secrest in 1880. They have two children.
David S. Craft is one of the few pioneers still living. He is one of the prominent and influential citizens of the township and has been an elder in the Christian church since 1840. Mr. Craft is of German descent, and was born in Redstone Township, Fayette County, Pa., January 8, 1802. His parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth Craft, were pioneers in that locality. In March, 1824, Mr. Craft came from Pennsylvania to the place where he now lives. The family were eight days upon the journey, which was attended with many hardships. The Ohio River was very high, and crossing it was attended with difficulty. Mr. Craft brought two cows, which swam the river. When he reached Leatherwood Creek with his one-horse carryall, he found the waters greatly swollen and it was difficult to keep the road. But with the assistance of a neighbor he was enabled to reach his new home in safety. After arriving at this location he had to prepare a place and erect a cabin. Mr. Craft now lives in the third house built on the same spot. He is the father of eleven children now living, all of whom are married—seven daughters and four sons. Six of them live in Noble County. Mr. Craft has a vivid recollection of early times, their hardships, labor and enjoyments. His wife died in 1882. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Beard.
The Ward family were among the earliest pioneers in the territory now forming Wayne Township. Edward Ward, son of John Ward, was born in that township in 1808, and is probably
the oldest native born citizen of Noble County now living.
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After the death of his father, in 1818, he went to Perry County, Ohio, where he remained live years, working as a tanner during a portion of the time. Returning home, he worked a while upon the National Road. In 1829 he married his first wife, Mary Morris. To them were born nine children--Sarah A. (Irvin), John, .Rebecca (Graham), William A., Betsey (Arnott), Mark, Mary J. (McCoy, dead), Harvey and Alice (Watson). The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and William A. is a preacher of that denomination. lie went from Wood County to the late war and served over four years, holding the rank of first lieutenant. Mark enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles at Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Atlanta, etc. Edward Ward has followed farming for many years. He is a very well- preserved man and writes a legible hand without the aid of glasses. _His first wife died, and he afterward married Mrs. Shafer.
John Miley was born in 1801, in Virginia. He came to Ohio in 1811 with Abraham Rich, and first resided in Buffalo Township. In 1828 he married. Elizabeth Kackley, a native of Virginia.. Eleven children were born of this union: Sarah A. (Keller), George, Jane (Larrick), Isaac, Emily (Vorhies), Hannah (Graham, deceased), Jeremiah, William K., Eliza (Craft), Mary E. (deceased), John F. Mr. Miley died in 1883. He was an unswerving Dem ocrat, a consistent Christian, and a most excellent man. He served as Infirmary director several terms. His widow lives on the old homestead with her son, William K. The latter was born in 1843. In 1876 he married Mary I. Rich. They have one child, Lettie.
Norman Miley was born in Wayne Township in 1839. He married, first, Elizabeth Coen, who died in 1879, Children: Florence S., Richard F., William H. and John Edgar. In 1880 he married Jane Stevens. Children : Bion H. and Martha. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
One of the oldest residents and best informed citizens of the township is Hiram Danford. lie was born in Belmont County in 1802, and settled in 1823 on the farm which he now occupies. He has the only stone house in the township. In 1820 he married Rachel Groves. Fourteen children were born of this union, all of whom lived to be men and women, except one, who died in infancy. Their names were William, Jonas, Samuel, Isaac and David (twins), Lewis, Nancy (Hathaway), Elizabeth (Lashley), Joseph, John B., Bathsheba (Hiatt), Peter and Rachel R. (Shepherd). Mrs. Danford died in 1865. In the same year he married Mrs. Danford (nee White), a native of Jefferson County. Mr. Danford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has served twenty years as township trustee.
When he came to the township, Mr. Danford bought eighty acres of land of Jacob Dailey. lie has since
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owned, all told, over one thousand acres. The story of one land entry is here given. Shortly after the War of 1812, when lie was fourteen years of age, he and his brother entered 160 acres of land. At that time there was a great scarcity of money, and in order to relieve those who had entered lands and had not been able to make the final payment, a law was passed through the instrumentality of General Harrison, to divide all tracts entered by a north and south line through the center, and permit the settler to take his choice of the two lots, and by paying fifty dollars in. addition to the first payment, secure title to eighty acres. A limited time was set for the payment, and in order to take advantage, Mr. Danford rode: from Washington Township (then Wayne Township), Belmont County, across swollen creeks, through the wilderness to Marietta. He was about a week on the trip, but reached Marietta in time to save the land. This tract he sold to Lemuel Rucker and it is now owned by Isaiah !tucker.
Isaac Danford was born in 1826. He married Lydia Hathaway, of Noble County. They had four children, two of whom are living—Sumter and Elijah S.
Benjamin Casner and family came from Randolph County, Va., in 1825, and settled on the place now owned by Jacob Yoho's heirs. He died in 1845, and his wife, Elizabeth, in 1843. Of the family of nine children, only one is now living in Noble County—Adam Casner. He was
born in Randolph County, Va., in 1805, and has lived in Ohio since he was twenty years of age. In 1831 he married Ann Rich. They had one child—Sarah A. (Coen), who lives in Indiana. His first wife died in 1832, and in 1841 he married Susan Meek. Their children were Elizabeth (Law) and Solomon (deceased). Mrs. Casner died in 1845, and in 1857 be married Elizabeth Carson. Four children were born of this union—Margaret (Richey), Almedia, Mary E. (deceased) and Benjamin. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Casner has served as township trustee several years. He followed Wagon-making in early years, and was also quite a noted hunter.
Abram Danford settled in 1826, near where Bethel Bates now lives. He bought eighty acres of Mr. Timothy Bates for $300, partly improved, and afterward entered eighty acres at government price. Mr. Danford was born in Belmont County in 1807. In 1829 he married Lavina Bates. To them were born eleven children, four of whom are deceased. Those living are Eli, Elizabeth (Roe), Luana (Groves), Isaiah, Ambrose, Nancy (Groves) and Bolen. Mr. Danford was elected commissioner of Guernsey County just prior to the erection of Noble County. Mrs. Danford died in 1884. Mr. Danford has always followed farming, and has been very successful. His grandson is the present county clerk. Rolen Danford was born in 1854. In 1876 he married Nancy Wilson. Children : Dora B.,
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Alice M., Henry A. Garfield, Stella J. and Blanche.
John Groves was born in Belmont County in 1811. In 1837 he settled in Noble County, on the place which he still occupies. Mr. Groves was married in 1831 to Matilda Smith. They had ten children: Marv, Samuel S., Lewis, Rosanna (Rucker), Smith, Jonas, Julius R. (present county commissioner), Eliza E. (Danford), John F. and Martha. Smith Groves was born in 1810. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served about two years and six months, and died in 'hospital at Vicksburg. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Groves bought forty acres \\lien he came to this county; lie now owns 160.
Hiram Groves, whose parents were early settlers, was born in and has followed farming. He married Amanda J. Carter, of Center Township. Mr. Groves is a Republican, and has served three terms as township assessor.
Josephus Groves was born in Seneca Township in 1838. In early life lie worked on the farm and taught school. In 1866 he married Mary E. Carter, of Center Township. Children : Hiram F., Zoe M., Irena l;. and Judson J. Mr. Groves is present township trustee. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Julius Groves was born in Seneca, Township in 1544. In 1566 he married Miss Nancy Danford, of this township. Their children are Ambrose F. (deceased), Isonia M., Rosa E. and Jasper R. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Groves was reelected in the fall of 1886, to serve a second term as county commissioner, and is the only commissioner for several years that has held the office two terms. He is an earnest Republican, and his continuance in office at this time is a sufficient proof of his popularity.
John C. Shafer was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1813, and came to Ohio with his parents. His father's name was Conrad. John C. married Mary Kennedy, of this county. He has followed blacksmithing and farming. Children : Ann M. (Nicholson), David L., Mary C. (Carter), Margaret J. (Beatty), Martha I. (Bates). David L. Shafer was born in 1845. In 1865 he married Martha Vorhies. Children : Charles F., John W., Margaret E., Hiram, George W., Mary, Bertha, Garfield and Nancy. Mr. Shafer is a prominent farmer. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
William W. Rhodes, who died in 1884, was an early settler, and a prominent citizen. He was born near Washington, D. C., in 1804; removed to Noble County from Belmont County in 1828, and soon after married Ann Rich. To them were born eleven children, five of whom are living—Jane (Secrest), George R., Lydia A. (Hellyer), William II. and Jeremiah R. His first wife died in 1546, and in 1848 he married Cynthia A. Morris. They
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had ten children, all still living, four of them in Noble County, viz.: Ann (Baker), Fremont, Brough and Downey. His wife died in 1882. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. For several terms he held the office of Infirmary director.
George R. Rhodes was born in Noble County in 1831. At the age of fifteen he went to live with Michael Tribby, to learn the shoemaker's trade, and remained with him until twenty-two. years of age. He then engaged in business for himself at Mount Ephraim, his present location. In 1855 lie married Leah Van Meter. Children : Tallitha C. (Hazard), Maggie (Hellyer), and Cleopatra. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Rhodes is a trustee. He is justice of the peace at Mount Ephraim.
Daniel Van Meter, a native of Virginia, married Margaret Dougherty, of Guernsey County. They had nine children. Mr. Van Meter died in 1833, and in 1846 the family settled in Mount Ephraim. Leah, wife of George R. Rhodes, Esq., is among the oldest residents of the place. The names of the children of Daniel and Margaret Van Meter are William, Jane (Hall), Hannah (Weaver), and Leah (Rhodes), living ; Andrew, Daniel, Isaac, Elizabeth, and John, dead. Mrs. Van Meter died in 1870. She was a worthy member of the Presbyterian church.
Conrad Shafer, a native of Loudoun County, Va., came to Guernsey County with his family at an early date, afterward removing to Noble County. His children were Elizabeth (Keller), George, Margaret (Needham), Samuel, William, John, Nelson, James and Mary (Brown). Conrad Shafer was a soldier in the War of 1812 for a short time. He died in 1861 and his wife in 1872. William, his third son, was born in Virginia and came to Ohio with his parents. In 1832 he married Isabel Vorhies. Children : Barbara, deceased, Aaron, James N., Mary (Spears), William J., Austin C., Eli, George, Isabel (Garrett), Frances (Bates), Zuinglius and Charles W. William J. Shafer, third son of William, was born near Mount Ephraim in 1842. In 1864 he became a member of Company H, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in the right leg at Chattanooga, November 24, 1864. After remaining four nights upon the battle-field he was taken prisoner, and recaptured by Federal troops. On being taken to the hospital at Nashville, his leg was amputated and in June following he was discharged from the service. After his return home he engaged in book-selling for a time. Then had to undergo a second amputation. The operation was performed by Dr. Holstein, of Zanesville, afterward Grant's family physician. He engaged in the mercantile business and is now the leading merchant at Mount Ephraim. In 1867 he married Jane Hance. Children: Clarence M., Demetrius, Agnes I., Nellie and Low.
Severn. Conner and family settled in Buffalo Township in 1835. They came from Frederick County, Va., near Winchester ; he was a blacksmith and farmer. The family be-
478 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
longed to the Methodist Protestant church. Names of the children : Thomas and Hannah, deceased ; Lydia (Moore), John, Elizabeth (Larrick), William B., Moses J., Mary (Imlay), Virginia (Roberts), James, Samuel, Lavina (Imlay), Eliza (Fowler) and Levi. Most of the children live in Iowa. Mrs. Conner died in 1853. Severn Conner died in 1867.
John Conner was born in Frederick County, Va., in 1823, came to Ohio with his parents and now resides in Seneca Township. IIe married Elizabeth McLaughlin in 1845. Children : Simon, Nancy and Asbury, deceased ; Martha (Dollison), William, George, Mary (Thompson), Emma (Brunner), Silas and Alice (twins), Christopher and McGuire. Mr. Conner is a Republican and a prominent and influential citizen. He is also a thorough temperance man. He has held several township offices and served as county commissioner one term. His son William enlisted in 1864 in time One hundred and Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war.
John Conner says of the pioneer experiences of the family : " When we came to this county we came in a wagon drawn by four horses, camping out at night. We forded nearly all the streams, and all came near being drowned while crossing the south branch of the Potomac. Our wagon floated down the stream for some distance with all of us in it except the driver. Arrived here, we built a cabin, hung a quilt before the door at night, slept on the floor and cooked in the yard by a log fire. The howling of wolves could be heard all around at night."
Daniel Riggs, born in Virginia, in 1813, came to the vicinity of Senecaville in 1833. He married Jane Finley. Seven of their children are living. Their descendants are quite numerous in this vicinity.
In 1840 Samuel Gibson and family came from Pennsylvania and settled on the farm now owned by James W. Gibson. Their children were Phebe A., deceased; Sarah J.(Barber), James W., Wesley, Mary E. (Turnbaugh), Margaret L. (Shaw), Samuel, Martha (Anderson) and Hannah (Lawhead), living. Mrs Gibson died in 1867; Mr. Gibson in 1878. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. James W. Gibson, born in 1834, came to Ohio with his parents. In 1855 he married Susan Finley. Children: Franklin E., deceased; George B., John T., Alice K. (Keller), Mary J. and Nellie II. The family are Methodists, Mr. Gibson has been township assessor several terms. He is a prominent farmer.
Samuel B. Gibson, son of Samuel Gibson, enlisted in Company B, First Ohio Cavalry, and served about nineteen months, being mustered out with the company at Columbus, Ohio, September 13, 1865.
Morris D. Spriggs was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1806, and came to Belmont County, Ohio, when twenty-four years of age. He was a tailor by trade, but afterward followed farming. He removed to Guernsey County, in 1844, and to Seneca Township the follow-
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ing year. He was one of the prominent citizens of the township. Mr. Spriggs is now a resident of Wayne County, Ill. He married Catharine Pool, and reared eight sons and two daughters. But two of the family are now living in Noble County—Dr. Spriggs, of Sarahsville, and David S., of Caldwell. Another son is a prominent attorney of Woodsfield.
MOUNT EPHRAIM.
Mount Ephraim, the only village in Seneca Township, is situated on the McConnelsville and Barnesville road—the earliest route of, travel through the township, and is a mile and a half north of the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati Railway. The village had a population of 167 in 1880, and of 162 in 1870.
The village was platted in 1838 for Ephraim Vorhies, proprietor. The first addition on the southwest was made soon after, and in 1841 lots 33 to 41 were added by the same proprietor.
The first house in the place was a double-log building, erected by Ephraim Vorhies, and occupied by him as a tavern stand. The house was known throughout the surrounding country as the "Moss Tavern," from the fact that the spaces between the logs were filled with moss, instead of mortar. The house is still standing and is now the residence of L. A. Garrett..
The second building. in the place was opened as a store in 1839 by Crawford Glover. He did not remain long, but was succeeded in the mercantile business by Asbury Gardiner, a minister of the Christian church, who increased the stock of goods and also helped to build up the church. He turned his attention to tobacco, and for several years did a flourishing business as a tobacco packer. Gardiner was succeeded in the store by Bradfield & Barnes. Bradshaw was a clerk. They did an extensive business in tobacco. John Harris, the grandfather of Ex-Judge Brown, managed the store for them. This firm sold out to Isaac Q. Morris, the first clerk of courts of Noble County, who continued the mercantile business and tobacco packing until the close of the war. Mr. Morris still occupies the building. About this time Henry Taylor engaged in the mercantile business and tobacco-dealing. He was succeeded by Herman Uhlrich until after the war, when financial stringency put an end to the business.
The first blacksmith was Levi Keller, still living, who located near the town in 1827. Joseph Davidson and Absalom Shirk were early blacksmiths in the village. The former is still living, in. Center Township. The first wagon-maker was Harvey Hunter.
An Englishman named Henry. Steel operated a tannery for about thirty years in the village, and was quite successful. The tannery has never since been in successful operation.
A man named Wright, a very early settler, was the first shoemaker. Next came Michael Tribby, succeeded by G. R. Rhodes, Esq.
480 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
The business men of Mount Ephraim at the beginning of the year were as follows: W. J. Sharer and C. C. Craft. merchants; Nelson Slut for. In )t ^or ; George Keller, blacksmith; John W. Williams, John Brokaw, wagon-makers; G. R. Blades. George W. Dalrymple, shoemakers; Dr. John Keller. Dr. M. H. Neville. physicians.
CHURCHES.
The churches of Seneca Township are the Christian and Methodist churches at Mount Ephraim ; the Coen Methodist Episcopal church, in the northern part of the township ; and the Bates Hill union church, the last free for all denominations except Mormons. It was erected in 1885. Services are regularly held by the Disciples and Methodists. Rev. William Danford is one of the officiating clergymen of the Methodist Episcopal persuasion.
Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Episcopal class at Mount Ephraim, was organized prior to 1831 and first met in school-houses and cabins. Among the early members were, Joseph Graham, class leader : Benjamin Keller, Aaron Vorhies. Adam Smith, Thomas Nicholson, Sr., Abraham Rich, George Shafer. Aaron Morris. John Rich, .James Beatty, Richard Coen. Abraham Miley. Irvin Kennedy (local preacher). Conrad Shafer, Henry Morris and Levi Lyons. A frame church was erected in 7844, on the site of the present. The new church, 38x40 feet, was erected in 18s0. at a cost of $1,800. The. present membership is 120. The present pastor is Rev. Hunter, of Sarahsville.
Bates Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1887, by Rev. William Danford. The original members were, J. H. Wilson and wife, H. Bates and wife, John Meighen and wife, and others; class- leaders, J. Meighen, F. E. Danford; stewards, J. H. Wilson and P. H. Danford; trustees, Isaac Danford, Eli Bates and Patrick Bates. The church edifice was erected in 1885 at a cost of $800. It was built for a union church, free to all denominations ; during the winter following its erection a revival of great interest took place, conducted by J. Meighen, and Rev. William Danford. After the close of the meetings a class was formed under the leadership of Mr. Meighen. In the autumn of 1886 the class was strengthened by the addition of the Glady society, and the church is now without connection with other appointments. It has a membership of fifty ; Sabbath-school, fifty-six pupils; pastor, Rev. Morris Floyd.
Mt. Ephraim Christian Church.-- The church of Christ, or Christian church, at Mount Ephraim, was partially organized in the fall of 1839, 1w John Burnett, evangelist, and Timothy Bates, a local preacher. In June, 1840, an organization was effected by George B. Craft and John Baird; Enos Rinehart and Levi Glover were the first elders. David S. Craft was ordained elder in 1840, and still holds that office. Among the original members were, Enos Rine-
PICTURE OF JACOB RICH
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hart, Levi Glover and their wives, Timothy Bates, Margaret Glover, Margaret Dobbins and many others. In 1842 a meeting-house of hewed logs, some 30x35 feet in dimensions, was erected. Ephraim Vorhies donated the lot for the church and graveyard. In 1879-80 the present church was built at a cost of about $1,500. It is a frame building 30x40 feet. The present membership is about thirty-seven. The pastors have been Revs. Asbury,. Gardiner, Charles Van Vorhies, John Flick, -- Harvey, John Moody, Joseph Thomas, Berkley Poulton, J. W. Arnold ; David S. Craft and John Wilson, are the present elders.
THE RICH FAMILY.
The Rich family are of German and Scotch extraction. Jacob Rich, the progenitor of the family in this country and the father of the pioneer Abraham Rich, was born in Germany and came to America with a brother about 1740, settling in Massachusetts, where the brothers separated never to meet again. Jacob removed to Greene County, Pa., and settled upon the farm, where he died. He was a successful man and acquired a well won competency. He married a Miss Craft. Their children were Thomas. George, Daniel, David, John, Abraham, Peter, Ann, and Catherine. Abraham was the youngest of the family and was born in Greene County, Pa., in 1792. When two years of age he was taken to Miami County, Ohio, with his brother's family. There he remained only a short time when he was taken by another brother back to Pennsylvania. His brother returned by way of Columbus and Zanesville, swimming the Muskingum River at the latter place, with Abraham upon his back. Where Zanesville now is there was then but one log cabin. In 1810 he came with his brother John to what is now Buffalo Township, Noble County, where he remained a short time and had many rough experiences. He was drafted in the War of 1812, but before reaching the seat of war, peace was declared. In 1813 he married Annie Thompson and settled in Seneca Township. By this union he was the father of ten children, five of whom are living—Jacob, William, Thomas, Abraham and Mehitable. His wife died in 1844; she was a member of the Presbyterian church. After her death he visited the place of his childhood in Miami County, Ohio, and in 1848 he married Mrs. Catharine Stevens (nee Johnston). Their children were Johnston,. Jessie, Louis and Catharine. Abraham Rich, Sr., was a hunter in early years. He was a successful farmer and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1873. His widow still lives upon the homestead. He entered in Seneca Township 160 acres of land, on sections 20 and 31, to which he added until he had 432 acres in this county and 276 acres in Guernsey County.
In many respects he was more than an ordinary man. He was of medium height, but possessed of an iron constitution and wonderful endurance; he was thought to be a man
482 - HISTORY OP NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
of excellent judgment and unspotted integrity. He was a peacemaker, and was consulted on all important matters. He was one of the early Methodists, and contributed liberally to religious and educational projects. He built saw-mills and instituted many substantial improvements, especially the opening and development of roads. He died in 1873 and was buried on the old farm. He had a family of ten children: James, Ann, Rebecca, Jacob, William, Mary, Thomas, Abraham, Mehit able and Elvira A. The latter died in infancy. Jacob, the oldest son of Abraham Rich now living, was born in a log cabin in Seneca Township in 1824. Early in life he was inured to all the privations and hardships of pioneer life.
After the death of his mother he was the eldest of the children, and the care of the family devolved upon him. In this school of toil and hardship he was reared. At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Jane, daughter of Abraham Miley, one of the pioneers of this township. His children are Mary I. (Miley), William H., Rachel (Talbott), and Abra ham M. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Rich has been class-leader for forty years.
Mr. Rich commenced upon 120 acres, which is a part of his present farm. The land was only slightly improved, all of which he was in debt for. To this he added from time to time until he was the owner of 600 acres of valuable land. In 1862-3 he made an extended trip to the far West, visiting Nebraska, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington Territory, Idaho, Montana, British America and California. He traveled over 3,000 miles and had some lively adventures. On one occasion he was captured by Indians, and came near losing his life. On the Borsha River his boat was capsized, and by his presence of mind and courage he rescued some of the party that otherwise would have been lost. He had a similar experience on the Platt River, where he again came near losing his wife. The culmination of his misfortunes was a shipwreck on. the Pacific Ocean. lie is a Republican in politics, and one of the representative men of Seneca Township.