PREFACE
THE importance of placing in book form biographical history of representative citizens- both for
its immediate worth and for its value to coming generations—is admitted by all thinking people ;
and within the past decade there has been a growing interest in this commendable means of
perpetuating biography and family genealogy.
That the public is entitled to the privileges afforded by a work of this nature needs no assertion at
our hands ; for one of our greatest Americans has said that the history of any country resolves
itself into the biographies of its stout, earnest and representative citizens. This medium, then,
serves more than a single purpose: while it perpetuates biography and family genealogy, it
records history, much of which would be preserved in no other way.
Many of the prominent families of Harrison and Carroll were settlers in this region long before
these counties were formed. Ohio was included in the "Northwest Territory" until May 7, 1800,
when it was erected into a separate Territory, and by act of Congress passed April 30, 1802, it
became a State. From the counties of Washington and Jefferson. Harrison and Carroll claim their
descent. Washington, which was the parent county—having been established by proclamation of
Gov. St. Clair July 27, 1788—included all Eastern Ohio, its western boundary being the Scioto
River, on the south, and the Cuyahoga River, on the north. Jefferson County, taken from
Washington, was established by proclamation July 29, 1797.
HARRISON COUNTY, named after Gen. William H. Harrison, was formed February 1, 1813,
from Jefferson and Tuscarawas, the latter having been erected March 15, 1808, from
Muskingum, which was established March 1, 1804, from Washington and Fairfield. CARROLL
COUNTY, named in honor of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Md., the last surviving signer of the
Declaration of Independence, was formed January 1, 1833, from Columbiana, (erected May 1,
1803, from Jefferson and Washington), Stark (which became a separate county January 1, 1809),
Tuscarawas, Harrison and Jefferson.
In presenting the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD to its patrons, the
publishers have to acknowledge, with gratitude, the encouragement and support their enterprise
has received, and the willing assistance rendered in enabling them to surmount the many
unforeseen obstacles to be met with in the production of a work of this character. In nearly every
instance the material composing the sketches was gathered from those immediately interested,
and then submitted in type-written form for correction and revision. The volume, which is one of
generous amplitude, is placed in the hands of the public with the belief that it will be found to be
a valuable acquisition to the library.
THE PUBLISHERS.
