PAINT TOWNSHIP. Paint Township, which takes its name from the creek that forms its eastern boundary, was organized contemporary with the formation of the county. Its soil is rich, and cannot be exhausted, being fertilized by the various tributaries of Paint Creek. It is bounded on the north by Madison County, on the east by Madison and Marion townships, and on the south and west by Union and Jefferson townships, respectively. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. The first settler was George Coil, a man of enterprise, who came in the younger days of this century, and built a cabin immediately after his arrival, and began clearing up a corn patch. The writer has been unable to obtain the data for an extended biography of this man, consequently the mere mention of his name must suffice. William Hays emigrated from Kentucky to this state, in 1803, and settled on Big Walnut, where he remained till 1805, when he removed to this township and settled on part of survey 1063, on the bank of Paint Creek, with his father, James, and the family, consisting of David, John, james, jr., Rankin, Benjamin, Jane, Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Sarah. William and John served as privates in Captain McElwain's militia company, belonging to Colonel Harper's command, which was ordered out to Fort Sandusky, where they assembled and built the fort. At the close of the war, they returned home and worked on the farm. Solomon Salmon, a native of Delaware, 'removed to this state with his wife and one child—a boy—at a very early day. In the year 1805, he came to Paint Township, and settled on a portion of the land now owned by his son, Perry, and across the creek to the rear of the latter's residence. Perry Salmon has in his possession, the military patent for four 971 972 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. hundred acres, granted to Solomon Salmon, assignee of John McClain, assignee of Benjamin Parker, assignee of William Johnston, assignee of Samuel Kercheval, assignee of Thomas Jenkins, only living representative of Joshua Jenkins, a sergeant in the revolutionary war. The date of the survey of said tract, was many years prior to the signing of the instrument by James Monroe, March 26, 1819—a number of years after possession was taken by Salmon. Perry, a relative of Solomon Salmon, accompanied him, and settled on land now owned by Gideon Vezay. The old cabin in which he lived still stands, but at present is unoccupied. In and after 1805, there was a constant tide of immigration to this township, some of the most prominent being the following : Solomon Sowers, who built the first mill in Paint Township; Samuel Robbins, a pioneer school teacher and justice of the peace; Jacob Pursely, the first blacksmith ; John Oliver, the first carpenter ; Joseph Parris, a participant in the war of 1812, and also in the revolutionary war ; Leonard Parris, who was in the war of 1812, and was by occupation a hunter, farmer, and stock raiser ; Jeremiah Smith, another brave soldier in the war of 1812, and a host of others, whose names are not ascertainable. Nathaniel Tway, was born in Clermont County, this state, and his father, John Tway, was a native of New Jersey. The former served three years and six months, having volunteered. At the battle of Brandywine, a ball from the enemy's ranks was lodged in the heel of his foot, but otherwise he was unhurt. He came to this county in 1810, and worked for various farmers by the day. Two years later his father came, accompanied by the family, and located in this township, near the Madison County line, on the present Simeon Wisler farm—on leased land. Nathaniel afterwards purchased land of the Funks, the title to which not being clear, however, he never came into possession. William Squire was born in New Jersey, within eighteen miles of New York City,. in August, 1756. During the war of the Revolution, when but eighteen years old, he enlisted as a private in his uncle's company, and served with credit. Ile married Miss Sarah Caldwell, and with her removed to Pennsylvania. In 1816, the family, which had been increased, by the birth of four children, immigrated to Ohio, remained in Ross County six weeks, then came to this county, and located on David Allen's place, where they remained a short time, then purchased two hundred and fifty acres PAINT TOWNSHIP - 973 of land of Col. Stewart, at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and removed there. The farm is at present in the possession of Nathaniel Squire, and consisted originally of prairie land in part. East of them a settlement had been made by Henry Kite, on a farm now owned by Jackson Hays. In the same neighborhood lived Oliver Kile, James Allen, William Devilin, who lived on the site of the new school house, and on the Martin Judy farm lived Isaac Dunham. There were several settlements on the road leading through Bloomingburg; one Lambert lived on the site of the village graveyard, and Isaac Boner on the lot now occupied by J. M. Edwards. Col Stewart owned about seven hundred acres of land in the neighborhood of Bloomingburg. An extended biography of Col. James Stewart will be found in the outlined history of the county, but, inasmuch as he was an early and prominent resident of this township, and because a number of his relatives yet survive him, the following facts are deemed worthy of publication. His parents resided in Philadelphia during the war of the Revolution, moved to the interior of the state soon after its close, and thence to Washington County, Maryland. He was born near Hagerstown, September 29, 1786, where he remained until 1804, when, under a keen sense of the sinful and demoralizing influence of human bondage, his parents determined to move from Maryland, and therefore purchased a tract of land, of eight hundred acres, known as the Lucas survey, on which was located the town of old Chillicothe, now Frankfort, with a view to an early settlement upon it. In December, 1807, at the age of twenty-one years, James came to Ohio to reside, and was followed, February 1809, by his father and the rest of the family. Soon after, he purchased the two hundred acres of land, then in Ross County, which subsequently was cut off to form a part of Fayette, the home of his early manhood, on which he resided until his death. The commissioners of the new county held their first meeting in his cabin, in the spring of 1810, then an isolated place, before any settlement was made in Bloomingburg, or a county seat established. In 1812, he was elected colonel of the Fayette County regiment, in the third brigade of the Ohio militia, a time when all must be united for the protection of their homes He was married, in 1811, to Jane, daughter of William Robin- 974 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. son, of Ross County, one of the pioneers of the state. He soon after united with the Presbyterian Church, at South Salem, took an active part in the organization of the Presbyterian Church, at Washington, and was an original and lifelong member of the Bloomingburg Presbyterian Church. He was not surpassed in the community, in his administrative abilities, high Christian character, energy, and liberality. On all questions of public interest, his convictions were formed by careful study, firm and unyielding integrity, but always supported with magnanimity and generosity. He left two thousand dollars which was the germ of the Academy, and like his other benefactions, was made with a view to future growth. He devoted much of his time in surveying, and assisted in locating the original boundaries of the township. He died, May 30, 1862. His wife died, February 8, 1865. The union was blessed with ten children : Hugh, K., born November 10, 1812, died September 23, 1834 ; William R. born March 2, 1815, died August 26, 1821; Jane C., born June 8, 1817, married to Rev. C. A. Hoyt, November 15, 1838, died at Jacksonville, Florida, in the fall of 1873; George, born December 19, 1819, married Jane Gillespie, November 6, 1839, and is living on a portion of the old homestead, near Bloomingburg; Margaret, born December 23, 1821, died June 12,1824 ; James S., born March 2, 1825, died March 13, 1843; Mary E., born July 2, 1827, died in infancy ; Robert, born July 12, 1829, died August 1, 1829; Archibald, born April 3, 1831, died March 16, 1833 ; Nathan L., born August 8, 1833, is now living in Texas. INCIDENTS, ETC. Prior to, and for some time after, the organization of the county, the unbroken forests of Paint were inhabited by the untutored sons of the forests and plains. They were generally inclined to be peaceable, unless offended 'by some real or imaginary cause, when their savage nature became fully aroused. A white man, named Wolf, shot and killed an Indian at Chillicothe, which maddened his dusky companions, and caused great consternation among the whites. Because of the threatening attitude assumed by the savages in this locality, the white inhabitants became alarmed, and PAINT TOWNSHIP - 975 hastened to Chillicothe for protection. Solomon Salmon, however, refused to fly, but upon the approach of the enemy, simply retired to the adjoining woods. The Indians prowled about the house for some time, then disappeared, and Salmon returned to his cabin, congratulating himself on. his narrow escape. The wife of Judge Joseph Gillespie, brought with her the first colored woman ever seen in this county. She carne from the State of New York, by wagon, in 1817, and was called Ruth Platt, and is still living with the family of William Ustick, of Washington. It is said that one of the most outrageous deeds performed by the notorious Funks, was the capturing of a wolf, removing his hide, and allowing him to run at large. Mr. J. M. Edwards, a prominent resident of Bloomingburg, has in his possession an old Bible which is printed in small pica type, and inherited from his mother's family. The book is eighteen inches long, eleven inches wide, and four inches thick. It is known as the " Brown Bible," published in England. On each page are valuable commentaries, printed in small type. It contains a family register, is copiously illustrated, and has been in the hands of Mr. Edwards and his ancestry for more than one hundred years. It need scarcely he stated that whisky was an indispensible article in every pioneer household, and a single incident will illustrate its health-restoring qualities : Perry Salmon accompanied his brother-in-law to Springfield, to have some grain converted into meal. People had flocked thither from far and near, on a similar errand, thus compelling our friends to wait for their turn for several days. The brother-in-law became sick because he was compelled to subsist without the use of coffee as a beverage, and Perry, in the meantime, in order to change a five-dollar bill, purchased twelve and one-half cent's worth of whisky, which he gave to his sick companion, who, strange as it may appear, recovered instantly. EDUCATIONAL. The pioneer, in attempting to furnish his children with even an ordinary education, realized that he had a herculean task before him. The common school system was then utterly unknown ; 976 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. good teachers were difficult to obtain, hence the educational facilities were very few. Not until some years after the county was organized, were there any established schools. Samuel Robbins is mentioned as the first teacher, but aside from the fact that he was a very useful man of that day, little is remembered of him. On the Midway and Bloomingburg road, east of the present school house, a small log cabin was erected, in about 1815, for school purposes, the first instructor being one Greenley. In about 1820, Thomas Fullerton, father of George S. Fullerton, taught in an antiquated building on the Sultzer farm. In about 1817, those living in the vicinity, hewed the necessary logs, and erected a neat log cabin on the corner of Abraham Kirby's land, and a school was commenced immediately thereafter. One Terwilliger was the first pedagogue, the wife of Nathaniel Squier being one of the scholars. Robert Burnet was the next teacher, who, like his predecessor, received a compensation of two dollars per scholar, and " boarded round." The cabin was removed to another part of the neighborhood. Some of the logs are yet pointed out to the passer-by. In the year 1853, the township was divided into eight districts, while the board of education was composed of the following named persons : District No. 1, Samuel Myers; No. 2, James Larrimore; No. 3, Perry Salmon; No. 4, John Tway ; No. 5, A. F. Parrott; No. 6, John Flood; No. 7, John Carle; No. 8, Hamilton Green. On the 14th of May, of the same year, the board met, and resolved, by a unanimous vote, to purchase sites, and build school houses for each and every district, and to levy for the purpose a sum not less than three thousand eight hundred, nor more than four thousand dollars. It was also resolved, without a dissenting vote, to levy a tax of four hundred dollars, over and above the state school fund, for the purpose of sustaining the schools seven months within the year. The local directors of the various districts were authorized to dispose of the old buildings to the best advantage. At a subsequent session, it was determined to pay each district five hundred dollars, for building purposes. April 16, 1855. On petition from fifty-five young ladies, praying for the exclusion of tobacco from the school rooms of the township, it was ordered that the use of tobacco be, on all occasions, excluded from all the school houses of the township. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 977 From a report of the enumerator, we learn that there were, in 1855, 439 white youth—225 males, 214 females—between the ages of five and twenty-one; colored youth, 9 males, 1 female; grand total, 449. CHURCHES. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Inasmuch as the Bloomingburg Presbyterian Church is, with a single exception, the pioneer Presbyterian Church of the county, it is deemed essential that a very extended history of the same be given. In this connection, it is proper to state that most of the data were gleaned from a centennial sermon, delivered to the congregation by Rev. Edward Cooper, D. D., the third pastor. The church was organized on the 22d of November, 1817, being constituted with twenty-six members, and four ruling elders, all since deceased. The first public services were held in the small barns and cabins throughout the neighborhood, one of the itinerant preachers, who sometimes labored here, being Rev. Dyer Burgess. In a letter to Rev. Cooper, in the fall of 1867, he says: "I distinctly remember my visits to Bloomingburg, and the pleasant meetings, largely attended, in Colonel Stewart's barn. In January, 1817, they had invited Rev. William Dickey to preach for them, when I was in the habit of making missionary tours to that settlement; and afterward I visited Bloomingburg frequently, enjoying the Christian fellowship of Brother Dickey, and the members of the congregation." The first session consisted of William Dickey, moderator, Colonel James Stewart, Judge James Menary, Robert Robinson, and Elijah Allen, all earnest men, of high natural endowments. The first sacramental meeting ever held in this neighborhood, was in the barn of Colonel Stewart, which stood nearly opposite the academy. Rev. William Dickey, widely and affectionately remembered as "Father Dickey," was called to the united pastorate of the church at Washington C. H. and the newly organized church here, and preached his first sermon on the 22d of November, 1817, when con- 978 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. stituting the church, from the words: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." In the following December, he brought his family from Kentucky to Washington C. II., where he resided three years; then, having decided to remove to Bloomingburg, a sufficient force of men and teams were sent for him, bringing, also, the log cabin in which he resided, which was placed about half a mile southwest from the present church, surrounded by a dense hazel thicket. A log church was built soon after, on ground now included in the cemetery. It was no small enterprise to build such a structure at that period. The sum of sixty dollars was obtained from friends at Bloomingburg, New York, and vicinity, through the personal solicitation of the late Matthew Gillespie, who visited his ancestral home for this purpose. The session was enlarged, in 1821, by the ordination, as ruling elders, of J. S. Gillespie, John McCormick, Isaac Templin, and William Claybaugh. Among the accessions of .1823, was one called to the ministry—Rev. H. S. Fullerton—whose labors are well known, and gratefully remembered. He was born February 6,1805, at Greencastle, Pennsylvania, being the second son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stewart) Fullerton, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Chillicothe, April 8, 1830. In October, of the same year, he was married to Miss Dorothy B., daughter of Rev. William Bois, and in 1831 was installed in his first charge. He was called to the First Church at Chillicothe, where he labored till 1839, then became pastor of the church at South Salem. His appointments extended over a wide range of country, keeping up meetings in farm houses, barns, school houses, and groves, occupying more than seventy places. He continued for thirty years, and at his death left two sons in the ministry. In 1824, Mr. Dickey severed his connection with the church at Washington, and was installed in this pastorate exclusively, though devoting one-fourth of his time to missionary labors in destitute regions, often visiting the Indian settlements as an evangelist. In 1830, one hundred and four were added to the church, of which two became ministers. The only female missionary from this church, was among these conversions, Miss Martha Fullerton, who labored among the Iowa and Sac Indians, in northern Kansas, then the Territory of Nebraska. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 979 In the following year, forty-two were added to the church, and Moses Stitt and William A. Ustick were chosen elders. In 1831-'32, a Presbyterian campmeeting was held near the northern line of this county, at which Rev. Daniel Baker preached very successfully. Among the additions of 1844, was Robert S. Fullerton, who consecrated himself to the ministry, and began work at once. After finishing his course of study, he made arrangements to engage in the missionary work at India. He, in 1850, married Martha White, and in February, 1851, they reached Futtegurgh, their field of labor, began studying the native language, and at the same time instructed a class of native Christian boys. Three months later, he was placed in charge of the station at Mynpoorlive, forty miles from Futtugurgh, on the way to Agra, the capital of the Northwest Provinces, where he remained nine months, and began to preach. He and his wife Were next sent to Agra, to commence a school for Eurasions, as those of mixed blood were called. Here he taught and preached for six years, and after the Indian mutiny, which broke up the mission schools and scattered the native Christians, was sent to Futtugurgh. While the country was so unsettled that there could be no preaching in the bazaars and villages, he studied the language, taught the native Christians, and preached and taught as opportunity afforded. When peace was restored he again commenced the high schools at Farrukhabad, and soon had the gratification of teaching three hundred young men. He organized a church in an upper room, which has since been abandoned for a neat edifice, the membership having increased. The herculean task which he had imposed on himself proved too much, even. for his robust frame, and his health gave way. He was then transferred to Dehra, but did not rest, for his health becoming more impaired, he felt that his time was short, and was anxious to work while it lasted. By the advice of his physician he contemplated a visit to his native country, but deferred his arrangements under the pressing claims upon him for labor, until his disease required a special surgical operation, from the effects of which he died; his last words being: "I would not exchange this bed of death for crowns and kingdoms." In 1851, the increasing bodily infirmities of Father Dickey, induced the church to employ the Rev. R. W. Wilson as co-pastor, and as father and son, did the two work harmoniously together. 980 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. William Pinkerton and Thomas Larrimer were ordained ruling elders in 1846, and James Stitt and D. E. Bois were, in 1859, elected to the same position. In this year Father Dickey was called to a home beyond the skies, after a pastorate of forty years. In 1859, Dr. H. C. Stewart, Alexander Menary, and Joseph Pinkerton, were chosen and ordained elders. In the fall of 1865 the church was bereaved a second time, in the removal by death of Rev. R. W. Wilson, their beloved pastor for fourteen years. The total membership on the 2d of July, 1875, was nine hundred and sixty-eight. There had been five pastors and nineteen ruling elders. Twelve ministers had been sent out, three of whom labored in the foreign missionary work. In 1830 the old log house of worship gave way to a brick of larger dimensions, on the ground where the present edifice stands. It was often assaulted by whisky and slave power mobs, and discussions which brought people from a long distance were held in it. The present house, a substantial frame, was erected where the brick stood, and in 1871 was reconstructed and refurnished. The pastors have been in order as follows : Rev. William Dickey, Robert W. Wilson, Edward Cooper, John Woods, Clark Kendall, John Moore, and Rev. Kruge, the present incumbent. The Sabbath-school was organized in 1818, and has continued to this day without interruption. The ministers furnished by the church were all scholars in this school : Daniel Gilmore, James S. Fullerton, Wright McCormick, Samuel Gillespie, J. Cushman, George H. Fullerton, H. S. Fullerton, J. M. Gillespie, H. S. Ustick, James Gibson, I. N. Taylor, and Rev. Charles Taylor, now in Minnesota. The average yearly attendance has been about ninety teachers and scholars. Elder D. E. Bois has been' superintendent for the past thirty years. Inasmuch as Rev. William Dickey, was so intimately connected with the religious history of this county and township, we insert in this connection a sketch of his life. William Dickey was born December 6, 1774, in York District, South Carolina, and died December 5, 1857, aged eighty-three years, lacking one day—his birthday being the day of his burial. His mother died when he was but two years old, and at the age of five he had to fly before Cornwalls' army, which was encamped on his father's farm. Robert Dickey, his father, was a soldier in the revolution, and removed to Kentucky at its close. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 981 William, when grown to manhood, obtained an education at Nashville, Tennessee, and was licensed to preach on the 5th of October, 1802, by the Presbytery of Transylvania, at Springhill. Soon after, he was elected a member of the General Assembly which met in Philadelphia, going thither in a plain suit of homespun, and making an odd appearance among the broadcloth parsons there assembled. Divine services were held every night, and one evening one of the aristocratic preachers suggested that Brother Dickey had not preached yet; which provoked a general smile, for little was expected of the plainly attired backwoodsman. However, he consented, preached to a large congregation, surprised and gratified all present, and moved many to tears. It is related that while in attendance at this session, he placed his straw hat on the window sill of the church, the window being raised, a current of air blew it out into the adjoining yard, where it was perceived by a cow and devoured. Upon learning of his misfortune, the people of the city, who had taken a great liking to the backwoods preacher, presented him with a fur hat, and also with a fine suit of black broadcloth. He came to this county, prior to its organization, and became pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Washington, residing in a cabin erected by its members. About this time he purchased sixteen acres of land near Washington, of Mr. Walker of Chillicothe. As the day of payment came, he realized that he could not fulfill his obligation, and wrote Mr. Walker to take back the land. To his great surprise, the return mail brought him a deed for the property. Prior to his death he sold the same for two thousand dollars, which enabled him to purchase one hundred acres near Bloomingburg, where he spent his declining years, leaving the land to his children. November 22, 1817, he organized a small church at Bloomingburg, where he preached part of the time. Shortly after, at the earnest solicitation of the church at Bloomingburg, he abandoned his charge at Washington, and came to Bloomingburg where he preached forty years. He lived to bury all his father's family, and at last came to his grave at a ripe age, spending his latest breath in commending to his hearers the blessed Master whom he had served. The history of his labors is written in the characters, and in the hearts of the entire community. 982 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. UNION CHAPEL. The citizens of the Salmon neighborhood, in about the year 1835, organized a Methodist Episcopal society in the school house. A revival meeting was held by Rev. Wolf, which was largely attended, great interest being manifested. In about 1840, a frame structure was erected by the people, and called Union Chapel. It was generally occupied by the Methodists ; however, a Newlight minister named Lewis Green, occasionally held meetings there. He was a brother of Hamilton Green, and a zealous worker. Rev. Armstrong was one of the first Methodist ministers. The society has never been very strong, and the organization proper, has ceased to exist, though meetings are still held every alternate Sabbath. THE OLD SCHOOL BAPTISTS. The Old School Baptists, in the above neighborhood, formerly met in the various dwelling houses, then erected a small frame structure on the Bloomingburg and Midway pike. This society has long since ceased to exist. BAPTIST CHURCH. In 1821, Elder William Sutton and Chandler Tuttle, a licensed minister, preached at the house of Joel Wood, on Paint Creek, and afterwards at the cabin of John Rankin, on the east fork of Paint, and at various places in the vicinity. A religious revival followed, and many persons joined the Caesar's Creek Church, in Greene County, where they remained till 1822, at which time the following persons were dismissed from the church, for the purpose of forming a separate organization : John Rankin and wife, William Rankin, John Paul and wife, Sarah Morris, Sarah Wood, Gilbert Hurley and wife ; these were regularly constituted a church by William Sutton, Joseph Morris and Chandler Tuttle, at the house of Joel Wood, and adopted the name of " The Regular Baptist Church of Christ," on the east fork of Paint. Services were held in that neighborhood until 1846, when a house of worship, sixty feet long, forty feet wide and fourteen feet high, was erected PAINT TOWNSHIP - 983 at Bloomingburg, and was called the "First Regular Baptist Church," of Bloomingburg. Elder Chandler Tuttle was the first pastor, and continued in that capacity till his death, April 14, 1863, after which the church gradually went down. SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. Bloomingburg Lodge F. and A. M. was organized, under dispensation, September 30, 1870. The first stated meeting was held on the 7th clay of October, 1870, there being at that time but ten members, who built for the use of the lodge a small, but neat room over the store room occupied by A. B. Elliott, on the northwest corner of Main and Cross streets. The lodge was duly constituted, December 23c1 of the same year, under a charter from the M. W. Grand Lodge of Ohio, the hall dedicated, and the following officers regularly installed at the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mills Gardner acting as M. W. G. Master, C. Garis as D. G. Master, and A. J. Lewis as Grand Marshal: John Brown, W. M.; J. M. McCoy, S. W.; William Noble, J. W.; V. M. Durflinger, Secretary; Edwin Alexander, Treasurer; A. B. Elliott, S. D.; William M. Jones, J. D.; John Olt, Tyler. These gentlemen, together with D. M. Hays and C. D. Hays, constituted the charter members. May 17, 1872, the lodge was notified of the death of Edwin Alexander, who died at his father's house, near the village. On Sunday, the 19th, the lodge met pursuant to a call, at their hall ; and from thence, together with numerous brethren from Fayette, Mt. Sterling, and New Holland, proceeded in procession to the home of the deceased, where an appropriate sermon was preached by S. A. Keen, of Fayette Lodge, after which the remains were taken to the cemetery, and deposited in the grave with the usual Masonic honors and ceremonies. On the evening of May 20th, the lodge met in special communication, and adopted suitable resolutions, expressive of the sincere esteem in which the deceased brother was held, not only as a Mason, but also as a Christian gentlemen, a father, and a citizen. The lodge prospered, and enlarged their hall during the year 1873, reporting at its close a membership of thirty-three—free from debt. At this writing (March, 1881) the lodge has a member- 984 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. ship of fifty-eight (not including the one lost by death, nor the many others who, having removed to other jurisdictions, have withdrawn by permit), and is the purchaser of the entire property on which their hall is situated. In March, 1881, it was incorporated, by William Clark, J. M. Noble, Henry Fulton, Henry Casey, and J. M. McCoy, trustees. Following are the officers for 1881: J. M. McCoy, W. M. ; William Clark, S. W.; C. Sturbe, J. W.; H. L. Wilson, Secretary ; H. Casey, Treasurer; R. K. Watson, S. D.; A. A. Kerr, J. D.; L. Dillinger, Tyler; William Noble, W. Squier, Stewards. IN THE WAR WITH GARFIELD. The following is the experience of a prominent citizen and brave soldier: William F. Jones was born in this township, November 3, 1823, and has always resided in this vicinity, except eight years, when he resided in Champaign County, Illinois. After the breaking out of the war, on the 19th of November, 1861, he volunteered in the union army and was placed in Company I, 42d O. V. I., organized by James A. Garfield, our martyred president. The regiment was drilled for a period of five weeks, at Camp Chase, and on the 15th of December, was ordered to the front, took the cars for Cincinnati, then proceeded, by boat; to Cattletsburg, Kentucky, where they were joined by the fourteenth Kentucky regiment, and took the boat up the Big Sandy River, to Paintsville, where the first battle was fought, resulting in a trivial loss on both sides, and the triumph of the Union forces. This took place on the 8th of January, the Rebel forces being commanded by General Humphrey Marshall. At this village they were reinforced by the 40th O. V. I., and the 2d V. C., pursued the rebels, overtaking them on the 12th, near Prestonburgh, Kentucky, finding them all fortified on Abbott's Mountain. At 12 M., the battle opened with but one thousand one hundred men in Colonel Garfield's command, while the rebel forces numbered four thousand five hundred men, including twelve pieces of artillery, well fortified. At the expiration of four hours the enemy was driven from their works, with a loss of seventy-five killed, while we lost fourteen killed and wounded. Our PAINT TOWNSHIP - 985 forces continued moving up the river after the retreating enemy. During this march Colonel Garfield ordered the captains of the various companies to engage their men in target practice, and report the result at the expiration of four days. On the day succeeding this order, James McConahay and John Shanely, of Shelby County, and William Jones, of this county, shot at a target at a distance of three hundred yards, off hand, with this result : First round, hitting the center by all ; second round, all missed the mark by two inches ; third round, shooting poor, bullets lodging far from the mark. On the following day the experiment was tried again, at a distance of five hundred and one thousand yards, with flattering results. Poor McConahay was afterwards killed by a shot from the enemy. Shanely was struck by a ball and knocked senseless, but recovered and is still living in Shelby County, Ohio. The forty-second next proceeded to Pound Gap, where, on March 12, 1862, they annihilated the remainder of General Marshall's command, thus closing the Big Sandy campaign. Colonel Garfield was promoted to brigadier-general, and removed from his regiment, which was ordered to Louisville, thence to Cumberland Gap, where they arrived June 18, 1862, and retained until September 18, of the same year, having, in the meantime, engaged in several battles, and being compelled to evacuate, because their supplies had been cut off by the enemy. Mr. Jones, and three hundred and forty-eight others, being sick, hence unable to march, were left behind and were soon taken prisoners. Prior to this, however, Jones, aware that be must soon fall into the hands of the enemy, determined that they should not have his gun, which had done him such good service. He therefor demolished the gun and cartridge box, and threw them into a stream near by. The prisoners were taken in the direction of Louisville, Kentucky, and exchanged at Danville, October 14, 1862. Mr. Jones came home and remained until the 1st of April, 1863, when he returned, joining the army in the rear of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and engaged in the various battles of that neighborhood. General Grant, on the 21st of May, ordered the 13th corps, of which Mr. Jones was a member, to prepare for a grand charge on the rebel works, at 10 A. M., on the following day. The morning, at dawn of day, his company, among others, was ordered to reconnoitre, approached cautiously to within eighty rods of the enemy, hidden from the latter's view by a little knoll. They examined 986 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. the surroundings carefully, then proceeded to return, a difficult task, for daylight was upon them, and about one hundred and fifty yards of the distance between them and their ranks, was in full view of the enemy. Finally it was decided that they pass out singly, and thus several gained the other side safe, when it became the turn of Joseph W. Leedom, of Shelby County, and just as he arrived at what was supposed to be a safe distance, he was seen to fall, and heard to cry out lustily, as if in great pain, thus conveying the impression that he had been severely wounded. It became the duty of his comrades to hasten to his assistance, but no one appeared anxious to perform the hazardous undertaking, until Mr. Jones volunteered to perform the task. Divesting himself of his gun and accoutrements, he started in the direction of the wounded man at the top of his speed, followed by a storm of bullets from the rebel guns, but arrived at the spot in safety, and discovered that Leedom had fractured his knee by a fall, but was untouched by the rebel shots. Jones then returned for his gun, but discovering that his companions had disappeared, started back, thus running the gauntlet three times in less that twenty minutes, and reached his command in time to assist in making the fearful charge. After the surrender of Vicksburg he accompanied his regiment to Jackson, Mississippi, thence to New Orleans, where he was discharged, July 10, 1863, and arrived home, July 22, after having been in the army two years and nine months. BLOOMINGBURG. This, the only important village, is situated near the southeast corner of the township, being bounded on the south by the Union Township line. It numbers a population of more than five hundred, and was for a long time the threatened rival of Washington, but has been outstripped by the latter in recent years. POLITICAL The municipal authorities for a number of years kept but a meagre record of the public proceedings, until quite recently, when the present corporation clerk, A. J. Templin, Esq., gathered, with PAINT TOWNSHIP - 987 much trouble, the necessary data. Our historian acknowledges the courtesies extended by this gentleman. The village was laid out in 1815, by Solomon Bowers, and described as "lying in the County of Fayette, on the main road leading from Chillicothe to Springfield, being a part of survey No. 3701, entered in the name of George Mathews, on the East Fork of Paint Creek." Main Street was sixty-three feet in width, running north, thirty-five degrees west, one hundred and twenty-five poles in length. Cross and Brown streets are sixty-six feet in width, crossing Main Street at right angles. North, Union, Market, and South streets, are each forty-nine and one-half feet in width, also crossing Main Street at right angles. The alleys were each sixteen and one-half feet in width, the lots each contained fifty square perches, ten long and five wide, the entire village, including streets and alleys, containing thirty-four and three-quarter acres. The square on the corner of Main and Cross streets, on which is at present located the frame school house, was set apart for public grounds, it being then conjectured that the village would .eventually become the county seat, in addition to which thirty-seven lots were laid off. The new village was called New Lexington, the acknowledgement being made before Samuel Rawlings, justice of the peace, November 30, 1815, and recorded in deeds A, page 520, December 4, 1815. March 4, 1816, Bowers laid out and attached to the former survey, two streets running parallel with Main on the east and west, called respectively Wayne and West streets, extending east one hundred and seventeen and one-half poles, west one hundred and twenty-five poles, and containing twenty lots each. Though named New Lexington, the new village was generally known by the cognomen of "New Purchase," applied on account of being located on an early purchase of lands. Tradition relates, that Dr. Gillespie, anxious to change the name to correspond with that of his native town—Bloomingburg, New York—while keeping a store in the Central Hotel building, proposed to "treat" the male inhabitants provided they agreed to the alteration. The proposition was accepted, and Col. Myers, then a member of the legislature, introduced a bill which provided that the village should henceforth be known as Bloomingburg, which bill became a law. An act passed by the State Legislature, February 5, 1847, declar- 988 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. ed so much of Paint Township, this county, as is included in the town of Bloomingburg, an incorporated village, and provided for the future government of the same. The first election for municipal officers was held February 24, 1847, the judges being William R. Southward and Joseph Devolin ; G. W. Worrell acting as clerk, which resulted as follows: Mayor, Joseph Counts, jr.; recorder, J. M. Edwards ; trustees, John Gunning, Samuel Worrell, James M. Willis, William S. Carr and J. N. McLaughlin, who were sworn in on the 27th of the same month. On the following evening the first organized meeting of the trustees was held, at which Geo. W. Worrell was appointed marshal. The first ordinance passed June 7, 1847, provided that whoever should, at any hour of the night, throw about store-boxes or other things, or throw them across sidewalks, or make unnecessary noise, should be fined. It is quite probable that the shins of the dignified Solons came in contact with obstructions placed across the sidewalks by mischievous boys, and that the " city fathers " passed the ordinance for self-protection. At this meeting, a tax of five mills was levied on the taxable property of the corporation, and the marshal employed to collect the same at four per cent. February 8, 1848, it was enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that all adjacent territory within eleven rods of the corporate limits of Bloomingburg should be attached to the same. The incorporation was increased May 11, 1878, by adding one hundred and twenty rods on the north and east, seventy on the west, and extending to the Union Township line on the south. At the spring election of 1876, the citizens voted an additional tax of five mills for "sewers, drains and ditches," which levy being insufficient, two hundred dollars additional was issued in bonds. Four sewers were constructed, and the village now enjoys an excellent system of drainage. The village prison, a strong frame structure, was built in 1876. January 5, 1880, the old ordinances were repealed, and new ones conforming with present general laws, and meeting the wants of the present generation passed in their stead. The installment for the year 1880, is about five hundred dollars, a fair average of the expenditures of recent years. Within the last six years a spirit of improvement has taken possession of the people, which has resulted in the bringing about of a high standard of health and morals. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 989 EARLY SETTLEMENTS. As has been noted, the town was originally owned by Solomon Bowers, and laid out by him. It is stated that William Bryant built the first house within the present limits of the village. It was a log, and stood on the present site of the Central Hotel. The first residents of the town are given as Mathew Gillespie, John Oliver, John Duff', Mrs. Gilmore and Mrs. Rosebone. In 1817; some eight or ten cabins were erected, one of which was owned by John Rutt. Colonel Stewart and Mathew Gillespie kept a store on a portion of the farm now owned by George Stewart, and there did the early residents make their purchases. One Williams, opened a tanyard on the lot now occupied by Dr. Hugh Stewart as a residence. In the spring of 1817, James Gunning or Dunham, started a shoe-shop. Thomas Cessler, of Virginia, was the first blacksmith ; one McCoy, the first hatter. Stith and Eustace were the first tailors, while William Weeks carried on the first wagon shop. John Oliver was an early carpenter ; kept a tavern for some time, and removed to Pennsylvania in 1826. The first cabinet maker was H. Bryant; the first school teachers were Dr. McGaraugh and Mr. Stone, and the first physician Dr. George Allen. This is in brief the chief business representation of Bloomingburg in its younger days. A number of changes have been made since that time, most of which will be mentioned in other parts of this work. BLOOMINGBURG AND SLAVERY. Bloomingburg was well known for its anti-slavery influence, and its generous activity in the management of what was called the underground railroad, long before the anti-slavery society was formed.. Here the dusky fugitives front bondage were fed, clothed and sent on their way, encouraged and rejoicing with the hope of, gaining their freedom by reaching the free soil of Canada. It took no ordinary degree of self-sacrifice to meet the responsibilities of 990 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. those days, but they were borne, then amid reproaches and general exposure, now to their honor and glory. These exertions were prompted by an intelligent conviction of duty, realized in but few of the best communities of this state. The Presbyterians were ardent supporters of the anti-slavery cause, and in 1834, held a series of meetings at which this question was discussed. One of the village merchants, Mr. James Claypole, in his blind opposition to the growing sentiment, refused to attend these meetings; but prevailed upon by his clerk to go one evening he took a back seat, as if ashamed of his presence there. He soon became interested, leaving the assembly fully convinced of his wrong attitude, and the next day drafted the constitution for, and was foremost in the organization of the anti-slavery society—an indication of the manner in which the whole community was united to promote the cause of human freedom. Slave-hunters, generally, had but little expectation of finding the fugitive upon reaching Bloomingburg, the cabin, the garret, stables, hayricks and barns, as well as kitchens and parlors were open to the weary wanderers in search of freedom; and hundreds of them in need of food, clothing, and money, found good, Samaritans here. It was well understood, and no questions were asked when the conductors came round—that a call was made that must be met at once. There were many hair-breadth escapes, many strange episodes in individual experience ; the skillful maneuvre in an act of kindness, was often made a Christian duty to one of a poor and despised race. The labor of getting a warm meal for the shivering fugitive, the long and cold drive in a dark way with the heart burdened by anxious thoughts, with no possible motive of a selfish character, are sufficient testimonials to the strength of the sentiment upon which such heroic activity was based. The colored fugitives recognized their benefactors, and after the war closed, many settled in their midst. THE LIQUOR QUESTION. To a stranger, unacquainted with the history of this village, it would appear, that then, as now, it enjoyed an era of quietude and sobriety. This is an error. The pioneers brought with them the PAINT TOWNSHIP - 991 receipt for making rum, and when opportunity offered, it was manufactured. It was an article found in every household, and, indeed, many in the church regarded the traffic in ardent spirits, so long sanctioned, as consistent with Christian character. The use was deemed lawful, as the expression of friendship in the social circle, and essential to the hospitality of that period. Socalled political economy justified the manufacturer, the vender, and the farmer, in its use, because it gave employment, and opened up a market. Merchants enticed their customers to trade through its influence. It is said that in early days there were a number of peach orchards, and five distilleries, in and about Bloomingburg, were required for the manufacture of the fruit into peach brandy. On Saturdays, a number of persons were in the habit of gathering at the various dram shops, imbibing freely of the liquor, and upon becoming boisterous, usually retired to the rear of the old Baptist Church to "light it out." This state of affairs continued until the moral portion of the community became alarmed, and began making preparations to wipe out this existing evil. Foremost among these was Judge Gillespie, who, at the sacrifice of much time and labor, gathered statistics showing the amount expended in the county for whisky, and had them printed. The quantity was so enormous as to throw a doubt upon his veracity, and his friends, in order to exculpate him from so unworthy an aspersion, repeated the collection of facts, and found his statements to be correct, thus giving the advocates of temperance reform an impetus which raised a heavy mass of prejudice. It was a long and hard struggle, but gradually public sentiment grew stronger in favor of suppressing the evil; venders and drinkers becoming restve and irritable as public sentiment grew imperiative, and fierce antagonism arose. A member of the Presbyterian Church continued to sell, and justify the moderate use of ardent spirits, and at a discussion, the question was asked, if Jesus would keep a rum shop? Its bold and direct aim reached the heart of the religious whisky dealer, and that night he resolved to quit a traffic so detrimental to the spirit of Christianity. The entire community then signed an article, in which they agreed to exclude King Alcohol from their midst—the standard of Bloomingburg society for more than forty years—and this gained, it was an easy matter to abolish corresponding vices. 992 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. Today, it is a matter of pride to the citizen, that not a rum shop can be found within the corporation limits; and furthermore, and to their credit be it written, many persons, some of whom were at one time victims to the wiles of the fiery monster, have not touched a drop of ardent spirits for many years. WOOLEN MILL. In 1826, or 1827, Philip Dodridge, who afterward removed to Circleville, and there was connected with somewhat extensive manufacturing of woolens, started a carding machine in the town of Bloomingburg, and continued the business about one year. The machinery was driven by horsepower and tread-wheel. He sold to Eber Patrick, a general practical manufacturer, who, being desirous to locate permanently, sold to a Mr. Parker, and removed to Washington, to engage in the same business, and Mr. Parker soon after sold to Mr. Carr, who removed the machinery to Indiana. ` CARR'S MILLS. Nearly a half century ago, William Carr erected a flouring mill on the east bank of Paint Creek, about one mile south of the county line. The building, though small and primitive, attracted the attention of people from far and near, hence the machinery, which was propelled by waterpower, was kept in constant motion. It continued to serve the purpose for which it was erected for a number of years; eventually, however, the persistent efforts of the residents to inaugurate a perfect system of drainage, weakened the stream, and the former .means of propelling the mill were abandoned, and the building stood idle for several years. It has since been torn down, a smaller structure has been erected on the site, which is fitted up with the latest improved machinery, and is owned by John Martin. It consists of a sawmill and corn-grinder; there are no facilities for grinding wheat. In the erection of Carr's Mill, the nucleus of a small settlement was formed, which has steadily increased. The population is now PAINT TOWNSHIP - 993 one hundred, the business interest being represented as follows : Two blacksmith shops, one dry goods and grocery store, one grocery and notion store, one boot and shoe store, and the mills. The town is included in the ninth school district, the building being embraced within its limits. In the year 1880, a one-story frame church was erected by the Baptist denomination, Walter Yeoman, pastor. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 993 BIOGRAPHICAL. MOSES BALL. Moses Ball was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, July 1801. His father was Isaac Ball, a descendant of Edward Ball, one of the sixty-three men, who in 1666, purchased the land from the Indians upon which the city of Newark, New Jersey, now stands. His mother was Sarah Jacobus, of Holland extraction. Isaac Ball and Sarah Jacobus were married about 1795. Their family consisted of three sons and six daughters, who all lived to marry except Abby, who died at the age of seventeen. Moses, our subject, united in marriage with Miss Jane Campbell, of Bloomfield, in 1829. They came to Ohio in 1837, and located for a time in Champaign County, but removed, however, in 1839, to this county, and settled in Bloomingburg, where they still reside. Ten children blessed this union, of whom but four sons and two daughters are living. These are all married except Sarah, who cheers the home of her parents in their declining years. In politics, Mr. Ball has been a life long Republican, and a staunch temperance man. His four sons stepped to the front when their country was in danger, and although their garments were riddled by the enemy's shot, they lived to see the country saved. John has since died from disease contracted in the army. One daughter and three sons are in the west; all have homes and are doing well. Isaac, the father of our subject, served as captain in the war of 1812. JOHN J. BLUE. John J. Blue was born, October 16, 1820, in this county, where 994 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. his early life was spent. On February 13, 1845, he united in marriage with Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Martha Raborn, of Madison County, Ohio. The first three years after their union were spent in Madison County. From there they removed to Fayette, and located in Paint Township, where they have ever since resided. They have five children living: Martha J., Clinton D., Marcus L., Lizzie B., and William C. Clinton and Marcus are married, and settled on part of the home farm. John's father was a native of Virginia, and came to this county about the time the territory. was formed into a county. He married Miss Pensie Reeves, of Pickaway County, by whom he had eight children—five living. He served his country in the war of 1812. John, our subject, owns a farm of nearly three hundred acres, well improved, in Paint Township, upon which he resides. In politics he is an uncompromising Democrat. Mrs. Blue's father was born in Ross County, but her grandfather Raborn was a native of Virginia. Mr. Blue's brothers, Josiah and Wesley, are dead. His sister Margaret died young. The living sisters are : Elizabeth, married to John Yates, of Pickaway County ; Ann, married to Casey, of Indiana ; Mary, married to Little, of this county, and Jane, who married David Baker, of Illinois. Her husband and son died in the army. S. V. BROWN. S. W. Brown was born, January 7, 1839, in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he spent the early part of his life. On January 24, 1861, he married Mary E., daughter of Benjamin and Martha Harrison, of Madison County, Ohio, by whom he has one daughter and one son; Emma A., twelve years of age, and Harry F., eight years old, both bright and promising children. Mr. Brown's parents were natives of Delaware, and relatives of ex-President Polk. Mrs. Brown was born, April 12, 1838. She is the grand daughter of Batteal Harrison, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of the colony of Virginia. Her great-grandfather, Benjamin Harrison, was a man constantly employed in active service. He was a member of Congress from 1774 to 1777. He voted for the Declaration of Independence in July, PAINT TOWNSHIP - 995 1776, and signed it in the following August. In 1777 he resigned his seat in congress, but was immediately elected a member of the House of Burgesses, and elected to the speaker's chair. In 1782 he was elected governor of the state, which position he filled for two successive terms. He had just been elected to a third term when death ended his career—April, 1791. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Brown is a conscientious Democrat, and a strong temperance man. HENRY CASEY. Henry Casey, son of George and Catherine Casey, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1837. His father's family consisted of six sons and. five daughters, all living except two, Daniel, who died March 19, 1865, from disease contracted in the army, and Elizabeth, who died March 2, 1879. Henry, our subject, came to Ohio, November 1860, and located in the neighborhood of Bloomingburg; entered the army on the 8th of September, 1861, and continued in active service until the 17th of July, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. During this term of service he was in thirty-two engagements, and was one of the one hundred and twenty men who run the blockade at Vicksburg. He married Catherine W., daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Holland, of Paint Township. Five daughters and two sons, was the result of this union : Eva M., Frank S., Carrie E. M., Ollie C. E., Calvin H., Cora I., and Myrta F., all living and in fine health. Politically, he has been a Republican since the war. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They live in the house in which Mrs. Casey was born—the homestead of her parents. Mrs. Casey's father, Charles Holland, was one of the pioneers of this county. When first married, his property consisted of an ax, maul and wedge. At his death, which occurred in 1870, in addition to the fifteen hundred acres of land divided among his children, he left a fortune of sixty thousand dollars. Throughout his life he was regarded as a man rigidly honest and truthful. Mrs. Casey's mother was a native of Virginia, came to Ohio in 1806, with her father, Joseph Wendel, and settled on Paint Creek, on 996 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. the farm now owned by Barton Vesey. She is still living, but quite feeble. JAMES M. EDWARDS. William Edwards was born in South Carolina, May 7, 1788, and left the South because of his hatred to slavery. He came to Cincinnati, where, on the 22d of March, 1812, he was married to Charlotte Brown, who was born in England, February 9, 1792. The result of this marriage was eleven children : John M., of Marlboro, Massachusetts; Benjamin F. and William B., of Plymouth, Illinois; H. H., Sarah C. Coffman, Esther A. Larimer, and James M., of this county, are living; the youngest, William B., being now nearly fifty years old. William and Charlotte are both buried in the Washington Cemetery. William Edwards was among the early agitators of the anti-slavery question of this county, and, in 1842, was egged at the election, for voting the only abolition ticket cast in Wayne Township, in this county. James M., our subject, was born in Bellbrook, Greene County, December 16, 1821. In the spring of 1832, he removed with his father to Pike Spring farm, four miles east of Washington. At nineteen years of age, he left home, and went to school at Bloomingburg, blowing and striking in a blacksmith shop, to earn money with which to pay his board. At twenty, he went to Winchester, taught school, and read law two years with A. R. Eaton. From Winchester he went to Cincinnati, where he taught school till August, 1844, when he came to Bloomingburg, and engaged in teaching. He married Sarah, daughter of Archibald Stewart, who died in 1850, leaving one daughter, Mary F., who still lives with her father. In 1822, he was married to Jane Ammerman, who was born in New York, in 1829. This marriage resulted in two sons being born to them : Erk S., who is still at home, and Benjamin F., who is now a student at Hanover, New Hampshire. Our subject has served, with credit to himself, eighteen years as justice of the peace; has been coroner of the county, mayor of Bloomingburg for many years, school examiner, and in the board of education. He was Ohio State Messenger to the army, during the rebellion, for three years, and commissioner of exemption from PAINT TOWNSHIP - 997 draft for this county; was mustered into the United States service as second lieutenant, and was afterward revenue assessor. He has always been a staunch anti-slavery Republican, an earnest temperance man, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has taught the same class in the Sabbath-school for thirty-five years, which position he still occupies. He practiced law twenty years before he was justice of the peace. But few who do their part for good more nobly than has James M. Edwards. NATHANIEL EDWARDS. Samuel Edwards was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio in about 1809, and settled in Ross County. In 1810, he married Miss Mary Ann Roberts, of Pennsylvania, and, in 1816, removed from Ross to this county, locating in what was afterward Perry Township, where he died, in 1842. Mrs. Edwards' death occurred in 1877. Their family consisted of nine sons and five daughters, seven living : Elisha is a farmer, and his home is in Davis County, Kansas; Elias is in Green County, Indiana, practicing law; Silas lives on the Columbus road, five miles north of Washington; Eliza married Tillman Wright, and resides in Indiana; Elizabeth and Tabitha are unmarried, and reside at the homestead ; Enoch lost his life in the army. Nathaniel, our subject, was born in Perry Township. He was married to. Miss Jane, daughter of Nathaniel and Eleanor Squires, of this county, in 1857, and settled in this township, on the Lewis pike, four miles north of Washington. Here he owns a nice farm, of over one hundred acres, upon which lie resides. Nine children have blessed this union : Lora E., William A., M. Ella, Jessie M., Ivy A., Nathaniel E., Florence J., Bertha D., and Annie A. All are at home except Lora E., who married Isaac Larrimer, and lives in Union Township. Mr. Edwards has invented a "patent corn-loader," which is proving a valuable thing to farmers. He is a Republican, a staunch temperance man, and is connected with the Prairie Grange. Himself and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ALBERT GROVES. Albert Groves, farmer, was born in Indiana, January 19, 1846, 998 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. where the early part of his life was spent, some of the time in teaching school. January 9, 1872, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Frederick and Mary Selsor, of this county. Three months after, they came to this county, and for four years Mrs. Groves kept house for her father. In 1876, they took possession of the fine brick mansion built by Squire Tway, where they still reside. Their family consists of three little boys: Fred, Frank, and John Homer. Daniel Groves, Albert's father, was born in Jackson County; a son of William Groves, who, for many years, kept a house of entertainment in that county. His wife was Miss Amanda Lightfoot, of South Charleston, Ohio. Their family numbered two daughters and two sons: Catharine L. married G. W. Brown, Mary E. married Henry H. Conrad, and both are living in Anderson, Indiana; George W. is single, and lives with his mother on the home farm, in Indiana; and Albert, our subject. The father died in January, 1875. Mrs. Albert Groves was born in Madison County, Ohio; came to this township in the fall of 1852, and located on what had been long known as the Rankin lands, where she remained until her marriage. She was the granddaughter of William and Mary Rankin, of this county. Her mother died, May 4, 1852; her father is living, at this writing, and strong for one of his years. Mr. and Mrs. Groves are happily mated; their outlook for the future very flattering. Their children are healthy, promising, and very interesting. Mr. Groves never used tobacco in any form, never tasted any kind of liquor, except one glass of beer, and never swore but one oath in his life. He is a Republican, and a staunch temperance man. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. W. HAYS. J. W. Hays, is a son of John and Catherine (Winebright) Hays, and was born in Paint Township, this county, August 20, 1838. The early part of his life was spent on the home farm, laboring and caring for the stock that was constantly on hand, often in great numbers; acquiring his education during the winter when he could be spared from home. His time at school was limited, as his father was a driving business man, with always sufficient work on PAINT TOWNSHIP - 999 hand for all the force he could rally. It may be said in truth of J. W. Hays, that, although the son of a rich man, he never ate any " idle bread." He is now, however, reaping the reward of early toil, having inherited a large estate from his father. On April 5, 1860, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Able and Jane (Kirkpatrick) Armstrong, of this county. Two sons and four daughters blessed this union : Nora, Alta, Frank, Cora, Dora and Ellis ; all are living except Nora, who passed to the spiritland when very young. Mr. Hays lives five miles north of Washington, on the Lewis pike, where he owns five hundred and twenty acres of rich and beautiful land. Like his father, he is very fond of fine and fast horses, and has in training four or five that will tell on the track the coming season. John Hays, our subject's father, was born in Kentucky, December 28, 1788, corning to this state in an early day, and finally settled in Paint Township, this county, where he died August 10, 1860. In many respects Mr. Hays was a wonderful man. He commenced life poor, and at the time of his death was the owner of more than three thousand acres of as fine land as could be found in the county. He possessed controlling power over those with whom he associated. Had he been a man of letters and early mental training, he could have stood beside the Nation's ablest statesman. An incident may serve to illustrate the style of man he was : A neighbor had made a large purchase of land in Missouri, and spent the summer in improvements. When he came home in the fall, Mr. Hays called to see and hear about his Missouri purchase, when the following conversation ensued : " Well Jack ! I have built several hundred panels of fence, and put a stone under every corner." " What kind of a stone?" said Mr. Hays. "A flint stone," he replied. ."Your land aint worth a damn ! " was the response. Time proved this rough expression to a great extent true. He married for his second wife, Kate. Winebright, by whom he had six children : Willis, Coleman, Letitia, James W., Crosby, and Lucinda. All lived to have families; only three living at this writing : Willis, Letitia and James W. Mrs. John Hays died December 4, 1872. Mrs. J. W. Hays' father died in Clinton County, Indiana, in 1864 from a hurt, received in defending his son, who was a Union soldier, from a mob of rebel sympathizers. Her mother preceded him many years before. 1000 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. J. M. HAYMAKER. Mr. Haymaker was born September 12, 1823, in this county, where he has spent his entire life. He commenced his education in an old-fashioned log school house, situated three miles northwest of Washington, in a school taught, by William Devlin, sr., and completed it in the village of Bloomingburg, which at that time was considered the educational point of this county. After spending four years driving stock to the eastern market, he at length purchased a farm of four hundred acres on the state road, where he located, and upon which he still resides. Mr. Haymaker takes great pleasure in handling fine stock, and does a successful business on his farm. On January 2, 1862, he united in marriage with Miss M. J. Klever; six children have blessed this union, of whom five are living;. three sons and two daughters : Elmer E., Herman R., Harry K., Cora E. and Lora E. Levi E. passed to the spiritland, December 26, 1872, aged four years. Mr. Haymaker's parents were natives of Virginia, but came to this state in the early part of 1800, and settled in Union Township, this county. Here his father died, in about 1859, and his mother in 1878, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His mother was a sister of Colonel Samuel Myers, one of the pioneers of Fayette. His father, Joseph Haymaker, served in the war of 1812, and was in Hull's surrender. Mrs. M. J. Haymaker is the daughter of Michael and Mary (Thompson) Klever, of this county. She was born in Paint Township, March 9, 1842. CHARLES D. HAYS. Charles D. Hays was born in Ross County, this state, in 1826. When about four years of age, he went with his father's family to Pike County, and settled on a farm near the town of Piketon, where he spent seventeen years of his youth assisting on the farm. In 1847, he came to this county, and for nearly three years lived in Union Township. In 1849, he purchased a farm three miles north of Bloomingburg, and in 1850 moved upon it, where he still resides. He has made many improvements; among them the erection of a commodious residence, PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1001. He united in marriage, in 1848, with Miss Catherine, daughter of John and Mary A. Parker, of Paint Township, Rev. William Dickey officiating. Six children blessed this union ; three sons and three daughters: John, George, Grant, Mary A., Emma and Margaret; all living at home except John and George, who are married. George resides in Fayette, and John in Clinton County. Charles' grandfather was a native of Ireland. (See biography of Morgan Hays) James, Charles' father, was born in Kentucky. When ten years old he came to this state with his parents, and to the farm now owned by C. D. Hays. When about twenty years of age he went to Ross County, and made his home with his brothers-in-law, Charles and John Davis. In August, 1823, he was joined in marriage, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Robert and Priscilla McGuire. The result of this union was seven sons and three daughters : D. M., C. D., William C., James W., George L., Peter B., John, Harriet, Margaret L. and Keziah D.; all living in this state at this writing, except William C., who keeps hotel at Pueblo, Colorado, and Harriet, living in Washington Territory. The father died in Pike County, April, 1855. C. D. Hays and wife own nearly nine hundred acres of land, part of which is in Clinton County. The farm upon which they live contain two hundred and thirty-eight acres, well improved and beautiful to the eye. Mr. Hays is a strong Republican, and staunch temperance Man. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. MRS. REBECCA HEMPHILL. Rebecca Hemphill was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1814. She was the daughter of Oliver Haynes, who was killed by the British when they burned Black Rock. Her mother was Mary, daughter of Robert and Jennie Wallace, who were of Irish extraction. Her father's family consisted of one son and four daughters; she the youngest, and only one that is living. Her mother was born in 1764, and died in Meadville, Pennsylvania, when about seventy-five years of age. Mrs. Hemphill still retains her mother's 1002 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. Bible, bought at Bald Eagle, of Nathan Harvey, and printed in 1794. She was married three times. Her first husband was Mathew Greening of Amsterdam, New York, by whom she had three children; all dying in infancy. Her second husband was Aaron Roger, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who died in 1847. She then married John Hemphill, of Bloomingburg, Fayette County, this state, August, 1850. He died July, 1876, from disease contracted while in the army. He was a member of Company K, 90th Regiment, O. V. I.; never asked nor received one day's furlough during three years' service. He is one of the many who gave health and life for his country's good. Mrs. Hemphill's uncle, John Wallace, was burned at the stake, by the Indians, near Freely's Fort, Pennsylvania. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-one years. For many years she lived in Pittsburg, but now has a comfortable home in the village of Bloomingburg. MRS. PAMELIA HIDY. Mrs. Hidy was born in Clarke County, this state, in 1822. She came with her father's family to this county, in 1831, when they settled in Jefferson Township, on what is well known as the Higbee farm. Her father, Samuel Higbee, was a native of' Pennsylvania, and her mother of New Jersey. They were married in September, 1810, and came to this state, March, 1818. Mr. Higbee died December, 1857 ; Mrs. Higbee, May, 1863 both were members of the Baptist Church. Their family consisted of four sons and seven daughters : Obadiah, Kourtland K., Joseph, John, Jane, Annie, Pamelia, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah and Martha. All, except Annie and Mary, lived to be over twenty-five years of age ; none but Pamelia and Elizabeth live at this writing. Elizabeth married Crum Creamer; Jane married Henry Parrett; Sarah married Mr. Pettier; Martha married Dr. Heard; C. K. married Elizabeth Morris. Pamelia, our subject, united in marriage with Humphrey Hidy, of this county, in 1844. The result of this union was eight children. Emily died when about eighteen years of age. The living are Louisa L., Sarah, Volney, Samuel, Alfred and Lincoln. Louisa married Mr. Trumper: Sarah married Thomas Green; Martha PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1003 married Tallie McCallip; Volney married Rose Gains; Alfred married Ida Hoffman; and Lincoln married Viola Porter; Samuel is single, living with his mother at the homestead. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Humphrey Hidy moved on the farm where his widow now resides, and where he died in April, 1879, having lived a sober, quiet and industrious life. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. His father, Joseph Hidy, sen., was a native of Virginia, and came to this state in 1800. He was married three times. By his second wife he had two sons, Jacob and Isaac ; by the third wife he had four sons and six daughters : Joseph, Humphrey, Irvin, Volney, Sidney, Margaret, Mary J., Olive, Louisa, and Clara. Joseph Hidy, sen., died September, 1878, leaving a large fortune to his children. He was the first man in this county that refused to furnish liquor to his harvesters, claiming that they were better without it. He suffered great persecution, many men refused to work ; but he stood firm, and always managed to save his harvest. Time has proved Mr. Hidy's theory to be the true one. MRS. ANN HYDE. Mrs. Ann Hyde was born, December 15, 1818, in Ross County, Ohio, near Clarksburg. She was the daughter of John W. and Charlotte Timmons. Mr. Timmons was a native of Delaware, and Mrs. Timmons of Maryland, and came to Ohio when quite young. Our subject united in marriage with Nathan Hyde, who was horn in West Virginia, November 23, 1844. The result of this marriage was five children, two of whom died when quite young. The living are: John W., Mary and Martha. Mary married Samuel Dunlap, of Ross county. They located, however, in Monroe Township, Pickaway County, on a farm of eight hundred acres, upon which is a fine residence. John and Mary are single and at home. Mr. Hyde died, July 7, 1869, in his seventy-sixth year. After his death, Mrs. Hyde moved to this county, and settled on what has long been known as the John Myers farm, where she still resides. This farm was purchased by Mr. Hyde, and consists of four hundred and sixty-two acres of land, with a fine house upon it. Mrs. Hyde has good health for one of her age, and manages her business well, assisted by her son John, whose prospects for abundant wealth are not exceeded by any young man in the county. 1004 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. Mrs. Hyde has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since her youth. GEORGE M. HOLLAND. George M. Holland was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1826. His father, Charles; was born in Maryland, in 1787, came to Ohio in 1795, and lived with Thomas Earles, of Ross County. He was married three times. His first wife was Phoebe Jefferson, by whom he had no children. His second wife was Ellen Ogden, by whom he had seven children, five daughters and two sons. His third wife, was Betsey Wendel, to whom three daughters were given. The children living are: Sarah Corle, John, George M., Rachel Brown, Susan A. Baldwin, and Catherine W. Casey. The deceased are: Polly Vincent, Eliza Still, Martha J. Jones, and Susan Holland. George M. Holland came to this county, with his father, and located on a farm near Bloomingburg ; has been a farmer most of his life. He married Adeline Kirkpatrick, March 1851. Nine children was the result of this union—six sons and three daughters: Jeptha, Chauncey, William H., Nannie E., Sarah J., George M., Ella Gertrude, Job, and Charles R. All are living except William H. ; two are married. The parents of Adeline Holland were James Kirkpatrick and Nancy Smith, both from Virginia. Their family consisted of thirteen children, five boys and eight girls, of whom, at this date, five are living, and eight dead. Our subject has retired from the farm, lives in the village of Bloomingburg, and has a handsome income, the result of hard labor and good management in early life. MRS. ELIZABETH HOLLAND. Mrs. Holland was the daughter of Peter and Rachel (Wolf) Wendel, natives of Virginia. Peter was the son of Valentine Wendel, whose home was on the South Branch of the Potomac, where four brothers settled upon their arrival from Germany. Peter married in Virginia, and came to Ohio in 1795; settled on Paint Creek on the farm now owned by Burton Vesey. Both died here. Their family consisted of eight daughters and four sons, none now living except Elizabeth. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1005 After the death of the parents, the homestead vent into the hands of Joseph, who, in time, caught the " western fever." He left the old homestead and went to Missouri, from thence to New Orleans, and finally to Washington Territory, where he and his wife died. The Wendel family have always been noted for their honesty. The honesty of Joseph may be illustrated by an anecdote. Mr. Edward Popejoy in those days would buy his neighbors hogs, take them to market, and pay for them when he returned. Upon one occasion he went to buy Mr. Wendel's hogs when this conversation ensued : " Well, Joe, how much do you want for your hogs? " " Neddy, what do you think they are worth ? " Mr. Popejoy stated what he would give, when Mr. Wendel responed : " Neddy, I think that is too much. They are worth so and so." " Well, Joe, I will take them at your price." Our subject was married to Charles Holland, September 28, 1826, by whom she had three daughters : Rachel, Susan, and Catherine W. Rachel married John Brown, and owns a farm, but lives in Bloomingburg. Susan married William Baldwin, owns and lives on a part of the home farm. Catherine married Henry Casey, lives on the farm, and in the house where she was born. Mr. Holland died, December, 1879, leaving a large estate to his children. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and died in full prospect of a happy eternity. Mrs. Holland is eighty-six years of age, spending her declining years at the home of her daughter Susan. WILLIAM F. JONES. William F. Jones is a son of Mathew and Elizabeth (Allen) Jones. Mathew was born in Virginia, May 15, 1792, near the locality where John Brown was hung. In 1812 he settled in this township, on the farm now owned by Willis and Noah Jones. Shortly after his arrival he participated in the war of 1812, and was afterwards appointed major of the militia. He died, April, 1864. Our subject's mother was a daughter of Ananias Allen, and died in 1827. The result of this marriage was four sons and three daughters. His father married again, his second wife being Mrs. Catherine (Glaze) Core, by whom he had five sons and two daughters. She died in 1845. 1006 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. William F. Jones was born, November 3, 1823, in this township. January 1, 1845, he married Martha J. Holland, daughter of Charles and Ellen (Ogden) Holland. By this union the children are : Mary, now Mrs. Horace L. Smith, deceased, Char] 2s M., George M., and two who died in infancy. His wife died October 1, 1876. He married, August 1877, Eliza J., daughter of Thomas and Jennie (Graham) Thompson ; no children. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has held the office of trustee and treasurer of Madison township. He was in Garfield's regiment, 42d 0. V. I., and remained three years a private. He was engaged in sixty-five battles. He was taken prisoner at Cumberland Gap, and retained at Danville, Kentucky, eight months. Seeing that escape from the rebels was impossible, and determined that they should reap as little benefit as possible from his capture, he bent his gun, and cast ammunition and all into a stream. Recently he received a very cordial letter from President Garfield, with a history of his life, a very pleasing testimonial of personal regard for one so earnestly devoted to his country. WILLIAM M. JONES. Jesse Jones, William's father, was a native of Virginia, born in 1799. He came to Ohio in 1818, and about the year 1822, was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Gum. The result. of this union was six sons and three daughters: John, William M., Jesse M., Ethan A., Norton G., James M., Catharine, Clara, and Effie. All are now living except John and Catharine. Clara and Effie are unmarried. William M., our subject, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1832, and came to this county in 1865. He married Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder, widow of Mitchell Snyder, and this union has been blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters: Chauncy T., William A., Edith B., Mary A., and Maggie I. Mrs. Jones had two children by her first marriage, one son and one daughter: John W. and Elizabeth. She was the daughter of William and Piercy Taylor. Her father was a native of Ohio, born in 1811; her mother a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1813. She has three sisters and one brother: Mary, Priscilla, Lottie, and William, all living, and all married. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1007 Mr. Jones served tour months in the National Guards, in 1864. He is a charter member of Masonic Lodge No. 449, and has advanced in the order to the degree of Royal Arch Mason. He is an official member in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He resides in Bloomingburg, and is doing a thriving business, manufacturing and repairing buggies, and keeps on hand a large stock, and warrants all his work. THOMAS LARRIMER. Thomas Larrimer, farmer, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1802, where, he spent thirty years of his life. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Bryson, of the same county and state. In the fall of 1832, he removed, with his father's family, to Ohio, and settled in Bloomingburg. His family consisted of four sons and five daughters: John, Andrew B., .James G., David K., Eliza B., Sarah A., Jane P., Margaret M., and Melissa. All lived to have families. Jane P. married Roland N. Trimble; in 1860, they moved to Missouri, and settled in .Johnson County, where Mrs. Trimble died, in 1877. Eliza married Morgan Hays, of Fayette County, March 19, 1833, and died in October, 1879. Sarah A. married S. W. Thornton, Melissa married W. S. Ball, and both removed to Nebraska, settling on adjoining farms. Margaret M. married R. A. Wailes, and resides in Kansas. James G. married Miss Eliza J. Haymaker, and lives in South Charleston. David K. married Miss Sarah Saxton, and lives in Washington. John married Miss E. A. Edwards, and resides in this township. Andrew B. died in the service of his country, June 13, 1863. He was a member of the First Ohio Cavalry, and went out in 1862. David K. volunteered in Company H, 7th Iowa, July 10, 1861, and continued in some part of the service until September, 1865. He was wounded in a fight at Belmont, Missouri, in consequence of which he receives a pension. Our subject has been a member of the board of county infirmary directors for nearly fifteen years, and has filled the office with ability, and satisfaction to the citizens of the county. His father was born in Little York, Pennsylvania, and his mother in New Jersey. Their family consisted of five sons and one daughter. The daughter died in 1846. Mrs. Thomas Larrimer died, September 14, 1877. She had been 1008 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. a member of the Presbyterian Church for over fifty years. Mr. Larrimer is a member of the same denomination. He is a Republican, and a strong temperance man, and has been a useful member in society. MRS. RACHEL MARTIN. Mrs. Rachel Martin was born near Bloomingburg, September 14, 1816. Her father, John Sensabaugh, a native of Orange County, New York, came to Ohio, in 1815, and settled in this township, where he lived and died. He married Jane Gunning, of New York, in 1814, by whom he bad two sons and four daughters, only three of whom are now living—Mrs. S. J. Gibson, William Sensabaugh, and our subject. Mrs. Martin has been married three times. Her first husband was Mr. John Myers, of Virginia, who died in 1867. Her second husband was Mr. Samuel Greenlee ; born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1809; came to Ohio in 1839; united in marriage with Mrs. Myers, in 1872, and died, April 9, 1875; was a member of the Baptist Church. In May, 1878, she married Mr. C. W. Martin, with whom she still lives. This has proved to be a happy union. Mr. Martin is a native of Pennsylvania; born in 1815; came to Ohio in early life, and settled in Madison County. Mr. and Mrs. Martin live near Bloomingburg, in a cosy home, with a good income. She is a member of the Presbyterian, and he of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ANTHONY MOORE. Philip Moore, Anthony's father, was born in Harding County, Virginia, in 1770, but moved to Kentucky, and settled in Clark County. He came to Ohio, in March, 1811, bought out John Devolt, in this township, and moved into the house where the first court for the county was held, in 1810. At this place he spent the remaining part of his life, his death occurring May 15, 1831. He married Miss Kate Hornback, of Virginia. The result of this union was nine children, one son and eight daughters. All lived to marry and have families. Those living, are Polly, whose home is in Missouri ; Barbara, who resides on Darby; and Anthony, our subject. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1009 Mr. Moore is now eighty-five years of age; can range forest and field like a boy of fifteen; lives on the same hill where his father's house stood, and is noted for honesty and uprightness of character. November 22, 1822, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Isaac Thompson. Five children were given to this union, two sons and three daughters: Philip, Isaac, Elizabeth, Catharine, and Annie—all married, and still living. Mr. Moore has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-eight years. In politics, he is a Republican. He has never held any public office of trust, nor has he ever wanted any. Mrs. Adam Funk, mother of the noted Jacob Funk, whose death, which occurred in 1820, caused great moral change in the Funk family, was a sister of Philip Moore. Philip was drafted into the army, but his brother Jacob, who was a single man, took his place, and was lost in St. Clair's defeat. MRS. PHOEBE MORRIS. Mrs. Phoebe Morris, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Stinson) Grove, was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 22, 1814. When one year of age she removed with her parents to Jackson County, and remained there until about nineteen years old, when on the 25th of June, 1833, she married Samuel, son of John and Elizabeth (Tway) Morris. In her father's family there were eight children, one son and seven daughters. Samuel, her husband, was born December 22, 1805, in Clermont County, Ohio, removed to this county in 1812, and settled in Paint Township. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living: Daniel G., Samuel R., Electa J., William W., Martin W., Amanda E., and Ella. John E., was a private in the 14th O. V. I., and died near Vicksburg, from disease contracted while in the service of his country. Mr. Morris was a successful farmer, and was killed by the rolling of a saw-log, September, 1868. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his widow is a devoted and consistent member of the same society. Ella, the youngest daughter, is at present a student of Delaware College, making the study of music a specialty. Mrs. Morris has a pleasant home in Bloomingburg, and also a productive 1010 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. farm, a portion of the old homestead. Her children are models of industry and morality. SAMUEL R. MORRIS. Samuel R., son of Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris, was born in Paint Township, this county, February 9, 1837. His whole life has been spent in this county on a farm. He united in marriage, December 19, 1861, with Miss Ellen L., daughter of Abram and Harriet Miller, of Madison County. Eight children blessed this union, four sons and four daughters: John T., Mattie F., Charlie E., Cordie I., Gertie M., Frank A., Edna. Maud, and Earl W., all living, and at home at. this writing. After marriage, Mr. Morris settled on a farm bought by his father, and moved into a house built by Col. Samuel Myers in 1815. He still lives in the same house, cozy and comfortable. Mr. Morris' mother died in this house at the advanced age of one hundred and three years. Here, also, at one time, the United Brethren held their conference. John Morris, our subject's grandfather, was born in New Jersey, March 3, 1776. When about twelve years of age he came to Ohio, and settled in Hamilton County, near where Cincinnati now stands. In the year 1800 he married Miss Elizabeth Tway. Their family consisted of twelve children, nine of whom lived to have families. Only three of them are now living. For many years his house was used as a place of public worship. He died August 8, 1858; his wife in February, 1847. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and died in full hope of a glorious immortality. WILLIAM W. MORRIS. John Morris, William's grandfather, was a native of New Jersey. He came to Ohio when young, and spent most of his life in Paint Township, Fayette County. He sold his farm in this county, however, to Henry Wissler, and moved to Madison County, where he died in 1858. His wife's maiden name was Skinner. Their family consisted of three sons and five daughters : William, Samuel Calvin, Elizabeth, Jane, Sarah, Caroline, and Leatha. All lived to have families except Sarah, but none living at this writing PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1011 except Elizabeth, Jane, and Leatha. Samuel, William's father, was born in Paint Township, in 1804, and spent his entire life in this community. He spent the early part of his life with his father, on what is at present known as the Wissler farm. He united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Groves, of Jackson County, in about 1831. They started together on life's journey with very limited means, but by industry and good management, acquired a nice little fortune for themselves and children. Their family consisted of five sons and three daughters: Daniel G., Samuel R., John E., William W., Martin W., Electa J., Amanda E., and Elma E., all married and living within two miles of where they were born except John, who lost his life in the army. The father died in September,1868. William W. Morris, our subject, was born in Paint Township, November, 1833. In November 1872, he married Theresa J., daughter of Dr. S. A. Morton, of Ross County. Mrs. Morris was educated at South Salem Academy, commenced teaching before sixteen years of age, and followed that vocation for eight years. Her mother was Mary W. Wentworth, great-granddaughter of Bening Wentworth, of Maine, a Revolutionary soldier, and a descendant of the celebrated English Wentworth family. Her grandfather came to Ohio in 1817, and settled in Chillicothe, and her great-grandfather soon after, where he died in 1850. Her grandfather went to Kansas, where he died in 1877. Her grandmother was Esther Dennison, of Maine, still living, and a relative of Governor Dennison. Dr. S. A. Morton's death occurred in the spring of 1865. Mrs. Morton is now sixty-three years of age, and lives at Good Hope, with her daughter, Mrs. W. A. Irvin. The family of William W. and Theresa J. Morris, consists of four healthy, handsome and promising children, one son and three daughters: Jessie, Lora, Hallie, and Samuel M. William owns and lives upon a part of the home farm, five miles north of Bloomingburg. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; his wife of the Presbyterian Church. A rather curious coincidence occurs in this family. The fathers of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, Samuel Morris and Dr. S. A. Morton, were both born in the year 1804, and each lost his life by an accident, the death of the former was caused by the rolling of a saw log, and the latter met his death by a fall from a horse. 1012 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. DANIEL G. MORRIS. Daniel G. Morris, son of Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris, was born, April 28, 1834, in Paint Township, Fayette County, Ohio. He was united in marriage, March 20, 1862, with Susanna M., daughter of Frederick Selsor. One son and two daughters have been given them: Mary E., Estella May, and Frederick all living and in good health. Daniel, our subject, owns a farm on the Danville pike, of two hundred and fourteen acres of land, upon which his residence stands. For forty-seven years he has lived in Paint Township, and has for a number of years traded extensively in sheep. In politics, he is a Republican. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Morris is one of the men who has passed through a financial crash, and come out with a clear record. BENJAMIN HARRISON. Batteal Harrison, father of Benjamin Harrison, was born in Virginia, but came to Ohio in 1797, with an uncle, and stopped in Belmont County. When twenty-one years of age he enlisted in thee war of 1812, and served from its commencement to its close. He went out as a lieutenant, but was promoted to a captaincy, and finally raised to the rank of general. He was married during the war to Elizabeth Scott, sister of Dr. Scott, of Chillicothe. After the close of the war they settled in Madison Township, this county, in the fall of 1815, on what has long been known as the Harrison lands, where Mrs. Harrison died, in 1851, and Mr. Harrison in 1857. For many years he had charge of the militia of the county. He was elected to the legislature, and served two terms, his second term being the winter of 1837. General Harrison was a highly cultivated gentleman, possessed of great energy, true and faithful to every trust committed to him, and brave in defense of his country as Washington himself. He was very fond of blooded horses and fine dogs. A granddaughter once attempted to whip from before the fire, one of his favorite dogs, when the general, putting his hand on the child's head, said : "Libbie, give the dog a piece of bread." PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1013 Mrs. Harrison was a woman of rare intelligence and benevolence. Their family consisted of five sans and one daughter: Benjamin, Scott, William, David, John, and Mary. All lived to have families. John lost his life battling for his country, William lives in Washington, C. H., and David at Marshall, Missouri, where he owns a nice farm. Scott went to Missouri and died there in 1875. Mary married Thomas Vance, and lives on part of the home farm. Benjamin, our subject, was born in Ross County, February 8, 1815, but came with his father to Fayette, in the same year. He was united in marriage, March 9, 1837, to Martha, daughter of Thomas Reeves, of Madison County. In 1855 they settled in Madison, on the farm where they still live. They have five children, four daughters and one son: Mary E. married S. W. Brown, Angeline married M. L. Yates, Batteal married Lydia A. Rogers, Isabella married J. S. Martin, and Winnie S. married S. H. Farrar. All live near home except Mrs. Farrar, who resides in Missouri. Our subject owns a farm of about fifteen hundred acres of laud, upon which he has erected a substantial farm house. In politics he is a Democrat; a good and safe man. ROBERT C. PARKER. John Parker, father of Robert C., was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, in 1799. He married Mary A. Whiteman, in 1826, by whom he had six children, two sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to be grown, but three have since passed to the spirit-land. Those living are Mrs. L. L. Barker, Mrs. C. D. Hays, and Robert C. He came to Ohio in June, 1826, and settled in Marion Township, where he remained five years, then removed to this township, and settled on what is now well known as the Parker farm. He died in January, 1873. His wife still survives, but is in poor health. Robert C., our subject, was born in Marion Township, and came with his father to this township, where he still lives. He married Margaret, daughter of Frederick Selsor, by whom he had two children: Alice and William S. Little Alice died in May, 1868, when eleven years of age. William is at home, and aids his father in running the farm. In politics, he is a Republican, a staunch temperance man, and never used tobacco in any form. Both himself and wife are mem- 1014 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns a farm of five hundred acres, and is erecting a house, which, when completed, will be one of the fine houses of the county. He is a good and safe man. JOHN W. ROGERS. John W. Rogers, farmer, son of David and Mary Rogers, was born in this county, October 12, 1838. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary H.; daughter of Joseph and Ann C. Harper, by Rev. E. H. Dixon, February 7, 1867. The result of this union was six children. The four living are Joseph P., Ira B., Alexander, and John W. Our subject owns a farm, on the Danville pike, of about four hundred acres, well improved, upon which he is at present erecting a fine residence. He gives special attention to wheat, grass, fruit, and sheep. John's father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Roger's father was born in Maryland, but raised in Delaware, and came to Ohio when about nineteen years old. Her mother was born in Virginia, in 1812, and came to Ohio with her parents, in 1815. In politics, our subject is a Republican, and an anti-slavery man. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is worthy of note, that Joseph Harper, the father of Mrs. Rogers, when married, in 1833, was quite a poor young man, but at his death, which occurred June 27, 1878, he left a large estate for his children, gained by farming. Daniel Rogers, father of John, was born in 1805, and came to Ohio in about 1832. He married Miss Mary Jennings. When he came to this state, his entire property consisted of a small bundle of clothes. For many years, however, he has been regarded as among the wealthy men of Fayette. PERRY SALMON. Perry Salmon was born in Paint Township, near where he now lives, April 12, 1810. He has spent his entire life in this community; has never been out of the state but once, when be crossed PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1015 over into Kentucky, for a change of a few hours; has seldom been out of the county for any length of time. Has been a very stern business man, with a will of his own, healthy, and full of activity. November 25, 1831, he united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Kate Moore, of this county. Four children were born to them, two sons and two daughters: John, Solomon, Lucretia, and Mary A.; all living, and all married, except Solomon, who is at home. Lucretia married Robert Lain, Mary A. married John Tway, jr., and John married Miss Margaret, daughter of Lewis Green, Esq., of this county. All live near where they were born, except John, whose home is in Madison County. The grandchildren are : Annie Lain, Robert Lain, Mantie M. Tway, and Elizabeth Leoti Tway—all healthy and interesting children. The bombarding of Fort Sumpter stirred the loyal blood of young Solomon, and at the call of the government he at once responded. He served his country faithfully for nearly three years, when he was honorably discharged. Mrs. Salmon was a woman of noble heart, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from her youth. She died in full hope of a happy eternity, December 6, 1869. Perry's father was a native of Delaware, and his mother of Maryland. His father came to this state as early as the year 1805, soon thereafter, purchased a tract of land containing four hundred acres, situated between the Little Miami and Scioto rivers. This land fell into Paint Township, six miles north of Bloomingburg, on East Fork of Paint, when the county and townships were organized. Here Mr. Salmon built a horsemill, that did all the grinding for the settlers for many miles around. His family consisted of one son and two daughters : Sophia, married to Nathaniel Tway, sen.; Lovie, married to S. Stodard ; and Perry, who married Miss Elizabeth Moore, as has already been stated. All are dead except our subject. Mr. Solomon Salmon, sen., died in July, 1837, at quite an advanced age; his wife having preceded him to the spirit-land, many years. Our subject has been a man of great physical strength, and has drawn upon it heavily through life. He has a valuable farm of more than three hundred acres of land, with never failing water thereon, flowing from the well known " Salmon Spring." Mr. and 1016 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. Mrs. Lain make their home with him, assisting in the care and management of homestead and farm. FREDERICK SELSOR. Frederick Selsor was born in West Virginia, in 1800. He came to Ohio in 1816, and stopped in Pickaway County ; from thence removed to Madison County. In 1828 he married Polly, daughter of William and Betsey Rankin, of Paint Township, Fayette County. In the fall of 1852, he came to this county and settled on what was then known as the Rankin farm, having purchased this land in 1848. Here he still resides, having erected a commodious dwelling thereon. His family consists, at this writing, of six children : Elizabeth, married to William Tway, Margaret, married to R. C. Parker, Susanna, married to Daniel Morris, Mary, married to Albert Groves, William, married to Letitia Morris, all living in the vicinity of the homestead, and John, who is single and at home, giving attention to the business of the farm. Mr. Selsor's father came from Germany to the United States during the Revolutionary war. His mother was born in Virginia. Mrs. Frederick Selsor died in the spring of 1852. Her mother died at the Rankin farm before it passed into the hands of Mr. Selsor. Her father removed to Illinois, where he died. Her uncles, Sinith and Jacob Rankin, went to Missouri, and being staunch Union men, were greatly annoyed by rebels during the late civil war. Mr. Selsor, our subject, is a strong Republican ; has never voted for a Democratic president since General Jackson vetoed the United States Bank. He has been a business man highly respected. He is now somewhat advanced in life, but strong in body and mind for one of his age. WILLIAM J. SELSOR. William J. Selsor is the son of Frederick and Mary (Rankin) Selsor, and was born in Madison County, Ohio, August 20, 1834, came to this county with his father, and settled in Paint Township. He married Electa J., daughter of Samuel and Phoebe Morris, April 21, 1870, by Hon. Mills Gardener. They have been blessed in their union by three beautiful little daughters, all living. William's prospect for wealth are quite flattering. He is the owner, PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1017 in all, of about nine hundred acres of land. The farm on the Danville pike, on which his elegant residence stands, contains three hundred acres of as fine land as call well be found in any country. Frederick, his father, was a native of West Virginia. HUGH C. STEWART. Dr. Hugh C. Stewart was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, May 26, 1803, and came to Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio, in 1809, with his father's family. In 1812 he attended school at Bloomingburg, New York, where he remained until the spring of 1817, when he returned to Ohio. In 1820 he attended school at Chillicothe Academy, and remained there for about four years; here he commenced the study of medicine, and in the fall of 1826 was admitted to practice. In the fall of 1827 he came to Bloomingburg, and for a short time clerked for Mr. Alexander ; from here he went to the Brush Creek Iron Works. In the spring of 1828 he returned to Bloomingburg, this county, where he has lived ever since. For ten years he kept store, sold goods and medicines, and often prescribed when there was no practicing physician in reach. e has been a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church for fifty years. A man of honor and kind heart. September 30, 1828, he united in marriage with Sarah Allibane, of Philadelphia. The doctor's father was Hugh Stewart (whose sketch appears in another part of this work); his mother was Margaret Smith, a native of Philadelphia. His grandfather came from Ireland. Mrs. Dr. Stewart passed from earth to her final reward, February 17, 1880. She will ever live in the affections of those who knew her, as one of earth's brightest jewels. The doctor for some years past has devoted himself to the practice of medicine, and has the esteem of those who know him. He was lieutenant-colonel in the home militia in 1828, was postmaster for a long time, and has been an elder in the church. Politically he was an old line Whig, then a Freesoiler, and now a Republican. His house, for many years, was a depot on the underground railroad. He is the only one living, of fourteen children, of his father's family. His own family consisted of seven children, of whom only William H. and Fannie A. are living. 1018 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. GEORGE STEWART. George Stewart is the grandson of Hugh and Margaret Stewart, who resided in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary war. After the close of the war, he emigrated to what was then called the frontier of Pennsylvania, but soon left that region and went into Maryland, where he settled on the lands of General` Spriggs; From here he went to Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and engaged in mercantile business. While the business was mostly conducted by his wife, son George, and daughter Elizabeth, he worked vigorously at his trade, which was that of stone and brick mason. In 1804, in company with Thomas Fullerton, his son-in-law, he came to Ohio and purchased eight hundred acres of land, in Ross County. About 1808 he brought his family and settled on this farm. In 1809 he purchased two hundred acres of land in what was then called " The Barrens," situated on the road from Chillicothe to Springfield, in the old Ross County territory, now Fayette County. James Stewart, George's father, was born, September 19, 1786, in Maryland, on General Sprigg's land. George, our subject, was horn December 1819, near Bloomingburg, on the farm bought by his grandfather, 1809. After passing through the schools at Bloomingburg, he completed his education in the Ohio University, at Athens. e has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Evans, of Highland County, Ohio, by whom he had four children, all dead except James R., of Cincinnati. His second wife was Jane Gillespie, of New York. The result of this union was six children, four daughters and two sons, all living in this county except Charles, whose home is in Ross County. George, when first married, settled on a farm four miles east of Washington, well known as the Stewart farm. In 1859 he removed to the homestead for the purpose of caring for his father and mother. His father dying in 1862, and his mother February 8, 1865. The farm, by purchase, fell into the hands of George, upon which he has built and occupies a fine residence. He is a Republican, an anti-slavery and strong temperance man. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church from his youth. He is a safe man. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1019 JOHN STITT. John Stitt was born September 22, 1812, in the State of New York, came to Ohio with his father's family in 1819, and settled in Marion Township, this county, where he remained nine or ten years. About 1830 his father purchased a farm in Paint Township, and moved to it, where he died in 1870, having lost his wife in Marion Township. Luke Stitt, his father, served for five years on a British man of war. He married Jane Young, in the city of New York, November 25, 1808. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters : William, Eliza, John, Jane, and James, all living in Bloomingburg, except James, who died on the Ohio River as the family were moving to this state. The parents were both raised in Ireland, but became acquainted and married after they came to America. John Stitt, our subject, married Eliza, daughter of Charles Holland, in 1842. Ten children blessed this union, of whom but five are now living: Eleanor J., James H., Charles L., Joseph Y., and Hugh R. James H. and Charles L. are both married and settled on farms. Four of the children died when quite young. John died, February 24, 1877, aged twenty years. Mrs. Stitt died in Bloomingburg, February 1872. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Stitt has also been a member of the same denomination since a young man. JOHN TWAY. The grandfather of our subject was born near Elizabethtown, New Jersey, in about 1753, and was of Irish descent. He served for three years in the Revolutionary War. He married Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah Hempstead, of New Jersey, who bore him four children : John, Elizabeth, Jane, and Nathaniel, all of whom lived to have families. He came to Ohio in about 1790, and stopped near where Cincinnati now stands, at what was then called Red Bank Station. From there he removed to this township, where he died, in 1828, his wife having died in 1827. Nathaniel, our subject's father, was born at Red Bank, April 22, 1792. He came to Fayette about the year 1811, and located in this 1020 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. township, where e spent his life, but died, in 1868, in Madison County, while visiting friends. Ile married Sophia B., daughter of Solomon Salmon, of this township. Their family consisted of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. All lived to have families, except three, who died young. Nathaniel, at the time of his death, was worth from sixteen to twenty thousand dollars. He was, through all his long life, a peaceable and just man. John, our subject, was born in Madison County, in 1814. He was first married to Mary Turnipseed, in 1838, by whom he had one son and one daughter: Allen and Catharine. Allen lost his life in the defense of his country—a member of the 114th O. V. I. He had the praise of all who knew him at home : and as a soldier, none braver and more faithful than he. His death occurred at Vicksburg, from typhoid fever. Catharine married James Whiteside, and lives in this county. John married for his second wife, Elizabeth McMillen. The result of this union was nine children. six of the number living, three married, and three single. James A. is devoting himself to teaching and study, with good success. Our subject owns about six hundred and twenty acres of land, with a good house upon it, in which he resides. NATHANIEL TWAY. Nathaniel Tway, son of Nathaniel Tway, sen., was born in this township, October 16, 1838. He was educated under the instruction of David C. Eastman and Professor Parker. After passing through an educational course, lie entered the field as a teacher, and for two years gave special attention to his profession. One year of this time was spent in Indiana, the other in his own township. His last school was taught in. what was then called the Brush school house. When the life of his country was in danger, he turned away from school, and every home interest, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company C, 114th 0. V. I., where for three years he served faithfully. Although he participated in many hard-fought battles without bearing the marks of rebel shot, he lived to see the nation saved. He married Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Ura Struble, of Taylorsville, Indiana. This union has been blessed with one son and two daughters: Nathaniel S., Clara, and Mary, all living. PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1021 Our subjects father was one of the early settlers of this county. He devoted his life to farming and growing stock, and at his death left a nice fortune for his children. Joseph Struble, father of Mrs. Tway, was born in New Jersey. He married Ura Hunt, of Hamilton County, Ohio. They located in Bartholomew County, Indiana. He was elected to the legislature in 1854-'55, and died January 17, 1862. His wife died February 17, 1867. Mr. Tway and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is Republican, and a staunch temperance man. He owns a nice little farm, of one hundred and sixty-six acres, in this township: JAMES M. WILLIS. James M. Willis, farmer, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, January 20, 1808. His father, Nathaniel, was the first printer in Ohio. e printed for the convention that formed the constitution, and was the first state printer. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts; his mother, Mary Cartmill, a native of Virginia. He was first married in Boston, to Miss Douglas, by whom he had two children—a son and daughter. This son was the father of N. P. Willis, the poet. By his second marriage there were four sons and seven daughters. James M., our subject, came to this county in January, 1826, and clerked in the store of Captain Philip Doddridge seven years, four years of this time for his board and clothes. In 1833, he commenced selling goods for himself. In 1837, he was joined in holy wedlock with Emily, daughter of William R. and Mary (Buchanan) Southard, of Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio. Eight children were the result of this union. The deceased are John L., Lucy, Ella, Clara, and Fanny. Those living are William R., James W., and Laura B. Mr. Willis remained in the dry goods business for fifteen years, and retired with fifty thousand dollars profit. He resides in Bloomingburg, owns a fine tract of land, containing eighteen hundred acres, well improved; is a selfmade man, and a model farmer, as a look at his farm will testify. His son William lives on a portion of the farm, in one of the finest houses in the county. 1022 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. HENRY WINDLE. Henry's great-grandfather was Valentine Windle, a native of Germany, who came, with three brothers, to this country at an early period, and settled in Virginia, on the South Branch of the Potomac. His grandfather was Peter Windle, and his grandmother, Rachel (Wolf) Windle, of Virginia. They came to Ohio in 1795, and purchased a tract of land on Paint Creek, this county, containing six hundred acres. The portion on which they located is now owned by Burton Vesey. Their family consisted of four sons and eight daughters. Henry Windle's father was Abraham Windle, born in Pendleton County, Virginia, February 25, 1786, but came to Ohio with his father's family. He united in marriage, July 1822, with Sarah Smith, Joel Woods, Esq., officiating. She was born in Monroe County, Virginia, May 16, 1784. The result of this union was one daughter and two sons : Catherine, born September 5, 1823, and died, June 15, 1840. James M., born April 16, 1825, and died, August 11, 1827. Henry, our subject, was born May 28, 1827. The Windle family were noted for industry and honesty. The emigrants to this country in an early day were often found destitute of means. Such always met a kind reception, and found a liberal hand at Windle's. At the death of Peter Windle, sen., the land on Paint Creek was divided between his sons .Joseph and Abraham. His son Peter was provided with a farm on Sugar Creek. Joseph received the portion of land upon which his f'ather's house (log) stood. He in time moved west, and the homestead changed hands. This farm is now owned by Burton Vesey. Abraham built a log house and barn on his part of the land, and here he spent his entire life. Abraham Windle was tall, fine looking, free and jovial, highly esteemed by his friends and neighbors. At the death of his father, in 1863, Henry fell heir, not only to the homestead, but to a farm of several hundred acres in Missouri, well improved, and at the death of his mother, which occurred, September 28, 1879, he inherited a valuable farm on Paint, which she owned before her marriage. In addition, Henry controls a large and valuable farm belonging to Clarissa, his wife, whom he married, November 12, 1850, and divided from her father's (Joseph PAINT TOWNSHIP - 1023 Hidy) estate. Henry and Clarissa occupy one of the finest houses in this county, with a beautiful lawn, adorned by choicest evergreens. Henry started out to take life easy, and has very nearly made a success of it. He is blessed with more than ordinary mental powers. He has great taste for instrumental music, and is somewhat of a genius in that line. Earlier in life he was very fond of hunting. He relishes a discussion on some theological questions, more than a warm breakfast. He possesses fine flow of spirit, receives his friends with open arms, but takes very little pleasure in the society of his enemies. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat. His excellent wife does well her part in keeping up their cozy home.