HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 325 which he improved. He raised a family of seven children, none of whom are now living. Some died here, and some moved to the west, where they died. He raised William Swank, who was bound to and now lives at Commercial Point, aged sixty-seven years. A daughter married John Stinson, who became a school teacher, and taught on Ballard's place, in 1812. William Seeds. emigrated from Pennsylvania, in 1819, and settled on land west of and adjoining that belonging to Robert Seeds, in the north part of the township. The fall before he came he sent three of his children to Ohio, John, Robert, and Elizabeth, the oldest not more than sixteen years of age. They accomplished the long journey in safety, their only means of conveyance being a single horse, which each rode alternately. The children of William Seeds were: James, John, Woods, Robert, Elizabeth, Henry, Isabel, Harvey, Samuel, Mary Ann, and Cyrus. But two of them, Woods and Cyrus, now live in this State. One lives in Iowa; the rest are all deceased. William Seeds died in 1839, aged seventy-seven. At the time of his death he owned five hundred and ninety acres of land. William Mires came about the same time as the Thompsons, in 1800, and settled .on the Ballard place. He lived there but a short time, and died September 22, 1819. He was buried in the cemetery on Thompson's hill. None of the family live in this vicinity, and nearly all are dead. Robert Seeds came from Pennsylvania, in 1803 or 1804. His father traded property in that State for eleven hundred acres in Ohio, a part lying in Franklin and a part in Pickaway. county. 'His father came soon after, and died at his son's house. Robert Seeds had eight children, of whom five are now living in this township, viz.: Mrs. Isabel Beaver, Mrs. Martha Snyder, Moses Seeds, John Seeds, and Hannah Redmon. He built the first brick house in the township, about 186 or 18T8,. burning the brick himself. This house was torn down a few years since. Moses Seeds lives a short distance from the site of the old house. Edward Fitzgerald was born in 1761, and came to Ohio in 1804, and bought seven or eight hundred acres of land in Scioto, about a mile north of Commercial Point, a part of which is now owned by George Dennis and his brother. Mr. Fitzgerald was a Pennsylvanian. He had three sons: Thomas, John, and Abraham. At his death, in 1814, his sons inherited his property, which they afterwards sold, and moved to Iowa. None of the family now live here. George Dennis, and his brother, Elisha, bought two hundred and fifteen acres of this property, which they now occupy. George married Susan Miller, and Elisha married Elizabeth Haynes. George West came from Virginia about 1804, and bought about nine hundred acres of the Butler survey, in the southeast part of the township, and on the Scioto river. He had eleven children, of whom nine came to maturity. They were: Daniel, Peter, Frederick, John, George, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Barbara, Margaret, and Catharine. George died young;. Frederick went into the army and served in the war of 1812, came home broken down in health, and died. On the death of Mr. West the property was divided between the children, each receiving one hundred acres. Seven made improvements, and two sold to the others. Daniel died in 1861, in Harrison township, and Margaret, in Jackson. The rest, with the exception of Peter, went west, where they died. George West died in 182-. Peter West came from Virginia in 1804, at the same time as his father's family. He remained on the east side of the river about five years, and in 1809 settled on one hundred acres belonging to his father, in Scioto township. He married Elizabeth Bartley, and had seven children, of whom five are now living—Mary married John Seaburn; Sarah married Mason Cleveland; John married Elizabeth Howe, and lives a widower, in Iowa; Elizabeth married Luke Wilkins, and lives in the township; Margaret married J. W. Stiverson, and lives on the Peter West homestead. Mr. West died. April 6, 1840, aged fifty-eight. His wife, Elizabeth, died June 1, 1850, aged seventy-two. Edward and Isaac Williams came about 1806, and settled on the west bank of Scioto river, on a part of the Richard C. Anderson survey. Edward built a log cabin on land now owned by Philomel Gray, and which is still standing. He was .twice married, and had seven children, all of whom lived to' maturity. By his first wife he. had three children, one of whom married John Young. The children by his second wife were Mary, Elizabeth, William, and Josephine. The latter married Dr. Jones, of Columbus, where she now lives. Mr. Williams died in 1831. Isaac Williams had nine children, of whom four are now living. One son, Vincent, lives in Madison county. The others are not in the vicinity. Two live in Illinois. Jacob Widener came from Virginia in 1802, and first settled below Chillicothe. In 1807 he moved to this township, and bought five hundred acres of land of the Williams brothers, which he improved and cleared. A part of the house now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Engle, about a mile north of the Bloomfield pike, was built by him. Soon after his purchase he sold two hundred and fifty acres to Mr. Rollins. Two children were born to him---Elizabeth and Rebecca. Elizabeth died in Illinois in 1878. Rebecca married Jacob Engle, who died in 1835. She still occupies the old homestead. Jacob Widener died in 1835. The Choates were early settlers along the river—about 1808. One was a justice of the peace during his residence here. . None of the family now remain. Mr. Goreley came to Scioto about 1808, and settled on Edward Williams' place. A ford near where he lived is called Goreley's ford. Land was leased by him, but he did more toward keeping the early settlers shod than he did toward farming. He was the first shoemaker in the township. None of his name now reside here, although he raised quite a family. James Johnson came to Ohio, from Virginia, in 1808., and settled on Darby creek, in the west part of 'the township. For many years he rented land, but before he died he bought a part of the farm now owned by Nelson Rush. 326 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. Two of his daughters are still living on portions of the farm he left. Francis Rush came from Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1808. He married Nancy Greenwade, of Virginia, by whom he had six children, all of whom are still living; and five of them in this township. They are Jacob, John, Francis, Nelson, and William, all of whom own farms in Scioto, and Mrs. Sarah Sharp, who lives in Cowles county, Illinois. Mr. Rush was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was obliged to leave his family in the woods, surrounded by howling wolves, while he fought the Indians and the British soldiers: When he came to this country they had but one child, which was brought on horseback, over the tedious road from Virginia. John Rush, his son, owns a large farm of over seven hundred acres, in the northwest part of the township, three miles from 'Harrisburg. William owns the home farm, on Darby creek—five hundred and fifty-nine acres. Francis lives on an adjoining farm of over six hundred acres. Jacob- has a large farm in Scioto and Darby townships. Nelson has a farm of over two hundred acres, northeast of the home farm. Lemuel Sayres came from the State of Pennsylvania to Ross county, where he married. He settled permanently one and one-half miles north of Geneva, in 1808, and raised a family of eight children, all girls. At his death, the large farm owned by him was divided among his children, but one of whom now lives in Scioto—Ada-, line, who remains single. The others live in other parts of the country. None of his estate is now owned by his children. John, Hugh and Andrew Shaw settled in the north part of the township about 1809. John and Hugh purl chased land and improved it. Andrew was a wheelwright, and made it his business to keep thrifty housewives provided with spinning-wheels, reels, and such other articles as came in his line: Some of their descendants live in the township at this time. James Miller came from Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1808 or 1809. At first he rented the place now owned by George Dennis. In 1811 he bought the place now owned by William Gibson, where he lived twenty years. Afterwards, he lived in Bloomfield and Marysville several years, when he went to Iowa. He died in Missouri, on April 22, 1878, aged ninety-one and one-half years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Nine children were born to him, six of whom came to maturity. Two of his children live in this township: James Miller and Mrs. George Dennis. John Sample was a resident of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1809, settling three miles below Genoa, where he built a stillhouse, which he run a number of years. He bought. a farm of two or three hundred acres, and raised a large family, all of whom are now dead or moved away. Mr. Sample was a justice of the peace in about 186. Daniel Harper came in about 1810, and leased land, but was never a freeholder. None of his descendants remain. Joseph Reed came from Ireland to Pennsylvania. where he married. In 1810 he moved to Ohio and bought one hundred acres of the Donaldson and one hundred acres of the McMahon survey. There was a small improvement when he came, and he cleared the land. His family comprised nine children—Elizabeth, William, James, Eleazur M., Margaret, Joseph, John, Martha Ann, and George. Eleazur is living in Darby township. Joseph died on the old homestead, April 12, 1879, aged sixty-one years. Joseph Reed, sr., died in 1856, aged eighty-two years, and his wife died in 1834, aged nearly forty-six years. John Nevins came to Pickaway count}, about 1810, and settled on the place now owned by James Walker, where he died in 1819 or 1820. He raised a family of three sons and two daughters. One daughter married Richard Carson, who was a step-son of Major John Thompson. Mr. Carson was a very strong and active man, but injured his health by showing his activity, and died from the effects of a strain. Another daughter -married Nathan Denny; and another, Joseph Hollenback. The sons went to Iowa and other parts of the West. Charles Williams emigrated from Delaware in 1805, and came to Pickaway Plains, where he remained one winter, after which he moved to the north fork of Paint creek, at Frankfort. There he lived until 1811, when he moved to Scioto township, and settled half a mile north of Genoa, where he remained a few years. In 1814 he moved to Harrisburg, remaining one year, when he returned to near Genoa. After this time he rented a number of different farms, the last one being the Peter Dechert place, where. he died in 1839, aged ninety-two years. He raised nine children, but one of whom is now living—John Williams, or "Little John," as he is called. In 1833 he bought one hundred and twenty-four acres of land, which he gave to his sons John and James. James sold out and moved to Indiana. John sold his farm and owns no property now. The elder Williams always bore the reputation of a Tory, and for many years would buy no land, saying the king would yet own the country. Joshua Williams came to Ohio in 1811. His business was that of weaving cloth. He married and raised a large family. A son—Noah—lives about two miles mirth of Genoa, on a farm. Andrew Jordan, from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1811, and located on the Delano farm, where he lived until his death. He was an industrious man, and husked corn on the clay of his death. He raised a family of five daughters, all of whom are now living. One of them--Mrs. Fisher - lives in the south part of this township. John Stinson, or "Jack," as he was called, settled in Soioto in 1812, in which year he taught school on the Ballard farm.. He published a small book called" Jack's Complete Constable," describing the duties of constables. He was a son-in-law of William Ballard. He was many times in trouble with the settlers, and was several times bound over to keep the peace. John R. Davis settled in Deer Creek township in 18.6, coming from Worcester county, Maryland. He Jived in Deer Creek township five years, and then in Jackson five JOHN MUNDELL MRS. JOHN MUNDELL. was born in Scotland. He immigrated to the United States when he was twenty years of age, and settled in Virginia. A few years later he married Miss Jannett McIntosh, by whom he had four children, two of whom —John David and Walter McIntosh —were born in Virginia, and two—James Grieve and Emily Thompson—were born in Ohio. He came to Ohio, with his family, in 1833, and purchased seven hundred acres of forest, a portion of which is still owned and occupied by his daughter. At the time of this settlement, it was almost an unbroken wilderness from the Scioto river to the head waters of the Big Darby. Of the seven hundred acres purchased by Mr. Mundell, seven acres were indifferently cleared, but no buildings of any kind had been erected. With that enegy and determination which characterized his life, he went resolutely to work and subdued the forest, erected suitable buildings for-his family, which, at the time of his settlement, consisted of his wife, two sons --already mentioned—and a niece,. Miss Jannett Filcomb, who still remains with the younger member of the family. Her quiet, consistent, christian life, entitles her to prominent mention with this family. Our subject, John Mundell, donated the ground, hewed the logs, and helped to erect the First Presbyterian church then west of the Scioto river. He was one of its first members, and was a ruling elder from that time until his death. He was a fearless advocate of the right, and as fearlessly denounced wrong. He was a kind and indulgent father, and lived to see the fruition of his life—an educated family, and all members of the Presbyterian church. In early life he was a Whig, but was identified with the Republican party from its organization. His motto was "equal rights and universal education." He died in 187o, of heart disease, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. Mrs. Mundell was also born of Scotch parents, though a native of Virginia. Her mother, Mrs. Margaret Shannon, came to Ohio with the Mundell family, and a few years since died, at the age of one hundred and four years. Mrs. Mundell died in the year 1875, at the age of seventy-four years. While both Mr. and Mrs. Mundell lived to a good old age, yet it is quite evident that the labor and hardships, incident to new-country life, materially shortened the life of each. Their first-born, John David, has been twice married. Miss Mary A. May, of Kingston, Ross county, Ohio, was his first wife, and Miss Matty Maxwell, his second and present wife, also of Kingston, where they now reside. Walter McIntosh enlisted in the three months' service, and served in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio. He was never married. He gave his life to his country. After the expiration of the term of his first enlistment, he re-enlisted for the war. His health finally gave way, and he lived but a few months after reaching home. James Grieve married Mary W. Renick, and lives in Kansas. Emily Thompson, the youngest of the family, is unmarried, and occupies the old homestead, and, to all appearances, manages all the details of farming with good judgment. HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 327 years. In 1834 he bought one hundred acres of land of the Mayfield survey, in Scioto. He was married while in Clarksburg, Ross county, and raised nine children, six of whom are still living--two in this township. Mr. Davis is now in his eightieth year and very feeble, and his wife is in her eighty-fourth year. James Redmon came from near Winchester, Virginia, to Station Prairie, in Ross county,' in 1802. His father came from Ireland, and served throughout the Revolutionary war. James Redmon remained in Ross county some twelve years, and, in 1816, removed to Jackson township, Pickaway county. In 1818 he moved to Harrison, where he remained until 1833, when he moved to Darby. In 1834 he settled in Scioto, -and located on a part of the Reuben Long survey. He died in 1844, aged seventy-six years. He raised a family of fourteen children. Elizabeth married John -Yoakum, Susan remained single, and John married Hannah Sage. James Redmon's wife lived to be one hundred years and four months old. John- Redmon was a great hunter, and has-killed many deer, but did not neglect his work to hunt. He killed the last deer seen in this vicinity. Martin Boots came to Scioto at an early day, and cleared land. He afterwards moved farther west. Enoch Henry lived on the Delano tract- quite early, and made a clearing, but soon left. Andrew Galbreath came from Pittsburgh, about 1811, and bought land on the old Federal road. He owned two or three hundred acres near Robtown, which he improved, and where he raised a family of children. At his death, the family returned to Pennsylvania. Alexander Laferty located on a part of. the Williams' tract, near the Scioto river, soon after Edward Williams came. He made a clearing, and, afterwards, moved away. A man named Grove also settled on the 'Williams' tract, where he died. Robert Ross settled on a vacant piece of land, west of Genoa, as early as 1822, and cleared about twenty acres. The land was purchased by James Johnson, and Ross moved to Indiana. Peter Dechert came from Virginia to Ohio about 1820. His wife had the misfortune to break her leg while on the journey, or about the time they arrived, and remained at the house of William Miller, in the northwest part of the township, until a comfortable home could be built. They settled half a mile west of Genoa. The only remaining member of the family, in Scioto, is Mrs. Esther Coontz, who still lives at the old homestead. Anthony Coontz came from Virginia to Ohio, where, in 1827, he married Rebecca Dechert, daughter of Peter Dechert, settled on land given his wife by her father, and made a home and improved the farm. They had nine children : Margaret, Jesse, William, Peter, Solomon, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Anthony P. Margaret married James A. Beckett, and lives at Commercial Point. She is the only surviving member of the family in Scioto. Jacob Yoakum, from Hardy county, Virginia, came to Ohio, in 1818, and remained in Piketon, Pike county, three years. In 1.822, he removed to Scioto, and bought- one hundred and fifty-one acres of the Judge Seymour tract, on .Darby creek, a part of which lies in Muhlenberg. He served a short time as a soldier, in the war of 1812, going from Virginia. The family came to Ohio with a five-horse team, over terrible roads. At his death, January 8, 1878, he was ninety-seven; his widow survives him. Five of their children now live here : Abel R., on the old Wilson place; Robert, Henry, and Mary, on the old homestead, and Mrs. Anna Parkinson, who married Robert Parkinson,and lives on the adjoining farm. Isaac Robison was a native of Pennsylvania, but was raised in Pike county, Ohio, where he married and had three children, Margaret, Jane, and Elizabeth. In 1822, he moved to Scioto, where Sarah, James, John, Ann, David, Samuel, William, Joseph, Matilda, Caroline, Martha, and Almira were born—in all, fifteen. Thirteen are now living, five in Scioto,' and all on farms: Mrs. Sarah Hall, Mrs. Matilda Hott, Mrs. Almira Hott, and Mrs. Ann Hoover. Michael Robison, the father of Isaac Robison, came with his family to Pike county, in 1819. In 1822 he moved to Pickaway county, and bought two hundred and fifty acres of land, which he gave to his children, of whom he had six. He died in 1851, aged eighty years. The Robisons settled in the south part of the township, and their settlement is known as Robtown. James Welsh settled near Chillicothe, when he first came to Ohio, in 1813. In 1825, he removed, with his family, to Scioto, and located in Genoa, where he died in 1826. His family remained -here three or four years, when they moved about two miles northwest of Genoa, where his son, James, lived until August 4, 1879, when he died. He married Margaret Thompson, a daughter of Thomas Thompson, who came to Pickaway county in r800, or 1802. They have three children : Jesse Thompson, John, and Ann E., who married J. C. Clemens, and died July 25, 1879, aged thirty-eight. Mr. Clemens was a soldier in the First regiment of Ohio volunteer cavalry, and served his State and country from September, 186r, till February, 1863, when he was discharged for disability. Afterwards, he served during the hundred days' service, in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio infantry. He has two daughters. Mr. Clemens rents land, and carries on the business of farming. Joseph Gochenour came to Ohio in 1826 or 1827. He exchanged property in Virginia for one thousand acres of wild land in the General Porterfield survey, west of Genoa. He made no improvements the first year after his purchase, but went to the Miami river country and remained there one year, after which he returned and began his improvement. Ten children were born to him in Virginia, before he emigrated, and one born after his settlement. The family came to Ohio in wagons, and on their arrival on the west side of the Scioto river, had to cut a road. through the forest to his purchase, some four miles. In 1830 or 1831, he started a tannery, which he afterwards sold to Robert Gibson. Isaac Smith came from Maryland, in 1815, and at first settled near Chillicothe, where he lived several years, moving to Scioto in 1826 or 1.827. He bought land on 328 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. Darby creek, which he cleared, and where he made a home. Twelve children were raised by him. George Gochenour came with his parents about 1826 or 1827. On the death of his father he inherited a part of his estate—one hundred and two acres—which he improved, and on which he lived, and where he died, June 6, 1872. He married Maria Smith, who survives him. Their children were: Joseph (who died when an infant), Isaac, Barbara (Mrs. Michael Burke), Elzy, Sarah A., Littleton, and Henry. The latter lives in. Missouri; the others in this township. Littleton married Margaret Beavers, and owns a farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres, two miles southwest of Commercial Point. Griffith Justice settled on the east side of Scioto river, about 1815: In 1827 he removed to Scioto township, and in 1832 or 1833 he bought a farm; a part of survey number six thousand, eight hundred and thirty, now owned by Alexander Colwell. Here he lived until 1856; when he died of cholera. He raised a family of ten children, two of whom are now living: one in Columbus, and one in Decatur, Illinois. Rufus Dennis came to Ohio in 1827, from Maryland, and worked a year for Judge Florence, in Muhlenberg. In 1828 he came to Scioto, where he has since lived. Much hard work has been done by him in helping others to clear land and improve farms, but he was never a land owner. He is now nearly seventy-two years old. William Harler came from Virginia in 1829, and settled on the McMeekin survey. This property he afterwards sold, and now owns fifty acres, a mile and a half south of Genoa. The trade he follows is brick-laying, and he has helped build most of the brick-work in this township. Nine children were raised by him, six of whom are now living. John Frietwell came with William Harler, in 1829, and settled near the location of the cemetery. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a brick-layer by trade, and worked with William Harler many years. John W. Lane came from Albemarle county, Virginia, to Ohio, in 1831, and bought a farm a mile and a half north of Genoa, which he cleared, and where he still lives, aged nearly eighty-five. years. Mrs. Lane is seventy-three. They raised seven children, four of whom are now living: David is a farmer, and lives in this township; Mrs. Lucy Ann Corry, lives in Franklin county; Sarah V. Shaw lives in Christian county, Illinois; James lives south of his father, and owns a farm of four hundred acres. In his early manhood he married, and commenced farming, but, his health breaking down, he was obliged to give it up, and began dealing in stock, at which he has made a good property. In the community where he lives he is a prominent man, and bears an enviable reputation. Robert Gibson emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, in 1816. In 1818 he was married, in Preble county, to Ruhamah Williamson, and, after marriage, they settled in Dayton. In 1825 he opened a tannery, which he con- ducted until 1829, when he moved to Scioto. Two years later he bought the Williamson homestead, and in 1839, bought the. tannery started by Joseph Gochenour. This be conducted until 1852, when he closed it. Previous to his emigration to Ohio he served six months in the war of 1812:- Following are the names of his children: Eleazer W., James A., Martha A., Mary J., Rebecca, and Sarah. Martha married George. W. Scholey, and lives in Kansas City, Missouri. Rebecca married Garrett E. Conover, and lives in Kansas. Sarah married Luther Lerch, and lives on the homestead. Mary J. lives with them. James A. married Hester A. Crabb, and owns a farm Of one hundred and seventy-five acres, a mile and a quarter southwest of Commercial Point. E. W. married Louisa Walker and lives a mile and a half southeast of Commercial Point, where he owns and manages a farm of about one hundred and seventy-four acres. Robert Wilson was born in Ireland, and came to this country with his parents when an infant, and spent his early life in Virginia. He was married in Zanesville. In 1828 he settled on the barrens, in Darby township, and in 1832 came to Scioto and bought land on the west side of the pike, southwest of Commercial Point. He raised a family of eleven children. John Mundell was born in Scotland in 1794, and emigrated to the United States in 182o. He settled in Virginia, where he married, and had two children. In 1833 he came to Scioto, and bought about seven hundred acres of land, being a part of the Taggart and McLaughlin survey, and a part of the John Kerr survey, a short distance from Commercial Point. They raised five children, three of whom are now living: one in Kingston, Ross county; one in Garnet, Kansas; and a third,. Emma, on the old homestead. James H. Burnley came from Albemarle county, Virginia, to .Ohio, in 1832, arriving on Deer creek before Christmas day. He bought three hundred and eleven acres of land on a part of which the village of Commercial Point now stands. A cabin was already built on the land, and into this he moved in February, 1833. He laid off half of the village, on the east, and called it Rome. Wiley Beckett had already laid out the west half, and called it Genoa. A narrow grove was left on the south, which extended into the village, but was not included in the plat. This is now owned by John C. Burnley and M. V. Beavers. James H. Burnley was a justice of the peace a number of years. His wife was Ann Burnley. They raised a family of nine children, among whom his property was divided. Two children are now living here, John C., who lives on the homstead, and Mrs. M. C. Roland. Moses Rawlins came from Maryland as early as 1808, and took a fifteen years' lease of a part of Edward Williams' place, opposite the farm now owned by Philomel Gray. He raised twelve children, five of whom are still living. A son, Ezekiel, married twice. He settled in Scioto, and had twenty-six children, seven '-by his first wife and nineteen by his second, who survives him. Joshua Williams came to Pickaway plains from Delaware, in 1805, where he remained seven years. In 1812 he moved to Scioto, and settled on a part of the Daniel Morgan survey, a mile from the line of Franklin county, and north of Commercial Point. He had eight children, MR. AND MRS. JACOB W. STIVERSON was the only child of Jacob Stiverson and Hannah (Howe) Stiverson. His father was born in York, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1792. In his early life he emigrated to Scott county, Kentucky, where he spent a few years, and then emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Jackson township, in Pickaway county, in 1815. His wife was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was born January 28, 1794. Jacob Stiverson died August 29, 1816. His wife survived him until September 19, 1876. During all this period she remained single. Jacob West Stiverson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jackson township, a few months after the, death of his father, December 31, 1816. He married Miss Margaret West, of Scioto township, Pickaway county, in 1842. She was born November 10, 1820, in the house where the Stiverson family now live, and where they have resided a large share of the time since their marriage, Mr. Stiverson becoming the purchaser of the same, in the meantime. Seven children were born of this union: Martha Virginia, who lives with her parents; Arthur Elmore, who is deceased; Cornelia Missouri, now Mrs. A. J. Gusman, and resides at South Bloomfield, this county —she has one child; Alice Elizabeth, who is deceased; George West, who lives at home with the family; Charles William, who is deceased; and Hannah Caroline, who is at home. The gratitude and filial affection of this family of children most richly deserve a notice in this biography. Children who were raised under such influences and teachings as might be expected to flow from pious and sensible parents, uniformly produce 'men and women of this sort, and without which the world would retrograde. The subject of our sketch is and ever has been a quiet, unobtrusive man, thoroughly domestic in his tastes and life. His education was obtained in the schools of his neighborhood, and at his own fireside. He never studied grammar, and during his few school days never saw but one copy—Kirkum's—which was brought to school by one of the scholars, and used as a reading book, the teacher having no conception of its real use or design. Mr. Stiverson is not a general reader, but a critical and discriminating reader of books and subjects which have especially attracted his attention. He once served as trustee of his township for a term of two years, but official prominence being so distasteful to him, he has uniformly peremptorily declined nominations to township and county offices since the expiration of his trusteeship. He is a Republican, and has been since the organization of that party. Before that time he was a Whig, of the. Clay school, hence his Republicanism came easily, naturally, and from principle, and not from any feeling of partisanship. His opinions are based upon his own investigations and reason, and of course his exercise of the rights and duties of citizenship is in the light of intelligence and. good morals. After giving the matter special attention, we are delighted to say he is held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and longtime acquaintances, and their confidence in his integrity and character is universal. He is a member of the United Brethren church, as are some of his family, and has held the office of steward and class leader several times. His life is consistent, uniform, and in keeping with his profession and an exalted patriotism. His material prosperity has been slow, but thoroughly in keeping with his sense of honor, and an unbending integrity. He and his faithful wife have toiled side by side during the years of their married life, and by their industry and economy have not only accumulated a competence. for their declining years, but they have provided their children with an education—a solid wealth which no misfortune can destroy. Mrs. Stiverson was the sixth and youngest child of Peter West and Elizabeth Bartly. 'Her father was a native of Virginia, and was born February 8, 1782. Her mother was a native of. Pennsylvania, and was born September 12, 1778. Her parents came to Ohio in 1804, and settled on the Scioto River, where the Stiverson family now resides. Her father built and operated a large ferry boat, for several years, and Miss Margaret West—now Mrs. Stiverson—was his only helper much of the time, and she soon understood the management of the awkward craft as well as her father. Her early, as well as her later life, has been one of activity and usefulness, and she has instructed her daughters in all the accomplishments and mysteries of housekeeping, and reared them to be industrious, with a full appreciation of the worth of character. She is a member of the Christian church, yet no conflicts of opinion mar the happiness of this family on account of religious differences. The christian character of Mr. and Mrs. Stiverson meets with abundant proof in the almost universal testimony of neighbors and long-time acquaintances. HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 329 all of whom settled near him. A son, Henry, was killed at the battle of Murfreesborough. Noah lives on a part of the homestead. Mr. Williams died in 1869. His wife died in 1865. John Martin settled on the east side of the Scioto river, about 1801. In 1816 he came to Scioto, with his brother James. Their father gave each one hundred and fifty acres of land, about two miles east of Commercial Point. John Martin raised ten children, and died in 1860, aged sixty-seven. His wife died in 1870, aged seventy-five. His son, William, owns a farm of eighty-three acres, a mile south of Commercial Point. Thomas Strain settled in Scioto about 1833, or 1834, purchasing the farm now owned by William Scholey, to to whom he sold in .1835, and moved to the west. A son lives in Harrisburg, Franklin county. Mason Cleveland settled in Scioto in 1832. He is a native of Connecticut; a millwright and miller by trade, and has helped build many saw-mills, two grist-mills, and two distilleries in Pickaway county. By his first wife he had two children. For his second wife he married Sarah, daughter of Peter West, by whom he had no children. He is now eighty years old, and a hale and hearty man. He has a farm a short distance southeast of Commercial Point. John Walker emigrated from Albemarle county, Virginia, with a family, consisting of a wife and ten children, in 1834. He settled a mile and one-half southeast of Commercial Point, where he bought one hundred and eight acres of land. He added to this until his death, in November, 1861, when he owned four hundred acres. His widow survives him, and now lives with. her son, B. F. Walker, near Salina, Kansas, in the eighty-first year of her age. Mr. Walker lived to be seventy-seven. Two daughters, Mrs. E. W. Gibson and Mrs. Edward Thomas, and one son, James Walker, now live in Scioto. The old homestead belongs to B. F. Walker, of Salina, Kansas.. J mes Walker came with his father in 1834, being then sixteen )(rears of age. He owns a farm of two. hundred acres, a mile and a half southeast of Commercial Point, which he purchased in 1864. He makes a specialty of fine sheep, and owns a flock of one hundred and forty Merinos. He married Sarah A. Fretwell in 1843, and has now four children. He served as justice of the peace many years. Was postmaster from 1858 until 1864. J. W. Durrett came from Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1835, and settled in Scioto, where he bought one hundred acres of land the year after his arrival. In 1837 he married Jane Martin, by whom he had five children. She died April 17, 1851, and August 18, 1851, he married Louisa Innis, by whow he also had five children. He ownes a farm of one hundred and ninety acres, a mile and a half east of Commercial Point, where he lives. He is a prominent man in the township, and has the respect and confidence of the community. He has been three times elected justice of the peace. His children are: Sarah A., John M., William W., Thomas H., and Emily, by his first wife; and Isabel, Viola, Minnie, James M., and Anna W., by his second wife. Jacob W. Stiverson was born in Jackson township, Pickaway county, December 31, 1816. His mother was a daughter of Abraham Howe, who settled in Jackson in 1869. She married Jacob Stiverson, and with him settled on land now owned by Jonathan W. Huston, in Jackson. Jacob W. Stiverson married, in 1842, Margaret West, daughter of Peter West, who settled in Scioto in 1804. They own the Peter West homestead, and have had a family of seven children, four of whom are now living. 'Their names are: Martha V., Arthur E., Cornelia M., George W., Alice E., Charles W., and H. Caroline V. Cornelia is married, and lives in Bloomfield. Mr. Stiverson has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-. three acres, situated on the bank of the Scioto river, in the southeast corner of Scioto township. Luke Wilkins was born in Maryland, and came to Ross county when an infant, in 1814,-with his parents. In 1840 he came to Seioto, and remained for a time, when he returned to Ross county, and worked at carpentering. In 1841 he again came to Scioto, and worked at his trade. In 1843 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Peter West. He bought one hundred and twenty-one acres of land, the share of his wife in her father's estate being used in payment. They have eight children—Mary R., Almira J., Caroline M., Ann Eliza, Harvey T., William W., Sarah and Hannah NI. Three are married and live near home, and one is in Kansas. Wiley H. Beckett came from eastern Virginia, in 1829, and settled west of the present village of Commercial ,-"Point, where he purchased two hundred and. thirty-eight acres of land. His wife was Magdalena Akerley, to whom he was married in 1815. They had eleven children, ten of whom are now living: Cynthia A ; John H., who died when seventeen years of age; James A., who married Margaret Coontz in 1846; Sarah J.; Alexander F.; Sidney A.; Mabel M.; Caroline V.; Thomas J.; and Susan M. Two of these live in Indiana, one in Missouri, and the others live in and near Scioto. Mr. Beckett and his son, J. A., started the first store in Scioto, at Genoa, in 1844. In 1852 James A. took the store, and has since continued it, a part of the time alone, and a part of the time, in a partnership business. It is now conducted under the firm name of J. A. Beckett-& Co., the partners being J. A. Beckett, J. 0. Beckett, and W. H. Magley. Mr. J. A. Beckett has four children: Ellen G., who married W. H. Magley; Cornelia A., who married T. H. Durrett; John 0., unmarried; and Clara R., who married. John Peters. Daniel Pursell came ftom New Jersey with his family, and located on the Williams farm, near Scioto river, where he arrived in July, 1838. He had twelve children., six of whom are living. George lives in Illinois; Eli, in Missouri; Sarah (Mrs. William Martin), in Scioto township; Cyrus married Elizabeth Hobbs, of Ross county, and lives here; Jacob also lives here; and J. T. lives in Garnet, Kansas. Jacob, Cyrus, and J. T. were in the army during the Rebellion, and served nearly three years. Cyrus has six children, and is engaged in blacksmithing. He first opened a shop at Commercial Point, in 1853. His shop was burned in NI ay, of the same year, but with the assistance of his neighbors, it was rebuilt. An at- 42 330 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO tempt was afterwards made to burn his house, by some person who held a spite against him. Joshua Hill came from Maryland, with his family, and located in Harrison township. In 1824, he moved to Scioto, where two of his sons, William and Hiram, now live. William owns a farm. James Meeker came from Franklin county to Scioto, in 1845. He now owns one hundred acres of land two miles southwest of Commercial Point. He helped build flatboats, for use in carrying produce down the Ohio river, at an early day. When a young man, and living in Franklin county, he worked in the construction of the Ohio canal. Jonathan E. Trimmer came from New Jersey, in 1841, and bought a farm on part of the McMeekin survey, a mile south of Commercial Point. His family consisted of Aaron, Elijah, Sarah A., and Martha. He died March 7, 1879, aged seventy-four; his widow survives him aged seventy-three. Three of his children are married, and live on and near the homestead. Aaron married Susan O'Hara; Sarah married James Huston, who died in 1873; Martha married Conrad Bohnert. George Hott moved to Scioto township, from Walnut, in 1847, and located in Robtown, where he lived about twenty years, when he went to Darbyville for two years. In 1867 he moved to Fayette county, where he now lives. He raised seven children, four of whom live in Scioto: Jackson, William, Mrs. Mary A. Clark, and George. George married Matilda Robison, in 1857, and has two children, both at home. Flora C., is the wife of James Welsh. Mr. Hott owns a farm of one hundred and seventy acres, and carries on a general farming business, just north of Robtown, at which place he resides. Jacob Grabil came to Ross county in 1804, from Virginia. He moved into Pickaway county, and leased and rented farms in different localities until, in 1841, he purchased a' farm in Scioto. He died in 1852, aged seventy-one years. His wife died in 1853, aged sixty-eight years. Three children are now living —a daughter, in Indiana, a son, William, in Williamsport, and Josiah, on the home farm, four miles southwest of Commercial Point. Jacob Grabil served six months during the war of 1812. Absalom Vanvickle came from Virginia with his parents about 1806. They settled in Jackson township. He served as a soldier during the war of 1812. In 1819 he married Elizabeth Dulgar, by whom he had two children. He bought one hundred and twenty-five acres of land three miles west of Commercial Point, in 1832. This he cleared by his own labor, He died in 1863, at the age of seventy-five. His wife died in 1873, aged eighty-two. His daughter, Mrs. William Dechert, now owns the property. William Boyd came from Pennsylvania in 1844, and settled in Scioto, where he purchased a small farm. He was a soldierthe war of 1812, and was on Commodore Perry's' fleet during the battle of Lake Erie. His age' at his death was eighty-three. James M. Johnson, originally from Maryland, came to Ohio with his parents when seven years of age. They settled in Marion county. In the fall of 1839 he re moved to Franklin county, and the next spring moved to Jackson township, Pickaway county, subsequently locating in Muhlenberg. In the fall of 1842 he settled in Darby township, which was afterwards incorporated within the boundaries of Scioto. Here he has since resided. POST-OFFICE. The first post-office in Scioto township was opened at Beckett's store, which was the name of the office, in 1845. Wiley Beckett was first postmaster. He was followed by J. A. Beckett, H. P. Bunch, James Walker, John, D. Mundell, and the present incumbent, Eli Harsh, who was appointed in 1865. The first mail carrier was James A. Beckett. He rode horseback to the crossing of the Scioto river, above Bloomfield bridge, crossed in a canoe, and walked to the Bloomfield office, where he left the mail from this office, and returned to the river again, crossing in the canoe, and home again with the mail for Scioto. Before this office was established, people went to the most convenient place for their mail, as many do to this day, some going to Bloomfield, some to Darbyville, some to Harrisburg, and some to Shadeville, Franklin county. GENOA-COMMERCIAL POINT. In 1841, Wiley H. Beckett laid out a parcel of land in the northeastern part of his possessions, for the purpose of forming a town, which he named Genoa. Two years later, Squire James H. Burnley laid off a similar parcel of his land on the southwest corner of his farm, and called it Rome. He left a gore containing not half an acre, on the corner of his land, which was nbt included in his village lots, and when the village was incorporated this gore was not included as a part of the town, though the land on the east and west side of it was so included. This gore has been called various names, one of them being " The Devil's Half _Acre." It is owned by J. C. Burnley and M. H. Beavers. Burnley has a blacksmith and wagon shop, Beavers a grocery, dwelling, and other buildings. CORPORATION. Genoa was incorporated by special act of the legislature, Mareh 21, 1851. The first election was held March 8, 1852, there being eleven electors in the village . who voted. The following officers were elected: H. P. Bunch, mayor; A. F. Beckett, recorder; J. M. Anderson, E. Smith, J. L. Martin, L. Dennis, and James Risk, councilmen. The first meeting of the council was held at the school-house, at which meeting Hiram Anderson was appointed marshal, and George Van Houten, treasurer. The next meeting was held a few days later, and six ordinances were passed for the governance of the town. At the third meeting of the council, March 15th, a petition was presented, signed by eleven persons, "praying for a law to appoint some vigilant boy, whose duty it shall be to chase the game out of the corporation limits." The petition was thrown under the table, notwithstanding it was signed by as many persons as participated in the election. Some time during the year 1872, the name of the village was changed from Genoa to-Commercial Point, to conform to the name of the post-office, which HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 331 had been changed from Beckett's store, which had been its name for many years. The officers of the village for 1879, are: Thomas Beavers, mayor ; Cyrus Pursell, treasurer; W. H. Magley, clerk; Eli Harsh, Mathias Hott, William A. Smith, Dr. S. M. Seeds, and Dr. S. C. Helmick, council; John Satterfield, marshal. In 1871, the corporation and township built a town house, of brick, the upper story being built by the members of the Masonic fraternity, as a lodge room. The hall is used for general township and corporation purposes, and is rented by the Good Templars' organization for the purpose of holding their meetings. CHURCHES. METHODIST CHURCH. Circuit preaching was had in 1829, by Revs. Mssrs. Austin and Phillips. Rev. John McKinley, a local preacher, also held meetings. The church was organized between 1829 and 1834, at which time a log church was built near the present residence of James Durrett, and called Point Pleasant church. It was in Franklin circuit before this time, and has since been divided and subdivided several times. It is now in the Harrisburg circuit. The original circuit extended to Thompson's mills, near Circleville on the south, and above Columbus on the north. About 1854 a, small brick church was erected in the village of Commercial Point. A portion of the walls and roof were blown down in 1873, and a new and larger building erected in its place. It now has some seventy-five members, and a Sabbath-school of one hundred and ten members, under the superintendence, of E. Harsh. Rev. Mr. Callahan is the preacher. UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH. A church of the United Brethren was organized about 1843, in Robtown. Meetings of a practical character were held by Rev. George Hathaway, in the old log school-house east of Robtown, in 1843. Previous to this time, meetings had been held in private houses. Jesse Bright and Mr. Jones were early preachers here. About 1822 a log school-house was built near the present residence of Luke Wilkins. This was afterwards moved to Robtown, and was occupied as a church until 1875, when the society built a neat and substantial framed church. Rev. Daniel Bonebrake is the pastor. The membership is about thirty-five. A Sunday-school of thirty scholars is conducted under the superintendence of Frank Rowe. BAPTIST CHURCH. The regular Baptist society was organized about 1827, at Darbyville. In 1874 the organization was removed to Scioto township, about two miles west of Commercial Point, where a church building was erected, at a cost of six hundred dollars. The church has a membership of twenty-three. Regular services are held monthly by Rev. Jason Peters. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Presbyterian church was organized about 1827, at the house of James Miller, a mile north of Commercial Point. Preaching had been held in private houses, occasionally, previous to that time. The first settled min- ister was Rev. Calvin Ransom. Rev.. William Jones preached in the neighborhood, and at Bloomfield before the church was organized. A log church was built on the lot now used as a cemetery, about 1835. This was used until 1857, when the building now occupied was erected, at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars. The church now has a membership of forty-two. Rev. E. Thompson is the pastor. A Sunday-school is held regularly under the superintendence of John C. Hillery. CEMETERIES. The first burial ground was on Thompson's hill, and the first person buried there was, probably, Mrs. Welsh, mother of James Welsh, who died quite early, but the date of whose death is not known. The first marked grave is that of William Mires, who died September 22,. 1819. Burial grounds were afterwards started on many farms for members of the family, but were subsequently used by others. Hardly a large survey but has its burial ground. The first cemetery lot deeded for that purpose was opened in 1835, by John and Janet Mundell. This lot contained two acres, and was deeded for the use of the Presbyterian church, of which they were members. The log church was erected on this ground, which is situated three-fourths of a mile south of Commercial Point. The first log church was located near the junction of the Genoa and Columbus pikes, two miles east of Commercial Point. The first burial in this ground was that of Thomas Fullerton, in 1835. The oldest person buried here is Mrs. Margaret Shannon, who was aged one hundred and three years. She was born in Scotland, and felt proud of the fact that the last person she danced with, before leaving Scotland, was Robert Burns. SOCIETIES. BATTIN LODGE, F. AND A. M. In 1874 a petition from the Masons of Scioto was presented to the grand lodge asking for a dispensation under which they could organize a lodge. Previous to this move, the Masons in this vicinity had belonged to lodges at Lockbourne, Mt. Sterling, and other more distant points. A dispensation was granted May 25, 1874. October 21st, of the same year, a charter was granted, under the name of Battin Lodge, No. 487, Free and Accepted Masons. The charter members were: R. G. McLean, James K. P. Mitchell, Daniel B. Dechert, S. M. Seeds, John C. Burnley, Thomas Harlor, Charles F. Mitchell, Oren S. Martin, W. A. Harrington, J. G. Mundell, T. J. Beckett, A. C. Rush, William Rush, and W. B. Beavers. The officers appointed were: R. G. McLean, W. M.; James K. P. Mitchell, S. W.; Daniel B. Dechert, J. W. In 1871, before application was made for a charter, the friends of the order raised funds to build a second story to the town hall, then in process of construction, and at the organization had a good hall of their own for the use of the lodge. At the present time the lodge numbers thirty-two members. The officers for --r879 are: T. J. Beckett, W. M.; William Rush, S. W.; J. T. Welsh, J. W.; J. W. Neely, treasurer; S. M. Seeds, secretary; J. C. Hillery, S. D.; Thomas Burkhead, J. D..; J. Q.-Hewitt, tyler. 332 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICK AWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS. A lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, No. 554, was organized by charter in 1874. A charter of Degree Temple was granted March 4,1878. The town hall is rented for the use of the society, which now numbers forty-five members in good standing. The present officers are Thomas Beavers, W. C. T.; Christine. Mundell, W. V. T.; H. B. O'Hara, L. D.; Stephen Boyd, P. W. C.; G. S. Preston, R. S.; Priscilla Boyd, I. S.; George Henry, 0. S.; George Carfrey, F. S.; Dr. S. Helmick, treasurer; H. B. O'Hara, chaplain. The lodge is in good _condition; financially, and has money in the treasury. CELEBRATION. The first celebration of Independence Day occurred July 4, 1842. Preparations were made on a large scale, for a comparatively new country, and due notice was given throughout the township. It was decided to have a barbecue, and the pit was dug in a ravine situated in the north part of the present village of Commercial Point. Turkeys and chickens were prepared for the roast, and a party was sent out to shoot a deer. Quite late the deer was brought in and placed over the glowing coals. The town was pretty much covered with heavy timber at that time, and no difficulty was experienced in finding a comfortable shade for the exercises. The opening prayer was made by John Thompson. The Declaration of Independence was read by 'Squire Burnley, and an address delivered by Col. Cradlebaugh,. then a young man. Joseph McGhee superintended the roast. The day was one long to be remembered by the early settlers, and was full of hilarity, a part of which may have been caused by the free use of unadulterated liquids. A similar celebration was held a few years later, but is not remembered with as much distinctness as the earlier one. BUSINESS HOUSES AND PHYSICIANS. Wiley H. Beckett opened the first store in Scioto, at Genoa, in 1844. He continued the business until 1852, when his son, James A., took charge of it, and has, since that time, been connected with it, a portion of the time alone, and again with a partner. It is now operated under the firm name of J. A. Beckett & Co., the firm being J. A. Beckett, J. 0. Beckett, and William H. Magley. George Van Houten built a store on a part of the Burnley tract, some time after Mr. Beckett started. This he conducted for a time, and then sold out to James -Walker, and he to Eli Harsh, in 1863. Mr. Harsh was at that time a resident of Harrisburg, and the year after his purchase he moved his family to Genoa, where he has since lived and conducted. the business, thereby securing a comfortable competence. In 1865 he was commissioned postmaster, and has continued as such to the present time. The post-office occupies one corner of his store, and is administered to the perfect satisfac Lion of its patrons. In 1871 he built a fine brick dwelling on the lot adjoining his store, and has one of the finest residences in the town, a representation of which appears in this volume. The present business houses of Scioto are: J. A. Beckett & Co., general merchandise; Eli Harsh, general merchandise; M. V. Beavers, grocery; Cyrus Pursell and J. C. Burnley, blacksmiths; James Shade and Thomas Healey, shoemakers; William Marsh, harness maker. The physician's are Drs. S. M. Seeds and S. C. Helmick. Their predecessors were Drs: Revnaugh, Jaynes, Martin; French, Sholl, and Kingery. Dr. Gardner was there for a short time. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. THE LANE FAMILY. John W. bane, with his wife and three small children, emigrated from Albemarle county, Virginia, to Ohio, in 1831. The only start Mr. Lane had in the new country was the team and wagon which constituted the moving outfit, and about ninety dollars in money. They came to Scioto township, Pickaway county, and settled on land belonging to Mr. Shaw. Mr. Lane worked Shaw's land two years, and then bought of him a tract of ninety acres, a mile north of his first location. This land he cleared and improved, and now occupies. Four children were born to them after their settlement, making a family of seven children, as follows: William F., Sarah V., John :Monroe, Lucy Ann, James, David A., and one who died in infancy. r. Lane was so unfortunate as to contract the small-pox, in Columbus. The disease was brought home by him, and every member of the family contracted it. He recovered, but his son, John Monroe, and an infant child, died. William F., the oldest of the family, is now dead. Sarah V. married Samuel Shaw, and now lives in Christian county, Illinois. Lucy Ann .married Harrison Haywood; he died, and, after remaining a widow ten years, she married James Corey, and now lives in Franklin county. James married Lucinda Wheeler, in 1858, by whom he had six children. She died in May, 1870, leaving him with a family of small children, and no one to care for them but himself. In December, 1870, he married Martha A. Wheeler, a sister of his deceased wife, by whom he has one child. When he was first married, in 1858, he settled on a part of his father's farm, where he cleared forty-five acres. He remained there some seven years, but worked at farming only about, four years, when his health became poor, and he was obliged to give up hard labor. He then commenced dealing in hones, buying 'and selling, for use in the army. He continued at this about a year, and accumulated a little property, which he invested in hogs and cattle. He has continued in that business since that time [t863]. In 1865, when the price of almost every article declined, and a general panic came on, he lost a large amount of money. During the months of November and December, 1865, and January, 1866, he lost ten thousand dollars: For a few months he was much discouraged, but, finally, he found he had many friends, who would stand by him in his adversity, and his courage revived. He again engaged in the stock business, with greater energy than ever before. In eighteen months after he started in business a second time, he NI paid all his liabilities, and was again on his feet. Since that time he has sometimes lost money, but in the min has gained. In March, 1865, he bought his present farm, of eighty-five acres, a half mile north of Commercial Point, to which he has added, from time to time, until he now has three hundred and eighty-seven. acres. When he purchased the land, a part of his present frame house stood on it. He enlarged and built to it until now he has a pleasant home. He has provided convenient and ample barns and out buildings for his business, and his fences and all his surroundings reflect credit on a farmer who makes a specialty of keeping everything in order. An engraving representing-his premises, accompanies this sketch. The children of James Lane are: Benjamin F., John W., Emma J., James Edwin, William A., Horatio N., and Harry H. David A., a son of John Lane lives half a mile west of Commercial Point. John Lane, when a young man, and living in Virginia, served eight or nine months in the army, during the war of 1812. He is the only survivor of.the war of 1812 now living 1879.: in Scioto township. MUHLENBERG. This, the next smallest township in Pickaway county,. was formed from portions of Jackson township on the south and east, Scioto on the north and east, Darby on the north and west, and Monroe on the west and south. It extends in a direction from northwest to southeast, on both sides of Darby- creek, which flows its entire length through very nearly the center of the township. Muhlenberg township was erected December 8, I830, beginning one mile east of Judge Seymour's place, near the State road; thence west, parallel with said road, to the crossing of Dry run, so as to include Seymour and Bell; thence a straight line to the south end of George Rowe's farm, to include said farm; thence southeast in a straight line to two white oaks from one root, on the corner of Hance Baker's survey of land, now owned by William Florence; thence in a parallel line with the first run line of said township, until it intersects the road up Darby creek on the east side; thence to the beginning, including about six by four miles. No order was issued for an electlon of township officers. A change was made in the boundary of Muhlenberg, March 10, 1851, as follows: Beginning at the southeast corner of said surveyed township, below George Rowe's; thence easterly (so as to leave the widow VanMeter in Jackson township) in a straight line to intersect the section line of said township of Muhlenberg. There are on the tax-list thirteen thousand six hundred and sixty-nine acres of land. The territory embraces twenty-three square miles. The population, in 184o, was six hundred and fifty-three; in 187o, nine hundred and fifty-seven. It was for many years a stock-raising country, but is now devoted more to the raising of grain. In early days stock was bought in the adjacent country, and even in Kentucky, and fattened here, after which it was driven to New York and Philadelphia markets, some drovers sending three and four droves across the mountains in a single season. Until a recent date 'the land has been mostly owned by a few persons, and even now there are many large farms.. Some of the large tracts have been divided among the heirs of some owners who are now deceased, and there are some small farms that have been sold from the large tracts. This will account for its tardy settlement. ORGANIZATION. The first records of the organization of Muhlenberg township have been mislaid, or lost, and it is impossible to obtain any definite information as to the precise date of the first election. It is known that the township was erected December 8, 183o, being taken from Jackson, Scioto, Darby, and Monroe. It is probable that the first election took place in the spring of 1831. William Hill, sr., was the first justice of the peace. There was no townhouse until 1875, when a neat building was erected on the main. street, in Darbyville, at a cost of twelve hundred dollars.. The lower story was built •by the township and corporation, and the upper story jointly by the Good Templars' organization, and Good Samaritan Grange. The basement contains a good corporation jail, of two cells. The officers of the township for 1879, are J. T. Kirkendall and J. W. McCallister, justices of the peace; T. L. Graham, Robert Galbreath, and James Trego, trustees; G. W. Miller, clerk; B. C. Carpenter, treasurer; R. C. Hill, assessor ; J. I. Radcliff, and P. C. Swank, constables. ORIGINAL OWNERS. At the time of the cession of this portion of Ohio to the general government, by Virginia, the lands west of the Scioto river were reserved as Virginia military lands, and were given to her soldiers in the Revolutionary war, as a reward for their faithful services in securing freedom from the yoke of bondage imposed by an English king. Of the first proprietors of this part of the military lands, General Peter Muhlenberg owned some seventeen hundred acres; Henry Baldwin, twelve hundred ; Henry Massey, twelve hundred; Carter, Copeland, and others, large tracts. This was surveyed about 1796, or, perhaps, a few years earlier. General Peter Muhlenberg was a minister of the Episcopal church, and it is related of him, that seeing the need of soldiers to carry on the war, he became one himself. One bright Sabbath day he came into the pulpit, dressed in his ministerial robes, and preached an effective farewell sermon to his congregation; then, throwing off the robes of peace, he appeared clothed in the full uniform of a colonel in the continental army, and calling on the men of his congregation to fight the battles of their country, he proceeded to enlist his regiment for the war. NAME. The name of Muhlenberg was given to this township in honor of Francis Muhlenberg, the youngest son of General Peter _Muhlenberg, who settled in the country in 1820, where he lived a number of years, and finally married. He died two years after his marriage, leaving no children to carry his name down to posterity. STREAMS. But one stream of any size is found in Muhlenberg township. This is Darby creek, which is large enough, and of enough importance to the township, to be designated as a river, instead of by the insignificant name of creek. Darby creek rises near the head-waters of the (333) 334 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. Scioto river, and runs in a course nearly parallel with that stream, into which it empties near Circleville, some eight miles below Muhlenberg township. This stream has been the means, in remote ages, of enriching a large portion of the township, flowing, as it does, near the center, its entire length, from north to south, and having a valley half a mile broad. It runs over a clean gravelly bottom, and during high water floods a large area of bottom land where it is not protected by levees. The name of Darby creek was given it after an old Indian chief, who lived on its banks at an early day. Besides this water course, there is also Dry run, which extends just within the border of the township, nearly its entire length, on the west; and George's run, which follows a tortuous course of a mile or more in the northwest part of the township. PRAIRIES. When the ftrst settlers came on the ground there were places of a few acres in extent, in the west part of the township, and in the adjoining townships, that were called prairies, as no timber grew on them, and they were covered with a luxuriant growth of wild grass, that would sometimes reach to the height of a man's shoulders when mounted on horseback. The surface of these prairies was covered with a heavy mat of moss, on which the numerous herds of deer fed in some seasons of the year. This heavy growth of moss would lead to the inference that these places, denuded of timber, were originally peat bogs, that had become covered up and filled by the constantly encroaching moss, and the accumulation of decaying vegetable matter. ANCIENT WORKS. Although Pickaway county is rich in ancient works of the race known as the Mound Builders, this township has but few of their works within its borders, although there is a large mound in the adjoining township of Jackson. In this township there are two small mounds that have come under the observation of the writer; both in the northern part of the township: one on the east and one on the west side of Darby creek, and a mile or more from each other. They are not more than thirty feet in diameter, and twelve feet high, and are quite small when compared with those found in other parts of the county. TIMBER. When the white settlers first came to this country, the face of the land was covered with a heavy growth of timber, such as walnut, maple, ash, elm, honey locust, and sycamore, on the bottoms, besides much oak on the uplands. As the land along the water-courses was the best adapted to the needs of the inhabitants at that time, it was first cleared, and an immense amount of the very best timber the country produced was sacrificed. The land was cleared in the quickest manner possible: by felling the trees, and rolling the great logs into heaps, where they were burned, or by girdling, and thus destroying them. Some of the better timber was split into rails, with which to fence the clearings, the walnut being the most durable timber used. Most of the best timber has been cut down, and in later days, utilized in various ways, until very little timber, suitable for first-class lumber, is left. There are still, however, many good sized oak trees standing on the uplands, and a great deal of land is now covered with undergrowth and timber that, in a few years, will be cleared away, and the country they now cover made into productive farms. SOIL. The soil is, for the most part, a black loam, mixed with some gravel, and is very productive, raising large crops of corn and wheat. On the hills, and back from the creeks, are to be found areas of clay soil. This is so. situated as to be easily drained, and is very nearly as productive as the black soil, though in some seasons it requires more labor to prepare and raise a crop than on the bottom lands. Much of the land along the bottom, and bordering the creek, has to be protected from the washing of floods, by means of levees, that have been built at considerable expense by the owners of these lands. It is not an unfrequent thing to see fields of one hundred and fifty acres of corn in a single tract, while the average area planted by each farmer would be from forty to eighty acres. INDIANS. This country was the home of the Shawnee Indians, and small bands of them lived in various portions of the town at the time of its early settlement. For a number of years after the country was settled, the Indians returned annually, early in the spring, for the purpose of making maple sugar, and remained until October, when they moved toward the Sandusky river and bay. A large burying ground was located in the rear of their old camp, a short distance above the village of Darbyville, and on the opposite side of the creek. This was the camp and burial place of the band to which the chief, Darby, belonged. There was another camp, not far from the toll-gate, south of Darbyville, a short distance. Still another camp was located farther down the creek, and not far from the township line. INDIAN DUEL. An Indian duel took place just below Darbyville, where there was an Indian camp, at an early day, between an Indian known as "Old Pounder," and another Indian, whose name is unknown. Some trouble ensued between them, and the Indians' code of honor admitted of no other way of settling an injury than by blood. "Pounder" had a presentiment that he should be killed, and obtained a promise that he should buried. He then fought the other Indian, knives being the weapons used, and was soon killed. This affair happened in 1805. " Pounder" was buried not far from the banks of the creek. The next winter, or spring, Colonel Elias Florence, then a boy, in company with a young companion, were hunting rabbits in that vicinity, and, happening near the grave, saw the remains of " Old Pounder " on the ground. They were frightened at the sight, and informed Judge Florence, who, with a man and the two boys, went to the spot and again buried the remains. EARLY EVENTS. For the following facts pertaining to the early events, and settlement of Muhlenberg, we are indebted to Col. Elias Florence: HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 335 The early pioneers desired that their children should obtain the rudiments of an education, and as soon as possible arranged for schools. Judge Florence was the first person to. establish a school, which he did in a log cabin on his place, in 1807. The first school-teacher was Brice Howard, who was hired and paid by Judge Florence. Sylvester Tipton taught school in the same cabin, after Howard. Horatio Keys also taught about the same time. Mr. Tipton came from Virginia to Ohio, about 1796. Rev. George Ambrose came about 1820, and taught a school on the west side of Darby creek, near Darbyville. He was a Baptist preacher, and preached in the adjacent country, and at an early date. Mr. Abbott taught school about 1816, or 1818. James Rice taught school on the Muhlenberg farm about 1817, in the fall. It is not known who was the first white person born in the township. It is believed there were births in the families of some of the squatters before actual settlers came in and took possession of the land. The first death that occurred in the neighborhood, was a child of Jonathan Renick, named Seymour. This death occurred in 1805. An infant daughter of Judge Florence's died in November, 18o6, the fall after the family came to the new country, and was the first person buried in the Florence burial ground. The first physician employed in the township was Dr. Scott, of Chillicothe: This was previous to 1810. Drs. Turney, Webb, and Luckey, came to Circleville about 1810. Dr. Rafe, a Frenchman, came to the township and settled in Darbyville about 1826 or 1827. The first marriage, that can be recalled, in the neighborhood, was that of Anthony Hall and Polly Wood, in 1806. Early settlers obtained flour and meal from a mill on Darby creek, in Jackson township, and about seven miles from the present town of Darbyville, or from a mill on the upper part of the same stream, in Franklin county. The first of these mills was built about 1802 or 1803. The other a little later. The first orchard planted in Muhlenberg township, was on the place of Van Meter. This was set out in about 1808. Eleazer Smith had a blacksmith shop on Darby creek, below Darbyville, about 1808. The first shop in the town of Darbyville, was erected about 1826. A store for the sale of general merchandise was opened by Samuel Scott, in Darbyville, about 1826 or 1827. A grocery store was opened, about 1827 or 1828, by George Hill and J. P. Hill. A blacksmith shop was run in Darbyville, in 1826, by Charles McFeters, a mulatto. The first post-office was kept in Darbyville in 1827. Rev. George Ambrose was the first postmaster. The present postmaster is James D. Miller. Before this post-office was opened mail was sent to Circleville, and obtained from that office. The first survey for a township was made by Judge Florence, in 1826 or 1827. It was afterwards again surveyed by Mr. Nesheth, of Ross county. The first justice of the peace in Muhlenberg township, was William Hill, sr., who came, in 1815, from Virginia. The first election for township officers was probably held, in 1830 or 1831, soon after the formation of the township. The earlier records are lost, and it is impossible to obtain positive proof of the date of this election. A tannery was started by John Shepard about 1819, which he kept in operation until his death, some years later. His son, Abram Shepard, continued it until about 1838, when it was abandoned. James Magill started a tannery about 1834, which he run for some twenty years, until he became very dissipated, and allowed a large number of hides to spoil, since which time it has not been in operation. A saw-mill was built on the farm of Francis Hill, a little below Darbyville, about 1820. In 1831 a run of stone was put in for grinding purposes. Mr. Hill died, and, in 1835, Jonathan Blue rented the property and put in a wool-carding machine. It was afterwards rented by. others, and was finally sold, about 1844, to Jacob Measy. This mill has been in operation for many years, and was torn down on the completion of the mill in Darbyville, in 1877. SETTLEMENT. The names and the dates of arrival of many of the settlers in this then new country, have been lost in oblivion. No record of their heroic self-sacrifices has been kept, and most of those who came into the western wilds have passed away. The oldest of the early settlers now living is Col. Elias Florence, now in his eighty-fourth year, but with a mind still active, and stored with memories of those early days when, a boy, he frolicked with the Indian boys, practiced at shooting with their bows and arrows, and assisted in the sterner duties of redeeming a fertile soil from the dense growth of forest covering it. To his recollection of early events we rely for much of the history of the early settlement of Muhlenberg township. It is more the history of a neighborhood than of a township, as until 183o it was not known as a township, but was included in the limits of Jackson, Scioto, Darby, and Monroe townships. Isaac Van Meter came to the "Old Station," near Chillicothe, about 1806, and from thence to this township in 1807, where he purchased twelve hundred acres of land, a part of which is now occupied by Col. Elias Florence, and a part is owned by Philip Renick. Mr. Van Meter married a daughter of John Renick. But few of his descendants live in this vicinity at present. He died in 1820, and was buried in a neighboring burying-ground, a short distance west of Col. Florence's, and on a hill overlooking the creek bottoms. John and David Martin had a cabin on the creek at a very early date. They owned no land, and lived much as the Indians did—from hand to mouth. They did not remain long. Widow Burgett, with a son, Daniel, and four daughters, lived on Darby creek for a number of years, when they left for some other location. John, Cornelius, and William Poulson, and another brother, settled in Darby township at an early day. Mr. Galbreath came to the township as early as 1806, and settled on the old Federal road, east of Darbyville. His son Robert lives on the Galbreath road at this time. Mr. Swank. came from Germany to Maryland, where he remained some time, coming to Ohio in 1806. He never owned much property here. He was always ready for a frolic or merry-making. lie had four sons Peter, 336 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. Adam, David, and William. John Swank, a descendant of his, now lives in this township. John Rush and family, consisting of wife and several children, owned fifty acres of land on Darby creek, about 1805. They remained three or four years, when they moved to Darke county. John Studebaker and wife came about 18o6, and settled on the creek. He was quite a hunter, and never owned any land. About Christmas time, one season, he found eighteen bee-trees in one day. He remained four or five years, when the roving disposition again seized him, and he moved elsewhere. Edward Pritchard settled on Dry run about 1806, where he owned or occupied two hundred acres of land, and made some improvements, but obtained no title to the land. He also bought about one hundred and fifty acres additional. He died about 1820. His family were rather a bad lot, and left the country soon after his death. Judge William Florence came from Virginia to Ohio, arriving here April 9, 1806. He was detained east of the Scioto river a few days by high water. He occupied a cabin on John Renick's place for a short time, when he bought a part of the Muhlenberg tract, about one hundred acres, of a Mr. Wilson, who ,then owned it. He. afterwards purchased more land, until he owned some seventeen or eighteen hundred acres. Judge Florence, Jonathan Holmes, and Daniel Ludwick, were the first county commissioners of Pickaway county. He was twice elected to the legislature, in 1816 and 1817, serving the first year the legislature met at Columbus. He was elected associate judge by the legislature, in 1828, and served two terms. He died in 1870, aged ninety-six. His children were Elias, Robinson, William, Nancy, Sally, Betsey, Mary, and Kittie, who died when an infant. John and David Shepard came to this township from Chillicothe, about 1807. David Shepard was at one time sheriff of Ross county, but unfortunate investments had taken all his property. Colonel Langham, a friend of his; gave him three hundred acres of land, which was deeded to his son, John B. Shepard. Colonel Florence aftarwards bought this property. John Shepard came about 1807. He married a daughter of Isaac Van Meter, and with her received three hundred acres of land. He lived near the sawmill, just below Darbyville, where his wife died, after which he moved to Illinois, and died there. Parnick George came from Virginia about the same time as Isaac Van Meter, in 1807, and bought land above Darbyville. He married Catharine Van Meter. He was justice of the peace two terms. Judge William Seymour came from Ross county, about 1808. He was once the owner of considerable property there, but lost most of it during the great flood of 1804. He settled in the north part of Muhlenberg township, on Darby creek. He was one of the early associate judges of the common pleas court, to which office he was elected by the legislature, about 1810. His children were: Catharine, Elizabeth, Margaret, Minerva, Hannah, Polly, Richard, Abel, Adam, and Jonathan. Margaret is still living, and is the wife of 1)r. Hill, of Terre Haute, Indiana; Polly married Gustavus Perrel, of Madison township, this county, where she still lives. George Rowe came into the country before 1812. In 1813 or 1814, he bought land on Dry run, the title to which proved defective, and he came near losing it. He finally compromised with the legal owner, and retained the property, on which he resided .until his death. William Hill came from Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1815, with his family, consisting of wife and eight children, four boys, and four girls. Of these, five are now living. They fitted up a small cabin, about twelve by fourteen feet in size, east of Darby creek, in which they laid a rough floor. Three of the older boys fixed up a shelter which had been used as a sheep pen, and Occupied it for a time, without a floor. They then built a house about eighteen by twenty feet, and had it ready to occupy about Christmas. There was a saw-mill on the creek, at which they procured boards for the floor of the new cabin. The next spring they had about five acres cleared, and rented besides this about twelve acres on the Muhlenberg farm, across the creek. Their corn was almost ruined by worms some seasons. Mr. Hill died April 25, 1849, aged seventy-three years. His wife was Margaret Florence, of Fauquier county, Virginia. Of their children, William, Thomas, and Robert, live in Muhlenberg township, and are now aged men; Mrs. Kinnear lives in Columbus; and Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton, in Circleville. William Hill, jr., son of the above-mentioned William Hill, came with his father's family in 1815. At the time of their arrival, there was some land cleared along the creek bottoms, but none between Darby creek and the Scioto river. Wolves and deer were plenty. As many as three deer were killed by his father in one morning. There was a large pond above Darbyville, where the deer went to eat moss and to drink. They were sometimes hunted by placing a candle in the bow of a canoe, with a board, or piece of bark, behind it to avoid showing the hunter, when they could be approached very closely, and shot. Mr. Hill married Susan Gilliland, in Darby township, in 1833. They had four sons and five daughters, as follows: Albert, Sarah, Catharine, Coleman, Henry C., Ann, Elizabeth, Frank, and Margaret. Coleman died April 13, 1864, while a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. Albert and Henry each served three years as soldiers in the war. Of the nine children, eight are now living: three, Henry, Margaret, and Ann, on the old homestead in the east part of the township. Mr. Hill is now seventy-nine years of age. Leroy Hill, a brother of William Hill, sr., came with his wife, at the same time, in 1815, and bought something over two hundred acres of land. In this party of new settlers there were twenty-five persons, including children, who emigrated from Virginia. All settled in this neighborhood. Leroy Hill afterwards moved to Clark county with his family, where he died in 1819. Robert Hill, another brother, with a wife and two children, came at the same time. With his two brothers, he bought five hundred acres of land, on which he remained eight or nine years, when he sold to William and HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 337 removed to the Little Miami country, where he died some time after 1836. Thomas Hill, a son of William Hill, sr., came with his father's family in 1815. May 18, 1845, he was married to Julia Sharp, who came from New York State to Ohio. They have a good farm of two hundred and twelve acres in the eastern part of the town, and are comfortably situated in their old age. They did their part in clearing the country of the heavy timber with which it was covered, and now have their reward, cheered by the love and care of their children, of whom they have had nine. Two remain at home, and one is married and lives near home. Francis Hill came at the same time as the rest of the family, in 1815, and, at his father's death, inherited a part of his estate. He married, and raised seven children-- five girls and two boys. Of these, three girls live in the county: Sarah, who married Robert Galbreath, and lives on the Galbreath road, east of Darbyville; Ann, who married Mr. Montgomery, and lives in Jackson township; and Matilda, who married Jonathan Blue, and now lives in Bloomfield, Harrison township. INDIAN INCIDENTS. One day an Indian came to the school-house, near the creek, where William Hill was working, to see what the white children were doing. As he entered he handed his knife and tomahawk to Mr. Rice, who laid them on the desk. The children were very much frightened, and ran out of doors to hide. William Hill, with his two oldest boys, were husking corn near the school-house, and seeing that the children were much frightened, inquired the cause. They imagined the Indian had killed the teacher, and, in a few minutes, two or three of the neighbors arrived, armed with axes, and one with a gun. By this time the Indian had come out where Mr. Hill was, and was looking at the horses. The man with the gun presented it at the Indian's head, and would have shot him, had not Mr. Hill thrown the weapon aside. He was determined to kill the Indian, until Mr. Hill suggested, in a forcible manner, that they find out whether the teacher was killed, before murdering the Indian. On arriving at the school-house, the matter was explained by Mr. Rice, the teacher. It was a narrow escape for the Indian, and had.he been killed, would have resulted disastrously for the whites. After this affair was over, the Indian told Mr. Hill that seven Indians had gone to his house. Mr. Hill was considerably frightened as nearly all his family were sick, and he did not know what the Indians might do. He hastened home, where he found things all quiet. Mr. Hill's sister was baking bread, his eldest daughter assisting her. The Indian asked for bread, and was given a loaf, fresh from the oven, and smoking hot, which he wrapped in his blanket. He was then asked if he wanted meat, when he replied, " No hog, no hog," and departed. Francis Muhlenberg, a younger son. of General Peter Muhlenberg, came to Ohio about the year 1820. For a number of years he lived in the family of Judge Florence. He came into possession of about sixteen hundred acres of land owned by his father, and Married Mary Denny, with whom he lived about two years, when he died, childless. In politics he was a Democrat, but being a man much respected, he was elected to the legislature on the Whig ticket, in 1823. In 1825 or 1826, he was elected to congress, and served one year, declining to serve the second year of his" term. The township of Muhlenberg,' in which he lived, was so named in honor of him. Major Muhlenberg, brother of Francis, and an officer in the regular army, lost his wife in the east, and came to Ohio, remaining in the family of Judge Florence until the marriage of his brother, after which he lived with him until his .death, when he returned to Reading, Pennsylvania, where he died. Arthur Whiteside taught school many years in this neighborhood, and, being a frugal man, saved money until he was able to buy three hundred acres of land in Darbyville, where he afterwards resided. His widow lives with a daughter in New Holland, this county.. A daughter, Mrs. Girton, now lives with her husband in Darbyville. Mr. Whiteside's father, Andrew Whiteside, came, originally, from Ireland, and bought land in Jack son township, about 1824, where he died. Alexander McKinley came to this township about the year 1825.- John McKinley and Jacob Yoakum came about the same time. They bought a part of the tract of land owned by Judge Seymour. Jacob Yoakum served in the war of 1812. He settled on land in the north part of Muhlenberg, and the south part of Darby townships, which he cleared, and where he died, in 1878, at an advanced age. His widow now lives on the same property. Charles Bell settled in the northwest part of the township in about 1825. He built the house; or a portion of it, that is now owned by Thomas Darst, and situated on Darby. creek. Henry Darst came from Maryland to Ohio in 1805, and settled in Lancaster, Fairfield county, where he remained for a time; when he removed to Perry county, and from there to Muskingum county. In 1835 or '36, he came to Pickaway county, and located in Circleville, where he kept hotel three years. He' then purchased five hundred acres of land in the northwest part of Muhlenberg township, on which he remained until his death. The farm he then bought is now occupied by his sons, Gideon and William. Another brother, Thomas, lives in the north part of the township, on the creek, and Ira Darst lives on a farm half a mile above Darbyville, on the pike. William Fullen came from Rockbridge county; Virginia; with his father, who settled on Deer creek, about ten miles from Chillicothe. He came to Pickaway county in 1827, where he bought land, about 1834, near Darbyville. He owned several hundred acres of land, and now lives with his children on a farm of two hundred and seventy acres. He has been twice married, and has raised eleven children. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Only two of his children by his first wife are now living—James, who lives on a part of his farm near Darbyville, and Jackson, who lives in Darby township. Of his second wife's children : Mary married James 43 338 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. Brown; Lucy married Ezra Stonerock ; Richard lives at home, in Darbyville, where he keeps a livery stable, and the younger children also live at home. Mr. Fullen made money handling stock. He would sometimes take three droves of cattle and one of hogs across the mountains in a single season; and though he has lost considerable money by signing notes as security, he still has, good property. Abel Seymour came to Ohio and settled, in 1827, on a part of Judge Seymour's tract. He was married near Baltimore, Maryland, in that year, and both he and his wife came from that place to Ohio on horseback. Before his marriage he was a drover. He was a son of Judge Seymour, and inherited a part of his property. He died in 1872, aged nearly seventy-five years. His widow, Mrs. Mary A. Seymour, lives on the farm he left, which contains over two hundred acres. They had no children, and a nephew—Seymour Gulick—whom they brought up, lives with her and manages the farm. Mrs. Seymour, now sixty-nine years of age, has crossed the mountains on horseback five times. She is a member of the Methodist church at Darbyville. At an early day she used to attend preaching services and class-meetings at John McKinley's, near the north line of the township, once in two weeks. For several years before the church was -built at Darbyville the school-house at that place was used as a place of worship. Mrs. Seymour is still able to use the old-fashioned spinning-wheel occasionally. Jacob Thorn came to Ross county about 1808. He moved to this township about 1834, living on rented farms for many years before buying. He finally bought a farm in the east part of the township, about two miles from Darbyville. He married while in Ross county, and had eight children, six of whom lived to maturity. Three—John, Frederick, and William I). —are now residents of this township, Frederick occupying the old homestead. The original farm was two hundred and sixty acres, mostly covered with heavy timber; now there are only about twenty acres in timber. Jacob Thorn was an abolitionist, but did not keep a station on the underground railroad. He died in 1870, aged eighty-one years. His wife died in 1867, aged seventy-four years. John McKinley came from Virginia about 1819, and settled about three miles above Darbyville, in the northwest part of the township, where he bought a farm. In 1849 he moved about half a mile above Darbyville, where he died in April, 1876, aged seventy-nine years. At his death he owned about seven hundred acres of land. His widow now occupies the farm, which is worked by his nephews. George W. Bolin came from Berkeley county, Virginia, to Ohio, in 1835. For some years after coming to this State he remained in Circleville, working at his trade, which was that of a carpenter. In 1841 he bought the farm he now lives on, in the northwest part of the township. When he purchased it there was no clearing, but the hard labor of his own hands, with the help of his soils, has cleared the land, and he now has a good home. His wife was Mrs. Mcllvaine, to whom he was married in 1831. They have four sons and one daughter. Isaac Seymour came to this township in 1835, and bought one hundred and two acres in the north part of the township, east of Darby creek. It was mostly in timber when he purchased it, but is now a fine farm. He has raised seven children, of whom six are now living. Baldwin Clifton Carpenter came from Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1837, bringing with him a small herd of cattle. In the spring of 1838 he engaged in the general mercantile business in Darbyville, at which he continued for a few years at a time, until about 1857. During this time he was in partnership with several different persons, and a part of the time was out of business, and dealt in cattle. He now owns some thirteen hundred acres of land. He was married in 1829, and has had nine children, one of whom died quite young ; two are married ; the rest live at home in Darbyville. Alexander McKinley came to this township in 1839 or 1840. He bought eight hundred acres of land in the northwest corner of the township. He was married in 1849, and raised twelve children. He died in 1873. Mrs. McKinley manages the farm with the help of her sons, and has now five hundred acres of land. William Avery Miller came to Darbyville in 1840, and engaged in the tinning business. In 1855 he engaged in a general mercantile business with his brother-in-law, Samuel H. Thompson. Mr. Thompson went west in 1860, and Mr. Miller continued the business until his death, when he was succeeded by his son, James D. Miller, who still conducts the business, in connection with the post-office. Mr. Joseph A. Pritchard came to Muhlenberg with his wife, in 1844. He bought nearly three hundred acres of land on the Columbus pike, in the northeast part of the township. He was a local Methodist preacher, and held meetings in the country, and assisted at protracted meetings. They had eleven children, all of whom now lie in the cemetery. Two sons and one adopted son died in the army, and one son died while attending school at Delaware. Mr. Pritchard died February r6, 1863, aged fifty-four years. Mrs. Matilda Pritchard, his wife, now lives in Darbyville, saddened by the great losses she has sustained, but cheered by the blessed hope of meeting her loved ones in a better land. LOST. It was no very unusual thing for the new settlers in a wilderness of timber to become somewhat dazed and lost when they had occasion to traverse the timber out of some path or well known course. Where the settlements were several miles distant from each other, and the interval a dense and almost impenetrable forest, this is not to be wondered at. On one occasion, Mr. Isaac Van Meter, then well along in years, mounted his horse and rode into the woods to gather in some of his hogs that had been fattening on "shack," as acorns and beechnuts were called. He was gone much longer than was expected, and his family became alarmed and instituted a search for him. The neighbors were called on, and after some time found him about three miles from home, near what is now known as Robtown. He had dis- JOHN McKINLEY. MRS. SOPHIA McKINLEY. John McKinley was born in Hardy county, Virginia, in the year 1797. He was three times married. His first wife was a native of Hardy county, Virginia, where she spent a portion of her married life; but she died in Darby township, Pickaway county, Ohio. Nine children were born of this union, five of whom are now living—Harriet, Mary, Abel Seymour, Joseph Hill, and John Wesley. Margaret Millar was the second wife of John MGKinley. Of this union were born three children—Russell B., William H., and Sarah Jane. His third wife was Sophia Williamson, of Portsmouth, Ohio, who still survives him. No children were born of this union. Mr. McKinley died in April, 1876, leaving a large property to his legal representatives. The kindness of his heart is exhibited in becoming surety for pp many of his neighbors and friends, which resulted very disastrously, and gave him much trouble and anxiety, and is said to have had much to do with hastening his demise. Mr. McKinley, though a business man, was also a local Methodist preacher, and perhaps is more widely known as such than as a dealer in stock. Be was regarded by his neighbors as an honest man, a good citizen, a faithful christian, and an exemplary member of society. He was not educated in the schools, but possessed a fair business education, and was a successful business man and an influential preacher. ALEXANDER McKINLEY MRS. MARY ANN McKINLEY was born in Hardy county, Virginia, March ro, 1800. He spent hts childhood in his native county, and obtained such an education as the condition of the country could afford, which was exceedingly limited. Indeed, he may be called a self-made man, acquiring his education in business in that valuable but expensive school—experience. His native ability will be readily seen from his success in the accumulation of a large landed property, and in handling stock. It is 'said of him that his judgment of the value of stock was almost unerring. In 1821 he came to Ohio, purchased and cleared his farm, and, with his faithful wife, bore the trials and hardships incident to, and inseparable from, a pioneer life. He married Miss Mary Ann Williamson, of this State, in 183o, by whom he had thirteen children, only eight of whom are now living— Samuel, Robert, Joseph, Cornelius, James, Alexander, Stephen, and Marcus. Samuel married Ellen Balan, and lives on a portion of the homestead. Robert married Susan Thomas, and lives on the farm also. Joseph married Miss Lizzie Wilcoxson, and lives in Indiana. James married Mary E. Davis, who is deceased. Alexander McKinley died in August, 1873, leaving his afflicted and faithful helper a large property and family to manage. Her sons now prove earnest and faithful men, on whom she can rely in the management of all her business interests. It would be unjust to close this brief biography of this family without a mention of a brilliant and dutiful son, who, only one year since, was summoned to join his father, brother, and sisters, who had preceded him. We refer to John. This has proved a severe stroke to his mother. No mere word of the writer can properly picture the hardships and trials of a woman who has faced the realities of a. new-country life' on a farm, nor can any mere words paint the glories in store for such a mother. Mrs. McKinley is now sixty-six years old, but is, to all appearance, in good health; and, for the sake of her children, it is to be hoped she may survive yet these many years. HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 339 mounted and tied his horse to a bush, and was engaged in whipping a pole-cat around with a little switch. When asked what he was doing that for, he replied that "he became so very cold in riding that he had to do something to keep warm, and it occurred to him that if he whipped that pole-cat about for a while he would get warmed up." The general verdict of the searching party was that he had become pretty well "warmed up," as they returned home, carefully keeping the windward side of him. ENCOUNTERS WITH BEARS. For a number of years after the early settlement of the country many wild animals remained, including bears, wolves, foxes, deer, and smaller animals. Bears were not very plentiful, but were occasionally met with. Miss Ellen Hill, a sister of William and Thomas Hill (who are now residents of this township), when a young girl, was sent into the field to pick corn and beans for dinner. While engaged in this work she heard a noise near her, and looking around discovered a large bear sitting up on his haunches but a few feet from her. Her screams of terror put him to flight and called the family to the field, where were to be seen the large tracks he made in the moist earth. Thomas Roberts was a settler on the upper Darby, in 1836. He lived near Georgesville, Franklin county. On one occasion he was riding his horse across the prairie, below the I)arst farm, in Muhlenberg township, when he came across a large bear. He had no weapon but a tomahawk and knife, but concluded to have some sport; so he chased the bear through the tall grass until it was nearly tired Out, and he found that by heading it off occasionally he could drive it where he wished. He accordingly headed it toward home, and when near enough to be heard, called his large bear dog, which came and furiously attacked the bear. Mr. Roberts could not remain quiet and see his dog torn in pieces by the bear, which had seized it in its strong embrace. He jumped from his horse, and struck at the bear with his tomahawk, which was knocked out of his hand, and the huge animal came to close quarters, and would have soon torn him in pieces had not a fortunate thrust of his knife pierced his heart and terminated the fight. His dog was seriously injured in the first attack, but was cared for as such a faithful creature should be, and recovered. MEDICAL. For a number of years after the first settlement was made there was no physician nearer than Chillicothe. When the services of a physician were required, as was frequently the case in the new country, a message was despatched to 1)r. Scott, of that place, until so late as 181o. In that year Drs. Turney, Webb, and Luckey, settled in Circleville, and being good physicians, and more con' venient of, access, they were employed. In 1826 Dr. Rafe, a Frenchman, settled at Darbyville, where he remained some years, until his death. He was a weak little man of no great force, and very slack in collecting his bills, and just as slack in paying his debts. It was equently the case that a creditor, to secure his debt, would attach the doctor's faithful horse, " Botherum." When this happened he would call on Colonel Florence, and with a lugubrous countenance, say " I'm ruined." His creditors had taken " Botherum" again. Colonel Florence helped him out of this trouble many times. Dr. Noble and I)r. Wilson came later, and for some years dealt out calomel, jalap, aloes, and the nauseating drugs so extensively used in those days, as the needs of their patients required. Dr. James Allen settled in Darbyville about 1833. He was born in Pennsylvania about 1803, and came down the Ohio river with his father in 1812, settling in Fayette county, where his father bought a small farm. About 1824, Dr. Allen read medicine with Dr. Toland, of London, Madison county. He was examined by the president and members of the eighth radical district of Ohio, in 1827, and granted a diploma, after which he practiced for a time in Frankfort, Ross county. In 1833 he moved to Darbyville, where he continued his practice for twenty-two years. He accumulated considerable property by careful, straightforward, economical habits, and bought nine hundred acres of land in Muhlenberg and Darby townships. He moved to his farm in 1853, and remained there a year, when he again moved to London, Madison county, where he died, July 8, 18.67. His son, James Allen, now lives on a part of; his estate, and owner a fine stud of young horses, which he has in training for the turf. Dr. Richard H. Tipton began the study of medicine with Dr. Sisson, of Columbus, in 1841, and attended lectures in Cincinnati one year, when he went to Philadelphia, where he graduated, in 1850. He began the practice of medicine in Darbyville, in 1846, before graduating, and after receiving his diploma returned. He has since remained in Darbyville, except during the war, when he entered the service as surgeon of the Ninetieth Ohio infantry, serving in all the campaigns in which the regiment participated, and was in charge of the field hospital of the first division of the Fourth army corps one and one-half years. At the close of the war he resumed his practice in Darbyville, where he has since remained. Dr. F. M. Black began the study of medicine with Dr. P. K. Hull, of Circleville, in 1849, and graduated from Starling medical college, at Columbus, in 1852. He first began practice in Williamsport, but came to Darbyville in 1853; and entered into partnership with Dr. James Allen. He owns a large farm in the north part of the township, and is an extensive stock raiser, having a fine herd of short-horn cattle, which he bought in Kentucky, in 1875. He entered the army as captain of company A, Ninetieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, in July, 1862, and served until December, of the same year, when he resigned. Dr. Black has a very lucrative practice, and has accumulated a good property. DARBYVILLE. The corporation of Darbyville was platted July 27, 1826. It was laid out on land formerly entered, surveyed, and patented by Cornelius Baldwin, on the west side of Darby creek, and near the center of the present 340 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO. township of Muhlenberg. The plat was surveyed for George Hill, who owned the land east of Main street, and David Thomas, who owned the land on the west side of said street. The surveyor was Joel Walker. We are unable to ascertain the names of the first officers. The present officers are: R. H. Tipton, mayor; T. H. Carpenter, clerk; I. W. McCallister, treasurer; H. C. Plummer, Jacob Miller, W. H. Kirkendall, councilmen; Felix Radcliff; marshal and street commissioner. The business of the village is represented by the following persons: J. 1). Miller, general merchandise; W. H. Kirkendall, general merchandise; James A. Clay, general merchandise; Henry C. Plummer and Thomas J. Miller, blacksmiths ; David Dornsifer and C. A. Buzzy, wagon-makers ; S. W. Brown and J. A. Pickerieng, harness-makers; Jacob Miller, hotel ; R. H. Tipton, F. M. Black, and J. T. Kirkendall, physicians; Richard Fullen, livery; Brooks & Girton, saw and grist mill; George Wehe and W. H. Burchnell, shoemakers. CEMETERIES. The first ground used for this purpose was on the farm of Judge William Florence, on the south side of the creek, below Darbyville. An infant daughter of Judge Florence was buried here. in 1806. One was afterwards made on the Van Meter place; west of Colonel Florence's present residence, and another on Judge Seymour's place, near where Joseph Wright now lives. Several others were used in various parts of the township, and at the present time there are no less than eight burial places to be found. In 1875, the corporation of Darbyville bought five acres of ground, just below the town, on the pike, and opened a general township cemetery. This lot cost them seven hundred and fifty dollars, and, in time, will be made a beautiful ground. At present, it is in a crude condition. CHURCHES. The Baptist church was established about 182o or 1825, by Adam Miller, who came from Fairfield county. Meetings were at first held in the house of George Hill, until the school-house was built, soon after, when an addition was built to it and used for divine service by the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. This church finally went to decay, and of the members who were left, some went into Scioto township, and joined a church that was formed at a later date. Rev. George Ambrose preached in the school-house about 1830. He went south for a time, and on his return, was seized with the cholera, and died. A branch of the Presbyterian church was organized about 1825. Service was held at different houses in the neighborhood, during the winter season, and in the summer a pleasant grove was selected, and logs were rolled together for seats for the congregation. The Darbyville school-house was used, after its completion, for some years. In 1842, a church was erected near the line, in Jackson township, and the people have since attended service at that house. Occasional services, by laymen, of the Methodist denomination, were held at an early day, in some parts of the town. Preaching service was had at Mr. McKinley's as early as 1826, and afterwards at the school-house in Darbyville. The exact date of the church organization can not now be ascertained. It was first called London circuit, then Franklin, and then Darbyville. It has now four appointments: Commercial Point, Renick chapel, Concord, and Darbyville. The church in the latter place was begun in 1842, and completed in 1844, since which time it has been used for worship. The preacher for 1879 is Rev. R. Callahan. In the spring of 1878, a branch organization of the African Methodist Episcopal church was perfected at Darbyville. For a number of years services have been held at the school-house in the village, by John Dickinson. Some of the persons interested in the formation of this church assisted at the building of the school-house, with the understanding that it should be used by them as a church. The first quarterly meeting was held there soon after its organization. It is expected that it will be made a mission and supplied from Circleville, at the next session of conference. The present minister is Rev. R. H. Morris, of Circleville. SCHOOLS. This township is well provided with schools, and has been from a comparatively early date. In 1855.a union school district was set off in the village of Darbyville, and has, since that time been maintained. It was organized April 9, r853, by the erection of three trustees : Rev. John McKinley, for three years; David Yates, two years, and Isaac George, one year, with S. H. Thompson, clerk. Four hundred dollars were appropriated for a building fund--three hundred and fifty for tuition, and fifty for incidental expenses. A school building was erected the same year, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. In 1867 a second story was added to the building, to be used as a school hall, at an .expense of four hundred dollars. The school is under the superintendence of I. W. McCallister, who has been in charge two years, as well as three years about 1869 to 1872. Mrs. Pickering is his assistant, and has been employed three years. The school has an average attendance of about ninety, during the summer, and one hundred, during the winter. A school is kept up in Darbyville, by the township, for the education of the colored children and youth. The building was erected in 1872, at a cost of six hundred and thirty-two dollars.• The school is taught by John R. Gibson, who has been a student at Wilberforce university, Xenia. At the present time, twenty-six names are enrolled, with an average attendance of about sixteen. SOCIETIES. There are but two societies in the township, both located in Darbyville. GRANGE. Good Samaritan Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized in Monroe township, in 1874, but was after'" wards changed to Darbyville. Its sessions were first held in the school hall, but, in 1875, the funds in the treasury, and such as were raised by means of festivals,' were combined with such as were furnished by the Good Templars' organization, and appropriated to the erection of a hall HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICK AWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 341 over the town house. This hall has since been used when the society has held meetings. For some time past no regular meetings have been held, and but little interest in the society is manifest. GOOD TEMPLARS. A lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, No. 494, was organized under a charter issued in 1875. The charter members were : W. H. Kirkendall, Rev. W. W. Cherrington and wife, H. H. Radcliff and wife, James A. Miller, David Dornsifer, John Wehe and wife, Lou J. Pickering, Roswell Moore and wife, Ann Brown, Cora Seymour, Seymour Radcliff, Emma Miller, Catharine Beathard, Effie Pritchard, Matilda Pritchard, Robert Galbreath, Charles Wehe. The present officers are : Alfred Brooks, W. C.; Lou J. Pickering, W. V.; W. H. Kirkendall, P. W. C.; Simon Carpenter, R. S.; Ed. Murphy, F. S.; Emma Pickering, AV. T. ; John White; W. M.; Katy Fissel, D. M.; Effie Girton, I. G.; W. L. Willey, 0. G.; Mrs. Beathard, R. H. S.; Lucy Brown, L. H. S. ; Cora Seymour, W. C. This society owns a half interest in the hall over the town, house, and is in a flourishing condition. It has now fifty-one members. GENERAL. A company was organized in 1.832, for the purpose of importing blooded cattle, and thereby improving the stock of the country. Colonel Elias Florence was one of the stockholders interested. The existence of the corporation was to terminate in five years. Two men, of good judgment, were selected to go to England and purchase such stock as was required, which, in due time, arrived. It comprised some sixteen bulls and twenty cows, and through them a great improvement was made in the stock raised and shipped to the east. On the expiration of the time for which the corporation was organized, the stock was bought by Colonel Florence, and others, and descendants of that herd were to be found on many farms in this vicinity in later years. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. COLONEL ELIAS FLORENCE. Elias Florence was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, February 15, 1797. His father was William Florence, and his mother Fanny (Robinson) Florence, both horn and raised in Virginia. In 1806 William Florence emigrated, with his family, to Ohio, arriving in Muhlenberg township April 9th, of that year. He located on a part of the original tract owned by General Peter Muhlenberg, of Revolutionary fame, and purchased one .hundred acres of land of Mr. Wilson, who then owned a part of this tract. He afterwards added to his original purchase, until he owned some seventeen hundred acres. He was one of the first three county commissioners of Pickaway county, and was twice elected to the State legislature, in 1816 and 1817, serving the first term that the old Columbus State-house was used. In 1828 he was elected as associate judge, by the legislature, and served two terms. His death occurred in 1870, at his residence on the west side of Darby creek, aged ninety-six years. His children were Elias, Robinson, William, Nancy, Sally, Betsey, Mary, and Kittie, who died when an infant.   Colonel Elias Florence obtained a common-school education, such as the schools of that early day furnished, the first of which, in the township, was established by his father, on his farm, at his own expense. His boyhood was spent at the usual work of those early days : in clearing the land, and roughing it in a new country. Among his early playmates were the Indian boys of the bands that camped and roamed along Darby creek. As he advanced in years and experience, he became a stock dealer, and in that business, visited Kentucky and purchased stock, which he drove to this township and fattened, after which he drove them across the mountains to Philadelphia and New York.   He was married March. 26, 1818, to Elizabeth Radcliffe, of Kentucky. They had eight children: Ezra, George, Gustavus, William, Mary, Chrissie, Fanny, and Isabel. Ezra lived to maturity, and married Sarah Renick. He died of consumption, leaving three sons and one daughter. The other boys died young. Mary married William Scott, by whom she had two sons, the first of whom was Elias F. , who was commissioned first lieutenant of Company A, Forty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, in May, 1862, and promoted to captain in December, of the same year; was wounded at the battle of Resaca, Georgia, May 14, 1864, and died two days afterwards. Her second son was William,. who now lives on a farm of three hundred acres, near Darbyville. Chrissie, the next daughter of Col. Florence, married John Williams, and died in Madison county. Fanny married William Cochran, and died many years ago. Isabel married Rev. Owen Simpson, and died in Circleville.   Colonel Elias Florence was elected to the State legislature; in 1829 and 1830, in a Democratic district, although belonging to the Whig party, receiving every vote cast in his own township. He was again elected in 1834, and again in 1840, to the legislature, and in 1835, to the State senate. He served four years in the house and two in the senate. In 1843, he was elected to congress, and served two years. In 185o, he was a member of the constitutional convention.   He enlisted in a light horse company during the war of 1812, but peace being declared, the company was not called into actual service. He was elected colonel of a regiment of Ohio militia and served as such from 1820 until 1837 or 1838.   From the time he first engaged in business until within a few years, he accumulated much property, owning, at one time, about five thousand five hundred acres of land and a large amount of live stock. His home was always a most hospitable one, and the occasions were rare when it was free from visitors. The spirit of old Virginian hospitality pervaded the entire family, and does to this day. His friends are many, and are not confined to the limits of the township in which he lives.   Col. Florence has always been regarded as a man of excellent business qualifications, exhibiting a remarkably sound judgment and a commendable prudence in all of his dealings and business transactions. These qualities, however, were combined with an unusual generosity of nature, which, in the later years of his life, brought about his financial embarrassment. His first impulse, on seeing a person in need of aid, especially of a pecuniary nature, was to render him all the assistance in his power to grant. This led him into the generally baleful practice of endorsing the notes of others, by which he was eventually financially ruined. He gave up every dollar of his property to his creditors, not reserving, even a homestead. The farm on which he now resides, comprising some two hundred acres, was purchased for his use during the remainder of his fife, by a number of his friends, who were unwilling that one whose life had been so useful, whose conduct under adverse circumstances had been so noble, and whom they so much esteemed and loved, should be without a comfortable home in his declining years.   Col. Florence possesses a vivid recollection of early events in the settlement and development of the county, and an inexhaustible fund of anecdote apropos of pioneer times, and the writer of this has drawn upon hint freely, as a source of information, in the preparation of the history of various townships. Col. Florence is now in the eighty-third year of his age. His brother, William Florence; his daughter, Mrs. Scott; and his niece, Matilda Radcliffe, reside with him.   HARRISON.   This township was erected June 15, 181o, being taken from Madison and Walnut. It was surveyed, beginning at the Scioto river at the north boundary of the county, thence along the county line east to the twenty-first range line ; thence south by the same to Walnut creek ; thence down the course of said creek to the Scioto river ; thence up said river to the place of said beginning.   An election was ordered at the house of Hugh Creighton, Saturday, June 23, 1810.   The township varies from two to four miles in width, from east to west, and is upwards of eight miles in length. The population in 1830 was seven hundred and seventy-three; and in 1840, was one thousand one hundred and forty-nine.   Among the first justices of the peace in Harrison, were Hugh Creighton, and James Denny. It is not known who was the first justice elected, but it was probably James Denny. For many years the trustees of the township met in the justice's office, but at this time no names of early officers can be found, as the earlier township records are lost or destroyed.   In 1861 the trustees bought a wooden building on Main street, for use as a town house. This was sold about 1870, and a room in the hotel was rented until 1878, when the trustees bought the small store room on the opposite side of the street from the hotel, for use as 'a. town house.   NATURAL FEATURES—SOIL.   Harrison is a comparatively level township, with sufficient incline generally, to carry off surplus water. Along the river and creeks there are hills, but none of great elevation. The country along the bottoms and about Bloomfield, has always been accounted the best in the township, and undoubtedly this is true. The land about Bloomfield, north and south, was what is known as plain land, being entirely free from timber, and ready for immediate cultivation. The soil back from the river is mostly clay; that along the streams is loam, with a mixture of sand and gravel in places. Heavy timber covered the greater portion of the township ; in fact, all except the plain in the south and west, about Bloomfield. This plain land was the first to be settled, as it was ready for immediate cultivation.   STREAMS.   On the west, Harrison is bounded by the Scioto river, and on the south by Walnut creek. Big Walnut runs across the northwest corner of the township, and two or three small runs carry off the water from the central part of the township. The Scioto river and Walnut creeks teemed with myriads of fish when the first white settlers arrived. They were captured in great numbers by means of seines, made of grape-vines and brush, and almost incredible numbers were caught in this manner.   In 1805 a great flood occurred on the Scioto river, the water being so high as to flow across the country below Bloomfield, to Walnut creek. Jacob Widener and another man came across the river in a canoe, and took in a barrel of whiskey, from a distillery which stood on the east side of the pike, during the flood.   Great damage is often caused to fences along the river bottoms, even now, in seasons of flood. Fences are washed away, and great holes are sometimes dug in the ground by the action of the water. Extensive levees, or breakwaters, are used to break the force of the current, or turn it aside from its course of destruction. Mr. Adam Millar has such a breakwater on his farm, that cost not far from three thousand dollars.   During the great flood of 1814, Jabez Hedges and Thomas Parsels rowed a canoe through the windows of the mill, on the Scioto river, built by Simon Headley.   TIMBER.   The timber in Harrison was oak, hickory, ash, elm, and honey locust. On the banks of Scioto river and Walnut creeks, along the bottoms, were many black walnut and maple trees. 'limber that would, at this day, be worth more than the land on which it stood, was then cut down and split into rails, or rolled together into log-heaps and burned, that the land they covered might be cultivated.   SETTLEMENT.   The early settlers of Harrison township located on Walnut plains, in the southwest part of the township, where they found large tracts of the best land in the State, free of timber, with the exception of small groves, and all ready for tilling. They thus had a great advantage over those who came later, and were obliged to take up with timber land, which had to be cleared before it could be cultivated. The lands east of the Scioto river were not put into the market until 18o1, but as early as 1798 or '99, a few squatters located on the most desirable tracts, where they made improvements, thus entitling them to the first choice at the government sales.   James Short and his son, Stephen, were the ftrst arrivals, coming from Delaware, in 1798. They squatted on Walnut' plains, a short distance below the present town of South Bloomfield, where they began improvements, and planted the first crops raised in the township. James Short sowed the ftrst field of wheat, in 1799, on land now owned by Adam Millar. No fence was built about the field, as there was no domestic stock to do it injury. When it ripened, the neighbors, who had, in   DR. J. C. THOMPSON. MRS. EMILY THOMPSON.   The parents of Dr. J. C. Thompson were of Scotch-Irish extraction, and were natives of Franklin county, Massachusetts. Jesse C. Thompson was born in Heath, in the same county, January 9, 1811. His father owned a farm, on which D; Thompson passed his boyhood, following the usual avocations of a farmer; but he had in him a spirit that would not allow him to be content with heing simply a cultivator of the soil. He aspired to something requiring more mental exertion. After obtaining a common school education in the district schools of his native town, he attended the Northfield academy two terms. This was the extent of his school education. With the knowledge he had now acquired, he applied for the position of teacher in a district school, which he obtained readily. He followed teaching during the winter months for several seasons; laboring on his father's farm during that part of the year when he was not confined in the school-room, making the most of such opportunities for study as presented themselves.   He had mapped out for himself the study and practice of medicine as a life work, and in the summer of 1834, when twenty-three years of age, he commenced reading medical works in the office of Drs. Bates and Fitch, at Charlemont, near his home. He continued his studies under their instruction nearly three years, teaching during the winter, and attended his first course of lectures, at Berkshire Medical college, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1834. In the fall of 1835 he attended lectures at Dartmouth college, and continued his studies with Drs. Bates and Fitch during the winter of 1833-36. In the fall of 1836, lie again attended lectures at Berkshire Medical college. At the close of this term he took a high stand among the successful candidates for graduation, and was offered the position of demonstrator of anatomy—which he declined.   In the winter of 1837 he formed a partnership with Dr. Wayne Griswold (late of Circleville), purchasing the property and practice of Dr. Horace Smith, in Whitingham, Windom county, Vermont. In April, of the same year, he sold his interest to Dr. Griswold, and came to Ohio in search of a place of permanent location, and finally settled at South Bloomfield, Pickaway county. Here he has remained during a period of forty-two years.   His professional life has been eminently successful, and he ranks as the peer of the first physician and surgeon of central Ohio. With indomitable energy he has successfully managed a practice extending into three or four counties, and, with rare industry, kept pace with all modern medical science and practice. A keen observer and close student, his many years' experience has given him a prominent place in the counsels of all neighboring practitioners, who regard his advice and opinion with great respect. In surgery he ranks as a wise, careful, and successful operator, and in the course of his professional career has performed some of the most difficult and dangerous operations. He has the honor of having performed the only Caesarian operation recorded in the State, where both mother and child survived. He has also successfully performed the operation of exsecting of the head of the humerus, leaving the patient—a young laboring man—with a useful hand and arm; besides many others demanding the greatest skill and surgical knowledge. It is his pride and profound satisfaction that in a career so long and practice so varied, he has left no cripples behind. And whatsoever success Dr. Thompson has gained, has been the result of his own unaided effort, and under circumstances demanding the truest manhood; a brave spirit and iron will. At five years of age he became a cripple by an injury to his right knee joint, and until twelve years old walked only by the aid of crutches. Since then, with an impaired limb, he has been compelled to rely upon a cane for the support of his right side. Yet, with this impediment, he has braved and overcome all the formidable obstacles of a frontier practice, suffering by accident upon the railways, and by spirited horses, such as his fearless spirit was alone content to drive, two severe. fractures, one of the thigh—surely he has been made of true grit.   Dr. Thompson, in his long career, has been one of the truest of neighbors, and the friend and benefactor of every applicant of high or low degree. No patient, however poor, was ever turned away, or suffered neglect at his hands.. Never was night so dark, or storm so violent, or stream to be forded so swollen, that he would hesitate to respond to the calls of suffering and disease, from the poorest tenant or penniless laborer.   Politically, his fortunes have been cast with: first, the Whigs, and subsequently the Republicans; his ardent zeal ever keeping him in the leadership in his neighborhood. Though naturally of a retiring disposition, he has, on several occasions, been compelled, by the call of his party friends, to stand for political place, as candidate for local positions, or district representation in the senate branch of the legislature—facing cheerfully, in the latter case, inevitable defeat, because of the overwhelming majority of the opposition in the county. But in the race for posts of trust in his immediate locality, he always secured the election by the united vote of both parties.   June 6, 1838, Dr. Thompson was married to Emily Sage. They have been the parents of five children—but one of whom now remains to comfort them.   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 343   the meantime, settled in the vicinity, came with sickles, and assisted in the harvest. The most of this crop was saved as seed, by the early settlers, a number of whom were successful in raising crops the next season. At the sales of land in Chillicothe, in 1801, James Short bought section number fifteen, and fractional section .number sixteen, in Harrison, the most of which was plain land. His home was made on the lower part of section fifteen, near the old Indian trail, which ran almost on the line now covered by the Columbus and Chillicothe pike. Mr. Short died, August 12, 1816, aged seventy-three. At the present time two large elm trees, standing in the center of the pike, a short distance south of South Bloomfield, are pointed out as the place where, in his old age, he passed much of his time in the contemplation of the past, and in observing the improvements made in sixteen years. On the building of the road, it was stipulated that these trees should be allowed to remain as a monument to the first settler, and the first owner of this tract.   John Robinson came at the same time, and married one of Mr. Short's daughters. He had children before his settlement. He owned land north of Bloomfield, where he died.   Jonathan Holmes came to Ohio, as early as 1798, and bought land in section twenty-two. He married a daughter of James Short, and had by her a daughter, who was raised by George Renick, of Chillicothe. Mr. Holmes died soon after 1804, and his widow married Samuel Denny. Three daughters of Jonathan Holmes are now living: Julia, widow of Daniel Spangler, near South Bloomfield; Jane, widow of Richard Myers, with George Williams, in Franklin county, and Mary, widow of William Laycock, in Columbus. His son, Isaac, married, September 6, 1827, Maria Morehead, daughter of Ferguson Morehead, one of the early pioneers of Hamilton township, Franklin county. Mrs. Holmes is still living, and, with her-son, Isaac, a resident of the township just named. Her husband died in 1847. She is aged seventy-two.   Joshua Burget and his sons, Joshua, Joseph, and George, came to Ohio, before 1804, and located on section twenty-four, in the northeast part of the township.   William Bennett came about the same time, and settled on the adjoining section. He was an early justice of the peace.   The next settler after James Short, was William Millar. He came from Virginia in 1798, but returned the same year. In 1799 he again came -to Ohio, and located in the south part of the present township of Harrison, near the junction of the Scioto river and Walnut creek, where he made an improvement and settled his family. He boarded for a time with Joathan Holmes. His wife was Mary Sudth, of Virginia. On the sale of the land at Chillicothe, he purchased section twenty-three, lying partly in Walnut and partly in Harrison, and fractional section twenty-two, in Harrison. In 1816 he built the first brick building in Harrison, which is now occupied by his grandson, Z. T. Millar. The children of William Millar were Elizabeth, George, Isaac, Adam, Sarah Ann, Lucinda, William, and Mary Catharine. William Millar died in 1863, aged eighty-six. Mrs. Millar died in 1860, aged seventy-six. Two of their children are now living, Mrs. Sarah Ann Millar and Adam Millar. Mrs. Millar lives so th of Bloomfield, and owns nearly one thousand acres of land. Adam Millar lives a short distance south of Bloomfield, and owns three thousand acres of land. He married Nancy Howe, whose parents came from Delaware and settled in Franklin county. They have had ten children : William, Mary and George (twins), Michael, Taylor, Tecumseh, Fillmore, Adam, Lucinda, and Hattie. Michael lives just below Bloomfield; Taylor lives on the old homestead of William Millar ; Tecumseh lives in Walnut township; Adam died July 20, 1879; Hattie is at home.   George Renick came to Chillicothe in 1798. In 1801 he entered land in Harrison township, in partnership with his two brothers, William and Thomas. The land he entered for himself and Thomas, included section fifteen, fractional sections sixteen and twenty-one, and a part of sectiont wenty-two. When the property was divided, George's share was the south part. With his brother William he entered section number three, and fractional section number four, and parts of sections nine and ten. On the diviston of this property William chose the southern part. George Renick never lived here, but located in Ross county.   William Renick came from Virginia in 1803, and settled on the land entered by his brother George. He was married, in Virginia, to Margaret O'Banion, by whom he had nine children : Seymour G., Joseph, Martha, Margaret, Felix, Hiram, William, Eliza, and Ellen. Joseph lives in Columbus; Hiram, in Bainbridge, Ross county ; Eliza (Mrs. Adams), in Circleville; Ellen (Mrs. Patterson), in Hillsboro; Martha married Wesley Hurst, by whom she had several children, all of whom died. Her husband also died, and she married Governor Whitcomb, of Indiana, by whom she had one child. Margaret married Renick Seymour, of Bainbridge, and is childless; Seymour married Nancy Crouse, of Ross county, and has several children; Felix, also, married and raised a family. William Renick cleared ten acres of land, in 1804, on the river bottom, and planted it with corn, in 1805. Late in the season, of 1805, the great flood occurred, and every hill of his corn, and the soil in which it grew, was washed out. He was much discouraged and offered to sell the land at the government price, and take his pay in horses, but no one would buy. In the fall he plowed twenty acres of plain-land and sowed wheat, fencing it during the winter. In the spring he bought a drove of hogs and drove them to Virginia, where he sold them at a large profit. 'He then returned to look at his wheat, which turned out well, and he became convinced that the plains were good land. It had all the time been the ambition of the Virginians to buy river bottoms, but for about twenty-five years he neglected them and cultivated the plains. His death took place in 1844. His wife died about 1869. The farm he owned is now occupied by W. B. Renick, his grandson.   David Denny bought section number ten, and fractional section number nine, in 1800. He was a Virgin-   344 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO   ian, as was hts wife. This purchase was a part of the plains, which was covered with a growth of columbo, as high as a man's head. This was a feeding place for the numerous herds of deer that were to be found at an early day throughout this country. The children of David were David, John, Margaret, and Margery. David Denny, jr., married Margaret Denny, his cousin, by whom he had two children—David and Jane. He went as a soldier in the war of 1812, and died of camp fever, at River Raisin, in Michigan. David, his son, married Elizabeth Clark, by whom he had two children. She died, and for his second wife he married a daughter of John Sample, an early settler in Scioto. He afterwards sold hts part of his father's estate, and moved to Illinois, where he died. His sister, Jane, married Abram Holmes, who was a cattle dealer. During one of his frequent absences from home, she died. John Denny, son of David Denny, sr., married Letitia Rollins, by whom he had one son, Nathan, who died in Circleville, in 1878. The sisters of David and John Denny, Margaret and Margery, went to Indiana, where they died.   James Denny emigrated from Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1806. His wife was Ann Green. They settled on land owned by David Denny. Mr. Denny died in 1811. They had four children—David, Nancy, John, and Elizabeth. David went west, and engaged in boat-building. Subsequently he became captain of a river packet, and died in New Orleans, of yellow fever. Nancy married James R. Hudson, who died in 1835. She still lives in South Bloomfield, aged seventy-nine years. Elizabeth died when a child. John died in Circleville. Mrs. Hudson is the only surviving member of the family.   Thomas Renick was married in Virginia, to Miss Rankin, and came to Ohio, with his brother, William, in 1803. He settled on the land entered by his brother, George, in section fifteen. Both he and his wife died in August, 1804, about a year after their settlement. Both died the same day. They left a child a week old, who was raised by Felix Renick, in Ross county. She died in December, 1865, in Circleville.   A brother of James and David Denny came at the same time, and located on sections nine and ten. He had one child—Nathan—who inherited his property. The la" d is now owned by Mr. Midleoof.   Daniel Vansickle was a miller by occupation, and came from Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1800. He worked in Stephen Short's mill, near Ashville, and was married there in 1811. His wife was from Loudoun county, Virginia. He worked in Short's mill five or six years, and for a short time after the mill was sold. Then. he worked in Foresman's mill, on Big Walnut, and died in the year 1834, aged sixty. Four children were born to him: Mrs. Mary Ann Abbot; Martha Vansickle, who died when about twenty-one; Elizabeth Vansickle, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Abbott; and Daniel, who owns a farm of sixty acres, on section one. Mr. Vansickle, sr., was twice in the war of 1812.   James Neville was an early settler. His place of nativity was in Ireland. He came to Ohio about 1800, and at the first sale of land in Chilicothe purchased the north half of section twenty-seven and fractional section twenty-eight. He settled on this property, but what became of him and his family is unknown. His property is now owned by Williams and others.   Joseph Mackey came about the same time as Neville, and bought the south half of section twenty-seven. It is probable that he bought the fractional section twenty-. eight of Neville, as the ford across the Scioto river from this land has long been known as Mackey's ford. It has also been known as Goreley's ford, so called from a man who settled opposite Mackey, on the west bank of the river. Mackey raised a family, one of whom, John, went farther west many years ago.   Philip Swisher bought the north half of section thirty-four, where he lived until his death. His family married and removed to other parts.   Charles McDaniel bought the west half of section thirty-five. He sold out and moved away with his family more than thirty years ago. It is not now known where they settled after removing.   John Martin came from Virginia in 1801, and settled on section twenty-two, the north half of which he bought. He gave each of his sons, John and James, one hundred acres of land in Scioto, on which they moved in 1816, and where they died. He had a still-house in 1805 or 1806 on his place.   Joseph Bogert came from Virginia about 1800. He lived a number.of years in Bloomfield, but never owned much property in Harrison.   Joshua Hedges came from Virginia in 1804, and bought a quarter section of land on the west side of Walnut creek, on section five. He married Mary Miller in Virginia, before coming to Ohio. By her he raised a family, all of whom are now dead, with the exception of a daughter, Mrs. Jerome Wolfiey, of Circleville.   Benjamin Duvall came from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. He settled in Bloomfield, and bought and sold several times. He then rented in Franklin county, about twenty years, after which he bought one hundred and sixty acres. of land in Harrison, on section twenty-five, which he improved. He was married in 1806 to Nancy Reed, by whom he had thirteen children, three of whom now live in this county--Mrs. Sarah Long, William, and Benjamin Duvall. William owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres, in section twenty-five. Benjamin owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty-four. Their father, Benjamin Duvall, sr., died in 1864, aged eighty-four years. His wife died in 1866, aged. eighty-six years.   Philip Cherry settled on section thirty-four, with his brother James, in 1804. None of the family now remain in this vicinity.   Elijah Wright owned property on section twelve, north of Ashville, in 1806 or 1808.   William Ront came from Virginia in 1804, and bought on Walnut creek, above Millport. His purchase was a part of section seven. He had a family of three daughters and one son, none of whom are now residing here.   Dr. Burrell came from Pennsylvania soon after 1812. His wife owned eighty-six acres of land south of Bloom-   COL. JOHN COCHRAN   Col. John Cochran first set foot on the soil of Ohio in 1807, when he shipped as a hand on a keel-boat at Pittsburgh, bound for Chillicothe, Ohio. Both the Ohio and Scioto rivers were high, and the boat lay at Portsmouth five days before the main channel of the Scioto river could be found. There were five boats in company, and each became fast on the shoals in ascending the river. They arrived at Chillicothe, in the month of May, 1807. He soon returned to his home, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until in the month of May, 1812, when he received from Hon. William Eustis, then secretary of war, notice of his appointment as ensign in the Nineteenth regiment of infantry. He was ordered to report for duty to Brig. Gen. Joseph Bloomfield, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In the early part of July he left home, and reported to Major McClung, of Pittsburgh, by order of the general commanding. Here he remained a short time, until he became familiar with his duties, when the command was ordered to Carlisle, and thence to the frontier. There were five supernumerary officers, of whom John Cochran was one, who were ordered to report to Col. John Miller at Chillicothe. Three of them came through, Cochran working his fare, as nearly all were without money, or means of transportation. Sixteen days were consumed in traveling from Pittsburgh to Portsmouth. They walked from Portsmouth to Chillicothe, and after resting a few days, Ensign Cochran was ordered to Dayton, to which place he walked alone. Here he remained a short time, when he was ordered to Franklinton, on recruiting service. He was very successful as a recruiting officer, and was kept at this duty for some time. In July, 1814, the regiment broke camp at Chillicothe and started for Malden, Canada, guarding a detachment of British prisoners. Before reaching Malden, Ensign Cochran was ordered on detached service, and did not rejoin his regiment until fall, when they erected winter quarters at the head of Niagara river. In the latter part of November they were ordered to Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1815 he received his commission promoting him to a lieutenantcy. The captain of his com- pany was ordered on detached service, and Lieutenant Cochran became its commanding officer. His company had an enviable reputation in the regiment for its efficiency in camp and on the field. The declaration of peace, in 1815, withdrew many of the inducements for following the life of a soldier, as there would now be no opportunity for wtnning distinction on the field, and receiving deserved promotion.   Lieutenant Cochran withdrew from the service soon after the close of the war, and returned to Ohio, where he had formed the acquaintance of Miss Mary O'Hara while on the recruiting service. He soon made her his wife and settled near South Bloomfield, where he made a purchase of land, which he improved. For a time he engaged in business at the village of South Bloomfield. During the enforcement of the militia law of Ohio he was made colonel of a regiment, which office he held for a number of years. Col. Cochran was a man who read and thought a great deal, and one who had a widespread influence. He so far enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the people of the county in which he lived as to be elected to the State legislature, in which he served during the years 1818, 1831, 1832, 1835, 1836, and 1850. In his political opinions he was a Whig.   His wife proved a careful, prudent, and loving companion, and a judicious mother in her management of the nine children born to them. She departed this life in 1875, at the age of seventy-five years.   During the later years of his life Col. Cochran wrote a series of articles, reminiscences of the early life in this country, and of the war of 1812, through which he served. These were published at the time in the Herald and Union, at Circleville, and were read with interest. He died in 1878, at the age of eighty-eight years, and was sincerely mourned by friends throughout the county in which he had lived so long, and where his worth was so well known and appreciated.   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICK AWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 345   field. She was a daughter of James Short. Dr. Burrell practiced medicine here for a time, and in 1836 removed with his family to Illinois.   Isaac Snyder bought over a quarter of section fourteen, about 1804. He sold thirty acres of this property to Henry Bettis. He owned a saw-mill on Walnut creek, below Millport, at an early date. A small run coursed through this property, north and south. Mr. Snyder died on his property. His daughter, Ruth, married Conrad Piper, who lived in the township. He was an early comer, but never owned land in Harrison. His death occurred in 1848.   Enos Cutler emigrated from England to Virginia, in 1809, and from there to Ohio. He bought a portion of section twenty-five, which he improved. Asbury chapel and cemetery are located on land he purchased. His sons were James, John, and Enos. There were also four daughters, none of whom now live in the vicinity.   Mrs. Lucinda Pratt came to Ohio in 1809, with a family of four children—Elias, Lucinda, William, and Elizabeth. Her husband died in Virginia. Elias married Elizabeth Widener, and died in Scioto ; Lucinda died young; William died in Illinois; Elizabeth married Thomas Williamson, who died and left her with a little girl, who also died. Mrs. Lucinda Pratt married for her second husband, Harleigh Sage, and had two children: Emily married Dr. J. C. Thompson, and lives in Bloomfield; Mrs. Elizabeth Williamson lives with them.   John Champ came from Virginia in 1809, with his family of five children—Nathaniel, William, Ellen, Amelia, and Polly. They leased land of Isaac Miller. Nathaniel went with Hull's army in the war of 1812, and afterwards bought land tn Michigan, where he settled ; William married and moved to Illinois; Ellen married Mr. Hartman, and lives in Groveport, Franklin county; Polly married Mr. Keyes; Amelia remained single.   John Fisher was a native of Virginia, where he married, in 1808. In 1810 he came with his wife to Ohio, and settled in Madison, where he died, aged sixty-three. His wife died in in 1876, aged seventy-three. They had eleven children, four of whom are now living—Hiram lives in Walnut; Mrs. Ann Hedges, in Walnut; David owns seventy-two acres of land in section twenty-six; and Conrad owns eighty acres in section thirty-six, both in Harrison.   John Byerly came from Pennsylvania, about 1811, and leased land of John Martin, on section twenty-two, in the north part of the township, where he died. He had a family of twelve children, but two of whom are living.   Jacob Hott was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio in 1810. His wife was Catharine Coon, by whom he had six children. He bought a part of section seven, and improved it. In the war of 1812, he served for a time as a soldier, going as far as Sandusky. In 1835 his wife died. For his second wife he married Julia Burwell, by whom he had two children. When he came to Ohio he was accompanied by his brothers—Henry, Peter, and George—all of whom bought land, but afterwards sold to him and moved away. They have since died. The only child of Jacob Hott now in this county is William, who owns one hundred acres of land in section eight, and carries on a general farming business. Mr. Hott moved to Circleville, after improving his land, which he then sold. In 1865, he died, at the age of seventy-two.   David Adkins emigrated from Maryland, in 1826, and settled on section thirty-six, and afterwards bought in section twenty-five. His wife was Christena Hott, whom he married in Harrison. They raised twelve children, ten of whom are now living. William, David, Mrs. Melissa Brinttinger, and Mrs. Eliza Jane Whitehead, live in this county. David has the homestead, and William lives in Ashville.   George Hoover came from Pendleton county, Virginia, in 1811, and settled in Walnut township, where he died, in 1866. His wife was Magdalena Simmons, by whom he had eleven children, six of whom are now living. A son, Jackson Hoover, married Elizabeth Scothern, in 1843. They had seven children, four of whom are still living: L. C., Monroe, F. W., and Mrs. Nannie E. Whitehead. In 1849, Mr. Hoover bought sixty-eight acres of land in Harrison, on section eighteen. Afterwards he bought land in section seven, and now owns, in all, three hundred and eighty-seven acres. Mrs. Whitehead, his daughter, lives in the adjoining township of Walnut, and his three sons at home. Township and county offices have been held by him, a number of terms, and he is now one of the county commissioners.   Colonel John Cochran came to Pickaway county, in 1812, as a recruiting officer for the army. He had a commission as ensign in the Nineteenth regiment of infantry, and had his recruiting office at Franklinton. He served as ensign until the close of the war, and in 1815 was commissioned second lieutenant of the Seventeenth regiment. At the close of the war he bought land in Harrison, and, soon after his return, married Mary O'Hara, by whom he had nine children, three of whom are now living. Their names were, Nancy, Priscilla, Frank, Elizabeth, Findly, William, Gustavus, Sarah, and Mary. Nancy married William Foresman, who died in 185o. Robert, her son, lives with her in Bloomfield. Frank married Ann Morgan, and owns a farn near Bloomfield. William married Fanny Florence, daughter of Colonel Elias Florence. She died, and he married Mary Claypool, and now lives in Kansas. Colonel Cochran was commander of a regiment of militia for a number of years. He was an intelligent man, who read a great deal, and his influence was felt in the community in which he lived. He served in the State legislature in 1818, 1831, 1832, 1835, 1836, and 1850. In politics he was a Whig. His death occurred in 1878, at the age of eighty-eight, and that of his wife in 1875, aged seventy-four.   Philip Gatewood, from Virginia, settled in Bloomfield, about 1812, and bought property in the village. Here he married Mrs. Letitia Denny, widow of John Denny, after which he moved to Illinois.   Aaron Dean settled on Walnut creek, about 1810. Afterwards he moved a little west of Ashville, where he built a block-house. He was a lover of fast horses, and withal a rather reckless individual, who took delight in   346 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.   provoking a disturbance of some kind, after which he would mount his horse, and distance all pursuers.   William Evans came to Ohio about 1812, and married a daughter of Stephen Short. She received one hundred acres of land from her father, on which they settled, and where Mr. Evans died. They had seven children, six of whom died of consumption. One went to California, about 1848, and it is not known if he is now living.   Joseph O'Hara settled in Franklinton, where he kept tavern, in 1812. After the war, he moved to Harrison, and settled on section twenty-seven. Mary, his daughter, married Colonel John Cochran. His children were: Priscilla, Joseph, Jacob, Benjamin, and Mary. Benjamin O'Hara now lives at Lockbourne, .Franklin county.   Mr. Van Grundy bought Simon Headley's mill, on the Scioto river, about 1812. He raised a large family, nearly all of whom went west. Davtd Van Grundy and David Denny took charge of a flat-boat load of pork, from below Chillicothe, to New Orleans. Both remained in the South and West, and never returned to Ohio.   Thomas Vause emigrated from Virginia, about 1814, and first settled in Champaign county. About 1823, he bought land in Franklin and Pickaway counties, and settled in Lockbourne, where he died, in 1852. His wife was Elizabeth Decker. They had seven children, three of whom are now living: John D., on section fourteen, in Harrison," and James I., on sections two and thirty-five. James I. Vause married Eliza Wright, by whom he had five children, three of whom are now living, all at home. Mrs. Vause died, June 25, 1878, aged fifty-one. Mr. Vause came to Harrison in 1858. A brother, Thomas, lives near Camp Chase, Columbus.   Jacob Mangus was, originally, from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania ; he moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1822, and remained there until 1859, when he removed to Circleville, where he died in 1866. Emanuel, his son, is engaged in the shoemaking business at Ashville.   Jacob Stage came from Virginia, about 1827, raised a large family of children, and died here. The family are all gone.   Abner Briggs was raised in Pickaway township, this county. He came with his parents, from Pennsylvania, in 181o. They settled near Westfall. He married Martha E. Hellenback, in Circleville. After marriage, he came to South Bloomfteld, and opened the first harness shop, which he has since carried on. They have had five children, but two of whom are now living. Two of his sons were in the war of the rebellion, in the Nintieth Ohio infantry. Joseph died, from disease, in the service. Ashton served through the war, and is now living near Circleville. Mrs. Briggs died in 1876.   Dill Wiegand was born in Germany, in 1828, and emigrated to Ohio in 1842. He made a business of stock-dealing, and has accumulated a good property. In 1866 he bought a farm formerly owned by Edward Williams, in section thirty-four. He has a fine residence on the Columbus and Chillicothe pike, and owns six hundred acres of land.   Benjamin Whitehead emigrated from Virginia to Ohio about 1826, in which year he rented a part of Luke Decker's farm. After working this for a time, he bought eighty acres in section one, now owned by his son, W. V. Whitehead. He raised four children--two sons and two daughters. The only member of his family now living is W. V. Whitehead, who married Elizabeth Wilson. He owns two hundred and seventy-seven acres of land in Harrison. The land first purchased by Benjamin Whitehead was entered by a man named Friatt.   Dr. J. C. Thompson came from Massachusetts to South Bloomfield in 1837, where he commenced the practice of medicine, which he has continued for forty-two years. He had a very large ride for many years, until the country became more thickly settled and physicians located at other points. During his practice he has had all he could attend to, and has, to this day. He has accumulated a good property, and owns a fine dwelling in South Bloomfield, besides farming lands in other sections. Dr. Thompson was married to Emily Sage, by whom he had five children, only one of whom is now living—a daughter.   Jonathan Blue was raised in Franklin county. In 1837 he went to Muhlenberg, where he married Matilda Hill. He bought a flour and saw-mill on Darby creek, and built, in addition to it, a woolen mill. He remained in Muhlenberg five years, when he moved to Franklin county, and engaged in stock dealing. In 1856 he came to Harrison and settled in South Bloomfield, where he now lives with his wife. Mr. Blue was for a time engaged in mercantile business, after removing here, which resulted disastrously to him.   Stephen Simmons came to Ohio in 1819, and located in Cadiz. There he remained until 1832, when he removed to Madison, Pickaway county, and in 1834 came to Harrison and settled on section twenty-four, where he died in 1856, aged seventy-two years. His wife died in 1844. They raised ten children, of whom one—Mrs. Jeremiah Duvall—lives in South Bloomfield.   B. G. Pontious bought land of David Reisman, about 1840. He owned about three hundred acres. His death occurred in 1878. The property was divided among his children. The home farm was sold to Mr. Greenfield.   EARLY EVENTS.   James Short raised the first field of wheat, in 1800, on the eastern part of section sixteen, and on land now owned by Adam Millar. The crop was secured by his neighbors, who came with sickles and reaped it. The most of it was saved for seed another year. The first orchard was also planted by James Short, in 1799 or 1800, soon after his settlement. William Millar built the first brick house, in 1816, on the north part of section twenty-two. This is now owned by Adam Millar, and is occupied by his son, Z. T. Millar. The nails used in the interior of this house were made by a blacksmith named Btll.   A visit to the cemetery south of Bloomfield, shows many very old gravestones, some of which are so badly defaced by time as to be illegible. The one bearing the oldest date is that of Sarah, a daughter of Jonathan and Rachel Holmes, who died in October, 1801, aged two   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 347   years and five months. This is presumably the first grave in the settlement. The first log school-house was built in 1808, in the east part of the town of South Bloomfield. In one end of the building was the door, and in the other was the massive fire-place, which extended from side to side of the room, and was fed with large logs, which were rolled in by means of handspikes, or drawn in by a horse. A log was cut out from each side of the building, and strips of wood were tacked across the space. Over these oiled paper was placed, which furnished the light by which the children were enabled to con their lessons. The first teacher in this primitive school-house was Dr. Samuel Taylor. Mr. Williams, who lived on Darby creek, was the second teacher. The first frame school-house was built on land owned by Adam Millar, in 1817, by William Millar, William Renick, and Stephen Short. Joseph Olds was the teacher. This school was supported by subscription. James Bradon, an Irishman, opened the first tan-yard in the east part of the township. The first marriage that can be recalled, was that of John Lewin and Salome Clutter, both of whom came from Virginia with Wiliam Renick. They were married in 1810, by Squire Denny, who was one of the first justices of the peace. The first frame house was built by James Short, about 1812. He owned a saw-mill and grist-mill on Walnut creek, near Ashville, about 1809. Mr. Shafer built a corn-mill in the east part of the township, about 1809. He also operated a tan-yard on his property. Both are long since gone. The mill was run by horse power. A distillery was built by William Stage, near Ashville, in 1812. Richard Stage had a distillery near him, about the same time. He afterwards moved to Iowa, where he died. Jonathan Holmes opened a tavern about three miles above Bloomfield, in 1803 or 1804. It was called the Half Way house, and was located about half way between Chillicothe and Franklinton, now a part of Columbus. Philip Cherry had a blacksmith shop a mile and a half above Bloomfield, about 1806. Michael Miller, of Harrison, and John Davis, from near Columbus, took a boat load of pork, from below Chillicothe, to New Orleans, by river, returning on horseback, sometime during the year 1807. George Donaldson was the first blacksmith in Bloomfield, about 1806. Hugh Creighton kept a tavern at Bloomfield as early as 1804. He disposed of it a few years later, and built a corn-mill in Walnut township. Simon Headley built a grist-mill near the site of Bloomfteld bridge, about 1803. He sold to Mr. Van Gundy, who continued it some years. It afterwards went to decay. At the time it was running, a ferry was established above the mill dam, by which people on the west bank .of the river could cross to the mill with their corn or wheat, and return with the flour it produced. William Barr was the first shoemaker. He moved into the house left vacant by William Millar, when he first occupied his brick house, in 1816.   The first store in Harrison was opened by Hugh Creighton, at South Bloomfield, soon after 1804. He was also an early justice of the peace. The second store was started in Bloomfield, by William and John Bradshaw, who kept a large and well assorted stock of goods for that early day. The first post-office was located in Bradshaw's store, at quite an early day, probably as early as 1810, though there is no record to be found giving the date or name of a postmaster. Rev. William Jones was the ftrst preacher. He was a Presbyterian minister, and organized a church of that denomination. He preached in about 1812. The church was organized in the schoolhouse, about 1814. Mr. Jones preached a few years and moved away. After he left, the organization dwindled away, and finally died out. James Short furnished the first ground for burial purposes, south of Bloomfield. In 1850 William Millar added two acres to the lot. Henry Neville, an Irishman, started a branch store in Bloomfield at an early date. He carried on an extensive business at Jefferson, on Pickaway plains. Bloomfield was platted in 1804. Soon after that date a race-track was made, a mile in length, and encircling most of the town. Turfmen brought their horses from all the surrounding country to the Bloomfield races. George Deal built a circular barrack, which he thatched with rye straw. This shelter was used by the early settlers as a threshing floor, at an early day. Col. John Cochran built a store in South Bloomfield after the war of 1812, about 1815. This he continued for many years. John Motherspaw was an early blacksmith in Bloomfield. He moved to Macon county, Illinois. James Short built a still-house M 1804, on the east side of the pike, and but a short distance below South Bloomfield. During the flood of 1805, the water coursed across the road and reached up to the distillery. *It can not now be ascertained at what date the first mail route was established through Bloomfield, but it was previous to 1812. Mail was at first carried by post-boys, who made the trip from Chillicothe to Franklinton on horseback. After the establishment of the stage-coach line, the mail was carried by the stages.   SOUTH BLOOMFIELD.   The village of South Bloomfteld was laid out by David Denny, in 1804, who employed General James Denny, later of Circleville, to make the survey. This was done on a part of Walnut plains, in the southeast part of section ten. The plat embraced forty acres of land, and was divided into eighty lots. These were laid of in blocks of four lots, with a street, or alley, on two sides of each lot. The lots were numbered, consecutively, to twenty-three and twenty-four, which were left vacant for township purposes, and the numbers carried to the next lots. Two lots, sixty and seventy, were omitted, so that the last lot could be numbered eighty. The two lots reserved for township property were afterwards sold and numbered eighty-one and eighty-two. The property has in some cases, changed hands several times, and the deeds have not been properly made out, so that there are now several persons living in the village who have imperfect titles to their homes.   This town was laid out for the county seat, six years before Circleville was platted, but it so happened that the hopes of its founder were not realized. At one time Bloomfield was quite an important town. The regular   348 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO.   line of stage coaches, from Chillicothe to Franklinton and Columbus, made it assume some importance, as tt was not far from the central point on this line; but the completion of the Ohio canal, a mile east, and the building of a railroad to Columbus, caused the withdrawal of the coaches, and the town has long since subsided into a quiet, steady-going pace, with few hopes of bettering its condition. Its brightest days are not of the present, nor of the future, but of the past.   CORPORATION.   The town of South Bloomfield was incorporated by special act of the legislature, in 1833. Its first officers were: Thomas Burrell, president; John Cochran, treasurer; Henry N. Hedges, clerk; Samuel Goreley, marshal. The next mayor, or president, after Burrell, was A. C. Stiles; then George R. Piper, in 1841; Nathaniel Wilkins, in 1844; Abner Briggs, 1849; Dr. 'I'. W. Jones, 1851. The present officers are: John Arebaugh, mayor; A. J. Goosman, clerk; Dr. J. C. Thompson, treasurer; Daniel Dunn, John C. Griggs, Dr. H. B. Smith, J. C. Smith, Robert Hughes, and G. W. Rector, councilmen ; J. H. Roese, marshal ; Wesley 0. Day, street commissioner.   BUSINESS OF HARRISON.   The present business in South Bloomfield is conducted by the. following persons : J. C. Smith, general dealer; A. G. Jones, grocery, and post-office. A. J. Goosman, T. J. Goosman, Peter Rush, blacksmiths; Charles Loux, Benira Barnes, wagon shops; J. W. Burke, hotel.; Griggs & Galloway, sewing machines; Abner Briggs, harness maker; W. E. Peter, cabinet shop.   The business houses in Ashville are: George Morrison, general dealer, postmaster, and express agent; Edward Soper, general dealer; E. Mangus, boots and shoes; Henry Crumley, boarding house and livery; Mrs. E. M. Jones, millinery; Mrs. Swayer, dress-maker ; Robert Hughes, elevator ; Joseph Hedges, lumber yard; John Messick, William Ward, Peter Arnold, blacksmiths; Ezra Shoemaker, tinner; Z. 1'. Baker, harness-maker.   In Millport are Michael Selig, grocery; Huffman & Delaplane, elevator.   The physicians are Drs. J. C. Thompson, H. B. Smith, and A. C. Kinnear, in Bloomfteld, and Dr. Charles Stewart, at Ashville.   The American house, the present hotel at South Bloomfield, was built by John Ruth, in 1847. He kept hotel here until 1856, when he sold to Noah Runkle, and moved across the river to Scioto, where he owned a farm. There he engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, and runs the only works of that kind in that township. Noah Runkle sold the hotel to Vicker & Burger, and they to F. J. Waddell. Waddell sold to J. W. Burke, January 1, 1879, who now continues the house. A room in the lower part has several times been used as a general store by different persons.   Roland Stebbins built a store on Walnut street, about 1845. This he conducted about fifteen years. J. Darst aucceeded him. The store is now owned by J. C. Smith, who purchased it in 1877.   MI LLPORT.   The little hamlet of Millport was laid out into lots by Richard Stage, about 1837. Previous to this time, and as early as 181o, Stephen Short started a. distillery and a mill at this place. After laying out town lots Mr. Stage erected a number of dwellings, and built a .pork packing house, in which he carried on an extensive business for a number of years. He also furnished capital and started his son-in-law, Francis S. Burt, in merchandising. This business was not continued many years. In about 185o a warehouse was built near the canal, for the purpose of receiving and storing grain. A small grocery was established in the building to furnish stores for canal men and boats. Mr. Kilso managed this warehouse from 186o until 187o, when he failed.   In 1868 or 1869 Obed Hedges built an elevator at Ashville. This he leased to Mr. Weaver and to Robert Hughes. Blue & Julian then took it, but finally gave it up, though doing a large business. It is now owned by Heffner & Delaplane, and does an extensive business.   William Foresman built a grist-mill at Millport in 1833, which .he continued many years. In 1879 it was sold to Samuel Campbell, who now runs it.   ASHVILLE.   The land upon which Ashville is located was, at an early day, the property of Richard Stage, who started a small distillery here, which he operated for many years. About 1837 he sold to Mahlon Ashbrook. Mr. Ash-brook increased the capacity of the distillery, and did a very large business. In connection with it, he built a grist-mill on Walnut creek, about 1845, and owned a large store, for such a town. At one time he was reputed quite wealthy, but finally he failed in. business. James Smart, o Circleville, went into business with him, but finally sold out. The store was closed up about 1855, but the distillery was run by other parties for a few years, when it, too, was closed. Mr. Ashbrook went to the north part of the State, and from there to Missouri. Mr. Works run the distillery for a time, as also did Mr. Briggs, before it was closed. From the time of the closing of the distillery, in 1855, until about 1874, very little business was done in Ashville. In 1874, the building of the Scioto Valley railroad through the length of Harrison township, gave a new impetus to business. The depot of the railroad was located at Ashland in 1875, as was also the post-office. During the same year William Morris and Mr. Keyes built an elevator near the railroad. This is run by means of a steam engine. They sold it to Ezra Hedges, and he. to Robert Hughes, who now conducts the business. Corn and wheat are bought by him in large quantities.   POST-OFFICES.   The ftrst post-office in Harrison township was opened previous to 181o, in the store of William and John Bradshaw, at South Bloomfield. It is believed that William Bradshaw was the first postmaster. This office has been continued under different officials, and is at present administered by A. G. Jones.   On the completion of the railroad through Ashville, in   HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND PICKAWAY COUNTIES, OHIO - 349   1875, a post-office was established at that point. George Morrison was the first postmaster, and continues to administer the office.   CHURCHES.   METHODIST CHURCH.   Meetings of people. of the Methodist denomination were held at the house of Daniel Millar, on the site of the present hotel at South Bloomfield, soon after 1833, by traveling preachers. At the time of its organization, about 1835, there were some ten members living here. There were the family of Daniel Millar, Mrs. Sage, Mr. Donaldson, and Mrs. Denny; and possibly others. The organization was effected in the frame school-house, on the lot now owned by George Rector. Revs. Messrs. Hamilton and Poe were early preachers. They were the first circuit preachers. The next were Revs. Messrs.White and Stephenson. Jacob Young was presiding elder. The circuit was at first called Pickaway circuit, and afterwards Frank- linton circuit. The first church building was erected in 1837, on lots given for the purpose by William Renick. A brick church was built at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars, but in after years it proved to be too small and inconvenient; and was torn down in 1877, and a new ediftce erected at a cost of about three thousand five hundred dollars. The funds for building were raised by a subscription. The present membership of this church is about seventy-five. A Sunday-school of about sixty members is maintained, under the superintendence of Dr. H. B. Smith. The pastor of the church, for 1879, is Rev. J. M. Rife.   ASBURY CHAPEL,   of the Methodist Episcopel church, was organized in a school-house, in the eastern part of Harrison, about 1835. Preaching was had at private houses previous to this time. Stephen Simmons, who lived in this neighborhood, was an active churchman, and was instrumental in the organization of this church, and was the first class leader. The log school-house in which the first church services were held, was built about a mile north of the present location of the chapel, and was built about 1835. Jacob Young and John Lewis were the ftrst preachers. The school-house was used for services until 1851, when a frame edifice was erected. This was dedicated to Asbury chapel, in 1852. In 1875 a commodious and neat brick church was built on the same lot, in the south part of section twenty-five. This building cost about three thousand dollars, and was dedicated in the spring of 1876. When built, the church was under the ministration of Rev. H. B. Westervelt. Both these churches were dedicated by Rev. Lovett Taft. The land on which they stand was given for the purpose by Enos Cutler. A large Sunday-school is maintained. The church is under the ministration of Rev. James Rife   UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.   A church of this denomination was organized in the east part of Harrison, about 1840. Meetings were first held in the school-house, until sufficient interest and attendance were had to justify the formation of a church. The first class leader was Luke McDevitt. One of the first preachers was William Davis. Bishop Edwards was also one of the first to preach here. The present pastor is Rev. Daniel Bonebrake. On its organization, the church was named Rehoboth church, which name it now bears. A church edifice was erected on section six soon after 1850. This building is still standing, and is used for church purposes. The society now numbers about fifty persons, and has a Sunday-school of some forty members, under the superintendence of Mr. Christy.   IMPORTANT WORKS.   The Ohio canal, from Cleveland to the Ohio river, was built through Harrison township during 1825 and 1832. This gave employment to a large *number of men, and very many of the people at that date inhabiting the township, assisted in its construction. Col. John Cochran had a contract for work on the canal during these years. This canal afforded. an outlet for the produce raised in the country, and was of great benefit to the inhabitants for a long distance on either side of it..   The Scioto Valley railroad was the next great improvement. This was completed in 1875, since which time it has been in operation, and affords a better outlet for the large quantities of corn and wheat now raised in this country than did the canal.   Since the network of railroads that now treverse the State of Ohio was completed, the canal has almost fallen into disuse. Very little business is now done over it, though some grain is shipped from Millport, and coal received through it.   BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.   THE VAUSE FAMILY.   Thomas Vause came from Hampshire county, Virginia, to Ohio, in 1810, and settled in Clark county, near Springfield, where he purchased a small farm with some improvements. He further improved his land and engaged in grain and stock raising. During. the war of 1812 he, with others, went to the defense of the frontier settlements against the British and Indians. He held the rank of captain in the light-horse, and commanded his company while in the service, to which they were called on an emergency, and when they were on duty but a short time.   In 1817 he married Elizabeth Decker. In 1823 he sold his property in Clark county and bought land in Franklin and Pickaway counties, building his home in Franklin county, near Lockbourne, where he resided with his wife and family until their death, which occurred in 1852. His age was sixty-six. His wife's age was about sixty.   He began life with a small capital, which, by careful management, steadily increased, until at his death he owned six hundred acres of land, and a comfortable home.   The children of Thomas Vause were : John D., William, Rachel, Luke D., James I., Hannah, and Thomas B. John D. married Mary Perrill, and now lives in the north part of Harrison township, near the Franklin county line. William married Mary Stimmel, and died in 1852. Rachel married Thornton Decker, and died, leaving a family of six children. Luke died in 1848. Hannah was killed by a vicious cow, when about ten years of age. Thomas B. married Missouri Moore, and lives at Camp Chase, west of Columbus.   James I. Vause was born in 1827, in Franklin county, where he lived until 1858, working at farming with his father, and obtaining a common school education at the schools there taught. November 7, 1854, he