1050 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. in 1876, by Elder H. A. Gortner. He traveled for five years as a supply in the regular work. Mr. Craig is now extensively engaged in fruit culture, making a specialty of fine budded peaches. As a fruit-grower he is eminently successful. His fruits command the highest prices in the Cincinnati, Columbus and Baltimore markets. He was married Oct. 25, 1866, to Miss Cynthia A. Mathews, daughter of Ephraim Mathews. They have five children—Frank L., Minnie M., Eugene N., Linnie A. and Emma Grace. Hugh Craig, father of the above, was born July 8, 1812, in Washington County, Pa., and is of Irish parentage. He came to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1822, and to Hocking in 1848. He married Jane Jenkins. They had nine children, four now living—Mary, Martha, Jane and. William M. Nathan H. Essex, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born in Jackson Township, Morgan Co., Ohio, a son of Nathan Essex, a native of Maryland. He was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. He was married in January, 1849, to Elizabeth Jane Morris, daughter of John Morris, born in Morgan County, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1829. They have had eleven children, of whom ten are living—Charity A. (now Mrs. Rogers), Calvin, E. Almira (now Mrs. Cook), Winfield S., Zelda V. (now Mrs. Wolf), Amne (now Mrs. Wolf), Hannibal H., Sherman S. and Nelson S. Mr. Essex removed to Hocking County in April, 1863, and settled on section 3, Starr Township, where he resided and was engaged in farming and clearing his land until his death, March 21,1873. He was a member of the Christian church at Mt. Zion. Mrs. Essex afterward married P. C. Blackburn, of Athens County. Freeman W. Frey, section 21, Starr Township, is a native of Fayette County, Pa', and was born Sept. 19, 1825. His father, Jonathan Frey (deceased), was a native of Greene County, Pa., and emigrated to Morgan County in 1836. He came to this county in 1865 and died here March 1, 1866. There were nine children in the family of whom seven are living—Elizabeth, Eve A., (Mrs. Atkinson), William H., Freeman W., Maria (Mrs. Williamson), Phoebe J. (Mrs. Wany), and Isabell. Rachel was married to Benjamin Stead and at her death left several children. John died at Pittsburg Landing while in the service of the Union during the late war. Mr. Frey was brought up on the farm, and while a young man learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. He built many of the best dwellings and school-houses in Starr Township and vicinity, and the trestles on the railroad be- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1051 tween Hocking River and Starr postoffice. He served in the late war in Company F, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry one year, and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and others. He was married in Morgan County, Ohio, Nov. 24, 1850, to Jane, daughter of David Archibald (deceased), a native of Belmont County, Ohio. She was born in Morgan County, Ohio. They have seven children—Robert E., M. Ann (Mrs. Mason), Lizzie A., Emma E., David A., George B. M. and Ida M. For the past few years Mr. Frey has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. Alford Gray section 33, Starr Township, was born in Fairfield County, Conn., Jan. 14, 1809. His father, Eli Gray, brought his family to the head of Seneca Lake in New York State in 1818, and to Tioga County, Pa., in 1820, and there settled in a wilderness. Our subject came to Hocking County in 1853 for his health, and has since resided here. He was married Feb. 18, 1830, to Anna, daughter of Ira Pettibone. They have seven children—Alva, Au-rinds, Aaron, Albert, Adaline, Dexter and Marietta. Mrs. Gray's grandfather, Seth Pettibone, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and fought in the battle of Bennington. Mrs. Gray was reared within twenty miles of that battle-ground.. Mr. Gray's Grandfather Wood was also a Revolutionary soldier, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis and saw a colored man step up to the former and hold the following interview : " Is this General Cornwallis ?" " Yes," said Cornwallis, bowing very low. "But it must he Cobwallis now, case General Washington has shelled all de cohn off," replied the darky earnestly. One daughter of Mr. Gray, Adaline, married Napoleon Stout, and had three children—Frank M., Frederick A. and Edward A. Marietta married William Dishennet and had two 'children, one living—Anna M. Mr. Dishennet's first wife was Eliza A. Harter. They had one child—George L. Henry Groves, section 19, Starr Township, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1835. He was reared on the farm and received a common-school education. He came with his parents to this township in April, 1856. He was married April 23, 1863, to Mary A. Rose, daughter of Rev. William Rose, a Baptist preacher (old school), who was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. They have had eight children, seven now living—James W., Clarinda, Parthena, Ida B., Jesse B., William N. and Frank L. One son, Alfred, died at the age of five years. Mr. Groves owns 177 acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. On 1052 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. his farm there are two strata of coal, one four feet and the other six feet in thickness. Mrs. Groves is a member of the Bible Christian church at Mount Zion. Henry Groves (deceased), the father of the above, was born in Hampshire County, Va., Dec. 7, 1795. At the age of sixteen years he began to learn the tanner's trade, which he followed for a few years. In 1825 he came to Morgan County, Ohio, and to Starr Township in April, 1856. He was married in 1819 to Rebecca Devault, a daughter of Andrew Devault. She was born June 16, 1795. They had ten children, six now living—Mary, Eli, Elizabeth, Eliza, Henry and Margaret E. Mr. Groves was for many years a member of the Protestant Methodist church. He died June 21, 1869, respected by all. Mrs. Groves' nephew, Andrew Jackson Devault, has resided with the family for the past thirty-nine years, and now resides with Henry Groves. He was born in June, 1829, and has been a cripple since he was twenty-one months old. Mrs. Groves died in 1869. J. Foreman, Guthrie, section 34, Starr Township, was born in Fayette County, Pa., Nov. 2, 1851. His father, Absalom Guthrie (deceased), was a native of Preston County, Va., and brought his family to Starr Township in March, 1866. There were eleven children in the family, our subject being the fifth. Nine are now living—Isaac, Mary F., Rachel A., James M., J. Foreman, Martha, Virginia A., Sarah L. and William N. The father died in February, 1869. Our subject was married Dec. 27, 1881, to Hannah Grimes, daughter of Josiah Grimes, of Perry County, Ohio. They have one child—Charles W. Mr. Guthrie owns 300 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He also deals extensively in stock. Mrs. Guthrie was born Jan. 6, 1859, in Perry County. Her grandfather, John Grimes, settled there fifty-five years ago. Joseph W. Earned, section 28, Starr Township, was born in Preston County, W. Va., July 26, 1836. His father, Edward Harned, deceased, was also a native of Preston County, and removed his family to Fayette County, Pa., in 1839. Our subject came to this county in 1864. He was a soldier in the late war, in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment, Ohio National Guards, for four or five months, and was present when Breckenridge made the charge on Washington City. He married, Nov. 26, 1859, Miss Mary F. Guthrie, daughter of Absalom Guthrie, deceased. They have had seven children, only five now living—Annie L., Walter, Jennie B., Lucy and Estella May. Mr. flamed owns HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1053 207 acres of land and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was Trustee of Starr Township for three years, and Ministerial Trustee the past two years. He and family are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Harned is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Benjamin A. Bosom, of Belpre Township, Washington Co., Ohio, was born in Bristol Township, Morgan County, Jan. 24, A825. His father, Andrew Hosom, was born near Augusta, Maine, in 1777. He was the father of eleven children, seven girls and four boys, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. Six of this number are living—Martha, Sarah, Andrew J., Elbridge G., Lydia and Benjamin A.. Andrew Hosom came to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1815, and to Bristol Township, Morgan County, in 1816, and settled in the woods. He died in Morgan County in 1867. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received a common-school education. For ten years he sold goods over the Southern part of Ohio, but for the past twenty-five years has been selling fruit-trees in Central and. Southern Ohio, and West Virginia. As a fruit-tree man Mr. Hosom has been eminently successful. His motto has always been fair and honest dealing, and his business has constantly increased. In 1872 he sold trees for a few orchards in the neighborhood of Nelsonville, to the amount of $1,100, and in the past two years he has sold $1,000 worth on the same territory. He makes budded peaches a specialty, and has all the latest varieties, and one of the largest collections. He has planted some of the best orchards in the State of Ohio. He was married July 4, 1850, to Mary A. Beckett, by whom he has had ten children. Of these eight are living—Andrew J. M., Henrietta A., Mary E., Clara A. and William B. (twins), Elmer E. and Everett E. A. (twins), and Eva Delle. Joseph Ingmire, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born in the State of Maryland, July 21, 1802, and was a son of Snoden Ingmire, who brought his family to Muskingum County, Ohio, when the subject of this sketch was a small boy. Joseph came to Starr Township in 1849, where he cleared out a farm, working very hard until his death, Aug. 21, 1873. He was married June 25, 1S35, to Susanna Williams, by whom he had twelve children; of these ten are living—Eliza J. (Mrs. Hutchinson), John, Snoden, Abraham, Mary (Mrs. Boyles), George, Martha (Mrs. Buckingham), Addison, Lizzie and Susanna. Snoden and Addison, with the two younger girls and their mother, reside on the old homestead, of which there is 132 acres, situated on section 36. The boys are engaged in farming and stock-raising. 1054 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Samuel Jones, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 27, 1809. His father, William Jones, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and of English descent. Mr. Jones came when a boy with his parents to Guernsey (now Noble) County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. He there married Sarah Woolf, Dec. 27, 1831. They had fifteen children; of these ten are living—William, John, Malinda (Mrs. Smith), Elizabeth (Mrs. Howe), Thomas T., Mary Ann, Lucinda, Alexander M., Amos M. and Flora E. Two sons, Joseph B. and Solomon W., lost their lives while in the service of their country during the Rebellion. The former died a prisoner in Andersonville, and the latter was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville. One daughter, Sarah, died when a young lady, and two died in infancy. Mr. Jones brought his family to Starr Township in 1838, and settled almost in the woods, .there being but a few acres cleared. He was a hard worker and good manager, and prospered and grew wealthy. His business was that of a farmer and stock-raiser, and at the time of his death he owned 950 acres of valuable land. He died March 14, 1866, loved and respected by all. He was a church member for many years, and a Freemason in good standing. His purse was ever open to help the worthy poor, and he gave largely for the support of churches, schools and other benevolent enterprises. Perry D. Latimer was born in Amestown, Athens Co., Ohio, Dec. 16, 1813. His father, Elijah Latimer, settled in Amestown in an early day when the wild animals and Indians were numerous. Mr. Latimer attended a subscription school in a log cabin where Nelsonville now stands. He was married Dec. 6, 1832, to Hannah Harris, by whom he had ten children, nine now living—Mary L., Catharine, Huldah, Clorinda, Jane, Isabel], Hiram L., Samuel I. and David P. Mr. Latimer came to Starr Township in 1858. He owns ninety-four acres of land, resides on section 24, and is engaged in arming and stock-raising. He is a member of the Christian church. Joseph D. Longstreth, section 24, Starr Township, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1824, a son of James and Mary (Dodds) Longstreth. His father was a native of Allegheny County, Pa., and was brought by his parents to Morgan County When only six years old, or about the year 1808. The family were the first settlers there, and James had the exciting experience of shooting bears and other wild animals. He became a prominent man and died in Clinton County, Mo., in 1879. Our subject's grandfather, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1055 John Dodds, was also one of the first settlers of Morgan County, the date of his settlement not being certainly known. He cut a road through the thick woods in order to reach his land, and at that time there was but one house between his home and Roseville. Mr. Longstreth came to this county in 1852 and bought land of John Westenhaver, of Green Township, residing in an old log cabin. He now owns 1,363 acres of land besides a large tract in Missouri. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has been eminently successful. He is the most extensive wool-grower in Hocking County, having the best quality of fine Vermont sheep. He is also engaged in the culture of short-horn cattle. Mr. Longstreth is very liberal in his charitable and philanthropic donations. He gave the land for the Presbyterian church at New Cadiz, besides giving a large amount of money. He was married in March, 1852, to Miss Cynthia Bay, by whom he has three children—Robert, Mary E. and Cynthia A. Robert is married to Miss Blanche Cresap, of Dresden, Muskingum Co., Ohio. Mr. Longstreth and family are members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Longstreth is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Longstreth's father, Robert Bay, was born in Washington County, Pa., and his father, Thomas Bay, was from England. Robert Bay was a Colonel in the war of 1812. He came to Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1816, when the wild animals were their only neighbors. Mrs. Longstreth's grandmother, Elizabeth Bay, was a sister of General Samuel Blackburn, of Revolutionary. fame. Mr. Bay came to Vinton County, Ohio, in 1852, where he died in 1855. Mrs. Longstreth's mother was Phoebe Lindley, of Washington County, Pa., and of English descent, and a daughter of Ziba Lindley. The last one of the family is Almus Lindley, of Albany, Ohio, who is aged eighty-one years. James M. Loomis, of Cadiz, was born in Starr Township, March 9, 1849, and is a son of Jesse H. Loomis (deceased), an early settler of this township. Our subject was brought up on a farm and received a common-school education. For the past thirteen years he has been working at the trade of a carpenter. He was married Jan. 18, 1879, to Emma H., daughter. of John W. Shaw. They have had two children, only one living—John W. Mr. Loomis owns forty acres of valuable land one mile east of Cadiz, and property in Cadiz. He is a member of the Old Fellows fraternity.' George Thomas Mason, son of John Mason, of Starr Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, was born in Greene County, Pa., Nov. 23, 1850. His parents removed with their family in 1852 to Harrison County. Va., thence to Coles County, Ill., in 1854, and to Hocking 1056 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. County, Ohio, in 1856. As soon as he was large enough to shoulder a hoe he was placed in the corn-field. He attended the common district school for three months during the winter seasons, and worked on the farm the rest of the year. He attended Miller's Academy, in Athens County, a short time, and the Logan High School a few terms. Most of his education, however, in the higher branches was obtained by persistent study and without a tutor. He began teaching at the age of eighteen years, and taught the most of the time for ten years, in the States of Ohio, Illinois and Kansas. He has also devoted some attention to teaching vocal music and giving public musical entertainments. He had for his instructors in music Prof. S. Wesley Martin, of Chicago, Ill., and Prof. D. Wilson, of Paris, Ill. Our subject was married Dec. 24, 1879, to Miss Ida E. Gray, daughter of Harvey Gray (deceased), late of Sidell Township, Vermillion Co., Ill. They have one child—Guy. Mrs. Mason was born Sept. 8, 1855, in Jefferson, Ind. Mr. Mason is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and before his business called him almost constantly from home was an enthusiastic Sunday-school worker. His home is in Arcola, Douglas Co., Ill. John Mason was born May 7, 1819, in Aleppo (now Jackson) Township, Greene Co., Pa. His early educational advantages were very limited, attending a subscription school only a short time during a few winter seasons, but by private study he has become very well educated. He mastered the science and art of surveying and engineering under the teachings of his elder brother, William, then a prominent school-teacher in Greene County, Pa., and followed the business of surveying for thirteen years. He taught the public school in his native county for five winters, and one winter in Washington County, Pa. He was married May 21, 1839, to Rachel, daughter of Jacob and Abigail Ross. They have had ten children born to them—Mary, Abigail E. (Austin), William J., Phoebe Jane (Conaway), Hiram, James K. P., Jacob R. (deceased), George T., Timothy R., and Francis R. (deceased). William married Nancy J. Atkinson, by whom he has had nine children; of these six are living—Rachel Agnes, Lawson, Eve A., Robert, Luther and an infant. Hiram married Kate Eddington, and they have had six children, five living--Annie, Arthur, Rachel C., John and Maud M. James K. married Elizabeth Snyder and has five children—Minnie M., Ross, Gertrude, Frederick and Kelsie. Jacob R. married Hester Ann Iles, by whom he had two children, one living—J. Luther. Jacob died Jan. 8, 1878, near Des Moines, Iowa, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1057 William resides near Edenville, Mich.; James, in Palmero, Ill.; George T., in Arcola, Ill., and the others in Hocking Valley. Our subject removed with his family to Harrison County, Va., in August, 1852, and settled on the Reeder farm on the west fork of of the Monongahela River, purchasing 280 acres on land. In the fall of 1854 he removed to Coles (now Douglas) County, Ill., where he engaged in farming on the prairie until the fall of 1856, when failing health caused him to retrace his steps for some distance, and he settled on his present farm on section 3, Starr Township, Hocking Co. , Ohio. He at first purchased 140 acres, and in 18E4 added to it fifteen acres. Mrs. Mason died Sept. 1, 1864, and Nov. 21, 1869, he married Charlotte L. Pelton, daughter of Lynne B. and Hettie M. (Woodruff) Pelton, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New Jersey. They have one child - Hettie M. Mr. Mason was A uditor of Greene County, Pa., from 1848 to 1851, and in 1851 he came within seventeen votes of being elected to the office of County Surveyor in the same county. He held the office of County Commissioner for Hocking County from 1866 to 1872, having been twice elected in that time. During his term of office many very important public improvements were made, among them several bridges, the new county jail, and the new county infirmary buildings. He has led a Christian life for many years and has been a member of the Christian church at Mt. Zion ever since its organization. The father of the above, James Mason, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Sept. 24, 1784, and was a son of William Mason, also a native of Ireland, who brought his family to Greene County, Pa., in 1788, and settled near where Waynesburg now stands (it was then Washington County). The elder Mason died in Greene County about the year 1815. James Mason married Mary Sayers, by whom lie had six children—Elizabeth (Ross), William (deceased), Mary (Sayers), George, Charlotte (Scott), and John, whose name heads this sketch. James Mason died on the old homestead in Greene County, Pa., June 13, 1869. Our subject's mother died in January, 1883, in her ninety-seventh year. Mary Mason, a well-known school-teacher of Hocking County, and daughter of John Mason, of Starr Township, was born in Greene County, June 17, 1840; came to Virginia with her parents in 1852, thence to Illinois in 1854, and to Hocking County, Ohio, in 1856. She was educated in the common schools, New Plymouth select school, and Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, College. She be- - 67 - 1058 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. gan teaching at the age of eighteen years and has taught the most of the time since then until within the past two or three years. As a teacher Miss Mason has been eminently successful, both as a disciplinarian and tutor. She has taught in all over thirty terms in the States of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois, and passed through many rigid examinations to obtain a teacher's license. The writer well remembers when he was a small boy of hearing her relate a dream she had just before attending the examination. She was young and very anxious as to the result of the fast approaching event, and a few nights before the day for the examination she dreamed that she had been successful and had been granted a certificate for three months and forty days. When she engages in an enterprise she goes at it with that iron will which is sure of success, hence her success as a teacher. Miss Mason has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since eighteen years of age. Timothy B. Mason, M. D., section 3, Starr Township, was born in Greene County, Penn., May 10, 1852, and is a son of John Mason. Our subject was brought by his parents to Harrison County, Va., in the fall of 1854, and two years later to Coles County, Ill., where they remained until the fall of 1856, whin they removed to Starr Township. The Doctor was here brought up on the farm and attended the common district school during three months in the winter, working on the farm the rest of the year. In 1873 he learned the art of telegraphy, but soon after began the study of medicine under Dr. D. T. Gilliam, of Nelsonville, remaining there until the fall of 1874, when he took one course of lectures in the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio. He then practiced medicine a short time in Millfield, Athens Co., Ohio, and removed to Sharon, Noble Co., Ohio, where he practiced until April, 1876; then removed to Maxville, Perry Co., Ohio, where he remained until February, 1877. He then removed to Mt. Blanco, Meigs Co., Ohio, where he practiced till the fall of 1880, when he removed to the old homestead in Starr Township, where he has since resided. He was married April 10, 1875, to Ann, daughter of Freeman W. Frey, of this township. They have had three children—Voss Genner, Mabel R. and Almus L. (NOTE: A four child Ina B. was born after book published) Abraham McCollester (or McCallister, as spelled by other members of the family), was born in Shenandoah County, Va., Oct. 4, 1808, and came to Fairfield Co., Ohio, with his parents in 1810. His education was limited, as the advantages, were poor. He at- HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY - 1059 tended school in a log cabin of the rudest description. He came to Hocking County in a very early day, and was married May 15, 1825, to Maria Woltz, a daughter of George Woltz. They have had seven children—Elizabeth (now Mrs. Davis), Mary A. (afterward Mrs. Snyder), Thomas, David, Martha, Nettie (now Mrs. Lama), and Almira (now Mrs. Buckingham). For the most of his life Mr. McCollester has been a farmer, but for seven or eight years he was engaged in making chairs, and eleven years he followed the draying business in Nelsonville. Mrs. McCollester died April 9, 1879, and he married, Oct. 28, 1879, Mrs. Rebecca Loomis. She had five children by her first husband—Russell, James, John, Elizabeth and Mary A. Alexander McClurg, section 23, Starr Township, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 10, 1810, and is a son of James McClurg(deceased), a native of Boston, Mass. Our subject was brought up on a farm and educated in the subscription school of pioneer days. Mr. McClurg went to Brooks County, Va., in 1831. He was a brick-maker over thirty years. In 1861 he came to Hocking and settled in Falls Township, and in Starr Township in 1873. He was married in April, 1832, to Isabell, daughter of Robert West (deceased), a native of Ireland. She was born in Washington County, Pa. They have had twelve children, of whom only four are living—Leander, Johnson, Sarah A., and Mary S. Those deceased are—James, Robert, William, David, Henderson, Frank, Nancy J. and Columbus. They have an adopted child—Ida E. Drake, who still resides with them. Mr. McClurg owns 164 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. While he was in Falls Township he was Justice of the Peace nine years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. For five or six years he followed oil-cloth painting in Virginia. He also followed the stone-mason's and shoemaker's trades for several years. William McCue was born in Augusta County,Va., in Upper Shenandoah Valley, on Middle River, April 4, 1818. His father, John McCue, was also a native of Augusta County. Our subject came to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1830, and to Athens County in 1835. The first threshing he did was in Morgan County, in 1832, with an old-fashioned one-horse tramp grubber, which was it great improvement on the flail and the tramping floor. The next machine he used was a four-horse lever-power grubber. In 1855 lie came to Starr Township, which has since been his home. The first separa- 1060 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. tor he used was a McConnelsville machine in 1858 or '59, built by Mr. Patterson and owned by Edmund Wolf and Joseph McDaniel. Since 1832 Mr. McCue has missed but three seasons from the dusty threshing machine, and he is known far and near as "Billy McCue, the thresher.". He was married in 1846 to Eliza Pierce, by whom he had one child—Catharine (now Mrs. Stump). Mrs. McCue died, and in 1856 he married Alma Terry, daughter of Robert Terry. They have had seven children, six living—Philene, Allen, Minerva, Julia, Robert and Viola. Benjamin C. McManigal, of Union Furnace, was born in Mifflin County, Pa., March 27, 1840, and is a son of Robert McManigal, also a native of Mifflin County. Our subject received his education at Tuscarawas and Pine Grove Mills academies (Penn.). He served in the late war in Company C, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania infantry, from the fall of 1861 until the close of the war. He enlisted as a private, and was made First Lieutenant in the fall of 1863, and few weeks later was captured at Petersburg, Va. He was kept a prisoner for four months and twenty-two days, in the prisons at Libby, Salisbury, N. C., and Danville, Va., and on Washington's birthday, 18:61, he was exchanged. After his return home he studied dentistry, and in 1866 came to Logan,. Ohio, where he practiced until 1868, when he went to Litchfield, Ill., and practiced for one year. His health then failed, and in 1869' he went to Lake City, Minn., and to St. Louis, Mo., in 1870, where he kept books for Garrett, McDowel & Co. until 1871. He then, came to Union Furnace and clerked and kept books three years. In 1874 he, in company with his brother Dal, purchased the furnace, which they operated from 1880 until 1883. He was married March 18, 1874, to Mary E. Work, daughter of John W. Work, of Logan. They have three children—Jessie C., Benjamin E., and Mary F. The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian church, and an Odd Fellow. Josiah H Moore was born near Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa.; March 16, 1805, a son of Abram Moore, also a native of Pennsylvania. He served an apprenticeship at .wool-carding and cloth-dressing in Uniontown, Pa. When young he went to Kentucky and worked at his trade, but soon after came to Cincinnati, working at his trade in a factory. He next came to Athens County and worked for B. Pruden some time, when he was engaged at Wolf's Lower Mills, near Athens. After working there awhile he purchased the saw and grist mills, and afterward bought the Upper HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1061 Mills at Salina, in partnership with John Matheny. He then bought the latter out and ran both mills for several years, in the meantime accumulating considerable property, but the slack water in the canal ruined his business. In April, 1844, he car e to this county and followed the avocation of a farmer, but now, helpless and stricken in years, he is living with his son, Wilson P., in Starr. In 1829 he was married to Lydia, daughter of Christopher Wolf, one of the first settlers of Athens Township. They have been blessed with eight children—Isaac, Andrew, Wilson P., Barak W., Rhoda W. (deceased), Lydia, Caroline W. and Elizabeth H. Mrs. Moore died Dec. 27, 1881. Mr. Moore has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. Aaron W. Mosure, farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, Starr Township, was born in Green Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, March 6, 1837. His father, Nathan Mosure, came from Dutchess County ,N Y., to this county in 1834. He was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. He enlisted in the late war in Coinpany E, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, as a private, and afterward was transferred and promoted to First Lieutenant of Company G, same regiment. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga (here his company of forty-five men lost sixteen of their number), Atlanta, Kingston, Resaca, Franklin, Tenn., Nashville (where they took sixty-eight pieces of artillery in two days, and killed and captured 9,000 rebels). Mr. Mosure commanded his company at the last-named battle, and also at the battle of Franklin, Tenn. At that battle the boys in blue made a stand to save their supply train, planting their artillery on the pike. The rebels made a desperate charge, and in the single charge lost 4,500 men in killed and wounded. Lieutenant Mosure received a great deal of praise for his gallantry. He was married April 21, 1867, to Mary J., daughter of Thomas M. Bay. She was born in Guernsey County, Ohio. Mr. Mosure came to Starr Township in 1869, where he still resides, and owns 131 acres of valuable land. He was Township Trustee several years, and took the census in 1880. Thomas O'Neill, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born June 10, 1792, in Pennsylvania, just after his parents and family landed from Ireland. His father, Henry O'Neill, being the first settler of Starr Township is mentioned at greater length in the general history of this township. Our subject accompanied his father and elder brothers to this township in 1810, and assisted in clear- 1062 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY: ing land and sowing a crop of wheat preparatory to removing the rest of the family here the following spring. Mr. O'Neill was a hard worker, and had many difficulties to encounter. He had to go to Chauncey to get his blacksmithing done and to get his corn ground. He was married in 1817 to Ann Lee, a daughter of James Lee. They have had nine children, only six living—Rosanna, Elizabeth (Lincoln), George, Lafayette, Lovina and Joseph. The deceased were—Martha, Alvin and Thomas. Rosanna and George are not married, and reside on the old homestead, of which there is 220 acres. George was born June 19, 1822. Rosanna is the oldest of the family, and is a subscriber for this work. Elizabeth married Albert Lincoln, and has seven children—Elizabeth, Martha, Benjamin, Alvin, George, Thomas, and Charles. Lafayette married Patty Eggleston, and has two children—Benjamin and Asahel. Lovina married Lafayette Eggleston, and had four children—Martha (deceased), Lovina, Lafayette and Ettie. Joseph married Mahala Keeton and has one child—Ettie. Alvin (deceased) married Desire Morse and had two children—Lovina and Thomas. Thomas (deceased) married Mary Piney and had two children—George W. and Rosanna. Mr. O'Neill died Oct. 30, 1868, respected by all who knew him. Adam Runyon, section 15, Starr Township, was born in Pike County. March 25, 1824, and is a son of Henry Runyon (deceased), a native of Virginia. Our subject was reared on a farm and attended a subscription school in his native county. He came to Lawrence County, Ohio, in 1856, to Vinton County in 1869, and Hocking in 1876. He served in the late war in Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, about one year. Mr. Runyon was married in June, 1856, to Margaret, daughter of John Collins (deceased). She was born in Cabell County, W. V a. , and came to Lawrence County, Ohio, soon after their marriage in 1856. Meredith, F. Simms was born in Culpeper County, Va., May 24, 1836. His father, John W. Simms, was a native of the same county, and brought his family to Norwich, Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1838, and to Athens County in 1840, settling in Athens Township. Our subject began to learn the tanner's trade when twelve years old, and followed that business for several years. He came to Starr Township in 1865, where he has since resided. He owns 173 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. For the past nine years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace. He was HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1063 married in 1864 to Eineline, daughter of Alex. Kinnear. They have ten children—Mary, William T. S., Thomas S., Lucy M., Lenora, Susan, 'John W., James M., Lewis Deen and Nancy. Mr. Simms is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Captain Wilford Stiers, leading farmer and breeder of fine shorthorn cattle and fine sheep, Starr Township, was born near Senecaville, Guernsey Co., Ohio, May 31, 1824. When thirteen years of age he came with his parents to Hocking County and settled on what is known as the Myers farm near Logan, at that time a very small place. He remained during his boyhood on his father's farm attending school. When twenty-two he taught one term of school, and in the spring of 1846 he helped raise Company D, Second Ohio, fir the Mexican war. The regiment was commanded by Colonel G. W. Morgan; Simeon Tucker was elected Captain of the company; he resigned and Captain Abram Siford succeeded him. Captain Stiers was first appointed Sergeant of the company and afterward promoted to Orderly. The company left Logan in June, 1846; went to Mexico via New Orleans and Brazos Island, returning home at the expiration of the service, in July, 1847. Mr. Stiers then remained on his father's farm until fall, when he made up his mind either to get married or to go to California. He began first to look for a wife and was fortunate in finding a most estimable young lady, Miss Elizabeth Wolf, to whom lie was married Dec. 9, 1847. She was born at Wolf's Plains, Athens Co., Ohio, Oct. 17, 1827, the daughter of Christopher and Rhoda (Dorr) Wolf, who were among the earliest settlers of Athens County. They had a family of seven sons and three daughters, Mrs. Stiers being the youngest. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stiers settled on the old Wolf farm in Starr Township, Hocking County, where they still reside. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have had ten children, all living—Vernon C., born March 21, 1849, was married March 18, 1875, to Leah Rannells, the daughter of Thomas and Mahala Rannells, and resides on a farm near Creola, Vinton County. Irene was born Feb. 4, 1851, and was married Sept. 6, 1871, to 0. C. Pierce, a native of Underhill, Chittenden Co., Vt. He is agent and telegraph operator for the C., H: V. & T. R. R., at Haydenville. Stephen Stiers was born Nov. 31, 1852, and was married Dec. 31, 1877, to Kate Russel, a native of England, and resides in Jefferson County, Kas. Wilson Homer Stiers was born Aug. 5, 1856, and was married May 3, 1882, to Cora Saumenig, a native of Logan, and resides on the 1064 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. old homestead. Flavius J., born Nov. 16, 1858; Ada May, May 23, 1861; Lizzie, Jan. 31, 1864; Wilford M., Aug. 21, 1866; Zoa. Jan. 20, 1873 ; Albert H., Oct. 29, 1876, reside on the old homestead with their parents. Captain Wilford Sties is not only one of the old settlers of hocking County, but is also one of her leading farmers and citizens. At the outbreaking of the late war he assisted in raising Company F, Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry. He enlisted as a private but was appointed Lieutenant, and was afterward elected Captain of the company; remained in the service eighteen months, when he was compelled to resign on account of poor health. He then returned home and has since confined his attention to farming and breeding fine stock, paying especial attention to fine Spanish Merino sheep, and has one of the finest and best-bred flocks in the State. The Captain has some of the finest-bred and best-trained sheep and cattle dogs in the country and has sold dogs to leading farmers and stock-men in this and other States. James W. Thompson, section 29, Starr Township, was born in Lodi Township, Athens Co. , Ohio, Nov. 6, 1837. His father, John Thompson, deceased, was a: native of York Township, Athens County. Our subject's grandfather, Jeremiah Thompson, came from England to Athens County prior to the year 1800. Mr. Thompson's grandfather, Josephus Carpenter, used to run foot races with the Indian boys. Mr. Thompson was reared on the farm and received a limited education. For some years he worked on public works. He served as a soldier in Company I, Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry, for three years, and participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Freeman's Ford, second Bull Run, Camp Baldwin, Gainesville, Pocataligo and others. He was wounded at the battle of second Bull Run and now draws a pension. During the last eighteen months of service he was a Corporal. He was married Sept. 6,,1865, to Mary C. Buckingham, daughter of Curtis Buckingham, of this township. They have three children—Ellenora, William C. and Charles W. Mr. Thompson owns eighty-four acres of land and is engaged in general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is an Odd Fellow in good standing. Samuel Thompson was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1818. His father, James Thompson, was a native of Maryland and an early settler of Coshocton County. His early life was spent on the farm and in attending school. He came to Hock- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1065 ing County in 1841, where he has since resided. Mr. Thompson was married in 1842 to Elizabeth Avery: She was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1822, and came with her parents to this county in 1841. Her father, Philip Avery, came from -Virginia to Belmont County in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of nine children, six of whom are living—George S., Hannah J., Samuel 0., Charles, Clara and Wesley. One son, James C., was shot accidentally while out hunting with Harvey Mitchell, June 19, 1857, at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Thompson has been a stone and brick mason for the past twenty-six years. The first chimney he built was for Ed Skinner in the fall of 1856, and the second was for John Mason the same fall. He was Justice of the Peace for Starr Township twelve years. Mr. Thompson in 1841 introduced the first blue-stern wheat in Hocking County, importing it from Coshocton County. Lewis White, section 2, Starr Township, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1831, a son of Delworth White, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Morgan County in boyhood and removed his family to Starr Township in 1848. His wife was Miss Aley Nickols. They had nine children, but three now are living —our subject, Henry and Rachel. The deceased were: Delila (Young), Dilworth (who died in the late war), Elizabeth and three that died in infancy. The father died Dec. 2, 1873. Mr. White was married Sept. 3, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua Hurd, who came to Hocking County in 1847 and settled in Starr Township, where he died April 26, 1879. He was born in 1803 in Monroe County, Ohio. Mr. Hurd was the father of twelve children—Jacob (died in the late war), Mary, Nancy, Maria, Nathan (deceased), Elizabeth, Losetta, William, Amanda, Almira, and John, who died in infancy. Nathan was also a soldier in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. White have had eight children, seven of whom are living—Jesse, Henry, Sarah, James William, John, Minnie B. and Lewis. Charity is deceased. Mr. White owns 150 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. White belongs to the I. 0. 0. F. fraternity. Richason Williams, section 20, Starr Township, was born in Bradford County, Penn., Feb. 23, 1818, a son of Chester Williams, a native of Vermont and of English descent. Our subject came to Hocking County in 1841. He was married in June, 1842, to Charity E., daughter of Benjamin Eggleston. They had six chil- 1066 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. dren—Marcus D. L.. Obadiah P., W. Scott (deceased), David Wesley, Bruce D. and Mary M. Obadiah's son, Abraham L., and Scott's son, Thomas W., are living with their Uncle Richason. Abraham is a promising young man. In 1859 Mr. Williams was elected Constable, which office he has since held with the exception of one year. Soon after he came to this county the bank failed and left him but $2 to start on. Joseph D. Wolf, deceased, was born on Wolf's Plains, Athens Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 1822, a son of Christopher C. and Rhoda (Dorr) Wolf, among the earlier settlers of Athens. Christopher C. was a live business man—owned and ran a grist and saw mill and dealt largely in stock. He and wife had seven sons and three daughters. Joseph D., the subject of this sketch, was the sixth son. He was reared on his father's farm on Wolf's Plains until seventeen, when he came with his parents to what is now Hocking County, and settled on the farm where his wife still resides, in Starr Township. He was married to Mary V.. Price in Logan, May 22, 1844. She was born in Dover Township, Athens County, a daughter of Jonas and Tamar (Culver) Rice. Her father was one of th7e early settlers of Athens County. He was a Colonel in the war of 1812. When a young man he went among the Chickasaw Indians and lived with them some years. He and his brother Ambrose were afterward sent by the Government to survey lands in Ohio. Jonas Culver built one of the first mills in Athens County, and also assisted in building the Ohio University at Athens. He died with yellow fever at Memphis, Tenn., in June, 1829, while returning from New Orleans, where he had taken a boat-load of provisions, he being Captain of the boat. He and wife had five daughters; four daughters lived to be grown. Mrs. Joseph Wolf (now Mrs. Jonathan Stirling) was the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have eight children, seven now living—Sarah M., wife of George Fry; Louis H., farmer of Green Township ; Mary M., wife of William N. England; Helena T., wife of Samuel England (deceased); Andrew J., residing in Washington Territory; Fannie L. and Effie H., residing with their mother. Mr. Wolf died Aug. 10, 1858. Mrs. Wolf married Mr. Jonathan Stirling March 26, 1865. He was born in Hocking County and is one of the leading farmers and coal men of Hocking Valley. Lafayette W. Wolf, son of Mathew D. Wolf, of Starr Township, was born in this township May 23, 1853. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the common district school. He en- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1067 gaged a short time in mining but has given the most of his attention to farming. He was married Sept. 3, 1874, to Harriet L. Paffenbarger, daughter of George Paffenbarger. She was born in Vinton County, Ohio, and died April 20, 1875. March 7, 1878, Mr. Wolf married Florence, daughter of Elias Boudinot, of Ward Township. She was born in Dover Township, Athens County, and was a prominent school-teacher. They had one child born to them --Willis D. Mrs. Wolf died June 25, 1882. Mr. Wolf is now engaged in selling fruit trees with B. A. Hosom, well known in the Hocking Valley. Mathew D. Wolf, section 4, Starr Township, was born in Athens County, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1812, a son of Christopher Wolf, who came to Ohio from Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1797, and located in Marietta, removing the next year to Ames Township, Athens County, where he helped Judge Ephraiin Cutler clear his first land. He was married in 1803 to Rhoda, daughter of Mathew Dorr, who came from New York to Athens County in 1798. They reared nine of their ten children to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Wolf died in September, 1846. Mathew D. bought the farm now owned by Peter Hayden, in 1837, and in 1850 bought the one where he now lives, which at that time had not an acre cleared. He now owns 324 1-2 acres of valuable land. He was married Jan. 1, 1839, to Chloe G. Brown, daughter of Perley Brown. Of the fifteen children born to them, thirteen are living—Edmond D., Rhoda, Lydia M., Perley B., Joseph W., John L., Lafayette W., Corrinda A., Christopher C., Phedora F., Andrew F., Charles P. and Finley H. A daughter, Loraine L., the twin sister of John L., died in Nelsonville, Ohio, May 31, 1878. She was the wife of W. G. Hickman. William Wolf, Jr., section 10, Starr Township, was born in this township, Nov. 3, 1838, a son of William Wolf, of Athens County. Our subject was reared on a farm, and attended the common schools. He married Mary Jane Parker, Dec. 5, 1865. At that time he had $13 in money and two horses, and worked for 50 cents a day and his dinner. During the construction of the Hocking Valley Railroad he was employed as foreman on the grading of one of the divisions, and received $2.00 a day, afterward advanced to $2.50 and board, then to $65 a month and expenses. During the panic his salary was reduced to $55 a month, and afterward advanced to $60, then to $70. He was one of the contractors who built the grade for the Lick Run branch of the Hocking Valley Railroad, in 1068 - HISTORY OP HOCKING VALLEY. 1869. He then engaged in lumbering for one season in Vinton County, for Gould, and afterward for W. W. Brooks, a short time, when he was hurt by a falling tree. He then built the grade for Peter Hayden's narrow-gauge railroad which extends from his hoppers to his mines in Green Township, and then was foreman for Mr. Hayden over ten years, when, on account of failing health, he resigned his situation. During the spring and summer of 1883 he erected a neat two-story frame dwelling on his farm, at a cost of $1,000. It is 34 x 28 feet, with a drop-roof kitchen. Mr. Wolf now owns 199 acres of land, with good farm buildings. He is the father of six children—Dora B. (deceased), Albert P., Fannie P., James C., Robert V. and Lillie M. Mr. Wolf has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church twenty-four years, a member in good standing of the Odd Fellows fraternity over twenty years, and a member of the Masonic fraternity three years. Mrs. Wolf is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ichabod Woodard, Sr., deceased, was born in Essex County, N. J., Oct. 12, 1782, and was a son of William Woodard, a Revolutionary soldier, who lost his life in that great stmuggle for liberty. At the age of twenty years our subject went to New York State, and ran rafts of logs to Philadelphia. He afterward' owned a mill on the Delaware River, which was destroyed by a freshet. Then, in 1812, he placed his wife and children and effects in a one-horse wagon and came to Zanesville, Ohio, where he stopped to rest a day or two, turning his horse into a pasture field. There was one tree (or stub) in the field, and when the horse was grazing near by it fell on him, killing him instantly. Mr. Woodard was completely broken down by this misfortune, for he was left with a family, a wagon, and only $6 in money. He traded his wagon for a horse, and managed to get his family to Fairfield County in the fall of 1813. He there engaged in farming until 1824, when he removed to McArthur, in what is now Vinton County, Ohio. In February, 1825, he removed to the old Woodard homestead, in Starr Township, on section 15. The house he had built there in the fall of 1824 is still standing, and is occupied by his grandson, Webster Woodard. He was married Dec. 16, 1804, to Sarah Bennett. She was born on Long Island in 1785, on a place given to her mother, Mary Beers, by Mrs. Woodard's Grandfather Beers. It is situated where a part of Brooklyn now stands. The deed was lost and other parties unjustly own the land. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard were the parents of twelve children, eight now living—Martha, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1069 Nancy, David and William (twins), Nathan B., James G., Ephraim and Isaac. Mr. Woodard was for many years a Methodist, and was the father of the class at Woodard's (now called Morris) Chapel. His house was for many years the home of the itinerant minister. June 2, 1868, he read a few chapters as usual in the Bible, laid in a chair near the bed, and expired in a few minutes. Ichabod Woodard, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born in Delhi County, N. Y., Aug. 18, 1812, and was a son of Ichabod Woodard, Sr. Our subject was brought to Zanesville, Ohio, by his parents in 1812, and to Fairfield County in 1813, where they remained until 1824, then removed to McArthur, Ohio. He and his brothers William and David came to Starr Township in December, 1824, to build a cabin and prepare for the family by the following spring. Mr. Woodard was always characterized by his industry and integrity. When a mere boy of sixteen summers he did the work of a man on the public works near Lancaster, Ohio. He sometimes worked all day and half of the night. The money he earned by working at night he kept, but the rest he gave to his father. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1831. He was married April 21, 1836, to Eleanor Nelson, daughter of Hon. Daniel _Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard had eleven children born to them—Sarah (Mrs. Parker), Mary (Mrs. Moore), Ward, James, H. Clay (deceased), Clinton, Ella (deceased), Ida (deceased), H. Leroy and two that died in infancy. Clay was married to Huldah Tomlinson and left one child—James V. Our subject died March 16, 1868. He was a kind husband and affectionate father, an obliging and agreeable neighbor. His life was marked by acts of charity and benevolence. His purse was ever open to assist the poor and in building up churches, schools and benevolent and charitable institutions. Mr. Woodard and family removed to their farm on section 16, Starr Township, in 1837, where Mrs. Woodard and the youngest son, Leroy, still reside. The latter was born March 1, 1854. Nathan, B. Woodard was born near Lancaster, Ohio. Jan. 1, 1815, and is a son of Ichabod Woodard, Sr., deceased. He was brought up on a farm and received his education in a subscription school. He was married April 21, 1836, to Sarah M. Nelson daughter of Daniel Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville, Ohio. They have had eight children—Silas, in San Francisco, Cal. ; Daniel, who was killed at the battle of Chickamauga during the late war; 1070 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Lizzie, Supervisor of the female department at the new insane asylum at Athens, Ohio; Lydia A., now Mrs. Milton Parker, of Nelsonville; Lucy, Mrs. Thompson, now deceased; Amos F., of Union County, Iowa; Nathan Webster, of Starr Township; and Ephraim R, at home. For the past eighteen years Mr. Woodard has been a licensed local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a member fifty-two years. He has filled appointments nearly all over the New Plymouth circuit, and has been successful in winning souls to Christ. He has always given of his means largely to support the gospel, and for other philanthropic and charitable institutions. He was a Class-leader in the church for seven years, and an exhorter seven years. He was Justice of the Peace for Starr Township six years, and had, during his term of office, nearly all of the business of that office in the township. He was also Clerk of the township for some time, but resigned. CHAPTER XXXIX. WASHINGTON AND BENTON TOWNSHIPS-A COMBINATION OF HILLS AND VALLEYS, CAVES AND RAVINES. WASHINGTON-ITS NAME, TOPOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING-SOIL AND PRODUCTION - OLD SETTLERS-POPULATION - SCHOOLS - TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS - POSTOFFICES - -CHURCHES - ILESBORO, EWING POSTOFFICE -NEW MT. PLEASANT, POINT PLEASANT -CEMETERY - IES-BIOGR APHIC A L. BENTON-METES AND BOUNDS-AREA - THE WONDERS OF QUEER CREEK- AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES-MINERAL WEALTH-INDIA N TRADITIONS-SILVER AND LEAD MINES - DESCRIPTION OF THE WEIRD VALLEY--458 ACRES EXCESS - THE ROAD TO H—L -CEDAR AND BLACK JACK FALLS-ASH CAVE- BLOOMINGVILLE¬ INTERESTS - TOWNSHIP OFFICERS - POPULATION- BIOGRAPHICAL. WASHINGTON. Hocking also commemorates the name of the immortal father of our country in the shape of a full-sized congressional township, perfectly formed; that is, perfectly square, six miles each way, and on the high road to a healthy future. The hills and vales of this township are not top high nor too deep for cultivation, but just enough so to give goo I drainage. But little can be said of its general productiveness as its mineral wealth, if it has any, has not yet been discovered; its soil is neither remarkably good nor remarkably poor, and cities it has none. It belongs to the southern tier of townships in the county, bounded on the north by Falls, on the east by Starr Township, on the south by Vinton County, and on the west by Benton and Laurel townships. The drainage of this township finds its way to the Ohio River frcm the southern portion through Raccoon Creek; from the northern, through Scott's Fork into the Hocking, and from the western, through Queer Creek into the Scioto River. Settlements began to be made in this township about 1822, and the following ten years many families settled here, among them a number of German families in the northern portion of the township. - (1071) - 1072 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. SETTLERS, SOIL AND PRODUCTION. Among the early settlers are found the following names: Adam Engle, Frederic Higley, Henry Iles, Wm. Lashley, Jonathan Kimbal, Samuel Johnson, George Garrett, Wells Garrett, Rev. Mr. Poland, Wm. Buzzard and 'Squire Watts, the two latter being especially adepts in hunting bears, deer and other wild game. The most fertile and tillable portion of the township, as well as the best timber, was to be found in the valley of Scott's Fork, which penetrates it from the north nearly to its center, and consequently the earliest settlers were drawn to this portion. Although the valleys were the most fertile, the uplands were not barren nor very steep, and they were also taken possession of by some among the first within the township. The soil is of a sandy nature, fairly adapted to the production of grass, wheat and corn, which, to the present time, are the principal cereals raised. All the other grains common to this portion of the State are raised, as are also vegetables. The raising of live stock is one of the leading pursuits of the township, and has added greatly to its wealth. Cattle of improved breeds and wool from fine sheep are especially noticeable among the products. Corn is grown less extensively than wheat, and consequently not a great number of hogs are raised. The orchard products of the township are good. The land is well cleared up, but where the wood remains some very good timber may still be found. The mineral productions, as before stated, are not extensive, although considerable iron ore has been taken from the hills in the southern part of the township and hauled in wagons to the Logan and Union furnaces. This ore is found near the top of the hills. A thin layer of coal lying several yards below the iron has been worked in several parts of the township, by stripping, and coal thus secured for local purposes. BACKWARD MOVEMENT. As far back as records show, in 1840, the population of this township was 1,124, and for the next ten years the increase was very rapid, the population in 1850 numbering 1,640. From that time to the present the township has had the remarkable experience of going backward with a slow but steady step. The figures following the above are, for 1860, 1,629; for 1870, 1,534; for 1880, 1,268. This singular result is not due to a decrease in the attractiveness of this township so much as to the great development of minerals in the surrounding localities, and the increased activities which have drawn inhabitants to them. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1073 SCHOOLS AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. The schools of this township are ten in number, all supplied with good houses in good repair, and many of them new. The township tax for the school fund in 1882 was $2,000.87. The assessed valuation of this township in 1882 was: Real-estate, $282,655; personal property, $94,867. The first township records to be found are for the year 1857, when the officers were: Trustees, M. B. Cherry, R. L. Allard and Jacob Nelson; Clerk, J. H. M. Houston; Treasurer, John Conaway. The present officers (1883) are: Trustees, J. M. Lane, George Marks and J. H. Price; Clerk, John A. Ferguson; Treasurer, H. H. West. POSTOFFICES. In 1850 the very important event of establishing the overland mail route from Logan to McArthur was completed, and in that year the mail began to be carried regularly over the line which extended through the full length of this township. It passed through the little hamlets of Ilesborough and New Mt. Pleasant, and the point where Ewing now stands. The establishment of the post-office at this latter place, which was then (1850) designated only by a tannery, has doubtless been the chief cause of its existence. CHURCHES. In devotional matters this township has not been neglected. Besides the church on the southern line of the township in New Mt. Pleasant, and the two just over the northern line, to which many of the inhabitants of Washington belong, the township contains within its bounds three strong and active church societies. They are the Fairview church, the Methodist Episcopal church at Iles-borough, and the German Lutheran at Ewing. A Union church also existed for a number of years situated on section 11, which was torn away in 1877; and a United Brethren society existed at Ilesborough for a number of years between 1850 and 1860. A church stood also on section 5, which was burned down before the late war and never rebuilt. ILESBOROUGH is a hamlet of about fifty inhabitants, situated on a high piece of ground almost exactly in the center of the township. It was laid out into town lots by Henry Iles, who owned the land in 1835. - 68 - 1074 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Among the first to buy lots and settle here were: John Ramsey, William Vanhorn and James K. Johnson. It has averaged about fifty inhabitants for many years, and has never had more than one store. It has now one small store, a blacksmith shop and a cabinet shop. The district school-house is in the village and a large frame church. The postoffice is kept by Jerre Harden. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Ilesborough was founded about 1842. Two young traveling preachers, John R. Prase and Wesley Tibbets, had frequently visited this locality and preached to the people in the houses of some of the members. After the organization of the society, they came alternately each every four weeks, giving them regular preaching every two weeks. _Some of the original members were: Eli Bainter and wife, Lewis Tatman and wife, Henry Iles and wife, Mathias Worthman and wife, Frank Allen and wife, Thomas Underwood and wife, George Vanhorn and wife, William Vanhorn and wife, John Crawford and wife, John McDaniel and wife and George Pherson and wife. The first house of worship erected by this society, and perhaps the first in the township was built in 1845. A new church was built on another lot in 1860, which was afterward sold to the township for a school-house, and the present fine frame church was built in 1877. This church throughout its career has been very prosperous, and numbers now in its society about eighty members. The present Pastor is Rev. W. C. Holliday. A good Sabbath-school is kept up by the church throughout the year, superintended at present by M. T. Ferguson. EWING POSTOFFICE is on section 3, one-half mile from the northern border of the township. It is on the old mail route, and has sprung up since it was established. Ewing is pleasantly situated on the brow of a hill, as it rises from the valley of Scott's Fork. At the time the postoffice was established, October, 1850, at Chapman's store, Warren Chapman, Postmaster, a tannery was the only enterprise beside the store which marked the spot. Since that time a town has been laid out,and from fifty to sixty people have resided here most of the time. A store has been kept here throughout most of the village's existence, but none at the present time. It contains a blacksmith shop, a cabinet and a cooper shop, a church, and about a dozen families. The German Lutheran Church at Ewing was established as early as 1842 or 1843, by a few German families living in this and Falls Township. For awhile they held meetings in a