HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY - 1125 died June 1, 1878, and Dec. 22, 1878, Mr. Steel married Mrs. Mary (Elbert) Mulette. They have one child—Ella. Sept. 3, 1864, Mr. Steel enlisted in Company M, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry; went first to Kentucky and remained till the following spring; then went to Nashville and from there to Knoxville. In October, 1861, he was taken sick and confined in the hospital four months. At Knoxville he was again prostrated by disease, from the effects of which he has never recovered. He was discharged July 3, 1865. For three years after his return he was engaged in farming; then went to Vermillion, Ill., but remained only a year, returning again to Ohio. Since then he has been working at the carpenter's trade. Mr. Steel is a member of the Methodist and his wife of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Adelphi Lodge, No. 114, I. O. O. F. T. A. Steel was born in Perry Township, Hocking Co,, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1858, a son of William and Barbra (Julian) Steel, who were also natives of this county. He is a miller by trade, having worked at it about ten years, and is now running the Laurelville mill. He lived on the farm till he was fourteen years of age receiving his education in the common schools of the country. Lemuel Stone, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Fauquier County, Va., Oct. 7, 1808. When he was a child he came with his father's family to Ohio and located in Belmont County. In 1838 they moved to Guernsey County, where he resided twelve years engaged in farming. In the spring of 1850 he came to Hocking County and settled on his present farm in Perry Township. In 1853 he engaged in the mercantile business at South Perry, remaining there about three years and again returned to his farm, and in 1859 again engaged in business for about a year and a half, still managing his farm. He was married March 20, 1838, to Miss Catherine McCormick. They were the parents of six children, three now living. Mr. Stone is a self-made man, having accumulated a large property by his own industry and careful management, and has a landed estate .of 350 acres of improved land, of which he has provided his children each good homes. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Allen Strous, a native of Perry Township, born Sept. 26, 1826, was a son of Jacob and Mary (Rusledoffer) Strous, natives of Pennsylvania. His father, in company with Adam Devenham, was the first white men to settle in this township, Allen now living on a portion of the land first. settled by his father. He was married 1126 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. March 18, 1849, to Mary Friend, daughter of William and Sarah (White) Friend, natives of Pennsylvania. They have five children—Sarah, now Mrs. Joel Hoey; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Samuel Scott; Samuel, who married Eliza J. Harman; George and Asa. Mr. Strolls has always lived on the old homestead. He had 277 acres of his father's estate, a part of it being where Laurelville now stands, but has sold portions of it till he now has but 210 acres. He is living in a large, stone dwelling built seventy years ago. During the late war he was drafted twice but paid $300 for a substitute one time and was released by the Government the other. Mr. and Mrs. Strous joined the Baptist church in 1871. Joel H. Stump, born Feb. 12, 1832, on the farm where he now lives, is a son of Joel and Barbara (Hoey) Stump, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Kentucky. His father was in the war of 1812 and died in 1868. His mother died in 1879. Mr. Stump was married Oct. 4, 1869, to Margaret, daughter of John and Mary (May) West. They are the parents of nine sons, eight of whom are living—Thomas J., Benjamin F. (died Feb. 6, 1881), George E., Isaac N., William M., Joel H., Amer P., Byron N. and Martin V. Mr. Stump takes great interest in the education of his children, and the two oldest are now teachers in the public schools of the county. He has a farm of 127 acres, all well improved. He has been a member of the Methodist church since 1850. Mr. Stump was Justice of the Peace fifteen year and has been School Director of his district twenty-one years. W. S. Tucker, born in Leesville, Carroll Co., Ohio, April 3, 1834, is a son of Henry and Ann (Roby) Tucker. His father was a native of Maryland. Mr. Tucker commenced to learn the trade of a chair-maker when he was seventeen years of age, and has worked at this trade at intervals till a few years past. He received his education in the common schools of are country and is quite an expert with a pen. He was married May 1, 1856, to Phoebe Hudson, daughter of James and Ellenor (Clark) Hudson. She was born May 18, 1834. Mr. Tucker enlisted in Company B, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, Aug. 3, 1861, and served two years and sixteen days. He was in the battle of Stone River, the only regular battle that he took part in, though he was in several skirmishes. He was Sergeant during the whole of his service. He was discharged on account of disability to attend duty Aug. 16, 1863. He has a bass drum he made in the spring of 1861, which was used to beat up all HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1127 the volunteers of this part of the State. He at one time owned about forty acres of land, but. has no real estate at present. He is now running a portable saw-mill. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are the parents of three children living and five dead—Jasper B., born Feb. 3, 1857, married Nellie Blackburn; Hollis C., born Aug. 15, 1858, married Clara Fox; Sarah S., born May 20, 1860, died June 4, 1871; Bittie E., born Feb. 17, 1862, died Oct. 1, 1863; Ella S., born March 9, 1866; James Henry, born April 25, 1873, died Feb.. 27, 1878. John Lewis Wagner, merchant, South Perry, was born in Muhlhausen, Prussia, Sept. 11, 1824, a son of John Andrew and Susanna (Karschner) Wagner. His youth was spent in attending the citizens' school of his native city. At the age of fourteen years he left school and went to learn the locksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, after which he spent five years in traveling through the principal cities of Europe as journeyman. In 1848 he, with his father's family, emigrated to the United States, and located for a time in Newark, N. J., where he followed his trade until the fall of 1856, when he came to Ohio and lived in Circleville for one year. He then came to South Perry, where he has since resided. He engaged in the grocery business for a year and a half, and then, in 1858, purchased the dry-goods store of Steven Grouch. He enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, Jan. 1, 1862. They first went to Camp Chase, and after a short stay went to Fort Donelson, where they were in a. four days' engagement; from there they engaged in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Mem-phis, Tenn. At the latter place he was taken seriously ill and went to the hospital, where he remained eleven months, after which he received his discharge and returned to his home in South Perry about Oct. 11, 1862, and engaged in his present business in company with Frank Wagner. He was married in Newark, N. J., April 7, 1850, to Louise Wagner, who came to America with his father. She was born June 8, 1823. They have had three children, who died in infancy. Mr. Wagner is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Adelphi Lodge, No. —; also of I. O. O. F., Silver Moon, No. 440. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wagner has been Township Treasurer five years. Levi Weaver, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Perry Town-ship, now Hocking County, Ohio, in June, 1818, the only son now living of Jacob Weaver, who came from Northumberland County, 1128 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY Pa., in 1810, and purchased the farm where our subject now lives, where he resided until his death, July 25, 1858. Our subject was reared on the farm and lived with his parents until he reached his majority. He then worked out until he was married, Oct. 1, 1816, to Sarah Friese, a daughter of John Friese, who came from Berks County, Pa., and was atnong the first settlers of the county. After his marriage he moved on the old homestead, where he has since resided, and after the death of his mother he purchased the inter-ests of the heirs and now owns a fine farm of 100 acres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are the parents of twelve children, nine now living—Mary, John, Caroline, Samuel, George, Martha, Laura, Sarah E., Ellen. Susan and two twins are deceased. Mrs. Weaver is a metnber of the Lutheran church. Charles B. Wilkins, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Warren County, Va., Jan. 19, 1846, a son of John and Sarah C. (Calvert) Wilkins. He enlisted Feb. 17, 1861, in Company A. Seventy-third Ohio Veteran Volunteers, and immediately went South and went into camp at Lookout Valley, Tenn., where they remained until the first of May, after which he participated in many battles, some of the more prominent being Buzzard's Roost, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and with Sherman on his march to the sea; from there he went to Alexdndria, and from there to Washington, where they remained for a titne, then went to Louisville, Ky., where they were mustered out of the service and dis-charged July 26,1865. He returned home and has since been engaged in farming. He was married Feb. 4, 1868, to Emma Bushee, daugh-ter of Alvah Busbee, of Lancaster, Ohio. She was born Aug. 10, 1852. They have had six children—Aida Z., born July 1, 1869; Lewis D., Aug. 7, 1870; Mathew V., July 2, 1872; George E., Sept. 1, 1877; John W., Apri19, 1879; Frank C., Aug. 28, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Jacob M. Wilkins, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Oct. 19, 1856, a son of John and Sarah C. (Calvert) Wilkins, who were among the pioneers of' the county. Our subject was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools, residing with his parents until he grew to manhood. He was married Nov. 20, 1876, to Laura Alice Unger, a daughter of Peter Unger, of Hocking County. They have two children—Har-ry E., born Aug. 30, 1877 and Hattie May, born May 2, 1879. Since his marriage Mr. Wilkins has followed farming with marked success. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1129 John Wilkins, deceased, was born in Warren County, Va., June 15, 1822, a son of John and Mary (Brudlow) Wilkins. March 13, 1845, he married Sarah C. Calvert, daughter of Richard and Lydia Calvert. In 1845 they came to Hocking County, Ohio, remaining only a short time. From here they went to Guernsey County and remained a few months, and then went to Belmont County and lived three years, returning at the end of that time to Hocking County, and purchasing a farm on Little Pine Creek. Four years later they moved to South Perry and lived three years and then purchased the farm where Mrs. Wilkins and the family still live. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins had a family of eleven children—Charles B., born Jan. 19, 1846; Mary E., Aug. 27, 1847; Lydia M., June 15, 1849; Nancy E., March 12, 1851; John R., March 6, 1853; Amanda V., Oct. 2, 1854; Jacob M., Oct. 19, 1856; Sarah E., Nov. 3, 1858; Docia D., April 9, 1861; Eliza S., Nov. 5, 1863; Thomas B., July 28, 1869. Mr. Wilkins died March 4, 1882. He and his wife were both members of the Baptist church. John R. Wilkins was born in Warren County, Va., on March 6, 1853; the second son of John and Sarah C. (Calvert) Wilkins, who came to Hocking County in the fall of 1851. Our subject was reared on a farm and received his education in the common-schools, living with his parents until Ile grew to manhood. He was married Dec. 27, 1877, to Sarah M. Johnson, born May 19, 1852, daughter of the Hon. George Johnson, of Perry Township. They have two children—Earnest Leroy, born Nov. 22, 1878, and Marvin, born July 16, 1881. Since his marriage Mr. Wilkins followed farming three years, and in 1882 engaged in the wire-fence business. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Silver Moon Lodge, No. 440. Samuel J. Wolf, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Perry Township, on the farm where he now lives, Aug. 23, 1856, the oldest son of the Hon. S. S. Wolf, who has for many years been identi-fied with the political interests of Hocking County. Oar subject was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools, residing with his parents until he grew to manhood. He was married May 5, 1881, to Miss Minerva J. McBroom, a daughter of J. C. McBroom, of Laurel Township. They have one child—Herman S., born April 16, 1882. Mr. Wolf. resides on the. old homestead which contains 136 acres; his residence and stable and other out-buildings are the finest in the township. His residence was erected in 1869 by his father. His stable and out-buildings 1130 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. are large and commodious, furnishing shelter for his stock and machinery. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Thomas B. Wolf, farmer and stock-raiser, section 20, Perry Township, was born in this township April 14, 1858, the youngest son of the Hon. S. S. Wolf. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools, residing with his parents until he grew to manhood. He was married Sept. 1, 1881, to Miss Martha E. Drum, daughter of George and Matilda Drum, of Hocking County. They have one child—Ethel May, born Aug. 1, 1882. April 25, 1882, they moved on his present farm, which contains 163 acres of improved land, on which he has a fine two-story residence which he erected in 1882. Mrs. Wolf is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. William R. Young, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Perry Township, Fairfield (now Hocking) County, June 27, 1839, a son of James P. and Harriet (Rice) Young, his father born April 5, 1805, and his mother May 1, 1817. March 16, 1870, he married Elizabeth Kane, daughter of Peter and Mary (Pickle) Kane, born Sept. 19, 1847. Six children have been born to them—Harriet Luella, born May 6, 1871; Darletta, Jan. 25, 1873; Edward, Sept. 7,1874; John, Oct. 1, 1878; Effie, June 28, 1880; Frank, July 28, 1882. After reaching his majority Mr. Young took charge of his father's farm, and on the death of his father inherited the homestead. In 1869 he purchased a mill and the next six years manufactured lumber in connection with farming. Mr. Young manufactured brick in 1874 and 1877, and for a year or two was in the hedge business working along the line of the Hanibal & St. Joe Railway, and in Illinois and Ohio. He has always been industrious and has accumulated a good property, having now 362 acres of fine land. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been Class-Leader, Trustee and Steward and takes an active interest in all that pertains to his church. In 1869 Mr. Young lost his residence by fire, but has since rebuilt and now has a very pleasant home. His parents were married May 3, 1835. They had a family of five sons and one daughter, only two now living. They were members of the Methodist church, his father being a local preacher and Deacon. CHAPTER XLI. LAUREL, GOOD HOPE AND MARION TOWNSHIPS-A LAUREL WREATH OF HISTORY BEAUTIFULLY BLENDED. LAUREL-THE LAUREL BUSH—TOPOGRAPHY - BOUNDARY - EARLY SETTLEMENT -- DEATH - FIRST PREACHER -CHURCHES-SCHOOL-HOUSE-OFFICIAL RECORD-GIBISONVILLE-POPULATION-THE FA-MOUS ROCK HOUSE- BIOGRAPHICAL. GOOD HOPE-ITS BOUNDS-VALLEYS PRODUCTIVE-OFFICIAL'', RECORD -ROCK BRIDGE VILLAGE-ROCK BRIDGE-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-TRANSPORTATION, POPULATION AND STOCK-BIOGRAPHICAL. MARION-TOPOGRAPHY AND BOUNDARY-AREA-PIONEER SETTLERS --FIRST THINGS-POPULATION-VALUATION-REAL AND PERSONAL CHURCHES- SCHOOLS-BIOGRAPHICAL. LAUREL. 'THE LAUREL BUSH. Laurel Township is bounded on the north by Good Hope Town-ship, on the east by Falls and Washington, on the south by Ben-ton, and on the west by Perry. It took its name from the great quantities of the laurel bush which is to be found within its bounds. Its surface is very hilly and broken by deep ravines and steep prec-ipices. The soil is composed of black loam and sand and is excellent for the production of cereals, and much of the land is very good for grazing. The first settlement was made in 1812 by three men, a Mr. Smith and two brothers named Koons. They came here to escape being drafted into the army of the war of 1812 and located on Laurel Creek. Among the first settlers were: George Kinser, Robert McBroom, Josiah Cantwell, John White, John Fox, Daniel Shesler and a Mr. Grim, with their families. John White began the manufacture of gun-powder, and had a mill for that purpose a short distance west of where Gibisonville now stands. ITEMS. The first death in the township was that of the son of John White who was killed by the explosion of the powder-mill. - (1131) - 1132 -HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. The first school-house was built in 1829, on Laurel Creek, section 29, and the first teacher was Robert McBroom. The first sermon was preached by Rev. David Dutcher in the cabin of 'Squire McBroom. The first church was a Methodist Episcopal, built in about 1837, where Gibisonville is now located. The first township election was held in the log school-house, and Robert McBroom was elected the first Justice of the Peace. The first mill was built in about 1828 by Levi McCullon on Laurel Creek, near where an old mill now stands. It was a saw-mill run by water power. The first store was opened by Kennedy Linn in the building adjoining Joel Gibison's residence in 1846. There is perhaps no township in the county where peace and sobriety reigns to a greater extent than in Laurel. There are no saloons or places where intoxicating liquors are sold. GENERAL AND OFFICIAL. The citizens are generally thriving and industrious, and there are many well-to-do farmers, and a few very large land-holders. The present township officers are: Trustees, David Howdy-shell, A. H. Evans and Joseph Bell; Justices of the Peace, T. D. Woods, John Koon and Thomas Hutchinson; Treasurer, George Krim; Clerk, F. W. Dolison; Assessor, Jacob A. Cupp. Laurel Township is well supplied with public schools, having nine within its borders, all of which have good houses. The township school fund for Laurel in 1882 was $1,248.38. It has four churches, all supported by a strong membership. The Methodist Episcopal Church was first organized at Hopewell, but the exact date cannot be ascertained. It was probably the first in the township. Among its first members were: Robert McBroom and wife, Josiah Cantwell and wife, and Margaret Riarson. The church was subsequently transferred to Gibisonville. The membership at present numbers seventy members. The present Pastor is Rev. Levi Sparks. The United Brethren Church was established in Laurel Township as early as 1830. The organization was effected in the house of Frederick Hood, with the following membership: F. Hood and wife, Mr. Gibison and wife, and William Prim. The first Pastor was William Handy. For a great many years this little society, not feeling able to build a church, held their meetings in their HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1133 dwellings and in school-houses. In about 1858 they erected their present church building. At present the society consists of twenty-four members. Their minister is Rev. Mr. Wright. The Baptist Church was first organized in this township January, 1846. The charter members were: John H. Fristo, Benjamin Berry, Mrs. Hannah Berry, Mrs. Ruth Crane and A. Longshore and wife. The society was at first preached to by Mr. John H. Fristo, the present Pastor being Rev. Mr. Wetherbee. The present membership is about thirty. The Disciple Church was organized in August, 1866, with the following seven members: W. G. Dawson, Francis L. Davis, David P. Black. John Tanner, James Tanner, Mary A. Dawson and Margaret Black. Their_ present church building was erected in 1880. The first Pastor of this flock was David P: Black, the present one being Rev. John F. Moody. Its membership is about sixty-five. GIBISONVILLE was laid out by Samuel and William Gibison, from whom it derived its name in 1840 and at the present time has about sixty inhabitants. It is located on section 21, very near the center of the township. Its business interest consists of one general store, kept by T. D. Wood; one physician, W. G. Dawson ; one blacksmith shop, one wagon shop, one nursery and a shoe shop. There is a postoffice at this point, Mr. Joel Gibison being the present Postmaster. It also has two churches and a village school, supported independent of the township. The school fund for the village in the year 1882 amounted to $278.26. The assessed valuation of the village school district in 1882 was: Real property, $27,601; personal property, $22,992.. Population of the township in 1850 was 1,126; 1860, 1,322 ; 1870, 1,343, and in 1880, 1,292, showing a slight falling off. The assessed valuation in 1882 was: Real estate, $159,660; personal property, $48,404, a total of $208,064. ROCK HOUSE, a wall of massive granite rock rising to the height of 166 feet, covered here and there with fern and moss. It is a veritable rock house resting upon pillars of sandstone, about midway between the ravine below and the top of the rock-bluff, and behind those pillars a large room, perhaps a hundred feet long, thirty feet wide, and about the same height, rising like the roof of a house, 1134 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. highest in the center. The massive oak, the tall and graceful pine, and their less renowned wooded brothers ; the bold bluffs, the deep ravines with the rock bottoms and pearly streams; the laurel, and the moss and fern clinging in their soft embrace to the points of jutting rock—all these make a sight wonderful to behold and stand out in living reality of a masterpiece of Nature's work. From the top of the cliff you can look down on the top of the loftiest trees. The shelving rock is a resting place; the deep ravine is gloomy and has a weird-like appearance in the evening twilight. BIOGRAPHICAL. James Berry was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Nov. 15, 1830. His father, Benjamin Berry, was an old pioneer of that county, but when James was ten years of age came to Hocking County and located in Laurel Township. James spent his early life on the farm and in attending school, and when sixteen years of age he commenced teaching school, an occupation he followed the greater part of twenty-two years. In 1874 he purchased the farm where he now resides. He has ninety acres of land on section 7, Laurel Township, with a good residence and farm buildings. He was married when nineteen years of age to Mary Sullivan, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They had six children, only one now living—Susanna E. Mrs. Berry died Sept. 3, 1864. Sept. 19, 1865, Mr. Berry married Jane L. Marshall, a native of Carroll County, Ohio. Politically Mr. Berry is a Republican. During the late war he served four months in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio Infantry. He has held the offices of Township Trustee and Assessor. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. Rev. D. P. Black, son of David and Mary Black, is a native of Perry County, Ohio, born June 1, 1833. He was the fifth of a family of nine children, and his early life was spent on the home farm, and when eighteen years of age he went into Deavertown, Morgan County, where he worked at the carpenter's trade five years. In the month of April, 1856, he went into Muskingum County and lived nine years in that county. He came to Hocking County in 1865 and resided in Benton Township until two years ago, when he purchased a portable saw-mill of twenty-five horse-power which he-and his two sons are now operating in Laurel Township. He was married to Oney S. Sowers, of Muskingum County, April 6, 1856. They have a family of five children—De Witt C., Addie, Caroline, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1135 Job S. and Rachel. Rev. Black is a member of the Disciple church, in which he has labored as a preacher of the gospel for seventeen years. John Brehm, son of George and Margaret (Myer) Brehm, is a native of Franklin County, Pa., born Aug. 22, 1803. In 1810 his parents removed to Perry County, Ohio, near Somerset, where he was reared and educated. He was married in 1828 to Dorothy Snook. They had a family of five children, only three now living —Margaret, Mary and John. Mrs. Brehm died, and in 1839 Mr. Brehm married Margaret Marshall. They had two children, only one now living—Hon. George Brehm, Mayor of Logan. Mr. Brehm married for his third wife, in 1873, Rachel Crawford. When he came to his present farm it was all wild land, but he now has 172 acres of finely cultivated land with good farm buildings, his residence being on section 31. He has been a member of the Baptist church forty years. Politically he is a Democrat. Charles Cupp, son of Christopher Cupp, is a native of Licking County, Ohio, born Dec. 7, 1824. When eight years of age his parents moved to Fairfield County, where he lived till eighteen years of age. He was reared a farmer and received a common-- school education. He came to Hocking County in 1812, and located in Laurel Township. In 1850 he bought the farm where he now resides, on section 27. At that time it was wild timbered land, but now he has 205 acres of fine well-cultivated land. July 8, 1846, he married Mary Ann Hood, who died Jan. 17, 1847. Jan. 20, 1848, he married Deborah Hood, a sister of his first wife. They have five children—John C., Jacob A., Charles W., Clarissa E. and George W. Politically Mr. Capp is a Democrat. He has held the offices of Township Treasurer and Justice of the Peace.. He is a member of the Protestant Methodist church. W. G. Dawson, M. D., son of Thomas and Nancy Ann (Moore) Dawson, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, June 3, 1838. When he was four years old his parents moved to Morgan County, where he was reared and educated. When he was twenty-three years of age he commenced reading medicine with Dr. W. H. Holden, Millertown, Perry Co., Ohio; was with him three years; took a course in Starling Medical College in 1864-'65, and in 1865, located at Gibisonville, and commenced practicing medicine, where he has built up a large and successful practice. He is living on a farm adjoining the village where be has a good residence and is surrounded with all the comforts of a home. He was married 1136 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Aug. 28, 1862, to Mary A. Tanner, of Morgan County. Three children have been born to them—Elmer A., Lillie M. and Will. iam T. Mrs. Dawson died Sept. 13, 1881. Dr. Dawson received a diploma from Columbus Medical College in March, 1881. Dr. Dawson is a member of the Christian church. He has been a Republican since old enough to vote. He belongs to Logan Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. In 1867 he lost by fire his residence, medicine goods and a fine library. he is now living with his children and conducting a lucrative practice. a native of Laurel Township, was born July 5, 1844. His father, Aaron Friend, is a L. C. Friend, lso a native of this township. During the late war he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio Infantry, and served 100 days. He then enlisted, January, 1864, in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-first ̊hid Infantry and served a year. He was married Nov. 17, 1867, to Hannah E. Odell. They have three children—Eliza Jane, Melissa M. and Clara Nevada. Mr. Friend has a fine farm. of 175 acres on section 8, with a two- story residence and good farm buildings, where he has resided since 1868. Politically he is a Republican. John Geiger, a native of Maryland, born in the city of Baltimore, Dec. 19, 1810, was a son of John Geiger, a native of France. In 1821 his parents came to Ohio and located in Morgan County, where he was reared. He was married when twenty-seven years of age to Mary T. Busgoon. They have six children—James, Phillip, William, Mary Ann, Julian and Francis. Mr. Geiger came to Laurel Township in 1848 and located on section 24, where he still resides. He has 200 acres of highly cultivated land, with a good residence and farm buildings. Politically he is a Democrat. He has been Justice of the Peace six years. He is a member of the Catholic church. Joel Gibison is a native of Monmouth County, N. J., born Sept. 22, 1807, a son of Samuel and Mary (Hendrickson) Gibison. When he was eleven years old his parents came to Ohio and located in Pickaway County. In 1826 he came to Laurel Township, and in 1849 bought the farm where he now resides. He was married March 13, 1826, to Elizabeth Friend, of this county. They had three children—Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Eliza. He was married to his second wife, Mrs. Susan Judy in 1836. She died in 1872. March 7, 1875, he married Almira Keller, of this town. ship. They have three children—William, Nevada and Joel. Mr. Gibison is politically a Republican, and has served his township as HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1137 Constable, Township Trustee, Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the -United Brethren church. He has seventy-three acres of, fine, well-cultivated land. D. W. Howdyshell, son of Samuel and Sylva Howdyshell, is a native of Falls Township, Hocking County, Ohio, born May 2, 1843. When he was three months old his parents moved to Perry County) Ohio, where he was reared, spending his boyhood days in assisting on the farm and attending the common school. When twenty-two years of age he came to Hocking County, and located in Laurel Township, where he now has a fine farm of 306 acres on section 36, and is making a specialty of sheep-raising. He was married Sept. 9, 1866, to Mary Jane Metler, of this township. They have two children—Sarah Matilda and Hannah R. Politically Mr. Howdy-shell is a Democrat. He has been Township Clerk three years, and is at present President of the Board of Education. P. W. Kreider, son of Dr. S. C. Kreider, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, in September, 1839. During the late war he served four months in Company K, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry. He was married in December, 1858, to Elizabeth Moyon, of Pickaway County, Ohio. Eight children have been born to them—Michael, Elizabeth, Ed-ward, Kate, Samuel, Charles, Peter and Mary. Mr. Kreider has always followed farming for a livelihood, and now has a fine farm of 283 acres on section 9. He carries on general farm-ing and stock-raising. Politically he belongs to the Greenback party, and though no aspirant for office has served in the capacity of Constable. J. G. Krinn,, son of John G. and Margaret Krinn, is a native of Germany, born Feb. 2, 1844. When he was six years old his parents came to America, locating in Lancaster Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, where he was reared and educated. His early life was passed on the farm, and he thus learned in youth the princi-ples that qualify one to become a successful farmer. He now owns 200 acres of fine land on section 13. Dec. 3, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and was discharged in February, 1865. He participated in- many hard-fought battles, among them Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg and Grand Gulf. He was married March 1, 1866, to Mary Ann Brown, of this township. Four children have been born to them—Caroline, Maggie, Charles and Emma, the latter now deceased. Mrs. Krinn died Jan. 28, 1873. April 30, 1874, Mr. Krinn married Kitty Funk, of Hocking County. They have three children—Frank, Ida and Flora. Mr. Krinn is at present Treasurer of Laurel Township. - 72 - 1138 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. John Krinn, son of Gottleib Krinn, was born in Laurel Township, March 18, 1841. His early life was spent on the farm and he received but a limited education. He enlisted Nov. 4, 1861, in Company H, Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry; was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, blockade of Vicksburg, Grand Gulf and Chickasaw. At the latter place he was wounded. He re-enlisted in 1863, and was discharged in September, 1865. He has a fine farm of 240 acres with a good residence and farm-buildings, where he has lived since 1866, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married Sept. 20, 1866, to Susan Rhodes of this county. They have three children—Alice A., Charles M. and Elbert G. Politically Mr. Krinn is a Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren church. M. V. McBroom, son of Robert and Nancy V. (Cantwell) McBroom, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, Dec. 19, 1819. He was reared and educated in this township, and when eighteen years of age went to Mercer County, Ohio, and remained a year, returning again to Laurel Township. He was married Oct. 18, 1842, to Eliza Ann, daughter of James and Rachel Carroll. They have had ten children born to them—James R, Wesley M., Elizabeth R., Nancy J., Lewis A., Mary M., Joseph D., Greenburg V., Hester Rowena and Laura E. Mr. McBroom has a fine farm of ninety-one acres, all well-improved, and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. Politically he is .a Democrat. He has held the offices of Land Appraiser, Assessor and Infirmary Director. Robert McBroom, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, and when quite young came to Ohio and settled in Pickaway County, and in 1815 came to Laurel Township, Hocking County, and settled on wild land. He was married in 1816 fo Nancy V. Cantwell. They had a family of fifteen children—J. C., J. K., M. V., Elizabeth H., Robert M., Minerva P., Edward C., William H., Green-burg S., Mary M., Lewis A., Nancy J., Hester Ann, James G. and one not named. Mr. McBroom held the office of Justice of the Peace nearly thirty years. He was a member of the Methodist church. Joseph C. McBroom, son of Robert and Nancy (Cantwell) Mc-Broom, was born May 26, 1817. He received his education at the common schools, and at the age of nineteen entered the profession of a teacher, in which he continued for sixteen years. He was married March 30, 1843, to Maria Iles, of Hocking County. They have five children—Clara E., Allen R., Sarah E., John W. and HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1139 Minerva J. Mr. McBroom is a distinguished financier, and one of the largest'real-estate owners in the county, owning about 2,800 acres. For many years he has been honored with public trust, nine years County Commissioner, eighteen years a Justice of the Peace; he has also held most of the township offices. Politically he is a Democrat. Religiously he has been a member of the Methodist church for more than fifty years. In 1863 Mr. McBroom removed to the farm where he now resides, amid pleasant fields and faithful friends. He still ranks among the most successful farmers of Hocking County. Jacob Myer, born in Laurel Township, Sept. 18,1840, is the eldest of six children of Christian and Caroline (Young) Myer. He was married in September, 1861, to Caroline Bloom, of Laurel Township. To them were born three children—Barbara Ellen, Caroline Elizabeth and Susan Doratina. Mrs. Myer died May 21, 1875. Mr. Myer moved on to the farm where he now resides in 1873. He has 115 acres of good land, a commodious barn, and is intending to erect a new residence. He is a self-made man. Commencing life with comparatively nothing, he gained by his industry a good property, which he afterward lost on account of sickness and drought. He was not discouraged, but started again and now has, by his good management, again acquired a good farm. He has run a threshing machine for twenty years and is considered one of the best thresh-ers in Hocking County. Orpheus Ogle, son of Hercules and Frances (Hutton) Ogle, is a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born Aug. 4, 1823. His father was at one time a large slave-owner in Virginia, and was also the owner of the salt mills at Wellsville. When quite young Mr. Ogle commenced to work in the blacksmith's shop with his father, and learned his trade so thoroughly that' be is now able to manufacture most articles made in a blacksmith's shop. He was married Nov. 8, 1846, to Nancy A., daughter of Amon and Nancy A. (Cox) Long-shore, her father a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of New Jersey. They are the parents of thirteen children, eleven now living—William H., born June 4, 1848, has been a minister of the gospel sixteen years; he has been twice married,' the first time to Rachel Johnson, and the second to Phoebe Grant; Elias A., born April 30, 1850, married Maggie Kershaw, Nov. 2, 1872; Mary A., born April 5, 1852, was a twin of Margaret J., who lived only twenty-two days; Henry F., was born Feb. 12, 1859; Emma M., May 9, 1861; Lemuel, Sept. 6, 1863, lived fifteen days; Maggie, Dec. 1140 -HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 19, 1864; Wesley H., June 24, 1867; Silas 0., Nov. 13, 1868; Cora T., May 7, 1871; Rachel E., Aug. 16, 1873; Gertrude C., June 20, 1881. Mr. Ogle has a farm of 120 acres, and is a well-to-do farmer of the township. He takes a great interest in the education of his children, and also contributes liberally fo anything that tends to the welfare and education of his township. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. James Reid, section 31, Laurel Township, postoffice Rock House, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1812. His father, George Reid, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. James was the eldest of a family of thirteen children, and when a child his parents removed to Ross County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. When nineteen years of age he came to Hocking County. In 1853 he purchased the farm of seventy-one acres where he now resides, which is well cultivated and affords him all the comforts of a good home. He was married Aug. 2, 1838, to Mrs. Matilda (Cave) Coonrad. They have five children—Robert, Mary, Laurence, Matilda and Eliza. Politically Mr. Reid is a Republican. John Sheik, son of John and Mary Sheik, is a native of Germany, born July 26, 1832. When he was quite small his parents came to America and located in Bearfield Township, Perry Co., Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He was married Feb. 14, 1854; to Rebecca J. Allen, a native of Perry County. They are the parents of ten children PleasantA., John R., James M., Margaret M., Francis A., Laura M., Rebecca Agnes, William S. and Phillip S. (twins), and Mary J. Mr. Sheik came to Laurel Township in 1855, settling on section 34, where he now has 172 acres of well-improved land, a two-story residence and good farm buildings. He is a member of the United Brethren church. Politically he is a Democrat. David Unkle, section 1, Laurel Township, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1836. His father, Solomon Unkle, was a pioneer of that county and died when David was eighteen months old. His mother moved to Perry County when he was three years old and there he was reared and received a limited education in the common school. He came to Hocking County in 1853, and by industry and frugality has acquired one of the largest farms in Laurel Township. He has 600 acres all well improved, with a handsome residence and commodious farm buildings, and is one of the wealthiest men of the township. He was married when twenty years of age to Caroline Stroch, a native of Hocking County. They are the HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1141 parents of ten children--Elizabeth A., Solomon, John, Ellen, Jane, Daniel, Emma, Essie, Carrie and Charles. Politically Mr. Unkle is a Democrat. D. B. Whitcraft, a native of Carroll County, Ohio, was born July 6, 1841, a son of William and Nancy Whitcraft, his father of Irish parentage. When he was five years of age his parents came to Laurel Township, flocking Co., Ohio, where he was reared and educated. Aug. 4, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-first Ohio Infantry and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Stone River, Mission Ridge and about twenty-two skirmishes. He was discharged Aug. 10, 1864, and returned home, but again enlisted March 22, 1865, in Company E, Fifty-eighth Ohio infantry, and served till Sept. 16, 1865. He was married July 1, 1866, to Sue W. Kelch. They have three children—William, Eliza and number Mr. Whitcraft has for a nutaber of years been engaged in the saw-mill business, but at present is farming, owning a good farm of eighty acres. Politically is a Republican. George D. Whitcraft, a native of this township, was born Jan. 30, 1842. His father, Thomas Whiteraft, was a native of Ireland, and came to Am.erica in 1801, locating in Hocking County, farm George D. was reared on a fartn and educated in the common-schools. In the spring of' 1864 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-tirst Ohio Infantry, and served four months. He then served eight months in Company 13, of the One Hundred and. Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Whitcraft has been in the employ of Gibison & Wood, merchants, a number of years. He moved to the farm where he now lives in 1867. He has 22i acres of valu-able land. He makes a specialty of dealing in sheep, and is considered one of the best judges of that animal in the county. Politically he is a Republican. He was married in September, 1867, to Jane Hockman, who died leaving two children Janey one now living—Catherine Jane. Mr. Whitcraft then married Martha Sowers, They have three children: Estella, Thomas and Effie. T. D.Woods, son of Edward and Arminta Woods, is a native of Hocking County, born Oct. 27, 1842. He lost his father when quite young, and upon his mother marrying again went to live with Joel Gibison, remaining with him till Aug. 4, 1861, when he en-listed in Company B, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry. His regiment participated in some of the most noted battles of the war, among them Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. Mr. Woods was detached from the regiment and assigned to duty in the Quartermaster's de- 1142 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. partment, where he remained several months. After the war he became established in the mercantile business in Gibisonville, where he still has a large stock of general merchandise, and by honesty and fair dealing has secured a liberal patronage. He was married April 11, 1866, to Sallie E. Whitcraft. they have one daughter—Nevada J. Politically Mr. Woods is a Republican. He has held most of the township offices, serving as Justice of the Peace five years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He has a farm of 125 acres near the village of Gibisonville. David Zeigler, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Zeigler, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born June 29, 1816. He resided at home till twenty-one years of age, receiving the education af-forded in the subscription schools of the pioneer days. He was married in February, 1810, to Elizabeth Bell, of Muskingum County. Ten children have been born to them, six now living — Jane, Sarah, Joanna, William B. Eva and Charles. Frances, Joseph, Minerva and Mary are deceased. In 1851 Mr. Zeigler came to Hocking County, settling on the farm of 154 acres where he now resides. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and has been a Class-Leader and Trustee. Politically he is a Republican. GOOD HOPE BOUNDARIES AND AREA. Good Hope Township is bounded on the north by Fairfield County, on the east by Marion and Falls townships, on the south by Laurel Township, and on the west by Perry Township and Fair-field County, being in the northwest portion of the county. It contains twenty-four sections but the sections forming the west tier are about one-third larger than the others, or are known. as fractional sections, so that the distance east and west is about six and one-third miles, and from north to south four miles. The surface is very uneven and many places rough and broken; yet there are some fine farms, principally in the eastern portion. The soil is usually good and produces fair crops of grain and grass. As yet no minerals of sufficient importance to be worthy of utilization have been discovered. The Hocking River flows through the northeast corner of the township, and its bottoms furnish excellent farming lands. The Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad passes through the township along the banks of the river, giving to it about three and one-half miles of railroad with a station near the village of Rockbridge called Millville. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1143 The inhabitants are principally of German descent, and are hardworking, economical people. Among the first settlers were—Benjamin Bevugher, Michael Plunk, Abraham Pitcher and Andrew Crockett, with.their several families. It is the smallest township in the county, both in area and population, but is the equal of any according to its size for thrift and material progress. The township officers for 1883 are: Trustees, David Lederer, Robert White, Charles Bailey; Justices of the Peace, O. R. Huls, Abraham Miller; Treasurer, J. W. Huls; Clerk, Jacob Smith;-Assessor, William Capenter; Constable, A. E. Wessenberger. ROCKBRIDGE. This natural curiosity is a bridge of solid sandstone, the unde r side forming an arch of about thirty degrees curvature. It is level on top, ranges from eight to twenty feet wide, and is entirely detached from adjoining rock for a distance of about eighty feet. The span measured from the under side is about 150 feet, and is at an elevation of about forty-five feet from the bottom of the gulch. ROCKBRIDGE VILLAGE, OR MILLVILLE STATION. This is the only village in the township, situated on. section 23, on the banks of the Hocking River. It took its name from the natural "rock bridge," to which it is in close proximity. It has at the present time about 250 inhabitants, and its business interests consist of two general merchandise stores, one kept by D. W. Huls, and the other by 0. R. Huls; one grist-mill, one saw-mill, one carriage-shop and one blacksmith shop. There is one practicing physician. It has two churches, the Advent Christian and United Brethren and two schools. The assessed valuation of Millvine school district in 1882, was: Of real estate, $27,712; of personal property, $22,896. The school fund the same year amounted to $354.26. CHURCHES. Advent Christian.—This church is situated at Rockbridge, and was organized Feb. 27, 1870, by Elder A. E. Babcock, with sixteen members. Henry Fink was elected Elder, and O. R. Huls and M. V. Imboden, Deacons, and William H. Huls, Secretary. They have at the present time about seventy members, and the present Pastor is Rev. Wesley McBroom. The church is in a flourishing condition. 1144 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. United Brethren.—The membership of this church includes many of the best citizens of the township. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. Wright. This church, like the German Catholic, which is situated in the northwest portion of the township, presents few events of historical interest, yet they are both, in their way, doing much good throughout the township. SCHOOL-POPULATION. There are no less than seven well-kept public schools in this township, and the average attendance is good. There is a good school-house, with all the necessary accompanying articles for the use of the scholars in each sub-district, and the teachers the past year have shown ability, judging by the rapid advances made by their pupils. The township fund for 1883 amounted to $1,102.38, In this respect Good Hope Township is showing her wisdom, for in the education of her sons and daughters is her material progress assured. The population was in 1850, 635; in 1860, 953; in 1870, 986; in 1880, 1,083. The assessed valuation of Good Hope Township in 1882 was: Real estate, $113,333, personal property, $107,163—total, $220,496.   STOCK AND TRANSPORTATION. The waters of Clear Creek flow through the northern portion of the township and empty into the Hocking River after passing some four miles through the township. Other small streams flowing from springs rise in the south and, running north, also flow into the Hocking. The township is thus well watered and an admirable country for stock. Millville and Pine Grove he on the west bank of the Hocking which has to be crossed to reach the railroad, of which about three miles passes through the northeast portion of the township. It has thus excellent transportation facilities. BIOGRAPHICAL. Abel Carpenter, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in. Falls Township, Hocking County, July 22, 1836, and is the son of Sampson and Catherine Carpenter, who were among the early pioneers ,of the county. Our subject was reared on the farm where he now resides and received his early education in the common schools. He was married Dec. 5, 1861, to Miss Phoebe Ridenour, daughter HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1145. of William and Rachel Ridenour. They have seven children—Simeon, Eliza, Ellen, Christina, William, Edward and Emma. Mr. Carpenter has a fine farm containing 166 acres of improved land, on which he has erected a very pleasant residence of modern style. He has held several offices of trust in both township and county. He has been Township Treasurer and Trustee for several years and is at the present time County Commissioner, this being his second term. Owen R. Rule, merchant, station and express agent, was born in Falls Township, Hocking County, April 1, 1837, the son of William and Mary (Roberts) Huls. His father a native of New Jersey, and his mother of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio about 1833 and located in Hocking County. Our subject was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools, attend-ing the University at Westerville one term. He began teaching school when eighteen years of age and taught thirteen years. He was married in 1860 to Miss Ann M. Cupp. They were the parents of two children—O. Willard and Wm. Howard. His wife died Jan. 1, 1864. He was again married Nov. 26, 1866, to Susan L. Cupp, a sister of his first wife. They have seven children—Frank M., Chas. B. and Wm. L. (twins), Cora, James C., Henry M., Daisy. Mr. Huls has held the office of Township Trustee for two terms, and now is a Justice of the Peace, serving his second term. in this office. He has been notary public for about eighteen years. He and his wife are members of the Advent church. Politically he is a Republican. Captain William Huls, born in Falls Township, April 1, 1837, is the son of William and Mary (Roberts) Huls. The father was born in New Jersey, June 8, 1806; came to Ohio in 1827 and located at Canal Winchester where he became engaged on the canal locks which were being constructed at that place. Here he was married, Oct. 22, 1829, to Mary, daughter of Owen and Letitia (Williams) Roberts. They moved to Falls Township in 1836 where Mr. Huls worked on Bonner's lock, after which he became engaged in farming. They joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1830, in which they remained until 1848, when they joined the United Brethren church, of which they were members at the time of the father's death, Feb. 11, 1868. The mother remained a member of the above church until 1870, at which time she joined the Advent Christian church at Rockbridge, Ohio, of which she was a member at the timc of death, June 15, 1874. Both are bur- 1146 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. ied in the Antioch cemetery. Our subject remained with his parents until he reached his majority and received a common-school education. He taught his first and last term of school in the Kline district during the winter of 1860. At the breaking out of the late civil war he was engaged in learning the carpenter's trade, but Oct. 5, 1861, enlisted in Company H, Sixty-first Ohio Infantry, as a private; was soon elected Second Lieutenant, and Oct. 2, 1862, was promoted to First Lieutenant, and Jan. 1, 1864, to Captain, which commission he held at the close of the war. During his service in the army he participated in several hard-fought battles, among which were Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Johnson's Landing, Miss., and was on the gun-boat Pittsburg when she ran the blockade of Vicksburg. He was mustered out of the service at Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1865, after serving four years and three months. On leaving his company he came to Rockbridge where he now resides. He was married June 30, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Weltner. They have six children—A. Eugene, Iola Bell, Winona E.,William M., Eva J. and Bertha E. Mr. Huls was appointed notary public in April, 1882. He and his wife are active members of the Advent Christian church. Henry Troxel, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1825, the son of J acob and Catherine Troxel, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in June, 1808, and settled in what is now Good Hope Township, within a half mile of where our subject now resides. They remained here about five years, then moved to Fairfield County, where they remained until the father's death. The mother was again married and went to Illinois, and there remained until her death. Our subject was reared on the farm and received his early education in the common schools, but this was very limited on account of his father's death, which occurred when he was only eight years old. He was married in 1852 to Miss Annie Housman. His wife died about two years after their marriage. He was again married, in 1865, to Miss Susan Fimfrock, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Fimfrock, residents of Fairfield County. They have four children—Charles L., Eva E., Annie R. and Henry Boyd. Mr. Troxel has a fine farm containing 496 acres of improved land, on which is a pleasant residence and substantial farm buildings. He also owns a tract of land in Fairfield County containing 160 acres. He is a man possessed of great native mental vigor, and a liberal share of good, sound judgment, as is shown by his success through life. He has HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1147 always taken a lively interest in the matter of education, and one of his principal aims is to give to his children what he was deprived of—a good, thorough education. He and his wife are members of the Advent church. John Weltner, farmer, was born in Fayette County, Pa., SeJohn and1816; and is the son of John'and Mary (Blosser) Weltner. He came with his parents to Wood County, Va., when an infant, and at the age of sixteen came to Ohio and located Fairfield County, engaged in teaching school, which he continued for about twenty years. He was married Jan. 16, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Beery. They have had thirteen children, nine of Whom are living—Christian H., Elizabeth R., Joseph C., Sarah E., John W., Daniel C., William D., Effie A. and Clara C. Mahala C., Mary F., Martha J. and Lydia A. are deaceased. Mr. Weltner came to this township in the spring of 1841 and located on the farm where he now resides, which contains 600 acres of improved land, with substantial farm buildings. He has held the office of Township Clerk for six years, and has been Justice of the Peace nine years. He is politically a Republican. David Zeller, farmer arid stock-raiser, was born in Good Hope Township on the place where he now resides, Aug. 4, 1836, and is the son of Jacob and Catherine Zeller, who were among the pioneers of this township. He was reared on the farm, received his early education in the common schools, and has always remained on the place of his birth. He was married Feb. 24, 1859, to Miss Mary 'Fulmer, daughter of John and Rickey Fulmer, residents of Fairfield County. They have eleven children—Daniel H., Jacob L., Ellen S., Lina M., Addie C., Cora C., Harvey E., Alice E., Charles H., Homer W. and Orion E. Mr. Zeller has a fine farm containing 157 acres of improved veryon which he has erected a ve.ey pleasant residence. He has held the office of Township Trustee several years. He has ever taken a interest in the matter of education mbersller and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of I. O. O. F., Hocking Valley Lodge No. 262, located at Logon. Politically Mr. Zeller is a Repulican. Jacob Zeller was born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 6, 1801, and is the son of John and Elizabeth Zeller, who came Hocking County in 1804 and located at Enterprise. At that time there were only three families in this vicinity. They remained there until his mother's death, and shortly after his father came to Good Hope 1148 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Township, and at the time of his death was living with his son on the place where he now resides. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until he was about twenty-three years of age, then came to Good Hope Township and settled on the place where he now resides. He was married May 12, 1822, to Miss Catherine Goss, daughter of Martin Goss, a resident of this township. They have had ten children, seven still living—Benjamin, Henry, Margaret, Jacob 'N., David, Catherine and Sarah. Mary, Eliza and Asa are deceased. Mrs. Zeller died Jan. 4, 1874. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also his wife. Mr. Zeller retains his strength remarkably for a man of his years, and by his integrity has always won the respect of his fellow citizens. MARION. TOPOGRAPHY AND BOUNDARY. Marion Township is in the north range and second from the eastern line of the county, and about two-thirds of it lies further north than the general northern boundary line of the county. The general appearance of the county is extremely broken and rough, although the soil is usually good and produces good crops. Marion Township is bounded on the north by Fairfield County, on the east by Perry County and that portion of Falls Township called Falls-Gore, on the south by Falls Township proper, and on the west by Good Hope Township and Fairfield County. It is watered in its northern part by Rush Creek, which flows nearly across the township from east to west, and is the principal water-course in this part of the township, while across the southwest corner flows the Hocking River, into which empties Crockett's Run, a small creek in that portion of the township. AREA. The township has been exclusively settled by farmers and stock-raisers, there being no town or village within its borders. It is six miles square. The inhabitants of this township are generally of German descent. FIRST SETTLERS. It was about in 1808 that the first white settler made his home in Marion Township, and this was probably. Christian Beery, who came from Fairfield County about the time mentioned above, and settled on Rush Creek, section 7. He was soon followed by George HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 1149 Hansell, George Engle, and perhaps a few others, and in about 1811 came Abraham Beery, George Beery, Jacob Miller, and about two years later Jacob Good and another Christian Beery. These nearly all settled on and near Rush Creek, on sections 6, 7 and 8. These were the pioneers of the township, and they blazed the way for those who followed. Mr. Rudolph Scherchel settled in the town-ship in 1825, and for half a century was a leading citizen of the township. He was a Prussian by birth, and brought with him a colony of his countrymen. He died Aug. 25, 1875. FIRST THINGS.   The first church was erected by the Lutherans on Rush Creek, near Christian Beery's cabin, and the first good man who had charge of it as Pastor was Rev. Reefman. This church flourished for a long time, but finally there was a division among them, and part of the members formed a new society and built a church near the old one.   The first mill was built by Amos Davis on Rush Creek, where Hite's mill now stands, in 1831, and this gave to the early settlers a means of converting their wheat and corn into flour and meal without going to some distant town for this purpose.   The first school-house was built near Christian Beery's. It was only a small shanty, built of logs. It bore no comparison to the nine roomy, comfortable school-houses in the township of to-day, being built in the homeliest, simplest fashion, and furnished in the most frugal and primitive style.   POPULATION.   The number of inhabitants in 1840 was 1,370, composed of a hard-working class of people who exerted their every energy to transform the dense wilderness into comfortable homes and productive fields. After this time the increase in population was very slow until 1870, when it had only reached 1,561. In 1880 it bad so depreciated in its population as to only reach 1,426. This was probably owing to the fact that the township had developed no mineral resources, and was thrown entirely upon its agricultural features, which are not very- attractive to the young people of to-day, and they Accordingly went forth into the busy marts of the world to seek a more pleasant and lucrative way of obtaining a livelihood than digging it out of the hills of the home