400 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. where he was reared and educated at the Ohio University, graduating at the age of twenty, in the class of 1852. Immediately after graduating he made a sea voyage for the benefit of his health. In 1856 he entered his father's office to study law, and was admitted to the bar at Athens in 1858, and at once became associated with his father, under the firm name of Welch & Son. In 1861 he entered the Union army as Captain of Company C, Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to Major of his regiment in 1863 and was soon after appointed a member of General James S. Negley's staff, in command of Second Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. He took command of his regiment immediately after the battle of Chickamauga and commanded it until the spring of 1864, when h was made Provost-Marshal of the city of Chickamauga and served as such until the expiration of his term of service in October of that year. He was mustered out Nov. 9, 1864, when he returned to Athens and resumed his law practice. In February, 1878, he became associated with his father and formed the present law firm of Welch & Welch. In 1881 he was chosen President by the stockholders of the Athens Gas-Light Company, and in 1882 became Vice-President of the First National Bank of Athens, both of which positions he still holds. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Adaline Carpenter, daughter of Harvey Carpenter, of Athens County, whom he married Sept. 14, 1653, and who died at Athens, July 25, 1866. They had five children—Martha, afterward wife of Emmet Tompkins, attorney at Athens ; Jessie, wife of Dr. E. C. De Steiguer, of Logan, Ohio; Charles, now of Abiline, Kan.; John, Teller of the First National Bank of Athens, and George, a student of Ohio University. June 15, 1873, h married his second wife, Miss Ella Cadwallader, daughter of the late Alfred Cadwallader, of Zanesville, Ohio. They have four sons—Edward Guy, Dudley W., Thomas C. and Philip. Jeremiah Ouey Whipple, grocer, was born in Athens, Ohio, April 16, 1849, where he was reared and educated in the Union Public Schools. His parents are George E. and Eliza (Carpenter) Whipple. At the age of fifteen he was employed as a clerk in the store of his uncle, W. H. Potter, and remained with him three years. In 1868 he went to Parkersburg,W.Va., and was, for a short time, employed in the same capacity by the Oak Oil Company. He was then employed in the grocery store of H. H. Welch, at Cincinnati, until 1871, when he returned to Athens, and Was employed in the dry-goods house of M. Selig & Co. until 1873. He HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 401 then clerked in the hardware store of H. J. Topky until the latter part of 1876, and in 1877 he went to Columbus, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business until 1879, when he returned to Athens and established his present grocery. May 12, 1873, he married Miss Mary Ellen, daughter of John Vernoy, of Columbus, Ohio. They have three children—Abbie, George E. and Dana. He is a member of Sereno Lodge, No. 479, I. 0. C. F., of Athens. James Perry Wood, attorney at law and Mayor of Athens, is the on of James Perry and Rebecca (Mauk) Wood. He is the youngest of nine children and was born at Rio Grande, Gallia Co., Ohio, April 21, 1854. In 1864 his mother, then a widow, removed with her family to Cheshire, Gallia County. In 1870 he became a member of the family of his uncle ,Joseph Mauk. He was educated at Cheshire Academy and Hillsdale College, Michigan. In 1874 he commenced teaching in Atwood Institute at Albany, Athens County, and was made Principal of that school in the fall of 1876, which position he resigned in 1877 in order to take charge of the graded schools at Detroit, Ohio. While teaching he studied law privately, and in April, 1878, was admitted to the bar by the District Court' at Pomeroy, Ohio. The following August he formed a law partnership with Charles Townsend, under the firm name of Townsend & Wood. In July, 1880, he withdrew from the firm, and associated himself with his brother, J. M. Wood, in the law practice, forming the present law firm of Wood & Wood. In January, 1880, he was appointed Mayor of Athens in the place of Emmett Tompkins who resigned. The following April he was elected to that office, and in April, 1882, was re-elected. Nov. 14, 1876, he married Florence Ellen Vorhes, daughter of John and Ellen Vorhes, of Albany, Athens Co., Ohio. They have one child—John Vorhes, born Jan. 14, 1880. Joseph, Mauk Wood, senior member of the law firm of Wood & Wood of Athens, is the second son of James Perry and Rebecca (Mauk) Wood. He was born on a farm near Rio Grande, Gallia Co., 0., July 28, 1850. On the death of his father, Aug. 15, 1863, he was the oldest child at home. He remained on the farm two years, when his mother removed with her family to Cheshire in the same county. He attended the academy at that place for about two years, when he went to live with his brother-in-law, Rev. I. Z. Haning, at Albany, Athens Co., 0., where he completed his education in the Atwood Institute. March 22, 1871, he was married at Albany to Miss Emily Bingham Pullins, daughter of Samuel and - 26 - 402 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Margaret Pullins. They have four children—Augustus Palmer, Mary Ellen, James Perry, and one unnamed. In the fall of 1871 he was elected Principal of Atwood Institute, at Albany, and held that position four years, when h resigned in order to accept the Superintendency of the public schools at Clifton, West Va., where he remained two years. In the spring of 1876 h began the study of law, in private, and was admitted to the bar at Athens in the gill of 1878. He then became associated with A. H. and H. T. Brown in the law practice, at Athens, under the firm name of Brown & Wood. In July, 1880, he withdrew from that firm and became associated with his brother, J. P. Wood, and formed the present law firm of Wood & Wood. He is a member of the Free Baptist church. Merrill Woodruff, son of Samuel and Phoebe (Sharp) Woodruff, was born in Alexander Township, Athens Co., 0., April 4, 1841, where he was reared and educated. He followed farming till 1863, when he enlisted in Company K, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, and served till the close of the war. He enlisted as private and was promoted to Duty Sergeant, Drill Master and Forage Master. He was discharged at Munfordville, Ky., May 18, 1865, and returned to Athens County, resuming farming. In 1873 he began to deal in stock, and in December, 1881, came to Athens, where he is extensively engaged, both selling at home and shipping abroad. Dec. 23, 1862, he married Lucinda J., daughter of A. C. Murphy, of Alexander Township. They have had eight children—seven now living—Albert, Columbia, Cora B., Mary E., Mattie, Charles and Joseph. Nellie died at the age of seven months. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasanton for fourteen years. He is a member of Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R., of Athens. Jeremiah Chase Woodyard, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Chase) Woodyard, was born in Alexander Township, Athens Co., 0., Oct. 21, 1832. He attended and taught school till 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, to serve three months. He served four months and then re-enlisted in Company H, Seventy-third Ohio Infantry, and served three years and three months, being mustered out at Columbus, in January, 1865. The last eight months he was detailed Mail Messenger by General Sherman. He participated in the battles of Culpeper Court-House, second Bull Run (where he was captured and imprisoned at Belle Isle eighteen days), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 403 many others. After his discharge he returned to Athens County and began to deal in live-stock and wool at Albany. In May, 1882, he came to Athens where he carries on the same line of trade. Oct. 15, 1867, He married Ella M., daughter of John Brown, late of Athens. They have one son, JohnB. Mr. and Mrs. Woodyard are both members of the Free-Will Baptist church of Albany, of which he is a Deacon. He is a Master, Royal Arch, and Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the lodge, chapter and commandery at Athens. Sylvester Young, carpenter and joiner, was born in Canaan Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Sept. 20, 1826. His parents were Ephraim and Driscilla (Bean) Young, with whom he lived until attaining his majority. His father being a carpenter and joiner, he learned his trade with him. He came to Athens in April, 1864, and permanently settled. Sept. 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, as a private, to serve three years. In the following March he was promoted to Corporal. With his company he participated in the battles of Sherman's campaigns from Buzzard's Roost to the close of the seige of Atlanta. He met with many narrow escapes but was never absent from his company on account of wounds or sickness, excepting being laid up in camp a short time on account of an injury received by his horse falling. He was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., July 4, 1865, when he returned to Athens and resumed his trade. Aug. 10, 1848, he married Mary Jane Kincade, of Canaan Township, Athens County, who died at Athens, Feb. 26, 1856, leaving two children—Mary Alice, wife of Dr. John Armatage, of Portland, Ohio, and William Le Roy of Rainier, Oregon. He was married again, April 22, 1858, to Ann H. Matheny, of Athens. They have two children—Charles "Henry and John Clifford. Mr. Young is a member of Sereno Lodge, No. 479, and Encampment, No. 175, I. 0. 0. F., of Athens. He has passed all the chairs in both bodies and is now the Treasurer of his encampment. CHAPTER XV. YORK TOWNSHIP-A TOWNSHIP OF INEXHAUSTIBLE MINERAL WEALTH. TAKEN FROM AMES IN 1811, SIX MILES SQUARE—IT IS BOUNDED By— POPULATION AND TRANSPORTATION—CANAL AND RAILROAD—MINING ITS PRINCIPAL INDUSTRY—SOME RICH VALLEY LANDS—THE HILLS GOOD SHEEP PASTURES—DEVELOPMENT—OFFICIAL STATISTICS. A PART OF AMES TILL 1811. The territory which composes York Township was a portion of Ames until 1811. When Dover Township was organized it included all the territory to the west line of the county. This remained Dover Township until June, 1818, when the present York Township was organized with 23,040 acres of land, or a congressional township six miles square. It is bounded on the east by Dover Township, south by Waterloo Township, and west and north by Hocking County. Topographically speaking, it is mostly hills with about one fourth valleys, very rough and broken, but the hills while not all of grazing value are mostly so, while the small valleys, running from twenty acres to perhaps a 100 each, are fair agricultural lands. Those that h immediately upon streams of living water are rich and fertile; the others, small ones which seem to be simply indentures of the surface, are not so productive, the erodings of the hill covering the original soil too deep for cultivation, and this covering being of little agricultural value. It is, in fact, one of the richest mining regions in this or any other State, and its resources in both coal and iron are simply inexhaustible. Fruit could be bountifully raised, for these side hills could be made very valuable with but little labor in making them into orchards. It is also a good stock township, especially for sheep. Its great industry, however, is mining. TRANSPORTATION AND POPULATION. Its transportation facilities are good because it became a necessity. The Hocking Valley Railroad, called the C., H. V. & T. Railway, passes through the township from the northwest to the south- (404) HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 405 east, bearing. however, to the north of the center of the township, tut following the river, which also traverses the township from northwest to southeast. In addition to this the .Monday Creek Branch of this railroad is started from Nelsonville and passes through Bessemer and other points, giving freighting facilities to the several mining towns located in this rich mineral country. The Hocking Valley Canal, although now in but little use, also passes through the township and was at one time the only medium of transportation. It will be thus seen that her mining interest will not suffer for want of transportation. This interest has given the township a wonderful growth, both rapid and permanent, and while other townships in the county have felt the hands of decay or stagnation upon them; York has gone forward with rapid strides, not only in population but in wealth. While in 1820 York Township could boast of a population of 341 only, in 1850 it had risen to 1,399. Here was the doubling of the original number for three successive decades. In 1860 it was 2,563, and in 1870, 2,652, which showed a slow advance caused by the civil war, but the last decade it more than doubled its population, having in 1880 no less than 5,438. Since the census was taken the growth has been equally marked, and it will without doubt again double itself the present decade, and in 1890 it will show a population of from 10,000 to 12,000. As has been remarked above, the leading industry of the township, and the one which has given it such rapid growth, is mining. The easy access to the upper coal beds which crop out of the hills and the valuable quality of the coal has always designated this locality as particularly attractive to enterprising men. Besides the coal deposits, the iron ore in the hills has attracted the attention of iron men, and a number of iron furnaces have been built within the last few years. NEW TOWNS. There are a number of villages in the township besides the towns of Nelsonville and Buchtel, but they are so dependent upon the operations of the miners and of such a temporary nature as to hardly deserve the name of village. It has therefore followed that wherever the capitalists have designated a convenient place to open a mine, they have at once constructed a number of cheap dwellings for the use of their employes. It enables the miner to more closely attend to his work, and being erected in close proxim- 406 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. ity to the mine, is of a great convenience to those who labor at or in the mines. They generally remain in the possession of the operator, but in some cases a few of the more thrifty laborers have preferred owning their houses to paying rent, and have bought of their employers, paying in labor. All such operators have a store, out of which they pay for labor. Merchandise, and generally a postoffice, is kept in the store. Such in York Township are Floodwood, New and Old; Lick Run, Laurel Hill and Doanville. The most important of these is Floodwood, situated on the river about three miles below Nelsonville. It has sprung up within the last three years and, should the anticipations of the proprietors be fulfilled, will soon be a seat of considerable industry. Two large iron furnaces have been built, a large store building and about 600 wooden dwellings. But as yet the furnaces are cold and the houses without inhabitants. Just across the river is the older village designated as Old Floodwood. It has about fifty houses. Laurel Hill and Lick Run are owned by different companies, but are near enough together to be accommodated with one postoffice. They are situated near the river, in the northwestern corner of the township, and contain about 150 houses. DEVELOPMENT. The township has shown much progress outside of its mining interests, and has developed much interest in schools, churches and societies. It has also a fair amount of stock within its borders. It is a well-watered township, and peculiarly adapted to sheep-raising. Beside the valley of the Hocking, which is rich and fertile, and the Hocking River, there is Monday Creek, a fine stream of pure water, and several branches, and Minker Run on the south side of the Hocking River. Springs, besides, are abundant. OFFICIAL STATISTICS. The organization of the township required township elections, and the first was held in 1819, and the voting precinct was at the house of Ebenezer Blackstone, and there the voting was done. The following is a list of the township officers from 1844. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 1844.----Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and James H. Devore; Clerk, Robert. Miller; Treasurer, Cornelius Steenrod; Justice of the Peace, Wm. E. Brown. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 407 1845.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and W. W. Poston; Clerk, Noah Wilder; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of the Peace, Noah Wilder. 1846.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and W. W. Poston; Clerk, Noah Wilder; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of the Peace, Christian Harmon. 1847. —Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and W. W. Poston; Clerk, Noah Wilder; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of the Peace, Christian Harmon. 1848.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and W. W. Poston; Clerk, Noah Wilder; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of he Peace, B. F. Harper. 1849.—Trustees, Alvin Baker, L. D. Poston and Pierson Yore; Clerk, Thomas L. Mintun; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of the Peace, Noah Wilder. 1850.—Trustees, Alvin Baker, L. D. Poston and John Dew; Clerk, John Cheshire; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of the Peace, Thomas L. Mintun. 1851.—Trustees, Thomas Dew, Joseph Brett and A. H. Cowen; Clerk, J. B. Harper; Treasurer, J. E. Price; Justice of the Peace, Alvin Baker. 1852.—Trustees, J. G. Myers, Joseph Brett and A. H. Cowen; Clerk, C. Steenrod; Treasurer, J. E. Price; Justice of the Peace, Alvin Baker. 1853.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, Joseph. Brett and A. H. Cowen; Clerk, John Cheshire, Treasurer, J. E. Price; Justice of the Peace, Joseph Brett. 1854.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, Aaron Lewis, and J. O. Myers; Clerk, Lewis Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 1855.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, John Hull and Thomas L. Mintun; Clerk, L. Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Sheffield, and Thomas L. Mintun. 1856.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, John Hull and Aaron Lewis, Clerk, L. Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 1857.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, John Hull and Aaron Lewis; Clerk, L. Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 1858.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, M. D. Socie and. Ashford Poston; Clerk, L. Steenrod ; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 408 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1859.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, John G. Myers and John Hull; Clerk, Ashford Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 1860.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, G. L. Cooley, and Moses Lewis; Clerk, Ashford Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L Mintun. 1861.—Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, G. L. Cooley and Moses Lewis; Clerk, Ashford Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Robert R. Patterson. 1862.—Trustees, Richard Matheny, G. L. Cooley and Wm. Allbright; Clerk, Samuel N. Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of the Peace, Joseph Brett. 1863. —Trustees, Richard Matheny, G. L. Cooley and J. G. Meyers; Clerk, Samuel N. Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, Ashford Poston and Robert Patterson. 1864.—Trustees, Richard Matheny, Ashford Poston and J. G. Meyers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justices of the Peace, Ashford Poston and Robert Patterson. 1865.—Trustees, Richard Matheny, Ashford Poston and J. G. Meyers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justices of the Peace, Ashford Poston and Robert Patterson. 1866.—Trustees, Richard Matheny, Ashford Poston and J. G. Meyers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justices of the Peace, Ashford Poston and Robert Patterson. 1867.—Trustees, Aaron Lewis, P. H. Moore and J. G. Meyers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justice of the Peace, Thomas L. Mintun. 1868.—Trustees, Moses Lewis, R. R. Patterson and J. G. Meyers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justice of the Peace, Thomas L. Mintun. 1869.—Trustees, Wm. Comstock, S. N. Poston and John Beckler; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justice of the Peace, W. C. Hickman. 1870.—Trustees, P. H. Moore, C. Steenrod and J. S. Butt; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, J. S. Scott; Justice of the Peace, Thomas L. Mintun. 1871.—Trustees, J. G. Meyers, John Thompson and Harrison Atwood; Clerk, L. S. Aisles; Treasurer, J. S. Scott. 1872.—Trustees, John G. Meyers, Chas. A. Cable and John Beckler; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, J. S. Scott. 1873.—Trustees, J. G. Meyers, Chas. A. Cable and John Beck- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 409 ler; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, J. S. Scott; Justices of the Peace, Thomas L. Mintun and Moses Lewis. 1874.—Trustees, J. G. Meyers, John Beckler and Wm. W. Poston; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, J. S. Scott. 1875.—Trustees, Wm. W. Poston, R. R. Patterson and A. H. Wells; Clerk, W C. Hickman; Treasurer, John C. Parker; Justices of the Peace, Wesley C. Hickman and R. R Patterson. 1876.—Trustees, J. G. Meyers, Wm. W. Poston and A. H. Wells; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justice of the Peace, Moses Lewis. 1877.—Trustees, A. H. Wells, Mason Andrews and Chas. A. Cable; Clerk, John F. Camp; Treasurer, J. C. Parker. 1878.—Trustees, Chas. A. Cable, Thomas P. Scott and Mason Andrews; Clerk, John F. Camp; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justices of the Peace, David Putnam and R. R. Patterson. 1879.—Trustees, W. G. Hickman, James Dew and J. G. Meyers; Clerk, J. R Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker. 1880.—Trustees, W. G. Hickman, James Six and A. H. Wells; Clerk, J. R. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justice of the Peace, John Grimm. 1881.—Trustees, A. H. Comes, James Six and. A. H. Wells; Clerk, J. R. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justices of the Peace, J. A. Stick and W. C. Hickman. 1882.—Trustees, James Six, W. J. Hayburn and A. H. Wells; Clerk, J. R. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justice of the Peace, John F. Camp. BUCHTEL VILLAGE. The village of Buchtel is situated in the northern part of York Township, part of it being across the line in Hocking County. It is situated near Snow Fork, a branch of Monday Creek, and on the Monday Creek branch of the C., H. V. & T. Railway. The village was laid out by John R. Buchtel, of Akron, Ohio, in the spring of 1876, having a short time before, as representative of the Akron Iron Company, purchased upward of 2,000 acres of mineral land in Athens and Hocking counties. The same year the furnace at this place was built, which, in all its departments, immediately offered employment to over 600 men. The village grew rapidly, and in the course of a few months nearly 200 houses had sprung up, most of which were built by the Akron Iron Co. This company still owns 178 410 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. of the houses, at least one half of which are occupied by two or more families. The inhabitants are almost all laborers and clerks in the employ of the company. It has, at present, two physicians, H. T. Lee and F. C. Armstrong, with about 1,500 inhabitants. Two churches are in course of erection, a Roman Catholic and a Methodist Episcopal. The store at this place, erected by the company in 1881, is decidedly the most extensive mercantile establishment in the Hocking Valley. Since the early history of the village a store had existed which was controlled by the company, but managed by Mr. 0. D. Jackson, who was an independent partner in the store. The present store is a massive brick structure, 60 x 130 feet in dimensions, two stories high, with a cellar under the entire building. It handles nearly everything known to the mercantile business and comprises four departments, each of which occupies a large store-room, the average stock carried being worth $70,000. The store building and fixtures cost over $30,000. On the second floor, besides a large store-room, is an opera hall with a seating capacity of 500, a hall occupied by the Odd-Fellows lodge, and a doctor's office. The furnace at Buchtel is one of the largest in the valley, and this, together with the coal mining at this place, makes it an important mining center. The postoffice was established in the fall of 1877 by Mr. O. D. Jackson, he being the first Postmaster, serving until April, 1882, when Mr. W. J. Hamilton was appointed, Mr. Jackson having gone out of business at this place and left the village. SOCIETIES. Buchtel Lodge, No. 712, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 6, 1882. The, charter members were: Thos. N. Black, N. G. , Palmer, V. G.; W. N. Black, R. S.; L. A. Whitmore, P. S.; J. J. Lane, George Sowers, Win. Snyder, Wesley Daffee, Thomas Clark, George Littlejohn, W. B. Gilmore, Nicholas Brown, E. A. Petty, Samuel Campbell, Theodore Hedge and Henry Gayer. The membership, at present, is about seventy-four. The present officers are: J. J. Lane, N. (1; Henry Gayer, V. G.; D. W. Conner, R. S.; and H. W. Veon, P.S. Keystone Assembly, 1V o. 1,516, K. of L., located at Buclitel, was established April 15, 1880, with twenty charter members. The original officers were: John McMahon, M. W.; Robert Bradley, W. F. ; Ebenezer Moses, R. S. The present officers are: a D. Hannah, M. W.; Jacob Kautz, W. F. ; Charles Covert, R. S. The HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 411 present membership of this assembly is about seventy-nine. Another assembly of the same order, the Humboldt Assembly, a German society, holds its meetings in the hall owned by the above. York Lodge, No.75, K. of P., located at Mickel, was transferred from Nelsonville in the fall of 1882. It then had sixty members, and has since grown to sixty-seven. The leading officers a're: W. D. Marshall, B. C.; E. W. Woody, C. C., and A. L. Horton, V. C. The Tom Dew Post, G. A. R, located at Buchtel, was established Jan. 4, 1883, with twenty charter members. The officers areas follows: J. J. Lane, Commander; Joseph Robison, Vice-Commander; Thomas McMaster, Junior Vice-Commander; W. R. Gilmore, Quartermaster; Geo. Snowden, Adjutant; Ferd Conner, Officer of the Day; John Clark, Officer of the Guard, and W. D McLain, Chaplain. CHAPTER X V I. CITY OF NELSONVILLE, THE MINERAL CITY OF THE HOCKING VALLEY. THE MINERAL CITY-RATHER ELONGATED-HILLS OF COAL AND IRON-WHERE LOCATED-SOME ACCOUNT OF ITS EARLY SETTLERS -FIRST BRIDGE OVER THE HOCKING RIVER-FIRST LIBRARY AND SOCIETY-SOME OLD PAPERS OF VALUE-SETTLERS IN 1 827 ---JAS. KNIGHT'S PROPHECY-LETTER TO DR. HILDRETH-THE COMPLETION OF THE CANAL-COAL OPERATORS -HEAVY WORK-MANUFACTURES - CITY OFFICERS - CHURCHES - PUBLIC SCHOOLS -LODGES AND SOCIETIES-BUSINESS INTERESTS-1866-1883. THE MINERAL CITY OF THE VALLEY. Nelsonville is not only the largest city in the Hocking Valley, but is also the most important point in mining interests in Southeastern and Southern Ohio. It is located on the Hocking River, in the midst of one of its most fertile portions, and extends back to the hills, which rear their majestic proportions, giving from their bold outlines a pleasing view in contrast to the valley in which the town lies, and which has extended itself for nearly a mile in length—still growing and still elongating, with but little prospect of stopping until another mile or so of the valley is wrapped in its loving embrace. It is so rich in its mineral surrounding, so inexhaustible in its coal supply, and so fertile is the valley upon whose bosom it lies, that Nelsonville is destined to retain the prestige she now holds of being the largest and most important city in the rich and beautiful valley of the Hocking River. She has not so commanding a site as Athens, neither can she show so wide a plain, gentle elevations and handsome drives as Logan, but the wonderful wealth of those massive hills which surround her gives a very beautiful look to the eye of the man of business and practical knowledge when he gazes upon them, which, with but a flimsy covering of a few feet of earth, hold within their embrace a world of wealth. So Nelsonville, confined in the narrow valley, will gradually extend herself up and down for (412) HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 413 miles, while her breadth will scarcely, at any point, exceed a quarter of a mile. And under her black and unprepossessing look she carries a warm heart, and he who wishes to make a home here is received with open arms, and the race for a competency or wealth is opened to him, free, to exercise his own best talent and judgment to win the prize. Nelsonville is situated in the northern part of York Township, a small portion of the incorporated land lying over the border in Hocking County. It lies on the left bank of the Hockihg River, on the line of the C', H. V. & T. Railway, and the Hocking Canal. The Monday Creek branch of the C., H. V. & T. Railway leaves the main line at this point, connecting it with New Straitsville and other mining towns in Perry and Hocking counties. EARLY DAYS. Prior to 1814 two families, named Johnson and Hurlbert, had settled in the wilderness of the Hocking Valley, building their log cabins within sight of each other, very near to the present site of Nelsonville. This was the only interruption to an unbroken wilderness between the then scanty settlement of Athens and the early settlements near Logan. In 1814 Mr. Daniel Nelson, an intelligent and prosperous citizen of Shrewsbury, Mass.? purchased a large tract of land from an agent of the Ohio Company, and came with his family to settle and improve it. He reached the site of Nelsonville in August, 1814, and, as soon as possible, erected a double log-cabin for a dwelling, on the ground where now stands the dwelling of Mr. John Burberry, just west of W. B. Brooks's store. The following is from the Centennial address of W. C. Hickman at Nelsonville, July 4, 1876. " In June, 1818, York Township was organized, and on the 16th of the same month Daniel Nelson laid out the village of Nelsonville, which was properly named in honor of the founder, who well deserved that and greater acknowledgment, for his public-spirted energy of character, and for his foresight and generosity to the then weak, struggling village. Let me say here, that no selfish act nor an instance of close exacting dealing is shown, by such items of history as we can now gather, to have been perpetrated by Daniel Nelson toward the village he founded, or toward those who had cast their lot in it. He has long since passed to his final account; but these words can truthfully be said of him, and it is his due that they be thus publicly 414 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. expressed. His death occurred on the 20th of May, 1835. The original plat comprised fifty-seven lots, numbering from one to fifty-seven. Two streets were named—Columbus and Mulberry. In the month of October, 3d day, 1825, Mr. Nelson laid out twenty additional town lots, numbering from fifty-eight to seventy-seven, both inclusive. At that time the town had not developed to any great extent; but those who lived here had faith in its future, and 'mere getting ready for its growth. When Captain John Hull came there were but eight houses here. The oldest of these, a cabin, belonging to --Johnson, stood south of Steenrod & Poston's mill, between the present bed of the canal and the railroad. EARLY SETTLERS Mr. Nelson was a man of great energy, and was soon making more permanent improvements than were common to new settlements, and drawing about him men of an enterprising disposition. In 1816 Mr. Josiah Coe located near and built a flouring mill on the river bank, the same one now owned by Mr. Chas. Robbins. Soon after, in about 1820, Mr. Thomas Thompson came and kept a hotel on the south side of the public square, only a few rods from the present Dew House. He was succeeded in the hotel business by Mr. Claudius L. Fisk, who built a brick tavern on the site of Mr. Chas. A. Cable's residence. Mr. James Knight, an energetic and enterprising Englishman, came in 1822 and inaugurated the mercantile business, bringing a small stock of goods with him on his first arrival. His store was a small frame building, standing on the lot now occupied by his son, Wallace W. Knight, the building now being attached to and forming a part of the store of Mr. A. H. Carnes. Thus gradually but slowly the infant settlement grew. Although but a few people had gathered in, a town was laid out by Mr. Nelson in 1823, he at that time deeding to the village the public square and the lot on which now stands the public school building, the latter to be used for a church and school lot. Between 1816 and 1820 Mr. George Courtauld, a wealthy Englishman, purchased land and settled on what is now a part of Longstreth's Addition, about one mile from the original village of -Nelsonville. He brought with him among others a family of grown children, some of whom were married, all of whom began earnestly to prosecute the plan of establishing a village. Considerable land was cleared,a store was kept by Mr. Courtauld, and through his efforts a postoffice was established in 1821, which he HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 415 kept in his store. This community prospered and bid fair to fulfill the anticipations of its proprietor, until, when on a business trip to the East, Mr. Courtauld suddenly died and the remainder of the company soon gave up the enterprise and returned to England. Coal was known to exist in the hills about Nelsonville even at this date, but it was not mined and did nothing toward developing the village until several years later. Inhabitants were attracted by the beauty and convenience of location, and the fertility of the soil. The principal industry was clearing and cultivating the land and transporting the products to market. An avenue for this purpose was supplied by the Hocking River, on which plied the flatboats of active tradesmen, transporting goods to and from the greater markets. The growth of the village in its early days was due, however, in a great measure to the efforts of Mr. Nelson and a few others; through their efforts roads were opened connecting the village with other settlements in this part of the State, a bridge was built across the river, said to be the first to span the Hocking and many other efforts were put forth to secure prosperity and growth. After the death of Mr. Courtauld in 1823, Mr. Nelson was appointed to succeed him as Postmaster, and he removed the office to his own village Jan. 1, 1824, the name of the office being changed to Nelsonville. FIRST BRIDGE OVER THE HOCKHOCKING. The next move of importance was the building of a bridge across the Hocking River. This was started in 1827. May 21 of that year an advertisement was put up on trees and other places, saying a committee of four persons would receive proposals to build a bridge across the Hocking River, and that plans, etc., would be found in the bands of Mr. James Knight. The plans and specifications of this, the first bridge ever built across the Hocking River, is now in the hands of W. W. Knight, his son, and are well worthy of examination. A subscription paper was taken around for contributions. The lad largest donation was $20, and the smallest 50 cents. The subscription paper read, that those wishing to pay their subscriptions in labor could do so, and they would be allowed the munificent sum of 50 cents per day, and they board themselves. Corn would be received at 25 cents per bushel, wheat at 50 cents per bushel, whisky at 25 cents per gallon, and pork at 416 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. $2 per 100 pounds. There was one man from Columbus who subscribed $5, one from Marietta $5, four from Lancaster, in all $16, being two of $5 each and two of $3, and the township of York $10 from the road fund. There were some four bids, but Mr. Nelson secured the job by agreeing to take the subscription paper at par and do his own collecting. The subscription amounted to $442.50, and Mr. Nelson got $400 out of it, and made to the commissioners the following statement : Bridge, per contract, $410; extra work, $85; total $495; subscription list, $440.50; bad, $40.50; net, $400; out of pocket, $95. The bridge was completed and accepted by the commissioners Oct. 23, 1828, and on May 5, 1829, that bridge started down the Hocking River on a voyage of discovery, and, so far as the people of Nelsonville know to the contrary, is still prosecuting its search. It was to stand one year, and resulted in a lawsuit and loss to the contractor. Some years later, in 1832, another bridge was erected. FIRST LIBRARY. In 1827 there was also a movement for the establishment of a village or town library, and a report of this was made Sept. 7, 1828, when it was shown they had forty-seven volumes of miscellaneous works in their possession. Mr. Knight has in his possession, in the original, an several of them, headed, " An Essay on the Deity of Jesus Christ," by Thos. Scott, Rector of Aston Sanford, and dated Nov.' 5, 1774. Part of these writings are in short-hand, and some of the passages are strikingly original. Some of the reverend gentlemen of Athens County might find food for thought in perusing this manuscript, or at least get some idea of what was the belief or the doctrine held over 100 years ago. EARLY SETTLERS. The first settlers of Nelsonville have been given, but the following named persons were residing in the village Jan. 1, 1827, as their names were found on the subscription paper in January and February of that year, to the Hocking Bridge: Jas. Knight, C. L. Fisk, Win. Biggerstaff, Wm. Harper, Robert Thompson, Amorn Entsminger, Jas. Pickett, Jos. Brett, Saul Pickett, Jonathan White, Daniel Nelson, Jas. Tenants, Wm. Long, John Rochester, M. B. Lovewell, Samuel K. Harrington, Jacob Feirce, Jacob HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 417 Skeiver, Calvin Thompson, Richard Mills, Thos. Thompson, Geo. Mills, Wm. Gleason, John McKeye, Abijah Weaver, Martin L. Sheppard, Thos. Campbell, F. Billinghurst, John Hume, E. Stewart, David Robert. Thos. Brien, John Brown, B. Brice, Chas. Shipman, Robt. Canis, Isaac Barker, Rocking H. Huhler, Wm. Stewart, G. Kincannon, Harry Renshaw, Harvey Weill, Geo. Walker, Christian Eby, Justus Reynold, Leroy Allen, Norman Root, John Beach, Jos. B. Miles, A. Cormac, David Johnson, Calvary Morris, Solomon Finney, Dwight Jarvis, John Wight, A. Brown, John Noble, G. Browning, E. Hibbard, John Wright, Henry Bartlett, Thos. Irvin, Ebenezer Currier, R. E. Constable, Jno. Dana, Ceplias Carpenter, J. J. Fuller, Emery Newton, E. Burnett, Thos. Harris, Chas. O'Neil, S. F. McCracken, S. B. Pruden, C. F. Perkins, Samuel Entsminger, Benjamin Johnson, Jacob Claypool, David Skiver, John Graham, John S. Putman, Elias Spencer, Nicholas Bates, George French, Elijah Watkins, Samuel Lewis, John Counch, Daniel Jacob, Thos. Watkins, Jas. Coe, Jos. S. Rollins, John Entsminger, David Dunham, Solomon Tuttle, Rufus P. Danir, Peter M. Dodd, John Conrad, John Weavin, Daniel Roomer, Moses Lewis, Edmund Terry, John Samson, Jacob Benjamin, Henry Hansen, Edmund Weavin, Thos. Snider, Solomon Roberts, John Roberts, John Chamberlin, John Dodd, Michael Weavin, John Perkins, Amos Crippin, Wilmarth Allen, Seth Morge. ORIGINAL PAPERS OF VALUE. The first society organized in Nelsonville was in the fall of 1823, and was called the " York Township Amicable Library Society." No person living outside of York Township was allowed to become a member. It flourished for several years, held debates on various subjects, and was really the foundation of what was called the " Nelsonville Library," which assumed the name in 1827. The original papers of this library are in the hands of W. W. Knight, left him by his father, Mr. James Knight. Mr. Knight has many other papers of interest left him by his father, but there is one of singular importance and prophesy, a copy of a letter written to Dr. Hildreth, of Marietta, Ohio, by Mr. Knight, which shows him to have been one of the shrewdest men of his time, and had he lived (he died Aug. 26, 1836) would have held a prominent, if not the foremost, one, in the history of the town and county. He at that day, 1833-'34, had already divined the future of Nelsonville and the Hocking Valley, and he prophesied truly when he - 27 - 418 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. said, "These hills were not placed here without design, nor without their uses; man has not yet found out their value." He was indeed a prophet, a man of clear sense, a mind given to analysis and tracing effects from causes. In the light of the facts which have been developed the past few years, and the future which may now be considered known of this great valley, Mr. Knight's prophesy has come true, and only his observing eye and clear mind were able at that time to grasp the future of the valley of the great Hock-hocking. Here is the letter, and it is well worthy a place in the historic pages of Ohio history : COPY OF A LETTER SENT TO DR. HILDRETH, OF MARIETTA, OHIO, JAN. 17, 1834. This letter was dated Jan. 14, 1834, but filed on the 17th as sent at that time. NELSONVILLE, OHIO, Jan. 14, 1831. "DR. S. P. HILDRETH, Dear Sir:—Yours of the 25th of December came safely to hand. I have to thank you for your very complimentary communication. I assure you nothing would give me more pleasure than to give you a reply in full to all your queries, did I feel myself sufficiently qualified to answer them in such a scientific manner as would be understood. The only answer I could possibly give you at this time is in general terms, as the time (1st of February) which you wish to have all the queries answered is so near at hand, and the season of the year so unpropitious for actual observation or research, as to render it impossible with me to do half justice to so interesting an enquiry. I thought it best to give a general answer without delay, and at the same time to say that as soon as the season of the year will allow you to leave home with any degree of comfort, to just take your horse and ride out here and pass a few days with me. In the interval I will make minutes where will be found the mast interesting spots for our attention to be directed. I shall take great pleasure in spending a few days in this way—it is what I have long wished to do in company with some person of science. I believe here will be more found that relates to the mineral kingdoms worthy of particular notice than is generally known, or than you can form any correct idea of. " In the first place we have the coal strata, and those which are most particularly known to us are such as have presented themselves by the washings of runs and hollows in the hills. Veins are HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY-419 to be found from one to ten feet thick, in this vicinity, above the level of the bottom land. I believe I could show you at least 100 that have presented themselves. I opened a bank the other day, on the side of a hill (at a lick), which was certainly from twenty to twenty-five feet higher in the strata than one which I knew only about one quarter of a mile distant. The one I opened was only two feet to two feet, three inches in thickness. The one referred to a quarter of a mile distant has a strata of from five to six feet. The quality of our coal is better than I ever had on my fire in England. I learn also that in sinking the salt well on Sunday Creek, that the first strata of coal was a few feet below the surface, and that another was passed through eleven feet thick, 100 feet below the first. My personal observation has not been sufficiently particular to state for a fact on what level the thickest stratus are to be found, but I believe it is to be in general just above the bottom lands level. " We have limestone, also, on most of our hills, in some places in considerable quantity, and I have observed it, also, in several gulleys that are far below the usual line of level of the hill-tops. "IRON ORE, I believe in quantity inexhaustible will be found here. My impression is, that in the hills there are large quantities, from the pieces that leave presented themselves in plowing, etc. In many other places mot far distant I know it exists in large quantities and easily attainable. " The large sandstone rocks are generally found near the top of the hills, and frequently below them is a kind of shelly soapstone, often impregnated strongly with alum; then layers of freestone, say ten inches to a foot in thickness, which will, in time, be uncommonly valuable. In some instances large flat stones of two inches thick, suitable for paving, are found. It is under these the coal generally presents itself—though not in all cases. I am fully persuaded that there is slate in this vicinity, of a hardness sufficient to cover a house. " I know a place, also, where thin fine stone, say from one-third to one-half inch in thickness, can be found that could be dressed for the same purpose—it would be worked profitably were it in England. " Alum, salt-peter and copperas are known to exist in many places. These I will endeavor to get full information of by the time you visit us. I believe I could introduce you to a spring that possesses all the virtues of the Saratoga. 420 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. " Here is also a fire-clay, when dry perfectly white, and apparently free from any impure admixture. It does not appear to possess the virtue of marl. I think fine earthenware could be made of it. " In short, Nature has been so bountiful in this part of the country that we know not yet how to appreciate the value. A week's research of a few scientific men would discover more than all that is yet known. I have always been of the Opinion, and daily experience tends to confirm it, that this will be in a very few years the richest section of the State of Ohio. These hills were not placed here without design, nor without their uses. Man has not yet found out their value. We merely stir a little of their surface with no enterprise to go farther, but the time is not far distant when all our lands will be explored, and these hills which have so long been considered as of no value, and not worth paying taxes for, will be the most carefully sought. Excuse this hasty and unconnected communication. " I am very respectfully yours, " JAMES KNIGHT!' Mr. Knight had been in correspondence with Mr. Hildreth over two years previous to this date, back in 1832, and had been strenuous in his efforts to get a few scientific men and geologists to thoroughly examine the country around. He had divined its wealth and he wished for a full exploration to test his belief'. Whether Prof. Hildreth came and examined the country or not, as this letter seems to carry out time idea that he promised to do, we know not, but it was not long after this that the country began to attract attention in regard to its coal deposits and its iron ores and fire-clay, etc. This brought forward the canal project to ship this coal, and this, having been started and every prospect of its being completed in a few years, brought capitalists who largely invested in the coal lands. CANAL COMPLETED. On the completion of the canal in 1840 an efficient means of transportation was offered and Nelsonville was soon transformed into an active and growing mining town. While mining and shipping coal was a new business it was engaged in by almost every one who owned land or was able to lease mines, but on a small scale, as the modern facilities for extensive mining were not known, or if known could not be afforded. Of course the completion of the canal was the placing of Nelsonville upon a secure foundation. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 421 The mining operations began to increase largely and rapidly, and it was not many years before it passed into the hands of capitalists who could combine and carry out larger business interests. The first coal put to use in Nelsonville was taken from the river bed, but the use was very limited, being confined almost entirely to the blacksmith shops. Two wagon loads of this river coal were hauled to Columbus in April, 1830, the first being a six-horse load, fifty-eight bushels, sold by James Knight to Gill and Greer, of Columbus, at four cents a bushel, delivered. But little coal was taken to market until the canal was finished, when it began to be mined and shipped in small quantities, although a bank had been opened on the north side of Johnson's Hill to supply the local demand, which is believed to be the first mine opened in the valley. COAL OPERATORS. Soon after the location of the Hocking Valley Canal Eastern capitalists and others of our own State made extensive purchases of land along the line of the canal from Lick Run to Chauncey. Among the most extensive purchasers were Thomas Ewing and Samuel F. Vinton, who shortly afterward associated with themselves Nicholas Biddle and Elihu Chauncey, of Philadelphia, under the name of Ewing, Vinton & Co. The firm made an opening for coal about the time of the completion of the canal to Nelsonville. Their mine was located in the hillside on the Nelsonville seam of coal, at the Dorr Run canal basin, on what is now the west end of the incorporated village of Nelsonville. Shortly after the mine of Biddle, Ewing & Vinton was opened another opening by Fuller & Walker (James Fuller and A. B. Walker, of Athens,) was made a little further up the river. Then C. Fay, John Crothers, C. Steenrod, Launcelot Scott. J. F. Somers and L. Steenrod were found among the pioneer miners of the valley. Their mines were situated on both sides of the Hocking River, at Nelsonville, and the coal was hauled in wagons from the mouth of the mines to the canal, dumped on the wharf and loaded on the boats with wheelbarrows. Steenrod & Scott operated in what is known as the old Steenrod works, just below the village. They were in p partnership, but soon after dissolved, Steenrod keeping the old works and Scott opening new mines in what is now known as Robbin's Hill. These mines were successfully worked by Mr. Scott for a number of years 422 - HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. when, on his death, the business passed into the hands of Mr. L. D. Poston, a son-in-law, who followed it up on a more extended scale. Among the more prominent early operators were also Mr. Mathew Vanwormer, of Boston, who conducted a mine just back of the village, and Dr. Robert Fulton, who operated across the river in what was afterward known as Brooks's mines. The completion of the C. & H. V. Railway gave another great impetus to the coal trade in the valley, and consequently added much to the business and growth of Nelsonville. Since the village has been until recently dependent upon the operations in coal, and its growth virtually governed by such operations, it is deemed proper to trace, in a brief way, a history of the business of some of the leading enterprises as identical with the growth of the village. Air. W. B. Brooks, though a resident of Columbus, has done much to assist the growth of Nelsonville and secure the development of its natural wealth. He carne to Nelsonville in 1859 and, with Mathew Vanwormer, under the style of Vanwormer & Brooks, purchased 300 acres of land all across the river from the town. They opened mines and conducted the coal trade on a large scale until June, 1860, when Vanwormer withdrew and the business passed under the control of W. B. Brooks. These mines were supplied with an ice-breaking machine and continued shipping the year round. From the first the coal was transferred from the mine to the canal in cars, and there loaded into their -own boats, for shipment. In 1869 Mr. Brooks purchased another tract of 600 acres immediately back of and north of Nelsonville, known as section 19. Mines were opened on this land; the two works were run together until within a few years back, when the old mine became nearly exhausted. In the new mines were placed all the latest facilities for rapid and successful mining, including mining machines, an improved set of screens, and a system of pumps for relieving the mine of water. The mining machines and pumps are run by compressed air power, the pumps being automatic in their actions. Mr. Brooks, as one of the leading citizens, has been liberal in the support of worthy enterprises. He has been also largely in the mercantile business since he came to Nelsonville to inaugurate his mining enterprises, and erected the large brick store on the corner of the square, now occupied by the firm, in 1872. Mr. Brooks has recently taken his son into partnership, under the firm name of W. B. Brooks & Son, they are doing a large business, and now put out some 200,000 tons of coal HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 423 annually. Their largest day's work was the loading and shipping of 105 cars. L. D. Poston began operating in coal soon after the completion of the canal in 1840. His first business was in connection with Mr. Launcelot Scott, who, as already stated, operated in Robbin's Hill. When on the dead) of Mr. Scott the business fell into the hands of Mr. Poston, he greatly improved and enlarged the facilities, soon becoming one of the foremost operators in the valley. At this time the coal was wagoned from the mines to the wharf. The business steadily increased and the works became gradually more extensive by the application of new methods until the late war of the Rebellion, when the business sprang to double its former proportions. A short time previous to the war Mr. Poston had purchased the lands in which he had operated, having had them leased up to this time. When the C. & H. V. Railway was built the business was again enlarged, large quantities being shipped both by railroad and canal. In 1872 he bought a tract of 250 acres of land lying just east of the town and opened the mines. Having made all the preparations for extensive mining the property was leased to his sons, C. L. and Win. W. Poston, and a son-in-law, E. P. Pendleton, for twenty years, himself retiring entirely from the business in 1875. The business was continued under the firm name of Poston & Pendleton. In 1880 Wm. W. Poston and Pendleton sold their interest to McClintick and Smith, of Chillicothe, Ohio, who are the present partners of C. L. Poston, under the firm name of C. L. Poston & Co. This firm recently purchased 400 acres of mineral land in the Monday Creek Valley, and are mining about 100,000 tons of coal a year, having constantly in its employ about 165 men. They own a large store on the public square, doing a business of about $50,000 a year. Thaddeus Longstreth. —This gentleman began operating in coal at Nelsonville in the summer of 1867. He came from Warren County, Ohio, and bought an interest in the coal works of W. G. Power & Co., who were working mines leased of Rhodes & Phillips. In 1869 Mr. Longstreth bought out his partners and about the same time bought the land on which the works were situated. Since that time he has been operating alone, the business con stantly increasing. In December, 1878, he purchased a large tract of coal land in Hocking County and opened extensive works on it. He employs, at Nelsonville, about 200 men and ships about 424 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 120,000 tons of coal a year In 1871 he laid out the eastern part of Nelsonville, known as Longstreth's addition, which consists of 178 lots laid out on improved and well-laying ground. This addition is already mostly taken up by dwellings, and will probably be, in a few years, a valuable portion of the city. The store owned by Mr. Longstreth is a large and substantial brick building situated in the addition. It was built in 1874, is 30 x 90 feet in dimensions, with a cellar under the whole of it. Mr. Longstreth, by supporting public enterprises, and by the extent of his individual business interests, has done much for the welfare and grog th of Nelsonville. These are the largest and oldest of coal interests, but there are several other operators well deserving of mention, both in the extent of their mining operation and their energy and enterprise. Among these are Johnson Bros. & Co., Juniper Brothers, Nelsonville Mining Company, L. Steenrod and W. A. Shoemaker & Co. There are between 1,000 and 1,200 miners at work in these several mines, and very many of them are owners of their own dwellings. The price now paid for mining is 80 cents per ton. NOT ALL MINING. Nelsonville has, beside her mining and manufacturing interests, a number of elegant and substantial public buildings, among them the Methodist Episcopal church, which is an exceptionally fine and substantial structure; the Opera House, a substantial structure situated on the public square, and a number of very fine store buildings. She has at present a population of about four thousand inhabitants. The town was incorporated by act of the Legislature in 1838. The first election for town officers was held April 27, 1839, when Charles Cable was elected Mayor; A. J. Bond, Recorder; John Coe, S. M. Shepard, John Hull, W. W. Poston and James Rusk, Trustees. Luther Burt was appointed Marshal of the village, and Robert Miller, Treasurer. James Rusk declining to serve as Trustee, Thomas L. Mintun was appointed in his place. Since then the following persons have filled the town offices; up to 1810 only the Mayors. are named: Charles Cable, elected in 1838; Wm. Burlingame, 1840; Ebenezer Fenimore, 1841; Solomon Roberts, 1842; James .Deaver, 1843; R. G. McLean, 1845, 1846-'47, no record; Lewis Steenrod, 1848 (Mr. Steenrod resigning, A. J. Guitteau was appointed for his unexpired term); B. A. Lincoln, 1850; Thomas L. Mintun, 1852; L. Hutchins, 1853; H. H. Myers,