HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 475 Frank W. and Ella Vell, the latter dying in the fall of 1876, at the age of six years. He married his second wife, Miss Belle G. Cresap, of Logan, Ohio, April 22, 1873. They have three children—Webster C., Charles E. and Mabel Lefever. Fred Lorenzo Preston, of the firm of L. P. Preston & Son, was born at Delaware, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1854, and is the eldest of four sons of Lorenzo P. and Laura L. (Dix) Preston. When he was an infant his parents removed to Columbus, where they lived until he was thirteen, when they came to Nelsonville. He was educated in the schools of Columbus and Nelsonville until he was seventeen, attending the High School of Columbus through part of the junior year, when he returned home to Nelsonville, and was employed as a clerk for W. B. Brooks. He afterward became bookkeeper and was with him about ten years. In August, 1881, he became associated with his father in the mercantile business at Nelsonville, under the firm name of L. P. Preston & Son. March 31, 1879, he married Ella, daughter of John Herrold, of Athens County. They have one child—Perry. Lorenzo Perry Preston, senior member of the firm of Preston & Son, merchants, Nelsonville, was born in Montpelier, Vt., Feb. 3, 1817, where he was reared a farmer, and lived with his parents, Samuel and Lydia (Short) Preston, until manhood, and was given a good English education. When seventeen years of age he began to teach in country schools, and taught in various places in Vermont, at the same time pursuing his studies. After becoming of age, in the spring of 1838, he came to Ohio, and located at Columbus, where he was employed as clerk in the store of Stone, Carr & Co. for one year, when he become associated with Charles Kelton in the mercantile business, under the firm name of L. P. Preston & Co. In 1844 he formed a co-partnership with his brother, S. D. Preston, in the mercantile business at Columbus, under the firm name of S. D. & L. P. Preston, remaining in business together till the fall of 1854. Mr. Preston was then employed as a clerk in the store of his brother, W. B. Preston, until 1858, when he was employed as postoffice clerk at Columbus by Samuel Medary for six months. He was elected associate clerk of the Ohio Legislature, serving the winter of 1858 and '59. In the spring of 1859 he was employed by Fitch, Bortle & Co., to take charge of a store in connection with the furnace at Logan, and was in their employ until January, 1860. In the spring of 1860 he received the appointment of census-taker in the townships of Frank- 476 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. lin, Jackson, Hamilton and Pleasant, in Franklin County, Ohio, and after completing that work went to Cambridge, Guernsey County, and was employed in the store of R. E. Champion & Co., until the spring of 1863, when he returned to Columbus and engaged in the grocery business, continuing until 1865. In 1866 he was employed by W. B. Brooks, as buyer and manager of his store at Nelsonville, with whom he remained until 1877. He then went to Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business until the spring of 1882 when he removed with his business to Nelsonville, when his son, Fred L. Preston, became associated with him, forming the present mercantile firm of L. P. Preston & Son. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Elsie Clark, of Montpelier, Vt., whom he married June 20, 1844, and who died in Columbus, November, 1851, leaving one child, Kate, who died in April, 1856, at the age of seven years. March 3, 1853, he married Miss Laura Dix, of East Montpelier, Vt. They had four children—Fred L., Samuel Decatur, Gilbert Dix and Leonard Shubael. Isaac Porter Primrose, M. D., Nelsonville, Ohio, was born in Uniontown, Muskingum Co., Ohio, Oct. 18, 1831, the eldest of six children of Reuben H. and Hester Ann (Cannon) Primrose. He was reared in Muskingum and Perry counties, receiving his education in the common schools and the High School of Somerset. In 1857 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Nicodemus Hafford, of Old Straitsville, Perry County, studying and practicing the profession till August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry. On the organization of his company he was elected Second Lieutenant, and in February, 1862, was promoted to First Lieutenant. In November, 1862, he resigned on account of his eyes and a catarrhal trouble and returned to Old Straitsville. In February, 1863, he came to Nelsonville and assisted in raising Company A, Thirty-sixth Ohio National Guard, and was appointed its Captain, but on the organization of the regiment he was chosen Colonel. His regiment retained its organization till the close of the war, but was never called into active service. In the winter of 1864-'65 he attended Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated Feb. 26, 1865. He has been a member of the City Council of Nelsonville three years, of the School Board two years, and President of the Athens County Medical Society five years. He is a Master Mason and member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157; also a member of Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, G. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 477 A. R. In April, 1852, he married Jane Harbaugh, of Old Straitsville. They have five children—Hester A., now Mrs. S. W. Jones, of Kingston, Ohio; Sarah A., now Mrs. W. N. Alderman ; Binnie L., now Mrs. F. J. Hill; Loving and Blanch H. They have lost two children—Kittie Greenwood, died in July, 1862. aged six months, and Adie C., died July 11, 1879, aged twenty years. Dr. and Mrs. Primrose are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. June 16, 1883, the Doctor received the nomination of the Republican party for Representative to the State Legislature. John, Raine was born in Stanhope, county of Durham, England, Dec. 22,1S13, a son of George and Elizabeth (Brown) Raine. When he was thirteen 'years of age he went to work in the lead mines with his father, but soon after hisfather died. His mother died in 1835. He remained in the lead mines till 1838 and then went into the coal mines, remaining there till 1844, when he embarked for the United States, landing in New York, May 24. He came to Nelsonville and was first employed in the coal mines of J. F. Sommers, remaining with him three years. He was then employed by the late L. D. Poston eighteen years. Since 1865 he has worked for W. B. Brooks & Son, and though seventy years of age, still retains much of his youthful vigor, and enjoys life better when at work than when idle. April 9, 1844, on the eve of his departure for America, he married Miss Eliza Taylor, who is still living, having shared all the changing vicissitudes of a Western home with her husband. They have no children. They are members of the Methodist church, of Nelsonville, Mr. Raine having been Trustee, Steward and Treasurer. James B. Rose was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Dec 25, 1856. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of his native county. He remained with his parents until he reached his majority, after which he engaged as a fireman on a locomotive for the C. & H. V. R. R. He afterward went to Straitsville, Ohio, where he was employed by a mining company as clerk in their store. In the fall of 1880 he came to Buchtel, and entered the employ of the Akron Iron Company, as salesman in their mercantile establishment, having charge of the dry-goods department. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 84, Straitsville, Ohio. Curtis William Russell, blacksmith, Nelsonville, was born in Middleport, Meigs Co., Ohio, Oct. 3, 1849, where he lived until twenty years of age. He is the on of Benjamin Franklin and Jane. 478 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. (McNeil) Russell. He was given a common-school education. At the age of sixteen, in the fall of 1864, he became apprenticed to John Rightnyse, at Rutland Corners, to learn the blacksmith's trade, serving three years. He then came to Nelsonville, and has since been employed in the blacksmith shop of W. B. Brooks Son, coal operators. June 29, 1873, he was married to Caroline Woltz, of Hocking County. They have two children—Lena May and Jennie Maud. They lost one—Luella J., who died Oct. 1, 1874, at the age of eighteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the Christian church of Nelsonville, of which he is now a Deacon. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of Unity Lodge, No. 568, and Mineral Encampment, No. 121, at Nelsonville, and served as Warden in the subordinate lodge. William T. Schaefer was born in Dayton, Ohio, June 6, 1850. His youth was spent in attending school, living with his parents until manhood. He received his early education in the schools of Dayton; afterward he attended the Miami Commercial College, taking a thorough course, after which he engaged as bookkeeper for his father, Thomas Schaeffer, broker and banker at Dayton, for about three years. In 1876 he came to Nelsonville, and engaged with T. Longstreth as clerk, and May 23, 1882, he was promoted to the position of manager of the store, which position he still occupies. He was married ,May 23, 1872, to Miss Addie J. Balser, a native of Piqua, Ohio, born Aug. 31, 1851. They have had four children, two now living—Oliver T., born Aug. 5, 1873, and Mary C., born July 30, 1878. Maud, horn Feb. 28, 1875, died March 6, 1875; Elsie May, born April 9, 1880, died July 27, 1880. Charles Ellsworth Schaff, son of Isaac and Angelina N. (Cleaves) Schaff, was born Feb. 4, 1853, in Kirkersville, Licking Co., Ohio. When one year old his parents moved to Grafton, W. Va., where they lived some time, and then moved to Newburgh, W. Va. When our subject was twelve years of age, they returned to Ohio, and settled at Uhrichsville, in Tuscarawas County, and in 1871 they went to Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Ellsworth was educated in the schools of Newburgh, W. Va., and graduated from the High School of that place in 1869. In that year he was employed as brakeman on the P., C. & St. L. R. R., and in 1872 became a fireman on the C. & H. V. R. R. until 1874. In that year he became baggage-master and express messenger on the same road, which position he held till August, 1876, when he became conductor, and in 1882 assumed his present position as yard master at Nelsonville for the HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 479 Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad. He was married Dec. 31, 1878, to Miss Leila Belle, daughter of George White, Jr., of Columbus. They have been blessed with one child, Howard E. Mr. Ellsworth is a Master, Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason, of Magnolia Lodge, No. 20, of Columbus; Logan Chapter, No. 75, at Logan, and Athens Commandery, No. 15, at Athens. He is a member of Court Forest, No. 12, United Order of Foresters at Columbus, of which he is Past Chief Ranger. Isaac N. Schaff was born near Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, July 18, 1834, a son of John and Charlotte (Hartzill) Schaff. He was reared a farmer, following that avocation till twenty-two years of age. In 1856 he was employed in the machine shops of the old S. & I. Railway, now the Pan Handle Road. at Newark, and the following year went on the B. & O. R. R. as brakeman, and four months later was promoted to conductor, running from Wheeling, Va., to Harper's Ferry.: He retained that position from August, 1857, till September, 1865. After the war, in 1865, he returned to Ohio and was employed by the Pan Handle Road as freight conductor, remaining with them till 1872. He ran the second train that went into Pittsburg on that road. Since November, 1872, he has been conductor on the C., H. V. & T. R. R. He has never had any accident on his train and can look back over a period of a quarter of a century spent as conductor with the satisfaction that no one has been injured through any fault of his. He has never been discharged or suspended for misdemeanors, but his changes have been of his own making. Aug. 29, 1854, he married Angeline. Cleaves, of Winchester, Ohio. They have nine children—Charles E., yard master of the C., H. V. & T. R. R.; Flora, wife of T. C. Galvin, conductor on the C., H. V. & T. R. R.; Ella, wife of C. H. Myers; D. F., bookkeeper for Croft's Iron Company, Greendale, Ohio; D. M., baggage clerk at Nelsonville, for the C., H. V. & T. R. R,; Hattie, Franklin, Mary and Harry. George Van Sickle Shafer, merchant, of Nelsonville, is the son of David and Margaret (Sidders) Shafer, and was born near Wilford, N. J., Feb. 19, 1539. When eleven years of age he came with his parents to Ohio, settling in Athens Township, Athens County, where he lived with them until manhood. At the age of thirteen he was afflicted with inflammatory rheumatism, caused by bathing in the early spring, and was for seven years almost a helpless cripple. He was restored to health by being placed .under the treatment of Dr. W. P. Johnson, then of Athens, and 480 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. while being treated by him through his kindness he was enabled to attend the Ohio University, thereby receiving a good business education. At the age of twenty-two he had so recovered that he was employed as a clerk in the store of Isaac Silves, of Athens, six months, when he was employed in the same capacity by D. Zenner & Co., of the same place, with whom he remained three years. In 1865 he went to Salina, Athens County, and engaged in keeping a saloon until 1867, when, having lost all he had saved while clerking, by the assistance of friends he engaged in the grocery business at the same place. In 1878 he removed to Nelsonville, where he is now carrying on a general mercantile business, and besides his residence and business house in Nelsonville he also owns a small farm in the vicinity of Salina. In December, 1869, he was married to Mary M. Shoemaker, of Meigs County, Ohio. They have six children—Edward, Eva May, Luella, Harvey H., Dow Frost, and Clinton Davis. Himself and wife are members of the Christian church of Nelsonville, of which he is a Deacon. He is an Odd Fellow and belongs to the lodge and encampment at Nelsonville. Burton B. Sheffield, Floodwood, was born on Block Island, R. I., Feb. 7, 1829, and came to Athens County with his parents in the fall of 1836, and settled on Floodwood Creek, in York Township. He was brought up on the old homestead and educated in the Ohio University at Athens, `graduating from that institution June 17, 1858, and delivering the valedictory address. While attending college Mr. Sheffield taught at intervals to obtain means with which to defray his college expenses, and thus educated himself. Prior to entering college he worked in the coal mine at Salina for two years. The autumn after graduating he took charge of the Collegiate Institute at New Vienna, Ohio; but on account of his eyes was obliged to abandon all literary pursuits. Mr. Sheffield engaged for several years in the saw-mill business, but is at present engaged in general merchandising, also operating extensively in coal at Floodwood. His bank produces some of the best coal in the Hocking Valley. He owns 700 acres of valuable land, mostly mineral, though part of it is well adapted to farming and stock-raising. He resides on river lot 613, Floodwood, on the same spot that his father settled in 1836. In June, 1861, he married Seviah, daughter of Hosea Guernsey. She was born at Woodstock,. Canada, June 10, 1813. They have had six children—Genevra, Homer, Clara, Burton B., Stella S. and Frances May. Joshua Sheffield, father of the above, was also born on Block Island, and HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 481 came to this county in 1836, where he died in 1861, at the age of fifty-seven years. He married Nancy Briggs. They had seven children, six living—Burton B., Nathaniel B., Benjamin F., Joshua, Almira (now Mrs. Hosea Guernsey of Kansas), and Hannah A. Nathaniel married Alvira Guernsey (now deceased). Mr. Sheffield's grandmother, Mrs. Huldah Briggs, died in 1880, at the age of ninety-nine years. Jerome S. Shepard, druggist, Nelsonville, was born near McConnelsville, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1849, a son of Aaron H. and Elizabeth J. (Powell) Shepard. When six or seven years old he came with his parents to Nelsonville, where he was educated in the High School. In 1863, when only fourteen years of age, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, under Captain John Hull, to serve as a musician, but by order of the War Department disallowing men to be mustered in as musicians, he returned home, after being out with the regiment some four months. He enlisted again in 1864, in Company G, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and was sworn in, but the mustering officer at Marietta rejected him on account of his youth. He then returned to Nelsonville and went to work in the mines. In the spring of 1871 he went to Kansas and stopped with an uncle near Columbus, Cherokee County,, until the following fall, when he returned to Nelsonville, and in the spring of 1872 became established in the drug business. Nov. 10, 1878, he married H. Addie Lewis, daughter of Moses Lewis, of Nelsonville. They have three children—William Perley, Jerome Blaine and Laura Bernice, twins. Mr. Shepard is a member of the Christian and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., of Nelsonville. William P. Shepard, junior member of the firm of Carnes & Shepard, merchants, Nelsonville, was born near McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, May 8, 1847, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Powell) Shepard. When he was seven years of age his parents carne to Nelsonville where he was reared, receiving his education in the public schools. In 1868 he enlisted in Company G, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and served till the close of the war, being mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1865. Although a mere youth he followed the regiment in all its numerous engagements. At Nashville the regiment went into battle with 200 men and had seventy-five men killed. After his discharge he returned to Nelsonville, and in 1868 took a course at Duff's Commercial College, - 31 - 482 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Pittsburg. In the fall of 1871 he formed his present partnership with A. H. Carnes in the mercantile business. In April, 1882, he was elected a member of the City Council of Nelsonville, still retaining that position. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity; is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, Nelsonville, and has been Secretary four years and Junior Warden one year of Logan Chapter, No. 75, and of Athens Commandery, No. 15, being Sword-bearer in the latter. He is also a member of Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, G. A. R. March 21, 1869, Mr. Shepard married Sarah L., daughter of A. H. Carnes. They have four children—Charles J., Grace G., Frank S. and Florence E. James Sheppard was born near Halifax, Yorkshire Co., England, in 1817. He came to this country in 1841. He located at West Point, N.Y., and was engaged as a master workman in making the pipes for, and laying the foundation of, the Croton River waterworks. He worked on them two years, until they were completed. He was married in 1841 to Miss Margaret Taylor, who was also born in England, near Manchester, in 1819; she came to this country in 1839, and settled near Poughkeepsie, N. Y. They removed to Nelsonville, Athens County, in 1850, and bought property and started an iron foundry. He carried on an able and successful business until his death, in 1862. He left a wife and two children—Thomas and Ellen. Thomas Sheppard, Superintendent of the coal works, Buchtel, Coal and Iron Company, Flood wood, was born near West Point, N. Y., April 14, 1842, a son of James and Margaret (Taylor) Sheppard. He came to Nelsonville with his parents in 1850 and was here reared and educated. When he was fourteen years of age he began to work in his father's foundry, remaining there two years, and then worked for L. D. Poston two years. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, for three years. Six months after enlistment he was promoted to Duty Sergeant and served as Ensign during his term of service. He par. ticipated in the battles of Stone River, Davis Cross Roads, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. He was mustered out of service in the fall of 1864, and returned to Nelsonville and entered the employ of W. B. Brooks, remaining with him till 1873, when he was given the charge of the New York & Ohio Coal Works, in the vicinity of Nelsonville. In 1875 he was employed by Poston & Pendleton as overseer of their mines, and remained with them till 1881, when, in August, he accepted his present position. Jan. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 483 1, 1866, he married Maria, daughter of C. R. Smith, of Chauncey, Ohio. They have four children—Margaret Ellen, James Taylor, Gertrude Esther and Charles Grosvenor. Mr. Sheppard is a member of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, I. 0. 0. F., and of Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, G. A. R. Andrew Jackson Shrader, M. D., Nelsonville, was born near Plymouth, Washington Co., Ohio, March 7, 1821, where he was reared. He was educated in the school of Amos Miller, in Athens County. He is the son of Philip and Catherine (Montgomery) Shrader, with whom he lived until manhood. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Gilbert, in 1846, finishing his study with Dr. Jacob Myers, of Plymouth, in 1851. He took one course of lectures at Cleveland Medical College, in 1850–'51. He began his practice at Lancaster, Ohio, in 1851, where he remained thirteen years. In 1864 he removed to Logan, where with his medical practice he also practiced law, until the spring of 1868, when he came to Nelsonville, where he has since practiced both medicine and law. In 1874 he was elected Mayor of Nelsonville, serving two years. Nov. 28, 1841, he was married to Sarah Blair, of Belpre, Washington Co., Ohio. They have five children—Jane, wife of Isaac N. Coakley, of Knoxville, Ill.; Catherine wife of J. B. Doughty, of Chauncey, Ohio; Susan, wife of Robert Beattie, of Nelsonville; Eliud, of Hocking County, Ohio, and Sarah, wife of Chas. S. Newton, of Hocking County. Joseph Slater, a silent partner of the firm of Johnson Brothers & Patterson, coal operators, of Nelsonville, was born in Staffordshire, near Birmingham, England, Jan. 10, 1851. His father, Joseph Slater, dying some three months before his birth, he was reared by his grandfather until he was eighteen years of age. His mother, Mrs. Ann Slater, afterward married Thomas Johnson, and is the mother of Thomas, Charles and Edward Johnson, his half-brothers, with whom he is now associated. He never had any educational advantages, but educated himself so as to be able to do business. At the age of eighteen, in June, 1869, he emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York in July. He then went to Dennison, Summit County, Ohio, where he was employed as a coal-miner until January, 1870. He afterward worked in the Potomac coal mine in Maryland, and in the blast furnaces of the North Chicago Rolling Mills, of Chicago, Ill., until the great fire of 1871, when he came to Nelsonville and was employed in the coal mines of W. B. Brooks & Son. In 1873 he went to England on a 484 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. visit, returning in 1874, when he was again employed in the same coal mines until September, 1879, when he leased coal land and began to operate in coal-mining. In June, 1880, his half-brothers, Charles, Thomas and Edward Johnson, became associated with him as Johnson Brothers,, and in July, 1881, David Patterson, of Columbus, became associated with them under the firm name of Johnson Brothers & Patterson, when they began a more extensive business. Nov. 17, 1875, he was married to Miss Barbara A. Coulter, of Nelsonville, by whom he has three children—Clarence C., Edward Earl and Gekrude Nellie. his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Master Mason and member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, of Nelsonville. Joseph Smith, grocer, Nelsonville, was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, Sept. 7, 1848, a son of Peter and Mary (Blackburn) Smith. When he was six months old his parents came to the United States, landing in New York, where they remained about a year, and then Came to Nelsonville, where he was reared and educated. When he was nine years of age he went to work with his father in the coal mine of M. M. Butt and J. Smith. He afterward worked in the mines and attended school alternately till sixteen years of age. He then was employed by W. B. Brooks till 1873, and from that time till 1882 engaged in different kinds of business with varied success. In the latter year he became established in his present business. In January, 1881, he was appointed Constable of York Township. Nov. 18, 1869, he married Mary Coulter, of Logan, Hocking County. They have five children—Jessie A., William A., Florence A., Joseph L. and Mary H. Mr. Smith is a member of York Lodge, No. 75, K. of P., of which he is Past Chancellor. In 1875 he represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of Ohio, at Cleveland. He is also an Odd Fellow, a member of Unity Lodge, No. 568, and of Nelsonville Encampment, No. 121, of which he is Past Worthy Patriarch. George Snowden was born in County Durham, England, May 25, 1839. His father was killed when our subject was an infant by the explosion of a mine. In 1849 his mother came to the United States and located in Meigs County, Ohio, where he lived until 1856, when he went to Peoria County, Ill., and remained until the breaking out of the late civil war. April 16, 1861, he enlisted in the three months' service, but there being a mistake in the mustering papers he only served seven weeks, when he returned to Meigs County, Ohio, and soon after joined Captain William R. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 485 Brown's corps, Company E, Fourth Virginia Regiment, and was detailed by General Garfield as a scout, serving in that capacity until the fall of 1862, when he was detailed to drill the officers of the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment, and there received a commission as Second Lieutenant. He afterward acted as spy in the Rebel General Jenkins's camp for a time, after which he took command of the scouts until Sept. 19, 1863, when he was severely injured by the falling of a horse, which disabled him from active duty for a time. July 16, 1864, he entered General McCausland's camp in rebel uniform and gathered some valuable information, but received a severe wound from which he has never recovered. After the close of the war he went to Illinois, and accepted the position as superintendent of two large mines, which he held for seven years. In 1876 he returned to Athens County, where he has since resided. He was married Oct. 12, 1865, to Miss Ellen Thompson, of Middleport, Ohio. They have seven children—Annie L., John G. and Mary C. (twins), Ellen M., Ladie J., William T. and Sadie B. Mr. Snowden is a member of Tom Dew Post, N o. 1,516, G. A. R., and the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 242, Pomeroy. Smith Spencer was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, March 22, 1825, a son of Henry and Maria (Smith) Spencer. He received but a meager education in his native town, his father dying when he was an infant. When a very small boy Ile began to work in the cotton factory. He worked in the different departments of a cotton-cloth manufactory till 1852, when he came to the United States, arriving in New York, June 9 of that year. he located in Tamaqua, Pa., where he worked in a blacksmith's shop a year. In June, 1854, he came to Nelsonville and worked for Joseph H. Thompson till 1856. From that time till 1873 he worked for the late L. D. Poston. He then became a member of the Nelsonville Coal Mining Company. Two years later, in 1875, he went to Monday Creek Furnace, working there about a year. He then worked in the Bessemer mines, and the mines of W. B. Brooks & Son, till December, 1880, when he retired from active business, and is now living quietly in Nelsonville, enjoying the fruits of a "well-spent business life. March 22, 1845, he married Susannah Clagg, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Etching) Clagg, of Caine, England. They have seven children—Henry, a druggist of Straitsville, Ohio; Jane, wife of James Winchett, of Athens County; Maria, wife of Clarence Swackhammer, of Nelsonville; Joshua, John, Ella, wife of William Bates, of Nelsonville, and 486 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Ama, at home. Mr. Spencer is a member of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, and Nelsonville Encampment, No. 121, I. 0. 0. F., and is Past Grand and Past Worthy Chief. Kossuth, Tinker, M. D., of Nelsonville, was born in Trimble, Athens Co., Ohio, Feb. 6, 1855. He is the son of Solomon H. and Angeline (Campbell) Tinker, with whom he lived until manhood, and was given a common-school education. In 1874 he began the study of medicine under Drs. Shepard & Dew, at Nelsonville, studying with them three years. He graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, Feb. 28, 1877. He then located in Albany, Athens County, and began the practice of medicine, remaining there until February, 1880, when he came to Nelsonville and established himself in his present practice by becoming associated with Dr. W. E. W. Shepard, Tinker remaining with him until December, 1882. Oct. 12, 1882, he married Anna Golden Steadman, of Athens. He is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., of Nelsonville. James Alpheus Tobin, attorney at law, and Mayor of Nelsonville, was born at Bremen, Fairfield Co., Ohio. When about four years old he removed with his parents, Elijah and Julia (Williams) Tobin, to Lancaster, Ohio. He lived with them until he was sixteen, educating himself principally by private study. He was thrown on his own resources at sixteen, and maintained himself by working on a farm, and afterward as a stone-cutter. In 1875 he began to teach school, and while teaching to study law under the preceptorship of Hite & Dolson, of Lancaster. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus, June 30, 1880. He then came to Nelsonville and established himself in his present practice. He served as Township Clerk of Hocking Township, Fairfield County, from 1878 to 1880, resigning when he came to Nelsonville. In the spring of 1882 he was elected Mayor of Nelsonville for a term of two years. Feb. 1, 1881, he married Miss Ella S. Graybill, of Lancaster. They have one child—Leland. William Harrison Vorhes, of the firm of Vorhes & Crane, contractors, builders and brickmakers, of Nelsonville, was born in Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, June 24, 1840. He removed with his parents, Isaiah and Nancy (Hughes) Vorhes, to Hocking County in 1850, where he lived until he was twenty-three years of age. His father being a contractor and brickmaker, he was brought up to that business. In 1864 he began for himself by working for Samue HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 487 Boardman, as a sawyer in his mill near Logan, and was so employed until 1866, when he removed to Nelsonville, where he engaged in mining coal in the mine of W. B. Brooks until 1872. In 1872 he engaged in manufacturing brick at Nelsonville, and also as a contractor for mason work and plastering. In 1876 Elliott Gardner became associated with him, under the firm name of Vorhes & Gardner. In 187.8 J. W. Crane succeeded Mr. Gardner, changing the firm to Vorhes & Crane. Mr. Vorhes, either alone or in company with others,has built the walls of a majority of the substantial residences, public and business buildings, machine shops and foundries of Nelsonville and vicinity; among them the Opera House building, Dew Hotel, Methodist Episcopal church, Akron Iron Furnace. April 16, 1864, he was married to Miss Frances Stacy, of Hocking County. They have five children—Wesley, Flora, Vernon Harrison, Charles and Nancy. Mr. Vorhes is a Mason, and an Odd Fellow, and a member of the lodges at Nelsonville. John Shaw Wallace, machinist, in the employ of W. B. Brooks & Son, coal operators of Nelsonville, was born at Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland, May 16, 1852, where he was reared, and was educated in Gartsherrie Academy, at Coatbridge. He is the son of William and Jane (Shaw) Wallace. His mother dying when he was seven years old, he was taken by his grandparents, with whom he lived until manhood; when he was thirteen he began to act as an engineer on a small boat, on the Forth & Clyde Canal. He was thus employed four years, when, in 1869, he became a fireman on the North British R. R, and eighteen months later was promoted to locomotive engineer. In May, 1873, he came to the United States, and located at Laurel Hill, Athens Co., Ohio ; was variously employed about the mines of the Laurel Hill Coal Company for two years, when, in the summer of 1875, he came to Nelsonville, and was appointed locomotive engineer in the coal mines of T. Longstreth. In 1877 he was given the position of mining machinist for the same company. In the summer of 1880 he returned to Nelsonville and was employed as mine machinist of W. B. Brooks & Son. In 1875 he invented a valve indicator for steam engines, which is now extensively in use. In 1881 he invented an automatic water elevator, which he had patented in August, 1882. In the latter part of 1882 W. B. Brooks, Jr., became associated with him and formed the Wallace Automatic Water Elevator Company of Nelsonville, and they are fast introducing their elevators and bringing them into use in pumping water from mines. Jan. 7, 1872, he 488 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. was married to Miss Barbara Macauly, of Coatbridge, Scotland. They have five children—William, Jeanetta, Alvin, Sylvia and John. They have lost one, Alexander, who died in 1877, aged nearly three years. Mr. Wallace is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, at Haydenville, Ohio, and of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Nelsonville, of which he is Past Chancellor commander. Albert Watson, born in Morgan County, Ohio, March, 1855, is a son of William and Henrietta (Anderson) Watson. When he was eight years of age he came with his father's family to Athens County, where he has since resided. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. When he was sixteen years of age he commenced to learn telegraphy, and worke for the C. & H. V. R. R. until the fall of 1879, when he came to Buchtel and was employed as salesman in the store of the Akron Iron Company, where he has since been engaged. By attending faithfully to his duties he has been promoted, and is now purchasing agent for the largest mercantile establishment in the Hocking Valley. He was married Dec. 16, 1882, to Miss Alice Mankopf, a native of Athens County. John Forbes Welch, son of Robert and Nancy (Perry) Welch, was born in Dresden, Muskingum Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1837. His mother died when he was nine years of age, and he was then thrown on his own resources. He made his home with a married sister till thirteen years of age, and in April, 1850, came to Nelsonville, walking from Windsor, Ashtabula County. He arrived here in the night, a tired boy and an entire stranger in the city. He soon found employment, and by his earnings supported himself and attended school during the winter months, thus acquiring a good education. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade with J. C. Barron, remaining with him three years. He then, with Joseph Bates, purchased a canal boat on the Hocking Valley & Ohio Canal, and followed boating till 1857, when, as a result of the financial panic, they lost all they had made and found themselves in debt. He began anew, resuming his trade, and in 1858 paid his indebtedness of $180. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was elected First Lieutenant of his company. In 1862 he resigned his position and was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company K, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry. In 1864 he was promoted to Captain of Company B, same regiment, and served till the close of the war, being mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 489 June, 1865. He was in the battles of New Madrid, Pittsburg Landing, Winchester, all the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, the siege and fall of Richmond, and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court-House. In 1866 he formed a partnership with J. A. Mintun in the grocery and provision business. In 1868 he retired from the firm, and in the spring of that year became associated with B. C. Lefever in contracting and building. In 1870 he abandoned the carpenter's trade, and with Captain C. A. Cable, William Comstock and Edward Pendleton formed the Hocking Valley Stave and Lumber Company, of which he was Superintendent. In 1873 the company dissolved, and Mr. Welch speculated in real estate till 1874, when he and A. Poston, W. W. Poston and C arles Robbins formed the Nelsonville Mining Company, of which he is President and Superintendent. In 1880 he with C. P. L. Butle, S. W. Pickering, W. H. Jennings, R .L. Doty, Robert Sheldon and George Hardy formed the Nelsonville Coal and Coke Company. He served as Superintendent till August, 1882, and is now one of the Directors. In the spring of 1882 he became a member and director of the Nelsonville Planing Mill Company. From 1866 till 1871 he was Postmaster of Nelsonville. He has been Marshal, Councilman, Mayor and a member of the School Board of Nelsonville, several terms each. In 1871 he was elected one of the Commissioners of Athens County, serving two terms of three years each. Sept. 11, 1859, he married Sarah A., daughter of Judge Thos. L. Mintun. They have five children--: Allie M., wife of L. D. Lampman; Ellen L., Charles E., Lelia A. and Harry R. One son, John W., died Oct. 1, 1871, aged three years. Mr. and Mrs. Welch are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M.; Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, I. 0. 0. F., and Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, G. A. R. Albert H Wells, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 18, 1847, the youngest son of Samuel J. Wells. He lived with his parents till manhood, attending and afterward teaching school in Athens County. In 1868 he went to Missouri and remained a year, returning again to Athens County, Sept' 25, 1869. He married Electa, daughter of Thomas M. Boyles. They have one son—Samuel J. Mr. Wells is a member of Nelsonville Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M. He has held the office of Township Treasurer seven terms. 490 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Jesse W. White, farmer and stockraiser, was born in York Township, Athens County, Oct. 29, 1843, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Allen) White. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He enlisted Aug. 3, 1862, in Company A, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, and participated in many hard-fought battles. Among the more prominent were : Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, and with Sherman on his march to the sea, serving until the close of the war, when he was discharged, June 22, 1865, and returned to his native county. He was married March 15,1866, to Miss Angeline S. A. Wilt, a na. tive of Hocking County. They have had eight children, seven now living—Ida V., Mintor L., Emma M., Earl R., Clarence R., Rol-ley A., and Warren H. Mr. White has a farm of 285 acres of improved land under a high state of cultivation. Amos Joseph Wilson, junior partner of the firm of Wilson Brothers, was born at Wolf's Plains, Athens County, Sept. 10, 1852. He is the youngest of the six sons of Eben and Jane C. (Matheny) Wilson, with whom he lived till he was eighteen years of age, receiving his education in the district school of his native place. On leaving home, he was employed in the Brook's coal mines at Nel. sonville for two years, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade for three years. From 1875 until 1881 he was again engaged in coal-mining, after which he became associated with his brothers in the mercantile business at Nelsonville. On April 4, 1875, he mars ried Miss Sadie, daughter of Philemon and Mary (White) Crawford, of Pennsylvania. Their children are--Blanche Nell and Mabel Coe. He is a Knight of Pythias, of York Lodge, No. 75, of .Nelsonville. Eben Wilson, son of Eben and Jane C. (Matheny) Wilson, was born at Wolf's Plains, Athens County, June 17, 1849. When twelve years of age, he went to Athens and began to learn the trade of printing in the office of the Messenger with Thomas Wilds, and continued with his successor, Jesse Van Law. He then worked in the Journal office for a tune, and on Sept. 20, 1869, he came to Nelsonville, and was employed in the coal mines till 1873. In the fall of 1874 he went in partnership with his brother Josiah in the boot and shoe business, which they carried on till the spring of 1878, when they engaged in general merchandising. He was married to Miss Allie Austin, of Richmond, May 5, 1881. Mr. Wilson is a Knight of Pythias, of York Lodge, No. 75, of Nelsonville, of which he is Past Chancellor. He has represented his lodge for two years in the Grand Lodge of Ohio. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 491 Jehiel Gregory Wilson, operator in coal, Nelsonville, was born at Wolf's Plains, Athens Co., Ohio, May 13, 1834, where he was reared. He is the eldest of six sons of Eben and Jane C. (Matheny) Wilson, with whom he lived until he was twenty years of age, and was educated in the common school, also attending the Ohio University at Athens two years. After leaving the University, in 1856, he taught school in Athens County one year. May 10, 1857, he married Miss Jennie M. Brown, of Athens County, daughter of Ephraim Brown, of Sunday Creek, and went to Zaleski, Ohio, and engaged in dealing in lumber for a year. In 1858 he went to Flora, Clay Co., Ill., and engaged in farming until 1862, when he was employed as a carpenter on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad until 1866, when he returned to Athens County and engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages for twelve years. in 1878 he located at Nelsonville, where he kept a hotel one year, when he engaged in his present business. He has five childrenOta, Lincoln, Charles, George and Leon. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Nelsonville. He has been a Class-Leader for six years and Sunday-school Superintendent ten years. Josiah, Wilson, of the mercantile firm of Wilson Brothers, of Nelsonville, was born at Wolf's Plains, Athens Co., Ohio, Sept. 20, 1843, where he was reared and educated in the district school. He is the son of Eben and Jane C. (Matheny) Wilson, with whom he lived until he was twenty years of age, when he went to Hocking County and was employed in the Floodwood coal mines eleven years. In 1874 he came to Nelsonville and opened a boot and shoe store, and soon after his brother Eben became associated with him under the firm name of Wilson Brothers, and in 1882 Amos J., a younger brother, became a partner in the firm. Oct. 19, 1865, he was married to Miss Emma Burrell, of Nelsonville. They are the parents of two children—Harry L. and Clarence Almond. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Nelsonville. He has been a member of that body for twenty-one years, and has been a Class-Leader about six years. He is a Knight of Pythias, a member of York Lodge, No. 75, of Nelsonville. In 1878 he was elected a member of the School Board of Nelsonville, and re-elected in 1882. Joseph Wolf was born in Porter County, Ind., Jan. 1, 1836, a son of William and Mary (Matheny) Wolf. His grandfather, Christopher Wolf, came to Athens County in 1797 and settled on what 492 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. has long been known as Wolf's Plains, near the city of Athens. he was prominently identified with the early settlement of Athens County. Our subject was brought by his parents to Athens County when an infant, and lived here till six years of age. His parents then removed to Hocking County where he was reared and educated. Upon reaching his majority he bought the farm where he now resides, in York Township. He is one of the most successful farmers of the township, his farm showing that a man of superior judgment and skillful management is at its head. In connection with farming he has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and for five years was superintendent of the coal mines at Old Floodwood. Mr. Wolf is a practical business man, and through his own industry has accumulated his large property. He has 600 acres of fine land, valuable both for agriculture and mineral resources. his home is beautifully located in the heart of the Hocking Valley coal regions. his residence, situated in the valley, surrounded by natural shade and ornamental trees, his commodious stables and farm buildings, indicate the thrifty farmer. Nov. 15, 1857, Mr. Wolf married Sarah N., daughter of James Rodgers, who was prominently identified with the early settlement c I locking Valley. Twelve children have been born to them, eleven still living—Frank L., Eugene O., Charles J., Sylvester E., Lizzie B., James W., Dora M., Homer V., Minnie F., Nellie B., Mertie A. Cora A. died in infancy. Mr. Wolf is giving his children the advantage of a good practical education. He is a public spirited man and subscribes liberally to all laudable enterprises that benefit and interest his township. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist church twenty-eight years and take an interest in all that pertains to their church. Mr. Wolf is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., and Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, I. 0. 0. F. William S. Wollett, son of Peter and Ann Eliza (Davis) Wollett, was born March 2, 1846, in York Township. His parents came from Bedford County, Pa., in 1833, and located in Athens Township, Athens Co., Ohio. In 1844 they came to York Township, where William S. was reared and educated. He enlisted Aug. 2, 1862, in Company A, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry. He remained in West Virginia till the spring of 1863 and then joined the Army of the Cumberland and participated in many hard-fought battles, among them Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, and was with Sherman to the sea. He was HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 493 mustered out June 22, 1865, and returned to Athens County. He soon after took a trip through the Western States, returning in May, 1867, when he purchased the farm where he has since resided. He has 167 acres of good land and one of the finest orchards in the township. He was married April 18, 1868, to Lucinda J. Haines, of Athens County. They are the parents of one child which died March 6, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Wollett are members of the Christian church. He is a member of Philodoroan Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., and Hockhocking Lodge, No. 399, I. 0. 0. F. Lewis Clinton Woodard, a clerk with Parker & McGill, of Nelsonville, was born in Starr Township, Hocking County, April 27, 1851. He is the fourth of five sons of Ichabod and Eleanor (Nelson) Woodard, his mother being a daughter of Daniel Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville. He first attended the district school of the township, after which he went to Union High School at Logan, completing his education at the Ohio University at Athens. He began to teach in 1871, and taught in several schools in Hocking County, until 1881, when he came to Nelsonville and engaged in butchering, continuing in that business till the spring of 1883. He then accepted his present position. He was married April 26, 1881, to Miss Jennie Gilliam, of Nelsonville, and both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of that place. W. N. Woodard was born in Starr Township, Sept. 29, 1841. He is a son of Ichabod and Eleanor Woodard. He is a grandson of Daniel Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville, and one of the early. settlers and old pioneers of this county, who died about 1835 or 1836. Ichabod Woodard died on his farm in Starr Township, March 16, 1868. Mr. Woodard received a common education in the public schools of his township. He enlisted July 25, 1862, at the age of twenty-one years, in Company E, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, and was in several battles of importance, under General Sherman. March 25, 1875, he was married to Violet Smith, a daughter of John and Sarah Smith, of Moundsville, W. Va. They are the parents of four children, three of which are living—Estella V., Lulu and Clyde B. John C. died when he was about six weeks old. CHAPTER XVIII. AMES TOWNSHIP.- A TOWNSHIP THAT HAD A HISTORY TO RECORD. THE ARRIVAL OF THE PALEFACES--WHO THEY WERE -THE AREA IN 1805— SQUIRREL AND CROW SCALPS —A FEW ITEMS-RELIGIOUS WHISKY- POPULATION-AREA AND PRODUCTION-BOUNDARY AND VALUATION - WESTERN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION-ITS HISTORY-TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-1802 TO 1883—AMESVILLE - SOMEWHAT HISTORIC-WHEN FOUNDED-GROWTH AND BUSINESS INTERESTSPOSTOFFICE - ACADEMY - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - METHODIST CHURCH-BIOGRAPHICAL. OLD SETTLERS. The first visit to Ames Township was in the spring of 1797, by Lieutenant Geo. Ewing and Judge Ephraim Cutler; and their second visit in the fall of the same year, Captain Brown accompanying them. In the following spring Lieutenant Ewing located the first farm or residence in the township, which was on the 1st of March, 1798, followed by Judge Cutler and. Captain Benjamin Brown. These were the first three, but Ewing .located first, and that farm is now known as the Tom Gardner farm. Judge Cutler settled on his place in 1799 and Wrn. P. Cutler owns the homestead. Captain Brown settled at the same time, and his farm is now th Daniel Fleming farm. Just how many came the next few years is hard to tell, but when Ames Township was organized in 1802, the following were citizens of the township but widely located: Samuel Brown, Nathan Woodberry, Sylvanus Ames, Christopher Herrold, Jonathan Swett, Daniel Weethee, Josiah True, Daniel Converse, Ambrose Evarts, Benjamin L. Brown, Joseph Pugsley, Alvin Bingham, Benjamin Brown, John Brown, Joshua Wyatt, Jacob Boyles, Edmund Dorr, Wm. Brown, Silas Dean, Azel Johnson, George Wolf, Noah Linscott, Edmund Neal, Solomon Tuttle, Oheniel Tuttle. Jonathan Swett, Jr., Stephen Swett, David Boyl Ezra Green, Jason Rice, John Brown, Jr., Isaac Stephens. In 1804 the following were residents: Hosea Neal, Samuel McCune, John McCune, Wm. Green, Nehemiah Davis, Nehemiah Davis, (494) HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 495 Jr., Moses Kay, Abel Glazier, Moses Everett, Thomas M. Hamilton, Upton Farmer, Frederic Fought. There were others who were residents of the township as then formed, but they were too widely scattered to be named. Ames Township then comprised not only its present limits as well as the whole north tier of townships in the county, but it had within its limits the present townships of Ward, Green and Starr, now in Hocking County; Marion and Homer townships, in Morgan County. The following townships were taken from Ames in this county, viz.: York, Trimble, Dover and Bern. Its boundary was then described as follows: " Beginning at the northeast corner of the county, thence running west to the northwest corner of said county; thence south to the southwest corner of said township 12, range 16; thence east to the southeast corner of township 7, range 12; thence north to the place of beginning." This was a territory but a trifle less in extent than the present area of the whole county of Athens, but was rapidly lessened on the organization of Hocking County, Jan. 3, 1818, and Morgan County, March 1, 1818, which was then followed by the reorganization of township, when, in about 1851, after Vinton County had been organized, Athens County had been reduced to her present size. The first meeting of the Township Board of Trustees was June 1, 1802, at the house of Sylvanus Ames; in 1803 the next annual meeting, on March 7, was at the house of John Swett, and from this time up to the year 1812 the meetings were held at the house of Christopher Herrold. Quite an influx of settlers came in the following years, and in 1805 to 1809 these old-time settlers made their home in the township, to-wit: Reuben Hurlbut, Reuben I. Davis, Samuel Beaumont, Joseph Fuller, Samuel Lewis, John Mansfield, Joseph Ballard, Robert Palmer, Zebulon Griffin, Silas Dean, Jonathan Watkense, Jacob Haysenton, David Rathbern, Luther Danielson, William Beckerstaff, Abner Connett, John Wright, Henry Johnson, Joseph Linscott, Amos Linscott, Samuel Mansfield, Jr., Jeremiah Cass, William H. Hasse and Uriah Tippy. In 1807 the trustees decided to give a premium on squirrel and crow scalps, shot between the first day of February and the first day of July, to be three cents for squirrels and six cents for crows if shot within, as was worded, " two miles of a plantation." These had become a pest to the growing corn, and it was proposed to lessen their number. 496 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY SOME ITEMS. The first road-tax was levied in 1805, and it was the same amount as the county tax. They could pay the cash, or they had the privilege of working it out on the road at 75 cents per day and board themselves. The first white child born in Ames Township, or in Athens County, was Margaret Strong, daughter of a Judge Strong, and the birth of this child is given as 1797. There is evidently a slight mistake of date here. Ames Township was not settled, so far as known, until 1798, although Cutler and Ewing visited it in 1797. The date is probably 1799, for up to January of that year there were only three or four families in the township. Two weeks later Judge Gustavus A. Evarts, a son of Ambrose Evarts, was born, and he was the first white male child born in the township or county. At his birth there were but seven families, and Mr. Evarts's was one of them, then in the township. The name of Judge Strong was not among the early settlers. It is therefore impossible to vouch for the absolute truthfulness of the above statement, but it is probable that it is true and the date 1799. The first physician known to have practiced in the township was a Dr. John Baker, whose first case was in the Ewing family, in 1801. The first horse-mill was owned by Christopher Herrold. This was in 1800 or 1801. Up to that time, or the two previous years, hand-mills had been used, except when they took a trip of from fifteen to twenty miles to get their corn ground. Henry Barrows put up the first water-mill on Federal Creek about 1801. The first school was taught in the township in 1802, by Mr. Charles Cutler, and the children of all the early settlers attended. It was here the Hon. Thomas Ewing, so prominent both in State and nation as a lawyer and statesman, first received the rudiments of education. The first marriage was that of Betsy Wyatt and William Parker, May 13, 1802. Judge Cutler, one of the most prominent men of that early day, and who, though living there but a few years, left the impress of his strong mind upon the infant settlement, removed from the township, in 1806, to Washington County, as also did Lieutenant George Ewing, the father of Thomas, who made Perry County, Ind., his home in 1818. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 497 RELIGIOUS WHISKY. The pioneers did not at all times have preaching among them, but many of them at that day, like Deacon Wyatt, could give the settlers some sound advice and religious teaching. The Revs. Austin Thomas and Dickson were among the first resident preachers, but the circuit riders made their visits at times for many years before the settlers could afford stated preaching. Walker's History gives this novel incident connected with early preaching among the pioneer settlements: "An incident connected with early preaching among the pioneer settlements may be mentioned. A neighborhood in the lower settlement in Ames Township, in which 'Squire John Brown lived, secured the services of Elder Asa Stearns, a Free-Will Baptist, to preach for them once a month during the year, to be paid with three barrels of whisky. Air. Stearns had an arrangement with Ebenezer Currier, at Athens, to take the whisky and allow him therefor $24 to be credited to him toward the farm he had bought of Judge Currier. The contract was faithfully carried out on all hands, Elder Stearns visiting his little congregation every third Saturday of each month during the year, at the end of which he received his salary in whisky and made the transfer of it as agreed to Judge Currier." So that in this case it was in the use and not the abuse of whisky which did a power of good in that community for twelve months. So whisky with its manifold sins had one credit mark on the right side of the ledger. Sylvanus Ames was another of the old pioneers whose rugged sense and energy of character made a marked influence in the community. He was naturally a leader among men, and yet he scarcely knew it, and neither did his neighbors, in that sense, yet Sylvanus Ames was ever to the front of progress, and his neighbors followed. Judge Ames served in nearly every official capacity in the history of his town and county, and when a member of the Legislature he soon became noted for his strong sense and his ability to command a hearing and a following, and his house was for many years the headquarters for the leaders of Southern Ohio, for the planning of their political movements. He died in his prime, being only in the fifty-third year of his age. His death occurred Sept. 23, 1823. - 32 - 498 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. POPULATION. The township, like the county, gradually progressed, and the population of the latter was given as 2,787 in 1810. Ames Township must then have had a population of between 700 and 800. Before the census of 1820 came around, she had been shorn of her territory lying in Hocking and Morgan counties. The census gave her 388 males and 333 females, or a total of 721 inhabitants. The next ten years, or in 1830, she gained only 136, but this was again owing to loss of territory in a measure. Still it was not a decade of progress in either population or wealth. The stagnation which has thus shown to have ruled for several years was changed and the growth between 1830 and 1840 proved that the people had thrown off their sloth and were again on the highroad to prosperity. The gradual increase of the population of Ames Township from 1820 to 1880 inclusive is here given, and as the ratio of wealth has rather more than kept even with that of population the material progress of the township can be pretty accurately seen by decades. The figures are as follows: CENSUS RETURNS. Population of Ames Township, 1820, 721; 1830, 857; 1840, 1,431; 1850, 1,482; 1860, 1,335; 1870, 1,229; 1880, 1,392. These figures show no rapid progress, and for a couple of decades a loss. This is, however, but the result of late years in the purely agricultural townships of the counties, where the development of the mineral resources of the county has assumed greater proportions. There is coal in Ames Township, but it is not mined to any great extent. PRODUCTION AND AREA. It was not until 1850 that the boundary lines of Athens County were finally established, and therefore many of the township lines were changed from time to time by the establishment of new independent municipalities. Undoubtedly for the convenience of the people a congressional township, in size, is the best, or six miles square of territory. This at last became the size of Ames Township, or an area of 23,040 acres of land. It is in the valley of Federal Creek and its branches, rich and fertile, and the hills good grass and pasture lands. There is plenty of water, being beside Federal Creek, McDougal Creek, and other streams and springs innumerable. This gives it value for stock-raising pur- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 499 poses, and the people have taken advantage of this feature, for it is the largest stock-raising township in the county. The only returns at hand were the assessment returns of 1867, when Ames Township had 14,129 sheep, nearly double any other township in the county, the next highest being Alexander, with 7,808. It was second in horses, having 552, Lodi having 564, yet the assessed valuation of the former exceeded the latter. This was also the case with cattle. Lodi led with 1,917, assessed at only $28,691; Rome, 1,527, assessed at $23,732, while Ames, with 1,513, was assessed at $37,176. nearly $4,000 more than any other township in the county. This would seem to prove that the farmers of Ames were raising a better class of stock than any of its sisters. BOUNDARY. Through the years of trials and tribulations and the curtailment of her territory, Ames at last emerged out of the wreck a township on the north border of the county, and second from the eastern border of the county, reserving to herself the location and grounds of her first settlement, which through the prominence and ability of her early pioneers had become historic. Ames Township is bounded on the north by Morgan County, east by Bern Township, south by Canaan, and west by Dover Township. The assessed valuation in 1881 was a total of $530,990, and in 1882 was $522,561, the difference being a trifle less on assessment in some items. It is the fifth township in the county in wealth, while it is the tenth in population. WESTERN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. The Pioneer Association of Athens County published, about the close of 1882, a carefully prepared and neatly printed " Memorial and History of the Western Library Association.'" From this memorial we condense the following brief account : The Western Library Association, or as it was sometimes called in later years, in half-derision, the " Coonskin Library," originated in 1801, in what is now Ames Township, Athens County, and the founders were an offshoot from Marietta, where the first settlement in Ohio was made. In the chapter on Ames Township an account is given of the early settlement made by George Ewing, Judge Ephraim Cutler, Captain Benjamin Brown, Sylvanus Ames, Deacon Joshua Wyatt and others. The hardships of pioneer work,