550 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Israel and Martin Bobo, Caleb Merritt, Joel Lowther, Michael Bowers, William Stroud, Esquire Bowman, Abner Smith, Charles and Isaiah Shepherd, Thomas Sharp, Richard and William Reaves. These all came as early as 1805. There was little difference in he settlement of this township from the others. They had their trials and hardships to contend with. Game was abundant, and the marksmanship of the old settlers proverbial. They wasted very little powder and lead, and when the bead was drawn and the sharp crack of the rifle heard, it was pretty certain death had claimed a victim. Two of the early settlers, who were noted hunters, Jeremiah Clements and Israel Bobo, killed sixty-five bears in one sea son, on the site and its surroundings, where the town of Hebbardsville now stands. These same old pioneers were very fond of whisky, and to procure the desired article took a load of bear skins to the Ohio River and traded them for a barrel of the same, and to get it home they made a sort of a drag of two poles to be drawn by the horses, and in this way conveyed it through the woods to their home. This was the first barrel of whisky ever brought into Alexander, but in after years the use of it became very common and fashionable, but at the present time the people are more temperate, and there are no saloons in the township. OFFICIAL. The early records of the township were destroyed by fire in the house of John McKee, in about 1828, but as nearly ,as can be ascertained the first Trustees were Caleb Merritt, John Brooks, and Thomas Sharp. The first Justice of the Peace was Caleb Merritt. The following is a list of the township trustees and justices since 1829. TRUSTEES. 1829, Ziba Lindley, Sr., Sam'l McKee, N. Misner; 1830, Ziba Lindley, Sr., Sam'l McKee, E. N. Nichols; 1831, Ziba Lindley, Jr., Sam'l McKee, E. N. Nichols; 1832, Samuel Earhart, Asa Stearns, B. Parks, Jr.; 1833, Samuel Earhart, J. V. Brown, B. Parks, Jr.; 1834, Ziba Lindley, Jr., J. M. Mahon, B: Parks, Jr.; 1835, Ziba Lindley, Jr., John Brooks, Samuel Earhart; 1836, Daniel Dudley, Ami Conde, Archelaus T. Clark; 1837, Samuel Earhart, John Brooks, Jr.. Archelaus Stanley; 1838, Wm. B. Reynolds, John Brooks, Jr., Franklin Burnham; 1839, 'Wm. B. Reynolds, John Brooks, Jr., Franklin Burnham ; 1840, John HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 551 Rickey, Peter Morse, John W. Drake; 1841, Franklin Burnham, John Grey, A. Love; 1842, Franklin Burnham, J. H. Brooks, A. Love; 1843, J. W. Drake, Ziba Lindley, Jr., A. Love; 1844, J. W. Drake, Ziba Lindley, Jr., A. Burtnett; 1845, J. W. Drake, Moses Patterson, A. Burtnett; 1846, George Bean, Daniel Teters, A. Burtnett; 1847, George Bean, John H. Brooks, Abram McVey; 1848, Archelaus Stanley, John H. Brooks, Abram McVey; 1849, James S. Hawk, A. G. Henderson, William Wood; 1850, John Rickey, Joseph W. Blackwood, John W. Drake; 1851, John Rickey, George Bean, William Wood; 1852, John Rickey, Franklin Burnham, William Wood; 1853, Daniel Teters, Peter Long, William Wood; 1854, Missing; 1855, Alexander Love, James H. Martin, Abram Coe; 1856, Alexander Love, James H. Martin, William Campbell; 1857, Moses Patterson, William Wood, William Campbell; 1858, Moses Patterson, Isaac Stanley, George W. Sams; 1859, E. N. Blake, John Rickey, George W. Sams; 1860, E. N. Nichols, John Rickey, George W. Sams; 1861, E. N. Blake, John Rickey, George W. Sams; 1862, E. N. Blake, John Rickey, George W. Sams; 1863, E. N. Blake, Isaiah Bean, Isaac Brooks, Jr.; 1864, E. N. Blake, Isaiah Bean, Isaac Stanley, Jr.; 1865, B. Rickey, Isaiah Bean, Peter Long; 1866, B. Rickey, Isaiah Bean, Homer Chase; 1867, S. B. Blake, Isaiah Bean, P. G. Hibbard ; 1868, Samuel Blake, Isaiah Bean, William Bean.; 1869, I. Bean, S. B. Blake, P. G. Hibbard; 1870, S. [B. Blake, S. L. Matthews, John Rickey; 1871, S. B. Blake, John Rickey, J. J. Coe; 1872, S. B. Blake, John Rickey, J. J. Coe; 1873, S. B. Blake, John Rickey, J. J. Coe; 1874, W. B. Smith, J. N. Scott, Henry Logan; 1875, W. B. Smith, J. F. Biddle, Henry Logan; 1876, W. B. Smith, J. F. Biddle, Henry Logan; 1877, W. B. Smith, J. F. Biddle, S. B. Blake; 1878, Daniel Drake, H. B. Rickey, E. Reaves; 1879, P. G. Hibbard, H. B. Rickey, E. Reaves; 1880, J. F. Biddle, H. B. Rickey, S. B. Blake; 1881, Robert Buchanan, Daniel Drake, S. B. Blake; 1882, Robert Buchanan, Daniel Drake, G. W. Hooper; 1883, Daniel Drake, G. W. Hooper, W. H. Irwin. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 1829, Ami Conde, J. M. Gorsline; 1831, Samuel McKee; 1832, J. M. Gorsline, Alfred Dunlap, Samuel Earhart; 1834, Josiah Wilson; 1835, William Golden; 1837, Josiah Wilson; 1838, William Golden; 1849, Franklin Burnham; 1850, John Camp, Joseph W. Blackwood; 1852, Franklin Burnham; 1853, John Camp, Joseph 552 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY W. Blackwood; 1854, Joseph Mc Pherson, George Adair; 1855, Daniel Drake; 1857, Joseph McPherson, A. S. Coe; 1858, Daniel Drake; 1860, James Strite, L. Oliver; 1861, L. C. Crouch, Wm. B. Dickerson, A. S. Coe, A. C. Murphy, S. H. Kinney; 1863, Leven Oliver; 1864, Wm. Watson, Amos C. Murphy; 1866, Leven Oliver; 1867, Wm. Watson, Amos C. Murphy; 1868, Peter Von hes; 1869, L. Oliver, A. C. Murphy, Peter Vorhes; 1870, L. Oliver, S. L. Matthews, Peter Vorhes; 1871, L. Oliver, S. L. Matthews, C. Hooper; 1872, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, C. Hooper; 1873, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, C. Hooper; 1874, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, C. Hooper; 1875, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, 0. Hooper; 1876, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, C. Hooper; 1877, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan; 1878, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan; 1879, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan; 1880, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan; 1881, W. R. Northrop, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan ; 1882,W. R. Northrop, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan ; 1883, W. R. Northrop, S. L. Matthews, B. F. Shamel. HEBBARDSVILLE. This quiet little town is located in the northwestern part of the township. It'has never reached a very large size and now only contains about 100 inhabitants. Its business interests consist of a store and hotel both kept by B. Bean; one blacksmith, shop, by Jonas Lewis; a shoe shop, by J. J. Coe, who is also Postmaster at the present time; one wagon shop, by W. R. Northrop. There is a Methodist Episcopal church located here and the Cumberland Presbyterian near by. It also has one school. Near the Cumberland Presbyterian church is located the principal cemetery of the township, which is pleasantly laid out and tastefully arranged. The people may well look with pride upon this beautiful City of the Dead which they have provided as the last resting place of those who pass on to the " other shore." PLEASANTON is situated in the eastern part of the township, on the road from Athens to Pomeroy, and at the present time contains nearly 100 inhabitants. The first house was built in 1817 by Simon Pierce, and other settlers located from time to time and a postoffice was established in 1851, with the very appropriate name of Pleasanton. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 553 The town has a high and commanding view of the surrounding country. In this place is located another of the Methodist Episcopal churches which is called McKendree's Church, and was built in 1869. Pleasanton has one general store kept by Henry Logan, Esq., while Dr. Bean attends to the wants of the sick and afflicted in this community. In the extreme southern part of the township is another postoffice, established in 1880, and called Woodyard's postoffice, with Mr. Woodyard as Postmaster. Alexander Township has nine churches, three Baptist, three Methodist Episcopal, two Methodist Protestant and one Cumberland Presbyterian, all in a flourishing condition. The citizens of this township are generally of a peace-loving, church-going disposition, and take great interest in religious, as well as educational, matters. The pleasant church and school buildings which are so numerous speak well for the people who support them, and are monuments to their intelligence and enterprise. The First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Alexander Township, Athens Co., Ohio, was organized Oct. 10, 1832, at a camp-meeting held on the farm owned by Mr. Ziba Lindley, which was conducted by Revs. John Morgan and Jacob Lindley. At the time of organization six Elders were chosen as follows: Jacob McVey, Ziba Lindley, Jr., A. Van Vorhes, Elijah Goodspeed, Samuel Ear-hart and Josiah Wilson. The following is a list of the original members: Dennis Drake-, Abel Bower, Jemima Bower, Anna McVey, Louis P. McLead, Mary McLead, Purnell Drake, Almus Lindley, Perihelia Lindley, Thomas Armstrong, Sarah Gray, Abram McVey, Lucinda McVey, Eliza Blakeway, Octava A. Farlin, Mary Farlin, Festus McVey, Richard M. Drake, Melinda R. Drake, Susan Gabriel, McCraven Bean, John Clutter, Nathan Kinney, Abigail Wilson, Abram McKee, Elias Gabriel, Win. Gabriel, Cyrena Clutter, Jane Van Vorhes, Lydia Kinney, Abigail West, Laurence King, Mary A. King, Julia Brown, Dennis Drake, Jr., Olive Drake, Eliza Day, Chloe Goodspeed, Phebe Brown, Andrew Gabriel, William Brown, William Bean, William Hanbury, James McKee, John B. King, Joseph Post, Sarah Post, Eliza Tippie, Elisha Hibbard, Sela Hibbard, Daniel McLead, Elias Day, Cornelius Moore, Elizabeth Moore and Andrew Gabriel. The first regular pastor was Rev. Samuel Aston. Since that time about twenty ministers have served the church statedly for longer or shorter periods, and about thirty have preached transiently. Twenty-three elders have served the church from first to last. 554 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. The present Elders are: Charles Jolley, Harvey Clutter, Daniel Drake, William Johnson, Peter Vorhes and Richard M. Drake. The present Pastor is Rev. T. A. Welsh, who has served th congregation at different times for forty years. The present membership is 130. Since the organization of th church more than 1,000 persons have been members of the same. BIOGRAPHICAL. David Allen, born in Fayette County, Pa., June 12, 1816, is a son of Josiah and Susan Allen, also natives of Pennsylvania. In 1818 his parents removed to Harrison County, Ohio, where his father died in 1842, aged eighty-three years. May 10, 1839, he married Mary Jane, daughter of John and Margaret (Porter) Wilkins, a native of Washington County, Pa. In 1847 Mr. Allen came to Athens County and located in Athens Township, living there sixteen years. He then came to Alexander Township and, in 1816, bought the farm where he now resides. He has 220 acres of land well cultivated, and a good residence. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have seven children—Margaret J., J. B., Clarinda Susan, John H., George D., William A. and Lillie A. Politically, he is a Democrat. Elmer Armstrong, born in Athens County, Jan. 17, 1812, is a son of Thomas and Alice (Crawford) Armstrong. His father came, to this county from Greene County, Pa., in 1799, and settled on the farm where his son now lives. Jan. 7, 1844, Mr. Armstrong married Permelia Booth, of Medina County, Ohio. They have four children—Elizabeth, Olive A., Elza B. and Addie A. During the war Mr. Armstrong was a strong Union man. He gave $1,000 to the One Hundred and Sixteenth and the Ninety-second Ohio regiments. He went out as Sutler of the former, and June 15, 1863, was taken prisoner and had all his goods taken by the rebels. He was taken to Castle Thunder, Libby Prison, and confined four months. Having considerable money concealed on his person and being allowed to go out without a guard, he was able to be of great assistance to his fellow prisoners. He is still living on the old homestead farm, engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the latter. Elza B. Armstrong was born in Alexander Township, Dec. 25, 1849, the son of Elmer Armstrong. His education was received at the Atwood Seminary, Albany, and at the Ohio University. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 555 His early life was spent in assisting his father on the firm, and he is now in partnership with him under the firm name of Elmer Armstrong & Son. They have a fine farm of 600 acres and are making a specialty of fine stock, Clydesdale and thorough-bred trotting horses; also thorough-bred short-horn Jersey and Holstein cattle of the finest families bred constantly for sale. They have a large deer park and fish pond, and a number of Scotch coolie dogs. They have one of the best stock farms in the county. It is also rich in metal and has valuable coal beds and potter's clay of a fine variety. Mr. Armstrong was married Sept. 5, 1876, to Mary E.. daughter of P. G. Hebbard. They have two sons—Elmer and Charles Crawford. Bisco Bean, born in Hardy County, Va., Jan. 7, 1819, is a son of John G. and Dyanna Bean, who came to Athens County when Bisco was twelve years of age, and settled in Canaan Township. He was reared a farmer and educated in the common schools. He was married June, 17, 1840, to Orena Catlin. They have four children—Cyrus, J. F., Louisiana and Alonzo. In 1858 Mr. Bean came to Alexander Township, locating near Pleasanton. Mrs. Bean died in 1870, and Mr. Bean afterward married M. E. Layton, daughter of William and Malinda Cay ton, of Ross County. He then went to Ross County where he lived two and a half years, then returned to Pleasanton and remained nearly four years. In 1881 he bought his hotel and store in Hebbardsville, and is now engaged in the general mercantile business, having a good assortment of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc. E M. Bean, MD., born in Hardy County, Va., April 28, 1820, is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Hill) Bean. He received his education at Savannah ;Seminary, and commenced the study of medicine with Drs. Hill and Rice; was with them two years, then went to Dr. George Bean, remaining with him four years. He afterward attended the Physio-Medical College, at Cincinnati, where he graduated, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1871. In 1839 he came to Athens County, locating first in Rome Township. After his graduation he came to Pleasanton, Alexander Township, where he has since resided. Ile has a very extensive practice, frequently being called from a distance of seventy-five miles, and having letters from and sending medicine to patients in most of the States. A number of the prominent physicians now located in different States received their instruction from Dr. Bean. His library is One of the best in the county, both in a professional and literary point 556 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. of view. Dr. Bean was married in December, 1845, to Adaline Culver, daughter of James Culver, of Athens County. They have three children—Emma Jane, Curnce Ann and Ida May. Dr. Bean and family are members of the Methodist church, David Beasley, son of George Beasley, a pioneer of Athens County, was born March 12, 1838. During his early life he resided at home, attending the farm of his father. Nov. 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Fifty-third Ohio Infantry; was wounded in the battle of Pittsburg Landing and discharged on account of disability. Regaining his health, he re-enlisted in the same regiment, Feb. 13, 1864. He was captured while on a foraging expedition and remained a prisoner forty-two days. He was discharged June 19, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. After his return home he settled in Bern Township; then lived in Dover Township two years, in Ames Township two years, and on a farm in Alexander Township nine years. He then went to Hebbardsville and engaged in merchandising and keeping a hotel two and a half years, when he traded his property there for the place he now owns in Pleasanton. Nov. 8, 1857, he married Nancy, daughter of Aaron Evans, of Ames Township. They have three children—L. D., Florence and G. E. Their eldest daughter, Rachel Malvina, died at the age of three and a half years. Politically, Mr. Beasley is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Samuel B. Blake, born March 2, 1817, in Alexander Township, was a son of S. L. Blake, a native of Connecticut, who came to this township in 1816, and resided here till his death, March 15, 1859. He resided at home till twenty-six years of age, receivin g his education in the common schools. He was married March 25, 1845, to Polly C., a daughter of John Camp, and a native of Connecticut. They have six children—William H., Henry C., Hattie, Mary, John and Charles. Mr. Blake has a farm of 157 acres where he has lived since 1848. He has a large two-story frame house and good farm buildings. Politically he is a Republican. He has held the office of Township Trustee for fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Blake are members of the Free-Will Baptist church. Hosmer Chace was born on his father's farm in Alexander Township, Athens County, Oct. 2, 1833. Here among the beautiful hills of his nativity he spent his boyhood days, received his education and grew to manhood. July 1, 1862, Mr. Chace enlisted in the war for the Union and was mustered in as Sergeant of Company I, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, and was subsequently promo- HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 557 ted to Lieutenant. Mr. Chace was married to Miss Nancy Reeves, of Meigs County, Ohio, and to them six children were born—Elsworth, Ellwood, Annie, Celia, Ella, and Mary Alice. Mr. Chace married for his second wife Sarah Ellen Robison, Oct. 23, 1877, who was a native of Alexander Township, Athens County. Three children were born of this union—Bertha, Ada and Ida; the two latter were twins. Seven of the nine children survive, all living with their father on the beautiful homestead where they were all born. J. J. Coe, born in Knox County, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1829, is a son of John K. and Isabella Coe, natives of Washington County, Pa. He was the fourth of a family of seven children, and when five years of age his parents came to Athens County, locating at Chauncey, where they lived five years and then removed to Meigs County. When twenty years of age Mr. Coe came to Hebbardsville and worked at the shoemaker's trade a year with J. G. Wilson. He then went to work for himself, and by his fair dealing has gained a good custom, both in shoe and harness making. He has been Postmaster of. Hebbardsville twenty years, and has been Township Trustee three terms. In May, 1856, he married S. W., daughter of John Calvert, of Meigs County. They have nine children—Anna, Lizzie, Estella, Edith, John, Mary, Maggie, Daisy and Earl. Mr. Coe is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 156, Albany. W. T. Dean, an enterprising farmer of Alexander Township, was born Jan. 14, 1850. His father, W. T. Dean, died when he was sixteen months old, and his mother, Mary J. (Beard) Dean, when he was six years old. He was reared by D. M. Clayton, of Athens, and received his education in the schools of that place. During the late war he enlisted, but was rejected on account of his age. When seventeen years of age he commenced to learn the trade of a stone mason and followed that occupation several years. He now has a fine farm of 103 acres and one of the best residences in the township. He was married Feb. 21, 1872, to Mrs. Kate (Walters) Coates, of this county. She had two daughters—Bell K. and Emma M. Coates. Mr. Dean is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 25, Athens. William Dickson, born in Belmont County, Ohio, May 29, 1819, is a son of Henry Dickson, a native of Maryland. When he was a child his parents moved to Guernsey County, and when he was fifteen years old came to Athens County. March 16, 1843, he 558 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. married Maria Lentner, a native of Delaware, and a daughter of Jacob Lentner. They have eight children—J. M., Joanna, Albert Hanford, J. W., Nancy, Mary L., Lizzie M. and Elisha B. In 1854 he bought the farm where he now resides. He has 310 acres of good land which is under a good state of cultivation. Politically, he is a Republican. John Fisher, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 15, 1839, is the eighth of eleven children of Michael and Eliza (Dawson) Fisher. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry. He participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the Rebellion, among them the siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, and was with Sherman to the sea. After the war he settled in Meigs County Ohio, and lived there till 1881, when he bought the place where he now resides. He has one of the best farms in the township, having 310 acres all well improved, with a good two-story dwelling and commodious farm buildings. He was married Dec. 15, 1869, to Olive A., daughter of Elmer Armstrong, a prominent pioneer of Athens County. They have one child—Mabel B., born July 15, 1873. Rev. James Harting, Jr., Lodi Township, Athens County, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, April 12, 1819, and is the son of James Haning, Sr., who came to Athens County in 1796, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject's parents moved to Alexander Township where they remained about seven years; then moved to Lodi where he was reared a farmer, receiving his education in the common schools. He was married when nineteen years of age to Miss Hannah Dudley, of Athens County. This union was blessed with one child—Emily. Mrs. Haning died July 18, 1842. Mr. Haning was again married March 4. 1843, to Miss Eliza Dudley, a sister of his first wife. They are the parents of four children—Hannah, Eliza J., Sarah and Mary. Mr. IL has a fine farm containing 242 acres of land under a high state of cultivation on which is one of the best coal beds in the county. He is a zealous worker in the cause of Christianity, and his lectures on sacred ordinances are very fine. John Haning, born in Alexander Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Aug. 30, 1815, is a son of James Han ing, a native of Wash ington County, Pa. When he was two years of age his parents moved to Scipio Township, Meigs Co., Ohio, where they lived six years. They then returned to Alexander Township and lived HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 559 seven years, when his father bought 320 acres of wild land in Lodi Township, where he has since resided. He owns 184 acres, all under a good state of cultivation, with residence and barn built in modern style. He was married in September, 1837, to Delia Reeves, of Meigs County. They have four children—Margaret, John R., Joseph M. and Charles W. Mr. Haning is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church, and has been one of its most liberal supporters, it being through his instrumentality that the church in Lodi was built. P. G. Hebbard, born in Dover Township, Athens County, Ohio, Aug. 10, 1830, is the second of four sons of Alanson and Becca (Grow) Hebbard, his father an early pioneer of Athens County, coming here from Vermont in 1819, and his mother a daughter of Judge Peter Grow, of Meigs County, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and educated at home under his father's instruction. He afterward taught seven years.. April 20, 1854, he married Jane E. Davis, of York Township. They have seven children, six still living—Mary E., Emma J., Charles A., Becca B., P. G., Jr., and Nettie. Mr. Hebbard has a fine farm of 163 acres, but makes a specialty of stock dealing, at which he has been very successful. His youngest daughter is a musical prodigy, and when two and a half years old could play accurate accompaniments on the piano to the most difficult pieces, and now, though but six years of age, is a musical wonder. Clement Hooper, son of Stephen and Ellen Hooper, was born in Wheeling, Va., April 23, 1824. When he was quite young his parents removed to Belmont County, Ohio, where they lived till 1835, and then came to Athens County, settling on the land now owned by their son. July 9, 1845, Mr. Hooper married Rhoda Axtell, of Alexander Township, formerly of Mercer County, Pa. They had a family of twelve children—Elizabeth Ann, Stephen F., G. W., Jerusha A., Mary Jane, E. A., Amasa, R. S., Ida B., Victoria Blanche, Ellen and an infant. Mrs. Hooper died Oct. 22, 1881. May 11, 1882, Mr. Hooper married Thula Coughenour, of Gallia County, Ohio, a daughter of David Coughenour. Mr. Hooper has a large, fine farm well improved. He has one of the best residences in the township. He has been engaged in dealing in stock more or less for a number of years. Politically he is a Republican. He has been Justice of the Peace six years. He is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church. 560 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. G. W. Hooper, son of Clement Hooper, was born in Athens County, Oct. 22, 1849. His early life was spent on a farm and in attending school. He was married Aug. 3, 1873, to Susannah Sisson, daughter of William Sisson, of Columbia Township, Meigs County. They have five children—Albert, John W., Elden W., Lulu B. and Ralph. Mr. Hooper settled on the farm where he now lives in 1874. He has eighty-seven acres of well-improved land, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He has held the office of Constable seven years, and is at present Township Trustee. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. W. H. Irwin, a native of Alexander Township, was born Sept. 18, 1840, a son of John Irwin. He was married Feb. 13, 1866, to Isabelle Sisson, a native of Meigs County. They have six children —William W., John C., 0. L., Emma V., George B. and Cora M. Mr. Irwin has a farm of 150 acres, under a good state of cultivation, with a good house and farm buildings. Politically he is a Republican. In early life Mr. Irwin assisted his father on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools. He commenced life for himself with comparatively little but strong hands and an honest heart, and by hard work and good management has acquired a home where he is surrounded with all the comforts of life. He is one of Alexander Township's most worthy citizens, a man always alive to the interests of the township, and ready to do all in his power for its improvement and advancement. He if truly a public-spirited man, one of whom his fellow-citizens may well be proud. Nathan Kenney, Sr., deceased, was born in Randolph County, Vt., in 1790. His early life was spent in Vermont, and when a young man he came to Athens County, locating about a mile east of Athens. He afterward moved northwest of Athens, and after a residence there of about ten years moved to the southern part of the county, settling on 300 acres of wild land, where he lived till 1863. Being too old to have the care and management of the farm he retired and moved to Athens, where he died Aug. 25, 1874. He was married Nov. 1, 1812, to Clarissa Abbott, of Cape Cod. They had a family of twelve children—Lydia, Lordrick, Marianne, Maria, Jofanna, Samuel, Nathan, Nahum, Josephus, Clarissa, Emeline and Eliza. Mr. Kenney was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 561 Nathan Kenney, Jr., son of Nathan and Clarissa Kenney, was born in Athens Township, Oct. 1, 1827. His early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm and attending the district schools. He resided on the homestead farm till 1858, when he went to Taylor County, Iowa, and settled on Government land, remaining there five years. He then returned to Athens County and lived on the old homestead till 1877, when he moved, to his present farm, where he has 138 acres, all well improved. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Kenney was married Oct. 30, 1851, to Samantha Teeters, daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann Teeters. They have a family of seven children—Georgiana, Sidney Howard, Charles Lewis, Frank Albert, Edward T., Mary C. and Laura N. Mrs. Kenney died March 12, 1883. Mr. Kenney 'is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Politically he is a Democrat. S. H. Kenney, son of Nathan Kenney, was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 1, 1825. In 1850 he came to Alexander Township, where he has permanently located, being one of its prominent citizens. He owns a farm of 160 acres in Alexander Township. He has served in all the offices of the township. Politically he was a Jackson Democrat until 1880, when he became a staunch Prohibitionist. He was married Jan. 8, 1850, to Minerva, daughter of Daniel Drake, of Athens County, Ohio. They have reared a family of nine children, whose names are—Augusta B., Lafayette H., Winfield W., Wayne B., Webster D., Luelma M., Murdock D., Missouri R., Sierra Nevada, all of them residing in Athens County. Abram Lash, postoffice Athens, was born Aug. 5, 1817, son of William Lash, a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject's early life was spent on a farm, and he received his education in the common schools. He was married Jan. 30, 1840, to Eleanor Beal, of this county. They were the parents of three children—John, William and Elizabeth. He was married the second time, Feb. 17, 1850, to Isabella McKinstry, of this county. To them were born six children—Josiah, Leander, Martha, Jeremiah, Mary and George. Mr. Lash resides on a fine farm of 460 acres, eighty acres of which his father first settled, Mr. Lash having purchased the rest. He has been a member of the Baptist church forty years. Henry Logan, merchant, a native of Alexander Township, was born Nov. 21, 1832, the son of John Logan, who was of Irish descent. He was reared a farmer and received his education in - 36 - 562 - HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. the common schools. Arriving at the age of manhood, he engaged in the mercantile business, which he has since followed. he has served as Township Clerk six years, Trustee three years, and J ustice of the Peace six years. He was appointed Postmaster in 186'2, and has served since that time. June 9, 1853, he married Caroline Bean, daughter of Dr. George Bean, of this township. They have seven children—Rettie, Reppie, W. G., Ella, Flora, Earle and Frank; all have been given the advantages of a good education and are well fitted to perform the duties of life. Mr. Logan is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He keeps a large assortment of goods, and by fair and honorable dealings has secured the confidence and trust of all who know him. Freeman Marshall, son of William and Susan Marshall, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1823. His early life was spent on the farm and in attending the common schools. In June, 1845, he married Ellen M. Twaddle, of Jefferson County, Ohio. They have nine children—Mahan, David, Ethan, William, Sylvester, Howard, izetta, Ida and Ira. Mr. Marshall purchased the farm where he now resides, in 1854. Ile has 300 acres of well. improved land, with a good residence and commodious farm buildings. He is an influential man of his township and has served as School Director for many years. S. L. Mathews, born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Aug. 6, 1825,, is a son of Newman Mathews, a native of Massachusetts, but an early settler of Guernsey County. He was married at the age of thirty-eight, to Henrietta Matheny. They have two children—Carrie Alta and Charles Grant. Mr. Mathews bought the farm where he now resides, in 1865. He has 100 acres of good land, with commodious buildings, and is engaged in fanning and stock-raising. During the late war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Infantry. He has been Justice twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. John H. McPherson, born in Belmont County, Jan. 18, 1828, son of Joseph McPherson, of Scotch ancestry. At six years of age he moved with his parents to Morgan County, Ohio, where he was reared and received a common-school education, together with Methodistical religious culture, and upon the temperance question, prohibition. It would be unjust to not here mention that his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Hart, of English descent upon her mother's side, and German on her father's, was HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 563 an example of the finer virtues of feminine character and especially that of self-govermnent. The subject of this narrative commenced teaching school at twenty years of age. He married Maria J., daughter of Rezin and Nancy Calvert, the former of German-English, and latter of Irish ancestry, and both of religious aspirations. John H. and Maria J. McPherson's children consist of two boys and eight girls—Rezin M., Flavius M., Mary M., Susanah M., Elizabeth M., Florence M., Nancy M., Eliza M., Adah M. and Emma M., all living and healthy. Mr. McPherson enlisted in Company I, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Sept. 12, 1862; was disabled in a charge on the enemy near Mount Sterling, Ky., Feb. 27, 1863, by rupture and injury to diaphragm, the result of being thrown upon pommel of saddle, after which he served the Government as clerk until June 7, 1865, when he was discharged by reason of Surgeon's certificate of disability. Politically he is a Prohibitionist Republican. His residence is at Pleasanton, Athens County, Ohio. His present occupation Legal Studie. L. Oliver, born Jan. 22, 1825, in Harrison County, Ohio, is a son of Jesse Oliver, a native of Virginia. When he was four years of age his parents removed to Guernsey County, where his early life was spent on a farm and in attending the common schools. He was married Oct. 16, 1851, to Elizabeth Adair, a native of Guernsey County, and a daughter of George Adair. They have seven children—Adandra, Joanna, Horton, Clara, Elizabeth, Ernest and William. Mr. Oliver has a good farm of forty acres, where he has lived since 1854. He has held the office of Justice for twelve years. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. R. N. Patterson, born in Athens County, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1850, is-, the youngest son of William and Elizabeth Patterson. He was reared on a farm and has -always followed that occupation, owning at present 270 acres of land under a good state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of Spanish merino sheep, having a large flock and spending considerable time and money on them. He was married Sept. 5, 1872, to Lizzie Cuckler, of Athens, Ohio. They have six daughters—Birdie E., Alice G., Cina E., Nellie L., Mary F. and Lena E. Politically Mr. Patterson is a Republican. He has been Township Clerk three successive years. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Patterson's father, William Patterson, deceased, was born in Washington County, Pa., Jan. 24, 1808. When twenty-two years of age he married 564 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Elizabeth Cooper, and in 1832 they came to Athens County, settling on wild land. They reared a family of eight chi idren—Levina, Martha, Maria, Eunice, Elizabeth, John C., Mary C. and R. M. Mr. Patterson was for eight years agent for the American Tract Society. He died Jan. 8, .1872. Eliphaz Reeves. —As far back as 1801, at the age of three years, David Reeves, father of Eliphaz, came with his parents to Athens County and settled on the farm where the Wines school-house now stands. The Reeveses were among the early pioneers of this section of Ohio, coming here from Pennsylvania, where David Reeves was born, near Pittsburg, in 1798. Mr. Reeves is still living, past eighty-five years of age, and is probably the oldest man living in Athens County, who came here as early as 1801. His wife was Matilda Woodyard, and they were married in 1825. Eliphaz Reeves was born near the Woodyard church, Alexander Township, Nov. 27, 1832. He was reared, engaged in business and continued to live in the same neighborhood, spending his time in farming, and trading, and is now, 1883, merchant and Postmaster at Wood yard. April 2, 1874, he was united in matrimony with Marticia C. Shumwa, of Meigs County, Ohio. Lulu May, their only child was born July 7, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are members of the Woodyard Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is Class-Leader. During the war Mr. R. served as Orderly Sergeant in the Ohio State militia, and has at various times held the township offices. Daniel T. Rickey.—On a farm in Greene County, Penn., June 6, 1830, Mr. Rickey was born and reared to the age of maturity. His father was Abraham C. Rickey, and his mother Pheba Throckmorton, both natives of the Keystone State. in 1855, at the age of twenty-five, Daniel Rickey left his native State, and came direct to Athens County, where he has since lived. He enlisted under Colonel Jones in the late war, but was soon after discharged for physical disability. June 10, 1856, Mr. Rickey was married to Harriet Williams, a daughter of A. M. Williams, of Lodi Township. Their children are—Milan A., born March 15, 1857; Clara, born Sept. 26, 1858; Blanche, born Aug. 13, 1865; Imogene, born Sept. 16, 1867, and Annetta C., born Aug. 1, 1872. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Albany. John Rickey, born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Oct. 12, 1801, is a son of John and Nancy Rickey. His parents were among the first settlers of Jefferson County. They moved to Belmont County about 1815. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 565 from a cold contracted while in the service. John was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education. He was married Sept. 15, 1825, to Michal Jones, a native of Virginia. In 1830 he moved to Morgan County, where he lived six years. In 1836 he came to Athens County, settling in Alexander Township. In 1875 he bought the farm where he now lives. He is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church, and one of its strongest supporters. Mrs. Rickey died in July, 1874, after rearing a family of eight children —R. J., Jane, James, Narcissa, Elza A., Matilda, John and Henry. In March, 1875, Mr. Rickey married Hetty Jane Robneth, a sister of his former wife. Jasper Secoy, born in Carthage Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Nov. 28, 1839, is a son of David Secoy, a native of New York, and an early settler of Carthage Township. In the spring of 1861 he came to Alexander Township, and the following August enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, serving till 1865. He was in the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, Fisher's Hill, etc., following the regiment on all its numerous marches and campaigns. After his return home, March 26, 1865, he married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Woodruff. They have five children—Hattie, Samuel, Franklin, George and Mildred. In 1878 Mr. Secoy bought the farm where he now resides, consisting of fifty acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Secoy are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican. R. N. Wood, section 7, Alexander Township, was born in this township Aug. 21, 1827, a son of William and Margaret (Brooks) Wood. He was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education in the common schools. In February, 1848, he married Amanda Drake, of this township. They have eight children — Emma, William, Fremont, Cassie, Eulelia, Estella, Carrie and Jennie. In 1867 Mr. Wood removed to Meigs County, where he lived two years. In 1869 he bought the farm where he now resides. He has ninety-six acres of land well cultivated with good improvements. During the war Mr. Wood was taken prisoner by Morgan's men, and lost two fine horses. CHAPTER XX. ROME TOWNSHIP—THE RISE OF ROME AND PROGRESS OF THE ROMANS. LOCATION-METES AND BOUNDS - TOPOGRAPHY - ORGANIZATION -POPULATION FROM 1820 TO 1880—SCHOOLS-BRIDGES AND MILLS - SETTLERS AND PROGRESS- EARLY HISTORICAL FACTS- THE WAR OF 1812—TOWNSHIP OFFICERS---GRS--G VIL LE-LODGES-STEWART VILLAGE AND ITS HISTORY-NEW ENGLAND, FROST AND BIG RUN-BIOGRAPHICAL. ABOUT THE YEAR 1811. Rome Township lies on the eastern border of the county, and is bounded on the north by Bern Township, on the east by Washington County, on the south by Carthage, and on the west by Canaan Townships. Its eastern border encroaches upon Washington County, about one mile east by two miles north and south, which adds about two sections of land over a congressional township. This would give it about thirty-eight sections, or 23,320 acres of land. TOPOGRAPHICALLY speaking, it is hilly and broken, but the valley of the Hocking is rich in agricultural wealth, for its soil is deep and fertile. The river crosses the township from east to west, meandering in its conrse, and forms a portion of the eastern line of the township, the stream turning and running almost due south in its course for about three miles and then in a southeasterly direction. Federal Creek flows into the Hocking River within its boundary, and some good agricultural and grazing lands are found on its border It is known as a township of timbered land, and it is still rich in timber resources. The mineral developmentt har not yet proven very great, but coal is known to exist, and has been mined to a small or limited extent. It is however, an agricultural township, and for cereal and stock raising has few superiors in the county. Its territory may also be said to have been among the earliest settled, for it became a township in 1811, being on April 4 of that year (566) HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 567 ORGANIZED The organization read as follows. "Thursday, April 4, 1811.— Ordered by the commissioners, That so much of the township of Troy as is contained in the original surveyed townships, numbered 5 and 6, in the 11th range, and 6 in the 12th range, be erected into a new township by the name of Rome. " Ordered by the commissioners, That their clerk notify the inhabitants of the township of Rome to meet at the house of Amos Crippen, in said township, on Saturday the 20th instant, for the purpose of electing township officers." But no election was held under this order, and on the 4th of June ensuing, the commissioners " Ordered, That the boundaries of the. township of Rome be as follows, to wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of township number 6 in the 12th range, thence east on the township line until it intersects the river Hockhocking, thence up said river until it intersects the range line between the 11th and 12th ranges, thence on said range line (being the line between the counties of Athens and Washington) to the south boundary of Ames Township, thence west on said township line to the township of Athens, thence south to the place of beginning, and that the remainder of the township of Rome be and is hereby attached to the township of Troy. [This refers to the previous order of April 4.] " Ordered by the commissioners, That their clerk notify, by advertisement, the inhabitants of the township of Rome to meet at the house of Daniel Stewart, on Saturday, the 15th instant, for the purpose of electing township officers." The township was taken from the territory of Troy Township as above bounded, and it continued thus until Feb. 10, 1814, when the Legislature passed an act giving to Athens County and to Rome Township the two sections of land lying on the west side of the Hocking River. These sections were 31 and 32 of congressional township No. 6, of range No. 11, making a turn in the county line. It is one of the most thriving among the agricultural townships of the county, and its people are progressive, economical, and combine energy with intelligent labor. 568 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. POPULATION. Just what the population of the township was in 1811 is not known, but it probably did not exceed 200. In the census of 1820 it was 497; in 1830, 522; in 1840, 852; in 1850, 1,309; in 1860, 1,581; in 1870, 1,972; in 1880, 2, 207. While there is nothing remarkable in this increase, the figures show one very desirable fact, and that is, that it has never gone back, but grown steadily and surely with increasing years. It may be said to have sustained the general average of the county and State during the different decades with but one exception, that between 1820 and 1830. Daniel and Archelaus Stewart, who settled in the township in 1802, were the first to move for the organization of a church society, and a Methodist church was organized at a very early day, probably a few years before its organization into a township, and Rev. Jacob Young, then on the Marietta circuit, came to the residence of Mr. Daniel Stewart, held service and organized a society. The original members were William Pitcher and wife, Job Rutler and wife, Eliphalet Case and wife, and Elijah Rowell and wife. From this small but happy beginning three Methodist congregations have grown up, and three substantial and neatly furnished church buildings have been erected. The first service held in the township was by the Rev. Cyrus Paulk, Jr., who preached as early as 1803 at the cabins of the settlers. He was a Baptist, and continued his ministration for sev- eral years. SCHOOLS. Among the settlers of those early days there was nothing that received their more earnest attention than that of the education of their children. To read, write and cipher and to be a good speller was what they deemed a necessity, and added that of grammar and geography when they could. A good common-school education was generally the summit of their ambition, and it was only when a boy became ambitious for a higher course, refused the plow and stuck to his books, that money was raised by the sacrifice of a horse or other stock to give him the desired schooling. In fact, having become worthless on the farm, for if he was sent in the field to work, he was generally found under a tree or in the crook of the fence, perfectly oblivious to all surroundings and deep in HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 569 the mysteries of his favorite study, the old man at last got weary and gave it up and the book worm was soon in his glory, for he was going to the academy and then to college. The first school-house erected in Rome Township was in 1804, and was built by subscription—that is, the neighbors joined in the work, each doing their part. The house above mentioned was built of logs, about sixteen feet square, and was located on the east bank of Federal Creek, near its mouth. The first teacher was Abram Richards, and a daughter of Ebenezer Barrows, Mrs. Polly Driggs, was the next. Of course it was not long before other schoolhouses were erected and schools taught. In 1841 the Rev. Amos Miller started a private school on his farm and called it " Miller's Academy." It flourished for more than twenty years, a large two-story building being erected to furnish accommodations. It was about one mile from Savannah or Guysville. It suspended during the civil war and was never resurrected. There is at present an academy located at Savannah, the management of which has been quite successful. It was founded in 1867, by a number of public-spirited citizens, and its first Trustees were: Fred Finister, Peter Boyles, Vincent Caldwell, Harvey Peirce, and Harvey Caldwell. Its first teacher in charge was Prof. George W. Bryce, and the fact that 140 scholars enrolled themselves the first year shows that the citizens were imbued with the right spirit. BRIDGES AND MILLS. In 1808 the first bridge in the township was built over Federal Creek, near its mouth, by Elijah Hatch, and in 1818 a second one was built at the same place. In 1842 a fine bridge was erected by Peter Beebe, Isaac Jackson being the architect; it was at first a toll bridge, but is now free. About the year 1851 or 1852 a bridge was built over Federal Creek, near the mouth of Big Run, but was soon swept away; another has since been erected on the same site. The bridge at Savannah was built about 1858, the funds being supplied partly by the county and partly by subscription. Another has been built over the Hocking, about two miles below Savannah, the funds being raised in the same manner. The first grist and saw mill in the township was built in 1802 by George, Henry and James Barrows, on Federal Creek, about a mile from its mouth. The mill is a log building with only one run of stones, which were made of the " Laurel Hill granite," and run by 570 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. a large undershot wheel. Before this the nearest mill where wheat could be ground was Devol's. on the Muskingum, at least forty miles distant. Many families, however, possessed that great desideratum of pioneer life, the primitive hand-mill and the " hominy block." There were also a few horse-mills in the county, but they were only used for grinding or, as it was called, " cracking " corn. In 1818 Reuben Farnsworth built the first mill on the Hocking River within the township limits. This was one of the most solid and substantial mill structures ever erected in the county. Farnsworth failed, and the mill passed into the hands of Peter Beebe, who afterward sold it to Thomas Welch. It was sold by Mr. Welch to Cook, Crippen & Co.. and subsequently passed into the hands of a son of Mr. Cook, who is the present owner. In 1820 the Savannah mill (grist and saw mill) was built by Ezra Stewart and his brother Charles, sons of Esquire Daniel Stew- art. It has three run of stones and does a great amount of custom work. It is situated on the Hocking River, in the village of Guysville, about three miles from the west line of Rome Township. About 1834 Alexander Stewart and George Warren built the Stewart Mill (a saw-mill), near Savannah; but it was soon destroyed by fire, and a large three-story grist and saw mill was erected on the site by Daniel B. Stewart. In 1844 Mr. Stewart connected a woolen factory with the establishment, which is now owned by a daughter of Mr. Stewart, Mrs. Charles Byron. In runs 470 spindles, has four looms, four carding machines, two spinning jacks and a full set of fulling and dressing machinery. The grist and saw mill are still in active operation. Two miles above Savannah are the Kincade Mills, built in 1842 by John and Allen Kincade, and rebuilt by John Kincade on an enlarged plan and in a more substantial manner in 1868, and was again rebuilt in 1880 br D B. Stewart. About 18.54 Heman Frost, son of Abram Frost, one of the pioneers of Carthage Township, built a grist and saw mill three miles below Cook & Crippen's mill; it was subsequently replaced by a saw mill, which was swept off by high water in the spring of 1867, but rebuilt by Allen Kincade. SETTLERS AND PROGRESS. What was called in those days the " Upper Settlement" in this ownship was first settled in 1808, when Joshua Selby, John Thompson, Robert Calvert, and Jonathan Simmons came from Virginia, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 571 and Richard, George, and James Simmons, from Pennsylvania. They were all good citizens. In 1810 or 1811 Christopher Her rold, one of the pioneers of Ames Township, settled in Rome. He was a Pennsylvania German and a man of enterprise and thrift. He afterward removed to Dover. A strong evidence of the enterprising spirit of the early settlers is afforded by the fact that in 1811 a sea-going vessel was built in Rome Township, a mile below the mouth of Federal Creek, on the south bank of. the Hocking. She was launched and taken to New Orleans in the spring of 1812. The vessel was built by Captain Caleb Barstow, from Providence, Rhode Island, and was called The Enterprise. Between 1800 and 1810 the township received a number of good settlers. John Johnson and father, on the Hockhocking, opposite Federal Creek; Job Ruter, with his sons Martin and Calvin, on the river about two miles above Federal Creek; and about the same time came Nathan Connor, Rev. Moses Osborn, the Calverts, the Thompsons, the Selbys, and the Mitchells, all of whom settled on the river. Most of these came from Virginia. Also prominent among the early settlers were Abraham Sharp, for whom Sharp's Run and Sharp's Fork of Federal Creek were named; Francis Munn, a revolutionary soldier; Archibald Dorough, Thos. Richardson, Dr. Seth Driggs, Jeremiah Conant, Wm. Pilcher, Aaron Orme, Thos. Swan, Aaron Butts, Eli Catlin, _Daniel Ander son (a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary army), David Chapman, Rev. Enos Thompson (Methodist) and the Hewitts. EARLY HISTORICAL FACTS. Esquire Elmer Rowell, a pioneer and a valuable and prominent citizen of Rome Township during its early days, who died a few years back, leaves the following reminiscence of pioneer days: "When I first settled here the nearest postoffice was at Athens, sixteen or seventeen miles distant, and I have frequently gone that distance for a single expected letter; now there are four postoffices in the township. Then we went thirty miles to obtain our necessary dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc.; now there are seven or eight good country stores in the township. While musing on the times and people of fifty-five years ago, the whole scene for thirty miles up and down the valley seems photographed on my memory—the men and women, their costumes, the log cabins and the cleared 572 - HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. patches. The men all dressed in homespun during summer, and during winter a great part of the clothing consisted of buckskin ; the females, both matron and lass, dressed for every day in homespun, except in later years, when one now and then began to appear in a factory dress, and all had for Sunday and holidays the more costly and gayer calico and cambric dresses. Those were the days of warm friendships and close attachments. Common hardships and labors begot a fellow feeling. If there was a cabin to raise, every man for miles around turned out with alacrity to help raise it and put on the last clapboard. If there was any job too heavy for one man to do, all assisted. When a hunter or any one else was belated, be he a stranger or acquaintance, he found a home and a welcome in any log cabin he might chance to find." THE WAR OF 1812. Rome Township having been or was the home of several of the Revolutionary patriots and ,soldiers of 1776, when the war of 1812 was declared they found her sons willing patriots to enter the field and defend the soil of their country from the footsteps of an invader. Athens County being called upon for a company of infantry, to be composed of fifty men or volunteers, the militia regiment of the county, then commanded by Colonel Edmund Derr, was summoned to meet at Athens and volunteers called for. The men stepped promptly to the front, and of this number Rome Township was the residence of nine who enlisted: Their names were Jas. Crippen, Peter Beebe, Thaddeus Crippen, Ebenezer Hatch, Chas. Stewart, Wm. Starr, Andrew Stewart, John Wickham and Daniel Muncie. The company was then raised to sixty men and Rome added one more volunteer, George Driggs, or one sixth of the number. In 1813, when the Governor of Ohio called for forty days' mounted riflemen, George Barrows, Montgomery Perry and a young man named Swann went from Rome. William T. Hatch, son of Elijah Hatch, was the first male child born in the township, and his sister Harriet, the late Mrs. Hill, is said to have been the first female. Mrs. Elijah hatch, mother of Judge Hatch, was the first person who died in the township. A portion of the facts here given were taken from Walker's very interesting history of Athens County. The growth of the township and its increase in population has been spoken of in previous pages, and to this might be added the fact that its material progress has been a marked feature in its history, and prosperity seems to have taken a firm hold upon the township. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 573 TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 1811.—Trustees. Job. Miter, Elijah Hatch and James Crippen; Clerk, Caleb Barstow. 1812.—Trustees, Daniel Stewart, George Barrows and John Thompson; Clerk, Amos Crippen. 1813.—Trustees, Elijah Rowell, James Crippen and John Thompson; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 1814.—Trustees, Daniel Stewart, James Crippen and Joshua Selby; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 1815.—Trustees, Daniel Stewart, James Crippen and William Barrows; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 1816.—Trustees, Daniel Stewart, Elijah Hatch and Joshua Selby; Clerk, William Stewart. 1817.—Trustees, James Crippen, John Thompson and Henry Barrows; Clerk, Wm. Stewart, 1818.--Trustees, James Crippen, Archelaus Stewart and Henry Barrows; Clerk, Wm. Stewart. 1819.--Trustees, James Crippen, Archelaus Stewart and henry Barrows; Clerk, Wm. Stewart. 1820.--Trustees, James Crippen, Archelaus Stewart and Daniel Stewart; Clerk, Win. Stewart. 1821.—Trustees, James Crippen, John Thompson and Daniel Stewart; Clerk, John Green. 1822.--Trustees, Elijah Hatch, Joshua Selby and Daniel Stewart; Clerk, Daniel Stewart. 1823.—Trustees, James Crippen, Elmer Rowell and Archelaus Stewart; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 1824.—Trustees, Wm. S. Doan, Joshua Selby and Henry Barrows; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 1825.—Trustees, Daniel Stewart, Elijah Dalbey and Peter Beebe; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 1826.—Trustees, Daniel Stewart, Elijah Dalbey and James Crippen; Clerk, John Thompson. 1827.—Trustees, Daniel Stewart, Josephus Butts and Joshua Selby; Clerk, Samuel Thompson. 1828. —Trustees, John Thompson, Josephus Butts and Joshua Selby; Clerk, Samuel Thompson. 1829.—Trustees, John Johnson, Josephus Butts and Joshua Selby; Clerk, Edmund Cook. 1830.---Trustees, John Thompson, Josephus Butts and Daniel D. Cross; Clerk, Guy Barrows. 574 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1831.—Trustees, John Johnson. Josephus Butts and Joseph Mitchell; Clerk, Guy Barrows. 1832.—Trustees, Win. S. Doan, James E. Hatch and Joseph Mitchell; Clerk. John Welch. 1833.—Trustees, Levi Stewart, James E. Hatch and Joseph Mitchell; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 1834.—Trustees, Levi Stewart, James E. Hatch and Joseph Mitchell, Clerk, Wilson Selby. 1835.—Trustees, Alexander Stewart, James E Hatch and Peter Beebe; Clerk, Thos. Newcomb. 1836.—Trustees, Joseph Mitchell. James E. Hatch and Samuel Hill; Clerk, Blanford Cook. 1837.—Trustees, Joseph Mitchell, S. T. Richardson and George Warren; Clerk, Blanford Cook. 1838.—Trustees, James E. [latch, Joshua Calvert and George Warren; Clerk, Elmer Rowell. 1839.—Trustees, Peter Beebe, Wilson Shelby and William P. Doan; Clerk, Elmer Rowell. 1840.--Trustees, Peter Beebe, Joseph Mitchell and Levi Stewart; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 1841.—Trustees, Peter Beebe, Joseph Mitchell and Levi Stewart; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 1842.—Trustees, Daniel B. Stewart, William Mitchell and Nelson Cook; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 1843.—Trustees, Wm. P. Doan, Wm. Crippen and B. F. Johnson; Clerk, E. B. Parrill. 1844.—Trustees, Peter Grosvenor, Win. R. Winner and Joseph Mitchell; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 1845.—Trustees, Peter Grosvenor, Levi Stewart and Joseph Mitchell; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 1846.—Trustees, D. B. Stewart, Win. Simmons and B. F. Johnson; Clerk, Joshua Calvert. 1817.—Trustees, D. B. Stewart, Win. Simmons and Abraham Parrill; Clerk, Joshua Calvert. 1848.—Trustees, Elmer Rowell, Artemus S. Crippen and Levi Stewart; Clerk, B. F. Johnson: 1849.—Trustees, Elmer Rowell, Peter Grosvenor and Levi Stewart; Clerk, Sydney S. Beebe. 1850.—Trustees, Nelson Cook, Peter Grosvenor and Connell Roberts; Clerk, B. F. Johnson.