900 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. S. H. Wright 1865-'66; J. R. Grogan, 1866-'67; D. White, 1867-'68; W. Houston, 1868-'69; Oakley Case, 1869-'72; John Crawford, 1872-'74; J. H. M. Houston, 1874-'76; G. W. Brehm, 1876. HISTORY OF THE LOGAN SCHOOLS. The importance of schools as a factor in the development of a town was early recognized by the people of Logan, and a commendable interest in the cause of education manifested. As soon as there was a sufficient number of children of proper age a school was organized, and as the population increased new schools were established to meet the growing wants. Previous to 1853 a school-house had been built on the southwest corner of Hunter and Market streets, and another on southwest corner of Hunter and Walnut streets. These not affording sufficient facilities to accommodate all, on the 15th of February, 1853, the Board of Education, by resolution, purchased the old Methodist church situated on High street, between Main and Second, or Jail, streets, and fitted it up for school purposes. During the winter of 1853 and 1854 three schools or different grades were taught, and in the summer following two schools for a term of about three months. In the winter of 1854-'55 five schools or grades were taught, designated as follows: Senior School, first and second; Junior, first and second; Primary Departments, each department, however, independent entirely of the others. March 7, 1855, the board, by resolution, adopted the Union. System of teaching, and in May following appointed John Hopley as Superintendent of the public schools of the village, for the term of three months and also for the year 1855-'56. Mr. Hopley was succeeded in the fall of 1856 by Charles A. Barker, who held the position till 1861. Feeling that greater school facilities would soon be needed, the Board of Education, Nov. 9, 1857, purchased of Thomas Lowler, lot No. 3, in F. Case's addition, to be used as a site for a new school-house. In the spring of 1858 the substantial structure that now accommodates the schools of the village was commenced, and was completed in 1861, the cost being about $25,000. In the spring of 1861, the number of members composing the Board of Education was changed from three to six. This board on taking charge of the schools employed Hugh Boyd to teach the High School and superintend all the schools for the school-year of 1861-'62 at a salary of $55 per month. At the close of the year Mr. Boyd declined a re-election and .Rev. C. C. Hart was appointed as his successor at a salary of $150 a year. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 901 Mr. Hart held the position two years, and was succeeded in 1864 by J. W. Murphy, of Fairfield County, Ohio, at a salary of $85 per month. Mr. Murphy held the position four years and during his administration a new school was established, making seven different grades in all. Mr. Murphy was succeeded in 1868 by John C. Mitchell. At the expiration of the ninth month Mr. Mitchell resigned, and for the remaining month of the school year the schools were placed in charge of W. W. McCray. Aug. 3, 1869, Mr. McCray was regularly elected Superintendent of the schools, which position he now holds. Since he took charge the number of departments has been increased from seven to thirteen: Primary, Grammar and High schools. The Primary and Grammar schools each embrace a four years' course. The High School is divided into four classes of one year each. A regular course of study has been adopted, and, including the present graduating class, seventy-two pupils have graduated from the High School. The members of the Board of Education for 1883—'84 are as follows: S. H. Bright, John Hansen, L. A. Culver, L. J. Burgess, Colonel S. Weldy, 0. W. H. Wright. The officers of the board are: S. H. Bright, President; John Hansen, Secretary; L. A. Culver, Treasurer. The teachers of the different grades for 1882 and 1883 are: Misses Ida Fickel, Hannah Lehman, Louisa Niel, Cora Saunders, Mary P. Hart, Johanna Noonan, Nancy McBride, Augusta Prior, Emma Brooke, Kate Bowlby. J. P. H. Stedem, Assistant Grammar Department; R. Swisher, Teacher of Penmanship; Miss Maggie Sauminig, Assistant High School teacher; F. Rathmell, Principal High School. The graduating class of this year (1883) is composed of seven members, as follows: Annie Doyle, Emma Downey, Lillian Mc-Cray, Emma Bragg, Kate Steinman, Charles Hart and Charles Engle. The school fund for Logan district in 1882 was $6,200.10. The property of Logan taxed for school purposes in 1882 was: Real estate, $37,493; personal, $35,307. The entire property of the city, taxed for all purposes in 1882 was: Real estate, $491,510; personal, $321,419. EVEN AT LAST. A fact in connection with the schools worthy of mention for its singularity is, that according to the enumeration taken in 1877 902 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. there were 748 children of school age in Logan, 374 of whom were male, and 374 female. LOGAN IN 1883. Logan at the present time contains upward of 3,000 inhabitants. Its industrial interests embrace several large manufacturing establishments, viz.: The Motherwell Iron and Steel Company, the Logan Furniture Company, Raymond Belt's foundry and machine shops. It also contains a fire-brick manufactory, three planing mills, one woolen mill, two flouring mills, three brick-yards, gas works, three hotels, two banks, five churches, one public school, an opera house, and a steam fire engine. Logan has also the following business in. terests: Thirteen groceries, ten saloons, seven boot and shoe stores, six general stores, five hardware stores, four meat stores, three drug stores, three jewelry stores, three milliner stores, three bakeries, two dry-goods stores, two harness stores, two cigar and tobacco stores, one clothing store, one furniture store, one feed store, one queen's-ware store, one produce store, two restaurants and two musical instrument stores; twelve attorneys, eleven physicians, five ministers, four dentists and three editors, four merchant tailors, four livery stables, three photograph galleries, three dressmakers, three blacksmith shops, two carriage works, two wagon shops, two tanneries, five barber shops, one marble works, one soap manufactory, one gunsmith shop, one job-printing office, three newspaper offices with job offices attached, one news and book stand, one undertaker's establishment, one manufacturer of musical instruments, two insurance, two coal and two sewing machine agencies, a Western Union Telegraph office, and one Adams express office, one life insurance agent and three railroads. LOGAN IN 1859. For the purpose of comparison with the foregoing, below is given the business interests of Logan in 1859: Five attorneys and two physicians, two hotels, one livery stable, two banks, one planing mill, three flouring mills, one machine shop, one carriage shop, one gunsmith shop, one barber shop, six general stores, six groceries, three boot and shoe stores, two harness stores, two furniture stores, two hardware stores, two clothing establishments, one hat and cap establishment, one millinery, one bakery and one cigar and tobacco store. CHAPTER XXXV. REFERRING TO RELIGIONS, MORALS, POLITICAL AND BUSINESS INTERESTS. HISTORY OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH -CATHOLIC CHURCH-LUTHERAN CHURCHES-PEOPLE'S BANK-FIRST NATIONAL. BANK-THE LOGAN PRESS-MANUFACTORIES-IRON AND STEEL - FURNITURE - WOOLENS - SASH, DOORS AND BLINDS-FIRE BRICK--FOUNDRY AND. MACHINE SHOP-LODGES AND SOCIETIES. CHURCHES. The First Presbyterian Church of Logan was originally founded in Starr Township in 1821. Rev. Geo. W. Warner, a young missionary, was sent by the General Assembly into Ohio, and began preaching to them in 1829. His meeting with the society was at long intervals, as the field of his labor embraced a large territory extending from Belpre to Zanesville. A two days' meeting was appointed for the 1st and 2d of September, 1829, which was conducted by Mr. Warner and Rev. John Spaulding, the regular pastor at Athens. At the close of this meeting steps were taken to form a permanent church organization, and the following persons were, upon examination, constituted the First Presbyterian Church of Hocking County, viz.: John A. Butin, Anna Butin, Solomon Finney, Sylvanus Finney, Harvey Finney, Jesse Bartlett, Amanda Bartlett, Marcia Bartlett, Martha Bartlett, Myra Washburn, Betsy Stone, Mary Romley, Eleanor Wallace, Asenath Cromwell and Nancy Cushing. Of these John A. Butin, Solomon Finney and Harvey Finney were elected and ordained Ruling Elders. In 1833, after a series of revival meetings held in Logan by Mr. McAboy, it was decided to remove the original church society to Logan; and from it a new organization to by located at New Plymouth, just over the line in Vinton County. The first Elders of the Logan society were: John A. Butin, Jesse Bartlett, Silas A. Hedges and Sumner C. Cushing. During half of the year 1833 Rev. Luke De Witt was a stated supply. In 1838 the lot on which the present church building stands was purchased for $200, and the building made ready for occupation in the - (903) - 904 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. spring of 1841. It was finally completed in the following year, and has since received numerous additions and repairs, the principal one being a thorough remodel of the building in 1875. Nov. 27, 1843, a bill which had passed the Ohio Legislature incorpo. rating the First Presbyterian Church of Logan was read and adopted by the church, whereupon the first Board of Trustees was elected, consisting of the following: John A. Butin, John North and John Rochester. In March, 1856, the Secretary of Home Missions for the South. ern District of Ohio requested Rev. C. C. Hart to visit the church to perform some ministerial rites. Mr. Hart remained with the church, engaging as stated supply for one year, and afterward re. engaging, remained with the church continuously for over twelve years as stated supply. After the close of Mr. Hart's ministry as stated supply in September, 1868, Rev. Wm. A. Bosworth was engaged to supply the church for six months, after which, from May, 1869, to May, 1871, Rev. Mark L. Milford served as pastor. In September, 1871, the church extended a call to Rev. C. C. Hart, then at Shawneetown, Ill., to again come and take their pulpit. The call was accepted and he was regularly installed, in the following November, as Pastor of the church, which relation he still holds. Since the organization of this church about 650 persons have been members, the present membership numbering 165. The following persons have been Elders: John A. Butin, Solomon Pinney, Harvey Finney, Jesse Bartlett, Silas A. Hedges, Sumner L. Cushing, Samuel Doty, John North, Willard Adams, E. T. Brown, Seth L. Davis, John Walker, A. Steinman, H. C. Foncan. non, A. J. Smith, Robert R. Work, Win. R. North, John North, J. E. Butin, F. Harrington, E. Maynard, A. Sheldon. The following held the office of Deacon before it was abolished: J. E. Butin, A. G. North, H. C. Foncannon, James M. Stuart, A. J. Smith, A. R. Dicken, John W. Work, T. E. Baker, C. E. Bowen, F. Harrington, John Vail, J. W. Weltner and Levi Black. The Trustees from the church's organization have been: John A. Butin, John North, John Rochester, H. C. Foncannon, John Walker, A. J. Smith, David Little, T. E. Baker, John W. Work, S. Churchill and Robert Wright. Methodist Episcopal Church.—At an early date the Methodist preachers on their rounds found their way to Logan, but it cannot now be ascertained who- preached the first Methodist sermon there, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 905 or at what date it occurred. In 1817 Logan was connected with Fairfield circuit, and was one of the places supplied with preaching by the circuit preachers who were, at that time, Michael Ellis and J. McMahon. In 1819 it was placed in connection with Hocking circuit and Jacob Hooper was preacher in charge. Logan continued in this connection and was served by the various circuit preachers until 1831, when it became a part of Adelphia circuit. At this time the society was worshiping in a log church—the date of the building cannot be ascertained. In May, 1832, Governor Worthington's executors deeded lot No. 77, on Second street, on which the old log church stood to the following Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, viz.: F. Bitcher, John Westenhaver, George Woods, Thomas Walker, Earhart Glaze, Samuel Bright and Robert Gallagher. Shortly afterward there was erected on this lot a frame building which the society occupied as a place of worship for nearly twenty years. John Stewart, in his " Highways and Hedges," speaks of the Logan Methodist church as containing, in 1834, sixty-one member=, with S. S. Bright as Class-leader. Logan circuit was organized in 1837, and Logan became the residence of the preacher in charge, E. S. Gavitt and J. A. Brooks being the first to supply the work under the new arrangement. In August, 1851, the trustees bought half of out-lot No. 2, on Hunter street, and on it the present brick church was erected which was so far completed that the ,basement was occupied on the 20th of February, 1853. In July, 1855, the Logan society became incorporated and the following persons elected Trustees, viz.: John W. Lyons, Jesse L. Collins, Nathan Ball, Samuel Banks, C. W. James, John A. Murphy, William Ijams. The upper room was finished in 1858, and the dedication sermon was preached by Bishop Kingsley. In 1855 the charge was made a station, and since then it has been served by the following ministers: 1855-'6, T. D. Martindale; 1857-'8, Banner Mark; 1859, J. F. Giyen; 1860-'1, S. M. Bright; 1862-'3, Wm. Porter; 1864-'5, W. T. Harvey; 1866-'7, J. F. Williams; 1868-'9, Levi Hall; 1870-'1-'2, W. C. Holliday; 1873-'4, J. F. Williams; 1875, T. H. Monroe; 1876-'7, C. D. Battelle; 1873-'9-'80, J. E. Sowers; 1831, E. H. Heagles; 1882, J. M. Weir. St. John the Evangelist's Catholic Church of Logan.—The nucleus of this church was the family of Goley Kunkler, who came to Logan in 1837. Soon after came the families of August Ucker, Frank Junty, John and Nicholas Kessler. The 906 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. first services were held at the different residences of these Catholic pioneers by Father Fokel in about 1839; and, in 1840, Father Young, afterward Bishop of Erie, began to officiate regularly, holding services once in two months. Under his pastorate the old Catholic burying ground, two and a half miles north of Logan, was donated for a cemetery and church site by Augustus Ucker in about 1841. A log church was begun in 1841 and completed in 1844. It was dedicated by Bishop Purcell as St. John's Church and Cemetery in 1845. Father Young was succeeded by Father Lange in 1850, whose headquarters were at Lancaster, officiating here once in six weeks. The church was organized in 1839, with about sixteen families. The communicants now number about 700. Father Lange was succeeded in 1861 by Father Hone, who was the first permanent Pastor. He was soon after succeeded by Father Emanuel Thienpont, who died while Pastor in 1873. Father Charles Dougherty then officiated until September, 1874, when the present Pastor, Father Thomas J. Cady, was placed in charge of the church. The place of worship was transferred from the old log church in Falls Township to Logan in 1861, where the present edifice was erected under the pastorate of Father Hone. The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthews Congregation of Logan was organized by Rev. C. Spielman, of Lancaster, Ohio, in 1852. The charter members of the church who had a voice in its proceedings were: John Grab, Henry Hartmann, Conrad Amendt, Jacob Keller and Louis Michel. Their house of worship at first was on Front street, near the west end. The present church building, on East Hunter street, was purchased in 1866. It had been built by a Rev. Mr. Sensebach, a new-school Lutheran, who built the church and endeavored to form a society, but failing, the building was sold for debt and purchased by the above-named organization. The church has always had a fair membership, and since 1866 a fine house for worship. The Pastors have been: Rev. C. Spielman, 1852; Rev. Mr. Baessler, 1852-'53; Rev. J. J. Suttler, 1853-'59; Rev. Martin Sandhaus, 1859-'60 ; Rev. John Herr, 1860-'64 ; Rev. Paul Miller, 1864'72, Rev. Henry Henkel, 1872-'81; and Rev. Louis F. Mittler, 1881 to the present time. The society has within its membership about thirty families. It has also a flourishing Sabbath-school, superintended by Louis Michel. The church is a good-sized substantial brick building, is well located and has a parsonage on the same lot. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 907 The Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church, of Logan was organized from the St. Matthews Lutheran Congregation of Logan, in October, 1881. The Ohio Synod of this church had recently detached itself from the Synodical Conference, which had formerly included all of this denomination in the United States, on a doctrinal point concerning predestination. Rev. Mr. Henkel, in connection with eighteen other ministers and eight congregations in Ohio, declined to go with the rest of the Ohio Synod in this diversion, as they thought it, and remained in harmony with the Synodical Conference. A portion of Mr. Henkel's congregation signifying their intention to believe with him, he effected a new organization under the above name. The church, a neat and comfortable brick structure, and the parsonage, situated at the head of Mulberry street, were built in 1882. The cost of both was about $4,000. This society, though at first small, has grown so that it now contains twenty-four families. It has a Sabbath-school superintended by Mr. W. Wyman, and a good parochial school taught by the Pastor, Mr. Henkel. BANKS. The First National Bank of Logan, Ohio, of which the present First Bank is the successor, was organized A ug. 4, 1863, by the following named gentlemen: Chas. V. Culver, G. M. Webb, L. H. Culver, Thos. Dewar, Chas. E. Bowen, L. A. Culver and A. W. Beery, with a capital of $50,000. L. A. Culver was elected President, and Chas. E. Bowen, Cashier. Mr. Culver served as its President until the summer of 1865, when he resigned and was succeeded by Wm. M. Bowen, who at that time bought a controlling interest in the institution. He continued in this position until January, 1867, when John Walker, who had been Cashier of the Logan branch of the State Bank of Ohio, was elected President, in which capacity Mr. Walker served until the surrender of the charter, July 14, 1881, Charles E. Bowen remaining the Cashier during the whole time, about eighteen years. In the summer of 1881 it was thought Congress would not extend the charter of national banks, and the bonds, on which their capital was based, falling due, the stockholders concluded to surrender the charter and engage in the private banking business. The change was made by the concurrent vote of the owners of the First National Bank, who, with a paid-up capital of $50,000, organized the First Bank of Logan, as the successor of the old one, in July, 1881. The new 908 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. organization was completed by electing a Board of Directors as follows : Robert Wright, F. F. Rempel, John Walker, J. C. Rochester, Chas. E. Bowen; John Walker was elected President and Chas. E. Bowen, Cashier. This is the oldest bank now doing business in Logan, having occupied the same room since before its organization as a national bank in 1863. It has among its stockholders and in its management some of the oldest and most respected citizens of the town and county. The People's Bank, one of the most successful enterprises which Logan possesses to-day, was first opened for business Feb. 28, 1867. On the 31st of December preceding, a meeting of a number of the business men had been held, at which it was unanimously agreed to organize an independent bank in Logan with a capital of $25,- 000. More than the entire amount was soon subscribed, but with a view to distributing the stock as much as possible a committee was appointed to receive applications for stock, limited to the citizens of Hocking County. This committee agreed upon and published terms of subscription, the first three of which were as follows: First—The capital will be $25,000, divided into two hundred and fifty shares of $100 each. Second—The affairs of the bank will be managed by a Board of Directors chosen by the stockholders, who will be entitled to one vote for every share of stock held by them. Third—Payments in stock will be received in cash or United States bonds of any kind, at their current value at the time of payment. Among the heavier stockholders were: G. W. Pullen, G. Buhant, D. Little, A. W. Beery, L. A. Culver and others. L. A. Culver was elected President at the first election of officers, having remained in the position continuously up to the present time. F. Blasius was elected first Cashier, but he retired in June, 1868, when W. C. Rerhen was elected in his stead. He remained in the position until January, 1881, when he retired, and A. D. Houston, the present Cashier, was elected. Jan. 21, 1874, the capital stock was increased to $50,000, the additional stock being taken principally by the old stockholders. The stock is owned by eighteen partners, including some of the wealthiest men in the town and county, representing an individual liability of not less than $400,000. A feature of this bank well worthy of remark is the efficiency of its vault and safe as a place of deposit, which it would seem would HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 909 securely retain any treasure under all circumstances short of an absolute miracle. The safe itself, an unique $2,200 piece of furniture of the latest and most approved pattern, is, in effect, a solid box of steel, equipped with a time-lock and appliances for closing so as to be perfectly air-tight. The vault within which the safe is set is built of large stones all bolted together, and extends fourteen feet below the surface. NEWSPAPERS. The Hocking Sentinel.—The first newspaper published in Logan was the Hocking Republican, a five-column paper, Democratic in politics, of which David Wirick was editor, publisher, printer, pressman, roller boy and devil. This commenced in the summer of 1838, the exact date cannot be ascertained. This paper was very poorly supported, and during the exciting political canvass of 1840 the editor assumed to support the Whig candidate for one or two weeks and thus lost nearly all of the then few subscribers and he was compelled to abandon the enterprise. His failure was anything but encouraging to others to attempt to locate here, and for nearly two years Logan was without a press. June 10, 1842, S. W. Tucker and Robert Wright formed a partnership and purchased the press and materials used in the Republican office and gave life to the Hocking Sentinel, and issued their first paper June 24. Mr. Wright, however, soon became dissatisfied and withdrew. Mr. Tucker continued to publish the paper until Jan. 14, 1843, at which time John Atkinson and J. R. Good became editors and proprietors. On May 27, 1843, John Atkinson became sole editor- and proprietor, but in a short tim3 it reverted to the hands of the original owner, S. W. Tucker, and remained in his possession most of the time until January, 1844. It was purchased then by Flavius Case, who conducted it through the memorable Polk campaign. Jan. 1, 1845, Judge Oakley Case became the owner of the office, and carried it on alone until Sept. 9, 1846, when Luther S. Bort became part owner, in which he continued until 1848. About this time Mr. Case purchased the press upon which the Star Spangled Banner had been printed, and placing it in his office, the Sentinel appeared in an enlarged form. May 3, 1853, the paper was again enlarged and D. H. Roush became nominally associated, and the paper appeared under the names of 0. Case & Co., Publishers, till Jan. 13, 1856, when it was again carried on solely by Judge Case -for about one year. He then sold it to J. R. Grogan in 910 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY . 1857, who continued in control till 1859, when he too closed his connection with .the paper. It next appeared under the name of C. M. Gould, editor and publisher. July 3, 1863, Wm. C. Gould assumed control as editor and publisher. April 13, 1865, C. M. Gould returned to Logan and again became editor and publisher. Sept. 16, 1869, Charles D. Elder purchased the paper and continued its publication until April 25, 1872, when it was purchased by its present owner, Lewis Green. In 1876 Mr. Green relinquished the editorship, which was assumed by A. H: Wilson. In January, 1877, the paper was published by Lewis Green and William A. Hoshor, under firm name of Green & Hoshor, Mr. A. H. Wilson's valedictory appearing in the issue of Jan. 4, 1877. It continued under the charge of the above firm for some two years, Mr. Lewis Green becoming again sole proprietor in July, 1879, The paper has for many years been considered the leading and most influential Democratic paper in the valley, and it is likely to hold the position as long as it remains in the hands of its present proprietor. Hocking Valley Republican.—In the fall of 1848 the locking Valley Republican, a paper advocating the principles of the Whig party, began its career with John A. Brown as editor and L. S. Bort as publisher. The publication was continued here until the fall of the year 1850, when, upon the organization of the county of Vinton, it was removed to McArthur. The Morning Star, a Whig paper, was started Aug. 1, 1852, edited by C. V. Culver, and published by J. K. Rochester. The name of this paper was afterward changed to the locking County Star. Its publication was continued until Sept. 12, 1853, when this Star set, and the materials were consolidated with the Hocking Sentinel. The second Hocking Valley Republican came into existence in the fall of 1855, published by James K. Rochester and George W. Hankisson, and edited by F. A. B. Simpkins. During the year of 1857 Charles E. M. Jennings was engaged as editor. Afterward the office passed into the hands of W. J. Lottridge and J. H. Somers, who published the same for a few months, when they disposed of it to J. C. S. Miller, who was a little more successful than his predecessors and continued in its publication for several months. Oct. 20, 1859, David A. Miller purchased an interest HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 911 in the office, and they continued their partnership until Nov. 2.1, 1859, when Dr. Jacob L. Myers purchased the interest of J. C. S. Miller, and he and David A. Miller entered into partnership and continued the publication of the paper, Dr. Myers acting as editor. April 7, 1860, L. S. Bort took possession of the office as Receiver in the case of Wm. Gallagher against W. J. Lottridge, J. H. Somers, J. K. Rochester, J. L. Myers, David A. Miller, and J. C. S. Miller, which suit was brought upon a chattel mortage upon the materials of the office. Under the Receiver the office was leased to David A. Miller, who, in May, 1860, began the publication in his own name, and Dr. N. Dalton, acting editor, which continued until 1861, when the office was sold co Dr. H. Scott. At the dissolution of the partnership of Myers & Miller, Dr. Myers procured another press and materials, and during the month of April, 1860, commenced the publication of the Republican Press, of which he was both editor and proprietor. Jan. 24, 1861, Dr. H. Scott became the owner of both the Hocking Valley Republican and the Republican Press and the two papers were consolidated and issued under the title of the Logan Record and Monitor and soon after Dr. J. L. Myers became editor and publisher. The publication of this paper lasted only about one year. The Logan Journal made its appearance Aug. 1, 1868, with Julius Smith as editor. This enterprise lasted only about six months. The Logan Republican.—The first copy of this paper was issued July 15, 1869,. with Colonel F. Montgomery as editor, and through his indomitable perseverance and energy he placed it upon permanent footing and continued its publication until April 1, 1875. It was then purchased and published by D. Montague and Oliver A. Keth until Nov. 1, 1876, when M. C. Keth became sole proprietress, and A. Keth & Son, publishers. The Hocking Democrat was started Aug. 6, 1863, on the material used for the Record and Monitor, and continued during the campaign. It was edited by. James R. Grogan and published by H. Scott, Jr., and William Myers. The Hocking Valley Gazette, a weekly paper published at Logan, was founded in February, 1877, by F. S. Pursell and A. H. Brook, the first number of the paper bearing date of Feb. 21, 1577. Brook remained in connection with the paper only a few weeks, and since his retirement the paper has been edited and controlled entirely by F. S. Pursell. It has always been strictly Re- 912 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. publican in politics, and in size is a four-page, eight-column paper, never having changed in either of these particulars. The paper has been ably edited, the sarcastic wit of its editor having been frequently republished in other newspapers. It has always taken a prominent part in politics, State as well as local, and is to be credited with being the first public organ to announce and urge the name of Charles Foster for Governor at his first nomination, and also the first to put before the public the name of Judge Foraker for the nomination in 1883. MANUFACTURERS. The Motherwell Iron and Steel Company.—The well-known Motherwell works were originally established at Lancaster, Ohio, in 1867, by the three Motherwell brothers, James, Robert and William. The first products of the shop were shovels and scrapers, the firm name being " Motherwell Brothers." In 1874, the business having proved a success, the works were enlarged and a stock company formed under the incorporate name of the " Motherwell Iron Works." The business constantly increased, investments enlarged, and finally, in 1881, it was found that new and larger buildings would be required. About this time, the greater part of the stock being held by Logan capitalists, a reorganization of the company was effected under their present name in which L. A. Culver, of Logan, was made president, and it was decided to build the new shops at this place. Accordingly, in the summer of 1882 the present buildings near the C., H. V. & T. Railway were built, in which were placed new and improved machinery. The machine-shop is a fine brick structure 200 x 50 feet in size and three stories high. Adjoining this is the engine house, also of brick, the foundry, a brick building 60 x 50 feet, a warehouse also 60 x 50 feet, and an office building. These works produce agricultural implements to a considerable extent, but make a specialty of the manufacture of iron building materials, especially for court-houses and jails. These products find a market principally in the Western and Southwestern States. About forty men are employed at present in connection with these works, but their full capacity will require about seventy men. The establishment is superintended at present by Robert Motherwell. The Logan Manufacturing Company was constituted in February, 1867, by A. Houston, Michael Kreig, D. White, A. B. Butin, and E. G. Collins, and was known by the firm name of Houston, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 913 Kreig & Co. They took contracts for building houses and manufactured furniture. In 1873, during the month of September, the present incorporated company was chartered according to the laws of the State of Ohio as a stock company, the stockholders being A. Houston, D. White, J. A. Murphy, A. B. Butin. and M. Kreig, with A. Houston, President, and D. White, Secretary and Treasurer. The present officers are: M. Kreig, President; D. White, Secretary and Treasurer. The present'stockholders are: D. White and son, M. Kreig and son, Thomas Rochester and Adam Lutz. M. Kreig is the general superintendent; John Strentz, superintendent of the carpentry department; Joseph Fickel, superintendent of the cabinet department; Charles Eisle, superintendent of the finishing department, and David Graves; superintendent of the machinery. This extensive manufactory is located on the south side, and near the east end of Front street. They employ thirty hands constantly, and have a large and increasing business. They sell principally to dealers of Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. They also manufacture doors, sash, blinds, windows and door frames, moldings, and in fact everything usually made by first-class building: establishments. This enterprising firm also is doing an extensive undertaking business. The main-building is a large frame, adjoining which is a large and generally well-filled lumber yard, lying between Front street and the canal. The Logan Furniture Company is an incorporated body doing business under the corporate laws of Ohio, charter dating June 16, 1880, having a capital stock of $30,000, divided into shares of $100 each, and having business offices in Logan and Columbus. The organization at this time is represented by J. B. Hamilton, President; A. M. Houston, Manager, and A. D. Houston, Secretary and Treasurer. The Logan buildings used exclusively for manufacturing the unfinished goods (the staining, varnishing and polishing rooms being located in Columbus) are situated on the south bank of the Hocking Canal, in Gallagher and Friesner's addition, occupying in buildings and yard a frontage of about 390 feet on Gallagher avenue, and extending back about 800 feet. The main building, exclusive of the boiler house is 80 x 40 feet, four stories high, constructed of brick. There is a two-story attachment on the north, 50 x 30 feet, also of brick. On the first floor is located the motive power, a forty-two horse-power steam engine, of Greenwood & Sons make. An iron shaft extends 100 feet along and almost the entire length of the combined bottom story. - 58 - 914 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. This shaft is thronged with band-wheel pullies, connecting and propelling the machinery throughout the entire factory. The boiler furnishing steam for the engine, also heating the establishment and drying lumber, is twenty-four feet in length and forty-eight inches in diameter. On the first floor are located an immense surface planer, an edger, a cut off, two circular rip saws and one combined re-sawing machine. Various kinds of machinery occupy the second floor. On the third and fourth floors the work is put together, also the veneering of fine goods and the inlaying of drawer fronts and panels. Forty-five laborers are employed in this factory. This company makes a specialty of the manufacture of bureaus, wash-stands and bedsteads. They have no retail establishment in Logan, but sell their work from their Columbus house at wholesale. Mr. A. D. Houston, Cashier of the People's Bank, is Secretary and Treasurer of the firm. They complete and ship from two to three car loads of furniture daily. The company's Columbus works and salesrooms are in extent, 125 x 65 feet, built of brick, three stories high, and are presided over by A. M. Houston, general manager. Their goods are sold in nearly every State west of the Alleghenies, doing an annual business of $60,000. Kessler's Factory is located on the northwest corner of Main street and Gallagher avenue, office and salesrooms on the southwest corner of Main and Spring streets. This business was established on the 10th day of June, 1879, by Frank Kessler, who still owns and conducts it. Mr. Kessler manufactures doors, sash, blinds, moldings, furniture and culinary safes., The shop employs ten laborers. The Hocking Valley Fire Brick Company, of Logan, was established in December, 1880, with $10,000 capital. W. Q. Adams was elected President, R Jenkins, Vice-President, and Charles E. Bowen, Secretary. The capital stock was divided into shares of $100 each. The business is the manufacture of all kinds of fire-brick for furnace lining, cake ovens, etc. In July, 1880, the capital, was increased to $20,000 and in the following year to $50,000, when a branch was established at Portsmouth, Ohio, for the same business. The works at Logan employ about sixty men, the capacity being 2,500,000 bricks per year. The manufactured bricks are shipped principally to Chicago, Joliet, Milwaukee and other Northwestern cities. The clay consumed here is found principally in Hocking County. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 915 Foundry and Machine Shop.—This establishment, situated near the canal bridge on Front street, is one of the oldest manufacturing enterprises of Logan. Its growth from a modest beginning to its present proportions, has been under the care of and due to the careful and able management of Mr. Raymond Belt, its present owner. Situated as it is, in the heart of a rich coal and iron region, with the best shipping facilities, this shop is eminently in place, and the enterprise well chosen. The Logan Woolen Mill.—This industry was established in Logan in 1861, by J. E. Tritsch, who has been the sole proprietor to the present time. He at that time, having purchased the building formerly used for a flouring mill by William Dewar, placed in it one set of machinery. Another set of cards has since been added,, giving it 400 spindles, two broad looms and seven narrow looms. The machinery consumes about 150 pounds of wool per day, requiring ten hands. The owner makes a specialty of yarns and blankets, but manufactures also doeskins, cashmeres, satinets, jeans and flannels. The machinery is run by steam power. Stiers's Packing House, of Logan, was founded by Isaac Stiers in 1878, with a capacity of 1,000,000 pounds annually. Mr. Stiers was the first to venture into an enterprise of this character at Logan, and had many obstacles to encounter, but has been eminently successful. He annually kills 1,200 hogs. He also deals in wool, handling from 80,000 to 100,000 pounds annually. His pork is consumed in the Hocking Valley. LODGES. Hockhocking Council, No. 39, & S. N.—This organization was formed Oct. 13, 1866, with the following charter members, with designations following those holding the first offices; 0. Case, T. I. G. M. ; G. W. Pullen, D. I. G. M.; Andrew J. Smith, P. C. W.; W. S. Friesner, C. G.; Wm. F. James, Recorder; Augustus Steinman, Treasurer; John Angle, Sentinel; L. S. Bort and Charles C. Hart. This lodge has been in continuous and successful operation since its establishment. It has at the present time about forty members, the following of whom hold the offices at present: C. W James, Sr., T. I. M. ; J. E. Butin, D. I. M. ; R. S. Van Atta, P. C. W.; W. S. Friesner, C. G. ; Lloyd Myers, C. C.; J. P. Cooan, Steward; C. E. Bowen, Treasurer; 0. W. H. Wright, Secretary; and D. Finnefrock, Sentinel. Stated communications first Tuesday in each month. 916 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Logan Chapter, No. 75, R. A. M., was organized March 13, 1857, under a dispensation. A charter was obtained the following Oct. 17, when the lodge was composed of the following officers and members: D. A. Hoffman, H. P.; E. P. Talpy, K. ; 0. Case, S.; L. S. Bort, C. H.; J. Beaize, P. S.; T. D. Martindale, R. A. C.; L. Hutchins, M. 3 V.; J. A. Smith, M. 2 V. D. Little, M. V.; N. Dalton, Treasurer; O. V. Culver, Secretary; D. Finnefrock, Guard, and E. W. Van Bibber. This lodge has stated communications Friday evenings after each full moon, and has at present about eighty active members. The following are the present officers: W. S. Friesner, H. P.; L. Myers, K.; J. E. Butin, S.; R. S. Van Atta, C. H.; C. W. James, Sr., P. S.; J. H. Rochester, R. A. C.; J. E. Tritsch, M. 3 V.; W. H. McClintock, M. 2 V.; C. E. Bowen, Treas. urer; 0. W. H. Wright, Secretary, and D. Finnefrock, Guard. Mingo Lodge, No. 171, F. & A. M., is the oldest lodge in Logan; was established Dec. 19, 1848. The lodge was organized under a dispensation, and so continued until Oct. 19, 1849, when a charter was obtained on which the following names appear as charter members: John A. Smith, Reuben Culver, John Borland, Robert D. Smith, Gilbert Bishop, Nicholas Dalton, Daniel Finnefrock, J. W . Rochester, D. A. Hoffman, L. S. Bort and L. C. Krider. The first officers elected were: D. A. Hoffman, W. M.; L. Hutchins, S. W.; Daniel Finnefrock, J. W.; R. Culver, Treasurer; John Borland, Secretary; J. A. Smith, S. D.; L. S. Burt, J. D., and J, W. Rochester, Tyler. William Nelson was the first initiated, B. P. Hewett the second, D. W. Crook the third, and Joseph McGee the fourth. The lodge has at present about 143 members. The present officers are : L. Myers, W. M.; A. A. Price, S. W.; W. H. McClintock, J. W.; C. E. Bowen, Treasurer; 0. W. H. Wright, Secretary; R. S. Van Atta, S. D.; M. A. Kreig, J. D., and Daniel Finnefrock, T. Mineral Encampment, No. 91, I. O. O. F.—This encampment was instituted June 6, 1866, with the following charter members : C. M. Gould, C. P.; John W. Work, H. P.; Zara McDaniel, S. W.; James D. Poston, J. W.; Warren Locke, Secretary, and Henry Kern, Treasurer. It has at present eighty-nine members officered as follows: D. Finney, C. P.; S. Feigley, H. P.; R. 0. Kaynes, S. W.; J. E. Brown, J. W., and R. 0. Kittsmiller, Sr. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 917 Hocking Valley Lodge, N. 262, I. 0. 0. F., situated at Logan, was instituted Feb. 1, 1855, by P. G. Bope, a Special Deputy. The charter members were: William M. Moore, Joseph H. Elder, John W. Brice, Samuel P. Officer and D. Maynard. The first initiate into this society after its organization was C. V. Culver, and John W. Work was the second. The lodge has had a strong and prosperous history, numbering at the present time 174 men in its membership. The present officers are : R. 0. Kaynes, N. G.; John C. Crow, V. G.; John F. Sanderson, R. S., and D. Finney, P. S. Logan Lodge No. 119, Knights of Pythias, was organized Dec. 17, 1879, and chartered May 27, 1880, with thirty-one charter members. The following were the first officers of the lodge : H. A. Butin, P. C.; R. C. Sanderson, C. C.; John C. Crow, V. C.; R. 0. Kittsmiller, P.; A. H. Brook, K. of R. and S.; D. A. Miller, M. of F.; I. N. Collins, M. of E., and W. A. Butin, M. at A. This lodge has been very prosperous, having at present about sixty-five goof active men. As an evidence of its flourishing condition it sends about $29 annually to the State Lodge besides meeting promptly all of its own obligations. The present officers are: R. W. Kaynes, P. C. ; T. N. Collins, C. C.; William H. Hanson, V. C.; L. E. Douglass, P. ; John Strentz; M. of F.; lit. 0. Kitts- . miller, M. of E.; Charles Price, K. of R. and S.; M. A. Kreig, M. at A. CHAPTER XXXVI. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF FALLS TOWNSHIP, INCLUDING FALLS-GORE AND CITY OF LOGAN. James Nelson Acker, Deputy Probate Clerk of Hocking County, was born near old Straitsville, Perry Co., Ohio, Nov. 22, 1851. He lived with his parents, W. T. and Mary E. (Rosser) Acker, at his native place, Nelsonville and Logan until manhood, receiving an education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he followed till 1875. In the spring of 1876 he was elected Constable, serving in that capacity two years. In the fall of 1876 he was elected Coroner of Hocking County, which office he resigned in the fall of 1877 to accept that of Sheriff of Hocking County. He was re-elected Sheriff in 1879, serving two terms. In May, 1882, he was deputized by his father, Probate Judge of Hocking County, Probate Clerk, his present position. May 31, 1876, he was married to Miss Effie Tannyhill, of Logan, by whom he has one child—Mary Blanch. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Logan. Hon. William Trimmer Acker, son of Henry and Maria (Trimmer) Acker, was born July 21, 1827, near Black Creek Corners, Allegany County, N. Y., where he lived till he was thirteen years old, when his parents removed to Ohio, settling in Ward Township, Hocking County (then Athens County). He was reared on a farm and educated in the common district schools, and at the age of twenty he began to work as a coal miner, but after three years he went on a farm and pursued farming five years. He again engaged in coal mining for the following nine years. In the fall of 1863 he was elected Sheriff of Hocking County, and re-elected in 1865, serving four years. He was elected Representative of his county in the Ohio State General Assembly, and was re-elected two years later, serving two terms. While he was Sheriff he studied law nearly two years under J. R. Grogan, of Logan, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus in 1868. He began the practice of law at Logan, and is still a member of - (918) - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 919 the bar of Hocking County. He was elected Probate Judge of Hocking County in the fall of 1872, and has held that office two successive terms of three years each, and in 1881 he was again elected, and is now an incumbent of that office. He has also held the positions of Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace. March 18, 1849, he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Rosser, of Athens County. They have had eight children, five of whom are living. The last three all died in infancy. Those who survive are—James Nelson, Deputy Probate Clerk; Mary Jane, wife of Asbury Voris, of Logan; William Henry, a printer at Logan; Sarah Catherine, wife of Christopher C. Guergenesmier, a cabinet-maker of Logan, and Harriet Louisa. Mr. Acker is art Odd Fellow of Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, at Logan, of which he is Past Grand, and is also Past Worthy Patriarch of Mineral Encampment, No. 91, at Logan. Morrison H. Ambrose, proprietor of the Rempel House, is a native of Ohio, and was born near Tiffin, Seneca County, Dec. 9, 1839. He remained on his father's farm in Seneca County, attending school winters nntil twenty-three, when he went to Lancaster, Ohio, and was employed as superintendent and clerk in the Talmage Hotel; remained here until August, 1871, when he located in Logan and opened the American House. In 1875 Mr. Ambrose remodeled the American House and changed the name to the Rempel House. He has remodeled this house from time to time, and at present it ranks among the best hotels of the valley. Mr. Ambrose married Miss Ella Flemm, at Lancaster, Nov. 10, 1868. She was the daughter of C. Flemm, one of the pioneer hotel men, and proprietor of the old Talmage House, of Lancaster. He died April 22, 1877. He was a native of Germany, and came' to America when a young man. Mr. Ambrose was the eldest son of Frederick W. and 'Jane (Morrison) Ambrose, his father a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., and his mother of Maryland. His father died in April, 1871, and his mother in 1849. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had a family of three sons and four daughters, two sons and two daughters now living. Mr. Ambrose is a Mason, member of Lancaster Lodge, No. 57. He is agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New York. He is one of the pioneer hotel men of the valley, an active business man, and has been identified with Logan since 1871. In politics be has always been a Republican. He deals extensively in real estate, and has built and owns quite a number of fine residences. 920 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Charles Pemberton Armstrong, son of William and Margaret J. (Lacy) Armstrong, was born in Logan, May 14, 1849. He was reared in his native place and received his education in the public school. His father being a dealer in tinware, our subject in early boyhood began to work as a tinner, and in 1877 he entered his father's shop, working as a hand until his father's death, which occurred Feb. 12, 1883, since when he has taken charge of the business for his mother. Thomas Edwin Baker, junior member of the firm of Work & Baker, stove and tinware merchants of Logan, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, July 14, 1828, where he was reared. He is the eldest of five sons of Luman and Sarah Ann (Hart) Baker, with whom he lived till he was fifteen years old, when he became apprenticed to John McClelland to learn the tinner's trade, at which he served till his nineteenth year. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, and worked as a journeyman for one year, after which he worked for six months at Newark, Ohio. In the fall of 1849 he went to Bainbridge, Ross Co., Ohio, where he held the position of foreman in the shop of Grove W. Penny until the following spring, when he came to Logan and engaged with his father in the stove and tinware business, the firm name being T. E. Baker & Co. In 1852 his father retired from the firm, and he carried on the business alone till 1857, when he sold out to G. M. Webb & Co., being employed by them as a journeyman until July, 1862. He was then commissioned First Lieutenant by Governor Tod, and assisted in recruiting Company G, Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he went into service and served in the front until July, 1863, when he was wounded in the foot at Stone River, which disabled him. In December, 1862, he was ordered to a convalescent hospital at Jeffersonville, Ind., where he remained until October, 1863, when a veteran reserve corps was organized of the convalescents, and he was ordered out as Captain of Company G, Seventeenth Regiment Reserved Corps, he having been promoted to Captain in June, 1863, serving with his company on guard duty at Indianapolis until October, 1864. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River and several less important skirmishes, and in October, 1864, resigned his commission and returned to Logan. In March, 1865, he formed a partnership with Robert R. Work in his present business. He was married Oct. 10, 1850, to Miss Mary D. Tow-. ers, of Lancaster, by whom he has had nine children, six of whom are living, viz.: Frances Mary, wife of George Mumford, of Logan; HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 921 Annie E., wife of George Brashears, of Straitsville; Luman E., Hamden Culver, Gertrude and Nellie W. The deceased ones were: John Borland, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Sallie Alice, wife of A. Pettit, of Troy, Ohio, who died at twenty-one years of age, and Louisa, who died aged three years. Mr. Baker has served as Councilman of Logan. He is a Master, Royal Arch and Council Mason, and member of the lodge, chapter and council at Logan. He is a charter member of J. K. Rochester Post, No. 140, G. A. R., of Logan. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Logan, of which he is a Trustee. Abraham Washington Beery, a Director of the People's Bank, Logan, was born near Staunton, Rockingham Co., Va., Dec. 12, 1799, a son of John and Margaret (Shafer) Beery. In 1805 his parents came to Ohio and settled six miles east of Lancaster, Fairfield County, where he was reared. April 20, 1820, he married Elizabeth Miracle, of Fairfield County, and settled on a farm. In 1826, in connection with farming, he ran a six-horse freight team from Lancaster to Baltimore and Cincinnati. In 1834 he sold his farm and team, and removed to Perry County, and in 1836 came to Hocking County, and bought 300 acres of land near Logan, soon after buying 200 acres more. He improved it all, and with farming engaged also in stock-raising. In 1842 he was elected Treasurer of Hocking County, and removed to Logan. He held the office four years, and at the end of that time returned to his farm. In 1852 he divided his farm with his sons, and returned to Logan and engaged in the grocery business. In 1856 he retired from all business except banking. April 17, 1858, his wife died, leaving thirteen children, only two of whom are now living— Simeon and Amos. July 14, 1858, he married Elizabeth McFadden, of Hocking County. At the organization of the First Bank of Logan he was one of the stockholders and was elected a Director. When the People's Bank was organized he was also a stockholder and was elected Vice-President, resigning in 1882 on account of defective hearing. Mr. and Mrs. Beery are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M. Raymond Belt.—Mr. Belt's' parentage on the father's side was purely English. When Wm. Claibourn, in the year 1632, erected a trading post on " Kent's Island " in the Chesapeake Bay, near the site of the city of Baltimore, with a little colony, it was in part comprised of Benjamin and Humphries Belt, from County York, East Riding, England. In a few years after their arrival, Benjamin 922 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Belt became dissatisfied, returned to the mother country, leaving his brother Humphries, the progenitor of this branch of the Belt family, behind. John Belt, the father of Raymond Belt, was born in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1769, the generation of Belts, from Humphries down, having resided in and around Baltimore since 1632. In 1775 John Belt, with his father's family, emigrated to the State of Pennsylvania, and in 1794, at the age of twenty-five years, married Miss Elizabeth Bumgardner. In 1804, with his small family, he emigrated to the State of Ohio, settling in Licking County, on a farm near Newark, the county seat. Here Raymond, the youngest of a family of ten, was born March 4, 1819. He pursued the calling of a husbandman until he was of the age of twenty-three years, receiving in the meantime a good common-school education, such as was imparted in that day and age by the pedagogues of district schools. In 1842 Mr. Belt commenced working at the carpenter's trade in the little village of Van Attasburg, in Licking County, and being ingenious, and of a mechanical turn of mind, soon mastered the rudiments and was pronounced a complete workman in wood. Van Attasburg containing an iron foundry, plow-making was carried on to a considerable extent; in the stocking or wooding of plows, handy, ingenious workmen were required, and Mr. Belt's well-known mechanical ideas soon called him to that branch of wood manufacturing business. After; working about two years in Van Attasburg he removed to Toledo, Ohio; remained there one year and returned to the burg once more, remaining and carrying on for himself and building up the business of the village, until the spring of 1846, when he pulled up stakes and moved his plow-stocking business to the then village of Logan. There being no foundry in Logan at that time, Mr. Belt transported the iron fixings for his plows from Van Attasburg, by wagon, across the county, a distance of over fifty miles, until the idea suggested itself that castings could be manufactured at Logan as cheap as any other point in Ohio, all that was wanting was the facilities for so doing, and being a man of nerve as well as practical mechanic, he, in 1848, associating with himself Robert Van Atta, a thorough molder and foundryman, they immediately proceeded to erect the first foundry and machine shop in the valley of the Hockhocking, which proved a great success. Oct. 1, 1848, Mr. Belt married Miss Susan Guthrie, of Zanesville, 0., formerly of Baltimore, Md. Mr. Belt continued the foundry business as a copartnership business until 1860, when he became the sole owner. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 923 The same year Mr. Belt assumed the business alone he enlarged the capacity of the works, manufacturing not only plows, but machinery of every description iron could be formed into, manufacturing during the war great numbers of iron cane mills, and that with the increasing demand of every thing in his line made for him, during these years, an independency so far as worldly goods were concerned. In 1873 the main machine shop building and a portion of the foundry were destroyed by fire, causing considerable loss, but Mr Belt, with that indomitable energy characteristic of the man, immediately commenced building again on a more extensive scale, this time using stone, brick and iron for building material, instead of wood. Completing the outer works, he filled the establishment with the latest and most improved machinery, continued the business, increasing it year by year, until to-day we find him conduct. ing the most prosperous machine and foundry works in Southern Ohio. During the wedded life of Mr. Belt five children have been born unto him, four of whom are still living, two of each sex, and all grown up to manhood and womanhood, six grandchildren being already added to the family list. Andrew Blum, farmer, second son of Martin and Jacobine E., nee Sheine, Blum, was born near Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany, Sept. 28, 1827. When three years of age he came with his parents to the United States and settled near Hanover, Penn., where they lived three years and then removed to Thorn Township, Perry Co., Ohio, and resided nine years. They then came to Laurel Township, Hocking County, near Gibisonville. Mr. Blum has been engaged in farming since twenty-one years of age. In February, 1873, he came to Falls Township where he has since resided. Aug. 15, 1848, he married Sarah, daughter of Solomon and Barbara A. (Fought) Kline, of Hocking County. They have twelve living children—Margaret, wife of Henry Miller, of Laurel Township; Jacobine E., wife of George Miller, of Washington Township; Barbara A., wife of John Risch, of Good Hope Township; Abraham, Mary, Solomon, Caroline, Samuel, Ella, John H., Emma and George. Andrew died in infancy in Van Wert County. Mr. and Mrs. Blum are members of the Lutheran church. Luther Stone Bort, insurance agent, Logan, Ohio, was born near Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., July 18, 1818. When he was quite small he removed with his parents, Barnard H. and Polly (Dewey) Bort, to Erie, Pa., with whom he lived until he was 924 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. fourteen years of age, and till then had received but a meager education. On leaving home he went to Ravenna, Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade with his uncle, Colonel N. Laurin Dewey, being with him four years. He then worked in different offices of that place until 1840, when he came to Columbus, Ohio, and was employed in the Statesman office during 1840 and '41. In June, 1841, he came to Logan and permanently settled, where he was employed as foreman in the Hocking Sentinel office, he issuing the first number of that paper. In 1845 he purchased a half interest in the same paper, which he owned until 1847, when he sold out, and in that year established the flocking Valley Republican, which he owned and published until 1850, when he removed his paper to McArthur, Vinton County, where he published it until 1853. He then sold out and returned to Logan and was employed as clerk and assistant manager of the Logan Furnace Company until 1860. He then removed to St. Louis, Mo., and remained until the breaking out of the Rebellion,when he returned to Logan, where he has since been variously employed. In 1861 he was elected Assistant Assessor of Hocking County serving three or four years. In the spring of 1862 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Falls Township, and is now the incumbent of that office. Nov. 14, 1843, he was married to Sallie Ann Case, of Logan, by whom he has three living children—Laurin L. and William F., both bookkeepers for W. B. Brooks & Son, of Nelsonville, Ohio, and Lucius 0., a clerk in the drug store of Miller & Case, at Logan. They have lost five by death—two in infancy, two between five and twelve, and one who had reached maturity. Mr. Bort is a Master, Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar Mason. Charles Edward. Bowen, son of Mead and Lucy (Drake) Bowen, was born at Logan, Oct. 7, 1839, where he was reared, being educated in the common and select schools till his fourteenth year, when he began clerking in the store of Crooks & Ijams, remaining there three years. He then clerked in different stores in Logan until he was twenty-one, when he was appointed Cashier of the Citizens' Bank, of Logan. In 1863 he became a stockholder in the First National Bank of Logan, of which he was elected a Director and Cashier, retaining that position until July 14, 1881, when the First National Bank surrendered its charter and reorganized as a private institution under the name of the First Bank of Logan. He was a stockholder of this bank and was again elected a Director. April 5, 1877, he was married to Lucy