SCIOTO & HOCKING VALLEY RAILROAD
was organized in the year 1849. The route or line upon which .it was to be built was from
Portsmouth, on the Ohio River, to Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, passing through the counties of
Scioto, Jackson, Vinton, Hocking, Perry
* Divided, Rush from Union, 1867: Valley from Jefferson, 1860.
† City of Portsmouth and Wayne Township, together since 1870.
and Licking, and just touching the northern corner of Lawrence County. Work was commenced
in 1850, and Aug. 15, 1853, it had reached Jackson C.-H., in Jackson County. There was not any
certainty of its being carried further north than Jackson unless the people could be aroused in
Vinton County and to the north of her, and the friends of the road went to work in these counties.
Sept. 2, 1852, the largest railroad meeting ever held in the Hocking Valley came off at Logan. A
grand barbecue was given, and the 1 air fairly shook with railroad eloquence. It was a memorable
day in the history of Hocking County. The line of route was from Portsmouth, on the Ohio River,
running to Jackson, in Jackson County, through McArthurstown, in Vinton County, Logan in
Hocking, to Somerset in Perry County, thence to Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, as its terminus. It
was computed that 5,000 people were in attendance that day, coming from Jacksou on the south
to Newark on the north. Perry County turned out the banner delegation, betiing over a half mile
long, accompanied by a band of music. The people of Logan and surrounding country were
awakened at suntirise by a Federal salute. Up to that time it was the largest railroad meeting ever
held in the State, and few since have exceeded it. It was decided that Perry County should raise
$150,000, Hocking County $80,000, and Vinton County $50,000.
This action of the people strengthened the enterprise, and reached Jackson the following year, or
1853. On its arrival there work ceased for some twelve months so far as laying any rails was
concerned, but the grading I was completed to Somerset, in Perry County, with the exception of a
tunnel at Maxwell aud a heavy cut at Union Furnace. After a twelve months' rest work was again
commenced, aud the rails were laid to the hamlet of Hamden, and there formed a junction with
the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad .
HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 133
Then there was another cessation of work, and an attempt to negotiate the sale of their bond
being a failure, and therefore meeting with financial embarrassment, there was a collapse; the
road bed and right of way havuing been mortgaged, the same was foreclosed and the whole
forfeited to the land owners. The most of the stock was held by persons living along the line of
the contemplated road. This ended that project and a calm ttled over the valley.
PORTSMOUTH BRANCH OF THE M. & C. R. R.
The portion of the road completed south and southwest from Hamden Junction to Portsmouth
went into the hands of a receiverir the year 1858, who operated it under the order of the court
until the road was sold, ay 23,1863. The purchase of the road en-ire, with all its equipments, was
made by J. Stead, Isaac Hartshorn, and Earl Mason, of Providence, R. I., as Trustees in half of the
second bond-holders, for $411,100, the purchasers agreeing with the holders of the first mortgage
bonds to assume their payment. That year a reorganization of the company was effected under the
name of the Portsmouth & Newark Railroad Company. The new company at once took steps to
disinpose of the property, the reorganization of the company probably being to accomplish
itssale. The Marietta & Cincinnati Railway Company became its purchaser, and it was operated
by that company under the name of the Portsmouth Branch of the M. & C. R. R. This continued
until Jan. 1, 1883, when the entire road, of which it was a branch, was reorganized under the
name of the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad, and is the property of the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad Company. The officers of the road are: Orlando Smith, President; Manager, J.
H. Stewint; Master of Transportation, Jno. E. Rose. Their depot buildings were burned in 1866.
Since then they have used temporary structures. Wm. C. Draper has been the General Agent of
the company at Portsmouth since 1858.
The road takes a northeasterly course from Portsmouth until it reaches the center of Jackson
County, and then a general course north to its junction at Hamden, on the edge of Vinton County.
Two passenger trains are run each way daily and one freight train each way, the latter, however,
often being supplemented by one extra train, and sometimes two.
The distance to Hamden is fifty-six miles, and between Portsmouth and that point it passes
through the great mineral belt, wherein are some twenty-five furnaces and a score or more of
heavy coal operators.
SCIOTO VALLEY RAILROAD.
This road was one of the earliest roads promulgated in the county. In fact, Nature had made a
valley rich in agricultural eleinments and level in its topographical features for a great
commercial highway, and the most remarkable part of the building of this road was the fact that
while Nature had made it so conspicuously a route for the iron horse, that nearly thirty years
elapsed from its first attempt before the road became an actual fact.
In the summer and fall of 1848 the subject of building a railroad down the valley of the Scioto
River took shape, and Feb. 20, 1849, a charter was obtained for the Scioto & Hocking Valley
Railroad. Work at once commenced to raise subscriptions for the road, and Scioto and Pike
counties stepped proudly to the front and cut their own throats. Pike County refused by 280
majority to have anything to do with it, and Scioto defeated it by seven votes. The route for the
road, according to the charter, was from Newark, in Licking County, to Portsmouth, on the Ohio
River, via Lancaster, Chillicothe and Piketon. August, 1849, was to have
134 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY
been the time of commencing work. Portsmouth, however, was anxious for the road, and willing
to do her part, but was not strong enough to carry the county. She stepped to the front with a city
subscription by the council of $100,000, and $28,000 was subscribed by her capitalists and
business men. The route was changed, and while Portsmouth preferred the Scioto Valley route,
she wanted a railroad and kept her faith. The route was changed by the Legislature the next
winter to a route via Webster, Jackson, Hamden, McArthur, etc., Mar. 11, 1853. After being
completed to Jackson, the road was mortgaged for $1,000,000, seven per cent. interest, and with
this money the road was completed to Hamden Junction, connecting with the Marietta &
Cincinnati Railroad. The road from Portsmouth to Jackson cost only $19,500 per mile. The iron
was purchased to be laid down on the landing at Portsmouth for $70 per ton. The intention was to
take it to McArthur, Logan, and to its terminal point, Newark, but it failed. In the meantime the
real Scioto Valley road lay slumberuing as if death would become a certainty. But a revival took
place near the close of the late war, and a contract was actually let for the road between
Columbus and Chillicothe for grading, Aug. 7, 1865, and then another collapse. In April, 1869,
this important work again received attention, and a meeting was held with the Board of Directors
of the Cleveland & Columbus Railroad to have them take hold of it as a feeder to their road, and
W. A. Hutchins was assured that the matter would be looked into. That ended that project, and
the next move was to build the road. A Michigan railroad company was organized to build a
railroad north and south right through the State of Ohio. This road was called the Lake Shore,
Columbus & Portsmouth Railroad. They in reality brought life and final success to the Scioto
Valley Railroad. They secured a charter, which was filed July 22, 1870, shares, $50 each, and
capital stock, $2,500,000. The route south of Columbus was to run through the counties of
Franklin, Pickaway, Ross, Pike and Scioto. In the meantime, or on July 20, 1870, a large railroad
meeting was held at Portsmouth to look after the building of the Cincinnati, Chesapeake &
Chicago, via Ironton, Portsmouth, etc., and a railroad fever began to assume a violence that
looked as if it might culminate into something of a tangible *nature. The Michigan company
pushed things, and a vote for a subscription to this road was sprung in the four lower
counties—Scioto, Pike; Ross and Pickaway. Scioto was now awake, and the folly of twenty years
before was not re-enacted. She came to the work with a vote of 3,472 for the subscription, and
only 603 against it. Ross and Pike also voted in favor, but Pickaway gave it a defeat. The vote in
Scioto was taken July 13, 1872. Portsmouth itself was on a boom. The year 1872 showed
building improvements to the amount of $264,649, and boatinbuilding, $28,100. In 1873 he work
of securing the right of way was going on, and in 1874 Portsmouth raised a private subscription
of $130,000; $12,200 of this was raised in Clay Township, and about $1,000 in other townships
by private subscription. The Gaylor Rolling Mill gave a subscription of $5,000.
Here was something tangible to go on, and the original incorporators of the Scioto Valley
Railroad Company began to think it was I time for them to wake up. If a foreign company could
do so much why couldn't they! After $116,000 was subscribed in Portsmouth and vicinity, and all
along the line the people had fallen into the scheme, then the Scioto Valley Company requested
to have these subscriptions turned over 4o them, as the north end of the Michigan scheme could
not get through. So the company' was reorganized, and May 13, 1875, T. Ewing
HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 135
was elected President, and the following subscriptions asked for : Franklin, $150,000; Pickaway,
$75,000; Ross, $100,000; Pike, $50,000, and Scioto, $125,000—a total of $500,000. George D.
Chapman came forward and proclaimed his willingness to build the road if that half million
dollars was raised and pledged to him. That was promised, and the beginning of the end became
a fact. In August, 1875, the grading was let between Chillicothe and Columbus. In July, 1875,
there were still $58,000 of the half million dollars subscription lacking, but Scioto put her
shoulder to the wheel, determined to carry it through. The engineers were in the field below
Chillicothe, and work must continue. June, 1876, the road was located to Waverly, and there
crossing the river came down on the east side. From that time on, although money was hard to
raise, the road continued to progress, and by October, 1877, the track was laid. Oat. 13, 1877, a
construction train, the first that passed up the road, ran as far as Piketon and returned, having a
delegation from Portsmouth aboard. On Sunday, at 3 P. M., the last spike was driven in the
Scioto Valley Railroad, nine miles south of Chillicothe, and the capital of the State and the
beautiful city on the bank of the La Belle Riviere were united by an iron band, and the long and
anxiously looked for road was at last an accomplished fact. Had it been built twenty years sooner
Portsmouth no doubt at this day would have had fifty per cent. more population. Other roads
were built, and the highway of travel taken from the river, and she became only a by-way. The
first regular train started in January, 1878, and an excursion train to Columbus left Portsmouth,
Dec. 28, 1877, and returned. Columbus gave them a hearty welcome, and the two cities " smiled
" in unison. The road is an accomplished fact, yet Portsmouth has not felt the inspiration
necessary to give her a great boom, but other roads are coming, and her future is one that has "
progress " written all over it.
CINCINNATI & EASTERN RAILROAD.
This road was incorporated Jan. 11, 1876, under the name of the Cincinnati, Batavia &
Williamsburg Railroad Company — the road to run from the former city to the town of
Williamsburg, in Clermont County—with a capital stock of $200,000. May 10, 1876, the capital
stock was increased to $500,000, and the terminus was changed from Williamsburg to
Portsmouth, May 16, 1876. Then May 24, 1876, the name was changed from that first given to
the Cincinnati & Eastern Railway Company. A branch was also chartered to New Richmond,
Ohio, by an amendment to its charter Dec. 12, 1876. Feb. 21, 1877, the road was completed to
Williamsburg. It reached Winchester, Adams County, in the August following, and extended its
eastern terminus from Batavia toward Cincinnati, five miles. Under a temporary lease without
rental, it operated the Columbus & Maysville Road.
CHESAPEAKE & OHIO RAILROAD.
An effort was made to get this road by the way of Portsmonth, and a company was formed and
incorporated March 4, 1879, called the Chesapeake & Cincinnati Railroad.
Then there was the Chesapeake & Chicago. Railroad, which was to run southeast through
Highland County to Piketon and then down the valley to Portsmouth, while another route was to
cut the angle and go from Piketon to Ironton direct. Then there was the Ironton, Portsmouth &
Cincinnati Road, incorporated in 1870, which, had it succeeded, would have put an end to the
Cincinnati & Eastern. Other projects have been started, and Portsmouth and Scioto County have
had many railroads on paper, of which three full-grown roads will soon be the result.
CHAPTER IX.
SOCIETIES—INFIRMARY—FLOODS—ITEMS—COUNTY OFFICERS.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Agricultural and horticultural societies have become quite numerous throughout the country, and
there is very little in the history of the State that has done more to advance her progress than
these exhibitions of the intelligence and enterprise and progressive spirit of the agricultural
population. The success of these institutions is due alone to the education and social qualities of
the masses, and history furnishes no successful farming community that does not have the spirit
of competition buoyant and active, which does not have a pride in the friendly strife to carry off
the blue ribbon at the fair. It is these associations and the rivalry they engender which bring
prominently before the people of this country and of Europe the advancements made in
developing the rich resources of our fertile fields. That competition is the life of business is true,
and competition at agricultural fairs sharpens the intellect and faculties of our husubandmen,
gives life to the inventive genius of our artisans and mechanics, and encourages those who have
chosen to work in the labyrinthian depths of the still scarcely known fields of science and of art.
Agricultural and horticultural societies should, then, be nourished with care, for their success is
due to the intelligence, enterprise and social qualities of the people. Without this they will not
flourish. Strong and vigorous competition with tenacity of purpose insures success, and the
honest pride of the people in these tests of skill is worthy of all praise. Not only is the skill of the
hands of man brought to high perfection, but the genius and intuition of the women of the land,
their handicraft in those departments of labor in which they stand pre-eminent, are quickened by
these social agents of American progress, and these notable attributes, the grace, culttiure and
modest bearing of the glorious womanhood of our country, stand forth in all their native force
and beauty. It is this view of the case that calls forth regret, that the farmers, mechanics and
artisans of Scioto County have allowed the agricultural and horticultural society of the county to
droop and die. While they may not know what they lose by this mingling of social life, and these
annual contributions of their skill in all the branches of farm life and in the mechanics and the
arts, yet it can not be computed in I dollars and cents; and to the world at large it is a sad
evidence of a want of enterprise and neighborly feeling. Scioto County stands in need of a
first-class agricultural society, but whether her people will arise and throw off their sloth is a
question yet to be answered, and we are afraid only in the dim and distant future.
FIRST ORGANIZATION.
The first agricultural and horticultural society organized in Scioto County was in 1828. A
meeting was held the last week in May and a committee appointed to draft a constitution and
by-laws, and prepare for a permanent or-
- 136 -
HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 137
ganization. The meeting for this latter purpose was held June 16, 1828. The constitution was
adopted and the following officers were elected and a board of directors appointed: President,
Roswell Crane ; Vice-President, William Kendall; Corresponding Secretaries, S. M. Tracy, Ed.
Hamilton; Recording Secretary, John . Peebles; Treasurer, John H. Thornton; Board of Directors
and Members, William Kendall, David Mitchell, William M. Burke, Samuel B. Burt, Ebenezer
Corwine, David Xones, George Hered, James Dewitt. Peter H, Lindsey, G. W. Clingman and
William Shelpman. But two fairs were held, in the falls of 1828 and 1829, holding two days
each, and probably for the period were fairly successful. Nothing further was heard of it, arid just
when it collapsed is not of record. The next attempt to start a society was in 1839. Oct. 4 of that
year a meeting was held, and the Scioto Agricultural Society was formed with the following
officials elected: President, Joseph Moore; Vice-President, Anson Chamberlain ; Treasurer,
Aaron Kinney; Corresponding Secretary, John R. Turner; Recording Secretary, Francis
Cleveland; Directors, William Kendall, Ora Crane, Peter Noel, John B. Dodd, Allen C.
McArthur, John C. Crull, Ira A. Hitchcock, Joshua Nurse, Benjamin Masters and William Marsh.
In 1840 Colonel Joseph Moore was re-elected President and Allen C. McArthur, Secretary. The
fall of 1839 the Portsmouth Jockey Club held races, which commenced Oct. 24, 1839, and H.
Jefford, who had charge of the races, notified the entrees that he would be responsible for the
purses offered. Whether there was a fair held was not mentioned. The society continued to exist
for several years, and quite a number of fairs were held. In 1854 the following were the officers:
President, G. S. B. Hempstead; Vice-President, John A. Turley; Treasurer, Thomas Ducan ;
Secretary, A, Buskirk; Directors, Josiah G. Merrill, N. L. Robinson, James M. Cole, C. O. Tracy
and John Masters.
In the following December after a successful fair was held a new election of officers for
1855 took place, and as the officials had been successful nearly all were re-elected: G. S. B.
Hempstead, President; John A. Turley, Vice-President; W. S. McColm, Secretary; Thos.
Dugan, Treasurer: Directors, Burris Moore, Nile Township; Clark Gallagher, Washington
Township; Geo. W. Hered, Union Township; James Freeman, Brush Creek Township;
Jonathan Glaze, Morgan Township; Geo. W. Coffrin, Wayne Township; John L. Ward, Wayne
Township; Aaron Noel, Clay Township; Chas. H. Davis, Jefferson Township; Josiah G. Merrill,
Porter Township; Orin Gould, Greene Township; John White, Madison Township; Claudius
Caddo, Vernon Township; L. P. N. Smith, Bloom Township; John M. Violet, Harrison
Township.
March 6, 1856, a meeting was held for the purpose of putting life into the organization, for it
began to drag fearfully; $350 was raised in Portsmouth to give as premiums, and the following
persons were named and asked to canvass their respective townships and revive the spirits of
the farmers and get them more thoroughly interested so as to have a good meeting in the fall:
Mitchell Evans, Wm. Veach, Nile Township; Aaron Clark, Clark Galliger, Washington
Township; Levi Kirkendall, Phillip Noel, Union Township; Thornton Kendall, Freeman, Brush
Creek Township; David Noel, John Clay, Morgan Township; W. H. Bennett, A. W. Buskirk,
Wayne Township; Wm. Masters, P. W. Noel, Clay Township; Leonand Croniger, H. C. Rouse,
Jefferson Township; S. Pixley, G. W. Flanders, Porter Township; P. F. Boynton, Orin Gould,
Greene Township; A. S. McFann, C. Cadot, Vernon Township; Wm. Noland, W. H. Stockham,
Madison Township; George T. Walton, Wm. Holmes, Bloom Township; Win. Crull, Bat-
138 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.
terson, Harrison Township. It was, however, but a spasmodic effort and the organization finally
gave up its life.
Since the civil war no attempt has been made to revive the society, or if so it has been a failure.
This is unfortunate for the county. While Scioto County is not all agricultural, yet it contributes
no small share of the aggregate, in cereals and stock, that forms the crops and the wealth of the
State, and in this respect the farming population is lacking in enterprise and pride in their calling.
GRANGE
At the time of the grange excitement through the State quite a number of granges were organized,
and much interest seemed to be raised. Their first annual harvest picnic was held Sept. 3, 1874,
and was a splendid success. A county council was organized Sept. 12,1874, and the order
flourished greatly the following year. It then began to lose its interest and has finally disappeared,
although there is a semblance of State and National organization still kept up. It has no influence
upon the farming interests of the country, and is probably held together by the property of the
National Grange, which has not been divided and is not likely to be. Who will get it of course is
not known, but a few leaders are disposed to hold on.
The order in all respects was one to be proud of. Its object and aim was the elevation of the
working classes of the country, to show them their rights and how those rights might be secured
by a unity of action and a concentration of purpose; not only this, but the education and culture of
all was one of its card nal features. To enhance the comforts and attractions of homes, to foster
and encourage neighborly feeling, to lessen expense by co-operation, to purchase cheaper by
combining and purchasing in larger quantities, to avoid litigation, to earnestly work to allay all
sectional strife and make us indeed one people and one country, were the links in the chain
which bound together those who had united with the order.
There was enough in these desires to found an organization as durable as the rocks, but fraud
enlisted the thousands who are ever ready to sell their souls for gain, and what they could not and
dare not do openly to oppose this organization was done by treachery and deceit.
COUNTY INFIRMARY.
The first County Infirmary was erected in 1846, and finished in December of that year. The
contractors and builders were Messrs. McIntyre & Stillwell, and on completion at above date was
turned over to the county commissioners. The commissioners at their January session, 1847,
appointed three Infirmary Directors to hold until others were elected and qualified: Joseph Riggs,
Moses Gregory and Jacob T. Noel. This remained until destroyed by fire in 1882, when
arrangeinents were made to erect a more commodious building, and for that purpose the
commissioners met in session in September, 1882. At that meeting the following record was
made: " The board of commissioners being in session, and all the members thereof being present,
the Infirmary Directors of said county, to-wit: Joseph Graham, Leonidas Piles and Jacob Bower,
appeared at said meeting and took seats with said commissioners, and thereupon the plans,
drawing, specifications, bills of material and estimates relative to the building of a County
Infirmary heretofore proposed and finished by A. B. Alger, architect, were taken up by the joint
board of county commissioners and infirmary directors for examination, and after the same were
duly examined. Chas. Goddard moved that the said plans, drawing, representations and estimates
for the building of a County Infirmary be approved and that said approval be indorsed upon the
same, which motion was
HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 139
seconded by W. Turner and carried by the following vote: Yes, Joseph Graham, Leonidas Piles,
Jacob Bower, Infirmary Directors; C. A. Goddard, Chas. Winter, Wm. Turner, Board of County
Commissioners."
Sept. 11, 1882.
The building is still in progress of erection at this writing, September, 1883, with the prospect of
its being, completed within a year.
The specifications and the estimates submitted and approved seemed to carry out the idea of a
building to cost about $10,000. The estimates offered are given: Carpenter work, L. J. Dewey,
$2,660; stone work, Musser & Noel, $502.34; brick work, E. Stearns, $3,800; tinning work, J. M.
Lenhart, $585; plastering work, M. White, $1,070; painting work, H. Burger, $425; total,
$9,042.34.
That was the total intended cost, but it is now thought that the commissioners will be willing, on
account of changes made, to pay $15,000 for a clear bill of cost. It is expected to cost about this
sum when fully completed and furnished.
THE WATERS AND THE FLOODS.
Since the settlement of this section of the country numerous floods have come upon the Scioto
Valley, and along the banks of the beautiful "La Belle Riviere," destroying a vast amount of
property in their surging and murky waters. The valley of the gcioto and along the Ohio has been
subject to occasional inundations from the Scioto and Ohio rivers. From the first settlement of
the county in the year 1795 to the year 1820, they were more frequent and certain than since;
gradually they have been diminishing in height and frequency, with the exception of the years
1832, 1847, 1858, 1875 and 1883.
The floods in the Ohio give the river a rise and fall of about sixty feet, but Feb. 15, 1832, it rose
to sixty-three feet and produced immense injury to crops, fences and bridges. The Scioto poured
in its flood, and the valley for miles and from hill to hill was a vast inland sea.
Since that period the Ohio bottoms had not been inundated until the winter of 1847, during which
the water was four times at forty-five and once at fifty feet above low water mark.
These heavy floods covered all the low lands up to the second plateau, which rises from the
banks of the river, and they covered all of the city of Portsmouth located. upon the first terrace. A
steamboat was once made fast to the old hotel building which stood where the Biggs House now
stands. The flood of 1858 occurred in May, and the Scioto and its tributaries were bank full with
the raging waters. The loss to crops was not so great, but the corn and the me ows suffered
severely. The rains continued, a heavy storm coming up on the night of the 5th of June, and by
the 7th had reached their greatest, and was up to within a few inches of the last of May freshet.
June 11 came another storm, and this came before the waters h ad subsided, and it again swelled
the river until it equaled that of 1847 and exceeded that of 1852. The damage was to meadows;
crops fences and bridges were covered with a heavy coating of mud and debris. Something over
$100,000 was a computation of the loss by this disastrous flood. The next serious flood was that
of 1873. The rain commenced falling July 3, on Thursday, and continued until Saturday the 5th,
and the valley was inundated from above Chillicothe to the river's mouth. But the flood of 1875,
because of its coming in a summer month, was perhaps the severest (although nearly seven feet
lower than the great rise of 1832) upon the people of the Scioto Valley as well a those living
along the Ohio River. This flood destroyed full 10,000 acres of grain in the Scioto Valley and
along the Ohio River, within the county. Pike County offered
140 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY
equally, according to its extent of valley surface.
Fences, bridges, etc., were carried away. The loss on the Ohio River mid the tributaries of the
Ohio and Scioto in the county swelled the actual destruction to over 10,000 acres of corn, and a
total loss to the sufferers by the flood of over $500,000. Perhaps the freshets of earlier years'
might have been as expensive had the country been as well settled, but this flood and a rise some
two weeks earlier proved the most destructive since the valley has been settled.
THE. FLOOD OF 1883.
The flood of February, 1883, was the highest known for over a quarter of a century, and but two
previous rises were higher, that of 1832, when it rose sixty-three feet, and that of 1847, when it
rose to sixty-two feet seven inches, the rise of 1883 being sixty-two feet. It commenced Feb. 7 to
give unmistakable signs of a great flood, but being in the winter season, while very destructive to
the winter wheat and meadows, did not have that fearful effect upon the corn and potato crops
which the flood of 1875 proved so destructive. It was to many in the valley a very serious loss,
for everything that could float was carried off.
ITEMIZED.
The first school was taught in the winter of 1798-'99 by John Edgar, and the following winter the
second was taught by Reese Thompson. This was in Greene Township.
The first water mill was erected in the fall of 1798 on Bonser's Run, a small stream e-ptying into
the Little Scioto River, by Isaac Bonser. It was a small affair, but of sufficient capacity to meet
the wants of the settlers, and took the place of hand mills in the neighborhood.
The house of John Collins, in Alexandria, was named as the first place in which to hold court.
The first flat boat was built in the fall of 1800, by John W. and Abram Millar, and they took a
trip to New Orleans.
The last buffalo seen was killed by Philip Salladay, on the headwaters of Pine Run, in what is
now Vernon Township, in 1797.
Samuel Marshall and Hezekiah Merritt planted and raised the first crop of corn in the county in
1796.
The first tavern kept in whit is now Scioto County was by John Collins, in Alexandria, in the
winter of 1796-'97.
Stephen Cary put up the first house in Alexandria in 1796, Stephen Smith the second, the same
year, followed by John Collins, Munn and others.
The first child born in what is now Scioto County was Fannie Marshall, born in 1797, daughter
of Samuel Marshall, Sr.
The first male child born, so far as is known, was William Gilruth, in 1799.
The first resident physician was Dr. Thomas Waller, who located in Alexandria in 1801. He was
a physician of ability and a gentleman by education and practice.
'The first brick house erected in the city of Portsmouth was by Jacob Clingman, in 1808.
The first child ban in the city of Ports. mouth was Polly, daughter of Uriah Barbers. Her birth
was in 1804.
There has not been a hanging in Scioto County up to this date, 1883.
The surveyor who surveyed and platted Alexandria was Elias Langham.
The first surveyor who surveyed land inthe county, now Scioto, was John O'Bannon, in 1787.
The first tanyard in the county was started by Stephen Cary, in 1801.
The first house built within the corporate limits of Portsmouth was by Emanuel Traxler, in the
fall of 1796, on the high ground on what is now Scioto street, west end.
Emanuel Traxler was the first Justice'of the Peace living in what is now Scioto Coun-
HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 141
ty. He came in 1796, and was appointed by Governor St. Clair, in the spring of 1798.
The first tavern kept in the country was by Martin Funk, in 1803, on the Chillicothe road.
The first distillery in the country was built by the Cadots in 1798, but there were others soon
after.
The first court-house was a frame building, erected and completed in 1817. It was on Market
street, between Front and Second Streets.
The first log school-house built outside of Alexandria was in what is now Porter Township, near
Sciotoville; school taught in it by a Mr. Reed, from Virginia, in the winter of 1805.'06.
John F. Smith ran the first ferry across the Scioto, from Alexandria. This was when the mouth of
the Scioto was a mile and over below its present mouth, known as the " Old Mouth."
The first school taught in Alexandria was by William Jones in the year 1800.
The public Land office opened in Chillicothe in 1801.
The first marriage certificate of record reads "Oct. 5, 1802. Joined together as husband and wife,
Nathaniel Davisson and Betsey Kelley. Kimber Barton, Justice of the Peace."
OIL EXCITEMENT, 1861.
Quite an excitement was started in 1860 by the fact, that in boring for a salt well by John G.
Peebles and his partner they struck a small flow of oil. This was at Hanging Rock, a few miles
over the border, in Lawrence tonly. What was done in this county can be gathered froin this
extract, published in March, 1861:
"THE OIL WELLS OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
"The oil searchers in Scioto are still at work in full vigor, and prosecute their operations with a
determined energy and perseverance. The prospects are flattering, and if petroleum exists in
paying quantities here we have the satisfaction of knowing that it will not long remain
undiscovered. There are gentlemen from abroad engaged in the business here who have visited
the noted oil lands of Virginia and Pennsylvania, yet they consider the indications in this region
more promising than in any other. First, because they believe the yield will be greater and the
quality vastly superior. It is said that a ten-barrel well in Scioto would be fully equal to one of
fifty barrels in the Kanawha oil lands.
" Among the first wells bored in Scioto was that on Bear Creek by the Voorhies Rock Oil
Company. It is located on the Ohio Canal, twelve miles north of Portsmouth. The depth of it is
376 feet. Oil was struck but the well was not pumped.
" The company left it for a new location in Adams County. Their new well there, on Creek, reek,
is bored to the depth of 352 feet. The prospects there are most flattering, and the proprietors are
in high glee. Information from there to one of them here says that on Friday last a hand pump was
put into it and the yield in three hours was between one-half and a barrel of oil. Two of the
company left immediately for the " diggin's."
"On Munn's Run, about three miles north of Portsmouth, Messrs. Robinson, Hutchins and Riggs
have been working in the " Old Salt Well," the original depth of which is 333 feet. They have,
opened the ground work to the rock, and are reaming the mouth and preparing to " go below."
Their location is a fine one and considerable interest attaches to its success. Lands in the county,
in all directions, have been leased by speculators, and, should one of the wells now in
prosecution
strike a fine yield, the click of the bore would be heard in fifty more, in twenty-four hours after.
" The Portsmouth Petroleum Company are just about running down a bore a few miles
142 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.
above this latter well, while the Portsmouth Rock Oil Company are already actively engaged on a
lease a few miles still further up.
" The Scioto Furnace Company have made extensive preparations, and are working vigorously at
a well upon their lands. They have bored down about 125 feet, and sunk a shaft preparatory to
boring with a steam engine."
The result proved a complete failure.
A REMARKABLE TREE.
On the land of Abraham Miller, in the township of Seal, there was growing, in the early part of
the present century, a forked, hollow sycamore tree, which measured twenty-one feet in diameter,
and more than sixty feet in circumference, tapering from the base upward. The opening of the
cavity at the bottom was ten feet wide, and was nine and one-half feet high, with a diameter of
fourteen feet. In the year 1810 this tree was standing. The fork was about eight feet from the
ground, and at that date one of the branches was dead and broken off about twenty feet high, the
other and principal branch was green and thrifty. The spacious cavity attracted the attention of
the neighborhood and strangers in that early day. In Brown's Almanac of the above year it was
stated that at one time at an assembly of the people of the neighborhood under its spreading
branches, June, 1808, thirteen men on horseback entered the hollow trunk of this tree at ne time,
and there was room at least for two more, all sitting on their horses, and that the number of
fifteen horses and men would have been secure from falling rain. One of the riders above alluded
to was Wm. Heady, of Frederic County, Va., who reported it, and this was afterward, in
November of the same year, corroborated by Major Wm. Reynolds, of Zanesville, Ohio, who
also made a visit to this wonderful tree and inspected its house] ike cavity.
COMMON PLEAS.
The Court of Common Pleas was composed, under the old constitution, of one presiding judge
and three associate judges. The first court held in Scioto County was in 1803, at the house of
John Collins, in Alexandria, Mr. Collins being one of the three associate or local judges
appointed. This continued until 1852. The following is the list of judges from 1803 until 1852:
1803—Presiding Judge, Wyllis Silliman; Associate Judges, John Collins, Jos. Lucas, Thos. Win.
Swenney.
1805—Presiding Judge, Robert F. Slaughter; Associate Judges, Jno. Collins, Jos. Lucas, Saml.
Reed.
1808-'10—Presiding Judge, Robert F. Slaughter; Associate Judges, John Collins, Win. Russell,
Wm. Kendall.
1810-'13—Presiding Judge, John Thompson; Associate Judges, John Collins, 'Wm. Russel],
Chas. T. Martin.
1813-'16—Presiding Judge, John Thompson; Associate Judges, Jno. Collins, Wm. Russell, Saml.
Crull. In 1817 Lawson Drury took the place of Wm. Russell, and this remained until 1820.
1819-'24—Pi.esiding Judge, Ezra Osborn; Associate Judges, Jno. Collins, Saml. Crull, Lawson
Drury.
1824-'25—Presiding Judge, Ezra Osborn; Associate Judges, Samuel Crull, John Collins, David
Mitchel.
1826—Presiding Judge, Thomas Irvin; Associate Judges, Samuel Crull, John Collins, David
Mitchel.
1827-'29—Presiding Judge, Thomas Irvin; Associate Judges, John Collins, David Mitchel, Wm.
Oldfield.
1830-'31—Presiding Judge, Thomas Irvin; Associate Judges, John Collins, Wm. Old-field,
Samuel Crull.
1832-'33—Presiding Judge, Thomas Irwin;
HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 143
Associate Judges, Wm. Oldfield, Samuel Crull, Wm. Givens.
1834-'36—Presiding Judge, Thomas Irvin; Associate Judges, Samuel Crull, Wm. Givens, Joseph
Moore.
1837-'38—Presiding Judge, Thomas Irvin; Associate Judges, Wm. Givens, Joseph Moore,
Richard H. Tomlin.
1839-'40—Presiding Judge, Thomas Irvin; Associate Judges, Joseph Moore, Richard H. omlin,
Abijah Battereon,
1841-‘43—Presiding Judge, John E. Hanna; Associate Judges, Richard H. Tomlin, Abijah
Batterson, Samuel Crull.
1844-'45—Presiding Judge, John E. Hanna; Associate Judges, Abijah Batterson, Samuel Crull,
Wm. Salter.
1846-‘47—Presiding Judge, John E. Hanna; Associate Judges, Samuel Crull, Wm. Salter,
Edward Cranston.
1848-‘50—Presiding Judge, Wm. V. Peck; Associate Judges, Wm. Salter, Edward Cranston,
Samuel Cru11.
1851—Presiding Judge, Wm. V. Peck; Associate Judges, Saint. Crull, Edward Cranston, Jacob
P. Noel.
The change of the Constitution did away with the county associate judges, and formed the State
into nine judicial districts. Since then one other district has been added, making ten Common
Court Pleas districts in the State. From that date the three counties embraced in this work have
belonged to Sub-District No. 2, of District No. 7, and this list of judges will be found in the last
chapter of the general history.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The following incomplete list of officers of Scioto County is, to us, a very unsatisfactory one, but
with the defective condition of the county records, some of which are lost entirely, it is the best
that can be done under the circumstances.
1803—Robert Lucas, Surveyor; James Munn, Coroner; William Russell, Clerk of Courts
(resigned in 1805 and Alexander Curran appointed in his stead); William Parrish, Sheriff.
1805—County Commissioners, James Edison, Gabriel Feurt and --.
1806—Commissioners, Samuel Lucas, Gabriel Lucas and James Edison. The same served until
1808 when David Gharky was elected vice James Edison. In 1809 Jacob Noel was elected vice
Samuel Lucas. John Clark, Sheriff from 1807.
1810—John R. Turner appointed Clerk of Courts, serving until 1854; Uriah Barber, Coroner;
Elijah Glover appointed Sheriff vice John Clark (resigned), who had served several years.
Commissioners same as in 1809.
1811—Commissioners, George W. Cling-man, Jacob Noel and Thomas Waller; Collector, John
Russell.
1812—Commissioners same; Prosecuting Attorney, Nathan K. Clough; Treasurer, James Edison;
Collector, Samuel B. Burt, Elijah Glover and Uriah Barber remaining Sheriff and Coroner, the
latter continuing to hold the office for many years.
1813—Coin missioners, Jacob Noel, John. Russell and Isaac Bonser; Sheriff, Elijah Glover;
Prosecuting Attorney, N. K. Clough.
1814 — Commissioners same; Treasurer, James Edison; Collector, John Buck; Sheriff, Phillip
Moon.
1816—Commissioners same; Sheriff, Nathan Wheeler; Treasurer, William Kendall (his salary
for the year was $54.23).
1817—Commissioners, Isaac Bonser, Jacob Noel and John Smith; Coroner, John Smith; Nathan
Wheeler was Sheriff and Collector of Land Taxes.
1818—Commissioners, John Smith, Jacob Noel and Isaac Bonser; Coroner, Henry Graham;
Treasurer, John Brown, Sr.
1819—Commissioners, Isaac Bonser, Jacob Noel and Samuel B. Burt; Treasurer, Jacob
144 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.
Offnere; Coroner, Henry Sumner; Sheriff and Collector, Nathan Wheeler.
1820—Commissioners, Geo. W. Clingman, John Smith and Jacob Noel; Coroner, Jacob
Clinginan; Sheriff and Collector, John Noel; Coroner, Uriah Barber; Auditor, William Kendall.
1821 — Commissioners same; Auditor, William Kendall; Prosecuting Attorney, Samuel M.
Tracy, remaining in the office 1821-'8.
1822—Commissioners, Jacob Noel, William Carey and Samuel B. Burt; Sheriff and Collector,
John Noel; Treasurer, Jacob Offnere; Auditor, David Gharky, appointed in place of William
Kendall, resigned.
1823—Commissioners, Samuel B. Burt, William Carey and Charles Crull; Treasurer, Jacob
Clingman.
1824--Commissioners„ Charles Crull, Daniel McKinney and Samuel M. Tracy; Collector,
George W. Clingman; Sheriff, William Carey; Auditor, David Gharky.
1825—Commissioners, Charles Crull, Daniel McKinney and James Lodwick; Sheriff, Nathan
Wheeler; Surveyor, William Kendall; Treasurer, Jacob Clinginan; Recorder, John R. Turner
(holding this office in connection with that of Clerk of Courts).
1826—Commissioners, Daniel McKinney, James Lodwick and Samuel B. Burt; Assessor of
County, John McDonald; Collector, William Carey; Sheriff, Moses Gregory; Auditor, David
Gharky; Treasurer, Jacob Clingman.
1827— Commissioners, James Lodwick, Samuel B. Burt and Peter Noel, Jr. ; Treasurer, Havilah
Gunn; Assessor, James Linn; Associate Judges, William Oldfield, John Collins and David
Mitchell.
1828—Commissioners, Peter Noel, Jr., Samuel B. Burt and William Jackson; Assessor, John
Noel (elected to fill out unexpired two-years term of James Linn); Sheriff, Moses Gregory;
Auditor, David Gharky.
1829—Commissioner& same; Treasurer, H. Gunn, Assessor, Moses Gregory.
1830—Commissioners, Wm. Jackson, Chas. Crull and Edward Cranston; Sheriff, Moses
Gregory; Auditor, Chas. O. Tracy, appointed to fill out term of David Gharky, resigned March 6,
1830; Treasurer, Wm. Waller; Assessor, Seymour Pixley.
1831—Commissioners, same; Auditor, Moses Gregory; Treasurer and Assessor same.
1832—Commissioners, Wm. Jackson, John B. Dodds and Edward Cranston; Sheriff, C.
Overturf; Surveyor, Sam'l Dole; Auditor, M. Gregory.
1833—Commissioners, Ed. Cranston, Jno. B. Dodds and Ebenezer Corwine ; Treasurer, David
Gharky; Surveyor, Abner B. Clingman; Auditor, M. Gregory.
1834—Commissioners, same ; Auditor, same; Sheriff, Mark Bradburn ; Prosecuting Attorney, S.
M. Tracy; Assessor, Wilson Gates.
1835—Commissioners, Ed. Cranston, Ebenezer Corwin and Peter Noel, Jr.; Auditor, same;
Treasurer, C. Overturf; Surveyor, Boswell Crain.
1836—Commissioners, Ed. Cranston, Peter Noel, Jr., and Wm. Jackson; Treasurer, C. Overturf.;
Surveyor, T. R. Wood; Sheriff, O. Lindsey; Prosecuting Attorney, S. O. Tracy.
1837—Commissioners, Peter Noel, Jr., Wm. Jackson and Wm. Salter; Treasurer,
C. Overturf; Assessor, Azel Glover; Sheriff, O. Lindsey.
1839—Commissioners same as 1837; Treasurer, John Waller; Sheriff, O. Lindsey; Prosecuting
Attorney, S. O. Tracy.
1840—Commissioners same; Treasurer same; Auditor, M. Gregory; Sheriff, Jno. H. Thornton;
Assessor, Josiah Merrill.
1841—Commissioners, P. Noel, Wm. Salter and Wm. L. Boynton; Treasurer, Wm. McCohn ;
Auditor; Elijah Glover.
1842—Commissioners, P. Noel, Wm. L.
HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 145
Boynton and John Barber; Auditor, E. Glover; Treasurer, Wm. McColm.
1843—All same as 1842.
1844—Commissioners, S. M. Cole; Sheriff, Nathan Wheeler; Auditor, E. Glover; Recorder,____
Crichter.
1845—Commissioners, P. Noel, S. M. Cole and Wm. L. Boynton; Treasurer, and Wm. McColm;
Sheriff, C..P. Chandler.
1846—S. W. Cole, Wm. L. Boynton and James Andrews; Treasurer, Wm. McColm ; Sheriff, C.
P. Chandler.
1847—Commissioners, S. W. Cole, Isaac Fullerton and John B. Dodds; Auditor, Stephen
Kendall; Treasurer, Wm. McColin; Sheriff, C. P. Chandler.
1848—Commissioners, Win. Lucas; Auditor, G. A. Waller; Sheriff, C. P. Chandler; Surveyor,
M. Gregory; Infirmary Director, J. McDowell.
1849—Prosecuting Attorney, E. W. Doren; Jordan; rest same as 1848.
1850—Commissioners, Wash. Kinney, Isaac Fullerton and Wm. Lucas; Auditor, G. A. Waller;
Treasurer, Wm. McColm; Sheriff, Enos Gunn.
1851—Commissioner, S. N. Robinson; rest same as 1850.
1852—Treasurer, John Cook; Probate Judge, Benj. Ramsey; Clerk of Court, Jno. R. Turner;
Auditor and Sheriff, same as '51.
1853—Treasurer, John Cook; Recorder, Martin Crain; Commissioner, Jas. Lodwick; Surveyor, --
Brown; Prosecuting Attorney, Geo. Johnson; Coroner, L. C. Barker.
1854—Probate Judge, Collings; Clerk of Court, — Shannon; Auditor, G. H. Gharky; Coroner, —
Lindsey.
1855—Commissioners, P. T. Lindsey, J. Lodwick and J. S. Fulsom; Auditor, G. H. Gharky;
Treasurer, Jno. Cook; Sheriff, Geo. W. Coffin; Clerk of Court, R. H. Shannon.
1856—Commissioners, — Hudson; Recorder, _____ Miles; Auditor, — Appler; Sheriff, ____
Cook; Surveyor, ____ Brown;
- 10 -
Coroner, — Glidden; Infirmary Director, Glidden.
1857—Commissioner, Graham; Prosecuting Attorney, Crain; Clerk, Cunningham; Treasurer,
Cummins; Probate Judge, Huston; Infirmary Director, Powers.
1858 — Commissioner, Veach ; Sheriff, Ward; Auditor, Flanders; Surveyor, Gregory ; Coroner,
Scott ; Infirmary Director, Hyatt.
1859—Commissioner, A. J. Enslow; Prosecuting Attorney, Martin Crain ; Treasurer, Phillip W.
Noel ; Recorder, Benjamin R. Miles; Infirmary Director, B. L. Jefferson.
1860—Commissioner, J. M. Violet; Probate Judge, F. C. Searl; Clerk, B. F. Cunningham;
Sheriff, John L. Ward; Auditor, George W. Flanders; Surveyor, Frank C. Gibbs ; Coroner, L. C.
Barker ; Infirmary Director, John P. Wilhelm.
1861—Prosecuting Attorney, George O. Newman; Treasurer, Phillip W. Noel; Commissioner,
Thomas Burt; Infirmary Director, Henry Bertram.
1862 — Auditor, A. J. Enslow ; Sheriff, Levi S. Brown; Recorder, Jas. T. Douglas;
Commissioner, James Connolly; Surveyor, M. G. Nichols; Coroner, Thos. S. Currie; Infirmary
Director, Jas. Richardson.
1863—Clerk, S. B. Drouillard; Treasurer, John L. Ward; Prosecuting Attorney, J. J. Harper;
Probate Judge, F. C. Searl; Commissioner, T. J. Jackson; Infirmary Director, D. P. Jones.
1864—Sheriff, Van B. Hibbs; Auditor, Phillip W. Noel; Commissioner, Thos. Burt; Coroner, L.
C. Barker; Infirmary Director, Silas W. Cole.
1865—Treasurer, John L. Ward; Recorder, Isaac F. Mead; Prosecuting Attorney, J. J. Harper;
Surveyor, Wm. H. Angle; Commissioners, John McDowell and J. C. Cadot ; Coroner, F. J.
Griffith; Infirmary Director, V. Burkel.
1866—Clerk, S. B. Drouillard; Auditor,
146 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.
P. W. Noel; Sheriff, John C. Malone; Probate Judge, F. C. Searl; Commissioner, Isaac H.
Wheeler; Infirmary Director, D. D. Jones; Surveyor, Horace Crane.
1867—Prosecuting Attorney, A. J. McFairn ; Treasurer, Aaron Noel; Commissioner C. E.
Bradford; Coroner, Thomas L. Currie; Infirmary Director, James Richardson.
1868—Auditor, James Skelton ; Sheriff, John C. Malone; Recorder, Isaac F. Mead; Coroner,
Henry Rosenberg; Infirmary Director, V. Burkel.
1869—Clerk, :S. B. Drouillard; Probate Judge, A. C. Thompson; Prosecuting Attorney, Henry C.
Jones; Treasurer,Chas. Slavens; Surveyor, W. H. Angle; Commissioner, I. H. Fullerton; Coroner,
Geo. S. Pursell; Infirmary Director, Silas W. Cole.
1870—Commissioner, C. E. Bradford ; Auditor, James Skelton; Treasurer, Charles Slavens ;
Sheriff, J. C. Malone ; Probate Judge, A. C. Thompson; Prosecuting Attorney, H. E. Jones.
1871—Probate Judge, A. C. Thompson; Clerk, S. B. Drouillard; Auditor, James Skelton;
Treasurer, Charles Slavens; Recorder, L. E. Currie; Prosecuting Attorney, H. E. Jones; Sheriff, J.
W. Lewis.
1872—Probate Judge, R. A. Calbert; Clerk, A. B. Cole; Auditor, James Skelton; Treasurer,
Charles Slavens; Recorder, L. E. Currie; Prosecuting Attorney, H. E. Jones; Sheriff, J. W. Lewis.
1873 — Probate Judge, R. A. Calbert; Clerk, A. B. Cole; Auditor, F. C. Gibbs; Treasurer,
Charles Slavens; Recorder, H. A. Towne; Prosecuting Attorney, R. M. Spry; Sheriff, J. W.
Lewis.
1874—Probate Judge, A. C. Thompson; Clerk, A. B. Cole; Auditor, F. C. Gibbs; Treasurer, John
Boyse; Recorder, H. A. Towne; Prosecuting Attorney, R. M. Spry; Sheriff, Fred. Reiniger, Jr.
1875—Probate Judge, A. C. Thompson; Clerk, A. B. Cole; Auditor, F. C. Gibbs; Treasurer, B. R.
Miles; Recorder, H. A. Towne; Prosecuting Attorney, H. W. Farnham; Sheriff, Fred. Reiniger,
Jr.; Surveyor, J. B. Gregory.
1876—Probate Judge, A. C. Thompson; -Clerk, A. B. Cole; Auditor, F. C. Gibbs; Treasurer, B.
R. Miles; Recorder, W. H. Williams; Prosecuting Attorney, H. W. Farnham; Sheriff, Fred.
Reiniger; Surveyor, J. B. Gregory.
1877—Probate Judge, A. C. Thompson; Clerk, A. B. Cole; Auditor, W. H. H. Cadot; Treasurer,
B. R. Miles; Recorder, W. H. Williams; Prosecuting Attorney, H. W. Farnham; Sheriff, Fred.
Reiniger; Surveyor, J. B. Gregory.
1878—Same as 1877, with the addition of Coroner, Henry Ribble.
1879—Probate Judge, H. C. Turkey; Clerk, Robert Bell ; Auditor, W. H. H. Cadot; Treasurer, B.
R. Miles; Recorder, W. H. Williams; Prosecuting Attorney, H. W. Farnham; Sheriff, T. J.
Pursell; Surveyor, J. B. Gregory; Coroner, William Rasching.
1880—Probate Judge, H. C. Turkey; Clerk, Robert Bell; Auditor, G. L. Dodge; Treasurer, A.
Boyer; Recorder, W. H. Williams; Prosecuting Attorney, N. J. Devers; Sheriff, I T. J. Pursell;
Surveyor, J. W. Smith; Coroner, William Rasching.
1881—Probate Judge, H. C. Turkey; Clerk, k Robert Bell; Auditor, G. L. Dodge; Treasurer, A.
Boyer; Recorder, W. H. Williams; Prosecuting Attorney, N. J. Devers; Sheriff, L. N. Lease;
Surveyor, J. W. Smith; Coroner, William Rasching.
1882—Probate Judge, H. C. Turkey; Clerk, Robert Bell; Auditor, G. L. Dodge; Treasurer, A.
Boyer; Recorder, Wesley Reddish; Prosecuting Attorney, N. J. Devers; Sheriff, A. J. Finney;
Surveyor, J. W. Smith.
CHAPTER X.
THE MILITARY HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY FROM 1812 TO 1865.
THE WAR OF 1812.
In many respects the old settlers of the Northwest Territory, if not trained to arms when they
removed from their Eastern homes, soon found the necessity of knowing how to use the rifle and
the knife. Then the youth who were coming up to manhood's estate were at once trained to the
use of arms, and a spirit, war-like in its nature, aggressive, was implanted in their bosoms. Thus
it was that when Indian raids came upon them they were prepared for the emergency, and many
settlers did not hesitate to carry the war into the enemy's country and equal in strategy the Indians
themselves. Therefore, when the war with England in 1812 broke out, though not trained to any
great extent in the manual of arms, the volunteers were inured to danger and cool in all
emergencies, and when they went into battle took the same care to see that their bullets went
straight to their mark as when on the trail of an Indian or a buck. The war of 1812 aroused the
patriotism, as well as the hatred of the people against the English, which had been implanted in
their breast by the cruelties of the Revolutionary war. Thus it was when war was declared, that
the people responded with a promptness that surprised the Government. It was not prepared to
meet the universal response of patriotism exhibited by the people, and more volunteers were at
hand than could be thoroughly equipped. To meet the emergency, the volunteers in many cases
took
with them their own arms. At that time the United States was truly a nation of soldiers. When
war was declared between the United States and Great Britain the people were ready and anxious
for the fray, and Scioto County promptly responded to its country's call. From Jas. Keyes's
history of the " Pioneers of Scioto County " is taken the following account of Scioto County's
response to the call for volunteers:
" In the ;spring of 1812 Governor Meigs issued a call for volunteers to turn out in defense of the
frontiers from the depredations of the Indians. The battle of Tippecanoe had been fought.
Tecumseh was organizing the Indian tribes for a general assault upon the northern frontiersmen.
War was imminent between this country and Great Britain. In view of all these circumstances
Governor Meigs called for two regiments of volunteers. Scioto County sent out two companies,
one commanded by Captain David Roop, and the other by Captain John Lucas. They first went to
Chillicothe, where they received their arms and equipments. From thence they went to Dayton,
where they met the volunteers from Cincinnati and the Miami Valley, and organized the First
Ohio Regiment, under the command of Colonel Duncan McArthur. From thence they went to
Urbana, which was the frontier town. They here joined a detachment of United States regulars
under Colonel Miller. Here was organized that little army which, under command of General
Hull, marched through the
- 147 -
148 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY.
wilderness to Detroit. While on this march war was declared by Congress against England. Had
the dispatches forwarded to Hull containing an account of the declaration of war reached him
without falling into the hands of the British, it would have been an easy matter for him to have
captured Malden, and possibly all Upper Canada would have fallen into our hands. But as it was,
the British intercepted our dispatches, and thereby received news of the declaration of war before
our army did. They also intercepted provisions and stores which were being forwarded to our
army, leaving our army in a bad predicament."
Of the two companies which left Scioto, as above stated, the muster-roll of but one was found,
that of Captain Roop; it is here given: David Roop, Captain; Thomas Arnold, Lieutenant;
Richard McDougal, Ensign; George W. Wilcoxen, First Sergeant; William Coberly, Second
Sergeant; Benj. Rankins, Third Sergeant; Daniel Noel, Fourth Sergeant; Reason Zarley, First
Corporal; John Carey, Second Corporal; Thomas Bevins, Third Corporal; DanielRardon, in U. S.
A.; John Noel, Fifer; Enos Mustard, Drummer; Privates, Richard Brewer, Thomas Collins, John
Clark, William Carey (drew no pay at Dayton), Elisha Darlington, James Deaver, William
Deaver, John Groninger, Abraham Groninger, Airhart Glaze, Joseph Mustard, John Laforgee,
Charles Mulholland (in U. S. A.), George McDougal, John Moore, John Noel, Sr., Peter Noel,
Nicholas Noel, Philip Noel, Joseph Nichols, Jacob P. Noel, Michael Plowman (died at Detroit),
John Rardon (in U. S. A.), James Rardon, Henry Rinely, John Smith, Isaac Smith, Spicer
Shelpman, Paul Stewart, Walter Wilcoxen; Thomas Williams, William Wright; Thomas
Wilcoxen.
To this list of names was attached the following affidavit:
" We .do certify on honor that this muster-roll exhibits a true statement of Captain David Roop's
Rifle Company in the First Regiment of the Ohio Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Duncan
McArthur for the period herein mentioned, and the remarks set opposite the flumes of the men
are accurate and just."
Captain John Lucas's company's muster-roll was not given in the papers written by Mr. Keyes,
Joseph Bonser, *Claudius Cadot and Guillaume Duduit were members of his company.
In 1813 a regiment was called out for short service, some sixty days, but did not remain in the
field that long. It was commanded by Colonel Peter Noel, and Captain Thomas Morgan
commanded a company, and also Captain John Lindsey, who was Captain of the first rifle
company organized in town or county.
Among the volunteers of the service in the call of July, 1813, there was -William B. Scott, John
Funk, Jacob Woodbridge, John Lindsey, Thomas Morgan and Samuel Marshall.
THE MARCH AND SURRENDER.
The two companies from Scioto County joined General Hull's forces and they marched to
Detroit. General Hull concluded to make an attack upon English ground and crossed over into
Canada and could have captured Malden if he had taken two or three siege guns with him. But
having no artillery they returned to Detroit without effect in anything. Mr. Cadot was sent out on
a foraging expedition to get provisions, and was in the battle of Brownstown where our folks
were defeated, and had to make a hasty retreat. On the 16th of August Detroit was surrendered to
the British without firing a gun in defense of the fort. It has always been an unsettled question
whether General Hull treacherously sold the army to Brock, the British General, or was too
imbecile to make any defense. However, the surrender
HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEE - 149
was complete, and Hull was branded as a traitor.
After the capitulation at Detroit under Hull, they gave their parol and were put aboard of
transports and landed at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. They then made their way home in the
best manner they could. Peter Noel and his three brothers started to walk across the State of Ohio
to their homes; but their father, hearing of their approach, took horses and met them at
Circleville.
It appears that the company had been out five months and lost but one man, who died at Detroit.
They were in two or three severe skirmishes, where a good many were killed and wounded, but it
appears there were no casualties in the Scioto companies.
The surrender of Hull caused unusual excitement throughout the whole country, and a very
general belief existed that he had committed deliberate treason.
Hull was tried, found guilty and ordered to be shot. But out of consideration for his services in
the Revolutionary war, his sentence was never carried into execution. Colonels Cass and
McArthur were both away from the fort at the time, or, it was said, Hull would never have dared
to surrender without a fight. Cass, when lie heard of it, broke his sword across a stump with
vexation. The prisoners were taken over to Malden, where they were paroled and put aboard of
transports and sent to the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, where Cleveland has since been built, to
find their way home as best they could.
CAPTAIN ROOP.
From Keyes's history the following sketch of Captain Roop is taken:
"Captain Roop always carried a rifle instead of a sword, and at the battle of Brownstown, where
our men were put to flight, Roop, being a stout, athletic man, as well as swift of foot, told his
men to seek their safety as quick as possible by flight and he would keep the Indians at bay with
his rifle and tomahawk as long as he could, and if they pressed him too closely he could outrun
the swiftest Indian among them. In this way he brought all his men off safely. He shot several
Indians just as they were on the point of tomahawking some of the men. He saved the life of
George McDougal by shooting an Indian who was drawing his hatchet to strike the fatal blow.
Captain Roop was a man of undoubted courage, but very unofficer-like in his appearance. -He
would not be troubled with a sword, but carried the same arms and dressed in his linsey hunting
shirt, the same as the men. As he had to associate with officers, some of whom belonged to the
regular army, they court-martialed him for his unofficer-like appearance, broke him of his
commission, and reduced him to the ranks. The next day the company elected him Captain again.
They let it run on a few days, and Roop, being fond of whisky, got tight. Thereupon the officers
had him tried by court-martial, found him guilty of drunkenness, and broke him again. The
second time they elected him Captain. They then told the officers they Might go and break him as
often as they pleased, they would elect him Captain just as often. So the officers had to give it up
and let him dress and do as he pleased.
"David Roop was a fair specimen and true type of the ancient backwoodsman and hunter. He was
brave and generous to a fault. He was uneducated and uncouth in his manner and conversation.
Industrious in his habits, but rather too fond of whisky. He belonged to a class that is fast dying
out, and the time is not far distant when the backwoods hunter will be known only in history."
Captain Lucas returned from the war after he was released, as he and his company had been part
of the forces surrendered by General Hull. There was little of his life to at-