300 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. from $15,000 to $20,000. In 1877 he built the Portsmouth Tannery, on Scioto street, between Front and Second streets. It is the only tannery in Portsmouth, and at first was a small affair, but has been enlarged twice. He employs from six to eight hands, and tans from sixty to seventy-five hides a week, making a specialty of saddle skirtings. He uses chestnut oak bark exclusively, having it ground by steam the liquor is also changed by steam pumps. Mr. Tittle was married in Preble County, May 25, 1843, to Sarah Ann Town, a native of Philadelphia. She died in Kentucky, April 5, 1876. He afterward married Mrs. Martha J. (Kenyon) Cherington. They have one daughter—Sallie. James Fitzmaurice Towell was born in Ardfert, County Kerry, Ireland, Nov. 3, 1825. His parents afterward moved to Listowel, where he resided until, at the age of sixteen, he crossed the Atlantic and joined his brother, the Rev. Thomas Towell, who was at that time Rector of the Protestant Episcopal church, at Oxford, Chenango Co., N. Y. He spent two years at the Oxford Acadetp- n hard study, then taught a district school near Guilford, Chenango County, boarding around among the parents, as customary in those days. He resumed his studies in the Oxford Academy, and then removed to Staten Island, N . Y., and became teacher of mathematics in his brother's boarding-school, where he taught and studied for nearly two years. In 1847 he removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, crossing the Alleghany Mountains in a stage. He entered the dry-goods house of James Pursell and T. N. Davey, and there took his first lessons in mercantile pursuits, gaining the confidence and esteem of his employers. In 1853 the retail branch house of I. F. Towell & Co. was opened by Mr. Pursell, which prospered from the.start, and at the end of three years was made into a jobbing house exclusively, under the firm name of Pursell & Towell. At Mr. Pursell's death in 1857, the business was continued for six years more with signal success, until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when trade was prostrated and property on the bor. der endangered. It was deemed necessary by Mr. Towell to discontinue the partnership,and restore to Mr. Pursell's estate the capital invested with the profits, intact. He continued the business alone until 1878, when his son-in-law, Dan McFarland, became associated with him under the firm name of Towell & McFarland. In July, 1880, they established, withTir. A. L. Sanford, the extensive wholesale manufacturing clothing house of McFarland, Sanford & Co., which with their wholesale dry-goods house is conducted with marked success, giving employment to 150 operatives. Oct. 23, 1849, Mr. Towell married Seva C. Greene, of Staten Island. They have three daughters Essie, Louise, wife of Dan. McFarland, and Addie. They lost three daughters in infancy. Mr. Towell and his family are members of Al, Saints' Protestant Episcopal Church, Portsmouth. He is Senior Warden of the parish, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, pa• sitions he has held for many years. Henry Abner Towne, lawyer, Judge an Mayor, Portsmouth, Ohio, was born in Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Jan. 5, 1826. He is the only child of Abner Towne and Sarah Eliza Vinton. His father graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., studied divinity at Andover, Mass., and was ordained pastor of the Presbyterian church in Liteli. field, N. Y., on July 18, 1825, where he died June 19, 1826, in the very prime of his use fulness, greatly lamented. Our subject sac then only five months old. His mother sac a sister of the Hon. Samuel P. Vinton, once a Member of Congress from the Gallipolis, Ohio, district. Shortly after the death of her husband she returned to her parents in Amherst, Mass., but some two or three years subsequent came to Ohio, and made her hoanc with her brother in Gallipolis for a year or more, while there being engaged in teaching!. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 301 school. She afterward became the wife of Dr. Robert Safford, of Putnam, Ohio (now included in the city of Zanesville), and in 1831 removed to that place. When about ten years of age young Towne went to live with an aunt in Milan, Huron Co., Ohio, and there began a course of study preparatory for college. Returning to Putnam after a' year or two, he completed his college preparation. In the fall of 1841 he entered Marietta College, and graduated therefrom in 1845. For a year subsequent he was engaged in teaching school in Coshocton, Ohio, and while thus employed resumed the study of law under the Hon. David Spangler, which he had previously begun under General C. P. Goddard, of Zanesville. In 1849 he was admitted to the bar in Cincinnati, and immediately located in Marietta, where lie began the practice of his profession in partnership with Hon. W. A. Whittlesey, afterward a Member of Congress from Southern Ohio. In December, 1855, lie removed to Portsmouth, where for several years he continued in practice by himself, but subsequently took into partnership Hon. James W. Bannon, of Portsmouth. In 1868 he was elected Judge of the Common Pleas for the second sub-division of the second judicial district of Ohio, but served only something over a year, and then resigned and resumed his legal practice in Portsmouth, with H. W. Farnham. In the spring of 1879 he was chosen Mayor of Portsmouth, and served acceptably a term of two years. During the summer of 1880 he served under the Government as Supervisor of the census for the Fourth Census District of the State. In January, 1882, his health being impaired, and for the purpose of having a change of labor and climate, he accepted the position of Clerk of the House of Representatives' Committee in the District of Columbia, and served during the Forty-seventh Congress. In politics he was formerly an Old-line Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican party be- came one of its first advocates, and has voted solely with that party since. He has always taken a lively interest in all educational matters, and for four years was a member of the Portsmouth Board of Education, serving as its secretary, and also having charge of its finances. He is connected as stockholder and director with the Scioto Star Fire-Brick Works, of East Portsmouth, and also stockholder in the Globe Iron Company, of Jackson, Jackson Co., Ohio. On Dec. 18, 1856, Judge Towne married Harriet Nye, of Marietta, Ohio, whose father, Judge Arius Nye, once represented his district in the Ohio Legislature, also served as Common Pleas Judge, and was a very prominent and useful man of his day. She is also a great-granddaughter, on her mother's side, of General Benjamin Tupper, of Revolutionary fame. The issue of this marriage was one son—Robert S. Towne. He is a graduate of the Ohio State University, at Columbus, and is by profession a mining engineer. He is now located at Buena Vista, Col., and is prosecuting his chosen profession with fine success. In religious views Judge Towne is an Episcopalian, and is a Vestryman in All-Saints' Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, Ohio. He is a man of fine natural abilities and good judgment, and is well qualified for the honorable positions held by him, all of which have been tendered him without his solicitation. His ministrations, botha s Judge and As Mayor, have been rendered with fidelity and impartiality. He possesses a fine physique, courteous manners and excellent social qualities, and is very greatly respected in the community. W. D. Tremper, D. D. S ., was born in New Richmond, Ohio, Jan. 9, 1851, a son of Johnson Tremper, a pioneer of New Richmond. He began the study of his profession under Dr. R. A. Mollyneaux, and graduated at the Ohio Dental College, Cincinnati, in 1870. He then located in Ypsilanti, Mich., and practiced eight years, and in 1878 re- 302 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY: moved to Portsmouth, and located on the corner of Second and Washington streets. Dr. Tremper fully understands his profession, and is prepared to practice any part of surgical dentistry in the most careful manner. He was married Dec. 7, 1880, to Mary Hayman, a native of Newport, Ky. Mrs. Eliza Trotter, daughter of James Denison, was born in Cincinnati. She received her training in the millinery business from her aunt, Mrs. F. D. May, now of Philadelphia. She established her millinery and fancy-goods business in 1858, and has always taken the lead in her line of business. This is the oldest established millinery business in Portsmouth, and Mrs. Trotter is doing an extensive business. She was first married to Harry Lawrence, son of James Lawrence, of Cleveland who died three years after their marriage. She was married to her second husband, I. C. Trotter, in All-Saints' Church, Portsmouth, by the Rev. Dr. Burr. Her son, Lionel S. Trotter, was born in 1861. He attended Wilson's Business College, of Cincinnati, eighteen months, and is at present at the College of Music, of Cincinnati, finishing his musical education. Henry Vincent was born in Devonshire, England, Aug. 16, 1827, a son of Benjamin Vincent. He came to the United States, June 8, 1879, and located first in Albion, N. Y., where he remained three years. He then went to Detroit, Mich., where he spent one winter, and the following winter he spent in Maysville, Ky. In 1853 he came to Portsmouth, where he has been in business for thirty years. Mr. Vincent was married May 8, 1856, to Mary Ann Callow, of Liverpool, England. They have five children—Ida C.,wife of D. L. Williams; Harriet, J., John H., Benjamin F. and Mary E. They reside on Sixth street, between Court and Market streets. John H Wait was born March 22, 1811, near Lake Champlain, in a village called Chazy, N. Y., the son of Benjamin and Lavinia (Heaton) Wait, of Waitsfield, Windsor Co., Vt. His parents were born, reared and married in Vermont, but removed across Lake Champlain, where three of their children were born, and moved to Ohio ,in the year 1814. The Wait family of Vermont are of English descent, and settled in Porter Township, Scioto County, at the date above mentioned, where the father of this sketch died at the age of eighty-four years, and his mother at the age of ninety-six years six months and fourteen days. The grandfather of Mr. Wait was also named Benjamin. He was a Major in the Revolutionary war; High Sheriff of Windsor County, Vt., and a Colonel in the State Militia. He was an active participant in the French and Indian wars, and was so unfortunate as to be captured once by the Indians. He was a good runner and an athletic man, and the Indians compelled him to run the gauntlet; being as brave as he was strong, when the time came lie started, dodging first from one side to the other, and striking out from the shoulder, he passed the ordeal without scarcely receiving a scratch. He passed through the whole eight years of the Revolutionary war, and came off nearly unharmed. Of the English ancestors of the Wait family, it is said, they all in this country sprang from the same stock. The family legend is, thaf two or three brothers started from England for the American Colonies, and that all but one of these were lost, and he alone made the American shore. The family of Waits are now very numerous in this country, and they have represented nearly every office from Chief Justice down, in the gift of their fellow-countrymen, the Presidency, Vice-Presidency and United States Senator excepted. At this time one of the family, Mr. Henry T. Wait, is getting up a history of the family from their first arrival in this country to the present day, a family reunion -upon paper. One paragraph from his work, only partially completed, reads: " Among the planters of Wa- HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 303 tertown, Mass., in 1637, was Richard Wait, who received several grants of land, there, and his homestead of six acres can now be pointed out. Of his three sons—John, Thomas and Joseph—the descendants of the former removed to Framingham, Mass. ; Joseph removed to Marlboro, Mass., and Thomas remained in Watertown, where he appeared to have acquired considerable property. His sons were John, Richard, Thomas and Joseph. The first two died young men in the. early Indian wars. Thomas removed to Lynn, Conn., and was the ancestor of Henry M. Wait, late Chief Justice of Connecticut, whose son, Morrison R. Wait, is the present Chief Justice of the United States; also of Marion Wait, a distinguished lawyer of the Revolution period, and his son, Jno. Turner Wait, now member of Congress from Connecticut." Space will not allow of further extract, though the sketch sent covers two sides or twelve columns of. the Brookfield, Mass., News, all of interesting and important family reminiscence. John H. Wait, the subject of this sketch, passed his life on his father's farm in Porter Township from the age of three years to seventeen. His education was received in the schools of the day, they being kept during three months of the winter season. Perhaps one-fourth of this school time was lost. At the age last mentioned he went to Cincinnati to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, and finished his apprenticeship in 1831, when he returned .to his father's house in Porter Township, in poor health. He worked at home between two and three years, and then took a trip to New Orleans on a trading boat, and was absent some seven months. Soon after his return, Mr. Wait, in the year 1836, commenced the furniture business for himself, but doing the work all by hand, for some fifteen years. His energy and perseverance soon overcame all obstacles, and some thirty-five years ago he commenced the use of machinery, and by his business ability, a thorough knowledge of the details of his work, he has now one of the largest furniture manufactories in Southern Ohio, working from forty to seventy-five hands and shipping to all points West and South. Mr. Wait is now twenty-two years of age, still strong, but leaves the management and details of his business to his sons. What time he gives to it, which is more or less every day, is spent at the factory looking after the machinery, being something of a mechanical genius. He has made improvements in machinery, and has taken out four patents on his work. Mr. Wait was married Sept. 12, 1839, in Harrison Township, to Malvina D. Sikes, by the Rev. Jno. R. Turner. Mrs. Wait was born Dec. 8, 1819. Her father,. Levi Sikes, was born in Massachusetts in 1794, and moved to Ohio in 1813 or 1814. Her mother, Mary (Keyes) Sikes, was born in 1799 in Rockbridge County, Va.,-and her fam ily came to Ohio about the same time as Mr. Sikes. Mrs. Wait is a prominent member of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Wait have seven children—Isabella, born July 31,. 1840; Gilbert D., Oct. 15, 1841; Frances, March 19, 1844; Emeretta, July 31, 1846;. John H., Jr., Sept. 23, 1848; Sarah S., Sept. 5, 1850, and John Wesley, Nov. 29,, 1853. Mr. Wait has spent rather a quiet and uneventful life, but he has now in his old age a large property, secured through his own unaided efforts, and is to-day one of the solid men of Portsmouth,. and one of her most honored and respected citizens. George Allen Waller, dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, Portsmouth, was born in Portsmouth, Aug. 24, 1817, a son of Dr. Thomas and Elizabeth (McFarlane) Waller. When he was six years of age his father died, and his mother died when he was eight. He remained on the homestead with his brothers and sisters till he was seventeen. In the spring of 1835 he went to Indiana with a civil engineer corps. In 1837 he superintended the 304 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. construction of a section of the Indiana Central Canal, near Indianapolis. From 1837 to 1848 he was employed as pilot on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In the fall of the lat ter year he was elected by the Whig party Auditor of Scioto County, and held the office three terms of two years each. In January, 1856, he became established in his present business. He has served ten years as a member of the City Council, and eleven years on the Board of Education. In 1852 he was a delegate to the National Whig Convention that nominated Scott and Graham to the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of the United States. In 1864 he was a delegate to the convention at Baltimore that nominated Lincoln and Johnson. In 1864 he was a member of the electoral college, representing the Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, and cast his vote for Lincoln and Johnson. In 1859 and 1861 he was a nominee of the Republican party for the State Senate, but his district, being Democratic, was defeated. Oct. 6, 1847, he married Jane Davey, of Portsmouth. They have four children—William, an attorney at Portsmouth; Clara; Henry Davey, an Episcopal clergyman, of Cincinnati; and George Allen, a clerk, with his father. Mr. and Mrs. Waller are members of All-Saints' Episcopal Church, Portsmouth. He has filled many other positions of honor and trust, among which are President and Treasurer of Board of Trade, Treasurer of Scioto &c Hocking Valley Railroad (now C. W. & B. R. R.), and Treasurer of Portsmouth & Columbus Turnpike Company. Dr. Thomas Waller, son of John and Mary (Matthews) Waller, was born in Stafford County, Va., Sept. 14, 1774. He received a classical education at old William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Va. Graduating at said college he came to Kentucky in 1797, and located in Washington, Mason County, where he engaged for a short time in merchandising. He next attended lectures at Pennsylvania Medical College, in Philadelphia, being a pupil of Dr. Benjamin Rush, After graduating, he returned to Kentucky to practice his profession. On the 10th day of January, 1800, at Millersburg, Ky., he married Elizabeth Macfarlane, daughter of Captain Alexander Macfarlane, of Shippensburg, Pa., who was a Captain in the Revolutionary army, After his marriage he took his wife to visit her relatives in Pennsylvania, and remained there one year, during which time their first child (Margaret) was born. The next year, 1801, Dr. Waller, with his wife and child, came to Ohio, making the trip on horseback to Wheeling, West Va., thence to Alexandria by Ohio River, and arrived at Alexandria, Scioto County, June 21, 1801. Dr. Waller bought property in Alexandria, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession, being the first physician in Scioto County. He was elected Justice of the Peace of his township, and in 1803, when Scioto County was organized he was elected its first representative to the State Legislature. In consequence of the troubles arising from the frequent inundations of the Ohio River, he moved his family to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he continued to reside up to the day of his death. Dr. Waller was appointed Postmaster of Ports. t mouth, being the first postmaster Portsmouth had. He held the office until his death, in 1823. In addition to the positions of honor and trust above mentioned, he was President of the Commercial Bank, of Scioto, and in 1815 he was chosen as the first President of the first Council of the town (now city) of Portsmouth. He was one of the first Wardens of the first Vestry of All-Saints' Protestant Episcopal Church. Dr. Waller died July 19, 1823, of a disease brought on by overwork in his .practice. Elizabeth Waller, his wife, died July 16, 1825. To use the words of the late Dr. Hempstead, " Dr. Waller was genial, witty, and full of good humor. In manners he was a fair specimen of the Virginia gentleman of HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 305 the old school of politeness, without a particle of professional jealousy or selfishness." And Waller, says: " He died leaving more friends and fewer enemies than any other man in Scioto County." The children born to Thomas Waller and Elizabeth (Macfarlane) Waller are —Margaret, married Captain Francis Cleveland, both dead; Mary, married Washington Kinney, both dead; William, died unmarried; Thomas, married Miriam Coppage and moved to Rush County, Ind., both dead; Elizabeth, unmarried, living; Hannah, died unmarried; John, married Mary J. Baldridge, living; Susannah, married John P. Terry, living; George Allen, married Jane Davey, living. Warner & Hawks, one of the leading dry-goods firms of Portsmouth, are located on the south side of Second street, between Market and Court streets. The business was established in 1875 by Alex. Warner, the senior member. He carried it on seven years and in 1882 Mr. Hawks became associated with him. They carry a complete stock of dry-goods always keeping the latest styles. Their store is exceptionally well kept and customers may be assured of the best of treatment from both clerks and proprietors. Their sales amount to about $35,000 annually. Alexander Warner was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1850,a ion of Alex. H. Warner, an old dry-goods merchant of Columbus and Chillicothe who died in the latter place in 1872, aged seventy years. He was married June 13, 1883, to Mary H. List, of Wheeling, :W. Va., a daughter of D. C. List, a banker of Wheeling. Mr. Warner is a member of the Royal Arcanum and National Union. Charles A. Hawks was born in Indiana, Feb. 6, 1860, a son of Edward Hawks, a merchant of Leesburg, Ind.,who died in 1863. Charles A. has been engaged in dry-goods business the greater part of his life and is conversant with all branches of the business. lie clerked in Ripley, Ohio, four years, and in February, 1881, came to Portsmouth. - 20 - Thomas W. Watkins, was born in Kenton, Ill., Oct. 18, 1857, a son of John C. Watkins. He came to Portsmouth with his father in 1858. In 1870 he began learning the plumber's trade ; worked at it five years and then went to Newport, Ky., and remained nearly five years, when he returned to Portsmouth and became established in business for himself on Second street, between Washington and Court streets. He was married in 1879 to Sarah E. Stockham, daughter of Aaron Stockham. They have two children—Charlotte and Charles. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum and Independent Order of Mechanics. Adam Weiss was born in Bavaria, Germany, Jan. 11, 1840, a son of Frederick Weiss. He came to the United States in 1864, locating in Pike County, Ohio, and in 1868 came to Portsmouth. He worked in the rolling mills nine years, and then opened a hotel on Third street which he still runs in connection with his Market street saloon. He was married in 1864 in the old country to Lizzie Adam. They had five children—Anna, born in the old country; Lizzie, John, Mary and Fred (deceased). Mrs. Weiss died in 1864. Mr. Weiss afterward married Clara Adam, a cousin of his first wife. They have three children—Louisa, Michael and Clara. Mr. Weiss is a member of two German benevolent societies. Edwin T. Welch, wholesale confectioner and dealer in foreign fruits, was born Feb. 24, 1857, in Chillicothe, Ross Co., Ohio.. Since he was twelve years old he has been in the candy business and learned the trade of manufacturing candy in Portsmouth, where he worked two years, and also worked at it one year in Pittsburg, Pa. Nov. 1, 1882, he opened his present store, located on Second street, between Market and Court streets and is doing a large business both in the wholesale and retail trade. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. His father, William S. Welch, was a carriage manufacturer. Re 306 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. came from Philadelphia to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he engaged in his business twelve years. He lived in Portsmouth about twenty-three years, twelve years engaged in the manufacture of carriages. He died in 1871, aged fifty-eight years. Mark B. Wells was born in Meigs County, Ohio, in 1843, a son of Myron Wells. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Fourth Virginia Infantry, and served till 1864. He then enlisted in the One Hundred and Fortieth 0. N. G., and served till the close of the war. After his return from the war he was with the Boon Mining and Manufacturing Company four years. In 1869 he returned to Pomeroy, and in 1873 came to Portsmouth, and was with Reed & Peebles till 1879. He was then agent of the Ohio River & West Virginia Salt Company a year, and had also handled flour, grain, meats, etc., on commission. In 1880 he formed a partnership with C. S. Morrow, and in 1882 purchased Mr. Morrow's interest, now carrying on the business alone. Mr. Wells was married in 1870 to Matilda Thomas, of Pomeroy. They have five children—Edgar S., Clara E., Laura C., Mark T. and Myra. Mr. Wells is a brother of the evangelist, D. H. H. Wells, and of Rev. J. L. Wells, a Presbyterian minister of Newark, N. J. His parents reside near Mentor, Ohio. John M Wendelken was born Aug. 26, 1850, a son of Martin Wendelken, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1850, and located in Marietta, Ohio. He was a soldier in the old country, and the first twelve years in this country were spent at the carpenter's trade. Since 1862 he has been engaged in the grocery business. He has a family of eight children—Anna (now Mrs. Conrad Fischer), John M., Henry, Mary (now Mrs. Charles Strecker), Julia, William, Martin and Adda. John M. came to Portsmouth in 1873. He formed a partnership with Vincent Brodbeck in 1878, but in 1881 Mr. Brodbedi retired, and Mr. Wendelken has since carried on the business alone. He has a large stock of general merchandise, grocer. ies, boots and shoes, dry goods, hats, caps, notions, etc. He employs two clerks. Sept. 18, 1873, Mr. Weudelken married Otillia Brodbeck, daughter of Vincent Brodbeck. They have four children—Anna E., Rosa E., Nellie 0. and Charles W. Charles Wertz, son of Henry Wertz, was born in Germany in 1817. His father died in the old country, and when six years of age he came with his mother to the United States, locating in Portsmouth, Ohio. When eight years of age he began selling newspapers and tending bar. When eleven years of age he commenced working on the river boats, and filled all the positions from cabin boy to first steward. He was barkeeper on the Telegraph four years. In 1868 he opened his saloon and billiard hall on West Second street, between Market and Jefferson streets. He was married May 3, 1870, to Lizzie Barr, a native of Waverly, Ohio. They have two children– Charles, Jr., and Laura. A daughter, Lizzie, died in 1876, aged one month. Mr. Wertz is a member of the I. O. O. F. Conrad Westphal was born in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1823, a son of Henry Westphal. In 1845 he came to the United States, locating in New York City, where he remained two years. He then went to Trenton, N. ;T., and remained two and a half years; thence to Pittsburg, Pa., and remained two and a half years. In 1852 he removed to Portsmouth. He worked in rolling mills prior to and since coming to Portsmouth till 1869, when he engaged in gardening and farming till 1873. Since then he has been putting up ice. He keeps three teams and delivers all orders. His sales amount to 1,000 tons annually. Mr. Westphal married Christina Siegle, a native of Germany. They have had six children, but two now living—Conrad D. and H. R. Jacob died after reaching manhood; Mary, aged four years; John and another Mary in HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 807 infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Westphal are members of the Fifth Street Church. Joshua Wheeler was born Aug. 7, 1820, in Huntington County, Pa., a son of John Wheeler, who came to Portsmouth in 1832, residing here till 1848, when he removed to near Columbus, Ohio, Joshua remaining in Portsmouth. For the past forty years he has been engaged principally in doing the hauling for the Gaylord Rolling Mill Company, now known as the Portsmouth Iron and Steel Company. Last year he engaged heavily in the wholesale and retail coal business. In January, 1883, he established the transfer company in connection with his other business. He has thirty horses and both drays and wagons, and employs forty men. Mr. Wheeler is very energetic and enthusiastic about his business, and under no circumstances, however discouraging, was he ever known to give up, and as a result he is now the owner of a good property. He was married in 1853 to Elizabeth Boydson. Twelve children have been born to them, but six now living—Louisa, Charles, Emma, Lucy, Samuel and Henry. W. G. Whitney was born April 11, 1811, and came to Portsmouth with his father in 1821, where he has since made his home. He was married in 1836 to Melvenia Fleming, who died in 1847 leaving him three children -two sons and a daughter. tie was again married in 1850 to Elcy F. M. Voorhes by whom he has four children. He has seven living children, three of whom are married—Ruluff, to Louise Adams and residing in Cincinnati, Ohio; W. F., to Lizzie M. Jones, living in Portsmouth, and Mary Jane, wife of C. E. Jewell, of Portsmouth. His father, Ruluff Whitney, was born in Connecticut, June 20, 1776. At the close of the Revolutionary war the family emigrated to Western New York, where Ruluff grew up and married Susannah Glenny, a native of North Ireland. They came to Ohio in 1817 and located in Portsmouth in 1821, where the mother died in 1845 and the father in 1846. They had a family of eight children: John, who was married to Mrs. Arenia Kelly and died in 1855 ; Mary, who married Hannibal G. Ha. Ain, residing and dying in Cincinnati in 1880 ; Ruluff who died in 1824, aged nineteen years ;Susannah, wife of E. G. Stone of Cincinnati; Sarah, wife of A.R. Hardin of Cincinnati ;W. G. , our subject; Minerva wife of Abijah Curtis, and Olive who married Allan C. McArthur, youngest son of ex-Governor McArthur, of Ohio, and now living near Circleville, Ohio. The Whitneys (father and sons), after the manner of the early settlers, engaged together in various industries, among which were farming and a brick yard, in which the brick for the older portion of the present court-house was made. Previous to settling in Portsmouth they had bought and worked the Peacock coal banks of Porn eroy, Ohio. They supplied the first coal for Portsmouth and continued in that trade until the year 1831, when they sold their banks to V. B. Horton and went into the grocery and produce business, in which W. G. continued until the year 1859. For some years W. G. was also engaged in the river trade, being part owner and commander of the steamboat Olive, running between Cincinnati and Pittsburg. After the year 1859 he confined himself to the business of commission grain dealer and shipper, in the region of the Scioto Valley and Ohio Canal,in which he continued until failing health compelled him to retire, at the age of seventy-two years. In religion W. G. is an Episcopalian. In politics, conservative, never an office-seeker, nor taking a very active part in political affairs. In early life he was a Whig but since the war of the Rebellion has voted the Republican ticket. In 1832 Ruluff Whitney, Sr., bought lots on the southeast corner of Second and Market streets and built the houses which are at present 308 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY standing there. One was, up to the year 1859, the family residence and they are yet in the possession of W. G. Whitney. John D. Wilhelm was born in Scioto County Ohio, Sept. 6, 1837, a son of Jacob and Amanda M. (Day) Wilhelm, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio. In 1854 Mr. Wilhelm began learning the tinner's trade. In 1861 he enlisted :in Company G, First Ohio Infantry, and served four months. After his -return home he was variously engaged for two years and then became established at his present place of business, on Second street, between Market and Court streets. He keeps stoves and manufactures tinware, employing three or four hands. He was married in 1867 to Cora Conway. They have four children—Anna Lou, Albert, Charles and Bess. Mr. Wilhelm is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. John, Wilhelm was born in Germany, June 30, 1833, and when nineteen years of age came to the United States, locating at Chillicothe, Ohio, where he clerked in a wholesale grocery house four and a half years. In 1856 he came to Portsmouth and opened a retail grocery store on Front street, and fourteen years later removed to his present place, corner of Fourth and Court streets. In 1869 he built the opera house, a three-story building, 64x 66 feet. The lower story contains three fine store rooms; the second floor, private residence and offices, and the third floor the opera hall, with a seating capacity of 750, including gallery. The building was completed at a cost of $35,000. Mr. Wilhelm was married in 1857 to Sophia Schwartz, of Chillicothe. They have had a family of nine children—Charles H., in business on the corner of Tenth and Chillicothe streets; Lizzie, a school-teacher, but, obliged to leave school before the close of her second term, died June 27, 1883, aged twenty-two years; Mellie; John, in Lexington, Ky.; Albert, Emma, Os car, Alma and Walter. Mr. Wilhelm has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1856, and is a member of several German societies. Evan Williams was born in Wales, Feb. 12, 1827, a son of David Williams, who came to the United States with his family in 1837, locating in Gallia County, Ohio, and ten years later removed to Jackson County, where he died in 1874, aged eighty-four years. He had a family of eight children—Martha, resides on the old homestead; Jane, widow of Daniel Thomas, of Portsmouth; Mary, died, aged fifteen ; Evan, subject Of our sketch; Anna, married to Thomas Lawrence, died in 1860; John and David, farmers of Jackson County, and William, residing on the old homestead. Evan began working for himself when seventeen years of age in a rolling mill, and was engaged in that business till 1876, when he opened a grocery store on the corner of Third and Waller streets. He was married in 1852 to Catherine Edwards. She died in April, 1881, leaving three children—John, Grant and Charles. Mr. Williams is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, John George Wurster was born Oct. 21, 1831, in Wittenberg, Germany, and came to America in May, 1851, and located at Waverly, where lie lived a year. In the spring of 1852 he came to Portsmouth, and after remaining here a year went to Greenup County, Ky., and at the end of eighteen months spent six months at Franklin Furnace, Ohio. He then returned to Ports- I mouth and worked in the rolling-mill till 1861, when he opened his present bakery, He was married July 6, 1851, to Mary D. Kiedaisch, a native of Wittenberg, Germany. She died in 1876, leaving five children - Mary, wife of Daniel Egbert, of Scioto County; John, clerking for Sanford & McFarland; Frederick, a butcher in Cincinnati; Albert, helping his father, and George, attending $ school. Mr. Wurster is a member of the Lutheran church. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 809 John Williams was born March 15, 1833, in the parish of Llanegryn, in Merioneth, North Wales, a son of Griffith Williams. He began to learn the pattern-maker's trade at the age of sixteen, at which he worked till 1869, when he came to the United States. He spent the first two years in Cincinnati working at his trade, since when he has made his home in Portsmouth, and has been in the constant employ of Moore & Co.'s machine works as foreman of the pattern-making shop. He was married in Wales, in 1857, to Elizabeth Wilkes, who died Oct. 18, 1878, aged forty years. Their children are—Thomas Wilkes, who is twenty-three years old, and by trade a pattern-maker; Ella, Katie and Freddie, all born in Wales. Myfanwy died in February, 1874, aged three years, and Margaret died in March, 1874, aged three months. The deceased were born in Portsmouth. Mr. Williams belongs to the First Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. H. P. Yeager was born in Prussia, Sept. 7, 1828, and came to the United States in 1850, locating first in Williamsburg, Pa., where he taught school three months. He then clerked at Harrison Furnace a year then came to Portsmouth and clerked one year in Hall's store, on Front street, and three years for Conley. He then formed a partnership with Mr. Gerlach, but a year later bought his partner's interest. In 1866 he purchased the property now occupied by Mrs. Yeager, on Market street, between Second and Third streets. He died Sept. 26, 1877, and his wife is now carrying on the business. He was married in 1853 to Margaret Coleman, a native of Germany, born Nov. 7, 1828, who came with her parents, William and Clara Coleman, to the United States when she was small. Her father died in 1865,aged sixty-four years. Her mother is still living, aged eighty-two years. Mrs. Yeager has five children—Henry, Emma Clara, Lucy,Augusta and Emma. Thomas T. Yeager was born in Meigs County, Ohio, in 1836, and has been a resident of Portsmouth about forty years. He was engaged in the wharf-boat and commission business eleven years, railroad business tour years, and livery business Aix years. In September, 1882, he, with Mr. Anderson, bought McAndrew's flour-mill, corner of Fifth and Washington streets. It is a two-story building, 66 x 27 feet in size, with an L and stable. They are now re-modeling the mill, putting in eight sets of Sloan's rollers, two reel bolting chests, a centrifugal reel, Smith's purifier and a large corn sheller. The capacity will be two barrels of flour every hour, besides corn meal and mill feed. Mr. Yeager enlisted in the late war in the three months' service; participated in the first battle at Bull Run. He was married in 1869 to Elenor Fritts. They have one son—Thomas H. Mr. Yeager is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. L. D. York was born in England, Dec. 20, 1847, and in 1868 came to America, locating in Paterson, N. J., where he superintended the Passaic Mills eight years. In 1878 he went to the United States of Colombia, remaining there over 'a year. In 1880 he came to Portsmouth and became associated with the Burgess Steel and Iron Works. He was married in Portsmouth in 1872 to Alice M. Watkins. They have three daughters and one, son. Mr. York is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Jacob Yost was born in Lorain, Germany, March 31, 1846. When he was eight years of age his father, Andrew Yost, came to the United States, locating in Portsmouth, where he died June 13, 1871. His family consisted of five children—Jacob, Louise, Daniel, Lizzie (the wife of W.H. Elliott, died in December, 1881, aged twenty-six years), and Phillipine. Jacob began working in a rolling-mill when 810 - HISTORY OF. LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. ten years of age. When he was fourteen he went to work at the blacksmith's trade, but after a year and a half returned to the rolling-mill, where he is now doing the work of a boiler. He was married Nov. 25, 1873, to Kate Clemens, daughter of Fred Clemens. They have six children—Daniel F., Flora L., Emma M., Clemens A., Elinora P. and Carrie K. Mr. and Mrs. Yost are members of Fifth Street Lutherah Church. Charles H Ziegler, Superintendent of the water-works, was born in . Portsmouth, Sept. 30, 1851, a son of H. D. Ziegler, an old resident of the city. When a boy he learned the trade of plumber and gas-fitter, and has made that his business with the exception of three years that he was engineer for the Ohio Stave Company. Sept. 1, 1880, he was elected to his present position. He was married in 1873 to Kate Jarvis, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children—Frank, Grace and Carrie. Mr. Ziegler is a member of the Independent Order of Mechanics. J. Zottman, deceased, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Prussia,. in 1826, and when quite a young man came to the United States. He had learned the candle and soap-maker's trade in the old country and first worked at his trade in this country in Pottsville, Pa.. subsequently going to Cincinnati. In 1848 he removed to Portsmouth and built a factory, where he manufactured candles and soap till his death in 1880, aged fifty-four years. He left a family of nine children. His eldest son, H. J., is now conducting the business. Previous to engaging in this business he had for several years been a bank messenger. He was married in, 1878 to Lizzie, daughter of Charles Rauch. They have two sons—Walter and Elmer. Mr. Zottman is a member of the German Benevolent Society. James Keyes was born in Albemarle County, Va., March 22, 1801, and died in Portsmouth, Ohio, June 30, 1883. His father was of the .old Massachusetts Puritan stock, and after the Revolutionary war went to Virginia, where he married, and where all of his children were born. In 1810 the family removed to Ohio and settled on a farm where East Portsmouth now stands. Our subject had the advantage of a good education, and always made the best of his advantages, being possessed of a strong and philosophical mind. In politics he was originally a Jeffersonian Democrat, and fought vigorously for that party while it represented his views; but when the slavery question and other vital issues pushed themselves to the front, he promptly allied himself with what seemed to him the right party, and remained with it to the last. In religion he had no special views, but had a great respect for Christians and Christianity. He lived a pure and upright life, anything like profanity being intolerable to him. He wrote the "Pioneers of Scioto County," which first appeared in the Portsmouth newspapers, and afterward in book form. Up to a short time before his death he was engaged in writing " Reminiscences of Scioto County," the unfinished MS. of which is now in the hands of his son. The compilers of the " History of Lower Scioto Valley" are indebted to his " Pioneers of Scioto County" for valuable information. Mr. Keyes's habits were most simple, and he attributed his long life and health to his mode of living. He had a paralytic stroke the first of March previous to his death, and was looking for the second, but it never came, death being caused by a stomach and bowel trouble. He never fully regained his vigor after his first attack, though the last four months of his life were passed in comparative comfort. In his death Scioto County lost one of her most prominent pioneers, and one who was always alive to the interests of the county and State, Scioto Lodge, No. 31, I. 0. 0. F., of Portsmouth, was organized June 5, 1844, with th following charter members: James Malcolm, Thomas S. Currie, William Miller, William HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 311 H. Briggs, Arthur C. Davis. The lodge own and occupy a commodious and beautiful hall, located on the corner of Court and Sixth streets. This building was erected in 1876, at the cost of $9,000. The Grand Lodge of Ohio held their session in this hall May 8, 1877. Scioto Lodge ranks among the prosperous lodges of the order in Ohio, and has a membership at present (1883) of 119, with the following named officers: N. G., O. D. Foster; V. G., J. W. Jenkins; Secretary, James W. Ellis; Treasurer, John Micklethwait; Warden, J. Keifer; Conductor, H. G. Ellis; O. G., Thomas Rogers; I. G., Philip Bauer; R. S. N. G., S. G. Garvin; L. S. N. G., I. Woodruff; L. S. V. G., C. J. Rust; R. S. S., W. Foster; L. S. S., J. J. Sutton. The Deputy Grand Master of District No. 38 is J. W. Ellis. The lodge has thirty-six Past Grands. The lodge meets regularly every Tuesday evening, and is steadily growing. in interest and membership. CHAPTER XVII. PORTER, CLAY AND HARRISON TOWNSHIPS. PORTER TOWNSHIP. THE FIRST SETTLED. This township has the honor of being the first settled in Scioto County, claiming Sam'l Marshall, Jno. Lindsay, Isaac Bonser, Uriah Barber, as its first settlers. Lindsay and Bonser married daughters of Mr. Sam'l Marporshall. Mr. Marshall first settled on Congress land, but after making considerable improvement left it and leased a school section, and made excellent improvements and secured the land. Porter Township has an Ohio River front of fully ten miles, and has also the fertile valley of the Little Scioto within its borders for a distance of five miles, and at the point it then turns north, is but a trifle over two miles from the Ohio River. At its junction with the latter it has a wide and fertile bottom, extending some two miles back, on account of quite a large bend in the Little Scioto, about one mile from its mouth. From its long river front and the peculiar richness of the soil, its prolific yield and ease of cultivation, that part of Scioto County embraced within the limits of what is now Porter Township rapidly settled. For many years it kept the lead in population, and at this day, with the exception of Portsmouth, which now covporers Wayne Township, it has the largest population of any township in the county, with Bloom ranking as a good second, and Brush Creek not far behind. In the year 1840 Porter had a population of 1,013; in 1850, 1,674; in 1860, 1,873; in 1870, 1,965; in 1880, 2,274. These gains or increase in population have not been great since 1850, but it has been a steady one, and better the last decade than the two decades previous, showing a more enterprising spirit The wealth of the township is pretty evenly distributed among its inhabitants, and while not as great in proportion to some has a better average to the citizen. AREA AND VALUATION. In regard to size Porter Township is the smallest of the fifteen townships, outside of Portsmouth, comprising the municipal divis- ions of the county. It has assessed upon the tax duplicate 12,196 acres of lands. Wash- I ington Township is taxed but upon thirty- seven acres more, and Rush comes next, with 758 acres more, but with only a trifle over half of Porter's assessed valuation. The valuation was given in 1882 on real estate at $240,960; chattel property, $183,629; a total of $424,589. The increase in chattel property of 1880, two years, was $33,. 106, the greatest gain of any township in the 1 county. As it lies upon the Ohio River, it follows the bend, and the Western portion is rather a narrow strip; thence east some three miles, when it takes the form of nearly a square lying east of the bend of the Ohio and running north to the Harrison Township line. Its average width is about four miles, which lies on a line east of the bend. It is I bounded on the north by Harrison Town. ship, on the east by Vernon, on the south by - 312 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 313 Greene and the Ohio river, and on the west by the Ohio River and Clay Township. It is principally watered by the Little Scioto in its northern part, and Pine Creek in the southern and eastern portion, which crosses the township in a northwesterly direction, emptying into the Ohio. There are also a few small tributaries, all giving the township an abundance of water. On leaving the valleys the country is somewhat broken and hilly, but taken together may be considered one of the best agricultural townships in the county, only exceeded, if at all, by Clay and Valley townships. Coal and iron ore are found thin its limits, and fire-clay in such quantities as has caused it to become one of the leading industries of the township, fire brick being made in large quantities. Tiling is another industry which is growing. WHEN FORMED. When the county was organized, in 1803, the present territory cif Porter was a part of Wayne and Greene townships, and it was not until 1814 Porter became a separate municipality. The order forming it was made Dec.. 6, 1814, as follows: " Ordered, That the petition for a new township by sundry persons of Wayne and Greene townships be granted, and that the following be the bounds: To begin at Ira Hitchcock's upper corner; thence on the river up the Ohio to the mouth of the creek; thence to Hale's Creek so far that a due west line will strike the lower back corner of the grant; thence with the line of Bloom Township and Madison Township so far as to strike a due north line drawn from the place of beginning, called Porter Township." Later a change seems to have been wanted, and a petition was presented to change the township line. This was granted by the commissioners, and the following order made: " Beginning. at the mouth of Hale's Creek; thence up the said creek with the meanders to where it strikes the French Grant, lots Nos. 54 and 66; thence a northeasterly course with line of the French Grant to lots Nos. 78 and 90 to the southeast corner of fractional section No. 21, range 20, in township. No. 2; thence north with the original surveyed township line to the northeast corner of section No. 36, in range No. 20, in township No. 3; thence west with the original section lines to the northwest corner of section No. 36, in range No. 21, in township No. 2; thence south to the Ohio River; thence up the Ohio River with the meanderings to the beginning for the boundaries of Porter Township." EARLY SETTLERS. There are the names of many of the old pioneers of Porter Township entered among the list of old settlers given in the history of Scioto County, and among those who were born here, or came in childhood's days and are yet living, are: Madison Price, Elias Marshall and Levi Smith, of Sciotoville; Jonathan Hurd, James Littlejohn and Theodore Bliss, of Wheelersburg; and Isaac Fullerton and John Baccus. Among the oldest couples living are: Mr. and Mrs. Gibbens, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hurd, all of whom are over eighty years of age, with the prospect of several years more of a quiet and peaceful life. ITEMS OF INTEREST. Porter Township was named after the son of Major Porter Wheeler. The first election was held in 1803, at the house of Samuel Marshall, Sr., and after organization at the house of Jesse Marshall. William Price kept the first tavern, just below the mouth of the Little Scioto. William Morrison was the first wagon-maker in Porter Township. The Baccus School-house, the first in the central portion of the township, awa'y from the river, was erected in 1816. Walter Beloat was its first teacher. 814 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. The first church was erected in 1817, and was under the charge of the Rev. Rufus Cheney— Free-Will Baptist. The first public school built was on the property of Daniel Young. Jesse Y. Whitcomb and John Young were teachers. At their first Fourth of July celebration, at Major Samuel Bonser's, a cannon was used made out of a gum-tree; strongly strapped with iron bands. It was made by Samuel B. Burt. Jesse Marshall opened the first store in Porter Township in 1812, at the point now known as Wait's Station. It was before the township was organized, and was known for some years as the Vinton Price place. William Brown started the second in the front room of his house in 1835. These were the only two stores in the township at that time. The Portsmouth Branch of the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad enters the western side and passes through the northern part of the township for some seven miles, and the Scioto Valley Railroad, from Sciotoville southeast about eight miles, to the southern boundary of the township. Wheelersburg is on the latter road, and Wait's Station is on the branch. Sciotoville is the dividing point of the two roads, one going northeast and the other southeast from that village. ANOTHER CHANGE. The county commissioners made another slight change in the boundary line of the township in 1836, and the last. It reads: "Whereas, William Montgomery having made application to be attached to the township of Porter, upon examination of the said application, and upon due consideration of the same, it is Ordered, That the said Win. Montgomery be attached to the township of Porter, beginning in the line between sections 23 and 26 in township No. 2, range 20, fractions where Hale's Creek crosses said line, and thence up the creek, with the meanderings thereof, until it strikes said line again, so as to include within the limits of Porter Township the said William Montgomery." Dec, 7, 1836. SCIOTOVILLE. Sciotoville is riot the oldest town in the township, but at this time it has the largest population. It lies at the mouth of the Little Scioto, on its west bank, and on the bank of the Ohio River, and is the converging point of the Scioto Valley and the Portsmouth Branch of the C., W. & B. railroads. It has become quite noted as a manufacturing point, its principal production being fire brick and tile. Its location is high and dry, and it has both valleys to give it a generous support. It is handsomely laid out, nearly due north and south, some six miles from Portsmouth, and may be said to be a thriving and growing town. It first came into existence and was laid out in 1841, being surveyed Jan. 25 and 26 by J. Riggs, for Messrs. Jas. Taylor, Jr., and Chas. Moore. The record of that survey was recorded Feb. 18, 1841. The town site of Sciotoville has a history. The original purchaser of the plat was Colonel Edwards, who located the property,a fractional section, paid one-fourth the purchase money down as required, received his patent, and then turned around and sold it out in small lots, cash down, and left for Kentucky. Those who could not pay the Government their share of the three-fourths left lost their land, The Government subsequently made up to those who were alive in 1820. The village was named after the Little Scioto River, which flows into the Ohio on its eastern border. The first residences put up after the platting of the village were by Madison Price Uriah Bonser and Jacob Bonser. Wm. Brown's residence was already there and his store, which I opened, as before mentioned, in 1835. Elias and Luther Marshall opened the first HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 315 store after leas laid out, under the name of Marshall Bitis, it was a grocery store and was located on lot No. 31. A few months later Elias bought his brother out and added dry-goods,, a fact keeping a general store, which he continued for many years. Bonserk & Correll started the first wagon shop; Wm. Courtney, the first blacksmith shop, and David F. Upp, the first shoe shop. Dr. White came in the year 1816, and was the first resident physician. The first hotel was erecta. in 1843, with Madison Price landlord and proprietor. In the early part of the year 1847 Messrs. Taylor, Decler & Co. put up and ran the first iron foundry, but had fife misfortune to have it burned down the same year by act of an incendiary. The flouring mill and edge-tool manufactory was run by Elias Marshall and erected in 1851. This constituted up to that time its business interests. The postoffice was established in 1844, and James Bynn was appointed Postmaster. He was succeeded by Elias Marshall until 1852; since which time it has changed hands several times. James H. Halliday is the present Postmaster. Registered letters are sent but it is not yet a money-order office. An effort was made in 1877 to make Sciotoville an incorporated village, but there was enough position started to defeat the plan. The town-growing and has now a population of nearly 800, and its manufacturing interests, are developing fairly. There have been several additions to the village, the last in 184; being three additions besides the original plat. They also conformed to that plat being laid out at right angles, the streets running north and south, and east and west, or nearly so. ITS BUSINESS INTERESTS, 1883. Oregon Eakins, dealer in dry-goods, groceries and notions. Walter Beloat, dealer in dry-goods, groceries and notions. Dr. Haldeman & Co., dealers in drugs and medicines. Sciotoville Saw-mill and Lumber Co. G. W. Salladay, dealer in groceries, etc. L. Marshall, proprietor of Marshall House. L. Marshall, drugs and medicines. J. D. Mathiott, proprietor of Mathiott House. A. Brase, tin, stoves, hardware and house-furnishing goods. Alfred Yost, cigar manufactory and dealer in tobaccos. August Cook, wine and beer saloon. Adam Ault, blacksmith, wagon-maker and wheelbarrow manufacturer. George Batterson, harness-maker. Wm. Nickis, blacksmith and horseshoer. Wm. Duveneck, wagon manufacturer. Gus. Zuicker, blacksmith and horseshoer. Geo. M. Marshall, physician and surgeon. S. S. Halderrnan, physician and surgeon. Marten Taylor, physician and surgeon. Mrs. D. Westwood, milliner and dressmaker. Henry Meeks, brick-layer. Richard Goodrich & Son, plasterers and cistern builders. Levi Smith, carpenter. L. Marshall, Justice of the Peace and Mayor of Sciotoville. Mrs. Alma Hitchcock, milliner and dress maker. John Taylor, barber. Sciotoville Saw-mill and Lumber Co.'s store. Henry C. Sheward, shingle manufacturer. Scioto Lumber Company was established in 1875 by M. J. & J. W. White. They deal in all kinds of sawed lumber, shingles and lath, and the output of their mill is 2,000,000 feet annually, and can turn out 15,000 feet daily. Located on the river, their boats land at their dock and load up, and the railroad 316 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. switch runs into their yard. The logs are purchased up the river and floated down, West Virginia and Kentucky furnishing a large part of them. Oak, walnut, and all kinds of hard timber are purchased. Fire-Brick Manufactory.—This enterprise was started in 1861 by Reese Thorns. He commenced in a small way in an old building which had been used as a saw-mill. He managed it so successfully that after holding the trade for four years other persons were induced to embark in it. In 1865 Messrs. Watkins, Porter & Co. started another yard. The demand for brick being very great, Farney, Murray & Co. opened the third yard, and named it the Salamander. These yards continued until 1870, enlarging the area of their trade, and building up each a splendid business. The above year the three firms consolidated under the firm name of the Scioto Fire-Brick Company, which it still retains. From the small beginning o Mr. Thorns has arisen one of the largest establishments of the kind in the State. The output is 32,000 brick daily, and gives employment to several hundred men and teams. It is now an incorporated company with a capital of $100,000. Its officers are: President, Russell Tewksberry ; Secretary, Samuel Reed; Superintendent, C. P. Loyd; Bookkeeper, Chas. Erlich. Chas. Turner,s Manager, and John J. House, Storekeeper. WHEELERSBURG. Wheelersburg is a thriving village located near the center of the township, north and south, and is the oldest settled in the township. It was first settled about 1820; was named Concord, and laid off by the Rev. Daniel Young and his brother, John Young, being surveyed by Samuel Cole, June 15, 1824. Its present name of Wheelersburg was given it in honor of Major Wheeler, an early settler, a noted Indian fighter, and a soldier in the war of 1812. Besides the turnpike road which passes through it, called the Portsmouth pike, the Scioto Valley Railroad depot is within about one-quarter of a mile of the village. It is pleasantly and even handsomely located, not far from the bank of the Ohio, and is the official headquarters of the township, it being the only voting precinct. It has a population of about 500; is a thrifty, enterprising place, with some neat residences, good business houses, and a growing manufacturing interest. The town of Concord remained as such about two years after it was platted, or up to 1826, when its name was changed to Wheelersburg. In 1822 Daniel and John Young erected the first cotton factory. The machinery was first put up in Greenupsburg and brought from there to Portsmouth, being run by David Gharky and his partner from the year 1818. In 1822 Mr. Gharky, having become sole proprietor, sold the machinery to the Young Brothers and went out of business in that line. The Messrs. Young erected their building in what was then Concord, and on the corner of what is now Broadway and Center streets, where the Gerding House now stands. It was sold in 1835 to Edward Cranston, who moved it to its present site and changed it into a woolen-mill. The first and only Postmaster of Concord was John Young. He removed from the State, and Samuel Gould was appointed in October, 1826. Its name was then changed to Wheelersburg, and Mr. Gould was the first Postmaster after the change of name. He held it a number of years and was succeeded by Seymour Pixley. Since then there have been other changes until the Postmaster at this time is H. T. Hall. The first school-house built in the village was in 1822, and John Young was the first teacher who taught within its limits. THE BUSINESS OF 1883. The business interests of Wheelersburg in 1883 show a prosperity that is encouraging. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 317 It has three churches and three schools, three general stores, one hotel (the Gerding House), one grocery store, three blacksmith and wagon shops, one blacksmith shop, one saddlery and harness store, one tailoring establishment, one boot and shoe shop, one undertaker, one woolen-mill, one tile factory, two flouring mills, one cabinet shop, one saw-mill, one express office (Adams), two carpenters, two physicians. The woolen-mill above referred to was purchased by Edward Cranston from Daniel Young in 1835, who continued to run the mill by horse-power until 1867, when they purchased steam-power. Jeremiah Cranston, son of Edward, became a partner in 1848. The mills are now owned by the son, the father being deceased. They are now manufacturing jeans, flannels, blankets and yarns. is the oldest woolen-mill in Southeastern Ohio. The Tile Manufacturing Company of Wheelersburg was started April 28, 1871, the incorporators being L. Salladay, Jeremiah Cranston, O. H. Glidden, Wm. Crichton, A. P. Osborn and J. P. Merrill. They secured a practical workman and business man in the person of Wm. Denis for Superintendent. Jan. 1, 1883, Mr. Denis made a proposition to the owners to purchase the remainder of the works, he having before purchased an interest, and was accepted. He has a fine trade in all the adjoining States, ships as far south as Louisiana, and the largest manufacturing interest in the town. His son, Wm. H. Denis, is now a partner, and the business is conducted by Wm. Denis & Son. The assessed valuation of the chattel property of Wheelersburg in 1882 was placed at the handsome sum of $132,193. SOCIETIES. Western Sun Lodge, No. 91,A.F. & A. M. Is a flourishitg order, which holds its meetings weekly, at the northeast corner of Broadway and Center streets. The membership numbers fifty in good standing. The officers the present year are: S. M. Osborn, S. W.; H. Eakrnan, J. W. ; Geo. Marshall, S. D.; L. Salladay, J. D.; T. Prather, Treasurer; Jas. Baker, Secretary, and Joseph Rogers, Tyler. Orient Lodge, .No. 337, I. 0. 0. F.—This order is one of long standing and has a hall of its own, located on the corner of Broadway and Center streets. The lodge is out of debt, and their hall, which is handsomely finished and furnished, is paid for as well as the building. Their meetings are held every Saturday night, and they have a membership of thirty-eight in good standing. The present officers of the lodge are: Henry Beeler, N. G.; Walter Beloat, V. G.; Jerry Scranton, Secretary; Sidney Patton; Treasurer. WAIT'S STATION is on the Portsmouth Branch of the C., W. & B.-Railroad, about ten miles northeast of Portsmouth. It was named after Benjamin Wait, a native of Vermont, who settled in the county in 1814. The station was located by the railroad company in 1851, and Benj. F. Wait, son of Benj. Wait, appointed station agent, which he held some nine months, when the station was removed nearly one mile east to a place named Slocum, and was there kept by Joshua McStry. A postoffice was established and the first Postmaster was Dennis Emory. Emory resigned and Thos. M. Carroll was appointed. Then John Ashley succeeded him after two years, and the office was vacated during his term. The station and the postoffice, which wasp-established, is still called Wait's Station and Postoffice. Joshua McKinstry was appointed station agent in 1871, and was also appointed Postmaster, and in connection keeps a grocery store. While the location is still at Slocum the name of station and postoffice is called " Wait's," as above. Mr. McKinstry was born in Athens County in 1816; came to Scioto County in 1851, and to the station in 1862. The town 818 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. of Wait's has ten families within its limits, and one church, size 24 x 34 feet, owned by the denomination of Free-Will Baptists. This covers the hamlets and the business interests of Porter Township, except farming and stock-raising. There are many fine farms and orchards in the township, and, as a class, the farmers are all well-to-do, and unencumbered with either debt or despondency. SCHOOLS. Porter Township has eight school districts, or sub-districts, but in reality it might be called thirteen, as it takes that number of teachers. The Sciotoville District, No. 1, is a neat and substantial brick structure of four rooms, the grounds covering about half a block on Market street, in the town of Sciotoville. The Principal of this school is Prof. P. F. White; Mrs. Emma Duvendeck has charge of room No. 2, Miss Luella Meeker of No. 3, and Miss Frankie Beloat of room No. 4. Sub-district No. 2 is on the turnpike, about two and a half miles southeast of Wheelersburg. It is a new frame building, and the school the coming winter has been placed in the hands of Miss Ida Oronton, a successful teacher. Sub-district No. 3 is a frame structure located on the Ohio River, at a point called Hayport. The teacher is Sam'l Barrett. Sub-district No. 4 is on the Sciotoville and Webster Turnpike, some two and a half miles from the former place. Frame building, with J. H. Mooney as instructor. Sub-district No. 5. —This school is situated on Dogwood Ridge, on the Wait's Station road leading from Wheelersburg, and one and a half miles from the latter place. L. H. Moseman has been secured as teacher. Special School District, No. 6, is located at Wheelersburg. It is a handsome brick structure of four rooms, pleasant grounds, with three rooms occupied. Prof. Aaron Grady is Principal; Geo. Osborn has charge of room No. 2, and Miss Searls of room 3. Sub-district No. 7 is located two and a half miles southeast of Wheelersburg, on Lick Run. The building is of frame, and Miss Jennie Camp has been secured as the teacher. Sub-district No 8 is one and one-fourth miles west of Sciotoville, on the turnpike leading to Portsmouth. CHURCHES. The Porter Free-Will Baptist Church was organized Sept. 6, 1817, in a school house on Ward's Run, near the residence of Benj. Wait, by Elder Rufus Cheney and others. Eli Kelsey was Clerk. Transient serv ices were held occasionally, and Revs. David Dudley and Markus Kilborn held services as they passed through. Rev. R. Cheney was the first preacher of this denomination in Scioto County, in the year 1816. The present minister is the Rev. J. H. Carr. The Little Scioto Quarterly Meeting was organized May 18, 1833, at the house of Solomon Monroe, in Harrison Township. The ministers officiating were the Revs. Harry Branch, Jas. M. Shurtleff and Sam'l Low. The church was represented at the meeting from Porter, Madison and Harrison townships, the delegation from Porter being Benj. Wait, Benj. Dean ; Harrison, Aaron Pool and Ephraim Low, and for Madison, James Low. Porter members numbered thirty-seven, Madison twelve, and Harrison seven. As that time the Free-Will Baptists had no church buildings of their own in the county, The Tree-Will Baptist Church, of Wheelersburg, was organized May 17, 1851, by the Rev. Isaac Fullerton. The present pastor is the Rev. H. J. Carr; Trustees, Jas. Littles John, T. J. Gibson, and one vacancy. The Free-Will Baptist Church, of Sciotoville, was organized Feb. 20, 1857, the Rev. Isaac Fullerton being its first pastor, and Lafayette Clifford, Silas Candill, and Thos. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 319 Marshall the Trustees. The Rev. Alva Crabtree is now in charge, with Frederic Ranshahouse, Jesse Purdy and Aaron Stockham, Trustees. The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Wheelersburg, was organized in 1822, by the Rev. Daniel Young. The original members were: John Young, Hannah Gould, Josiah Merrill and wife, and John Hurd and wife. The next minister was Rev. De Lay, who preached at the house of Mrs. Hannah Gould. Their first church was built in 1838, which has been recently torn down, and a new church building is now in the course of erection, to be completed by Christmas, at a cost of $4,000. The church is in a flourishing condition under the earnest and able pastorate of the Rev. Geo. Cherington. The present Trustees are A. Grady, Wm. Duis and Jas. L. Taylor. The Baptist Church, of Wheelersburg, was organized in 1879 by I. N. Clark. The first minister in charge was the Rev. J. H. Roberts. The church has grown and prospered, and is now under the pastoral charge of the Rev. A. K. Murphy. The TruStees are Harris Dodge, Levi Smith and Jno. C. Malone. The Sciotoville Christian Church was established in 1880, and their church was dedicated Sept. 4, 1881. The Elders are John Grubbs, Ira Correll and Wm. Fullerton. At present they have no regular minister. Protracted meetings are held four times a year, and last from four to ten days each. The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Sciotoville, was organized in 1848; the Rev. Murphy was its first pastor, and the Trustees, Jas. Taylor and Uriah Bonser. The present officiating clergyman is the Rev. Geo. Cherngton, and its Trustees, C. P. Loyd, David Combsand and E. W. Turner. The Zion Church, German Methodist Episcopal, was organized some years since with the following original members: Fred- eric Messner, Geo. Smith, Jno. Helt, Michael Reif, Frederic Gable and Geo. Messner. The first minister was the Rev. John Phetzing. Mr. Leger, of Portsmouth, built their church in 1858, and it was dedicated in September of the same year, the Rev. Jolla Bier officiating. Trustees are Fred. Messner, Gottleib Fritz, Michael Reif, Fred. Gable and Jno. Helt. The church is a frame one, 28 x 40 feet in size. The Church of the United Brethren was organized in the year 1851, and is located about one and a half miles east of Sciotoville. It is a one-story frame building 30 x 32 feet in size, plainly but neatly finished. It was erected the same year of its organization. The Rev. Alt and the following names were those who joined as original members: Matthias, Andrew, John and Jacob Lillik, and their father, given name not known, Mr. Felkil, and a few others whose names were forgotten, as no record was kept. The. Rev. Strikp is the present pastor, and the church has a membership at this time of forty. Catholic Church.—This church was organized in 1846 by the Rev. Father Jos. O'Mally. The original members were Garret Railf and wife, Eberhart Frisky and wife, Jno. Kendall and wife, Jno. Reaper and wife, Jno. Moseman and wife, Micliael Delebar and wife, Patrick Flanagan and wife, Christian Flanagan and wife, John Timering, and Henry Lipker and wife. The church was erected in 1849, Father Emanuel Tinpon in charge, and the Trustees, Henry Lipker and Eberhart Frisky. It then had a membership of forty-five, and at this time some sixty members, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Father John Ritter. Service is held every other Sabbath. The church it§ located on the northwest quarter section 13, township 2, range 20, and is valued at $1,500. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. The township officers for 1833 were: Trustees, Pattengale, Bonser and Powers; Clerk, 320 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. Wm. Enslow; Assessor, Mr. Cole; Treasurer, Mr. Hall; Constables, Patton, Thompson and Williams. For 1883, half century later, they are: Trustees, Wm. Reif, Jas. Pucker, and Geo. A. Osborn; Clerk, Jas. H. Halliday; Treasurer, C. W. Ehrlich; Assessor, Jno. W. Merrill; Justices of the Peace, Thos. M. Correll, Luther Marshall and Smith Littlejohn; Constables, Win. Fullerton, and one vacancy; Notary Public, Luther Marshall. Politically speaking the township of Porter is Republican. BIOGRAPHICAL. C. M Albert, engineer, was born Nov. 24, 1850, in Medina County, Ohio, and left there when twelve years of age, for Richland County, Ohio, where he remained three years. He then lived a year in Lawrence County, Ohio, after which he spent eighteen months in Carroll County, Mo. While painting a house in the latter place he fell from a scaffold, which almost caused his death. He was brought to Ashland County, Ohio, where his people then lived, where he lay for two years unable to work. After his recovery he was employed at the Cooper's Works in Hardin County, Ohio, for two years. The following two years he ran a saw-mill in West Virginia, after which he ran the engine on the C. & 0. RR for fourteen months, and while acting in that capacity met with an accident which disabled him for six months. He then moved to Meigs County, Ohio, where he ran an engine in a grist-mill at Letart Falls, after which he worked in a stave and cooper shop in Lawrence County, Ohio. Since 1879 he has been engaged in running the engines for the Fire-Brick Company in Sciotoville, Ohio. He was married July 4, 1869, to Fatima Greely, a native of Ashland County, Ohio. Four children have been born to this union—E. G. A., Stella M., M. E. and Claud G. Mrs. Albert is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. S. D. Argo was born in Adams County, Ohio, July 15, 1827. When twenty years of age he went to Lawrence County, and in 1849 helped to lay out the town of Ironton. He built the third house in the place, and lived there till the fall of 1854. He was married in 1849 to Mary Jane Lambert. They had a family of six children, five now living–Thomas, Elias, James, Frank and Emily, Mrs. Argo died in November, 1863. In 1864 Mr. Argo married Fannie H. Hopkins, of Dayton, Ohio. She was born in Portage County, Ohio, June 11, 1830. They have one child—O. A., born Dec. 14, 1866. Jan. 26, 1880, Mr. Argo came to Scioto County, and located at Pine Creek Landing, where he has twenty-six acres of good land. He is a member of the First Baptist Church at Ironton. He is a member of the Good Templar's lodge at Wheelersburg, and of French Grant Grange, No. 648. Sept. 14, 1861, Mr. Argo enlisted in Company G, Fourth Ohio Cavalry. He was promoted from First Sergeant to First Lieutenant of Company D, and was placed in command of the company. He was wounded at Kennesaw Mountain by his horse falling on him, and again, April 2, 1865, by two musket balls passing through both shoulders. He was left on the field as dead, but the regimental sutler picked him up the night after the battle, and took him to the house of the rebel General Smith, at Selma, Ala., where the Union prisoners were kept to keep the forces from burning the house. Mrs. Smith was very kind to Mr. Argo, and when he was convalescent tried to dissuade him from again taking up arms against the rebels. When General Steel with the gun-boats from Mobile sailed up the river, General Smith asked Mr. Argo what it was best to do. Mr. Argo told him if General Steel came into Selma he would destroy the city, including General Smith's home; but if he would surrender, as he suggested, he would vouch for his safety and for that of his property on account of the HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 321 kind attention he had received. General Smith took his advice, and a yawl with the white flag was sent down the river. Although this has not been a matter of history, the surrender of Selma was planned by a Union soldier, and that soldier is Mr. Argo. John S. Baccus was born in Scioto County, Ohio, July 18, 1811, a son of Jaynes and Nancy A. (Smith) Baccus, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1806, locating in Scioto County. Six of their eight children are still living. His father died in 1840, and his mother in 1864. John S. was reared and educated in his native county. He worked three years at the furnaces, and seven years at the carpenter's trade. In 1842 he commenced farming on the farm where he still resides. He owns 121 acres of land—one of the best hill farms in Scioto County. He was married in 1836 to Flora E., daughter of Anthony C. Vincent, of Scioto County. Mrs. Baccus is a member of the Presbyterian church. George Bahner was torn in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 26, 1826. He came to America in 1839, landing at New York, and in the fall of the same year came to Portsmouth. He remained in Scioto County three years, and the following seven years resided in Lawrence County, Ohio. In 1855 he was married to Margaret Ammon, a native of Bavaria, born about 1828. They are the parents of five children—John, Anna E., Augusta, George and David. In 1855 he came to Porter Township, Scioto County, where he owns a farm of 100 acres of good land on section 8. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Our subject's father, John Bahner, was a native of Bavaria. He was in the war with Napoleon Bonaparte. He died in Scioto County, in 1879, aged eighty-four years. Elizabeth (Dorsch) Bahner, mother of our subject, was also born in Bavaria. She died in Porter Township, Scioto County, in 1878, at the age of seventy-four. John Hatch, Barrett was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Jan. 9, 1818, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Elatch) Barrett, his father a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of New Hampshire. His parents came to Ohio in 1808 and settled in Scioto County on a farm. In 1819 they went to Portsmouth, where his father manufactured brick three or four years. He then purchased another farm and engaged in farming till his death in 1858. His wife died in 1872. They reared a family of five children—Lavina B., Abigail B., Thornton, Henry and John H. The latter is the only one now living. After reaching manhood he went to Kentucky and purchased a farm. In 1856 he returned to Ohio and bought a farm of Colonel William M. Burke. He owns seventy-five acres of fine land. He was married in January, 1849, to Ruby G., daughter of Thomas and Sophia Hatch, of Scioto County. They have five children—Thornton, Orrin G., Thomas H., Henry and Kate H. John F Basham, farmer, was born Dec. 16, 1853, in Porter Township, Scioto Co., Ohio. He was educated in his native county, and was engaged in farming on his father's farm. Sept. 6, 1880, he went out to Montana, where he remained till August, 1882. On his return home he remained at Loghman, Mich., for a short time, engaged in scaling or measuring timber. Sept. 27, 1882, he was married in the Second Presbyterian Church of Portsmouth, by Rev. H. A. Ketchim, to Lolie L. Taylor, born in Lewis County, Ky., May 14, 1862. After his marriage he returned to Michigan, but February, 1883, he returned to Ohio, and is now working on his father's farm on section 12, Porter Township. Mr. and Mrs. Basham are members of the Second Presbyterian Church, at Portsmouth, Ohio, Walter Beloat was born in Sciotoville, Porter Township, Scioto Co., Ohio, Dec. 6, 1854. He was educated in the district schools, and has always resided in his native county. He 322 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. commenced his present mercantile business in 1882. Fourteen months previous to this he was employed as clerk for the Scioto Fire-Brick Company. He had formerly followed the river, keel-boating and steam-boating. He was married Dec. 7, 1881, to Caroline Gates, born in Scioto County, in 1858. They are the parents of one child—Lydia Z., born Sept. 21, 1882. Mr. Beloat is a member of the Orient Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 337, Wheelersburg, Ohio. His wife is a member of the Lutheran church. Samuel Bonser, son of Isaac and Abigail (Burt) Bonser, was born in Northumberland County, Pa., Sept. 30, 1795, and when one year old was brought to Ohio by his parents. His fatIler was a millwright by trade, and in 1797, with the assistance of his neighbors, he built a grist-mill on Bonser's Run. He died in this county in 1849, aged eighty-three years. His wife was a native of New Jersey, and died near Sciotoville in 1853, in her eighty-third year. Our subject was married to Hannah Mead, Aug. 5, 1819. They were blessed with thirteen children, of whom nine are living. Adolph Brase, manufacturer of tinware and dealer in hardware, house-furnishing goods and musical instruments, was born in Newrode, Prussia, Jan. 10, 1837. His father, Joseph Brase, was a soldier in the Prussian army, and fought under Blucher in the battle of Waterloo. He received, as a reward for his valor, a medal, which is now in the possession of his son, Adolph. He died July 4, 1876. His wife, Barbara Brase, is still living in Germany. Adolph is their only child. After his arrival in America, in 1859, he Worked at the machinist's trade in Philadelphia till 1860 and then removed to Portsmouth, working at his trade several years, and afterward was an engineer on the river steamboats. He was a soldier in the Union army in the late civil war. He was enabled, by economy and business tact, to save money, and after the war started in business for him. self in Sciotoville. In 1871 he moved b business to Oak Hill, Jackson County, lean. ing his family in Sciotoville. In 1881 hen. turned to Sciotoville and has since been en. gaged in his present business. He has taken out four patents, all of which have proved! successful. He was married in 1859 in York, England, to Martha Bosamworth, a native o: that city, born May 29, 183'9. They have had, seven children, six of whom are living—k seph, Martha, Alice, Gladdy, Emma and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Brase are member: of the Protestant Episcopal church. He a member of the Western Sun Lodge, No.91, A. F. & A. M., Wheelersburg, Ohio. Benjamin, J. Bratt, a native of England, was born June 5, 1819, a son of Moses Bratt, wino came to America and after locating home sent for his family, they arriving in Philadelphia in August, 1822. His father was killed by being thrown from a buggy by a runaway team, his wife having both her lower limbs broken at the same time. Ben. jamin J. worked in the iron mines till twenty-one years of age. In 1847 he came to Ohio, locating at Hanging Rock, Lawrence County. In 1856 he went to Portsmouth and for sixteen years was manager of Gaylord Co.'s rolling-mill. In the spring of 1870 he bought the farm of 150 acres, where he non resides, near Wheelersburg. He was married in 1839 to Mary Williams, a native of Eng., land and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Will jams. Of their nine children but four are living—Maria E., Anna L., Joseph W. and Benjamin C. Mr. Bratt was a member of the Council while in Portsmouth and has served as Trustee of Porter Township. Eleis a member of the Masonic fraternity. Joseph S. Brown was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1826, a son of Thomas H. and Mary (Webber) Brown, natives of Ned Hampshire. His father died when he was an infant and he was reared by his grandfather, HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 323 Rev. John Webber, an-Old School Presbyterian minister. His grandfather was a thorough scholar, and was one of the most prominent ministers of his day. He was well known in Ohio and universally respected. He finally located in Dayton, Ohio, where he died in 1858, aged ninety-three years. Joseph S. accompanied his grandfather to Dayton and remained with him till his death and then returned to Scioto County. He was married in 1853 to Harriet M., daughter of James and Hannah Gibbons, early pioneers of Ohio. Benjamin E. Cranston was born in Porter Township, Scioto County, Jan. 17, 1833, and was reared and educated in his native county. He has followed farming all his life, and at present owns 170 acres of good land and a residence on section 16, Porter Township. He was married Nov. 14, 1861, to Frances Jane Elick, born in Portsmouth, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1841. They have had a family of fourteen children—Catherine S., Ruth, Anna N., Edward B., Jeremiah, David and Jacob (twins), Abigail E., George F., Mary A., John S., Francis A., William H. and one deceased. His father, Edward Cranston, was a native of Rhode Island. He came to Ohio in 1815 and died in Porter Township, Oct. 26, 1864. His mother, Sallie (Whitcomb) Cranston, was a native of New Hampshire, and died in Porter Township. They were the parents of nine children, our subject being the fifth child. Frank E. Cranston, the eldest son of Jeremiah and Abigail Cranston, was born in Wheelersburg, Ohio, April 15, 1851. He was educated in the common schools and afterward attended the Iron City Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pa. He then formed a partnership with his father and younger brother in the factory. In 1875 he..went West and remained until spring of 1877. In 1877 he moved to the farm where he now resides, engaged in fanning and stock-raising. lie owns 173 acres of well-improved land with good buildings. In April, 1881, he married Sophia Dold, a daughter of Stephen Dold. She died June 11, 1883, leaving two children—Joseph V. and Mary A. The latter died Aug. 18, 1883. Jeremiah Cranston, woolen manufacturer, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Aug. 5, 1827, and was reared and educated in Wheelersburg. His father was a native of Rhode Island and by trade a machinist. He built a small carding machine in Wheelersburg where he did county carding. In 1847 he put up a woolen machine and commenced the manufacture of cloth from the raw wool, enlarging the business from time to time. Our subject became a partner in the business in 1848, in which he has since continued. April 1,1883, his son James commenced to take the entire control of the business. Mr. Cranston was married Jan. 30, 1850, to Abigail Deautrumont, born in Delaware, Dec. 24, 1827. They have six children—Francis E., Mary N., Benjamin, Louis D., James J. and Charles S. Mr. Cranston has held the office of Justice of the Peace three years and Township Trustee several terms. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Orient Lodge, No. 337, to which he has belonged twenty-seven years. Mr. Deautrumont, father of Mrs. Cranston, has always been an active working man, and now has 300 acres of good land in Washington County, Iowa. Horatio N. Davidson was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1835, a son of John and Ruth (Bryson) Davidson, his father a native of Ohio, and his mother of Pennsylvania. His parents were married in 1822, and had a family of five children, but two now living. His father died in 1839, and his mother afterward married Charles Kelley, who died in 1857. H. N. Davidson was reared on a farm, and when nineteen years of age went into his stepfather's mill, and was employed there until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry and served four years. 324 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. He participated in the battles of Corinth, New Madrid, Island No. 10, and many severe skirmishes. He was mustered out in September, 1865, and returned home. In 1871 he rented a farm. In 1876 he bought a half interest in the Grant Oak Mills, one of the oldest mills in the county, built in 1816. The machinery is new and in good order, and they do a good business, making an excellent grade of flour. In 1854 Mr. Davidson married Rebecca Hudson. Of eight children born to them but six are now living—James E., Charles N., Cora Bs, Maud M., Ada M. and Harry C. Michael Delabar, a native of Germany, was born in 1813. He was educated in his native country, and in 1846 came with his wife and four children to the United States. He came immediately to Ohio and settled in Porter Township, Scioto County, where he still resides. He has dealt extensively in real estate, and has been engaged in both farming and merchandising. He now owns a fine farm of eighty-seven acres. He has a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters. His second son, Safford, was born in 1839. In 1861 he enlisted in the war for the Union, and was mustered out in 1865. He participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the Rebellion. After his return from the war he spent some time in Tennessee, then returned to Ohio, and is now engaged in farming on the old homestead; he was married in 1874, to Mrs. Mary Harmon, widow of White Harmon. They have three children. Mrs. Delabar has one child by a former marriage. William Duis, manufacturer of drain tiles, is a native of Prussia, born Aug. 18, 1833. He came to America at the age of twelve years, landing at New Orleans. From there he went to Cincinnati, and in 1845 came to Lawrence County, Ohio. Here he was employed at the iron works till 1860. Since then he has lived in Scioto County, where he followed farming till 1871, when he commenced his present business, in which he is having an extensive trade. Until the last year the tile factory has been an incorporated body of which Mr. Duis was President; but January, 1883, lie bought out the company, and is now sole proprietor. He was married Sept. 11, 1853, to Mary Ann Verigan, born in Lawrence County, Dec. 29,1833. Their children are—Rosina William H., Lida V., Lizzie O., Anna M., John and Winnifred. Mr. Duis and wife and most of his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has 122 acres of fine land in Porter Township, and a residence near Wheelersburg, Ohio. Minerva C. (Correll) Farney was born in Scioto County, Sept. 3, 1838. She was educated and has lived all her life in this county. She was married Sept. 30, 1860, to Van Buren B. Farney, who was born near Charleston, Va., March 2t, 1836. He came to Ohio in 1838, and spent the remainder of his life in this State. He died Nov. 5, 1872. They had a family of five children—M. C. Rena, born Aug. 30, 1861; Ella W., born June 30, 1863, and died April 2, 1878; William L., Oct. 16, 1865; Ira C., Nov. 23, 1867, and Hattie A., born Oct. 24, 1869. Mrs. Farney resides on section 8, Porter Township, where she has forty-six acres of good land. She and her daughter, M. C. Rena, are members of the Christian church. Mr. Farney was also a member of that church. Christopher Flanagan was born in Nauen, County Meath, Ireland, Dec. 24, 1818, a son of John Flanagan, a merchant and miller of that country. His early life was spent in his father's store and mill, and in 1845 he came to the United States, landing in New York. He spent a year in Maryland, another in Pennsylvania, and in 1847 came to Ohio, and was employed by John Gould at the Franklin Furnace eleven years. He then purchased a farm near the furnace. In 1862 he sold that farm and bought the one where he now lives. He has 203 acres of valuable