HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 375 1840, 913; 1850, 1,648; 1860, 1,751; 1870, 2,203; 1880, 2,211. ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT. The settlement of Bloom Township was at an early day, but the date of the arrival of the first pioneer was not obtainable. There were enough, however, to organize a township in August, 1812. Among those who were there from 1805 to 1810 were: Samuel Baker, Samuel Bennett, Benjamin Bennett, Jr., Joshua Gilman, John Bennett, Mr, Edgar, Samuel Malone and others. There are, however, some old settlers still living, whose lives date back to early childhood in Bloom Township. Of these are: John Bennett, Madison Cole, John Phillips, Washington Richey, Dr. William Watts, John Loomis, J. W. Crafford and Branson Miles. The first school-house was of rough logs, one end being for a fire-place, the windows of greased paper, and the solid earth for a floor. Lyman Daniels, from Massachusetts, taught the first school and had twelve or fifteen pupils, receiving $1 per scholar. Holmesville was laid out on section 29, in the eastern part of the township, in 1856, by Jno. J. Holmes. It was surveyed by William Brown in April of that year and recorded in the Auditor's office April 30. There is nothing now left of the village. It could not grow so near the Bloom Furnace, which was but one mile west, but not near enough to be of use to men at work at that furnace. WEBSTER. This station, on the branch road, was brought to the surface by the building of the railroad through Bloom Township, and is the principal station and only town or hamlet in the township. There are two other stations - Gebhardt Station on the west and Pioneer Station on the east side, the railroad passing in a generally northeastern direction, and with its zigzag course is some twelve to thirteen miles in length within the township. Webster was laid out by John Bennett and surveyed in January, 1853, by George T. Walton and William Tyrell, and received and recorded Jan. 20, 1854. It is laid out north and south, and east and west, the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad running through it northwest by southeast. It is on rather a high plain or level tract, has considerable business for a small place, has splendid water, is very healthy, and claims a population of 500. The following is the list of business firms in the town: Frederick Mittendorf, general store and Postmaster; J. J. & A. McCall, general store; J. J. Walker, notion store and repair shop; Joseph Stevens, blacksmith; Henry Leive, wagon-maker; Christian Hagen, carpenter; John Evans, blacksmith; Central House, J. W. Blair, proprietor; the physicians being W. M. Watts, F. M. Stewart and T. B. Cross. The Webster Fire-Brick and Coal Company was organized in the fall of 1869, the officers being John Bennett, President; George Edmunds, Secretary, and W. S. Gillilan, Superintendent. The firm has a large manufactory, having three kilns which hold from 30,000 to 48,000. bricks. Their dry-house is 50 x 100 feet and has a capacity of 400,000 bricks. They make bricks in all shapes for furnaces, rolling mills, gas-works, lime-kilns, etc., shipping their goods to Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and the Southern States, besides all over the State of Ohio. When in operation they employ about thirty hands. They run a store in connection with the brick-yard. The first store was started in Webster by Mr. Baldridge, and John Clingman was the first blacksmith. Webster is the voting precinct of the township, and is one of the most flourishing and progressive little towns in the county. About two miles southeast of Webster, by rail, you come to the Bloom Furnace switch, 376 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. which is also about two miles long, to the furnace. There is a store at the Bloom Switch kept by Edward Kuhner. At Pioneer Station above spoken of another store will be found as also a postoffice. The latter is called Hale's creek, A. J. Jackson keeps the store and office. At the Effort Switch, Walker E. Marsh has a general store, the only one there. Bloom Furnace, located in northwestern portion of section 30, in Bloom Township, was built in 1830 by Christian Benner and two sons, Joshua and John. It was run by different parties till 1874, when it went out of blast, In 1879 J. D. Clare, J. H. Simmons and Oliver Lyons bought the property and immediately started the furnace again and are still running it. The firm is known as J. D. Clare & Co. The furnace company own about 7,500 acres of land and have about 100 houses in which the families of workmen live. They run a store in connection with the furnace, and also have an office at Portsmouth, Ohio. The officers are J. D. Clare, President ; Oliver Lyons, Manager. Mr. Simmons makes his headquarters at the furnace and is the bookkeeper. Scioto Furnace.—This furnace was erected in 1828 by General Wm. Kendall, one of the pioneers of Scioto County. It went into blast that year and continued for twelve months under General Kendall. It then changed hands twice, the General selling to Saltes & Dempsey, and they in turn to Harkness & Vorhees, residents of Cincinnati, Ohio, who kept it in blast till 1846. That year Mr. Vorhees sold his interest to Joseph M. G. Smith, and the new firm operated it until 1852. At that time Mr. Smith disposed of his interest to J. W. Glidden and J. V. Robinson. L. C. Robinson also became largely interested, and the firm was Robinson, Glidden & Co. The latter firm was succeeded by Robinson & Co., in 1862, and the latter firm a few years later' by L. C. Robinson & Co., who are the present owners. It is a charcoal furnace, and the annual output is about 2,500 tons. The company own some 11,000 acres, and on this land are thirteen distinct veins, making fourteen feet of ore. Of these veins some four feet is bog-ore. They also have a vein two feet in thickness of the celebrated black-band ore,which will net fifty-five per cent. pure iron. There are also on this land several veins of good coal, and no end of fire-clay, the layers being from four to ten feet in thickness. The company, from the fineness of the ore, is making a very excellent quality of iron, which is in demand to the full capacity of the furnace. The land of the township is noted for the unprecedented growth of its timber, which renews itself in from fifteen to twenty years, to a size that makes it valuable for lumber. The township is of about the usual amount of arable land in the mineral region, and the growth of grasses, etc., makes it valuable for stock-raising purposes. SCHOOL DISTRICTS. There are ten school districts or sub-districts in the township, all have a good substantial frame building and all the necessary furniture for school purposes. The value of the school property of the township is placed at $12,000. The districts are numbered and named as follows : Pioneer School District, No. 1, has seventy-seven scholars; Webster School District, No. 2, has 124 scholars; Pink-, erman School District, No. 3, has 121 scholars; Scioto Furnace School District, No. 4, has 116 scholars ; Phillips' School District, No. 5, has fifty-six scholars; Bloom Furnace School District, No. 6, has 129 scholars; Thompson School District, No. 7, has thirty. nine scholars; Cole School District, No. 8, has seventy-six scholars; Bloom Switch School District, No. 9, has sixty-five scholars, Jackson Furnace School District, No. 10, has twenty-nine scholars. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 377 CHURCHES. The Webster German Lutheran Church was organized in the fall of 1879, and church erected in 1880. Rev. T. H. Yeager was called to the pastorate, and the Trustees chosen were: Henry Leive and Herman Wente. The membership was about sixty. The present pastor is the Rev. H. B. Kuhn; Trustees, Edward Kuhner and Herman Simmering. They have now about seventy-five members, services being held every two weeks, and Sabbath-school every Sunday. The Superintendent of the Sabbath-school is Philip Krouse, the Secretary, Henry Leive, and number of scholars forty-five. The value of the church property is placed at $1,400. The Webster United Brethren was organized with about thirty members, and built their church in 1880. The Trustees were: J. W. Lummis, S. S. Ferguson and J. J. Emory, the Rev. G. W. Tuttle being their pastor. The Rev. G. W. Tuttle still continues as pastor, and the Trustees are S. S. Ferguson, I. J. Emory and Nathaumiah Scott. The membership is now small, a good many having left the town. Preaching is held every two weeks and Sabbath-school every Sunday, the number of scholars being fifteen ; Superintendent, S. S. Ferguson; Secretary, Miss Lucy Ferguson. Value of church property, $1,200. The Webster Baptist Church, was organized and built a log church near Bloom Switch in 1830, the organizers being Rev. John Kelley and others. The Trustees were: Benjamin Bennett, Henry Richey and -, with a membership of fifteen. The present church was erected in 1859, in Webster. The present pastor is Rev. J. E. Thomas ; Trustees, Wm. Bennett, Henry Loomis and Edward Dunn. It has now a membership of seventy-seven. Service is held once a month, and Sunday-school every Sunday. The Superintendent of the latter is Miss Alice Hawkins; Assistant, Gilbert Boland; Secretary, Miss Edith Boland. The average attendance of scholars is sixty. Value of church property, $600. The Webster Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1826, by Rev. John R. Turner and Asa Ballinger, and Lad about one dozen members, who held their meetings at the residences of the members. In 1853 the present church was erected. The pastor now is Rev. John Forsythe; Trustees, J. M. Cole, Abraham Haines and George Edmunds, and the membership is now forty. Service is held every two weeks, and Sabbath-school every Sunday, the Superintendent being Branson Miles, and the Secretary, George -Edmunds. The average attendance of the Sunday-school is forty-five, and the value of church property, $1,400. The Roscoe Regular Baptist Church, at Pioneer Station, four miles east of Webster, was organized in 1873 by Rev. Elisha Thacker, the Deacons being Warren Holmes and Amaziah Bennett, and its membership was 125. The present pastor is the Rev. J. B. Tracy, the Deacons first appointed still holding, while the membership has fallen off to seventy-five. Service is held monthly, and Sabbath-school every Sunday. The Superintendent of the school is Miss Rachel Jackson ; Secretary, Miss Mary Tracy, and the average attendance of the school, 100. The church property is valued at $800. The Forest Chapel Christian Church, located in the southeastern part of the township, was organized in 1870. Rev. S. H. Bingman was the pastor, and the Deacons were: George W. Baker and George H. Finney. The Rev. B. N. Anderson is the pastor; the Deacons are John Hayward and _____, and the membership about forty-four. Service is held once a month. The value of the church property is $600. At Bloom Furnace there are two denominations who hold their meetings in the schoolhouse, and have formed a union Sunday-school, 378 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. the Rev. John Forsythe preaching twice a month to the Methodist, and the Rev. T. H. Yeager holding services once a month for the Lutheran denomination. The Union Sabbath-school is held every Sunday, and has an average attendance of 125 scholars. The Superintendent is W. H. Bennett. The Scioto Furnace Methodist Episcopal Church records were not to be had, and the date of organization was not remembered, but it has been organized for a number of years, with a flourishing Sunday-school connected with it for a period of over twenty-five years. The Superintendent at this date is Wm. Patton and the school has an average attendance of from twenty-five to thirty-five. The pastor is the Rev. J. W. Forsythe, and the membership twenty-five. The church society worshiped for many years in a frame building, which was burned in 1883. The members and friends at once commenced the erection of a new place of worship, and they have completed a handsome little frame church, neatly and plainly finished and furnished. It is 24 x 48 feet in size, with a vestibule 12 x 14, and a bell tower. The church has been painted, and the whole cost was within the sum of $1,500. The Scioto Chapel of the United Brethren, was organized in 1859 by the Rev. Nathaniel Smith. The church now has a membership of seventy. The first church was erected of hewed logs, but it has been taken down, and a new frame house of worship was erected in 1881, 26 x 36. The church is under the ministration of the Rev. Geo. W. Tuttle. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. —This church was organized under the auspices of the Rev. John Bennett, of Webster, in 1856, at a small school-house on Feurt's Run, or Branch. At the present time the congregation worship in the new school-house, and the church members now number seventy. The ministers who have officiated are Rev. E. D. Thomas,. Rev. E. W. Lloyd, Rev. E. R. Thacker, Rev. J. E. Thomas, and the present pastor, Rev. James Thompson, who has served the congregation for the past twenty years. Mt. Zion Church.—This church was organized in 1876, the Rev. Homer Swim officiating. Some three months after the church was organized Rev. Homer Swim passed to his heavenly reward, and he was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Fullerton. Stephen Fisher followed the latter, and is still the pastor in charge. The society uses the Thompson School-house, District No. 7, for service, and have at this time thirty-two members. The Pine Creek Regular Baptist Mission was organized in the latter part of 1878, and hold their meetings at the school-house, having no church edifice of their own. They have twenty members, and have preaching once a month by the Rev. James Thompson. The present officers of Bloom Township are: Trustees, A. S. Haines, John Phillips and Henry Leive; Treasurer, Jefferson Dever; Clerk, George Edmunds; Constables, Robert Burden and Henry Marult; Justices, Asaph Bennett and N. L. Searl. BIOGRAPHICAL. James M. Allen was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1823, a son of David and Sarah Allen, natives of Connecticut and New York State respectively. His father died in a coal shaft in 1832, and his mother's death occurred in 1862 in Madison Township. After his father's death James M. resided with his uncle, James Mead, till he was twenty-one years old, when he went to Jackson Furnace, where he was employed two years, after which he went to Scioto Furnace. In 1860 he purchased the farm now owned by William Kinker, where he resided several years. He then returned to Jackson Furnace where he spent three years, and in 1871 purchased his present farm of eighty acres, since which he has devoted his entire time to farming. He HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 379 was married in 1846 to Martha M., daughter of John Sargent, of Jackson County. Eleven children have been born to them, of whom seven survive—Fannie, Sarah, Senie, William, Georgiana A., Emma and Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics he is a Republican. Amaziah Bennett, son of Benjamin and Mary Bennett, was born Aug. 27, 1823, in Scioto County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated in the common schools. He has followed the avocation of farmer, and now has 111 acres of well-improved land, which is underlaid with a vein of iron ore from two to six feet thick, of the best quality yet found in the county. March 5, 1846, Mr. Bennett married Sarah, daughter of William Queen. To them have been born eight children—Emily, born Aug. 10, 1848; Samuel, Aug. 14, 1850; Cyrus, Aug. 12, 1852; William Tracy, Oct. 27, 1854; Alice, Nov. 9, 1856; Jacob, April 1, 1860; John Q., March 4, 1863; Warren R., Aug. 7, 1866. Asaph Bennett was born near Bloom Furnace, Scioto County, Jan. 26, 1824, and is a son of Gilbert and Margaret (James) Bennett. When he grew to manhood he and his brother-in-law bought the mill on Symme's Creek, which they ran for two years, after which he moved to Scioto County, and purchased his present farm of 108 acres, and hahas sinceollowed farming. He was married in 1843 to Abigail Haptonstall, who died in 1866, leaving three children—Lafayette, Albert and Mary A. He was married again in 1880 to Naomi, daughter of William Toland, of Jackson County. They have two children—Guy V. and Artie O. Mr. Bennett has served as Justice of the Peace since 1869, with the exception of one term, and has also been Township Trustee twenty years. He belongs to Western Sun Lodge, No. 191, A. F. & A. M., at Wheelersburg. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. His father ran a saw and grist mill on Symme's Creek, Gallia County, for some time, after which he removed to the farm in Scioto County, now owned by our subject, where he remained till his death. He died in 1870, aged eighty-five years; the mother of our subject died about 1860. She was previously married to John Holmes (deceased). Rev. John M. Bennett was born in Pittsburg, Pa., April 5, 1799, a son of Samuel Bennett, a native of New York, who in the spring of 1808 removed his family to Portsmouth, Ohio, and a few months later to Bloom Township. There was a family of five boys and five girls, all of whom grew to maturity. John Bennett spent his boyhood days on the farm, receiving but six months schooling. He was converted when nineteen years of age and joined the Baptist church, and a few years later was licensed to preach. He with Jacob Tyson built the first steam flour-mill in the township, and some years later he owned an eighth interest in the Gallia Furnace. He is now one of the proprietors of the Webster Fire-Brick Company, and is its President. He owns considerable town property. He was married in 1826 to Katherine, daughter of Ephraim Lewis, a native of New York. Ten children have been born to them, eight of whom are now living. Joseph W. Blair, proprietor of the Central Hotel, Webster, was born in Adams County, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1831, the second son of Joseph W. and Mary A. Blair. His mother died in 1870 and his father in 1877. He received a liberal education, and when quite young began to clerk in his father's store. He remained with his parents till twenty-one years of age and then clerked for J. T. Wilson. In 1855 he came to Scioto County, locating in Webster, and purchased the store owned by his brother, William A. In 1857 he sold his stock, and clerked for another party till 1860, when he again opened a store of his own, but on account of failing health again" sold out, 380 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. and has since then been engaged in his present business. He was married Feb. 10, 1859, to Harriet, daughter of James M. Cole. They have four children—Edward B., James W., Charles W. and Nannie. Mr. Blair has served as Assessor two terms, and Township Treasurer fourteen years. His hotel is one of the best in this part of the county. Stephen Boren was born in Beaver County, Pa., Dec. 13, 1811. He was reared on a farm, but upon reaching manhood learned the stone-cutter's trade, which he worked at several years. In 1855 he came to Ohio and settled on the farm where he now resides. He has 104 acres, which is underlaid with several veins of iron ore of a superior quality. Mr. Boren was married in 1830 to Elizabeth, daughter of John Stewart, of Beaver County, Pa. They had a family of eight children, six now living. Mrs. Boren died July 26, 1872. June 24, 1874, Mr. Boren married Eva Hauk, a native of Butler County, Pa. Mr. Boren is politically a Republican. He has filled the office of School Director nine years. He is a member of the Methodist church. Nathaniel G. Burton was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 18, 1847, a son of James and Araminta (Blankenship) Burton, natives of Virginia. His youth was spent around furnaces and in attending the district schools, and in 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry, and served eleven months. He was in the Twenty-third Army Corps, and participated in the battle of Kingston, and the battle of Nashville, Tenn., and many other important skirmishes, and was mustered out June, 1865. The same year he was married to Mary, daughter of William and Catherine Canter. They have a family of six children—Norval R., Katie M., James W., Isaac W., Thomas W. and Martha J. Mr. Burton's farm contains 140 acres of excellent land, underlaid with iron ore. He and his wife are mein bers of the United Brethren church, of which. he is Class-Leader and Trustee. His father was born in 1810, and came to Gallia when a boy of seven years. Most of his life was spent in and about furnaces, but he is at present living on the farm of our subject, as is also his wife. This couple reared a family of seven children, of whom six are still living. James M: Cole, son of Leonard Cole, was born in West Union, Adams Co., Ohio, Sept. 19, 1808. His parents were early settlers in the county, coming from Kentucky about 1805. They had a family of six children, but two now living. Mary A., wife of Rev. E. M. Cole, of the Cincinnati Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and James M. His father died in Brooksville, Bracken Co., Ky., about 1858. James M. spent his early life in West Union, being educated in the schools of that town. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, working at it several years. He kept store and clerked at the different furnaces of Southern Ohio, and in the spring of 1846 he became part owner of Olive Furnace, Lawrence County, Ohio, which was then being built, and also its clerk. He was the original proprietor of the sites of Gallia Furnace, in Gallia County, and of Harrison Furnace, in Scioto County, Ohio. In 1856 he settled in Webster, Scioto Co., Ohio, where he has since resided, engaged in the mercantile business and dealing in live-stock. He was married Aug. 28, 1836, to Mary J. Paull, of Bloom Furnace, oldest daughter of Benjatnin Paull. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. His wife died July 19, 1871, and he subsequently married Theresa Boyer,of Webster. They have one son—John W. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the Methodist church. Politically he has always been a Democrat, and has voted for every Democratic candidate; for the presidency since Jackson, and also for the Second Amendment on Oct. 9, 1883. Andrew Crawford, manager and stock- HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 381 holder of the Scioto Furnace, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Nov. 14, 1828. In the spring of 1840 his parents and nine children came to the United States, landing in Philadelphia; thence, via Pittsburg to Manchester, Adams Co., Ohio, where they settled on a farm. When twenty-two years of age Andrew left home and worked for John and Orrin B. Gould, at Franklin Furnace fourteen months; then worked at Clinton Furnace six years, and the Empire Iron Works four years. He then returned to Adams County, and in 1863 came to Scioto County, and was employed as bookkeeper for the Scioto Furnace Company four years. He then bought an interest in the company, still continuing its bookkeeper till 1880, when he took the management of the furnace. He was married in Adams County, Sept. 2, 1862, to Cynthia A. Phillips. She died in 1870, leaving four children—Minnie D., Emma F., Nora B. and George H. In 1873 Mr. Crawford married Mrs. Kate Salladay, widow of Calvin Salladay. They have two daughters—Kate E. and Mame L. Jefferson Dever was born near Jackson Furnace, Jackson Co., Ohio, Nov. 29, 1830, a son of Solomon and Chloe Dever, early settlers of Jackson County. Our subject, when he grew to manhood, went to California, where he was engaged in mining three years, being very successful. He returned to Jackson County in 1855, and soon after purchased a farm of 240 acres adjoining his father's land. He followed farming there till 1863, when he sold his farm and bought another in Franklin Valley, where he engaged in farming and stock-dealing. In 1865 he moved to Scioto County and soon after bought a .farm near Bloom Switch, containing 160 acres, where he remained two years, when he sold it, after which he removed to Jackson and dealt in real estate for five years. In 1873 he re-purchased his old place near Bloom Switch, and also bought more land, till he had 210 acres, but has since sold part of it. In May, 1856, he was married to Evaline Crull, of Harrisonville, this county. They have had five children—Chloe, married to Jacob Hayward; Wesley, Alice, George and Louella. In politics Mr. Dever affiliates with the Republican party. George Edmonds, Secretary and Treasurer of the Webster Fire-Brick and Coal Company, was born in Wales, and when two years of age his parents came to the United States, locating first in Pittsburg, Pa., and subsequently in Gallia County, Ohio. In 1860 he went to the Rocky Mountains, remaining there five years, a greater part of the time employed as contractor in the Quartermaster's department. In 1865 he returned to Ohio and was identified with the iron interests of Vinton County about four years. In 1870 he came to Scioto County and became a stockholder in the Webster Fire-Brick Company, and has been one of the Directors since its organization, and has been Secretary and Treasurer since 1878. He was married in 1868 to Susan, daughter of Peter Hill, of Vinton County. They have a family of five children, two sons and three daughters. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Edmonds is a member of Lodge, No. 191, Western Sun, Wheelersburg, and Mt. Vernon Chapter, No. 23, Portsmouth. Harman Essman was born in Hanover, May 22, 1818, and when about twenty-eight years of age came to the United States. He immediately went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he lived three years, when he came to Ohio and was engaged in digging ore at Jackson Furnace for twelve. years. He then bought his present farm of 160 acres, and has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married in 1846 to Catherine Kreiner, of Pittsburg. They have had six children born to them, of whom four are living—Will- 382 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. iam, Henry, Harman and John A. Mr. Essman and wife are members of the Lutheran church. Stephen Fisher is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where be was born Sept. 6, 1845, and came to this country in 1847 with his parents, John and Magdaline (Findling) Fisher, who were also natives of Germany. Shortly after arriving in the United States they moved to Etna Furnace, where they remained till 1859, when they purchased the farm where our subject is now living, containing 140 acres. They reared a family of six children, all of whom are living and married. Mr. Fisher died in 1863. His widow died Sept. 9, 1883. She made her home with our subject for twenty years; but a short time prior to her death went to live with one of her daughters. Our subject spent his youth about furnaces, and on arriving at maturity engaged in farming. After his father's death he bought the heirs' interests in the farm which he now owns. He is also dealing in cattle. He was married in 1873 to Sarah A., daughter of James H. Smith, of Jackson County. They have four children living—Ida M., James E., Charlie C. and Della Blanche. Mr. Fisher joined the Free-Will Baptist church, March 18, 1876, and entered the ministry in 1883, and has charge of a church at Harrison Mills and also of Mt. Zion Church, near his home. His wife became a member of the same church in 1877. William S. Gillilan was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1836, a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Colman) Gillilan . His mother died in 1850, and his father in 1864. He was reared on a farm, attending the common schools, and subsequently the academy at Ewington. He then taught school several years, and clerked for John Culbertson, at Lawrence Furnace five years. In 1868 he formed a partnership with R. T. Collins, in the general mercantile business, in Webster. In 1870 they became members of the Webster Fire-Brick Company, and since then he has been General Superintendent of the business. He was married in 1871 to Martha E., daughter of William M. Walls, of Webster. They have two sons and three daughters. Archibald S. Hanes, son of Abraham and Margaret Hanes, was born July 1, 1833, in Beaver County, Pa., where he lived till he was fourteen years old. He then came to Ohio with his parents, who settled on a farm in Meigs County, remaining there till 1854. They then purchased a farm in Scioto County, where his wife died in 1866. Abraham Hanes died in Meigs County in 1867. Our subject grew to manhood on his father's farm, where he lived till he was past twenty-one years old. He was reared, a farmer and has always fol- lowed that avocation. He has at the present time 125 acres of excellent land, which he has gained by his own industry, and is engaged in farming and raising stock. He was married in 1854 to Elizabeth Titus, of Scioto County, who has borne him twelve children, of whom eight are still living. In 1861 Mr. Hanes enlisted in Company H, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served three years. he was in the battles of Fort Gibson, Champion Hills, Siege of Vicksburg, and was in the Red River Campaign, besides many other important engagements. He was mustered out in November, 1864, and returned to Scioto County. He has held the office of Infirmary Director, and has served fifteen years as Township Trustee, which position he still holds. Frederick Held was born in France, Jan. 19, 1831. He was educated in both the German and French languages, and when twenty-one years of age came to the United States, landing in New York City. He then went to Cincinnati, thence to Virginia, and in the fall of 1854 came to Portsmouth and for several years worked at the Scioto Furnace. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted as a private in the HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 383 Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry for three years. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Grand Gulf, Edward Depot, Fort Gibson and German Hill. At the latter place he had his left arm shot off close to the shoulder. He was discharged as a Sergeant Nov. 5, 1863, and now draws a pension of $30 a month. He owns a fine farm of ninety-four acres with a good residence and farm buildings. His land is underlaid with iron ore and fire-clay of a good quality. He was married in 1855 to Christine Crasse, of Scioto Furnace. They have nine children—five sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Held are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. John Rollback was born June 24, 1828, and is a native of Saxony. He was reared on a farm and when about twenty years of age he entered the regular army and served three years. In 1854 he came to America and lived in Detroit six months when he went to Kentucky and from there to Jefferson Furnace, Jackson County, where he worked three years. He then engaged in farming for four years when hue returned to the furnace remaining two years, after which he purchased his present farm of 160 acres where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married in 1855 to Mary Roush, of Louisville, Ky., and has four children—Emma, Charhe, Minnie and Edward. He and his wife are worthy members of the Lutheran church. Warren Holmes, eldest son of Colonel John J. and Harriet (Stover) Holmes, was born at Bloom Furnace, Scioto County, Jan. 16, 1834. He attended the district schools and lived on the home farm till he grew to manhood. He was married in 1856 to Philora Harper. They have had six children of whom four are still living—Benjamin F., John J., Marquis de Lafayette and Orea E. Otto Sennet died at the age of twenty-one years; Selby died at the age of fourteen months. Mr. Holmes and family are mem bers of the Baptist church, of which he is Deacon. Since his marriage he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and has a fine farm of 161 acres of land which is well supplied with stone coal and rich iron ore. His parents were natives of Ohio and after marriage taught school several years, after which he kept a store and engaged in farming. He was Justice of the Peace for many years and died in 1861. They reared a family of five children, four of whom survive—Lafayette, living in Kansas; George W. is in the Indian Territory; Melissa, wife of Stephen Brown, of Illinois, and Warren. Mrs. Holmes is living with her son Lafayette. Alfred L. Jackson, of the firm of William Jackson & Son, general merchants, was born in 1854 on the old homestead in Scioto County where he lived on the farm until sixteen years old. He then entered his father's store as clerk where he continued until he was twenty years of age; he then worked at shoemaking five years when he formed a partnership with his father and has since followed mercantile pursuits. He was married in 1873 to Melissa Wanker, niece of Jacob Gist, of Portsmouth. They have two children—Bertha M. and Annise. Mr. Jackson and wife are members of the Baptist church. He was appointed agent of the C., W. & B. R. R. in May, 1883. His father, William Jackson, was the son of William and Rachel (Tomlinson) Jackson, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1817. He was born Dec. 21, 1818,in Scioto County, and on attaining his majority engaged in farming, which has been his principal business through life. He has now 277 acres, most of which is well improved. He established his present store in 1878, which he carries on in partnership with his son, in connection with his farm. He was first married in 1852 to Melissa J. Smith, of Scioto County, who died in 1856, leaving two children—Alfred and Oscar. He was married in 1857 to his present wife—Elizabeth 384 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. Bennett, of this county. Their children are—William, Mary J., Rachel, Josiah, John, Sarah E., Newton, Ella, Hattie, Alice, Edward and Charles. William H. Kinker was born Dec. 10, 1838, in Germany and came to America with his parents Harmon and Melissa Kinker, in 1849. He was reared principally in and about Jackson Furnace and resided at home till his marriage in 1863 with Mary J. Coyer, a native of Lawrence County, Ohio, and daughter of John Coyer. Since 1869 Mr. Kinker has, with the exception of three years, devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. His farm contains 220 acres of tine land, and of late he has turned his attention to the raising of stock-and is regarded as one of the successful stock raisers of the township. He has served his township as Trustee one term. His parents both died during the year 1882. Gottfried Kuhner was born in Konigreich, Wirtemberg, Germany, Sept. 4, 1831, and in 1851 came to the United States. He was first employed in digging ore at the furnaces, but subsequently purchased the farm of 190 acres where his family now reside. It was in a wild, unbroken state, but Mr. Kuhner brought it under a good state of cultivation. He was married Nov. 18, 1866, to Gertrude Deutschel, a native of Germany. To them were born six children—Jacob, born June 23, 1867; Gottfried, June 26, 1869; Catharine, born June 1, 1871, died April 10, 1873; Edward, born March 11, 1873; Elizabeth, April 6, 1875; Margret, Dec. 4, 1877. Mr. Kuhner died Nov. 30, 1877. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Henry Leive, wagon-maker, Webster, was born in Germany, Jan. 31, 1837. He was educated in his native country, and when eighteen years of age, May, 1855, came to the United States and located at Webster, Ohio. He has the only wagon shop in Webster, and combines with it the undertaking business. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the three months' service, and afterward enlisted in Company B, Tenth Ohio Infantry, for three years. He was in many severe battles, serving under General Roseerans. He was mustered out June 17, 1864, and returned to Webster, and soon after married Mary Sudbrock, a native of Germany. They have four children—Maggie, William, Harry and Lucy. Mr. Leive is a member of I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 416, Portsmouth. He is a member of the German Lutheran church. Charles Leonard was born in Allegheny County, Pa., Dec. 12, 1840. He came Ohio in 1864 and located at Scioto Furnace. In 1868 he was appointed agent of the O., W. & B. Railroad—a position hue still holds. Mr. Leonard enlisted in the war of the Rebellion at Pittsburg, in the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Infantry, and served three months. He subsequently enlisted for three years in the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Infantry. He served under General McClellan, and at the battle of Williamsburg, Va., was shot in the left arm, shattering the bone, for which he draws a pension of $3 per month. He was mustered out in 1864. Mr. Leonard is a brother of Mrs. George S. Williams, widow of George S. Williams, the former manager of the Scioto Furnace, who died April 30, 1881. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Henry W. Loomis was born Dec. 8, 1831, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and lived on the home farm till attaining his majority, after which he engaged in teaching school. He was married in 1859 to Martha J. Richart, a native of Scioto County. They have had a family of seven children—Harry W., Benjamin F., Rockwell A., Charles R., Laura E., Jessie P., and Annie L. Mr. Loomis has made farming his principal business during his life and has at present a good farm of 120 acres. He studied law early in life and was admitted to the bar in 1859, but has not practiced much at his profession. He was elected Justice of the HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 385 Peace in 1860 and held the office till the following year. He was re-elected in 1875 and served two terms. In politics he is a Republican. He and wife are members of the Baptist church, of which he is Deacon. His father, Harry W. Lo5mis, was born June Nov. 6, 1791, in Connecticut, and was married v 22, 1814, to Nancy, daughter of Judge Wright, of Ashtabula County. The father died July, 1866, and the mother, who was a native of Connecticut, died in May, 1859. John W. Lummis, farmer, was born in 1816, in Cumberland Co., N. J., and when about twenty-one years of age, came to Hanging Rock, Ohio, where he engaged as engineer for a Mr. Dempsey. He had previously learned the trade of a machinist in the city of Wheeling. He then took a position in a furnace in Tennessee, which did not prove profitable, so he returned to Ohio and purchased property in Portsmouth. He then went to Bloom Furnace, where he worked twenty years. He has at present an excellent farm of eighty-four acres adjoining the town of Webster. He was married to Elizabeth Chaffin, daughter of Shadrach Chaffin, an old and influential citizen of the county. They have three children living—Sarah E., wife of Simeon Evans, of Ironton; Shadrach C., a telegraph operator at Ironton, and Jacob, on the farm with his father. Mrs. Lummis died in March, 1883. The parents of Mr. Lummis came from New Jersey, and settled in Zanesville, Ohio, but afterward removed to the State of Iowa, where they lived till their death. Oliver Lyons, of the firm of J. D. Clare & Co., of Bloom Furnace, was born in Lehigh County, Pa., Dec. 24, 1839, remaining in his native State till thirteen years of age. When nine years of age he went over to Ireland, the native country of his parents. He came with his parents to Steubenville, Ohio, where he attended school, after which he went to AEtna Furnace, where his parents had gone - 25 - some time before. He was employed at "Etna Furnace some years when he he went to Vesuvius Furnace, where hue was engaged as engineer two and a half years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army and soon after was employed by the Government as a teamster, and was afterward promoted Superintendent of the Government road from Charleston, Va., to Fayetteville. He then returned to Vesuvius Furnace, where he was manager six months. He was employed in different furnaces till 1879, when he became part owner and manager of Bloom Furnace. He was married Sept. 25, 1869, to Sarah J. Songer, who has borne him six children. Mr. Lyons belongs to Lawrence Lodge, No. 198, A. F. &A. M William Marsh, son of Henry and Isabell Marsh, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 14, 1842. He came to America when seven years of age with his parents, who settled at Jackson Furnace, where they remained eleven years, when he bought the farm now occupied by our subject, and where his death occurred in 1878. His wife is still living with our subject. They reared a family of six children, all of whom are living. William Marsh remained with his parents until nearly thirty years of age, and since the death of his father has taken full charge of the farm, which he now owns and which contains 160 acres of choice land. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married in 1872 to Mary, daughter of William and Charlotte Gibson, of Portsmouth. They have had five children, of whom only three survive—Henry, William and Letta May. William H Marting, merchant at Gebhard Station, Bloom Township, was born in Germany, Aug. 29, 1828, and when seventeen years of age came to the United States. He landed in Baltimore and went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he clerked in a grocery two years. fie then came to Ohio and worked at the Jackson Furnace ten years. In 1857 he came 386 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. to Scioto County and bought a farm of 225 acres in Harrison Township, which he still owns. In 1873 he bought the store of John Gebhard, and has since carried on general merchandising in connection with farming. He was married in 1849 to Catharine Ketter, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when nineteen years of age. They have a family of six children—William, Mary, Charles, Caroline, Lewis and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Harting are members of the Methodist church. Asaph Mc Call, merchant, Webster, was born in Bloom Township, Feb. 6, 1841, a son of Hugh and Margaret (Bennett) McCall. His father was a native of Adams County, Ohio, born in 1809 and died in 1866. He was a collier by occupation. His mother is a niece of.Rev. John Bennett and is still living, aged sixty-six years. There was a family of twelve children, eight still living. Asaph was reared on a farm and educated in the district school. When seventeen years of age he began to work at the iron furnaces. In 1869 he opened a general mercantile store and is now doing a good business, having by his genial and courteous manner won the patronage and esteem of the community. He has never married. Branson Miles was born in Hampshire County, W. Va., Jan. 10, 1808. His mother died when he was four years old and he was reared by Mr. McCormick. At the age of sixteen years he went to Chillicothe, where he remained a year. He then was engaged in farming for three years in Lucasville, Scioto County, after which he was employed as molder at Franklin Furnace. He has spent the greater part of his life in and around furnaces, and has been part owner in Jackson, Scioto and Iron Valley furnaces, and also had an interest in Raccoon Furnace,Ky. He came to the town of Webster in 1870 and has retired from active labor. He has been a member of the Methodist church since 1843. He was married in this county in 1831 to Ange line Sargent, who died in 1851, leaving five children, two of whom survive. He was married again to Cena DeBow in 1852, by whom he had two children, both of whom are deceased. Frederick Mittendorf, merchant and Postmaster at Iron Furnace, was born in Germany in January, 1828. When twenty years of age the war broke out, but not liking the tedious duties of a soldier he came to the United States and located at Gebhard's Station, where he learned the wagon-maker's trade, at which he worked fifteen years. In 1852 he removed to Webster and built the first blacksmith and wagon shop in the place. He subsequently purchased Samuel Jackson's store and dwelling and is now in the general mercantile business. He was station agent of the Cincinnati, Marietta & Portsmouth Branch till the road changed hands. He was appointed Postmaster during President Grant's administration. In 1851 he married Florentine, sister of William Marting. They have six children —Henry, John, Harry, Edward, Ella and Lida. Mr. and Mrs. Mittendorf are members of the Methodist church. He is a member of Gem Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Odd Fellows Lodge at Portsmouth. John H. Mittendorf, a native of Hanover, Germany, was born in 1813. he was educated in his native country and, on arriving at maturity, entered the regular army and served six years. After receiving his discharge he came to the United States, and after a short stay in several places came to Jackson Furnace, Ohio, where he worked at digging ore for seven years, and with the money he earned, bought his present farm of 170 acres, to which he has added from time to time till he now owns 215 acres. When he first Came to Jackson County he was without a dollar, but by hard work and economy has become very comfortably situated. He was married during his stay in Jackson to Catherine M. Steckman, a native of the same country as her husband. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 387 They have one daughter, who is married to Henry Shump, of this township. Mr. Mittendorf and his wife were schoolmates in Germany. They are members of the United Brethren denomination and attend the Little Scioto Church. Shepard Moore was born in Greenup Comity, Ky., in 1846, a son of Jackson and Martha ( Freeman ) Moore, his father a native of Scioto County, Ohio, and bis mother of Virginia. They are now residents of this county. Shepard was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools. He first worked for the Scioto Fire-Brick Company about fifteen years and then removed to Webster and became a stockholder in the Webster Fire-Brick Company, and since 1879 has been foreman of the works. He was married in 1870 to Almira, daughter of Madison Price, of Sciotoville. They have five children, two daughters and three sons. Mr. Moore is a member of Orient Lodge, No. 337, I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. John Phillips was born in Adams County, Ohio, Dec. 14, 1817. His father, John Phillips, was a native of Maryland, and came to Ohio when a young man, where he was married to Betsy, daughter of Ephraim Cole, an early settler of Bloom Township. They settled in Adams County, where they lived about twenty years, when they moved to Lawrence County, where the father died in 1828, and the mother died in 1863, in Adams County. They reared a family of nine children to maturity---Leonard, Sophia, Sarah, Phoebe, Marion, Theophilus, John, Silas and Ephraim. Our subject was early thrown upon his own resources and spent his youth in and about furnaces. He was married in 1838 to Minerva, daughter of Gilbert Bennett. They were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom still survive. Mr. Phillips has a good farm of 128 acres, a portion of which is underlaid with the iron ore and block and limestone ore. He was elected County Commissioner in 1876, serving one term of three years. At present is holding the office of Township Trustee. He was manager of Bloom Furnace two years, but has made farming his principal business. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Washington C. Richart, a native of Bloom Township, Scioto County, was born April 14, 1813. His parents, Richard and Elizabeth Richart, were natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to this State in 1807. They lived on different farms in Scioto County and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Their family consisted of eleven children, of whom only three survive. Our subject received a limited education at the common school. He was reared on his father's farm and has made farming his principal business. He was married in 1834 to Paulina West, who died in 1875, leaving two children—Henry F. and Martha J., wife of Henry W. Loomis. Mr. Richart was again married in 1877 to Electa Stay, who was born near Pittsburg. She died in eighteen months after her marriage. Mr. Richart has belonged to the Baptist church over thirty years. John H. Simmons, of the firm of J. D. Clare & Co., of Bloom Furnace, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, Sept. 23, 1839. His father, Charles W., was born about 1811 in Virginia, and the same year was brought to Lawrence County, Ohio, where he died in 1874. He was married to Phoebe Shattuck, who bore him eight children, our subject being the eldest. He was reared on a farm, and attended Ironton School and afterward the Lexington Academy in Gallia County six months, after which he taught school. April, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Sixth Ohio Infantry, and served three months, when he re-enlisted in the three years' service. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and others, and was honorably discharged in June, 1864, after 388 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. which he accepted a clerkship in the employ of the Government, at Nashville, Tenn. He returned home in 1865, and in 1869 came to Bloom Furnace, where he had been married in 1862 to Susan Cole, daughter of Mr. A.Cole,who was owner of the furnace for many years. In 1872 he went to Ironton, and in 1879 returned to Bloom Furnace, where he has since lived. James B. Thompson, Assistant Manager of Scioto Furnace, was born near Webster, Scioto Co., Ohio, Feb.: 14, 1837, a son of John and Anna (Bennett) Thompson, natives of Ohio. His father died about 1840. James B. was reared on a farm, and when twenty-one years of age went to work at the Scioto Furnace, where he is now assistant manager. He was married in 1858 to Maria Combs, daughter of David and Sophia Combs. They have seven children—Alice, Ida B., Joseph, Anna M., Silas, Bertha M. and Albert. Mr. Thompson is a member of Scioto Lodge, No. 31, I. O. O. F. Rev. John B. Tracy was born April 12, 1837, in Chenango County, N. Y., and came to Ohio at the age of fifteen years, where he clerked at the Pioneer Furnace Store several years. He was married in 1859 to Eliza Brady, daughter of Levi and Emily Brady, who were among the first settlers of Bloom Township. They have a family of six children—Charles P., Emily B., Uriah and Mary (twins), Albert and John. Soon after his marriage he went to Gallia County, where he was engaged in the mercantile business one year. He then returned to Scioto County and purchased his present farm of 107 acres, on which is a fine two-story frame dwelling .and good barns and outbuildings. In 1872 Mr. Tracy entered the ministry and was licensed to preach, and the following year was regularly ordained. He has preached in different places, and has at present charge of Roscoe Church, Palestine, in Lawrence, and Sand Fork in Gallia County. John Walke is a native of West Virginia, where he was born Dec. 10, 1849. He was reared principally in Jackson County, and was educated at the schools of Jackson and Scioto counties. He learned the mechanic's trade in Jackson County, and is a very ingenious workman. He came to Scioto County in 1869, and was married in 1879 to Catherine, daughter of Harmon Holman, of Bloom. They have one daughter—Dora B. Mr. Walke established a repair shop in the town of Webster in 1880, and in 1882 opened a confectionery establishment which he carries on in connection with the shop. He was for some years connected with what is now known as the Webster Fire-Brick and Coal Company. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His father, ,Paton G. Walke, is now a resident of Jackson County, and is a miner by occupation. CHAPTER XIX. MADISON, JEFFERSON AND VALLEY TOWNSHIPS. MADISON TOWNSHIP. The township of Madison occupies the northeastern corner of Scioto County, but does not extend as far east as Bloom (immediately south of it) by six miles. It contains the whole of regular township 4, range 20, together with two tiers of sections on the east belonging to township 5, range 19, and three sections on the west of township 3, range 21. This gives the township about fifty square miles area. In 1810, back of which date the records are lost, Madison was one of the ten townships which formed Scioto County. It then comprised the same territory as now except the three sections on the west belonging to range 21, as also parts of Harrison and Bloom townships. The following, taken from the county records, will explain the additions of the three sections on the west and the fraction on the southeast. "PORTSMOUTH, March, 2, 1840. "This day, on application of George Shunkwiler, Henry Thomas and Samuel Piles, residents of Jefferson Township, to be attached to Madison Township, and the commissioners being satisfied that it would be doing no injustice to Jefferson Township, but that it would be of great convenience to the applicants, it is therefore Ordered, That sections Nos. 13 and 24, in range 21, in township No. 3, be, and the same is, hereby attached to the township of Madison." " The petition of Robert Allen and others asking the commissioners to attach section 12 in Jefferson Township to Madison Township was this day taken up and the commissioners being satisfied that the proper action had been had in the premises do attach said section No. 12 to Madison Township." June 8, 1848. June 3, 1862. " Daniel Dodge having presented a petition in due form of law, that the southwest quarter and part of the northwest quarter of the southwes quarter of section 35, township 4, range 20, be struck off of Harrison Township and attached to Madison, and there ap pearing no objection to said change, it is hereby Ordered, That said tract of land be, and the same shall hereafter be, a part of Madison Township according to the prayer of said petitioners." As the township now stands the exact area is 31,952 acres, a little less than 49.9 square miles. The value of its lands at the present time is estimated at $268,400; of its personal property, $116,078; total, $384,478. The population of the township since 1840 has been as follows: In 1840, 830; in 1850, 1,367; in 1860, 1,583; in 1870, 1,578; in 1880, 1,852. The township has twelve schools, five church societies and four church buildings. TOPOGRAPHY. With the exception of the valleys of the two main streams passing through the town- - 389 - 390 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. ship, the surface is exceedingly rough and hilly. On the tops of some of the hills there are some table-lands which are cultivated profitably; the side of the hills are generally too steep for cultivation. The only streams of size in the township are the Little Scioto River, which flows directly south through the eastern end of the township, and its principal tributary, Rocky Fork, which enters the northwestern corner of the township and, flowing southeast, empties into the Little Scioto just south of the southern township line. The wooded hills are heavily timbered, which is being cut up into lumber by sawmills. SETTLEMENT. As the mouth of the Little Scioto was the site of the first permanent settlement in the county, it was perfectly natural that the valley should be explored up as far as Madison Township at a very early day. Two brothers, Thomas M. and William Bennett, now living, were born in this township in 1800 and 1802 respectively. Settlements were made here as early as 1797. Between this date and 1820 the following are some of the settlers who made their homes in this township: Robert, Caleb, John and Charles Bennett, Edward Dawson, Absalom Pyle, Jacob Rickey, Nathaniel Squires, Andrew Snyder, Daniel Dodge, Jas. Rockwell, Joseph Rockwell, Benjamin Rockwell, Ephraim Rowell, Jonathan Rockwell, Ezra Rockwell, James Field, Aaron Miller, Jacob Myers, Jeremiah Brittainham, Michael Milliron, Moses Mault, George Dever, Wm. Dever, Wm. Stockham, John Fullerton, Sam. uel Low, John Rickey, Daniel Massberger, Wm. Plum, Edward Milam, John Slavens George Adams, Peter Lagore, Thomas Philips, John, Hiram and Thomas McDowell, William and Henry Crull, John Higgins, James Brian, Wm. Kitchen, Jesse and John Martin, Moses, Barnebus, Solomon, Aaron and Jesse Monroe, Joseph Couthorn and Judiah Mead. Of the early settlers still living, are: Thos. M. and Wm. Bennett, Ransom Brown, Isaac, Joseph and Ephraim Rickey, Joseph H. Stock-ham, L. D. McKinney and Jackson Dever. The two valleys were the first to be settled, and from them the settlement was pushed back over the hills. The hill farming is, however, quite poor, and the inhabitants generally own but small tracts, and live with limited means. CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. The Baptist Church, situated on the pike on section 8, was the first church organized in the township. It was founded in 1825 by Thaddeus Bennett. The early members were: Wm. Crawford and wife, Jacob Rickey and wife, James Rockwell and wife, and Thaddeus Bennett and wife. Until 1836 meetings were held in private houses and school-houses. By 1836 the membership had reached about forty, and in that year, during the pastorate of Jacob Rickey, they built a log church which served them till 1868, when it was torn down and a frame building built in its place. In 1878 this church burned down. The society at that date had grown to 140 members. A dissension arose, and this helped to destroy the organization. An attempt to rally has been only partially successful. About twenty-five members still remain faithful and a new church building stands about half completed. The Trustees are: Ephraim Rickey, Daniel Dodge and Vincent Kent; pastor, Rev. John B. Tracy. United Brethren.—This church, situated on section 23, was organized and the building erected in 1867. The first members were: Frederic Winter, F. M. Swaim, D. S. Wilson, James J. Martin and wife, Elizabeth McDowell and a Mr. Partridge; first pastor, Rev. V. Zimmerman. The membership at the present time is about thirty-seven = present Trustees, Joseph Kronk, F. M. Dever, Oliver Powell, HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 391 P. M. Rambo and Frederic Winter; pastor, G. W. Tuttle. The church has a regular Sabbath-school, A. D. Allen, Superintendent. Union Church.—A union church, situated on section 27, was erected by the United Brethren and Free-Will Baptists in 1874. When not used by either of these, other denominations are allowed to use it. The United Brethren society was organized by Rev. Jesse McCan, the members composing it coming principally from a defunct society over in Harrison Township, and some who had attended the church on section 23. The initial members were: J. H. Stockham and wife, Simeon Wood, Elizabeth Sampson and daughter, Daniel Armiller, wife and daughter, George Armiller and wife, Miss Sarah Armiller, Elizabeth Deemer, Catherine Zaler, Catherine Sweet, J. D. Stockham and wife and Mrs. Colgrove. The present pastor is Rev. George Tuttle. The church has a regular Sabbath-school, Harrison Allen, Superintendent. The Free-Will Baptist Society was organized about the same time by Sam'! Irwin and wife, Mrs. Caroline Irwin, Wm. Pool and wife, Chas. Frowine and wife, Charles and Robert Frowine, Horace White and wife, G. Crabtree and wife, Lewis Vangorder and others. The membership now reaches about sixty. The society is served only by transient preachers. The Hamilton Free-Will Baptist Church, situated near the northeast corner of the township, was built in 1881, the society having been organized the same year with thirty members. The first pastor was Isaac Fullerton; first Trustees, Hugh Fulton, Milford Smith and Joseph E. Toland. The present pastor is Jacob Shunkwiler. The Sabbath-school Superintendent is Edward Wooten. There are twelve schools in the township, which, according to the enumeration of 1883, were as follows: Sub-district No. 1; pupils, forty. Sub-district No. 2; pupils, forty-two. Sub-district No. 3; pupils, thirty-six. Subdistrict No. 4; pupils, fifty-six. Sub-district No. 5; pupils, fifty-seven. Sub-district No. 6; pupils, seventy-four. Sub-district No. 7; pupils, forty-three. Sub-district No. 8; pupils, fifty-five. Sub-district No. 9; pupils, fifty-six. Sub-district No. 10; pupils, twenty-six. Sub-district No. 11; pupils, seventy-one. Sub-district No. 12; pupils, sixty-four. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1883. Trustees, Jas Irwin, Jno. Kirkpatrick and Wm. Kirchner; Clerk, R. H. Dodd; Treasurer, N. M. Kent; Justices of the Peace, Frederic Winter, I. J. Dewey and John Fullerton; Constables, J. L. Samson, Walter Atkins and W. C. Reed. WALLACE MILL. This mill is now owned by Sam'l Wallace, who became the purchaser in 1870. It was erected in 1840 by John White, who ran it for a number of years. He finally sold the mill to Isaac Wheeler, who in turn, sold it to Wm. Wheeler, when a few years later it became the property of the first-named gentleman. This is the only grist-mill in the township, and is located on Rocky Fork of the Little Scioto River, in the southeast corner of the township and near its southern line. It has two sets of burrs with a capacity of 150 bushels of grain per day. lts custom is good, having a large territory for its supply. The builders name was Smith. BIOGRAPHICAL. Ransom Brown, was born in Grafton County, N. H., May 18, 1804, eldest son of David and Sarah (Hubbard) Brown, the former a na- tive of England and the latter of New England, of En glish origin. In 1816 Ransom Brown came with his father's family to Ohio and settled in Scioto County, where his parents resided till 1824, when they moved to Pike and spent the remainder of their lives.. Our 392 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY subject was married in Madison Township, Dec. 25, 1829, to Sarah Rickard, a native of Delaware, who came to Scioto County in 1815. This union was blessed with nine children, of whom seven are living. Mr. Brown is a self-made man, and by his own exertions has accumulated a large property. George Dever, farmer and stock-raiser, Madison Township, Scioto County, was born in Hamilton Township, Jackson County, Jan. 12, 1823, eldest son of Solomon and Chloe (Mault) Dever. His educational advantages were limited, his youth having been spent in helping his father clear the farm. On attaining his majority his father gave him 240 acres of heavily timbered land. By hard work and good management he has been able to give each of his children a good farm and has 300 acres of improved land for himself. He was married Aug. 18, 1S49, to Mahala, daughter of John and Sylvia (Wyman) White, who were pioneers of Scioto County. Of the seven children sent to them, six still survive -Solomon A., Caroline W., Kendal, John M., Warren L. and Lindoch. Winfield is deceased. John Jenkins, merchant and farmer, was born June 29, 1844, in Madison Township, Scioto County, a son of Berny and Rachel (Marker) Jenkins, who were pioneers of Jackson County. He was educated in the subscription schools, and lived with his parents till he was seventeen years old, when he enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company 'A, One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, and served one year when he was transferred to the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, in which he served till the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge and returned to his native county, where he engaged in farming till 1877. he then came to Madison Township and purchased the place where he now resides, containing eighty-two and a half acres. He erected a store-house on his land, where he does a good business in connection with his farming pursuits. He was first married in 1867 to Emma Masters, of Jackson County. They have had three children-Benjamin F., William L., deceased, and Louie May. His wife died in 1875 and he was again married Feb. 27, 1877, to Jane Biddle, of Jackson County. They have had three children-Francis M., Ida Bell and one who died in in. fancy. James Jackson Martin was born in Green-up County, Ky., Sept. 29, 1831, where hue lived till he was five years of age. He then came to Franklin Furnace, Scioto Co., Ohio, with his parents, and from there lived at different furnaces till 1849; when he left his parents and struck out among strangers to make his own living. He first worked at Scioto Furnace, and from there he worked at different furnaces until 1854, when he had saved money enough to buy eighty acres of land in Madison Township, Scioto County, Ohio. He still worked at the furnaces till March, 1855, when he was married to Harriet, daughter of George and Lucinda Swaim. They were the parents of twelve children, all of whom are living-George S. Martin, born May 3, 1859,_ Lewis J., born Sept. 24, 1860; Stephen A., born Nov. 25, 1861; Maria Jane, born April 4, 1S64; Henry T., born April 13, 1S66; Josephine M., born Dec. 11, 1867; David E., born Sept. 14, 1869; James W., born July 20, 1871; Laura I., born March 10, 1873; Joseph V., born Feb. 14, 1875; Rosa L., born Nov. 27, 1876, and Daisy Delle, born Sept. 29, 1879. After his marriage Mr. Martin moved to his farm, where he was engaged in working on the farm part of the time and the rest of his time was spent at the furnaces until 1870, when he sold his farm of eighty acres and bought 320 acres of land three miles southeast of where he first lived, in the same township, and moved to it Feb. 17, 1870, where he has since followed farming. In politics Mr. Martin is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 393 L. D. McKinney, farmer, was born in Madison Township, Scioto County, June 17, 1816, a son of the late Daniel and Catherine (Samson) McKinney, and grandson of Daniel McKinney, one of the first settlers of Scioto County. He lived on the home farm till he grew to manhood and has always followed farming pursuits, and by his own industry has accumulated a large property. He was married Sept. 12, 1841, to Isabinda Stockham, born Feb. 26, 1819, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah Stockham, pioneers of Scioto County. Mr. and Mrs. McKinney are the parents of eight children, one of whom is dead. Those surviving are-William, born Dec. 3, 1842; Samantha, Dec. 4, 1844; Ruth, Jan. 17, 1847, Maria, Oct. 1, 1849; Charles, May 26, 1852; Mice, Nov. 28, 1854, and Eliza, Aug. 16, 1857. Daniel Pool, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Madison Township, was born June 16, 1824, in Porter Township, Scioto County. He lived at home till he reached his majority, when he served three years as an apprentice at the wagon-maker's trade with his brother-in-law, Job Kittle. He then worked as a journeyman for a time, after which he had charge of the shops at Jackson Furnace for a year. He was then engaged at Franklin Furnace for two years, when he purchased the business of his former employer, which he carried on till the building of the Portsmouth branch of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad. He then went to Webster, Bloom Township, where he remained four years, and was engaged in the mercantile business two years, and while there served two terms as Justice of the Peace. In 1860 he came to Madison Township, where, in connection with his other business, he has a farm of 160 acres of improved land. In the spring of 1861 he was appointed Assistant United States Revenue Assessor for Scioto County, and served till the office was abolished in 1870. In the spring of 1864, the Ohio National Home Guards, of which Mr. Pool was a member, volunteered in the United States military service as the One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio Infantry, and served during the summer and fall. They were assigned to guard duty, and also participated in the battle of Lynchburg, Va., where, a account of the bad management of General Hunter, the Union forces were defeated. He was married in June, 1851, to Jane Graham, a resident of Scioto County but a native of Pennsylvania. They have had fourteen children, eight of whom are living. Mr. Pool belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church. Andrew and Sarah (Sikes) Pool, parents of our subject, came to Scioto County about 1800, where they spent the remainder of their lives. J. B. Rickey, merchant and farmer, was born Sept. 13, 1835, in Madison Township, Scioto County, a son of Isaac and Mary Ann (Beck) Rickey, of Madison Township, the former being a native of New York and the latter of Pike County, Ohio. He was married May 25, 1858, to Abigail Kelly, who was born June 7, 1840. They have had five children-Oscar, born Jane 7, 1859; William, Sept. 13, 1862; Emory, Dec. 1, 1864; Armina, June 16, 1871, and Cora, June 27, 1875. Mr. Rickey enlisted May 1, 1864, in Company F, One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio National Guards, and was discharged at Gallipolis, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1864. He then returned home and engaged in farming in Madison Township, and for the past twelve years has, in connection with his farming pursuits, been engaged in the general mercantile business. He has been Postmaster of Nairn P. O., Scioto County, since 1871; has served as Township Clerk nine years, and for the past fifteen years has been Justice of the Peace, his present term expiring in 1886. He owns a well-improved farm of 140 acres on Blue Run. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and he is a member of 394 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. Scioto Post, No. 287, G. A. R. Mrs. Rickey has since childhood been a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Joseph H: Stockham, second son of Joseph and Hannah (Bennett) Stockham, was born in 1817 in Madison Township, Scioto County. He received his education in the subscription schools, and lived on the home farm till attaining his majority. He then was engaged about the iron works for twelve years, and in 1846 purchased the old homestead, which contains 175 acres of highly cultivated land. He was married March 7, 1343, to Catherine, daughter of Rosanna (Tenor) Dewey, who were early settlers of Adams County, Ohio. They had a family of twelve children, of whom eleven are living. His grandfather, William Stockham, was a native of Wales, and emigrated to the United States in 1777, and settled near Trenton, N. J., where he married Susannah Payne, and in 1793 came to Ohio with his family of ten children, and in 1803 he settled in Madison Township, Scioto County. He was an active member of the Society of Friends, and died at an advanced age in 1815, his wife having survived him twenty years. His second son, Joseph, was the father of our subject. He was born in Trenton, N. J., in 1784, and in 1806 was married to Hannah Bennett. They reared a family of nine children to maturity, of whom six still survive. In 1812 he purchased 210 acres on sections 27 and 31, Madison Township, where he followed farming till his death in 1833. His wife died in 1862. He and three of his brothers took an active part in the war of 1812. J. D. Stockham, merchant and miller, was born in Madison Township, Scioto County, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1843, a son of J. H. and Catherine (Dewey) Stockham. He resided at home till the breaking out of the Rebellion, and Aug. 21, 1862, enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, afterward the First Ohio Heavy Artillery. He served under General Geo. H. Thomas in the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Twentieth Army Corps; was discharged June 20, 1865, and returned to Scioto County and engaged in farming with his father on shares. He was married Dec. 19, 1866, to Sarah Wallace, daughter of Samuel and Clarissa Ann (Coryell) Wallace, who was born Feb. 17, 1846. Six children have been born to them—William H., born Oct. 16, 1867, died Jan. 4, 1875; Thomas W., born March 4, 1870; John L., Aug. 26, 1873; Clarissa A., Dec. 21, 1875; Sarah C., Sept. 3,1878; Joseph W., July 11, 1881. A year after his marriage Mr. Stockham engaged in the mercantile business, and now has one of the best general stores in Madison Township. He is also engaged in milling at Wallace Mills. The grist-mill has a capacity of 150 bushels a day, and the sawmill is one of the best in the county. In politics Mr. Stockham is a Republican. 110 is a strong temperance man, though not a radical. He has been Postmaster at Wallace Mills since the establishment of the office there, June 12, 1879. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. Henry C. Wells, farmer and miller, son of Timothy M. and Sarah A. (Anderson) Wells, was born in Madison Township, Scioto County. He lived with his father, assisting him on the farm and in the mill till his father's death, which occurred Nov. 6, 1882. He then took charge of the entire business, which he has managed very successfully ever since. He was married May 24, 1883, to Caroline, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Lenhart) Miler, who now reside in Union Township, Pike County. His father, Timothy Wells, was born Dec. 27, 1822, in Scioto County, a son of Richard and Laura (White) Wells, who came to Ohio from New York in 1814. He was first married in 1853 to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Nancy (Mayor) Anderson, who died about a year later. In 1857 he was married to Sarah A. Anderson, a sis- HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 395 ter of his first wife. The union was blessed with three children—William, who died in infancy; Dora E., who resides with her widowed mother, and Henry C., the subject of his sketch. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. Jefferson Township was undoubtedly one of the original townships, or was a township before 1810. Four of the original townships named and known in 1810 are not now on the map—Seal, Upper, Lick and Franklin. The loss of the county commissioners' records from 1803 to 1811 inclusive prevents the dates being given of the organization of the township, but if it is one of the original divisions it was organized May, 1803, and at all events before the year 1810. Seal Township, which lay on both sides of the Scioto River, was taken from the map, and that portion lying east of the Scioto was added to Jefferson. The township then extended further south, and also took in all of the present township of Valley, which was cut off from Jefferson in 1860. METES, BOUNDS AND AREA. The township of Jefferson as now defined is bounded on the north by Pike County, east by Madison and Harrison townships, on the south by Clay, and on the west by Valley townships. There are but three smaller townships in the county than Jefferson, and they are Porter, Washington and Rush, Valley, which was taken from it, having nearly 1,100 acres more land assessed than Jefferson. The latter's area is 14,383 acres, of somewhat hilly surface. The assessed valuation of Jefferson Township is the least of any township in the county. It has an uneven surface, and, not having any large quantity of mineral deposits, it is better adapted to stock-raising than to cereal-growing. There is little to give value beyond the productions from year to year, which do not accumulate rapidly, and its land valuation is not rated at a high fig- ure for assessment purposes. In 1882 it was assessed upon its lands at $81,330; upon chat tel property, $27,189; total, $108,519. POPULATION. Jefferson Township, while next to the smallest in population, Rush only having a less number of inhabitants, has increased in the past decade more than any township in the county except Union. The population of the township varied, as in 1870 Valley had been taken from it, but it has shown a steady increase, and at a greater per cent., taking the last four decades, than any township. The population in 1840 was 578; 1850, 840; 1860, 1,226; 1870, 559; 1880, 919. There have been several small changes in the boundary line of the township since its organization, but they were not of much consequence, being made to accommodate the interests of individuals. For instance, the first change made, Dec. 5, 1826, was as follows: " The east half of the southeast quarter of section 25, of township 3, of range 21, the land and residence of Jacob Myers, in Jefferson Township, be taken from said township and attached to Madison." Mr. Myers petitioned for this change on account of convenience, and got it. There were one or two others of a similar nature, one taking three miles by one, for about the same reason—local convenience—and attached to Madison Township, but the area as given previously is correct at this time, being its present boundary. Jefferson Township is no exception to the general rule as regards its township records. -Like nearly all others, a good portion of them are lost, and what are found are of mixed dates, here and there a year, but scarcely a decade complete in any place. This prevents a full list of township officers being given, and much local history which should be found recorded. The township has but one voting precinct, which is held at Blue Run, so-called. It may be considered an agricultural town- 396 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. ship so far as the land is susceptible of cultivation. There is yet a large amount of timber in the township, and railroad ties and tan-bark form no inconsiderable portion of the yearly productive wealth. OLD SETTLERS. The settlement at Jefferson Township was at a pretty early day, but at that time Valley Township was then Jefferson, and the earliest settlers were located in the valley of the Scioto River. The present Jefferson Township was settled about 1808, though up to 1815 very few pioneers had found permanent homes within its limits. Among those who came in the early days of its history were Jesse Rice, Daniel McLaughlin, Daniel Conklin, Jared Spriggs, Thomas Carlisle, Abner Field, William Mitchell, Aaron Gee, Richard Grimshaw Joshua Tritt, Rodney Marshall, Samuel Farmer, Jacob Crouse and J. H. Munn. There were a few others whose names were not remembered, but were members of the pioneer band. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1851. The township officers in 1851 were: Trustees, James O. Johnson, Hugh Rose and Adamyah Crane; Treasurer, James D. Thomas; Clerk, Leonard Groninger ; Justices of the Peace, Mark Snyder and Isaac N. Johnson; Constables, Thomas Carlisle, John Stewart and O. B. Murphy. The present officers, 1883, are: Trustees, Ira H. Munn, Jacob H. Carley and John H. Tritt; Treasurer, David Crull; Clerk, John H. Shuman; Justices of the Peace, Robert Chapman and Jared Spriggs; Constables, Thomas Hager and Adam Swavel. CHURCHES. The Blue Run Methodist Church was organized and the church building erected in 1859. Rev. Harris Willis was its first pastor; Trustees, James Varner, Milton Deselm and John Morgan. The original members were: Samuel Miller and wife, Jared Spriggs and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Varner, James Varner and wife, John Morgan and wife, Mrs. Nancy Marshall, Abner Field and wife. The present pastor is the Rev. George W. Ray; Trustees, Abner Field, William Coburn, Joshua Tritt and Richard Grimshaw. Church services are held once a month and Sunday-school every Sabbath. Louis Hancock is Superintendent and Benjamin Grimshaw, Secretary. The average attendance is about ninety. The Fallen Timber Christian Church, organized in the year 1865, at the close of the late civil war, has steadily prospered and its influence has become wide-spread for good wherever that influence has extended. Rev. Asa Eblin was the first pastor of the church, and the Trustees elected at the time were William H. Ward, Daniel Conkling, Sr., and Harvey Eblin. The original members of the church were: Mrs. Asa Eblin, David Kemper and wife, Henderson Eblin and wife, Rachel Kent, Nathaniel Kent and wife and Phoebe Conklin. The church has grown strong in number. The present pastor, 1883, is Rev. William Jenkins. the Trustees are those first elected and still holding their offices. Services are held once a month, and Sunday-school every Sunday. The attendance is about 100. Superintendent, James McWilliams; Secretary, Edward Gillen. The Flat Wood Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1876 with a few earnest members who wished to form a church in their own immediate neighborhood. Rev. Perry Orr was called to the pastorate and Jared Spriggs, Hamilton Meyers and Nicholas Funk were elected Trustees. The original members were Abigail Crull, David Crull and wife, William Porter and wife, Henry Bricker and wife, Rachel Ralphsnider and Catharine Farmer. It has gradually grown and prospered, and it is now, 1883, under the pastoral care of Rev. William Hollinshed, and the HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 397 Trustees are Jared Spriggs, Nicholas Funk and David Crull. Its present membership numbers sixty. Service is held once a month and a Sabbath-school every Sunday. SCHOOLS. There are five school districts in the township, named and as follows: Sub-district, No. 1, Munn's School-house ; Sub-district No. 2, Flat Wood's School-house; Sub-district No. 3, Backwoods School-house; Subdistrict No. 4, Blue Run School-house, Sub-district No. 5, Fallen Timber Schoolhouse. VALLEY TOWNSHIP. NEXT TO THE YOUNGEST. While the territory of Valley Township was as early settled permanently as any in the county, Valley Township did not come into existence until 1860, and then too late for the United States census of that year. It was first a portion of Seal Township. A few years after, or in 1814, Seal Township elected its last Assessor, and in 1815 that on the west side of the river was given to Union Township and the east side to Jefferson. This last remained the territory of Jefferson until June 4, 1860, when a petition was presented to the County Commissioners for a separate township, to be taken from the west half of Jefferson and to be called " Valley." The question had been agitated early in the spring in Jefferson, and two township election tickets presented to the voters—those in favor of and those opposed to dividing the township. The ticket for division was carried, and in May the petition for division was presented to the County Commissioners, as also a remonstrance and the following action was taken June 4, 1860: ORGANIZATION. " A petition was presented by A. F. Millar and others together with a plat, praying the commissioners to divide the territory of Jeffer son Township and create and make a new township and lay off and designate the same from the said territory of Jefferson Township, in Scioto County. And your petitioners propose and ask that said new township shall be laid off and designated with the following boundaries, to-wit : Beginning at the Scioto River, where the county line between Scioto and Pike counties strikes said river; thence east on said county line between said two counties to the section line between sections 3 and 4, in township 3 in said Scioto County; thence south on said line between sections 3 and 4, and between sections 15 and 16 to the southeast corner of said section 16; thence west on the south line of said section 16, to the splitting corner on the south line of said section 16; thence south on the north and south splitting line of sections 21, 28 and 33, in said township 3, and of sections 4 and 9, in said township 2, to the south line of said section 9; thence west with the south line of said section 9, section 8 and section 7 to the Scioto River; thence north running with the meanders of the Scioto River to the place of beginning, and your petitioners further suggest and ask that said new township may be called VALLEY. And your petitioners further represent that the said new township proposed to be laid off as aforesaid will contain an area of not less than twenty-two square miles, and that the said township of Jefferson, after laying Toff said new township as aforesaid, will also contain an area of not less than twenty-two square miles. There was also a remonstrance presented by Jared Spriggs and others against the establishment of said new township as proposed in the foregoing petition, for reasons therein expressed. Thereupon the commissioners took the matter under advisement; read the petition remonstrance, and all the papers presented for and against the granting of the prayer of the aforesaid petitioners; and after hearing all the allegations of the parties, and it appearing therefrom that it is necessary and expedient 398 - HISTORY OF LOWER SOIOTO VALLEY. to lay off the said new township, and that the said petition has been signed by a majority of the trustees of said township of Jefferson, and by a majority of the householders residing within the boundaries of said proposed new township, and also by a majority of the householders residing in Jefferson Township as aforesaid, and it further appearing that notice of the intended application for the laying off of said new township has been given by advertisement at three public places within the bounds of said proposed new township for more than thirty days prior to the commencement of the present session, and it also appearing that there is contained within the bounds of said proposed new township more than twenty-two square miles, and that there is also contained within the bounds of said Jefferson Township outside the limits and bounds of said proposed new township more than twenty-two square miles. It is now Ordered, That a new township be and the same is hereby laid off and designated from the territory of said Jefferson Township as prayed for in said application. And it is further Ordered, That said new township be known by the name of and called " VALLEY." And it is further Ordered, That the boundaries of said new township be recorded in the book kept for that purpose. And it is also further Ordered, That an election be held at the tavern of John McCown, in the town of Lucasville, in said township, on Satnrday, June 16, 1860, for the election of township officers for the said township of VALLEY." June 4, 1860. AREA, BOUNDARY AND VALUATION. The area of the township as now given is 15,477 acres of land, and the boundary is, on the north by Pike County, on the east by Jefferson Township, on the south by Clay Township and on the west by the Scioto River, which separates it from Rush and Morgan townships. It is irregular in form, its southern part, by a bend in the river, being within a half a mile of the southern border, less than a mile wide. It gradually widens until its northern line is about four and a half miles wide, while north and south it is about eight miles long. Valley Township, according to size and population, is the wealthiest of the fifteen townships of the county. Clay Township has an assessed valuation of about $101,000 more than Valley, but it has 440 acres more land and a population nearly 200 greater. Clay has an assessed valuation of $611.20 to each inhabitant, and Valley $640.22, or $29.00 more to each person in the township. The assessed valuation in 1882 was: Real estate, $405,580; personal property, $193,268; total, $598,848. The population of Valley Township commences with the census of 1870. In that year it was 724; in 1880, 921,a gain during the last decade of twenty-seven per cent., much more than the average gain of either the county or State. OLD SETTLERS. The first settler of Valley Township was Hezeki ahu Merritt, who planted the first corn in the township, and one of the three-corn crops which were raised in the summer of 1796. Mr. Merritt, several years after, removed to Ross County, but he was the first Justice of the Peace in that section of the county in 1804—'6. Jacob Groninger came in 1798; then Henry Spangler, Wm. Marsh, Jas. 0. Johnson, Isaac N. Johnson, A. F. Millar, Mark Snyder and Caleb B. Crull followed soon after. The oldest settlers now living in the township are L. Groninger, W. A. Marsh, Jas. D. Thomas, Jno. L. Jones, G. 0. James and Joseph Brandt, Sr. The first mentioned, Mr. Groninger, is the oldest native born. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. At the first election held in Valley Township, June 16, 1860, after being cut off from Jefferson, the following officers were elected: HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 399 Trustees, M. Snyder, Clark Galligher and W. K. Jones; Clerk, L. Groninger; Treasurer, W. A. Marsh; Constables, A. C. Turner and John Stuart; Justices of the Peace, A. F. Millar and Jno. Wallace were elected July 24, 1860. The Board of Education elected for Valley Township was composed of Leonard Groninger, A. F. Millar, Mark Snyder and James D. Thomas. The first meeting of the board was held at Lucasville, June 23, 1860, and organized by selecting Leonard Groninger President of the Board. The election April, 1883, resulted as follows: Trustees, Isaac N. Johnson, Theo. Appel and John L. James; Treasurer, Frank Winters; Clerk, Joseph Brandt, Jr; Assessor, John M. Johnson; Constables, John Steward and John W. McAuley. Valley Township is all its name implies, for it lies wholly within the valley of the Scioto, on the east side of the river, and extends back to the hills with only an average width of perhaps two and a half miles, or a little over. It is of course the best agricultural township in the county. Millar's Run in the center and Marsh's Run in the south part are the only streams which cross it. CHURCHES. The M. E. Church, of Lucasville, was organized in the fall of 1849 by the Rev. Sheldon Parker, preacher in charge, assisted by the Rev. L. A. Atkinson, junior preacher. It was then a part of what was known as the Piketon Circuit, Portsmouth District, Ohio. Rev. John Steward was Presiding Elder, and Father Dunnaway, as he was then known, was Class-Leader. The society was small, but has grown with of the village. The church building was erected in 1849, and is still occupied. The lot was the gift of Dr. D. A. Belknapp, and Mrs. Belknap started the subscription paper for the church building and secured most of the contribution. The Trustees were Wm. Marsh, Jas. 0. Johnson, and Wm. Millar. The first Sabbath-school in Lucasville was organized in 1850. Mrs. Mary Moulton secured the money for the library, and was Superintendent the first year. The present pastor is Rev. Wm. Abernathy. The Trustees of the church are Jas. D. Thomas, Absalom Marsh, Jno. B. Warwick, L. D. Fiddler and Josiah Dorgan. The Sunday-school has an attendance of about seventy-five. The church members now number forty. SCHOOLS. There were four school districts made the first year after Valley Township was cut off from Jefferson, and Sept. 1, 1878, another district was added. The number, name and present teacher of each district is as follows: Sub-district No. 1, Johnson School; teacher, Miss Ella Jones. Sub-district No. 2, Lucasville School; teachers, Mr. Lee Sykes and Miss Cummings. Sub-district No. 3, Sheep-pen School; teacher, John Cockrell. Sub-district No. 4; teacher, Miss Mary Darlington. Sub-district No. 5, Egbert School; teacher, Miss Mattie Williamson. The following were the number of school children in each of the sub-districts in 1861: No. '1, fifty-four; No. 2, 103; No. 3, seventy-two; No. 4, forty-two; total in the township, 271. The enumeration for 1878, when the fifth, district was made, was as follows: No. 1, thirty-three; No. 2, 120; No. 3, fifty-seven; No. 4, forty; No. 5, fifty-three; total in township, 303. The enumeration for 1882: No. 1, fifty-eight; No. 2, 136; No. 3, fifty-one; No. 4, fifty-eight; No. 5 . fifty-two; total in township, 355. Total value of school property in Valley Township in $4,750.