CHAPTER XXXIX. SEAL TOWNSHIP. GEOGRAPHICALLY LOCATED. Seal Township is in the north-center of Pike County, east of and bordering on the Scioto River. The boundary is irregular owing to the adoption of the Scioto River as the western boundary, line. The general course of the Scioto here, though very irregular, is southwest.. This being the case, it takes the place of the entire western border, and nearly all of the northern, leaving the township nearly' triangular in shape. With the exception of about three sections in the southwest corner ,the township is within township 5, range 21, of the old Ohio Purchase, which extended originally to the Scioto River. The eastern tier of sections of this congressional township does not belong to Seal Township. Seal Township is one of the oldest settled in the county. It has a rich bottom land in the .valley of the Scioto, making it a splendid agricultural township. It is second in wealth in the county,. the township of Pee Pee only excepted. ,It has, in the aggregate, 17,854 acres of land as assessed, divided as follows : Township proper, 14,041 acres; Piketon school district, 3,694; Piketon corporation, 119. This was assessed in 1882 as follows: Real estate, township, $199,873; personal property, $174,647; real estate, school district, $207,235; personal property, school district, $62,470; real estate, corporation of Piketon, $56,532; personal property of Piketon, $95,121.; total, $795,878. It is bounded on the west and north by the Scioto River; on the east by Beaver and Jackson townships, and on the south by Union and Scioto townships. It had a population in 1840 of 1,875; 1850, 2,210; 1860, 1,509; 1870, 1,151; 1880, 1,411. Its greatest loss in population of the decade between 1850 and 1860 was the formation of the township of Scioto from her territory in the year 1851. TOPOGRAPHY. Having spoken of the bottom lauds, it may be added that after leaving the river the land rises and becomes somewhat rolling but does not materially change the nature of its soil. That which lies immediately upon the river bank, except in a few places, is subject to overflow, but the water never rises to cover what may be termed the second bench. This latter is above high water, rolling, and as you get further from the river assumes the feature of table-lands backed by hills, somewhat broken and in some places rugged and, stony. Straight Creek and other small streams are in the eastern side of the township, while Beaver Creek traverses a portion of its southern boundary and flows on its winding way to its union with the Scioto River. LINE CHANGED. Dec. 4, 1848. In compliance with the request of residents of that part of Seal Township attached at this date, the township line was changed as - 775 - 776 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO. VALLEY follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of section 3, township 5, range 21, running thence south to the one-half mile corner; thence east one mile to the old township line between Beaver and Seal townships; thence north one-half mile to the northeast corner of the aforesaid section; thence west one mile to the place of beginning. The removal of the county seat from Piketon to Waverly in 1861 was the first serious blow to the prosperity of the township. PIKETON BRIDGE is a fine structure, about one-fourth mile from Piketon up the river, and is of _great convenience to the people of Seal, Newton, Camp Creek and the townships in the southern portion of the county. The act granting the privilege of spanning the Scioto River by a bridge at or near the village of Piketon was passed at the session of the Legislature in the winter of 1879—'80. The act gave the right to levy a tax, the bridge not to exceed in cost $12.000. The levy was made in 1880, and a contract was let to the Dayton Bridge Company, who completed the work. It is a substantial structure, with three spans and four large stone pillars for its support. The trestle was put up by a further tax upon the people, but the bridge is every way satisfactory. Hon. Isaac Austill was the first to drive across the bridge, and as the approaches were not finished, his buggy was lifted upon the bridge, and he drove safely across. SCHOOLS OF SEAL TOWNSHIP. Just when the first school was taught in Seal Township is not positively known, but it was probably not later than 1802 or '3. It was a subscription school, and was kept up some three months. There was no schoolhouse erected until the winter of 1810—'11. Among the first teachers, if not the first, was Shadrick Newingham. In the year above mentioned the first school-house, of logs, was built. It was located in the bills, some three miles west of Piketon, in a forest of timber, and here was the seat of learn. ing in pioneer days for the children and youth for six miles. School, was opened by James McLease, of Irish descent, who had the idea that brute force was the true science of teaching. There are in Seal Township, outside of Piketon, five school districts. The value of the school property is placed at $2,000. There is an enrollment of some 211 pupils, with an average attendance of 175. The teachers receive a salary of $35 per month. WAVERLY SANDSTONE. There is considerable of this celebrated sandstone' within the limits of Seal Town. ship,. and one quarry is mentioned here, the " Green Quarry," which shows the nature of the stone. In this quarry is found the nine ledges of this stone, which has proved so valuable for building and other purposes. These ledges vary from twelve to twenty-four inches in thickness, working easily, separating into smooth, clear blocks. There is also a cross seam about every forty feet, which saves the labor of cutting, and causes the stone to he handled with much less strength. The hp layer of this quarry is a gray sandstone, and the next six ledges are the blue sandstone, Still below all these is found a slab, blue in color, and from one and a half to two inches in thickness, that cannot be surpassed for pavements, and under this is found stone of a coarser grain and some six inches in thickness, that makes excellent curbing and, when broken, the rubble foundation of buildings:, This quarry was opened in 1878 by S. G. Green. Some 'twenty car-loads of stone are taken out weekly, and the supply is considered inexhaustible. The demand has ex. ceeded the supply. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 777 OFFICIAL. ELECTION - 1858. Trustees, Jas. Givins, Phillip Buckart and S. 0, Green; Clerk, A. J. Phelps; Justice of the Peace, John Darnell. IN 1883. Trustees, J. W. Gregg, C. P. Landrum and C. A. Vallery; Treasurer, P. P. Hammons; Clerk, I. N. Austill; Justices of the Peace, J. D. Hagans and J. F. Parrell. JEFFERSON. The Chenoweth brothers settled not far from the location of the village with the above name, which was first platted in the year 1814. It was named after Thomas Jefferson. One year later the county of Pike was organized and named after General Z. M. Pike, and the hamlet of Jefferson was called Piketon. Eli Sargent, who had been appointed commissioner to locate the seat of justice for Pike County, received from Elisha Fitch and his wife Susannah, a deed of the town plat of Piketon as such commissioner. This deed was worded as follows. " This Indention, made this 12th day of May, 1815, between Elisha Fitch and wife Susannah, of the county of Pike, in the State of Ohio, of the first part, and Eli Sargent, Director of the town of Piketon, of the county of Pike and the State of Ohio, of the other part. That the said Elisha Fitch and wife, for and in consideration of the sum of $870, to them in hand paid, they do hereby acknowledge and forever acquit and discharge the said Eli Sargent, and have granted, bargained, sold and confirmed, and by these presentations do hereby grant, bargain and sell to the said Eli Sargent, all the tract of land lying and being in the county of Pike and State of Ohio, viz.: Being the same tract of land on which the town of Piketon is now about to be laid out, and beginning one pole south of said Fitch's lower corner and the river; thence south eighty poles to a stake; thence east eighty poles to a stake; thence north ninety-seven poles to a stake near the bank of the river; thence down the river within one pole of the top of the bank, south seventy-three degrees, west thirty-nine poles to a stake; thence south eighty-two degrees, west forty-one poles, and from thence to the beginning, containing forty-three acres, one half and eleven poles, be the same, more or less." The survey was made by John G. McCain, and the deed was recorded in Book A, on the 17th day of May, 1815, by Joseph J. Martin, Recorder of Pike County. Judge Reed is credited with being the first settler after the above survey. Although located as the county seat, there being no public buildings the first session of the County Commissioners Court was held at the house of Arthur Chenoweth, something like a half mile from the hamlet and on the opposite side of the river. Piketon is situated on the east bank of the Scioto, lying along its bank for about one-fourth of a mile and above high water, and back of the.town a range of hills. Its first addition was that of Jonathan Clark, and known as Clark's Addition to the town or hamlet of Piketon. The survey was finished Sept. 17, 1816. It was west of the original plat, and is the spot chosen for many handsome dwellings and their pleasant surroundings. Piketon became a thriving town and grew as rapidly as any other, in its day, in Southern Ohio. The improvements and growth caused another addition to be added in 1823, called the Eastern Addition, and added June 6. The first serious drawback was the canal going west of the river, leaving Piketon without even a bridge to reach the canal. 778 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. HOW IT HAD IMPROVED. In 1840 Piketon had a population of 507, and was doing a good general business. It was still the leading town in the county, and the country around being in a thriving condition the town felt the impulse,. and its growth if not rapid was solid. It had three churches—Presbyterian, Methodist and German Lutheran. It had a fair school building, and with four general stores and a newspaper it supplied the wants of its citizens and the people of the country around. REMINISCENCE OF DAVID WARE. " When I came here in April, 1816, the country was all a wilderness, there being but a few farms yet occupied. The town of Piketon had been laid out the year previous, and there were a few buildings erected here and there. The first house built in Piketon, think, was by Enoch Mounts, and was afterward used, as an inn. The old building is yet standing, and occupied by Andrew Laughbaum. There was a house, also, on the lot where Barger & Sargent's store now stands, and a few others that were not of much importance. The first store was opened by General Kendell and Robert Lucas. They kept what was called in those days a large store, carrying a stock of about $400 or $500, and of course their sales were in proportion to their stock. The General was a veteran of the Revolution, and was one Of the old-timers here. The first wagon-maker was John Nessel; the first blacksmith was Colonel Moore, and the first shoemakers were Hinds & Mayhue. The first professional men were Dr. Spurck and Lawyer Seaton. Piketon, like the great cities of Athens and Rome, has had its days of prosperity, and of course must meet the destruction of time. While Piketon was the county seat of Pike County it bid fair to blot the pages of history with as much interest as any town in the valley." PIKETON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY was organized in 1852, and was decidedly a primitive affair but none the less worthy of encouragement. The first fair was held in the fall of the above year in a lot where the public school building now stands. Not having their grounds enclosed:no entrance fee was charged, and a rope constituted the exhibition ring. Inside of this rope the stock was shown, and the winner received his premium in cash. There was no loss and no discount. The money was raised by " throwing in," and after getting all they could the premiums were graded to meet the amount subscribed. The officers and citizens all helped, and their services were free, consequently there were no outgoes. There was a good time three days of each year for four years. In 1856 they had progressed so as to have the fair ground fenced. It was on the land of Wm. Sargent, and there it was held until the opening of the civil war and the removal of the county seat. It was then allowed to fall through, and no other organization has ever taken its place. These fairs were the only ones ever held in Pike County. EARLY INCIDENTS. Feb. 1, 1845, at two P. M., the steamer America arrived at thePo rt of Piketon. This was the first steamer that plowed the waters of the beautiful Scioto. The first shovelful of dirt on the Scioto Valley Railroad was taken from Snowden Sargent's field, May 7, 1877. The road has since been completed and a depot located at Piketon. The first passenger train of the Scioto Valley Railroad arrived at Piketon at two o'clock P. M., Nov. 4, 1877. Jared Daniel is the oldest living resident of Piketon, and one of the oldest in the county. He came in the year 1810, at the age of eight years. He has been a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty-five years. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 779 Another old citizen worthy of mention is B. C. Dunham. He has resided in Piketon for over half a century and been a Class-Leader in the Methodist Episcopal church for forty-seven years. The first telegraph office in Piketon was established in March, 1873;. Will D. Ragon, operator. Among the early physicians who were residents of Piketon were Dr. Peter Surck and Dr. Lewis. The latter died in 1819, and the former some years later. Dr.' Reynolds also practiced for a short time and then removed to Kentucky. Doctors Tate, Morrow, 0. P. Phelps, and Abel Phelps, who died in 1832, all practiced here in the years previous to 1840. There are four resident physicians in Piketon at the present time—Doctors Scurlock, Andre, Berry and Hurst. The first postoffice in Pike County was established in Piketon, . in 1817, and John Hines was the first Postmaster. He kept his office in his hat, and after the mail came in his letters were safely deposited there, and then he started out about his business. When a letter was called for, or a neighbor met him and the question asked, " Have you a letter for me, Uncle John?" down would come the old hat and a search made for the letter in question. W. D. Ragon was Postmaster for several years and died Jan. 4, 1879. The present Postmaster is John McMonigal. The Chapman Guards were a military company which flourished a few years and then disappeared. They were organized May 25, 1876, with George L. Hays as Captain; Henry Lewis, First Lieutenant. and Daniel Daily, Second Lieutenant. Geo. D. Chapman presented the company with a flag. They disbanded October, 1880. FLOURING MILL. The most important addition to the business interests of Piketon for many years is the completion of the new flouring mill, with the new roller patent. It was ready for business in March, 1883, and put up by Geo. L. Hays, in 1882, at a cost of $12,000. It has also a corn burr. It has all the latest improved flouring-mill machinery and an engine of sixty horse-power. It has a capacity of 100 barrels every twenty-four 'fours. PIKETON PUBLIC SCHOOL. The School Board, in 1837, by the passage of an ordinance, was enabled to erect a school building at a cost of $3,800. This served the village until 1873, when an addition was made to the old building, doubling the former school facilities and otherwise improving it at a total cost of $4,000. This made a handsome and imposing structure, 57 x 66 feet in size, sufficient for grading the schools into five departments; four of these are for the white children and one for the colored. The session just passed shows an average attendance of 235 white scholars and 25 colored. John Dokas was the first Superintendent, but the school was not fairly graded under his charge. J. R. Purcy -succeeded him and under his administration the school was properly arranged and made what it was intended to be, a graded school. He was followed by many able teachers and the school has sustained, since Superintendent Purcy's administration, an excellent standing as an educational school. The present Superintendent is S. K. Smith. PIKETON LODGE, NO. 323, I. O. O. F., was organized July 17, 1857, by W. Chidsey, the present Grand Secretary of the lodge of Ohio. The charter members were : E. R. Allen, J. W. Dunham, Sr., David Ware, C. D. Whitney, Jas. B. Turner, Jr., and James James. The first officers were : E. R. Allen, N. G. ; James James, V. G.; Jno. W. Dunham, Recording Secretary; J. B. Turner, Pennon ent Secretary ; David Ware,Treas. During the history of this lodge it has received 127 780 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. members and its present number is thirty-seven. The Past Grands number twenty-five. Its financial condition is sound and the order a successful one from its inception. There is cash on hand, $245.18; invested of the general fund, $1,810.75, and in the widows and orphans' fund, $620, which gives a total of $2,675.93 of cash and safe investments. The present officers are : Henry Brown, N. G.; C. C. Dailey, V. G.; 1. N. Austin, Recording Sec.; Samuel Brown, Permanent Sec. ; Geo. L. Hays, Treasurer. It has been the means of much good to the members and families of the order. CHURCHES. The Salem United Brethren Church is an old organization and but a few members were able to meet together. It now has a membership of thirty-two. In 1882 a subscription was raised to erect a church building in their neighborhood, the southeast corner of the township. It is a neat and commodious frame building and was completed at a cost of $700. It is in size 24 x 30 feet, but plainly and comfortably furnished. The Trustees of the church are: Frederic Fry, E. Forest and Frederic Voelker. Rev. Valentine Assail is the pastor. Bethlehem Church.—This is a substantial brick church in the eastern portion of Seal Township of the United Brethren denomination, and was organized in 1845 with nearly forty members. They erected their neat church at a cost of $3,000 in 1848. It is 35 x 40 feet in size. Their present pastor is the Rev. Valentine Assail, and the membership has increased to seventy at this time. The German United Brethren Church of Piketon was organized in 1864 under the labor of Adam and Phillip Rheinfrank, only four members uniting at the time. The little congregation struggled along, slowly increasing, until they felt strong e4ough to erect for themselves a house of worship. This was done by raising a subscription, the house being commenced in 1871. The building is a good one, 28 x 40 feet in dimension, and cost $1,800. It has a membership of thirty-one, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Valentine Assail, The Methodist Episcopal Church.—The progress of Methodism in Pike County is almost coeval with the advent of the first white settler, starting as it did within a few years of the settlement of Pee Pee Prairie. In 1801, at the house of Snowdon and Mary Sargent, preaching was begun by the Methodist ministry. Their house continued the place for divine worship until 1813, when it was moved one mile up the prairie, to the house of John Chenoweth (now the Prather farm, occupied by T. B. Chenoweth) where it remained till 1818, when John Chenoweth moved west, after which the place of worship on the prairie was Abraham Chenoweth's (where his son Abraham now lives). This continued to be a regular appointment for preaching until 1850, when many of the faithful who labored to sustain the preaching of the gospel in their neighborhood had moved to other places, and some were taken to that better country, and because of the proximity of the churches in Piketon and Waverly this bid and faithful society was dissolved. In later years, or in 1869, a Union Sunday-school was commenced in the Prairie School-house of which James Wesley Hayes became the Superintendent. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Pike. ton was one of the earliest churches of the county and was undoubtedly a branch of the above church. It was organized in 1816, the year after Piketon became the county seat. In 1831, after a suspension of some months, it was reorganized under the auspices and services of the Rev. John Ulin. In 1831 they erected their first place of worship at a cost of $900. In 1854 they found the old church too small and sadly in need of repair and concluded to build another. A brick church, HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 781 size 40 x 60 feet, was erected at a cost of $3,000. The church is now financially in good condition. Service is held every Sabbath day, the pastor being the Rev. James Adams. The church has at present a membership of 210, and the Sabbath-school has an average attendance of 175. The Class-Leaders are Mark Landrum and A. N. Wanias. Bumgarner Baptist' Church.—This church is located in the eastern part of the township and is one of the oldest churches of any denomination in the county. The members were first preached to at their cabins by traveling ministers of their church, and their own organization was formed in 1817, many years after their first service had been held. The first organization was that of the Hard-Shell Baptists, who held services many years, then their present place of worship was erected through the energy and perseverance of Jacob Bumgarner, and a missionary Baptist church was organized. This was maintained for quite a number of years when this house of worship was purchased by the Free-Will Baptists who had a large following in Scioto County, organizing as early as the year 1816. The church is still occupied by this latter denomination. First Presbyterian Church.—This church was organized March 13, 1837. On the 15th of the same month a meeting was held to elect trustees and other officers of the church organization. The presiding officer was Samuel Reed; Clerk, H. Hemstead; Wm. Reed, Treasurer, and Samuel Reed, Clark Alexander, N. K. Clough, Robert Clark and Jno. L. Reed, Trustees. Their church building was not fully completed for several years, funds being less than the expense of building. When far enough advanced the basement of the church was used for school purposes for years, but is now used for the Sabbath-school connected with the church. The cost of the structure completed was $2,000. The first pastor was the Rev. Beeman. The present minister is the Rev. J. P. A. Dickey. The membership at this time numbers eighty. The Trustees are: Henry Brown, James Sherlock, C. McCoy, J. D. Hagans and J. R. English. The German Lutheran Church at Piketon was organized in 1845 by the German population living in the village and the vicinity. The organization though effected was a small one, and continued too weak in numbers and finances to support a pastor. They had a church building, but being too few to keep up the church with credit they sold their place of worship in 1859, since which time the organization has been suspended. Methodist Episcopal Church, Colored.—The first organization of this church is given as being in 1856. It was reorganized in 1863, and has since maintained itself. In 1872 they purchased of Charles H. Lucas for $300 a building which they remodeled and made into a very comfortable church building. They have only a small membership at present, under the pastorate of Rev. Daniel Newsom. Colored Baptist Church.—There is also a small denomination of Colored Baptists, who hold their church meetings at the same church as mentioned above. It was organized in 1870, and has grown slowly. Its minister is Rev. A. L. Zimmerman. The total membership of both congregations does not exceed thirty-five. BUSINESS OF PIKETON. J. R. English, Dieterich & Hammon, Rhein-frank & Foster, general stores; Rheinfrank & Bro., T. M. Bateman, groceries; Barger & Sargent, general store in connection with a stock of drugs; G. L. Hays, hardware; C. A. Richards, groceries. Besides this there is a buggy, wagon and blacksmith shop carried on by J. B. Patterson in connection with a paint shop; also, A. Kellison, who runs a boot and shoe shop, with which he has a stock of boots and shoes. The Cussins Hotel, Joshua Crissins, proprietor; livery stable, W. E. Barger, 782 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. proprietor; one furniture factory; one harness shop; one curiosity shop; one City Hall. It has besides the railroad the turnpike road, called the Columbus & Portsmouth Pike, which is a toll-road. OFFICIAL. The present township officers (1883) are: Mayor, S. L. Patterson; J. D. Hagans, A. C. Emory, A. J. Foster, A. Kellison, Joseph Whittaker and G. L. Hays, Councilmen; Clerk, Hallam Hempstead. BIOGRAPHICAL. Rev. J. N. Adams, son of Peter and Mary Adams, was born June 5, 1837, in Clinton County, Ohio. His parents were natives of Delaware, of English descent. They were among the first pioneers who settled in Chillicothe, coming there in a very early day. They afterward moved to Jackson County, where they lived nearly thirty years, when they removed to Highland County where they spent the remainder of their lives. Peter Adams died in 1859 aged seventy-three years, and his wife died in 1868 at the age of eighty years. Our subject began teaching in the public schools and taught for nine years. In 1856 he entered the South Salem Academy of Ross County, Ohio, which he attended in all about two years. In 1864 he joined the conference of the Methodist church and immediately began preaching, which he pontinued to do till 1871, when he joined the conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and at present has charge of the Methodist Episcopal church at Piketon. He was married Nov. 5, 1857, to Miss L. Doan, daughter of Rev. T. and Mary Doan, of Clinton County. Three children have been born to them, of whom two are living—C. 0., in the drug business in Columbus, Ohio, and Horace. Mr. Adams is a member of Garfield Commandery, A. F. & A. M., at Washington C.-H., and has passed through the Blue Lodge and Chapter. O. C. Andre, M. D., was born in Southern Ohio, April 29, 1856, a son of P. D. and Nancy C. Andre, the former of French and the latter of English descent. He attended the district schools till fifteen years of age, working on the farm in the summers. He then attended the Portsmouth High School about two years, after which he studied medicine under Dr. A. B. Jones, of Portsmouth, nearly two years when Dr. Jones died. He continued his studies under Dr. Kline two years, during which time he attended the lectures at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati two terms and graduated Feb. 28, 1877. He then practiced at his profession a year at Buchanan, Ohio, when he removed to Piketon, where he is doing an extensive practice; is one of the rising young physicians of the county. He is in partnership with Dr. J. H. Berry, under the firm name of Berry & Andre. He was married Feb. 28, 1883, to Marie E., second daughter of Snowden and Caroline Sargent, who are natives of Ohio, and are among Pike-ton's oldest residents. C. W. Bailey lived in his native State, Delaware, where he was born, June 14, 1807, till he was five years old. He then came with his parents, Nathaniel and Comfort Bailey, to Ohio in 1812, and in 1813 settled in Scioto County, where his father died, in 1815. His mother then supported her family as best she could till March 8, 1852, when she died, at the age of seventy-three years. Our subject was-reared to hard labor, having to help clear the land and work on the farm. He attended school during the winters till he reached the age of seventeen years, since which he has been engaged in farming. After his father's death he lived in Pike County with his uncle, John Beachum, about ten years, when he returned to Scioto County. Eight years later he returned to Pike County, which lie has since made his home. He has by his own industry and economy become the owner of over 1,300 acres of land which he has farmed very ex- HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 783 tensively. In 1830 his tax receipts were 60 cents, and in 1883 amounted to over $1,100. He was married Feb. 3, 1831, to Eliza Guthry, born in December, 1807, and youngest daughter of John Guthry. Their children are-Mary J. (wife of B. H. Johnson), Cynthia (wife of W. N. Middleton), Drucilla. John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Louisa (who was married to Presley Talbot), are deceased. Mr. Bailey was Township Treasurer for four years. He and wife have belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church about fifty years. John G. Barger, son of Jacob and Nancy A. (Grant) Barger, and great-great-grandson Of Jacob Barger, who was killed by the Indians in Virginia while farming and improving land which he owned with his sons Jacob and John . The Indians shot the father and cut his head of and stuck it on a pole:near a cross-road. The boys made their escape and hid themselves till night, when they returned home. From these two boys the Barger family has sprung. Two of the members of these boys' families-Jacob and Susannah, cousins were married December, 1795, and in 1808 they emigrated to Ohio, settling on what is now known as the old Barger farm, one mile east of Piketon, where they spent the rest of their lives, Jacob having died Sept. 7, 1822. He was born March 13, 1769, and his wife, Oct. 24, 1776. She died Oct. 24, 1845. The former was in the war of 1812, and at his death his son Jacob, the father of John G., took possession of the farm, where he lived till his death, May 22, 1871. His wife was horn Oct. 21, 1795, and died Nov. 30, 1870. They reared five sons, all of whom are still living. John G., whose name heads this sketch, was born Nov. 1, 1828, and his early life, which was a scene of hard labor, was spent on his father's farm. He had the benefit of the public schools till he was about nineteen years old and received a limited education. He was married April 14, .1853, to Lusetta Jackson, born Oct. 30, 1829, and daughter of William and Gusanah (Pruett) Jackson, who were natives of Virginia. They have lived in Ohio since childhood, first in Gallia County, where they lived till 1845, when they moved to Jackson County. Some years after they moved to the city of Jackson, where Mr. Jackson died, April 6, 1875. His wife is still living, aged seventy-three years. Susannah Barger, sister of John G., was born April 13, 1831, and died Aug. 19, 1847. W. E. Barger was born April 24, 1834, in Seal Township, near Piketon, Ohio, and is the youngest son of Jacob and Nancy (Grant) Barger, grandson of Jacob and Susan Barger, great-grandson of Jacob and Susanna Barger, and great-great-grandson of Jacob and Hannah Barger, who were natives of Germany, and who emigrated to the United States prior to the Revolution. They lived in Pennsylvania several years, when Jacob bought land in Montgomery County, Va. While Jacob and his two sons, Jacob and John, were improving this land they were attacked by Indians, and Jacob, Sr., had his head cut off, which was stuck on a pole and placed at the cross-roads. The boys hid themselves in a hollow log until night when they went home and told the sad story. John's son, Jacob, married his cousin Susannah, daughter of Jacob Barger, Sr. They moved to Ohio in 1808, and settled on what is now known as the old Barger farm, where they lived till their death, the former having died Sept. 7, 1822. He was born March 13, 1769: His wife, Susannah, was born Oct. 24, 1776, and died Oct. 24, 1845. They reared nine children, of whom Jacob, the father of W. E., was the last to die. His death occurred May 22, 1871, while in Muscatine County, Iowa. His remains were brought to Ohio and buried on the old home farm. His wife was born Oct. 21, 1795, and died Nov. 30, 1870. W. E. Barger, whose name heads this sketch, was married Jan. 13, 1856, to Eliza C. Cox, born July 26, 1840, and a daughter of Joseph and Susan Cox, of Vinton County. 784 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. They are the parents of four children—Joseph G., was born Dec. 29, 1856; Susan, born Aug. 8, 1858; John G., Jr., born June 21, 1861, and Benjamin F., born Oct. 26, 1865. Joseph G. was married Nov. 14, 1881, to Samilda Overly, who was born Sept. 12, 1859. They have one son—Charles E., born Nov. 14, 1882. John G., Jr.,was married Sept. 20, 1882. Mr. Barger followed farming until 1882, when he opened a livery in Piketon, in which he has been successful. He is an active member of the Republican party. John M. Barnes, son of John and Elizabeth (Boydston) Barnes, was born Sept. 24, 1821, near Piketon. He has followed farming through life, and now owns 320 acres of fine land. He was married in 1819 to Nancy, daughter of James and Nancy Sargent. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living—Thomas S., who was born December, 1850, and graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1882; Sallie and Mary, living at home. Mr. Barnes is a Republican in politics, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Piketon. John Barnes, Sr., was a native of Virginia. He came to Ohio about 1801, and in 1803 settled near Piketon, where he owned a large tract of land. He served three terms in the Ohio Legislature, and acted as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas one term. He took an active part in the war of 1812, and died Nov". 23, 1834. Noah Boiler, son of Joseph and Nancy (Collison) Boiler, was born in Seal Township, Pike Co., Ohio, Nov. 5, 1815. He was reared on the farm and attended the subscription schools till he was sixteen years old. He continued to work on the farm till 1869, when he went West, but not liking the country came back at the end of a year. He then bought a farm in Ross County, Ohio, where he lived a short time, after which he returned to his native county and settled in Piketon in 1871. He owns a good farm of 100 acres, three miles from Piketon, which he rents. He owns a fine grade of Alderney and Durham cows, which are among the best grades in the State. His parents settled in Pike County in a very early day, and in 1804 or '5 began clearing their land from the wilderness. Of their thirteen children eight are living—William, Margaret, Noah, Melinda, Sarah, Joseph, Isaac and Minerva. Hannah, David, John, Elizabeth and Abigail are deceased. Mr. Joseph Boiler was born in 1777 and died in 1830, aged fifty-three years. His wife I died in 1840, aged sixty-one years. She was born in 1787, of Irish descent. Henry Brown was born on the old Brown farm, one mile east of Piketon, Dec. 1, 1834, youngest of three children of John and Levin (Lucas) Brown. His boyhood days were spent working on the farm in summer and attending school -in winter. He was married Dec. 4, 1855, to Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth A. Duke. Nine children have been born to them, of whom seven are living—Charles E., Annie L., Dora B., Eliza L., Bar. ry K., George W. and Sallie D. He owns a farm of 250 acres which he works in connection with a mill known as Brown's Water-mill. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a member of Piketon.Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and from his first vote to the present has been a Republican in politics. His mother, Levise Brown, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, March 25, 1802. His father, John Brown, was born in Loudoun County, Va., March 22, 1792, and came to Ohio with his parents. in 1797, and was engaged in early manhood in flat-boating to New Orleans, making his first trip before steam was used on Western waters, consequently having to walk on his return home. He made fourteen trips to New Orleans in all, and from exposure and overwork died in the forty:fifth year of his age, a leading man in his county, and highly respected by all who knew him. H. J. Candy, farmer, section 16; Seal Town HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 785 ship, was born July 4, 1829, in Virginia, where he was reared on his father's farm. His parents, David and Mary Candy, were of Dutch and Irish descent, and came to Ohio with our subject, where they spent the remainder of their days. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died Sept. 23, 1881, aged eighty-seven years. R. J. attended the common schools during the winter till he reached the age of eighteen years. He has always followed farming. He was married in 1866 to Margaret A., daughter of William and Sarah Odell. They have had one child-John W., who died in infancy. Mr. Candy has been a member of Piketon Lodge, No. 323, I. 0. 0. F., since 1858. Charles Cissna was born in 1815 and was brought to Piketon when an infant, by his parents, Captain Charles and Dorcas Cissna, who were early pioneers of Southern Ohio. His father served in the war of 1812 under ;general Harrison during the whole campaign till he received a gun-shot wound, from the effects of which he died in 1827. The subject of this sketch when a young man learned the harness-maker's trade under his brother John, and afterward kept a shop in Piketon thirty-two years. During the latter part of that time and since, he has been very extensively engaged in farming, and is now the owner of 400 acres of fine land. March 30, 1847, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Ann Adams. They have had five children, of whom four are living-Walter A., (a wholesale clothier, of Portsmouth), Mary A., Florence (wife of George Levisy), and Scioto Valley. North America and Havana are deceased. Benjamin F. Daniels was born April 17, 1810, on the old homestead in Seal Township, Pike Co., Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin Daniels, a native of Ohio, of Irish descent. B. F. received a limited education at the common schools which he attended during the winters, being employed on the farm in the - 50 - summer months. He has always followed agricultural pursuits. He was married Nov. 29, 1869, to Christina E. Zahn, who was born Oct. 1, 1845, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Zahn. Eight children were horn to this union George A., William S., Jacob, Emma R, Charles, Benjamin, Alva and Elizabeth. Mrs. Daniels died May 16, 1883. Mr. Daniels has held several township offices during his life. A. J. Dieterich, son of Henry and Elizabeth Dieterich, was born Sept. 20, 1825, in Scioto County, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and when twenty years old went to boating lumber to Cincinnati and other points on the Ohio River, which occupation he followed till he was about thirty years of age, since which he has been engaged in farming, and now owns 900 acres of fine land. He was married Sept. 20, 1845, to Sarah A. Coffman, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Coffman, who were natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. They had one son, Stephen, who died in 1872, aged fourteen. Mrs. Dieterich died in 1874, aged forty-four years, and in 1876 he was married to Mrs. Nancy Weeten. Mr. Dieterich is a breeder of fine stock, short-horn cattle, merino sheep, Poland-China hogs, etc. His father was born Jan. 1, 1794, and his mother was born March 4, 1794. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and moved to Scioto County, Ohio, about 1820, and a few years later moved to Pike County, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives. The father died June 18, 1862, and the mother died May 30, 1857. George Downing, deceased, was born in 1800, in Pee Pee Township, Pike Co., Ohio, and was married Aug. 28, 1832, to Elizabeth Barger, who died April 5, 1862. Sept. 24, 1863, he was again married to Annie, daughter of Henry and Abigail Allen. They were blessed with five children-George W., Elizabeth Jane, Hannah E., William H. and John W. His parents were natives of Maryland, and came to Ohio in 1799, and when an infant his parents moved to Seal Township and 786 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. located on a farm, where for nearly eighty-two years our subject continued to reside. He died Aug. 9, 1881, leaving quite a large fortune to his wife and children. J. R. English, was born June 6, 1841, and is a son of lames and Elizabeth (Gory) English, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born April 4, 1810, of Irish descent, and the latter born in 1813, of Scotch-Irish descent, and died in 1847. He was educated at the public schools till his sixteenth year, after which he went to a High School for one term, and in 1858 received a certificate to teach in the old Piketon court-house. He began teaching when seventeen years old, which he followed for ten years. He then engaged in merchandising in Cooperville for about ten years, after which he, in 1877, opened a wholesale grocery store in Chillicothe, under the firm name of English & Vaughters, which continued over a year. He then moved to Columbus, but nine months later came to Piketon, and in 1880 engaged in his present business, where he carries a stock of about $2,000. He established the Piketon Courier, which he ran for several years. He was married May 16, 1862, to Mrs. Sattie C. (Landrum) Westfall, born June 13, 1843, in Jackson County, of Scotch descent. They have had eleven children—Dilly A. (wife of W. I. Hays), Flora B , Louella B., Mary E., Alonzo T., Myrtie A., Sarah B., Cynthia C., Clyde M., Charles C. and Franc's E. In politics Mr. English is a Republican. In 1877 he was nominated for Representative, but was defeated. Since a young man he had belonged to the U. P. Presbyterian, but in 1876 he united with the Presbyterian church at Piketon, and is now Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. R. C. Emory, son of I. J. and Elizabeth Emory, was born Aug. 16, 1843, in Scioto County, Ohio. His father was born in New Hampshire, April 24, 1796, and was a Captain in the late war. He died June 13, 1872, aged seventy-seven years. His wife was born in Kentucky, March 16, 1806, and is yet living. Our subject worked on the farm with his father and attended school at intervals till he was eighteen years old. Sept. 15, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventh Ohio 'Cavalry, as a private. He was engaged in the battles of Nashville, Resaca, Knoxville and a number of others of less importance, and was mustered out June 15, 1865, at. Raleigh, N. C. He then engaged in the mercantile trade for two years at Powellsville, Ohio, after which he followed farming till three years ago, since which time he has been buying and shipping lumber. He was married March 11, 1866, to Lucinda, daughter of Levina Charbot, who is of French descent. Of their seven children five are living—Chloe M., Levina E., Jennie F., Annie L. and Mary E. Cora A. and R. C. are deceased. J. M. Foster, son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Kemper) Foster, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1826. His father was born near Uniontown, Pa., and came to Ross County, Ohio, with his parents about 1810, where he was married. They had three children, Mr. Foster having died shortly before the birth of our subject. Mrs. Foster afterward married James Nebergall. They had a family of four daughters. She died in 1819. Our subject received a limited education at the common district school which he attended during the winter seasons, being employed the remainder of the year on the farm. He attended school after he became of age and worked at farming by the month. He came to Pike County in the spring of 1853 and located on a farm two miles from Piketon, which belonged to D. P. March, of Ross County. Mr. Foster became a clerk in Mr. March's mercantile store, in which he continued till 1861. He then began the mercantile business for himself with his present partner, Adam Rheinfrank. They first opened a small grocery and meeting with success were soon enabled to increase their HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 787 stock. When Morgan raided Ohio in June, 1863, the troops appropriated his stock to their own use which was a heavy loss at that time, but their credit being good they were soon able to replace it and have since continued to be very successful in their business. In politics Mr. Foster is a Republican and always votes that ticket. He was married in 1818 to Eulinda Brodess, of Ross County, and a daughter of John Brodess. They have one daughter. S. C. Green, proprietor of the rock quarry at Piketon, was born Feb. 15, 1824,. in Piketon, and is a son of George and Annie Green, natives of New Jersey and Virginia, respectively. He was reared on a farm and attend¬ed school part of each winter till he was twenty years old, after which he followed farming till 1849. He then engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of Moore & Green. He sold out in 1854 and engaged in fanning till 1859 when he became a partner of Mr. Mark, in the dry-goods business, under the firm name of Mark & Green. In six years the firm name was changed to Bailey & Green, and in 1878 he sold out and opened up the Green Rock Quarry. He was married in October, 1856, to Mary, daughter of Joseph and Matilda Colman, natives of Virginia, living near Harper's Ferry. Of their ten children eight are living—Alice, Carrie, Lulu, Elizabeth, Nellie, George, Jessie and Cordit. Charles and Boyd are deceased. In politics Mr. Green affiliates with the Democratic party. He has held the offices of Trustee and Treasurer for the township. Alexander Gregg, son of John and Martha Gregg, was born Sept. 2, 1848. He lived on the home farm and received a liberal education in the public schools, which he attended till he was nineteen years old, since which time he has followed the avocation of a farmer. His father came to Ohio in 1816 and worked on a farm for $4.00 a month for a hue, after which he worked on the Ohio & Erie canal for $9 per month. He continued to rise till he was made foreman of the work, at which he made $3.00 per day. After the canal was completed he engaged in farming till his death, which occurred July 8, 1877, at .1 the age of sixty-nine years. He was married Aug. 11, 1831, to Martha McMillin. They were the parents of seven children of whom four are living—A manda, wife of Henry McKenzie; Margaret J., widow of John Couch; J. W., and Alexander, the name which heads this sketch. Those deceased areJulia, George and Ida A., who was the wife of J. P. Welch. John Gregg, Sr., was elected Treasurer of Pike County in 1853, but was not a candidate for re-election in 1855, he having changed from a Democrat to a Republican. At the time of his death he owned 1,280 acres of land in this State and a farm of 400 acres in Missouri. Hon. John W. Gregg, farmer and stock-raiser, was born July 13, 1845, and is a son of John Gregg, who was born Oct. 15, 1808, in Pennsylvania, and when sixteen years of age emigrated to Ohio. He was a poor boy and began working at low wages. He afterward worked on the Ohio Canal and was soon promoted to foreman at a salary of $8.00 per day. Our subject was reared a farmer in Seal Township, Pike County, and received his education at the public schools. He has made farming and stock-raising his occupation through life. He was married Nov. 8, 1866, to Minnie C., daughter of Joseph and Susan Downing, who were among the first settlers of Pike County. They have five children—John W., George A., Ada B , Edgar M. and Minnie E. In 1883 Mr. Gregg was nominated for State Senator by the Republican party, and at the October election was elected by a large majority over his opponent, Mr. Washam, of Jackson County. He has always been a warm supporter of the Republican party. George L. Hays was born Sept. 27, 1834, in Pike County, Ohio, a son of James and Marga- 788 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. ret Hays, who were natives of Virginia, of German and Irish descent. They moved to Ohio and lived in Pee Pee Township till the father died, June 22, 1856. The mother is still living at Waverly, Ohio, aged seventy-seven years. Our subject followed farming till 1882, when he sold his farm and engaged in the hardware business. He soon built the Piketon Roller Mills, of which he is yet proprietor. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, as a private under his brother, Captain W. C. Hays. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant Dec. 6, 1862, and Sept. 16, 1863, was made First Lieutenant. He participated in a number of battles, and was mustered out at Knoxville, Tenn., Aug. 12, 1865. He was married Aug. 6, 1856, to Emily, daughter of Joseph and Matilda Coleman, who are of German descent. They have had twelve children, five now living-Margaret, George, Emma, Hattie and Kate M. Those deceased are Joseph, Martha, Lizzie, and four who died in infancy. Mr. Hays has passed all the chairs, and is now Treasurer of Piketon Lodge, No. 223, I. 0. 0. F. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Hallam Hemstead, Sr., deceased, was. born in New London, Conn., July 23, 1796. June 10, 1802, his father left New London, and Aug. 8 landed at Marietta, Ohio. He was by trade a rope-maker. He represented his fellow citizens in the Legilature at Chillicothe in 1805, and in 1808 or 1809 was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1810 he removed to Cincinnati and was in business with a distant relative named L'Homedieu for a few months, when "he removed about a mile above Maysville, where his wife died and he married his second wife, Elizabeth Slight. He afterward removed to New York, where he lost his second wife, and then to Portsmouth, where he died in 1834, aged seventy-one years. In 1813 our subject was hired as a clerk in the warehouse of J. H. Thornton, who was then a Govern. ment agent for receiving munitions of war, provisions, etc., for the war between this country and Great Britian. In the spring and summer of 1814 he worked at brick-making, and the next year was employed as assistant to J. R. Turner, Clerk of the Courts •of Scioto County, and Nov. 15, 1815, came to Piketon. He then clerked for Robert Lucas and Captain Cissna till the latter part of 1821, and Jan. 17, 1822, he was appointed Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and Recorder of the county. He held the office of Clerk till Aug. 31, 1843, and that of Recorder till Oct. 1, 1842. He was also Clerk of the Supreme Court several years, serving till the fall of 1843, when he was elected Treasurer of the county, continuing in the latter office till June, 1851. His first official act was to issue himself a license to marry Mary H. B. Cissna, by whom he had seven children-Charles E., Clarissa, Henry, Hallam, Orlando P., George C. and Giles. His wife died March 5, 1859. In the fall of 1852 he went into the boot and shoe business, in which he continued 6111861. In April, 1858, he was elected Justice of the Peace of Seal Township, and in 1859-'60 was Mayor of Piketon. In October, 1860, he was elected Probate Judge of Pike County, and served one term. June 15, 1861, as Judge of probate, he again issued himself a license to marry, and on the 16th was married to Mrs. Amanda V. Chapman. Judge Hemstead was appointed Postmaster by President Lincoln in 1865, an office he held till his death. He was very industrious, and correct in all his business transactions. His father was a " Jeffer sonian" in the latter's youthful days, and he himself voted for Andrew Jackson on his first election, but in 1829 voted against him. On the organization of the Whig party he allied himself with it, but after its dissolution acted with the Republican party till after the war. He judged the policy of that party on Recon- HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 789 struction was wrong and withdrew his support of it, but the summer prior to his death expressed his abhorrence of the policy of the Democratic party and withdrew from politics. Judge Hemstead was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was not demonstrative, but was nevertheless a man of deep faith. He died Dec. 9, 1869, and in his death Pike County lost one of her most substantial citizens. Hon. Alfred Moore was born in Pike County, Ohio, Feb.13, 1825, the fifth son of a family of fifteen children of Levi and Polly (Higginsbotham) Moore, natives of Virginia, his father born April 29, 1788, and his mother July 28, 1795. His parents were married June 12, 1810, and in 1818 came to Ohio and located near Piketon, where his father died Feb. 20; 1873, and his mother Oct. 2, 1878. Mr. Moore's early educational advantages were limited, and the most of his education was obtained by hard study after he reached manhood. When eighteen years of age he united with the Methodist church, but in 1864 withdrew from that denomination and connected himself with the Christian Union church, and since that time has been a licensed minister. He was married Sept. 18, 1813, to Susan, daughter of Charles and Polly (Randall) Ross, natives of Virginia. To them were born five children—Hannah (now the wife of George Masters), Levi, Polly (now Mrs. John Hatfield), Charles P., and Harriet A., who died in infancy. Mrs. Moore died May 13, 1855. May 13, 1856, Mr. Moore married Elizabeth A., daughter of John and Jane Beasley. Her father was born in 1811, and died April 13, 1843. Eleven 'children were born to them—George B., John M., Rosa J. (wife of James Southworth), Ella, Given, Thomas M., Alfred, Jr., William B., Joel C., Nannie M. and Clara E. D. In 1879 Mr. Moore was elected to represent Pike County in the State Legislature by a Democratic majority of 483. He supported the Smith Sunday law, the Pond law, supported Allen G. Thurman for Senator against Garfield, introduced a bill authorizing the commissioners to levy a tax of $12,000 to build the Piketon bridge, and another of $6,000 to finish the Waverly & Cooperville Turnpike. In 1881 he was re-elected by a majority of 500. During this assembly he voted against the Scott law, supported the Canal bill, and introduced several important turnpike bills, etc. Mr. Moore is a conscientious and God-fearing map, and all his, dealings, both of a private and public nature, are in accordance with his religious principles. Colonel James Moore, deceased, was born Jan. 10, 1793, and was the eldest son of Enos and Elizabeth Moore, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1765, and the latter in Virginia, Jan. 12, 1777. At the age of eight years he moved with his parents to Ross County, Ohio. They were about the first settlers of the county. He was a great hunter during his life; and was noted for his accuracy as a marksman. When eighteen years old he went to Chillicothe, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. Daring the war of 1812 he enlisted in the company of Captain Samuel L. Jones, and served till lre was honorably discharged, Aug. 31, 1813. He was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, April 14, 1846, and May 30, 1846, he was commissioned as Brigadier-General of the Third Brigade or the Second Division of the Ohio Militia. He was married, May 26, 1817, to Ann, daughter of Abraham and Rebecca Chenoweth, who settled in Pee Pee Township in 1796. He was again married, Oct. 5, 1854, to Anna E., daughter of Alexander and Henrietta Bateman. Colonel Moore was one of the early settlers of Piketon, and was the first blacksmith of the place, where he carried on that business many years. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years previous to his death. Henry Morgan, son of Thomas and Nancy 790 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. Morgan, was born March 18, 1845, in Jackson County. He worked on the farm and attended the public schools till he was twenty years old, since which he has followed the teacher's profession a period of eighteen years. He was married ale. 19, 1879, to Carrie R., daughter of B. P. and Julia A. Violet, of Seal Township, Pike County, They have two children—Carrie D. and Thurman L. Mr. Morgan is a member of Piketon Lodge, No. 323, I. 0. 0. F., and is Past Grand of the same. In 1879–'80 he was District Deputy Grand Master. His parents came to Jackson County, Ohio, in 1840, and in 1857 moved to Pike County, where the father died April 25, 1880, aged seventy-five years, and the mother is yet living at the age of seventy-nine years. William Patterson, deceased, was born Feb. 20, 1823, in Montgomery County, Pa. He was left an orphan at an early age, and was reared by his aunt. He attended the common schools, and completed his education at the High School at Philadelphia, where he received a good education. He left school when sixteen years old, after which he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, after which he worked some years at that business. In 1846 he came to Piketon, Ohio, where be engaged in the manufacture of buggies and wagons, in connection with blacksmithing, till his death,which occurred June 11, 1879. He, was married Jan. 10, 1850, to Hannah, daughter of John and Levisa Brown, who were natives of Virginia. Seven children blessed this union, six now living—Levisa E., wife of Dr. W. R. Hurst; John B., who is carrying on his father's business; William H., in the West; Thomas N., Samuel L. and Charlie K.' George is deceased. Mr. Patterson was a Republican in politics, and took an active part in all political campaigns, and generally acted as chairman of all meetings. He was formerly a member of the Baptist church, but there being no church of that denomination in his neighborhood, two years previous to his death he united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Piketon. Ile was a member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge at Piketon, and was buried in the sacred tokens of Odd Fellowship. Adam Rheinfrank, son of Martin and Susan Rheinfrank, was born Nov. 11, 1824, in Bavaria, Germany. He attended school in his native country until he was fourteen years old, when he followed farming until 1846, He then came to America and settled near Piketon, Pike County, and followed farming up to 1858, when he moved to Piketon, where he has since resided. After coming to Piketon he embarked in the mercantile business with his brother, George C. Rhein-frank. This firm existed three years, when the building and stock was consumed by fire. He then embarked in the same business with J. M. Foster, under the firm name of Foster & Rheinfrank. They carry a stock of $2,500, with an average sale of about $12,000 per year. He was married Nov. 11, 1846, to Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Ruf. They are the parents of seven children, of whom five survive—Philip N. and Jacob, who are in the mercantile business in Piketoh; Philbena, wife of Philip P. Ramon; Elizabeth, wife of Nelson Shelton, and Maggie. Mr. and. Mrs. Rheinfrank are members of the German United Brethren church, and he has been Superintendent of the Sabbath-school a number of years. He has also been a member of the town council a number of years. John W. Roberts was born Oct. 22, 1829, in Virginia, and is a son of Edward H. and Irena Roberts, who were natives of Virginia but emigrated to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1839, where the father died shortly after. The family then moved to Pike County, where the mother died in 1865. John W. was reared on the farm and received a limited ed- HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 791 nation at the common school, but at the age of twenty years he went to Albany University, where he remained about two years. He then taught several years in the public schools, after which he engaged in farming and dealing in lumber, which occupation he yet follows. He was married in 1858 to Miry B. Smith, who died in June, 1859. This union was blessed with two children, only one now living—Annie, wife of John Wilton. In December, 1859, Mr. Roberts was married to Ellen Smith, who has borne him nine children. In politics he affiliates with. the Greenback party, and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. James Sargent was born Jan. 23, 1823, in Seal Township, Pike Co., and is the fourth son of James and Nancy Sargent, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Moorfield, Va., who came to Ohio in a very early day. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died in August, 1854, aged seventy-one years. Our subject was reared on the home farm and attended the common schools till he was twenty-one years old, and in 1846 he entered the Marietta College, where he remained three years, taking a scientific course. In 1850 he went to California where he spent several years at the gold mines, when he returned home and has since been engaged in farming, and now owns 435 acres of land near Piketon. He has several Clydesdale horses and a number of heads of Holstein cattle imported from Holland and Friesland in 1880. He was married Feb. 24, 1858, to Lydia A., daughter of T. W. and Elizabeth Sargent. They have had five children, of whom four are living—Thornton W., Elizabeth, Charles H. and Samuel S. Nancy is deceased. Mr. Sargent taught school several years when a young man. Snowden Sargent was born June 10, 1815, in Seal Township, and is the second son of James and Nancy (Steinberger) Sargent. He lived on the farm till 1856, since which time he has resided in Piketon, where he owns thirty-five acres of land. He was married Sept. 9, 1850, to Miss C. A., daughter of James and Nancy (Collings) Cole, of Adams County, Ohio. Of their four children three are living—Nancy S., wife of C. C. Daily; Snowden C., born April 6, 1856, and E. E., wife of Dr. 0. C. Andre. M. E., youngest daughter, died in 1831 aged nearly twenty years. Mr. Sargent's parental ancestors were of English descent, and his maternal ancestors were natives of Virginia. His father's death occurred Aug. 24, 1854, his mother having died Sept. 7, 1846. Dr. William Scurlock, son of James and Margaret (Jenkins) Scurlock, was born Nov. 25, 1829, in Jackson County, Ohio. His father was a native of North Carolina and came to Ohio in 1811, and settled in Gallia County, near where the town of Vinton now stands, being one of the pioneer settlers, and a noted marksman and hunter. In 1816 or 1817 he moved to Jackson County, just about the time the county was laid out, and was present when the town was laid out as the county seat, which previously went by the name of Salt Lick, from the salt works in the vicinity. In 1857 he moved with his family to Pike County, where he lived till his death, which occurred March 28, 1874, aged seventy-eight years. He assisted in building the first bridge across Salt Creek. Our subject studied medicine under Dr. Timothy Marvin in 1852, '53 and '54. During the winters of 1851 and 1854 he taught school to secure funds to enable him to pursue his medical studies. In 1855, he commenced the practice of medicine under the guidance of ibis preceptor, until 1856, after which he practiced a short time in Gallia County. He has followed his profession in Piketon since 1859, and, with the exception of Dr. Bliss, is the oldest practitioner in the county. Oct. 792 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. 10, 1861, he was married to Mary S. Cissna, born Sept. 2, 1835, and daughter of John and Sarah P. (Ingersoll) Cissna, natives of Ohio. Of the two children born to them one is living—William, aged thirteen years. Willimetta died when thirteen months old. Mrs. Scurlock died Dec. 26, 1877, at the age of forty-two years; and Sept. 29, 1878, Dr. Scurlock was married-to Clara Burns, of Adams County, Ohio, daughter of Ebenezer and Mary A. Burns. He has been a member of the M. E. church for twenty-four years.. He was appointed United States Examining Surgeon for Pensions in 1871, and in 1877 he resigned on account of ill health. He is a member of Orient Lodge, No. 321, F. & A. M., and is a Master Mason. Since the organization of the Republican party he has always acted with that political organization. Conrad Vallery, deceased, son of Peter and Charlotte Vallery, was born May 16, 1816, in Germany, where he was educated according to the laws of that country till he was fourteen years old. At the age of seventeen years he came to America, and soon after settled in Pike County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life: He was married Feb. 17, 1841, to Christina Zahn, who was born March 9, 1823, in Germany. They were the parents of ten children, of whom nine are living—Elizabeth (wife of John Hoover), Conrad, Peter, Jacob, John, Andrew, Christina (wife of James Graham), Emma and Kate. One son, Peter, is deceased. Mr. Vallery left the old homestead to his widow, who still resides there. David Ware was born Dec. 1, 1805, in Jefferson County, Va., and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Smurr) Ware, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. In 1810 they moved to Chillicothe, where they lived, and in that vicinity, till 1816, when they settled in Piketon, remaining there till their death. John Ware died in 1837 aged seventy-eight years, and his wife died at the age of seventy years, in 1838 or '39. Our subject lived at home till he was sixteen years old, when he went to Old Chillicothe and served an apprenticeship of five years at the hatter's trade, under George D. Hilt. In 1826 he opened a hat shop in Piketon, and was engaged in the manufacture of hats for ten years. In the fall of 1836 he engaged in the tanner's trade, which he followed till 1872, since which time he has pursued farming. He was married Nov. 22, 1832, to Harriet Amanda Kincaid. They have had nine children, six of whom are living—Maggie, George W., Florence K, Alice J., David E. and Charles E. Thomas J., Caroline and Elmira L. are deceased. Mr. Ware has been a member of the School Board and served as Counselman, and held other township offices for a number of years. He is a Republican in politics and always votes that ticket. He is a charter member of the I. O. 0. F., at Piketon; has passed all the chairs,, and is Past Grand. CHAPTER XL. JACKSON, BEAVER, MARION AND UNION TOWNSHIPS. JACKSON TOWNSHIP. Jackson Township was settled early in the present century, being but a few years behind Pee Pee and Seal. It was one of the original townships of Pike County being among those formed by the county commissioners at the first session of that body. Among the early pioneers the names of the following have been remembered: John Pancake, Sr., John Pancake, Jr., Joseph Foster, Sr., and wife, Joseph Foster, Jr., Isaac Pancake, Daniel Slain and wife, James Davis and wife, David Condon, Walter D. Williams and wife, Samuel Corwine and wife, Abraham Rhoades and wife, Alexander McMillan and wife, Jonathan Al dridge, Mrs. Nancy Donahue, Thomas Foster and wife, Thomas Wilson and wife, Elijah Mickel and wife, and Abijah Hartley and wife. Among those who came to the township in their childhood days, or were born here and are yet living, the following names are given: Saxon and wife, William K. McMiflin and wife, Redmond Condon, Sr., Mrs Lear Condon, John Corwine and wife, Philip Houk and wife, Mrs. Nancy French, Mrs. Ester Aldridge, John W. .Foster, Mrs. Rebecca Gatti n, Clark Foster and wife, D.. J. B. Ray, Lawrence Bruce and wife, Mason Jones and wife, John Christy, John Blain and wife, James Brewer and wife, Harvey Pancake and wife, John Still and wife, J ones M. Winks, John P. Steinhour arid wife, Alexander Hartley and wife, and Mrs. Charlotte Steinhour. ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDS. Jackson Township lies in the northeastern part of the county, on both sides of the Scioto River. It is bounded on the north by Ross County, on the east by Jackson County, on the south by Beaver Township, and on the west by Seal and Pea Pee townships. The valley of the Scioto covers a large portion of the township. It is second in wealth and its lands are assessed next to the highest, Pee Pee Township leading in assessed valuation only. The valley is from two to five miles wide, the entire length of the township; the river, however, coming in from the northeast flows southwest through the, township with one big bend something in the shape of a horseshoe. There are numerous tributaries or branches which flow into the Scioto both north and south, or east and west of the river which makes it one of the best watered townships in the county. This township is. not only blest with plenty of water and timber and the finest agricultural lands in the county or State but it is allo within the coal measure, especially its eastern part, and has also some iron ore. The eastern and southeastern portion of the township is hilly and it is there that the coal veins are found and the coal is the celebrated Jackson Hill coal. Thus in agriculture, minerals, wood and water, Jackson may be said to be the best township of land and resources in the county, and in aggregate wealth the second. It has an area of 32,160 acres of - 793 - 794 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. land—very much the largest township in the county. Its assessed valuation is given for the year 1882 on lands, $523,431; on personal property, $274,757; Sharonville, village property, $12,593; total, $810,781. It has shown the following population: In 1840, 1,096; in 1850, 1,465; in 1860, 1,395; in 1870, 1,840, and in 1880, 2,067. It has also the largest colored population of any in the county. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 1853. Trustees, B. F. Corwine, Eli Brown and Wm. A. Jones; Treasurer, Thomas Day; Clerk, W. D. Williams; Assessor, N. A. Winks; Constables, John Snodgrass and N. A. Winks; Justices of the Peace, S. H. A. Lukens and W. D. Williams. 1883. Trustees, John Blain, Geo. W. Wood and John W. Overly; Treasurer, W. A. Jones; Clerk, R. S. McCoppin; Assessor, J. P. Talbot; Constables, W. H. Dyke and Thomas H. Smith; Justices of the Peace, R. S. McCoppin and Samuel Brown. EDUCATIONAL. Jackson Township has the largest number of schools in the county, among the number being three for the colored children of the township. These schools are numbered and named as follows: Sub-district No. 1, Pancake School—Teacher, W. A. Janes; scholars, thirty-three. Sub-district No. 2, Sharonville School—Teachers, J. R. Heath and Miss Hutt; scholars, seventy-five. Sub-district No. 3, Corwine School—Teacher, Miss Jennie E. Jones; scholars, thirty-two. Sub-district No. 4 (colored), Johnson School—Teacher, J. D. Walker; scholars, thirty-five. Sub-dis trict No. 5, Foster School—Teacher, Loremza Brewer; scholars, twenty-seven. Sub-district No. 6, Hickson School—Teacher, Mr. Freeman; scholars, forty-two. Sub-district No. 7 (colored) , Vier's Scho ol—Teacher, Chace Coleman; scholars, thirty-three. Sub-district No. 8 (colored), Crocker's School—Teacher, Mr. Roberts; scholars, sixty. Sub-district No.9 (colored), Big Run School—Teacher, M. B. Smith; scholars, fifty-seven. Sub-district No. 10, Holmes School—Teacher,—; scholars, sixty-five. Sub-district No. 11, Mt. Sinai School—Teacher, Samuel Walker; scholars twenty-six. Sub-district No. 12, Vonschriltz School--Teacher, Vacancy; scholars, seventy-eight. Sub-district No. 13, Erich School --Teacher, E. E. Marshall; scholars, twenty-seven. Sub-district No. 11, Hay Hollow School—Teacher, 0. Hazelbaker; scholars, forty-nine. Sub-district No. 15, Reisinger School—Teacher, Miss Kate Straten; scholars, fifty-one. Sub-district No. 16, Lime Hill School—Teacher, M. M. Wallace; scholars, forty. TRANSPORTATION. The transportation facilities are on the west side of the river. These are the Scioto Valley Railroad and the canal. Sharonville, the only hamlet in the township, is located on the Scioto River, and the railroad station is not far away, the canal, however, lying still beyond the railroad to the west, There is a place called Chimney Rock, but it has not acquired the dignity of a hamlet. SHARONVILLE. This hamlet lies on the north bank of the I Scioto River, and on the outer edge of the Great, or Horseshoe Bend of that stream, a few miles south of the Ross County line. It is the most thriving town in the county, excepting Waverly, and has, perhaps, a population of some 300 people. It is an old settle. ment , one of the earliest in the north part of the county, and in 1860 had a population of 115. It is situated at the mouth of Wilson's Run where it empties into the Scioto, and not far east of that is Moore's Run. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 795 ITS BUSINESS INTERESTS. There is quite a large business done here, there being no less then eight general stores, owned by J. F. Condon, R S. McCoppin, W. K. McMillan, Aldrich & Steitenberger, T. M. Hayes, Jas. M. Bowdish, J. M. Pancake and Jos. Taylor. The two former are also lumber dealers. The postoffice is at W. K. McMillan's store, who is also called Postmaster. There are two blacksmith shops, owned by Mr. J. Steitenberger and W. D. Campbell. D. T. McKinney is the boot and. shoemaker; John Walker, tailor; James Wimbush, barber; John P. Steinhour, wagon-maker, and J. H. Williams, saloon. The only resident physician is Dr. J. J. Steitenberger. Its manufacturing interests are represented by C. W. Marshall & Co.'s Tile Works; Blain & Pancake's Spoke and Rim Factory, and the flouring mill, Redmond Condon, proprietor. The tile works, started in 1878, have changed hands a few times, .but are now owned by C. W. Marshall & Co. They are filled with orders from Pike and surrounding counties, and have a capacity of 40,000 miles of tiling per annum. The spoke and rim works command a good trade. They were originally started by J. & C. Blain in 1880. The flouring mill is an old institution, starting out in a small way, with only one burr, in 1825, by George. Corwine and receiving its motive power from Wilson's Run. After the canal was built they put a culvert under it doing away with it when the State granted them a wasteway from the canal. When Slain & McAllister purchased the mill in 1819, they purchased water-power from the canal for thirty-five years, of the State, paying a yearly rental of $100. The mill has changed hands some half dozen times or more since then, until its present owner took possession about the first of 1877. It has now three run of burrs, two wheat and one corn, and is doing a good and profitable business. CHURCHES. The Sharonville Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1842 by Rev. James Laws. They erected the church the same year, a frame building on Main street, at a cost of $1,500. The Trustees were: John Wilson, John . Foster, Thomas Day and Richard Ragan. The present pastor is the Rev. Wm. Morris, and the membership is about thirty. Trustees, Joseph Foster, Joseph W. Corwine and John Blain. Regular services every three weeks. The Omega Christian Church was organized in 1877, by the Rev. Nathaniel Nelson. The Deacons were: Benj. Coy and S. M. Hatfield; with a membership of sixty-four. They hold their meetings in the Hay Hollow Baptist church, but at this time are building a church on Sand Hill, near Hay Hollow. The value of the property when finished will be about $850. The pastor is the Rev. F. E. Evans; Deacons, Philip Howser and George Green, and a membership of 160. The members of the building committee are: Isaac Miller, George Green and Remus Miller. Services once a month. The Hixon Run Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1879 by Rev. Mr. Wakefield, with about forty members. The Class-Leader was Benj. Hixon. The church was built the same year, at a cost of $500. Trustees, Benj. Hixon, Griffeth and John Allen. The present pastor is the Rev. J. W. Seabrooks, and the trustees are the same, with the exception of John Allen, who has moved away. Regular services are held every two weeks. The Bethesda Christian Church of Sharonville was organized Jan. 3, 1860, by Rev. E. W. Shortridge, with a membership of forty-five. Wm. Marshall and J. W. Hayes, Deacons. The church was built in 1864. Before they built the church, meetings were held at the Davis School-house. Their member- 796 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. ship is now forty-five, and the pastor, Rev. S. H. Bingman. Regular preaching once a month. Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.—This church was organized by the Revs. Wm. Holmes and Thomas, in 1860. It started with a membership of forty-two and held their meetings at the Holmes School-house for several years, or until 1866, when they erected a church building on a branch of Hay Hollow Creek. The Deacons of the church were: Charles Gatlin, G. W. Fitzpatrick and Richard Sherwood. At present G. W. Fitzpairick is the only Deacon. They hold regular service once a month, the pastor being Rev. H. Adams. Jerusalem Christian Union.—The church of the above name was organized in 1877 by the Rev. J. E. Redfern. Sixteen persons joined and George Ervin, William Anderson and William Quincil were chosen Elders. They erected a neat and pleasant church in 1882, which was dedicated in June of the present year, 1883, by the Rev, G. W. Pilcher. They now have a membership of forty-five, and the church is improving in numbers and influence. Rev. Ira A. Redfern is the present pastor, and Elders, Maquil Manering, Charles Collins and Albert Riley. Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Colored, is located in the northwestern part of the township, and is the oldest colored church society in the county, having been formed in 1855, by Revs. William Evans and Nelson Satterwhite. There were but ten members at the organization and they had no church edifice of their. own until 1872. They erected their present church building that year and dedicated it, the Revs. Andrew Hunt and Benjamin Sailors conducting the service, the former being the regular pastor. The Trustees in charge are: Aaron White, James Hendricks, Bradford James, Joseph Davis and Frank Brown. Members, thirty-two. They hold service three Sundays in each month. Rev. James Hendrick is pastor and Aaron White, James Bry ant and Cary Netter are the present Trustees. The membership is now fifty-two. United Brethren in Christ, Colored.—This church was organized with fifteen members, by Rev. George Livingston, in 1859. In 1866 they erected their church, which was dedicated by Bishop Edwards. They had then twenty-five members and their pastor was Rev, Valentine Zimmerman. It has grown steadily, has now thirty-eight members, the Rev. William Samson being the minister in charge; Elder, William McDaniels. Services are held every three weeks, and a Sabbath-school every Sunday. Philadelphia Missionary Baptist, Colored. —This church society was formed with fifteen members, and organized under the direction of Rev. William James, in 1858. It was not until 1882 that they were able to erect a church building for their own use. The membership had only increased to twenty-five in all these years. The pastor was Rev. Benjamin Sailors, followed the past year by Rev. Kendall Carter. The Trustees are: S. P. Newman, August Zimmerman and Henry Carter. Since the erection of their church they have fairly prospered, and they now have thirty-five members and have service once a month and Sunday-school six months in the year. BIOGRAPHICAL. Charles Blain, youngest son of Charles and Sarah (Gaines) Blain, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1833. When sixteen years of age he began to learn the cooper's trade, and subsequently had charge of the coopering department at the Portsmouth distillery, now known as George Davis & Co., nearly seven years. He was married in 1856 to Sarah Hess. They have had a family of ten children, but seven now living—Millie F., Effie, Charles, Edwin, Carrie, Stanton and Morton. Sarah, Howard, and Sumner are deceased. In May, 1863, Mr. Blain enlisted in the 100 days' service, and was appointed Captain ofhis company. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 797 After he returned home he recruited over 260 men in Portsmouth and Ironton and again entered the service as Captain of Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He was on guard duty the greater part of the time, and was in no serious engagements. He now, in company with Henry W. Pancake, owns and operates an extensive spoke and rim factory at Sharonville, Ohio. John Blain, son of Charles and Sarah (Gaines) Blain, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1825. He learned the cooper's trade when a young man, and worked at it till 1864. In 1867, in company with his brother Charles, he purchased the flouring and saw-mills at Sharonville, and conducted business under the firm name of J. & C. Blain. They were contracting and building largely in the town of Sharonville. In 1881 Mr. Blain withdrew from the firm, selling' his interest to Henry W. Pancake, and has been engaged in contracting. He has built a number of the principal depots on the Scioto Valley Railroad. Since the construction of that road he has been ticket and freight agent. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as Justice of the Peace nearly twenty years. He was married in 1849 to Anna M. Slane. They have one adopted son. Lorentz Brust, son of John and Christina (Ranck) Brust, was born in Germany, Aug. 10, 1815, and in 1837 came with his father to the United States. His father made his first purchase of lands in Beaver Township, Pike County, where he remained till his death, at the age of seventy-two years, surviving his wife about twenty years. Lorentz remained at home till twenty-six years of age and then was employed in building locks and aqueducts on the Ohio Canal. He subsequently purchased a farm in Beaver Township, but afterward lived in Jackson, Union and Seal townships and spent a year in Twin Township, Ross County. In 1874 he bought the farm where he now resides. He owns 1,200 acres of fine, improved land. He was married in 1841 to Elizabeth Gehres, and to them were born twelve children—Elizabeth, Conrad, Charlotte, Catharine, orentz, Phoebe Ellen, Christina, Godfrey, Magdalena, Mary, Peter, William, the two latter deceased. Mrs. Brust died Sept. 21, 1881, and Mr. Brust afterward married Mrs. Gergens. Mr. Brust is one of the most influential citizens of Pike County. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. John W. Corwine was born near Sharonville, Pike Co., Ohio, March 13, 1822, the seventh child of Samuel and Mary (Wilson) Corwine. He was reared on the old homestead farm and has always followed that avocation. He was married in 1849 to Margaret, daughter of James and Rachel Rush. To them have been born five children—James D., born Nov. 22, 1849, is a farmer. He was married when twenty-seven years of age to ElizaJ. Foster, a daughter of one of the first settlers of Pike County. They have two daughters—Mabel and Mary L. Vary W. Corwine was married in 1870 to William B. Lee, an extensive miller and farmer of Waverly, and has had two children—John C. and Guy, the latter deceased. Keziah Corwine, a lady of fine culture, is still unmarried. Rachel M. Corwine, married James R. Foster, Nov. 16, 1882, and resides on a portion of the old Davis homestead. Sarah A. died in infancy. Mr. Corwine is one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of Pike County. Politically he is a Republican, Mrs. Corwine is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Corwine's father was born in New Jersey, July 31, 1786, the second son of Richard and Sarah (Snyder) Corwine. When he was eighteen months old his parents removed to Kentucky. When he was twenty-two years of age he came to Jackson Township and was married that same year (1808). His family consisted of three sons and seven daughters- 798 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. Abby, born in 1809 was married in 1828 to George Saxon and now resides in Sharonville; Mary Ann died, aged twenty-two years; Lydia was married when nineteen years of age to John Hitch. Both are deceased. Their daughter is the wife of Dr. J. B. Ray, of Sharonville. Sarah married John Sharp, and at her death left three children—Corwine, Taylor and Mary. George was born in 1817. He married Lydia McCallister and to them were born ten children. He now resides in Missouri. While a resident of Pike County he served as Treasurer one term and as Clerk twelve years. He was also a State Senator, and was widely known and esteemed. He was like his father, a Democrat. Elizabeth was born in 1819 and married George Saxon; both are deceased. John W., the subject of our sketch. Jerusha was born in 1824 and married William Mar shall, who died in October, 1882, leaving two sons. A daughter is deceased. Richard died in infancy. Clarissa was married when twenty years of age to Mason Jones, and has had a family of ten children, six sons and two daughters now living in Sharonville. Mr. Corwine was County Commissioner nine years. In politics he was a Democrat. He died July 7, 1865, and his wife, Oct. 7, 1870. Mrs. Samuel Corwine's father, Samuel Wilson, came to Ohio from Kentucky in 1796, and erected the first flour-mill in Pike County, on the present site of Sharonville. Re had a family of ten children —Thomas, John, Andrew, George, William, Elizabeth, Ellen, Mary, Sarah and Nancy. Thomas was one of the pioneer ministers of the county and died in 1842, aged seventy-two years. John was an earnest Christian and a prominent farmer. He died in Illinois aged eighty-six years, leaving three children. Mrs. J. W. Corwine's father died when she was an infant, and her mother then made her home with Mr. and Mrs. James Davis, but subsequently married Jacob Mace. Mrs. Corwine, however, remained with her foster-parents till womanhood and was made their most favored heir. An aunt, the widow of James Hays, and an uncle, William McGuire, are now residents of Waverly. George Corwine, uncle of John W.,was born in New Jersey, in 1780, and removed with his father's family to Kentucky in 1788 and to Ohio in 1798, where he married Elizabeth Wilson. He was one of the first Associate Judges of the Common Pleas Court of 'Pike County, holding the office several terms. He died at the age of seventy-two years, surviving his wife two years, Amos Corwine,another uncle, was horn in Mason County, Ky., in 1791 and came to Ohio in 1828-. He was a public speaker of considerable note, taking an active part in all public affairs. He was a County Commissioner and a member of the State Legislature. Had he been an aspirant for office he might have held any office in the gift of the people. He died in 1857. George Washington Crocker, son of Harrison Crocker, was born in Southampton County, Va., in 1826, and for nineteen years was a resident of a slave State, but was never subjected to the treatment imposed on others of his nationality.' In 1846 he came to Pike County, Ohio, where slavery was unknown, and in 1860 he purchased his present farm of 225 acres, in Jackson Township. Politically he is a Republican, and a strong supporter of the principles of his party. He is a member of the United Brethren church. He was married, in 1853, to Susan Artis,who died in 1860, leaving one daughter—Josephine, now wife of Louis Jones. In 1882 he married Mary Lewis. They have one daughter—Jen. Die India Elizabeth. Mrs. Crocker is a member of the Baptist church. Joseph Foster, son of John and Rebecca (Russel) Foster, was born in Franklin Town. ship, Ross Co., Ohio, Dec. 16, 1822, in the same house where his father was born, his grandfather, Thomas Foster, having bought it in 1800. His father in later life sold the old HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 799 homestead and removed to Clinton County, where he died March 27, 1880. Joseph Foster was married Sept. 4, 1845, to Amanda, daughter of Alexander McMillin. They have had nine children—Mary E., Eliza J., Emma V., Rebecca (deceased), Alice, Newton P., Laura B., Dudley H. and Franklin. Mr. Foster has made farming his life-work and is one of the most thrifty and substantial farmers of Pike County. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Foster's father, Colonel John Foster, died March 27, 1880, in Reesville, Clinton Co., Ohio, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. He was born, reared and lived till a few years prior to his death about seven miles above Waverly, in Franklin Township, Ross County. He and his wife had been for a few years snaking their home with a son-in-law, James Davis, in Clinton County, and both died there, his wife preceding him but a few months. Colonel Foster held a number of positions of trust and honor, in every one of which he fully met the expectations of his friends. He was an able exponent of the Whig party, and represented Ross County in the Legislature, his associate being Hon. Chauncey N. Olds, but refused a second nomination. He was modest and unpretending in his manners, but in his opinions was firm as a rock. He could feel a wrong done him but never resented it. His motto was, "Malice toward none, charity for all." Mrs. Foster's grand-parents, Robert' and Mary Hampton, came to Ohio from York County, Pa., in 1800 and settled in either Pickaway or Ross County but subsequently moved to Pike County, to the farm now owned by Joseph Foster. They had a family of four sons and two daughters—William, Dudley, Eleanor, Robert, Jane and Frank. Dudley and Jane died after reaching maturity and Frank in childhood. After the father's death William remained on the homestead with his mother, then .owning half of the farm. He was Judge of Court at Piketon a number of years. He was a well-educated man and assisted many young men in their studies. After his mother's death, in 1837, he kept young men through the winter, and one winter had twelve or fourteen with him. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He died in 1841. Robert married Elizabeth Brown. They had six children— Sarah, Mary, Wilson, William, Eliza and James. He moved to Indiana, where he and his wife and four children died. His daughter Sarah married George Shipley, now of Independence, Kas. James is living in Olathe, Kas. Eleanor Hampton married Alexander McMillin in March, 1817. They lived several years on a part of the old homstead and then moved to the farm now owned by Condon, living there four years. They then bought Robert's share of the Hampton homestead, and after William's death the remainder. They had four children—William, born in 1819, died in his fourteenth year; Mary, born in 1821, married Henry Renicke, Nov. 14, 1844, and died in 1857, leaving five children; Eliza, born Sept. 9, 1823, married J. N. Poage, April 17, 1851, and has one child—Alice; Amanda, born Nov. 11, 1825, now Mrs. Joseph Foster. Mr. McMillin when a boy worked for farmers in the summer for $6 a month, and in the winter when not in school worked at whatever he could find to do. After his marriage lie rented land and raised corn, at that time worth but of cents per bushel. It was worth 20 cents in New Orleans and Natchez, and Mr. McMillin built flat-boats and after buying all the corn that would fill them floated down the river and after selling his corn and boats took steamboat passage to Louisville and from there,with the men he had hired to help him, walked home. After making several trips he had money enough to buy a little farm. About 1830 or 1831 he bought the place where Joseph Foster now lives. In 1858 he bought the "Gregg place" but remained there only eight months, when he