850 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. George Fulk, John McCoy, Crawford Humphreys, John Nace, Peter Cartwright, J. C. Washburn, William McCoy, Joseph Decker, Aaron Beekman, Mason Perdue, Thomas G. Parker, Jacob Butler, are natives of the township. On the farm of William McCoy is a spring of pure, soft water, connected with an underground stream or river. It was near this spring that the first settler pitched his tent, and then erected his cabin. That it is fed by an under-ground river -is a known fact, but so long as the spring holds its great body of water the river or stream from which it flows is not needed. The spring is about one mile from the hamlet of Latham, and is known by every settler for miles around. There is in this township the Waverly sandstone, but that is the only product that may be said to lie beneath the surface of any value. No minerals of any kind are known to exist within the township. The first grist-mill on Sunfish Creek was built on the. north side of the creek, opposite Byington, by a Mr. Marcus, in 1820. In 1823 Thomas Holton bought the mill and ran it until his death. Shortly after he purchased he removed the mill, to the other side of the creek, where it has remained and been rebuilt several times. After Mr. Holton died his heirs continued to run the mill until 1869 when it was sold to Daniel Murphy. Within ;twelve months he sold it to George Dixon. The latter person took down the old and built a new mill on the site and after running it for two years sold it to John Smith, who is the present proprietor. CHURCHES. The Bethlehem Regular Baptist Church of Latham, was organized at Maple Grove School-house, by Revs. Charles Trichler and A. J. Warren, in 1881, with twenty members. They hold their meetings in the Latham School-house, but are building a church on Valley street, Latham. The building committee is: George W. Legg, A. P. Davidson, Ezekiel East, T. S. Haskins, H. H. Valentine, Jacob Butler and Peter Mead. The present pastor is Rev. A. J. Warren; service is held once a month and Sabbath-school every Sunday. The church has a membership of fifty-six. The school has an average attendance of forty-five scholars The Latham Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1875 by Rev. Arthur Humphreys, with forty-two members. Rev. Wm. A. Cartwright built the church and donated it to the organization in November, 1875. It was dedicated by Elder S. M. Bright, of Ports. mouth. The Trustees were: S. P. Austin, Jacob Anderson, Henry Wilt, Peter Leedom. and Arthur Humphreys. The church is located on Bristol street. The present pastor is Rev. E. A. Brid well, and the Trustees are: A. P. Austin, J. W. O'Dell, Wm. McCoy, Jona. than Gillespie and Sylvester Unable. The membership is thirty-five. Service is held every two weeks, and the Sabbath-school meets every Sunday. Perseverance Methodist Episcopal Church Byington, was organized in 1843, with a membership of thirty-five. In 1844 they were given a lot by the Holton heirs, and the members and neighbors proceeded to build a log church. On New Year's day 1845, they raised the church, which they finished and dedicated the latter part of the same year. The Trustees are: Valentine Zimmermann, Thomas McCoy and Samuel Mustard. The present pastor is Rev. E. A. Bridwell. The church has the same number of members as when organized. Service is regularly held every two weeks. The Byington Christian Union Church was organized in 1866, by Rev. Uriah burn, with about eighty members. The next year they built a church, which cost them $1,. 400. The Trustees and Elders appointed were: A. B. East; John McCoy and S. B. Abbott HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 851 The first pastor was the Rev. Alfred Moore, and the present one is the Rev. James Low. The trustees are the same, with the exception of Mr. Abbott who is deceased. The Elders now are James M. Murphy, J. C. Puckett and Miss Mary Ann Argo. The membership numbers forty. Regular service is held once a month, and class-meeting and Sabbath-school every Sunday. The Calvary Protestant Methodist Church, was organized by the Rev. Zachariah Hickman, with eighteen members, in 1875, and in 1877 they built their church. The Trustees are: Wm. Ashbaugh, Albert Beekman, Abel Hill, Joseph Beekman and James Henry Ashbaugh. The present pastor is Rev. Zachariah Hickman again, he having been placed upon that Circuit this year. The Trustees are: Francis Ashbaugh, Wm. Ashbaugh, Albert Beekman, James Henry Ashbaugh and Joseph Gamble. Services are held every two weeks, and the church membership numbers thirty. SCHOOLS, 1883. There are ten school districts in the township, as follows: No. 1, Nace School—scholars, forty-seven; No. 2, Bell Hollow—scholars, forty; No 3, Byington—scholars, twenty-two; No. 4, Laperelle—scholars, sixty-three; No. 5, Latham—scholars, seventy-nine; No. 6, Grassyfork– scholars, sixty-nine; No. 7, Hachelshin—scholars, thirty; No. 8, Beekman—scholars, seventy-six; No. 9, Benner—scholars, thirty-three; No. 10, Dry Bone—scholars, fifty-four. The first school in the township was taught in the winter of 1804–'5, but the name of the teacher is not remembered. One of the earliest teachers was Mr. James Jones. OFFICIAL. The township being organized by Ross County in 1806, below is given the first township officers: Trustees, Wm. Pillers, Thomas Gardner and John Kincaid; Overseers of the Poor, Abraham McCoy and Robert Montgomery; House Appraisers, Burgess Elliott and John Grove; Constable, Joshua Davis, Sr.; Fence Viewers, George Moore and Isaac Pennisten ; Wm. Parker, Clerk and Treasurer; Justice of the Peace, Wm. Davis. The present officers (1833) are: Trustees, Jacob Butler, Samuel Scanden and Charles C. Beekman; Treasurer, George W. Peniston ; Clerk, Oscar O. Hazelbaker; Assessor, Jasper Landen; Constables, S. P. Ladd and Willard Moler; Justices of the Peace, Ezekiel East and James Cross. BIOGRAPHICAL. Wylie Austin, tobacco farmer, Mifflin Township, is the son of Silas P. and Martha I. (McDaniel) Austin. The Austins settled i n Ohio in an early day and Silas P. was born in Brown County, July 12, 1809. Our subject was also born in Brown County, Sept. 26,1842. When young he moved with his parents to Adams County, and when twelve years old went to live with his brother in Pike County. His brother died soon after and he had to depend upon his own resources, and having practiced painting a few months, he went to Illinois where he was engaged in painting two years. In 1858 he settled in Pike County and followed painting a number of years, and in 1872 began his present occupation and is now one of the most extensive growers and dealers in tobacco in Pike County. During 1882 he produced 5,000 pounds, and buys and ships extensively to the Cincinnati market. Sept. 24, 1879, he was married to Margaret J., daughter of Nelson Riser, of Highland County, Ohio. They have been blessed with two daughters. During the late war he was a member of Company E, Ninety-first Ohio Infantry, and served in the Kanawha and Shenandoah valleys, Virginia. William Gerry Beekman, son of Aaron and Beersheba Beekman, was born June 9, 852 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY, 1828, in Pike County. His father was born in Virginia and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He is still living at the age of ninety years; his wife died in 1860. Our subject has followed farming through life. When twenty-one years of age he joined the Christian church and soon became Elder of the church, which position he filled till 1866, when he was ordained as a minister and has since been engaged in the ministry in connection with his farming pursuits. He has been Township Trustee two terms, Assessor seven years, Justice of the Peace six years, and Director of the Pike County Infirmary three years. He was married Jan. 16, 1848, to Margaret, daughter of George and Elizabeth Nace, of Pike County. They have had ten children—George E., Winslow P., Aaron A., Elizabeth J. (wife of Jesse Shanks), James B., Nathaniel G., Mary C. L. V., Verna A. M., Virginia P. and Margaret F., who died in infancy. Mrs. Beekman is a member of the Christian church. Jacob Butler, youngest child of Leonard and Sallie (Hurt) Butler, was born Oct. 25, 1832, in Highland County, Ohio. He was engaged in farming till 1859, when he purchased a farm near Latham, Pike Co., Ohio, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. He was married Oct. 6, 1859, to Rachel, daughter of Jacob and Sallie (Scowden) Porter, of Pike County, Ohio. His children are—Sallie, Richard P. and Arie A. Richard P. was born April 13, 1865, and attended the common-school until 1879 when he attended a graded school. He also attended the same school in 1881, and in 1883 attended the National Normal College, at Lebanon, Ohio. He intends to follow the profession of teaching. He is also a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Butler served as Lieutenant in the late war. He has served as Township Trustee several years, which office he now holds. He is a member of Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 365, A. F. & A. M., Highland County. his father was a son of Daniel Butler, a native of England, who settled on Staten Island in 1'765. He was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving first as Sergeant and Aid-de-Camp under General Washington. He was a sailor and ship-carpenter by occupation, and his son Leonard Butler, the father Rf Jacob Butler, was born about the year 1790. He was in the war of 1812. He moved to Highland County in the year 1808 and settled near Sinking Spring, where he remained until his death in 1872. James Cross, eldest son of William and Amy (John) Cross, was born Oct. 12, 1832, in Pike County, on the farm where he still resides. He received his education in the subscription log-cabin schools and was reared on a farm, and has always followed the avoca- tion of a farmer. He has served as Township Trustee three terms, and in 1879 was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he still holds by re-election. His grandfather, Alexander Cross, came from Maryland to Pike County, Ohio, in 1803, and his maternal grandfather, Thomas John, was of Welsh descent. He was born in one of the Eastern States, and came to Pike County, Ohio, in au early day. Our subject's father filled various township office's during his life, and died at about forty years of age. Avery Painter Davidson, farmer, is the youngest son of Simon and Arcadia (Sharp) Davidson. His father was born, reared and married in Delaware, and was a soldier in the war of *1812. In 1830 he came to Belmont County, Ohio, and two years later removed to Monroe County, where our subject was born July 12, 1834. His wife died at the age of thirty-four years. He is still living ln Gallia County, Ohio, in his eighty-fourth year. On arriving at manhood our subject settled in Noble County, Ohio, where he followed farming till 1856, after which he spent three years in the West, when he returned to Noble County. He spent the following year HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 853 in Kansas, and returning to Ohio purchased a farm in Gallia County. At the end of a year he sold his farm and bought one in Lawrence County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1877, when he sold his farm and bought the one where he now resides, near Latham, in Pike County. He was married May 18, 1861, to Eveline, daughter of Jeptha and Lucy (Carp) Massie, of Lawrence County. They have had seven children—Lucy A., Sarah B., Mary E.,Odelle, Laura and Stella M., and Elaseo, who.died in infancy. Mr. D. belongs to Stafford Lodge, No. 300, F. & A. M., Stafford, Monroe Co., Ohio. Ezekiel East was born July 31, 1844, in Pittsylvania County, Va., a son of Henry and Susan (Ley) East, the former of English and the latter of Welsh descent. When twelve years of age he accompanied his parents to Pike County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm, and has always followed the avocation of a farmer. He was married June 11, 1865, to Arie, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Scowden) Porter, early settlers of Pike County. They have had born to them six children, of whom five are living — Rachel E., Jacob P., Arie S., Sarah L. and Lucretia A. Mary A. died at the age of two years. In 1872 Mr. East was elected Justice of the Peace, and has held that office continuously ever since by re-election. He was elected Township Assessor in 1877, and served one term. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 365, F. & A. M., and also belongs to Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 632, I. 0. 0. F., both of Highland County, Ohio. Oscar Oliver Hazelbaker, second son of Joseph and Harriet (Collings) Hazelbaker, was born June 7, 1862, in Adams County, Ohio. He was reared principally on a farm, and spent some time on the Ohio on a steamer with his father. He was driver on the Ohio Canal three years, after which he was engaged three years in James Hall's store at the mouth of Brush Creek, Scioto County. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1879. He was educated at the common schools and attended the graded schools at Waverly one term. In 1872 he removed with his father to Latham, and since 1880 has been engaged in teaching. March, 1883, he was elected to his present position of Clerk of Mifflln Township. Howe Bennett Humphreys, son of Howe and Edith (McCracken) Humphreys, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, June 2, 1844, He has made farming his principal occupation through life, but was engaged four years in the lumber trade, and during that time he and his brother John owned and operated a saw-mill. He was married in December, 1866, to Emma, daughter of William and Amy Cross, of Pike County. She died in 1873, leaving three children—Zura D., William E., and Cary B. He was again married in December, 1878, to Mary C., daughter of Taylor and Julia Barton, of Pike County. They have one child—Luella. She is a member of the Christian church. Our subject's father was a native of Virginia. He moved to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1828, and in 1844 settled in Pike County, and is still living at the age of seventy -six years. His wife died, aged seventy-one years. They reared twelve children, of whom eight are still living—John F. M., William W., H. B., James H. G., Arena, Mary C., Edith A. and Lucinda A. Peter Cooley Leedom, fourth son of George W. and Leanna (Hopkins) Leedom, was born in Manchester, Adams Co., Ohio, Feb. 8, 1833. He followed farming in his native county till 1857, when he removed to Pike County and settled on his farm in the spring of 1858, where he farmed till 1864. October, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry, at Camp Dennison, Ohio, as a private for one year. 854 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. He was in all the engagements in the Tennessee and Alabama campaigns, and was seriously injured at the battle of Franklin. He was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1865, and returned home, where he has since been engaged in farming. He was married April 13, 1856, to Mary E., daughter of Nathan and Eliza (Jackson) Maddox. They have had five children born to them—Harriet A., John W., who died in his fifth year; Elizabeth L., who died in infancy; Sarah L., who died in her third year, and George N. Mr. Leedom is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, of Mifflin Township. Robert Leeper, son of William and Elizabeth (Robinson) Leeper, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, June 22, 1826. He came to America with his parents in 1838 and settled in Botetourt County, Va., and in 1842 the family moved to Hlghland County, Ohio. When sixteen years old Robert went to Cincinnati and was apprenticed four years at the tanner's trade, after which he had charge of Easton's Tannery in Mifflin Township five years. In 1853 he left the tanning on account of failing health and purchased the farm where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and now has 308 acres of land. He was married April 2, 1850, to Judith, daughter of Jonas Anderson, of Pike County. They have had six children born to them—William J. and Sarah E., both of whom died in infancy; Mary A., wife of Thomas Penn; Lathan R, married and living on the home farm; John W. and Clara A. Mr. Leeper was Township Trustee two terms, and was Land Appraiser in 1870. He is at present filling the office of Infirmary Director. He belongs to the Christian Union church, of which he has served as Elder, and is at present Trustee. His wife also belongs to that church. George William Legg, merchant and Postmaster, was born in Pike County, Jan. 3, 1862, and is the only son of Wesley and Martha (Wyckoff) Legg. He was reared on a farm, and attended the common schools, where he obtained a liberal education, and at the age of sixteen began teaching school. After having taught two terms he entered his father's store at Latham, Ohio, where he remained three years, and in December, 1882, he established his present business, dealing in dry-goods and groceries. He has been Postmaster at Latham nearly a year. He was married Oct. 9, 1881, to Carrie A., daughter of Daniel Tiffany, of Pike County. They have been bless. ed with one child, Stella May. Mr. Legg and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church and he is at present Clerk of the church. William McCoy, only son of John and Sarah (Delay) McCoy, was born in Mifflin Township, Pike County, Nov. 29, 1836. At eighteen years of age he went to Iowa, where he was employed in a saw-mill, and soon purchased an interest in the mill. At the end of three years he and his partners removed their mill to Atchison County, Mo., where they engaged in lumbering till 1863, when Mr. McCoy sold his interest in the mill and followed farming in Pike County till 1867. He then engaged in lumbering again in partner. ship with Messrs. Rush and Cartwright, the firm name being McCoy, Rush & Cartwright, till 1871. It was then changed to McCoy & Bailey, but the latter soon retired, leaving our subject sole owner, who has been extensively engaged in the manufacture and sale of all kinds of hard-wood lumber, ever since. He is also a large land-owner in Pike County and a successful farmer. He owns the tract of land known as the Kincaid place, and has one of the finest springs of water in Southeastern Ohio, known as the Kincaid Springs. He was married in April, 1861, to Elizabeth C., daughter of Rev. William A. and Sarah (Stillwell) Cartwright. Her father erected a church building at Latham, Pike County, which he donated to the Methodist Episcopal HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 855 people of that community. Mr. McCoy and wife have had nine children born to them—James L., Sarah B., Andrew M., John E., William G., Mary A., Charles F. (who died in infancy), Arie E. and Cora M. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is Trustee. He is also Recording Steward of the circuit, and is Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He has filled the position of County Commissioner nine years. He is a member of Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 365, F. & A. M., Highland County, Ohio. George Wesley Pennisten, junior member of the firm of Humphreys, Pennisten & Co., dealers in dry-goods, groceries and general merchandise, Byington, was born April 2, 1848, in Pike County. He lived on a farm till seventeen years of age, and was educated at the common schools, after which he taught school during the winter seasons and farmed in the summer season for a number of years. He was elected Assessor of Sunfish Township when twenty-one years old and served three years. He was Township Clerk one year, and served as a member of the Board of Education of Pebble Township, and also School Director in Sub-district No. 9. He also served as County School Examiner from 1872 till 1875, and was appointed to that position in the spring of 1883. He has been Treasurer of Mifflin Township since 1879,, and is serv- ing his second year as member of the Board of Education of this Township. He was Assistant Postmaster at Idaho, Pike County, two years, and in November, 1880, was appointed Postmaster of Byington. In 1875 he engaged in his present mercantile business, with his father-in-law, under the firm name of Humphreys & Penn isten. He was married Feb. 21, 1875, to Calverna M., daughter of John and Elizabeth A. (Mustard) Humphreys, of Byington. They have five children—Clarence E., John W., Charles R., F. Grace and Leroy H. Mrs. Pennisten belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject's father, William Pennisten, was born in Pike County and was married to Mary Ann E. Anderson, a native of Virginia. John Collins Washburn, second son of John and Hannah (Burke) Washburn, was born in Manchester, Adams Co., Ohio, May 18, 1819. His father was born in Maryland, and carne to Adams County in an Carly day. He had a family of nine children, of whom one daughter and our subject are living. He died June 25, 1829. Our subject was thus thrown upon his own resources at the age of ten years, and at the age of sixteen years began working at the gunsmith's trade. In 1840 he came to Pike County, where he settled on the Burgess Elliott farm, and a few years later purchased thirty acres of land and followed farming in connection with his trade. He has at present 325 acres of land, and is devoting his entire time to agricultural pursuits. He was married June 6, 1840, to Elvira, daughter of Burgess and Sarah (Ackley) Elliott, of Pike County. They have seven children—John W., an attorney at Waverly, Ohio, and ex-Representative of Pike County; Hiram E., of Colorado; George W., of Chillicothe, Ohio; Dawson B., of Byington; Charles L., of Chillicothe; Sarah J., wife of R. S. McCoppin, of Pike County, Ohio; Mary E., of Byington, Ohio. Mr. Washburn has been Trustee of Mifflin Township for a number of years. He is a member of Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 632, I. O. O. F., Highland County, Ohio. Mrs. Washburn's father was a native of Virginia. He served in the war of 1812. He served eighteen years as Commissioner of Pike County. PERRY TOWNSHIP. ITS TOPOGRAPHY. Perry Township is of an irregular triangular form, lies in the extreme northwest corner, and has some of the best farming land in the county. The hills on the east are like 856 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. those in Mifflin and Benton townships, rocky, rugged and broken, and of little use outside of cattle ranges. Beech Flats is a handsome area of level country, good farming land, and the prettiest tract of land to the eye in Pike County. It lies in the northern part of the township and extends to the Ross County line. In the valley of Baker's Fork of Ohio Brush Creek and the Beech Flats are the best farming portions of the township. Baker's Fork has three branches, or heads, and they all rise within the township, uniting about the center, and then flowing southwest until it leaves the township. There is plenty of timber for all practical purposes, but no coal or iron ore. The hills are slate and sandstone. BOUNDS, ACREAGE AND VALUATION. The township is bounded on the north by Ross County, on the east by Benton and Mifflin townships, on the south by Mifflin Township, and west by Highland County. Within these bounds are 14,462 acres of land placed upon the assessment roll, and the assessed valuation for 1882 was $212,592; personal property, $81,698; village property, $10,512; total valuation, $307,802. This valuation of land is the highest in the county, excepting Pee Pee and Jackson townships, and is a fraction over $14.63 per acre. PIONEERS. The names of a few of the old pioneers are: John Swan, James Wilson, John Core, David Irons, Jno. Ferneau, Nathaniel Willis, Jno. Shields, Benj. Umpstead, Jno. Penn, George Eubanks, Stephen Berry, Samuel Garner and David Eubanks. Among the living of the oldest settlers the following names are given: David Townsend, James Wilson, John J. Core, Daniel Ferneau, Levi Rittenhouse, Robert P. Jones, Mrs. Elizabeth 'Lindsey, Misses Rebecca and Rhoda Eubanks, Miss Elizabeth Penn, Wm. Greenfield, Enos Wilson, Isaac and David Nelson, Joseph Elliott, Christian Cameron, Samuel Rittenhouse and John Treber. Just when Perry Township was organized cannot be told, but about 1825, as it is mentioned about that time. The township records for a number of years are lost, and a search for them proved unavailing. The officers the present year are given: Trustees, L. C. Wilson, E. S. Jones and L. J. Anderson; Treasurer, J. W. Rigdon; Clerk, E. G. Tener; Assessor, Dr. J. W. Little; Constable, Wm. Parker; Justices of the Peace, W. M. Sylvester and James A. McCord. The population in 1840 was 565; 1850, 653; 1860, 625; 1870, 748; 1880, 879. CYNTHIANA is a very pretty little village, and has a handsome as well as rich country around it. The hamlet was laid out between 1835 and 1840, by David Eubanks, brother of Misses Rhoda and Rebecca Eubanks. He gave the name in honor of his wife, Anna, and daughter, Cynthia. He died in the State of Missouri, Aug.21, 1857, aged seventy-four years. Its location is on the northeast corner of the township, about a mile from the west line of the county. It is nearly on a line with the four points of the compass, north, south, east and wesf. Its principal business street is called Main, and the following are the business houses: J. W. Rigdon and Head Bros., general stores; M. W. Dunham, grocery store; Mrs. S. M. Kerns, millinery store; N. Ralph, shoe shop; John Martino, shoe store; Dan'l Bryan, blacksmith shop; Albert Caplinger, gun shop; J. T. Treber, marble yard; Davis Rish, chair and repair shop. W. 0. Greenfield has a blacksmith shop on the east side, and G. W. Kelley has a tan-yard on the same side. L. 0. Wilson is the Postmaster, and the office is kept at Rigdon's store. The professions are represented by W. S. and J-. W. Little, as resident physicians, and John Martino, law- HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 857 yer. The population is about 175. In 1850 it had a population of 134. Baker's Fork of Brush Creek runs near the place. SCHOOLS. There are seven school districts in Perry Township, as follows: Sub-district No. 1, Bryan School--Teacher, Miss Julia Jones; scholars, forty-five; Sub-district No. 2, Melson School—Teacher, Miss Ida Smith; scholars, fifty-seven; Sub-district No. 3, Cynthiana School—Teachers, E. G. Tenor and Miss Nana Jones; scholars, sixty-seven; Subdistrict, No. 4, West School—Teacher, James Butler; scholars, twenty-seven; Sub-district No. 5, Penn School—Teacher, H. Hempstead; scholars, sixty-five; Sub-district, No. 6, Bell Hollow School—Teacher, R. W. Smith; scholars, twenty; Sub-district, No. 7, Jimtown School—Teacher, F. M. Kelley; scholars, forty-four. In 1812 a tannery was located in Perry Township, probably the first one in the county. John Ferneau, father of Daniel Ferneau, was the proprieter. CHURCHES. The Methodist Episcopal Church,, of Cynthiana, was organized in 1841 by Rev. Henry Horton, some twenty-five persons joining the society. In 1843 a log church building was erected in the north part of the town, which served them for ten years. The Trustees were: Thomas James, John H. Freeman and Aaron Ferneau, the pastor being Rev. John Steward. In 1853 the society erected la, .brick church, which, when completed, was under the ministerial care of Rev; Jos. Trimble, and the membership was then eighty-five. This new church was erected in the south part of the village. For twenty-nine years this church served them, but in March, 1882, it was unfortunately burned down. They now hold service every other Sabbath, and have the use of the Pres byterian church. The pastor is Rev. Samuel J. Middleton. They have a Sabbath-school with an enrollment of twenty-five scholars. Christian Union.—This church was organized at Cynthiana in 1864, by Rev. J. Givens; membership twenty-five. Their church building was erected in 1868. The society has grown to a membership of fifty-five, with, at this time, Rev. P. P. Wolfe as pastor. Preaching is held once a month. The Trustees are: Joshua Ferneau, William Sylvester, Joseph Ferneau, Daniel Ferneau and Daniel Bryan. The United Brethren Church was also located at Cynthiana, and is one of the oldest churches in the county, having been organized in 1820. The first pastor was Rev. William Steward, and the society had only a membership of fifteen. They had no regular place of worship for many years, the residences of the members and the old log school-house doing duty on all occasions. They built a very neat frame church building in the north part of the hamlet of Cynthiana in 1839. Sixteen years after, this building was taken down and a brick chapel erected on the same site. The first regular pastor in the new church was Rev. William Sampson, and Trustees: R. P. Jones, Joseph Pierce and John Core. The church has now a membership of forty-seven, Rev. George W. Dever, pastor, and John J. Core, R. P. Jones and John Cameron, Trustees. Service is held every other Sabbath, and Sunday-school weekly, with some forty pupils. The Presbyterian Church, of Cynthiana, was organized May 7, 1846. Their present place of worship was erected in 1849. Rev. William Huston was then the pastor, and James Wilson, Joseph H. Wilson and Newton Murphy were the Trustees. At present the church is under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Samuel Kerr, and the Trustees are: Lewis Wilson and Enos Wilson. The church is in a fairly prosperous condition and service is held every two weeks. Fairview Chapel.—This is the name given 858 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. to the Christian Union church which was organized by James McKibbens in 1882. They erected their church building the present year, 1883. Preaching is held every two weeks by their pastor, Rev. Henry Miller, and the Elders of the church are: Isaac Losy, Lewis Decker and James Anderson. The membership is fifty. A very flourishing Sun lay-school is held every Sabbath day, with an average attendance of thirty-two. BIOGRAPHICAL. Jacob Anderson, second son of John and Mary A. Anderson, was born in February, 1844, in Ross County, and when five years old he moved with his parents to Pike County. He enlisted in the late Rebellion Aug. 8,1862, in the Eighteenth Ohio Battery, at Waverly, Pike County, as a private, for three years. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Nashville, and a number of others, and was discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 3, 1865. Returning home, he engaged in farming, which he followed till 1880, since which he has followed the trade of carpenter and joiner. He was married Aug. 16, 1862, to Mary S., daughter of Henry W. Kneisley, of Pike County. They have had three children—William W., Ida M. and Hattie B. Mr. Anderson is an ordained minister of the Christian Union church, and has been engaged in preaching and ministerial work for two years. Benoni Baker was born in Paxton Township, Ross Co., Ohio, April 8, 1837, second son of Benjamin and Mahala Baker, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. He followed farming in Missouri from 1860 till 1863, when he came to Ross County, Ohio, and in 1866 returned to Missouri, where he lived one year, and since 1867 he has been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising in Pike County. He was married in Ross County, March 15, 1866, to Sarah, daughter of Henry C. and Eliza A. (Adams) Ferneau. They have had born to them seven children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living. Mr. Baker is a member of Emerald Lodge, No. 211, I. 0. 0. F., New Petersburg, Highland Co., Ohio. Robert Bett Blair, son of William L. and Mary C. (Steen) Blair, was born Aug. 29, 1847, in Adams County, Ohio. When five years of age he removed with his parents to Illinois, where they resided seven years. They then returned to Adams County, where our subject resided till the late war. April, 1863, he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Ohio Cavalry, at Cincinnati, Ohio, as a private, for three years. He was engaged through the campaign of East Tennessee with General Kilpatrick's command. They then made Raleigh their headquarters and were engaged in scouting the surrounding country till the close of the war. He was discharged at Raleigh, N. C., October, 1865, after which he returned to Adams County, where he remained until 1871. He then purchased a farm in Pike County, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married June 9,1875, to Exira, daughter of Stephen and Mary A. Penn. Her father was a descendant of William Penn. Two children have blessed this union—Francis P. and Herman A. Christian Cameron., farmer, stock-raiser and dealer in stock, was born in Pike County, March 13, 1818, and is the eldest son of Alexander and Susannah (Beaver) Cameron. He was reared a farmer, and experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. He has, made a specialty of fine sheep, and was the first to introduce thoroughbred sheep in this part of the country. He was married March 4,1840, to Esther, daughter of John and Mary I (Ferneau) Core, who were natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively, and settled near Cynthiana, Ohio, about 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have bad eight children born to them, of whom seven survive. He has HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 859 served two terms as Township Assessor, and he and wife belong to the United Brethren church, of which he has served as Steward and Trustee a number of years. He is at present Trustee of the parsonage. His father was born in Scotland, and when thirteen years old, in 1800, came to America with his parents, Daniel and Catherine Cameron. In 1804 he came to Ross County, Ohio, where his mother died, and; in 1808 they removed to Pike County, where his father died, aged 100 years. Alexander Cameron died at the age of sixty-five years, and his wife when forty-three years of age. John Cameron, farmer, stock-raiser and dealer in stock, was born Sept. 16, 1821, in Pike County. On arriving at manhood he engaged in farming and has since followed agricultural pursuits, and has one of the most desirable farms in the township. He was married Dec. 20, 1850, to Sarah, daughter of John and Christina Ferneau, who were the first settlers of Perry Township. Ten children have been born to them, of whom seven are living, six sons and one daughter. Mr. Cameron and wife are members of the United Brethren church, of which he is Trustee. He has filled the office of Trustee of Perry Township, off and on, for thirty years. His parents, Alexander and Susannah (Beaver) Cameron, were natives of Scotland and Adams County, Ohio, respectively. They reared five children, of whom three are living—Christian, John and Alexander. Mr. Cameron followed farming through life, and died in Pike County, aged sixty-five years. His wife died several years previous. John Jefferson Core, farmer, stock-raiser and dealer in stock, was born Jan. 11, 1812, in Pike County. He was reared a farmer, and has always followed that avocation with success. He was married Feb. 22, 1838, to Jane, daughter of Tandy and Elizabeth Hughs, of Highland County, Ohio. Seven children have been born to them, of whom one son and two daughters survive. Mr. and Mrs. Core have been members of the United Brethren church forty years. His father, John Core, was born June 26, 1788, in Maryland, and in 1799 came with his parents to Ross County, Ohio. In 1811 he came to Pike County, and was one of the first settlers in Perry Township. He was married in Ross County to a daughter of John Ferneau. She was born in Virginia, Oct. 7, 1790, and died in Perry Township, Feb. 25, 1879: She was a faithful member of the United Brethren church for forty years. Mr. Core died Sept. 20, 1869. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom seven survive. They had forty-six grandchildren and 108 great-grandchildren. Misses Rebecca and Rhoda Eubanks. —The grandfather and grandmother of the subjects of this sketch were John and Sarah (Vandiford) Eubanks, both natives of Maryland. They had eight children—Rebecca, George, Mary, John, Thomas, Richard, William and Sophia. The parents lived to be quite aged. Their son George, the father of Misses Rebecca and Rhoda, was born in Talbot County, Md.,May 20, 1759,and his wife, Rebecca Harrington, was born Oct. 4, 1763, in Queen Ann County, Md. They were married in the latter county, Oct. 26, 1780. From this union eleven children were born—John, David, Henry, Sarah, Matthew, Mary, William, George, Eleanor, Rebecca and Rhoda, their ages being in the order named. John, Sarah, Henry and William all died in Maryland in their infancy. They removed from Maryland to Kentucky in 1797, remaining there some seven years, Eleanor being born in that State. In the year 1804 the family removed to Ohio, settling in Ross County, Mifflin Township (now Perry Township, Pike County). The children brought with them to Kentucky were David, Mary, George, Matthew, and to Ohio, George. After they settled as above, Rebecca was born Sept. 29, 1805, and Rhoda was born April 7, 1808, the two being 860 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. the only children born in Ohio. Eleanor married George Perrill, April 8, 1850, and died May 31, 1878. Mary married William H. Sylvester June, 1817, and died in the spring of 1866. The ladies are both now living, the former just passed her seventy-eighth year, and Miss Rhoda her seventy-fifth. They are in excellent health, active,' with excellent memories, and bidding fair to live, many succeeding years of life and happiness. They are, as far as they are aware, the only survivors of their family, except the children of their brothers and sisters. They are living on the old homestead settled in 1804, and upon which they were born. Their lives have been like all farm life, a quiet one, with the exception of a startling episode in the burglary and robbery of their premises, on Thursday night, Oct. 31, 1878. There were three masked burglars who broke into their house and,using them roughly, searched and succeeded in fin ding their money, $900 in all. Two of the three were caught, one a Highland County desperado notorious for his rascality, named Robert McKimie, and the other a son of a neighbor a few miles distant named Frank Mesmer. The latter was tried by Judge DuHadway, and was sent to the penitentiary for ten years, and the former, tried by Judge Tripp on several counts, got a fifteen years' sentence, and they are at this writing, October, 1883, still in durance vile. The ladies have now two large dogs on guard. Their grandfather bought 500 acres of land in Kentucky, but the title being what is called a work title in Kentucky was illegal, and he lost his land. Their father died Sept. 30, 1838, and their mother March 9, 1844. Daniel Ferneau was born Nov. 9, 1814, in Pike County, on the farm where he now resides, and is the eldest son of John H. and Christina (Freshour) Ferneau, natives of Berkeley County, Va. He worked in the tannery of his father till twenty-two years of age, since which time he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, at which he has been very successful. He was married Jan. 28, 1838, to Minerva, daughter of Burgess Elliott, one of the leading men of Pike County. This union was blessed with four children, of whom two daughters survive. Mr. Ferneau has been Justice of the Peace nine years and has served as Township Treasurer a number of years, and has also filled the office of Commissioner of Pike County six years. He is at present Trustee of the Christian Union church. His wife is a member of the United Brethren church. His father came to Pike County, Ohio, in 1808, and in 1812 erected a tannery in Perry Township where he carried on business some twenty-five years, besides dealing largely in real estate, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He reared a family of nine children and died in Pike County at the age of ninety years. His wife died about three years later, in her eighty-ninth year. Mr. Elliott, father of Mrs. Ferneau, was a native of Kentucky and came to Ohio in an early day. He was a great historian. He was Commissioner of Pike County fifteen years. Edmund Sehen Jones, youngest son of Thomas and Mary A. Jones, was born Sept. 17, 1843, in Pike County, on the farm where he now resides. He was reared on the farm and attended the common schools till twenty years of age. He then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he took a two years' course. After leaving college he clerked in J. D. Osborn & Co.'s dry goods store at Columbus, Ohio, two years, after which he attended Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pa., from which he graduated at the end of three months. He then returned to Bainbridge where he has since followed farming and has one of the finest farms in the township. He has been Justice of the Peace of his township and is at present Township Trustee. He was married April 1, 1871, to Mary L., daughter of Thomas HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 861 and Eliza Morrow of Bainbridge, Ohio. They have one son—Edwin Thomas. His parents were born in Radnorshire, Wales, and came to the United States in 1820, and were married at Columbus, Ohio. They had nine children, five now living. At the time of his death in 1853, Mr. Jones owned nearly 700 acres of land in Pike County. His widow is still living in her eighty-fourth year. Isaac Nelson, farmer and stock raiser, was born April 19, 1826, in Pike County, Ohio, and received his education in the subscription schools. He helped clear the farm and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits the greater part of his life. He was married in June, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Nancy Smith, early settlers of Pike County. Of the nine children born to this union only six survive, one son and five daughters. Mrs. Melson is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Melson has served three years as Trustee of Perry Township, He is a member of the Bainbridge Lodge, No. 196, F. & A. M., Bainbridge, Ohio. His father, Hiram, was born in Kentucky, and came to Ohio in an early day, and was married in Pike County to Elizabeth Core. He worked at the blacksmith's trade and at farming during his life, and died in Pike County, aged seventy years. His wife died at the age of seventy years. They reared four children of whom three are living. Levi Rittenhouse, tanner, is the fourth son of Samuel and Elizabeth Rittenhouse. He was born Jan. 4, 1802, in Louisa County, Va., and at an early age came to Ohio with his parents who settled in Ross County, Ohio. His youth was spent in attending the subscription schools and in working in his father's tannery. After arriving at manhood he and his brother, Tillman, carried on a tannery from 1825 till 1827. In 1827 he moved to Chariton County, Mo., where he was extensively engaged in business till October, 1860. He then sold out and has since resided in Pike County. He was married in 1825 to Hannah, daughter of William and Mary (Kyle) Sinnet. When Mr. Rittenhouse left Missouri, ne was accompanied by five of his servants and they have been engaged with him farming ever since. They are also good mechanics and well-read men. Mr. Rittenhouse having no children has made his will and made his servants sole heirs to all his property. Samuel Rittenhouse, youngest son of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Rittenhouse, was born in Concord Township, Ross Co., Ohio, Nov. 28, 1812. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and removed .to Ohio in 1804, where he carried on a tannery. He was the father of nine children, of whom only two survive—Levi and our subject. The latter was reared on a farm and educated at the subscription schools and resided in his native county till October, 1835. He then removed to Pike County where he has since followed fanning and stock-raising. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits through life and is one of the successful farmers of Perry Township. He was first married April 12, 1832, to Nancy Givens, of Latas, Ross County, who bore him three children. She died April 30, 1839, and he was again married in 1843, to Rachel Hiatt, of Highland County, by whom he had one son. She died Aug. 20, 1843, and Mr. Rittenhouse married his present wife Sarah Bryan, Jan. 18, 1844. Seven children have been born to them of whom five are living. Mr. Rittenhouse and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has served as Steward and Class-Leader a number of years. Lewis Cyrus Wilson was born July 23, 1847, in Highland County, Ohio, only son of James H. and Rosana Wilson, who were also natives of Ohio. In 1873 he purchased the mercantile interests of J. E.Dewey, of Cynthiana, and carried on a general mercantile bus- 862 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. iness with success till April,1883,when he sold out and has since devoted his time to farming. He has 214 acres of excellent land in Perry Township, 400 acres in Highland County and 192 acres in Ross County. He was married Nov. 8, 1874, to E. A. Steel, daughter of James and Jane Steel, of Scioto Township, Ross Co., Ohio. They have been blessed with four sons—James S., Lewis E., Alexander W. and Charles S. Mr. Wilson has served as Postmaster at Cynthiana since 1873. In the spring of 1878 he was elected Treasurer of Perry County, and served three terms. In 1880 he was elected Land Appraiser in Perry Township, and in the spring of 1883 was elected Township Trustee. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a Trustee, and in politics he is a Republican. BENTON TOWNSHIP. ITS FORM AND AREA. This township is one of the north tier, and on the west side. Like almost all the townships on that side it is irregular in form, following ridges as its dividing lines, without Much regard to section or township lines. It is the third largest township in the county, exceeded only by Jackson and Mifflin, and is about 1,100 acres larger than Pebble Township, which lies on the east. The assessment roll gives Benton Township i4,562 acres of land. Benton Township is a rocky, hilly country. Its streams are Sunfish Creek, in the southern part, Morgan's Fork and West Fork of Sunfish Creek, and a few other tributaries. Morgan's Fork comes in from the northwest, and flows southeast and south to its junction with Sunfish Fork, and the West Fork also runs in a southeasterly course, uniting its waters with Morgan's Fork at the hamlet of Morganstown. Sunfish Creek crosses the township from west to east, in the southern part. METES AND BOUNDS.-VALUATION. The township is bounded on the north by Ross County, east by Pebble Township, south by Sunfish and Mifflin, and west by Mifflin and Perry townships. The valuation of land in 1882 was $145,843, Morgantown, $1,996; total, $147,839, a fraction over $6.00 per acre. Its personal property in 1882, was $59,899. It has the famous Waverly stone within its border, but its greatest wealth lies in its timber, which is of very heavy growth, and of the leading hard-wood growth, such as the different kinds of oak, hickory, maple, etc. WHEN ORGANIZED. A petition was received from inhabitants of the east end of Mifflin Township, March 7, 1842, to be described as follows: " Beginning at or where the said Mifflin Township line crosses the road leading from Piketon to Hillsborough, near Richard Rlttenhouse's, and running eastward with original line of Mifflin and Pebble townships till it strikes the Ross County line; thence with said Ross County and Pike County line until it strikes the Perry Township line; thence with said line until it strikes the dividing ridge between Morgan's Fork of Sunfish and Kincaid's Fork, near Lunbeck's; thence with said ridge, including Peter Brant, Jr., John Barton and William Magafech, so as to strike the improvement of Enoch P. Brant, on said ridge; thence due south to strike the Mifflin and Sunfish line on the ridge between Main Sunfish and Chenoweth's Fork; thence with the original line to the beginning." The auditor was instructed to notify the inhabitants of new township to meet at the house of John Moore on the first Monday of April to elect the usual number of township officers for said township of Benton. There have been but two changes of note in HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 863 the boundary of the township, and they are described below. "Beginning at corner of Benton Township, on ridge near Richard Rittenhouse's; thence a straight line to the corner of Daniel Parker's land on the division line of James Taylor's survey; thence with said line to corner of James B.'s land in the Waverly road; thence with said road easterly to southeast corner of A. Cummings's land; thence north; thence east to northeast corner of Taylor's survey, etc." " Ordered, That the line between them be run and plainly marked by Thomas Wilson, County Surveyor." POPULATION AND POLITICS. The population of Benton Township dates from the census of 1850. In that year it was 639; 1860, 811; 1870, 1,119; 1880, 1,474. It has shown as steady a growth as any township in the county, and in some respects, notwithstanding its rugged and broken surface, has gained faster than many other more favored townships. Pee Pee and other good agricultural municipalities have not grown as steadily or as fast as Benton. MORGANTOWN is the capital city of Benton Township, and boasts of a population of about seventy-five. It has a pleasant location on Morgan Fork, and near it is the mouth of West Fork of Sunfish Creek. It lies in the valley and has ranges of lofty hills all around it. There is a general store kept by Messrs. Marhoover & Eager about a half a mile north of the hamlet, and C. A. Rodgers has a portable saw-mill, which is now located just east of the town. This mill has been in use some fifteen years. There are two excellent gristmills in the township, one owned by Jno. P. Dewey, on Morgan's Fork, in the northern part of the township, which was first erected about 1850, and the other is on Sunfish Creek, in the extreme southern portion of the township, and is owned by a Mr. Brammer. The records of the township are among the lost papers, and a full list of township officers could not be secured. Those of the present year are given: Trustees, John R. Ford, Wm. Watts and Vincent Bond; Clerk, A. H. Moore; Treasurer, W. H. Wilson; Assessor, Wm. Armstrong; Constable, W. H. Herd-man; Justices of the Peace, Cyrus Parker and Thomas Lambert. SCHOOLS. There are seven school districts in Benton Township, as follows: Sub-district No. 1, Anderson's School—Teacher, Ida Milburn; scholars, seventy-four. Sub-district No. 2, Morgantown School—Teacher, E. S. Cummings; scholars, sixty-eight. Sub-district No. 3, Ashenfelter School—Teacher, R, M. Vincent; scholars, seventy-two. Sub-district No. 4, Rolston's School—Scholars, sixty-two. Subdistrict No. 5, Greenbrier School—Teacher, W. M. Riser; scholars, sixty-seven. Sub-district No. 6, Colored School—Teacher, James Jackson; scholars, fifty-eight. Joint Sub-district No. 7, Bond School—Teacher, E. T. Bond; scholars, fifty-two. Thirty-two belong to Benton Township and twenty to Pebble Township. CHURCHES. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Morgantown, is comparatively a new organization, dating from 1875. The society was formed by Rev. Z. D. Hickman, with a class of thirty members. They erected their church the same year, which is located in the northern part of the town. Rev. Z. D. Hickman is their present pastor, with thirty-five members, and Trustees as follows: Samuel Griffith, A. S. Rodgers and B. A Cooper. Preaching is had every other Sabbath, and Sunday-school every Sabbath during the summer months. Social meetings are also held every other Sunday. 864 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. The Christian Church.—Like the other, this church is of a late date, being organized by Rev. Mr. Watts, with twelve members, in 1879. They have a church-building of their own, but at this time no stated preaching, being without a pastor. The Elders and Trustees are: Alfred Cooper, Josiah McNeal and Joseph McNeal. The church is situated in the northwest part of Morgantown. Christian Union.—This church is located four and one-half miles northwest of Morgantown, and was organized in 1882, by. Rev. Jacob Anderson, with a class of twenty members. Their church building was erected in 1883, and is a neat and comfortable building. Trustees: Michael McBride, John R. Ford and Harvey Howard. Their regular service is held every two weeks. Christian Union, another church of the above denomination, is located in School District No. 7, and was organized in 1879, by Rev. Shoemaker, with fifteen members. He still retains charge of the church as its regular pastor, and the membership has increased to thirty. At present they have no place of worship of their own, but hold their regular meetings every two weeks in the Bond School-house. A Sabbath-school is connected with the church which continues regularly every Sabbath-day during the summer months. Both church and school is in a prosperous condition and the society expects to erect a church building during 1884. PEBBLE TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION AND ELECTION. Pebble Township was organized in August, .1821, and its first election was held in October of that year: The judges of the election were, Joseph Penisten, Wm. Young and Daniel Devorss; Clerks, Enoch Parrill and John Devorss. It was the first new township formed after the county had been divided into municipal divisions. The township lies in the center of the north. ern tier of townships, and is bounded on the north by Ross County, east by Pee Pee Township, south by Newton and west by Benton townships. It is the third in size in the county, having an area of 23,437 acres of land. There are few valleys in it is generally hilly and in many places rough and broken. It is well watered from Pee Pee Creek and its branches, and in the valleys of these streams are some rich lands, but these valleys are neither numerous nor wide, yet in a measure redeeming it from the thinner and less productive soil of the uplands. Wood, water and stone are in abundance. VALUATION AND POPULATION. The personal property of the township was given in 1880 at $77,114. The assessed valuation in 1882, of land, was $187,137; and of per- sonal property, $77,985; Idaho and Buchanan, $7,420; total valuation, $272,542. Thls makes. Pebble the fifth in aggregate wealth in the county. The population of the township was, in the census of 1840, 504; 1850, 914; 1860, 1,438; 1870, 1,422; 1880, 1,594. OLD SETTLERS. We give a few names of the pioneers of Pebble .Township who were prominent in early days: David Lawson, William Newland, Henry Grubb, Levi Russell, Joseph Brown, Thomas Newland, Zachariah Briggs, John Waggy, James Leth, Malcha Arthur, James M. Durhan, Joseph Penisten, John Ray, G. W. Robinson, James Richey, Gordon Monroe, John Leeth, James Russell, Archibald Brown, Thomas Waldron, Janes Bryant, Andrew Pollard, George Tubble, Daniel Kellison, James W. Thompson, Asa Vincent, Marcus Willcox, Peter Lightle, Anderson Brown, George Penisten, Joseph L Zickafoose, German Brown, James Magee, James Ward, Elza Saylor, James Waldron, HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 865 George Waldron, Andrew Finney, Robert wery, A. R. Lewis. BUCHANAN is the central hamlet of Pebble Township, and its business is locally confined to the township people. It is laid out at right angles with the .four points of the compass, and at this time has a population of about 100. Its business interests are two general stores, owned by Theodore Lockwood and W. C. Cussins; a blacksmith shop by James Snyder, and a cooper arid wagon shop by Lewis Zickefoose, who is also Postmaster, the office being in Mr. Lockwood's store. IDAHO lies in the southwest corner of Pebble Township and, while its business interests are mostly within Pebble Township, it claims the proud distinction of belonging to four townships, viz.: Pebble, Benton, Sunfish and Newton; in fact, it touches all these townships, the corner where they meet being within the surveyed limits of the hamlet. The principal street is the Sunfish and Waverly turnpike. Not far from the town site is the County Infirmary. The population is a little over 100. Its business interests are carried on by W. G. Starkey, who is Postmaster and keeps a general store; Messrs. Baker & Williams, who keep a general store; Daniel Fitrick, blacksmith; William Rittenhouse, blacksmith; Amaziah Penn, wagon-maker; Samuel McCollister and Joseph Gast m, cooper shop; John Elliott, shoemaker; Henry Moorman, saloon, and the Idaho House, under the efficient charge of R. S. Thompson as proprietor. The early settlers took a considerable interest in their schools and churches. The oldest school-house was a log structure on Pee Pee Creek, put up about 1816 or 1817, and known as Pee Pee School-house. Another one of an - 55 - early day was the old affair that stood for years on No Name Creek. SCHOOLS. There are ten school districts in Pebble Township as follows: Sub-district No. 1, Pee Pee School—Teacher, Miss Ida Rhoades; scholars, sixty-five. Sub-district No 2, Cline School— scholars, sixty-seven. Sub-district No. 3, Buchanan School—Teacher, L. L. Robinson—scholars, sixty-one. Sub-district No. 4, No Name School—scholars, fifty-two. Subdistrict No. 5, Black School—Teacher, Winfield Black; scholars, sixty-five. Sub-district No. 6, Leeth Creek School—scholars, sixty-seven. Sub-district No. 7 has been dropped. Sub-district No. 8, Colored School—Teacher, Henry Newsom; scholars, fifty-three. Subdistrict No. 9, Idaho School— Teacher, Douglas Holton; scholars, ninety. Sub-district No. 10, Colored School— Teacher, J. D. Roberts; scholars, forty-two. CHURCHES. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1853. The present pastor is Rev. R. M. Turner; Steward, Elias James; membership, sixteen. They hold their meetings in the Barnett School-house, in the northwest portion of the township. They have regular services once a month; Sabbath-school every Sunday. They have a church building under construction, at a cost of about $500, the building committee being Elias Jones, Ross Huff and Charles Lomack. The Buchanan Presbyterian Church, was organized in 1877, by Rev. Mr. Adams, with about twenty members. Trustees, Samuel Maxwell, Wm. Lydict and Joseph Miller; Deacons, Samuel Ruby, Joseph Miller and Samuel Maxwell. At present they have no pastor, and the membership is about forty ; the trustees and elders are the same as when organized. Regular services are held eve y two weeks. They have a Union' Sunday- 866 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. school with an attendance of about fifty scholars, which is held every Sunday. The Buchanan Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. Elias Nichols of the Chillicothe Circuit. The present pastor is the Rev. Mr. Bridwell. Regular service is held every two weeks, and class-meeting every Sabbath. The Buchanan United Brethren Church was organized in 1881 by Rev. George W. Morgan. At present they have no pastor. The membership is now about twenty, and regular service is held every third week. The African Baptist Church was organized about 1848. The first church was built in 1857, and Rev. Nelson Satterwhite was the preacher. The church was located in the north-central portion of the township, and was used until 1877, when they built a new church three-fourths of a mile south of the old one. Trustees, Frank Johnson, Henry Lewis and George Wood. The present membership is 215. The Rev. Peter Everett was the pastor the past year. Regular preaching the second Sunday in each month. Sabbath-school eight months in the year, every Sabbath. Deacons, David Bundy, Allen Nowell, Allen Causins and Giles Roberts. The Leeth, Christian Union Church was organized by Rev. John Treat, with ten meinbers, in 1870, and S. A. Shattuck, R. M. Newland and J. D. Roberts were appointed Elders. They held their meetings in the schoolhouse until 1878, when they built a church. The pastor was the Rev. James McCibbon; Trustees, Joab Newland, S. B. Shade and S. A. Shattuck; Elders, James H. McCibbon, John Newland and J. P. Leeth. The present minister is the Rev. Mr. Shoemaker, and the membership is about seventy-five. The church is located on the west side of the township on Leeth Creek. The Mt. Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. Thomas Waldron with about twenty-five members. The church was built in 1873. The Trustees were: Wm. Smith, James Waldron, Andrew Waldron, James V. Smith and J. L. Wills, the membership at that date having increased to seventy-five. Rev. George W. McLaughlin was the pastor at that time. The Trustees are the same now as then, with the exception of Andrew Waldron, who has moved away. Wm. Stiner was appointed in his place. Rev. Pearl A. Baker is the present pastor, and the membership is now eighty. Regular service every two weeks; Sabbath-school every Sunday. The Idaho Christian Union Church was organized in 1867, by Rev. Alfred Moore, with fifteen members. The Elders appointed were: Robert Leeper, Amos Watts, and William Penisten. In 1870 a church building was erected at Idaho, which cost them between $800 and $1,000. Revs. Alfred Moore and John Treat were on the circuit. The membership had grown to about thirty-five; Elders J. M. Smith, Amos Watts and William Penis-ten. The pastor now is Rev. James Shoemaker; Elders, J.- M. Smith, T. Anderson and Samuel Trego, with a membership of 125. Regular services are held once a mouth, and class-meeting every Sunday. The No-Name United Brethren Church was organized in 1830, and the society built a log church in 1840, the ministers being the Revs. George Hathaway and Jesse Bright, and the membership was about thirty-five. This church stood until 1874, when they erected a new frame church which was dedicated by Bishop Jonathan Weaver. Their Class-Leader is Joseph P. Coil; Steward, John Dingledine,and the membership now is seventy-five. Regular services are held every three weeks, and class-meetings every Sunday. Pee Pee Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church.—The first class in the township was organized on Pee Pee Creek, at the residence of William Ward, in 1820. The Revs. James Laws and Hurd were the ministers, holding HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 867 their meetings in William Ward's house until 1840. They had about thirty members. In 1852 they commenced holding their meetings in the Pee Pee School-house, the preachers being Revs. George Nesler and William Corkins, and their membership about the same as above. The school-house was occupied by them until 1872, when they built the Pee Pee Chapel. The Trustees were: Samuel James, Samuel Ashbaugh, Walter Finney, Peter Dick and James Magee. The class then had reached sixty members with Rev. George McLaughlin as their pastor. Their present pastor is the Rev. Pearl A. Baker; Trustees, Charles :Daily, Henry Dick, James Magee, Peter Dick and Walter Finney, and the membership is now eighty-five. Regular preaching is had every two weeks and class-meetings and Sabbath-school every Sunday. OFFICIAL-1845. Trustees, David Lawson, James L. Leeth and Joseph Penisten; Treasurer, John Waggy; Clerk, Zack. Briggs; Assessor, Levi Walls; Constables, Robert Tubbell and George Young; Justice of the Peace, Richard Rittenhouse; Overseers of the Poor, William Acton and Peter Lightle. 1883. Trustees, William T. Moore, Ezra Brown, W. W. Spurrier; Treasurer, W. C. Cussins; Clerk, J. B. Newland ; Assessor, S. J. Ashbaugh; Constables, James Acton and G. W. Brown; Justices of the Peace, Walter Finney and D. F. Hiatt. BIOGRAPHICAL. Jacob R. Ashbaugh, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Pebble Township, Pike County, May 6, 1850, a son of Jacob and Jane (Thompson) Ashbaugh, natives of Pennsylvania. He resided with his parents till twenty-four years of age, and followed farming till 1874. He then engaged in the mercantile business in Muskingum County, but the following year returned to his native county and followed farming till 1878. He again engaged in the mercantile business for two years, when he sold out, and has since been engaged in farming. He was married Dec. 11, 1874, to Mollie, daughter of the late Washington and Joanna (Pen n i s ten) Taylor. Our Subject's father came to Highland County in an early day, remaining till 1849, when he moved to Pike County. His wife died in Pike County in the spring of 1869. Almond Bayham, M.D. was born in Lexington, Richland Co., Ohio, Oct. 1, 1838, a son of Dr. William R. and Hannah (Ray) Mayham, his father a native of Baltimore, Md., and his mother of Greene County, Pa. He commenced the study of medicine with his father, and after the latter's death, in 1854, completed it with Dr. McBride, of Marshall, Ohio. He commenced his practice in Highland County, Ohio, and in 1863 removed to Pike County, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice. He has a farm of 330 acres which he superintends. Jan. 29, 1863, he married Mildred A.., daughter of Samuel and Hannah Bridwell, of Highland County. Nine children have been born to them, but seven now liv ing—Gilead, Zenna, Charles, Silva, Bertha. Bell, Ovie Ann and James. Edward and Frank W. died in early childhood. Mrs. Bay-ham is a member of the Methodist church. Thornton F. Black, a native of Ohio, was born Feb. 2, 1837, the second son of a family of six boys and two girls. His father was a native of Fayette County, Penn., of German descent, his parents emigrating from Germany. There were three brothers—Jacob, George and Andrew, the youngest, the father of our subject. He emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1820, and settled on a farm in Knox County about fourteen miles east Mt. Vernon. Our subject lived with his father, working on the farm in the summer and going to school in the winter, thereby obtaining a fair educa- 868 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY tion, and at the age of eighteen he taught his first school for a term of four months at $14 per month, and subsequently went to school in the summer and taught in the winter. In 1859 he married Louisa Jane Lydick. They had a family of five children-Winfield F., Dora C., Savilla J., Mary Jane and Henry Curtis. The eldest is now teaching school. In 1861 Mr. Black enlisted in the defense of his country in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. After the war closed he studied law with W. C. Cooper & Co., of Mt. Vernon; and was admitted to the bar, and has a good country practice. In 1873 he sold his farm in Knox County and moved to Pike County and purchased a farm of 300 acres in Pebble Township, one mile south of Buchanan, where he now lives. He takes great pride in improving his farm and raising thoroughbred sheep; has built two large barns and always has them well filled with the very best hay and grain. W. C. Cussins, merchant, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Dec. 13, 1856, and is a son of Joshua and Harriet J. (Carriens) Cussins. They were married in Richhill Township, Muskingum County, in August, 1845. They had a family of five sons-W. C., James H., Frank, Edward H., who died in 1872, aged eleven years, and Charles D. They moved from Muskingum County to Pike County in January, 1872. W. C. attended the common schools and lived on a farm till 1868. He then commenced clerking in a general store for William Ewing, at High Hill, Muskingum County, with whom he remained till December, 1871. In January, 1872, he moved to Pike County, and clerked in the general store of James Earls, in Buchanan, until October, 1876, when he became a partner in the business. In September, 1878, he sold his interest in the store and engaged in `the mercantile business for himself. He was married Nov. 7, 1878, near Buchanan, to Annie, daughter of Wash ington and Joanna Taylor. They have two children-Floyd T., born Oct. 10, 1879, and Olive B., born July 9, 1882. Mr. Cussins is a member of the Mason's fraternity. Washington Taylor, father of Mrs. Cassius, was born in Virginia, March 21, 1820, and came to Ohio when but a boy. He was married Aug. 10, 1848, to Joanna Penisten, who was born Aug. 6, 1827, in Pike County, a daughter of Joseph Penisten. They had four children-Mollie E., born Oct. 29, 1849; Samantha, born Aug. 7, 1852, and died April 12, 1864; Annie, born Oct. 12, 1858, and Edgar, born Aug. 11, 1866, and died Oct. 7, 1866. Washington Taylor died June 6, 1879. Lee Lydick, farmer and stock-raiser, was born on the farm where he now lives, in Pebble Township, Pike Co., Ohio, Dec. 26, 1852, a son of George and Louisa (McKee) Lydick, his father a native of Knox County, and his mother of Columbiana County, Ohio. He was educated in the common school and the National Normal, at Lebanon, Ohio. After leaving school he taught several terms, and then settled on the old homestead and engaged in farming. He has 200 acres of fine land; one of the best farms in the township. Sept. 17, 1873, he married Emma McBride, daughter of James and Elvira A. (Hyatt) McBride, of Pike County. They have three children-Florence E., Margaret and Harry Lee. In 1882 Mr. Lydick was elected County Commissioner. Powell Lydick was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 31, 1839, a son of Eli and Catherine (Carpenter) Lydick, natives of Pennsylvania. He was married Feb. 24, 1859, to Mary, daughter of Conrad and Catherine (Hanger) Doub, her father a native of Germany and her mother of Pennsylvania. In 1864 he removed to Pike County and settled on the farm where he now lives. He has ninety-one acres of fine land. In February, 1865, ne enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Infantry, and HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 869 served till January, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Lydick have three daughters-Catherine E., Clementine C. and Ocie Mary. Mrs. Lydick is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. William H. McCoy was born in Ross County, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1824, a son of Joseph and Eliza (Nuckle) McCoy, the former a native of Maryland, of Irish descent, and the latter of Virginia, of Scotch descent. When he was eighteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He worked as journeyman two years, and in 1849 located in Buchanan, where he has been very successful. Aug. 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Elghty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was mustered out June 14, 1865. He partlcipated in many battles, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. June 19, 1845, he married Nancy Taylor, daughter of William and Elizabeth Taylor, of Virginia. She died July 7, 1847, leaving one son-Hanson, who died in May, 1882. March 28, 1818, Mr. McCoy married Charlotte Grundy, of Highland County, Ohio. They have six children-Eliza Catherine, Mary F., Laura A., James F., John Henry and Margaret E. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. James B. Newland, eldest son of William and Ellen (Bryan) Newland, was born in Pebble Township, Pike Co., Ohio, Nov. 1, 1837. He was educated at the common schools and lived on the home farm till twenty-two years of age. He was first married May 10, 1860, to Louisa Leeth, daughter of James Leeth, who died June 20, 1866, leaving two children-`Alonzo and Mary E. He was again married May 10, 1867, to Rhoda, daughter of Joseph Leeth, a pioneer of Pike County. This union was blessed with five children-Frank H., Nancy E. (deceased), Louisa M., Josephine (deceased) and Elsie. In 1867 Mr. Newland began learning the carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship two years, after which he engaged in business for himself, and, with the exception of three years spent in Logan County, he has worked at his trade in Pike County. He also owns thirty acres of land which is farmed by his soli In 1864 he was elected Township Constable, and served four years, and in 1867 he was elected Township Clerk, and is still holding that position. His wife and two eldest children are members of the Christian Union Church. George Penisten, Jr., was born in Pike County, June 8, 1825, a son of Joseph and Jerusha (Lunbeck) Penisten, his father a native of Kentucky and his mother of Ohio. His mother died July 17, 1830, aged thirty years, leaving six children.. His father afterward married Sarah Ann Hill,by whom he had nine children. He was magistrate for thirty years, and was an officer in the State militia for many years. He died May 2, 1866, at the age of seventy years, six months, twenty-seven days. George Penisten was married March 26, 1846, to Amanda Melvina Cowgill, a native of Virginia, who was born Feb. 10, 1827. They have had ten children-Mary J., born Jan. 2, 1847; Nancy J. (deceased), born Feb. 11, 1819; Juliett (deceased), born Oct. 4, 1851; Ann Eliza, born March 25, 1854; William A., born Nov. 2, 1856; Daniel (deceased), born March 11, 1859; Harriet E., born March 30, 1860; Georgiana, born June 1, 1863; Flora Gale, born Sept. 11, 1866, and Virginia Maie, born April 28, 1869.. Samuel Ruby, son of John M. and Elizabeth (House) Ruby, was born April 2, 1833, in Harrison County, Ohio, where his parents who were natives of Pennsylvania, were early settlers. Sept. 9, 1853, he was married to Isabell Glasgow, and settled in Richland County, where he purchased sixty acres of land. About the close of the war, 1865, he moved to Knox County, where for several years he carried on farming, and afterward 870 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. kept a hotel in Howard, a railroad village. In 1876, he purchased and moved to his present farm, near Buchanan, in Pike County, Ohio, where his improvements are still advancing. He believes that every man should follow a business that contributes to the welfare of mankind. Mr. and Mrs. Ruby have one son —Robison L. Ruby, now resident of Centerburg, in Knox County. They, with their son and his wife, are all members of the Presbyterian church, and living as they hope to die —in hope of the glory of God. Amos Cole Watts, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Portsmouth, Scioto County, March 2, 1834, son of John and Mary (Haterman) Watts. When he was four years of age his mother died, after which he moved with his father to Jackson, where he remained till he was fifteen years of age. He then settled in Newton Township, Pike County, with his father, with whom he lived till he grew to manhood. In 1868 he was appointed Superintendent of the County Infirmary, which position he held five years, and in 1873 he purchased his present farm of about 200 acres of highly improved land. With the exception of five years he has always followed farming pursuits, in which he has been very successful. He was married Feb. 17, 1854, to Ellen Cochran, a native of Pike County and a daughter of John Cochran. They were the parents of two -children, of whom only one is living —Richard K. Alexander died when two years of age. Mr. Watts and wife are mem- bers of the Christian church. Joseph L. Zickafoose was born in Greenbrier County, W. Va., June 14, 1816, a son of George and Catharine Zickafoose, the former of German and the latter of Scotch and German descent. He came to Ohio in the fall of 1835, and remained till the fall of 1836, when he went to Illinois and remained a year. In the summer of 1837 he went with his eldest brother and family to the Black-hawk purchase and remained two weeks .nd helped him build a cabin, returning again fo Fulton County. In September, 1837, he went to Virginia and remained with his parents a year. In the fall of 1838 he came to Ohio and lived in Meigs County eleven years, working at the wagon-maker's trade the most of the time. In 1851 he went to Iowa and purchased 180 acres of land, and remained two years; then returned to Ohio and was engaged in buying and selling land in Meigs County three years. He then removed to Pike County, and in 1858 or 1859 laid out the town of Buchanan, it being a part of the farm where he now resides. In 1871 he sold his farm and went to Indiana, and was engaged in the dry-goods business about six months. He then sold his goods at wholesale and returned to Pike County and bought a farm three mlles north of Waverly. Five years later, on account of poor health, he went to Colorado and prospected for silver, but not finding it very lucrative he sold out and returned home. He was in Colorado when it was adopted into the Union as a State. In 1879 he exchanged his farm for the one he first owned in Pike County, arid is now residing on the old home-place. In 1841 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and in 1862 was again elected to that office; has served six years as Townshlp Trustee, eight years a member of the Board of Education, and three years as Townshlp Treasurer. He was married in April, 1834, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Davis, of Meigs County. They have had children--Nancy Catharine, married Robert G. Andrew; George Clarke, married Mary A. McCord; Lewis Walter, married Elizabeth Marhoover; Harvey Westfall, married Nancy Glaze; Louisa Angelina, married Dewitt L. Lockwood; J ohn Carr, died at the age of eleven years. They have twenty-six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren living. Lewis W Zickafoose, wagon-maker, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, Oct. 13, 1845, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Davis) Zicka- HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 871 foose. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-third Ohio Infantry, and served till August, 1865, participating in many hard-fought battles, among them Resaca, Savannah, and was with Sherman to the sea. After his return home he worked in the shop with his father two years, and since then has been in business alone, combining the wagon-maker's, cooper's and undertaker's trades. He has served two terms as Constable and two terms as Trustee of his township. He has been Postmaster of Buchanan since 1878. Aug. 22, 1867, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Catherine Marhoover. They have seven children—Estella May, Lizzie Maud, Harvey, Annie Myrtle, Katie D., George and Lulu. Mr. and Mrs. Zickafoose are members of the United Brethren church. APPENDIX. The following is a correction of the pension list, prepared by H. C. Miller, which came to the publishers too late to be inserted in the War History of Jackson County: