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CHAPTER XXVII.
HOMER.
INTRODUCTORY AND DESCRIPTIVE-MINERAL RESOURCES—OIL --A PART OF AMES TOWNSHIP IN 1805-HOMER AND MARION TOGETHER-POPULATION, 1820 TO 1840-PIONEER SETTLERS-THE ALDERMANS-THE LOVELLS- 0THER EARLY AND PROMINENT FAMILIES-REMINISCENCES AND PERSONAL HISTORY-FIRST IMPROVEMENTS-VILLAGES-THEIR ORIGIN AND DATE-CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, ETC.
Homer of Morgan County. It is a populous and well-improved section, with agriculture and stock-raising as its principal industries. The land is of the best grade and is well-watered by Federal Creek, Sunday Creek, and their branches. The coal underlying the surface is of a superior quality and thickness, but owing to a lack of facilities for transportation has not as yet been extensively mined. A superior quality of fire-clay is found near Mountsville. A few years ago the development of the oil territory along Federal Creek attracted much attention, and for a time it seemed as though the excitement which attended the first workings of the Pennsylvania fields was to be renewed here. (See chapter on "Resources of Morgan County "). But so, far, that ancient and honorable occupation, tilling the soil, has been found more profitable than any other by the people of the township.
Soon after the organization of Athens County in 1805, the whole county was divided into four municipal townships : Ames, Athens, Alexander and Troy. Ames Township was originally bounded as follows : " Beginning at the northeast corner of the county (Athens), thence running west to the northwest corner of the county ; thence south to the southwest corner of township No. 12, in the 16th range; thence east to the southeast corner of township No. 7, in the 12th range; thence north to the place of beginning."
Thus it will be Seen that Ames tOWnship included both of the townships, Homer and Marion, in 1805. Prior to 1820. Homer was formed from Ames ; and prior to 1840 Marion was formed wholly or partly from Homer. March 11, 1845, both Homer and Marion were set off to Morgan County. 1820 Homer township, with more than twice its present territory had 201 inhabitants, of whom 101 were males. In 1830, Homer (including the present Marion) had 636 inhabitants ; in. 1840, 912.
The Alderman family were among the earliest pioneers of this township. In the spring of 1808 Elisha Alderman and Job Phillips came from Olean, N. Y., and made a location on Sharp's Fork of Federal Creek, being favorably impressed with the natural advantages of the country, and deeming it a favor-
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able location for the establishment of homes they returned to New York, and in 1810 emigrated to what is now Morgan County, with a little colony of seventeen people. Upon a lumber raft upon which was loaded, their household effects and families, they floated down the Allegheny River to Pittsburgh, and from thence via the Ohio to Marietta where they traded the lumber for six hundred and forty acres of land in what is now Homer township. The country bordering on the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers was at the time of which we write a dense wilderness with here and there the cabin of some adventurous frontiersman, and perhaps no better idea can be given of the courage and indomitable energy of this little band of pioneers than the fact that they left their homes and with their worldly possessions and their families upon a raft of lumber, undertook a voyage of nearly five hundred miles upon unknown waters, and into a country almost uninhabited, and perhaps their only incentive was the probable benefit that might in after time accrue to their descendants. The names of the colonists were Elisha Alderman and wife, Elisha Jr. and wife, Job Phillips and wife, John Stewart and wife, James Ward Smith and wife, Rachel, Elijah, Hosea, Lucy, Elihu and Annar, all of whom were sons, daughters and sons-in-kw of Elisha senior. All were identified with the early history of the township. Elisha, who was the progenitor of the Alderman family in Morgati county, lived to an advanced age and died in the township. Elisha Jr. reared a large family and was quite promptly identified with the early affairs of that section. He removed to Iowa about 1850, where he died. James Ward Smith, who married Esther Alderman was a well-known citizen and highly esteemed. Elijah died in the township at an advanced age. He reared a family of eighteen children, one of whom, Rev. J. W. Alderman, is pastor of the First M. E. Church, of Burlington, Iowa. Hosea was a man well known. He was a Methodist in his religious belief and prominent in the affairs of the church. He was emphatically a peacemaker, and in early times was frequently called to adjust differences between his neighbors. He reared a family of eight children, but one of whom, Arza, one of the prominent business men of McConnelsville, resides in the county.
Reuben Rice was an early settler on the land now belonging to the Mansfield Petroleum company. William Tryon was a pioneer on the farm now owned by Mrs. Mary A. Wells.
The oldest men now living in the township (1886) are James McLain and James Adams.
James McLain was born in Washington County, Pa., June 24, 1799. When two years of age he came with his father to Belmont County, Ohio, where he remained until nine years of age, thence removed to Licking County and lived until eighteen years old. In 1817 he settled in Penn Township, near Pennsville, removing thence to Homer Township twenty years later. He married Sarah Howard, daughter of Charles Howard; an early settler of Morgan County and the first justice of the peace in Penn Township, and was the father of Samuel, Charles and James, who live in Oregon ; Ruth, Thomas and John, of Homer Township ; Timothy, Rosanna and Catharine, deceased. John McLain, born in Homer township in 1840, married Elizabeth McMul-
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len. Their children are RoScoe S., Sadie E. and Timothy A.
Other early settlers in Homer Township (some of them in that part of the original township of Homer now known as Marion Township) were Sharp, on the stream still known as Sharp's Fork ; Champlin, Reuben Rice, the Lovells, from Massachusetts ; John Beardsley, from Virginia ; Peter Vore, William Tryon ; the Joys, after whom the village of Joy was named ; the Farleys, Starlings, Proutys, Browns, Carpenters, Withams, Moodys, McLains and others.
The first sawmill in the township was erected by Thomas Dougherty, Sr., on the farm now owned by Martin N. Moody.
The first church, a Structure of hewed logs, was erected near. Mountsville, about 1840.
The first schoolhouse was in the Alderman neighborhood, near Joy. The second stood near Elliott's Cross Roads, on the farm then owned by William French. The third was in the Hyde district.
Probably the first brick house in the township was erected by Hosea Alderman in 1822.
John Wright came to Homer Township from Washington County, Pa., in 1829, locating on the southeast quarter of section 18, and purchasing his farm of A. G. Brown of Athens for a horse. Mr. Wright was a native of Connecticut. The only representative of the family now living in Homer Township is his son John. The latter married Mary Hurd.
Captain Thomas S. Lovell, one of the prominent early settlers of Homer, was born in Barnstable, Mass., in December, 1786. In early life he followed the sea, making forty-one voyages across the Atlantic. In 1814 he settled on the farm now owned by his son John W. His family was about the fourth in the township. The old log house in which Captain Lovell and his brother Russell passed the first winter is still standing. Captain Lovell was wholly unused to farming and to pioneer ways, yet, by adapting himself to circumstances, he managed to get along comfortably and well. He served as justice of the peace one term. His wife's maiden name was Charlotte Norcross, and she was the mother of seven children : Charlotte A., deceased, was the wife of J. W. Spurr; Susan G. married John E. Vore ; Georgiana, deceased, married George Walker ; Thomas R. married Lorina Ellis; 0. M. married Rosanna Jenkins; Augustine married Eliza A. Joy ; John W. married Eliza J. Wheeler. John W. Lovell, born in 1827, is the father of J. Alfred, 0. M., Eliza J. (Elliott) and Georgia.
The Elliotts belong to an early and prominent family. Elijah Elliott was born in Belmont County, Ohio, September 20, 1806, and resided in that county until twenty-five years of age. He married Dorcas . French, of Belmont County, and in August, 1831, removed to Homer Township, locating on section 6, where he still resides. The children of Elijah and Dorcas Elliott are as follows : John married Amy Bingham and lives in Dakota; Elizabeth (Dougherty) is dead; Otho married Elizabeth Bullock and resides in Homer Township ; William married Lucinda Strode and lives in Marion; Rachel (Timms) and Rebecca (Hart) are dead ; Isaac married Esther Harkins and resides in Missouri ; Julia A. married J. W. Atkinson and lives in Marion ;
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E. E. married Mary Bernard and lives in Missouri ; Jesse T., the present county auditor, married Eliza Lovell and resides in McConnelsville; Archimedes died young; Francis E. lives in homer. Mr. Elliott served as postmaster from 1848 to 1874.
Otho Elliott was born in Homer Township January 2, 1835. In 1857 he married Elizabeth Bullock. Children : Alfred and Francis, dead; Lewis, .Charles F., Dorcas E. (Dugan), Mary (Davis), Addie and Annie. Mrs. Elliott died August 31, 1878. Mr. Elliott Served as postmaster about twelve years, and as justice of the peace for one term.
William Brown came from Maryland and first settled in Marion Township, where for a time he followed his trade, that of an undertaker and cabinetmaker. He then engaged in merchandising at Elliott's Cross Roads, where for many years he did a successful business. He was twice married, the last time to Miss Sarah A. Hutton. Five children were born to them—Mary A., William A., Addie, Arthur S. and Frank of whom are living except the latter. William was born in Homer in 1850 ; is now a resident of McConnelsville. (See civil list.)
William and Rachel Leeper came from Pennsylvania. in 1820, and thence to Homer Township, where they lived until their deaths, the former in the eighty-second year of his age, the latter aged eighty-three. Hezekiah Leeper, a son, was born in Guernsey County May 22, 1820, married Catharine Mowrey, and has reared a family of six children, three boys and three girls. He is a successful farmer and a prominent member of the M. E. Church, and has served the township as trustee.
Mahlon H. Parsons was born in Delaware County, Pa., in 1802, and removed thence to Baltimore County, Md. In 1840 he settled in Union Township, Morgan County, Ohio. He married Annie M. Afflick, of Delaware County, Pa., and was the father of eight children, five of whom are living—Sarah (Powell), Penn Township ; Mary A. Strahl, deceased ; Emeline (Strahl), Union ; Elizabeth (Thompson), Union ; Lewis F., Homer; C. B., deceased ; Hannah (Lent), deceased; William H., Union.
Lewis F. Parsons was born in Maryland November 14, 1834, and came to Morgan County when five years of age. In 1861 he married Melissa Llewellyn. They have four children living—Elmer E.; Effie, dead ; Annie, Fred E. and John E., at home. Mr. Parsons has served as township trustee several years, and as land appraiser one year.
James Carter was born in Bedford County, Pa., July 25, 1815, and came with his parents to Ames Township, Athens County, Ohio, when about three years old, remaining there twenty years. About 1839 he removed to Homer Township, where he has since resided. Mr. Carter married Elizabeth McDaniel, and they have had nine children— Nancy (Lewis), dead; Sarah A. (Howe), dead ; Minerva (Owens), dead ; Melissa (Mantz), Iowa; George, Homer Township; James Madison, Albert and Jefferson, dead. Mr. and Mrs. Carter belong to the Christian Church.
Jacob Lewis, a native of Washington County, Pa., came from Marshall County, Va., in 1836, locating on the farm now owned by A. B. Johnson. He married Elizabeth Martin, a native of Pennsylvania.
Oliver Hyde came to Ohio at an early
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date from New York state, locating on section nineteen, on Hyde's Fork of Federal Creek. His son, Ephraim Hyde, about 1825 made a settlement on section 25, removing hither from Charleston, W. Va.
Joseph Hoopes, born in Chester County, Pa., February 11, 1800, came to Harrison County, Ohio, quite early. There he married Abigail Cope, who was born March 19, 1799. Later they removed to Homer Township. They had thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy : Isaac, in Virginia; Lucinda (Pickerson), Malta Township ; Israel, Malta ; Nathan, Mary (Kennard), Sarah A. (Heston), Homer Township ; Kalif, Penn TOWnship; Elizabeth J. (Geddis), deceased ; Abigail C. (McElfresh), Union Township.; Joseph, Marion Township ; Rebecca E. (Geddis), Marion Township.
Morris K. Atkinson, a well-known citizen, was born in Bucks County, Pa., in 1827. In 1847 he came to Morgan County, where he has Since resided, and held several prominent positions. For ten years he was county surveyor and for twenty years he served as justice of the peace. He has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and at present, with his son Isaac, carries on the mercantile business at Elliott's Cross Roads. He married Margaret Winner in 1848. Children : Rebecca (Lewis), Letitia (Thomas) and Isaac; all residing in the county.
Lewis G. Heston was born in Chester County, Pa., September 14, 1822. When about 22 years of age he removed to the vicinity of Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, where he remained for about four years. He then removed to Morgan County, and after about a year's residence in Marion Township, settled on his present farm in section twenty-three, Homer Township. October 9, 1852, he married Sarah A. Hoopes. They have ten children living: Albert S., Mary (Harper), Joseph, Jane (Coulter), Lydia A. (Lovell), Florence. (Croy), Homer Township ; George L., Iowa ; Enoch W., Emma T., and Herman E., Homer Township. Mr. Heston is a member of the M. E. Church. He is a prominent and Successful farmer. He learned the milling business when young and worked at it until his marriage, since which time he has followed his present occupation.
James Law was born near Wheeling, W. Va., in 1801. When about twelve years of age he came with his parentS to what is now Wayne Township, Noble County, Ohio, locating on Willis Creek. He married Matilda Wendall, and was the father of Mary, living, Ebenezer and Barbara, deceased ; John, Rebecca (Gilpin), Melissa (Hart), and Caroline. The family came to Morgan County in 1851.
John Law was born in Noble County in 1831, and came to Homer Township with his father in 1851. He married Lucy Hart and is the father of Sarah E., Albert, George, Florence, William and Annie.
Mrs. Nancy M. Moody, widow of the late David Moody, was born in Deerfield Township in January, 1823. In 1850 She was married to David Moody and they moved to Homer Township, where Mr. Moody died July 25, 1880. He held the office of township treasurer several years. Their children were John, who married Mary J. Crawford, of Malta ; Mary, wife of John Stevenson Bristol; Rebecca J., wife of John Dougherty, Homer ; Susan, wife of A. Wells, Homer; Zachariah, mar-
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ried Viola Hamble, Homer ; Price, lathed Maria Ivers, lives in Kansas ; Emma V., Nancy Belle and Lauretta. The family belong to the United Presbyterian Church.
Andrew J. Price was born in Deerfield Township, December 23, 1828, and lived at home with his parents until twenty years of age, afterward residing for a short time in Malta Township, moving thence to Homer Township. In 1852 he married Drusilla M. Stevens, of this county. Their children are Mary Elizabeth, who died in 1874 ; John F., Julia A., Susan J., Charles S., and William J.
John F.Price married Martha E. Hamble and lives on part of the homestead. Children : Alva and Alvin, twins ; Andrew J. The family belong to the Methodist Church. Mr. Price has been supervisor and school director.
Wm. A. Murphy, son of an early settler, was born in Bloom Township in 1836 ; moved to Union Township in 1853, remaining until 1866 Immediately after his marriage to Sophia J. Rickets, of Perry County, he moved to his present location in Homer Township. The family belong to the M. E. Church. Names of children : Otho Wilmer and Lewis Maxwell (deceased); Lucy J., Almeda E. and Thomas Garfield, living.
Isaac Murphy was born in Bloom Township in 1833 ; moved to Union in 1853, and in 1857 to his present home. In the latter year he married Miss Charity Faires, of this county. To them have been born three children— Mary E., deceased ; Cornelia J. and Sarah A. (Bishop). The family are members of the M. E. Church, in which Mr. Murphy has served as class-leader, steward and trustee for several years. His occupation is farming and stock-raising,
Amos Gardner was born in Augusta, Me., in 1808. He came to Ohio when young, settling in Cleveland. In 1830 he married Mary Humiston, a native of Maine, and removed from Cleveland to Morgan County, settling in this township. Children : Joseph, Nelson, a prominent farmer of Homer Township; Albert, of Athens County; Mary J., wife of John Watkins, Kansas; Martha, wife of Reuben Sears, Athens County. Mrs. Gardner died in 1877. In the following year Mr. Gardner married Mrs. Sarah S. Tracy. Her maiden name was Arnold, and she first married a Delaney, by whom she had five children. Two died in infancy and one, Sheridan, in his eleventh year. Elizabeth, wife of John Thompson; Muskingum County, and George W., married and residing in Kansas, are the survivors. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner belong to the Christian Church.
James Clarence Linden Adams was born in Homer Township 1834, and lived with his parents, who were early settlers, until his marriage. His wife's maiden name was Darliska Eddy.
dren, Clarence E., who died. in his second year, and Ostius Orlando, who died in his twenty-sixth year. Three are living—Alda. Leona, wife of Sturgis Lovell; Nina Edna, and Vinnie A. Mr. Adams is a prominent farmer and one of the leading citizens of the township.
Daniel Morris was born in Washington County in 1823 ; came to Morgan County with his parents in 1828, and has since resided here. In 1847 he married Rebecca Grubb, of Washington County. The children of this marriage were Christian, deceased ; Elizabeth, wife of Benj. K. Wood, of this county ;
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Nicetti, wife of Isaac Kinsey ; Winfield S., who married Mary J. Huffman ; Daniel W., whose wife, née Sarah Evarts, is now deceased; Rebecca A., wife of Zach. Carpenter; Thomas and Lilly. Mrs. Morris died in 1869, and in 1870 he married Miss Henrietta B. Watson. Children : Maria E. and Gustie. The whole family belong to the M. E. Church. Mr. Morris is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is especially interested in wool-growing and improving the breed of sheep.
Mary A. Wells, nee Nolan, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in 1827, and when two years of age removed with her parents to that part of Athens County now included in Morgan. In 1860 she married Adam Wells, who died in 1877. There were ten children born of this union, two of whom died in infancy and one, Adam C., at the age of three years. The names of those living are John M., Apollos S., Noah, Lena, Frank M., Lydia A., Lettie and Emma D. John M. married Mary A. Beard, and Lena married John Posey. The family are members of the M. E. Church.
Archibald Coulter was born in Adams County, Pa., March 31, 1821. In 1842 he married, and in 1850 settled in Homer Township. Mr. Coulter died September 12, 1867, from disease contracted while in the U. S. service. He was a member of Company G, 63d Regiment 0. V. I., and was in several severe battles, among them being .Fort Pillow, New Madrid and Pittsburg Landing. Mrs. Levina Coulter, his widow, was born in Mercer County, Pa., in 1819, and resided there until her removal to Morgan County. The names of her children living are Josiah H., Eunice A. (McCoy), John A., Robert C., Clara L. (Wilson), Ira E. and Maria S. (Hogsett). The family belong to the Christian Church.
Azel B. Johnson was born in Athens County, in 1832. He married Elizabeth J. Norris, of the same county. She died June 21, 1882, having borne twelve children, eleven of whom are living : Sullivan, deceased in his twelfth year; Amzi S. ; Sidney H. ; John M. and Jane M., twins ; Etta, Levi C., Eudora B., Vinnie 0., Azel B. and Orpha B. Mr. Johnson is a successful farmer.
OIL.
The oil-producing industry was at one time quite important in this township. The first well was drilled on the Bishop farm, in April, 1861, by Sidney S. Tuller. A good quality of illuminating oil was reached at the depth of sixty-seven feet. Several other wells were drilled on the same farm. The average product of each well for the first six months was about forty barrels per day. The best well on the farm was that owned by Bishop Brothers. In the succeeding years the Joy farm was found to be good oil territory. The Mansfield Pementroleum. Company now control this farm.
It is estimated that the Federal Creek territory has produced 150,000 barrels of oil to date. The present product of the field is about forty barrels per day. There have been three wells drilled down to the Berea (or Macksburg) sand; one by Bradley Oil Company, one by Dale Brothers, and one by J. G. Williams. The third sand was found at the depth of about 1,300 feet, averaging 22 feet in thickness. The second sand, found about 400 feet from the surface, is about 10 feet thick. Shallow oil is found in a beautiful white sand at the depth of
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about 70 feet. A great many shallow wells have been bored, nearly all of which were producers. The specific gravity of the oil is 45 deg. Very little gas is found. About 170 feet deep a vein of coal about 7 feet. thick is found. This is the Nelsonville vein.
VILLAGES.
The villages of the township, though numerous, are not large or important. Mountsville, the oldest, was laid out in 1837, in a plat of twenty-four lots. In 1886 the place had two general stores, one boot and shoe store, one grocery, two blacksmith shops, two churches (Methodist Episcopal and Christian), a public school, postoffice, Grand Army Post, and one physician.
Wrightsville was laid out in 1838 by H. Wright, and contains thirty-eight lots. The village has . about a dozen dwellings and one church (Christian); also, two stores, postoffice and blacksmith shop.
Bishopsville, laid out in 1859 by James M. Bishop, has in Homer Township one general store and a Masonic hall, the churches and school being across the line, in Athens County.
Joy is a postoffice and a hamlet of half a dozen houses.
Elliott's Cross Roads has been for many years a country cross-roads trading point. It now contains the general store of M. K. Atkinson & Son, a postoffice, blacksmith shop, wagon shop, shoe shop and about six dwellings.
SOCIETIES.
Masonic.—Bishopville Lodge, No.470, F. and A. M., was organized under a dispensation, November 2, 1872. The first officers and charter members were as follows : Henry Linkin,W. M.; Joseph Blondin, S. W. ; M. D. Wolfe, J. W.; J. M. Bishop, treasurer ; Samuel Banks, secretary ; D. S. Carey, S. D. ; J. H. Wolfe, J. D. ; Hiram Ham, tiler ; H. Leeper, L. W. Munsell, John W. Sands, Francis M. Powell, J. N. Sands, E. H. Watkins. The present membership is seventy-five. Officers for 1886 : Charles Bishop, W. M. ; J. E. Chappelear, S. W. ; J. E. noon, J. W. ; S. F. Wolfe, treasurer; M. D. Wolfe, secretary ; W. R. Wilson, S. D. ; J. W. Bryson, J. D. ; H. Hoon, tiler.
Grand Army.—Charles B. Parsons, Post, No. —, G. A. R., was organized at Mountsville May 17, 1884, with the following charter members : John G. Carter, P. C.; Joseph Clark, S. V. C.; Ira A. Wooley, J. V. C.; James W. Harper, Adjutant; Cyrus Faires, Q. M.S.; Oliver D. Kinsey, Surgeon ; Thomas Wooley, Chaplain ; Anthony Smith, James Engle, Peter Palmer, Harrison H. Wade, George E. Clark, Benjamin Posey, Alfred Noland, Asa Vincent, A. Smith, Nelson S. Gardner, Charles W. Matthews, John Watkins, Sampson Milhoan. The following members have since been added : John Law, James W. Moody, William Jones, William T. Watson, Jonathan H. Rainey, James L. Norris, Isaac Wharton. Jonathan H. Rainey is the present commander of the post.
CHURCHES.
Christian Church. — Wrightsville Christian Church was organized in 1849 by Elder John W. Brown. The original members were George Kirkman and wife, Aaron Ball and wife, Jesse Crook, George Crook and wife, Betsey Brown, Sarah Carpenter, John Crawford and Aaron Ball, deacons. The church edifice was erected in 1852. The following have served as pastors : Elders Jobb. W. Brown, Bower Smith, George Tillet,
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Daniel Tewksbury, Augustus Alderman, John McDaniel, Joseph Cairnes, Harrison Willis, Benjamin Briley, James Dennen, William Warren, Samuel Lewis, William Jenkins There are 105 members belonging to the church. The Sabbath-school has about forty-five pupils on an average.
Liberty Hill Methodist Church.—This congregation was organized by Joseph S. Brown and L. W. Munsell in 1841. Succeeding pastors were E. H. Dixon, A. Cartlich, Charles Lawton, William Litsinger, A. Wilson, L. Cunningham, H. Loomis, James H. Hopkins, David Mann, W. W. Cherrington, J. C. Gregg, A. Joy, D. Ricketts, E. Nichols, W. H. H. Wolf, W. T. Harvey, W. R. Anderson, William Catlin, S. Ryland Hickman, W. P. McGlaughlin, J. Q. Lakin, E. B. Finney, Charles Banks, A. R. Neall, Goff, R. M. Galbreath, A. E. Johnson, J. N. Shoop and E. Bell. Samuel Lefevre was the first class- leader ; Isaac Bradick, Sr., exhorter. Early members : J. Green, Daniel Fuller, Robert Johnson, John Simmers, Stephen Hyde and their families. At present Asa Vincent is class-leader. The house of worship, a frame building, 24x28 feet, was erected. in 1856, at a cost of $400. The present membership of the Church is 40 ; Sabbath-school, 42.
Pleasant Valley M. E. Church.—This church was organized in 1845 by Rev. James H. Hopkins. The first members were John Joy, William Watson, Henrietta Watson, John Fleming and wife, John Piles, Maria Piles, John Faires, Cassandra Faires, Alexander Crawford and wife, William A. Crawford and wife, Eliza A. Watson, Mary Watson ; William Watson, class-leader. The church was organized at Wrightsville, where the first meeting-house was built in 1850. In 1872 the present house built on Federal Creek, one mile from the old site. It is a frame building, 32x42 feet, and cost $800. The Sabbath-school was organized under the superintendency of William Watson in 1846. The school now numbers 123 scholars and the church has 81 members. Early pastors: Revs. Hopkins, Lawton, Litsinger, Cunningham, Mann and Redfern.
Mountville Christian. Church.-This church was organized by Elder John Beard, in September, 1876. The original members were Elder John Beard, Elizabeth J. Beard, William C. Beard, Nancy Palmer, Mary Beard, Sarah C. Norris, Simeon Hale, Nancy Hale, Alice Lewis, Rachel Bennett, Elizabeth Beard, Lorinda Norris, S. A. Heston, Lydia Heston, Ellen Lunsford, Ira E. Coulter, Sarah Beard, Emma Daugherty, Adaline Daugherty, Mary E. Bennett. The church edifice, 28x38 feet, was erected in 1882 and so far has cost about $600. The first elders were John Beard and David L Pedicord. The pastors have been Elders A. R. Pickens, John F. Moody, and M. A. Harvey. Present membership, 24.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
EUGENE R. SWAYNE.
The subject of this notice, an enterprising farmer and much-respected citizen of Homer Township, is the son of Eli and Maria Swayne. The former was born in Belmont County, Ohio, August 29, 1821, and the latter was born in the same county, January 1, 1819. In 1840 they moved to Marion Township, Morgan County. They were, married November 25, 1842. From this union
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there were born five children-three sons and two daughters : Narcissa, Eugene R., Joseph B., Eliza Jane and James M.
Eugene R. Swayne was born in Chesterfield, Morgan County, June 7, 1847. November 12, 1868, he was married to Miss Jennie D. Clancy, who was born in Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio, April 6, 1842. They have but one child-Augusttis E. Swayne, born December 12, 1872. In 1869 Mr. Swayne moved to Federal Creek, in Homer Township, where he has since resided. His occupation is farming and breeding American Merino sheep. He held the office of township trustee in 1884 and 1885; was president of the Morgan County Agricultural Society for the year 1885; has been director in that society for five years, and has one more year to serve ; in 1885 was president of the Southeastern Ohio Wool-growers' Association.
MORRIS K. ATKINSON.
The Atkinsons are of English extraction. In 1699 John and Susannah Atkinson Sailed for Philadelphia. Both died leaving three children, William, Mary and John. William was born in 1689 ; John in 1695, and was but four years of age at the time of emigration. He was the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He eventually settled in BuckS County, Pa., where he lived and died. The Atkinsons were a race of farmers. Joseph, father of Morris K., was born in Maryland in 1800. He was reared in Bucks County, where he married Miss Leatitia Kitchin in 1821. In 1847 the family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, Morris K. and a daughter, Mrs. Asa O. Bartlett, came to Marion, where the elder Atkinson bought an unimproved farm. He was a Quaker, and an industrious, worthy man. He died in 1869. Morris K. was born in Bucks County, Pa., in 1827. He received a good common-school education and began life as a teacher, spending his summer vacation on the farm. He had studied surveying, and in 1863 was appointed county surveyor, a position he held ten years. He has been a successful farmer. In 1885 he engaged in merchandising at Elliott's Cross Roads. In 1848 he married Miss Margaret Winner. She was born in Ohio in 1826. Three children have been born to them—Rebecca, Leatitia and Isaac. While Mr. Atkinson is not one of the early settlers of the township, he has witnessed the greater portion of its development and has identified himself with all its interests.