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CHAPTER XIX.
SHARON.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP - SAMUEL SAILOR, THE HUNTER, AN EARLY PIONEER- THE ARCHIBALD FAMILY MAKE A SETTLEMENT IN 1815- ANECDOTES OF SAILOR-HOW HE DEFENDED HIS NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE HOW HE ARRIVED LATE AT A RAISING- HUNTING - THE WILEYS, LONGS AND OTHERS'- ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE COUNTY SEAT OF MORGAN NEAR SHARON-REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS-THE HORSE-MILLS - THE POST-BOY - COUNTY OFFICERS.
SHARON TOWNSHIP was erected by the county commissioners May 1, 1851, so as to include and be composed of the following territory, to-wit :
"Commencing at the southeast corner of the west half of section 32, in township number 6 of range number 9; thence north through the center of sections 32, 29, 20, 17, 8 and 5 to the northeast corner of the west half of section 5, in said township number 6 and range 9; thence west along township lines. to the northwest corner of section 3, in township number 6 and range 10; thence south along section lines to the southwest corner of section 34 in said township and range; thence east along the township lines to the place of beginning, containing 27 sections."
Samuel Sailor was a pioneer and a well-known character. He first located south of Sharon, prior to 1815, and built a camp, making his living by hunting. He used to say that he was here seven weeks without seeing a human being. He came from Washington County, Pa. After part of the he had made a small improvement he brought his wife here, and they lived alone in the woods, remote from any neighbors. Mr. Archibald, who came in 1815, entered the land on which Sailor had squatted. The two were unable to agree as to the amount which Sailor was entitled for his improvement, and went to law to settle the matter. The trial was held in Cambridge, this territory then belonging in Guernsey County, and the disputants and witnesses walked there, nearly thirty miles, each carrying his rifle. Sailor removed to what is now the western part of Sharon Township, where he died in 1871, aged about eighty-eight years. He was a large man, physically ; tall and strong, with no superfluous flesh. He was a -veritable backwoodsman, rough and uncouth in appearance, but honest, kind-hearted and obliging. The following incident; related by Mr. William Long, who had the story from the old man's lips, will serve to illustrate his bravery and neighborly kindness:
After Sailor settled in the western part of the township his nearest neighbor on the south was a Mr.
360 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Brown, who lived with his family at the forks of Olive Green Creek, about five miles distant. One day Sailor saw two suspicious characters near his own home. On interrogating them, he received unsatisfactory replies, and the men departed in the direction of Brown's cabin.. Knowing that Brown was away from home, he took his gun and followed them, satisfied that they meant mischief. Arrived at his neighbor's, he pushed open the door and discovered the two tramps seated at the table partaking of a meal which they had compelled Mrs. Brown to supply, while she was waiting upon them, nearly frightened to death. A glance revealed the situation, and as one of the men arose from the table, and assumed a hostile attitude, Sailor knocked him down and quickly threw him out of the door. The other was treated in the same manner. Sailor then barred the door and remained during the night at his neighbor's cabin, guarding it against the possible return of the vagrants. But the latter were evidently satisfied, and did not care to run the risk of another encounter with Sailor's powerful fists.
On one occasion Sailor had a raising, and of course had to have Whisky. He was quite fond of that beverage himself. His friend, Samuel Long, knowing this, made him promise that he would rrot open the keg until the day of the raising. Sailor Went to Archer's distillery, in the vicinity of East Union, and brought back a keg of whisky on his shoulders. He reached Mr. Long's cabin in the. night, and asked for something with which to open the keg, Mr. Long reminded him of his promise, but Sailor persisted, and opened the keg. He still had about eight miles farther to walk, but took up his burden and started for home. He did not arrive until two o'clock in the afternoon. By that time the building was up; but the whisky was none the less welcome on account of the delay in its arrival.
Sailor was one of the best hunters that the country afforded. He killed many bears, deer and wolves, and took delight in the pursuit of them. He said that he once shot three deer, without moving from his tracks, as fast as he could load and fire. The deer, instead of fleeing when the first one was shot, came towards him. His explanation of the matter was that the echo of the report of his rifle, flung back by a hill opposite, sounded like the report of another gun, and drove the animals toward him
Among the earliest settlers were the Archibalds, Wileys, Boones, Longs and Smoots, who located near where Sharon now is. The present western part of the township was little settled early, and for years improvements progressed very slowly in that part of the township.
William Wiley died in 1816 and his remains were the first that were buried in the old graveyard at Sharon.* His sons. James, William, and Thomas, all lived here. John,
*The second buried there was an infant child of William Scoggan, and the third, the wife of Matthew Grimes.
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another son, lived near Caldwell and had an early horse-mill. He was something of a hunter and once killed a large bear near where Alexander Boggs now lives. Betsey, wife of "Billy" Boone, and Annie, wife of Joshua Clark, belonged to the same family. All were worthy people and reared large families.
Thomas Wiley, of another family, came from Belmont County and settled south of Sharon. He was originally from Pennsylvania. his descendants are still here. His sons were John, Samuel and Thomas ; and his daughters, Jane, Margaret Mary and Agnes.
James Archibald was born in Ireland, married in Pennsylvania, and came from Belmont County; settling south of Sharon in 1815, and his was probably the first family that made a permanent location in the township. The sons were John, David, William, James and Elza. William, born in 1800, is still living, and a resident of the township, and is among the few that remain of the original settlers of the county. John Archibald was a prominent man in early years, serving as justice over twenty years. He was also a county commissioner several terms. His first commission as justice was issued while this part of the county belonged to Guernsey County.
Elza Archibald was born in 1806 and has followed farming. He was a teacher in early life. He was married in 1828 to Mary Boyd, and in 1852 to Phebe Rutan, who is still living. Elza and his brother William are the only survivors of the family, which consisted of five sons and one daughter.
The Archibald family left Belmont County, one mile west of St. Clairsville, on the 26th of March, 1815, and reached their new home on the 5th of April. They started with a wagon, and a part of the way had to cut their own road. They left all but the two front wheels of the wagon on the way, and marked the trees along the route so they would know the way back.
James Archibald had one of the first orchards in this region, and people came from distant points to procure the fruit, which was then a great luxury. Mr. Archibald and John McKee procured the trees at Belpre, on the Ohio River. They went with an ox-team and were two days going and returning. They brought back three hundred trees.
William Boone was a pioneer on the present farm of Samuel Eakin. He sold out to Alexander Greenlee, and moved away. Greenlee came from Belmont County and remained until 1848, when he sold out to Eakin. Greenlee married a Miss Marquis.
Alfred Smoot, Esq., is one of the old residents, and his recollections of pioneer. events have added much to the interest of this chapter. Mr, Smoot was born in Fauquier County, Va., December 25, 1.809. In 1817 he came to Ohio with the family, his father, Lewis Smoot, settling near the present town of Sharon,. His father cleared and improved the farm on which he died in 1850. Alfred worked at McConnelsville,
362 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
when a young man, and in 1836 returned to Sharon Township, settling on a farm, from which he removed to his present residence in Sharon in 1870. He has had three wives and is the father of nine children, six of whom are living. He has held the offices of justice of the peace and notary public.
Until the formation of Morgan County the southern half of the present township of Sharon belonged to Washington County, and the northern half to Guernsey. Buffalo Township, Guernsey County, originally included the northern portion of Sharon Township. Manchester and Olive Townships, erected in 1819, included the present territory of this township until Noble County was made. When Morgan County was erected a hope was entertained of getting the county seat located on what was afterward the Edward Parrish farm. The land was then owned by Isaac Hill. Land was cleared and logs were cut on the present Joseph Parrish farm with which to build a temporary court house. Four different parties made land entries, taking up an entire section, on which it was proposed to locate the seat of justice of the county. Subsequent events verified the axiom of Burns :
" The best laid plans of mice and men
Gang aft agley."
The first school-house in the township was a log building, which stood in or near the old graveyard in Sharon. Another early school-house was built on James Kyle's farm. Among the early teachers were Eliza Kyle, Thomas Wiley and Peter Ackley.
Along the waters of Olive Greer was a favorite hunting-ground for the pioneers. Hunters frequently came here from Zanesville and other distant points.
The pioneers were strong, hearty good-natured, honest people, who made the best of everything; and, " preserving an even temper in the midst of hardships," as Horace expressed it, they enjoyed themselves well, even though the wilderness was their home. "Frolics" of every sort —log rollings, huskings, raisings, etc.,— were largely attended, and everybody worked with a will and with cheerfulness. There were no drones, and none that were unwilling to assist a neighbor who needed help.. After they had completed the task undertaken, the young men would engage in wrestling and jumping matches, try to play practical jokes on one another, and in other ways seek to make things agreeable and pleasant. Whisky drinking was practiced by almost everybody, but there was seldom any drunkenness or exhibitions of evil temper.
James Kyle settled in 1817, corning from Belmont County. He died here at an advanced age. His children were Eliza (Bell), Jane (Morrison), Rebecca (Smith) and Lucinda (Kusan). Eliza was an early schoolteacher.
Among the early settlers of the township were several families that were Germans or of German descent. Among these were Jacob .Hawk, Samuel Anthony and other
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Anthonys —Jacob, Harmon, George, Conrad, John and Boston Harmon — Jacob and Boston still living; Peter Pickenpaugh and his sons, Peter, John, Jacob, Adam and George, the latter still living here ; the Swanks and some others. The Germans were all industrious, honest citizens and were generally successful farmers.
The Pennsylvania Germans were among the first settlers in the western part of the township Among them were John Shuster, the Anthonys, and Klingensmiths. Of the last named family, all died, except the mother, a few years after they came.
From 1817 to 1820 the settlement progressed quite rapidly, several new families coming each year. A second period of settlement began after Congress passed a law allowing an entry of forty-acre tracts. It is believed that the last forty-acre tract in this township was entered by James Kane, where William Shepard now lives.
Thomas Boyd, of Irish descent, came from Belmont County, settling about 1818 on the farm now occupied by his son Robert, and was a prominent early settler. Arthur Boyd, born in 1852, now resides on the homestead farm of his father.
An old resident states that there were no roads in the vicinity of Sharon in 1817. The nearest approach to a road was a path which led through the woods from Thomas Wiley's to Samuel Long's. The first road through the township was the so-called Center road, from McConnelsville to Woodsfield.
Elisha Spencer settled south of Sharon, on land now owned by Mrs. Kelly. His brother Israel lived in Olive Township. Both sold out and removed.
Robert Lowe, who married Rebecca Boyd, is still living where he settled quite early. His parents located at Olive, among the first settlers on Duck Creek.
William Bell first settled and made a small improvement near Caldwell, afterwards removing to this township. He was an Irishman. His sons, William, David, and John, also lived here.
James Scott, from Belmont County, settled prior to 1825 on land now owned by William Long and John Keyser. He had several sons, none of whom now remain in the township. Peter Walters, the Harmons, and Lewis Shirley were early settlers. The last operated a horse-mill in early years, which he sold to Richard Lyons. James Bigley located early where his son Joseph lives. Michael Morrison, from Belmont County, was an early settler where his son Michael lives.
Among the earliest settlers in the western part of the township were the Brownriggs, Walters and Pickenpaughs, who came soon after 1817. John Brownrigg, whose son John is still living, was an Englishman who came to the township with his family early.
There were no early grist-mills in the township except horse-mills. Of these Lewis Shirley, in the south
364 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
part of the township, had the first. He also operated a distillerv. James Glenn had a horse-mill at Sharon. Afterward. Isaac Parrish and Eldridge Wootton each erected steam flouring-mills at Sharon. James McGlashan had a carding machine in operation on Olive Green Creek as early as 1835. He afterward brought his machinery to Sharon, bought out Glenn's horse-mill and substituted carding-mill machinery.
The first blacksmith who located in the vicinity was William Scoggan, who lived south of Sharon. He came from Guernsey County. He kept a negro who used to drive his team, hauling salt to Barnesville from McKee's salt works at Olive. Scoggan left the country and his friends never heard from him.
When Samuel Long and wife came to this county Mrs. Long rode upon a horse, which also carried the household stuff of the family. Mr. Long Walked the entire distance. Shortly after their arrival here Mr. Long took his horse and returned to Belmont County to bring out a spinning- wheel. It was cold weather and there was snow on the ground. Before starting on the return trip he was given some luncheon and a piece of lighted punk-wood, the then universal substitute for • matches. When Mr. Long desired to rest and eat his dinner, he kindled a fire in the trunk of a dry tree by means of the punk, and after warming, eating his dinner and feeding his horse, resumed his journey. He found it no easy thing to carry a spinning-wheel on horseback, but He succeeded
and brought it safely home. Mr. Long worked at shoemaking for Samuel Sailor, the pioneer hunter, and was paid in bear meat and venison. Long was no hunter himself, but used to relate with a good deal of interest how he shot his first and only deer. He was at a raising after a good fall of snow, when the sun came out brightly and the snow began to melt. At once all the others who were present left their work, seized their guns and started for the woods, knowing that the conditions were favorable for securing some venison. Not to be outdone, Long went with the rest to the woods. He had not proceeded far when he saw a fine deer, and immediately he had a severe attack of " buck ague," a disease which often attacks amateur hunters. He was so excited that he scarcely knew what he was doing ; but he fired his gun and the deer fell. Not stopping to see whether he had killed the deer, he again loaded and fired ; then approaching, found that the animal was dead. When the hunters returned, some of them unsuccessful, he was much congratulated on his skill as a marksman, but declared on his part that it was only by good luck that his aim had been true.
When Sharon postoffice was established in 1830 but two newspapers were taken among all the patrons of the office. Peter Ackley received weekly a copy of the London Pail "Vail Gazette, and John Lyons, the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate. Many times the mail came without bringing a letter for any-
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body along the entire route. Letters were an expensive luxury, all that came a long distance costing the recipient twenty-five cents for postage. The mail carrier, a boy on horseback, carrying a tin trumpet on which he blew a shrill blast to announce his approach, was a scarcely less important personage than General Jackson himself, and was looked upon with silent, open-mouthed admiration by the boys along his route, many of whom no doubt imagined that his position represented the acme of boyish eminence. A letter was a nine days' wonder, and whoever received one generally took the earliest opportunity of communicating its contents to the neighbors,
This township has furnished to Morgan and Noble Counties its full share of county and legislative • officers. Among former prominent residents have been Hon. Isaac Parrish, twice a representative in Congress; William Parrish, sheriff of Morgan County ; Oliver Keyser, associate judge in Morgan County, and representative to the legislature from Noble County ; Dr. Jesse M. Stone, associate judge in Morgan County ; John Archibald, an early commissioner of Morgan County. Jonah Walters, representative to the legislature from Noble County; . Theodore Parrish, clerk of Noble County ; William Long, commissioner of Noble County ; Charles Burlingame, county surveyor, two terms ; William Lowe, county surveyor, one term.
James Caldwell started the first store at Olive Green in 1856, and is still in the mercantile business at this point. Jacob Swank began building a mill here in the same year. He has been a merchant here since 1866. The postoffice at Olive Green was established in 1857. James Caldwell was the first postmaster and is still in office.
PERSONAL
Francis Aduddell was born in Guernsey County January 1, 1829. His father, who was a soldier of 1812, was born in Baltimore, Md.; his mother was a native of Treland. The family came to Noble County in 1826 and Francis has since lived on the same farm. Mr. Aduddell was married in 1863 to Ellen Lyons, of this county. They have had eight children, four of \Omni are living, viz.: Thomas, Annie F., Melton and Harley.
Winfield Archibald was born in Sharon Township in 1855, and is a farmer. In politics he is a Democrat. His grandfather, Archibald, was born n Ohio ; his maternal grandfather in Virginia,: His father, born in Sharon Township in 1827, died in 1875. His mother was born in Guernsey County in 1825, and is still living. They reared four children.
George A. Bell is descended from a family of pioneers. His grandfather Was a soldier of 1812. His father was born in Belmont County in 1804, and in 1827 married and settled in Manchester Township, Morgan County, where George A. was born May 19, 1838. He is one of a family of ten children, seven of whom are living. He was married in 1860 to Rachel M. Daniel, of Cald-
366 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
well ; children : Thaddeus H. and Nettie I. The family are Presbyterian and Republicans.
Robert Bell is of Irish and Scotch descent. Both his grandfathers were in the Revolutionary War. His parents were both born in Belmont County, whence his father removed to Morgan County in 1837. His mother died in 1837, and his father came to Noble County in 1869. Robert was born in Belmont County in 1837, and came to Morgan County with his parents. He was the oldest of five children, the others being Agnes A., Mary J., Nancy (who married Oliver Keyser), and Alice. Mr. Bell is a farmer. He has served as justice of the peace. He is a Democrat in politics.
W. B. Boyd, a prominent farmer, was born in Sharon Township in 1856. Mr. Boyd has 366 acres of land, and is largely engaged in breeding fine stock. Mr. Boyd was married in 1875 to Helen L. Carr, of Sharon. They have two children. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Protestant church, to which his wife also belongs.
Joseph Bigley was horn September 30, 1826, and resided on the farm which his father entered in 1821. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania; his father was a soldier in- the War of 1812, and mire to this township from Belmont County. The family consisted of four daughters and two sons, all living except Jacob, who died in 1844. Joseph was married in 1858 to Catharine Ijams, of this county ; children. James I. (deceased), John It, Mary M., Wiley H., Jefferson W., Amy C., Joseph V. and Hettie M. Mr. and Mrs. Bigley are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Bigley's father died when he was but seven years of age and the widow and family were left to brave the hardships of pioneer life alone. The mother was a brave woman, well fitted for her position. She once killed a large rattlesnake alone and unaided, and On another occasion killed a deer; the animal, pursued by dogs, jumped into the creek; she seized a rail, threw it upon his horn and drowned the deer, by getting upon the rail and holding his head under water.
John Brown was born in Belmont County in 1815, and has been a rarer chant and farmer during life. Formerly he was in the mercantile business at Newburg, in this county, where he did a large business, buying and shipping tobacco to Baltimore. He has been twice married and is the father of nine children, all of whom are living.
William Brown was born in Belmont County, in 1842. His father and mother were also born in the same county. They came to Newburg, Noble County, and thence to Sharon Township. William enlisted in the Ninth Ohio Cavalry and served during the war, taking part in the battles of Big Creek Gap, Tenn., siege of Knoxville; Athens, Florence and Decatur,; Rousseau raid ; East Point, Ga., Atlanta, Jonesboro, Nashville, Aiken, Columbia, Fayetteville, Rockingham, Averysboro, Bentonville and Raleigh. Mr. Brown was married in 1871 to Lizzie Dye;
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children : Emmet, Nora., Minnie, Dora and Fulton. He is a Republican. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Baptist church.
John Brownrigg and family came from England and settled in this township among the early pioneers. He died in 1856. Mary Brownrigg, daughter of John, married George Walters, whose parents came from Pennsylvania to Belmont County. George Walters settled in Sharon Township. He followed farming; died in 1869, his wife in 1862. Peter J. Walters, son of George, was born in Sharon Township, June 7, 1838, and is now a farmer in Noble Township. He married Theresa A. Brown, daughter of Edmond G. Brown and granddaughter of Dexter Brown, an early settler, who came from Rhode Island. Edmond G. Brown married Elmy McFerren, whose parents came from Pennsylvania and settled in Noble Township in 1835. Edmond G. Brown died in 1874; his widow is still living. Peter J. Walters was enrolled as corporal of Company I, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, June 24, 1863, and served until July 25, 1865, when he was discharged at Knoxville, Tenn.
B. F. Burlingame was born in Noble Township, October 16, 1830, and is the son of one of the early settlers who came from Rhode Island. Mr. Burlingame is a Republican in politics, and has followed fanning and shoemaking as his occupations. He was married in 1861 to Sarah J. Early, a native of Ireland, and has one son, -- Sidney.
James Caldwell, merchant at Olive Green, was born near the site of the town of Caldwell in 1830, and is one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. He has followed farming and mercantile pursuits. He is perhaps the oldest postmaster in Noble County, having served in that capacity for thirty-one years. He is a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Protestant church. He has been married twice, first to Mary J. Long, of Wyandot County,. Ohio; and second, to Agnes Parrish, of Olive Township. Mr. Caldwell is the father of six children, all living except one daughter.
John J. Delaney, a prominent farmer, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, May 19, 1831. He was one of twelve children, eight of whom are still living. His father came from Pennsylvania and his mother from Maryland, Mr. Delaney has followed farming. He is a Republican in politics. He was married in 1852 to Miss Cordelia Wilson, of this county ; children S. Ellsworth, Ulysses S. (deceased), Frank L., John H., Urilla T. and Sarah F.
Samuel Danford, Sr , was born in New Jersey in 1774. His wife was a native of Virginia. They were married in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1800, and reared sixteen children. Samuel Danford, Jr., of Sharon Township, the twelfth of these children, was born June 28, 1818, in that portion of Monroe County now forming a part of Noble. He was married in 1840 to Jane Adair, who died in June,1846; again in December, 1846, to Isabella Humphrey, who died in
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January, 1864; and a third time to Maria Delaney, in April, 1864. Mr. Danford is the father of eleven children, of whom seven are living. He signed the temperance pledge at the age of eighteen, and never broke it. He was formerly a Whig, but has been a Republican since the formation of the party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has held several church and township offices.
James Danford was born in Marion Township, Noble County, in 1833. His father, a native of Virginia, and his mother, who was born in Pennsylvania, were early settlers in that township, and reared six sons and live daughters. Mr. Danford married Margaret A. Kapple, of Morgan County, and is the father of four sons and two daughters. lie is a republican, and a Past Master in the Masonic fraternity.
Ralph Essex was born in Muskingum County in 1808, and came to Noble County in 1820. Ills wife, a native of Scotland, was born in 1820. They were married in 1841, and reared four sons and four daughters. Ralph Essex, Jr., the seventh child, was born September 30, 1856, on the farm where he now resides. He received a common-school education, and has followed farming. In 1881 he married Phema M. Phelps, of Morgan County. They have one child —Jennie (4. Mr. Essex is a Republican. Both he and his wife 'belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Three of his brothers were in the late war ; two were shot, one of them fatally.
Frank M. Gill was born in Sharon in 1852, and educated at the Academy in his native place, and has followed teaching. Mr. Gill was married in 1878 to Sarah Davidson, of Hiramsburg, and has two children. He is a Democrat. Mr. Gill served as school examiner for nine consecutive years.
Conrad Harmon, of German descent, was born January 27, 1843.. His grandfather Harmon came from Germany about 1771, and served in the Revolutionary War, receiving a wound at the battle of Germantown. He died in Morgan County. Conrad's father was born in Pennsylvania, and is still living. Conrad Harmon entered the service of the United States in 1862, in Company K, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged August 25, 1863, having participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Re-enlisting in Company G, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he served until July 25, .1865. In 1869 he married Electa W. Robinson, who died in 1871. In 1873 he married Mary E. Thompson; children: Charles D.. John F., Hannah E., Owen G. and Omer H. (twins). Mr. Harmon is a farmer by occupation and a Republican in politics.
Rufus P. James was born in Mw; kingum County in 1820, and is of Welsh and Irish descent. I1 is father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. James has been twice married. and is the father of ten children, five by each wife, of whom six are still living, Dr. Frank James being the
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only child unmarried. Mr. James [whim's to the Baptist church, and is a Republican in politics.
The Kevsers are of English and German parentage. The father and mother of Andrew Keyser were born in Pennsylvania and were early settlers in Belmont County. They had five sons, all now living except Oliver, who was a representative to the legislature from Noble County and a draft commissioner during the Rebellion. He died in 1882. Another brother, John, was in the legislature at the same time with Oliver. Andrew Keyser, of Sharon Township, was born in Belmont County in 1815. In 1837 he married Miranda Luellen, in Belmont County, by Idiom he had eight children, live of whom are living— Jesse, Isaac, Oliver, John and Jacob). Mr. Keyser is a Democrat and a Methodist.
Oliver Keyser, son of Andrew Keyser, was born in Sharon Township in 1847 and has followed farming. In 1875 he was married to Lida Bell; children : Effie A., Nora P. (deceased), Nellie B. and Herbert II. Mr. Keyser belongs to the Methodist Protestant church and his wife to the Presbyterian.
Isaac Keyser was horn in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1817. He settled in Noble County in 1864, and is now engaged in farming. He was married in 1850 to Miss Monica Porterfield, of Belmont County. Their children are five sons and one daughter. Four of them are still living. One of the sons is six feet and eight inches in height. Mr. Keyser and wife are Presbyterians. He is a Democrat in politics.
Isaac Keyser, Jr., was born in Belmont County in 1844 and came to Noble County with Iris parents. He was married in 1861 to Elizabeth ',jams. Their children are Anna Albertine and Andrew J. Mr. and Mrs. Keyser are members of the Christian church. In politics he is it Democrat. He served as land appraiser in 1880.
Samuel Long was a prominent early settler, a man of intelligence and an exemplary citizen. Be was born in Pennsylvania in 1786, and was of Scotch descent He came to Ohio with his parents, who settled in Belmont County about 1800. In 1810 he married Mary Wiley and soon afterward settled near the site of the town of Caldwell, where he remained a short time, then removed to the farm in Sharon Township on which he died in 1868. His first wife died in 1824. She bore six children (three sons and three daughters). In 1825 Mr. Long married Mary Olephant, of Morgan County ; she also had six children (five sons and one daughter). She died in 1852, and in 1853 Mr. Long married Hannah Read, of Muskingum County, who survived him a short time.
William Long, second child of Samuel and Mary (Olephant) Long, was born in this township October 28, 1827, and is a prominent and successful farmer. He has been identified with every public interest calculated to promote the welfare of Noble County, and is a friend and encourager of education and religion. He
370 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
has served in several township offices, and has held the office of county commissioner two terms. Mr. Long, is a Republican and a. member of the Methodist Protestant Church. lie has been married three times— first, to Mary Ross, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1870; second, to Lucretia Phipps, of this county, who died in 1876; and in 1878, to Iris present wife, zee Mary .1. Bell, of Noble County. Mr. Long is the father of nine sons and three daughters, all living except two daughters (Mary J. and Sarah K.) and an infant son. On the farm of Mr. Long is a frame barn, built in 1824 by George 'Morrison, which is believed to be the oldest in Noble County.
Robert Lowe is an old resident. He was born in Virginia in August, 1803 ; came to Washington Counts', Ohio. and thence. in 1814, to what is now Noble. During life he has been a farmer.. He was married in 1824 to Rebecca Boyd, and is the father of eight sons and four daughters : eight children are still living. Mr. Lowe is a Democrat and a Meth( ist.
John Lowe was born in Noble County in 1836, and is a. farmer. He was married in 1857 to Margaret J. Hannan; children : Orris (died at the age of twenty-six), Mary E., and Willard. Mr. Lowe is a Democrat.
James Lowe, son of Robert, was born September 18, 1829, on the farm where he now lives. lie married Catherine Amelia O'Donovan, from London, England, and is the father or row• sons and four daughters. Three of the children are dead — Philip C.. Rosa J. and Mary R. (Par rish). Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are members of the Methodist Protestant church, in which lie has held several offices. He is a Democrat.
Alonzo B. Lowe, son of Robert Lowe, was born _December 3, 1849. He married in 1885, Anna S,, daughter of William McGee, of Noble Township, and has one child, Lulu Belle. Mr. Lowe is a Democrat and a farmer.
Joseph E. Marquis, merchant at Sharon, is the son of John E. Marquis, a. prominent citizen, whose parents were among the early settlers, and Mary Perrin, his 'wife. He was born July 6, 1854, and has followed mercantile pursuits. For twelve years he has served as postmaster at Sharon. Mr. Marquis is a Democrat, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was married in 1875 to Venora E. Gill, of Sharon, and they have five children: Carrie May, Frank M., Herman H. and Bernard B. (twins), and Lillie M. Mr. Marquis is a Methodist ; his wife a Presbyterian.
A. H McFerren, a prominent farmer, was born in Noble County May 10, 1849. He was educated at Sharon Academy, and followed teaching several years. He is a. Democrat, and has served as clerk and assessor of the township. In 1872 Mr. McFerren married Lydia K McKee,. whose grandparents were among the earliest settlers of Sharon Township. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Sharon.
The McKee family is represented in Sharon Township by William McKee. who was born on
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Duck Creek, in Noble Township, in 1825. (See sketch of the McKee family in Noble Township.) He is a Democrat in politics, and a successful farmer. Mr. McKee was married in 1851, to Maria Gird, and is the father of seven children, five of whom are living.
William M. Morrison is of Scotch and Irish descent. His father, a_ native of Maryland, came to Belmont County in 1817, and thence to this township. . The elder Morrison was the father of ten children. William M., the ninth child, was born in 1826, on the farm Where he now lives. He has followed farming. In 1850 he married Martha Gaston, of Knox County. They have but two children living. Robert A. died in 1852, in his second year ; Joseph F., in 1863, aged seven years; Asa V., in 1875, aged fifteen years; Charles M., in 1883, aged thirty years. Two others died in infancy. Mr. Morrison and wife belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he is a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat.
Charles Nichols was born in Elk Township, Noble County, in 1864. His father was a native of this county, and his mother was born in. Ireland. Mr. N. is a farmer, and a Democrat in politics. He was married in 1883 to Annie Stout, of Sharon Township. They have one child, Ernest I.
Edward Parrish, a prominent early settler, was born in Maryland in 1781, and came to this township from Belmont County in 1819, arriving on the 19th of August. Edward Parrish was the father of Hon. Isaac Parrish, a lawyer and member of Congress, whose biography appears elsewhere ; and of William Parrish, who served as sheriff of Morgan County. The family consisted of six sons and five daughters. Stephen Parrish, a prominent citizen, is a member of the same family, and was born January 22, 1816. He has followed blacksmithing, farming, and stock-dealing. Mr. Parrish was married to Ann Boyd in 1839, and is the father of six sons and three daughters. Robert, the oldest, volunteered in the Fourth Iowa Regiment of infantry, and was honorably discharged after two years of service. He died at Grand Junction, Ill., while on his way home. Mr. Parrish is a prominent Democrat.
Thomas W. Parrish was born in McConnelsville, Ohio, in 1843. His father, William Parrish, son of Edward Parrish, who settled in Sharon Township in 1819, was then serving as sheriff of Morgan County, which office he held from 1841 to 1845. T. W. Parrish has followed farming and the mercantile business. He enlisted February 12, 1862, in Company D, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and by re-enlistment served until the close of the war, and was discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 8, 1865. He was in the engagements at New Madrid, Island No. 10, him, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Resaca, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, and other battles of Sherman's march to the sea. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of the Grand Army of the Republic and Odd Fellows. He
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was married in 1877 to Susannah B. Wiley, of Sharon ; children : Helen M. and Henry S.
Riley Parrish, son of Stephen and Anna Parrish, was born in the village of Sharon in 1841. He was engaged in farming until 1872 when lie met with a severe accident by which he was rendered lame. He has since been engaged in making. brooms and brushes. He was married in 1862 to Miss Eller On of Zanesville; children : Robert W., Ira L., and Stephen R. Mr. and Mrs. Parrish are Presbyterians. He is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic order. He has Served in several township offices.
The father and mother of Samuel Patterson were Pennsylvanians, and came to Morgan County, Ohio, where they were married. His mother's maiden name was Hannah L. Davis. Mr. Patterson was the fourth of ten children, five of whom are living. He was born in 1848 in Sharon Township and is a farmer and carpenter. In 1872 he married Sarah Fidora Swank, of Olive Green ;children: Tempest W., Charlie, and Maple F. Mr. Patterson is a Democrat; his wife is a Baptist.
Adam F. Pickenpaugh was born in 1848. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Virginia to Ohio and about 1826 married Jane Phillips, of Guernsey County, by whom he had nine children. The grandfather. of Adam settled in Noble County in 1825. He was killed by the falling of a limb from a tree while at work in his field. Adam F. Pickenpaugh was married in 1875 to Miss M. J. Tidrick who died in 1884. He is a Republican, an Odd Fellow, and a Baptist, Four of his brothers were in the war of, the Rebellion, and two of them, George C. and Jonathan R., died of typhoid fever while in the service.
Samuel F. Rock, a prominent farmer, was born in Dresden, Muskingum County, in 1826, and is of German and Scotch ancestry. By occupation he is a farmer, saddler and harness maker. In 1847 he married Mary Elmira Archibald, a native of this county. She died in 1855, and in 1865 he married Sarah E. Emmons, a native of Belmont County. Three children were born of the first marriage - Hannah F. (deceased), Susan E., and Mary L. Mr. and Mrs. Rock are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has served as steward, class-leader and superintendent of the Sabbath school. He was an Abolitionist and is a Republican. Mr. Rock enlisted in 1864 in. Capt. Floyd's company, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer infantry, served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged. He was in the battle of Nashville and other noted engagements.
Rev. Randall Ross was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1818, and came to Sharon in 1848 to take charge of the Sharon and Cumberland Associate Reformed churches ( afterward United Presbyterian). About 1851 he founded Sharon College, which he taught until the outbreak of the war. For some time he edited the Consolidated Republi-
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can, a county newspaper. In 1861 he went into.the army as a private in the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After serving about eighteen months he was appointed chaplain of the Fifteenth Regiment with which he served until the close of the war. He went to New Concord, Guernsey County, and thence to Missouri, where he died in 1877.
Robert Rowland is from an early Morgan County family. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and his mother in West Virginia in 1813. They came to Morgan County about 1816. The family consisted of six sons and six daughters. Robert, the fifth child, was born in Sharon Township in 1843, and is a farmer. He married in 1873 Susannah Shuster, of Morgan County ; children : Losia C., Charles S. and Clara B. Mr. Rowland belongs to the Democratic party.
Hugh Shields was born in Berkeley County, Va., February 2, 1809. His parents were natives of the same State. His father, a soldier of 1812, came to Ohio soon after 1830. In 1836 Hugh Shields entered at government price ($1.25 per acre), eighty acres of land where he now lives. The country was then wild and primitive. Mr. Shields has followed farming all his life. He was married in Belmont County in 1833, to Mary Lowman, and is the father of seven sons and two daughters. Four sons and one daughter are still living.
George Shields was born in Sharon Township in 1856. In 1879 he married Miss Addie Dyer. They have two children living — Mary L and Oakey Owens. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Matthew Steen, of Sharon, is of Irish descent. His grandfather lived, it is supposed, to the age of one hundred and four years., The father of Matthew was horn in Pennsylvania in 1800 and died in Sharon in 1885. The family came to Noble County in 1847.
James H. Stewart was born in Noble County in 1831. In 1858 he married Mary J. Coulter, and they have three children. The Stewart family were pioneers in Belmont County, living there in a fort while hostile Indians still roamed through the country, frequently having Louis Wetzel as their guest. The family came to what is now Noble County in 1824. The father of James H. was a soldier of 1812.
The Stout family came from New JerSey to Belmont County and thence, in 1820, to the vicinity of Olive Green. One of the family married Christina Matilda Ann Harmon, and reared five sons and three daughters. Enoch, one of the sons, died at Vicksburg during the siege. George Edward Stout was born in 1860 and lives on the homestead farm. In 1880 he married Cordelia Baker, of Brookfield Township ; children : Emil, Florence and Lydia Francis. Mr. Stout is an enterprising farmer, a Republican and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Levi Millard Stout was born near Olive Green in 1846. His grandfather was an early settler, a native
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 374
of New Jersey, who came to this township in 1820 from Belmont County. He was married in 1869 to Clarissa D. Gooden, of Olive Township. They have had six children : Happy N., Charity R. (deceased), Thirsa I., Albert M., Alta L. and Florence E.
Philip Swank was horn in 1828 in the house which he now occupies. his father, who was a soldier of 1812, was born in Belmont County ; his mother, nee Harriet Paul, in Pennsylvania. They had twelve children, of whom Philip was the fourth. He married Hannah. Dye in 1847. They have had seven children, of whom five are living. Mr. Swank is a Democrat. He and wife belong to the Methodist Protestant church.
J. W. Swank, a well-known merchant, is a representative of one of the early families. II is grandfathers were from Pennsylvania and his maternal grandfather served in the War of 1812. The maiden name of his mother was Barbara Pickenpaugh. She was married in 1823. J. W. Swank, the third of ten chit- dren, was born in Sharon Township in 1829 and has followed farming and the mercantile business. He is a Democrat in politics. In 1850 he married Jane Brownrigg,. of this township. They have had five children. Their daughter Lillian married James Arnold and died at the age of nineteen. Mrs. Swank is a Baptist.
The breeding of deer is a feature of Mr. Swank's business. He first obtained black-tailed deer from Nebraska; but on trial, found that the climate did not agree with them. Afterward, obtaining cotton-tailed deer, he was very successful in raising them. They run with di, cows and are easily domesticated. At present he has thirteen on hand
John W. Swank was born in Morgan County, in 1858. His father was a native of Belmont County. John W. was married in 1882, to Mary Archibald, of this township ; children : Clara E., Laura Addle and Flora Mabel. Mr. $wank is a Democrat.
Solomon Walters was born in Belmont County, in 1825. His father and grandfather were Pennsylvanians, and the latter served in the Revolutionary War. His father was born in 1801, and came to Belmont County about 1805. In 1824 he married Mary Ann Montgomery, in Belmont County, and in 1829 settled on land whichl he had entered, in the present township of Sharon. Solomon Walters is by occupation a farmer and miller. He is a Democrat politically. Mr. Walters married Mary Kuntz of this township, in 1850. She died in 1879, having borne seven children, of whom two are deceased.
Peter Walters was born June 8, 1847, on the farm where he now lives. His father, a native of Belmont County, came to this vicinity and married Zillah, daughter of Samuel Sailor, the pioneer of the township, by whom he had seven children, five of whom are living. Peter Walters married Harriet Kuntz, of this County, in 1869. They are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Walters is a Republican in politics.
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James B. Wigginton, hotel-keeper at Sharon, was born in Frederick County, Va., May 25, 1831. Ins par. ents were natives of Virginia, and his grandfather served in the Revolutionary War. Mr.Wigginton volanteered in the Union army, in 1861, in the Fourth Kentucky Infantry, and served through the war, participating in the battle of Chickamauga, the siege of Vicksburg, and other engagements of less prominence. July 30, 186.1, he was captured while crossing the Chattahoochee River, on the Sherman raid, and taken to Andersonville prison, where he suffered indescribable, misery and cruelty.
At Lafayette, Ga., he was wounded in the right hand, and also in the neck, He was exchanged in June, 1865, and honorably discharged. on the 14th of that month. In 1866 he came to Noble County. In 1870 he married Elizabeth IL Bickett, of this county. They have four children living, and one deceased. Those living are Willie Wilbert, Winfield Scott, Mary Briscoe and Charles Culver. Mr. Wigginton is a Republican.
William Wiley, one of the pioneers of Noble County, was a native of Pennsylvania, and served in the War of the Revolution.. About the close of the war he was obliged to lee with his family to escape massacre by the Indians. In the year 1808 he came to what is now Noble County. He was a weaver by trade and settled on a tract of land now owned by Mr. Shafer, southwest of Caldwell. After a residence of four years he moved to Sharon Township, settling on a farm now owned by John E. Marquis, one-half acre of which he gave for burial purposes. His death occurred in 1816, and his was the first grave in the little cemetery. his son, Thomas Wiley, was born in 1795 ; after the death of his father he removed to a small farm three miles southwest of Sharon. He married Elizabeth Fogle. They had nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity. The mother died in 1858, aged sixty-one, the father in 1871 in the seventy-sixth year of his age ; he was a farmer and a Democrat in politics. William Wiley, grandson of the pioneer, was born in Sharon. He acquired the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for many years. He married Miss Nancy Bigley. He has had seven children, two of whom are dead. Politically he is a Democrat.
Jacob W. Wiley, a descendant of one of the early settlers, was born in this county in 1825. His grandfather was among the first settlers of the Duck Creek Valley, coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania. He donated the land for the old graveyard at Sharon, and his remains were the first buried there. Jacob was the third of a family of ten children. He is one of the representative farmers of the township, owning 246 acres of excellent land. He was married in 1846 to Francena Gallatin, of Morgan County. They have had two sons and four daughters, of whom the following are living: Jeremiah T., Jerusha Q., John C. and Nancy J. The family belong to
376 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Wiley is a Democrat.
Frederick Yerian is a grandson of Frederick Yerian, an early settler, and was born in Jackson Township, Noble County, in 1837. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and in early times used to make guns from the " raw material," drilling the barrels and making the lock and stock himself. Frederick learned this trade. In 1847 he came to Sharon, and for the last fourteen years has carried on the drug business here. He enlisted September 21, 1864, in the Twenty-second Ohio Light Artillery and served until July 13, 1865. In 1869 he married Nancy E., daughter of Samuel Wiley, of Sharon Township; children Lizzie E. J., William E., Mary W., Kate, Samuel F., Charles E.; Cora L. and Susannah J. Kate married Samuel Wallace and died in 1884. The others are living. Mr. Yerian is a Democrat.
Frederick Yerian, Sr., was an early German settler. He was for some years engaged in operating a gristmill and saw-mill. He injured his foot by stepping on a nail, the leg was amputated and he died from the effects of the operation. His son John was a gunsmith and learned his trade in Zanesville.
SHARON VILLAGE.
Sharon, an old and once flourishing village, was laid out March 22, 1831, under the proprietorship of Robert Rutherford and Edward Parrish. The original plat contained fourteen lots.
The first building erected within the present limits of the town of Sharon was a log school-house, built on the corner where the Masonic Hall now stands, prior to 1823. Later a brick school-house was erected on the same ground. A church was also erected by the Presbyterians about 1823.
Rev. Robert Rutherford, one of the proprietors of the town, was the first postmaster. An office was established through his efforts in 1830. It was on the mail route between Barnesville and McConnelsville, and was supplied with a weekly mail.
The first settler in the village was a man named Smith, a carpenter, who was only a brief resident. He built the house in which John Boggs now lives. Isaac Parrish built one of the first houses. Rev. Robert Rutherford, pastor of the Presbyterian church, was an early settler, locating here before the town was laid out, as did also Edward Parrish.
Other early merchants were Isaac Parrish, who started the first store of importance ; Wiley & Parrish (Thomas Wiley and John Parrish), Benjamin Manifold, William Enley, and John Moore. The latter came from Chandlersville, and kept store on the corner where Frederick Yerian's drug store now is. Eldridge Wootton, Reuben Israel, and Elijah Stevens were among former merchants. The latter once had two stores here at the same time. About 1840 Sharon was a busy place and trade was ffourishing. Pork packing was carried on quite extensively by
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Reuben Israel and John and Isaac Parrish. Israel also dealt largely in tobacco. He was started in trade here by Dr. Carlisle, of Belmont County, and was a very successful merchant.
Isaac Parrish erected a steam flouring-mill in 1846, which was probably the earliest steam-mill in the county. Eldridge Wootton erected. a steam saw-mill and grist-mill soon after. - Isaac Parrish did a large business for those days. He projected a railroad, and had several miles of it graded.
Among the residents of the village in 1836 were James Hopper, who was a blacksmith, and settled here in 1832 ; Isaac Paxton, cabinet-maker ; Isaac McMu n n, shoemaker ; Samuel Marquis, who conducted a tannery ; Vernon Stevens, who also had a tannery ; Eldridge Wootton and Benjamin Manifold, merchants ; Warren Timberlake, who had a pottery ; and Nelson Timberlake, wagon-maker. The first tavern was kept by Isaac Paxton.
Sharon now has two general stores, both of which do a large business. They are kept by Steen & Parrish and Joseph E. Marquis;. Frederick. Yerian is the druggist ; James Wigginton, hotel-keeper ; Solomon Walters, proprietor of Sharon mill ; Reuben McGlashan and James Kirk, saddlers ; John Yerian, T. M. Yerian, Robert Nichols and John M. Boggs, blacksmiths ; James Gill, wagon-maker ; William Shepard and Ezekiel Pedicord, cabinetmakers.
The town has two churches and two lodges. In 1880 its population was 204.
The town of Sharon has long been prominent in an educational way, and is noted for its good schools. An institution known as Sharon College was started by Rev. Randall Ross in 1852, and for many years was a flourishing school, in which the languages and higher branches of education were taught. Here many received the foundation for a good education. Many of the pupils became successful teachers in the schools of the surrounding country. The school was largely attended and had a good reputation. Rev. Randall Ross Was succeeded after several
years by Professor Smith, and he by McMillan and Ryan. The latter was the last teacher. The school has not been in session since 1875. The building is now the school-house of the district school. It was erected by subscription solely for the use of the college.
CHURCHES.
Presbyterian. - The first church edifice in Sharon was erected about 1823, by the Presbyterians and United Presbyterians. The old church building is still standing, and is now • a residence owned by Mrs. Harriet McDonald. The two congregations continued to worship in this building until about 1835, when the union of the churches was dissolved. In 1838 three churches were built in the town — Presbyterian, United Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal. The United Presbyterians maintained their organization
378 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
until about 1879. Their first pastor was Rev. Stephen L. Haft, who was succeeded by Rev. Randall Ross and others. When the congregation disbanded most of the members joined the Presbyterian church. The present church edifice was erected in 1880. Among the early -ministers were Rev. John Arthur, Rev. Robert Rutherford, Rev. Charles Chariot and others. John Marqms and his family and Alexander Greenlee were leading early members.
Methodist Episcopal.— The first church edifice was erected by this denomination at Sharon in 1838. The present church was erected in 1870, at a cost of $1,400. The presdent membership is seventy-five. The pro sent officers are James Eicher, leader ; R. K. Nichols, David Foreman and John Grimes, stewards ; S. F. Rock, John E. Marquis and F. F. Foote, trustees. The society was organized many years before any church was erected. Among the pioneer members were John rid- cock. Andrew and Levi Purkey, Benjamin Barnhouse, Samuel Allen, B;,- Hatton (the grandfather of Frank Batton, late postmaster-general), James Gird, John Scroggins, William Kirkpatrick, Isaac Mc Mun n and Thomas Garlington. Levi Purkey was the first class leader.
Mabchester Baptist Church—This church was organized as early as 1830, and was then in Manchester Township, Morgan County. Rev. Mr. Gabriel, was the first settled minister. Among the early members were Jacob Hawk, James Garvin, and Joab Bailey and George Walters, and their wives. Garvin and Walters were deacons for many years. The first meeting-house was a log building; the second a frame, and the present a frame. The second church was destroyed by fire. The church is still flourishing, though with a less membership now than formerly.
Olive Presbyterian Church.—The early history of this church is involved in obscurity. It is probable, however, that it had an existence previous to 1820. Nothing is now known of the original members or first officers. In 1831 John Marquis, John Lyons, and Peter Eckley, were elected elders. In 1837 the names of Benjamin Manifold and Peter Eckley are given. The first church edifice was completed in 1836. It was a frame structure 30x55 feet. The present building was completed in 1882. It stands on the site of the old aura, and its cost was $1,600. It appears that the society had no regular pastor until 1837. Among the supplies the names of Revs. William Wallace and Robert Rutherford are frequently found. In March, 1837, Rev. John Arthur was elected pastor, and served until 1838. His successors were Revs. N. P. Charlotte; William Reid, J. P. Caldwell, Mathew R. Miller, Watson Russell, Samuel Mahaffey, L. C. Rutter, William M. Galbraith and A. Baldridge. The present membership is eighty, with a Sabbath school attendance of one hundred. In the early days the church was cared for oy the Board of Home Missions, but for many years it has been self-support-
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ing. The present pastorate, that of Rev. Thomas J. Dague, began October 1, 1883. During this time twenty-one members have been added, and the society is in a very prosperous condition.
LODGES.
Masonic.- Sharon Lodge, No. 136, F, and A. M., was instituted March 26, 1846, with the following charter members and first officers: Rev. Patrick K. McCue, W. M. ; Dr. Jesse M. Stone, S. W. ; Samuel Fowler, J. W. ; B. M. Leland, Oliver Keyser, Robert Thompson, Conway Garlington and Jesse Stewart. Of these, B. M. Leland is the only survivor, so far as is known. The past masters have been Rev. Patrick K. McCue, Dr. Jesse M. Stone, Robert Thompson, Stephen Burlingame, Josiah Burlingame, Dennis S. Gibbs, David C. Aiken, B, M. Leland, J. P. Gill, Stephen Parrish, J. Danford, William Lowe, D. H. Schofield, R. Burlingame and Ross Elder. The lodge once had over one hundred members, but many have withdrawn, joining newer lodges. The present membership is seventy-four. The lodge is in good financial condition, and owns a good two-story building contaimng the hall, which was built in 1857, at a cost of $1,400. The present officers are Ross Elder, W. M,; George E. Willey, S. W.; Thomas Love, J. W. ; Richard Bur- impale, S. D. ; Joseph W. Jones, J. D.; A. H. McFerren, secretary ; Thomas Boyd, treasurer ; Alfred Smoot, tyler.
Odd Fellows.— Gem Lodge, No. 552, I. 0. 0. F., Sharon, Ohio, was instituted July 23, 1873, .with the following charter members : — Frederick Yerian, John Aikin, George A. Bell, A. F. Pickenpaugh, E. W. Daniel, George Walters, James H. Stewart, James Thompson, John Preston, Joseph W. Jones and John E. Marquis. The lodge now has forty members and is in a flourishing condition. It owns one of the finest halls in Noble County —large and well furnished. The officers in October, 1886, were T. W. Parrish, N. G.;. Wm. Yerian, B. G.; Thomas Boyd, treasurer ; James Kane, secretary.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PICTURE OF JOHN BROWNRIG
THE BROWNRIGG FAMILY.
John Brownrigg, Sr., was one of the prominent early settlers of what is now Sharon Township. He was born in England, where he married. Five children were there born to them: Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Mary and John. In 1818 he immigrated to this country with four of his children, Elizabeth, the eldest, remaining in her native place, the mother having died. The family landed in Baltimore, Md., thence they came to Pittsburgh, and from there to Steubenville, Ohio, in a flat boat. Here the family spent the winter, the boat being their home. The following spring they voyaged to Marietta and from thence to the place where the family now reside. Here the elder Brownrigg entered 640 acres of land. He was a thorough and energetic farmer, and soon after his arrival built a log house, 36x40, and two stories in height. In 1820,
380- HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
the year following his settlement, he built a barn which was the admiration of the pioneer farmers for miles around. This Structure, the walls of which are still standing, was one hundred feet in length; the ffoors were puncheon and are still in good repair. He died in 1856, aged eighty- four years. He was an Episcopalian in religious belief, and for many years one of the leading citizens of the township. Of his children, John, Jr., is the only one living. He was born in England, May 15, 1807, and is one of the few who have witnessed the transition of a wilderness to a fertile and productive country. He remained with his father until his decease, at which time he received 240 acres of the paternal estate. He has been a thrifty and proSperous farmer, and at one time owned 1,100 acres of valuable land. Be says that when his father settled in Sharon, that Silus Sailor was their nearest neighbor, and that they occupied his stable until they could erect a cabin, He married in 1829 Miss Matilda, daughter of Robert and Jane Caldwell. Four children were the result of this union: Jane (Swank), Elizabeth (Ellison), who died in 1887, William and Sarah (Kildrow). William, the only son, was born in Sharon Township and resides on the homestead farm. He married Miss Nancy G., daughter of Samuel and Jane Norris. They have six children: Emma (Jones), Lewis M., Mary (Bozman), John W., May and Lillie. The fertile fields and .substantial improvements attest Mr. Brownrigg's skill and success- as a farmer. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a pronounced Democrat.