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CHAPTER XXIV.
NOBLE.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP - METES AND BOUNDS-EARLY ELECTIONS AND ELECTORS - POLL BOOK LIST FOR 1820 - TAXES IN 1822 - AN EARLY INDIAN TRAIL - FORMERLY A PART OF BUFFALO TOWNSHIP - THE MEMORABLE ELECTION OF 1816 - THE FAMILY OF JOHN NOBLE, SENIOR - DIFFICULTIES OF PIONEER LIFE - THE " COLD PLAGUE " - MENTION OF EARLY AND PROMINENT FAMILIES - JOSEPH LIPPITT - AN IRISHMAN'S TRICK - A BEAR STORY - PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT AND SETTLEMENT - EARLY SCHOOLS- PERSONAL SKETCHES VILLAGES- HIRAMSBURG, HOSKINSVILLE, ROCHESTER, BELLE VALLEY AND AVA - CHURCHES.
NOBLE TOWNSHIP was organized in 1819. At that date it became a township of Morgan County, and so continued until the formation of Noble County. May 1, 1851, the county commissioners changed the boundaries of the township, making them as follows:
" Commencing at the southeast corner of section 34, in township number 7, of range 9.; thence north to the northeast corner of section 3, in said township number 7, range 9 ; thence west along the township line to the northwest corner of section 1, in township number 7, of range 10 ; thence south along section lines to the southwest corner of section 36, in said township number 7, range 10; thence east along the township line to the place of beginning ; containing thirty sections."
At an election for township officers which was held in Noble Township, Morgan County, on April 3, 1820, forty-three votes were polled. Andrew Millslagle, Asa Burlingame and Joseph Franklin acted as judges of election; and Josiah Burlingame and John Fogle, clerks. For justice of the peace, Peter Fogle had thirty- five votes and William Ralph eight. The names of the voters were Charles McKenny, James McKee, Elijah Day, Samuel Noble, James Noble, John Davis, Alexander McKee (still living), George Dye, David Devolld, William Hamilton, Isaac Warpingba, Samuel Halley, John McKee, Jonas Ball, Linus Moore, Lambert Newton, Daniel Ball, John Noble, Elly Moore, John Clowser, Michael Fogle, Benjamin Thorla, Benjamin Severance, Jacob Fogle, Robert Hellyer, Charles Posten, Ephraim Bates, John McGarry, John Ralph, Solomon Brown, Joseph Lippitt, Sylvester Westcott, Isaac Covalt, John Fogle, Josiah Burlingame, Joseph Franklin, Andrew Millslagle, Asa Burlingame, Peter Fogle, Armstrong Johnston, Ezekiel Bates, William Ralph and James Dye.
At the general election held on October 10, 1820, Asa Burlingame, Andrew Millslagle and Peter Fogle acted as judges of election ; and
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Josiah Burlingame and Sylvester Westcott, as clerks. Only twenty votes were cast. For governor, Ethan. A. Brown had eighteen votes ; Robert Means, two. For representative to the legislature, Alexander McConnel, two ; William M. Dawes, fifteen ; Amzi Stanley, three. For representative in Congress, David Chambers, twenty. For county commissioner, David Fulton, fifteen ; Andrew Wharton, five. What can be said of the political enthusiasm of that day, when an election for a justice of the peace called out more than twice as many voters as an election for State officers?
From the tax-list of Noble Township for the year 1822, made out by Josiah Burlingame, lister, and Lambert Newton, appraiser, it appears that the township contained ninety- six property holders, and ninety-nine horses and one hundred and four neat cattle were listed for taxation. Upon this list appear the following names in addition to those upon the poll-book for 1820 :
Richard Albury, Amos Bates, Benjamin Barry, James Barry, Edward Beck, Andrew Brawton, Dexter Brown, Benjamin Cox, Jarrett Cox, Ezekiel Cole, Richard Chillcott, Daniel Devolld, John Devolld, Samuel Dennis, Thomas Davis, Walter Downey, David Frakes, Robert Frakes, George Frakes, Lemuel Fowler, Royal Fowler (still living), Jacob Fogle, Calvin Frankhn, John Griswold, John. George, Samuel Gookins, George Hellyer, Joshua Holster, John Jones, Jeremiah McMahan, John Mead, Martha McKee, John Moore, David McGarry, Andrew Millslagle, Lambert Newton, Joseph Posten, Charles Parsons, Jane Ralph, William Rees, Joseph Reed, John Reed, Sr., James Reed, William Smith, Jr., William Seevers, John Seevers, Benjamin Severance, Jr., William P. Willey and Enos Wheeler.
Along the West Fork of Duck Creek was an Indian trail which had evidently been much traveled by the red hunters prior to the settlement of the valley by white people. The stream seems to have been a favorite resort for the elk, deer and buffalo, and was doubtless an attractive hunting-ground for the Indians. The buffalo paths, in many places deeply worn into the earth, were distinguishable long after the white settlers came into the valley. For some years prior to the War of 1812, the Indians devoted themselves to the destruction of the larger wild animals of the forest, apparently for the sole purpose of thwarting the white hunters, as they left the carcasses to rot upon the ground. The Duck Creek Valley was frequented by the Indian hunters almost up to the time of the war, but never after its close. Mr. John Noble, who came to his present farm in 1812, states that an Indian camp, evidently erected only a few years previous, was then standing on the bank of the creek, a short distance above his present residence.
Buffalo Township, Guernsey County, was organized in 1810, and then
PICTURE OF JOHN NOBLE
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included all the north west part of the present County of Noble, extending south to the old line of Washington County. In 1816 Olive Township was formed from part of Buffalo. We have no description of its boundaries, but it probably included the greater part, if not all, of Noble. In 1819 Noble Township, Morgan County, included township 7 of range 9 of the original survey.
Old residents recall an election that was held at the house of the Jordans, in the vicinity of where Hiramsburg now is, in 1816. This being the first election, the event was celebrated in a manner characteristic of the pioneer days. Some enterprising citizens succeeded in getting a barrel of cider from some point on the Muskingum River, and after " doctoring" it to their satisfaction with stronger liquors, put it on tap on the day of election. Cider being an article which the settlers of Duck Creek seldom had an opportunity of tasting, all partook freely, and as a consequence, nearly every man there became gloriously inebriated before the day was over. The more sober ones placed their intoxicated neighbors upon their horses, and started them toward home, some of them sitting, or rather lying, upon their horses, as inert, and apparently as lifeless as bags of meal.
The first entry of land on the West Fork of Duck Creek was made in 1806 by a man named Bain, near where Belle Valley now is. Richard Fletcher made an entry of land in the same year. The McKees came in 1811, and the Nobles in 1812.
John Noble, a Pennsylvanian by birth, settled in 1812 on the farm which his son John now occupies. A family sketch will be found elsewhere in this chapter.
In the early years, the settlers found it very difficult to keep stock of any kind. Aside from the danger that it might be destroyed by wolves or bears, there were other obstacles to encounter. Cattle died of murrain in large numbers. On the bottoms along the creek cattle were permitted to run at large, getting their own living at all seasons. Many wintered on the bunch grass found along the creek, without ever being fed at all. Hogs were also allowed to pick up their living as best they could in the woods. John Noble, Sr., brought a herd of twenty-five young hogs to his farm when he settled here, but the first season the bears made such havoc among them that but three were left. The old hogs were usually strong enough to defend themselves from their enemies, but young swine were never safe.
The climate was by no means healthy. A variety of chills, known as the "cold plague" attacked many, and those suffering from this disease found it impossible to get warm. Many died. Bleeding was then considered the sovereign remedy for nearly all the ills that flesh is heir to, and that process doubtless hastened the exit of many invalids from the world. Richard Fletcher was an early settler on the creek, on land now owned by James Carr. His
486 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
wife, Jemima, was an Enochs, a daughter of the pioneer settler of that name.
Charles McCune and John Reed were both Irishmen and early settlers. Reed was a very worthy citizen. He came in 1813. His sons, Joseph, John and James, lived here and reared families.
Joseph Lippitt was one of the few pioneer settlers that had money. He was considered a rich man in his day. He bought and settled upon a whole section of land north of where Belle Valley station now is. He was from. New England, and had the trading faculty which is popularly supposed to be inherent in all Yankees. In early days he kept a few goods at his house, and would give a yard of muslin for a day's work. His father had ar interest in a cotton-mill in one of the Eastern States. Mrs. Lippitt was a woman of good judgment and shrewdness, and was an excellent manager. Lippitt died here, and after his death the farm was sold, and the family became scattered. The Lippitt family were among the very earliest permanent settlers in the township, and among the earliest on Duck Creek.
Solomon Brown, a blacksmith, was among the early settlers. For a number of years he made salt on the creek, on a part of the John Noble farm. The well was 130 feet deep. A deer-lick near the spot had been much frequented before the country was settled.
Lambert Newton was a Yankee who lived where his son Lambert now resides. Joab, another son, lives on part of the old Lippitt farm.
There were many eccentric and peculiar characters among the early residents. Such an one was an Irishman named Crawford. One day he came to John Noble, who, then as since, was an excellent, thrifty, orderly farmer, and wished to obtain some seed-corn. Mr. Noble sent him to his corn-crib, and told him to help himself to any that he liked, except some choice speckled corn, which Mr. Noble had placed by itself for his own use. Later, it was discovered that the speckled corn had all been removed by Crawford, who had piled some ears of the common variety in its place, and that the Hibernian was retailing among the neighbors what he called "a very foine arti-kel of calico cor-rn."
Another Irishman came to Mr. Noble to borrow a scythe in the days when those instruments were scarce and valuable. Not wishing to lend, Mr. Noble told him he hadn't any. The Irishman's shrewdness then became apparent. "But," said he, " didn't I see it hanging up ?" "Well, go and take it then, but be careful of it," returned Mr. Noble. "And where will I find it, sor?" asked the borrower.
Andrew Brawton was the first settler where Hoskinsville now is. He and two other New Englanders made the first clearing there at an early date.
Benjamin Thorla, from New England, settled where Belle Valley now is.
Some of the early elections were
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held at the house of Jarrett Cox. Later they were held at his brother Benjamin's.
John Clowser, a Virginian, settled where his son Benjamin now lives.
John and Thomas Davis, Virginians, settled in the north part of the township. Their descendants are still numerous here.
Lemuel Fowler, a New Englander, was among the early settlers. His son, Royal Fowler, still living (1886), is among the oldest residents of the township.
John McKee was commissioned justice of the peace May 1, 1817, two years prior to the organization of Noble Township and Morgan County. His authority was derived from Guernsey County. His commission, record of which still exists in Morgan County, expired May 1, 1820. Peter Fogle, the first justice chosen in Noble Township, was commissioned April 24, 1820.
Benjamin Severance, a Yankee, and his sons, Benjamin and Rodney, were early settlers near Hiramsburg, Rodney was for some years engaged in the making of salt on the Muskingum River.
The Fogies were a numerous and respectable family. They were natives of Virginia, but came here from Washington County, Pa. There were three brothers, Jacob, Michael and Peter, who settled in the same neighborhood. Jacob and Michael came first, and a year or two later Peter settled on the farm where he lived and died. He came about 1818. He was the first justice of the peace in the township, and held the office about twenty years. He was also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1875, at the age of eighty-nine years. The Fogle brothers were all married before they came to Ohio. Jacob lived and died in Noble Township. His son Jacob still lives here. He and Mrs. Mary Merry Caldwell, are the only children of Jacob Fogle now living in the county. Michael moved from Noble Township to Enoch, and died there. He left no family. Peter Fogle was twice married. His first wife was Ehzabeth Salliday, and their children were Mary, Eliza, Sarah and Margaret, all living, the oldest two in this county. For his second wife he married Phebe Stevens. Their children were Rachael (Rucker), who lives on part of the homestead ; John, Illinois ; Lucretia, Kansas; Anna; dead ; Annary, Vinton County, Ohio ; James, Colorado ; George, Kentucky, and Peter, Caldwell. Peter lived on a farm until 1879, and then engaged in hotel keeping in Caldwell. Since 1880 he has been in the business of undertaker and furniture dealer in Caldwell, owning a large and fine store. He has a German. Bible, printed in 1590, which has been in the Fogle family nearly three hundred years.
Joseph, Calvin and Nathan Franklin were early settlers and good men. Calvin had an early mill, run by horse-power. Joseph was a wagon-maker. He built and ran a mill near Hiramsburg station.
488 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO
George, Robert and Thomas Hellyer were early settlers. George was a tailor. The others were stonemasons. Robert was the first auditor of Noble County.
Joseph, Zachariah and Wesley Cooper lived in the north part of the township and operated a distillery. Samuel Thompson, a tanner and Methodist preacher, was a somewhat eccentric character, who lived in the same neighborhood. Richard Thorla was another early distiller.
Among other interesting memorabilia in the possession of George Burlingame, of Belle Valley, is a tax receipt signed by treasurer of Morgan County. It is dated September 19, 1835, and shows that Josiah Burlingame's tax on 166 acres of land was one dollar, ninety- six cents and nine mills, and his tax on personal property, one dollar, eighty-four cents and eight mills. The valuation of the land was then $179. It is the present Chris. McKee farm, one of the best in the valley.
In 1816 Josiah Burlingame and family were living on the present farm of Chris McKee. The bears and panthers were still frequently found in the valley. On one occasion, Mrs. Burlingame was away from home, and a neighbor hy the name of Edmond Burton was staying with Mr. Burlingame. In the night, they heard loud noises proceeding from a pig-pen near the house. Surmising the cause, Burlingame seized a large hand-spike and Burton an axe, the only one about the house, and proceeded to investigate. They found a large bear attempting to devour one of the pigs. Mr. Burlingame used his weapon with such good effect upon the bear that he finally caused him to desist; but Burton was so alarmed by the fierce actions of the bear, that he did not attack him, and he was allowed to make his escape.
Andrew Millslagle was an early settler, and served in the War of 1812.
After the war closed, farms were taken up and occupied quite rapidly, although times were very hard for poor people. There was a great scarcity of money, and those who were compelled to hire it were obliged to pay exorbitant interest. But settlers came pouring in from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Belmont County, so that it was not long before all the land was taken up, and the work of clearing and improving it was inaugurated. There has been steady and constant progress ever since. The township now contains many fine farms, good residences and a thrifty population.
In the western part of the township is one tier of sections running from north to south which belonged to Brookfield Township, before the erection of Noble County. Among the early settlers in this part of the township was Hugh Nickerson, father of Sparrow Nickerson, who settled on the farm now occupied by the latter, in 1817, coming from Massachusetts. He was a prominent man, and served eighteen consecutive years as justice of the peace in Brookfield.
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Rev. Sparrow Nickerson says that when he came to the township with his father, John Noble was the nearest settler east of him. The West colts, Scotts and Browns were the nearest neighbors. Mr. Nickerson used to go, when a boy, to Benjamin Bay's mill, on Will's Creek,' eight miles distant, passing only three houses on the way.
In the spring of the same year Christopher Westcott, from Rhode Island, settled on the farm now occupied by his son, Lewis C. Westcott. Dexter Brown, also from Rhode Island, settled in 1817. He was one of the commissioners of Morgan County, 1833. His son Andrew now owns the farm. Erastus Hoskins, after whom Hoskinsville was named, came from Connecticut in 1818. He was an influential citizen and in the early years was colonel of a regiment of the Morgan militia. He represented his county in the legislature two terms, 1831-2 and 1832-3.
The following item was published in the Republican in 1871:
" An old log barn standing on Alexander McKee's farm, one mile north of Caldwell, was erected in 1811, by Daniel Bates and George Dye. Many of the hands who helped to raise it came up from the Marietta settlement, thirty miles distant. After the barn was completed, Bates and Dye both enlisted and served through- the War of 1812-14. Dye was badly wounded in an engagement with the British and the Indians."
Samuel Noble was born in Lycoming County, Pa. He came to Ohio in 1805, and afterward to the farm where he passed the remainder of his life. He died in 1875 at the age of seventy-eight years. He was an honest man and led a useful life.
Miss Mary F. Brown, a native of Rhode Island, taught the first school near Hoskinsville in 1820, where she settled with a brother and a sister in 1818. She died in 1883 in the ninety- seventh year of her age. She taught school a number of years and war a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for sixty-four years.
According to the recollection of an old resident, the first school in the vicinity of Caldwell was taught by Walter Stevens on the McKee place. A space between a couple of corncribs served as the school-room in fair, warm weather ; but when the open air became unsuitable, the school adjourned to the house.
Josiah Burlingame was an early settler and a prominent citizen, a surveyor by profession. He came to Ohio from Rhode Island, and in 1814 located in this township. In 1815 he married Sarah Noble, a sister of the venerable John Noble. He was county commissioner of Morgan County from 1827 to 1832. He reared a large family, all of whom are now widely scattered. A reunion of the Burlingame family at Belle Valley, in the fall of 1886, was an interesting occasion, ,
George Burlingame, one of a family of nine brothers, all living but one (Samuel), was .born January 21, 1829. In 1860 he married Miss K J. Coffee of this county. They have one child, Alta, now Mrs. Frank L. Green, of Belle Valley. Mr. Bur-
490 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
lingame was formerly a Whig, and is now a Democrat. He has served as county surveyor, and was township assessor six terms. He has been engaged in the mercantile business at Belle Valley since 1884.
Sylvester Westcott is among the oldest residents of the township. HQ was born in Providence, R. I., in 1815, and has resided in Noble Township since 1817. He married Mary A. Wheeler in 1840, and is the father of three daughters. He has a vivid recollection of the early days, and of the difficulties under which the early settlers labored.
Rev. David Gorby was born in Ohio County, W. Va., in 1810, and has resided in Noble County since his parents settled here in 1824. His maternal grandfather took part in the Revolutionary War, and afterward assisted in suppressing the " whisky insurrection " in Pennsylvania. Mr. Gorby is a farmer, millwright, and minister of the Free Methodist church. He has recently been engaged in developing a fine mine of carbonate iron ore, which, with coal, renders his land valuable, He married, first, Mary Mason, and second, Eliza N. Hunter.
Robert R. Danford, a representative of one of the early and prominent families of Noble County,. was born in this county in June, 1828. In 1850 he married Mary A. Grove, of this county. Their children are Ellis J., Eliza A. and Arizona R., living, and Osceola C., deceased. Mr. Danford is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He served as justice of the peace of Morgan County six years, and, although living in a Democratic township, was chosen township assessor by seventy-five majority. Mr. Danford was in the late war as first lieutenant of Company F, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, resigning in 1862, on account of rheumatism. In 1864 he was in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the one hundred days' service.
David D. Jennings, who for fifty years was a prominent citizen of this township, was a pioneer on section 31, Center Township. He was originally from :western Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Ruth Wright. He was a successful farmer and accumulated a fine competency, under rather adverse circumstances. It is related of him that the first winter after his arrival in Center he was obliged to thresh grain with a flail for one-half the straw, in order to provide food for his only cow. He was one of the pioneers of the Methodist church of the county. For many years the " meetings " were held at his house, and all religious projects had in him a firm friend and patron. He died April 22, 1879, aged eighty-three years. He reared a family of ten children—four boys and six girls.
John McCleary was born in 1839, in this county, as now constituted. His father was a drummer boy in the War of 1812, and his grandfather was killed in the same war. John McCleary enlisted September, 1861, in Company K, Thirtieth Ohio Volun-
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teer Infantry, and was discharged in September, 1865. He participated in the battles of Carnifex Ferry, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge, Chattanooga, and the engagements during the "march to the sea."
William P. Willey, one of the early settlers of what is now Noble Township, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to this county about 1870. His first location was on a small tract of land which he bought from his brother-in-law, George Dye. He was identified with the township as a pioneer farmer, and was one of the early and prominent members of the Protestant Methodist Episcopal church and helped to build one of the first churches of this society. He married Sarah Dye, and had a family of thirteen children, eight of whom were born in Pennsylvania.
William, one of the sons, was born in 1822 ; he married in 1849 Miss Ruth, daughter of Daniel Belford ; they have had five children.
George Willey was born in Pennsylvania, in 1804, and came with his parents to Noble County about 1817. He was a carpenter by trade, and several years after his immigration bought a mill near Belle Valley, which he operated until 1848, when he removed to Hoskinsville, and engaged in trade. He died in 1856. In 1828 he married Miss Nancy Westcott. They had seven children. Sylvester, one of the sons, was born in 1835. In 1864 he enlisted in the Twenty-Second Ohio Light Artillery and served until the close of the war. He and his wife, nee Ellen Moore, are members of the Protestant Episcopal church.
J. W. R. Newton, a prominent farmer and a leading citizen, is the son of an early settler. His father, a native of Maine, came to this township in 1818. Mr. Newton was born in 1834. In 1856 he married Miss Mary McKee, and is the father of two sons and one daughter. His wife died in 1880; in 1885 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Sipe. Mr. Newton is a Republican.
J. C. Campbell was born in Noble Township, in 1832, and is by occupation a farmer and merchant. His father, a native of Ireland, settled near Philadelphia, in the latter part of the last century, removing thence to Ohio. He died in Noble Township in 1847. On his mother's side Mr. Campbell is of German descent. J. C. Campbell was married in 1860 to Martha Noble. He has always been a Democrat. For six years he served as postmaster at Hoskinsville under a Republican administration.
Samuel McFerren was born in Pennsylvania in 1776. In 1836 he settled in Noble Township, where he died about 1866. He married a Miss Needham, whose father, J. Needham, settled in Morgan County. Mr. Needham was the only survivor of a family of several members. The rest were killed by the Indians on their way from Pennsylvania to Ohio.
Richard C. McFerren is of German and English descent. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in 1808, in Jefferson County, Ohio, where Richard was born in 1821. In
492 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
1835 he came to the vicinity of Hoskinsville, where he has since resided, engaged in farming. Mr. McFerren was married in 1841 to Louisa Jennings, and is the father of two sons and three daughters, all living and all married. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist church. He served as township treasurer fourteen years.
Harrison Jones is of Irish and Welsh descent. His father, an 1812 soldier, was born in Pennsylvania. He was an early settler in Muskingum County, Ohio, where the subject of this notice was born in 1821. In 1840 Mr. Jones settled in Noble Township, where he has since resided. He married Anna McKee, a native of this township, in 1845. They have have had four children, two of whom, Joseph and Margaret, are still living, both married. Mr. Jones is a Methodist and a Democrat. He has held some township offices. His maternal grandfather Was a soldier of the American Revolution.
Joseph W. Jones, son of Harrison Jones, was born in Noble Township, October 6, 1846, and has resided in this vicinity. He was educated at Sharon College, and was a teacher for some years. He is now engaged in the mercantile business at Hoskinsville. Mr. Jones is a prominent Democrat. He has served thirteen years as justice of the peace. In 1870 he married Tryphena R. Walters, daughter of the late John B. Walters, of this county. They have two daughters living and one deceased.
Elijah Fogle, a descendant of one of the old families of this county, was born in Noble Township in 1842. In 1861 he entered the service of his country in the Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the engagements at Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing. In 1862 he was honorably discharged by reason of poor health. In 1865 he married Maria Oliver, of Center Township: six children living, one deceased.
Peter J. Walters was born in Noble Township in 1838. His father was born in Belmont County, and came to this township quite early. The family consisted of nine children, six of whom are living. In 1865 P. J. Walters married Miss Teresa A. Brown, of this township. They have one child, a son. He is a member of the Baptist church, and of the Republican party. He enlisted in June, 1863, in Company I, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, and served for two years, being honorably discharged at Knoxville, Tenn.
L. W. Palmer was born in Chester County, Pa., October 14, 1835. His parents were natives of the same county ; came to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1838, and to Noble County in 1839. The subject of this notice has always followed farming. He was married to Nancy Harkins in 1836, and has had seven children, all living, except one--Lydia J. He is a Republican and has held several township offices, although the township is Democratic.
L. C. Westcott was born in 1820, on the farm where he now resides. His father was among the early settlers, coming from Rhode Island, and settling here in 1816. L. C. West-
PICTURE OF JAMES CARR
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cott married Cordelia F. Howland in 1844, and is the father of five children, all living. He is a farmer and a Republican.
W. F. Jordan is a descendant of one of the pioneer families. Both his father and his mother were born in this county. Mr. Jordan was born in 1854. In 1877 he married Mary E. Glass, who died in 1878. In 1881 he married Maggie L. Archibald. They have had three children, two of whom are living. Mr. Jordan is station agent and telegraph operator at Belle Valley.
Thomas Racey is of Enghsh and German descent. His father, Landon Racey, was born in Frederick County, Va., and his mother, nee Susannah Barnhouse, in Loudoun County, Va. They were married in Harrison County, Ohio, and came to Noble County in 1828, settling on Duck Creek. Landon Racey was a farmer and school-teacher. He died in this township in 1855. Of his children six sons and two daughters are living ; George A., Arthur W., Thomas and Rosanna (Cain) live in Noble County ; Rachel (Engle), in Morgan County ; James F., in Missouri ; Peter A., in Kansas ; and Samuel, in Iowa. Thomas Racey was born on the line of Jefferson and Harrison Counties in 1826, and has resided in Noble County since 1828. In early life he followed teaching. He is now engaged in farming and the insurance business. He is a Democrat, and a deacon in the Presbyterian church. He has served as justice of the peace. He was married in 1847 to Matilda A. Marquis, and is the father of seven children, four of whom are living.
P. D. Jordan is a descendant of one of the early families and is a son of John Jordan, of Brookfield Township. Mr. Jordan has resided at Ava since 1877 and is engaged in mercantile business and farming. He was married in 1867 to Sarah A. Fair, of Washington County, and has three children living, one deceased. He is a member of the Baptist church and a prominent merchant at. Ava.
B. W. Clark was born in Washington County in 1843. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Guernsey County. His grandfather was an 1812 soldier. B. W. Clark came to Noble County at the age of three years. He is a Republican and a prominent farmer. In 1863 he married Sarah A. Buckey. They have six children, all daughters. In 1864 he volunteered in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until honorably discharged in September, 1864.
Elijah Davis, second, was born in Virginia in 1810, and came to Noble Township with his parents in 1822, and has since resided here. In 1831 he married Mary Buckey, whose father lost his life in the War of 1812. They have had two daughters and nine sons. Six of the children are yet living. Five of the sons enlisted in the Union army in the late war. Eli Davis, son of Elijah, was born November 2, 1846, on the place where he now lives. He enlisted when seventeen years of age, and served until 1865. He was first with
494 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and afterward with the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth, until the close of the war. He was married in 1873 to Mary Russell. They have had five children ; four are now living. In polities he is a Republican.
Bartholomew Davis was born in 1821 on the place where he now lives. He married Hannah Cox, and is the father of eight sons and four daughters. Benjamin F. and Thomas J. were in the service in the late war, the former in the Twenty- second Ohio Battery, and the latter in the Sixty second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Benjamin was captured, and died of starvation after seven months in Libby prison.
Benjamin Clowser was born October 29, 1827, on the farm where he now resides. His parents were from Virginia, and came to this township about 1820. In 1853 Benjamin Clowser married Sarah Anderson. They have had two sons and six daughters. Five of the daughters are still living. Three of them are married—to E. C. Westcott, I. L. Archer and W. L. Archer, respectively. Mr. Clowser was in the service in the late war as first lieutenant, in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Protestant church.
John Russell was born in Belmont County, February 2, 1813. His parents were Virginians, and emigrated to Ohio about 1800. In 1820 the family came to Noble County, settling on the farm where John Russell now lives. The latter was married in 1837 to Nancy Anderson, who died in 1851. In 1853 he married Rachael Anderson. He is the father of ten children, seven of whom are living. Two sons, Joseph and Ezra, were in the late war. The former enlisted in the Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, and served in that and other organizations until the close of the war. Ezra served in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the Baptist church. He is a Republican, and a man of excellent reputation.
W. B. Secrest was born in Hartford, Guernsey County, and his parents were natives of the same county- The family came to Noble County in 1854, and settled in Noble Township. W. B. Secrest married Fannie Westcott in 1870, and is the father of three sons and one daughter. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and a Republican in politics. He has held the offices of township clerk and church trustee.
W. H. H. Burlingame is of New England descent, and was born in Noble County in 1838. His father came from Rhode Island to the vicinity of Hiramsburg in 1818. W. H. H. Burlingame has followed farming and mercantile business. He enlisted in October, 1861, in the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served four years. He was wounded at Fort Wagner, and saw much active service.
John R. Gorby, son of David
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Gorby, an old resident, was born January 23, 1848. His father settled in Noble County in 1823, being then fourteen years of age. J. R. Gorby has been engaged in farming and the lumber business. He spent some time in Illinois and Alabama. lie married Rebecca Davis, in Illinois. Mr.Gorby is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has held several township offices, and is now serving as a county commissioner.
John Preston, of Belleville, was born in Belmont County in 1837, and came to Morgan County in 1840. In 1861 he enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the engagements at Pittsburg Landing, the battle and siege of Corinth, the battle of Holly Springs, and many others of less note. In 1864 he settled at Sharon, and engaged in shoemaking. In 1875 he came to Belle Valley, where he still follows his trade. Mr. Preston is a Democrat in politics, and in 1867 was a candidate for the office of county auditor.
V. E. Harkins, of the firm of Harkins & Co., merchants, Belle Valley, was born in Noble County in 1856, and has followed mercantile and other occupations in Belle Valley and vicinity since attaining his majority. He married Miss Emeline Ginn, of Noble Township, in 1880. In politics he is a Democrat. He is the present postmaster at Belle Valley.
James Stevens, ex-clerk of courts of Noble County, is the son of Elijah Stevens, formerly of Morgan County, and was born June 4, 1836. The family, consisting of James and five sisters, settled in Sharon Township in 1847. In 1857 James began the mercantile business. He is at present a member of the firm of Harkins & Co., Belle Valley. In 1857 he married Miss Mary McMahon, and in 1870 was again married, to Miss Sarah A. Tolbert. One child was born of this union, and is now deceased. Mr. Stevens is a Methodist, and a Democrat. He was elected county clerk in 1862.
Joseph Parmiter was born in Bristol Township, Morgan County, in 1818a His parents came from Maine, and were among the pioneer settlers of that locality. In 1885 he came to Belle Valley, where he follows his trade, carpentry. He married Elizabeth Shuster in 1841, and is the father of two sons and two daughters. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Christian church.
J. B. Perry is of Scotch descent. His grandfather was a brother of the father of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, of naval renown. Both his grandfathers were in the Revolutionary War, and his father served in the War of 1812, and was on board the brig " Enterprise" when she captured the English vessel, "Boxer." J. B. Perry was born in Phippsburg, Me., January 10, 1816, and is one of a family of five sons and five daughters. The sons all became sea-faring men. One of Mr. Perry's brothers was a celebrated sailor, and twice circumnavigated the globe. J. 13. Perry came to Noble County in
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1846. In 1848 he married Olive Blake, of Olive Township, a representative of one of the early families. They had a son and a daughter, both of whom are dead. Mr. Perry is by occupation a farmer and a mason. He is a member of the Congregational church. He served fifteen years as clerk of Olive Township and the same length of time as postmaster at South Olive.
VILLAGES.
The villages of Noble Township, although numerous, are small and unimportant. They are Hiramsburg, Hoskinsville, Rochester, Belle Valley and Ava.
Hiramsburg was named for its founder, Hiram Calvert. The survey was made hy John F. Talley, November 5, 1836. The original plat contained twenty lots. An addition was made by the same proprietor in 1838. and another in 1858.
Samuel Stevens was a merchant here before the town was laid out. Harrison P. Larry built the first house in the village, and kept store here a number of years. The building remained standing until 1886. He was succeeded by Wakefield & Shankland, Hiram Knight, Fortune Galbreath, Asa Burlingame and others. Charles Lukens established an early store. Asa Burlingame kept the first hotel, and was the first postmaster. The office was established about 1845, and supplied with a weekly mail from Cumberland.
Stevens & McClure engaged in the mercantile business in 1847. The firm consisted of John Stevens' and George McClure. George McClure and his son, George A., have continued the business up to the present.
Jacob Jordan was the pioneer blacksmith of the village. There was, however, a blacksmith here long before the village was projected. His name was Jacob Stoneking. He owned the land on which the village is, and sold it to Calvert.
Among the early settlers of Hiramsburg was Reason Calvert. He bought wood ashes at five cents per bushel, from which he made potash. The potash was sold to refineries and converted into pearl-ash, He also manufactured castor oil and linseed oil.
In 1886 the business interests of Hiramsburg were as follows : George A. McClure, J. W. Murphy, general stores; Henry Shadlow, blacksmith; Eli Covert, Cabinet-maker.
The village of Hoskinsville, E. E. Parrish, proprietor, was platted by John F. Talley, in February, 1839, The plat was placed upon the Morgan County records October 22, 1840. The place was named in honor of Colonel Erastus Hoskins. He was the first postmaster. Hoskinsville postoffice was established prior to 1830. In that year it was supplied with a weekly mail from McConnelsville and Barnesville.
The first house in Hoskinsville, after the projection of the town, was erected by James Needham, a shoemaker. The first store was started by a man named Saveall. As a village the place never realized the ambitious expectations of its founders.
PICTURE OF GEORGE G. GEDDES
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Hoskinsville now contains about ten houses and two stores. The merchants are J. W. Jones and J. C. Campbell.
Rochester was laid out as a village by Samuel Aikens, surveyor, May 4, 1841. Robert Hellyer was the proprietor. In September, 1845, he made an addition to the town plat. The growth of the place has been so slow that no other enlargement of its boundaries has been necessary. There is scarcely enough of the place to warrant its being dignifies by the name of a village. It contains one small store and a postoffice which goes by the name of Nobleville.
Belle Valley is a hamlet of about a dozen houses, and owes its origin to the Cleveland & Marietta Railroad. It was laid out on the farm of Benton Thorla. The first store was started by Mr. Thorla in 1872. The postoffice was established in the same year, with Mr. Thorla as the first postmaster. The business of the place is represented by Harkins & Stevens and Burlingame & Green, general merchants ; Manly Parmiter, grocer ; John Preston, shoemaker ; and Newton Bros., proprietors of a steam flouring-mill, erected in 1886. There are two hotels, kept by George Burlingame and Greenberry Davis, and one church, Methodist Protestant. Belle Valley is a telegraph station on both the Cleveland & Marietta and the B., Z. & C. Railroads.
The village of Belle Valley (Benton Thorla, proprietor) was surveyed and divided into kits in 1875, by William Lowe.
Ava, a railroad station in the northern part of the township, has also been built since the completion of the C. & M. Railroad. It contains three stores, kept by P. D. Jordan, Amos Pryor and D. F. Stottsbury. H. Burlingame has a cooper shop, and Albert Davis, a blacksmith shop. A steam grist-mill is being erected by George Stewart. There is one church — Methodist Episcopal.
Ava was laid out as a village of twenty-two lots, April 10, 1873. The survey was made by William Lowe for Levi Glover, the proprietor.
CHURCHES.
Regan's Chapel Methodist Protestant Church.—This church is situated at Hoskinsville. The Methodist Protestant congregation was organized in 1829. Previous to that time 'the Methodist Episcopal denomination had organized a society and held services in the neighborhood. In 1829 Revs. Cornelius Springer and Jacob Myers organized a Methodist Protestant circuit. The first preachers on the circuit were Jacob Myers and Daniel Gibbons. The Hoskinsville congregation met in dwellings and in the school-house until 1836, when a brick meeting-house was erected on the site of the frame church in which the congregation now worships. Among the original members of the church were Erastus Hoskins, Edward Parrish, Francis Scott, William Willey, Lambert Newton, Mary Brown, Sylvester Westcott, Hugh Nickerson, and others, most of them belonging with their wives and families. The pres-
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ent membership is about 150. The Sabbath-school has about one hundred scholars. The present pastor is Rev. W. L. Wells.
It is believed that the earliest Sabbath school in the county was organized in the Hoskinsville neighborhood. About 1825 a school was opened under the superintendency of Colonel Erastus Hoskins. It was then under the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
The Methodist Episcopal class mentioned in connection with the history of Regan's chapel was organized in the fall of 1818, by Rev. Abel Robinson, missionary. Francis and Mary Scott, Erastus and Lydia Hoskins, and an unmarried lady whose name is not recalled, were the original members. Erastus Hoskins was the first leader. Joseph Reed, Benjamin Thorla, Sylvester Westcott, William Willey, Lambert Newton and their wives joined soon after the organization. Abel Robinson, Archer McElroy, John Graham, John Coleman, William Tipton, Thomas McCleary, Isaac Rannells, Cornelius Springer and two others were the preachers prior to 1828.
Valley Chapel Methodist Protestant Chureh.— The Methodist Protestant church at Belle Valley was organized in 1883, and the house of worship erected in the spring and summer of the same year, at a cost of about $1,500. The congregation was at first composed of about fifteen members, partly from Union church. The membership is now nearly one hundred. Rev. W. L. Wells is the present pastor.
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. —The Cumberland Presbyterians have maintained an organization in Hiramsburg and vicinity for several years. They met for a few years in the Methodist Episcopal church, and about 1870 purchased the old Baptist church, where they still continue to worship. The congregation is small. The Baptist church was built about 1850, principally through the means and influence of the Lippitt family. Its membership diminished to such an extent that the congregation was no longer able to support regular preaching and the church was given up.
THE M'KEE FAMILY.
No name is more conspicuous in the annals of Noble County than that of McKee. The family were not only among the first in the county in point of settlement, but were also pioneers in almost every important public enterprise ever undertaken in the county.
The McKees were of Irish descent, and came to Ohio in the latter part of the last century, from Lycoming County, Pa. The family consisted of David McKee, his wife and several children. They remained a number of years in Washington County, in the vicinity of Marietta, and in 1809 came up the West Fork of Duck Creek, settling on the farm near Caldwell, now owned by Alexander McKee. They were among the very earliest families in the valley, and for several years had but few neighbors and no trading point nearer than Marietta. The father died in
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1815, and the widow and her children were left to get along as best they could in the arduous labor of pioneer farming. Mrs. McKee died in 1848. There were nine children in the family, most of whom were born in Pennsylvania. Their names were John, Robert, William, David, James,
Alexander, Annie (Caldwell), Margaret (Caldwell) and Ezra.
John was a farmer, a prominent citizen, and passed his life in Noble County. He died in 1873, at the age of eighty-five. Robert was the pioneer salt-maker at Olive, and was a leading business man in this section for many years. He was born in Lycoming County, Pa.., December 8, 1791, and came with the family to Duck Creek in 1809. He stamped his name on all the prominent events in the early history of what is now Noble County. He was the discoverer and pioneer salt-maker of the valley, a business which he continued until the competition of the various salt works on the Muskingum reduced the price to fifty cents per barrel. While drilling some of the first wells, he was obliged to go to Marietta to get his tools repaired. After the salt business became unremunerative he built a log structure in Olive, where for many years he did a successful business as a merchant; his was the first store within the present limits of. Noble County, his nearest competitor being at Barnesville. His first stock of goods was packed in on a horse from Baltimore over the mountains. He was also the first to handle tobacco, in which he engaged quite extensively for many years. He was a man of deep religious convictions, and built the first church in the county ; in this enterprise he evidenced his accustomed liberality. After deciding to build a church, he deputized a man by the name of Peter Lady to solicit subscriptions. After several weeks, Lady reported $45 as the sum collected. McKee, disappointed by the lack of interest in the matter, said to him that if he would return the money he would build the church himself, which he did. The date of erection, as near as can now be ascertained, was 1828. About 1855 he began to feel the weight of advancing years and retired from active business, and devoted his attention to his farm, and loaning the accumulations of former years. He died of Bright's disease September, 1863. He was married in 1813 to Miss Ruth Thorla. She died in 1830, and in November of the same year he was again married to Elizabeth Willey, who died in 1887. By the first mar- riage there were six children : Mary A., Margaret (Morse), Susannah (Ogle), David, Rhoda (Rownd) and Martha (Ogle). By the second, seven : Columbus, Leonard, William, Robert, Ruth E. (Caldwell), Jasper and Worthington. Robert McKee was a man of great foresight, enterprise and industry, and his name, where known, was a synonym for integrity and honor. No man was more prominent in the early history of Noble than he, and no one is held in more grateful remembrance by the people.
William removed to New York
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State when a young man, and spent the greater part of his life there. He died in Indiana. David was engaged as a boatman on the Mississippi River and died of cholera at Little Rock, Ark., when a young man. James was a farmer and resided near Hos. kinsville. He died at the age of eighty-seven. Alexander is still living on the old homestead. He was born in Marietta in 1798. He married Rhoda Thorla and reared a family of six sons. Annie became the wife of John Caldwell and lived and died in Noble County. Margaret married Joseph Caldwell and is still living.
Hon. Ezra McKee was one of the best and most influential citizens of Noble County, the establishment of which he was among the foremost in securing. He was born in Washington County in 1802, and came to the county with his parents. His educational advantages were limited to four months' schooling, but a good mind, sound judgment and keenness of observation made up for this deficiency. In 1825 he married Abbie Westcott and purchased the farm adjoining the old homestead. His children by this union were Delia (Davis), Martha (Polling), David and Sylvester, all living. His wife died in 1836 and he married Almay Westcott, a cousin of his first wife. She was one of the early school-teachers of the county. To them were born four children — Manly, who died when one year old ; Mary (Newton), deceased ; Christopher and Manly. In 1837 Mr. McKee was elected to the legislature from Morgan County, in which his township was then included ; and again in 1850 he was chosen to fill the same position. During the succeeding session of the legislature, the project of the erection of Noble County, which had been constantly agitated for five or six years preceding, was brought to a successful consummation. He was not only instrumental in securing the organization of the county, but lie was also among the foremost of those who sought and finally succeeded in making Caldwell the county seat. He erected the first building in Caldwell, which was used as a temporary court house. He served about twenty years as justice of the peace. Both in public and private life he was regarded as an able, honest, honorable man. He died April 4, 1876. His widow resides with her son Christopher.
David E. McKee is the oldest son of Hon. Ezra McKee. He was born in Noble Township, August 15, 1833. He is a quiet, unassuming man, and sustains an excellent reputation for probity and intelligence. Mr. McKee has contributed to the press some poetical effusions of more than ordinary merit. He was principally engaged in farming until 1862, when he went with his brother Christopher to the Pacific coast, where they remained for three years, engaged in mining and ranching, in which they were quite successful. In 1867 he married Margaret Powell, of Wisconsin, whose paternal great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier. Her great-grandmother on her father's side lived to be one hundred and four
PICTURE OF EZRA MCKEE
PICTURE OF ROBERT MCKEE
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years old. Mr. and Mrs. McKee have three children : Burton, Abbie and Lawrence. Mr. McKee is a Democrat. He has held the offices of township treasurer and land appraiser.
Christopher McKee, one of the leading farmers and most prominent citizens of the county, was born in Noble Township in 1840. He spent his boyhood on the farm, receiving a common-school education. In 1862 he went to Oregon in a party of twelve men, among whom was his brother David. This journey occupied about three months, Mr, McKee driving an ox-team. On the Pacific coast he engaged in mining for a time, and afterward went to Idaho. He remained at Centerville in that territory until June, 1863, engaged in packing supplies to the miners. He next went to the southern part of the territory, where David and he located a mine, which they worked until the fall of 1865. The mine proved a good one and yielded many thousand dollars' worth of ore, but owing to the cost of living and of working it, they could save but a small part of their earnings. During one winter the snow was so deep that it was piled up six feet higher than their cabin. The brothel's left for home in September, 1865, on horseback and reached here in November. On the way they were caught in a Rocky Mountain snow storm, and rode all day through the bhnding snow, arriving at night at Fort Halleck. To feed their horses they paid seventy-five cents per pound for corn and twenty-five cents per pound for hay. At the sutler's Mr. McKee bought a pound of crackers, a box of sardines, and a small bottle of bitters, for which he paid $15. In December, 1865, he married Miss Martha A. Scott. They have had four children — Louis W. (deceased), Irvel K., Cora B. and Mirley. Mr. McKee has followed farming, and has also been engaged in various other enterprises. He has furnished the C. & M. Railroad Company with over five million feet of lumber, and is still engaged in supplying timber to that road, and the B., Z. & C. In 1877 he again went west to the Black Hills ; but after an examination of that region, concluded to settle down to farm life. Mr. McKee is a public-spirited citizen, an enterprising, sagacious and successful man of business, and his worth is appreciated in the community.
JOHN NOBLE, SR., was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and his father served through the Revolutionary War as a soldier from that State. The family were among the early immigrants to Ohio, and located in Washington County, where they remained several years. In 1811 Mr. Noble came to what is now Noble Township, Noble County, and selected land in the valley of the West Fork of Duck Creek. He began an improvement, erected a camp on the bottom, in which he and his sons, Samuel and James, passed the winter, their sister Polly keeping house for them. In 1812 the whole family moved to their new home and took up their abode in a cabin made from
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the logs of sugar-maple. The family came in wagons, through the trackless woods, following along the ridges. John Noble, Sr., was an industrious honest man and a worthy citizen. He died in 1831 at the age of sixty-eight years. His widow died in 1849. They were the parents of seven children—James, Elizabeth (Reed), Sarah (Burlingame), Mary (Bates), Samuel, Rachel (Reed) and John, all now dead except John. James, the oldest son, was a man of great force of character, and was a pronounced anti-slavery man, when the word " abolitionist " was regarded only as a term of reproach.
John Noble, son of the pioneer above mentioned, was born in Washington County in -1802, and is today one of the best informed men regarding pioneer events that it has been the pleasure of the writer to meet. He is a remarkably well- preserved man, and in spite of his four-score and five years, is still as active as many a man of sixty. Having been accustomed to hard work from boyhood, even now he busies himself chiefly in the performance of self-imposed tasks about the farm. He ranks among the best of the many excellent farmers in Noble County. Mr. Noble has lived in three counties—Guernsey, Morgan and Noble, without moving from the homestead to which he came in 1812. He was a member of the first board of county commissioners elected in Noble County in 1851, and has always been an active, public-spirited citizen. In his dealings with his fellow men he has always been found obliging, upright and honest. His thrift and diligence have gained for him a competency, and throughout his long life he has enjoyed that greatest of human possessions—an unsullied reputation.
Mr. Noble was married in 1825 to Rebecca, daughter of Robert Caldwell, a prominent early settler, After more than half a century of happy wedded life. Mrs. Noble quitted the scenes of this earthly career in October, 1878. Two children were born of this union— Samuel, now a resident of Richland County, Wis., married to Miranda Ackley, daughter of an early settler of this county; and Martha J., now Mrs. James Carr, residing on the homestead.
JAMES CARR, the subject of this notice, was a leading farmer and a prominent and successful business man. James Carr was born in Brooke County, W. Va., in 1824. He was the second child and the oldest son of a family of eight children. His father's name was Joseph Carr and the children were Mary (Wheeler), James, Joseph (who died in West Virginia), Eliza J. (Hearld) whose husband died at Pittsburg Landing while in the service of his country ; Sarah A. (Kirk), Parmelia (Wheeler) and Maria (Morgareidge). The mother, whose maiden name was Ehza McCleary, died in 1833, and Mr. Carr afterward married Nancy Wheeler, by whom he had seven children : Elizabeth, Lemuel N., Ellis C. (deceased), Julia A. (Koons), Henrietta (Gallatin), Taylor and Ethelinda (Balderson). Of
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the sons, Lemuel, who now lives in Cumberland, Ohio, was a soldier in the One Hundred and Twenty- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a prisoner at Andersonville for eight months. Ellis was also in the service and received a wound from a piece of shell. Although he served through the war, he died immediately after reaching home.
The Carr family came to Ohio in 1835, settling in Bristol Township, Morgan County. The father was a farmer, and died in 1878. His widow is still living with two of her children upon the homestead. James passed his boyhood upon the farm until 1842, when he started out to make his own way in the world. He went first to Belmont County and thence to Allegheny City, Pa. He remained in Pennsylvania two years, driving through the country selling clocks and "Bee-palaces." In 1844 he got the " western fever," and emigrated to Iowa and from there tb California. He located at Sigourney where he was engaged in the mercantile business and the loaning of money, doing a very successful business. Here, in 1847, he married Miss Helen L. Pinkerton, who bore three children, Inez Iowa (deceased); Charles S., who is married and resides in Nelsonville, Athens County ; and Helen S. (Boyd), Sharon Township. Mr. Carr's first wife died January 20, 1856.
In 1857 Mr. Carr returned to Ohio, and bought the farm now owned by Mr. Lovell, in Malta Township, Morgan County. In the following year he married Miss Martha J.
Noble. They continued to reside in Morgan County until 1868, and from that time until his decease made their home with Mrs. Carr's father, the venerable John Noble.
Mr. Carr was prospered admirably in his business relations, his good judgment, courage and tact serving him in good stead. Although he was an invalid for several years before his death, he maintained his native cheerfulness undisturbed. Thankful for the favors which fortune granted him, he rejoiced that he was no longer under the necessity of a continual striving after the "almighty dollar." He was one of the prime movers in organizing and securing a charter for the Noble County Bank, and was identified with other important home enterprises. He was a man of good general information, a fluent conversationalist and of agreeable social qualities. He died January 31, 1887, and was buried with Masonic honors.
REV. SPARROW NICKERSON.- Col. Hugh Nickerson, the father of the venerable pioneer whose name heads this article, was of Irish descent, and was born in Chatham, Barnstable County, Mass., in 1782. He was a man of intelligence and ability, and during the War of 1812 commanded a regiment of infantry. The Nickerson family at this time were seafaring people, an occupation to which Mrs. Col. Nickerson was very averse, and fearing that her sons, as they grew up, would resort to that occupation for a livelihood, persuaded her husband to immigrate to Ohio. In the spring of 1817 the family,
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consisting of the parents and five children Mahala, Eliza, Sparrow, Lurana and Joseph—left their native town by vessel for Baltimore, Md.; thence they came by teams across the mountains to Pittsburgh, Pa., where they embarked on a flat-boat for Marietta. The journey was without incident worthy of mention, and on their arrival, the boat was traded for a Chickasaw horse. From Marietta they came to Mrs. David McKee's, where the family remained until a rude cabin was prepared for their reception on the farm now owned by his son, Sparrow. They had to find their way by blazed trees, and during the winter suffered greatly from exposure and poverty. The cabin was without a chimney, door, loft or floor, and frequently wild animals would come close to the house. Their surroundings were such that had it not been for the mother, who was a resolute woman, the family would undoubtedly have returned to their eastern home. The return of spring brought partial release from pioneer hardships. The father found employment at his trade, that of a carpenter, in Zanesville, and in this way supported his family and paid for his land. He built for Augustus Hoskins the first frame house erected in what is now Noble Township. He was a man of force and stamina, and identified himself with early church history. He was a Methodist in belief, and was one of the organizers of the Methodist Protestant church, and with others, founded the Brookfield library, which was probably the first in the county. His wife, nee Rebecca Blanchard, was born in Boston, where she lived until her marriage, in 1803. Her children, aside from those above mentioned, were Hugh, Rebecca, Simon and Celestia. The father died in 1846 ; his wife in 1835. Rev. Sparrow Nickerson was born in Chatham, Mass., March 7, 1812. He was reared on the homestead farm, and being the eldest son, was denied the limited advantages for education afforded by the occasional subscription schools of that day, but in that other school, in which the teachers are observation and experience, he has been an apt pupil. By extensive reading, aided by a retentive memory, he has acquired a fund of valuable knowledge. In political behef Mr. Nickerson was originally a Whig, and advocated the election of James G. Birney for President. Next he became a " Free Soiler," and was nominated, in 1845, for lieutenant- governor of Ohio. On the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks. He is now, however, a Prohibitionist, and has been the candidate of this party for senator and representative. In ante helium days he was an abolitionist, and on that ticket . ran for State treasurer. In 1850 he was ordained for the ministry, and for two years was a circuit preacher. In 1835 he married Miss Helen Byers; by this, marriage there were three children: Joseph, Thomas and John ; the latter was a member of the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. His second wife, Miss Betsey Sawyer, was born near
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St. Albans, Vt., in 1815, and came to Ohio in 1823. She is the mother of six children : Elizabeth (Allen), Levi M., Sarah M. (Bell), Simon S. Hannah R. (Love) and Hugh G. Sarah M. is deceased.
Mr. Nickerson is a typical pioneer, and but few men have attained to a greater share of public esteem than lie. He is now enjoying the full fruition of a well-spent life, and in a few more years will leave to his family that priceless legacy, an unspotted reputation.
GEORGE E. GEDDES.—This gentleman, one of the prominent citizens of Noble Township, was born in Manchester Township, Morgan- County, Ohio, March 6, 1833. His father, James Geddes, was one of the early settlers of this township, was born in Philadelphia County, Pa., in 1788, moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, about the year 1800, and from thence to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1817. lie was of Scotch parentage, and was a soldier of the War of 1812 with Great Britain. He served under Gen. William H. Harrison, and died in 1853.
George E., the subject of this narrative, started in life a poor boy, with poor. health, having inherited by nature a very frail constitution. By industry, economy and good business habits, he has placed himself among the most successful farmers of the county. He received a good English education, having studied surveying and the higher mathematics; followed teaching from 1854 till 1862; was elected justice of the peace in Noble Township in 1859, and re-elected in 1862. On July 4, 1863, he was commissioned, by Gov. Todd, captain of Company II, First Regiment Ohio Militia, and on September 4, 1863, was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel, by Gov. Todd, of the First Regiment Ohio Militia. In 1878 he was the Greenback candidate for Congress in the Fifteenth Congressional District, composed of the counties Monroe, Morgan, Washington, Athens and Noble. His name has frequently been mentioned in connection with offices of trust and responsibility in the county. In 1855 Mr. Geddes was married to Miss Mary A. Brown, a lady of rare good common sense, and of excellent family, but handicapped, like her husband, with a frail and weak constitution. Her father, Edward G. Brown, came from Rhode Island. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Geddes: James Kennon and Edmond Burns. James K. married Miss Irene Young, of Chandlersville, Ohio ; Edmond B. married Miss Effie M. Rummer, of Lowell, Ohio. Both of these young men are surveyors and civil engineers, who have become conspicuous in their profession. George E. was raised and educated a State-rights Democrat, but the late civil war, with its threatened disintegration of the Union, revealed to him the fact, that the right of a State to withdraw from the Union at pleasure, was fatal to a general government. He is now a strong Protectionist, believing it to be the duty of the general Government to foster, encourage,. develop and protect our home industries.
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He is an extensive reader, well versed in the politics of our country. Progressive in thought, he stands well abreast in all the political, social and religious reforms- of the country. Though raised a Methodist, he believes strongly in the decrees and ordinations of God. Socially, Mr. Geddes is gentlemanly and agreeable.
GEORGE ALONZO McCLURE.—George McClure, father of the immediate subject of this biography, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1823; his father, William McClure, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and his paternal grandfather served in the War of the Revolution. He was a staff officer and distinguished himself in many of the hard-fought engagements of that great struggle. Alter the war, Congress gave him, in consideration of his service, a tract of land, where Frankfort, Ky., now stands. This land was occupied by squatters, who disputed his claim. Serious complications arose and he finally lost the property.
William McClure immigrated to Ohio in 1827, and settled near Gays- port, Muskingum County, where he resided until his decease in 1837. He was twice married ; his first wife was a Miss Anderson; two children were born of this union: George and William. William went to California in an early day; he was a thrifty business man and acquired a large property in real estate. George was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio with his parents. He was reared in Muskingum County and when a boy entered the employ of Chapman & Stevens, with whom he remained several years. In 1847 he came to Hiramsburg and engaged in merchandising under the firm name, Stevens & McClure. The firm did a successful business until 1855 when Mr. Stevens retired.
In 1869 he was succeeded by. is son, George G. McClure, who has since that time done a highly successful business. George McClure was a thorough business man and a valuable citizen. He was twice married; his first wife was Miss Susan T. Gibbs. Two children were born to them : Francis L., who died young, and George Alonzo. He was born in Hiramsburg, October 13, 1851. He grew up in his father's store, and received a thorough education in books, and a practical business education. He is one of the rising young business men of the county, and is highly esteemed not only for his sterling honesty aid business enterprise, but the advanced position he takes on all questions in which the moral or religious welfare of his community is involved. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, in religion a Methodist. He married, in 1872, Miss Mary B. Davidson, granddaughter of Philip Burhngame, a pioneer settler of Rhode Island; they have two sons and three daughters.
PICTURE OF GEORGE A. MCCLURE