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CHAPTER XXIX.
ENOCH.
ORGANIZED AS A TOWNSHIP OF MONROE COUNTY IN 1822 - EARLY TAXES FOR THE TOWNSHIP — PROPERTY HOLDERS IN 1833 — RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP IN 1851 - CHANGE OF BOUNDARY — DERIVATION OF THE NAME— THE PIONEER SETTLERS AND HOW THEY LIVED — HUNTERS AND HUNTING— ANECDOTES — EARLY ELECTIONS — EARLY MILLS — THE GERMAN SETTLEMENT — THE PIONEER GERMANS— HOW THEY MANAGED TO PAY FOR LANDS—HARDSHIPS AND DIFFICULTIES—ECONOMY AND THRIFT BRING PROSPERITY — LATER GERMAN SETTLERS — NEWBURG — ITS RISE AND DECLINE—FULDA — ITS ORIGIN AND GROWTH — MERCANTILE — SCHOOLS — CHURCHES — ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
ENOCH TOWNSHIP is first mentioned on the records of Monroe County in 1822, and was doubtless organized in that year. It embraced original township 6, of range 8, or portions of the present townships of Enoch, Stock and Jefferson. In 1822 the county levy for Enoch and Union together was $28. In 1823 the amount of the tax duplicate of Enoch was $17.30. Samuel Powell was the lister, and was allowed $2 for his services. In 1824 the total tax for the township was $19.40 ; Elisha Enochs, collector. In 1833 the tax was $42.53 on real estate and $35.39 on personal property; total, $77.92. Valuation for the same year : real estate, $3,781 ; personal property, $3,146 ; total, $6,927.
The following names of property holders in Enoch Township, in 1833, appear upon the Monroe County tax duplicate for that year :*
*We have here given the names of only those whose land lay within the present limits of the
township. Those belonging elsewhere are given Many of the persons named among the owners in the histories of the townships in which the lands are now included.—ED.
David Cunningham, section 31, 98 acres, value $111 ; same, 1 mill, $80; William Craig, section 27, 80 acres, $91 ; Stephen Harris, section 8, 80 acres, $100 ; Francis Headley, section 8, 80 acres, $100; George Harris, section 18, 97 acres, $106 ; Francis Hupp, section 28, 97 acres, $100 ; same, section 35 (in Jefferson), 159 acres, $182 ; same, section 27, 60 acres, $68 ; Philip Hupp, section 27, 50 acres, $57; Samuel Powell, section 7, 95 acres, $119; Isaac Powell, section 18, 96 acres, $120; James Powell, section 18, 96 acres, $120; James Rowland, section 31, 29 acres, $55 ; Robinson Sanford, section 31, 29 acres, $55 ; David Taylor, section 27, 51 acres, $57.
The following were owners of personal property in Enoch Townshi pin its entire territory — in 1883, in addition to those already named :*
John Armstrong, Obed Ackley, Samuel Craig, Jeffries Cunningham,
* Many of the persons named among the owners of personal property were residents within the
present limits of Stock Township.
562 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Washington Cunningham, Ebenezer Cunningham, Elisha Enochs, Henry Enochs,Widow Enochs, Widow Grandon, Philip Gates, Enoch Grandon, Hiram Hupp, Alexander Hupp, Henry Hupp, Daniel Hupp, Morgan Harris, John McMillen, William McBride, John McBride, George McClure, James Rowland, James McClure, Mary Rufus, Alexander Sweeney, George Sweeney, Barton Wells, William Young, Richard Warfield.
Enoch Township was named for Elisha Enochs, who was one of its most prominent citizens. He located on section 1, below Carlisle, and was one of the first settlers on the East Fork. He held the office of justice many years. He was also treasurer, and afterward commissioner of Monroe County.
On the 1st of May, 1851, the county commissioners established the boundaries of Enoch Township as follows :
"Commencing at the southwest corner of section 31 in township 6 and range 8; thence east along said township line to the southeast corner of section 33 in said township and range ; thence north along the section line to the southwest corner of section 27 in said township and range ; thence east along the section line to the southeast corner of said section 27; thence north along the section line to the northeast corner of section 10 in said township and range; thence west to the northwest corner of said section 10 ; thence north to the northeast corner of section 4 in said township and range ; thence west along the township line to the northwest corner of said township number 6 and range 8; thence south along said township line to the place of beginning: containing twenty-two sections."
The first justice of the peace in Enoch Township, after the formation of Noble County, was Alfred Ogle, who qualified April 15, 1851.
June 6, 1855, on petition of Jonathan Echelberry and twenty-seven others, the county commissioners ordered that sections 31, 32 and 33 be struck from Center Township and attached to Enoch. September 3, 1855, on petition of Abraham M. Bryan and others, the northern half of section 31, township 7, range 8, was attached to Center.
The township contains a great number of never-failing springs of pure water. There is an abundance of coal of good quality, but so far none has been mined except for local supply. A seven-foot vein has been worked for years on the Holman farm.
The township derives its name from the Enochs family, who were pioneer settlers on the East Fork of Duck Creek, near Carlisle. While the township retained its original boundaries, Elisha Enochs was one of its foremost citizens.
The Harrises were among the early settlers in the western part of the township, where their descendants still live. Morgan, Stephen and George Harris were the sons of Elijah Harris, a pioneer of Olive Township. George Harris was considered a good hunter in his day. He lived on the farm now owned by his son, Sampson. Morgan lived on the
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farm now owned by Alfred Harris. Stephen Harris, still living in West Virginia, at the age of eighty-nine, settled on the August Dimerling farm. George Harris had a camp on Middle Creek prior to 1812. He left it and went into the war against Great Britain. A stream which ran past his camp is still known as " George's Run."
George Harris was a very skillful hunter. He was able to imitate the noise made by a deer with such accuracy as to deceive the animals themselves. He would secrete himself and repeat the call until the deer had approached within easy shooting distance, then his rifle would speak with fatal results. On one occasion he had been away from home, and on his return was informed by his wife Betsy that a bear had killed one of his hogs. She knew where the carcass of the hog lay, and George promised to get up early in the morning to hunt for the bear. Knowing the habits of the animal, he felt sure the bear would return for a breakfast of pork. Betsy, equally as interested in the destruction of the bear, routed her husband out long before daybreak, and they proceeded together to the spot where the dead hog lay. The bear was there, too, and as he stood up erect at the sound of approaching footsteps, Harris shot, and wounded him fatally.
Samuel, James and Isaac Powell were brothers, who settled early in the western part of the township. Samuel was a prominent man, and held the office of justice of the peace early. He sold his farm to Robert Lowe, who in turn sold to William Manifold. Samuel Powell died in Wisconsin. He was a preacher in the United Brethren church. The wife of Samuel Powell was Hannah, daughter of Elijah Harris, Sr. Her sister Ann was the wife of Isaac Powell.
Francis Headley, who sold out to Henry Miller, had a good improvement on the creek where he was an early settler. He went to Iowa, where he died.
Philip Hupp, another early resident, went west, and is still living. Daniel Hupp lived on the creek. He was a brother of George Hupp, an early settler of Jefferson Township, and a brother-in-law of Francis Hupp.
Ephraim had a brother Manasseh, who delighted in playing' practical jokes. By some means he became possessed of the rattle of a rattlesnake, and once when out in the huckleberry bushes, produced it and began shaking it in order to have some fun with "Eph." The latter, hearing the noise, asked what it was, to which Manasseh replied, " Eph, here's a rattler !" Manasseh afterward related the incident in his own inimitable way, and declared that " Eph " jumped as high as the tops of the bushes around them.
William Craig and Francis Hupp were among the earliest settlers on the " little creek "— Middle Creek. Francis Hupp was rough but honest. He was a leading Methodist. He gained a large amount of property, and was highly respected. His son Ephraim was something of a char-
564 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
aster. On one occasion he went to Zanesville to enter a tract of land, and was asked where it lay. " Lays jest up alongside of dad's big medder." "But what range and township is it in ?" don't know what township it's in, but it is the best range you ever saw ; ridge weeds and pea vines up to your waist! " or words to that effect.
David Cunningham was a pioneer on the place where Captain Moseley now lives. He had one of the early horse-mills of the county, which was in operation several years. His sons, Washington and Jefferson, occupied the farm after him. Both are now dead.
Robinson Sanford was a New England Yankee, a shrewd, intelligent man. His son Dwight was justice of the peace several years, and one of the early probate judges of the county.
James Rowland, a prominent, early settler, lived in the southwest corner of the township. He was an earnest Democrat and always alive on political subjects.
The early elections of Enoch Township were held on the creek known as Otterslide, on the Rice farm. The Rices were pioneers, who came here from Marion Township — William Rice and his sons William, Harrison and George.
Lebbeus Fordyce was one of the prominent early settlers of this township. He came from Waynesburg, Pa., where he was born in 1797, and where he passed his youth and early manhood, and where he also studied law and surveying; he became a practi cal surveyor and came to what is now Beaver Township about 1815; he surveyed the village of Batesville and in 838 removed to Enoch Township, where he purchased a large tract of land near the present village of Fulda, which he afterward sold to German settlers. He became one of the prominent and influential citizens of that region. Jabez Belford, afterward a prominent lawyer and his son-in-law, lived with him for many years, and with him began the study of the law. Mr. Fordyce lived in Enoch until his decease, which occurred in 1860. He had a family of ten children, only four of whom, Clarrissa (Belford), Abigail (Rathbone), Mary (Deurth) and Lebbeus, are now living.
John Smith was an early settler in the northern part of the township. James Lincicum is an old resident in the same locality.
Morgan Harris built a grist mill on Middle Creek, on the farm now owned by Chris. Rice, as early as 1836. It was a small affair, but nevertheless very useful.
John Wickham was a prominent, early settler in the northern part of the township. He removed to Iowa with his family. He had an early horse-mill. John Cunningham, in the southern part of the township, had an early distillery, which was well patronized. He left the country and was never again heard from.
Charles W. Moseley, a native of Tennessee, was reared in Winchester, Va. He came to Summerfield, Ohio, about 1825, and erected the first cabin there. He was a bricklayer
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and plasterer. He settled in Enoch Township in 1840. He was the father of Captain William L. Moseley, of this township. He was a good man, but somewhat excitable. He was a firm Methodist, and was the leader of the first class formed in Summerfield. Wesley Neptune says he once found Mr. Moseley praying for grace to keep from whipping one of his neighbors, who was a pronounced secessionist.
James Moore, a shoemaker, who came from New York City, was the first settler on the place now owned by Moses Armstrong, in the western part of the township. Jame Armstrong, father of Moses, came from Belmont County, and purchased the place of Moore in 1841.
The German settlement began in 1837, and has steadily progressed ever since, until now the native-born Americans, descendants of the early settlers, are comparatively few in the township. The German settlement began in the vicinity of Fulda. It has since spread over nearly all of Enoch Township, and over portions of the neighboring townships of Stock, Elk and Jefferson.
Valentine Weaver, or " Felty " Weaver, as he was called, was the first German to secure title to a piece of land in Enoch Township. He was a Protestant from Bavaria, but all the other early comers were Catholics. They came principally from the German state Kurhessen (Hesse-Cassel). Few came directly from Germany, but most of them had been in the country a few years, working at various occupations in different cities, so that they had become somewhat acquainted with the English language and also with American customs. The tax list of 1833, elsewhere given, will show that at that date the territory now comprised in Enoch Township had very few settlers. Those few had been here, some of them for twenty years, but their improvements were so small and so far apart that the township was practically a wilderness. Its surface is rough and very hilly, and though the soil is good, the country was not of the nature to attract the native pioneers, and thus the scarcity of settlers is accounted for. But when the pioneer Germans came and found land cheap and abundant, to be procured either at first hand at government price, or very cheaply when purchased from those who then owned it, a new epoch began in the history of Enoch Township. The first settlers wrote to their friends scattered here and there in Germany and America, and advised them to come. And soon there was a thrifty settlement of industrious, frugal and prosperous people. Soon they had religious services and schools, and their prosperity has been steady and constant ever since. The township is now among the most populous in the county, and most of the citizens are property owners and have good, comfortable homes. In fifty years, the German settlers have accomplished more than the same number of native Americans would have accomplished in a century. All the pioneers of this race were poor at the start, and came here with barely enough money to
566 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
enter forty or eighty acres of land. But they were all diligent workers, and thoroughly versed in the art of economy. They lived upon cornbread and the simplest food, and were unceasing in their efforts to improve the condition of their property. Many of them were unaccustomed to farm work, and to all, the work of farming new land was a new experience. But all made a living, and many acquired large estates. Buying piece after piece of land, and paying for it in small installments ; assigning every member of the family, boy or girl, work suited to their age, making every cent count, almost every German prospered in spite of disadvantages and obstacles which would have been insurmountable to a less courageous people.
Jno. Hohman and Leonard Schoeppner came to America from Hesse in 1835. Mathias Schockling, a French Alsatian, came to this country earlier. In the year 1837 these three, with " Felty " Weaver, made a settlement in Enoch Township, all bringing their families in that year except Schoeppner. Weaver located on section 4, Schockling on the same section, Hohman on section 9, and. Schoeppner on section 8. John Schoeppner came from Wheeling tO the farm on which his son Leonard lives in 1837, and built a house, to which he removed his family in the following year. In the second year he met with a serious misfortune, getting his leg broken. His children were Eve (Snyder) and Leonard. He died in 1875 in his eighty-seventh year. In 1839 Valen tine Sailing and John Warner came from Philadelphia and settled in the southern part of the township, near Middleburg. In 1840, also from Philadelphia, came August Dimerling, Francis Ebert and Michael Blake. Other early German settlers, without regard to date, some of them as early as those already mentioned, were two by the name of John Hill, John Gharst, who died in 1885, aged eighty-five years, John Yaeger, John Michael, Adam Shafer, Michael Shott, John Arnold, Joseph Miller, Henry Huffman, Nicholas Kohlman, Ferdinand Hupp, Henry Hupp, Philip Snyder, Conrad Craft, Joseph Crum, and others elsewhere mentioned.
From 1840 to 1850 immigration was largest. Probably sixty or seventy families located in the township and vicinity during that period. Some became discouraged and left after a few years of struggling in the wilderness. But by far the greater number stuck to their work with true German perseverance, and by hard work made themselves good homes. The early settlers found game quite abundant, and it formed no unimportant part in the scant list of household supplies. As soon as they had been here long enough to learn the process, or in three or four years after their coming, most of the Germans engaged in raising tobacco, deadening the trees and burning off the leaves, then plowing the ground if it could be plowed, and if not, digging it over with a hoe. The virgin soil thus treated yielded good crops. The tobacco industry is still
PICTURE OF JOHN B. HILL
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an important one to the farmers of the township. For their tobacco market, in early years, they went to New Lexington, Colorado, Summer- field and Middleburg. Of late Fulda has become an important tobacco- packing village. Nearly every farmer had a patch of flax; which was worked by hand into linen and linsey-woolsey goods for family use. At, first there was a great scarcity of horses, and those who were so fortunate as to own them "changed work" with their neighbors who had no teams. Oxen were also used to some extent in farm work. There was also a scarcity of wagons, which were indeed well nigh useless in a country without roads. It was a frequent sight to see a farmer going to mill carrying a grist upon his shoulders. But in an incredibly short time the Germans equipped themselves with every requisite for successful farming, made roads, built school-houses and a church, and attained such prosperity as only persevering industry, rigid economy and well-directed efforts can win. The leading idea of the Germans who came here was to make a home and enjoy the blessings of liberty. They bravely endured toil and hardship, inspired by the thought that their sons and daughters would grow up in a country where the people make their own laws and are not subject to burdensome taxes to keep up a large standing army and add to the wealth of petty princes and rulers.
John Hohman, called Doctor Hohman, came to the township with his family in 1837, removing from Wheeling. He had some knowledge of medicine, and practiced for several years in the German settlement. His sons, Joseph, Magnus and John S., then single men, came to the township with him. Another son, Maurice, came in 1845. Dr. Hohman induced many Germans to come by writing to them of the advantages of the country. His son, John S., became a very prominent business man. Joseph Hohman is still a resident of the township, and one of the few remaining early settlers.
Adam Brahler was born in Germany in 1810, and came to this country in 1837, and settled near Wheeling, W. Va. In 1845 he came to Fulda, where he followed farming and his trade, that of a carpenter. He owned eighty acres of land, a part of which now belongs to his Son, John. He was a devout Catholic. He died in 1873, his wife in 1871. John, son of Adam, was born in 1837, in Wheeling, W. Va. He married, in 1859, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Mary Shaub. They have had twelve children. He has filled all the offices in the gift of his fellow townsmen. For twelve years he has been a magistrate, and for twelve years he has been postmaster. He is a worthy member of the Catholic church.
The first German school in the township was taught in a log schoolhouse, which stood near Rupel's. Maurice Hohman and John Grass were the first German teachers. English was also taught in the neighborhood. Joseph Cleary was an early teacher in the English schools.
568 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Newburg was once a place of some pretensions, supporting a store, a tavern, a blacksmith shop and other industries. Now it consists of about half a dozen houses, and has no stores, and no business except John S. Parker's wagon shop. The building of the railroad removed the business to Dexter City.
The first store in Newburg was started about 1847, by Eber Brooks and John Brown, the former furnishing the capital and the latter having charge of the business. For ten years or more Brown (now living.in Sharon Township) did considerable business, dealing in general merchandise, and buying and shipping tobacco to Baltimore. Later, James Thompson carried on the mercantile business. A. J. Ogle commenced in 1860, and continued six years. George A. Smith was the last merchant at Newburg.
South Olive postoffice (Truman Ransom, postmaster) was removed to Newburg in 1862, and remained there until removed to the present location after the completion of the Duck Creek Railroad.
John S. Parker kept hotel several years. For ten or twelve years he was engaged in the manufacture of wind-mills here.
Daniel Sanford and son, Robinson, came from Maine, and settled near Dexter City about 1817. Robinson Sanford was a well-known old settler and an honest, honorable man. He was a leading member of the Baptist church. He died in 1876. His children were William, Phear (1st), Dwight F., Gabriel, Salome, Phear (2d) and Mary. Dwight F. Sanford was for many years a justice of the peace. In 1854 he was elected probate judge and held that office at the time of his death in 1856. He was born in Maine in 1813. Be married Lucretia A. Ogle and was the father of thirteen children.
Dwight L. Sanford was born in this township in 1837. He took part in the pursuit of Morgan in Ohio. In 1860 he married Martha A., daughter of Matthew Scott, of this county. Children : Stephen A., G. B. McClellan, Ida B. (deceased), Lafayette, Susan (Mosler), Winfield, Edward, Wayne, Samuel J. and Frank. Mr. Sanford resides upon the old homestead. He has held various township offices..
James Hesson came from Belmont County quite early, and settled on the place now occupied by Solomon Hesson. The latter was born in 1828 in Belmont County, and has resided on his present location ever since the family came to the county. James Hesson was the father of eleven children, all still living : Eliza A. (Hupp), John, Elizabeth (Hupp), Jane (Moseley), Matilda (Clark), Sarah (Sullivan), Nancy (Heiddleston), Lucinda (Archer), George, Francis and James.
Cephas Lindsey, son of Samuel Lindsey, was born on the place which he now occupies in 1843. II is father came to Ohio from Bedford County, Pa., in 1810, when but four years of age, his parents locating in Belmont County.
Samuel Lindsey was a farmer and died in this township in 1880. He
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and his wife (nee Margaret Hart) were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living : James, Cephas and Elizabeth (Moore). Samuel Lindsey served as postmaster about thirty-two years. His father, James, was a Revolutionary soldier.
Cephas Lindsey married Jane Moore in 1869. Children : Martha A., Margaret and Effie B. He owns and occupies the old homestead, a good farm. His brother James was in the Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years and in many severe engagements.
Rufus Merry settled on the place now occupied by his son, Ambrose, about 1818. His father, Ambrose, came to the county about the same time. They came from New York State. Rufus Merry was the father of nine children, several of whom are yet living. He was a member of the Christian church. He died in 1877.
Leonard Schoeppner came to this township at the age of sixteen years. He took the old homestead of his father at the age of twenty-three, and has added to it until he now has 260 acres of well-improved land. He was married in 1845 to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Miller, and is the father of twelve children. He is among the oldest German residents of the township.
August Dimerling, Sr., a native of Germany, came to this township from Philadelphia about 1839. His sons, John and August, are prominent farmers of the township.
John D. Hill, a native of Germany, came to this county in 1840, and began clearing and improving land. He first bought a piece of land about a mile and a half from the present farm of his son, John D., afterward selling it and making several subsequent purchases. He died in 1881, at the age of seventy years. His widow is still living. Their children were John (deceased), Catharine, Leonard, Barbara (deceased), Eva and John B.
John B. Hill was born in 1850, on the farm where he now resides. In 1872 he married Mary F. Rausch. They have eight children : Rosa, Aloysius, Joseph, Eva, Gertrude (deceased), George, Peter and Ottillia. Mr. Hill has a well-improved farm of nearly 200 acres and the best barn in the township. He raises fine sheep. He has served as justice of the peace for six years. He is a supporter of the Catholic church, and he and his father contributed liberally toward building the new church at Fulda. He was the chief petitioner for the graded road from Fulda to Caldwell, and is prominent in every worthy enterprise.
Leonard Hill, son of John D. Hill, was born in Enoch Township in 1842. In 1866 he married Mary Michel. Children : John A., Elizabeth, Henry, Leo (deceased), Andrew, Leo, Annie, George (deceased), Caroline and Louie. Mr. Hill bought eighty acres where he now lives in 1864, and has since added ninety- three acres, besides making extensive improvements in buildings, etc. He has made a specialty of raising hogs and graded shorthorn cattle. He is a supporter of the Catholic church.
570 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Anthony Kress, who died in 1883, came from Germany in 1838, and about two years later removed to this township, beginning with forty acres of land. He was the father of eight children, six of whom are living.
Michael Shott came to Monroe County when twelve years of age, arid resided there until 1845, when he settled in this township on the farm now occupied by his son John. He is one of the prominent German farmers. In 1868 he removed to his present home, formerly the old Francis Hupp farm.
G. C. Ehlerman, of Fulda, is one of the most enterprising business men of Noble County. He came from Germany in 1866, at the age of nineteen, and settled in Miltonsburg, Monroe County, where he clerked in a store, having previously served an apprenticeship at that business in his native land. In 1868 he came to Fulda and entered the employ of John S. Hohman. He afterward bought the latter's stock of goods (Mr. Hohman having failed for a large amount), and has since done a large and successful business. He also purchased Mr. Hohman's tobacco warehouse and began dealing extensively in tobacco. The warehouse and its contents were destroyed by fire in May, 1886, involving a loss of $10,000. Mr. Ehlerman has since erected a new building, the best of the kind in eastern Ohio. He has also a large and commodious store, an elegant residence and seventy-five acres of land. He packs from 200 to 300 hogsheads of tobacco per year and deals extensively in wool, handling about 80,000 pounds annually. Mr. Ehlerman is a Catholic. He is at present serving as township trustee. _ He was married in 1873 to Mary E., daughter of John S. Hohman, and has six children : Mary, Julia, Frederick, Cecilia, Christian and Ernest.
David Harper, father of Abraham Harper, came from Pennsylvania and settled in Guernsey County about 1820. In 1833 he removed to Stock Township, and about 1852 to the vicinity of Dexter City, where he died in 1875. His children were Rhoda (deceased), John J., Elizabeth (deceased), Isaac N., Abraham, George W., William B. (a member of the Seventy- seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, killed at the battle of Saline), Michael (a soldier in the same regiment), and Mary A. The father was a school-teacher for many years.
Abraham Harper was born in Stock Township in 1837. In 1857 he married Amanda, daughter of Obed Ackley, an early settler. Children : Columbus M., Mary E. (Matheny). Mr. Harper has served in various township offices and is at present a justice of the peace. The family belong to the Christian church.
Joseph Smith and family, from Chester County, Pa., settled on Olive Green Creek in 1824, and about 1833 removed to Noble Township, where he died in 1860 at the age of eighty- three. Mr. Smith was the father of four children : Thomas G., John, Joseph and Margaret. He was a preacher of the Baptist denomination. His son John, now a resident
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of Enoch Township, came to Ohio with his parents. In 1837 he married Mary J. Cain, daughter of William Cain. Children : Elizabeth C., Landon R., Van Buren and Joseph L, Mr. Smith is a prominent farmer, having two hundred acres of land, which he purchased and improved himself. His children all reside in this county. He has served as township trustee. His maternal grandfather, Thomas Green, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
John Boyd, son of Thomas Boyd, was born in Belmont County in 1819. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio when a boy,,married Agnes Miley in Belmont County, and in 1822 settled near the present town of Sharon. His children were Mary (Archibald), Rebecca (Roberts), Margaret, Nancy (Parrish), Ann (Parrish), John, Miley and Robert -- of whom Ann, John and Robert are living.
John Boyd settled on his present farm in 1841, beginning with seventy- eight acres, and adding to it until at one time he owned 930 acres, part of which he has since given to his sons. Mr. Boyd was married in 1841 to Margaret Shepard, daughter of George Shepard, of this county. Their children are Thomas, George, Robert (deceased), Sarah E. (deceased), Lafayette, Theodore and John N. Mr. Boyd follows farming and the raising of fine stock. The family are members of the United Presbyterian church.
William McBride was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Harrison County about 1816. In 1833 he re moved to Enoch Township, and entered two hundred acres of land where his son Martin now resides; he lived upon his farm until his decease in 1871. By his first marriage there were four children : John, Mary A. (dead), Samuel and Martin. Martin was born in Carlisle, in 1832. He married in 1856 Miss Jane Swainey. They had two children, Abigail and Uriah. The former died in her eighteenth year; the latter married Miss Alice Davidson. Mr. McBride enlisted December 25, 1861, in the Twentieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged in the following battles : Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Fort Gibson, Vicksburg, Atlanta, Ga., Corinth, and many of the minor engagements. At Atlanta he was hit by rebel bullets eighteen times. He was on detached service as a sharpshooter, being one of the best marksmen in the regiment. He served his term and was honorably discharged. He is a representative of one of the oldest families in the county, and is an honorable and useful citizen.
FULDA.
The survey of the village of Fulda was made by Charles Burlingame, June 5, 1861. The original plat contains six acres and ninety-three square rods. The village is called after a town in Germany of the same name. The land on which the first lots were laid off was owned by John Brahler. John S. Hohman sold several lots about the same time. Other additions have since been made. The land on which the
572 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY , OHIO.
town stands was entered by Isaac Morris and afterward owned by Frederick Spencer, his son-in-law.
The first store was started before the town was laid out, about 1855, by Heiddlesheimer & Hohman (H. W. Heiddlesheimer and John S. Hohman). The business was afterward continued by J. S. Hohman* alone until 1876, when he failed with liabilities of $146,000, causing heavy losses to many. He dealt largely in tobacco and live stock. During the war his mercantile business alone amounted to $50,000 a year. He removed to the West and is now in Kansas.
G. C. Ehlerman began business in Fulda, in 1867, for J. S. Hohman. In 1876 he bought Hohman's stock at assignee's sale, and has since done a large business for a country merchant. He is also extensively engaged in packing and shipping tobacco.
After the village was laid out Francis Fischer bought a lot and erected the first house. He carried on the saloon business, which his widow still follows, and was also engaged in brewing for several years in a small way.
John S. Hohman was the first postmaster. The office was not established until several years after the village was projected. The first blacksmith was John Noll, who still resides in the place. The first shoemaker was John Diegmiller.
Fulda is situated upon one of the highest elevations in the county.
*In 1857 Hohman also started a store at Rosedale, now called Rice's Mill, which was run for a few ears.
The location is pleasant and health ful. From the town a fine view can be had of some of the most attractive natural scenery in Ohio.
The business interests of the place in 1886 were as follows:
G. C. Ehlerrnan and J. B. Arnold, general store.
John Noll and John Brahler, Jr., blacksmiths.
Peter Johnson, wagon-maker. Mrs. Bosold, hotel.
James T. Brown, physician.
Fulda contains the best church in the county. It is in a special school district and has a large frame schoolhouse, built in 1884 at a cost of $1,200. The school is in two departments. Both English and German are taught.
CHURCHES.
The churches of Enoch Township, aside from the Catholic church at Fulda, are a Methodist Episcopal church, in the northern part of the. township ; a United Brethren church in the western part, and a Christian church in the northwestern part. Of these the Methodist Episcopal church is the oldest, the present church edifice being the third that has been erected since the formation of a class.
The United Brethren church was erected about 1850. It is one of the few log churches still left standing in Ohio. The Powells and the Harrises were among the early members. Preaching was had in the neighborhood over fifty years ago, at the house of 'Squire Powell. The Christian church was organized more recently.
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REV. DAMIAN JOSEPH KLUBER. The history of St. Mary's church and the life of Father Kluber are so inseparably connected that neither is complete without the other. To the upbuilding of this society he gave a life of passionate earnestness and self-sacrificing effort. his devotion to its interests and the spiritual and temporal welfare of his people has been rarely excelled. Like his Master, his life was spent in doing good. His abnegation and entire disregard of his personal welfare were the primary cause of his early death. He was born December 20, 1837, at Fulda, Hesse-Cassel, Germany. His father was an intelligent gentleman of the middle class, who died when Damian Joseph was a small boy. In his youth he evidenced a studious disposition,which was fostered by his mother. He entered the seminary at his native place, where he obtained a thorough classical education. In 1857 he came to America, and, having decided to make the ministry a life's vocation, entered " Mt. St. Mary's of the West," at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was ordained in June of 1860, by Most Rev. J. B. Purcell, archbishop of that diocese. In July of the same year he was given the Fulda church, with the adjoining missions in Monroe, Washington and Noble Counties. All his visits to the different points of his parishes were made in the saddle, and it can be said of him, as of the early missionaries, that "the saddle was his chair and his bed." Continuous riding in the saddle over rough roads caused hernia, which was the pri mary cause of his decease. In 1865 he was relieved of the missions in Monroe County, and in 1871 of the missions at Harriettsville and Fox's settlement. There still remained, however, a great deal of horseback riding for him to do; his disease grew worse, and attended with more danger. One day in February, 1883, he started for Caldwell; the roads were in a terrible condition; his business he thought to be imperative, as he had collected a fund for the relief of poor people in Europe (whose country had been devastated by floods) which he desired to remit at once. He arrived in Caldwell, but was there attacked with strangulation, from which he died February 20, 1883, in the forty- sixth year of his age.
He was visited during his illness by Rt. Rev. Bishop Watterson, who, despite the condition of the roads and the inclemency of the weather, attended the funeral and witnessed the grief of his spiritual children, to whom he had been a father and teacher. His pastorate embraced a period of twenty-three years, in which time- he built the present church edifice and a parochial residence and school, and brought the congregation to its present permanence and prosperity. A beautiful monument, erected by his congregation, marks his resting-place. Although dead, he still lives in the hearts of those he was associated with. He is remembered by all who knew him as a Christian gentleman, whose great kindness of heart and the all-absorbing love he possessed
574 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
for the work he was called to do cut short his earthly existence in the prime of life.
St. Mary's Catholic Church.—" The Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of St. Mary" was organized about 1840. Some seven years previous to this time (1833) a party of German immigrants from Wheeling, W. Va., had settled in the vicinity of Fulda, upon government lands. This little band formed the nucleus for what has since become one of the most prosperous Catholic societies in this section of the State. For several years they were denied all religious advantages, but about 1840 a clergyman made his appearance among them, occasionally holding divine services in neighboring log cabins and log barns. Nine years after, Rev. J. Kramer, of Miltonsburg, visited them. For seven years he made semi-monthly visits. During this time he began the erection of a small church building, which was dedicated by Rt. Rev. J. B. Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1853. In 1858 Rev. J. B. Brummer was appointed ; he was the firs resident pastor; he remained until 1860, when he was succeeded by Rev. D. J. Kluber, who ministered to the spiritual wants of the congregation for over twenty-three years. To him the society is largely indebted for its present size and permanence.
In 1863 a school building was erected, and three years later a pastoral residence. The latter was quite pretentious for that time, and cost $2,500.
By this time the first church structure had become entirely inadequate for the wants of the congregation, so arrangements were made for the building of a new one. It is rather an imposing structure, of brick, 60 x120 feet, and cost $19,498. The corner-stone was laid May ,31, 1874, by the reverend pastor, by permission of the ordinary. The new church was finished in 1875, and dedicated in August of that year by Rt. Rev. S. H. Rosecrans, who at the time was bishop of the diocese of Columbus, Ohio, and who preached the dedicatory sermon.
The following reverend gentlemen honored the pastor with their presence : Very Rev. J. B. Hemsteger, V. S., Revs. Schelhamer, Fladung, Schleicher, Buss and Ryan. In 1884 Rev. Ed. L. Fladung was called to the pastorate, and, seeing the necessity of extensive improvements, began at once, the building of a new residence. The brick and stone of the old church were used, and the old parsonage taken as a residence for the teacher. The church was overhauled--new ceiling, altar, etc. The entire cost, including the building of pastoral residence, the new altar, repairs on the church and other improvements, was about $4,700. The church is the finest structure of the kind in the county. Interest attaches to the names of the original members of this congregation. Some of the more prominent ones were John Schoeppner, Sr., John Adam Schafer, Philip Schneider, Adam Brahler, Melchior Black and others.
The succession of pastors has been Revs. J. Cramer, J. A. Brummer, D.
PICTURE OF REV. DAMIAN JOSEPH KLUBER
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J. Kluber, J. G. Luttig and E. L. Fladung. The present membership is 125 families, or about 700 souls. The parochial school has about 125 pupils. Owing to the very able administration of Father Fladung, both church and school are in a very flourishing condition.
JOHN B. HILL —John D. Hill, the father of the subject of this notice, was born in Mittlebach. Hessen, Germany, in 1810. In 1834 he came to this country in company with John Schoeppner, and together they settled in Wheeling, W. Va. In 1838 Mr. Hill came to Noble County and entered forty acres of land in Enoch Township, returning to Virginia, where he worked one year to obtain money with which to enter another forty. Afterward he sold his purchases and bought eighty acres, upon which he resided for many years. He died in April of 1880, aged seventy years. He married Miss Ottillia, daughter of John Schoeppner, who was his fellow pas senger from Germany and one of the first German settlers of Enoch Township. He had a family of seven children: John, Catharina, Anna B., Leonard, Barbara, Eva and John B. The latter was born in 1850 and married, in 1872, Miss Mary F. Raush, and has a family of eight children : Rosa, Aloysius, Joseph, Eva, Catherine, George, Peter and Ottillia. He is one of the leading German farmers of the county, owning the old homestead, to which he has added seventy-five acres, making a fine farm of 237 acres, under good improvement and with good buildings. For some time lie has made sheep-growing a specialty. Like his father, he is a Democrat in politics and a Catholic in religion. Both have been generous supporters of church enterprises, and aided in the erection of St. Mary's church.
John B. has for six years been a justice of the peace. He is a prosperous farmer and an esteenied citizen.