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592 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO CHAPTER XXXI. BUFFALO. ERECTION - EARLY SETTLERS - OWNERS OF REAL ESTATE IN 1830 - ABRAM RICH - THE MILEYS - JACOB GREGG-JOHN DRAKE-OTHER EARLY SETTLERS - RELIGIOUS. IT is recorded in the journal of the commissioners of Guernsey County that, on the 5th of June, 1810, "a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county was presented, praying for a new township to be set off, to be called Buffalo Township." The petition was granted and the township erected, an election being ordered at the house of Jacob Jordan (who lived near Hiramsburg), on the 23d of June, for the purpose of choosing two justices of the peace and other township officers. Buffalo Township, as then constituted, included a large territory, besides a part of Guernsey County, Buffalo, Brookfield, and Noble, part of Center, and the northern half of both Sharon and Olive Townships were included within its limits. Andrew Wolf was lister for the township in 1811, and James Dillon in 1812. By the formation of Morgan County in 1819 the extent of the township was much reduced, and the erection of new townships in Guernsey County still further " curtailed its fair proportions," so that in 1830 Buffalo embraced only township 8 of range 9 of the original survey. The township remained a full congressional township until Noble County was formed in 1851, which left the first twelve sections of the township in Guernsey and the remainder in Noble. As a subdivision of Noble County, Buffalo Township was erected by the county commissioners May 1, 1851, with boundaries as follows : "Commencing for the same at the southeast corner of section 36 in township number 8 of range 9; thence north along said township line to the northeast corner of section 13 in said township and range ; thence west along the section line to the northwest corner of section 18 in said township and range ; thence south along said township line to the southwest corner of section 31 in said township and range ; thence east along the said township line to the place of beginning: containing twenty-four sections." June 19, 1851, the common pleas court, then in session at Olive, ordered that an election for two justices of the peace be held in the new township of Buffalo on the 12th of July, 1851. If two justices were elected in accordance with this order, but one qualified, as only one name appears recorded, that of John Stevens, July 26, 1851. He, therefore, was the first justice of the peace in the new township. BUFFALO - 593 This township was surveyed by John Beaver in 1798, and divided into sections by William R. Putnam in 1805. Among the earliest settlers were Abraham Booher, an 1812 soldier, John Kackley, George R. Johnson, George Rich and John Rich, Thomas Nicholson, Samuel Kackley, Isaac Kackley, John Drake, John Larrick, Jacob Larrick and Joseph Dyson. Most of these came from Virginia. George and John Rich came from Pennsylvania and Thomas Nicholson from Jefferson County. Settlement began about 1812. The owners of real estate in Buffalo Township are thus given on the tax duplicate of Guernsey County in 1830; and, as no earlier list could be found, it is given here as the earliest authentic record of the property-holders of the township: Abraham Bugher (Booher ?) section 34, 85 acres, valued at $115; Michael Crow, section 19, 160 acres, $218 ; Robert Campbell, section 32, 80 acres, $80; John Drake, section 34, 160 acres, $218 ; Joseph Dyson, section 32, 160 acres, $218 ; Samuel Findley, section 32, 160 acres, $218 ; William Fry, section 29, 160 acres, $218 ; Hosea B. Fink, section 28, 163 acres, $222 ; Jacob Jackson, section 17, 80 acres, $109 ; Henry Jackson, section 17, 80 acres, $109 ; same, section 19, 80 acres, $80 ; George Johnston, section 17,160 acres, $518 ; same, section 19, 6* acres, $9; same, section 18, 162 acres, $221; George R. Johnston, section 34, 76 acres, $102; same, section 27, 80 acres, $148 ; John Johnston, section 17, 38 632 acres, $86; Isaac Kackley, section 26, 164 acres, $224 ; Samuel Kackley, section 33, 83 acres, $95 ; George Kackley, section 33, 83 acres, $95 ; Elizabeth Kackley, section 34, 165 acres, $225 ; Levi Lyons, section 35, 164 acres, $225 ; Caspar Larrick, section 17, 160 acres, $218 ; Jacob Larrick, section 22, 159 acres, $289 ; same, section 17, 95 1/2 acres, $162 ; same, section 27, 159 acres, $217 ; same, section 28, 98 acres, $134 ; Amos Lazear, section 32, 161 acres, $219 ; Hugh McCoy, 163 acres, $222 ; George Rich's heirs, section 35, 163 acres, $223; same, 163 acres, $222 ; John Robbins, section 7, 160 acres, $364 ; same, section 7, 160 acres, $218 ; same, section 20, 159 acres, $216 ; same, section 20, 160 acres, $291 ; George Spade, section 14, 80 acres, $91 ; Jacob Salliday, section 26, 163 acres, $222; Elias Salliday, section 35, 163 acres, $222; Jacob Secrest, section 21, 82 acres, $129 ; same, section 21, 163 acres, $297 ; Jacob Shriver, section 19, 153 1/2 acres, $209 ; same, section 19, 160 acres, $218 ; Abraham Thompson, section 28, 160 acres, $218 ; same, 162 acres, $221 and 62 acres, $82 ; Jacob Thompson, section 27, 160 acres, $218 ; Henry Trenner, section 31, 80 acres, $100 ; same, 160 acres, $291 ; William Williams, section 32, 80 acres, $100. Total acreage of the entire township (36 sections) in 1830, 11,791 ; value, $19,146; total tax, $192.93. The following owners of land in township 8, of range 9, appear upon the Richland Township tax duplicate for 1830: 594 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO. John Rich, section 25, 160 acres, $218; same, section 36, 160 acres, $218; Nathaniel Riley, section 25, 80 acres, $91. Probably the first white men who resided within the present limits of Buffalo Township were Abraham Rich, Abraham Miley and John Miley. They came in the spring of 181,0, built a camp, made a small clearing, raised a few potatoes and lived there through the winter, subsisting chiefly on potatoes. In the following year they were joined by John and George Rich, brothers of Abraham. Abraham and John Miley settled in Seneca Township a few years later, and remained until they died. Abraham Rich, who was only a boy when he came, remained in Buffalo Township until he was nineteen years of age, when he married and settled in Seneca Township. John Rich, soon after he settled, lost a couple of horses. After searching all around in vain he heard of some horses that had swam the Ohio River in Moundsville, and went in search of them. He went hiack to his old home in Greene County, Pa., and found them there. They had found their way home through the almost trackless wilderness, alone and unaided. George Rich, one of the earliest pioneers, was a native of Virginia. He died in 1818. His children were Sally, Ann, Jane, Polly and Jeremiah. Jane and Jeremiah are still living. The latter is among the oldest native residents of the township. He was born on the farm where he now lives, in 1815. He married Lovina, daughter of James Reed. Three of their children are living. Mr. Rich taught school in early life. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty years. John and Abraham Rich were noted hunters. They kept dogs and hunted through all the surrounding country, killing many bears, wolves, wild cats, panthers and deer. When these three pioneers were here alone in 1810, they were expecting friends out from Pennsylvania, and of course were anxious to welcome them. For fear that the newcomers might lose their way, they blazed trees toward Washington, Guernsey County, and in the other direction toward Barnesville, that they might have no difficulty in finding the camp. Jacob Gregg came from Washington County, Pa., about 1806, and settled in this township, entering 160 acres of land. He died about 1853 at a ripe old age, leaving six children, four of whom are still living. His son Uriah was born in this county in 1810, and resided in the county during his lifetime. He served as township clerk and treasurer, and was a member of the Methodist Protestant church. He died in 1861, having accumulated a comfortable property, though he began life with but an axe. Of his children, four are living, all in this county. Three of the sons were in the army. Samuel was in the Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died at Camp Chase, Ohio. Jacob L. served in the One Hundred •and Sixteenth BUFFALO - 595 Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and James M. in the One Hundred and Sixty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. John Miley was hiorn in Virginia in 1801. About 1812 he came to Buffalo Township with his mother, brother and sister. His father died in Virginia. His mother married George Rich after coming here. Isaac and George Miley are still living. George Miley was born in Seneca Township in 1830. He was reared a farmer, and has followed that occupation. In early years he hauled wheat to McConnelsville and Zanesville, and marketed it for fifty cents per bushel. Mr. Miley has served as township trustee and assessor, and is a member of the Lutheran church. He married Rebecca Finley in 1853. Children : William H. (dead), Charles H. (dead), James M., Thomas R., Jessie Belle, Mancil and Mary E. John Drake came to the township about 1812. He was born in Frederick County, Va., in 1772, and in 18,00 married Sarah Kackley of the same State. Their children were Nancy, who married Stephen Hickle and died at the age of seventy ; Elisha, Buffalo Township, and Eliza (Williams), Mt. Ephraim. Elisha Drake was born near Winchester, Va., in 1808, and came to Ohio with his parents. In 1836 he married Rebecca Clark, a native of Guernsey County. Their children are John W., Benjamin C., Sarah M., William (deceased), Lydia J., Eliza E. and Mary A. (deceased). Elisha Drake died in 1871. His widow is still living. Benjamin C. Drake was born in Buffalo Township, in 1839. He taught several terms of school and on the 22d of August, 1862, enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted corporal and afterward sergeant. He was in all of the engagements of his regiment until June 5, 1864, when he was wounded and taken prisoner at Piedmont, Va. He was first wounded by a piece of shell in the right thigh. The regiment charged through the rebel works and he was again wounded in the ankle. After the regiment left, he was captured by Mosby's guerrillas. He was taken to Staunton, Va., and thence to Richmond. At Staunton, while getting on the cars, he fell and broke his leg. He remained at Richmond, subsisting on prison fare, until he became a mere skeleton. In September, 1864, he was exchanged and reported at Annapolis. He received a furlough, and May 15, 1865, was discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio. In 1865 he married Eliza J. Halley. Children : Charles A., Joseph B., John W., Eaton A.(deceased), Lillie A., Estella, Mary M., Elisha E. and Sarah. Mr. Drake has served as justice of the peace two terms. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Among those who came from Virginia about 1812 were Levi Lyons, John Kackley, John Drake, George R. Johnson, Abraham Booher and Samuel and Isaac Kackley, most of whom had families at the time of their settlement here. They had been neighbors in Virginia and came 596 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO. together, or nearly at the same time, to Ohio, and settled in the same neighborhood. Levi Lyons was born near Harper's Ferry, Va. He married Rachel Kackley. Their children were James, Margaret, Jacob, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Rachel. He was afterward twice married — first to Elizabeth Spillman, and second to Lydia A. Rhodes. Of the second marriage two children are living : William and Sarah J. Benjamin Lyons was born near Hartford, Guernsey County, in 1816, and came to this township with his parents about two years later: He married Mary E. McCarty, and they had seven children. Mr. Lyons was in the mercantile business at Rochester, Noble County, from 1849 to 1857, and has since been a farmer. Thomas Nicholson was an early settler. His sons were Andrew, Simon, John and Thomas, all of whom settled in the vicinity. Andrew lived in Center Township ; Simon in Seneca, and the others in Buffalo. John Gregg, whose father was an early settler, was born in Buffalo Township, in 1822. He married Nancy Morris. Eight children were born of this union, four of whom are living. In 1816 Jacob Shriver, from Greene County, Pa., came to the township and built a cabin. March 17, 1817, he arrived, with his family, on the place now owned by Noah Shriver. He died in 1.843. His children were James P., John, Mary A., Jacob, Elizabeth, Joseph and Noah. Andrew W. Clark and family, from Washington County, Pa., came to Ohio about 1816. He was born in 1786 and died in 1864. He married Sarah Lawrence, and was the father of Margaret, William, John, Robert, Barbara, Alexander, James, Sarah J., Samuel L., Martha A. and Andrew W., four of whom are dead. Andrew was in the army, and died during the war. William Clark, who died in 1886, was born in 1812. He married Mary Ann Clark, and was the father of six children. The family are Methodists. Jacob Larrick came from Virginia to Belmont County about 1817, and about two years later settled in Buffalo Township. He died in 1847. Of his children only James H. lives in Noble County. Jacob Larrick had an early grist-mill, operated by horsepower, also a saw-mill. Stephen Hickle was a native of Virginia. His son Stephen, who was born in 1801, died in 1878. Isaac N. Hickle enlisted in the Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry in September, 1861, and served until October, 1862, when he was discharged by reason of disability. In May, 1864, he again volunteered in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the regiment was mustered out. In the fall of the same year he re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. Joseph Graham, a native of Virginia, was a pioneer settler of Guernsey County, near Senecaville. He married Polly Glover, and was the father of ten children. Samuel Graham was born in Seneca Township in 1829. In 1852 he went to Califor- BUFFALO - 597 nia, where he remained eleven years. In 1864 he married Hannah, daughter of John Miley. Children : J. S., Margaret S., Curtis and Charles A. Mrs. Graham died in 1873, and Mr. Graham afterward married Rebecca Ward. He has served as township trustee, and, in 1886, was the Democratic candidate for Infirmary director. He is a leading farmer and stock-raiser. Samuel G. Clark, a leading Methodist, and a class-leader for many years, was born in 1817, and died in 1879. His parents were Benjamin and Nancy (Finley) Clark. Joseph B. Clark was born in Guernsey County in 1830. In 1861 he married Margaret E. Conkle. Mr. Clark was formerly engaged in the mercantile business and is now a farmer. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has served six years as Infirmary director. One of the early school-houses of the township was built on the land of George R. Johnson. It was of round logs, with a bark roof, clapboard door and puncheon floor. George Kackley was an early teacher. 597 Methodist Episcopal Church.— A Methodist class was formed as early as 1820 and met in private houses and school-houses until 1844, when a brick meeting-house was erected in the eastern part of the township which is still in use. Abraham Rich was the first class-leader. Jeremiah Rich, still living, held the office later ; also Jacob Rich, now of Center Township. A number of the early members joined the Mount Ephraim church when it was organized. A great revival in 1832 added largely to the membership of all the Methodist churches in this section of the State. Among the early members of the Buffalo church were Thomas Nicholson, Sr., John Rich, Abraham Rich, James McConnell, Pollard Stevens, James Stevens, -- McCoy and others ; one of the results of the revival of 1832 was a large number of local preachers. Among those who served in that capacity in Buffalo and Seneca Townships were John Rich, Abraham Rich, John Booher, William Lowrey, Elijah Millhorn, William Thompson, James Thompson, Robert Thompson, John Thompson and others. |