HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 175 now about sixty communicants, with John M. Holcomb and Isaac Cooper as class leaders. The first Sunday school was organized in about 1867, and met only during the summer season until 1881, when it was continued during the year, and up to the present time. There are now about fifty scholars enrolled. This charge belonged to the Deavertown circuit until 1882, when it was changed and put into the Millertown circuit. Bethel M. E. Church was organized about 1837, with James Moore, Elias Moore,William Moore, Urias Moore. John Handsley and family, Alexander McClannahan, and some of the Petits as first members. James Moore was the first class leader. The first preachers were John Reed and Samuel Hamilton. They first worshipped in a log school house near where they afterward built a hewed log church. That house stood until about 1845, when the society having removed to Porterville charge, the house went down or was moved away, but the cemetery is still kept up. In a very early day there was a class organized in the vicinity of where the United Presbyterian church now stands, and near which they built a church, now remembered as the Teal church ; but for some unknown reason, and at a date unknown, they disorganized. It was a pioneer church, no doubt. Some time previous to 1854 the Methodist Episcopal church organized a class in section 16, and met at first at private houses. Rezen Hammond and wife, James Allen and wife, Alexander Burgess and family, Bernard Smith, who was the first class leader, Eliza Koons, and others, were the first members ; about twelve or fifteen in number. In 1854 they moved the Teal church from where it stood and rebuilt it on the farm of Rezen Hammond, where they worshiped until the time of the late rebellion, when differences of opinion split the society, and it became disorganized, some joining at the Holcomb church, while others went to near Poterville, and, with others, formed what is known as the Christian Union church. The Hammond church, by which name it was usually called, held Sunday school for several summer seasons, during its organization. ZION.—In about 1847, there was organized a Disciple church, near Poterville, with Daniel Rusk at the head, which continued for a few years, when it was changed and became a Christian denomination. The Disciples, and other Christian people, had built a log house, for general church purposes, but it appears that a deed for the lot was made to the Christian denomination, who still hold the deed. How long either the Disciples, or Christians kept up their organization, is unknown, but together they held meetings until the time of the late rebellion, at which time the Christian Union church was organized, taking the place of the others. In 1868 they supplanted the log church by a neat frame building, where they still hold services. It was changed to the Christian Union denomination, with Rev. Ammon Biddison as their pastor. Simultaneous with the organization of the church Sunday school was commenced, and is still continued with an attendance of twenty-five or thirty persons. Porterville Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the old log church, where the Zion now stands, under the pastorate of Rev. Ben- 176 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. jamin Ellis, in 1855, and in 1856 they built a frame church edifice in Porterville, under the direction of Rev. Sheets and Rev. Jno. Gregg. The first organization consisted of about thirty members ; among whom were Jno. Bell, who was the first class leader, and his wife, one Bullick and wife, Jacob Brock and wife, Mrs. Abi Butt, Mary Skinner, Adam Dennis and wife, and at that time, the Bethel charge, west of this place, was disbanded, and most of that membership moved here. The first church-house stood until 1881, when a neat new frame church was built in its stead, at a cost of $1,975.00. Rev. G. P. Fry was pastor during its building. They now have a membership of about eighty, with Rev. R. H. Griffith as pastor, and George Holcomb, J. S. King and Marian Newlon as class leaders. Sunday School was organized at the time they first occupied their own church, with Jno. Ball as Superintendent, since which time it has been continued, and for several years past, during the whole year, and now has an average attendance of about thirty or forty scholars. Levi Aler is now Superintendent. GOSHEN UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.--- In 1827. a society was formed in the vicinity of where the above church stands, known as the Associate Church, which so continued until 1868, at which time that body and the Associate Reform Church were united, and formed the United Presbyterian Church. The Associate Church was organized by Rev. John Walker. In 1839 they built a church-house, under the pastorate of Rev. David Lindsay, which stood until 1877, when a larger frame house was built in its stead, which still stands, the ground being leased by W. C. Moore for as long as it is used for church purposes. W. C. Moore and wife, Nancy Moore, Mary Moore, James Beard and wife, Mrs. Jane Rusk, Miss Feckner, Mrs. Margaret ,Adams, Robert N. Moore and wife, Martha Moore, Margaret Moore, Susannah Moore and Robert R. Moore, were first members. From 1827 to the time of building the first church, they met in houses and barns, and many times at Robert Moore's, sen. W. C. Moore was the first Elder. There are now twenty-two members, with Jno. Taylor, James L. Moore and Robert N. Moore as elders. The largest membership they have ever had was about fifty or fifty-five souls. Sunday school was first organized in 1877, when James L. Moore was Superintendent, and had about thirty scholars. They now have about sixty scholars, and Jno. Taylor is Superintendent. Previous to 1877 they had Sunday school only a part of the time. They now have school every summer,but do not continue during the winter season. PORTERVILLE.-The town was laid out by John Porter in 1848, in the treme eastern edge of the township, and on the dividing ridge, before referred to,from which the water sheds both north and south. This is a village, or hamlet rather, of about forty souls, beautifully situated, in which health, the greatest temporal blessing vouchsafed to humanity, is abundantly enjoyed. It is surrounded by the most desirable farming community of the township, as the hills seem not quite so rugged. From here to every point of the compass, stretches out before admirers of nature, hill and dale, forming every variety of scenery. Soon after it was platted, Jno. Adams opened, in Porterville, a general HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 177 merchandise store, and a postoffice was established, receiving mail by horseback carrier from McConnellsville ; the mail now is carried in the same manner but from Rendville, in Monroe township. The stores have changed hands several times since Adams first opened the business. There is now one store of general merchandise kept by P. W. Newlon, and a furniture and undertaking room, kept by E. Hearing. It has one church and blacksmith shop. In 1870 there was erected, in the extreme north edge of the township, near McLuney, a potter shop, where all kinds of common stone ware is manufactured. It employs several hands, and makes seven hundred gallons of ware per week. A great deal of the first ware made here was shipped to Maryland and Virginia, but it is now wholesaled at McLuney Station. The facilities for manufacturing in this vicinity are not excelled any place, as everything is found near at hand, except salt. There is a claim made that a pioneer by the name of Dusenberry settled on Bear Run, in Bearfield township, in r8oz. If this be correct, it is undoubtedly the first settlement in the township, and one of the first in the .county. James Moore, of Bearfield township, was the inventor and operator of the first portable steam saw mill ever run. He had an eight-horse power saw mill, and employed a firm in Zanesville to build him a light engine, such as he directed. He invented the attachments, set up the machinery, and operated the mill for eight or ten years. It was the first portable steam saw mill in the world. William Moore, a brother of James, also had an interest in the mill. The well-known Zanesville mills, which have been shipped all over the world, are all of a later date than the Moore mill. The portable mill was not only the conception of a Perry county man, but it did its first work in Bearfield township, Perry county. The population of Bearfield in 1880 was 997. - 22 - 178 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. CHAPTER XXIII. CLAYTON TOWNSHIP. Clayton township, which before the formation of Perry, belonged to Muskingum, was organized as a political township about 181o, and was named in honor of one of its early settlers. It was originally six miles square, and of course embraced thirty-six sections ; but when Perry county was organized, or a short time thereafter, four sections were taken from it and attached to Harrison. The divide between the Muskingum and Hocking rivers runs through Clayton, leaving about two-thirds on the Muskingum slope and ,the remaining one-third on the Hocking slope. The land on the Muskingum side is drained by the waters of Buckeye, McLuney, and other tributaries of the Moxahala, while that on the west side is drained by the head waters of East Rush Creek. More than one half of the township is good laying land, while the remainder of it is hilly and some of it extremely rough. Some of the most enterprising and wide awake farmers in the State reside in Clayton township. Its wool-growers are especially distinguished. Fruit growing also receives considerable attention. About three fourths of the township is underlaid with two seams of valuable bituminous coal, respectively four and five feet in thickness. These seams are known as 5 and 6 of the geological series. Number 4, another good seam of coal, is also found in some places, but it is not thought to be so persistent as the other two seams. Considerable iron ore also abounds in nearly all parts of this township ; limestone, chert, and sand rock are also plentiful. Potter's clay of good quality is abundant, and several potteries are in successful operation. Coal has been mined in Clayton for fifty years or more, and there are numerous openings, in both numbers 5 and 6, in various parts of it. The old Dr. Poujade mine—now the Isaac Denny mine—near the southern border of the township, was one of the first regularly operated mines in the county. The coal of all the open mines is of a desirable quality. Clayton township was first settled about 1806 or 1807. It is difficult, in most cases, to determine who was the first settler of a township. and in attempting to do so inaccuracies are liable to occur, and injustice is often unintentionally done. There is no doubt, however, that the Clay-tons, Thralls, Wilsons, Phersons, Gardners, Browns, Bennetts, Kings, Goodins, Rhodes, Teals, Sellers, Skinners, Crosbys and Cooksons, were among the first settlers of Clayton. It is stated that Robert Pherson settled in Clayton township in 1806 ; if this be correct, it is safe to presume that it was one of the first permanent settlements in the township. The following named persons were all citizens of the township as early as 1817, or very soon thereafter : John Moore, Amos Roberts, Christian Barnd, James Wilson, Wm. C. Martin, John Rodman, Jeremiah Reed, Moses Goodin, Arabram Bennett, John Sellers, Samuel Heath, Joseph Clayton, William Clay- HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 179 ton, Daniel Cusack, James C. Wallace, James Rusk, Sen., Isaac De-Long, Samuel Rusk, Jacob Hightshoe, Joseph Cookson, John Bradley, John Hough, John Gibson, Henry Shaner, Thomas King, Charles Wizwell, George Moore, Thomas Wilson, James K. Wilson, Wm. Rodman, Joseph DeLong, Solomon Dusenberry, Daniel Pugh, Andrew Cusack, Tuba Taylor, Jacob Emerick, William Larkins, Michael Cooper, John Rusk, Samuel Thrall, John Hartsel, Wm. McCormick, Caleb North, John Clayton, Benjamin Hull, John Gardner, Jacob Hollenback, Henry Shaner, Andrew Wright, Lewis Shreeves, George Skinner, William Thompson, Absalom Chenowith, John England, Edward Crosby, James Wright, John Grove, Frederick Amrine, Robert Love, George Gardner, Joseph Mills, Samuel England, Thomas Dusenberry, Joseph Claypool, James Shreeves, James Crosby, William Hammond, Isaac Brown, John Hull, Ruel Sayre, Ebenezer Davidson, Samuel Hull, John Skinner, John North, Levi Burgoon, John Yarger, Jacob Acker, John Crosby, Jacob Pace, John Clayton. These early settlers came mostly from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, though a small number of them were from other of the older States and a few from the Old World. There were not so many Pennsylvania Germans among them, as in Thorn, Hopewell, Reading and Jackson. Clayton is as yet intersected by no railroad, but the Columbus and Eastern is surveyed through its territory, and is under contract to be finished by the first day of August, 1883. Though touched by no railroad, Clayton even in the past has not been very distant from railroad facilities. A part of the township is not far from Somerset, on the Newark, Somerset and Straitsville road ; and other parts are near New Lexington, McLuney and Crooksville, on the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley. Previous to the railroad era, all the surplus products of the township were marketed at Zanesville. After the building of the Zanesville and Maysville Turnpike, it was reached by most of the Clayton township grain-haulers, at or near Uniontown. The wheat was hauled either to Putnam or Zanesville, and was mostly disposed of at Whipple's, Reaves' or Dillon's Mills. Most of the eastern part of Clayton township was originally covered with large poplar timber, of a very superior quality. Logs from these trees kept several local mills busy for many years, and a large quantity of lumber was sawed, which found a ready market. Not much of this good poplar timber is now left. There were also numerous sugar groves in this part of the township, and much good maple sugar was made for many years atter the first settlement of the country. Martha Wilson, wife of Judge James Wilson, one of the earliest settlers, was born in Alleghany county, Maryland, Feb. 1786, and died March, 1880, in the ninety-fifth year of her age, and was the last of the pioneer women in Clayton township to pass from time to eternity. She came to the neighborhood where she lived and died, in 1811, when neighbors were few and far between. Bears, wolves and panthers, were frequently seen. Once, during the war of 1812, when her husband was absent at. Zanesville, there was an alarm that the Indians were coming across the country and murdering the white people. Many families 180 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. loaded up and fled. Mrs.Wilson having no way to go and take her three children, converted her cabin into a fortress and prepared for battle. She barricaded the door with timbers, prepared her gun and ammunition, and with the great dog at her side, stood with gun in hand all through the night and until dawn of day ; but no Indians came. On another occasion when her husband was away from home, the wolves attacked her only sheep, before she had put it in the pen for the night. She heard her faithful dog fighting and striving to drive the wolves away ; but they were ravenous and would not be driven off by the dog. Mrs. Wilson lighted a torch, rushed out, frightened away the wolves, and rescued the sheep. The savage animals remained so near that she could distinctly hear their teeth gnash and grind together as they thus gave vent to their unavailing rage. For many years previous to her death she had been blind, but she was cheerful, resigned and happy. Most of the time during her later years, she fancied and believed that she was living with her husband and children who had long been dead. Again she would recognize and converse intelligently with her living, sons and daughters at her bedside. Mrs. Wilson was a religious woman ; she united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1809, at her old home in the State of Maryland. The Methodists held camp meeting for a number of years in a grove upon her husband's farm, and a church (Wesley Chapel) was subsequently erected near the old camp ground. The M. E. Church organization in Rehoboth is about the second oldest in the county, and one among the oldest in the State. The original class was organized in 1812 or 1813, by. George Gardner, who was soon after ordained as local preacher. Gardner and wife, James Thrall and wife, Grandmother Carroll, Hannah Carroll and one or two others, were the members composing it. Rev. Martin Fate preached the first sermon, at Gardner's house, which was a preaching place for some time, and until the log church was built, about 1818, on the front part of the cemetery lot, a few rods south of the present site of Rehoboth, on the New Lexington road. The old church was in regular use until about 1832, when the brick edifice was erected, near the east end of the town. The early preachers on the Rehoboth charge were the same who served Somerset and other charges, of whom a sketch is given in another chapter. School was also held at the old church mentioned, and as regular preaching always took place on a week day, it was a common occurrence to dismiss school for an hour, that religious worship might be held. The circuit preachers, as they were called, would come from the direction of Uniontown or Somerset, sing, pray and preach, and after shaking hands with the congregation, would mount their well-fed and well-kept horses, and move on westward, dear knows where, for there was no church in New Lexington or neighborhood, at that time. The Rehoboth Church has had some up and downs, but it always has been a strong society, and remains so at the present day. Two or more eminent preachers have gone out from its portals into the life work of the ministry. It maintains a flourishing Sabbath school, and has during almost its entire existence. The Sabbath school was organized previous to 1820, George Gardner probably being the first superintend- HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 181 ent. The Rehoboth circuit, at one time, and for quite a number of years, included the New Lexington, Uniontown and Somerset churches, along with many others, and three ministers were assigned to its service. The old circuit has been divided into stations and smaller circuits. Rehoboth church is now attached to New Lexington station, and is only two miles distant therefrom. Unity Church is one of the oldest in the county, and is the mother Presbyterian Church. On the occasion of the dedication of the new sanctuary in 1875, Rev. Henry Beeman delivered a carefully prepared and highly interesting historical discourse, from which the following is taken. It will be readily observed that the history of the Unity Church also embraces the history of three or four other Presbyterian churches : " The early settlers, few and scattered, were eager for and appreciated divine service. It was the golden link connecting them with their ancestral homes in the Eastern States. Clergymen passing westward and eastward, along the great highway, often stopped for a night in the settlement and preached. This began as early as there were any considerable number of settlers. As early probably as 1808-9. These transient services continued two or three years before any stated services began. An aged church member says that when she moved into the settlement in 1811, Rev. James Culbertson, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Zanesville, came regularly once a month and preached in private houses or barns ; the people gathering from a circuit of many miles. He preached to them for the last time in 1814, in Isaac Sellers' barn, from the text "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth."—Eccl. 12, 1. At the close of the service he went into the road and held out his hand. The people filed past him in a long procession to say farewell. He was greatly moved. He said, Had I known this parting would be so painful, I would not have come out to you from Zanesville on this occasion." The aged narrator, sister of Isaac Brown, first elder of Unity, said, "I cried all the way home, then I went out yonder," pointing to a retired spot in the forest. And there I prayed on and on until there came into my heart such peace and comfort as I cannot express." She had been distressed in view of her sins for several years, and this was the hour of her conversion. Two years afterward, at the first sacrament of the Lord's Supper, administered by Rev. Moore, she with two others, were admitted into the communion. Through the labors of Mr. Culbertson, numerous churches were organized in Ohio. His death occurred about 185o. Isaac Sellars, a warm-hearted Christian, in whose barn this farewell sermon was preached, died in 1818. aged forty-nine years. Unity is the mother. Her children are scattered over the western plains, and are found in many States of the Union ; were they and their immediate descendants here to-day, respectable as is this congregation in numbers, it would be exceeded five to one. Unity ! Fond recollection of their boyhood and girlhood has not died out of their hearts. Here they were born into the world ; here they were given, at this sacred altar by their parents to God in the rite of baptism ; and here they were born again, and here they were married ; here in Unity's church-yard lie fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and 182 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY sisters. And, to-day, Unity is fondly cherished by many, who, learning its history from their fathers, yet have never seen it. Not only individuals, but whole churches rise up to call her blessed. Seven daughters are hers : Bethel, Bremen, Somerset, New Lexington, Roseville and Uniontown. In the year 1816, Rev. Mr. Wright of Lancaster, Ohio, on his way to the Synod at Pittsburgh, was interviewed and urged to come and organize the scattered followers of the Savior into a church. Isaac Brown, afterward the first elder, guided Mr. Wright from Somerset through the dense forest to this hallowed place. September 2d, 1816, in the old log school house which stood within a few feet of the present edifice, fourteen persons were organized into a church of the blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A vote was taken and they called it "Unity." " Because we are all of one mind," they said. Happy name when it expresses a fact. It reminds one of the trite but famously true adage, " United we stand, divided we fall." One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. And for nearly two generations, through all the vicissitude of time and changing fortunes and peoples, Unity still bears her name, giving it to the neighborhood around for many miles. Then no human habitation was visible from her altar. The forest seemed illimitable ; no roads for vehicles, only bridle paths blazed through the wilderness. Now before the march of improvements, the red man has disappeared toward the setting sun ; beautiful farms, well stocked and cultivated, pleasant dwellings and happy homes are seen in all directions. Rev. Mr. Wright, the founder of this church, died in 1855, at Logansport, Indiana, well nigh one hundred years old. In the same month and year of the organization, Rev. Thomas Moore became the first pastor. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, studied divinity at Yale Theological Seminary. Previous to settlement at Unity, he preached for several years in Pennsylvania. His pastorage continued sixteen years. During it the old log church, (dimensions thirty-five feet by twenty-seven feet,) was built in 1826. The neighbors assembled to roll the logs ; the women spun cloth and sold it to purchase glass ; one good lady said she gave her cow ; and thus with loving hearts and willing hands, they built a house. One hundred and twenty souls were added to the church during this long pastorate. An argument in favor of a permanent ministerial settlement. In our theory of church polity, the unity existing between pastor and people, is like that of the marriage relation, until death shall separate them. In 1832, because of the increasing infirmities of age, a successor was called, though the aged pastor continued to officiate occasionally until the day of his death. At times his feebleness necessitated his sitting instead of standing in the pulpit to address his congregation. The remains of Mr. Moore lie beside those of his aged companion in Unity Church yard. And on the large flat stone covering his grave you may read this inscription : "In memory of Thomas Moore, who died August 24, 1840, aged 78 years, 11 months and 21 days. He was 52 years a Minister of the Gospel." In 1832, Rev. Francis Bartlett succeeded Mr. Moore in the pastorate HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 183 of Unity. He received his theological training at Princeton, and while a student of theology, he was associated with Mr. Nettleton, the great revivalist, for six months. And fresh from those great revival labors he came to Unity and New Bethel. And in five months twenty-five persons were received into the church. And during his pastorate of two years forty were added. Through his labors at New Bethel the roll of church members increased until it reached the surprising number of three hundred and seventy-five. Thus the years of his pastorate to both these churches were years of the right hand of the most High. Through all the region where he labored so successfully, the name of Francis Bartlett is spoken with veneration. In October, 1837, he and Roswell Tenny and Edmund Garland were a committee of Presbytery to organize New Lexington church. After the departure of Mr. Bartlett, Rev. Roswell Tenny became the pastor. During his pastorate of three years two additional Elders were elected and ordained—Robert Ewing and John North, in 1835. These, together with Isaac Brown, Isaac Reynolds and David Pugh, Sen., constituted the Session. Seventy persons were added to the church, making the membership 110. There were thirty infant baptisms ; $65.50 were contributed to the various causes of the church. September I, 1837, the Session dismissed twenty-three persons to unite in the organization of the New Lexington church, which organization was effected the next day by authority of Lancaster Presbytery. Mr. Tenny gave one-third of his time to New Lexington, one-third to Unity and one-third to Somerset, which was held at this time as a mission station ; as had been New Lexington, from an early period, up to the time of organization. In the latter part of Mr. Tenny's pastorate, through no instrumentality, however, of his own, the date of the waning period of Unity may be fairly placed. For a score of years unexampled prosperity attended the church ; accessions on profession of faith were almost constant for twenty years, until the membership reached the large number of two hundred. The moral and spiritual condition was equal to the additions. The Holy Spirit's influence seems not to have been withdrawn during all this happy period. A jubilee period ; a score of years that should be celebrated by Unity's people. But now Unity's 12 o'clock had struck. Her sun had reached its zenith, then began slowly to descend. At times, like Joshua's sun on Gideon, it seemed to stand in the midst of the heavens, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies, but soon resumed its declension until in 1866, it was just visible above the horizon. In other words, from May 1835 to May 1866, Unity's history was exceedingly checkered. There were times when the ebbing tide stayed and gathered only to burst the barriers and run lower. There were additions, but at the end of scarcely a single year, during all that waning period of one score and ten or eleven years, did the accessions keep pace with the deaths and removals, There were causes, however, for this declension, besides those found in the records. The mountain stream pours down into the basin, filling it, rolling back upon its course, overflowing and passing on. So the stream of emigration pouring along the great thoroughfare,filling Perry, 184 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. overflowing and passing on farther westward. Children of the early settlers, and in some instances, the oldest inhabitants themselves sought new homes in the west. With each migration Unity lost her sons and daughters. Mr. Tenny passed the last ten years of his life in Marietta, laid aside from the work of the ministry by an affection of the throat. After suffering three years with paralysis he died in August; 1866, in the seventieth year of his life. Unity's fourth pastor was the Rev. Edmund Garland. His pastorate extended from the autumn of 1837 to 1840, three years. At the begin-ping of his labors he made an examination of the records, and after careful inquiry found that out of the vast number on the register of communicants only fifty remained as active members. A rapid decrease in a very few years. It will be remembered, however, that a colony of twenty-three had just gone out to organize the New Lexington church, and others later were dismissed to unite with the same church. A year and a half subsequent—February 25, 1839—another colony left Unity to organize the Somerset church. So that during this period, the aggregate membership of the three churches was still about one hundred. The three formed one parish. But the old hive never again swarmed. One of Mr. Garland's sermons from the text, –What think ye of Christ?" preached, probably, at the organization of the Somerset church, is still remembered. Mr. Garland is yet alive, residing upon his farm in Licking county, in comfortable circumstances. Too aged for active service in the ministry, but faithful and devout, giving of his means to the cause of Christ, thus preaching by proxy. During his pastor ate Unity gave about $75 to the Boards of the church. Mr. Garland's successor was unhappy in his relations with the churches. He continued, however, something more than a year. And there were some additions to the church. Among the number Mr. Noah Moore, who afterward became a ruling elder, and his wife. His successor was Rev. John Forbush. He remained about two years ; but judging from the meagre records during his ministration but little was accomplished. After Mr. Forbush, Rev, A. S. Avery labored nearly two years. The records show one case of discipline and suspension, but no additions. Mr. Avery died at the residence of his daughter, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in the summer of 1867. From July 1848 to July 1852 ; during these four years there were some accessions to the church, Margaret A. Acker, Mary Leach, Juliet Sellers, D. Stokely and the lamented James Wigton. The two latter elders of Roseville. Wm. Cookson, David Fulton and Noah Moore were ordained to the office of Ruling Elders. The church at Somerset, though promising well in the beginning, having bought a house of worship, conveniently located, from the Methodist Episcopal Church, hardly had an organized existence ten years. After Mr. Garland's departure, becoming feeble and greatly distressed, mother Unity took back her daughter under the maternal roof with her accumulated property. The Somerset church property was sold for about $300. And with the proceeds, in 1849, Unity, originally built of hewed logs, chinked and daubed, was Weather-boarded, ceiled, plastered and painted at an ex- HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 185 pense of $280. Somerset was lost ; Roseville was gained. Several members of Unity. Thomas Beard and wife, Jane Beard, James Wigton and wife, and D. Stokely were dismissed, and a number of other persons, living in the vicinity of Roseville, united in the organization of the Roseville church, October 20, 1849. From that time until the present, Roseville, Unity and New Lexington have constituted one parish. Their interests and history have been intimately connected. After a vacancy of a few months Rev. Warren Nichols began his labors at Unity in November, 1852. He continued about two years. The records show a few additions. Mr. Nichols died some years since in the western part of this State. His widow, much loved by all intimately acquainted with her, fell asleep in Jesus some years ago, at the residence of her daughter, near Jackson, Illinois. Rev. Samuel Westcott Rose was the successor of Mr. Nichols. Mr. Rose's pastorate extended from September, 1854, to January, 1857—about three years. As had done his two predecessors, so he ministered to the three churches, preaching also in private dwellings and school houses through his extensive parish, sometimes preaching three times a day. Abundant in labors. Said a good woman to him one day : "Mr. Rose, you will kill yourself." He smiled as he replied, "I wish to die in the service of the Lord." And so, after a brief illness, he fell asleep in Jesus at his residence in New Lexington. Two pastors thus have fought the good fight, finished their course, and kept the faith in this field of labor. Mr. Rose was a man of earnest piety, a faithful and laborious pastor and unimpassioned preacher. Had the esteem and confidence of his co-presbyters, once moderated Presbytery. He devoted much time to the study of the prophecies. Lectured upon them. It is said that some of his interpretations concerning the visible church and the country, have been remarkably fulfilled. He is the author of one or two published sermons ; one a Thanksgiving discourse, finds its theme in The stone cut out of the mountain without hands," which broke in pieces the great image of Nebuchadnezzar. He makes the stone the United States, which, if true, is certainly very flattering ; and just now, with rottenness in almost every branch of the Government, very encouraging. While I cannot accord with this interpretation of prophecy his arguments to establish it are ingenious. Rev. Samuel Loomis followed Mr. Rose, in March, 1857. He served the church less than a year. Mr. Loomis is now, and has been for many years, a successful Missionary among the Freedmen at Chester, South Carolina. Rev. James Lamb labored irregularly at Unity for less than a year. Mr. Lamb came in the spring of 1859, fresh from the Seminary. He is now pastor of Bethany Church, Utica, New York. Rev. Theodore Stowe came next in the spring of 1860. His labors extended for over a period of about two years. Mr. Stowe resigned to accept a Chaplaincy in the service of the country. This gentleman, having found a new home a year ago in Saginaw, Michigan, and a new wife, ministers to two little churches in that vicinity." [Rev. Stowe is since deceased.—COMPILER.] 186 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. No record is made in the Sessional books of Unity of the services of these four ministers. During all these ministrations, covering a period in the aggregate of about seven years, there is no record of any Sessional meetings ; no additions, nothing to show that any thing was done. It is probable that, except during the time of Mr. Rose, the services were irregular. I find, however, several records in November, 1857, to the effect that the Rev. Mr. Hildreth, leaving his own pulpit vacant one Sabbath, visited Unity and held a series of meetings, day and night, administer- ing the sacrament of the Lord's supper, and received one person, Miss Mary Cookson, into the church ; also, ordained Jacob Sellers as Ruling Elder. Mr. Ebenezer Reynolds was elected to the same office at the same time, but there is no record of his ordination. Most likely this meeting of ten days, encouraging the feeble membership, saved the church from extinction. Rev. Mr. Stuart followed Mr. Stowe, a gentleman who never had a regular connection with the church. He continued not more than a year. The three churches had now been vacant from one and a half to two years, supplied occasionally, in the meantime, by appointment by the Presbytery. Members of Unity were hopeless and out of heart—reduced to a handful, the houses of worship neglected, the possession of bats ; birds built their nests and brooded their young over God's quiet altars. One of the three—the New Lexington edifice—had disappeared entirely, its very foundation plowed up. Such was the mournful state of affairs when your pastor appeared upon the scene in May, 1866. The Uniontown Church, then and for some years subsequent 0. S., made application for his services. From that day to this her interests have been intimately connected with these. Her history is theirs and theirs hers. He came fresh from his first year in the seminary, " not with excellency of speech or wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God ; for lie determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified. And he was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling ;" and his speech and his preaching were not with " enticing words of man's wisdom." He was with you for four months in each of two years, spending the remaining time in pursuing his theological studies. Having finished his course at Union Seminary, New York city, he returned, and on the 11th and 12th of November, 1868, was installed pastor of Unity, New Lexington and Roseville churches, Revs. D. Tenny, of Newark, S. P. Hildreth, of Dresden,. and D. E. Beach, of Granville, officiating. Continuating the stated supply of Uniontown till 1871, when the New Lexington church, growing so rapidly, having built a church edifice at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars, it was deemed expedient to hold services there every Sabbath day. But alas ! for the chequered life of that church. Its congregation ran down almost as fast as it ran up. So, after an interval of two years, the old relations were resumed September, 1873. Unity's elders have now reached the apostolic number—twelve : Isaac Brown, Isaac Reynolds, David Pugh, Sr., Robert Ewing, John HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 187 North, William Cookson, Sr., David W. Pugh, Jr., David Fulton, Noah Moore, and the present incumbents, Jacob Sellers, John Welch, and William R. Cookson, Jr. Isaac Brown, David Pugh, and William Cookson, Sr. sleep in Unity church-yard, Isaac Reynolds and David W. Pugh, Jr., found a peaceful grave in White county, Indiana. Of Ewing, North, Fulton, living or dead, I know not. I cannot say that those who have left us here and departed to the land of pure delight can see or hear or know what their friends and children are doing. But if they can, these fathers and spiritual guides of old Unity, along with the Great Head of the Church, have seen their posterity, to the second generation, gathering around this sacred altar, heart worshippers of the God of their fathers. It is pleasant to think, at least, these fathers of Unity are to-day rejoicing and singing the Gloria Patria , that " the glory of this latter house shall be 'greater than the former." “The dedication of the new church at Unity was a memorable occasion, and the services of more than usual interest. The annexed account of the dedication and description of the new house of worship is from the New Lexington Tribune: " The dedication of this little rural temple of worship took place last Saturday and Sabbath. On Saturday morning a well-filled house listened to an appropriate preparatory sermon, full of the unction from on high, by Rev. H. Kingsbury, of Newark. The afternoon was given to the Sabbath-school cause. Sabbath was the Pentecostal day. As early as seven o'clock in the morning vehicles were in motion over the hills and along the valleys, having Unity as the objective point. There were there dwellers in Newark, Zanesville, Somerset, New Lexington, Roseville, Uniontown, Bremen, and Rushville. And the whole neighborhood seemed to be poured out, filling the classic grounds of old Unity. The edifice is Gothic in design, thirty by forty-five feet, and to the tip of the spire seventy-five feet. Entrance through the tower at right corner, forming a vestibule ten feet square. The church was elegantly furnished with three Gothic chairs, upholstered in maroon terry, and an elaborately wrought little communion table. The pulpit is of a chaste design, white pine finished in walnut. The carpets, matting; and chandeliers gave the house a cozy. rich, and attractive appearance. The whole cost was twenty-four hundred dollars. The debt was seven hundred and seventy-five dollars, every dollar of which was secured before the services of dedication. Mr. Jacob Sellers, a large-hearted Christian, carried of two hundred dollars' worth of the prize. The young gave nobly. Then, in the presence of that concourse of people, this house was solemnly dedicated to the service sf Almighty God, henceforth separated from all unhallowed, ordinary, and common uses. The officiating clergymen were, Revs. Dr. A. Kingsbury. of Zanesville ; E. H. Heagler, Methodist, of New Lexington ; Z. H. Adams, Methodist, of Uniontown ; Beacham, of the United Brethren Church, Rushville, and A. H. Amrine, of Mount Perry." Some of the earliest settlers in the county were Presbyterians, and, in the pioneer days, members or adherents of Unity church. There was a popular superstition for a long time connected with the old log Unity church. It was a current report that one of the great double doors of the edifice would not remain closed, and it is a fact that, 188 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY: for a long time, it nearly always stood open. It is asserted that sometimes during divine service it would remain closed for a little while, and then mysteriously swing open. All the singular action of this door could, no doubt, have been accounted for, had an investigation of the premises been made by a competent mechanic and builder. Wesley Chapel, a Methodist Episcopal congregation, was organized and a church. built about twenty years since. Stated preaching, and other church services, bave been sustained until the present time. A Catholic log church was built in the eastern part of Clayton township, near the Zanesville road, at an early day, and it was used as a place of public. worship until about 1832 or 1833, when a church was located at Rehoboth, and the old log church was abandoned. Dr. Poujade a Frenchman, who had built a large frame structure, near the south end of Rehoboth, intended for a grist-mill, which he proposed to •run by means of a sort of perpetual, endless pump, an invention of his own, upon realizing that the machine would not work, effected a sale of the premises to the Catholics, and the large frame edifice was converted into a house of worship. It was thus used for. about twenty years, the congregation most of the time being very large. The communities now accommodated by the churches at New Lexington, McLuney, and South Fork, .nearly all worshiped there. At last the .building was removed to a back lot, with a view of erecting a new and commodious brick edifice on the spot where the old frame house stood. This inter tion, for some reason, was eventually abandoned, and the congregation built the McLuney church, just over the line in Harrison. township. The Methodist church at Saltillo was built in 1849. It was composed, to a large extent, of those who had been members of the Mount Horeb church, in Harrison township, which appointment was discontinued after the establishment of the church at Saltillo. The Saltillo church, was, in effect if not in fact, the successor of the Mount Horeb church, though some of the members of the latter probably united with other congregations. The Saltillo church first belonged to the Somerset circuit, and then for a series of years to the Rehoboth circuit.. It is now a part of the Uniontown circuit. The village of Rehoboth was laid out about the year 1813, by John and Eli Gardner. The record is imperfect, and this may not be the exact date ; but, if not, it is very near to it. Rehoboth, like almost all the towns in the woods, grew slowly at first, but it was not long. until it had its store, post-office, tavern, blacksmith and shoe shops. From 1830 to 1842 it was a considerable village, and one of the best business points in the county. During most of these years it had two hotels, two or three stores. school-house, post-office, a physician or two, half a dozen shops, and a large tobacco warehouse. The latter establishment brought more business to the town than everything else together. Soon after 1842 the tobacco trade began to wane, the town for a while barely held its own, and then- rapidly declined for several years. Of late, however, Rehoboth has been regaining lost ground, to some extent, and is again a village of some life and business. It has, at present, a post-office, school-house, one church, one store, one grocery, several shops, and a population of one hundred and sixty-two, in June, 1880. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 189 Saltillo was laid out in 1849, by F.Bradshaw, and is situated on Buckeye Creek. There had been a tavern there for many years before the town was laid out, which had been a general stopping place for travelers and grain-haulers. Saltillo has at present a post office, M. E. church, schoolhouse, store, a number of shops, and a population of 80 in 1880. The Columbus and Eastern railroad is located along the Buckeye Valley, near the village. The name of the post office is Buckeye Cottage, and at present receives its mail twice a week from New Lexington, a distance of seven miles. The population of Clayton township, including villages, at time of last enumeration was 1164. 190 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. CHAPTER XXIV. COAL TOWNSHIP. Coal township was originally a part of Saltlick, and was struck off into a seperate township in 1872. It contains only thirteen sections and borders on Hocking county. The early history of Coal is inseparably connected with that of Saltlick, and the early history of that township necessarily includes that of Coal also, except as hereinafter related. The building of the Straitsville branch of the Hocking Valley railroad, and the establishment of the town of New Straitsville, were the causes which led to the organization of the township of Coal. New Straitsville was laid out in 187o, by the Straitsville Mining Company, and at once began to grow with a rapidity that no other new mining town in this section of the State had equaled. Large coal companies were organized, and the shipping of coal engaged in on a large scale. Coal-works, stores, shops, dwellings, and churches grew up as if by magic. Miners, mechanics, general laborers and business men, gathered from nearly all quarters of the globe. The population of the place increased wonderfully, and in a short time it appeared to be almost a city. It was duly incorporated, and otherwise prepared for permanent growth and lasting habitation. It contains a bank, post office, railroad station, telegraph offices, furnace, and stores, shops, etc.. corresponding with the population and business of the place. It also has a large union school-house of eight rooms, four churches and a number of costly private residences. The population of New Straitsville, according to the census of 188o, was 2782, and now probably exceeds 3000. Straitsville (the old town.) situated about one mile from New Straitsville, was laid out in 1835 by Jacob and Isaac Strait. The village is pleasantly situated on a broad and commanding ridge, overlooking much of the surrounding country. It grew slowly, however and for many years, had simply a postoffice, store or two, tavern, and church, and less than one hundred inhabitants. Though only an unimportant country village, it is historic ground, for there the first three years volunteers in the county rendezvoused and drilled, before they came to New Lexington to take the cars for the seat of war. Straitsville and surrounding country was a favorite recruiting ground. which kept far ahead of its quota, and the dark shadow of a draft never fell upon its homes, though no part of the State, so far as is known, gave a greater percentage of its population to fight for the Nation's life, and the mortal remains of a large number of them sleep in the soil which their valor helped save to Liberty and Union. Truly, these considerations should make the old village of Straitsville historic ground. The old tavern mentioned is gone, but the village now has a good HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 191 schoolhouse of two large rooms, a Baptist church, and post office, which is now called Sheldon. A branch of the Hocking Valley railroad comes up to a mine about a fourth of a mile from the town. Straitsville had, by the census of 1880, a population of 308. The Methodists organized a society, and built what was long known as the "Harbaugh Meeting House," at an early day. It was a regular appointment in the Ohio Conference, and was, for many years, a strong and influential congregation. The Harbaugh church stood in what is now the suburbs of New Straitsville. After the town was laid .out, the congregation decided to build within the town limits, and the old "Meeting House" was abandoned and torn down. The Baptists organized a society, and erected a log church in Old Straitsville, at a very early day. After a few years, the old log church gave place to a new frame building, which is yet in use. The churches in New Straitsville are, of course, all of more recent origin. The Catholic church, which is a large brick structure, was built in 1871. The M. E. church, a frame building of good dimensions, was erected in 1872. The Welsh Baptist and Disciple churches were built in 1880. The society of Primitive Methodists have not yet built, but worship at Odd Fellow's Hall. The Methodist Protestant congregation have no building of their own, but hold regular services at Kohn's Hall. All of these churches have .Sabbath schools connected with them, hools are said to be in a flourishing condition. New Straitsville has a Masonic Lodge, an Odd Fellows' Lodge and a Lodge of the Knights of Labor. The last named has an extraordinary list of members, said to embrace four or five hundred persons. Coal township abounds in iron ore as well as coal. There is a good market for the ore at Bessie Furnace, situated in the suburbs of New Straitsville. The Straitsville coal has a reputation equal to any in the State, and the output is most of the time very large. The statement is made, which is doubtless correct, that New Straitsville ships more coal than any other one point tributary to the Hocking Valley railroad. For a small, inland township, the population of Coal is very cosmopolitan. It consists chiefly of English, Irish, Welsh, Scotch and American born ; with .a considerable sprinkling of other nationalities, including a comparatively small number of persons of African descent. There were, a few years ago, very serious troubles at New Straitsville between the miners and operators, but latterly strikes have been of infrequent occurrence and of short duration. As a general thing, capitalists, operators and miners appear to work together with a fair degree of harmony. New Straitsville is a first-class market for much of the neighboring country in Perry, Hocking and Athens counties ; but, after all that can be done, much of the produce consumed by the people is shipped in from other parts of the country. There is little attention given to agriculture, in the near vicinity of the town. The land is not adapted to such a pursuit, and if it were, it is now nearly all the property of coal companies, and has been thrown out as commons. The population of Coal township in 1880 was, including villages, 3836. 192 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. CHAPTER XXV. HARRISON TOWNSHIP. Harrison township was named in honor of General Wm. H. Harrison, and was organized as a separate political township. in 182o. Previous to that time it was attached to Clayton. The territory comprising it, before the organization of Perry county, belonged to Muskingum. Harrison is not a full township, and contains only twenty-four sections. The territory comprising it lies wholly on the Muskingum slope, and is drained by the waters of the South Fork of Moxahala and tributaries, chief of which are McLuney, Black's Fork, Buckeye, Burley's Run and Wigton's Run. About one-third of the township is extremely hilly, the remainder principally level or gently rolling. The greater part of the soil is fairly productive, and the land is well watered. The landholders are mostly engaged in general farming, stock raising and wool growing. Some of the best sheep in the county are in Harrison township. It is rich in minerals. Coal No. 5 and No. 6 underlie nearly the whole township, except in the low valleys. Coal mining has been extensively carried on, at and near McLuney and Crooksville for several years—at the first named point for quite a long time. The coal has been shipped far and near, stands well in market, and has a good sale. Much of the township is also rich in iron ore, but there has not been much practical development of this mineral. A considerable portion of Harrison has a valuable seam of potter's clay, which has been well tested and worked for a long time. The manufacture of potter's ware is a very considerable industry at various points in the township. There are also seams of fire clay, but these have been but little developed. The first permanent settlement appears to have b806made in Harrison about 1806, several families coming about the same time. It is claimed that James Clark, who owned land on both sides of what is now the county line, came in 1799 or 1800, and built a cabin on the Perry county side, residing there for a number of years before settling on the Muskingum side. Clark, afterward, was a State Senator, Justice of the Peace, and kept a tavern at Roseville, (then called Milford,) at an early day. The Iliffs, Brumages, Burleys, Dusenberries, Roses. Holcombs, Dennis', Hightshoes and Hitchcocks were amng the first settlers. The ' following named persons were living in the township as early as 1816 or 1817: John Iliff, William Iliff, John Dusenberry, John Burley, John Brumage, W. McCaslin, John C. Cox, James Spurgeon, William Combes, Joseph Taylor, Hugh Lennington, Jacob Reed, James Mumford, M. Plummer, William Turner, James Iliff, Nicholas Hitchcock, James Rose, Tubba Taylor, John Hough, Israel Hitchcock, Wm. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 193 H. Herron, Jeremiah Rose, Aaron Dennis, Sen., Aaron Dennis, Jr., John Barcroft, John Melick, John Moore, John Reed, John Rose, Alex- ander Brumage, William Cox, Jacob Holcomb, John Carr, Robert Al- len, George Moore, Robert Moore, Thomas Taylor, Sen. Thomas Taylor, Jr., John Taylor, George Taylor, John Combes, Israel Combes, Stephen Owens, Bennett Woods, Isaac Hitchcock, Jacob Richards, John Hitchcock, George Wolf. The first church in the township was the Iliff church, a log building erected in 1819 or 1820, by the Methodist Episcopal denomination. A. class had been previously organized, which met mostly at the house of Jacob Holcomb, who resided on the sixteenth section. The Iliff church prospered, and about 1852, built a new frame church. Rev T. C. Iliff, a prominent minister of the M. E. Church, is from this place. The next church in the township was built at Roseville, for the use of all denominations of Christians, and was so used for a long time, and until the several sects erected their own houses of worship. The Bible Christians built a brick church at Roseville, on the Perry side of the line, in 1844, which is still in use. A society of the M. E. Church was organized at Reeds, and a church was built in 1846, which is still a regular charge. The Presbyterian Society at Roseville was organized in 1849, at the old house on cemetery hill, which was open to all denominations. The society was organized by a committee appointed by the Presbytery of Pataskala, and continued to worship at the house named, until the erection of their own church in 1859. This building was dedicated free from debt, and a large congregation was present to hear the dedicatory sermon, preached by Rev. Kingsbury of Putnam. Rev. Henry Beeman of New Lexington has been pastor of the church since 1866 ; previous to that date, the pastoral connection had frequently changed, and, at certain periods the pulpit was vacant, except when visited by a clergyman of some neighboring charge. The Methodist Protestants organized a congregation and built a church at Roseville, about twenty years ago, which is still in use, and a regular appointment of the denomination. The Methodist Episcopal denomination erected a church edifice, known as Mount Horeb, in the northern part of Harrison township, about 1832, which was a regular appointment of the church for about twenty-five years. The congregation, in connection with other persons, finally built a church in Saltillo, Clayton township, and the Mount. Horeb charge was discontinued. The Catholics erected a fine brick church edifice near the northern border of Harrison township, in 1851. The principal portion of the congregation had previously worshiped at Rehoboth, in Clayton township. The congregation is a large one,, has a resident pastor and regular services. There is a very numerous Catholic population in the vicinity. A United Brethren Church, near McLuney Station, has been in existence some twenty or thirty years, has a neat, commodious house of worship, and maintains regular church services. McLuney, a village situated in the western part of the township, on the C. & M. V. R. R., was established in 1855, and takes its name - 23 - 194 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. from McLuney Creek. It has a railway station, post office, stores and church. A number of potteries are in the town or near vicinity. There are also mills in the suburbs or near vicinity. The coal mines at this point are extensively worked and coal shipped to distant markets. The mines are principally in seam No. 6, but No. 5 is also mined to some extent. The coal of both seams is a good marketable commodity, though differing somewhat in quality from each other. McLuney had in 1880 a population of sixty-six, though with the suburban inhabitants would doubtless count considerably more. Crooksville, situated two miles east of McLuney, on the C. & M. V. R. R., was established about 1874, and soon became a considerable point for coal mining. It has also several potteries, and a large quantity of potters' ware is manufactured there, most of which is sold in distant markets. The town has a railway station, post office, store, etc. Crooksville does not appear in the census reports as a separate village, but it is justly entitled to recognition as such, and has a population of about one hundred inhabitants. Roseville is situated chiefly on the Muskingum county side, but the railway station, several churches, a number of potteries, and twenty or thirty private dwellings are on the Perry side, in Harrison township. The population of Roseville is about five hundred, of which the census returns ninety-six as in Harrison township, Perry county. Most of the buildings on the Perry side are new, and if Roseville continues to improve, it is' likely to extend still further on the Perry county side. The population of Harrison township, in 188o, including villages, was one thousand five hundred and sixty-two. HISTORY OP PERRY COUNTY - 195 CHAPTER XXVI. HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. Hopewell was originally organized as a political township, about 181o. The source from whence the name was derived, does not appear to be known, but it is worthy of note, that two neighboring townships —one in Licking and the other in Muskingum—bear the same name. A majority of the early settlers were Pennsylvania Germans, who were, in religion, Lutherans, German Reformed and Tunkers or Dunkards. There is a claim that one Ridenour, whose first name has not been obtained, was the first settler of the township, but this is by no means certain, and it now seems to be impossible to determine with any considerable degree of accuracy, who was, in reality, the first permanent settler. It is evident, however, that the Ridenours, Zartmans, Swineharts, Cooperriders, Skinners, Strawns, Helsers, Bowmans and Basores, were among the earlier settlers. The following named per-, sons were residents of the township; as early as 1816 or 1817: Asa Wilson, John Jonas, James Bogle, James Dean, George Stockbarger; Wm. Armstrong, Holmes Bogle, Benjamin Shelley, Daniel Nunnemaker, John Basore, Peter Eversole, Charles Hamisfar, John Helser, Joseph Ferguson, Cornelius Skinner, Henry Warner, David Boyer, Alexander Zartman, George Gordon, Henry Walters, John Strawn, John Helser, William Skinner, Jacob Ridenour, Philip Rousculp, Wm. Dannison, Thomas Tipton, Daniel Parkinson, Jacob Keefover, Wm. King, George Shelley, Sen., James Ramsey, Jacob Fought, Isaac Fickle; Daniel Fickle, John Swinehart, Lewis Wilson, John Cooperrider, Adam Cover, Robert Herron, Henry Zartman, John Daniels, Joseph Wheatcraft, Edward Wheatcraft, Jonathan Franks, Adam Wiseman, George Swinehart, John Ridenour, Isaac Wilson, Martin Ridenour. Andrew Smith, Henry Fought, Isaac Ridenour, Benjamin Overmyer, James Wilson Jacob Mechling, William Bogle, Jeremiah Strawn, Lewis Wilson, John C. Strawn, John Gordon, Thomas Strawn, Bernard Bowman, Robert Chalfant, Thomas Benjamin, John Sturgeon,Thomas Cowen, Christian Darsham, Thomas Kendall, Abisha Danison, Henry Walters, Peter Rison, Jared Danison. Hopewell is a full congressional township, or six miles square, as originally surveyed. It lies in the Muskingum valley, and is watered by the north branch of Moxahala (commonly called Jonathan's Creek,) and tributaries. It is a good township of land, the greater part of it sufficiently rolling to afford good drainage. The principal portion of is in a good state of cultivation and is chiefly devoted to grain, stock raising, and wool growing. Considerable fruit is also grown in certain sections of it. A small portion of it is hilly. Previous to the railroad era, the. greater part of the surplus products 196 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY: was taken in wagons to Newark and Zanesville. Wheat was the principal export. The Newark, Somerset and Straitsville Railroad was built through the township in 1871, and there are now two railway stations in it, Glenford and Chalfants. The projected Columbus and Eastern Railroad is to pass through this township, in a little different direction from the Newark, Somerset and Straitsville, though following the line of this road a part of the way. The township will have good facilities for marketing all surplus products of every description. There is considerable good limestone rock in Hopewell ; also an abundance of valuable glass rock, which has been quarried and shipped to distant places, and used in the manufacture of glass more than sufficient to prove its quality and value. There is some talk of a glass manufactory at or near Glenford. One of the most important local features of Hopewell, is what is generally known as the "Old Fort," situated not far from Glenford. It is, in fact, quite a curiosity, and to all persons interested in such matters, well worth going to see. The Fort was, formerly, a popular resort for pic-nic parties from neighboring villages. It has also been visited by antiquarians and other investigators, and some account of it has found its way into newspapers and books. John H. Shearer, now editor and publisher of the Marysville (Ohio) Tribune, when editor of the Somerset Post, in this county, visited and inspected the famous spot, and with care and particularity made out a full description, which is hereto appended : "Here, within two and one-half miles square, are many wonderful works of art, the relics of a race of beings who have long ago disappeared from the earth, and who have left no other monuments behind them to tell who they were or where they existed. These ancient works consisted principally of circular, semi—circular and oblong Forts and trenches, singularly joined together, for what purpose God only knows ; they are mathematically laid out, and may have served those who built them either as a defence against hostile neighbors, or as a means of recreation. They are 'singular enough indeed and cannot fail to fill the mind of the beholder with deep interest in regard to the nations who have left behind them these monuments of their existence. “Then there is the 'Stone Fort,' two miles south of the above mentioned Earthen Fort, which has been the wonder and admiration of mankind over all other ancient fortifications. It is situated on a very high eminence, perhaps the highest in Hopewell township. The ascent to it on either side is fully a fourth of a mile, if not more, and very abrupt and rocky. On the top of this hill there is a level plain, of about twenty-five acres, of as beautiful land as can be found any where in the township. On the outer edge of this plain, and where the land begins to descend, there is a long wall of stone averaging in size from a brickbat to a large bucket. "At one period, judging from the quantity of stone, this wall must have been eight or ten feet high, sufficient to debar a foe frem entering. The walls, however, are demolished, the stones thrown down and scattered, and many of them have been hauled away we learn for various purposes. But still there- are enough there yet to show that the work has been one of much labor. 197 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. "The entrance to the fort, which is on the southeastern side, is cut through a solid sand rock, the distance of one hundred feet or more, and ascends up into the Fort nearly in an angle with the hill. It is about eight feet wide and perhaps fifteen feet deep. The mouth of this lane or entrance is nearly covered by a large rock, which appears to have been detached from the main ledge by some convulsion of nature and removed some thirty feet to its present bed. A few rods west of this entrance there is another entrance of about the same dimensions, and no doubt used for the same purpose. "On the extreme southeastern side of the Fort, where it runs to an obtuse angle, there is a door or opening, which leads off some fifty yards and connects with a small Earthen Fort. This latter Fort, which contains about half an acre, has been thrown up from the earth within, as the trenches are yet very visible, being at least three feet deep, notwithstanding the leaves, vegetation, etc., have been accumulating over them a thousand years, and perhaps much longer. We noticed a number of very large trees growing upon the walls of the 'Stone Fort,' and on the embankments of the 'Earthen Fort,' that were very old. We noticed one old red oak, in particular, could it speak it no doubt could tell a history of six or seven hundred year, and yet these works were constructed prior to the growing of this tree, and it may be, that generation of trees have grown and fallen over those walls, before this dates its existence. Since these works have been constructed, the summit of this hill has evidently been fearfully convulsed by some natural power. "In numerous places, large masses of rock, bearing portions of the wall, have been detached from the main rock, and removed fifty feet from their ancient positions. The lanes or entrances into the Fort have no doubt been caused by the same power. The numerous breaks and fissures in those otherwise solid rocks, are evidence enough of this fact. "The rock, or a very large portion of it, is conglomerate, a mixture of the white pebble and sand, and we picked up several specimens of marine conglomerate, or stone formed from shells, such as are usually found to compose the body of our black limestone. "About the middle of the 'Stone Fort,' there is a huge mound of rocks of the same size of those in the wall, and covering nearly the fourth of an acre of land. Its height is about thirty feet, though it is not as high as it anciently was. Man prompted by curiosity, has displaced the stone and disfigured the pile. expecting perhaps to find some hidden treasure deposited there. "What purpose this massive pile answered in the economy of its founders, we could not even conjecture. Our fancy led us to suppose that it might have answered as a kind of 'King's Bench,' upon which the monarch of that ancient race occasionally ascended (if they had a monarch) and in the dignity of his power proclaimed to his subjects : ‘ I am King of this people !' We were equally at a loss to conjecture for what purpose the small Earthen Fort, which connects with the large one, could have been used, unless it answered as a kind of side pocket to store away provisions in. It does not look as though anything of particular utility had been connected with it, though we confess we are not a very good judge. But there the works are, the wonder and 198 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY admiration of mankind, of the eventful history of whose builders, not even a sentence is known beyond the diversity of the merest conjecture. "Then added to these interesting relics, a half a mile or so south are the Great Artificial Mound, the Pools, the Standing Rocks and many other objects of a deeply interesting character, where a party can spend a whole day with pleasure and profit. "Upon the whole, these regions are fraught with peculiar interest, especially to the antiquarian, and to those who love to look upon the luxuriant, wild, and romantic scenery of Nature." Hopewell Baptist congregation was organized at a very early day—probably as early as 1812—but a church edifice was not erected until a few years later, and was built in the southwestern part of Hopewell township, on the road leading from Zanesville to Lancaster—originally Zane's Trace. Several of the original members of the church emigrated from Somerset county, Pennsylvania ; among them, Thomas King, who subsequently became the first Representative of Perry county, and was afterwards an Associate Judge. Mr. King was an intelligent man, of sound judgment, and was frequently called upon to arbitrate difficulties between neighbors, and was a veritable " peace-maker." He had no children of his own, but he and his wife raised a large family, nevertheless, and did a father's and mother's part by all of them. A strict Baptist, he was not only tolerant but liberal in all matters pertaining to religion and the general diffusion of knowledge. On one occasion he was speaking in favor of granting the use of Hopewell Church for a general Sabbath-school, and his remarks were making an impression, when another old brother became somewhat excited and cried out " Jezebel." The Hopewell Church was the mother Baptist Church of the county, and nearly all the Baptist preachers of this part of the State preached there at one time or another. The society was a very strong one for forty years or more, but of later years accessions have not been equal to the deaths and removals, and the society has diminished in numbers. The Baptist farmers were well to do and liberal, and the Muskingum Baptist Association was frequently held with the Hopewell congregation, and all visitors entertained free of charge. The cemetery, adjacent to the Hopewell Church, is one of the oldest in the county—probably older than any at Somerset. What is known as Shelley's, or Good Hope Lutheran Church. was organized and built in 1818, though there had been preaching at private houses several years previous to that date. The names of Rev. Jacob Leist, Rev. Jacob Foster, and Rev. Andrew Henkel. are given as among the early preachers. Rev. Foster came to this part of the country about 18o5, and died about 1815. Rev. Andrew Henkel, one of the pioneer pillars of the Lutheran Church in Ohio, came to what is now Perry county about 1812, haying been ordained to the ministry at New Market, Virginia, a little prior to this date. Rev. Jacob Leist remained a few years and then removed to another county. All the original members of this church are probably dead. The names of Jonathan Franks, John Cooperrider, George Shelley, George Deffenbaugh, and John Cochranbaugh, are given as among the first members. Rev. Jacob Leist preached in private houses prior to the coming of Rev. Andrew Henkel. Among these houses were those of Lewis and John Cooperrider. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 199 St. Paul's Lutheran Church, popularly known as Smith's Church, was also organized in 1818, under the ministration of Rev. Andrew Henkel. The following names are given as among the early members : Paul Bean, Peter Hetrick, William Mechling, John Swinehart, Martin Ridenour, Philip Rousculp, Isaac Ridenour, John Ridenour, Alexander Zartman, Jacob Mechling, Godfrey Weimer, Lewis Ridenhour, Frederick Mechling. The church edifice was built in common by the Lutheran and Reform churches, and is occupied by both denominations. The Reform congregation, which uses the St. Paul Church edifice jointly with the Lutherans, was also organized in 1818, or about that time. The compiler is indebted to Isaac Zartman for the following list of names among the organizers and pioneers of this church : Andrew Smith, John Basore, John Vocht, Jacob Vocht, Alexander Vocht, John Daniel, Henry Basore, and the wives of all or nearly all of these persons. This has been an active, living church from the time of its organization. The land on which the church stands, consisting of four acres, was donated to the church, or churches, for school, cemetery and church purposes, by Jacob Mechling, in those days considered a wealthy citizen, who came at an early day and secured homes for each of a large family of children, was the pioneer Justice of the Peace, a liberal supporter of religion, and a worthy exemplar of virtue, frugality and thrift. One-half acre was added by Andrew Smith, of the Reform Church. There is a thriving Methodist Episcopal congregation in Hopewell, commonly known as the Chalfant Church, a sketch of which is given in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Somerset, with which charge it is connected. The robbery of Emanuel Bear, of this township, in June, 1874, and the apprehension, trial and final conviction of the robbers, constitutes an interesting chapter in the criminal annals of the county. Mr. Bear was a well to do farmer, about sixty years of age, and at the time,himself, daughter, an aged lady, and a Miss Rousculp, were sleeping in the farm house, which he owned and made his residence. Three men wearing masks, entered the house in the night, struck a light, covered Mr. Bear with their revolvers, and demanded to know where he kept his money. He declined to tell, but the daughter was frightened into disclosing its whereabouts. One of the robbers began to look for the money, while the others attended to Mr. Bear, threatening him with instant death if he attempted to arise from the bed. The money—about $600 —was found and appropriated, together with a watch and a few other articles. Before leaving, the robbers threw something into Mr. Bear's eyes, which for awhile blinded and almost crazed him, and prevented any alarm or pursuit until his assailants had made good their escape. One Blackburn, a notorious desperado, who was suspected of having been connected with the robbery, was arrested in Dresden, where he resided, and imprisoned in the calaboose`; but he watched his .chance, shot and wounded the marshal, and made his escape. Blackburn subsequently wrote to some one, that Isaac and James Linton, of Dresden, Muskingum county, Ohio, and another fellow" were the guilty persons. The two Lintons were then arrested, brought to New Lexington, had a preliminary trial and were committed to jail to await the action of