250 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. found John Fowler in the tree, pale, anxious and well nigh exhausted. He could not descend from the tree without assistance, and, when placed upon the ground, could not stand. He soon rallied, however, "turned round" right once more, and was himself again, except that he was very weak and hungry. Fowler was not a man to scare at trifles, but it was the sickening, despairing "turn round" that overcame him. The scene of Fowler's "lost" experience was up near the tunnel, on the C. and M. V. railroad, though he supposed that he had wandered much farther from home. Jacob Barnd and wife emigrated from Cumberland, Maryland, to New Lexington, Ohio, in 1817, and bought an unfinished house from Ezekiel Cheney, situated at the east corner of the public square. Benjamin Coddington and family had emigrated from the same part of Maryland, a year or two before, and lived where Isaac Vansickle now resides. The Coddingtons and Barnds had been acquaintances in Maryland, and, in a few months after the Barnds came out, Mrs. Coddington made a turkey roast, and invited the Barnds out to dinner. It was a forthwith invitation, and Hannah Coddington, a girl about fourteen years old, was entrusted with the important mission. Mr. Barnd, for some reason could not go, but Mrs. Barnd prepared at once to accept and return with Hannah Coddington. They soon started off along the narrow path, through the dense woods. They got over in the neighborhood of Rehoboth, and turned back to try another path, but soon found themselves at New Lexington. Miss Hannah thought she knew the way now well enough, and off the two started again. They had not proceeded far until they heard the sound of a woodman's ax, and when they came up to him, they found it was John Fowler. He accompanied the ladies to a spot near where S. S. Avery now lives, and put them on the Coddington path. They reached the place in safety, and though the turkey had been waiting for some hours, their appetites were all the keener, and the dinner was good and much enjoyed, and old Maryland and Pennsylvania matters fully talked over. There was a crossing of paths a little east of New Lexington, and there is where the lady pe- destrians were turned out of their way. Tradition has it that an Indian was killed in this township, sometime after the county was settled by the whites, and after New Lexington was laid out. This Indian is represented as a not very agreeable person, though he probably did no one any serious injury. He remained about New Lexington for awhile, and started off to the southeast. It was alleged that he was followed by men, who had suffered much by Indians in Pennsylvania or Virginia, and had sworn vengeance against the race, and killed, and his remains buried at a point not far from the Brier Ridge tunnel, on the Ohio Central railroad. If the bones of the lone Indian should, in any way, be unearthed, at some future time, this tradition of his death will serve to explain what might otherwise be considered a great mystery. The population of Pike township, by the census of 1880, was 3059, and has been steadily increasing since that time. "AUNT PEGGY WRIGHT."—Margaret Wright,wife of Thos. Wright, was one of the first pioneer women of Pike township, was a representa- HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 251 tive woman, and the last of all of them to pass from time to eternity. She died in 1881, at the age of 92. On her ninetieth birthday she was hearty and lively, and there was a great surprise gathering at her residence, two miles east of New Lexington. A representative of the Perry County Democrat, who was an invited guest and present, gave the following interesting account of the rare and memorable occasion : "Mrs. Wright had been informed that some of her neighbors and descendants would call upon her that day, but she was kept in ignorance of the magnitude of the affair, until it gradually developed to her vision. Children, grand-children and neighbors began to gather early, and, a little after nine o'clock, carriages and buggies began to roll in from a distance. Descendants and other relatives from Clayton, Madison, Reading and Hopewell townships came across by the Rehoboth road ; and the numerous guests from .New Lexington came pouring out the Deavertown road. The barn-yard and public road were crammed with horses and vehicles, and the large house was full up stairs and down with the assembled guests. Half a dozen good coal fires were booming, and the stairway leading from the first to the second floor was frequently blocked by persons eager to go up or down. The New Lexington Cornet Band appeared on the scene about eleven o'clock, and regaled the assembly with several of their choicest airs. " Dinner was announced a little after twelve, and continued until after three. Tables were spread in the dining room and on the two back porches. They were literally crowded with everything good to eat,and the display of large fine cakes could not easily be excelled. Even the good old crullers and 'tanglebreeches' were not absent. One of Aunt Peggy's great-grand-children, (about thirty years of age,) after eating a bunch of the 'tangles' nearly as large as his head, remarked that they tasted very good, but were 'thin diet for a laboring man.' It was a little cool on the porch, of course, but the jokes and hot coffee flew thick and fast, and the dining was well done. Every once in awhile, all the afternoon, ladies were running around trying to find somebody who had not eaten. The day was given to hand shaking and general conversation, and the time was well occupied. Several attempts were made to count the number of persons present, but they failed of complete success. Those who tried it could count until they reached about two hundred and seventy-five ; but the remainder jumped around and ran up and down the stairs so they could not be numbered. It is safe to say there were three hundred present. " Aunt Peggy was, apparently, about the least surprised of anybody. She was highly pleased, but was as calm and collected as though none but the members of her own immediate family were in the house. She was in the best of health, and got up and dressed herself before seven o'clock. When told by . some of the friends that they feared such a large crowd might make her nervous, she promptly replied, 'don't be the least alarmed ; I am not one of the nervous kind ;' and it cannot be denied that she understood herself perfectly. She received many of her friends standing, and seemed not at all fatigued in doing so. She knew almost everybody that she had ever seen, and readily recognized some persons that she had not met for nearly thirty years. She resides with her son Jackson, at the old family homestead, in a large two story frame house, erected about thirty-five years since; 252 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. "Dr. Vanatta and family, and daughter Clara and family, from Uniontown, Muskingum county, were present. Mrs. Vanatta, the oldest daughter of the late William Williams, of Madison township, Perry county—looking almost as young and well as when she came to New Lexington a bride twenty-five years ago—played the exceedingly interesting part of grandchild and grandmother, in the same act. The Democrat representative knew enough about the world to realize that he was looking upon a very rare scene, as Mrs. Vanatta sat beside her aged grandmother, and called her own two little grandchildren to her side. It is seldom, indeed, that five generations are gathered, at the same time, under one roof, as on this memorable day. Sketch of Aunt Peggy.—Margaret Ankeny, who, for fifty years or more, has been known in all this neighborhood as Aunt Peggy Wright, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, December 13th, 1789. Her father's name was David Ankeny ; her mother's maiden name was Elsie Ritter. Margaret Ankeny was married to Thomas Wright, December 25th, 1809. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wright lived in Pennsylvania seven years, and until they had three children. They then pulled up stakes at the old home, and removed to what was then Muskingum, but what is now Perry county, Ohio. They moved family and goods in a four–horse wagon, and were three weeks on the way. It rained every day of their journey but three; they ate their meals and slept in the wagon. They crossed the uskingum river at Zanesville on a flat boat. They halted in Putnam and got breakfast. There was only one house in Putnam. Mr: Wright rented a farm in Madison. township. The farm was on the State road, near where David Ream now lives. They arrived there in April, 1813, raised and saved a crop, and then came to the farm where Aunt Peggy has ever since lived, and which Mr. Wright purchased. She has resided on this spot for sixty-six years. When Mrs. Wright and her husband came to this place, and unloaded their world's goods, neighbors were few and far between, and the almost unbroken forest abounded with many kinds of wild game. Deer, bears, panthers, wolves, wild cats, and other animals had their home and habitation near. There was only one family living on Bear Run ; William Fowler lived near where Moxahala now is ; John Fowler, Samuel McClellan and James Comly lived where New Lexington now is, and there were two or three houses close to where Rehoboth now is. Rehoboth and New Lexington were not laid out. A bear once came and took a fat hog out of the pen near Mrs. Wright's house, killed it and hid it in the leaves. The bear returned in a few days and got another hog from a man by the name of W. Lashley, who lived where W. Hammond now lives. The neighbors were aroused and all gathered in with guns 'and dogs. Uncle Thomas Wright had two bullets in his gun, and as the bear raised up from the dogs, he fired and killed it. They hung it in Lashley's house, raised the puncheons of the floor, and skinned and cleaned it in there, and then divided the meat. When Jeremiah, one of Mrs. Wright's older children, was a, small boy, he was sent to a neighbor's, beyond Rehoboth, to get a cheese hoop repaired. On his return, when he got to where Nugent's coal switch is, and only about a quarter of a mile from HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 253 home, he espied two cub bears, and, boy like, tried to catch them, when the old bear raised up behind a log, and put its front feet upon it.--Jerry made tracks fast enough toward home,and raised the alarm. Several men gathered with guns and dogs, and run the bear down on the creek close to where Ira Carroll now lives. There the bear climbed a tree. The bear was shot and tumbled to the ground. Ever since then the creek near where the bear was killed has been called Bear Run. "Aunt Peggy has been the mother of eleven children, and raised ten of them. She has eighty grandchildren and about seventy-five great-grandchildren. She has also five descendants of the fourth generation. Seven of her children are yet liviug, to-wit : Jackson Wright, Calvin Wright and Julia Selby, wife of Thomas Selby, of the vicinity of New Lexington ; Mrs. Mary Williams, widow of the late William Williams, of Madison township, Perry county ; David Wright and Charlotte Yost, of Missouri ; and James Wright and Susan Carroll, wife of Benjamin Carroll, of this place. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are inter-married with the families of Williams, Selby, McClung, Wilson, Carroll, Groves, Yost, Ream, Vanatta, Arnold, Teal, Moeller, Snider, Hull, Colborn, Bright, Snell, Eversole, Zeigler, Guy, Barnes, Koons, Hammond, and fully as many more, not known or not now remembered by the writer. So it will be readily observed, that a reunion of Aunt Peggy's descendants could be no small affair. " She united with the New Lexington Baptist Church in 1823, and was baptized in Comly's mill dam, close to where H. N. Free's new store house is. Rev. James Skinner was the pastor of the church at that time, and administered the ordinance of Baptism. She attended meeting at the residence of the late Samuel Rush, one mile southwest of town, where Mr. Nixon now lives, and carried her baby, a distance of three miles from home. She said she would rather walk than bother with a horse. "Aunt Peggy is accustomed to say that those early pioneer days were the happiest of her life, when she had plenty of work to do, and the will and the strength to do it. She used to milk twelve or fifteen cows, and made plenty of butter and cheese. She was a liberal feeder of her stock, and she says that her calves didn't go around with tails like chestnut burs.' She pitched wheat and taught her husband how to build the first wheat stack he ever made. She had learned that at home when a girl. She would take her child to the field and lay it on a bunch of flax, while she was engaged in pulling and saving the crop. For several years she did all the sheep shearing. On one occasion she got breakfast, did up her work, clipped nineteen sheep in the forenoon, and went to the house in time to get dinner for the men. “Thomas Wright, the husband of Aunt Peggy, died July 5th, 1864, after which she kept house about one year, and then got her son Jackson to move into the house with her. "Rushs, Coddingtons, Hulls, Skinners, Thralls, and a number of other families came to the neighborhood soon after the Wrights moved down from Madison township. Mrs. Wright has one brother yet living. His name is David Ankney, and he resides on the old home place in Pennsylvania. Aunt Peggy thinks that she is stouter than any of her daughters or granddaughters yet. She never had any trouble with her 254 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, neighbors, but always lived a life of peace, neighborship and good will. She says she always made it a point never to fuss with the old man.' When things did not go to suit her, she just shut her eyes like an ox and went straight ahead.' It is seventy years this month since Aunt Peggy was a bride, and she lived with her husband nearly fifty-six years, though he has now been nearly sixteen years gone to his eternal rest." " GRANDMOTHER BARND." Next to " Aunt Peggy Wright,' " Grandmother Barnd" was the last of the pioneer women of Pike township to depart this life. She was another representative woman, and one who is widely remembered. She died in 1880, at the age of eighty-six. The following interesting facts are gleaned from an obituary sketch published in the Perry County Democrat: " Julia Ann Eckels was born at Cumberland, Maryland, February 9th, 1794. She was married to Jacob Barnd, December 26th, 1815. They emigrated to New Lexington, Ohio, in 1817. " Their removal from Cumberland to this place was not an easy task, under the circumstances. They brought no wagon, and only one horse. We believe they had two little children at the time, and also brought some light personal and household effects. Mr. Barnd, of course, walked nearly all the way. New Lexington had just been laid out, and a few log houses erected. Mr. Barnd bought an unfinished log house, situated on the corner where the Horahan block now stands. The house had been erected by Ezekiel Chaney, and was purchased from him. Chaney was one of the first men that lived in the town. The writer has often heard Mrs. Barnd describe the place as she rode into town to her new home. The trees had been cut on Main street, and the timber cleared away ; but the brush had been piled flat, all along the street, preparatory to being covered with earth, so as to round up the street. But the brush was not covered for some time. " When Jacob Barnd and wife came to Ohio, Christian Barnd, a brother of Jacob, lived on the farm now owned and occupied by Curtis Rugg, a mile or two northwest of town. Sometime in the summer of 1817, two other brothers came to Ohio, and visited Christian and Jacob. We have heard Mrs. Barnd describe how she wanted them to come, yet dreaded their coming for they had no table, no chairs, and but very little of anything else. A rude table was improvised, and three-legged stools were made. She secured a wild turkey, got some potatoes of a neighbor, and she had a cow, and milk of her own, if we remember right. So the dinner was prepared, and, after all, was good enough for anybody. The brothers were very jolly, as they sat around the rude board, and enjoyed their dinner, the last they ever all ate together. " The log house on the corner was weather-boarded, raised in height, and additions built to it, and it became the famous " Temperance House, by J. Barnd," and as such was very favorably known to travelers and sojourners.' Jacob Barnd was a hatter by trade, and he, for a long time, carried on a shop, but finally abandoned the business. He died in 1856. " Mrs. Barnd united with the. Old school Baptist church, and was baptized by Rev. James Skinner in 1819. At that time no Baptist church had HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 255 been built in this place, and Mrs. Barnd went, once a month, afoot, and carried her baby, to attend church, near where Henry Hazleton now lives, at the mouth of Shawnee run. She would go Saturday and return Sunday aftern0on. She united with the Second Baptist Church thirty odd years ago. She was a regular attendant at church as long as she was able to go anywhere. She lacked but two days of being eighty-six years old at the time of her death. " Grandmother Barnd was one of the last of the pioneer women, who came to the town and neighborhood previous to 1820. She had been tenderly brought up in a town or city, and her people were well-to-do ; but she hesitated not to start out on a lonesome journey into the wilderness, and labor to found and furnish a new home. She did her part nobly, and was highly honored and respected in every station of life. Few persons will be more kindly or generally remembered when they pass off the stage of action." 256 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. CHAPTER XXXII. PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. Pleasant township was organized in 1850, from nine sections taken from Bearfield, three sections from Monroe, three sections from Pike, and one section from Saltlick township, and contains sixteen sections. It is in the southeastern portion of Perry county, Ohio, bounded on the north by Bearfield and Pike, on the south by Monroe and Saltlick, on the east by Bearfield and Monroe, and on the west by Pike and Saltlick township. In size it is a fractional township, and next to the smallest in the county. Coal township being two sections smaller. The surface is quite undulating, the valleys being narrow, and the hills in some portions are quite steep, but none reach a great height. Very nearly all the land is arable and produces well. The township is well watered by small spring streams, nearly all of which rise within its borders, the largest being a branch of Jonathan's creek, which cuts a complete triangle from the northwest corner, by heading at or near the central western border and flows east and northeast, passing out a little east of the nothe stream is small, on account of its narrows-sa22.4../aramntofits_narrow valley it at times considerably overflows its banks, and in 1882 completely flooded Moxahala. The streams flow from the northern part of the township, into the Muskingum river, while those of the southern half flow into the Hock- ing river. The dividing ridge passes just south of Moxahala over the tunnel, and eastward in a zigzag line upon which Oakfield and Porterville are situated. The township is rich in mineral products, being underlaid with what is commonly known as the four feet vein of coal. Iron ore is tound in many places in good paying quantities, and south of Moxahala a vein has been used from, that is seven feet in thickness. This is known as the pot ore. Black band is more frequent but has been worked less than the pot ore. Black band usually appears at from eight inches to eighteen inches thick, and yields about forty per cent iron. Pot ore generally yields about fortyfive or fifty per cent iron. Pot ore is so uncertain in its amount in one place, that it is seldom worked with profit, and with little dependence. Black band lies in strata and is worked with dependence and success. The coal now being mined is of a superior quality, and all obtained from drifts. South of Moxahala, if the coal is mined it must be by shafts, one or two of which are being sunk at thig time, 1882. There is one small shipping bank at North Ferrara. The health of the township is extremely good, and upon account of the undulations of its surface, they never suffer from miasmatic influence. The hills are indeed picturesque, and are to the student an open book of nature, from which the geological formations may be studied without even the aid of a book or teacher. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 257 It is a splendid stock farming country—especially adapted to sheep raising. Upon account of its mineral, the land is reckoned valuable, and they who now own it laugh at the man who claims his fine valley farm is worth more money than these hilly ones, although previous to the development of this mineral wealth, it was freely acknowledged that one acre of bottom land was worth three acres owned in these hills. Thus we see, that nature's storehouse unlocks her doors slowly, but surely to supply the wants of her offspring. William Fowler was perhaps the first settler, who entered land in section thirty, then of Bearfield township, in about 1814 ; and at that time there was but one house between his premises and New Lexington, a distance of seven miles. Soon after him came the Biddisons, and just after the Biddisons the Montgomerys. Other early settlers were Reuben Tharp and his sons, Job and Wallace Tharp, Lloyd Whipps, John Whipps, Thomas Avers, John S. Kelley, and others. A list of voters and tax-payers will he found in Bearfield township, which will give all the other early settlers of the township, as they were settlers as early as 1818. They were most likely from the eastern states ; at least the majority of them. Fowler came from Maryland, upon horseback, and after entering his land, built upon it a log cabin ; where he kept bachelor's hall for some time before he was married ; perhaps a year or so. In those days the privations were much to endure, and it required a determined mind as well as muscular force to withstand the hardships. The day of pack-saddles and wooden mould-boards were in the height of their glory. Going to mill then meant a horesback ride, a .distance of twenty to twentyfiye miles ; a two days trip to Zanesville and return via cow paths. The grist was fixed upon one horse that wore a pack-saddle ; this horse was led, while another one was rode. Corn and buckwheat were the principal products at that time. Some wheat was raised, and also some tobacco. All produce was cheap ; wheat was worth twentyfive cents a bushel, corn fifteen cents per bushel, and was usually exchanged for goods or any thing the farmer needed. Tea and coffee were scarce articles and high priced. Buckskin breeches and moccasins were the usual dress goods for mens' wear, while the women wore linen and linsey of their own manufacture. House raisings and log rollings were frequent. The flesh of the wild beasts of the forest furnished the pots, while their skins clothed the backs of the hardy, rugged frontiersmen. The pioneer was reliable as a friend, and kind as a neighbor. The land was generally taken up by entry at $1.25 per acre. The first water and horse mill was built about two miles below where Moxahala now stands, and on the south fork of Jonathan's creek, in about 1817, by Franklin Harris, where they ground corn and buckwheat, and also some time afterward arranged for sawing.. It went into the hands of Thomas and Robert Porter, who owned it until it fell down, killing a boy by its falling. It has not done any grinding since about 1842. One of the Biddisons built a saw-mill where Moxahala now stands, which run 0nly about ten years and went down. It was built about 1842. On the Fowler farm, Joseph and Henry Fowler built a sawmill about 1847, which was used until about 1867. West of Moxahala, - 27 - 258 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. William Biddison, Jr., built a saw-mill about 1842, which was kept in use until 188o, when it was finally abandoned. There is now no mill in Pleasant township, that is in use. Portable mills have done their sawing, for some years past. CHURCHES.—The oldest church of this township was the Old School Baptist Church, and it appears to have been the pioneer religious society. Although it was the oldest, it seems to have been one of weakness. Being the oldest, it probably was organized about from 1814 to 1820. At first they held services in dwelling houses, but at some date afterward, built a church house where Oakfield now stands, in which they worshiped until some three or four -years ago they disbanded. The only persons now living who were members of this church are Mrs. Eliza Hall, Mrs. Juliet Hartzell, and Mrs. Marjory Conaway. The old church house is still standing, in a dilapidated condition, and the cemetery is still kept up. The Methodist Episcopal Church was the second oldest church in this community, and it would likely be correct to say it was a pioneer religious body. The class worshiped at different places in the community previous to the building of a church. They once had a church edifice in Oakfield, but more than twenty-two years ago they disbanded, and united with other appointments. There is now none of its former members in this community. The New School Baptist Church was organized in about 1849, under the pastorate of Rev. S. D. Alton, with about twenty members ; among whom were Henry Fowler and wife, Mrs. Solomon Cauls, James Spencer, Edward Minchall and wife, Evan P. Young and wife, Mrs. Jamison and others. Jno. B. Holcomb was also a member and Deacon, and yet remains Deacon. Rev. S. D. Alton remained pastor for seven or eight years after the organization, and has been succeeded by Rev. Louis Madden, Rev. John Herbert, Rev. Benjamin Ferguson and a number of others. For about one year past they have had no preaching. This church organized a Sabbath-school about 1873, and it has been kept up during the summer season each year since, and part of the time during summer and winter. There is now about thirty-five in regular attendance. The Baptists bought a church that was formerly owned by the Disciple Church, a small frame building upon the site of their present house, which they supplanted by a much larger one, and the one now occupied by them in Oakfield. The Disciple Church was organized in about from 1848 to 1852, by Revs. Devore and Riley, who came from Sunday Creek to Oakfield for that purpose. At one time they numbered some forty members. This organization lasted only about two or three years, during which time they built a small church house, where the New School Baptists now have a much larger building, having previously bought the site. The Presbyterian Church was organized in about 1860, with about fifteen members, as follows : Benjamin Green and wife, Cyrus Green and wife, Robert Little and wife, Jared Rader and wife, Jane Little, Susan Little, Matilda Little, Jno. Green, George Green and David Brown and wife. Benjamin Green was Deacon. At first they met in HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 259 the Baptist Church, but in the same year of the organization, 1860, they built the present church house owned by them in Oakfield. They now have about sixty members, and Jared Rader is Deacon, and James Brown Elder. Rev. Ferguson was pastor at the time of the organization, who has been succeeded by Rev. Robert Grimes, Rev. Charles Duncan, Rev. William Reed, Rev. Hugh McBride, Rev. Charles Taylor, Rev. Dudley, Rev. Charles Wallace, who is pastor now. Sabbath-school was organized in 1874, by Rev. McBride, and the first few years, met only in the summer season, but for some three years past has been kept up all the year, with an average attendance of from forty-five to fifty. At one time it numbered 150 scholars. St. Pius Catholic Church was organized and the house built in about 1854, under the pastorate of Father Darchoe. Some of the first members were James Sheeran, Owen Slevin, Michael Riley, Jno. Riley,Mr. O'Conner, Edward Meloy, Peter Carroll, James Carroll, Thomas Craddock, S. W. Dillehay, William Bennett, Robert Bennett, William Forquer, Washington Hillis, Edward Hillis and others. There is now about sixty families belonging to this church. Father Heary is now pastor. This church is situated south of Ferrara,near the township line, in Section 24. Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church, which is commonly known as the Whippstown church, is situated in the very extreme northwest corner of Section No. 1, and was organized about 1840, under the pastorate of Rev. McHutchins. In 1842 or 1843, they built a log church house. Previous to this they met in private houses and barns, often in the house of John Madden. The log church stood until 1871, when it was replaced by the present neat frame house, under the pastorate of Rev. Adamson. Some of the first members were Lloyd Whipps, John Whipps, Thomas Ayers, John S. Kelley, John Madden, and Anna Whipps. John S. Kelley seems to have been the leader. After Mc-Hutchins, the pulpit has been supplied by the Ohio Conference. Sabbath-school was 0rganized about thirty years ago, and has been kept up ever since, during summer, and for four or five years past, the year. TOWNS—Oakfield was laid out by Job Tharp, in 1838. The land was entered by Tharp's father, who gave it to his son. The first store Was kept probably by J. P. Reed, who came there from Baltimore, Maryland. James Moore kept after Reed, and both kept where Albert Tharp now lives. Robert Donaldson kept store at one time where Robert Little now lives, and moved to where Jesse Smith now keeps. Smith's store is the only store kept there at this time. Oakfield is very pleasantly situated, in the southern part of Section 29, and upon the dividing ridge of drainage that slopes both north and south. It has about 130 inhabitants at this time. Moxahala was laid out in 1873, by A. S. Biddison, and is situated near the central part of Section 30, and upon the Ohio Central Railroad line. It has a population of about 375, a postoffice, three general merchandise stores, two drug stores, two hotels and a blast furnace, where pig iron is made. North Ferrara is on the line between Pleasant and Pike town- 260 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. ships, and that portion in Pleasant township was laid out by William Wiggins, of Pleasant township. It is a very small village. SCHOOLS.—The first school will be noticed in Bearfield township, from which most of this township was taken. There are now six school districts, all of which have good school-houses, three being brick structures and three frame buildings. The house in Moxahala is two story and employs two teachers. There is enrolled in this township 264 scholars. At the election in the fall of 1882 there were 210 votes cast. The present Justices of the Peace are William Spencer and George Iiams. Thomas Longshore, Charles Carter and Franklin Grimes are Trustees. Thomas Holcomb is Township Clerk. INDUSTRIES.—In the year 1877 the Moxahala Iron Company built what is known as the Moxahala Furnace, and in January I, 1878, it went into blast. It was built here because of the mineral, afforded in this vicinity, to supply it. They use one-half native ore, one-fourth mill cinder and one-fourth lake ore or hematite. They employ about fifty hands, and run, upon an average, about forty-eight tons of iron per day, but have a capacity of about fifty-seven tons per day. There is a potter shop near the town of Moxahala that was built in September of 1880, where they employ ten hands, and make all kinds of stone or earthen ware, obtaining their material about one mile from the pottery. They manufacture about 6,000 gallons per week, and in December, 1882, increased to double that amount. At the Ohio State Fair they took the premium, both on their wares and fire clay and potter's exhibit. The ware is principally shipped into the central and northern parts of this State. Pleasant township has a population of 1053. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 261 CHAPTER XXXIII. READING TOWNSHIP. Reading township was probably authorized a1805,med as early as 1804 or 18o5, but the first record evidence of its organization into a civil township, is early in the year 1807. It derived its name from Reading, Pennsylvania, and was named by Peter Overmyer, who came to the township in 1802. Reading township was. originally a part of Fairfield county, comprised thirty-six sections, and was just six miles square ; but when the new county of Perry was organized, two rows of sections were taken from Richland township and attached to Reading, in order to give the new county the necessary number of square miles, and probably to make the western border of the county a little farther from Overmyertown and Somerset, both of which villages aspired to be the seat of justice for the new county. Reading township is now an oblong, six miles from north to south, and eight miles from ea0f to west. It is, in extent of territory, the empire township of the county, and had no rival in population, until within a few years, in which time Pike, Saltlick, Coal and Monroe have become competitors with it in this respect, and two or three of them now surpass it. Reading is, undoubtedly, one of the most desirable townships of land in Ohio, and long years of cultivation and care make the greater part of it show to the best advantage. About nine-tenths of it lies on the Hocking slope, and the remaining one-tenth on the Muskingum slope. That part of it which is on the Hocking side of the divide, is drained by West Rush Creek and tributaries, and by some of the tributaries of East Rush Creek. So much of the township as lies on the Muskingum side of the divide, is drained by Hood's Run, and a few other small tributaries of the north branch of Jonathan's Creek, or Moxahala. The land on both sides of the dividing ridge is naturally of excellent drainage, and only a very small percentage of stagnant water is ever known within the township limits. Most of the land is undulating, and a part of the southeast region of the township is hilly. The land is about all arable, and most of it is very productive. Coal is found in the southeastern part in great abundance and of excellent quality. There are two or three seams in a part of the coal district, all of a good, merchantable quality. Iron ore is also very abundant in many places in the southe0repart of the township. The ore has been mined and shipped, to a considerable extent, and has been used with success in furnaces at Shawnee, Zanesville, Newark and other points. Some of the first coal mined in the county, was in this coal district, and the first coal miner is said to have been a colored man. The coal of this region found a market in early times at Somerset, Rushville, Lancaster and other points adjacent. Nearly all the cereals are produced in Reading. Stock-raising and 262 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. wool-growing receive much attention. There are also good orchards and vineyards, and the cultivation of many varieties of fruit has been crowned with considerable success. Many of the early settlers of Reading township were Pennsylvania Germans, but large numbers of persons of English descent, from Pennsylvania and others of the older States, came along soon after, and made permanent habitations. The Germans settled principally in the neighborhood of Overmyertown, while the emigrants of English descent located mostly about Somerset, and in the eastern part of the township. There were many exceptions to this, however, and Germans were found near Somerset, and English speaking people in the vicinity of Overmyertown and in the western part of the township. At a little later date, from 1820 to 1830, there was a considerable emigration of people of Irish birth or descent, who settled, for the most part, near Somerset and to the south of it. What now constitutes Reading township, was first permanently settled in 1801, in the western part, and it may be that a few other families settled in other parts of the township in the same year. There are reports of men living in the west part of what is now Reading township, in 1799 or 1800, and it is possible that two or three persons did temporarily live there within those years ; but this could scarcely be called a permanent settlement, and nearly all trace of these adventurers is lost. What became of them appears to be unknown. Peter Overmyer and Peter Whitmer, brothers-in-law, came to Overmyertown in 1802, and some other families soon followed, constituting quite a little colony. Robert Colborn settled one mile east of Somerset, in 1802, and a few other families came to the neighborhood of where Somerset now is, during that and the following year. Frederick Heck appears to have come to the neighborhood of Otterbein in 1802, and George Bowman to West Rush Creek in the same year. Daniel Lidey also came to the neighborhood of Otterbein about this time. Thomas Hammond came in 1802 or 1803, and Fink and Miller, the proprietors of, Somerset, in 1803 or 1804. But there is still an earlier settlement than any of the foregoing. Aaron Binckley, Esq., of Reading township, in response to an inquiry on the subject, writes : "My grandfather's name was Christian Binckley. He came to Ohio in April, 1801, and settled on the farm where I now reside, in section eleven of this (Reading) township. He built a cabin about one hundred yards from where my house is. The land was bought of George Arnold, who entered it a short time before. Christian Binckley came from Washington county, Maryland, near a place called Fankstown. He died in 1832, at the age of ninety-five years." This settlement by Christian Binckley, in the western part of Reading township, is the earliest permanent one made within what is now Perry county, so far as any authentic information can be obtained. The place where Mr. Binckley settled, was originally in Richland township, Fairfield county, but when Perry was organized, two rows of sections were taken from Richland and attached to Reading, the section where Binckley settled being included. It will be noted that Christian Binckley was born in 1737, and he was a middle-aged man at the breaking HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 263 Out of the Revolutionary War. He was sixty-four years old at the time he emigrated to this part of the country, anti must have been one of the oldest men who ever came to this part of the western wilderness to hew out a new home. Aaron Binckley, the great-grand-son who gives the information, must be about fifty years old, and there are few persons of that age in Perry county, the mortal remains of whose great-grand parents are interred therein. Very few persons ever emigrated to what is now Perry county, Ohio, who were born so early as 1737. The following named persons were citizens and voters in Reading township, as early as 1816 or 1817 : Leonard Ream, Jacob Miller, Jacob Mains, Adam Anspach, John Cassell, Jacob Dittoe, George Morris, John Beckwith, Thomas Neal, John Beigler, Jacob Finck, John Hammond, John Finck, Sr., David Beckwith, Thomas Cull, Joseph McNeil, Jesse McGowen, John Collins, Peter Dittoe, George Witmer, Henry Heck, Philip Spohn, Benjamin Anspach, Thomas Hammond, Charles Garey, George Trout, George Kuntz, Tilden Philips, Michael Stoker, Jacob Spohn, Philip Spice, _______ Freeman, Isaac Pence, Daniel Parkinson, Frederick Mains, Sr., Jacob Walker, Joshua Roberts, Samuel Parrott, Samuel Ziegler, Samuel Zartman, Jacob Downhour, Philip Lentz, John Burkhead, Adam Binckley, Jacob Seniff, John Mains, Jacob Overmyer, Daniel Spohn, James Harding, Adam Householder, George Crossen, George Brehm, Jacob Noles, Daniel Lidey, Henry Stults, George Beckwith, John Wagner, Frederick Mains, Jr., Philip Dupler, John Kuntz, John Cochran, Robert Colborn, Lewis Brant, David Pugh, Frederick Kistler. James Patterson, John McCormick, John Teal, Anthony Finck, Jacob Stein, Roswell Mills, Peter Bugh, Sr., George Batson, Peter Whitmer, William Wright, Robert Barnes, William. Keenan, John Beecher, Peter Bugh, Jr. Joseph Bowman, John Little, John Miller, John Overmyer, Henry Gray, John Braddock, John Harris, John Middagh, George Richards, Wesley Allwine, John Ream, George Miller, Thomas Reynolds, Michael Bugh, George Bowman, Robert Skinner, John Yost, John Moyer, John Finck, Jr., Myron Griffith, John Trout, Peter Overmyer, John Bugh, Daniel I3owman, John Wilson, John Murray, George Overmyer, John Stutz, John Green, James Elder, Abraham Yost. As before stated, the first record of Reading township appears in 1807. The official proceedings of the officers for several years subsequent to that date, show in a better way than can otherwise be done, the growth and progress of the township, and also, to a great extent, the characteristics and peculiarities of the times. The following extracts are taken from the official proceedings of the Township Trustees, as recorded by the Township Clerk. The book is now in possession of the present Township Clerk, Mr. A. A. Finck : READING TOWNSHIP, FAIRFIELD COUNTY, O., May 30th, 1807. The Trustees of Reading township met to give the Supervisors their orders for making the roads of said township. March 26th, 1808—Jeremiah Conoway and David Pugh, Trustees of Reading township ; Jacob Dittoe and Peter Overmyer, Grand Jurors ; and Robert Barnes, John Wagner, William Spencer and Henry Sellers, Petit Jurors. 264 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. April 14, 1808—Township Clerk, George Overmyer ; Treasurer, John Hammond ; Trustees, John Wagner, Joseph Fegruson, Thomas Cowen ; Supervisors, Christian Deal, William Babb, Ludwick Ridenour ; Fence Viewers, William Babb, John Finck ; Constables, William Allaway, William Read ; Lister of Tax, David Ridenour ; House Appraiser, Joseph Shafer. May 2, 1808—Overseer of the Poor, John Poorman. March 6, 1809—William Babb, Supervisor of Reading township, indebted to said township, $6. Order to Treasurer to collect above. March 6, 1809 -Robert Barron, due to Reading township, for one stray mare, $35. March 6, 1809—Benjamin Spencer, due to Reading township, for some stray hogs, $10. March 6, 1809—John Binckley, due Reading township, for one stray steer, $15. March 6, 1809—John Wagoner, Joseph Ferguson. Thomos Cowen, Trustees of Reading township Jeremiah Conoway, Frederick Heck, Joseph Bogle, Grand Jurors ; Uriah Hull, John Cassell, Daniel Lidey, Petit Jurors. For April 2, 1809—Officers of Reading township : Joseph Petty, Treasurer ; Daniel Lidey, Robert Colborn, Supervisors ; John Poor-man, George Souslin, Overseers of the Poor ; Jacob Miller, Jacob Dittoe, Fence Viewers ; Joseph Sheffer, Assessor ; Christian Ream, House Appraiser. I do hereby certify that the above is correct. GEORGE W. OVERMYER, Clerk. April 2, 1810—Officers of Reading township elected : Trustees, Jacob Dittoe,•Peter Overmyer, Smith Goodin ; Township Clerk, John Dittoe ; Supervisors, Jacob Miller, John Fink ; Constables, William Reed, John Stiers ; Appraisers of houses, John Parkinson, Benjamin Johnson ; Overseers of the Poor, George Souslin. Ludwig Brand ; Fence Viewers, Jeremiah Conoway, David Hardy. August 6, 1810—George Overmyer came before me, with his certificate from the hands of the County Clerk of Fairfield, that he was qualified a Justice of the township of Reading of said county. October 20, 1810—William Spencer and Smith Goodin came before me, with their certificate from the hands of the Clerk of the county of Fairfield, Ohio, and give bonds for the true performance of Justice of the Peace of Reading township. JOHN DITTOE, Clerk. Met and made settlement between the township and the officers and issued orders on the township Treasurer, John Fink, one order of $6; Jacob Miller, Supervisor of said township, $8 ; Jacob Dittoe, Peter Overmyer, and Smith Goodin, Trustees of the aforesaid township, one order each, and each one contained $3 ; and John Dittoe, Clerk of said township, one order of $4. April 1, 1811—State of Ohio, county' of Fairfield : At an election held for the township of Reading, the following men were elected for township officers, viz. : Trustees, John Vanatta, John Yost, William Spencer ; Township Clerk, John Cassell ; Treasurer. Joseph Petty ; Constable, Jacob Overmyer ; the Trustees appointed the above day : John Collare, Supervisor ; Robert Colborn, Daniel Lidey, Listers ; John HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 265 Parkinson, Benjamin Johnson, Overseers of the Poor ; Daniel Parkinson, Benjamin Stiers, appointed by the Trustees as Fence Viewers. April 8, 1811—Trustees met and laid off the township to Supervisors in districts. April 6, 1812—State of Ohio, county of Fairfield : At an election held for the township of Reading, there were elected for township officers : Clerk, George Ziegler ; Trustees, John Vanatta, Wm. Spencer, and John Yost ; Treasurer, Joseph Petty ; Constables, John Forsythe and Jacob Overmyer ; Lister of Tax, John Parkinson ; Supervisors, Jno. McLain, Jacob Dittoe ; Overseers of the Poor, Peter Overmyer, Jonathan Loveberry ; Fence Viewers, Jacob Miller, George Souslin. The Trustees met the 18th of April, 1812, and laid off the township in districts to supervisors.. At an election held in the county of Fairfield and the State of Ohio, for the purpose of electing township officers for the township of Reading, the following men were elected : Clerk, John Murray ; Trustees, David Beckwith, Christian Deal, Peter Overmyer ; Treasurer, Joseph Petty ; Supervisors, Jacob Dittoe, Jonathan Babbs ; Lister, Daniel Parkinson ; Overseers of the Poor, Peter Overmyer and John Wagner ; Fence Viewers, Jacob Miller and George Souslin ; Appraiser of Property, David Beckwith. April 8, 1813—At a meeting of the Trustees for Reading township, county of Fairfield, Ohio, they divided the districts to each Supervisor. These bounds the following line shall divide, commencing between the 3d and 4th sections, and running straight through the township. DAVID BECKWITH, C. DEAL, PETER OVERMYER, Trustees. JOHN, MURRAY, Clerk. March 7, 1814—$13. Sir, please pay to Jacob Dittoe thirteen dollars, being his account against the township, allowed by us. Order No. 7 PETER OVERMYER, DAVID BECKWITH, Trustees. March 7, 1814—$17. Sir, please pay to Jonathan Babb the sum of seventeen dollars, being his account against this township, as allowed by us. PETER OVERMYER, DAVID BECKWITH, Trustees JOHN MURRAY, Clerk. April 4, 1814—At an election held in Reading township, for the purpose of electing township officers, the following men were elected : Trustees, John Vanatta, Roswell Mills, William Spencer ; Clerk, Jno. Dittoe ; Treasurer, Joseph Petty ; Supervisors, Jonathan Babb, J. Dittoe, and George Trout ; Constables, John Middagh and Tobias Ream ; Listers, Daniel Parkinson and John Mains ; Fence Viewers, George Souslin and Jacob Miller : Overseers of the Poor, Frederick Heck and Crist. Ream. April 16, 1814—The State of Ohio, Fairfield county, s. s., Mr. Roswell Mills, John Vanatta, and William Spencer, Trustees, by virtue of the power vested in us, by law, have laid out the township into three districts : No. beginning at Richland township, from thence east two 266 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. and one-half miles east, north and south through the township ; No. 2, beginning at the east side of No. 1, from thence one mile north and south through the township ; No. 3, beginning at the east side of No. 2, from thence to Hopewell township. No. I to Jacob Dittoe ; No. 2, George Trout ; No. 3, Jonathan Babb, Supervisors. Given under our hands and seal. JOHN VANATTA, WILLIAM SPENCER, ROSWELL MILLS, Trustees JOHN DITTOE, Clerk Orders being issued by the Clerk, in favor of John Hammond, for one dollar, for services rendered as judge of an election on April 16, 1814. No. 14. $1. ROSWELL MILLS, JOHN VANATTA, WILLIAM SPENCER, Trustees JOHN DITTOE, Clerk.. April 16, 1814—No. 15 ; Order being issued by the Clerk on the township Treasurer, in favor of Tobias Ream, for one dollar, for services and mileage in summoning the township officers. ROSWELL MILES, JOHN VANATTA, WILLIAM SPENCER, Trustees JOHN DITTOE, Clerk.. March 6, 1815—At a meeting of the Trustees of Reading township, held at John Fink's, there was made a final settlement with all township officers for the present year : No. 16, George Trout, one year as Supervisor, $3.50 ; No. 17, Jonathan Babb, one year as Supervisor, $ro ; No. r8, Jacob Dittoe, one year as Supervisor, $7 ; No. 19, William Tait, witness at an electton, $1 ; No. 20, John Vanatta, Trustee one year, $4 ; No. 21, Roswell Mills, Trustee one year, $4 ; No. 22, John Dittoe, as Clerk one year, $12 ; No. 23, John Dittoe, as Clerk one year, $3 ; No. 24, Joseph Petty, Treasurer one year, $3. The above is a true record of the settlement of the late year. April 3, 1815—Poll Book of an election held in the township of Reading, Fairfield county, Ohio, at the house of John Fink, in which poll were elected the following township officers : Trustees, John Vanatta, William Spencer, Roswell Mills ; Clerk, John Dittoe ; Constables, John Medaugh, Melshia Gray ; Appraisers, Peter Bugh, David Beckwith : Overseers of the Poor, Joseph Shafer, John Wagner ; Treas- urer, Joseph Petty ; Fence Viewer, Jacob Miller. March 4, 1814—At a meeting of the Trustees of Reading township, orders were issued to the township officers for the present year, as follows : No. 25, John Vanatta. as Supervisor, $1o.00 ; No. 26, Tubba Taylor, as Supervisor, $12.00 ; No. 27, Robert Colborn, as Supervisor, $5.00 ; No. 28, William Spencer, as Trustee, $4.00 ; No. 29, R. Mills, as Trustee, $4.00 ; No. 30, Jos. Petty as Treasurer, $3,00No. 31 John Dittoe as Clerk, $3.00 Trustees JohnVanatta, R. Mills, William Spencer ; Clerk—John bittoe. March 3rd 1816—John ,Dittoe to Reading township, for taking up one stray steer, four dollars ($4.00.) April 1816—An election was held in the township of Reading, HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 267 Fairfield county, Ohio, on the first Monday of April 1816, on which day were the following township officers elected : Trustees, John Vanatta, William Spencer, Peter Bugh ; Clerk, John Dittoe ; Treasurer, Joseph Petty ; Constables, John Guisinger, John Medaugh ; Appraiser, John Cassell ; Lister, David Parkinson ; Overseers of Poor, John Trout, Jacob Theirs ; Fence Viewers, John Yost, Robert Skinner. April 13th 1816—At a meeting of the Trustees of Reading township, John Vanatta, William Spencer, Peter Bugh Sen., Trustees. Orders were issued for binding out poor children. No. 32, order to Joseph Shafer of $2.00 ; No. 33, order to John Wagner of $2.00 ; No. 34, order to Joseph Petty of $1.00 ; No. 35, order to Roswell Mills of $1.00. Trustees—John Vanatta, Peter Bugh, William Spencer. John Dittoe, Clerk. April 1817.—At an election held in the township of Reading, Fairfield county, Ohio, the following township officers were elected on the first Monday of April 1817 : township clerk John Dittoe ; Trustees, John Wagner, Jehu B. Jones, Peter Overmyer. Constables, John Middaugh, David S. Waters ; Supervisors, Samuel Kratzer, David Pugh, John Trout ; Appraiser, Jacob Overmyer ; Lister, John Murray ; Overseers of the poor, John Mains, Aaron Vanatta ; Fence Viewer, Andrew Swinehart. March 4th, 1818—Trustees' office, Reading township. The following orders were issued to township officers. No. 36, Roswell Mills one order for his services for binding one poor child and for clerking, $1.95 ; No. 37, John Middaugh for collecting poor tax $2.00 ; No. 38, David Pugh services as Supervisor $2.72 ; No. 39, John Dittoe services as Clerk $3.50 ; No. 40, John Wagner services as Trustee $2.00 ; No. 41, Jehu B. Jones services as Trustee $3.00 ; No. 42, Peter Overmyer services as Trustee $1.47. Attest : Clerk. August 15, 1818—Trustees' office Reading township. Trustees met ; present, John Wagner, Roswell Mills, Jehu B. Jones. It is ordered that a poor tax and township tax be laid on this township, in one tax for the present year, and that the said tax be six cents on each head of neat cattle over three years old ; twelve and one-half cents on each head of horses, asses or mules, over three years old ; and on town property, one-eighth of one per cent. of the appraised value thereof. David S. Waters is duly appointed collector of the above tax, to pay the above tax into the Treasurer's office on or before the first day of January next. No. 43—Ordered, that David S. Waters be entitled to receive an order for $1.94 for serving township summons on various persons ; No. 44—Ordered, that Roswell Mills receive an order for his services for the year 1818 of $1.65. March 1st, 1818—Trustees' office of Reading township, Perry county—Present, Roswell Mills, John Wagner, Jehu B. Jones. Ordered, that Smith Goodin receive an order for his services as Supervisor for $5.66 ; No, 46, ordered that Daniel Lidey receive an order for his services as Supervisor of Roads for the past year, $6.32 ; No. 47, ordered that John Murray receive an order for his services as township Clerk for the year of 1817 of $2.25 ; No. 48, ordered that John Wagner receive 268 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY an order for his services for the year of 1818, for $3.00 ; No. 49, ordered that Jehu B. Jones receive an order for his services for the year of 1818, $1.00. April 5th, 1818—Ordered, that James Chrisdter receive an order for keeping Miss Shud while sick, $11.00. April 5th, 1819—Poll book of an election held at the house of Mr. John Fink in Reading township, on Monday the 5th day of April, 1819, for the purpose of electing township officers, viz. : Trustees, one Clerk, one Lister, one Appraiser of property, four Supervisors, two Constables, two Overseers of the Poor, two Fence Viewers, one Treasurer. The poll being closed the following officers were declared elected : Trustees, George Trout, Adam Binckley, Daniel Lidey ; Clerk, John Murray ; Supervisors, John Miller, Charles McCormick, John Yost, Mathias Saum ; Constables, David S. Waters, Jacob Hundsooker; Overseers of the poor, Jacob Noles, Leonard. Ream ; Fence Viewers, Jonathan Babb, William P. Darst ; Treasurer, John Dittoe ; Lister, S. Waters ; Appraiser, Jacob Mains. Who were all sworn severally previous to their entering on the duties of their respective offices. April 17th, 1819—Trustees present, George Trout, Daniel Lidey, Adam Binckley. Ordered, that the township be divided as follows, viz. : John Yost to have two sections across the township from north to south, on the east end ; Mathias Saum, two sections from north to south next to the said Yost ; Charles McCormick to have two sections across the township from north to south next to the said Saum's. John Miller that part of Richland now attached to the township of Reading. JOHN MURRAY, Clerk. July 31st, 1819—Trustees' office of Perry county ; Reading township, July the 3 1st.. Present, George Trout, Daniel Lidey, and Adam Binckley ; order that a tax be laid to open and repair roads and highways, which tax is the one fourth of one per cent on lots ; fifteen cents on horses, mules and asses, and five cents on all neat cattle over three years old. March 6th, 1820—Trustees' office, Perry county, Reading township, March 6th. Present, George Trout, Daniel Lidey, Trustees ; and John Murray, Clerk. Ordered, that Charles McCormick receive an order for his services as Supervisor for the sum of $8.00 ; Order 52, that Mathias Saum receive an order for his services as Supervisor of $4.25 ; Order 53, John Miller as Supervisor f0r $5.65 ; Order 54, that George Trout receive an order for his services as Trustee $3.00 ; Order 55, that Daniel Lidey re-receive an order for his services as Trustee for the year of 1819, $3.00; Order 56, order that John Yost receive an order for his services as Supervisor for the year of 1819, $2.90 ; Order 57, order that Adam Binkley receive an order for his services as Trustee for 1820 of $2.25 ; Order 58, order that John Murray receive an order for his services as township Clerk for the year of 1819, $5.431 Here are the first jurors appointed by the Trustees of Reading township, Perry county, Ohio: Grand Jurors—Peter Dittoe, John Murray, J. B. Jones, W. P. Darst, George Bowman, James Elder, Thomas Davis, Aaron Thomas, Joseph HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 269 Shafer, John Clemier, Fred. Heck, Daniel Lidey, John McCormick, George Jackson, Philip Speice, Jacob Darst, Joseph Petty. Petit Jurors—Charles McCormick, Jacob Dittoe, Henry Filler, John Finck, George Bigler, John Mains, Abraham Elder, John Yost, Smith Goodin, Robert Colborn, John Wagner, Sen., Daniel Parkinson, Sen., John Bugh. The foregoing extracts make a clear showing of who were the officers of Reading township from 1807 to 1820, their mode of doing business, and the general expense account of the township. It is enough to say the township officials could not get rich on the salaries in those days. Taxes were light, and there was not very much to tax, compared with the present time. The taxable property of the township, both real and personal, has wonderfully increased since those days, and of course it costs much more to carry on the township government now than it did then. The township, too, in material aspects, is a garden and paradise compared with what it was in those far away times, when the battle with roots, stumps, and brush was yet going on, and the wild animals and half savage Indians were reluctant to give way to the civilization of the white men from the East. TOWNS.—Somerset, first called Middletown, because it was the half way point between Zanesville and Lancaster, was laid out in 1810, by John Fink and Jacob Miller. Fink owned the land and kept a tavern at the east end. Miller owned the land and also kept a tavern at the west end. These taverns were in existence several years before Somerset was laid out, and before there was any village. It was nearly all woods between the two taverns, bears would sometimes prowl, and wolves howl and gnash their teeth, in the woods between these taverns, and elsewhere in the vicinity. There was a noted wild turkey roost near where the Western Square now is, where many a good fat turkey was obtained to grace the tables of the two taverns, as well as other early settler's tables. An aged gentleman, now residing in Noblesville, Indiana, upon being requested to give the appearance of Somerset when it was a small village, replied that his first recollections of the place were before there was any town ; "Only a couple of Dutch Taverns in the woods, situated about half a mile distant from each other." These were the taverns of John Fink and Jacob Miller, for these men were both of German descent, spoke the German language in their families, and many of those who were accustomed to frequent the taverns were also German. It is not known to a certainty who erected the first cabin on a lot of the platted village, but it is probable that several persons built during the same season. The place grew slowly enough at first, for Overmyertown (now New Reading) was a rival, and an older town, and there was, at that time, nothing in the nature of the locality or surroundings, to cause villages to grow with any great rapidity. Edward Danison, now in his eighty-eigth year, a citizen of New Lexington, has a very clear remembrance of Somerset when it contained only five or six houses. Mr. Danison was a youth of seventeen or eighteen years at that time, and lived with his parents in Madison township. He says the little village of Somerset, for several years, is easily described, as it consisted of a couple of 270 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. taverns and a few straggling log houses and cabins, with more or less stumps and brush in the streets. David Beckwith brought on a stock of goods and opened a store. John Skinner built a blacksmith shop, one of the Reams opened a tailor shop, another Ream opened a hatter shop, a man by the name of Trout started a crockery establishment, other shops were set up, and thus the village began its humble career of growth, which continued steadily until about 1844. An old and well known citizen, who knew S0merset well in the times of which he writes, contributed a number of articles to the Somerset Press, which seem to give a better idea of Somerset and surroundings in the early times, than any thing that could be prepared at present, and no apology need be offered for making liberal extracts from them. The writer referred to, over the non de plume "Senex," says : "I will go back a little while to a time that the 'oldest inhabitant' will not be able to reach, except by tradition. The first cabin erected in the village—or rather the territory comprised within the present limits of Somerset, for the town had no existence then—was built by John Fink, who had emigrated from Pennsylvania. It stood on the right hand side of the turnpike, about midway between the school-house and the mill. It was built in 1806, and was built of unhewed logs, and it answered all the purposes of a 'lordly palace' in the lone wilderness, and many were the hospitalities shown by its venerable occupants to the bold adventurers who afterward were seeking homes for themselves and families in the neighborhood. Father Fink's house was a kind of headquarters, not only for those who were locating lands, but as well for those who,on foot and horseback, were working their way further west. (Perry county at this time had no existence, as it was not formed until the first of March, 1818—the territory comprising it being taken from Fairfield, Muskingum and Washington—and was named in honor of the hero of Lake Erie—Commodore 0. H. Perry.) "Mr. Fink entered a half section of land, and he, with Jacob Miller, who settled in the' west end of the village, or where the village, now extends, afterwards laid out a portion of their land into town lots, and the village began to spring up. The first buildings were nearly all log cabins. Afterward a few hewed log buildings, and now and then a small frame were erected. These, for the first few years, were scattered half a dozen rods apart,and the town,of course,had a decidedly 'clapboard' appearance. Afterward many of the hewed log buildings were weather-boarded, and a number 0f them stood the wear and tear of the times until within the recollection of many of your readers. I am not certain but there are a few of the old dwellings still standing, the logs, chinking and mortar being hidden by a cloak of weather-boarding. After the nucleus of the village was laid, and Mr. Fink had his farm partly opened, and began to have things abundant around him, he built the house that has been in use as a school building at the east end of town. This was a large log cabin,and was afterward weather-boarded. Here, let us stop awhile, and make a description of the venerable old mansion, as it looked during the decade between 1820 and 1830. At that time there was no turnpike to deface old landmarks. The road was located near its present site, but it was then on tor, of the HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 271 ground, leaving a large open space between it and the house. The large capacious barn stood on the south side of the road, opposite the house, or a little east of it, if any thing. During these years there was a constant emigration from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other Eastern States, and as Mr. Fink had gone into the hotel business in earnest, in his fine new mansion, he had about all the customers he could provide for In addition to the traveling public, teaming was one of the prominent occupations of those days, as the goods purchased in the East had to be hauled out to the small stores and gr0ceries in the Western country by wagon. Most of the teams following the road, always made it a point, if possible, to reach Fink's Tavern by sundown, even though the poor horses had to expend a little extra muscle to reach there. Many a time have I seen that large yard literally covered over with wagons—some going east, others west, laden with products for the east, or goods for the west. There are few residents in Somerset,who are able to form any idea of the business done at that hotel, or the constant activity going on there in those days. This house was the general headquarters of Somerset for many years, and nearly its whole activity was centered there. The monotonous silence which now lurks in that vicinity, except in school hours is a fair type to represent the death of an individual after an active life." After a rest of a week, "Senex" continues : "I am now,as I promised you last week, proudly walking down Main street. I have all the elasticity and nimbleness of a boy. In short, I am young again. On either side the forests edge up close to the village, and these abound with squirrels and Other game, and a mile or two out I hear the crack of a rifle of the huntsman, who is engaged in furnishing the few dozen of villagers with venison. Perhaps the young reader will say, 'what a simpleton that old fellow must be who is writing such silly stories. Do you suppose such stories ever took place here?' Yes, young reader, it is quite true. Many a saddle of venison was served up at Fink's Tavern, that had been slaughtered just south of St. Joseph's Church, and many a 'saddle' found a cheap market in the very early history of the village that was captured in the very suburbs. How wonderfully times change, and we change with them ! The scenes and circumstances we are called to pass through in young life, as well as the place in which we had our birth and raising, seem to be nothing to us at the time. They become so commonplace as often to disgust us. But let us recede from them half a century, and then for the first time we begin to know their value. Our hearts begin gradually to cling to them. Memory awakens afresh to our innocent childhood days, and what seemed to us so dry and irksome, now begins to form a halo of glory in our very inmost souls, and affords us enjoyment we love to cling to with the tenacity we cling to life itself. But now for that down street march. "The large two-story brick building on the Corner of Main and High streets, west of Fink's Tavern, was quite a business house in its early day. The first newspaper Somerset ever had was printed within its ancient walls. It was used for various offices, and was in the heart of the business portion of the early village. It was anciently known as the Ruch House. The brick, if I mistake not, were laid by Henry Sterner, who has long since gone to his reward. Although it has al- 272 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. ways been represented as being only a nine-inch wall, the masonry has preserved remarkably well, showing that it was a good, honest job. It is one of the oldest standing bricks in the town, and was built with the design of showing the people what could be done in the wilderness, in the way of a magnificent building. It may stand for some years yet, and it is worthy of having its picture taken for preservation. "At the time I write of, half the lots between High street and the Square were in commons and unfenced. The log cabins and small one-story frames were scattered along on each side of the street, and a little beaten path on either side marked the sidewalks. Jonathan Babbs owned and lived in a little, long, one-story frame that stood where stands the C. L. Griner house, now John Huston's. Then came a vacant space ; then there were two two-story log houses, weatherboarded —one on the lot where Mrs. Chilcote lives, and the other on the next lot west of it. The latter building was one of Somerset's first hotels, and was afterward used by Ensor Chilcote for a carpenter shop. On the opposite side, between Dan Mohler's blacksmith shop and the east end of the village, there were, in 1824, only some three or four houses, some of them log. A few years later, Dan Mohler carried on blacksmithing in a shop where the present brick stands, and next lot west of it, his brother-in-law, David Church, followed the same business. About the time that Church quit business, C. Poppe was manufacturing spinning wheels, etc., but the business of manufacturing wearing apparel at home, has been done away with, and with it went Poppe's busi. ness. The few houses between this point and the Square, were mostly one-story frames, used as residences ; but they gave way gradually from year to year for the present buildings. The brick now known as the Russell house, was one of the first permanent structures on this street. At a later day it was purchased by John Humberger, who kept a grocery in the corner room next the alley. He died about the year 1832, and his widow afterward married William D. Harper. The house across the alley, occupied by George Coolman as a residence, and the one west of it, may be termed pioneer buildings ; and I seriously suspect that one of them, or perhaps both, are log houses. The corner room of the Coolman house was, in early days, used for a grocery store by George Sanders. Both those buildings played a prominent part in the trade history of Somerset. The old Johnny Lentz property on the opposite side of the street, afterwards occupied by Ned Keenan, outstrips my years in age. At least it has been in existence as far back as my memory can reach, and it was not a new building then. This was, for a number of years, the real headquarters for dram drinking. Many a disciple of Bacchus took his first lessons in " taking on the whisky appetite " in this building; and many were the persons who have stepped out of the door, next to Ream's bank, fancying themselves " monarchs of all they surveyed," provided, always, they were able to survey anything. A small one-story frame building stood on the corner of the alley where now stands a part of the hotel building, which was used, in my first recollection, by Joel Beckwith as a store-house. It was afterward used by different parties, Beckwith having removed his goods to a new house he built on the corner of the square, where Dr. Skinner has his drug store, and which was burned down a few years ago. One HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 273 of the Darsts, I believe, built the east part of the brick hotel building, or at least lived there awhile, if he did not build it. The large frame between the corner brick and the hotel, was owned by John Murray, where he carried on the hotel business for many years. On the corner lot, on the opposite side, where John Beckwith was engaged, for many years, in the dry goods business, there stood two two-story log houses, weatherboarded, in one of which—the corner one—Beckwith began his mercantile operations. His residence was on the lot next east, and constituted half the brick now standing there. All around the square there sto0d almost a continuous row of one-story frames, which constituted the business houses, and the stock of goods corresponded with the buildings. The Peter Dittoe house, now in possession of Martin Scott. is among the ancient brick relics. Dittoe kept the post office with his dry goods store, in the corner room, for many years. On the corner, on the opposite side, was a one-story frame, and next door west of it was a weatherboarded, two-story log house. It was used for a hotel, and the first landlord I can recollect of doing business there, was Benjamin Eaton. He had two sons—children then—named Ben and Joe ; the latter is dead, and the former is mail agent at Crestline, Ohio, but is growing old and decrepid. A series of small buildings were standing on both sides of the street, west of this hotel, to the Brechbill alley—the only respectable house being old Billy Bea'rd's, and more recently occupied by Dixon Brown as a residence. The old frame, still standing on the alley, on the north side of the street, has a historical record. In the corner room, next the alley, Patterson printed, in 1827-28, the Perry Record, a paper which took the place of the Western World and Political Tickler. On the casing of the front door, if it has not been removed, may be found a hideous ax mark, which was cut by an ax which John B. Orton threw at Bob Henderson, the publisher of the Record, in a quarrel that resulted from the famous Mills and Orton war, that had been in progress in the village for several years prior. " There are a good many of the old buildings still standing in the town, in which more thrilling transactions took place, than the philosophy of your present innocent generation is capable of dreaming. " The old Brechbill Hotel is an ancient building, and has been successively run by more landlords than I care to undertake to enumerate. John Mains, Jacob Brechbill (after he quit teaming on the road), and Abraham Hamisfar, successively run it. Henry Clay, Thomas H. Benton and other celebrities, have dined in this house. On the lot next to this there was a frame house occupied by Everett Richman ; and Caleb Atwater, the antiquarian of Ohio, lived either there or on the lot adjoining. On the opposite side of the street, where the Dan Kelley brick stands, but back from the street a rod or tw0, there was a famous drinking house kept by old John Opp. As we go a little further west, on the left hand side, next to the alley, there is an ancient two-story brick, .now owned by Joseph Walker. This was erected by Jacob Brunner, but was left in an unfinished condition for many years. The next lot west, across the alley, was where Jacob Noles had his blacksmith shop and residence. The residence part is an old building, but the eastern - 28 - 274 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY part is a newer structure, which took the place of the old wooden shop. On the opposite side was the cigar and tobacco factory of George Brun- ner, who carried on this branch of business there for many years. Up till 1826-28, or thereabout, Columbus street, running from the Square north, had a fair representation of small buildings, mostly one-story frames. The only brick on the entire street, was one that stood where the three-story brick, belonging to D. M. Mathews, stands. This was built by Dr. Louis J. Moeller, and was considered a great ornament to the village. About the time this was constructed, the county erected a neat and substantial brick in the place where the jail stands. The old building was an ornament to the town. The uncouth structure that took its place, was, from the beginning, a disgrace, not only to the village, but to the blockheads who drafted it. The old stone house, north of the alley, adjoining Frederick Mains, was built by Mr. Mains in 1813. On the opposite side of the street, on the ground occupied by the old brick building, where Judge Hood for many years kept his dry goods store, there was a long row of frame buildings, usually occupied by tailors, shoemakers and the like. In one of these John L. Williams set up his first shop, after landing in Somerset in 1836. In one of the buildings was situated, in 1829, the printing office at which was then published The People's Advocate. John E. Linn had a tailor shop in a small building on the southwest corner of Columbus and North streets, on the vacant space between the two-story log house, weatherboarded, which constituted his residence, and North street. On the corner lot, on this street, occupied by Mrs. Burns, old Mr. Trout owned a crockery establishment, where he turned out an immense amount of dishes, crocks, etc. The kiln in which this ware was burned and prepared for the market, stood upon the same lot. This was carried on for some years, between 182o and 1828. It may have been in existence at an earlier date. The brick in which Mrs. Burns resides, was built by Henry Trout, not far from the year 1830. A few scattering buildings, mostly of an inferior class, were standing in 1830, farther north, many of which have been supplanted, by other buildings not much superior in size or style. The house that Mrs. Shirley resides in, was owned and built by John Arndt. The next house north, was a small brick owned by Mrs. Nancy Ream, the noted tailoress of her day. For many years she carried on tailoring there, and did a larger business than any tailor in the village. John Orwig owned and lived in the house now occupied by Mt. H. S. Doubleday. The opposite side of the street was all in commons. On an acre or so of the land comprising the lot and adjoining lots, where Joe Reaver lives, there was a large brickyard, carried on by Felix Cull, who made most of the brick used in constructing the earlier brick buildings. The vacuums where the earth was dug from, would fill with water in the winter season and freeze, and here the young men, such as James W. Shirley, R. Z. Cassell, Henry C. Filler, George Beeman, George Goodin, George Brunner, S. H. McAfee, Jonathan W. Ream, Joe Elder, and all of that class of boys, graduated in the art of skating. The only time the writer of this ever had a pair of skates on his feet, was at one of these ponds, in the winter of 1836. Buckling on a pair of skates, one evening, and rising to my feet, I at-