HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 563

CHAPTER XLI.

NEWPORT TOWNSHIP..

Scenery—Blennerhassett's Visit to Mt. Dudley—Fruit-raising--Newell's Run Uplift—Coal Banks—Deserted Derricks—Action of the Court of Quarter Sessions in 798—A Large Township—Gradual Partition—Population, Past and Present—Three Points of Settlement : Upper, Lower, Hills—The Belpre Colony—Later Settlements— Trade on the Ohio—Record of the Floods—Description of Pioneer Schools—Whiskey in the Early Settlements—The Newport Graveyard—Other Burying Places—First Worship in Private Houses— Growth of Churches—Luther Barker, the First Postmaster—A "Corn Cracker" on Little Muskingum in 1800—William Dana's Philanthrophy Builds a Mill—The Only Town—First Houses— Squire Greene's Tavern—Plat of Newport Village Surveyed in 1839—Its Fortunate Location.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

As Newport township has stood since 1840, it is separated from West Virginia on the east and south by the broad belt of the Ohio river; Marietta township is on the

* The writers of the chapters on Newport and Lawrence townships are especially indebted to Dr. J. M. McElhinney, of Newport for valuable information. They have been given free access to his imposing manuscript volumes.

west, and Lawrence and Independence townships are north.

The general contour of the township is that of the right angle triangle. Mathematically consistent with the well known problem, the Ohio valley as the hypothenuse is by far the most valuable of the three bounding tracts.

The general aspect of the surface is hilly, and back of the Ohio strips of level land are rarely found. In general, the slopes are drained by the Ohio and Little Muskingum rivers, the tendency of the watercourses being to the south and southwest, the Ohio ultimately receiving the whole supply.

The watershed temporarily separating the Little Muskingum from the Ohio, crosses the northern boundary of the township in section eighteen, sends out an eastern and a western spur in section seventeen, and continues southwest, leaving the township in section thirty-two. The slopes above the spurs supply on the east the eastern branches of Newell's run, and on the west the stream known as Eight Mile run, while the territory, south of the spurs, is drained on the southeast by numerous branchlets of the Ohio, and on the southwest by Long run, a tributary of the Little Muskingum. The main ridge extends into Lawrence and Independence townships, and the southern drainage of these townships is towards the Ohio. At a point between sections six and thirty-six a southern branch of the main ridge enters the township, and passes through it almost due south to the Ohio. The eastern slope of this secondary ridge is towards Dana's run, and the western slope supplies Newell's run.

The dividing ridge between the Little Muskingum and Ohio is made up of an exceedingly elevated line of vertebrated hills frequently penetrated by the deep and narrow valleys of small streams which are gradually eroding their limiting hills, thus giving these rugged barriers a weird and romantic beauty which cannot fail to be appreciated by the passing traveller. A birds-eye view of the township as thus shaped, gives a grand view of an intricate labyrinth of natural beauty which no art of man could enhance. The whole surface is but a constant continuity of mountainous hills. One of the more prominent of these overlooks the Ohio between the village of Newport and Newell's run. This precipitous height is called Mt. Dudley after Dudley Woodbridge. On a clear day, it is said that the distant city of Marietta is visible from the top of this elevation. When Herman Blennerhassett sought for a suitable site for the proposed palace, he visited this hill in company with Dudley Woodbridge, who was desirous that Mr. Blennerhassett locate on its slope. It is related that while the party was about half way up the ascent, Mr. Blennerhassett becoming fatigued, sent his servant to the top to see if he could see Marietta. The servant reported that the city was not to be seen. Mr. Blennerhassett never ascended Mt. Dudley, and his subsequent purchase of Backus' island ended the prospect of a palace on this the most prominent elevation in Newport township.

Even the careless observer cannot fail to note that the hills a mile back of the Ohio and the village of Newport

564 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO

are bordered by a remarkable depression, which would at once suggest the action of flowing water. Geological researches prove that during the era of high water of the Drift period, the river or a portion of it, flowed through this depression and deposited drift, sand and gravel. It is generally conceded that the land to the south of this depression was once an island. The Ohio now sweeps around this strip of land, making an opposing curve on the south. During the flood of 1832, when the waters of the Ohio were highest, it was noticed that the water line was within three and a half feet of the line of this ancient river bed. The land adjoining this depression on the south is rich with alluvial deposits and is an excellent territory for farming.

The valleys of the Ohio and Little Muskingum mark the course of the most extended areas of level ground. In general these valleys are quite narrow, and they soon lose themselves in surrounding hills, which like walls, hem therm in on either side. Especially is this the case in the Narrows just below Newport village, where the course of the Ohio is straightened and narrowly confined by opposing hills in Ohio and West Virginia.

The more level territory in the township is utilized in the cultivation of corn and considerable tobacco, while the hill land with its drier atmosphere and vigorous clay upland soil is most valuable in the production of wheat and other small grain. The hill tops and slopes are in many places still crowned with their native forests of oak, hickory, and some poplar, while the first and second bottoms were covered principally with a growth of black oak.

Fruit raising is a characteristic feature of the farmer in this township, and the cleared hill tops are planted with large orchards of apple and other fruit trees. The proximity of the Ohio affords ample opportunity to get the fruit to a good market.

In general the eastern slopes of the hill ranges are the most productive areas in the uplands. While there are some tracts that are of little value, there is scarcely any land in the township that the patient industry of practical farmers has not caused to produce at least one mite towards the general prosperity. For many years after the first settlements roads were not numerous and considerable difficulty was experienced in traversing the hilly regions. But for many years the system of roads has been good, and ingress and egress is now comparatively an easy matter.

RESEARCHES AMONG THE ROCKS.*

The western part of the township shows little of interest in its geological structure. The hills are composed largely of shales and sandstones. The most remarkable feature in the geology of the township is what is termed the Newell's run uplift, a continuation of the great West Virginia uplift. The line of this uplift was found to be a line of gas springs, oil springs, and of the few wells at that time obtained. The centre of this uplift on the Newport side is at or very near the mouth of Conley's

The above is from Professor E. B. Andrews' Report in the Ohio Geological Survey.

run, a little above the mouth of Newell's run. In the immediate bank of the Ohio we find by far the lowest rocks, geologically considered, in the county, for the bottom of this uplift is, geologically, about one hundred and sixty-five feet lower than the bottom of the Cow run uplift. The sand rock in which the old Newton well on Cow run found its oil, is here seen in the Ohio river bank. This uplift, toward the north, becomes a broad and flattened arch, and gradually dies away.

At the feet of the rocky hills in the courses of the small streams there are many opportunities for quarrying a fair quality of building stone. But the only quarry that has been extensively worked is located on the Ohio river, a short distance above Newport village. Much of the stone used in the construction of the ice harbor at Marietta in 188o and 1881, was taken from this quarry.

OIL AND COAL.

Says Professor Andrews: "At some points in West Virginia, by a careful study of the 'break,' as it is called, I was enabled to predict, upon the position of the rocks on the surface, where the large oil fissures must almost necessarily be found, and these predictions were abundantly verified. But in Newport the same 'break' or uplift so flattens and fades away that it has been found impossible to make similar predictions, and yet there is but little doubt that there are beneath the surface large quantities of oil."

Wells have been bored in the centre and on either slope, and, although some of them were sunk very deep, no large reservoirs of oil have been discovered, and the oil business in Newport township has consequently never been very profitable. At the time of the outbreak of the oil excitement numerous wells were sunk in the vicinity of Newell's run, and with them was sunk considerable sums of money. To-day in a number of places only the deserted derrick stands as a monument of a dead enterprise. However, there is some oil still produced in Newport township. There are six wells on Northup's run, a tributary of Newell's, which yield the Wideawake oil company about sixty barrels per month. These are the only wells in operation in this township.

On the Ohio, at a point called Petrolia, a little over a mile below the mouth of Newell's run, is an iron oil tank of ten thousand barrels' capacity, which was erected in the winter of 1869-70 by the Cow Run Iron Tank company. The oil from Cow run, in Lawrence township, is carried a distance of five and a half miles by means of a two-inch iron pipe which discharges fifty barrels per hour. This tank is not now used.

The West Virginia Transportation company has wooden tanks at Petrolia, and is handling the Cow run oil.

Coal has been discovered and mined to some extent in this township, but the seams are thin generally, and mining soon becomes unprofitable. The conditions favorable to the growth and accumulation of the vegetable materials for seams of coal appear not to have existed, although this territory is very near the centre of our great coal basin. At present in the township of Newport there is but one coal mine in operation. This mine is

DR. JOSEPH M. McELHINNEY.

Joseph M. McElHinney, the subject of this-sketch, of a somewhat eccentric life and character, was born in Artnagunnig, in the parish of Foghanvale, about two miles east of the city of Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, on Good Friday, April 16th. He was the oldest son of Joseph McElHinney. His parental ancestors, being dissenters, went over to Ireland for retuge during the persecution in Scotland. His mother, Mary Miller, whom he describes as a woman of rare merit, was of a family which trace their lineage back several centuries in Scotland and England. His father, wishing to give him a liberar education, had him, at a very early age, placed under the care of Mr. William Wright, a celebrated teacher, of Greenan, in the county of Londonderry, where he received the rudiments of his education. From his infancy he was fond of books, and was soon distinguished for his love of learning. He made such early improvement in literature that, in his seventh year, he was in advance of most children of his age, and attracted the attention of his tutors. In his boyhood he evinced a partiality for the exact sciences in which he excelled, and which engrossed almost his whole time and attention. So great was his passion for the mathematics that to them for some years he applied all the powers of his mind, and his attention was so given to these branches that he was otten abstracted from surrounding objects and circumstances. In the solution of mathematical problems he seldom followed the rules of arithmetic, or the ordinary methods of demonstrating geometrical propositions.

In the summer of 1831 he emigrated to the United States, and settled on the Little Muskingum, in the northeast part of Lawrence township, where he lived until 1848. In 1840 his father's death left on him a great part of the care of the family, the youngest of which was but six weeks old. The same year he commenced his diary or daily account of his transactions, and of events worthy of note, which came within the range of his observation; also the weather, extremes of temperature, barometric pressure, etc. No day passed without something noted.

In 1842 he left off farming and commenced teaching, which was his main calling for twelve years. About this time, although he had been reared in a pious family and was particularly careful as to his moral conduct, so that he never in his life so much as used one profane word, yet he began to see his moral depravity, and to realize the deep sinfulness of his heart. And being influenced by an ardent desire to become a Christian, he was brought through the good providence of God to repentance and evidence of regeneration in February. 1843, and united with the Presbyterian church, under the ministry of Rev. J. M. Woodbridge.

On the second of February, 1850, he helped to revive the Newport Lyceum, which had in its possession a fine library. On the seventeenth of June, 1851, be organized the Newport Literary Institute, which he conducted with some degree of success for about three years. In this socrety he gave a series of lectures on Astronomy in zap, on Natural Philosophy in 1852, and on Mental Philosophy in 1853.

In July, 1844, he invented his "Revolving Calculator," or machinery applied to calculation. This he constructed in two parts; the first part applies to all the different arithmetical calculations, and the second to the problems in trigonometry, including logarithmic sines, tangents, secants, etc.

In December, 1845. he discovered a new method of proving numerical calculations, which he termed "Undecimation," and which he published at St. Clairsville in 1847.

His most laborious performance was that of compiling his "Medical and Surgical Notes," which he did in two large manuscripts from 1860 till 1880, and in which he has made more than twenty-two thousand references to diseases and morbid symptoms.

In his twenty-sixth year he married Miss Arabella R. Hannord. a daughter of Major I. M. Hannold, who was then superintendent of the Washington county infirmary. Their marriage was solemnized by Rev. Levi L. Fay, to whom Dr. McElHinney always felt indebted for the assistance which he rendered him through the use of his library, to which the latter had free access.

Miss Arabella Ross Hannold was born June 6, 1821, near Strattonsville, about a mile from the Clarion river, in what was then Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. She received her education in Marietta, under the care of Professor Lyonel Tenny. She taught in Lawrence and Fearing townships, and in Newport from 1847 till 1849. She was industrious, economical, persevering, and neat as a housewife; but her chief delight was in floriculture, in which she excelled. During the spring and summer her flower garden bloomed with the greatest variety of flowers, and through the winter months her east and south bay-windows might be seen crowded with rare and choice flowers and foliage. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and warmly advocated the total abstinence reform and opposed the liquor traffic in toto. And she also took an active part in the Womansis Christian Temperance Union.

In the year 1850, through the medium of the " Journal of Man,” Joseph M. McElHinney became acquainted with the editor, Dr. J. R. Buchanan, of Covington, Kentucky, one of nature's noblemen, and through his influence he was induced to undertake the study of medicine systematically. He had the advantage of being already acquainted with the Latin language, and of being a teacher of the elementary branches of medical science—botany, chemistry, anatomy, physiology and neurology. He attended the lectures at the Eclectic Medical college in Cincinnati, and commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Newport, where he had been teaching. In practice he

McELHINNEY FAMILY.

endeavored to shun the "crux maircurums," and take the course suggested by a sound philosophy and the best authorities, as being the safest. His success in practice was indicated by his case-book, which, while it shows over six hundred cases annually for the first ten years, shows at the same time an average mortality of but one and one- fourth per cent.

In May, 1850, he was initiated a Son of Temperance in Newport division, No. 402, in which he presided as worthy patriarch in 1852. From that time he became an advocate of the temperance reform. He organized the Newport temperance alliance May 7, 1853. The same year he was made secretary of the Washingtonian society, of Newport, a place which he continued to fill for severat years. In March, 1869, he joined the Independent Order of Good Templars, and was afterwards made State deputy grand worthy chief templar for Ohio, and became werl known as an advocate of total abstinence in opposition to the liquor traffic. In May, 1873, he helped to organize the Newport temperance league. He co-operated with the Prohibition party from its commencement, and was the unsuccessful candidate for the Ohio State senate in 1877, and for congress in the Thirteenth district in 1878.

His sentiment in opposition to the use of tobacco was alike marked, hut, as he said: " The time has not yet arrived for us to dear with the tobacco evil; let us first put down the liquor traffic."

When the rebellion broke out, owing to the distracted slate of the nation, his medical practice was to a degree interrupted. In May, 1861, he was elected first lieutenant of the Newport company of volunteer militia, under Captain Christopher Greene. This was the first volunteer company ever raised in Newport township. In September, 1862, he was elected captain of the Newport home guards, a company of one hundred volunteers, organized for home protection. In August, 1863, he was elected captain of company H, of the forty-sixth battalion of Ohio volunteer militia, a company raised in Newport for State service. May 2, 1864, his company was called into the United States service, and took its place as company . of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth regiment, Ohio infantry volunteer’s The regiment was discharged on the fourteenth of September of the same year. During this short term of four and one-half months, Captain McElHinney served in the double character of captain and assistant surgeon of the regiment.

In 1866 he was made a Mason in American Union lodge No. 1, A. F. and A. M., and in 867 was

exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in American Union chapter No. 1, at Marietta, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch, like every man of positive character, had some peculiarities-or ways of his own. In his childhood he was habitually silent, and when he spoke his language was laconic. In his boyhood and youth his hours of study were from seven o'clock P. m. until one o'clock A. M., but at the age of thirty years he was threatened with paralysis of the eyelids as a result of these late hours, and was compelled to give up this habit. His most prominent trait of character, morally, was that of firmness, which he sometimes carried to the extent of stubbornness. He was scrupulously exact in his dealings, and acted up to his obligations, whether expressed or implied. He was seldom or never known to shed tears under any circumstances, and was habitually cheerful. His favorite amusements were those of sailing and hunting. As a teacher he avoided all appearance of partiality and labored hard to be successful; and knowing as he did that no teacher could please everyone, he determined to have his own method of teaching and so be sure that one was pleased. During the war his motto was: "The United States against the World." In the church his motto was: "Do right and be happy." In medicinal practice it was: "One nurse is worth two doctors." But in respect to the doubtful occurrences of every day life he was sure to remark: "We can tell better afterwards."

A prominent element in his character was the love of children, which he cultivated on all occasions. While a teacher the younger scholars would each try to be nearest to the teacher; and when in his office the smaller children of the town would often visit him. This led him into Sabbath-school work, for which he had a preference. In his boyhood he used often to walk down to the old Caywood church to attend Sabbath-school, a distance of nine miles. He had no devotion or adherence to any sect, but had an aversion to sectarianism either in religion or medicine; and so little interest had he in the politics of the country that he never voted until over forty years old, and the safety of the Republic seemed to demand it. His aversion to litigation and strife was no less marked, and the only suit he ever had in court was the notorious case of Amos Dye vs. Joseph M. McElHinney. He was charged with having slanderously circulated an old report that the former had murdered a pedler. Against this claim both conscience and justice required his efforts to defend himself; and after a contest of over two years-1867 to 1869—the court decided that his defence was true, and that he was justified in what he had said.

Unlike as he was to armost everybody else, he often claimed to be decidedly an average man, being, as he said, neither very big nor very little, neither very old nor very young, neither very rich nor very poor, and neither very good nor yet desperately bad."

The following is a genealogical account of the McElHinney family— as prepared by Dr. McElHinney himself:

McELHINNEY FAMILY.

FIRST GENERATION.

(1) William McElHinney resided in the county of Londonderry in the north of Ireland, where he died about the year 1762. His first wife was a-

(2) Miss Marshall. His second wife was—

(3) Miss Agnes Melevery. He had two brothers—

(4) Samuel McElHinney, a resident of the same county, and—

(5) John McElHinney,

SECOND GENERATION.

Children of William McElHinney by his first wife (Nos. 1 and 2).

(10) Joseph McElHinney, farmer, near Londonderry. After the death of his father he supported the widow and the younger children.,

(12) Mary McElHinney married a-

(13) Mr. Purling near the city of Londonderry.

Children of William McElHinney by his second wife (1 and 3)

(15) Jane McElHinney married—

(16) George OlDare, who resided near Londonderry.

(17) William McElHinney, jr., emigrated to England while a young man.

(20) John McElHinney, farmer, was born about the year 1754. He lived near the Point of Colmore below the city of Londonderry until after the birth of his youngest child. He removed to Artnagunnig, a village about two miles east of Londonderry, where he resided until 1832, when he emigrated to the United States, and settled on the Little Muskingum near the upper corner of Lawrence township, where he died in January, 1834. He was a member of the Covenanter church. He married—

(21) Nancy Hettrick, of the county of Londonderry, Ireland. She was a member of the same church with her husband. She was remarkable for neatness of person and propriety of speech. She died in Artnagunnig about the year 1825 of pulmonary consumption.

(22) Samuel McElHinney, the youngest of the family, emigrated to India, where he married ;hid had a large family.

THIRD GENERATION.

Children of Mary McElHinney and Mr. Purling (12 and 13)

(3o) William Purling, born in Londonderry.

Children of John McElHinney and wife (20 and 21)-

(76) John McElHinney, jr., a linen weaver; born at the Point of Colmore about the year 1775. He was a young man of amiable character, and had a habit of giving good precepts to those about him. He died at Artnagunnig at the age of twenty-three years.

(77) Anne McElHinney was born at Colmore Point about 1778; came with her father to the United States in 1832. After the death of her father she made her home with the family, of her brother Joseph. She died of paralysis October 19, 1870, at the residence of her niece, Mrs. M. M. Chambers, in Marietta, where she had made her home for several years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and remarkably gentle in her disposition. Dr. McElHinney remarks of her that he felt greatly indebted to her for her affection and kindness to him in his childhood.

(78) Joseph McElHinney, farmer, was born at the Point of Colmore, near the city of Londonderry, about the year 1780. He was educated at Cloghhole, where he continued at school until about thirty years of age; and, in the old, slow methods of teaching and learning, he became what was considered a good scholar, especially in mathematical and philosophical science. He married at the age of forty years. In the spring of 1831 he emigrated to the United States, had a long, rough voyage of about fifty days on the ocean, came over the Alleghany mountains by wagon, and settled on the Little Muskingum, in the upper corner of Lawrence township, in this county, at what was called the "Long Narrows," where he purchased two hundred acres of land. He died September 5, 1840. When in Ireland he was a member of the Covenanter church, but when he came to Ohio he joined the Presbyterian church for convenience of attendance. His wife—

(79) Mary Miller, daughter of John Miller, was born in Middle

McELHINNEY FAMILY.

Edenreagh, in Muff Glen, near Londonderry, May 22, 1798. She was the youngest of nine children. Her mother was Gressy Withro, a daughter of Alexander Withro, of the "Back hill" near Londonderry. Mary Miller was a member of the Presbyterian church until her sixtieth year, when she united with the New Jerusalem church. Her children describe her as a woman of rare merit, and with a keen, penetrating mind. Mrs. McElHinney was passionately fond of reading and a fine Bible scholar. She, with her husband, taught the first Sabbath-school ever organized on the Little Muskingum. She died October 8, 1874, at the residence of her oldest daughter, Mrs. M. M. Chambers, in Marietta.

FOURTH GENERATION.

Children of Joseph McElHinney and wife (78 and 99)-

(98) Matilda McElHinney was born near Londonderry, Ireland, in July, 1821, and in her tenth year came with her parents to Lawrence township, in this county. At the age of sixteen years she married-

(99) Joseph Chambers, a farmer and carpenter of Lower Lawrence, in this county. In 1850 she induced her husband to remove to Harmer, and afterward to Marietta, for the purpose of educating their children.

(100) Joseph M. McElHinney, M. D., physician and surgeon, Newport, Washington county, Ohio, was born near Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, on Good Friday, April 16th; emigrated to the United States in 1831; received his educalion first in Londonderry, and afterwards in Pittsburgh, Marietta, St. Clairsville, and Cincinnati; taught in this county for twelve years, and then went into the practice of medicine and surgery. In 1849 he married-

(101) Arabella R. Hannold, a daughter of Major I. W. Hannold, who was the superintendent of the Washington county infirmary. Miss Arabella R. Hannold was born near Strattonsville, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1821; received her education in Allegheny City, Newport, Ohio, and Marietta, Ohio ; taught school from 1847 to 1849. She was noted for her success in floriculture.

(102) John A. McElHinney was born near Londonderry, Ireland, in June, 1827; died of croup in 1829, and was buried at Enoch Kirk, a very ancient ruin, near Londonderry.

(103) Nancy J. McElhinney, teacher, was born near Londonderry, December 31, 1829; came with her parents to the United States ; received her education in Marietta, under the care of Professor L. Tenn,"; married in 1849 to (204) Rev. George V. Fry, a Congregational minister. In 1863 they removed from this county to Richmond county. In 1867 she became insane and was placed in the Central Ohio lunatic asylum, at Columbus.

(105) Catharine A. McElHinney, was born February 7, 1832, and died in October, the same year.

(106) David W. McElhinney, teacher, merchant, brick-maker, and builder, was born in Lawrence township, Washington county, Ohio, January 9, 1834; was educated in Allegheny City college ; removed to Nebraska City in 1869, and afterwards to Hastings, Nebraska. In 1873 and 1874 he was grand master of the order of Odd Fellows, of the State of Nebraska. He married (107) Miss Harriet Barnes of Allegheny City.

(108) Alexander M. McElHinney, teacher, photographer, merchant, land-dealer, and miner, postmaster in Silver Cliff Colorado, was born in Lawrence township, February 3, 1838; removed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, about 1858, and to Lincoln City, Nebraska, in 1868. Afterwards he removed to Silver Clitf, Colorado ; married (109) Miss Lizzie Ellis, only daughter of Dr. Ellis, of Greenupsburgh, Kentucky.

(110) Catharine . McElHinney, teacher, was born in Lawrence township, July 25, 1840. She was educated in Allegheny City college, where in 1860 she graduated with the highest honors of her class. She taught in the grammer school, in Columbus, until 1869, when she married (111) Samuel Adalbert Squier, a merchant, of Chicago. About the year 1879 he removed to Silver Cliff, Colorado, and was made mayor of the city in 1880.

FIFTH GENERATION.

Children of Matilda McElHinnney and Joseph Chambers (No. 98 and 99)-

(132) Lucy A. Chambers, teacher, born in Lawrence township, July 9, 1838, educated in Marietla and Harmar Union schools in which latter she became a teacher in 1856. She died of typhoid remittent fever, February 23, 1858.

(133) Mary E. Chambers, teacher, born in Lawrence township, May 13, 1840. In 1867 she married (134) Walter Brown, a farmer, of Wade, Ohio.

(135) Nancy M. Chambers, teacher, born in Lawrence township, September 28, 1842, educated in Harmer and Marietta. At the age of sixteen years she married (136) James Steele, miller and farmer, Smith- ton, West Virginia, who had been divorced from his first wife (137) who was a daughter of Henry Harper, of Tigert's valley, West Virginia. (138) Dr. Joseph M. Chambers, dentist, Marietta, Ohio, born in Lawrence township, July 15, 1847, received his education in Marietta and Cincinnati.

Children of Dr. Joseph M. McErHinney and wife (100 and 101)-

(140) Joseph McElHinney, M. D., physician and surgeon, Hills, Ohio, bons in Newport, Ohio, October 53, 1850; educated in Newport, Marietta and Cincinnati; married September 18, 1877, to (141) Mary Elizabeth Greene, a daughter of Christopher Greene, of Newport, Ohio.

(142) Adella A. McElHinney, artist, born in Newport, Ohio, May 16, 1852; received her education in Newport. Marietta and Detaware, Ohio, and in Steubenville, Ohio; graduated in the Ohio Wesleyan female college in 1873.

(144) Francois B. McElHinney, M. D., physician and surgeon, Columbus, Ohio, born in Newport, September 8, 1853; educated in Newport, Delaware and Cincinnati, Ohio. On the first of October, 1878, he married Sophie F. Jones, daughter of Edward A. Jones, a merchant, of Newport, Ohio.

Children of Nancy J. McElHinney and Rev. G. V. Fry (103 and 104)-

(150) George Vincent Fry, jr., merchant, Allegheny City, Pennsyrvania, born October 7, 1850; educated In Marietta. In 1872 he married (151) Josephine Wintrode, of Lexington, Ohfo.

(152) James Melanchthon Fry, died in infancy.

(153) Eva H. Fry, born in Salem, in this county, February 22, 1854; educated in Lexington, Ohio; married in April, 1875, to (154) William A. Sackett, farmer, Ruggles, Ohio.

(155) Clara C. Fry, born in Salem, in this county, April 20, 1856; educated in Lexington, Ohio; married in January, 1876, to (156) William W. Beach, teacher, Ruggles, Ohio.

Children of David McElHinney and wife (106 and 107)-

(160) Bessie B. McElHinney, born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1863.

(162) Frank Alex. McElHinney, born in Wellsburgh, West Virginia, November 25, 1866.

Children of Alex. M. McElHinney and wife (108 and 109)

(170) Lucy E. McF1Hinney, born August 7, 1871.

(172) Samuel A. McElHinney, born December, 873.

Children of Kate McElHinney and S. A. Squier (110 and 111)-

(180) Edward A. Squier, born in Chicago, May 6, 1870.

(182) James M. Squier, born in Chicago, January 7, 1872.

(184) Marshall M. Squier, born in Chicago, February 23, 1874.

(186) Esther Squier, born in Silver Cliff, Cororado, December 31, 1879; died of hydrocephalus, September 8, 1880.

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 565

located in section five on the land of George W. Smith. It produces a fair supply of good coal.

ESTABLISHMENT.

At the regular meeting of the court of quarter sessions in December, 1798, it was deemed expedient to organize a distinct township in the eastern part of the county. Accordingly, all that portion of Washington county lying east of the western boundary of the Seventh range was set apart and named Newport township. The portion of the county included within this new township was bounded on the north by what are now portions of Noble and Monroe counties, on the east and south by the Ohio river, and on the west by Marietta and Salem townships.

A special study of the several townships of which Newport is the common parent will show that this eastern third of the county is no mean territory.

Increased population and growing prosperity called for the gradual partition of this huge township, which, in time, would have become unwieldy. Communities springing up here and there justified independent organizations for each. By successive acts of the county commissioners, from year to year, this work was effected. Six townships were erected in this eastern territory, leaving Newport as their corner-stone. The records show that in 1802 the extreme eastern part of Newport township was made separate and named Grand View. By subsequent partition, in 1815, the township of Lawrence reduced the northern boundary of Newport. Ludlow, in 1819, was located diagonally northeast of Lawrence, and in 1832 Liberty was made the western boundary of Ludlow. In 1840 the new township of Independence bounded Lawrence on the east, and Jolly crowned the head of Grand View. Five of the six townships thus established have survived, and still exist as separate organizations. In 1840, however, it was ordered by the county commissioners that sections seventeen, eighteen, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, and thirty-four, in town two, range seven, Lawrence township, be attached to Newport township. Jolly township was short-lived, a part being annexed to Monroe county in 1851, and the remainder becoming a part of Grand View in 1859.

Thus, little by little, has the territory of Newport township been encroached upon, not b, the slow advance of decay, but by the quick and vigorous step of progressive enterprise. The cutting off of the several branches has but quickened the life of the parent vine whence they sprang.

ORGANIZATION.

The exact time and locality of the first election of officers for the township of Newport cannot be ascertained. Settlement had scarcely begun when, in 1798, Newport was established. It is believed, however, that the first election was held in the immediate vicinity of the present village of Newport. John Greene, sr., was the first justice of the peace, and there is a record that in 1805 he made Benjamin and Sarah Raser happy by tying the matrimonial knot. Luther Dana was a justice as early as 1806. William Nixon served in the same ca pacity in aro, and was followed by Jeremiah Dare. William Dana and Ebenezer Battelle, sr., were soon afterwards elected justices, the former in 1813, and the latter in 1816. William Knowlton was clerk in 1810, and was soon followed by Ebenezer Battelle, sr.

For several years prior to 1820 the Newport elections were regularly held at a point just below the present residence of J. B. Greene, a short distance below Newport village. It is to be regretted that the records of all official proceedings prior to 1834 have not been preserved. About 1830 Joseph Barker and Thomas Ferguson served as justices. For years the elections have been held at Newell's Run. The town hall is located in section nine, on the Newport pike, a short distance west of Newell's Run post office.

The following is a list of officers elected at successive spring elections from 1834 to 1880, as taken from the earliest records extant:

TRUSTEES.

1834, Oliver Woodson, jr., John Rowland, Thomas Ferguson; 1835, Clark Middleswart, Ezra O'Near, Thomas Ferguson; 1836, Ira Hill, John Rowland, Thomas Ferguson; 1837, Joseph Barker, jr., Robert Rowland, Peregrine Dana; 1838, John Chambers, Jacob Middleswart, S. Harvey; 1839, Richard Greene, William A. Bosworth, Crark Middleswart; 1840, James Ferguson. John Chambers, Jacob Middleswart; 1841, James Ferguson, Joseph Barker, John Hill; 1842; Clark Mrddleswart, Charles Dana, John Hill; 1843, Peter Snyder, Charles Dana, Ira Hill; 1844, George Greenwood, Reuben McVay, Ira Hill; 1845, Robert Rowland, Reuben McVay, Richard Greene; 1846, George Greenwood, Benjamin Rightmire, Richard Greene; 1847, George Greenwood; Benjamin Rightmire, Jacob Middleswart; 1848, Henry Obleness, Benjamin Rightmire, William Lyons, 1849, A. B. Battelle, C. Greene, E. O’Neal; 1854 A. B. Battelre, Peter Snyder, E. O'Neal; 1851, James Ferguson, John Hill, E. O’Neal; 1852, Joseph Barker, P. F. Dana, Reuben McVay; 1853, Benjamin Rightmire, R. Rowrand. Reuben McVay; 1854, James Mackey, R. Rowland, James Ferguson; 1855, James Mackey, Joseph Bell, James Ferguson; 1856, R. Rowland, Charles McVay, James Ferguson; 1857, R. Rowrand, John Hill,

1858, R. Rowland, John Hill, Evan Scott; 1859, E. O’Neal, John Hirl, Evan Scott; 1860, Henry Sheets, John Hill, Evan Scott, 1861, Benjamin Rightmire, John Hill, Aaron Edgell; 1862, Benjamin Rightmire, John Hill, Evan Scott; 1863, B. Rightmire, Isaac Adkins, James Sankey; 1864, B. Rightmire, Isaac Adkins, James Sankey; 1865; B. Rightmire, Jesse Whiston, T. Ferguson; 1866, William Hill, Jesse Whiston, T. Ferguson; 1867, William Hill, Jesse Whiston, T. Ferguson; 1868, William Hill, J. W. Collett, Henry Sheets; 1869, William Hill, Jesse Whiston, 1870, John Reynolds, Jesse Whiston, C. Vay; 1871, James Hanna, Jacob Cooper, C. McVay; 1872, Wesley Brown, William Hill, C. McVay; 1873, Lewis Phillips, William Hill, John Reynolds, jr.; 1874, Lewis Phillips, William Hill, B. Ferguson; 1875, Lewis Phillips, S. A. Whiston, B. Ferguson; 1876, Lewis Phillips, S. A. Whiston, B. Ferguson; 1877, Lewis Phillips, S. A. Whiston, A. B. Little; 1878, Lewis Phillips, P. . Hays, A. B. Little; 1879, Lewis Phillips, William Hill, A. B. Little; 1880, Lewis Phillips, William Hill, A. B. Little.

CLERKS.

1834-5, Edwin West; 1836, Charles Dana; 1837, J. G. Brown; 1838-9, Joseph Barker, jr.; 1840-5, E. Battelle, jr.; 1845-6, Christopher Greene; 1847, E. Battelle, jr.; 1848, Isaac Adkins; 1849. George Greenwood; 1850, J. B. Brown; 1851, Anthony Reed; 1852, . Greenwood; 1853, S. Amlen; 1854, J. . Brown; 1855, C. Greene; 1856, A. Leonard; 1857, Thomas O’Neal; 1858-70, Samuer Amlin ; 1871, J. W. Ker; 1872, Dr. C. T. Gale; 1873, J. M. Willis; 1874-79. . W. Haight; 1880, Fred Koerner.

TREASURERS.

1834-49, John Greene; 1850, A. B. Battelle; 1851, F.. O’Neal; 1852-4, L. Edgerton; 1855-6, Charles Dana; 1857, Robert Rowrand; 1858-61, E. Battelle, jr.; 1862--4, James Ferguson; 1865, John Reynolds, jr.; 1866, James Ferguson; 1867-72, J. K. Burge; 1873, George Cassady; 1874-8, P. . Hays; 1879-80, J. W. Ker.

The present justices of the peace are: Monroe Green-

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wood, Alvin Adkins, and J. T. Hill, the two former residing at Newport, and the latter near Hills post office.

Out of a population of two thousand five hundred and thirty-five, there were, at the Presidential election in 188o, five hundred and twenty-four electors in the township.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The population of. Newport township has from the earliest times increased very rapidly. Taking a brief review of the last forty years it is discovered that in 1880 the population was 2,535; in 1870, it was 2,002; in 1860, 1,804 were enumerated; and in 1840, after Independence and Jolly had been made separate townships, the township of Newport counted one thousand six hundred and seventy-eight citizens. The ratio of growth prior to 1840 is much larger, and constantly increases towards the beginning of the century, at which early time even, a community was established in the township. A community to grow so rapidly must have a healthy animus, and it is surprising to learn by actual research that the pioneers were men who possessed great strength of character as well as strength of body. With few exceptions the early settlers came to stay, and their children are now moving in the places which only their death made vacant. In giving the history of the settlement of Newport township, let it be understood that it is a history of the settlement of the territory of the township as it now stands.

No permanent settlement was made prior to 1798, although the actual settlers found several squatters ahead of them.

William Tison, Neal Cortner, John Cotton, and David Stokely, once lived in what was afterwards known as the Upper settlement, in the vicinity of the preient village of Newport. Here, too, had Joseph Luckey erected a little cabin. All of these men soon disappeared from the neighborhood, and gave way to the permanent settlers, the real pioneers of the township.

It will appear that there were three principal points or centres of settlement, around which as many early communities clustered, viz: the Upper settlement, near Newport; the Lower settlement, around Lower Newport; and the Hill settlement in the northwest corner of the township. Gradually the intermediate spaces have been filled with inhabitants.

The Danas and the Greenes share the honor of having made the first permanent settlement in Newport township. Both came in the same year, 1798, and about the same time in the year. They owned most of the bottom land north of the river from Newport, and much of it is still in the possession of the two families.

William and Luther Dana secured a large tract of land, and erected thereon log houses. The brothers fell vigorously to work in an effort to make for themselves and families a comfortable and pleasant home. The work was arduous, and required patience. The trees had to be felled, and the brush cleared away before a crop could be raised. They were far from neighbors, and in the midst of dense forests full of dangers. But they did not grow faint-hearted, and they succeeded in 0the accomplishment of their work. The brothers were sons of Captain William Dana, a Revolutionary soldier, who, in 1789, settled at Belpre, where he died in 1809. At the edict of Nantes the family fled to England, whence Richard Dana emigrated to the United States, and settled in the vicinity of Boston. Captain Dana, his great grandson, married Mary Bancroft, by whom he had eight sons and three daughters. William Dana who built his cabin near the present site of Milltown on Dana's run, was a man of sterling worth and uncommon enterprise. He built several manufactories, prominent among which was his flouring mill at Milltown. He was a man of public enterprise, and one of the strongest supporters of the church. He was twice married, first to Polly Foster, and after her death, to Maria Taylor, the widow of Benjamin Guitteau. By his first wife he had five children; Betsey married Charles Haskell, who was drowned near Newport, and afterwards she married Dr. John McCracken, of Pittsburgh ; Fannie married Rev. Israel Archibald, of the Methodist Episcopal church; Pamelia was never married; Samuel married Elizabeth Thornily; Rev. Charles, a Methodist Episcopal preacher, who afterwards became insane, married Eunice Churchill. By his second wife William Dana had three children: Polly is the wife of Rev. M. Dustin, of the Methodist Episcopal church; Grace married Thomas Ewart, of Marietta, and Dorcas was the wife of Melvin Clark, of Marietta. None of the children are now living in the township. The two sons of Charles Dana reside at Milltown. William Dana died in 1851, aged seventy-six years.

Luther Dana entered land in section twenty-eight, and built his house on that part of the farm now known as the Adkins place, just north of Newport village. He was born in Massachusetts in 1773, and had all of the good qualities of the New Englander. He made one of the first clearings in the settlement. He came to Newport township from Belpre, where he had married Grace Stone. They had five children, four of whom arrived at years of maturity. It is noticeable that the only son became a minister of the Gospel while the daughters became the wives of ministers. Lucy married Rev. Samuel Browning; Alfred married Ann Pratt, and was an earnest and effective Baptist minister; Susan became the wife of Rev. Joseph A. Waterman, a preacher and a doctor; Maria married Rev. Peter McGowan, a Methodist Episcopal preacher. Luther Dana did not live many years to enjoy the home that he had worked so hard to establish. He died in 1813, aged forty years. His family is not now represented in this township.

John Greene, sr., and members of his family came to Newport township in 1798, the year of the first settlements. He built his log house on the farm now occupied by William C. Greenwood near the present village of Newport. He, from the first, was a leading and influential citizen as were also his sons who settled near him. He early became Squire Greene, and in this capacity was the arbiter of many a dispute.

John and Mary Greene had a family of ten children, all cs whom were born in Rhode Island, and all of whom came to this county. The first John Greene came from

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Salisbury, England, to Massachusetts, in 1635, and went with Roger Williams to Rhode Island, becoming the ancestor of a numerous progeny. His son.Thomas and his descendants continued to reside in "Stone Castle" from 1660 to 1795, when John Greene made preparations to remove to the far famed territory of the Northwest. In 1796 the family arrived at Belpre, and in 1798, as above narrated, came to this township. The children all lived to years of maturity, and the family is by nature of long life. They are all deceased. Phoebe Greene married Major Jonathan Haskell, of Marietta. Daniel, the sea captain, built the first brick house in Newport township, and resided in Marietta. Eliza became Mrs. Pilcher, of Athens county. Mary married Ebenezer Battelle, jr., who settled in Newport. Ruth, the seventh child, married James Whitney, of Harman The next daughter was Sarah. Caleb, Philip, John and Richard settled in the township.

Caleb Greene married Catharine McMasters, and Philip married Martha Brooks. Both lived for a while in the southwestern part of the township, on the farm now owned by Henry Sheets. Caleb removed to Union county, and Philip, who became a Methodist Episcopal preacher, worked in eastern Ohio and West Virginia, in which latter State he died.

John Greene, jr., married Mary Hill and settled above the present village of Newport, on the place now occupied by their son, Rufus H. Greene. He was very active in every early enterprise, and took a very prominent place in the community. He became the father of ten children—nine sons and one daughter—viz.: Christopher, William H., John, Daniel, Sarah, Charles, Rufus H., Richard, and Luther. One child died in infancy. Of these, Christopher, Charles, Rufus, and Sarah settled in this township, and are still living, with the exception of Sarah, who became the wife of P. F. Dana and died in 1857. Christopher resids in Newport village. Rufus H. married Eleanor Echols, by whom he has four children.

Richard Greene, a brother of John Greene, jr., settled about a mile below Newport village soon afler the settlement of his brother. The home place is now occupied by his son, Hon. James B. Greene. His first wife, Rebecca Lawton, died in 1831. In that same year he married Harriet Brown, who was born in Waterford township in 1798, and died in 1877, surviving her husband four years, the latter dying in 1873, at the advanced age of ninety years. His son, James B. Greene, married Melissa Wood, who died in 1860. He afterwards married Mary Adkins. He has eight children. In the winter of 1866-7 he was a member of the general assembly of Ohio.

Prior to the year 1800 George, the eldest son of William Templeton, of "Burnt Calks," Pennsylvania, emigrated to Ohio and settled at the mouth of Eight-mile run, in the northwest part of Newport township. From thence he removed to the mouth of Newell's run, or on to the island opposite, and in 1825 moved to Lawrence township where he died in 1850. He is described as a tall, sedate man, who was never known to laugh, and yet no man was more sociable, He was a prominent man in Lawrence township in which his children all settled.

Probably the next family that settled in Newport township was that of Joseph and Grace Holden, who came from Pennsylvania in 1800, and located on the present site of Newport. Their house; which was of logs, was erected on the lot in the present village upon which Frank Greenwood's residence now stands. Mr. Holden's daughter, Grace, married Thomas Ferguson of Newport township.

David McKibben came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1800, and settled in Newport township, near the mouth of Eight-mile run. He lived on this place until his death. He married for his first wife Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Sharp, of Lawrence township, and after her death he was married to Hulda Johnson. He was the father of eleven children, none of whom reside in Newport township.

The father of James Nichols settled near Newport in 1800.

The next settlement was made in the northwestern corner of the township on the Little Muskingum, when, in 1801, William Hill, sr., emigrated from Pennsylvania to this county and township, and entered land in section thirty-six, on the east bank of the Muskingum. He built the first house in the neighborhood which is now known by his name. He was the son of John Hill, a native of Ireland. He married first Rhoda Stephenson, and after her death married Sarah Twiggs, who died in 1833. By his first wife he had eight children, viz.: John, who married Martha Richey and lived in Newport; Mary, wife of John Greene, Sr., Elizabeth, married Jasher Taylor, of Marietta; James, died aged eighteen; Margaret married Reuben McVay, who lived near by; Sarah, died aged twenty-two; William Hill, jr., married Sarah Amlen. He was born near Pittsburgh in 1800, while his parents were detained on their journey to Ohio. He was a prominent man in Newport township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1853. He had twelve children. John T., a justice of the peace at Hills post office, married Cynthia Carver. Jonathan A. married Lucinda Reckard. William married Mary Ann Caywood, and resides near the old homestead. Sarah married William Caywood, living just beyond the line in Lawrence township. Charles became a Presbyterian minister; and Maria married B. F. Twiggs, living on the homestead farm, where Mrs. Hill, sr., still resides.

Thomas Ferguson was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and in 1801 emigrated from Washington county, Pennsylvania. He settled in Newport township, about a mile and a half above the village, on the Ohio river just below what is known as Ferguson's landing. By his wife, Grace Holden, he had thirteen children, ten of whom became men and women, and seven of whom are still living, four being in this township, and three in Independence township. Lucy married Jeremiah and Mary married Ira Bosworth. Bazil and James live near Ferguson's landing.

Colonel Ebenezer Battelle, and his son, Captain Ebenezer Battelle came to the upper settlement in 1802, locating on the land on which Captain Battelle afterwards laid out the village of Newport. The ground was soon

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cleared for the erection of the family residence, which is still standing—the oldest if not the first house in the village. It was built two stories high, of hewed logs, and at that early day was considered quite a palatial residence. Colonel Battelle died here in 1815, and his son continued to hold the old house, which was afterwards the property of his son, also named Ebenezer. It is now owned by Captain Jack Harrison. The Battelles were very important factors in the early growth of the settlement.

Colonel Batelle, only son of Ebenezer Battelle, of Dedham, Massachusetts. graduated at Harvard college, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, engaged in business in Boston, and was there married to Miss Anna Durrant

April 6, 1788, he set out on the journey to Marietta, arriving there after six weeks toilsome journeying. In 1789 he removed to Belpre, and afterwards, as above narrated, came to Newport, where he ended his days. His son, Captain Battelle, married Mary, the daughter of John Greene. They reared a family of six children. The eldest son, Cornelius, became a Methodist minister. He married Elizabeth Greene, and now resides at Zanesville. Phcebe married Mr. Browning. Thomas has attained distinction in California. Gordon became a Methodist minister, and died in the army as chaplain of a West Virginia regiment. He was very active in the work of securing a State constitution for West Virginia. Ebenezer, the fourth son, married Julia, the daughter of Judge Joseph Barker, of Lower Newport. At present he resides at Newark, Ohio. He was the founder of Newport village. Andrew married Elizabeth Barker and resides at Bellaire.

Samuel Bell, born in Ireland about 1780, emigrated to Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and from there to Marietta in 1800. He settled in Newport township in the southwestern part, and at the time of his death in 1848 he was the owner of eleven hundred acres of land. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife, Mary Lyons, was born in 1790 and died in 1842. They had twelve children, of whom five survive, viz: Samuel, Joseph, Nathan, Hiram, and William.

Nathan Bell was born in 1811. His first wife, Adaline Reckard, lived about eight years after her marriage. Three children were born of the first union. By his second wife, Maria Broome, born in 1827, he had seven children.

William Plumer settled in this county in 1804, having emigrated from Pennsylvania, where, in 1799, his son, John M., was born. The latter, in his early manhood, constructed a fiat-boat of his own, and for five years followed the river, making trips to New Orleans, and various other points. He married Jane H. Fulton, who was born in 1804 and died in 1871. Five of their six children are living, viz: William F., in Iowa; John A., in Marietta; Happy F., at home; Eliza, and Charles S., at home. Mr. Plumer has a beautiful farm of two hundred acres, which was a dense forest when he came to it; but by hard work and honest toil it has been converted into one of the finest homes in Washington county.

Among the earliest settlers in the township were the children of Thomas and Mary Ann Reynolds, who emigrated from Maryland and settled opposite Newport township, in West Virginia. All of their children but one settled in Newport. John and Samuel settled near Ferguson's landing in 1805. The former died in 1877, leaving a widow and three children who reside in the neighborhood. John had eight children, three of whom live in the neighborhood. He enjoys the proud distinction of being the sole survivor of the soldiers of the War of 1812 who went from this township. Margaret marl ied Jacob Seevers, of Newport. The other children were James E., Nancy, George, Rebecca, Daniel and Thomas. The latter settled at Lower Newport.

Daniel S. Reynolds, son of Thomas Reynolds, was born in 1819, in section twenty-four of this township. By his wife, Elizabeth Gill, he has had nine children, four of whom survive. He is a cooper by trade and, has a farm of seventy-eight acres. He served four years— from 1861 to 1864—in the Thirty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry.

As early as 1805, William Nixon came from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and settled in the northwest corner of the township, on the Marietta line, a short distance below the mouth of Eight Mile run. He was a tanner by trade, and did some work in that line. He had eight children by his first wife, Mary Petit, and three by his second wife, Elizabeth. Stephenson. Of these, Sarah became the wife of John Chambers, formerly of Newells Run, and Harriet married Samuel Rightmire, of this township. Other representatives of the family are living on Cow run.

John Rowland emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1805. and located in this township below Newells Run, and nearly opposite the Lower Brother Island. He was a prominent officer of the township during the earlier years of its civil history. Representatives of his family are still in the neighborhood in which he first settled.

Nathaniel Little was among the early settlers who came from Belpre township. He made a permanent settlement about the year 1805, locating about three-fourths of a mile above Newport village. His wife's maiden name was Pamelia Bradford, daughter of Major Robert Bradford, of Belpre. There were five sons and one daughter in the Little family, viz: Wealthy married Ira Hill, a farmer of Lower Newport; Charles died on the homestead in 1876; his wife's name was Mary A. Frazier; Harry went to Cuba and from thence to California, afterwards returning to Newport, where he died in 1873; Lewis settled near McConnelsville, Ohio, where he died; Nathaniel, an itinerate preacher, is the only survivor. George resided in Cincinnati. Charles Little had a large family, five of whom are living. His son, Arthur B. Little, lives Oa the old homestead near Newport village.

Although Stephen Dana entered a large tract of land in section twenty-nine, where he afterwards erected his house, it was not until the year 1807, that he became a resident of the township. He was born in Massachusetts in 1779. He married Elizabeth Foster, who was born in 1788, and died in 1870, surviving her husband thirty-six years. Mr. Dana was not one whit behind his

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brothers in his active zeal for the promotion of the welfare of the community. His family is represented in this township by his son S. A. Dana, who resides on the home place, which now consists of four hundred and thirty-three acres. The younger Mr. Dana was born in 1819, in this township, and married Jane Little, born in 1822, by whom he has two children, viz: Permelia L and Frederick F.

Reuben McVay, born in Pennsylvania in 1791, came to Ohio about aro. His first settlement in this township was near Ferguson's Landing, in the upper settlement. He afterwards removed in the neighborhood of the Hill settlement. He married Margaret, the daughter of William Hill, sr. He had twelve children, of whom Luther and his wife Martha J. Hill, are in Newport township. Reuben McVay died in 1866.

Peter Snyder came from Pennsylvania in 1810, and settled in section thirty-five of this township. The old man, while yet living east of the mountains, was made prisoner by the Indians, who barbarously mutilated his ears before releasing him. His son Peter lives in Marietta township.

Ira Hill married Wealthy Little. He came from Salem township in 1810, and settled on the Ohio, about five miles below Newport village, his daughter living near where he settled.

Pressly Petty was born near Harper's Ferry in 1791, and in azo came to Ohio, locating on section twelve of Newport township, where he died in 1862. His widow, Margaret Jennings, born 1794, is living with her son, Henry W. The family consisted of nine children, of whom six survive, viz: Mariah (Dye), in Lawrence township, Betsy (Harris), in West Virginia, Rosannah (Smith), in Watertown township, Margaret (Lee), in Iowa, Stephen, in Illinois, and Henry W. in Newport township. The latter was born in 1838, married Nancy McAllister, by whom he has had ten children, nine of whom are living. Mr. Petty was in the hundred day service, company B., One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, Ohio National Guards.

William Burch, the father of Captain Hiram Burch, of Marietta, was an early settler in Newport. He came from Newtown, Connecticut, about the year 18o6. He brought with him a stock of goods and established a store on the opposite side of the river, at the mouth of Bull creek. In 1808 he brought out his family. Mr. Burch traded his store for a tract of land in that vicinity, which he, afterwards lost through defect in title, and then removed to this township and settled on the Adkins place. He was subsequently engaged in brick making, and he erected some of the earliest brick houses in the township and elsewhere in the county. He removed to Mason county, Virginia, in 1823, where he afterwards lived. He had a family of five sons and five daughters, only two of whom are now living—Captain Burch, in Marietta, and William, in Virginia.

About 1813 Benjamin Hartwell settled two miles above Marietta, on the Ohio. He was soon afterwards drowned in the river between Newport and St. Marys,

Jacob Kinsor settled on Dana's run in 1814 or 1875, locating three miles from the Ohio. His wife was Ellen O'Hanlin. He died in Missouri. His daughter, Elizabeth, became the wife of Jonathan Ker, and Margaret married Samuel Ker.

Luther and Joseph Barker settled in the southwestern part of the township, about the year 1815. They were the sons of Colonel Joseph Barker, whose early settlement in Wiseman's bottom is fully noticed in the history of Muskingum township.

Luther, after remaining two years in Newport township, removed to McConnelsville, where he died in 1845. By his wife, Maria Devol, he had ten children.

Joseph Barker, jr., better known as Judge Barker, remained in Newport township until his death, which occurred at the old Newport farm, in 1859. He was born in 1791. His first wife was

Melissa Stone, of Belpre. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Ann Shipman. He was elected to the legislature in the three years 1829, 1830 and 1834. He succeeded his father as associate judge of the common pleas court. He was elected in 1844, and served until 1852, when the adoption of the new constitution abolished the office. He was seventy-one years of age when he died. He was the father of nine children.

A Mr. Kinder settled about a mile above Milltown in 1816, in section thirty, in the neighborhood now known by the name of Kinderhook.

In 1817 Samuel Smith and family came from near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and settled first on Dana's run, three miles from the Ohio, and afterwards removed to the farm of Reynolds' run, now occupied by James Smith.

William Mullen settled in Newport township, section nine, in 1818. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1797, and died six years after coming to Ohio. His wife, Sarah Poland, whom he married in 1820, was born in 1792. Of their three children two survive, and are living in Belpre township, viz.: Mary Campbell and William. The latter, born in 1822, married Mary C. Cook in 1853, and became a resident of Belpre. Three of their four children are living.

In 1818 Isaac Davis came into the township and settled on the small stream that bears his name. He emigrated from Virginia. He settled in the woods and among the hills. The logs with which he built his cabin were poled down the steep hill slope.. By his first wife he had six children. His wife's maiden name was Betsy Miller. By his second wife, Elizabeth Williamson, he had five children.

Charles Ker, a farmer, carpenter, and hunter, lived for several years in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He married Jane McNulty. In 1821 he and family removed to this township and settled just behind Mount Dudley. He died on the east fork of Newell's run, which took the name of Ker's hollow. He had ten children ; of these, Jonathan married Elizabeth Kinsor, and, prior to 1871, lived in this township; Margaret married George Reece, of Newell's run; Samuel, a farmer, cooper, and cattle dealer, settled in section twenty-one, on the east branch of Newell's run, and died in 1872, was twice married

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and had six children; Barbara married Joshua Britton, and Hannah married David McKibben, both of Newell's run. Five of the six children of Samuel Ker are living. Of these, the second son, James W., born in 1845, married Hattie Jewell, born in 1848. They have five children. Mr. Ker is a large stock dealer, and has a farm of two hundred and twenty acres of land in section five. He has held the offices of township treasurer and clerk.

George Greenwood was born in West Virginia, as was also his wife, Isabella Clarke, who died in 1811. Their son, William C. Greenwood, was born in 1804 in West Virginia, emigrating from that State to Ohio in 1821. He settled in Washington county, Newport township, where he owns a beautiful home, surrounded by two hundred and fifteen acres of land. He is one of the two children remaining* of the original family of three sons and four daughters. He married Parmelia Little, who was born in 1828. Five children have been born to them, four of whom survive, viz: George C., Frank A., Monroe, and Junius.

Dr. George W. Gale was born in New Hampshire in 1798. He emigrated to West Virginia, .practicing medicine in Pleasant and Wood counties until 1825, when he came to Newport township. His wife, Catharine A. Mills, was born in 1815. Ten of the twelve children survive, viz: Alcinda, Rachel, Ellen, Nicholas, Constantine, Mrs. V. Stephenson, Hammit, Ada, and Bernard. Of the sons, Constantine, George T., and Bernard are physicians, and Hammit is a dentist. Dr. Gale died in the village of Newport in 1878. His son, Dr. George T. Gale, is practicing in Newport.

Edward Francis was born in Maryland in 1786, removed to Virginia about 1812, and to Ohio about 1826. He settled on Eight Mile run, in Newport township, where he lived several years, and then removed to Dana's run, two and a half miles north of the village of Newport, were he died about 1848. His widow, Ann Francis, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Pritchett, died in 1880. They had six sons and seven daughters. Of those who remained in the township, Edward remained until 1865; Allen lived on Dana's run; Susan, the wife of W. H. Ballentine, lived first in Newport village and then on Long run; Ann married John Baldwin, of Long run; Amanda married Sanford Davis, of Dana's run; Jackson died in the army, and Sophia married Lester Francis, of Dana's run.

Ezra O'Neal was born in Virginia in 1802, and in 1826 came to this county, and settled in Newport township, near the mouth of Newell's run. He married Matilda Ferguson, who was born in 1805, and died in 1872. Seven of the ten children survive, viz: George, Thomas, Joseph, Judah, Jane, Huldah, and Gilbert. The latter, born in section three, Newport township, in 1837, married Sarah Broome, born in 1844. They have four children. Mr. O'Neal is postmaster at Newell's Run, where he has a general store.

In 1832 Hugh Brown settled on Newell's run, where he died in 1852. His wife, Mary Griffin, daughter of Benoni Griffin, was a vocalist of much power. After the death of her husband she lived with her youngest son, Wesley, until her death in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had nine children—Joseph G. married M. E. Crawford, and in 1832 settled at the mouth of Newell's run; Sarah married James Little, of Eight Mile run, this township; Leonard married Jane Carr, and settled in this township; Hannah married Samuel Ker; Wesley, a boat builder, pilot, and farmer, married Elizabeth Reece.

Jacob Ritchey, the son of Abraham and Jane (Willoughby) Ritchey, was born in Pennsylvania; and settled on Newell's run, Newport township, in 1833. In that same year he married Nancy Edmendson. His daughter, Maria, married Stephen Noland, of Newell's Run, and Mary married Joseph L Conner, of Newport township. Mr. Ritchey was drowned in 1861, in the Ohio, near the mouth of Newell's run.

Among those living in the township at an early day was Samuel Rightmire, who married Harriet, daughter of William Nixon, whose settlement has been noticed. Mr. Rightmire was born in 181o, and died in 1868. His wife was born in 1817. They have had six children born to them, all of whom survive, viz: Susan E. (Miller); Lucy A. (Davis); Sarah R. (Lackey); Mary H. (Dye); Martha H. (Doan); and Eliza J. (Lucans). Mrs. Rightmire has a farm of one hundred and four acres of well improved land.

William Warren settled in Marietta in 2814. He was born in Massachusetts in 1772, and died in Noble county, Ohio, in 1854. By his wife Hannah Dickinson, born in 1780 and died in 1853, he had fourteen children, viz: Priscilla Berry, William, Nancy Hutchison, Sophia Daniels, James S. of Noble county, Sarah Rayley, Delia, deceased; Ai, Caroline Weber of Noble county, Manilla Hussey, Elmira Hussey, dead; Andrew, deceased; Western of Noble county, and Elbridge G. The latter born in Morgan county in 1826, married Sarah Mitchell, by whom he has had five children, four of whom survive. He has a farm of one hundred acres of land in Newport township, in section twenty-one.

LATER SETTLEMENT.

After 1835 settlements in Newport township became very numerous, and it would be well nigh impossible to mention each and every one of these later settlers. However an effort has been made to note as many as limited space will permit.

Squire Samuel Amlin, as he was familiarly called, was the son of John and Sarah Amlin. He became a resident of this township about 1840, having emigrated from New Jersey to Marietta township as early as 1809. He lived for many years in the village of Newport and died in 1872 at a ripe old age. The records show that for many years he was active in the affairs of the township.

James Cree and his wife Nancy Gadd emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1840, and located in this township. Both died in 1876. Three of the five children survive. Alfredis in Grand View township, and John and David H. are in Newport. The latter, born in 1847, married Louisa Heintzelman, born in 1846. They have

* Deceased since this was written.

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 571

one child. Mr. Cree has been connected with the hotel business since 1877. His wife is a milliner.

Jacob Day, native of Pennsylvania, settled in Washington county, Newport township, in 1843. He died in 1876, aged eighty-two years, and his wife Catharine died two years later than her husband aged seventy-five years. Their son John Day was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and emigrated to this county with his father. He flat-boated from Marietta to New Orleans for ten years and finally settled in section thirty-five of this township, where he cleared and improved his farm of about one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which is now adorned by the handsome buildings which Mr. Day has erected. He married Mariah Cisler, who was born in 1827. Six of their nine children are living, all in this township except one—Cecelia—in Lawrence township; Edward, Augustus, Lucinda, Daniel, and Frank.

Thomas Noland, born in Virginia in 1794, married Sarah Frazee, who was born in 1810. Mr. Noland came to Ohio in 1844, and settled in section eleven of this township, where he died in 1859. Six of his twelve children are living, viz: Stephen, Edmund, Johnston, Lewis, William, and Augustus. The latter, born in 1837, married Nancy Haynes, who was born in 1852. They have three children. Mr. Noland has a farm of eighty-three acres. Mr. Noland was in the hundred day service, as were his brothers Stephen and Johnston. His brothers Justice and Philip were in the Ohio volunteer cavalry. In 1844 Stephen and Anna (Ballard) Bull settled on the north branch of Eight Mile run in Newport township. He was a millstone maker and farmer. He was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated to this county from Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1844. He died in Kansas in 1861.

Nicholas Cisler, born in Pennsylvania in 1788, whence, in 1819, he emigrated to Marietta, subsequently settled in Newport township, where he died in 1853. He was a carpenter and farmer. His wife, Sarah Newton, was born in 1790, and died in 1864. They had nine children—Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary, J. N., Eliza, William, Harriet, Maria, and Lucinda. Four of these survive. J. N. Cisler was born in Marietta in 1822, and married Elizabeth McVay, born in 1824. Two of their five children survive. Mr. Cisler has a farm which consists of one hundred and three acres, situated on the Little Muskingum.

Noah Smith settled in Newport township in 1848. He was born in New Jersey in 1783, and died in 1865. His wife, Christianne, was born in 1785, and died in 1864. Of their children, Rebecca (Rasher), resides in Steubenville; James is in Watertown; George W. in Newport township, as is Samuel T. The latter was born in Steubenville in 1829. He married Mary Kidd in 1862, who was born in 1837 in Belmont county. He enlisted in the regular service in 1864 in company G, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry. In 1863 he became a member of the Ohio national guard.

Robert Edwards settled in section six of Newport township in 1849. He was born in Virginia in 1810.

His wife, Mary Workman, was born in 1803, and died in 1874. Four of their five children survive. John is dead. Jane lives in Middleport, Ohio; the fourth is Dennis, and the youngest, Mary, is living in Virginia. Benjamin F., the second son, was born in 1832, and married Nancy E. Need, by whom he has four children, the oldest, Alice, being a natural artist. Mr. Edwards has a farm of eighty-six acres of land.

John Metheny is the son of Noah and a grandson of Nathan Metheny, both of whom resided in Lawrence township. He was born in 1830. He married Mary Seevers, born in 1832, and settled in Newport township, where he owns a farm. Their four children are married. Mr. Metheny served three years in the Seventh Ohio volunteer cavalry during the late war.

In 1850 James Conner, who was born in 1805 in Pennsylvania emigrated from that state to Ohio and located in Newport township. By his wife, Sarah Macon, he had seven children, of whom Joseph L, Eliza (Johnson), and Thomas J., reside in this township. The latter, born in Guernsey county in 1841, married Isabel Dye, of Lawrence township. From 1871 he served three years as township trustee, and is at present the president of the township board of education. He served three years during the late war in company B, Thirty-ninth regiment. He is now filling the position of postmaster at Cow Run.

William Seevers came to Newport township in 1852 from Noble county. He was born in Fearing township in 1799; married Elizabeth Devol. He settled in section thirty, and built the first house in the little settlement called Kinderhook. His house was a pioneer preaching place. He died in 1867. Of the children Daniel came to this township in 1840; Richard in 1842; Abraham and his wife, Polly Morrison, in 1855; and others have become residents of the township. Abraham and Polly Seevers had fourteen children, five of whom are deceased. Those living are Andrew, Martha, Amariah, John, Levi, Harvey, Polly, Mary, and Abraham. Mr. Seevers was in the hundred day service.

James Mackey was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1814, and in 1857 settled in section thirty-five, Newport township. By his wife, Susan B. Corner, he has five children—Louella, Susannah, J. Noble, Frank, and Anna. Mr. Mackey has a beautiful home, consisting of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land well improved. He and his family are staunch members of the Congregational church.

D. A. Conger was born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1818, and removed to Washington county in 1857, settling in Newport township on a farm in sections twenty-one and twenty-seven. For ten years he was in the oil business. His wife, Catharine Lippincott, was born in 1820. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living.

George Stephens, born in France in 1827, married Mary Rabel, born in 1838. In 1859 they settled in Newport township, section twelve, where Mr. Stephens owns two hundred and eighty acres of land. Thirteen of the fourteen children are living, twelve in the town-

572 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

ship. Mr. Stephens, in addition to his farming, deals extensively in stock.

Moses Hanna settled in Newport township; section six, in 1860, and died in 1879. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1800. By his wife, Mary Watson, he had ten children, four of whom survive. Of these, James, the second son, was born in Pennsylvania in 1825, coming to this township in 1868. He married Harriet Case, by whom he has had five children, four of whom are living. Mr. Hanna has been trustee and supervisor.

Jonathan Burge was born in Pennsylvania in 1834, afterwards. removed to Virginia, and in 1865 came to Ohio and Washington county, settling upon thirty five acres of land in sections three and four in Newport township. He is a blacksmith by trade. He has been township treasurer, supervisor, etc. He married Ellen B. Raby, who was born in 1832. They have nine children. In 1862 Mr. Burge enlisted and served two years and three-months in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, company B.

Frederick Koerner was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1843, and in 1866 settled in Salem township, this county. He enlisted and served in the Pennsylvania Reserve, battery B. Since the war he has been engaged in boring for oil, in which business he has been actively engaged for ten years. He is at present engaged in the mercantile business at Newell's Run post office. He is the township clerk. By his wife, Mary, he has had three children, one of whom is deceased.

Henry Bate, born in England in 1833, became a resident of this county in 1875, and settled in section twelve, of Newport township, where he died in 1880. He married Martha Etitt, who was born in 1833. By her he had four children, three of whom, Sarah, Joseph, and George H., are living. George H. was born in 1854, in Noble county. He cultivates a farm of two hundred and forty acres of land.

John Butler, born in New Jersey in 1830, settled in Independence township, this county, in 1861, and afterwards removed to Newport township, section eighteen, where he owns one hundred and thirty-five acres of land. He has been trustee and supervisor. By his wife, Amelia Boyd, who was born in 1833, he has had ten children, nine of whom survive.

John Braun, who was born in Germany in 1830, became a resident of Washington county in 1853, and settled in Salem township. He married Eva D. Wohlrab, who was born in 1834. Ten children are living. Mr. Braun is a general farmer, and has about one hundred acres of land, and now resides in Newport township.

THE OHIO RIVER

is an invaluable means of transportation. Ever since the first settlers brought their flat-boats down by means of its current, it has been a grand highway for trade. During the greater portion of the year a railroad in Newport township along the Ohio valley would be almost superfluous.

Newport township furnishes no small portion of the trade of the river boats. Lower Newport, Newell's Run,

Newport, together with Little's and Ferguson's Landings are the principal stopping points.

An island of ninety-five acres opposite Newell's Run, and Middle island, opposite sections twenty-two and twenty-three are the only considerable islands along the Newport line.

A more general account of the floods in the Ohio will be found in another part of this work. The record of these floods in the vicinity of Newport has been preserved by Dr. J. M. McElhinney. The store room now occupied by E. A. Jones has been used as the standard of measurement in determining the various heights to which the water has risen.

February 12, 1832, during the greatest flood, in the evening at Newport, the water was four feet and two inches above the store counter, and was out of its banks for nine days, destroying an immense amount of property. In December, 1847, the water reached the level of the store floor. April 21, 1852, at 8 A. M., the water was five inches above the counter, and was three feet and eight inches lower than during the flood of 1832. April 13, 1860, although higher at Marietta than in 1852, the water was two inches below the counter's top, and seven inches below the mark of 1852. Late in the night of the twenty-first of January, 1862, the river reached the level of the store floor, and was one foot higher than the subsequent flood of 1873. March 19, 1865, the river was over its banks and came within one foot and six inches of Jones' cellar door, and within six inches of 1873's high water. December 15, 1873, the water line was six inches higher than in 1865. This is commonly caller! the "corn fodder" flood. In 1874, January 9th, at 5 P. M., the water was even with the bank at the foot of Greene street in the village of Newport. During these floods it often becomes necessary for people living near the river to remove their families and goods to drier quarters, and the unwonted spectacle of boats sailing in the streets, and even within the houses, is occasionally seen. Although the destruction of property by the rampant river has at times been great, there have been few accidents to human life during the floods. Persons have been drowned during the ordinary stages of water.

THE DROWNING OF CHARLES HASKELL.

The drowning of Charles Haskell is perhaps the most remarkable and the saddest case of this kind on record. Charles Haskell was, at the time of his tragic death, a respected citizen and a prominent member of the Baptist church. He resided near the river where he had his store. Saturday, July 23, 1831, he observed that some boats that he had secured to the Ohio shore were being blown by the wind towards the Virginia side. Without a second thought he plunged into the river, and his wife happening to come to the door for a moment, saw him swimming towards the boats. Having confidence in her husband's strength, she went into the house, but upon looking towards the river shortly afterwards she was horrified by the non-appearance of her husband, and the terrible thought was at once suggested that he had sank under the cruel water. This proved too true. It is sup-

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 573

posed that he was seized with cramps while trying to get into the boat, and thus met a watery grave. A long search in the vicinity failed to discover any trace of the drowned man, and it was not until the third day that the body was found in the river at a point opposite Marietta. At the time of his death Mr. Haskell was clerk of the Baptist church, and it is recorded that Charles Little was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of their beloved brother.

THE ONLY "RAILROAD."

The township records show that August 28, 1872, a petition signed by one hundred citizens of Newport township was presented by virtue of an act of the general assembly, April 23, 1872, "to authorize counties, cities, incorporated villages and townships to build railroads and to lease and operate the same."

The termini in the township were an eligible point in the north line of the township in the valley of the Ohio, and an eligible point in the west line of the township in the valley of the Ohio.

An appropriation of thirty thousand dollars was to be raised by the issue of bonds executed by the township Berk and trustees, payable semi-annually at the office of the county treasurer, with interest at eight per cent. Three thousand dollars to be paid in eleven years, and the remainder in nine annual payments of three thousand dollars each.

There was some prospect of a road, which, however, never became more than an imaginary line. At an election held February 27, 1873, the people of Newport township decided that the construction of the road would be expedient.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

The pioneer physician of Newport township was Dr. George W. Gale. In 1822 he settled on the Ohio in West Virginia, opposite Rea's Run, and about six miles above Newport. He practiced throughout the neighboring country for miles around, and ere he had actually become a resident of Newport township he was practicing in every part of it. About the year 1837 he removed to the Barker settlement, near Lower Newport, and there made his headquarters until in 1840, he removed to the village of Newport, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1877. He was a successful physician and an esteemed citizen.

The second physician who located in the township was Dr. George S. Smith. He was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and in 1844 came to Newport township and settled about two miles north of the village. He practiced his profession in connection with horticulture until the time that St. Mary's was made the county seat of Pleasanton, in West Virginia (about 1850), when he removed to St. Mary's. In 1854 he returned to his old location, and in 1858 removed to Missouri, and is now practicing in Illinois.

Dr. Joseph M. McElhinney has been identified with the interests of this township since 1848. He was born in Ireland, and in 1831 came, with his father, to Ludlow township. After teaching in Newport township for five or six years, he went through a course of study in medicine at Cincinnati, and in 1855 commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in the village of Newport, where he has continued in practice up to the present date, only being interrupted by the late war in which he served. He became captain of company H, Forty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry. During the hundred day service he was assistant surgeon of the regiment. His two sons, Joseph H. and Francois B., chose the medical profession, and practiced with their father in Newport, the elder from 1872 to 1875, when he removed to Marietta township, near Hills, and the younger practicing from 1875 to 1877, when he removed to Hocking county, and afterwards to Columbus.

The mantle of Dr. Gale, sr., very appropriately fell upon his son, George T. Gale. He commenced the study of medicine under the tutelage of his father, and after his graduation commenced practicing in Newport, where he continued for two years, and then removed to Matamoras, Grand View township. In 1877 he returned to Newport village, and took the place vacated by his father.

PIONEER SCHOOLS.

The first school in the township was held in the upper settlement. At first the children were instructed by Caleb Greene at the family residence. This was as early as 1801, or 1802. Subsequently, the first school-house in the township was erected, about fifty yards north of where Little's tannery stands, the only mark of the deserted site being a growth of locust trees thereon. This first school-house was rude in its architectural design, being built wholly of rough round logs, and having a puncheon floor and seats. It was heated by ag old-fashioned fireplace, and lighted by means of greased paper windows. Among the first teachers were John Watterman, Wealthy Little, Rebecca Ellis, Mary Fraizer, and Luther Barker.

In the course of time, with the advancing growth and prosperity of the settlement, it was thought best to build a more enduring structure, and hence the primitive log school-house was replaced by a more modern brick building. This latter building was destroyed by fire, and another building, erected in its place, has since been torn down by the hand of progress.

The first school in the hill neighborhood, in the extreme northwestern part of the township, was contemporary with the school settlement at Newport. It was a round log cabin, and stood on Hill's run, about half way between the residence of William Hill and the mouth of the run at the Little Muskingum. The first teacher was Annie Plumer, the sister of Dr. William Plumer.

Another round log school-house was soon erected near by, on the east bank of the Little Muskingum on the land now owned by Joseph Gracey, less than half a mile west of the Beech Grove church.

The flood of 1832 caused the Little Muskingum to overflow its banks, and the little school-house was swept away. Then a hewed log house was built on the spot, which house is now occupied by Mr. Gracey.

In 1816, in section twenty six, at Lower Newport, a hewed log school-house was erected on the land then

574 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

owned by Philip Greene. George Greenwood was the first teacher in this ouilding, which stood near by the Ohio river.

These pioneer schools were kept up by subscription, and although in the early days of Newport township it required a strong effort to find time and money for schooling purposes, the thought of this very fact, combined with a natural intelligence and a due appreciation of knowledge, served to stimulate the energies of the youth, who very properly disregarding the maxim that "a little learning is a dangerous thing," struggled on over multitudinous obstacles, wisely striving to gain as many invigorating drops from the Pierian fount as possible. Thus has the whole community gradually risen in intellectuality. The development and progress of the common school system has given tone to

THE PRESENT SCHOOLS,

with which the township is well supplied. Always prospering and never retrograding, they are eminently successful in the accomplishment of popular practical education. In 1881 there are eight school districts, besides the special district at Newport village. The board of education consists of the following named gentlemen: Henry M. Hill, Charles Dana, E. T. Miller, Joseph Conner, James W. Ker, John Butler, Michael Lawrence, and Martin Hall.

OLD DISTILLERIES

were very numerous in the early days when it was a breach of hospitality not to pass the bottle when guests were present. The purity of the liquor made by the honest pioneer distillers was unquestioned, and everybody used it, until they noticed that they were beginning to yield to whiskey the mastery, and then they quit the use and the manufacture, and to-day there is but little spirituous liquor sold, and none made, in this township. During the first years of the settlement, "whiskey mill's" were even more numerous than grist-mills.

John Greene, jr., Ebenezer Battelle, sr., and Richard Greene had a small distillery in the northwest corner of section twenty-eight, in 1805. They had three copper stills in operation, and devoted most of their time to the manufacture of apple jack and peach brandy. They continued at the business for about ten years, and now there is no sign of their place of business.

William Dana started a still about 1815, and continued until 1832 or 1833, when, being convinced that he was not doing right, he ceased operations in this line.

There was once a log distillery on the Little Muskingum, nearly opposite the old Sharp mill, owned by Reuben Northup. This was burned about 1826. A remnant of the old fixtures was recently found deeply buried in the river bank.

From 1820 to 1832 Thomas Ferguson had a still- house on his place above Newport, in section twenty-two.

Reference to the old account book of John Greene, which is in the possession of his son, Christopher, proves that in the early days whiskey was legal tender for all debts, for in those days it was supposed that whiskey was even better than water. From the same old book it is also learned that the consumers of the fiery liquid wanted it like water in two respects—pure and free, for they always bought on credit.

CEMETERIES.

There are at least five burying-grounds in Newport township that have been used for many years. The cemetery adjoining the Beech Grove Presbyterian church serves as a neighborhood burying-ground. The first person buried therein was Mrs. Rhoda Hill, the first wife of William Hill, sr. She died in 1807, aged forty-eight years.

The cemetery at Newport is the largest in the township. It is in the northern part of the village, next to the Methodist church. The first person buried here was Nathaniel Little; who died November 20, 1808, aged forty-nine. There had been others buried in private grounds in the vicinity before the death of Mr. Little. In this cemetery lie buried nearly all of the early settlers of the territory around Newport. They have one by one passed over to the "silent majority," and are too numerous to mention.

The old cemetery at Lower Newport is located in section thirty-three. The first burial, which took place in 1818, was that of a young man who was killed by the falling of a tree, His name is unknown.

The new graveyard was laid out in 1860, the first burial taking place therein being that of judge Joseph Barker, jr. The cemetery is located in section twenty-five, not far from the Ohio river. The trustees who control it are Jacob Middleswart, H. D. Hill, and Joseph Bell.

The cemetery adjoining the Beech Grove United Brethren church, at Newell's run, is also very old. The first person buried there was an unknown man who was found floating in the Ohio. The graveyard, though small, contains the remains of a great many people.

CHURCHES.

Before the erection of any church building the people were wont to assemble in private houses and schoolhouses that they might enjoy the benefits of the gospel. In the earliest days they seldom were able to have preaching services, inasmuch as the ministers were nearly all travelling evangelists, whose circuit of preaching places was almost boundless. When practicable, the people would go to Marietta to church, but there was scarcely any road and the distance was too great. In such a community as was formed by the early settlers of Newport township churches and schools must spring up, and it is not strange that among the cabins erected we find the pioneer schoolhouse and church. The results of their early support of intellectual and religious institutions have been manifest in the proportion of young men and women of intelligence and high moral worth, many of them having entered the profession as ministers, physicians, lawyers, or journalists. The number of ministers' wives which Newport has furnished is truly remarkable.

As time advanced, the several denominations in the settlement that had representative members were organized into distinct societies, and each one has become the centre of a wide circle of good influence.

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THE METHODIST CHURCH.

In the summer of 1799 Robert Manley, the first Methodist preacher in Washington county, visited the Newport settlement, it being one of his stopping places in his evangelistic tour. The ministers who followed him to Marietta did not neglect the way station, and consequently it was not long before the first Methodist church was erected. As early as 1815, at Lower Newport settlement, in section sixteen, on the bank of the Ohio, there was a Methodist church. The building was of hewed logs, and stood on the land of Philip Greene, now owned by Henry Sheets. Philip Greene early became a Methodist minister, and it is probable that he was the means of having the church built, and that he was its first preacher. The house has long since disappeared.

An old Methodist church once stood on the spot now occupied by the Beech Grove United Brethren church, on Newell's run. It was organized by Rev. Jones, now at Williamstown, West Virginia. The church, which was of log, was erected prior to 1840. It was afterwards deserted, and at the time that it was torn down was used as a tobacco house.

A Methodist church known as the German church was organized at an early day, and a little log church erected on the west bank of Newell's run, in the northwestern part of the township. It was occupied until about 1873, when the society transferred its membership to the Pine Ridge Methodist Episcopal church, in Lawrence township.

THE NEWPORT CHURCH.

The upper settlement was one of the earliest preaching points. Rev. Jacob Young, who came to the Marietta circuit in 1804, occasionally preached in the vicinity of the present village of Newport. In 1821 the appointment at Newport was attached to the Duck Creek circuit. In 1825 it was deemed advisable to organize a regular church at Newport, and accordingly less than twenty members formed a society.

However, it was not until 1829, that a house of worship was ready for occupancy. Rev. David Young was the first preacher after the house was occupied and dedicated. Many ministers have followed him, among whom were Revs. Philip Greene, John Smothers, John Waterman, William Lippet, Peter McGowan, William Waterman, Cornelius Battelle, Wesley Browning, Pardon Cook, and Richard Armstrong. After 1860 the ministers have been, Revs. Andrew Huston, John Z. Moore, Joseph H. White, John W. Hamilton, D. C. Knowles, John H. Doar, Henry M. Rader, Frank D. Fast, W. H. Piggott, C. J. Feitt, George W. Dennis, and the pastor in 1880—1 J. H. Doan, who was pastor in 1871-2.

Of the earlier ministers of this church: Philip Greene died a superanuated minister of the West Virginia conference, after a long life spent in preaching in eastern Ohio and western Virginia. Rev. Waterman, once of the Ohio conference, later of the church South, sleeps with his fathers; Cornelius D. Battelle, now among the older members of the Ohio conference, has given half a century to the work of the ministry.

From a mere handful the membership of the church has increased to almost sixty members. Revivals were experienced from time to time, and many memories are clustered around the old but never to be forgotton Methodist mourners' bench.

In 1866 and 1867, it having been determined that .a new house of worship was to be erected, large centenary subscriptions were raised, and the work of building a good-sized brick church proceeded. However, it was not until May, 1870, that the Centenary church was finished and dedicated. The work was begun under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Hamilton, and dedicated while Rev. D. C. Knowles was the minister. The building cost seven thousand dollars, which is now about paid for.

The church owes much of the prosperity to the energy of the ladies who by their efforts have paid much of the debt. The Ladies' Foreign Mission society and the Mite society are vigorous organizations, and are doing a noble work.

The "wheel within a wheel," the Sabbath-school within the church, has wrought a glorious work. The school was started in Newport by Mr. Everett and Miss Louisa Battelle, now Mrs. Foote. Those two were on a visit from Massachusetts, and seizing the opportunity organized the school and succeeded in awakening an interest that continues to the present day. Each additional revival in the church met its response in the Sabbath-school, and the result has been that the school is as the nursery to the church. The present superintendent is D. J. States.

THE NEWPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

was organized in the village of Newport June 9, 1838, by Rev. Bennett Roberts, an Evangelist.. The tine constituent members were, David and Mary Murdock, John and Mary Greene, Jane Moreland, Eleanor K. Cook, Mariah H. Bailey, Sarah E. Dana, and Ira H. Bosworth. They held their meetings in the pioneer school-house just north of Newport, and after it was burned meetings were held at the other school-house and at the Methodist and Baptist churches. The congregation was never strong. They had occasional supplies from Marietta, but not until Rev. Henry Smith, D. D., president of Marietta college, came did they have a stated supply. For fifteen years he preached to this people twice a month. He was accustomed to remark that his visits to the little flock at Newport were green spots in his life. Certain it is that no little church for miles around was favored with the services of so talented a minister as was Dr. Smith. Rev. John Noble also supplied the church.

In 1869 the presbytery of Athens formally dissolved Newport church, and the following were at their own request transferred to the Fourth Street Presbyterian church in Marietta: Eleanor Cook, Dr. J. H. McElhinney and wife, Ira H. Bosworth and wife, Eleanor C. Bosworth, Augustus Leonard and wife. Luther Edgar- ton, the only surviving elder, afterwards became a member of the Forth Street church.

BEECH GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This church is located in the northwest corner of the township on the Little Muskingum, not far from Hill's

576 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

post office. The history is closely identified with that of the First Presbyterian church of Marietta, of which this church is the successor, and, in fact, the remnant. When the Marietta church was formed in 1841, those Presbyterians living in the Hill neighborhood attended services in town occasionally. But most of them attended more regularly a church that had been formed just over the line in Lawrence township, near William Caywood's.

In 1844 or '45 a Congregational sentiment having arisen in the church near Caywoods, the members of the Presbyterian church withdrew and with members who had hitherto belonged to the Marietta church established a branch society on the Little Muskingum, and in 1848 erected the present house of worship, which was at first a mere shell of a frame building but has since been remodelled and is now a very neat structure.

The ministers have been Revs. J. M. Farris, James Stewart, William Reed, T. S. Leason, Benjamin I. Lowe, M. R. Miller, Samuel Forbes, W. M. Galbreath, and the present supply, J. Strauss. Of these ministers only Revs. Leason and Lowe were installed as pastors of the church.

When the church was first organized William Hill was the first elder. Joseph Caywood was soon afterwards elected. Others have seryed since then. William Caywood and William Hill, jr., are the present elders.

February 23, 1861, the church at Marietta having died, it was decided that the church be afterwards known as the Beech Grove First Presbyterian church, which name it still retains. At present there are about sixty members.

The church has furnished one minister, viz: Rev. Charles Hill, who is now preaching in Tennessee.

The Sunday-school of about fifty scholars is under the charge of William Hill.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The earliest history of the Baptist church of Newport is a part of the history of the church in Marietta township near the mouth of the Little Muskingum, which church the Newport people attended. The first meetings in the Upper settlement were at the house of Jacob Churchill, at Newport. Elder James McAboy was the first minister. The first recorded meeting was held September 21, 1822, and at that time, "after prayer by Elder McAboy, Sarah Howard, David Canfield, and Ira Hill, jr., after relating their experience were received into the church, and baptized the following Sunday, together with Abigail Churchill, Melissa Barker, and Susan S. Dana, who had united with the church at its last meeting on Little Muskingum." The next month Joseph Barker, and L. D. Barker and wife were received, and at the close of the year 1822 William and Lucy Bosworth, Grace Ferguson, and Mary Little became members. Thus, little by little, was the nucleus of the Newport church formed.

In 1823 regular meetings were not held on account of prevailing sickness in the neighborhood, and by reason of the death of the clerk, Jacob Churchill, the record was neglected. Joseph Barker was the next clerk. After the death of Mr. Churchill the meetings at Newport were held in the old brick school-house, where they were continued until the church was built. Gradually as the years advanced did the meetings at this school-house church multiply, and it was evident that a church would be located in the neighborhood. November 19, 1825, Elder McAboy requested to be released from the pastoral charge, and on the next day Elder Jeremiah Dale was ordained and installed, receiving a solemn charge from the retiring pastor.

September 19, 1830, Alfred Dana was ordained assistant pastor, Elder Dale going to Massachusetts to visit relations. Elder Dale was in poor health and died at Danvers, Massachusetts, September 4, 1831, in the forty-fourth year of his age.

At a meeting held October 15th "the solemn and affecting letter concerning the death of the beloved pastor Elder Dale was read, and then the congregation asked Rev. Alfred Dana to become its pastor. Mr. Dana continued in the pastorate until 1834, when Elder A. Darrow was called, Elder Dana for a time remaining the assistant pastor.

The time had now come for the establishment of an entirely separate church, and on the third of January, 1838, a meeting of the members of the regular Baptist. church was held at Newport for the purpose of effecting an organization. William Dana, Ira Hill, Joseph Barker, Charles Little and Jacob Middleswart were the members of the committee who drafted the constitution. It was resolved to invite delegates from Marietta, Adams, Vienna, Mt. Vernon, and Mill Creek churches to join the council, together with Revs. H. Geer, C. Rector, A. Dana, and the pastor, A. Darrow, and also Revs. Gabriel and J. Whitney, with their churches. The council met January 20, 1838, and adopted articles of faith. The members of the council were: Elders H, Geer, A. Dana, A. Darrow, with Brothers Thornily, P. Snyder, F. Wood, and others. Rev. A. Darrow became pastor of the new church, and William Dana and Ira Hill were elected deacons.

In the latter part of the year 1839 there was some talk of a meeting-house, and in the early part of 1841 it was decided to erect a house of worship. Joseph Barker, jr., William Dana, A. Darrow, Ira Hill and William Leonard were appointed members of the building committee. A commodious brick church was erected where the present building stands, in the northern part of the village of Newport. The house was dedicated on New Year's day, 1842, Elder Geer preaching the sermon. There had been paid on the church nine hundred and fifty-one dollars and twenty-four cents, leaving a debt of three hundred and thirty-six dollars and forty-four cents. William Dana paid this, and took the note of the trustee for the amount. At the death of Mr. Dana search for the note was made, but it could not be found. In this quiet way did Mr. Dana pay the debt, having destroyed the note as soon as received. The following trustees were elected: William Dana, Joseph Barker, Ira Hill, Jacob Middleswart, Charles Little, Jacob Leonard. Ezekiel Slagle, William A. Bosworth, Carlton Palmer, P. F. Dana

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and Amos Adkins. Elder Darrow resigned in 1843, and in July, 1844, Elder H. S. Dale received a call to the pastorate, in which he continued until 1851. He was followed by Rev. John D. Riley. Rev. Z. C. Rush was called May 18, 1868, and remained until 1871. Then came Elder Hiram Geer, who remained until 1874. In 1875 Elder William Dunn was called, and stayed until the first of July, 1876. Since that time the church has been without a pastor, and the pulpit has received occasional supplies. The services of a regular pastor will be secured as soon as practicable.

Meanwhile, the people have not been idle. In 1877 there was talk of fixing up the old church, but in 1878 it was decided that the house be thoroughly remodelled. This was done at an expense of two thousand dollars, most of which is paid. The building, as it now stands, is neat and commodious, and an ornament to the village. A clear-sounding bell swings in the steeple. The building is fully insured, and there is the most complete order in the business affairs. The new house was dedicated on the twenty-first of March, 188o, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. W. P. Walker.

The present officers of the church are: James Ferguson, Stephen A. Dana and Arthur Little, trustees; James Ferguson, clerk.

The Sabbath-school was established in 1841, and has been prospering ever since. The attendance is good, and the teachers have a mind to the work. Bazel Ferguson is the superintendent.

UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.

In the early history of the work of this denomination in Ohio, there was occasional preaching at or near Marietta, and the adherents of the church living in the eastern portion of the county were at first under the care of the Wills Creek circuit. The churches at Newport are now under the jurisdiction of lhe Beech Grove circuit, which embraces six churches, four in this county and two in Newport township, viz.: Kinderhook and Beech Grove churches. The former is located in section thirty, about three miles north of Newport village. This church owes its origin to the church in Noble county, of which William Seevers was a leading member. About the year 1854 or 1855, when Mr. Seevers came to this township, a United Brethren church was organized by Rev. Hazel Cecil, from near Woodsville, Ohio. The land upon which the church building was subsequently erected was obtained from Mr. Seevers. The building is of frame, and the congregation being small, has been unable to fit up the house as it would have done had it been possible. The inside of the house has not yet been finished, the room being unplastered and the seats being of the roughest pattern.

In 1856 Rev. H. Rice, having been appointed to take charge of what is now Beech Grove circuit, became the pastor of the Kinderhook church. Since then, among the ministers who have served this people may be mentioned: Revs. George Athey, A, L. Moore, Joseph Miller, M. S. Riddle, George Moore and the present pastor, Rev. John Coleman.

The Beech Grove church was organized in the schoolhouse at Newell's Run, in 1868. The congregation was not large, but, with the firm conviction that they would prosper did they but do their duty, the people went forward and made arrangements for the erection of a church. The site of the old Methodist church, near the mouth of Newell's Run, was thought the most eligible, and it was accordingly purchased. The old church which had years before been deserted by the Methodists, and had been since used as a tobacco shed, was torn down and a very neat little frame building put in its place. This was in 1870, and in the following year the house was dedicated to the honor and glory of God. The first minister of this little church was Rev. George Athey, who effected its organization. The succeeding ministers have been Revs. A. L. Moore, Riddle, Miller, George Moore and the present pastor, Rev. John Coleman. Mr. Athey has been returned to the church once since he first had charge of it.

The trustees of the church are Isaiah Bogard, L. Phillips, William Guiten, Jacob Gans and Peter Hasley.

POSTAL MATTERS.

Four years prior to the settlement of Newport township a line of mail boats was established on the Ohio between Wheeling and Cincinnati, but of course no stops were made within the territory of Newport.

In the year of the first settlements (1798) this system of carrying the mails was discontinued, and the better plan of the overland route was adopted.

There was an early call at Newport for the establishment of a post office, and very soon after the formation of the community Luther Barker received his commission as postmaster. The office was kept in the brick residence now owned by Isaac K. Adkins. In 1825 the late Ebenezer Battelle was appointed to take charge of the office, which he removed to his residence at Newport. He remained in the office until 1843, when he was succeeded by Dr. George W. Gale. Since then the office has been held successively by Joseph W. Crandall, Thomas O'Neal, Samuel Amlin, Alfred Cree, George Davenport, John M. Gano, and the present incumbent, E. A. Jones, who took the office in 1876.

The post office at Lower Newport was established in 1841, with Jacob Middleswart as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1849 by Ira Hill. John Plumer served from 1850 to 1857, and was followed by Henry Sheets, who held the office until 1879, when the present incumbent, H. F. Middleswart, was appointed.

The Newell's Run post office, situated on the Ohio river, was established in 1865. Thomas J. Conner was the first postmaster. The present incumbent is F. Koerner.

Hills post office was established in 1869, with Amos Crum as the first postmaster, and Philip Becker assistant. Hills is located in the extreme northwest corner of the township, and is the successor of Lower Lawrence post office, in the adjoining township. The present postmaster, Philip Becker, took the office three years after its establishment.

578 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

The mails at Newport and other river stations are received by way of the United States mail steamers, which run regularly on the Ohio.

GRIST- AND SAW-MILLS.

As early as 1800 there was a log-mill in section thirty- six, on the banks of the Little Muskingum, where the present mill now is. At first it was nothing more than a "corn cracker," but soon afterwards became a flouring-mill, with a sawing apparatus attached. Prior to 1820 this mill was burned, and a frame mill, erected by Elisha Rose, stood until a better one was built in its place by Thomas Dye. This building was burned, and the site purchased by James Lafaber, who erected and is still running a grist- and saw-mill which, as were the previous mills, is operated by horse-power. At one time there was a fulling-mill near the grist-mill, which was kept by Jasher Taylor.

In 1816 there was a mill run by horse-power, owned by William Dana and located midway between Dana's store and the larger water-mill that was built by Mr. Dana in 1820. This latter mill is still standing in Milltown, on Dana's run, and is used as a tobacco warehouse. The mill was built under peculiar circumstances. A number of Irish families en route for some point down the river were hindered from proceeding further than Newport by the ice, and were obliged to remain in Newport until the river opened. They were destitute, and appealed for work to Mr. Dana, who being a man of kind sympathies, sought to devise some means by which he could give them employment. Remembering that Irishmen could dig, he set them to digging a long mill-race, which work occupied most of the winter. Afterwards the mill was constructed. Mr. Dana spent in all about seven thousand dollars in this humane enterprise. The mill ceased operations about twenty-two years ago.

A small horse-power mill commenced to operate on the Ohio at the village of Newport in 1855. The owner, John S. Moore, at first only ground feed for his own horses, but gradually the operations became enlarged, and in 1859 he erected a frame steam flouring mill, which was afterwards enlarged. In 1870 the Newport Mill company bought the old mill, tore it down, and disposed of the machinery. The company was incorporated July, 1879, with a capital stock of twelve thousand dollars, in shares of one hundred dollars each. Victor Torner is president, James Johnson, secretary and treasurer, and John Hadley, director. The company contracted with the Cooper Manufacturing company of Mt. Vernon for a complete new process mill of four run of buhrs. The company erected the mill building, which is of frame. The mill was completed and in operation September 1, 1879, the total cost being ten thousand dollars.

There is a steam saw-mill in section sixteen belonging to Benjamin Goddard; another one near Lower Newport, by J. W. Gitchell; and still another at Hills post office, which has been mentioned.

NEWPORT VILLAGE.

This village is located on the Ohio river, six miles above Marietta. It is the centre of the semi-circular territory in which the first settlement in the township was made.

It must have been evident to the keen observer who watched the progress of the upper settlement, that the interests of the community would eventually centre around this spot in the Ohio valley. The idea of a village was suggested by the natural advantages surrounding on every side.

In front and beyond the Ohio river and the abrupt hills of West Virginia, behind and on either side the wide spread and fertile valley jointly contributed to make the locality attractive, so that even at first there was a hamlet where the village now stands.

The present site of Newport was conveyed by Messrs. Cotton and Caldwell to the late Ebenezer Battelle, sr., about the year 1801. As has been previously remarked, there were two or three little cabins in the vicinity as early as 1798. John Cotton had his house near by and it is known that Joseph Luckey's cabin stood on the present site of the village. This house probably stood near the river. The first house built on the second bottom in what is now the upper part of Newport, was built by Joseph Holdren on the lot now owned by George Greenwood and occupied by Frank Greenwood. The first house in Newport of any considerable size was the substantial log residence erected by Ebenezer Battelle, sr., the subsequent founder of the town. The house, which has since been weather-boarded and otherwise modernized, is still standing, and is now the property of Captain Jack Harrison.

The first brick house in Newport town and township was erected by Captain Daniel Greene about 1809, and is now owned and occupied by William C. Greenwood. There was a tavern opened at a very early day near the river. Esquire John Greene, sr., was its first proprietor from 1798 to 1810.

Thus was formed the nucleus of the future village. Gradually, as the river facilities for river transportation increased, and the prosperity of the community created a trade, the number of houses increased, and ere the official act the village of Newport was established. On the pages of the records of Washington county is found "a plat of the village of Newport, comprising forty lots in section twenty-seven, in the original surveyed township, numbered one, in range numbered six of the old seven ranges; surveyed January 30 and 31, 1839, for Ebenezer Battelle, the proprietor, the streets to be ninety-one links and the alleys sixteen links in width." This is witnessed by the county surveyor, Benjamin F. Stone, and by the proprietors of the village, Ebenezer and Mary Battelle. The ground was surveyed anew May 27, 1839.

The following is the record of the vacation of the town plat by the original proprietor:

In the court of common pleas, September term, 1839, on application of Ebenezer Battelle, he having produced to the court satisfactory evidence that notice of his intention to vacate the town plat of Newport had been given according to law, and a statement in writing filed from the persons, to whom by verbal cor.tract said Battelle had given an equitable claim on lots in said town, of their consent to said vacation. It is ordered by the court that said proprietor be permitted to vacate said town plat of Newport.

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As the village now stands the main group of buildings is near the river, while along the county road, known as Green street, extending as far north as the Methodist church, the village is elongated by a continuous line of houses, mostly on the right hand side. The village contains about fifty houses and three hundred inhabitants, Its growth has been gradual, and has probably attained its maximum. Besides the steam flouring-mill there are no considerable manufacturing establishments. There are two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, a cigar manufactory, a harness and a shoe shop, besides seven stores and three hotels. The number of general stores is as remarkable as is their general prosperity. The first regular store in the village was on the river bank opposite the store now owned by E. A. Jones, which was probably the second in the village. Mention has been made of the first hotel. The Cree house and the City hotel are the leading hotels at present, and are doing a good business. The resident physicians are Drs. McElhinney and Gale. The history of the Methodist and Baptist churches appear in another part of this work.

Fortunately there is no place in the village where liquor is sold. The people of Newport and vicinity have for many years been bitter enemies of intemperance. A few years ago there was an attempt to start a saloon at the southeast corner of Greene and Merchant streets. For a time the establishment flourished, and the proprietor began to hope that he would succeed. But one night a crowd, with perhaps more impatient enthusiasm on their Aide than law, unceremoniously stoned the saloon, breaking windows and creating havoc among the bottles within. One adventurous stone liquidated the saloonists' debts to the community by striking and turning the spigot of the "fire box," and thus deluging the floor with the stock in trade. In this way was the liquor business broken up in Newport, and the law-abiding citizens, while not in favor of violent measures, will see to it that there be no necessity for them in the future.

The post office is kept at the store of E. A. Jones, it having been previously kept at the Battelle residence.

The schools of Newport are exceptionally good, and are embraced in what is known as the Newport special school district, which was established in 1866. There are three buildings in this district, the two primary schools being at either extremity, and the graded school midway between them. The primary school in Newport is taught by Susan F. Moore, the primary school in the back settlement being taught by Julia Rea. Professor D. J. States has charge of the high school where the more advanced branches are taught. The building now occupied by this school was formerly the Methodist church. The schools are in a flourishing condition, and the good work of higher education is advancing in this intelligent community.