HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 621

CHAPTER XLV.

WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP.

Geography and Survey—Donation Lands—Surface Features—Establishment and Change of Boundaries—Change of Name—The First Settlement—Wolf Creek Mills- -The Pioneers—Millsburgh—First Sermon—Millsburgh Evacuated—New Mill Built—The Watertown Settlement—Sherman Waterman Killed by Indians—West Branch Settlers—Other Settlers—Review of Settlement—Educational History—Character of Early Traders—Wolf Creek Mills Rebuilt— South Branch Mills— Watertown Mill—An Indian Incident—A Church Scene—The Nine Cemeteries—Watertown Village—Churchtown Post Office—Manufacturing—Physicians—Watertown Grange —Churches—Methodist, Presbyterian, Universalist, Lutheran, Catholic, United Brethren.

WATERTOWN in extent of territory is the largest township in Washington county. From the southeastern corner to the northwestern is a distance of twelve miles, and forty-two and one-half miles of area lie within its boundaries. About one-third of this area was originally Ohio company land, and was laid out in one hundred and sixty acre lots; the remaining two-thirds was a part of the donation lracts set apart by the Ohio company for the encouragement of setllement. Rainbow allotment, South Branch allotment, North Branch allotment, are included in this township. A part of Between Rainbow and Waterford allotment, and Wolf Creek and Waterford allotments are also included.

DRAINAGE.

Watertown is chiefly drained by Wolf creek, the two branches of which unite in the northern part. The east branch, which rises in Warren township, takes almost a direct northward course in Watertown. The hills along its valley are not as abrupt as those in most other parts of the county. Back from the creek valley the surface is comparatively level except along the tributaries, where the hills reaching to the plain are steep, but not abrupt. The west branch flows into Watertown from Morgan county, and joins the east branch near the Waterford line. This stream flows alternately between regular and picturesque hills and through beautiful valleys, which spread out into fertile bottoms. The part of the township drained by the west branch is the most hilly and broken. Rainbow creek carries off the waters of the northeastern part of the township.

THE SOIL

This township is generally finely situated for agricultural purposes, but the soil is not as fertile as that in some other portions of the county. The rock strata, by the disintegration of which soil is mostly formed, is shale and sandstone with very little limestone. The heavy stratum of limestone in the bed of the west branch of Wolf creek does not crop out anywhere on the hills, and can only be made available by artificial methods. A seam of slaty coal appears near the village of Watertown.

GEOGRAPHY.

At the date of its establishment, June 4, 1806, Watertown, then Wooster, included only the fourth township of the tenth range. The commissioners at a subsequent meeting set off of Waterford and attached to Wooster, that part of the town of Waterford lying in the third township of the tenth range, and the seventh township of the eleventh range, and so much of the eighth township of the eleventh range as lies south of the west branch of Wolf creek.

At the September session of the commissioners, 1823, six sections, thirty-one to thirty-six, of Union, were set off and annexed to Wooster. The name of the township was changed from Wooster to Watertown, December 6, 1824, the object being to avoid the annoyance of having two Woosters in the same State, there being a town and township bearing that name in Wayne county. The name "Watertown" was selected in honor of the Waterman family, one of whose members lost his life in the early settlement.

Watertown received an important addition of territory in 1877 when Union township was partitioned. Union township when originally established in 1812 included the whole of township three, range nine, and sections thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five and thirty-six, of township three, range nine. This tract had previously been a part of Marietta and Adams. Watertown as it existed before 1823 had originally been a part of Waterford.

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The territory of Union had grown smaller by annexations to Watertown, Adams, and Muskingum, and finally the town, December, 1877, lost its identity entirely. The part bounded by a line beginning at the southwest corner of section twenty-six, and running due east to the southwest corner of section eight, then north to the south line of "Wiseman's bottom allotment," then west to the southwest corner of Wiseman's bottom, then north to the southeast corner of lot number five, in Rainbow Creek allotment, then west to the southwest corner of lot number ten, in same allotment, then north to the northeast corner of lot number sixteen, then west to the line of Watertown township, then south to the place of beginning, was annexed to Watertown township. The territory constituting Watertown was originally embraced in Marietta and Waterford. Legal divisions generally became smaller as the population grows more dense, out every change of boundaries but one (when Palmer was established) has resulted in the enlargement of this territory.

THE SETTLEMENT.

On the bottom bordering the north bank of the west branch of Wolf creek, near the forks, was made the first settlement in the township. Here is also the site of the first mill in Ohio, known as Wolf Creek mills. In the spring of 1789 a company, composed of Colonel Robert Oliver, Captain John Dodge, and Major Haffield White, made a small clearing, erected three log cabins, and began operations for the erection of a mill, which was of great utility to the early settlers.

The place is interesting, both to the historian and the artist. The stream goes over a rapids of several feet fall, and spreads itself out to the width of one hundred feet, over a bed of solid limestone, from which protrudes irregular masses of rock. From the southern bank there rises a high hill clothed with cedars, pines, and heavy trees. On the other side, a beautiful plain extends from the rocky shore to the base of a picturesque range of hills in the distance. This plain became the residence of three of Washington county's most worthy pioneers: Major White, Colonel Oliver, and Captain Dodge. The construction of a dam and mill required much labor, and workmen were industriously occupied until the following March before the mills were put in operation. The building was made of round logs, and stood on the bank of the stream, just at the foot of the rapids. The crank for the saw-mill was made at New Haven, Connecticut, and is said to have been brought to Symrill's ferry on a pack-horse. The millstones were made of a conglomerate rock, procured at Laurell hill, near Brownsville. One of these stones is preserved as a relic by Mrs. Patterson Dodge, of Beverly. This enterprise proved of great benefit to the whole settlement. The stones were not of proper texture for grinding wheat, but corn, which was the staple product for the first few years, could be ground when the water was high, at the rate of a bushel in four minutes. A large portion of the meal, both for the Marietta and Waterford settlements, was ground at this mill. It was accessible by water during freshets, and flatboats of considerable size brought grain from Waterford and carried meal back to the settlements at Marietta and Belpre.

It was ordered by the Ohio company that a blockhouse should be built at this settlement, known as Millsburgh, before July 20, 1789, but no danger was apprehended, and the workmen, being busily engaged in the construction of the mill, no provision was made for a place of safety in time of danger.

The mill company seemed devoted to but one object. The clearing was very limited, and no attempt was made at cultivating the extensive bottom which spreads its fertile acres toward the north and west. The names of the laborers employed at Millsburgh are not known. The first religious service held in the Muskingum settlements was at this station, in July, 1789, by the Rev. Daniel Story, who was then in the employ of the Ohio company. There was no house large enough for the meeting, which was attended by many of the Plainfield residents. The congregation assembled in the open air, under a beech tree.

Operations at Millsburgh were undisturbed until January, 1791, when the massacre at Big Bottom made the settlers conscious of their danger. A council was held with the Waterford settlers, and the erection of a garrison decided upon. At this time the colony at the mills numbered about thirty souls, all of whom gathered in the cabin of Colonel Oliver when the fate of the Big Bottom colony, and the danger of the other settlements was made known. This and other events relating to the Indian war are fully treated in a general chapter on that subject, and to narrate them here would be mere repetition of what has already been given.

The leading families went into the garrison at Marietta, the other members of the colony moved to the garrison at Waterford, and from there with the greatest caution operated the mills, which were cunningly left unmolested by the Indians during the whole period of the war.

It required fifteen or twenty men to grind a load of corn during this period. It was necessary for sentries to guard the boat, and then when the grist was grinding guards were posted on all sides to protect the millers from a sudden attack, which might be expected any moment, as the mill was probably left standing for the purpose of decoying the whites.

At the close of the war, in 1795, the proprietors reoccupied their cabins and repaired the mill, which, in a short time, was found to be too small for the accommodation of the rapidly growing settlement, and a new frame mill was built just about the former site.

The settlement, reenforced from the east, now began in earnest the work of clearing and cultivating the land.

In the spring of 1795 the second colony, composed of five young men—William Ford, William Hart, Jacob Proctor, John Waterman and Sherman Waterman—was formed for the purpose of clearing their lands in company. A block-house was built about three miles from the township line, on the south branch of Wolf creek. Although little danger was apprehended at this time, it was thought prudent to remain together, and day by day they alternately worked on each other's farms. The

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spring passed away quietly and peacefully until the twentieth of May, when one of this brave and hardy band fell a victim of the red man's cunning. During the fore part of the day frequent showers had driven them from their accustomed work in the clearing to the garden near the house. Sherman Waterman went across the creek, a few yards distant, to procure some bark to repair the bottom of his bed, and while he was engaged at this work the men in the garden heard the report of a gun, and stepped to a port-hole in the enclosure. Waterman was running towards the house calling for help, while the enemy continued to fire at him from an ambush a short distance away. Waterman fell exhausted in the creek. William Hart rushed out and brought him to the house. Hart carried the news of the disaster to Waterford, whence a party of men came and took the body of the wounded man to the residence of Dean Tyler, where he died the following day. He had been shot in the region of the liver. On examination, it was found that the Indians had encamped near a log on which the settlers had been in the habit of crossing a narrow ravine as they went to and came from their work. Near the end of this log was found a blanket and some silver brooches, left as a decoy. It had doubtless been the plan of the Indians to charge upon the settlers while examining these articles, and had it not been for the fact that the day was rainy and disagreeable, the scheme might have succeeded, a result which would have materially affected the character of the settlement of the township.

A few years after this tragedy an unknown Indian, while in a state of intoxication, told a man named McFarlan, who lived in the eastern part of the township, the story of the murder of Waterman, and said they knew they had killed him, for they saw blood in the water down the creek. Waterman is buried in the Waterford cemetery. A stone bearing the following inscription marks his grave:

Memento Mori-1795.

SHERMAN WATERMAN,

Who was wounded by the savages, being shot through the body twenty-first, and died the twenty-second of May, 1795, aged twenty-five years.

As soon as permanent peace had been established with the Indians, the donation lands in the north part of the township were rapidly cleared and reduced to a state of cultivation. The south and southeast part of the territory remained a wilderness when the stumps of the northern sections were fast disappearing.

The valley of the west branch of Wolf creek above the mills was occupied about 1797 by an English settlement. The pioneer of this colony was Samuel Mellor, who settled on the farm in the bend of the creek now owned by his son, John Mellor. A few years later brought to the bottom, on the opposite side of the creek, Matthew Corner and John Bacon, and the elliptical bottom further down was occupied by James Quigley, whose name it still retains.

Peter Taylor, who was brought from England by Blennerhassett and employed by him as gardener, after the ruin of his patron's estate became a resident of this valley; also Cajoe Phillips, a colored servant of Blennerhassett.

William Ford, shortly after the close of Indian hostilities, was joined by his brother Giles, accompanied by his wife and son, Giles Harry. Giles died soon after their settlement, and William became the husband of his widow, by whom he had a large family. Joseph, Ansel and Ammon settled in this township, and had families; Lucien, Romanta B. and Isaiah N. studied for the Presbyterian ministry. Romanta died before he had completed his studies. Lucien died in early manhood in Cincinnati; Isaiah at Jackson, Ohio.

Ansel B. Ford was born in Licking county in 1805. In 1833 he married Lucy Deming, who was born in this township in 1809. He served for a number of years as justice of the peace, and after a useful life died in 1879, leaving four children—Sarah L., Mira M., Eliza J., and Charlotte G.

Ammon Ford was born September 9, 1807, in this township. November 27, 1827, he was married to Hannah Parke, who was born in New York, September 15, 1809. They had seven children—John, Seth, Sarah, Lucy and Laura (twins), Judah, and William—of whom three—John, Sarah and Judah—are dead. Seth, the second child, was born in Barlow township, September 12, 1830. In 1852 he went to California, where he remained until 1863, since which time he has been a resident of Watertown. December 20, 1863, he married Margaret Ross, who was born in Perry county, May 1, 1840. They have three children living—Frank, Hattie and Fred—and one dead, Mary.

Juda Ford emigrated with his father from Connecticut in 1795, and was a resident of the township to the time of his death, which occurred September 24, 1851. He married Betsy Deming, who was born in Massachusetts, June 17, 1791, by whom he had seven children. Daniel, the sixth child, was born on the farm, where he now lies October 30, 1829. February 23, 1854, he married Louisa Morris, who was born March 15, 1829. Their family consists of three children—Charles, Myron and Edward.

John Waterman, a brother of Sherman, and one of the associates of the block-house company, settled on Wolf creek, in the neighborhood of the old block-house. He came to an untimely death at the hand of his son, who was insane.

Ferrand Waterman came to the township in 1796. He emigrated from Connecticut with his brothers, John and Sherman, but remained in Marietta one year before making a permanent settlement.

Dougle Walker was probably the first Scotch emigrant to this township. He left his native Highlands and settled in the northwestern part of the township before 1800. He died in 1821, leaving a large family.

Jacob Proctor, who has already been mentioned, married Betsy Wells, and lived in the centre of the township. His brother, Nathan, came from Danvers, Massachusetts, with the Deming family in 1797. He after. wards removed to Barlow township.

Benjamin Hart came from Berlin, Connecticut, during the early settlement of the township. He married Honor Deming, by whom he had seven children—Aus-

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tin died in Michigan ; Columbus lives in Indiana; Dr. Simeon is superintendent of the Children's Home; Dr. Franklin, a practicing physician in Marietta; Mary Ann (Hayward), and Lucy Payne. After the death of his wife in 1825 he married Mrs. Ester Minor. Henry C., who lives near Marrietta, is one of the children by this wife. He was married a third time to Mrs. Lawrence, widow of Rufus Lawrence.

Sila Hart lived with a large family on an adjoining farm. He left the township at an early date.

Pelig Springer cleared a farm on the south branch of Wolf creek, near the forks. He had four sons. Joseph, the oldest, was a school teacher; Clark, the second son, married a daughter of Elijah Wilson, who came to the township in 1797, and was employed in Wolf Creek mills.

Among the early pioneers of Washington county was John McNeal, sr. He was of Scotch parentage, born about the year 1743. When fourteen years of age he was taken prisoner by the Indians in Pennsylvania and remained in captivity for seven years. During his captivity he and another white boy accompanied three Indian chiefs as servants from Pennsylvania to the headwaters of the Missouri, as he called the country which is now Dakota or Montana. They visited on their journey the principal Indian tribes and consulted their chiefs. He did not know positively the object of the visit, but supposed it was to unite the various tribes in a general war against the whites. If such was the case it did not succeed. The journey both ways consumed three years. When the treaty of November, 1764, was concluded, he was set at liberty. He made his way back to Pennsylvania, where he found one sister still living. He subsequently married Anna Howell who was a native of New Jersey, born in 1760, and some time prior to the summer of 1791 removed-to Morgantown, Virginia. In the spring of 1796 decided to remove to the Northwest Territory and floated down the Monongahela and Ohio rivers to Marietta, arriving in the latter part of April He drew his donation lot (No. 28) between Rainbow and Waterford. He first settled on Duck creek, near what is now Stanleyville, where he lived until the spring of 1799 when he moved to his claim where he resided until his death, which occurred probably in the fall of 1819. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1846. Their children, who grew to mature years, were James, Elizabeth, John, Susan and Margaret (twins), William, Andrew, Levi and David. Of these Anna is still living and is the only survivor of the family. William, whose whole life was spent in Washington county was born March 25, 1799, during the residence of his parents near Stanleyville. He possessed much energy of character, and bore the name of an honest, upright man. He was trustee of his township for many years and was school director for upwards of forty years. He died April 9, 1879. His wife, Matilda Bellows, daughter of the late Elias Bellows, sr., of Little Hocking, Belpre township, was born November 21, 1809, died July 13, 1875. They were married in March, 1828, and had a large family. Those who grew to adult age were the following: Andrew, Ira, Cromwell, Diana, Elias, Franklin, Thomas, Ason and Margaret. Andrew is a surveyor and resides in Cedar county, Nebraska; Ira died in Illinois in 1852; Cromwell was a physician, entered the army in the fall of 1861 from Illinois, and died at Paducah, Kentucky, while in charge of a floating hospital, June, 1862; Diana (Mrs. Wilson) resides in California; Elias lives in Missouri; Franklin resides in Watertown, on the old homestead and owns half of the old donation lot before mentioned. He was deputy surveyor of Christian county, Illinois, in 1867, and of Clay county, Kansas, in 1871. He has served one term as justice of the peace of this township. He was horn April 8, 1839, married Mary Alexander and had two children. Thomas resides in Kansas, Ason is a resident of this county, as is also Margaret (Stacy).

John Mellor, son of Samuel Mellor, was born in Engrand, August 17, 1793. The family emigrated to America in 1795, and were among the first settlers of this township. Abigail Briggs was married to John Mellor in 1818. She died in 1874, leaving eleven children—six boys and five girls.

William Woodford made the first improvement on the Ohio company lands in 1796. He came from Connecticut, a single man, and became possessor of a large tract, on which the village of Watertown now stands. Some time after his arrival in Ohio, he returned to his old home in Connecticut on foot, and came back to Ohio by the same laborious method of travel. He married Dianna Ford, daughter of William Ford, by whom he had four children, viz: Seth, who married Mecy Deming; Miles, who became a trader on the river; Laura, wife of A. Brooks, the first storekeeper at Watertown, and William G., who was born February 2, 1811. He married September 27, 1832, Sophia Shields, who was born in Virginia June 2, 1811. They had nine children: Laura, Caroline, Hial, William L., Sarah A., James, Giles, Dianna and Miles, only four of whom are still living, viz: Laura, wife of George Buchannan; James, Dianna, wife of Michael Ryan, of Belpre township, and Miles, who resides in Palmer township. William G. Woodford was in merchantile business in Watertown for several years. He was also engaged in milling.

Simon Starlin, with his wife and three sons, emigrated from Connecticut about the close of the Indian war, and moved upon donation lots they had drawn in Rainbow allotment, but after a short period the family constantly haunted by the presence of the Indians, determined to wait for more congenial times for commencing pioneer life. They all removed to Vienna, Virginia, except Marvel, the oldest son, who went to Marietta. In 1798 Marvel made an improvement on his lot in the northeast part of the township, and about two years later the other members of the family returned from Virginia, and settled in the same neighborhood.

The fall of 1796 brought to Ohio the first representative of the most numerous and prominent families in the township. A party consisting of Colonel Simeon Deming and family, Horace Wolcot, Ezekiel Deming and Dr. Hart, left Sandusfield, Massachusetts, in November, and

JOHN MALSTER.

One of the first and perhaps the first improvement in the present territory of Palmer township was made by Christopher Malster, who came to Ohio in the summer of 1795, from Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He was a native of Delaware, and had lived in Pennsylvania about two years. He drew a donation lot and purchased one, and during the first year of his residence in this county cleared and planted a part of his land. He also built a cabin with puncheon floors and doors. While living in Pennsylvania he married Margaret Mahaffy, who remained there until 1797, when taking her son William, then about two years old, on a horse, she joined a party of emigrants and came to her husband's home. They at that time had no neighbors nearer than three or four miles.

John Malster, a son of Christopher Malster, was born in Palmer township September 2, 1800. During his boyhood he labored on his father's farm part of the time and part of the time worked out by the day or month. He made his first trip south on a flat-boat in 1822. During his younger years he suffered the misfortune of losing his health in a manner not highly commendable to a German physician of that period. He had been troubled with rheumatism and laid his case before the quack doctor who prescribed "a dose heavy enough," as Mr. Malster expresses it, "to kill a calf." The prescription was: "Dissolve in a quart of whiskey one ounce of saltpetre and one ounce of gumgnac; take a gill every morning before breakfast on an empty stomach." Mr. Malster followed the prescription, but has been a sufferer ever since in consequence.

Mr. Malster is one of the few men yet living who in his youth wore buckskin pantaloons. He tells some comical experiences in connection with this article of clothing of a by-gone generation. They were particularly hard to remove after being wet, and the boys at retiring time were compelled to give each other assistance. It was a happy way of keeping a bond of union in the family, for an unbrotherly brother could be easily punished for his offences by help being withheld, leaving him to remain in his trousers all night. It is easy to imagine the effects of putting on buckskin in a cold morning; many of the young men wore nothing else. A pair would last two winters. The common mode of cleaning was to rub them on the grindstone or with a piece of sandstone.

His poor health prevented him from engaging in the severe labor of the farm, and in 1828 he was given the contract for carrying the mail between Marietta and Lancaster for four years, for the sum of three hundred and ten dollars a year. He performed the contract for a year and a half, but his health being poor he sold out and sought relief at the mineral springs at Bedford,

Pennsylvania. In 1831 he received treatment at Saratoga springs, New York. In 1834 he opened a store in Palmer township for Colonel Augustus Stone, of Harmar, for whom he did business four years. He afterwards , clerked for Colonel Stone, Abijah Brooks, at Harmar and Chapin & Fearing at Beverly.

In 1841 Mr. Malster purchased a farm in Palmer and trusted him six months without interest. I have township and began raising and dealing in cattle. He farm facilities for weighing, and in consequence was able to make purchases and sales to the best advantage. In 1853 he took one hundred and ten head of cattle over the mountains and sold them in Pennsylvania. He showed his speculative turn on one occasion in Athens county. He purchased, of a man named Dew, eighty

fat cattle, and in less than three hours sold them on the premises to a drover from Circleville at a handsome advance. In 1855 he took a trip south for his health, and visited Galveston, Texas, New Orleans, and Memphis, returning in 1856.

Mr. Malster possessed the ability to make money and the habits of life to save it. From the time of first starting out in life for himself, when, as he has entered in a memorandum, he "bought and raised wheat and made, twenty-five barrels of flour, which I sold to Colonel A. Stone, in Harmar, for two dollars and fifty cents a barrel,, bought and sold wheat for twenty-eight cents a bushel, says, "I could make more money by raising cattle than and oats for twelve and a half cents and hauled them by cultivating grain, and do it easier." He kept on his to Harmar." He has made the following quaint memorandum of his real estate transactions: "I sold the first farm I bought in 1854 for thirteen hundred dollars more than I paid for it. The winter of 1859 I bought a farm of John Palmer; paid four thousand dollars; swapped farms with my brother, Thomas, and got eight hundred dollars `to boot,' and then sold this farm for six thousand one hundred dollars to John Hague, who got with the farm about fifteen hundred dollars worth of stock, grain, and farming tools." He has dealt largely in real estate and in old age is a heavy tax-payer. He is interesting in conversation and cordial in manner. He never married, and for more than four years he has been living with his nephew, M. A. Malster.

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after a few weeks hard travelling reached Symrill's ferry, where the party separated. Ezekiel Deming and Dr. Hart came on to Waterford, where they spent the winter. In February Colonel Deming started the other members of the party and the goods down the river on a flatboat. He then started overland with the stock. They reached their destination near the latter part of the mouth, and sought out the lands they had drawn in the Rainbow allotment of the donation tract. A cabin was erected, where they all lived until the opening of spring, when the work of clearing and planting was commenced. During the following season an epidemic of smallpox spread across the county, and the young men of the neighborhood made the Deming cabin a pest house. Ezekiel Deming, Joseph Wolcott, Asa Beach, William Woodford, Forest Meeker and probably some others, Horace Wolcott and his family, and Colonel Deming's family were all confined within this one cabin, where they were waited upon by a physician from Virginia.

The Demings and Wolcotts formed what was known as the Sandusfield settlement, so named from the place from which they emigrated. Ezekial Deming cleared his land, and planted an orchard. He then returned to Massachusetts, where in September, 1799, he married Hannah Parke. He came back to the settlement the same fall. A family of the children blessed this union, viz: Lucinda (Bingham), Mercy (Woodford), Hiram, J. Harvey, Harley, Mary Ann, John T., R. J. Meigs, David Y. and Hannah. Mr. Deming was a Jeffersonian in politics, and served three terms as associate judge.

Colonel Simon Deming's family, at the time of his emigration to Ohio, consisted of his wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Wolcott, and four children—one son and three daughters. Honor, the oldest daughter, was married to Benjamin Hart, Betsy to Juda Ford, and Sally to L. J. Conyers. David, the third child was born in Sandusfield, Massachusetts, April 25, 1793. He married, August 27, 1826, Anra Henry, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. They had seven children—Mary W., William H., Horace W., Lucy A., Amanda E., Edwin A., and Martin L.—all dead except Mary W. and William H. William H. was born July 15, 1819. April 6, 1848 he married Matilda J. Hutchinson, who died May To, 1849. May 29, 1854, he married Ellen E. Burch. She died September 10, 1859. Mr. Deming married Mary B. Parke, daughter of Robert B. Parke, November 6, 1851. She was born June ri, 1826. Mr. Deming's family consists of four children. After coming to Ohio six children were added to the family, of whom Joel of Warren township is the only surviving son, and Mrs. Lucy Ford, of Centre Belpre the only surviving daughter. Colonel Deming was a man of positive character and strong convictions. In politics he was a Federalist, in religion a Presbyterian.

The settlement was increased in 1798 by the arrival of the Wolcotts, the Woodruffs, and other families which have been prominent in the township ever since. Elias Wolcott was a single man when he came to the State, but soon after married Delinda Howe, who bore him a family of eight children—six boys and two girls. Horace, an older brother, came to Ohio with Colonel Deming the year previous. They both settled in the Sandusfield or eastern settlement. Horace, after a residence in the county of about fourteen years, moved with his family to Granville. Elias H., oldest son of Elias Wolcott, was born June 17,1803. May 30, 1826, he married Loraina Starlin, a daughter of Marvel Starlin. She was born June 10, 1807. The fruit of this union was thirteen children, viz.: Lucien M., Vesta, Delinda, Orlow, Walter B., Peter H., Adeline H., Roscoe, Rosaltha, Fremont, Orinda, Lydia A., and one died in infancy, seven of whom are still living. Mrs. Wolcott died March 25, 1868. Mr. Wolcott lost his eyesight October 1, 1873. He lives with his son Roscoe, who was born June 17, 1842. He was married June 17, 1868, to Emma Bridge, of Waterford township, who was born November 19, 1846. Their family consists of two children—Anna L and Brooks. Mr. Wolcott, when a young man, was a teacher of vocal music.

Abner Woodruff emigrated from New Jersey with his family and first settled in the "Sundusfield" neighborhood, but soon moved to the south part of the township, in the valley of Wolf creek, where he made the first improvement about 1800. He was born in 1766, in New Jersey, where he married Catharine Roll. He died in Barlow township in 1836. His wife survived him two years. They had six children: Abner, Isaac, Polly, Elias, Nancy, and Hannah. Abner was born in Watertown in aor. He married Miss Pilcher in 1838, by whom he had two children—Emily and Amanda, the latter of whom survives. Mr. Woodruff resides in Belpre. Elias, the fourth child of

Abner Woodruff, settled in the south part of the township. He married Hannah McGuire, by whom he had eight children, viz: Jacob R., Sarah A., Oren J., Emeline, Henry C., Betsy J., Hannah C., and Eunice, four of whom are still living. Sarah was married first to Ragita Kalvini, and after his death to Weir Browning, who was born in England. The fruit of this marriage, which occurred in November, 1853, was two children—Francis M., and Victor. She had by her first husband two children—Thea and Adelpha. Emeline, the fourth child of Elias Woodruff, was born January 27, 1826. She was married first to Columbus D. Barkley; after his death to William Brown, January 4, 1878. By her first husband she had eight children: Cecil, Eugene H., Earnest, Minerva M., Eva V., Mary C., Arthur D., and one who died in infancy.

Jasen Humiston settled in this township about 1798. He was born in 1768, at Wellington, Connecticut, from which State he emigrated to Ohio in 2796, and remained for a period at Marietta, and then, with his wife and family, moved to Watertown. Mr. Humiston's first wife, whose maiden name was Anna Peek, died in 1809, in her thirty-eighth year. There were six children, four of whom are living: Lyndes, in Adams township; Sally (Chandler), in Minnesota; Julania (Chandler), in Brooklyn, New York; Lavinia McClure, in Dunham township. By his second wife, Margaret McNeal, Mr. Humiston had six children. Lines lived for a time in the north part of the township, then moved to Illinois; Henry lives in Chicago. Lyedes, son of Jason Humistor., was born

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in this county in 1797, and was eighteen months old when his father removed to Watertown. April 6, 1820, he married Betsy Starlin, and two years later he removed to Adams township. Their family consisted of seven children, four of whom survive, viz: Hiram, Eliza, Sally, and Miles. The youngest son, Miles, was born November 28, 1840. He married September 6, 1866, Emeline Beebe, daughter of George W. Beebe, of Watertown township, born October 24, 1847. They have one child—David M.

John Laflin, a native of Vermont, emigrated to Ohio in 1800, and after remaining in Adams township one year settled in this township, where he remained until the time of his death, in December, 1852. He married Abigail Richards, by whom he had four children: Kyman, Harley, Huldah, and Tuman R. Harley and Tuman are the only members of the family yet living. Tuman, the youngest child, was born November 11, 1818. He married Suian E. Leely, who was born in West Chester county, New York, August 10, 1826. Her father, William G. Leely came to Waterford in am, and remained there two years, when he settted in Watertown. Susan E. was born August io, 1826, and married August 12, 1849. She gave birth to four children, viz: Flora E., Albretta M., James H., and Lorin, who died May 30, 1862. Mrs. Laflin is a member of the Universalist church. Mr. Laflin has served his township as trustee four terms.

Abijah Beebe permanently settled in Watertown in aro. He emigrated with his family from Connecticut and remained in Marietta township about ten years before coming to this township. He died in 1853, after having had a family of twelve children. Thomas, the third child, was born June 19, 1804. He married, March l0, 1840, Kate Skipton, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1809. Eleven children blessed this union: Mary A., wife of Conrad Bohl; George W,, died December 14, 1852; Harriet, wife of William Myers; Jeremiah, married Martha Myers; Richard, married Christina Brabham; Franklin, married Ella Coaler; Sarah, married Joseph Newton; Joliana, married Jacob Stuber; Maria D., died October 4, 1852; Saddie, married James R. Powers; Prentiss, married Margaret Baker, died October 15, 1878. All the children living reside in Watertown.

John Johnson emigrated from Pennsylvania and settled in this township in the summer of 1817. In 1814 he married Mary Wilson; she died December 15, 1872, leaving one son, Isaac, who was born in Chemung county, New York, November 5, 1816 December 5, 1838, he married Laura A. Stanton, who was born in Connecticut, June 16, 1815. They have had six children, viz: Willis H., Winchester B., Josephine, Wealthy V., Mary I., Sarah L., and Emma J.; all living except Winchester B. Mrs. Johnson died February 14, 1862. Mr. Johnson has been assessor of Watertown township since 1862.

Seth Humphrey emigrated from Connecticut to Ohio and settled on Wolf creek, near the centre of the township, in 1817, where he died in 1837. He was the father of five children, four boys and one girl. Joseph L., the oldest child, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, September 12, 1805, He came to this township with his father's family, and October 17, 1842, married Elmira Muchler. Their family consisted of three children: Laura A., Elisha O., and Edward M. Elisha O. married Elmira Jennings, Edward M. married Jelpha Skipton, both reside in Watertown township.

Joseph Arnold, a native of Rhode Island, emigrated to Ohio with his father, and settled in Watertown township in 1817. He was married in Rhode Island about 1803 to Mary Steer, by whom he had seven children, five boys and two girls. Mr. Arnold died August 21, 1868. Benjamin W., the sixth child, was born December 4, 184, being three years old when his father came to Ohio. He was married October 7, 1846 to Sarah Parke, the fruit of this marriage was six children—Joseph P., Alice C., William C., Eunice, Myra, and Mary; Eunice and Myra are dead. Mrs. Arnold died June 8, 1862. December 2, 1862, Mr. Arnold married Mrs. Rosanna Jennings, widow of Daniel Jennings, and daughter of Peter Stotlar. She was born in Washington county, October 23, 1828. Mrs. Arnold had three children by her first husband—Mary J., Almira and Henry, all living. Mr. Arnold is a member of the Presbyterian church, Mrs. Arnold of the Methodist church.

Levi Brewster settled in Watertown township in 1818. He was born in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1789, and came to Ohio from New York state. In 1820 he married Lydia Waterman, who was born in New York in 1792, and died in 1864. They had two children, Richard and Sherman. Mr. Brewster died in Union county, Ohio, in 1873. Richard, born in 1820, married Annie Bachelor, by whom he had three children. His first wife died in 1859, and in 1861 he married Sarah E. Knowles, by whom he has had three children, He is a large land owner and resides in Belpre township.

Deacon Dennis Adams was born in Whitehall, New York, in 1792. In 1809 he removed with his father's family to Pennsylvania, and in 1813 to this county. He remained here about a year, then returned to Pennsylvania and married Miss Jane Patterson. In 1818 he returned to this county with his family, and settled in Watertown township, where he lived until 1837, when he sold his property and moved to Marietta. Here he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in April, 1873, in his eighty-first year. His wife died in 1851, in her forty-second year. They had a family of two sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased, except one son, D. P. Adams, a machinist of Marietta.

William Quinby, third child of Daniel and Martha Quinby was born in New York, November 20, 1822. He emigrated to Ohio with his father, and remained in Marietta township one year, after which he settled in. Watertown, April 16, 1846; he married Finatta Parke, by whom he had six children, viz: William W., Lewis C., Martha E., Lucy E., Harley P. William W., Martha E., and Lucy E. are still living. Mrs. Quinby died November 18, 1870. Mr. Quinby was married subsequently to Mrs. Martha Jones, widow of George Jones and daughter of John Meloney, who was born July 17, 1834.

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They were married August 20, 1879. Mrs. Quinby had by her first husband six children, but one of whom is living—Samuel, William W. Quinby married Philipena Steeber; Martha married Frank Clinger. Both are residents of Watertown.

John Morris settled in this township in 1829. He was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, January 17, 1797. He first emigrated to Belmont county, Ohio, where he remained until he permanently settled in Watertown. He was married November 22, 1827, to Delilah Biggins, daughter of John Biggins of this township. She was born January 22, 1805. The fruit of this union was eight children, viz: William, Minerva, John, Nancy, Temer, Elwood, Eliza and Harvey, four of whom are still living—John, Nancy, Temer, and Harvey.

Prominent among the Scotch emigrants to this county, is Edward Breckenridge, who was born in Argylshire, June 25, 1803. He emigrated to America and settled in Watertown township in the fall of 1830. He married in February, 1832, Jane Fleming, who was born in Argylshire April 23, 1806. They have have had nine children, viz: Andrew, John, William, Edward, James F., Agnes, Jane C., Mary, and Elizabeth, of whom six ale living— Andrew, William, Edward, Agnes, Jane C., and Mary. Mrs. Breckenridge died December 16, 1865. Edward, jr., is married to Nancy Greenlees. William, the third child of Edward Breckenridge, sr., was born March 24, 1835. He was married April 20, 1866, to Ermina L Deming, daughter of Daniel and Lois Deming, born March 30, 1840. Their family consists of three children—Daniel D., James E., and William K. Mr. Breckenridge will be remembered as one of the old schoolteachers of the township, having taught fifteen winters. Mrs. Breckenridge was also an experienced teacher, having taught from the time she was fourteen until she was married, in 1866.

Conrad Bohl was one of the earliest of the German emigrants to this township. He came to America in July, 1834, and settled in the eastern part of the township, and lived there until his death, which occurred June 6, 1873. He was married to Margaret Smith in 1813, by whom he had six children, viz: Elizabeth, Nicholas, Barbara, Philip, Conrad, and John. The last named was born in Bavaria, October 21, 1828. He married April 15, 1851, Mrs. Elizabeth Manche, widow of Michael Manche, and daughter of Nicholas Willis. The fruit of this marriage was four children—Mary, Elizabeth, Jacob, and John. Mary, wife of Dr. Lintner, resides in Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. J. A. Reynolds, resides in Minnesota. Conrad, jr., fifth son of Conrad Bohl, was born in Bavaria March 4, 1826. He came to America with his father in 1834, and has been in mercantile business in Watertown village since 1861. He was married August 27, 1847, to Mary A. Beebe, daughter of Thomas Beebe. She was born January 3o, 1830, in Watertown. They have had seven children, viz: William H., George B., Lewis W., Emily, Edward B., Benjamin W., and Ernest L., all living except Emily, who died in November, 1873. Mr. Bohl was postmaster from 1861 till 1873.

Levi A. Newbanks, third child of Archibald Newbanks, is one of the substantial farmers of this township. He was born April 27, 1834, and has been a resident of the township all his life, except about five years which were spent in Grant county, Wisconsin. He was married February 6, 1854, to Caroline Walbridge, daughter of Ira and Cynthia Walbridge, who was born in Palmer township, February 18, 1835. The fruit of this union was three children—Joseph J., George A., and Elza. Mr. and Mrs. Newbanks are both members of the Presbyterian church.

Otis Nixon, a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Gallia county in 1818. In 1825 he removed to New York, where he lived till 1832, when he came to Washington county and settled in Waterford township. In 1834 he removed to Watertown, where he died March 11, 1877. His family consisted of five boys and four girls. George H. Nixon was born in Herkimer county, New York, April 7, 1828. He came to Watertown township with his father, Otis Nixon, and married October 28, 1851, Adaline Smith, who was born in Fairfield township, August 22, 1831. They have seven children—Charles T., Mary E., Emma C., George D., William W., and two that died in infancy. Mary E., Emma C., and George D. are also dead. William W. is still at home. Charles T. married Miss Dena Benning, and resides in this township. Albert Nixon, fifth child of Otis Nixon was born in New York February 9, 1830. He came with his father's family to Ohio, and February 12, 1856, married Eleanor Morris, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, May 28, 1833. Three children blessed this union—Frederick L., Francis M., and Mary L Frederick L. is dead. Mr. Nixon is a carpenter, and works at that trade; he is also engaged in farming.

Philip Schilling settled in Washington county in 1837. His son, John, was born in 1838, and married Elizabeth Snyder, who was born in 1844. In 1865 John Schilling settled in the territory in Union township now included in Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Schilling have one child— William. Mr. Schilling enlisted in 1861 in company F, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was a faithful soldier. He has a fine farm of one hundred acres of land. At one time he was township treasurer, holding that office seven years.

James McDermott, one of the earlier settlers of Washington county, became a resident of Union township in 1840, in that part of the township now embraced in Waterertown township. He is still living. He married Margaret Dyar, by whom he has four children, viz: Philip, Ella, Jane, and Thomas; the latter was born in 1845. He owns a farm of eighty acres which he has reclaimed from the native forest. He and his family are faithful members of the Roman Catholic church.

About 1847 Jeffrey Buchannan became a resident of this township. He emigrated from New York to Ohio in 1813 and settled in Marietta, where he remained about eight years. He removed to Athens county where he lived five years and then moved to Morgan county and remained there twenty-one years. He died in this township July 12, 1876. His wife, whose maiden name

628 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

was Rachel Prouty, survived him three years. Their descendants are nine children, forty-six grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. Mr. Buchannan's private life was highly commendable. Walter, the second child, was born in Muskingum township December 15, 1821. He married Mary A. Malster, who was born in Palmer township August 29, 1832. They were married November 5, 1850. Their family consists of five children, viz: Sarah A., Vesta A., Delia A., Emma D., and John M. Sarah A is married to Clarence C. Smith, who resides in Wesley township. Vesta A. is the wife of James Wells and resides in West Virginia.

David Henry, fourth child of David Henry, sr., was born in Watertown township April 30, 1849. He has been a resident of the township all his life, except about one year during which he lived in Palmer township. He was married December 23, 1869, to Susan, daughter of Thomas G. Graham. The fruit of this marriage was one child-Susan. Mr. Henry was married the second time April 3, 1873, to Mrs. Emily Woodford, widow of William L Woodford and daughter of Harley L Deming. She was born October 14, 1838. They have had three children-David, Emily, and Florence, who is dead. Mrs. Henry is a member of the Universalist church.

Bilgad Curtis, with his wife and family, emigrated from Massachusetts to Athens county, Ohio, in 1826, and remained there until 1850 when they became residents of this township. Mr. Curtis died July 11, 1866, at the age of ninety years and eight months. He had eight children, six boys and two girls. Lois, the fifth child, was born October 26, 1813. She was married to Daniel Deming April 20, 1834, by whom she had six children. She was again married in 1874 to William Powers, of Waterford township.

Edward H. Corner, son of George Corner, one of the oldest settlers of Morgan county, was born April 14, 1814. He settled in Watertown township with his family in 1852, and has since been one of the prominent occupants of the valley of the west branch of Wolf creek. He married, December 6, 1843, Hannah Thornton, daughter of Henry Thornton. She was born in Wood county, West Virginia, in 1820. This union was blessed with fourteen children, seven boys and seven girls, only seven of whom are living, viz: Isabella, William, Willard, John, Jane, Matthew, and Nancy.

Joseph Wynn was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania In 1814 he married Sarah Yocum, of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania He emigrated to Ohio with his family in 1853, and settled in Watertown township, where he lived till the time of his death which occurred in 1874. His family consisted of eleven children, seven boys and four girls. Joseph D., the seventh child, December 8, 1864, married Mary A. Anderson, who was born in Pennsylvania, May 2, 1840. They had ten children, eight boys and two girls, all of whom are living except one girl. By trade Mr. Wynn is a blacksmith. He also cultivates a good farm.

Henry Jones was born in Prussia, Germany, July 31, 1818; emigrated to America and settled in Pittsburgh in 1848. He remained there about eighteen months, when he came to this county and settled in Watertown township. He was married, in the month of September, 1845, to Anna T. Struif, a native of Germany. He is by trade a moulder, and has worked at the trade some thirty years.

John Layner, a native of Ireland, emigrated from New Jersey in 1854, and settled on lot three hundred and ninety-then in that part of Watertown township formerly in Union. In 1873 he removed to Kansas. He had five children by his first wife, and seven by his second wife, Margaret Lightfritz. Austen, of the second family, was born in 1851, and married Sarah Hagerman, born in 1855. They have one child. Mr. Layner has a farm of forty acres.

Burr W. Power, fourth child of Robert and Amanda Burr was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, December 26, 1836. He came to Ohio and remained for a short time in the territory formerly included in Union township. In the spring of 1863 he became a resident of Watertown. He married, March 27, 1862, Mary T. Sullivan, who was born in Virginia, April 29, 1841. Ten children blessed this union, viz: Estella G., Hattie P., Joseph and Mary (twins), Edith B., Charles G., Lillie F., Elliander M., John L., and Anna B., all living except Joseph and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Power both are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Power is a minister of that denomination.

Frank Henker, one of the most prominent of the German settlers of this township, was born in Germany, March 24, 1838. He emigrated to America and settled in Watertown in 1867. He married, February 25, 1868, Christina Rowe. She died March 19, 1871. He was married again August 3, 1871, to Cila Straller, who was born in Germany March 19, 1852. The fruit of this union was five children: Frank, Henry, Katie, Jessie, and Mary, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Henker are both members of the Catholic church.

Matthew Jurden was born in Aix-la-Chapelle, Prussia. He afterwards emigrated to Pennsylvania, whence in 1865 he came to Ohio, and settled in this county, in that part of Union township now embraced in Watertown. He was elected township clerk in 1869, served for six years as justice of the peace, and since 1875 has been postmaster at Churchtown. His wife, Catharine De Temple, was born in France in 1832. To them have been born eleven children, all of whom are living. Mr. Jurden has a beautiful upland farm of two hundred acres of land, most of which he cleared by his own labor. He is also proprietor of an extensive vineyard.

In 1869 William Sharp, born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 10, 1815, moved with his family to Washington county, and settled in Watertown township, April 1, 1846. Mr. Sharp married Martha McPherson, daughter of Eleander McPherson, of Morgan county. She was born January 7, 1822, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp lived in Barlow township from about 1849 till 1869. Mr. Sharp died May 3, 1876, leaving a family of ten children-Joseph, Nancy J., Sarah R., Lettia C., Catharine, Reese, Mary R., Martha E., Jefferson D. and George Q., all living in this county except Cath-

WILLIAM G. WOODFORD.

WILLIAM G. WOODFORD AND WIFE.

The subject of this sketch was born in Watertown township, February 2, 1811. His father, William Woodford, was a native of Connecticut, from which State he emigrated in 1797, in company with the family of William Ford, whose daughter, Dianna, he subsequently married. Mr. Woodford first settled in the northern part of the township, but finally made permanent settlement near the site of the present village. His family consisted of four children: Seth, Miles, Laura, and William G. Seth was a business man in Watertown, and also a farmer. He served in the legislature two terms, and died in his native township. Miles engaged in the southern produce trade. He died in Cincinnati. Laura was married to Abijah Brooks, a merchant at Watertown, afterwards at Waterford, Harmar, and in the south, where he died. She is living in Cincinnati. William G., the youngest son, remained with his father until he was twenty-one years old. He attended the district school, which stood on the present site of Dunbar's store. This was at a period when school-houses were made of logs, with undressed puncheons for seats and desks. When he was eighteen years old he made two trips to Baltimore for his brother Miles, with cattle, on foot. This was not an easy task, as the course lay through large tracts of woodland, and over the mountains, which were covered with greenbriers. The following year he made a similar trip for his brother Seth. At the age of twenty-one he began life for himself. He bought a small farm adjoining the village and engaged in trade in the stand formerly occupied by his father. He had been trained to severe toil and now had a double incentive to activity. He continued trade for about two years and during the same time started the first carding machine in the township. At the end of that time he took advantage of a favorable opportunity and made a trade of his farm and carding machine for the Burchet farm, west of the village, with a financial result which encouraged him to continue in the real estate business. His next move was to sell this farm and buy the Patton farm, situated just across the creek from the village, which then belonged to John Paine. While living here he again engaged in the grocery and produce trade and at a later period, in partnership with Dennis Ryan, went into merchandising, where Dunbar is now located. About a year and a-half later, Mr. Woodford bought the Watertown mills, consisting of a gristmill, saw-mill, and an oil mill. He pushed business here with characteristic energy for about three years, when he traded for a farm in Palmer township. This is said to have been the best farm in the township. He now devoted himself to accumulating land and trading farms. He at different periods owned several farms in Watertown, Belpre, and Warren townships, also six hundred and forty acres in Indiana, half of which he retains, and one-third interest in a ten thousand acre tract in Illinois. During this period he has dealt largely in stock, produce, and wool. No man in the township has handled more money or property of different kinds than Grove Woodford. He knows everybody and is known by everybody in the community. During his whole life his fortune grew steadily, until in 1875 he met a serious reverse. He then suffered a loss of twenty-five thousand dollars by having gone security for another, a loss which he met out of his hard-earned savings.

Mr. Woodford, in the spring of 1881, in partnership with his son, opened a store in Watertown for general trade. His friends were pleased to again greet him in a place, where they had so long and favorably known him-behind the counter.

In the Watertown cemetery is a large and handsomely built stone vault which bears the inscription over the front entrance: "William Woodford's family vault, 1853." It was built by the combined contributions of the father and sons, and on the lids to its occupied cells are found the following inscriptions: "William Woodford died August 3, 1858, aged 83 years, 11 months and 14 days." "Seth Woodford died April 4, 1860, aged 59 years, 6 months and 1 day." "Mercy, wife of Seth Woodford, died March 19, 1871, aged 69 years, 5 months and 8 days." "Miles Woodford died January 26, 1855, in the 51st year of his age." "Mary, wife of Miles Woodford, died August 22, 1854, in the 28th year of her age."

William G. Woodford married September 27, 1832, Sophia Shields, who was born in Virginia June 2, 1811. She was the daughter of David and Sarah Loyd Shields, who emigrated from Virginia, and settled in Watertown township about 1818. Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom Sophia was the sixth.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodford have had nine children: Laura was born June 23. 1833, is married to George Buchannan, and lives in Watertown township; Caroline was born June 6, 1835, and died at the age of seven years and ten days; Hial was born January 5, 1837, and died November 7, 1842; William S. was born August 4, 1839, married Emily Deming, died April 16, 1872, leaving five children-William G., James H., Minnie; Mary and Annie; Sarah Ann was born December 5, 1841, and. was married to Juda Ford, who owned a large tannery at Watertown, and then moved to Kansas, where they died in 1878 within a period of three days, leaving two children: Adaline and Douglas Ammon; James K. P. was born September 23, 1844, and is in business in Watertown; Giles his twin brother, died October 3, 1844; Dianna Amanda was born August 8, 1846, married first Thomas Ryan, who died in Watertown, married for her second husband, Michael Ryan, lives in Belpre, and has two childrenfames Dennis and Delia May; Miles was born August 29, 1849, married Amelia Martin, lives in Palmer township, and has two children-Carrie Belle and Ottie Sophia.

Mr. Woodford, although he has met reverses, still has a large competence, and old age does not seem to have affected his business sagacity. His standing has always been honorable. In politics he stands alone in his family, always having been a wain) Democrat. He has never sought office, but has frequently been honored with local trusts.

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arine, who resides in Illinois; Reese, in Missouri; and Mary in West Virginia.

Father E. L. Fladung, who was born in Prussia, in 1847, emigrated to this country, and is now the pastor of St John's Catholic church, which is located in that part of Union township which is now included in Watertown township. He has been the pastor of the church for the last eight years.

James K. is the seventh of a family of eleven children of Noah Smith, of Newport township. He was born in Jefferson county, September 15, 1821. He came to Washington county with his father, and settled in Newport in 1848, where he remained until 1874, when he came to this township. He was married April 7, 1850, to Rosannah Petty, who was born in Newport township, September 22, 1829. Twelve children blessed this union, viz.: Jeanette A., Mary L, Maria V., Presly H., Edward M., John W., Oliver R., Edith M., Joseph L., James W., William M. and Adda C., all living. Jeanette is married to William H. McCowan, of Watertown. The other members of the family are still at home.

Jacob Hall, oldest child of James Hall, was born in the part of Noble county formerly belonging to Washington, September 1, 1837. He lived in Marietta from 1861 to 1863. He removed to Wheeling, but in less than a year returned to Marietta township, where he re mained till 1874, when he settled in Watertown. August 1, 1858, he married Elizabeth Birchall, who was born in Noble county, September 6, 1838. They had five children: Anna E., Alice M., Mary J., Ele B. and one deceased. Alice is also dead. Mr. Hall, although one of the more recent settlers of the township, is regarded as a leading citizen.

James R. Sheldon was born in Noble county, Ohio, August 13, 1840. He removed with his family to Watertown township in 1874. He married, April 18, 1861, Mary Haynes, by whom he had three children, two of whom are living. Mrs. Haynes died October 17, 1869. April 24, 1872, he married Elizabeth Yarnall, who was born December 9, 1845. This union was blessed with three children. Mrs. Sheldon, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Way, was bereaved of her first husband January 13, 1870. Mr. Sheldon served in company A, One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio volunteer infantry during the Rebellion. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon are members of the Presbyterian church.

Mrs. Mary E. Blakeley, daughter of William Sheldon, was born in Noble county, Ohio, December 5, 1835. She was married to Edward Blakeley, July 28, 1859. He was born in England, August 3, 1836, and emigrated with his father, John Blakeley, to America, in 1843. Mr. Blakely died in Noble county, leaving two children— John A. and Mary A., who were born October 18, 1867. Mrs. Blakeley settled with her family in Watertown township, in 1878. She is a member of the United Brethren church.

It will be seen from this general synopsis of the settlement of the township that the first improvements were made at the forks of Wolf creek. The bottoms along the South branch as far as the donation line were next occupied. The English emigrants chose the valley of the West branch. The first settlement at the headwaters of Rainbow was made by the Sandusfield, Massachusetts, party in 1797. The Starlins and a few others were the only early settlers north of this neighborhood.

The German emigration began in 1835, Conrad Bohl being one of the first. The population of the northern part of the territory formerly included in Union, is largely German. It remained unimproved till as late as 1840. The southern part of this portion of the township is inhabited by people of Irish nativity, who settled in 1842-4. They were mostly engaged as laborers on the Muskingum river improvements, and then invested their earnings in the adjacent lands which at that time could be purchased at low rates. They are an industrious, hard-working class of people, and have done much towards improving the county.

EARLY SCHOOLS.

Watertown enjoyed school privileges very early in her history. A school was taught during the winter of 1799, in the Sandusfield neighborhood, by Nathaniel Gates. He was a popular teacher and pupils attended from the creek settlements. The closing exercises of Mr. Gates' school were attended by the parents, who manifested a live interest in the education of their children. Good teachers were, however, at that period very scarce. Teachers, as a rule, had no training, and it seems little sense. The unsparing use of the rod made the schoolroom a place of persecution, and the murder of the king's English was lamentable. The girls were taught reading and writing, while arithmetic was added to the course of study for the boys. Webster's spelling book and the Bible were the only text books used at first; in later years the American Preceptor and Columbian Orator came into use. Miss Peck, Colonel Augustus Stone, Judge Deming, Jason Humiston, and Horace Wolcott, were among the early teachers in the Sandusfield district. Another early school-house was in the West Branch neighborhood. Some old citizens retain vivid recollections of whippings received in this building. Smith Green is one of the best remembered teachers. Another early school-house was located in the Starlin neighborhood. Mr. McGehan was one of the first teachers. The building was also used as a meeting-house, by the settlers of all denominations in that neighborhood, but chiefly by the Methodists.

MILLS.

Wolf creek furnishes good water power except during dry seasons. At many places along its course a rapid current and high banks provide excellent mill sites, but periodical low water is a discouraging circumstance.

We have already mentioned the old Wolf creek mill owned by Captain Dodge, Colonel Oliver and Major White. After Indian hostilities had subsided this mill was found too small to meet the demands of the flourishing settlement, and a frame mill was constructed just above the old building, which, after the death of Major White, was in charge of his son, Peletiah White. This structure was swept away by high water, and a third and

630 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

larger one built near the same site which was in after years owned and run by Haffield White, jr., grandson of the major. The foundations of these buildings are yet to be seen, and many interested persons have procured pieces of the decaying timbers and are preserving them as relics.

Solomon Lewis, a son-in-law of Mr. White, built the second mill in the township. It was located on the south branch near the forks. This was also a combination of saw-mlll and grist-mill. It next came into possession of a Mr. Bartlett, and was owned by him when destroyed by fire.

The mill now known as the Ryan mill, on the south branch, about two miles below the village, was built about 1830 by William and Samuel Beswick.

The Watertown mill was built by John Paine, about 1825. He came with a party from Rhode Island on their way to one of the western States, but was delayed in this township by high water, there being at that time no bridges. While stopping with the hospitable people of the neighborhood the party were strongly impressed with the country, and after sending one of the party to examine the locality to which it had been their intention to go, they purchased lands and settled in this township. Samuel Paine, who was a miller, commenced operations for the construction of this mill. It was afterwards owned by Dennis Ryan.

EARLY INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS.

A meagre light is thrown upon the character of the brave and prudent women of the early settlement by an incident which occurred at Wolf Creek mills shortly after peace with the Indians, but while straggling natives were yet frequent visitors at the cabins of the settlers. An Indian in a state of intoxication came to the mills and was roughly treated by a miller named Fry. He showed. signs of anger, and indicated a purpose to have revenge. Mrs. Oliver, who understood Indian character, gained his attention at this point and induced him to engage in a game of quoits with herself and two other women. He finally left the settlement in the best of humor, and no occasion for anxiety remained behind.

A meeting in Wolf Creek chapel is humorously described by an old resident. Rev. Mr. Mitchell, the ardent evangelist, had just concluded a stirring sermon to a packed audience. One of the good, old-fashioned choruses was started, and everybody joined in. The singing grew louder and more enthusiastic until the more emotional of the members broke forth in a general shout of joy, which provoked a shout of fun among the wicked boys in the back corners. A general confusion, which lasted till all were exhausted, ensued. Children cried, boys sang, women shouted, and men prayed.

It was in this same chapel upon another occasion, while the meeting was in progress, a wind and hail storm set in, which struck terror in the congregation. Heavy trees were falling, lightning was striking in every direction, and large hail stones thundered on the roof. The preacher was unmoved by all these demonstrations of nature, but in a happy manner turned them to his own advantage by exclaiming "Oh, Lord, you strike outside while I strike inside." One old lady thought it was safer out, and was detained only by main force.

CEMETERIES.

There are in this township nine cemeteries. Three of them are owned by churches; the remaining six are controlled by the township and private individuals.

The oldest one in the township is located on the Waterman farm, near the place of the second settlement. This is the burial lot of the oldest families in the township—the Watermans, Fords, Harts, Curtises, Humphries, Beaches, Rodgers, and others.

At the death of Simon Starlin a burying lot was fenced off on his farm. Here are interred representatives of the Starlin, Ezekial Deming, Parke, and Beebe families.

Horace Wolcott, at the death of his child, set apart a lot on his farm for burial purposes. The Wolcott family, Simeon Deming family, the Humiston family, the Green family, and the Henry family have used this cemetery.

The cemetery near the west branch was formerly the churchyard of Wolf Creek chapel, long since torn down. The land was given by George Corner. Most of the members of the English colony, mentioned in the settlement, are buried here.

The Woodruff cemetery in the south part of the township is the burial place of the family whose name it bears.

The cemetery at Watertown village was set apart by Seth Woodford at the death of Miss Caroline Woodford. The location is exceptionally fine. It is now used more than any other cemetery in the township.

The Catholic cemetery near the brick church in the eastern part of the township, set apart from the McDermott farm at the death of James McDermott, in March, 1846. It now belongs to St. John's church.

Eva Merae churchyard was laid out at the building of that church in 1866.

St. John's Lutheran churchyard was laid out in 1855.

POST OFFICES AND WATERTOWN.

The village of Watertown is at the intersection of the two oldest roads running through the township—the Marietta and Lancaster, and county road leading from Waterford. The first store was opened in 1828 by Abijah Brooks, who was also the first postmaster. The succeeding postmasters have been: William Woodford, Miles Woodford, Michael Ryan, Conrad Bohl, Prudie Woodruff, and Nicholas Wiles.

The first tavern was kept by a Mr. Carlton, who lived on the Lancaster road a short distance from the present town. Burris Cruson opened the first house of entertainment in the village of Watertown. John Keil and Lewis Thornbery will be remembered by travellers of a later period. Watertown is now a town of about thirty families, having three churches, Universalist, Methodist, and Presbyterian; a mill, a school, two stores, one opened by Conrad Bohl in 1861, the other by James T. Duncan in 1867, and both doing a large business; and other village conveniences.

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Churchtown post office, at the Catholic church in the eastern part of the township, was established in February, 1875, with M. Jurden, the present incumbent, in charge.

Carding and fulling was at one time carried on in this village by Miles Woodford. Wolf creek does not furnish sufficient water power for carrying on this industry extensively, and consequently, after the building up of large establishments at other places, these smaller concerns were abandoned.

W. G. Woodford engaged in the manufacture of flaxseed oil. For a few years his business was quite profitable.

The tanning business, begun by Jude Ford, was the most extensive industry ever carried on in the township. At one time fifteen men were regularly employed.

PHYSICIANS.

Watertown for a long time was dependent entirely upon her neighbors for medical service in cases of sickness. Dr. Baker, Dr. Dergy, and Dr. Pardee, were called from Waterford during the early years of the settlement, and later Dr. Seymour, of Waterford, and Dr. Hildreth, of Marietta, were the medical counselors. Dr. Regnier, the Duck Creek physician, also had a good practice in this township, and at a later period the Bowens, of Waterford. Dr. Seth Hart opened the first office in the township, and had a complimentary practice. Dr. Curtis had an office in the township, and enjoyed a full practice until his death. Dr. Cottle, Dr. Ross, and Dr. Howell, were among the more recent practitioners. Several have opened offices, but their residence was too short to merit notice in this connection.

Dr. Bohl, the only physician in the township at this writing, has had a large practice since 1852, when he first placed himself before the public. Of late years he has had more calls than he has been able to give attention to.

THE GRANGE.

Watertown grange was organized in 1874 with sixty members. The first officers were: Wallace Wolcott, master; H. McGrew, overseer; Roscoe Wolcott, secretary. The society had a hall in Watertown, and during the first four years created considerable interest. Meetings were discontinued in April, 1879, owing to a general indifference on part of the members, which began as soon as the enthusiasm, naturally inspired by novelty, had died out.

RELIGIOUS WORSHIP-METHODISTS.

In the early period of the settlement of Washington county, the Methodists made it a special object to establish their form of worship in the rural districts. Peter Cartwright said: "The towns were given to Deism, Spiritualism and Calvanism." Methodist circuit riders were the only preachers who visited the sparse settlements. They did an effectual and good work.

A meeting-house, forty feet square, was built about 1802, on the west branch, known as Wolf Creek chapel. A frame church was afterwards built near the site of the first church. Services have long since been abandoned here, and the house removed.

The "First Methodist Society of Wooster" was incorporated in June, 1819. The trustees were Samuel Mellor, Samuel Mellor, jr., Seth Green, and Duty Green.

A Methodist church was built on the North Marietta road, in the part of the township formerly included in Union in 1830. The house was rented to the Lutherans at the organization of that body.

Salem church was built in 1871. The class had been organized long previously.

Watertown church was organized in 1860. The following were the members of the class: B. N. Sparks, S. Ryland, J. P. Culver, Ezra Michner, Sarah Michner, Martha Flower, Joseph Yarnell and Roena Ford. Meetings were held in a school-house fora time. Satisfactory arrangements were then made with the Presbyterians, by which the use of their house at Watertown was secured.

The churches of Watertown have been connected with Barlow circuit since its establishment, previous to that time Marietta preachers supplied these churches.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Many of the prominent early families of Watertown township were Presbyterians, and when the society at Waterford was formed, connected themselves with that body. The charge was very early divided into two preaching stations, the services for the southern part of the district being held in the open air and in residences and barns. William Ford's barn on Wolf creek was very frequently used for this purpose. Measures were taken in 1821 for the building of a house of worship. Due notice having been given, a meeting of a sufficient number of inhabitants of the township was held at the house of Benjamin Hart, November 17, 1821, for the purpose of forming a religious society. As a result of this meeting the First Presbyterian society of Wooster was incorporated November 20, 1821. Simeon Deming, William Woodford, and Benjamin Hart, are named in the record of incorporation, as trustees. A church organization separate from the church at Waterford was not formed till ten years afterward. This society was merely a business auxilliary; the conditions of membership were monetary. A meeting-house was built opposite the bend of the creek, two miles below Watertown. This house was built on the New England plan, being a combination of sanctuary and township house for election and other purposes. A school was also accommodated in one of the rooms.

Here, as at Waterford, vocal music was made a special feature of the church service. The choir was led by Colonel Simeon Deming, and assisted by the music of two violins and a violoncello. This choir became quite celebrated and aided greatly in filling the house on occasions of public worship.

On the eighth of May, 1831, Rev. Luther G. Bingham, commissioned by the presbytery of Athens, formed a church in Watertown, consisting of persons who had till then belonged to the church of Waterford, and persons living in Watertown and Barlow townships, the number of members being eighty-four. Dennis Adams and Benjamin Hart were chosen ruling elders.

August 31, 1831, Rev. P. Kimball was ordained pastor.

632 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

He also taught school in the church building, which was repaired and changed in its construction during his pastorate. Rev. S. N. Manning was ordained in 1834; Rev. Bennett Roberts in 1836; Rev. E. Garland in 1840; Rev. James Holmes in 1842; Rev. A. Thompson in 1847. About this time a division arose relative to the place of meeting. Those living in the vicinity of Watertown village furnished for meeting purposes the room in the upper story of the brick school-house. The other portion of the congregation desired to continue services in the old church. The matter was laid before the Presbytery, which resulted in the appointment of Rev. L. C. Ford and Roswell Tenny, as a committee to organize a second Presbyterian church at Watertown. August 11, 1848, a meeting was held at Watertown, at which a society, stying itself the Village Presbyterian church, was organized with twenty-seven members, all from the first church. G. H. Ford, Seth Woodford, and B. W. Arnold were elected ruling elders. Rev. A. Thompson was pastor till the summer of 1850. James S. Walton was ordained pastor in 1851.

The first church continued to hold service at the old meeting-house. Supplies from Marietta college filled the pulpit for some time. Rev. Dyer Burgess, the great abolition advocate, also ministered to this church.

The presbytery of Athens at its meeting in Barlow, April 13, 1853, resolved "That the First Presbyterian church of Watertown and the Village Presbyterian church of Watertown, be united under the name of the First Presbyterian church of Watertown, and that the records of the two churches be put into the hands of the session of the united church." The pastors since the union have been: James McNeal, G. R. Rossetter, D. C. Perry, Thomas McLeon, J. M. Howard, William H. Galbreath, J. Strauss, John Noble, and William H. Bay. During the greater part of the time since 1871, Watertown and Barlow have been served by one pastor, preaching being on alternate Sabbaths at each place. A comfortable frame church was built on the hill just above the village, in 1869, which was dedicated January 16, 1870. The use of this house is shared with the Methodists.

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

The First Universalist church of this township was built in 1835 in the vicinity of the old block-house, below Watertown village, in the Wolf Creek valley. Rev. Mr. Sage was the only regulat minister this church ever had. Services were held at irregular intervals by itinerant preachers. The house was burned in 1857, and the congregation disorganized. In 1870, through the efforts of Rev. J. M. McMaster of Marietta, the congregation was reorganized and a church built in the village. Mr. McMaster continued as pastor till 1878, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. M. Earl, who remained one year. The pastorate has since been vacant.

ST. JOHN-LUTHERAN.

Conrad Bohl, who settled in this township in 1834, was the father of this church. Preachers from Marietta occasionally held service in the neighborhood until 1845, when a congregation was organized, and the frame build ing erected by the Methodists some years previous, was purchased. The present house was built in 1855. In 1878 it was repaired, and is now a neat and comfortable house of worship. The congregation was connected with the Marietta church until 1865, since then with Lowell. The present membership is thirty families.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST-CATHOLIC.

A Catholic congregation was organized in Union township, now Watertown, about 1850, which was supplied by the pastor of the Marietta parish until 1865. In 1853 Michael McDermott donated to the church a lot on which they built a frame house. In 1865 the members in this locality were constituted a parish, and Magnus Eppank sent by the diocese as priest. The congregation had, the year previous, built a comfortable parsonage which has been the residence of succeeding pastors since that time. In 1866 it was thought desirable to divide the concregation, and two meeting-houses were built that year, one was located on Rainbow, on land donated by Andrew Schemdernan, which was christened Ave Maria. The membership of this congregation is German. The other was built on land donated by M. Jurdon. The membership of this congregation is both Irish and German. The old building was sold for a school-house. The new building is the handsomest church edifice in the township, and the largest Catholic church in the county. It cost about twelve thousand dollars. The following have been the priests: Magnus Eppank from 1865 to 1860; Gebhardt Schneader and Lawrence Schneader in 1869; Leonard McKeinen in 1870; Lewis Grammer in 1871 ; E. L. Fladung to the present time (1881). The membership of "St. John" church is seventy-five families, of "Ave Maria," fifty-five families.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCHES.

Watertown church was organized by Rev. Mr. Lease, an early minister on Plymouth circuit. The first members were Peter Stollar, Susan Stollar, William Sampson, Elizabeth Sampson, Daniel Jennings, Rosanna Jennings, Andrew Stollar, Elizabeth Stollar, Eleazer Smith, and Eunice Smith. The ministers of the Plymouth circuit supplied this church until 1878, when Pleasant Grove circuit was formed, J. W. Shell was given charge of the new circuit, and remained in charge two years. The present pastor, J. W. Willis, has served since 1880. In the fall of 1880 the name of the circuit was changed from "Pleasant Grove" to "Watertown." The class worshipped in private houses for some time, and then in the East Watertown school-house until 1871, when Pleasant Grove chapel was built. The present membership of this church is thirty-five. Four of the original members are yet living.

A class consisting mostly of persons living in old Union township, was organized by Rev. J. Watts in 1870. The names of the first members were, James Willis, Candace Willis, John Skipton, sr., Sally Skipton, J. W. Willis (present pastor), Bertha J. Willis, and Harriet Power. The ecclesiastical connections of this church have been with Pleasant Grove. The present membership is twenty-seven; services are held in a school-house.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

JOHN DRESSER CHAMBERLAIN

was born at Goshen, Hampshire county, Massachusetts,. September so, 1789, and died at Fairfield, Washington county, Ohio, February to, 1880. His parents, Asa and Prudence (Dresser) Chamberlain, were of the hardy New England stock known as Yankees, but in their later life forsook their eastern home to make a new one in Ohio, their son having preceded them a few years.

John D. Chamberlain crossed the mountains on foot in the early part of the year 1811, arriving at Marietta in March, and immediately wended his way up the Muskingum river to Waterford. Remaining there a short time, he finally settled in Wooster, now Watertown, where he purchased land and resided more than sixty years.

He enlisted in the War of 1812, and served until its close, in 1814, when he received an honorable discharge with the rank of captain.

He was for many years a teacher, having taught school upon Cat's creek, where Lowell now stands, and at Waterford, in Washington county, and at the old settlement of Amesville, in Athens county. He served in many civil offices, and was a county commissioner for fifteen years. He was a man of remarkable physical strength and of strong intellect, alike well qualified to endure the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and to enjoy the amenities of that period in which his old age was passed.

For many years he was engaged with others in the manufacture and sale of clocks at Cincinnati, the firm at first being Reed, Watson & Chamberlain, and afterwards Watson & Chamberlain. (This Mr. Watson's first name was Luman. It was after him that John D. Chamberlain's son, Luman W. was named). Many of the clocks manufactured by these two firms, more than sixty years ago, are still keeping time, although the hands that wrought them and the minds that planned them have ceased from labor.

Mr. Chamberlain married as his first wife Thirza A. Grow, of Chester, Meigs county. Nine children were the offspring of this union, viz: Diana M., Ason G., Amanda E., Anna M., Melissa E., Luman W., Prudence N., Alma A., and Thirza R. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Chamberlain married Mrs. Sarah Williams, of Morgan county, Ohio, whose death occurred prior to that of her husband. Two children were the fruits of this marriage—Sarah J., and John D.