Page Intro by Barry.
In 2015, Debra Sutherland introduced the book, History of Knox County, Ohio, which described her family Charles McKee (1764 – 1847) his wife, Margaret Lockhart, and brother Alexander McKee as the first white settlers in Brown Twp. It is available as a PDF file, with highlights copied into our webpage, History of Knox County, Ohio, in our USA section.
Recently Mike Barr from Coshocton County, Ohio (a member of the Blaine/Boyd/Elliott families) contacted me and suggested I read the book Fannie Blaine Elliott – Elliott Family History, 1816-2003, by Earl S. Elliott, Jr. The Elliott, Blaine, Boyd, Finlay, Lockhart, McKee and Love families (all Methodist) were living and marrying in Donegal, and later in Ohio. Indeed Fannie’s mother was Jane McKee, from Ardara! I recommend this book to all; it includes copies of Boyd letters from about 1850.
For supplementary reading I have downloaded the History of Coshocton County, a neighbor to Knox. This full PDF File is large and not easy to read, so I have copied the text for the chapter headings, township histories for Keene and Pike townships and some family histories. Scroll down to read the page, or click here to skip to Keene Township History and here to skip to Pike Township History and here for Bios of Pioneer Families. Daniel Ashcraft and Thomas McKee were the first white settlers in Pike Twp, Coshocton County in 1808.
If you do a word search for the name McKee in the PDF file for this Ohio history book, you will find several mentions of Alexander McKee. This is (Colonel) Alexander McKee, born about 1735, western Pennsylvania, died 1799, Windsor, Upper Canada. Alexander McKee was sympathetic to the British side during the American war of independence, and moved from Pittsburgh to Ohio in 1778, and subsequently to Detroit (under British control). At Detroit he became a captain and interpreter in the Indian department and for the rest of the revolution helped direct operations among the Indians in the Ohio valley against the Americans. After the war, Alexander McKee obtained land on the Canadian side of the Detroit River, but he served at Detroit as deputy agent in the Indian department, which used his influence among the tribes in Ohio and Indiana to encourage Indian resistance to American settlement beyond the Ohio River. He became lieutenant-colonel of the local militia in the late 1780s, justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the District of Hesse in 1788, member of the district land board in 1789, and lieutenant for the county of Essex in 1792. In the early 1790s full-scale hostilities broke out between the Americans and the Indian tribes; Alexander McKee helped to gather and supply the Indians who resisted American expeditions. He also tried to devise a workable plan for an Indian buffer state between American and British possessions. Alexander McKee was given formal command of Indian affairs in Upper Canada at the end of 1794 when he was appointed deputy superintendent and deputy inspector general of Indian affairs.
Was this famous (or infamous) Alexander McKee part of our McKee family from Donegal? We think not, but there were other McKee’s (including other Alexanders) who were Methodists from Donegal, and became pioneer settlers in Knox, Coshocton, and Holmes counties, Ohio.
In Kilcashel cemetery, near Ardara, there is grave marker for (Methodist) Andrew McKee, born 1695, died 1790. The Irish mists are slowly lifting on him and his family.
HISTORY of COSHOCTON COUNTY, OHIO:
IT’S PAST AND PRESENT,
1740 – 1881.
CONTAINING A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF OHIO; A COMPLETE HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY ;
ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, VILLAGES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, INDUSTRIES, STATISTICS, Etc.;
A HISTORY OF ITS SOLDIERS IN THE LATE WAR; PORTRAITS OP ITS EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN; VIEWS OF ITS FINEST BUILDINGS AND VARIOUS HISTORIC AND INTERESTING LOCALITIES;
MISCELLANEOUS MATTER; MAP OP THE COUNTY; BIOGRAPHIES AND HISTORIES OF PIONEER FAMILIES, Etc., Etc.
COMPILED BY N. N. HILL, Jr.
ILLUSTRATED. NEWARK, OHIO:
A. A. GRAHAM & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1881.
Cornell University Library
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924009823455
PREFACE
This work is presented to the reader with a due sense of its shortcomings, but a hope that it may not utterly fail of its mission to please, and satisfy whatever desire may have been created for a complete history of Coshocton county. The work has been accomplished with much difficulty and labor, but we are not unaware of the criticism that may be in store for it, largely due to the fact that almost every reader is personally cognizant of the facts it contains. The student of general history grants the truth of its statements without question, for the reason that he personally knows nothing of the events themselves; had he this knowledge, he would quickly see the imperfections of the work, and at once understand that the production of a county history, if the work be conscientiously done, is a most difficult and thankless undertaking.
The publisher and compiler have labored faithfully to produce a true history, and feel under obligations to the people of the county for the generous patronage extended, and especially so to Messrs. James E. Johnson, Colonel E. L. Pocock, T. C. Ricketts and Dr. S. H. Lee, of Coshocton ; James Le Retilley, of Roscoe ; Colonel Pren Metham, of Jefferson township ; J. C. McBane, of Franklin township; Joseph Love, James Magness, Thomas Platt and Joseph Heslip, of Linton township, and others who freely and generously gave their aid, information and influence in the prosecution of the work. To the county officials, Messrs. John Crawford, recorder, John W. Cassingham, auditor, Israel Dillon, clerk, John Beaver, treasurer, and William Walker, deputy treasurer, our grateful acknowledgements are also due for courtesies extended. Among the many publications and other printed material used in the compilation, we are indebted to “Historical Collections of Coshocton County,” by William E. Hunt (a very valuable aid) ; “Howe’s Historical Collections of Ohio ;” “Historical Sketches of Coshocton and Vicinity,” published in 1850, by Rev. H. Calhoun; “The Practical Preacher,” a Coshocton publication, as well as “Reid’s Ohio in the War,” and others. The war history was gathered largely from the old files of Coshocton papers, and from the lips of the surviving veterans, to many of whom the manuscript was submitted prior to publication, and by them pronounced correct.
A. A. Graham’s history of Ohio occupies the opening chapters, as it seems necessary to a complete county history, so closely are the interests and history of State and county connected. The early history of the county was largely the work of Hon. Isaac Smucker, of Newark, who has spent the greater portion of his long life in historical research, and is especially well versed in the early history of Ohio. The chapters on the townships and the town of Coshocton are due to the faithful labors of John B. Mansfield, a careful writer, and now a promising attorney, who personally visited every portion, of the county and conversed with the citizens, thus gathering from the pioneers facts of importance not otherwise attainable. He was ably seconded by Mr. Frank J. Longdon, to whose faithful work and general supervision much of the success of the enterprise is due.
The field of labor has been one prolific of great events, especially in the years immediately preceding the white settlement. The valleys of the Muskingum and its tributaries teemed with human life in pre-historic times, as the numerous mounds and earth-works clearly attest; and, later, a great host of Red Men were here; and, at the confluence of these beautiful streams, whose musical names will forever perpetuate their memory, stood the capital city of one of the most intelligent of these tribes of the forest.
We trust the reader will get from the following pages a faithful account of their occupation, as well as the principal facts of the settlement and work of the race that succeeded them.
N. N. H, Jr.
CONTENTS
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO
CHAPTER I.— Introduction, Topography, Geology, Primitive Races, Antiquities, Indian Tribes 11
CHAPTER II.— Explorations in the West 19
CHAPTER III.— English Explorations, Traders, French and Indian War in the West, English Possessions 37
CHAPTER IV.— Pontiac’s Conspiracy, Its Failure, Bouquet’s Expedition, Occupation by the English 48
CHAPTER V.— American Exploration, Dunmore’s War, Campaign of George Rogers Clark, Land Troubles, Spain in the Revolution, Murder of the Morovian Indians 52
CHAPTER VI.— American Occupation, Indian Claims, Early Land Companies, Compact of 1787, Organization of the Territory, Early American Settlements in the Ohio Valley, First Territorial Officers, Organization of Counties 60
CHAPTER VII.— Indian War of 1795, Harmar’s Campaign, St. Clair’s Campaign, Wayne’s Campaign, Close of the War 73
CHAPTER VIII.— Jay’s Treaty, The Question of State Rights and National Supremacy, Extension of Ohio
Settlements, Land Claims, Spanish Boundary Question 79
CHAPTER IX.— First Territorial Representatives in Congress, Division of the Territory, Formation of
States, Marietta Settlement, Other Settlements, Settlements of the Western Reserve, Settlement of the Central Valleys, Further Settlements in “the Reserve” and elsewhere . 85
CHAPTER X.— Formation of the State Government, Ohio a State, The State Capitals, Legislation, The “Sweeping” Resolutions 121
CHAPTER XI.— The War of 1812, Growth of the State, Canal, Railroads and Other Improvements, Development of State Resources 127
CHAPTER XII.— Mexican War, Continued Growth of the State, War of the Rebellion, Ohio’s Part in the
Conflict 132
CHAPTER XIII.— Ohio in the Centennial, Address of Edward D. Mansfield, LL. D., Philadelphia, August 9,
1876 138
CHAPTER XIV.— Education, Early School Laws, Notes, Institutions and Educational Journals, School System, School Funds, Colleges and Universities 148
CHAPTER XV.— Agriculture, Area of the State, Early Agriculture in the West, Markets, Live Stock, Nurseries, Fruits, etc.; Cereals, Roots and Cucurbitaceous Crops, Agricultural Implements, Agricultural
Societies, Pomological and Horticultural Societies 151
CHAPTER XVI.— Climatology, Outline, Variations in Ohio, Estimate in Degrees, Amount of Variability 163
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
CHAPTER XVII.— TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.— Topography— General Geological Structure of the County- Local Geology 165
CHAPTER XVIII. — ARCHEOLOGY.— Mound Builders and Indians— Antiquities— The Different Classes of Mounds, Effigies and Enclosures- Lessons Taught by These Works — Implements used by the Mound
Builders and Indians 180
CHAPTER XIX.— INDIANS.— Geographical Location of the Various Tribes— The Delawares— Their Towns in this County— Brief History of the Tribes of Ohio — Captain Pipe— White Eyes— Wingenund and Killbuck— Netawatwees- Manners, Customs, Feasts, etc.— Cabins, Wigwams, Food, etc. — Amusements and Hunting— Removal Beyond the Mississippi 193
CHAPTER XX.— BOUQUET’S EXPEDITION.- The Causes Which led to the Expedition— The Pontiac War-
Bouquet Ordered to the Relief of Fort Pitt— His March From Fort Pitt— Incidents of the March-
Indian Trails— March Down the Tuscarawas— Council with the Chiefs— Bouquet’s Camp at the Forks of the Muskingum— The Treaty of Peace— The Recovery of Prisoners— Sketch of Colonel Bouquet’s Life 205
CHAPTER XXL— COLONEL BRODHEAD’S EXPEDITION.— Causes of the Expedition— The Objective Point-
March of the Army— Arrival at the Forks of the Muskingum— Destruction of Indian Villages— Return of the Army— War of Extermination— Col. Brodhead’s Official Report— Biographical Sketches of Col. David Shepherd and Col. Daniel Brodhead 213
CHAPTER XXII.— WETZEL AND BEADY.— Lewis Wetzel— His Character— The Wetzel Family— The Murder of Lewis’ Father— Capture of Wetzel by the Indians— His Adventures in the Muskingum Valley— Tragedy at Indian Spring — The Expedition to the Muskingum under McMahon — Wetzel takes a Scalp — The Turkey Call — Various Adventures — Imprisoned — Wetzel’s Personal Appearance and Death. Samuel Brady— His Expedition to Walhonding— A Brief Sketch of his Life and Services 217
CHAPTER XXIII. — MORAVIAN MISSIONS. — Establishment of Lichtenau— Religious Services— Moravian Towns on the Tuscarawas— Abandonment of Lichtenau— Biographical Sketches of Rev. David Zeisberger and Rev. John Heckewelder 228
CHAPTER XXIV. — FIRST WHITE OCCUPATION— Mary Harris— Christopher Gist— George Croghan- William Trent — James Smith — Bouquet’s Army— Chaplain Jones— David Duncan — Murder at White Eyes- William Robinson- John Leetb— Brodhead’s Army— John Stilley— The Moravians— The Gertys and Others — Heckewelder’s Ride 236
CHAPTER XXV.— SCRAPS OF HISTORY.— Name— Formation— First Settlers and Settlements— Population- Flora and Fauna— Early Roads and Transportation— A Pioneer School-House— Prices for Produce— Early Taverns— Starting a Town— Character of the Pioneers —Social Gatherings- Trapping— Wild Pigeons 254
CHAPTER XXVI.— JOHN CHAPMAN 264
CHAPTER XXVII – PIONEER TIMES.— Where the Pioneers Came From — Their Condition and Character — What They Lived On— The “Truck Patch”—Hominy Blocks — Mills — Cooking —Cultivation of Domestic Animals — Wild Turkeys — Whisky— Superstitions- Dress of the Men — The Flax Wheel and Loom — More About Clothing—” Kicking Frolics”—Dress of the Women — White Kid Slippers Dyeing— Fourth of July and Militia Musters— Cabins and Their Construction- Furniture of the Cabins— Hoosier Poem— Early Land Laws — Tomahawk Rights — Hunting — Early Weddings— Dancing and “House Warming” — Schooling, School Teachers, etc. — Spelling Schools — Conclusion 267
CHAPTER XXVIII.— THE CANALS.— A Great Work— Celebration of the Opening of the Ohio Canal at Licking Summit — Work on the Canal — First Boat — Walhonding Canal— Length, Capacity and Business of the Canals 283
CHAPTER XXIX.— RAILROADS.- River Transportation— The Pan Handle— Extracts from Hunt’s History and the Zanesville Courier 288
CHAPTER XXX.—AGRICULTURE.— Agricultural Features of the County — Present Condition — Crops — Corn, Wheat, etc.— Fruit Culture— Stock Raising— Sheep— Cattle— Hogs— Horses— County Agricultural Society 290
CHAPTER XXXI.— COUNTY BUILDINGS AND OFFICERS.- First Jail — First Court House — The Present Court House— Other Public Buildings— List of County Officers — Commissioners — Auditors — Clerks — Treasurer’s — Recorders — Sheriffs — Prosecuting Attorneys — Surveyors -Coroners — Infirmary Directors — Representatives — Congressmen, etc. 297
CHAPTER XXXII.— BENCH AND BAR.— First Courts- Early Judges — Associate Judges — Judge Sample-
Early Bar- First Lawyers— David Spangler— Present Members 306
CHAPTER XXXIIII— WAR OF 1812.— Companies Raised in Coshocton County— Hull’s Surrender— Muster Roll of Johnston’s Riflemen— March of Colonel Williams’ Command— Their Services on the Frontier— Defense of Fort Meigs— Rev. H. Calhoun’s Communication 310
CHAPTER XXXIV – WAR WITH MEXICO.— Causes of the War— Muster Roll of Captain Meredith’s Company— The Third Ohio Regiment— Its Operations in the Field— The Fourth Ohio Regiment and its Services- Close of the War 314
CHAPTER XXXV.— WAR OF THE REBELLION.— Preparations in Coshocton— Three Months’ Men— Muster Rolls —Operations of the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry 321
CHAPTER XXXVI. —WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED.— Organization of “Given’s Rangers”—Their
Assignment to the Twenty-Fourth Ohio, and Departure to the Field— Sketch of Josiah Given— Organization — Captain W. M. Stanley’s Assignment to the Thirty-second Ohio, and Departure for the Field — Twenty-fourth and Thirty-second at Cheat Mountain —Twenty-fourth in the Field and Mustered out — Thirty-second in the Field and Mustered out 326
CHAPTER XXXVII — WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED.— Fifty -first Regiment— Muster Rolls— Its Operations in the Field 337
CHAPTER XXXVIII. — WAR OF THE REBELLION CONTINUED.— Eightieth Ohio— Time of Enlistment— Muster Rolls of Coshocton Companies— Paducah and Corinth — On to Vicksburg — Resignation of Captain Mathews — Battles of Jackson and Mission Ridge — Defense of Resaca— Sherman’s March to the Sea- Closing Scenes of the Eightieth’s History 345
CHAPTER XXXIX. — WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED. — Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry — Muster Roll— Services in the Field— Seventy-sixth Ohio- Muster Roll and Record 356
CHAPTER XL.— WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED.— The Ninety-seventh — Rosters of Companies H and I — Review by John M. Compton — Historical Record of the Regiment— Correspondence and Reminiscences 362
CHAPTER XLI.— WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED.- One Hundred and Twenty-second— Muster Rolls — Record of its Services— Seventy-eighth Regiment— Its Services in the Field 368
CHAPTER XLII.— WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED.— Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry — Its Operations in the Field— Thirty-seventh Ohio— A Record of its Services 379
CHAPTER XLIII.— WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED. —Sixty-ninth Battalion, or One Hundred and Forty- second 0. N. G. and One Hundred and Forty-third O. N. G. Review of the Sixty-ninth Battalion-Rosters of Five Companies— Record of the One Hundred and Forty-second and One Hundred and Forty-third- Correspondence from the Front 390
CHAPTER XLIV.— WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONCLUDED. —Cavalry and Artillery— History of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry — Roster of Company M — Correspondence from the Front— History of the Twenty-sixth Battery —Its Organization from the Thirty -second Infantry- Petition of Veterans, and endorsement of Coshocton County— Military Committee for New Organization 396
CHAPTER XLV.— EARLY HISTORY OF COSHOCTON.— Its Site an Indian Village— Early Settlement— Colonel Charles Williams— Ebenezer Buckingham – Dr. Samuel Lee —Tradition of Louis Phillippe — The Cold Plague— A Lost Child — The Whoo-whoo Society— The Journal of Colonel Williams 411
CHAPTER XLVI.— GROWTH OF COSHOCTON— PRESS- FRATERNITIES. — Location of Tuscarawa — Description of Original Plan— Additions to Coshocton— Increase of Population — Incorporation — List of Mayors— Post- masters— City Hall— The Press— The Coshocton Republican—Spy—Democratic Whig 421
CHAPTER XLVII. — MERCANTILE AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS.— Early Taverns— Present Hotels-
First Store— Early Merchants — James Calder — Hedge and Hammond — James Renfrew — Benjamin Ricketts —Robert Hay— Present Business Directory— Banking — The Johnson Brothers— Ricketts Bank— First National Bank— Commercial Bank— Savings and Building and Loan Association Ferries— Coshocton Iron and Steel Works— Paper Mill— Various Other Industries— Past and Present 429
CHAPTER XLVIII. — SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES OF COSHOCTON.— Early Schools— First School Houses and Teachers- Election of Buildings— Progress and Statistics — Churches — Early Preaching — Presbyterian — Methodist Protestant— Methodist Episcopal— Catholic —German Lutheran— Baptist— Episcopal 438
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES
CHAPTER XLIX.— ADAMS TOWNSHIP.— Location— Physical Features— Its Military Sections— Organization — First Officers— Early Justices- Indian Encampments —Early White Occupation— Settlers— Mills— Oil— Physicians— Schools— Churches— Bakersville 453
CHAPTER L.— BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.- Location— Organization— Name— Topography— Early Settlers— Indians -First Road— Schools— Mills — Distilleries — Cannel Coal Oil Operations — Churches— West Bedford 461
CHAPTER LI.— BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP.— Name— Boundaries — Streams — Surface — Soils — Denman’s Prairie”— Name of the Killbuck— Legend of the White Woman— Hunting Grounds— Mounds— The Morrisons —Mrs. Kimberly and the Deer.— Other Early Settlers —Squatters— Saw Mill – Bridges and Canal— Schools —Churches 470
CHAPTER LII.— CLARK TOWNSHIP.— Location— Topographical Features— Organization— Name— Early Settlements— Indians— First Schools- Mills — Helmick— Bloomfield — Churches — Population 476
CHAPTER LIII. — CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP. — Location— Survey- Soil — Settlers — Population — First School— Industries— Churches— New Bedford— Chili 486
CHAPTER LIV.— FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.— Boundaries- Physical Features — Canal and Railroad— Early Settlers and Settlements— Major Robinson’s Captivity- Indians— Schools and Churches— Taverns— Distilleries and Mills—Post offices— Coal— Oil 491
CHAPTER LV.— JACKSON TOWNSHIP.— Size-Location- Organization — Streams — Canals — Settlement — Mills — Roscoe— Its Growth— Business— Schools — Physicians — Fire Losses, etc.— Fourth of July Celebration — Churches 500
CHAPTER LVI. — JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. — Primitive Race — Flint Mining — Other Remains — Topography — Organization — Early Settlers — Whisky- Mills — Schools —Coal Oil Speculations— Warsaw— Mohawk Village— Post offices— Churches 510
CHAPTER LVII.- KEENE TOWNSHIP.-Boundary-Streams —Springs— Soil— Military Land— Archeology— Settlements — First Physicians — Mills and Distilleries- Early Schools— “Loud Schools”—Early Preaching— Keene—Newport— Churches 523
CHAPTER LVIII.— LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.— Organization — Name — First Officers — Location — Topography — Early Settlers— School Section— Prominent Men- Taverns — Mills — Schools — West Lafayette — Churches— Birmingham — Bridges — Mounds — War Matter 531
CHAPTER LIX.— LINTON TOWNSHIP.— Location— Name —Topography— Primitive Races-Indians— Doughty —Early Settlers and Settlements— Soldiers — Wills Creek— Early Navigation— Ferries and Bridges— Mills — Distilleries— Salt— Tanneries— Schools— Churches — Villages — Population 540
CHAPTER LX.— MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP.— Boundary- Streams— Survey— Organization— Settlement — Population- Post offices—Mills—Schools— Churches 555
CHAPTER LXI.— MONROE TOWNSHIP.— Boundary Topography-Population — Settlers— Mills — New Princeton — Spring Mountain — Churches 559
CHAPTER LXII— NEW CASTLE TOWNSHIP.— Location Physical Features— Scenery— Indian Mound— Indian Villages— Reminiscences— Block House— Early Nursery—Thomas Butler – Panther Hunt— Robert Giffen -Other Early Settlers— Mills— Distilleries— Other Industries— Bridges— Schools— Churches-New Castle— Walhonding— Mount Airy 565
CHAPTER LXIII.— OXFORD TOWNSHIP.— Location-Physical Features — Organization — Settlement— Mills — Distilleries— Taverns –Bridges –Schools -Millsville — Evensburg— Orange — Post offices— Churches 576
CHAPTER LXIV.— PERRY TOWNSHIP.— Name— Organization — Physical Features — Early .Settlements — East Union— Churches— Schools— Mills 580
CHAPTER LXV.— PIKE TOWNSHIP.— Boundaries— Topography— Settlers— Slab Camp— Bear Story— Distilleries— Mills— Schools— Churches—West Carlisle 586
CHAPTER LXVI.— TIVERTON TOWNSHIP.— Name— Location— Streams— Physical Features — Aboriginal Remains—Johnny Appleseed— Early Settlers— Population — First School — Churches Tiverton Center — Rochester 594
CHAPTER LXVII.- TUSCARAWAS TOWNSHIP.— Boundaries— Soil— Railroad and Canal— Military Sections- Early Settlements- Fulton’s Mill— Early Milling- Indian History — Bouquet’s’ Expedition — Indian Towns- Burial Ground — Mounds — Murder of the Indian, Phillips— Mining, its Development in the Township— Canal Lewisville— Churches 599
CHAPTER LXVIII.— VIRGINIA TOWNSHIP.— Surveys — Organization— Description— First Settlers— Churches — Schools- Industries — Moscow — Willow Brook 610
CHAPTER LXIX.— WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.— Early Settlers—Location-Topography—Early Justices— Indian Camp— First Road- Mills and Distilleries— Wakatomica Post office— Schools— Churches 614
CHAPTER LXX.— WHITE EYES TOWNSHIP.— Organization and Original Boundaries— Topography— Ancient Fort— Settlement— Population— Post offices- Avondale —Mills— Churches 618
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 627
ADDENDA 825
COSHOCTON COUNTY HISTORY CHAPTER LVII Page 523
KEENE TOWNSHIP
Boundary— Streams— Springs— Soil— Military Land — Archeology— Settlements — First Physicians — Mills and Distilleries—Early Schools—” Loud School “—Early Preaching— Keene— Newport— Churches.
KEENE Township is bounded on the north by Mill Creek township, on the east by White
Eyes, on the south by Tuscarawas and Jackson, and on the, west by Bethlehem township. It was organized as a separate township in 1824, previous to that time having been a part of Mill Creek. The Walhonding river passes through the southwestern corner, cutting off about a hundred acres from the main portion of the township. Mill creek is the principal stream. It passes through the township from north to south, entering the Walhonding river a short distance below, in Tuscarawas township. Several streamlets run through the township, one of them being designated Little Mill creek. Springs of a strong flow and an excellent quality of water are abundantly scattered throughout the township, furnishing water at nearly every farm house. The surface may be described as rough and rolling, be- coming in some places hilly. In the southwestern corner, along the Walhonding, are a few hundred acres of rich, loamy bottom land. Except this the soil is generally a yellow clay, with a little sand, and produces good crops. It seems specially adapted to pasturage, as it produces blue grass in rich abundance. Oak, chestnut, walnut, beech, sugar, hickory and white ash are the principal varieties of timber; they covered the entire surface of the township before it was cleared by the woodman’s ax.
Three-fourths of the township is military land, the first section, or the northeastern quarter of the township, being congress land. The second section, or northwestern quarter, was surveyed by the government into lots of one hundred acres each, which were entered severally from time to time, as they were demanded. The third section of the township, its southwestern quarter, belonged originally to Robert Underwood, his patent for the land being from the President of the United States, being dated March 29, 1800. Mr. Underwood was a government official in the treasury department at Washington, and never resided in Coshocton county. His section was located for him by J. Matthews. For his services in locating this section and several other sections, Matthews received from Mr. Underwood a five hundred acre tract of land in the southeastern part of this section. This tract was shortly after conveyed by Matthews to Ebenezer Buckingham, and by Buckingham to Benjamin Burrell, who settled upon it. Underwood had his section surveyed into lots of about one hundred acres each, which he sold gradually to settlers coming in, until all were disposed of. The fourth section, or the southeastern quarter of the township, was granted May 16, 1800, by President Adams to James Hamilton, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He, too, was a non-resident of the county, and sold the land by parcels to settlers.
Archeological remains are not numerous in this township. In this county they are found usually in the broad valleys of the larger streams, and in Keene township the only valley of this kind is that of the Walhonding which merely touches the southwestern corner. Here, however, is found a stone mound situated on the farm of K. D. Miller several hundred yards from his house on the point of a hill that overlooks the valley. A large portion of the stone forming it has been hauled away. Before it was disturbed, it was about twelve feet in diameter, three in height, and regular in slope. The stones were of various sizes, nicely fitted together like mason work. It has never been explored. About a mile southeast of this, just west of the residence of Saul Miller, on a nearly level ridge of land is a flat circular elevation, several feet high, covering about an acre. Mr. Miller, plowing at one side of this elevation several years ago, struck the plow against a layer of stone, some little distance below the surface, which seemed to be a pavement leading to a spring situated just below. Across the road from his house upon the top of a flat sand hill are a number of excavations in the sandy soil perhaps ten feet deep. When or why they were made it is difficult even to conjecture.
The Underwood section was the first part of the township to be settled. One of the first attempts at mill building in Coshocton county was made in this section, on Mill creek. It was about the year 1801 that Ebenezer Buckingham, of Zanesville, had a dam for a saw-mill constructed on his land in this section, within 200 yards of where M. McCarty now lives; but it was swept away the same fall during high waters, and the project in consequence abandoned. According to another account, the work of building the dam was done by George Colver and another man, and before it was completed one of the men died from the effects of a rattlesnake bite. This caused the other to relinquish work and return to Zanesville. Benjamin Burrell, a few years later, about 1807, settled here. He was from Frederick county, Maryland, and died soon after the war of 1812.
One of the first men to settle on this section was Nicholas Miller, who, in 1804, came with his father, Henry Miller, from Hampshire county, Virginia, to this county. His father had served seven years in the revolutionary war as a sharp-shooter, under General Morgan. Nicholas lived two years with his uncle, Michael Miller, in Franklin township; then, in 1806, took up a residence in Keene township, which was continued till his death. When he came into the township his entire fortune consisted of $36 in money and two axes. He first bought seventy-two acres from Mr. Underwood, paying for it in part by assisting in the survey of the section. Large additions of real estate were subsequently made to this. Several years after he settled here he married Mary Darling, who, at the age of eighteen, in 1806, drove a four-horse team through from Virginia. Her brothers, William and Jonathan, were among the first settlers of Jefferson township.
During the winter preceding Mr. Miller’s arrival in Keene township, he was engaged in deadening the trees on the little tract he had bought, and instead of returning to his home in
Franklin township, every evening, he made a cave-like excavation under a jutting rock, which served frequently as a sleeping place. He had retired here, one stormy evening, when he observed a bear approaching him. The sight, at first, frightened him, for he had no weapon at hand; but he raised a hideous yell, and the bear scampered away, Once, when bear hunting, he had shot and wounded his game, but not mortally, and he was in great personal danger. His trusty dog advanced upon the bear and attacked it. Bruin turned his attention from Miller to the dog, embracing the latter in a death-like hug Miller, in the meantime, quickly loaded his gun, with powder and ball thrown in loosely, ran up to the bear and shot it dead in its tracks. The dog arose, walked a few steps, then fell dead. Musters, were held in Coshocton as soon as men enough to form a company could be collected. While Miller was attending one there an Indian attempted to steal his horse. Miller detected him in the act, and attacking him in true pioneer style, gave him a drubbing. The Indian threatened revenge after he recovered, but Miller was never disturbed by him.
In 1806, Garrett Moore, a Virginian, also settled on the Underwood section, on lot 13. Henry Murray, Van Emery, Jackson Baker, William Winton, Samuel Thompson and James McCullough came about the same time. They were either renters or squatters, and were only transient in their stay here. Several years later, Elizabeth and George Emery, mother and son, settled in the extreme southwestern corner of the township.
James Oglesby, now the oldest resident of Keene township, became a settler in 1810. He was from Virginia, and came through to Coshocton by team. He first leased a place from Isaac
Evans, adjoining his present home, and afterward acquired considerable property in his own name. He served twice in the war of 1812, first about forty days in the- vicinity of Mansfield, afterward a term of six months at upper Sandusky.
Four or five years later, George Titus emigrated from Virginia, and located on lot 22. He
was a blacksmith, the first to pursue that trade in Keene township. Cuthbert Milligan and his wife about 1815, crossed the mountains from Hardy county, Virginia, with a single horse; each of them would alternately ride and walk. Mr. Milligan leased the Warman farm for a number of years, then purchased a portion of lot 22. James Milford came about the same time.
In 1816, George Bible, another Virginian, entered the township and settled on the Underwood section. He was a famous hunter and devoted most of his time to this his favorite occupation. For a number of years, from 100 to 150 deer, besides other game, were annually brought down by his rifle.
The year 1817 brought Charles Dusthimer to this section from the vicinity of Newcomerstown, to which place he had emigrated eight years before from Virginia. James O’Donnell came with him. Henry Preston purchased and settled upon lots 6 and 7; he subsequently sold them to John Kay, who came in 1817. Isaac Siphers came the same year. Shortly after the war of 1812, James Pew, who had been a soldier under General Harrison, settled on lot 11, where his widow still lives.
John Williams and William Livingston were among the earliest settlers of the Hamilton section. Livingston served for a number of years as justice of the peace.
The northeast quarter of the township began to be settled about 1816. James Carson was among the earliest persons here. He located in the northwest quarter of section 2. William Elliott and Andrew Neal followed soon after, the latter settling on the northeast quarter of section 8. Henry Barnes, about this time, owned the northeast quarter of section 9. John Daugherty and John Crowley were also early settlers. George Shoemaker came from Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1821. Jacob Bible, a brother to George Bible, accompanied him. He is still living just, across the line in Bethlehem township. From 1817 to about 1822, settlers rapidly filled up unoccupied sections, and at this latter date this quarter of the township was probably entirely settled.
The northwestern portion of Keene township was settled principally by New Englanders, most of whom were from Cheshire county, New Hampshire. Among the earliest and best known were Timothy Emerson, Jacob Emerson, his cousin, Jesse Beal, Adam Johnson, Robert Farwell, Zephyr Farwell, Dr. Benjamin Hills, Calvin Adams, John Burton, Henry Jewett, Samuel
Stone, Jonas Child and Chauncey Litchfield.
Timothy Emerson came in 1818, from Ashley, Massachusetts, and settled on lot 12. The first Sunday-school in Keene township owed its existence to his efforts. He died in Keene township in 1878 at the ripe age of ninety-six, just as he was about to remove to Granville, where two children resided. The Farwells came in 1825, from Cheshire county. New Hampshire. Robert Farwell was instrumental in introducing the first, fine sheep into Keene township. Adam Johnson came in 1819, also from Cheshire county, New Hampshire. He was a well educated man, for several years a justice of the peace in this township, and withal a very active and prominent citizen. Dr. Benjamin Hills settled in practice here at the insistence of his friend Adam Johnson, about 1820 or 1821, emigrating from the same place. He was the first physician in Keen township and one of the first in Coshocton county. For a while it is said he and Dr. Lee of Coshocton were the only two practitioners in the county. Although very young at the time, he had been in the revolutionary war in its last year as an assistant to an army surgeon. He was quite eccentric, it appears; rough in speech but kind of heart and especially tender toward the brute creation, horses, dogs, cats, etc. It is said that for a long time he fed daily a rattlesnake that had taken up its abode under his barn. In medicine he was a great admirer of the works of Dr. Rush of Philadelphia. His medical hobby was that all diseases were produced by miasmatic influence. His wife died in 1834, he returned to New England and died shortly after. Dr. Lewis Colby from Vermont, a well educated physician, located at Keene about 1828. His stay here was brief. A few years later he removed to Louisiana and died there soon after.
Bartholomew Thayer, a revolutionary soldier, settled on lot 2 of the southwestern section. He died in 1826, at the age of seventy years, and was buried on his farm. Courage and credulity were two elements of his character, as the following incident will testify: While Adam Johnson was surveying the town of Keene, a rattlesnake was seen by one of the men and killed. Thayer, who was present, was afflicted with an ailment of some kind, and had heard that the heart of a rattle-snake was a sure cure. Eager to test the efficacy of the remedy, he at once cut out the heart of the viper, and at a single gulp swallowed it.
The earliest township records preserved are for the year 1828. They show that during that year the officers were as follows: Timothy Emerson, John Rader and George Ford, trustees;
John Daugherty and James Pew, fence viewers; Henry Barnes, clerk; E. Thayer, justice of the peace ; Jacob Emerson, constable.
The first mill permanently erected was built by Nicholas Miller, in 1816, on what is now the farm of his son, Saul Miller. About ten years later a grist mill was added. The two were sold to John Burton soon after, and while in his possession were destroyed by fire, in 1836. About 1818 Jacob Emerson built a mill on lot 14 of the northwest quarter. He subsequently sold it to the Farwells. It suspended operations permanently in 1859. On lot 3 of the southwest quarter Ephraim Thayer, about 1825, built a saw-mill and grist-mill combined. Several years later, a carding and fulling machine was attached to the mill. This was the first carding-mill in this section of country, and for a number of years it did an extensive business. It went down about 1840. Rev. Adams, in later years, had a little, open, frame, saw-mill, on lot 19 of the northwest quarter, where he also ground a little corn and buckwheat. John Andrews also ran a little corn-cracker several years on a little creek in the northeastern part of the township.
The only distillery operated in Keene township was a little copper affair – owned by Isaac
Siphers, situated on lot 7, in the southwest quarter of the township, built about 1820, and kept up about fifteen years.
Long before the schools were maintained by public taxation, the demand for education among the pioneers of this township, as well as elsewhere, was sufficiently strong to keep schools in operation regularly for a few months every year. The earliest schools were taught in school-cabins built by the settlers, or in deserted huts, here and there, wherever they could be found. One of the earliest school-houses erected, stood on lot 18 of the southwest quarter of the township. It was built about 1818 or 1820, by the people of this vicinity, who “turned out” with their teams and their axes and soon constructed it and its rude furniture. It was a little log cabin, just high enough to permit a man to stand upright in it, with a fire-place, ten feet wide, occupying one end; for windows it had sheets of oiled paper placed over holes cut in the wall for this purpose. The seats were simply flat rails put on legs, the floor was puncheon and the roof made of clap boards. The first school in this building was taught by James Wilson, a gray haired man of about sixty winters. He was a Virginian, and came to Ohio, he said, to visit friends in Knox county, but, depleted in purse, he chanced to pass through this neighborhood just as the people were looking for a teacher. He was hired forthwith to teach the winter school of two months. The branches taught were reading, writing and spelling. Of the mysteries of arithmetic the old man was as ignorant as his pupils. He kept what was termed a “loud school”, conducted on the fundamental principal that the greater the noise, the greater the amount of “larnin”. An imperative rule was that all the scholars should study aloud, the louder the better. Among his pupils were a number of strapping young backwoodsmen, and it is needless to say that until the novelty of the thing wore off their vocal powers were exercised to their utmost capacity. To say that the din produced was deafening, would be to say that the falls of Niagara were “pretty good”. Some of the young people who attended this school, were Ben. Norman, Isaac Oglesby, John Minton, Isaac Good, John Milford, George Milford, Diana Milford, Robert Miller, George Moore and Garrett Moore. The location of the school proved to be too far north to be central for those who supported it, and consequently it was not kept up very long. Schools were afterward taught in abandoned cabins farther to the south. One of these was on lot 17 of the southwest quarter, taught by Amos Bonum, a cripple. The Millers, Oglesbys, Bakers, Emerys and others, attended school here. Afterward a school house was built in the northeastern corner of lot 14, same section, where V. Schwartz now lives.
Another early subscription school was situated on lot 7 of the same quarter. John Kay, Charlie McKee, Henry Barnes, William Kay, William Norman, Tipton Thompson and John Fulks were among the teachers here. The school in Keene village was established in 1820. Farther east, before the year 1820, Robert Boyd taught schools in old cabins a number of years.
In primitive pioneer times the market price of wheat was twenty-five cents a bushel ; coffee cost fifty cents a pound, and calico forty to fifty cents a yard. The “corn crackers” in use would not grind wheat to a desirable degree of fineness, and, to separate the coarser grits, perforated deer-skin often answered the purpose of sieves. Buckskin pants were the prevailing fashion with the men, and coats were seldom if ever worn, even to church. Miss Shoemaker, an old maiden lady, residing a mile or so northeast of the village of Keene, remembers vividly the “open air” meeting held by the Presbyterians in early days, the preacher, standing beneath the umbrageous oak, vigorously expounding his fourthlies and fifthlies to his hearers, while children of all sizes and ages were creeping over the ground and dividing with the preacher the attention of their parents. Once an irreverent wag, during the night before communion services were to be held in this grove, peeled the bark from one of the trees, which would be conspicuous the next day, and painted in large letters on the white surface thus exposed the words, “beer and cakes”, or some similar motto. The indignation of the members was strongly aroused against the perpetrator of this reflection upon their religious services, and he would have suffered had his identity been discovered.
Methodist itinerant preachers came to Keene frequently, before a class was organized there, and discoursed in divers places, just as circumstances would permit. One place for holding meetings was a little deserted cabin, floorless and dreary, situated about a mile south of the village. It was an invariable habit among the back-woods men to bring their dogs with them in attending church here. The snarling and fighting of the dogs in church was a cause of great annoyance to the preacher. The manifestation of an unusual amount of canine depravity one day was too much for the patience of Rev. Graham, who was then filling the pulpit, and he proceeded to administer a rebuke. After admonishing his hearers to remember where he had stopped preaching, that they might not lose the thread of his discourse, he demanded of his congregation reasons why they persisted in permitting their dogs to accompany them to service. He inquired whether it was through fear of wild animals; if so, they should bring their guns with them. Was it through fear of the devil? Then let them get down on their knees in their cabins and pray to their God to drive him away. The rebuke, it is understood, produced the desired effect.
The village of Keene is very pleasantly located a little northwest of the center of the township. It stands on the crest of a range of low hills and commands a view for miles around of a beautifully rolling country. It was laid out in 1820, by Jesse Reals, the original plat containing sixteen lots. An addition was made in 1839, by Charles and Robert Farwell. As originally platted, the village was wholly within lot 1 of the northwest section. This part is now the southeastern portion of town. Elisha Elliott was the first resident owner of lot 1, but, previous to the survey of the town, lie had sold it to John Burton and Jesse Beals, the eastern half to the former and the western part, which is the site of the village, to the latter. Beals emigrated from near Keene,
Cheshire county, New Hampshire, as did a number of the other settlers in this vicinity, and named the village in honor of his old home. The township name has, of course, the same origin.
At the time the village was platted, no building stood within its limits, the entire ground still covered with its primal dress of forest trees and thickets. There was, however, at this time, on lot number 2, on land which afterwards became a part of Keene, a hewed-log cabin, erected, a year or two before, by Alexander Barnes. The first building within Keene proper was a school-house, described as “a little leaky log cabin”. Adam Johnson probably taught the first school here, during the winter of 1821. He was succeeded by James McMath, of Harrison county. A little later Daphne Johnson, daughter of Adam Johnson, was the village school mistress. She died a few years after, of consumption. Dr. Benjamin Hills erected the first dwelling-house. The next building was a shop for the manufacture of windmills, built by Chauncey Litchfield.
Henry Ramsey was the first individual to sell goods at Keene. He offered his little stock of merchandise to the public about 1827. Previous to that date, for some years, he had followed the occupation of peddling goods, from door to door, in this vicinity. He was an Irishman, by birth, and emigrated from Liverpool; a cabinetmaker, by trade, and was considered a queer, half-witted character. Alexander Renfrew for many years, in early times, kept a flourishing store here. Charles Farwell kept the first tavern.
Keene once aspired to become the county seat. While Coshocton county still included a large portion of what is now Holmes county, the village of Coshocton was inconsiderable in size, and far from the center of the county. Keene claimed the advantage of a more central locality, and was urging its claims pretty strongly, when the formation of Holmes county, in 1824, put an end to the hopes of Keene in this direction. Prominent men at Coshocton, it is said, through fear of losing the county seat, were influential in having the new county struck off.
The only post office in the township is at Keene. It was first kept by Chauncey Litchfield about a mile south of the village, but, after this grew into a little trading town, it was removed to this place, and Robert Farwell appointed postmaster. D. G. Whittemore fills this position at present.
The village was settled to a great extent by New Englanders, and, in keeping with their advanced views of education, an academy was established here about 1845. A stock company, consisting of ten or twelve of its substantial citizens, was organized, a lot purchased, and a comfortable building erected. The school was conducted first by Rev. George B. Sturgis, an Episcopalian minister, afterward by Francis Benton and one or two others. For several years it enjoyed a vigorous growth and exerted a wide-spread influence, having in attendance at one time more than 100 students from a distance. Then it began gradually to decline, and in a few years more was merged into the public schools.
A Baptist church was located here years ago, but is no longer in existence. It was organized about 1842, at the residence of Absalom Farwell, by Rev. Gorham as officiating clergyman, and D. B. Whittemore, F. S. Bryant, Absalom Farwell, Zephyr Farwell and Charles Farwell as members. A large frame meeting-house, with steeple attachment, was built shortly after its organization. It became defunct about 1862, from internal dissensions and loss in membership. The building stood until 1871, when an incendiary reduced it to ashes. The ministers who labored with this church were J. M. Winn, B. White, M. J. Barnes and T. Evans.
Keene has now a population of about 275. Its present business may be summarized as follows: Two stores, owned by Smith & Parkhill and Daniel Whittemore, two hotels, two wagon shops, three blacksmith shops, two shoe shops and one harness shop. Two physicians reside and practice here, Drs. William Shank and Joseph F. Snider. Two fine church buildings adorn the place, the Presbyterian and the Methodist Episcopal.
Newport, a dead city of the past, came into existence in 1830, in which year it was laid out by Solomon Vail, close to the southern line of the township, on a little tract of land now owned by Sarah Wolfe. The Ohio canal had just been built, and the design was to found an emporium of trade on this commercial highway. Its beginning was auspicious. Two warehouses, opened by Robert Mitchell and Butler Luce, speedily built up a large trade. Two stores and a tavern were started, and the ring of the anvil was heard in the land; but the hopes of the village were destined to be disappointed. A formidable rival, Canal Lewisville, came into existence about a half mile to the east, and soon overtopped, then swallowed up, its little neighbor. Part of the plat of Canal Lewisville lies in Keene township, but all its buildings are in Tuscarawas township.
There are now four churches in active operation in Keene township, two of which are in
Keene village — the United Presbyterian and the German Baptist. Of these the United Presbyterian — Amity church — is the oldest. It is located in the northeastern part of the township, and is composed of the Associate Reform congregation of Mill creek, and the Associate congregation of Keene, which, before the consolidation occupied substantially the same territory. Robert Boyd was the first member of the Associate Reform church who settled in Keene township. He came May 4, 1817, and was soon followed by others. Mr. Boyd was an educated man, and came when a young man from Ireland. The first preaching was in the summer of 1818, by Rev. George Buchanan, of Steubenville; he preached occasionally afterward. Robert Boyd and George Ford, formerly elders in his congregation at Steubenville, acted as a session here. After 1822, Revs. David Proudfoot, David Norwood and Moses Kerr supplied the pulpit occasionally.
The first communion was held in the fall of 1828, by Rev. Samuel Findley, D. D. The members at that time were Robert Boyd and wife, George Ford and wife, John Williams and wife, Thomas Hamilton and wife, Joseph Marshall and wife, Robert Boyd, Jr., and wife, Mrs. Nancy Foster, Mrs. Sarah Ford, and others. Rev. D. F. Reid settled as first pastor in 1841, in connection with Millersburg and White Eyes, and labored with a good degree of success about sixteen years. A brick church was erected in 1834; the present frame church in 1856.
The Associate congregation of Keene was organized August 26, 1838. Robert Boyd and Robert Karr were ordained elders, Rev. Samuel Irvine officiating. Members: Robert Boyd and
Elizabeth, his wife; Robert Karr and wife, William Boyd, John Karr and wife, Sarah Boyd, John Boyd, John Elliott and Martha, his wife; Robert Tidrick and wife, John Williamson and wife, James Johnson, Samuel Boyd and Nancy, his wife ; and John Loder. Revs. S. Irvine, Joseph McKee, Samuel H. McClean, and others, supplied occasionally. In April, 1845, Rev. James M. Henderson was settled as pastor one-fourth of his time, in connection with Northfield and Claysville. He labored thus one year and nine months, with a good degree of success, when he was released from this part of his charge. He was a strong advocate of temperance and an opponent of slavery. In November, 1854, Rev. John P. Scott was settled one-third of his time, in connection with Millersburg, and labored here one year and nine months.
These two churches formally went into the United Presbyterian church, September 4, 1858. Rev. William A. McConnell was settled as pastor of the congregations of Mill Creek, White Eyes, and Keene, July 1, 1859. Pursuant to a notice given on the last Sabbath in April, the congregations of Mill Creek and Keene voted unanimously to consolidate into one congregation and session, under the name of Amity. This action was ratified by the Presbytery, October 15, 1861. Mr. McConnell labored with ability and success until some difficulties arose. He resigned his charge at the meeting of Presbytery, June, 1864, on the ground that he had not got the encouragement and support to harmonize the charge he was led to expect. He left on the 13th of September, 1864. At that time Amity had 130 members. The present pastor is William Wishart; the membership, forty.
The German Baptist church, known more generally as the Dunkard church, has a nicely finished frame building on lot No. 25, in the southwestern part of the township. It was built in 1878, and dedicated on the 7th of July, of the same year. Its cost was about $1,000. This is the first church edifice of this denomination erected in the county, although the society is one of the oldest. This is due to the fact that the members have been few in number and widely scattered. Preaching has been held in various parts of the county, for a long time in Franklin township, at the residence of Philip Hershman. The church was organized there about 1880, by Rev. Schofield. The principal early members were Philip Hershman, John Hershman, Nicholas Miller, Samuel Belhart and George Wilcox. Lewis Rodrick was pastor many years. He was succeeded by Revs. Eli Stell, Philip Axline, John Nicholson and Samuel Mantis. The present membership is about forty.
The First Presbyterian church of Keene was incorporated February 25, 1835, with the following membership: Timothy Emerson, John Elliott, Robert Farwell, Calvin Adams, John Shannon and Jacob Emerson. Previously, these members belonged to the “congregation of Coshocton and Mill creek,” which had been organized many years before. Services were once held alternately at Coshocton and Keene; when at Keene, during pleasant weather, under the trees of the forest, on the site of the present church; at other times, in cabins or the school-house. About 1833, when the Keene members were strong enough to form a separate church, they left the old organization and founded the Keene church. Their first building, a large frame structure, was erected in 1834, by Charles Farwell. The present church was built in 1878-79, and dedicated May, 1879. It is pleasantly located on a knoll of gently rising ground, is a substantial, commodious, frame edifice, with slate roof and a spire, and was erected at a cost of $2,600. Rev. George Warner was the minister in charge when the division occurred in 1833. Rev. N. Conklin was stated supply for two years ending June, 1836. Rev. J. S. Wylie followed Mr. Conklin and served three years. Both Mr. Conklin and Mr. Wylie also served, at the same time, the Coshocton church, and these churches have frequently been associated in ministerial charge. Rev. B. J. Lowe followed Mr. Wylie, remaining as stated supply two years. From 1841 until 1843, the church was supplied by the presbytery. Rev. John D. Whitham was installed pastor July 7, 1843. In 1844 a division occurred and a new school church was organized. After a little time, this was re- organized as a “True Presbyterian” church, which, after a feeble life, protracted through a dozen years, became extinct. Of the old church Rev. J. W. Knott became pastor June 28, 1845, remaining in charge until October, 1847. Rev. Samuel Hanna became pastor November 11, 1848, and continued his labors here until his death, in 1850. Revs. John Trubit, William Edgar and 0. C. Bomberger supplied the church from 1850 until July, 1856. At that time Rev. William E. Hunt took charge, remaining about one year. Rev. E. W. Marquis was installed November 14, 1857, and continued as pastor until his death, in May, 1875. Rev. Augustus Cone, who succeeded him, remained two years. The present pastor is Rev. W. D. Wallace, who also has charge of the Sabbath-school connected with the church. The number of communicants is about 120.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Keene was organized, as nearly as can be ascertained, about 1830. Of the original members were Robert Boyd, Daniel Boyd, John Boyd, Samuel Elliott, George Elliott and Thomas Elliott. Prior to the organization of the church preaching was frequently held in cabins and school-houses in and about Keene. A frame house of worship was erected soon after the church was organized. It stood just south of the present church, a large frame building, erected in 1860, at a cost of about $2,000. Both churches were built by John Elliott of Coshocton. The membership, at present, numbers about sixty. Rev. E. H. Dissette has charge of the circuit to which this church belongs. It includes the churches at Louisville, Warsaw, Spring Mountain and Elliott’s chapel, besides the Keene church. The Sunday-school connected with the church is superintended by William Bechtel and has a membership of about sixty.
In the southeastern part of the township a society of the United Brethren denomination was formed about 1850. Among those who participated in its organization were George Beaver,
Henry Reamer, Solomon Best, Christopher Keesy , James Murphy, William P. Murphy and Thomas Smith. A frame building was erected soon after. During the late rebellion, the discussion of war issues in the pulpit produced disruption and ultimately the extinction of the society. Later a Christian Union church was organized at the same place by Revs. Pigman and George Stevenson. The organizing members of this church were principally those who had belonged to the United Brethren church. Its career was also brief, perishing four or five years after its organization. George Stevenson and William P. Murphy were the principal ministers who had charge of this church.
PIKE TOWNSHIP – COSHOCTON COUNTY
Boundaries— Topography— Settlers— Slab Camp— Bear Story —Distilleries— Mills— Schools — Churches – West Carlisle.
PIKE Township occupies the southwest corner of the county. It is bounded on the west by Licking county and on the south by Muskingum. Washington township touches it on the east and Perry township on the north. The township was organized in August, 1818, the election for the first officers being held in the house of James Bryan. This and Perry are the only two townships in the county that consist wholly of congress land. It was surveyed in the year 1803, by John Matthews.
The surface is rolling and hilly throughout. It is nearly all tillable, the prevailing soil being a limestone clay. Some sandy grounds are found, however, principally in the western part of the township. The streams are small and unimportant. The largest is Tomica creek, which enters from Licking county, flows southeasterly about a mile and then returns to Licking county. Winding Fork enters the stream, flowing from the northeast. Brushy run rises near the northern line of the township, close to West Carlisle and flows almost directly south through the entire township. West of this, is Five Mile run, so named from its length ; it rises near the center of the township and pursues a southwesterly course. Little tributaries to these streams make up the remaining streams of the township. A heavy timber growth was universal, except in one locality. Along the narrow valley of Brushy run, in sections 12 and 19, was a strip of land covered only with saplings when the first settlers entered the township. The opinion among the early settlers regarding it, was that a violent hurricane had spent its force here and uprooted all the large timber growing upon the tract. The little elevations and depressions which such a catastrophe would produce, were numerously scattered through this region.
Daniel Ashcraft was the first settler in the township, settling upon the southwest quarter of section 22 in 1808. He was from the vicinity of Cheat river, Pennsylvania, and moved West with his son-in-law, Thomas McKee. The journey was made as far as Zanesville by water. Mr. Ashcraft and McKee constructed a large boat about twenty by forty feet in size, freighted it with their families, furniture, teams, iron, etc., and launched it on Cheat river, whence it proceeded safely down the Ohio to Marietta. It was too unwieldy an affair to get up to Zanesville, and Mr. Ashcraft came to that place and engaged three keel-boats to bring up his goods. The teams were brought up by land. From Zanesville he proceeded on the road leading west to the neighborhood of Frazersburg, and leaving his heaviest goods there, packed the most necessary articles on his horses through the wilderness, to his future home. A bark camp was hastily constructed and served as a temporary place of shelter. Mr. Ashcraft was an excellent mechanic, and could turn his hand to almost anything. He had a large family, and his boys, Jonathan, Jacob, Jesse, Elijah and Daniel, were of great service in clearing up the land. He brought over his blacksmith tools as soon as he arrived, and soon had a little log-cabin built which he occupied several years, then built a larger hewed-log house, a very palace in those days. A whip-saw was brought from Zanesville to prepare the necessary lumber for this building. In connection with his black-smithing, he carried on a cooper-shop, and soon had a tannery also started on his place. When the Newark road was opened, and the country round about began to be peopled with emigrants, he provided entertainment at his house for those who required it, a meal thus costing the stranger twelve and a half cents, and lodging six and a quarter cents. While the country upon all sides was still one vast wilderness, this farm had already become greatly improved.
Jonathan Ashcraft, still surviving at this writing, in his ninetieth year, turned the first furrow of ground in the township with his rude plow. Seeds for an apple and peach orchard were planted at once, and in a few years fruit was had in abundance.
Mr. Ashcraft served on the frontier for a few months in the war of 1812, in a company commanded by Captain Wilson, of Licking county. He continued to reside in this township, engaged in the quiet pursuits of farm life, till he died at a good old age.
Thomas McKee, his son-in-law, settled in the vicinity of Mt. Vernon, but years afterward moved to this county.
Very soon after the arrival of Ashcraft, Payne Clark entered the township. He came from
Fauquier county, Virginia, and settled upon the southeast quarter of section 12. He was a veritable Nimrod at the chase, and, gun in hand, spent much time in the game-abounding forest. He was also a practical surveyor, and in this capacity was of great service to his neighbors. About 1832 he removed to Greene county, Indiana.
Thomas Hardesty came about 1812, and entered the southwest quarter of section 19. He was from Maryland, and spent his youth upon the sea, where he acquired the hardiness and recklessness of a sailor. In 1811 he emigrated with his brother, Edmund Hardesty, to Washington township. He remained there only a year or two, and came to this township. He remained a resident of the township for a number of years, but never became skilled in the use of his gun. A favorite occupation was the making of maple sugar. He eventually removed to Greene county, Indiana.
It was not until 1814 that settlers began to arrive in any number. In that year Pierce Noland came to the township, and entered the northwest quarter of section 11. He was originally from the Virginia banks of the Potomac, and came to Coshocton county in 1811, living for three years nine miles up the Tuscarawas river from Coshocton, at the mouth of White Eyes creek. In his early days he was a traveling merchant, in Virginia, but since he became a resident of this county he followed farming exclusively. He died in 1834, at the age of fifty-seven years.
It was about this year that James and John Bryan, two brothers, settled here. As the name indicates, they were Irish. John was born in Ireland and James on the briny ocean, as his parents were on their way to the new country. The two boys entered the northwest quarter of section 12. James was a noted character in his day, was perhaps best known as the local poet of this community. He possessed an abundance of native Irish wit and was an inveterate rhymer. His caustic verses were an ever-availing weapon against those who incurred his enmity, and were always highly appreciated by those at whom they were not aimed. He was reared a Catholic, but did not hold firm allegiance to any church. He was as fond of whisky as he was of versifying. He was by trade a molder, and during winter was often employed at Moore’s furnace, a few miles east of Newark. He finally removed to Indianola, Iowa, where he died.
David Moore, a cooper by trade, from near Hagerstown, Maryland, and James Thompson, from near Cumberland, Maryland, came out in 1814, and entered the southwest quarter of section 12. Mr. Thompson spent the remainder of his life in the township, but Mr. Moore sold his property and removed to Vinton county.
David Knowles, about 1813, settled in the eastern part of section 19. William Clark, a Virginian, about 1816, entered and settled upon the southwest quarter of section 10. About the same time, Joseph Cheney, from Maryland, settled upon the southeast quarter of section 22. About 1814, Joshua Lemart, from Fauquier county, Virginia, settled upon the northeast quarter of section 12. He had lived for a short time previous in Washington township. He died in Muskingum county. Adam Gault, from Pennsylvania, came in about 1816, settling upon the southeast quarter of section 2. He died in 1846.
Eli Seward moved with his family in the fall of 1815 from Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to the Cass section, in the northern part of Muskingum county, remained there a year, and in
February, 1817, settled upon a quarter section in the western part of this township. In the spring of 1816 his brother, Ebenezer Seward, James Chapin and John Taylor, emigrated from the same county in Pennsylvania.
George Lynch, a Pennsylvanian, moved about 1816 to the northwest quarter of section 19. He erected a blacksmith shop here and divided his attention between the shop and field. Years after he removed to Hardin county. Spencer Lake emigrated about the same time from Fauquier county, Virginia, and remained a farmer of this township the rest of his life. William Henderson, a blacksmith and afterward a dealer in stock, came about 1816 from Belmont county. About 1817 Samuel Perkins, from Pennsylvania, entered the tract upon which West Carlisle is now situated. Augustine White came in 1818 from Virginia. Alexander Graham, also from Pennsylvania, came to the township in 1819; he died in July, 1844. About this time John Eine, a Marylander, who had served in the war of 1812, moved in.
The tax duplicate for 1821 shows the following additional names as resident property-holders. As land did not become taxable till after it had been entered five years, some, if not all, of these settlers were probably here as early as 1816: George Crawford, the southeast quarter of section 23, and east half of section 21; Francis Crawford, the northeast quarter of section 24;
Richard Goodwin, the north part of the south- east quarter of section 6; John McNabb, the northwest quarter of section 2; John Perdew, the northeast quarter of section 1; Kimble Rakestraw, a Virginian, the northwest quarter of section 17; John Robinson, also a Virginian, the southeast quarter of section 15; Jesse Rine, brother to John Rine, from Frederick county, Maryland, the south part of the southeast quarter of section 5; Asa B. Snyder, the northeast quarter of section 9; William Wright, from Virginia, a local surveyor, and by trade a wheel-wright, the northeast quarter of section 22.
The only vestige of Indian habitation which existed when the early settlers came to the township, was a rickety shanty, which stood near the mouth of Winding Fork, and was known as Slab Camp. It was a three-sided little hut, one end being entirely open, and about ten by twelve feet in size. It was frequently occupied by hunters, after the Indians had abandoned it, as a sleeping place, and whenever so used, a fire must be built across the open end, to prevent the entrance of wild animals.
Wild game was abundant for a number of years, and many are the bear stories which the few remaining pioneers tell of the times which are now gone forever. There is room for only one. Richard Meek, who settled early on the northwest quarter of section 22, went visiting one day with his wife, leaving Samuel, scarcely fifteen years old, and his younger sisters at home. They amused themselves during their parents’ absence by springing saplings in the woods. After a while Sam thought he espied a bear behind a fallen log. He told the little girls to watch the place while he ran to the house for his father’s gun. He soon returned with the weapon, which was so heavy he could scarcely carry it and lying down on the ground, he laid the cumbersome weapon across a log, took deliberate aim, and fired. The ball sped true to the mark, and the bear fell dead. Running up to it, he drew out a butcher knife and stabbed it in old hunter fashion; then went to the stable for horses and sled, and by dint of perseverance managed to get the bear on the sled and home just as his parents returned. It was an unusually large animal, weighing more than 600 pounds.
Several small distilleries were operated in this township in early times to supply the local demand for whisky. James and George Crawford, about 1818, started one and run it for a number of years. Another one was owned by Thomas and John Crawford, of another family. Payne Clark, Samuel Hardesty and Newman Smith were also manufacturers of the article on a small scale. Joshua Lemart began the business at an early day and continued it for many years. He built a little horse-mill for the purpose of grinding his mashes, but it was soon brought into requisition by his neighbors for grinding their corn. Particularly was this so during a dry season, when the mills on the small streams must suspend operations for lack of power, and the settlers were obliged to take their grists up to Owl creek in Knox county, or down to Zanesville, where, from the throng of customers, they often had to wait several days before their wants could be attended to. Lemart’s horse-mill was then kept going night and day, turning out a course grade of corn-meal which the settlers labored hard to obtain.
John Taylor built a saw-mill on Winding Fork about 1818. In 1823, he sold it to Albert Seward — still living in Bethlehem township — who had just attained his majority. In 1830, Mr. Seward disposed of it to James Van Winkle, and, a short time afterward, Ebenezer Seward obtained possession of it. He sold it to Mr. Pease, of Dresden, who proposed removing it further down the stream and adding a grist-mill; but he failed in business before carrying out the project, and the property reverted to Mr. Seward. He resold it to Jesse Ryan, and the mill soon after went down.
A saw-mill was built on Tomica creek, by Frederick Zellers, in 1833, and the next year a flour-mill was added. It is still in operation, known as the Gault mill. It has two run of buhrs, a good stone dam, and produces an excellent grade of flour.
Little is known of the early schools of the township. Like in all other pioneer settlements, they were irregularly held, meagerly attended, and very inefficient, as compared with the schools of the present day. A school-cabin was built about 1824 on the hill south of Hiram Noland’s house, on the southeast quarter of section 12. William Wright was the first teacher in this building. He was a learned teacher, proficient in Latin, it is said, and a thorough mathematician. He remained in charge of the school for a number of years. Later, a school-house was built just south of West Carlisle, where Mr. Timberlick, afterward cashier of the Owl Creek bank of Mt. Vernon, taught the first elements.
There are four churches in the township; three, a Methodist, a Presbyterian and a Lutheran, in West Carlisle, and one about two miles south of this village, near the center of section 12. The latter is a “People’s” church, or more commonly called the “Broomstick church.” It is the property of no denomination, built nearly forty years ago by the people in this neighborhood, regardless of their church affinities, upon land donated by Hiram Noland. All denominations are permitted to worship here at any time which does not interfere with previous appointments, and several societies of different sects have used the building as their meeting house. Among them was a congregation of Christians, which at one time possessed considerable strength. Nathaniel Emery, Lewis Cheney and many persons from a distance were members. At first preaching was conducted at Mr. Emery’s barn, then transferred to the church. There have been no services now for ten years or more. The Disciples held services here for a while. Samuel Cheney was a leading member. The congregation included a large number living in Muskingum county. Rev. White was their last minister. The Presbyterians and Methodist Episcopals hold occasional services. The Methodist Protestants have regular meetings, conducted at present by Rev. William Sampson. This society was organized about 1845, and now has about fifty members. A union Sunday-school is held here.
Of the three churches in West Carlisle, the Presbyterian is probably the oldest. It was incorporated by the legislature in 1823. The incorporators were James McKee, John Lyons, James Gault, James Patten and William Brown. Rev. James Cunningham, of Utica, Licking county, had been preaching occasionally in the neighborhood for some time and continued to preach for the church until 1834. Rev. Jacob Wolf then served the church for about a year, and after he left Mr. Cunningham again supplied the congregation for a year or two. In 1838 and 1839 the church was supplied by Rev. Enoch Bouton and Rev. Nathaniel Conkling. Rev. J. Matthews seems to have been the first pastor, installed November 11, 1840. Until 1846 he gave it half his time and then the whole time until 1853. During his time the church building still in use was erected. In 1853 C. C. Bomberger was ordained and installed pastor. During the war the congregation was greatly distracted on political issues, and finally divided, Mr. Bomberger and a portion of the congregation withdrawing and putting themselves under the Presbytery of Louisville and afterwards under the care of the Presbytery of Central Ohio in connection with the Synod of Kentucky. This congregation found a house of worship in the “People’s church” two miles below the village. In the old church after several years of embarrassment, with only occasional supplies, John Foy was ordained and installed in 1870. During his pastorate the church rallied to a considerable extent and the house of worship was repaired and improved at an expense almost equal to its original cost. Mr. Foy removed in 1874 to Martinsburg and the church has since been supplied by Revs. S. Mehaffey, W. D. Wallace, and W. J. Fulton and J. P. Safford.
In November, 1880, the two divisions of the church were harmonized and re-united under Mr. Safford’s pastorate. At its organization the number of members was twenty-four; in 1860 there were eighty-six; at present it exceeds one hundred. The first elders were Thomas McKee, James Crawford and Adam Gault. Subsequently the following have served : A. H. Lyons, Christopher Crothers, John Lyons, James McKee, Robert Crouch, William Harvey, D. D. Johnson, Lewis Bennett, Thomas McKee, John McKee, John Graham and George McKee. The last three constitute the session at this time.
The Methodist Episcopal congregation at West Carlisle erected its first house of worship in 1832 or 1833. It was a frame building, and occupied the site of the present church, which was built about 1859. The date of the church organization is unknown. It was some time before the erection of the first church. Among the earlier members were William Moffat, John Fulks, James Fulks and William Henderson. Rev. Thomas Dunn was an early minister. The membership is now about sixty. Rev. A. A. McCullough is the pastor. A Sunday-school has been connected with the church for a great number of years, and is in excellent working condition. The school is held through the whole year.
The Evangelical Lutheran church was organized about 1835. The first minister was Jacob Seidle. Rev. S. Kammerer had previously held services in the neighborhood. The leading early members were Henry Billman, Henry Divan, George Sossaman, Henry Keifer and Solomon Exline. The present frame church was built a few years ago, at a cost of about $1,200. The former building was smaller, and built soon after the church was organized. The church had a large following at first, but when the Winding Fork church was organized many members withdrew to unite with it, and the church was left comparatively weak. By removals the membership has become still smaller, and is now quite limited. Rev. John Booker is the pastor.
West Carlisle, the only village in the township, lies a half mile from the northern line, near the center of section 2. It is one of the oldest villages in the county, having been laid out in August, 1817. The proprietors were John Perkins and John McNabb. Perkins owned the southwest quarter of section 2, and McNabb the northwest quarter of the same section. The town was laid out on the line between the two quarter sections. The village was probably named by Perkins, who is said to have been from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in honor of his old home. The original plat included thirty-four lots, but during the same year, 1817, each of the proprietors made a small addition to the town. Further additions were made in 1831, by William Henderson, William Brown and Harmon Anderson.
The leading character in the early history of West Carlisle was William Brown. He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and spent his youth in the service of a merchant in St. Clairsville. He came to West Carlisle about 1822, with a small stock of goods, and soon after formed a partnership with a gentleman in Zanesville, and greatly increased his stock. He remained a resident of the village until 1840, and during this time was closely identified with its best interests. His parents were from Germany, spelling the name Braun. His wife was Scotch-Irish. By the combination of the virtues of the two races, the Browns won for themselves great consideration in their neighborhood, and, though starting in their wedded life with very little, amassed quite a respectable fortune. Mr. Brown was for many years a justice of the peace and postmaster, under Monroe, J. Adams, Jackson and Van Buren, although he was a very decided Adams and Clay man. He was an excellent horseman, and skilled in the use of the rifle, and these things helped him greatly in the state of society found in his day in the region of West Carlisle. In public movements and proper sports he was never lacking, and was often recognized as a leader, and made the object of a good deal of ‘backwoods homage,’ and yet with all his activity in business and interest in the social life of the people, Mr. Brown is represented as having been a very earnest and faithful man in his religious duties, Family worship was on no excuse intermitted; the Sabbath was sacredly regarded ; and when, as before and after a communion in the church, there was preaching, the store was shut, although he loved business, and avowed his intention to give himself steadily to it, and to make money for his family. His house was the minister’s hold, and he was one of the most active members of the Presbyterian church from its organization, contributing largely of his means to it. In 1840, he removed to Logansport, Indiana, and there died, March 4, 1859. One of the sons, William L. Brown, acting brigadier general of the Indiana infantry, was killed at the second battle of Bull Run. Three sons, J. C, Hugh A., and Frederick T., became Presbyterian ministers.
Mr. Brown’s was the first store. William Henderson was the first blacksmith. In 1833, there were two churches, three stores, one tavern, one physician, one tannery, two blacksmith shops, two cabinet-makers, two hatters, one wagon, maker, one carpenter, two shoemaker and two tailor Shops. The population then was 107. In 1880, it was 154.
A directory of the village, for 1881, would reveal the following: Dry goods, L. F. Cheney and J. W. Almack; grocery, L. P. White; wagon shop, M. Baird & Son ; saddlery, A. T. Pine ; two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops and one cabinet shop; carriage manufacturer, G. W. Cooper. This establishment gives employment to seven or eight workmen, and annually builds a large number of carriages and spring wagons. Drs. William Smith and James Edward are the resident physicians.
A Baptist church was built in the village about 1845. William and John Dunlap, William
Wright and Robert Cochran were leading members. Rev. Waldron was the first minister. The society grew rapidly for a few years and as rapidly declined. About 1850, the building was sold to William McFarland, who, with others, converted it into an academy, under the management, at first, of Mr. Gilbert It was afterward purchased by the school board and is still used as a village school-house. It contains two rooms, both of which are occupied.
West Carlisle, though small, is a stirring village. It is a live, business place and a trading center for many miles around.
Coshocton County – Selected Biographical Sketches
ASHCRAFT JACOB, Pike township; post office, West Carlisle; farmer and stock raiser: born in this county in 1832, son of Jacob and Martha Ashcraft. He was married in 1857 to Miss Liddie Russell, daughter of William and Harriott Russell. They are the parents of twelve children— William S., George W., Thomas (deceased), Norah, Mary N., Harriott K., Russell E., Arthur and Jacob L. Two are married.
BIGGS WILLIAM, Jackson township; bom in this county in 1828 ; son of William and Hester (Markley) Biggs, and grandson of William and Mary Biggs and Andrew and Mary Markley; married in 1853, to Mary Smith, daughter of Newman and Hester Smith. Mr. Biggs is the father of twelve children, viz: Palina, James, John (deceased), Frederick, Frank (deceased), Joseph, Evalina, Elizabeth, Hester, William, Mary, Samuel. Two are married and living in this county. James is a teacher.
BOWER LORENZO, Monroe township; was born October 22, 1833, in Holmes county, Ohio; son of William and Corrilla (Barnes) Bower, and grandson of Leonard Bower and of Nancy Price, also, great grandson of Richard Barnes. He has followed farming all his life. In 1864 he came to Coshocton county, where he yet lives. He married Cordelia McKee, December, 1860, daughter of Andrew and Julia A. (Corns) McKee, and granddaughter of William Corns. She died December 2, 1873. The children are Alex. Q., Silas C., Charles E., and Leonard P.
BOWER lRWIN, Monroe township; was born May 9, 1831, in Holmes county; son of William and Corrilla (Barnes) Bower, and grandson of Leonard Bower and Nancy Bower, and great grandson of Richard Barnes. He followed farming in Holmes county till 1861, when he came to Coshocton county. He was married first to Catharine Brightwell October 26, 1854. After the death of his first wife he married Mary Wilson, May 6, .1878.
BOYD WILLIAM E., White Eyes township; born in the county of Donegal, Ireland, October 1801. He came to this county with his parents about 1824, who settled in White Eyes township. He was married in 1836, to Miss Isabella Finley. She was born in the county of Donegal, Ireland, February, 1816. They became the parents of ten children — John P., Jane M., Ramsey W., Margaret A., George B., Alice A., Richard W., Florence E., Alexander P. and Robert E. All married, except Robert E., and Margaret A., who is a widow. George B. enlisted in Company H, Eightieth O. V. I., at Coshocton, in 1861. He was killed at Vicksburg, and was buried on the battle-field. Ramsey W. enlisted in the 190-day service. Jane M. married Dr Chapman, of this county, and is now living in Woodford county, Illinois, where the doctor has a large practice. Ramsey W. was married to Charlotte Hagle, of Bethlehem township, and is now living in Illinois. Margaret A. was married to John W. Bell, of Wakatomika, who is now deceased. Alice A. married George W. Kraut, and lives near Wakatomika. Richard W. married Lucy Dunemyer, of Illinois, and is now living in Keene township. Florence K. married Howard Lawrence, of Keene township. Alexander P. married Pauline Compton, of Roscoe. Robert B. is single and lives at home with his parents. Mr. Boyd and family are members of the M. E. church.
BOYD WILLIAM M., Keene township; born March 13, 1803, in Pennsylvania; a son of Robert Boyd, who was born September 6, 1769, died November 28, 1826, and Mary McMaster, born August 27, 1779, died January 23, 1872, and grandson of William Boyd and James McMaster. Mr. Boyd came to Jefferson county in 1803, and remained there till 1814, when he came to Coshocton county to the farm where he now lives. He has traveled considerably in the United States, and was married to Miss Bowl, April 1, 1824, who was born April 12, 1804, died September 3, 1873, a daughter of James and Nancy (Thompson) Bowl. Their children were: Nancy, born February 11, 1825; Gilbert, February 11, 1826, died January 21, 1849; Mary, born April 12, 1831; Robert, September 10, 1833; Sarah, June 28, 1836, and John C., February 25, 1841, died December 25, 1852.
BOYD ROBERT R., White Eyes township; postofiice, Canal Lewisville ; farmer; was born in August, about 1811, in county Donegal, Ireland; son of Robert and Jane (Ramsey) Boyd. He came to America and located with his parents on the farm where he now resides. He was married May 23, 1839, to Miss Mary Anne, daughter of Robert and Jane (Stephenson) Johnson. They have had fourteen children: William J., married to Elmira Elliott, now residing in Caldwell county, Missouri; Jane, married to Thomas Hamilton, residing in White Eyes township; Samuel F., married to Elizabeth Brown, living in the same township; Robert A., married to Mary Jane McMurray, residing in Marion county ; Mary Anne, married to Alexander Adams, residing in Keene township; Hester Ellen, married to James Elliott, residing in Mill Creek township; Elizabeth, married to John Clark, residing in White Eyes township; Daniel, married to Matilda Compton ; Selma, Carbetta, Evert Richard and Caroline, deceased. Mr. Boyd has given his entire attention to mixed husbandry and agriculture, and by honest industry has obtained a competency.
BOYD FRANCIS, farmer ; White Eyes township ; Chili postofiice ; born February 10, 1828, in Washington county, Pennsylvania; son of Robert and Margaret (Cassidy) Boyd. His grandfather’s name was Robert Boyd, a native of Ireland, and his mother was also of Irish descent. She died in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and is buried at Bethel church, in that county. Young Boyd lived about four years in West Virginia before coming to this county, which he did in 1834, and located in White Eyes township. He was married November 13, 1854, to Miss Jane, daughter of Alexander and Rebecca (Virtue) Lockard, of Irish ancestry. They have four children — Alexander, married to Caroline Carnahan, Robert Dayton, married to Elizabeth Beaver, James D. and Rebecca Jane. Mr. Boyd has devoted his attention to mixed husbandry and agriculture, but principally to wool growing, having a very fine farm well adapted to sheep husbandry. It is kept in good condition, making an elegant home for himself and family.
BOYD W. S., Virginia township; born in Coshocton county, October 7, 1840, and was married April 23, 1862. Mr. Boyd was blessed with five children, viz: Cora A., Emma L., Sarah E., William W., and Edward S. He died in 1875. His widow survives him.
BURKLEW B. F., Monroe township; was born October 15, 1848, in Monroe township. He is a son of W. H. and Martha J. (McBride) Burklew, and grandson of Samuel and Hannah Burklew, and of William and Eliza (McKee) McBride. Mr. Burklew was born and bred a farmer, and educated at Spring Mountain academy and Danville high school, of Knox county. At the age of sixty he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-first O. V. I., and served fifteen months in the Atlanta campaign, and under General Thomas, at Franklin, Spring Hill, Columbia and Nashville, where he lost an arm. Since the war, he has spent his time in teaching, farming and selling patent washers. He was married to Miss Sophronia Thomas, in April, 1871, daughter of Uriah and Jane (Crawford) Thomas, and grand-daughter of Eunice and Margaret (Cameron) Thomas. Their children are Emery T., born March 22, 1872; Howard L., May 6, 1874; William H., June 17, 1876, and Clyde McBride January 20, 1878.
CHANEY JONATHAN, Pike township; post office, Frazeysburg, Muskingum county; farmer and stock raiser; born in this county in 1850; son of Emanuel and Margret (Ashcraft)) Chaney, and grandson of Joseph and Elizabeth Chaney. He was married in 1876, to Miss Mary E. Moran, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Moran. They are the parents of two children, viz: Laura B. and Charles E.
CLARK JOHN, Bethlehem township ; farmer ; post office, Warsaw, Ohio ; son of Samuel Clark : was born in this county, in 1813. His father came to this county in 1810 or 1811, and was of Irish descent. He was one of the oldest citizens of Coshocton county. When he came to the county, he found it a wilderness, with here and there a cabin, surrounded by a small lot of cleared land. He was county commissioner two terms, and served as justice of the peace in his township for a number of years. John Clark was married February 3, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth N. Skillman, who was born in New Jersey, in 1819. They became the parents of eleven children, viz: James A., Mary W., Margaret J. (deceased), Thomas, Isaac M., John A., Anna C, Emma, Lizzie and Edward E. Lizzie follows the profession of teaching. Mr. Clark owns a fine farm in Bethlehem township, and is esteemed by all his neighbors. He and his wife are prominent members of the M. E. Church.
CLARK BENTON, Jackson township; farmer; post office, Roscoe, Ohio; son of Archibald and Sarah (Hogland) Clark; was born September 29, 1837, in this county. His father was of Irish de- scent, but was born and raised in this county. His mother was of English descent, and was also born and raised in this county. They were among the oldest pioneers of the county. Mr. Clark was raised on the farm, and has always followed that occupation. He was married in 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Thompkins, of this county. They became the parents of four children, viz : Henry, Archibald, James and Adam. Mr. Clark owns a fine farm in the Walhonding valley.
CRAWFORD WILLIAM H., Mill Creek; farmer; post office, New Bedford; born in 1839, in this township. His father, Andrew Crawford, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and came to this county in 1820. He was married in 1837, to Miss Margaret Irwin of this county, who was born in 1813, in Ireland. She came to this country in 1824, and died in 1867. They were the parents of four children He married in the same year Miss Mary Ramsey of Pittsburgh. The subject of this sketch is the oldest child. He was married in 1866, to Miss Mary Colorado, of Holmes county, who was born in 1844. They are the parents of three children, viz: Sarah, Angle and Augusta.
CRAWFORD JAMES, Mill Creek township; farmer; post office, Mound; born in 1836, in this county. His father, Oliver Crawford, was born in 1808, in Ireland. He came to this county in 1819, and was married in 1831, to Miss Jane Irwin, of this county. She was born in 1813, in Ireland, and died in 1855. They were the parents of eight children, the subject of this sketch being the third. He was married in 1862, to Miss Jane McCormick, of this county, who died in 1864. They were the parents of two children. He, in 1874, married Miss Lucinda Babcock, of this county. They have one child.
CRAWFORD ANDREW, Clark township; farmer; post office, Clark’s; born in Crawford township, June 3, 1830; son of James and Mary (Bothwell) Crawford, and grandson of Thomas Crawford, who came from Ireland. He was married February 14, 1860, to Miss Marian Shilling, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Howenstine) Shilling, and granddaughter of George Howenstine and Joseph Shilling ; she was born in Medina county, Ohio, July 13, 1838. His father was one of the first settlers of Crawford township. Their children are as follows : Walter W , born December 15,1862; Cora, born September 28,1864; Frank H., born January 19, 1868 ; Charles, born May 22, 1870; James P., born February 11,1872; Jesse L., born March 10, 1874 ; Frederick, born September 4, 1876; Stella, born September 5, 1878, and Richard, born March 20, 1880.
DARLING ISAAC, Bethlehem township; farmer; post office, Warsaw, Ohio; son of Isaac Darling, Sr.; was born December 7, 1839, in Coshocton county. He was married December 8, 1865, to Miss Almeda Butler, of this county, who was born August 18, 1843. They are the parents of five children, three of whom are dead. Jeanette was born March 21, 1867; Glendora was born October 6, 1878. Mr. Darling was raised on the farm, and has always followed the occupation of farmer. He and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Darling has served as trustee and clerk of his township for several years.
DARLING WILSON, deceased, Bethlehem township; farmer; son of James Darling; was born in July, 1830. He was married in 1850, to Miss Barbara Frederick, of this county, who was born January 19, 1835. They became the parents of four children, viz : Mary P., born in December, 1853; Camille L. and Colona, twins, born July 23, 1858; William F., born August 10, 1860. Mr. Darling was raised on the farm, and always followed that occupation. He died very suddenly on October 18, 1880, of apoplexy. Mr. Darling’s father was one of the old pioneers of the county. Mr. Darling was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Darling is still a member. Mr. Darling was esteemed and honored by all who knew him.
DARLING AARON, Bethlehem township; farmer; post office, Warsaw, Ohio; son of James Darling ; was born in 1832, in Coshocton county. His father came to this county in 1806 and was one of the old pioneers. Aaron Darling was married in 1861, to Miss Nancy A. Moore, who was born June 18, 1839, in Coshocton county. They are the parents of three children, viz: Florella B., Charles and William. Florella B. is engaged in teaching school. Mr. Darling was raised on the farm, and has always followed that occupation. He owns a good farm and is esteemed by all his acquaintances.
DAUGHERTY SAMUEL M., Adams township; farmer; post office, Evansburgh; born in Keene township, July 2, 1826 ; son of John and Jane (Mitchell) Daugherty, and grandson of James and Jane (Lawson; Daugherty, and Samuel and Nancy (Lyons) Mitchell. His grandparents came from Ireland to America in 1778. His father was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1788, and moved to Keene township, this county, in 1818, where the subject of this sketch was born. He began the carpenter trade at the age of eighteen, and continued until the age of twenty-three; then moved to his present location, where he worked at the trade and farmed for about six years. He was then bereft of his companion, and compelled to quit house-keeping, but worked at his trade three years; then turned his attention to farming, and is still following that business. He lives on a farm of two hundred acres, pleasantly located in the southern part of the township. He has also a farm of two hundred and seventy-four acres one and one-half miles east of the home farm. He was married November 29, 1849, to Miss Mary Beaver, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Clous) Beaver, of Irish and English descent. Mrs. Daugherty died February 23, 1856. She was the mother of one child, Mary, born February 4, 1856. Mr. Daugherty was married February 3, 1859, to Miss Eliza Watson, daughter of Robert and Agnes (Munce) Watson, and granddaughter of John and Mary (Neely) Watson, and Thomas and Margaret (McKnight) Munce, and great- granddaughter of Mary Moultrie. Mrs. Daugherty is of Irish and Scotch parentage. She has a son, Robert W., born March 25, 1860. Mr. Daugherty is a gentleman of high standing, and is at present filling the office of county commissioner.
DEWITT ISAAC C, Adams township; farmer; post office, Bakersville ; born in Adams township, Coshocton county, October 14, 1839; son of Vin- cent and Eleanor (Cordray) DeWitt, and grand- son of Thomas Cordray. He attended school until the age of maturity, and has since devoted his time to farming. He was married September 1, 1864, to Miss Delilah Smith, daughter of Bartholemew and Mary A. (Reed) Smith, and grand-daughter of George and Elizabeth (Ellis) Smith. She was born in Bucks township, Tuscarawas county, July, 24, 1845. They are the parents of three children, Asmer A., born June 20, 1865; Francis M., born June 20, 1868, and Ira A., born June 17, 1872.
DONAGHY CHARLES B., Coshocton; rail- road contractor and plasterer; born January 8, 1849, in Wellsville, Columbian county; son of William Donaghy, born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, of Irish ancestors. Young Donaghy was raised in Steubenville, Ohio, attending public school until seventeen, when he entered Fairfield academy, and remained two and a half years, then attended Reynoldsville academy, under instruction of D. J. Snyder, two years. Messrs, Donaghy, Sr. and Jr., have been remarkable railroad builders, having completed large contracts on the Pan Handle, New Salem, Cincinnati and Louisville Short Line, Chesapeake and Ohio, Atlantic and Lake Erie ; Springfield, Day ton and Cincinnati Short Line; Cleveland, Mt. Vernon and Columbus ; Pittsburgh, Marietta and Cleveland, and Sirota railroads ; also built eight miles of Lancaster and New Salem turn- pike. Charles B. first came to this city in November, 1873, and remained two years, and after an absence of a few years, building railroads, returned, and is now a contractor for plastering, doing a first-class business.
ELLIOTT MISS KATE, Tuscarawas township; teacher; post office, Coshocton, Ohio. Miss Elliott received a good common-school education, also attended the national normal school, at Lebanon, Ohio She taught the first school in the Barnes district, Keene township, in 1869, and has been constantly employed ever since, often teaching as much as nine and ten months in the year. She has been a successful teacher, having taught two years in the Coshocton schools. She has taught many schools in different parts of the country, always giving satisfaction. She is at present engaged in the Lafayette schools.
ELLIOTT SIMON, Jefferson township; moulder; post office, Warsaw; was born in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, December 15, 1832; son of Thomas and Lucy (Sanders) Elliott, and grandson of John Elliott, and Nathan and Mary Banders. Mr. Elliott is of Irish descent. Until about the age of sixteen he attended school and worked with his father in the wagon shop. He then began the moulder’s trade in the foundry at Roscoe, and remained there about two years. He went to Walhonding in 1848, and remained until the year 1864, and the next spring went to Kansas, where he followed farming fourteen years, and on account of his wife’s ill health he returned to Coshocton county and resumed his trade. He has a small foundry in Warsaw, and has a very fair line of custom. He married, October 3, 1857, Miss Electra Butler, daughter of Allen and Margaret (Smith) Butler. Edward L., born August 25, 1866, in the Osage Indian Reserve, in Kansas, is their only child. Mr. Elliott is a nephew of Charles Elliott, the founder and editor of the Western Christian Advocate, of Cincinnati, who never went to school, but was master of five different languages, and was at one time elected a college president.
ELLIOTT ANDREW, Perry township; post office. New Guilford; born in West Virginia, in 1798 ; son of John and Charity Elliott ; married in 1825, to Miss Margaret McLewee, daughter of George and Katherine McLewee. Mr. Elliott died in 1858. They had eleven children, viz: Charlotte, deceased ; Simon, Katherine, deceased ; George, Isabelle, John, James, deceased; Jane, deceased; Andrew, M. E. and Francis A., deceased. Mrs. Elliott still lives upon the old homestead.
ELLIOTT GEORGE, Perry township; post office, New Guilford; born in this county, in 1831; son of Andrew and Margaret (McLewee) Elliott, and grandson of John and Charity Elliott, and of George and Katherine McLewee. He was married in 1861, to Miss Margaret Dengan, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Dengan. Mr. Elliott spent some six years of his life in the gold regions of California. He sailed from New York on the ship northern light, in October, 1853, and returned in 1869. Mr. Elliott at one time came near being buried alive, while engaged in mining operations in California.
ELLIOTT WILLIAM B., White Eyes township; farmer; was born in the State of New York, in 1825, and came to this county, with his parents, in 1828. His father, John H. Elliott, emigrated to this country from Ireland, about 1823, and located in Keene township. He removed to White Eyes in 1832. William B. began working at the carpenter trade in 1847, and followed his trade for about thirty years. He taught school during the winters for fifteen or sixteen terms; In 1851, Mr. Elliott married Miss Mary Boyd, daughter of William M. Boyd, who was born in 1831, in Keene township. They have two children: Milton, born in 1852, and Almarinda, born in 1855, both of whom are unmarried and live at home. Mr. Elliott bought and located on the farm where he now resides, in the spring of 1852. Mr. Elliott has served in the office of township assessor two terms, land appraiser, one term, and one term each of clerk and treasurer of township. His father is deceased, and his mother, who is a very old lady, lives in the township.
ELLIOTT COLONEL JOHN S., Coshocton, of the firm of Elliott & Marx, is a native of Keene township; born May 11, 1817; son of Findley and Catharine (Strong) Elliott, of Irish ancestry. He was raised on the farm. At the age of twenty-three he was elected justice of the peace of his native township and served nine consecutive years. Esquire Elliott was appointed by Governor Corwin lieutenant colonel of the State troops, and served until the forces were disbanded by act of the Legislature. He came to this city in 1862, and has served two terms as mayor ; also, president of the National Temperance Christian Union of this city three years, and president of the Coshocton Agricultural Society for a number of years. He was married first to Miss Margaret, daughter of George McCaskey, of White Eyes township, and by this union had one son — Alonzo Milton. His second wife was Miss Margaret Morrison, who died some thirteen years since. The above firm is doing a very extensive business in farming implements and heavy machinery. In 1880 they sold three thousand two hundred pounds of wire to bind grain cut by machines sold by them.
FERRELL JOHN, Coshocton; street commissioner; born July 13, 1819, in County Donegal, Ireland; son of William and Nancy (Lane) Ferrell. He came to America in 1849, landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained two years and fired an engine. He came to this county in 1851 and located in Keene township, where he mined coal about five years, then came to this city, in 1861, and remained several years, then returned to Keene township and farmed until 1872, when he again came to this city and has remained to the present time. Mr. Ferrell was appointed street commissioner in April, 1874, and has been reappointed until he is now serving his fourth term. Mr. Ferrell was married in the fall of 1842, to Miss Jane, daughter of John McGee, of Scotland. This union was blessed with four children, Matilda, married to Henry Ondian, now residing in Porter county, Indiana, Agnes, William, married to Miss Ella Mateer, of this city, and John. .
FOSTER RALPH, Keene township; farmer; born February, 1822, in Keene township; son of James and Nancy (Ford) Foster, and grandson of John and Catherine (Blain) Foster and of William and Jane Ford, all natives of Ireland. He was married December 2, 1845, to Madeline Wilson, daughter of John P. and Grace (Vale) Wilson. Their children were Catherine, Augusta, Etta, William E. and Mary.
FOSTER JOHN, Monroe township; son of John and Catharine (Boyd) Foster; was born February 9, 1823, in Donegal, Ireland, came to America with his parents in 1825, and settled in Coshocton county, where he has since lived; is a farmer; was married in December of 1855 to Miss Ann J., daughter of W. H. and Martha (McBride) Burklew; are the parents of two children.
GAULT ADAM, Perry township; post office, West Carlisle; born in Mercer county, in 1806, settled in this county in 1814; son of Adam and Margaret (Stewart) Gault, and grandson of James and Margaret Gault, and of William and Margaret (Neal) Stewart. He was married, in 1831, to Miss Sarah Miller, daughter of Francis and Isabella Miller. Mrs. Gault died in 1876. They had nine children, viz: Isabella, Margaret, John, Anna, William, Eliza and George.
LOVE JOHN, Keene township; farmer; born July, 1806, in Ireland; son of James and Jane (McKee) Love, grandson of Samuel and Susan (Kirskadden) Love, and of Thomas McKee. Mr. Love followed farming in Ireland till the age of twenty, when he came to America and settled on the farm where he now lives. He was married, January, 1838, to Miss Jane McConnell, born in Ireland, June 3, 1812, daughter of John and Sarah (Rodgers) McConnell. Their children were: Sarah J., born December 28, 1838; James, deceased, October 28, 1840; Mary A., deceased, September 2,1842; Catharine, deceased, September 2, 1842; Samuel, May 5, 1846; Ellen F., deceased, July 12, 1849; Emma, September 1, 1854; John M. May 2, 1857, and Miranda, October 23, 1859. Mrs., Love died, May8, 1876. Alice Love, sister of John, was born, January, 1818, in Ireland.
LOVE JOHN, Keene township, more commonly called John O’Love; was born in February, 1795, in Malinmore townland, Donegal, Ireland; son of Thomas and Susan (Osborn) Love, and grandson of John and Nellie (McKee) Love, and of John and Bess (Ellis) Osborn, and great-grandson of Elizabeth Forquer. He was married to Eleanor Love, who was born in March, 1798, in Malinmore townland, Donegal, Ireland; daughter of James and Jennie (McKee) Love, and granddaughter of Samuel and Susan (Kirskadden) Love, and of Robert and Fannie (McKee) McKee. They were married February 19, 1821, and are both yet living. Their children were as follows : Jane, born February 15, 1826, married to Joseph Love, and resides in Iowa City, Iowa, the husband and one child dead ; Ann, born September 10, 1828, married in April, 1847, to William R. Johnston, resides in Galesburgh, Illinois, with two children — husband and two children are dead ; James, born January 8, 1833, died March 15, 1852 ; Thomas, born July 8, 1835, married January 18, 1872, to Mary J. Endsley, who was born May 11, 1845, daughter of Thomas and Matilda (Karr) Endsley, and granddaughter of John and Jennie (Blaine) Endsley, and of John and Nancy (Welch) Karr. Their children were: Robert, born April 1, 1873; Susie, born January 28, 1875; James R., born January 27, 1877; Thomas, born April 27, 1878, and Carrie B., born November 26, 1879. Susan Love, born August 24, 1838, was married in April, 1859, to Andrew Karr. They had seven children, all living in Coshocton county. Thomas enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment, 0. N G., in July, 1863, and was discharged in May, 1864.
LOVE JOSEPH, Linton township; farmer; born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1836. His father was born in county Donegal, Ireland, and emigrated in 1834 to Philadelphia, and in 1846 to this township. His three brothers followed him to America and preceded him to this county. William and Alexander, two early settlers of Linton township, were great-uncles to Joseph. He began teaching in 1855, and has taught in this and adjoining counties for fifteen years. He was married August 22, 1861, to Margaret Rusk, a lady of Scotch-Irish descent. Her father, William Rusk, emigrated from Antrim county, Ireland, to Guernsey county, Ohio, about 1840, and to this county in 1858. Mr. Love’s family consists of seven children, William, Ella Jane, Margaret Ann, George Rusk, Robert M., Emily S. and Bessie.
McCONNELL MATTHEW, Bethlehem township; farmer; born in 1810, in Donegal county, Ireland. He came to this county in 1832, and located in Keene township. He was married, December, 1840, to Miss Mary Laughhead, of this county, who was born in 1819, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living, viz: Thomas, born in 1843; Alexander, born in 1845; Edward R., born October 4, 1847; William T., born May 21, 1850; Martha J., born February 3, 1854, and Mary C, born in 1862. Mr. McConnell has lived on the same farm ever since he came to this county, and has followed farming and stock-raising. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Keene.
McCULLOUGH GEORGE, deceased; born in the county of Donegal, Ireland; came to this county about 1830. He was married, December 3, 1850, to Miss Rebecca Lockard, the daughter of Robert Lockard, and she was born in 1822 They had seven children, viz : Malinda, Mary A., Martha, J., deceased; Sadie A., Stewart, deceased; Franklin H. and Emma. Mary A. is married to John P. Benjamin, of Avondale, a shoemaker by trade. The others are at home. Mr. McCullough died February 28, 1866. He located on the farm where his widow now resides, before his marriage. He was a member of the M. E. church at Kimble. Franklin is the only son living; is at home with his mother and farms the place.
McCULLOUGH WILLIAM, deceased; born in 1787, in Delaware, and was married in 1818. His wife was born in 1796. They came to this county in 1834. He died in 1869. They were the parents of eight children, viz: Margaret, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Samuel; Ann; Martha, deceased; Rebecca, deceased; Lydia, deceased, and Mary.
McKEAG, ROBERT, deceased, Linton township, was born in the year 1805, in County Derry, Ireland. He emigrated to America about 1850, when his son, James, was four and Robert two years old. He first settled in Knox township, Guernsey county, and engaged in farming. About five years later he removed to Linton township, where he remained till the time of his decease, July 11, 1875. His wife died February 21, 1874. Their children are James, Robert, Sarah (Banker), Margaret, Mary Jane (Estep), Isabel and Eliza (Stephen).
McKEE EGBERT, Pike township; farmer and stock raiser ; post office, Frazeysburg, Muskingum county ; born in this county, in 1834 ; son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Ashcraft) McKee, who came to this county in 1815, from Ireland. He was married in 1861, to Miss Eliza Morris, daughter of William and Nancy (Clinton) Morris. They are the parents of ten children, viz ; Elizabeth E., Edison L., Emma W., Mary E., French, Barton S., Cora A., Patrick H., Minnie J. and John W.
McKEE T. A., Washington township; farmer; post office, Dresden; born in 1881, in this county. His father was born in 1800, in Ireland, and came to Philadelphia in 1818, and to this county in 1827. He was married the same year, to Miss Isabella Crawford, of this county, who was born in 1810, in Ireland. He died in 1871, she died in 1855. They were the parents of nine children, the subject of this sketch being the third. He was married in 1858, to. Miss Henrietta Frey, of this county, who was born in 1840. They are the parents of two children, viz : Eugene and Emmett.
McKEE GEORGE W., Washington township; farmer; post office, Dresden; born in 1845, in this county. His father was born in 1811 in Knox county. He married Miss Nancy Henderson of this county, who died in 1849. They were the parents of six children. In 1850 he married Mrs. Jones of this county. They are the parents of eight children; the subject of this sketch being the fifth child by the first wife. He was married in 1866 to Miss Nancy E. McDonald of this county, who was born in 1843. They are the parents of seven children viz : Melvin S., Rosalind, Francis A., Mary E., Charles D., Frank L., and Luellie M.
McKEE J. L., Perry township; post office, West Carlisle; born in Washington township, this county, in 1840; son of James and Isabella (Crawford) McKee. He was married in 1874, to Miss C. A. Lee, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Lee. Mr. McKee is the father of two children, viz : Raleigh L., and Lula B.
MAGEE ROBERT, Bethlehem township; farmer; was born August 2, 1824, in Donegal county, Ireland. He came to this county with his parents in 1840, and located in Bethlehem township, on the farm on which Robert now lives. The country was then a wilderness. They cleared the land and built a cabin, which still stands. Robert’s father was a blacksmith, and worked at his trade for a number of years. Robert was married in 1860, to Miss Nancy Stewart, of this county. He enlisted in Company A, but was transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Forty-third regiment 0. V. I., and served four months.
MARKLEY FREDERICK, Virginia township; born in Coshocton county, in 1841; son of John B. and Margaret Markley, and grandson of Benjamin and Nancy Markley. He was married in 1867, to Lovina Lockard, daughter of Andrew and Mary Lockard. He is the father of six children, five living and one dead. He was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in 1861, in Company H, Fifth artillery, Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Markley was engaged in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, and was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, October 5, 1864. Post office, Willow Brook.
NOLAND HIRAM Pike township; post office, West Carlisle; farmer and stock raiser; born in Pennsylvania, in 1807; son of Pierce and Abigail {Geary) Noland, and grandson of Pierce and Mary (Doster) Noland, and of Cornelius and Mary Elliott. The subject of this sketch settled in this county in 1811. He remembers quite well when there were but few houses in the town of Coshocton, one being a public house kept there at that time by Colonel Williams. Mr. Noland has been blind for a number of years, but still retains his mental faculties remarkably well. It is quite interesting to sit and hear him tell of the incidents which happened in his early days; how he used to visit the Indian camps, and of the forms they went through in receiving visitors, etc. Mr. Noland was married in 1834, to Miss Nancy Huff, daughter of George and Mary (Mahoney) Huff. They are the parents of seven children, viz: Jackson A.; Pierce W., deceased; George; Amanda, deceased; Martha; Julia, deceased ; and Nancy J. All are married but two. Mr. Noland’s wife died in 1850. He has a son practicing medicine in the West.
NOLAND HENRY, Pike township; post office, West Carlisle; farmer and stock raiser ; bora in this county in 1826; son of Pierce and Abigail (Geary) Noland. The father of the subject of this sketch came to this county from Virginia, about the year 1811, and died in 1835. Mrs. Noland died in 1855. The subject of this sketch was married in 1855, to Miss Martha E. Ashcraft, daughter of one of the first settlers of this country. They are the parents of ten children, viz: Sampson P., deceased; Sarah M., Jacob M., Mary J., Flora E., George T., Laken M., Minnie B., Madison L,, and Elsie E., deceased.
RICHIE RICHARD, Keene township; farmer; born December, 1812, in Donegal, Ireland; came to America when twenty-one years of age, and settled in Coshocton county; son of George and Susan Richie, and grandson of William and Martha (Hogg) Richie, and of Richard and Mary (Cunningham) Williams. He was married December 23, 1839, to Margaret Marshall, who was born in January, 1815, in Jefferson county, Ohio, daughter of Joseph .and Elizabeth Marshall, and granddaughter of William and Jane (Lemmon) Marshall, and of Robert and Jane (Riddle) Adams. Their children were: Elizabeth, born December 30, 1840; Susannah, deceased; Jane, deceased, born October 17, 1844; Sarah M., born March 26, 1847; Joseph M., born May 29, 1850; George W., born November 2, 1852, and Anna M., born October 19, 1856. Mrs. Richie died September 15, 1880.
SHANNON NATHAN E., Mill Creek; post office, Keene; born in 1851, in this county. His grandfather, Nathan Shannon, was born in 1796 in Washington county, Pennsylvania. He came to Harrison county in 1805. He was married twice. His first wife dying, he married, in 1818, Miss Mary Endsley, of Harrison county, who was born in 1799, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of eleven children. John P., the father of the subject of this sketch, is the third child. He was born in 1825, in Jefferson county, Ohio; came to this county in 1826, with his father, and was married, in 1850, to Miss Sarah A. McConnell, of this county, who was born in 1830, in county Donegal, Ireland. They are the parents of one child, the subject of this sketch. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Emma A. Clark, of this county, who was born in 1856, in this county. They are the parents of one child, John Earl.