A history of Knox county, Ohio, from 1779 to 1862 inclusive, Part 23

Author: Norton, A[nthony] Banning. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1862
Publisher: Columbus, Ohio, R. Nevins
Number of Pages: 454


USA > Ohio > Knox County > A history of Knox county, Ohio, from 1779 to 1862 inclusive > Part 23


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Simon Litzenburg emigrated from Washington county, Pa., to this township in 1829, bought part of the celebrated prairie farm, and has lived upon it ever since. He is now in his 79th year. Henry Barnes married one of his daughters, and Dr. M. H. Litzenburg, of Cheviot, is one of his sons.


The West brothers and the Ewarts are deserving of notice. The former were natives of Brooke county, Va. Samuel, in 1830, emigrated from Washington county, Pa:, and is now in his 77th year. His wife, Mary Clear, was also a native of Virginia, and is yet living. Of their eight children, four are living-Alexander Clear at the old home- stead ; William H., of Logan county ; Thomas in Morrow county ; and Samuel, a Baptist preacher, in South English, Iowa. Amos West, Sr. is living, in his 72d year; has had 11 children, of whom those living are : Enos, in Tazewell county, Ills. ; Wil- liam in Morgan ; Joe in Pleasant; John in Le Roy, Ills .; Amos in Buchanan county, Iowa; Margaret in Morgan ; Ann Eliza, wife of John Penick ; and Elizabeth Woodruff. These are de- scendants of Jonathan West, one of the first born in Brooke county, Va.


368


HISTORY OF


The Ewarts are from Greene county, Pa., and natives of Ireland-Robert and John, and their sisters, Mrs. Haver and Mrs. Ewart. John died in 1858. Haver emigrated from Greene county, Pa. They are intelligent and industrious people.


Jesse Mattocks, a native of Erie co., Pa., who married Elizabeth Johnson, and has had six chil- dren, is worthy of note for two reasons, first, he has served 13 years as constable, and second, he furnished the country round with their baskets for gathering corn, for many years, and therein has been a benefactor.


In 1830, the inhabitants numbered 653, and 16,582 acres were upon the tax list; in 1840, there were 912 inhabitants; in 1850, 823; in 1860, 688


CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.


1810. John Harrod.


1839. Jacob Sperry.


1815. John Green.


1833. James H. Smith.


1817. Peter Veatch.


1836. John Clutter.


1818. Jacob Hanger.


1839.


1819. John Wheeler.


1842. 66


1820. Thomas Smith.


1845.


1821. Peter Veatch.


1842. Jacob Bell.


1822. John Wheeler.


1845.


1825.


1830. Ziba Leonard.


1851.


1821. Jacob Hanger.


1854.


1824. 66


1855. John Miller.


1827.


1857. Henry Barnes.


1831.


1858. A. H. Thornhill.


1830. Jacob Sperry.


1860. Carey Bell.


1833.


1860. James Campbell.


1836. 66 66


1848. C. S. McLain.


369


KNOX COUNTY.


CHAPTER XL.


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP


MARCHI 9, 1825, this township was created, and named on account of its delightful views. Its set- tlement was much retarded by large landholders. In 1830, it had 918 inhabitants; in 1810, 1,888; in 1850, 909 ; and in 1860, 828. Among its earliest and best settlers were the Melkers, Grahams, Veatches, Laymans, Herrods, Hunts, Patricks, Bechtels, Buckinghams, Walkers, Stinemetses, Schnebleys, Bratys, Lettses, Crawfords, Crouses, Colvilles, Morrisons, Swans, Rohrers, Dunns, and their connections. The settlers have been princi- pally from Western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. Several good mill seats within this township have been improved and occupied by John Kerr, Elisha Gibbs, the Morrisons, Nortons, Hadley and Miller; and several distilleries have in the past been propelled successfully. The princi- pal business has been farming and stock raising, at which many have grown rich.


SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.


1825. David Ash.


1845. Robert Graham®


1825. Frederick Rohrer. 1848. 66


1828.


1851.


1831.


1854.


1832. James Parks.


1861. Henry McLain.


1832. Silas Brown.


1839. Jas. D. Porter.


1835. 66


1842. 66


1837. Alvin Foote.


1845. Richard Hunt


1858. If. nry MeLain.


1848.


1827. Harvey Brown.


1851.


66


1835. Robert Graham.


1854. John Colville.


1839.


66


1857. J. V. Parks.


1842. 24


1860.


370


HISTORY OF


CHAPTER XLI.


CLAY TOWNSHIP.


ON the 9th of March, 1825, this township was created, and honored with the name of the great American commoner, Henry Clay. The surface of the country is uneven, the soil is generally very fertile, and the tillers of it have ever been among our foremost for industry and intelligence. In 1830, the population was 1,300, and upwards of 15,000 acres were returned for taxation. In 1810, the inhabitants counted 1,301; in 1850, 1,240; in 1860, there were 1,098 white and 10 colored per- sons. There were six industrial establishments, producing to the value of $10,830. Among the old settlers were Ziba Leonard, I. D. Johnson, the Elliotts, the Greens, the Barneses, Vances, Pol- lock, Paul, Harrods, Larrisons. Insley D. Johnson, from about 1823 until 1837, was in business, and during the latter part of his mercantile existence was one of the heaviest operators in produce in Central Ohio. David Lawman, of Rockingham co., Va., came here in 1833; he is engaged in farming and milling. The Boggs family have been among the good citizens of this township for many years. The oldest was William, a native of Virginia. His son William, the first white child born in Belmont, died in Richland co., about 1835. William, sr., died about 1851, aged 98 years, and


371


KNOX COUNTY.


Elizabeth his wife died in 1861, aged 93 years. Their children, John and Ezekiel, born in Belmont, have been long known to our citizens. Ezekiel served as Representative, and died in 1853. His wife is living in Clay. John Boggs married a daughter of one of the old settlers, Catharine Ste- phenson. Mary married Wallace Mc Williams, and lives in Kansas.


Martinsburg has ever possessed a very patriotic population. At the celebration of July 4, 1861, addresses were made by Henry Hervey and A. J. Lyon, and a good dinner eaten. An accident oc- curred to mar the pleasures. John Clark had two of his fingers shot off by discharge of a small can- non. Martinsburg contains 300 inhabitants. It was part styled Hanover, and the other part Wil- liamsburg, and the present name is a compromise. The following are the artisans and business men : Philo Higgins, blacksmith ; E. Hardiman, tailor ; wagon maker, Wm. Henderson ; saddlers, M. L. Dayton, J. M. Bowland ; shoemakers, S. Kidwell, S. Hollabaugh, S. D. Rouse, M. Chandler, A. Lyon; Wm. Penick carries on a tanyard ; A. & R. Barnes and Thomas Rodgers are the merchants; M. L. Dayton sells groceries ; D. Booze keeps the tavern. The physicians are D. H. Ralston, Peter Pickard, and S. B. Dodd. There are five churches : Pres- byterian, Rev. H. Hervey ; Methodist, Rev. A. J. Lyon ; Free Presbyterian, Rev. J. Whitam ; Bap- tist, Rev. G. Tunison ; Associate Reformed, Rev. G. Torrance. Its schools are good, and the Rev. Henry Hervey deserves special commendation for his long and faithful service in the cause of christi-


372


HISTORY OF


anity and education. For over 35 years he has devoted himself zealously to the work in this place. J. M. Coulter is Principal of the Academy ; A. S. Kerr and Miss Susan Jennings are also teachers. The only men now living in the village who were here in 1822 are W. McCreary, O. Barkalow, and W. Mc Williams. The post-office was established by the name of Hanover in 1820, and changed afterwards to Martinsburg. The postmasters have been I. D. Johnson (S. P. Warden, deputy), Jacob Pearson, Wesley Spratt, J. H. Pierson, W. Mc- Creary, Johnson, W. McWilliams, and W. Mc- Creary.


Since the foregoing was written, the patriotism of Clay and Morgan has been verified, by the spon- taneous uprising of the hardy sons to defend the soil of Ohio from invasion, when, under Captain Norton, and Lientenants Bell and Mercer, they re- sponded to Governor Tod's call ; and, assisted by Capt. Baugh and Lieutenants Mefford and Church, and Captain Israel's companies, they saved Cincin- nati from the devouring Secessionists.


SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.


1827. James Elliott. 1831. W. McCreary,


1830.


1834.


1833. W. Spratt.


1837.


1S39. James Paul.


1840.


1842. ¥ 66


1843. 66


1845. Wallace Mc Williams. 1846.


1846. John Boggs.


1848. Wallace Mc Williams.


1857. W. Mc Williams.


1849. John Boggs.


1851. W. Mc Williams.


1860. W. McWilliams.


1852. Jolın Boggs.


1854. W. Mc Williams.


1855. Mercer McFadden,


1858. Isaac Bell.


1860. James Elliott.


373


KNOX COUNTY.


CHAPTER XLII.


JACKSON TOWNSHIP.


IN honor of General Andrew Jackson, the Com- missioners, on the 4th of September, 1815, erected this township. John Mills, Jacob Lepley, and Joseph Kerr were the first judges of election, and James Thomas and David Melick the clerks.


In 1816, there were 35 voters. Jacob Lepley was the first lister, and Abraham Carpenter first appraiser. This, the south-eastern township of the county, is watered by the Wakatomika; the ground is generally rolling, but quite productive. In 1830 the inhabitants numbered 626; in 1810, 991; in 1850, 1,080; in 1860, 960. The only town and post-office is Bladensburg; it contains 200 inhab- itants.


Washington Houck kept the first tavern, in 1833, and continued it, with short intermission, till the present date. Thomas Axtell kept the sec- ond house of entertainment, about 1838 ; he was a good citizen, and emigrated to Indiana. James Loveridge for a short time kept tavern ; and John Hannah now keeps the hotel.


The first goods sold in this town were by John Wheeler, who was for many years engaged in mer- chandising at Bladensburg. He took great delight in the militia trainings, being a captain; in the Christian church, being an elder; in the Whig


374


HISTORY OF


party, being a committee-man. In all respects, long was John Wheeler a good citizen ; he now lives, at an advanced age, in Iowa. The second store was carried on by W. Houck, who for twelve years sold goods. T. Axtell, Peter Berry, James Loveridge, Alphonso Byam, T. & C. L. Marquand, have also sold goods there. The present merchants are, Mark Hammond and Samuel Richard.


The first Disciple Church in the State was gotten up by John Wheeler, W. Houck, Elijah Harris, and their wives, about 1833. They have a neat Church edifice, of which the Rev. Van Voris is minister. The Presbyterians have also a church building, in which Rev. - Brough officiates. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was the first house of worship built in the township. Thos. Axtell was the most active in getting up the church. James Elliott was mainly instrumental in building the O. S. Presbyterian meeting-house. The Meth- odists worship in the Presbyterian Church.


The present mechanics are, John Upfold, tailor; Thomas Hilman, wagon-maker ; Lew. Husser and Wilson Hartupee, blacksmiths ; the Baltzells, An- drew, John and Joseph, and James Ross, shoema- kers ; Lemuel Hall, carpenter; Richard Mavis, cabinet-maker. A good school is kept up in the village, of which Mr. Campbell is teacher.


A grist-mill is in the town, formerly carried on by Houck, now by James Gaub. Within a half mile, another mill is carried on by Mr. Schooler.


About 1852, James Harris started a pottery, which is now owned by James Green. The clay is excellent, and some very good ware has been


375


KNOX COUNTY.


turned out at this manufactory, which is sold in adjoining towns.


Among the old citizens whose names should appear in this sketch, are Adam Earlywine, Jacob Stricker, George and James Melick, William and Robert Wilson, Daniel Blue, John Hammel, Wm. Braddock, the Hills, the Horns, the McCammets, the Halls, the Dennys and Stephensons.


Washington Houck, of Huntington county, Pa., moved to Knox county, Clay township, in 1805, where he resided until 1833, when he moved to Jackson.


Joseph Scott, Wm. Rawdon, David and Daniel Stricker, Daniel Mossholder, Peter Miller, Philip Dennis, George Holt and Christian Baughman, have been citizens of long standing.


Col. James Elliott, long a resident of Clay, who has officiated as Justice and Representative, now resides in Bladensburg.


JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.


April 15, 1815, two Justices were allowed this township, to be chosen at the house of Joseph Kerr.


January 13, 1816, Jacob Lepley and David Melick were elected, and Lepley was re-elected in 1819 and in 1822.


1820. Thomas Hall. 1838. W. K. Corbin.


1823.


1836. S. C. Porterfield.


1824. David Melick. 1827. 66 1847. James Myers.


1829. John Stephenson. 66 R. C. Davis.


James Myers.


1832. 66 1835. 66


1853. Daniel Gault.


183S. 66


W. K. Corbin. 1856. J. S. McCammen.


1831. A. Darling.


1859.


1832. W. K. Corbin.


1857. James Blunt.


1835.


1860. Wm. Darling.


A. C. Scott.


1850. W. H. Blue.


376


HISTORY OF


CHAPTER XLIII.


BUTLER TOWNSHIP.


THIS township was created in March, 1825, and named after Richard Butler, Major-General of the U. S. A., killed by the Indians in the great battle between them and Gen. St. Clair, Nov. 4, 1791. He was one of the bravest of the brave, and as lie lay upon the ground helpless and bleeding from wounds received in the battle, the savages scalped and tomahawked him.


We have been at considerable pains to find out the origin of the name, and were led for some time to believe that it was given in compliment to the sturdy old settlers, the Butlers, but have become satisfied from our investigation that the object was to perpetuate with the names of Gens. Knox, Har- rison, Jackson, Pike, the fame of the ill-fated brave Richard Butler. The land is generally rough and broken, and the population has usually been smaller than in any other township. The wild and pictur- esque scenery, giving an air of romance to much of the country, we must believe contributes to the health of the people, if we take Joe Stotts, Ben. Butler, Nich. Riley, Geo. Sturgeon, Abe Darling, and others of the oldest settlers now living, as evi- dence. The Lepleys, Jacob, George and Joseph. the Shrimplins, Abraham and William, the Camp-


377


KNOX COUNTY.


bells, the Morningstars, the Horns, the Hammills, the Carpenters, the Burkholders, the Cogginses, the McLarnens, the Darlings, the Wolfs, the Melicks, the Gambles, have been long residents of this town- ship. John Busenburg, Philip Ely, Benj. Hugh, John Jones, Sam. Cermerer, Jesse Ashcroft, W. Beaty, Job Lewis, Elijah Farquhar, Win. Scamen and Ephraim Thornberg also lived in it many years ago. Orange Hollister for many years was one of the most active and useful citizens, spending many thousand dollars among the people erecting mills and machinery for their benefit; he is now living in Iowa, and Ben. Butler is operating the mills. Robert Giffin was another useful man in the milling line, and his death was much of a loss. John R. Gamble was much noted for his business qualifications. Nicholas Riley cmigrated from Washington co., Pa., in 1805, to Coshocton co., and in 1807 to Knox; he is in his 82d year. We have the following account of his offspring: William lives in Illinois; Harriet, wife of Abraham Dar- ling, is in Wayne; Eliza, wife of Isaac Wood, Ra- chel, wife of John Welker, jr., Susan, wife of Goo. Spurgeon, and Almira, wife of Amos Wolf, all live in Illinois ; Abraham is dead; George, Nicholas and Hannah live in Butler ; and Mary, Mrs. Wm. Parks, lives in Hancock county.


In 1830, the population was 419; in 1810, 647 ; in 1850, 763; and in 1860, 727. About 1817, a post-office called Owl Creek was kept by Abraham Darling as postmaster, but the Judge, some fifteen years ago, became tired of and gave it up. Many years since there was a store kept in this township,


378


HISTORY OF


and a post-office was established thereat called " Hollister's," but it has been discontinued.


Uncle Bob and Aunt Hetty Giffin were noted characters. They selected the most romantic spot on Owl Creek for their residence, and amid the rough, rugged and wild scenery known in olden time as " the rocks"-of later days as " the caves" -they dwelt and raised a large and respectable family. As early as 1820, they put up Giffin's mills : we say they, for everything thereabouts was their joint work, and could not have been created without the two were united in the undertaking. He was quiet, peaceable, with a well-developed mind and an uncommon good judgment. She was violent, resolute and determined, with a strong heart and great physical power. Whatever plans were matured and work determined upon, she put into execution with a warrior spirit.


CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.


In 1820, Joseph Dunlap was a Justice in this " neck of woods," and was again elected in 1824; in 1825, Jacob Lepley; in 1826, Daniel Campbell.


1829. David Campbell.


1831. Horatio G. Cooley.


1831. Charles Nyhart. 1837. Eli Cummings.


1834. 66 1840. “


1837. Wm. Coggins.


1840. James McLaurin.


1841. David Barnhard.


1843. Wm. Coggins.


1844. 66


1843. C. Musser.


1848. James Frisby.


1846. «


1849. C. Musser. 1852. «


1851. C. C. Gamble.


1852. C. Tym.


1858. C. C. Gamble.


1855. Doty Farmer.


1860. Wm. Killer.


1857. Jas. McCamment.


1861. Joseph Hammill.


379


KNOX COUNTY.


CHAPTER XLIV.


HARRISON TOWNSHIP.


ON the 9th of March, 1825, another township was laid out, and named after General Wm. Henry Harrison.


In 1830, there were 726 inhabitants; in 1840, 833 ; in 1850, 751; and in 1860, 778.


The earliest settlers were Wendel Melker, Adam Lybarger, the Gorsuches, Peter Wolf, Joseph Horn, Benjamin Horn, Andrew Casto, the Dudgeons, the Biggses, the Schoolers, Philip Melker, Isaac Cohen, Arthur Fawcett, the Welkers. The Dudgeons, among these, deserve more than a passing notice. Three brothers and a sister, at an early day, settled in this wilderness region. In company with their father, they had crossed the Atlantic in 1801. Simon, Moses and Hugh Dudgeon, brothers, were natives of Ireland, who came to this country poor and penniless, and by honest industry acquired a competency. Simon had served six months as a British soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was in his 26th year, of great physical strength, reso- lute and determined. He landed in the city of New York with only an English shilling in his pocket, which he paid out to a washerwoman for washing his clothes. He worked, as he could get employment, in Vermont, Connecticut and New


380


HISTORY OF


York, and lived with his father and brothers, Thomas and Hugh, for eight years, until he accu- mulated $1000; and with that, in 1810, he started from Delaware county, N. Y., west to hunt a better location, visited Knox county, and bought the tract of land upon which he erected his house and lived until death. He went to Washington county, Pa., married, and returned to his land in 1811. The issue of this marriage was ten children. Nine are now living, to wit : Charles, Moses, David, Simon, May, John, and Andrew in Harrison township ; William, Jane, Mrs. Horn, in Auglaize county. Simon, Sr. first bought three quarter sections of land, and added to it by purchase till, at his death, he had 712 acres. He was very industrious and domestic in his habits.


Paul Welker, one of the oldest settlers in that part of the county, tells, with much humor, the way in which he first became aware of Dudgeon being in the county. He was out hunting one day. and having chased a deer into some underbrush in some frog-ponds, was startled by the sound of an axe cutting wood; he stealthily approached the spot from whence the noise proceeded, expecting to find an Indian, when, greatly to his surprise, he discovered our pioneer chopping trees to make a cabin. He had not heard of this new comer, and could but express his astonishment that he should have chosen a spot back of the big frog-ponds for a house. Forbidding as the place then was, Simon, by dint of labor, there made his living, and loft to his children, as its result, an estate of over $25,000, besides some $10,000 advanced to them during his


381


KNOX COUNTY.


life time. They now own over 1,500 acres of land in that vicinity. Simon died of apoplexy in the street, Mt. Vernon, in his sixty-ninth year. Two of his brothers died of this same disease : Thomas, in Delaware county, N. Y., and Hugh, in Knox . county, February 16th, 1861. Moses, another brother, died in this county about thirty years ago. Their sister, Mrs. Young Love, is now living near Fredericktown.


The Lybarger family became quite numerous also. Adam died in April, this year. He had risen from dinner, after cating very hearty, and walked into the yard to get a stick of wood for the fire, when he dropped dead.


Wendel Melker, with his brother Philip, moved into this country from Virginia in 1808. All that survive of the Melker name in Harrison are four children-all mutes.


Silas Ralston, Joseph and Martin Horn, "blath- ering John" Wolf and John Troutman were other notable settlers of long standing.


Arthur Fawcett was, like the Dudgeons, from the Emerald Isle, and felt the effects of poverty, in carly youth. After a time he too makes his way to the "great West," and is found in this county, in 1810, clearing land, upon which he has since re- sided. He is now in his 77th year, and his wife, Susannalı, in her 67th year. They have had ten children-eight now live, viz: Samuel, who mar- ried Elizabeth Biggs, daughter of James Hayes. He was born in Harrison township, in 1816, and now lives in Butler. Philip, who married Mary Ellen Vance, lives in Illinois ; Elizabeth, wife of


382


HISTORY OF


Geo. W. Schooler, in Allen county ; Lucinda, wife of Hamilton Marshal, in Allen county ; and the following in Harrison township: Anna, wife of Isaac Hays ; Mary, Mrs. Ralph Faucett; John, who married Hannah Washburn ; Icetas, who mar- ried Rebecca Barnett ; and Catharine, wife of Jo- seph Horn.


Andrew Casto moved into Marion county, and died sixteen years ago. None of his blood now live in this county. Isaac Coen, another of the earliest settlers, died, with none here to represent him. Joseph and Benjamin Horn died about the same time, eight years ago. The Biggs brothers- William, Noah and Jeremiah-came to this town-


ship about 1811. The Schoolers settled in the neighborhood, where that name is now found, in 1818. John Schooler died in 1853; he was from Beaver county, Pa. : had twelve children-nine now living. Isaac is at Carthage, Jasper county, Mo. George and Rachel, Mrs. Ashbourne, live in Auglaize county, James in Coshocton ; William, Joseph, Moses and Samuel are in Harrison. Both the justices of the peace in the township are sons of John Schooler. The people of Knox county twice honored him with a seat in the Legislature ; he died some eight years ago, much lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends.


Marvin Tracy held many public positions, and was universally respected for his honesty and in- tegrity. Paul Welker and John Troutman have been hard-working farmers, of good reputation.


Nathaniel Ross emigrated from Greene county, Pa., in 1811, and is yet living, in his sixty-ninth


383


KNOX COUNTY.


year. His brother, Samuel, came out in 1817, and is now sixty-three years of age. These men have been useful citizens. The first brick house in this township was that of Nathaniel Ross.


The first road laid out was from Mt. Vernon to Coshocton. The proprietors of the town were all from the East, and they then believed light must be sought from that quarter. They did not know there was a Lake Erie, or if they did, they did not seem conscious that the great commerce and trade of this section must be drawn north and south ; hence, supposing that travel would be most from east to west, they laid out the town with this view -making its principal street, "High," the widest, and "Market," the present Main Street, much the narrowest.


JUSTICES OF THE PEACE


Within this territory have been the following Justices : 1819, Marvin Tracy, reelected in 1822 and 1825.


1825. John Schooler. 1836. Asa Freeman.


1829. Israel Dillon.


1839. 66 66


1831. Ben. Ellis.


1842. 66


1834.


1845. 66


1835. Nathaniel Ross.


1847. M. W. Schooler.


1837. Hugh Miller.


1848. Wm. Marlow.


1840.


1849. Marvin Tracy.


1843. 66 66


1852. Jonathan McArtor.


1850. Moses Dudgeon.


1855. 66


1853. 66


1856. M. W. Schooler.


1855. Sam. F. Schooler 1862.


1858. Jonathan McArtor.


1859. M. W. Schooler.


1862. Jacob Hays.


384


HISTORY OF


CHAPTER XLV.


UNION TOWNSHIP.


AT the session of the Commissioners, March 9, 1825, this old township, notwithstanding its name, was dismembered, and reduced to its present pro- portions. Among its carliost settlers are many names by this time familiar to the reader: there were the Critchfields, the Lepleys, the Butlers, the Darlings, Wm. and Abraham; the Shrimplins, Abraham, John and Samuel; the Durbins, Ben. and Win. ; the Elwells, the Spurgeons, the Sapps, the Rightmires, the Logues, McMillen, Williams, Titus, Hibbetts, Groer, Stotts, George Davidson, Charles Ryan, Win. Shaw, John Arnold, and the Welkeis. Shortly after came John Konkle, Gas- per Richereek, Jacob Black, David Melick, John Earlywire, Valentine Dial, and George Fresh- water. The judges of election, Oct. 10, 1809, were James Rightmire, John Wood, and Thos. Elwell. These were at that time the principal families of the powerful Crook nation ; representatives of al- most all these are to be met with in this county. In 1811, the officers of election were Wm. Sapp, Thomas Beaty, George Sapp; Daniel Sapp and Jacob Draper.


At the October election, 1810, there were but 23 voters. In 1816 the number had increased to 45.


385


KNOX COUNTY.


Having traced out the Critchfields, Darlings, and other families who have contributed abundantly to- ward the peopling of this county, we cannot pass by the Sapps. Four brothers-Daniel, George, Joseph and William-emigrated from Allegheny county, Md., in 1806, and the Sapps of the present day are descendants of them, and of their uncle George, who came out in 1810; of another Sapp, Adam, who came about 1820 ; and of yet another, a cousin, known in the neighborhood as "Kentucky George," to distinguish him from the other Georges, who had preceded him. Daniel had a dozen chil- dren, of whom Hon. Wm. R., S.W., Dr. Enoch and Dr. Silas have been widely known. Mrs. J. Wauls, of Brown, and Mrs. J. Stover, of Mt. Gilead are only daughters living. George married Catharine Arnold ; and of their nine children six are living in the county. Levi is upon the old homestead. He has had eleven children; and of this number is Wm. C., merchant, Mt. Vernon. Joseph's numer- ous family went to Illinois. William's dozen chil- dren are scattered-only two of them are in Knox HOW. Of Kentucky George's fourteen children we have not space to give an account. James, as- sociated with Wm. J. Morton, in the shoe store in Mt. Vernon, is his grandson. The original roots above named have produced over 200 shoots.




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