USA > Ohio > Morgan County > History of Morgan County, Ohio, with portraits and biographical sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 15
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.Issociate Judges .- This office was abolished in 1851. Prior to that time it was filled as follows: William Ran- nells. 1819-26; Sherebiah Clark, 1819- 22; William B. Young, 1819-22; Alex- ander MeConnel, 1822; William M. Dawes, 1823-30; David Fulton, 1823- 30; Francis Scott. 1826-30; Robert MeConnel, 1830-40; David McGarry, 1830-37; Joseph C. Linn, 1830-41 ; Erastus Hoskins, 1837-43: Edward Shepard, 1841; Jesse M. Stone, 1842- 48; William Durbin, 1842-48; James L. Gage, 1844-47; Nathaniel Shepard, 1847-51; Oliver Il. Keyser, 1849-51; Alexander McConnel, 1849-51.
('lerks of Court .- Samuel A. Barker, 1819-24. At the September term of conrt, 1824, charges were made against Dr. Barker of malfeasance in office, and he was removed-unjustly, as many thought-and Amasa Piper appointed clerk pro tempore. In March, 1825, Perley B. Johnson was appointed dep- uty clerk ; August 25, 1825, Piper re- signed and Johnson was appointed to the vacancy. By reappointment he served until 1832 and was succeeded by Sammel A. Barker, 1833-35; James M. Gaylord, 1835-48; W. C. Shugert, 1849- 51. The office became elective in 1851, the term being three years, and has since been filled by Ford Sill, 1852-54; David II. Mortley, 1854-56; George S. Welsh, 1857-63; A. Alderman, 1864-
69; Cyrus M. Roberts, 1869-75; Will- iam II. Leeper, 1875-81; Benjamin F. Matson, 1881-84: William A. Brown, 1884-87.
Sheriff's .- Jacob P. Springer was elected sheriff at the first annual elec- tion, 1819; but for "illegality in the poll-books" a contest was entered by John Bell, and he did not act as sheriff until the second day of the March term, when the court, after hearing the con- testants by counsel, decided the charges unsustained, and ordered the clerk to de- liver Jacob P. Springer a certificate of election. He was re-elected, and served until 1823. Edwin Corner was sheriff from 1828 to 1825, and was a candidate for re-election in the latter year. Hle contested (unsuccessfully) the election of his rival, Dr. S. A. Barker. The latter served two terms, 1825-29, and was fol- lowed by William Hawkins, two terms, 1829-33; Andrew Fouts, two terms, 1833-37: and Charles F. Alden, two terms, 1837-41. In March, 1841, Alden left unexpectedly for the Far West, leav- ing his bondsmen and others the sorrow- ing victims of misplaced confidence. The office has since been filled as follows : William Parrish, 1841-45 ; Robert A. Pinkerton, 1845-49; Newton M. Brent, 1849-51; Isaac H. Roland, 1853-57 ; Andrew Kahler, 1857-61; Newton M. Brent, 1862-66; J. C. Murduck, 1866- 70; Angustus D. Ilavener, 1870-74; Lewis Thompson, 1874-76; John S. Dunn. 1876-80; Alexander B. McIntire, 1880-84; William Taylor, 1884-86; John R. Harper, elected 1885.
Coroners .- Nathan Dearborn, 1819; Sylvanus Olney, 1819-21 ; Thomas Dev- ins, 1822; Micah Adams, 1823; Jacob R. Price, 1824-26; Andrew Fouts, 1826-28; Joseph Kirk, 1828-30; Richard Gilder- sleeve, 1830-32; Isaac. McKetrick, 1832-
119
CIVIL HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
34; Ashbel Russell, 1836-38; R. J. M. Sharp, 1838-40; Andrew Scott, 1840; William Rutledge, 1841-43; Matthew Wylie, 1843-47; 1847-53, no data; George Campbell, 1853-55 ; Abner Pyle, 1855-57; David L. Jenkins, 1859-61; Richard Dunnington, 1861-65; David L. Jenkins, 1865-67 ; Jesse Simons, 1867- 69; Alphonso J. Cooke, 1869-71; Alex- ander Higgins, 1871-73 ; Henry Linkin, 1873-75; Andrew Kahler, 1875-81: Andrew Arrick, 1881-85 (died in 1885); Andrew J. Henery, elected 1885.
Probate Judges .- Previous to 1851 the probate business was transacted by the court of common pleas. By the new constitution the probate court was cre- ated. In addition to matters pertaining to the settlement of estates and the is- suing of marriage licenses it tries ap- peals from the decisions of the county commissioners in road matters; makes examination of insane persons, and has co-ordinate jurisdiction with the court of common pleas in the issue of the writ of habeas corpus. The probate judge is elected for a term of three years. Since its establishment the office has been filled as follows: Ezra E. Evans, 1852-53 (resigned 1853); James M. Gay- lord, 1853-55; Lemen Fouts, 1855-61 ; David C. Pinkerton, 1861-76; Newell Corner, 1876-88.
County Commissioners .- 1819 (June to December), Sylvanus Piper, David Fulton, Robert McKee; 1819 (Decem- ber), * Richard Cheadle, Jolm Shutt, William Montgomery; 1820 Richard Cheadle, William Montgomery, Andrew Wharton; 1821, Richard Cheadle, An- drew Wharton, Dennis Gibbs; 1822, Andrew Wharton, Dennis Gibbs, John
Shutt ; 1823-24, Dennis Gibbs, John Shutt, Enoch S. McIntosh; 1825, Dennis Gibbs, Enoch S. McIntosh, Samuel Aik- ens ; 1826, Dennis Gibbs, Samuel Aikens, Jacob Fouts; 1827-28, Samuel Aikens. Jacob Fouts, Josiah Burlingame; 1829- 30, Samuel Aikens, Josiah Burlingame, Samuel Murray ; 1831-32, Josiah Bur- lingame, Samuel Murray, David Ed- wards ; 1833, Samuel Murray, David Edwards, Dexter Brown ; 1834, Samuel Murray, Dexter Brown, Thomas Will- iams ; 1835-37, Dexter Brown, Thomas Williams, Worley (. Shugert ; 1838, Dex- ter Brown, Thomas Williams, Richard Cotton ; 1839, Thomas Williams, Rich- ard Cotton, John Archibald; 1840-42, Richard Cotton, John Archibald, Sam'l W. Rogers; 1843, Richard Cotton, John Archibald, James Dunlap; 1844; John Archibald, James Dunlap, Jesse Black- mer: 1845, James Dunlap, Jesse Black- mer, Otho French : 1846, Jesse Black- mer, Otho French, Samuel Adams ; 1847, Otho French, Samuel Adams, David Holbrook; 1848, David Ilolbrook, John Morrison, William 11. Peugh; 1849, David Holbrook, William HI. Peugh, James Hopper; 1850, David Holbrook, William II. Peugh, Robert Morrison ; 1851. Robert Morrison, Robert Simpson, Robert Rowland : 1852, Robert Morri- son, Robert Simpson, George Parsons ; 1853, Robert Simpson, George Parsons, Mills Hall; 1854, George Parsons, Mills Hall, Nicholas Coburn ; 1855, Mills Hall, Nicholas Coburn, Joshua Davis: 1556. Nicholas Coburn, Joshua Davis, George J. Henderson : 1857-59, Joshua Davis, George JJ. Henderson, J. W. Stanbery ; 1860-61, Joshua Davis, George .I. Hlou- derson, (. (. Cheadle: 1862-63, Joshua Davis, C. C. Cheadle, Jomm B. Stone; 1864-65, Joslma Davis, C. C. Cheadle, George S. Corp; 1866-68, Joshua Davis,
* In the list which follows the names given are those of the commissioners in the December term of cach year, as new members of the board enter upon their office at that torm.
120
HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO.
George S. Corp. Francis Pettit ; 1869, Joshua Davis, George S. Corp. William Niceswanger: 1870, Joshua Davis, Will- iam Niceswanger. George J. Ilender- son: 1871-72, William Nieeswanger, George J. Ilenderson, David Smith ; 1873. William Niceswanger, George J. Henderson, David Miller : 1874, William Nieeswanger, George J. Henderson, Peter Miller: 1875, George JJ. Hender- son, Peter Miller, William Barkhurst ; 1876, Peter Miller, William Barkhurst, William Nieeswanger; 1877-78, Will- iam Barkhurst, William Niceswanger, George Beil; 1879, William Barkhurst, George Beil, L. B. Simpson ; 1880, Will- iam Barkhurst, L. B. Simpson, William R. Jones; 1881-84, L. B. Simpson, William R. Jones, L. J. Coburn ; 1885, William R. JJones, L. JJ. Coburn, Thomas J. Chappelear.
Prosecuting Attorneys .- John Do- land, 1819-21 ; Richard Stillwell, 1821- 23: Appleton Downer, 1823-27; James L. Gage, 1828-31; John E. Hanna, 1831-36; James L. Gage, 1836-40; William J. Ramsey, 1841-44 (died Oe- tober, 1844); (. C. Covey, 1844-47; C. B. Tompkins, 1847; R. W. P. Muse, ' 1852; II. S. Robertson, 1852-54; F. B. Pond, 1855-58; R. D. Hopper, 1859-62; E. M. Stanbery, 1863-67; Hiram L. Jones, 1868-70; William Foulke, 1870- 74: E. M. Kennedy. 1875-76; William B. Crew. 1877-78; J. A. Ivers. 1879-80: Frank F. Metcalf. 1881-85: Marion E. Danford. elected 1885. Some of the dates above given are only approxi- mate-in some instances all evidence being wanting to show who filled the office at a given time.
Hayes Pyle, 1844-50: Richard Ilicker- son, 1850-53; David B. Shivel, 1852- 55: Hayes Pyle, 1855-58; Joseph R. Tavenner, 1859-68 (resigned in 1868); William W. McCarty, 1858-70; Will- iam Kirkbride, 1870-72 (resigned 1872); William W. MeCarty, 1872-76; James M. West, 1876-85; William II. Young, 1885-88. Recorders were first ap- pointed, afterward elected. The term is three years.
Auditors .- S. A. Barker, 1819-21: Jonathan Williams, 1821-22; Francis A. Barker, 1822-27: Timothy Gaylord, 1827-29; John B. Stone, 1830-34; William Durbin, 1835-40; Jacob R. Price, 1841-45; William Pettit, 1845- 47; James McLaughlin, 1847-48; John V. Ramsey, 1848-52; James McLaugh- lin, 1853-57; James A. Adair, 1857-60; James B. McGrew, 1860-71 (died 1871): Arthur Pond. 1871-78; F. M. Kahler, 1878-84: Jesse T. Elliott, 1884-87.
County Treasurers .- James Young, 1820-22; JJonathan Porter, 1823-30; Jacob R. Price, 1830-38; James E. Marquis, 1834-40; Hiram H. Robinson, 1840-42; Joel Robb, 1842-46; James Harkless, 1846-50; Sebastian E. Fonts. 1850-53; John M. Taggart, 1853-54 (died 1854; S. E. Fouts appointed to the vacancy); Isaiah II. Kenison, 1855- 59: Thomas W. Simpson, 1859-61; Richard Stanton, 1861-65: Stephen R. IIill, 1865-69: Samuel B. Yocom. 1869- 78; Albert P. Whitaker, 1873-77; Will- iam C. Smiley, 1877-81; Elwood R. Worrall, 1881-85; Albert P. Whitaker, 1885-87. The treasurer was appointed by the commissioners until 1827, and has since been elected. The term is two years.
Recorders --- Timothy Gaylord, 1819- : 29: John Wilkin, 1829-32; Samuel Collectors .- This office was abolished Stewart. 1832-38; James Watkins, in 1827. The collector was appointed 1838-41; Russell II. Deering, 1841-44; ; annually by the commissioners. Those
121
CIVIL HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
who held the office were Jacob P. Springer, 1819; William Massey, 1820; Jeremiah Conoway, 1821; Jacob Ad- ams, 1822-23; Thomas Byers 2d, 1824; John Hammond, 1825-26.
Surveyors .- William Davis, 1819; William Montgomery, 1825; John F. Talley, 1830; Samuel Aikens, 1839; George Bell, 1845; Basil Israel, 1847; Milton Griffith, 1851; James B. Mc- Grew, 1855; Alfred Wilkin, 1861; M. K. Atkinson, 1865; Arthur Pond, 1868; M. K. Atkinson, 1872; Jesse T. Elliott, 1879; Price Moody, 1884 (resigned); John D. Davis, 1885.
Infirmary Directors .- Benjamin W. Conklin, 1849; Joseph Sigler, 1849; Caleb Gregg, 1849-52; Lewis Balding, 1850-53; Philip Strahl, 1851-54; Sam- uel Mellor, 1853-55; Thos. A. Osborn, 1855-58; Samuel Mellor, 1856-59; Thomas A. Osborn, 1857-60; Andrew J. Hosom, 1858-61 ; Samuel Mellor, 1859- 62; George Crow. 1860-63; Ephraim Parmiter, 1861-64; Samuel Mellor, 1862-65, 1865-68, 1868-71 ; Oliver M. Lovell, 1864-67, 1867-70, 1870-73; Manassa Keiser, 1869-72, 1872-75, 1875-78; James C. Longbridge, 1871- 74; Isaac N. Hook, 1873-76; Gersham K. White, 1874-77, 1877-80, 1880-83, 1883-86; W. J. Boden, 1878-81, 1881- 84; F. D. Scott, 1876-79, 1879-82; Edwin Sherwood, 1882-85, 1885-88; Henry L. Mellor, 1884-87.
STATE OFFICERS.
Francis B. Pond, attorney general, 1870-74; Alexander McConnel, mem- ber board of public works, 1836-38. Presidential electors : Alexander Mc- Connel, 1832 ; Perley B. Johnson, 1840 ; Frederick W. Wood, 1870. Member of constitutional convention, 1850-51, Wm. Hawkins; Francis B. Pond, 1873.
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
YEAR. NAME. DIST. COUNTY. Belmont.
1823-25
1825-27
1827-29 1829-31 1831-33 1833-35 1835-37 1837-39
1839-41
1841-43 1843-45
1845-47 Isaac Parish, + 13
Thomas Richey,
18
Perry.
William A. Whittlesey. 13 Washington.
James M. Gaylord, 13 Morgan.
Edward Ball, 66
Cydnor B. Tompkins, 16 66
16
William P. Cutler,
16 Washington.
James R. Morris, 15
Thomas A. Plants,
15
Meigs.
1867-69
1869-71
Eliakini HI. Moore,
15 Athens.
1871-73
1873-75 1875-77
1877-79
15 .. Adoniram J. Warner, 13 Washington.
1879-81
1881-83
Rufus R. Dawes, 15
1883-85
Adoniram J. Warner, 15
1885-87 Chas. H. Grosvenor, 17
Athens.
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Senators.
YEAR.
NAME.
COUNTIES REPRESENTED.
1820-21 Sardina Stone,
Washington, Morgan and
Athens. ..
1821-22
Sardina Stone. ..
1822-23
( John Patterson, /
Morgan and
1823-24 Wm. Skinner. 1
Washington.
1824-25 Jacob Catterlin,
Perry and Morgan.
1825-26 Roswell Mills.
1826-27 John Beckwith, #
1827-28
1828-29
66
9
9
66
66
William Medill. 9 9 66 Perley B. Johnson, 13
10
66
* Vice Jennings, resigned.
+ From that part of Morgan subsequently annexed to Noble. #Vice James Cooley, resigned.
66
/ Thomas Shannon, * (
John Davenport, 10
16
William Kennon, 10
..
John Chaney, 9
Fairfield.
Morgan.
1847-49
1849-51 1851-53 1853-55 1855-57 1857-59 1859-61 1861-63 1863-65
1865-67
15
..
William P. Sprague. 15 Morgan. 60
15
Athens.
Nelson H. Van Vorhes, 15 66
16 Muskingum. 16 Morgan. 6.
Monroe.
John Patterson, 10
\ David Jennings, -
122
HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO.
YEAR.
NAME.
COUNTIES REPRESENTED.
Representatives.
1829-30
Alexander McConnell,
Morgan.
YEAR.
1830-31
1820-21
1831-32
John B. Orton,
66
1821-22
1832-33
1833-34
William Hawkins,
1834-35
1835-36
John Leidy,
1823-24
1 Ephraim Cutler, S Jolin Patterson, William Skinner, S Alexander McConnel,
Morgan.
1837-38
William Hawkins,* 66
1827-28
Edwin Corner,
1839-40
Isaac Humphreys,
66
1829-30
1840-41
Alexander McConnel, John Ritchey, 66
66
1832-33
1843-44
Aaron Johnson, 66
1833-34
Perley B. Johnson,
1844-45
1834-35
1845-46
Rufus E. Harte, 66 Isaac Haines,
1837-38
1848-49
66
1838-39
1849-50
George W. Barker,
Morgan and Washington.
1840-41
David Baldridge, Sr., Daniel Kelly, / Truxton Lyon, S
Morgan. Morgan, Per- ry and Wash ington.
1854-56
Harley Laflin,
1856-58
Moses D. Hardy,
1843-44
William Glines, John C. Clark, S Daniel Chandler,
66
1858-60
Davis Green,
1845-46
Jordan Betts,
John White,
66
1862-64
William P. Spragne,
1849-50
David Ball,
1864-66
William F. Curtis,
1850-51
Ezra McKee,
66
1866-68
S. Knowles,
66
1852-54
David Holbrook,*
1868-70
Abraham Simmons.
1854-56
Jonah Walters,
1870-72
Rodney M. Stimson, 66
1856-58
David Holbrook, } Erastus Guthrie, S
66
1872-74
Peres B. Buell, 66
1858-60
Henry Dawes, } James Moore, S Philip Kennedy,
Morgan and Noble.
1878-80
John Irvine,
1860-62
1880-82
Francis B. Pond,
1862-64
George W. Waller,
Morgan.
1882-84
66
1864-66
Frederick W. Wood,
1884-86
Gilbert Smith,
1866-68
Thomas J. Williams,
1886-88
Abel W. Glazier, ..
1868-70
Francis B. Pond,
1870-72
Richard Stanton,
* President of the Senate, 1838-39.
+ Corner's election was contested and the seat given to Cautius C. Covey, who was killed by a boiler explosion on the steamer " Buckeye Belle," near Bey- orly, while on his way to Columbus in November, 1852. Win. Hawkins was elected his successor.
1874-76
John C. Vincent, C. S. Cory,
*Contested, and the seat given to William Beswick.
66
1847-48
George W. Barker,
1841-42
1852-54
Wm. Hawkins, S
14th District Morgan and Washington.
1842-43
( John C. Clark, }
Daniel Kelly,
Morgan. 66
1860-62
William P. Sprague,
14th District Morgan. Washington and part of Noble. 66
1847-48
y Israel Robinson, } Jolin Bain,
66
1848-49
William Durbin,
1876-78
Richard Stanton,
1872-74
1876-78
NAME. Alex. McConnel, } Timothy Buell, ยง ( Timothy Buell, } Wm. M. Dawes, S John Patterson, { 1
COUNTIES REPRESENTED. Morgan and Washington.
1836-37
6.
Perry, Mor- gan and Washington.
1824-25
1825-26
1826-27
1838-39
1828-29
Alexander McConnel, Samuel A. Barker,
1830-31
1841-42
1831-32
Erastus Hoskins,
1842-43
Benjamin W. Conklin,
1846-47
1836-37
Ezra McKee, John E. Hanna, 66
1839-40
1850-51
( Edwin Corner, } }
1844-45
1846-47
1874-76
66
66
1822-23
66
1835-36
123
CIVIL HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
YEAR.
NAME.
1878-80
John C. Morrey,
1880-82
1882-84
Elias M. Stanbery,
1884-86
1886-88
Leroy S. Holcomb, 66
MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS.
Prices of Produce in 1818 and 1885. -There are few who can turn over the pages of memory to the days of 1818. But it may interest the many to make an occasional comparison of the cost of a few indispensables.
Some years since Mr. Jacob Adams furnished the following prices current for 1818:
Salt, per bbl., $18.
" 1880.
20,074
POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS.
1847.
1870.
1880.
Bloom Township.
263
987
898
Bristol
353
1,469
1.448
Centre
272
1,353
1,164
Deerfield
254
981
1,035
Homer
272
1,690
1,693
Malta Tp., including Town 321
1,625
1,574
Village.
513
652
Manchester Township. 288
712
723
Marion
318
2,074
1,989
Meigsville
257
1,295
1,201
Morgan Tp., inclu. McCon. 379
2,185
2,005
McConnelsville
1,646
1,473
Penn Township.
246
1,242
1,245
Union
292
1,583
1,595
Windsor Tp., including
Stockport.
275
2,251
2.392
Stockport.
289
335
York Township.
202
916
1,112
The enumeration of sheep for the years 1870-3 was 250,082 ; value. $651,- 054. The amount of wool shorn during that time was 745,261 lbs ; value, about $60,000.
An interesting item in this connection is the number of dogs in the county. which for that period averaged 2,000. and the average damage in killing and
them. This he unhesitatingly did, and had it for a less price than the government duty. One chest of this tea Mr. Adams retailed in MeComelsville for $3 per pound.
* During the war of 1812 the British captured one of Stephen Girard's ships, freighted with tes. The cap- tors mformed him that he could purchase it from
In 1840 wheat sold for 50 cents per bushel.
The dry-goods merchants were not in the habit of giving quotations for calicoes and muslins. But those who were buyers in 1862, when " cotton was king," will remember that eight and ten cent prints sold for 25 to 30 and muslins from 40 to 60 cents per yard.
POPULATION OF THE COUNTY.
In 1820
5,297
" 1830.
11,800
" 1840.
20,852
" 1850.
28,585
In 1860.
22,119
" 1770.
20,363
Salt, per bush., $3.
Tea," per lb., $2 to $3.
Sugar, Orleans, per lb., 16 cents.
Iron and nails, per lb., 10 to 15 cents. Calico prints, per yard, 50 to 75 cents. Muslins, per yard, 37 to 50 cents.
Wheat, per bush., 25 to 30 cents.
Flour, per bbl., $2.50 to $3.
Corn, per bush., 15 to 20 cents.
Butter, per lb., 544 to 1212 cents.
Pork, net per cwt., $1.50 to $2.
Beef, net per cwt., $2 to $3.
The prices in 1826 varied but little from 1818, except that of salt, which had then become a staple production.
The following quotations are in- tended for an average for the year given, although they are the actual quotations at a special date therein :
1838.
1848.
1873.
1875.
1885.
Wheat, bush $0.75
$0.70
$1.25
$1.30
$0.50
Flour, bbl. ..
5.50
4.50
7.80
8.00
5.60
Corn, bush ..
.87
.50
.60
.55
Oats,
. .
.31
.18
.40
.30
Potatoes, bush
.95
.50
750 $1
1.00
.50
Butter, IL ...
.121.
.08
.25
.15
.12
Eggs, doz. . . .
.0611
405
.25
.10
.12
66
66
66
COUNTIES REPRESENTED. Morgan.
66
124
HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO.
wounding sheep by them equaled as many dollars as dogs.
In 1575 the number of dogs in the county was 1.576 : the number of sheep killed and injured. 433 : value of killed, $752: of injured, $169. In 1880 the number killed was 243; value, $810; injured. 471 : total estimated value. 8745; total estimate value for the two vears 81.555. In 1879-80 there were 96,790 sheep in the county, worth 8267.222. For the same period they produced 474.227 lbs. of wool.
The following is the number of acres of land returned for taxation, the value, and for the several years the average value :
Year.
Acres.
Value,
Average Value.
1826
135,512
$184,559
$1.28
1835.
180,500
240,311
1.33
1841
251,559
555,224
2.29
1846
348.036
3.284,229
7.41
1853
259,636
3,122,943
12.04
1870.
260,450
3,880,899
17.90
In 1850, previous to the detachment of the portion for the formation of Noble County, the total valuation of property was $4,702,249.
In 1860 it was $7,234,631.
In 1880 the number of acres returned for taxation was 260,638, and the aggre- gate value 84,387,181.
In the valuation of land in the county it is not probable that any estimate of additional value has been made of the underlying coal : and the singular fact may be observed-by reference to the geology of the townships-that in the entire course of the river through the connty. on either side. there is as yet no coal developed for the distance of from two to five miles from it, with the ex- ception of Sherwood's and Hooksburg.
Consequently the salt works have been, and the villages on the river are, de- pendent on what is mined from two to three miles above the county line in Muskingum County, furnished by Mr. Siler per his steamer and Mr. Stone whith his barge from Blue Rock.
In 1873 there was mined in the county 174,050 bush .; in the 1874-5, 143,975 bush., and in 1875-6 135, 500 bush., the price from either varying from eight to ten cents per bushel.
In 1820 the amount of cash paid into the treasury was $572.625 ; the amount of orders issued from June 7, 1819, to June 1, 1820, $1,032.82;, leaving the county in debt for that period $460.16}; amount of receipts to June 1, 1821, $988.262; county in debt, $448.211; receipts to December 1, 1821, $1,099.19 ; county in debt March 1, 1822, $294.40.
The tax levied in 1827 for all pur- poses was :
For state purposes. $955.09.3
county purposes. 1,676.71.1
.6
road. . 475.76.5
school . 163.18.1
4
township. $35.27.1
$3.305
In 1875 for all purposes it was $109,- 606.98; in 1880:
For county purposes. $14,098.38
66 poor. 4,699.46
66
bridge. 11,748,70
building. 783.24
66
township.
2,958.74
entire school 28,360.45
village taxes.
4,617.15
In 1885, for all purposes, including de- linquencies and forfeitures. and except- ing per capita tax on dogs, $138,442.65 ; total of state tax for 1885, $23,145.05 ; county and local tax, 114,616.99; dog tax at one dollar each, $1,681.
CHAPTER IX.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS AND RIVER NAVIGATION.
EARLY ROADS-THE FIRST HIGHWAYS ORDERED BY THE COMMISSIONERS, 1819-MAILS AND POST- OFFICES-OLD-TIME STAR ROUTES-POSTOFFICES IN MORGAN COUNTY-PIONEER BOATING ON THE MUSKINGUM-THE "ORLEANS" BOATS-SALT BOATS-STEAMBOATS-THE "RUFUS PUTNAM" PASSES UP THE MUSKINGUM IN JANUARY, 1824-AASTONISHMENT OF THE INHABITANTS-LATER BOATS-MCCONNELSVILLE NAVIGATORS-THE RIVER IMPROVEMENT-FIRST STATE APPROPRIA- TION-THE INCEPTION AND COMPLETION OF THE WORK-RAILROAD PROJECTS-A SERIES OF BRILLIANT FAILURES-SHARON RAILROAD-THE PITTSBURGH, CINCINNATI & MAYSVILLE, THE FAMOUS " CALICO" LINE-THE CINCINNATI, WHEELING & NEW YORK-THE FERRARA MINERAL RAILROAD-THE LATEST PROJECTS-A RAILROAD AT LAST-THE BRIDGE AT MCCONNELSVILLE- BRIDGES IN THE COUNTY-EARLY MILLS-MORGAN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A NOTED writer has asserted that than seven petitions for roads were pre- sented, all of which seem to have been granted and the roads ordered at, or prior to, the October meeting following. And thenceforth for many years the commissioners were kept busy provid- ing for new roads or making changes in old ones. As it would be tedious to follow them through any lengthy period of deliberation we will dismiss the sub- jeet by giving the particulars regarding the seven roads referred to, which were the first ordered by Morgan County officials.
the three greatest indications of a people's prosperity are: 1. The state of the roads; 2. The state of agriculture; 3. The methods of transportation. Al- though in the third essential Morgan County may still be considered some- what backward, that her citizens have not been slow in making improvements in the first and second directions is proved by their early attention to them, as well as by the condition of roads and the state of agriculture at the present day.
Road-building in a hilly region is la- borious and expensive, and after the roads are made there must be a con- stant outlay for repairs or the roads be- come worthless. The making of roads has been from the earliest times one of the most important subjects which has occupied the attention of the county commissioners and the taxpayers. At the earliest session of the board of com- missioners, held in July, 119, no less
Dy's Road (No. 1) .- Beginning at the centre stake of Section 27, township 11, range 11, from Stanton Fordice's (on Meigs' Creek), by Ezekiel Dye's and George Dye's to the Guernsey County line. Joseph Devereanx and John Sears were appointed viewers and Benjamin Thorla surveyor. Their report was ac- cepted and the road ordered to be laid out (July, 1819).
Massey's Road ( No. 2). On the peti-
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO.
tion of William Massey and others for a road " beginning at the State ( Mari- etta and Lancaster) Road in section 22, township 10, range 12, and running in a northwest direction for Putnam, as far as the county line." Henry Moore, Thomas Rison and John Briggs were appointed to view and survey it.
Moore's Road ( No. 3) .- July 9. 1819, Phillip Moore and others petitioned for a road " beginning at the graveyard on B. W. Talbot's farm, from thence to intersect a county road in Muskingum County at or near Moore's mill." Zephaniah Tyson, Samuel Murray and Jared Andrews were appointed viewers. and William Montgomery surveyor, to locate said road.
Collin's Road (No. 4) .- July 9, 1819, Findley Collins and others asked for a road " beginning at Thomas Wharton's bridge, thence on the nearest and best road to intersect a road leading from Moore's mill to the Muskingum County line at or near John Hammond's." Elinas Bacon, John Wharton and Daniel Whittemore were appointed viewers, Benjamin Thorla surveyor, and the road was ordered in October.
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