USA > Ohio > Morgan County > History of Morgan County, Ohio, with portraits and biographical sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 63
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Robert Love and wife were among the early pioneers. They came from Belmont County, Ohio, in 1822. They reared a large family. John Love, one of his sons, like his father, was a great hunter. Ile married Sally Frazier about 1830, and had a family of seven boys and two girls. Robert Love, the present postmaster of Ringgold, is a descendant.
Aquilla and Elizabeth Amos were natives of Hartford County, Maryland, and early settlers of this township. In 1829 they emigrated to Belmont County, and from thence to Monroe in
1832, and in November of 1835 to Union, when Mr. Amos, bought the land upon which Ringgold is now situ- ated. He was a resident until 1859 when he removed to Meig's County. IIe died in Athens County in 1866, aged ninety-two years; his wife died in 1863. Franklin Amos was born in Monroe County in 1833, and from 1874 to 1881 was clerk of the township. In 1882 he went to Trimble, Athens County, where he now resides.
Andrew Vest was a prominent citizen in his day. He was a resident of the township for over fifty years.
Samuel Dyke settled on Buck Run. He was one of the early school teachers. a man of influence, and of more than medium abilities.
Robert and Samuel Stewart were men of some prominence. Samuel was county recorder. They went West about 1833.
James Glass came from Belmont County in 1826. He was raised in Washington County and settled on sec- tion twenty-three, where he resided until his decease in 1879. He was a prosperous farmer and a reputable cit- izen and reared a large family, ten of whom are living : Nancy (Henderson), William, Margaret (Boyd), Elizabeth, John, Colwell, Samuel, Ruth, James and Thomas. George Parsons was a neighbor. Both were old-time whigs.
David Simpson was born in Ireland in 1797 and settled in Union township in 1829. He was subsequently engaged in mercantile business in Malta, from whence he removed to Licking County, where he died in 1867. His wife (née Elizabeth Gregg) was born in Loudon County, Virgina, in 1803, and died in Morgan County in 1836.
T. L. Simpson, a son, was born in
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Morgan County in 1835. For eleven years he superintended the affairs of the County Infirmary. He was a member of Company HI, 17th O. V. I. From a private he was promoted to First Lieutenant. He was severely wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge in the left arm. IIe died from a stroke of paralysis in 1885. In 1865 he mar- ried Miss Susan II. Cly, April 13, 1865, and reared a family of five children.
Lazarus Pierce and family came from Pennsylvania, to Muskingum County in 1816 and about two years later to Union township, Morgan County. Here he entered three quarter sections which he cleared and improved. They reared ten children. George, one of the sons, married Rebecca Phillips, of Muskingum County, a native of Vir- ginia, and was the father of Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Levi P., Rebecca, Catharine, Eliza, Margaret, Benjamin, Melissa, Lorena and George. Zachar- iah was married in 1847 to Sarah Ann Sailor, of Deerfield township. Chil- dren : Rebecca Ann, Mary E., Silas, Zachariah S., Benjamin, William M., Abraham L., and Elmey. All the family belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. Pierce enlisted in 1861 in Company B., 62d O.V. I., and served until 1862, when he was discharged on account of disability. He was in the battle of Winchester and other smaller engage- ments.
Lewis Balding, one of the few surviv- ing early settlers, was born near Albany, New York, in November, 1803. In 1805 his parents moved to West Vir- ginia, where he resided until his mar- riage in 1884, to Sarah Stewart, of Monroe County, Ohio. In 1833 he moved to Morgan County and settled in this township on the farm now owned
by Richard Stanton. He reared twelve children, five of whom are now living: James, William, Mary and Belinda (twins), and Rhoda. Three of the chil- dren settled near the old home and two in Kansas. Mr. Balding and family belong to the Desciples' Church, of which he was one of the original mem- bers. Ile served as infirmary director for six years, and as justice of the peace for twenty years. He has also served in several township offices.
Moses Dawson and wife came with their family of ten children from Bel- mont County, Ohio, in 1832, and located on a farm which they entered in section 19, the same now owned by Mrs. Shell. Moses, the sixth son, was at home until twenty-four years of age. He then married Hannah Tanner, of this county, and engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have had six children, one of whom, Mary Ann, died in her sixth year. Those living are Eliza J., wife of George W. Scott; John W., who mar- ried Clara Torbert; Alice, now Mrs. Ellsworth Scott ; Miles E., and Emma V., all residing in this county. The family are members of the Christian Church, in which Mr. Dawson is a dea- con.
Frederick Gladden and Rachel, his wife, originally from Maryland, came from Belmont County in 1834, and set- tled in Union Township. He was a farmer and a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Gladden died in 1843, and his widow in 1872. Their children were Mary, Nancy, Elizabeth, Jacob, Frederick, John J. (deceased), William (deceased) and Silas E.
Silas E. Gladden was born in 1833. He followed farming and teaching in early life. He is one of the prominent citizens of the township, and has held
G. 1. 1 Chappelean
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the offices of trustee, justice of the peace, etc. He is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Gladden was married in 1860 to Lois Love, and they have had eleven children. One is de- ceased-Adolphus S. Those living are Eva F., Ida I., Ada S., Elmer W., Wil- iner T., Carl A., Clarence O., Elton R., Ernest O., and Ivy Blanche.
Jacob Tanner and wife came from Pennsylvania and settled in Union Township. Of their ten children five are living -- Hannah, Nancy, John, Eliza, J., and Jacob. The latter was born in 1851. In 1869 he married Miss Mary Weeden, of Deerfield Township. Both belong to the Christian Church.
Hiram Shepard was born in 1811. In 1830 he came from Belmont County and located in Homer Township. In 1837 he married Martha Danford, by whom he had seven children, six of whom are living. William Alexander Shepard was born in 1842. In 1867 he married Miss Georgie Pedicord. They have one child-Cassius M. Mr. Shep- ard is a farmer and a stock-raiser.
Homer M. Blackburn was born in Morgan County in 1837. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, 122d Regiment, O. V. I. He was wounded at Pine Run, Va., and again at Cedar Creek, Va., and was finally discharged at Pe- tersburg, Va., March 11, 1865. In 1865 he married Miss M. F. Phipps. Both belong to the M. E. Church. Mr. Black- burn is successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Joseph Miller was born in Guernsey County in 1825, and resided in that county until twenty-three years oldl. His father, Peter Miller, was an early settler there. Joseph came to Morgan County and married Miss Elizabeth Lent, in Penn Township, in 1849. In
1850 he moved to Malta Township, where he resided six years ; then settled in Union Township, his present home. He is an enterprising farmer and a mem- ber of the M. E. church. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of eight children. Two died in infancy. Those living are Nathan L., Jerome D., John W., Joseph F., Charles H. and George W.
Benjamin F. Knight, a prominent farmer, was born in Morgan County in 1847. His father, George Knight, came from Maryland and was an early settler in the county. Benjamin F. re- sided at home until his marriage to Miss Sarah E. Thomas, of Chester Hill, in 1871. They have one child-William Henry. Mr. Knight is a member of the Methodist Church.
William Spurrier was born in Jeffer- son County in 1821. When eleven years of age he came to Morgan County with his parents. His father, Richard Spurrier, settled in Malta Township. He died in 1857. He reared a family of four sons and four daughters. Wil- liam was married in 1844 to Elizabeth Miller, who bore him Matilda, Anna, John R., Emma and Betty. Mrs. Spurrier died in 1856, and in the fol- lowing year Mr. Spurrier married Sarah Miller. The children are Wil- liam, Mary, Sadie and Carie. The family belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Spurrier is a prominent farmer and has held the office of trustee.
William J. Williams was born in Union Township in 1842. November 25. 1861 he enlisted in Company B., 62d O. V. 1., in which he served three years, becoming a veteran January 1, 1864, and participating in all the engage- ments of the regiment. July 18, 1863, in the charge on Fort Wagoner, he was shot through the thigh. Until wounded
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he did not lose a day either on account of sickness or furlough. August 16, 1864, at Deep Run, Va., he lost both · his eyes from a gunshot wound. In January, 1865, he received his discharge because of the loss of his eyesight. For bravery in action he was given two medals of honor. The recipients of these medals were selected by vote of their comrades. He was married in 1864 to Margaret Pierce, who died in 1876. Children-Mary Louisa, Clarissa A. and Howard. In 1877 he married Clarissa Pierce. Children -- Albert S., Sarah M., Rosa B., Walter S. and Grover Cleveland.
INITIAL EVENTS.
The first mill in the township was built about 1828 by William Corner on Wolf Creek on section 13. A mill was built by William Ward on Sun- day Creek some time afterward. Samuel and Robert Stewart had a horse-mill on section four which was a great convenience to the settlers in that locality. The only mill in the township at the present time was built by William Corner. Andrew Vest built the first frame house and Edward Miller the first brick dwelling. William Corner also erected a brick house at about the same time. Silas Hickerson and Joseph Trimble were among the first preachers and the first church was built in 1829. The first postoffice was on section three. William McKit- trick was the postmaster, Andrew Byers was the pioneer pedagogue, and the first schoolhouse was built on the farm now owned by Robert Hainsworth heirs. Byers was a gentleman and for the time a man of education.
In compliance with an order of the Court of Common Pleas issued October
30, 1821, the pioneer voters of the town- ship convened at the house of Garrett Caviner on the third day of December and proceeded to hold the election ordered. Lazarus Pierce, William Corner and Andrew Scott, acted as judges, George L. Corner and William Scott, as clerks. Nineteen pioneers cast their votes as follows: Tobias Beckwith, James Scott, Nathan Green, George Nulton, William Scott, David Scott, William McKittrick, George L. Corner, Daniel Viall, Robert Hams- worth, William Corner, Andrew Scott, Lazarus Price, Samuel Stewart, John Chappellear, Garrett Caviner, James Prosser, William Lawrence and Archi- bald Scott. John Chappellear received the majority of all the votes cast. The election, however, was contested on the ground that two of the judges were candidates. The case was tried before William Massey. Joab James and Sylvanus Piper, " Free Holders" who in their report say "That from the testimony produced to us we do con- sider said election to be illegal and of none effect." Another election was or- dered and held February 2, 1822. Twenty-four votes were cast and in addition to those above named, the fol- lowing pioneers voted for the first time : Robert Love, John Bradley, Philip Warner, Thomas Rodman and Absalom Broderick. John A. Chappelear and William Corner were elected. July 9, 1822, an election was held for a justice of the peace, owing to the resignation, probably, of one of those elected previ- ously. George L. Corner received all the votes cast. It appears from evi- dence on file that notwithstanding the decision of the committee of investiga- tion on the first election that John A. Chappellear was commissioned and
Eli le Smitte
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officiated as the magistrate of the town- ship until the election of Mr. Corner, who filled the office acceptably for many years. In the early days the position was regarded as an important one. Its judicature was much more extended than now, and besides there was a cer- tain amount of dignity attaching to the office that made it quite desirable. The "Squire" was always regarded as a person of distinction. Justices were required to give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties, which con- sisted principally of conveyancing, col- lections, marriages and the trial of cases within their jurisdiction. At the time of which we write juries in jus- tice courts were unknown. Mr. Corner on one occasion forgot to renew his bonds, having occupied the office so long and with characteristic honesty called the attention of the trustees to the fact and suggested that a new election should be ordered, which they did. A strong man was placed on the democratic ticket and the contest was an exciting one. Mr. Corner was elected, however, by a handsome ma- jority. At the polls he made a speech in which he said that, inasmuch as the election was the result of his careless- ness, he would bear the entire ex- pense. The election was contested on the ground of bribery, the democratic argument being that Mr. Corner's prop- osition was that in effect. The case was tried before Gen. Robt. MeConel. Jacob Adams and William Durbin. The whole township was summoned and the trial consumed an entire day and the democratic aspirant was rele- gated to private life
RINGGOLD.
The land upon which the village of
Ringgold is situated was owned origin- ally by George Gadd. In 1835 he sold the farm to Aquilla Amos, who im- proved it, and in 1846 platted the vil- lage. Bazil Israel was the surveyor. The infant village was named in honor of Major Samuel Ringgold, whom Mr. Amos had known in his boyhood, and who fell in one of the battles of the Mexican war. In 1847 William B. Amos opened the first store. He also packed the first tobacco with a sword press. Sanders & Smith were the first tobacco packers to use screw power. For a time Ringgold was a flourishing village, but in 1860 it ceased to expand and since that time business has de- creased in volume. Among those who were identified with the early events of the village were W. B. Amos, Powell and Battin, Jonas Powell, C. D. Drake, merchants ; O. H. and W. B. Williams, carpenters and undertakers; Joseph Amos and Samnel Byers, shoemakers ; Lewis Wood and I. R. Haycook, built the first steam sawmill. James L. Porter was the first postmaster. The office was established in 1847. E. Shepard was the first blacksmith; Vernon Lewis the first wagon maker; Asa C. Rusk kept the first tavern; Joseph M. Amos burned the first brick. In 1847 Doctor John Ashley offered his professional services to the people of Ringgold and vicinity. Two years later Rivers and Johnson came from Kentucky and of- fered their services as daguerrean artists.
MORGANVILLE.
Morganville is situated in the north- eastern part of the township and was laid out by S. Short in 1833. The original plat with one addition con- sisted of thirty-seven lots. Andrew Byers and Jeremiah Weston were
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO.
among the early merchants. Byers and Stranothan were doing business in Morganville in an early day.
ROSSEAU.
Rosseau is situated in the southeast part of the township. It was laid out by Joshua Davis in 1835 or 1836. Some twelve years before this time, George L. Corner had built a tannery and as a necessary adjunct had a small stock of goods. The tannery was ope- rated for several years by Mr. Davis and was purchased by him in 1833. In the early days tobacco was the principal product of the adjacent country, and to facilitate its manufacture and sale, Joshua Davis built a packing house which was occupied by John and Will- iam Ijams. This industry infused new life into the little hamlet, and for a while it thrived and assumed an im- portance, commensurate with the staple in which it dealt so extensively. But with the decline of the tobacco trade and the removal of Mr. Davis to Malta, the place for a time put on the appear- ance of Goldsmith's " Deserted Village." It has in a measure, however, recovered from its misfortunes and it now has most of the appointments of a small inland village.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ELI C. SMITH.
Eli C. Smith, an early pioneer and an honored and beloved citizen, died at the home of his son in Malta Township, Nov. 23, 1885, in the ninety-fourth year of his age. Ile was born in New Jersey, Oct. 15, 1792. When ten years of age he moved with his parents to Fayette County, Pa., and there at the age of nineteen he was married to Elizabeth Rounzoin. In 1821 he moved with his
family to Ohio, settling near the pres- ent Bernard Mills, in Penn Township, afterward removing to Union Town- ship. In 1833 his wife died, and the following year he married Ellen Quig- ley, who departed this life March 8, 1872. He was the father of Lovina (Hummel), Aaron, George W., Sarah (Raney), Elizabeth (Sargent), Solomon, Eli, Rhoda (Boal) and William R., by his first marriage, and of Arthur T. Smith, by the second.
Father Smith, as he was called, was a devout and consistent member of the Disciples Church for about seventy-five years. He was a good man and widely esteemed. During the last five years of his life he resided with his son, W. R. Smith. His health was good for a man of his years up to the 19th of November, when he was stricken with paralysis, from which he died four days later.
WILLIAM R. SMITH.
Wm. R. Smith, son of Eli C. Smith, was born in Penn Township, Morgan County, March 17, 1829, and passed his boyhood in Penn and Union Town- ships. At the age of nineteen he was apprenticed to a blacksmith, but though he learned the trade he has followed farming. Ile married Eliza J. New- man, daughter of David Newman, an early settler. She was born in Malta Township, October 27, 1829. The names of their children are Seth, Mary M., Solomon F., Eli W., Charles E., Clara E. and Sadie (twins). Mr. Smith is a republican. Both he and his wife belong to the Christian or Disciples Church.
GEORGE J. CHAPPELEAR.
The Chappelears were among the early settlers of the township and have
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been prominent in its affairs from the time of their settlement until the present. James Chappelear and wife (née Margaret Cook) came from Loudoun County, Va., to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1819, and in October, 1820, settled in Union Township, where the family has since resided. Their children were William A., John, Charles, George. Elliott and Ann (Dorris), all deceased except Elliott, who lives in Licking County.
William A. Chappelear was born in Leonard County, Maryland, January 28, 1790, and married in Loudoun, Va., a Miss Bradford in 1815. They settled in Morgan County in 1820. George J. Chappelear married Elizabeth Dawson in 1843, and is the father of nine chil- dren, all living except one, who died when three years of age. The names of the children are William A., George W., John B., Moses D., Josiah B., Mary J., Henderson H. and U. S. Grant and Elizabeth E. The family belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Chappelear was a member of Company E, 78th Regi- ment O. V. I., in which he served one vear, and was then discharged on a surgeon's certificate of disability. Ilis son, William A., married Eliza A. Hanesworth in 1866. There were born to them seven children. The two eldest sous, John B. and George J. were born in Londoun County. Hle reared a family of ten children, six boys and four girls.
John B., George J., Henderson A., James W., Charles A., Andrew J., Sarah A., Margaret, Jane C. and Rachel B. He was a member of Company I, 53d Regiment, O. V. I., served eighteen months and was discharged at the ex- piration of his term of service. Hle was in several severe engagements. in- cluding the battles of Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro', etc. Charles Chappelear, brother of George J., was in the army and died in hospital at Lebanon, Tenn. U. S. Grant Chappelear married Ida .J. Gladden. They have one child. Mary J. married S. C. Pierce. They have four children. George W. married Han- nah J. Wade. They have six children. John B. married Jane Wagoner. Three children. Moses D. married Nancy Kimball. Two children. Josialı B. married Lucy Rogers, one child ; she died in 1878. Henderson H., married Amy Martin. One child.
Hedgeman B. Chappelear, born in Culpeper County, Va., in 1804, came to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1827. He was married in 1826 to Miss Mary A. Clayton. They located in Union Town- ship, and had two children born to them. The eldest, J. H., lives in Homer Township, the youngest, Thomas J., Chappelear, lives on the old home place. and is to-day one of the largest landed proprietors in the county. Ile was elected county commissioner in 1885.
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CHAPTER XXVIL
HOMER.
INTRODUCTORY A A DESCRIPTIVE-MINERAL RESOURCES-OIL-A PART OF AMES TOWNSHIP IN 1805-HOMER ID MARION TOGETHER-POPULATION, 1820 TO 1840-PIONEER SETTLERS-THE
AALDERMANS-' LOVELLS-OTHER EARLY AND PROMINENT FAMILIES-REMINISCENCES AND PERSONAL HISTORY-FIRST IMPROVEMENTS-VILLAGES-THEIR ORIGIN AND DATE-CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, ET.
H OMER is the southwest township i as follows : " Beginning at the northeast of Moi an County. It is a pop- corner of the county (Athens), thence running west to the northwest corner of the county; thence south to the southwest corner of township No. 12, in the 16th range; thence east to the southeast corner of township No. 7, in the 12th range; thence north to tlie place of beginning." ulous and we 1-improved section, with agriculture a istock-raising as its prin- cipal industi es. The land is of the best grade and is well-watered by Federal Creek, Sunday Creek, and their branches. The coal underlying the surface is of a superior quality and thickness, but owing to a lack of Thus it will be seen that Ames town- ship included both of the townships, Ilomer and Marion, in 1805. Prior to 1820 Homer was formed from Ames ; and prior to 1840 Marion was formed wholly or partly from Homer. March 11, 1845, both Homer and Marion were set off to Morgan County. 1820 Ilomer township, with more than twice its present territory had 201 inhabitants, of whom 101 were males. In 1830, Homer (including the present Marion) had 636 inhabitants ; in 1840, 912. facilities for transportation has not as yet been extensively mined. A superior quality of fire-clay is found near Mountsville. A few years ago the development of the oil territory along Federal Creek attracted much attention, and for a time it seemed as though the excitement which attended the first workings of the Pennsylvania fields was to be renewed here. (See chapter on " Resources of Morgan Coun- ty "). But so, far, that ancient and hon- orable occupation, tilling the soil, has been found more profitable than any other by the people of the township.
Soon after the organization of Athens County in 1805, the whole county was divided into four municipal townships : Ames, Athens, Alexander and Troy. Ames Township was originally bounded
The Alderman family were among the earliest pioneers of this township. In the spring of 1808 Elisha Alderman and Job Phillips came from Olean, N. Y., and made a location on Sharp's Fork of Federal Creek, being favorably impressed with the natural advantages of the country, and deeming it a favor-
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al,. ction for the establishment of homes they returned to New York, and in 1810 emigrated to what is now Mor- gan County, with a little colony of seventeen people. Upon a lumber raft upon which was loaded their household effects and families, they floated down the Allegheny River to Pittsburgh, and from thence via the Ohio to Marietta where they traded the lumber for six hundred and forty acres of land in what is now Homer township. The country bordering on the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers was at the time of which we write a dense wilderness with here and there the cabin of some ad- venturous frontiersman, and perhaps no better idea can be given of the cour- age and indomitable energy of this little band of pioneers than the fact that they left their homes and with their worldly possessions and their families upon a raft of lumber, undertook a voyage of nearly five hundred miles upon unknown waters, and into a country almost unin- habited, and perhaps their only incen- tive was the probable benefit that might in after time accrue to their de- scendents. The names of the colonists were Elisha Alderman and wife, Elisha Jr. and wife, Job Phillips and wife, John Stewart and wife, James Ward Smith and wife, Rachel, Elijah, Hosea, Ley, Elihu and Annar, all of whom were sons, daughters and sons-in-law of Elisha senior. All were identified with the early history of the township. Elisha, who was the progenitor of the Alderman family in Morgan county, lived to an advanced age and died in the township. Elisha Jr. reared a large family and was quite promptly identi- fied with the carly affairs of that see- tion. Hle removed to Iowa about 1850, where he died. James Ward Smith,
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