USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 91
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TANNERIES.
There was a tannery at Gratiot, in 1830, but the establishment was short lived. One at Mt. Sterling, about the same time. shared the same fate.
In 1836, one Henderson started a tannery, at Mt. Sterling. This establishment passed into the hands of George Rutledge, in 1854, and he continued the busines until 1866, when the con- cern was sold to the Van Allen's, who turned it into a pottery.
TAVERNS.
Institutions by this name, at this time, were not expected to furnish such luxuries as we are accustomed to find in first-class taverns in large cites, so that any one was able to keep tavern, and they sprang up along the line of the Na- tional Road as if by magic, shortly after that road became a thoroughfare. About the year 1830, Henry Winegardner removed from his farm to Mt. Sterling, and " kept tavern," on the north side of the road. He was followed soon after by a Mr. Blair, who opened a tavern on the south side of the road. This was a sufficient designation at that time, and for years afterward, as Mt. Sterling was a small place.
POSTOFFICES.
There was no postoffice in the township until 1830. At this time, the National Road was com- pleted through this section of country, and a post- office was established at Hopewell, where it was kept a few years, and then removed to Mt. Ster- ling, and has been kept there ever since, retain- ing, however, the name, Hopewell Postoffice.
A postoffice was established about the same time at Gratiot. This office being at the juncture of Muskingum and Licking counties, or nearly so, has been moved from one county to the other, according to the residence of the Postmaster, who is appointed on the recommendation of the people. In 1880, the Postmaster was a resident of Licking county, and the post office was ac- cordingly in that county.
Another postoffice was established at Cottage Hill, in the extreme northwest corner of the town- ship.
Another at Pleasant Valley, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which is the only railroad post- office in the township. It is called the Licking Valley Postoffice.
A daily mail is received and distributed at each of these offices, except Cottage Hill. Much might be said concerning the advantages of mail facilities, but they are too well known to render this permissible. We hazard nothing in saying, however, that next to our public schools, no other agency is so conducive to the diffusion of knowledge, or does so much to fraternize the
human family. And America, more than any other country, enjoys the full benefit of a perfect mail system, and at reasonable cost.
ROADS.
The road question is always an important one, particularly in a "timbered country." This, however, is too self-evident to admit of elucida- tion. The reader, however, will not object to a simple statement concerning the roads of an early day. The original roads of the country were trails, or much frequented paths. There were no wagon roads, and when it was possible for a wagon to pass and not turn over, or stick fast in a mud hole or swamp, and this was re- peated one or more times, this did not constitute a road, as now understood. Such a road, as we know, requires work, and sometimes a large amount of stone and other material, to bring it to our standard. And such was not then possible, for highways had not been determined upon. These are mere allusions, going to show how it was "in the beginning. Therefore, when Hamilton and Manley came into this region, they found "nature unadorned" with roads, and had to cut down trees in their chosen route, before they could proceed with their wagons to their destination. This act alone demonstrates their firmness of purpose, which, it is almost needless to say, characterized their subsequent efforts in life, and won for them the pround victory of industry. John Colvin came in 1807,a year later. There was no direct road from Zanesville, and they moved out the old "State Road," near where the Mays- ville Pike" now is, and then struck across the country.
"The Cooper Mill Road was laid out from Putnam in 1808," and was a little south of the present road.
"The National Road," our great thoroughfare, was built in 1830, and from that time to the present, there has been a steady improvement in the township.
The following inscription is found on a stone, set in the north wall surmounting the culvert over the run, on Burley's place :
BUILT A.D. 1830
-BY-
C. NISWANGER.
JAMES HAMPSON, - - Sup't.
D. SCOTT, -
Ass't Sup't
The Policy of the Nation: "Reciprocity at Home and Abroad."
TIMBER RUN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The church was built in 1832, for a society known as Predestinarian Baptists. It located on land belonging to Robert Bolin, but the site was not deeded to the society until 1841, at which time the Trustees were David Allen, James Fairbanks and John Burley.
The services at this church have been kept up very irregularly, and no record of the pastorates or membership has been accessible.
413
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
This township escaped some of the hardships of having to use the primitive styles of imple- ments. The patent plow was in use by most of the early settlers, and the millenial era of im- proved agricultural implements was upon them. The days of tramping grain out, or threshing with flails, was passing away.
A thresher worked by horse power, the first thresher in the township, was owned, in 1837, by Frederick Beams. It was made by John Van Horne, in West Zanesville. The horse power is spoken of as a curiosity, but as no accurate description can be had, the curious will have the pleasure of the antiquarian in finding it out ; we confess our inability to do so.
IMPROVED STOCK.
Those who have given attention to this sub- ject, have mostly engaged in sheep growing. Louis Ijams brought a flock of Merino sheep here, in 1845. They were a part of Brownlee's flock, in Pennsylvania. James Colvin bought Spanish Merino sheep of Shipps and Armstrong, in 1856. They were from Vermont. In 1864, Shipps and Coulter brought some to Mt. Sterl- ing. when James Colvin bought three, having brought some from Pennsylvania, in 1863.
Of the others who engaged in Merino sheep breeding here, were the Pryor's and Leroy Rob- inson. The former purchased of Shipps and Armstrong, in 1856, and the latter of Jones and Rockwell, and of Parmalee, in 1864.
George Pollock was one of the first to breed fine sheep extensively in this township. He be- gan about 1850. His first fine Merino was known as "212," purchased in Vermont, of George Campbell, for $236.00. He subsequently sold a lamb of this stock, for $300.00.
Samuel Campbell and S. W. Prior bought sixteen ewes from Uriah Shipps and Coulters' at $62.50 each. These sheep were from Vermont, and bred to Pollock's "212," spoken of above. Mr. Campbell kept them on shares two years, and started his fine flock from the lambs. Four vears ago, he sold eleven ewes for $200., and he has sold a number of bucks at $25.00 each.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Horicon Lodge, No. 192, I. O. O. F., was organized February 23d, 1852, at Brownsville, and subsequently moved to Gratiot. The officers at the time of organization were :
N. G .- A. R. Jordan.
V. G .- John G. Bain.
Secretary-Parson Gee.
The charter members were A. R. Jordan, Jer- ome Waite, J. R. Thrall, John F. Bain and Charles Lindsey. Other members were, William Thomas, Armistead Dodd, Dr. Thomas Hood, James Payne, Frank .Burton, George Johnston, George McMullen and John Smart.
Their hall was built in 1862, at a cost of about $2,000.00.
The number of members, in :878, was forty-
five ; the number of Past Grands, was twenty- one ; initiated, two : reinstated, two ; total assets, $3,105.74.
The officers for 1879, were as follows :
N. G .- David Ehrman.
V. G .- Milton Coomlis.
Treasurer-Abraham Nursey.
P. S .- Jacob G. Armstrong.
C. S .- Harrison Drumm.
Trustees-Warner Mills, J. B. Gard and A. B. Gard.
Nathan Prior is Property Trustee.
MT. STERLING BAND.
The Mt. Sterling Band was organized in 1873, by D. S. Brown, who became leader. The band consists of nine members and pieces. They practice regularly, and have a good local repu- tation.
GRAVEYARDS.
The first graveyard in this township, was on the old Reamy place ; corresponding to the south quarter of section 9, T. 8, R. 15 : subsequently owned by Alexander Smith.
The Bonnifield graveyard, has some evidences of great age, being allotted by some who sleep there, for example: Jacob Reamy, died in the eightieth year of his age ; Major William Bonni- field, at eighty-five and six months ; Mary Bonni- field, at seventy-four ; Mary, wife of Thomas Simpson, at sixty-four.
The Beula graveyard list, is equally remark- able. Samuel Frey died April 9, 1848, aged eighty-six years ; Rachel, his wife, died January 31st, 1859, aged eighty-two ; Rolley Taylor died January 2d, 1847, in the eighty-third year of her age; Samuel Fairlamb died February 16th, 1853, aged seventy-six; Mary, his wife, died August 30th, 1853, aged seventy-five ; Jane, wife of Thomas' Wickham, died March Ist, 1858, aged ninety years ; Thomas Wickham, died June 13th, 1851, aged eighty-two; Sarah, his wife, died April 11th, 1842, aged sixty-four ; and Daniel Crainner, died July 24th, 1867, aged eighty-seven years.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The earlier records of elections for township officers, may never be found, and having nothing to indicate who they were, we shall not indulge in conjecture.
The earliest official whose election record has been found, is George Higginbotham, who was elected Justice of the Peace in 1812. And from the records, it appears that the following persons filled that office since 1835 : Mahlon Sims, from April, 1835, to 1838. and from 1838, to 1841 : John Prior, from 1836 to 1839 : Samuel Drummi, from 1836 to 1839, and from 1841 to 1844 ; David McCracken, from 1839 to 1842 and from 1845 to 1848: Charles Chappelear, from 1839 to 1842, and 1842 to 1845. to 1848, and from 1851 to 1854 : Jesse L. Manley, from 1842 to 1845 : John Por- ter, from 1842 to 1845 ; Samuel Frey, from 1845 to 1848, from 1849 to 1850, and to 1853 : David
414
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Sherrard, from 1848 to 1851, to 1854 : John Bur- ley, from 1848 to 1851 ; Samuel Frey, from 1853 to 1856, to 1859; J. R. Whartenby, from 1855 to 1858: David Sherrard, from 1854 to 1857, to 1860 and 1863 : Henry Dick, from 1858 to 1861 to 1864, to 1867; George Porter, from 1864 to 1867 : James Colvin, from 1867 to 1870; Joseph Richey. from 1868 to 1871, to 1874 ; Daniel Nor- man. from 1873 to 1876; J. Lloyd Varner, from 1871 to 1874 ; Ephraim Bonnifield, from 1870 to 1873; Henry Bonnifield, from 1868 to 1871; Joseph Richey, from 1874 to 1877 ; James K. P. Redman, from 1874 to 1877 ; Joseph Porter from 1875 to 1878: Daniel Norman, from 1876 to 1879.
In 1838, the Trustees were John Morgan, Samuel Bonnifield and John Porter ; Clerk, David McCracken ; Treasurer. Samuel Colvin ; Con- stables, Joseph W. Crown and John Colvin ; and, in 1849. Trustees same as above ; Clerk, Mahlon Sims : Treasurer. Samuel Colvin : Constables, same.
1840. Trustees, Morgan. Bonnifield and Por- ter : Clerk, David McCracken ; Treasurer, Sam- uel Colvin : Constables. J. W. Crown and Os- born Shaw.
1841. Trustees, same ; Clerk, Peter Drumm ; Treasurer, Samuel Colvin ; Constables, J. W. Crown and Henry Bonnifield.
1842. Trustees, same ; Clerk, Mahlon Sims ; Treasurer, Samuel Colvin ; Assessor, Joseph W. Crown : Constables. J. W. Crown and M. F. Fountain.
1843. Trustees, John Porter, Charles Chap- pelear and Samuel Colvin; Clerk, Mahlon Sims : Treasurer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, J. W. Crown : Constables, J. W. Crown and M. F. Fountain.
1844. Trustees. Samuel Colvin, Chas. Chap- pelear, David McCracken ; Clerk, Peter Holmes ; Treasurer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, J. W. Crown : Constables, J. W. Crown. John R. Smith.
1845. Trustees, A. Varner, Samuel Colvin, Henry Woolf: Clerk, Henry . Dick ; Treasurer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor. J. W. Crown ; Con- stables, William Clapper, J, W. Crown.
1846. Trustees, Amos Varner, John Burley, Henry Woolf: Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, J. W. Crown ; Con- stables, J. W. Crown, W. W. Chappelear.
1847. Trustees. Henry Woolf, John Burley, Samuel Drumm : Clerk. Henry Dick ; Treas- urer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, B. B. Morgan ; Constables, J. O. Hook, J. W. Crown.
1848. Trustees, Henry Woolf, John Burley, Townsend J. Jury : Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treas- urer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, B. B. Morgan ; Constables, J. W. Crown, William Clugston.
1849. Trustees, Henry Woolf, John Burley, Townsend J. Jury : Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treas- urer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, B. B. Morgan ; Constables, J. W. Crown, Harrison Norman.
1850. Trustees, Henry Woolf, Samuel Bon- nifield, Townsend J. Jury ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer. Joseph Richey : Assessor. B. B. Mor-
gan ; Constables, J. W. Crown, Harrison Nor- man.
1851. Trustees, Henry Woolf, Samuel Bonni- field, Townsend J. Jury ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, B. B. Mor- gan ; Constables, J. W. Crown, J. O. Hook.
1852. Trustees, Henry Woolf, William Mor- rison, Jacob Kreager; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, B. B. Mor- gan ; Constables, Joseph W. Crown, John Yeley.
1853. Trustees, A. Morrison, Jacob Kreager, Lewis Richards ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treas- urer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, Peter Drumm ; Constables, J. W. Crown, Daniel Norman.
1854. Trustees, J. Kreager, W. A. Morrison, J. O. Hook ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, Joseph Richey; Assessor, B. B. Morgan ; Con- stables, J. W. Crown, Daniel Norman.
1855. Trustees, Samuel Woolf, J. Kreager, W. A. Morrison ; Clerk, Henry Dick; Treas- urer, Samuel C. Field ; Assessor, B. B. Morgan ; Constables, Daniel Norman, Jacob Burrier.
1856. Trustees, Henry Woolf, W. A. Mor- rison. J. Kreager ; Clerk, John Ligget, who re- fused to serve, and Henry Dick was appointed ; Treasurer, S. C. Field ; Assessor, B. B. Mor- gan ; Constables. Daniel Norman. Jacob Bur- rier.
1857. Trustees, Samuel Bonnifield, Henry Woolf, W. A. Morrison ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, Samuel C. Field ; Constables, Daniel Norman, William Varner.
1858. Trustees, Samuel Bonnifield, Henry Woolf, W. A. Morrison ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, Samuel C. Field ; Constables, Daniel Norman, Jacob Burrier.
1859. Trustees, Henry Woolf, Samuel Bonni- field, W. A. Morrison ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer. Samuel C. Field ; Assessor, George Poundstone ; Constables, Daniel Norman, Jacob Burrier.
1860. Trustees, John Burley, Samuel Bonni- field, Henry Woolf; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treas- urer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, John Colvin, Constables, Adam Miller, Jacob Burrier.
1861. Trustees, Henry Woolf, John Burley, Amos Varner ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, John Colvin ; Consta- bles, Adam Miller, John C. Crown.
1862. Trustees, Henry Woolf, Ephraim Bon- nifield, W. A. Morrison ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, Joseph Richey ; Assessor, William Rutledge ; Constables, J. C. Crown, Wilson Bonnifield.
1863. Trustees, Ephraim Bonnifield, Peter V Drumm, Benjamin Wickham; Clerk, W. A. Morrison ; Treasurer, John R. Whartenby ; As- sessor, William Rutledge; Constables, Daniel Norman, John Wolcott.
1864. Trustees, David McCracken, Nathan Prior. Sol. Minnick; Clerk, Joseph Porter ; Treasurer, A. M. Field ; Assessor, A. J. Craw- ford ; Constables. John Higginbotham, James Sherrard.
1865. Trustees, Nathan Prior, Sol. Minnick, Lewis Richards : Clerk, Joseph Porter ; Treas-
415
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
urer, William T. Perry ; Assessor, Thomas Mor- gan, who refused to serve; Constables, John Higginbotham, James Sherrard.
1866. Trustees, Sol. Minnick, Lewis Rich- ards, Zach. McCammon ; Clerk, Henry Dick ; Treasurer, William T. Perry ; Assessor, George Poundstone ; Constables, Amos Norman, Daniel Norman.
1867. Trustees, Zach. McCammon, Jacob Johnson, Samuel Brown; Clerk, R. F. Smart ; Treasurer, W. T. Perry ; Assessor, William Sims ; Constables, George W. Morgan, E. W. Langstaff.
1868. Trustees, Sol. Minnick, Jacob Johnson, Frank Sidle; Clerk, R. F. Smart ; Treasurer, W. T. Perry ; Assessor, William Kreager ; Con- stables, Amos Norman, James Sherrard.
1869. Trustees, Jacob Johnson, Frank Sidle, Jesse L. Manley ; Clerk, R. F. Smart ; Treas- urer, W. T. Perry ; Assessor, William Kreager ; Constables, Amos Norman, James Sherrard.
1869. Trustees, Jacob Johnson, Frank Si- dle, Jesse L. Manley ; Clerk, R. F. Smart ; Treasurer ; W. T. Perry ; Assessor, Samuel Woolf; Constables, Amos Norman, S. C. Cun- ningham. September 20, 1869,Clerk R. F. Smart resigned, and Joseph Porter was appointed.
1870. Trustees, Jesse L. Manley. Jacob John- son, John Burley ; Clerk, George H. Hood ; Treasurer, W. T. Perry ; Assessor, Thomas W. Morgan ; Constables, Amos Varner, J. L. Var- ner.
1871. . Trustees. C. F. Sidle, John B. Starkey, Jacob Johnson ; Clerk, George H. Hood ; Treas- urer, W. T. Perry ; Assessor, Samuel H. Woolf ; Constables, Amos Norman. Noah Allen.
1872. Trustees, John B. Starkey, James E. Tanner, William D. Laird ; Clerk, George H. Hood; Treasurer, W. T. Perry ; Assessor, Henry Woolf; Constables, Amos Norman, John Frances.
1873. Trustees, James E. Tanner, John B. Starkey, Ephraim Bonnifield ; Clerk, George H. Hood ; Treasurer, W. T. Perry ; Assessor, Ja- cob Kreager; Constables, Amos Norman, Mar- tin Fountain.
1874. Trustees, James E. Tanner, Washing- ton M. Bonnifield, George Poundstone ; Clerk, H. G. Moore ; Treasurer, W. T. Perry ; Assessor, Jacob Kreager ; Constables, Ainos Norman, Shelby Hibbs.
1875. Trustees, James E. Tanner, Washing- ton M. Bonnifield, George Poundstone ; Clerk, Henry G. Moore ; Treasurer, W. T. Perry ; As- sessor, Henry Bonnifield ; Constables, Ainos Norman, John W. Sidle,
1876. Trustees, William M. Bonnifield, James E. Tanner, August Eckman ; Clerk, George H. Hood ; Treasurer, John Whartenby ; Assessor, Grafton F. Rankin ; Constables, Amos Norman, Jacob Shaw.
1877. Trustees, Mathias Drumnm, Jacob Kreager, John B. Chappelear; Clerk, George H. Hood ; Treasurer, John Whartenby ; Assessor, Adam B. Gard ; Constables, Amos Norman, Ja- cob Shaw.
1878. Trustees, David Ehmann, Alva Bonni- field, James W. Felton ; Clerk, George H. Hood ; Treasurer, John Whartenby ; Assessor, George Kreager ; Constables, Amos Norman, James Clugston.
1879. Trustees, Alva Bonnifield, John Bowers, Thomas W. Morgan ; Clerk, George H. Hood ; Treasurer, John Whartenby ; Assessor, W. M. Bonnifield ; Constables, Amos Norman, William Hill.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
GEOGRAPHY-SCHOOL LANDS-PIONEERS-EARLY IMPROVEMENTS-FIRST BRICK HOUSE-FIRST STONE HOUSE-FIRST ORCHARD -- MERINO SHEEP -"SHORT HORNS' - FIRST REAPER-ROADS- OLD WHEELING-A COUNTY ROAD-NATIONAL ROAD-RAILROAD-MILLS-FIRST TANNERY- FIRST STORE-FIRST TAVERN-BLACKSMITHS- FIRST COOPER-DISTILLERIES-ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP -TOWNSHIP OFFICERS -- TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY-NORWICH - NORWICH DIRECTORY-NEW CONCORD-NEW CONCORD DIRECTORY-NEW CONCORD UNITED PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH-NEW CONCORD) PRESBYTER- IAN CHURCH-NEW CONCORD M. E. CHURCH- NEW CONCORD BAPTIST CHURCH-NORWICHI M. E. CHURCH-NORWICH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -NORWICH UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH- SCHOOLS-MUSKINGUM COLLEGE-NEW CON- CORD GRADED SCHOOL-FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL -NORWICH SOCIETY OF INQUIRY-POSTOFFICES -PHYSICIANS-MILITARY - UNION TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEERS -- AGRICULTURE -- IMPROVED STOCK -DRAINAGE-TIMBER-MINERALS.
Union township is situated within the . United States Military District." constitutes town one, and range five, of that survey. and contains twenty-five square miles of territory.
SCHOOL LANDS. .
When the township was surveyed, in 1803, the Government reserved the southeast quarter of the same, for school purposes. and divided the sec- tions into quarters, numbering them from one to twenty-five, beginning at the northeast corner of said tract.
When Ebenezer Zane. in 1797. surveyed the road "from Wheeling to Limestone, in Ken- tucky," he passed through the territory now known as Union township, and opened up a highway in the wilderness : a thoroughfare along which the tide of emigration poured. surging its way towards the setting sun.
As the weary emigrant plodded his way along the "Zane Trace." towards " Westbourne," and stopped to slake his thirst at some beautiful spring. he could not fail to note the rich land. purling streams, and gentle slopes of the military dis- trict. Hence it was, that town one-now Union township-was early settled by hardy and in- dustrious pioneers. When the whites first set- tled in this locality, there was an Indian camp
1.
416
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
on section five, on the land now owned by Isaiah Carr. There was also a camp on "White Eyes" Creek-the stream deriving its name from the Shawanoes chief, by that name.
PIONEERS.
It is not certainly known who was the first set- tler of Union township, as the school land, being subject to a lease of ninety-nine years, was early occupied by a class of people. unable to purchase land elsewhere, few of whom became permanent settlers. During the interval between 1803 and 1807, Henry Hardesty occupied lot nineteen, Peter Monroe, lot twenty-three, Henry Hardy, lot twelve. William Newland. lot three. and Mullen, lot nine.
The Government, receiving no revenue from these lands, found it necessary to pass a law ex- posing them to public sale; offering the occu- pants the first chance to purchase.
From 1803 to 1806, the Reasoners, Speers, Findleys, and Wilsons, from Pennsylvania, set- tled in the northeastern portion of the township, near the present site of New Concord. Henry Reasoner, having in the year 1804, entered the land on which the town now stands.
In 1806, Samuel Wilson located on the north- west quarter of section eleven, and finding a "bee tree" near his cabin, he appropriated the bees, and established the pioneer apiary of Mus- kingum county. His son, John, still occupies the premises, and looks after the descendents of the "old bee gum"-the bees from which his father nurtured for fifty-seven years.
John C. Wilson, another son, has at this time the largest apiary in the county.
In 1804, Thomas Warren, following the " Old Zane Trace," located on section thirteen, and opened his house for the accommodation of the traveling public. This was the pioneer tavern of the township, and was afterwards known as the " Few Tavern Stand."
In the year 1805, John Self arrived from Vir- ginia, and entered the land now owned by Wil- liam P. Self, situated on section fifteen.
Judge David Findley came from Pennsylva- via, in 1806, and purchased the southwest quarter of section one, of Henry Reasoner. In 1813, he was elected associate Judge, and held that office until 1820, when he resigned.
In April, 1807, John Hadden, father of Sam- nel Hadden, located on the southwest quarter of section eight. Andrew Lorimer, William Hun- ter, and Robert Walker, settled on sections thirteen and eighteen, and Ralph Hardesty, from Wheeling, West Virginia, pitched his tent on the southeast quarter of section fourteen. This loca- tion afterwards became famous as the spot chosen by the stalwart and pugnacious settlers to " vote. drink, and fight."
Captain Joseph McCune came from Pennsyl- vania, in 1808, and settled on section ten, now known as the McClelland property. Mr. Mc- Cune became a man of influence in the commu- nity, serving in the war of 1812, as Captain, and, subsequently, as Justice of the Peace for a period of twenty-one years.
The same year, ( 1808), James Cummins built his cabin on the southwest quarter of section nine.
In 1809, Joseph Geyer entered the southeast quarter of section seven, and was soon followed by his brothers, Daniel and John.
In 1810, Barnett Vandevert located on the southwest quarter of section twenty-three.
The year 1811, added quite a number of set- tlers to the population. William Garner located on the northwest quarter of section five. (now Israel Carr's). Peter Galigher entered a por- tion of section four, (now John Jennings'). Benjamin Wortman .located on the southwest quarter of section seven, (now partially occupied by the village of Norwich). Simon Elliott set- tled on land now owned by Simon Elliott, Jr., being the southwest quarter of section three.
Frederick Henderson, Adam and Daniel Bow- man, and David Sellers, arrrived from Pennsyl- vania, in 1812. Henderson bought land of Wil- liam Gladden, who had entered two quarter sec- tions where Thomas Marshall now resides, (section eighteen), and hired Isaac Tewalt to build him a house. This house, a log one, is still standing on the Marshall farm, but unoccu- pied.
Col. John Reynolds located on the' southwest quarter of section thirteen, on the Wheeling road, and opened a store in 1815 ; the first regu- lar store within the bounds of the present town- ship.
Samuel Cummins, Samuel Hadden, and John Vandevert, are the oldest inhabitants of the township, having resided in it continuously for over seventy years.
EARLY IMPROVEMENTS.
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