USA > Ohio > Noble County > History of Noble County, Ohio: With Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 42
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
Desiring a wider field of labor, he chose Alli- ance, and in his new field has added new lustre to his fame as an educator. II is success as superintend- ent of the schools in this latter place was evi- denced in the fact that the Board of Edu- cation, unsol- icited on his part. at the end of the first year elected him for two years, at a greatly advanced salary.
CHARLES C. DAVIDSON.
The results of his efforts are a largely increased attendance in the schools, with a correspondingly increased interest, and a visible improvement in "methods ; " a pub- lic school library of a thousand volumes from the best authors; the purchase of the rucated college and its valuable grounds as the building
i
357
CENTER.
suitable for the imperative needs of the city and which, when remod- eled, will be one of the finest school buildings and sites in the State.
In 1886 the Ohio University con- ferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts, and most worthily was the honor bestowed. For years he has been a member of both the State Teachers' Association and National Department of School Superintend- ence, holding various offices in both; and for the past two years has acted as secretary of the National Associ- ation of School Superintendents.
HON. WILLIAM VAN METER.
Ilon. William Van Meter was born in Belmont County in 1819. IIe learned the trade of a carpenter, a vocation he followed for a live- lihood until his removal to Mount Ephraim in 1834. From Mount Ephraim he came to Sarahsville, which was afterward his home. For many years he was engaged in mer- chandising in different parts of the county. He identified himself with the best interests of Sarahsville, and filled many positions of trust and responsibility. IIe filled the office of county treasurer for two terms. In 1874 he was elected to the represent- ative branch of the legislature. He served on the State Board of Equal- į ization. In 1850 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Stewart, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1823, and came to this county with her parents in 1831. Six children were born to them : Maggie (Danford). John W., IIerman W., Mcclellan, Leah (John- son), and Hamilton W. Mr. Van
Meter was a Democrat in political belief, and in every way a worthy citizen.
THE BALL FAMILY. .
Mathew Ball, one of the prominent pioneers of Center Township, was a : native of Wales, where he was born in 1745. IIe came to this country shortly after the Revolutionary War; he first settled in Allegany County, Md., where he followed tanning and milling; he was successful in business, and accumulated what at the time was thought to be a com- petency. With the desire no doubt of bettering the condition of his family he came to Noble County, and in 1818 entered 160 acres of land near where is now the village of Sarahs- ville. On this farm he lived until his decease which occurred Dec. 27, 1821 ; he reared a family of nine children- Mathew, Jonas, John, Daniel, Lydia (Gilpin), Mary (Riddle) Susan (Vor- hies), Anna and Julia. Jonas was born in Maryland in 1791, and came to the new country with the family. Ile married Miss Amy Archer, and was the first settler on the farm now owned by Mr. Clay Young. He was a typical pioneer in the fullest sense of the term, strong, robust and res- olute, and possessed of unlimited confidence in his own resources and his ability to conquer success under such adverse circumstances. He had a full share of pioneer experiences, a narration of which would sound to the present generation more like fic- tion than fact. Ile was obliged to market the produce of the farm in Marietta, a distance of nearly fifty
.
1
.
.
358
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
miles over roads that at this time would be thought to be impassable ; on one occasion he took a load of pork to Marietta, which he sold for $1.50 per hundred, but despite the obstacles, which would have dis- heartened one less courageous, he was successful in life and at one time owned over 1,200 acres of land. But few men did more than he in the development of the county, and the name of Jonas Ball will always be accorded a prominent place among the pioneers of Noble County. Ile died Oct. 9, 1875, aged eighty-three years; his wife died in 1865, aged sixty-three. He had a family of twelve children, four boys and eight girls. James was born in Center Dec. 19, 1819; his youth was passed on the farm of his father, sharing the hardships of a pioneer family ; his rec- ollection of the early days is vivid ; he recalls many incidents that took place in his boyhood that illustrate pioneer life in Center. The follow-
ing is related to show what the pioneers were compelled to endure, and something of the early life of our subject. In 1835, just before harvest, the family got out of wheat, and they were obliged to cut the ripe spots ; the sheaves after being sufficiently dried were threshed with flails, cleaned with a sheet and riddle. On this occasion the wheat was boiled in a tea-kettle with a little maple sugar to render it more palatable. On this unwholesome diet they subsisted for two days. Many other experiences might be given, but this will suffice as an illustration.
Like his father, he began life upon a new farm, and is entitled to a prom- inent place among the pioneer farmers of the county. He married Miss Anna Salladay in 1844. She was born in Buffalo Township in 1824. They. reared a family of six children --- Emily (Russell), Israel, Martha (Downey), Angeline (Cox), Jane (Newton) and Annic.
James Bull
.
.
· THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AMOR. LECI + +
.
1
CHAPTER XIX.
SHARON.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP-SAMUEL SAILOR, THE HUNTER, AN EARLY PIONEER - THE ARCHIBALD FAMILY MAKE A SETTLEMENT IN 1815 - ANECDOTES OF SAILOR - HOW HE DEFENDED HIS NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE - HOW HE ARRIVED LATE AT A RAISING - HUNTING - THE WILEYS, LONGS AND OTHERS - ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE COUNTY SEAT OF MORGAN NEAR SHARON - REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS - THE HORSE-MILLS-THE POST-BOY - COUNTY OFFICERS.
S IIARON TOWNSHIP was erected by the county commis- sioners May 1, 1851, so as to include and be composed of the following territory, to-wit :
"Commencing at the southeast corner of the west half of section 32, in township number 6 of range num- ber 9; thence north through the center of sections 32, 29, 20, 17, 8 and 5 to the northeast corner of the west half of section 5, in said town- ship number 6 and range 9; thence west along township lines to the northwest corner of section 3, in township number 6 and range 10; thence south along section lines to the southwest corner of section 34 in said township and range; thence east along the township lines to the place of beginning. containing 27 sections."
Samuel Sailor was a pioneer and a well-known character. He first located south of Sharon, prior to 1815, and built a camp, making his living by hunting. Ile used to say that he was here seven weeks with- out seeing a human being. IIe came from Washington County, Pa. After he had made a small improvement
he brought his wife here, and they lived alone in the woods, remote from any neighbors. Mr. Archibald, who came in 1815, entered the land on which Sailor had squatted. The two were unable to agree as to the amount which Sailor was entitled for his improvement, and went to law to settle the matter. The trial was held in Cambridge, this territory then belonging in Guernsey County, and the disputants and witnesses walked there, nearly thirty miles, each carrying his rifle. Sailor re- moved to what is now the western part of Sharon Township, where he died in 1871, aged about eighty-eight years. He was a large man, physi- cally ; tall and strong, with no superfluous flesh. He was a verita- ble backwoodsman, rough and un- couth in appearance, but honest, kind-hearted and obliging. The fol- lowing incident, related by Mr. William Long, who had the story from the old man's lips, will serve to illustrate his bravery and neighborly kindness:
After Sailor settled in the western part of the township his nearest neighbor on the south was a Mr.
359
360
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY. ORIO.
Brown, who lived with his family at the forks of Olive Green Creek. about five miles distant. One day Sailor saw two suspicious characters near his own home. On interrogat- ing them, he received unsatisfactory replies, and the men departed in the direction of Brown's cabin. Know- ing that Brown was away from home, he took his gun and followed them, satisfied that they meant mis- chief. Arrived at his neighbor's, he pushed open the door and discovered the two tramps seated at the table partaking of a meal which they had compelled Mrs. Brown to supply, while she was waiting upon them, nearly frightened to death. A glance revealed the situation, and as one of the men arose from the table, and assumed . a hostile attitude, Sauilor knocked him down and quickly threw him out of the door. The other was treated in the same manner. Sailor then barred the door and remained during the night at his neighbor's cabin, guarding it against the possible return of the vagrants. But the latter were evi- dently satisfied, and did not care to run the risk of another encounter with Sailor's powerful fists.
On one occasion Sailor bad a raising, and of course had to have whisky. He was quite fond of that beverage himself. His friend, Samuel Long, knowing this, made hun prom- ise that he would not open the keg until the day of the raising. Sailor went to Archer's distillery, in the vicinity of East Union, and brought back a kog of whisky on his shoul- ders. He reached Mr. Long's cabin
1
in the night. and asked for some- thing with which to open the keg. Mr. Long reminded him of his prom- ise, but Sailor persisted, and opened the keg. Ile still had about eight miles farther to walk, but took up his burden and started for home. Ile did not arrive until two o'clock in the afternoon. By that time the building was up; but the whisky was none the less welcome on account of the delay in its arrival.
Sailor was one of the best hunters that the country afforded. Ile killed many bears, deer and wolves, and took delight in the pursuit of them. Ile said that he once shot three deer, without moving from his tracks, as fast as he could load and fire. The deer, instead of fleeing when the first one was shot, came towards him. His explanation of the matter was that the echo of the report of his rifle, flung back by a hill opposite, sounded like the report of another gun, and drove the ani- mals toward him
Among the earliest settlers were the Archibalds, Wileys, Boones, Longs and Smoots, who located near where Sharon now is. The present western part of the township was little settled early, and for years improvements progressed very slowly in that part of the township.
William Wiley died in 1816 and his remains were the first that were buried in the old graveyard at Sha- ron .* His sons. James, William, and Thomas, all lived here. John.
-
*The second buried there was an infant chiki of William Seorgan, and the third, the wife of Mat - thew Grimes.
---
361
SHARON.
another son, lived near Caldwell and had an early horse-mill. IIe was something of a hunter and once killed a large bear near where Alex- ander Boggs now lives. Betsey, wife of " Billy " Boone, and Annie, wife of Joshua Clark, belonged to the same family. All were worthy people and reared large families.
Thomas Wiley, of another family, came from Belmont County and set- tled south of Sharon. He was orig- inally from Pennsylvania. His de- scendants are still here. His sons were John, Samuel and Thomas; and his daughters, Jane, Margaret Mary and Agnes.
James Archibald was born in Ireland, married in Pennsylvania, and came from Belmont County, set- tling south of Sharon in 1815, and his was probably the first family that made a permanent location in the township. The sons were John, David, William, James and Elza. William, born in 1800, is still living, and a resident of the township, and is among the few that remain of the original settlers of the county. John Archibald was a prominent man in early years, serving as justice over twenty years. He was also a county commissioner several terms. His first commission as justice was issued while this part of the county belonged to Guernsey County.
Elza Archibald was born in 1806 and has followed farming. He was a teacher in early life. He was married in 1828 to Mary Boyd, and in 1852 to Phebe Rutan, who is still living. Elza and his brother William are the only survivors of
-
the family, which consisted of five sons and one daughter.
The Archibald family left Belmont County, one mile west of St. Clairs- ville, on the 26th of March, 1815, and reached their new home on the 5th of April. They started with a wagon, and a part of the way had to cut their own road. They left all but the two front wheels of the wagon on the way, and marked the trees along the 'route so they would know the way back.
James Archibald had one of the first orchar ls in this region, and peo- ple came from distant points to pro- cure the fruit, which was then a great luxury. Mr. Archibald and John McKee procured the trees at Belpre, on the Ohio River. They went with an ox-team and were two days going and returning. They brought back three hundred trees.
William Boone was a pioneer on the present farm of Samuel Eakin. HIe sold out to Alexander Greenlee, and moved away. Greenlee came from Belmont County and remained until 1848, when he sold out to Eakin. Greenlee married a Miss Marquis.
.
Alfred Smoot, Esq., is one of the old residents, and his recollections of pioneer events have added much to the interest of this chapter. Mr, Smoot was born in Fauquier County, Va., December 25, 1809. In 1817 he came to Ohio with the family, his father, Lewis Smoot, settling near the present town of Sharon. Ilis father cleared and improved the farm on which he died in 1850. Alfred worked at McConnelsville,
362
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
when a young man, and in 1836 re- turned to Sharon Township, settling on a farm, from which he removed to his present residence in Sharon in 1870. IIe has had three wives and is the father of nine children, six of whom are living. He has held the offices of justice of the peace and notary public.
Until the formation of Morgan County the southern half of the pres- ent township of Sharon belonged to Washington County, and the north- ern half to Guernsey. Buffalo Town- ship, Guernsey County, originally included the northern portion of Sharon Township. Manchester and Olive Townships, erected in 1819, included the present territory of this township until Noble County was made. When Morgan County was erected a hope was entertained of getting the county seat located on what was afterward the Edward Parrish farm. The land was then owned by Isaac Hill. Land was cleared and logs were cut on the present Joseph Parrish farm with which to build a temporary court house. Four different parties made land entries, taking up an entire sec- tion, on which it was proposed to locate the seat of justice of the county. Subsequent events verified the axiom of Burns :
"The best laid plans of mice and men Gang aft agley."
Kyle, Thomas Wiley and Peter Ack- ley.
Along the waters of Olive Green was a favorite hunting-ground for the pioneers. Hunters frequently came here from Zanesville and other distant points.
The pioneers were strong, hearty, good-natured, honest people, who made the best of everything; and, " preserving an even temper in the midst of hardships," as Horace ex- pressed it. they enjoyed themselves well, even though the wilderness was their home. " Frolics" of every sort -log rollings, huskings, raisings, etc., - were largely attended, and everybody worked with a will and with cheerfulness. There were no drones, and none that were unwill- ing to assist a neighbor who needed help. After they had completed the task undertaken, the young men would engage in wrestling and jump- ing matches, try to play practical jokes on one another, and in other ways seek to make things agreeable and pleasant. Whisky drinking was practiced by almost everybody, but there was seldom any drunkenness or exhibitions of evil temper.
James Kyle settled in 1817, com- ing from Belmont County. He died here at an advanced age. Ilis chil- dren were Eliza (Bell), Jane (Morri- son), Rebecca (Smith) and Lucinda (Kusan). Eliza was an early school- teacher.
The first school-house in the town- ship was a log building, which stood Among the early settlers of the township were several families that - were Germans or of German de- scent. Among these were Jacob in or near the old graveyard in Sharon. Another early school-house was built on James Kyle's farm. Among the early teachers were Eliza | Hawk, Samuel Anthony and other
363
SHARON.
Anthonys -Jacob, Harmon, George, Conrad, John and Boston Harmon -Jacob and Boston still living; Peter Pickenpaugh and his sons, Peter, John, Jacob, Adam and George, the latter still living here; the Swanks and some others. The Germans were all industrious, honest citizens and were generally success- ful farmers.
The Pennsylvania Germans were among the first settlers in the west- ern part of the township Among them were John Shuster, the Anthonys, and Klingensmiths. Of the last named family, all died, except the mother, a few years after they came.
From 1817 to 1820 the settlement progressed quite rapidly, several new families coming each year. A sec- ond period of settlement began after Congress passed a law allowing an entry of forty-acre tracts. It is believed that the last forty-acre tract in this township was entered by James Kane, where William Shepard now lives.
Thomas Boyd, of Irish descent, came from Belmont County, settling about 1818 on the farm now occu- pied by his son Robert, and was. a prominent early settler. Arthur Boyd, born in 1852, now resides on the homestead farm of his father.
!
An old resident states that there were no roads in the vicinity of Sharon in 1817. The nearest ap- proach to a road was a path which led through the woods from Thomas . Wiley's to Samuel Long's. The first road through the township was the
so-called Center road, from McCon- nelsville to Woodsfield.
Elisha Spencer settled south of Sharon, on land now owned by Mrs. Kelly. His brother Israel lived in Olive Township. Both sold out and removed.
Robert Lowe, who married Rebecca Boyd, is still living where he settled quite early. His parents located at Olive, among the first set- tlers on Duck Creek.
William Bell first settled and made a small improvement near Caldwell, afterwards removing to this town- ship. He was an Irishman His sons, William, David, and John, also lived here.
James Scott, from Belmont County, settled prior to 1825 on land now owned by William Long and John Keyser. Ile had several sons, none of whom now remain in the town- ship. Peter Walters, the Harmons, and Lewis Shirley were early settlers. The last operated a horse mill in early years, which he sold to Richard Lyons. James Bigley located early where his son Joseph lives. Michael Morrison, from Belmont County, was an early settler where his son Michael lives.
Among the earliest settlers in the western part of the township were the Brownriggs, Walters and Picken- paughs, who came soon after 1817. John Brownrigg, whose son John is still living, was an Englishman who came to the township with his family early.
There were no early grist-mills in the township except horse-mills. Of these Lewis Shirley, in the south
364
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
part of the township. had the first. and brought it safely home. Mr. Long worked at shoemaking for Samuel Sailor. the pioneer hunter. and was paid in bear meat and venison. Long was no hunter him- self. but used to relate with a good deal of interest how he shot his first He also operated a distillery. James Glenn had a horse-mill at Sharon. Afterward Isaac Parrish and El- dridge Wootton each erected steam flouring-mills at Sharon. James McGlashan had a carding machine in operation on Olive Green Creek ' and only deer. Ile was at a raising as early as 1835. Ile afterward brought his machinery to Sharon, bought out Glenn's horse-mill and substituted carding-mill machinery. after a good fall of snow, when the sun came out brightly and the snow began to melt. At once all the others who were present left their The first blacksmith who located in the vicinity was William Scoggan, who lived south of Sharon. IIe work, seized their guns and started for the woods, knowing that the conditions were favorable for secur-
came from Guernsey County. He . ing some venison. Not to be out- kept a negro who used to drive his done, Long went with the rest to team, hauling salt to Barnesville - from McKee's salt works at Olive. Scoggan left the country and his friends never heard from him.
When Samuel Long and wife came to this county Mrs. Long rode upon a horse, which also carried the house- hold stuff of the family. Mr. Long walked the entire distance. Shortly after their arrival here Mr. Long took - his horse and returned to Belmont County to bring out a spinning. wheel. It was cold weather and there was snow on the ground. Before starting on the return trip he was given some luncheon and a piece of lighted punk-wood. the then universal substitute for matches. When Sharon postoffice was estab- lished in 1830 but two newspapers were taken among all the pat- rons of the office. Peter Ackley received weekly a copy of the Lon- don Pall Mall Gazette, and John Lyons, the Pittsburgh Christian Ad- When Mr. Long desired to rest and eat his dinner, he kindled a fire in the trunk of a dry tree by means of the punk, and after warming, eating his dinner and feeding his horse, | resumed his journey. He found it no easy thing to carry a spinning- ' rocate. Many times the mail came wheel on horseback, but he succeeded | without bringing a letter for any-
the woods. He had not proceeded far when he saw a fine deer, and immediately he had a severe attack of " buck ague." a disease which often attacks amateur hunters. Ile was so excited that he scarcely knew what he was doing; but he fired his gun and the deer fell. Not stopping to see whether he had killed the deer, he again loaded and fired; then approaching, found that the animal was dead. When the hunters re- turned, some of them unsuccessful, he was much congratulated on his skill as a marksman, but declared on his part that it was only by good luck that his aim had been true.
----
365
SHARON.
body along the entire route. Letters were an expensive luxury, all that came a long distance costing the recipient twenty-five cents for post- age. The mail carrier, a boy on horseback, carrying a tin trumpet on which he blew a shrill blast to an- 1 nounce his approach, was a scarcely less important personage than Gen- eral Jackson himself, and was looked
This township has furnished to Morgan and Noble Counties its full share of county and legislative offi cers. Among former prominent res- idents have been IIon. Isaac Parrish, twice a representative in Congress; William Parrish, sheriff of Morgan County ; Oliver Keyser, associate judge in Morgan County, and repre- sentative to the legislature from associate judge in Morgan County ; John Archibald, an early commis- sioner of Morgan County ; Jonah Walters, representative to the legis- lature from Noble County; Theodore Parrish, clerk of Noble County ; William Long, commissioner of Noble County ; Charles Burlingame, county surveyor, two terms; William Lowe, county surveyor, one term.
this point. Jacob Swank began building a mill here in the same year. Ile has been a merchant here since 1866. The postoffice at Olive Green was established in 1857. James Caldwell was the first postmaster and is still in office.
PERSONAL.
Francis Aduddell was born in upon with silent. open-mouthed admi- : Guernsey County January 1, 1829. ration by the boys along his route, many of whom no doubt imagined that his position represented the acme of boyish eminence. A letter was a nine days' wonder, and who- ever received one generally took the earliest opportunity of communica- ting its contents to the neighbors. Ilis father, who was a soldier of 1812, was born in Baltimore, Md .; his mother was a native of Ireland. The family came to Noble County in 1826 and Francis has since lived on the same farm. Mr. Aduddell was married in 1863 to Ellen Lyons, of this county. They have had eight children, four of whom are living, viz .: Thomas, Annie F., Melton and Harley.
Winfield Archibald was born in Sharon Township in 1855, and is a farmer. In politics he is a Democrat. His grandfather, Archibald, was born in Ohio; his maternal grandfather in Virginia. His father, born in Sharon Township in 1827, died in 1875. Ilis Noble County ; Dr. Jesse M. Stone, . mother was born in Guernsey County in 1825, and is still living. They reared four children.
George A. Bell is descended from a family of pioneers. His grand- father was a soldier of 1812. His father was born in Belmont County in 1804, and in 1827 married and set- tled in Manchester Township, Mor- gan County, where George A. was born May 19, 1838. IIe is one of a family of ten children, seven of whom are living. He was married
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.